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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

no.._(q sga.-.. DATE._4-j &3.5
SOURCE..H Ajlck—f'-and-,,

1.15

pEA.CAgij^

ll,l,U3TT^ftT£;D WZ;£;KI,Y JOUI^KAIh

HORTICULTURE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES,

FOUNDED BY

W. I^ohinson, F.L.S., Jiuthor of " Jilpim Flowers," etc.

"lou see, sweet maid, vre marry
A gentle ecion to the wildest stock
And make conceive a bark of baser kind
By bud of nobler race : This is an art
Which does mend nature change it rather-
The art itself is na.\,m-e."—SAaies/mn:

VOL. XV. -MIDSUMMER, 1879.

LONDON:
OFFICE: 37, SOUTHAMPTON STKEET, COVENT GARDEN, W. C.

JEAN JULES LINDEN,

0/ BriKSfJn, Hortirulturid and Traveller,

THIS FIFTEENTH VOLUME OF "THE GARDEN" IS DEDICATED

IN KECOGMITION OF HIS LABOURS IN THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC PLANTS

TO THE GARDENS OF EUROPE.

l97q

If. R.

r. IS"

JuN-E 2>, 1870.

THE GARDEN.

INDEX TO A^OLTJME XT

Abie5 Albertiani, 176; Diii^Iasi. 113,
ITH ; nigra, 176 ; nobilis, 176 ; Pinsapa,
177

Abiitilous at Chiswick, 312 : culture ol,
377 ; in market i^'ardens, 1'20

Aciuii dealbata. 326 ; rubruni, 324

Achillea aurea, 272

Achimenes in baskets, 135

Auoaites, winter, under Beech trees, 19 i

Acorns, differences amongst, 46

Actinidia kolomikta, 513

Adiantum palmatum, 401 ; WilUamsi,
4i3

.^chmea Marire Rsginre, 170

Aerides Suhr'jederi, 493

Agapanthus umliellatus candidin. 433

A/eratuni, CaTinell's dwarf, Idj, 493 ;
Lady Jane, 313

Agrotis segetum, 25

Allium Erdeli, 3J1 ; kuratavieiise. 412

Alocasias, 110

Alpines, 97 ; at York, 427 ; at Rydo, 334 ;
on walls, 416

Alpiuia nutans, 442

Alsnphila pigina>a, 30

Alatroimsrias. culture of, 342

Ainirantus, cordatus, 162

A'liirylUs, Dr. Masters, 70; Duke of
Connauijrht, 307 : Hercules, 3 1»; ; Lidy
Luuisa Egerton, 444 ; Mr.=. Baker, 206 ;
Mrs. Morgan, 406; Virgil, 22.)

Amaryllises, seedling, 57; prizes for, 210

American hardy plants, 2j2

Amygdalus nana. ;>S7

Anlromeda calyculata, 109 ; florjbunda,
•26d

Anemone fukens an-l its varieties, 436 ;
stellata, 289 ; sylvestris, 420

Anemones from seed, 193

Angrzecum sesquipedale, 23 ; s. super-
bum, 171

Annuals, bedding, 305; tender, and
slugs, 493

Anthurium Scherzerianum at flielsea,
339 ; S. Palmeri, 474

Antirrhinums, 140 ; from scoil, 427

Antrim, effects of the winter in, 392

Ants and paraffin, 224

Aphelandra aurantiaca Roezli, 210

Aphis Ros;v, 3S0

Aponogeton distachyon, 23. 339

Apple, the, 315

Apple blossom, the, 441 ; culture in S:jot-
land, 335

Apples, Dieu Donn6, 265; early Jnlien,
23S ; King of the Pippins, 35, 52. 79 ;
Oslin. 233; Crab, 233 ; f..r market in
North Yorkshire, 403 ; Irish market,
350 ; pruning, 335 ; two early, 2J8 ;
varieties of, 316

Apricots, pruning, training, and pr jtect-
ing, 215 ; treatment of, 311

A luatics iu basins 293

Aquilsgia glandulosa, 273; chrysautha,
512

A'juilegias, seedling, 503

Aralia californica, 295 ; Sieboldj, hai\li-
nes9 of, 223

AriUas, 270

Araucaria imbricata. 71, 168 ; fertilisa-
tion of the, 507 ; Niepreschki, 509

Arbutuses, cutting down, 225

Arctostaphylas, species of, 104

Arnebia echioides, 406, 469

Art of the future, Morris on. 293

Arum Lily, double-spathed, 228

Arum Lilies in market gardens, 76

Ash, a curious, 9

Asparagus, an error as to, 467 ; fine
English, 454; for market, 4>9; wholly
blanched. 523 ; keeping frjsh, 520 ;
green, 520

A paragus culture. 321 ; ditto, econo-
niicai, 463 ; cutting. 353 ; planting, 344,
424 ; ditto while young, 3^2

Asparagus decnmbens. 109. 212. 210 ;
gracilliraus, 425 ; varieties of, 170 ;
plumosa, 496

Asperula Oilorata, 460, 493

Asphalte, substitute for, 24, CD

Asjihodelus ramosui, 96

A-pidistra lurida variegata, 132

Aspidistras, 6

Aspleninrn horridum, 425

Aster growing for market. 4i, 140, 156

Astrulagus adsurgens. 475
I Ataccia pinnatitiila, 266, 273
I Atiiyrium scandicinuni, 17

Aubrietias, seedling, 273

Aucnba berries, 239, 323. 3>7, 361

Aucubas, 199 ; at Christniai, 23 ; cross-
ing, 232

Auricula Society. National. 316

Auriculas, potting, 429. 462 ; time for
repotting. 469 ; liew, 346 ; while mould
in. 423. 462

Avenue Limes, 2:5.3

Azalea balsamitlnra, 34G ; Duke of Con
n;iught, 266; Empress of India, 229,
330; Indian, hardiness of the, 460;
Madeline, 444; Marvel, 316; mollis
Bai-on Constant Reb8c<iue. 425;.ni.
var. ComteileGomer. 406, 425 ; pontica
Graf Von Moran, 425, 444 ; p. var.
n.ircissiflora, 40<i ; viscosifera, 210 ;
William Carmichael, 346

Azaleas at Fulham, 210; hardy, 313;
large ditto. 33i; market garden, 43 ;
seedling, 266; untrained, 453; white
Indian, out-of-iioors. 516

Aztr.i-i. hardiness of, 273

Az.dl.i pianata, S65

B.

Balantium Culcita. 252
Balsams iu market gardens, 100
I Bamboo shading. 361
> llamboos, 271
Bambusa heterocycla, 75
Baptisias. 17
Bark, constricted. 470 ; and timber traie,

the, 432 ; stripping, 323
Barkeria Skinneri. 32
Baskets, rustic, 176
Beans, Broad, for market, 411 ; French,

45
Bearberries, the, 104
B^ech, Stevens' purple v/oeping, 61
Beeches and underwood, 3, 23, 00 73,

106, 194
Be?s and ilignonette, 493
B,-etle, FaHid Rove, 322 ; poison, 357
B.-;etle3. Willow. 466
Begonia Abel Carri^re. 433; althetcflora.

443 ; Clovis, 4S4 ; Comtesse de Choi-

seul, 406 ; glaucifolia for baskets. 144 ;

hydrocotylifolia, 130 ; h. manicata. 54 ;

Ingrami. 326 : J, H. Laing. 434 ; Marie

Bjuchet, 434 ; Maude Churchill. 414 ;

Mrs. Arthur Potts, 434 ; multiilora,

334 ; Rex, 6 ; Souvenir de Gan,l, 431 ;

Royal Standard. 522
Be^rmias in market gardens, 141 ; select.

352 ; tuberous-rooted, 333, 377, 425 ;

hardiness of ditto, 131
Bertolonia Killichi, 509 : Rodeeki, 509
Certolonias, propagation of, 212, 221
Retonv. 23

Bird-feeding boxes, 47
Bird scarers, 165
Birds and insects, 87; protecting bush

fruits from. 52
Blandfordia flava, 509
Bocconia cordata. 23
Bjg plants, descriptive list of harrjy, 291

) Boilers for small homes. 69
I Bomarei obligantha, 101
j Bongtu'dia Ranwol , 326
\ B.)r.i:;o orientalis, 4
I Boronias, culture of, SO
I Botanical tiia-,'rann. 365
! B.tt)ni he.it, 127. 130, 176

B;j:u'ainville.i spectabilis, 519

Bougainvill^as, 319

Bou'-iuet. a liutterpot, 492

Bouvardias, a group of, 493

Briers, hedge, right to remove, 70

Briei-s, se'dling. 433

Broccoli cri>p. the, 392

Broccoli, early and late, 332 ; hardiness
of, 213, 276 ; ornamental-leaved, 333 ;
Veit:h's Self-protjctin^, 151

Broom seed, sowin-j;. los
i Brosinuim galactodendron, 70

Broussouetia papyrifera Billiardi, 53

Brownea grandiceps, 2c7 ; macrophylla,
436

Bruchus pisi, 65

Brussels Sprouts, 314

Bugs, May, 502

Butb beds, carpeting, 55. 96

Bulhijphyllum Be-jcari, 519

BaJhous plants, market, 57

Bull)3, si)rini;-tlowering. 117, 411

Buphthalmmn cordifolium, 2

Butchers" Broom, 363, 363

C.

Cabbage tribe, hardiness of, 151

('alcalia artiiulata, 7

Cacti, briglit-rtuwering, 453 ; in flower at
Hammersmith. 451

Caladium L'Albane, 125

Calauthes in small pots, 136

Calceolaria amplexicaulis, 273 ; Crystal
Palace. 444

Calceolarias, all the, 258 ; herbaceous.
405. 424 ; at Langport, 454 ; in market
gardens, 140

Callus in market gardens. 76

Calochortus lilacinus, 339 ; elegans var.
Tolmiei, 497

C iltha palustris fl.-pl., 3-39

t'.ilycanthuses, the, 234, 361

CiiHillias, hardiness of, 333, 387, 414,
4 U ; houses for. 231 ; large, 365 ; Mrs.
H.vey, 266 ; C. 31. Hovey, 266 ; reti-
culata, 289 ; sports of, 232, 327 ; Ameri-
cm, 139 ; at Fiilham, 210 ; at Kingston,
256 ; different modes of growing, 413 ;
in boxes, 436 ; in Isle of Wight, 374 ;
in Kent, 389 ; in orchard houses, 405 ;
in the open air, 141, 161, 177, 193, 405,
433 ; in Vineries, 93 ; in market garden,
43 ; propagating, 327 ; shading for,
432; soil for, 232; thinning buds of,
232 ; under verandahs, 327 ; weeping,
516

Ca^npanula Allioui, 474

Cimpiinulas, annual, 356

Cauauga odorata, 239

Gannas on the Continent, 36 ; pennanent
bails of, 56, 34

Capsicums, yellow-fruited, 199

Carica Papaya, 352

Carludovica Drudei, 509 |

Carnations and Cyclamens, 23 ; grubs
attacking. 466; white Clove, 57

Carrdinea elegans, 474

^'arpetinc; plants, 135

'.irria;- drives, planting, 172, 253

I "i^^.iniliM calyculata, 321

r i-i.-iope I'a^tigiata. 454

iJastauea chrysophylla, 3, 27

Cistor-oil plants, 271

Cat ikidozamia Hopei, 346 ; Miiueliam.
425

Caterpillars, goat-moth, 226
Cattleyas, Alexanlne, 339; flowers of,
without sheaths, 423, 446; ilacMorj
landi, 454, 481; Reineckiana, 442;
Skinneri all»a,'383, 425 ; cuituri of, 320
Cauliflowers, early, 520
Cecropia peltata, 371
Cedars, 71, 143; of Lebanon, 163; ditto,

weeping, 516
Celosias, culture of, 256
Centaurea ragusina from cuttings, 277 ;

from seed, 250
Cerasus Rhexi. 471
Cereus C. .AL Hovey. 500
Cercidopliyllum japoaicum, 103
Cespedcsia Bonplandi. 50*9
Ccutorbynchus sulcicolli,>. 145
Cliamairops excelsa, liardiness of, 2S9
(.Charcoal, burning, 24
Cheimatobia brumaria, 169
Cherries, market garden, 351
Cheny. weeping May Duke, 6L
Chestnut, golden-leaved, 8, 27
Children's Gardens, 329, 370, 400, 476
Chiouodoxa Forbesi, 326
Chionodoxa Lucilis, 265, 307, 463
Choisva ternata, 235 ; m the greenhouse,

109
Christmas Rose, green. 117 ; .the giant, 23
Chrysanthemum frutescens, 497
Chrysanthemums, 391; culture of. 310;
iu market gardens, 156 ; late blooming,
53
Chrysopa perla, 137
Chysis Chelsoni, 4-31
Churchyards, flowers in, 369
Cinerarias at Redlees, 375 ; in market

gardens, 119
Cmerarla maritima compacta, propaga-
tion of, 277
Clematis coccinea, 272
Clematises, 522 ; at Chelsea, 375 ; early
blooming, 294 ; on low walls, 84 ; on
Y'ews, 291
Clethras, the. 72
Clianthus carneus, 235
Clianthuses, culture of, 123
cumbers, conservatory, 112, 312. 331 ; on

trees, 291 ; outdoor, 379 ; ?tove, 67
Climonanthus grandiflorus, 126
Clisiocampa neustria. 129
Clytus speciosus, 466
Ctclogyne cristata, 220 ; ocellata maxima,

307
Coffee, Siberian, 249
Coffee shrub, .332

Coleus Butterfly, 426 ; Distinction. 340 ;
Einpre.iS of Gex'many, 425 ; Harlequin,
426 ; Starlight, 426 ; Surprise, 316 ; Eva,
522
Combretuni purpureum, 521
Conifers, Pacific coast, 387 ; and the frost,
333 ; Californian and Japanese. 25 ;
pruning, 177 ; useful, 143 ; wood of,
195
Conservatory climbers, 112, 312. 331
Conservatory plants, a few good, 95 ;

winter, 139
Cunvidvulus Cneorum. 235
Ciokery, our national, tiH
Cordyline indivisa, 130
Cork trees, seedling, 237
Cornus canadensis, 451
Cornus Mas aurea elegantissima, 9, 223
Coronilla libanotica, 295
Cossus ligniperda. 297, 336
Coutaria Scherffiana, 145
Cow tree, analysis of milk of, 70
Cranberries, cultivation of, 116
Cranberry fanns, American, 459
Crassula lactea, 7

Creosote paint, danger of using, 190
Crocus speciosus, 16

Crocuses after flowering, 218: at Kow,
227, 216; at Tooting, 247; noteson, 1 !J ;
select ear;y-llo»veriug, 171; wintcr-
floworing, 31

Yi

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

Crops, spring, and slugs, 3D2

('rof|uet grounds, 348

Croton Kurtoiii, 425 ; Dormaniannm,
425; Evmnianuin, 42.% 444; Henry-
aiium, 443 ; Prince of Wales, 100 ;
Princess of Wales. 40C, 500; rosto-
pictuin, 171. 509 ; Williamsi, 109, 443

Crotons iur market, 199 ; fur tal)lc decora-
tion, 21S

Crown Irnperiuls, 343, 369, 390, 409

Crystal Paltce Show, 443

Cucunilier di-e;ise, 412, 44(;

Ciicumlier, Web)>'s Perpetual Bearer, 226

Cucumliers, culture of, 211; soil for,
248 ; winter, 226

Cupania elegantissima, 40 j, 42r>, 443; (ili-
cifolia, 12

Cupressus macrocariia, "1

Curculigo recurvata for market, 199

Cyeas intenneiUa, 12 ; pluma, 425 ; si-
nensis, 423

Cyclamen, comn vt-nunii, 210; Crimson
King, 229 ; per-icuni pi-.tulatun'l, 229 ;
Queen of the Belgians, 266 ; Reading
Gem, 70

Cyclamens after flowering, 164, 176, 221 ;
and Carnations. 23 ; at HoUoway, 109;
in market gardens. 43 ; plunged out-of-
door'!, 345 ; treatment of, of <ild, 271

Cymhiilium Lowianum. 229 ; Parislii. 476

Cypi'ess, Pi-yals gulden, 131

('yphokentia iiiacrocarpa, 152, 425

Cypi'ipedium Boxalli, 425 ; Calceolus,
492; insigne iMaulei, 12S ; Javanese,
425 ; pubescens majus, 444 ; Schlimi,
289 ; spectahile, 4S, 492 ; aeaule, white-
flowered, 521

Cypripediums, hardy, 3S3

Cylisus raceniosus in market gardens,
119

Paffodil, new doul de-flowered, 349
Daffodils at Kew, 290 ; culture of, 202 ;

group of, 202
Dahlias in market gardens, 150
Daisy, the Paris, 56

Damsons, in Kent, 238 ; varieties of, 35
Daphne indica, 88 ; indica rubra, 23, 57 ;

mezcreum, 240
Daphnes, grafting, 250; note? on, 290
Darlingtunia, a new, 156
Davallia (Microlepia) hirta var. cristata,

503 ; Mju'iesi, 229 ; fijiensis major, 522
Delphinium decorum, 295 ; cashmeria-

num album, 521
Dendrobium Ainsworthi, 210 ; bai-ba-

tulum, 330 ; BrjTnerianum. 307 ; cras-

sinode album, 307 ; Dalbousianum,

436 ; endoeharis, 171 ; lasinglossum,

130 ; lituiflorum var. Freemaiii, 389 ;

iiobile atro-purpui-eum, :^4ti; , WMi-din-

num, 144; fine variety of,250;5]cautlii:c,

521
Dendrobiums in small pans, 171
Deodai-s, 71
Deutzia gracilis, 75 ; in market gardens,

516
Diary, extracts from my, 167, 186, 200,

224, 244, 257, 281, 341, 459
Dieffenbachia Leopoldi, 509
Dicentra spectabilis, 190. 369
Dichorisandras, 183
Diona;a museipula, large, 415
Diplacuses, 130
Disii grandiflora, 460
Doodia aspera multilida. 425
Dracjcna floi-ibunda, 326 ; Laingi, 425 ;

superba, 406
Dracaenas at Anerley, 424 ; in market

gardens, 181 ; table, 189

Ejliinocaetns capricomus, 509 ; iinguis-

pinns, ia7
Edelweiss, the, 295
Edgings, Ivy, 280 ; plants for, 304
Elceocarpus dentatus. 475
Elder, red-berried. 26
Elm, a singular. 470
Enibothrium coccineum, hardiness of,

470
Encephalartos Fridirica Guiliehni, 500 ;

Hildebrandi. 425 ; Williamsi, 500
Endive, Cheswick, trials of, 275
Epacrises, 83

Epiphyllums, culture of, 89; I'u Fern
stumps, 86
Eremostachys laciniata. 521
Eremmns robustus, 496
Erica gracilis, hardiness of, 189, 104 ;

propendens tnbiflora, 229

Ericas, r.ew Cape, 102

Kritrichium naniim. 416

Erysinmm pumilum, 389

Erythryna Ci-ista-galli, 157; herbacea,
205 ; marniorat:i, 425

Erythronium anu-ricanuni, 305 ; Dens-
can is, 289

Eucalyptus amygdalina, 61

Eucharis amazonica, 182

Euonymuses, 199 ; pruning, 177 ; varie-
gated, 86

Eupatorium odoratissinium, 122 ; Wein-
manni, 23

Euphorbia corollata, 153 ; Lathyris, 56

Euphorbias, stove, 77

Evergreens iTi puts, 136

E\'eilastiiii; Peas, 154

Exhihitit.n. International, for 1830, 263

Exochorda grandifiora, 169, 475

F.

Failures, local garden, 356
Ferneries, Sorrel in, 406
Fern-cases, Ivy in, 91
Fern-house, 67

Fern, dry, for protecting, 392
Ferns, culture of, 148 ; evergreen, 211,
327 ; from spores, 7 ; in market gar-
dens, 180 ; in windows, 176 ; 3Ioss-clad
tree, 32 ; propagation of, 35i ; select
hardy, 172 ; tree, 17, 279, 331 ; tree, re-
ducing roots of. 172
Ficus elastica, 190; minima, liardincss

of, 228 ; radicans, 130
Figs, market garden. 351
Fir, Spi-uce, timber of, 103 ; structure of,

195 ; pruning, 177
Flax, New Zealand, hardiness of the

variegated, 391
Floor wiper. iTidiarubber. S08
Flower and fruit cidtur.^ combined, 94
Flitwer gaiden ai ran-eliieuts, 216, 403
Flower forcing, 132 ; ditto in market

gardens, 11

Flower gardening, spring. 390

Flower shows, provincial. 355

Flowers. Alpine, 97 ; ditto at Hyde, 364;

at York, 427 ; Fiiiilerne's. 75, 131 ; from

Zurich. 474; hardy at Eastoott, 330;

at Tooting, 22^ ; at Tottenham, 333 ;

lierbaceous, at Manchester, 468 ; at

Wantage, 45 i ; in Yorkshire, 348 ;

situations for. 347 ; wil 1, 407 ; d^tto

for the garden. 462 ; woodland, 440 ;

spring, ISO, 347, 343

Forestry, ornamental, 26, 195

Forests, New Zealan.l, 459 ; royal, 237,

300
Forget-me-not, a good bedding, 462 ; a
striped, 496 ; the Azorean, culture of,
508
Forget-me-nots in market gardens, 119
Frames, shading for, 401
Francisceas, 183, 190
Frasera speciosa, 295
Fraxinus remillyensis, 0
Freesia refracta alba, 32
Fritillaria Hookeri, 407 ; Karelini, 121 ;

recurva, 444
FrogTUore, notes from, 74
Frost, effects of, 22, 27, 42, 65, 87, 83, 89,
429 ; in the Riviera, 59 ; in Devon,
440 ; plants injured by, 134 ; protection
from, 10
Fruit and flower culture combined, 94,

127,234
Fruit garden, site for, 19
Fi'uit box, refrigerating, 33
Fruit, culture of, for market, 199, 215,
237, 262. 269, 301, 335 ; in Hanover, 35,
310, 314, 383
Fruit growing in England, 450, 43i
Fruit houses, ventilation of, 372
Fruit, orchard, 314 ; swelling of, 484
Fruit prospects, 264, 325; Ui Kent, 374
Fi-uit rooms, 268
Fruit shelters, 374
Fruit trade, American, 02
Fruit tree protectioi, 52, 289
Fi'uit trees and rabbits, 198 ; best kinds
for home growth, 34 ; in kitchen gar-
dens, 16 ; in orchard houses, 92 ; in-
sejts on, 401 ; naming, 335; i)runing,
79 ; shelter for, 302 ; transplanting
large, 33 ; winter dressing, 146 ; trees,
pinching orchanl-house. 441
Fuchsia serratifolia, 112 ; splendens,

189, 232
Fuchsias in market gardens, 09 ; in small
pots, 232 ; culture of, 348 ; old and
young, 124
Fuel, straw as, 116

Fungi in leaf-mould, 239 ; ramarks on, 70
Funkias, variegated, 278
Furze, cutting, 112
Furze seed, sowing, 19S

G.

Galanthus nivalis Melvillei, 266
Gardenia Fortune), hardiness of, 287
Gardenias in small pots, 370

Garden, a rock, in Kent, 491 ; amateur's,
450 ; sub-tropical, plants for, 270 :
wild, 286; flowers for ditto, 462 ; win-
ter, at Vienna, 12 ; effects of local in
Hucnces on, 404, 452, 476 ; shrubs for
small, 236 ; the plough in the, 502 ;
winter, 53

Garden labels, 245, 483

Gai'dening in Russia, 178 ; lanilscape.
M. Andr^ on, 447 ; spring flower, 390 ;
wild, in Hyde Park, 289 ; American
wild, 501 : children's, 329, 370. 400, 476

Gcnetyllis Hookeri, 32; tulipifer.i, 3^8

Genista prostrata, 496

Gentiana acaulis, 360 ; aflinis, 295 ; ba-
varica, 278 ; vcrna, 389

Gentians. Alpine, new varieties of, 520

Geonoma concinna, 346 ; gracilis robusta,
4-i3

Geranium, Anemor.e-leaved, 81 ; arme-
num, 496

Gesnera Cliftoni, 57; macrantha, 246

Gladioli and their culture, 240 ; in pots,
377 ; wintering: out-of-doors, 493

Gladwji), the. 126

Glonera jasminiflora. 365

Gloxinia, Duke of Connaught, 425, 444 ;
Yaiuob Khan, 484

Gltixiuias all the year rnimd, 415 ; new,
li:>: spotted. 162. 175; seedling, 130

Go d moth. the. 22o, 240. 302

Goldfussia isophylla, SO

Gooseberry caterpillar, 488

Gorse seed, sowing, 198

Gracillaria syringella, 443

Grafting Daphnes, 250; fruit trees, 315 ;
remarks on, 46

Grape Golden Champion, 274, 331

Gi-apes. culture of, at Bristol, 350, 321;
in market gardens, 213, 262, 325, 335 ;
at Oxenford. 229 ; from Vines raised
from eyes the same year, 349, 420,
440, 450 ; late, 35 : thinning, 420

Grass seeds, lawn. 343

Greenhouse, an amateur's, 138, 163, 211

Greenhouses, heating small, 176, 211

GrevlUea robusta, 199

Griftinia Blunienavia, 388

Gynerium jubatum, 178

Gypsophila cerastoides, 474

H.

Haberlea rhodopensis, 375, 430, 454. 463

Halinnithu-i pratcusis, liardiness of, 287
IiratL-n>is fulgens, 497

Halnothannms elegans, 32

Hienriiithu-; allio-miculatus, 109

Ilairltells. animal, 350

Hairs, plant, forms and uses of, 61

Hamimelis aiborea, 101 ; Zuccariniana,
126

Haricot, green, 247

Heaths, Cape, 99, 102; culture of, 243;
soft-wooded, culture of, 480 ; ditto,
planted out, 84

Heating and ventilating, 73 ; in cold
weather, 30, 55

Heating, boilers for, 69 ; bottom, Mr.
Baines on, 95 ; hot water, 494 ; mate-
rials for, 200 ; oil stoves for, 217 ; small
houses, 7, 31, 176. 211

Hebeclinium ianthinum, 55

Hedges and screens, 362

Hedges, cutting, 27 ; cutting down Ar-
butus, 225 ; Holly, 226 ; Rose, 277 ;
town square, 230

Hedychiums, 96

Hedysarum humile, 424 ; ilackenzi, 520

Helianthus orgyalis, 116

Heliotropes in market gardens, 119 ; in
winter, 04

Hellebores in pots, 163, 391 ; trial of, 23

Helleborus guttatus. 247 ; maximus, 23;
niger, 100 ; orientalis, 260 ; viridis, 117 ;

Hepaticas in masses, 289 ; seedling, 237

Hesperochiron pumilus, 455

Hibbertia Reedi, 455

Hoes, spade, 204

Hollie.^, root-eaten, 283 ; variegated, 7t

Holly berries, scarcity of, 9 ; substitute
for, 48

Holly hedges, 226. 362

Hollyhocks, seedling, 118

Hotbeds and their uses, 121

Hoteia japonica for edging beds, 512

Houses, glass-fronted, 77 ; intermediate,
29; heating small, 31; lean-to and
span-roofed, 101

Hovea Celsi. culture of, 124

Hoya bella, 311, 334 ; carnosa, 311

Humphreys, H. Noel, the late, 508, 521

Hyacinth, Duke of Connaught, 277 '

Duchess of Connaught. 206 ; Salmon

King, 266; King of the Reds, 266;

Leviathan, 266 ; the Sultan, 206 ; with

many flower-spikes, 266
Hyacinths, cultivation of. in Holland^

368 ; Roman, 11 ; select, 267
Ilybernia defolaria, 169
Hyde Pai-k, wild gardening in, 289
Hydrangea, climbing, 237. 301 ; Thomas.

Hogg, 58; paniculata grandiflora, 28>
Hydrangeas, blue, 103 ; hardiness of, 23,

58, 126; in market gardens, 118
Hypo^ymua dispar, 382

Iberis gibraltarica, 403 ; semperflorens.

indoors, 171
Ice houses, 192 ; circular, 59 ; econo-
mical, 60
Ice storhig, 91. 101. 227, 239, 261, 230, 322
Idesia polycarpa crispa, 471
llang-IIang, 239

Imantophyllum concinnum, 484
Insects, destroying, 13 ; on fruit trees,

401 ; Rose, 421, 401
International Horticultural Exhibition

for 1S30, 408
lochroma longiflora, 475
Ipsea .s]ieciosa. 229
Iresine brilliantissima. 22S
Iris alatii, hardiness of, 2i ; f(etidissinia,

120; Kxmpferi, seedlings of, 247;

longipetala, 407 ; reticulita, 206 ; Tel-

fordi, 496 ; teuax, 454
Irises, 49(>
Ivy in Fern cases, 91

Jasminum hirsutum. 06
Jungenuannias, culture of, 217
Justicia speciosa, 3D

Kauri Pine. 169

Kale, variegated, 344

Kalosanthes. culture of, 87 ; in market

gardens, 120
Kennedya coccinea, 96
Kentia MacArthuri, 346 ; Wendlandiana,

346
Kew Gardens, debate ou the opening of,

230
Kew, notes from, 31, 58, 86, 108, 130. 144,

171,189, 209, 227, 246, 265, 280, 200, 317,

329, 330, 354, 375
Kitchen gardens, cropping, 128 ; site for,.

18

L.

Label ties, metal. 345

Labels, garden, 91, 102, 122,145, 194, 344,
488 ; glass, 245

Laburnum sports. 522

Lace-winged fly, 187

Lachenalia orchioidea, 170; pallida pur
purea, 57; pendula. 131 ; ditto, in bas-
kets. 257 ; quadricolor. 100, 289

Ltelia elegans alba, 454

Landscape gardening, SL Andre on, 447

Lripageria alba, 57

Lapagerias and slugs, 69 ; layering, 220

Laurels in Kensington Gardens, 508 ; on
chalk, 243

Laurustinus, forced, 141, 220 ; glossy
leaved. 190, 253

Lavender in market g.irden?, 155

Lau'— Hole V. Bradbury, 506

Lawns. 379 ; formation of, 15 ; improve-
ment of. 348; renovating, 186, 223;
spring treatment of, 125

Leaf-mould, fungi in, 239

Leaves, skeleton, 45 ; forms of, 515 ; dis-
eased. 522

Lettuces, forcing, 192; preventing seed-
ing in, 206, 311 ; winter, 205

Library—

" Chemistry of Common Life." 354
Hovey"s " Fruits of America." 355
" Gardening Illustrated," 247
Linden's "illustration Uorticole," 145
"Potatoes. How to Grow and Show

Them." 244
Van Houtte's " Flore des Serres," 255
Vilmorin's "Album of FurageGrasse:,'*
145

JuxE 28, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

Vll

Lilac, white, 223

Lilacs. 470 ; early forced, 7S, 13!?, 140. 144

Liiiuni auratum from seed, 26b ; Bate-

iiiannijc, 396, 430, 462 ; Hansoiii iu

pots. 454 ; lancifoliuui nibrum, 497 ;

neilgherrense, hardiness of, 289 ; Pai'k-

nianni, 45(i : i>urpuremn, 509
Lilies in market -aidens, 120; in mud

halls, 194 ; piuija^^atiun and u'rowth of,

82, S3; stem roots of, 35, 83,^135, 157;

in pots for •4reenhouse decoration, 520
Lily discussion, 118 ; culture, deep pots

for, 521
Lily of the Valley, 11, 421; failure of,

312
Limes, avenue, 2SS
Linum tri^ynum. 234
Lohi^lias from cuttings, 4G2 ; in market

gardens, 140
Logs, old, a sood use for, 302
Longleat, a little sketch at, 493
Lonicera fragrantissiraa, 352 ; Slandislii,

324, 352
Luculia gratissinia, 92
Lyco])odium species, 509

M.

JIacadamised roads, 88, 278

Ma:?nolia conspicua, 387 ; liardiest ever-
green, 105

Manchester Royal Botanical Society, 455

Maple, red, 324

Maples, Japanese, of the palmatum type,
514

Market accommodation, 91

Market, fruit-growing for, 269, 325

Market gardening, 213

ilarket gardens, 154 ; busU friut in, 383 ;
Ilower forcing in, 11, 43 ; fruit culture
iu, 335, 341, 350 ; green crops in, 353 ;
plant culture in, 50, 75, 99, 140, 180,
109 ; vegetable cultxu'e in, 307 ; ditto,
and fruit. 310

Marnock. Mr., retirement of, 3S8

JIaniock portrait, 365

JIasdevallia Backhousiana, 455 ; Bella,
307 ; polysticta, 23 ; tovarensjs, 32, 455;
Veitchi, 210 ; new, 442 ; Shuttle-
worth i, 375

Mealie, 522

Meconopsis simplicifolia, the true, 454 ;
Wallichi, 522

Melon-Cucumber, 45

Melon culture, 317

Melon seeds, old v. new, 238

Melons, best t-arly, 48, 92 ; best two, 69

Mentha pulegium gihraltaricum, 272

Mesospinidium sanguineuni, 375

Mice, baits for Held. 24. 48

ilichelia Champaca, 239

Mignonette and bees, 498 ; in market
gaidens, US

Mimuli. seedling, 462

Mimulus cardinalis, 116

Mint, early, 436

Mistletoe on the Oak. 02

Mitraria coccinea, 123

Monstera deliciosa, fruit of, 220, 288 ; in
water, 78

Moore, Dr., the late, 508

Mosaiculture, 491

Mosses, cultui'e of native, 217 '

Moth, small ermine, 85 ; the browii-
tailed, 2-15 ; the Gipsy, 382 ; the goat,
249, 297, 366 ; the lackey, 129 ; winter
and Lime-looper, 169

Mudd, JIi-., deatli of, 306

Muscaii armeniacum, 475 ; lingulatum,
251 ; new, 365 ; pallens, 375 ; pai-a-
doxum. 389, i42 ; various, 329

Musk, 140

Myosotis dissitillora, 318, 342, 369, 348 ;
from seed, 294 ; wintering, 245 ; Weir-
leigh Surprise, 512

Myosotis iu market gardens, 119

MjTsiphyllum asparagoides, 48, 93

N.

Narcissi, double, 385; for London mar-
kets. 11 ; Spanish, notes on, 511

Narcissus Bulbocodium, 282, 493 ; Em-
peror, 388 ; Empress, 388 ; pumilus,
388, 430, 468

Nasturtium otflcinale, 436

Nature, lesson from, 251

Nepenthes Viellardi, 509

Nephrolepis Duffi, 503 ; plunia, 425 :
new, 23

Nertcra depressa, 522

Nettles, 4, 122 ; how to de-troy, 21, 48 ;
M. Naudin on, 59 ; substitute for, 84

Newcastle Horticultural Society, 327

New Zealand Hax, 430
Niphubulus Uettiactis, 29
Noiiks, sheltere<l, 4bS
Nursery, a inililic, 471
Nursery convention, 471
Nuts, Kentish, 352

Nympluea obscura v. rosea, 272 ; scut:-
folia, 294 ; alba var. rosea, 516

Oak galls, remarkable, 47

Oak, Misletoe on the, 92

(t;ik timber, 285

Oliituary —
Canou Beadon, 487
Mr. J. Dale, 24
Dr. Moore, 486
.Mr. H. Noel Humphreys, 486
Mr. Niven, 186
Mr J- Stevenson, 288
Mr. W. TillciT, 3S6

Ochna multirtora, 442, 484

Ocvpus oleus, 322

Odontoglossum Halli, 170; odoratum
346 ; RuckerJanum, 346 ; vexillariuni
3'j5, 388

Oil heating, 217

Oncidium excavatum, 190 ; Forbesi, 23
Kienastiauum, 346; tetracopis, -125

Onion. IrelM.ns, 112, 150

Onions, transplanting in spriug, 102 ;
Tripoli aud Red Genoa, 270

Oran.ie, nialfonned, 152

Orange culture, 88, 340, 349

Orange trees, treatment of unhealthy,
190

Oranges from the Southern States. 39o

Orchard house culture, hints on, 159

Orclianl house trees. 02, 441

Orchards, Kentish, 315

Orchid growing iu America, 519

Orchids, 488 ; at Chelsea, 87, 210, 374,
454 ; at Gunnersbury, 210; at Hol-
lowly, 32, 109, 287, 388 ; at home, 331 ;
at Kew, 86 ; at Mr. Philbrick's. 287 ; at
Norbiton, 453; at Southampton, 247:
at Tottenham, 247 ; cool, 307 ; hardy,
375; hai-diness of terrestria', liK) ;
hardy, at Kew, 442; top-dressing, 148

Orcliis foliosa, 402

Ornithogalum nutans in the wild gar-
den, 429 ; thyrsoides, 32 ; aureuiu, 520

Orobus venius on rockwork 429

Osnninda palustris. 218

Otiorhynchus sulcatus, 366

Ouvirandra fcnestralis, 474

Owls, barn, 65

Packing plants, 194

Piconies in the wild garden, 313 ; tree,

228
Paint, danger of using creosote in, 190
Palms, i-onservatory, 5 ; hardy, 2»9 ; in

market gardens, 181 ; outdoor. 270
Pampas (iras'i, dead tops of, 249 ; in

avenues, 118, 141
Pandanns Veitchi as a table plant, 86
Paudanuses, culture of, 3;J3
Piiusies and Violas, 408, 493, 511
Pansies fur exhibition, 249 ; seedling,

446 ; select, 287 ; Champion, 426 ; Clive-
den Blue, 348 ; in pots, culture of, 218 ;
Pansy Society, Scottish, 510
Papaw tree, the. 352
Paral'.u as an insecticide, 22, 53 ; v. ants,

224
Paris flower shop, a peep into, 47
Paris ([uadiifolia an 1 Si.lomon's Seal, 157
Park trees and shrub-, ;;?7
Passiflora quadrangularis, fertilising,

371
Pathways, Peach house, 152, 249 ; useful,

250
Paulownia imperialis, 143, 169, 498
Pavetta borbunica, 145
Peach blooms, setting, 288, 326
Peach crops failures of, 3
Peach glanils. 335
Peach house pathways, 152, 249
Peach trees and galvanised wire, 249,

205
Peach, the Early Alexander, 489
Peaches and Nectarines for market, 269
Pear L^on Leclerc de Laval, 188; the

Dix, 355
Pe:u* culture in market gardens, 341
Pear tree insects, 508
Pcai-s, black spot on, 508 ; for Northern

England, 4 ; pruning, 335
Pea boxes, 151, 160, 248
Pea weevil, the, 65

Peas, Everlasting, 154 ; annual, 313 ;
dwarf, 255, 310; ditto, unprotital)le,
290 ; early. 112, 123, 520 ; early and late,
463 ; market, 410 ; sweet, 98, 154 ; sow-
ing ditto, 182 ; tall, 508 ; transplanting
early, 151 ; winter sown, 18
Pelargonium Daveyanvmi. 273; Freak of
Nature. 496; Ivv-lcaf, 235; Madame
Thibaut, 474 ; Maid of Kent, 484 ;
monstrous. 452; Nellie Hayes, 484;
Oak-leaf, 164. 212. 235 ; Raspberry-leaf,
376 ; Vesta, 474

Pelargernum Siniety, the, 496, .522

Pelai'^oniuHis. 4^s ; and Violas, 157 ; Ivy-
leavi.d, at Cliiswivk. 334 ; in market
gai'deuR, 50 ; now. 496; scented-leaved.
32 ; select zonal. 211

Pentstemon humilis, 416 ; Menziesi, 295 ;
stcunditlorus, 521

Pentstcnions at home. 408

Pernettya mucronata,123; in Devonshire,
126

Pernettyas, new fomis of, 74

Pei-siunuon, Japanese, 125

Petalostemon Searlesia?, 205

Petra;a volubilis, 442

Petunias, -.mlture of, 377 ; seedling, 488 ;
double flowered ditto. 175

Phn?draiia';?a chloracea vera, 423

I'haius I'.luMici. 346

PhaUcu.'psis l';uishi. 346

Philadelplms. the. 476

Phloxes, Alpine, at Totttidiam, 4."»4 ; new-
dwarf, 475

Phonuium tenax, 512; hardiness of, 391

Pilea muscosa, 2.3

Pimelea decussata. 3.'t3

Pine-apple, Lady Beatrice Lambton. 52

Pine-apples. l>est structures fur. 101 ; for
market, 270, 325 ; imported, 145 ; soil
for, 131 ; variegated, 32; weights of, 79

Pine growing, rapid, 403, 420, 450

Pine houses, 146 ; best forms of, 52

Pine, Siberian Stune, 361

Pink, Highdere, 135 ; Lady Blanche. 235

Pinks for forcing, 174

Pinus insignis, 282, 368 ; rate of growth
of. 364 ; Laricio, 106, 125, 143

Plant, a good talde. 86

Plant and fruit culture combined, 127

Plant culture for market, 118, 110, 180

Plant disease, new, 402

Plant frame, Rippingille's, 194

Plant liairs, their forms and uses, 61

Planting, waterside, 431

Plants. Alpine, facts, about, 408 ; ditto,
in Vorkshire. 491 ; ditto, on walls, 416;
propagatinii bedding, 452 ; bog, 409 ;
bottom-heat for, 1.39 ; carnivorous. 322 ;
carpeting, 4». .55. 96. 135; conservatory,
a few good, 95 ; dinner-table, green
base for, 288 ; early blooming, at
Chester, 287; etfect of the winter on,
134,415; flne-foliaged. 67; ditto, eon-
servatory, 5 ; for a small greeidiouse.
128 ; for binding sand, 249 ; for inter-
mediate houses, 20 ; for lai-ge beds,
216; fur odd corners. 305; for winter
gardens. 53 ; gi-eenhnuse, for succes-
sion, 165; hardiness of, 104 ; hardy, at
Bvtleet. 407 ; ditto, at Colchester, 424 ;
ditto, at Kew, 416 ; ditto, at Tottenham.
210; ditto, at Weybridge, 497; ditto
bog, 291 ; ditto border, sowing, 356 ;
in flower at Christmas, 23 ; notes on
hardy, 475 ; hardy outdoor, 389 ; her-
baceous, autumn-flowering, 423 ; in
fruit houses, 234 ; in the Riviera, frost-
bitten, 122 ; Japanese method of pack-
ing, 104 ; Messrs. Rxdiisson's sale of,
87 ; new American, 84 ; liardy North
American, 252; ornamental wild, 35;
potting hard-wooded, 207; preparing
for transplanting, 241 ; rabbit-pruof,
416,452; rambling, how to confine. 2;
rock, at Oaktiebi. .iTl ; ditto, in York-
shire, 491; situations for spring-llower-
ing, 304, 347, 348 ; sub-tropical, 08, 270 ;
summer bedding, hardening off. 42S ;
window, 137 ; winter conservatory,
139; winter-flowering, planted out, 174;
ditto wall, 84; wintering, in glass-
fronted buildings, 77 : watering bed-
ding, 512 ; scent-yielding, 521

Platyceriuro gi-ande, 246

Platyceriums, various. 279

Pleione Hookeriana. 455

Plums for market, 200. 237. 2.^.0

Podophyllum, abnomial, 217

Pojnsettias at Ware. 57 ; cool treatment
of, 132 ; dwarf, 23 ; in market gardens,
75 ; large, 164

Polemonium confertum, 375

Polyanthus, blue, 365 ; Prince of Orange,
406 ; superbus, 485

Polyanthuses, border, 193 ;Hose-in-Hose,
3S0; select, 346 ; shaded, self, 317

Polygalas at Ryde, 364

Polygonatum roseum. 455

Polygonum virginianum, 237

Pomegranates on walls, 86

Pontederia, new, 424

Pcjplai', Canadian, 60 ; new ditto, 24

Poppies, gigantic, 407, 512

Populus alba Bolleana. 201

Porthesia auriflua, 245

Posoqueria longiflura, 424

Potato, Climax^ 151. 160; Compton's Sur-
prise, 382; Dalmahoy, 247 ; MagnuNi
Bonum. 205, 226, 248 ; Regent, 247, 20ti,
310

Potato sets sprouting, 225

Potatoes and the frost, 205, 226 ; Dal-
mahoy and Regents, 225. 253, 276;
dormant, 100 ; early planted, 205, 382 ;
earthing up, 310 ; for small gardens,
160; how to grow and show. 244;
Kidney, 226, 244 ; new, 412 ; ditto,
without leaf-gi'owth, 150 ; storing, 151 ;
worth growing, 192, 248 ; early, 529

Pot Vines, wintering, 238 ; propagating,
140

Potting, remarks on, 147

Primrose bloom and sparrows, 392, 430

iiimrose, Chinese, fertilising the, 405;
doulde sulphur, 376 ; Siebold's, hybrids
of, 407

Primrose seed, 193 ; gennination of, 161

Primroses, 328 ; as window idants, 251 ;
double, 374 ; double, summer treat-
ment of, 343 ; hardy, 289. 343 ; ditto,
under glass, 127 ; in Covent Garden,
57 ; in Wales, 309 ; Japanese, 371 ;
Japanese, out-of-doors, 2 ; acaulis
Golden Gem, 406; ama-na. 311, 488;
Blushing Beauty, 131 ; Cashmeriana,
171 ; cortusoides, 430 ; cortusoides
amccna in water. 476 ; c. a, alba, 4.30 ;
denticulata, 272 : Eva Fish. 228 ;
grandis, 349 ; mollis, 424 ; platypetala
fl.-pl., 346; rosea. 246. 265, 266; Ruby
Kiug, 70: Sieboldi, 2; sikkimensis,
485 ; sinensis coccinea, 7 ; ditto flm-
briata, 31 ; Alpine, 365 ; evening, in the
wihl garden, 512

Primulas, Chinese, at Forest Hill, 98 ; at
Chiswick, 86; damping ofi',104; double,
■ 86, 90 ; Gilbert's ditto, 100 ; hardiness
of. .56 ; hai-dy, 273 ; ditto, at Chester,
2s7 ; at Kew, 286 ; Japan, 300
Privet hedges. 362
rrotecting- material, 52
Piutcction, fruit tree, 215, 280
Pruning, winter, 449
Prunus Padus, 433; sinensis fl-pl., 130
Ptcris cretica hybrida gigantea, 425 ;

serrnlata magnifica, .500
Pulmouaria dahurica, 375
Pyrethrum Golden Feather, 294

Q

QuamncUt hederffifolia, 295
tjuercus Buergeri, 433
IJuict nook, a, 157
Quisqualis indica, 79

R.

Raljbit fences, 198

Rabbit proof plants, 452

Rabbit iiroof trees, 508

Rabbits, plants uninjured by, 416; pro-
tecting trees from, 168

Radishes, early, 76

Ranunculus Lyalli, 391, 406, 425

Red spider, how to destroy, 275

Regent's PiU'k, the, 521

Reviews — Caledonia, 4 ; Paul's Rose
Annual, 41

Retinnsporas, 177

Kbodanthes iu market gardens, 119

Rhododendron exhibition, AVaterer's,
510

Rhododendron Arboreum at South Ken-
sington, 228; Aucklandi, 287; cinna-
bai'inum and Blandfordia;florum,
182 ; Duchess of Teck, 425 ; Fakoneri,
210; Hardyanum, 508; Hodgsoni, 210;
lepidotum, 36; new hardy, 442; myrti-
folium, 210 ; Nuttalli, 331

Rhododendrons. 507 ; at Caimsmore,
469 ; gieenhouse, 340, 375 ; new hybrid,
496 ; new sweet-scented. 430 ; remark-
able, 433; Sikkim, 189; at Regent's
Park 522

Rheum' officinale and palmatum, 09,
112

Rhubari>, forcing, 17; preserved, 490

Rhynchospermuni jasminoides hardy in
Devon, 334

Ribes sanguineum, 364

Riviera, effect of frost in the, 59

Road scraper, improved, 308

Roads, park, 16; macadamised, 278

Rogieria gratissima, 70

Rock plants at Oakfield, 374

VIU

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

Romiilea IMiuowaiii, ;12

Roots 111 wAtr.v pipoa, 502

Uos I pulyaiiUia, 401

Ro3L* Bon Sik-ne, 222 ; Celeste, 405 ;
Charles Darwia, 81 ; American liaimer,
82; Jean Liabnud, 203; Letty Cnles,
lU; Mar6chal Niel, 301; 3\[. K, Y.
Teas, 2U8 ; Madame Alexaiuler Bev-
naise, 2UU ; Niphetoa, 222; Souvenir
(le la Malmaison, 10, 222

Rose aphis tr;ii)s, 3Sl

Rose borders, 421

Rose ffarilens, situations for, 103

Rose hedges, 277

Rose house, a useful, 82; at Gunncrs-
bxiry, 22«, 288

Rose insects. 380, 40j, 42t. 461

Rose medals. 375

Rose petnls, 405

Rose shows, dates of, 429, 45G

Rose stock, new, 461

Rose trees, pruning, lOG ; culture of, 107

Roses and Oishurst, 249 ; ami lead wire.
2GS ; at Caiiues, 440, 401, 48:i ; Christ-
mas, lOU ; culture of, 400 ; effects of
frost on, 345, 301 ; French and En*j;lish,
359 ; French market, 221 ; forced, 240 ;
indoor, 270 ; in inside and outside
borders, 277 ; neglected, 300 ; new,
41 ; notes on. 10. 487 ; outdoor, 277 ;
pot, 3S1 ; treatment of ditto, 89 ; pro-
tectinjc and forcing, 203 ; pruning, 42,
115; select, 172; shield budding and
grafting, 40 ; soils and stocks for, 49,
114; treatment of grafted. 3'Jl ; Tea-
scented, 80. 113, 153, 173 ; wliite, 49

Royal Botanic Society, 260, 340, 425, 509,
522

Royal Horticultural Society, 70, 152,307
345, 40(5, 452-55, 4S4, 522

Rubus deliciosus, 454 ; rosrcflorus, 152

Ruscus aculeatus, 308

Ruscus, species of, 363

Rust, protection from, 116

Russia, gai'denmg in, 178

S.

Ralices, Californian, 230

Salix cccrulea. 80

Salsify seeds, 405

Salvias at Frogmore, 32

Salvia splendens, 98, 229

Sambucus racemosa, 20

Sarcochilus Fitzgerahli, 346, 453

Sarmienta repens, 415

Sarraceuia atro-sanguinea, 425 ; flava-
picta, 509 ; i>urpurea, 17u ; Williamsi,
443

Sarracenias at Chelsea, 415

Savoy, Drumhead, 77

Saxifraga aretinides primulina, 375 ; Bur-
seriaua, 210 ; llagellai'is, 3b8. 405 ; re-
tusa, 289; sarnientosa, 372 ; s-iuarro^a,
475 ; Stracheyi, 205 ; Wallacei, 442, 475,
485

Saxifrages, Alpine, 329; early-dowering,
251; large-leaved, 135, 247

Schizanthusiiaiiilionaccus, 234

Schizostylis cuccinea, 377 ; planted out
and ui pots, 7

Schiznphragnmhydrangeoide=, 237. 301

Schomliur_;kiii tibicinfs at Kew, 330

Scilla nutan-, 403 ; sibirica, 273; (Camas-
sia) Fraseri, 521

Scill-is, latetiowering, 474

Seottisli Hurticultui-al Association, 70,
132

Seakale, forcing, 17, 520

Seed Association, Scottish, 263

Seedlings, raising, 123

Seed sowing, notes on, 204 ; for binding
sand, 249; germination of, 193; slug-
gish, 320 ; quantities of for kitchen
garden, 150

Selaginella Krau3?iana, 29i, 406 ; Wal-
lichi. 228

Selaginellas, hardiness of, 250 ; in market
gardens, 181 ; their uses and culture, 503

Ssmpervivums, 511

Senecio concolor, 388

Sericographia Ghieahreghtiana, 79, 234

Shortiagalicifolia, 270

Shrubs at Batiersea, 424 ; effects of the
winter on, 27, 42, 255 : Howeringin parks
'.MI ; for market, 109; for small gar-
dens, 236 ; for wet ground, 337 ; hardi-
ness of at Coombe Wood, 460 ; in
flower at ditto, 442; in Victoria Park,
474; pruning, 279; select wall, 144;
treatment of forced, 250

.Silene penuaylvanica, 295 ; Rubin Hood,
318

Skeleton leaves, 45

Slugs and spring crops, 392; and tender
annuals, 493 ; and the frost, 332

Snowrtakes in the wild garden, 273

Snowdrop season, 328

Snowdrops, 171, 217 ; on stonccrop, 210 ;
under Beech trees, 19 1

Soils, Epps's potting, 29

Solanums. l)erry-hearing, 124 ; in market
gardens, 181 ; poor soil best for, 31

Solomon's Seal and Pans uuadrifolia,
157

Somertsetshlre, garden in, 252

Sonerila Hendersoni amreua, 509

Sophora speciosa, 313

Soplironitis grandiflora on cork, 175

Sorrel in Ferneries, 466

Spade hoes, 204, 248

Sparmannia africana, 7

Sparrows and Primrose bloom, 392, 430

Spinach, winter, 192

Spiraea nivosa, 425 ; Thuui)ergi, 375, 433

Spirreas in market gardens, 75

Spruce Fir, timber of, 193

Spurge, American, 153

Staphylea colchica, 57, 70

Stephauotis, flowerless, 243, 28^, 313

Stobrea purpurea, 12, 30, 50 ; hardiness
of, 83, 93, 113

Stock, Js^ight-scented, propagating, 336

Stock seed, sowing, 294

Stocks in market gardens, 149

Stoke^Ja cyanea, 345, 353 ; in market
gardens, 119

Storks in gardens, 142

Straw as fuel, 110

Strawberries and frost, 419, 439 ; and red
spider, 275 ; early, 160 ; best early
forcing, 146 ; exp.jsing to the sun, 374,
403, 419, 214 ; saucers of soil under
forced, lul, 146, 159, 188, 320 ; for mir-
ket, 402, 420 ; for table decoration, 335,
350

Strawberries in pots, 33S ; mildew on,
100 ; rooting tlu'ough pots. 350, 373 ;
Vicomtesse Htiricart de Tiiury, 423,
441. 489

Strawberry houses, 268

Strawberry -growing for market, 301

Streptocarpus floribundus, hardiness of,
84

Succulents, Mr. Peacock's catalogue of,
483

Sunflower, graceful, 116

Sweet Peas, 154; sowing, 132

Sweet Williams, hardiness of, 317

Switzerland, flora of, 87

Tabernnemontana Camas3a, 473

Tacca pinnatitida, 273

'J'axodium sempervirens, 169

Thermometers, broken mercury in, 190

Thorn hedges, 302

'J'hurn, Paul's Double Scarlet, 5IG

Thunbergias, 312

Thyrsacanthus rutilans. 57

Tirtany, mineral solution, 323

Tigridias, the, 142; in new Jersey, 294;

wintered out-of-doors, 158
Tillaudsia zebrina major, 425

Timber, different qualities of, 60, 103,
126; steaming, 105

Timber trade, the, 432

Todea phimosa, 425 ; superba, 433 ;
hardiness of, 109

Tomatoes all the year round, 309; cul-
ture of, 206 ; fine, in spring, 474 ; from
cuttings, 344 ; in winter, 77 ; late, 45

Torenia Bailloni, 122, 509

Tovaria oleracea, 474

Toxicophlfca speciosa, 367

Transplanting large fruit trees, 33 ; pre-
paration of seedlings for, 241

Tiee drapery, 291

Tree Fern trunks, utilising dead, 519

Tree heights, how to calculate, 232

Tree planting in Canada, 431

Tree roots and dynamite, 61

Tree trunks, elongation of, 9

Trees and foundations, 23

Trees, avenue, 379; big, 322; fencing,
from ra)>ltits, 108; flowering in parks,
387, 474 ; for wet ground, 357 ; London,
330, 454 ; in Victoria Park, 474 ; Japa-
nese, 25 ; keeping rabl>its from barking,
327; lopping, 104; of the future, 71,
143, 1~S ; ornamental, etfect of frost
on, 27, 42; rabbit-proof, 508; reviving
young, 337; seedling Cork, 237; straight-
ening, 285 ; street, 283, 500 ; thinning
park, 281 ; canker in, 470 ; transplant-
ing, in winter, 324 ; weeping, 235, 367;
ditto, Chinese method of raising, 516

Trichocentruni tigrinum, 475

Tritomas and frost, 250

Tritonia aurea, 377 ; culture of, 54

Tropreolum speciosum, 96 ; when to
plant, 462 ; tricolorum as a window
plant, 371

Tropncolums, tuberous-rooted, 43 ; in
plant baskets, 512

Tulteroses, culture of, 120

Tulip culture in Holland, 364

Tulip mania, reminiscence of, 150

Tulip Society, Royal National, 485

Tulipa Greigi, 346, 375 ; Kolpakowskyana,
339; stellata, 425, 454

Turf cutter, a useful, 303

Turnip ^nll weevil, 145

Turnip ninth, 20

Tuniip.s, iJiaiige Jelly, 392

Tydxa Kuljtrt le Dialjle, 376

Underwood and Beech trees, 73

Vand.is, multiplying, 226
Vanilla Tree, so-called, 466, 470
Vegetable culture in market gardens,

310, 397, 409, 433, 463, 472, 499, 512
Vegetable forcing, 63
Vegetable Marrows in market gardens,

408
Vegetable trials at Chiswick, 254
Vegetables, ertect of frost on, 100 ; forc-
ing, 77 ; pr zes for, 109 ; transplant-
ing, 241 ; scarcity of, 248, 254 ; v. fruit,
254
Vegetation in Durham, 353
Vegetation, local influence on, 416
Ventilating and heating, 78 ; Tobin's
system of, 100, 127 ; fruit houses, 372 ;
winter, 30
Verljenas, beddmg, 178 ; new, 222
Veronica Hulkeana, 339
Viijurnum iucidum, 57, 74, 196, 253 ; pH-
catum under glass, 519 ; the plaited-
leafed, 521
Vicarage garden, 322
Vienna, notes from, 327 ; public gardens
in, 44 ; winter garden at, 12

Vine borders, artificial heat for, 373, 404,

411; protecting, 265; thatching, 238,

275 ; temperature of, 137, 138, 201
Vme cordons, 102
Vine culture for market, 213
Vine failures, 419

Vine-planting outside and inside, 35
Vine weevil, the, 392
Vines at Henbury Hill, 373 ; iilack rot in,

439 ; late, pruning and starting, 131 ;

new plan of filling a house with, 324,372,

374,403.420,441; speedy fruiting of. 319;

syringing, 405 ; transplanting, 112, 153 ;

treatmeut of pot, 264; wintering ditto,

216
Vineries, fermenting material in, 200
Vineyards, Tlioniery, 274
Violas and Pansies, 408, 493, 511 ; and

Pelargoniums, 157 ; bedding, 390, 409 ;

early,~347, 369
Violet culture at Laxenburg, 348 ; for

market, 178
Violets, Dog's-tooth, in Grass, 289; in

market gardens, 154; situations for,

193

Walks, tarring, 230; weeds nn, 359

Wallflowers, culture of, '^iii; in market
gardens. 111, 390

Wall plants, conservatory, 60 ; winter-
flowering, 84

Water Melons, 502

Waterside planting, 431

Weatlier, severity of the, 136

Weeping trees, 235

Weigela, varieties of, 521

Wellingtonia, timber of, 23, 72, 365

V/ellingtonias, Lilliputian, 61

Wild garden, Pwonies in the. 313

Wild gardening, 286

Willow beetles, 466

Wdlows, Californian, 236 ; North Ameri-
can, 9; some new, 508; treatmeut of ,
105

Window Ferns, 176

V.'indow plants, 21, 137 ; Primroses as,
251

Winter, effects of the, 255, 415, 487 ; in
Hants, 353 ; in Ireland, 370 ; in Dor-
set, 452

Wire, galvanised, and Peach trees, 249,
265

Wireworms, 172, 412 ; in potting soil,
460

Wistaria, double-flowered, 521 ; sinensis,
521

Witloof, the, 392

Woodland work for January, 10 ; for
February, 105; for ilarch, 225; for
April, 285; for May, 363; for June, 432

X.

Xanthoceras sorbifolia, 442, 460
Xerophyllum asphiKleloidcs, 497, 522
Xiphiun planifulium, 141

Yew hedge, historical, 367

Yev/ hedges, 362

Yews, Clematises on, 291

Yponomeuta padella, 85

Yucca gloriosa in Texas, 429 ; g, elegaus

marginata, 509
Yuccas in Isle of M'ight, 217

Zamia obliqua, 425

.Tl-xe 28, 1879.]

THE GARDEX.

IX

ILLXTSTI^.A_TI03SrS

COLOURED P LATES.

AQUILEGIA (iLANDULOSA
AZALEAS, A GROUP OF HARDY

BEGONIAS, TUBEROUS.ROOTED ...
BOUVARDIAS, A GROUP OF
BROWNEA MACROPHYLLA

CALCEOLARIA FUCHSI^FOLIA ...
CAMPANULA MACRO.STYLA

DAFFODILS, A GROUP OF

ERITRICHIUM NANUM

GENTIANA BAVARICA

GLADIOLUS MRS. BATES

GLOXINIAS, SPOTTED

HEATHS, NEW CAPE

HYDRANGEA THOMAS HOGG ...

278
318

338
498
43G

258
356

202

416

278
240
162

102

58

LILIUM BATEMANNI.E

LILIUM PARKMANNI

NYMPH.EA ALBA VAR. ROSEA ...

PENT.STEMON HUMILIS

PHILADELPHUS, THE

RHODODENDRON CINNABARINUM
RHODODENDRON LEPIDOTUM . .

ROSE JEAN LIABAUD

ROSE M. E. Y. TEAS

ROSE, THE TEA-SCENTED

STOB.EA PURPUREA

TIGRIDIA PAVONIA GRANDIFLORA

TORENIA BAILLONI

TYD.EA ROBERT LE DIABLE ...

VERBENAS, FOUR NEW

396
4.56

516

416
476

132

36

298

298

80

12

142
122
376

222

ENGRAVINGS,

Ailiantum palin.itum

. 401

.Ayrotis segt'tuin

2

Anemone sylvestria . .

. 42n

Antirrliinum cuttings . .

. 140

Aponogetou ilistauhyon

. 3S9

Araucaria imbricata, catkins of

. 507

ArneTjia echioiiies

. 409

Ash, a curious

9

Asparagus \>ed

. 344

Asp;u-a^us (lecunibens

. 212

Asphodelus ramosus . .

. 97

Atliyriuni Scanilicinum

. 17

B.

B.iinhoo slKiilhig

. 301

Ganihusa lieterocycla. .

. 75

Bed, a mosaic

. 491

DavalMa (Microlepia) hii-ta cristata
Devil's Coach-liorse

r.03

323

Begtuiia Abel Canifcre . . . . 4S3

Bird-feeiling box 47

Bird scarer 165

Boilers, sections, of (3 illus.). . 494-95

Bomarea oliirantha 101

Broussonetia papyrifera BilliariU . . 53

BriTjhus pisi 65

Burdock, Giant, at Longleat .. 493

C.

Campanula macrostyla
Cananga odorata

Carica Papaya

Cecropia peltata
Ceiitorhynchus sulclcullis . .
Cheimatobia brumaria
Chionodoxa Lucilis . .

Clirysopa perla 187

ChyaisChelsoni 481

Cineraria maritima compacta . . 277
Clematis moutaua on a Yew branch 291

Clisiocampa neustria 129

Coffee Elirub 333

Conifer wood, sections of .. .. 195
Cosfius Ijgniperda 297

Daphne, grafting

Eclnnocactus nnguispinus

Ferns, Orchids on tree
Floor-wiper, india-rubber .
Fly, the lace-winged . .
Fraxinua Remillyensis
Fritillaria Karelini
Fi'uit box, refrigerating
Fruit house, market ..
Fuchsia splt-ndens
Furze, double, aft Longleat .

G.

Garden in south of France
Genetyllis tulipifera, cutting of
Globe flowers in the wild garden
Gracillaria syringella. .
Gynerium jubatum . .

137

331
303
187
9
121
33
263
233
493

449
328
1
443
179

H

Haberlea riiodoi>ensis
Hiiii-s, plant .. CI, 62, C3,

Hellebore, green, in the wild garden
" Hero's Targe "'

Hoes, spade

Hybernia defolaria
Hydrangea, climbing . .
Hypogymna dispar

I.

Icehouse . .

,, circular

,, plans of
Idesia polycarpa var. criapa
Ilang-llang

Lachenalia pendula

Lauriistinus, glossy-leaved . .
Lomaria attenuata on dead Tree
Feni trunk

161
59
191
471
239

M.

Melon-Cucumbers

Moth, brown-tailed .
,, small ermine .
,, the gt)at . .
,, the lackey

N.

Nectarine, shoot of . .
Narcissus monophyllus
Xephrolepis Duffi
Niphobolus heteractis

O.

Oak galls

Ocypus olei!s
Osmunda palustris
Otiorhynchus sulcatus

45
245

85
297
129

441

202

503

29

47
323
219

Prconies in the mid garden . .

Palm, hardy

Papaw tree, the

Pea, Sweet

Pea trellis

Pea weevil

Peach leaf glands

Pemettya mucronata, cuttings of . .

Pinguicula vulgaris

Plant hairs .. .. 61,02, 03,

Plant label, new

Porthesia auriflua

Potatoes, haulmless . .

Primrose, Evening, in wild garden

Piimula giandis

Q.

Quiet nook, a . .
Quisqualis indica

R.

Ranunculus Lyalli

Rocky 9tair-way in Pare des Enttes
Chauniont

157
79

391
451

1

Ecsa poTyrntlia 46

Rose American Banner . . . . 82

Rose aphis trap 381

Rose border, a 421

Rose tree, double shield-bud<led . . 41
Rose trees, method of pruning . . 107

Rove beetle 323

Ruscus aculeatus 303

S.

Sarcochilua Kitz^evaldi

. 4r.3

.Schizophrajima liydran^coidcs

. SOI

Scraper, improved road

. 308

Snowflakes in tlie wild garden

. 273

Somersetsliire garden

. 263

Soplironitis ;.aandinora on cork .

, 175

Sorbus Aria pinnatiflda, shoots of.

. 61.9

Spade hoes, various

. 2Cft

Stalactite cave in I'aris park

. 448

Stock, Nifht-sctnted

. 380

Strawberry guard

. 405

T.

Tigridia Pavonia grandiflora . . 142
Timber steaming chest .. ..105
Tree heights, diagi-ams showing how

to measure 282

Turf cutter, American . . 308

Turnip gall weevil 145

Turnip moth

V.

Viburnum Incidum

Vines, Black Rut in (3 illus).

W.

.. 197
489-00

Y.

Yew branch, Clematis montana on 291

Yponomeuta padella 85

Vucta gloriosa at Ryde

217

THE GARDEN. [Jlne 28, 1S79.

J. L I isr D E ]sr.

M. Je.vn Jules Linden was bom at Luxembourg on the 3rd of January, 1817. lie was educated at the
Eoyal Atlienwum of his native town. Before entering upon his travels he spent a few years in botanising in tlie Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg and the Belgian xirdennes. Subsequently he went to Brussels to attend the classes of the Faculty of
Science. Already he longed for distant explorations. Tlie study of geography, botany, and geology engrossed most of his
time. He made such progress in those sciences, that at the early age of nineteen he attracted the notice of Count de Theux,
then at the head of the Belgian Government, who had recently decided upon sending a scientific mission to Brazil.
M. Linden was appointed to bring that mission to a successful issue. The Count authorised him to appoint as companions
two scientific men, and he chose M. Funck and M. Ghiesbreght (the former is at present manager of the Zoological
Gardens at Cologne ; the latter is well known by his botanical and zoological explorations in Mexico, where he
seems to have taken up his abode). The three travellers sailed from Antwerp on the 2nd of October, 183.5, and reached Rio
de Janeiro after a tedious voyage, lasting well nigh three mouths. In those days steamers in Atlantic waters were unknown,
and South America was all but a sealed book to explorers. The grand aspect of the Brazilian coasts, but especially that of
Rio Bay, and the first virgin forests that met his gaze aiade a deep impression on our traveller. It was with real
enthusiasm that he started on horseback to explore the regions of the interior — little known at that time — tracing his route
through Mori-o Qnemado and Canto Gallo, in the direction of the Rio Parahiba, which he crossed on the territory of the
Puris Indians. He explored in succe.ssion the provinc3s of Rio, Spiritu Santo, Minas Geraes, with his travelling companions,
and thereafter visited alone the southern provinces of St. Paul and St. Catherine. The mission returned to Belgium in March
1837 with considerable collections both botanical and zoological, and the three travellers had the honour of exhibiting their
discoveries at the Eoyal Palace before King Leopold and Prince Albert. His JIajesty conferred on each of the explorers
a gold medal as a token of his regard and satisfaction.

Encouraged by the success obtained in this first expedition, the Belgian Government entrusted to the same
travellers a second mission, more important than the first. Its object was the exploration of the higher Antilles, Mexico,
and Guatemala. They left Havre in October, 1837, and reached Havannah at the beginning of December. They began
their researches in the north-western region of the island of Cuba, and their collection of plants was sensibly increasing
in quantity and importance when they received an order to join the Diplomatic Mission which the Belgian Government
was sending to Mexico. They landed at Vera Cruz in March, 1838; the Mission arrived in Mexico after halting for
a week at Jalajia, during which time the environs were carefully explored. Soon, however, our naturalists found the capital
of Mexico irksome ; they therefore parted with the Chief of the Legation, equipped themselves, and started afresh
for the interior, regardless of the war that was then raging between France and Mexico. They visited the plateau of
Anahuac, the volcanoes of Popocatepetl and of Iztaccihuatl, the Cofre of Perote, the peak of Orizaba, and the eastern
slopes of the Corddleras. Two years were devoted to this expedition, when the travellers embarked at Vera Cruz for
Canipeachy, whence they extended their explorations to every part of the Yucatan peninsula. In one of these excursions
M. Linden was subjected, at La Leguna de Terminos, to a severe attack of yellow fever, from the effects of which
it took three months to recover. Having reached by sea the State of Tabasco, our travellers explored it as well as that
of Chiapas, and made their way to the northern regions of Guatemala, at that time in a state of revolution. They
fell back on the Mexican Gulf, having visited in the course of their explorations the ruins of the ancient cities of
Paleuque and Ocosingo. ]\IM. Funck and Ghiesbreght on their return passed through Guadalupe de Frontera in August,
1840, whilst M. Linden, still a prey to fever, could only start the month following, passing through Havannah and the
United States. He arrived in Belgium in February, 1841, having been absent four years and four months. The scientific
results of this memorable journey were considerable. Since Humboldt no exploration had been prosecuted and brought to
a successful termination with resources so moderate and surrounded with so many difficulties. War, illness, small and great
privations constantly recurring, bad roads, numberless dangers, all these failed to abate the indefatigable perseverance of
these pioneers of natural history in the New World. Without counting the innumerable dried plants that were distributed
among the herbariums of Europe, we must mention, as relating more particularly to horticulture, the introduction of the
following live plants, viz., Aphelandra aurantiaca, Gesnera cinnabarina, G. zebrina, Abelia floribunda, Dion edule,
Beaucarnea tuberculata, B. glauca, Ceratozamia mexicana, C. muricata, C. Miqueliana, Astrocaryum mexicanum, Brahea
calcarea, B. nitida, Cham^erops stauracantha, Chamredorea Ernesti-Augusti, and other .species, Cibotium princeps, Oreopanax
dactylifolium, and many valuable Orchids.

With M. Lixden the passion for distant expeditions increased with years. He had scarcely set foot on Belgian
soil before he was p'anning new discoveries ; a craving for the unknown, the legitimate attraction that attaches to fame,
induced him again to visit the New World. This time Columbia was the object ol his attention. Having been put in
comnumication with Humboldt, he received from him valuable information concerning the regions which he was about to
explore. Again delegated by the Belgian Government, he set sail from Bordeaux in 1811. The vessel put into Cadiz
harbour, and on the 21th of November resumed its voyage and anchored on the 27th of December on the shores of
Venezuela. M. Schlim, a brother of M. Linden on the mother's side, accompanied him. After having cursorily examined the

June 28, 1879.] ' THE GAEDEN.

XI

vj T3tatiou of the torrid z )ne of Veiiiziiala from hi Guayra to Maiquetia, lie directed liis step.3 towards Caracas, wlienci he began a
thorough exploration of the maritime Cordilleras, travelling over every part of the i)rovince of Caracas, beginning with
th3 ascension of the Silla and Naiguata. On the 5th of May following he organised an excursion to the
interior. He directed his steps towards the west, across the lovely valley of Aragua, passing through San Mateo
(where was born Bolivar, the libertudor), Maracay, the lake of Tacarigua, and stopped awhile at Valencia. Then
he crossed the mountains on the coast in order to reach Puerto Cabello, whence he made his way in the interior of the
continent by the province of Barquisimeto. The forest of San Felipe and the mountains of Aroa were visited, and on
thj Ist of June he entered Barquisimeto. He explored the extensive steppes of Quibo, covered with Opuntia.s, Capparis,
and Mimosas, as well as the Trujillo chain and Tocuyo. But here a terrible accident threatened to bring the expedition
to a fatal end — a sudden rise of the Bio Tocuyo having stopped its progress. It was, however, decided to force the
passage despite the rapidity of the current, and M. Linden had the mortification of seeing carried away by the river
several of his mules, losing at the same time his reserve clothing, valuable instruments, several reams of drying
paper, ifec. The party arrived in bad condition at Humucaro \'iejo, where the expedition stayed a few days before
attempting the ascension of the Cordillera.s. A week afterwards M. Linden crossed the Paramo de Mucuchies (4012
mstres), and two days afterwards arrived at Merida, where he fixed himself for a time, visiting the surrounding country
and making new discoveries. Without leaving the high mountains of the Eastern Cordilleras, the journey was prosecuted
through San Josi5 de Cucuta, Pamplona, Socorro, Vek-z, Tunja, as far as Bogota, the capital of New Grenada. This was
in October, 1842, six months after leaving Caracas and following dreadfully bad roads, but in the midst of natural
scenes of infinite beauty and variety, con.sisting of the productions of the hottest climes as well as those that grow on
the tops of high mountains. Two months were spent at Bogota, and these M. Linden took advantage of to explore the
environs of that town, where he succeeded in collecting some interesting plants. In Decemljer, 1842, M. Linden came
down from the cold regions to the valley of Magdalena, and, j)assing through Fusagasuga, Pandi, over the celebrated bridge
of Icononzo, through iNIelgar, he crossed the river in order to reach IbagU(5, across naked plains which extend as far as
the first hills of the central Cordilleras. From Ibague our traveller carried on his investigations in all directions, crossed
the chain of the Quindio as far as its western slope, and spent several weeks in the neighbourhood of the now extinguished
volcano of Tolima, the summit of which (5616 metres), conical in shape and of dazzling whiteness), is seen from all the
surrounding country. Having returned to Ibague, M. Linden resolved ujion going towards the north, through Ambalema,
Honda, Guaduas, Bogota, Tunja, Pamplona, Merida, Trujillo, Varinas, a part of the Llancs of Orenoco and Carabobo,
whence they laid their course towards Caracas, which was reached on the 17th of August, 1843. More than fifteen
months were spent in this expedition, which was unusually fruitful as regards the disco^■ery of new plants.

His journey homewards, after visiting Sierra Nevada and Cuba, took place through the United States in 1844,
and he re-entered his native town in 1845, after having spent ten years in dangers and privations, which had shaken a
constitution naturally robust. His last journey was without doubt the most fruitful of the three in a scientific point of
view, especially as regards horticulture. So many fine Orchids were discovered, that Lindley collected them together aud
described thoni in a special publication (" Orchidaeese LindeniauK "). Masdevallias, Odontoglo.s.sums, the Oneidiums of the
higher Cordilleras, Selenipediums, Uripedium Lindeni, and all the Anguloa known at the present day, &e., made
their first appearince in Europe. Me.ssrs. Veitch had not at that time established themselves in London. Loddiges
& RoUisson were then the chief dealers in Orchids. To il. Linden, too, we are indebted for the Bejarias, Thibaudias, the
Cyanophyllum magnificum, twenty-five .species of Oreopanax and Aralias, Eucharis, Maranta alba and roseo-lineata, and
hundreds of others. The numerous and brilliant discoveries made by ]\I. Linden .suggested to him the idea of fonning an
establishment specially devoted to the introduction of new plants. This he commenced to do at the end of the year 1845, in
his native town, an 1 his houses were soon filled with new Orchids and other plants which hi had acquired in Venezuela or
New Grenada. MM. Fnnck and Schlim were also dispatched by him as collectors to regions in which he had noticed
plants which he had b^en unable to bring home with him. This establishment, though conijiaratively small at first, made
rapid progress. _ Transferred to Brussels, it soon supplied Europe with plants, and took the first place among establishments
devoted to the introduction of novelties. About this time M. Linden sent collectors for many successive years to Columbia,
Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil ; also to Peru, Assam, Java, New Zealand, and, lastly, to New Caledonia and the Hebrides.
On his return to Europe ]M. Linden was appointed Dii-ector of tlie Zoological Gardens at Bru.ssels, a post which he
filled for ten years. From 1853 to 1867 he represented in this town the United States of Columbia in the capacity of
Consul ; and since 1867 he has been Consul-General for his native land, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In 1851 the first
honorary reward was granted him by King Leopold I., who created him a Knight of his Order ; in 1864 he was promoted
to the grade of ofiicer, and in 1871 to Commander of the Order. Various Sovereigns of Europe also conferred distinctions
on him on account of the services which he had rendered to botany and horticulture. At all the great international
exhibitions M. Linden took the highest awards. At Brussels in 1864; Amsterdam in 1865; London in 1866;
Pans in 1867 ; St Petersburgh and Hamburgh in 1869 ; Ghent and Vienna in 1873 ; Florence the year after ; Cologne in
1875; Brussels in 1876. No one ould oppose him successfully as regards new plants, and the reputation of his
e.stablishmsnts at Brussels and Ghent has spread throughout the world. The number of live plants introduced by him or
his collectors amount to over 2000 species. We will only quote a few : Orchid.s, 510 .specie.s, including 59 kinds of
Odontoglossuni and 37 of Masdevallia ; Palms, 137 ; Aroid.s, 86 ; Gesnerads, 77 ; Bromeliads, 85 ; Melastomads, 57 ;
Acanthads, 23 ; Rubiaceous, 51 ; Ericaceous and Vacciniaceous plants, 116 ; Marantads, 49; Tree and other Ferns, 113 ; &c.

Such IS some of the work of the man whose biography we have just sketched. His influence on the progress of
horticulture has been considerable. Not only has he contributed personally to the advancement of science, but we must
also place to hi.s credit what he has done by means of collectors. He has created a generous emulation among plant
importers, especially in England, a commercial undertaking which has been of great benefit to horticulture in general.

M. ^ Linden, whose portrait we publish, is a man of tall stature and strong physique, which yeai-s do not seem to
impiir, notwithstanding the adventurous life which he ha? led. He is sixty-two years of age, kindly in disposition and

THE GAEDEX.

[June 28, 1879.

cheerful in conversatidn, which all who have the good fortune of knowing him appreciate. His knowledge is very extensive.
He .speaks the dialect of Luxembourg, French, German, English, and Spanish with equal fluency. The thousands of
sjiecimens of dried plants which he has distril.iuted among the herbariums of Europe have made his name famous in
connection with botany. Moreover, he has established along with M. T. E. Planchon a publication, with the view of record-
ing liis discoveries, the " Plautse Columbianai," and, with the help of M. H. G. Reichenbach, he has published a magnificent
folio, filled with coloured plates of the finest Orchids of his hothouses, the " Pescatorea," thus named in honour of
M. Pescatore, a great lover of Orchids, at St. Cloud. Under the name of " Hortus Lindenianus," two parts have been
issued of a work devoted especially to the plants introduced by him. The journal " LTllustration Horticole," edited for
sixteen years by M. Lemaire, having become in 1869 M. Linden's property, he entrusied its editorship to M. Ed. Andr^,
who for the last ten years has described in its pages not only M. Linden'.s new plants, but also those of other countries.
Our only wish is that such a man may live long to continue the good work to which he has devoted his life, and encourage
young travellers to follow his footsteps.

Jilf- i, 1879. 1

///^ .(:^a-^^

Globe-flowers in the \rikl Garde,

TECE G- J^ Tb ID :E1 1<T

VOL. XV.

GARDEN PLANTS FROM JAPAN.
It is not too much to say that notwithstanding the enormous
number of beautiful trees and plants already introduced into
Europe from this far-off land, whose vegetation may be said to
be so near and dear to our gardens, there yet remains a large
residue, not of things less beautiful, but, on the contrary, of
trees and shrubs most remarkable and characteristic quite un-
known to this country. How this has come about is a question
to be answered fully and satisfactorily by those who have so
energetically explored its riches in the most cultivated parts ;
but perhaps a mere passer-by who only spent a month in this
unique island may be able to give some data on such a point,
and also indicate, however lightly, what riches must be in store
for us from the large areas of unexplored lands, of hill and
dale, of wood, or wild seashore. This glowing prospect of a
coming wealth of beauty must needs have a shadow, "for it is
evident there must be some good reason why such desirable
forms have never been sent us by any (as far as I know) of the
indefatigable botanists who year" by year have poured into our
lap, as it were, so many riches ; and briefly it is this, that,
owing to the moisture and heat of a Japanese summer, these
trees grow so luxuriantly that they never perfect seed, and
sometimes are never known even to flower, as I am assured,
but this must be clearly an exaggeration. It is a fact, however,
that many trees which seed abundantly in China, and thus
have been long ago introduced into Europe, where they also
perfect seed or fruit, in Japan rarely or never are known to do
BO, and two well-known instances will illustrate this plainly,
thus giving a clue which the Japanese climate explains still more
fully. The beautiful Salisburia adiantifolia, or Maiden-hair
tree, which adorns many an English garden, seeds so abun-
dantly in China and in the south of France, that its Almond-
like nuts are used as an article of food, while in Japan so rarely
does it fruit, that when at Kama-Kura, admiring the cele-
brated Salisburia tree there, said to be the oldest in the country,
planted loog ago by some warrior, who placed it in the court of
the temple, an old resident told me that he had never been
able to discover any seed on it, though he had examined both it
and many othci- trees at all seasons of the year for the last ten
years. A still mora striking instance is afforded by the
Paulownia imperialis, a tree whose glorious flower-spikes are
succeeded by such a mass of seeds in the south of France that
it becomes unsightly, and even dies from exhaustion, while in
its native country, Japan, it is rare to find a single capsule
on the tree, as far as my experience goes, though the flower-
ing be profuse. Want of seed and difficulty of propagation
by other means, as well as the sad losses caused by the long
voyage to Europe, must surely be the reason why a hardy
evergreen tree such as Machilus Thunbergi is not well

known in our gardens ere this; a tree which is remarkably
beautiful on the sacred island of Enoshima, large in stature,
spreading as an English Oak, with leaves disposed on the ends
of the branches something after the fashion of a Rhododen-
dron, but of a clear, fresh green colour and somewhat undula-
ted at the_ edges, and whose great trunk, now silvery, now
mottled with red stains, enhances the charm of its foliage and
habit. Litsffia glauca and various Ilexes of the richest foliage
and colouring must not bo orattied from the list of strikingly
beautiful trees, which should be ours at some future date; and
a walk by the seaside, where the Euonymus bushes grow
green amid the driftir.g sand, shows still further treasures,
among which two Photinias are most prominent. Photinia
giauca, with large, pale green, leathery leaves, and whose white
panicles of flower are like Spira3a Lindleyana in shape, braves
the sea with impunity, while its lesser congener, Photinia ar-
butifolia, nestles in the undergrowth near, and in spring pro-
duces flowers delicately coloured as Apple blossom, which
contrast with the scarlet-stained leaves on old shoots, and atone
for a somewhat straggling growth. It certainly seems strange
that Photinia serrulata, which is common in many gardens,
should be the only kind well known to us, when these two vie
with the familiar Euonymus in Japan in braving the severest
blasts of the sea, and yet, if ever introduced, are practically
unknown to us. Pittosporum Tobira, which is less hardy,
grows abundantly where there is a little shelter, and
Pinus Massoniana is the first tree that boldly casts its long
arms seaward, as if to defy the fury of a Japanese tornado.
Wistaria drapes the land side of each bush, and the wild pink
and orange Lilium bulbiferum grow abundantly down to very
high-water mark, where the Venus-ear shells (Haliotis) strew
the beach with their bright hues, a contest of colours between
Flora and Venus. Inland there are again many fresh subjects
of interest, but before closing these remarks I would say a
few words on a climate so unlike our own, which yet gives us
so many hardy plants. It is truly a case where " extremes
meet," for Japanese winters are bright, dry, and cold, while
ours are cloudy and wet. With them the flowering of the
Azalea and the commencement of the summer heats is the
signal for deluging rains and thunderstorms, which continue
all through the long, hot summer, which a country mainly
situated between the parallels of lat. 32° and lat. 4-2'' must
necessarily endure or enjoy, as the case may be. Hence vege-
tation is so stimulated that rank growth is made rather than
solid, fruit-producing wood, and flowers, however freely pro-
duced in spring, are abortive, and to this we owe much of our
success, as well as failure, our drier summer making up for
less heat, and so causins' a more solid growth. Of autumn
they have but little, the change to cold coming very suddenly,

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 18; 9

while we constantly prolong that season up to December.
The causes are these : Japan has a vast continent to the west,
a warm gulf stream to the south-east, and a cold current to
north, so the east wind is mild and wet, and westerly winds dry
and bitterly cold in winter, while with us, as is well known,
conditions are almost exactly reversed, causing corresponding
differences of climate. This being once fairly understood,
it is evident that our cold, dry, easterly winds are those
that most try Japanese vegetation, and that any plant that
comes from the west coast of Japan, even though it be far
south, is so exposed to dry, cold winds iu winter, that it will
withstand anything that our ordinary winters bring us, but
those from the eastei'n side of the island, .south of the district
near Yokohama, cannot be trusted, while in the southern
island vegetation becomes tropical. E. H. Woodall.

Scarhuroiujh.

DOUBLE PYEETHRUMS.

I THINK I never before saw the doable Pyretbrum in such fine cha.
racter as at Mr. Eobert Parker's nursery. Tooting, in tbe month of
Jane last. Probably the cool, moist season had something to do with
it, and a good deal was dne to the fine soil in which they were grow-
ing— a rich, light, sandy loam, that appeared to suit Pyrethrams
exactly, and in which they are carefully tended. The flowers were
very large and full, and the colours brilliant, especially in the case
of some of the newer varieties. I have also seen these Pyrethrums
very fine in private gardens daring the past summer, and I am glad to
perceive that cultivators are becoming alive to their great value, both
.as decorative plants for the open border and as excellent and most
useful subjects to cut from during the time they are iu bloom — from
early in May till late in October iuthe open air. One great advantage
about the Pyrethrnm ia, that it is thoroughly hardy ; but in all ill.
drained soils wet will do the plants harm ; especially slugs will be
active in eating out their hearts. In autumn and spring slugs are very
apt to prey on the Pyrethrum, and more especially in spring, when
the young growths are forming. Choice varieties should, therefore,
be fenced round with a slug guard of some kind until, by means of
division, the grower has more than one plant of each. One of the
best guards of this character is a piece of perforated zinc, 4 in. or so
in depth, placed in the form of a collar round a plant necessary to
be protected.

As there ai'e now a large number of varieties, it ia perhaps well to
give a selection of some of the very best, taken from Mr. Parker's
collection, which comprised all the newest kinds. We will begin
with Brilliant, rich rosy. purple, flowers very double, and fine
quality; Chamois, buff, with bronze centre; Coquetterie, delicate
pink, very pretty, large and full ; delicatisaum, bright rosy-lilac, very
fine; delioatum, pure white, very good indeed; Dr. Livingstone, very
pale lilac, distinct and fine; Diadem, blush, large and full; Emile
Lemoine, purplish.orimson, tipped with golden-yellow, striking
in appearance, very large and double, one of those fine and distinct
varieties that attract attention at once ; Floribundum plenum, rosy.
pink, a variety with a good free. branching habit ; Fulgens plenissi.
mum, rich carmine, extra fine quality, and good dwarf habit ; Gas-
tave Heltz, rich rosy-red, with orange centre, one that should be in a
limited collection ; Hermann Stenger, rosy. lilac, a variety of the
finest quality and good habit ; Imbricatum plenum, rich purplish,
carmine, very fine, the centre of the flowers being prettily tipped
with white ; Gloire d'ltalie, bright deep magenta, very fine indeed,
one of the best ; Iturbide, bright purplish-carmine, extra fine ; Le
Dant3, bright shining rose, with orange centre, flowers very large
and double ; Madame Mauier, rosy .blush ; Mdlle. Patti, carmine,
rose, a good dwavf-growing variety ; Michael Buckner, rich rosy,
crimson, with orange centre, remarkable for the lai-ge and double
character of the flowers ; Mrs. Dix, blush, shaded with purple,
remarkable for the size and great beauty of the flowers ; Ne Plus
Ultra, delicate blush-white ; Nemesis, lilac-carmine, fine and double ;
Peau Eouge, rosy-orimson, very fine and distinct ; Progress, rich
crimson, one of the finest ; Eubrum plenum, rosy-purple cireum.
ferenoe and deep rose centre, very fine indeed ; Triomphe Demay,
pale lilao, large and fine ; Virginal, pure white, the centre tinted
with orange; and Voie Lactee, pure white, suffused with delicate
pink. Any dozen selected from the foregoing would form a good
ooUeolion to commence with. The newer introductions show not
only a tendency to.vards a larger size and more symmetrical shape,
but also towards a greater depth and variety of colour. Such a fine
variety as Progress well deserved its name, for it is a decided advance
towards the fine crimson hue we are desirous of seeing present in the
flowers. The best time to make a bed or plantation is in early spring.

There ia this advantage about it, that the plants have not to stand
the rigours of a winter without being well rooted into the soil. If
the grower should be led to think he could get better plants in
autumn than in spring, he can pot them up and winter them
in a cold frame, and so get them well established before turn,
ing them out in the open ground. A good, free loam,
well manured at the time it is deeply dug, suits the Pyrethrums
well, and in it they stand a good deal of drought. I have Been beds
of Pyrethrums doing finely that were well mulched with manure and
leaves in early summer. This fed the roots near the surface, and
its presence told in the increased size and brilliancy of the flowers.
This dressing or mulching can be forked in during autumn, and a
fresh supply given early in spring. Any variety can be readily pro.
pa?ated by dividing the roots. They throw out side shoots or growths
during the summer, and if these be removed in the autumn, and
potted singly into small pots, and wintered in a frame, they grow to
a good size in spring. Another good plan is to prick out the offsets
into a prepared bed of light, free, sandy soil, and cover it with a small
frame or hand.glass. Slugs must be looked after, and killed. The
single Pyrethrums are, to a great extent, lost to cultivation. There has
been a kind of craze for double flowers, and in the struggle for existence
which fashion decreed, the single forms went to the wall. They may
become popular again, as the single Dahlias are just now. The great
danger of these changes in floral fashion consists in this, that they
lead to the neglect of certain plants, which, while under a shadow, be.
come lost to cultivation. We want more harbours of refuge in the
way of old-fashioned and botanical gardens to take care of such plants
that the whim of the moment overlooks. D.

Japanese Primroses Out-of-doors. — In answer to " Primula "
(Vol. XIV, p. 5G3) allow me to say that our soil here ia not too light
for these Primroses, and that P. oortusoides amoeua does but little
better here out-of.doors than japonioa. The improved varieties of it,
however, are magnificent iu pots, and the simple protection of a cold or
frost-proDf pit is found sufiioient for them both. — D. T. Fish.

It is to be regretted that the plate representing the varieties

of Primula oortusoides amoena, or P. Sieboldi, as it ought to be
called, was labelled " Japanese Primroses." It has only, as I felt sure
it would, caused confusion. The Japanese Primrose jiai- excellence
is undoubtedly P. japonica, and no other species ought to usurp its
title. P. Sieboldi (cortusoides amcena) ought to be called Siebold's
Primrose. It ia perfectly hardy, but, like most of the Primulas,
capricious. I can do no good with it at all except in pots, but a few
miles off at Ashridge my neighbour. Earl Brownlow's gardener, Mr.
Gray,[growa it without any trouble in the open border. I saw P.
japonica growing like a weed a year or two since in Mr. Latimer
Clark's wild garden at Hitherwood, near Sydenham, and a Cheshire
correspondent once told me that he knew a garden in that county
where the pretty little P. nivalis flourished and seeded itself ,in all
directions like a Cowslip. The only one of the genua which has this
delightful habit here is the Bardfield Oxlip, the true P. elatior of
Jacquin, which the late Mr. Doubleday, oE Bpping, sent me a few
years before his death. — H. Hakpue Crewe, Drajjton-Beaucliamp
Rectorij, Tring.

How to Treat Plants Inclined to Ramble. — Those of your
readers who wish to grow the Calystegia and .^Egopodium Podograria
fol. var. (recently noticed in The Garden) or any other plants with
a like propensity to ramble may easily do so by simply planting them
first in an old tub or pot, and then plunging it nearly to its rim in
the desired spot. Tropseolum speciosum may be sucessfuUy grown
in this way, with the advantage of knowing where to find it when it
ia wanted. Treated in this manner nearly all of these beautiful sab.
jects may be associated with the most choice Alpines without becom-
ing mere weeds ; and, as for effect, let a Calystegia or Tropaeolum
allowed to ramble at will over a dead branch speak for themselves. —
F. Giri'ORD, Edinburgh.

Buphthalmum Cordifolium.— This is a remarkably fine
plant for the wild garden ; it has large and handsome foliage,
and large Sunflower-like blooms of a good orange colour. It
is extremely hardy on any soil, and its true place is the wild
garden among the larger perennials, or, still better, in a small
spreading colony by itself. The species belongs to a very
small family, some of which are tropical and others European,
but none, so far as I have seen, is so suited for the wild garden
as B. cordifolium, which attains a height of from 3i ft. to 5 ft.,
and comes from Hungary. Like almost everything else of a
similar character, there is no trouble whatever in either cul-
tivating or increasing it. — V.

Jan. -i, 1870. J

THE GARDEN.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

TAILURES AMONGST INDOOR PEACH CROPS.
In discussing this subject, I can only refer to the general
causes of failure, for a cultivator may fail in many cases
throu£;h causes entirely local. One of the commonest causes
of failure is ill-ripened wood, a condition which should hardly
exist under glass anywhere, in England at least, for, with the
aid of a glass roof and the option of closing and opening the
house at pleasure, there should be little difficulty in getting
the wood of Peaches properly matured. It is simply a ques-
tion of keeping up the necessary degree of temperature during
the summer by judicious ventilation, and especially of econo-
mising sun-heat in autumn. Attention to these matters should
not be relaxed until it is seen that the young shoots are hard,
brown, and ripe, and the leaf and fruit buds prominent and
well developed. Maturity is not a question of the leaves fall-
ing, for when the cold comes they fade and fall from ill-ripened
shoots as well as from those that are well matured. Indeed,
the leaves will hang quite green and fresh long after the wood
has become hard and ripe, if a comfortable temperature be
maintained ; but in such cases they fall off readily if the trees
are shaken. Another (|uestion, however, is, what are the best
means to secure a crop of fruit when it is known that the wood
is not so well matured as it should be ? In such a case the first
thing to do is to cut back the most unripe extremities of the
shoots to where the buds are tolerably plump and the wood
hard ; and the next thing is to give the treesja complete rest
during the winter months, neither exciting by fire-heat nor
permitting injury by frost, though a few degrees will do
no harm, and they had much better be exposed to frost than
subjected to a temperature above 45°, which is sufficient to
excite immature buds at any season, and probably, as a conse-
quence, cause them to drop when the house comes to be started
at the proper season. This dropping of the buds is sometimes
a serious evil, and it often occurs in the best-managed Peach
houses, early ones particularly ; but in bad cases nearly all the
buds drop off the tree, except the leaf buds at the points and
base of the shoots, which never drop — a wise provision of
nature, for did they fall it would be the almost complete ruin
of the tree, as growth would entirely depend upon adventitious
buds pushingifrom the old wood. For years here we were
afraid to cut back the shoots of a tree of the Noblesse Peach,
which was in the habit of dropping some of its buds every
season ; for it must be remembered that it is the natural termi-
nal leaf bud that does not drop. The end bud of a cut-back
shoot is quite as liable to fall as the others, and the wood, of
course, dies back during the season to the next growth, unless
it be cut away at the beginning, which is the best thing to do.
When trees that are not thoroughly ripened are started, say in
March, they should be pushed on gently in a day temperature
ranging from 50* to 65°, accordingly as the weather is dull or
sunny, and at night the temperature should be allowed to fall
to 40' or 45^. The borders should be kept in a properly moist
condition, but little moisture should be given overhead. A
slight dewing will be sufficient on the afternoon of sunny days.
In ill-ripened trees the leaf buds are apt to push in advance of
the fruit buds, and when they get too much in advance the
flowers do not open, and failure is the result. In healthy,
well-matured trees the flower buds open first, and the shoots
only begin to push noticeably after the fruit is set. In the case
of ill-ripened trees, therefore, this condition of growth must
be secured by artificial treatment, which consists in simply
pinching the points of the leaf buds persistently as fast as they
push, until the fruit has set, when they may be left alone.
This will cause the flowers, that would otherwise have remained
unopened, and which would eventually have dropped off, to
expand ; and when they are fully blown, and the pollen isdry and
powdery, artificial fertilisation, either with the syringe on a tine
day, or a camel-hair pencil, will insure a "set," when the chief
difficulty may be considered over, though on ill-ripened trees
a greater proportion of fruit will drop at the stoning period
than otherwise ought to happen.

Another frequent cause of failure is an unsuitable tempera-
ture ; sometimes the temperature is too low and sometimes too

high when the trees are in flower, and the fruit fails to set.
This happens oftener in early than in late houses, as in the
first the maintenance of an even temperature depends entirely
upon artificial means. If the temperature be maintained at a
very high figure, the fruit will not set well, but most danger is
to be apprehended from a too low temperature. This is very
often observed in cases in which the fruit sets just above or
near to the hot-water pipes, and nowhere else. Failure from
this cause is not so likely to happen when the days are bright
and sunny, when with ordinary care the proper temperatures
can be kept up, as in dull weather. In such times everythiag
depends upon the judicious application of fire heat. In bright
weather the heat may be allowed to run up to 70° or 75° as
early in the morning as possible, and kept at those figures till
the sun is off the roof, after which the thermometer should
decline gradually to 45° during the night, but during dull days
a steady temperature of from 65°, to GO'-' should be maintained,
with a somewhat dry atmosphere and a little ventilation back
and front, and these degrees of heat should be preserved from
daylight to dark during the short days. The trees may also be
shaken now and then to set the pollen free, and it will do no
harm whatever, but rather good, to syringe the trees to help
to distribute the pollen two or three times a week, about one
o'clock in the afternoon. It has been said that if the sky
is constantly overcast when Peaches are in flower, scarcely any
fruit will set ; but that is not the case, as I have frequently,
by the above means and other attentions, had a very good set
on all our early trees when there has been a dull snowy sky
during the whole of the flowering period. This happened only
last January, when our early Peaches were in flower ; yet there
was quite a thick set, especially in the case of the Blruge
Nectarine. As regards ventilation, it is our practice always to
keep a little air in the house, both back and front, night and
day, no matter what the weather may be. A very small chink
of air keeps the atmosphere fresh and sweet, and that much
should be given, even if coals are burned to keep up the extra
heat required in consequence of the escape of warm air at the
ventilators. In old houses, glazed with short panes and many
laps, and not unfrequently breakages here and there, it was
unncessary to open the ventilators ; but now, as houses are
glazed with long panes closely overlapping each other, little
air gets in, except by the ventilators.

In lately constructed Peach cases or glass-covered walls failures
are far more common than they need be. In some places, in
fact, such structures are, through mismanagement, little better
than open walls. They are generally used for other purposes
besides Peach growing ; they are often, indeed, filled with
plants, and to keep these comfortable the house is frequently
kept too warm for the Peaches between November and
April, and the consequence is, that the trees begin to
move and come into flower Stoo early in the season,
and either fail to set their fruit, or the latter drops off before
stoning, simply through a prolonged low temperature. Peaches
that flower in February, or even early in March, in an unhealed
glass case, are more likely to fail than otherwise. They
should be kept back by keeping the case cool as long as possi-
ble, and if they can be had in flower in April, the chances of
a good crop of evenly-swelled fruit are greatly enhanced.

Among other causes of failure, I suppose over-cropping
need scarcely be alluded to, its effects being but too well
known. There is little prospect of fruit the season following
an excessively heavy crop ; but all trees are not alike, and
hardly any rule can be laid down for guidance on the subject.
I always crop according to the vigour of the tree, and even of
the individual branches. On weak shoots the fruit at the final
thinning is left about 1 ft. asunder or more ; over strong and
vigorous limbs much less. The Victoria Nectarine, which is
an extraordinarily vigorous variety, we crop twice as heavily
as any other sort, leaving the fruits from 5 in. to 6 in. apart,
and frequentl}- less, all over the tree ; and, thus cropping, it
stands for many years in succession, producing at the same
time exceedingly fine large fruit. Grosse Mignonne is also a
vigorous-growing Peach, and may be cropped heavier than
some other kinds, but it is a shy setter. Heavy cropping is
one way of checking excessive exuberance, and should be
resorted to when trees are making strong shoots.

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

Very frequently failure of Peaoli crops is laid to the border,
■which ia generally supposed to be too wet or too dry. My own
impression is that the condition of the border has seldom any-
thing to do with the matter. It is seldom tha*; an ordinary,
well-cared-for border is either so wet or so dry as to cause the
crop to fail, either when setting or stoning, and, after these
two critical periods are passed, only the grossest carelessness
can cause what may be called really a failure. Gross growth
from a too rich soil, or debility from the opposite cause, is of
course a different thing, and in each case the remedy suggests
itself. When Peach houses, either late or early, are started
the border should be examined, and, if dry, watered most
copiously and mulched. This will usually carry the trees on
for a mouth or two ; but, as summer advances, frequent water-
ings become necessary. S. W.

PEAKS SUITABLE FOR NORTHERN ENGLAND.
I I'lND it very difficult to lay down any straight Hue of proceeding
for the culture of winter Pears — the whole thing i3 wrapped np in so
many circamBtaucea, the greatest of all being atmo3ph^ric cbangea.
We never get too much heat, bat often too much cold and too much
wet, in the absence of heat; moisture and sun-heat are tivo essential
elements in the culture of good Pears. The soil, which is various in
different localities, has a wonderful effect on the growth of Pears.
No doubt a good strong rich loam is the best suited for Pear culture.
The border should be as rich as a Vine border, both for making good
strong spurs and for growing the frnit to a good size and full of
quality. The spurs should be as near the wall as possible, to allow
the frnit to get the benefit of the heat contained in the wall. Root-
prnning the Pear I have a great objection to, because the fruit must
be small if the feeders are cut away. If my trees are too vigorous
to make fruit-spurs, I ring the branches by taking out about one-
eighth of an inch of bark all round with a sharp knife. This will
have the desired effect of producing spura, and the following season
fruit is almost certain, the weather being favourable. The ring in
the bark should be made as early as possible, when the bark will
feparate from the wood, and by autumn the two barks will be united,
and ready to assist the swelling of the fruit in the following summer.
If once a good quantity of spurs and frnit be produced, ringing is
hardly ever necessary afterwards, as Nature will do its own work,
and the tree bears fruit in consequence.

The varieties I now grow are very limited, and it mnst be taken
into consideration that I am situated forty miles north of York, and
I 6nd BO many of the varieties so highly recommended by writers in
the south to be quite useless here — some are too small, and others not
at all suited for the climate. It would be difficult for me to name a
promising variety that I have not tried here ; quantities of them have
now disappeared and are aluiost forgotten, and have given place to
new favourites. Marie Louise is the greatest favourite of all, and no
wonder, for I can supply the table with this Pear throughont the
months of October, November, December, and a little into the new
year ; the size, if not very large, runs up to 10 oz., and it Is exceedingly
handsome. Ourdaily average use in November is about thirty Pears. I
have the Mario Louise grafted and ingrafted four times over in some
places, and I must say the stock has a wonderful influence on the
fruit. One grafted on the white Doyenne Pear comes in very early,
and often ripens on the tree by the last week in September ; the next
for earliness is twice grafted on the Autumn Bergamot, the one after
this is three times worked, the last on the Swan's Egg Pear. I have
a fine lot from this stock generally, and they are the beat we have
in quality. Those ingrafted on Gansel's Bergamot are great bearers
and grow to a good size ; those ingrafted on the Beurre Ranee are
in use now, and will continue through the month. Winter Nelis is the
next favourite sort to follow Marie Louise. It is four times grafted,
the last time on Uvedale'a St. Germain's. This sort has wonderful
vigour so grafted, always bears plenty of fruit, is always good, and
never cracks. This sort ia no use here on the Quince stock ; it
grows too weak. Glou Moroean twice grafted, the last time on
Beurr(5 Ranee and on the south wall, is generally good and comes in
for January and early in February ; they are not so fine aa I have
had them other years j the earliest blossoms were killed in the spring,
consequently they did not grow so large as usual. They are fine for
stewing, and for that purpose they are being used this year. Easter
Beurre ia the next favourite, and a grand old Pear it is, always good ;
if not left to spoil itself on the trees, with a little management this
Pear might be had in use for a long time. This sort I have grafted
on various stocks, but none on the Quince. The sorts I have named
will carry me thronRh a winter, but I have many other good useful
Borta to till up a g^ip it needed. The common early summer Pears
are no use here fur table.

The Jargonelle is the first to be of use to me; "this is grafted on
the Pear stock, and ia very fine generally ; on the Qaince it ia subject
to canker and useless. Marie Louise ingrafted on the Jargonelle
never bears any fruit worth naming, and what it does bear is very
small. I expected great things from this stock, and grafted three
trees, two of which are now destroyed — the other I will give another
trial, as it has a good promise of fruit-buds, after being very liberally
treated at the roots, to give it strength. The blooms of thia tree are
very tender, and stand no frost when in flower. The next to follow
the Jargonelle is that monster Pear, Souvenir du Congroj, two fruits
of which will make a diah, and if eaten just when it ia ripe it is
delicious. It has a fine colour, and ia very handsome on the table.
Williams' Bon Chretien comes in about the same time, and, like
Souvenir du Congies, requires to be gathered before it is ripe to have
it fine in flavour. Benrrc d'Amanlis ingrafted on Ilaoon'fl Incom.
parable is always very large and excellent in flavour, and will ripen
on the tree or in the fruit-room. Louise Bont:e of Jersey ia another
fine-flavoured Pear, but should always be on a vigorous stock. It ia
poor on the Quince stock, and apt to crack.

When I added Doyenne du Cornice to my stock, I thought I had a
great catch. I ingrafted it on various strong-growing stocks, and
tried to palm it off as superior to Marie Louise, but Mr. Milbank pro.
nounced it too sweet and wanting the fine aroma of the Marie Louise ;
however, it is a good useful sort for our climate and soil, and does
well on any stock except the Jargonelle. Beurre Diel ingrafted ou
the Swan's Egg Pear is delicious and very large, but always a little
grilty. Dachesse d'Angonleme is never first-rate here, neither ia
BaurriS Clairgeaa. Dunraore is a large, handsome Peai-, and well
suited to this climate; although it is not of the first quality, it is a
good Pear. Hacon's Incomparable is a lai'ge handsome Pear of first-
rate quality on the old Pear stock, but is rather shy in bearing;
it bears well on the Q lince, but the fruit ia rather small. Josephine
de Malines is very uncertain in quality, but bears well on any stock ;
not thoroughly good, except in very fine seasons, but useful for the
kitchen. Benrre Hardy is a most delicious Pear ingrafted on the
Pear stock. Beurre Sterckmans, Knight's Monarch, and Ne Plus
Meuria are only very moderate sorts here. Beurre Ranee never
ripens here. Beurre Superfiu is a good useful autumn Pear if
grafted on the Quince ; grafted on the Pear here it is very poor in
every way. Bergamot Esperen in fine seasons is very useful. The
gathering of Pears requires to be studied very particularly. The
melting Pears will mostly bear hanging long on the treea without
losing the flavour, while the gritty sorts should begathered aa soon
aa they show signa of ripeness, and are much improved if finished
off in a warm temperature. — William Culvebwell, in "Gardener's
Chronicle."

" Caledonia,* described by Scott, Burns, and Ramsay," forms a
large 4to volume, well printed and illustrated. Amongst the illustra-
tions, which are by MacWhirter, are Linlithgow Palace, Tantallon
Castle, the Hero's Targe, FingaVa Cave, lona Cathedral, Neidpath
Castle, Lochleven Castle, Pall of Foyers, and others, all well repro-
duced on wood by Patterson. The letterpress contains some of the
best poems of the authors just named, and the book, being taste.
fully printed will prove a welcome gift at this season of the year.
The annexed ia an example of the illuatratione, many of which are
very good.

Nettles. — I read with the most profound amazement the state,
ment of M.Lavellce that Nettles only grew in the vicinity of houses.
We know, alas ! to our sorrow, in England that beds of Nettles far
removed from any house or building are aa common as Blackberries.
Where has M. Lavalloa lived to mate such an astonishing assertion ?
— H. Harpur Ckewe, Drayton-Beaucliamp Ilectorii, Tring.

The Cretan Borage (Borago orientals) is a somewhat
vigorous growlug perennial, bearing pale blue flowers early in
spring, and in good soil having large and imposing foliage
throughout the summer. Easily naturalised in any rough place,
it is not worth a place in the garden proper, being very coarse in
habit and occupying too much space ; it should be associated
with the early spring flowers. The common Borage is a very
pretty plant, naturalised in dry places or banks, where it might
be often welcome to those who sought it for other purposes
than its beauty. Borago laxiflora is charming with its numerous
suspended blue flowers ; it grows vei-y freely on sandy soils.
The family is a small one of South European distribution. — V.

• William P. Nimmo, London and-Edinburgh.

Jan'. 4; 1S79.]

THE GARDEN,

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

FINE-FOLIAGED CONSERVATORY PLANTS.
Nothing adds more to the interest attached to conservatories
or greenhouses and helps their embellishment so mnch at this
dull season as fine-foliaged plants, of which there are great
numbers that are sufficiently hardy to bear the temperature
of a greenhouse or conservatory remarkably ivell. Some of
the noblest and best of these are Palms, but, unfortunately,
many are deterred from growing them owing to an idea which
is prevalent that they are mostly tropical plants, and require
great heat, and that they soon attain such a large size as to be
unmanageable in the limited amount of room that can be
afforded them. If
potted in fresh soil
frequently and en-
couraged to grow
on, this would r.o
doubt be the case,
but with their
roots restricted, it
is surprising the
great length of
time they may bo
kept moderately
small and in a
thoroughly healthy
condition, but to
do this they must
be afforded an
abundant supply of
water during the
summer months, a
season when, if the
drainage is free
and open, it is al-
most impossible to
give thera too
much. One great
advantage in grow-
ing Palms is that
they will stand
more hardships in
the way of cold
draughts, absence
of bright light, the
dry, heated air of
rooms and corri-
dors where gas is
used, and such like
adverse conditions,
better than mosj
other plants. A
few years ago their
high price was
greatly against
their extensive use,
but of late they
have been raised in
vast quantities
from seed and are

now offered at such a low rate that they are among the cheapest
of plants, and, therefore, within the reach of all who wish to
possess them. Chamajrops Fortune! is so hardy that in any-
thing like favoured localities it will stand out without protec-
tion, so that when this gets too large it may be turned to good
account for planting out ,'on lawns or other conspicuous places
where it can have a little shelter from winds, which, if violent,
somewhat damage the foliage. Areca sapida, a New Zealand
species, is a very ornamental Palm of moderate growth, and
very distinct in habit from the preceding, but like it it is many
years before it reaches a large size, and it is a plant that
always looks well, owing to its fine healthy green colour. A.
Baueri greatly resembles it in every respect, but it is stronger
growing, and, therefore, not so well adapted for small house?.
Seaiorthia elegans is, as its specific name implies, a very ele-

' The Hero's Targe,

gant Palm, having gracefully arching leaves, which, standing
out clear of other plants beneath, have a very pleasing effect.
Chamajrops humilis forms a beautiful object, and, from its
more compact growth and the way in which it sends ont
suckers with foliage near the base, it makes an admirable speci-
men for a vase or standing singly, so that it may be seen to
advantage. Latania bnrbonica looks well, too, in the same
way if placed beneath the eye, so as to show off to advantage
the tops of its fine glossy leaves, and their exquisite form ; but
this is a variety which, owing to its spreading propensity, soon
occupies a good deal of room. It is, however, a noble species
where space can be aft'orded it, as are also the following, all of
which will succeed in a greenhouse or conservatory temperature,
viz., Kentia Canterburjana, K. australis, K. Fosteriana, K. Bel-

raoreana. Cocoa
procapeaua, ('. chi-
lensis, and C. coio-
nata, Thrinax par-
viflora, and Cory-
pha australi?. Any
of these are well
worth growing.and
are fine ornaments
in any house, and
when they get too
large can generally
be exchanged for
others cf smaller
size, or, if not,
wintered in any
light sheds out of
reach of frost and
plunged or planted
out in the sub-
tropical garden
duiing the sum-
mer, where they
will be a great help
in giving distinct-
ness and character.
For associating
with Palms Dra-
cainas come inmost
usefully. They are
all plants of a fine
type and stately
habit of growth
that are easily
managed, and if
well cared, for they
are alw'ays in good
condition. Pracxna
australis is one of
the best, the leaves
of which are nar-
row and grcicefnlly
recurving, and
when in a small
state the plant is a
very useful one for
table decoration.
To this may be
added Cordyline indivisa, Dracasna Veitchi, D. canntcfolia,
and D. rubra, all of which may be confined to small pots
and kept in perfect health for many years. Tbe soil in
which these and Palms do best is tough fibry loam chopped
up roughly, and in this they should be potted somewhat
firm if it is desired to restrict the growth, and to keep the
leaves of a healthy appearance nothing answers better than
soot water, which, not being a very powerful stimulant, does
not add materially to the vigour of the plants. The only in-
sects that affect Palms to any extent are scale, which, from
their minute size and the tenacious way they adhere to the
leaves, are very difficult to eradicate by hand-washing, as they
cannot easily be got at, especially in the case of such as have
furrowed leaves or stems, in which depresjions the small white
scale generally take up their abode. With pot plants that can

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

be laid on their side, the readiest way of getting rid oE these
pests is to use some Fowler's or Abyssinian mixture in the
proportion of 4 qz. to a gallon of soft water, aud syringe it on,
letting it remain for a few hours, when it should be washed oil
again before the plants are placed in an upright position. This
will prevent any portion penetrating the soil aud getting to
the roots or collar, where it would be likely to cause injury.
Paraffin is found to be a capital insecticide used at the rate of
a wineglassful to a gallon of water, buc in applying this'remedy
it must be kept quicklj' agitated the whole time, or the pa-
raffin, owing to its oily nature, floats and is not equally distri-
buted, some parts of the plants getting more than they will
endure with safety. Dracjenas are likewise subject to scale,
but not to the extent that Palms are, and, although they have
a greater immunity from these insects, red spider frequently
attacks them, especially if at any time they are allowed to get
dry at the roots. These pests are easily dealt with by running
a soapy sponge up the leaves, which not only takes them off
but greatly brightens the foliage.

Another class of greenhouse plants that should be in every
garden where vases in rooms have to be supplied, are the
Aspidistras, the leaves ofjwhich closely resemble those of
some of the Dracajuas in their size aud form, but instead of
being borne up the sides of single stems like them, they have
long footstalks and come from the joints of slowly creeping,
fleshy roots or stolons that travel just beneath the soil. They
therefore admit of propagation very readily by division, which
is the only way they can be increased ; this operation is
best carried out in the spring just as they are beginning to
grow, a time when the injured part quickly heals over. I know
of nothing in the plane way equal to Aspidistra lurida varie-
gata, and its normal green variety, for "standing impure air, a
striking proof of which may be seen in the Westminster
Aquarium, where, although even Palms look wretched and
most Ferns are dead aud dying, Aspidistras are holding their
own bravely, and apijear as if they would bear with it all.
This exceeding hardihood of constitution, coupled with its
remarkably bright cheerful appearance, renders it valuable as
an ornament to grow in windows in towns, where its presence
would add a cheerfulness that few other plants could give.
The fine bold leaves have broad bands of rich creamy-white
runniug up them, and the contrast between this and the
polished-looking green is most striking. Red-foliaged Dra-
cajuas, such as D. terminalis aud Cooperi, associate well with
it if placed one on each side or vice-versa, and when arranged
iu this way the whole has a capital effect. Although so tho-
roughly hardy as to endure a low greenhouse temperature, or
eveii live outdoors in a sheltered position with very slight pro-
tection in winter, Aspidistras enjoy moist stove heat, and
if grown in it iu the spring the warmth brings out the variega-
tion to a greater extent than it generally appears in others not
subjected to such treatment. Peat likewise has a favourable
effect in developing more colour, as, although they grow just
as freely in loam, the plants have then an incliliatiou to
revert to their normal condition. If they have ample
drainage these Aspidistras cannot well have too much watc-
during the summer months, and, being little subject to insects",
they seldom give trouble in keeping clean. A sponging,
however, now and then is a great help, aud always pays for
the labour.

Eurya latifolia variegata is another capital plant for green-
house decoration, and one that, from its habit, associates well
with Camellias, the foliage being nearly of the same shape aud
character, but with a good deal of colour, which is always
stronger and more permanent in the old leaves than on any of
the young growth, and it is, therefore, at its best in the winter
Besides having such beautifully marked foliage, the stems of
the shoots are red, aud when seen under artificial lic^ht show
up to great advantage. This Eurya is said to be "nearly or
quite hard}-, but of this I am doubtful, as I lost a handlight of
cuttings that had been struck outdoors, aud were left tiU late
in the winter without any protection, when they were killed
by the first sharp frost that occurred. Unfortunately, it is
rather a slow-growing plant, and takes some time to get up
good specimeus, unless they are subjected to stove heat early
in spring, so as to get a double growth out of them in a year.
This may be done by giving them a rest in June, and then

starting them again where they can be shut up early in the after-
noon aud syringed overhead. Like most variegated plants,
Eurya variegata is benefited by a rich, open soil, aud likes liq uid
manure if given when growing freely during the summer. I
find it propagates best if the cuttings are put in early in
autumn, and placed in a cold frame under a clear bell glass, or
where they can be kept close till April, and then removed to
where they can have a little extra warmth to induce the forma-
tion of roots. Coprosma Baueriana variegata is likewise remark-
able for the great beauty of its foliage, the leaves being broadly
banded with rich yellow, and the centre a fine glossy green,
the whole surface looking as if polished, thus giving the plant
a very healthy and cheerful appearance. Seen in contrast with
sombre-looking Camellias, the contrast is very striking, and a
few good spBcimens of it quite enliven a house. Being of a
somewhat pendulous habit, it makes a capital b.xsket plant for
suspending in windows or conservatories, and with a little
tying and support by means of stakes, forms neat bushes in
pots. Cuttings strike readily in heat in spring, and the only
insect that affects it is green fly, which, if not taken in time,
cripples the young leaves to such an extent as to quite spoil
their shape and beaut3'. S. D.

BEGONIA KEX, ITS PROPAGATION AND CULTURE.
Few plants have created a greater sensation and attained such
rapid popularity, as did this species of Begonia on its intro-
duction into this country. Numerous varieties were raised,
and almost every establishment possessed a collection of them;
now.theyappeartobemuch neglected.and one seldom sees them
thoroughly well grown. It is difficult to assign a reason for
this neglect, inasmuch as they are really useful for indoor de-
coration, and may ba used with considerable efliect, either in
apartments, or as growing freely amongst the other inmates of
the stove. Their culture and propagation are very simple, and
good plants may bo easily grown by an3-oue who possesses the
convenience of a genial, regular temperature iu early spring.
In order to obtain young plants, cut oH an entire leaf, lay it
with the under side resting upon silver sand, then with a sharp
knife cut through the main veins of the leaf, just below the
conjunction of a small vein. Peg these down so that they
rest upon the sand, and place them, if possible, in bottom heat.
If such accommodation cannot be afforded them, then place
the pan where it receives the greatest amount of atmospheric
heat. If carefully attended to in watering they will soon emit
roots whei-e severed, and little leaflets will show themselves,
when they may be carefully potted into 'ii-in. pots. At this
stage they are liable to the attacks of the woodlouse, which
will often, if not checked speedily, clear the whole lot off.
When once fairly established it does not appear to molest them.
If a few Potatoes are placed about them, cut into halves, and
the inside scooped out, placing the hollow part downwards,
these pests will resort to them in preference, and may be thus
destroyed. As soon as the little plants are well established
shift them into the next sized pots, and from thence suc-
cessively into 4-in. and 6-in. pots. The compost should consist
of well-sanded, turfy peat with a small proportion of loam
amongst it. The pots should be well drained, so that when fairly
in growth abundant supplies of water may be given. These
plants require but little air; they luxuriate ina warm, moist atmo-
sphere, free from drying air or cutting draughts. In such
conditions the leaves develop finely, and the shades of colour
therein are well defined. They should, however, by no means
be excluded from the light when in full growth; they should be
merely screened from the hot sun. When fully grown, they
may, if required for general decorative purposes, be removed
to a cooler house, as they will thus be better enabled to with-
stand the vicissitudes of climate which the placing in apart-
ments entails upon them. The same plants may be grown on
from year to year, shaking them out and repotting in the
spring. If at all leggy they may be cut off near the crown,
and treated as cuttings. They will soon form fresh roots, and
may be grown on again. These old plants serve admirably for
the formation of larger specimens. By putting a few of them
together in a 10-in. pot, a handsome mass of foliage will be
obtained. A few well-grown examples placed amongst Ferug

Jan. 4, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

Orchids, or other occupants of the warm house do much
towards enlivening and creating variety therein. This Begonia
will do well in a window during the warmer months of the
year, and the effect in large light rooms is excellent, if it be
associated with bright flowering plants. I may add that pro-
pagation may be carried on with facility during the summer,
and, if placed in a close house or pit,' they will need nothing
more than the natural warmth of the season to enable them to
make roots. I have myself generally preferred to propagate
about July ; the leaves are then healthy and free, and the young
stock is of a much better description than that obtained from
plants that have seen some wear and tear. In this case it is
only needful to let them remain until spring, and then pot them
oS and grow them on as above directed. J. Corn'uill.

Btjjleet.

HEATING SilALL PLANT HOUSES.
During such wintery weather aa that which has just visited us the
most important question to thousands is that of how best to keep the
frost out of their small plant houses. A costly heating apparatus
will often prove as expensive almost as the erection of the building,
and therefore it ia but natural that the cheapest method of warming
should be sought for by those whose means are limited. Few methods
of heating have of late been so persistently pressed upon our atten-
tion as that of gas stoves and petroleum lamps, but most of these
have proved but as snares for the unwary, as it is simply impossible
that the amount of heat required to exclude severe frost can be got
out of the flame of a gas burner or that of an oil lamp. Heat must
be proportioned at all times to the amount of combustion that pro-
duces it, and because an oil flame may give a medium amount of
warmth to a small lamp stove, it does not follow that it can transmit
that heat to any considerable distance beyond it; indeed, as the
flame alone is the generator of heat, it is self-evident that the more
the stove absorbs the less there is for the warming of the atmosphere.
It is therefore only by making a costly use of lamps or stoves within
a house that sharp frost can be excluded. A further drawback to
these lamps is found in the consumption of air on which tho plants
exist, and in the unpleasant perfume emitted. Either of these results
are destructive to healthy plant existence, and even if capable of
excluding frost, such gain would he more than counterbalanced by
the mischief done to the plants in these directions. Without
doubt the simplest and least costly mode of heating small plant houses
13 by means of a flue, an old-fashioned method, but one that will
answer every purpose, if it be properly constructed, and the fire
receives efficient attention. One special advantage which the flue
presents to the amateur is its comparative simplicity. Except it
actually wears out, it can hardly get out of order, and the fire may
easily be left to the attention of an assistant. A flue can be built
with the house, or it can be put in at any time afterwards. The
chief essential to its succees as a heating power is that it shall, from
furnace to outlet, have a slight incline, and then a fair amount of
draught is assured. Too strong a draught is not desirable, the object
being to secure enough heat to exclude frost, let it be ever so severe ;
and, to do this, it is simply necessary to keep the fire looked to, per.
haps a couple of hours later at night than ought to be necessary when
only moderate frost prevails. Any tendency on the part of brick
flues to promote dry air can easily be remedied by placing a few pans
of water upon the flne. If it be found to take longer to warm a
brick flue than water pipes, at least it is longer in cooling. As a
hot-water boiler for the heating of small plant houses, I have found
none better than a small conical one, that does not need setting in
brickwork, and which can be placed in a tool house or outhouse
adjoining the plant house to be heated. One of these, costing SOs.
only, will heat 100 ft. of piping — more than enough to warm any
medium.sized amateur's greenhouse. That it can be used without
brickwork is a great advantage, as it can be transferred hereand there
if required, at little cost. It is the question of first cost that most
affects all amateur growers, and, if this be moderate, the future
expense is of small consideration. A. D.

The Candle Plant (Caoalia articnlata).— This old-fashioned
succulent used to be very popular as a window plant, a purpose for
which it is well adapted, but now-a-days it is seldom seen. I enter,
tain a liking for quaint plants of this kind ; they are singular in form
and easily grown. Such is the Candle plant, which I have until
lately merely regarded as a curiosity, giving it little credit for deco-
rative value. 1 was, therefore, somewhat surprised to find that it
could be grown so as to develop considerable capabilities in that way.

The plant itself ia rather singular as regards growth. It has a
straight, cylindrical, fleshy stem, of almost uniform thickness, bnt
tapering abruptly at the apex. Its leaves, which are produced upon
the current season's growth are deeply lobed, and the whole plant is
of a clear glaucous green, and covered with a delicate powdery bloom.
At the commencement of the summer the leaves die right off, and
this is the time to form a specimen, which may be effected in the fol-
lowing manner : — Take a 4-in. or 6-in. pot, drain it well, and fill it
with a good, light, free compost ; in this insert the stems, putting
several of the longest in the centre, and arranging the remainder
somewhat irregularly, according to their length, finishing oS by
placing a row of the smallest round the edge of the pot. There will
be no difficulty in finding stems of the required height, as some will
be composed of several joints, the growth of successive years. Place the
plant in a greenhouse or frame, or in a window in the full sun, and keep
the soil moist ; they will soon root and begin to grow. By the begin,
ning of winter we shall therefore have a very pretty and unique speci-
men, which will he a source of pleasure the whole winter through.
It thrives well in a window, and requires but little attention, bear-
ing, without apparent distress, any neglect in the way of watering
to which it may be subjected. Although the flowers are by no means
showy, they acquire some little value from the fact of their being
produced in mid-winter, when blooms of any kind are so welcome.
I would recommend any of your readers who may not know it to
give it a trial ; it treated as described they will hardly fail to be
gratified. I am strongly inclined to believe that this plant will again
become popular, as the tide of fashion appears now to have set in in
favour of j plants of a succulent character and easy culture. — J.
CoKNHILL, Byfleet.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOE GARDEN.

Primula sinensis coocinea. — I procured a packet !ot the seed
of this Primula last spring, and have now many plants of it beauti-
fully in bloom, some of them being quite scarlet in colour, and well
deserving the name coccinea. They were grown in a cold frime all
summer, and kept near the glass, but they were raised and kept in a
warm frame until they had become established in 3-in. pota. — H.
HiLLMAN, Feno-tj Hall, Hv.dders/ldJ.

Crassula lactea. — I have grown this rather largely this season,
and I can endorse all that " S." says (Vol. XIV., p. 577) in its favour.
Its flowers, looked at individually, remind one of those of an Ornitho-
galum. I grow it in loam, leaf.moukl, and sand, to which is added
just a sprinkling of lime rubbish. During the summer months the
best position in which to place it is on a shelf fully exposed to the
sun, watering it sparingly. Early in September it will require more
water, and it should be transferred to a light, airy house early in
winter, where the temperature does not exceed 45' at night. — A.
Ho-SAf K, fUigley, AUester,

Raising Ferns from Spores. — All the small-growing Ferns,
including Gymuograramas, Adiautnras, Cheilanthes, &o., are raised
yearly from spores by thousands iu ilr. Ley's nursery at Croydon.
The fertile fronds are laid on stages, on which have been placed a few
inches of fine soil. No bottom-heat is applied, except that which is
furnished by pipes running round the house under the stages ; neither
are bell-glass or lights used, except for very rare kinds, and seldom
have I seen so many seedlings as are now to be found in this
nursery. When large enough to handle, the young plants are
pricked off singly into thumb pota, and placed on shelves near the
glass, where they grow bushy and strong, and are soon ready for
shifting into large pots for table or window decoration. — S.

Sparmannia africana in Winter. — Now that greenhouse
flowers are somewhat scarce, it may interest some of your readers to
be reminded that the Sparmannia africana, one of the easiest of plants
to manage, and quite free from insect pests, is now in bloom. — A. K.,
Eastcott Cottage, Pinner,

Schizostylis coccinea Planted Out and in Pots.— "K.L.D."
(p. 577, Vol. XIV.) evidently failed in getting good results from
planting out this plant by following a wrong method, and succeeded
in the pot culture by doing it well. If the suckers are planted out
in the autumn singly, 3 in. apart, and in rows 9 in apart, they will
form strong flowering plants by next autumn, with one-tenth of the
labour bestowed on pot plants. The strongest should be lifted for
house decoration not later than the end of August, and potted ten
or twelve together in good soil, after shaking off all the soil and re-
moving all the suckers for replanting for the next year's supply.
The pots should then be placed in the shade for a few days and kept
.well watered, and by the end of Ootober every p'ant will be throw
ng up a flower stem, and the foliage will be everything that could be
wished.— T. B.

8

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1679.

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

GOLDEN-LEAVED CHESTNUT.

(CASTANEA CURYSOPUYLLA.)

Can any of your readers give some account of the growth of
this tree either in England or Ireland ? I hardly expect to hear
of its existence in the north. There is a specimen here "20 ft.
it in. in height, and with a growth of 17 in. at 3 ft. from the
ground. 1 have, unfortunately, no record of the date of plant-
ing, but, as it was purchased soon aftev its first introduction
by Messrs. Veitch, it cannot be less than twenty years old. It
is planted on a sheltered bank of the old red sandstone, in a
soil and aspect highly favourable to growth and protection ;
it is in fine condition, making a good annual growth, the bark
of the stem clear, smooth, and healthy. Hitherto, I have been
unable to discover a single perfect seed among the numerous
" burrs " which it bears annually ; nothing but the empty
husks of a miniature Chestnut, about the Bize of a Pea, is
to be found. Qua still day this tree, with its small, glossy
leaves, might well bo mistaken for an evergreen Oak, but if
there be any wind the waving branches reveal the powdered-
looking, golden under surfaces, from which it has acquired its
specific name. I have failed to meet with it in the collections
I have visited, though I have often heard of its having been
planted and having died. I should be glad to hear of any
place where it has succeeded, with dimensions, &c. ; perhaps
some of your readers may be able to give an account ot it as it
appears in its native habitat. The description of it in
Nuttall's supplement to Michaus's " North American Sylva "
is meagre and uncertain. He states, that it grows from 20 ft.
to 70 ft. high, that its leaves are 4 in. or 5 in. long (here, they
are little more than half this length), and that it is said to be
common at the Grand Eapids of the Columbia. He did not
meet with it himself, and he says that the species rests entirely
on the authority of Douglas. It is a tree well worth growing,
but from its apparent rarity I should suppose either that it had
not attracted the attention of arboriculturists to any great
extent, or that it was difficult to please in the matter of soil,
aspect, &c. It has been planted here sufliciently long to prove
its hardiness, and now, after a severe frost, it seems in as good
condition as before. Ducie.

Torhvorih Court, Gloucestershire.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS

Beeches and TTnderwood.— To my last note (Vol. XIV., p. 579)
allow me to add that I find large old Yews and Hollies growing cloEe
to the bole of very large Beeches, which mast have been planted
contemporaneously. la many oases Rhododendrons are close to the bole,
6 ft. or more high, and they might have been much higher, bat they
are topped over every year for game cover. These may be seen near
the carriage drive from Kelao to Floors, yet "J, S. W." says he
knows the Floors estate well, and informs us that there is no snch
thing there as anderwood under Beech. As for the Ivy, Laurel, and
Portngals, they are quite as thriving, bat the rabbits eat these in
severe weather. — Henry Knight.

Beeches grow here plentifully, and under the greater part of

them there is not a vestige of underwood, but in one of the woods
there are a good many Beech trees, under which Holly has formed a
good underwood, growing luxuriantly and healthily. I may add that
the Hollies are growing close np to the trunks of the Beeches. —
J. Jeffrey, Boss Carhertj, Co. Cork.

Moatot the writers on the practicability of planting shrubs

and other plants under Beech trees seem to ignore the fact that
Beech trees, when in a cultivated form, often grow on soils widely
different from each other, and only occasionally in the kind of soil
which they would prefer if in a state of nature. When in the lat'er
position, on the diy chalky downs of the southern counties, a sort of
a wild, disorderly shrub called the Way-faring Tree is often associated
with Beech trees and Beech scrub. It is, I believe, a Viburnum ; its
foliage has a downy appearance, and in a mixed plantation, where
Beeches occnpy the same position as other trees on a soil at variance
with that above alluded to, the undergrowth does not differ much
from that growing under other trees ; and I have seen the surface
covered in spring with a dense bed of the bright-foliaged and equally
bright yellow.flowered Pilewort. At other times a sort of short

wiry Grass takes poseession of the place. The Rhododendron is not
oft.sn found under Beeoh trees ; not that the roots of the Beech
are more pernicious than those of Elms, but the Beech is seldom
planted on soils suitable to the Rhododendron, the latter associating
more with the Birch and the Scotch Fir; and amongst them I have
seen Rhododendron seedlings struggling successfully with the long
Grass and coarse herbage and succeeding in attaining a large size,
but I should doubt if any one ever saw the Rhododendron repro-
ducing itself under Beech trees growing on a chalky subsoil.
Possibly amongst shrubs the different species of Rhus might succeed
better than most other plants. The Auonba usually thrives as well
as most evergreens under trees, but I have seen young Tews
spring up under trees ot all kinds on a moderately dry soil,
while on a stiff one Hollies often do better ; and Mr. Thomson (p. 571,
Vol. XIV.) is right about Ferns thriving up to the very collars of
Scotch Firs, but the soil must have been congenial. I have also seen
a Scotch Fir plantation almost overgrown with Pyrola uniBora ; a
Plane oftener grows in wet clays than in the usual dry habitats ot
the Fern. Bulbs of many kinds growing freely underneath trees and
bashes are the exception to the rule. I once knew a plantation of
Coppice wood (mostly Hornbeam) which resembles Beech very much.
The soil was of c medium character — not very dry nor yet very wet —
and that was so densely grown over with Daffodils that it was called
" Dilly wood " by the country people ; and I know of a meadow or
rather a Grass orchard where the Snowdrops prevail to such an
extent that they have to be mown over in spring, otherwise they
would spoil the Hay. The character ot the soil, therefore, ought
always to be taken into consideration where planting either under
trees or in open situations is contemplated. — A Retired Gaedenek.

Having lived in the immediate vicinity ot large Beech woods

for some years, I can mo3t positively assert that, as a rule, no under,
wood will grow beneath their shade. In the centre ot the large
woods the ground is perfectly bare. If the trees are rather thinly
scattered. Brambles will grow pretty freely, and just at the edge of the
wood there is generally a fringe of Maple bushes intermixed with a
few Ash saplings, bat in the centre of a wood of any size, or under
the shade of a large Beech tree even in the open park, it is not much
beside the mark to say no underwood will grow. Two local terrestrial
and parasitical Orchids grow freely very often beneath the shade
of Beech trees, namely, Serapias grandiflora and Listera Nidus. avis
(the Bird's-nest Orchis). Monotropa Hypopitys (the yellow Bird's-
nest) is also generally to be found in a Beech country, and in our
Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire woods the pretty little Lesser
Winter Green (Pyrola minor) is often found. Its roots creep like
Twitch for yards amongst the flint stones, ot which the ground is
full, and it always diej when transplanted into the garden. — H.
Haepur Crewe.

Mr. Knight's instance of underwood thriving and flourishing

under Beeches, tarns out exactly as I expected. Ten years ago he
tells us " it was generally thought (at Floors) that nothing would
grow under Beech trees," but at that period Mr. Knight began to
plant under them, and has continued to do so down till last year,
when he planted 2000 large Rhododendrons " on bare spots under
Beech trees," and these, and others planted previously, he offers to
show as proof that underwood will thrive in such situations. Testi.
mony of that kind, however, throws no light on the subject, as few
are so inexperienced as not to know that underwood can be kept up
under Beeches by planting it there as often as may be needful, but
it in no way alters the fact that while underwood can be grown suc-
cessfully in plantations of other trees, and, indeed, spriogs up con.
temporaneously with the same, and maintains its existence, it simply
perishes before the growth of the Beech. As to the exception at
Alderly Park, like " Cambrian," I was much astonished to hear that
Rhododendrons not only throve amazingly, but flowered equally well,
and even seeded under the Beeches. Of this, we shall, doubtless,
hear more by-and-by. — J. S. W.

The preponderance of evidence on this subject appears to be

against shrubs of any kind thriving nnder the Beech. We have here
some fine Beech trees, under which green Hollies thrive equally well,
to all appearance, as in open places. These Hollies are from 8 ft. to
10 ft. high, and so dense in growth as almost to hide from view the
trunks of the Beeches, and many of them are growing within 1 ft.
of the base ot the tree. They have not been planted by hand, but
have evidently sprung from seeds deposited by birds, or some other
agent. — J. Roberts, Uuntiershury Park Gardens.

Having had some experience in planting nnder Beeches, I

have come to the conclusion that it is a waste of time and money.
The underwood may look all right for a time, but the hot, drying
weather in summer kills it. If, however, it were planted close to the
Beeoh before the latter had filled the surrounding soil with roots, it
might grow, for then it gets below the roots of the Beeoh, the latter
being a surface feeder, and thus moiatare is obtained from below, bat

Jan-. 4, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

if the nnderwood be planted en the top of a tnaaa of roota it will die.
I last year cat down Portngal Lanrelg that grew qaite up to the
branches of a large Beech, and within 3 ft. of its trunk. But they
were very old, and, 1 have no doubt, were planted when the tree was
young. Wo have Beeches, too, that have scarcely a particle of vege.
tation under them. Ojr soil is very suitable for the growth of Rho-
dodendrons, being composed chiefly of sand and peat. — H. Can.nell,
Felthoi-pe Hall

It would hardly be fair to presume that " North Hants," in

liis attempt to grow Rhododendrons under Beeches, merely had
them planted without previously preparing for them some suitable
compost to give them a start. This I consider the most essential
portion of the woik if we are to be snccessFuI. What plant is there
that we could expect would flourish on soil already exhausted from
supplying the requirements of a forest tree. As I am situated
in a locality unfavourable to the growth of the Rhododendron
(our sub-soil being rock marl, with hardly an average depth of 10 in.
of soil), I cannot invite " North Hants " to come and see these shrubs
growirg under Beeches, but I could show him masses of the Spuige
Laurel growing under them. Still, notwithstanding the natuial un.
finitability of our soil, we have now beds of Rhododendrons, also of
Kilrnias, Andromedas, Ledums, &c., all Gonrishing, but to obtain
these results the amount of labour has been considerable, much more
than that which I ever experienced in establishing Rhododendrons
under Beeches. — A. Hossack, Uagleij.

deeper, more glossy green. As may be seen, the erect branches
spiing from pendulous ones ; it seems to be a case cf partial rever-
sion. W. B. Hemslbv.

A CURIOUS ASH.

The nccompanying engraving represents a very singuUr variety of
the A^h, of which two trees e.xiat at Remilly, not far from Mttz.

Fraxinus Remiryenis.

M. Carriere has named this variety Fraxinus pocdula remillyensia.
The two trees are nearly close together, and very mnch alike. They
are not less than 65 ft. high, with trunks about 6 ft, in circumference.
AVith the exception of three branches, the tree figured is of pendu-
lous habit. The leaflets on the pendulous branches are broad, acd
generally very much like those of the ordinary weeping Ash, whilst
those on the erect branches are narrow, very taper-pointed, and of a

NORTH AMERICAN WILLOWS.
Professok C. S. Sargent, Director of the Botanic Garden of Har.
vard University, Cambridge, Mass., informs us that cuttings of the
following North Aoieiicau Willows can now be supplied by mail to
the correspondents of that establishment. They have been grown
and determined by Mr. M. S. Bebb, of Illinois, who has devoted
mnny years to the study and collection of the genus Salix. Appli-
cations, indicating by number the speoies or varieties desired, should
bo received before February 1, 1879.
1. Sails nigra, Marsh. i 10. Salix tristis. Ait.

o

,, amvjjdaloides, .\nders.

21).

„ cordata, Muhl.

.•J

„ lucida, Muhl.jVar. latifolia

21.

„ cordata var. refuseng.

4.

,, lasiandra, Benth.

Hort.

.')-

„ loagifolia, Mubl.

22.

„ cordata var. ref usens. Fo-

(!.

„ discolor, Muhl.

liis initio tomentosis.

1 •

„ „ var. criocephala.

capsulis 0 basi crassa

Amentis molliter villosis

breviter ovato-coniois.

densifloris, foliis suhtus

2.'!.

„ pyrifolia, Anders.

rufescenti-tomentosis.

21.

„ adenophylla, Hook.

8.

,, rostrata, Richards, var.

0-^^

,, Barclayi, Anders.

obovata, Anders.

2'j!

,, myricoides, Muhl. (se-

V.

„ rostrata. Forma foliis ob-

ricea crossed with cor-

lanccolatis basi attenua-

data).

tis, stipulis semi-ovatis

.1-

,, myricoides var. angnstata.

serratis.

Capsulis prirao teuuiter

10.

„ myrtilloides, L , var. pedi-

sericeis, demum glabra-

ccllaris

tis.

11.

„ petiolaris. Smith. Forma

2i.

„ myricoides var. subsericea.

tjpica.

Capsulis griseo-tomen-

12.

„ petiolaris var. gracilis.

tosia.

Anders.

2:).

„ rubella, Bebb. (caudida

13.

„ petiolaris. Forma mou-

crossed with cordata).

strosa.

.30.

„ Candida, Willd.

H.

,, sericea. Marsh.

31.

„ Clarki, Bebb. (petiolaria

15.

„ sericea. Forma amentis

crossed with Candida).

cylinJricis 1 — li poll.

•32.

,, Cliirld var. subpetiolari-^.

longis.

Foliis subtus demum

IC.

,, sericea. Forma nraentis

glabriusculis.

brevioribus ^ poll, lougis.

•J t.

„ Clarki var. subcandida.

17.

„ humilis. Marsh.

Foliis subtus niv90-to-

IS.

„ humilis, var. longifolia
Anders.

mento-is.

Mr. Sargent will be glad to receive cuttln^a of other Willows, in.
eluding all Asiatic species and forms, in exchange.

IlODgationof Tree Trunks — The statement (Vol. XIV ,p. 579)
from the "College Quarterly," that " thepopularnotion that thetrunks
(if trees elongate is entirely erroneous " requires qualification. Al-
though they do not elongate by ordinary growth, in many tree?, especi.
ally Beech, when a double or triple fork takes a vertical direction,
the arms eventually meet forming a single stem. I can show several
which are doing so. lu one the trunk is about 0 ft. longar than it
originally was, or rather, the fork is 6 ft. higher up; the lower
2 ft. have thoroughly b'ended, there being but a slight seam visible ;
the upper 1 ft. have united ; but it will be many years before they
have become one perfect stem, although they doubtless will, should
nothing happen to the tree. — C. E. Isham, Lamx>ort, Northampton.

Pyrus sinensis — This sub.evergreen is well worth planting as a
ppring. flowering park tree. Its foliage is large and gloasy, and it la
a strong grower. Its fruit, I believe, is worthless. — G. B.

Cornus Mas aurea elsgantissima. — Amongst variegated
deciduons shrubs this is quite a gem, its rich and varied tinta being
hardly inferior to those of some of the best variegated stove Crotons.
It is a new plant, and aa yet rather expensive, but, being really good,
it will be anre to give both pleasure and satisfaction. — G. B.

Holly Berries. — These are scarce this winter : they are now
nil. The fieldfares and other birds have made a clean aweep of the
lot. Old berries and young have all disappeared, and seldom has a
white Christmas been so litt'e relieved by scarlet berries or colour of
any tort. Should the present severe weather last, the birds will have
a sorry time of it soon, for Hipa and Hawa have all disappeared, as
well as the Holly berries ; even Acorns, which were almost the only
full crop of the past season, are going fast under the combined on.
s'aa»ht of the pheasants and the pigeons, which have crowded the
woods in swarms for the past eight days after the Acorna.— D. T.
Fish.

10

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

ROSES.

NOTES BY AN OLD ROSARIAN.
As these papers are written for amateurs (meaning by that
not amateur exhibitors, but for those who love the Kose.'and who
value it for its own sake, and not for the honours it may bring
them), I must say that the manner in which it is grown is too
often neither creditable to the possessor nor fair to the flower.
Here is the character of Rose growing as I have seen it over
and over again. There is probably a Grass plot or lawn, or
whatever term it may be dignified by; around this a piece has
been dug out of the soil at intervals ; in this has been planted
a row of tall standards, which are elegantly supported by
green stakes, and on the top of this standard is, or was, a
head of some 2 ft. or 3 ft. in diameter and a fair amount of
bloom. But is there any beauty in a standard Rose tree ? Is
this the most graceful way in which the loveliest of all flowers
can be grown ? Are green mops the perfection to which skill
and patience can bring our Roses ? There is but one place in
which they are to my mind tolerable, and that is where a Rose
border is made, and they occupy the back row ; the front rows
then hide the stock on which the Rose is budded ; but to place
them in a small garden and in a place where they are fully in
view is surely subversive of all principles of good taste. But
then there is another drawback. The owner has, perhaps,
noticed at Rose shows some remarkable blooms, and, of course,
he must have the best, and equally, of course, he does not
stop to consider whether they are strong- growing varieties or
not ; and so he gets home his Marie Baumann, Marquise de
Mortmarte, or Mademoiselle Marie Cointet (for he could never
think of ordering anything but Hybrid Perpetuals), and
is surprised to find that, instead of getting larger,
the heads of the plants diminish in size until they
have vanished altogether. Blanks are left, the beautiful
regularity is spoilt, and a whole year must be spent before the
row can resume its regular appearance. Another favourite
plan is to have a round bed with some half-dozen standards
planted in it, and some annuals sown in the soil beneath. This
is often done in the front gardens of villa residences, where it is
as much out of place and in as little harmony with the sur-
roundings as a huge Deodar (which one often sees) filling up
the entire space and darkening all the front windows of the
house. Then there are other Roses scattered throughout the
grounds, sometimes stuck in the middle of a clump of shrubs,
sometimes arranged in beds with other plants. Have I not
before my mind's eye now a lovely (?) arrangement which I
saw this last summer— a bed of dwarf Roses, and planted in
amongst them, of all things in the world, some Chilian Beet ?
I was certainly not asked by the lady who showed me the
garden to admire this, for she pointed it out as an example of
the taste of her gardener, in whose hands the arrangement had
been left. When dwarfs are grown, I have over and" over again
seen what seemed to the owner as flourishing bushes, but of
which the complaint was sadly made that they did not flower.
Nor was this to be wondered at ; the poor Rose had long since
departed, and the Manetti stock had flourished vigorously, as
it always does, and the wood, not being so distinct in its
appearance from many Roses as the Brier, the result is as I
have indicated. Then no attention whatever is given to the
aspect in which the Roses are planted ; sometimes it is a bleak
and windy spot in the garden, where they are well-nigh blown
out of the stocks ; sometimes in a dreary border, where the
sun never reaches them until late in the afternoon ; sometimes
in a dry and arid spot, where they are left to shift for them-
selves and never mulched or watered, and yet their owners are
very much astonished that they cannot grow Roses such as
Messrs. Paul, or Cant, or Baker, Jowitt, or Hole exhibit at
the Great Rose tournaments. As well might an ordinary
farmer, who does not stall feed, groom, or carefully house his
cattle, complain that his beasts are never so fine as those which
he sees exhibited at the Smithfield Club show. None of these
results can be obtained without a great expenditure of money,
time, and anxiety, and it is unreasonable to expect them with-
out it ; but, at the same time, Roses of nearly equal size and
beauty may be grown, if attention be given to some of those
points which are essential to the well-being of the Rose. There

is one fact which it may seem ungracious to notice, but it is
true, for all that, that it is utter waste to attempt to grow the
Rose where it comes under the influence of smoke. Many and
fruitless have been the attempts to overcome this, and yet
withal people do not like to think that they must give up their
favourite. Do I not remember how my friend G., who had
been living in a cool and open spot, where his Roses flourished
well, on removing near a large town, persuaded himself —
Ah ! it is not like London, and my dear Roses need not be
given up. They were removed tenderly and carefully planted,
but, alas ! do what he would they obstinately refused to grow ;
they missed the gentle zephyr which used to come and woo
them with pure and sweet breath, and the dew distilled in all
its purity on every leaflet. Instead of it, clouds of poison-
laden vapours swept over them ; fierce breezes, that whistled
through long rows of houses, caught them ; they shrivelled
up under these baneful infiuences, and when I saw G. last, the
Roses had all gone and scarlet Pelargoniums had taken their
place.

What advice, then, can I give to the lovers of the Rose whose
ambition it is to have a few good Roses, and who also wish for
variety in their gardens ? I would, in the first place, strongly
recommend the rejection of all standards ; independently of their
ugliness, there are other reasons which I think should insure
their rejection in small gardens ; the sap has to travel a long
way up, and unless they are in thoroughly good Rose soil,
which is not very often the case in small gardens, sufficient
nourishment is not conveyed to the scion, and hence feebleness
and death take place, and a gap amongst standards is more
noticeable than amongst dwarfs, amongst which, too, deaths
are not so likely to take place. Then as they do not throw out
so many shoots, unless they are very carefully watched the
worm in the bud attacks them and the bloom is destroyed ;
doubtless hand-picking will remedy this, but it is not every-
body who can spare the time for that, and as regards abun-
dance of bloom, as a rule, we must claim it for dwarf Roses.

Then, I would say, be careful as to the position you choose
for your Roses, and, if possible, give them a place to them-
selves. I do not mean a Rosery, a grand place with ti'ellised
arches and elaborate arcades, but even if it be only two or three
beds, by all means endeavour to keep them to themselves. The
Rose will not brook nursing with other flowers, and no real lover
of it will care to see it lowered by a plebeian mixture. Even
when we cut our Roses we do not care to see them mixed up in
a bouquet with other flowers ; we prefer putting them in speci-
men glasses or vases by themselves, wanting nothing but their
own foliage to set them off. It must not be forgotten, too, that
Roses suffer very much both from wind and frost; and hence,
if a position can be given to them which is sheltered and, at
the same time, not confined, it should unquestionably be done.
Dwarf Roses do not suffer so much as standards from either of
these foes ; they are not so much exposed to the wind, and it is
comparatively easy either to mulch the beds in frosty weather
or to place some Fern or small branches of Spruce or Laurel
amongst them ; but they do not like a confined space ; it gene-
rates mildew and Orange fungus. As it is not in every small
garden that these requirements can be met, the best must be
made of circumstances, and the spot most in accordance with
these conditions chosen. I have seen as healthy and fine plants,
and as good blooms, in some small suburban gardens as I have
seen anywhere, and keeping these in view, and remembering
the lamentable shortcomings I have seen in other gardens, I
wish to show how it is possible for the lover of the Rose to
enjoy his favourite fiower. In my next paper I hope to enter
on the question of stocks and soil, both vei y important elements
in successful Rose growing. Delta.

Souvenir de la Malmaison Rose. — Can any Rose grower
explain how it is that this fine Rose is nearly always malformed and
comparatively useless early in the year, so many of the hearts being
hard and green or black, while in the autamn almost every flower is
perfect in form, and far more delicate and elegant in bnd than it is
early in the season ? Can it be that there is an excess of vital force
early in the year, and that, as this gets expended or used up, the
buds get fined down, and the Roses grow into proper form ? This
rather receives confirmation from the fact that plants on strongjsoils
are, aa a rule, more grossly malformed than those on light and poor

Jan. 4, 187f>.]

THE GAKDEN.

11

soil, though it i3 seldom, indeed, that the earlier crops of Koeea
«aoap9 malformation, and equally rare to find imperfect flowers on
the Soaveiir de la Malmaisua R)3e in the aatamn.— D. T. Fisn.

FLOWER FOECING IN MARKET GARDENS.

Hyacinths, Tulips, add Narcissi. — The quantities of
tlieee forced every year are immense. One grower uses
160,000 Hyacinths and 10,000 Tulips, another grower
70,000 Hyacinths and TiOjOOO pots of Tulips, yearly, and
others in proportion. The bulbs are all, of course, imported
from Holland, and as soon as they are received in autumn
they are potted into O-in. pots, placed in square beds
out-of-doors, and thickly covered over with cocoa-nut
fibre; this, being light, can easily be removed, so that
the most forward bulbs may from time to time be selected
as required for forcing. Good growers always endeavour
to send a few dozen pots of Hyacinths to market the day
before Christmas. There is then a ready sale for them at
good prices, sometimes as much as from 20s. to 30s. per
dozen being paid for them. For this purpose the bulbs are
placed in a gentle bottom-heat in a warm and partially
dark house until their flower-heads show themselves, when
more light is gradually admitted until they are subjected
to every possible ray that can be secured. In this way
successive batches are continually being brought on until
the end of April, after which time Hyacinths are nearly
over.

Tulips are placed in shallow wooden boxes, and in these
they remain until their flower-buds can be seen, when they
are lifted and potted, four or five in 5-in, or C-in. pots,
using good sandy loam for the purpose. The sorts of
Tulips principally grown are the scarlet, rose, and white
Van Thols, the yellow La Piuie d'Or or Golden Prince, and
the common single Van Thol.

RoiiiKH HijiAcuitli. — This charming early-flowering plant
is largely grown by nearly all market growers. The
bulbs are imported from France, Holland, and Belgium ;
and in some seasons, when Continental growers anticipate
a larger demand for roots than the supply is well able to
meet, very high prices arc often demanded for them from
English growers. Notwithstanding this, they are exten-
sively cultivated, and invariably realise good prices ia
Covent Garden, their sweet-scented, pure white blossoms
being so much sought after just at a time when good flowers
are comparatively scarce. There are few bulbous plants
that will bear rapid forcing better than this Hyacinth, and
few that better repay the little trouble which they incur
in bringing them into bloom. From the end of October
to Christmas there is always a good sale for Roman Hya-
cinths ; and any one visiting Covent Garden at that time
of year may see large vases and glasses full of fine large
spikes of flowers, waiting to be consumed in the making
of bouquets aud other floral devices. Another kind
closely allied to this Hyacinth, and indeed one that may be
termed a blue-flowered form of it, is grown as a succession
crop, but coming in as it does a month or so later, and the
blossoms being coloured, they do not fetch nearly so high a
price as the white ones. Roman Hyacinths are brought on
in successional batches, the bulbs bcintr jjut thickly in boxes
as soon as imported, and placed out-of-doors under a G-in.
covering of spent Hops or Cocoa-nut fibre. "When the
shoots are 2 in. or so in height, the boxes are removed, put
into a little warmth, and snowy flower-spikes come up
directly.

Narcissi. — All kinds of these are grown extensively in
orchards, near old walls and in other bye-corners, and

their blossoms are always desirable ; amongst the many
kinds that find their way to market, none are more
beautiful than the Paper-white Narcissus (N. papyraceus).
Its flowers are produced naturally in February and March,
and, being small and of the purest white colour, they are
highly esteemed for bouquets and other decorative purposes.
The Pheasant-eye Narcissus (N. poetic us), too, is very
l^retty ; it comes in later — say, about the first week of
April ; but then flowers are getting plentiful, and it is not
so much thought of as it would be were it produced earlier
in the season. After this comes its beautiful double
variety. Immense bunches of both kinds may be seen on
the stalls, and in market women's baskets, dc, and are
suitable for those who trade in second or third-class
flowers. Great jjiles of the common yellow Dafibdil of
our woods may be seen at every turn in the market in
spring, as well as the choicer kinds of our gardens. The
latter generally come from places where the bulbs are
grown in quantity for sale. Most of the bulbs of the Nar-
cissi which are forced are imported from Holland ; they
are chiefly grown to supply cut flowers. The Paper-white
Narcissus is the first to bloom ; then follows the double
Roman, with five and six and more large double flowers
on a truss ; N. gloriosus comes in afterwards. The bulbs
attain great strength during the time they are hidden from
view under a heavy coating of rich fertilising material,
and their blossoms are always in great demand. Immense
quantities of flowers of Narcissi of nearly all species and
varieties are sujjplicd to Covent Garden from bulb nurseries,
the removal of the blooms being said to benefit the bulbs,
and the money obtained for them where large quantities
are grown is considerable.

Ckocuees. — These are not forced in very large numbers
but are grown extensively between fruit trees. They are
planted on raised beds of good rich soil, and when they
come into bloom arc lifted in little clumps, their roots tied
in Moss, and placed in boxes for market. The common
yellow, blue, and white are the kinds i^rincipally grown,
and to see the beds — which sometimes occujiy more than
half an acre of ground in one jjlace — in full bloom is
a sight better imagined than described.

Lilt or the Valley. — Few flowers are more univer-
sally admired than the Lily of the Valley, and few are
more remunerative to the grower when he can get a
ready sale for them. The earliest plants are usually got
into bloom about Christmas, when good potfuls sell retail
for 10s. 6d. each in the market. For this purpose single
imported crowns without any earth adhering to them are
used. These are selected by the Belgians and Dutch, who
grow them extensively ; and all are warranted flowering
crowns. A large quantity of these can be packed in a
very small compass ; therefore the freightage costs but
little, and the roots themselves, when bought in quantity,
are very cheap. These are placed as soon as received in
strong bottom-heat, and when nearly in bloom they are
potted, together with a few roots grown for their leaves,
in 5-in. pots ; they are well watered, and, after being har-
dened off a little are taken to market. Sometimes, how-
ever, the rai^id forcing causes them to come " blind ;" but
g'ood, plump-looking crowns can g'enerally be trusted.
Ferns are sometimes mixed with the bulbs in jDotting,
and sometimes the beautiful blue-flowered Scilla sibirica
is employed with good effect. Some growers force Lily
of the Valley early for cut blooms alone ; and where they
can sell all they grow, this plan is perhaps the most re-
munerative, as at Christmas single sprays fetch from 6d.

12

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

to Is. each. Later supplies are grown from imiwrted
clumps, which contain from twelve to twenty buds ; these
arc potted in 5-in. and 6-in. pots, and placed under cover,
a quantity being introduced at a time as re{juircd. Market
gardeners always put as large clamps of crowns of Lily
of the Valley as possible into the pots. If they como up
well, and the shoots are too thick, all sujierfluous shoots
are removed when they are about 3 in. high and have
formed their flowers. As many roots as possible are
obtained with each shoot so removed, and six or eight of
them are potted together into other pots. A little soil is
placed on the surface of the imts from which they were
taken in order to fill up the vacancy, and the whole is
placed in warm quarters to develop their flowers and
leaves perfectly. The thinnings never make good plants ;
on the contrary, they fail even to make a single rootlet ;
but the sole rt-ason for potting them is that they produce a
few sprays of cut bloom, which, early in the year, fetch
high prices, and it being found that as much money can
be obtained from a moderately well-filled pot as a thickly-
filled one, thinning of the crowns becomes a profitable
practice. One grower uses as many as G,000 clumps of
Lily of the Valley yearly, in addition to several thousand
single crowns imjiorted free of earth. Indeed the weight
of roots used by him every year exceeds four tons.
Outdoor flowers of Lily of the Valley brought to market
from the country are generally green and poor compared with
those produced either early or late on imported jslauts.
The method of growing Lily of the Valley adopted by the
Dutch growers is somewhat diflerent from that practised
near London. They dig up single crowns and tie them
up in bundles of ten or twelve together, and plant them
in a soft loamy soil, well manured with cow manure, at a
distance of 10 in. or 12 in. between the bundles, in a shady
position. The plants are not disturbed for three , years,
when they will be found to have formed good clump?.
Plants thus treated, are remarkably well adajjted for
forcing. For this purpose they are i^lanted in pots of
suitable size, covering the crowns with an inch or two of
soil, and then the pots are plunged for about a fortnight
in Cocoa-nut fibre. By that time they will be well rooted.
The pots are then plunged in Cocoa-nut fibre in a hot-
house, covering them to a depth of 5 in. or 6 in
They remain there until the plants appear above the sur-
face of the fibre, when the pots are taken out and put for
a few days in a warm place, after which they are removed
into a light house to expand their flowers. C. W. S.

A WINTER GA.RDKN".
A VERY suggestive illustration of whit is possible in a winter
garden, sciroely differing from an ordinary building, may be
seen in the private gardens of the Emperor at Vienaa. There
an enormous building with only one side (and that not wholly)
ot glass is planted as a winter garden, and the effect in some
respects is superior to anything of the kind to be seen else-
where. The main lesson, however, that the building affords
is in showing how far it is possible to make a beautiful winter
garden in a building which is not a glass shed, and which,
therefore, allows of the usual architectural treatment. Gener-
all}', the most successful winter gardens are those wholly of
glass, and we have recommended such as the only satisfactory
means of securing a healthy growth and satisfactory results
therein. The conservatory in the Botanic Gardens iu the
Regent's Park may be taken as the model of a good house
for the purpose alluded to. Unlike it, the winter gardens we
allude to, however, are those in which tubs and pots do not
appear, in which the vegetation is planted out, and a natural
and artistic effect sought. All those that we have illustrated in

The Garden were houses of this kind. The Vienna winter
garden is quite as graceful as any of them, with this difference,
that nearly all its plants are out-of-doors during the summer.
It is, in fact, an immense " Orangery," in which a large col-
lection of plants is stored in the most graceful and natural
way imaginable, with devious walks, little carpets of turf
formed of Lycopodium, Tree Ferns, giant Dracasnas, with Ivy
festooned naturally among them, and ferns in abundance.
Apart from the question of winter gardens, this points to the
fact that we require more courage as regards embellishing
semi-lighted places with plants, not for a day or a week, but a
season. Numbers of subjects that make their growth in sum-
mer, whether in or out-of-doors, would not suffer in the least
from being grouped in imperfectly-lighted positions, always
assuming that a suitable temperature was maintained, and that
they were not exposed to injury from gas.

-PXj^TE CXj"VIIX.

STOB.EA. PURPUREA.
This is a member of a numerous genus of South African
Thistles, or rather Thistle-like plants, for they are more nearly
related in floral structure to Senecio than true Thistles.
Many of them are exceedingly handsome and noble plants,
and S. purpurea is perhaps the finest of its genus ; but in
spite of their ornamental charactei, few of them have been
introduced into our gardens, and those which have have found
little favour. This is probably due to the fact that they are
.scai'cely suitable for indoor culture, and to grow them in per-
fection in the open air some little attention is required, as
they are not perfectly hardy. Stobasa purpurea is, however,
one of those plants which recommend themselves to the
genuine lover of flowers. In its native haunts, in the valleys
of the Winterberg, Mrs. Barber found it growing in large
patches, many thousands of plants growing close together, as
if they had been planted in beds, and making a very imposing
show. Like our less showy Thistles, then, it is of a gre-
garious nature, and it is very effective in masses, though
single plants in a mixed border are equally prominent. In a
wild state it grows from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and doubtless in a
rich soil it would grow higher. Nearly all the Stobajas have
yellow flower-head.?, but our plant has them of some shade of
violet, purple, or lilac, and in the Kew Herbarium there is a
specimen of a variety having pure white flower-heads. In
Bentham and Hooker's " Genera Plantarum," Stob»a is
referred to Berkheya, forming together a genus of upwards of
seventy species, all, except one tropical African, natives of
South Africa. Berkheya grandiflora, a fine yellow-flowered
species, was formerly in cultivation, and a figure of it appeared
in the "Botanical Magazine," t. 1844'; and in the same volume,
t. 1783, there is a figure of the comparatively insigniSoant
Stobaea pinnata. This is the first publication of a coloured
plate of the handsome S. purpurea, which flowered in Mr.
Ware's nursery last summer, and which was introduced into
this country a few years ago by Mr. Wilson Saunders, through
the agency of Mr. MoOwan, of Yale College, Somerset East,
South Africa. W. B. Hesislet.

Cupania fiUcifolia as a" Spacimen Plant. — This makes a
handsome specimen plant, when well managed, for the decoration of
the stove or warm greenhouse. It grows freely under liberal cultare,
and retains its graceful lace-like leaves down to the base. Old plants
of it, cat down and allowed to push up a single shoot, soon develop
into handsome specimens. We lately saw some which had been
thus treated in the Victoria Nursery, and which are now from 6 ft. to
8 ft. high, and well famished with foliage down to the pot. This
plant is here very saecesafnlly propagated (a somewhat difficult
operation as a rale), and grown into neat little plants for table deco-
ration.— S.

Cycas iatermedi*. — This noble plant is much better adapted
for the decoration of the conservatory than any other Cycas. Its
leaves are long and graceful, and of a pea-green colour. It is also
said to be hardier than C. circinalis or C. revoluta, and, being less stiff
and formal in habit, it is preferable to either of them. I lately saw
fine examples of it in Mr. Williams' nursery at HoUoway. — 8.

i^

\

4

y

THE GARDEN

THE PURPLE STOB^A ( S . PURPUREA.)

Jan. 4. 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

13

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

stove.

There is a ooneiderable difference between the stove proper — that is,
the house devoted to heat-requiring plants, wherein a salficient tem-
perature i3 kept np to preserve in a growing healthy c:indition those
that coone from the hottest regions, ot which, for example, may bo
taken Ixoras, Dipladeniae, Combretuma, Crotong, Anthuriums, Arto-
oarpug, Dieffenbaohiaa, Marantag, Nepenthea, Pandanadg, Cyano-
phyllumg, Sphserogyneo, and many othera of similar nature — and the
intermediate house, where a temperature is maintained enough for
such plants as d) not require quite so ranch heat ag the genera
already named, but yet need keeping considerably warmer than true
greenhouse plants. It often happens that an attempt is made to keep
through the winter plants that at all times of the year need a high
temperature, in houses where really no more heat is at command
than is requisite for intermediate subjects ; the result of thig is, they
are, daring the winter season, so checked that the spring is far advanced
before they get into a decent healthy growing state, making com-
paratively little progress, and, in the case of plants grown for their
flowers, producing a correspondingly small amount of bloom. lu
place of this I have always found it best, where there is not the
means of keeping up suiScient heat, to confine the cultivation to
those plants that do not want more than an intermediate temperature.
The stove should now for some weeks be kept in the night at from
65' to 68''- or 70°, according to the state of the weather, with a rise
by day of 5' or 6'. Frequently, when it is clear and sunny, the
thermometer will for a short time run up a few degrees higher than
this. The intermediate house will do some 10? lower, day and
night.

Fermentiag Material. — Nothing is more conducive to '^
healthy growing atmosphere than a good body ot fermenting mate"
rial present in the stove, independent of whether it is the practice o^
the cultivator to plunge the greater portion of the plants, or only
such as bottom heat is found indispensable for. With this view the
requisite quantity of tan, than which nothing is so enduring in the
heat it keeps up, or leaves, if they are used, ghould be at once got
in. Iq clearing out the old material care should be taken to remove
the whole, so as to get rid ot worms, that are almost certain to hive
more or less got possession ot it, and from which they find their way
to the balls of the plants, and do much injury. Advantage should be
taken to hot limewash the inside of the pit as well ag all other brick,
work surfaoas in the hons', also to give a thorough cleaning (o the
glass and woodwork, by which the greatest possible amount of light
will be admitted to the plants. Where the heating power happens to
be deficient, a considerable body of tan, as already described, will, in
a short time from its introduction, increase the temperature of the
honge several degrees, and maintain such until the weather is warmer
by the increase of sun-heat.

Ix iras. — Any plants ot Ixora that were not c it back after flower,
ing in summer — which is much the best time for the opsratiou^f
there appears a likelihood of their getting into a too straggling con-
dition before the end of the season, may be shortened back ; but iu
doing this it must be borne in mind that it will a good deal delay the
time ot their blooming. Where several of a kind are grown, it a
portion be thus treated, a succession will be secured.

Dipladenlas. — These, when they have attained suSioieut size and
strength, should ba freely cnt back every year, reducing the shoots
(almost like what is done in ordinary Vine culture) to a little beyond
the point to which they were shortened the preceding year.

Bougainvillea glabra. — This, the most useful and manageable
ot the genus, should be started early, by which means it will flower
two or three times during the season. In pruning it. it is better to
remove the weak shoots, retaining those that are sulfijiently strong
to push stout blooming growths. It the plants have baen, as they
ought, well ripened np and dried off by withholding water at the
roots until the leaves have fallen, they shoald now be thoroughly
soaked in a tub or backet containing as much tepid water as will
admit of the balls, pots and all, being immersed for twelve hours ;
this is far safer than simply giving water in the ordinary way, which
is often so deceptive as to only moisten a portion of the soil, in which
case they break weakly, the caase often not being discovered until a
good deal of time is lost.

AUamandas should be at onoi cut back 'in the case ot full-
grown specimens, removing, as with the Dipladeoias, the greater
portion ot the preceding summer's shoots ; for it too great a leng'h
of these be left, the plants get crowded with useless wood. I have
found it best, when those plants have attained cheir full requisite
strength, to re-pot at the tine they are pruned, as in this case they
require so tar shaking out as to necessitate disrooting to one-third or

one-half the whole extent of the previous season's formed roots ; and
if this be not done until the plants have bri'ken into growth, a con-
siderable portion of the young shoots started will not make further
progress. As they, like the Bougainvilleas, will have been allowed to
get quite dry at the root, they should be similarly soaked before
potting, so as to insure the whole of the soil being moistened. AUa-
mandas grown as roof climbers should be in like manner cut back, in
extent according to the size they have attained, and the space they
are required to cover ; and, it planted out, must have some ot the
surface soil removed and replaced with new, to which a good quan-
tity of manure has been added.

Shrubby Clerodendrons. — These, including the different kinds
ot the C. fallax tribe, should, in the case ot old plants, be well cut
back, leduc'ng them to 1 ft. or so above the collar, otherwise they
get naked and unsightly. Previous to pruning, let the soil get com-
paratively dry, keeping it in this condition until they have broken
freely.

Gloxinias. — By judicious management, these may be had in flower
for a considerable portion ot the year, arid when treated in the manner
that givos them the stout, robust character which admits of the
flowers standing satisfactorily in a cut state, they are most ugeful tor
this purpose. With this object, a few of the tubers earliest put
to rest may be started, shitting them into not too large pots, and, if
possible, putting them on a shelf or other position where they will be
close to the glass, as npon their having all the light pogsible depends
the full amount ot usefulness being sacnred, either for general
decoration or tor cutting, as already alluded to.

Gardenias. — If the plants have been well cared tor the preceding
season, and are clear from insects, they will furnish a long succession
of flower through the spring, keeping them well up to the glass, by
which means theiradvancing buds will be m:ic5h less likely to dropoff —
a circumstance that frequently occurs when they are subjected to a
good deal of heat, with a view to getting them on early.

Pentas caraea and P. rosea. — These continuous and free-
flowering subjects, it well attended to and grown in moderate warmth,
will keep on flowering from every bit ot growth they make.

Bouvardias. — Where sufficient plants exist, and there ia the con-
venience ut keeping them ia different teiiperaturds, a portion should
occupy the lightest position in the stove, with thoii' heads close to
the glass, as upon this, lika many other wintjr. flowering stove subjects,
depends their abMity to endure whea cut. If well-grown plants with
strong shoots arc secured, these, by keeping thus war^i, will continue
miking grovth anl bearing flowers for a long time, as, when the
bloom prolucel from the leading portions ot the shoots has been
c it away, they will keep on breaking from the loivereyes, in this way
yielding a succession.

Plumba^^o rosea and Erantbemum pulchellum will, if the
plants have been strong, continue proJusing Uiwers froui the weaker
growths after the leading shootg are over, and will ba benefited by a
little weak manure water.

Intermediate House.— V/here the means doas not exist of keep-
ing the warmest plant house above an intermediate temperature,
such operations as the foregoing should be delayed tor soma weeks
yet, so far as the shaking out and potting ot any plants go, inasmuch
as these matters should not be carried out until there is enough heat
to at once excite growth.

Destructiin of Insects. — In plint growing there is no such
thing as an immunity from insects, as, with the utmost vigilance,
some ot the less objectionable kinds are certain to be troublesome
from time to time ; and with the most injurious species, such as mealy
bug, where thtse exist it is impossible to keep »,ny colleotion ot plants,
large or small, in a condition that will give the best results in general
appearance and the quantity of bloom they produce, without either
absolute extermination, and afterwards the greatest care, so as not
to introduce affected plants amongst the stojk, or by continual appli-
cation to keep them so thinned that the injury they inflict will be
reduced to a minimum. As it is at this comparatively dormant
period that insects can best bo coped with, it may be well to remind
those in charge ot collections ot plants, that the hours spent in the
destruction ot these pests at this tine will ba more elf actual than a
correspmding number of days whan the season is further advanced
and their increise much greater. Whatever insecticide is used, it
should b) 8;ich as admits of the whole of the affected plants above the
soil being Hipped or syringed with the liquid so as to reach every
part, birk and leaves. I have no faith in any but liquid applications
for the worst descriptions of insects, such as bugs and scale, aa
with anything in the form of dust or powder there is no certainty ot
its reaching the whole surface ot the plants ; neither are such
liquids that do not admit of being nsed in sufficient quantity to get

14

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879,

to every part of the atEeoted speoimeng of any good except where
there happens to be only a very few small plants infested, as their
use involves too much labour and uncertainty. Where anything like
an attempt is to be made at complete eradication, not only should
those plants that are known to be affected be subjected to the cleans-
ing process of immersion or syringing, bat every plant, large or
small, on which the insects can find food or shelter, should also be
similarly treated, and the operation repeated continuously until there
is something like a certainty of both eggs and mature insects being
destroyed.

Forcing Pit. — Upon the sufficient size and right oonstrnction of
this structure depends, in a great measure, the ability to keep np a
supply of cut flowers now tor some months where there is a can.
siderable quantity required, for with such plants as are brought into
flower in heat, through the winter more particularly, those that after
the first production of bloom will immediately make sucoessional
£;rowth and flower from it, unless this growth be made in a thoroughly
light house, with the heads of the plants elevated as near the glass as
they can be got, the bloom is certain to be worthless for cutting from
its soft, flimsy character. It is through imperfect realisation of this
that many winter. grown flowers receive an undeserving character for
being of little use, when the fault rests in the way they have been
grown and not in the plants themselves. The temperature kept up
here should be from 65' to 70° in the night, with a rise of 10' by
day, according to the weather.

Tuberoses. — As these are brought on in succession, with a little
bottom-beat if possible in the first instance until they have got their
pots well filled with roots, they should be placed with the points of
the shoots close to the roof, lowering them as they advance in growth.
Dj not over-water, but give sufficient to keep their somewhat mois-
ture-impatient roots in an active condition. Withhold water alto,
gether from the sncoessional bulbs until it is certain that they have
pushed a good amount ot roots.

liily of the Valley.— Bring in sufficient quantities of this to
keep up the supply, plunging them in heat until the shoots have made
considerable progress, after which expose them gradually but slowly.

Iiilass. — Where these are forcsd in quantity and there is no place
where they can be kept perfectly dark in the way necessary to pro.
duce the blanched flowers, a few may be introduced to the forcing
pit, but in all cases the plants should consist of such as have been
previously prepared and grown on for the purpose, as ordinary bushes
if dug up have generally an unsightly appearance, and bear little
flower compared with their size. Where a forcing pit or house, such
as here described, exists, and which is an absolute necessity where
large supplies of winter.foroed flowers are needed, and the object is
to have them with the least expenditure of fuel and labour, as well
as to obviate the unavoidable compromise in treatment that becomes
necessary when brought on in an ordinary stove, the annual winter-
blooming occupants, of which that may be said to consist of an annual
growth prepared through the summer, will find their best and most
Bnitable place here.

Hyacinths, Narcissi, and Tulips.— These, especially the
two former,Jmu9t be brought on in succession, but they require a cooler
position than in the house under consideration.

Potting Soils. — The most successful cultivators of pot.grown
plants at the present day are fully aware of the absolute necessity
of selecting the best, and nothing but the best and moat suitable
soils for the requirements of the different plants they grow, without
which it; would have been futile to look for the high standard that
has been reached ; but, unfortunately, there are very many who do
not to the full extent realise the importance of this, and follow the
penny-wise course of attempting to grow their plants in any sort of
material that is called peat or loam as the case may be. The greatest
rnistake is committed in respect to the former, by using any descrip.
tion of poor, worthless, material, provided it comes under the name of
peat, often of a close, black, hungry character, which, even if the
plants appear to thrive for a time, has no lasting properties in it to
keep the roots in the required healthy condition ; hence the plants
never attain the full vigour they are capable of, but go off prema-
turely. Nothing but the best peat selected and obtained from locali-
ties where such is to be had should satisfy the cultivator, and the
same may be said as regards loam, only the latter can be had from
many more sources. Anything less than this is simply a waste not
only of labour, but also in the cost of fuel and the glass erections in
which the plants are grown. As the time for potting many plants is
fast approaching I could not give more seasonable advice to all
desirous of growing their plants well than to procure those soils that
are best adapted for the kinds which they cultivate.

Orchids.

Eiat Indian House. — The temperature best calculated to meet
the requirements of the many plants from diff^reat coaatries located
here may be put down for the night at as near 60° for the next six or
seven weeks as it can be got, with a rise of from 6" to 8° by day,
according to the weather.

S iccolabiuma. — Put these at the extreme warmest end of the
house ; they will not bsar well such a lengthened drying up of the
roots as the generality of Aerides. Cire must be taken that they
are not long kept so dry a? to cause the leiva3 to shrivel to any
appreciable extent, for should this occur, more ot the old lower ones
will turn yellow and fall off than is consistent with the ever aug-
mented numbers and increasing size that healthy plants should con.
sist ot.

Aerides. — These, like the Saooolabiums, should be now at rest j
their leaves, being considerably tougher and harder in texture, as
well as the plants generally, they are able to bear a lower tempe-
rature than Sicoolabiumi, and can stand without injury a totally
dry state oE the roots somewhat longer; but it the plants have been
grown under conditions of light, air, and a healthy, not saturated,
atmosphere, they will show plenty of flower-spikes without too much
drying up, and ths temperature above indicated will not induce them
tj push flower too soon, or bring the bloom on earlier than required
by those who may wish to somewhat retard it.

Vaudas. — These will bear keeping dry for a time, but great care
must be taken not to carry it too far, or the lo33 of nnmbera ot the
lower leaves i3 certain to follo?v. To this cause, coupled with the
plants being grown under conditions that have made the leaves soft
and deficient in substance, is directly attributable the unsightly
naked stats in which they are too often seen.

Phalasnopsis. — Consisting, as they do, of little bssides roots and
fle3hy leaves, an undue amount of drying at the roots is fatal to
them ever increasing in size, as is their wont, for when subjected to
this, the loss of leaf at the base is generally equal to what they have
made at the top during the current season, bat though, as I have
already urged with the preceding family ot plants, the necessity for
care in seeing that a totally dry condition of the material in which
the roots are placed is not carried too long when water is given, it
should by no means be applied in such quantities as to wet it to the
extent requisite in summer during the time they are making growth,
but ju3t a little, so as to bring the Sphagnum, &c., to that state best
described as being neither wet nor dry. — T. Bawks.

Flower Garden.
Auriculas. — A grower of these, writing from the north, says,
"My frames are covered with a thick bUuket, and over that 1 ft. ot
snow;" and then he adds, "What shall I do with them?" The
answer is, l^t them alone. If the pots are frozen, it matters little
whether the frames are closely shut up or not. When the frost dis.
appears, the plants should be looked over, and all decayed leaves
removed. Only water the plants it the soil in the pots be dust-dry,
but not at all during frost.

Carnations and Picotees. — The instructions given tor Auri-
culas apply to these, but it is better not to allow the soil in the pots
to become quite so dry as that ot the Auriculas. Of course, it would
be injudicious to water at all during severe frost. There will be a
number of decaying leaves to bo removed, and ths soil in the pots
should be pressed in a little if loose.

Dahlias. — It is quite necessary to look over the roots. Decay
frequently takes place at the crown. Such roots can be saved by
placing them in heat — a very gentle, rather dry heat. It is almost
too early to start any ot the roots yet ; bat those who want a good
supply of plants from a limited stock ot roots will be making pre-
pirations for a start.

Gladioli. — Seedlings of these in pots may have been stored away
with the soil quite dry, and, if such moisture as it contained has
quite evaporated, the bulbs, being small, miy not start ; bat if the
soil contains moisture, they will. It is better, therefore, on the whole,
to shake them quite out of it. The large roots keep well it each
sort be wrapped up separately in paper, and stored in a dry place in
a frost-proof room.

Hollyhocks. — Choice varieties ot these, potted from the open
ground two months ago, should be placed on a shelf in a Vinery or
Peach house near the glass. Frost should not be allowed to get into
the house, and it placed in a warmer situation, the shoots will be ready
by the end ot the month to be taken off as cuttings, or to be used for
grafting on pieces of roots. The commoner sorts wintered in frames
will bo safe there for the present with a, lew mats thrown over the
glass during severe frost.

Jan. 4, 1879 ]

THE GAKDEN.

15

Fansies. — These shonld be potted into their blooming pots early
in the year, but this cannot be done unless the weather is fine.
Soil should be prepared for them, and pots also should be in readi-
ness. Panaies like a rich soil, and the best stimulant for them is
rotten cow manure.

Finks. — Daring frost these require no attention, except to see
that rabbits cannot attack them. Mate any plants thrown out of
the ground by frost firm, by pressing them into the soil with the
fingers.

Fhloxes, Pyrethruma, Fentstemons, and similar hardy
plants in beds, require scarcely any attention daring winter. It is
a good plan to place some dry manure on the surface of the beds, or
a layer of leaves that have lain in a heap since autumn. It is as-
tonishing how severe frosts may be kept out by a very slight pro-
tection applied to the surface of the groand. — J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

The late severe weather will have somewhat retarded operations in
this department, and, therefore, some energy will be required as soon
as a more favourable time sets in to bring up arrears of planting,
pruning, nailing, dressing, and similar operations. In the meantime
proceed with trenching, digging, draining, and soil carting, and so
get the work forward as possible. If not previously done, Strawberry
plantations should be " pointed " over, after which mulch them
thickly with half-rotted stable manure. Of course, previous to the
pointing remove all runners and decayed foliage, but avoid wanton
destruction, for though some even recommend mowing off the old
foliago the practice is not a good one. New Raspberry plantations
may be made at any time between this time and the end of March,
but the sooner the better, as such a plantation if well made will last
for ten or twelve years. The ground should be deeply trenched aud
heavily manured. I.e., if the nature of the soil demands it. A good
loam, inclining to adhesiveness, requires but little manure, but in
light, sandy soils Raspberries must be freely manured if good returns
be desired. The pruning and tying of established plantations should
be done as soon as possible, after which well stir the surface, but
do not dig it, and mulch with the best manure at command. In
favonrable weather Peaches and Nectarines should all be untied or
unnailed as the case may be, and after carefully cutting out the long
naked branches and superfluous shoots, well wash them with soap-suds,
which is best done by means of the garden engine. If the trees,
during the past season, have been badly infested with aphides, the
most effectual preventive is to have the whole painted with a solution
of Gishnrst Compound, according to the directions accompanying the
same. Apricots are rarely subject to the attacks of aphides
or other insects ; still, as prevention is better than cure,
as soon as pruning and nailing are completed let these also
have a thorough washing with soap.suds. Oar trees a season or
two ago were badly attacked with soft brown scale, which was
entirely annihilated by means of the washing here recommended.
Cherries, Morellos in particular, are very subject to the attacks of
black aphis, and, therefore, strong measures should be taken to
ward off such attacks; winter dressing of both walls and trees is, in
such a case, imperative. Orchard trees, consisting of Apples, Pears,
Plums, &c., may be greatly invigorated by judiciously thinning out
any branches that cross or chafe each other, freeing them from Moss
and Lichen by dressing them with quicklime or brine. As such work
as this can be done in weather, so to speak, when nothing else can be
done, any negligence in respect to it is unpardonable. Any trees
that are old and worn out should in hard weather be grubbed up and
the ground trenched preparatory to planting as soon as favourable
weather arrives. Trees that are to be regrafted in March or April
had best be headed down at once. All prunings and grubbed-up
wood not required for fuel should be converted into wood ashes,
which is an excellent manure for all kinds of frnit trees, and, indeed,
for almost everything else. If a new orchard is to be formed, the
first matter to be considered is in reference to draining it effectually,
and this done the whole should be deeply trenched ; or, should this
be thought too expensive, the proposed distances at which the trees
should stand apart shonld be marked out, and a space trenched for
each tree, which space ought not to be less than 8 ft. in diameter.

Kitchen Garden.

Trenching and digging will doubtless have fallen into arrear, acd
if BO these operations should be advanced as soon as favourable
weather arrives. Advantage should be taken of hard frost to get all
wheeling and carting completed, and also to get manure and vege-
table refuse heaps turned over. Leaf carting and clearing up should
also receive attention, and hotbeds should be made up preparatory to
advancing sundry crops, such as Carrots, Radishes, Potatoes, Peas,

and French Beans. Early Broccoli not protected during the lato
severe weather will, doubtless, be found to be greatly injured, but
late kinds have all escaped ; still, it will be advisable in the event of
another such a period setting in to protect them with bracken or
long litter, and the same remark applies to Celery. Globe Artichokes,
where not covered with protecting material at their base, will cer.
tainly be killed ; some that were not covered have all but disappeared,
but those mulched with long stable litter are safe. It will, however,
be well to prepare for losses by making a sowing at once, and as soon
as they are well up pot and grow them on in gentle heat, finally
planting them out at the end of May. Plants so treated will yield a
few fine heads in autumn. Having had complaints as to the tough,
neas of Beetroot this season, it was all left in the ground and taken
up as required, and the difference to the palate is certainly remark-
able, and will lead to our always leaving it in the ground in future
during winter, and covering it with bracken. Where there are not
frames for the purpose Endive, Lettuces, and Parsley will also require
a little protection, and nothing is more handy, neat, or
effective than a few straw hurdles or roofing felt tacked
to a light framework of wood made of convenient size for
moving from place to place. These, supported by inverted flower
pots or bricks, not only keep off snow, but many degrees of frost.
On the first favourable opportunity a sowing of early Peas should
be made; Ringleader and William I. are the two best varieties for
this sowing. A southern aspect, sheltered from north and east winds,
should, if possible, beselected for them. As soon as they are through
the ground they will require protection against the depredations of
f parrows, for once the latter get a taste of them, they clear a largo
(|!iarter of them in a day or two. The best protections are wire
guards, but where these cannot be had, stake the rows thickly with
short, sprayey sticks, which will serve to protect them both from
sparrows and cutting winds. A small planting of Early Long-pod
Beans should also now be made on a warm border, for we find that
the earlier these can be had the more they are prized, while, on tho
contrary, after other vegetables become plentiful they are but littlo
appreciated. Decaying vegetable matter should in all cases, after a
thaw, be forthwith cleared away to the manure heap, when, if thrown
together and sprinkled with quicklime, it soon becomes a valuablo
fertiliser, and perfectly inodorous. In order to make some amends
for the comparative barrenness of the garden at this season, let all
walks aud paths be kept in good order, aud endeavour to maintain
neattess everywhere. — W. W.

Fublic Farks and Open Spaces.

A few words as to what should be done in these during January
may not beoutof place. If the frost be not too severe, the digging
of borders and plantations should be finished without delay, and in so
doing, care must be taken that the roots of trees and shrubs are not
injured ; for such work no implembut is better than a four-tined steel
fork. Many object to disturb the soil after trees and shrubs have
become well established, but, from long experience, I have come to
the conclusion that this is necessary work in populous towns, where
the surface becomes coated with deleterious matters, rendering it
impervious to air. In carrying out this work, all dead and useless
wood should be removed, and where trees and shrubs are too much
crowded, it is necessary to thin out and transplant, or take them out
altogether. Great care must be exercised in this matter, as the
appearance of plantations and shrubberies much depends upon tho
manner in which it is done. It will also afford a good opportunity
for planting trees and shrubs which may be required for filling up
blanks. All young trees should be firmly re. staked, and where her-
baceous plants occupy borders round plantations, dead and decaying
shoots and leaves must be removed, and the protection be given
necessary to preserve the roots and crowns from frost. This may be
tan, Cocoa-nnt fibre, ashes, or similar materials. Trees and shrubs
requiring it may be mulched with advantage. This is, likewise, tho
season for forming new plantations, should the weather permit.
Lawns or Grass plots do not require much attention, except where
they are in very bad condition, and where they require levelling, re-
turfing, draining, &c, of course much of this work depends upon
the severity, or otherwise, of the weather ; if favourable, however,
no better time can be chosen for the purpose than the month of
January. Lawns improperly drained are never satisfactory. Drain
pipes should be placed in rows at from 15 ft. to 6 ) ft. apart, and at
a depth of from 2 ft. to 6 ft., according to the nature of the
subsoil, and with sufficient fall to ensure the water being
carried off with rapidity. 6 in. or 1 ft. of brick rubbish, faggot
wood, or, in fact, any kind of porous rubble, may, with advantage,
be placed upon the pipes before filling in the trench, and shonld
any subsidence occur hereafter, it must be rectified in the ordinary
way, by lifting the turf and adding soil. Where breeze or ashes are
easily obtainable, 1 ft. in thickness placed upon the ground, about

16

THE GARDEN.

Jan. 4. 1S79.

6 in. or 1 ft. beneath the level of the turf, will greatly improve itg
textare, appearance, and elasticity. Barnt ballast (barnt clay) will
answer the same parpose, and is easily and cheaply made where clay
is abundant. If the weather permits. Grass plots m^y also be
cleaned by cutting out rou^h Grasses, uprooting Dindelions, Diiaies,
and other weeds. This, if done carefully, will cause no injury to
the turf. Surface. dresaing, which may consist of well-rotted niinnre,
road drift, or artificial materials, should be spread upon Grass which
is in bad condition in consequence of the poorness of the soil, or other
causes, and will much improve it. Roads aud walks, where made
of gravel, must be kept in good condition by frequent rolling, and
all channels, gnllie?, and drains should be thoroughly cleared out,
in order that no water may accnmnlate which would render them
unfit for ordinary wear and tear. January is one of the best months
for re.metalling roads, or forming new ones, en account of the
moist state of the materials, a condition which assists in binding them
together. The best kind of stone for the purpose is either broken
granite or flints. la re-metalling roads the surface should ht broken
up 2 in. or 3 in. deep, and from 3 in. to 6 in. of stone should be
spread evenly over the whole surface; when this has been well
rolled, 2 in. to 3 in. of fine gravel should be put upon the stone, and
thoroughly watered and rolled. In forming new roads, after sufficient
soil has been excavated to allow of from 15 in. to 18 in. of materials,
and the drains laid, from 9 in. to 1 ft. of chalk, or brick rubbish,
should be laid down, levelled, and rolled ; then proceed as before to
form the surface. Roads made according to these instructions will
prove most durable carriage ways. — C. Den>'is, Souihu-arli Park.

Woodland Work for January.

Those who have hitherto been in the habit of delaying all planting
up of their woodlands until the winter is far advanced will have
learned a salutary lesson from the enforced suspension of their opera-
tions, which tOL.k place early in December. We have for years per.
sistently advocated the late summer or early autumn removal of
evergreens, and the completion of the transplanting of deciduous
trees by the end cf November, and the rapid advance which such
early removed trees make in the spring, in consequence of the roots
having become turgid with the accumulated moisture, and the root,
lets having made a considerable start before winter set in, ought to
convince the most sceptical of the advantages of the system. The
unusually severe weather which has set in while the land was satu.
rated must toll severely upon young trees which had been just
removed from warm nursery quarters. Though January is not a
desirable month for continuing the work, on account of the frequent
sudden changes of the weather, yet where a large breadth of wood,
land has to be filled up, the forester must avail himself of every
open period for planting; he should now select the diier portions,
reserving the wetter parts for operating upon in February and
March.

Excellent opportunities have already been afforded for the removal
of felled timber, which should now be, to a great extent, cleared off.
Thinning should still be continued, but, at the same time, it should
be remembered that neglected or overcrowded plantations may be-
come permanently injured by too great a clearance or too sudden an
exposure at this season of the year. The operation of thinning, like
that of pruning, should be gradual, and both require the exercise of
much sound judgment. Whoever undertakes the task while ignorant
of the fundamental principles of vegetable physiology, must work in
a twilight of uncertainty ; and though sound common sense may
prevent his doing any great amount of mischief, he will fail to accom-
plish the amount of good he might do if familiar with the principles
of his operations. In executing thinnings of plantations, the prin.
cipal consideration should be the permanent good of the standing
timber, as, compared with this, the market value of what is cut down
is unimportant. Thinning must be regulated by the closeness of the
original planting as well as by the age and size of the trees, the
quality of the soil, the amount of shelter or exposure, and the nlti.
mate object of the plantations. Whoever plants thickly mmt thin
early and frequently, or else fail to obtain the maximum amount of
profit from his woodlands.

It is impossible to specify any limit for the distance of standarJ^
which shall be applicable to all trees ; much must depend upon soi'
and climate. Where the production of timber alone is the principal
consideration, the preservation of an unbroken leaf canopy will
insure the tallest trees and the cleanest timber ; but where it is
deemed desirable to cultivate a considerable proportion of stron-'
and healthy underwood, the standard trees should not occupy more
than from one.third to one-half of the entire wooded area. Even in
close plantations trees should never be allowed to overhano' or whip
each other. Firs and Pines may stand much thicker thau'deoidaous
trees, and during the earlier years of their growth they require much

less thinning; indeed, it is seldom necessary to thin a plantation of
Scotch Pine until it is nine or ten years old. In situations where the
deciduous trees require to be thinned ont at intervals of from 25 ft.
to 30 ft. at the age of forty years, resinous kinds may stand at little
more than half that distance— say, from 15 ft. to 18 ft. In order to
obtain sound timber no branches should be allowed to die back close
to the bole. The process of natural pruning, by which the upper
branches gradually destroy the lower ones by excluding Bunlijiht
and air may conduce to the production of the greatest amount of
rough timber and fuel ; but the largest yield of lengthy, clean,
straight-growu, sound, and valuable timber is obtained by timely and
continued attention on the part of the forester. Great care is ce.
cessary in the thinning and pruning of belts or narrow strips of plan,
tation. If allowed to remain too thick the slender, drawn-np stems
fail to produce the screen or shelter which was the object of the
planter. Here an admixture of underwood will prove serviceable,
and sometimes it may be found necessary even to pollard a tew trees
upon the margins in order to obtain the required density.

Continue to collect cones of the Larch, Scotch Pine, and Spruce
Fir; those of the Larch in particular require to be well dried before
b^ing laid up in heaps. Towards the end of the month plant the
remaining Acorns and Chestnuts, and in dry weather undercut the
tap roots of two years' seedling Walnut, Oak, Chestnut, and Beech
which are not to be transplanted ; after cutting tread the soil well in
around the plants. The seeds of Yew, Holly, Hawthorn, and Jloun.
tain Ash may also be taken from the pits and sown in open ground if
the weather will admit. Wherever it may still be thought desirable
to p'ant ont single trees, either in the park or in the hedgerows,
select strong and well-furnished plants which have become fitted for
these positions by standing in fairly open nursery beds.

Hawthorns may be planted out for hedges, and old hedges cut off
and plashed. Collect leaves from ditches, soourings of watercourses,
and refuse soil of all kinds for making composts. Where trees have
been oat off by the saw the work of grubbing and cording up the
wood may now go on ; though tonite is now coming into use for such
operations, the work of the mattock and the beetle and wedges is not
yet at an end. The cutting up or cleaving of a tree butt may, to the
uninitiated, appear a simple operation, but we often see an athletic
man wasting his strength while a less powerful but more expert man
does the work with ease ; the line of natural cleavage is from the
heart or pith of the tree to the centre of each large root or spur,
and, by inserting the wedges along this line, the stoutest butt is soon
split up into segments, and these, in their turn, may be further
reduced by taking off slivers in the direction of the annual riugs. —
A. J. BUKROWS.

Fruit Trees in Kitchen Gardsns.— It is well known that the
art of maintaining a plentiful and regular supply of vegetables is
one of the most important parts of practical horticulture. In the
generality of private establishments, slight deficiences in the fruit
or flower department may be passed over, but the supply of vege-
tables must be kept up. Even in good soils, and with plenty of
space at command, vegetable culture is by no means easy work, a
great deal of judgment being frequently required to contend suc-
cessfully with the variable and trying seasons so often experienced.
Such being the case, and the importance of this branch of gardening
being fully recognised, it is a matter of surprise that the owners of
gardens should so often fail to afford sufficient facilities for carrying
out the work with satisfaction to themselves, and credit to the
person in charge. Oae of the most common complaints that one
hears is, that the space devoted to vegetables is too limited, and a
considerable amount of ingenuity has to be exercised to supply
the wants of the household. Not only is this the case, but the
kitchen garden is often so crowded with fruit trees, that a great
portion of it is rendered almost useless for vegetable culture.
Whilst the trees are young they are not much in the way, bat year
by year they encroach upon aud shade the ground, and it is found
aloiost impossible to keep up either the quantity or quality of the
vegetable crops. When there is plenty of land, I consider planting
fruit trees in a walled-in garden a mistake ; it not only cripples
the vegetable supply, but the fruit crop is apt to be deficient.
Many instances have come under my notice, where the standard
Apple and other fruit trees were crowded into the vegetable
ground, when there was an abundance of good soil in the immediate
vicinity occupied by ordinary farm cropi or coppice wood, where
fruit would have flourished better in every way. — J. Coknhill,
Biijlcoi.

Crocus spaciosus.-^This has continued to flower freely at
Tooting all through the severe weather, and a good display of it will
shortly be found where the soil is light and well drained. — S.

Jax. 4, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

17

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

m-

i^'-

'ii^

"'vW'y.

,<.'■■ -

^^

.^%

y?-'s/y>;

yrfg:?

»^»

oS&«

A MINIATURE TREE FERN.

(ATHYRIUM SCANDICINCM).

This beautiful little Tree Fern is a native of the Sandwich
Islands, and was introduced from California into this country
by Mr. Williams, junior, and it has been exhibited by Kr. B.
8. Will'aras under the provisional name of Alsophila pluraosa.
By some botanists it is associated with A. aspidioides, a vari-
able species having a wide i-ange iu Tropical America, South
Africa.and India. Perhaps this is a correct view,for the different
specimens wo have seen of A. scandicinum,from the Sandwich
Islands, differ

more from each _,.,..

other than they
do from some
of the specimens
of A. aspidioi-
des from other
regions. Be that
as it may, there
are several va-
rieties suffici-
e n 1 1 y distinct
from each other
to deserve cul-
tivation. Like
the Lady Fern,
to which the
present species
is closely allied,
A. scandiciuum
varies very
much in the
degree of fine-
ness of the cut-
t i n g of the
frond, and in
the relative de-
velopment o f
the stem. The
variety before
us is a L a d y
Fern, with fine-
ly-cut fronds
and a short,
stout t r u n k ;
indeed, we
might justly
call it the Tree
Lady Fern. Its
email size, as a
Tree Fern, com-
bined with the
grace and ele-
gance of its foli-
age.renders this
one of the most
attractive of
recent acquisi-
tions i nafamily
60 rich in beau-
tiful forms, and

FORCING SEAKALE AND RHUBARB.
By the present system of forcing these two esculents, all un-
certainty as regards production is done away with ; and now
we almost know to a day when we can cut, whatever the state
of the weather may bo. So accomodating, indeed, are Seakale
and Rhubarb as to admit of being dug up bodily and forced in
any hole or corner where there is waste heat ; but the best
place of all is a Mushroom house, and any one who has a struc-
ture of this kind may have them in prime order and with great
regularity the whole winter through. In the genial, sweet

atmosphere

»rf Sit •■= S^.

S' 'J

^-^m^:

■'r^'

Wi^.

■vii^

'WM""

.A.

'Mi

s^

A Miniatare Tree Fern.

in which there is

so much variety.
W. B. Heuslev.

that there pre-
vails, they al-
ways come free
from taint, and
are invariably
tender, rich, and
succuleut. The
only time when
there is any de-
viation from
this is when
more is put in
at onetime than
there is use for,
and it, in con-
sequence, re-
mains long un-
cut, when it be-
comes stringy
and tough,
which no
amount of boil-
ing or good ma-
nagement in the
k i t ch en will
rectify. This,
of course, only
applies to Sea-
kale, as age and
length of stalk
little affects
Rhubarb, e x -
cept in a favour-
a b 1 e w a y, by
rendering it
more solid and
less watery, and,
therefore, of su-
perior quality
altogether than
could otherwise
be expected. In
places where
there is not the
convenience of
a Mu shroom
Louse, and there
is any back wall
warmed by a
enclose a space
soil, so as to

Baptisia (False Indigo). — Tall and stout herbaceous peren-
nials, with ornamental leaves and fine long spikes of handsome,
blue. Lupin-like flowers. Being among the most hardy and
vigorous perennials, they will thrive well in almost any position
in woods and copses, and well-grown tufts of them would look
to great advantage near wood walks. They grow well in
almost any soil. The species are North American — the best
cultivated kinds being B. australis and B. tinctoria, which
inhabit dry and alluvial soils (as distinguished from boggy
places) in the United States. In England they thrive on moist
or clayey soils as well as on those of a more open nature. — V.

boiler chimney or flue, a good way is to
with bricks, and line them up round with
form a sort of pit, over which a shutter can be fitted, and then
cover the roots over with straw to exclude light and prevent the
heat from escaping. Thus circumstanced, both these esculents
grow beautifully, and require no attention beyond an occasional
watering to keep the earth about the roots moist, as any vapour
that escapes surcharges the internal air and maintains it in a
healthy condition. If the pit is large enough to admit of a
few fresh roots being put in every fortnight or so till others
can be got out and replaced, a constant succession may be kept
up till they can be had from the open ground.

Another capital plan of forcing Seakale is to'get a'very large
flower-pot, and pack into it as many roots as it will hold.

18

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

with a fair quantity of light rich soil between them, and then
plunge it in a bed of leaves, or other gently-fermenting material,
with another pot of the same dimensions turned over it, when,
if this is again'covered with litter, some splendid heads may
soon be had. In digging the roots of Seakale up, those with
the largest and best-developed crowns should be chosen, and
the same with Rhubarb, for, unless the plants have been well
grown, what they yield must of necessity be meagre and poor,
as all depends on their strength at the time of starting, and
the amount of organisable matter they have stored up iu their
stems. One great advantage in forcing these vegetables in
this way is that, unlike Asparagus, the plants of which are
spoiled for ever after, aud have to be discarded, Seakale and
Rhubarb are none the worse after a season's rest and fresh
growth, as they may then be taken up and used for the same
purpose again. Instead, however, of planting the old, thick
portions of the stems of the Kale, I prefer the large and
tough roots, numerous pieces of which break off at the time
of digging them up, or may be saved after the forcing is over.
These cut into lengths of 4 in. or 5 iu. or so form excellent
sets and start away vigorously in spring as soon as warm
weather sets in. When preparing these for planting. I always
make a practice of cutting the lower end sloping and the top
flat, otherwise, so near are they alike as regards size that it is
impossible to distinguish between the two, and they would
most likely, therefore, be planted the wrong way upwards.
These sets or cuttings may be made and dibbled out in rows at
any time, but it is quite as well to bury the whole in moist
sand or ashes as tbey come to hand till the whole is ready, and
then put them out. This should be done in ground that has
been trenched and thoroughly enriched with well-rotted manure,
as Seakale is naturally a gross-feeding plant, and likes to pene-
trate deeply in search of moisture.

Salt, added to the manure or sown over the ground in May
or June, is a capital help, as it not only acts as a suitable stimu-
lant, but destroys seed weeds, and thus saves time and labour
in hoeing. The proper distance for the rows is about 15 iu.
apart, and 1 ft. from plant to plant, which affords sufficient
room for a full spread of the leaves and admits of their full
development, which would not be the case were they nearer
together. For permanent beds, where the heads are covered
with pots or are blanched in any other way, the rows should
be at least 2 ft. apart, and the plants placed triangularly about
9 in. from each other down the rows, so that each clump of
three has a space of 18 in. between. I find a very good way of
getting fine late Seakale is to cover the whole bed during
winter.with long stable litter, under which the heads come on
slowly and beautifully white, as well as being very tender and
succulent. Besides being propagated and increased by means
of cuttings of roots made in the above-named manner, Seakale
grows readily from seed ; but plants so raised, unless under
exceptionally favourable circumstances, take two years before
they are large enough for forcing, whereas the others are quite
strong enough in half that time. To get large crowns of
Rhubarb, it is a good plan to dig large holes and work a quan-
tity of 'manure m the bottom before planting, adding more
when filling in the soil around the sides, and if, in addition to
this, sewage be given occasionally during the summer, growth
will be most rapid and vigorous. What is required for forcing
should not have any pulled from it, unless it be a few sticks
early in the season, as the loss of every leaf decreases the plant's
strength and capabilities for the following season. S. D.

Winter-SDwn Peas. — My experience ot Pea sowing does not
agree with that of Mr. Legga (p. 530), although I must say, at the
outset, that seasons, aud soils, aud aituatioua have a great deal to do
with late-aown Peas ; but I believe that in nine cases out of ten (and
the same as regards seasons) Peas sown some time in January, all
points considered, are to be preferred to those sown in the autumn.
When I was in Buckinghamshire we used to sow in the end of Octo-
ber or beginning of November, on a south border, and again in
January, but when the picking time arrived only two or three days
were gained by autumn sowing, and the crop was not so heavy as
that on the January sowing. Some of the rows were very much
injured by slugs and other causes to which antumn-sown Peas are so
liable. In 1874 I was in Doraetabire, on the seacoast, twenty milea
from Weymouth. There I sowed January 15 and again early in

February, and the result was no difference between the two sowings.
A neighbour, who sowed in December and again in February, had
only an advance of a day in favour oE his plan. Last season I
sowed here (North Hampshire) Dickson's Firat and Best and Lar-
ton's Alpha in the open border, and alao some in scrips ot tuif for
planting out on January 18 and again early in February in the open
border. Those sown on turf were put into a Vinery and then har.
dened off in a cold pit, and from these I gathered May 28. Those
sown in January and February in open borders yielded usable pods
on Juno 3, there being no difference between the two sowings. When
in Dorset and Norfolk my experience was much the same. The
earliest time I ever remember to have seen Peas gathered from that
were sown in the open ground was on May 17 or 18, and thia was at
Haywood House, Westbury, Wiltshire, some few years ago ; however,
this ia undoubtsdly not so early as they are in warmer localitiea. My
experience is unfavourable to Kentiah Inviota; I have grown it two
or three times, but I did not find it a sort to which I could trust. It
rotted in the ground when sown before the middle of February, and
it is not so good a cropper as many other sorts. No Pea have I ever
had as an early one to beat Dickson's First and Best. — J. C. F.

SITES FOR KITCHEN AND FRUIT GARDENS.

As a well-designed whole is always better and more satisfactory than
fragmentary work can ever be, so, in selecting the aite for a gentle,
man's residence, not only the mansion itself, but also the whole ot
the appurtenances belonging thereto, should be taken into oonaidera-
tion, and duly marked out on the plan, with special reference not
only to the relations they bear to each other, but also that each may
occupy the most favourable position for aeouring the objects for which
it was intended. Now, the kitchen and fruit gardens certainly form
noinconaiderable part of what may be termed the necesaary adjuncts
of a first-clasa establishment; and there are several mattera in con-
nection therewith that come more especially within the province of
the practical gardener, and which I know to be often overlooked by
the architect or landscape gardener. These are mainly shelter, soil,
aspect, and elevation. It ia no uncommon occurrence to find ex-
pensively-constructed gardens dropped into some hollow, as if the
main object had been to get them out ot sight ; or, it may be, the
extra depth ot alluvial soil in the bottom ot the valley had proved an
irresistible temptation. No doubt depth ot soil ia an important matter,
and forms one ot the constant aims ot the practical cultivator ; bat
the bottom lands in the valleys are well known to be several degrees
colder than the sloping hillsides. The cold togs are carried down by
their own weight and the moving force ot currents of air till they
reach the lowest points, where they chill and freeze everything at all
tender. Thia ia more especially noticeable in spring and autumn, as
every competent observer may easily ascertain for himself. In such
positions it is next to impossible to obtain good crops of fruit or early
vegetables, tor the hoar frost destroys the tender blossoms of the one,
and checks and blackens all tender growths ot the others. The
difference ot a few feet in the elevation of a garden or orchard has a
wonderful influence in thia respect. The crops ot fruit aud early
vegetables in one garden may be ruined by spring frost, whilst
another in the same neighbourhood, but situated at a slightly higher
level, may escape altogether ; and this tact alone will account for
much of the variation that is constantly occurring iu English fruit
gardens. In low-lying gardens, too, there ia often a difBcalty in
securing an outfall for the drainage ; and even if the laud be natur-
ally dry, there are stoke-holes, fruit borders, walks, and other points
that must be laid dry, and for which a good drainage outfall is
necessary, or they will be an endless source of trouble. The beat
aite for kitchen aud fruit gardens is on the aite of a eentlo slope,
where the inclination does not exceed 1 in 20, and preferably less.
A southern aspect ia beat, but a point or two either east or west will
not matter. It may be an advantage to have the shelter of hills to
east and west as well aa north, but auch favourable positiona are not
often met with, and it is ot but little importance, as, unless the
culinary gardens are placed at a considerable distance from the
mansion, it will be necessary to plant screens and shelters of trees
aud shrubs to blind them. 'Though a well. managed kitchen garden
is at all times an interesting study, yet there are objeotious to its
being placed in too oonapiououa a situation, at least so far as regards
its worst features ; such, for instance, as the backs ot sheda or offices
being visible from any window or any part ot the grounds. But this
is a detail thin can be easily arranged without creating an eyesore.
The shelter belts or screens should not be placed too near, it any.
thing beside shrubs are used, as, in the winter especially, they may
give too much shade and prevent the land drying properly.

The most important mattera next to aspect are elevation and soil,
as shelter can easily be secured by raising plantations, and these are

Jan. 4, 1870 J

THE GAKDEN.

19

generally neoeaeary for other reasona. la large establiahmenta the
kitchen gardens are often placed a conaiderable diatance from the
mansion and private grounds, but this adds a good deal to the expense
of keeping. There is a great loaa of time in moving plants, manures,
&o., from one department to the other, and I cannot see, it the depart-
ments are ao aeparated, that there ia any correaponding advantage ;
there should be no difEcalty in hiding any feature that may be objec-
tionable, and the kitchen gardena may be —indeed, ought to be — a
pleasant sheltered promenade at all seasons of the year. To a mind
capable of being roused to a study of such matters, there are many
intareating featurea in the cropping and management of a kitchen
garden ; and aa regards fruit growing, either under glaaa or in the
open air, there ia always something to attract attention. In the
winter there ia the pruning and training to be seen to ; and when the
trees are bare, the dilierent styles of growth of the various kinds of
fruit treea are brought out more prominently, revealing the fact that,
like human beings, it ia difficult to find two in all respects alike.
And aa the days lengthen, and the buds begin to swell and unfold in
succession, how absorbing the interest becomes ; and it continues to
increase, and only calminatea when the treaanres are gathered in and
stored away, in autumn. I am sorry for those people who are anxious
to hide up and place out of sight altogether the culinary department,
because they lose a most interesting subject for study. There has
been a tendency during the last quarter of a century to place fruit
and vegetable growing in the background. I think scarcely anyone
who knows what gardening waa at the period to which I have referred,
and has watched ita growth since, will deny that such growth has
been mainly in ornamental gardening and in the glass erections
which the style adopted haa rendered necessary. There is scarcely
one place in ten at the present time where the kitchen gardens are
not starved, both in labour and manure, in order to keep up the
expensive show in the ornamental department. This would not
continue if employers took a greater interest in fruit and vegetable
growing; and no doubt by-and-by things will right themselves again.

Assnmicg that the residence with its buildings occupies the crest
of an eminence, the kitchen and fruit gardens might be appropriately
placed on one of the flanks, sheltered and surrounded where necessary
hy belts and groups of trees and shrubs, and among whose aheltering
folds might be found excellent positions for groupa and plantations
of choice fruit trees. Arranged in this way, the whole south front
would be open to be treated in any manner most in accordance with
the character of the building, or most agreeable to the wishes of the
owner. The aiz3 of the kitchen garden must depend in some measure
upon the demand that is likely to be made upon it ; but very large
gardens in these days of dear labour are, I think, a mistake, at least
80 far a3 regards the walled inclosures. No doubt an extensive
system of walled inclosures gives a large extent of surface for train,
ing wall trees, aa well aa a variety of climatea in their different
aspects, that are not without their uses. Bat I think the time will
come when fruit-growing, as regards the choicer kinda at least, will
be carried on more under glass, and then fewer walls will be required ;
and, as all the coarser kinds of vegetables can be better and more
cheaply grown outside the garden walls, the walled. in apace may be
much curtailed, and reserved for early vegetables, salads, and such
like. The aides of the paths may be utilised, aa at i resent, for Pears
and Apples or other fruits on espaliers ; but fruits and vegetables do
not agree well together on the same plot.

I have seen in Worcestershire and elsewhere good cropa of Applea
grown in the CjrnSelds, where the plough ia used almost close to
the trunks of the trees ; but the rows of Apple tresa are at wide
intervals apart, and the plough does not stir up the soil so deeply as
the spade. Surface culture under large spreading trees, I believe,
is beuefioial ; but then such treea have obtained a firm grasp of the
soil, and, what ia more, the soil for aeveral feet in depth is not inimical
to their well-doing. But on land under spade culture, if fruits and
vegetables are mixed, it is generally at the expense of both. The plan
that appears to me to offer the best chance of coping suooesafully
with the altered atate of thinga which we must expect in the future,
is to build a few roomy span. roofed houses, to make sure of a crop of
the choicer kinds of fruits ; to have a much smaller walled-in space,
and to devote that mainly to trained fruit trees, early vegetables, and
salads ; whilst the bulk of all vegetables crops should be grown entirely
outside the garden walls. It is not easy to form an estimate aa to
the space required to grow fruit and vegetables for a given number
of peraona, as the requirements of different eatabliahments vary con.
siderably ; but to supply well, all the year round, an establishment
of (including servants) twenty-four to thirty persons, allowing at the
same time for visitors and the customary parties being given, will
require about five acres of good land. Supposing the family have
two country reaidencea (which ia a common occurrence), then about
three acres at each would suffice. The best form for the walled garden
is for the north of the kingdom an oblong parallelogram, with the

longest faces pointing to the south and north, for the purpoae of
securing a greater extent of south wall. In the aouth a aquare
garden will be more suitable, as good fruit can be grown on eastern
or western aspects, and an unusual length of south wall is less sought
for or required. One of the moat important mattera in connection
with vegetable and fruit growing, if all things are to be well done, ia
a good supply of pond or soft water. For some reason hard to dis-
cover, thia want has not had ao much attention given to it aa ita
importance deaerves ; and when the site for the gardens is chosen it
should be borne in mind, as any arrangements it may be neceasary to
make, to secure a good aupply of this indispensable fluid, will be
more economically carried out then than afterwards. — " Field."

AFTER THE FROST.
TnosE who, like myself, are growers of hardy plants, both in
pots and in the open ground, will have cause to look after their planla
now that thaw has followed severe frost. In my cold house, and
also in my outdoor frame, the possibility of frost coming at Christ-
mas or thereabouts had been considered. All hardy Primulas in pots,
Auriculas, Polyanthuaea, Primroaes, and the representatives of various
speciea, also Christmas Roses, Pinka, &o., had been allowed to become
pretty dry, and when the frost came there was but little moiature in
the aoil for it to fasten upon. The great danger of frost laying hold
of the aoil in pots, consists in this, that when it is pretty moist, the
expansion caused by frost will crack the pots, hence the importance o£
the soil being as dry aa posasble when it threatens. Hy cold house
haa a north oapect, and there waa an additional reaaon for avoiding
a superabundance of moisture. The firat night of the sharp frost
everything was frozen, and newspapers were carefully laid over the
plants two or three thick, but the plants, the papers, the glass, and
raftera, were all encased with hoar frost. The papers were left on
the pots till the thaw bad passed through the house, to keep the drip
from the melting hoar frost from falling oa the plants. Quite small
plants of some delicate-growing Auriculaa are unharmed. The only
sufferers have been the greenfly here and there ; all the life has
gone out of them. I have gone over the plants, picking off the
decayed foliage, pressing down the soil about the roots, and giving a
little water where necessary, but taking care to thoroughly soak the
aoil of plants that are quite dry. It is surprising how fresh and well
they look after being gone over and touched up in this way. The
fear ia that if this mild, close, moist weather continuea, aome of the
Primulaceaj, and especially the Auriculas, will become preternatu-
rally active. The time for moving will soon be here, but I shall be
in no haste to witness it. It ia an old aaying that " the ice that will
bear a goose before Christmas will not bear a duck afterwards ; " but
there may be an abundance of skating yet, and premature activity in
plants brings no gladness to the heart of the florist.

Oa a raised ash bed in front of my cold house are Polyanthuses,
Aquilegias, Anemones, and many species of Primulas, &c., in pots,
and it was a matter of considerable anxiety that the frost would
do harm here. As soon as there were indications of ita being severe,
light strips of wood reaching higher than the points of the
foliage, were laid on the rims of the pota and over theae a covering
of old newapapera, and upon theae garden mats and old pieces of
aacking. Then came the anew and added to the covering, and though
the froat penetrated through to the aoil of the plants, it waa felt the
covering had averted ita effects. Thia coveiing waa kept on for
more than a week, and when the time came to uncover, not a single pot
was broken. It was necessary in many cases to litter the aoil about the
plants, and the soft rain which fell subsequently, has decidedly re-
freshed them. Not a iingle loss haa occurred ao far aa can be
ascertained at present. Beds of Auriculas, Polyanthuses, and other
plants in the open ground, not having the advantage of covering have
had the aoil much looaened, but a gentle preaaure soon reatores the
plants to their proper positions. About the middle of December the
beds were well top-dressed with a mixture of leaves and ashes from a
burnt heap of refuse. The leaves lying roughly on the surface
formed guards from the cold, and the plants appeared to nestle among
them aa if feeling quite secure. There is nothing like a good top-
dressing of thia kind in autumn. It is an excellent protection during
winter, and in spring it mingles with the aurfaoe soil and affords nu-
triment for the plants. I never waste any house refuse of a vegetable
character, and indeed everything that will rot or burn is utilised for
the garden. It ia laid by in a heap, and when required charred till It ia
fit to be uaed aa a top dressing. Times of severe frost are not with-
out their naea to gardeners, though they have their attendant dia-
comforts. A small heap of manure infested with worms and other
insects was turned over two or three times during its continuance,
and the birds and frost combined, have cleared it of insect life.

20

THE GAKDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1&79.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE COMMON DARK MOTH OR TURNIP MOTH.

(agkotis j,egetum.)
This moth is very common, and is very generally distributed
throughout the United Kingdom, and, in fact, over a large
portion of the world, as it may be found in almost every part
of the Continent, and is very abundant at the Cape of Good
Hope. The caterpillars of this insect, as well as those of
several nearly allied species, are generally known by gar-
deners and farmers by the name of " the grub." This species
is particularly troublesome both in the kitchen and flower
gardens, as well as to certain farm crops, by feeding on the
roots and leaves of various plants. Among its favourites
are Auriculas, China Asters, Dahlias, Balsams, &c., and in the
kitchen garden Cauliflowers and Cabbages of all kinds. Let-
tuces, Spinach, Beeti-oot, Radishes, Turnips, &c. On farm land
at times it does an immense amount of mischief to crops of
grain of allkiuds.Mangold Wurzel, Swedes, and Turnips. These
caterpillars generally begin by attacking a plant at the crown
or a little below it, and do most damage among young plants,
whose roots they eat right through. Di some seasons they
appeal' tD continue at their work of destruction all the year
round, in the winter feeding on the lower parts of the roots.
There does not appear to be any way of destroying the eggs,
which ai-e laid by the moth in the earth near the roots of
plants ; but many are, no doubt, destroyed by various birds
and beetles. As the caterpillars only feed at night, remain-
ing under shelter during the day, it is not very easy to
destroy them. Salt and water, in the proportion of 1 oz. of
salt to a gallon oi water, has be >n found very efficacious, when

C^!^

Agrotis (Xo.tua) scse'um.

the plants have been well watered with this mixture, in pre-
venting the caterpillars from attacking them. Soot laid
thickly on the ground, dug in or placed round the roots,
and then covered with earth, has been found to be very
useful in keeping them away. One pound of soap mixed
with sixteen gallons of water, applied warm to the roots until
the neighbouring holes and cracks in the ground are full, will
cause the caterpillars to come quickly to the surface, when
they can easily be collected. Tobacco water would kill them
if it could be applied so as to reach them. If
in great numbers, search should be made under clods
and stones, not only near the plants which are suffering, but
round those which are not yet touched, for the caterpillars,
and the plants may be .searched after dark with a lantern.
Their natural enemies are numerous; moles, several kinds of
beetles, and various bh-ds help to keep this pest in check. The
rooks, perhaps, are their greatest foes, and, though they are
often accused of doing much damage in gardens and fields to
various crops, it will seldom or never be found that they
destroy a plant which has not already been attacked by some
insect ; on no account should these useful birds be scared from
gardens. The moths are very difficult to find during the day-
time, on account of their dull colour and their habit of remain-
ing in some sheltered place until dark, when they may be found
during the summer months flying about at times in great num-
bers, the males being generally much more numerous than the
females. The chrysalis may often be found when garden
ground is being dug, and should always be destroyed. The
moths make their appearance in June, and may be found
during the summer, and as late as October. The females lay
their eggs in July or August, choosing a position in some
light earth near the plants which will afford food to the cater-
pillars, which are hatched in ten or fifteen days, and they
remain bidden during the day under clods and stones, or in

holes whiih they form for themselves, 2 in. or 3 in. deep in
the earth ; at night they emerge from their shelter, and carry
on their work of destruction until dawn, when they again hide
themselves. They can move at a surprisingly rapid rate, and
as soon as the root of one plant is eaten through they are ofi
to another. Ten or tweUe have been found at the root of one
Turnip, and in France very great damage has frequently been
done to crops of Beetroot. A few of the caterpillars become
chrysalides in October, from which the moths appear iu a few
days; but they mostly burrow 2 in. or 3 in. into the earth at
the approach of winter, and live on the lower part of the roots
of.various plants, or, forming an egg-shaped ball of earth round
themselves in which they are sheltered from cold and damp, pass
the winter in a torpid condition. Early in spring they reap-
pear, and in May or June again descend into the ground and
form a rough cell, in which they change into chrysalides, from
which the perfect insects emerge iu about a month. The moths
measure about li in. to 2 in. across their expanded wings.
The males may be distinguished from the females by their
lighter colour, the greater distinctness of their markings, and
by their antennre, which are very finely toothed, whilst those

Caterpillars o£ A^ro'.is segetum,

of the female are smooth. The upper wings of the male vary
in colour from pale greyish-brown to yellowish and reddish-
brown. Those of the female are dark chocolate or reddish-
brown, with the markings very much blended with the general
colour. In both sexes there are two double wavy, transverse,
blackish lines on the upper wings, between which, near the
upper margin, are two spots, that nearest the base being sur-
rounded by a lighter ring, and the other being somewhat ear-
shaped and blackish. Near the outer margin is a very irregular
dark double line. The lower wings of ihe male are pearly-
white ; those of the female dirty white, with the margin darker.
The thorax is of the same colour as the upper wings ; the body
is greyish-brown, somewhat lighter towards the base. The
caterpillars, when fully grown, are IJ in. to 2 in. in length,
and have eight pairs of legs, the first three joints of the body
being each furni«hed with a pair, as well as the sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, and last joints. The head and first joint of the
body are horny, very smooth and shining, and brownish in
colour ; the latter being marked with three paler lines. The eleven
other joints are smooth, shining, and of a smoky yellow colour,
the back being somewhat pinkish or purplish. There are three
longitudinal pale stripes, bordered with a dark line on either

Jak. 4, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

21

side, one down the centre of the back, and one on each side, oE
the caterpillar. On each joint are ten slightly-raised, darker
spots, each bearing a hair; four are placed on the back, two in
front (one on either side of the central lines), and two behind
in the same position ; the others are placed three on each side,
just above the feet, in the form of a triangle. The chrysalides
are about 1 in. long, and are of a bright brown colour.

S. G. S.

THE GARDEN IN THE HOUSE.

CULTURE OP PLANTS IN WINDOWS.
There is no branch of gardening which embraces such a wide
range as that relating to the culture and preservation in a
healthy state of plants in dwelling houses. There are and
always will be so many who have no frame or greenhouse, that
the question of how to grow plants successfully in windows
is necessarily of the greatest interest to them. Those who
have even the convenience of a cold frame will, of course, find
the task of decorating the dwelling much facilitated ; but, as
I have said, there is unhappily a great portion of our popula-
tion who not only are not provided with this simple ac-
commodation, but whose garden is of the most fragmentary
character. This is more especially the case in largo towns
where windows in many parts form almost the whole avail-
able space in which garden operations are conducted. There
is, however, no reason for any one to despair of attaining suc-
cess, for I have noticed that it is more from a want of know-
ledge than from adverse circumstances that failures occur.

Choice of Subjects for Cultivation.

Formerly the choice of plants suitable for culture in rooms
was somewhat restricted. Cactuses and various other kinds of
succulents being mainly relied upon for that purpose. Now,
thanks to the exertions of plant collectors and to tbe improve-
ments which have been effected in many of our florists'
flowers, we have an abundance of subjects from which to
choose. It is almost impossible to give a list of plants suit-
able for every one, as the conditions of air, light, warmth, and
atmospheric humidity vary according to the situation and
uses to which the rooms are put. For instance, a plant that
would do perfectly well in an apartment that is not constantly
occupied, where ventilation is somewhat freely given, and
where artificial heat is but seldom applied, will linger and die
where a fire is constantly kept and oil or gas is freely burnt.
On the other hand, we shall find certain plants that can only
be kept in health by placing them where they are screened
from draught, and where the air is maintained at a certain
temperature. The care which these two classes o? plants will
require will necessarily be of an entirely different description,
and it is just in this respect that the plant grower in windows
will have to exercise judgment. As an illustration
let ns take the Cyclamen, a b3autifal window plant,
but one which will only succeed in a cool room ; con.'
finement is certain death to it. An india-rubber plant,
on the cont-iry, will thrive best if kept tolerably close,
but it must re -eive certain attentions which the Cyclamen will
not n'3ed. It will thus be seen how widely varied the treat-
ment of room plants must be, and how necessary it will be to
choose suitable subjects for each situation. Then, again, we
5nust take the aspect of each window into consideration. A
Moss or a Fern will thrive admirably where a Fuchsia or a
Pelargonium will give but little satisfaction. In most dwellings
there are windows having different aspects ; all that is necessary,
therefore, is to ascertain in which of them the desired plant
will best thrive. The various types of vegetation, flowering
and fine foliaged plants, &c , may be all represented, and
the grower will thus be enabled to secure a series of plants,
pictures, as it were, each one presenting distinct characteristics
of its own. Whilst indicating a few of the plants best adapted
for window gardening, I would advisa that growers should
allow some scope to their individual likings, and make trial
of those plants which they may have a lancy for. There is raucb
yet to be accomplished in this branof' of g.ardening, and the
pleasure and honour derived will be in proportion to the difS-

culties surmounted. There are many plants now considered
difficult of culture which probably only require to be better
understood to render them amenable to room culture. For a
confined atmosphere, such as an ordinary sitting-room, we
must rely chiolly upon fine foliaged plants, those possessing
leaves of a somewhat hard, leathery nature being the easiest to
preserve in health. Ficus elastica and Cbauvieri, Aspidistra
lurida and its variegated form, Dracteaa terminalis, congesta,
and indivisa, Cordyline rubra, Chamffirops exoelsa, Livistona
borbonica, Corypha australis. Maiden-hair, and other Ferns are
amongst the best for such situations. For apartments that are
but occasionally heated, Grevillea robusta, Acacia lophantha.
Aspidistras, Chamajrops cxcelsa, Aralia trifoliataand reticulata.
Cyclamens, Solanuras,' Primula sinensis and deuticulata, Violets,
Mignonette, Troprejlum Iricolonim, and bulbs of all kinds
may be grown. The plants enumerated are all suitable for
winter and early spring. In summer we get a much greater
variety. Pelargooiums, Fuchsias, Lobelias, Petunias, and all
the various kinds of bedding plants will grow aud bloom ad-
mirably in windows during the summer season. A very
effective and gratifying display can be made by sowing different
kinds of annuals in boxes made to fit and affi'ced to the outside
ol' the window. Nasturtiums, Sweet Peas, Eschscholtzias, Mig-
nonette, Phlox Drummondi, and such free-growing, persistent
blooming plants when thus grown make a dwelling very
pleasant to the eye. This method of floral decoration is not
nearly so much adopted as it should be ; the cost of a bos or
two and tbe necessary fittings, as well as the small amount
of seed rer|uired to sow them, is very trifling, the cultural care,
too, being of the simplest. Windows facing the north and
oast are most suitable for boxes, inasmuch as they there get
only the morning and afternoon sun, and, boiug shielded from
the fierce noonday heat, the flowers last loncjor in perfection.
For a northern aspect there is no more beautiful plant than the
common Moneywort; when well grown it forms a drapery of
lustrous green and bright yellow, such as is scarcely equalled
by any other plant. In windows facing the north nothing will
give more satisfaction than Ferns and Mosses, which, at all times
lovely, acquire additional luxuriance and beauty in just those
very places where most other plants refuse to flourish. Any
of the following may bo selected, they being all of fairly easy
culture : Asplenium bulbiferum, Adiantura Capillus Veneris, and
cuneitum, IPteris erotica and scaberula.-Onychiura japonicum,
Davallia Novaj Zealandia;, Niphotolus Lingua, and Selaginella
denticulata. Succulent plants should not be omitted, as they
afford variety, give but little trouble, and are re.ally inter-
esting; they must, however, be grown where they get the full
heat of the sun. Many of the old-fashioned plants, such as the
Candle plant and the partridge-breasted Aloe are now but
seldom seen. They are, however, very distinct in manner of
growth, and deserve a little more attention than they now get.
Vallota purpurea is a handsome, evergreen, bulbons-floweriug
plant which anyone may grow. Campanula Barrelieri is a
pretty little trailing plant suitable for a small basket. I once
saw a beautifully flowered specimen of it hanging on the out-
side of a window in a crowded part of London. Saxifraga
sarmentosa and Cactus flabelliformis may be both employed in
the same way; the one in a shady situation, the other in the
full sun. The plants above enumerated may all be cultivated
and kept in health in the dwelling-house. There are, of course,
a great number which may be introduced for a time into apart-
ments, but which cannot be retained therein without injury,
but of these it is not my intention to treat. The owner of a
glass house wiil, of course, not need to grow these plants in
the windows of his residence.

General Treatment.

It will naturally be understood that cleanliness is of the first
importance to plant life. Leaves breathe, as it were, through
their pores, and if these be choked by impurities of any kind, the
functions of the plant are in a manner paralysed. The more con-
fined the atmosphere the greater need is there for frequently
washing and syringing. All plain, hard-foliaged kinds should be
well sponged,uaing plenty of clean tepid water. Ferns, Mosses,
&o., may be gently but thoroughly syringed, taking care that
the under surface oE the foliage is well cleaned. Insects oftea
make their appearance, and must be kept under either by

22

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 4, 18; 9.

brushing them off with a soft brush or by moans of fumiga-
tion. The latter is tbe most effective method, although if the
stitch-in-time priuciple be acted upon and the first insects des-
troyed, there will seldom be any need for it ; should a plant,
however, become badly infested, place it under a tub and fill
the same with Tobacco smoke. Two applications at the interval
of a few days will generally sufiioe to clear them all off. When
we come to watering we touch the most difficult part of our
subject. It is utterly impossible to lay down hard and fast
rules ; the attempt to do so would merely result in disastrous
failure ; nothing but practice can give proficiency in this branch
of plant culture. The great point to be kept in view is, that
in winter water is merely required to maintain life, whereas in
summer when the functions are active and growth progressing,
enough must be given not only to supply waste, but to allow
of the extension and formation of new tissues. Were these
facts kept constantly iu mind, there would not be many
disasters arise from over-watering. In dull, sunless weather
let each plant dry out thoroughly, and then give just enough
to well moisten the ball of earth. In a hot parching time
this care is not so needful ; if the roots are healthy, and the
plant growing freely, copious and frequent waterings must be
the rule. These general rules will form a basis upon which the
grower may safely work. They will, however, have to be
varied and modified according to circumstances and the plants
cultivated, but for the acquirement of this knowledge he must
rely upon constant practice and unremitting attention. In the
matter of ventilation be careful to avoid cutting draughts ;
much harm is often done by inj udicious air giving. Do not
either run into the common error of turning your plants out
upon the doorsteps or balconies in weather which, although
sunny, may yet be of a chilling nature. Harden gradually on
the approach of spring by iucreasing the amount of air, and
only turn them out-of-doors on mild, moist days. A safe rule
is to be guided by one's own feelings ; if the atmosphere be
congenial to the human frame it will be beneficial to plant life,
and vice versa. That, at least, is the conclusiou at which I
have arrived.

Potting and Propagating.

Many who grow window plants make a point of getting them
shifted by a professional cultivator. This is, however, by no
means necessary, and is wrong in principle, as the nature of a
plant is but imperfectly understood if its root action cannot be
observed. I would advise that the soil be purchased at a nur-
seryman's, stating for what kind of plant it is required. Be
careful never to give large shifts, and see that your soil is well
sanded and not too rich ; any little deficiency in nutriment can
easily be supplied by a top-dressing of any of the concentrated
manures. For Ferns and delicate-rooted subjects allow plenty
of drainage ; in fact, all kinds of plants grown in rooms should
be amply provided for in this respect. Nothing can be
more injurious than a stoppage of the drainage, and to secure
immunity from inj ury in this respect, each plant should be
examined at the commencement of the winter, and fresh
drainage given, if found necessary, using some good clean
potsherds or broken charcoal for that purpose. There is
no reason why window gardeners should not try their hands
at propagating ; it is amusing, and greater pleasure is derived
from the culture of home-struck plants than from those which
have to be bought. Most of the so-called soft-wooded plants
may be increased with ease, and if a few cuttings be put in
every year, they will supply the place of plants which get too
large. The appliances necessary will consist merely of a few
bell-glasses, some soil of a light description, and some silver
sand. Fill the pots to within 2 in. of the rim with soil, and
finish off with sand, making the pot quite full. The pot should
be filled about one-third of its depth with drainage. The
cuttings are inserted in the sand and kept covered with the
bell-glass until rooted. Fuchsias, Heliotropes, Verbenas,
Lobelias, &c., may all be struck in this manner in an ordinary
living room. Pelargoniums only will need no covering. Put
each cutting in a small pot ; it w ill root freely enough. Seeds
. of annuals may also be raised by sowing in a pot filled to
within 1 in. of the rim, and covered with a piece of glass
until fairly up. I have here indicated comparatively little
of what may be done in the way of window gardening, but

enough, I think, to enable even Beginners to try the under-
taking with a fair prospect of success. I trust that they may
not be daunted by a few failures for, permit me to add, in this,
as in every other branch of gardening, there is no royal road
to success. John Corn hill.

Byflect.

THE FROST AND THE THAW.
It is, probably, rather early to write positively as yet of the effects
of either of these, but, as far as appears, the effects of the frost
seem less disastrous than might have been expected from its great
length and extreme severity ; and if vegetation has escaped with less
injury than usaaljjthis has arisen from the mode of thawing rather
than from any lack of severity in the freezing. It was a rain thaw,
and no donbt that is the very best. The water relaxes, as it were,
the hold of the frost in vegetable tiasuea, and draws the ice out grada-
ally and gently without rupturing them. It is somewhat singular that
vegetable tisanes, unlike water pipes or other mere mechanical tubes,
seem to burst rather in the thawing than in the freezing. It is the
suddenness of the former, rather than the severity of the latter,
that seems to kill plants ; hence, partly at least, the greater deatruc.
tiveness of spring than of winter frosts. No doubt the sap ia also
more plentiful and more active in the spring, but it is probably the
greater energy of the sun, and consequent rapidity of the thawing of
vegetable tissues, that render apring frosts so exceedingly and excep.
tionally destructive. Be this as it may, it ia pleasing to note that
the severe frost seems to have passed away without any very serious
injury. Even the Laurustinua, generally the first to be browned or
killed here, seems to have escaped, and looks aa if the full head of
bloom even would still expand. This comparative immunity from
injury as regards shrubs and plants could hardly, I should think, arise
from the amount of snow that has scarcely sufficed to cover them.
Possibly, however, the unusual amount of hoar frost might have
helped to keep the plants warm. I never remember seeing ao much
hoar frost for so long a time as this winter. D. T. Fish.

Sanhoicke House, Bury St. Edmunds,

A correspondent writes : — "The three weeks frost broke up

a few hours ago. The thermometer, for something like that period,
has indicated many degrees of frost. The ice in our ponds and
canals was 10 in. thick, and our pumps and water-works pipes were
frozen. To-day (Deo. 28) I have walked round my garden, very care-
fully, for there is still ice like glass two or three inches thick on the
paths. I expected to lament many favourites destroyed, but I find
my new Strawberry beds green as emerald j Couve Tronchnda and
Spinach with not a aoddened leaf ; All the Tear Bound Lettuce, sown
in September, perfectly sound j leavea green, and not yet fallen from
several pyramidal Apple and Pear treea ; bush Roses still full of leaf,
and many half-grown buds not drooping ; many standard Roses full
of leaf where I expected to find the heads destroyed ; and, on the
house wall, facing the east, Belle Lyonnaiae, Climbing Devonienais,
and Marechal Niel, still covered with unfrozen foliage. Some scores
of Rose cuttings, planted like Gooseberry slips, in the open ground,
last September, seem perfectly uninjured — a curious circumstance, as
I have for years tried to raise Rosea on their own roots, under glass
and otherwise, and never could auoceed. My garden is fully exposed
on all sides. I reside on the east coast of Lincolnshire, on a tidal
river, five miles from the sea. The only explanation, to my mind, is
that we have had no east wind. The wind, north-west, has been very
often a dead calm, and the ground, for the last week, has been mors
than 1 ft. deep in snow, but there were many days and nights of seve e
black frost before the snow came." W. C.

Boston,

Paraffin as an Insecticide. — This ia one of those remedies
that appear to me to vary in their effects according to the manner
in which they are applied. We have lately been using Paraffin freely
for washing plants, and also houses that have been badly infested
with mealy bug, mixing it in the following manner, viz., a wineglaasful
to three gallona of water, with a good handful of soft aoap, mixing
altogether until worked into a froth. Then we have a copper of soft
water, boiling hot, and mix the quantity required, which then mixes
without difficulty. If for washing glass houses, apply it with a garden
engine with force, and extra strong if no tender foliage be in the
way. If for plants, do not exceed the strength named, and apply
the mixture carefully with a syringe. I feel sure, it every part be
reached, that a clearance of insect pests will be the result. It
mixed with cold water, and the plants be ■ dipped in it, aa some state,
there is no wonder if the cure prove worse than the disease. —
J. G. L.

Jan. 4, 1879.;

THE GARDEN.

23

NOTES OF THE WEEK

The Cape Pond Weed. — Nothwithstanding the severity of the
vreather of late, numbers o( flowers of the Aponogeton distachyon
may still be seen in a stream of water in Mr. Parker's nursery,
Tooting. Although the water was frozen over to a considerable
depth, neither the plants (which are in pots) nor their flowering
properties appear to have sustained the slightest injury, and should
the weather continue as mild as it is at present, hundreds of blooms
will soon be opened.

Hardiness of Iris alata. — This charming winter-flowering Iris
(lately figured in The Gabde.v) commenced to expand its blossoms
in Mr. Barr's grounds before the late severe frost set in. Blooms of
it, which were then half opened, have withstood the severity of the
weather without injury, and are now expanding rapidly, and will
soon be fully developed. This proves that, in addition to this being
one of the handsomest of the winter Irises, it is also one cf the
hardiest, and, on this account, it is needless to say, the most
valuable.

Angrsecum sesquipedale. — Plants of this charming Orchid are
well grown in Messrs. Yeitch's nursery, Chelsea. A specimen of it at
the present time bears about twenty buds and partly.expanded bios,
soras, whilst the plants themselves, owing to their green and healthy
appearance, are far from being unattractive, even when not in bloom.

Daphne indica rubra. — This has become comparatively a scarce
plant, even in nurseries ; it is, therefore, satisfactory to find a good
stock of it in Messrs. Veitch's nursery, consisting of compact little
plants, in 4.in. or 5-in. pots, each shoot of which is furnished with a
good truss of well.ooloured, agreeably-scented blossoms. So fragrant,
indeed, are they, that a few small plants of this Daphne, even in a
large conservatory, are suSicient to fill the house with a perfume,
the sweetness of which is equalled by that of but few other plants.

A New Fern. — Mr. Williams has, in his nursery at HoUoway, a
very distinct Nephrolepis, which promises to be of great value for
hanging-baskets in the conservatory. It has long, arched leaves, and
produces large masses of thread-like rhizomatous roots, from 8 ft. to
9 ft. long, which depend in a graceful manner from the biskets.

Aucubas at Christmas. — When well furnished with borries, and
the latter well coloured, few berry-bearing plants are more handsome
in winter than Aucubas. They are quite as easily grown as Solanums,
and, on account of their stiff green foliage, are much more effective,
especially when grown in the form of dwarf, bushy plants in 6. in.
pots, as may now be seen in Messrs. Veitch's nursery, Chelsea.

The Giant Christmas Rose. — The blooms on established plants
of this fine Hellebore in Mr. Parker's nursery. Tooting, are this
year finer than we have ever before seen them. They have been
slightly protected from rain and snow by means of lights or hand-
glasses, whic"i keep the blooms clean and pure,[and also encourage
them to develop themselves more perfectly than they otherwise
would do.

Hardy Plants in Flower in Nottinghamshire.— There

are certainly not many gardens in the midland counties where one
may gather flowers on New Year's Day from the borders, and that
too, when the thermometer marked 25^ of frost on Christmas Day.
Here there is a large clump of the giant Christmas Rose with two and
thiee bio Eoms on a stem, that has been in bloom for a "month past.
5 here are also several other charming blush-coloured Hellebores in
boom, a few herald blooms of Hepaticas, white, blue, and H. angu.
Ic sa, several beautiful Primroses, hybrids from the large mauve
Primrose now known as P. grandiflora, and of the rich crimson
P. anriculsoflora. Polyanthuses were blooming well before the frost,
and will saonbe sending up their heads. I know where I could find
the first purple bud of the early spring Cyclamens, whose great rich
crimson-lined leaves lay hid unhurt beneath the snow. — Fkank Miles
Bingliam, Notts.

Trial of Hellebores.— Mr. Barr has now in his nursery at
Tooting perhaps the largest and most complete collection of Helle.
bores ever got together. It comprises every variety procurable both
in the United Kingdom and on the Continent, and each kind bein"
■well planted on raised and otherwise prepared beds, their correc't
names and synonyms will be easily determined. At present there is in
bloom a large quantity of Helleborus altifollus or maximus, and a beau-
tiful variety named H. niger minor. The latter possesses foliage of a
lighter and more pleasing shade of green than that of any of the
other kinds, and its flowers, which have been produced in abundance
since early in November, are large and of snowy whiteness, and are
admirably adapted for bouquet making. Though the plants in ques-

tion have had no protection afforded them, only such flowers as
were fully expanded when the frost occurred have suffered any injury.
As the different sorts come into bloom, they will be classified ; and
if this be done (as no doubt it will be) as eifioiently as the Daffodils
were in the same establishment, good work will be effected.

Eupatorium Weinmanni. — This is largely grown in Mr. Wills'
nurseries, Fulham, for supplying cut blooms in winter, which it
does in abundance. Its leaves are smoother than those of E. agera.
tioides, and its flowers are whiter. It is also well worth growing
into specimens for flowering in the conservatory.

Masdevallia polysticta.- Though the flowers of this Masde-
vallia are comparatively insignificant, they are, nevertheless, very
pretty, and are produced in greater profusion than those of any other
kind. It is grown in quantity in the Holloway nurseries, where small
plants of it, in lin. pots, bear, at the present time, as many as a dozen
graceful little flower spikes, eech of which is furnished with some
five or six buds, or small, whitish, prettily.spotted blossoms that well
repay minute examination.

Dwarf Poinsettiis. — These are well grown by Mr. James, Isle-
worth, who propagates them from tops of plants late in the summer,
and by good management afterwards succeeds in getting plants
about 6 in. high in 5-in. pots, bearing fairly large heads of bloom
and furnished with healthy leaves down to the pot. In this state
they are exceedingly useful for small vases or for forming a front
row in the conservatory. In the same garden large plants of Poin-
settias are also grown to perfection, and, mixed with good plants of
the double white Azalea narcissiflora and graceful racemes of
Euphorbia jacquiniasflora, they produce at the present time a grand
effect.

Pilea muscosa among' Orchids.— This free-growing plant is
grown on the stages au-ong the Orchid pots in Mr. Philbrick's garden
at Regent's Park. It is planted out in the gravel along with Panioum
variegatum, and, in this way, the gravel and pots are almost hidden,
and more moisture is retained in the atmosphere than would other,
wise be the case ; therefore, besides the good effect produced, the
Orchids, which are, as a matter of course, the first consideration, are
benefited thereby.

Cyclamens and Tree Carnations. — These associate well
together. They flower at the same time, and the same temperature
and other conditions suit each equally well. Mr. James, Isleworth,
grows them together in a small lean-to house, and, besides affording
plenty of bloom for cutting, they also make a fine display for many
weeks in the form of plants in pots. The Cyclamens consist at pre.
sent chiefly of a rich dark purple or magenta. flowered kind and a
pure white sweet-scented one, and the Carnations are Rose Perfection,
rosy-pink ; Miss Joliffe, flesh colour ; and La Grande, scarlet. The
large Cyclamens, so well known at the London shows, that come from
Redlees, are quite equal to those of former years, and the same may
be said of the Cinerarias, Pelargoniums, &c.

Oncidium Forbesi. — Of all Orchids now in flower in Messrs.
Veitch's nursery this is one of the most attractive. Plants of it,
bearing gracefully arching spikes of golden. edged, chocolate flowers,
are introduced among other plants on the sides of pathways with
excellent effect. In the same houses are also finely.flowered exam,
pies of the well-known Lycasle Skinntri and its charming white
variety, also a remarkably fine variety of the showy Odontoglossum
Halli, one plant of which bears two graceful spikes, each furnished
with about a dozen large and handsome blossoms. To these may be
added the pretty white Loolia albida, and that most useful of all
Lady's. slippers, Cypripedinm Sedeni.

Betonica (Betony).— In woods and thickets all over Europe
and NorthernAsia these plants are among the most attractive
of the extensive Labiate Order. One species, B. grandiflora,
a handsome plant, is one of the most valuable subjects that
could be found for the wild garden, growing anywhere in free
soils, in copses or shrubberies, among the dwarf herbaceous
plants or Grass.

Bocconia (or Btacleya) Cordata belongs to the Poppy
family, but is wholly distinct in aspect from any other herba-
ceous plant grown, and one of the most valuable for the wild
garden, living, as it does, in almost any soil, but attaining the
proportions of the stately Siberian herbaceous plants when
in free and good soil. In open glades in woods it would be
a great ornament, especially if planted near deep accumulations
of leaf soil.

24

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 4, 1879.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

S ibstitute for Asphalte.— Allow me to state in reply to " H. JI.,"
(p. 5S6, Vol. XIV.) that an e-xcellent dry path for gardens may bo made
as follows : After removing .3 in. or 1 in. of the surface soil, put in a layer
of broken stones or bricks, road metal size, and fill in the instertices with
smaller stones and sand mixed with as much coal tar as will moisten it and
no more. It should then be well rolled. After the lapse of three or four
days it should have a coating one-eighth of an inch thick of sand and
coal tar, made as dry as possible, and again rolled, after sprinkling the
surface with dry sand to prevent the misture adhering to the roller. In
ten days it will have set sufficiently hard for use. — T. B.

" U. M." (p 5SG) will find the following directions for laying down

garden paths with coil lar and gravel, useful: — Procure a quantity of
common gravel as free from dust as possible, put it under cover and turn
it frequently till quite dry ; mix this with tar, just sufficient to wet every
pebble, and no more ; do a little at once, and turn it over till well mixed.
Make the bottom of the walk quite solid, and then lay on the mixture
from 2 in. to -3 in. thick. Press down with a heavy roller nnd sprinkle
a little fine gravel on the top, then roll occasionally till set. Fine weather
should be chosen for the operation.— J. D., Perth,

Baits for Field Mice.— "J. M." says (Vol. XIV., p. .57.3) that
he has caught all kinds of mice by baiting his traps with Barcelona nuts.
Does he mean to say that he has caught the short-tailed field mouse or
bank vole with this bait ? Barcelona nuts are almost irresistible to the
common house mouse and the long-tailed field mouse, and I have caught
two of the three species of shrew by baiting with cheese, but I have
never succeeded in enticing either of the two short-tailed voles into any
kind of trap at all, and these are the two species most destructive to
plants growing on rockwork. They do not destroy bulbs, but graze off
the young succulent shoots of various species of Iberis and manj other
rook plants as clean as a sheep. These mice constitute the principal fool
of the common barn owl, a bird which may bo said to spend its who'.e
time in destroying vermin, but which is ruthlessly slaughtered by sports-
men, gamekeepers, farmers, and others. Every man who kills a barn owl
ought to be punished. — H. Haki'VH Ckewe, Drayt.n-Beauclixmj] Rec-
tory, Tring,

Nettles Under Ti'asa.— "E. F." (p 536) should keep the Nettles
about which he enquires, mown down to the ground five or six times
daring the growing season ; that prevents their seeding, impairs root
action, and ultimately weirs them oat — 11. G.iee.vfield.

Charcjil Bui'aing.— The readiest way of making charcoal is to
cut up the wood into lengths of about 2 ft. 0 in. or so, and if large, split
it into quarters, and lay it somewhere to dry, after which it will bo in a
fit condition for burning. In stacking it preparatory to this, a stake
should be driven iuto the ground, around which a heap of shavings and
small sticks should be piled, and against this the wood should be placed close
on end in a regular circle, allowing just sufficient room between each
piece for the fire to travel freely. The stack may consist of one layer or
two, according to the quantity to be burned, but it is better to build it
iu the latter way than to have the circumference large, as it is not only
easier for covering up, but cau then be charred with greater regularity.
As soon as the stack is formed, it should be covered in with a good thick-
ness of straw, except just 2 ft. or so of the middle left open to light it
and set the fire going. The straw on, the next thing is to cover it with
from 9 in. to 1 ft. thick with soil or sand ; when all is ready apply the
match and set the fire blazing. Once this gets a fair hold of the wood,
the middle must be covered in, and holes pierced with a stake through
the soil to let out the smoke and draw the fire to the sides till it gets hold
of the mass, when smaller holes should be made and the others stopped, the
object being to prevent any flame or a too rapid combustion. It often
happens that the wind will drive all the fire to one side, to obviate which
theiholes there should be closed, and encouragement given by opening
others in the opposite direction to draw it there, that the charring may
be regular throughout. To prevent waste by over burning, much watchful-
ness is necessary, as if the fire gets too free vent anywhere, the wood is
soon consumed to ashes, instead of being simply blackened through
without losing much of its bulk. When the charring is complete, the
fire may easily be smothered out by patting the soil close with the back
of a shovel, so as to prevent all escape of smoke, when, after a day or
two, the heap may be uncovered and tho charcoal withdrawn. — S. D.

Hames of Plants. — Correspondents wishinrj plants to he nameJ,
will oblige by complijitig with the following rules : To send the specimens
as complete as possible, i.e., both stem, leaves, and flowers, and fruit, vjhen
possible. To carefully pack them in gutta-percha tissue, or other imper.
vious material which will prevent evaporation. Not to send varieties of
popular flowers, such as Fuchsias or Pansies, vthich are hest named by
experienced groioers of suchplayits, tvho have the means of comparison
at hand. Not to send more than four plants or flowers at a time.
Always to send, in addition to wh'itever pseudonyms or initials they may
desire to use in the paper, their full name and address. To pre-pay ail
paclca(ies containing plants or flowers. R. S. G. — Mistletoe is some-
times spelt Misselto, but Bentham (Handbook of the British Flora) spells
it Mistletoe. As to your second question, deodorise with peat, charcoal,
ashes, or dry loam. K. — Hovea acutifolia, a leguminous shrub from New
Holland.

Questions.

Smuts from Parnac3 Chimneys.— I have iu my garden a group
of houses heated by a saddle boiler, the chimney to which is carried up
the usual height. The blacks from this chimney are a constant annoyance,
and cover the glass roofs with smuts. What is the best way to remedy
thisdifficulty?— A. E.

Early Melons. — Will some one recommend me two good suitable
Melons for my earliest crop (scarlet and green fleshed). I intend to grow a
few plants of my first crop in aspiuroofedpit, also two sorts of the above
named, suitable for a frame, to come in as a second crop. — J. W.

Lamp Heating. — I have erected a small greenhouse and I am
anxious to keep frost out of it, I have, therefore, purchased a paragon
stove in which I am burning paraffin oil which has a strong smell, and I
fear it will be injurious to the plants. Is there any other oil that would
do equally well and be without smell ? — S. R.

Tuberous TropaBolums.— I have a tuberous TropKolum n.«^}jpg
long slender shoots, but a friend tells me that I shall not get it to blossom,
he having tried them several times but could not succeed. Will some of
your readers kindly inform ma if it requires 'auy particular treatment or
temperature, and if it should be watered freely. — W. B. B.

Trellis Shadings for Glass Houses.— These are largely used
iu France, where they are called *' Claies pour ombrer.'* Such
screens are very convenient and suitable for all kinds of close shading,
and they would also protect greatly from hoar frost. The links are made in
France of galvanised iron, but in this more moist climate, and where the
air and drip are impregnated with sulphur from coal and smoke, it would
be advisable to use brass clips and rings. The price in Paris is fr.4-50
per square metre, equal to 3s. per square yard. Does anyone mike them
in England ? — G. G.

Plants for Carpeting Bulb Beds. — I want to carpet my bulbs
(Crocuses, Scillas, Snowdrops, Anemones, Tulips, Gladioli, Lilies, &c.),
and the information 1 seek is which are about the best plants for
the purpose, with a view (1) To their own beauty of flower and winter
foliage ; (2) To their fitness |for the particular sort of bulbs below by not
obstructing their growth when they appear above ground, and by their
having surface roots that wiU not impoverish the soil for the bulbs ; (3)
The Saxifrages are often mentioned in this view, especially the Mossy
section, but there appears to be many varieties of these, and I should like
to know the best named sorts ; (4) I do not want to know of many carpet
plants for this purpose, but I should feel much indebted for the names
and characteristics of a few (not Saxifrages exclusively), and if they
afford some variety of colours in flower and foliage, the list would be all
the more valuable, not only to me, but to the many like me, who dislike
the bare places as much as they dread the frequent consequence, the
descent of the destructive spade, whore now our bulbs are so commonly
found. — J. S.

Prssentatioii to Mr "William Sutherland.— Mr. William
Sutherland, who has occupied the position of general nursery manager
for Messrs. Ker, of Liverpool, during the last five years, was entertained
to a complimentary dinner on tho 20th ult. at the Aigburth Hotel, by a
lai'ge number of the leading gardeners of the district and other friends,
on the occasion of his relinquishing his duties with Messrs. Ker, of Liver-
pool, to undertake a similar post in the nurseries of Messrs. Ireland &
Thomson, of Edinburgh. After the dinner, Mr. Sutherland was pre-
sented with a handsome gold watch and appendages by Mr. Hinds, of
Otterspool, on behalf of the subscribers. The watch bore the inscription,
" Presented to Mr. William Sutherland by Liverpool gardeners and
friends, as a token of their esteem and respect. Liverpool, December
20th, 1878."

New Canadian Poplar (Populus canadensis nova). — This is one
of the best and most useful hardy deciduous trees which we possess. In
the first place, it is the most rapid growing of all our hardy trees. We
have ourselves seen in the Knap Hill Nursery plants which have made
10 ft. growth in a season well furnished with branches. This will give some
idea of its rapid development. It is, moreover, a tree well adapted to
London, and may be seen in luxuriant health in the plantations on the
Thames Embankment at Chelsea. From the treatment to which it has
been there subjected, it is evident that it will bear any amount of pruning,
so that it may be kept to any size or form required. It is probably the
best tree we have for planting in the smoky towns of the manufacturing
districts in the north of England. Its nearest affinity is with the black
Italian Poplar, and, in fact, it may be described as a very much improved
form of that variety, possessing greater vigour of growth, as well as larger
leaves, which are retained fresh and green till a later period of the season .
It is, in fact, in every way an improvement on that well-known and useful
sort, and as a screen tree has no rival. — " Gardeners' Chronicle."

OBITUARY.

JtSaPH Dale, for manyyeara gardener at the Middle Temple, died snd-
d'ulyonthe 31st ult., aged 65. Mr. Dale, like the late Mr. Samuel
Pro 'me, was a most successful grower of Chrysanthemums, and was the
author of a little book on their culture.

THE GARDEN.

25

Ho. 373.]

SATCTRDAY, JANCTAUY 11, 1879.

[Vol. XV.

" This is an art
Which does mend Nature ; change it rather : but
Thb Aet II3ELF IS Natubb." — Shakespeare,

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

TREES " OF THE FUTURE."
At this time, when a new year is dawning on us, many people
" take stock," as it were, not only of affairs in general, but also
of their gardens in particular ; and duly note down the acqui-
sitions of the year, and the experiences gained therein. In
planting trees, it is to the future we must look, and it is with
regard to this point I would particularly direct attention.
During the last twenty-five years, what a vast number of
trees have been introduced and planted in our gardens ! and
of these the greater number without doubt are Conifers ; so
much so that those who come after us will probably term our
age the "Age of Conifer planting," just as we now regard the
end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth cen-
turies as the " Elm-planting age." The question then comes,
how far do we think we shall surpass the efforts of our fore-
fathers, who have bequeathed to us such grand Elm walks,
Lime avenues, and Yew hedges, as evidence of their skill and
foresight ? or how far shall we fall short of the results
they have attained ? Without disparagement to ourselves, I
think we must allow that they have, in their line (that is, in
planting avenues of trees that come to perfection in this
climate), reached a standard of excellence we cannot hope to
surpass ; but, on the other hand we can safely say that, for
grouping, or general effect, we have planted trees that will
earn for us that gratitude given so freely, if at all, by posterity.
What proportion our successes will be to our failures is alto-
gether another question, and one that I fancy could hardly be
answered favourably.

As long ago as the days of Horace wo were told that we are
more affected by what we see than what we hear ; that we trust
our eyes rather than our ears ; and so it is now. We plant for
the sake of immediate effect ; or, struck by the infantile beauty
of some new seedling tree or shrub, we cram our gardens,
parks, and plantations with material that in the end proves un-
satisfactory. In this respect, I daresay our forefathers would
have been no better had they had the opportunity ; but we may
gain an advantage over them by ascertaining, as in these days
of research we are fully able to do, what is the exact effect of
the trees we plant when seen in their native haunts. Artists,
botanists, photographers, explorers, in turn, give us the result
of their labours in books, which are accessible to all, and the
most incredulous eyes can hardly disbelieve what the sun has
printed for us in black and white, even if the coloured sketches
of the artist be distrusted by those who have been disappointed
at such hands in days gone by. The only real disadvantage
we labour under, is that we cannot tell positively how far these
newly-introduced trees will reproduce in England the beauty
they show when in perfect growth at horns ; but even in this
case if we study with any degree of closeness their native
habitats, we shall, in imitating them, be successful, both as
regards present effect and future satisfaction.

Of all the trees introduced in modern days, none has been
planted more universally than the Wellingtonia gigantea, and
I venture to say that few are less worthy of such extensive
planting. No doubt it is the fact of its vast size that has
created such a desire for it, but does that make it the more
generally suitable ? Let us see what it is in its own country !
A huge bole, towering up into the sky — a trunk, garnished
with a few scanty branches, at rare intervals, high above our
heads, that seem as if there to show how small they are in pro-
portion to the trunk. The foliage is so scanty that the mid-
day sun is robbed of little of its strength by the tufted branch-
lets even where they hang the thickest, and the whole grove
more resembles a gigantic array of scaffolding poles half stripped

already for the builder, than a collection of the so-called grand-
est trees in Nature. Planted in a close avenue, like a French
allee of Poplars, or as a single finger post that makes, as it
were, a mighty gnomon in Nature's sundial, it is well placed
indeed ; but should it not attain its full stature in this country,
where will any charm be found in it when it outgrows its youth-
ful richness of foliage ? It is well-known now that Australia
can show a tree that towers up to a height of 480 ft. It is
needless to say that it is only in the richest soil of a sheltered
valley in the Australian Al ps that Eucalyptus amygdalina attains
such an enormous height, but it has one advantage over the
Wellingtonia, namely, that when isolated, it lorms a branching,
round-headed tree, in shape approaching the Wych Elm, and
only runs up with a long, bare stem when crowded up among
other trees of like growth. If this prove hardy, and it is not
very unlikely that it may be so, it no doubt will be largely
planted by lovers of the gigantic in coming years.

To any one fresh from Californian coasts it does seem a little
strange that a tree so beautiful and so valuable as Taxodiuta
sempervirens should be so rarely seen here. In its native
country it forms vast forests that, till lately, stretched for
hundreds of miles on the north-west coast. Its timber — the
Redwood of commerce— is valuable in many ways, and is
largely used for building purposes because it burns with diffi-
culty. In stature it does not fall more than 100 ft. short of
its kinsman, the Wellingtonia, and is incomparably the more
beautiful tree when full grown. It has this peculiarity, that
it only thrives in the belt of land that stretches inland five
miles from the coast, and on that windy shore will not grow
within a mile of the sea. This is what has probably caused
it to be neglected ; but, in an island like ours, what a
large tract there must be suitable for its growth, where it
would escape the severity of inland frost and luxuriate in tho
cool dampness of a sea fog, such as it gets at home. Planted
singly it is inclined to branch too much, and requires pruning
to make it shoot up into a tree when young ; but its extreme
rapidity of growth, and its beauty when old, to say nothing of
its value as timber, should make it a favourite with all who
can plant it in the neighbourhood of the sea.

Another tree, not far distant of kin, that shoots up 200 ft.
into the air, and lights up the mountain sides of Japan with its
bright green, pendent branches, Cryptomeria japonica, has the
unusual property of looking beautiful in all stages of growth,
and its wood is valuable for panelling, as allJapanese travellers
know who have enjoyed the peculiarly sweet scent it gives to
a room. This tree, in its native country, braves the violence
of a typhoon, and, when full grown, will probably stand our
westerly gales better than trees that grow in sheltered inland
valleys. Like the Wellingtonia, it shows to greatest advantage
when planted singly or in a close alley. In Japan there is an
avenue 30 miles long closely planted with this tree, so much
do they admire it. As an old tree its branches, first pendent
and then gracefully recurving at the tips, give it a character
so marked as to suggest th j idea carried out by Chinese and
Japanese in the curving roof of their pagodas, which seems to
have been borrowed from this source.

Two trees there are that are the most prominent as well as
the most common among Japanese trees, and give that air of
peculiarity which all have remai-ked ; and yet, though hardy,
they are but little planted in this country, because, in their
young state, they are undistinguishable from the Scotch Fir,
and these are Pinus densiflora, which when full grown, is a very
distinct and handsome tree, with a massive, rounded contour ;
it surpasses in size and beauty the Italian Pinus Pinoa,
and is, in its native country, of far more rapid growth. This
should be planted as an isolated specimen tree, and will thrive
under the same conditions as the Stone Pine. The other is
Pinus Massoniana, a tree still more hardy, and of the wildest
and most original growth, so like a Scotch Fir in its young
state that it is not surprising it should be little known or
planted ; but as soon as it attains to middle age, its eccentri-
city of growth begins to show itself, and in old age it assumes
the shape of a Cedar of Lebanon. Planted thickly in clumps,
this tree will, in the space of a lifetime, reproduce something
of Japanese quaintness in our parks ; and to those who plant
" for the future," this will in the end repay their patience, and
prove quite unlike any other species of Pinus.

26

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1859;

Before making any remarks on other members of the great
Conifer family, there are yet two of the true Pines that must
not be overlooked. Pimis macrooarpa (or CouUeri) is a Cali-
foniian tree that certainly will gain much admiration in days
to come. Perfectly hardy, exceedingly large in leaf, branch,
and fruit, it is handsome in every way ; its branches .are very
wide ap.arD, and the branchlets few, so as to give space to show
off the size of each. Like Pinus insignis, it is a rapid grower,
but is, if I am not mistaken, a far superior tree in every way,
and its hardiness makes it deserving of a place in every well-
furnished garden where there is room for a large tree. The
last of this family which I will mention at present is
Pinus Larioio. Its beauty in its native Corsican forests
and its value as timber make it so desirable a tree that,
at the risk of being tedious, its merits should be extolled.
Introduced a hundred years ago, it has proved itself thoroughly
hardy in all parls of the kingdom ; and, though well known,
has not yet nearly reached the favour it merits. Like the
Scotch Fir and the Larch, it is deserving of universal growtb.

E. H. AV00D.4.LL.

ORNAMENTAL FORESTRY.
Few subjects present a better field for the display of taste
than the planting of trees, and there are very few situations
in which they may not be made highly ornamental as well as
useful, for when they are chosen and arranged with taste,
they give variety to the most tame and level country, charm
to the waterside, beauty to the slopes, both from the trees
themselves and the shadows which they cast, and relief to the
naked hill, upon whose summit " the labouring clouds do often
rest." What thinning is to the overcrowded plain or valley
planting is to the hill — the one relieves the darkness, and the
other the bleakness of the scene. In ornamental forestry, as
in landscape gardening, the works of men eminent in their
day and generation have fallen into disrepute from the igno-
rance and ambition of their followers and imitators. Pontey
pruned, and his successors lopped unmercifully ; Brown substi-
stuted curves and sweeping outlines for the straight lines
of his predecessors, and his imitators gave ,a meandering
course to every stream and piece of made water, and a serpen-
tine form to every pathway and fence. Whoever aims at pro-
ducing the best effects from his planting, must study
closely the habits of the trees with which he operates, their
rates of growth, the dates of their maturity, the periods of
their decay, their varieties of tints, and their adaptability to
the soil, situation, and climate. In striving to produce gran-
deur he must adhere to simplicity; in seeking to attain variety
he must avoid incongruity, for while a reasonable amount of
variety never fails to please, too great an admixture bewilders,
and too regular a succession, either of tints or forms, destroys
the whole spirit of planting. The carryuig out of all minor
details, such as the planting of particular quarters and detached
parts, will be found comparatively easy, but skill and judgment
are required to blend the seemingly unconnected parts into
one harmonious whole.

The perfection of the planter's art will be as apparent in the
skill which he displays in concealing deformities, as in that
shown in developing beauties ; and while in his variety he may
approach intricacy, and thereby arouse curiosity, he must
maintain throughout his composition, both connection and
continuity. His tints, like those of the painter, for whom he
prepares the picture, should consist of both warm and cool.
If in autumn he can display them as wild as those of the
evening clouds, to which his planting will form a natural and
appropriate foreground, so much the greater will be his success.
In revealing beauties or concealing deFects, he must on no
account interfere with freedom or extent, but so blend his
masses of plantation and his open grounds, as to hide the
limits of both ; thus the extent of his work will not strike so
much by its vastness of dimensions, as by the nobleness of its
effect, and, as it is the experience of its utilitv wliich gives the
enduring charm to beauty, so, in the choice of his trees, he
should select those which, after they have gr-irtiRF-d the present
generation of beholders, will greatly benelt posterity. In
surveying plantations we often meet with sr^enes which strike
us by their inoongruance or unfitness to th*:) locality; such.

for instance, as the lean outline which a few scattered Poplars
or Firs impart to a grove in the immediate vicinity of a noble-
looking mansion. The effect of their unsocial tops is much
the same in any considerable mass of round-headed trees.
Another, is the insigniScance imparted to a house of any preten-
sions when it is flanked by trees which rise very much higher
than the building itself, for, as the trees continue to grow, the
house appears to sink. A third is the effect of a grove of Firs
upon an open common, or in any situation where they can be
browsed by cattle ; for as they lose their lower sweeping
branches, their ornamental effect is completely destroyed. The
mutilated forms of closely-pruned Elms, with nothing left but
bare trunks and tufted tops, become permanent blots upon the
face of the landscape, for if, after such treatment, the side
branches are again allowed to grow, the tops decay, and it is
only by subsequent pollarding that their lives can be saved.
Whilst the ornamental planter aims at the production of
breadth of light and shade, he should bear in mind that density
is effective mainly as a contrast, and it is by no means the
thickest grove or the most compact tree that yields the
greatest amount of pleasure to the beholder. Those trees
which present fairly open heads, with alternations of canopy
and recess, and consequently of light and shade, give the
greatest variety to a plantation, and this may be increased
to an almost endless extent by a choice of trees suited to the
configurations of the ground. In the vicinity of the mansion
beauty and pioturesqueness must sometimes yield to comfort
and convenience ; but as the planting recedes it may pass from
grace to wild luxuriance, until at last it attains the freedom
of a forest.

The continuity which is so essential to the completion of a
landscape may sometimes be maintained by the selection of
species of trees which adapt themselves by form and outline
to those of the adjoining masses of plantations. Thus, Alders ■
as they grow old so much resemble Oaks that a superficial
observer often fails to detect the difference ; hence their
utility in keeping up the appearance of a continuance of Oak
plantations in soils too wet for the Oak to flourish. The
Alder, too, succeeds in some cold-bottomed land, and upon
some exposed sites where the growth of the Oak would be
very slow and its appearance stunted ; and as the fastest-grow-
ing tree is nearly always the most graceful and ornamental,
a vigorous Alder, or even a well-grown Willow or Poplar, is
preferable to a languishing Oak. In clearing for the sake of
giving variety and effect to woods of large extent, it is too
much the custom to sweep away the whole of the under-
wood, as well as bushes of all kinds, so that all bonds of
connection between the remaining groups are completely
severed. This gives an appearance of abruptness to the
planting, and a certain degree of isolation to what is left.
Whatever tends to diminish abruptness softens the whole
scene, hence the beneficial effects of thinning out the front
lines of dense woods, where such margins are much in sight
and fairly sheltered ; the detached trees break up, or very much
soften the approaching gloom. But in such situations very
light and elegant trees would be, to some extent, out of
place. One of the finest effects produced by plantations is
observable when, from the valleys and plains below, the trees
appear to climb the heights, following the line of the crest and
the direction of the spurs, not in narrow belts, but in broad
masses, the different species gradually intermixing, and entirely
changing with the heights, from the luxuriant Oak, Elm, and
Ash below, through zones of Beech, Sycamore, &c.,tothe Pine-
crowned summit. Such woodlands will appear either to mount
from below or flow from above, according to the situation of
the greatest breadths of plantation and the directions in which
they radiate; and the occasional openings, with their warm
nooks for the homestead, and their enclosures for well-sheltered,
arable or pasture lauds, will give a variety and a richness to
to the country which is, if not unattainable, at any rate unob-
servable to the same extent, in more level districts. These
occasional openings are also very effective in marking the
degree of aclivity in any well- wooded and rising ground.

A. J. Burrows.

The Red-berried Elder.— We have several plants of this Elder,
about 8 ft. high and aa ranch throagh. It ia quite hardy here ; even

Jan. 11, 1S79.J

THE GAEDEN.

27

the late severe weather does not seem to affect it, while Bays, Por-
tugal Laurels and Lanrastinua are quite blackened. When in frnit I
consider it to be one oP the best shrubs which we have. There is no.
thing that equals it in the shrubbery during the autumn. The berries
hang in clusters like bunches oE grapes. As Mr. Grieve states, birds
are very fond of the berries, and devour them with as much relish as
hey do currants. — A. McIniosh, Lacton House, Berii'ickshiro.

ORXAMENTAL SHRUBS IJT THE SOUTH OF IRELAND

UNDER SEVERE FROST.
As daring the three weeks immediately preceding Christmas we,
even in this usually mild and temperate locality (the seaboard of the
county of Cork), experienced the severest weather, and the greatest
intensity of frost, that has been known here for forty years, the
thermometer having on more than one night fallen as low as 17' Fahr.,
thus showing 15' of frost, when 5' or 6' is the most we usnally
experience, I think that an account of the way in which some of
my more uncommon and doubtfully hardy shrubs have withstood this
ordeal may not prove uninteresting to those of your readers who
ndmire and cultivate that class of plants. The Veronicas, which
were nearly all either killed altogether or down to the ground in the
severe winter of 1860-1, when nothing like the degree of frost was
reached that has this winter been registered, have this year, I am
happy and surprised to say, passed altogether unharmed ; even somo
small cutting plants of now varieties, received by post from France
late last autumn, and planted out in a border at the end of my
garden without any protection, are uninjured, and the variety
V. Girdwoodiana, supposed to be decidedly more delicate and tender
than the otheri, and which 1 had lost more than once previously, is
also unharmed ; Pittosporum crassifolium had its young top shoots
only browned ; Coprosma luoiJa and Cunninghami were only very
slightly injured; Banksia australis is uninjured; Eurybia lyrata,
ramulosa, and Traversi have been punished, the first and last
named most so ; they look as if they would lose most of their leaves,
but the wood seems uninjured, and will, I think, break again ; Mela-
leuca hypericifolia and Pomaderris elyptica seem killed; Eacallonia
arguta, a small, young plant is uninjured ; the silver variegated form
of Fatsia japonioa usually known as Aralia Sieboldi, has passed
uninjured, while the ordinary green form is considerably browned ;
Berberis nepalensis and trifnrcata, usually considered tender and re-
quiring the protection of a greenhouae, are quite uninjured, as is also
Thuja'bonniana, the beautiful Fern-leaved form which I have never
Been planted out save in this neighbourhood, as even at Exeter it was
grown in tubs which were wheeled into the Camellia house in the
winter; it is apparently, however, much hardier than it was thought
to bo. 'Aralia Schteaera and quinquefolia are a good deal injured;
A. Standishi and Abeli not at all. A. mexioana, heterophylla, and
Cunninghami have suffered, but not seriously Olea excelsa, tops of
young growth destroyed. Garrya maorophylla, which is supposed
to be tender, and is grown in the temperate house at Kew, is quite un.
injured, though the superincumbent weight of the first heavy snow
fall in 'November, broke the centre out of my large specimen of
this fine.foliaged shrub. Griselinia macrophylla (true) (the variety
usually known under this name being really G. luoida) is perfectly
hardy whereas G. lacida, even against a wall and protected by Fir
branches, is much injured. Of the variegated Phormiums, P. tenax,
var , has 'suffered most, and is, I fear, seriously, if not fatally injured.
P Colensoi, beyond being beaten down by the weight of snow, does not
seem to have suffered, and P. Veitohi is altogether uninjured and its
leaves quite upright. Embothrium coccinenm seems quite uninjured
save a few of the older leaves turned brown. Cupressus Corneyana
the true funeral Cvpress so seldom met with, and suppposed to be
only half hardy, is" quite uninjured, and seems perfectly hardy;
Euonymus fimbriatus, supposed to be tender, is quite unmjured ;
Cistus vaf inatusjis a good deal browned, but will, I think, survive;
Habrothamnus corymbosus and Neweli, though against a wall, have
lost nearly all their leaves, but their stems seem uninjured; Ceano.
thus africanus is seriously injured, if not killed; Podalyria styraci-
flora biflora, and setacsa are much injured, but will, I think, survive ;
Choisya ternata, which is usually supposed to require the protection
of a wall planted out in the open shrubbery, is quite uninjured, and
may be considered perfectly hardy ; Aralia trifoliata latifoha is much
injured but will, I think, survive; Genista foliolosaisa good deal
iniured'- Kscallonia coquimbensis is uninjured; Dodoncea Barmanni
and viscosa are a good deal browned, but the distinct and pretty
D Boroniiefolia seems quite uninjured ; Abutilon or Sida vitifolia has
suffered but not seriously; Plagianthns pnlchellus seems quite
uninjured, and Banthamia fragifera is also, contrary to my expecta-
tion unhurt • Viburnum Awafurki is a good deal browned, and the
folia'.'e much discoloured but not seriously injured. I aai sorry

to be obliged to confirm M. Carriere's opinion in the "Revue Horti-
oole " for December 16, that the beautiful and most distinct Chimbo-
razo Pampas Grass (Gynerium jubatum) is mnoh less hardy than the
other members of the family known to ns, all the tops of the shoots of
my plant being much injured, whereas the other varieties are quite
unhurt. The Aponogeton distacbyon in my pond has not withstood
the severity of the weather by any means so well as in Mr. Parker's
nursery, all sign of blossom having disappeared, and even the foliage
ceased to float on the top of the water as it usually does.

Belgrove, Q^icenstown. W. E. Gumbleton.

GOLDEN-LEAVED CHESTNUT.

(cASTiNEA CnRYSOPHTLLA.)

For Lord Ducie'a information (p. 8) allow me to say that I found
this Chestnut in the form of undergrowth, from 1 ft. to 6 ft. in
height, in a forest of Pinus insij^nis to the south of Monterey, in
Upper California. It has been found to the north in other Iccalities
in California, but I had not the opportunity of seeing it elsewhere.
The few bushes of it which I saw were evidently not at home in the
exceedinijly poor, arid soil of that region, and the nature and condi-
tion of the soil will possibly account for their small size compared
with that of plants of it growing in the rich, damp soil and moist
climate of Oregon ; there it is said to reach 40 ft. or more in height.
It is probable that it was from the few scrubby bushes growing near
Monterey that the first imported seeds were gathered, as Mr. Lobb,
the collector, made Monterey his head. quarters for a year or more.
All the plants that I have seen of it in Britain resembled in size and
habit those of Monterey, and the only exception I have beard of is
the fine plant described by Lord Ducie. The Tortworth plant has
evidently found a suitable root run in the soil derived from the old
red sandstone. 1 believe that all the species of Chestnut (Castanea)
prefer arenacious soils to others. The largest and healthiest plants
that I have seen of the Spanish Chestnut were growing on the new
red sandstone, but in the least oxidised strata. Nevertheless, I
cannot think that a poor saudy soil will suit the examples of the
golden-leaved Chestnut now in this country. It is a fine evergreen,
but, if I am right in thinking that all the plants of it now growing
in Britain have originated from the few at Monterey, it is donbtful
if they will ever fully represent the ornamental character cf the
species. We must look for this in the hardier, better-constitutioned
seedlings from the Oregon habitat, though with those we now possess
it seems to be more a lack of stamina than of hardiness. I have j nst
examined a few plants and find that they have entirely escaped
injury from the late severe and, to other plants, destructive frosts.
Elvaslon Nuiseries, Borwwasli, Derhy. G. Syme.

CUTTING AND FELLING GARDEN HEDGES.
A HEDGE that is made of any plant that sheds its leaves in autumn,,
should never be cut in summer or autnmn until after the leaves have
fallen, unless in the case of those that are strong and vigorous, and
that also have attained the full size to which they are required to
grow, for the reason that nothing tends to weaken a deciduous plant
more than a reduction of its shoots ami branches whilst they are
covered with leaves. There are two distinct purposes for which
garden hedges are employed, viz., as a fence and as a screen. In
the latter capacity they are often used for separating the useful from
the ornamental departments, and for this purpose they need not be
of such a substantial character as when used as a fence ; they may
therefore be kept cut much narrower, and whether composed of
Beech, Yew, Privet, Holly, oi- Qciicks, they need not from the first
be kept headed back so cloaely as it required to branch out in a way
to render them more impervious : on the contrary, they may be
allowed to run up more quickly, simply keeping the sides trimmed
up with no more breadth at the bottom than is necessary to allow
the Iwer branches to get light enough to keep them healthy and
thriving, a condition more likely to be maintained than if cut quite
perpendicularly in the old-fashioned manner with the top square,
an ugly and formal shape, and one in which a hedge can only be kept
healthy when allowed to grow to a very considerable breadth from
bottom to top. In the case of young enclosure hedges round gar.
dens or orchards, the first consideration is to manage them from the
oommencement soas to secure a close, impervious bottom; this can only
be accomplished by cutting the leading shoots down sufficiently low
the first or second year after planting to cause them to treak back
near the base, snd each subsequent year to shorten the strong, erect
growths, enough to cause them to branch out still further ; this will
have the effect of throwing additional strength into the lowest
branches that occupy a horizontal position. It is the undue haste

28

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

to get the hedge up to its required height too quickly, so often appa-
rent the third and fourth year after planting by not cutting the
upright growth low enough, that spoils halt the hedges that are
planted, especially when the lower horizontal branches are cut too
closely in, a practice which tends to aggravate the evil by throwing
undue strength into the upright growth. When hedges that are
required for the i^arposes of a fence have got bare and naked at the
bottom, in the way that such as are composed of Quicks will do if
not well managed, they should be felled down to within 9 in. of the
ground. When very strong they will require a saw or a light axe,
which is better. The operator should stand on the lowest side of the
fence, in the ditch if there be one, so as to be well under his work,
severing the whole, both the strong and weak wood, in a slanting
direction, with an upright stroke, by which means he will make a
clean out, and avoid splitting the stools in the way that results from
cutting downwards, and which has such an unworkmanlike appear-
ance, and is still worse in its effects by causing the young shoots to
push weaker than when the stools are cat without splitting ; but as
there is much in the look of a garden hedge a5 well as in its answer,
ing the mere purposes of a fence, the felling and retention of an o'd
hedge in the way described is not to b3 reojmmended if it be
full of gaps where there is no living wood, for, although the
defect may be in some measure made good by the introduction
of young plants, as is often done to fill up the vacancies, still
it gives the whole such a patchy look that it should never be tolerated
in a garden where there are any pretensions to an orderly appear-
ance; in such a case it is much better to grub up the old fence
and plant afresh. It is often said that there is considerable difficulty
in getting a young hedge to grow in the same place from which
an old one has been removed, whioh is true when the exhausted soil
is planted without any admixture of fresh material to renew it,
but not it 6 in. of new soil, such as is procurable in country places
from the roadsides, commons, or in any place where the surface spit
can be spared where buildings are about to be erected, is added.
Should these sources fail, street sweepings in the neighbourhood of
towns, or road scrapings in the country will do mixed liberally with
the old mould ; 3 in. or 4 in. of rotten minnre should at the same
time be dug in. Many there are who manure lib9rally all the other
plants they cultivate, and who never think of giving anything to
encourage the growth of a hedge, which, not only in the first prepa-
ration of the ground, bat for some years until fully grown, will well
repay for liberal manuring, especially where Q licks or Holly is used.

T. B.

railway carriage and waggon brakes. This Willow, although, like
the rest ot its species, not hard or close in texture, is, nevertheless,
so remarkably tongh that it answers well for many purposes to which
it is not often put ; and, moreover, it grows fast on fairly good soil.

T. Baines.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TSEES, SBBOBS, & W00DLAND3.

QUALITY OP WELLTNGTONIA TIMBER.
lit noticing several exceptionally fiae specimens ot Wollingtonia
(p. 578), Mr. Berry speaks of its being jet premature to form any
decided opinion as to the quality and durability of the timber of the
Wellingtonia. But, concerning that, I think there is but little room
for doubt, unless the tree is an exception to all others of a quick,
growing character, for, taking a broad view of the subject, quality,
which we may set down to mean strength, toughness, and durability,
is present proportionate to the time required for its formation. The
wood of quick-growing trees is light and spongy, conditions at once
opposed to strength and lasting capabilities, and limiting its use for
•all but exceptional purposes. Although looked at upon the principal
of small profits and quick returns, light timber, such as Poplar,
may, on some descriptions of soil, be found as remunerative to the
grower as the slower -growing, denser.wooded Oak, Elm, Ash, &o. I
think we may take it for granted that the Wellingtonia, in common
with other rapid-growing Coniferous or Taxaceous trees that have not
yet in this country had time to give conclusive evidence ot the quality
ot their wood, will be in no way different from other species of trees
of which we have had enough time to judge correctly in this
respect; in fact, the natural laws whiob govern the develop,
ment ot vegetable life in the formation ot woody fibre,
appear to point generally in one direction, which is
that slow growth means comparative strength and durability.
Of late years Sycamore, of even moderate growth, has been so much
in request amongst machine roller makers that the price it fetches
never could have been anticipated ; the short-fibred, somewhat brittle
nature ot the woad renders it of comparatively little value for pur-
poses where ic will be subject to a strain, it for any length it is
unsupported. To this, no doubt, coupled with the fact that the usa
for whioh it is now required was non-existant when trees which have
attained any considerable size were planted, may be attributed the
scarcity of its timber, for had it existed in anything approaching the
quantity that some of our more generally ;used woods do, the par.
ticular purpose for which it is now employed could not have exceeded
the supply. Good Red Willow appears to be almost equally in request
than which nothing that has yet been found seems to do ao well for

Beech Trees aad TJnderwJod. — Allow me to confirm Mr.
Knight's statements (p. 579, vol. X[V). About a year ago I visited
Floors, at a time when I was specially interested as to the best sub-
jects to form undergrowth beneath forest trees, and I was shown
masses of Rhododendrons, Yews, and Laurels growing most profusely
under the fine old Beeches and other forest trees that may be seen
there ; places that used to be naked plains some years ago, are now
well furnished with underwood. — Bobekt GnEENriELD, The I'rionj
Gardens, Wancick,

I forwarded the paragraph in The Garden a couple ot weeks

ago, by Mr. Hossaok, to a gentleman at Alderly Park in an excellent
position to furnish information on the subject, asking him if he could
corroborate the statements in The Garde.v as to the luxuriance of
the Rhododendrons, &c., under the Beeches there. He has just re-
plied to my enquiries, and iu his letter he states that the Beech wood
referred to in The Garden is called the " Beech wood," and contains
some of the finest and o'dest trees in England ; also that there are
large quantities ot Rhododendrons in the wood in question, but there
are certainly neither Rhododendrons nor any other kind ot underwcod
growing where the Beeches occupy the whole space overhead, nor any
under the Beeches where they are growing thickly together.
This is rather a different statement from that which said the Rhode,
dendrons were to be seen growing, flowering, and seeding right up to
the trunks or the trees, in the wo)d alluded to. — J. S. W.

Rhododendrons grow here under Baech Trees in the greatest

possible luxuriance, and flower very fairly considering the shade to
which they are subjected, and they also make one ot the best covers
for game. The Yew, Holly and common Laurel also grow very well,
but they do not make such dense cover as the Rhododendrons. On
the top ot Boxhill, on the chalk, may be seen considerable numbers
ot fine Beeches growing amongst the Box, whioh grows quite as freely
under the Beech as under Oaks, and it makes one ot the densest ot
covers. It should be mentioned, however, that the Box iu this case is in.
digenous. In this neighbourhood, another instance occurs on the
chalk at the Denbies, where, in a rather dark Beech wood Box is
growing very freely, and iu this case it has been planted. — J. Burnett,
T)ie Deepdene, Dorkinij.

Hardiness of Hydrangeas.— In ^Tuk Garden (Vol. XIV.,
p. 579) I find that Mr. Groom thinks that Hydrangeas require to be
protected against severe frost. Permit me to say that Hydrangeas
are much more hardy than is generally suppose 1, aud that they are
not so difficult as regards soil as is generally imagined. I have
about one hundred plants in a border on the north side ot my garden,
planted in ordinary soil in front ot seme trees, Lilacs, and other
shrubs, with the roots of which they strugjle for existenoJ. Never,
theless, without any protection, the Hydrangeas have stood over
more severe winters even than that of 1871, and in summer are mig-
nifioent. I may, perhaps, add that a few were destroyed in Dec. 1870,
but only those whioh were exposed to the sun in fine weather; those
completely shaded escaped. — Jean Sisley, Lyons.

Trees and Found itions of Baildiags.— A curious instance
(says a correspondent of "The Builder") has lately come under my
observation of the mischief to the foundations of buildings which may
sometimes be caused by the roots of trees. In the case to whioh I refer
attention had been drawn to an increasing settlement iu the wall of a
school, built some five years since. It was clear that something was
wrong underneath, and so underpinning was determined upon. When
the ample and well-executed footings and concrete had been examined it
was discovered that the roots ot a row of Ontario Poplar trees which stood
in a neighbouring garden, some 20 ft. or 25 ft. distant, had worked their
way down to the depth ot some 5 ft. to 8 ft., and had completely disinte-
grated the concrete. The roots were mostly ot very fine texture, some
mere fibre of no greater substance than human hair, and a few larger ones
as thick as a man's little finger, all entwined in the concrete. The soil
was a cold clay, and an experienced horticulturist assures me that
although the roots of Poplars traverse strata which would repel other trees,
yet they generally strike only to a shallow depth. In this instance the
roots had devoured all the lime in the concrete in the lower part, which
was crumbling away. The upper part, where no roots existed, was per-
fectly sound. Instances of strong roots throwing down walls are not
uncommon, but I find on iuquiriug of experienced men that the insidious
work of these distxnt trees is unusual. The new foundations, &c., have
all been executed in Portland cement concrete at a considerably greater
depth than before, and warniog given to the occupants of the adjoining
garden.

Jan. 11, 187f>.]

THE GARDEN.

29

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

NIPHOBOLUS HETERACTIS.
Untortcnately this elegant aud free-growiug Himalayan
Fern has been distributed under the erroneous name of
N. Heteraohis. We say unfortunately, because it is exceed-
ingly difficult to displace a false name after it has once got
into general use. This error probably originated in a slip of
the pen, and although
very slight in appear-
ance, it so completely
alters the meaning con-
veyed by the correct
name that it is all the
more desirable to correct
it. The name Polypodium
Heteractis was given by
the late Professor Met-
tenius (Linnaji xxxvi. p.
140) to this plant, in
allusion to the diversity
of the rays of the starry
scales with -which the
under surface of the
frond is furnished. Fur-
ther, it is by this charac-
ter, as well as the differ-
ence in the size and
shape of the fronds, that
N. Heteractis is distin-
guished from the .Japan-
ese N. Lingua. These
stellate scales are scat-
tered over the dense in-
dumentum or pubescence
common to both species,
and are quite visible to
the naked eye, and they
are probably imperfect
sori. The fronds of N.
Heteractis are larger
than those of N. Lingua,
being often 18 in. long,
including the stipes, and
the blade is more or less
rounded at the base,
instead of gradually ta-
pering downward into the
stipes, and it tapers into
a tail-like tip. Altogether
it is a more vigorous
plant than its Japanese
congener, and is a native
of warmer regions, being
found at low elevations
in the Himalayan moun-
tains, and also in Borneo.
Mr. John Smith has
somewhere given this
Fern the name of Nipho-
bolus latus, but I cannot
find that this name was
ever published with a
description. Indeed, it
does not occur in his last
work on Ferns, and was
probably given only to dried specimens which he at some
period distributed. Niphobolus Heteractis was sent out by
Mr. B. S. Williams, of the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, iu
1876, and the accompanying engraving was prepared from a
plant in his possession. W. B. Hemsley.

and sandy. From snoh a position as this the eoil does not become
sticky, wet, or harsh, from too much watering or drought, a circum-
stance not to be lost sight of when selecting soil for potting.

Mphobolus heteraclis,

Epps' Pottingf Soils. — Mr. Epps, Vauxhall Station, has sent us
various samples of psat, loam, and sand, of good quality. The peat
is obtained from some high-ljing land abounding in common Fern,
or Bracken, and Scotch Fir plantations, the subsoil of which is dry

TEMPERATE OR INTERMEDIATE HOUSES.
I DOUBT if there be any kind of plant structure capable oB
affording so much real enjoyment as that whijh is commonly

termed the temperate or
intermediate house. In
it we may assemble many
and varied types of vege-
tation, as the temperature
which has to be main-
tained therein will be
sutfioiently high to insure
the well-being of many
natives of tropical lands,
whilst, at the same time,
a considerable portion of
the inhabit mts of the
cooler regions will be
benefited by the slight
stimulus which they will
receive therein during
the colder months of the
year. The temperate
house will range during
winter from between 56°
by day and 45'-' by night ;
it should not be more,
and may occasionally be
less without fear of in-
jury. In this gentle
warmth, Cinerarias, Cy-
clamens, Roses, Deutzias,
bulbous plants,and a host
of others may be for-
warded into bloom.
Palms, Ferns of many
kinds, Aralias, and other
fine-foliaged plants, will
also flourish under such
conditions, and many
species of Orchids will
find a congenial home
therein. Such a house
may be kept gay from
November till June. The
best form for a house of
this kind is a span-roofed
one about 12 ft. in width.
This will afford space for
a 3 ft. path and a 45 ft.
stage on each side.
Ample ventilation should
be provided at the top,
but a single board to open
the length of the house
will suffice for the admis-
sion of air at the side.
If the house is to be em-
ployed in summer for the
growth of such plants as
require a comparatively
moist, close atmosphere,
such as Ferns, Dracasnas, &c., then a flap here and there in the
brickwork will be all that is needed. Houses of this descrip-
tion are not only useful, but may be made to assume an orna-
mental appearance during the winter months. In order to
attain this end, a selection of plants should be made which
will afford considerable variety of form and colour. In many
plant structures, the path on each side is bounded by a brick
wall, on which the stage rests ; but, in the present instance, I
would recommend that it should be supported by light pillars,
thus leaving an open space under each stage whicn will be
found useful. The constant moisture and filtered light iu such

f!0

THE GARDEN.

[Jak. 11, 11:79.

a pliice supply just the conditions in which many Ferns delight.
If the surface be covered -svith a sufficient fjuantity of rough,
fibrous peat, in which exist pieces of sandstone, clinkers, and
other drainage material, Selaginella denticalata and other
species of Olub Moss, Maiden-hair and other Ferns, may be
planted, and will flourish and form a verdant carpet, pleasing
to tlie eye, and in every way preferable to ugly brick walls.

In the way of flowering plants we shall find that double
Primulas anS Epiphyllums do remarkably well in the gentle
warmth afforded them in such a house. The Primulas should
occupy the lightest situation, and if placed upon inverted pots
so as to slighlly raise them above their associates, they will
flower freely the whole winter through, and as they combine
soft pleasing colours with considerable elegance of foliage,
they will fully deserve the prominent positions thus accorded
them. Epiphyllums may be grown either as pot or basket
plants ; they are beautiful ia every way, but they show them-
selves off perhaps to the bast advantage when well established
in baskets and hung up near the roof. Being naturally of a
pendulous habit they lend themselves well to basket work
and display themselves better than when below the line of
vision. Linum trigynum and Pentas carnea are both free-
flowering subjects and easily managed. The latter is too
seldom seen in cultivation ; it is of very easy culture, flori-
ferous, and the bloom is of a soft and delicate hue. Bulbs of
all kinds, Cinei'arias, Deutzias, Spirasis, &o., will succeed ex-
tremely well in an intermediate house, and will develop their
flowers in a much more perfect manr.er than when subjected to
the more hurrying influence of a strong or forcing heat.

In selecting plants which are remarkable only for beauty of
foliage we must choose those which possess distinct and
characteristic features. Amongst Palms we find types possess-
ing grace and elegance, whiLst in the large and varied family
of Dracaenas may be found examples of massive, sturdy deve-
lopment, the effect of which is enhanced by a free and grace-
ful outline. To the merits of the Fern tribe it is scarcely
necessary to advert. They increase every year in form, and
no plant structure, in which a miscellaneous collection is grown,
can be considered complete without them. Had we nothing
but these three families upon which to rely we should have no
difficulty in producing a good effect. Well growns pecimenslin
O-in. pots of Areca lutescens and aurea, Seaforthia elegansand
robusta, Chamasrops excelsa, Phoenix dactylifera, Livistona
borbouioa, and Corypha australis, look well if placed here and
there at intervals so that each plant may be distinctly seen.
Dracasnas, Aspidistras, and the more robust-growing Ferns,
such as the Alsophilas and Dioksonias, should also occupy pro-
minent positions. Around and amongst them will be arranged
the dwarfer forms of Ferns, flowering and other plants, so
that the whole space may be fairly covered without any undue
crowding. Additional interest may also be given to such
a house by the introduction of such kinds of Orchids
as will thrive in the temperature maintained in it. If there be a
back wall, it may bs draped with Fions repens, andTropreolums
of the winter-flowering section may be trained up the rafters.
Nothing gives a better finish to a plant house than a few
hanging baskets well established with suitable subjects, such
as Goniophlebiura subauriculatum,Davallias,AdiantumCapillus-
Veneris, Platyceriura aloicorne, Oolumnias, Russelia juncea,
&o., whilst a few Orchids, either on blocks or in baskets, will
still further increase the effect. Plants of a drooping character,
such as Isolepis gracilis and the variegated Panicum, may be
so placed as to partially drape and break the rigid edges
of the stages, so that by a skilful disposition O- the plants
there need be but little of the interior of the structure visible.
In such a house as that just described one would not natu-
rally attempt the culture of such plants as Ixoras, Crotous,
&c., but as I have endeavoured to show there are plenty of
beautiful subjects that will enable us to dispense with their
presence. J. Oorxhill.

Justicia speciosa a good Koom Plant. — At this season of
the year I find this to be a most uaefal plant for the decoration of
drawing rooms. The flowers, individnally, do not last long, but as
they open successively in profusion, even in rooms, they are invalaa-
ble. Their ^oolonr (parpliah-pink) aasooiates well with that of

Begonias and similar plants. The best method of cnltivating this
Jasticia is to insert onttings of it in March, and grow them in a cold
frame daring the summer months. Early in autumn transfer them
to an intermediate house. A mixture of loam, peat-mould, and sand,
with a little rotten manure, suits it well, and 5.in. pots will be found
the most convenient for decoration purposes. — A. HossACK, Rayletj,
Alcester.

HEATING AND VENTILATING IN COLD WEATHER.
I place these two in juxtaposition for the obvious reason that the
one forces heat into glass houses and tho other lets it out. This
statement, however, by no means includes all the uses of either
heating or ventilation, but it places the two main purposes in direct
contrast and striking opposition, and this view of the matter needs to
be constantly enforced. Much of the waste of excessive heating,
most of the evils of reckless ventilation, originate from the lack of a
proper adjustment between the two. Economy, as well as the
well-being of all plants under glass, pleads that no more heat should be
given than is necessary ; not only is all excess of heat superfluous, but it
is also in j nrious. It weakens, enfeebles, and discolours plants in flower,
and invites the inroads of instcts and the attack of disease. All this
is bad enough, but still worse results mostly follow excess of heat.
Hardly has the temperature been found to be too high, than much or
little of the external air is suddenly admitted to lower it. This seems
such a simple and natural operation that it is performed almost me-
chanically,and very much as a matter of cour8e,yet few things are more
dangerous and inj urious to plants than this sudden lowering of artificial
temperature in cold weather by a rush of external air. The plants are
thus subjected to a severe draught, and catch cold as suddenly and se-
verely,though they bear it more silently than we do ourselves. Unfortu-
nately, too, they do not show the injury at once. Thousands of
plants are crippled and finally killed by chills, though the cause ia
never suspected, and no injury may be manifest till months after,
wards. It cannot, I think, be too often repeated that warm air
is moist and that colJ air is dry. No sooner does the hot air rush oat
through the open ventilators and the oold air rush in than the latter
fastens on every flower, leaf, and stem, and remains sufliciently long
on each and all until it has quenched its thirst. The quantity
cold air can thus drink up out of those delicate surfaces and sub.
stances may be measured almost to a nicety by the dif.
ference between the internal and external temperature. The greater
the disparity the more the air drinks and vice versa. Hence the
superlative importance of so nicely adjusting artificial heat to the
internal wants of hothouses as to ventilate but little, if at all, in oold
weather. But then there are those sadden gleams of sunshine that
often violently disturb the temperature of oar glasshouses even in
winter. Thses matter little. With the careful regulation of
fire-heat on rational principles, with an eye to the probabilities of
sunshine, no injurious amount of heat is likely to come from the
latter ; in fact, a rise of 10" or even 15° of heat from solar influences
is not injurious, but often the contrary, and those who think other,
wise may safely try such advances of temperature in their own
practice. They will assuredly find that such, or even greater,
advances of temperature by solar heat will at least do far less injury
to tender vegetation than the sweeping down the temperature by an
inrush of cold air and an outrush of hot air. Much has also been
written on the absolute necessity of a change of air in glass houses.
Heterodox as it may appear to many, I have no hesitation in assert,
ing that such necessity has not been proved, and, had it been so, it
may be contended with equal force and truth that such changes are
always being affected without our aid and in spite of our hindrances ;
for, whatever complaints may have been made against the want of
auffioient ventilation in some of our modern glass houses in summer, no
cultivator has yet found fault that mechanical ingenuity, close-fitting
workmanship, or large panes, has made his glass house too close for
winter or early spring. The chinks in the roof bo much desiderated — for
the colouring of Grapes — will not be held to be equally useful for the
swelling of winter berries, or the forcing of flowers or Grapes at
Cbristmas. As new plants need more heat, give less outside
air in winter. Indeed, conservatories, greenhouses, and, assuredly,
plant stoves and orchid houses, may be almost hermetically sealed
from November to February, not only with impunity, but with mani-
fest advantage at all times and seasons when the thermometer falls
below 45". Such practice would out down the coal bill by nearly a
half in many gardens, while it would also preserve the plants in more
robust health, and help to clothe them with greater beauty.

D. T. Fish.

Alsophila pigmeea. — This is a charming miniature species of
Tree Fern, and a most beautiful subject for table decoration, although

Jan. 11, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

31

I fear that it is at present too rare to be ranch employed for that
purpose. The stem ia very slender, and the fronds of a lustrous
green are disposed in the most graceful manner. It is altogether a
gem amongst Ferns, and one which should find a place in the most
select collection. Never attaining great dimensions, it is admirably
saited to small houses, and, when placed in a prominent position,
cannot fail to command admiration. — J. Cornhill, Byfieet.

HEATING SMALL PLA.NT HOUSES.

Abverting to the remarks of "A. D." respecting this subject, allow
me to say that I have a heating apparatus which I have found most
convenient and economical. It consists of two 2-in. iron pipes (a
flow and return) running along under the front stage of the green,
house, and connected by small pipes with a gas boiler which is en.
closed in a brick chamber in one corner of the house. A small iron
door in the outside wall of the house communicates with this chamber,
and a zino pipe carries the fumes from the chamber to the outer air.
The burner used for the gas is an atmospheric burner with a ring of
jets, such as is used for cooking, and this is sufficient to maintain in
my little house (8 ft. by 6 ft.) a temperature of from 1 5' to 20 above
that of the air outside, and with a greater length of pipe it would
efficiently heat a house double the size. I have at times used this
apparatus for a fortnight at a time without further attention than
keeping the pipes filled with water, and its management ia so
simple that a lady could use it without soiling her fingers. In laying
on the gas care should be taken that all pipes out of doors should be
of iron and of sufficient bore to obviate the risk of any water that
might accumulate in them getting frozen in hard weather, and a
syphon should be provided in the lowest point of the gas pipe to allow
of snch water being removed. W. J. T.

Brixton.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOE GARDEN.

Solanuma Best in Poor Soil.— Some of these most useful
plants for winter decoration, which were grown in rich soil last year,
made plenty of wood but did not form half so many berries as those
growing in very poor |soil. In future I shall therefore give prefer,
enoe to soil poor rather than rich. — Cambrian.

Primula sinensis fimbriata. — Primnlas are often raised in too
high a temperature. Those plants are best which are brought on
steadily from the time the seeds are sown till the plants bloom.
There ought not to be any necessity to pinch cfE premature flowers,
as such flowers plainly denote misdirected force, and are out of place.
A warm greenhouse, or a slightly heated frame of about the usual
greenhouse temperature, say about 50'^ during the night, will bo quite
warm enough to start the seeds. The young plants should be pricked
off, when large enough to handle, 2 in. apart, and placed in the same
temperature again, keeping them shaded for a few days, but moving
them to a light position near the glass as soon as the roots have fairly
grasped the soil and feel at home in it. When fit to transfer to
single pots, a frame should be arranged for them in some open sitna.
tion, with 4 in. of coal ashes in the bottom to set the pots on, and to
keep out worms. The frame should be kept close for a few days, and
then have ventilation, increasing in amount as the season advances.
The plants should stand thinly, so that their crowns or whorls of
foliage may have room for development, and be potted on as they
require it, giving the last shift to the early.blooming plants about
the end of August, and the late ones in September. It is best not
to over. pot, aa large plants can be grown in 6 in. pots. A mixture of
loam and peat or leaf.monld suits them well, with a sprinkling of
sand or charcoal dust to insure porosity. A larger proportion of loam
may be used in the last shift than in previous ones, but it must ba
fibry, and simply broken up, not sifted. The watering must be care,
fully done, especially for a few days after being transferred to fresh
pots. The plants may be left in the cold frame till October, when
they should be taken to a greenhouse ; and the flowers will be finer
if a little fire-heat be used to keep the air in circulation, and to
permit of the free admission of fresh air when not absolutely freezing
or very windy. In a low temperature in winter damp is apt to lodge
on them, which induces decay about the crown, often damaging the
flower-spikes and foliage. Late-sown plants are best to save seeds
from, and the best flowers only should be selected. A light position
in a cool, dry house will be best for seed purposes, and a camel's-hair
pencil should be used daily when the pollen is dry. The best strains
are, as a rule, the least prolific seed producers. — E. Hobday.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — Owing to the late severe weather there is a
geneial dearth amongst hardy flowers compared with the correspond,
ing week last year. The only plant attractive here is the charming
little Milla Leichtlici, which is both new and rare. Its flowers are
just peeping above the soil from a rosette of narrow leaves. Tbey
are about the size of those of the better known one-flowered llilla
(II. uuiflora), but white, with faint, radiating, green streaks; and
they are, moreover, delightfully fragrant. It is found at high ele-
vations on the Andes. A few kinds of Crocuses are yet in flower,
notably the deep orange. coloured C. vitellinus, a native of Syria,
which is pre-eminently the best of all the winter-flowering kinds. It
has been continuously in flower for several weeks, even striving to
push its way through a covering of snow. C. syriaons much resem-
bles it, but differs in having the outsides of the flowers striped more
or less distinctly with black. Though known as long ago as the
days of Dean Herbert, these are as yet very rare in gardens. .Another
fine kind is a form of C. Boryi, named Itevigatus, which differs from
the type in the flower being suffused with purple, andbeingfeatheved
on the outside with black. It is a native of South East Europe. C.
Schimperi (syn. C. cauoellatus) is pretty, having long, white flowers
with a basal zone of orange colour. C. longiflorus (syn. C.odorus) is a
better known kind, but none the less desirable as it continues to
throw up its mauve-coloured blossoms for a long time during late
autumn and winter. Turning to the Christmas Roses we see here
that ere long a recently acquired, and, we should say, a complete col.
lection will be a source of much interest to those who caie for this
class of plants. The only kinds at present in flower are H. altifolius,
and a fine e-itample of the ordinary kind, and also the not showy but
handsome-leaved H. fcetidus.

Greenhouse Plants. — The conservatory is now beginning to
assume a somewhat gayer appearance by the introduction of the
various kinds of spring, bulbous, and other forced plants. Two showy
Acanthads are made free nse of, and are well adapted for the pur.
pjse, viz., tho old Justicia speciosa, a profa.sa fljwering kind, with
violet-coloured blossoms, and Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana, a plant
with peculiarly. motled stems terminated by a one-sided raceme of
long, tubular, scarlet blossoms. Seneoio Ghiesbreghtiaua, is a
handsome Groundsel with large, coarsely-toothed leaves, and dense
dusters of bright orange flower heads. In one of the Camellia beds
ia a finely-flowered specimen of the lovely Nepalese shrub, Luculia
gratissima. It wonld be difficult to conceive a more desirable winter-
flowering plant than this when seen covered with large clusters of
delicate pink blossoms, which yield a delicious perfume. It. is, more-
over, very easy to manage in a cool, airy house, though difficult to
propagate. Another old favourite is Leschenaultia formosafrom New
Holland. Oestrum aurantiacum, an old introduction from Guatemala,
deserves more extended cultivation than it receives, as it is oue of
the most useful greenhouse plants we have, and is speci illy adapted
for training to rafters or pillars. It is an evergreen with long ter.
minal racemes of rich orange blossoms, tubular, and about 1 in.
long, flowering from October till February. In the central bad is a
remarkable Australian Protead (Banksia coUina), bearing numerous
dense cones of curious, brownish. coloured flowers. The winter giirden,
tio, will soon be enlivened by an almost endless variety of winter,
flowering Acacias, and a host of other Australian plants. The only
kind at present which attracts atteution is the old A. platypterafrom
Swan River, with its curious flat stems, which do the service of leaves.
Coprosma lucida, a large evergreen shrub from New Zealand, now
forms a very interesting object, the stems and branches being thickly
covered with small reddish-orange-oolonred berries.

Stove Plants. — In the T range the first plant which claims
attention is Erythrotis Beddomei, which makes a pretty basket plant
with slender stems covered with silky brown hairs, and small llatly-
arranged leaves, hairy and green above, dark purple beneath. The
flowers are borne at the tips in clusters, the petals being pale violet,
the very hairy stamens blue tipped with yellow anthers. It belongs
to the Spiderwort family, and ia found on dry, bare rocks, at 3,000
to 1,000 ft- elevation, on the Myhendra Mountains of South Tra-
vancor. Jatropha podagrica, a native of New Granada, is of quaint
aspect, with large gouty stems and crooked leafless branches termi.
nated by a cluster of small scarlet blossoms with golden stamens.
Aphelandra nitens, from Guayaquil, and aurantianca, from Mexico,
must be placed as front rank species cf a showy genus. Both are
strikingly similar in form and colour of the flowers, which are cf a
dazzling scarlet borne on erect spikes, but the former differs by its
shining, bronzy leaves, whilst those of the latter are variegated with
silvery markings. Behind these a comparatively small specimen of
that most graceful of all Palms, Cocos Weddelliana, is flowering
freely ; though rather inconspicuous, and not of uncommon occur-
rence, we take the opportunity to advocate its claim to more ox-

32

THE GARDEN.

r Jan. 11, 1&79.

tended cultivation a3 a decorative plaLt of the higbest order, more
especially for indoor table adornment, as it ia of easy culture, and
retains its small state for some years. Rondeletia Backhousiana is a
useful winter-flowericg shrub of rather coarse habit, bearing large,
terminal clusters of tubular, blueh-colonred blosBoms. It is a native of
Tropical America. In the adjoining compiitment Bf gonios are abun-
dant, and, aa most people are always on the outlook for desirable
■winter.flowering plants, the following selection may be relied on as
answering the purpose satisfactorily. The well-known B. nitida,
with blush. coloured flowers, and a kind named here a^ a near ally to
it, are robust and very free-flowering ; B. falcifolia has flowers of darker
hue and spotted leaves ; B. eemperflorens, odorata, and suaveolens,
pure white ; B. incarnata, and Lapejioasi with pinkish. coloured
blossoms. Centropogon Lucjanus i3 nt>t nearly so well known as it
deserves; though of stiagoling habit with long, po'nted, finely-toothed
leaves, the upper third of the stems produces in continuous succession
numbers of its long, curved, tubular blossoms of a delicate rose
colour very useful for catting purposes. It is also very interesting
as being one of the few generic hjbrids in cultivation, it being a
cross between Siphocampylos betulaafolius^and Ceutiopogon fastuosus_
It was raised at Marseilles about twenty years ago. Linnm trigynnm
anativeoE the Eait Ii dies, tVoigh it has bceu iogarceis for well,
nigh a century, is also too little known, for few plart^ ran surpass it
when covered with its large salvei-staped golden blossoms, as we see
it here. The white vaiiety of Poinsettia is tsed here with good
effect, the cream-colonred flower.leaves associating admirably, and
toning down as it were its Irilliant scarlet congener. In the Cactus
house several kinds of Aloe are floweiing, viz., A. plicatilis, with
curiously-arranged leaves in a fan-like manner; A. socotrica aibores-
cena and pluridens, all very similar in form and colour of flowers,
which is of a reddish-orange, and very handsome. Overhead, trained
to a rafter, is a climbing kind, A. ciliarig, with flowers resembling the
others, and tipped with green ; they are all natives of the Cape.
Agave schidigera is a very remarkable plant, with the edges of its
Bword-like leaves beset with short, curly, silvery threads. Its flower
epikes rise over 5 ft., on which are thickly arranged, greenish,
coloured blossoms, with six long, dull purple stamens. One or two
succulent plants illustrative of the arid reaiou of Mexico are flower,
ing freely, viz.. Cotyledon fulgens and retu^a, both with very glau.
cous stems and oblong leaves and terminal clusters of orange. scarlet
blossoms of thick texture and very ornamental. W.

NOTES OP THE WEEK

Scented-leaved Pelargoniums in Hanging Baskets. —
These form, at the present time, a striking feature in the Crystal
Palace at Sydenham. The plants are growing in large wire baskets
suspended from the roof, and are allowed to droop naturally and
gracefully all round the baskets. Being kept free from dead leaves,
they thrive luxuriantly, and, on account of their elegant, deeply. cut
foliage and sweet scent, they rank among the best of basket plants
for winter decoration.

Ornithogalum thyrsoides.— This is now producing, in Mr.
Ware's nursery at Tottenham, fine spikes of pure white blossoms,
which at this time of the year are valuable for many purposes. It
thrives well in pets in any moderately warm house, aud would make
a good plant for forcing into bloom at Christmas, a time when good
white flowers are valuable.

Genetylis Hookeri. — In the large collection of hard-wooded
plants in the Victoria Nursery, Holloway, none are more attractive at
the present time than large sjeeimens of this Genetylis. It flowers
earlier than G. tulipifera, and is more showy and easier to cultivate.
It lasts in flower for several months in succession, and its bright
red, bell-shaped blossoms are shown off to good advantage among
white Cyclamens, white-flowered Jasmines, and similar plants used at
this season of the year for conservatory decoration.

Hoss-Clad Tree Terns. — Bare stnmpa of Tree Ferns, in Mr.
Day's garden at Tottenham, are effectively clothed with Selaginella
denticulata. It is planted in the soil round the bases of the Ferns,
and encouraged to grow round them, which it does rapidly, provided
the stems of the Ferns are kept constantly moist.

Komulea Macowani. — My pits, in which was a collection of the
rarer kinds of bulbs, had been snowed up for a fortnight, so that I
could neither admit light ror air ; but after the severe frost a thaw
set in, rapidly melting the snow and ice, and on opening the frames
I was agreeably surprised to perceive large flower buds on Romnlea
Macowani. They are brownish-crimson when closed, resembling, in
that respect, those of the brown-striped yellow Crocus. On the first
sunny day they opened, and showed a bright yellow star.shaped

flower aa large aa a half-crown piece, the cup being a little darker in
colour than the rest of the flower. I am led to suppose that the
plant will be quite hardy, and although, when without protection, it
may not flower quite so early, yet it most be classed amongst our
earliest spring-flowering plants, and it is one which will be greatly
appreciated. Iris Histrio, close by, will not be in flower for from
fourteen days to three weeks yet. — Max Leichtlix, Baden Baden.

Barkeria Skinneri. — This is becoming a scarce plant even in nnr.
series, a circumstance to be regretted, for when well grown and
flowered, as we find it in Mr. Day's garden at Tottenham, it is one of
the most attractive of winter-blooming Orchids. Its flowers, being
of a rich violet or purple colour, form a striking contrast to the pure
waxy blossoms of Odontoglossum Alexandras, of which there is now a
good display in the garden in question,

Freesia rtfracta alba.— This ia an excellent plant for the
decoration of conservatories at this dull season of the year, and it ia
also well worth cultivating for the sake of its flowers in a cat state,
for, being wh'.te and sweetly s enlel, they are, 'useful in bouquets or
other floral decorations. It is a p'ait that is eisily cultivated, and
one which will thrive in a cool frame or greenhouse. It may now be
seen in good condition in Mr. Ware's nunery at Tottenham, some
plants of it bearing numerous graceful spikes, each of which ia
furnished with from seven to eight flowers and buds. The flowers
also possess the desirable property of lasting for a long time in per-
fection after being cut.

Orchids at Holloway. — At this season of the year when flowers
are in most demand but comparatively scarce, a good display of
Orchids, such as may be found in Mr. Williams' nursery at Holloway,
is doably valuable. Among other attractive kinds are banks o£
Calanthcs, Oncidium biforum, furnished with gracefully arching spikes
of golden. yellow, orange. tinted blossoms, fine varieties of Lycaate
Skinneri, the brilliant Sophronitis grandiflora, Odontoglossum Cer.
vantesi majua, the graceful sweet-scented Oncidium cheirophy Hum,
and the chocolate-flowered 0. nevadense. To these may be added
well-flowered examples of Angrsecum sesqnipedale, and a variety of
Lady's-slippers ; these being associated with Ferns, Palms, &c., a
fine effect is produced.

Masdevallia Tovarensis. — This is one of the best of the Mas.
devallias for winter blooming. Plants of it, even in a small state,
yield large quantities of pure white blossoms which are valuable in
a cut state for bouquets. We lately saw numbers of well-grown
plants of it in Mr. Day's garden at Tottenham, where, aaaociated
with other Orchids of an attractive character, they were set off to
advantage. This Masdevaliia may be grown in p)ts, but it is much
miTe effective when cultivated in shallow pans.

Habrothamnus elegans. — This is grown effectively in pots at
Frogmore for decorative purposes. Plants of it are struck from cut-
tinga in spring, potted into small pots, and kept indoors till the
weather becomes mild, when they are planted out in the open ground
for the summer. Their shoots are stopped several times daring the
growing season, and in autumn the plants are lifted and potted in
6-in. pots, and placed in the greenhouse, where they become bushy and
handsome, and bear a truss of blossom at the end of every shoot,
causing the latter to aich in a graceful manner. Such plants are
now coming into flower at Frogmore, where they are much prized for
placing in vases and in rooms, or in the conservatory.

Salvias at Frogmore. — These are largely grown here for sup.
plying cut blooms in winter, nd also for furnishing specimens for
antique vases in Windsor Castle, a purpose for which few other plants
are 80 well adapted. They are struck from cuttings in spring, and
planted out in good soil out-of-doors in June. In September they
are lifted and potted, and removed indoors as soon as the severity of
the weather necessitates such an operation. They are placed in
empty fruit houses, or similar situations, as near the glass as is con-
venient, in order to keep them dwarf, and to prevent the leaves from
falling off. The first to bloom is S. splendens ; this is followed early
in the new year by S. Heeri, and when this is nearly over in March,
S. gesnerseSora comes into bloom, and thus a snccession of useful
flowering plants is maintained from November till April.

Variegated Pine-Apples. — Theae are nsed for room decora,
tion at Windsor Castle. They are raised from suckers grown
in 6-in. or 8-in. pots in bottom-heat, until they are large enongh for
use, when they are placed on inverted pots near the glass in a slightly
cooler temperature. Any one possessing a Pine stove or Cucumber
pit, or any place in which a bottom. heat of from 70' to 76' can be
maintained, with a moist atmosphere, may grow variegated Pines in
perfection, and, when well grown, no plants are more distinct in
character, or more effective. They last well in rooms, and, their
leaves being smooth, they can easily be cleared of dost, which is
unavoidable in such positions.

Jan-. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

33

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

THE KEFRIGEKATING FRUIT BOX.
A LIGHT, portable refrigerator, for shipping fruit and vege-
tables by southern growers to northern markets, has recently
been invented by Sir. H. A. Due, of South Carolina. It con-
sists of a box of light wood, lined within with galvanised iron,
a space being left between the box and lining oi 1 in. or more,
which is filled with charcoal or other non-conducting material.
The box is provided with one or more shallow, movable ice
boxes, made of galvanised iron, provided with handles, and an
opening which is closed by a screw cap. The boxes are filled
with broken ice, and closed so securely that no water from the
melted ice can escape and injure the fruit. These ice boxes
are of the same height as the fruit baskets or cups, and may
be substituted for a tier of these, allowing one or more to be
used, according to the requirements of the season, one, at the
top, being sufficient in moderately warm weather, and as the
season grows hotter one of the lower tiers of fruit may be
replaced by a box. Fruit received in New York from southern
points can, by means of these refrigerators, be safely re-
shipped to Boston or elsewhere; the boxes being replenished
with ice, it is ready for another journey. Before giving an
opinion of this invention we visited several of the principal
commission dealers in New York, and found that the represen-
tations of the patentee were fully confirmed by those who had
tested it, two firms, dealing largely in Strawberries, stating
that fruit received in this refrigerator brought, on the average,
10 cents more a quart
than that shipped in the
ordinary manner. An
instance was cited of a
shipment made from
Charleston so late as May
10, in which the Straw-
berries i-eceived in Mr.
Due's refrigerator aver-
aged 23 cents per quart,
while those carried in the
steamers' ice boxes
brought but 12 cents, the
difference being due
solely to the superior con-
dition of the former. The
cases are made square, or
longer than they are wide.
The one here shown is 28

in. square by 19 in. high, and is provided with strong
handles which shut down flush with the sides; the cover,
shown at the rear, is double, and filled in the same as
the sides ; this is fastened down by screws with squars
heads, which are countersunk. The ice boxes, one of which
is seen at the right hand, are 4 in. high, of a size to fit
the interior of the case ; the opening to admit the ice is about
3 in. across ; the cap is screwed tight by means of an iron rod,
bent as seen in the engraving ; its ends fit into two holes in the
cap ; when not in use this handle is removed and laid upon
the ice box. A case holding 72 quarts, when filled and ready
for shipment, weighs about 250 lb. Though Mr. Due has
taken out a patent for the invention, he liberally allows us to
say that he will permit anv fruit grower to make the box for
his own use without exacting a royalty for his patent. —
"American Agriculturist."

A Rtfrigerating Fruit Box.

TRANSPLANTING LARGE-SIZED WALL TREES
Wall trees of large size are easy to move compared with other
trees not so circumstanced. It is an easy matter to untie or
unnail a tree from the wall; to carefully secure its branches
with strong, soft matting, so that they cannot chafe or injure
each other by friction during the process of removal ; and then,
when the branches are made safe, to commence far enough
away from the trunk, 6 ft. or 8 ft., according to the size of the
tree. Dig a deep trench, so as to get beneath the roots, and
then gradually work upwards to the trunk of the tree with the
fork, picking out the soil carefully, and working it back out of

the way with a shovel, so as always to retain plenty of room in
the trench. There is nothing shows the skilled workman more
than little matters of this kind, keeping the trench well open
when digging up or removing a large sized tree. Unless this
is done, there is no chance of getting properly under the tree,
and saving intact most of the roots. Indeed, unless the roots
can be saved free from blemish, it would be hardly worth
while taking pains to save long roots at all ; but when plenty of
good roots can be secured, and the transplanting is done in
autumn, very few of the trees so moved will feel any the worse
for it ; and, if their systems were the least bit out of order,
they will probably be all the better for the change. I have
said large wall trees can be moved with much greater ease
and certainty of doing well than untrained trees. One of the
main causes of this is, they can be so easily secured from wind-
waving after planting by attachment to the wall. I have no
doubt in my own mind that the principal cause why large-
headed trees fail in transplanting is the difficulty of securing
them in their new positions so that the roots may have time to
get a firm grasp of the new soil. Where the trees on the walls
are all doing well, of course most people would say, leave well
alone ; but there are times when the removal of a largo tree
would in various ways be a manifest advantage. Perhaps the
trees on a particular wall may have been originally too thickly
planted; and, in order to give space for individual development,
a re-arrangement must take place, involving the removal of
some, if not all of them. Or a tree occupying a prominent
position may become weakly, or be worn out, and trees are like

men, some wear out faster
and earlier than others,
and their removal be-
comes necessary ; and if
by a rearrangement of
the others the blanks can
be profitably filled, it is
always well to do so,
although of course the
labour involved will be
very much more than just
merely planting a young
tree would be. But a man
who takes a pride in keep-
ing his walls well filled
up, unless his hands are
needlessly tied,will gener-
ally so arrange his work
that the labour and time
are forthcoming. It often happens that a tree showing
symptoms of weakness, the first signs of which are easily
detected by the watchful eye, will on removal to a fresh
site be restored to health and fruitfulness. I know, in
my young days, there was never an autumn passed without
the walls being looked over and the trees put right. From
my experience then and since, I know the system to be
a good one if rightly carried out. But the earlier it is
done the better ; indeed, it would be imprudent to delay it
much after Christmas. The roots should bo carefully ar-
ranged, first cutting out all damaged or mutilated portions,
making the cut as nearly straight across as possible. When
a long cut is made, the descending sap will not be arrested
till it reaches the lowest extremity of the wounded surface, and
the callus will be formed there, and roots protrude, long before
the upper part is healed. But if the cut be made straight
across, the wound will heal at once, and be covered with a new
growth, and tufts of new roots will soon be emitted. I have
generally found a sharp pair of pruning scissors answer well
for this work, as they cut straight across, and, so far as my
experience goes, do not seriously injure the bark. It is a
common practice in tree planting, to lay the roots all out
straight in one layer ; but with large trees, that have been,
perhaps, once or twice lifted previously, and where the roots
are numerous, they will be far better if distributed more
equally in the soil. The lower tier of roots should be spread
out first, and covered with good mellow soil, and then another
layer regularly disposed, and so on till the work is completed.
Even where the soil is suitable and in good order, it will be
very beneficial to add a few barrowfuls of fresh, mellow, turfy

34

THE GAKDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

soil round the roots, to give them a quick start. The trees
should only be loosely secured to the wall for the present, as
time must be allowed for settlement before they are finally
trained. I don't think it a good plan to plant too near the
wall ; the base should be allowed plenty of room to increase in
size. It is common enough to see trees almost bursting from
the wall by the swelling of the trunk at the base, through being
planted too near the wall. Before planting, the bottom of the
hole should be made quite firm, and have a very slight fall to
the front; but it need not be much, as the roots are always
ready enough to acquire a downward tendency. By covering
the roots with good mellow soil, no harm will be done by apply-
ing a little pressure with the feet before the levelling is finished,
and the surface should be well mulched with half-rotten manure.
It is a good plan to have a few young trees coming on, to fill
up any vacancy that may occur at any time. If there should
be no vacant places on any of the walls, where a young tree or
shrub may be progressing till they are required, they will do
very well trained to stakes in any vacant spot in the garden.
It is far better to do this than to have to run to a nursery and
take the chance with others, when trees are wanted. By
buying a few " maidens" occasionally, plenty of good trees might
always be ready when wanted. E. Hobday.

OUR SUPPLY OP APPLES AND PEARS-
It is tte opinion of some, that the production of Apples and Pears in
the United Kingdom has ceased to be a matter of much importance,
now that the Americans can pour these fruits into our markets and
shops so speedily and in such large quantities. Fruit is now sent
on to us some seven or eight thousand miles across the Rocky Moun.
tains, and three thousand miles by sea, in good quality and condition,
in a comparatively few days ; and that certainly may be ranked
among the facts that are stranger than ever fiction anticipated. Our
French neighbours also cultivate these fruits to make up the deficiency
of our home produce. It is well that these sources can be looked to
for a supply of wholesome fruits, which in the case of Apples can be
purchased at a rate that enables the frugal peasant and artisan to
enjoy thoir tarts and puddings. The question, however arises. Ought
we to be so dependent on foreign sources for a full supply of these
fruits ? This, like every other question, has doubtless two sides to be
looked at; but our object at present is not to discuss it in the ab-
atract. Our conviction is, however, that our home production might
be much more satisfactory than it at present is, even in spite of many
adverse circumstances. Some have assumed and tried to prove that
the climate of this country has changed so much for the worse that
Apple crops are not now what they formerly were. This we believe
to be an assumption that has no foundation either in statistics or any.
thing else, and is repudiated by the recognised fact that drainage and
high cultivation have had rather a beneficial influence on our climate.
Be that as it may, we have no more doubt that many districts in the
United Kingdom could be made much more productive of these fruits
without entrenching on lands remunerative in other ways, than we
have of our own existence. The question may be asked. By what
means ? Of course, to begin with, by planting more trees. This may
be met with the assertion that there never were so many trees raised
and planted as there are in these times — a statement that may be
true. But is it not near the truth that much of the planting might
as well be left undone, and many of the trees might as well be bnrned,
for any share they have in increasing the supply of fruit. We must
of course endeavour to give reasons for this last assumption, as it may
be termed. In the first place, we have never yet had to do with Ap.
pie and Pear trees in any district, without having the fact, that the
supply of fruits in five years out of six has been borne by a compara-
tively few sorts, very forcibly illustrated. This observation is not by
any means singular to any cultivator ; and we believe if it were more
carefully considered, and only those productive varieties planted all
but exclusively, the bulk of fruit produced in a great number of lo.
calities would be increased fiftjfold. As an instance of this fact, we
now practice it in one of the very worst spots that could be chosen] for
hardy.fruit culture — i.e., a low damp valley close to a river, with a
heavy soil on a clayey subsoil, and an average rainfall of fifty inches,
and where spring frosts are very prevalent. Yet only twice in ten
years has the yield of Apples not been sufiicient for the supply of one
of the largest establishments for three mouths, and from comparatively
few trees— under what we consider adverse circumstances — in the
vegetable garden alone. We are now so well acquainted with the few
varieties and trees that are productive, that we could venture to point
ont those that are likely to be fruitful the following season ; and the
varieties could be more than counted on our fingers. If every tree in

gardens were of these varieties, there would be supply enough for
eight or nine months of the year. The blossom produced by other
varieties is most encouraging, but their crop is almost always ju7. la
it therefore not reasonable to expect, that if those varieties that bear
thus were largely planted in this and similar districts, the produce
would be much increased with the self-made labour in culture ? The
same rule we have noticed to apply more or less to other districts.
The indiscriminate planting of kinds not suited to localities has been
found out by market-growers to be a great mistake, and they are now
acting on the principle of selection.

Another practice, and, considering its results, one that has been
adhered to with an amount of tenacity that is remarkable, is that of
planting Apples and Pears by the sides of walks, in what are termed
cross-borders, in kitchen-gardens, and even dotting them about in
vegetable quarters — the spaces of ground between trees in these po.
sitions being frequently occupied with biennial and other flowering
plants, and sometimes with Strawberries and vegetable crops. These
borders, if devoted to flowers, are rarely properly manured , and are
deeply worked with a spade annually among the plants, and close op
to, if not over, the roots of the trees. If devoted to vegetables, they
are, on the other hand, heavily manured and deeply dug. To escape
mutilation, the roots of the trees, with a sort of self-preserving in.
stinct, proceed to find peace and comfort in a too often unsuitable
and canker-breeding subsoil. In the one case the roots are starved,
and in the other too grossly fed ; and the respective results are
stunted growth and poverty-stricken produce in the one case, and in
the other too gross a growth of unfruitful wood, to be annually and
ruthlessly cut away with the pruning.knife. Of these two evils it
would be diSicult to say which is the worst or most unreasonable.
Trees in such positions as the one named must of necessity be kept in
very restricted limits as to size, or injury to the plants among which
they stand would be greater than it really is ; and even with all the
restriction practised, the one crop is most injurious to the other. To
make matters bearable, the pinching and pruning are carried to an
injurious excess every year, leaving as many knife-wounds as make it
a wonder that decrepitude, canker, and decay are not still more
frequent. The pruning of such trees, after the fashion of the present
day, is an evil ; and it is to be feared that in not a few cases it is
resorted to to permit of the other evil of making room for growing
every conceivable variety in a given space, lloot-pruning every two
or three years is perhaps the more reasonable course to pursue ; but
if trees are to be grown with a vigour capable of bearing a full crop
of good fruit, it is a process that can only be carried to a certain
extent, and that not sufficient to do away, under the circumstances,
with the murderous pruning which leaves trees more conspicuous for
their number of knife-wounds than for anything else.

This miniature-tree system, mixed np with other crops, is, generally
speaking, not satisfactory. It is injurious to other kitohen.garden
crops, and leads to so much cutting and restriction, that it never will
admit of a satisfactory supply of fruit, even if the selection of sorts be
ever so suited to the locality. In so important a horticultural matter
as this, it is strange that we adhere so tenaciously to the mixing of
fruits with other' crops : and the evil is most flagrant in what are
termed the best of gardens ; and hence the faithfulness with which it
has been copied. For those with only one small piece of ground
there is some excuse if they desire a few varieties. But even in their
case the trees would do better located by themselves.

There is no serious reason that we know of why there is so much of
. this mixing up of standard fruit-trees with kitchen-garden produce,
instead of putting them by themselves, where they and the ground
can be much more specially treated in accordance with their wants.
By doing so, many telling advantages are gained for both depart,
ments. The evils of digging in heavy dressings of rank manure, and
of mutilating the roots of the trees, find no excuse, and can be en.
tirely avoided. Neither need the trees be starved or injured by being
improperly fed when they want extra nourishment. No spade or fork
should be thrust among the roots of trees to dig in manure. A firm
surface, subject to no more tillage than what will keep it clean, having
the necessary manure spread on, inducing the roots to keep near it and
be fed with the beneficial elements of, instead of coming in contact
with, the manure — this way of managing the soil produces a more
moderate growth, and altogether that state of health without gross,
ness which is so desirable.

Then the trees, to be worth the name, can have room and liberty
to develop without injury to other crops and with benefit to them,
selves. The pruning is reduced to a minimum sufficient to admit light
and air to the various parts of each tree, instead of the stag's-horn
style of pruning off almost every inch of wood made annually. The
compromise between nature and art mutually working into each
other's hands results in the building up of trees that frequently do
more to fill fruit. rooms with fine fruit than when they are managed
on the other principle which we are contrasting.

Jan. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

35

Besides, trees in an orchard give an amount of shelter to each other
that is an important factor in secuxing comparative safety from the
blighting influence of winds, which do so much damage to the blossom.
By observing these few cardinal points more generally — the proper
selection of sorts, the orchard system of planting, natural root.oulture,
and less pruning — much more and better fruit would be produced in
a great many districts. The culture would be simplified and the la-
bour lessened. On the other hand, the vegetable-garden would also
profit by such an arrangement to no inconsiderable extent. This,
coupled with the planting of many a nook of ground now not much
batter than waste, would very much increase our home supplies, as
compared to what is grown in gardens, making us more independent
of foreign supplies of at least the commonest, though not the least
useful, of these fruits, which it is desirable to make still more plenti-
ful, cheap, and popular among our toiling millions. — " The Gardener."

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

THE VARIETIES OP DAMSONS.

The Damson is one of the most popular and widely cultivated of English
fruits. Many hundreds of acres of land in certain districts of the country
arc devoted to its cultivation, but it is in our cottage homes, and in labour-
er's gardens, that the Damson is most prized, the crop of this fruit being
looked upon as security for the rent. The Damson is a true English fruit.^ It
is not found in cultivation on the Continent, or elsewhere, excepting
America, where it has probably been introduced from this country. Of
Damsons there are several varieties, all originating from the wild Plum,
Prunus iusititia.

Bnglish Damson. — This is the most common variety, and is some-
times called the Round Damson, Common Damson, Black Damson, &c.
The fruits are 'small, roundish-ovate; the skin deep purple, or nearly
black, with a fine bloom. Flesh greeuish-yellow, acid, almost as austere
as a Sloe until quite ripe. It ripens early, and is a great cropper.

Shropshire Damson, or Long Damson, Prune Damson, &c.— The
fruits of this are much larger and longer than those of the common
EngUsh Damson. It is of a long ovate shape, tapering mostly to the
stalk; the skin thick ; flesh thick, adhering somewhat to the stone. This
is a variety of excellent quality, and the best for making preserves, but it
is not such a prolific bearer as the common.

American Damson. — With this variety we have not much per-
sonal acquaintance, having only fruited it one season. The fruits are
large and round, the skiu dark purple, and slightly spotted with brown.
Flesh greenish-yellow, adhering to the stone, juicy, melting, and sweetly
flavoured. Mr- Scott, in his" OroharJist," says it is synonymous with
Frost Gage and Frost Plum, and " is a Plum in much repute in New York
market." It is rather a shy bearer.

Crittenden's Prolific and Kochester Damsons are varie-
ties of great repute in Kent, being of a large size, and very prolific. —
"Florist."

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FEUIT GARDEN.

Outside Vine Planting v. Inside. — I have two late Vineries
chiefly planted with Alicante, Lady Downes, and Trebbiano. In one
of them the roots are outside, while those of the other are inside.
In the former I observe that the Alicantes keep plumper than they do
on the Vines planted inside ; they are just now (Jan. -I) plump and
good, while in the latter case they are shrivelling. I have this day
tasted both, and I find the shrivelled ones the best as regards flavour.
I shall bottle some of each and see which does best. — R. Gilbekt.

Iiate Grapes. — It is well that all Grapes should now be removed
from the Vines if possible, as reaction will soon take place should
the weather become mild, and, it pruning be delayed, bleeding will
be the result. Lady Downes should be cut first and put in the Grape
room, and if that structure be too small to accommodate Black Ali-
cantes, Muscats, itc, these may be left on the Vines for present use.
— S.

King of the Pippins Apple. — This is the best Apple which we
possess ; it never fails to produce a crop. In the very worst of sea-
eons it bears moderately well, and in good seasons abundantly. It is
handsome in shape, good in colour, first-rate in flavour, keeps until
spring is far advanced, and is equally good for dessert or cooking. —
Cambrian.

Concerning Pruit Culture.— The public roads of the late king-
dom (now province) of Hanover are nearly all planted with Apple trees.
The guardians of the roads are instructed, and take interest in their trees.
They guard the fruit till ripe, when the trees are sold singly by public auction
and the proprietor has to guard them and take the fruit down without
damaging the trees. The money goes to the direction (office) of the
public road. These trees give shelter, ornament, and fruits. To plant
trees along railways has not been found practicable, by reason of the
telegraph wires, &c. In the kingdom of Wurtembnrg (capital, Stuttgart)
much has been done in this respect, and proposalshave been made to plant
the side of the railways, but I do not know with what result. — Alfred
FOX Seefeld, in " Dietetic Reformer."

STEM ROOTS ON LILIES.
On Dec. 21 (pp. 560, 561, and 562, Vol. XIV.), four columns
were taken up by no fewer than six opponents, all writing in
strong terms against my remarks on the subject of stem roots.
With respect to their letters they are, oa some important
points, so inconsistent one with another, that it would be im-
possible to enter into anything like an intelligible or profitable
argument on the subject. With regard, however, to them all,
taken collectively, it is fortunate for me that " E. H. W.'s "
important and opportune letter appeared on the same day (p.
560), as what he says may be taken as a comprehensive and
conclusive reply. He tells us that he has recently visited
Japan, and communicates to us some interesting " information
about the habitat and growth of L. auratum in its native
country." Among other things he says :— " The drying up of
the sap in the scales and consequent exhaustion of the bulb's
vital power is the real cause of the ' mop-like growth of stem
roots ' so often seeu in late-potted bulbs that have been
recently imported." He says further : — " Stem roots do not
strengthen the bulb to any appreciable extent in storing up
strength for another season, for on being taken up it is found
to have dwindled to a mere nothing." This is strong confir-
mation of what I have said over and over again, and to
"London Stone" so lately as Dec. 7 (p. 50S). " B. H. W."
also says :— " On healthy plants of Lilium auratum in their
own country stem roots are present only to a moderate
degree." In this country wo would say the same of L. bulbi-
ferlim and the like, without further notice, simply because we
do not make the stem roots of that Lily a nuisance by improper
cultivation. Again, " E. H. W." says ;— " It vill never be found
that a really healthy bulb of L. auratum, provided with abun-
dant roots of its own, pushes stem roots in any quantity."
Now, the reader cannot but see that this information
has been communicated to us by "E. H. W." without the
slightest bias one way or the other. What, then, have ray
opponents said of me, because I have endeavoured to explain
to the readers of The Garden substantiated facts which spoke
clearly to the same effect ? " P. W. B. " says : " I totally
disagree with ' Dunedin ' with regard to stem roots and their
functions." He says more, but that will require a specific
reply. " A. S. 0. N. " says : " If stem roots, when they occur
in Lilies, do not assist in nourishing the flowers, what do they
nourish ? " Mr. T. Smith says : " 1 shall require better argu-
ment than any ' Dunedin ' has yet adduced before I commence
to cut off the stem roots. If they are useless, why are they
produced ? " " B. B. " says : " Will he (• Dunedin ') have us
believe that Nature throws out stem roots, not only without
any good purpose to serve, but for no purpose at all ? " Mr.
Baines says so much, that it must stand over for another occa-
sion. "London Stone" says: "I can only repeat that
' Dunedin's ' positive statement of the evil effects of stem roots
is mere theory." Now any reader may easily see that these
questions and remarks should not have been addressed to me
at all, for the simple reason that " E. H. W.'s " letter shows
clearly that they should have been addressed to those who, by
their injudicious advice, and misdirected culture, encourage
the growth of stem roots, to the ruin of the new bulbs. Even
the Japanese themselves, from whom we have borrowed en-o-
neous ideas, are now, according to " E. H. W.'s " letter,
" thirsting for change and improvement, even greater than in
Europe." It will, therefore, be indeed a great disgrace to us
if we, for the sake of preconceived notions, allow them to go
before us ; for they are, I hear, throw ing oil the inoubus_ called
"The Perennial Theory." But I am doing injustice to
" B. H. W. " himself, by not at once referring my opponents
to his letter, and begging them to read it with care and con-
sideration. If they do so, they will see that what they have
written in favour of stem roots is very much calculated to
injure the culture of the Lily. Dunedin.

WUd Plants for the Flower Garden.— Allow me to thank
Miss Hope for the information which she has given (p. 539, Vol. XIV.)
respecting hardy British 'and other plants suitable for the flower

36

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

garden. AlbboDgh Valeriana Pha anrea oaanot be classed as a British
plant, it does not seem to be very widely different from the common
species known as V. officinalis, and as Hooker, in his " British Flora,"
intimates that there is considerable affinity between them, it is
possible that if the latter assumes a golden dress it wonld be eqaally
valuable. Miss Hope's remarks on Meum Athamanticam are also
jast and true. I have met with it on the dry sandy banks abont a
mile from the coast in a very robust form. For many years I used
to cultivate the Helleborus fcetidns, and thought it bore no incon-
siderable resemblance to an Eastern Palm ; moreover, it was a very
convenient plant, and withstood winds and severe weather in an
exposed vase better than any other plant with which I am acquainted.
Could some one impart a silver or golden hue to its foliage it would
be a grand plant. There is also a British Euphorbia of handsome
growth; I am not certain of its epecifio name, but it is known in
some country districts as Jacob's Ladder. The leaves on its stems
intersect each other at right angles with mathematical regularity. I
have never done more with it than encourage its growth amongst
shrubs, but it might be advantageously employed elsewhere. Another
class of plants might also be brought into requisition perhaps, and
that is the Equisetums or Mare'a-tails; sometimes we meet with
them in bouquets of flowers, and the singularity of their growth is
at all times pleasing. Could one of these be induced to put on a
yellow livery it would be received as a boon. Other wild plants,
equally beautiful, might also be found. Some years ago an Oxalis,
I think of wild origin, was admired by some, its foliage being of a
bronzy. red colour, and Ajnga reptans rubra is assuredly also of
British origin, and both plants had their admirers. Am I not right
in supposing the Golden Pyrethrum of the present day also to be the
offspring of a plant common in our woods ? — A Retired Gakdbneb.

STOB^A PURPUREA.
Me. Hemsley in his description of this plant last week (p. 12) says, "to
grow it in perfection in the open air, some little attention is required
as it is not perfectly hardy." Surely this must be a mistake. In
February my first seedlings made their appearance, and as soon as
they were strong enough to handle, they were pricked off into 5-in.
pots. In these they grew rapidly, soon filling the pots with roots,
and compelling me to have them potted off sooner than I had intended.
The strongest were potted in 3. in. pots, the smallest in "stores," in
which they remained until the latter end of April, when they were
planted in the open ground ; they were dibbled in in the same way
as one would do Cabbage plants, merely shading them for a few days,
and I do not think that I lost one in a hundred. They grew rapidly,
and by the end of June they began to throw up their flower-spikes;
these were at least 3 ft. in height and bore en an average twenty. five
blossoms on each ; they flowered beautifully and were the admiration
of everyone, lasting in good condition for a month or six weeks. I
gathered from them a good supply of seed and then left them to take
their chance. During the whole of the first frost all the plants, both
in pots and in the open ground, were unprotected, the pots being not
even plunged. After the frost had gone I examined them and found
thjm breaking up strongly from the bottom, some having three, foar,and
even six crowns. I then thought it prudent to remove them in cise of
more frost, so the pot plants were placed in a cold frame and those in the
ground were covered with straw. I have examined them again to-day,
and I find them, both in pots and in the ground, uninjured. Any
plant that will stand the test of such a winter as we have bad and
are still having, in such an unfavourable locality as that of Tottenham,
must, I think, be perfectly hardy anywhere in this country. A. P.

In November, before frost is probable, I lift them with the spade, and
put them under the shelves of the greenhouse, and there, when they
appear dry, give them a slight watering to keep them moist. I tried
to leave them the year before last in the ground, being laid np in
November by illness, and not confiding the tieatment of my plants to
any one, but, as the winter was very damp, they were all rotten next
spring. I think it, therefore, advisable to lift them, to preserve them
from too much moisture and frost. As to the varieties named by
Mr. John Cornhill, I must answer his appeal by giving your
readers the names of a few of the best, and I will give them according
to their height: — Barilleti, thebestof all as to foliage, seldom blooms,
from 8 ft. to 9 ft. ; Auguste Ferrier, foliage also beautiful, from 7 ft. to
8 f t ; nigricans, brown foliage, 7 ft. to 8 ft.; Imperator, green foliage, 6 ft.
to 8 ft. ; Jacques Plantier, green foliage, 6 ft. to 7 ft. ; insignis, green
with brown, 6 ft. ; Depute Henon, green foliage, 5 ft. to 6 ft. ; Ma-
reohal Vaillant, brown and green, 5 .ft. to 6 ft. ; Daniel Hooibrenk,
green foliage, 5 ft. to 6 ft. ; Premioe de Nice, green foliage, 5 ft. to
6 ft., one of the best for blooming ; Jean Bart, brown and green foliage,
abont 5 ft. ; Jean Vandael, brown with green foliage, 4 ft. to 5 ft. ;.
EJoaard Morren, green foliage, large yellow flowers, spotted with
dark orange, 4 ft. to 5 ft. ; Bihorelii, green foliage, free bloomer, 3 ft. to
4ft. ; Picturata Nana, green foliage, very free bloomer, 2 ft. to 3 ft.
It must not be forgotten, that the mulching recommended by Mr.
Cornhill is not sufficient, and that Cannas, to come to perfection, re-
quire frequent watering with liquid manure, and what they like best
is nightsoil, deodorised by means of sulphate of iron.

Lyons. Jean Sislet.

CANNAS ON THE CONTINENT.

I HAVE read Mr. Cornhill's remarks on Cannas with much interest ;
having considerable experience in their growth, I have no hesitation
in saying that his instructions as to their treatment and propagation
are correct. It is important that the soil in which Cannas are grown
should be deeply moved, at least two spades or more, for although
the roots do not go very deep, they require the soil to be light and
well drained, notwithstanding their liking for plenty of moisture. It
has been often stated that Cannas cannot be cultivated for several
years in tho same soil, but that is a mistake. I have grown them
for many years in the same place at the bottom of my garden, shaded
by trees, and protected from wind. They grow with me most
luxuriantly. As to wintering them, it is, as Mr. Cornhill writes, ex.
ceedingly easy, provided they are protected against frost. I am not,
however, partial to shaking off the earth from the roots. I
have tried it, but have found that when I left the whole of the earth
amongst and outside the roots, they were stronger the next year.

£=Ij-A.TE CXjI2C.

RHODODENDRON LEPIDOTUM.

RnoDODESDRoxs, OF " Rose trees," are scattered all round the
northern hemisphere, but the greatest concentration of species
occurs in the Himalaya mountains, the home of the present
species. Here they form a characteristic feature of the woody
vegetation in certain localities, and especially at great eleva-
tions. They vary from a few inches high, as R. nivale, t»
40 ft., with a trunk sometimes exceeding 14 ft. in girth, as-
R. arboreum. The former is found almost at the extreme
upper limits of vegetation of flowering plants, at least, having
been collected by Sir J. D. Hooker at an elevation of 18,000 ft.
R. lepidotum, although it does not ascend to quite so great an
altitude, is an Alpine species, occurring between 8000 ft. and
16,000 ft., according to the nature of she locality, but it is most
at home between 10,000 ft. and 15,000 ft. above the sea leveL
Having so great a vertical range, it naturally varies considera-
bly in stature, in the size of the leaves, and in other minor
details. The forms R. salignum, R. obvatum, and R. elasag-
noides, originally published as distinct species, have proved
to be no more than varieties of one type. Each of these varieties,
which are distinguished in the extreme states from each other
mainly by differences in the foliage, varies in the colour of its
flowers from yellow and pink through divers shades to dark
purple. In all its numerous forms this species is charac-
terised by having the upper surface of the leaves,
as well as the lower, and the flower stalks, clothed
with circular brown scales. It is also highly resi-
nous, emitting a powerful odour under the influence of
sunshine. In its upper habitats it is of a gregarious nature,
growing 1 ft. or 2 ft. high, and extending laterally into large
clumps. Lower down in the mountains it attains a height;
of 4 ft. or 5 ft., but is of somewhat straggling habit, with
naked, twisted, and crooked trunks and branches, terminating
in tufts of slender branchlets. The leaves are clustered near
the tips of the branchlets, and rising above the foliage are from
one to four flowers. Several of the varieties mentioned above
have been introduced into our gardens, as well as one called
chloranthum, with pale yellowish-green flowers.

W. B. Hemsley.
[The plant from which the annexed figure was prepared was
supplied from the Lawson Company's Nurseries, Edinburgh,
where it is found to be perfectly hardy. It is a very free
bloomer, having flowered in the nursery in question in a very
small state," and most of the plants now in the open ground
have plenty of flower buds on them. The severe frost which
we have experienced this winter has apparently had no injurious
effect upon them.j

iSsafc*- ■

"^-f"^

Jan. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Conservatory.

More pleasure, as a rale, is derivable from a well.farnished con.
seryatory during the next three months, than at any other time of
the year, inasmuch as during that period there are less attractions in
the outside garden. This is especially the case where the conserva-
tory is attached to the dwelling, and, consequently, accessible without
exposure to the weather. Everything pDssible should now be done
to keep it as attractive as possible by means of the regular introduc.
tion of forced flowers, prepared elsewhere, and the arrangement of
them along with the permanent occupants of the house, in a way
that will produce the beat effect. Atteation given to this is time well
spent, for it frequently happens that with a moderate quantity of
fine. leaved and flowering subjects judiciously placed, a much more
artistic effect is given than in other instances where there is an nn.
limited quantity of material at hand, but an absence of ability to use
it to the best advantage. There are few matters connected with the
ordinary routine of a garden, in which those in charge have a better
field for displaying ability above that of the nominal plant grower,
than in that of conservatory arrangement. There is no doubt that a
good deal ot the effect possible to be produced, depends upon the in-
ternal construction ot the building. To make anything like an
effective arrangement there should be nothing in the shape of a fixed
stage, as the presence of such prevents the possibility of effecting
the requisite changes in the grouping, that from time to time should
take place, so as to obviate the objectionable monotony of seeing a
considerable number of the regular occupants of the conservatory
always in the same position. During the next three months Camellias
will play an important part ia the arrangement here, especially where
there is a sufficient number of plants proportionate in size to the dimen-
sions of the house which they occupy. If these be arranged so as to act as
a background to forced Azileas, Cytisus racemosus, Epacrises, Correas,
hardy shrubs, Cinerarias, Primulas, forced bulbs, standard Tree Mig.
nonette. Salvias, Epiphyllum trnncatum, &c., in combination with
Agaves, DracEenas, Yuccas, Cordylines, Dasylirions, Lomatias, Phor.
mium tenax, Tree Perns, Cyoada, and Macrozamias, a collective effect
may be made not easily surpassed at any season of the year. Where
a goodsupply, in small pots, of Lycopodium denticulatum, Isolepis
gracilis, and Centaureas, is at hand, they will be found most useful in
hiding the larger pots.

Roof Climbera. — So far as these are concerned, there are few
that, just at the present time, will cjntribute much by their display
of flowers, but they should be all cirefully gone over, and so far cut
in as to prevent anything like crowding, or their spreaiing under the
whole roof surface in a way that will too much exclude light. In
securing them in their places, the objectionable practice of tying them
in so tightly as to give the whole a stiff appearance should be avoided.
On the contrary, a sufficient number of shoots should be left hanging
in a pendant position to prevent this. Where insects of any descrip-
tion are troublesome, they should be thoroughly cleaned while the
plants are camparatively in a dormant condition. Fjr a like reason,
and to enhance the general appearance, all the permanent occupants
should, as often as time can be found, have their leaves sponged ;
this is the more necessary at this season when the syringe and garden
engine are better not used.

Temperature and Air-giving. — The temperature ot conser-
vatories should be from 46^ to 50^, in the night, according to the
weather, with a proportionate rise by day ; this, as amatter of course,
will necessitate an almost continuous use of fire-heat, to avoid the over-
drying influence of which sufficient moisture must be given in the
immediate vicinity ot the pipes, otherwise the air will get so dry
that its effects are certain not only to be seen in causing the unex-
pinded bads of Camellias to fall off, but it will also act injuriously
upon other plants. Be very careful about the admission ot air, even
at such times as the sun happens to shine out clear and bright, giving
it, as tar as possible, at the roof. Much better let the thermometer
rise considerably on the few occasions that it may be expected to do
so for several weeks hence than admit a volume ot cold air in direct
contact with the plants.

Greenhouse.

Where hard. wooded plants are only required for home decoration,
and consequently there is no danger of the branches rubbing and
chafing against each other when being moved the short distance they
have to be conveyed fro n one house to another, no more stakes and
ties should be used than are needful to support them in a form
similar to that which each plant, according to its kind, assumes in a
state of Nature. When plants are wanted for exhibition purposes they
must of necessity hive the requisite qaantity of sticks and ties to
keep their branches steady, or in transit the flowers are certain to be

destroyed. This applies not only to hard-wooded greenhouse plants
that usually come under this designation, but also to Cape Heaths and
Azaleas; but, in the case of the latter, such tying as they require
should never be deterred till this time of the year, being much better
done towards the close ot summer, before the season's growth becomes
solidified, as then the points of the shoots and foot. stalks of the
leaves, whilst yet soft and flexible, will in a few days regain their
proper position, from which, in the work of tying, they have been
bent ; this will never take place it the plants be left until the wood
has got hard and ripe— a circumstance which adds much to unsightly
formality.

Wiater-flowering Heaths. — As soon as these have done
blooming, they should be at once cut back, so as to cause the principal
shoots to break low enough to keep them from assuming the straggling
condition they will get into if left to go on for another season without
the last summei's growth being suffioiently reduced.

Primulas.— Both the single and double varieties should, where
possible, be kept in a light house or pit, where they can be accomo.
dated with a night temperature of from 15' to 50', keeping them as
close to the glass as circumstances will permit. The plants of
the single varieties intended for later flowering should be some
degrees cooler than this, and all mast be watered with care, as if the
foot-stalks of the leaves get much wet they will be liable to decay.

Cyclamens. — To grow these plants well they should be treated
through the winter as to temperature much in the way recommended
for Primulas, as, unless kept a little warmer [than an ordinary green-
house, they will not grow or flower anything like what they are
capable of. Keep a good look.out that there are no aphides upon them ,
otherwise they get established in quantity on the young advancing
bloom-stems without being noticed, in which case they will cause the
flowers to come deformed.

Cinerarias. — If a sowing weremaie sufficiently early, and the
plants have been well attended to through the season, they will
naturally have come on into flower without anything above the usual
greenhouse treatment, to which they should never be subjected, as
even a very little heat injures them by destroying the under leaves
and drawing the bloom-stems up thin and weakly, which spoils them
for the general purposes of decoration, and it the flowers are wanted
for cutting makes them comparatively worthless, as they flag
directly. Keep the auccessional later. blooming plants as cool as
possible, so that they are out ot the reach ot frost ; by this means
they may be had to flower in good condition up to the middle ot May,
daring which period they will be foand most useful, as thay tarnish
shades ot coloar, especially blue, not only beautiful in themselves,
bat sach as much enhance the effect produced by flowers of other
colours with which they are associated, either in the oonserratory or
in a cut state.

Herbaceous Calceolarias. — Plants raised from seed sown last
summer, and afterwards pjtted off singly, should at once be attended
to by moving them into larger pots before their roots get at all confined,
for if this occurs, the stunting influence will be such that they never
afterwards can be induced to grow on freely, or to attain anything
like the size and ability to produce such a qaantity of flowers as
when encouraged by liberal treatment. It is seldom we now see
these useful decorative subjects so we'l managed as they at one time
were. If, as may be supposed, they are occupying 3-in. pots, a por.
tion may be moved into others that are 4 in. or larger, in which they
can be allowed to bloom. Those that are intended to have a second
shift in addition to the present, may be transferred at this time to
6. in. pots. They delight in rich, light soil, such as i* composed of two
parts good, free, turfy loam, with a third part consisting of equal
proportions of leaf-moald and rotten manure, all mixed up with
sufficient sand. In potting, avoid the extremes of leaving the soil so
very loose as at one time was looked upon as conducive to their well-
being, and also the opposite ot compressing it in the pots to that
degree ot solidity neceesiry with Pelargoniums. The plants should
hare a light position in a pit or house that can be kept at a tempera-
ture of about 40° in the night, with a moister atmosphere than many
plants require.

Shrubby Calceolarias intended for flowering in pots should be
similarly treated, but in practice I have found that these do better
with pitting somewhat harder than the herbaceous species. Both
should be from time to time examined to see that they are free from
green fly, as, if this pest is allowed now to got established upon them,
it will epoil the appearance of the plants, will weaken them by the
destruction of the lower leaves, and be much more difficult to
eradicate than if taken in lime. Where only a few individual plants
amongst a number are affected, dipping in Tobacco water will prove
an efficient means for the destruction of the insects, or they may be
killed by fumigation, but, where this is resorted to, it will be safer to

38

THE GAKDEN.

[Jan 11, 1879.

repeat it Blightly several times than t.o subject the plants to a severe
application, as they are maoh easier injured by Tobacco fumes than
many subjects.

Show and Fancy Pelargfoniums. — Plants of these that after
being cat back were shaken oat and replaced in small pot9, if notal.
ready transferred to those in which they are to bloom, should be
attended to, as with them also, any approach to a root-bound condi-
tion will stop growth and proportionately weaken their flowering
capabilities; good turfy loam, of not too light a nature, well en.
riohed with rotten manure and a little sand added, is necessary to
grow these plants satisfactorily, and, in potting, the soil can scarcely
be made too solid, by ramming it tightly in with the potting stick.
When it is left too light, there is always an inclination to run too
much to leaf, with a comparative indisposition to flower. As soon as
potted, they should at once be tied into shape, avoiding the over-
formality consequent upon the unnatural trellis style of training
eometimes resorted to, likewise that which leaves the branches
with so little support that the plants cannot be moved when in flower
to wherever required, without the shoots falling about in a straggling
unsightly manner. The fancy sorts, from their more sturdy growth,
stand in less need of support, but both kinds should be trained sulfi.
ciently open to admit of plenty of light getting to the whole of the
leaves, aud to preserve a stont, bushy outline, which is their natural
habit. Keep them, if possible, within a short distsnce of the glass
in the lightest house available, and be careful for the next two months
never to give water until the soil has got drier than it. would be ad-
visable to allow it in the case of most plants.

Chrysanthemums. — If cuttings of these are not put in, no
time should be now lost. Choose shoots that are stout and strong and
have not been drawn up weakly, for, though the latter will root
freely enough, they are a long time before they acquire strength. I
should not by any means recommend their being put in heat to induce
them to root, as is frequently done, as this has a direct tendency to
cause top growth, which it is most desirable to avoid until roots are
formed ; the foliage made under such conditions is necessarily so soft
and devoid of fibre that it does not admit of being kept alive on the
plants, which leaves them bare at the bottom. They will strike
easily but slower inserted in a mixture of one-half loam and sand,
covered with ordinary propagating glasses in a greenhouse tempera-
ture kept near the glass. It is advisable to see that they are free
from aphides before putting them in. If the plants from which they
are taken have been at all affected with these it will be better to dip
the cuttings in Tobacco water previous to^insertion.j

Orchids.
Phajus. — P. albus and P. Bensonise, if not done growing, should
be kept at the warmest end of the house, and supplied with sulficient
moisture to maintain a healthy root action.

Calanthe veratrifolia will, in most cases, be about completing
its growth ; and the loam or peat, whichever it is grown in, should be
kept only slightly moist.

Such species belonging to the.families of Cattleya, Lcelia, Dendro-
bium, Oncidium, and others, the growth of which is progressing at
this season, and which, during that time, usually are removed to the
East Indian house, should have as much moisture given to the roots
as will assist them to complete their growth.

Intermediate House. — A temperature of from 48' to 50° in
the night for some time, with 5' or 6° more during the day, will be
about the right heat. Most of the warmer section of Dendrobes now
at rest will find a suitable place here. The large, erect-growing
species, such as D. Calceolaria, D. Dalhonsianum, and D. Paxtoni, are
not so much cultivated now as they used to be, no doubt on account
of their tall, rather straggling habit, but even after being well
managed so as to produce stout, fully-matured pseudo bulbs, they
need to be well dried up to induce them to flower freely j the drying
must be continued, without any application of water, right through
the winter and spring till they show flower. If water be given pre-
vious to this a considerable number of the buds will run off into
growth. The increase of atmospheric moisture, with a higher tem.
peratnre later on in the spring, will be sufficient to cause the bulbs
somewhat shrivelled to plump up and get through the first stages of
the flower's development without the application of water to the
roots. The short, thicker.bulbed section of D. densidorum, D.
Farmeri, and D. clavatum character, require a lengthened period of
dry treatment at the roots, but their flowers do not run off into
growth by the application of a little water at the roots if it becomes
necessary to give this to prevent their shrivelling too much. The
thicker.bulbed, drooping kinds, such as D. Wardianum, D. macro,
phyllum, D. chrysotis, and D. primulinum, are all tree flowerers, and
if they appear to be getting too much shrivelled may have now and

then a small quantity of water gives them through the winter without
its interfering with their flowering. The beautiful D. Falconeri
requires well drying to induce it to bloom freely, and should have
very little moisture given it before the flowers are unmistakably
apparent or it will ran off into growth. The equally beautiful
D. Devonianum, and a few others of like character, also nted a longer
season of dry root treatment than most Orchids, but they commence
to grow previous to the development of their flower buds, and require
water to assist the growths in the spring before these make much
progress. Cattleyas, Laelias, Epidendrums, Braesavolas, Brassias,
Broughtonias, Barkerias, Anguloas, Miltonias, Chysis, Cycnoohes,
Eriopsis, Gongoras, Lyoastes, Mormodes, and Oncidiums, with few
exceptions, will succeed with similar treatment as to temperature
and a moderately lengthened period of dry condition at the roots
previous to the development of their flowers.

Cool Orchids. — The house devoted to these should now be kept
at from 38° to 45' in the night, and 5° or 6' higher by day, accord,
ing to the weather. The principal plants to be considered in this
department are the Odontoglossums and llasdevallias, both of which,
but especially the latter, must never be submitted to drying treat,
ment at the roots. The different other cool species that need total
rest through the winter, during which time they require to be kept
dry, may be treated in this way so far as will not entail much
shrivelling, which is not likely to occur, as the atmosphere here will
not be [nearly so dry as that where more fire heat is used. — T.
Baines.

Flower Garden.

At this comparatively cheerless season, nothing renders a garden
more thoroughly enjoyable than dry and neatly kept walks. Now is
the time for making new ones and improving and renovating those
already in existence. If the gravel be discoloured or Moss. grown,
break it up with forks, and leave it loose until rain has fallen ; then
rake it over and roll it down, when the walk will look as it fresh
gravelled. Walks under the shade of trees and shrubs where there
is no Grass to be killed, need not be broken up, as a sprinkling of
salt will both kill the Moss and give brightness to the gravel ; but
for use in open spaces salt is not to be commended, as, even with the
greatest care, it frequently kills the Grass verges, and after a time
it acts as a manure, and increases rather than diminishes weed growth.
Levelling turf and relaying it should be forwarded as fast as the
weather permits j also all grubbing, trenching, and alteration. Leaf
dealing should ere this be completed, and now the shrubbery borders
may have their annual pointing over, an operation which is necessary,
not so much tor the beneflt of the shrubs as for the removal of weeds
and the fixing of blowing leaves. Herbaceous borders are now look,
ing weedy, and where, as is usually the case, such borders contain
large clumps of bulbous plants, not much can be done to improve
matters till these show themselves above ground, but as soon as they
do so, contemplated rearrangement and division of the plants may be
proceeded with, and the borders may be manured and dug as deeply
as the occupants will permit. Several kinds of plants that have of
late withstood our mild winters have succumbed to the late severe
frost. Eucalyptus globulus, not protected, is quite dead, while
those that were covered with Bracken are alive, so far as the protec.
tion extended, and so are the Australian Dracaenas, which have stood
out during the past four winters uninjured; those not protected
are dead, but the others, though much injured, are alive ; it there,
fore becomes a question how much frost can even a little covering
keep off. Such covering should be applied now to plants that have
weathered the storm, for their constitution being weakened, such
another frost would be very likely to kill them. Roses do not seem
to have suffered at all, but as a safeguard, the beds should now be
thickly mulched with manure, which will also serve as protection.
If the weather be open and favourable, the sooner all intended plant,
ing of Roses is completed the better. Standards and others requir.
ing support should be staked at once, to prevent injury from high
winds, and the beds should ba mulched as before recommended. Beds
of Anemones, Ranunculuses, and choice Hyacinths and Tulips that
are peeping above ground will be all the better for a covering of
Spruce or Laurel boughs laid thickly over them. Echeverias have
suffered severely, and the reserve stock must be looked to, in order
to see that no losses occur amongst them. All other bedding plants,
more particularly those required in quantity, must be examined, and
tender kinds introduced into heat for the production of cuttings.
See that roots of Dahlias and Cannas are secure from all danger from
frost J the middle of February is sufiioiently early to introduce them
into heat.— W. W.

Auriculas- — After the disappearance of the severe frost, and
when the frames had been well opened up a few times, it was seen
that quite halt the outer leaves of our Auriculas were injured ;
these have now been removed, and only the centre tufts of late

Jan. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

39

antamn.formed leaves left. Still admit plenty of fresh air, and
remove the lights altogether during fine weather.

Carnations and Picotees. — Ventilate frames in which these
are growing, freely ; but let no rain fall upon the leaves. Raise the
lights by tilting them on blocks, and in fine weather remove them.
If there be any traces of aphides on the leaves, fumigate on calm
nights until they are destroyed. A pair of sharp-polnted scissors is
useful to cut off portions of decayed leaves. Plants in beds must be
looked over oooasionally, and those not steady in the ground must be
made firm by pressing round the base of the plants, and a neat stick
should be placed to each in order to prevent any injury from high
winds.

DaUias. — The roots of these are sometimes injured by being
stored in unsuitable places, such as those that are either close and
damp, or too dry. It is well, therefore, to examine them carefully.
I have seen a collection of fine sorts injured from the roots being
quite dessicated by being placed too near the hot-water Pipes in a
Mushroom house. Close, damp sheds, too, with a northern exposure do
not answer. It the roots are not keeping well, look over them, re.
move decayed portions, and place them in boxes in dry mould,
removing the boxes to a Vinery, Peaoh house, or other structure
from which frost is excluded.

Hollyhocks. — The leaves of these in frames show the effect of
the severe frost which we have experienced, therefore all decayed
leaves and portions of leaves should be removed at once and air
should be given on all favourable occasions, excluding damp. In
foggy or close, wet weather, it is best to keep the lights closed,
mould soon gathers on decayed portions and must be looked after.
Plants in pots in houses from which frost is excluded are not likely
to suffer any injury ; they must not, however, be allowed to become
overdry at the roots.

Pansies. — Favourable weather should be taken advantage of, to
pot such plants as are intended for pot culture ; 6. in., 7-in., or 8-in.
pots answer best, and either one of these sizes may be used.'according
to the convenience of the owner. One plant, if large enough, will
be sufficient for a pot, but small plants may be utilised by placing
two or three in each pot. The soil ought to consist of about four parts
turfy loam, one rotten manure, one leaf-mould, and one sharp sand.
Press the mould in firmly with the fingers round the roots of the
plants, and see that plenty of drainage is placed in the bottom of
the pots.

Polyantliuses. — These require similar treatment to Auriculas,
but it is not well to allow the roots to become too dry. The
trusses, too, are formed earlier than those of Auriculas. The
plants require plenty of ventilation, and theleaves being more fragile
and brittle than Auricula leaves, are also very liable to be attacked
by insect pests. Red spider, thrips, and green fly attack them
even in winter; these must be destroyed by washing the foliage
and fumigating the frames. It is worthy of notice that the leaves
are seldom attacked when the plants are in good health. Plants of
these or of Auriculas in beds must be seen to, and if the roots be
exposed, carefully dress the surface between the plants with light,
rich soil, pressing down the plants rather firmly. J. Douglas.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — The earliest house will now be advanced towards the
disbudding stage, and this should be done with judgment. As a
rule, one shoot to a spur is sufficient, but where the Vines are a suffi-
cient distance apart to permit of the full development of the extra
foliage, two shoots are best. Keep up a genial average temperature
of 65", and allow the heat to fluctuate somewhat with the outside
temperature, and, if the Vines must be pushed on, let it be by day
firing, accompanied by daylight, as it is only natural that Vines, like
plants of other descriptions, should have their night season of rest,
which can only be attained by keeping the temperature as low as is
possible compatible with the health and due progress of the Vines.
The roots of early forced Vines should be confined to inside borders,
and when water is required it should be warm, say from 90" to 95° ;
the warmth thus communicated should be retained as long as pos.
Bible by immediately mulching with a thick layer of litter fresh from
the stables, the ammonia arising from which will also supply an
element as regards successful culture. Thus treat all borders now
where the Vines are expected to produce ripe fruit in June next.
Early Vineries that have outside borders should have been covered
with straw. Bracken, or leaves early in October, to retain the heat
deposited in them by the summer sun, and shutters or other covering
should be used to throw off snow and heavy rains. In this manner
a more equable temperature is maintained than by the questionable
method of hotbed heating, the fluctuations of which are so great. If
a bed, 2 ft. in thickness of leaves and stable litter, can conveniently

be kept inside the Vinery, it will serve the double purpose of increas-
ing the temperature and obviating syringings, and it will also help
the expansion of buds. In mid. season houses, as soon as the fruit is
cut, forthwith prune the Vines and they will go more effectually to
rest. Indeed, to do them justice, all Grapes should now be cut and
put in bottles of water j they will keep better if cut now than if
left on the Vines another mouth. Any dry room in which a tem-
perature can be kept above 40" is suitable for the purpose, and as
much wood as possible, both behind and in front of the bunch, should
be cut along with it to act as a deterrent to au overplus of moisture
being communicated to the fruit.

Pines. — Ripe fruit for the London season is generally required
in quantity ; therefore Queens that are now showing fruit should be
encouraged accordingly. Thus managed, they will be ripe from the
beginning of May and onwards. A bottom-heat of 85° should be
maintained, and an atmospheric heat ranging from 55" on cold nights
to 75" or 80' ou warm days, should be kept up. To all plants show-
ing fruit give a soaking with water at 80°, and they should not again
be allowed to become dry, nor, on the other hand, should they be
kept constantly wet. Any expected to show fruit, and that as yet
manifest no signs of it, should be kept dry ; the check thus given
rarely fails to produce the desired effect. Succession plants at this
season require great watchfulness ; the weather. Laving been severe,
has necessitated hard firing, and they will have become very dry, a
circumstance which is apt to cause tbem to fruit prematurely. It is
better to cover the pits with mats, &c., at right, thus 'not only saving
firing, but inducing sturdier growth. Atmospheric acidity is a
great foe to successful Pine culture. To plants swelling off fruit at
this dull season afford every attention ; water with tepid guano water
whenever they seem approaching a dry state ; a humid atmosphere
of 75" is desirable, and all the sun and light they can get ; therefore,
the glass should be kept scrupulously clean. Leaves for plunging
preparatory to the general shifting which must soon take place,
should be stored and allowed to consolidate. Soil should also be got
under cover, and everything should be in readiness for action as soon
as a mild period has arrived.

Peach.es. — These do not like excessive forcing. Failure, or rather
partial failure, has more than once been the result of attempting to
force Peaches against time. The earliest houses are apt to drop their
buds previous to expansion ; this is generally attributed to the trees
having suffered from drought the previous season, but, though this
may occasionally be the cause, a more general one is the undue ex-
citement of the buds by beginning to force with too high a tempera-
ture. Forcing should be very gradual till after the fruit is set, and
then, if necessary, a push may be made up to the stoning period,
when excitement again becomes dangerous, but, after that, hard
forcing is safe enough. In starting to force a house, see that the
border is thoroughly moistened throughout, and do not exceed at night
45°, and, as in the case of Vines, prefer rather to fire by day, with
the accompaniments of light and air, than at night. Syringe night
and morning trees, walls, and floors till the blooms begin to open,
when a drier atmosphere is requisite. Prune late houses; wash
or paint them over, as a preventive- against insects, with soap-suds.
Tobacco water, and sulphur, made to the consistency of thin paint by
adding clay or cow manure to cause adhesiveness. This done, top.
dress the borders by removing all the loose, inert, top soil, and re-
placing it with good loam, a little bone-dust, wood-ashes, or pounded
charcoal. Peach borders in either early or late houses should never
be allowed to get dry, and, if the drainage be good and there be a free
outlet, there need never be any fear of the borders getting too wet.
New borders in course of formation should be completed as soon as
possible as it is quite time the trees were planted if good growth be
desired this season. A good Peach.producing soil should consist of
loam of medium texture, rather stiff than light, chalk or lime
scraps, and charcoal. Manure, it required, is best applied in a liquid
state when the trees are in full vigour.

Strawberries, — Having no Strawberry house, our first batch
(200) has been started in a pit filled with Oak leaves to create
warmth. The plants are not plunged but simply set closely together
on the bed; here they have abundance of air, and the crowns soon
start into active growth. They are gradually removed from this pit
to fill shelves in Melon and Peach houses, according to the expected
demand, and now our first batch — Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury —
is throwing up their flower stems most sturdily, a fact attributable
rather to the strength of the plants than to the culture which they
have had since being introduced to the forcing pit. Large, well-
ripened crowns, constitute the acme of success in Strawberry forcing.
At this early and sunless period, as soon as the blossoms open, artifi-
cial distribution of pollen is requisite in order to insure a good set.
Plenty of rariSed air is beneficial, and, indeed, necessary, but cold
draughts prove fatal, and so does a muggy atmosphere. Keep the

40

THE GAEDEN.

Jan, 11, 1S79.

plants moist, and use for the present clear, tepid water only. Pro-
tect the later plants from heavy rains and severe frosts. All bhould
be honsed in cold pits, but, lacking that convenience, pinnge them in
ashes or leaves, and cover with shutters or tarpaulin as may be
required.

Helons. — For froit required early in May sow at once, and, in
order that they may germinate kindly, they will requiie a bottom
heat of 80'. The seeds should be put in pairs in 3-in. pots, and,
when up, the weakest plants should be destroyed. When town, as is
frequently the case, a number o£ seeds together, the check caused
by division is considerable. Grow the plants as near the glass
and with as much light as possible. A shelf in a Pine pit is a much
better position than if plunged in a bottom heat a long distance from
the glass.— W. W.

ROSES.

SHIELD BUUDIKG AND GEAFTIKG.

CnoosiXG THE Shoots prom which the Shield-buds are to
BE Takex. — This choice is all the more important seeing that
the constitution of the eye to be shield-budded bas a great
influence not only on the vigour of the resulting Eose bush,
but also on its inflorescence and longevity. An eye taken
from a strong shoot, for instance, will cause a luxuriant growth
of leaves, forming a bush with a beautiful head, but with very
few flowers. An eye taken from the lower part of a
shoot develops but slowly, and remains a long time dor-
mant. A bud taken from the angle of the last two leaves
imrnediately under the flower stalk of a Eose tree which, under
ordinary circumstances, is intended for flowering purposes will,
when grafted, induce a precocious inflorescence and interfere
greatly with the growth of the Eose tree. As the flower is formed
on the extremity of the shoot, the growth of the latter will be
stopped and the sap will be sent back to feed useless shoots
and growths. This description of bud is, however, sometimes
used exceptionally, in order to produce several successive flower-
ings in varieties which bloom with difficulty. It is, there-
fore, mostly from the middle of the shoots that we must
choose the best buds for shield-grafting. The shoots chosen
should be healthy, sufficiently mature, and full of sap, and the
buds themselves should be vigorous and well-formed, and of
dimensions proportionate to the stock upon which they are to
be grafted. We may always ascertain whether a branch
or shoot is full of sap or not by its extremity being
herbaceous and continuing to grow, besides which we may
recognise the fact by the sap oozing out of the incisions made
when we cut out, the shield-bud.

Preparing the Stocks for Shield-budding.— If shield-
budding is not performed upon the spot, the shoots chosen
are cut off, and the top, which is generally more or less herba-
ceous, is pruned away. The leaves are also removed, the lower
half of the petiole alone being allowed to remain. The shoots
are tied up into little bundles and numbered, and are either
kept wrapped up in a damp cloth, or else their lower ends are
plunged into a vessel of water, so as to keep them fresh and
moist. These precautions are sufficient if the spot at which
they are to be used is not very far off, or the time not very
distant ; but if, on the other hand, they have to be used at a
distance, they are piled up in gradually decreasing layers on a
bed of slightly damped Moss, so that they may form a kind of
cone or sugar-loaf, which is packed up in paper, and secured
with string. If, after having cut off the shoots, we find any
shoots with wrinkled bark, or with eyes which seem to be too
small, they should be soaked in water for twenty-four hours,
when the bark will become smooth and the buds will swell
oat. When we have stock plants from which we can take the
buds, it is a good plan to examine the shoots some time pre-
viously, so as to know the exact condition of the eyes. If they
be flat and small we need only pinch off the end of the shoots
about a week before taking off the buds. This operation has
the effect of sending back the sap into the buds, and of caus-
ing them to swell out very rapidly, so much so that they will
push into shoots if we delay cutting off the slips too long.

Shield Grafting with a Growing Eye. — If, as we havejsaid
before, the operation of pinching off has been properly carried

out, and the shoots are sufficiently strong and solid, we may
begin to graft in June, which will allow us later on to take
buds with dormant eyes from the shoots of these grafts. In
the climate of Paris this operation is performed at the end of
June or duting the month of July. The two important con-
ditions to be fulfilled is, to have subjects with healthy shoots,
full of sap, and with well-formed eyes on the grafts. We may
begin grafting even earlier than this if we chose our buds from
plants which have passed the winter in a greenhouse. Some
days before budding we choose a sufficient number of subjects
for the purpose, bending down the shoots to be budded, and
tying their tips to the stem of the Brier stock. By this means
the sap becomes concentrated in the elbow of the shoot, which
greatly favours the development of the grafted bud. A fort-
night or three weeks after the grafts have been put on we must
examine them to see if they have taken. We can easily judge
whether this has happened by observing whether the petiole
has fallen off, and the bud itself is quite fresh and green. If
so, we may remove the ligatures so as to avoid undue com-
pression and possible fracture of the shoots. As the buds
grow into shoots we must pinch off the tops of all the shoots
as soon as they are long enough. When the shoots of the
graft have reached the length of 8 in. we may prune them back
until only two eyes are left. With dwarf Eose trees we must
bend down the young shoots and fasten them down bj' means of
hooked pegs fixed in the ground. Grafting with a growing eye
allows us to multiply new varieties with great rapidity, and is
of good service when the frost has destroyed the grafts made
with dormant buds. It is also useful for supplying us with
shoots for budding the grafts of the year before.

Shield-Grafting with a Dormant Eye. — This kind of
grafting is carried on in the neighbourhood of Paris from the
middle of August to the end of September. This period may
be anticipated or exceeded according to the temperature. As
in grafting with a growing eye, we must use shoots with
properly-formed and healthy eyes, but the sap,iListead of being
in full activity, ought to be rather on the decline. There
must, however, be sufficient sap in the bud for it to take when
grafted, but not enough for it to develop into a shoot. In
this case the eye will lie dormant until the spring. In order
to prepare the subjects to be budded, we must examine them a
week or a fortnight before the time for grafting arrives, and
pinch off the tips of all the shoots on the branches to be
budded, as well as the smaller shoots. In the neighbourhood
of the place where the graft is to be made, the shoots allowed
to remain on the top of each branch must be reduced to two or
three, rarely more. All the others must be cut down as they
grow, otherwise the sap will receive a check, wasting itself
through the wounds of the cut branches. It is better to leave
them as they are than to interfere with the flow of the sap.
The shield-buds should be placed at the angle of the stem and
the shoot, two or three on each subject, according to its health
and the number of shoots which have been allowed to remain.
When a subject has only one branch fit to be grafted with a
shield-bud, we may graft it a second time by placing another
shield-bud on the opposite side of the stem to the first one.
If the branches left are too weak, we may graft two shield-
buds on the stem itself underneath the branches, as shown in
Fig. 24, A and B. In the case of dwarf Eose trees, we should
graft two shield-buds on the lower part, about 3j- in. from the
ground, as shown in Fig. 24, but, in order to succeed, we must
have young subjects with smooth bark. When the shoots o£
the grafts are well forward the ligature is taken off, and the
branches and upper portion of the stock at C, as shown in
Fig. 24. In the other cases the stems and branches are cut off
just over the bud, which is immediately above the last graft.
This shoot is destined to bring the sap into the branch, and
provide food for the buds. It is cut off along with the part of
the stem upon which it grows when the buds are old enough
to take care of themselves. Having pruned the branches, we
must protect them from being broken by the wind with sticks
of 1 ft. 4 in. to 1 ft. 8 in. in length. The stick is placed against
the base of the branch, and it ought to be 1 ft. taller than the
last bud. As the shoots increase in size they are trained
against the stick, by which means we avoid the danger of
breaking them or tearing them from their position.

Jan. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

41

PrsceiNG Back the First Shoots. — The end to be aimed at
■durinj^ the year which follows the operation of shield-grafting
is not so much that we should obtain a number of flowers, as
that we should form a Kose bush with a good head. We must
not, therefore, hesitate to pinch back the new shoots to within
three leaves of the top, whether there is, or not, any provision
for flowers, as soon as ever these shoots have reached a proper
size. The sap is checked by this operation, and is thrown into
the side shoots, causing them to swell and very frequently to
yield a mass of flowers that will fully compensate us for the loss
of the earlier flower buds.

Collar Grafting. — The third method of shield-grafting
consists in opening a small trench along the line of the sub-
jects about to be grafted, so as to lay bare their bases, which
must be well cleared of mould with the fingers. Two or three

Fig. 24.— Gratiinf; by Doable Shield-budding.

shield-buds are then grafted on the principal roots at the spot
where they join the stem. Before the cold weather sets in,
indeed, as soon as the grafts have taken, the ligatures are re-
moved and the trenches are filled in, so that these grafts are not
uncovered, or the_ trees pruned, until the first fortnight in
March, by which time there is generally no longer any danger
of frost. By this mode of grafting it becomes easy to obtain
free stocks, especially in the case of Hybrid Eoses, by means
of the roots which spring from the collars of the graft below
ground. This modification in the method of shield-grafting
also places the buds beyond the reach of frost. It is by adopt-
ing this method that the Rose growers of Lyons have for
several years used young seedling Briers, upon which they
have grafted their dwarf Roses, by shield-budding the collar
of the root. This method gives very good results, so far as
the growth of the graft goes, but in no way modifies the
spreading nature of the Rose tree. We have been able to verify
this fact at the establishment of M. Leveque, fils, of Ivry-sur-

Seine, in the case of some Tea and Hybrid Roses which were
grafted on some seedling Briers which were grown at Lyons.
These Rose trees, which were growing in pots, had produced
abundance of shoots from such roots as had touched
the edges of the pots, and we even remarked some with a
number of latent eyes on the collar below the graft, while on
others there were shoots 1 ft. long, which had sprung from the
collar by the side of the graft. It is, therefore, a mistake to
suppose that by using seedlings we have in any way modified
the inherent conditions of growth of the Brier, whose nature
it is to reproduce itself by suckers which it throws
off from all parts of its underground system, for
we have only to divide the roots into pieces and
place them in favourable conditions to obtain as many
plants as there were pieces planted in the soil. In the
mouth of March we take advantage of the fine weather to
examine the grafts, prune down each shoot to within two eyes
of the graft, and to take off all the ligatures. As for those
subjects upon which the grafts have not been successful, we
must cut down the shoots on the stem in order to promote the
growth of fresh shoots, which may serve for the reception of
fresh shield-buds. The other ordinary operations consist in
placing training sticks, fixed to the tops of the Brier stocks, to
serve as supports for the young shoot.s, which are tied to them
with bast or rushes as soon as they are long enough, so as to
protect them from the effects of the wind. While the young
shoots are growing we must pinch down the shoots which
spring from the two eyes left above the shield-grafts, as well
as those growing on the sides of the stems, so that they may
not draw away the sap from the grafts. Finally, when we
desire that the shoots which have sprung from the stock
should become sacrificed, we pinch them down to within about
5 in. of their base, but leaving the stumps which grow above
the grafts until towards the months of August or iSeptember,
that is to say, when they are ready for transplanting.

M. Lachavme.

THE ROSE ANNUAL.
Mr. William Paul's Rose Annual for 1878-79 has just reached
us, and fully equals its predecessors in point of interest. It
contains coloured figures of Duchess of Bedford and Jean
Liabaud (Hybrid Perpetuals) and of Madame Lambard and
Souvenir de Madame Fernet (Teas). The letterpress treats
of — 1, the current year ; 2, on new Roses ; 3, on Rose stocks ;
4, the Rose shows of 1878; 5, a mausoleum of Roses; 6, cor-
respondence in reference to Roses. From these we select the
following extract on new Roses.

Of the novelties of 1876-7 we named Bome of the best in last
year's Annnal. We now confirm tbat list, to which fnrther experi-
ence enables ns to add the following : — Hybrid Perpetuals — Dachease
d'Oflsuna, very bright and free in autumn, also distinct ; Emily Lax-
ton, Gabriel Tournier, very fine ; Lady Mary Keith, Madame de
Montchanvean, Madame Devert, Madame Sophie Fropot, Monsieur
Fillion, and Bourbon, Queen of Bedders. Coming down one year
(1877-8), we find some really valuable novelties, of which the fol.
lowing seem the most promising. Hybrid Perpetuals — Dean of
Windsor, Constantin Fretiakoil, Earl of Beaconefield, Alfred K.
Williams Boieldieu, Edouard Pjnaert, Madame Jeanne Bonyer,
Madame de Laboulaje, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Madame Louis Dona-
dine, May Quennell, Mrs. Laxton, Penelope Mayo, Red Dragon, Rosy
Morn, Souvenir d'Adolphe Thiers. Tea-scented — Madame Alexan-
dre Bernaix, Madame Lambard, Madame Maurice Kuppenheira.

The announcements from France this autumn are sufficiently nu-
merous. One cultivator, Nabonnand, offers no fewer than thirteen
novelties, and another, Eugene Verdier, ten, for which he asks 30 fr.
each. This does not look as it the French growers had lost confi.
dence in their new Roses, whatever the English growers may think
on the subject. The foUowiug is an alphabetical list of the principal
new French Roses of 1878.9.

1. Alpho.vse Kark — Tea-scented — (Nabonnand). — Growth vigorone;
flowers large and fall ; colour purple, shaded with crimson, centres
brighter. A seedling from Duchess of Edinburgh.

2. Barthelemv Levet— H. P. — (Levet). — Growth moderate;
flowers large and full ; colour bright rose.

3. Claude Ber.nard — H. P. — (Liabaud). — Growth very vigorous ;
flowers large, full, and globular ; colour deep rose. A seedling from
Jules Margottin.

42

THE GARDEN.

[Jan, 11, 1879.

4. Deuil du Colonel Denfert — H. P. — (Margottin pfere.) —
Growth very vigorous ; flowers large and full ; colour velvety pur.
plish black ; one of the darkest of this section.

5. DocTEUR Baillo.v — H.P. — (Margottia pure). — Growth very vi.
gorons; flowers large and full, and very finely shaped; .colour bright
crimson, shaded with purple.

6. DocTEUR Bertfiet— Tea-scented — (Fernet). — Growth vigorous;
flowers large and full, opening well ; colour pale rose, brighter at the
centre.

7. DoCTEUR Jenner^H. p. — (Margottin pere). — Growth vigorous;
flowers large and full, with finely.rounded petals; colour carmine,
red.

8. Francois Gaulain— H. P. — (.Schwartz). — Growth very vigo-
rous ; wood smooth ; flowers large and full ; colour claret red ; one of
the deepest-coloured Roses known.

9. Gaston Leveque— H. P. — (Levuque et Fils). — Growth vigo.
roua ; flowers very large and full ; colour brilliant crimson, shaded
with vermilion and fiery red ; one of the freest and most perpetual,
flowering varieties amongst the Hybrid Perpetuals.

10. Henri Vilmorin — H. P. — (Levique et Fils). — Growth very
vigorous ; foliage ample and showy ; flowers large and full, and of
exquisite semi.globular form ; colour red, shaded with purple and
vermilion.

11. I.v.vocente Pirola — Tea-scented — (Dacher). — Growth very
vigorous; flowers very large and full with large elongated buds;
colour pure white, sometimes tinted with rose; said to be as fine a
flower as Niphetos, and a better grower.

12. John Saul — H. P. — (Ducher). — Growth very vigorous ; flowers
very large, full, and globular; colour clear red, the back of the
petals shaded with carmine. A seedling from Antoine Ducher, and a
fine autumnal bloomer.

13. Jules Chretien— H. P. — (Schwartz). — Growth very vigo.
rous ; flowers very large and full ; colour deep bright red, shaded with
purple. This Eose has proved a good autumnal bloomer, and has
been awarded two bronze medals.

14. Madame Augusts Perrin — Noisette Perpetual — (Schwartz).
— Growth vigorous ; flowers of medium size, full; colour beautiful
pale rose, the reverse of the petals whitish. Silver medal at Lyons
Rose Show, 1878.

15. Madame Charles Meurice — H. P. — ^ (Levii'que et Fils). —
Growth very vigorous ; flowers large and fall ; colour velvety blackish-
red, shaded with purple.

16. Madame Etiennk Levet — Hybrid Tea — (Levet). — Growth
vigorous ; flowers large and full ; colour cherry red, shaded with
coppery-yellow.

17. Madame Eugene Chameetran — H. P. — (Gonod). — Growth
vigorous ; wood smooth ; flowers large, full, and globular ; colour
pale rose, shaded with salmon. rose. A seedling from Victor Verdier ;
a good autumnal bloomer.

18. Madame Eugene Verdier — H, P. — (E. Verdier). — Growth
vigorous ; flowers extra large, full, and with very large petals ; colour
bright satiny rose, shaded with silvery rose.

19. Madame Lilienthal — H. P. — (Liabaud). — Growth very vigo.
rous ; flowers large, full and cupped ; colour bright rose, reflexed with
salmon. rose.

20. Madame Morane jeune — H. P. — (Jamain). — Growth vigo.
rous ; flowers large, full, and cupped ; colour satin rose, brighter in
the centre, and the backs of the petals silvery. Beautiful in bud,
and a good autumnal bloomer.

21. Mdlle. BRicrrTE Viollet — Hybrid Tea— (Levet). — Growth
vigorous; flowers large and full, produced in clusters; bright rose,
slightly tinted with violet.

22. Mdlle. Lydia Marty— H. P. — (Liabaud). — Growth very vigo.
rous ; flowers of medium size, full ; colour rosy flesh, shaded with
lilac.

3

23. Monsieur Lapierre— H. P. — (Gonod). — Growth vigorous
flowers of medium size and finely shaped ; colour shining red, shaded
with velvety-crimson. A seedling from Geant des Bataillea.

24. Panachee d' Angers — H. P. — (Moreau.Kobert). — Growth very
vigorous; flowers of medium size, full; colour pale rose, finely
striped and marbled with purple and deep violet.

25. Pierre Caeot — H.P. — (Levet). — Growth vigorous ; flowers o'
medium size, full, and finely formed ; colour deep red, changing to
bright clear red.

26. Prefet Limbourg — H. P. — (Margottin fils). — Flowers large,
full, and finely formed ; colour dark velvety red, shaded with violet.
A good bloomer in summer and autumn.

27. Princesse Marie Dolgohouky — H. P. — (Gonod). — Growth
very vigorous ; flowers very large, cupped, and finely formed ; colour
bright satin rose, very often striped with carmine. A seedling from
Anna do Diesbach.

28. Heine Marie Henriette— Tea— (Levet),— A red Gloire de
Dijon of climbing habit, and with large and full flowers ; named, by
permission, after Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians.

29. Souvenir de Laffay — H. P. — (E. Verdier).— Growth very
vigorous ; flowers of medium size, very full, and of fine shape, pro.
duced in clusters ; colour bright crimson, shaded with purple, and
with flery red centres.

30. Souvenir de Victor Verdier- H. P. — (E. Verdier). —
Growth vigorous ; flowers largo and full ; colour bright scarlet,
shaded with purple and crimson. A good autumnal bloomer.

31. Wilhelm Koelle— H. P. — (Pernet). — Growth vigorous 5
flowers very large, doable, and globular; colour very bright red. A
seedling from Alfred Colomb ; of gooi habit, and flowering freely
till late in the autumn.

32. William Allen Richardson — Noisette — (Ducher). — Growth
very vigorous ; flowers large and full ; colour flue orange-yellow.

Of my own introductions. Countess of Rosebery, Duchess of Bed-
ford, and Souvenir de R. Dudley Baxter, it does not become mo to
speak, their merits have been fully recognised by the horticultural
Press. We also saw exhibited and thought well of Dr. Sewell and
Harrison Weir.

When to Prune Roses. — If we take the country collectively
experience clearly proves that early pruning is anything but advi.
sable, as when the shoots are made so early as to get injured by
spring frosts, it has a serions effect upon their blooming : but where
there is a large stock in favoured localities it may be desirable now
to prune a few by which means, if they escape frost, the season's
flowering will be extended by getting some blooms earlier than they
otherwise would have been. — T. Baines.

THE FROST AND THE THAW IN WALES.
So tar the winter has been unusually severe for this part of the
country. Daring the greater part of December we had nearly 20"
of frost nightly, but for a few days before and after the new year
a thaw came, and, as in Mr. Fish's case (p. 22) , the frost does not
seem to have been so disastrous as might have been expected. My
opinion, however, as to the cause of this, differs from that of Mr.
Fish. The thaw itself was sudden and complete, certainly the
reverse of gradual. Neither do I think the hoar frost kept the plants
warm, but I am strongly inclined to think that the hot weather of
last summer had rendered the frost powerless. I never remember
seeing the wood of all kinds of trees and shrubs better ripened than
it was last autumn. This was not only the case with fruit trees, but
also with most tender shrubs, such as Myrtles, Hydrangeas, Camellias,
&c. Not one of these has been protected, and yet they look as fresh
now as they did in October. Two plants of the American Aloe have
proved quite hardy on the top of two pillars where they stood all last
summer fully exposed to the sun, but the other two behind a wall,
quite hid from the sun, are killed. Broccoli behind a north wall are
useless, while those in open quarters are as fresh as ever. Young
Cauliflowers, raised and left on a fully exposed south border, look as
well as ever I saw them in frames at this time of year. Others,
raised in a sheltered spot, have all but disappeared, and in all direc-
tions I observe that where every kind of plant was most exposed the
frost has had least effect. I believe that had a sunless, wet summer
preceded such a severe winter, there would have been more damage
done to vegetation than has ever been heard of. It is, I think, a
great mistake to plant tender plants in sheltered spots, shelter
oftener doing harm than good. Cambrian.

Th.e Late Frost ia Ireland. — From December 2 until Christ,
mas Day we registered in the aggregate 382' of frost, varying nightly
from 10° to 28-<, but reaching a climax on the nights of the 23rd and
24th. Ou the former night the thermometer fell down to zero, and
on the latter (Christmas Eve) it indicated (about midnight) 2' below 0.
On Christmas Day, however, a thaw set in, which is continuing. We
had a depth (1 ft.) of snow lying on the ground, but we may, never,
theless, expect to see many vacant places in herbaceous borders, and
also amongst tender shrubs. — S. K., Templejicdriclc, Co. Antrim.

The Late Frost. — It may interest some to know that on
Christmas eve Negretti &■ Zambra's thermometers indicated — No. 1,
1" ; No. 2, zero ; the latter was about 100 yards from the other. —
J. Laing, Stanslead Park Nursery, Forest Bill.

Jan'. 11, 1370

THE GARDEN.

43

FLOWER FORCING IN MARKET GARDENS.

Azaleas. — The demand for Indian Azaleas just before
Christmas is very great, and thousands of plants are
yearly imjiortcd from Holland and Belgium for forcing
into bloom at that time. They arc, of course, grown in
Holland in the open air, and after they have formed their
flower-bads they are taken up and sent by shiploads to
Loudon. Florists hero pot them and place them in heat
at once, and bring them into bloom, for the quicker they
are brought into bloom after being potted the more likely
are they to prove remunerative, as, if left too long, the
check they receive in transit and potting causes them to
shed their blooms, often to a serious extent. Kinds with
strijjsd, red, white, and crimson flowers are generally the
most abundant, and single plants often bear several distinct-
coloured flowers. The different varieties are grafted on
stocks of a free-growing kind, and are on stems G in. to
S in. long. Neat little jolants, 1 ft. to 1 J ft. high, laden with
blooms (which, however, are usually much smaller than
those 23roduced on English-grown plants), sell readily at
from 2s. Gd. to 5s. each in the market retail. The chief
advantage of imported plants is that they are much earlier
in coming into bloom than English-grown plants. Of
late years, however, some nurserymen have raised their
own Azaleas, and they find them to he of a much better
constitution than imported plants, and, by growing them
in quaatity, they can sell them almost as cheap as if foreign
plants had been bought. The stocks, which consist of a
strong-growing, purple-flowered kind are struck from
cuttings or raised from seed ; they are kept in cool houses
in 4-in. pots, and in summer and autumn they are grafted
with the best market sorts, and kept rather close until a
union is eflected, when they are grown in an airy tem-
perature, receive copious supplies of water at the roots,
and iu three or four years handsome jflauts are the result.
Several crowers devote large houses to specimen Azaleas
for supplying cut blooms at Christmas and Easter, these
being the seasons when they realise the best prices, and at
these times they contrive to have as many plants in flower
as possible. The old white variety is the chief kind grown,
coloured flowers being little sought after in the market at
these festive times. The American hardy Azaleas are not
grown very largely for market on account of their flowers
dropping so quickly after being cut, and their colours are
not such as are generally sought after in the market.
The improved A. mollis and its varieties have, however,
better-formed and more wax-like flowers, which stand
cutting much better, and these may probably be largely
grown for the purpose when a good stock of them can
be got. Among the most favoured kinds of Indian Azaleas
for market purposes are the rose-coloured Bernard Andrei
and its white variety. These are single-flowei-ed kinds,
but of great decorative value ; the habit of the plants is
good, and the flowers, which are freely produced, last for
a long time in good condition. The best double kinds arc :
Narcissiflora, very early and pure white ; Imbricata, -white,
slightly flushed with pink; Borsig, large, very double,
and of snowy whiteness ; A. RoUissoni, a good double, red
flowered Alpine variety, will, when plentiful, probably be
largely grown for market, both for the sake of its flowers
(which resemble in appearance those of a Balsam) and as
a pot plant; it is perfectly hardy and very floriferous,
dwarf in habit, and altogether a desirable species.

Camellias. — In the shape of plants. Camellias are not
sold in the market in very large quantities. Now and then
a few small plants, bearing some five or six buds or blos-
soms, may be seen, but the chief use of the Camellia is to

supply blooms during the winter months, and for this
purpose its cultiare is both extensive and profitable. Where
a house with a northern aspect can be assigned to Camellias,
and they are planted out iu good turfy loam, and otherwise
properly attended to, the yield of bloom on estabhshed
plants is immense. The great bulk of the small plants of
Camellias sold iu London are imported from Holland and
Belgium. They usually arrive in autumn, when their
bloom-buds are set, and these they sometimes throw off
shortly after being in the hands of the florists. Imported
plants, however, come into bloom eai-ly, and a few good
blooms from each nearly pays for the purchase of the
plants. Nearly every market grower who has a spare corner
cultivates Camellias, and many of the indoor fruit growers
plant them largely in late Vineries, which are capital jilaces
for them. Mr. Yeldham, of Hammersmith, has a lean-to
Vinery some 250 ft. iu length, the back border of which
contains thirty-five fine specimens averaging from 12 ft. to
15 ft. high, and as much through. All blooms that arc suffi-
ciently advanced are cut on each market morning, and on
some occasions as many as 320 dozen have been gathered
at one time. In early Vineries Camellias will not succeed,
but in late houses they thrive admirably, the Vines aflbrd-
ing them shade during the summer, and yet not obstructing
light from them during the winter, when they are opening
their blossoms. The old Double White is the only variety
grown in this house, but a few good specimens of red kinds
may bo found in other houses about the place. The chief
points in the culture of the Camellia are good soil in which
to grow, plenty of water at the roots, cleanliness from
insects and black fungus, and, last, but not least, plenty of
air when the bloom-buds are swelling. Camellias are
always cut for market when about half expanded ; they
have no stalk attached to them, as the florists in the market
wire them, and in this way the flower really lasts longer
than it would do on its own stalk.

Cyclamens. — No plant probably has increased so much in
public favour in so short a time as the Persian Cyclamen.
For every plant seen in the market a few years ago from
the time we write there are now a hundred. One of the
most celebrated growers of Cyclamens is Mr. Smith, Ealing,
who cultivates from 12,000 to 15,000 plants annually,
and who has them in flower from autumn to spring. The
seed is sometimes sown in autumn and sometimes in spring,
as soon as gathered ; but the autumn-sown plants, if
grown under favourable conditions, make flowering plants
the quickest — and, as a rule, they flower best. The
seed is sown in pans or shallow boxes, placed on a bed of
Cocoa-nut fibre in which there is a gentle bottom-heat.
The soil is kept continually moist ; and, to attain this
object, some place Moss on the surface. In a month or
six weeks the seeds germinate, and the boxes are then
placed near the glass, still keeping them in a warm house.
When the young plants have made bulbs they are
pricked off' into other boxes of light, rich soil, the next
shift being singly into 4-m. pots, and finally into 5-in. or
G-in. ones. During summer they are grown in pits and
frames out-of-doors, all the heat required being sujiplied by
the sun. Plenty of heat, air, and moisture constitute the
secret of success ; and, when in bloom, the chief enemy to
guard against is damp. Perhajjs a more interesting display
than Mr. Smith's plants make when in full bloom it would
be difficult to find. They are kept in low span-roofed pits
untU they come into bloom, when they are removed into
light, airy, span-roofed houses, and placed in beds G ft.
wide on each side of the jjathway, which runs along the
centre. I have seen three or four houses 60 ft. long thus

44

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

occupied. The plants are flowered in 5-in. pots fifteen
montlis from the time of sowing the seed, and sometimes
the bulbs measure 2^ in. in diameter, whereas a few years
ago it took several years to produce such bulbs. The
improvement in the quality of the flowers, too, is quite as
great as that in the culture. We have now flowers of
remarkable size, and varying in colour from the purest
white to the deepest purple, and many of them are deli-
ciously scented. This improvement has been brought about
by those plants bearing the most perfectly-formed and best-
coloured blooms being yearly selected and placed by them-
selves for seeding purposes, a way in which the strain is
annually improved in quality. Some growers sow Cycla-
men seed in January, and grow the" plants on rapidly
through the summer, to form flowering plants in 0-in. pots
by the following August, only nine months elapsing from
the time of sowing to that of blooming. C. y\' . S.

VIENNA.
Public gardening and planting now being recognised parts
of city improvement, any worthy eSbrt in that direction
comes within the scope of Ti£E Gaede.v. Austria has
been so unfortunate in recent wars, and is supposed to be
in such difficulties financially, that its capital is not, at first
sight, one in which great improvements would be carried
on at present. And yet not in Paris itself is there greater
evidence of healthy change. Indeed, in one respect it is
far ahead of Paris, and that is in the building art. Though
thisis somewhat out of our province, it is, iaevertheless, m
distinct and superior in Vienna, that it would not be fair
to the city to speak of its improvements without noticing
the stately houses that border its new streets. Although
many of its projected improvements are as yet nnfinished
— a dozen Pall ]Malls might be stolen from Vienna and
notbe much missed. The lover of progress loves to see any-
thing supremely well done, and does'^iot mind if his idols
or favourites are dethroned through the victory. He may
well be pleased to see that while all the world is very
justly talking of Paris and her improvements, Vienna has
been quietly beating her hollow as far as buildings are
concerned. The poor, cold, zinc and slate roofs of'' Paris
with their pigeon traps on the top are intolerable to the
eye fresh from the noble repose, ample and well-lighted
upper stories, and rich, low, roofs of even second-rate
streets in Vienna. There is something dangerous to the
progress of architecture in France, owing to'the hard and
fast rules which make the streets all alike— alike even in
the meanness and narrowness of the houses. The new
Continental hotel in Paris has been much talked of for the
comfort^ and sumptuousness of its rooms and fittings ;
outside it looks like any common building in the Rue^de
Eivoh, no doubt owing to some rule preventing the architect
making his house diff'erent from the others— surely one of
the most silly rules ever submitted to by an intelligent
people. Of course, it is possible to err in the other way,
and allow a Hankey to erect a dreadful and over-topping
pile right against our most precious public buildings ; but
a happy mean might be found of allowing as mnch^rtistic
variety as possible, and only excluding ugliness. In Vienna,
while the height in most of the streets"' is uniform, there
IS a pleasing variety of style. The great charm, however,
IS getting rid of the old, high, sloping roofs with their
nan-ow rooms or dens. The upper story is as good as
any other, and the roof is at so low an angle that it is
• not, as a rule, seen from the streets ; and when it is seen,
being of richly coloured tiles, it is very different from the

poor cold roofs of Paris and London. Our own feeble
architects, who apparently try to console us so often for
thin walls and poking rooms by turning the roof into a
kind of slated cruet-stand, argue that their precipitous
roofs of ugly slate are needed in our climate to throw ofi"
the wet. Now Vienna is as wet as London and has
very much more snow, which often falls there to a depth
of 2 ft. and lasts a considerable time ; but the architects
manage to make perfectly sound and dry roofs, low and
very pleasing to the eye when seen. In the old part of
the city steep roofs are seen with their many windows
m the narrowing roof stories, so that this change, so desir-
able from a sanitary point of view, has been effected in a
place where the steep sloiaing roof was at one time con-
sidered necessary. The public buildings are quite as
remarkable as the private houses, there being five impor-
tant ones now in course of erection, including a parliament
house a hotel ue ville and two museums.

The disposition of the streets, that correspond in import-
ance to the frequented boulevards of Paris, is excellent,
the Ring Strasso being about 150 ft. wide. This width
allows of planting abundance of shade trees without inter-
fering with the light or the appearance of the houses. In
Paris the trees often interfere in both ways. In the large
\ ienna avenues there is a wide footway without trees on
each side, then a roadway mostly for the use of the house
and local traffic, then two lines of trees with a smooth
wide footway between them, and then a large open road in
the centre for tramway and general trafiSc. It will thus
be seen that the space between the houses consists of three
carriage ways and four ample footways and four lines of
trees — these forming a shady avenue for pedestrians on
each side of the great central roadway. The street planting-
is of the kind with which we are familiar in Paris.

The public gardening of Vienna is, as a rule, blighted
by the influence of the " French " school — the old deadly
school responsible for clipped gardens. Schonbrunn and
the Augarten are large spaces, called gardens by courtesy,
but which are really garden-tombs — wholly devoid of a
single quality of a real garden. The good Botanic Garden
in one retired corner of the Schonbrunn Sahara modifies
somewhat its sad impression ; but for unrelieved deadly
formalism and gross stupidity of garden design, there is,
perhaps, nothing in this world more dismal than the Au-
garten at Vienna — a noble piece of ground with enormous
walls of clipped trees only and long weary walks. Looking
up from these walls, a narrow strij) of sky may be seen —
no more. Between the high green walls there is a mass
of attenuated scrub. The space is not only wasted itself,
it is not only no garden, but it is so arranged that even
the air (so liberal to the waste) cannot enter it freely; and
there are no fine views which such an ample piece of ground
might show of one of the noblest of cities. The much talked
of Prater, a very large surface of ground, is the worst
designed of any large park which we have ever seen — no
breadth, no repose, no turf, no views, anywhere ; even the
main drive through it is poor and narrow. As regards the
Prater, all has to be done, andif simjjly and wisely designed
it would make a noble park. There is a small English
garden and lake laid out in it by a Frenchman some y^ars
ago, but such is not the species of improvement required
by a park of this character. A few bold and useful roads,
wide, airy sweeps of turf, some shade where most required,
and many groups and groves of hardy forest trees — the
whole disposed by some one with a tine feeling for and
knowledge of the elements that go to form "the most
beautiful scenes of natural sylvan beauty, are what would

Jan. 11, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

45

make the Prater worthy of so noble a city. Numerous
as are the costly stupidities iu public gardens, in no other
could there be found so poor in all that is essential to
healthy pleasure or enjoyment as the Prater, Schonbrunn,
and the Augarten. As for the smaller city gardens, they
are formed on a different plan, and it is possible in them to
see trees and flovrers in their natural forms, and also
some verdure and variety. One small park, called the
Stadt Park, seemed the most interesting ; it is well laid
out, and has a great variety of trees and fine.foHaged
plants and flowers. The most distinct feature ia these
gardens is the dotting of many plants on the Grass instead
of in beds, though there are flower beds too. This is a
good system where carried out with some taste and tem-
perance, but one very likely to prove unsatisfactoi'y where
left to persons without a keen sense of what is best in
such a plan. To succeed with it one should know how to
secure great and bold variety while avoiding a mere
accumulation of " dots ; " should feel the need of keeping
ample foreground and suSicient breadth ; should hate
repetition, and should have a delicate knowledge of grouping
and placing the various objects, which could only be
obtained from extensive acquaintance with plants both in
gardens and in a wild state. That such hands were not
the authors of much of the grouping here was but too
clear ; some subjects like Dahliiis, of which one or two, or
even three, groups or colonies would have looked charming
and given character and variety, are repeated in some
cases all over the jilace, so as to produce disagreeable
monotony, while many kinds of plants of equal, or greater,
importance are wholly absent. The ugliest things grouped
in the above way are standard Roses, always offensive
unless where the heads become so large and vigorous that
one no longer notices that they are standards.

MELON-CUCUMBERS.
Of the immense vai'iety of gourds and other Cucurbits in culti-
vation, few are known in a wild state, and there is little doubt
that they are really the products of cultivation, and never existed

Varieties of Melon-Cucumbers Raised from Seeds of a Melon.

in a wild state. In fact, the same may be said of the varieties
of most economic plants under cultivation. By some botanists,
including Mr. C. Naudin, who has conducted a large number
of experiments in hybridizing members of the Cucumber
family, it has been averred that it is not possible to effect a
cross between a Cucumber and a Melon. On the other hand,
several supposed hybrids between these two plants have been
exhibited or described from time to time, though, perhaps, not
one of them is beyond doubt. The three fruits, of which

sketches are herewith given, are the issue of a plant believed
to be such a hybrid. The parent originated in Mr. Leclerc's
garden at Epernay. Mr. Leclerc communicated the history of
it, together with seed, to Mr. Carriere, the editor of the " Rsvue
Horticole." In 187rt Mr. Leclerc bought a Cantaloup Melon at
a fruiterer's in Epernay, and, as it proved a very good one,
some of the seed was saved and sown. The first sowing was
made in 1876, and of twelve plants two produced fruit resem-
bling Cucumbers. Thinking it was the result of some mis-
take on the part of the gardener, he had them uprooted before
the fruit came to maturity. In the spring of 1877
another dozen plants were raised from the same seed,
and Mr. Leclerc was very much surprised at the unusual length
of the male flowers borne by three of them. One of these
plants was sent to the Comte de Lambertje, and it bore three
fruits. One of them was the shape of a hunting horn. It
was cut before it was ripe, and it was of a woody consistence
with an acid juice inside. The second was shaped like a large
Cucumber, much swollen in the middle and at the tip. It was
slightly curved, 5i centimetres long by 15 centimetres in its
largest diameter. The flesh was pale yellow, slightly sugary,
and had the flavour and odour of a Melon, with a decided
after-taste of Cucumber. The third fruit was forwarded to
Mr. Carriere, who communicated seeds of it to various distant
friends with the request that they would cultivate some of them
and watch the result. This fruit was very much curved and
attenuated at the base, and 7i centimetres long by 10 centi-
metres in its greatest diameter, and weighed about 5 lb. The
skin was smooth, or here and there very slightly rugose, thin,
very delicate, and of a rather deep yellow when ripe. The
flesh was yellowish-white, passing into pale red towards the
centre of the fruit, quite melting, very juicy, and having a
very decided flavour of Melon, though leaving a bitter after-
taste in the mouth. Seeds of thiswere sent to various persons,
among others to Messrs. Vilmorin, and the progeny varied
considerably, as the illustrations show. The surface is more
or less smooth or ribbed, greenish-yellow, passing into a butter-
yellow when ripe, and the flesh relatively thin, and of the
nature described above. "Whether of hybrid origin, or the
result of natural variation this is a very interesting phenomenon.
One of the most singular facts connected with it was the pro-
duction of normal and abnormal fruits from seeds out of the
same fruit. W. B. Hemsley.

Tomatoes. — I have just now a honaeful of these which have been
in tnll bearing since last July. They are growing, flowering, and
Betting just as freely as in the middle of summer. We use them
occasionally for dessert ; in fact, I find them to be a most usofal
addition to onr winter supply of forced vegetables. — R. Gilbert.

The Negro French Bean. — I have been forcing this variety of
French Bean for the first crop, and find that it produces at this dull
cold time of the year larger pods than any I have yet tried. It like,
wise sets well. The next variety which I force as a succession to it
is Oaborn's Winter Forcing, another excellent sort for early forcing.
With Canadian Wonder for the latest crop, a better selection than
the above could not be made where a good supply is required during
the winter and spring months. — Willi.im Tili.euy, Welbeck.

Skeleton Leaves. — Three cases of " skeletonised " leaves were
shown at South Kensington last summer by Mrs. Coussons, of South-
port, and the following noto concerning them is given iu the Society's
journal just published: — " For the dissection of leaves I find the
process of maceration too long and tedious, to s.^y nothing of the un.
certainty as to the results. I have therefore adopted the use of
alkali in saturated eolation, the specimens to be introduced while the
liquid is heated to boiling point. The time of immersion to be regu-
lated by the character of the various leaves, and the nature of the
epidermis to be removed. When the specimen is freed from epidermis
and cellular tissue, it mnst be subjected to the action of chlorine to
destroy the colouring matter. The introduction of peroxide of hydro-
gen serves not only to render the lace. like fpeoimen purer in colour,
but preserves it also. In destroying the colouring matter of Ferns
this is likewise invaluable ; added to the chlorine it gives a solidity
to the bleached fronds, and appears to equalise the action of the
chlorine. For skeletonising capsules the slow process of maceration
by steeping in rain water is alone available— a moderate heat may be
applied to hasten the process, but alkali is useless. Skeletonised
leaves and capsules appear to gain in the prooss a toughness and
durability not possessed by them in their natural state."

46

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

PROPAGATING.

CO>TDITIONS UNDER WHICH GRAFriNG IS
BENEFICIAL.
We sometimea think that these are not ao ganeral aa may be imagined.
In fact, if it be true, aa phyaiologiata tell ua and oultivatora believe
from practical experience, that a reciprocal action exists between the
root and top of a plant— that the one ia pretty much what the other
makes it — then it follows that it we graft a weak-growing Vine, for
example, npon a vigorous stock, and only permit the development of
leaves and branches on the acion, the atock maat eventually lose its
Buperior vigour to a great extent, if not wholly, and the Vine will be
no better off than it it ha 1 been on ita own roota. Perhaps a little
may be allowed when the stock, in addition to being more vigorous,
ia also of a hardier constitution. And, so far aa I have observed,
this ia exactly what happens in the case of grafted subjects. Under
equal conditions a Black Hamburgh Vine makes better roots, and more
of thoni, than a Black Hamburgh stock that carries a top of some
weak. "rowing Vine only, and this when both roots and stems were
equal to begin with. Neither does the girth of stem of the two
increase at the same rate, but the Hamburgh thickens faster than
the grafted acion. This is a more important queation than at first
appears, for it affects the whole question of budding and grafting.
Same veara ago, it being supposed that a certain new Vine
(the Muscat Hamburgh) succoede 1 beat when grafted on the
Black H-iraburgh, nurserymen laid hold of the idea, and plants were
advertised guaranteed to be worked on the Hamburgh stock at the
outset. Seemingly, however, the plan did not lead to any great re-
sults, for it was not long heard of. Let me here state that I am not
now speaking of grafting with a view to check the vigour of the top,
as ia the object in the case of the Quince stock, but the reverse.
Practically I have not turned my ideas on this subject to much
account, except in the case of Vines, and I am not the only one who
has noticed the fact in regard to these during the last two years ; but
it is now more than ten years since I gave up the practice of employ,
in" strong.growing Vines simply aa atocka for weaker sorts. On the
contrary, in order to get the full benefit of the stock employed, I
have allowed it to produce fruiting limba aa well, and have made the
grafted sort only one limb of the tree ; but mostly we have grafted
the Vine half-way np the rafter, the bottom portions bearing the
frnit and leaves of the stock, and the top the grafted Vine, thus
preserving the native vigour of the stock by its own growth and foliage,
and imparting the same to the grafted portion. And it seems to me
this is the only way to get the full benefit of grafting. It may be that
a stock wholly deprived of its own foliage may never entirely lose its
inherent vifconr and vitality by being made to carry atop of a naturally
leas vigorous habit ; but facts go to show that it is at least greatly
enfeebled.

I have chospn the Vine to illustrate my meaning clearly ; but, as I
said before, it is a question aSectingother budded or grafted subjects
aa well, and particularly Roses. We have rather extensive planta-
tions of Rosea here, which have been added to and made up at
intervala during the last fourteen yeara, and nothing has struck me
more than the comparative growth of the Brier stocks on which the
different varieties are worked. Oar soil is naturally a Brier soil, and
we have many whole, half, and quarter standards on that stock, and
have been able to note the effects of the growth of the Roses
upon the thickening of the Brier and the production of roots, and
my observations bear out in a very remarkable manner what I have
stated in regard to the Vine. Roses which years ago were received
with Brier stems all of the same thickneas, being newly budded, of
course, have altered very much aince then. Brier stema on which
strong-growing varieties of the Roae were worked have been much
increased in girth, and produced plenty of roota, while the stoma of
weak-growing sorts have made proportionately less progress and
correspondingly few roots. Some sorts, indeed, that do not appear
to thrive in our cold and expoaed aituation, have not thickened per-
ceptibly in the stock a . all, nor made any roota worth mentioning.
We have lately gone over our plantations, and planted 200 fresh
plants in place of poorly-growing sorts and to make np blanks, and I
have been particularly struck with the facts I have stated, and which
I have doubt can be corroborated by other Rose growers. In short,
wherever we have a strong-growing kind of Rose — like Gloire de
Dijon, for example — we have a strorg Brier stock and plenty of
roots, and rice versi. thus showing that the stock ia completely
under the control or the top, whatever may be its character. Such
facts lead one to doubt Dr. Lindley's dictum that " species which are
naturally delicate become robust when ' worked ' on robust stocks,"
when, at least, the growth of the scion only is permitted. Indeed,
the doctor's own teachings on the subject of vegetable pbj'siology
prove such an hypothesis to be wrong.

It the views I have expressed be correct, then some of the pruning
and other cultural practices at present followed must be wrong.
For instance, in the case of the Roae, when suckers from the Brier
Btook push below the graft, we call them " robbers," and always
rub them off aa a matter of course ; but do such growths really
do harm, and might they not be advantageously encouraged in some
cases ? I put thia queation to Rose growers and others experienced in
snoh matters, aa I think the question is well worth considering, ily
own opinion is, that a moderate encouragement of growth from the
atock, as near the graft aa possible, would encourage a weakly Roae
or feeble-growing variety to increase its vigour and improve ita
flowers ; or perhaps the same end might be gained in a better way
by budding vigorous and weak-growing Roses on the same stock. I
am aware the generally accepted opinion is, that the stronger growth
robs the weaker one ; that waa my own opinion once, and I am pre-
pared to admit that in aome cases such an opinion may be correct ;
but, aa a rule, I believe a weak or feeble-growing branch is en.
couraged, and, to a certain extent, upheld by the stronger one when
the latter happens to be near it, or on the same leading trunk. In
other words, we do not improve the chances of a weak or sickly
limb by cutting away all the stronger growths in order to divert
the vigour and sap into the weak one, but which ia a very common
practice ; the strong branch keeps np the vitality and the oircu.
lation, and the weak one shares in it. This is distinctly exemplifisd
in the case of variegated plants, upon which we have tried the
experiment purposely yeara ago, and always with the same results.
Some plants, like the Cyperua alternifolins variegatus, Alocasia
macrorrhiza, Alyssum variegatum. Mangles' Variegated and Flower of
the Day Pelargoniums, &o., frequently sport to the pure white form,
producing whole limbs and loaves without a speck of green npon
them, and which grow as freely as the healthy greea parts of the
plants while the latter remain ; but cut the gresu leaves and ahoota
away, and the white limbs perish in a very short time, thus showing
that their very existence depended upon the welfare of the healthy
branches. I apprehend that a similar sympathy exists between a
weak branch or a strong one, aa in the case of the rose and other
plants. In short, the fact appears to me to be indisputable, that
when wo graft a plant upon a foreign atock, and the scion only ia
permitted to grow, the atock, after it has lost the inherent vigour it
brought with it at the beginning, becomes little more than a channel
of communication between the top and the soil, depending quite aa
much upon the soion for its existence as the scion does upon it, or
more. — " Field."

Propagating O iks. — In making a few remarks on the fine quality
of Acorns which I saw the other day in a nursery, and which had
come fi'om the south of England, I was told by the nurseryman that
seed from the south, and especially from France, waa preferred, as it
invariably produced the finest and largest plants. The Acorns gathered
inthispartot Y-irkshire, he said, produced plants about 9 in. high,
while those produced from seed from the south of Bo gland were
aa atrong again, and those from the French seed still stronger.
The fact is perhaps familiar to nurserymen, but it has an interest
for gardeners as well. The queation is, is it the size of the kernels
or their more perfect maturity that is productive of the extra vigour,
and are the results permanent ? Is the difference in growth notice,
able after the first year or two ? If it be due to the size of the seed,
one would think the difference would not be lasting: but if due to
more perfect maturity, it might. I am inclined to think that bulk
of seed has more to do with it than ripeness. About here Acorns
ripen well and vegetate freely, but they are from one-half to two- thirds
smaller than those which come from the aouth. In garden culture I am
not pepared to aay that large seeds produce the bast or most fruitfnl
plants; but there can be no doubt that the best-ripened seeds do, a
face which is pretty well illustrated in the case of the Melon and
Cucumber for example, and Beans and Peas, &3. Not only do they
vegetate more readily and surely, but the vigiur of the plants is
much greater. It ia not to be inferred, however, that partially
immature seeds are incapable of producing plants. The chief difB.
culty with these ia that they do not vegetate freely ; but, when they
once begin to grow, any leaf which they make adda to the prospect
of their becoming healthy plants, as they then begin to make roots
on their own account, and soon become independent of the support
derived from the seed. I have often nursed weak Melon planta,
from poor or ill.ripened seeds, into good, healthy specimens by extra
care, when I had little more than two very imperfectly-developed
seed It^avea with which to work. By keeping them near the glass,
and in a comfortable temperature, the pile and sickly leaves g t
greener and stouter day by <Hr, and when the first rough leaf is
made they are out of danger. Thia care is not often necessary, of
course, but I have had to practise it row and then iu the case of
new sorts. — J. S. W.

jAif. 11, 187£>.;

THE GAEDEN.

47

FOOD-BOXES FOB, OUR GARDEN SONGSTERS.
DURIKG the inclement weather which preceded Christmas Day,
lamentable accounts were heard of the great mortality amongst
small birds, especially in the north of England ; and the well-
known ornithologist, M. 0. Morris, and others appealed to all
lovers of the feathered tribe to repay the debt owing for
many a sweet song by throwing the half-starved minstrels
every day a handful of crumbs. The latter, it was pointed out,
should always be strewed about on the same spot, and, by pre-
ference, among the bushes. If, however, the winter i.s a severe
one, the crumbs may be speedily hidden by a fall of snow, and
the work of clearing the feeding-ground will have to be repeated
again and again. To save this trouble, and make sure that the
birds are able to partake of the repast offered them, Mr.
Brunzel, of Breslau, recommends the use of a food-box em-
ployed by the Vienna Animals' Protection Society, and repre-
sented by the annexed woodcut. The special feature of the
bos is that its open end always turns to the opposite direction
from which the wind and snow are coming. The food is thus
naturally protected against the latter, and the birds find shelter
from the cold. With respect to the construction of the appa-
ratus, the box and two wings (intended to act as sails) may be
made of j in. deal boards ; the back, to allow the crumbs to be
seen better, should consist of glass, and the top or roof, pro-
jecting a little beyond the sides, slant down to it. The position
which the box ought to occupy when placed on the spindle
attached to the upper end of the support is indicated in the
engraving, and, as regards height from the ground, this will
vary, according to the situation, from 3 ft. to 6 ft. or more.
If, as is desirable, the box receive two or three coats of paint, all

Food-box for Birds.

bright colours must be avoided, and, on account of its gloss, of
course, no varnish should be put on. A greyish or dull green
is, perhaps, the best colour. T. S.

REMARKABLE OAK GALL.
The various galls on plants caused by insects, especially by
those of the family Cynipidas, have much interested naturalists
and others, varying as they do so much in form and structure,
and often assuming very attractive and curious shapes, as in
the Bedeguar of the Rose, and several of the galls on the Oak.
Among the most remarkable with which I am acquainted is
the gall that I am about to describe, which has recently been
brought to my notice. It is produced on the cup of the acorn
of an Oak. Referring to the annexed figures, which are
drawn somewhat larger than nature, one giving a front view
and the other a side view of the gall, it will be seen that a
series of elongated, rather flattened and pointed, slightly
curved lobes, go forward from a point on the outside of the
acorn cup, and spreading right and left clasp the cup and the
acorn so as to leave but a small portion of either exposed to
view. The gall appears in the specimens which I have
examined to spread very regularly on each side of the point
from which it springs, and to form lobes corresponding to
each other in size and shape, giving the whole one uniform
character. The substance of the gall is internally hard and

somewhat corky, and when dry of a dull, yellow-ochre colour,
which is also the prevailing colour of the whole gall. Exter-
nally the surface is either rugose and pitted, or in places
smooth and leather-like. One specimen of the gall entirely
covered both the cup and acorn, so that only the apex
was visible. A specimen which I broke open had a large,
elongated, hollow chamber, smooth inside, in one of the larger
lobes, in which was the cocoon of an insect of a very
regular, oval shape, j in. long, and about ^ in. in diameter.
This cocoon had a hard, even case of the same colour as that of

Oak Galls.

the gall. I have tried to find specimens corresponding with
this gall in the metropolitan collections, but have failed, except
it be one in the British Museum which much resembles it. It
is there called the gall of Cyuips calicis. This gall is probably
referred to in Rothschild's '• Insects " (fig. 211, vol. Ill), where,
at the end of the article Cynips, he says, " Another species,
the Cynips calicis, pierces the calyx of the young acorns, the
deformed fruit of which develops into leaves super-imposed on
each other and curled up," and there is in the " Entomologist "
for August, 1878, p. 182, a gall figured under the same name
which has so much in character with the gall here figured
that I have every reason to think that both have the same
origin and are produced by Cynips calicis (Burgsdoril).
Worthhi'j. W. W. S.

A PEEP INTO A PARIS FLOWER SHOP ON

ALL SAINTS' EVE.
Ox a dull, wet evening (Oct. 3l8t, last year) I wandered into a flower
shop not far from the Madelaine, my friend H., an enthusiaat aboat
flowers, wanting to purchase a Tree Carnation which had attracted
hia notice the day before. H., with the caation of a trne Englishman,
is of opinion that foreigners, Parisians in particular, invariably
ask nearly double the proper price for their warea, and that it is a
duty to himself and his travelling countrymen to beat down these
shopkeepers to what he thinks the right sum. Although he speaks
of this as a stern duty, I think it is not an unpleasant one, and that
he rather enjoys the process. The little shop itself was quite a
picture ; it was a bower of Palms, Ferns, and plants in bloom. Pots
of white Lilac, Eoses, Pinks, and Carnations, shed a delightful per-
fume. Two or three girls were occupied in making bouquets and
garlands, while the presiding deity, a stout, middle.aged woman,
with a good-natured face, waited on customers, at the same time
superintending the workers. While H. was bargaining with her
for his Carnation, I watched the packing of a large box, which con.
tained a cross, a wreath, and a cushion of flowers. The last, about
8 in. long and 6 in. wide, was composed of double Neapolitan Violets,
with here and there a white Rose bud. The cross, which was
about 2 ft. long, was made of white Roses and Carnations, with a
delicate edging of Myrtle sprigs ; the wreath was of the same flowers,
mixed with knots of Violets. The packer was placing these most
carefully in a deep box, and arranging them with thin lathes, so that
they were perfectly firm and did not touch each other. " What are
you going to do with these lovely flowers ? " I inquired. " Monsienr,
they are to be sent off to Rheims to-night to Madame de F. We
received particular orders that they should be there early to-morrow
morning. She lost an only daughter about this time last year ; she
was but 18, and we were to make the cross and wreath of white

48

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 11, 1879.

blooma, but these Violets were so fine that we thought a few bunches
could not be amiaa. What does Monaieur think? "AV.cz rite
Nicole, tn seras en retard "jLUKiously exclaimed the miBtres3,|who had
been beatowing a somewhat divided attention on H.'s wants. " The
price," said she, turning to me, "o£ the wreath, cross, and cushion,
is 75 francs. Are they not lovely ? " I answered truly that I had
never seen any arrangement of flowers before which pleased me so
much. " These," continued she, " will be placed [on the grave of
Mdlle. de P. early to-morrow ; perhaps Monaieur, though an Engliah.
man, will remember that we decorate our graves for the Toussaint !
We have been sending out wreaths and crosses all day, but none ao
lovely aa these." I could not help remembering the burial scene in
Cymbeline, when the two brothers are bearing the dieguiaed Imogen
to her rest. (It is always a relief to my mind to know that she is
not really dead, thongh this somewhat interferes with the pathos of
the lines) :'—

With fairest flowers,

Whilst summer lasts, and I live here,

I'll sweeten thy siJ grave : Fidele, thou shilt not lack

The flower that's like thy t'ioe, pale Primrose, nor

The azured Harebell, like thy veins; no, nor

The leaf of Eglantine ;

Yea! and furred Moss besides, when flowers are none.

To winter ground thy corse.

W. N.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Myrsiphyllum asparagoides. — I should be much obliged if you
would give me directions as to the treatment of Myrsiphyllum aspara-
goides, and at what heat it should be kept? — S. W. C. [It should l)e
grown in an Intermediate house in a temperature of, say from 55' to GO*"*,
and its shoots should be allowed to twine themselves up pieces of string,
or netting strained closely under the glass. It succeeds best in a well-
drained soil consisting of turfy loam or peat, or both, with the addition of
a little sand and decayed leaf mould or manure. — S.]

Cypripedium spsctabile. — How can I best succeed in growing
this handsome Lady's Slipper ? — H. H. C. [Plant it in a moist hut well,
drained, sandy soil in a sheltered position, or you might grow it in pots or
plus in the greenhouse, in which case use good fibrous loam, leaf mould,
and sand, and let the pots be well drained. — S.]

Early Melons. — As a rule every gardener has a favourite Melon of
his own, but "J. W." (p. 24) may place every contidenco as regards
obtaining an early crop of Melons in Gilbert's Improved Victory of Bath
(green fleshed) and Williams' Paradise Gem (scarlet fleshed). Both force
well, set freely, and are excellent in quality. For a second crop in a
hotbed frame Goldou (Jaeen (green fleshed) and Read's Hybrid (scarlet
fleshed) are equally good.— J. Ssiith, Waterdale.

" J. W." (p. 24) should grow Sutton's Hero of Bath as an early

scarlet-fieshed kind — it is first-class in all points ; and, for an early green -
fleshed variety, there is nothing better than Heckfield Hybrid when that
variety can bo obtained true. For frame culture Hero of Bath and the
old Egyptian (green flesh) are suitable kinds. — H. W.

Let me recommend " J. W." (p 24) to grow Eistnor Castle and

Read's Scarlet Melons both for his pit and frame crop. We have grown
many varieties, but have found none better than these, all things con-
sidered.— C.\MBRIAN.

Plants for Carpeting Bulb Beds. — The following list of plants
named in order of merit will answer " J. S.'s " purpose (p. 24) admirably,
viz, Sedum glaucum, grey; S. lydium, green; S. acre elegans, pale
yellow; Sasifraga rosularis, silvery-white; S. hirta, green; Antennaria
tomentosa, white; and Uerniaria glabra, green. All are surface rooters,
and look equally well in summer and winter. — W. W.

Srauts from Furnaes Chimneys.— " A. E." (p 24) would find
coke more economical than coal, and much the best way of getting rid of
the smut nuisance of which he complains. — W. W. H.

Astar-srowing for Market. — How do market gardeners grow
Asters so as to send them to market in bloom in pots ? — H. H. C. [ Ihey
sow the seed in heat in spring, harden otf the young plants when up, and
plant them out, after all danger from frost is over, in rich ground in an
open situation, mulching the ground in hot weather to keep it moist ; then,
when wauted for market, they are lifted and potted. — S.j

Fungi in Mushroom Beds.— The fungi growing in the centre of
" T. S.'s" Mushroom bed belong to Agaricus virgineus, a common occu-
pant of Mushroom beds The explanation of your case is simple. The
unwelcome fungus delights in half-decayed manure equally well with the
Mushroom itself. As the spores of the first are commonly floating in the
air, whenever they happen to light on a well-prepared Mushroom bed
they are sure to grow. Such cises are common, and we have fre-
quently known the Mushrooms to be completely ousted by the new
comers.

Nettles Under Trees. — Nettles soon succumb to repeated cutting
down of their tops, or a still more efl'ectual way of dealing with them is
to dig the ground which they occupy, in winter. It need not be turned
over Very deeply, and the few that will sprout up in the ensuing spring
can be easily destroyed with a hoe or fork. Of all the plants of a peren-

nial character which come under the denomination of weeds, I do not
recollect one less difficult to eradicate than Nettles, a fact easily accounted
for by their being much more impatient of disturbance at the root t'jaa
plants of a like description. On open ground there is absolutely no diSi-
culty with them. I once had a dense bed occupying a considerable space
simply dug over, not trenched, with a little manure previously spread on
the surface and worked in as the ground was turned over. It was planted
with Potatoes in the beginning of April and produced one of the best
crops I ever saw, the roots of the Nettles decaying being just the fibrous
sort of material in which Potatoes luxuriate. All who have plenty of
luxuriant Nettles may rest satisfied that they have some good land. The
common British species (Urtica dioica) wherever I have seen it has invari-
ably been located on good soil. — T. Baines.

Biita for Field Mice.— Allow me to assure Mr. Harpur Crewe
(p 24) that I am not too comprehensive when I add the short tailed field
mouse to the kinds which I have succeeded in capturing with nut kernels.
A year ago I was annoyed by having the fruit of Psidium Cattleyanum and
Eugenia IJgni under glass carried ofl' as fast as it ripened. I set my traps,
the falling kind, the best I think ever invented, and secured the de-
linquents ; they proved to be a pair with short tails. 'This species in
severe weather feeds on the smooth bark of trees. Last winter I had a
large Jasminum revolutum destroyed, through their devouring the bark
from the collar upwards 18 in., and I noticed during the late severe frost
that they were attacking some large plants of Aralia Sieboldi. They will
also, I believe, mount the highest Apple and Pear trees in order to get at
the best fruit. By the way, I fancy bank vole is a misnomer, as, if I am
not mistaken, it always makes its nest in the open fields, selecting a dry
spot in which to burrow, and from which, beneath the herbage, its run
ramifies right and left, frequently extending long distances. I quite agree
with Mr. Crewe's remarks about owls and should like to see his wish
become the law of the land. They are the farmers' and gardeners' best
friends, but are regarded generally as their direst foes. I have several
here and value them as ornithological treasures, far above the game, but
I find it diflicult to protect them from the prejudiced around me. — J. M.,
Chartnoiith, Dorset.

Treatment of Tuberoua-rooted Tropseolums. — There should
be no difficulty in inducing these Tropa3olums to flower. If your corres-
pondent's plants are now growing freely they will soon be showing their
bloom buds. They should stand in a light, airy position in a cool house,
or in the window of an apartment where a fire is not continually main-
tained, and where air can be admitted in favourable weather. If grown
in heat or in confined quarters, they seldom flower satisfactorily. During
the next two months water should only be given when the soil is quite dry,
but when fully established and coming into flower, they will, in warm
weather, need copious moistenings. When in bloom, shade them from
the hot sun and sprinkle the path and stage, which will have the effect of
prolonging the blooming season. Green fly is apt to be very trouble-
some, and if not promptly exterminated, it will turn the foliage yellow
and completely paralyse the'growth. — J. Corxhill, Biijleet.

Names of Plants. — Anon. — We are unable to satisfactorily identify
the leaf, but pi'obably with more material, such as a flower, it would be
an easy matter.

Questions.

Pine-apples. — What is the best structure in which to grew Pines ?
And what is the best material in which to plunge them ? Also, what is
the best soil for Pines where no proper loam can be procured ? — A
Garde.ner.

Rheum officinale (Baillon). — Will some one of your correspondents
who have access to the best authorities kindly point out the difl'erences,
if any exist, between this plant and the so-called R. palmatum tanghuti-
cum ? The question is not without importance for seed buyers, for in
one trade list from an eminent firm the two plants are offered as distinct
and at very different prices. In another catalogue, from a house equally
reputable, they are offered as synonymous. Which is right? — W. T. I.

The Short-tailed Field Mouse. — We used to have here
several eatabliahmenta of the barn owl which were carefully preserved,
but, for aome unexplained reaaon, they have left us, or been shot in
their foraging expeditiona in the neighbonrhood. Since the disappear-
ance of the owls my rock garden has i-uSered severely from the ravages
of both the long and abort tailed field mouse, especially the latter,
which now swarms here, and which we find most difficult to trap.
Not content with the Cistus, dwarf Genistas, and other low-growing
plants, it has eut off the Japanese Honeysuckles down to the ground
and done a great deal of damage. The barn owl is invaluable aa a
destroyer of mice, and is the natural provision made for curtailing
the numbers of theae miachievoua little animals. I entirely agree
with Mr. Harpur Crewe, and think every man who kills a barn owl
ought either to be fined or otherwise punished. The moat casual
observation would convince any one of the aervicea rendered to man
by thia harmless and useful bird. — Alfred Ellis, The Brand, Loiujh-
horouiiJi.

A Sibstitute for Holly Berries. — We have not had a single
Holly berry during the whole of the late feative seaaon, but we have
several large red-berried Solanum plants covered with fruit which
we have cut freely, and the small branches, when mixed with ever.
greens in wreaths, &o., have an excellent effect. — Cambrian.

THE GARDEN.

49

No. 374 ]

SATUKBAY. JANUARY 18. 1879.

[Vol. XV.

" This is an art
Which does mend Nature : change it rather : bat
TaB Aet itself is NircBB.'* — Sh'i^-ceti>eare.

ROSE SOILS AND ROSE STOCKS.
" Ir I had only a good Rose soil, I have no doubt I could
grow good Roses," is an exclamation one often hears from
those who have been unsuccessful ia their culture ; but it is a
mistake to suppose that such a soil is absolutely necessary
even for those who grow for exhibition, for one of our most
successful amateurs has only a light saudy soil, and yet he can
produce flowers which gain for him silver cups and prizes;
at the same time, it must be confessed that a good soil is a
great help to good Rose growing. The rich, unctuous loam of
Hertfordshire and Hereford, of Slough and Colchester are just
the soils in which the Rose delights ; but it is accommodating,
as the luxuriance with which it grows in many a cottage
garden, diffusing its fragrance all around, testifies, while, as
we know, the wild Rose throws up its vigorous shoots in all
soils and in all situations. One sees it on the shores of a Scot-
tish loch, resting deep in the moist peat ; on the wild moor-
lands of Ireland, in thin, gravelly soil ; or in the rich hedge-
rows of our English counties, in deep, loamy soil ; and although
in all it seems to flourish, yet it is in the latter that it is espe-
cially at home. Hence, no one need be discouraged at the
thought that their unsuitable soil prevents them indulging
in their love for the Rose. Bearing iu mind, then, the character
of the soil it especially likes, we must endeavour to remedy
any defect so as to approximate to it. Where soil is light and
rich, loam or even clay must be added to make it more tena-
cious. My own garden is of that character — a rich, alluvial soil,
in which well-nigh everything will flourish ; but the Rose does
not like it, and hence I am obliged, with some considerable
difficulty to get loam from a distance to add to it. Where soil
is too stiff (not very often the case) it may be made lighter by
the addition of ashes, as well as manure; but the chief
difficulty is with light, not heavy soils. I need not
insist upon thorough drainage where the soil is very heavy ;
stagnant water about the roots is death to the Rose ; for
although it will bear a great deal of moisture, it will not
tolerate insufficient drainage. Many of our older varieties of
Roses may be had on their own roots, and there is no doubt
that thus they flourish best ; the Moss, Cabbage, Gallica, and
other summer- flowering Roses are all better as dwarf, compact
bushes, but it is a different matter when we have to deal with
the Teas and Hybrid Perpetuals. In the southern parts of
England the Teas do well out-of-doors, and will stand the
winter with but little protection, but in the colder parts of the
island this is impossible. The Hybrid Perpetuals, having the
blood of various races in them, are some of them more tender
than others ; and although they are in some instances grown on
their own roots, yet in perhaps 99 cases out of 100 they
are grown as budded plants, and the question has been hotly
debated, Which is the best stock to use ? A great impulse was
given to Rose growing by the introduction by the late Mr.
Rivers, about forty years ago, of the Manetti Rose from Italy,
and for thirty years it has held almost undisputed sway as a
stock for dwarf Roses. Standards are still grown, and, as far
as one can see, must be grown on the Dog Rose. Thus, one
large Rose grower is said to bud 250,000 Manettis every year,
while of 12 acres grown by another more than 11 acres are
under the Manetti. Of late years, however, a reaction has set in,
ov rather, let me say, a fresh candidate for favour has arisen in
the seedling Brier, long used by the French Rose growers as a
stock for their Tea Roses, but of late years brought prominently
into notice by Mr. Prince, of Oxford, who grows it exclusivelv,
and uses it for Roses of all descriptions. It has rapidly come into
favour, while cuttings of the Dog Rose are used by other cul-
tivators, the fact being realised by both that the Dog Rose
has its disadvantage ; its roots are few, and in a light^soil it

has a bad tendency to send its underground shoots a long way
off, and thus take from the vigour of the Rose which is budded
upon it ; but with the seedling Brier this is to a great extent
obviated. A careful excision of the eyes before planting will
prevent them throwing up suckers, and I have in my own
Rosery plants on the seedling Brier which have been there
three or four years, and I have never seen a sucker on them.
They root most profusely, and, consequently , give vigour to the
Rose without overpowering it. It is also later, so that where
there are both Manetti and seedling Briers grown, the Rose
season is prolonged. It must be borne in mind, too, that there
are some Roses which do but indifferently on the Manetti which
flourish on the seedling Brier. Roses such as Henri Ledechaux,
Capitaine Christy, and others of the Victor Verdier type, beau-
tiful in appearance, but generally scentless, succeed well on it,
while for Tea Roses its importance cannot be over estimated.
Many of these the Manetti by its great vigour absolutely
kills, but they flourish to perfection on the seedling Brier. Other
stocks, it maybe mentioned, have been used, such as Celine,
Napoleon, De la Grifferiae, and Garland, but they are practi-
cally nowhere in the estimation of the Rose grower; the
three named, the wild Brier for standards, and the Manetti
and seedling Brier for dwarfs, being those which are most
generally used. The experience of the past year has also some-
what tarnished the reputation of the Manetti in another way.
Complaints have been made, and not without reason, that
excessive wet causes its roots to rot. In my own light soil
even I have found this to be the case, while from growers in all
parts of the country one has heard the complaint that their
Roses have died. In some instances hundreds of Roses have
been dug up and consigned to the back settlements of the
garden or to the rubbish-heap, for, as a well-known Rosarian
wrote to mo, Roses are so cheap now that it is of no use trying
to recover wounded ones ; better get in fresh, healthy plants
to supply their places.

I think that it may be taken for granted that in getting in
plants it is well to consider the soil and climate both of the
place where the Roses are to be grown and also from whence
they are brought. To transfer Roses from the mild climate
and loamy soil of a southern county to the bleak climate and
hungry soil of a northern county cannot but be fraught with
disaster ; and, therefore, it is far better, if it be possible, to get
Roses from some one near at hand, where the climatic condi-
tions are the same, and those of the soil nearly so.

I have thought it well to write at some length on the sub-
ject of stocks because I am sure that much of the disappoint-
ment experienced by the owners of small gardens arises from
the fact that they do not consider these matters; they order at
haphazard from a nurseryman, and are contented to receive
good-looking plants without at all considering whether they
are likely to thrive with them, what their soil is, or what the
stocks on which they are growing. If, as in other matters,
they were to take into consideration their own position and
then try and get their Rosea to suit that position, they would
not so constantly mourn over the fact that they cannot get
their Roses to succeed. Delta.

WHITE ROSES.
The most beautiful and recherche of all white Roses is Niphetos.
This is one of the oldest of the Tea-scented Roses now in
cultivation, for we find it described in the first edition of Paul's
" Rose Garden," published in 1848. In the period of time
from that date until the present moment, which has witnessed
the disappearance of so many hundred kinds of Roses, after
trials of long or short duration, Niphetos has more than held
its own, and is daily increasing in popularity. To the exhibi-
tor it is a tried and trusty friend, for where is the stand of
flowers that would not be enriched and ennobled by the
presence of one of its grandly-shaped, snowy, wax-like blooms ?
It is the admired and sought-after of all amateurs, whilst with
the florists, who grow Roses for the sake of selling the flowers
in the market, it is the backbone of their culture. Naturally
a moderate-growing Rose, Niphetos may, with plenty of heat,
be m»de to produce shoots of a stoutness and length that will
bear comparison with the growth of any of the non-climbing
varieties of the Tea Rose. Where large quantities of bloom

THE GARDEN.

TJax. 18, 1879.

are required this seems to be the secret of success in growing
it, and it is under a system of cultivation, carried on by means
of a large degree of heat and moisture, that the thousands of
flowers of this variety are produced which certain firms are
continually pouring into the markets of London and other large
town?. We would, therefore, recommend amateurs to bear
this in mind, and if they have a warm corner in their Eose
house let them reserve it for a plant of Niphetos, which will
■well repay them for their consideration. Other valuable white,
or nearly white Roses, in the Tea-scented section, are Alba
Rosea, Julie Mansais, Madame Hippolyte Jaraain, Madame
Villermoz, Marie Guillot, Rubens, and Sombreuil, all first
class, bat possesiug withal the characteristic tenderness of
their race, which renders the cultivation of all Tea Roses
not devoid of risk, except under favourable circumstances,
such as on a wall facing south, or on a well- sheltered border
with the same aspect. Nearly allied to the Tea Roses are the
Chinese or Bengal, and of these Ducher and Mrs. Bosanquet
are the best whites. Amongst the Noisette, or autumn-bloom-
ing cluster Roses, Aimee Vibert and Madame Massot are pretty
white Roses, especially valuable for climbing. The white
Hybrid Perpetual Roses may be roughly divided into two
sections, the one with a preponderance of Noisette blood, and
the other comprising varieties of various parentage, and whose
origin is not so clearly recognisable. The former, which may
be termed Noisette Perpetuals, are chiefly characterised by a
dark, shining foliage, the disposition of the flowers to come
in clusters, and the tendency of the blooms to be more or less
tinged with pink at the edges. The best of this section is
undoubtedly Boule de Neige, and closely following it are Louise
Darzens, Baronue de Maynard, Coquette des Blanches, Madame
Alfred de Rougemonc, and Madame Noman. Coquette des
Alpes occasionally produces splendid flowers, but cannot be
relied upon. Newer kinds of this class ai-e Perledes Blanches,
Perfection des Blanches, Olga Marix,Mdlle. Annie Marie Cote,
and Madame Fran^-ois Pittet. The other section of Hybrid Per-
petuals includes the well known Madame Lacharme, a splendid
Rose in hot, dry summers, and the nearest approach we have
to a white Jules Margottin ; Mdlle. Bonnaire, Imperatrice
Eugenie, Elise BccUe, andMrs. Bellenden Ker, the last a beauti-
ful white Rose, the best of the Bonnaire family, but one which
seems to have been overlooked by the majority of cultivators.
These four Roses do well on the Brier, but poorly on the
Manetti stock ; their flowers are, however, of incomparable
beauty. Queen Victoria, too, is a fine old white Rose, easy to
grow ; Marquise de Mortemarte is good as a pot Rose, but
out-of-doors hard to manage, being very delicate : Mabel Morri-
son, if, aa described, a white Baroness Rothschild, must surely
be an acquisition. Amongst the Bourbon Roses and their
hybrids, Comtesse de Barbantanne is grand in autumn, and so
are the trio, Acidalie, Queen, and Souvenir de la Malmaison,
although none of them are pure white. Autumn is their flower-
ing season, and from August onwards until the advent of frosty
weather they will furnish a constant supply of beautiful blooms.
We must admit, however, that it is amongst the summer-
flowering kinds that the most gorgeous and effective of all
white Roses are to be found, and unexcelled in this respect are
the Hybrid Noisette Madame Plantier, and the D.imask
JIadame Hardy. These two Roses will form huge bushes as
dwarfs, and immense heads if grown as standards, in a manner
that none of the autumnal Roses can approach, and during
their season of flowering they present a dense and unbroken
mass of white of dazzling purity and brightness. Miss Ingram,
as a summer-flowering Rose, is good in some seasons. The
best white Moss Roses are Comtesse de Murinais, Reine
Blanche, and White Bath ; these flower in summer only. Per-
petual White Moss produces beautifully-mossed flowers in
autumn as well as summer. The White Provence, or Unique,
is a pretty summer flower, as is also the Alba, Madame Legras.
As climbing or running Roses, the Ayrshire and Evergreen
families furnish us with some good kinds, such as Bennett's
Seedling, Dundee Rambler, and Queen of the Belgians ; Donna
Maria Rampante and Felicite Perpetue ; whilst the white
Banksian may be got to climb, and produce in profusion its
fragant blossoms on a south wall, at the foot of which may be
trained the Macartneys Marie Leonida and Alba simplex.
The Nurseries, Waltham Crass. Arthuk "VV^. Paul.

PLANT CULTUEE IN MARKET GARDENS.

Snow Pelargoniums. — Both show and zonal Pelargo-
niums are grown, perhaps, in larger quantities than any-
other market plants ; the uses to which they may be applied
are so numerous that there is always a demand for them.
Early in the year, their blooms are valuable, and later on
the plants are required for window-boxes, flower gardens,
and small greenhouses. One of the largest growers of
show and fancy varieties is Mr. Bcckwith, of Tottenham,
who sends to market yearly from 80,000 to 90,000 plants
of both kinds. Cuttings of these are struck as early in
spring as they can be obtained and potted on until they
occupy 5-in. and 6-in. j^ots. They are given a little heat
and abundance of air night and day wl'.en the weather
will permit, and are copiously watered whenever they
require it. The only kind of stimulant used in this great
plant factory — for such it may be called — is soot water,
which is applied at different degrees of strength, according
to the stage of growth in which the plants may be. This
has the eflect of expelling worms from the soil, and im-
parting to the foliage a green, healthy appearance. The first
batch of plants, which consists of early-flowering varieties,
comes into bloom in February and March, and others are
brought on in succession, the last being usually dis-
posed of by the end of June. Few of the plants exceed
1-2 in. in height ; they are, however, remarkably bushy, and
furnished with large, healthy leaves down to the pot, and
every shoot bears noble trusses of finely-developed blossoms.
One of the ijrincipal kinds used for early-blooming is Red
Gauntlet, a kind which I once saw covering a back wall of
a lean-to house, from 10 ft. to 12 ft. high, and 120 ft.
in length. The pots in which the plants were growing
were plunged in the border, and the roots had long ago
passed through the bottoms of the pots into the soil below
them. The shoots were tied to the wall, and at nearly
every season of the year abundance of bright-coloured
blossoms could be gathered. During March and April the
amount of bloom was simply wonderful. Little attention
was paid to the plants beyond clearing off decayed leaves
and tying in the shoots occasionally. A dark variety named
Bonnie Charlie is also used for forcing. Its habit of growth
is not particularly good, but its flowers are of a rich dark,
velvety crimson, and old plants of it, when kept liberally
supplied with water, grow and flower all the year round.
Beauty of Edmonton is also an excellent kind, the flowers
having a fringed edge similar to those of the well-known
Dr. Andry. In colour they are brilliant crimson, and are
more conspicuous than those of any other variety. Mr.
Hayes, another great grower, at Edmonton, never subjects
his Pelargoniums to any fire-heat whatever after the plants
are rooted, except during very severe weather. Abundance
of light, air, and water is given them, but they receive
little in the way Sf stimulating manures of any kind.
Nevertheless, the foliage is very large and beautifully
green, and almost conceals the pots. The flowers, too,
being produced without forcing, last for a much longer
time than those on plants that have been subjected to
strong fire-heat and stimulating manures. Some growers
of Pelargoniums place good, bushy plants of early-flower-
ing kinds into large pots during summer and keep their
blooms regularly picked off, by which means the jjlants
yield a good supply in autumn and spring, when flowers
are greatly wanted. Others cut back their plants after
they have done flowering in August, and, as soon as they
break afresh, pot them and place them in a gentle heat,
keeping them well supplied with manure water, and, thns
treated, they continue to bloom all through the winter and

Jan. 1^, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

51

spring. A fine double-flowered sliow Pelargonium, named
Dr. Masters, wliicli originated with Mr. Reeves, of Acton,
from a sport from the old Fire King, is one now much
prized for its foultless hibit of growth, its wealth of deep
green foliage, and its abundance of maroon-crimson llowers,
which last for a much longer time in a cut state than those
of any other market kind. Among other good varieties
may be named Digby Grand (of the Dr. Audry type),
Triomphe de St. Jlando (crimson), Duchess of Bedford,
and Empress of India.

Zonal Pelaeooniums. — These are largely grown by
nearly all market gardeners who have Vineries or other
fruit houses ; they profitably occupy such houses whilst
the fruit trees are at rest, and they are cleared out before
the .shade of the trees interferes with them. In many
places, also, houses are wholly devoted to zonal Polargo-
niums, and, in that case, they are often made to serve two
purposes ; they furnish an enormous amount of cut blooms
during winter, and make neat, compact, and well-flowered
plants with which to decorate the balconies and window-
sills of London houses during summer. Vesuvius and
Master Christine are the kinds grown in the greatest quan-
tity ; a few white-flowered kinds are also grown, but on
these very little value is set. Pink bloom is less sought
after in the market than scarlet, and there is also less
demand for the plants in summer. Cuttings of Pelar-
goniums for winter blooming are struck in June, potted
into 5-in. pots when well-rooted, and freely exposed to the
sun and air by being placed in an open spot out-of-doors.
Towards the end of September, when the weather begins
to be showery and cold, the plants are removed to the
houses in which they are to flower, each one being placed
on an inverted flower-pot close to the glass, and sufficiently
distant to allow of a free circulation of air amongst
them. This prevents the leaves and blooms from damping
off during wet and sunless weather. The plants are potted
in good sandy loam, all kinds of manure or leaf-mould
being avoided, as these only promote rank and vigorous
growth at the expense of bloom. The great i^oint aimed
at is to get the wood hard, short-jointed, and well-ripened
as early in the autumn as possible, and, in oreler to accom-
plish this and keep the plants dwarf and comjiact, no more
water is given them at any stage of their growth than
is absolutely necessary to keep them in a healthy
condition. When placed in the houses, a dry atmosphere
is maintained by means of hot-water pipes and free venti-
lation. Should any of the plants show a want of vigour,
they receive a little guano water, which soon improves
their condition. The flowers are gathered regularly every
evening, and by the same person, who takes great care
never to cut a bloom one day that would be improved in
condition by being left until the next. As they are
gathered, they are placed in shallow trays, carried bj^ boys
on their heads, and are at once conveyed to the packing
.shed to be gummed. This process is likewise performed
by boys, who, with a finely-pointed stick, deftly drop the
smallest possible quantity of prepared gum into the eye of
each blossom ; this keeps the petals stifi", and prevents the
flowers from falling to pieces. When gummed, they are
packed in boxes ready for market, where they fetch from
9d. to Is. per dozen trusses, according to size and quality.
Notwithstandmg that hundreds of dozens of trusses are
gathered weekly, Pelargonium houses in January present
a display of bloom little inferior to that in the flower-beds
in the metroi)olitan parks in the middle of summer. As
soon as Pelargonium blooms become jjlentiful, market
prices for them fall considerably ; the plants are then cut

back and prepared for their summer duties. The cuttings
taken off are struck in boxes, and sold, as in the case of
Calceolarias, &c., to the trade for bedding purposes. The
cut-down plants, when again established and full of bloom,
arc taken to market, where they fetch from 5s. to 9s. per
dozen. Some growers have rather a different practice.
They strike their cuttings in autumn, grow them on in
good sandy soil, keep them in houses, and then pot them
in 6-in. pots ; the bloom which they produce during winter
is, as in the case just stated, cut for market, and in April
and May, when the plants are in full flower, they find a
ready sale for furnishing large vases and for plantiug out
in beds in which immediate effect is desired. The shoots
are stopped during the growing season in order to make
the plants bushy, and, when coming into bloom, liberal
supplies of manure water are given them. Larger speci-
mens are obtained from cuttings inserted in spring ; the
shoots of these are regularly pinched in, and in the follow-
ing spring large, bushy jilants furnished with fine spikes of
bloom is the result.

Coloured-leaved Pelakgoniums. — These have hitherto
beeu but little grown for mai-ket ; lately, however, a few
growers have taken them in hand, and find no difficulty in
disposing of well-coloured plants at remunerative prices.
The principal part of the propagating is done from January
to Jlarch ; but it may be said to be always going on. The
cuttings consist of points of the shoots taken ofl" when the
wood is ripe, firm, and just starting into growth ; if they
have four leaf-joints, that is sufficient. These are put into
2.',-iu. pots, and afterwards shifted into 3-in. jiots, in which
many of them are marketed. Many of the commoner
varieties are planted out in nursery beds during the summer
to provide more cuttings ; these hard cuttings grow into
rooted plants quickly. The soil used for the gold and silver
Tricolors consists of about two parts light loam, one part
leaf-mould, with silver sand added ; the gold and bronze
kinds are grown in a stronger loam with a little well-
decayed manure. These plants are grown in ordinary
plant houses, light and aii'y, and, therefore, well adapted
for the purpose ; but the plants are not kept so near the
glass as one might suppose. During winter, a temperature
of oO"" is maintained, rising to GO^ in the sun-heat. Plenty
of air is given on all favourable occasions, but during dull
weather water is applied but sparingly. Some growers
send to market yearly as many as 20,000 plants in 4-in. or
5.in. pots, bushy, and well supplied with ample, richly-
coloured foliage. The plants are usually sent to market
packed closely together in shallow boxes, each of which
holds a dozen or more pots. Both for window ornamenta-
tion and for planting in small gardens, these coloured-
leaved Pelargoniums are eagerly sought after. A few of
the best kinds of golden Tricolors grown for market are
Peter Grieve, Macbeth, Lady Cullum, Golden Queen, and
Florence. These are mostly good growers, and have bold,
richly-coloured leaves with good dark zones. Among
silver tricolors may be mentioned Lass o' Gowrie (a capital
sort, free, as regards growth, and very showy). Empress
of India, and Dolly Varden. The best bronze or tricolors
are Mrs. Harrison Weir, W. E. Gumbleton, and Marshal
MacMahon.

IvT-LEAVED Pelaegoniums are also grown in large quan-
tities for draping the edges of window-boxes, and there
has lately been raised some beautiful double-flowered kinds
belonging to this class which will, when known, no doubt,
be largely grown for such purposes, and their flowers are
useful for cutting. C. W. S.

52

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

PINE HOUSES.

"Aoardenek" (p. 48) may giow Pine. apples eucoesafully in two
kiuds of Btructurea, one a loan. to, ths other span. roofed. We grow
them in both, and like the one about as well as the other. Lean. to
houses may be of any width and height, bat we prefer them from
10 ft. to 18 ft. wide, and about 12 ft. high at the back j a high roof
with the plants far from it ia undesirable. Such a house as this may
hive the interior arranged in two ways, either with a bed about 10 ft.
wide and a pathway all round, or a pathway along the centre, and a
bed at back and frcut. In this case, the wall of the back bed should
ba raised 2 ft. above that of the front, so as to keep the plants up
n3ar the glass. With this arrangement there should be two rows of
4. in. pipr-s laid along the bottom of the pathway, with grating above
on which to walk ; two rows along the front, and two rows along
each bod to affo:d bottom. heat. With the bed in the centre, at
least, a double row of 4.ia. piping should go all round the house, and
three or four rows should be placed in the bottom of the bed. Per.
i'orated gratings answer best for cornering over these bottom-heat
p'pos, but they may be covered with stones or rough rubble, so that
the heat may get freely up into the fermenting material. The
beds should not be less than 2 ft. in depth, and the flow of
water in the pipes should be regulated by means of good valves. In
many bouses much heat is wasted by not attending to this. I may
add that a lean-to house should be placed with its face due south,
;-.nd a span-roofed one with its ends north and south. A span-roofed
house, about 12 ft. high and the same in width, with a 4 ft. bed on
ctoh side of the pathway, is a favourite honse of mine for Pine
culEare, but we have grown good fruit in all kinds of honses, the
chief requirement being plenty of heat during certain stages of
growth. I have entertained an opinion for a long time that Pines in
general do not get sufficient water at the root. I would strongly
recomm&nd all concerned in their culture who can procure Oak and
Eeech leaves to store a large quantity of them for plunging and
other purposes, such as hotbed making. We collected some bun.
dreds of cartloads of them this winter for such purposes, and when
useless for all else they make valuable leaf mould and manure for
root crops, &c. At one time we used tan in which to plunge our
Pines, but it did no better than leaves, if so well, and as a manure
afterwards it is quite useless. Cambrian.

It will be found, I think, that a hip-roofed house facing due

south will answer better for Pines than one of any other form. Such
a house will admit back light from the ridge, which should be about
i ft. in depth. It should have a path beneath occupying the full
apace, [and a narrow path on the front. The bed devoted to the
plants, should be raised sufficiently high to keep them well up to the
ijlass. For plunging some prefer Oak leaves, where these ai'e to be
had in quantity, but nothing equals fresh tan, when not ground too
fine. I'resh loam is the only soil suitable for Pines, and the better it
is in quality the better the results may be expected to be, other cul-
tural details being rightly carried out. I have, however, often seen
good useful Pines grown in loam that was far from being such as one
would select if better was obtainable. — T. Baines.

The most suitable structure for Pines is a span. roofed pit,

with sufficient piping to keep up the heat to 70° in severe weather,
with ample ventilation at top and each side. It should have a bed
in the centre, or a walk in the centre and a bed on each side, accord,
ing to circumstances, with a couple of pipes underneath the bed,
which should be regulated by means of a valve. The side ventilators
should be opposite the hot.water pipes so as to warm the air as it
enters ; they should be open a little all the year round on the side
opposite the wind, it keeps the atmosphere in motion without allow-
ing the heat and moisture to escape, and the result is sturdy growth
and good flavoured fruit. The best plunging material is tan, which
should be fresh, bat if very wet it should be turned over a few times
before plunging the plants in it, as the heat is then steadier and more
durable. The bottom heat should never exceed 80" or 83° at most,
otherwise the foliage will be loig and narrow instead of short and
broad, the forernnuer of good fruit. A suitable soil is the surface
of an old pasture with plenty of fibre in it cut about 2 in. thick,
and if in good condition it may be chopped, or, better still, pnlled
in pieces fresh and green, and it should be mixed with a good
sprinkling of rough sand or soft burnt biick broken small. Where
top sods are not procurable Pines will succeed almost in any mix.
tnre of soil provided it is open and sweet and pressed solid in
potting, which leaves less room for water to stand in the pots.
Never mix any manure with the compost, but give weak liquid
manure regularly, as it has always a tendency to sour the soil and
stop the progress of the roots. J. Smith.

Waterdale.

LADY BEATRICE LAMBTOX PINE-APPLE.
This is one of the noblest and handsomest varieties of the king of
fruits which has yet been obtained. It is one of about thirty
seedlings raised some years since from the Montserrat, at Lambtoa
Castle, by Mr. Stevens, who was then gardener there ; and it has
since been proved to be both distinct and desirable by Mr. Hunter.
Other distinct varieties of considerable promise, have, we believe,
been observed amongst the seedlings, as well as some few which are
remarkable as curiosities. We learn from Mr. Hunter that Lady
Beatrice Lambton is somewhat taller than the Smooth-leaved
Cayenne, and more erect in its habit of growth. The leaves are dark
green and prickly at the edge, the spines being strong and widely
set, about four to the inch. The flowers are purple. The fruit is
very large, pyramidal, from fourteen to fifteen pips in depth, and
averaging about 10 lb. in weight (it has been grown to 11 lb. 7 cz.),
the individual pips being broad, measuring 1 in. across, plump when
properly swelled, of a deep orange colour in the prominent parts,
yellower in the furrows, the scales or bracts subtending each pip
being of a bright coppery.red. It will thus be seen that it is really
both a noble and a handsome fruit. The quality also is of a high
order of merit. As regards its flesh and flavour, the former, in the
examples we have examined, was of a pale semi.transparent yellow,
with soft yellow fibres towards the firmer axis or centre, and exceed-
ingly tender and melting towards the circumference. The flavour
was rich and excellent, with very abundant refreshing juice. Mr.
Hunter informs us that in the case of a fruit of 10 lb. weight, cue at
Christmas, 1873, and used for dessert, he poured from the dish when
it was brought from table three. fourths of a tumblerful of the syrnpy
juice, and our experience quite accords with this statement. This
very abundant juice is, in truth, one of its characteristic features,
and one which points to its great value as a summer fruit. When
ripened in spring, it is found to be quite equal to the Cayenne and
Charlotte Rothschild ; indeed, Mr. W. Thomson, of Clovenfords,
states that having often tasted it both in summer and winter, he is of
opinion that while it far exceeds in size the Bnville, which it resembles
in shape, it equals the Queen and Smooth Cayenne in flavour, and in
this respect far excels them in winter. Mr. D. Thompson speaks
approvingly of its very free fruiting habit, and also bears testimony
to its beauty and good qualities, it being, be lemarks, "the most
handsome Pine in cultivation," and in the winter season " remark-
ably juicy, and much better flavoared than Smooth Cayenne or
Charlotte Rothschild." The fruit grows close down in the heart of
the plant, quite the opposite of its parent, which throws its fruit out
of the foliage. Various causes, which it is not necessary here to
discuss, have conspired to prevent this fine new Pine from being
put into commerce at an earlier period, one of which, we learn,
is its shyness in producing suckers. Its merit has, from the first,
been fully appreciated at Lambton. A sufficient stock has now been ob-
tained to permit of its being offered to the public ; and for this
purpose it has passed into the hands of Messrs. Ireland & Thompson ,
of the Cragleith Nurseries, Edinburgh, by whom it is being dis
tribu ted.— "Florist."

Protecting Fruit Trees.— All small fruit bushes should now ba
protected from birds. The beat material I find for this purpose is
white cotton, known as crotchet cotton ; it does not break during
strong wind as finer material does. It should not be placed in
straight lines ; on the contrary, the more angles the better, as it
is then more difficult for the birds to get between the threads.
Until I adopted this plan we never could get a crop of fruit, but
since we have done so we have never failed. The trees, moreover,
are spoiled by disbudding, and have to be out back. For protect-
ing wall trees I nse fishing nets and hexagon nets, hanging them
from 16 in. moveable coping boards, and supporting them on small
poles placed in a slanting direction from the wall. By this means
we get good crops of fruit. Last year I tried a new material
made of cotton netting, and I find it very useful, not only for
protecting trees in bloom, but also for preserving ripe Strawber.
ries from birds, and other ripe fruits from wasps, bees, flies, &c.
During the severe frost, too, which we have had I have used it to
great advantage in the fruit room. — W. D., Maidstone.

King of ttie Pippins Apple— The quality of any variety of
Apple is, no doubt, considerably influenced by soil and climate, but
this sort, as " Cambrian" says, is generally a free bearer; still in no
part of the kingdom that I have either grown or tasted it could it
be classed amongst the best kinds for flavour. Cox's Orange Pippin
is little inferior to it as a free bearer, and very much better in flavour,
and there are a good many others I could name alike superior to it in
the last named property. King of the Pippins with me always has
been very indifferent, cooked. " Cambrian " possibly may not have
the true kind. — T. Baines.

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

5a

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

BROUSSONETIA PAPYRIFERA VAR. BILLIARDI.

The Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), which, by-the-
bye, should be more generally planted in the south and west,

Broueeonetia papyrifera var. BilliarJi,

presents a number of curious varieties of foliage, even in a
wild state, and some of them have been in cultivation ; others
have originated in gardens from seed. The accompanying

A Leaf of BrouBSonetia papyrifera Tar. Billiardi ; half natnral size.

illustrations represent a curious cut-leaved variety, raised from
seed by the late Mr. Billiard, of Fontenay-aus-Roses. It is
very near the old, though [rare variety dissecta, but differs in
its more slender branches and less compact habit.

W. B. Hemslet.

Paraffin as an Insecticide.— Aa yet I have had no occasion to
use this oil for killing insects, but it it be half aa good aa it is said to
be it would be diflBcult to overrate its value. If it kills insects so
readily it will also, I should say, prevent them from appearing, and,
acting on thia principal, we are this winter putting a little paraffin
in all the water with which we wash Vine rods and Peach trees, also
in the water with which the honaea are cleansed, and in the mixture
with which any of them are painted. I do not think any one who
wishes to guard against insects during the coming season could do
better than adopt thia plan. — Cambrian.

THE INDOOR GARD EN.

WINTER GARDENS.
Nothing is more pleasing in the whole range of gar-
dening, than the effects which may be produced in a taste-
fully arranged and well-kept winter garden. We are therein
enabled to give some slight idea of the general aspect of
tropical and other vegetation. The preconceived and
popular notion of a winter garden is a roomy, lofty structure,
wherein Palms, &c., grow to tree size. This is so far correct ;
such a structure represents a perfect winter garden ; but it is
equally certain that the same principals which serve to guide us
in the arrangement of large houses are applicable to smaller
structures, the furnishing and keeping of which will entail but a
moderate outlay. It is scarcely necessary to dwell upon the uses
and advantages of a winter garden; its name sufficiently indicates
theendandaim of its existence,a placeof resort when inclination,
health, or weather forbids wandering far from home. One of the
prettiest winter gardens I ever saw was very small ; it had been
built for a lady in infirm health, and was attached to the
house. In it was nothing rare or tender, but the subjects were
suitable, tastefully arranged, and the hands of the owner her-
self kept them healthy and clean by means of frequent wash-
ings and spo"gings. Many an hour was thus pleasantly spent
in the exercise of a loving care, which had its reward in the
bright appearance of the plants. Winter gardens may be
placed in two categories, viz., those in which heat is only
applied to exclude frost, and those wherein a regular
temperature is maintained. It will naturally be seen that the
plants used for the two places must be somewhat different in
character. In the former we must rely upon the inhabitants
of temperate climes, but which we cannot well grow the year
through in the open air in this country, such are some of the
Araucarias, some Palms, also, Ferns, Camellias, Azaleas,
Acacias, &c. ; in the latter we get a great variety of subjects,
and are enabled to impart a strong tinse of tropical verdure
to the arrangements by employing Palms, Pandanads, Stre-
litzias, Brownias, &c. The great mistake made in winter
gardens is overcrowding ; it is just the same here as in outdoor
planting, thinning is not done in time, and the whole degene-
rates into a weary tangle ; ultimately something must be taken
away, with the result of more fully exposing the debilitated
specimens.

Now, let us suppose that we have a house to arrange — any-
thing between 12 ft. and 20 ft. in height, and some 20 ft. wide
by 40 ft. long. This, it will be seen, is not a large house, but
it is spacious enough to allow of the specimens acquiring
handsome proportions. Starting from the entrance — or, if the
interior be commanded by any of the apartments of the dwel-
ling, we must commence there — we should in the first place
have before us an open breadth of green turf (Selaginella), which
is truly beautiful when well kept. Towards the far end I
would arrange the water, if such is to be introduced ; and I
would always have the limpid element therein if possible. But
here a word of caution : unless a constant supply of bright
fresh sparkling water, such as a fish might thrive in, can be
assured, do not attempt it, as nothing is more repulsive and
dismal than dirty stagnant water. Hardly second in impor-
tance is the shape and arrangement of the water basin : any-
thing formal — having the appearance of a large cup sunk in
the ground — must be avoided. The rockwork should be so
arranged as to occupy about one-half of the water margin,
and must be planted here and there with trailing and drooping
plants, Ferns, &c. The edge of the water basin should also
be studded with plants that will serve to break its monotony
— Maidenhair, Hare's-foot, and other dwarf-growing Ferns ;
Ficus repens, Tradescantia, &c., will serve admirably to drape
the lower portion ; whilst the upper part may be studded with
hardy Cacti, Cobweb Houseleek, and some kinds of plants
which do not need constant moisture at the roots. Do not
run into the too common error of building a rockwork without
making ample provision for the growth of plants thereon.
Shallow pockets, containing some 3 in. or 4 in. of soil, are of
no use whatever. Anything planted therein to remain per-
manently will, as soon as the soil is exhausted, exhibit a
meagre and unsatisfactory appearance. The roots should be

64

THE GARDEN.

[Jak. 18, 1879.

able to work their way freely downwards, so that they may be
continually finding fresh nutriment. In adjusting the various
portions of the rocltwork, fissures should be therefore left so
that there is no hindrance to the attainment of these condi-
tions. This care is all the more necessary where air is freely
admitted into the house, as there is then great difiioulty in
supplying sufticient moisture when all the roots are near the
surface. At the back of the rookwork, and so placed that it
spreads and overhangs the same, some such graceful-habited
plant as an Araucaria exoelsa or a Palm should be planted.
Spreading away from each side, Tree Ferns, Dracajnas,
Bamboos, and such free-growing ferns as Pteris arguta and
NephrodiummoUe, should be so arranged that they have space
enough in which to develop. The walk will naturally run round
the building, and should be made to wind in such a manner that
tue borders and corners are of unequal dimensions. This
will allow of the arrangement of sundry little groups, each
one having a character of its own, and will at the same time
afford ample opportunity for the placing of single specimens.
Should there be a dead wall, which, if the house be connected
with the dwelling, will probably bo the case, it should have
afRsed to it some neat trellis-work, and for covering the same
I do not know of any thing better than Camellias. They lend
themselves well to this kind of work, and the green is so
lustrous and deep that, it they did not possess the additional
merit of furnishing exquisitely beautiful flowers, they would
on that account alone be invaluable for our present purpose.

A few climbing plants are desirable in a winter garden ; it is
here, indeed, that they appear to most advantage, and are
better enabled to develope their true character than in more
confined quarters. Thereisagood variety of climbers suitable
for a cool house : Begonia jasminoides, Lapagerias, CobMa
soandens variegata, Maudevilla suaveolens, and Hose Marechal
Niel, are some of the best ; whilst for pillars Abutilons,
Ehynohospermum jasminoides. Plumbago capensis, and Ha-
brothamnus are all suitable. Flowering plants of all kinds
may of course be introduced the whole year through with good
effect. If Fuchsias are left in the turf, the pots may be sunk ;
and Hyacinths, Tulips, Violas, and Primulas, &c., will have
a vei'y pretty effect thus treated.

The plants above enumerated are all suitable for a structure
which is only heated to exclude frost. IE a continual warmth
is to be maintained, then for the Camellias, Acacias, Arauca-
rias, &c., we must substitute denizens of warmer regions. The
arrangements may, however, be conducted in much tbe same
manner as already recommended, only that it should be borne
in mind that the more heat the more rapid will be the develop-
ment of all plants subjected to it. A Palm in a warm house will
grow much faster than when kept quite cool, and the growth
of tropical plants in general is much more luxuriant than those
which come from temperate climes. I have preferred to treat
in a more special manner of the cool house, ioasmuch as it is
better adapted to general requirements than when heat is
constantly applied. The latter form of winter gardens demands
a much greater amount of attention, and entails more
expenditure, than if those plants only are employed which
require merely the exclusion of frost. The arrangements
detailed herein are not to be considered arbitrary ; individual
tastes and fancies should be allowed free scope in the way
of disposing the plants ; but the future career of the specimens
must not be sacrificed in order to gain an immediate effect. I
have endeavoured to show that the creation and maintenance
of a winter garden is not a work involving a vast amount of
labour and expense. I have often had an opportunity of
■witnessing the enjoyment derived from such a structure. In
conclusion I may observe that, whatever may be the class of
plants grown, there should be no attempt made to force growth,
as such treatment will inevitably have the effect of distorting
and destroying the symmetry of the subjects so treated. It is
belter to let Nature develop herself in her own way and take
her own time thereto, as, with constant supervision and
attention to her wants, she will not fail in the end to reward
us for our labour. J. Cokniiill.

Byfieet.

Begonia hydrocotylifolia manicate. — This is a hybrid
between the two species whose name it bears. It has a vigorous,

sturdy habit, flowers freely in winter, and when not in flower the
whole plant has a strikingly handsome appearance. Catlings of it
taken oil at midsummer, inserted singly in small pots filled with
sandy soil, will make pretty little flowering plants by Christmas.
A little extra warmth such as that furnished by a Cucumber frame
will be useful for striking the cuttings and giving the young plants
a start, but afterwards they will succeed in a warm greenhouse or
intermediate house. — E. Hobday.

TRITONIA AURBA IN POTS AND PLANTED OUT.

If we take the year through till Chrysanthemums make their
appearance in autumn, there is generally a dearth of orange
or yellow flowers wherewith to embellish greenhouses or con-
servatories, and these are colours that are, perhaps, more
telling than any others, especially when associated with
scarlet Pelargoniums, or the bright blue Browallia elata. The
latter should be largely grown in every garden, as it is one o£
the best plants possible for furnishing cut flowers for bouquets
or vases, and, by sowing at intervals, it may be had in good
condition the whole year round. Tritonia aurea, as I have
said, associates well with this, and is not half so well known as
it deserves to be, for, besides being exceedingly effective, it is
a plant that is very easily cultivated, all the shelter or pro-
tection which it requires when grown in pot3 being that
o£ an ordinary cold pit or frame, in which it thrives better
than in any other situation. If kept in any place where the
air gets dry, red spider is sure to attack its flag-like leaves,
and, once this pest effects a footing, the health of the plant
soon fails. Probably its liability to be attacked by red spider
is one of the reasons why it is so seldom seen in gai-dens, but
if those who have hitherto failed with it will only keep it
entirely out of dry houses until it comes into bloom, they will
not have the least difliculty with it, for it is of such a hardy
nature that it will live and thrive well planted in any sheltered
border where the soil is moderately light and well drained.
For purposes of cutting, this is by far the best way of grow-
ing it, as then it entails no labour in watering, and is much
more floriferous than when restricted to the limited area of a
pot. A row we have of it, planted close to the foot of a low
south-west wall, affords great quantities of bloom, and saves
running to the greenhouse, and all the preparation which we
made for it was digging in a quantity of sand and leaf-mould,
so as to lighten the soil, and keep it in a loose, open state. In
this the plants spread and travel underground, somewhat
resembliog in this respect the Couch Grass. The mistake
which many make in growing Tritonia aurea is drying it off ;
this its pseudo-bulbs will not bear, as they are not sufiiciently
large or fleshy in themselves to keep alive, unless the soil be
moist.

The bulbs being at present comparatively dormant, now is
the best time to get them, or to set about dividing and plant-
ing or potting them. If grown in the latter way, 8-in. pots
are the handiest and most suitable ; they should be drained
with a few crocks, and over these some of the roughest por-
tions of the soil .^ihould be placed. A mixture of peat and
loam in about equal proportions suits them Dest, but either
will do alone, the latter especially, if it be fresh and fibry. As
they look best in a mass, from twelve to eighteen bulbs will be
required for pots of the above-named dimensions, and these
should be of the largest that can be picked out, and be regu-
larly distributed and covered to the depth of about 2 in. This
done, the next thing is to give them a soaking of water to
settle the soil, when they will at once set to work in forming
fresh roots, and till they have made plenty of these an.d some
top growth the soaking in question will afford sufficient
moisture to carry them on, as, till they get well into leaf, they
absorb but little, and are injured if kept in too wet a condition.
As before observed, a cold frame during their earlier stages of
growth is the best place for them, and, if plunged in ashes so
as to prevent frost reaching their roots, little, if any, covering
beyond the glass will be needed, unless severe weather sets in.
After the middle of May or so it is a good plan to plunge them
outdoors, as then the genial rains and refreshing night dews
help much in keeping the foliage clean and free from red
spider. An occasional syringing and abundant supplies of
water as growth progresses and summer advances will be

Jan. IH, 1879.]

THE GARDEK.

55

found to suit them perfectly. As soon as they begin to show
bloom they may be taken to the greenhouse or conservatory
and arranged so as to produce the best effect. As the flowers
fade the right course is to lessen the water supply, but not to
that degree as to bring about actual dryness, the only object
being to ripen and rest tlio plants previous to potting, an
operation that should be performed as soon as the foliage
shows signs of decay. Any spare or weak bulbs or suckers
that may be showing themselves will then come in for planting
in any position similar to that previously alluded to ; in doing
so they should be put in at a depth of about 5 in. or 6 in., and
the surface of the soil should be coated over with Cocoa-nut
fibre or] decomposed leaves, both of which are capital non-
conductors, and keep out frost better than anything else.

S. D.

HEATING AND VENTILATING IN COLD WEATHER.
I WAS pleased to see (p. 30) Mr. Fish'a remarks upon this sabject,
for it la a most important one. Much lose of fnel is annually sus-
tained from over anxiety to keep fires going briskly in frosty weather.
There are two sources of beat for warming glass houses, viz., the sun
and the fire, and these should aid, not run counter to each other. The
BUD, of coarse, we cannot influence, but on a bright frosty morning we
can anticipate his rising, by an hour or two, and discount, so to
speak, his warmth, by checking the fire betimes leaving the sun his
proper share of work to do. To keep fires burning briskly when the
Bun is shining brightly, no matter how sharp the morning may be,
is not only a waste of fuel but in many cases may do positive harm.
When the warmth from a bright sun meets the heat from a brisk fire
under a glass roof, it is next to impossible to maintain a genial at.
mosphere in the house. In many cases all the fruit houses are
crammed full of bedding plants in winter and spring, and they must
be kept secure from frost ; the least amount of fire.heat will effect
this, and it should be turned oit altogether the first thing in the
mornin". I am of opinion that in the ventilation of glass houses in
winter and spring, some means should be specially employed to
make the cool air from the outside, whenever it is necessary to admit
it, pass over the heating apparatus, or, if this cannot be done, then
cover the open spaces with canvas or something similar that will act
as a respirator in breaking up and distributing the cold currents ; air,
when disseminated, oansea little or no draught when entering a
buildinf, but I agree with Mr. Fish that if the fires be kept down, but
little ventilation will be required, especially in large houses. Small
houses heat more rapidly and require more attention, both in the
management of the fire and also in ventilating. Aa regarda cool
houses, devoted at this season mainly to the sheltering of plants for
open-air decoration in summer, if the houses be kept altogether closed,
on bright days, even if very frosty, a vapour will be raised inside by
the Bun'a warmth, and I think it always best to give
enon^h ventilation to induce this to escape rather than allow it
to become condensed and drop amongst the plants. The proper
management of fires for horticultural purposes is an art that reqnirea
much painstaking thought. There are two main principles that must
be ineisted on ; the firat is thorough cleanliness abont the boiler, and
the second ia the careful management of the draught of the fire, ao as
to insure just the right degree of combustion and no more. Wherever
the smoke passes round the boiler, there aoot will accumulate, and
the waste mattera of combustion are sometimes carried forward by the
draught of the fire. There should therefore be periodical cleaning and
scraping of all boiler fluea, so that the heat of the fire may come
into direct contact with the iron surface of the boiler. The furnace
doora should fit properly, or the draught cannot be regulated, and nnleaa
thia is carefully attended to, a good deal of the heat may escape up
the chimney and be wasted. In heating horticultural buildings a
liberal outlay for piping in proportion to the work to be done will
he found true economy. Iron pipea, it not severely atrained, wear
out but alowly ; but if the apparatua baa to work at a high preasure,
in order to maintain the requisite amount of temperature, there will
come a time when aomething — either boiler or pipes — will give way,
and the period of the greatest trial will be during severe frost, when
a disorganised heating apparatus ia always a aoorce of danger and
annoyance. Besides the greater danger of a mishap to an overworked
apparatus, there ia the unhealthy character of the acorching heat to
contend with, and ali who have had to work such spparatnses know
that it ia a great mistake, both from a cultural and economical point
of view, to stint the amount of piping. E. Hobday.

flowers do bear some resemblance to those of that family, both in
Btrueture and colour, but it has a shrubby habit, and flowera naturally
in winter. Aa it ia so easily cultivated, and supplies a colour that ia
always scarce, it ought to find a place in every collection. It is
generally classed with stove plants, but it succeeds perfectly in an
intermediate house. A little extra heat daring the time of growth
will be beneficial, but when in flower it may be moved to the con-
servatory, and, in a dry atmosphere, its large oluatera of violet,
coloured flowera last a long time in perfection. It will succeed in
fibry loam and peat, with a sprinkling of aand, and it flowera beat
when not over potted. Cattinga made of its half-ripenod wood strike
freely in bottom-heat, and pretty little blooming plants, one year old,
may be had in 5-in. pots, or, under good culture, large, handsome
Bpecimona may be produced in from two to three yeara. — E. Hobday

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Hebeclinium ianthinum. — To the casual observer this plant
has th? appearance of an enlarged variety of Ageratum, and its

CARPETING BULB BEDS.
The necessity for covering beds planted with Dutch or other
bulbs, especially sorts which make scanty foliage, is so obvious
that carpeting them with something green does not require
recommendation. These bulbs are planted near the end of
October or in November, and until their foliage begins to show
itself aboveground early in spring the beds are simply a bare
blank. To remedy this there are many dwarf plants which
may be planted thickly between the lines of bulbs, or planted
so as to cover the surface of the beds through which the bulbs
may push their leaves and flower stems as they happen to
come up. The best plan is to adopt a kind of double planting,
first filling up the beds with bulbs as may bo determined upon,
say with Hyacinths or tall Tulips in the middle, banding them
round with dwarfer Tulips, Crocuses, Anemones, or other
bulbs. The place for the bulbs should be marked off in lines,
either straight or curved, according to the shape of the beds,
planting the bulbs with a dibble ; after inserting the bulbs
leave the holes open over them so that their exact positions
may be seen ; then proceed to plant the carpeting plants in
single or double lines between the bulbs, according to the size
of tlie plants used. The planting of these effectually fills up
the holes made for the bulbs, and one dressing of the surface
is sufficient for all. It is necessary to remark that in planting
between or among rows of bulbs, varieties of plants must be
used suitable to the size of the foliage and colour of the flowera
of the bulbs, as, for instance, the plants which would suit
among beds of Hyacinths or Pottebakker Tulips would not
suit amongst Snowdrops or Scillas, and, again, attention must
be paid to the colour of the flowers of the carpeting plants,
inasmuch as both they and the bulbs will be in bloom at the same
time. For instance, the effect of blue Hyacinths would be
entirely spoiled by having a carpet of some purple-flowering
plant beneath them. Fortunately for spring flower gardening
there are no lack of dwarf plants with flowers of all shades of
colour suitable for our purpose. Suppose the centre of a bed
is filled with blue Hyacinths, the surface of the bed may be
carpeted with Gnaphalium lanatum in a very ready way at the
same time as the bulbs are planted by simply taking off
cuttings of the Gnaphalium with four or more good leaves
attached to them and dibbling them between the rows of the
Hyacinths. It will be found that not a leaf will be lost, and
the cuttings will soon be rooted plants covering the bed well
before the Hyacinths are in bloom. Of course, in the absence
of rooted plants, which are preferable, or in the absence of
rooted and prepared plants of Arabis albida, cuttings of this
showy spring plant may be inserted in the same way with the
certainty that they will all be rooted by spring and will flower
profusely. If the variegated variety of the Arabis be used so
much the better ; these same plants will also answer amongst
red Hyacinths. Among red and white Hyacinths the dwarf,
early-flowering Viola Blue King answers well, as do also Au-
brietia purpurea, A. doltoidea, and the variegated form of
A. purpurea. These may be planted in much the same way
as the Arabis, only in tufts instead of single cuttings ; but
good-rooted tufts properly prepared are the best. These plants
may also be used for carpeting among the taller Tulips, such as
the Potterbakkers, Eex rubrorum, Canary Bird, and others. An-
brietia grceca is likewise specially suited among the tall white

56

THE GAEDEX.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

and yellow Tulipa as it is taller than the other Aubrietias.
Another pretty plant for carpeting among white Hyacinths or
Tulipa is Silene pendula compacta, sown in .July and not grown
into over large bunches on a dry, poor soil. In planting all
these low-spreading plants, care must be taken that they are
not buried in the ground ; a mere pressing on the surface will
be sufficient planting, with a little fine soil just spread over
their roots. A very small amount of roots seems to be suffi-
cient to keep them in the best of health, a fact not to be won-
dered at when it is seen that dense cushions of them spread
and hang over rocks sometimes several feet from the point
where the roots are anchored in the ground. For carpeting
among the dwarfer bulbs, such as Scillas, dwarf Tulips and
Snowdrops, or rather for alternating with them in lines to
cover the ground in winter, we have Daisies red, white, and
pink, and the variegated Bellis aucubasfolia (a single form of
•which, by the way, grows abundantly among the Grass here),
and a very dwarf, floriferous, and double red kind called Rob
Koy. But among the prettiest dwarf flowering plants for low
carpeting in spring are the prostrate Phloxes amongst which
P. Nelsoni is quite a gem, as, indeed, is P. frondosa and P. rep-
tans ; it is necessary to have these well prepared and grown
into little patches. Veronica repens, Omphalodes verna, and
Gentiana verna are also all suitable carpet plants among the
dwarfest bulbs. Other plants might be named as spring flowering,
but which could scarcely be classed as carpeting plants, such
as Iberises, Alyssums, Hepaticas, and Primroses : these are
more suitable for massing by themselves than for carpeting
among bulbs. But there are numbers of plants which may be
classed as non-flowerers suitable for carpeting the edges of
beds among dwarf bulbs, or, indeed, among any bulbs. Of
these there are the various hardy Sedums, such as S. lydium,
S. glaucum, S. corsicum, S. rupestre, and the Saxifrages, such
as hypnoides, hirta, rosularis, pectinata, Andrewsi, longitolia,
and a pretty one called capilipes.

In order to have a good stock of all these plants at the right
time, they ought to be increased by division in autumn or very
early in spring, and planted in nursery beds on a dry bottom,
and properly attended to as to watering and cleanliness until
they form compact tufts that can be lifted with balls when re-
quired, or they may be increased by means of cuttings inserted
about the end of October in sandy soil in cold frames, from
whence they should be moved to nursery beds in spring, select-
ing some moist situation not over exposed to the sun, so as
to grow them quickly into patches. For carpeting among
Lilies, Gladioli, Crown Imperials, and other tall-growing
bulbs, the same plants may be used and allowed to remain per-
manently in the ground ; to this list may be added all the Violas,
which amongst themselves include endless variety, and several
of the Mimuluses ; such kinds as M. moschatus and Har-
risoni, cupreus, and the larger hybrid sorts, make good
carpeting plants on soil suitable for Lilies. The large-foliaged
Saxifrages also come in well for this purpose, such as S. opposi-
tifolia, and among the tallest Lilies Saxifraga crassifolia.
These are plants which do not root very deeply in the soil and
which in winter may be lifted with the spade in thin sods or
patches, with a thin slice of soil attached to their roots, until
the border or bed is dug or renovated, when they way be re-
turned to the same place again. W. D.
Buhlin.

wonld have to be provided; a row of drain tiles through the bed,
with the necessary outlet, or a layer of rubble would make this
part of the affair efficient. Then the soil would need eome special
preparation ; in fact, the same care should be exercised as in making
a Vine border. This may appear to involve a considerable amount
of labour, but it must be remembered that Cannaa last several years,
and will need very little labour to be expended upon
them afterwards. The work may also be beet accompliahtd
at that season of the year when there is the least amount
of ground work to do, and the beds would be ready to be
planted when required. In winter they wonld, of course, need pro-
tection, and some provision might be made for throwing off surplus
moisture. In spring a dressing of soot might be gently forked in,
and in the growing season thick mulchings combined with copious
manure waterings, would insure their fnll and hearty development.
One of your correspondents remarks, that when left in the ground
the young growth is apt to get nipped by frost ; some Hazel rods •
bent over and covered with mats would, however, effectually insure
them against such a mishap. By adopting these precautions there
would not be much danger of their perishing, and it wonld be a boon
to many it they could be left in the ground for a aeries of years,
thus obviating the necessity of annually propagating and planting.
Portions of the pleasure grounds, which are necessarily bare in the
summer, would thus be agreeably furnished without taxing in any
perceptible manner either the time or resources of the ground. The
system is worth a fair trial, and, if successful, would enable the
grower of fine.foliaged plants to decorate his garden at little expense.
The ordinary routine of summer bedding entails considerable labour
and anxiety, and anything which will tend to lessen either the
one or the other must be welcome alike to the amateur and pro-
fessional gardener. J- Cornhill.

PERMANENT PLANTATIONS OP CANNAS.
I AM pleased to find some of your readers giving us the benefit of
their experience on this subject, as I believe that when it is generally
known how easily Cannas may be grown, their culture will be
undertaken by many who have hitherto been deterred by the sup-
posed difficulties attending it. Those who are interested in this
matter will feel indebted to Mr. Sisley (p. 36) for the list anddescrip.
tion of varieties furnished by him. Reverting to the question of
permanent plantations of Cannas, I may state that the only reason I
had for doubting the advisability of retaining them after the second
year arose from the fear that, owing to the exhausting character
of the plants the soil would become too much worn out to admit
of their succesaful development. It is, however, evident that this
little difficulty may be overcome, and I now think that by the
exercise of a little judgment Cannas may be planted out to remain in
one spot for an indefinite period. In the first place good drainage

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN;

The Paris Daisy. — This plant, which is, in reality, no Daisy at
all, but a species of Chrysanthemum, is very popular about Paris,
and is extensively grown there and in many other parts of France.
To a casual observer it has rather a common appearance, the flowers
much resembling those of the Ox-eye Daisy, but it associates
remarkably well with many other plants. It is of such a wiry,
enduring nature, that it will flourish and flower profusely in the
poorest of soils, and in the hottest and dryest of weather. It would
doubtless be found useful in this country on parching sandy soils,
where many of our flower garden plants refuse to grow well. In
Normandy it is much prized as a pot plant, and finds a ready sale in
rural towns for window and room decoration, for which purpose I
have found it very useful. If kept growing on for several years in
succession it assumes an arborescent form, and in this state it is very
effective either placed in the centre of a bed, with dwarf-growing
plants around it, or grouped with other flowering and fine.foliaged

plants. — J. COENHILL.

Hardiness of Primulas. — Allow me to add my testimony to
the hardiness of Primulas, especially P. japonica. Not only did
they stand well last winter with me, but they bloomed well in five
whorls ; they were in good material on a dry rockery, but not pro-
tected. P. cortusoidea, P. alpina marginata, P- viscosa, P. pulcher.
rima, P. minima, P. integrifolia, P. seniensie, P. acaulis rubra, P. fa-
rinoHa, and P. denticulata, all appear to be standing the present
severe frost. I hope no one will be discouraged by a fear as to their
hardiness ; few plants are more hardy, if any are, and they are
gems we cannot well spare. — J. Wood, Kirkstall.

Euphorbia Lathyris. — The British Euphorbia of which your
correspondent speaks (p. 36) is probably E. Lathyris, or the Caper
Spurge, a plant which is common in some of our woods and thickets.
It is an ornamental plant, and might prove a pleasing feature in
both parks and gardens. I have never before heard it called Jacob's
Ladder, which is, I presume, Polemonium coeruleum. — B. Jenkins.

Stobsea purpurea. — I can fully endorse all that "A. P." says
(p. 36) respecting this beautiful Composite. In the spring of last
year I rose a batch of seedlings which, when fit to handle, were
potted, the larger ones into 6-in., and the smaller ones into 3. in. pots.
In these they grew rapidly, and nearly all the plants flowered, but,
being confined to pots, they failed to produce as many blossoms as
they otherwise would have done. My plants have proved themselves
to be perfectly hardy, and my old plant in the open border is, after
the severe frost which we have experienced, as fresh and well as
ever, having from six to eight breaks upon it, and what most
indicates its hardiness is the fact that it was only transplanted a few
weeks before the first frost of the present winter set in. — E. Jenkins,
Maida Vale,

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

57

NOTES OF THE WEEK

Large White IJapageria. — The largest plant of this which we
have yet seen is in Mr. Hanbarj's garden at The Poles, Ware. It
covers the greater part of the side of a span-roofed house, and
flowers freely from May till February. It is planted in a raised
bed over the hot-water pipes, and in the height of the season many
hundreds of blooms have been counted on it at one time. Opposite
this is a fine plant of L. rosea, and the two, when in bloom, produce
a striking effect.

Seedling Amaryllisea. — There will soon be a fine display of
these in the Pine-apple Nursery. There is, indeed, a quantity in
flower already, and there are ^.,000 coming on in succession. They
are set under stages or other out-of-the-way places, where they
can be kept dry until they show bloom, when they are brought into
lighter quarters, and are given plenty of water. Out of such a
quantity of seedlings something which will be in advance of existing
kinds may reasonably be expected.

Thyrsacanthua rutilans. — This fine old plant, though met with
in most gardens, is seldom seen grown in perfection. In this state
we found it, however, the other day in Mr. Hanbury's garden at The
Poles, Ware. Plants of it, growing in 8-in. or 9-in. pots, were fur-
nished with numerous branches, with bushy heads of large deep
green leaves, and scores of long, streaming racemes of scarlet flowers.
Placed on shelves or brackets, such plants have a charming effect for
many weeks during winter, and, for hanging baskets, few plants are
better adapted. The results recorded are effected by planting young
plants in good, rich soil out.of-doors in summer, and lifting them in
autumn. Plants struck from cuttings in spring are preferred to old
ones, and the growth which they make, compared with those grown
continually in pots, is surprising.

Bomarea oligantha. — This has been continually in bloom with
with me since July last, and its clusters of prettily. spotted, reddish,
orange flowers are very handsome. It is a plant that is easily cul.
tivated, only requiring to be kept free from frost. In brighter
weather the flowers are much higher in colour than they are now,
bnt they then last in perfection only a fortnight, while now they keep
in good condition for a month. — Max LEicnrLiN, Baden-Baden.

Viburnum lucidum. — I cultivate a shrub under this name
which is now beautifully in flower. It looks like a robust-growing
Lanrnstinus, but it has much larger and finer foliage, which is of a
bright shining green, and quite uninjured by the frost, severe though
it has been this winter. There is an evergreen sort, with thick,
shining leaves, from North America, of which I do not now recollect
enough to be sure of the two being distinct, or whether my specimen
is the American sort or not. However that may be, I can assert
positively that the plant in question is one of the finest shrubs for
forcing with which I am acquainted, and, thus treated, it forms one
cf the most showy of plants about Christmas time, and, indeed, all
through the winter months. There is also V. rugosum, a large,
round, hairy-leaved sort, which is likewise evergreen. Some of the
deciduous Viburnums are very fine, both in flower and fruit. Where,
for instance, can one find a more charming bush, when covered with
ripe fruit, than our wild V. Lantana or Wayfaring tree. Between
Maiden Newton and Crewkerne this charming plant grows along the
roadsides on the chalk in splendid style, so fine, indeed, that the way-
farer is often tempted to carry off a bunch of it. — Jonx Scoit,
Merriott, Somei'set.

Poinsettias at Ware.— There has lately been in Mr. Hanbnry'^
garden at The Poles, near Ware, one of the finest displays of Poin"
settias which we have seen for a long time. The plants, consisting of fine
specimens, each bear from twelve to twenty brilliant heads of floral
bracts, and are well furnished with large, healthy, dark green leaves.
Such results as these have been obtained in the following manner : —
After the plants had done flowering they were put to rest, and early
in summer, when they again broke into growth, they were shaken
out of the pots and planted ont-of-doors in a sheltered situation in
well prepared ground. Here they were kept liberally supplied with
water till the weather began to get cold in autumn, when they were
carefully lifted, potted, and placed in a little heat, and shaded for a
few days until root action had again taken place, when they were
exposed to the light, and air was admitted to them freely. Under
this treatment fine plants are produced, which from November on.
wards make a grand display in the conservatory. At lifting time,
any plants which are rather straggling have some 6 in. taken off their
tops, and these are inserted into 4-in. or 5-in. pots, which are imme-
diately plunged in a brisk bottom-heat, where they quickly take root,
and form compact little plants, which are very useful for room deco-
ration. The mode of culture here practised might with advantage be
followed in gardens where a good display is required in winter, and

the results would be infinitely better than those obtained from po
culture, viz., long single-stemmed plants, nearly leafless, and bearing
but indifferent flower-bracts.

Primroses in Covent Garden. — Some out-door flowers seem to
have survived the late severe weather ; among these are Christmas
Roses and the common wood Primrose. The former are to be found in
flower in some of the London nurseries, and plants of the latter in
full .bloom are now offered for sale in Covent Garden Market.

White Clove Carnations in the Flower Garden. — Thos
are grown largely by Mr. Hill at The Poles, Ware, as bedding plants.
Young plants are used for the purpose, and these are struck from
cuttings in autumn. They are wintered in a temporary wooden
frame, and, thus treated, they are far more satisfactory in the flower
garden than an over abundance of scarlet Pelargoniums, crimson
Beet, and similar plants.

Daphne indica rubra.— I have a good-sized plant of this
Daphne, on which there are from twenty to thirty good trusses of
bright blossoms, that fill the house with perfume. So useful is this
plant at this time of the year that no greenhouse should be without
it. — J. W., Llanstephati, Builth.

Lachenalia pallida purpurea. — This is the name given to a
handsome purple.flowered form of this useful wiuter.flowering
bulbous plant, now in bloom in the Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham.
Though not one of the showiest of the Lachenalias, it is, neverthe-
less, a useful variety.

Gesnera Cliftoni. — This is one of the best of the wiuter.flowering
Gesneras. It has large, velvety-green leaves, with handsomely,
fringed edges. Its flowers, which are produced in great, pyramidal
trusses, are brilliant orange. scarlet, and contrast effectively with the
foliage. We saw well-grown plants of it in a garden in Hertfordshire
the other day, where it is much used for table decoration.

St. Paul's Churchyard Garden. — According to the "City
Press," invitations have been sent out from the architect's depart,
ment of the Corporation to firms conversant with the art of designing
public gardens, inviting them to submit designs for the embellishment
of the ground around St. Paul's Cathedral. The work will probably,
it is said, include improvements of an extensive character, as well
as some alterations regarding the outer railings. The scheme in its
full details has not, however, yet been finally decided.

Staphylea colchica. — Flowering examples of this hardy shrub,
shown by Messrs. Veitoh & Sons, at South Kensington, on Tuesday
last, attracted much attention, it being discovered that a most valua.
ble addition had been made to our list of plants for winter forcing.
Its leaves when forced are of a lively glossy green, and its flowers,
which are produced in large trusses on every shoot, are of a waxy
whiteness, like those of the Tuberose. Besides being attractive on the
plants, such flowers will be most useful in bouquets, much better,
indeed, than those of the Deutzia. It is, as yet, comparatively
scarce, bnt, when better known, it will doubtless be largely grown
as a market plant.

Tulips, Lily of the Valley, and Squills.— These form
unusually effective objects just now in Covent Garden Market; they
are planted in 6-in. pots, and consist of about four scarlet Tulips,
six spikes of Lily of the Valley, and a few plants of Soilla sibirioa,
among which are introduced small plants of Adiantam graoillimam.
Baskets arranged in a similar manner make charming subjects for
table decoration.

The French Government has conferred the Cross of the Legion
of Honour on Mr. Martin J. Sutton, managing partner of the firm of
Sutton & Sons, Reading, as a special recognition of the merits of the
exhibits of that firm at the Paris Exhibition, and of the services
thereby rendered to horticulture and agriculture. We should add
that this is the only instance, we believe, in which this distinction has
been conferred on any English exhibitor of seeds at any French
Universal Exhibition.

Prizes for Vegetables. — Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborm
announce the following prizes for vegetables, to be competed for
during the year: — Thirteen dishes of vegetables (to be competed for
on June 21), to comprise 12 Onions, 12 Carrots, 12 Turnips, 12 Toma-
toes, 3 Cauliflowers, 50 pods of Peas, 6 Globe Artichokes, 50 pods of
Peas (distinct), 50 pods of Broad Beans, 50 pods of French Beans,
12 Potatoes, 2 Cucumbers (dissimilar), 3 Lettuces (Cos or Cabbage).
1st prize, £7 ; 2nd, £5 ; 3rd, £3 ; 4th, £1 10s. ; 5th, £1 ; 6th, 10s.
Four dishes of Peas : — 50 pods of Carter's Telephone, 50 pods of
Carter's Little Wonder, 50 pods of Carter's Challenger, 50 pods of
Culverwell's Telegraph : 1st prize, £3 3s. ; 2nd, £2 23. ; 3rd, £1 Is. ;
4th, 153. i 5th, lOs. 6d. For the best fruit of Dell's Hybrid Melon
(to be competed for Aug. 2G) ; 1st prize, £3 Ss. ; 2nd, £1 lis. 6d.
3rd, 10s. 6d.

58

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

NOTES FROM KEW.
Stove Plants. — A very elegant and desirable balbona plant 13
Hartweg's Calliphruria (C. Hartwegiana),a member of the Amaryllis
family. It has rather large globose bulbs, developing from two to
four leaves about 8 in. long, with a compressed and channelled stalk ;
the blade is about 4 in. long and 2 in. wide, lanoe shaped, and of a
deep green colour. The Bower stalk is about 1 ft. high, terminated
by about six blossoms, borne in an umbellate manner, li in. lopg,
funnel shaped, divisions slightly spreading, and pure white, the tube
with a dash of green at the base. It is yet rare in gardens, though
not a novelty, as it was first discovered by Hartweg in 18-12 growing
on the mountains of New Granada, and was, a few years ago, re-
introduced in quantity by Mr. Bull. The searlet.headed Calliandra
(C. hsomatooephala) is a highly ornamental shrub, about 2 ft. high,
though, in its native habitat, it frequently attains a height of from
30 ft. to 40 ft. Its leaves assume a bilobed character, each lobe
being again divided into about eight pairs of leaflets 1 in. long. The
flowers are produced freely in tassel-like heads, about li in. across,
consisting of thread-like stamens of a bright red colour, which,
together with its elegant foliage, render it very attractive. The
cerulean Cypella (C. ccErulea), a native of Brazil, is a magnificent
Iridaceous plant, and it is to be regretted that its beauty, as well as
that of its congeners, is so ephemeral. It has bold, sword-like foliage,
3 ft. high, and from about the middle of one of them peeps a cluster
of flower buds, which expand consecutively, and are enclosed in a
greeu. pointed sheath. The blossoms consist of six divisions, of which
the outer three are the largest and of a deep sky blue, often blotched
with a deeper hue ; the inner three are twisted upon themselves,
their tips are of a rich violet.pnrple, and the bases of a tawny yellow
barred with chocolate. It richly deserves a place in every collection,
and is, moreover, a plant of the easiest culture. Bojer's Euphorbia
(E. Bojeri), a native of the same country and in'roduced about the
samt time as the well-known E.splendens, is far less frequently seen
than that kind, though it has much richer coloured flower leaves,
which are borne quite as freely. In habit, also, it strongly resem.
bles it, having the same rigid, grey branches beset with sharp spines,
from between each pair are produced the short, oblong leaves. It
may be needless to remark that the sams mode of treatment is
applicable to both. The yellow Barleria (B. flava), an old introduc-
tion from Arabia, seems well nigh discarded too, as it is seldom met
with, but it is, nevertheless, a very attractive plait, producing its
bright yellow blossoms in succession throughout the winter. It is
of slender growth, about 2 ft. high, with opposite elliptical leaves,
and the flowers are borne in dense, terminal clusters, and accom.
•nanied by several sharp. pointed flower leaves. Another little plant
remarkable for producing a continuous succession of blossoms is the
Mexican Tetranema (Tetranema mexicana), which grows about 6 in.
high, and has closely-arranged oval leaves, from the axils of which
are developed nnmerona flower stalks terminated by a cluster of
small Pentstemon-like blossoms mottled with purple and white.
Sabine's Strobilanthes (S. Sabiniana) once more attracts attention
on account of its numerous deep mauve blossoms, which are produced
freely. S. glomerata has flowers very similar in size and colour, but
it is of a spreading, horizontal habit, and its leaves are covered on
both sides with silky, crimson hairs. The variety speciosa is a great
improvement on the type, having larger and more deeply coloured
flowers. Both are natives cf the East Indies.

Oreenhouse Plants. — Foremost in novelty and interest is
Walker's Ainslitea (A. Walkeri), an extremely elegant little plant
discovered a few years ago growing at a considerable elevation in
Hong Kong; it is a Composite, though at first sight very unlike one,
and nearly related to the beautiful South American Mutisias. It is
about 1 ft. high, and has a woody stem clothed on the upper half
with numerous narrow leaves, with a few sharp serratures at the
margins. The flower heads are arranged in a loose racemose manner
on an erect stalk, and consist each of about three flowers, with four
narrow, pure white divisions curled in a remarkable way, and with
a purplish red column of stamens rising from the centre of each.
The green-leaved Veltheimia (V. viridifolia) deserves a passing notice;
it is a capital plant for cool conservatory decoration during winter;
it has numerous large deep green leaves wavy at the margins. The
flower stalks rise from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in height, terminated by a
dense raceme of narrow tubular blossoms 1 in. long, which are,
together with the stalk, of a pale flesh colour, and very copiously
marked with spots of a darker shade. This handsome plant comes
from the Cape of Good Hope, and has been many years in gardens.
Tremandra verticillata is another excellent plant. It has a neat
habit and whorls of narrow leaves, from the axils of which a pro.
fusion of rich purple blossoms are borne on tbread-like stalks about
the size of a sixpenny piece. Resembling it in habit is T. hirsuta,
which, at a glance, is recognised by the hairiness of its branches

and leaves, as well as by its rosy blossoms. Both were introduced
many years ago from Swan River, and the latter is also known as
T. Hugeli. Banksia spinulosa, from the same country, is a remark-
able Protead about 2 ft. high, in habit much resembling a dwarf
Conifer, as it has needle-shaped leaves arranged in the same manner.
It produces dense erect cones of its curious blossoms of a deep orange
colour. W.

^XiJLTE CXj2C.

THE NEW WHITE HYDRANGEA.

Drawn by Mrs- DUFFIELD.
The new white Hydrangea, the subject of our illustration this
week, is of Japanese origin- It was introduced to the United
States by Mr. Thomas Hogg, an American traveller in Japan,
wiiose name is not new to our readers in connection with
Japanese plants. In the summer of 187o, Messrs. James
Veitch & Sons, of the Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, were
appointed agents for the distribution of the plant in Europe,
which commenced in the autumn of that year. In the follow-
ing spring (1877) this Hydrangea, under the name of Thomas
Hogg, was exhibited at the shows and meetings of the Royal
Horticultural and the Royal Botanic Societies, when it received
a first-class certificate from the former, and a certificate of
merit from the latter. Its pure white flowers, large trusses,
the length of time during which it continues in bloom, and its
perfectly distinct character, at once secured for it many
admirers. It has also been well received on the Continent,
especially in France, where it is cultivated not only in private
gardens, but also as a market plant. Hydrangea Thomas Hogg
is closely allied to the common Hydrangea, and it has proved
quite as hardy as that invaluable old plant. The white flowers
of this kind will be a welcome addition to the pink and blue
ones, the ornaments of so many gardens in autumn.

HARDINESS OF HYDRANGEAS.
As regards the correctness of M. Sisley's note (p. 28) as to the hardi •
ness of Hydrangeas, except in districts when the frost is very severe,
I have little doubt, as I do not think that any of our Hydrangeas
where fully exposed, are at all injured, although the thermometer
has more frequently been below 20^ Pahr. than above that point for
some time past. But in spring, when the buds begin to swell, a
slight amount of frost, especially if the sun strikes them early in the
morning in a frozen state, will completely ruin all bloom for the
season, while plants that have been checked by removal would escape
by being later in starting into growth. It is, however, at present,
premature to speak of the full effects of the frost, as I have a vivid
remembrance of former severe frosts when many trees and sbrnba
that appeared to have escaped, and that looked fresh and green
when thaw set in ultimately died, or were so crippled as to be quite
disfigured, and unlikely ever again to become ornamental objects. la
the present winter even ordinarily mild localities have had a fuli
share of frost, yet, as regards its effects, I quite agree with " Cam-
brian" (p. 42), that the ripeness of the wood has much to do with
escape from its effects, and whatever may be the opinion of others
as regards the climate of France as compared with that of Kent or
other southern counties, I am of opinion that although the average
temperatures of the two might show but slight difference, the chance
of thoroughly ripening the wood in autumn would be decidedly in
favour of the most southern station, and consequently M. Sisley's
plants would bear a degree of cold that might prove fatal to plants
that had made their growth in a humid atmosphere. I find our
Camellias, Aralias, and similar plants fully exposed, to be apparently
but little injured; but the wind and frost that ushered in the new
year have been far more destructive generally than the more intense
frost that we had before Christmas, as the covering of snow greatly
protected both tops and roots, and probably the latter are more sus-
ceptible of extremes of temperature than the former, as I observe
that even the hardiest plants did not regain their usual luxuriant
aspect immediately the thaw set in, but only gradually aa the frost
relaxed its hold of the soil about their roots. Jajies Groom.

Linton, Kent.

Best Late-blooming' Chrysanthemums. — The following are
well worth growing, viz. , Elaine, Fair Maid of Guernsey, White Venus,
Fleur de Marie, Madame Marthe, Mrs, Rundle, and Bob. — D.

3>

^1

.^>

A

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

59

ICE HOUSES AND HOW TO FILL THEM.

The following description of a most durable and at the same
time useful icehouse, together with the method of filling it,
may perhaps interest some of your readers. I am of opinion
that the best form for an icehouse is a perfect circle, or some-
thing very nearly approaching it, and my reason for this is,
that, mathematically speaking, more can be put on a circular
base than on that of any other form. A circular icehouse, too,
can be filled more easily than any angular building. An ice-
house should be substantially built of 14 in. brickwork, set in
cement, upon a foundation of well-made concrete ; the outer
surface of the brickwork should be covered with asphalte to

6

S^ISM"

i^^MES^I'

Ice-liouse; Elevation. 1, asphale; 2, passage; 3, sronnd line ; i, ce-well ;
5, water ; 6, platform ; 7, drain ; 8, concrete.

prevent the percolation of water to the inside ; great care must
also be taken that the drainage of the structure is perfect. To
ensure this the floor should be concave, with a grating of large
dimensions placed in the centre for the free passage of the
water produced by the melted ice. Beneath the grating a well
or cesspool must be constructed to hold any sediment that may
find its way to it ; from this well the main drain, which must
be ample for the purpose, should be led. At about two-thirds
the height of the building, a doorway, for the purpose of fill-
ing and getting out the ice when wanted for use, should be
fixed, and from this entrance a covered passage or corridor must
be built with an outer door ; outside this again a, platform cf

Ice-lioufle ; ground plan ; 1, asphalte ; 2, passage ; 6, platform,

stone or wood should be firmly fised, the dimensions of which
may be about 10 ft. square ; this platform, however, may, if
desired, be movable. The best position for an icehouse is
some convenient place in the pleasure ground or the wild
garden. If properly managed the building may be very nearly
buried and the mound around it tastefully planted with trees
and shrubs ; the top and walls should be covered with various
creepers, such as Clematis, Ivy, Hypericums, &c. ; thus treated
an icehouse really becomes an ornament rather than otherwise.
When the season for filling it is favourable, the best ice for the
purpose is that from 1 in. to 2 in. in thickness ; this is carted and
thrown up upon the platform ; there men break it and pound it
with heavy sticks bent at the end, or with any handy kind of club
until it is broken quite small. Indeed, it cannot be too finely
pounded, for the smaller it is the better it will pack and con-
sequently the longer it will keep. Having placed about 1 ft.
in thickness of straw over the bottom of the house, and, as far

as possible, up the sides, the ice is shovelled in, and here
again men beat and ram it into a solid mass ; this is continued
until the house is filled as high as is practicable, care being taken
that straw is built up against the brickwork as the filling pro-
ceeds, and that the ice is spread in thin layers each of which
is well rammed. The top is then filled with bundles of straw,
as is also the passage, in order to prevent the ingress of air.
The doors should fit as closely as possible for the same reason.
The accompanying is a sketch of such an icehouse as I have
attempted to describe ; its size, of course, will depend upon
circumstances, but, as will be seen, the capacity of the one re-
presented may be much increased without any addition to its
height. Charles Dennis.

Soathwark Parle.

EFFECT OF THE FROST IN THE RIVIERA.
A WRITER in the " Times," some few weeks ago, described the
flonrishiDg winter condition of the half-hardy shrubs and trees in
the Riviera. Could he now cast eyes on the very vegetation he
described so glowingly, I think he would see cause to modify his
expressiona. A frost of 5', or 6° at most, with a keen east wind,
has brought about the change. Vegetation has been unable to
withstand it, and it has left too surely the marks of its track, which
only the warm spring breezes can effaoe. It is chiefly the succulent
plants and shrubs that have suffered. The Datura cornigera, the
pride of the winter garden in kindlier years, has had its floweta and
topmost shoots destroyed. Plants from 10 ft. to 15 ft. high, usually
loaded in January with pendent, fragrant blooms, have barely a
flower left to tell of glory departed. The loohromaa both have
shared the same aad fate. Sparmannia, a native of the Cape, ia but
a wreck of its former self, wherever it has been exposed to the
searching east wind. The Salvias have mostly lost their blooms ; S.
verticiUata and tomentosa should have j ast now been bright with bloa.
soma ; the conspicuous S. cardinalis, another glory of the winter
garden, has not a truss of flowers left. The Mallow-worta again,
such aa Abutilon album, Achania Malvaviscus, and Sphojralcea
umbellata, are all scorchtd in the tops, and oEEer dried leaves and
blackened buda in lieu of blossom and greenery. Still the grand
old Eucalyptus globulus has weathered the blast, and many
a spray of its singular blossoms ia seen on the tops of the older
trees. Young saplings, however, have suffered where they have
been unsheltered from the blast. The fine blue Solanum lanceolatum
is just now a maaa of bright bloom; ita big, downy leavea have
doabtless served it for shelter, even ia the open. Oae plant that has
pleased me in the winter— a native, I believe, of the Cape— has held
its own in the general ravage; I allude to the Eriocepbalum, which
does service as Box edging in the Riviera; it ia in full bloom just
now. When in seed, this Composite looks as if stuck over with little
balls of cotton wool, aa the name itself implies. Teucrium bajtonicum
has moatly lost its blooms, but retains ita leaves and stems nninjured-
It is used as a thick hedge at San Remo to shut in our garden at the
Victoria from the sea air. An old plant of Echeveriametallica, which
has stood in the same place for years, has been sadly handled, especially
at the junction of the leaf and the stem. Linum trigynum, usually
a golden mass in the January garden, has not, I really believe, a
flower left to expand, and the leavea are strewing the ground thickly.
The young Date Palms look very uncomfortable, but will doubtless
recover from the severe check. Such is the condition of the vegeta-
tion, as it presents itself to me, after the treatment it haa received
from the rude east wind. Peter Inchbald.

San Eeino, Itahj.

Nettles.— I have read (p. 4) Mr. Harpur Crewe'a protest against
M. Lavallee's remarks respecting Nettles. According to my opinion
Nettles are exotic plants, brought at some very remote period from
Asia, and, like the Poppy (Papaver Rhseas) and many similar plants,
follow man wherever he establiahea himself, and are never found far
from cultivated places. I think, then, that M. Lavallee's assertion in
reference to the Nettle is correct. England being highly cultivated,
it is not extraordinary that Nettles should be found here and there
at some distance from habitations. The following ia a curious
incident respaoting them— While the Nettles (Urtioa dioica, U.
arena, and U. pilalitera) abound in all the other parts of southern
France on the Mediterranean, I have not yet seen a single plant,
either in gardens or elsewhere, at Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Mentone,
&o., it seems as if the climate of Lower Provence is unfavourable to
their growth, a fact for which I am quite unable to account or under-
stand.—C. Naudin, Villa Thuret, Antibes.

60

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

EATB OF GROWTH AND QUALITY OP TIMBBE.
I DOUBT if Mr. Baines' remarks in reference to this matter (p. 28) will
be accepted as correct by those acquainted with the subject. Speaking
of the quality of the wood of the Wellingtonia, Mr. Baines says, " I
think there is but little room for doubt, unless the tree is an excep-
tion to all others of a quick-growing character, for, taking a broad
view of the subject, quality, which may be set down to mean strength,
toughness and durability, is present in proportion to the time re-
quited for its formation ;" and again further on he says, "In fact,
the natural laws which govern the development of vegetable life in
the formation of woody fibre appear to point generally in one direc-
tion, which is that slow growth means comparative strength and
durability." Now both of these statements are, to a great extent,
calculated to mislead. Fast-growing trees are not always compara-
tively the most useless, nor do trees of the same species, like the
Oak, for example, produce better timber when they are grown slow
than fast. On the last point I may simply refer Mr. Baines to
Lindley's " Theory and Practice of Horticulture," where he will find
the matter physiologically explained ; and also the Admiralty Test
Tables, which prove that the faetest-growu Oak timber is the best by
a good deal as regards strength, toughness, and durability. Now let
ns compare the different species of trees, and see how far Mr. Baines'
statements hold good. Take the Beech, which in habit and rate of
growth is very like the Oak ; but it is well known that it possesses
neither strength nor durability, and hence is not employed for building
purposes, while tho Spanish Chestnut, which grows about as fast
again as the Beech, is hardly inferior to Oak for any purpose, and
after a time hardly distinguishable from it; hence the much disputed
question as to whether Westminster Abbey is roofed in with Chestnut
or Oak, but it is generally considered to bo the former. Next let ua
take the Laburnum, which attains its natural height in less than twenty
years, and is a comparatively old tree at thirty years of age when
it produces timber unsurpassed for hardness, heaviness, and fine,close
grain, for which reason it is called the " Ebony of the Alps." The
commcn Elderberry grows up like a rush, but the old wood of the
tree becomes both hard and tough, takes a fine polish and is sometimes
used as a substitute for Boxwood. I can testify from experience that
a piece of Elderberry wood, some years of age, takes the edge off a
knife about as soon as any kind of wood with which I am acquainted.
The Gum Tree, to go a little further from home, is about the fastest-
growing tree in the world, but it is, nevertheless, tough, strong, and
durable, hence it is becoming one of the most popular of shipbuilding
woods, and the same may be said of Teak, which is preferred to Oak
for similar purposes. These are a few exceptions to Mr. Baines'
statements that the wood "of quick-growing trees is light, spongy,"
and of little use. Mr. Baines has fallen into a common error in esti-
mating the quality of timber by its rate of growth, which is but an
indifferent guide either way perhaps, for much of the quality of
timber depends upon the secretions formed by the tree and the mode
of growth. The Scotch Fir in its native habitat and the Larch are
Eot slower growers than some allied species, but their timber is far
superior because of the resinous and other secretions which it contains,
and probably the strength and durability of the quick-growing Gum
tree is explained in the same way. These and other instances prove
that estimating the quality of the timber of the Wellingtonia, or
that of the wood of any other tree, by its comparative rate of growth
alone,as Mr. Baines does.is fallaoiona. Had we not been well acquainted
with the qualities of the Larch, Mr. Baines' remarks might have
applied to it just as well as to the Wellingtonia, but in that case he
would have been wrong, and there is no reason for supposing
that his speculations regarding the Wellingtonia will turn ont to be
better founded. C.

BEECH TREES AND UNDERWOOD.
In this, as in some other discussions that take place on kindred sub-
jects, I think there is little doubt that those who hold opposite views
are both, to a certain extent correct. I am led to this conclusion
through actual acquaintance with places where the state of the
undergrowth under Beeches is as different as it well could be, being
entirely absent in some cases, and in others as fair a growth as could
be met with under other kinds of deciduous trees. The discussion,
hitherto, has gone little beyond assertion, on the one side, that in
such and such places undergrowth did well with Beeches overhead,
and, on the opposite, that nothing did or would grow under these
trees. I am acquainted with places where there are portions of wood
confined altogether to Beech, large trees, I have no doubt, 150 years
old, with no more room between them than is necessary for the main.

tenance of a healthy condition, and yet there is a fair under growth of
Hollies, Rhododendrons, and Brambles beneath them, and I know
other places where, even under single trees standing a considerable
distance away from any others, no single living thing exists, not Bo
much as a tuft of Grass, under them. In each case the cause is
obvious ; in the first the ground is ocoupied by a number of trees
that in their early days have stood safEciently close to
prevent the development of the lower branches, leaving
them with clean stems, and branches high up from tho
ground. Where the trees stood singly they have had from
the first room enough to assume their natural habit, wide.spreading
branches hanging almost down to the ground, and in summer clothed
with dense foliage, which excludes light to such an extent that
nothing, not even weeds, could exist underneath, and it is not
uncommon to find the same .thing occur under Horse Chestnuts and
Turkey Oaks, where the branches of these have grown uninterfered
with in a like manner. I have never seen anything to lead to the
supposition that there is anything in the Beech more than in other
deciduous trees which is injurious to undergrowth further than their
dense shade, when fully developed, being such as to prevent other
plants existing beneath them. As to the theory that the roots of
the Beech exhaust the soil so much as to prevent anything living on
the surface occupied by them, this is doubtless a mistake, as is
evidenced by the Ash, the roots of which, as is well known, im-
poverish the soil to a greater extent probably than any other tree,
and yet beneath it many kinds of undergrowth can be seen doing
fairly ; but the branches of the Ash are natni-ally much more erect
than those of the Beech, and it is not nearly so densely clothed wiih
foliage, consequently it admits more light to the surface under it,
and to this cause I think it is evident that the difference is due.

T. Baines.

Referring to the discussion relating to shrubs under Beech

trees, it appears that under certain oironmstances both sides may be
light. It is self-evident that under a well-developed Bseoh tree or
clump of trees, with the branches touching the ground all round and
the roots interlaced and wattled, as is usual with the Beech, no
shrub or vegetation of any sort could succeed ; but, if the Beeches
be comparatively wide apart and on a deep soil, and if circumstances
have caused them at some past period to lose their bottom branches,
then, with trenching and other preparation, various evergreens will
grow underneath them, such as Box, Hollies, Yews, and Rhododen-
drons, if there be no lime in the soil. It was, I think, under such
circumstances that the late Mr. Rose, with the consideration and
concurrence of the Duke of Roxburgh, first began to plant Rhodo-
dendrons under the Beeches at Floors, about 1857. Hundreds, if
not thousands, were planted there in his time. Considerable, indeed,
rank vegetation will be seen under Beeches in certain parts of the
New Forest under similar cironmstances, that is, where the trees
are old and the branches and foliage high overhead. But an instance
of a contrary character may be seen at Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow,
where there is a fine clump of Beeches, consisting of about two acres
in extent, at a spot which need not be particularised. These Beeches,
from intention or neglect, have not been thinned, and the conse-
quence is they are ;a mass of bare and lofty trunks, like the
stems of Palm trees, with no vegetation whatever underneath except
a thin, scanty Grass. Where I now am, however, can be seen many
Beeches of great age with abundance of vegetation underneath
them, but the branches do not reach by many yards the surface of
the ground, and the trees are wide enough apart to admit air and
a sufficiency of light. I have lately cleared away some very old
Beeches, root and branch, and I must say that the root part of the
labour was of a most diificult character. Blasting was impossible,
the roots being like wattled work, and I am quite sure that before
anything could be planted over them it would first havs heen neces-
sary to deposit a sufficient depth of soil all over the surface ; the
digging of holes would have been quite out of the question within
the radius of the branches. W. D.

Dublin.

The Canadian Poplar.— I am glad to see (p. 24) attention
called to the merits of this tree, which I have long thought deserved
to be more extensively planted than it is, especially in situations
for which it is more especially adapted, viz., moist water margins
and similar places. Even when planted in elevated or dry situations,
it overtops everything else. I have in my " mind's eye" a bek of
mixed trees that were planted about forty years ago, and the Cana-
dian Poplar, as it is locally called, is nearly double the height of
the other trees, of which a goodly proportion are Spruce Firs ; the
Poplar far outstrips them all both in height and cubic contents of
timber. It is, however, as I have said, in damp ground that its
rapidity of growth and inclination to produce timber is more eepeci-

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

61

ally remarkable. In snch sitaations it is no nnnsnal thing for trees
that have been planted thirty or forty years to measure double these
figures in cubic contents of timber. The timber, too, is not without
valae; but I do not fully indorse an old distich which speaks of it
as outlasting that of the Oak under certain circumstances. There
are, however, purposes for which it is very suitable, being almost
incombustible. In Kent there has been of late years a great demand
for it for the joists of Hop kilns, which, being exposed to the action
of a hot charcoal or coke fire burning openly a few feet below, are
necessarily much exposed to the risk of being burned down. Poplar
joists are, therefore, much sought after. Boards of Poplar, as well
as those of Willow, are also useful for insides of stone waggons or
carts, where' a harder wood is not so good, being liable to splinter
during rough usage. There are other purposes to which Poplar
wood may be turned to good account, but it is unnecessary to
mention them here; suffice it to say that the rapidity of its growth
is a sufficient reason for recommending it to be planted extensively
by all who wish for immediate effect. Like your correspondent,
I am at a loss to know the difference between what in some places
is called the Black Italian Poplar and the Canadian. Th3 latter I
take to be identical with tho Ontario, which is the name most gene-
rally given to the Canadian ; but, of course, neither are to be con.
founded with the Lombardy, which, though ornamental, does not
produce timber in anything like the proportion of the Ontario or Cana-
dian. I have never seen the Black Italian aud Canadian together, and
have only met with them hundreds of miles apart and at intervals of
of many years. It is possible the two may be distinct. — A Retired
Gardener.

PLANT HAIRS— THEIR FORMS AND USES.

BY PROF. ^Y. J. BEAL.

Common in gardens is a plant called Ageratum mexicanum,
the stems and framework of the leaves o£ which are slightly
rough on account of large numbers of hair-like projections

Fip;. 2. Pis. 1.

Carved Hairs on Ageratum mexioannm.*

along the entire surface. A small fragment placed under a
moderate magnifying power reveals the structure of these
beautiful and delicate objects as follows : The greater number
of these consist of from five to twenty cells of different sizes
and lengths placed end to end. Each hair or chain of cells
is curved more or less, often into a complete ring, always
towards the top of the plaat. The end cell is blunt or rounded
at the tip. Scattered among these are occasionally seen sharp-
pointed hairs which are straight and much more slender (fig. 3).

Tree Boots and Dynamite. — Referring to the use of Dyna-
mite for blowing up large tree roots (p. 53-t, Vol. XIV.), will Mr.
Miller, of Clumber, be kind enough to describe the modus operandi,
the charge of dynamite, how applied, and where procured ? applica.
tiou having been made to the local ironmongers without success in
obtaining the article. — W. L. C.

Two Ornamental Weeping Trees. — I noticed lately, in the
nurseries of Fisher, Holmes, & Co., Sheffield, a variety of the purple
Weeping Beech, which appeared to me to be superior to other kinds.
It is named Stevens' Purple Weeping Beeoh, aud was raised by llr.
Stevens, of Coventry, not many years ago. The weeping habit of the
tree is perfect, and reminds one of that of the American Weeping
Willow. Another equally attractive subject is a distinctly weeping
variety of the May Dake Cherry, which, when in flower or frait,
must be a pretty tree either for a lawn or shrubbery. The plants of
it which I saw, and which were leafless at the time, were in the form
of tall standards, and the shoots drooped as perpendicularly as those
of a Weeping Ash. As to the bearing capabilities of the tree I can.
not speak from personal observation, but I was informed that the tree
in no way differs from the common May Duke, except in regard to
its weeping habit. — J. S. W.

Eucalyptus amygdalina.— In speaking of the value of the
Eucalyptus as a means of preventing malaria, it is stated in the
" Daily News " of the 9th inst., that Prince Tronbetkoy, who has
paid much attention to the subject, has come to the conclusion that
E. amygdalina is a more useful species than E. globulus, as the leaves
of the former contain six times as much volatile oil as the leaves of
the latter, and the growth of the plant is equally rapid. The Prince
states that, at his villa in the neighbourhood of Rome, B. amygdalina
has resisted the effects of a temperature of 6' below zero. Can this
be correct ? Is so great a degree of cold not unusual in the vicinity
of Rome ? The term zero is sometimes erroneously applied to the
freezing point, or 32° Fahr. ; can snch be the case in this instance ?
If the Eucalvp^ua amygdalina can withstand a depression of tempera-
ture amounting to 38°, of frost, the plant may with every con-
fidence be extensively planted in this country. — P. Grieve, Culford.

Lilliputian Wellingtonias.— One is not surprised at sports
originating either from seed or branch from plants that have been
long in cultivation, and perhaps at some period crossed with other
varieties, but it ia not often one meets with distinct sports among
forest trees such as may now be seen at the Handsworth Nurseries,
near Sheflaeld, in the shape of not a dwarf, but absolutely a Lillipu.
tian Wellingtonia, raised in the nursery from seed sent from Cali-
fornia. This Lilliputian form consists of about a dozen trees, all
propagated from the original seedling; they are some five years old,
about the height of one's hand or little more, and as dense and close
in habit as a small Retinospora, for which they might be mistaken
until one stoops and examines them minutely, when the true charac-
teristics of the Wellingtonia are observed, except that the roots are
as close and prickly as those of a Juniper. I never saw such a sport
before.— J. S. W.

Fig. 3.— Slender hair of Ageratum mexicanum.

Fig. i. — Glandular hairs
having two rows of cells.

Still less frequently may be seen larger and stouter projec-
tions (fig. 4) in which there are two rows of cells overlapping
each other. The lower cells are three or four times as long as
they are broad, while towards the top the transverse
diameter is the greater. The top of the projection is capped
with a single hemispherical cell which is filled with a mucila-
ginous substance. All the other cells are in a greater or less

Fig. 6.— Hair of Ageratum. Fig.

-Hair of Erigeron
canadense.

Fig. 7.— Stout ons-
celled hair on Pa-
Dicmn capillare.

decree transparent. They are filled with a liquid containing
granules, which, under a magnifying power of 2r^0 diameters,
are often seen to move about in steady, flowing currents, borne
of these glandular hairs (fig. 5) have but a single row ot cells
for the main portion of their length. Perhaps still other
forms mi°-ht be found which would be intermediate between
some of t°hese, showing more exclusively that they were modi-
fled forms of the same members. Erigeron canadense, a com-
mon weed, is clothed all over its surface with slender, rapidly-
tapering hairs composed of a single row of cells. Many species

* The degree to which these flgores are magnified is not given because o£
considerable uncertainty in most cases.

62

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1S79.

of Helianfchus are covered with similar hairs. The surface of
Panioura capillare, old Witch Grass, is covered with slender,
one-celled hairs, which are straight and quite stiff for their
size. The surface of a common Physalis, or Ground Cherry,

Fig. 8. Fig. 9. Fig 15.

Hairs on surface of Physalis, Ground Cherry.

abounds in slender hairs composed of from ten to fifteen cells
placed in a single row. Some of these hairs terminate in a
sharp point, but most of them have, at the end, a round cell
like a knob, full of a sticky substance. Occasionally a hair
produces one or more branches, which may likewise terminate

Fig 11. — Hooked hair on fruit of Oircosa lutetiana.

with a short point or a globular cell. The fruit of Circcea
lutetiana, Enchanter's Nightshade, is covered with rather stout
one-celled hairs which have a hook at the extremity. The
stems of the common Butter Bean of our gardens have a few-

Fig 12.— Haira on Malva rotundifolia.

Fig. 13.— Sessile gland on same
plant.

scattering hairs of similar structure, though they are smaller
and much more delicate. The surface of Malva rotundifolia.
Common Mallow, is quite harsh to the touch, on account of
numerous rather stout one-celled hairs, one to six of which
project from a conical protuberance. These stout hairs spread

. Fig. 14.— Hairs on petioles of Steironema ciliata.

in every direction. Among the hairs are a few sessile glands
capped with two quarters of spheres. The edges of the
petioles of Steironema (Lysimachia) ciliata, a kind of Loose-
strife, are fringed with hairs, some of which are short and
simple, while others are much larger and irregularly branched

like a stag's horn. Each hair, whether simple or branching,
seems to consist of one cell, made of several pieces fitted
together. The surface of Leersia oryzoides and L. virginica.
Bice-cut Grass, is well supplied with short, stout, one-celled
spines, all of which point downwards. Several species of
Galium, Bed Straw, are also supplied with hooks of a similar
character. In these the base of each hook is quite
broad and the point quite short. The under sur-
faces of the leaves and the young stems of Aralia

Fig. 15. — Hairs on Leersia oryzoides.

papyrifera, Chinese Kice-paper plant, are thickly covered with
a woolly substance, which consists of immense numbers of
one-celled stalks, each having at the tip six or more one-celled

Fig. 16.— Hairs on Galium.

arms or rays, which spread in every direction, like the spokes
of a wheel. The common Mullein is covered in every part
with a still more abundant supply of branching hairs. The
main axis of the hairs has radiating arms at different heights

Fig. 17.— Hair on Aralia papyrifera. .

along its length. The glaucous nature of Cabbage leaves and
Plums is due to numerous small cells on the surface. The
mealy substance on Pig Weed, or Lamb's Quarter, consists in

Fig. 18.— Branching hair on Shepherdia canadensis.

numerous capitate hairs. Shepherdia canadensis is a rather
rare shrub growing about the borders of lakes and seas. The
young stems and buds, and portions of the leaves, are ren-
dered red or rusty on account of the large number of scales,
each of which is held to the plant by a short stem. Figs. 18
and 19 show two of these objects. In fig. 19 there are several
rays attached side by side throughout most of their length,
while in fig. 18 there are but few rays, which separate at once

Jan. 18, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

63

from each other. Between these two extreme specimens are
foand any number of intermediate forms. Much like the
preceding are the star-shaped scales on the leaves of Deutzia
seabra. There are many scales of a similar character found
on most of our Ferns.

De Candolle, in his " Vegetable Organography," says of the
hairs of plants : " Some are very tender, others very rigid,
and most are of all the intermediate degrees. With regard to

Fig. 19.— SUeld-ehaped scale on Shoplierdia cana3ense.

their direction, some are vertical to the surface from which
they spring; some more or less incline forwards ; others
more or less backwards ; some are perfectly straight, others
hooked at the point ; there are several which are contracted,
or which are interwoven with one another. As to their form,
they are found as cylinders and very cylindrically-eloncated
cones. They are sometimes seen in the form of reverse cones ;
among those that are ramified they are found forked, with two,
three, or a greater number of branches ; or starred at their
apex, or divided at their base iito branches which seem as so

Fig 20.— star-shaped hairs on Deutzia seabra.

many distinct hairs re-united into bundles, having a common
base." Sachs says, "The first indication of the formation of
hairs occurs in the papillose protuberances of the epidermis of
many petals, to which their velvety appearance is
due. To the simplest forms belong also the root-hairs
which grow from the epidermis of true roots or underground
stems (^Pteris aquilina and Equisetum), they are thin-walled bag-
like protuberances of the epidermis cells which lengthen by
growth at the apex."

The Petunia of our gardens is rendered sticky and unplea-
sant to the touch on account of one-celled glands raised on a
stem of from two to seven cells. Sorophularia nodosa, the
Figwort of our rich bottom lands, has numerous glands on its
surface. These are composed of one, two, three or more cells
raised on a short stalk. Some of the larger glands are more ex-
panded into flattened aphe/es, and are much like those found

on our garden Verbenas. The gland of the garden Verbena
consists of a large cluster of about thirty-five cells at the tip
of a delicate stalk. The top of the gland is seen in fig. 26, and
appears to have about thirty rays, and some central pieces of

Figs. 21 and 22 —Glandular
hairs of Petunia.

Fig. 23.— Glands on Sorophu-
laria nodosa.

•Q-r

Fig. 24— Glan-
dular hair of
Verbena.

irregular shape. The lower surface of the gland, when it
breaks off, shows two rings, one within the other. The inner
is seen first, and on turning down the tube of the microscope
the outer ring is seen. The gland is full of a purple substance.

Fig. 25 — Lower side
of gland.

Fif

. 31.— Top of
gland.

Fig. 27.— Side view
of glands on
Tomato.

Fig. 2S.— Top
view.

Figs. 27 and 28 exhibit the four-celled glands of the Tomato
plant. Each cell, as in many other cases, shows a nucleus
and some of them one or more nucleoli. Besides the short hair
and the gland of the Water Melon plant shown in figs. 30 and

Fig. 29.— Hair and protuberance on Tomato.

31, there are large numbers of other very long-jointed hairs.
Figs. 32 and 33 show two hairs of Phlox Drummondi. Here
the glands appear to be composed of four or more cells. Some

Fig. 30.— Short hair Fig. 31.— Glandular
of plant of Water hair of Water
Melon. Melon.

Fig. 32 -
Phlox
mondi.

Hair of
Drum-

Fig. 33.— Hair o
Phlox Drum-
mondi,

of the glands of this plant consist of a single cell. Fig. 34,
a, h, represent some of the smallest hairs on Martynia probos-
cidia. Besides a few of these small hairs, the whole surface

64

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1S;9.

of the plant, including tbe sepals and petals, is thickly covered
with glandular hairs, as in figs. .3-5, 36,37, Si, 39. These glands,
as do most glands of other plants to a greater or less extent,
secrete a sticky substance, which is usually increased in quan-
tity by irritation. From the end of the gland, when touched,
may be drawn out a gossamer thread of some length. The
pulling out of the thread exhausts the gland wholly or in
part, and causes it to collapse or change its shape. Fig. 36
shows a gland from which such a thread has been drawn. The

Pig. 34.— Hairs of
Martynia piobos-
cidia.

Pig 35.

Pig. 36. Pig. 37.

Glands of Martynia.

fruit of Tecoma radicans (Trumpet Creeper) has on its surface
numerous sessile, cup-shaped glands of which Fig. 40 shows
a vertical section. In damp weather, or when not exposed to
very dry air, these cups are heaped full with a drop of glisten-
ing liquid in each. Besides these, on the surface are numerous
spots (fig. 41) in which numerous cells are clustered into a cir-
cular form. From these we may find all gradations down to a
two-celled stomate, as in fig. 42. On each margin of the petiole

Fig. 33. Fig. 39.

Tips of Glands of Martynia.

of Viburnum Opulus (fig. 43) and Passifiora are some cup-like
glands, which exude a sticky substance. Similar glands are
found on the petioles of the Cherry and some Peaches. For
our present purpose enough of these hairs and glands have
been described and illustrated. A large majority of plants
possess something of this nature in a greater or less degree.
When fresh, and especially when not exposed to direct sun-
light or air which is too dry, these glands are covered with a
spherical glistening drop which is often several times the dia-
meter of the gland. The uses of these hairs and glands we
prob.ably now understand to some extent, but in other cases we

Fig. 40.— Gland of Tecoma radicans,

can only guess their office. The slender-pointed hairs may
serve to some extent to ward off insects. These and the scale-
like hairs may prevent the delicate surface from being scorched
by the sun. This is not very probable, because most of the hairs
on leaves are on the under side away from the direct rays of
the sun. In the case of the common Mullein, the thick branch-
ing hairs probably make the plant offensive to cattle and other
animals. In a similar way other plants are protected from
animals. AYhen packed within the bud scales during win-
ter, the young leaves and flowers of many of our trees and
shrubs are well protected by these soft hairs which envelope
the tender parts like a mass of cotton or wool. After expan-
sion of the buds these hairs generally drop off. When the

hairs or spines are stout and point backward, as in Galium
and Leersia, they serve well to hold up the weak plant as it
rises among stouter objects. Fruit with hooked hairs is likely
to be scattered by holding fast to animals. The bloom on a
Cabbage leaf or Plum, and the thick hairs on plants prevent
them from becoming wet on the surface. The shield and star-
shaped scales on Shepherdia and Deutzia, and others may serve
the same purposes as hairs. These delicate objects must pro-
tect the plant from injury on account of sudden changes
of the weather. The advantage of the sting of the Nettle to
the plant is obviously a means of self-protection. The func-
tion of glandular hairs in some cases is a great mystery. In
the case of Martynia I found they caught immense numbers of
small insects, and in some way seemed to suck out their sub-
stance. Small insects are found to a greater or less extent
caught and held fast by the glandular hairs on all or most of
the plants which produce glands. In his " Insectivorous
Plants " Darwin, by experimenting, concludes that the glands
of Drosceras devour animal substances. The same conclusion
is arrived at in the case of numerous other plants, as, for in-
stance, some Saxifrages, Primulas, Pelargoniums and Pingui-

Fig. 41. — Spot on fruit of same. Fi;;^. -12. — Stoma, on fruit of same.

culas. The glands of the Trumpet Creeper are active, even till
the fruit is of full size are quite near maturity. They are much
visited by flies, wasps, and especially by ants to such an extent
that the plant is often considered a nuisance when placed near
the house. The glands on the leaves of Cherry trees and
Viburnum are also much frequented by insects. The base of
the leaves of the Sunflower, Locust, Pteris aquilina, and nu-
merous other plants are freely visited by insects ; but of what
benefit it can be to Tecoma, Pteris, Helianthus, and the Cherry
to be thus visited is beyond my certain knowledge. The glands

Fij?. 13. — Glands on petiole of Snowball tree.

of Tomatoes, Tobacco, Petunia, and many other plants secrete
a substance which is offensive to most insects and other
animals which might otherwise devour the plants. Mr. Darwin
has also shown that some of these plants do certainly absorb and
appropriate gaseous and liquid bodies. Many ingenious expe-
riments were made on plants of several different Orders, show-
ing that " they detect with almost unerring certainty the pre-
sence of nitrogen." Plants by their glands were fed with
Green Peas, raw meat, a decoction of Grass leaves. These
substances " are acted on in exactly the same manner as by gas-
tric juice." Why may not these glands also draw nourish-
ment from the particles of dust which fall on them from the
air, or from the particles of soil which in many cases accumu-
late to such an extent as to completely cover some portions
of the plant ? As root hairs are active in absorbing materials
from the soil including something from solid substances, why
should not these active glands absorb materials from the dust
and fragments of soil ? The free presence of the air and light
may also assist in this supposed action. This covering of the
plant by the particles of soil held by the hairs and glands may
also save the plant from destruction by animals. Of one thing
I am certain that these delicate objects are interesting to study.
Situated as they are in immense numbers and in such great
variety on the surface of so many plants, they are easily ob-
tained and easily prepared for examination. They are excel-
lent objects for a beginner in the use of the compound micro-
scope ; and for protracted and careful experiments, they are
worthy the skill of the most accomplished scientist. In them
we may spend weeks to advantage in observing the develop-

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

65

meat of cells, the nucleus and nucleoli, and the gyration of the
sap. In form and colour they are exquisitely beautiful, while
in variety they are inexhaustible. — '•' American Naturalist."

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE PEA WEEVIL.
(brvchus pisi.)

It is somewhat a matter of doubt whether this insect is really
a native of this country, as it is frequently imported in Peas
and Beans, but it is not a question of much importance to the
horticulturist, as it has been thoroughly naturalised with us
for many years, and its destructive habits are unquestioned.
All gardeners have been troubled with what are commonly
called worm-eaten Peas. These seeds have suffered from the
attacks of the grubs of this insect, or a very nearly-allied
species of the same genus (Bruchus granarius) the Grain
Bruchus. At times the amount of damage caused by these
grubs is very great, nearly every Pea or Bean containing one.
Peas and Beans of all kinds, and the seeds of various legu-
minous plants, are liable to the attacks of these weevils. As
the grubs generally avoid the vital part of the seed, those that
are thus eaten will frequently germinate, but the plants from
them are sickly and almost worthless. The remedies which
can be used to destroy these insects are very few. The weevils
are so small that it would be useless to search for them, and,
as the grubs pass the whole of their lives within the Peas,
almost any means of destroying them which could be devised
would also injure the Peas. If a crop is so badly
attacked as to be useless, it should at once be ^S^j>
burned. Mr. Curtis suggests that immersing the J^^^J^
Peas or Bsans in oil would probably destroy the
insects without injuring the vitality of the seeds.
Others recommend submitting the seeds to a tem-
perature of 150^ Fahr. in an oven, which would
probably kill the grubs without preventing the
seeds from germinating, or to the action of boiling ^Ev,
water for one minute immediately they are ga- ^^p- ■
thered, as the grubs are then just below the skin "^"^ °^
of the seeds, and would be destroyed without injur-
ing the Peas. There are fortunately several small parasitic in-
sects belonging to the ichneumonidaj which deposit their eggs in
the grubs, carefully hidden as they are in the Peas. The little
grubs from these eggs soon kill the weevil grubs, and in this way
naturally assist in keeping down the numbers of these pests.
The beetles are usually found in the spring and summer on
various flowers ; in February they may be found on the blos-
soms of Furze, in June on White Thorn, in July and August
onSpirceaand Ehubarb. When the young Pea and Bean podB
begin to grow the females lay their eggs on the pods opposite
the seeds, and the grubs, when hatched, eat their way at once
through the pods and into the seeds, which continue to grow,
and, even if examined, do not show any external signs of
injury, but on opening them a small grub will be found inside
each, which feeds on the interior of the seed until little or
none remains ; it then assumes the chrysalis state, and in due
course is transformed into the perfect insect, which, in the
case of the Pea weevil leaves the seeds when they are fit to
gather. The grubs of the Grain Bruchus generally remain in
the seeds during the winter, the perfect insects making their
appearance in the spring ; in fine, warm weather, however, the
transformations are more rapid, and the beetles sometimes
emerge in the autumn. The grub before changing into a
chrysalis forms a passage to the outer skin of the Pea, and
probably gnaws that partially through in a circular ring, so
that when the beetle, in its endeavours to escape, pushes
against it it easily gives way. The seed should always be
examined before sowing, when a spot may be found on each
afiected seed, which is rather less opaque and of a different
colour to the rest of the skin ; under this spot is the
passage by which the beetle comes forth. Often the beetles
are found dead in Peas and Beans which have been kept to-
gether in large quantities. This is probably the result of the
insects being unable to leave the Peas on account of the door

by which they would make their exit being in contact with other
Peas, and so preventing the insects from escaping, or by the
the skin of the Peas becoming so dry and hard that the beetle
could not force its way out. The Pea weevil is about 2-10tb3
of an inch in length, and is black in colour, thickly covered
with bright, brown, short hairs above and greyish ones below.
The head is small and drooping ; the antenuEe have eleven
joints, the tour nearest the base being yellowish ; the thorax
is much wider behind than in front ; the wing cases are con-
siderably wider than the thorax, giving the insect a very broad
and stout appearance. Each are marked with ten longitudinal
lines or stria3, and have a somewhat mottled appearance, caused
by various pale dots and patches. The body is not entirely
covered by the wing cases, but projects beyond in a somewhat
sloping, triangular, terminal joint. The legs are strong, the
hinder pair being considerably longer than the others. The
Grain Bruchus is rather smaller the the Pea weevil ; it is very
similar in form but not quite so thickly covered with hairs.
There are several slight differences between the two species,
but it is needless here to dilate on them. The grubs of both
species are whitish in colour, and rather more than l-8th of an
inch in length. Their heads are furnished with a strong pair
of jaws. Their bodies consist of thirteen joints, and are fat
and fleshy and rather curved. The chrysalides are whitish, the
limbs of the future beetle being visible through the thin cover-
ing skin. S. G. S.

Destruction of Barn Owls. — While agreeing in the main with
Mr. Harpur Crewe'a remarks on this sabject (p. 24) there is one point
relativa to the charge which he brings against sportsmen on which I
must enter a protest. What may be done around Tring, one cannot say,
bat, as an old sportsman, and one who has shot over various parts of
the country during more than a quarter of a century, I can moat
positively assert that I do not remember a single instance of a barn
owl having been shot by anyone claiming to be a true sportsman.
Besides, the barn owl does not [make its appearance until dnsk, long
before which sportsmen will have returned home. Gamekeepers will
sometimes kill owla, as they destroy very young rabbits, but it is a
practice which, ought to be sternly objected to by their employers.
I doubt very much, however, whether (as Mr. Harpur Crewe thinks)
farmers do so. They, at least, are well aware of their usefulness in
destroying vermin, and it ia common in many parts to have a hole
cut in the gables of barna and other outbuildings, in order to entice
the owls to enter. — C, F., Merlicood,

THE LATE FROST AND ITS EFFECTS.
Like many others, I was extremely pleased to find, when the first
thaw that came on Christmas Day had released many shrubs from
their frost-bound condition, and freed them from their weight of
snow, how little apparent damage had been done. A recurrence of
frost, with nipping easterly wind, has now caused an amount of injury
that has not been equalled for many years. Here, on the north-east
coast, the thermometer never descended below 17", thus marking
only 15' of frost at the most, and, since the new year, only 7° of
frost have been registered ; bat the violent and dry east wind haa
withered up many things that withstood the first frost. The greatest
losses to deplore are the large bashes of Veronicas of the Hybrid
Anderson! section, but Bine Gem Veronica, though much crippled,
will recover ; this has always been very hardy here ; EsciiUonias are
sadly browned, E. macrantha and rabra being little injured; E. mon.
tevidensia, Ingrami, and pterocladon, are killed to the ground;
Dracaena Veitchi ia but little hurt, and Phormiam tenax has escaped
with a browning ; Coronilla glauca seems killed, and the broad-leaved
Myrtle much injured, but the small -leaved variety is not touched. A
few shrubs have proved themselves hardy, even under these trying
circumatances ; Pittosporum Tobira, Choisya ternata, Raphiolepis
ovata, Desfontainea apinoaa, and Aralia Sieboldi, are quitie uninjured
Berberidopsia corallina and Viburnum Awaf urki have lost moat ot
their leaves, but do not eeem aeriously injured ; Bambusa faloata and
Chamaerops Fortnnei testify to the severity ot Chinese winters by
aeeming quite regardless of the cold they have lately endured ; the
GaUfornian shrubs, Fremontia oalifornica, and Ceanothua azureua
look pinched, but will recover; Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles seems un.
hurt, but C. thyrsiflorus is dead ; Elasagnus pungens var., and the hand-
somest silver variegated form of the Japanese Euonymus, are nu.
injured, while the golden variety and the green type have escaped
harm ; Arando conspicua is most remarkable for its endurance of bitter

66

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 18, 18:9,

east wind ; its leaves are still green and fresh, while Pampas Grass
and Tritomas are withered np or reduced to palp. E. H. W.

St. Nicholas Rouse, Sca'bro',

There is too much reason to fear that the latest visitation of

frost has been productive of much mi-:chief in gardens, and espeoially
in the case of vegetables, as for several days bitter easterly winds
prevailed, which seemed literally to scorch and dry np the leaves and
young shoots of all plants to such an extent as to make many look
as if dead. The frost before the end of the year, though intense,
was accompanied by a quiet state of the atmosphere, and the snowfall
certainly served, to some extent, to protect vegetation. The second
visitation following so soon after the first one, with the intervention
of but a few days of thaw and excessive rainfall, literally deluging
the soil, found everything far more amenable to its inSueuce than
before. During its prevalence it has puzzled people to keep it at bay
to protect houses, to keep it from Potato and other tender roots, to
protect half-hardy shrubs and plants, and, not least, to find work
for all hands to do. In many respects the frost has been productive
of heavy losseii, in other respects it may be productive of greater
gain, so that the balance may be, after all, in our favour. A. D.

Effects of the Late Frost.— Mr. Gumbleton's letter (p. 27) is
very interesting but also very alarming. If he has already lost so
much in his highly favoured locality, what are we to expect ? I
hope others will give us their experience iu the same direction, but I
would suggest that it is much too early yet to reckon np gains and
losses. Three months more at least must pass before we can speak
with any certainty. Many plants, now apparently dead, may be all
right at the root and may shoot up again vigorously ; on the other
hand, many plants that now look unhurt may yet have had their con.
stitutions so weakened as to be unable to bear up against a cold
spring. My own opinion is that very little damage was done by the
Dacember frosts. The air was dry and there was little or no wind,
but I fear this January frost will be very fatal ; it came in after a
very rapid thaw, and the wind has been strong and very cold. May
I suggest to any of year correspondents who send aooounts of their
gains or losses that they give their addresses, if not their names.
Such lists are of very little use unless we know something of the
situation of the gardens in which the plants grow. — He.nry R.
Ellacombe, Baton Vicarage.

OUR NATIONAL COOKERY.

It is allowed on all hands that there is urgent need of reform in the
cookery of England. It has been emphatically said that while the
Powers above have provided us with the best materials, our cooks come
mostly from a lower region. This does not, of course, apply to the
mansions of the rich ; there, with every expensive appliance, and a
staff of thoroughly well-trained servants at high wages, it would be
hard, indeed, if every meal were not a success. But all Englishmen
do not inhabit palaces of plenty and luxury ; many families must, per.
force, content themselves with the imperfect performances of a " plain
cook," while lower down in the social scale the ill-arranged dinners are
prepared and served by an untidy" maid-of-all-work." What can these
uneducated young women know of the true principles of cookery ? They
have had, in all probability, no opportunity of acquiring them ; and
yet the health and comfort of a family depend, in a great measure,
on their unassisted endeavours. A " plain cook," questioned by an
anxious mistress as to her capabilities, mostly replies, " I do not
understand French dishes (?), but I can roast, boil, and fry." The
roasting consists of putting a piece of meat into the oven, and bast,
ing it by fits and starts, whan she is not otherwise occupied. The
boiling is accomplished by immersing the luckless joint in a great
deal of water, three times too much, and keeping it boiling at a
galloping rate until it is served— ragged and unpalatable. " How,
then, would you fry— a sole, for instance ?" Nothing daunted, the
cook replies, " Having wiped it, I put a little fat into the pan, and
fry it brown." How pitiable ! These evils have been endured in
patience too long ; that a reform is greatly to be desired has been felt
by all classes for some time. Hence the establishment in provincial
towns (to say nothing of the excellent cookery lectures at South
Kensington and elsewhere) of schools of cookery. However, a long
time must elapse before a knowledge of the subject can be universal ;
at present, it is confined to a privileged few, who are able and willing
to avail themselves of these advantages.

It is, nevertheless, cheering to think that the matter has bean
taken up. It is said that the night is the darkest just before the
dawa. The night of culinary ignorance was dark enough, Heaven
knoivs, before any attempt was made to shad a ray of light on the
gloom. It was very pleasant to ma, soma months ago, to hear a pupil
of the South Kensington School lecture on a dish which she prepared

before the audience. She was a pretty girl of twenty, very appro-
priately dressed, with a bewitching mob cap, trimmed with cherry
ribbons, and a muslin aproa over a neat cotton dress. " I now
proosed," said she, suiting the action to the word, " to gratinate my
Cauliflower." When she had finished, the young laly lower down
prepared a dish of" Garottes a la mittre d'hotel " (it was a vegetable
day), detailing the process as she went on. This continued until the
class, which consisted of six, had taken up their parables in like
manner. They were listened to with great attention by the audience,
which consisted partly of relations and friends, though there were
many outsiders like myself. If the youthful lecturers appeared to be
at fault, a real cook in the background was ready to set them right.
These girls evidently belonged to an educated class, and had, no doubt,
passed through the regular course which constitutes a young lady's
training. They probably understood "the use of the globas," played the
piano, perhaps the violin, and had acquired a smattering of one
or two European languages. But that part of their training which I
witnessed was by no means the least important. It was that which
was to fit them to become good wives, active heads of households,
patient trainers of ignorant, but, perhaps, willing servants; it was
that part which, carried out fully, would teach them to make the
most of a narrow income, and to diffuse plenty and comfort around
them — the blessings of a well-appointed home. A writer of
ancient days, describing a pattern matron, says: "She looketh
well to the ways of her household, and eatath not the bread
of idleness." If we turn to the condition of the labouring classes,
their case is sad indeed, always excepting those families where the
wife has baeu a well-trained cojk in tha service of affluent persons.
Such a one will probably make tha best of everything. Her hus-
band will not forsake his clean, bright hearth for the noisy public
house, nor her children be found perpetually on the dispensary
doctor's hands for maladies brought on mainly by ill.cooked, distaste-
ful food. With others the case is widely different. How often have
I seen cottages, with gardens full of excellent vegetables, where tha
bread-winner was in the receipt of good weekly wages I but I knew
that, through tha incompatence of the wife, all was discomfort and
bad management. " Much food is iu the tillage of the poor, but
there is that is destroyed for the lack of judgment," was written by
one who had thought deeply on the subject many centuries ago, and it
is quite true now. Let [the educated among us take the matter in
hand, it is well worthy their attention. Lat them not disdain the
humble duty of alleviating want by taaohing thrifty, careful habits to
their poorer neighbours. L3t tha wives and daughters of our professional
and mercantile men spend some of their leisure in acquiring the princi.
pies of good cooking, we shall soon sea a batter class of cooks rising up
among us, for the spread of culinary knowledge among mistresses
will soon do away with idle and incompetent servants. Oaa feature
of the times is the appaaranoe of a number of cookery books in a
cheap form. My attention has recently baen called to three written
by Miss Corson, the superintendent of the New York Cookery School.
The first is called, " A Cooking Manual, or Practical Directions for
Economical E?ery Diy Ciokery." With this cama two pamphlets,
entitled "23. Cant Dinners for Families of Six," and " 15. Cant Dinners
for Working Man's Families." The first. named of these publications
"is intended," says the authoress, "for the use of those housekaepars
and cooks who wish to knosr how to make the most wholeioma and
palatable dishes at the least possible oast." " Iu cooking," con-
tinues Miss Corson, " this faat should ba remembared above all others
— a goad coik never wastes; it is her pride to make the most of
everything in ths shape of food entrusted to har care, and her plea-
sura to serve it in the most appatising form." Her chapters oa
" Salads," " Vegetables," "Cheip Dishes without Meat," are truly
excellent. What would the plain cook referred to in the beginning of
this paper say to a " Mushroom pudding," or a " Carrot stew ?" Sha
would probably consider her mistress had taken leave of her wits,
were she to order a vegetable soup without meat; yet we know that
this dish often appears on the tables of the wealthy in Franca I The
chapters on " Cookery for Invalids," and on " Bread" contain much in-
formation. The directions for marketing at the beginning of the book
will be very acoaptable to young and inexperienced housekeepers,
indeed, older ones may not dislain to take a lesson. The subject of
marketing recalls to my mind tha heroine of one of Charlas Kingsley'a
novels who (tha undowered daughter of an earl) marries a struggling
literary man. Sha takes high views of a wife's duties and accord-
ingly shortly after her marriage goes to market with her maid to
purchase provisions for her small household. Her ideas on the sub.
jeotof what was necessary were paouliar, as sha came back with a
woodcock and a bead of Celery.

The 25 cent dinners are intanded for tha families of artisans, and
I thought tha preface, which contains an aac^unt of the nutritive
qualities of different kinds of fool, ve."y good indeed. There are ex-
cellent recipes iu every ohapier for iuaxpansive but highly palat-

Jan. 18, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

67

able dishes. That which treats of " Sanday dinners," oontaina di.
reotions for more costly dainties, such as " roast fowl," " k la mode
beef," " rabbit carry," &o., these would disgrace no table. One
thing struck me — the fowl was to serve for two dinners — the breast
and thighs were to furnish the Sunday's meal, the drumsticks, wings,
and neck, that of the following day. Let na hope that something
else had been provided for the children, or that the dinner had been
preceded by a very substantial lunch! When you come to the " 15. cent
dinners," you must not expect many luxuries, |bnt there are
daily bilU of fare for a week. Being ignorant of the prices of
different foods in American cities, and also of the habits of working
people there, I End it impossible to judge fairly of these monus, A
few will suffice to quote. Monday — breakfast, boiled Rice with
scalded milk ; dinner, corned beef and Cabbage ; supper. Peas boiled
in stock. Friday — breakfast, broth and bread ; dinner, mutton and
Turnips; supper. Barley boiled in broth.

Miss Corson rather discourages the use of tea and coffee on
economical grounds, and hopes to see the time arrive when cur work,
ing people will use broths and soups as substitutes for these stimu-
lants. It is so difficult to alter the habits of a people, that I
think it will belong before this change takes place. She strongly
advocates the use of Maocaroni, which appears, from her book, to
be sold at about the same price in A-nerica as it is here. Oar working
people are entire strangers to this valuable food, partly on account of
its price, and partly because they are ignorant of any of the numerous
ways of cooking it. I do not know what she means by saving that
yellow maocaroni is better in quality than the white, as we know that
the yellow colour is only given to it by saffron. These little manuals
are sure to find favour with the educated from the scientific manner
i n which they treat the subieot, and we hope that in this manner they
will reach the class for which they are more particnarly intended.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

stoves.

Climbers. — -Where plants for draping the rafters, covering an end
wall, or for using in any similar way, are employed in the stove, they
should now be gone over and cut back sufficiently according to their
kinds. This work is sometimes delayed until later on when consider-
able growth has been made, which is so far a mistake that the growth
made has to be out away, and is so mnch wasted from the energies
of the plants, which naturally break weaker afterwards. In carry,
ing oat this operation it is necessary to proceed with discrimination,
.using the knife the most freely on the strongest-growing subjects,
that soon extend so f'lr as to injuriously encroach upon other plants.
Strong-growing climbers, such as Ipomoea Leari, llexacentris mysor-
ensis, Bougainvilleas, Dipladenias, Aristolochiaa, Thambergias, Clero-
dendrons, and the large-leaved Passifloras, may be freely out back
proportionate to the size of the plants and the space they are intended
to occupy, remembering that in all cases, the further they can be
allowed to extend, the more profusely they may be expected to
bloom. Medium-growing climbers, such as Combretum purpuream,
Ipomcea Horsfallice, Jasminum Diichpsse d'Orleans, the double and
single varieties of J. Sambac and Manettiaa, should not be so hard
cut in.

Stecliaiiotia floribunda ought not to be out back to any con.
sidf Table extent at this time of the year. What pruning is necessary
s' onld be d^'erred until after the flowering, when all the shoots may
I -e shorten -d in accordance with the space required to be occupied.
f apposing the gro>vth to have been well ripened during the preceding
f ntumn, reductioa of the shoots now will proportionately limit the
i biliti:;s ct the plants to bloom.

Hoyas.— The twining species of these should only have their
flhoots shortened either at this or any other time of the year, so far
as is necessary to keep them within bounds ; for flowering, as is their
natural habit, daring a series of years from the same spurs, what.
«ver reducing of the shoots is carried out in their case also limits
the blooming. In catting back all the above plants it is necessary
•for the operator to pay some attention to carrying the work out in a
way that will admit of the production of young growth over the
whole surface which is retained of the plants individually. This can
only be effected by shortening the shoots to different lengths in place
of, as is often done, catting the whole back to something near a
•uniform length, the result of which is that nearly all the young growth
■made is from the point where they were shortened back to, leaving the
lower portion of the branches devoid of fresh shoots, and, conse-
quently, aaable to bear flowers, of which it is desirable that an equal
production over the whole sarface of the plants shonid exist.

Fine-foliaged Climbers.— Climbers that are grown for the
beauty of their leaves, such as the different species of Cissus, Pothos
argyrea, Echites nutans, &o., should be freely cut back, so that the
greater portion of the surface they occupy during the summer may
be covered with new foliage. It may be well here to remark that
the time of cutting in gives the best opporturjity during the whole
year for giving a thorough cleaning from insects. With these plants
it is necessary now to do all that is possible to eradicate these pests,
as from the position occupied when growth has fairly commenced
there is less opportunity of dealing with them than in the case of
non-climbers.

Hard-wooded, Fine-leaved Plants.— There is no greater
mistake committed with these subjects than allowing them to get
so tall as to be deficient of healthy foliage at the bottom, or in any
way to exhibit old leaves wherein is an absence of the fresh, healthy
vigour and colour for which they are grown. We often see plants
like Dracaenas, Aralias, Brexiachrysophylla, Crotons, Cupanias, Fious,
Terminaliaelegans, Theophrastas, Sph^rogynes.and Cyanophyllums,
in anything but a condition that makes them pleasing objects, for want
of heading down when they require it. Now is the best time for this
operation, in all cases allowing the soil to become somewhat dry before
removing the head. With strong.growing species, such as Sphcero-
gynes, Theophrasta?, and Cyanophyllums, that possess a limited
number of eyes, it will be found much better to leave from 2 ft. to
3 ft. of stem, cutting the eyes out from the top downwards to within
6 in. of the collar ; this will force their breaking near the base,
which will insure a handsom.) stem, well furniahed with leaves down
to the bottom, and, by leaving a considerable portion oE the stem in
this way, until the young shoot which is to form the future specimen
has made some progress, it will materially assist the young growth,
and avoid the chances of the out. down plant dying, which sometimes
results from the whole of the head and stem being removed at once.
Plants treated as described should always be placed immediately
where there is enough warmth to induce their breaking without
delay, as, if kept where so cool as to retard growth, the inevitable
loss of roots consequent npon heading down is certain to be further
increased ; to this frequently may be traced the death of the plants.
The headed-down specimens ought to be syringed daily, taking care
not to wet the soil too much until they have commenced to grow
freely.

Gloriosas. — Where these plants are grown, either as trained
specimens or pendent from a rafter, place the bulbs at once
where they will start into growth, as they take a good time from the
young shoots beginning to push to their arriving at a blooming con-
dition, and it sometimes happens that when the growths are not made
sufficiently early, it gets far towards autumn before they flower. It
is better not to give them too mach pot room in tha first instance. I
have found them auooeed more satisfactorily by potti'.ig a second
time than at once placing the roots in the full body of soil they are
to occupy.

Fern House.

Structures devoted to the cultivation ( f Ferns have usually at the
present day more or less space so arranged that the plants can be
turned out, giving them so far as possible a natural appearance. In
the selection ot the plants to be thus treated, it is necessary to keep
in view the suitability of the kinds chosen for the purpose, both as
to their ability to bear shade proportionate to the position each in.
dividual plant will occupy by being overhung by others, and also to
the size they will ultimately attain. It frequently happens that a
want of consideration in this last matter much interferes with their
well-being afterwards by some encroaching upon others, which either
necessitates disturbance by removal, or a portion are so weakened by
overcrowding that they ultimately die. The greatest mistake where
Ferns are so giowii is the introluction of too many large tree species
that inevitably smother most of the weaker small growers and in a
few years have not near enough space for their own development.
When many specimens of large habit of growth are brought to.
gether in a comparatively small house, it not only detracts much from
the individual beauty of each but destroys the effect of the whole;
unless where the house is large and roomy in every way, it is
better to have the tree kinds in either tubs or pots, plunged up to the
rims in the beds where the smaller growers are planted out, by which
means they can be kept within the prescribed limits, at the same
time allowing them to develope sufficiently to exhibit their true cha.
raoter. Another advantage arising from their being grown in this
way is that the position of any particular plant, or the whole of the
large ones thus grown in tubs, &o., if need be, can be altered as oc.
casion requires, either with a view to afford more room where it may
be wanted, or to give a different appearance to the hoase where a
continuous position held by the plants is somewhat monotonous. The
present time, when most Ferns are at rest, or nearly so, is the most

68

THE GAEDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

suitable for any alteration required in the arrangement, as the smaller
occupants which are planted out, some of which there would be a
a necessity for moving can be taken up and replanted where wanted
without seriously interfering with their growth, which removal later
on, when their young fronds have begun to push, is certain to do.

Insects. — Here also advantage should ba taken of their dormant
state to eradicate the insects most usually troublesome— brown scale
and thrips. Scale is not easy to cope with on Tree Ferns that are
planted out, and unless an attempt is made now when the insects are
not increasing fast, and the fronds are in a hard mature state, which
enables them to bear a much stronger dressing of insecticide than
during the growing season, a deal of labour will need to be expended
npon them in the summer. The eggs of thrips can, in like manner,
at this time, be more eSectually dealt with. The best way to pro-
ceed, that I have been able to find, is to dip the fronds singly in a
strong solution of ingeoticklo, allowing it to dry on, repeating the
operation three or four times before the young growth commences to
move ; any old fronds that show signs of decay may ba cut off, and
in this way whatever insects are on them will ba got rid of.

Orchids.

Cypripediatns. — "Many of the spring-blooming kinds, especially
the varieties of C. barbatnm, will shortly begin to throw up their
flowers. They are much less susceptible of injury from water, even
whilst the flowers are partially enclosed in the centre leaves of the
crown, than most Orchids, yet I have seen them rot where, by
watering overhead, moisture has been held for some time in the
crowns of the plants, consequently, in giving it now it is well to be
careful that none lodges in this way.

Trichopilia suavis. — This sivaet.scented, early-flowering
species will also shortly begin to push up its bloom spikes; appear,
ing, as they do, at the under side of the pseudo-bulbs, it requires
care in giving water to keep it from loiging about the flower buds.
In the first stages of their development I have found them very
impatient of moisture in this way, and it is best now to apply water
with a spouted can, by which moans, if the plants are potted as they
oufht to bo, higher than the majority of OrchiJs, moisture can bo
got to the roots without endangering the bloom.

Dendrobium nobile and D. Wardianum. — Where a suc-
ceasion of the first named are gradually brought on to flower, a few
more should now be put where they will receive additional warmth
and a moderately moist atmosphere, giving little water at the root
for a time. D. Wardianum that matured growth early in the season
will now be showing flower buds prominently, and may have the
blooming accalerated more or less iu accordance with the time they
are required in flower. As the flowers last long, wheraa suocessional
supply is held in more estimation than a great display all together,
it is well not to have too many in bloom at once, oousequently, their
introduction into warmer quarters must be regulated by this.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — With frosts and thaws alternating, it is difficult to
know how to treat Auriculas just now. One thing, however, we do
know, and that is that it is very dangerous to give any water to the
roots. The occurrence of a few mild days showed us that many pots
wanted water, and the temptation to give it was great, but, had we
done so, the plants would certainly have been injured by the severe
frosts which followed in a day or two afterwards. As the tempera-
ture seemed likely to fall to a very low point, we had some litter
placed against the outsides of the frames, and a mat put over the
glass at nights. It is scarcely necessary to remove the mats during
the day time if the frost continue and the pots inside are crusted
with it.

Carnations and Picoteea. — These seem to delight in severe
frost ; still, when the thermometer threatens to fall down to zero,
mats may be thrown over the glass. It is needless to mention that
dryness at the roots is conducive to healthiness. Even if the day
temperature should not reach so high as the freezing point, it air can
be admitted it is as well to do so, as continued closeness of the
atmosphere causes spot to appear on the leaves, and in this respect
the plants are more liable to injury than Auriculas. Soil for potting
ought to be prepared ; good turfy, clayey loam answers best. The
decayed turf should be torn to pieces by the hand, carefully inspect-
ing it at the same time with the view of destroying all the wire,
worms which it may contain. To four parts of loam add one of leaf,
mould, one of rotten stable manure, and one of sharp sand, mixing
all together by turning the mass over twice ; it ought then to be
stored in a dry place until it is required.

Dahlias and Hollyhocks. — While the weathar is unfavourable
for other work, stakes may ba prepared. Those made of good Deal,

and painted grean, last the longest, and look the neatest. The
part underground, and a little above it, should be dressed with a com-
position of equal parts of tar and pitch laid on boiling hot ; even char,
ring the part of the stick that is to go underground tends to prevent
decay.

Panaies and Pinks. — Those in bads will require attention during
alternations of frost and thaw, as it is at suoh times that they get
injured. Dress the surface of the beds with dry manure from a
spent Mushroom bad, which is, about the best material that conld ba
used for preventing injury during changeable weather.

Phloxes in Pots. — Plants that were raised from cuttings, and
that flowered last autumn, should now ba placed, if possible, in a
greenhouse temperature. Growth will thns be made earlier, and the
cuttings can ba taken off, perhaps, a month sooner than it would be
possible to do if the plants were protected only by a cold frame. It
is rather too early as yet to repot, bat that operation might, never-
theless, be performed now, if it be likely that the pressure of other
work would prevent its being done a month or six weeks later. The
potting material recommended for Carnations answers well for
Phloxes. — J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

In this depax'tment, the ground being still frost-bcund, work has
come quite to a standstill, at least, so far as tha making, renovation,
and top-dressing of borders are concerned. It is also too cold for
any parson to be expected to nail or prune, and no thoughtf il parson
would desire any one to do such work in such inclement weather.
There are sundry little operations which may, however, be done now
with advantage, such as labelling any trees requiring attention in
that way, cutting shreds for nailing, or preparing matting for tying,
as the case may be ; cutting and pointing stakes for newly-planted
trees, preparing tha necessary spring protactiou for wall tree', and
repairing netting. The fruit-room, too, may be over-hauled, and
all decayed Apples and Pears removed. Some of the latter that
are specked are apt to'beooma mouldy ; these should ba wiped with a
soft, dry cloth. Easter Baurre is very subject to this mould, and, to
keep it sound, it requires to ba thus wiped several times in the course
of the winter. Josephine de Mallnas, Ne Plus lleurls, and Easter
Beurre, are our best Pears at this date. — W. W.

Vegetable Forcing.

The severity of tha weather makes this department of the first
importance, for already large quantities of Broccoli are hopelessly
damaged. Lattuees, Spinach, autumn-sown Onions, and all the
Brassica tribe, look wretched, and the most must now be made of the
means at command to fill tha gap which is likely to o?cur in tho
supply. A hot-bed, consisting of three parts leaves and one of stable
litter, should be made up for Potatoes, on which place frames, and
plant the Potatoes at once in about 9 in. of light soil. Fenn's Eirly
Market (round) and the old Ashleat Kidney are the best kinds for
tho purpose. A similar frame should be put in requisition for Early
Horn Carrot, and another for Lettuces, Radish, and Caulifiower.
The demand for Asparagus is sara to ba great, and fresh bitches
should be introduoad to the forcing pit every fortnight. The crowns
now start readily into growth, and a great heat is therefore unneces-
sary. A bad of leaves only is the most desirable forcing medium, as
stable litter taints the Asparagus, especially when that material is
used without due preparation, and the same may ba said in reference
to Rhubarb. It the crowns of these ba now covered with Rbnbarb
pots, old tubs, or barrels, and a bed of leaves made over them,
there would Jbe an abundant supply till it could be had from the
open air. Saakale is best lifted and forced in any dark, warm situa-
tion ; a Mushroom house suits it well. It should be kept perfeotly
dark and not too warm or it grows thin or weakly. It may also be
forced the same as Rhubarb in the open ground, but preference should
be given to the system of lifting it. To keep up the supply regularly,
fresh roots should ba put in fortnightly. French Beans are always
prized, and where there is proper accommodation for growing them
they can be produced in abundance without much trouble. They
should be grown in light houses or pits where a temperature of 65"
can be maintained. They are best in S-in. pots, which should have
free drainage, and the soil should be light but made firm in the pots.
A moist atmosphere is indispensable both for the well-being of the
plants and to keep red spider at bay. Sow, to keep up the demand,
at intervals of ten days or a fortnight. Syon House and Osborn aro
the two best kinds for pot culture ; stick them with Birch twigs before
they begin to flower, and never let the Beans stay on the plants an
hour after they are fit to gather. Tomatoas (autumu-sown plants or
cuttings) will now begin to grow freely and will require a warm, dry
temperature of from 60' to 65° to set tha fruit, after which, they
may be fraaly snoplied with tepid guano water, of which, it well

Jan. 18, 1870.]

THE GAKDEN.

69

drained, they will take a liberal allowance. Pot culture ani winter
forcing of Tomatoes are not nearly so much practised as they ought to
be. By many, no forced vegetables are more valued, and from the pre.
sent time onwards aremore easily produced. Lettuces andEndivennder
protection must be kept as dry aa possible, or they will soon decay ;
Chicory and Dandelion help to eke out the Lettuces and Endive, and
a few roots of these should be placed for forcing in the Mushroom
house every two or three weeks. Mustard and Cress should be sown
weekly.— W. W.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Conservatory Wall Plants. — Can you recommend me an ever-
green floweiing creeper to train over the trellised wall of a conservatory
attached to the house and leading from the drawing room ? The aspect
is easterly. — F. B. T. [Try Lapagerias red and white, Camellias, and Tac.
sonia esoniensis- — S.]

Salting Walks. — What is the right way of using salt to cure weeds
on walks, which all last summer were most troublesome, though fre-
quently weeded ? — T. P. [Apply the salt in spring when the weather is
dry, and be caret al not to let it go near Box or Grass edgings. The
quantity is immaterial, but enough should be applied to cover the whole
of the gravel. — S.]

Xiapagerias and Slugs. — I am very much troubled with slugs eat.
ing my Lapagerias, and as both red and white come up very strong with
me, it is disappointing to see them eaten through or even off altogether.
Can any of your readers suggest a remedy ? 1 hunt the slugs by lamp,
light, and catch a great mauy ; as all my plants are planted out, it is not
easy to surround them with water troughs. Would green tree frogs do any
good ? — T. S. [The best protection we know of is placing zinc collars
G in. high round the shoots, also wrapping wool round the young shoots
inside the zinc. — J. V. & Sons.]

Substitute for Asphalte or Cement (p. 5SG,Tol.XIV.) — Asphalte
and cement are expensive, and there is a cheaper substitute and quite as
good, viz., coal cinders pulverised, or even ashes mixed with pulverised
chalk and water. For many purposes these are better than cement.
For covering walks, &o., they are lasting and cheap. — Jean Sisley,
Zi/oiis.

Two Best Melons.—" J. W.," who asked (p. 2 i) for information
as to the two best early Melons, must have found himself somewhat
puzzled after reading the advice offered him by three good gi-owers as to
the sorts named. All three recommeud dirt'erent kinds, and no doubt all
believe their varieties to be the very best. Why this diversity on a matter
on which there might be expected to bo unanimity ? If auy one had
asked for the names of the two best Potatoes, one Kidney and one Round,
probably every one would have said in reply, Ashleaf Kidney aud Union
or Eai'ly Market Round. There are six times as many sorts of Potatoes
as Melons, and yet three growers recommend as the two best early sorts
no fewer than seven different kinds. Why is this ? Simply because one
Melon is so much like another, in the first place ; secondly, because most
growers have their favourite kinds ; and, thirdly, because some kinds will
do well in the hands of one man and badly in those of another. The
Melon is perhaps, of all vegetables, the most difficult to recommend.
" J. W." may say, " I cannot grow all the seven kinds, and how am I to
select the two best ?" One kind, at least (Read's Scarlet Flesh), is twice
recommended, and this is a special point in its favour ; he may, therefore,
well select this kind for one sort, and, if for a Green Flesh kind, he will
grow Hecklield Hybrid or Victory of Bath he will not be far wrong. —
A. D.

Klieums.- " W. T.J." asks if Rheum officinale, of Baillon, and
K. palmatum, var. tiviicrbuticum are synonymous. So far as concerns
E. officinale and R. pL^lmatum, they are spccitically distinct, but as to the
point of diiiinctiou between R- palmatum and the so-called variety
tanghuticum, 1 fail to detect any, though 1 have grown them side by side
for the lastfewyear.if.aud, seeing that R. palmatum is a native of Tanghut,
I thiukit very probable that the only difference lies in the name;
E. .officinale n ay, at a glance, be distinguished from the old E. pal.
matum by tie leaves having but very shallow lobes and by the inflorescence
being more spreading, and the flowers arranged on the branches in a
cylindrical manner, while E. palmatum has its leaves very deeply lobed ;
they are also much attenuated, the inflorescence is more contracted, and
the blossoms are more loosely arranged. It is by far the most desirable
<3t the two, from a decorative point o£ view, but both are stately plants
and highly ornamental, specially adapted for planting as isolated specimens
and also admirably suited for associating with other fine-foliaged plants in
producing a sub-tropical effect. Both attain a height of from 7 ft. to
iO ft. when in flower. — W.

Icehouses — Will " S. D." (Vol. XIV., p. 585) kindly tell me where the
door ought to be, aud whether two are required for packing between to keep
out the air, &c. ? — W. H. B. [There should be two doors, one at each end
of the passage communicating with the pit or well ; the space between
them should be filled with straw or litter, closely compressed, to keep out
the air, and in order to ensure this being done efficiently, it is always
advisable when getting any ice out for use, to close the outer door before
the inner one is open, as it is not so much the quantity used that
diminishes the bulk, as the waste that takes place through a rise in the

temperature, when the outer air is allowed to rush in aud displace that of
the house. The whole secret of keeping ice is to so pack it around with
straw, or other non-conducting material, as to maintain an equable
temperature, and if this be done, aud the body bo sufficiently large, it ia
an easy matter to preserve ice the whole year through. I am acquainted
with a place where they have a very simple and cheap way cf keeping it,
which is by having a large egg-shaped hole, some 12 ft. or 15 ft. deep, in
a gravelly soil where there is plenty of drainage, aud this hole except a
yard at the bottom, is lined with clay well rammed so as to form a wall,
which, before storing the ice is lined with straw in the ordinary way. The
root is made to look like a rustic summer house by being covered with
reeds, aud managed in this way it answers the purpose well and is rather
an ornament than otherwise. The advantage of a contrivance of this sort
is that the first cost is light, but where this is not so much a consideration,
a house built after the manner of the one described is by tar the best and
cheapest in the end, as, except the doors, it is imperishable. These should
have good Oak or Spanish Chestnut frames, as those woods are, when in such
a trying position of alternate wet and drought, more durable than any other,
and the grain being close and solid they are not liable to fungus, so des-
tructive to many other kinds of timber. — S. D.]

Boilers for Small Houses.— I should bo glad to know where the
boiler described by " A. D." (p. 7) is to be obtained, whether it is heated
by gas or coal, coke, &c , and whether it would be adapted for a house
25 ft. by 10 ft., with a sloping roof from 7 It. to 12 ft. ? It not, what
kind of boiler and what inch tubing w'ould be best for such a house ?
and, finally, what a proper boiler, tubing, and fitting would cost ? — A. G.
[The boiler in question is known as the Uome-top boiler ; it is upright,
round in form, has its ash pan at the base, lifting furnace door above, the
fire enclosed in the water case, feeding door on one side of the top,
and the flue on the other. It is specially constructed to stand in sheds or
outhouses adjoining the house to be warmed, the flow and return pipes
being carried through the partition wall ; thus a certain amount of heat
is given off in the shed that may he utilised in many ways, whilst abun-
dance of heat is generated to keep the glass house well free from frost.
Of course the heat so produced will be in proportion to the size of the
boiler and the amount of fire required to heat it. A boiler of the size
required by " A. G." would cost about £3 15s., and would heat enough of
■4-in. piping for a house of the size named. It can be got at the Thames
Bank Ironworks. It is heated either by coal or coke, but the former is
found to be at once the cheapest and most efficient. If, however, it is
found that combustion is rapid, a mixture of small coke aud cinders may
be added with advantage after the fire is well burnt up. The entire cost
of the boiler, requisite piping — that is, one flow and return — with fitting,
would be about £7. The addition of another flow pipe would give more
heating power, and add perhaps 253. more to the cost. A special feature
of this boiler is that as it needs no setting it can easily be removed, and
is therefore specially acceptable to those who have short tenancies. —
A. D.]

Names of Plants. — E. H.— The conclusiou arrived at as to the
name of the portion of pod sent is rather unsatisfactory, but in all proba-
bility it is a species of Mucuna.

Questions.

Frtiit Trees in an Oreliard House.— Is it advisable to plunge
in loam fruit trees in pots that are grown in an orchard house ? or is it
better to place the pots in the ground ? What is the best liquid manure
to encourage good fruiting ? and when is it best applied .'—J. E. W.

Plants for a Small Greenhouse. — What plants can I safely
cultivate in a small greenhouse whose winter temperature varies between
30^" and 40' Fahr., and which is not heated in summer ? What I want are
plants that would come into flower all the year round. The house con-
tains a fine Black llamburgh Vine, which does not bear pushing on with
heat. It is a lean-to against the northern wall of my garden ; therefore,
has a full southern aspect, and gets plenty of bght.— J. E. E.

How can I best combine Fruit and Flowers ? — We have the
following houses and frames, viz., three successional Vineries with
stages, one Mushi-oom house with little light, two Peach houses without
stages, one hot and one cold, the Peaches being trained on the wall, and
one house specially for flowers. This latter, owing to the water tank
which heats the other houses, is too damp for plants like Pelargoniums.
These houses are all lean.tos ; there are also numbers of frames hot and
cold. What would be the best way of combining flowers for the house
and conservatory all the year round, and bedding-out plants with the
requirements of the fruit ? Our difficulty has hitherto been that the
flowers are sacrificed to the fruit, for, although we have all degrees of
heat, we cannot at some seasons command sufficient light by bringing the
plants close enough to the glass. Our present arrangement, which does
not keep up a satisfactory supply of flowers all the year round, is to keep
Ferns and flowers just coming into bloom in the greenhouse, which is kept
at the highest average temperature ; hardwooded plants and those in bud
in the warn\ Peach house, having little else in the Vineries than cuttings,
seedlings, &c. As I know that this problem, how to combine fruit and
flowers, is a constant difficulty in private gardens, will some of your ex-
perienced correspondents give us their advice as to what flowers, including
cool Orchids, it would be best to assign to each house ? Also if more
glass is indispensable, what would be the best to put up ? — A. B.

Spent Bark from Tanneries. — Can this material be utilised in
the kitchen or flower garden ? also gas hme, or urine ? — Ignobamus.

70

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 18, 1879.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

KOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
January 1-i.

The most prominent features of this exhibition were Bowering and fine-

foliaged plants from Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of the King's RoaJ, Chelsea ;

collections of brilliant blooms of Zonal Pelargoniums, from Mr. Cannell ;

and groups of Primulas from Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading.
First-class Certificates were awarded as follows —
Amaryllis Dr. Master's CWilliams). — A kind with well-formed

flowers of an intense orange-crimson, very distinct, and well worth adding

to even small collections.

Staphylea colehica (Veitch). — A hardy shrnb with white flowers,

and of great value for forcing — to all appearance even superior to

the mnch grown Deutzia gracilis. It is a plant which will, doubtless, be

largely grown for supplying cut blooms at Christmas.

Primula Ruby Kin^ (Sutton & Sons). — One of the finest Chinese
Primulas in cultivation. The habit of the plant is good, the leaves hand.
Bomely cut, and the flowers, which are produced in very large trusses,
of a deep satiny magenta-purple, with a rich golden eye.

Cyelam.en Reading Gem (Sutton & Sons). — A variety with
handsomely marbled leaves and very large purple flowers with broad, pure
white petals.

Miscellaneous Plants, &o. — Messrs. Yeitch & Sons were awarded
a silver-gilt Flora medal for a miscellaneous collection of flowering plants,
amongst which were Roman Hyacinths, Tulips, Primulas, Carnations,
Lilac Charles X., and the pretty Crassula lactea in pans ; also fine basket-
fuls of flowering plants of Daphne indica and indica rubra. These were
backed up by well-grown plants of Yucca filamentosa variegata, Palms,
Rhododendrons, and Indian Azaleas. A cultural commendation was
awarded to Mr. Cannell for an exquisite stand of blooms of Zonal Pelar-
goniums, the trusses of which, as well as the flowers, were large, and the
latter highly coloured. Among others, the following kinds were worthy
of special notice : Mrs. Leavers, brilliant rose ; Lord Gift'ord, bright scarlet ;
Louisa, lilac-pink ; Dr. John Denny, intense purple, crimson centre ; Cir-
culator, fine salmon ; Lady Sheffield, deep rose ; Lizzie Brooks, crimson
EuS'used with purple ; and J. C. Masters, purplish-crimson. Mr. Cannell
also contributed plants of Primulas, the flowers of which were of a bright
rosy-magenta, large, and well formed. Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway,
contributed Cymbidium afiine, a plant distinct in habit, form, and colour
fromany other kind ; also well-flowered examples of Masdevalliapolysticta;
finely-flowered plants of Sophronitis grandiflora, growing on cork ; and
one of the finest varieties of Odontoglossum Rossi grandiflorum perhaps
ever exhibited. Mr. W. Brown, Brent Nurseries, Hendon, sent finely
grown plants of a white variety of Pnmula sinensis fimbriata, named
Princess Louise ; a deep rose-magenta kind belonging to the same class
named Exquisita; also a handsome rose-coloured Fern-leaved kind, and a
blue-flowered variety named P. sinensis fimbriata ccerulea. The same ex-
hibitor likewise showed a group of Solanums, remarkable for their dwarf,
compacthabit and the abundance of brilliant scarlet berries which they bore.
For these and others, a small silver Banksian medal was awarded. Messrs.
Sutton & Sons contributed a striking group of Primulas, for which a large
silver Banksian medal was awarded. Mr. OUerhead, gardener to Sir
H. Peek, Wimbledon House, contributed a distinct and charming variety
of Odontoglossum cirrhosum, which was much admired. Mr. Parr,
The Gardens, Harrow Weald Park, showed Abutilon Yellow Prince, a
compact-habited kind, especially adapted to winter flowering. Its
blossoms are of a lively lemon colour and very distinct ; also Vesuvius, a
very free-flowering Abutilon, resembling Darwini. Messrs. Osborn &
Sons, Fulham, exhibited an attractive collection of hardy berry-bearing
shrubs. A fine basketful of plauts of Crassula lactea was exhibited by
Mr. Thomson, of the Crystal Palace. Seedling Poinsettias were shown
by Mr. Sparj , of Brighton, but were considered to be no improvement on
existing kinds. The exhibition of ornamental trees and shrubs by Messrs.
Lee, ot Hammersmith, full particulars of which were given in The G-1i:den
(Vol. XIV., p. 571) was still on view and attracted much attention. Two
dishes of Seakale were sent by Jlessrs. Veitch & Sons, one was named
Fulham White, the other Lily White. The two kinds being thought by
some identical, they were shown on this occasion to prove that they were
distinct ; the former appears to be coarser than the latter, and the tips of
the leaves are rose, whilst those of Lily White are greenish yellow. A
dish of large Mushrooms, six of which weighed IHb. was exhibited by the
Messrs. Pratt, The Gardens, Hawkstone, Shrewsbury.

Scottish Horticultural Association (.Tan. 7).— Mr. John Sadler
delivered a short lecture on this occasion on Fungi. He said that th«
Natural Order to which they belonged contained 1,000 different genera
and 25,000 species. Fungi constituted one of the gardeners' and foresters'
greatest enemies. They luxuriated in shady woods and mossy dells.
Before their ravages the Potato, Turnip, and Wheat crops and roots of
ConiferEe gave way and timber crumbled; even in the very air we breathe,
in the water, food, and medicine which we use were to be found the
germs of fungi iu teeming multitudes. Their effects were sometimes very
injurious, and at other times unspeakable benefits were conferred by their
becoming Nature's scavengers. Allusion was then made to the Vine and

Potato disease, 'and to dry rot. A piece of wood was shown with mycelium
running through it. Reference was then made to the aquatic forms of
fungi, and of edible and poisonous Mushrooms ; 700 different species were
reported to be found in Britain. The common Mushroom (Agaricus
campestris) was the principle fungus used in this country although ex-
cluded from Ronie. Agaricus oreades, A. prunulus (or Plum Mushroom,
which was used in Rome) and A. annularis were illustrated by diagrams,
as were also the Boletus edulis. Phallus, and Morchella esculenta. The
effects of Agaricus nector resembled those of intoxication, and the Boletus
Satanas was also a dangerous fungus. The lecture throughout was illus-
trated by specimens and diagrams. Mr. McMillan, Broadmeadows, exhi-
bited some fine trusses of zonal Pelargoniums and cut blooms of Chry-
santhemums in an exceptionally fine condition. 'The latter numbered
thirty-nine of the finest varieties which were planted out in a house to
which they are removed about the beginning of October. The Pelar-
gonium trusses numbered twenty-six, all remarkably fine for the month
of January, the flowers being large, finely-formed, of great substance, and
bright in colour. Mr. L. Dow exhibited Turnip tops which he used as a
substitute for Seakale. Some observations on the weather by Mr. Burns,
Thingwall, Berkenhead, were read, in which he stated that the most frost
registered by him was 2^^ on December 25. A communication on the
same subject was read from Mr. Hugh Dickson, Belfast, where the ther-
mometer stood at zero on December 25.

LAW.
Right to Remove He3ge Briers.— Atthe Rugby Potty Sessions,
a labourer named David Forster, of Brinklow, was charged with stealing
a quantity of Briers, value £1, the property of the Duke of Buccleuch.
Mr. Wilkes, solicitor.Coventry, defended. Evidence was given by Mr. Rose,
gamekeep3r,a3 to defendant taking about 150 Briers from All Oaks' Wood,
and Mr. Superintendent Palmer said the Briers were sold to nurserymen
for Rose tree stocks. Mr. Wilkes raised a novel point, by saying that no-
offence had been committed against the Act under which the summons
was issued, as Briers did not come under the definition of trees, saplings,
or underwood, as set forth in the section, and it was no offence to steal
them ; and he called Mr. Bradford, farmer, who said Briers were of no
value but a nuisance ; and Mr. B. Fitter, farmer, said in his opinion Briers
were hedge weeds, and not underwood, and he was very glad to get rid of
them ; and the former witness added that he had given defendant per-
mission to take them out of his hedges. Mr. Wilkes said, as a point
of law, no evidence ot ain;Hi!(»-/H''"»d» had been given. Defendant was
fined £l lOs.j including costs. — " Journal of Forestry."

Milk of the Cow Tree. — Alexander Humboldt remarks that
among the many wonderful natural phenomena which he had during his
extensive travels witnessed, none impressed him in a more remarkable
degree than the sight of a tree yielding an abundant supply of milk, th&
properties of which seemed to be the same as those of the milk of a cow .
The adult Indians would go each morning with their slaves from the
village or station on the slope of the mountain chain bordering oa
Venezuela, where Humboldt was stopping, to a forest where the Cow
trees grew, and, making some deep incisions into the trees, in less than
two hours their vessels, placed under these incisions, would be full. The
tree itself attains a height of from 45 ft. to 60 ft., has long alternate
leaves, and was described by Linden as Brosimum galactodendren. The
milk which flows from any wound made iu the trunk is white and some-
what viscid ; the flavour is very agreeable. Some time ago, on the occa-
sion of M. Boussingault going to South America, Humboldt requested
him to take every opportunity of investigating this subject. At Maracay
the tree was first met with, and for more than a month its excellent
qualities were daily tested in connection with coffee and chocolate ; but
there was no opportunity for a chemical analysis. Nor does such appear
to have occurred till the other day when, among the many curious matters
exhibited by the Venezuelan Government at the Paris Exhibition, there
happened to be several flasks of this milk, and after a long period
M. Boussingault has been enabled to complete his analysis of this sub-
stance. In a memoir laid before the Academy of France he states that
this vegetable milk most certainly approaches in its composition to the
milk of the cow ; it contains not only fatty matter, but also sugar, caseine,
and phosphates. But the relative proportion of these substances is
greatly in favour of the vegetable milk, and brings it up to the richness
of cream, the amount of butter iu cream being about the same propor-
tion as the peculiar waxy material found in the vegetable milk, a fact
that will readily account for its great nutritive powers. — " Times."

Rogieria gratissima. — This is not so tender as has^een supposed.
We are informed that foi-morly in the York Nurseries, this Rogiera used
to be treated as a stove plant, but with such poor success that it was
hideous to behold. It wa-s then removed to a cool house and planted out,
where it has done remarkably well, and has for the last three years or
more been quite an attractive object. The temperature of the house
where it is growing iu winter is from .35' to 45^ AH that is done by arti-
ficial heat is just simply to keep out the frost in severe weather. —
" Gardeners' Chronicle."

We have great pleasure in being able to confirm the statement first
made in The Garden that Mr. John Sadler has been appointed
Curator o£ the Edinburgh Botanic Garden.

THE GARDEN.

71

ITo. 376.]

SATURDAY, JANtJABY 25, 1879.

[Vol. XV

" This is an art
Which does mend Nature : chang:e it rather ; but
Thb Abt itself 13 Natube." — Shakespeare^

"TREES OP THE FUTURE."
Few trees have suffered more at the hands of their admirers
than the Deodar (Cedrus deodara). Planted high and dry on
mounds or in low and undrained positions it has too frequently
paid the penalty of its fatal gift of beauty, and sunk into pre-
mature decline and death. For more than forty years has this
tree been praised for its gracefulness and colour in its young
state ; forty years hence will it have the same reputation that
it now enjoys ? The principal charm of a full grown tree lies
in its habit, whether it be tall and slender, or massive and
spreading, as a Cedar of Lebanon ; and it is the latter that we
associate naturally with the Cedar ; so I venture to ask the
multitude, not the initiated few, is it generally known that the
Deodar is not a tree of spreading habit ? In its native Hima-
layan gorges it thrives where deluging rains alternate with
sultry heat during the period of its growth, and under these
conditions of shelter and moisture it shoots up with a lofty
trunk and drooping tiers of adpressed side branches to a
height of 150 ft. before it begios to form the branching,
forked head characteristic of the Cedar family, but which it
reproduces only on a very small scale. We have already in
the Cedar of Lebanon a tree that is unrivalled in the grandeur
of its branching head ; and, unless the Deodar succeeds in re-
sisting the stunting influence of winter gales, so as to assert
its superior height and stature in mature growth, we shall
have neglected one of the grandest trees in Nature, for a tree
that not only is not more beautiful but is one that will only
come to real perfection in the most sheltered valleys of Southern
and Western England. A glance at some of the oldest
Deodars, notably those at Kew and at Blenheim, will show
how far a Deodar in an average situation falls short of the
stature and grace which it shows in its native forests, and how
on the other hand, the Cedars of Upper Gatton or
, of Warwick Castle reproduce, in the most perfect way,
the grandeur of their growth on the slopes of Lebanon.
The real wonder is that a tree that thrives in company with
Rhododendron arboreum and other forms too tender for an
English climate should have been found hardy in this country,
and given us so much beauty in a young state. Before leaving
the Cedar family, Cedrus atlantica deserves praise because
it has shown itself to be a hardier tree in the north of Eng-
land than the two preceding ones. On cold soils and in exposed
situations, where those just mentioned barely exist, Cedrus
atlantica makes a sturdy vigorous growth that will always
render it welcome where variety is sought for, and bids fair to
make itself a name among exotic trees that require neither
coddling nor protection.

The next tree that occurs to me, in these erratic wanderings,
is a native of the southern hemisphere, and differs so widely
from those mentioned before that it has not yet attained the
position to which it is entitled, although it was introduced at
the end of the last century. I mean the Araucaria irabricata.
This tree, from the breezy uplands of Chili, is the onlv repre-
sentative of its family that can find a place in our gardens — a
family that can boast of the towering Norfolk Island Pine and
the equally stately Bunya-Bunya (Araucaria Bidwilli), the pride
of Queensland forests. Here we have a tree that thrives
equally well on the coldest and most exposed hillsides of the
north, and on the warmer soils and situations of the southern
half of the kingdom. All who have had the privilege of seeing
it in its native country are loud in their praises, both as to the
value of its timber and the stateliness of its port when old ;
and those who, in this country, have seen it at Dropmore,
Belvoir, and other places where it has attained suffioient age
and growth to judge it fairly, will acknowledge that, of all
Coniferous trees planted in this century, this is the one that
must bear the palm in years to come. Stiff and ungainly as a
young seedling, skeleton-like and formal as a young tree, it is

the most perfect example of the ugly duckling of fairy story ;
but we have here a tree that becomes in mature growth an
object of the highest beauty, whether we admire the Pern-like
grace of its massive lower branches, or are astonished at its
growth in the Chilian forests, where, in old age, the lower
branches decay, and the top expands into the mightiest
" umbrella " among Pines, with so level a head that, from a
distance, the forest looks like a deep green lawn made by no
mortal hands. Its power of withstanding violent g.ales is un-
rivalled, as it presents so small a surface to the wind, and thus
it thrives where other trees are blown to pieces ; but, like every
tree, it has its peculiarities, and refuses to flourish where smoke
at all taints the air, or salt spray can touch it, and is more at
home on the exposed upland than in the level plain. Planters
should beware of the male form, which, though handsome in
early days, makes only a small, stunted tree, and never attains
the proportions of the other sex.

If it be true that it is from California we have obtained
the largest number of ornamental trees, Cupressus macrocarpa
must certainly be mentioned as one of the most valuable from
many points of view. Introduced about thirty years ago, it
has the rare distinction of having proved itself in that short
time more rapid and vigorous in growth in our moist climate
than in the drier one it came from in California. On the windy
heights of Porto Pinos that overlook Monterey Bay, where the
headquarters of this Cupressus are to be found, it is^a stunted
wind-blown tree with spreading, horizontal branches and
thickened trunk that tell of the barren soil and the fierce north-
west wind, as well as the rainless climate against which it has
struggled. Nourished by frequent sea fogs, long hoary
Lichens hang beard-like from the leeward branches, and make
a strange contrast with the rich green foliage of these groves
now so sought after by pleasure- seekers, who here find a cool
retreat from the inland heats of a Californian summer. In a
position such as this, where the drifting sand whitens the
ground this tree does not attain a greater height than
30 ft. or 40 ft. even in old age ; but, growing as it does where
no other tree could exist, it may well be imagined what a future
must be before it for all seaside planters ; and at a little dis-
tance from the shore, where, instead of a one-sided struggle
for existence, it can spread out its branches evenly, what a
beautiful tree it is ! Its greenness of foliage, coupled with
extreme rapidity of growth and beauty in a young state, have
long since made it a great favourite in the south-west of
England and Ireland, where already it surpasses in height
its progenitors in Monterey Bay. Unluckily there has been a
prejudice against this tree on account of its supposed inability
to stand severe frost, because in the extraordinary winter of
1860-61 many young specimens were killed in all parts of the
kingdom. Since then established trees have not suffered, and
it may be confidently asserted that it is hardy in all but the
dampest and lowest parts of the kingdom, as a tree that
grows naturally on a dry soil will always be rendered tender
by being planted where it is saturated with excessive moisture
at the root. As a seaside tree on all parts of our coast, where
protection can be given for the first few years of its existence,
it is quite unrivalled, and as it bears clipping admirably it
forms a valuable shelter from the wind when planted as a
hedge, just as the hedges of the European Cypress afford
shelter from winter winds in the south of Prance. To the
slender grace of the Deodar and the stately grandeur of
Araucaria imbricata, the spreading and yet delicate growth of
this green Cypress forms a delightful contrast, and in combina-
tion makes the most charming foreground to the two former
Conifers, a trio of most distinct and beautiful trees. There is
also a variety that assumes a pyramidal form and makes an
exceedingly handsome specimen in places where no Cedar or
Deodar could thrive. In some form or other no garden should
be without this tree, which, like our native Tew, accommodates
itself to so many purposes, while it outvies it both in rapidity
of growth and brightness of colouring. Even on the north-
east coast of Yorkshire it seeds freely at a short distance from
the sea, and numbers of young trees have been raised from its
cones, thus showing its entire suitability to our climate.

The other Californian Cypress (Cupressus Lawsoniana) is so
well known and universally planted as to deserve no further
comment. It forms a columnar tree of glaucous colouring.

72

THE GARDEN.

[Jan 25, -1879.

and tbrires everywhere in these islands, but in old aB;e it is not
so bold and effective a tree as the former from what I have
been able to gather. Its beauty in a young state, and its
perfect hardiness, will, however, always insure its being largely
planted. E. H. Woodall.

QUALITY OF WELLINGTONIA. TIMBER.
The wood of tbo Wellingtonia gigantea is considered utterly valas.
leas in California. It ia bo brittle that it ia said a tree will break off
by its own weight when the baik, which ia extremely thick and
tough, has once been oat through all the way round the trunk.

E. H. WoODAH.

It doea not require much knowledge of timber for any one

to see that the wood of Wellingtonia gigaitea ia comparatively
worthless so far as durability ia concerned, at le.ast, if put to any
of the present uses for which deals sawn from the diffdrent kinds
of Pinnses are now in request. The grain of the Wellingtonia is short
and brittle, as may readily be seen by the way in which its branchea
snap when touched or exposed to mnch wind, and wood of tbia
character, even when fully grown, ia neither strong nor lasting. It
ia not always, however, that the value of timber can be jadged by
ita hardnesa or texture, aa it often ocoura that sooh aa are soft and
easily worked up fetch the best prices. Mr. Baines cites an instance
of this in the Sycamore, the wood of which is in request for machine
rollers, and I have known Alder in places sell uncommonly well for
turning purposes, such aa making toys, pill boxes, &o., aa well aa
broom heads and similar articles. In wet land districts I know of
jQOtbing more profitable to grow than Alders and Willows, as, basidea
the latter being used tor railway and waggon brakes, it is the only
wood of snfBcient lightneaa that will stand the battering of a cricket
ball. Rapidity of growth, or the reverse, is not always an index of
the hardness and quality of timber, as the Larch and Donglaa
Pir abundantly prove, for neither of these can be said to
be slow growers, and yet their durability under the most trying
circumstances is beyond question. So solid and full of resinous
matter ia the wood of Abies Douglasi that it is heavier, size for size,
than that of any other Fir with which I am acquainted, and aa to
rapidity of growth, in favourable localitiea, where it can have shelter,
it rivals the Larch, which, as every one knows, frequently makes
leading shoots 3 ft. long in a season. So far as ray experience goes,
the Doaglas Fir has all the good qualities of the Larch with the addi.
tional recommendation that it is evergreen, and therefore of greater
value ia pheasant preaervea for these birds to roost on. At one time
Spruce waa mach grown for thia purpoae, but of all Conifers it ia the
most worthless, the timber being short and brittle and liable to readily
decay. Pinua Laricio and the Scotch Fir can neither be regarded as
slow growers, and yet their wood ia strong and durable ; and the
same may be said of many others of a similar character. It appears,
therefore, that in this, aa in most other matters, there ia no rule
without an exception. Of all rapid-growing trees the Eucalyptus
globulus is said to stand at the head ; and yet I have been told that
in Auatralia, where the climate suits it s) as to ripen it thoroughly,
ita wood ia of the hardeat and moat durable description, a fact
which accounts for the name of Ironwood tree which it bears. Then
again, take the Sweet Chestnut, which ia almost equal to the Oak in
durability, the heart being very oloae-grained, tough, and hard, and
yet it is by no means a slow-growing tree when planted in suitable
soil. Other instances might be mentioned, but the above are, I think,
sufficient to show that some treea, at least, that are of rapid growth
are greatly prized for their timber. S. D.

It ia probable that at the time when Mr. Biines (in rashly

undertaking to pronounce against the quality of the timber of Wel-
lingtonia) advanced the doctrine that the quality (embracing the da.
rability) of timber may generally be estimated by its rate of growth,
he little thought of the array of non-supporting facts which " C" has
cleverly served up for his consideration. Other instances might be
adduced, but meanwhile 1 will content myself with a few remarks on
the timber which gave rise to this discussion — that of the Welling-
tonia. Respecting ita durability, the whole evidence goes to prove it
to be of the most lasting description. In an excellent article on
" The Distribution of the North American Flora," which appeared in
a contemporary last year. Sir Joseph Hooker, speaking of the dura-
bility of the Big-tree trunks when fallen, says: "The duration of
the dead wood in the foreat is very great, I rarely observed signs of
rot in the fallen trees which I examined, whilst in similar forests in
Northern California I saw gigantic trunks of Silver Firs forming
mounds of rotten iUbris without an atom of sound wood, and thia in
two years after their fall, as I was assured. 1 had no date for ascer-
taining the length of time which any of the prostrate Wellingtonia
(Sequoia) trunks which I saw may have lain on the ground, bat Mr.

Mair has supplied me with a very crucial case. It ia that of a pros-
trate trunk with no signs of decay in any part of it, which had been
burnt in two by a forest fire, and in the trench between the severed
portions of which a Silver Fir grew. This Fir was felled, and had
380 annual rings j therefore to estimate the time during which the
Wellingtonia trunk bad lain uninjured, we must add to the 380 years,
the time it lay before the forest fire burnt it in two, and then the
unknown interval between that time and the arrival of the Silver Fir
seed." Thus its durability, one of the constituents of quality, is
favourably settled. There still remain the other two components —
strength and toughness to be disposed of. These I am afraid are
foreign to the Big-tree timber ; it ia well known to be " frosh," but
not worthless. It is easily split, and is capable of taking on a good
palish. Ia there no use for such timber ? Californians seem to
think there ia, for according to the article already quoted from, " No
less than five saw-milla have recently been established in the most
luxuriant of the Big-tree groves, and one of the mills alone cut in
1875 two million feet of Big-tree lumber ; and a company has lately
been formed to cut another grove." Geo. Syme.

The few kinds of trees which ",C" mentions as affording

evidence opposed to what I have said in regard to the timber of slow-
growing trees being generally of better quality than that of those
whiuh form wood more rapidly, do not affect the question from a
general po'nt of view, such aa that from which my oonclasiona were
drawn. I am conversant with what bears upon the subject in
Lindley's " Theory and Practice of Horticulture," and also with the
Teat Tables of the Admiralty, in both of which there is a good deal
that clashes with every day experience. Take, for example, the
slowly grown Oak timber produced in Hertfordshire, and that of the
same tree from the moist, deep. soiled valleys of Westmoreland, where
the wo3d is formed so much quicker, and ask the opinion of any one
who ha3 had expe ience with the comparative laa:ing capabilities of
each when used for a parpose that would afford evidence within a
limited time, such aa in gates, gate poata, park railings, or others of
a like character, and I am tolerably sure what would be the reply.
" C " misses his mark so far that he actually confirms what I have
said when he instances the Liburoum and cotnmon Elder. Itia quite
true that both these reaoh their full growth in a comparatively abort
time, but when that time hai espired, and the masia.nm of size has
been attained, the rate of increase in the wood will still be found to
have been slow, from the simple fact that the bulk in both cases is
small proportionate to the time occupied in ita formation. I waa looking
at the subject from a general, not from an esceptioDa', point of view,
aa I think waa evident from what I wrote. Timber containing sncli
an amount of resinous matter as the Scotch Fir and Larch are also
both outside the question, and so ia the Eucalyptaa and Teak, both
woods produced under very different conditions of soil and climate
from ours. Home-grown timber alone is concerned in the matter,
and to introduce anything beyond it is calculated to mislead. The
question ia, in reality, confined to Wellingtonia. Does " C." imagine
that there are any considerable number of individuals whose observa-
tion and experience connected with the growth of timber generally in
thia country are such as to give weight to their opinions who have
any belief that the timber of this tree will be anything above
second-rate in quality as compared with that of other well. proved
trees ? To plant the Wellingtonia in limited quantities for decora-
tive purposes is undoubtedly quite right, provided the positions
chosen are suitable, which is by no means always the case, often
completely the reverse ; but those who plant it extensively with a
view to the production of timber will not, I think, bs much compli.
mented for their wisdom by the generations which follow them, even
if the tree continues to thrive for a lengthened period in this country,
which, from what I have had an opportunity of seeing in many
places, is doubtful. T. Baixes.

THE CLBTHRAS.
This genus of Heathworts contributes to our gardens several
highly ornamental shrubs, some of them being rarely seen
although their cultivation is remarkably easy and their require-
ments readily met. The different species are spread over North
America, through Central Americj, to South Brazil, Japan, and
Madeira. Many handsome kinds come from Brazil and Peru,
several of which are not yet introduced to cultivation. All are
shrubs or small trees with alternate, serrate leaves and pretty
white blossoms borne in terminal racemes or panicles ; they
most delight in a sandy peat and tolerably moist position. The
Japanese and North American sorts make beautiful objects in
the front of the shrubbery border, the tip of nearly every
shoot being terminated by showy flowers. The easiest mode of

Jan. 25, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

73

propagation is by means of seeds, which germinate freely if
sown in sandy peat and kept continually moist in a cool place ;
layering may also be resorted to, although a couple of years or
more are often required before the layers are rooted sufficiently
to allow of removal. Some of the sorts, too, throvr up suckers
which, when carefully taken up, make good plants in a short
time. Cuttings of the half-ripened wood, inserted in sandy
peat under a bell-glass and kept under shade, root readily in
most cases. A great recommendation for the kinds hereafter
described is that they are perfectly hardy in this country, with
the exception of two or three which are specially mentioned as
being tender.

The Alder-leaved Clethra (0. alnifjlla) wai th? first of all
to find its way to Eoglnh gardens. In the first edition of the " Hor-
tna Kewensia " Mr. CoUinson is said to have introducaJ this species
in 1736. Catesby's first volame was, however, completed in 1732,
and in it he describes the plant as then floarishin^ in the open air
at Hoxton. In a wild state it affects wet copses from Miine to Vir-
ginia, near the coast and southward. It grows from 3 ft. to 10 ft.
high, and in July and A.ugu3t is CDvered with its handsome, fragrant
flowers. The leaves, which are intermediate bstween wedge-shaped
and oval in outline, are entire towards the base and sharply-serrated
upwards, prominently straight-veiaed and smooth and gresn on both
upper and under sarfaces. The racemes are upright, panicled, and
the bracts are shorter than the flowers. Several plants, probably
mere geographical forms of this and only differing from it in degrees
of roughness, hairiness, &o., have, at various times, received specific
names. D-. Asa Gray, in his " Manuil," says : " In the South are
varieties with the leaves rather soibroas and pubescent, or white
downy beneath."

The Woolly-leaved Clethra (C. toauentosi) is confined to the
Southern States, and was sent to the gardens of this country from
New Orleans by Mr. Drummond. It differs froai the Alder- leaved
Clethra in its young foliage and branches^ the under surface of the
olJer leaves, and the fljwer stalks and calyx being covered with
hairy down. In cultivation it forms a small handsome shrub, and,
towards the close of the summer, bears very abundantly its racemes
of white fragrant blossoms. Its somewhat straggling branches are
slightly tinged with red ; the leaves, which are about 3 in. long, are
dark green, almost glossy above, and hoiry with whitish down
beneath.

The Acute-leivad Clethra (J. acuminata), a till shrub or
small tree, is a native of woods in the Alleghanies, Virginia, and
southward, and flowers in July and August. The leaves are oval or
oblong-pointed, thin, finely serrated, and from 5 in. to 7 in. in length ;
in colour they are green above and pale below. The racemes are
drooping and solitary, not in clusters ; the bracts, too, are longer than
the flowers. Mr. Lyon intro laced it to this country in 1803.

The Paaicle-flovrered Clethra (C. pauioulata), another North
American sort, has a truly paniculate inSorescenoe, the upright
panicle lasting a considerable time in full beauty. The smooth leaves
are between laace-shaped and oval, anJ are serrated at the edges.

Tae Bearded-nerved Clethra (C. barbinervis) is a native
of Japan, from which country it has been recently introduced
to Continental gardens by Maximowioz. It has long, rather
oval leaves which are somewhat wedge-shaped at the base, and sharply
serrated at the edges. On the upper surface, they are covered with
short and rough hairs ; on the under, the nerves are hairy, the axils
of the principal ones being bearded. The blossoms are borne in
upright racemes or panicles, and the leaf-stalks and flower. stalks are
covered with rusty hairs. This has proved itself in many places to
be quite as hardy as any of the foregoing kinds, all of which are
deciduous.

The Tree Oiethra (C. arborea), b^Ing a native of Madeira,
whence it was introduced by Masson in 173t, is not so hardy as any
of the sorts already mentioned, requiring, indeed, the shelter of a
conservatory for its successful ca'tivation. It is an exceedingly
handsome, tree-like, evergreen shrub, and, when planted out in the
bed of a conservatory, attains a height of 10 ft. or 12 ft. lu pots,
however, it is easily kept within reasonable bounds. The leaves are
oblong, lance shaped, serrated, glabrous both above and below. The
beautiful blossoms, which much resemble those of Lily of the
Valley, are produced in spike-like racemes, arranged in panicles,
from August to October. This most desirable shrub will grow ioany
spot from which frost is excluded, and, as a corridor plant, few objects
would be more admired. There is in cultivation a form with varie-
gated foliage, and another a miniature of the large-growing type.

The Oak-leavad Olethr j, (0. qaeroifolia) inhabits the neigli-
bourhool of Jalapa, in Mexico, and has folli^e similar to tha". of

some of the Mexican Oiks. It is a most beautiful evergreen green-
house shrub, with deliciouily fragrant flowers, and requires about
the same treatment as the Tree Clethra. G.

GROWTH OP PLA.NT3 UNDER BBECE TREES.
The discussion on this subject in your oolnmna, shows that there seems
to be no subject on which men will not disagree. 1 think that out of
a hundred men acquainted with woodlands, ninety-nine would agree
in saying that to plant shrubs under Beech trees would be sheer waste
of money. The character of Beech woods everywhere is hollowness,
and though in certain exceptional cases growth mire or less vigorous
may be found immediately under large Beech trees, it is generally
accounted for by side light or air getting we'l under the boughs of the
Beech. There is no pUce where this question may be studied more
profitably than in the Xew forest in Hampshire. The undergrowth
there is of course natural, and very profuse, consisting of Holly
Butcher's Broom, Furze, Brake, Thorn, Honejsnckle, &o. The
growth continues right up to the stems of the Oak trees, but in most
cases disappears under those of Beeches, except where the branches
are high and the stems bare. Holly and Butohor's Broom seem more
tolerant of the shade than any other shrubs. On the other hand
Walnut trees, a comparison between which and Beech trees began
this discussion, are very troublesome when planted near garden
grouni, as they send their roots as far and are as exhaustive of tha
soil in flower or vegetable borders as Ash trees. Salmo.vkjeps.

Allow me to say that here. Box, Yew, Syringa, and Mahonias,

grow most luxuriantly under, and in many cases close to the trunks
of the Beech trees, and fine trees they are too. H. W. Wahd.

Lonij/ord Castle.

We have some very fine old Beech trees here with the tops

well interlaced, and underneath them is as good cover of Laurel as it
is possible to have, interspersed with fine Hollies and Yew probably
100 yea s old — the Beech trees being 150 years old. I have just
finishel pruning the Laurels, our system being to take out all pieces
of upright growth, letting ouly the flat horizontal branches remain,
an operation which is performed once in five or six years. The soil
being of very good quality, Laurels thus treated do well, and make
one of our best preserves for pheasants, and when Beech nuts are
plentiful and the ground covered with snow, wood pigeons flock in
hundreds to feed on the nuts protected by the snow-bent Laurel
branches. The Hollies and Yew are never as a rule reduced in size,
being of comparatively slow growth, and they are not of a compact
dense character like those exposed to a greater amount of light.

Killerton, Exeter. John Oakland.

— ^— Mvy I crave spaoo to add a few explanatory words on this
subject? a] it seems to me the real point of the discnision has
become somewhat euvolved. What gave rise to the discussion was
my contradiction of M. Lavallee'a statement that underwood " throve
and flourished " under the Beech, which I said was one of the worst
trees in the forest for destroying underwood. I was thinking, at the
time, of the misleading nature of M. Lavallee's statement aud of the
Bjech as a forest tree, and my remarks were principally intended as
a caution to planters who wished to keep up underwood in their woods
without more attention than usual. I was not thinking of isolated
Beech trees with tall and naked trunks in pleasure grounds, as
appears to be the case at Floors, nor did I ever doubt or say that
under such circumstances underwood would not grow ; I knew better,
and in proof of this I may p lint to my own statement in a paper
that was written by me before this discussion took place, and pub.
lishedinTnE Garde.v a month ago. In that paper, in speaking of
woodland trees, I state tha-. "it is simply the dense and long.
continued shade of the Beech that kills undergrowth, but that
ouly happens when many Beeches are planted together. Almost any.
thing will grow under the drip of the branches of Beech trees
standing in the open park where light reaches the trunk all round.
Between myself, therefore, and those who have furnished exceptions,
so called, as to plants growing under Beech trees, there does not
appear to be mnch difference, as their experience seems mostly to
relate to cases where the Beech trees were thinly scattered on the
ground. The question is la the Beech a proper tree to plant freely
where underwool is expected to thrive ? and to which I answer. No.
In going through a wood where the natural undergrowth is varied
and abundant, if one comes upon a bare spot it is sure to be under
the far.spreading and interlacing branches of a group of Beech trees.
Underwood has once been there, and yon may often enough see the
remains of it, but it has perished. This is the kind of evidence
upon which my assertions are based, and it has not been controverted.
In the woods here the underwood, consisting of coppice wood of dif.
ferent kials is p'entiful enough, and the common Bramble renders

74

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

the woods in most places almost impassable, except where the Beech
abounds, and there vepetation disappears altogether or nearly so.

J. S. W.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TEEES, SHSUBS, & WOODLANDS.

Viburnum lucidum.— The plant alluded to by Mr. Scott (p. 57)
as V. lucidum is quite correctly named, but it is not recognised as a
species ; it is only a variety of the common Laurustinug. The true
V. lucidum has larger and more leathery, roundish leaves than those
of the Laurustinus. It should also be somewhat pubescent, as
V. looidum is sometimes known as V. hirtura. There is a fine
variegated form of it, and it has aflSnity with, if not identical with
V. strictuni virgatnm, Ac— all forms of V. Tinus. I should say the
plant from North America, with thick, shining leaves, is V. laeviga.
turn ; if the latter be Mr. Scott's plant it will be quite smooth. —
T. Williams, OrmsUrk.

Variegated Hollies. — I discovered the other day a handsome
variegated Holly in the forest of Needwood. It is a sport from a
nearly smooth-leaved variety, of erect, pyramidal growth, and I
think it an improvement on all existing varieties. The marking
(a splash of gold occupying the whole middle of the leaf) is more
brilliant than in the variety called Golden Milkmaid. It has also
purple stems, which add considerably to its beauty. There are
likewise many other finely-marked varieties in this quarter, some of
which attain a height of 50 ft. — W. Elliott, Burton-on-Trent.

New Forms of Pernettya mucronata. — Considerable interest
attached to the new forms of Pernettya mucronata exhibited at a
recent meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society by Mr. L. T. Davis,
Ogles Grove Nursery, County Down, and to one of which, P. mucronata
lilaoina, which with two others, is figured in the current number of the
" Floral Magazine," a first-class certificate was awarded. We are
informed by Mr. Davis that these Pernettyas are the result of selection
from several batches of seedlings, the first lot having been raised
from P. mucronata angustifolia many years since. Those exhibited
at the meeting above referred to were only a few selected from many
varieties so produced, so varied, also, as to present almost endless
shades of colour in the berries, combined with much diversity in habit
of growth and character of foliage. Mr. Davis has succeeded in
obtaining several very pretty varieties with pink and blush. coloured
berries, and one almost pure white, that is white with a slight tinge
of blush, and there is one distinct creeping type with distinct rose,
coloured berries. In making a selection of varieties for distribution,
Mr. Davis has paid as much attention to the free.fruitiug qualities
of the plants as to the colour of the berries. The many uses to
which Ibese attractive shrubs can be put will natarally suggest them,
selves. They bear very pretty pure white. Heath-like blossoms,
"which remaiu long in perfection, and, from their thorough hardihood
and their dwarf and spreading habit of growth, they are peculiarly
fitted to play an important part in winter-bedding arrangements, as
they can ba lifted again in spring or in early summer with perfect
safety, aud may be kept to any height or dimensions by means of
pruning, or the plants can be renewed as readily by cuttings or
layers. A charming mixture for a winter bed might ba provided by
using these Pernettyas mingled with such plants as dwarf Box of
different sorts, various forms of Eaonymus, Retinosporas, &o., and
they are very effective as a front row to mixed shrubbery borders, as
an lodging to a clump of shrubs, or planted for furnishing narrow
borders. Tliey might also be employed for dwelling house and con.
servatory decoration, though they are most at home in the open air.
They are not particularly fastidious as to the matter of soil ; they
will succeed in any ordinary ground free from lime, but of course
would be benefited by the addition of a little peat, leaf.mould, or
light fibrous loam — ingredients cot difficult to obtain ; only in poor
Bandy soils should manure be used, and then it should be well
decomposed. Complaints are sometimes made of Pernettyas not pro.
duoing berries, and it is not at all uncommon to hear people say,
" They don't bear berries with as." Mr. Davis finds there are breeds
of Pernettyas that bear berries more freely than othets. At Hills,
borough several varieties, such as floribunda, speciosa, and some
seedlings from angustifolia, never show a berry. The common form
of mucronata is aho a very shy fruiter, hardly ever showing a berry
in the younger stages of its growth, and only a few at any time,
while Mr. Davis states that very many of the new varieties he has
raiaoJ are perfect masses of berries on plants only a few inches in
height, and they continue to fruit bountifully year after year. It is
said there is only one form of a white or blush-berried Pernettya in
commerce, viz., P. Candida. This is considered to ba a distinct
species j it is a shy grower and not very hardy, indeed, more suited
for a pit or cold greenhouse than for exposure in the open air. —
" Gardeners' Chronisle."

NOTES FEOM PROGMORB.

The Royal Gardens at Frogmore are always worth a visit ;
even at this dull season of the year there is much to interest
any one connected with horticulture, and many cultural hints
to be gleaned. Frogmore is not remarkable for novelties, more
reliance being placed on plants or seeds which have always
given satisfaction than on new kinds which have not been
fairly tested. Beginning with the fruit houses, we find pot
Vines in profusion just showing their fruit, which will be ripe
in March or April. They are grown without the aid of bottom
heat, the plants being set on slate slabs surrounding a bed in
the middle of the house. Other early houses of permanent
Vines are being started, and Peaches aud A'ectarines are being
brought on gradually. French Beans are grown in large
quantities, both in shallow boxes placed on hot- water pipes at
the back of the houses aud in the borders of Vineries. For
the latter purpose the seed is sown in small pots and afterwards
turned out into the borders on ridges of rich loamy soil about
2 ft. apart. Perhaps thus early in the season this plan is no
better than that of growing them in pots on shelves, but where
such quantities are required as is the case at Frogmore shelf
room could not well be found for them ; and, moreover, the
shelves near the glass are, through planting out the Beans,
made available for Strawberries, the earliest of which are
coming into bloom. Pine apples of the Smooth Cayenne type
are grown here in excellent style, the fruits being large, well
formed, and weighing about 7 lb. or 8 lb. each or more. The
Grape room is filled with fine clusters of Lady Downes and
large quantities of Black Alicante, and West's St. Peter's are
still hanging on the Vines for present use.

Seakale and Rhubarb are required in large quantities in the
castle at Windsor, and every available space is now occupied
by these esculents. Among other places turned to such
account are the trenches round the Pine pits, into which fer-
menting material is put for supplying heat. The Rhubarb and
Seakale are planted on the top of the manure, and the whole
is covered by means of hinged wooden shutters. Similar
places to these might, in many gardens, be easily made round
plant houses, the heat being supplied through sliding panels
in the walls of the houses, aud if the shutters wore made
portable, they might be easily removed and replaced by glass
lights during summer. The ends of Mushroom houses, too,
near which the boilers are set make excellent places in which
to force Rhubarb and Seakale. Asparagus is forced in low
span-roofed brick beds, heated by hot water and covered with
wooden shutters, and in this w.iy good Asparagus is obtained
from December onwards. Mushrooms, which are always
plentiful at Frogmore are especially so now ; they are grown
in sunken houses, each of which has four slate stages, running
round them one above the other, two or three beds are made
up at a time as they become vacant, and by this means a good
succession is always maintained. Buttons only are used, and
these are cut in quantity every morning.

Plants are grown here chiefly for room decoration or for sup.
plying cut blooms. Salvias are largely grown for the latter
purpose, and also for furnishing specimens forantique vases in
Windsor Castle, a purpose for which few other plants are so
well adapted. They are struck from cuttings in spring and
planted out in good soil out-of-doors in June. In September
they are lifted and potted, and removed indoors as soon as the
severity of the weather necessitates such an operation. They
are placed in empty fruit houses or similar situations as near
the glass as is convenient, in order to keep them dwarf and to
prevent the leaves from falling off. The first to bloom is S.
splendens ; this is followed early in the new year by S. Heeri,
and when this is nearly over — in Mai'ch — S. gesnera^flora comes
into bloom, and thus a succession of useful flowering plants is
maintained from November till April. Eupatorium ageratoides
is well grown, and is excellent for vases, &o. Cuttings of it
struck in May and planted out during the summer, their
shoots being stopped several times, make fine bushy plants for
lifting in autumn to flower at Christmas. The blossoms are
valuable for wreath making, as they are capable of being
twisted into any desirable form. Habrothamnus elegans is
grown effectively in pots for decorative purposes. Plants of
it are struck from cuttings in spring, potted into small pots,

Jak. 25, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

75

and kept indoors till the weather becomes mild, when they are
planted out in the open ground for the summer. Their shoots
are stopped several times during the growing season, and in
autumn the plants are lifted and potted in 6-in. pots, and
placed in the greenhouse, where they become bushy and hand-
some, and bear a truss of blossom at the end of every shoot,
causing the latter to arch in a graceful manner. Such plants
are now coming into flower at Frogmore, where they are much
prized for placing in vases and in rooms, or in the conserva-
tory. ' C. W. S.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

B AMBUS A HETEROCTCLA.
Thb strange Bamboo to which Mr. Carriere has given the
above name, was in the Japanese garden at the Paris Bxhibi-

Bambnea heterocycla ; l-isthof natural Eiz«.

tion. It is a quaint-looking plant, remarkable for the oblique
rings in diverse directions. It has almost exactly the foliage of
B. aurea. W. B. Hemsley.

SiK Beenakd Burke, being for a long time in search of a pedi-
g;ree with reference to the Findemes, once a great family, having
a seat in Derbyshire, sought for their ancient hall. Not a stone re-
maiued to tell where it stood. He entered the church — not a single record
of a Findeme was there ! He accosted a villager, hoping to glean some
stray traditions of the Findemes. " Findemes," he said, " we have no
Findemes here, but we have something that once belonged to them ; we
have Findemes's flowers." " Show me them," he repUed ; and the old
man led him into a fleld which retained faint traces of terrace and founda-
tion. " There," said he, pointing to a bank of garden flowers grown wild,
"these are Findemes's flowers, brought by Sir Geoffrey from the Holy
Land."

PLANT CULTURE IN MABKET GARDENS.
PoiNSETTiAS. — During winter, these are the brightest-
looking plants that come to the market. They are, how-
ever, rather more difficult to cultivate than most market
plants, owing to their liability to damp ofT in a young state.
Mr. Reeves, of Acton, is considered the best cultivator of
Poinsettias near London, and he devotes several large
houses to their growth. The plants, which are grown as
dwarf as possible in 5-in. or G-in. pots, are struck from
cuttings taken from stock plants iu May and June, and
inserted in 3^-in. pots. They are then plunged in bottom-
heat in a close, warm house, and after a week or ten days
have elapsed, are examined daily to ascertain if any of
them have taken root. When this is found to be the case,
the plants are immediately removed from the bed and
placed on side stages of the houses, as, if left in bottom-
heat after having rooted, they are apt to rot off close to
the soil; in this position they remain until they have filled
the pots with roots. They are then hardened ofi' a little
and potted into 6-in. pots and placed in span-roofed houses
in a light airj- position, where they remain to bloom. The
plants are potted in good rich, sandy loam and leaf-soil,
kept well watered, receive abundance of air, are allowed
plenty of space to grow, and in December, January, and
February they form plants about 12 iu. or 18 iu. in height,
thickly clothed with healthy green foliage down to the
pot, surmounted by brilliantly-coloured flower bracts ; and
to see three or four houses, each 1.50 ft. in length, filled
with. Poinsettias, all in bloom at one time, as we find them
in some of the florists' establishments near London, is
indeed a sight, the brilliancy of which cannot well be
described. The double-flowered kind is, at present, not
much grown for market ; but, when it becomes better
known, its late-blooming qualities, together with the fact
of its lasting in a cut state in perfection for several weeks,
^vill doubtless gain for it extensive culture.

Dedizia gracilis. — This is one of the prettiest and
easie.st grown of market plants, and one which is cultivated
by all florists who have the means of forcing it into bloom
early. Plants of it are obtained from cuttings of the half-
ripened wood or by burying the bases of old plants several
inches deep in sandy soil. The cuttings are placecf in
small pots or pricked out in frames, and, when rooted,
they are hardened off and planted out-of-doors in a border
of rich sandy soil. Those which are layered are severed
from the parent plants when rooted and treated afterwards
the same as the cuttings. In the following spring, before
they break into leaf, they are cut back to within three or
four eyes of the base, and during the summer the soil
between them is kept well stirred with the hoe and the
strongest shoots are kept regularly pinched back. In
autumn, if large enough for forcing, the plants are lifted
and potted, and placed in a frame or a shed until wanted.
They are then introduced a few at a time into the forcing
house. Daily syringings and plenty of water at the roots
quickly bring them into bloom, and after being hardened
off by being placed for a week or so iu a cool house, they
are fit for market. When grown for furnishing bloom in
a cut state, old plants are cut back close to the pots every
spring — an operation which causes them to push strong
young shoots from the bottom. These, if well ripened,
never fail to flower profusely their whole length, and thus
form complete garlands of snow-white blossoms.

Spie JiA JAPONICA (also called Astilbe japonica and Hoteia
japonica) is, without doubt, one of the best market plants
ever introduced. It was for some time grown as a hardy
border plant, and as such received but little attention ; but

76

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

as scon as it was found that it would wiihstand forcing', it
becatie a favourite market plant, its easy culture, tine
appearance, and usefulness for window decoration, securing
for it more extensive culture probably than that accorded
to most other plants grown for market. As a rule, the roots
are imported from Franco and Holland in autumn, and
from Christmas onwards the market is kept well sup2jlied
with it in a flowering state. Heat and abundance of water
at the roots while growing are essential to its perfect cul-
ture. Imported plants of it are by some considered indis-
pensable, and for early forcing no doubt they are best, but
that English-grown plants are equal in other respects is
proved by the fact that Mr. Mailer, of Tottenham, who
cultivates from 5,000 to 0,000 plants of it yearly, grows
them on his own laud at Enfield, and more healthy and flori-
ferous plants could not well be imagined. In spring, the old
plants are parted, and planted out in good rich, moist soil
in an open, sunny situation, where they ripen their crowns
perfectly; they are taken up in the autumn, and firmly
potted in 6-in. pots, kept copiously supplied with water at
the roots, and as soon as the flower spikes appear the pots
are placed in saucers in order to keep the roots perfectly
moist. They are forced so as to come into flower from as
early after Christmas as is possible until the end of May.
Well-grown Spirwas of this class in the early part of the
year fetch as much as 42s. per dozen, but, of course, as
the season advances prices diminish considerably.

Spik^A PALilATA is also grown for market, but not in
such quantities as S. jajionica. It is, however, well looked
after by some growers, and its jjuce-coloured flowers and
I'alra-like, deep green foliage render it a very desirable
plant, and one which would, no doubt, pay for more exten-
sive cultivation could it be grown with as little trouble as
S. japonica. It docs not, however, force well, as, if placed
in much heat, it grows tall and lanky, and its blossoms are
pale in colouT compared with those grown in a cooler
temperature.

Arum Lilies. — Few flowers are in greater demand in
the market at certain seasons of the year than those of
Richardia (Calla) asthiopica, or Arum Lily. They are
used at Christmas and Eastertide for church decoration, and
growers strain every nerve to get in a large supply at those
times, as they then fetch highly remunerative prices. Mr.
Reeves, of Acton, is one of the largest cultivators about
London of this so-called Lily, and he grows his plants
wholly in pots, thinking it loss trouble and altogether a
better plan than that of planting them out-of-doors during
the summer, a system practised by some cultivators. All
young suckers that are found at the bases of flowering
plants are removed and placed in shallow boxes, until
they become established, when they are potted into their
flowering pots, plunged in cold frames during the summer,
kept well saturated with water at the roots, and moved
indoors as may be required for forcing. Old plants from
which the blooms have been cut are placed aside until their
leaves have died down, when they are shaken out and all
the toes, as they are termed, or fleshy lobes of the roots,
are removed and placed in boxes to bo subjected to the
same treatment as that just described in the case of suckers.
A few weeks before Easter Mr. Reeves has several houses
full of these plants, and their thousands of unexpanded,
spear-like heads form an interesting sight ; but to see their
white, trumpet-shaped blossoms fully developed is, to say
the least of it, a grand spectacle. Arum Lilies in 5-in.
pots, with two or three heads of bloom fetch from 12s. to
20s. per dozen early in the sea.ton, but later on they are
«old at a much cheaper rate. P.^»"Jiardia maculata, another

Arum Lily, is fast gaining popularity as a market plant.
Its leaves, which are spotted with white, are equal to those
of many of the DiefFenbachias, and the flowers, though
not so large as those of R. sethiopica, are, nevertheless,
quite equal to it in every other respect. This variegated
kind requires a little more heat than the green-leaved sort,
and it cannot be forced quite so readily. It is, however, an
excellent room plant, and good dwarf plants of it in the
market do not long remain unsold. C. W. S.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

EARLY RA.D1SHES.
Everyone who possesses a garden, be it large or small, should
endeavour to secure a few early Radishes. In the spring season
a good Radish is most enjoyable, as it has then a better flavour
and is more tender than during the hotter months of the year.
In moist seasons Radishes are good the whole summer through,
but in hot parching weather considerable difficulty is expe-
rienced in obtaining a free, quick, succulent growth. Those
who are fond of tbis esculent should therefore lengthen the
season during which it is in use by commencing its culture
early in the year.

Early Radishes are best raised on hotbeds, but they may be
grown both in cold frames and in the open ground. The
earliest, will, of course, be grown on hotbeds, which should be
prepared about the beginning of the year. Only a mild and
gentle heat is needed, just sufficient to induce free germina-
tion, and promote a healthy growth. A strong forcing tem-
perature will have the effect of developing leaves at the ex-
pense of the eatable portion. The seed should be sown
upon 6 in. of ordinary light garden mould, covering it
with some finely-sifted soil, and gently moistening it with
warm water. As soon as the plants are above ground,
ventilate as freely as the weather will permit, so as
to secure stocky, sturdy growth. When the second leaf
hdS been formed thin them out to about 3 in. apart which will
allow room for their proper development. If sowings be made
at intervals of a fortnight, during January and February, a
good succession will be maintained until they are replaced by
early outdoor crops. When sown in cold frames choose a
sheltered but sunny situation, such as a well-drained border,
and if the soil be not naturally very friable and rather light,
some specially prepared mould should be put iu the frame. By
covering up at night and ventilating carefully, these sowings
will come in considerably in advance of those made in the open
air and will be found very acceptable.

To insure success in the opeu ground the soil should have
received some previous preparation. It is of the utmost im-
portance that it should be in a free, sweet, porous condition at
the time of sowing the seed ; no method more effectually secures
these conditions than throwing the soil up into sharp ridges
early in the winter, or, better still, during the autumn months.
Wind and frost then penetrate it and thoroughly pulverise
it, so that when levelled and put into order for sowing, it will
bo found to be in a good workable and friable state. The
importance of this preparation of the soil for early crops is not,
in a general way, fully realised, but it must be borne in mind
that both germination and root-action are very sluggish at that
time of the year. A dry, warm situation should be selected,
sheltered, if possible, from east and north winds. Choose a
day for preparing the seed-bed when the soil is iu a fairly dry
condition. Mark out a bed 4 ft. wide, the length being at the
discretion of the grower. Turn the soil over with a steel fork,
breaking all the lumps, and finishing oil by raking it level.
Sow the seed thicker than would be done later iu the season,
so as to allow for losses. The bed should then be covered with
straw, or some Hazel rods may bo bent over it and mats laid
thereon. As soon as the plants appear above ground, the
covering must be removed during the day and replaced at night.
If strict attention be paid to this latter detail, a fair crop of
early Radishes may be secured. Market gardeners grow a
great many in this way, and they pay well for the extra labour
bus expended on them. J. Cokneill.

Jan. 25, 187).

THE GAEDEN.

VEGETABLE FORCING.
AtTHOUGH, except in the gardens of the most wealthy, the early forc-
ing of fruits is not carried oat to any great extent, every one who has
the convenience of a few pits or frames essays to force some vegeta-
bles, and with a little jadicioas management it ia astonishing bow
many profitable nses such struotares may be turned to at this season,
and what may be got out of them. If the pits happen to have a hot-
water pipe along the front, no better plaoe can be hal for Asparagus
and French Beans, the latter especially, as p'anted oat there they are
in almost as good a position as when growing on open borders outdoors
in the summer. Confioed to the limited area of a pot, with only a small
portion of soil for their roots to feed on, they soon become exhausted
and a prey to red spider ; bat planted oat in a bod, with a little fer-
menting Tsaterial under them to afford slight bottom heat, there is no
end to their bearing. The best for early work isOsborn's Forcing, i
most prolific kind, not over-robust, and one that is well adapted for
frame or pot culture. If grown in the former way, the rows should be
planted about 15 in. apart, and the Beans 6 in. from each other in the
rows, which will afford ample room for the sun and air to play be.
tween, and thus insure a free setting of the blossoms. In preparing
the hot bed, it is necessary that the manure and leaves be well mixed
by turning them over a few times at intervals of two or three days,
which will moderate the fermentation, and let oat the gases that are
so in jarions to vegetation. This done, the mass will then be sweet
and tic for ase, and should be trodden regularly and firmly in the frame
that there may be no further sabsidence. The next thing is to
place a few inches of leaf soil on the top, and then any light loam
that may be at hand ; and when this has got a little warm, all is
ready for planting. To save time, where any one has the accommo-
dation of a stove or warm house, it is a good plan to sow and raise the
Beans in small pots or boxes, and plant them out afterwards; and if this
be done in leaf mould, they lift with such patches or tufts of roots that
they scarcely feel the removal, but start away freely in the fresh
soil as if nothing had happened to check their onward progress. As
soon as they are planted, the top temperature should be kept as
near 65' as can be by night, and from 70' to 80° by day, according
to the state of the weather, as there is nothing gained in forcing
by a high degree of heat, unless there ia light and sun in pro-
portion, together with plenty of atmospheric moisture. This
tnay be maintained by frequent syringings, which should always be
done both morning and evening, whenever tho weather is bright.
A frame made up in the way described is not only good for
Beans, but it is just the place for Asparagas, roots of which may now be
dugup, and the heads ready for cutting within a fortnight or three weeks
afterwards. The best plants for forcing are those that made plenty
of top last summer, and which are strong and vigorous, with well,
developed crowns. In digging these up, it is very important that as
many of the roots be preserved as possible, as it is principally on the
organisable matter stored np in these that the plants have to depend
till fresh feeders are formed to assist in pushing up the several heads
or shoots so much prized, and which are looked on as such a delicacy
at this season. Instead, therefore, of using a spade, as is generally
done iu the operation of lifting, a steel fork should be made choice
of, as with a tool of this kind the soil can b? worked away in a regu.
lar and systematic manner, and the plants git out with little or no
injury. As it is always desirable to make the most of the space
nnder glass, the plants shoiM be packed as close as they can be got
together; and, iu order to fill up the interstices between, tho best
way is to scatter a little soil, when, by keeping the lights closed and
darkened, the seeds will soDa germinate, and mu?t then have air to
keep them from becoming drawn. As forced Carrots are U3ed as
8000 as they are about as large as Rddishes, they may be left to grow
without much thinning, and by taking the mjst forward at eaoh pulling,
r:>om iathen afforded for the others to come on. — " Field."

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Tomatoes ia Winter.— Like llr. Gilbert (p. 45), I find Toma.
toes to be a most useful addition to our supply of winter vegetables,
and if such winters as the present were the rule instead of the
«xception we should have to devote more space under glass to similar
subjects. I find Vick's Criterion most useful for pot colture. It is
beautiful in shipe and colour, and it sets and bears freely duringthe
winter months. — J. Groom.

Drumhead Sivoy. — I find this to be most valua'o'e this year for
supplying a large amount of green vegetable food. In mild seasons,
when Broccoli is procurable all the winter, Savoys, Kiile, and similar
hardy greens are at a disCDunt, but now, when tender vegetables lie
frost bitten and useless, hardy Savoys and Kile are appreciated.
There is a g^neril inp^ession that Sivoysani similar greens are not
fis for tible until after they hive been frozen, which, if cirreot, may
acdunt for th-^ir exielleno^ now ; bit prjbibly their value ia more
enhanced by the scarcity of other vegetables than anything else. —
J. G.

STOVE EUPHORBIAS.
Bright-Coloured flowers in winter are always in request, and
they are all the more valuable when of a persistent character
like our stove Euphorbias. Two of the most useful and beat
known are E. spleudens and E. jacquiniiuSora. The former is
very easy to cultivate so as to have it in bloom in winter, when
for bouquet making its flowers will bo very valuable mounted
on wire. To secure a free-blooming winter habit, the plants
should be moved to the greenhouse by the end of June or
beginning of July, and be fully exposed to al! sunshine. IE
turned out-of-doors for a fortnight or three weeks in August,
and placed in a warm, sunny corner, no harm will be done, as
such treatment seldom fails to insure an abundant bloom
when moved back to tho stove. The long sprays of B.
jacquinifeflora are well adapted for filling vases or other
purposes of decoration ; and, for the supply of armfuls of
sprays for cutting, it should be planted out in a moderately
warm house, in a light position. It may be treated as a wall
plant, or be trained up a rope, or be planted in a thicket over
an old hotbed, iu a propagating house, or Melon or Cucumber
pit; in short, it will do anywhere where it can have warmth
and moisture to make its wood, and a drier atmosphere and
plenty of light afterwards to ripen it. To grow it well in pots,
the cuttings should be put in early in February, and be
brought on in a warm house or pit near the glass. Starting
them early permits of their being pinched back several times,
thus securiug a base that will produce a good number of flower-
ing shoots. By varying the times of pinching, the plants can
be had iu bloom early or late, as required ; and, after the first
blooms have been cut, other smaller shoots will push out below
that will flower later on in the season. The plants are easily
propagated in spring. Young shoots, from 2 in. to 4 in. long,
taken with a heel of old wood and inserted round the sides of
large 3 in. or 4| in. pots in sandy soil, and plunged in a brisk
bottom heat, will quickly form roots, when they may be lifted
out of the propagating bed, and as soon as hardened a little,
be potted olf and returned to the bed again, to be grown on to
obtain large specimens. The potfuls of cuttings may be
shifted on into larger pots without singling them out. Old
plants do not flower so well as young ones ; therefore few
people care about saving plants beyond the second year, unless
they are planted out aud trained up a wall or under a glass
roof, and then, of course, they assume quite another character.
E. splendens is also easily propagated by taking off side
shoots with a little heel of older wood attached. As they are
very milky, the wounds should be allowed to dry a few hours
before putting them in. One of the best plans I know for pro-
pagating this and similar plants is : after the exudation of
tbesaplias stopped, and the wounds have become dry, thrust
the ends of the cuttings into a warm, moist bed of sawdust.
Cocoa nut fibre, or tan, where the temperature is about SO'^ or
so. March is about the best time for taking off the cuttings.
Loam and peat will grow these plants well, with a sprinkling
of sand added, unless the loam be of a sandy character. I
may say all cuttings rooted as I have suggested, in sawdust,
must be lifted carefully out and potted as soon as the roots
are formed. If delayed too long, the roots may get torn off in
taking the young plants out. In such a bed most plants will
root iu less lime than if placed in pots. E. Hobday.

WIMIERING PLANTS IN" GLASS-FRONTED
BUILDINGS.
TuE description of a winter garden at Vienna (p. 12) reminds
me of several structures of a similar character in which mis-
cellaneous collections of plants used to be succ2s»fully wintered ;
indeed, in one particular instance I remember being much im-
pressed with the fresh, healthy appearance of the plants. This
was in the Botanical Gardens at Tii'oingen, where a long
structure with a closa roof and a high glass front like that of
some of our old Orangeries was filled with a great variety of
hard-wooded plants. They had, of course, been in the open
air during the summer, but they evidently did not find their
winter quarters disagree with them. Iq the Botanical Gardens

78

THE GAKDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

of Stuttgard, I saw a similar structure filled with the more
hard-wooded kinds of stove plants, such as Palms and Pan-
danads, and I must confess that I was astonished to see them
so green and healthy. The fact is, one is apt to be deceived
with respect to the amount of light which the interior of such
structures receive during the winter months. My own observa-
tions subsequently led me to the conclusion that the difference
in the amount of light which would naturally exist between
structures of this description and glass-roofed houses, was
hardly in proportion to that experienced during the summer
months. There is in the Villa Berg Gardens at Stuttgard a
large Orangery, the front windows of which are some 10 ft.
in height. The Orange trees were placed upon platforms at
the back of the building, occupying about one-half of the area ;
the remaining space was filled with New Holland and other
plants, and shelves attached to the windows with flowering
Primulas. The plants all kept well, and the Primulas and
similar plants were, to all appearance, as good as those
kept under a glass roof. When there was a glimpse of
sun in midwinter, I noticed that it illuminated the greater
portion of the interior, rendering it quite bright and
cheerful. But the most noticeable fact in the afiiair,
and one which I repeatedly observed, was that whilst
the morning and evening sun shone into the Orangery,
the winter gardens which flanked it were quite deprived of its
influence. All three structures had the same aspect, but the
sun being low in the horizon its rays easily shone in at the
upright windows of the Orangery, whilst they failed to pene-
trate the curvilinear roof of the glass houses. I then under-
stood why plants should winter so well therein, and although
I would, of course, prefer the convenience of a glass roof, I
should have no hesitation in storing hard-wooded and any
robust kinds of bedding plants in structures into which no light
e ould be admitted through the roof, but the windows should be
high, very light, and kept perfectly clean. The upper portion of
the sashes should open the whole length of the building, so as
to insure a free circulation of air without draught, and as there
i s no drip, and the windows are protected with wooden shutters,
there will scarcely ever be need to make a fire. The almost
entire absence of fire-heat, which, when applied, always exer-
cises a more or less stimulating and, consequently, prejudicial
effect on plants which should be kept quite cold, induces in
bedding plants a complete state of rest, and, when turned out
in the spring, they will be found to be very hardy.

Ihave beeninduced to make these remark8,believingthat they
may prove of interest to some who, being, perhaps, deficient in
regard to glass space, may possess, and would willingly utilize,
some such structure as I have described. In their interest,
mainly, I have written, although there are few places, large or
small, where storage is not a consideration, and even if there
hoald be any hesitation in trusting soft-wooded plants in such
places, there need not be the slightest fear of hard-wooded kinds
being injured by a winter residence therein. J. Cornhill.

HEATING AND VENTILATING IN COLD
WEATHER.
Mb. Fish has done well in calling attention (p. 30) to thia sabjeot
for of all the waste of force that takes place in gardens daring winter
that of the loss of heat is generally one of the greatest. It frequently
occurs that as soon as those in charge of the fires see a little frost in
the morning they rush to the stokehole and heap on fuel, be the sky
ever bo clear, and by so doing manage, by the time the sun is well
up., to get the pipes so hot that tho two together render the tem.
psrature so high as to be almost unbearable. Then air is given in
abundance, chilling the plants and letting out the atmospheric moia-
tare so essential to keep them in health. Now, giving air in the dead
of winter, except during exceedingly mild weather and where houses
are more than usually close glazed, is a mistake, as, in the generality
of cases, there is more than sufficient passes in through the laps of
the glass and other places, the tendency of heated air being to ascend
continually and the cold to rush in to displace it. The very fact of
having the interior of a house warmer than outdoors causes ventila-
tion through the motion which it imparts, and as it is of a more
regular and gradual kind than that obtained by letting down the
lights, it is much better in every respect. If we can only draw in
solar heat a certain amount of fuel is saved, and it is more congenial

to the plants than that obtained from pipes or by any other artificial
means. With plenty of light, as there always is when the Bun
shines, it matters little about the thermometer ranning up 10° or 15*
higher than usual, and by watching the weather and getting the sun
to aid us we can always husband our forces and in that way save
fuel. I always endeavour to impress on those in charge of the fires
to keep them in abeyance till they see how the day is likely to
turn out, when, if dull and cold, they are moved on slowly to reach
the maximum of heat allowed by about 1 or 2 o'clock, after which
they gradually fall away again for the night. If the sun be likely to
break out they are stopped so as to keep the pipes as cool as
possible till towards the afternoon, when they are started so as
to meet the falling temperature and prevent it from going too
low suddenly, thus making the best use of the light. Excess
of artificial heat is one of the main causes of plants being
infested with insects, and more particularly is this the case if
attended by excessive dryness, a sure forerunner of thrips and red
spider. Even if plenty of moisture can be kept up leaves become
thin and flimsy, and especially is this so as regards Vines and
Peaches forced early, while as to flowers obtained under such condi.
tiona, they are of the most fugitive character, and soon fade if cut
from the plants. Not only is there a great waste of heat by having
the fires going when they should not be, and the ventilators open to
let it out, but much loss arises by letting the warmth that should be
confined about the boiler escape up the chimney, instead of being
expended in imparting heat to the water. If, instead of ashpit doors
being wide open, and dampers out, the former were closed and the
latter pushed nearly in, combustion would go on at a slow rate, thus
making the fnel last doable the time it does when a great rush of air
passes through the furnace. This not only carries the heat with it
in its coarse, but helps to cool the several parts as it travels on to
the shaft, to which it speeds its way at a rate of which few have any
conception. Of course a certain amount of draught is necessary to
get the fuel alight and a clear fire going, but, once this is effected,
the object should be to keep its strength and energy about the boiler,
and there get as much out of It as possible. The damper and ashpit
door give one full control, and if coke, breeze, or cinders be used with
the coal in about equal proportions the flaes do not become foul sa
quickly as they do when the latter alone is burned, the tendency of
the dense smoke being to cause a tarry deposit to form, which, when
it becomes thick and coated with soot, is almost impervious to heat.

S. D.

Early .forced Lilacs. — There are few plants that are forced into
bloom much beyond their ordinary flowering season that are mora
generally appreciated than Lilacs. Although one of the easiest
plants to force, there is considerable difference in the time which
different varieties take to produce blooms fit for the flower basket,
more especially very early in the season. 1 have placed plants of
several varieties, for cutting from at Christmas and onwarJp, in heat,
as soon as they had shed their leaves, and I found that the Persian
kind was in full bloom before such large- flowering kinds as Charles X.
had scarcely begun to expand. Later in the season the difference
was not so marked, but, as a rule, the kinds with small, slender,
twiggy growths submit most readily to the qnickening inflaenoe of
heat, but after this season of the year large bushes of the common
Lilac, taken up with good balls of earth and placed in the gentle
heat of a Vinery or Peaoh house, answer perfectly. If required with
white or blanched flowers light must be excluded from them, or else
they must be forced very rapidly in a strong heat, which has the
effect of producing the flowers so quickly that they contain no
colouring matter. — J. Groom, Linton.

Monstera deliciosa in. Water. — This interesting Arai is
never seen to thorough advantage, unless it is so placed that the roots
have free access to fresh, pure water. There was formerly a very
fine specimen in the Garden de la Muette at Paris. It was planted
out near a water-tank in one of the plant structures, the stems turn,
ing round and covering an old tree stem, and the roots descending
into the water below. It never had, I believe, any shade afforded it,
pure air being left on the house daring the summer, and an Inter,
mediate temperature only maintained in the winter. When I saw
the plant, in August, It was completely studded with its cone-like
fruit, and certainly presented a highly ornamental appearance. When
grown in hot, moist stoves, this Monstera develop3 rapidly, and its
singalar foliage, together with the qaalnt forms which it often
assumes, strike the nnlnltiated with wonder. High temperature and
dense ahade are, however, by no means necessary for its welfare ; it
enjoys a light, somewhat airy position, and when so placed it assumes
a more shrubby, compact, short-jointed habit, and may be utillsei
for the decoration of apartments, corridors, &o. It should always
find a place in sub-tropical arrangements, appearing, as It doss, quite

Jan. 25, lb7d.]

THE GARDEN.

79

happy in sheltered nooks, althongh moat eSectiTe when plaosd near
water marginB. — J. C, Byfleet.

QUISQUALIS INDICA.
This sweet-scented stove climber, adverted to in a recent
number o£ The Garden, is far less cultivated than it deserves
to be. It belongs to the Natural Order Combretacese, though
very unlike the also far too little known Combretum purpureum.
Both species, however, rank amongst the most beautiful of
climbers. In colour it is a sort of orange-red, also a delicate
pink, sometimes almost a white in the shade. This wide
range of colour adds much to the beauty and usefulness of the
flowers. By gathering them singly, and placing them in the
dark in water, they lose most of their colour, but, fortunately,
none of their inimitable [sweetness. A downy-leaved variety,

^ -. ^ § ,C^

Qaisqualis indica.

called pubescens, was also introduced from Java about the
same time ; and two other Quisqualis, viz., glabra and villosa,
are also occasionally met with in botanic gardens. Quisqualis
sinensis, a rose-coloured species, was introduced from Canton
in 1841 ; but it seems to have made but little way in culti-
vation, though it would probably do well in a conservatory.
Quisqualis indica is, however, the favourite ; and, being all that
can be desired in a plane of this description — freegrowing,
continuous-flowering, fragrant, and easily grown in a mixture
of peat and loam — it is hardly worth while to collect other
varieties. We have scarcely a plant more useful, or one more
popular, or generally admired than a fine specimen of Quis-
qualis indica on the roof of a small stove ; it is generally in
flower from May to November. D. T. Fisu.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

PRUNING ORCHARD TREES.
It is proverbial that doctors disagree, and doubtless many
who read gardening papers come to a pretty correct conclusion
that gardeners disagree quite as much, and on no subject
more than on pruning. Probably nineteen out of twenty, i£
consulted, would say that certain trees needed pruning ; and
forthwith, armed with saw or pruning-hook, one half of the
tree is cut away with results which, if satisfactory, are attri-
buted to the pruning ; if the reverse, to the season. Spring
frosts always account satisfactorily for the absence of fruit,
but many other minor reasons for its non-appearance exist,
and some of these are doubtless attributable to haphazard
pruning. The best trees as regards fruit bearing I have ever
had are those that have been pruned the least. Standard
fruit trees, if taken in time or looked over annually, only
require central branches that cross each other to be cut away and
the leading shoots shortened when young. In fact, in this
neighbourhood, where Apples are grown extensively and bear
enormous crops, the rule is to keep the centre open and let
the outer young growth form as near as possible an umbrella-
shaped head. Hard cutting of old or neglected trees is looked
upon as worse than letting them alone, as old trees, like
old people, do not recover from the effects of excessive
amputation so readily as younger ones. Cutting off the
annual growths of espalier, pyramid, or bush trees that have
been continuously so treated is quite another matter, as if
skilfully managed they are both ornamental and seviceable
adjuncts to any garden. It is, however, to standards that we
must look for our main crops, and I would strongly recommend
any one having trees in an over-crowded state to cut out any
dead wood, or small weakly growth that they may contain, but
by no means to saw off large branches. Mulch the roots with
good manure, see that birds do not destroy the blossom buds,
and await the result. In this neighbourhood, where the
ground is very much undulated, aspect has a more important
bearing on the crop than in level districts. The orchards
most noted here for constant bearing are those that slope to
the south-west or west, as they do not catch the sun's rays
until the blossom has become thawed and partially dry after
the usually short sharp visitations of frost in spring. Much
might be done in the way of shelter by planting a belt of
evergreen trees on the eastern side of orchards to break the
force of winds as well as to catch the destructive early rays of
the sun. I may also remark that many of our very best Apples
and Pears are wholly unsuited for orchard culture : therefore,
if some of the pruning usually given to fruit trees were be-
stowed on the lengthy catalogues of varieties that puzzle and
bewilder intending planters real good would be the result. In
every county in which I have yet lived, some special kinds
appeared suited to the district, and planters will as a rule find
such kinds to fill their fruit rooms better than all the first
class certificated sorts that have ever been sent out.

Linton, Maidstone. J- Geoom.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FRUIT GARDEN.

Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana.— Thia is a very naetal win-
ter flowering plant, and although generally grown in a stove, in
<jompany with snch plants as Eaphorbia jacquiniteaora, Thyraaoanthna
rutilana, Jaatioiaa. &o., it is nevertheleas much hardier than most of
-them, and I have fonnd it to auoceed quite as well and to flower as
freely in the temperature of an ordinary greenhouse. The flowers
also remain in perfection much longer than is the case when the
plants are kept in a plant.stove.— P. Geiete, Culford,

Pine-apples.— I planted a pit 39 ft. long by 10 ft. wide, with
seventy -five rootless suckers. From these the laat fruit was cut
eighteen months after they were planted, and the total weight of fruit
from the seventy-five was 466j lbs. I may also add that they were
only subjected to fire heat ten months out of the eighteen. — M.

King of the Pippins Apple. — Mr. Bainea (p. 52) is quite
wrorg in his ideas regarding the King of the Pippins Apple here.
Many have seen and tasted our fruit of it, and all have pronounced it
true to name and in every respect excellent. The flavour of Apples
ia often influenced by culture as much as that of Grapea or even
Pine-apples. Young healthy treea, with plenty of nourishment at the
root, always produce fine juicy fruit ; and keeping the branchea well
trimmed imparts to it both high colour and flavour. I do not think
more need be said to make this Apple more popular than it is, as, if
Mr. Baines will refer to back volumes of The Gaede.v, which contain
reports of the fruit crops from all parts of the kingdom, he will find
King of the Pippins mentioned approvingly in most of them.— Cam.

BRIAN.

80

THE GARDEN.

FJan. 25, 1&79.

THE TEA-SCENTED ROSE.

Then will I raise aloft the milk-white Rose,
With whose sweet scent the air shall be perfumed.

Shakespeare.

The newest happiness in the Rosarian's happy life has come
to him in the Tea-scented Rose. When first, like Sappho,
I was " enamoured of the Rose " (I wonder who sent it to
her), we regarded Rosa indica odorata as the scholar regards
an Editio Princeps, or the epicure a barrel of " best natives,"
or the gunner a woodcock, or the maiden of thirty summers
a proposal — it was a rarity, a dainty, a phenomenon, which
astonished us, like a kingfisher gleaming over a gloomy
stream, and made us sigh " Oh ! " and " Well, I never !" like
the rocket of a thousand stars ! It is true that at the time
of which I speak, more than thirty years ago, we had in
cultivation some of the most charming specimens of this fair
family, such as Adam, Comte de Paris, Devoniensis, ^Madame
Bravy, Niphetos, Safrano, Smith's Yellow (sometimes ele-
gantly entitled " Jaune of Smith "), Souvenir d'un Ami, and Vi-
comtesse des Gazes ; but we very rarely realised any of these
out-of-doors (occasionally, in a favourable season Comte de
Paris, Devoniensis, Safrano, and Souvenir d'un Ami) ; and
Mr. Rivers, in his catalogue for 1847, after enumerating the
varieties of " these fine and fragrant Roses," gives the
prudent warning " they must not be trusted out in winter in
ex|iosed situations." Even in pots, and under glass, it was
ditticult to induce some of them to bloom, and " Jaune of
Smith," I remember, had a chronic constipation, which no
aperient could touch. Many a time, on the eve of a .show,
have I put him in hot water, and blown into him, as though
he were on fire, and might just as well have attempted to
open a box of sardines with a piece of buttered toast. The
brave Rosarian, who, in accordance with Napoleon's idea of
an Englishman, " never knows when he is beaten,'' persevered
against all disajtpointments •, he went on budding his Tea
Roses in the summer, and the frosts went on killing them
dead in the winter ; he took them up and placed them by
walls, and covered them with mats, and then transplanted
them, looking but sickly, when the perils of starvation were
past. He planted them, on their own roots, in sunny,
sheltered spots ; but the failures were infinite, and the
fruitions few. There was a tiny plant of Adam, I remember,
placed between two Peach trees on a southern wall, which
produced a solitary flower, of marvellous beauty and of
pKonian size, and then gradually collapsed, and — whether
from pride or from surprise, I know not — drooped, and died.
There were a few glorious Roses, now and then, when springs
were merciful and summers hot, on our standard trees of
Devoniensis — such as my dear old friend, John Keynes, of
Salisbury, once showed at Birmingham in his famous forty-
eight (trebles) — there were, still more rarely, some precious
pendidous blooms upon our Souvenirs d'un Ami, there was
a greater abundance of Comte de Paris and Safrano; but
many a season came and passed, and we, like naughty
children, went to bed without our Teas.

The brave Rosarian lived on in hope — a hope to which
.some few things might be improbable, but nothing impossible
ever. How could thei'e be impossibilities to one who had
witnessed the development of form and colour which had
occurred to his experience among the Roses ? who had wit-
nessed with ecstaey the advent of Gi^ant des Batailles, seen
the Giant surpassed by the General (Jacqueminot), and the
General almost extinguished by the glories of King Charles
(Lefebvre) 1 What could be impossible to one who had seen
the abominable little Jaune of Smith fly howling to the

wilderness (that is, the rubbish-heap) before the glowing-
splendours of our Mar^chal Niel ? No, thus encouraged, he
would not despair,

Nor bate a jot

Of heart or hope ; but still bear up and steer

Right onward.

Thus fortified, he could learn to labour and to wait, and
though he waited long, longer than the lone watchman upon
the palace-towers of Argos, when his royal master wa.'*
besieging Troy, yet waited he not in vain — at last the beacon
fires gleamed in the darkness, and " like volcanoes flared to
heaven " the signals of a victory won.

When Mr. Prince, of Oxford, introduced the seedling Brier,
he also introduced to Rosarians the power and happiness,
hitherto unknown, of growing out-of-doors, in sure abun-
dance, the Tea-scented Rose. The Italian stock, called
!Manetti, valuable as it is in many soils, and capable of pro-
ducing in its " maiden blooms " aU the hardier varieties of
the Rose in the plenitude of their perfect charms, as Mr.
Cranston, of Hereford, has demonstrated so often to our
delighted eyes, was a miserable mother to " the Teas " (you
might as well have asked one of the bronze lions in Trafalgar
Square to act as wet nurse to a young kitten) ; budded on
the standard Brier, or struck on their own roots, they were
at the mercy of the first inclement spring ; but now is the
winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this seed-
ling Brier, and in its custody our Teas are safe.

Here the questicjn may be a.sked. Do you mean to tell us-
that, when budded upon tliis stock, the Tea-scented Rose
will withstand a winter's frost ^ My answer is Yes and No ;
and I would add, in illustration of my meaning, the Iri.sh-
man's words, " And shure I did say that they killed and
murdered him, but I niver said they murdered him dead."
A full explanation shall be given, by-and-bye, to my readers ;
meanwhile let us commence ah initio, let us build from the
foundations, in order that we may be as well accpiainted with
our subject as the ornithologist, who remarked, in my hearing,
to his friend at a poultry show, "I tell yer, Thomas, I've
know'd that ere Dorking ever since he wor a hegg."

Collect your Hips from the liedgerows in autumn, place
them in a flower-pot, and ccver Avith sand to protect from
mice, and keep them in a diy place through the winter. Sow
in spring. Most probably the seed will remain in a dormant
state and make no sign until the spring following, when it
will come forth in such force that we have budded here some
four hundred in a bed of this year's growth. The budded
and unbudded are mixed together in a tangled mass, but
the former are in excellent condition, notwithstanding the
extraordinary frosts, and will be transplanted when the
weather permits.

The buds, (and if the amateur inquires, where are they ta
be found 1 I advise him, when he is gathering the Hips, to
order from the nurseryman a dozen or so of the best Tea
Roses, already established upon the seedling Brier) should he
inserted so close to the ground that they may be earthed over,
and will ultimately make roots of their own. Whether trans-
planted, or left in the seed-beds, they must have a good cir-
cumference of clear space, say 2 ft. from the stem, for their
growth. The first year they will be principally occupied in
what we gardeners term making wood, though some may
have a few good blooms ; but in the next they will, in most
cases, flower abundantly, this precaution being always taken
(or the consequences will be fatal) to protect them, towards
the end of November, with a thick covering of long straw-
manure surrounding the stem, and partly screening the lower
part of the plant. The upper growth must, of course, be left
exposed, and this will sutt'er accordingly, but no amount o£

XJkn *s iSTs

THE GARDEN

Jan. 25, 1879 ]

THE GAKDEN.

81

frost to which we are liable in this country, will cause an
entire destruction. In the last few weeks the thermometer in
my Rose garden has been thrice nearly down to zero, but my
Tea-scented Roses, though frost-bitten in the upper extre-
mities, rest securely, like so many Sleeping Beauties, under
their snowy conterpaues, whiter than swansdown, and their
warm blankets of — of — ■ a darker hue. And in the
Spring-tide, " when the green leaves come again," they
will wake to prove my affirmation that they have not been
" murdered dead," and that we Rosarians have at last a
successful method of growing the Tea Rose out-of-doors.
I believe that in the last three summers I have cut, each
year, more specimens of this exquisite and delicate variety
than in the thirty years preceding, all united. From the
altar of my church they have sent up their incense to Him
" Whose breath perfumes them, and Whose pencil paints ;''
they have made my home bright and fragrant ; and, to prove
that they have been as admirable in quality as they have been
abundant in cpiantity, they have won for me the first prize at
the great show of the National Rose Society, held at Man-
chester in July last.

And now it may interest some of my brother and sister
Rosarians if I speak of these Tea Roses individually, selecting
those which I know to be most deserving of all the love and
care which can be bestowed upon them. We begin, of course,
and in spite of Darwin and his monkeys, with Adam, a very
large and beautiful Rose, of a soft blush tint, somewhat capri-
cious, like some other blushing belles, if the season is not
quite propitious, but making us cpiite forget half-a-dozen
frowns with one resistless smile. Without affirming the
identity of this Rose with President as confidently as a French
Rosarian, M. Guillot, fils, who begins his list of Rosiers This
with " Adam (synonym) President," I have the consensus of
all the brotherhood in saying that the two Roses are very much
alike (especially President), reminding me of a negro mslo ly
wliich I heard in Iwyhojd, in which the singer, describing the
marriage of our most gracious Queen, narrated how he

SfcoDd close by Prince Albert, and tbe likenesses were sich,
The Archbishop of Cantobbary didn't know which was which.

Adrienne Christophle is a most striking Rise from its mar-
vellous combination (I was about to write confusion, but
Nature never confuses) of colours, yellow and red, the tints of
the Apricot and the Peach, commingled. Aline Sisley ii an
interesting variety, its rosy-purple blushes contrasting re-
markably with the paler complexions of the sisterhood, and
there being only two other Tea-scented Roses (of which here-
after) having the same tone of colour. Anna OUivier is one
of those delightful Roses which always seam in good spirits,
and anxious to do their best, healthy in growth, glos.sy in
foliage, generous of its waxy, well-shaped flowers, in hue
rose came, a warm flesh colour. But what shall I say of
Catherine Mermet ? I have read, in an old book of romance,
of an excitable young knight who was so astonished and over-
powered by the beauty of the young lady who had won his
heart, that for some time, whenever he saw her, he made a
point of fainting away. By a course of severe training, which
he commenced by gazing on the castle in which the young
lady lived at a respectful distance, which he gradually de-
creased, he ultimately empowered himself not only to admire
her with liis eyes, but to address lier with his tongue ; until,
in an incautious moment, having made her an offer, he was so
agonised by joyful ecstasies on receiving an affirmative answer,
that he immediately fell down and died. I feel a certain
amount of sympathy with this sensitive hero when I come
into the presence of Catherine ^lerinet, and am invited to
describe her charms. I feel •' tliat sort of drop-down dead-
ness " which a certain bishop, according to Sydney Smith,

who was one of his canons, expected and admired in his
clergy. I realise in some degree what it might be to " die of
a Rose in aromatic pain." As for a verbal description, I am
convinced that all the great poets, from Sappho to Tennyson,
would have modestly declined it ; and all the little poets,
hxira the " poetie minores Grajci " to Martin Farquhar Tupper,,
would have made a frightful mull of it. No language is equal
to such an undertaking, especially our own, which lias been so
worn and weakened by the constant use of its most expressive
words upon trivial subjects, that there is no awe left in awful,
and " oh ! how lovely," means little more than nice. Where-
fore I will leave our over-worked superlatives at rest and con-
tent myself with saying of Catherine Mermet that both in
form and feature, contour and complexion, " she's all my fancy
painted her " — perfection. Passing by Cheshunt Hybrid, and
postjioning my praise until I speak separately of certain Tea-
scented Roses, which seem to be more like the Noisette family
in their vigorous growth, I am confronted by another exquisite
specimen almost as overpowering in her loveliness as " the
girl — I mean the Rose — I left behind me." In my hunting,
days I remember an uneducated nouivaii riche, who was of a
retiring disposition, when hounds really ran, thus endeavouring
to account for his disappearance (as duffers always do) during
a fast spin over a stiff country. " When I came up to that
plantation," he said, " I could get neither to the right nor the
left. On the one side there was a tremendous bullfinch, and
when I rode to tlie other I came to a yawning dike ; so that,
in fact, I only went from Skilley (Scylla) to find myself at
Carrybidees (Charybdis)." And such would be my perplexity,,
as I stagger in dazed amazement from the presence of Catherine
Mermet into the bewildering radiance of Comtesse de Nadail-
lac, were it not for the welcome rescue of a true friend in
need — I mean the artist whose admirable manipulations have
presented to the readers of The G.\kden so nuicli of the
beauty of the latter Rose. I say " so much," and I am sure
that the artist will pardon the reservation, and will agree with
me that although

Pictoribus atque poetia
Qaidlibet audendi semper fuit osqua potestas,

\t is not possible for dictionary or for paint-box to do full
Justice to this Rose. Very few painters could have done as
mucL The portrait is beautifully drawn, and the form is
given accurately, yet with a graceful taste. There is too muclr
of the golden hue in the petals, but the other tints are ex-
quisitely realised. The English delineation is, in short, an
escellent translation of the French description : Fleur grande,
pleine, rose cam's Itdsant, d fond abricoie, with just a souppn.
too much of the abricote. S. Reynolds Hole.

(To be continued. )

ROSE CHARLES DARWIN.

Concerning this Hybrid Perpetual Rose, Mr. Geo. Paul states that it is
a seedling of Mr. Laxton's, which some three years ago was placed in his
hands for trial. It has proved to be a very fine Kose, with the merit of
novelty of colour, having a brownish tint suffused over the crimson, and
having a wonderfully decided habit of autumn flowering ; indeed, through-
out all the quarters, no single variety at this date (September 17) is
covered to an equal extent with well. developed flowers. This is evidently
due to some Bourbon blood in its parentage. On its merits, we have de-
cided to distribute it next spring. Curiously enough, the Eaglish-raised
Roses of the last two voars seem to be the best of the new kinds. Taking
thos» of lS7G-7r, Mr. Turner's Oxonian and Mrs. Baker (1876), with our
Duke of Connaught and Sultan of Zanzibar, and Mr. W- PauVs Magna
Charta, are the new kinds of the year worth growing. Of 1877, nearly
the same holds good. Enily Laxton and Marchioness of Exeter, and
Mrs. Laxton (1878), raised by Mr. Lnxton, sent out by us ; Mr. Postan's
May Qiiennell, sent out by Messrs. William Paul & Son ; and Mr. Divis's
Penelope Mavo, sent out by Mr. Turner, are, with our own John Bright
and Robert Mirnock, the best of the year. Of the French kinds of 1877-
78, taking first the Hybrid Perpetuals, we hold that Alfred K. Williams,
a new Horace Vernethke flower, Garoon's Boildieu, sent out by Mar-

82

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

gottin, a large, bold flower, and Edouard Dafour,'of Leveque, are the best
amoDgst the crimsons. Madame Jean Bowyer is in the way of Marie
Finger, and is promising ; Liabaud's two, Madame Gabriel Luizet and
Madame Labonlaye, an improved Duchess of Edinburgh, are promising
lights. Mr. Guillot's Hybrid Tea Mdlle. Alexandre Bemaix, and Le-
vfique's Princesse de Tremonille, are both free-blooming and La France-like
Roses. Of the Teas, we think highly, from flowers seen here, of Mr.
Bennett's Madame Welch, a seedUng of Madame Ducher, at Lyons ; and
Lacharme's Madame Lambard is a good vigorous free-flowering Tea, of
soft rosy-peach colour, likely to be particularly naeful. A new raiser,
Na,bonnand, sent out some ten or twelve new Teas, some of which, as
Princess Vera, look pretty ; but to be useful now, a Tea Rose must have
a bold vigorous habit and large perfect flowers, or we might as well revive
Bome of the old varieties, like Caroline and Tea Jaune, which have been
thrown out of the catalogues. It is pleasant to find that Roses continue
to progress, and pleasanter to find English-raised kinds heading the lists.
— " Florist."

NEW VARIEGATED TEA ROSE AMERICAN BANNER.
The most striking novelty with which we have met in our
long experience with plants, is represented in theaccompanyino-
engraving. For the first time, so far as we can ascertain, we
have obtained a Tea Rose distinctly striped with crimson and
white, and at the same time retaining all the valuable qualities
of its class, viz., delicacy of colour and texture, exquisite fra-
grance, and continuous bloom. We have long had striped
varieties oE the hardy garden Roses, such a~3 " York and
Lancaster, " etc., but these flower only once, and having but

New Variegated Tea Rose American Banner.

little' merit are not generally grown. This new variety
originated in 1877 with Mr. George Cartwright of Dedham,
Mass., who states that it appeared as a " sport " upon the well
known crimson Tea Rose, " Bon Silene." The leaf, from the
axil of which the sporting shoot started, showed in one-half
the leathery foliage of the " sport " while the other half had
the foliage peculiar to " Boa Silene." We have frequently,
in other plants, similar variations in the colour of flowers ;
for example, it is quite common to find one shoot of Hibiscus
Rosa-sinensis bearing orange coloured, and another having
crimson flowers but the foliage in such cases remains unchanged.
Again, we have Carnations bearing at one time on the same
plant, both plain scarlet flowers and those striped with scarlet
and white. So with Dahlias, Verbenas, Petunias, and scores
of other plants ; but in all of these the flowers only vary, the
foliage does not. In the case of this new striped Rose, the
distinct change in foliage is to me more marvellous than even
that in the flower. We have named this Rose " American
Banner " as the colours are very nearly those of the stripes of
our national flag. When a name can be to some extent descrip-
tive it is always, we think, of advantage. — Peter Hendzkson, in
••'American Agriculturist."

the centre. The side beds are planted with Teas, conaisting of the
following kinds : — Lamarque, Devoniensis, Safrano, Gonbaalt, Niphe-
tos. President, Mareohal Niel, and Gloire de Dijon. The plants are
remarkably strong, and yearly prodnoe immense crops of flowera.
As a rale, Tea Roses receive little pruning, but here they are pruned
in the same way as Hybrid Perpetuala, by which means they are
kept within bounds, and larger crops of flowera are produced than
would otherwise be obtained. The centre bed is filled with Cocoa-nut
fibre, in which the pot Roses, brought on elsewhere are plunged, and
from which the earliest blooms are obtained. A house like this can
be put np at comparatively little expense, and, whether the blooms
were required for cutting or not, it would always be a source of
interest. — S.

A Usefal Hose House. — One of the best Rose houses which
we have seen for a long time is that in the garden at The Poles,
Ware. It is span-roofed, with a raised bed all round it, and one in

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

PROPAGATION AND GROWTH OF LILIES.

I HAVE watched the controversy that haa been going on
between "Dunedin " and others respecting Lilies, and, as a propa-
gator and at one time a grower of thousands of Lilies of various
kinds, my experience teaches me that none of the writers in question
have yet reached the root of the subject. Although I agree in the main
with "Dunedin, "yet I must say that some of his atatementsare unsatis-
factory. I have no hesitation in asserting that Lily bnlba are repro-
duced in their entirety annually. Commencing with their propaga-
tion from scales, or parts of the old bulb, every scale, if removed
with a sharp knife so as to have a small portion of the base adhering
to it, will produce the first year a bulb about the size of a Pea on the
aide of the small portion of base left, and in some cases two or three
bulbs. By allowing these to remain in the seed-pan, if not inserted
too thickly at first, they form a larger bulb on the side of the small
one. They are then shaken out and some five or six put in a 6-in.
pot, when some of them would bloom, but I never allow them in their
third season to do that. In the autumn they are fair.sized bulbs,
when they may be planted aingly, or, if of the lancifolium section,
four or five may be put in an 8. in. or 9-in. pot ; L. auratum takes a
year longer to arrive at this size. Now, by attentively studying their
growth during these four seasons many things may be learned ; for
instance, I never find Lilies perfectly at rest, and no sooner has the stem
of the old balb (which has, so far, supported the new one attached to
its base) begun to shew signs of decay and ceaaed its support, than
the new bulb begins to throw out roots to support itself ; therefore,
I always repot as soon as ever the stem tarns hard at the
base and shows symptoms of ripening. Any one examining a
balb of L. auratum will find the base of the stem of the old bulb by
the side of the new one, and easily detached from it, proving that
like Gladioli, an entirely new bnlb is formed, and, moreover, if the
stem be rendered unhealthy by neglect the young bulb will be poor
in consequence. I alwaya judge bulba by their size and healthy
appearance, and I never knew a single instance in which a small
bulb had a larger number or better blooms than a large one. It any
bulbs produce weak stems I find that removing their flowera throws
the whole energy of the plant into the stem, and, as a consequence,
far finer bulba are the result ; this I diaoovered accidentally in 1865.
Mr. Ray, the late curator of the Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh, had a
very fine bulb of L. auratum which produced seven flowera — then
thought Bomething wonderful — and, according to the uanal practice,
he placed it, when done blooming, under a stage, and allowed it to
stay there until next March, when he determined to repot it. On
examining it he was surprised to find the pot full of new roots ; he
gave it a good shift, without disturbing it more than he could help,
but May came before there were any signs of a stem, and when one
was formed it was only half as strong as that produced the
previous year, and the top was deformed. This ultimately got
broken off, when the stem began to thicken enormously, so that
by autumn it was more like the atump of a Hollyhock
than a stalk of Lilium auratum ; besides, it formed a number of
ycung bulblets at ita base and at the axils of the leaves, all indicating
its great strength. It was allowed to remain undisturbed that winter,
and next spring it threw up a magnificent ahoot 5 ft. high, and pro-
duced thirty. five perfect blooma on that one stem. This, which was
thought something extraordinary, was noticed in all the Edinburgh
newspapers and visited by the late Mr. M'Nab and, I may safely aay,
by hundreds of others. It really was magnificent, and even now,
when I have seen hundreds of fine examples of L. auratum, I never
saw one which I admired more than I did that one, or one more per-
fectly formed. It did well without repotting for two more years,
and then it broke into three stems, producing amongst them forty
blooma. I left the neighbourhood, and know no more of its history,
but it taught me to avoid late potting and to shift only when really

Jan. 25, 1879.J

THE GAKDEN.

83

necessary. It tanght me, moreover, that a year's rest from bloom,
ing gives strength and does no harm, and, finally, that bulblets on
the stem show signs of vigoar, and must be considered to be a
natural method of increasing the plant. Edi.na.

STEM ROOTS OF LILIES.
It was fortunate indeed for "Danedin" that he was able for the
moment to shelter himself behind the remarks of " E. H. W.," but
all that that writer says does not help him much. It is of little im-
portance how many stem roots Lilies are said to have when growing
naturally on the hills of Japan. What moat concerns us is how they
behave here under a thoroughly rational and saccessional course of
treatment. We know that perfectly sound bulbs, grown on from year to
year, that are never allowed to suffer from want of root room, loss of
Bap,or vital power,produoe stem roots in abundance. In such oases they
are most assuredly not " the result of error on the part of the culti.
vator." I once saw at South Kensington one of the first imported
bulbs of L. auratum that had been simply potted on as it required
more room. Speaking from memory, it had, I think, some eight or
ten stems, was from 9 ft. to 11 ft. high, and had an aggregate of 147
flowers on it. I am pretty certain that no stem roots had ever been
removed from that plant, though it had plenty, for the whole top soil
was filled with them. Why, even when planted out, and where the
Boil and situation are most favourable, stem roots are produced in
abundance ; in fact, unier every variety of circamstance, Lilium
auratum can no more help producing stem roots than it can grow
without food. The experienced cultivator notices every peculiarity
and habit of his plants, and supplies their wants accordingly, and
when he sees that such attentions lead to increased size and vigour, I
repeat that it will require more than theory to convince him that his
practice is wrong. The matter now stands thus : " Dnnedin " states
that the stem roots of Lilies — taking L. auratum as an example —
are injurious, unnatural, and ought to be discouraged, in fact, am.
pntated, and the only proof whiih he brings to support his state-
ment is to repeat " E. H. W.'s " assertion that this same Lily many
thousands of miles away, behaves differently from what it does with us.
Stem roots, in my opinion, are not injurious to Lilies ; on the contrary
they are perfectly natural, and ought to be cared for and encouraged.
In proof of this let me point to the numerous successful instances of
cultivation to be met with all over the country, where stem roots are
always present and always encouraged, and where the annually in-
creasing size and improved appearance of the plants prove to demon-
stration that these same stem roots must be beneficial.

Newry. T. SMixn.

SCALES OF IMPORTED LILY BULBS.
" F. W. B." says (p. 560, Vol. XIV.), " ' Danedin ' asserts that the
scales of imported bulba of L. auratum are dead when received in
this country from Japan, and that the cell walls which make up the
tissue or fabric of the bulb remain unaltered, and perform some
offices long after life has departed. This, I am sure," he continues,
" will be a surprising statement to many, more especially to those
who have successfully used the scales of soch old bulbs for propagat-
ing purposes. The fact is," he adds, " that the old scales of Lily
bulbs which have flowered are not dead." I grant that those who
believe in the perennial theory may be surprised. But those who
believe in the successional bulb system, and who thoroughly under,
stand the nature of the bulb and its scales, will not be surprised at
what I have said. The fact is, the dead scales, in consequence of the
persistent nature of the cell walls, are simply the husks, or external
protectors of the embryo, and perform this office long after life has
departed from them. If we cnt open an imported bulb. scale, mois-
ture may be perceived, but that is not nourishing matter. There is,
however, nourishing matter deposited at the base of the scales, and
in which the embryo is embedded. The cultivator, therefore, who
desires to use these scales for propagating purposes, picks them off
the core of the bulb, and plants them in a pan filled with soil pro.
perly prepared for the purpose. He then places them in a house,
where they can have the benefit of heat and moisture, the result of
which is, the embryos, nourished and strengthened at the expense of
the stored-up matter around them (aot of the scales), spring into life,
and press through the integuments which cover them ; the young
roots protrude downwards and the stems rise upwards, throwing over
the original scales, which — their ofiice of protectors to the embryos
being now accomplished — have nothing more left for them to do but
to dwindle away and disappear. Mr. Baines (p. 561, Deo. 21) ques-
tions the correctness of my statement, when I said that the cells in
Lily bulbs are so infiniteslmally minute, that in a fr3Bh, healthy,
medium. sized L. auratum bulb, it has been calculated that there are

not less than 300 millions of them. At first sight this number may
certainly appear to be somewhat apocryphal, but it is nevertheless
correct. With regard to the value of large bulbs compared with
smaller ones, Mr. Baines differs from me entirely, but in doing bo I
think he overlooks very important facts. In the first place, if wo
take a newly imported L. auratum bulb and cut it in two from the
apex to the base, we shall have disclosed to our view, portions of
three distinct bulbs ; that is, part of the old dead bulb which bloomed
last season — the new bulb which has been inclosed within the old
bulb, and which was destined to bloom next season — and the seed. bud
distinctly observable in good bulbs by the naked eye, and which was
destined to grow up and bloom the season after the next. This repre-
sentation of what may be called " three in one," is what is termed the
successional bulb system, so entirely ignored by Mr. T. Smith, of
Newry, but which has been proved over and over again, within the
last two years, to be correct. Further — if we take half-a-dozen large
bulbs and out them open in the same manner, we should find that the
new bulbs, within the old ones, varied very much in size. Had these
bulbs been planted, some of them might have bloomed extra well j
but others would have caused, very possibly, much diaappointment to
the buyer, notwithstanding that bulb importers persist in telling ns,
that what they offer for sale are all sound, flowering Lilies, and such
as will produce a flower spike with from eight to ten blooms. Of
this, as a fact, whatever they may venture to say, they can know
abaolately nothing, nor can any one else. The cause of the difference
in apparently similar bulbs it may be desirable to have explained.
In order to do so, W3 must suppose that we have gone back to the
previous season. During a period of five or six months previous to
the appearance of the flower buds on the parent plants, the new bulbs
within the old ones (not being very large at the beginning of this
period), undergo, according to experimental facts, a complete trans-
formation in regard to size. The nourishment, or elaborated sap, as
it accumulates in the bulb, causes the scales of the new bulbs to en.
large in a lesser or greater degree, so that before the parent bulbs
begin to bloom, the new bulbs may have enlarged, some very slightly,
but others one-fourth, one-half, and sometimes nearly double what
they were at the beginning of the five or six months. Therefore,
in purchasing large bulba, as patronised by Mr. Baines, they may
possibly produce the smallest sizes ; for no one can tell beforehand
what the new bulbs may turn out to be. Again, suppose we plant
fifty or 100 of these imported bulbs, three or four out of
every five may come up the first season and bloom fairly
well. Bat then we ask, what is the reason they do not all
come up and bloom equally well ? This is just the question
which many so-called Lily growers cannot answer. The young
stems that have not come up have been so far destroyed by the
larvEe of Japanese insects that, before they were planted here, all
connection between, them and the nourishment accumulated in the
bulb has been cut off. Hence, those stems, though a few of them
may have appeared above the ground, have decayed and died. As a
proof of this, I may mention that I have dissected many imported
bulbs, and have found colonies of little, voracious, thread-like worms,
about J in. in length, feeding on the base of the young stems ; so
that, subject to such attacks, it would be impossible that these tender
stems could live and thrive. I have even watched their depredations,
for I have put small, fresh pieces of the stems into wine.glaases, with
seven or eight of these worms into each glass, and have found that
they each consumed more in a day than was equal to the bulk of their
own bodies. As regards the time when they took possession of the
bulbs, there cannot be a doubt that the parent insects must have laid
their eggs on the bulbs during the ten to fifteen days they were
exposed to the atmosphere before packing for exportation. I have
said that three or four out of every five may come up, but, as that
does not account for so great a general loss, 1 may further state that
I have also seen, in very many cases, that, instead of feeding on the
base of the young stems, these worms have consumed the young seed-
buds themselves. The result of this is simply the loss of the succes-
sional bulbs which were destined to bloom the season after the next,
and, consequently, the entire loss of the plants ; for nothing else, in
my opinion, can account for the wholesale destruction, which is a
common complaint, in consequence of the non-appearance of imported
Lilies during the second season. Dunedin.

[Here, we think, this discussion had better rest for the present.]

Hardiness of,Stob8ea purpurea. — Having sown the first seeds
of this plant, sent by Mr. Macowan to Mr. Wilson Saunders, permit
me to eay a few words respecting its hardiness. The young plants
when up were first potted off singly and afterwards some were planted
in the open garden. The latter flowered in 1871, and withstood the
following winter without the least injury. I have also had this

Si

THE GARDEN.

[Jam. 25. 1879.

Stoboea in different exposed aitaation? along with ordinary hardy her-
baoeooB plants up to the present time, and it flowered each sacoessiva
season without that " little extra attention " mentioned by
Mr. Hemsley. I have also grown it from English-ripened seeds, and
likewise from divisions, and have proved it to be perfectly hardy. It
ij a good plant for mixed herbaceous borders. Thistle-like plants
I am aware are not general favourites, bat this I hold to be worthy
of a place in any collection of hardy plants. — C. GREE^f, Pendel Court,
Bletchingli/.

A SUBSTITUTE FOR NETFLBS.
I nwE lately seen several notes in The Garden about Nettles.
Whether they are indigenous or not they flourish so luxuriantly in
the woods here, away from all oultivatioti that we have sometimes
made walking sticks out of them. Nettles were certainly well
known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Pliny, who was well up
in all the plant-lore of ancient Italy, and gives a long account of
their medicinal qualities, says nothing of their introduction from
Asia. He begins his description by saying : " What can be more
odious than the Nettle," and as many will agree with him, I advise
them to try to supersede Nettles in their grounds, as I am doing, by
substituting for tham Polygonum Sieboldi. I think this is the right
name, as I have compared the different species which are named at
Kew, bat I first got it several years ago from Standieh, of Ascot,
under the name of P. japonioum. It is quite naturalised in my woods,
rejoicing in the cool, damp, open soil in which Nettles generally
grow. It does not spread fast in the middle of Nettles, though it
quite holds its own, and gradually beats them. It grows 7 ft. or
8 ft. high, bearing iu August and September elegant tufts of white
flowers not unlike those of SpiraB% japonica. It dies to the root with
the Erst hard frost. Those who wish to try it should buy or otherwise
obtain a plant, divide it according to its joints or knees, which, as
its name denotes, are many, and plint them iu a spare spot of moist,
strong soil. When it has oace been established, they may clear it
out every autumn and plant it in their Nettle beJs, as I do, but they
win find it so persistent that when they think they have made a
clearance, it will come up again the next summer as strong as ever.
There is one covert in Windsor Park, near the O'lelisk, in which I
have seen it naturalised. C. W. Djd.

Edge Hall, Malpas.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON TSB FLO'^TSR GiSDE^.

Planting out Soft-woodsd. Heaths in Summer. — In AUaoe
and in some parts of Germany soft-wooded Heaths of the hyemalis
and gracilis typos ai'e planted out iu the open air during the summer
months. Beds of fibrous peat are made up for them, and they appa-
rently thrive much better thus treated than when they are kept in
pots, as they can be watered more freely, a great advantage where
the summer sun is so fierce as it is there. When grown in pots they
are liable to die suddenly, much in the same way as some of our
choice kinds of New Holland plants do. Healthy plants to-day are
not nnfrequently total wrecks to-morrow. When planted out they
do not appear to suffer in this way to the same extent, a circumstance
which may be attnbuted to the free drainage to which they are sub.
jected and consequent absence of stagnant moisture round the collar.
When taken up and potted in autumn they do not appear to sustain
any check, but flower as well as those grown wholly in pots. There
is no reason why they should not be so treated in this country, extra
iuxnriance being insured with a corresponding diminntion of labour.
Although this question of planting out mainly concerns the soft-
wooded section, it is not certain that the hard-wooded kinds wou'd
not also be benefited thereby. One of the oldest and most successful
Heath growers in this country informed me that he once planted oat
a selection of the choicest kinds, and they "grew like Willows."
Plants intended for specimens would probably be b^nefitei by being
planted out for a season, thereby endowing them with extra vi.'oir.
— J. COENHitL, ByAeet.

Winter-flowaring: Will Plants.— The severe weather which
we have had has brought the list of outdoor flowers down t) a mini,
mum, as even the co-nmon pink China Rose, that for miny winters
has been procurable in quantity on sheltered walls at Christmas
has this year been entirely flowerleas for these t vo m mths pist. The
only plants that maintain their usual character for floT^rin" in mil.
winter are Chimooanthus fragrans and Jasminum nudiflorum both on
south walls ; the latter, as persistently as the frost destroys one set
of flowers expands a few more of its bright yellow b'oisoms, while
the Chimonanthus appears t) defy the weather, and is now well
■furnished with both expanded and expinding flowers, by no means

showy, bat the dearth oE outdoor blossoms makes them doubly wel-
come when oven the hardy Aconite and Snowdrop are at a standstill,
and will probably be much later this year than usual. — J. Gkoom,

Linton, Maidstone.

Anemone-leaved Geranium. — This shrubby species is nn-
doubtedly one of the handsomest of the genus, and, though not quite
hardy with us it deserves attention because it is one of the most
useful of cool house or window plants. It is stated, however, that
it is hardy in Devonshire. The stem sometimes attains a height of
3 fc. or 4 ft., and the plant in other respects seems to approach the
true Pelargoniums. It is a native of the Canary Islands. — J. S.

Clematises for Ljw Walls.— That these are well adapted tor
growing on low walls as well as high ones is clearly proved by a long
wall which we saw so planted lately in a garden in Hertfordshire.
The plants in this case are not kept trim and close, bat are allowed
to scramble along the ground at the base of the wall. Where, how-
ever, neatness is studied, the way to secure it is to cat down the
plants to the ground in spring, and mulch with manure. When they
break into growth stop the shoots beyond the first joint, and per.
form the same operation again and again until the wall is covered
with flowering wood. — H.

Cambridge Botanic Garden, Mass. — In the directors' report
upon the condition and progress of this garden just published, we
find that the following interesting plants have flowered in it for the
first time during the year. With a few exceptions, they have not
flowered in cultivation before: — Acidanthera bicolor, Hochst ; An-
tirrhinum speciosum, Gray ; Aster Bigelowi, Gray ; Aster Curtissi,
Torr. and Gray ; Aster aalsuginosus, Richardson ; Berberis Fendleri,
Gray; Eremnrus robustus, Regel ; Eucridium Breweri, Gray ; Fedia
Nuttalli, Torr. and Gray ; Gutierrezia Euthamiss, Torr. and Gray :
Gymnolomia Porteri, Gray; Hesperaltje yuccafolia, Engelm; Iris
Hartwegi, Baker ; Lobelia Feay ana. Gray ; Palmerella debilis. Gray';
Pancratium, n.sp. Florida; Physaria Newberryi, Gray ; Polyraonium
carneam. Gray; Senecio Elliotti, Torr. and Gray; Senecio Mille.
folium, Torr. and Gray ; Spirooi caospitosa, Nutt ; Townsendiasericea,
Hook; Xiuthosoma sagittifolium, Sohott ; and Zygadenus Fremonti,
Torr.

Parmanent Bids of Cinnas. — For the last six years I have
left my Ciunas out in the beds all the year round, and I find the
plan so advantageous that I should never think of going back to
the old system of lifting the roots in autumn. The growth is much
stronger and the flowers larger and more numerous ; but our beds
are well drained an 3 the surface elevated above the natural level, and
there is 3 ft. in depth of good soil. When the frost in autumn kills
the foliage, the stems are out down, and the beds are covered 1 ft.
deep with dry litter, which remains on till the end of April or
beginning of May, or till the weather is settled, and by that time the
few young stems are pushing through the soil; but I find it neces-
sary to replant occasionally, not because the soil is exhausted, as
that could be met by rich top-dressings, but because the growth
becomes dense and crowded after standing two or three years in
one position. Perhaps if they were planted thinly at first, this ne-
cessity might not arise, but to insure a good mass the first season we
plant thickly, and in after years, as they become too crowded, lift
carefully, and replant. I have never found any inconvenience to
arise from this ; on the contrary, it gives an opportunity to stir up
the beJs, and, at the same time, increases the stock of plants. This
work is always done immediately after the covering is removed in
spring, just as the plants are bursting into growth, and they seem to
experience little or no check from it at that season, but start off as
vigorously as ever. Of course, the work must be carefully done and
the roots not needlessly mutilated. — E. Hoiidav.

Hirdiness of Streptooarpus floribundua — This charming
plant has proved itself to be so far hardy as to have been well frozen
in a pan in a cold house and to have only lost its old leaves, whilst
the crowns and young leaves remain safe. This is proof conclusive
that it will do well in any cool house, perhaps frame, and will thrive
well iu sheltered spots on rockwork in the open air. I have, daring
the past season foaud it to see 3 freely. The pods have a peculiar
appearance, being erect, long, spiral, and pointed, bearing no in-
considerable resemblance to a small pod of the once famous Rapha.
nus cauditus. They are long in ripening, but eventually produce
fertile seed. A batch of seedlings sown in the autumn has with-
stood the cold so far, although they are so minute as to be almost in.
distinguishable. A gentle warmth would have kept them growing,
aul in the summer these would have bloomed freely. No donbt
when the spring advances these small plants will grow rapidly. It
is interesting to know that this plant can be thus freely propagated
from seed. — A. D.

Jan. 25, 1879 ]

THE GARDEN.

85

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE SMALL ERMINE MOTH.

(iPONOMEtJTA PADELLA.)

The caterpillars of this beautiful little moth are unfortunately
very destructive to the foliage of any trees or shrubs which
they may attack, and, when a frait tree is infested by them,
the crop of fruit on it for that year is sure to be spoiled.
Their favourite food is the leaves of the Bird Cherry
(Prunus Padas), from which plant the name of the insect is
derived. In the absence of this shrub, which is not very
common, the moth selects Apple, Pear, Plum, or almost any
fruit tree, Black Thorn, White Thorn, or Euonymus, on which
to deposit her eggs. It is curious that in some places only one
kind of tree is attacked ; if the White Thorn suffers the
Apples escape, and vice vcvsa. Sometimes only one kind of

Tponomeuta padella,

Apple is attacked, the others remaining untouched, even
though quite close to the infested trees. At times White
Thorn hedges are entirely stripped of their leaves and covered
with silky webs by these caterpillars. Apple trees frequently
fare little better, and have the appearance, when badly
attacked, of their leaves having been burnt. The young
«boots and leaves, when examined, will be found to be sur-
rounded by strong, brownish, silken webs; their growth is not
only impeded by these webs, but the caterpillars within them
devour the shoots and leaves. Various methods have been
suggested and tried for the destruction of this pest. One of
the best is to destroy, when possible, the moths before they
have laid their eggs ; this is more practicable than it often is
with other insects, as they are easily seen on account of their
conspicuous colouring, and as they generally all make their
appearance at the same time. As soon as any are seen sheets

should be laid under the trees during the daytime and the
branches shaken or beaten sharply, when the moths, which are
very inactive during the day, will fall off and may be easily
killed. The webs should be gathered and the caterpillars
killed ; care should be taken during the operation, as the
caterpillars are very likely to fall to the ground when dis-
turbed. If the webs are high up in the trees they may be col-
lected by the help of a few thorny twigs tied to the end of a
stick. Soap suds applied by a garden engine, with sufficient
force to break the webs and reach the caterpillars, has also
been recommended. As the Chrysalides are found in the webs,
the insects may easily be destroyed when in that state. lu
France the damage caused by this insect to Apple trees is very
great occasionally. Professor Westwood states that he has
noticed the Apple trees planted near the road between Abbeville
and Paris, for miles entirely defoliated by these caterpillars.
The branches were covered with webs, and not the least por-
tion of green was to be seen, the webs from the branches
reaching down in festoons to the ground, which, beneath the
trees, appeared carpeted with silk. The moths make their
appearance in June or July, and deposit their eggs, twenty or
thirty in number, in a mass near a blossom or leaf-bud ; these
they coat over with a gummy substance, which forms a kind of
scale over them when it dries. The caterpillars are hatched in
the autumn, but remain under the shelter of the scale during
the winter. When the trees are coming into leaf they leave
their winter quarters, but as they still require a certain amount
of shelter from the weather, they eat their way into the leaves,
and live for a short time between the cuticles, feeding on the
tissues, until they are sufficiently strong to bear the changes
of the weather ; they then make their appearance on the sur-
face of the leaves, sometimes much to the astonishment of gar-
deners, who have probably attributed to the east wind, or
blight, the brown colour of the Apple leaves, and are much
surprised some morning to find the trees covered with well-
grown caterpillars, when not one was to be seen the previous
day. Having left the interior of the leaves, they collect
together and spin threads until they form a thick web round
a young shoot, enclosing several leaves, within which they
live, feeding on the upper part of the leaves until they are
finished, when they move to another shoot and form a new web.
The larger ones sometimes cover several small branches and
shoots ; in this way each family makes several webs, which,
filled with half-eaten, withered leaves, make the trees look as
if they had been singed. The caterpillars are generally fully
grown about the middle of June. Uhey then collect at one
end of the web, and, arranging themselves close together, each
encloses itself in a leathery cocoon of white silk, and assumes,
the chrysalis state, they usually finish their cocoons on the
same day. It is a curious fact in connection with these insects
that they are not only gregarious when in the caterpillar
state, but also when they become chrysalides. In
about fifteen or twenty days, the perfect insects
appear. The moths measure nearly 1 in. across the
expanded wings, which are long and narrow. The colour of
the upper pair is very variable, but they are usually of a leaden
white colour, with about thirty small black spots arranged in
rather irregular longitudinal lines near the margins of the
wings, which are deeply fringed with livid-coloured hairs. The
ground colour of the wings is sometimes pure white, or white,
with a leaden or yellowish cloud in the middle, or pale or deep
lead colour with every intermediate shade; the number of the
spots also varies. The lower wings are leaden coloured, with
a paler fringe ; head, antennae, body and legs, white. The
caterpillar measures about \ in. in length, and is of a greyish-
white or dirty yellow colour, with a brownish head ; the body
is sprinkled with a number of small black spots, and has one
larger spot on each side of every joint. They are furnished
with eight pairs of legs, the first three, the sixth, seventh,
eighth, ninth, and last joints each bearing a pair. The
chrysalides are of a yellowish-brown colour. S. G. S.

The Well Walk at Hampstead.— Efforts are beiDg made to
preserve the fine Lime trees if the Well Walk, Hairpstead, which it
was intended to cut down to make way for building operations.

86

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1679.

NOTES FROM KEW.
Orchids. — Dendrobea in flower, in addition to those previously
mentioned.inclade the pretty D. moniliforme, which strikingly resem-
bles the better known D. nobile in habit of growth, but is very dis-
tinct in blossom, being rather smaller, with narrow segments of a
pale rose colonr, tipped with a darker shade, and a pointed lip of a rich
magenta colour. It is a native of China and Japan, therefore it is
wall adapted for cool house cnltare. It is known also in collections
under the name D. Linawianum. D. primalinum is another fine
East Indian kind, which produces a plentiful supply of blossoms on
the naked stems ; they have a large shallow lip of a light primrose
colour, and pinkish outer segments, making the plant an admirable
object for suspended baskets. A singular little kind is the Austra.
lian D. semnlum, which is similar in'flower to D. tetragonum, but
smaller, with narrow, pointed, cream-coloured segments, and a tiny
purple, blotched lip ; the blossoms are borne in clusters on the end
of short, truncated stems. It is, however, worthless for general cul-
ture. There are few more useful Orchids than the old Cymbidium
sinense, as it is easy to manage and very free.flowering, and though
not showy, exhales a delightful fragrance, resembling that of Violets.
The flowers are borne on erect spikes about 2 ft. high, and are of a
brownish colour, streaked with dark lines. A very singular little
Orchid is Restrepia antennifera, which is found on the new Grana-
dian Andes, growing on trees at an altitude varying from 6,000 ft. to
10,000 ft. It bears numerous oval, fleshy leaves on short stalks and
slender flower stems, terminated by blossoms of curious shape, as the
thread-like upper divisions are club. shaped, much resembling the
antennse of a butterfly, and of a bright violet. purple colour,
the two lower united and boat-shaped, enclosing the small lip,
the whole being copiously spotted with purple. This ve-y
interesting plant is well deserving a place in every collection. Tie
most noteworthy of the Oiontoglossums are 0. luteo-pnrpnreum, a
very handsome kind from New Granada, with spikes 2 ft. to 3 ft.
long, branched at the base, and bearing numerous flowers IJ in. to
3 in. aoross, with a [large," yellowish, fringed lip, surmounted by a
golden crest, and the outer divisions alternately barred with choco-
late and yellow. O. glorioaum is another free-growicg and profuse-
flowering kind ; the spikes and flowers are smaller than those of
the preceding, the colour of the latter being pale yellow, with brown
or purplish spots. The old O. bictoniense is represented by some fine
examples producing many spikes of rosy-lipped flowers, which, with
several plants of the lovely 0. Pescatorei, have for a long time aided
in enlivening the cool compartment. Oncidium cheirophorum, a
native of the Volcano of Chiriqui, and a somewhat rare kind, deserves
a passing notice on account of its singularly. shaped blossoms, which
are of a dullish. yellow and a waxy texture; also O. sphegiferum, a
Brazilian species with a prettily-spotted, fiddle-shaped lip and choco-
late and yellow-banded sepals. Stenorrhynchns speoiosus is a very
showy and interesting terrestrial Orchid, an old introduction from
Tropical America. It has rather large, deep green, oval leaves, and
produces spikes about 1 ft. high, terminated by a dense raceme of
deep flesh-coloured blossoms, each accompanied by a membraneous
pale flesh-coloured flower. leaf. It lasts a long time in good condition,
and is a plant of sterling merit. The lovely Masdevallia amabilis is
one of the best of the solitary flowered section of the genua. The
variety at Kew bears flowers of a rich violet-purple, with faint dashes
of a lightar hue, the whole flower changing later on to a light violet
colour. Its native habitat is at high elevations in Peru and Columbia.
Saccolabinm Harrisoniannm is finely in flower with its dense,
pendulous racemes of pure white, waxy blossoms, and yields an
agreeable aromatic perfume. A plant of such chaste beauty as
this needs no pen to recommend its culture. One of the best
cool-house Orchids is Ada aurantiaca, which, by the way, is
named here Mesoapinidium, the flowers being of a deep orange colour
a colour rarely seen amongst Orchids, and it ia, moreover, a very free
grower and flowers profusely. Near to it is the rose-coloured Meaos-
pinidinm sanguineum, equally desirable and well suited for basket
culture, a'3 the loose racemes have a pandnlous habit. Epidendrum
xanthinum, with yellow flowers, E. ibaguenseand elongatum with pink
blooms, are remarkable for the length of time they continue to bear
a succession of bloom, which is produced in clusters at the apex
of the slender leafy stems 4 ft. 6 in. long. Maule's variety of the
old favourite iCypripedium inaigneiia decidedly auperior to the type
as the colour altogether is brighter and the erect sepal is half white
with a few purple spots, of which the type is destitute. C. venus-
tum, var. spectabile, shows another instance of variation in the
colour of the blossoms, as the side sepals are of a roay shade and the
colouring of the rest of the flower more distinct. — W.

in a small pot, and submits to the rather rough usage to which
decorative plants now-a-daya are subjected better thua moat plants.

— J. GROOil.

A Gjod Table Plant. — One of the best plants we have for
single vase or table decoration is Pandanus Veitchi. It haa fine
arching foliage that is beautifully variegated j it makes a good plant

NOTES OF THE WEEK

Epiphyllums on Stumps of Tree Ferns. — An excellent idea
ia being carried out in Meaara. Veitch's nursery at Chelsea, viz., that
of planting Epiphylluma on dead stumps of Lomaria and other minia-
ture Tree Ferns. A cavity to hold soil may easily be made by hollow-
ing out the top of the stem with a knife, and either rooted planta or
cuttings of Epiphylluma grow readily on it, bushy-headed, finely,
flowered standards being thus obtained in a short time. It desirable,
the naked stems might be clothed with Club Mosses or the small,
growing Ficus minima.

Double Chinese Primulas. — These make a good display in the
Pine-apple Nursery just now. The flowers, which are of good form
and embrace many ahadea of colour, last much longer than those of
single varieties, and are more useful for cutting. There is also
a good display of semi-double-flowered kinds with finely fringed
edges which come true from seed.

Goldfussia isopbylla. — Though not one of the most showy of
planta, thia is well worth growing on account of its flowering in
winter. It ia a plant of easy culture, and one which growa into
shapely apecimena without either tying or staking. It is grown well
at The Poles, Ware, bushy plants in 6. in. or 8-in. pota being literally
covered with pale blue flowera, which associate effectively with dwarf
Poinsettias, Primulas, and similar plants. Under good culture plants
of it continue to grow and flower abundantly for several months in
sucoeaaion. Cuttings of it strike readily, and may aoon be grown
into neat specimens. Old plants should be cut back after flowering.

Variegated Euonymuses. — All variegated kinds of Euonymus
have suffered severely during the past severe weather, eapecially the
broad-leaved ailver kind, which, in many cases, ia injured beyond
recovery. Of this some nurserymen have lost nearly their whole
stock. This is a matter to be regretted, inasmuch as the demand for
variegated Euonymuses has been very great during the past few
years on account of their suitability for windows, covering walls,
and for growing in the form of bushea or standards in London gar-
dena or by the aeaside. As market plants, too, they are much
prized and realise good prices.

Primulas at Chiswick. — A fine collection of Chinese Primulas
may now be seen in flower at Chiswick. It consists of plants raised
in spring from seed obtained from every available source, and the
varied forma and colours of both foliage and flowers render them
attractive and interesting. The old double white is unusually well
grown, and at the present time a mass of blossom. It might, with
advantage, be more largely grown in gardens than it is, for few
planta continue in bloom longer, or yield a better supply of useful
flowers for cutting in winter. Light sandy loam ia the best soil in
which to grow these Primulas ; they should have a temperature of
from 50^ to 55°, plenty of air, and due attention to watering. A
little weak manure water when the plants show flower is also bene-
ficial.

Salix ccerulea. — This Willow is now densely covered with its
silvery catkins, and very beautiful it ia in that condition. In ordi-
nary aeasona the catkina ahow themeelvea naually a little earlier,
but I was not prepared for eo fine a diaplay of them during this
aevere frost as may now be seen in my Willow grounds. One tree of
thia Willow, standing on the bank of a small atreim, ia eight yeara
of age, and its size ia as follows : Diameter or apread of aemi-
pendaloua branches, 25 ft. ; height, 22 ft. ; girth of bole at 2 ft. high,
26 in. It will be seen, therefore, that it ia not only a very beautiful,
but a very rapid-growing tree, and it has the further merit of be.
longing to that class of Willow that contains the largest proportion
of the medicine called aalicine. It is this property of the Willow
that makes it of value as an anti-fever tree. — W. Scali.vo, Basford,
Notts.

Pomegranates on Walls. — Two very fine apecimena of Pome-
granate may be seen growing on the front of Mr. Hanbury's house,
at The Polea, Ware. They are not cloaely pruned in and kept trim,
aa ia generally the case with Pomegranataa, a system which divests
them of the greater part of their flowering wood ; on the contrary,
only such straggling shoots as it ia absolutely necessary to remove
are interfered with. Thua treated they produce yearly abundance of
flowera, basketfuls of which are now and then cut for indoor decora,
tion. At the present time they are furnished with multitudes of
young, wiry, well-ripened ahoots, which will evidently produce a

Jan. 25, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

87

blaze of bloom in the autumn. These trees have no protection
afforded them whatever, and they suffer no injury even in the
severest winters, a fact which clearly proves that on sunny walls, in
the milder parts of England at least, the Pomegranate may be made
to form one of the most effective of wall plants. In the south of
England Pomegranates frequently bear large crops of fruit, but in
less favourable situations they blossom too late for the fruit to set
and come to maturity. In this country they are only valued for
their wealth of brilliant blossoms, which are unsurpassed for effect
or for use in floral decoration. On the walla of Fulham Palace the
Pomegranate grows and flowers abundantly, and it may also be seen
on sunny walls at Kew. In some of the London parks during
sammer the Pomegranate grows in pots, and, plunged here and there
in the green turf, has, when laden with bright coral buds and
flowers, a fine effect, and there is no reason why neat bnshy plants of
it in pots should not be grown for conservatory or room decoration,
and, when associated with Ferns and similar plants, they would be
much more satisfactory than many other plants grown for such
purposes.

Sale of Messrs. RolUsson's Plants. — These are being
sold by Messrs. Piotheroe & llorris. Last week's sale extended
over five days, and comprised extensive collections of Orchids,
stove and greenhouse plants. New Holland plants. Tree Ferns, &o.
The plants were more remarkable for variety than for specially fine
specimens, but the few there were realised good prices. Amongst
the more interesting may be mentioned — Dendrochilum flliforme,
15 ga.; Odontoglossum vexillarinm, 10 gs.; Ccelogynecristata, llj gs.;
Aerides Schroder!, £7 ; A. affine superbum, £7 ; and Anthurium
Scherzerianum, £11. We understand that the collections are not yet
exhausted, and that other sales are to follow, particulars of which
will be found in our advertising columns.

Leeds Gardeners' Benefit Society.— The twelfth annual
report of this Society has just reached us, and it is satisfactory to
find that it is steadily improving, both as regards members and fund?.
The object which the Society has in view ia to make provision for
members when sick and unable to follow their employment. The
rates of contributions are 3d. per week, and Is. each at the death of
a member, and 6d. each at the death of a member's wife. Benefits
to members, lOs. per week during the first tiVenty-six weeks, and Ss.
per week during the remainder of such illness. At the death of a mem.
ber£10, and at the death of a member's wife £7 is paid. The charge of
initiation ranges from Ss. to £2 lOs. according to age. At the
Soeiety's meetings, which take place the first Tuesday in erery
month, matters relating to horticulture are discussed, and occasional
essays read thereat, thereby diffusing much useful information.

Orchids at Chelsea. — Even during this uifavourable season
the Orchid houses in Messrs. Veitch's nursery are gay with choice
and showy flowers. Among them is especially noticeable the
chocolate-flowered Oncidinm Forbesi, which has been in bloom
for several months ; its branching spikes floaticg gracefully over
plants of the showy Odontoglossum leopardinum and Lycaste
Skinneri, the latter flowering freely even in 'l.in. pots. A fine speci-
men of AngrcBCum sesquipedale bears a dozen enow-white blossoms
and buds, and the brilliant Sophronitis grandiflora makes a fine dis-
play on the upper portious of aroh-shaped pieces of virgin cork
suspended from the roof. Small plants of the charming Lcolia albida,
are growing on pieces of wood, each bearing sis or seven flower-spikes
furnished with from four to six waxy. white, violet-tinted blossoms.
To these may be added a fine variety of Odontoglossum cirrhosum,
the showy 0. Halli, and Lcelia anceps Dawaoni, the flowers of which
have pure white petals, violet-striped throat, and purple-tipped
lip. Lady's. slippers are also very interesting on account of their
great variety ot form and colour.

Flora of Switzerland.— After the masterly works ot Tschudi
on " Animal Life in the Alps," and of Heer on the " History of
Vegetation in Switzerland," another work likely to be of high value
ia announced — H. Christ on the plants of that country — " Das Pflan.
amleben in der Schweiz." The interest of the work is all the greater
that Switzerland contains on its narrow area nearly all the diversity
ot plants which grow in middle and northern Europe. Many vears'
re8ear..h of the author in the field, his previous works on separata
parts of the Alps, as well as his connection with the botanists ot
Europe, have enabled Dr. Christ to publish a work which may be
expected to range with those above mentioned. It will appear in
four faso'cules, with many illustrations, and four maps of vegetable
zones, on^ of which — the distribution ot Grapes and of several plants
ot the Fiihn and lake regions — will appear this month. The whole
work will be finished about the spring of 1879, the first half fascicule
having just appeared. — "Nature."

THE WEATHER AJ^D THE BIRDS.
A WRITER in a provincial paper, alluding to the severe weather
which has been experienced, says : — " Yet the extraordinary cold has
not been without its compensating advantages. It has killed count-
less weeds, (?) the pest of the farmer, and has destroyed myriads of
insects, which, after what are called open winters, commit such
ravages on young and tender plants in spring. The frost has also a
mellowing power on the soil, and especially upon that of clayey
land," &o. As regards the last clause ot this quotation, few will be,
I think, inclined to differ from the opinion expressed by the writer,
but I do not by any means feel so sure as to the destruction of count,
less numbers ot weeds by the action of the frost. And, as
regards the destruction of insects, I am inclined to think
that they are so hardy as to be unlikely to be seriously
injured by frost of even the greatest intensity, more particularly
when in the ova or larvoe condition. I have even heard ot tender,
looking green caterpillars being frozen so hard that when dropped
upon a dinner plate they sounded as if composed ot glass, and yet
when gradually thawed in a daikened chamber they became as
lively as ever; so that the comparative immunity from injurious
insects, which is sometimes experienced after severe winters, is not
to be ascribed so much to the direct action ot cold as to the enforced
diligence on the part of insectivorous birds, which, during severe
weather, when food is necessarily scarce, make every effort to obtain
larvse. Therefore, cultivators, if desirous to obtain the full benefit
resulting from severe winters, should prevent, as far as possible, the
indiscriminate slaughter of such birds, especially at a time when they
are rendering the greatest possible service. On the approach of
severe weather worms and grubs ot all kinds instinctively make their
way deeper into the soil, with, no doubt, the two-fold object ot seeking
protection from the cold, and from their natural enemies the birds.
At the present time blackbirds, thrushes, and various other soft-billed
birds, may be observed in thickets, under trees, hedgerows, and
similar places, busily engaged in pulling about decaying leaves and
other vegetable matter in their diligent search for grubs, snails, and
insect of all kinds, few things, in fact, coming amiss to them, and it
may well be supposed that by this wholesome destruction they are
conferring upon cultivators benefits which will go far to compensate
for much of the injury they are apt to inflict on fruit crops it left
unprotected when approaching a ripe state. Some ot our small birds,
such as the blue titmouse, are sometimes blamed for picking the bads
from fruit trees, &c., and of this I believe the blue titmouse to be
perfectly innocent, although he may now be observed to be busily
engaged upon the branches of fruit trees and gooseberry bushes,
searching diligently for scale and other minute insects, on which
account he is unfortunately suspected ot aiding the bullfinch in his
work ot destruction. Three species of titmouse are to be seen in
gardens and orchards, but the small blue variety is the most common,
and an exceedingly industrious, sharp. eyed little fellow he is. I have
known him in a very short time to clear a large Orange tree and
other greenhouse plants from greenfly as effectively as could have
been done by fumigation ; but I believe no one has ever found the
buds of fruit trees or Gooseberry bushes in his crop, and if he ever
removes a bud it is only when snch comes between him and his insect
prey. On the other hand, it will be well, during the present weather,
to keep a sharp out-look on plantations of Gooseberries and Currants,
as well upon wall trees of all kinds, but more particularly to see that
all is right with the Apricot, which, being generally in the most for.
ward condition, is most likely to be attacked, and as the bullfinch
does his work quietly, as well as quickly, one or two will, in the course
ot a few hours, destroy the prospects of a crop of fruit during the
coming season. Unfortunately, as regards the bullfinch, the gun is
the only effectual remedy, as no attempt to intimidate or deter him
will succeed. P. Gkieve.

Culford, Bury St. Edhiuiids,

EFFECTS OF THE FROST IN NORTH DURHAM.
Whex the thermometer falls 6° below zero, one naturally expects
that nothing, except the most hardy plants, will pass through the -
ordeal scatheless. On December 7 we had the amount ot frost just
mentioned, but at that time we had a covering ot snow on the ground
ot from 2 ft. to 2^ ft. in thickness. Even this, however, did not pre-
vent the frost from mutilating many of our finest shrubs. In some
places the common Ivy on houses is literally browned, looking as it
it had been burned instead of frozen. The Irish Yews in our parish
churchyard here present a similar appearance, and a few days ago
I saw several Deodars with the same lifeless look ; indeed, they
appeared to be worse, for, when shaken by the hand, the leaves fell
off in showers. Growing amongst these Deodars are numbers of
Cupressus Lawsoniana which are not in the least affected, nor is the
Arbor.vitae. Of Portugal Laurels many fine specimens are apparently

88

THE GARDEN.

[Jau. 25, 18:9,

killed. At Lnmley CasUe I noticed a line of Portngal and Common
Laarels planted aUernately, and in this instance the Portagals appear
all right, while the common Lanrela are masses of brown, dead foliage.
Cotoneasters, particularly maorophylla, have saffered, while Pyra.
canthas have asserted their superior hardiness. While speaking of
Lnmley, I may mention that the great weight of snow which we
have had has been very destrnotive to forest trees, breaking off
quantities of limbs and branches. In woods here I noticed that the
Beeches — of which there are some of the finest in the north of Eng.
land — had suffered greatly from this cause ; many branches 6 in. in
diameter have been broken of. Numbers of trees and shrubs have
been barked by rabbits during the frost; there is scarcely a Thorn
hedge in the neighbonrhood that does not show marks of their presence.
Passing from forest trees and shrubs to the flower garden, I find that
Boees have sustained considerable injury, particularly Teas in low-
lying and damp situations. lu a border of Rises pruned in the
latter part of November not an inch of dead wood is to be found, a
result which I attribate to the early pruning. Wallflowers, Stocks,
&o., have been dreadfully mutilated. In the kitchen garden autumn-
sown Lettuces, except where very strong and the situation favour,
able, are all killed ; the same remark also applies to Cabbages,
Winter Spinach, &c., and Curled Greene, a staple winter crop here-
abouts, also present a woeful aspect, being all cut down to near the
ground, and the whole crop consequently lost. Broccoli has fared no
better; Savoys only have successfully resisted the frost. A well.
known market grower here has directed my attention to his Pear
trees, the blossom of which he imagines is killed. The wood of last
year's growth appears sound and good and in a healthy condition, but
this remark does not hold good as regarJs the spurs or blossom buds,
which, when cut across, have a blackened appearance at the core.

Ty.nedale.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

The Weather in North Nottiaghim.— Another fall of snow
occurred hereon the 18. h of December, and covered the eround to
the depth of 3 in. On the morning of the 18th we had 11° of frost.
On the 11th and 12th of January the frost was likewise very severe,
but on the 13th a rapid thaw set in, with rain on the 14th. and the
15th was very mild and sunny. The frott again returned on the Ifith,
and still continues. The effects of this variation of temperature
on the early Broccoli and other vegetables, where not protected, are
now apparent by the odour which they are emitting. I ana afraid
that as soon as a general thaw sets in the greater part of these crops
will soon get into a rotten state. It will, therefore, be requisite to
attend to raising spriug substitutes as early as possible by sowinc
Carrots, Lettuces, Ridiabes, in pits and frames, where these struc-
tures can be used. — William Tillery, Welheck.

So-called Macadamising— If the late Sir. M^adam, of road-
making eminence, could return to this mortal life, he would be
shocked to find how great atrocities are comaiitted in his name, and
there can be little doubt that he would repudiate with indignation
the term "macadamised" as applied to the roads subjected to the
process known by this designation. Macadam's roadp, as constructed
and repaired under his own superintendence, and according to the
system originated by hiniself, were formed entirely of angular pieces of
stone of such a size as to pass freely through a ring 2V in. in diameter,
and which were notabove 6 oz. in wei;^ht. M idern contractors, how.
ever, instead of adhering to this method, cover the roads with large,
jagged stones, rendering them unfit for traffic, and, owing to the
supineness of the vestries, are allowed to " macadamise " to their
hearts' content in this fashion, without any reference to the safety,
comfort, and convenience of the public. Some of the principal in.
habitants of Paddington, indignant at the condition of the roads in
that pariah, sent a deputation to the vestry at the meetincr of that
body the other day, with a memorial complaining that Micadam'a
system is not being cairieJ out by the contractor, or enforced by
the officers of the vestry. On the contrary, granite is used of esces.
eive size and weight, and, even if the stones used were of the proper
size, the repairs, the memorinliats assert, arrt done in an unscientific
and, consequently, extravagant manner. For two months the rate,
payers have been taking notice of the local repairs in the pariah,
and have taken stones from the roads and the heaps in the stone
yard, samples of which the deputation produced before the vestry.
These stones are of large size : " huge layers of granite cubes,"
many inches deep, are, it is complained, spread over the road that is
under repair, and filled in with fine gravel and sand. The gravel, in
course of time, works up into mud, which has to bo carted away,
leaving holes for water to lie in, and ridges for horses and foot
passengers to trip over. There is also great danger to the springs
and wheels of carriages and carts. The snbj ^cc was referred by
the vestry to the Highway Committee, and in. justice, at least, to
the memory of Macadam, it is to be hoped that some better system
wjll be adopted.— "Pall Mall Gazette."

Conservatory.

The temperature required now for some time, with a view to
rendering the house enjoyable, as well as suitable for the plants
nsually brought on into flower in other etrnctures, will be sufficient
to facilitate the blooming of many others that do not reqaire
forcing, but which, to have them in flower through the winter, need a
little more heat than that afforded by an ordinary greenhouse.

lilpacrises. — These are not nearly so much used at the present
day for conservatory decoration as their merits entitle tbem to be.
There are numbers of kinds naturally dispose! to bloom in the
winter, but they flower much freer and fuller if placed in a tempera-
ture such as conservatories are ordinarily kept to at this time.
Amongst them are the erect- growing varieties of E. hyacinthiflora,
candidissima, carminata, and f ulgens. In the more bushy-habited kinds
the white Lady Panmure, Salmonia (salmon colour), and Sunset
(fiery red), with others of intermediate shades, will, if accommo-
dated with the little extra warmth to be obtained here, open their
flowers much freer than when kept cool, and continue blooming
for many weeks. They are much more generally useful than
winter-flowering Heaths, on account of their being more easily kept
in health, giving greater diversity of colour, as well as brighter and
more cheerful looking blossoms, and better adapted for cutting. With
the erect. growing kinds especially it is necessary to considerably
reduce the preceding season's growth ; consequently, the whole
of the shoots have to be shortened back, and they may, where cue
flowers are wanted in quantity, ba so treated whilst in bloom. The
bushy growers will also bear the knife freely. For the same '
reason, there need be no hesitation in cutting their shoots when ia
flower.

Acacias armata and Dnimmondi. — Amongst the many
species belonging to this extensive family of handsome plants the
great majority are too large growers or, through other causes, not
well adapted for cultivating in pots, but the above two are exception-
ally useful in this way. If the plants have made their growth early
in summer and are well ripened up, the temperature of the conser-
vatory will bring them on into bljQji quickly, and the flowers will
last longer than if developed in more heat. Both these Acacias,
when they have attained anything near the size required,
will be benefitted by three-fonrths of the current season's growth,
being reduced.

Daphne indica. — This is another plant which should find a
place in every conservatory, as its presence alone, without the aid of
any other sweet-scented flowers, is sufficient to keep up the most
agreeable perfume. Both th^ white and the pink bloomed varieties
deserve growing. They will also flower m loh freer with the little
extra warmth they receive here. Their agreeable scent is frequently
the canse of more of their flowers being cut than is consistent with
the well-being of the plants, whic^, unlike those mentioned
above, cannot bear much cutting, unless, in the case of indivi-
dual specimens that are very strong, and in this matter the
cultivator can always be guided by the condition of the plants; if
not possessing more than nioJerate growth, t.vo or three wood-buds
only will be found immediately rounl the base of the flowers. If
strong, a number will exist at the base of the leaves lower down, in
which case there need be no hesitation in cutting the flowers at the-
extremity of the shoot, leaving two or three of these wood buds to
go on for another year, whereas, if the bunch of bloom from tha
weakly plant be cut, with the necessary wool ani leaves attached t'>
it, many of the shoots so reduced will mike no growth at all the en.
suing summer. It would be found much better if such plants a»
these were grown in considerable numbers in every establishmentr
where choice flowers are in demand, rather than cultivating quantities
of p'ants very inferior in their general usefulness to them.

Oranges. — Where these are treated SDas to keep them in a healthy,
vigorous, thriving condition, furnished with plenty of good deep
green.coloured foliage, although old-fashioned, they are amongst;
the most effective and useful subjects that can be introduced into a>
large conservatory, bearing fruit in different stages of development
for a great portion of the year, and producing plentifully fljwers
alike acceptable for the odour they give to the structure they
are in, and also for cutting. There is one drawback to their cultiva.
tion, with which those who have hid to deal with them in most
cases will have become unpleasantly acquainted, their liability to the
attacks of some of the worst insects that prey upon cultivated
plants, particularly brown and white scale. Where the latter exists on
large specimens it is impissibls to keep them in heilth without
continual attention. Njw whiUt they aredormint an effjrt should be
male to get these pests well ua lor; thsy miy bjaltogether erjduatei

Jan. 25, 1879.]

THE GAIIDE]S\

89

by repeated dipping or syringing with strong inseotioide, bat to ac.
oompiiah this it will often be found necessary to sacrifice the flowers
for a season, as the continued washing with a solution suffi-
ciently strong to destroy these most difficult of all insects to kill, fre-
quently has the effect of stopping the deveIopm°nfc of the bloom
bads, but the loss of a season's flower will prove to be well compen.
sated for by the improved after condition of the plants and the great
saving in labour. In small conservatories a few medium-sizod plants
of the ordinary sorts of Orange will associate well with Camellias,
and the small-growing Otaheite kind thit frnits so freely when not
more than 12 in. or 15 in. high will be found suitable for standing
in vases on brackets, or other prominent positions in either large or
small houses,

Correas. — Amongst smaller-flowering.hardwooded plants that keep
on blooming for a considerable time, and are well adapted for con-
servatory decoration, are several of the varieties of Correa, of which
may be mentioned C. cardinalia, C. Brilliant, and C. bioalor. The
blooms last long on the plants, and, hanging gracefully as they do
from tbe small slender branches, will he very useful ia combinations
of cut flowers.

General Keeping. — Complete order as to 'the cleanliness of the
pots, tubs, and boxes wherein plants are grown, as well as the floors,
stages, &o., in all houses is quite as essential to render them attrac-
tive as it is to secure the healthy condition of the occupants, and at
no time or place is there a greater need for this than in conserva-
tories during winter. By continual attention to this matter much
better results will follow at an absolutely less expenditure of labour
than where a general overhanling ia made from time to time, and in
the intervals doing little in this direction.

Greenhouse.

Kalosanth.es. — There are few more nseful plants than these for
general decorative purposes, and coaling in, as they do, in the middle
of summer, when comparatively few plants are in bloom, coupled
with the fact that they can be either made to do duty in conser-
vatories, halls, corridors, rooms, or any place where flowering plants
are required, makes them doubly serviceable. They will grow in
almost any description of soil — peat or loam — the principal essen-
tials to their free blooming being that the summer growth ia
thoroughly ripened and that the plants are kept now in the lightest
position available, with their heads close to the glass. From their
free disposition to root they can be propagated at any time of the
year. If cuttings are put in at once time will ba gained, as, if sub-
sequently fairly treated, good blooming plants may be had in
eighteen months. Cattiogs can be got from any established plants,
selecting the strongest shoots that are not going t < flower, which will
be easily discernible, putting three or four together in small pots in
eandy soil and placing them anywhere where the temperature is a
little above that of an ordinary greenhouse, but not enclosed under
a bell glass or propagating frame, which, in their case, is unneces-
sary. Moderate-sized plants in from 8-in. to 10. in. pots are the most
serviceable. Those that are intended for flowering the ensuing
summer should now have their shoots regulated with a few stakes
and ties just saffioient to keep them in an erect position.

Boronias. — Than these in the shape of small and moderate-sized
plant?, there is nothing more elegant in habit, or more suitable for
grpfnhouse and conservatory decoration; the length of time they
«ill last ia bloom — three or four months — is an advantage.
B. Drnmmondi and B. pinnata will be now coming into flower, and
will keep on bloo ning through the winter and spring. B. elatior and
B. megastigma, comparatively new kin Is, are both beautiful, and
B. Berrulata, later in its flowering, is mist desirable on account of ita
perfume ; a smiU plant in a 6-in. pot will agreeably scent a large
House. If a few of these plants are grown for interspersing about
the greenhouse or conservatory, their distinct drooping habit will do
much to relieve the over-sameness of Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, and
the like. If kept in a low temperature at this time they are rather
subject to mildew, but if accommodated with 10' in the night and a
rise of a few degrees in the daytime, they are not liable to suffer in
this way.

ChorOzamas.^For a like purpose in giving variety, these will be
found of very easy growth, producing for a considerable time their
brilliant flowers in profusion. If a few varieties, such as C. oordatum
splendena, C. variam Chandleri, and C. variam nanum, are grown in
moflerate-sized pots, they will do good service through the spring
mouths. Their healthy green foliage is little subject to the attacks
of insects, except red spider. These plants will bear keeping
cooler than the Boronias ; the small amount of tying they need should
now be done.

Epiphyllutns. — The presence of the atronger.growiogand larger-
flowering kinds of Epiphyllums, now so seldom seen in greenhouses,
is much missed. The grotesque habit of the plants is worth taking
into account, and the brilliance of their Bowers has no equal. There
is little trouble involved in their culture, and they will bear compara.
tive neglect and still succeed, provided a few details are not lost
sight of. Plants that have had their growth well matured during the
summer, which is essential to their flowering, by exposure to all the
sun possible, should now be kept at tbe warmest end of the green-
house with very little water at the roots, only just enough to prevent
them shrivelling too much, for if, whilst subject to a somewhat low
temperature, the soil in which the small amount of roots they make
exists is at all over moist, the fibres will rot, to whioh cause may be
often attributed their not blooming freely. E. Aokermanni, E. ore.
natum atro-sanguinenm, E. speoiofissimum, and E. speciosum su-
perbum are much more deserving of cultivation than many of the
weedy subjects that now find favour. Plants of E. truncatum in-
tenc'ed for late flowering to cone oa with just warm greenhouse
treatment must likewise not have too much water at tbe roots until
the advancing season affords more warmth.

Statices. — The long-continued production and enduring nature
of the flowers of these, combine J with their cilonr aud distinct cha-
racter, make them more deserving of general cultivation than they
receive. As it is, they are much more confined to those who grow
plants for exhibition than for home decoration ; whereas if they, and
such as the before-mentioned plants, are allowed a p'ace amongst
the softer-wooded greenhouse subjects usually met with, a much
more effective combination is produced than where they are absent.
Statices are strictly greenhouse plants, but, at this time of the year,
they should be kept in a temperature of from 40' to 45° in the night,
as, unlike many other hard-wooded plants, they are never absolutely
at rest, growing slowly through the winter ; their roots are also con-
tinuously active ; consequently, even at this s^asf n, they require the
Boil to be kept a little more moist than for most plants. There is one
point in their cultivation that requires attention : the old leaves, as the
gradually decay, do not fall off as in tbe case of the generality of
plants, but hing dead upon then, anJ, if not removed when in this
state, they are apt to go mouldy, and sometimes destroy the shoots
to which they are attached.

Pot Boses.

Tea Roses in pots grown out-of-doors in summer and treated with
the intention of h<»ving them well furnished with buds in the autumn,
and then placed in a greenhouse temperature to enable the full de-
velopment of these outdoor formed buds without much fire-heat,
which they will do up to the close of the year, will now need to be
managed with a view to their doing service in a like manner next
autumn, for, when required to produce flowers in this way there
should be no attempt to force them on so as to make further growth
and bloom after they have borne the first crop ; but they ought not,
as is frequently done, to be turned out for some time yet into cold
frames where the soil about their roots will be liable to get frozen,
unless precautious are taken to prevent this, as such treatment would
affect their now more or less active roota and interfere with the
growth they are expected to make during the summer. They should
be put in a house or pit where there ia tbe means of excluding frost,
and any pruning that may be necessary it is better to carry out at
once, allowing them to remain here until the spring, by which time
their young shoots will begin to move, and whatever potting is needed
can be done, and when the season is past for any frost likely to injure
them, they may be turned oat.of-doora where they are to remain
for the summer with their pots plunged in ashes. Where there is an
attempt to supply Roses all the year rouni, pUnts thus treated fill an
important place, their bloom coming in before thatof those subjected
to more heat, but if they are to increase in size aud vigour as ia desir-
able, they mast even now, after flowering, be oared for in a manner
different from the rough usage to which they are often submitted when
their blooming ia over. — T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Tbe first frost which commenced early in December and continued
to the 26ch of that month, caused but little apparent injury, doubt-
less on account of the snow covering and compiratively calm state
of the atmosphere, bat the second frost, accompanied as it was with
strong north-easterly winds, attacking vegetation full of moisture,
after the rapid thaw, with which the first frost disappeared, has
been most disastroas to what of late we have beea wont to term
hardy plants. Eucalyptus globulus is killed to the ground; Fhor.
mium tenax is much injured; Australian Dracajnas are, I fear, quite
killed. OE evergreens the Japanese Euonymus, Laurustinus, and
common Laurels are the only shrubs that at present seem injured,
aad of these none are seriously hurt, but it ia rather a puzzle to
know how it happens, that whilst these so-called hardy plants have

90

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

suffered Chamaerops Fortnnei, Camellias, and Skimmias should have
escaped, aa they certainly have done here. Plants of doubtful hardiness
should still have the needful protection applied. Mulchings of stable
litter at the base of the plants or over the beds in which they grow
is a sure preservative of them to the gronnd line. All Roses should
have such a mulching. The frost has quite upheaved many small
jlants, especially hardy kinds that were split np in autumn ^for next
Bummer's bedding arrangements. Sedums, Saxifrages, Sempervi-
vu-fls, Mints, Arabis, &o., will, now the frost has gone, require to be
pressed firmly into the gronnd, and spring flowers of every descrip-
tion require the same attention. The tenderer kinds of bulbs will
need C(jvering in severe weather, which can readily be done with
evergreen branches, or with mats supported on hooped sticks, the
ends of the mats being pegged to the turf. Beds of Cannas will be
sure to suffer this winter, especially if not well drained ; it will,
therefore, be well to divide any plants that have been wintered under
cover, and place in gentle warmth. Seeds of them, too, sown now
will make good plants for putting out at the end of May. Soak
the seeds for a couple of days previous to the sow-
ing, and germination will take place immediately. Acacia
lophantha, one of the moat graceful and effective of sub-tropical
plants should also be sown now in order to have good plants for putting
out iu May. Another fortnight will be sufficiently early to sow
Solanums, Ricinus, Wigandias, Ferdinandas, and other free growers,
as they are apt to get pot-bonnd and 'stunted before planting time
when sown too early. Pelargoniums that were not propagated in
sufficient quantity in the autumn should now receive attention ; three
cuttings in a 3-in. pot make fine plants for turning out into the beds
without division. They strike freely at this season on a dry, warm
shelf in a Pine stove. Peach house, or Vinery, where there is a
minimum temperature of 55.° As bedders the following are
amongst the very best, viz., tricolor Sophia Damaresque, bronze or
zoned Rev. W. F. Radclyffe, and white variegated May Queen. These
three varieties, with the addition of the sweet-scented and variegated
Lady Plymouth, are the cream of all the variegated bedding Pelar-
goniums ; they are compact in growth and contrast well with such
plants aa Coleus, Iresine, and Amarantns. When the weather is open
trench and dig all beds and borders that are vacant, and each bed
should have manure proportionate to the requirements of the plants
intended to grow in it. Calceolarias, Verbenas, Violas, and all sub-
tropical plants can scarcely have too much. Pelargoniums flower
best when the soil is poor, but the beds should be deeply trenched
with the view of resisting drought. Well roll all walks immediately
after a thaw, they will dry off hard and smooth, but if left till dry
the roller makes little impression on them. Complete re-gravelling
or re-surfacing and turning walks as the weather permits, in order
that they may get consolidated before a drier period arrives. The
same remark applies to lawns, which at this season can hardly be
rolled too much. — W. W.

Auriculas. — These have been still further reduced in size by the
second severe frost, and they are now more completely at rest than
I have ever before seen them. It has been necessary to go over the
plants again and carefully remove decaying leaves and other ex-
traneous matter, and to press the mould where it has been much
loosened round the plants. Prepare compost for surface-dressing,
an operation which must be done as soon after February 1 as the
state of the weather will permit. I generally reserve a portion of
the compost that was prepared for Hyacinths, which contains about
one. fourth of its bulk of rotten cow manure. To this I add about
as much more cow manure, and then I find it to be a most excellent
dressing. The surface soil must be removed down to the first roots ;
indeed, it is as well to remove as much of it as possible without in.
juring any roots j then add the compost, pressing it in firmly.

Carnations and Picoteaa. — The weather has been very trying
for plants of these, possessing a delicate constitution, that were
planted out-of-doors late in the autumn. I find that saoh plants
will not even live out-of-doors near London unless the precaution be
taken to place a glass protector over them ; it is not the cold nor
even severe frosts alone that cause the injury, but continued wet
combined with frost. A good plan is to place bell-glasses over the
plants, but they must be raised about 1 in. or u.ore from the ground
to permit a continued circulation of air. It is worthy of note that
growers of these flowers for exhibition as far north as Newcastle-
npon-Tyne succeed remarkably well with plants put out in beds in
the autumn. They use, of course, a good free porous compost, the
beds are well mulched with dry, rotten manure, and the plants are
held in their places by a neat stick. Hardy Cloves and others in
open borders must be looked over, and loose plants secured in their
places ; they will not succeed if the roots be not made sufficiently
steady to withstand a gale.

Hollyhocks. — These cannot be propagated lo freely as Dahlias ;
therefore it is desirable tp begin early. When a Dahlia root is lifted

in autumn there are no signs of any growth from the base of the
stems, but with Hollyhocks the case is different ; many of these will
have a tuft of growths round the base of the stem, and if the plants
have been in a house from which frost has been excluded, some of
these may now be taken off, and either be inserted in sandy soil as
cuttings, or they may be grafted on to bits of healthy roots. In
either case care is requisite in watering, as they are liable to damp
off, especially in a damp hotbed ; the best place for them is a close
frame inside a forcing house, with bottom-heat supplied from hot.
water pipes; each cutting or grafted root should be inserted singly
in a small pot, and the pots should be 'plunged in moderately damp
sand. Keep the frame close at first, and apply water sparingly, but
not over the leaves.

Fansies. — Those in pots in frames have made no progress, but
advantage must be taken of fine weather when it comes to push the
plants into active growth, as the principal object of growing the
plants in pots is to have an early bloom. See that no insect pests
are allowed to remain upon the leaves ; a reddish-coloured aphis, to
the attacks of which they are liable, will quite spoil them if not
immediately destroyed. Red spider can stand more cold than some
imagine, and will make its appearance with the first mild sunny
weather. Slugs will also eat out the incipient flower buds.

Primula cortusoides amcena and its varieties frequently
Buffer from neglect at this season ; the crowns push early, bat they
will not become very strong it the roots are allowed to become too
djy. See that they are kept fairly moist. Oar plants are in cold
frames at present, and the pots are plunged in Cocoa-nut fibre
refuse.

Aquilegias, such as A. ccerulea, A. alpina, A. chrysantha, A.
glandulosa, A. oalifornica hybrida, and A. ccerulea hybrida, are all
grown in pots and cultivated in the same frame with a few species of
Primula. The leaves of all of them are liable to the attacks of red
spider, and they can be treated to keep this peat in check when
grown together.

Tulips. — These are now appearing aboveground, and in cold, wet
districts it is necessary to place some covering over the beds to
throw off superfluous wet and to protect the plants from severe frost.
Growers for exhibition in the midland counties have strong iron
hoops bent over the beds, which are kept in position by connecting
rods of iron. These are covered with mats or stout canvas only when
the weather is severe. Any covering left over the plants in fine
weather tends to weaken them. I have not yet found it necessary to
protect oar beds near London at this season. When the leaves are
dry frost does not seem to injure them, but if water be collected by
the leaves and a severe frost occurs danger is to be apprehended. —
J. Douglas.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — Early forcing is a difficult and slow operation this season '
and such it must continue to be so long as cold weather lasts. Con"
tinuoua hard firing is in the highest degree debilitating to the Vines 5
so, for the present, low night temperatures should be the rule, aud
forcing should be done by a slightly increased day heat. Such increase
of warmth is imperatively necessary where the Vines are advancing
towards the flowering stage ; but, where the buds are as yet nnex.
panded, make no advance in temperature till a favourable change in
the weather takes place. Outside borders should be well protected
in order to prevent them from being chilled by snow or hijavy rains,
and, if fermenting material be used for increasing the temperature of
the soil, great care will be required to prevent over'aeating. Early
Vinery borders should all be inside where Grapes have to be ripe in
April and May. All Grapes now on the Vines should noirbe cut and
stored iu a dry room, for, if not done soon, a recurreice of mild
weather will at once put the sap in motion, and two evils wiU be the
result, viz., the Vines will bleed by being pruned so late, and the
Grapes will burst as soon as they are put into the bottles of water.
When the pruning is done, thoroughly cleanse the houses and Vines
by rubbing off any loose bark, and painting them with the usual
composition, both as a preventive against and remedy for insect
pests. The borders should then be renovated by clearing off all the
surface soil, working it out from the roots with hand-forks and re.
placing it with the best loam that is to be had, with which should be
mixed a liberal allowance of i-in. bones and wood-ashes or charcoal,
the whole being pressed firmly about the roots. For the present,
guard against exciting the Vines into activity by keeping the house
as cool as possible, a month's real rest being more beneficial than
twice that amount of uncertain rest.

Peaches and Nectarines. — These are most impatient as regards
artificial heat, and hard firing proves fatal to them, therefore be con-
tent with a slow adv.ance till daylight is longer and sunshine proba-
ble, when a push can be made with greater certainty of attaining

Jan. 25, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

91

snooesa. Any in flower should be artificially fertilised to insare a
good Bet. An active boy, with a camel.hair pencil, will do thonsands
of blosaoms in an hour. The atmosphere shonld now incline to the
dry side, and a chink of air be constantly kept on, but guard against
the slightest current of cold air, which soon shrivels up any blossoms
with which it comes in contact. Houses now being started should
have the borders examined as to moisture ; if dry soak them well
with tepid water. Outside borders should have sufficient protection
to exclude frost, snow, and cold rains, but artificial warmth is neither
necessary nor desirable. Let late houses have the necessary
pruning and cleansing on the first opportunity, and induce effectual
rest by keeping the temperature at the lowest point commensurate
with the future well-being of the trees.

Figs. — Usually the earliest of these are produced by means of pot
culture, and with liberal treatment both as to attention and feeding,
good returns can be had by this mode of growing them. The
embryo fruit of those that were introduced into warmth in Novem-
ber will now be slowly developing, and if the drainage be open
water will be required most days, for, it after this stage the plants
are allowed to become dry, the worst results may be anticipated. If
the plants ba plunged in a bed of Oak leaves (the beat heat-producing
medium for them), care must be exercised that the heat does not
become excessive ; 70' should never be exceeded, and the moment
the roots protrude out of the bottom of the pots dispense with
bottom heat entirely. A moist atmospheric temperature, averaging
55' by night and 70' by day, is necessary for plants at this stage of
growth. Where the trees are planted out in inside borders, which is
the best plan, such borders should at once have the needful
annual dreasing. If confined within reasonable limits, and such is
necessary for fruitfulnesa, it will be impossible to give them too rich
a top dressing. Rich loam, well-decayed cow manure, and lime
scraps, in about equal proportions, constitute the best materials for
this purpose. Water with tepid water to consolidate the dressing
about the roots, and the house may then be closed, but fire heat
should not be applied for a fortnight longer. Winter pruning of Figs
13 rarely necessary if summer pinching has been regularly carried
ont, but to prevent crowding it may be desirable to out out any
straggling, spurless, or eyeless shoots when the trees are being over-
hauled for their winter dressing.

Sti-awberries. — Those in flower should have the pollen distribnted
daily, and air given freely whenever the air outside is free from froat.
Keep the planta reasonably moist, and avoid splashing the flowers
with water. As soon as the fruit is set, thin it out to six or at most
eight fruits to each plant, after which manure water may be given
twice a week. Successional batches of plants should be placed in
warmth fortnightly in order to keep up a continuous succession of
fruit till open air crops are ripe. As a rule, about three dozen plants
put into warmth fortnightly will ensure a modeiate succession of
fruit. Shelves for plants that are to remain in the one position till
their fruit is ripe, may have a coating of horse droppings or turf
cut the width of the shelf, and laid Grass side downwards ; into this
the roots soon find their way, and much labour is saved, as water is
not so frequently required as it otherwise would be. The plan has
one drawback only, and that is, the drainage sometimes gets choked,
a matter easily avoided.

Fines. — Under the present unpropitions state of the weather, the
rearranging and potting of Pines are impossible, but advantage must
be taken of the first mild weather to accomplish these operations, as
it is import vut that fruit now showing should have a bottom heat of
85,° and this cannot be maintained until a renewal or addition of fresh
leaves or ton, as the case may be, is made to the bed. Till such extra
bottom ^eat can be applied, do not increase the atmospheric tempera-
ture, as both ehonld be advanced simultaneously. As to watering,
look oi'rt'- lie plants every week, and when strong fires have to be
kept going, twice a week may be requisite, especially in the case of
plants near the pipes.. Atmospheric humidity is a necessary element
in Pine culture, but requires judgment in the application; it should
never be applied to such an extent that the condensation drops like
rain into the hearts of the plants. The state of the outside air should
afford some guide in this matter. All should bear in mind that an
atmosphere continually surcharged with vapour is j ust as inj urions as
a dry one, and this may lead to the adoption of measures to avoid
either extreme.

Melons. — Do not be in a hurry to plant these ont. At this early
season there is little danger of their being pot. bound, and the plants
will make better progress if kept on shelves near the glass for another
week or two than planted out. The soil should be got in to admit of
its getting warmed through thoroughly. Moderately stiff loam,
without any admixture whatever, is best, and if fresh dug from the
pasture all the better. It should be well pounded when put in the

bed, and the lighter the soil the harder shonld it be made. Make
another sowing in the manner recommended in a previous calendar. —
W. W.

Storing Ice. — Mr. Dennis's icehouse (p. 59) will be found to be
an excellent one ; but as many do not possess suoh a structure
I would suggest the following method of storing ice, which I have
seen practised, and which will be found to be a very easy and simple
plan. A foundation of faggots was laid so as to admit of the water
passing readily away, and upon this was thrown the ice, which was
pounded as small as possible. Faggots were then used to keep the
stack together; they were supported by stakes driven into the
ground, and between them and the ice straw and sawdust were placed
to keep out the air. When the heap had attained tha required height,
a quantity of leaves, then a layer of straw and faggots, or boards,
constituted a covering. The ice kept nearly as well and as long in this
way, as that within a structure similar to the one recommended by
Mr. Dennis.— J. S. T.

Garden Labels. — Everyone knows the necessity of having plants
in gardens properly named, and in order to do this effectoally it is
equally necessary labels should be used on which the names can be
legibly written ; this can of course be done, as it usually is on wood,
terra cotta, zinc, and the like, but then the writing soon becomes
obliterated. We saw, however, the other day a label which seemed to
be an improvement on existing kinds as regards durability. It was
made of prepared green paper or parchment, neat in shape and ap-
pearance, and on which the writing could be distinctly seen, and
which latter never becomes obliterated until the label is thoroughly
worn out. These labels, which are made by Messrs. Tebbs, are
exteneively used in the gardens at the Poles, near Ware, where they
are highly spoken of for use in Orchid houses or other damp places,
as well as out-of-doors. It is also stated that after having placed
them under water for a day or two the writing was nuinjured, and
the label as firm and good as before. — S.

Market Gardening and Want of Market Accommodation.
— "A MarketGardener " writes to us ("Pall Mall Gazette") as
follows :— Your note on the dearness of vegetables is accurate enough,
bat the suggestion to farmers to take np market gardening requires
consideration. In the first place, the high cultivation required in
market gardening demands a very large iccrease of capital, which
not every farmer has at his disposal. In the next place, one of the
main causes of the high price of vegetables is the cost of their con-
veyance to markets, on the one hand, and the difficulty and cost of
the conveyance of the requisite manure for cultivation on the other.
All the land suitable for market gardening within a reasonable dis.
tance of London is already put to that purpose, and if more land
were to be taken np it must be further off, and at an increased cost
of carriage. Bat the one great difficulty is the absolute want of
proper market accommodation for vegetables. Go to Covent Garden
and the neighbourhood of the Borongh Market, two of the chief
depots, when the market carts are rolling in from all quarters with
their produce, and you will then be able to form some idea of the
utter want of suitable accommodation. Every street anywhere near
these markets is blocked with dense crowds of cabbage carts. The
nuisance to persons passing through these districts is already very
great, and it would be well nigh impossible at all largely to increase
the present supply. There is no doubt that farmers and landlords
just now are having an exceptionally hard time of it, and it is not
easy to see when or how times are to mend. If, therefore, any
possible means could be devised for giving agriculture a fresh
impetus or new grooves to work in, it would be of the utmost impor.
tance. Market gardening, however, at the very best, could be but
a very small help.

Ivy in Fern Cases. — It is a common occurrence to see in the
houses of persons who do not give their minds to the mutter. Fern cases
without Ferns, or with a few deplorable bits that, we are assured, will be
very fine some day, hut which too evidently wiU become smaller, and soon
disappear. That the planting and managing of Fern cases is a very
simple matter need not now be insisted on. It is a fact that thousands
of persons start Fern cases and aquariums, only to f;iil in some way or
other, and it is more of a moral than a scientific question, as to why and
how it all happens, I wish to point out to all who possess Fern cases,
and can make nothing of them, that they make capital Ivy gardens, and
Ivies will generally live in them without any management at all, provided
they have light always, and water occasionally. As a matter of course,
the smallest-leaved Ivies should he planted, and they should he nicely
trained on wires. When a case filled with small-leaved Ivies is doing
well, it is a charming object, and much to be prefen'ed to one occupied
by two or three dying Ferns. — " Gardeners' Magazine."

92

THE GARDEN.

[Jan. 25, 1879.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Early Melons.— "A. D." (p. 60) thinks that " J. W." must have
been puzzled when be got seven Jlelons recommended and only asked for
two, but if "A. D." had noticed " J. W.'s " question he would have seen
that he asked for two Melons suitable for an early crop to grow in a span-
roofed pit, and two sorts suitable for a frame as a second crop. The
reason I recommended Victory of Bath and Paradise Gem for an early
crop was because they both stand any amount of forcing, and Paradise
Gem will be ready a week or ten days before Read's Scarlet Flesh, and
equal in quality, while Read's Scarlet Flesh and Victory of Bath come
in together under the same treatment, and ten diys is a consideration to
a gardener as regards early Melons. Victory of Bath does fairly well in a
hot-bed frame, but it is not so hardy as Golden Queen. — James Smith,
Waterdale^

Fruit Trees in an Orchard House.— In answer to "J. E.W."
(p. G9) allow me to say that these should be plunged to within 2 in. of the
rim of the pots. Plunging maintains a steadier root temperature.and a 6-in.
flower- pot should be placed at the bottom of the hole in which to set the
pot, in order to prevent the roots from running into the soil ; there should
also be good drainage to allow the water to pass away rapidly, as stone
fruit can scarcely have too much water when in full growth. Deer, sheep,
or cow manure makes a very suitable fertiliser for trees in pots. It should
be maie in small quantities so that it may be used fresh, and as soon as
the fruit is fairly sot, supply it regularly in a weak state till the fruit begins
to change colour, when clean water must take its place. — James S.mith,
Waterdale.

How Best to Combine Pruit and Flowers.—" A. B." (p.
69) may rest assured that she has ample glass accommodation to have a
superabundance of flowers all the year round. It is a hopeless task to
attempt to grow fruit and flowers successfully in the same house, and
therefore the plan suggested of assigning particular plants to each kind
of house should be abandoned, and the hothouses only used as ausiliaries
to bring plants on for the conservatory. The first step should be to
make the greenhouse suitable for holding plants by removing or covering
up the tank so as to remedy the moist atmosphere complained of, and
also to arrange the heating apparatus so as to command a temperature of
from 42° to 45° during the wmter instead of the extreme heat she seema
to have. By setting aside a hot and cold pit for the use of the flower
department, and using the other houses for bringing things on when that
can be done without injury, an ample supply of flowers should be
obtained, but, above all, it is essential to have a gai-dener who under-
stands the business, otherwise the very best appliances will result in
failure.— T. B.

Conservatory Climbers. — A correspondent asks (p 69) for a good
plant to grow on a trellis on the back wall of a conservatory ; let me recom-
mend him to obtain a good strong healthy plant, 3 ft or 4 ft. high, of
Luculia gratissima at once- What could be more delicious than the
fragrance of this charming winter. flowering plant adjoining the drawing-
room ? The old plant h^re has just passed its best, after pouring out its
frao-ranCB from over COO heads of bloom, commencing about the end of
October, several of the heads of bloom measuring 1_ ft. in diameter.
Gould's artificial compound manure has put quite new vigour into the old
plant ; this plant compound just suits the Luculia, I never saw the heads
so large as they have been this year. The temperature in which this plant
grows varies from 40° to 48° without sun heat, and it needs little attention
beyond spurrmg and tying to the trellis. The soil which we use is good
sandy loara mixed with sand and leaf mould. — William Culverwell,
Tliorpe Perrow.

Mistletoe on ihs Oak. — Mistletoe is reported to sometimes grow
on the Oak in England. Can you kindly name a few of the places in
which it occurs on that tree ?— J. H. [According to Dr. Bull, of Uere-
ford Mistletoe grows on the following Oaks:— 1. On the Eastnor Oak, on
RiJgway Hill, Eastnor Park, Herefordshire, known for many years ; first
described by Mr. Edwin Lees in the " Botanical Looker out " more than
twenty years ago. The tree is nearly 101) years old, and has several Mis-
tletoe bunches upon it. 2. The Oak at Tedstone, Delamere, Herefordshire,
described in 1851 (Dr. Bull), in the Woolhope Club's "Transactions;" a
middle-aged tree with a large bunch oa it. 3 The Oak at Haven, in the
ancient forest of Deerfold, North Herefordshire ; described and figured
in the Woolhope Club's " Transactions" (Dr. Bull). 4. The Bredwardine
Oak, on the estate of the Rev. Sir G. Cornewall, Bart., discovered in 1871 ;
also described in the Woolhope " Transactions " (Dr. Bull), where a fine
photograph is given of the tree. The parasite shoots out from it in fifteen
different places. 5- The Brinsop Oak in the Old Town Field, Herefordshire,
discovered in 1871 (Dr. Bull). 6. The Hop Meadow Oak. Hampton
Bishop, Herefordshire ; discovered by the Rev- H. J. D Stilliagfleet,
Rector of the parish, in 1872. 7 and 8. Two Mistletoe Oaks on the
Buokerhill property belonging to Mr. J. H. Barneby Lutley, near Brom-
yard ; one discovered by the Rev. H. W. Welter, curate, in 1873, and the
other the same year by Mr Shirley Stephenson, son of the Rev. Nash
Stephenson, vicar of Bromyard. 9. Oak at the Hendre. Llongattock, Lin-
goed, Monmouthshire, discovered in the winter of 1870 ; described and
figured in the Woolhope " Transactions " for 1871 by Dr. Bull. 10. Oak
at Lindridge, Worcester-hire; discovered in 1870by Mr. John Twinberrow
of Witley, and described by Mr. Edwin Lees. 11- The Badham Court
Oak, Sudbury Park, ntar Chepstow; described in Wo:ilhop3 " Transac-
tions f.)r 1S(U ( Dr Bull). 12. Frampton-on-Severn Oik, Gluiioestershire,
be'.oiging to Mr. Cliilbrd (Ibil). 13. Mistletoe Oak, near Knightwick

Church, Worcestershire ; discovered in 1871 by Miss Eliza Walker, of
Knightwick. 14. Oak at Burningfield Farm, Dansfold, Surrey, the pro-
perty of Mr. W. L. Woods. (Woolhope "Transactions," 18C4). 15. Hack-
wood Park Oak, near Basingstoke, Hampshire (Ihid) ; a very old tree. A
specimen of the Mistletoe from this tree was sent bv the first Lord Bolton
to Sir Joseph Banks, who described it in the " Philosophical Transac-
tions." There are notices of several other Mistletoe Oaks, and their
former localities recorded, but these are all the instances, it is believed, in
which the Oaks are now known to be living with the Mistletoe growing
upon them ]

Names of Plants. — A. A. Thorn. — Apparently Haemanthas natal-
ensis, not so common as H. cocoiueus, but not rare.

Questions.

Lirge.leavad Saxifragas— In "W. D.'s" useful observations on
carpeting bulb beds (p. 56), mention is made of the large-foliaged Saxi-
frages, such as oppositifolia. Will "W. D." kindly inform us what
Saxifrage he had in view when he wrote oppositifolia ? I am much
interested in Saxifrages, and what I have known as S. oppositifolia is not
large-foliaged. " W. D.'s" advice is too good to allow of mistakes
which have a tendency to throw doubt on the whole if not corrected. —
Thomas Williams, Ormskirk.

Fuchsia serratifolia. — In Harrison's " FloiicuUural Cabinet " of
August, 1845, there is given an illustration of this remarkable and beau-
tiful Fuchsia. I have had it in the open air almost ever since then, but
thii winter I have lost it. It never flowered well in the open air, but
grew freely enough, and was worth growing, if only for its rich green
foliage. Is it in cultivation now?— William Johnston, BaUykilbeg,
Co. Down.

Carpeting Balb Beds. — I wish to thank your correspondent for
his answer to my wants in your last week's number, and also to ask
" W. D.," (p. 55) who has sent a very valuable contribution on this sub-
ject, if he would kindly supplement his remarks by a few words on flower-
ing carpet plants for autumn bulbs, both remaining in the ground un-.
disturbed, unless for occasional improvement of the soil, &c. What I
wish is to be able to place over a portion of my bulbs, plants beautiful in
foliage during winter, and flowering in the autumn. I should also like to
trespass so much further on his kindness, as to ask whether all these
carpet plants, spring or autumn, might not, if desired, in special cases,
be used to cover deciduous herbaceous plants, with a pleasant winter
foliage ? — J. S.

Filmy Ferns. — What soil do Todea superba, Hymenophyllum fla-
bellatum, and the like require ? What temperature do they need in
winter and summer ? Is 40° enough in winter ? — R. Johnson.

Schoolmaster Potato. — Having seen an advertisement in The
Garden relative to the above Potato yielding from tn-o tahers in the
second year the enormous quantity of 60 bushels, 1 should feel truly
thankful if the person who accomplished this feat would let the " School-
master " come among us and enlighten our dai'kness in regard to the
matter. Living, as I do, in one of the best Potato districts in the king-
dom, I must say that I am incredulous oa the subject. However, if the
above statement prove to be a fact, then by all means let the "School-
master" go abroad. Let there be no more famine or complaining in our
streets after this. Such a feat as the above forcibly reminds me of the
miracle of the loaves and fishes. — D. T.

Koyal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.— Mr. Sadler, the newly-
appointed curator of these gardens, first went there in 1854. For some
time he was engaged in the conservatories, and also in the propagating
department and herbarium. During the aumraer months he assisted
Professor Balfour, the Regius Keeper. In 1858, on Dr. George Lawson
(now Professor in Dalhousie College) leaving. Dr. Balfour appijinted him
his assistant in all matters connected with the botanical classes at the
Garden, as well as in his duties as Regius Keeper. In 1861 Mr. Sadler
was appointed secretary to the Scottish Arboricultural Society ; in 1867
Lecturer on Botany to the Royal High School; and since 1858 he has been
the Acting Secretary of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. In 1869
the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society awarded him the Neill prize
of Jt5U for his many services to practical botany.

Garden Appointments. — Mr. Thomas Snelling, who has for the
last twelve or more years been g,ardener to B. B. Hunter Rodwell, Esq ,
Q C, M.P., at Ampton Park, near Bury St. Edmunds, has been appointed
successor to the late Mr. Dale, as manager of the Middle Temple Gardens.
Mr. Snelling, who is in the prime of life, is an excellent gardener and
plant grower, and has for many years been successful as an exhibitor at
the shows of the Bury and West Suffolk Horticultural Society. Under
his management it may confidently be esp9cted that the Gardens in
question will be unlikely to lose any of their attractions.

" Ten Thousand Five Hundred Barrels are a good many
Apples — yet this quantity left New York city for Europe on a recent
Saturday. There is always a demand for our Applej abroad, even in
years of plenty there. While we are glad that the Europeans get our
fruit, we regret that but little of the profits of the shipment reaches
the hands of our fruit-growers." So says our contemporary, the
'■ American Agriculturist." The facts may be worth the attention
of onr own growers or landowners.

THE GAEDEN.

93

No. 376 j

SAToaDA.Y, F3BRUA.-K.Y :, 1879.

[Vol. XV

" This is an art
Which does mend Nature ; chanfre it rather : but
The Art itself is Katudk." — ShLiketfpcare.

HOW TO HAVE CAMELLIAS EARLS'.
It will, I think, be readily .■idraifcted that Camellias are the most
serviceable and beautiful of all greenhouse plants, but, allhongh
this is the case, their value to the generality of growers would
be considerably increased could they only induce them to flower
earlier. Many make the attempt to get them to do this by
putting them in heat with a view to force them, and wonder
why it is that their buds fall off instead of swelling and unfold-
ing as they expected to see them. Knowing that pl.ints of
nearly all descriptions may be got in bloom out of their
natural season by the use of artificial heat, those unacquainted
with the culture of Camellias attribute their failure to every
cause but the right one, and persevere in the same course year
after year till they give up in despair. As many may now be
about to try the experiment with a portion of their plants,
a word of warning may be useful. The only way to get
Camellias to flower early is to start them early into growth,
and if this hi persevered in for two or three seasons they
acquire the habit of flowering in the autumn and winter instead
of the spring. By treating some in this manner I always
have plenty of blooms in October, and from that time onwards,
and these from plants trained on the back walls of Vineries
where little or nothing else would grow, owing to the dense
shade and absence of light. Any one, therefore, having such
places vacant, cannot possibly do better than to utilise them as
we have done, and if the work be set about at once, in order
that the plants may make their growth when the Vines are
forced, there will be a good prospect of cutting plenty of
flowers at this time next year. Camellias in pots are all very
well for the embellishment of greenhouses and conservatories,
but to afford a heavy crop of bloom, and plenty of length of
youns? wood for cutting with it, they must be planted out, as
then, with an almost unlimited root-run, their growth is
exceedingly strong and vigorous, and the cutting to which
they are subjecied does them no harm, but is rather necessary
and beneficial than otherwise. With us they make shoots
from 1 ft. to 2 ft. long in a season, and oftimes considerably
more, and, as they have now nearly filled their allotted space, I
never hesitate to cut them hard back, and take a good length
of wood with the flowers.

Although Camellias will do fairly well in almost any soil,
they succeed best in either good fresh fibry loam or peat, or
a mixture of the two, and in preparing the border one or the
other of these should be made use of and put in to a depth of
2 ft. or 80. Owing to the great quantity of water the plants
require when growing, and also at the time when they are
producing their blossoms, it is very important that they have
free and efficient drainage, and the best way to provide this is
to place 6 in. of soft red broken bricks at the bottom of the
Dorder, and on these a layer of rough turves, to insure the
interstices being kept clear and open. Some of the healthiest
and best Camellias which I ever saw were grown in pure loam,
and if this be used, as it may be with the greatest safety, where
peat is not easily and readily obtainable, it should bo chopped
lip and put in in a coarse state so that the roots may be able to
ramify and extend themselves quickly. Peat should likewise
be used in the same condition, as the tendency of all soils that
lie long is to lose their fibre and general porosity, and more
particularly is this the case with such as lie in a large body
together and are subjected to heavy and repeated waterings
like that of a border in which Camellias are grown. There is
one thing, however, to be avoided, and that is, leaving no hollow
places or cavities when filling in whereby the water may effect
its escape without permeating the whole mass, for, if this takes
place, plants that appear to have a good deal of water given
them get little or none, and frequently languish from want of
moisture at a time when they are supposed to have been abun-

dantly supplied. In turning Camellias out of their pots for the
purpose of planting them out, the crocks at the bottom of the
ball should be picked carefully from among the roots, and as
many of these should be liberated and spread about in the new
soil as can be done without risk of breaking or iDJuring them.
They should then be slightly covered with some of the finer
portions of the loam or peat, after which the final filling up
of the whole border may be proceeded with. A gentle treading
will make all complete, except a good watering to be gi\eu
through the coarse rose of a pot, in order to settle the soil
about the balls of the plants, and give them a start. Any
tying in of the branches or training that may be
required to keep them flat to the wall can best be doue by
straining some galvanised wire horizontally at from G in. to
9 in. apart, running the same through studs driven into the
joints of the bricks in order to keep them in their proper posi-
tion. The moist atmosphere and frequent syringings neces-
sary when forcing Vines just suit Camellias, and I know of no
situation better adapted to their growth. They are plants of
a shade-loving character, and this shade the Vine foliage
affords exactly at the time when it is wanted, which is during
the summer mouths, and at the present season, when more
light becomes indispensable, the leaves are gradually falling
and admitting it by degrees. No artificial arrangement could
therefore answer the purpose in so satisfactory a manner, and
as Camellias are in no way subject to insects, with the excep-
tion of brown scale, there need not be any feeling of reluc-
tance about introducing them into Vineries on that account.
I make it a practice to give them a good washing with the
garden engine just before the buds begin to expand, as then
the foliage, from being so bright and polished looking, is a
great ornament to the flowers, which are thus set off to the best
advantage.

It may be that many who have not the convenience of plant-
ing Camellias out and growing them on the back walls of their
Vineries to get them into early bloom, may have the facilities
for doing so elsewhere in pots, and the course I would recom-
mend them to pursue in such cases is to look over the plants
which they have in stock and pick out all such as are without
flowers buds and introduce them into moist heat soon after
Christmas so as to induce an early wood growth. Any forcing
house at work will answer the purpose, as it matters little what
the variation of temperature may be so long as atmospheric
moisture is in proportion. Camellias being plants that endure
great extremes without sustaining any harm. This is very
remarkable considering how susceptible they are of change,
and how quickly they shed their buds when any attempt is
made to force then, as then warmth; for a week or two sends
the buds off in showers, and should there by chance any remain
on, the flowers when they expand are never anything like the
size they should be. It should be borne in mind, that not only
will artificial heat cause the buds to fall off, but that dryness
at the root will produce similar results, and those therefore
who have plants they wish to see in full beauty by-and bye,
cannot be too watchful of their wants at the present time. The
great mistake frequently made, is giving water often and ia
driblets, instead of sufficient to thoroughly soak the whole of
the ball, and then allowing them to stand till they are in a fit
state to have it repeated. The point is to preserve the happy
medium. As regards the repotting of Camellias, experienced
cultivators differ much in opinion as to the proper time at
which they should have a shift ; some think that it should be
done directly the flower buds are formed, while others are
equally persuaded in their own minds that the right season to
shift them is directly the blooms fade, and before the young
growth commences. For my own part I am in favour of the
latter, as during the spring root action is much more vigorous
than at any other time ; and not only this, but the plants will
then better bear any slight check which they may receive than,
when they are more advanced. The assistance, too, that the
fresh soil affords when given them early, must tell favourably
on their growth, and consequently on the number of blossom
buds which they are aVjle to form over what they would have
done had the potting been deterred till a later period. Ca-
mellias are fond of liquid manure, liberal supplies of which
should be given them from this time till aVout May or June.
I have always seen the best effect produced by administering

94

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879.

clarified soot water, a stimulant that is particularly suitable to
most plants, and is as useful as anything that can bo user).

S. D.

HELIOTROPES FOR WINTER FLOWERING.
To have Heliotrope flowers in winter there should be a night
temperature oi: 55'', in order to secure a continuous growth,
and if the plants occupy a light position, each young shoot will
terminate in 'a truss of flowers, and a long succession svill be
thus obtained. But if they do not occupy a light position, so
that a certain amount of vigour and ripeness may be imparted
to the new growth, the shoots will be weak, soft, and conse-
quently flowerless. A shelf near the glass at the end, or amid
the heated air at the back of the house, not far from the wall,
if the house be a lean-to one, will be a suitable position.
During summer the plants must have undergone a suitable
preparation. When the stock of Heliotropes is propagated
for bedding in spring, a few dozen of the most vigorous
plants should be selected, and grown on specially for winter
flowering. They should not be allowed to starve in small pots,
but should be shifted into larger pots before they receive any
check, and, as soon as all danger from frost is over they should
be plunged in a bed of coal ashes up to the rims of the pots
in the open air. All shoots should be pinched back, to induce
a bushy habit, and by so doing flowers will not be permitted
to form. The bed should occupy an open situation, and the
plants must stand far enough apart individually to permit of
a free circulation of air, and so insure robust, short-jointed
growth. Such plants when placed on a shelf in a warm inter-
mediate or forcing house in winter, will produce a large
number of flowers for cutting from October to February or
March. Good little bushes may be had in 5 in. pots ; but the
strongest will require a size larger. Plunging the pots in
.summer will save watering, and prevent the hot sun acting
so forcibly on the roots at the sides of the pots, from which
cause plants that are standing far apart, with their pots
unprotected, sometimes lose their leaves. All plants grown
for winter flowering are better plunged in the open air in
summer than placed on the north side of hedges or walls. It
is a mistaken notion to suppose the tops will take any harm
•from bright sunshine if the roots be protected. This refers
to many other plants besides Heliotropes. A few of the most
vigorous may, if desired, be trained as standards, with stems
12 in. or so long. By attention to pinching good bushy plants
maybe had in one season. The dark purple-flowered varieties
are the best for winter blooming, as the pale-coloured flowers
become still paler in brisk heat, but the dark varieties still
retain a delightful tint of purple. Heliotrope flowers may
. also be had in abundance in winter irom old plants planted out,
and trained against a wall in a warm, light house — indeed,
, that is the best plan to adopt, if the flowers are wanted in
. quantity. The plants should be pruned well back about the
end of August, or a little earlier or later, according to the
■ time the flowers are required. The syringe should be used
freely, to induce a free and vigorous break ; but when once
the shoots have fairly broken into growth less syringing will
be required, as this, as autumn approaches, only tends to
promote weak growth. After a good break has been secured,
.the size and number of the trusses of flowers will be in pro-
j)ortionto the direct light that reaches the plants, accompanied,
.as it should be, by a corresponding amount of heat. These
.are the two prime factors in the production of Heliotrope
.flowers in winter, and should always bear some relation to
each other in forcing, E, Hobday.

FRUIT AND FLOWER CULTURE COMBINED,
In order to keep up a good supply of flowers all the year
round, a cool stove or forcing house, in addition to the glass
" A. B." mentions (p. 92),isindispensable,as without that it isim-
possible to bring on plants during the winter to render a green-
house gay, or afford anything useful for cutting. With a good
light house in two divisions, where different degrees of tem-
perature can be maintained, much may be done, as in it Roses,
Bhododendrons, Azaleas, Deutzias, Spirseas, Solomon's Seal,
Jjily of the Valley, and similar plants, may be forced in con-

stant succession, while, in the other end, Poinsettias, Euphor-
bias, Bouvardias, Eucharis, Gardenias, Begonias, such as mani-
cata, nitida, intermedia, and numerous other winter-blooming
stove plants, may be grown in pots, besides which part of the
roof may be utilised for training, near the glass, in the sunniest
and lightest part, Bougainvillea speciosa, that will yield any
quantity of flowers for cutting. Room may likewise be found
in the same way for Stephanotis floribunda, and, at the cooler
end, Bougainvillea glabra to succeed its congener that comes
in so early, Al!amandas,too, succeed trained in the same way,
the single blossoms of which look well placed in plates
of green Moss, associated with Gloxinias, Cactuses, or any
others of similar form and character. A large lean-
to, with a high protecting wall, such as that of a bnildmg,
to form the back, is the best form of house where economy
is a consideration, as it requires less fuel to maintain a
certain degree of heat than a span-roofed structure does,
having such a breadth of glass exposed for the winds and
weather to act on. A common mistake many make when
erecting houses for such a purpose is in not putting piping
enough in, which necessitates more fire being used than would
otherwise be required, and therefore, although there may be
an apparent saving at the commencement, it becomes much
more expensive in the end by annually increasing the coal bill.
A boiler worked at half power is much cheaper than one that
has to be driven hard to do its work, and if the requisite tem-
perature can be maintained without overheating the water the
atmosphere is always far mox'e congenial and healthier for
plants. As " A, B," has her Peach trees trained to the back
wall, the front of the houses would be far more serviceable
with raised trellises, on which might be placed the whole of the
bedding material or anything requiring to be kept cool and airy,
such, for instance, as Heaths and Epacrises, or other hard-
wooded plants of that character, any of which would likewise do
well in the house " A, B," mentions as having a tank in it, and
which causes it to be too damp for Pelargoniums, Such an
atmosphere would be just the thing for Cinerarias, shrubby
Calceolarias, Libonia floribunda, Coronillas, Cytissus, and such
like that like moisture in the air, and which only thrive really
well when they can be so accommodated. The Vineries may
with advantage be utilised for growing zonal and other Pelar-
goniums, forwarding Fuchsias, Roses, early Rhododendrons,
and anything else not subject to thrips or red spider, as
these are the only insects to fear that attack Vines, for black
and green fly can bo readily destroyed, A greenhouse to be
full of flower at this dull season of the year should be kept
regularly at from 50° to 65°, and in this temperature almost
everything except tender stove plants will stand and flower pro-
fusely. It may be some help to " A, B," and others if I state
what we now have in such a structure that looks fairly gay
considering the bad weather. Most notable are the Camellias,
which, owing to the regular warmth we have maintained for
years past, have got into an early blooming habit, and now
form an imposing background for the miscellaneous plants
staged in front. These consist of forced Callas, Rhododen-
drons, Azaleas, Salvias, Eupatoriums, Ageratum mexicanura.
Perpetual Carnations, Cytissus, Ooronilla glauca, Schizostylis,
Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Primulas, Hebeclinium ianthinum,
Linum trigynum, Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana, Schizanthus
papilionaoeus, Solanums of the different berry-bearing kinds.
Chrysanthemum frutescens. Double Prunuses, and Lilacs,
Interspersed amongst these are several fine-foliaged plants, the
principal of which are Hedychiums, Palms, Grevillea robusta,
and Coprosma Baueriana, with Draccena australis and the New
Zealand Flax. So good and showy are the Linums and Serico-
graphis, that I would strongly recommend them to be grown
by all who have to keep a house gay during the winter, and if
a temperature anywhere above 50" is maintained, they will be
found to be just at home and to expand their gay
blossoms in the greatest profusion. Other most useful
winter-flowering plants are Libonia floi'ibunda and L, pen-
rhosiensis, the latter especially; it forms dense, neat little
bushes, quite covered with bloom, that continues coming
on for a long time in succession. For lasting from the present
season up till May, Hebeclinium ianthinum is most valua-
ble, and, although considered a stove plant, it does remarkably
well in a warm greenhouse. In appearance, except as regards

Feb. 1, 1870.]

THE GARDEN.

the foliage, which is large and .stout, it resembles the well-
known Ageratum mexicanum, but has larger heads of flowers
of a better colour, and, as these are borne at the apex of every
shoot, well-grown specimens of it are objects of great beauty.
Salvia splendens and Heeri, too, are quite indispensable where
a little bright colour is desired, and, by growing the t mo, either
one or the other may be had in flower from November till quite
late in the spring. S. D.

"A. B.'s" question (p. 69) is an oft-recurring one. By

skill'ul management and much attention " A. B.," with her
several houses, might manage to keep up a supply of flowers
including cool Orchids for the house and conservatory, " all
the year round," and at the same time secure crops of fruit ;
but with the means at her disposal, and pei'haps a little more
glass added, which she is willing to do, she would do much
better to separate the fruit and flowers as much as possible,
and let each have their own treatment. Of course she could
use her fruit houses for plants, especially bedding material, at
those seasons when the temperature suited them. She will
find that by this plan she will have both finer flowers and
better fruit and more of both. She would first have to con-
sider the wants of her establishment in each case, and
arrange her houses accordingly ; perhaps she might find it
advisable to sub-divide some of them to suit different subjects
at different times, and give and take both ways, and, above all,
she should not attempt more than she can accomplish with
the means at command. Such an arrangement she will find
the best in the end, and it will afl^ord no excuse for failure.
I could give instances in which this plan had been adopted
after many years' trial on the " compromising system," and
the result was a greatly increased supply of everything
without adding more glass. It is difiioult to advise in such
cases without seeing the place and learning particulars ; but
in " A. B.'s" case the fruit houses seem to be rather out of
proportion to the plant houses, considering the supply
required, and she might probably find it wise to detach part
of her Vineries for plant culture, instead of using all for both
purposes. She will not be able to keep up a supply of flowers
all the year round without two plant houses, or one divided
into two — a warm and cool division — according to the subjects
which she grows ; and these she will find it needful to supple-
ment with some of her hot and cold frames, which she says
are numerous. In short, "A B.'s" wauts are successional
structures, however small, in which she can forward supplies
as she wants them, and this question she should be able to
solve better than anybody else, if she has a clear idea as to
what specialities she wants and when she wauts them,
together with a little knowledge of the treatment required by
each. Of course she will be able to grow a great many little
extras in all her houses besides special subjects. J. S. W.

MR. BAINES ON BOTTOM! HEAT.

Whatever Mr. Baiues says on the subject of plant culture
deserves attention ; therefore I hope no apology is necessary as
regards noticing a rather remarkable and prominent article of
his in a contemporary very recently, more especially as it has
a direct bearing on much that Mr. Baiaes has written in Tue
Gabden lately on this subject : —

" Vegetable life," he says, " goea to rest through the reduction in
the temperature, even in climates that know no winter in the sense
that we experience it. Daring this time the heat of the earth in
which the roots are placed becomes gradually reduced, and reaches
ita lowest point when the mean day and night temperature of the air
is at the lowest, after which it must of necessity begin to rise with
the sun's returning power. The earth absorbs heat slowly, through
the greater or less amount of stagnant air in its upper garface, its
warming powers being still farther retarded by the natural disincli.
nation of heat to descend, consequently it does not regain the heat
it has lost during the period of the lowering temperature ct the air
nearly so quickly as the air is warmed by the sun's increasing force ;
therefore, the aboveground parts of plants — that is, their stems,
branches, buds, and leaves — are placed under the growth.exoitine
inflaence of heat continually in advance aud excess of the roots until
the turning period has airived in the hot season, when the force c£
the sun begins to wane, after which the conditions are reversed, by
the earth being warmer than the air, until the lowest point of the

air temperature is again reached. I would here

who look upon bottom heat in the measure now usually applied as al
but indispensable to the successful cultivation of plants from hot
countries to consider this faot, and I think they cannot fail to see
that applying it as is ordinarily done — at the commencement ot the
growing season, in a volume equal to, or often considerably above
that in which the heads of the plants are placed— is diametrically
opposed to the conditions under which they are found in a state of
Nature, where the earth heat is in excess of that of the air only at
the time that the season's growth is being matured."

The hypothesis here broached, it may be perceived, will
adapt itself to a good deal that Mr. Baines has written lately
on practical subjects ; but, unfortunately, it is about as incor-
rect and misleading as anything can well bo. Any super-
structure which he may raise on such a foundation must neces-
sarily tumble to pieces, and, what is more, the journal which
now gives his opinions such prominence has, since the days of
Liadley, been a consistent opponent of the same, as might, I
think, be proved by numerous references. We are not without
evidence on the subject treated by Mr. Baines, and I refer
your readers to the tables, showing the comparative tempera-
tures of the earth aud air collected by Liudley in his " Theory
and Practice of Horticulture," and which are, I believe, the
best, if not the onlj', tables existing on the subject extant, and
they all prove the statements of Mr. Baines to be quite
imaginary, so far as any deductions can be made with regard
to the culture of plants. I need only quote the Chiswick tables
of temperatures, since Mr. Baines speaks more particularly of
climates like our own, because they tell the same tale as the
other tables. The Chiswick records of the average tempera-
tures of the earth and air, extending over a period of ten
years, show that for seven months in the year the earth
2 ft. below the surface is warmer than the air, sometimes as
much as 'oSi, and only during two months less than li". The
months during which the air is warmer than the earth are
April, May, June, July, and August, and the mean difference
between the earth and air during these months is less than l".
The greatest difference in anyone month is 1''21, and the least
for the same period O^'il. This represents the " excess " dwelt
on so emphaticallj- by Mr. Baines, and the slender basis of fact
for the statement that the earth '' does not regain the heat it
has lost nearly so f|uickly as the air is warmed by the sun's in-
creasing force," aud so far as his assertions relate to hot
countries they have no basis at all. The difference is so in-
appreciably S'uall that no cultivator would think of taking it
into account for a moment in practice. Within the tropics — •
those " hot countries " to which Mr. Baines tells us his remarks
have a special application — in both high and low situations,
temperate and warm, the earth is warmer than the air by a
good many degrees all the year round. It would almost appear
from the evidence that as we go farther south, till the tropics are
reached, the earth gets warmer and warmer till it remains perma-
nently at a higher temperature than the air. The conclusion ar-
rived at by Liudley from this.and much more evidence of a similar
kind, is as follows, to give his own words : " hence it may be con-
sidered an axiom in horticulture that all plants require the soil,
as well as the atmosphere in which they grow, to correspond
with that of the countries of which they are natives. It has
also been already shown that the mean temperature of th&
soil should be above that of the atmosphere."

Wortleij. J. Sliirsox

A FEW GOOD CONSERVATORY PLANTS.

Those who have conservatories which they wish to keep furnished
with handsome flowers and foliage at all seasons of the year should pay
particular attention to the Eelection of the fine-foliaged plants which
they employ, as, being of a more permanent character than flowering
plants that are introduced according to the season, the effect produced
greatly depends upon them. In speaking of a conservatory, I mean
one in which an intermediate temperature is maintained, or, at least,
suSioient artificial heat daring winter to dispel damp and maintain a
light, boujaut atmosphere— say from 15" to 55° — in which plants
from widely different latitudes will winter safely together. When
the building is largi and lofty, permanent plants in beds attain finer
proportions and make altogether better central plants than those in
pots or tubs. Araucaria excelsa, where it has room to extend, forms
a beautiful specimen ; Tree Ferns, such as Dicksoniaantarctica, with

96

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1370.

very tall stems, also look well, associated with Oranges, Lemons,
Camellias, and similar plants. For large specimens in pots or tubs
the following plants will be found well suited, having always a good
appearance and being easily grown, viz., the Ne.T Zealand F\^.x and
its variegated variety, plants that only need the shelter of a glass
roof in the oaldest parts of England ; Aralia Sieboldi, which stands
ordinary winters without any protection; Dracsenaiudivisa, a graoefal
growing plant ; Latania borbonica, Chamaerops hnmilis and Corypha
anstralis, all indispensable for cool house decoration j Hedyohium
Gardnerianum and H. coronarium, both evergreen fine-foliaged plants;
that Sower in summer. To those may be added Ficus elastica and
Monstera deliciosa, both effective plants where space can be afforded
for their full development. Amongst variegated plants the Yucca
aloifolia variegata, Earya latiColia variegata, Solanutn hybrida
argentea. Aspidistra Inrida variegata, Ligustrum ovalifolium varie-
gatum, Batnbusa Portnnei variegatum, Agapanthas umbellatus varie.
gdtns, and Coprosma Biueriana variegata, are all excellent iu their
way, and the last makes a good trailitig edging plant. Those are all
easily cultivated, and moveable plants may be added to them so as
to produce variations to any extent. Foremost amongst flowering
plants stands the Cimellia, which, in addition to brilliant flowers,
has foliage which at all seasons, when in a healthy state, is very
attractive. Where convenience exists, Oaaaellias should always be
planted out in good, rich loam, and well supplied with soft rain
water. Amongst other flowering plants, Heaths, Epacrisei", Acacias,
Daphnes, Azaleas, Coronilla glauca, and Chorozemag, all flourish,
with ordinary care, in pots. Amongst old-fashioned plants now
seldom met with in conservatories I find Sparmannia africana to flower
freely even in the middle of winter. Climbers should form an
interesting featave in conservatories, and only evergreen species
should bi used if winter effects besought for. Flowering plants of
a soft- wooded character, brought forward elsewhere, should be added
ac3ordin-» to the season. J. Groom.

NOTES AND aUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Myraiphyllum asparagoides. — I have had this plant here in
an nnheated grecnhoase for two seasons, and it ia now as healthy and
fresh as could be desired. Daring the autumn and winter months I
find it to be most usstui ; it is easily cultivated, and is unique as a
winter window plant, even in a small state. Iu summer it requires
rest. — Ghas. IIcUonald, Gawleii House, Stol:esley.

Hadychiums as Fine-foliaged Plants. — Although Hedy.
cbiams are bsaatiful-flowering plants, they are equally serviceable as
fine-foliaged plants, and for the decoration of large conservatories
they are invaluable, as, under liberal culture, their stems attain a
considerable height. They are plants of easy culture, growing
freely in any ordinarily good soil, and they will withstand a wide
range of temperature. A conservatory or intermediate house suits
them admirably, and iu winter a good stock of such plants is very
useial where indoor plant decoration is carried on, as they are even
more effective than many of the costly occupants of stove houses,
which cannot readily be moved about in a season like the present
without considerable danger of injury from exposure. — J. Grooji.

Jasminum hirsutura. — This is one of the best of stove
climbers at this season, producing, as it does, large clusters of pure
white, sweet-scented flowers. Here it is planted out against the
south end of a span. roofed stove, as, being somewhat rigid in growth,
it ia not so well adapted for rafters. The first flowers are borne at
the extremities of the shoots, and afterwards from the lateral
branches for a very long period ; in fact, a large, vigorous plant of
it is rarely destitute of flowers. The most suitable soil iu which to
grow it is about equal portions of peat and loam with sand enough to
keep the whole porous. — A. Hossack, Ragh'tj, Alcester.

Large Shifts Best for Kennedya coocinea. — This pretty
greenhouse climber, when well grown so as to thoroughly cover a
good-sized trellis, is vei'y attractive, and makes an effective contrast
with other flowering plants with which it may be associated. In
order to form a specimen quickly and to i:.duoe the formation of
flowering wood it must be treated somewhat differently from the
ordinary run of greenhouse plants. It should never be in want of
an abundant supply of nourishment from the time when it starts into
growth until it ripens its wood. If shifted on in the ordinary way
it is apt to get pot.bouud, and, when once that occurs, it never re-
gains its normal vigour. A healthy, well-rooted plant, in a 4. in. pot,
should be placed at once in a 10-in. pot, affixing the trellis thereto at
the time of shifting. The compost should consist of turfy loam and
peat mixed freely with sand, and a sprinkling of pieces of porous
briok will help very much to maintain the soil in an open condition.
— J. C, Byfleet.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

ASPHODELUS EA.M0SU3 IN^ THE WILD GA.RDEJ;.
Tiii.s vigorous and somewhat coarse herbaceous plant is typical
of the f^reat number of plants, to provide a fitting place for
the growth of which V7as one of the objects which the
writer had iu view while writing the " Wild Garden."
There is a host of vigorous herbaceous plants, which, while
attractive during their short season of bloom, are so very
much in the way during the rest of Che year that few people
think them worthy of room in their borders. Moreover, such
plants are frequently, from their habit, far from being agree-
able objects stiffly tied up in boi'ders, while, allowed to form
groups iu copses, or woods, or rough shrubberies, they are
delightful. Among those who have taken up the notion of the
wild garden with much spirit, and illusti'ated it with great
intelligence, is Mr. George Berry, forester at Longleab. He
has already secured near many of the drives through the uoble
woods and outer grounds of Longleat some of the most char.ming
effects we have ever .oeen in gardens, and in the face of the usual
and relentless enemy of the wild g.arden — rabbits — which
destroy so many of the best plants for it. The annexed is an
illustration of one of the plants which he has established,
sketched in the wild garden at Longleat by Mr. Alfred Par-
sons, aud engraved by Mr. Hyde. The work of a forester in
such a place as Longleat is no light task, and involves much
attention to new and rare species of trees and shrubs and their
propagation. To take up, ia addition, the extensive flora of
the wild garden, and make, in a very short time, such a judi-
cious use of it, is deserving of grateful record on my part.
The woodland drives of England, treated in the same intelli-
gent way .would form lovelier gardens than were ever imagined,
aud in tbeir presencs the crude floral geometry of the present
day would not get more attention than it deserves. W. R.

CARPETIMG BULB BEDS.
For the earlier blooming bulbs, such as Soillas, Snowdrops, Crocuses,
&o., the il'jssy Sedums make excellent carpet plants, as not only are
they complete coverers of the soil, but, being shallow rooters and ex-
ceedingly dwarf, they permit the flowers of these bulbs to be seen in
full bea-.ity above them. The prettiest arrangement iu this way that
I have yet seen as a permanent border where nothing else would grow,
was a carpeting of Sedum Lydium and Snowdrops. The varieties of
the Mossy Saxifrages have growth of such similar character, that any
of them would do tor Tulips, Gladioli, and Lilies, but these are un.
doubtedly grosser feeders thin the Sedums and would, no doubt, soon
impoverish the soil. The chief portion of the Saxifrages have white
blooms, but a few have red and pink flowers. If these be desired
as a contrast to the colours of the bulb flowers, it would be necessary
to select plants that would flower simultaneously, and this might be
a matter of diflicnlty as Tulips are early and Gladioli and Lilies late.
The Golden-leaved Cbickweed, the Veronica repens, the dwarf
Pennyroyal, and others of similar growth, all make good carpet plants
of a permanent character, needing now and then a little trimming and
attention. The early spring bulbs do so well iu many old gardens upon
Grass that it may be doubted whether there can be found many better
or more enduring carpet plants than the Grassy covering of our lawns.
Bods of bulbs might be planted here and there and be protected from
the scythe and machine by wire guards until after they had bloomed
and the foliage had died off ; then the guards might be removed and
the bed mown and thrown into the lawn. Crocuses and Snowdrops
thus treated have thriven and done well for generations. It is question-
able whether the best Gladioli would do as well as permanent plants
for such a purpose, they are so exceedingly apt to become smaller by
degrees aud beautifully less. The Gladiolus psittacinus section are
the best permanent border kinds, and these will, in good soil, grow
into large bunches like the Tritomas and Schizostylis, but of
course they have .not perennial foliage. Gladioli and Lilies would,
no doubt, thrive best amongst dwarf-growing shrubs where manure
could be given, and the soil and balbs could be renovated as needed.
When the tall spikes and heads of bloom of these bulbs are seen pro.
jeoting just above a dense growth of foliage, they look far mora
pleasing and picturesque than would be the case if the soil were
simply carpeted with one carpet plant. For all general carpet pur-
poses I prefer the Sedums. A. D.

Tropseolum apeeiosutn. — In order to insure success with this
fine scarlet. flowered climber, it should be well established in pots

Feb. 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

97

before it is planted ont, and daring growth water should be freely
anpplied. It aacceeds best in well-drained rich soil. — D.

ALPINE PASSES AND ALPINE FLOWERS.
One of the great delights of Swiss travelling, one of the plea-
sures which draw people, year after year, to the land of snow
and alp, is the never ending interest which Alpine flowers
afford. People sometimes wonder how I can set off alone for
a long day's ramble, over a pass or up a mountain side, with no
baggage but my knapsack and no companion but my " stock,"
but such people know nothing of Alpine flowers and of the
deep, pure pleasure which they give. Loneliness with them is
out of the question and cannot exist, and when I walk after-
wards round my rock garden at home, and see the plants which
I gathered growing there, often as perfect as in their native
haunts, the walk and the scramble come back to ray mind, and
I take my walk over again. In this old-fjshioned winter, when
our garden treasures are still buried in snow, an account of one
of these walks may not be uninteresting. On the 27th of August
last I left the bustle of the Steinbok Hotel at Chur, and the
crowd of tourists, struggling for places in the dusty diligences,
and started for a three day's tour
over the Strela, Sertig, and Albula
Passes, on my way to the Engadine.
As I send the plants which I collect
to England by post, I always carry
with me a few small cardboard boxes,
such as jewellers use, with a piece
of oilskin inside each, in my pocket.
Many a bos of this sort, filled with
precious roots, the result of my
wanderings, have I sent of?, and
they have never failed to reach Eng-
land in safety, with the plants in
good order. Before posting them I
put a little wet Moss inside, which
the oilskin keeps moist, and I write
the address on an ordinary label,
with the word " plants " on it — and
put the stamp on the label — to
keep the box from being smashed.
On the day in question, thus equip-
ped, I started from Chur, by a sort
of omnibus which carried the mail
bags, at five in the morning, to
Langwies, whence a bridle track
alone leads up to the foot of the
Strela Pass to Davos. On the way,
in addition to the glorious views
which the Schanfigg Thai affords,
I noticed, from the carriage win-
dows, many interesting plants, and
the four hours thus spent, toiling
slowly up the valley, passed pleas-
antly enough. There were two kinds i

of Lithosperraura,one with small blue

flowers and bushy growth which I had not seen before, several
sorts of Mullein, and a bright growth of Teucriums and
Calaminths and other commoner flowers. At Langwies, after
breakfasting at the clean little hotel on excellent brown bread
and coffee, I began my walk. At first the path lay through
the usual Fir woods, with the Plessur rushing down on the
right, and numerous tufts of Buphthalmura salicifolium, with its
bright yellow blossoms, scattered around, until I reached the
Schnitten and Haupten Alps beyond, where the final ascent
commences. From hence to the summit the pith rises in
tolerably well-defined zigzags over stones and grassy slopes
abounding with flowers. At the foot of the Pass Saxifraga
CKsia was particularly abundant, and finer than I ever saw it
before ; some of the patches were nearly G. in. diameter, and
the flowers, of unusual size, were borne on stalks 5 in. or 6. in.
in length. There was a white variety of Campanula linifolia,
which was especially beautiful, and, as I neared the top, I
came on tufts of Gentiana bavarica, and more than one species
of Androsace. At the summit, 7,799 feet high, lay a con-
siderable patch of snow, and a flock of long-eared Bergamasque
sheep, attended by a couple of shepherds, were lying on it, as

A^phodelus ramoaus in the Wild Garden.

a sort of protection from the heat, their black and cream-
coloured coats contrasting well with the white glitter of the
snow. The descent to Davos was easy, and with the exception
of more patches of Saxifraga cassia, "as luxuriant as those at
the foot of the pass, and here and there a root of Viola calca-
rata, I saw nothing remarkable among the many Alpine flowers
I met with.

The next day, after a pleasant rest at Davos am Platz, I set
off, a little after seven, for Bergiin by the Sertig pass. A well-
defined path led for some distance by the side of a torrent,
through the wooded Sertigthal, to Dorfli, and then up the
Kiihalpthal to the head of the pass. As the latter name denotes,
herds of cows were feeding at intervals in the valley as far as the
alp extended. Up to this point I met with many good flowers,
such as Potentilla ambigua, Gentiana excisa, and Phyteuma
hemisphajricum ; above it the path ceased, and I lost some
valuable time, which should have been spent in collecting, in
trying to make it out. One of the first rarities I met with was
Primula CandoUeana growing in low fissures of rock right in
the bed of a stream, and partially covered with water ; with it I
found theround-headed cotton grass, Eriophorum Scheuchzeri;
then, as I ascended the pass I came

• on Senecio abrotanifolius in splendid

bloom, Achillea nana and Hieracium
albidum, a plant which always
pleases me with its fragrant scent
and large straw-coloured fiowers,
and which I am always surprised at
not finding in the published lists at
home. Its leaves and stem are
sticky, like the sweet Salvia gluti-
nosa. Higher up, Soldanella minima
reared its beautiful fringed bell
among patches of blue Gentians
(verna and bavarica) and the pink
Alpine Trefoil. Still higher ap-
peared Kanunculus rutasfolius and
montanus, and, highest of all, the red
and white varieties of Ranunculus
glacialis — a plant which, unfortun-
ately, can never be seen in perfection
away from its native haunts — and,
loveliest of Alpine gems, Androsace
carnea and ciliata. At some distance
before reaching the top of the pass,
vegetation ceased, and nothing could
be seen but a confused mass of stones
and boulders with patches of snow at
intervals, and nothing heard except
the occasional cry of some wild bird
and the warning whistle of the mar-
mot. From the summit, 9062 ft.
above the sea level, a glorious view
of Piz Ketch and the Porchabella
glacier presented itself, while just be-
low glittered the clear green waters
of the Raveisch lakes. By the side of these lakes, bearing
to the right, over Alps laden with flowers, amongst which I
gathered Pedioularis tuberosa and Nigritella angustifolia, my
path lay, and before long I reached the head of the Val Tuors,
and decended in safety to Bergiin on the Albula Pass. One word
in praise of this beautiful Swiss village. Travellers are in the habit
of rushing through it, either by diligence or carriage, as quickly
as they can, anxious to find quarters in the hotels of St. Moritz
or Pontresina, but if they could only be induced to stay here a
day or two and explore the adjacent country, they would not
repent it, for the walks around are beautiful. As I sat in the
balcony of the Piz Aela Hotel, in the centre of the village,
watching the setting sun, a storm came sweeping up the valley
from the south, and as peak after peak became shrouded, and
others stood out in bold relief against the black bank of clouds,
the most beautiful effects were produced, and I was confirmed
in ray opinion that Bergiin, with its picturesque houses and
quiet people, and, above all, its magnificent mountain view, is
without doubt, one of the loveliest spots to be found in al
Switzerland. F. M. Burton.

Bigh field, Gainsborough,

98

THE GARDEN.

[Fei!. 1, 1879

SUB-TROPICAL GARDEN PLANTS.
Amongst the many plants brought into notice of late years,
far too large a portion are of but little value to the cultivator
as regards making pleasing effects in glass houses during the
winter. I will therefore point out how this defeco may be
remedied by making selections for the sub-tropical garden.
The Aralias form a fine class, but of these, with the exception
of A. Sieboldi, A. S. variegata, and A. papyrifera, one sees
but few representatives. Aralia umbraoulifera, when well
grown, makes a good isolated specimen, so does, also, A. tri-
foliata. These are both greenhouse kinds, and when taken up,
at the approach of frost and carefully potted or tubbed, they are
effective subjects for rooms or staircases, or conservatories.
They may be increased without much difficulty from cuttings ;
but, perhaps, the quickest mode of propagation is either root-
grafting on A. papyrifera, which roots like a Willow, or else
striking the latter from pieces of the root, allowing the
plants to grow for a season, and grafting them above ground.
Aralia spinosa is a handsome, hardy species, which makes a fine
group or single specimen ; it may be increased by means of
root cuttings taken off in the autumn and struck without heat.
The Gastoniaa allied to the Aralias are equally useful subjects,
and require the same culture as the greenhouse Aralias. The
red-leaved Dracajuas are not so suitable for planting out as
the green-leaved sorts, as they seem to suffer much more from
wind and sun, and soon get a dilapidated appearance. D. brazi-
Ijensis, with broad, handsome, bold green foliage, is a plant of
robust constitution, which cannot be said of the red-leaved
kinds. D. congesta and D. rubro-marginata, both graceful sorts
when tall, blend eflieotively with the larger forms of vegetation
in garden landscapes. Pandanus utilis is a grand subject, but
it is better not to plant it out, but merely to sink the pot or
tub below the surface of the lawn. Ficus imperialis and
F. Leichtensteini are easily managed warm house plants,
which make fine specimens if planted out in good ground.
They lift well, and, if kept close for a few weeks, make
useful subjects later in the year. The Metrosideros is
not nearly so much cultivated as it was fifty years ago;
M. albicans is handsome both in flower and foliage;
M. cocoinea and M. alba flower profusely during the summer,
and in winter too ; they have all the peculiar bottlebrush
character of blossom to be found in so many New Holland
plants. They make strikiug plants on Grass plots in sunny
situations, and may be planted out in a mixture of sandy loam
and peat. Cineraria platanifolia is effective, although somewhat
coarse in foliage ; it should, therefore, be planted at some con-
siderable distance from the eye. It produces enormous panicles
of yellow flowers in January and February.

The different sorts of Amorphophallus make pretty objects
if five or six be planted somewhat closely together ; singly,
they might be considered too stiff and fungus-like; Philoden-
dron lacerum, P. pertusum, P. cordifoliura, in warm nooks
have quite a tropical appearance; they look well creeping on
the ground, or clambering on large trees. In Southern England
they may be planted out, or may be grown in pots, butif they
have much nourishment they become far too rampant in places
where the accommodation is limited ; like most half epiphytal
subjects the Philodendron is easily increased ; Tradescantia
discolor makes a pecnliar but telling border to a bed of fine-
foliaged plants. All the Alooasias and Calocasias, such as
odora, ny mphcefolia, violacea, and gigantea, are beautiful objects
in shady or half-shady quarters ; they require rich, friable soil
and plenty of water. The Habrothamnus and Oestrums, such
as H. fascioulatusand C. aurantiacum, make graceful objects
either planted out or in tubs. These plants were once very
common, but they have succumbed to the fashion of the day.
Curculigo recurvata and 0. recurvata variegata may be made
of much use in single groups, or mixed with other tropical sub-
jects. That grand tree Paulownia imperialis may be also made to
do duty in a more humble way in the sub-tropical garden. Pro-
pagated from ripe wood, precisely as in the case of Vines, one
can have plants 3 ft. or 4 ft. in height the first season, and
in the following year they will be, if thinned out when stand-
ing too thickly, from 8 ft. to 10 ft. high, and will be covered
with fine foliage. In order to obtain perfectly ripened wood
of a Paulownia, a specimen may be planted in a chink of the
greenhouse floor, ani trained as a roof or wall creeper. It

will make but little growth, but the wood for propagating pur-
poses will be far superior to that from trees out-of-doors.
Kolreuteriapaniculata, Amorpha fructicosa, and A. nana, when,
cut down to a stool, annually produce a quantity of beautiful
feathery foliage. In making use of all or any of the above-
named plants, the cultivator will be guided but little by the
prevailing mode of ribbon border, or bedding arrangements ;
on the contrary, he must use his skill and taste as a garden
artist in forming those pleasing combinations of light and
shade, form and colour that give in a well-finished picture a
lasting and pleasant impression. Sylvestris.

Moravia.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER aiRDEN;

Salvia splendens. — Now that the period of flowering is about
over with thig plant, I should like to impress upon those who have a
good stock of it, and usually consign them to the rubbish heap, the
desirability of keeping them till all danger of frost is over, and then
planting them out either in groups or mixed beds for an autumn dis.
play. Treated in this way, the effect produced by them is quite
striking. We had a mixed bed of these and Chrysauthemnm frutescens
last year which was much admired, the bold masses of the scarlet
Salvia being toned down by its more delicate neighbour the Chrysan.
themum. Fuchsias of different colours may be used for bordering
the bed. — A. Hossack, Ragley, Alcester.

Stobse a purpurea. — I am pleased to learn, on such good autho
rity, that this plant is fully entitled to be designated hardy, and
that, in some parts of the kingdom at least, it requires no more at-
tention than hardy herbaceous plants generally. Nevertheless, I
think I was justified in recommending a little caution in dealing
with a comparatively untried plant. I had been assured that it was
hardy in a certain place, and I did not doubt it ; but remembering
the comparative mildness of recent winters, I wonld not say that it
was hardy. Possibly it may prove as hardy in all soils and situations
as Kniphofia Uvaria, a well-known South African plant. This winter
will try the constitutions of many so-called hardy plants. Many
plants that are perfectly hardy on the south and west coasts succumb
to the cold and wet of ordinary winters a few miles inland, and the
nature, as well as the condition as to moisture, of the soil is an im.
portant factor. Mr. E.lacombe, in a recent number of The Garden,
suggests that persons sending lists of their losses or gains should
give their addresses, and I would further suggest that they add a
few words respecting soil, subsoil, situation, and^aspect ; then their
record will have a real and permanent value. I am not of the opinion
that we should plant nothing except pertectly hardy subjects, but it
is of great importance to know their degree of hardiness in different
localities and situations, and under diverse conditions. We have not,
for instance I believe any evidence respecting the hardiness of Stobsea
purpurea iu the midland and northern counties. — W. B. Hemsley.

Signs of Spring. — These are, as yet, not very evident out-of.
doors, but within the hardy plant house the crowns of Primroses are
awakening and pushing up leaves, and the trusses of bloom already
show tinges of colour. P. denticulata and P. purpurea, almost the
earliest and most pleasing of all for the house, will soon be in bloom,
and how beautiful they are! P. farinosa is producing mealy foli-
age white and pretty ; P. nivalis will shortly display its pure white
trusses of Bower, and P. intermedia those of rich, deep red. Auricu-
las have passed through the dormant stage ; Vie pale yellow leaves
have been pulled away, the surface of the soil has been neatly
dressed, and the crowns are now expanding their youthful leafage.
Polyanthuses of the self and fancy-coloured kinds are pushing up
bloom ; so, also, are the Snowdrops, Squills, and Cloth of Gold Crocus ;
whilst many-hued Hepaticas are bursting their crowns, and exposing
a trace of pretty tints within ; on the trellis and walls Tea Roses are
pushing their buda, whilst outdoors they look as if withered up.
Mareohal Niel, ever the earliest, as it is the best, of all evergreen
Hoses, is making new shoots, and a few days of sunshine will greatly
encourage them; indeed, there is scarcely a plant in the hardy house
that does not show that the shortest day is passed, and that "the
winter of our discontent " will soon be over. How much better to
have all these in a houae needing no beat, than to see a house,
supposed to be frost proof, full of tender plants half dead and frost
bitten. — A. D.

Sweet Peas. — Flowers of these are always valuable in a cut
state in summer, and, where they are required at that season, now is
a good time to sow the seed. A moist situation and a deep soil should
be chosen for them; they will then bloom in profusion for months in
BucoeEsion. — S.

Feb 1, 1879.J

THE GAEDEN.

99

PLANT CULTURE FOR MARKET.
Primulas. — The red and white kinds of the Chinese
Primrose are grown in thousands by London flori-ts.
Some grow them for sale in the shape of plants ; others
for the sake of tfceir seed, which, if it come from a good
"strain," is valuable. The practice adopted by the best
growers is as follows : Three sowings are made ; one early
in March, a second at the end of April, and a third towards
the end of May. Seed sown in JLarch produces blooming
plants in October and November; that sown later at
Christmas and onwards. The seed is sown in shallow
boxes, which are better than pans, as they do not absorb
the moisture round the edges. It is sown on well-rotted
manure, previously well moistened, and then slightly
covered with silver sand. A piece of brown paper is
placed on the surface of the box, which is never allowed
to get dry until the seed has germinated, after which it is
removed. The boxes are placed in a warm temperature
and in a shady position. When the plants arc large
enough to handle, they are pricked oft' four or five
together iato a -i-in. pot, and, when they have made good
roots, they are potted singly in 5-in. and G-in. pots. Whilst
growing, they are kept rather close and are sprinkled
overhead several times a day in bright weather. Dis-
crimination in watering is necessary, as, by using too
much or two little, serious injury is the result. If the
plants show blooms early in the autumn the latter are
jiicked off, so as to give strength to the plants. The best
situation for Primulas whilst they are growing is a north
house or frame, where plenty of light but not much sun
can reach them. When the roots are pot-bound, a little
weak manure water is given them and no more fire-heat
is applied than is sufficient to keep out damj). Plenty of
air night and day when the weather is favourable is given
in order to render the plants dwarf and stocky. The soil
used for Primulas is well-rotted leaf-mould or cow manure
mixed with equal parts of mellow loam and a little silver
sand. Good drainage is always necessary, and, under the
above treatment, fine bushy plants, bearing large heads of
snowy-white or rich rosy-red blossoms are produced. When
grown for seed, all the weak blooms arc picked ofi', leaving
those only which appear to be likely to produce plump
seed-pods. The plants are arranged on largo stages in
lean-to houses, each colour being kept in houses at a
distance apart, in order to prevent cross-breeding, which
would spoil the "strain." Great attention is jiaid to water-
ing and ventilating after the plants have formed their
seed-pods, and during very hot sunshine a little shade is
afforded them.

The double white Primula is grown chiefly for the sake
of its blossoms, plants of it being in little demand, and,
moreover, they are too difficult to grow so as to be sold at
reasonable prices. There have been many new kinds
raised, but the old form is still found to be the best for
winter ; its blooms are used largely both in button-hole
and ball-room bouquets. The most successful grower of
double Primulas with whom I am acquainted is Mr. Reeves,
of Acton, who has a large house wholly devoted to their
culture. It is span-roofed, with a path through its centre
and a G ft. bed on each side. On these beds are arranged
mpwards of 3000 plants in 6-in. pots. The plants on
one side of the house are always in bloom, while those
on the other side are coming on to succeed them. When
one side ceases blooming, the jjlants are cut down, cuttings
are put in, and most of the old roots are thrown away ;
then, by the time the other side of the house has done
blooming these cuttings are sufficiently advanced to keep

up the succession, and this goes on year after year; indeed,
visit this Primula house when one will, one side of it is
always a sheet of snowy-white blossoms. Double white
Piimula flowers fetch from 12s. to 20s. per dozen bunches,
and plants realise from 10s. to 20s. per dozen, but cut
flowers are by far the most remunerative. The soil prin-
cipally used for double white Primulas is fibrous sandy
loam without any manure whatever, as, when the latter is
used, the growth made is vigoroushut soft ; the crowns do
not get well rii^ened, consequently they are liable to damp
off in winter. A dry, airy atmosphere and careful attention
to watering are the chief points to be observed in their
after culture.

Cape Heaths. — Probably as large quantities of Heaths
are disjDosed of about London as of any other kind of
plant. One grower alone sells yearly 200,000 plants, and
I believe some grow even more than that number. The
large houses devoted to Heath cuttings in some nurseries
during winter are alone a sight worth going miles to see.
Here, on stair-like stages, are thousands of 6-in. pots, each
containing some fifty cuttings, covered with small bell-
glasses. In sheds adjoining may be seen men making
cuttings with pairs of scissors and others deftly inserting
them in the pots, which are surfaced with finely-sifted
silver sand ; others, again, are watering and setting the
pots in their places and putting on the bell-glasses, whilst
others are removing such as are already rooted to make
room for those that are newly inserted. More men may
be seen out in the grounds busily nipping oft' the points of
young plants which are growing on in cold pits for the
next year's blooming, and so the production of young
Heaths goes on from year to year. About Christmas time
the markets are crammed with little bushy plants of the
rosy-coloured I'^rica gracilis and the pearly, rose-tinted,
waxy-blossomed E. hiemalis, two of the principal varieties
grown for winter and sjjring blooming. These are suc-
ceeded by E. Willmoreana and E. candidissima, and after
these come the beautiful E. ventricosa and the yellow
E. Cavendishi. Cuttings of these Ericas are struck on a very
slight bottom-heat during the winter months or as soon as
cuttings of them can be obtained. When rooted, they are
potted off, three in a 3-in. pot, and placed in light, airy
situations, such as on shelves of houses or in lean-to pits
close to the glass. During March they are shifted singly
into 3-in. pots, and, when well-rooted, they are placed ia
cold pits and subjected to as much light, air, and sun as
possible ; in this state they remain throughout the summer,
receiving abundance of water both overhead and at the
roots. In the following winter they are cut back, and as
soon as they again break into fresh growth they receive
their final shift into 5-in. pots, extra large plants being
potted in G-in. ones. Pure peat and sand constitute the
kind of soil used for them, and they appear to enjoy it,
for Heaths may be seen in some nurseries growing as
freely as scarlet Pelargoniums. Fire-heat is as much as
possible at all times avoided, and' in very severe weather
mats, <Sc., are used to keep the jilants at a proper tempera-
ture in preference to heat from hot-water pipes.

Fuchsias. — These are everybody's plants, and the market
is seldom without them. In July fine plants laden with
blossoms may be bought in the thoroughfares at Gd. each.
One would think it could not pay to grow Fuchsias for the
price which they fetch, but it is the quantity that pays,
good plants, and well flowered, being turned out in
three months from the time when the cuttings are jmt in.
Some growers get their principal batch of plants into flower
early in April, when they are the most valuable. They

100

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879.

are struck iti autumn for spring blooming, and in spring
for the summer and autumn supply. The cuttings are
inserted thickly in 6-in. pots, and, when well rooted, are
shifted singly into 3-in. pots ; when again established, the
shoots are cut back, so as to induce the plants to grow
bushy, and when the pots which they occupy are filled
with roots they receive their final shift into Ti-in. or 6-in.
pots. Each plant is supported by a central stake, to which
the branches, when in bloom, are tied in such a manner as
to form a perfect but by no means formal pyramid. Rose
of Castile, Mrs. Marshall, and Arabella are the chief light-
coloured kinds grown ; the dark-coloured varieties are
War Eagle, Wave of Life, Catherine Hayes, Souvenir de
Chiswick, and other free-blooming sorts.

Balsams. — These are always abundant in London during
Bummer and autumn, and, although they are sometimes
hawked about the streets and sold at very low prices,
they are, nevertheless, remunerative. Balsams are but a
very short time on hand, for in three months or less good
saleable plants can be obtained. The seed is sown in heat
in spring in boxes or pans, and the seedlings are potted off
and grown on in warm houses, plenty of manure water
being given them at the roots, and copious syringings of
clear water overhead to keep down red spider and to
promote free growth. They are very impatient of drought,
and to timely watering alone is due success in their culture.
Some plant out their Balsams in an open border consisting
of rich soil in June, and take them up and pot them just
before flowering, but this is not a good practice. Market
gardeners seldom aim at what may be termed novelties in
Balsams, those sorts with a good habit and bright self-
coloured flowers being generally preferred by them, and,
although nothing very striking in the way of beautifully
striped flowers is to be found amongst them, yet, if lovers
of Balsams were to watch the plants so abundantly brought
to Covent Garden during the summer and autumn, they
would probably note the wonderful results in the way of
toth growth of jilants and profusion of flowers obtained
in. 5-in. and 6-in. pots. The jjrincipal, or what may
be termed the orthodox, colours to be found in market
plants are wholly white and scarlet, or these two colours
intermingled in spots and stripes. C. W. S.

THE FROST AND VEGETABLES.
The long-continaed frosts have hit these harder than I ever re-
member. Until within the past fortnight, daring which the severe
frosts have called in the biting east wind to assist them in their work
of destruction, vegetation seemed to have SQstained little in jury.
There seems several causes for this. The frosts were severe, but the
air was still. Vegetation was pretty well protected by snow. Hoar
fro6t was also more developed, and continued longer than usual.
All this helped plants in general and vegetables in particular, to
pull through ; but within the past fortnight the wind remained
steadily in the east, and there have been several days when the
atmosphere was driven against every living thing by a strong
east wind, with a penetrating force that threatened to pierce even
hearts of Oak, and a cold equal to ice and salt at their worst.
These have literally killed thousands of vegetables and crippled all.
Our plantations of old Cabbages, always left to provide any quan.
tity of Coleworts in the spring, seem dead to a stalk. Brussels
Sprouts, Savoys, and even Scotch Kale are severely crippled. All
onr Broccoli lies flat on the ground, as if trjing to hng the re-
mainder of the snow that protected it so well during the first
stages of the frost now nearly two months ago ; and even Leeks,
that I have never seen browned before, look as if fire had passed
over them. A visitor, from a distance more favoured, where the
snow has disappeared, assured me that the frost seemed to have killed
the Grass. The entire lawn was as brown as if it had been scorched
up by drought at midsummer. This similarity of appearance and
results from frost and sun or fire is familiar to cultivators.
Our Grass continues covered, and so far safe ; but the loss

and injury to the vegetables is a very serious matter, and
this wonderful persistence of the cold is almost equally so.
Most of the trees and shrubs yet seem safe, though how long they
will continue so, with the wind fast in the east, and the snow linger-
ing for a farther supply, no one can say. The winter has tried most
severely even the largest Pampas Grasses, and killed all the smaller
ones that were not piotected. Tea Roses are also severely hit ;
Marechal Niel looks as if it would hardly recover, and Saffrano seems
to have suffered almost as much. But it is quite premature to note
the losses caused by the frost ; this cannot be done till the thaw
comes. Not a few plants that make no signs of distress while frozen
die soon after they, are thawed, and, on the other hand, those that
shrink and shrivel the most under the cold grasp of the frost ofteD
suddenly and completely revive, with little or no permanent injury,
on the return of genial weather. The sun, as if weary of looking
out on a frozen world, and despairing of its power to chase
away the cold, appears to have retired altogether, and left the leaden
skies and the frost to do their worst in the garden. I never remem-
ber such a continuous and marked absence of sunshine. Being so
long without sunshine, it is to be hoped it will not now return till
after the thaw, for all experience proves that rapid thawing dnring
bright sunshine often does as much or more injury to vegetation than
severe freezing or long continuance in a frozen state.

D. T. Fish.

TOBINS' SYSTEM OF VENTILATION.

The subject of ventilating glaeshonses is itself being again freely
ventilated. As only a certain quantity of air can be confined in a
given space, if it can be shown that outside air is undoubtedly intro-
duced into a closed room or plant house, it follows that the air already
confined must find for itself some means of egress. Ordinary ven.
tiiators are often erroneously opened with the idea of letting out
hot or vitiated air, instead of which the pure and cold air rushes
in through the aperture with the usual result of a draught, and the
hot air finds its exit elsewhere. The same process takes place with
the system I desire to advocate, but with the important exception of
perfect freedom from draught. Fresh air can bo introduced into
houses without any perceptible draught by boring a round hole of
about 2^ in. to 3 in. in diameter through the outside wall just above
the ground line, and fixing in the house by means of a zinc neck, an
upright tube of the same material and diameter and about 5 ft. high
at least. Curiously the cold air confines itself to the shape of the
tube until it strikes the ceiling or glass roof, and then imperceptibly
disperses, and can be stopped at any moment by covering the inside
orifice with a cap attached by a chain. I drew attention to this,
ordinarily called Tobins' System, in your paper of April 8, 1876, with,
out any apparent result, and conclude that prejudice prevented a
trial, or that it has been tried and found wanting. It the system
does not answer it would be an act of kindness for some of your ven.
tilating authorities to say so, bat if it has not been tried they will
perhaps give it their attention, and then furnish us with their expe.
rience. Neither expense nor appearances can be any objection, because
half-a-dozen tubes can be put up in out-of.the-way corners for a few
shillings, and be taken away again if not liked. I find it a perfect
remedy for the stuffiness of an ordinary sitting-room.

TJ.vbridge. J. L. Olivek.

Potatoes Dormant. — I have rarely known Potatoes to be ia
such a dormant condition as they are now ; except when kept in close,
heated places, not a tuber has started into growth, and there is now
no prospect that they will be undnly excited before planting time.
This will be an undoubted gain as it is very difficult in mild seasons to
keep sprouting in check. In the case of early Kidneys that are to
be planted in pits or frames or in warm borders, it is well to subject
the tubers to a gentle warmth, just enough to start the eyes, as then
it can be seen that none are " blind." Where this is done the tubers
should be kept in the light, and then the young shoots will be plump
and strong. With tubers planted early in the open ground it is, no
doubt, best that the growth there should be excited only in proportion
as the soil becomes naturally warmer, and where this is the case the
crop is not hkely to be cut down by late frost. It will be unadvisa-
ble to plant too early this year, as the ground will be exceedingly
cold for some time, let the weather be ever so favourable. For all
main crop purposes the first and second weeks of April is early
enough, and, indeed, in most soils any time dnring the month of
April will do. There are a few new kinds put before the public this
year, and, so far, only one new American, called Pride of Ontario, of
which nothing at present is known. For general crop purposes, how.
ever, Snowflake and Early Rose remain the most popular of all the
American soi ts. — A. D.

Feb. 1, 1S79.]

THE GARDEN.

101

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

BOMAREA OLIGANTHA.
This plant was discovered by Mr. B. Koezl in the Peruvian
Andes, and its seeds were imported and raised by me at Baden-
Baden. When the first little bunch of two flowers appeared,
I was anxious to have the plant named by competent authority ;
therefore I submitted it to Mr. Baker, of Kew, who pronounced
it to be new, and named it B. oligantha. The specimens sub-
mitted to Mr. Baker were, however, taken from small plants
cramped for root room, a fact of which Jlr. Baker was not
aware, and hence he gave it the not quite appropriate name
which it now bears. One plant grown in a large pot, and
another planted out, became fully developed, and have pro-
duced since July last a succession of Ijlooms, with still sorao
buds remaining to expand. During summer and autumn the
flowers assume a much brighter hue than they now possess,
the outer segments assuming a colour like that of ifapaver

the Snowdrop and winter Aconite. I had my little tree from
Messrs. Rodger, M'CIelland, & Co., of Nswry, and in the course ot a
few more years 1 hope it will be quite an acquisition in the winter
garden. — H. Ewbank, St. John's, Ryde.

Bomarea oliganlha.

bractoatura. It is of very easy cultivation, only requiring
space in which to grow, and a soil consisting of peat, loam,
and sand, intermixed with some rotten manure. The plant will
now go to rest for a month or two, when it may be placed iu a
greenhouse in which a temperature of 3o' Fahr. is maintained,
or just enough to exclude frost. During the growing period
it wants a good deal of water, and therefore, when grown in a
large pot, it must be efficiently drained, taking care, however,
not to use any sharp-edged crocks, because the Bomareas,
before going to rest, form egg-shaped tubers on thin threads,
which go down to the bottom of the pot, imbedding them-
selves in the crocks, and, consequently, are liable to get injured
by sharp edges, an injury which may cause the decay of an
entire plant. Max Leicutlin.

Baden-Baden.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

SAUCBES OF SOIL v. SAUCERS OP WATER FOR

FORCED STRAWBERRIES.
I CAN, after years of experience and a fair trial of both plans,
recommend saucers of soil for placing beneath the pots in
Strawberry forcing iu preference to empty saucers, and they
should be used from the beginning; that is, from the time
when the plants are started. As Strawberry forcers well know,
plants set upon dry ai;y shelves in forcing-houses soon become
dry at the root when the longer and drier days of March,
April, and May come on, and require frequent waterings —
sometimes two and three times a day ; hence recourse is
usually had to saucers to hold a reserve supply of water — a re-
serve which during dull weather is an evil, as the plants do
not need it, though in bright dry days they will absorb wi'Ut
water they receive in the pot and the full of the saucer besides ;
at least the water goes away by evaporation and through the
plant together. AU the trouble and bad effects of this practice-
are, however, avoided by filling the saucers with good soil, at d
placing them under the plants at the beginning. The first thing
we do here is to fill the saucers, which are of a size in pro-
portion to the pots and have a hole in the bottom, over
which one crock is placed, and when they are all set
on the shelves or wherever the plants are to be started, the
latter are set upon them. But before doing so, the holes
in the bottoms of the pots are examined and enlarged a little
if necessary with the pointed claw of a hammer to let the
roots out easier. I have just been looking over some hundreds
of plants to-day which are throwing up their flower trusses
and find, as usual, that the fresh, new roots have already taken
possession of the soil in the saucers to such an extent that
when a pot is lifted up the saucer nearly clings to it. These
roots have not been encouraged by bottom heat, the plants
stand on a stage in the Strawberry house, and anyone may
judge what an advantage it must be to the plants to have such
a quantity of fresh roots to draw upon, and which they could
not have by any other means. The result is, always having
crops of good fruit without using a drop of liquid manure of
any kind during the foi-cing season, while the plants seldom or
never need water more than once a day during the driest
weather. The soil in the saucers consists of pure silted loam
and sand, to which has been added a good sprinkling cf
Standen's manure, the best stimulant for Strawberries and pot
Vines with which I am acquainted. The soil in the saucers
never gets dry, as it is 7iot exposed to evaporation like the ball ot
soil in the pot, consequently the plants are never in danger of
flagging in hot weather. The fact of the matter is, that though
the rooting through the bottom does not in the least check the
activity of°roots in the pot, the main roots are in the saucer by
the time the fruit begins to swell ofi, and when the plants are
finally turned out, the saucer is a complete mass of young,
healthy shoots. It is an old practice of good Strawberry
"rowers, I am aware, to set the pots on turves placed on the
shelves, which amounts to much the same thing as the practice
I recommend, only, that it is seldom convenient to use the
turves as they entail the necessity of leaving the plants in the
same place till the end, or of sacrificing the roots in moving
them, whereas it is a perfectly easy matter to move the saucers
along with the pots, as we have to do with any batch of plants
that are forced. J. S. W.

Hamamelis arborea. — This may be added to Mr. Groom's H-t
of eferuba (p. 84) which defy the present severe weather. It<j
starry yellow blossoms are very bright and pretty jo^t now, and they
seam quite indifferent to the biting east wind which keeps back even

BEST STRUCTURES FOR PINES.
Abundance of ligh one of the first essentials in the caltare of the
Pine-apple. \Yherever the plants receive the most light and for the
longest period every day there you will always find the largest,
most robnst and best matured plants. It follows, therefore, that that
kind ot Btrnoture which admits the greatest quantity of light must
be the best for the purpose, aud the structure which does this is a
span.roofed one running north and south. On a house of this kind

102

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879.

the Bun, abcnt midsuiimer, shines for sixteen or eighteen hoars
every day unless it is shaded by trees or other objects, which it should
not be; whereas a lean-to or hipped-root house does not receive the
sun's rays fairly for much more than half that time. The difference
to the plants may, therefore, be estimated. I have grown Pines in
very different structures, from old-fashicned houses built more than
seventy years ago to modern span-roofed ones glassed with wide
panes on all sides, and nothing has ever struck me more than the
difference in the plants in the different houses. Here we for a long
while grew a portion of onr plants in a low bat light lean-to pit, and
the others in a span-roofed house standing north and south, and
it was only too noticeable as regularly as the autumn came
round that the plants in the span-roofed house were always the best
by a long way, though otherwise treated exactly alike, and conse-
quently the latter were always selected for early fruiting kinds. I
would prefer a lean-to house for winter fruiting sorts, because such a
house gets all the sunshine that is going at that season and economises
the heat beat, but for growing plants in, or for fruiting the plants at
any other period of the year, a span-roofed house is the best. Only
those who have cultivated Pines under different circumstances, as
regards houses, can fully appreciate the difference which plenty of
light all round makes to the plants. I remember talking on this
subject to Mr. Ward, of Bishop's Stortford, (who has, perhaps, pro-
duced heavier Queen Pines than any grower in England) on one
occasion when we met as competitors in the Pine-apple class at Man.
Chester, and he remarked to me that if he wished to give a Pine
plant every chance possible, he would plant it in a span. roofed house
and give it as much room as would allow one to walk all round it, so
much importance did he attach to giving the plants room and light,and
although Mr. Thomson, author of "Culture of the Pine-apple" grew his
finest Pines at Archersfield in old-fashioned lean-to pits, he was fully
sensible of the advantages of light, and says, in his book, that in our
climate Pines cannot possibly have more light and sun than is neces.
sary, and that Pineries should therefore be oonsttucted so as to admit
and diffuse as much light and sunshine as can be had, and the kind
of house he recommends for the purpose is a span-roofed one, except
for winter.fruiting kinds. Mr. Baines (p. 52) says fresh loam is the
only soil suitable for Pines, a statement which is very far from being
correct. Mr. Miles, of Wycombe Abbey, grows his Pines in yellow
loam of a fine silky texture, but here, the loam, though suitable for
many things when used alone, does not suit Pines till it is mixed
with one-third or more of peat and sand, and in this compost we grew
onr Pines always, and had always plenty of fruit both large and
good. But at Broxmouth Park, near Dunbar, the seat of the Duke
of Roxburgh, we many years ago saw a houseful of fine healthy
Pines growing in pure peat, and the fruit was so good that it was
thought worthy of appearing at the Edinburgh Show, and, if I
remember rightly, it received a prize. Now between peat and loam
there is much difference, chemically and mechanically, and, between
the two, no doubt suitable composts could be prepared according to
any one's needs. J. Simpson.

Worthy.

conditions, they are not exhausted in twenty years. It is not an un.
common thing for 200 plants to bear between 2000 or 3000 bunches,
and that, too, without fire-heat, syringing, or any watering what,
ever. Svlvestkis,

Moravia.

VINE CORDONS IN FRONT OP WALLS WITH
A SOUTHERN ASPECT.
Although Grape growing occupies a foremost place in fruit culture
in England, it has not as yet succeeded in placing the Grape within
the reach of the middle classes in sufficient quantity and, consequently,
at a price that can bo afforded by them. There is the possibility of
producing good useful fruit (not exhibition bunches) of early sorts
on cordons. The best place is probably in that space of 6 ft. at the
foot of south walls, usually occupied, in part only, by Peaches, Nec-
tarines, and the like. There is no more reason why the Vine should
not do well in company with these than that undergrowth should nob
exist under timber. That they do well under such conditions is a
matter of fact. The first row may be 3 ft. from the wall, and the
second 6 ft., the plants being set out alternately. In the second
year after planting, if good canes be selected, the Vines may ba
out down to about 1^ ft. from the ground, just as Willow stools are
treated. The canes may be lightly bundled together, and brought
over — the back row to the front wire, and the front row to the hinder
one ; by this means but little shadow will be thrown on the fruit-
bearing parts. When the plants are strong, and produce a quantity
of shoots, four or five of the strongest may be selected, all weak ones
being cut away ; and each year, early in spring, they may be cut
baok to two eyes each. The after cultivation is simplicity itself, con-
sisting of stopping the main shoots at 4 ft. in length, removing all
tendrils and weak unfruitful shoots. The ground may be mulched
with clean straw, so that the bunches may ba kept clean. Thinning
out the bunches is not necessary. Such Vine stools produce annually
from ten to twenty banches, and, as they grow under quite natural

f Ij^TE CXi2C"V".

NEW CAPE HEATHS.
Heaths have a charm for every one, and yet for many years
past they have not received the attention which they deserve,
simply because they are somewhat difficult to cultivate, and do
not grow into large specimens in a single year. The difficulty,
however, is more imaginary than real, and I venture to assert
that any one regarding the attentions bestowed upon their
plants as a labour of love and not in the light of a task, will
certainly succeed in producing good healthy specimens. But
even supposing Heath cultivation to be surrounded with the
amount of rislc that many assert pertains to it, it is not credit-
able to cultivators to have given up the task in the manner in
which it has been done. Happily the demand for good varieties
of this class of plants is again in the ascendant, and therefore
it has been thought desirable to give illustrations of some
fine hybrids which have been produced and recently sent out from
Messrs. Rollisson's establishment at Tooting, a firm long famous
for this class of plants. The varieties in the annexed plate can all
be recommended for vigorous habit and free flowering, and at the
same time they are thoroughly distinct from any other species
or varieties hitherto in cultivation. They may thus be briefly de-
scribed. B.obbata cordata,abeautiful,free,large-flowering variety
which, if grown under glass, is a pure shining delicate white,
but if a tinge of rose or flesh colour be considered an additional
charm, it can be obtained by exposure to the open air for a few
days, whilst an additional point of excellence is that the flowers
are entirely destitute of that peculiar gummy exudation so
characteristic of the flowers of nearly all hard-wooded Heaths,
and hence it retains its purity until the flowers die naturally.
E. opulenta, habit robust and free, flowers produced in large
whorls, the colour being a deep lake shaded with cr imson, limbs
white and spreading. E. effusa; the flowers of this variety
are large, and crimson-scarlet in colour, while the segments of
the limbs are pale sulphur. E. ornata has flowers large and
much swollen, colour at the base, rosy-carmine, the remaining
portion being pure white, with the exception of a circle of green
round the neck. E. tricolor profusa; the trusses and flowers
in this variety are large, deep, rose-coloured at the base, shading
upwards to flesh colour and ultimately white ; an elegant
variety of tricolor, and, as its name implies, an abundant
bloomer. Fit companions to these, in order to makeup a dozen
varieties, are E. Cavendishi, Massoni major, Thomsoni, obbata,
iasminiflora alba, arapuUacea manor, and tubiformis.

W. H. G.

GARDEN LABELS.
From what is stated by " S." (p. 91) I infer that to invent new
kinds of plant markers is easier than to improve upon the old. I
recommend those who require them first to determine what that
quality is in the marker that they most desire. Is it appearance ?
What can be prettier than the terra cotta productions of Messrs. Maw ?
Is it durability ? Those manufactured in zinc by Mr. Yeat3,of Mortlake,
are practically indestructible, and are also those which are made of
sheet lead and have the name of the plant stamped on them. Is it
that they may servo only a temporary purpose and last a few seasons
only ? Nothing can ba more convenient than the wooden labels sold by
Messrs. Blackit at a price within the reach of most people who are
willing to pay for such articles. These, however, as well as the zino
labels, are easily made, and the two processes are described in
Vol. VII. of The Garden (p. 397) and a considerable saving of ex-
pense can be effected if desired. Of the indestructibility of zino
labels and indelibility of the writing on them, I have sufficient
evidence. I now send two specimens, which, as will be seen are quite
legible, that I discovered this morning in some rubbish in an outhouse,
and which I know were in use before the year 1851. They can be
made of the clippings collected in the shops of those who work in
that metal, and with a pair of shears can be cut into any form thit
may be required. Oq the subject of garden labels some very nsaf ul
hints are given in Vol. X, (p. 297) of The Garden. B. S.

i

I

Feb. 1, lb79.]

THE GARDEN.

103

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

HARDINESS OF THE HYDRANGEA.
This matter, in conjunctioa with that of its sometimes flower-
inf blue, has, every novr and then, been commented on by
writers in gardening periodicals ever since such publications
existed ; and yet the plant seems as capricious as ever, more
especially in regard to its flowering, while of its hardiness,
I may say that about the largest plant of it I ever saw was
growing in a garden fully exposed on a bleak situation in
Northumberland, and that was more than fifty years ago ; but
I believe that this plant was much injured or wholly cut down
to the ground in the memorable winter of 1837-38 ; neverthe-
less, it must have survived many winters anterior to 1825,
when I first saw it, and it flowered well ; but its blossoms were
of the usual pink hue. The situation was a dry one, though
extremely high and exposed ; the soil, an open one, rested on
yellow sandstone, large quantities of which were quarried for
building purposes within 100 yards or so of where the Hy-
drangea was growing. At that time it was known that
Hydrangeas sometimes flowered blue, but such as did so were
supposed to be distinct varieties, a notion which has, of course,
been since exploded ; but I confess I have not been able to
account at all times for the various caprices which the plant
has shown under cultivation. Even but a very short distance
from where I write, I can point to two plants growing in
two cottage gardens only a few yards apart, one of
them as good a blue as I ever saw, and the other a good
pink ; and I remember being very much puzzled by seeing at a
horticultural exhibition, a few miles north of London, six
plants in 8-in. pots producing beautiful blue flowers, and a like
number in pots exactly similar that had bright pink flowers.
As both came from the same place I felt surprised at this, as 1
have long held that the character of the water used for plants
cultivated in pots has as much influence as that of the soil, and
it is customary to use the same water for all kinds of plants.
As a truthful exposition of failure is almost as useful as
that of success, I will mention here one into which I fell
many years after the one above alluded to ; still it is
many years ago now, but it was subsequent to the era in
which it was affirmed that the change of hue in the Hydrangea
was due to the presence of iron in some form or other in the
soil. Well, being anxious to obtain blue flowers, and peat not
being handy, I potted a few plants in the sandy substance
which had dropped from an ordinary grindstone, judging that
this must be charged as thoroughly with iron as any mixture
could possibly be in a mechanical way, but the experiment was
a failure, for though blue flowers were produced they were not
of so good a colour as I expected ; this was doubtless owing to
the plants being watered with hard water from a well or pump
resting on the limestone ; perhaps the result would have been
differeat if clear rain water could have been had, but the
result, coupled with some other trials in which irou filings,
&o., were used, puzzled me, and I confess not being at all
times now able to account for the freaks the plant will take,
for now and then we see both blue and pink flowers on the
same plant, and, in the same truss, an inclination to present
both hues. Certainly, the health of plants producing both
colours is not so good as when only one kind is produced,
but I am not in a position to afiirm that one is any better
than the other, as I have seen both equally vigorous. In a
usual way Hydrangeas are very commonly met with in cot-
tage gardens in the southern counties, but where they seem
really most at home is in Devonshire ; I well remember,
when walking through the grounds at Mount Edgecumbe
in that county, Mr. Fooley, the then gardener there, pointed
out both kinds in the greatest perfection, and on the flray
from the kitchen garden to the mansion he pointed out a
ditch as the boundary between the two ; it had doubtless at
oue time been a sort of chasm formed by Nature, on each side
of which soils of different characters had been thrown up —
trees of most kinds thriving well in both, and there were
many things growing there that were not at that time often
met with out of-doors ; notably, I remember, a Eucalyptus
more than 20 ft. high, but whether it was the one which of
late years has been brought into notice or not I am unable to

say, but it was in a very sheltered position and evidently doing
well. But to return to the Hydrangea : I should think it very
seldom suffers from frost in Devon or Cornwall, although else-
where in England I have been led to regard it of about the
same hardiness as the Fig, and liable to be cut down to the
ground in very severe winters. In other respects it resembles
that tree also ; both present a great amount of pith in the
wood of the current year, and if another tree of similar habit
be added to the list I would say Paulownia imperialis is the
one. The Catalpa may be a little hardier, and so may, per-
haps, be the hardiest Fuchsias, but as my objoct was only to
speak of the Hydrangea I will go no further.

A Retired Gakdener.

RATE OF GROWTH AND QUALITY OP TIMBER.
Allow me to add a few mora words on this sabject, in order to place
it in a more intelligible light, and also by way of an answer to
Mr. Bainea. The question between him and me is not really confined
to the Wellingtonia, nor to home-grown timber alone, aa Mr. Baines
now Btatea. He made no each exoeptiona in hia first letter, bat laid
it down broadly aa a rule " that the natural laws which govern the
development of vegetabls life in the formation of woody fibre pointed
generally in one direction, which is that slow growth means com.
parative Btreugth and durability." This, and this only, waa the
statement to which I took exception. Snrely Mr. Baiuea doea not
mean to assert that the trees, whether exotic or otherwiae, which are
grown for timber in thia country are governed by different laws from
those to which they are subject elsewhere ; thia ia about what his
Btatementa now amount to. Be this aa it may, to the rule he gives for
estimating the quality of timber I furnished several notable excep
tiona, which, according to Mr. Biines, are outside the question,
but the real truth, I am afraid, ia that Mr. Baines
overlooked the array of facts which might be urged against him,
just aa he haa been too hasty in hia assertions about the laws which
govern the development of vegetable life in the production of woody
fibre. The explanation of the matter, ao far, ia this, aa phyaiologiats
explain, and correstly enough, aa any one can determine for them,
selves : — Planta are composed of two substances, the one cellularand
the other fibro-vasoular ; the first ia brittle and perishable, and the
second strong and enduring. In the Raspberry, for example, we
have wood consisting principally of cellular tissue, and, consequently,
brittle and perishable, and in the Hemp and Flax we have plants
composed almost entirely of fibro.vascular tissue, and, consequently,
tough and strong. Now these two substances vary in trees accord-
ing to the rate of growth and other circumatancea. When the tree
grows fast it producea more fibro-vascular tissue and less cellular,
and the contrary takes place when it grows alowly ; hence, in the
first caae, the timber is strong and tough, and in the last brittle and
unendaring, a theory, it will be seen, that ia quite opposed to that
furnished by Mr. Bainea. Other causes of strength and durability
consist in the secretions deposited within the tissues. I do not know
what the diSareDce may be between the Oaks of Hertfordshire and
Westmoreland to which Mr. Bainea alludes, nor doea it matter in the
smallest degree, but this I will assert, that the Oak which grows ia
the best soil and grows fastest will be superior to that which,
through poverty or other causes, has grown slowly in the same locality.
In making comparisons conditions must be equal. Until the fallacy
of the theory now resuscitated by Mr. B tinea waa exposed by
Knight, Lindley, Holt, and others, it was argued that because the
Popfar grew fast and produced poor timber, so all other trees which
grew fast must necessarily have the same fault; but, as Lindley
points out, the Poplar is bad when it grows fast, and still worse when
it grows slowly. Regarding the Admiralty Test Tables and others
furnished by Lindley relating to fast and slow grown 0.»k timber, the
following is a summary of the results tabulated : "Ttie beat (Oak)
in quality waa from Strathfieldsaye, and grew as much on an average
as 1 in. in diameter annually, and all those others which grew above
four-tenths in diameter were of good quality. On the other hand,
all the sloweat.grown timber in both tables was bad or indifferent."
The Admiralty Testa are no sham, and these facta speak for them.
selves to any unprejudiced mind. C.

I waa not unacquainted with the article from which Mr. Synae

quotea, in order to make us believe in the quality of Wellingtonia
timber, and which he says aettlea the queation of ita durablility ; but
it most certainly doea not, so far as my conviotiona go, even in that
grown in its native country, and which has nothing to do with the
subject at issue, for not until I have brought myself to believe all the
exploits of the mythical Birou Munohauaen can I consent to credit
the atory quoted. Allow me to be clearly understood in totally dia-
believing this and similar statements, I do not for a moment question

104

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879,

any one's veracity, but I take moBt decided exception to their powers
of observation or the data upon which their conolusions are formed.
We are asked to believe that the trunk of a certain tree has Iain
above ground fully exposed to the weather 380 years and an nnascer-
tainable number beyond these ; yet it bears no signs of decay in
any part; and, in the other extreme, there are gigantic trunks of
Silver Firs that, under like conditions, are every atom rotten in
two years, and this in a Californian cliu-ate. Why, if the whole of
the wood of these Silver Firs had been as soft and spongy as the bark
of Taxodium sempervirens, they would not have reached a similar
stage of rottenness if lying in the moiature-saturated tropica for the
time. To ask any one who has had a fair opportunity for acquiring
a knowledge of timber generally to credit thia is an attempt to tax
credulity to an extent that is almost amusing. But, when evidence
such aa this is adduced, it has only one eSeot, and that is to damage
the cause which it is thus sought to sustain. When writing the first
few lines on this subject I was not unmindful of the different species
of trees that form wood rapidly, but which, nevertheless, ia of good
enduring quality ; they simply are the exception which prove the
rule, existant in this, as in almost everything else of a kindred oha.
racter. Nothing that has yet been advanced by those who have
attempted to make ont that thia was not substantially correct has
shaken the facts of the case. T. Baines.

LOPPING DECIDUOUS TREES.
The winter season ia the time when this kind of work is usually per.
formed, and a few remarka upon the practice from a general point of
view may not be out of place. It is a subject which embraces a
wide field, from the removal of a limited number of branches, which
it occasionally becomes necessary to cut out of old trees that happen
to exist in and about small gardens, to the wholesale lopping which
we frequently see resorted to with hedgerow timber over large estates,
and I may here observe that whether we look at the subject from the
examples often practised on in gardens up to where lopping is carried
out on an extensive scale, there ia not a single operation connected
with rural economy in this country wherein there is so little
knowledge brought to bear, so mach mischief caused in appear,
ance, often irreparable in the case of small or comparatively small
places, and so much real injury done to the look of the landscape,
with no counterbalancing benefit to any one. I do not mean to aay
that under no circumstances should large or medium. sized trees have
a portion of their branches reduced or cut out ; thia ia very fre.
quently not only admissible but necessary, provided the work be done
with judgment. In medium-sized gardens and small pleasure grounds
severe lopping, often to the extent of cutting the heads nearly
or wholly away is frequently practised upon trees that either
naturally grow too large for planting in the positions which
they occupy or have fulfilled the purpose of affording
shelter for a time, after which their presence could with advantage
be dispensed with, and consequently they should be removed alto,
gether. But it requires some courage to cut down trees when they
have grown up near a dwelling, or already exist in over.close proxi.
mity to where a house is afterwards built, however unsuitable or
out of place they may be for the place in which they stand ; and
when there is an absence of the knowledge requisite to judge correctly
in the matter, mutilation, instead of removal, ia generally resorted
to. A similar course is often pursued where, iu place of thinning
out deciduous treea where their increased size demands more room,
the whole are kept and mercilessly disfigured ; than this nothing ia
more opposed to the admitted principle that a single well.developed
tree judiciously placed is vastly preferable to any quantity of muti.
lated examples. Bearing upon this subject, it ;f reqnently happens
that deciduous treea in shrubberies, which have attained considerable
size, and which have occupied the position in which they stand long
before the grounds were laid out, and where they are by far the
most conspicuous and important objects, and consequently can ill be
spared, somewhat suddenly lose all their upper branches, and begin
to push out a quantity of small spray from the lower part of the
trunks, a sure sign of languid vitality, although their age is
not such as would directly lead to decay. In cases of this kind
the complete removal of the heads, leaving them mere pollards,
becomes a neoeesity, though no reasonable expenditure would
have been grudged to have kept them in full vigour. I have
recently seen several instances of this description, where pleasure-
grounds more or less in extent had been made within a dozen years
or so, and where the existant treea — mostly Oak and Elm — were of
the very greatest importance in giving almost at once an apparent
age and character to the places, that nothing in their absenae could
supply or compensate for. The cause of their loss was clearly visible,
but too late to remedy the mischief: shruba had been planted

thickly on the ground occupied by the roota of the old trees, and had
grown freely without any attempt at the necessary thinning, ao aa to
prevent their exhausting the soil of its fertilising elements, as also
of moisture, which the roots of the shrubs from their position near the
surface.do to the starvation and exhaustion of the much more important
treea. Theae were direct evidence of tho frequent mistakea made in
unduly taxing the capabilities of the soil by over-cropping, with an
absence of enriching elements, and which ia jaat as injurious to
the shrubs and trees, as it is with annual crops, though in the latter
the effects are sooner seen. In the case of lopping, when it ia
carried to the extent that is frequently practised on hedgerow
timber, it is at once destructive 'of the best features in the land,
scape — trees in their natural form. By a little observation, in
pasaing over some of the principal lines of railway that tra-
verse England, it ia easily seen to what length thia kind
of work ia carried out on aome estates, where the trees often stand,
ing from six to a dozen in the place where one ought to be, either as
regards the general appearance of the land, the prodnotiou of good
timber, or consistent with the growth of either corn or grass, but in
place of their being confined to a auffioient nambei: oE healthy
fully-developed examples, all are so denuded of branches that they
consist of nothing but long, straight, attenuated stems and meagre
heads, the whole not unlike a gigantic Birch broom with a long
handle. As to the appearance of such, individually or collectively,
it is needless to say anything. And, in respect to the formation of
timber when the leaf surface is kept ao much reduced, I have aacer.
tained, by actual measurement with several kinds extending over a
series of years, that the increase with treea so treated waa not more
than one half compared with examplea of the same respective varie.
ties grown under exactly like conditions, except that their branches
were left intact, beyond a reasonable amount of pruning in the
early stages of their growth.

In respect to the removal of large under branches from trees that
have attained considerable size, where a sufficient cause exists for
this being [done, it requires much more judgment, andleaaof the
indiacriminate serve-all. alike procedure than is often practised in
the work. Some varieties of deciduous treea cannot bear large
branohea being cut away without injury to their general healthy
condition nearly so well as others. The Beech, for instance, influenced
to a greater or less extent by the nature of the soil and situation in
which it ia grown, is usually so much injured by the removal of
branches that have attained any considerable thickneas, that decay
and ultimate death often ensue, the consequences generally being
apparent by broad stripes of bark, and the outer wood to some depth
immediately below, and extending for a considerable distance down
the trunk, dying, from which decay ultimately extends so as to
cause their premature destruction. T. Baines.

THE BEARBBRRIBS.
All tbe Bearberries are desirable and interesting shrubs, and
well deserve that attention should be called to their merits as
garden plants. Formerly the genus contained a good many
more species than it does at present, the kinds removed being
now classed under different genera. There are about a dozen
species confined to north temperate regions, and oE these the
majority are natives of North America. Those hei'eafter men.
tioned do well ia the open air in this country, and flourish best
in peaty loam. Seeds offer the readiest means of propagation
with most of the sorts, though all may be easily increased by
means of layering. The two indigenous kinds make excellent
rock plants, and, as such, deserve a place even in select
rockeries.

The Black Bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpina), the badge of
the Cian Ross, is rare as a native plant, being confined to dry, barren
Scotch mountains from Perth and Forfar northwards, and ascending
to elevations of nearly 3,000 ft. above sea level. It forms compact,
woody patches, with stent, leafy, interlaced branches and scaly bark.
The deciduous, spathulate leavea, which are wrinkled above, have
ciliated margins, and are narrowed into a short atalk. They vary in
length from J in. to IJ in. and are coarsely toothed above the middle
the white blossoms are produced in twos or threea, and appear with
the young leavea. The berry ia black, and measures i in. iu diameter.

The Common Eearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi) is a hand-
some little shrub with trailing branches and quite entire, glossy,
evergreen leaves. It prefers Alpine, heathy, and rooky places, often
covering the ground with beds of considerable extent. Ita geo-
graphical distribution ia more southerly than that of the Alpine
Bearberry, being found as far south as Cumberland and Yorkshire
it, however, ascends to even a greater elevation. The pretty urn-

Feb. 1, 1879 ]

THE GAKDEN.

105

shaped pink blossoma, followed by red fraits which afford an excellent
food for the moor fowl, are produced in May and June in crowded
racemes. In his " Flora Lapponioa " (p. 130), Linnaeaa states that
great qnantitiea of the leaves and branches are gathered in the north
of Sweden and sent to Stockholm, where they are bought by tanners
for the same purpose as the Sumach (Rhus Coriaria) ; they are also
need to dye wool. This plant was known to, and occasionally used
by the ancient physicians, and, of late years, has been suooessfully
employed in pulmonary complaints and also as an astringent
tonic.

The Glaucous Bearberry (Arctostaphylos glanca) a native of
Oregon and California, where it is known under the name of
Manzanita, gets to be a good. sized shrub and bears abundantly large
drupe. like fraits of a pleasant taste, which are much used as food by
the Indians of that region.

The Woolly Bearberry (Arctostaphylos tomentosa), is a en.
rions and beautiful hardy evergreen shrub from California and the
Rocky Mountains, where it is also known as " Manzanita ;" indeed
on the western coast there are several species, mostly shrubs or small
trees, which have been much contused. It is a neat-habited bush,
with roundish, glossy, leathery leaves and hairy branches ; the fo-
liage, when young, being also somewhat woolly. The wax-like
flowers open about March, are pure white, and are borne in dense,
drooping racemes. As a cool greenhouse or conservatory plant it is
a decided acquisition. Its hardiness, too, has been thoroughly tested
at Kew, where a good specimen ia standing perfectly nninjured by
the late severe weather, although it baa received no artificial shelter
of any kind.

The Pointed-leaved Bearberry (Arotoataphyloa pungens),
from the same countries as the last-named, is a much branched, erect
growing shrub, with leathery, quite entire, acute-pointed leaves,
from 1 in. to li in. long, downy when young and smooth when old.
The terminal, drooping racemes are made up of eight or ten blossoms
—white, tinged with rose.

Another kind widely different from all the foregoing, is one
cultivated in the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens under the name
of A. californica ; this is a very vigorous, trailing, evergreen
shrub, with spathulate, leathery, entire leaves ; the flowers I
have not seen. G.

CHEST FOR STEAMING TIMBER.
An apparatus for steaming timber for bent work may be constructed
as follows : A box of 2. in. plank is made of sufficient length, and

Chest for Steamirg Timber,

abont 1 ft. wide and deep. Three cross bars are fitted at the point
shown in the engraving, and about 1 in. above the bottom. The
timber rests upon these, so as to expose every part to the steam.
The movable door is held in its place by bars paasing through staples,
as indicated in the engraving. The box rests upon trestles about i ft.
high. A common cauldron or boiler may be used to make the steam.
This may be hung upon a tripod, or set in a rough arch of stone. A
wooden cover is fitted to the top and held down by clamps or weights.
A pipe made of wood or metal connects the bailer with the steam
box. — "American Agriculturist."

[A somewhat similar contrivance to that here described is used in
this country for steaming timber for wheelwrighta.]

The Hardiest Evergreen Magnolia.— It is in such seasons as
this that the ferrugineous variety of Mignolia grandiflora shows its supe-
riority, and we have little doubt it will generally be found that it is unhurt,
or comparatively so, while the favourite Exmouth variety, is killed down
to the ground, if not indeed killed outright. It usually happens under
such circumstances as these that M. grandiflora ferruginea, stands quite
uninj ured, and therefore we have come to regard it as the hardiest, as it
is the freest- blooming, aud in every way the best variety of this grand
American evergreen. — " Gardeners' Chronicle."

WOODLAND "WORK FOR FEBRUARY.
Up to the present time there appears but little chance of fetching
np arrears of planting, and, whenever the weather breaks, the most
strenuous efforts must be made to push forward such work with all
possible speed. In many places evergreens removed late are com.
pletely cut off, and, when the spring arrives, we may expect to find
much mischief done in late made plantations of all kinds. But
wherever early provision for planting was made by trenching and
holing, the benefits of the frost will be felt in the complete amoliora-
tion of the soil, so that good work may be done in the spring. The
frosts have greatly impeded the cutting of underwood, and, owing to
the brittleness of the wood, much of the work done ia of an unsatis-
factory kind, and the atools should be dressed with the axe and adze
as soon as the frost is ont of them. The weather has been greatly in
favour of the removal of all thinnings of timber, and of the produce
of early cut coppices. All timber, except Oak, should be felled by
the end of the month. Wherever there is a demand for the bark of
the Birch, Larch, Willow, Spanish Chestnut, &c., these may be cut
down later in the season.

The drier portions of the woodlands should be selected for the
earliest planting with Larch and Spanish Chestnut, afterwards fol-
lowing up with Sycamore, Beech, Ash, and Elm, and finishing upon
the more retentive soils with the Oak, Birch, Willow, and Poplar.
Wherever Brambles and rank nndergrowth of any kind abound,
strong plants should be used for filling up, as smaller ones would
soon be smothered. But, in forming entirely new plantations, three,
years'. old Sycamore, Maple, Spanish Chestnut, Pinaster, Larch,
Birch, Ash, and Alder, will be sufficiently strong ; the Oak, Spruce,
Beech, and Walnut should be used at the age of four years ; and
the Holly, Silver Fir, and some others, at that of five years.

The formation of Hawthorn hedges should be completed as soon as
the weather will permit, as this plant comes early into leaf. In all
soils, except very retentive ones (for which the Hawthorn is not well
suited), the plants are better placed upon the level of the adjacent
land. The raised mound, with its deep side ditches completely cuts
off the roota from the free range which they ought to have in the
soil beyond ; hence the scrubby appearance which hedges so placed
too often present. In such situations their roota also receive a
severe pruning whenever the ditches are scoured or ahovelled out.
In very wet sitnationa tolerably good fences may be made with the
semi-aquatio plants— the Alder, Willow, and Black Poplar. When
cropped close, the Alder aud Poplar feather low, and the forked
growth of the former, combined with the bitter taste of its leaves,
prevents its being cropped, and renders it well-nigh impervious to
cattle. The Willows may be thickly planted in sach situations, and
their branches interlaced, so that no stock will find its way through
fences formed of these.

Layering, both in the woodlands and the nursery, may now be con.
tinned, the layered part being fixed firmly in the soil by means of a
wooden peg, and afterwards covered to a depth of about 4 in. with
good soil. The end of the shoot should be left in an erect position.
Such trees as are intended to attain considerable size in the nursery
should, at their final transplanting, have sufficient space to enable
them to develop robust stems and well balanced heads, as upon these
two points much of their future success will depend. Such as are
afterwards intended to stand singly or in small groups in aituationa
of exposure should also remain for some time in the most open of
the nursery quarters.

Late in February or early in March Willows may be cut both for
the use of the cooper and the basket maker. Those for the former
may be cut tolerably close to the ground and near the swelling at the
base of the shoot, for as very few shoots from the stool are required
where large growths have to be produced, the ascending sap has
sufficient outlets from this protruberance ; but, in cutting the basket
maker's Willows, the section ahonid not be within two or three buds
of the base, and made in a slanting direction. The out osiers are
prepared for peeling by standing on end in bundles in a few inches of
stagnant water, and they are ready for the operation some time in
May.

Cuttings of various kinds may atill be inserted in the nursery beds,
though a better start will be obtained by those put in at the end of
the autumn. Elder branches taken from the last year's shoots may
have one pair of their buds under the soil aud one above. The out.
tings of Poplar and Willow require to be planted tolerably deep in
the soil, and they should be taken from the last year's ahoots ; but
where it is intended to' plant a permanent O.-iier bed, stronger Cq'^
tings, of the length of 18 in. and upwards, taken from two years' old
wood, are preferable. But, aa this kind of planting consumes go
much material, the strongest of the one year's shoots, and abont i ft.
in length, are often substituted.

As soon as the larger deciduous kinds have been got out, the
removal of two years' seedlings will require attention. This may be

106

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1S79.

followed np by the transplanting of aeedllnga ; bat these and the
Larch are generally better left nntil early in March. For filling np
all vacant spaces in the nursery which have been under green crops
daring the past summer, and which are not required for seed beds,
stock should now be ordered in, or at any rate selected in readiness
for removal when required. Chestnuts and Acorns may still be put
in, giving them a lighter covering than in the autumn. Choose
plamp, well-ripened seeds, the produce of vigorous trees in the piime
of life, aa these produce the strongest plants. In fine dry weather,
towards the end of the month, sow Sycamore, Maple, Ash, Beech,
and Elm seeds. Also dig and lay np roughly such quarters as are
intended to make seed beds for the Fir and Pine seeds in March.

Whenever the weather will permit, keep the hoe going among the
nursery lines. Also keep a watch for mice and other destructive
rodents, which soon do a great amount of mieehiet among the seed,
beds. Digging between the nureery rows, provided the operation be
performed with care, greatly assists the formation of fibrous roots
and renders the plants better fitted for future removal. Before the
March winds come, it will be well to stake and tie all large tiansplants
likely to require it, and to fix the soil well around such as have
already become loosened. A. J. Burrows.

ROSES.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHRUB?, & WOODLANDS.

Beech Trees ai:d Underwood. — Allow me to give the follow,
ing particulars in reference to this subject, as I am of opinion that
there is no more difficulty (if so much) in growing underwood under
Beech trees than there would be under Elm or Oik, provided the
Beech trees weie not planted very closely together, or the bracchfs
allowed to hang so low down as to shut out sunshine and air. We
have here, in the park, many Beech trees, also Elm, Chestnut, Lime-=,
Oaks, Horse Chestnut, and various others, but I can see no difference
in the Grass under any of them, it being as luxuriant and plentiful
under one kind of tree as under another, the branches being from
5 ft. to G ft. from the ground. There is also, running through part
of the shrubbery, a kind of avenue of large Beeches, planted at long
distances from each other, but most of them meet at the top, forming
a thick shade when in leaf ; under these the ground ia very full of
roots, aa it has not been dug for ten or twelve years, the space under
the trees being planted with common Laurels, Portugal Laurels,
Laurustinus, Box, Irish Yews, common Yews, green IloUies, Aucubas,
Tariegated Hollies, and a few others. Of these some are making fine
plants, especially where they have head room, and others grow so
fast that we have to prune hard to keep them within limits. Not a
mile distant there is a very large group of Beech trees planted
thickly, with an occasional Liroh or Scotch Fir ; these are all drawn
up together very high, with scarcely any lower branches upon them,
but underneath there is scarcely any vegetation, except an occasional
Bramble or tuft of Grass. Even common weeds make no attempt to
cover the bare surface, but here the ground is very stony and poor. —
W. Divers, Maidstone.

With regard to the Rhododendrons in the Beeoh wood at

Alderley, seeing the matter doubted, I bej to confirm Mr. Hosaack'a
stateraent. It is over twelve years since I lived at Alderley Park,
and they were then all that Mr. Hoasack describes them at a later
date. — J. Slattery, Bernjmeade Priory, Acton.

Pinus liaricio. — Nothing connected with tree planting for pur.
poses of timber growing goes farther to show how slow people in some
cases are to adopt anything new, or comparatively so, than this Pinus,
the excellence of the timber of which has long been well known.
This would be more easily accounted for if the Larch had continued
healthy and vigorous, but with the way in which it is now often
affected by heart-rot when the trees are approaching an age to be of
valne for purposes where size is required, and the still greater extent
to which it is attacked by disease in the earlier stages of its growth,
to continue planting it in the numbers that still is practised feema
like hoping against hope. The quality of the timber of P. Laricio ia
sufficiently known to establish its character, and the only reason that
appears intelligible why it is not more generally adopted by planters
is the higher price, consequent upon the young plants in their first
stages of growth, being somewhat delicate, but after that stage has
been passed, it grows away with a vigour which leaves nothing to be
desired. The matter of cost might, in a great measure, be met by
only planting it in such quantities aa may be required for permanency,
using cheaper kinds for nurses and still later thinning out. In
addition to the value of its wood, the progress which it makes is
another matter in its favour, being quite aa rapid in growth as ia
consiatent with strength and durability of timber. — T. Baines.

ROSE GROWING IN FRANCE.
Pkuxixg Rose Trees. — Pruning is an operation which
has for its object the formation of the head of the Rose tree
into such a shape as will best suit its nature, as well as
develop young shoots that will yield an abundance of bloom.
The method of pruning to be adopted depends on the natural
habit of the particular variety with which we have to deal.
Vigorous prtining in the case of a free-growing variety gives
rise to an exaggerated development of suckers at the roots and
of watery shoots on the branches, growths which exhaust the
energies of the trees without producing any flowers. _ On the
other hand, a slight pruning in the case of a weak variety will
promote the production of more Roses than the sap will nourish,
the flowers being small and badly shaped If we could divide
Rose trees into distinct classes, according to their mode of
growth, it would be easy to point out the particular method of
pruning which is best adapted to each sort, but it is very
difficult to make this classification in an absolute manner,
sides which the luxuriance of plants of the same variety differs
considerably, according to the fertility of the soil and the mode
of culture. It follows, therefore, that in practice rules that
are too absolute may become embarassing, for the practical cul.
tivator must not only take into account the luxuriance of the
growth of the particular variety, but of the particular indivi.
dual plant also. It will be therefore as well to confine our-
selves to a few general principles as applied to the natural divi-
sions of Roses, without specifying varieties. Free-blooming
and slow-growing Roses should be pruned down to two or
three eyes, or say to within 1 j in. to 1-J in. of the stem ; Roses
with varying habits of growth to four or five eyes, or from
3j in. to 4 in.; Roses of vigorous growth to six or seven ej-es,
or6in. to 7 in. ; climbing Roses bearing but few flowers to
8 in. or 12 in.

Pr.vctical Details of Pkusixg. — Going np close to a Ro«8
tree we examine it rapidly, and determine, from two or three
glances, which are the branches that are to be preserved. Trim
the head by cutting down all watery shoots, weak or badly-
placed branches; cut away the stumps of branches pruned
off the year before, and any dead wood that may be left ; in
fact, clear away everything that interferes with the growth or
beauty of the tree. When nothing remains on the tree but
the branches to be preserved (fig. 25), that is to say,from six to
ten, according to the vigour of the subject, we must commence
pruning them, in accordance with the principles there indi-
Gated. The cuts should be mode in a slanting direction
opposite an eye and at J in. above it. The eye chosen should,
if possible, face outwards. As a guide to amateurs who are
obliged to depend on themselves, we shall say a few words on
the mode of pruning the best known varieties. In the case of
Tea Roses, Bourbons, and Noisettes, which are very prolific in
Howers when grafted on the Brier, we must prune vigorously,
leaving a space of 3 in. or 4 in. between the branches. With
Bengal, Tea, Noisette, and Bourbon Roses growing on their
own roots we must only leave five or six choice shoots
at the base of the flowering branches of the preceding year.
Many-flowered and evergreen Roses which are generally used
for covering walls and posts, we must prune back vigorously
during the first year, in order to obtain two or three shoots
which will grow the length of some 9 ft. or 10 ft., taking care
to train them in the right direction. The second year we must
shorten them back to within about 3 ft. of their bases, which
will cause them to branch out all round. With the third we
must begin to cut down the terminal shoots for from 2 ft. to
about 2 ft. 8 iu., and the sides shoots must be pruned back to
three eyes. Climbing Noisette Desprez, Chromatelle, La-
marque, Solfaterre, and other Roses of the same class must be
cut back to about C in. or 1 ft., according to the thickness of
the branches, so as to obtain lateral shoots, which will each
bear a bunch of flowers at the end. The longest branches
must be cut back as the tree gets older, and the young shoots
which refuse to bloom must be bent, in order to force them
into flower. Banksian, Persian Yellow, and some other Roses
bloom on the wood of the previous year ; therefore we must

Feb. 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

107

be careful not to interfere with these branches, or, indeed, any
others which are likely to bear flowers.

The Season' fok Pruning. — The time for pruning necessarily
varies with the weather and climate. About Paris, for instance,
we may prune Hybrid Provence and Moss Roses before winter
sets in, but it is much more prudent to wait until March. We
begin with the hardiest varieties, keeping China and Noisette
Roses, and those growing on free stocks, to the last. All these
delicate varieties, which should be kept covered up during the
winter, should be pruned as soon as the coverings are taken
off.

Growing Roses in Gardens. — The same constant attention
must be given to Roses, no matter for what purpose they may
be grown, whether for the purposes of the amateur or the pro-

Fig. 25 —Pruning.

fessional horticulturist. The following is a short account of
what is required to be done in order to grow Roses with suc-
cess.

Manure. — Every two years, when the ground is dug up,
■either in spring or autumn, the soil must be well manured.
Cow manure should be used for light, sandy, or calcareous
eoils, and old night soil, the bottom of manure heaps, and
half-rotted stable manure, for heavy and clayey lands.

Swckos and Waiery Shoots. — Every time that the ground is
dug over, the base of the Rose trees should be carefully
examined. The suckers should be cut ofi below the ground
with the pruning knife, and not with the spade, as is often
done. When the latter tool is used a stump is always left
behind, which will sprout more vigorously than ever. The

branches must also be looked after, and all shoots which have
made their appearance below the graft, and which would other-
wise soon develop into watery shoots, must be removed.

Coflichafer Grtihs. — At the time of digging up the beds a
sharp out-look must be kept for these and all other destructive
larvK.

Covcrhiij H'iV/i Mannrc. — A layer of stable manure, from
2 in. to 3 in. thick, spread round the base of the Rose trees,
greatly favours their growth. The layer of manure keeps the
soil slightly moist, and the earth does not crack, besides which
the roots are not exposed to the heat of the sun. The water
with which they are watered, and the rain, is retained upon the
surface, and gently penetrates the soil. Besides this, the litter,
as it decomposes, provides a supply of manure at the very time
when the trees are most abundantly absoibing nourishment
from the earth. The stable litter lor this purpose should be half
rotten and mixed with night soil, the bottoms of warm heaps,
rotten leaves, and stable litter, taking care to use those sub-
stances which are the richest fertilisers for the heaviest lands.
The manure should be applied before the hot weather sets
in, and after the soil has lost the moisture left in it by the
spring rains. This ordinarily takes place about the end of
May, or somewhat before or after, according to the climate
and nature of the soil. Before applying the manure we must
give the ground a good booing, and the beds and borders should
be well weeded. These operations should, if possible, be per-
formed immediately after a slight shower of rain.

RErLACiNG Dead Subjects.— Leaf pruning. — Both the hor-
ticulturist and the amateur have an equal interest in replacing
dead Rose trees as soon as possible, for which purpose we are
often obliged to transplant subjects before the proper time, in
fact, while the sap is in the trees. In such cases great care
must be taken to strip the tree to be transplanted of the whole
of its leaves, and even of its unripe shoots. Without this
precaution the branches would become wrinkled and the leaves
would continue to waste the sap by evaporation, the roots
being unable to supply its place by absorption. If the Rose
has to be moved and cannot be transplanted to its proper place
at once, it must be laid in by the heels and watered once or twice
a week in order to restore the wrinkled rind to its proper con-
dition. The operation of leaf-pruning should be performed
not only when an isolated Rose tree is transplanted, but also
in the autumn, when professional horticulturists, in order to
satisfy the wishes of their customers, are obliged to take Roses
out of their beds before the sap has ceased to flow. Leaf-
pruning thus becomes an important operation, which not only
saves the plant and insures its taking root, but allows it to
be transplanted under favourable circumstances, because, as the
trees are placed in the ground at the beginning of autumn, they
have time to grow a little and to become firmly established
before cold weather sets in.

Packing Rose Trees.— When the distance the trees are to
travel is small we need do nothing more than moisten the roots
and grafts, wrapping the whole round with a thick layer of
straw and tying with Willow twigs. If, however, thedistance
be great, we double the packing of straw and cover it with a
piece of oilcloth secured with twine. If the Rose trees are to
travel by sea we must first dip their roots in a mixture made
of equal parts of light earth and cow manure, mixed with
sufiScient water to form a thin cream. They are then allowed
to dry and packed in boxes, being separated from each other
by layers of dry Moss. If we have to deal with Roses in pots
they must be unpotted and the ball surrounded with a layer
of Moss, kept in its place by string ; they are then packed in
wooden boxes or osier baskets, according to the distance which
they have to travel, care being taken to separate them from
each other by layers of dry Moss.

Summer Pruning. — As soon as the Rose trees have ceased
to bear flowers we cut off the branches which have produced
them, taking care to preserve the neighbouring buds. In
those varieties which have only one flower at the end of each
branch we cut it down to within a couple of eyes of the flower
stalk ; we also cut down the watery shoots which project beyond
the branches to one-half their length in order to force them to
ramify and bear flowers. This operation should be performed

103

THE GAEDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879.

gradually and continuously, and should begin with the fading
of the first Rose until the tree has ceased to flower. When
this has taken place a general pruning is given to the trees by
cutting back all the healthy shoots which have borne flowers to
a well-formed eye, the first below the flower if possible. All
weak branches and shoots which have not borne flowers must
be cut down, as they would only cause a loss of sap. The
pruned shoots will soon have the full benefit of the sap, and
will yield another crop of flowers not less beautiful or abundant
than the first, This general pruning is a very important
operation for varieties whose branches spread far and wide,
such as Tea-scented, Noisette and Hybrid Roses.

Training Sticks por Roses. — The stems of the Rose trees
are kept in their places by training sticks, which are especially
necessary where the trees are much exposed to the wind. lo
is not only the breaking of the stems that we must guard
against, but we must take care that no infiltration of water
takes place at the root of the trees through the gap caused
between the lower part of the stem and the soil, through the
stems swaying about in the wind. 8uoh crevices only form
so many funnels for collecting the riin and conveying it to the
roots in too great quantities. Tbe training sticks may be re-
placed by iron rods or tubes of 1 in. in diameter, covered with
three co.ats of common green paint. Slate supports have lately
been introduced by the owners of the Angers slate quarries;
they are excellent for the purpose but are rather heavy and
liable to break. The supports most generally in use are mide
of wood ; they are easily prooured,and may be made to last prac-
tically for ever by soaking them in a solution of blue stone (sul-
phate of copper) or by giving them a coat of tai'. To prepare
training sticks in the first way, we dissolve 2 lbs. of ordinary
blue stone — blue vitriol, or sulphate of copper as it is often
called — in .5 gallons of hot water. When dissolved, the solu-
tion should be poured into a tub of sufficient depth to take the
supports, which should be entirely immersed in an upright
position for a week or ten days, at the end of which time they
should be placed the reverse way for the same period, after
which they may be taken out and dried, and used at once
or stored away. Sulphate of copper may be bought at any
oilman's or chemist's in small quantities, at 6d. or ed. per lb.
If a second batch is to be prepared, more solution, of the
strength indicated above, must ba added to tiie old ; tue solu-
tion does not become weaker by use, but is diminished by the
absorptive powers of the sticks. It is almost unnecessary to
add that sulphate of copper is a violent poison. The tar is
applied with a hand paint brush, either hot or cold, according
to circumstances. The tar generally tabes a long time to dry,
and there is always a danger of soiling one's fingers and clothes
with it until it does, and even after it is dry to all appearance,
a day's sun will be suSicient to melt it again. Paraffin oil
applied with a brush is also used for this purpose, but it has a
penetrating odour that to most persons is extremely disagree-
able. Training sticks prepared according to either of the pro-
cesses described above, have the advantage of protecting the
Rose trees from the attacks of certain insects. With the same
view it is a good plan to soik all tying material in the
sulphate of copper solution. The position of the training
stick is a mitter of indifference, it is, however, generally
placed upright and as close to the stem of the Rose tree as
possible, so as to be out of sight, The stem of the Rose
tree is kept iu its place by two or three pieces of Willow,
or other tying material, care being taken to interpose a thick pad
of Moss between the stem and the support. J. Lachau.\ie.

level with the walk in qaegtion, from which their full baaaty when ia
flower can be seen. The plants, of which there are many hundreda,
are not planted too thickly ; they embrace all the best kinds
known in cultivation, and when in fall bloom the effect from the
terrace walk jast, alluded to, as well as from the windows of the
manaion must be fine indeed. — S.

Situations for Rose Gardens. — The Eose garden at The
Poles, Ware, is one which shows to how much better advantage Rosea
may be seen by planting them in suitablB situations than by placing
them, aa ia frequently done, in long lines by the side of walks or in
isolated clumps. This applies chieSy to standards when planted on a
level with walks or on raised borders, for when so situated the naked
stems and the nndersides ot the leaves and blooms are chiefly visible,
and the true beauty of the Roses ia, to a'great extent, lost. At The
Poles, the Rose garden occupiea a position some 3 ft. or 4 ft. below a
long terrace walk supported by a wall clad with Tea Roses and
Clematises. The tops of standard Rose tress thus situated are nearly

NOTES FROM KEW.
Stove P.ants. — Amongst those we notice a charming Amarylli.
daceous b.ilbous plant named Urceolaria pendula (syn., Urosolina
aurea), introduced a few years ago by Messrs. Veitch from the Andes,
where it was discovered growing in woods at a considerable elevation.
It forms a globose bulb, which throws up a stout flower stalk, ter.
minatei by an utnbel ot from six to twelve blossoms borne on slender,
drooping pedicels. In form they resemble an inverted pitcher about
2 in. long, and in colour they are of a rich yellow on the outside,
gradually merging into the deep green at the mouth, the diyiaious
ot which are bordeied with white. One detracting point is -that the
flowers are unaccompanied by leaves, at ieast in the Kew specimen,
but, even as it is, it requires only to be seen to be appreciated. The
majority ot the showiest Bromeliads exhibit in their floral beauty a
strange contrast of colour, and, notably, the superb Billbergia pal-
lescens and Liboniana, the former with the flowering axis clothed
with deep pink, pointed bracts, accompanied by yellowish. green
narrow blossoms ; the latter with the flowers of various shades of
purple, and the flower leaves rich carmine. The variety, called picta,
of the old bulbous Tillaadsia (T. bulbosa) ia auperior to the type, on
account ot the upper leaves changing to a bright flesh colour ; the
blossoms are also of the same colour.

Orchids. — The moat conspicuous amongst these include the rare
little Brazilian Trichooentrum tigrinum, a small specimen attaohei
to a block and bearing a solitary flower, which is about IJ in. across,
with a rather large bilobed lip, two. thirds white, with a magenta
blotch on each ot the golden oreats ; the other segments are greenish
bonded with chocolate, and exhale a delightful aro.natic fragrancs.
It ia a bulbless kind, with thick, pointed leaves marked with dark
spots. The varioui kinds of Phalcenopjis ai-e certainly amongst the
loveliest ot all Orehidaoeoua plants, and here we find flowering
examples ot several of them, amongst which may be named P.
amabilis, with ita delioita white bloasoms ; and P. Schilleriana, with
deep rose-coloured flowers, in addition to the handsomely marblei
spreading foliage; whilst a smaller-flowered kind, P. rosea (syn. P.
equBstris) has pile pink blossoms with a darker lip copiously spotted
with orange, and the whole flower strikingly resembling a bird in the
act of alighting. All the above are natives ot Manilla. Two superb
varieties ot the spotted SacooUbium (3. guttatum) areviolaceum and
giganteum ; the former with dense, pendulous raoemea of waxy white
bloasoms profusely spotted with purple ; the latter with larger
flowers, broader segments of thicker texture, and fewer spots; bjth
yield a delicious parfume. Oacidiam serratnm ia one of the finest ot
the small-lipped section of the genus; the flowers are nearly 3 in.
long, with a roundish upper segment of a rich chocolate colour, the
two lower being long and narrow and of the same colour, the other
pair united and one halt ot a pale yellow ; the lip is very inoonspi.
cuons. It is a native of Peru, and deserves a pla3e iu every coUec.
tion. A fine example ot that little gem Sophronitia grandiflora is
still producing its brilliant scarlet blossoms.

Greenhouse Plants. — Oae ot the most pleasing shrubs which
we have seen tor some time, though by no means novel, ia the
Glandular-leaved Anopterus (A. glandulosa). In its native habitat,
which is Tasmania, it forma a bash from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high with leaves
from 4 in. to 6 in. long, leitbery in texture, and coarsely toothed in
the upper half. The blossoms are borne in short dense racemes, ter.
minating the branches ia clusters; they are I in. across, pure white,
with a faint dash of pink on tbe outside, and they continue for a long
periol in good condition. The membranous flower leaves are covered
with glands ; hence its name. Probably, in some ot the most favoured
localities ia the southeru counties, it will thrive in the open air with
the protection ot a wall. The Lince-leaved Leucopogoo (L. lanoeo.
latus) is another neat shrub from the adjoining country of New South
Wales, found abundantly in the vicinity ot the Blue Mountains, where
it forms large shrubs many feet in height. The plant at Kew is
literally covered with blossoms, which are produced in clustera at the
tips of every branch, and intermingled with the narrow light greea
foliage. The iadividnal flower is very small, pure white, and the
petals beautifully fringed. Being admirably suited for cutting, ii,
should be found in every collection ; and the same may be said of
that lovely old favourite the Japanese Iris (I. japouica — syns., I. fltn-
briata and chinensia), which isa remarkably free-flowering kind when
under greenhouse culture, forming handsome specimens with graeeful

Feb, 1, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

109

arching foliage, and throwing up many Btems, branched at the
apices, bearing bIo39oma2V in. aoro3B, with the segments — not, as in
the majority of Irises, the outer erect and the inner drooping, on
the contrary, they are all on the same plane, thereby enhancing
their attractiveness. The colour is a delicate manve, marked with
spots of a darker hue ; the three larger segments have rich yellow
blotches, and the margins of them are delicately fringed. The
variety magnifica of the well-known, long-leaved Acacia (A. longi-
folia) is a decided improvement on the species. The bright yellow
Blender cones of blossoms, formed in the axils of the deep green
leaves, render it very desirable for associating with the larger sub.
jects of the conservatory. Lemoines MonoohaBtum (II. Lemoinea-
nam), a very profase flowering kind, ia particularly noteworthy. lb
grows nearly 3 ft. high, and has small foliage, which is almost hidden
by the numerons deep rose blossoms, 1 in, across, with a tuft of
singular horn. like stamens in the centre. W.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Haemanthus albo-maoulitus. — This is dowering just now in
quantity in the Pine-apple Nursery. It is an excellent plant for both
winter and summer decoration, as under good treatment it blossoms
twice yearly. Its leaves, which are long and broad, are of a bright
green oolonr, effectively spotted with white, whilst its flowers are
pure white, and the stamens golden.

Cyclamens at Holloway. — Nowhere have we seen the iaiprovi ►
ment which has been effected in the varieties of the Cyclamen better
exhibited than in the Victoria Nurseries, Holloway. At present
there are large numbers of plants there in full beauty, the flowers
of which are large, and in brilliancy of colour are unsurpassed by
any with which we have hitherto met.

Ctioisya ternata in the Greenhouse. — In addition to this
being a desirable plant for outdoor culture on walls, &o., it is also
worth attention as a pot plant in the greenhouse, where it flowers
fresly in February aud March. Plants of it are now coming into
blos£om in one of the houses in the Pine-apple Nursery.

Gilbert's Double Primulas.— Ojr readers will doubtless be
glad to know that the new kinds of double Chinese Primulas shown
on several occasions by Mr. Gilbert, of Barghley, at South Kensington,
and to most of which first-class certificates have been awarded, are to
be distributed in Aug. next by Messrs. Osborn, of Falham. Amongst
the kinds to be distributed are White Lady, white, tinged with violet ;
Mrs. Barron, white, suffused with purple ; Princess, white, striped
and spotted with crimson; Lord Beaoonsfield, red; and others equally
attractive.

Hardiness of Todea superba. — Plants of this filmy Fern
growing in an nnheated house for some time past in the Pine. apple
Nureery,have withstood the past severe weather without any protection
whatever except that afforded by the glass. They still remain in
robust health, notwithstanding that li of frost have been registered
in the house which they occupy. This at once does away with the
notion that filmy Ferns require coddling in glass cases or under bell
glasses, or that in order to grow them successfully heated structures
mu5t be purposely provided for them.

Orchids at Holloway. — Even during this unfavourable weather
there is a good display of Orchids in Mr. Williams' nursery at Hol-
loway. Amongst others we noticed large specimens of the well-
known Coalogyne cristata, furnished with multitudes of snowy-white
blossoms, Calanthes, the brilliant Sophronitis coccinea and grandi-
flora, and the rare and beautiful S. violacea. A specimen of Phalcs.
ncpsis Schilleriana, producing two branching spikes 3 ft. or 4 ft. long,
is furnished with nearly 200 flower buds, which will soon be expanded,
and P. amabilis, in the same house, ia in full bloom. There is also a
good display of the ivory-white flowers of Angisecum sesquipedale.
Being tastefully arranged among Ferns, Grasses, and other fine,
foliaged plants, the flowers of the Orchids are set off to the best
advantage, rendering the houses in which they are kept most
aitractive.

Prizes for Vegetables. — At Messrs. Webb & Sons root show,
to be held at Curzon Hall, Birmingham, in November next, nearly
£500 are offered in prizes for vegetables and Potatoes as follow: —
The best collection of eight distinct varieties of vegetables, four
specimens of each, £5, £3, £2, £1 ; Webbs' improved Banbury Onion,
twelve specimens, £1, 10s., 5s. ; Parsnip, twelve best roots, 10s.,
7s. 6J., Ss. ; long Red Carrot, twelve roots, 10s., 7s. Gd., Ss. ; short Red
Carrot, twelve roots, lOs., 7s. 6d., 53. ; best collection of twelve varie-
ties of Potatoes, twelve tubers of each, £5, £3, £2, £1 ; Webbs' im.

proved Schoolmaster Potato, twenty-four tubers, £2, £1,103., 5s.;
Webbs' improved Magnum Bonnm Potato, twenty-four tubers, £2,
£1, lOs., 53.

Prizes for Early Peas. — With reference to Messrs. Suttona'
prizes for early Peas, we are requested to state that in con.
sequence of the continued severe weather impeding gardening opera-
tions, Messrs. Sutton have withdrawn the restriction as to the early
Peas to be competed for at the Royal Horticultural Society's summer
show being grown in the open ground , aud that intending competitors
may grow their specimens in any way best calculated to produce well-
filled pods.

Crotons Prince of Wales and William.si. — Among the
many old and new Crotons to be found in the Holloway Nurseries
none are at the present time equal in appearance to those just named.
Their leaves are of the richest shades of colour, and, unlike Crotons
generally, are equally bright now as at other seasons.

Asparagus decumbens. — This most graceful Asparagus, sent
to us a short time ago by Mr.Vertegans, of Birmingham, in fruit, has
recently been sent to us in flower by Messrs. Rodger, McClelland &
Co., of Newry. Its flowers are deliciously scented.

Christmas Roses.— The common Cristmas Rose is largely grown
in 6. in. and 8-iU. pots in Messrs. Oiborn's nurseries at Fulham. Its
flowers are in great request for bouquet making, and plants of it
flowered as we here find them, are very handsome in the conserva-
tory, far more so, indeed, than when grown in larger-sized pots.

Pitcher Plants, Crotons, and Palms. — Few of the houses
in the Victoria Nurseries are more effective than one which is filled
with vigorous young Crotons, aud graceful plants of Cocos Weddelliana,
over which are hung Nepenthes furni3hed with numerous healthy
pitchers. The same house also contains some fine plants of Barra-
cenia purpurea.

Andromeda calyculati. — Though hardy, this plant is very
effective in the conservatory in winter. It forces readily, and bears
a profusion of small, white, waxy, Lily of the Valley-like blossoms,
which are useful in a cut state. Its greatest drawback is its brownish
foliage, against which its flowers cannot be seen to such advantage
as they would be against green leaves. We find it well in flower at
the present time in Messrs. Henderson's nursery.

The Arcades at South Kensington. — It is reported that the
couimissionera of the exhibition of 1851 propose to convert the ar-
cades in the Royal Horticultural Gardens into a permanent market
for the sale oE fruit, flowers, and choice vegetables. These arcades
have glass frontages to the gardens, and are paved and heated. They
will be apportioned according as may seem necessary and they will be
open to the puplic free. Should this scheme be carried into effect, it may
prove of advantage to the public and by no means detrimental to the
Royal Horticultural Society.

National Rose Society. — A meeting of the general committee
of this Society was held at the rooms of the Horticultural Club on
Wedneaday last, Mr. R. G. N. Biker, of Heavitree, Exeter, in the
chair. There was a full attendance, and various parts of the country
were represented. The schedules for the Crystal Palace and Man.
Chester exhibitiona were finally arrrauged, some slight alterations
having been made. Messrs. T. Francis Rivers, J. Burnaby-Atkins,
and Arthur G. Soames wore elected members of the executive com-
mittee ; drawings for a die for the Society's medal were submitted
and approved ; and it was considered that the beat way of increasing
the number of members would be to obtain the services of some more
local secretaries. Birmingham was suggested as a desirable and
probable place of meeting for the provincial show in 1880.

''The California Horticulturist." — Oar correspondent, Mr.
Charles H. Shinn, became the editor of "The Cilifornia Horticul.
turist" on Jan. 1 of this year. Mr. Shinn is well acquainted with
the needs of Horticulture on the Pacific coast. In no country that
we know of has horticulture made such rapid progress as it has done
there ; there are now many beautiful gardens in that country, while,
about the time of the first London exhibition, there was not even
one.

New Flowers and Vegetables. — Messra. Carter & Co., High
Holborn, have issued in a convenient form au illustrated catalogue of
new and choice vegetable and flower aeeds for the present year.
Amongst them are new Peas, Cucumbers, and Melons, the beautiful
double E3ch3choltzia, choice strains of B.ilaama, Calceolariaa, Pri.
mulas, and similar plants.

Lachenalii quadricolor.— This, though seldom seen, is one of
the prettiest of the Lachenalias. Other varieties are often thus
named, but the true kind appears to be scarce. It ia now flowering
in some of the nurseries about London. Its blossoms are reddish-
orange, tipped with bright purple.

110

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 1, 1879,

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

stoves.

Preparation for Potting. —It is now time to see abont potting
Bome of the earliest started stove plants, and soil ehoald at once be
prepared. In all oases not only ought it to be in a mediam condition
as to moistare — that is, neither too weak nor too dry — but it is a
matter of great importance that previous to use it shoald be bo
warmed as to bring it up to something like the temperature of the
house in which the plants are growing, for to place a body of cold
material, in the way in which it is frequently done, in contact with
the roots, has a most injurious and stagnating influence on them.
Where there has happened to be a flue running for some length in a
horizontal direction from the boilers, I have used this whereon to
warm a good body of peat, loam, and sand ready for use, and if the
material be too wet, such a place is very suitable for drying it; but
in thus preparing soil, great care should be taken that it is not over,
dried, as experience points to the fact, that when soil is placed in close
proximity to a heated surface whereby it beoouies too dry, the essen-
tial elements of fertility are dissipated. To look thus narrowly
at what might be termed by many trivial matters, may seem unne-
cessary, yet it is attention to small details of this kind that makes
the difference between complete or partial success. Where no con-
venient place of the above description exists for wjirming the soil, it
may be put into boxes and placed over the hot-water pipes. If a
calculation ba now made as to something like the quantity of pe .t
and loam that will be needed during the next month or two in the re.
potting, it can with advantage be at once so far prepared by breaking
it up with the hand, not sifting it, and reducing it to different sizes,
in proportion to the large or smallsr description of plants that re-
quire shifting.

Alocasias. — Those of the A. metallica, Veitohi and Lowi section
do much the best in very light material, using nothing but fibre, with
the earthy portion of the peat removed, mixed with about two-fifths
of chopped Sphagnucn to, say, a sixth part of rotten, dry, flaky
manure, such as may have been used for summer mulching a Vine
border or wherever it would be similarly exposed to like drying in-
fluences of sun and air ; to this should be added a good proportion of
sand and a liberal sprinkling of pot shreds and charcoal. lu a mix-
ture of this sort these plants will grow and increase to an extent not
possible in ordinary potting material. They are much better wholly,
or almost wholly, shaken out so as to get the old soil entirely away
from them. It is b-st, also, in repotting to take the small crowns
and offsets away, keeping the stronger growths by themselves and
treating the weaker ones in like manner. They are very shallo v
rooters, consequently, the pots should be half filled with drainage,
similar in this respect to Orchids. A. Jenuingsi is one of the most
beautiful of the small. leaved kinds ; it will do well in material such
as the above, pntLing either a number of the crowns together in
shallow pots or pans, or in the shape of small plants for placing aboat
amongst the other occupants of the stove. A. macrorhiza variegata,
although from the quickness with which it may be increased, is not
thought so much of as some of the scarcer kinds of recent introduc-
tion, it is one of the handsomest and most effective plants which
wo possess. In the matter of soil it requires to be quite differently
treated from the others ; it is hardly possible to make the material
in which it grows too rich ; one-half yellow loam to an equal propor-
tion of thoroughly rotten, dry manure, and one-sixth sand, will in
every way suit it. In selecting young offsets of this Alocasi.i, those
should be chosen that have somewhere near an equal proportion of
green and white in their leaves; suckers with too great a prepon.
derance of white are deficient in vitality to grow freely, whilst, on
the other hand, those that contain too much green in their early
stages seldom attain colour enough to make them attractive.

Caladiums. — It is desirable to start these at two different times,
by which means a portion may be hid late in the autumn"with hand-
some, healthy foliage, at a time when the earliest grown plants have
lost their colour. In potting, it is well to consider whether large or
small examples will be the most useful, for in no cise is it advisable
to over-crowd the pots, as, where this occurs, the leaves will not
acquire their wonted size. They will succeed in either loam or peat,
but I have found the foliage to possess more substance when grown
in loam than in peat.

Poinaettias. — Plants of these that have done flowering should
receive no more water at present ; they should bs stowed away in any
place where there is an intermediate temperature for some time,
until they require to be started again into growth.

Ardisias are most useful when compar,itive'y smi'l and fully
furnished with leaves to the base. Any that are getting too large
and that have lost their lower foliage shoald now be headed down and

put into a brisk heat, where they will at once make several shoots.
When these have attained a few inches in length all but one can b©
taken off with a heel and struck. They will make good small plants
much quicker than seedlings. The stools may then be partially
shaken out, repotted, and grown on with a single stem, a way in
which they look much the best.

Miscellaneous Plants. — Plants of the handsome Aphelandra
oristata that flowered last autumn should now be kept in the stove
to encourage their making young growth for purposes of propaga.
tion. Of Eranthemum pulchellum. Plumbago rosea, Scutellaria
llociniana, Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana, and Thyrsaoanthua ra-
tilans, a suSicient number of such as have done blooming should hi
cut back and placed in the stove, where they will be induced to make
growth for cuttings. They should have plenty of light, so that the
young shoots may be short and stocky, as upon that very much de-
pends their making stout, healthy plants for blooming next autumn.
After the first flowering of Euphorbia j ioquiniseflora is over it will,
if kept sufficiently warm, make a second growth that will b'.oom,
and, although the sprays will not ba so large as ths first, they will
ba useful for_catting.

Forcing Pit.

Amarylisss, &3. — Where a good stock of these is grown it will be
better to have them in succession than in bloom all together. A tew
of those that completed their growth earliest in the autumn, more
particularly the deciduous species, if now subjected to a brisk heat,
will push up their flowers quickly. The soil should receive a good
soaking of tepid water, or, if the plants be plunged in a moist
bottom. heat, and water be supplied in the usual way, it will ba suffi-
cient. Plants of Eucharis amazonioa that have been rested with a
view to coming into flower after those earlier started should be brought
into the warmest end of the house, and, if possible, plunged in
bottom. heat, and, it they are strong and in good condition, they will
at once push into bloom. Imantophyllums, although more correctly
greenhouse subjects, are very effective for general decoration brought
into flower earlier than usual by the application of more hsat. A few
weeks at the coolest end of the forcing pit will bring them on.

Orchids.

Those about to commence the growth of cool Orchids often ask the
question what is the beat aspect for them. If we take into account
the advantage that arises from being able to prevent the temperature
running very high in hot sumaier weather, which is a desideratum I
think, there can be no question that a lean-to house with a northern
aspect is the beat, for, in that case, a thinner shade will suffice when
such is required, and an absence of any tor a considerable portion of
the day, when its presence is needed with houses more under the
direct influence of the sun. With Orchids, as with all other plants,
the less necessity tor shading, the better, but in erecting a house of
this description on this aspect, it should by no means be put up to a
high building, which necessarily intercepts a very considerable amount
of light. I make this remark from frequently seeing a structure of
this kind, to accommodate a quantity of costly plants, erected in
some position that offered a alight saving as regards first cost, but,
taking the value of the plants sacrificed into consideration, the loss
in a few years was ten times the amount of the saving in the first
instance. The greater portion of the spring and early summer-
blooming OJontoglossums will now be pushing up their flowers, and
continuous watchfulness will ba necessary to see that these do not
become a prey to slugs or cockroaches ; the latter are not usually so
troublesome here as in the warmer quarters afforded by the hotter
houses, where they increase faster and find more congenial hiding
places, but the slugs and snails need to be unremittingly sought after,
for, even if destroyed until there is no trace of any remaining, there
are others that soon find their way into the houses, come into exist-
ence from eggs already deposiced there, or that^get in with the
potting or other material from time to time introduced. Such species
as 0. citrosmum, 0. haatilabium, 0. PhalEenopais, 0. vexillarium,
and 0. Roezli will need keeping in a warmer position than the least
heat-reqniring kinds. Masdevallias which have not yet completed
their growth, must have sufficient water tj keep their roots
thoroughly moist, for their requirements in respect to moisture are
almost equal to those of real aquatics, and, provided the material in
which they are grown is of a nature to allow the water to pass freely
through it, the growths are generally finest where the most water is
is used. I well recollect when Epidendrnm vitellinum was looked
upon as so difficult to manage that few people found it possible to
preserve it in a healthy fljwering condition for any length of time
through the fact of its being grown too warm, but, grown in a
temperature suitable for the majority of Odontoglossums, little diffi-
culty is exparienced with it. Its long, persistent, highly-coloured
flosers afford such a pleasing contrast to the light tints possessed
by most of the other occupants of the house as to make it desirable

Feb. 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

Ill

to have a number. The beautiful Laelia majalia and L. albida will do
well at the warmest end of the oodI house.

Preparation for Potting — It will be well now to see that all
material for potting the many plants that will shortly require it is in
readiness, by which means the operation will be got through much
quicker.— T. Baixes.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — Continued severe frost prevents anything being done
to these at present ; the frames are covered at night with mats, and
this must be done every night while fro3C remains. I have been
reading in an old magazine devoted to florists' flowers that all trusses
formed about this time should be pinched ofl^, and a horticultural
writer recently recommended this to be done even later. In this the
old growers were mistaken, for, as a rule, the earliest-formed trusses
produce the most perfect blooms. If the tru?fles of some sorts, such
as Lancashire Hero, George Lightbody, Smiling Beauty, Glory
(Taylor's), &o., can be seen well down in the axil of one of the lower
leaves, even in Nivember, such trasses come on slowly, and are
usually perfectly developed. A centre truss with a stem formed at
that time must be pinched out. Those who have a heated green,
house iu which to place their plants have a great advantage over
those who can only obtain ordinary frames. They ought to be
placed in the house this week, and frosts should be excluded.

Carnations and Piooteea. — It ought to be well known that
these do not seem to be in a dormant state, even at mid-winter. It
the weather be mild they make roots and slowly develop leaves.
During frosts so intense as to crust the soil in the pots growth either
above or below ground must be suspended. Growerj of these flowers
do not give them that amount of attention which they require during
the winter months, and which is especially necessary in February ; the
plants sometimes begin to spindle for bloom the 6rst week in this
month; these will be early blooms, and, if the weather be mild,
such plants should be carefully repotted into their blooming pots.
The main collection will not be ready for potting until the end of the
month. I like to have all the plants thoroughly cleaned before
potting them; dead and decaying leaves are unsightly, and must be
carefully removed ; even in the best. managed collections they are to
be found. If sparrows are numerous and short of other food they
will peck the tender points oat of the plants; if so, it will be neces-
sary to place a net over them as the best precaution. No trace of
aphides should be allowed on the plants at this date ; it is very dan-
gerous to fumigate the frames after active growth has commenced.

Dahlias. — If a large stock is required the roots must now be
placed in beat after they have either been potted singly, or a number
of roots placed together in suitable boxes. The best place is a forcing
hoase, where the temperature ranges from 50^ to 55^ at night. They
may be placed over the pipes in Vineries or Peach houses, and be
started with them. The shoots start well and healthily over a bed
of leaves cr tan with just a mild heat.

Hollyhocks. — Instructions for the propagation of these were
given last week. See that leaves on plants placed in heated houses
do not become infested with red spider; injury is often caused by it
before the discovery is made. Seedling or common sorts that were
planted out in the autumn must not he quite neglected. If the plants
have been mulched round the roots, this forms a safe hiding place
for sill! s, which will eat the leaves, and it is also very desirable to
run the hoe t irough the ground if it is moderately dry. While frosts
Isft nothing cr n be done.

Phl0X9 ■ in P )ts. — I would strongly urge the importance of
ftarting ii e sViooti into growth in order to obtain early cuttings.
The he It of a gro?nhouse will cause a very early growth. Shoots
a' oat I in. long may be slippad off and placed singly in very small
pots. They will soon form roots, and grow away freely with a little
bottom heat. Those in beds cannot require any attention until the
weather is more favourable.

Pyrethrums, Delphiniums, &g., in beds, will be putting
forth their very tender leaves as soon as the frost will allow them.
See that they donot receive any injury from birds. The plants may
be lifted and divided it it be necessary to increase the plants.

Polyanthuses. — As a rule, the treatment recommended for
Auriculas applies to these. The trusses on our plants may now be
seen rising slowly from the centre, where one truss is generally
formed, and two or three more round it. We would remove this
class of plants to a cool greenhouse near the glass it it were possible
to find room for them. The soil in the pots has been frozen for a
considerable time now, but the flowers are moat injured by birds in this
early stage of development. — J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

The prolonged severity of the weather and consequent scarcity of
food for the featherel tribe a o alrealy criiiing tiem to attack the
more advanced buds of GooJebenies, Plumj, and Apricots. At pre.
sent, for some unexplained reason, sparrows are the greatest delin-
quents, and we have had, much against our will, to resort to the
most effectual way of getting rid ot them, that is, shooting them.
Apparently the buds are not yet plump enough tor bullfinches, for,
though they alight on the bushes and search diligently they gene-
rally fly away with a disappointed twitter. The excessive preserva-
tion ot ballfiuches, sparrows, torntits, thrushes, and blackbirds may
ba all very well so far as naturalists are concerned, but the cultivator
who is expected to produce fruit must, in self defence, shoot some in
order to deter others. We had last year a couple of dozen of fine
young Plum trees, that were one mass ot blossom buds, entirely
denuded ot them iu about a couple of days by bullfiaches, and yet,
forsooth, we are asked to spare "our feathered friends." Unfortu-
nately for the birds we say shoot them in order to increase the chance
ot a fruit crop. We shall now probably have a genial spring, and
when once the frost releases his grasp vegetation will make rapid
progress ; it is therefoie important that all pruning should be com-
pleted as soon as possible, for, to say the least, it seems unnatural to
prune when the buds are expanding, and such ao operation carried on
then must tend, in some degree, to produce constitutional derange-
ment. As regards neglected orchard trees, many would be the better
for having their root and stem suckers removed, cankered branches
cut off, and other branches thinnelout, together with any long spurs,
in order that the trees may have a chance ot renewing their vigour by
the production ot new wood ; any trees that are affected with JIoss or
Lichen should be splashed over with a mixture of soot and lime, a
simple but sure remedy. A liberal surface dressing of either fresh
soil or manure should afterwards be given, and even the first season
the fruit will be so improved as to well repay the outlay. Autumnal
planting ot fruit trees is always preferable, but rain and frost having
hindered this, let all be iu readiness for doing suoh work as soon as a
change occurs and the state of the soil permits ; planting when the
soil is in a sodden state is rninous, no matter how well drained the
soil may bo. For obvious reasons, in stiff or clayey soils the plants
should be raised a few inches above the ground line, but in light or
gravelly soils they are best planted on the level, care being taken
that in neither case the stems are buried too deeply. — W. W.

Kitchen Oarden.

All other things being equal, a well. drained and deeply-trenched
garden will yield double the produce of an nudrained and badly-
cultivated one. The first neither suffers from wet nor drought.
The crops can be got in at the proper time, and they require but
little cultural attention afterwards, and that little is the more expe.
ditiously accomplished owing to the workable state ot the soil in
almost all weathers, consequently the crops are finer and earlier
matured, whilst, in a garden ot an opposite character, seed sowing
has to be deferred through the unkind state ot the soil, and this late
Bowing, coupled with the slow progress made by reason ot the water-
logged ground, and the difiioulties of culture through the ground
getting hard and baked by the first dry weather, tends to show the
economy there is in deep trenching and effective draining, a large
proportion ot which may be done in weather when it is not practica-
ble to do aught else. No excuse should be attempted for the neglect
of such a duty , moreover, an earnest determination toacoomplish it
will bring its own reward in the form ot assured success. We are
still frozen out, but a change seems imminent, and as soon as it occurs,
and the ground c»n be worked, seed sowing should proceed with des.
patch. After a tew early Peas, Beans, and Carrots have been got
in on a warm border, space for the main crops of Onions and Parsnips
will require attention ; both of these flourish best if sown as early
in February as circumstances permit. Drill culture is greatly pre-
ferable to sowing broadcast for all kinds of kitchen garden crops.
The space apart of the drills for Onions should be at least 12 in., and
for Parsnips 15 in. The ground for Onions cannot be too highly
manured or deeply trenched, but previous to sowing it should be rolled
to make the surface firm. Parsnips, on the other hand, cannot have the
soil too open, and the manure for these should be buried rather deeply,
for no matter how much so they will search it out. Surface manuring
for these has a tendency to the production ot forked or malformed
roots, so that it is better not to manure at all in soils of good or
medium quality than to have it immediately under the top spit. The
November-sown Peas have had a wretched time of it, and look so
miserable that it becomes a question as to whether they should be
allowed to occupy the ground any longer ; should the decision bo in
their favour, take every precaution to guard them from cutting winds
by protecting them with Spruce branches, and from sparrows by
netting. Fill up gaps in the early Cabbage plantation, press the

112

THE GARDEN.

[Feb 1, IbTO.

soil about those that the frost has loosened, and as Broccoli has
suffered so severely, plant any spare space there may be with plants
from the reserve stock. Every bit of green food will be wanted
before spring CauliSoweis turn in, and these early-planted Cabbages
will prove no mean subaiituto for Broccoli. Preserve the best piece
of ground in the garden tor Brnssels Sprouts; they should be con.
sidered puny unless they attain the height of 3 ft., in which case a
peck of Sprouts may ba expected from each stem. If an autumn
sowing were not made, sow a box at once and raise them in heat
gradually inuring them to the atmosphere, in order that they may
be pricked out at the foot of a south wall as soon as sufficiently
large to handle. On every favourable occasion give abundance of
air to Cauliflowers in handlights or frames, and the same remark
will apply to all salads, Carrots, and Potatoes. See that the seed
stock of the latter are laid in single layers only, and, provided frost
be excluded, keep the stores as cool as possible, in order that they
may develop strong, sturdy shoota. Such seta never fail to produce
fine tubers.— W. W.

Avenues. — Where, as is very often the case, avenues form one of
the principal features of parka, they should be pruned and thoroughly
put into shape, removing all dead wood. Any trees which are broken
or so much injured as to spoil their appearance, must be removed
without delay, and replaced by such aa will best match those in the
avenues. In the case of young trees the earliest opportunity should
be taken to restake them where necessary, and in every instance
the old ties should be cut and new onea made. Neglect of thia often
costs the head of the tree daring tho first high wind after the ex.
pansionof the foliage, as during the growing season the old ties, if
not removed, will cut into the tree. This is especially the case with
all rapid-growing trees, aa Willows, Poplars, &a. The most useful
tying material which has come under my notice is what is termed
jute cuttings. This should be out into strips from -i in. to 8 in. in
width, and from 1 ft. to 3 ft. in length, in proportion to the size of
the trees. Thecu ting is bound round the tree, and tied with house-
line or tarred cord. The cost of the former is about £i. per hun-
dredweight, aud the latter £3 lOs. per hundredweight. These ma-
terials will be found effective, durable, and handy. Sometimes, in-
deed, it is very often the ca«e that some trees will be found to be
less vigorous than others, and these should have a good mulching of
well-rotted manure ; neglect of this will detract very much from the
general appearance of avenues.

Tree Pruning, Furz3 Cutting', &o. — This is the best time
for lopping trees and cutting down any timber that may not be re-
quired to stand. In cutting out large limbs from trees great care
must be taken that the under cut is deep enough to prevent the weight
of the branch splitting down the trunk of the tree and bringing away
portions of it ; this is both injurious and unsightly, and exhibits bad
workmanship. Furze may be cat down to within a few inches of the
ground if it has grown too high, and, if so dense as to prevent free
circulation for pedestrians, openings from 20 ft. to 10 ft. in width
should be cat through it in easy curves ; this will also prevent exten.
sive fires, which frequently occur in hot, dry summers ; in this case
the roots should be grubbed up and Grass seeds sown upon the surfaces
at the proper season. Drainage requires particular attention this
month ; where the commons are drained principally by means of open
ditches, these should be maintained free from obstructions of all
kinds. In the majority of instances, however, the only effectual
remedy will be to under or pipe drain those portions which are natu-
rally wet. This is a permanent work, and its effect upon swampy
areas is truly astonishing. The making of roads and paths
where necessary, trenching for future planting, the general regulation
of surfaces, sloping down the sides of deep and dangerous pits, &e.,
may all be carried on this month. The sooner these works are carried
out the more satisfactory will be the results. — Ch.irles DEiNNIS,
Southwarh I'arl:,

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Onion Trebons. — Thia variety was quite new to me last season,
but, having obtained a packet of seed of it, it did so well, and proved
such a real novelty, that it now mn^t take a permanent place in my
vegetable list. With ordinary garden culture the bulbs averaged
12 in. in circumference, many of them being 14 in. It is very hand-
some, not unlike, both in size and appearance, the imported Spanish
Oaions. In quality it is super-excellent, having the fullest Onion
flavour, and it is deliciously mild. Respecting the origination of it
I know nothing other than that the name appears to imply that it is
of French origin.— W. W. H.

Early Pbhs. — Now is the time to sow early kinds of Peas in turf
f r boxes. It these be placed in any honse or pit, from which frost
is excluded, aad be planted out, when spring seta in they will furnish
a crop which will supply the place of those which may have been
lost through the severity of the weather. — S.

Puclisia serratifolia. — Allow me to inform Mr. Johnstone (p. 02)
that I grow this Fuchsia, and will be pleased to supply him with a few
cuttings for another stirt if he is anxious to continue its growth- It is
well always to keep a few duplicates of such plants in store potato fill
up any vacancies which usually occur after so prolonged a frost as we are
experiencing this year. — A. Hoss.vCK, Eajley. Alcestei'.

Tjarge-leaved Saxifrages- — Allow me to say in reply to Mr. T.
Williams (p. 92) that it w.is the common London Pride which I had i
view when I wrote Saxifragi opx^ositifolia. The London Prideand S.Geum
are only coniparitively large-leaved, but they grow tall, and when they
are in good health are really large leaved or have the same effect. Their
flat leaves spread out in broad rosettes have a fine effect about the stems
of large Lilies, as well as in large patches on the rockery, and neither of
them require much root room, as they are surface rooting plants. —
W. D-, Dahlin.

Insects- — Is the small fly thit burrows into the soil and flies about
amongst pot plants infested with green fly the winged aphis? — Axon,
[It is difficult to answer your question. The winged aphis might fly
about, but the burrowing into soil is a puzzle- Cannot you send a speci-
men of the small fly when soaiething positive might be said about it. —
W. W. S]

Rheums. — I notice an enquiry in your issue of .January 11 fp- 48)
as to the difference between Puheum pilmatum var. tanguticum (Max),
and R officinale. The leaves of the forra.^r are much more deeply cut
and of a darker colour. Your correspondent will find a good figure of
the former iu Regel's " Garteuflora " for January lS7o, and cf the
latter in the " Botanical Magazine," December, 18/4. The former may he
seen growing at Chelsea Botanic Garden, aud at the Botanic Gardens
Edinburgh ; and the latter at Kew and Regent's Park Botanic Gardens.
— E. M. Holmes.

Conservatory Climbers —It would, perhaps, be imposaible to
name a more welcome plant than the Luculia gratissima which Mr. Cul-
verwell reeommends (p- 92) ; still from the position to bo occupied by it
it has its drawbacks, one of which is its only flowering for a limited time,
and such positions are often expected to be kept gay nearly the whole year
round. I would recommend your correspondent to try Habrothamnug
elegans planted out, the lateral shoots being allowed to hang naturally.
Nothing could be more pleasing, aud it flowers quite ten months out of
the twelve ; moreover, its not being liable to be infested with iosecta is
much in its favour ; aud, fiually, this plant is well ad,ipted for eoveriag
a large space in a very short time. — X. Hoss-vcic, Ragley, Alcsster.

Names of Plants.— J- B.—\. Adiantum Santa Catherinfe; 2,
Kennedya monophylla ; 3, Aloasoa Warczewiczi ; 4, Sel-iginella caesia.
R. K, — Eranthemum atropurpureum. J^o'm Gordon. — We do not know
of any one requiring them.

Transplanting Vines. — I am thinking of moving my Vinery,
and wish to know the best time to do so ; also if Vines that have been
planted sis years could be lifted with safety, or would it be best to plant
young Vines. — J. R. [When the crop is cleared o9' the honse may be
moved, as exposure to the weather will not then injure the Vines.
Should sharp weather set in before they can be lifted they may easily be
protected by being tied together and covered with hay or Pern. Move
them when the weather is open, taking care not to injure the roots during
the operation. Shorten back any strong, coarse roots which they may
have, plant, and start them gently at once. .4.1low plenty of growth the
following season, and do not crop too heavily. Such Vines in good he.alth
now will do good service immediately, whilst young ones planted 'would
require three years to get fairly established. We have lifted Vines twenty
years of age in the way described, and with the best results. — S.]

Questions.

Lady's Slippers. — Having found much difficulty in flowering
Cypripedium insigne in a satisfactory manner, allow me to enquire as to
the most approved treatment of this fine old Cypripedium. Some of my
friends flower it most abundantly every year, and as I treat my plants in
a similar way I am quite at a loss as to the cause of my non success. Can
any one help me ? — Cltfton.

Eucalyptus amygdalina.— Has this been tried in the British
Isles ? I rather gather from Mr. P. Grieve's remarks (p. 61) that it has
not yet been introduced. The temperature at Rome referred to by him,
viz., 6° below zero, is evidently measured in Centigrade, which is more
frequently met with on the Continent than Fahrenheit ; this would make
21'-2 of tho latter, I think. Frost to the amount of 38' is quite unknown
in Rome ; even 11', as above, are unusual. — J. H. W. T.

Mushrooms in -frozen Beds.— Can any one tell me what pros-
pects there are of a crop of Mushrooms from a bed which I have in an
outlying wooden shed. It was spawned on the 25th of October, and by
the beginning of December the spawn had worked through the bed in
such a manner that I folt sure of a heavy crop. The severe fro?t pre-
vented all access to the shed until the first slight thaw came whtn I
found there had been C^ of frost inside, and the surface of thebeil frozen.
The bed was made in the centre of the floor, with space round it for fer-
menting material, of which there was about ten barrow loads iu at the
time- 1 should be glad of information on the subject. — R. N. \V.

THE GAEDEN.

113

No. 377.]

SATCTRDAY, FEBaUABX 8, 1879.

[Vol. XV

" Thia is an art
Which does mend Nature: change it rather : but
TsB Abt itself is Nature. " — Shakest^eare,

THE TEA-SCENTED KOSE.

fContinued from page 81.J

Then will I raise aloft the milk-white Rose,
With whose sweet scent the air shall be perfumed.

Shakespeare.

That philosophic hero, the older Pliny, immortalised as a
scholar and a statesman, as a soldier and a sailor, who had
such an appreciation of the value of time that he would dictate
to his secretary while putting on his toja (in our vulgar par-
lance "toggery "), and was very angry with his nephew. Master
Pliny, junior, because he took a walk for the refreshment of
his body when he might have been improving his mind — that
ardent lover of science who, seeing from his ship, when in com-
mand of a fleet, an eruption of Vesuvius, immediately set sail
for the scene, and, heedless of warnings, could not be happy
until he got himself well into the molten lava and mingled his
ashes with those of the mountain — Pliny, the historian, tells
us that the land we live in was called Albion, either from the
white cliSs, which the sea washed (ah albls rupibus, quasmare
alhuit), or from the white Roses with which ifc abounds {ah
albus rosas quihus abundat). Be this as it may, the record
suggests a beauteous vision to the roseate mind, thickets and
hedgerows of the pale wild Rose, untouched by the chopper
of model farming, or by the brierman's spade, and, here and
there by the infrequent habitations of man, those larger and
more double varieties, which were the results of selection and
of cultural care. Yes, it is a pleasant thought that 1800 years
ago (Pliny died a.d. 79) and doubtless many centuries before,
our beloved fatherland was the land of Roses, and that from
Cornwall to Cumberland (aye, and far beyond, for who shall
dare to doubt that there were Roses in Ayrshire?) these "stars
which on earth's firmament do shine," shone in countless beauty
like the stars of heaven.

White Roses ! Coming back from Scotland to England, and
from the first to the fifteenth century, we are reminded, as we
linger at York, of the fierce frays fought in England, oh albas
rosas ; and we are glad to move on, by one of those rapid flights
of fancy, which make the telegraph a mere tortoise, over 400
years, in two seconds, and to see the white tents raised by the
ancient city, on Knavesmire or Bootham Field, not for scowling
warriors, but for smiling dames ; not for the coat of mail, iron
gauntlet, and dented helm, but for robes de sole, r/ants de Paris,
and the last sweet thing in bonnets. A battle, it is true, is
fought in those tents ; nay, more, a War of the Roses, but there
is no weapon more formidable than a thorn, and nothing to
remind us of ancient enmities except a Special Prize (offered,
so far as I know, at York only) for White Roses.*

White Roses ! Ofi again, in that swift conveyance, which
passes the Flying Scotsman and the Flying Dutchman, "as
though they were standing still," returning to the place from
whence we came, let us diverge, ere we come towards Land's
End, to the left, and imagine ourselves at a place and time (the
place is Plymouth, and the time some thirty-five years ago),
when Devoniensis, the White Rose of England— not milk-white,
but cream-white, blanc jaundtre, as being creme de la crime—
delighted the eyes and noses of all who could see or smell.
Oh ! happy Mr. Foster, to foster such a babe ! Who would
not be a nurseryman, with such a child to nurse ? Gardeners,
amateur and professional, came in crowds to gaze in sweet
amazement, and went home to ask their envious friends
kindly to abstain from the subject of Roses in their
presence, because it was impossible for persons who
had not seen Devoniensis to know anything whatever
about them. Even in Devon, so full of beauty, animate
and inanimate, celebrated alike for landscapes and lasses (I

* I see in this year's schedale of prizes, to be given at the Great Yorkshire
Gala in June, that yellow Roses may be shown with the white.

remember a visit in my undergraduate days, and how I fell
desperately in love with fourteen peerless belles), even in
Devon this Rose was a gem supreme. It is difficult to realise
in its most attractive phase, but its very failures charm (how
lovely, for example, its small undersized buds, which have
been cut from some weakly plant, as they peep amid the
Camellias, Eucharis, Pancratium, and Orange flowers of some
vast bridal bouquet !), and to see it once in the full grandeur
of its beauty is a memory for life. Such a consummation is,
perhaps, attained most quickly and easily upon the climbing
variety of the Rose on a warm wall, or in a Rose house, but
of this hereafter. Once thoroughly established, it thrives
admirably on the seedling Brier, but I have seen it in its glory
before the scaudent " sport " or the seedling Brier'were known.
and I remember a gi"and box brought to our first National
Rose Show in St. James' Hall, from its native county, by
Messrs. Veitch, of Exeter, more than twenty years ago.

The honoured name of Veitch (and he who honours it not
must know little about beautiful plants) appropriately suggests
the next Rose on my list, the Duchess of Edinburgh, intro-
duced by Messrs. Veitch (at a drawing-room of the queen of
flowers) in the spring of 1875. The Rose somewhat reminds
us of the old Crimson China, and has more of the Indica
than the Odorata in its constitution. It is prettily shaped,
and glows with a clear, vivid, carmine — rouge carmine as the
French catalogues have it, but we in England like not the
word rouge, except so far as it concerns plate-powder. It is
an excellent pot Rose, and may be brought into bloom, by judi-
cious forcing, iu the very early spring — I mean in its true
character, for I make no count of Roses so drawn and weakened
by artificial heat that their own mothers — I mean raisers —
would not know them, would not recognise their pale, puny
flowers. Out-of-doors, moreover, it is very effective, being
one of the few red Roses in the Tea family ; one of a trio, in
fact, its companions being Aline Sisley and Cheshunt Hybrid,
and so by the striking contrast of its colour with the whites
and the yellows, the buffs and the pinks around, adding much
to the beauty of a bed or border of the lovely Tea-scented
Rose. A capital likeness of the Duchess of Edinburgh will
be found in the Portrait Gallery of Illustrious Flowers, No.
217, Plate III., which is in the possession, or ought to be, of
all who love Tue Garden.

Homer, by a slight anachronism, comes after the Duchess of
Edinburgh, and who deserves so well as he, enthroned three
thousand years first king of the poets, a crown of Roses ? His
namesake has its pale pink petals frequently edged with a
deeper rose, crimson tipped, like Burns' Daisy, and like the
fingers of Aurora, as Homer himself describes them. And
does he not tell us, towards the end of his " Iliad," how when
Venus and Apollo would preserve the dead body of Hector
from the dogs and from the drought, they could think of no-
thing so efficacious as the oil of Roses, with which they
dressed him accordingly, thus typifying, in a charming alle-
gory, the appreciations which Beauty, and Art, and Poesy,
and Valour have ever felt for the Rose. Homer is one of the
hardiest of the Tea-scented Roses, but I am bound to confess
that, although I never could bring myself to believe that the
great poet, with all his marvellous powers of description, was
blind, his synonym is happiest when near a wall.

To leave the goddess Venus for Isabella Sprunt seems to in-
dicate a want of respect and good taste, and the antithesis has
an abrupt and discordant sound ; but there is, on reflection,
no great incongruity, for both are beautiful. As Shakespeare
sang of his beloved Ann Hathaway, " She hath a way," so
might Miss Sprunt's accepted lover say of his fiancee, " She
Is-a-belle." Not one of those irresistible Queens of Hearts,
who overpower u? like Venus, or Catherine Mermet, or Com-
tesse de Nadaillac, or the Fair Devonian, but pretty and
piqitanfe, in her premiere jeimesse, that is, iu her budhood, in
her well-shaped, abundant, pale-yellow buds.

Jean Ducher and Jean Pernet are, as we should expect,
Roses of quality. I s.iy in accordance with expectation, be-
cause whenever " our lively neighbour, the Gaul," acquires a
new Rose, and bestows upon it his own name, or the name of
his kinsfolk, or of a French friend, there is, unless parental
prejudices have blinded his eyes, a special merit in the flower.
•Take, for example, Auguste Rigotard, Charles Verdier, Claude

lU

THE GARDEN.

[FuB. 8, 1879.

Levet, Dupuy Jamain, Etienue Levefc, Franci;)i3 Lacbarrae,
Hippol3'te Jamain, Jeau Djcber, Juan Liabaud, Jean Pernet,
Jules Margottiu, Mesdaraes EugcQie Verdier, Hippolyte
Jamain, Lacharme, Margottin, The.ese Levet, Victor Verdier,
Marie Beaumanu, Pierre Netting, and 0. Crapelet. I com-
mend this laudable ambition to be associated with that which
is beautiful, rejoicing, nevertheless, that Mr. George Paul, oE
Cheshunt, either did not feel, or resisted, its influence when he
immortalised his friend and brother, and gave the name of
Reynolds Hole to a Rose which, at the last exhibition of " the
National " at Manchester, was the specialita of the show, and
might have assumed the proud title which some of us may
remember as belonging to one of oar old friends, the Gallicas,
Rlen lie me surpasse. Jean Dnoher, by some oversight, is not
in my collection, but the reliable Rosarians, English and
French, are so united in praise that I cicnot omit it from my
list. Of Jean Pernet I speak from happy experience, as being
one of the most beautiful of the Tea Roses, a soft pale yellow
in colour, substantial and symmetrical in form. La Boule d'Or
(no connection with the golden ball of the pawnbroker) is even
yet more attractive, larger, and of a deeper golden-yellow.
Never to be forgotten are those glorious blooms, which one of
the great champions of Rosedom— Mr. Cant— brought to the
National Show last summer in the Palace of Crystal. He
says, I see in his last catalogue, of this Rose, that it is " very
beautiful when grown under glass," but this must not deter
the amateur from planting it among his outdoor Teas, because
I have grown it and shown it, in its integrity, from its home
in the open. This is more than I can say at present of Letty
Coles, the next Rose which comes under our notice, for though
I have grown it with the assistance of the glazier, carpenter,
,. potter, pipe and boiler xnaker, and coal merchant, in a very
. charming form ; a Madame Villermoz, with the centre petals
. of a rich rosy-purple hue, I have not succeeded in educing al
;-fi-esco the charms which ic reveals under glass. Perhaps
■ ®°2® """"^ °°'iseuial season may " bid her come forth, and
. Buffer herself to be admired " in our gardens. At all events, I
must speak her praise, if only in affectionate remembrance of
■ " that good grey head which all men knew "—of John Keynes,
under whose auspices Letty Coles made her dchm in the world
of Roses ; and, to many of us, who often think of him with a
sorrowful regret that we shiU hear his hearty, hones-t words no
more, it may be a solace to read them, to read again that which
i he wrote in the Chronicle of the gardener concernin"this verv
Rose. " ■'

" Some three or four years ago, from iuformation receivwJ, I was
indaood to go and see a Kose whose characteristics were described to
me as aometbing out of the commou way. The Rose had bloomed'
three years in suooesaion, always preserving its special featoros. I
went, I saw, I won my prize, at the expenditnre of a large sum of
money. My acquisition had fonr " eyeaj" to make sure of them I
destroyed the rest of the plant. The sport, for sport it vras, was
evidently a Tea Rose o£ unusual merit. Oa my homeward journey I
wrapped my treasure in a piece of newspaper, and placed it by my aide
on the seat of iihe railway carriage, together with another tira.velling
companion, my umbrella. Towards the end of the joumey, how.
ever, 1 wag callod into another compartment to speak to a friend, and
RclfcXf ^'"1 I rode iJo the end of the journey, some eight milesy leaving
niy pacKagea behind me. What was my dismay on returniiig to the
carriage I had quitted en route to fitjd neither Kose nor 'umbrella.
Here was a catastrophe ! My mouey sunk, my anticipations blighted,
my umbrella vanished, my beautiful Eose annihilated. What could
be done ? I remembered that I haJ left two men of very suspicions
appearance in the carriage, but I had tio idea that iu one stage of
about eight miles only I could have possibly lost thes* things. 16
struck me, howevGr, that these men had my Rose and my umbrella
too. The station at which I alighted was contiguous io another on a
diiierent line of railway, so I at once hastened to that other, bu6,
alas ! I could see no trace of the two men. On proceeding farkher,
however, up in one corner of the station there was the newspaper
with the Rose in it safe and souud. The recovery of the Rosa
emboldened me, and gave me hopes for my umbrella. I was deter,
mined, if possible, to regain that also. I waited until the train was
ready to start, when, as I expected, my former travelling companions
appeared, one of them carrying my umbrella. I speedily regained
that also, and my despair was converted into joy. And now let me
tell you the name of the Rose —it was Letty Coles. Never was a
Wis S^e 30 nearly lost to the lovera of Roses r3 this flower. I ooa.

Bider it myself wonderful, for had that paper piroel been thrown
away the Rose would have perished, and L3tty Coles woild have
been — nowhere. From those tour eyes, however, the Rose has been
propagated and distributed. It was a sport from Madame Willermoz,
and fine flowers will, I trust, ba exhibited this year. — John Ket/nes,
Salisliurii, July, 1S77."

Another incident of a more amusing character I quote from
" The Six of Spades " (familiar as that admirable book must be
to all well-educated miuds) : " Gentlemen," he said, when
speaking at a large dinner of horticulturists iu London, ac
which I had the honour to preside, " you are all enthusiastic
florists, and you will be pleased to have an example of floral
zeal. I knew an exhibitor of Carnations and Picotees, who, in
stepping out of his cart at a show, stumbled and broke his leg.
He persisted, uotwithstanding this fracture, in staging his
flowers,and after this he remained for three hours in the vicinity
of the building in which the exhibition was held, without con-
sulting a doctor until the awards of the judge were known."

I need only say that this extaordinary instance of floral
worship evoked the astonished admiration of thecompany ; bub
when the narrator quietly added, aa he slowly resumed his
seat, " It was a wooden leg, gentlemen," I shall never forget
the perplexed expression of his hearers, the momentary in-
dignation resenting the deception, and then the uuanimoua
outburst of mirth.

Alas ! I have a letter before me, written by " The touch of a.
vanished hand " in which he says, " The incident of the leg
was a literal fact; the man's name was Strong, and we showed
Pinks together near Winchester." S. Reynolds Hole..

(To be cumiinuedj

THE ROSARIAN'S YEAR BOOK FOR 1879.*
Tui8 .^mall quarto, consisting of 80 pages, is a greaA improve^
raent on that issued last year. It contains original article*
written by some of our best known Rose growers. Amongst
them are rules for judging, selections ol? the best Roses, new
Roses, and much practical instruction as regards the culture
of the Rose, both as a standard and as a dwarf, on its own
roots, and on every kind of stock. The following, on Dwarf
Roses and their winter management, by the Rev. C. P. Peach,
may prove interesting to our readers : —

The winter management and pruning, top dressing, &3., of dwarf-
Rose trees, necessarily at once raises the question of soil, climate,-
and character of stock. I confine these remarks almost entirely to
dwarfs, because year by year I am more than ever prejudiced (soma
woi>ld 8.i,y) against standards, but my own observations in my own
and fri«Qd3' gtirdena, and in those o£ nurserymen, lead me mora de-
oidedly to the conclusion that, except under exceptional circum.
stances, all standard Roses deteriorate after the tiird year, and the
very method of pruning required to form a symmetrical head, aa it
is called, militates against the production of first-class blooms. So
doubt soma of the stronger growers may be made handsome on each
side of a walk by being trained down like weepers, upon a circulsir
frame of wire, as iu that case the weaker wood can bo cut out, and only
the stronger shoots from the centre tied down, whan strong enoug'i ta
bear it ; and, though this is following a system of training contrary
to thenatnreof the Rose, yet I have seen several cases where it has been,
successful. My experience, however, has been this, that whenever I.
have looked over a garden with transplanted siandards and dwarf
standards^ growing we will say in beds, or up the sides of kitchen;
garden walks, or as the back and second row of a Rosarium, I have
invariably found the greater proportion unsatisfactory. This is, no
doubt, iu a great measure accounted for from the treatment wbieh
the poor Brier stock has to bear, from the time of its being cut out
o£ a hedgerow by a labourer with a draining spade, then laid iti heaps
in a shed, then planted in nursery rows ; no real attention being
given to selecting those that have a fair amount of root, and clean
straight stem, and eventually all that push any shoots, whatever ara
budded, and all that live through this process are sold, and after a
second transplanting have further difBouUies to meet with ; upon
these I need not enter. I have, however, another sentence against
them in these northern climes, and that is, that in severe weather it
is almost impossible to protect them against sudden frosts. In the
winter of 1859.60, before I had a taste of what a real Yorkshire
frost meant, I lost 98 oat of 100 standards I then posseeasd ; anl

• " The Rosarlan's Year Book for 1379," Eiiteii by tha Rsv. H. H. Dom-
bralu. London : BeoiroBe & Sons.

Feb. S, ISrO.]

THE GARDEN.

115

though every Rose, with few exceptions, on the Manetti, were killed
down to the ground, yet every one came np again from the base in
the spring, and before the year was out were re-eetabliahed. I deter,
mined from that time never to trouble myself about standards again,
but a friend of mine sent me a dozen a few years afterwards as a
present, not one of which survived another frost of a like kind, which
came upon us suddenly, after a very open December, on Christmas
Eve, when Ivy leaves which I went out to gather for Christmas de-
coration, snapped off by their stems like pieces of glass ; and Odk
trees were cracked in damp clay land by the sudden action of the
frost before the sap had fairly descended. I owe a grudge too against
this same frost, as it killed a Marechal Niel against a south wall,
even though it had a glass coping over it at the end of a fruit wall,
and was in a sheltered place, and covered a space of wall about

20 ft. long and 9 ft. high. This is a long digression to begin with
but I make it in order to say that my remarks apply almost exclu-
sively to dwarfs on the Manetti, which, after proper planting and
treatment are virtually established on their own roots. My experi-
ence with Manetti stock began before I came into Yorkshire ((iome

21 years ago), and while I was in Nottinghamshire on a light red
loam, rather sandy, but still deep, and a good soil, especially for
evergreens, as Uollies, Rhododendrons, &c. In planting a garden
there for a near neighbour, a lady, very fond of flowers, I first tried
at the recommendation of a friend, Roses on the Manetti ; they were
iried in conjunction with tall and dwaif standards, but only two
years' experience convinced me that for permanent planting in light
soils, and I may add for all ordinary garden soils, the system of grow-
ing dwarf Roses on the Manetti, which afterwards get established on
their own roots, is more satisfactory, I will add a few words on the
seedling Brier as a stock later on. The winter management of dwarf
Rosea divides itself into, I may say, three heads; first, method of
pruning; secondly, of protection; thirdly, of nouiishing, &o. With
regard to pruning, lam not an advocate for pruning closely too early.
All Roses should be gone over after the first bloom is over, and all
weak growth removed, then about the middle of November any very
rampant shoots may bo shortened, the beds raked over after the fall
of the leaf, I do not mean to say of all the leaves of the Roses, for
many will remain on in spite of wind and rain and frcst much later,
hot after the great bulk of the deciduous trees, whose leaves blow
about a garden, have shed their autumnal foliage. This is a good
time to see if any are so much worn out as to require replacing;
there is no worse policy with the queen of flowers than to keep un-
satisfactory old plants ; and, as a rule, there is no better time for
planting than the middle of November, the earlier the better if the
season is favourable. I am not an advocate, especially in light soils,
for digging the beds ; let them be very lightly and slightly foiked
over with a steel fork, and no manure put on the beds till the middle
of December. This gives the stems and roots of the plant more
advantage of light and air. About the middle of December well
decayed old hotbed or farm yard manure, especially from the pig
styes, where pigs are being fed and fatted, may be put over the beds,
and then covered over with longer manure, or even light Bailey or
Oat straw. Shonld the Rose garden be unfortunately exposed to
wind, one of the most fatal things to success in growing good Roses,
then all strong shoots partially shortened should be tied, and the
longer manure may be kept in its place by pegging it down with
Osiers or Hazels ; one good way is to lay the Osiers or Hazels, or
even long tile laths on the manure between the plants, and peg with
galvanised wire pegs, which can be easily bent out of No. 15 to
18 wire, such as is used for straining to walls to tie in fruit trees. As
a rule, however, it is almost useless to try and grow even dwarf
Roses on the Manetti, Seedling Brier, or their own roots in places
too much exposfd to the wind. Where difficnlties of this sort have
to be contended with, hedges of Hornbeam or clipped Yew
may be grown as protection with advantage. I am not venturing to
make these remarks for an experienced Rose grower ; in fact, from
such I have more to learn than to teach ; but as a warning to amateurs
who have not had long experience. The opposite extreme, of too
much shade and too crowded planting, or being subject to the inroad
of roots of trees, &c., is in its way as bad ; but it is to be hoped by
this time very few who love the RoEe would subject it to this treat-
ment. Nor again, in these few records of obssrvation
and experience, do I venture to give advice to exhibitors,
who are competitors at the larger shows, but to those who
are content to grow Roses for their own amusement acd interest,
and to exhibit in the smaller classes, or at local shows, to
increase their zeal and to measure their strength. In the more severe
contests between nurserymen and noted amateurs, -the blooms are
mostly cut from maiden plants, whether on the standard or seedling
Brier stock or on the Manetti. Still I venture to affirm that if proper
care and attention is given to Rosea as dwarfs in ordinary garden
toil, good and perfect blooms may be picked for many years from the

same plants, which will with difficulty be beaten even by selected
blooms from large quarters of maidens. As a rule, no further atten.
tion is rf quin^d for the Rosea till the returning spring begins to
awaken now life. Then comes the final pruning, but first remove the
longer manure about the end of March or beginning of April. The
stiffer the soil and the colder the climate, the longer the covering
may remain. Try, too, and choose a dry time, and see that the beds
are not trodden over more than necessary. In nearly all kinds ot
dwatfs, whether on the Manetti or seedling Brier, it is advisable to
cut away all wood more than two years old. Shorten the shoots on
the growth of the older wood left (which will be the side branches)
more than the stronger shoota ot the previous year's growth. In
pruning dwarfs early iu a doubtful season, it is wiser not to prone too
closely at first ; but we shonld never be afraid ot cutting away weak
wood, or any that appears damaged by the winter. But my esperi.
enoe teaches me that it is better to prune too late than too early ; but
in the summer, in the south of England — more especially in the south-
west—earlier pruning is admissahle, if not even advisable. Shonld,
however, late spring frosts prevail, or, as is often the case, recur again
in the beginning of May, after an interval of a warm April, it is a
great advantage to be able to re-prune, and find sufficient uninjured
wood and buds left. Contrary to what many persons would expect,
strong growth of the previous year is more able to resist frost— es-
pecially spring frosts — than older wood. For instance, many persona
would argue that because a Dog Rose in a hedgerow ia indigenous, a
native plant, it would be more hardy than an imported Rose ; hut in
three different winters I have noticed Dog Rosea (the Hedge Biier)
killed, while garden Rosea ot the hardier sorts have stood the frosts,
and only the younger shoots of the Brier have survived — what most
persona would have called succulent. I have never yet, strange to
say, seen strong shoots of Manetti stock injured by frost. After
taking off the longer manure and pruning the plants in the spring
(say, from the middle of March to the latter end ot April, according
to the season, situation, and soil) then, after taking off the prnniogs,
fork the beds slightly, so as to cover over any old, well-decayed manure
left on the surface, but do not disturb the roots of the R sea more
than can be helped, and, above all things, avoid a spade. I venture,
too, to add, avoid as much as possible liquid manures and constant
waterings : no doubt there may be some soils where it ia almoab
necessary, but, as a rule, where there ia a sufficient depth of soil, and
where proper manure has been given in winter, and the roots of plants
are not disturbed, the goodness of the manure will be washed into
the ground by winter rains and snows, and the roots will go in search
of it. Newly-planted Rosea may occasionally require water, but
though I water Calceolarias, and Verbenas, and Lobelias when first
planted, I have never watered Rose beds, and see no necessity for it.
It is a different thing with regard to climbing Roses against a wall,
which can only get lain from one quarter, but I am convinced in my
own mind that watering Rose beds only induces plants to make too
much surface roct, and water becomes at last a necessary require-
ment, and hot, dry weather leads to green fly and other ailments. I
do not grow Eoses largely — never, perhaps, having more than 1,500
plants at a time — but I have hardly suffered at any time, in the driest
seasons from greenflv, though occasionally leaves will mildew and have
black fringes to follow ; but it is of tener from cold and damp, than want
of moisture at the roots. Mine is only a light loam on a pare sand, but by
plantings and shrubberies I am protected from winds, and, except in
some positions, no Roses have the full sun the whole day through. Of
coarse there are soils, {specially where the subsoil is gritty and porous,
where spring and summer watering may be necessary, but when I
read of persons recommending constant watering, and eternal syring.
ing with soapsuds from the laundry and liquid manure from the
stables, I am inclined to say that they would over-egg the pudding.
At all events, it water has to be given, do it thoroughly, not too often ;
let it get to the extreme depth of the deepest roots, and add good
liquid manure, with a little guano and superphosphate. Constant
diibblings are most fatal to the well-being of a dwarf Rose.

Now, aa to the seedling Brier, my friend, our president, is all in
in favour of it. I have no doubt that in strong clays and wet, cold
land, where the finer roots ot the Manetti perish from cold and damp,
the seedling Brier, it budded the third year from its first growth, will
be a most valuable stock. If, after transplanting, the plants are put
sufficiently deep in the ground, the difficulties arising from root,
snckers may be avoided.

I do not believe that Manetti stocks are too strong for the weaker
Tea Rosea, but that Tea Rosea on strong lands have not sufficient
strength of wood to give root action to the Manetti; and their inclina.
tion ia to throw up bud-shoots fr-om the base, just as seedling
Briers are inclined to throw up suckers. I have not, certainly, tried
many of the seedling Brier, because my land ia not suited to it, though
it is undoubtedly better than the hedgerow standard. But in mot
garden soils (for the generality of soils are neither heavy clay, nne-

116

THE GAEDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879.

tuoaa loam, nor blow. away aauci) the office of a stock is to anpply
roots and estra roots, till the scion is established, and well established
on its own.

The seedling Brier does not naturally push so early aa the Manetti,
and, aa Teas are inclined to be forward, budding on this atock helps
to backward them : and in the case of H.P.s, exhibitors will always
find that their seedling Brieia will give tliem blooma for their later
exhibits when their Manetti stocks are failing them. Bat in the
winter management and pruning of Roses on the seedling Brier
atock, I am inclined to think that, as the growth is generally shorter,
the pruning ought to be later and more severe, and the mulching
material kept on later. The roots of the seedling Brier are far
thicker, but less numerous than those of the Manetti, and require
stronger and more tenacious soil ; and I believe it is a mistake to let
these seedling Briers get too strong or too old before budding ; and
when transplanted, they should have the scion buried as deeply as
that on the Manetti — at least 3 in. to 4 in. in light soils, and 2 in. to
3 in. in heavy. It aeema to me, in these days, with greater know-
ledge and observation, to be afraid of Sosariana having their Rosea
injured either by Manetti shoots or Dog Rose auckera, ia no longer a
theme to be harped upon ; but I still maintain that the Brier is more
inclined to throw up suckers, even on the seedling, than a properly dis-
budded Manetti stock is to throw up shoots from the base. A prao.
tised eye will readily see and discover either, and one who cannot see
the difference between the shoot of a Rose — whether H. P., Tea, or
Bourbon, &o. — and a Manetti or Brier, has not mnoh observation.

lu apite, then, of the verdict of many of our leading Rosariana —
notably our president — I am inclined to think that it is only on strong
and heavy soils, or wet, unctuous land, that the seedling Brier, aa a
stock, has any advantage over the Manetti, and that if Roaea on the
seedling Brier, like Tennyson's brook, " go on for ever," it ia when
they have established themselves on their own roots, or where their
growth ia strong enough to afford sap to the Brier stock, as well as
their own roots, without the constant attempt to throw up suckers.
My own impression still is, that the majority of garden soils — es-
pecially when under long cultivation, and with the constant addition
of leaf mould and decayed manure, naturally acoumnlating in a
garden soil to form humus — are not to be characterised as heavy
and wet soils ; and I am equally convinced in gravelly, atony, or
calcareous soils, the seedling Brier has little chance against the
Manetti. I do not think a sufficient trial has been given to the
Celine, and I see no reason why other stocks may not yet be
found with clear bark, fine roots, and healthy "growth, which may
supersede either.

I conclude these notes by saying, that aa the natural inclination
of a Rose is to throw up young growth from the base, and so re-
cuperate its strength, and as these stronger shoots give the finer
blooms, so in the general management of the Rose, both in pruning
and culture, every encouragement should he given to those stronger
shoots, and all the older wood removed from time to time— especially
at the first winter pruning, and with due care, the same Rose plants
will continue for years to give blooms which will not disgrace the
best exhibition stands.

AMERICAN NOTES.
Excellent Protection against Rusting. — For garden imple-
ments of all kinds, having metal surfaces exposed, for knives and
forks, and other household apparatus, indeed for all metals likely to
be injured by oxidation or "rusting," we know of no simpler, more
effective application than that furnished to the "American Agricul-
turist" by the late Professor Olmsted, author of " Olmsted's Natural
Philosophy," &c. He used it on air-pumps, telescopes, and various
other apparatus. — Take any quantity of good lard, and to every half-
pound or so, add of common resin (" rosin") an amount about equal
to half the size of an egg or less— a little more or less is of no conse-
quence. Melt them slowly together, stirring as they cool. Apply
this with a cloth or otherwise, just enough to give a thin coating to
the metal surface to be protected. It can be wiped off nearly clean
from surfaces where it will be undesirable, as in the case of knives
and forks, &o. The resin prevents rancidity, and the mixture ex.
eludes the ready access of air and moisture. A fresh application may
be needed when the coating is washed off by the friction of beating
storms or otherwise.

The Scarlet lUonkey.flower (Mimnlus oardinalis).— In the
Atlantic States we have two native species of Mimulus, but their
pale purplish flowers are not showy. In Michigan and westward
there is a yellow.flowered one, and still further west the number of
species increases, until on the Pacific coast thoy become so numerous
as to number about twenty-five. Probably the best-known Mimulus
is M. mosohatns, the Musk plant, so often abreviated to" Musk " that
many suppose that the drag with all-powerful odour, some call it per.

fume, ia obtained from thia plant, inatead of being unpleasantly
animal. The ecarlet Monkey-flower, a native of Oregon and Cali.
fornia, has been in cultivation for nearly half a century, but, like
many other good things, has been pushed aside by newer comera.
We saw it in its wild state many years ago, but never happened to
cultivate it until last year. The plant was unintentionally left out
last fall, and, as the succeeding winter was unusually mild, it came
up last spring with great vigour, and haa all aummer given a con.
tinuoua bloom, which has not oeaaed up to the time we write (Oct. 25) .
It cannot be relied upon as quite hardy, and it is safer to make new
plants from cuttings to keep over the winter in the greenhouse. In
its native localities the plant is 2 ft. to 4 ft. high, but in cultivation
is rarely over 1 ft., and, as it branches freely, is about aa broad aa
tall. The stigma of this flower (the terminal portion of the pistil
which receives the pollen) is very sensitive. Instead of a blunt end
or knob, as in most flowers, the stigma consists of two egg.shaped
plates; these spread apart when the flower is in "full blow," but
whenever pollen falls upon the inner aurface of these plates they
suddenly close; they are so irritable that the same movement takes
place when they are touched by a small splinter or any other hard
substance.

Straw as Fuel. — The European Mennonites, whose religion pro-
hibits bearing arms, have within a few years come to this country in
large numbers, and have formed already prosperous colonies in Kansas
and other Western States. In their new homes they follow their
former puranit— farming, and many of them brought with them the
implements they formerly used, affairs so quaint and cumbersome,
that they appear more like a collection of antiquities than articles
for real use. Besides their farm implements, they brought over their
household effects, conspicuous among which are a large clock to hang
upon the wall, and a huge, curiously ornamented chest to hold the
household treaaurea ; these are to be seen in almost every Mennonite
home. Though they could not well bring their enormous atovea to
their new homes, they have brought their domestic customs with
them, and the house in Wisconain and Kanaas ia heated, and their
meals are cooked in the same manner that they were in the old home
in Russia and Prussia. " The Americans burn money, we burn
straw," says the Mennonite settler ; how they manage to keep warm
in winter, and to cook the year round with no other fuel but loose
straw, is a mystery to the average American, The Mennonite immi.
grant, when choosing a locality, is quite unconcerned at the total
absence of timber, and will settle many miles from wood or ooal,
with indifference as to the fuel question, in localities where an Ame-
rican would never think of making a home. He sees fuel for the first
year in the miles of grass about him, the second and succeeding years
he will have the straw from his crops, and straw stacks are hia
favourite aubstitute for the wood-pile and the ooal. bin. We first saw
straw in use for fuel at the house of a Russian Mennonite bishop iu
the colony in McPherson Co., Kansas. Dinner for four of us was to
be prepared. A vigorous young Mennonite girl vanished with a
bushel basket, and returned with it full of loose straw, then placing
her kettlea, &c., on the top of the cooking range, opened the fire-
door, and thrust in two large handfuls of straw, touched the match,
closed the door, and the kettle commenced singing almost imme.
diately. The fire was ' dead out' before the dinner waa half consumed.

The Graceful Sunflower (Helianthus orgyalis). — Those whose
knowledge of Sunflowers is confined to the common annual species
(the Sunflower) can hardly conceive of a graceful one. Some planta
appear to be associated with certain aurrouudinga, and to belong to
ehiftleaa, " ne'er do weel " people. The dwelling of auch is often
surrounded by a dilapidated fence, within which Sunflowers and
Love-liea-bleeding suggest that even in a house where old hats and raga
supply the place of window panes there ia some one who has a love
for flowers, however coarse they may be. But all Sunflowers are not
coarse, and while we admit that there are many unattractive ones,
we claim that there are a few really desirable speciea. Among the
most interesting and ehowy of the many Sunflowers ia Helianthus
orgyalia. Helianthus ia easily translated into Sunflower, but when
we came to find an appropriate equivalent for orgyalis we were
puzzled. The word means the height of a man, but Man-high
Sunflower, or even Six-foot Sunflower, would hardly do. In con-
sidering what name would be best for a plant likely to become more
or less popular, we were glad to find the difficulty removed.
In "Hardy Flowers," a name— the Graceful Sunflower — which
is not at all inappropriate, has been given it. We had known this
species for several years, bat had not especially noticed its beauty
until we saw, the past autumn, at the Cambridge Botanic Gar.
den, a fine clump of it, 10 ft. or 12 ft. high, where it was con-
trasted with a large number of other species of Sunflower, and
easily outshone them all. For clumpa upon a lawn this ia a most
effective plant, and, from its height, it may be used for the centre of
ornamental groups of bold plants. — "American Agrioultarist."

Feb. 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

117

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

THE GREEN HELLEBORE.

(HELLEBOKUS VIRIDIS).

The Hellebore represented by the annexed illustration may be
taken as the type of that group of Hellebores -which are cha-
racterised by their deciduous leaves, produced on erect stalks,
being circular in outline, and invariably split up into several
more or less narrow divisions, and bearing blossoms varying
from green to purple on forked stems. Though they cannot
claim to be considered as showy garden plants, yet their hand-
some verdant foliage and the property which they possess of
delighting to revel uncared for and undisturbed in shady
places admirably adapt them for planting by the sides of wood-
land walks, or in company with similar subjects in the wild
garden — in short, any place where the soil is not too poor, or
the position too much exposed. H. viridis is a widely-distri-
buted plant in Western Europe, besides being one of our
native wild flowers. Though somewhat rare it is found grow-
ing in company wich the common Columbine and the rare
Actaea spicata in shady woods in the limestone districts of the
north of England. The other kinds comprised in the group
include B. dumetorum and laxus with green flowers, H. inter-

The Green Helle1>ore in the Wild Garden.

medius, graveolens, and purpurasoens with purplish blossoms,
H. Booconi with much divided leaves, and H. cyclophyllns not
at present in cultivation. W.

SPRING-FLOWERING BULBS.
There is a freshness and vigour in the growth of all bulbous-
rooted plants which pre-eminently distinguish them from the
generality of flowering plants. Not only are they exquisitely
beautiful in themselves, varied in manner of growth with
flowers of the most tender and delicate hues, but many of
them emit an agreeable odour. When one sees the Snowdrop
and Daffodil making their way through the earth, one knows
that the dreary winter is over, and that each succeeding day
will bring us something of a cheering nature ; and no kind of
flowering plant can give a greater amount ot pleasure for
time expended than such spring-flowering bulbs as the Hya-
cinth, Narcissus, Tulip, &o. Their culture is so simple, either as
pot plants or in the open air, and the amount of time occupied
in their growth is so small, that it lies in the power ot nearly
everyone to gratify their love for these beautiful and fragrant
flowers. The handsomest of all spring-flowering bulbs, the
Hyacinth, is within the reach of all, as mixed varieties of it
may be purchased at a very cheap rate. Those who may not
object to expense will of course choose named kinds, at a higher
rate ; but where the florist's ideal is not sought for, the cheaper

varieties will prove quite as satisfactory. Flowering bulbs as-
sociate well with all kinds of plants ; for room decoration
nothing excels them, as they harmonise beautifully with Ferns
and other fiue-foliaged plants ; and a few Hyacinths and Nar-
cissi in the conservatory or winter garden impart a spring-
like appearance thereto, such as is scarcely to be obtained by
the use of any other flowering plants. In the winter garden
there should always be pockets left in the Mossy turf, in which
the pots may be plunged so as quite to hide them ; in such
positions bulbs have a most natural appearance, and remind
one most vividly of those woodland scenes where Bluebells and
Daffodils grow. In a large winter garden in Germany bulbs of
all kinds were extensively employed in this manner. Recesses
and nooks weie left here and there amongst the evergreen
trees and shrubs, and these were filled with flowering plants.
The walks were bordered with Selaginella,and, provision having
been made for that purpose, bulbous and other flowering
plants were so placed that they appeared to be springing up
irom the turf and amongst the shrubs in a most natural manner.
This arrangement suited flowering plants generally very welt;
but the bulbs alone conveyed the impression that they might
have been planted and grown into bloom there. In the arrange-
ment of bouquets the bells of the Hyacinth are invaluable, the
shades of blue being very effective. Tulips are not so highly
valued as in former times, and by many are stiginatised as
gaudy ; but the scarlet Van Thol is very acceptable early in
the year, being bright and distinct,and I certainly must confess
to a large share of admiration for those grand varieties, the
yellow Tournesol and Rex Rubrorum. They need the com-
panionship of light, feathery foliage, and never appear to so
much advantage as when associated with Maidenhair and
other Ferns. They should, indeed, never be so placed that the
eye rests upon them in their entirety, as the foliage is not in
proportion to the size of the flowers, which renders them some-
what glaring and obtrusive. In Covent Garden Market they
are often seen planted with small Ferns and Mosses, and this
arrangement is probably the most tasteful that can be adopted.
In the open air they have a more natural and pleasing appear-
ance when growing near shrubs ; they do not look well massed in
beds in open situations — indeed, to my mind, this is not the
place for any kind of bulb, their organisation plainly indicating
that they need the fostering care of a more robust vegetation.
I am not now writing from the florists' point of view, as I am
aware that where a choice collection of Tulips is maintained,
the grower so manages that his beds are in some way sheltered.
I am merely alluding to the planting of the more common
kinds with a view to their successful growth, without any
special care being needed at blooming time ; and this desidera-
tum is best realised by choosing sites naturally congenial to
them. As an instance, let us take the Dafiiodil. Where does
it really appear most at homo, and flower in the best manner ?
Not growing out of the bare earth in exposed situations, but
springing from the fresh, bright turf, and where the heavy
rains and furious winds are broken from them. I know a wood
where the Daiiodil and Primrose grow in the wildest profusion.
Luxuriant masses of foliage spring up through the Grass and
Mossy turf, and are covered with thousands of blooms. At
flowering time it is indeed a scene of picturesque floral beauty,
and is a point of pilgrimage for flower lovers, who carry off
cartloads of them. Such scenes as this make one wish that
our choicer kinds of Narcissi could be so placed that they
might enjoy the conditions natural to them, and open up visions
of what might be, but of what, alas ! one can scarcely hope to
see realised. It is however, very certain that more might
be accomplished in this way than has been generally attempted
not on a large scale perhaps ; but there are few places where some
portion of the garden could not be dedicated to this purpose.
It is not so much the extent as the arrangement which charms,
and in this matter we must, as far as possible, follow Nature's
teachings. The modest little Snowdrop and the wild Hya-
cinth are always found peeping out from the midst of Grassy
verdure ; there would be something incongruous in their ap-
pearance if seen growing in the bare earth. Their home
is where they are in constant association with other forms of
vegetable life, and their near relatives will, I imagine, be found
to thrive best when similarly situated. J. Cornbill.

Byfleet.

118

THE GAKDEN.

Feb. 8, 1879.

PAMPAS GRASS IN AVENUES.
I HAVE often seen and admired the fine rows of Pampas Grass in
the Messrs. Suttous' seed grounds, and have wondered that this
truly noble plant has not ere now been largely used to decorate
the approaches and drives to some of our large mansions. I should,
however, undoubtedly objpot to the use of the Pampas Grass alone
for this purpose, juat as I object to the use of any one kind of
tree for the formation of an avenue, e.'jcept where it is desired
to secure an arched umbrageous cover, and then nothing will
excel a double row of the Elm, Lime, or Horse Chestnut. But
lines of trees thus formed are, however pleasing when fully
grown, the reverse of artistic and, indeed, planted with a rod and
line, may be performed by any ordinary labourer. The Pampas
Grass can only be introduced with effect wheie it is intended to
obtain some fine display of planting skill and the pioduotion of a
bold and broal outline. To obtain this a straight line of road
should bo avoided as, however, striking a straight avenue of trees
may be, as is the Case in the Long Walk at Windsor, for instance,
it would be stiff, formal, and monotonous if found where a finely-
planted border was intended rather than an avenue. Given abroad,
well-kept carriage way, there should be on either side a clear margin
of at least 10 ft. of Grass, at which line might be planted on either
side rows of Pampas Grass. Not less than 30 ft. distant from these
again on either side might come a row of fine Coniferas, not limited
to one kind, but composed of Wellingtonias, Ddodars, Pioea nobilis,
P. Nordmanniana, end similar strong.growing kinds. They should be
planted e.tactly behind the Pampas Grass, and, midway between the
chimps of Grass, but thrown back to form a separate line, should be
planted good specimens of Cupressus Lawsoniana. Finally, on either
side behind all, a row of Horse Chestnut or Elm, beneath which should
run footways for pedestrians. This combination would be something
worth looking at. A. D.

well, and continue blooming till quite late in the season, most likely till
cat off by frost. In order to have fine spikes, the soil should be deep
and rich, and should have been well loosened up and manured some
time previous to planting. Unless this has been well done, make large
holes where each is to be planted, and put in each hole half a bushel
of rotten turf and manure in equal parts and plant in it. This will be
a good plan to adopt when planting aming shrubs, or in any position
where it is not convenient to trench the ground. — E. U.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Hardiness ot Stobsea purpurea. — It may interest Mr. Hem.
sley to know that Stobioa purpurea has proved perfectly hardy here
for four years. It increases considerably by running underground
shoots which push up in the spring. 1 have only the pale purple
variety, and never saw a plant with flowers of so deep a colour as
those represented by the plate in The Garden a few weeks ago. It
is to be regretted that some of our enterprising collectors do not
introduce the other known species of Stobaaa and Berkheya. They
would, in all probability, be perfectly hardy, and are so curious that
many would be glad to grow them. S. purpurea has never yet
ripened seed here. — H. Haupur Crewe, Dra\itoiiJ}eaiicliamp Ilectory,
Tiing.

The Recent Lily Discussion. — Now and then some horticul-
tural writer bits upon a subject of such universal interest that he is
at once attacked and defended from a dozen directions, and, if he
stands by his guns, will inevitably have his hands fnll. A few months
of rather lively cut and parry usually brings a vast fund of dormant
information to light and clears the atmosphere wonderfally. Our
English friends are quite apt to do this sort of thing, and we notice
that " Dunedin," Mr. T. Baines, and others have recently been discuss-
ing the treatment of Lilies in the columns of The Gardex. " Dunedin"
believes in moving Lilies as soon as the flowers have faded, and he
objects to encouraging the growth of stem roots. We differ from
this portion of his treatment, although we agree as regards the
decay ot the old bulbs and the formation of new ones internally.
We think that, with us, if fine Japan Lilies are desired, some top
dressing and good mulching are necessary. We would move Lilies
early in November, the stem being then withered. As an example
of this treatment, we last season had L. auratum with forty-one
perfect blossoms and L. speciosum with sixty, both being grown in
the open ground. — " Calitornian Horticulturist."

Hollyhocks from Seed. — For decorative purposes, seedling
Hollyhocks from a good collection are almost equal to named kinds,
and there is, as a rule, more vigour about seedling plants than about
established ones, and they are less liable to fall a prey to that terrible
fungoid disease that has done so much injury to Hollyhocks in some
districts. If the seeds be sown immediately in a warm house or a
hotbed, and the Toung plants potted off and well attended to afterwards,
most of them will flower this year. Strictly speaking, Hollyhocks
are biennials under ordinary caltivation in the open air; but by
sowing early in the year, and growing them on liberally with heat and
plenty of moisture till the end of March, and hardening them off and
planting them out in April, they will be converted into annuals.
Some of them will probably be later in flowering, and it is possible
that one or two may miss flowering"; but nearly the whole will flower

PLANT CULTURE FOR MARKET.
Mignonette. — Growers for market cultivate Mignonette
to perfection, and at every season of the year there is a
demand for it both in pots and in a cut state. In spring
plants in pots are sent plentifully to market. These are
obtained from seed sown in 5-in. or 6-in. pots in autumn ;
when largo enough to handle, the young plants are thinned
out, leaving eight or nine of the strongest in each pot.
These arc then kept in brick pits close to the glass, are
allowed abundance of air, and are protected during severe
weather by mats or straw. In the month of March I have
seen in one place 1750 dozen potfuls of Mignonette all
coming into flower at one time, and an equal quantity of
spring-sown jjlants growing on to succeed them. Well-
grown Mignonette fetches early in spring from 7s. to 10s.
per dozen pots. Mignonette as grown for market is of a
very different description to that usually grown in private
gardens ; the jilants are dwarf, requiring little or no
staking ; the leaves are large and of a black-green colour,
and the columnar spikes of blossoms arc well-formed,
erect, and of large size. The bank of Mignonette shown
by Mr. Reeves, of Acton, at the great exhibition of Covent
Garden jjroduce held at South Kensington on May 2, 1877,
will probably be long remembered by those who saw it.
Some sow their Mignonette intended to supply cut bloom
in larger jjots than those described, and small growers
assert that early in spring they get on some occasions
almost as much money for a basket of Mignonette sprays
as they do for a lo.id of common market plants. The soil
used for Mignonette is of a light rich character ; the pots
are not filled at the time of sowing, but a margin is left
for earthing up with rotted manure when the plants are
well up above the pot. As regards staking, when the plants
require any, two or three small sticks are placed round the
edge of the pots, and a piece of bast is run carelessly round
them. Damp is the greatest enemy to Mignonette in winter
and spring, and this can only be guarded against hj water-
ing on fine days, leaving off the lights until the foliage has
become dry, and by at all times giving all the air possible
when the weather is favourable.

The Htdeangea. — Few flowering plants which are
brought to market are held in higher estimation than
Hydrangeas, and nearly all London florists grow them
largely. Their huge heads of rosy-coloured blossoms last
for a considerable time, even when placed in dark, dusty
rooms, jsrovided the roots of the plants receive plenty of
water. Hydrangeas are struck from cuttings usually
obtained from old plants growing in the ojien ground, with
which most places are furnished. They are inserted in
autumn, winter, and spring, and, during the time they
are leafless, they are packed closely together under stages
or other out-of-the-way places until they again start
into growth, when they muse have air, light, and water if
healthy, green foliage and large heads of bloom be desired.
One of the best growers of the Hydraugea is Mr. Plimley,
of Acton. His plants are flowered in from twelve to fif-
teen months, each plant bearing from one to three magni-
ficent heads of bloom. The largest plants, which have

Feb. 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

119

several shoots, are tliose strnclc from cuttings in the
autumn, and whicli have been stopped. Those that we see
in the market with a single stem surmounted by one
immense head of bloom are the produce of cuttings struck
during the winter and spring. The soil used for Hydrangeas
is good loam, to which are added some well-rotted manure
and sand. Those plants which are required to produce
blue flowers are either grown in soil mixed with steel
filings or they are watered with water in which steel filings
have been steeped. The white-flowered Hydrangea Thomas
Hogg, figured the other day in The Gaudex, will, when
better known, doubtless become a fine market plant.

CiyERAKiAS. — These are grown by thousands for market
— sturdy, dwarf plants in -5-in. pots. They aie raised from
seed sown in spring, and the young plants are potted on
in good rich loam until they occupy G-in. pots. In autumn
they are placed in the houses, and when they come into
bloom the best are selected and moved to low, span-roofed
pits for seeding purposes ; the rest are taken to market.
Those intended for seed producers are placed in sections
according to their colours, and every possible precaution is
taken to prevent cross-fertilisation. Abundance of air is
admitted to the plants whilst they are seeding, and their
roots are kept regularly supplied with water. As fast as
the seeds ripen, they are gathered, and should any fall to
the ground (which is covered with ashes) they quickly
germinate and go a long way towards furnishing a supply
of plants for the next years' blooming. Self or well-
defined colours, such as blue, purple, and rose, or white
kinds edged with these colours, are most sought after,
and there is also a strain with mauve flowers which is
much in demand ; the plants should be dwarf in habit,
-and the flowers should have large and smooth petals. One
grower in the north of London has six or eight lean-to
houses, in which are erected stair-like stages within "2 ft.
or 3 ft. of the glass. These are filled with Cinerarias in
full bloom from soon after Christmas until after Easter.

HELiOTRorES. — Both for supplying cut bloom and in the
form of flowering plants, the Heliotrope is grown largely
for market. Cuttings of it from stock plants are put in
at nearly all seasons of the year. The plants are grown
in loam and leaf-mould, and the shoots are kept constantly
stopped in order to keep them dwarf and bushy. In June
and July the bulk of the jsot plants conic into market, but
they may be had nearly every month in the year. Dark-
flowered kinds are those mostly grown, and such as possess
a very dwarf, compact habit, with ever}- shoot bearing a
'good truss of sweet-scented blossoms. Mr. Hayes, of
JEdmonton, has a whole house devoted to Heliotropes for
furnishing cut bloom. The plants, which are very old,
were formerly in pots ; but, when, after a time, it became
necessary to give them more root-room, they were so large
that the operation became a difficult one ; the pots which
they occupied were, therefore, broken up and the balls of
roots were firmly surrounded with good soil — -thus prac-
tically planting them out. In this position these plants
have been growing for about twenty-five years, and have
formed a dense bank from 8 ft. to 10 ft. high, and from
9 ft. to 10 ft. through, and 60 ft. in length. From these
plants abundance of sweet-scented blossoms can be cut at
all seasons of the year, and during the winter months are
especially valuable, all the attention which the plants require
being a good watering occasionally during hot weather and
removing decayed leaves. The blooms are cut several
times a week all the year round and sent to market.

Criisus RACEMOSUS. — This makes a capital market plant,
but it is rather diSicult to propagate except from seed, and

plants obtained in that way are by no means equal to those
raised from cuttings. Cytisuses are largely grown by fruit
growers, who place them under their Vines whilst the
latter are at rest, a position for which Cytisuses are well
adapted, inasmuch as their season of flowering commences
before the Vines have made so much growth as to injure
them by their shade, and, by filling all the Vineries with
them, as the Vines are started in succession, they bloom
in regular order. These Cytisuses are struck from cuttings
inserted in 6-in. pots in the autumn, from forty to fifty
being placed in each pot, and placed in a close but unheated
house. They make very little growth until the following
spring; then, when they commence to grow, they are
potted off' singly into 4-in. pots, and placed in a warm
house until the weather will permit them to be placed out-
of-doors ; during summer they are shifted into O-in. pots,
and by next spring they make handsome, bushy plants
from 12 in. to 15 in. high, and nearly as much through,
furnished with long spikes of bright golden blossoms, and
dark green, healthy foliage down to the very rims of the
pots.

RaoDANTHES. — These handsome everlastings are exten-
sively cultivated for market; one grower, indeed, disposes
of from 10,000 to 15,000 potfuls of them yearly. The
seed, which is imported direct from Belgium, is sown in
successive batches in shallow wooden boxes. These are
placed in gentle heat until the young plants make their
appearance, when they are immediately removed to a lighter
and cooler atmosphere, and, as they advance in growth, air
is admitted freely to them on every favourable opportunity.
When large enough to handle they are pricked oif into
5-iQ. or G-in. pots, putting from five to seven plants in each.
They are then placed in light, airy positions on the floors
of the houses, where they remain until they come into
flower, when they are at once sent to market and replaced
by others in less advanced stages of growth. Sowing
usually commencs early in February, and contmues until
the end of April or beginning of Islaj, and from this latter
jjcriod onward through the summer a succession of bushy,
well-flowered plants is maintained. The varieties grown
are R. Manglesi, and R. maculata and alba.

Stokesia cyanea. — This furnishes the chief supply of
blue flowersforbouqiiet making during the autumn. They
first make tl'eir appearance early in September, and are
constantly to be seen in the florists' shops until late in
December. The blue, Aster-like flowers are large and
showy, each measuring about 3^, in. in diameter, and appa-
rently semi-double. In the late-blooming property of this
plant consists its chief value, for blue flowers are at this
season of the year comparatively scarce. The plants are
increased by division in the spring ; and the slips, after
beino- taken off", are inserted in a warm border or frame a
few inches apart, in sharp, sandy soil. As soon as they
are well rooted they are transplanted into good soil, and in
Auo-ust are lifted and potted, and when cold weather sets
in are afforded the protection of a frame. I have never
yet seen this plant offered for sale in pots, probably
because its habit of growth is not sufficiently dwarf and
stocky.

The Forget-me-not. — In a cut state, flowers of this find
a ready sale. They are associated with the choicest of
white flowers in bouquets, and few blue flowers are prettier
or more efiective. Sometimes a few sprays surround a Tea
Rose in a button-hole bouquet, and handfuls of Forget-
me-nots are often sold in the streets at a very cheap rate.
Plants of this universal favourite in pots also meet with a
ready sale ; they are usually taken from the ground when

120

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1S79.

in bloom, and potted the night before they are brought to
market. There are many different kinds of Forget-me-
not, but the common type is the one generally found m the
market. All of them are easily raised from seed or cut-
tings, but sowing seed is the only practical mode of ac-
quiring a stock of most of them. If sown in August, the
plants will flower the next summer ; and, if sown in sjjring,
they will flower late in the autumn or winter. The seed
may be sown thinly in the open air or in pans or pots, and,
being remarkably small, it can hardly be covered too lightly.
As soon as the young plants are large enough to handle,
they are pricked off in a border out-of-doors or potted
singly in 2^-in. pots. If placed in a cold frame for a time,
they make rapid progress, and soon form useful little
plants. Shift as they require it ; and almost any of the
Forget-me-nots grow into excellent window or room plants
in 4-in. or 6-in. pots. The best place in which to grow the
Forget-me-nots until they reach their flowering stage, is a
partially-shaded, sheltered situation out-of-doors. They
grow well in a mixture of rotten leaf-mould, manure, and
sand. Good drainage is necessary, as most of these
Forget-me-nots are semi-alpine plants, and cannot endure
stagnant water at the roots, though they must not be
allowed to get dry. Plants potted from the open ground
in October or November, and, placed in a temperature of
50^, will flower at Christmas, and a succession may easily
be had in bloom indoors till March, at which season it
bursts into full beauty in the open air. Such fine Forget-
me-nots as Myosotis Impi'ratrice Elizabeth, M. azorica
ccelestina, M. semperflorens, M. sylvatica, M. alpestris
nana ccerulea and its white variety, are all good kinds ; but,
for pot culture, M. dissitiflora is perhaps the best of all.
The colour, when the blossoms are fully expanded, is a
most exquisite blue, and the plant is good in habit. It
grows to a height of about 6 in., and spreads out freely,
soon furnishing a 4-in. or 6-in. pot. M. azorica coelestina,
an improved variety of a well-known rich dark blue
Forget-me-not, is also a plant of great beauty. M. semper-
florens is a hardy variety that continues flowering with
little trouble from spring to autumn. The white and blue
dwarf Forget-me-nots (M. alpestris nana) only grow about
4 in. in height, and are little gems for pot culture.

Lilies. — These are principally sold in pots, their flowers
being too large for anything, except for church or similar
decorations, and, as a rule, flowers are not much in demand
for such purposes when the majority of Lilies are in
bloom. The earliest kinds are L. candidum, L. eximium
and L. longiflorum, all of which are in bloom in June
and July, and these are followed by L. auratum, and
the white and rose varieties of L. siDeciosum. Lilies are
sometimes grown in the open ground, and lifted and
potted just before they come into flower ; but, for early
flowering, the bulbs are potted in autumn in G-in. or 8-in.
pots, tilled three parts full of soil, and plunged in cold
pits or placed on the stages of cool houses, where abun-
dance of air and light can be afforded them. The soil
used is rich, fibrous loam, rotted cow manure, and leaf-
mould, with which a few lumps of peat are mixed if the
loam be not so full of fibre as could be desii'ed. Little or
no water is given until the shoots make their appearance,
after which the soil is kept well moistened. When it is
getting full of roots, and these can be seen issuing from
the stems of the plants, the pots are filled up with loam
and manure. No more heat is given beyond just enough
to keep the plants healthy and free from damp nntil the
bloom-buds show themselves, when the plants are subjected
to a little heat and kept syringed overhead to bring out

the bloom. L. undulatum is grown in quantity. It comes
into flower early, but is not so much in demand as other
kinds on account of the colour of its flowers. Potfuls of
it may, however, be seen in abundance during May and
June. Of other kinds there are generally two or three
stems in a pot, and sometimes eight or nine in large pots.
Lilies for market are much dwarfer than those usually
seen in private gardens. This is effected by keeping them
close to the glass, admitting plenty of air and keeping
them well supplied with water whilst growing.

I have now named the bulk of indoor flowering plants
grown for market ; but there are many more cultivated
to a less extent. Among these may be mentioned :

Kalosanthes coccinea, a showy plant, and one which
meets with a ready sale. It cannot, however, be grown
so cheaply as many others, on account of its taking a
comparatively long time to come into flower. Cuttings of
it from old, cut-back plants as early in summer as they can
be got, struck in gentle heat, and afterwards potted, either
singly in 4-in. pots or four or five together in a 5-in. or 6-in.
one. They are exposed to plenty of air, light, and sunshine
in order that their wood may become stiff and firm, and
next spring they flower. Plants of it potted singly, of
course, only bear one head of bloom, and are, therefore,
not sent to market ; but sometimes these cuttings have
two shoots and, in that case, two heads of bloom, and these
are sent to market, but the plants with single shoots are
cut back to within 6-in. or so of the pot, when they emit
four or five shoots, which flower well the next season.

Abutilons are likewise grown for supplying cut flowers,
and the white one, A. Boule de Niege, is in great request
as a pot plant. jMost of them, however, grow too lanky
for market work, and they are consequently not much,
grown in this way. A dwarf variegated kind named A.
Darwini tesselatum, however, has been taken in hand by
some growers for market, who find that good, bushy
I^lants of it can be produced in a very short time by stop-
ping the points of the shoots, and, as it flowers more freely
than any other kind during wnter, it will, no doubt,5[ere
long become a good market plant. C. W. S.

Tuberoses. — The strong sweet fragrance of the flowers of these is
not surpassed even by that of the Gardenia ; indeed, it is mach more
agreeable, as Tuberoses have not that sickly odonr about them which
the Gardenia gives off when one comes too near it. Besides, the
flowers are quite as beautiful, last longer, and can be used for similar
purposes ; and last but not least, the plants are easily grown, and are
not troubled with insects. The imported roots are the best, and
should be potted as soon as possible, at least for early work. A note-
worthy authority on the subject recommends the plants to be plunged
in strong bottom heat as soon as potted, and afterwards grown on in
cooler quarters ; but they do quite as well if started gently and
pushed on leisurely. One lot was potted last year in February, rather
late in the month, and started in an intermediate bouse, but the pots
were not plunged. The plants started into growth sooner than was
expected, and, to prevent the leaves and stems from becoming
soft and lanky, they were moved into another house, where they got
plenty of light and air, and a place for themselves ; and throughout
the summer and part of the autumn no artificial heat given, but
the house was kept warmer than a greenhouse. They made robust
growth, but very tall stems, and did not flower till August, and they
continued to produce flowers for about three months. Later in the
autumn a little heat was given, to assist the development of the
flowers. As it was just the season we need such flowers, most single
flowers were cut every day for the house, and a number of the plants
were placed in the conservatory to give fragrance to the house. The
Tuberose is best grown in single plants to a pot, and 6-in. pots are a
suitable size. A compost consisting of three parts loam, one part
peat and sand, and a little well-rotted manure, will suit well. Good
drainage, bnt not too much of it, should be afforded, and daring
growth plenty of water should be given. S. W.

Feb. 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

121

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

FRITILLARIA KARELINI.
This beautifal little Fritillary, although new to the present
generation, was in cultivation in this country up ivards of forty
years ago, and was depicted in Sweet's " British Flower
Garden," series ii., plate 283. It was originally sent to
Mr. Anderson, of the Chelsea Botanic Gardens, in 1836, by
Dr. Fischer, of St. Petersburgh. The accompanying engraving
is half the natural size of the plant, and was reduced from a
coloured figure which appeared in the " Botanical Magazine
for January of the current year. lu the colour of its flowers
it exhibits a litcle variation, as shown by the different figures

Fitillaria Kareliai.

of it published. The variety represented in the " Botanical
Magazine," grown by Mr. George Maw, of Broseley, has white
flowers suffused with pink and spotted with red. It has a wide
range of distribution in Central Asia, extending from the
Ural and Altai Mountains, through Turkestan to Afghanistan,
Beloochistan, and Persia, and it flowers with us in winter. On
account of a slight difference in the process at the base of the
petals, it was formerly separated from Fritillaria under the
distinctive name of Rhinopetalum, literally horse petal, and it
was under this name that it was cultivated on its flrst intro-
duction. The re-introduction of this lovely plant into Euro-
pean gardens is due, I believe, to the late Mr. Fedenschow,one
o£ the many recent Russian explorers of Central Asia.

W. B. Hemslet.

HOTBEDS AND THEIR USES.

The heat generated by the fermentation of leaves, stable
manure, and other waste vegetable and animal substances, is,
when under proper control, so genial and stimulating and,
withal, so cheap, costing little in most country places beyond
the labour of collecting and working up, that it forms the
most economical mode of forcing all crops that require only a
few weeks or months for their production ; and, when ex-
hausted, the materials are still available for manure, and when
a proper place is assigned for them there need be no litter or

untidiness. January and February are the months during
which hotbed making begins in earnest, and if a large heap of
fermenting materials be ready for use through the spring the
production of many crops besides Cucumbers, Melons, and
Potatoes, may be made more certain and simple. In preparing
for hotbed making the first thing of course is to collect and
cart together the materials, aud, so tar as regards the leaves,
these should all have been brought together before Christmas.
All ours were collected just before the frost set in, and we
carted them home during the time the first storm lasted ;
there was a little snow mixed with some of them, but not more
than sufficient to make them heat well when thrown into a
heap. Leaves alone, when in sufficient bulk, will force all
kinds of vegetables, but it is always best to mix a proportion
of stable manure with them ; about half of each is a good pro-
portion. The leaves neutralise and absorb the fiery gases of
the manure, and the latter, on the other hand, communicates
some of its heating power to the leaves, so that a hotbed made
up of the two is better in every respect than when either is
used alone, no matter how previously well prepared, either by
mixing or turning. When all the materials are collected to-
gether, the manure and leaves should be well shaken up and
mixed in the right proportions. If, as sometimes happens,
there are dry spots in the heap, these should be watered, as
there must be a certain amount of moisture present to insure
fermentation. When the heap has lain ten days or a fortnight
it should be turned over and well shaken together again,
throwing the outsides of the heap into the middle and water-
ing any further dry spots, so that a regular, even state of
moisture exists throughout. Early Cucumbers or Melons, if
grown in hotbeds, will require the most atteution and the
greatest nicety in the preparation of the materials and the
proper bulk of the beds.

Cucumbers started in February should have the beds at
least 3 ft. longer and wider than the frames— r.e., they should
project beyond the frame 18 in. on all sides. The bed should
be 65 ft. high at the back, and 4 ft. high at the front ; this will
give "it a good pitch to the sun. It should be put together
carefully, and of the same substance and firmness throughout,
so that the heat may be regular and steady. If made too solid
the heat will be sluggish, and if left too open the heat will,
perhaps, be too great. There must be a certain amount of air
mixed with the material to insure steady fermentation, and, if
that amount be exceeded or curtailed, the result will not be so
good, and it is here that a little practical knowledge becomes
useful, as something depends upon the condition of the
materials as to the amount of pressure that ought to be applied.
Very often a bed may be put up, and will answer admu-ably
without any treading at all, the workmen simply beating it down
with their forks as they build it up. In other cases this will
not make it firm enough, and the workmen have to get on it and
tread it moderately firm. In many cases some shelter should
be applied to hotbeds. A row of bundles of Pea sticks set up
endways on the windward side has a wonderful effect in keep-
ing the heat steady during boisterous weather. Shutters
reared up against the bed on the windy side will also answer
the same purpose ; anything, in short, that will furnish shelter.
Hotbeds for forcing Potatoes, Carrots, French Beans, and
other vegetables, will not require so much preparation, and
need not be so large as those for Cucumbers, and, if placed in
front of and close to the Cucumber and Melon beds, leaving
plenty of space between the rows of frames to get between
them, they will answer the purpose of linings to the latter,
and it will be, in fact, altogether an economical arrangement.
I have tried this plan often, and found it very advantageous, as
the space between the rows of frames could be filled up almost
as high as the top in cold weather. I have occasionally, when
I had much forcing to do, had as many as three and four rows
of frames all ranged closely together in parallel lines, and the
heat in such a bulk of material is always regular and steady,
and not nearly so much labour is required. The frames in
the centre row would be occupied with Cucumbers and Melons,
and the outside rows with Potatoes, Beans, Carrots, &c.

As the season advances, a good deal of forcing can
be done with only a limited quantity of material. Dig-
ging a hole in a sheltered corner 2 ft. deep, aud
fillin" it full of hot litter and leaves, returning 6 in.

122

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879

or 8 iu. of the mellowest, driest soil, will make a capital
bed for early Radishes, Early Horn Carrots, White
Dutch Turnips, or raising young Onions, Leeks, or other
plants for transplanting which may be desired early. Take
the case of early Long-pod Beans; if planted thickly on such
a bed in a sheltered place, when the weather becomes more
settled they can be moved to a more open situation, and
nothing transplants better. Any plant that transplants easily
— and almost all will do so, if pains be taken with them — may
gain a week in point of time by being started on one of these
open-air hotbeds without any glass at all. Mats or netting,
or even evergreen branches, or a little straw may be used to
cover and protect the beds in cold weather. Cabbages, Let-
tuces, Cauliflowers, and Brussels Sprouts may be sown early in
February on such a bed in small quantities, in order to have a
few plants to put out early, or to fill up vacancies caused by
the severe winter. In some places there will be a scarcity of
green vegetables, and an effort should be made to push
forward crops to fill up blanks as early as possible.

Later iu the season hotbeds of a temporary character are
exceedingly valuable for purposes of propagation, such as the
rootiug of cuttings or raising seeds. Lobelias, Alternantheras,
Iresmes, Coleuses, and similar plants may be raised on slight
hotbeds in April, dibbled into a thin stratum of light sandy
soil on the top of the fermenting materials. Having a good
many thousands of plants to provide annually, I have tried
many different plans, in order to discover the best and cheapest
way of raising them, and which will at the same time give the
best results, and I have fiually adopted this for spring propa-
gation. It necessitates a good stock being kept, but where
many plants are required this should be done always, as
although, by severe forcing and pushing, a large number of
young plants may be obtained from a limited number of stock
plants, yet the produce from plants over forced is never so
strong or vigorous as those treated more naturally, and
beds planted with weakly plants are a long time in filling up,
and never grow up together regularly. An ordinary two-light
frame placed on a bed of fermenting materials 3 ft. deep at
back and 2 ft. deep at front, say in the middle of April, will
hold easily 2,000 Lobelias or other small cuttings. The warmth
from such a bed will be just sufficient to root the cuttings and
then decline. Healthy cuttings of most plants in such a genial
bed will strike in a week, and at that season, if more stock be
required, the tops may soon be taken off and dibbled into
another bed of similar size, and, as soon as the cuttings are
fairly rooted, abundance of air can be given, until finally the
lights can be removed altogether. Although I have mentioned
the middle of April, yet of course everything depends upon the
work to be done and the conveniences for doing it ; yet I may
say that the best and most lasting beds of Lobelias which we
had last year were from cuttings inserted in a very slight hot-
bed the last week in April. To be able to grow these plants in
frames in spring without a single pot relieves the houses, and
also the hands, a very great deal, and there is no loss as regards
efficiency ; on the contrary, in that respect there is an improve-
ment. ^ E. Hobday.

Garden Labels. — The best with which I am acqaainted are those
manufactured by Mr. Smith, of Stratford. on-avon, who has recently
made great improvementB in labels— notably in those for Rosea— by
having them neatly soldered to the wire support. By this method
there is not the least danger of the label getting displaced by the
wind. The names are in the form of raised letters, and the label ia
capable of withstanding any atmospheric action to which it may be
subjected, for a great many years. — A. Hossack.

ilettlea. —Notwithstanding the surprise expressed by the Rev.
Mr. Harpur Crewe (p. 4) at M. Levallea's statement regarding the
co-relatlon between the Nettle and the abodes of man, it ia a belief
with which I have long been familiar, although whether it is a vulgar
error or not I am unable to say. The follovving fact, however, lenda
some support to the popular idea. Some four or five jeara ago I
came upon an isolated patch of Nettles, when gronse-shooting on a
Scotch moor some six miles distant from the nearest human habita-
tion. Here, thought I, ia a proof of the fallacy of the received
opinion, but on inquiry I found that a shepherd's hut had once stood
on the spot, all signs of which had long 8ino3 disappeared.— W. E.
Bawick.

£=Xj.A.TE CXiXVX.

THE YELLOW TORBNIA.

(lORENIi BAILLONi).

Many of our readers who attend the meetings of the Royal
Horticultural Society will remember this pretty Torenia, which
Las been exhibited several times by Messrs. Veitch. We have
only seen small plants of it, but in habit, foliage, and flowers,
except in the colour of the latter, it is essentially T. asiatica,
of which it is probably a variety, though a very distinct one.
In the colouration of the flowers, it reminds us of one of the
varieties of Thunbergia alata, the lobes of the corolla being of
a rich golden-yellow, whilst the tube and throat are of a deep
reddish-purple. Like T. asiatica and Fournieri, it is easily
grown, the conditions requisite for the successful cultivation of
either suiting this also. Although it will grow in a cool
greenhouse, and probably (like T. Fournieri) even flower freely
in warm, sheltered, sunny spots in our southern counties, it is
most at home in a warm house, where, if it meets with any-
thing like generous treatment, it will flower the greater part
of the year. Like T. asiatica it makes a good basket plant, and.
in this respect possesses a decided advantage over T. Fournieri,
which is of more bushy upright growth. T. Bailloni seems to do-
best in aligbt.well-drained compost consistingof one-half fibrous-
peat and the other half loam and leaf mould ; though not
strictly an annual it is best to treat it as such, and a stock of
it is easily and quickly raised from seeds, to obtain which,
however, artificial fertilisation must frequently be resorted to.
To M. Godefroy-Lebeuf, of Argenteuil, near Paris, belongs the
honour of introducing this lovely plant to European gardens.
It is a native o£ Cochin China.

PLANTS AFFECTED BY FROST AND EAST WIND
IN THE RIVIERA.

I SUPPLEMENT my notice (p. 59) of the effects of frost during the
winter in the Riviera by a list of plants that have suffered the most
from exposure. The list was furnished to me by Messrs. Piov &
Gallino, nurserymen, of Sin Remo, and may be relied on as authentic.
I give the list alphabetically for the sake of easy reference, irrespec-
tive of class or country : — ■

Acacia corymbosa Heheelinium ianthinum
„ falcata _ „ atro-rubens

Acbania Malvaviscus Hoya carnosa

Achyranthes picta lochroma tubulosum
Aralia papyrifera „ Warscewiczi

Begoma dajdalea Iresine Lindeni

Cereus trnncatus Jacaranda mimosEefolia

Cestrum aurantiacum Justieia rosea

Clianthus magniQcus Libonia floribunda

Cobcea scandeug Lippia montevidensis

Cuphea eminens Lophoapermum scandena

Cyrtanthera magnifica Musa paradisiaca

Dahlia iroperialis Pereskia aculeata

Datura arborea Salvia iuvoluerata

Echium giganteum Sparmannia africana

„ _ candioans Sphajralcea nmbellata

Geranium hederasfolium Tradescentia discolor

Goldf ussia Dicksoni Wigandia caracasana

Petek Inchbald.

Hovinghum Lodge, Tori.

Eupatorium odoratiseimum— Thia ia a very useful plant for
winter blooming. It is invaluable for the cool conservatory, and is
especially suitable where means are limited. We have a number of
large bushes of it standing in a house where the frost haa only iasc
been kept out, quite white with large panicles of flowers ; and they
have been in tbia condition for the last six weeks, and will continue
so for a long time yet, and after the first bloom ia over, if the ends
of the shoota are cut off, a new crop of flowers will be produced.
The plants to which I am referring were old onea cut hard back laat
June, planted out in an open snnny border, lifted and potted in Sep-
tember, placed on the the north side of a fence (o get established a
little, and housed before sharp frost was expected. Cuttings struck
in spring and planted out will make good-sized bushes in one season,
but do not, of course, make such dense, well furnished specimens as
older plants that have been well pruned in and planted out about
June.— E. H.

TilE YELLOW TORENIA ( T . BAILLCNI.)

Feb. 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

123

PROPAGATING.

Pernettya mucronata.— This beautiful American flowering
and fruiting shrub may be increased by means of cuttings,
prepared as shown in the accompany-
ing woodcut, and inserted in April and
May. The soil, which should consist
of equal parts yellow loam and peat, and
a fair sprinkling of silver sand should
be well mixed together and sifted some-
what finely. Select a spot on a sunny
border, place thereon handglasses or a
small frame, and fill them with the soil
just mentioned to the depth of 4 in. or
5 in., pressing it down rather firmly.
Then put a little sand on the top, give a
slight sprinkling of water, and insert the
cuttings, fixing them in firmly. Then
give a good watering to settle them in
their places, and cover them up, keeping
them close for the first three weeks till
they begin to callus, when the glass top
may be removed occasionally for an hour
or two each morning if not frosty. They
will be ready, if all has gone well, for pot -
ting off about the end of August. H. H.

Cutting oE Perne.tya mucronata.-

SPUING PROPAGATION PROil SEED.
While many kinds o£ bedding plants are propagated by means
of cuttiags in spring, many also are raised from seed, and the
time has now arrived when such must have attention. Where
there are only small quantities of plants wanted from seed, a
pinch of such as Lobelia, Pyrethrum, &a., sown iu a small box
or 8-in. pot, will generally be sufficient, but where large num-
bers are wanted the best way of raising them is to sow the
seeds oa hotbeds. This is the plan which we mostly adopt,
and it answers capitally. Some of the frames for our hotbeds
are 8 ft. by 6 ft., while others are only half that size. The
hotbeds, which consist of about equal parts of long manure
and leaves, are built up firmly to 3 ft, high at the back and A ft.
in front. On this the frame is placed, and then soil suitable to
the requirements of the seed to be sown is spread all over the
inside of the frame to a depth of 6 in. This is made firm and
smooth on the surface, and then the seeds are sown, after-
wards shaking a little soil over them through a fine sieve.
One of the largest sized frames sown in this manner with
Lobelia, Pyrethrum, Stocks, Phlox Drummondi, Tagetes, Ver-
bena venosa, or similar bedding plants, contain many hundreds
of seedlings, and when the seed is good and not sown too thickly
the majority may be kept in the frame till bedding out time has
arrived. Air is admitted by degrees as the plants grow and
the weather becomes mild, and, in April, according to the
weather, the lights may be taken off altogether. Those who
have only one frame may sow many seeds in it, making a little
patch of each. The seeds germinate much more freely treated
in this way than in pots, (vhere there is always danger of their
becoming dry, and thereby being severely checked. The
plants, too, grow much better, when young, in frames than in
pots, and the labour saved in not having to shift them is great,
not to speak of the space left vacant in other houses, owing
to not having to accommodate such plants. We find a mixture
of fine loam, old Mushroom manure, or leaf-mould, well
decayed, with a little river sand, to be a good mixture in which
to sow all kinds of small seeds, as the latter not only germi-
nate freely in it, but the young plants grow well in it after-
wards. In propagating by means of seeds, as many do, in pots,
it is necessary that the pots should, in the first place, be well
drained, and it is not good to use them smaller than 6 in. in
diameter. When less than this the soil in them becomes so
soon dry that the young seedlings may receive a check at any
hour. Pans about 4 in. deep, and 1 ft. or more in width, are
also used for seed sowing, and very useful they are tor the
purpose. Like pots, they must be well drained, and over the

drainage should be placed a layer of Moss, or some rough
material, before filling in the soil. Rough material may be
put at the bottom, but it is necessary that fine soil should be
on the top in which the seed is sown. To prevent the soil
from becoming quickly dry it should bo pressed very firmly,
and, in order to insure quick germination, the pots may be
plunged in a slight bottom heat. Failing this, let them be set
in a warm house, with the mouth of the pot covered over with
a piece of 'glass. In sowing seeds in pots as the spring
advances, it is a good plan to put a sheet of paper over the
glass until the young plants are through the soil. Primulas
are as much benefited by this as anything which we have
tried. In raising plants from seed in small pots, it very
often happens that they are allowed to grow into a close mass
before they are thinned out or transplanted. This ruins many
by drawing them up with long stems, and checks them severely
when planted singly by themselves. To avoid this, and to
secure sturdy young plants from the first, at least one-half of
the young plants should be carefully drawn out as soon as they
are large enough to be handled and planted at a suitable dis-
tance apart in pots, boxes, or frames. Fifty plants of this
kind will be worth 200 close-grown ones at planting out time.
All seeds from which flower garden plants are expected should
be sown about the beginning of February. This also applies
to Stocks and Asters, as these are very often sown too late to
give them a fair chance of blooming fully before being cut off
by frost in autumn. Early vegetables, as wellas flower seeds may
all be advantageously propagated in the same way. For Cauli-
flowers, Celery, Leeks, Radishes, Carrots, &c., nothing sur-
passes the hotbed and frame. When seedlings which have to
be planted in the open ground are raised in pots, plant them
on a hotbed as soon as they are large enough to handle, as they
willjgrow more freely there than anywhere else ; besides, when
in a frame they are always near the glass ; conseijuently, they
can be grown dwarf, and as air can be freely admitted at any
time or in any quantity, they may be planted out at any time
desired. Cambriax.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Indoor Plant Department.
Brugmansias. — Where large greenhouseB or conservatories exist,
these stately, free-flowering Bubjects are most effective, few plants
being more imposing than they are when well farniahed with large
trumpet- shaped flowers. In no way hare they a better appearance
than when grown as standards on sterna 4 ft. or 5 ft. in height.
Where there are plants of these, if not already of this shape, they
can easily be trained to it by cutting the side brancbea away and
reducing the head to the form required ; if placed in a newly-started
Vinery or Peach honae, where they will get a moderate amount of
warmth, they will break freely, after which they can be shaken out,
repotted, ]and grown on preparatory to baing turned out-of-doors for
a time in the summer.

Clianthuses. — C. Dimpieri is seldom seen, yet it ia one of the
moat distinct and gorgeoua greenhouse plants in existence, and no doubt
would be more generally cultivated, were it not that it refuses to
grow under the treatment with which the majority of other subjects
succeed. Plants, raised from seed last summer, now in single pots,
should have a good light position, with a temperature of 40° or 45°
by night, to encourage both top and root growth, so that they may be
in good condition early in spring for having one shift given them, a
system by which alone I have found them to succeed well. 0. punioeus
and C. magnifioua, which some growers prefer, nnlike the first named,
can be kept on for a number of yeara. Examples that bloomed last
summer should now be cut back more or lesa according to the size
they have attained, and that which it is deemed requisite to grow
them to; if at the same time they are syringed freely with a solution
of Giahurst, it will destroy any fugitive red spiders, or their eggs,
that may happen to be upon them. It may, perhaps, not be gene-
rally known, that C. magnificus ia one of the beat and moat diatinct
plants for cultivating in a window, if the simple precaution be taken
of syringing it freely with clean water every week or ten davs to
keep it free from spider.

Mitraria coccinea. — This handsome old-fashioned plant has
much to recocnmend it, although never clothed so profusely with
flowers as some of the more ordinarily grown subjects, yet the length
of time that it produces its glowing mitre-shaped bloour.s, corapen.

]24

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879.

Bates for want of profusion at any one time. It is equally adapted
for either large or small houses. Plants that have flowered throngh
the aatumn, should now be cut back and kept a little oloae, so aa to
induce them to break previous to repotting ; the young shoots, when
a few inches long, will be suitable for propagation.

Swainsonas. — Where these are grown to clothe a pillar in a
greenhouse, for which purpose they are well adapted, they should
now have their branches shortened back at different heights to cause
their breaking in a way that will furnish them with healthy young
flowering shoots from the base upwards. When grown as trained
pot specimens they will require cutting in a like manner.

Coronilla glauca. — Young plants of this struck from cuttings
last year should, in common with other young stock of a similar
character, be kept a few degrees warmer than an ordinary green,
house, stopping the leading shoots to get them to break in a way
that will secure a bushy habit. Where a few of such things as the
above are grown they will give little more trouble than the more
usually met with subjects, and they at once elevate the greenhouse
above the level of simply being a receptacle for a few families of the
commonest plants.

Hovea Celsi. — This most beautiful of Pea-blossomed subjects,
with its unsurpassed purplish-blue flowers, is one of the very best
plants for training on an end wall in a corner, or up a pillar of a
greenhouse, where it can be left to assume its naturally erect habit
without stopping or headingtdown. Young, healthy trade plants that
have cot been so long conflned in the pots as to stunt the roots, if
procured now, and kept for a few weeks in the greenhouse, will ba
in a condition for moving onwards. I may here remark that young,
hardwooded plants, the propagation of which is ordinarily left to
those who grow for sale, where required, should be got in without
delay, as doing this before growth commences, will enable their
being potted sufliciectly early to permit of a full season's growth
being made, by which means the breakage and injury to young,
tender shoots, and also loss of time, are avoided.

Old fuchsias.— Young plants of these are much more effective
than old ones, unless the latter are very differently managed from the
way they are mostly seen, for, in cutting back the old stems, the
knife is frequently not used freely enough, whereby the young
growth that is formed is with difficulty made to hide the old, bare
wood. Another cause why old Fuchsias do not break in a manner
to furnish them sufficiently, is the bad usage they often receive
by thrusting them under stages, or in any out-of-the-way place,
during tha winter ; such treatment, to prevent their keeping on grow-
ing, necessitates the total withholding of water, by which means
all but a few of the thickest roots perish, the result being that
when top growth commences there is not enough root power to sup.
port it. Plants that have been treated in this way, and which,
through the absence of any young ones struck last summer, must
needs be fallen back on, I should advise to be cut down much lower
than they usually are, say to within 12 in. or less of the collar, placing
them in a genial, growing temperature, but previous to that see
that the soil is fairly moistened.

Fuchsias from Last Year's Struck Cuttings.— Where the
course is followed of annually striking cuttings about August and
keeping them growing on slowly through the winter, though they
may not bloom quite so early aa the old plants, yet they will be
much fairer to look upon when they do flower ; but there is one
point in their cultivation not to be lost sight of, that is, they must
always have more root room given them before they get pot-bound.
as this has a direct tendency to induce a hard condition of the woodj
which will have a greater disposition to bloom than to attain the
requisite size before flowering commences ; consequently, they should
now be examined, and, if necessary, at once moved into larger pots,
using good loam made tolerably rich and not too much sand in it,
pottmg them so as to make the whole mass pretty firm, which will
have the effect of producing shorter-jointed wood than that which
results from the soil being left comparatively loose and open in the
pots. Keep them close to the glass where they will be fully exposed
to all available light, in a temperature of from 45° to 50° in the
night and proportionately higher by day, according to the state of
the weather, stopping the shoots as occasion requires. One stake to
the leading growth will be sufficient, as a well.managed Fuchsia,
grown in the usual pyramidal style, does not need more than this.

Berry-bearing Solanums.— Where the pseudo-capsicum va.
riety of these plants is grown from seed of even a good atrain, a few
will be found very much superior in their general habit and the
freedom with which they produce their fruit, and if these are selected
alone to propagate from, the stock will be more satisfactory. If
plants have not already been struck, no time should now be lost in

getting them in, otherwise they have not time to attain a useful size
so as to enable their oail'ying a full crop of berries ; they will root
in a few weeks in a moderate heat. Where they are to be grown from
seeds this should now be sown and every means taken to get them
on without delay. Plants of last year, or older, that ripened their
berries earliest in autumn and have now got shabby, should at once
be cut in freely and placed where they will receive the temperature
of an ordinary greenhouse, as they are no better for being stimulated
by heat. If they are well managed through the summer, either by
shaking them out, repotting, and growing on in the pots plunged,
out-of-doors, or, still better, planted out, provided this is done early
enough to get them on into bloom, they will set a crop of fruit that
will get fully ripe and coloured soon in the autuu.n. Standard ex-
amples grown on stems from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in height are very effective
amongst other things. The favour which this Solanum has found
has, with many growers, thrown the old S. capsicastrum into the
shade, yet the latter is a more elegant plant and quite as deser.
ving of cultivation as the ereot.habited kind. It will succeed treated
similarly in every way.

Callas.— Plants of these that were forced into flower to come in
at Christmas, should, where so large as to require it, now be divided,
placing the crowns one in a pot, as in no way do they look so well, or
are so useful as grown singly. By dividing them thus early, and
putting them where they can at once commence growth, the strongest
ought to be in a condition to bloom correspondingly soon next au.
tumn. — T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — The frost has not yet given way sufficiently to allow
of any development on the part of the plants. If a good rest be
beneficial to them it has certainly been obtained this year. The
outer leaves continue to decay, and it has not been easy to get at the
plants to remove. As soon, however, as the frost gives way, tha
whole should be overhauled, and the surface soil removed, to ba
replaced with the rich compost previously recommended. A Lanca-
shire grower, writing a week or two ago, is puzzled to know why I
recommend protecting the plants from frost so early in the year.
The only reason I can give is the exceptionally severe winter.
Until this year ours have never been covered until after they were
top-dressed in February ; when I found the leaves thickly crusted
with frosty particles, and ascertained that this could be prevented by
placing mats over the glass it was done. The grower in question
found that the leaves of his plants were dry when tha ventilators
were open night and day, but he does not approve of allowing the
keen, frosty wind to blow upon the plants. Still watch for insect
pesta, as they do more mischief this and next month than at any
other season.

Carnations and Picotees. — Eead up what was stated last
week concerning these, and see that aphides are destroyed by fumi-
gating. Admit plenty of air whenever the weather is favourable,
sometimes even removing the lights entirely. Perpetual-flowering
Carnations and yellow ground Picotees, such as Prince of Orange,
Oscar, and Ascot Yellow, should now be propagated by slipping off
the small side growths, and inserting them in 5. in. pots in light
sandy soil. The pots should be placed in a propagating house or
hot.bed.

Dahlias.— Refer to last week's remarks concerning preparations
for propagating. If there be no other convenience for this than the
ordinary garden frames, some fermenting material must be prepared
for that purpose '.without delay. Many have no choice, and can only
obtain stable manure. This is certain to heat, and that violently,
but it does not last long. I have obtained a steadier heat from worth.
less Tussock Grass cut from a wet meadow and mixing it with
the manure. The best material is leaves and manure in equal pro.
portions ; the whole ought to be thrown into a heap and turned over
twice, viz., six days after the heap was formed, and six days after it-
was turned. In a few days more the bed may be made between 3 ft.
and 4 ft. high. Put in about 6 in. of leaf.monld or Cocoa. nut fibre
refuse, and the frame will be ready to receive all sorts of cuttings.

Hollyhocks. — Cuttings or root-grafts may also be propagated on
a hotbed such as that described ; they must be taken from tha plants
as soon as they are ready for removal. Exhibitors need not be told
to get beds or borders prepared for their reception by trenching, for
this has no doubt been done long ago, and the soil will have been
tempered by exposure to the winter's frost. If such work has not
been done see to it as soon as the frost breaka up.

Pansies. — Those in pots in well sheltered positions and in frames
protected by mats are beginning to make some progress, and they
would make good progress it we could get a glimpse of sunshine for
an hour or two each day, but near London this has not been the case.

Feb. 8, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

125

If the plants be not yet in their flowering pota see that that ia so at
once. Those that have been potted must be kept fairly moist at the
roots.

Frimula cortusoides amoena — The sight of the tender young
leaves of this beaatiful Primrose, with their accompanying flower
trasses in conrse of development, is most satisfactory to the cnlti-
vator. It the plants are in frames see that they do not suffer from
want of water, and it is desirable not to allow frost to reach them.
If the plants be in the greenhouse see that red spider does not attack
the leaves.

Tulipa. — When the frost breaks np these will most likely develop
rapidly. At present most of them have their heads hid under,
ground. Oar rainfall last year was but 29 in ; daring some seasons
it is not over 21 in. In districts where this amount is doubled, or
nearly so, some sort of covering is necessary to throw off such an
excess of wet. If this has not been done many bulbs will suffer
owing to their not starting rapidly enough. Under such circum-
stances the value of beds raised 9 in. or so above the surface, also
deeply trenched and well drained, will be apparent. Those who
have old frame lights to spare will find that they answer better than
anything else for throwing off wet. — J. Douglas.

Public Parks and Open Spaces.

Borders which contain herbaceous plants must at this season be
carefully looked over, otherwise many which are making underground
growth, being tender, are liable to attacks from slugs and other
insects. A light dressing of salt, soot, gas ashes, or even common
farnace ashes, will be found very beneficial in preventing injury. As
a rule herbaceous borders are out of place round shrubberies and
plantations, the shrubs iu which, if judioionsly planted, should be
allowed to form the outline. Nothing can be more in conformity
with a natural landscape than the easy sweep of many of our ever-
green shrubs when allowed to form themselves to the turf, resting
upon it, as it were. A herbaceous border may with propriety be
placed by the side of roadways where a belt of trees and shrubs
has been planted to shut out buildings or other objectionable fea-
tures; the border should be ample, not less than 10 ft. to 15 ft. in
width, and composed of rich materials, as, where trees and shrubs are
growing near, the soil is rapidly impoverished. The frost and cutting
winds will have injured many shrubs more or less; it will, however,
be better to wait until the end of the month before any attempt is
made to prune away injured portions. Those who contemplate
planting trees on street margins should do so before the end of this
month. Lawns will require especial attention daring this month ; they
should be well rolled on every favourable opportunity, in order that
the soil may be kept tightly to the roots, every frost having a ten.
dency to raise the surface. Should Moss exist in the Grass, which
as a rale denotes bad drainage, it is well to thoroughly rake over the
surface, uprooting the Moss, and then sweeping it off with brooms
nearly worn out. A mixture of fine lawn Gras^ seeds should then be
sown, and a fair sprinkling of rich soil, sifted fine, thrown over the
surface. Seed should be sown at the rate of one to three bushels per
acre, according to the state of the plot treated it must then be
brush-harrowed, and firmly rolled down. Much benefit will be the
result if this work be well done. In all populous towns this is an
annual operation, inasmuch as the state of the atmosphere is very
destructive to Grass. As soon as the Grass shows signs of growth,
the mowing machine or scythe should be brought into use ; this if
done as early as possible and at least once a week, will improve the
Grass. A mixture of soot, salt, and lime spread over the surface at
this season, will do much to deepen the colour of the Grass and
destroy many injurious insects. In towns where it is desired to have
an early display of certain varieties of annuals, it is necessary to sow
Bome seeds in pots, and place them in cold frames plunged in coal
ashes or similar material ; in this way the smoky, damp atmosphere
and also the ravages of birds may be successfully combatted,
as when the seedlings are strong enough to withstand these
baneful influences, they are transplanted into the open
ground ; seeds of the more hardy varieties may also be sown
out-of-doors towards the end of the month. Should any
plants of perennials remain in the nursery beds, they should
be planted out on the first favourable opportunity ; thus Acan-
thnses, Fennels, Geums, Sweetwilliams, &c., may be transplanted very
saocesafuUy. Walks and roads upon which weeds have been trouble-
some daring the preceding summer, should be lightly broken up with
a pick, and the surface which will be found to consist principally of
soil and decayed weeds, should be raked off. A thin coat of fine
gravel spread over the surface will, when rolled, give them a clean
and fresh appearance ; if, before the gravel is put on, a sprinklng of
salt or a good watering with carbolic acid and water, one of the
former to ten of the latter be given, it will very much assist in pre-

venting the growth of weeds during the year. Care must be taken,
however, that neither salt nor solution is applied near Box, turf, or
other growing edgings. Tar-paved walks are free from these objec-
tions, and are well worth a trial. The month of February will afford
an excellent opportunity for clearing out any accumulations which
exist in lakes. If the water can be easily run off, the mud will soon
be in a condition fit to be wheeled out in barrows. A little lime
thrown over the surface will prevent any disagreeable exhalations ;
should there be any signs of leakage in banks or bottom, clay puddle,
concrete, or other suitable material, should be used as a preventive. —
Charles Dennis, Southwark Park.

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

PINUS LA.RICIO.
I AM not sure that Mr. Baines (p. 106) is right in concluding that
prejudice is the only reason why Pinus Laricio (the Coraioan Pine)
has not been planted more extensively in this island. I have had a
short experience of the tree, having commenced planting in 1868,
when I set to work to learn the history of all the trees enumerated
in nursery gardeners' catalogues. The splendid specimen of Pinus
Laricio at Kew had attracted my notice, and as I read that the tree
produces valuable timber, that it is proof against the attacks of rab-
bits, that it is quite hardy in all situations, of very rapid growth, and
handsome robust habit, I determined to include it in my planting. I
have planted several hundreds in various situations in the last ten
years, and am glad for the benefit of others to give my experience.
The statements about hardiness and rapidity of growth are quite cor.
reot. P. Laricio grows faster than any other Conifer I have tried,
including Abies Douglasi, and Wellingtonia gigautea ; its average
annual increase in height has been more than 2i ft. The statement
about its being proof against the attacks of rabbits must be received
with some limitation ; rabbits do not like its bark or leaves so well
as those of njost other Conifers, and will only attack it when hard
pressed. It is carious to see how much they prefer the closely allied
species P. auatriaca. In my experience I have found only three
plants quite proof against rabbits ; viz., the Rhododendron, the Tew,
and the Box. But there are objections to P. Laricio which I mns^
now mention. First, it is diffioult to establish. Those bought from
nursery gardens, if of a auffiaient size for planting out, generally die
after transplanting. I bought several lots from different nurseries, of
which hardly one survives. I then bought a two-year-old lot in a
seed-bed containing several thousand, moved them to my own nursery,
and though a large proportion died I saved enough for a good
stock. By transplanting them every year I found I could do well
with them, but not otherwise. It left unmoved for two years,
they make a large top.bearing shoot, and will not move well.
Their root is small, weak, and shallow in proportion to their upward
growth, and this is the cause of another, the most serious objection
of all. Of those I have planted in various spots, half have been
blown down when they reached a height of from 15 ft. to 20 ft. ; it is
a tree, therefore, which will not do in any place exposed to high winds.
If planted in a mixed plantation it outgrows its neighbours, and,
having halt smothered them, completes their destruction by falling
upon them. I am told, however, that this rapidity of growth ceases
after a few years, and that at the age of twenty or thirty P. Liricio
is often passed by Scotch Fir of the same age. I have also heard that
it was planted to some extent when first introduced, about the middle
of last century, and found to be a failure. I should like to obtain more
information on these points. Have any of your readers seen a planta-
tion of P. Laricio thirty or forty years old ? and, it they have, how
does it compare with Scotch Pine in the same neighbourhood.

Edge Hall, Malpas. C. W. DoD.

In many situations Pinus Laricio beats the Scotch Fir. The

latter is also one of the most useful of trees, far preferable to Larch,
which is now so subject to disease as hardly to be worth planting.
The Pinus Laricio, as a rule, also escapes the ravages of rabbits ; this
renders it still more valuable in exposed localities. I have recently
seen some beautiful plantations of this Pinus planted from seven to
ten years ago. It grows very fast, and is one of the handsomest, as
well as one of the most useful of all the Firs.— D. T. Fish.

Facts about the Japanesa Persimmon.— The Japanese
Persimmon is a dark-stemmed tree with large glossy leaves. It
seems to somewhat resemble, in its method of growth, an Anglers
Quince tree, but the leaves are larger, and the tree is handsomer. It
buds and grafts readily. The fruit is produced on the new wood of
spring growth, blossoms appearing in April, the trait not being fit to

12(5

THE GAKDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1379.

gather until after the leaves fall. The frait is not usually good until
it has lain in the dark for some months, and has become soft. The
trees are hard to transplant, nnlesa great care is taken. It appears
probable that the Persimmon prefers a rather moist location. It
promises to be an immense bearer. One orchard of 1,200 trees,
planted for market, lies near San Jose. — C. H. Sni.VN in " Couctry
Oentleman."

WINTBR-BLOOMIMG HA.RDY SHRUBS.

Chitaonanthus graadiflorua.— This most fragrant and free
blooming of all winter-flowering hardy shrubs is now about at its
best in a rather sheltered corner of my walled. in kitchen garden,
and is most useful for cutting from now that there is such a scarcity
of any kind of flowers, and its blooms last many days in perfection
in water after they have been taken from the tree. This large-
flowered variety of the better known and much more generally grown
ordinary Chimonanthus (or, as some still call it, Calycanthus prsooox)
is in every respect superior to it, and much to be preferred to it, as,
in addition to the individual blooms being very much larger in size,
they are also much brighter, being deep straw coloured, whereas
those of the ordinary variety are only dull white, of a somewhat
<3ingy hue. It is also a very raucli more abundant bloomer, an almost
equally large bush at the opposite corner of my garden of the com.
mon variety having only an odd bloom here and there scattered over
it, whereas the large. flowered kind ia literally covered with bloom
from top to bottom. The perfume much reEembles that of a
Jonquil.

Hamamelis Zaooariniana. — In addition to the curious and
pretty Hamamelis arborea mentioned (p. 101) by Mr. Ewbank (and
which is also now in bloom with me) there is another variety of this
curious family, H. Zuocariniana, which is, I thiuk, even more pro.
fase-blooming than the first-named variety, though somewhat later
in opening its blossoms, which are also slightly smaller in size and of
only one colour, pure golden yellow, being without the internal
olaret-coloured cup possessed by the flowers of H. arborea. In about
a week's time from this my plant of H. Zaccariniana will be covered
with its tiny, golden, starry blossoms. I may add that it is to be
obtained from the same prolific source from which Mr. Ewbank
obtained his plant. W. E. Gumbleton.

BATE OF GROWTH AND QUALITY OF TIMBER.
This question is now getting, as discussions of a similar nature often
do, obscured through importation into it of a good deal of irrelevant
matter. " C." says " I surely do not mean to assert that the trees,
•whether exotic or otherwise, which are grown for timber in thiscoun.
try, are governed by different laws from those to which they are subject
elsewhere." If in this " C." means to say, and his words admit of no
other interpretation, that the nature of the wood of a tree, in other
words, its quality, is not influenced by the soil and climate — country
if yon will — in which it is grown, he makes an assertion that will
flurprise moat people practically conversant with timber. Moat em.
phatically do I say that the quality of wood, and to a very great extent,
is influenced by soil and climate. Further, in mentioning the con.
etituent parts of which timber, like other vegetable matter, is com.
posed, " C." falls into another error which points to his deduotiona
being drawn from theory alone. He speaks of the fibro-vasoular
tissurea aa being strong and endurable, of which any one acquainted
with the subject, even remotely, is aware. Bat does " C." mean to
make out that the strength and endurance of all vegetable sub-
stances are alike in proportion to the quantity of this fibre present ?
It is just such mistaken conclusions as this upon which nine,
tenths of the fallacious theories rest that are thrust upon the world,
and which are expected to be taken unchallenged. I have, through a
tolerably lengthened acquaintance with the growth and uses of a con.
siderable number of plants from timber trees down to things of much
smaller growth, been pleased to find the hypothesis of the physiologist,
an accordancewith the results of actual experieuce,but I have very often
found them far from being so, and in nothing so much aa in the aa.
snmed and real qualities of many kinds of timber. The extreme cases
mentioned by " C " of the difference existing in the strength of the
wood of different trees of the same species — produced on the one
hand under free, healthy conditions of growth, and on the other re.
suiting from a stunted, unhealthy state — have,* as any impartial
observer can see, nothing to do with the question. T. Baixes.

position in front of a large group of shrubs. From a small branch,
thickly aet with berries, I saved the seed, and raised in pans in a
garden frame a large number of seedlings, many of which are now
good.siied plants. These, even when small plants in nursery beds,
fruited freely. We use them for foreground plants in clumps
or groups of shrubs, and with good effect. These Pernettyas
hive a tendency to make shoots yearly upwards of 2 ft. long ; these
should be shortened back so aa to induce a thick, dwarf growth, on
which the berries are most freely produced. The plants require pro-
tection from hares and rabbits, which are very fond of them. Gal-
vanised wire netting placed round theai answers that purpose until
the plants are sufficiently large to stand uninjured. They grow very
freely here in light loam, and throw np quantities of suckers from
which plants may be reared. These Pernettyas are very useful for
furnishing cut flowers in spring and in winter; the berries are suit-
able for ornamenting vases, that is, if protected from birds with a
piece of n3tting. Varieties which grow very freely and strongly
have never produced a berry here, although in the same ground and
under exactly the same treatment; much, therefore, depends upon
having the true variety of P. mucronata. It is perfectly hardy,
hiving withstood the winters of 1860 and 1866, and the late hard
weather quite uninjured. — J. G.^rland, Killertoii, Exeter,

HARDINESS OF THE HYDRANGEA.
I Ti^AS just going to criticise " a Retired Gardener's" remarks under
this title (p. 42), but on reading them through I find they come to the
8?.me concluaion which I have long reached ; viz., that the Hydrangea
is not hardy except in the southern counties. It will certainly live
out-of-doors, but it will neither thrive nor Bower to any useful pur.
pose. Such at least ia ray experience with it in Eist Anglia ; I have
even tried pi'otecting it, but to no good purpose. Your correspondent
is quite right about Devonshire being the place for Hydrangeas,
huge bushes of it rising to the sizs and importance of shrubs, some
flowering blue, others pink, have a magnificent effect in beds, borders,
or in front of shrubberies. But the place for Hydrangeas in most
other parts of the kingdom, is the cool conservatory or window gar-
den. Plants in 8 in. pots with half-a-dozen large blooms, are highly
ornamental ; but, perbapa, amall single-stemmed planta are even more
beautiful. A good way of preparing theae, is to insert cuttings of
the strongest roots ei'her in the autumn or early spring. They root
very aoon in a gentle heat, when they ahould be shifted into a 6 in. pot,
naing equal parts of loam and well rotted manure. Place them close
to the light so aa to keep strong and sturdy, aa well aa dwarf. Plants
so treated and never allowed to flag, will throw enormous tresses of
bloom almost covering the leaves, and look remarkably well. To in-
sure blue flowers, obtain soil, either peat or loan, from a district
which changes the flower to that colour. The use of steel filings or the
iron sparks from a blacksmith's anvil mixed freely in the soil, will
sometimes change the flower to a blue colour and sometimes not.

D. T. Fish.

The Gladwya v. Holly Berries. — The Holly being rather an
uncertain fruiting plant, I would recommend all those who require
berries for purpoaea of decoration at certain timea of the year to
plant the Gladwyn (Iria fsetidissima). This, once established, will
take care of itself, and never fail to produce beautiful pods filled with
coral-like berries that are always acceptable. Although, like many
other plants, it does beat in a good situation, yet it will make,^itBelt
at'home anywhere in shrubberies where it can get light and air. The
seeds do not vegetate the first season'; therefore it is beat to sow them
where they will not be disturbed and 'the plants will come up in
abundance the next spring. In some localitiea it grows wild, and
both plants and seeds are plentiful. When past its best for decora,
ting purposes, I scatter the seeds in the shrubberies, where we get
plants by the hundred. Rabbits Iwill eat them in their young state,
but not after they have become well established. — W. Divers,
WieHjii.

Pernettya mucronata in Devonshire.— When I took charge
of the gardens here, twenty-one years ago, we had only one plant of
this beautiful shrub, which has annually had its branches heavily
5alen with berries. It is now 6 ft. high, and occupies a terminal

Nursery and Seed Association. — We have received from
Mr. Charles Lee, the Treasurer, the second annual report of the Com-
mittee of Management of this Association, the objeota of which are
to protect and promote the business of nurserymen, florists, and
seedsmen in the United Kingdom and abroad ; to collect and dia.
aeminate information calculated to protect the membera of the Asso.
elation from fraud ; to arrange for the speedy and economical colleo.
tion of debts due to members; the establishment of unity amongat
those interested in the welfare of the nursery and seed trade ; the
encouragement of the interchange of opinions on questions of im-
portance relating to such trade ; the doing of all such things as may
be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects,
and all such objects as may from time to time be determined by the
Association.

Feb. 8, lB7a.]

THE GARDEN.

127

THE I N D OOR GARDEN.

TOBIN'S SYSTEM OF VENTILITIO:^.
From what I have seen of this system as applied to dwelling-
houses, I do not see the least dilHjully in applj'ing it to hot-
houses for winter ventilation ; I am afraid it would not be
sufficient in summer. The plan surpasses any other yet tried
of admitting air without injury to the inmates of the structure,
and has proved a complete success in houses and public build-
ings where it has been adopted. The idea, I am informed, wag
suggested to the discoverer in the following way, which will
give one as good a notion of the principle of the system, as any
description that could be furnished. Mr. Tobin was watching
A strong stream of water, from a pipe, running straight into a
tank at one end, and observed that the current from the pipe
did not mix with the water of the tank on entering, but rushed
•direct towards the other end, against which it struck and then
spead out right and left, with decreased force, and gradually
flowed back along the sides of the tank to the end where it
had entered, but with scarcely any perceptible disturbance of
the water; many a one must have noticed the same thing.
The tank represents the room to be ventilated ; the end where
the water enters the floor, and the opposite end the ceiling.
If we suppose that the pipe carried half or two-thirds of the
way up the tank, instead of terminating at the end where it
enters, we have the Tobin system complete. In a hothouse
the usual top ventilators would remain closed, and the fresh
air would be delivered above the tops of the plants or a little
below the roof, and would gradually descend to the floor among
the plants. Exactly the same thing takes place when a smok-
ing-pan is set down on the floor of a hothouse, and the top
shutters are closed. The smoke ascends in a straight column
to the roof, and then rolls down the side of the house till the
latter is filled to the floor. The Tobin system might be ap-
plied to hothouses — particularly span roofed structures — with
the greatest ease, and the expense of adopting it would hardly
be worth mentioning : simple methods of applying it will sug-
gest themselves to any one

Speaking of ventilation generally I am of opinion that the
evils attributed to our present methods of ventilating are
greatly exaggerated. In plant houses where the plants stand
close to the side ventilators, it is necessary to exercise care in
opening them in cold weather, but that is seldom or never ne-
cessary, as a little air at the apex of the roof will generally be
found sufficient, and ventilation can be given there during the
coldest weather without injury to the inmates, as is demon-
strated by every-day experience. As to the evils that are said
to have been wrought in fruit houses by the present system
of giving air at the lowest and highest points of the houses,
particularly front air, I must say I never bad any experience
of them, and I doubt if any other system will be devised that
will meet the end in view so well, all things considered. As
to front air it may appear heterodoxical to assert that admit-
ting air at the front of the house is safer, even in cold weather,
than admitting it at the top; but I believe that is so myself,
and I have acted on that belief for many years, and found it to
be the best plan. Muscat Vines, when in flower and just at
the setting period, are considered about as sensitive subjects
as any that one has to deal with, but I should be perfectly
willing to let any one regulate the ventilation by the front
shutters during the_ whole of the season without fear of
rusty berries, bad setting, or any other mishap. One practice
in all our fruit houses is to open the too ventilators an inch or
so, and afterwards regulate the temperature by the front shut-
ters ; that is when ventilation becomes necessary, for I do not
believe in creating the necessity by giving too much fire-beat.
Still, in such cold, dull weather as we are experiencing just
now we fire up sufficiently to enable us to admit a little air.

J. S. W.

bottom: HEAT.
Mbi. Simpson does not take the uaual coarse of directing his objeo-
tions to what I have written oa this subject to the paper in which
the article appeared, where, in its entirety, it could speak for itself.
If Mr. Simpson had a single practical proof to advance in support of
his views, he would not be put to the straits of quoting the Chiswick
records, which, as he knows well, relate to our own country, where
the conditions of earth and air temperature are so different from
those of the countries from which come the plants which we grow
under glasa in heat. When I first began plant growing I read every,
thing I could lay my hands on bearing upon the subject of tempera-
ture in the countries from which the various plants that I cultivated
came, but after shaping my practice in conformity with the theoreti-
cal conclusions held by those who wrote on these matters, I found
that I could grow them very much better by treating them in accord,
ance with what I had proved to be better suited to their require,
ments, the details of which I gave fully in the communication
from which Mr. Simpson quotes, and, moreover, the plants,
not few in number, nor confined to a few families grown under
the exact conditions which I there described, were, for a
considerable number of years, seen by the majority of people con-
nected with gardening pursuits. There they were to give evidence
far more unmistakable than Mr. Simpson's borrowed theories, to
which, during the two years this discussion, in one shape orother,
has extended, he has persistently clung, without an atom of proof to
sustain them more substantial than the untenable doctrine that
because there are some plants from warm latitudes that succeed
better with bottom heat than without it, all, or even the
majority, do so, totally oblivious of the fact that the
habits and requirements of the plants from any given country
are as different often as their external appearances. I may
remind Mr. Simpson that reiterated assertion, however long persisted
in, will never upset an accomplished fact. When I was Mr. Simp.
son's age I suppose I had had about as much expeiience in plant
growing as he has had, and I was as staunch a believer in the use of
bottom heat as he is, but I did not shut my eyes to facts that came
before me, some resulting from accident others from experiments
attentively observed. All I have said on this, as on any other
subject upon which I ever write, I have previously proved in a way
that does not admit of mistake, and in the case of bottom heat not
once, twice, or thrice, but over a series of years, with a large number
of species of plants. A considerable number of the best plant
growers in the kingdom know, from what they saw when they used to
call upon me, that for many years during the latter portion of the
time I was engaged in plant growing none were ever subjected to
bottom heat in any way whatever. Can Mr. Simpson con.
trovert this ? If he can, he will do more to make out his case
than all the theories he can rake up from the writings, or con-
jectures, of other people. In what I have written on the subject,
I have done nothing more than simply state the results of my own
practice, which was already as well known in all its details to many
as it was to myself. There were the facts of the case, and whoever
felt disposed to test them might do so. Had Mr. Simpson done this,
and failed after a fair and impartial trial, the objections which he
has raised would have some show of reason attached to them. What,
soever objection Mr. Simpson might raise against the theory cod.
nected with the subject I have advanced, be cannot ignore the indis-
pntable facts afforded by the plants I so long cnltivated, under
conditions exactly in accordance with what I have written.

T. Baines,

Hardy Primroses under Glass. — For several winters I have
iad colc/ured varieties of garden Primroses in bloom more or less the
whole winter through. Fearing a sharp winter, I lifted a number of
plants and replanted them under glass in a temperature of from 40"
to 45° and they have well repaid the trouble by a fine display of
bloom, while those that are out-of-doors still look as if spring was
jet in the remote future. — J. G., Linion.

PLANT AND FRUIT CULTURE COMBINED.
It is an old saying that plants and fruit cannot be grown well to.
gether, but no assertion could be more incorrect, and the wider it ia
made known that the very opposite is the case the better. In sup-
port of this, perhaps I had better state my own experience in the
matter first. Our Vineries, Pineries, and Peach houses here are con-
tinually full of plants of some kind or other ; neverthelees, they all
succeed admirably, and the fruit crops are all that need be desired.
A succession of plants and flowers for a very large conservatory ia
constantly being obtained from the fruit houses all the year round,
and not only are flowers grown in them, but French Beans in pots,
Strawberries, Ac, and altogether we consider this mode of utilising
houses by far the most profitable. The very last thing we would
think of doing would be keeping our fruit houses free from plants.
Ferns do better under the shade of Vines than elsewhere, snd eo do
all kinds of plants that are newly.potted, especially in early summer.
When shelves are fixed at the back of lean-to houses, about 2 ft. from
the glass, they are extremely useful for putting all kinds of flowering
plants on after they are lifted from the body of the house. In span-
roofed houses a shelf under the central ridge just over the pathway

128

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879

serves the same purpose. Then there is an angle along the front where
the sides join the root that forma a capital place tor a shelf ; in fact,
all who are inclined to grow plants in trait bouses will soon find out
plenty of convenient places in which to pat them, and where this is
done there is not the slightest danger of their health being injured
or anything at all befalling either plants, flowers, or fruits. Allow me
to ask those who think this wrong why plants and frnit should mt
succeed together ? and it instances can be pointed oat in which either
the one or the other failed when grown under skilful management ?
In this way, judging from what I have seen and from what I have
read in The Gakden, I should say that most ot the market gar.
doners about London and elsewhere make a regular practice ot grow,
ing fruit and flowers in the same houses, and it is well known that
these cultivators grow their productions to a state of as great per.
fection as need be desired. Cambrian.

CYPRIPBDIUM INSIGNB MA.ULEI.

This is not one ot the newest, bat it is still one ot the best of the
Cypripediums, as well as one of the dearest priced. I have reasons
for thinking that C. insigne is sometimes grown tor it, but the one
cannot be mistaken for the other by any one acquainted with both ;
Maulei has much the prettier Bower; it is better marked ; bntitsdia.
tinguishing characteristic is the much larger patch of pare white on
the upper petal. It is a very effective plant when well flowered, and
the flowers are also good for cutting for bouquets, or at least vases ot
flowers. Either on the plant or in a cut state they last a very long
time, about three months on the plant. Those who do not grow
Orchids as a speciality, but only such as can be grown well and
easily amongst an ordinary collection of stove or intermediate house
plants, should fiad a place for this Cypripedium. Like most of the
species, it does not fail to grow vigorously and flower freely, unless
absolutely ill-used. Old plants of it divided into pieces with roots
to each will soon furnish a good stock of plants. Some growers
recommend pure fibry peat as a compost for Cypripediums, others
Sphagnum chiefly, but I remember Mr. Parker, of Tooting, telling
ma that they liked a more substantial diet if they were to flower
well, and since then I have potted our plants, different strong-
growing kinds, in good fibry loam, peat, sand, and charcoal, and in
this compost they root and grow with great vigour, and flourish much
better than they did in peat alone. They must, however, have
plenty of drainage, and not be placed in a deep potFul of soil which
becomes inert beueath the plants, as the roots do not enter it but
keep rooting near the surface. J. S. W.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Plants for a Small Greenhouse. — There is a wonderful
variety ot plants that do well in a cold greenhouse. A temperature
ot from 35° to 40° is excellent for winter purposes, e.xcept that in
such a temperature it is not possible to have in midwinter other than
the hardiest and earliest plants in bloom. Roman Hyacinths, Christ-
mas Roses, Primroses, Camellias, Primula deuticulata, &o., will yield
the very earliest bloom in such a temperature, and to these will
follow Chinese Primulas, Cyclamens, Cinerarias, and herbaceous Cal-
ceolarias, all of which will live well in a cool house through the
winter, provided frost be excluded. Genistas, Coronillas, Deutzias,
Dielytraa, and Early Azaleas follow in succession, and furnish an
abundance of bloom. For the summer season the best plants are
show and zonal Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Balsams, Begonias, and
similar plants, all very gay and decorative and easily managed.
These will keep the house gay until antnmn, when Chrysanthemums,
Solanums, &c., might terminate the year. To these an abundance
ot plants can be added, but the dimensions ot a small house are so
limited that it would be useless to suggest, more especially for summer
decoration, where a Vine in foliage will exclude light and render the
cultivation ot plants diSioult. A quantity ot hardy early spring
flowers, such as bloom naturally in the open ground in Marc^ and
April if lifted into pots and placed in such a house early in winter,
will commence to produce bloom much earlier, and prove most valu-
able for decoration before other and tenderer plants have commenced
to flower. A tew Roses in pots brought into the house early will bloom
a month before those out-of-doors. These can be returned to the
open air as soon as the bloom is over. A few tree Carnations in pots
will yield winter bloom, and furnish some fine " button-holes."
Common Auriculas in pots are pretty on a Trout stage, and do ad.
mirably with Chinese Primulas and Cyclamens. The obtaining ot
flower all the year round is difficult to ascomplish without strong
artificial heat, but the plants named above, if properly treated — a

matter, be it understood, ot the first moment tor their welfare — will
give a very long season, although the artificial heat be wanting. —
A. D.

Among Mr. Groom's useful list of conservatory plants (p. 96),

I am rather surprised to find the two Hedychiums, coronarium and
Gardneriannm, and Monstera delioiosa. Had not Camelias, Azaleas,
&c., been named in the same connection, one would have thought
these were meant for the summer furnishing ot the conservatory. Of
course a good deal depends on the temperature. But as not a few
this winter could not keep their conservatories above 40", such plants,
and even the hardier Ficus elastica, would have looked very seedy,
had they been subjected to such a low temperature ; few plants pay
better for a genial warm temperature than the two Hedychiums here
named and the Monstera deliciosa, which deserves a warm house and
a tank to itself, alike for the unique character and beauty of its
leaves, and the high quality of its luscious fruit. D. T. Fish.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

CROPPING KITCHEN GARDENS.
The commencement of a new year is a good time to begin noting
down anything that is worth remembering in ' the daily events
that are constantly occurring in all gardens. Habits of order and
method are fostered by it, and much useful information is gathered
together that will have an influence for good in after life. The
natural conditions of no two gardens are exactly alike ; hence the
necessity for constant thought being brought to bear, especially upon
the cropping of the kitchen garden. A well-supplied kitchen will
often cover mistakes in other directions, but, as a rule, the man who
can supply the kitchen well at all seasons possesses the qualities that
will insure success in other departments, it he only gives due play
to his energies. The great aim ot the kitchen gardener should be
not only to have everything of the best, as regards quality, but to
have all the successional crops meet each other. A superabundance
of the most superior produce at one time will not compensate for a
scarcity at another. In keeping np a regular supply of vegetables
there are two matters especially important ; the first is to bow or
plant the right kinds at the proper seasons for succession, and the
second is to sow or plant just the right quantities. For instance, in
the case ot Cauliflowers, Lettuce, or any other crop that is
apt to bolt prematurely, or, at any rate, is much influenced by
the seasons, sowing little and often should be the rale,
at the same time taking advantage of the various aspects of
the garden to suit the different crops to the varying seasons. There
is no doubt that the majority ot .kitchen gardens are too much
shaded and sheltered by fruit trees. The best vegetables are invari.
ably produced in the large open spaces where the air can freely circa,
late amongst them. A warm sunny spot under a south wall is a
very desirable place for early crops, but the wants in this way are
small in comparison with the requirements ot the whole year. In a
maggot-infested garden there should be no main crop of Carrots,
but, instead, a regular succession of sowing monthly from the forced
crops nnder glass in January till the last sowing ot Early Nantes to
stand the winter in the border in the first week in August, and which
can be sheltered in very severe weather with a sprinkling of dry, loose
litter. Good sweet young Carrots can be had all the year round in
this way, without taking up more laud or costing more than it the
main. crop sowing had been relied on for a good part of the year's
supply ; and even where a clean crop free from maggots can be
grown, the old roots lose flavour before the young forced crop comes
in, and the plan ot sowing small successional crops will be found more
satisfactory. In a less degree the same remarks apply to Onions.
Where the maggots are troublesome the autumn-sown crops gene-
rally escape their attacks, and this fact should lead us, it we have
any doubt of pur soil, to sow at least a good half of the year's supply
at that season. A rough plan of the kitchen garden is a great
advantage in working out the season's work ; it should be drawn to
scale, and the crops now occupying the ground marked on it. The
more a subject is thought over the easier and simpler it becomes,
and if a thing is often present in tha mind fresh lights are constantly
breaking in upon us, and I suppose no one is so perfect in anything
as to escape the necessity for wishing or trying to improve.

E. H.

Early Peas. — In mosc places Peas sown in autumn, unless
covered with glass, will this season be a failure, bat he who takes
time by the forelock will be prepared for this, and there is more than
one way ot filling up such a vacancy. The simplest and, perhaps, on
the whole, the best, is to sow again about the middle ot February as
many Peas in 5-ic. pots as will make good the loss. The pots may

Feb. 8, 18;0.]

THE GARDEN.

129

at first stand under a stage, or in any position where a little warmth
can be afforded them ; but, as soon as the green tops push through the
soil, they should be taVen to a cold pit or frame, and have plenty of
venttlatiou till the weather is suitable for planting them out, which
will generally be about the middle of JIarch. There are warm south
borders in every garden available for the earliest crops, and if they
can be planted near the foot of a south wall they will sustain no
cheek. The planting should be done when the soil is iu a good
mellow condition. The sticks should be placed to the rows at the
same time, and a few Yew or evergreen branches of some kind
should be placed on the windward side to afford shelter. There
are other ways of forwarding early Peas under cover all
more or less useful, such as cutting pieces of sod about
1 ft. long ai:d 6 in. wide, scooping out the soil along the centre, sow.
ing the Peas, and covering with light, rich soil ; then they should be
placed in a frame where there is a little warmth, and, after undergoing
the hardening process, planted out tuif and all, without disturbing
the Peas in the drills in the border ; a ridge of warm, mellow soil
ahonld be drawn to each side of the rows. Early Peas should be
planted rather thick, as it is not often they yield more than one or
two good gatherings, and the second crop comes in so quickly after
them, that they are not required for continuous bearing, even if
they were adapted for it, which they are not. If the roots are
broken or disturbed the crop will not be so good, as Peas do not
transplant well if the roots are broken. I have sometimes trans-
planted them, when quite small, from boxes where they had been
sown thickly, taking them up in little patches, and transferring
them at once to the drills, but I have always found the less the roots
were disturbed tie better the crop turned out. For the earliest crop
there is nothing much better among white Peas than Ringleader.
William the First is a most desirable kind to sow early in the open
ground. — E. II.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE LACKEY MOTH.

(CLISIOCAMPA NEUSTRIA).

This well-knowu and common moth, though very similar ia
its destructive habits to the small ermine moth described in [a
recent cumber of Tue Gabden, belongs to a very different
family (Bombycida, the family of vfhich the silkworm moth is

Clisiocampa (Bombjx) nenatria.

a member). The males of most of the species of this family
are endowed with a peculiar faculty of discoveriug the females,
even though they may be entirely hidden from their sight.
This fact is often taken advantage of by collectors of moths,
who, having obtained a female, carrj' it in a box covered with
gauze to any place where the males are likely to be found, and
if there are any about they are sure to congregate round the
box. It is not kuown by what sense the males are thus directed
to the females, but probably it is by sound or smell, as is the
case with all insects of this order. The Lackey is only in-
jurious to vegetation when in ttie caterpillar state, but in this
state it at times does an immense amount of mischief. It is
a very promiscuous feeder, the leaves of few trees coming
amiss to them; they will even eat the leaves of Fir trees, Oaks,
Elms, Beeches, Poplars, and fruit trees, are, perhaps, their
favourite food, as the caterpillars form a kind of net or web in
which they may be found during the day. The easiest way of
destroying them is by crushing the nests against the boughs
with a stick or pulling them out of the trees and destroying
them. The rings of the eggs may easily be found if carefully
searched for, and should not be merely detached from the trees
and thrown away, but should be destroyed by crushing them
against some hard substance. The cocoons should always be
destroyed when met with. Several kinds of ichneumons are
parasitic on the caterpillars, and are a great assistance in keep-
ing this insect in check. The moths make their appearance
early in July, and, after pairing, the females at once commence

to lay their eggs on a small bough or twig of a tree. This they
do in a very curious and beautiful manner, placing them one
after another close together in a spiral line round the twig. The
spirals are formed close together, so that the eggs in the second
turn touch those in the first ; in this way some 'JOO or 300 eggs
are laid, forming a band round the shoot, composed of from
fifteen to twenty turns of the spiral row of eggs. The inter-
stices are filled up and the band covered with a kind of dark
brown varnish, which becomes so hard when dry, that it is al-
most impossible to remove the eggs without the assistance of
a knife or other instrument. The eggs are thus entirely pro-
tected from the attacks of birds and other natural enemies, and
from the effects of bad weather. The caterpillars are not
hatched until the following spring, in April or May, when the
leaves are beginning to appear on the trees ; they at once be-
gin to form a nest or web of silken threads generally in some
fork among the smaller branches. In this nest they live during
the day, and in bad weather, and from which if disturbed they
immediately let themselves fall by a thread to the ground. At
night they leave the nest, and feed upon the neighbouring
leaves, spinning a thread as thoy go, by which they return to
their shelter at daybreak. As there are often 150 to 200 cater-
pillars thus congregated together, it can easily bo imagined
what an amount of mischief they commit. As they increase

Caterpillar of Clisiocampa (Bombyx) neastiia, cocoon, and commencement
of a band of eegs.

in size they change their skins several times ; when they have
attained their full size, which they generally have by the niid-
die of June, they no longer continue to live together, but dis-
perse, and each searches for a suitable position m which to
undergo the change to the chrysalis state. They generally
select two leaves which happen to be close together, or some
sheltered spot on a wall, paling, or tree- stem, and there spin
their cocoons, within which they become chrysalides ; in this
state they remain until July, when the perfect insects emerge
from the cocoons. The moths though common are compa,ra-
tively seldom seen, as they only fly at night, remaining during
the day hidden among leaves, in hedges. Grass, &c. The males
are generally somewhat smaller than the females ; they measure
from 1 in. to If in. across their fully expanded wings. The an-
tennee of the males are much more deeply toothed than those ot
the females, and their bodies are more slender. The colour
and markings are similar in both sexes. The general colour
of this insect is a pale yellow, or tawny, or reddish yellow. On
each of the four wings are two whitish transverse, somewhat
curved lines, which are not quite parallel, being rather further
apart at the upper margin of the wing than they are at the
lower margin, the spaces between which are of a darker shade
than the remainder of the wing ; the fringes of the wings are
white interrupted by spaces of the general colour of the wings.

130

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879.

The caterpillars, when fi;lly grown, are about li in. iu length ;
they consist of twelve joints, exclusive of the head, the first
three, the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and last joints, each
bear a pair of legs. The head is a l)luish-c;rey with two black
spots ; the body is slightly covered with hairs, down the middle
of the back is a white line, on each side of which are two
reddish, fawn-coloured stripes, separated from one another by
a black stripe ; below the second fawn-coloured stripe, on either
side, is a wider, bluish baud, and, below that, another fawn-
coloured stripe. The chrysalis is dark brown, enclosed in a
thin silken, oval cocoon, sprinkled with a fine white or yellow-
ish powder. S. G. S.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Stove Plants. — Even at this dull season of the year eaoh eac.
cessive visit to the stoves at Kew continues to afford fresh aubjeotsof
interest, amongst which some may fairly lay claim to novelty, whilst
in others we often recognise some old favourite, such as Colamnea
Schiedeana, long ago introduced to gardens, and found growing as
an Epiphyte on trees near Misantla and other districts in Mexico.
It forms a very ornamental object when planted so that it may
attach itself to the trunk of a Tree Fern or any similar support ; in
such a position it attains from 6 ft. to 10 ft. in height. The leaves
are lance-shaped with prominent reddish veins on the under surface ;
it produces a profusion of blossoms, which are similar in size and
form to those of the well-known Rhodochiton volubile, the calyx
being of a deep flesh colour, the long two. lipped corolla deep orange
copiously spotted with red. Than the Mysore Hexacentris (tl.
mysorensis) few climbers are more attractive at this season, and it is
particularly adapted for training to a rafter or on an umbrella-shaped
trellis, as the long pendulous racemes of deep yellow blossoms are
then seen to the beat advantage. It is an evergreen of rapid growth
and very free flowering. The variety here is named lutea. and as in
the type the margins of the petals are of a deep red colour. The
lemon-scented Gardenia (G. citriodora) is a remarkably neat and
desirable shrub, growing about 2 ft. high, with small, daik green
leaves, and literally covered with clusters of pire white blossoms of
the size of a shilling ; they emit a delioioua odour, reminding one of
that of Orange blossoms. A plant of such real merit is surely
entitled to a place in every collection. The South African form of
Crinum ornatum is flowering freely in the Palm. house, and makes a
a noble specimen. It has bold ample foliage and stout Bower stems
that rise 3 ft. high, and are terminated by umbels of lovely large
blossoms 3 in. across, and of a delicate blush tint. One of the finest
Bromeliads is the drooping BiUbergia (B. nutans), a native of Tropical
America, and both novel and striking. Its leaves are from 1 ft. to
li ft. long, narrow and channelled. The flower stems are about
15 in. long, gracefully arching in the upper part, and bearing several
rosy. pink bracts from 2 in. to 3 in. lorg, and pointed. The flowers
are IJ in. long, narrow, of a pea-green colour, edged with deep
purple. Rhipsalis rhombea, a native of Brazil, is a curious member
of the Cactus family, with flattened branches coarsely notched at the
edges, from the sinus of each of which springs a pellucid, star-like
blossom of a pale yellow colour. These being produced in such large
numbers in continuous succession render it well worthy of culture in
the dry part of a stove. R. crispata, from the same country, is very
similar to it, but by no means so tree flowering. A few very hand-
some kinds of Aloe are now enlivening the Cactus house, the most
conspicuous being A. snpralsBvis, which ia several feet in height, with
massive glaucous leaves spreading horizontally, and dense spikes,
15 in. long, of deep orange-coloured blossoms. A. platylepis ia of
similar dimensions, but with ascending leaves and flowers of a lighter
nne. The variety lutea beats handsome yellow flowers. A. depra-
nophylla is very distinct, on account of its decumbent foliage and
short, thick raceme of deep red blossoms. All these are natives of
the Cape region.

Orchids. — Perhaps the handsomest of all the Dendrobes is Den-
drobinm Wardianum, here represented by finely-flowered examples.
It is a very variable kind, for, even in a small number, a few well,
marked forma may be detected differing from each other in the size
of the flowers and clearness in the colour of the markings. Some,
what resembling it in colour ia the fleshy. jointed Dendrobe (D. cras-
sinode), a very remarkable kind, on account of the knotted appearance
of the stems, which sometimes attain 2 ft. in length. Like the last,
it is an abundant bloomer, though the flowers are of smaller size.
D. heterocarpum, though not so showy as either of the foregoing, is,
however, equally desirable, on account of the delightful perfume
exhaled by the blossoms, which are large, and of a pale primrose
colour, with the lip covered with purple, velvety, dense hairs. The
flowers of D. aurenm, as here named, appear to differ from it merely

in being a shade darker in colour. These, on account of their natu-
rally pendulous habit, are admirably suited for basket culture. The
qiiadrangular.stemmed Dendroba (D. tetragonum) is a very singular
kind from Moreton Bay. Its stems are four-angled, and are aboat
1 ft. Ijng, drooping in habit, and terminated by a pair of oval leaves,
from which springs a cluster of spider.like blossoms, with narrow
attenuated segments of a brown and white colour, and a small, re-
curved lip, white and barred with chocolate. Another cool house
Dendrobe is D. japonicum, which has slender stems and flowers about
1 in. acr.ss, of a delicate blush tint, with a blotch of purple at the
base of the small, pointed lip. Masdevallia melauopus is a neat little
species, much in the way of M. polystiota. It flowers in the same
profusion, and, though the blossoms are smaller and of a duller hue,
they are very fragrant. It, moreover, continues many weeks in per.
feet condition. The old Anaellia africana, which iuhabits the western
coast of Africa, and is usually f junl growing on the Oil Palm (Elai*
guineenis), is extremely htndsom'^ with its bold foliage and immense
terminal paniclea of blossoms, yellowish-green in colour, beautifully
banded with rich brown. A small apecimea of an nanmed variety
of it is decidedly superior to the type, having larger fljwers and the
maikings much brighter. W.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Dendrobium lasioglossum.— This is an Orchid rarely seen
bat, nevertheless, it ia one of the prettiest of its class. It ia alendev
in habit, and its blossoms, which are as white as ivory, aud about the
same siz3 as those of the Primrose. cjlourel Ddadrobium lutoolu^,
are produced on slender, graceful stems two or three together.
We lately siw bjth thes"? kin Is just aUai;?! t) ia go^i cjuJitioa ia
Mr. Smith's garden at Wimbledon.

Ficus radicaas.— This makes an excellent p'ant for baskets, or,
when grown in pots, it ia very useful and effective for draping the
path walls of plant-houses. It grows rapidly, and will withstand a
great amount of rough usage, and is therefore well adapted for room
decoration. It ia a plant not very commonly met with, but it ia
largely grown by a few n-irserymen near Loudon, who carry out.
indoor decoration on an extensive scale.

Cordyline ind visa. —This oUI-f,i?hioned fine foliaged plant may
often be aeen in the ships of am ill plaata, but it is seldom met with
in a state of develnp-nent such as that in which we saw it the
other day in Mr. Williams' nursery at Ilolloway. The plant ti
which we allude is from 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, and is furnished with
broad, glossy, gracefully arching leaves. It ia in the most robust
health, and as a pot apeoimen ia, perhap), unequalled in the country.
Large quantities of seedlinga may also be found in the same
nursery.

Begotiia hydrocotylifolia. — This old-fashioned plant, which
still ranks amongst the best of its class for winter flowering, we
lately saw thriving and flowering freely on a rook-covered wall in Sir
Henry Peek's garden at Wimbledon ; plants of it placed ia large
pockets between the stones had thrown out large masses of stiff,
glossy leaves, and, at the time of our visit were profusely furnished
with blossoms. Associated, as ia the case here, with Ferns, Lyco-
pods, Picuses, and similar rock plants, these IJegoniaa have a very
pleasing effect, and afford a good supply of blossoms for using in
a cut state.

Prunus sinensis fl.-pl. — Amongst forced decorative plants one
of the prettiest at present is this double white Prunus, and it is a
plant that requires but little heat to bring it into flower. Every
shoot of laat season's growth is now laden with most beautiful pearly-
white, double flowers, and they remain in good condition for a con-
siderable time iu a cool conservatory temperature. I find this,
Deutzia gracilis and Spirsoa japonica to be most useful for mixing
with brightly-colourei Azaleas and Dutch bulbs now coming freely
into bloom. — J. Gkoom, Linton.

Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables in Covent Garden. —

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, this market appears to
be well supplied with all kinds of flowers, fruits and vegetablea in
season. Bouquet flowers consist of Camellias, paper-white Narcissi,
white Lilacs, Rosebuds, pink and white Pelargoniums, Lily of the
Valley, and Hyacinth pips. The waxy white blooms of Laalia albida,
L. anceps, and Cco'ogyne criatata are a'so now being used largely ia
a cut state. Fruits, which are plentiful, consist of Groa Colman,
Lady Downes, and Muscat Grapes, all somewhat lower in price thai
usual; Pine-apples, of fair size and quality, fetch from 8i. to 12'.
each ; American Lady Apples may be obtained at 23. per box of about
three dozen fruit ; good Newtown Pippina are scarce, but fairly goo "f
in quality, aud selected Nonpareils may be bought at from la. 6i. tar

Feb. 8, 1379.]

THE GARDEN.

131

29. per dozen ; Tangierine Orangea and Pomeloes are very plentiful,
and Pears of the Belle Angevine and Catillao types are very good
and of immense size ; a few examples of Easter Bearre of good
flinality may also be had. Asparagus is at present anything but good,
but Seakale is excellent and moderate in price ; Mushrooms (buttons)
sell for 23. per box, containing about 2 lb. ; Cuoambers are fairly
plentiful, but appear to have suffered from an insufficiency of heat ;
new Kidney Potatoes of good quality may be obtained at la. per lb.,
and inferior ones at 6J. ; a few Tomatoes are offered for sale, but
they are small and badly coloured ; forced Rhubarb ia abundant, and
there is a good supply of firm white Broccoli.

The Green Park.— The plan of spoiling this Park by run.
ning short-cut wallis through nearly all its remaining green spaces
ia being persistently carried out. Much " progreaa " has been made
in thia direction this winter in apite of the bad weather.

Primula BUishing Beauty. — This is one of the best of the
double Chinese Primulas now in flower in the London nurseries. The
plant 13 a free grower, and an abundant bloomer, its flowers being of
the purest white, changing to blush, very double, and with fimbriated
edges, and larger in aiza than those of any other double Primula It
waa raised and sent out a few years ago by Messrs. Henderaon, of the
Wellington Nuraery.

Pryal's Golden Cypress. — The editor o! the "Californian
Horticulturist " states that during a visit to the narseiiea of A. D.
Pryal, on the Temescal Creek, some four miles from Oakland, Cdli.
fornia, he saw the original tree of Pryal's Golden Cypress, which he
de^cribea aa ** a aeedling of marked character from the well-known
C. pyramidalia. The deep yellow blotchea run into the branches, and
even show on the cones. The compact growth and evenly-distributed
variegation make thia a promiaiug novelty."

Ccelogynes and Amaryllises. — These, asaooiatel, form an
effective feature just now in the Pine.apple Nurseries. The former
are grown in quantity in small pots, and are subjected to cool treat,
ment, a system nnder which the plants asaume a deep green, healthy
appearance, and the pseudo-bulba, which are large and plump, extend
themselves in such a manner as to almost completely hide the pots.
The Amaryllises consist of many ahoA-y named and seedling kinds,
among the best of which is the crimson and white A. Henderaoni.
The singular Epidendrum tridactylon is also flowering freely in one
of the quaint-looking shells of the Brazil Nut. Its flowers, which
are white, possess a perfume very similar to that of a Primrose.

Priinula3 at Forest Hill. — There ia at present a fine display
of Chinese Primulas in Messrs. Carter & Co.'a nursery at Forest
Hill. It consists of some hundreds of well-grown plants, many of
which we saw in flower in November last, and which still retain their
beauty. The flowers throughout are faultless in form. Their colours
consist of pure white, crimson, mauve, violet, and brick red, and
many of them are producing two rows of finely fimbriated flowers-
We also noticed one kind with blue flowers of large size and good
form, thus showing that ere long permanent blue-flowered forms of
Chinese Primulas may be expected to oocur aa frequently as crimsjn
or rose.

Camellias and Orchids. — These are well cultivated in the
same house in the garden of Sir H. Peek at Wimbledon. The
Camellias occupy a back borc^er of a narrow lean-to house, and are
tied and pruned in, ao as to form a sloping bank of glossy leaves and
bloffoms from the floor to the roof. The Orchida, which consist of
Cdcntoglo33um!. Oncidiums, Cypripediuma, Lycastes, &c., are grown
in pots ar.argel on a narrow, gravel-covered stage along the front of
the houss next th i glass, whilst from the root are suspended noble
plants o the sniwy white-flowered Cmlogyne cristata growing in
large, raft-like taak-wood baskets. Of Odontoglossum Alexandrae and
O. Pisoatori and Lycaate Skinneri there is a good display, and in
another house is a collection of Dendrobiams, which will shortly be
•in flower.

liachenalia pendula. — Thia is grown to perfection in baskets in
the gardens at Wimbledon House, where numbers of it are just
coming into bloom. The baskets, which are made of wire, are round,
■ lined with Moes, and filled with good soil. The bulbs are planted at
equal distances apart in the Moaa all over the baskets, and when in
flower they form large balls of brilliant blossoms and deep green
leaves. The bulbs are'.taken out yearly j the baskets are refilled with

'fresh soil and planted again. Abundance of water ia necessary after
the plants commence to grow, and this can best be supplied by im.

•mersing the basket wholly in a tank. Grown in the manner just
described Lachenalias thrive amazingly, and are seen to better ad-
vantage than when grown in any other way, whilst for hanging either
in windows, porches, or conservatories, they are both useful and
attractive.

THE FRUIT GARDEN

PRUNING AND STARTING LATE VINES.
The experience of the past year will probably arouse many Vine
growers to the importance of starting Vines for producing a supply
of late Grapes somewhat earlier than we have been accustomed to
do, and of pruning and dressing them — where dressing is still con.
sidered necessary — in time to admit of their being started from the
beginning to the middle of February. In the cultivation of lata
Grapes there are many points whicb should receive primary fore-
thought, not the least of which is, how the best return can be pro.
duced at the least coat in fuel, which is a very heavy item in the
garden expenditure of the present day. Before taking this part
of the subject into consideration there are other details upon which
I would like to eay a word. After the Grapes are cut and carefully
stored away in dry fruit rooms, the Vines should be pruned without
delay ; and in pruning I think a wise discretion might be exercised
in many oaaea, not in cutting upon any particular principle or upon
any mathematical calculation, but upon a system the result of ex-
perience acquired by studying the conduct of the different
varieties of Grapes grown under diflerent conditions and circum-
stances. There is no doubt that soil, climate, and other circum-
stances have a very potent effect, either one way or the other, in thn
production of Grapes; so also has the amount of light to which the
wood of the Vine is exposed. If this important factor in Grape
culture be minimised by encouraging more spurs, and consequently
more leaf growth, than can be fully exposed to the direct action of
sun and light, the results will — must, in fact — be leas satisfactory
than they otherwise would be. In pruning our late Vines this year,
I have been struck with the varying conditions of growth, its char-
acter and solidity, in several varieties of Vines of more or less
robust habit, where influence of sun and light had most play
amongst the wood and foliage and where the spurs had not been
too thickly set on the Vines. I also noticed, in strong-growing
varieties like Trebbiano, where a latent eye pushed away a weakly
growth which was encouraged, how solid and thoroughly ripened it
waa to the core, as compared with strong shoots on the same Vine
from spurs on either side of it. Practically, then, pruning ia an
operation to be learned by experience of no superficial character ; for
not only do Vines vary in habit in different soils, but the houses in
which they grow also alter their condition a good deal. Viuea which
are grown in low, badly-ventilated hoasea should not be planted nearer
to each other than 3 ft., and the apura, where they are grown on
the spur ayatem, should be 18 in. apart; they should also be started
into growth a month earlier than Vines which are more favourably
situated in light, airy, lofty houses. Of course exceptiona would
occur in the caae of Vinea such as Lady Dowuos, which scalds so
badly in hot weather. This variety may be grown at 2^ ft. apart, and
the spurs might be allowed to grow closer, in order that the foliage
mi^ht shield the berries from sudden blinks of strong sunshine.
Another matter worthy of consideration in the case cf vigorous-
growing Vines is that they should not be too much " curbed " by
stopping where there is anything like a fair opportunity of giving
them headway, nor should they have over-stimulating food supplied
to them while they show a disposition to grossness. Plenty of
clear water at the roots will be sulBcient for them, and with a long
season of growth they will settle into a free-bearing state, which
cannot be expected from the practice of late starting and a system
of cultivation which induces aoft pithy shoots. Vines are often
retarded in spring, on the plea of economy ; but I fear the fact
is lost sight of that it takes more fuel to finish off crops in a dull,
sunless autumn than it would to give them an early start in the
spring, to say nothing of the superiority of solar heat over the
artificial warmth that can be obtained from hot-water pipes.

W.H.

SOIL FOR PINE APPLES.
The instances Mr. Simpson mentions (p. 102) in which Pines are
grown in a mixture of loam and peat, and in peat alone tell their
own tale. Does Mr. Simpson mean tki say that good pure loam suit-
able in texture is not the right soil for Pines ? If not, what ia the
use of his trying to upset a fact by instancing a couple of exceptions ?
Aa to the shape of house for Pines, my reaaon for giving preference
to a hip-roofed atructure, as a matter of course facing south, ia that
it gives an opportunity of raising the back of the pit in which the
plants are placed, so as to bring them all more equally near the glass
than in a span-roofed house, under which conditiona it is a question
if they do not get as much light as in a span-roofed building, unless
the latter ia very narrow, and in a hip. roofed house, with a path at
the back, and the centre pit as usual not comiug beyond the ridge,

U2

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 8, 1879.

the plants are more,evenly elevated near the roof, and there is one
indispntable advantage, that the heat ia more easily kept np
during cold windy weather in a hip-rooted than in a span-roofed
house. — T. Baines.

Mr. Simpson evidently does not accept Mr. Baines' state.

ment aa to fresh loam being tha moat suitable soil for Pines in
the sense in which Mr. Baines wished it to be taken. There can be
no donbt that if suitable loam can be had it is preferable to peat
or ordinary loam and peat mixed. In Pine growing I have had to employ
variona qualities of loam, from the fine yellow fibrous loam of Staf-
lordahire to the clayey loam of Sussex, and from the latter the
results were the moat satisfactory. The Sussex loam to which I
refer was impregnated with iron, and the only additions made to it
in potting Pines were soot and crushed bonea, a compost which
suited admirably, but to attempt to grow Cucumbers to perfection
in this loam was impoaaible : the plants grew vigorous enough, but
the fruit all became deformed. If suitable loam can be procured I
entirely agree with Mr. Baines that it ia the best soil that one can
use for the growth and development of good Pine-apples. — A. Hos-

SACK.

A SUNLESS JANUARY.
The marked absence of sunshine has addtd much to the severity of
the long froat. A dull time has ita advantages. Plants that remain
frozen by day as well aa night take leaa hart, aa a rule, than those
that undergo the dual processes of freezing and thawing every twenty.
four hours. But then the absence of aunshine intensifies the cold ;
there is nothing to make the frost relax its hold. Daring bright,
frosty weather the heat of the sun relaxes the grip of the frost, and
thus checks ita power, and penetrates through vegetable tisanes or
enters deeply into the ground. What power or hold the frost gains
at night it partially, at least, looses by day, and hence the aggregate
amount of cold is less than in a sunless time. Worse still, though
the sun has hidden ica face, the wind haa ariaen and blown from the
east with unusual keenness and severity. This may be said to have
completed the trials of the plants, and killed many and crippled more
of them. With no sun to warm or atrengthen them, it ia no marvel
that they bent down before the eaat wind and perished amid January
dust which seemed colder than driven snow or sharp particles of ice
itself. Scarcely were these peculiar atmospheric conditions more
destructive outaide than injurioua under glass ; vegetation either
stood still or moved on slowly and weakly. The forcers of early
Grapes, Peaches, and Strawberries, have had a sorry time of it. The
absence of li^ht has never been more keenly felt in early forcing. A
cultivator, in a contemporary, tella us how he moved his bees from
house to house in succession to set his Peaches when in flower, but
the wonder is how he enticed them to fly in the absence of sunshine
and in such semi-darkness which was a mere apology for daylight.
Heat alone does not make bees very lively, that is certain. No
doubt if the bees can be tempted to hunt for honey in every opening
flower, they would render an important service in the Peach house.
It is doubtful, however, if flowers under glass are aa richly stored
with nectar as those in the open air. Bees inside are, aa a rule, far
more anxious to get out again than diligent in gathering honey. A
good many of them seem to prefer battering themselves to pieces
against the glass than flitting from flower to flower. So, upon the
whole, I prefer a camel's-hair pencil to bees ; and this and a dry
atmosphere have seldom been more needful than this spring to set
Peaches, Strawberries, and Vines. A good many have let the plants
almost stand still rather than push them daring such dull cold weather.
The plants themselves seem also to have preferred resting to growing.
Seldom has vegetation been so slow to start or made less progress
than during December and January. With judicious management
and the return of sunshine, but little time may yet be lost. Vines,
especially after the start, may be pushed on at a good rate, not only
without harm, but with positive benefit. Such semi-tropical plants
are not accustomed to be capricious as regards growth after they
start ; they rush on from the break to the blossom ; and we run
but little risk in assisting them in this respect in our artificial
arrangement if the sun only favours us with his presence.

D. T. Fish.

Scottish. Horticultural Aseoeiation (February. 4).— Mr. Caie>
Inverary Castle, sent a paper on this occasion which was read to the meet-
ing, the subject being the arrangement of trees, shrubs, and climbers for
pleasure grounds, leaving details to be worked out according to individua
circnmstances. It was recommended that before the ground was laid out
or planted, a thorough conception of its capabilities should be arrived at,
otherwise the ultimate effect would be marred. After mentioning how
and wh^ro trees should be grouped, he named the various trees, shenbs,
and climbers most suitable for giving beauty to the landscape. Mr. Burns,
BjDgwall, also sent a paper for the consideration of the Association,

entitled the " Acclimitisation of Plants." An animated discussion fol-
lowed the reading of this paper, the opinions brouijht ont being that plants
could only be acclimatised to a very limited extent. Mr. John Clark
received a first-class certificate for a new variegated, ornamental Beet
suitable for bedding purposes. Mr. Alexander Moillllan exhibited trusses
of Eonal Pelargonium and Chrysanthemum blooms in excellent condition
for this season. Mr. Charles Buchanan exhibited three large flowers of
Clerodendron Balfourianum, taken from a plant with forty spikes, equal
to those produced in the middle of summer. It was intimated that the
following were the successful competitors for the kitchen garden plans . —
1st, Mr. Charles Warrick ; 2nd, Mr. Webster, both in Dalkeith Gardens ;
equal 3rd, Richard Parker, Hutton Hall, Gainsboro' ; W. H. Divers,
Messrs. Veitch's nursery ; and William Taylor, of 1/, Frederick Street,
Edinburgh. Mr. McMillan, Broadmeadows, sent a few notes on the
weather, stating that he had 35' of frost on the 14th December, and from
the 4th to 3rd February he had 020" altogether. The president gave some
of his observations at Dalkeith on the same subject the most frost expe-
rienced there being on the 14th December, and amounting to 22°.

ANSWERS TO COERESPONDENTS-

Ccelogyne eristata. — How should this beautiful plant be cultivated ?
— A SuiisCKiBER. [The temperature of the cool end of a Cattleya
house suits this plant admirably ; but during winter it should be kept
quite cool ; indeed, when in flower, it may be removed to the drawing-
room or parlour without fear of injury. It must, however, be placed iu
the stove again before the shoots begin to grow, or the dryness of the
atmosphere may cause the growths to be stunted, and thus one season's
bloom would be lost.]

Poinsettias without Stove Heat.— Will you kindly record a
little more in detail your experience with Poinsettias, which are certainly
amongst the most valuable of winter-blooming plants. My hopes were
raised by an account in The Gasden" (p. 57) of the Poinsettias at
Mr. Hanbury's place near Ware. In that account there is no mention of
stove heat ; " a little heat " to start the plants, after which air is to
be admitted freely is all the heat described as necessary. Can it be pos-
sible to grow this plant with only warm greenhouse treatment ? and then
keep it when in flower in a house ranging from 40' to 50'' ? The account
from Ware made me, as I have said, hopeful, but in the following week
an account of Poinsettias at Acton makes me fear that more heat is needed
than I have at command. I have seen Poinsettias in splendid condition
in this county (Gloucestershire) in an old-fashioned Orangery with all the
windows wide open, and no perceptible heat ; but this was in the mild
winter of 1S77- I know that Poinsettias flower freely at Malta and at
Gibraltar in the Winter, which is not there warm. An answer would, I
am sure, interest many, like myself, with a large space to decorate and no
actual stove heat.- — C. A. B. [In order to strike cuttings of Poinsettias
and grow them well, a close, warm temperature and a brisk bottom-heat
are necessary, but having fairly struck the cuttings, or if you possess
established plants, you might grow them successfully as described in The
Garden at the articles to which yon allude. Such as are planted out during
summer, when lifted in autumn require to be put in a frame or house
where a close moist temperature of from 60° to 65 can be maintained, and
they must for a week or so be shaded slightly from the direct rays of the
sun. After that a greenhouse, in which the temperature by night does
not get below 50', will suit them, and by day it may, by the aid of sun
and fire-heat, of course, be considerably raised. When fully in bloom,
conservatory temperature from 45° to 50' by night and from 55' to 60' by
day will suit them, and in such a temperature they will last in bloom even
longer than in a higher one.— C. W. S.]

ITames of Plants. — Ano7i. — The bulb is Amaryllis Belladonna,
drawn up in heat. P. T. — Sedum carneum variegatum. J. P. — Vel-
theimia viridifolia. M. L, D. — 1, Begonia fuchsioides ; 2, Succulent of
some kind, undeterminable without flowers ; 3, Libonia floribunda.

Questions.

The White Poppy. — I hear that this is extensively grown in the
south of France. As I am interested in the subject, I would
feel much obliged if some of your correspondents could give me all par-
ticulars as to locality, &o., or tell me where I could get such information.
— M. ilastei-s.

Planting near Carriage Drives, — Will some of your corres.
pendents oblige me with some hints for planting a green sward forming
one side of a carriage drive, in Surrey, about 200 yards long, running
nearly north and south ? On the west side of the drive there is already
a well-gi-own belt of forest trees. Branches in some places extend across
the drive, but these could be cut back if needful. The soil is sandy
loam. I thought of plantmg some of the choicer sorts of Rhododen-
drons at intervals, and I should be glad of a list of evergreen and decidu-
ous shrubs suitable to fill the intervals. What also would be a good
selection of trees with which to plant three clumps in the paddocks
adjoining. — Beta.

Peach-house Paths. — I am putting up a lean-to Peach house
100 ft. long. What sort of a pathway would your correspondents recom-
mend me to have ?— Welshman.

Soot "Water.— What is the proper proportion of soot and water to
use in making the liquid manure much spoken of in The Garden P —
M. P., Clifton.

THE GAEDEN.

133

No. 378 ]

SATURBAY, EEBRUATiy 15. 1879.

" This is an art

Which does mend Nature : change it rather : bnt
Thb Art itself is Natxtbe."— SAstw^Jeare.

NOTES ON CROCUSES.
As some little time will elapse before the publication, in a com-
plete form, of the monograph of the genus Crocus which I
have in preparation, I wish to record one or two points that
have occurred to me in which the nomenclature of several
known species will have to be modifled and some additions
made to the species of the genns.

Iq examining the Croci in the herbarium at the Botanic
Gardens, Edinburgh, I found a set of specimens collected
by Dr. G. Kirk (now consul at Zanzibar), at Renkier, Dar-
danelles, in March, 1856, which I have little doubt is an
undescribed species. Several names have been successively
attached in pencil to the specimens — Boryi, albiflorus,
biflorus, and susianus^and afterwards erased, but with
none of these will it agree, and the associated characters would
separate it from every other known species. I propose to call
it

Crocus Kirkii, coming under tbe division Sohizoetigma of Baker.

Limb 12 lines to 14 lines in length by 3i linea to llinea wide, white
or pale cream colour, yellow towards the throat, the outer divisions
occasionally striped and feathered externally with purple, like C.
biflorus, or faintly suffused with purplish markings.

Tlirnat apparently nnbearded, yellow.

Tube from germen to throat 2 in. to 2i in. long.

Stigma 7 lines high, orange, dividing towards base of anthers
and immediately branohed into about a dozen capillary termina-
tions, reaching a little above the level o? the anthers and re.
sembling the stigma of C. hyemalia.

Anthers 1 lines to 5 lines in length, on a Slament 2 to 3 lines high,
reaching nearly to the level of stigma.

Leaves appearing with flowers in March, and subsequently
produced 20 in. or 23 in. in length in April ; blade very broad and
flat, 3 lines wide, with a slightly reflexed margin ; central white
band, narrow, and well defined; keel glabrous, very narrow, lateral
channel wide and open, glaucous, traversed by five or six narrow
ribs and furrows.

Conn 8 lines to 9 lines wide by 7 lines to 8 lines high.

Co'-m tunie of parallel fibres, resembling that of C. aureus ;
main tunic splitting up from base into strong, flat, parallel, an.
branohed fibres, united in parcels of three or four at apex ; basal
tunic of short, strong fibres, radiating from a broad, basal plate ;
cap membranous, produced as a bunch of flat, painted fibres, I in.
to i in. above summit of corm.

Basal spathe absent.

Proper spathe of two equal membraneous valves, 2 in. to 3 in. in
height, exceeding sheath-leaves and reaching nearly to throat.

Oermen IJ in. to 2 in. above aummit of oorm, the supporting
scape lengthening to 3 in. or 4 in. in April.

Sheath-leaves three, from 1 in. to 4 in. in length, the longest with
a broad, expanded termination, falling short of proper spathes, and
enclosing from two to three scapes.

Flowers produced in March and early in April.

Benkier, Dardanelles; gathered by Dr. G. Kirk, March and April,
1856.

Crocus aleppious (Baker) and C. Gaillardotii (Boissier). — I am
indebted to Professor Hanssknecht, and also to M. Boissier, for speci-
mens of a diminutive Crocus gathered by the former on Djebel
Nahor, one hour north-west of Aleppo, in January, 1867, and on com-
paring it with C. Gaillardotii, of Boissier, from several localities in the
south of Syria, I have no hesitation in concluding that they are one
and the same species. The name aleppious must, therefore, yield to
the older name Gaillardotii. This species appears to be common in
the south of Syria, and probably extends northward over the inter-
vening country to Aleppo. It must not be associated with C. hye-
malis, of Palestine, from which it is distinguishable by its compact
fibred corm tunic ; that of hyemalia being membranous without
distinct fibres. C. Gaillardotii is a much smaller plant than
0. hyemalis.

C. vitellinus and C. syriacua. — Although somewhat different
in aspect, the latter being a smaller plant, they must, I think, be looked

npon respectively aa the orange or bronzed forms of one species. I
have been favoured by Professor Haussknecht with specimens of the
little striped Crocus from Aleppo (C. syriaous, of Herbert and Baker)
and have also in cultivation the Beyrout plant, between which I can
detect no difference of any specifio value ; indeed the Beyrout and
Saida form, which is rather larger than that from Aleppo, occasion,
ally ocoura with bronzed flowers, and various eoUectora who have
liberally supplied herbaria with specimens from Northern Palestine
have labelled them indiscriminately syriacus and vitellinus. This is
a midwinter flowering species and must not, I think, be associated
with the bronzed Crocus from near Smyrna.

C. Balansae, discovered by Balansa on the hippurite limestone
plateau above Smyrna, where I have also gathered it. Though grow-
ing at a low level, from 500 ft. to 600 ft. in altitude, it is a late vernal
species, and flowers at least three months later than C. vitellinne,
from which it differa by its very broad leaves and by other characters.

C. Orsinii (Parlatore). — I had a long, unsuccessful hunt for this
species in October, 1877, having, aa I afterwards ascertained, gone
too high up on Monte di Fieri, near Ascoli, Italy. I have recently
been favoured by Professor Cesati with specimens gathered by Teoore
in 1830, and have also seen Oraini's specimens of a year later from
the same locality, gathered on the south-east flank of the mountain,
at altitudes of from 2000 ft. to 3200 ft. I find we have here a form
almost precisely identical with tbe garden Saffron, quite undistin-
guishabie from it, except that tbe stigma is a little shorter ; indeed,
Tenore labelled his Monte di Fieri specimens " C. sativns, aauvage,"
and, but for Parlatore's subsequent name of Orsinii having been
applied to this plant, the vexed question of the wild origin of the
garden Saffron need not have remained open.

C. Pallasii, from Dalraatia, and C. Thomasii, from South Italy,
must, I think, be united as one species. A careful comparison of the
apecimens at Kew, and in the Florence Herbarium, permit of no other
conclusion, whioti has been hinted at long ago by several writers,
including Viaiani, Nyoian, and Baker. I have in cultivation thia
plant from the neighbourhood of Patras in the Morea. C. visianicus,
of Herbert, C. campestris, of Pallas, and C. hybarnus, of Fridwaldsky,
are probably aHo identical with C. Pallasii.

C. karduchorum (Kotaohy). — " In jugis inter Mukiis et Scher-
wan Karduchia, 6000 ft. 37th Sept., 1859." In apecimena thus
labelled in the Kew Herbarium the long corm (as distinguished from
the excoptionally flat oorm of C. zonatus. Gay) and dense membranous
corm tunic are characters that would, prima facie, separate it from
Gay's Crocua zonatus, tbe only species near to it ; but the flowers of
the Kew specimens are insufficient to draw up a description from.
Aa the plant probably exists in other herbaria, I should be much
obliged by the loan of any apecimena exhibiting the atigma and
stamens.

C. cilicious (Kotsohy) appears to be abundant in the Cilioian
Taurus, and has been, from time to time gathered by varioua col-
lectors, and described under several names, which it will be conve-
nient to suppress. C. cancellatua var. Kotsohyanus of Herbert,
C. pylarum cilioarum of J. Gay, and "new species allied to cancel-
latua," gathered by Balansa in tbe Cilician Taurus, appear to be
identical with C. cilicioua, and all of these Baker placea under the
apeciea canoellatus. I cannot take exception to thia view, bat aa the
bright blue oblongo-lanoeolate limb, which ia narrower than in the
ordinary forma of caocellatna, seems to be a constant character of
tbe Cilioian plant, I think it may be properly and conveniently made
a sub'Speoies of cancellatua.

The name Kotsohyanus having been applied for some years to two
very dissimilar species, viz., to the oancellate Crocus of the Taurus
and to Gay'a C. zonatua, it will be beat to disoaid it altogether, and
retain tbe name of cilicious for the one and zonatus for the other.

One other error respecting two Spanish species I wish to suggest a
correction for ; viz., the confounding of C. nudiflorus with C. serotinus
in the records of numeroua Spanish habitats. As far as my own ob-
servations go, C. nudiflorus doea not extend south of the chain of
the Pyrenees and Astnrias, and in none of the specimens from the
alleged habitats of C. nudiflorus in Central Spain, can I recognise
anything but C. serotinus. I have received from Gijon, in North
Spain, bulbs of Herbert's C. asturious, but thia cannot be admitted
as an ally of C. nudiflorus. and appears to be merely a form of sero-
tinus, which is a later flowering species of smaller stature, tbe leaves
of which are autumnal, just appearing with, and immediately after
the flowers. The stoloniferus reprodiictiou of the corm, which ia 60
marked a feature in C. nudiflorus, is absent in all tbe specimens I
have examined from the allegnd Spanish habitats of C. nudiflorus. I
do not say that G. nudiflorus may not occur here and there south of
the Pyrenean chain, but the recorded habitats and the specimens

134

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879.

thus named by many authors and collectors, are unqneationably forma
of C. serotinus of Salisbury.

C. etruscus (Parlatore). — I had the good fortune, in company
with my friend, Mr. S. Sommier, of Florence, to refind this plant in
the Tuscan Maremma in the spring of 1876, and we had no hesitation
in agreeing that it was a thoroughly distinct and well-marked species.
Its affinities, however, are not, as had been supposed, with C. reticn-
latns, but with the group of Italian and Corsican speeies, including
versicolor, Imperati, suaveolens, oorsicus, and minimus. The strongly
reticulated corm coat resembling that of 0. reticulatus, is merely an
instance of the singular absence of natural grouping of the character
of individual organs, which is such an obvious feature of the genus.

C. minimus (D. C.) = C. insularis of Gay ; and C. corsicus.

■^As I have already published descriptions of the two very distinct
species of Crocus occurring in Corsica and Sardinia, which have hi-
therto been lumped under the name of minimus, I will here merely
point out that the smaller of the two, C. minimus, which is confined
to low elevations near the coast line, is distinguished by its small,
dark purple flower, yellow or pale orange stigma much exceeding
the anthers, and by its corm tunic, consisting of parallel fibres'; and
the larger, C. Corsicus (which is confined to the mountains, and I
believe does not occur below a level of 2000 ft.) by its pale purple or
lilac flowers, with a distinct buff or cream-coloured coat on the
outside of the three outer limbs, its much larger stature, its short
orange-scarlet stigma, and its finely reticulated corm coat.

C. peloponnesiacus (Orphanides). — A good deal of obscurity
and doubt hangs over this species, and, if really distinct, its afliaity
lies with C. hadriaticua. The only point of difference, according to
the published description, is that C. peloponnesiacus flowers before
the leaves appear, and that in hadriaticus the leaves and flowers are
contemporaneous. Cultivators of Crocuses know that in many oases
this is only a question of degree, and it may be that the original
description of the supposed new Crocus was drawn up from a specimen
of C. hadriaticus in which the leaves were late in being produced.
In a specimen of supposed C. peloponnesiacus recently sent me from
the neighbourhood of Patras by Professor de Heldreich, of Athens, I
can detect no character that would separate it from C. hadriaticus.
C. hadriaticus is very variable ; in many oases the flowers are pure
white ; in the Albanian plant white with a purple blotch at the base
of the limb ; and in the Santa Maura form (C. chrysobelonicus) the
throat, which is of a bright golden-yellow, is externally veined with
-chocolate.

I would here notice that a plant has been extensively distributed
as C. peloponnesiacus, which is merely one of the numerous varieties
of C. cancellatus, at once distinguishable by its corm tunic of strong
oblong.reticnlate fibres, that of the true C. hadriaticus consisting
of fine silky reticulations like the well-known corm tunic of C. sativns,
to which C. hadriaticus is allied.

C. Beryl (Gay)=C. Icevigatus (Bory et Chaub.), C. Tourneforti
C. marathonisius (Heldreich), and C. orphanidesi (Hooker). In this
group, the distinction between C. Boryi and C. Tourneforti was well
■understood by the late Dean Herbert, but as these two species often
grow in their, native habit its closely intermingled, the bulbs have
in later years been confounded in a confused way in Euglish collec-
tions.

This section includes two well-marked species, C. Boryi or Isevi-
gatna, distinguished by its hard, cartilaginous corm tunic, like a thin
Hazel-nut ahell, splitting up at the base into a series of Vandyke
terminations, the auoceaaive tunica underlying each other and lasting
for many years aa a series of super-imposed imbrications over the
Pear-shaped corm ; also by its comparatively short, erect, much-
branched stigma, generally yellow, rarely orange, and by the sym-
metrical feathered markings of the limb resembling those of Crocus
biflorus.

C. Tourneforti, by its softer fibro-membranous tunic, its long, fra-
gile-branched, orange stigma, the lax divisiona of which bend over,
and by ita self-coloured limb rarely marked, except with a few un-
branohed lines.

C. marathonisius, of Heldreich, and C. Orphanidesi, of Hooker, are
closely allied to Tourneforti and not to Boryi. Marathonisiua is, I
believe, invariably white; Tourneforti and Boryi also vary with white
flowers, and the three white forms placed side by side are not a little
perplexing. White Boryi and white Tourneforti are, however, dis-
tinguishable by their corm tunics and stigmas, and white mara.
tbonisius by its 'extremely short and fragile stigma generally reduced
to three fine thread-like terminations. Professor de Heldreich assures
me that this is a constant character, and it ia invariable in the speci-
mens at Kew and those both fresh and dried received from Athena ;
but the aspect of this stigma allies C. marathonisius with C. Tourne-
forti and not with Boryi.

The white autumnal Crocus, common in Corfu, is probably the
white form of C. Tourneforti ; the leaves of C. Tourneforti and
marathonisius are usually both longer and narrower than those of
C. Boryi.

Whilat writing, I ^m told of a gay lilac and yellow Croons
having been observed near the melting snow high up on Lebanon on
the 15th of May. As no late vernal species is known in Syria, what
can it be ? and will some tourist who visits Lebanon sot this
question at rest by transmitting some roots to English gardens ? It
was seen going from Baalbeck to the Cedars over the high pass of
Muckhmel, on the eastern aide of the range near the path leading
from Ainata on the east, to the Cedars on the west, close to the snow,
and flowering amongst the melting snow.

I have also received from Mr. Barr fresh specimens of an unfamiliar
Crocus, flowered from roots dug up by Mr. Llewelyn on sandy ground
near the lighthouse at Biarritz. It haa a lilac, self-coloured limb,
bright orange unbearded throat, very long orange stigma branched
from near summit of anthers, short, pale, lemon, coloured anthers,
very broad leaves with a square keel and a double proper spathe ;
the corm I have not seen. I believe no Crocus is known from
that district except nudiflorus, which is an early autumnal species,
and vernns, which occurs in the Pyrenees ; with neither of these will
it at all agree.

Benthall Hall, Broseley. George Maw, P.L.S.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN;

Hardiness of Tuberous-rooted Begonias. — Having a quan.
tity of these in open borders wholly without protection, on examina-
tion to-day (Feb. 8) I was gratified to find from present appearances
that they have not received the leaat injury. Ours is a light soil with a
dry, gravelly sub-soil, which may account tor the safety of the
tubers. It could hardly have been hoped that in olayjor heavy soils
they would have survived the late severe weather. — W. H.

Finderne's Flowers. — In The Garden for January 25 (p. 75)
the story is told of Sir Bernard Burke and his visit to the village of
Finderne, in Derbyshire, in search of records of the ancient family of
Finderne. The last of the Pindernea married an ancestor of
mine, and I am directly descended from her. I claim, therefore,
to be interested both in Finderne, the Findernes, and Finderne's
flowers. A few years ago I took some pains to find out to what species
these flowers belonged. My friend, the Rev. B. Spilsbnry, the pre-
sent incumbent of Finderne, dug np some of Finderne's flowers from
the site of the old Hall, and planted them in his garden, and they
produced Narcissus poeticus. Whether or not N. poetious grows in
any part of Palestine I cannot say, and whether or not this is the
plant which my maternal ancestor, Sir Geoffrey Finderne, brought
home from the wars I do not presume to decide, but there is no ques-
tion that the plant now known in the village of Finderne as Finderne's
flowers ia Naroissua poeticus. — H. Harpur Crewe, Draijton-BeaU'
cham;p Rectory, Tring,

Plants Injured by the Late Frost. — Now that the thaw ia
complete I have made a careful survey of the injurious effects which
frost has had on plants here (North Hants), and the following is the
result: — Common Laurels are slightly browned at the tips of the
shoota, the flower buds of Laurustinus are killed, but otherwise they
are uninjured. In the case of Arbutus Unedo the points of the shoota
are browned, and some of the finer hybrid varieties of Rhododendrons
have had their flower buda frozen through. All other evergreen
shruba and Conifers show no signs of the severity of the winter
through which they have passed. Eucalyptus globulus has been
killed ; some of the stronger plants may break from the ground line,
but that, I think, is doubtful. Phormium tenax has suffered severely,
and even those that were protected can hardly be expected to
recover. Arundinaria falcata is killed to the ground, but the roots
seem uninjured. Some of the older leaves of Chamaerops Portunei
are damaged, but otherwise the plants are not hurt. Of Dracaena
australis several plants which have weathered the laat few winters
are hopelessly injured. Arnndo conspioua and the oommun Pampas
Grasa are alao much browned. Stocks, Wallflowers, and Pentstemona
are killed wholesale, and even some of the Antirrhinums have sue-
cumbed. Echeverias are all killed, and some of the hardiest Saxi.
frages have suffered severely ; such as S. nepalensis and S. rosnlaris
will hardly recover. I suspect the repeated thawings, so soon fol-
lowed by keen frosts, are the main cause of these being injured. —
W. W.

You will have long lists of killed and wounded by the late

severe and continued frosts. I am happy to be able to record two
rather unexpected eacapes — a large pan of Sarracenia purpurea (the
North American Pitoher-plant), standing on the Wilson raft in a

Fkb. 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

135

tank on which were 3 in. in thickness of ice, ia quite uninjured ; a
strong plant of Abelia rnpestrie, in an exposed position on the root-
work, has only the tops of the shoots out. How the spring flowers
have burst into bloom ! it is like the descriptions of the northern
springs. Snowflakes, Winter Aconites, and hardy Cyclamens came
np and were ont in three days. — Geoege P. Wilson, Heatherianl!,
Wetjbridge Heath,

Highclere Pink. — This is one of the beat rich crimson scarlet
Pinks we have for borders. It keeps long in bloom, and it is equally
good for forcing as for out. door decoration. Some plants of it atrnok
last spring are jnat now coming into bloom, and promise to produce
flowers in abundance. — J. C. F.

Stem-roots a Protection to Lily Bulbs. — I made an inte.
resting discovery a day or two ago, which, I think, proves clearly, at
least, one most useful property of the atem-roots of Lilium auratum.
On examining some bulbs of one of the best varieties of that Lily that
were not planted until the beginning of April laat year, but which,
nevertheless, grew strongly and flowered well, I found that these bulbs
were perceptibly larger than when they were planted, and that
the mass of stem-roots (dead, of course) waa like a thick wig just
over the bulb, protecting it most thoroughly from the soaking
rains that had fallen a day or two previously ; in fact the top of the
bulb was as dry and comfortable as if it bad been in a frame.—
T. Smith, Newry-

Carpeting Bulb Beds. — Allow me to add to the list of suitable
plants for thia purpose (p. 96) two more, viz., Hypericum reptans and
Erythr^a diffusa, both of which grow quite close to the soil, like a
Selaginella, and make a perfectly green carpet, eapeoially well suited
for such bulbs as Colohicums, which do not produce any leaves. The
former (H. reptans) is new to cultivation, its introduction being due
to Mr. Elwes. Ita flowers, which appear in large numbers late in
autumn, are yellow and aa large as a shilling. It is a native of Sikkim,
and it haa withstood thia severe winter very well, although only
planted out late laat summer. The foliage, which ii dense, has
become brown just now, but the branchleta are fresh, and will, when
they begin to grow, soon assume a better appearance. Erythrasa
diffusa haa been regarded as a biennial, and rather tender, being a
native of California ; but it is a perennial, and I find it also to be very
hardy ; ita foliage has remained all winter bright green, and it flowera
abundantly in July, each branchlet producing one flower, of a beauti.
ful dark rose colour, and aa large aa a sixpence. Seeda of both of
these plants must be sown early, and the young seedlings should be
pricked out 3 in. apart into pans, and planted out in autumn, or,
better still, in the spring of the second year.— M.\x Leichtlin,
Baden.Badcn.

Large-leaved Saxifrages.— If " W. D." (p. 112) wants a large-
leaved Saxifrage he had better procure S. crassitolia, which haa
foliage about as large aa that of a amall-sized Cabbage Lettuce, and
of the same shape, too. Many years ago I used this Saxifrage for
spring and winter decoration of the flower beds, and found it an
effective plant, the large, bright green leaves looking well in mid.
winter, while its large spikes of flowers of a beautiful mauve colour
were equally telling in spring ; its only defect was that it was rather
late in flowering. It is a very old plant, and may usually be met with
where old plants are patronised. I have been told that there is a
more recent one, of the same character and habit, that flowers some-
what earlier, but I am not acqnaiated with it. I have been told that
S. oppositifolia is found wild on the Cumberland Hills, bat I never
had the good fortune to find it there, although one of the Moss-leaved
species (S. csespitosa) was plentiful enough. I have always looked
upon the best forms of our garden Moss Saxifrages as being mere
varieties, not deserving a distinct specific name, but I have for some
years grown one under the name of S. Standishi, which presents a
dense, tufty mass of foliage of the brightest green all the year
round, unless when in summer ita faded flower stems give it a brown
hue in the sun. In its native habitat it delights in moisture, while, I
believe, London Pride likes a dry situation, and I have seen it thrive
pretty well under trees and shrubs where nothing else would grow.
In such places it |may be easily mistaken for a native plant, but I
expect that when duly inquired into it will be found to be merely the
outcast of some garden. A pretty flowering Saxifrage ia often found
on lawns and in meadow fields called S. granulata, the double form
of which is one of the greatest ornaments of our gardens, bat the
single form is also pretty, while S. oppositifolia is certainly one of the
very prettiest of our British plants, and when in a cultivated form it
resembles some of the dwarf Phloxes. S. crassifolia is not British,
but it is highly deserving of cultivation, and a good-sized tuft of it ia
at all times an interesting object, especially in the wild garden.— A
Eetired Gaede:xer.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

ACHIMENES AS BASKET PLANTS.
To amateurs and others whose means of plant accomodation is
but limited, there is a great gain ia growing plants that have
tuberous roots ; inasmuch as almost as soon as the majority
of them go out of flower they require no further care, and may
be wintered anywhere under stages or on baclc shelves, pro-
Yided the soil containing them does not catch drip, or in any
way become too wet and cold for their safety. Amongst others
that admit of the above named treatment, none are more showy
and useful or afford such a variety of colour and form of
flowers, as the different 1-cinds of Achimenes, the habit of
which is such as to render them equally suitable for growing
in pots or baskets, although it is, perhaps, in the latter way
they show themselves off to the best advantage. In order to
prepare them for this purpose, it is a good plan to start them
first in pans of leaf-mould or finely-sifted peat, from either of
which they lift readily and transplant with large balls, and'
may then be distributed regularly to furnish the baskets. The
latter made with wires about 1.^- in. apart answer the purpose
well, as between these the heads of the plants may be thrust
as the filling up proceeds. The quickest way, however, is first
to line the basket with Moss, and then put in the soil, when,
by making holes around the sides, the plants can be put into
them at regular distances apart, and all made complete
in a very short time. When this is done they should
be hung in a house where they can get plenty of
moisture and be syringed for a week or tivo to give
them a start, after which, with a temperature varying between
60^ and 70^, they make rapid progress and soon become covered
with bloom. It should be borne in mind that Achimenes are
shade-loving plants, and, therefore, the situation chosen for
them should be where the sun does not strike them during
the heat of the day, otherwise the leaves become blistered and
the growth hard and stunted, which greatly detracts from
their usually healthy appearance. The great fault with
Achimenes in pots generally is that, owing to so many being
grown together, they have a weedy look through being drawn
up and having such small flowers, most of which are buried
amongst the foliage instead of being set off by it. It is on
this account that small pots of 6 in. or 8 in. in diameter
always look better than pans containing large masses, and,,
besides this, they are altogether more handy and useful for
decorative purposes ; such sizes suit windows, greenhouses, .
and vases well where others would be quite out of character.

The number of tubers or plants which each pot should
contain will depend on the sort, some being stronger than
others and of a more branching habit ; but for the generality
of them it may be roughly stated that from five to ten are-
ample, as, when they have room, they scud out many stems,
to induce which it is alw.ays well to nip out the top of the first
shoot formed when about 4 in. high. If it be desired to
increase the stock of any new or scarce kind by leaving them
to grow a little longer before they are pinched back, the tips
removed in that operation may be used for cuttings, and if
put in in moist heat, under a glass or iu any close place, they
will soon strike root and make fine floprering plants by the
autumn ; but in all cases where propagating is done in this
way, it must be done early, or there will not be time for tubers
to be formed. This is how many fail in keeping up a good
stock ; Achimenes have much of this work to do after they
have done blooming, but instead of being assisted they are
oftener set aside and allowed to take their chance, when the
tops must of necessity die away prematurely. Instead of
this, the right course to pursue is to place them in any
frame or pit where they can have shade and be sprinkled
overhead and shut up early till they show signs of
ripening off naturally. If treated in this way, the soil
when examined will be found to contain a rich harvest of fully-
grown tubers that will keep plump and sound, instead of rotting
away in the winter. The best way to preserve them is not to
disturb them till they are wanted for starting, as they never do
so well as when left embedded just where they grew, the con-
ditions there being more suitable than those to which they are
subjected when packed away in bags or buried in sand. To

136

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879

grow Acliimenes well, the pots ehould be thoroughly drained,
as all through the summer they requu-o abundant supplies of
water, but it is essential for their welfare that it passes freely
away, for anything approaching a stagnant state of the soil is
sure to throw them out of health. Nothing answers better
for Achimenes than a mixture consisting of about equal parts
of loam and peat, used iu a somewhat rough state, and to this
should be added a good sprinkling of sharp sand so as to render
the whole porous. After May they grow well in any ordinary
frame, kept shaded and shut up early, but till then they must
have artificial heat to get them along. Except greenfly, Achi-
menes are not subject to insects, and these pests can easily be
got rid of by fumigation, which should be done cautiously, as
it does not take much to injure the tender foliage. S. D.

EVERGREENS IN POTS FOR "WINTER DECORATION.

Verdure of any kind in winter is always welcome. At Christ-
mas time we decorate our apartments, churches, &c., with
branches of evergreens, which impart an air of cheerfulness
and warmth. In countries in which the winters are severe all
kinds of evergreens are held in high estimation, and are
extensively grown in pots and tubs for winter decoration.
In this country there are many situations in which evergreen
shrubs iu pots would be peculiarly acceptable. Into winter
gardens, unheated corridors, balconies, &o., they might be
often introduced with advantage, and many a bare spot would
thus be rendered bright and pleasant to the eye. There is a
good choice of subjects for this purpose, many of our finer
forms of Conifers being, owing to their neat, compact growth,
especially suited for pot culture. Some of them, indeed, appear
to succeed rather better in this way than when in the open
ground, that is provided they receive that amount of care
which is needful to preserve them in health. Although ever-
greens are tenacious of life, and are sometimes tardy in show-
ing the effects of neglect, yet they are none the less suscepti-
ble of injury, and it is noticeable that, unlike many forms of
vegetation, if they once experience a serious check thay never
recover their pristine vigour ; they loose that fresh appearance
which distinguishes them under favourable conditions.

The best time for potting these plants is early iu October
when the growth has ceased and the roots yet fairly active.
Choose compact, bushy, well-formed specimens and put
them iu pots which will just contain their roots, using soil of
a somewhat heavy character and pressing it well in around the
roots ; if loosely potted the plants are liable to get displaced
before they become well established, in which case they seldom
remain long in good condition. When potted they may be
placed iu some sheltered position until they are removed to their
winter quarters; when destined to remain during the winter
months in exposed situations, such as on balconies or window
ledges, they must never be allowed to stand dry, and in very
hard frosts, or when accompanied by drying winds, they should
be placed under shelter. Amongst subjects suitable for this
purpose, Thuja aurea and Betiuospora eriooides may be men-
tioned as worthy of special attention ; tbey are neat as regards
growth, and bear exposure very well ; Cupressus macrocarpa
and LawBoniana, Thuja plicataand Lobbi,Cryptomeria elegans,
Aucubas, both plain and berried, golden and silver variegated
Hollies, and Buxus balearica, are some of the most trustworthy
plants for this purpose. The variegated varieties of Euonymus
make charming pot plants and contrast effectively with the
more sombre-hued kinds. The Euonymuses are much more
satisfactory when they get the benefit of a little shelter during
hard frosts; they do not appear to possess the same powers of
resistance as the type, but become brown and disfigured
and lose their terminal shoots in severe weather. This
disfigurement has been especially noticeable this season ;
plants in open places have had their beauty quite spoiled,
whilst those enjoying the shelter of a wall have escaped com-
paratively unharmed. The Laurustinus makes a pretty pot
plant, and will, when placed in a winter garden or corridor,
open its pleasing flowers considerably earlier than when in the
open air. Viburnum Awafuki, PittosporumTobira, Osmanthus
ilioifolius, and the broad and small-leaved Myrtles should all

be grown. By the middle of March they should be removed
from their winter quarters into the open air, placing them
where they may for a time get the benefit of a little shelter.
Eventually they should be plunged in the open ground and
kept well watered in hot weather. Beyond this little attention
they will require no other care, and may thus be kept in good
condition for years in comparatively small pots. Every year
a few plants should be potted to take the place of those which
may have outgrown the limits assigned to them, which latter
will be found useful for planting out in the open air.

J. COENHILL.

DECIDUOUS CALANTHES IN SMALL POTS.

What has appeared in The Gaeden about the fine growth
made by these plants at Messrs. Veitch's is quite correct, as I
can confirm from having seen them. Grown as at the Chelsea
establishment one pseudo-bulb or so in a pot they do not need
a large one, and by the use of shallow pans their weight is
reduced, but any one conversant with the management of these
plants can perceive, at a glance, that the small pans which
they occupy is not the cause of their well-doing, but their
being hung up close to the glass roof during the time when
they make their growth, which enables them to get plenty of
light. I have grown these Calauthes with even larger pseudo-
bulbs than those at Messrs. Veitch's, several together in
10-in. or 11-in. pots ; they also were hung up over the paths
of the house. When potting, a small pot or pan is no doubt
better than a large one, as these, in common with all other
plants, are better not overpotted. The largest and altogether
the best Calauthes of this section which I ever saw were grown
some years since by Mr. Hubberstey, now at Bridge Hall,
Bury, Lancashire. They were grown in proportionately good-
sized pots, and hung up close to the roof. Mr. Hubberstey
has recently grown 0. Veitchi to such perfection that the
pseudo-bulbs weighed sixteen ounces each. The advantage of
cultivating these plants in a way that admits of their attain-
ing a large size, is that the amount of flower and length o£
time during which the individual spikes willkeep on blooming are
commensurate with the strength and size of the bulbs. The
very strongest will often push up a flower spike from each
side of the base, and one or two from near the top as well.
They will grow to a large size in almost any description of
soil if not too adhesive, provided they are kept during the
whole of the growing season where they will receive a maxi-
mum amount of light, with just sufficient shade to prevent the
sun from injuring their leaves. In such a position they require
to be freely supplied with water during active growth. Whilst
flowering they need not be hung up, but may be placed where
they can be best seen. They are amongst the easiest of all
Orchids to grow, and equalled by very few in usefulness, either
as decorative plants in bloom, or for furnishing out flowers.
Every individual blossom can be mounted in bouquet making,
and the spikes (which should not be cut until the terminal
blooms are nearly all expanded) will last in a room for a fort-
night. Ever since I have been acquainted with these Calau-
thes. now some twenty-five years, I have urged every one to
grow them who has a warm stove, in which they will succeed
just as well as in an Orchid house, if there be enough heat and
moisture at command. These they must have, in order to
grow them well : but there is one peculiarity connected with
them not generally known, and that is, that even when they
have done flowering, and the whole of their leaves and roots are
quite dead, as is their nature, the pseudo-bulbs must stilll be
kept in a stove temperature, as it is during this time, that the
growth buds for the ensuing year are being developed ready
to start into activity. When well cared for they increase so
rapidly that a stock is soon got up. I began with the red and
yellow-eyed varieties of 0. vestita when they were still dear.
A couple of pseudo-bulbs, no larger than Walnuts, bought at
Stevens's for a guinea and a half each, and carried home in my
waistcoat pocket, soon made progeny enough to fill when in
flower a good portion of a side stage in the stove, and from
these I cut freely every day for three months. Their elegant
drooping spikes are equal to anything I can think of for
March stands, vases, and similar devices. T. Baines.

Feb. 15, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

137

ECHINOCACTUS UNGUISPINUS.
This is one of the rarest of the genus, and one that is most
combative in its nature, having no respect even for the person
of its owner. It is a plant that requires great care as regards
watering, as it is very apt to rot ; it is, therefore, best to keep
it dry during the whole of the time from October to April.
It flowers freely in June and July, producing good-sized
yellowish-white blossoms. Such Echinocacti as this are best
on their own roots, for if put on strong stocks they are apt to
die off. In the case of the species under notice the central
spine only is hooked, and all the spines when young are black.
It is a plant which might be mistaken for a Mammillaria, but as
all the Mammillarias flower from the axils of the mammse and
the Echinocacti from the apex of the tubercule, just above the
sets of spines, the distinction can soon be discovered. As will

Fcbin cactus unguispinus.

be seen by the annexed woodcut, the plant is erect in habit,
and the epiderme is dark green. It is, in short, very distinct
from all other Echinocacti. J. Ckoucher.

Sudlniry House, Hammersmith.

WINDOW PLANTS AND THE FROST.
TiTE winter in this neighbourhood has been remarkable rather
for its length than for its absolute severity. But already many
complaints have reached me of great losses among window
plants, and those who have only small unheated or imperfectly
heated structures in which to grow and keep their plants, have
lost most of their Pelargoniums and other plants of a like
tender character. Fuchsias no doubt are safe ; they may pro-
bably die down to the base, but unless they are iu very small
pots, and very much exposed and the soil kept too damp, they
will break again from the bottom close to the soil, but the old
tops should not be cut back yet ; wait awhile till the buds are
pushing, and then cut down close to where new life is visible,
which will probably be at that part of the plant technically
called the collar, the point where the soil and the atmosphere
meet. Tuberous Begonias will be found exceedingly useful win-
dow plants for summer and autumn blooming ; being of rather

a succulent nature, the dry air of a living-room will not have
so injurious an effect upon them as it has upon many plants
commonly grown in windows. At the approach of winter the
tubers can be stowed away in pots, in any cool place where
they do not become quite dust dry. I have seen them wintered
safely, by laying the pots on their sides in the open air, cover-
ing them over with ashes, and thatching the heap with straw
to throw off the wet ; in fact, this is a better plan than keeping
them in greenhouses, exposed to alternations of dampness and
dryness, which in most peoples' hands are almost inseparable
from wintering them in a house where tire-heat is applied.

Few people seem to realise the protection there is in common
brown paper, or the ordinary paper on which newspapers are
printed. In a fairly well constructed dwelling house, if the
plants be taken from the windows in the evening, placed in a
corner near the fireplace free from draught, with a newspaper
thrown over them, they would generally be safe; but only the
most patient and thoughtful are capable of following out any
such plan to the end. I have known cases in which the
greatest pains have been taken to protect the plants for a time,
and then perhaps on some particularly sharp night they have
been forgotten, the whole previous trouble thus counting for
nothing. As soon as it can be clearly seen which plants are
really dead and which are not, those that have perished should
be thrown out, and the pots washed ready for their next
occupants.

The time is now rapidly approaching when seeds may be
sown, and offsets and cuttings rooted to take the place of
those plants that are lost. Amongst seeds that may be sown now
in some of the empty pots, are those of Sweet Peas, which will
be available for either the inside or the outside of the window.
Sow about twenty Peas in a 5-in. pot. They may stand any-
where till the green tops appear above the soil ; then they must
occupy a position in a light, sunny window, as without plenty
of light they will grow too weakly to flower well. If the pots
coiald be suspended in a light window, as I have sometimes seen
them, and the Peas encouraged to flow over the top of the pot
as they progress, aiding them a little whenever the tendrils
seem inclined to disarrange the proper spreading of the shoots,
they will have a very pretty effect by-and-bye. They will require
plenty of water and a small quantity of some artificial stimu-
lant, such as Gould's compound or Standen's manure. Outside
the windows they may be planted in boxes, and either be
suffered to hang down or be trained up. Anyone having a
flower border may fill their empty pots with various plants
from that source. Many hardy plants are well worth potting
up in autumn and making a special feature of, without any
reference to losses or deaths of other plants from severe
weather. Hardy Primroses of the common type in various
colours are now in bloom in a cold house ; so are Polyanthuses,
and Alpine Auriculas are, in some instances showing their
trusses, and such things at this season are more capable of
giving pleasure than half dead and withered specimens of
Pelargoniums, &c. They should be potted not later than Sep-
tember, and be set on the north side of a wall or fence, and
well supplied with water. In November plunge the pots in
coal a^hes, and if severe frost sets in before they are required
for the windows scatter a little dry litter over them, or a few
evergreen branches laid over them will sufllce. Bulbs of all
kinds may be potted up for windows, and if that operation be
carefully done they will experience no check. I have lifted
clumps when in bloom and potted them without injury, and
they may be returned to the border when their flowering season
is over.

Of hardy shrubs, especially evergreen kinds, more use might
be made for the decoration of windows, both inside and out,
than has hitherto been done. One now and then comes across
a window, like an oasis in the desert, where a special feature is
made of them, serving to show how bright a window may be
made with plants that are virtually frost proof. All the Bar-
berries are adapted for pot culture, the dust easily washes
from their hard, glossy foliage, and they continue iu s;ood
health, if well supplied with water, for a long time. Iknowmany
plants that have been in use for several years, plunged out-
side in summer and brought indoors again in winter. Amongst
them are Laurustinns, Aucubas, Euonymuses, &c. In fact,
there is no lack of materials where the necessary time and

138

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, lfc79.

thought can be given to the subject, and the expense is not
great in the case of those who attend to their wants them-
selves. B. Hobday.

AN AMATEUR'S GKBBNHOUSE.
It strikes me sometimes that those able writers who give us
such excellent directions as to how greenhouses are to be
managed, what plants are to be in flower, and how they are to
be made to look gay at all seasons, shoot over the heads of a
great many people. They have charge of places, where, I will
not say unlimited means are at their disposal — for no one has
that — but where expense is little thought of, plenty of hands
are employed, and the difficulties of a shallow purse and crippled
space are " unknown quantities." They are somewhat like
the poor Queen Marie Antoinette, who wondered the people
could be in want when such good cheesecakes could be had ;
■or that illustrious Duke of our own country who suggested,
at the time of the Irish famine, what a good thing curry
powder would he to the destitute — " a pinch of it would be so
warming !" They knew not the status of the people whom
they really wished to benefit. Now, it is no disparagement to
the overseer of a garden with its range of stoves, greenhouses,
pits, &o., that he cannot understand the struggles for existence
of the owner of, it may be, one greenhouse and a few garden
frames. It is more his good fortune that he is in the midst of
such an Eldorado of gardening wealth, rather than in the poor
little surroundings of the suburban villa or the country
parsonage. Now, I happen to have a great love for a garden,
but I have also a somewhat slender purse ; and, as I have for a
decade of years had a good deal of enjoyment out of my green-
house (for I have only one), it may be that my experience,
taken from a lower level, may be of interest to many similarly
situated. For their benefit I will detail my experience.

Let me say, then, what my object is ; I am fond of having
■flowers in my sitting room. I have, too, a iilacens ii„i-or who
is apt at arranging them, but who would be the reverse of
plareiis if she were not regularly supplied with them. My
object then is, during the winter, spring, and early summer
months, before there is a copious supply of outdoor blossoms, to
be able to gather a few flowers to add to the foliage which is
always obtainable. To attain this, I have one greenhouse, or
rather two joined together. The upper one is a span roof, 20 ft.
in length, V2 ft. wide, and 11 ft. high. The lowerone is a lean-
to, 13 ft. long. This lower one has in it a couple of Vines (Black
Hamburghs),sothatit can only be used for certain odd purposes
which I will detail, and not for growing plants. To heat it, I
have a common fireplace and drain pipes. Of this more
presently. The centre walk of the house is formed of battens
13 in. wide, with spaces between, under which I can stow away,
out of sight, Lachenalias, Tropffiolums, and such like plants,
when they have done their duty. The stages are on each side,
level, 4 ft. 6 in. wide, composed in the same way of battens,
instead of shelves, leaving clear spaces between them for the
water to run down. As they are some feet from the ground,
there is room underneath where I can stand at times Vallottas,
and other plants which are going to rest. Over the centre
path I have a shelf, which runs down two-thirds of the house,
and on this I place some square boxes witU cuttings of
Pelargoniums for putting out in the summer. I do not " go
in " for bedding out, and these are enough for adding to the
herbaceous plants in the borders, while quite at the end there
is a small shelf, somewhat lower than the stage, where lean
place one or two tall plants. When considering how I should
heat this so as to keep out frost (for it would be idle for me to
attempt anything more), various plans were suggested to me.
Boilers of difl'erent kinds were proposed, but I felt that there
■would be a great expenditure of power with the smallest boiler
I could get, much of which would be wasted. A brick flue I
was aware was generally objectionable, as I knew how often the
smoke escaped and how difficult it was to keep it clear ; and so,
at the suggestion of a clever jack-of-all-trades (but one who is
good at all), I determined to try drain pipes. Those which I
procured were what are ordinarily called 6 in. pipes in
diameter, and glazed. About 8 ft. from the furnace was built
as an ordinary flue, as the drain pipes could not be ir the heat of
the fire so close to them ; these were then laid round the house

close to the wall, turned into the lower house, and thence into
the chimney. This did its duty well, so far as keeping out
the frost was concerned; but I experienced considerable
inconvenience owing to the accumulation of soot in the
pipes, and the consequent necessity of taking out the elbows
several times during the winter, and, as this disarranged the
level of the pipes, it became necessary to make some alteration
so the man whom I had employed before suggested that
instead of earring the pipes all round, they should be brought
somewhat more into the house, and that three places should be
made of bi-ick with a tile on the top, from which all parts of
the piping could be reached. This would be made clearer by a
small diagram, but in default thereof, I would say that the
brick flue of about 8 ft. is built close to the outside wall of
the house, the piping then takes a slant towards the inside
instead of, as before, running parallel with the outside. The
length to the flrst opening, which is in the centre of the house,
is about 7 ft., then a straight piece across to the next opening
of about 4 ft., then another slanting piece of about 7 ft. to the
third opening, and then another piece of about 8 ft. to the end
of the house. I am not quite sure of the exact measurement
(being away from home) but it is near enough for all practical
purposes. We have had now a pretty severe spell of
frost, and I have found that, by banking up the fire
between nine and ten o'clock, it keeps in all night, and frost is
excluded. I would, therefore, from my own experience of
some years, say to all who wish to heat a greenhouse of the size
of my own or smaller, that the cheapest and easiest managed
is such as I have described. It may be very unscientific, and
may cause a smileonthefacesof those who have Duplex, saddle,
and all other kinds of boilers at their disposal ; but, after all,
the question is what answers one's means and objects.

The house itself is cheaply built. There are no movable
sashes in the roof; the glass is simply laid on the rafters,
while there is one small sash about 2 ft. square in the centre
for ventilation. By this I mean that there are no sashes in the
roof ; however desirable they may be, they add very much to
the expense, and as economy was my object, the rafters were
glazed in the usual way with putty, for 1 was not rich enough
to experimentise with some of the new methods of glazing,
which seem to supply a want in horticulture The sides
are glazed in the same way, but there are three small
sashes on each side for giving air, while over the door
there is another, and also one at the further end. Thus
there is abundant facility for giving air; and, as the house
stands out in the full blaze oE the sun, it becomes very necessary
in the summer. I have adopted for shading some of CoUinge's
shading, nailing it on the inside of the house, and leaving
it up all the summer. I find that it is not sufficiently thick
to draw the plants at all, and yet sufficiently so to ward off the
direct rays of the sun.

Such is my amateur's greenhouse. It was inexpensive in the
first instance, and is equally so in keeping it up. In another
paper I will detail the manner in which it is utilised; and I
can only say that I very much doubt whether many persons
with ranges of houses at their disposal have had more enjoy-
ment out of them than I have had out of my humble effort.

Delta.

PREPARING LILACS FOR FORCING.
Those of your readers wio visited the Paris International
Exhibition must have envied the success achieved in producing
the pot Lilacs for early flowering, and yet their cultivation is
of the easiest kind. The best varieties for the purpose are
Charles X. and Dr. Lindley worked op the common Lilac,
which may be procured abroad from the open ground for a few
shillings per dozen. These should be planted out in a sunny
border and closely cut back so as to induce fresh growth. In
the autumn three or four of the strongest shoots should be
again cut back to the first pair of buds and the remainder may
be entirely removed, as six or eight flowering branches are
sufficient for the first year of blooming. About the middle of
the following August, or not later than the 21st, the plants
should be lifted and as much as possible of the soil shaken
from the roots, and, at the same time, all coarse root-growths
should be removed. They should then be potted in good soil

Fib. 15,1879.]

THE GARDEN.

139

in 6-in. or 7-iu. pots and placed in a cool situation and well
watered. They will receive no check by this treatment, and by
the end of the year they will have made abundance o£ fresh
roots, and probably every branch will terminate with two or
more flowering buds, which may be knovvn by their plump-
ness. If any doubts exist of their being such, it is
advisable to cut one vertically through the middle with a
sharp knife, when the flowers may be easily distinguished.
If there is reason to believe that all, or nearly all, are leaf buds
cut the shoots closely in, and plant out again, so as to induce
a stronger growth for the following year. If in June or July
any grow too vigorously they should be checked, cith ;r by
partly cutting tho roots, or by lifting the plants up bodily
with a fork and then replacing them in the hole without press-
ing the soil too closely round them, so that by tho check the
shoots, when fully matured should not exceed 12 in. or 18 in.
in length. Thus prepared they will be ready for forcing early
in the year. After flowering cut them back to the old wood,
and place them in a cool frame till April, when they may be
planted out, and the same treatment followed as directed in
the first instance. As the plants can only be successfully
flowered every alternate year they should be cultivated in two
batches, so as to have one in bloom each year, and by ordinary
attention they may be kept in a flowering state over a long
series of years. Periodically the root must have a thorough
cutting in, so as to be able to pot in reasonable-sized pots.
This is best performed in August after the first cutting in
after flowering. If it be desired to have white flowers they
may be obtained by forcing wich a temperature of 60° to 70°
in a perfectly dark room or closet, slightly ventilated so as to
provor.t moalJing. So soon as the the heads of flowers are
fully developed, and the flowers begin to open, the plants should
be gradually exposed to the light previous to planting in the
conservatory. T. B.

BOTTOM HEAT.
The most noticeable feature of Mr. Bainea' reply to my remarks on
thia sabjeet (p. 127) is the complete abandonment of the plea set up
by him that in growing p'atita without bottom heat he was acting in
conformity with Nature. I am myself ready to acknowledge his sno-
oesa aa a plant cultivator, ani at the same time prepared to prove,
from hia own statement?, that he never grew hia plants suooeaafally
without furnishing them with a root temperature " in a volume equal
to that in which the heads of the planta are placed," though he haa
now told ns that such a practice ia "diametrically opposed" to
Nature. Let me just state here, however, that the question under
discuaaion does not relate to the mode of applying bottom or root
heat. On that head people differ, but simply to the propriety of fur-
nishing it in some form or other. To prove what I eay your readers
have only to refer to the numerous articles Mr. Bainea haa written
on plant culture, but I will content myaelt with quoting from what
he haa written in The Garden, more eapeoially becauae
hia articles relate to aone of the very aubjecta, which he
now tella ua he grew without bottom heat. In The Gardex, last
A.pril, he recommends a temperature of 70° or thereabouts aa a night
temperature for stove planta, and a proportionate rise by day ; and
last August, writing on the onlture of Ixoraa, which he grew in hia
stovea along with other planta, he tella ua that the temperature of
the house from the beginning of May throughout the summer might
range from 70^ to 76" minimum to 95° maximum, or a few degrees
higher, with shutting up, &c. — shortly, we may aay from 70° to 100',
which ia about the ordinary heat of atovea in aummer. Now, the
mean of theae figures is 85^, and thia ia the temperature at which
Mr. Bainea kept the roots of hia stove planta, for I do not auppose
he or any one else will dispute the fact that the mean temperature of
the soil in the pots of plants cultivated under glaaa is just equal to
the mean temperature of the air of the house ; no body can be either
hotter or colder than that which heats it. Notwithstanding these
facta, however plainly deducable from all that Mr. Bainea has
written, he tella ua, in hia article on bottom heat, that when the
"heat of his stove had riaen above SO' he lifted the planta out to keep
them cooler. The said bed, it ia further stated, was heated by pipes
or fermenting materiala. How, therefore, he kept the temperature
of the bed lower than the air by which it was surrounded under these
circumstances is a puzzle which he alone can explain. And, says
Mr. Baines, referring to the results of the practice above described,
"I have on thia system cultivated individual plants for twenty years,
and have had them as strong and vigorous then aa during the earlier
portion of their existence." What better teatiuiony could any one

want in aupport of that practice which Mr. Bainea now oondemna.
In conolnsion, I would only state that my own practice in no way dif-
fers from that of Mr. Baines', only he desoribea his practice wrongly.
1 never plunged our hothouse planta of any kind in a bed heated by
pipea or fermenting materials, but have alwaya placed the plants on
the bed or the shelves, aa the most practicable method of conforming
to the conditions under which they exiat natuially as regarda root
temperature. I have plunged little else besidea Pines and pot-Vines,
and in their case it was done more to provide an equable degree of
moisture at the root than anything else, for I was alwaya careful to
see that their bottom beat did not exceed the mean of the top-heat,
which they would have received all the aame had the pots been set
on the surface of the bed, and I have stated aa much aa thia be.
fore in aome of the earlier numbers of The Garden. I would just
add, also, that it ia clear that Mr. Baines, in his lengthy article in a
contemporary, attributes evils to bottom-heat that are really caused
by plunging the pots in the bed more than any thing else. I allude to his
complaints about the planta drooping and fading when taken to exhibi-
tion or elaewhere. The very aame happens to plants growing vigorously
that are plunged in a cool bottom out-doora, when they are lifted out
of the plunging material, aa any one knowa who has had much to do
with plants. That great gardener. Knight, because he did not use the
bark beA to plunge his plants in was cited as one who did not beUeve
in bottom heat, but ho " disavowed entertaining any such senti-
ments," pointing out, as I have done in Mr. Baines' case, that, al-
though he did not plunge hia plants, their roots were not subjected
to a lower temperature than that to which their tops were exposed.
How Mr. Bainea haa overlooked a fact so palpable in hia declamations
against bottom heat during the past few years I cannot understand.

Wortlej. J. SniFSON.

[Here thia discussion, we think.'ahould cease.]

WINTER CONSERVATORY PLANTS.
Mr. Fish (p. 128) says he ia surprised to find Iledychiums and
Monatera delioiosa included amongst plants suitable for conservatory
decoration in winter, and adds that even the hardier Ficus elaatica
would soon look " seedy " if subjected to ordinary conservatory tem-
perature; but allow me to atata that I had no thought of summer
decoration when I prepared my list from plants actually growing in
quantity under the conditions deacribed, and where the temperature
waa below the minimum of 45' for weeks together; the Hedychiums,
too, had been used on several occaaions for ball-room decoration,
neceasitating their expoaure in very severe weather. Treatment of
that kind would have killed such planta if they had been kept in a
stove teu,peratnre, a circumstance that induced me to bring them
under the notice of your readers. I know that they keep growing
more in winter in a stove temperature, but I feel pretty sure that
they may be kept in perfect health without it. I may mention tha..
we have a fine plant of Monstera deliciosa growing and fruiting on
the back wall of a Vinery that has had only fire heat enough to keep out
f ro8t,yet it looks as healthy as need be. The Hedychiums with their tall,
Canna.like leaves and stems, and the Monstera with its large and hand-
some foliage, are plants distinct in character, and anyone trying them
aa permanent occupants of the conservatory will have no reaaon to
regret it. Does not Mr. Fish remember tho fine plants of Hedychium
Gardnerianum that used to grow and flower so well in the large con.
servatory at Chiswick in yeara gone by ? It is by growing such
plants in high temperatures and then removing them to a lower one
that renders them unable to withstand cold. Fruiting plants lika
the Monstera and growing them tor the decorative properties of their
foliage alone are two very different things ; for fruiting it should have
a Pine stove temperature. Another subject is suggested by Mr. Fish's
communication, viz., the inadequate heating power so often used in
conaervatoriea. It is well known that there is nothing more wasteful
than boilers and pipes too small for what ia required of them. Small
boilers are had enough, but small pipea are worse, for where the
water has a long distance to circulate, though hot enough when it
leaves the boiler it gets quite cold before it reaches the extreme divi.
sions. Such a winter as the past is useful occasionally, if only to
settle the merits of what are called heating apparatuses, aa many of
them c.innot bear so severe a strain aa that to which they have lately
been subjected. J- GaooM.

Linton.

Diplacus or Shrubby Mimulas.— I find plants belonging to
this section of the Mimulua family most useful for many purposes.
They last long in bloom and are easily grown ; they do well in a
heated pit or cold greenhouse, in any place, in short, out of the way
of frost. Give them water enough in winter to keep them from
getting dust dry ; in spring prune them and pot and grow them on,

140

THE GAKDEN.

[Feb. 15, 18! 9.

and daring summer they will make good plants either for the oonser.
vatory or for house decoration. CottiDgs struck in spring and grown
on rapidly also make nsetnl plants, and bloom well through the
autumn months. One or two good kinds are Golden Pheasant,
Gordon's Stella, and a sort known by the name of antaroticas. All
these bloom well if planted out in spring in the open borders and
taken up for winter decoration. — J. C. F.

PROPAGATING.

ANTiREniNUMS. — These are best propagated in September ;
take well-drained 4-in. pots and fill them with rather sandy
Boil ; select the cuttings from young side shoots, and make
them as shown in fig. 1 ; insert them firmly with a small peg

Fig. 1. — Cutting of Antirrhinum.

nd give them a good watering with a fine-rosed pot ; place
hem in a cold frame out-of-doors and cover them up, sprinkling
them over very slightly every morning, and leaving them open
for an hour to dry the leaves if the weather be favourable. In
about three weeks they will emit roots, when they may be gra-
dually hardened off, and either potted into store pots or kept

Pig. 2.

Cuttings of Antirrhinum .

in the cutting pots on a shelf in a cool greenhouse during the
winter ; keep them rather dry and pot them oS in February
In order to increase scarce and new sorts cuttings may be
made in spring, using either single or double eyes, as shown in
figs. 2 and 3 ; fig. 3, split down the centre, may be made into
two like fig. 2 ; they must bs placed on a gentle bottom heat in
the propagating box, and will be ready to take out in ten days
to gradually harden ofi. H. H.

Sizes of Propagating Pots. — Opinions differ as to the sizes of
pots best suited for striking cuttings in ; some think 3.in. ones best,
others 6-in. ones. My own opinion is that size is of little conse.
quence ; some do best potted singly at first, and then the roots do
not get broken in potting, as they can be transferred from one pot to
another without injary in any way, a point of great importance in
the case of brittle-rooted plants. My intention now, however, is to
point out to the inexperienced the way in which 8-in. pots may be
naed to the best advantage ; I prefer them, in fact, to either 6-in. or
7-in. pots. In the case of 8. in. pots, instead of putting crooks in
them in the usual way, take a small thumb or other pot, according
to depth (as they differ in that respect from most potteries), and in.
vert this upside down in the large one ; then fill all round it to just
above its top with small crocks ; on this put some rough material to

keep the drainage open, and then fill up with soil in the usual manner
In this way I have foand cuttings to strike as quickly and as well in
the centre as round the sides of the pot ; the inverted pot forms, as it
were, a chamber by means of which the bottom heat is equally dis-
tributed all over the pot, and the soil does not remain wet so long in
the middle as it otherwise does, causing the cuttings to damp off,
especially such as Verbenas and those of a similar character. I have
found pots crocked in the way just recorded useful for starting snob
plants as Alternantheras, Coleuses, &o. I put the pots in evaporating
troughs and keep them filled with water ; here cuttings of such
plants strike in a very short time. Now, when the demand for
summer bedding plants is great, one has to make all sorts of shifts
where there is no proper propagating house. — J. C. F.

PLANT CULTURE FOR MARKET.
Indoor Flowers.

Calceolarias, both of the shrubby and herbaceous
kinds, are grown for market ; but the former are
offered in the greatest quantity. An improved variety
of C. aurea is most sought after. It bears large trusses
of bright yellow flowers, and is dwarf and compact
in habit. Cuttings of it are struck in cold frames late in
autumn ; their shoots are pinched back early in the year,
and they are potted into 5-in. pots and kept in a half shady
cool hotise or pit close to the glass, when they throw out
abundance of flowering shoots. The soil used is loam, leaf-
mould, and road sand.

Musk does not pay for growing to any great extent,
except for early work, but florists grow it to fill in between
larger plants sent to market. Pieces of the roots are taken
up, placed in 5-in, pots, and put in heat soon after the turn
of the year, or earlier, when good flowering plants in spring
are the result. The Giant Musk sent out by Messrs. Harrison
<fe Sons, of Leicester, makes a good market plant ; both its
flowers and leaves are large, and its scent is as good as
that of the common variety, and it grows equally well in
window-sills or rooms.

Lilacs are forced for the sake of their blooms in winter.
The earliest supply comes chiefly from France, where the
plants are grown in the dark, in order to make their flowers
become white. The plants to be forced are lifted from the
open ground, potted and placed in heat, keeping them
well syringed overhead. When the blooms begin to
open, mats are 23laced on the roof of the house or pit
and round the plants in order to shut out light, and in
this way almost pure white trusses of flowers are produced.
After flowering, the plants are again turned out of doors.
Forcing in strong heat has also the effect of making
the flowers white.

Lobelias are grown in large quantities in pots. They
are chiefly struck from cuttings put in in the autumn.
When rooted, they are potted into 6-in. pots, placed close
to the glass, and receive jjlenty of air and water.
Thus treated, they become compact, floriferous plants in
May and June.

Stocks are grown by thousands for planting out in beds
during the summer. The seed of the Intermediate variety
is sown late in autumn in cold frames, and when up the
largest plants are selected for pot culture ; the others are
allowed to remain till they are fit for sale in spring. Some
plant Stocks out-of-doors, and lift them into pots when in
bloom.

Asters are sown in spring in heat, and planted out in
good rich land. When in bloom they are potted early in
the morning, whilst the dew is on them, and sold when
fresh and bright ; before the day is over, however, if a
hot one, they look just the reverse, the shift rendering
them unable to withstand strong sunshine.

Feb. 15, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

141

Begonias of the Weltonlensis and Saundersi types are
grown lai'gely for market ; also an unnamed seedling kind
with pure white blossoms, which are produced in abun-
dance from amidst a mass of dwarf, stocky foliage. The
Saundersi variety is very floriferous, large trusses of
scarlet and pink blossoms hanging in profusion from every
ehoot. Begonias are well adapted for decorative purposes,
as they are easily grown and last in flower for a consider-
able time.

To the above may be added Veronicas, Epiphyllums,
Ixias, Sparaxis, Petunias, and Clematis, all of which are
sent in qnantity to market, both in the form of plants and
cut flowers. The Mock Orange, too, is grown by a few
florists planted out in fruit houses, where it yields abun-
dance of blossoms early in spring, which are mvich prized
for bouquets.

The Laukqstinus is grown largely by some growers for
forcing into bloom at Christmas. At that season, owing
to the dullness of the weather and the forcing, its blossoms
come much whiter than those jaroduced at their natural
season out-of-doors. Plants for forcing are generally
obtained from the Continent or from nurseries in which
they are largely grown for supplying the trade. They are
potted in October and November, and introduced into a
warm temperature under which, with plenty of water at
the roots and frequent syringings overhead, they soon open
their bloorj. After flowering, the plants are either plunged
in beds of ashes or soil out-of-doors, or are turned out of
their pots into good soil until the following autumn, when
they are forced as before. A few growers, however, raise
their own plants, and dispose of a quantity of them when
in a small state for window decoration, &c. In this case
cuttings are taken ofi" in August and Se|)tember, when the
wood is becoming firm, and are inserted thickly in pits or
frames, into which have been introduced a few inches in
depth of sandy soil, made firm. They are kept close for a
few weeks, after which air is freely admitted. By the
spring they will have made good roots, and they are then
transplanted into prepared beds of rich sandy soil in the
open air. Here they remain for about two years, when
they are lifted and potted, allowing a little room for the
roots to expand. After this the pots are plunged in a sunny
position, and shifted on into larger pots as may be required.
Some have their stems kept clear of shoots, so as to form
standards ; others are allowed to grow naturally into sturdy
bushes. When they have become well-established plants
in 6-in., S-in., or 9-in. pots, well set with buds, they are
moved into the houses in November and December, to open
their flowers. By inserting a quantity of cuttings every
year, a succession of good plants is thus kept up.

The foregouig list might be considerably lengthened,
but the subjects mentioned form the leading market indoor
flowering plants grown in and about London.

Outdoor Flowers.

Market gardeners who grow fruit and vegetable crops
find it remunerative to grow hardy flowering plants
between them and in positions, such as under the shade of
trees, where other crops would not succeed satisfactorily,
some of these flowering plants do well. The most impor-
tant under-crop of this kind is that of Moss Roses, to
which reference has already been made, but the following
are also profitable and much grown :

WALLrLOWEiis. — In favourable seasons early planted
Wallflowers afford abundance of cut bloom throughout the
winter, and in February and March good prices are
obtained for it; even in April Wallflowers realise fair

jDrices ; but after that they become very cheap indeed, good
large bunches of them being often sold for Id. andl.Vd.
each. The advantages of early sowing and planting,''BO
that blooms may be procured in fair abundance through
the winter, and in large quantities in early spring, are,
therefore, at once apparent. Prom March to April, and
even earlier in mild seasons, Wallflowers are brought to
market in waggon loads. The blooms are cut with stalks
from 6 in. to 9 in. long, and are tied in bundles, as
large as can be grasped with both hands, with small
withes or bast. They are ustially grown between fruit
trees or in other shady places, where they thrive remark-
ably well. In the neighbourhood of Isleworth, Twicken-
ham, and Feltham, hundreds of rows of them nearly half
a mile in length may be seen. The seed is sown broad-
cast in beds in the open air in February, and when the
plants are large enough to handle they are transplanted
into rows from 12 in. to 15 in. apart. During summer, if
the place which they occupy be very much shaded, they
often become a little " drawn," but as the leaves fall o2' the
trees in autumn they begin to branch out and grow rapidly,
and by December many of them arc in bloom. After all
the flowers have been cut, the plants are dug ujj and thrown
away, and are replaced by young seedlings, which are by
that time ready for transplanting. Before planting, how-
ever, the ground is always liberally manured and deeply
dug. Market gardeners never keep Wallflowers more than
one year, young plants being always found to produce the
most and best bloom. Seeds are saved from plants pos-
sessing the best branching habit, and which bear the
darkest-coloured blossoms ; when in flower the plantations
of them are gone over, and plants possessing these quali-
ties are marked by placing a stake by the side of each.
These are allowed to remain undisturbed until the seed is
ripe, when they are pulled up, roots and all, and housed in
a dry place until a convenient season arrives for threshing
out the seed. The old-fashioned market garden Wallflower
is the kind still sought after ; it is found to bloom better
and earlier, and the flowers, which are dark and rich in
colour, realise more money in the market than those of
any other kind. When plentiful. Wallflowers are not
taken into the flower market, but are disposed of from the
waggons outside the building to hawkers. C. W. S.

The Pampas Grass in avenues would doabtleaa, aa A. D
snggests (p. 118), have a grand effect it properly treated, and it
might also be planted by the Bidea of carriage drives, if of any length
where a good bold carve conld be seoared. Supposing the drive to
be abont half a mile in length, I would plant it as follows. Com.
mencing at 25 ft. from the drive, I woald plant alternately at 30 ft.
apart Deodars and Araucaria imbricata, and midway between each of
these, and 10ft. nearer the drive, a plant of Pampas Grass. At 30 ft.
from the Pampas Grass and exactly behind it, I would use alternately
Wellingtonias and Cupreasua Lawaouiana. If space could be allowed
for a third row of Coniferae, I would select Cedar of Lebanon, Ficea
nobilis, P. grandis, P. Nordmanniana, Abies Douglasi, and A. Smithi.
ana ; and at 40 ft. from the Conifaraa I would have a double row of
deciduous trees to form a shady walk. They should be 15 ft. apart
each way, and might consist of Limes and Chestnuts. The Araucaria
and Deodar like a deep sandy loam, or peat ; therefore if planted ia
wet heavy ground, it should be well drained, and the trees should
be planted on slightly raised mounda in saltable soil. The Araucaria
soon loses its lower branches it planted in wet heavy land, but when
seen as at Bearwood it is a grand obJ9ot. The style of planting here
indicated is more suitable for curved than for straight drives, and the
greater the length the grander the effect would be. Elma or Chestnuts
doubtless are the moat suitable for straight drives, yet I have often
thought that the Oak might be used for avenues, as it is much more
durable than either of the former, and is in every respect a grand
tree. — W. L., Eeaiing.

142

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879.

i'lj-A.TE CXiXVII.

THE TIGRIDIAS.
(with a colotteed plate op tigridia pavonia geandiflqka).

Drairn by Miss PIERREPONT.
To the numerous, and, for the most part, showy family of
Iridaceous plants belong many garden favourites, but amongst
them few can rival the Tigridias, especially the variety repre-
sented in our plate ; indeed the magnificent colour, added to
the singular conformation of the blossoms, can scarcely be sur-
passed by any plant in cultivation. Yet, singular as it may
appear, Tigridias of recent years have held but an inferior
position amongst outdoor garden plants ; whereas, fifty years
ago they formed, with other half hardy bulbous plants, one of
the more important features in most gardens. Happily the taste
for them is evidently reviving, and we shall have gained our
purpose if the present illustrations and accompanying remarks
tend in any way to increase their popularity, and place them
once again amongst the finest outdoor plants cultivated by the
many. According to the latest revision of the Order by Mr.
Baker the genus consists of about sis species, comprising T.
Pavonia, with its numerous forms, and the Shell Tiger Flower
(T. conchiflora), which is classed as a native variety of T. Pa-
vonia. The remainder include those formerly known as Bea-
tonias, but, as their flowers are very fugitive and somewhat
small and dull in colour, they cannot be considered generally
speaking of much horticultural interest. These are T. atrata,
with greenish flowers, pencilled with dark-coloured spots like
a Fritillary, T. curvata and violacea with purplish blossoms.
T. lutea and T. Van Houttei ; the former with yellowish flowers
1^ in. across, spotted with purple, is figured in a late number
of the " Botanical Magazine " ; the latter is the latest addition
to the genus. It grows about 1 ft. high, and has purplish
flowers li in. across. It was raised from seeds received from
Mount Islapalapa, in Mexico, at M. Van Houtte's establish-
ment at Ghent, and was, moreover, the subject of a coloured
illustration in the " Flore de Serres " for 1875. Geographi-
cally considered, we find all the species natives of Mexico,
with the exception of T. lutea which inhabits Chili and Peru.
Other kinds of Tigridia are enumerated in trade lists, but
most of them belong to totally distinct genera. For instance,
T. undulata is a Ferraria, plants essentially natives of the
Cape. T. coolestis is Phalocallis plumbea, a native of Brazil.
T. Herberti is synonymous with Cypella Herberti, also of Bra-
zilian origin; whilst T. canariensis is evidently a misnomer, as
none are found in the Old World. It is probably a fine form
of T. conchiflora.

The Tiger Flower (T. Pavonia) is a very old inhabitant of
gardens, having been first introduced to them nearly a century
ago, and, on account of its possessing a sporting tendency,
many seminal varieties have sprung from it, the most note-
worthy being T. Wheeleri, a kind wTiich has larger flowers, and
a shade deeper in colour than those of the type. T. splendena
and T. speciosa are also larger, and their colour is brighter ;
but description fails to convey an idea of the distinctive points
of these varieties. The form grandiflora, which we figure, is
superior to the type on account of its larger and richer-coloured
blossoms, its small, fiddle-shaped petals being more copiously
spotted, and the deep green of the plaited, sword-like foliage
much enhances the effect, as will be seen by the annexed wood-
cut. It is apparently a native form, and has been grown and
flowered with great success by Messrs. Barr & Sugden, from
whose grounds the flowers represented in the annexed plate
were obtained.

. The Shell Tiger Flower (T. Pavonia var. conchiflora) differs
from the type in being of less robust habit and in the blossoms
being bright yellow and spotted with scarlet. That this is
but a variety of Pavonia is evident from the fact that there are
recorded instances of bulbs producing blossoms in which
yellow predominated in the early part of the season, and later
on the same bulbs bore scarlet flowers.

The two kinds will also intercross freely, the result being
hybrids partaking more or less of the character of both sorts,
such as T. aurautiaoa, Pavonio-conchiflora, intermedia, all of
Continental origin, and Watkinsoni, produced some years ago
by Mr. Horsefield, of Manchester, with flowers like those of

conchiflora, and a habit very like that of T. Pavonia. The only
detracting point connected with these charming flowers is that
they display their beauty but for a day only ; this is, however,
compensated for by each stem bearing a continuous succession
of blossoms during the flowering season, so that it is advisable
to plant in groups, in order to obtain a continual show of
flowers.

As regards culture, about the end of March prepare a bed
for them, and if in a partially shaded position so much the
better ; thoroughly drain it with rubble, &c., placed at a depth
of 1| ft. or 2 ft., and fill in with a compost of rich loam and
well-decayed leaf-mould in equal quantities, with a good
sprinkling of sand, all being well mixed up together. In the
first or second week in April plant the bulbs from 5 in. to 6 in.
apart, and 3 in. deep, placing a little sand under and around
each. They will require no further care, except, if the weather
be dry, giving them slight waterings up to the time when they
begin to expand their blossoms. When the foliage becomes
decayed in autumn, the bulbs should be carefully lifted and
tied in bunches of about twelve, according to their size, and

Tigridia Pavonia grandiflora.

hung in a cool, airy place until next planting season. Some
cultivators allow the bulbs to remain undisturbed during the
winter, and in warm localities and in light soils, perhaps, it is
advisable for a year or two ; but, as a general rule, the plan
recommended is preferable, as it entails but little trouble, and
the bulbs are at hand for the purposes of propagation. ■ The
latter is effected by means of offsets, which are freely produced,
and if carefully removed and treated as above, they will flower
the second year. Seeds afford a wholesale means of propa-
gation. They should either be sown as soon as ripe or in the
following spring in shallow pans, and placed in a heated frame
or greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings are of sufficient size
they should be pricked off into other pans, after which they
should be treated as matured bulbs, and in the third and fourth
season they will produce blossoms. W.

Storks in Gardens. — At Ferrierea, for the last four years a
pair of storks, male and female, have been in the kitchen garden , and
also another pair in an enclosed nursery where Conifers, Roses, Straw-
berriee, and such like are grown. Those birds have been found moat

THE GARDEN

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T I GRI D I A PAVO N I A - ^ ^ t I D I F L O R A . ( P - T^ '

Feb. 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

143

nsefal, destroying snoh pests as adders, sings, worms, mice, moles,
snails, spiders, flies, &o. They walk about in the garden from morn,
ing till night doing their work, and they spoil nothing, touching
nothing whatever, either frait, vegetable, or flower.

ter from which we have jast emerged. Djes the Paulownia nsaally
form its flower-bads at the close of the season, and does it often
flower in England ? — J. J. Rogers, Penrose.

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

USEFUL CONIFERS.
I QUITE agree with all that Mr. Bainea (p. 106) has said in
favour of Piaas Laricio.and would stronglyrecommend its being
extensively planted in woods and plantations with a view to
profit, for, unquestionably, it is one of the most valuable of all
the Coniferas, and succeeds well where many others would fail.
Near the sea coast, for instance, it grows with a vigour
equalled by few, but in such situations there should be plenty
of other things planted with it to assist in breaking the force
of the winds, and, when thinning is done, it should be gradual,
as those left get cut about through sadden exposure, and
sometimes completely uprooted. It seems a pity that so much
ground should be occupied about the country in the growth of
so many trees that are quite worthless for their timber, and
more particularly so as wo are dependent, in a great measure,
for all we use on the supplies we get from abroad, but, some-
how or other, Spruce appears to have been the favourite with
our foresters, but why this should have been so I am at a loss
to conceive, as it has no special merit beyond its symmetrical
shape in an ornamental point of view, and in other respects it
is quite worthless, unless it be for using as fuel. There is
another Conifer to which I would call attention, which is
Abies Douglasi, the wood being close grained, hard, and tough,
and so full of resinous matter that the weight of it greatly
exceeds that of the Larch. As to growth, planted on the same
soil, it seems a race between the two which shall obtain the
greatest altitude in the shortest space of time, but, conditions
being about the same, thex-e is not much difference in the rate
of progress, either in an upward direction or in the girth of
the stem. Up to the present their price has been against a
a more extensive use of them for planting, but, as Mr. Baines
points out, this ought not to be so much a consideration, as
with this and the Pinus Laricio it is an easy matter,when form-
ing fresh plantations, to place these at wide distances to allow
space for their full development, and then fill in between with
Larch, Scotch Firs, and other common'fer things, to act as nurses
and draw the others up, and thus prevent the spread of side
branches, which, if allowed to have full play, rob the leader
and spoil the quality of the timber by causing large knots in
the planks. The Douglas is a Fir that likes plenty of shelter,
and therefore comes in admirably for filling in blank spots in
•woods where there is sufficient light and room upwards, and
■when they can be so favoured, it is surprising the headway
they make. In open positions the inclination of Abies Doug-
lasi appears to be to spread and make the most growth in
a horizontal direction, but, checked by being surrounded by
others, it rushes up at the rate of 3 ft. in a season. Where a
few choice and distinct-looking Conifers are required for orna-
ment to plant in conspicuous places, the following will be
found about the most desirable : — Picea grandis, P. nobilis,
P. Nordmanniana, P. magnifica, and P. cephalonica, the latter
of which should be so situated as to be not only sheltered by
other trees, but where the sun does not strike it early in the
morning, otherwise it is apt to get its soft buds injured by
spring frosts on account of the early growth it makes. Among
Pinuses, besides the one already nimed, P. austriaca is
deserving a place in any grounds of sufficient extent to accom-
modate this class of plants, as is also P. Lambertiana, the rich
deep green of which is quite pleasant to look upon, and shows
up in fine contrast against several of the foregoing that have
more of a silvery hue. S. D.

Paulownia imperialla. — I send you herewith a sprig of flower-
buds cat the other day from the head of a Paulownia about twenty
years old, growing here in a sheltered garden a mile from the shores
of Mount's Bay, in Cornwall. The tree in question flowered, but
feebly, in May, 1878, and once before. The specimen which I send
is one of several sprigs, and is one of the smallest. I was surprised
to find the buds apparently uninjured by the long and severe win.

"TREES OF THE FUTURE."
I CAN endorse all that Mr. Woodall saya (p. 71) respecting the
merits of the Cedar of Lebanon, and still more so of the Mount Atlaa
Cedar, and of the great mistake that is made in planting the Deodar
in preference to the Mount Atlas Cedar, especially when introduced
as the Deodar is, by hundreds, into places suitable or
unsuitable without any apparent reflection or consideration.
With equal justice the same may be said in regard to the
large amount of Coniferous and Taxaceous trees that have been
brought into the country within the last forty years, and concerning
which, despite their handsome appearance and the free growth which
many have so far made, there is yet a good deal of uncertainty as to
how they may behave in this climate. There are few who will at-
tempt to gainsay the desirability for as much variety as possible in
the trees employed for decorative planting in parks, or in what are
nsaally designated dressed grounds in the more immediate vicinity of
dwellings, be such grounds more or less in extent, bat there can be
little question that in situations like these the choice is frequently
in favour of uncertain novelties rather than of trees that are not
only well proved as to their hardiness, but also as to their superiority
for effect in the positions to be occupied. This is not simply a mis.
take in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but one that is fraught
with consequences that will take longer to correct than those
who fall into it are likely to see fully rectified. But,
at all events, there can be little doubt that amongst
the introductions that have appeared witVn the last half cen-
tury from California, Chili, and later from Japan, some will be
found in every way deserving of being classed as trees of the future
in such positions as I have named, and probably for grouping in con.
eiderable quantities in woods, where masses of dark evergreen foliage,
as well as diversity of form, are alike desirable, independent of what
may turn out to be their value as timber trees. But in speaking of
what are to be the trees of the future, the subject embraces a much
wider field than woods and pleasure grounds combined, when we look
at the whole surface of the land collectively and notice what is being
done, or rather left almost wholly undone, in the shape of planting
trees to take the place of those existing. I am aware that from
a purely cultural point of view trees in hedgerows, as well as singly,
or in groups in cultivated ground, are looked upon with disfavour ; but
imagine them all removed and I think even those who entertain the
most utilitarian ideas on the matter would hesitate before the broad
landscape of the entire country was made treeless in all except such
as are comprised in woods alone ; yet with a few exceptional proper-
ties, this is the direction in which matters are gradually approaching,
for direct our course where we may through almost any county in
the kingdom, we may go scores of miles without seeing a
single tree planted (except as I have already stated in the imme-
diate vicinity of dwellings, or in the few places where new plantations
of some extent are being made) to take the place of the trees that now
dot the landscape, and of which it may with truth be said nineteen
twentieths are at present past their best, and surely, if slowly,
on the wane. Where there is one extensive landowner who is mindful
of this, and who makes corresponding provision for the distant
future, there are a score who never give it a thought, or allow think,
ing to snflice. This may no doubt be attributed to the fact that tree
growth is slow, extending over the time allotted to not one bat a good
many generations. In musing over the subject the thought often
occurs, what at some distint time will be the appearance of the
country ? Will no general movement ever be made until the trees
that now deck the landscape are so far gone as to necessitate resort
being made to the quick.growiog Poplars, so painfully monotonous in
some parts of the Continent ? Or are the trees of the future, looking
at the subject from this point of view, to be found amongst the
many comparatively new comers ? I think not. Nor is it desirable
that they should be, for, like Cobbett's whilom favourite Acacia, it is
more than likely they would turn out lamentable failures as regards
supplying the places of the Oak, Ash, and Elm, which combine
excellence in the timber which they produca with general effect not
likely to be surpassed or even equalled. Not that it is advisable to
exclaaively confine tha general planting to the above-named ; Syca-
more. Poplar, Chestnut, Lime, and Beech, with, for variety, a limited
number of others, amongst which ought to be a few evergreen
species, should no doubt be added. Much is from time to time said
about what are to be the trees of the future. I think, upon a little
reflection, it will be seen that such trees as have been in the past
should be those of the future, with the addition of the kinds that
have been hitherto planted too sparingly. T. Baines.

U4

THE GARDEN.

Feb. 15, 1879.

NOTES FROM KBW.

Greenhouse Plants. — Several noteworthy Australian plants are
now in flower in the conservatory. Amongst these is the Fuchsia-like
GenethjUia, a Myrtaceous shrub discovered by Drammond many
years ago in the Swan River Settlement. It forms a neat, erect,
mnoh-branched bush about 2 ft. high, and on the end of almost every
branch is a drooping flower.head, consisting of about six blossouis,
enclosed by a row of deep red bracts about 1 in. long. The foliage
is small, and has a very agreeable aromatic fragrance similar to that
of some of the Diosmas. Another charming shrub ia Boronia
tetrandra, which inhabits South-east Australia and Tasmania. It
has a remarkably neat habit, and grows about 2 ft. in height, with
mnch-divided foliage consisting of about three pairs of very narrow
leaflets. It produces its pretty blush.colcured blossoms in abundance
and continues in perfection for a long time. Stenanthera pinifolia,
a plant belonging to the Epaoris family, is also from the same region
and an old introduction. It much resembles a Pinus in miniature,
having clusters of small, needle-like leaves and narrow, tubular
blossoms 1 in. long, deep rose-coloured tipped with green. Of the
numerous kinds of Grevillea none are more deserving of more
extended culture than G. Thelemanniana (syn. G. Preisi), as it forms
one of the most elegant plants imaginable, having delicate pinnate
foliage resembling that of the common Southernwood, and numerons
terminal pendent clusters of beautiful rich red and yellow flowers of
Tery peculiar structure. It comes from the neighbourhood of Perth
in South-west Australia, where it forms handsome spreading bushes
from 3 ft. to 5 ft. in height. It is to be regretted that these fine
plants from the Southern Hemisphere are not more generally culti.
vated than they are, as no class of subjects is more serviceable for
enlivening our greenhouses during the dull season of the year.
Perhaps they may be thought diflicult to manage, but it plenty of
light and air be afiorded them, with due regard to liberal drainage,
careful watering, and a good peaty compost as essentials, the difli-
culty, if any, may be surmounted. Arctostaphylos tomentosa is a
handsome Californian Bearberry growing about 3 ft. high, with oval,
pointed leaves and terminal, dense clusters of waxy.white blossoms.
Though treated as a greenhouse shrub it is quite hardy.

Orchids. — Angrteoum eburneum ia a stately epiphyte with large,
leathery, sword-like leaves spreading in a fan. like manner, from the
axils of which are produced stout, erect spikes, 2 ft. or more in lecgth,
bearing two rows of blossoms with a large tip of ivory whiteness, the
other divisions, and also the spur, being pale green. The variety
superbum has flowers larger than those of the type, and in A. virena
they are auSused with green, and all are very sweet scented. They
are natives of the Islands of Madagascar and Bourbon. One of the
best and most useful of the yellow. flowered Dendrobes is D. fimbriatum
oculatnm. Its blossoms are borne in graceful, pendulous, loose
racemes and are 1^ in. across, of a rich apricot yellow ; the lip, which
is roundish, is delicately fringed, and has a deep brown blotch in the
centre. This section of Dendrobes is accompanied by more foliage at
the flowering period than occurs with the generality of other kinds,
thus much enhancing the effect produced by them. We are indebted
to the late Dr. Wallich for its first introduction to our stoves, he hav-
ing sent it from Burmah many years ago ; it also occurs in Nepal, but
the concolorous type is more prevalent at the last-mentioned place.
The old Phajus grandifolins is probably too well known to need des-
cription ; still it deserves a passing word. Its ample foliage is hand-
some, and sets off to advantage the stately spikes of large flowers
which last a long time in perfection. Brasaavola cordata and venoga
are neat little epiphytes, much resembling each other ; the former
has a pure white heart-shaped lip, the latter larger blossoms with the
lip white and spotted with purple at the base j both are natives of
Brazil. Mention was made in the last notes of the African Ansellia,
and a fine variety of it ; another is now in flower bearing the name of
A. gigantea, though on what ground it merits the name it is difiicult
to perceive, as it is smaller in growth than A. africana, and the
flowers are also not so large, but they are very distinct in colour
which is a pale sea-green sparsely spotted with brown, and the lip is
a rich canary-yellow. The heart-lipped Odontoglosaum (0. cordatum)
though not so showy as some of its congeners is, nevertheless, very
handsome, its flowers being 2 in. across, white barred with reddish-
brown.

Stove Plants. — Foremost in interest and rarity is Ptyohosperma
rnpicola, a handsome Palm now in flower in the Palm honee. It ia
about 10 ft. high, with a noble head of elegant spreading foliage, and
from the upper half of the naked stem is produced a much. branch 3d
inflorescence 1 ft. serosa, the whole of a deep blood-red colour, with
numerona white star-like blossoms thickly studded on the twigs,
rendering it very effective. Another Palm of great beauty is the
Mexican Cbamsedorea Sartori, of which there are two or three plants,
both large and small, flowering freely iu the Aroid house. Unlike

the last, the drooping feathery clusters of small blossoms of a deep
orange colour are borne amongst the deep green foliage, thereby
much enhancing their beauty. In a small state this ia one of the
b3st of Palms for decorative purposes, more especially as it produces
flowers annually. W.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Out-door Camellias. — Mr. Groom informs us that Camellias
growing at Linton Park,Maidstone,in an exposed situation, have passed
BO far through the winter unprotected without apparently sustaining
the least injury. The flower buds remain plump and soand, and
promise to open freely. The climate of Kent may be considered a
very favourable one, but it is neverthelesa evident, that the Camellia
might be planted out-of-doors in many places much more extensively
than it ia. It is even hardier than the Laurustinus, and therefore
wherever that Kill succeed so likewise will the Camellia; i. e., pro-
vided the soil be such as it requires. Good loam,road sand, well decayed
cow manure or leaf mould suit it admirably ; a mulching of half-rotted
leaves or manure during hot weather will also greatly benefit it.

Xiphion planifolium in flower at Bitton. — There is no
doubt that this winter will have been most disastrous in the garden,
but I am sure it will also be a winter of surprises. My first great
surprise is that I have now in flower the beautiful Xiphion plani-
folium (Bot. Mag., 6352), though it has been in full leaf all through
the frost and entirely unprotected. Thia has always been considered
to be one of the tenderest of the family, so that it ia said in the Bot.
Mag., that " it can only be satisfactorily grown under cover." Yet it
ia wholly uninjured. I think the entire absence of sun may have
had something to do with thia, as it ia very probable that a bright
sun upon the fleshy leaves after or during the frost would have been
fatal to them. The plant is better known as Iris alata. — Henkt N.
Ellacombe, Bitton Vicarage, Gloucester.

Begonia glaucifolia for baskets. — This is one of the beat of
plants for furnishing hanging baskets for the conaervatory during
autumn, winter, and spring. It flowers freely, and plants of it can
be grown into a good size in a very short time ; cut sprays of it
were shown at South Kensington the other day by Mr. Parr, who
grows it extensively in baskets for the decoration of the conservatory
at Harrow.Weald Park, where it contrasts strikingly with Poinsettiaa,
and similar plants of an attractive kind.

Wall Shrubs and the Frost. — We noticed on walls in the
Pine-apple Nursery the other day, several plants which are not gene-
rally thought to be perfectly hardy, much less to withstand the
severe test to which they have been subjected thia winter. On a low
wall in a north-western aspect, Abelia floribunda is not iu the least
injured, nor are plants of Azara integrifolia variegata or Othonna
japonica. Choisya ternata on three aspects — north, west, and south
— is fresh, green, and vigorous; and Greyia Sutherlandi, though cut
to the ground, is otherwise iu good condition, its crowns and roots
being fresh and plump. — S-

Dendrobium Wardianum. — There will shortly be a fine dia-
play of this showy Orchid in the Pineapple Nursery. The plants
have for a long time past been subjected to cool treatment, having
been hung up in a house occupied by Solanuma and other plants.
This has had the effect of thoroughly maturing the pseudo-bulbs,
and the plants promise to bloom well in consequence.

Lilac Charles the X. — A good display is made by thia Lilao
just now in Messrs. Veitch's nursery at Chelsea. It ia, without doubt,
the best variety which we have for early forcing, and by proper
management its flowers may be rendered quite white. The plants in
question are bushes about 2 ft. high, and aa much through, and the
number of blossoms which each plant bears is almost incredible. They
are grown in 6-in. and 8-in. pots, sizes in which they can be used with
effect for dinner-table or room decoration. Associated with them are
some very fine Tulips and the lovely Staphylea colohica, which ia
likely to be grown henceforward very largely by florists for market,
for the sake of its blooms in a cut state.

National Auricula, and Carnation and Ficotee Societies.

— A committee meeting of the southern section of the National Au.
ricula.and also of the Carnation and Picotee Societies, was held the
other day in the Royal Horticultural Society's conservatory. South
Kensington. Mr. G. F. Wilson in the chair. Judgea were nomi.
nated for both exhibitions, and the financial affairs of the Society
were discussed. Although it is expected that moat of the old sub-
scribers will continue to support these societies, there are from
various causes some certain to fall off annually. The committee trust
that a sum of £10 lOa. will be raised for each society by an appeal to
those interested in these popular fl.owers, of which they have taken

Feb. 15. 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

145

Bpeeial charge. Mr. Dodwell, the financial secretary, H, Chatham
Terrace, Larkhall Rise, Clapham, S.W., kindly ofEers fifty aeeda
saved frota his choicest named Carnations and Piootees, to each new
snbscriber of £1 Is. to the Carnation Society, or to any old subscriber
who will add an additional guinea to his or her subscription.

mported Pine-apples. — Large qnantities of excellent Pine,
apples have lately made their appearance in Covent Garden Market
from the Azores. They are of good size, well ripened, and remark-
ably cheap, really good fruits being sold at prices as low as 103.
each.

Pavetti borbonica. — This is an excellent fine-foliaged plant
for room decoration. Like the well-known Pious elastica, it is erect
in habit, and its leaves, which are deep green and netted with dark
veins, with a bright red midrib, are thick and leathery ; therefore,
they can be easily cleared of dust, which is unavoidable in rooms.
We lately saw good plants of it in Messrs. Carter & Co.'s nursery at
Forest Hill.

bundles, they could be usol wit! out the trouble of writing, the
numbers being recorded for identification in the garden catalogue
Mr. Maw's markers might be oast with progressive numbers without
interfering with their ordinary use, and would thus be doubly valuable.

— BROCKnURST.

LINDEN'S "ILLUSTRATION HORTICOLB."
A DOUBLE number of this admirably illustrated periodical, consisting
of parts 7 and 8 of the 25th volume of the work, has just reached
ns, nearly six months behind time, as these parts should, in ordinary
course, have appeared during the months of July and August of last
year. The delay has been caused by the serious illness of the editor
M. Edouard Andre. Tha remaining parts of the 25th volume are to
appear at short intervals, and it is to be hoped that the numbers of the
26th volume will be published regularly on the 15th of each month.
The double number just received contains the following coloured
plates : — A single plate of Phoenix rupieola, a most beautiful Palm ;
a double plate of exquisitely beautiful varieties of erect. flowering
Gloxinias, raised by that king of Gloxinia growers, Mon. J. Val.
lerand, of Asni^res, near Paris, and representing the most remark.
able and distinct of the many fine hybrids raised by himself, and
shown daring last antumn at the Paris International Exhibition.
They are named as follows : — 1, Lucien Linden ; 2, Notaire Moons ;
3, Marquis Chennevi&res ; 4, Madame A. Lavalloe; 5, Duo de
Sutherland ; 6, Madame P. Joigneanx ; 7, Prince de Galles.
A double plate of a fine new Caladium raised by M. Bleu, so
celebrated forths improvements which he has been so fortunate as to
make in this class of handsome. foliaged plants, and named Mon. J.
Linden. A single plate of a new and beautiful cool stove shrub
with large, pure white, tubular flowers, with yellowish throat, some-
what resembling in shape those of AUamanda neriifolia, and named
Coutaria Soherffiana. This is one of the many valuable plants
brought back by M. Andre from New Grenada in 1876, and since
flowered by M. Linden at Ghent. It should be a great acquisition
to our collections of stove plants. A single plate of a pretty Brome.
Had, with small blue flowers, named Tillandsia dianthoidea, but
which also seems to own the following varied appellations — Pourretia
seranthos, Amalia erisinoola, and Auoplophytum dianthoidaoum. It
grows as an epiphyte on the branches of trees in Brazilian forests. A
single plate of a graceful terrestrial Orchid, Dendroohilum filiforme,
also known as D. glumaoeum, a native of Manilla, whence it was in.
trodnced as far back as 1836. Why such plants should now be
figured we are at a loss to understand. The number contains also
several interesting and well written articles on vai legated -leaved
Pelargoniums, herbaceous plants at Kew, the flowering of Viiesia
guttata, Alpine plants as grown at York and Edinburgh, the hybrid
Pelargoniums of M. Lemoine, of Nancy, Dendrobium superbiens of
Herr Reichenbaoh, on the Perret system of greenhouse heating, and
an interesting paper on the shrubs and trees cultivated on the
French shores of the Mediterranean Sea. W. E. G.

" Vilmorin's Album of Forage Grasses." — Messrs. Vilmorin,
Andrieux, & Co., Qnai de la Megisserie, Paris, have just issued this
noble book, the publication of which is one of the most important of
the many services they have rendered to horticulture. The work is
designed to show all the forage Grasses printed in colours and shown
life-size on large pages. With the aid of this work any one inte-
rested in meadow Grasses can at a glance identify the various species.
At the end of the book there are a number of pages blank whereon
may be placed either drawings or dried specimens of new or newly.
employed forage Grasses.

Garden Pegs or Labels. — There is still a want waiting to be
supplied in garden markers, and I should be glad if either Mr. Maw
(who could do it most easily) or some other maker would supply it.
Growers of herbaceous plants require a great many permanent
markers. If there were pegs with numbers, say from one to fifty, in

THE TURNIP GALL WEEVIL."

(CEniORHVNCaUS SULCICOLLIS).

The weevil which forms the subject o£ this article is fortu-
nately not so injurious in its habits as those to which attention
has already been called ; still the injuries which it commits are
very extensive, and in the event of the insect being very abun-
dant some year, cultivators of Cabbages and Turnips might
be seriously inconvenienced by their attacks ; under any cir-
cumstances, however, this beetle must bo classed amongst the
garden destroyers. The grubs of this insect form the wart-
like galls frequently found on the roots of Cabbages and Tur-
nips, which vary in size from that of a large shot to a knob as
large as the end of one's finger. In the larger warts several
grubs may often be found, whilst the smaller ones contain only
one. It is difficult to suggest any means of destroying this
insect. If in great numbers it might be worth while to col-
lect the perfect insect by picking them oil the plants by hand
as soon as they make their appearance on
them, and before they have laid their
eggs. Partridges and, I have no doubt,
rooks and other birds will kill numbers
of the grubs in fields of Turnips, and
probably various birds kill many in our
gardens. The weevils are frequently
found on flowers in hedges and waste
places from the end of April to the be-
ginning of September. When alarmed
they immediately feign death, and con-
tract their limbs and antennaj, so that
they do not in any way resemble a living
insect. As soon as the roots of the young
Turnips begin to swell, the females, with
the assistance of their long beaks, pierce
the skins of the roots and deposit an egg
in each hole thus formed. The eggs soon
hatch, and the grubs commence feeding
on the root. The puncturing of which by
the parent insect, perhaps accompanied
by some irritant fluid, or the action of
the grub in feeding, in some way which
is not at present understood, causes the
tissues of the root to form a gall over the
grub, much in the same manner as Oak
Apples, and galls are produced. The
CentorhynchuB sulc'.collis. grubs continue living in the galls until
they are fully grown, which probably
does not occupy more than a few weeks. They then eat their
way out, and, descending into the ground, become chrysalides,
having previously formed cocoons round themselves. The
time which the changes of this insect occupies is uncertain,
as the grubs have been found in the galls as late as the begin-
ning of spring. Probably there is more than one brood, the
transformations of the first being (as is often the case) much
quicker than the last, the grubs of which do not become chry-
salides until.the following spring. The beetle is about one-
eight of an inch long, and is broad in proportion to its length ;
itis black and glossy in colour, very sparingly covered with
fine, white, depressed hairs. The head is produced into a long,
slender, curved beak or snout, about the middle of which the
antennre are placed ; they consist of twelve joints, the four
terminal ones forming a club, which is placed at an angle with
the basal ones. The thorax is strongly punctured, much nar-
rower in front, the sides somewhat hollowed where they con-
verge with a broad groove down the middle. The wing
cases have ten well defined, incised, longitudinal lines down
each ; legs tolerably long with thickish thighs. The grubs
are about two-tenths of an inch long. "When full grown they
are fat and legless, white or flesh-coloured, with a yellowish
head. They are usually in a somewhat curled-up position
within the gall.

S. G. S.

146

THE GAEDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

THE CULTIVATION OP CRANBERRIES.
I OBSERVE in The Gardes for Nov. 16 (p. 435) some rather
elaborate directions for establishing Cranberry beds, including
artificial irrigation. I can assure those who desire to cultivate
that very excellent winter fruit that they may reach their end
in a far more simple way, at all events in a heathy district, as
this portion of the Weald is. I have had, for a good many
years, two flourishing beds of the large-fruited Oranbsrry,
which has gone on fruiting abundantly from December till the
end of spring, and pushing its trailing shoots in every direc-
tion, with no other soil than the natural one, and no more irri-
gation than what the rainfall yields. One of the^e beds stands
on a dry, sandy hill, while the other, at a short distance off, is
more flat and moist, and I should imagine that the suoce^s of
both would have b3en about equal had not the latter one been
allowed to be too much overrun with Heather, Brambles, and
other intruders; now that they are cleared this bed seems to
be starting fair with the other one. I fancy the truth to be
that where Heather is the weed of the soil the Cr.mberry will
probably not refuse to grow. The Heather (Oxllana) is always
pushing out its growth among my Cranberries, and has to b3
kept back, while, on the other hand, the lo ig shoots of the
Cranberry 'are extending themselves among the masses of
Heather and Heath which fringe one of the beds.

A. J. BaRESFOKD-HoPE.

Bedgeluvy Park, Weald of Kent.

WINTER-DRESSING FRUIT TREES.
Wherever fruit tress are maoh subject to the attaoks of aphides,
scale, Mo93, or Liohen, a saitable winter dressing will be ban^fijial.
For the eradication of Mo3S, fresh lime is the be?t and cheapest
material to apply ; it may be dusted on when the branches are slightly
da-np, or it may be applied in a liquid form through the syringe or
garden engine. In either case a fourth part of SDot may be added
tj it. Soot in any shape is a capital stimaUnt for fruit trees, and
might with advantage be much more extensively used than it is,
either as a top-drassing to the rootsor as an inseotioide. Wuen applied
in a liquid form, it should be strained, just previois to biiag usei,
through a piece of canvas; otherwise the syringe or engine may be
rendered unserviceable. For the destruction of soila aui aphides,
Gishurst Compound, in the proportion of 8 oz. to the gallon, may
safely be used dissolved in soft water. The common aad, a? I think,
the best plan is to thicken the liquid compound with lima and soot,
and a couple of good handfnls of sulphur per gallon till it has the
consistency of ordinary paint, and then put it on all the branches of
the trees with a soft brash, rubbing it well in on the old wood, bat
passing over the young shoots with a lighter hand, so as not to disturb
any of the buds, drawing the brush along in the direction of the buds
only without any reverse action. It has been stated thit to simply
wash the branches of the trees with the liquid oompoaad without
any thickening ingredients would have the same cleansing effest. I
have triad both ways, and the conclusion at which I have arrived is
that the thicker mixture has a more lasting and benefioial effect than
the thin one, and as one can be applied nearly as quickly as the other,
and there is not much difference in the cost, I should recommend a
a continuance of the old system. E. Hobdiy.

SAUCERS FOR STRAWBERRIES.
The great evil arising from tha nse of these is having them too
large, whereby they hold so mich water that tha plants standing in
them are drowned, and the roois, therefore, instead of being healthy
and active are just the reverse, as must, of necessity, be tha case
when the soil is always in a wet, soaden condition. Daring certain
stages of their growth Strawberries will stand almost any amount of
water, but, like most other moisture.loving plants, they only do really
well when it passes freely off, and there can be no question that if
they could only be kept uniformly wet enough by g)ing over them
oftener than time in most places will admit of, they would succeed
better withont saucers than with them. Whenever I use them, I
always have such as are made for pots a size smaller than those in
which we grow Strawberries, (6-in.) and then the pots do not quite
reach the bottom of the saucer; most of the water in that way which
they contain is drawn up by capillary attraction, and is all taken out

and made use of during the twenty. four hours. Whan this takes
place I never consider that plants of this class receive any harm, as the
supply which they get is not excessive and is perfectly natural, but when
they have more than they can absorb, or make use of, the excess soon
makes itself known in the shape of enfeebled health.

It will be found a good plan where saucers are larger than they
should be, to nearly fill them with sandy shingle or broken. up horse
manure mixed with leaf soil, or anything of that kind that will not
get muddy through being so much saturated with water. By managing
in this way, plants standing in large saucers are almost, if not quite
as well circumstanced as those in others of smaller size, as so long as
the earthenware of the pot remains in contact with the moist body of
matter beneath, it will absorb water from it and give off part of it to
the roots. The best place I ever had for pot Strawberries when being
forced was along the wall of a house having a hip roof, and instead
of this being finished flush on the inside, as is generally
dine, thereof was carried to tha back, where the plate rested on
4i in. work, carried three courses high for that purpose. The wall
being li in. thick, gave us a shelf about 8 in. wide, which was formed
by a coat of cement on the bricks, and, by running a fillet of the
same along the front, water always stood there, and, to prevent this
running down and staining or disfiguring the wall in the house, or
being too deep for the welfare of the plants, a few pieces of small
gas pipe were let in to conduct it to the outside, ao that it never stood
beyond a certain level, however much might be given. Were I build,
ing pits or houses again, and could have my way, I should always
finish them in the same manner, as shelves so formed are the very
best positions for Beans, Strawberries, and many other things we
have to grow and supply ; besides which, there is much space gained
and less timber required for wall plates, and there is, therefore, a
great advantage in snoh an arrangement in many ways. Pots placed
on a wood shelf suspended in the ordinary fashion are fully exposed
to the dessicating influanca of the sun, and with a constant play of
air around them, there is always much difficulty in maintaining the
soil within them in anything like an equable condition of moisture,
and if this be not done, red spider is soon rife, and spreads with the
greatest rapidity. With a wall forming a shady back ground, and a
shallow sheet of water throwing off vapour under tha foliage, these
insects have no chance, and seldom put in an appearance, as they are
mjstly found only where plants from any cause are insufficiently fed.

S. D.

PINE HOUSES.
Permit me to say, in reply to Mr. Baines (p. 13L), that Tnever stated
that good, pure loam was unsuitable for Pines. I said Mr. Baines
was wrong in saying fresh loam was " the only soil " suitable for
them, and my reason for saying this was that I have seen Pines
grown well in many varied composts, and have so grown them myself.
As to Mr. B lines' advocacy of a lean-to structure in preference to
the span-rojfed form, I cannot do better than quote Mr. 'Baines
himself in support of ray opinions. In Tas Gardem for January
1873, he writes as follows regarding plant and fruit houses: — "For
plants of any description there is no form of hjuse equal to a span,
roofed one, placed, it possible, with tha ends standing north and
south. In this case the inmates have little disposition to become
ona-sided or drawn ; on the contrary, they maintain their natural
oharaoter, and possess a robustness of health only attainable when
grown under tha influence of a maximum amount of light. Further,
I may add, in reference to this form of house, that there is nothing
equal to it, either as regards the health of the plants to be grown
therein, the strength of the structure, or the cost of construction.
Under no conditions is it advisable to build lean.to houses, not even
against existing garden walls that are no higher than the top of the
roof lights, except for Vines, Peaches, or Cucumbars, that, from their
nature, need roof-training and every ray of light that passes through
the glass." I may add that I do not go quite thus far.

Woi-tUy. J. Simpson.

Forcing Early IStrawbarriea in Pots.— Having now
grown Vioomtesss Hericart Da Thury Strawberry for the earliest
forcing sort for several years, I find it by far tha best which I have
ever tried. The Black Prince will, perhaps, come in a week earlier
in March, but it is subject to mildew, and does not set ao freely as
the Htiricirt Da Thury, nor is it so finely flavoured. For other two
aucoassional early varieties, President and Sir Joseph Paxfcon do well
with ma j and last year the Grosse Saoree, which I can recommend as a
good early forcing sort. The early forcing Strawberries are grown
here in pits, where the shelves are near the glass. The shelves are
of iron and are about 1 in. deep, bo that when the sun begins to have
some strength in March and April they are filled with weak liquid

Fbb. 15, 1S79.]

THE GARDEN.

147

manore at times. This keeps the roots of the Strawberry in the
bottom of the pots well supplied with moiatare, and causes the fruit
to swell to a better size, than when the plants are grown in the usual
way. — William Tilleky, Welbeck.

GARDENING FOR THE WEZK.

Indoor Plant Department.
Potting. — The particular time for potting the principal portion
of the occupants of plant stoves will depend upon the temperature
kept up in them. Where the heat maintained through the winter
months is consistent with the requiraments of such species of plants
as need the most warmth, they naturally begin to grow considerably
earlier than where less heat is used, and, on this account, the general
potting will need to be done sooner than where the temperature is
lower and growth commences later. In all cases where plants have
been cut back, and time allowed for their breaking into growth,
previous to being partially shaken out and re-pottod, it is not well to
^elay their removal until too much shoot development has taken
place, as when that occurs the severe check given by the partial
ehakiog away of the soil, and the unavoidable disturbance and
destruction of the roots accompanying it has the effect of stopping
many of the young growths ; conspquently, all that were cut in abonb
the commencement of the year will by this time be in a condition for
potting, first warming the material 80 as to make it fit to come in
contact with the roots of plants grown in heat. Jlost hard. wooded
stove subjects, from their naturally more rapid growth than that which
takes place in the case of the generality of greenhouse plants of a
like character, need a good deal more water, to meet which provision
must be made by using sufficient sand in the soil to admit of the
moisture passing freely off ; decomposition of the fibrous matter con.
tained in the potting material used for plants grown in stove heat
is quicker than in the case of those in a lower temperature, and
this tends to reduce the soil to an adhesive, sour condition,
to avoid which it is well to use it in a rough, lumpy state,
proportionate to the strength and size of the plants, and also the size
of the pot in which each is placed. I have long been convinced that
with very few exceptions the loose system of potting carried out in
the cultivation of many plants in times past was a mistake, its direct
tendency being to produce long, weak shoots much fewer in number
than where in potting, the soil is compressed sufficiently to afford a
mo-e holding medium for the roots. Through being in this way alike
in its effects, I have found it better to dispense with the use of leaf,
mould in the case of all but a few of tho quickest-growing, soft-
wooded subjects, for though when used for plants of a harder, slower,
growing character, it stimulates rapid leaf and shoot development,
yet proportionately fewer flowers are produced. Most free-growing
stove plants, too, especially those that are of a deciduous character,
have a greater disposition to bloom when grown in loam alone than
n any admixture of loam and peat.

D.Bcsenas, CyanopliyUumg, Sphserogynes, Crotons,
Ditffenbaohias, and Pandmus. — Large plants of these that
require it may now be taken out of the pots which they are in ; a
portion of the old soil should then be removed, fresh material added,
and the ] lants returned to the same pots, or larger if needed. In the
case of these the soil should also be rammed tolerably firm. When
all plants that at present want potting are finished, those not yet
started and intended to succeed the earliest, shonld at once bo at-
tended to, cutting back those that may require it, thoroughly
moistening the soil of any that have been allowed to get dry, and
daily syringing overhead and keeping them sufficiently warm to
induce growth.

Plants Grown on Trellises. — It is nearly always desirable in
the case of thete to fix the trellis at the time of potting, keeping the
fxisling branches well to the base, for if not properly furnished at
ihe bottom early in the season it is difficult afterwards to cover it,
and it should always be borne in mind that the trellis is merely a
means fur supporting plants, the natural habit of which is such that
they cannot well be grown as pot specimens without it. The young.
growing shoots should not, however, be kept continuously trained
down with a view, as is sometimes supposed, of giving a tidy ap.
pearance, as in that case, instead of their extending freely, as they
will when allowed to assume an erect position, there is a continual
disposition to break out at the lower eyes, which crowds the speci.
men with a quantity of weak, useless shoots.

Temperature, &3. — The temperature may now be raised some
6° or 8' in the daytime. It is frequently urged that it is wrong in
practice toatait plants into growth until the spring is so far advanced

as to afford more daylight, but with the majority of plants that
require a stove temperature if this course be followed the length of
time which they can be had in flower is very much reduced, and in a
thoroughly light, well-constructed stove, with the plants as they
should be at this season, elevated with their heads near the glass,
there will be no weak growth.

Achimenes. — It is now time to start a portion of these ; if kept,
as they winter best in the old soil, in a dry state and sufficiently
warm, they should now be shaken out and placed in pans well drained
and filled with loose, light soil. When they have made a little growth
they may be transferred to the pots in which they are to flower with-
out breakage of the young, newly-formed fibres, which would be done
if material of a stronger character were used. It is well to keep
some in a dormant condition until later on for blooming towards
autumn.

Gloxinias.— More shonld now be started. In the case of small
bulbs raised from leaf cuttings last year they may first be put in
little pots and moved into larger ones when they have made some
growth. Where raised from seed this should be sown, pressing the
surface of the soil moderately firm and quite smooth, with just
enough fine, sandy, sifted material to cover the seeds. Set the pots
at the warmest end of the house until vegetation takes place, and
then they should be kept close to the glass.

Marattas— Large specimens of these are not so useful for
general decorative purposes as smaller ones, and where plants exist
that it is desirable to divide, this may be done at once. Marantas
are often grown in a higher temperature than they absolutely
require, the result of which is that if taken out of the stove, even
for a short time, they flag. This is particularly the case when they
are used for exhibition, a purpose for which they are totally unfit till
the summer has become somewhat advanced, which gives time for
their full development without being hurried. They will grow ia
either peat or loam.

Medinillas. — In a large stove few plan's are more effective than
these. Plants of them that have been kept somewhat dry at the
root and comparatively cool through the winter should now_ be
encouraged to flower; it they have been grown under conditions
such as give the necessary solidity to the wood and leaves, they will
bloom profusely, not only from the points of last summer's shoots,
bat likewise from the lower portion of the branches.

Gardenias. — These, where kept sufficiently warm, will now be
beginning to flower ; those brought on early are sometimes liable to
drop their buds, the best preventive of which ia to avoid the extremes
of an over-dry or too moist condition of the roots, and not to keep
them too moist overhead.

Nepenthes. — It is useless attempting to grow these unless they
can have a brisk, moist heat. They need very little root room, and
there should never be an attempt to reduce the soil from the balls
which the roots have already occupied. It is now time to pot any
that need it. The material in which they req\iire to be grown ought
to be nothing but the fibrous portion from the best Orchid peat mixed
with a third or a fourth of chopped Sphagnum, some sand and pot
shreds, or charcoal being added. The slightest disturbance of the roots
is much more injurious to them than to almost any other plants with
which I am acquainted.

Sarracenias. — An intermediate temperature is quite sufficient for
these ; in fact, they do no good at all if grown in too hot a place. It
is essential that the roots be placed in new soil every year, and equally
necessary is it that the potting be done at this time before growth
commences. Material composed of about equal quantities of good
fibrous Peat and chopped Sphagnum, with the addition of a good
amount of pot shreds and some sand, will answer for them.

Forcing Pit.

There must be a continuous introduction into the forcing pit of
the different subjects required to be brought on iato flower for con.
servatory decoration, cut bloom, &c., regulating the quantity pro-
portionate with the demand; more bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Tulips,
Narcissi, Lily of the Valley, and Scillas, together with Hoteia japonica.
Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Lilacs, Andromedas, double-flowering Plums,
and Deutzias, shonld be brought in.

Solomon's Seal and Dioentra speotabilis— These are most
useful for suppling cut bloom through the spring, or for conser.
vatory decoration ; but to flower the Dicentra well, it must not be
hurried, or placed whilst being brought into bloom where there is not
plenty of light, aa it draws up weakly.

Spirsea palmata.— Beautiful as this plant is when grown out-of
doors, it is even of still more service cultivated in pots, but not sub-
mitted to too much heat, or the fine colour of its flowers will be absent

148

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879.

As a coDEervatory subject, mixed with the nnmbers of light-coloured
blossoms that prevail at this time of the year, there are few plants
that produce a more agreeable contrast.

Ferns.

The pottirg of these should, un'esa in exceptional cases, always be
carried out just before the top growth begins to move ; if later, the
fronds next produced are almost certain to come more or less de-
formed. For Perna a porous cnnditiou of the soil is an absolute
necessity, bat I have found that it is bstter to mix it with charcoal,
potshreda, or broken coal cinders than to add to it very much sand.
In the cultivation of Ferns, particularly those of large growth, with
the exception of any that have creeping rhizomes, it is better to con.
fine them to pota much smaller proportionately than the generality
of other plants, as with the tree kinds especially there is ordinarily
a disposition to outgrow the limits at command. This is the more
advisable, as the requisite vigour can always be secured by the use
of manure water.

Orchids.

Potting and Top-dressing.— It is now time to commence
potting such of these aa require it. A little observation as to the
nature of the roots of the plants, clinging as they do to whatever
substance with which they come in contact, at once shows that they
should never be moved from the pots, baskets, or blocks which they
occupy until there is an absolute necessity for it, as, with the greatest
amount of care possible, they cannot be moved without considerable
breakage, which correspondingly interferes not only with their bloom,
ing during the coming season, but also with the growth which they
make; nevertheless, it does not do to let them remain in material
that has become effete and too far decomposed, or in pots which they
have outgrown ; especially should this be avoided in the case of suoh
kinds as Cattleyas and Laslias. Where the growths have so far ex.
tended that the roots, instead of being inside the pots, cling to the
outside and have little or nothing to sustain them, the pseudo.bulbs
formed under conditions of this sort will almost invariably be found
deficient in size, and the leaves to have a sickly appearance. All
reasonable care ought to be taken not to break the roots more than
is unavoidable in removing them from the old pots, and also in placing
the material about them in the new ones. From the nature of the
roots of Orchids, it becomes apparent that nothing but the most
enduring materials shonld be used tor potting them, such as the best
fibrous portion of peat, with clean Sphagnum, and pot.shreds or
charcoal ; the two former in something like eqnal proportions.
This compost will suit the majority of Cattleyas, Loelias, Ouci.
diums, Bpidendrums, Cypripediums, Anguloas, Brassavolas, Chysis,
Coelogynes, Dendrobiuma, Lycaates, Huntleyas, Gongoras, Odonto-
glossums, Miltonias, Triohopilias, Stanhopeas, and others of similar
habit. Keep the plants sufficiently, but not too much, elevated
in the pots, press the material sufficiently firm, and slightly moisten
the surface, which shonld be left tolerably smooth and even. In all
cases at once apply whatever sticks are necessary, to prevent the
plants from shaking about when being moyed, until the new roots
have got sufficient hold to support them. Aerides, Saccolabinma,
Vandas, the thick.rooted Angra^oums, Renantheras, and Phalsenopsis,
are even still more impatient of their roots being disturbed than tha
foregoing. For these little beyond Sphagnum is often used ; press it
moderately firm, and secure the plants with sticks and ties, as when
grown in pots; those that are cultivated on blocks and in baskets
fasten in like manner with wire or bast ; I do not like more of
the former being employed than can be avoided. The same applies
to Dendrobiams and all similar subjects suspended in baskets. Fcr
Sobraliaa, Phajus, Calanthea, Zygopetalums, Peristeriaa, and Ansel-
lias, some growers prefer loam, others peat ; whichever is used it
should be of the best description, and have sufficient crocks or broken
charcoal, with a little sand intermixed. After potting, it is well to
at once raise the temperature a few degrees, being careful not to
give much water until the growth of the plants, accompanied by more
warmth, makes its application necessary.— T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Outdoor operations in this department will have, for the most
part, come to a standstill ; but such is not the case indoors
as propagation, seed sowing, potting off, &o., may now be proceeded
with as fast as circumstances will allow, in order that the labour
may be concentrated on outdoor work as soon as the weather becomes
favourable. Most kinds of large-growing, fine-foliaged plants may
now be sown in heat in shallow boxes or pans, which should be filled
within 1 in. of their rims with light, sandy soil ; cover the seeds
very thinly and the boxes or pans with glass till germination takes
place, which will be in a few days if placed in a temperature of 60°
or 70°, The following are amongst those which we have found most

useful, and all of them will make fine plants by May if sown as in.
dicated : — Acacia lophantha, Cannas, Kioinu3, Solanums, Ferdi-
nandas, Eucalypti, Wigandias, and, of the smaller-growing kinds,
the best are Chamiepeuce diacantha, C. Casabona), Centaareas,
Amarantna, Perillas, and Salvia argentea. With regard to the pro-
pagation of bedding plants a plan of the proposed planting should
be sketched, and a computation made of the number and kinds of
plants required for each bed or border. Without some such method
the probabilities are that at pltinting time there will be an overplus
of some kinds and a corresponding lack of others, which by timely
forethought may be prevented. As summer bedding plants Abutilons
have not yet gained that prominence which they are destined to do ;
of conise some of the varieties are not suited to the work, aa they
grow so rampantly and fail to flower when planted out, but others,
such 83 Boule de Neige, Lemoiuei, Reine d'Or, and Due de Malakoff
flower in profusion, and either as single specimens to break the for.
mality of even surfaces or as masses for centres of large beda they
cannot be excelled, and being as easily propagated, grown, and win-
tered as the hardiest Pelargoniums — of which we have had a surfeiD
—they deserve to take the place of some of these. Lantanas, too,
should bo again brought to the front, and they will doubtlesa be so
by all who had the good fortune to see the magnificent beds of them
during the past summer in the Park Monceau and the Luxembourg
Gardens at Paris ; as seen growing there no Pelargonium could excel
them, either for profusion of flower or brilliancy. If a few stock
plants were now introduced into heat they would produce abundance
of cuttings in two or three weeks, and these would make good plants
for putting out in May. — W. W.

Auriculas. — We have now surface dressed the pota, and find that
a large portion of the leaves have suffered from the severe frost,
which has reduced the crowns to a hard tuft of short, bristly foliage.
Cleanliness is an important element in success ; therefore, besides
seeing that no aphides are left upon the leaves, the pota should be
washed, as they get covered with green mould in the shady place in
which the plants have been grown. When the surface soil has been
removed a good opportunity to take off all offsets that are ready is
afforded ; these should be cleaned of superfluous leaves and then be
inserted in soil composed of equal parts loam, leaf mould, and sand,
using amall pots. I have been more successful with offsets at this
season than at any other. The pots may be placed in a cold frame
near the glass. After the large plants were surface dressed they
were placed in the frame again. There are a good many dead leaves
round the crowns of the choice Alpine varieties planted out-of-doors ;
these should also be removed and some fine soil placed over the
exposed stems.

Carnations and Piootees. — One of the principal growers of
theae, writing from Yorkshire, says that he had not seen his plants
(that were potted in the autumn and placed in frames) for many
weeks ; the frost had been intense, but the glass was covered with
anow, which ia a first-rate protection for anything underneath. When
the lights were removed the plants were found to be in perfect
health. We remove the glass lights from oar plants every day when
it does not rain. Plants in beds or borders of the hardy varieties,
including Cloves, leqaire to be looked over and the soil made firm
round their stems after every severe frost ; even the labels are thrown
out of the ground by the frost, and must be put right again daring
these operations. Any weeds to be met with should be removed. A
surface dressing of fine, rotten stable manure is beneficial to plants
in beds.

Dahlias. — If there be no convenience for cuttings of these except
hot beda greater watchfulness will be neceaaary, aa they are more
liable to damp off in theae than in heated pits. See that fresh cut-
tings are put in to replace those that have failed. Remove the
rooted plants from amongst the unrooted cuttings, and^place them in
a compartment where more air can be admitted.

Hollyhocks. — The treatment for these ia very maohjthe same as
that described above for Dahlias, but the plants are much more
readily injured if they receive any check aa regards growth. Re-
move the rooted plants from the frame, and place them in a cooler
place near the glass. They mast be potted into larger pota when
they have made a little growth. If stinted for pot room or irrefu.
larly supplied with water, they will start into premature bloom.

Pansies and Pinks in Beds.— Our plants of these were put
out rather late, and they certainly do not look well ; the Pansies have
suffered most severely from the frosts, and the Pinks have not es-
caped. Our collections comprise the choicest named sorts, and many
varieties that have the best blooms are the most tender, and if extra-
ordinary care be not taken with them, they will disappear from the
collection. Some of the plants were thrown quite out of the "round
by the frost, and at least a third of the labels were upset ; the latter
have been replaced, and the plants made firm, and blank spices filled

Feb. 15, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

149

ap with others. The frost seoaia to have beaa too mush tor slugs, of
which there is no trace on the beds.

Phloxes, Delphiniums, Pyrethrums, ft^.^These seem to
be safe where thej have been allowed to remain in the beds where
they flowered the previous season ; had they been taken up and
parted, as is sometimes done, in the autumn, some, doubtless, would
have been killed. As it is a few of the Phloxes that were exposed
without any mulching seem to have been injured if not killed. If
the plants are not to be lifted and divided, the surface of the beds
should bejmulched with rotten manure and good.loatu in" equal pro-
portions, to the depth of 2 in.

Polyanthuses. — I have not yet found it necessary to surface-dress
these. The plants were grown in the open ground until September
or October, and therefore they do not exhaust the soil in the pots to
a great extent from that time until now. I find green fly to be a
troublesome pest at all seasons, and it must be destroyed in order to
give the plants a chance. It is only the very choicest named varie-
ties that are grown in pots, the others make a fine display iu beds or
borders. It is best to replant annually, or it this has not been done,
the beds must be surface-dressed with rich soil.

Ranunculuses. — Pew people now grow these, and fewer still
possess complete collections of them, a circumstance to be regretted,
as a place might readily be found for them in every garden specially
devoted to spring flowers. The tubers should be planted as soon as
the ground is iu good condition to receive them ; and they like a deep,
rich, open soil. Plant them in rows li 'in. [apart, and the crowns
should be 1 in. below the surface otjthe (ground, with a little sand
over and under them. — J. Dougl.vs.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Pines— These are showing thi effects of the protracted frost most
plainly; hard firing, dark days, and the impossibility of giving air,
are inducing a lanky growth, which, under the circumstances, is quite
unavoidable ; therefore, use no more fira heat than is absolutely
necessary tUl the frost disappears. An over.moist atmosphere during
such weather is also detrimental, because no air can be given to keep
the same in motion, and the plants are therefore compelled to absorb
it whether they require it or not. It will thus be seen how difficult it
is, and what care is required to hit the happy medium in order to
keep the plants in sturdy condition. Watering also requires close
attention, as many Queens will now be throwing up their flower
stems, and these, if once allowed to get thoroughly dry, will either
have irregularly. swelled pips, or fine shows produce but poor fruit.
Especially examine those in close contact with the pipes, for with
such constant and hard firing, they will require water twice for the
others once. Succession plants potted early in autumn will be get.
ting pot bound, and should have a shift into fruiting pots as soon
as convenient, otherwise the plants will fruit prematurely, more
especially if they have been allowed to get dry. Suckers from the
smooth Cayenne, and other winter-fruiting kinds, should now be
potted in 6-in. pots, and plunged in a bottom heat of 85^. As a rule,
if the soil be moderately moist at potting time, no water is neces-
sary till root action has commenced, but the soil should never be
allowed to get dust dry. The smooth Cayenne produces but few
suckers whilst the plant is fruiting, but it throws them out most
freely from the old stools — i.e., if the latter be shaken out, the older
roots cut off, together with the foliage, and the stems potted in 8-in.
pots, and plunged in a bottom heat of 90° or 95°. The same treat,
ment is applicable to any other variety where stock is required.

Vines.— I happen to be one of the very few who do not believe
either in the utility or profitableness of pot Tine culture, but this
season, I am willing to admit, that the advocates of the system have
the best of the argument, for forcing so far has been up-hill work,
and much injury is sure to accrue to permanent Vines, by — as it were
— forcing against time, and in the face of such fearful odds as con.
tinned frost, keen easterly winds, and leaden skies, for I verily be-
lieve there has not been six hours* sunshine since the beginning of
the new year. The Vines sadly want sunshine, for the shoots are
near akin to straw, both in size and colour. Now that wo may fairly
expect a change, diligence as regards ventilation when the sun shows
itself will soon effect a change for the better, but guard against cold
draughts. Disbudding should be partially done as soon as the Vines
are well broken, that is, the weakest duplicates should be taken off,
and as soon as the branches can be distinguished they may be finally
disbudded, leaving those with the most prominent shows ; stop
5he shoots at one, two, or three points beyond the bunch, accord-
ing to the space there is available for the full development of
the foliage. Many growers have a disposition to stop the
laterals too persistently, and, as we believe, suffer for their pains pro-
portionately, especially when such stopping or pinching is done in the
earlier stages of growth, before the roots have got vigorously at work.

This untimely pinching, together with high night temperature, if the
weather be ever so severe, soon tells seriously on the Vines, either by
the production of long tendril-like bunches, whioh never finish off
or lojk well; or else by shanking just at the time when ono thought
they were all right. Inside borders, during the time when the fruit
is ripe, are apt to get very dry, ani several waterings are necessary
ere the entire mass of soil gets soaked throughout, which is, however,
necessary to obtain the best results ; therefore, if the drainage be
ample do not be afraid to overdo it iu this respect, and if the water
can be used at a temperature of 70^ or 80^ all the better ; at any
rate, the chili should be taken off at whatever stage of growth the
Vines may be in. Vine eyes may now be put in — single buds with
the under part of the wood cut off — and planted firmly in light
fibrous loam ; the pots should then be plunged iu a bottom heat of
80' till roots are formed, after which they should be grown without
bottom-heat in a moist temperature of 65« Any Grapes still hang,
ing on the Vines will require almost daily attention, in order to re.
m)ve any decaying berries, and the air will have to be kept buoyant
by the application of slight fires and ventilation. Cut them with a
good piece of wood attached to each bunch, and place them in bottles
of water in any dry room from which frost can be excluded. The
Vines can then have the needful rest, an imperative requirement as
regards success.

Poaches. — 0 wing to there not being a gleam of sunshine, artificial
fertilisation must be practised as the blossoms expand ; shaking the
trellis will help to disperse the pollen, but better do it effectively by
using a oamel-hair pencil, going over the blossoms singly ; keep the
air dry but not arid, and the maxim um temperature, without sunshine,
should not exceed 60' with a miximum by night of 50.' Trees that
have set their fruit miy be partially disbudded, sparingly at first, in
order that no check may be given. It is better to go over them half,
a-dozeu times, at intervals of a couple of days, and remove a few
buds each time, taking care to leave a good one at the base and point
of each fruit-bearing shoot, than to disbud all at once. Do not bo in
a hurry to tie them down to the trellis ; none of them need be so
fastened till all are finally thinned. As soon as the fruit is set, the
syringe may again be brought into use, but till the weather is warmer
and brighter, do not use it too freely. The borders may now require
another watering which should be at least of the same temperature
as that of the house. At the present stage a sudden chill, either
from the application of cold water to the roots or draughty ventila.
tion, would cause the fruit to drop. In succession houses, previous
to the expansion of the blossoms, fumigate for two or three nights in
succession, in order to insure freedom from fiy whilst the trees are
flowering. The above practice has now for some years kept our trees
perfectly clean at this most critical time, when, if some such pre.
cautionary measure bad not been taken, the worst consequences
might have ensued through the attacks of green or black fly. The
pruning of late houses should be no longer deferred, after which every
scrap of wood, glass, floors, and walls, should be cleansed, as a pre-
ventive against insect pests. If winter dressing and cleansing be
not attended to, summer troubles may be expected in the shape of
red spider, thrips, mildew, and the like. Better, therefore, save both
time, vexation, and the health of the trees, by anticipaliug such evils.
The present winter has put many operations out of joint, and, amongst
them, fruit tree planting, which ought not now to be longer delayed,
more particularly indoor fruits; take, therefore, the first chance of
accomplishing this. When done without wanton mutilation of the
roots. Peaches and Nectarines bear this late removal better than most
trees.

Strawberries. — Winter effects are observable at every turn, for
Strawberries have made less progress during the last month than
ever was known before, but surely a change is at hand ; till then force
very gently. Continue to fertilise the flowers as they open ; keep
the atmosphere on the side of dryness, but take care the plants do
not get dry at the root, or they are certain to go blind, no matter
whether they are fertilised or not. So long as the intense cold lasts
keep the reserve stock in cold pits, dry and protected from frost,
which cracks the pots even if it does no injury to the plants, as some
think, an opinion which I am inclined to dispute.

Melons. — These may now be planted out if the plants are strong
and the roots are lining the sides of the pots; otherwise nothing will
be gained by planting so long as this sunless weather continues. A
restricted rootspace is necessary to fruitfulness and early maturity.
A bed 18 in. to 20 in. wide is ample, including drainage of about the
same depth. A bottom heat of 75' is necessary, and if a moist one
all the better, as, from the vapour-moisture thus communicated to
the soil, less surface watering is necessary. Heavy waterings are
soon resented, either by the entire collapse of the plants by damping
off, or else by an over luxuriant growth, which never proves fruitful.
Earth up the seedlings last sown, and, to prevent a spindly growth,
keep them as near the glass as possible. — Vf.W.

150

THE GAEDEN.

fFEB. 15, 1S79.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

NEW POTATOES FEOM OLD TUBERS.
Mk. Gilbert, of Burghley, practices a system of growing
new Potatoes which may be of interest to some of your
readers. In July, seed Potatoes or " sets " are selected from
the out-door crops, and these are exposed to the light on
shelves in a cool, airy place where they are not subjected to
any excitement conducive to growth. In this way they are
kept for at least twelve months, when they are planted loosely
in shallow boxes of leaf mould, and are afterwards placed in
a dark, heated Mushroom house or other heated structure,
where they soon commence to form young tubers without
attempting to produce leafy shoots. I saw some young
Potatoes thus produced on December 15, 1878, and their
quality was excellent. These had been obtained from " sets "
saved in July, ly76, and kept from making any leaf growth
until September, 1877, when they were planted and otherwise
treated as above described. Each old " set " bore from one to
three Potatoes fit for the table. One advantage of this system
is that it may be practised by amateurs readily, since a warm
cellar or a cupboard near the kitchen fire would afford suffi-
cient heat to start the old tubers. The annexed illustration,
taken from one of Mr. Gilbert's crop, is an exact copy of an
old tuber which has produced four young ones. Not the least
interesting phase of this
plan of culture is the fact
that new growths or tis-
sues are formed without
the direct leaf action,
which is generally con-
sidered essential to such
a process. B.

Trebons Onion. — We

Bee in The Gakden (p. 112)

that this Onion ia suppostd

to be of Trench origin, a

statement which induces ua

to observe that this variety

waa found eome twenty. five

yeara ago in a amall place

on the Pyrenees called Tre-

bona,near Lnchon(GaroDne),

whence we got aome seed

for trial, and, aa it haa been

found to be a vaiiety of

great merit, it appeared Boon

after incur cataloguea. Al.

though it is a very poor

seeder we have, on aoeonnt of its excellent qualitiea, been offering

it in our lists since that time. It we remember rightly, it was

awarded a first.clasa certificate at Chiawick eome time ago. — ViL-

MORiN, Andrieux, & Co., Paris.

New Potatoes from Old Tuters,

SEEDS AND SEED-GROWING.
It ia scarcely time yet (February) for getting in the general ruck of
garden seeds, though in dry warm soil many kinda may be aown, at
leaat by the end of the month, with great propriety. Now is the
time to calculate and procure the quantitiea to be aown. Indeed,
this should be seen to before the soil is prepared, so that ground
intended for the various crops may be properly treated. In giving
directions for choosing aeeda, the general rule ia to say how much of
thia, that, and the other thing will be required for a quarter of an
acre, half an acre, and ao on. Such advice only serves to puzzle. The
fact is, no two individuals' wants are the same, and hence a selection of
seeds which might fit one person very well would be of little use for
another. What I propose is, to give as near the amount of space re.
quired by a given quantity of seed, and by this means each person
will be enabled to calculate to a nicety the seed required for his own
individual wants.

Beet — 1 oz. will sow a row 50 ft. long.

Broad Beana — 1 lb. will sow a row GO ft. long.

French Beana— li lb. will sow CO ft.

Carrots — 1 oz. will sow 130ft.

Cress — 1 oi. will sow 20 ft. of a row 4 in. broad.

Leeks — 1 oz. will sow a bed 5 ft. by 5 ft.

Lettuce— i oz. will sow 50 ft.
Mustard— Same as Cress.
Onion — 1 cz. will sow iO ft.
Parsley — 1 oz. will sow 50 ft.

Peas— lib. will sow 30 ft. of a drill 5 in. broad, of the small, and
36 ft. of the large sorts.

Parsnips — 1 oz. will sow 100 ft.

Potatoes— 1 peck will plant 100 ft. if the seed is good, and cut to
2 eyes to a set only.

Radiah — loz. will sow 20 ft.
Spinach— 1 oz. will so>v 60 ft.
Turnip— 1 oz, will sow 100 ft.

Cabbage, Cauliflowers, Savoys, and all the Braasicaa should be got
in packets, as a very small quantity of seed will raise enough for
moat gardens cultivated by amateurs ; indeed, it is advisable to get
the plants from the nursery or from aome obliging friend, and ao save
a great amount of worry.

In aome collectiona of seeds offered by enterprising seedsmen I
have sometimea seen 3 oz. of Cabbage included for gardens of i of
an acre ! Why, it is more than enough to raise plants for the whole
ground ; of Celery and all other vegetables not included above a
moderate packet ia aufficient. A mere pinch of Celery will raiaa
hundreds of plants.

Concerning annual flower seeds, eome of the best got. up seeds-
men's catalogues afford a good deal of information, and to these I
must refer the amateur in the meantime, until I treat of them in a
chapter on flower gardening.

Kinds to Sow. — It is not
enough for the inexperienced

_^ to know the proper quantity

" of seed required to sow a

given space, it is of greater
importance to know what
kinds to sow. The kinds
named below have been fully
proved by the writer of this,
and he can therefore recom.
mend them. Almost every
variety recommended has
been well proved, and I have
carefully avoided anything
Eavouring of novelty which
has not been found equal or
superior to older varieties.
The inexperienced should
not be led astray by the
glowing accounts of new in-
troductions, as a great per-
centage of really new vege-
tables are inferior to well-
known kinds, and the really
good are sometimes nothing
more than old kinds re-
named. At the same time
really meritorious noveltiea are occasionally introduced. In this
selection I range the names according to their earlinesa.

Beet.— Dell'a Dark Red, Nntting'a Selected, and, for extremely
thin poor soils, Egyptian Turnip, rooted.

Broad Beans. — Early Mazagan, Seville Longpod, and Broad
Windsor.

French Beans. — Negro Longpod, and Canadian Wonder.
Brussels Sprouts. — All depends on the strain ; Greens or Borecole,
ditto.

Broccoli. — Veitoh's Autumn, Snow's Winter White, Purple Sprout,
ing. White Sprouting, Leamington, Eiletson's Mammoth, and Diloock's
Bride.

Cauliflowers. — Early London, Dwarf Mammoth, Walcheren, and
Veitch'a Autumn.

Carrots. — Sutton's Champion Short Horn, Jamea' Intermediate,
and Altringham ; the Short Horn for earliest, and the Intermediate
for shallow soile.

Cabbages. — Little Pixie, small, but of the finest quality ; and if
planted close, will yield more for the table than the large-growing
kinds, many of which we consider unfit for the table at all. Dwarf
York, fine for sowing in April to keep up an autumn supply; aown
at the end of July, and planted out in September, it ia fit for use in
April and May. Tba same may be said of Little Pixie. Enfield
Market and Sugar-loaf are good larger sorts. The Drumhead kinds are
unfit for a small garden, the dwarf being of better quality than the
giant.

Savoys. — Sutton's Tom Thumb, very small, but of super-excellent
quality, and if planted 1 ft. apart each way, will yield almost aa

Feb. 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

151

mnob as the larger kinds. Early Dwarf Ulm is a good early sort,
and Dramhead, a larger and later one.

Celeky. — Sandringbam and Cole's Crystal among whites ; Sutton's
Sulham prize of pink varieties ; and William's Matchless among reds.
Vegetable Marrotis. — Moore's Cream and Hibberd's Prolific.
Leeks. — Ayton Castle Giant for quality and size, and Masselbnrgh
for hardiness.

Lettuces. — Cos varieties — London White and Paris White, Cham,
pion Brown.

CABiiAGES. — Varieties — All the Tear Round and Neapolitan.
Onions. — The Queen (very early), Danver's Yellow, Blood Red,
James' Keeping, for spring sowing ; and Globe, Flat Tripoli, and
Giant Bocca for sowing early in August.

Peas. — Eiugleader, Kentish Invicta, William the First, and Sutton's
Emerald Gem for first sowings ; Dickson's Favourite, Daniel O'Ronrke,
and Pabus Market Favourite for second ; best of all, M'Leau's Won.
derful ; Champion of England (very tall) for third sowing; Veitoh's
Perfection, Ne Plus Ultra, Lynn's Marrow, William's Emperor of the
Marrows, Hair's Dwarf Mammoth, and M'Lean's Premier for last
sowings.

Potatoes. — Veitch's Early Aehleaf, Wonderful Red, Alpha, Early
Rose, Snow flake, Dalmahoy, Walker's Birly Regent.Pateraon's Victoria,
Sutton's Magnum Bonam. I strongly recommend beginners to fight
shy of the more famous show kinds, as not a few are of very inferior
quality, such, for instance, as the Old Handsworth's Eirly, very
wrongly re-christened Porter's Excelsior. This is an inferior Potato
to eat, although of fioe shape.

Radishes. — We advise amatenrs to get their seed in mired packets.
Parsnips. — Student, Hollow Crowned.

Spinach. — Round, for sowing in spring and summer; Prickly, for
Bowing about the middle of August. New Zealand requires to be
raised under glass, and transplanted early in June.

Tom.\toes. — The Conqueror and Hathaway's Excelsior. They
require rearing under glass, and after danger from frost is past, to be
pat in any vacant space of a warm wall. Iq cold districts they
require to be under glass.

Turnips.— Early Dutch White, Early White Strap Leaf, Robert,
eon's Golden Ball, Chirk Castle, Black Stone, and Laing's Swedish,
for keeping over winter.

These varieties have always given satisfaction. It would have
been very easy to have doubled or even trebled the list. Few
amateurs require a long list, and more experienced growers will be
able to add to this list tor themselves. Sometimes a given variety of a
vegetable will do well in one district and not in another, such as Peas
and Potatoes. I would warn amatenrs against being led astray by
large vesretablea — that is, kinds which grow large naturally, as the
more rapidly the majority of vegetables are grown the tenderer they
are. Half-starved garden produce is neither palatable nor wholesome ;
nor, as a rule, are giant varieties. Size and coarseness almost in.
variably go hand in hand ; and as a matter of fact, it is not often that
great, coarse-growing vegetables yield the greatest amount of real
useful produce. For instance, the ground occupied with a coarse
Drumhead Cabbage would produce three or four little Pixies, the
united weight of which would equal the coarse one, and which would
give the greatest satisfaction on account of their quality. It is the
same with Potatoes, although there are more exceptions among them
than among any other vegetables. Among Carrots, good strains of
Early Horn are finer than any other kind, and the yield is not very
much less than the coarsest kinds ; indeed, is sometimes greater. It
would be well if your readers who are acquainted with specially
meritorious varieties were to add them to the above. The kinds
named I can confidently rely on myself, but it is possible that some
of them do not succeed as well under other circumstances ; and any
information will prove of the greatest value, not to amateurs only,
but to many others.—" The Gardener."

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

■Veitch's Self-protecting Broccoli. — 1 out good dishes of this
on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of January, a circumstance at which I
was surprised after experiencing 30' of frost. It was planted near a
south wall, and received no protection whatever. Indeed, as its
name implies, it is thoroughly self-protecting, and is, without doubt,
one of our very best Broccolies. — H. Parr, Harrov: Weald Park.

EflFects of the Late Frost on the Cabbage Tribe.— It is

curious to note the varying effects which the frost has had on
vegetables which are usually considered to be about the same as
regards hardiness, but which is noij really the case. Savoys are not
injured in the least, whilst young plantations of Eufield Market

Cabbage are very badly so, and the old Cabbage stems, from which
bushels of sprouts were expected, are completely killed. Purple and ■
white sprouting Broccoli are as fresh as ever, and so are Brussels
Sprouts and Cottagers' Kale, but the Green Curled Kale is much
injured, and many will die outright. Veitch's new Protecting
Brocouli is also much damaged, and so is Snow's and Oaborn's, but
Early Penzance, Sutton's Perfection, and Cooling's Matchless are
unscathed. All the late kinds of Broccoli are comparatively unin-
jured.- W. W. H.

Climas: Potato. — Having been informed last season that Climax
was a remarkably good Potato, I desired my gardener to plant it
largely, and the result is most disappointing, considering that I paid
7s. 6J. per bushel for seed. The crop was a heavy one, but the pro.
duoe is really hardly fit to eat, being disagreeably sweet and watery.
I should add the tubers were planted on a warm, dry border, with a
gravelly subsoil, and that Rivers' Ashleaf, which we used np to
Christmas and came off the same soil, was excellent. The tubers of
Climax are so bad that no one in the house can eat them, and I pur.
pose selling them for what they will fetch. My gardener attributes
the result entirely to the late wet season. Is that so ? Will some of
your correspondents kindly give me the names of two or three sorts
well adapted for all seasons. We find Paterson's Victoria very good,
but substituted Climax for it last year. — J. D. H.

Early Peis for Transplanting. — Ever since the plan of sow-

in" early Peas under glass for transplanting to the open ground ha3

been practised the use of strips of turf for the purpose has been

known and advocated. The plan has some obvious advantages over

pans, pots, or even boxes of a certain character, but its weak feature

consists in the fact that either the turf must be placed on some hard

substance, into which the young roots cannot enter, and thus pro.

mote weakness and degeneracy, or, if placed on some soft material,

such as soil or manure, the young roots soon penetrate it freely, and

the disturbance caused to these when transplanted is productive of

much mischief. There is yet another danger when strips of turf are

used ; the turf may contain wireworm or other dangerous insects, and

roots of the young plants might be eaten. If the plants be turned

out of pots, pans, or ordinary boxes, then the young roots must be

seriously disturbed, and we all know that when plants are so moved

from under glass to the open ground, say in the month of March, that

it takes some time to get them established and ready to take advan.

tage of the shift to make the required progress. One plan that I

have known from experience to answer famously is having a lot of

narrow boxes of, say, 2 ft. in length, 4 in. deep, 2^ in. wide on the

top, and 3 in. wide at the bottom, inside measure ; these are made

with movable bottoms, kept in their place by means of hooks and

eyes, two on either side ; these are filled with soil, the Peas sown,

and then placed together in a frame, whore they can remain until

the plants are 4 in. in height and ready for transplanting. When

this is done deep drills are drawn, the boxes are inverted, the hot.

toms taken off, and the frame containing the Pea plants placed

lengthways in the drill ; owing to the shape of the box it will lift

freely from the plants without disturbing the roots, and these are

found to have formed a mass ready at once to take hold of the new

soil. Twenty of these boxes may be made in a short time, and to

secure the correct form it is but necessary to cut the ends of the

right size— 2i in. by 3 in. — and all the rest will follow. These boxes

might be used with advantage in the autumn for striking cuttings of

bedding plants. — A. D.

Potatoes during Frost. — In large vaults Potatoes are exposed
to but a minimum of danger; it is when they are stored in ordinary
sheds, fruit-rooms, stables, and similar places that danger is to be
apprehended, and where all possible precautions are necessary.
Where there is a bulk of one sort the safest place for it is on the
floor, and it should be kept in bounds by means of stout boards. For
this the covering should in the first place be cloths, sacks, or any
cloae-lying and air.excluding material, and upon this a thick covering
of straw, the thickest portion being upon the crown of the heap,
where a little moisture is likely ;to accumulate. If the bulk be
dry, it is a great point in favour of the safety of the tubers. Smaller
quantities may be well secured in bins, boxes, or tubs, but hampers
should be avoided, and if some be stored on shelves, it is necessary to
be as particular as to the nature of the floor on which they lie, as upon
the thickness of the covering. If in boxes or tubs, these should
be placed close together, and should have some sacks or similar cover,
ing over them, and then a thick covering of straw. In all cases it is
well to put some boards, slabs, or anything at hand upon the straw to
make it lie close, and thus exclude as much air as possible. When a
thaw takes place, three or four days at least should elapse ere the
covering is removed, as should any little touch of frost have got
admission, it will be productive of less damage if it be allowed to
escape gradually. — A. D.

152

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 15, 1879

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

E-OYAIi HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Febrxtary 11.
On tbig occasion the Fruit and Floral Committees met in the large con-
servatory, as the annual general meeting, which took place on the same
day, was being held in the council-room.

First-class Certificates were awarded as follows —

Hubus rosseflorus (Green). — A Bramble with large, double, white
flowers, well adapted for pot culture. The plants from which the blooms
shown were cut had been in flower ever since December last.

Cypbokentia raacrrcarpa (Bull). — A graceful Palm with arching,
feather- shaped leaves of a brilUant bronze colour when in a young state,
changing to shining green.

Medals :—

A small gold Banksian was awarded to Mr. Bull for a collection of new
and rare plants, Orchids, &c.

AsiiverBanksiantoilr. B. S, Williams for a groap of Orchids, Amaryllis,
Primulas, &c.

Sdver Floras to Messrs. Veitch & Sons and Messrs. Osborn & Sons for
collections of forced plants, &c.

Miscellaneous Subjects. — Messrs. Veitch showed an attractive
group of plants, consisting of finely-flowered little bushes of Lilac
Charles X., Rhododendron caucasicum, Ghent Azaleas, &c. ; these were
backed up by graceful Palms and edged with a bank of Cyclamens and
well-flowered clumps of Lily of the Valley, Vermilion Brilliant and
Tournesol Tulips. A panful of tinely-flowered plants of Staphylea
colchiea attracted much attention. Mr. B. S. Williams contributed a
group of Orchids and a large collection of plants of Primula sinensis
fimbriata coccinea and its white variety, the flowers of which are fine in
form and larger in size probably than those of any Primula which has
been before exhibited, and they are fine in colour. Among the Orchids
were Dendrobinm Wardianum, a plant of Co^logyne cristata bearing
upwards of 200 flowers, Sophronitis grandiflora, Oaontoglossum Rossi
majus, and others; also several seedling Amaryllises of a meritorious
character. The same exhibitor also furnished a new Fern named
Asph nium Novne-Caledoniae, the pinnce of which are of a bronze-green
colour; it is well adaptel cither for pots or pans. Mr. W. Bull contri-
buted some choice plants, among which were noticeable Sarracenia
Drummondi alba, Dendrobinm Fitchianura, and Eucharis Candida ; also
finely-flowered examples of Oucidium maci'antham hastiferum, L^elia
anceps, Odontoglossum cirrhosum, and 0. gloriosum. Associated with
these were well-grown plants of the narrow-leaved Dracrena vivicans and
D. triumphans ; also D. Goldieana, choice Palms and Cycads, and finely-
grown plants of Curculigo recurva variegata. Mr. Wills, of South Ken-
sington, showed an attractive group of plants, consisting of stalwart
Palms, fine-leaved Dracaenas, and Indian Azaleas, overtopping a thicket
consisting of the snowy-white Ccelogyne cristata, Odontoglossum
Alexandra, Lily of the Valley, &c., interspersed with Maiden-hair Ferns
and Club Mosses. Mr. Parr, Harrow Weald Park, sent cut blooms of
Poinsettias, remarkable specimens of good culture, being very lai*ge and
of the most brilliant colours ; a vote of thanks was awarded for them.
The same exhibitor also contributed cut sprays of Begonia glaucifolia,
which is grown successfully at Harrow Weald in baskets. Mr. George,
Putney Heath, furnished blooms of Abutdons to show their value in a
cut state In winter. A fine collection of flowers of seedling Abutilons
was also contributed by Btr. Parr. A plant of Abutilon igneum was
shown by Mr. B. S. Williams. A large collection of Chinese Primroses
was exhibited from the Society's gardens at Chiswick ; they were well
varied, both in colour and habit, and some of the old as well as modern
strains were represented. Finely-grown examples of the old double
Primula were also shown. Mr. (jreen, gardener to Sir G. Macleay,
Randell Court, exhibited blooms of Sparmannia africana and Dahlia
Maximilliana. Mr- Cannell, Swanley, was awarded a vote of thanks for a
stand of cut blooms of zonal Pelargoniums, all unusually bright in colour.
Mr. Rann, gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, showed
fine varieties of Phalfeuopsis grandiflora and Odontoglossum Rossi majus.
Messrs. Veitch contributed a hybrid Dendrobinm named Endocharis, the
result of a cross between D. japonicum and D. heterocarpum ; also a
flesh-coloured Chinese Primula named Peach-blopsom. Mr, Buchan,
Wilton House, Southamptouj contributed a plant of Oncidium superbiena
bearing a long twining flower spike beset with rich chocolate- coloured
blossoms.

Fruit. — Mr. Haycock, gardener to R. Leigh, Esq., Barham Court,
Maidstone, contributed a magnificent collection of Apples and Pears
which attracted much attention. Among Apples were especially notice-
able handsome, plump, and well-coloured examples of Reinette du
Canada, Melon Apple, Forsfe Apple, Reinette de Caux, Belle Dubois,
Cox's Pomona, Beauty of Kent, Lincoln Pippin, Lord Burghley, White
Calville, and Gooseberry Pippin. Of Pears the best were Passe Crassane.
Broompark, Josephine de Malines. and Duchess de Bordeaux. A good
collection of Apples also came from Mr. Rivers, Sawbridereworth, among
which were Annie Elizabeth, Winter Hawthornden, Norfolk Bearer, and
Northern Greening.

Anniversary Meeting.— This was held on Tuesday last at South
Kensington, Lord Aber-lare in the chair The report of the Council was
nnaniuioosly adopted. The agreement between the Royal Commissioners
and the society for the occupation of the South Kensington Gardens ter-
minated at Christmas last. By this agreement the Commissioners waived

re;entry till 1892, provided the society could, between 1875 and 187S,
raise its annual income from subscriptions to £10,000. The efforts to
fulfil this condition have failed. No intimation has yet been received
from the Commissioners that any substantial alteration in the occupatioTi
of the gardens is at present intended, and the Council hope arrangements
may be made by which the connexion of the society with the gardens, in
all those respects in which it has been beneficial to the best interests of
the society, may be maintained. The Council is convinced that the
Commissioners, in the discharge of their trust as managers of ^he estate,
will adopt no measure without giving the utmost cousideration to the fair
claims of the society and its position as a scientific association.

ANSWEES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Peaeli-house Pathways. — " Welshman " (p 132) will find a
wooden trellia pathway the most nseful and also cheapest. The trellis
should be made in lengths not longer than 6 ft., as they are then easily
movable for the purpose of cleaning, top-dressingthe border, &G ; water-
ing, of course, can be done without removal. The recommendation of
the above Ifiud of pathway is on the supposition that the entire floor of
the house is required or intended for the border. If, however, there is
room for the border apart from encroaching on the intended pathway, then
either paving tiles or York flag-stones would make the most lasting and
neatest floor.— W. W. H.

If " Welshman's " Peach roots are in an inside border, the best

pathway he can have is a trellis one, as that is always comfortable and dry
to walk upon, and does not prevent light and air from reaching the soil,
which anything in the way of flooring tiles or cement would do, and,
unless rounded, with due provision made for draining oS the water, would
often be sloppy and unpleasant ; besides which, there is the labour and
trouble of scrubbing and keeping such a length clean, whereas with a
trellis the traflic and an occasional sprinkle with the watering-pot remove
what dirt or deposit there may be on it. Strips of Elm about 2i in. wide
and I in. thick nailed on to Oak cross-pieces are the most lasting, but good
deal with just the sharp edges taken otF, wears very well and is lighter;
if tarred on the under side, and painted with two coats of lead-coloured
paint on the top, its appearance will be improved and the wood will be
rendered more durable by keeping the wet out. In making the trellis,
which should be from 3 ft. to 2i ft. wide, the strips of wood should not
be nailed more than 1 in. or so apart. — S. D.

Chinese Primulas. — My Primulas are damping ofl' at the base of
the stem. They were particularly fine plants, strong and healthy, and
were watered most carefully. On examining those affected X find quantities
of minute white insects in the decayed part as well as under the earth. I
have used lime aud sulphur, but with little efi'ect. — K. T. [To the insects to
which you allude must no doubt be attributed the cause of the plants
dying off- They are not unfrequently found at the roots of Primulas and
other plants, and are doubtless brought in with the soil- The only remedy,
or rather preventive is to use soil in which you are satisfied they do not
exist. There is little chance, we fear, of saving your plants this season.

Early Peaches and Nectarines. — Is it necessary to artificially
fertilise these in order to secure a crop ?^W. J. [All that is absolutely
necessary is to admit plenty of air both at top and bottom of the house
on all favourable occasions, and to give the trees or trelUs a sharp tap
now and then when the blossoms are fully expanded, especially during
sunshine. — S.]

Names of Plants.— F. W. H.— Your Heath is Erica hyemalis ; it
should be cut down next month below the bottom flowers, and the side
shoots should be stopped. Keep the plants of it a little close until the
eyes begin to swell, then repot. — G.

Questions.

Orange Trees. — I have a favourite Orange tree in my small green-
house about fourteen years' old in a 10-in. pot. It drops its leaves sadly,
leaving only the stems of the leaves on the branches ; and yet it is show-
ing its bnds for bloom. What can I do to get it into a healthy state .' I
do not see any scale or blight upon it. — Wethirden.

Malformed Orange. — I send you an Orange with apiece of rind
growing inside, beginning from the centre of the fruit, and extendingnearly
to the outer rind, forming the side covering of one of the segments into
which an Orange may be divided. It is in appearance exactly like the
outer rind, both in colour and substance, except that it is a little smoother
and finer, but the difference is so slight as only to appear on close exami-
nation, and is not more than would be accounted for by the circumstance
of its being protected from all exposure. You will see that there is a
segment taken from the opposite side to that in wldch this malformation
is found, otherwise the Orange is perfect. I shall be glad to learn if,
amongst your correspondents, any one has observed a similar growth
either in the Orange or any other fruit. — T. Birkett, Tfeston-sitper-
Mare.

Broken Mercury in Thermometers. — I received a self-
registeiing mercurial thermometer, maximum and minimum, a few days
ago and found th'- mercury disarranged ; it seems to be in little pieces.
What shall 1 Ho to jnt it right. — Subsceibeb.

Perpetual or Tree Carnations. — Will Mr. Douglas or some
other good Ca-'natinn etower kindly name sis really g'^od, free-flowering
Perpetual Caraatior s to grow for furnishing cut blooms in winter? —
P. S.

THE GARDEN.

lo3

So. S79 ]

SAIUHBAir, F2IiBUA&7 22, 1879.

Vol. XV

*'This is an art
Which doea mend Nature : change it rather ; but
Tas Abt itself is Natueb.** — Shakespeare,

THE TEA-SCENTED ROSE.

(Oontinuedi from page 114.J

Then will I raise aloft the milk-white Eose,
With whoae sweet scent the air shall be perfumod.

Shake^peaiTe.

Louise de Savoie is one of the most robust of the Tea-scented
Eoses, but, like the article which is sometimes " recommended
as a good, useful Family Tea," is not de la iireiail-i;' quAiUtt-,
and not many of its lara;e and abundant flowers have the sym-
metrical outline which Ro^arians love. No defects, however,
can justify the insolent audacity of the young man who said,
" that Louise was not a Tea Rose at all," and, when called upon
to explain, replied, with a sinister drooping of the eye, com-
monly called a wink, " that if she was a Savoy she must be a
Cabbaf/c." The police are on his track, and there is a confident
hope that he will be brought before the Tribunal of the
National Rose Society very early in April next. Ma Capucine
(the title perplexes me, for who would address a Capuchin nun
or a Capuchin Caper, i.e., a Nasturtium, with such a term of
endearment ? and " ma " must, therefore, I think, be a mis-
print for la), is a seedling from Ophirie, and a most striking;
Rose as to colour. Her complexion is described by an eminent
Rosarian as " coppery-red," but as this may be associated in
some minds with hot coppers and alcoholic excess, I will sug-
gest instead that combination of scarlet and gold, red and
yellow, which we see in the Tropjeolum, and which gives the
name to the Rose. It is lovely in its buds, and as appropriate
for the button-hole of the " best man " at a wedding as J^Iadame
Bravy, the next Rose of my selection, for the bouquet of the
bride. Perfect in her own style of beauty is Madame Bravy,
of exquisite shape, every petal of which is as regularly
disposed as those of a white Camellia, but with a more
pleasing, because less formal, grace ; and in colour Alba-
Rosea (by which terms, and no other, the Rose has been
known to some Rosarians), that is, white and red, white, pure
■white, yet blushing in her modesty, like the bride who holds
her in her hand. Madame Caraille is a recent and welcome
addition, in colour pink and white, in shape (as described in a
French catalogue) forme de coupe, and what could be more
appropriate for a Tea / Madame Falcot has a wide
dominion over the hearts of men; however intently those
hearts may be absorbed by business or by pleasure,
above all she sits supreme. On the rail, in the club,
in the counting-house, married or unmarried, they carry
with them the image of Madame Falcot. I have seen her
riding in the Park with the statesman and the general, the old
and the young, the wise and the foolish, and invariably dis-
pensing with a second horse, mounted, not as our toremothers,
on a pillion behind, but secured in front — by a pin to the coat !
I need hardly add that, having a complexion of " rich apricot-
yellow," she evokes no jealousy. On the contrary ; I was
informed that only last season she was pronounced by one of
the belles of the park aforesaid to be " a too awful sweetie,"
and when, hardly understanding the delightful diction of the
day, I asked my informant kindly to translate it, I was con-
temptuously told that "of course, it meant a regular stunner
and all that sort of thing." Madame Francois Janin is another
of those small darlings, Mignonettes (and, in this instance, the
Rose is as fragrant as the flower which specially bears that
name) irresistible as we see it, with its bit of Adiantum, in the
windows of the floral purveyors, and yet more winsome, as a
m^.tter of course amid its own leaves on the tree. This Rose
gives a most ample harvest of its bright orange flowers under
gUss, but I must add that I have not yet seen it in its happiest
phase oat-of-doors. Mr. William Paul, in the last issue of his
" Rose Annual," give us the chromo-lithograph, from a picture

by Mr. Fitch, of a most lovely Tea-scented Rose, Madame
Lambard, which has flowered with him beautifully under glass,
and, according to the portrait and description, must be the
Rose of its season. The petals, which are ample and well-
formed, are of a bright primrose-yellow, deeply edged with a
soft rose. Mr. Geo. Paul tells us that Madame Lambard is " of
very fine and splendid China-like habit," and we have, therefore,
every ground for hoping that we shall soon realise in our
gardens the manifold charms which in this country have so far
been seen only under glass. Madame Margottin well deserves
a name, beloved by those Rosarians, to whom " old Jules "
has been a dear and faithful friend for so many happy years.
The pale yellow petals change into roseate tints in the centre
of a large, and globular, and very attractive flower. Were we
to serenade Madame Melanie Villermoz, our song must surely
be—

Wo have lived and loved together
Through many a changing year.

She seems to be acclimatised to the severities of our English
seasons, and, before the seedling Brier was in use, was one of
the few of the Tea-scented family which rarely disappointed our
confidence. In its best form it is a large and very handsome Rose,
with the white outer petals deepening towards the centre into
red, a good traveller, and, therefore, a reliable Rose for the show.
Marie Sialey is a most charming contrast to her sister Aline
(previously noticed), both daughters of Guillot, and born at
Lyons. Like Minna and Brenda in " the' Pirate," the one is
a blonde, the other a brunette. Aline a dark rose, and Marie
a pale yellow, larrjevieni borde de rose rif {as described by Papa
Guillot), distinctly edged with bright rose. — The artist, who
painted the clever likeness of Marie Van Houtte (Plate CLXI.
p. fcO), was unkindly dealt with by the florist who supplied the
Rose. The painter, in fact, was placed in the unpleasant posi-
tion of the man, who is represented, in an impossible drama,
as having run away in the dark with the mother instead of the
daughter. The Rose, so accurately drawn and coloured, is
past her prime. I do not say that she is not still beautiful ;
many fair women never lose their beauty, and I have before me,
as I write, a picture of my grandmother, which all admire who
see — but had the portrait been taken two days earlier, the
readers of The Garden would have gazed on a far more lovely
Rose. For, indeed, she is, in her perfection, like the missing
Flora, as described by her swain to the shepherds, " in form
and feature beauty's queen," whereas in the picture the shape
has lost its symmetry, and collapsed into a condition designated
by an old Yorkshire gardener as "flothery;" and the pure
tints of primrose bordered with rose have, I cannot say disap-
peared, but have lost much of the beauty which they possess
from their arrangement before the Rose passes from its most
perfect form.

When the first grand Fete des Boscs of the season was held
last summer in the Crystal Palace by the National Rose
Society, a small company of skilled Rosarians was anxiously
but happily engaged in closely inspecting and earnestly dis-
cussing the merits of an unknown Rose. Each visitor was
invited on arrival by the owner, Mr. Arthur Soames (a gallant
young officer in the Wars of the Roses, who will one day be a
Marechal Vaillant), to scrutinise and then to name this Rose.
Bach at first looked amazingly wise and confident, with an ex-
pression which seemed to say, " Enquire within for every-
thing ;" but this aspect of sagacity gradually changed first to
doubt and then to despair : " 'tis this, and 'tis that, we cannot
tell what." In two conclusions we were unanimous — that the
flower before us was a gem of purest ray serene, one of the
most perfect Roses of the show, and that not one of us had seen
it before. Mr. Soames was not himself certain as to the name
(the tally having been lost, if I remember right), but he believed
it to be Monsieur Furtado, and from the description given in
the oatalosues, French and English, I fully concur iu that be-
lief. In the former it is justly announced as Jletir grande,
ires phine, siiperbe, and in the latter " fine, bright, sul-
phur-yellow, large, full, and good form, an improved Narcisse."
The plant is of delicate habit, but this is often the case with
new Koses, weakened by a too rapid multiplication; and we
must endeavour, by a careful and patient culture, to realise
the wonderful capubilities which we know belong to this illus-
trious stranger. Some of the buds, which Mr. Soames kindly

154

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1S79.

sent to me, have so far outlived the severities of this abnormal
■winter, and the Rose which he showed us in June last, will
ensure for these little Furtados all the vigilance of a Eosarian's
love.

There is one Rose— only one, good gentlemen — which I do
not appreciate, do not admire, as {I suppose) I ought. Seriously,
it is a sad confession to make, because no one sympathises with
me, and, being a gregarious animal, I don't lilce' isolation ; I
feel like one who treads alone some Floral Hall deserted.
Though I do not believe in T'o.r populi, vox Dei, because poor
human nature is swayed more, as a rule, by passion than by
principle, I know that it is not good for man to be alone, even
in his estimation of a Rose. I am aware that Niphetos (the
pronunciation is Niffytos, not, as some utter it, Ni-fee-tos, be-
cause the e in the Greek word, from which the Rose is named,
and which signifies a snow shower, is epsilon and not beta, not
long but short), I am aware that Niphetos is the Rose par
exceUcnce for the London market, that its buds are grown by
the thousand for button-holes and bouquets, and I can see that
in its babyhood the Rose is beautiful, but in its maturity,
though again and again I have shown it in victorious " stands,"
seen it pointed at, and heard it praised, as one of the most
effective flowers in the box, yet can I never regard it with that
tender devotion and admiring love with which I gaze on
Catherine Mermet, Marie Beauman, or La France. There
seems to me no life, no character, no sentiment about Niphe-
tos. It resembles one of those imitations of the Rose which
are so exactly correct in their formation and colouring, and yet
want the freshness, the spirit, of the reality ; or rather, I would
say, that while in these artificial semblances there is always
something defective, it would be possible, in my opinion, for a
clever artist to reproduce in white paper a fac-simile of
Niphetos which would deceive the connoisseur and defy the
critic. More I dare not say. It may be, indeed, that in this
matter I am the dupe of some optical infirmity, some prejudice
which I cannot overcome, but, in speaking of Roses, all that
is in ray heart must be spoken, even though my candour should
imperil that sympathy of my brethren, which I dearly prize.
Perle des Jardins, in a fine hot summer, grows and blooms
abundantly, and its yellow Roses, deepening in the colour of
their central petals, are often very beautiful ; but with me it is
as a voyager who, merry and loud while the calm continues, is
among the first to collapse when seas are rough ; or like one
of those fine-weather Christians who come to church in their
new hats and bonnets only when the sun shall shine. — Perle
de Lyon, though its title is not so pretentious, is a more desir-
able Rose, of an exquisite form, well delineated in the engrav-
ing given by Messrs. Soupert & Netting in their Catalogue
General for 1878-9, and having large, deep yellow fiowers. —
Rubens would have rejoiced in the Rose which bears his name.
Though in many points different and distinct from Devoniensis,
it bears a general resemblance to that glorious flower, and I
have grown it on a wall with a south aspect as large and as
lovely. Here is the truthful description given by one who has
long had signal success in the .culture and exhibition of
Tea Roses, Mr. Cant, of Colchester (and all of us like
Canton Teas) : " white, delicately tinted with rose, large and
very beautiful, first-rate form, a superb variety." Rubens,
nevertheless, is surpassed, as a rule, by Souvenir d'Blise
Vardon, and Mr. Cant adds the words " splendid " and " mag-
nificent " to a description in other respects very similar. — The
penultimate o seems to suppress the idea of relationship
between Miss Eliza Vardon and Miss Dolly Vardcn (though
members of the same family do not always spell their names
alike, c. g., the Smiths and the Smythes, the Tailors and Tay-
leures, &c.) ; but, be this as it may, they are alike charming in
their different styles of beauty, and I am quite sure that Dolly
(of whom we had a souvenir no long time since in a revival by
our damsels of her quaint kirtle) that Dolly, "all smiles, and
dimples, and pleasant looks," was never more admired by
Mr. Simon Tappertit, handsome Joe Willet, or " the fifty or
sixty young fellows who were breaking their hearts to marry
her, and for whom she cared no more than if so many oysters
had been crossed in love and opened afterwards," than our
Belle Blise by her fond adorers wherever she deigns to
smile. S. Reynolds Hole.

(To he continued.)

CULTURE OF OUTDOOR PLANTS FOR MARKET.

Sweet Peas. — These are grown in considerable quan-
tities near London for the sake of their blooms — a white
and a scarlet-flowered kind being favourites on account of
their decided colours. The seed is usually sown along
the sides of walks and similar places in October and No-
vember, when our early culinary Peas are sown. When
the plants appear above ground, a little earth is drawn
up to them, and early in spring they are staked, which in
a measure protects them from cold winds and frosts. If
the weather be favo^^rable, plants from these sowings
come into bearing early in ^lay, and afford a good supply
of blooms until the end of July. The earlier Sweet
Peas can be got into bloom the more valuable they are for
market purposes, and the more regularly the blooms are
kept cut the longer the plants continue to grow and flower.
Succossional crops are obtained from sowings made in
epiing, but the summer and autumn crops are, on account
of the drought, very often but short-lived. A good,
heavily-manured piece of ground is in all cases chosen for
them, and this in as moist a situation as can be secured.
All expanded flowers are cut three times a week, tied in
bunches as large as one can hold in the hand, packed in
baskets, and taken to market. As in the case of Wall-
flowers and Daffodils, the retail dealers who purchase them
untie the bundles and, after selecting the best blooms for
bouquet making — for which purpose they are admirably
adapted — tie them into smaller bunches, and sell them for
Id. or 2d. each. A good plantation of Sweet Peas in
favourable seasons is highly remunerative ; but in very
dry weather little profit is realised by their culture. A
portion is also left untouched for seeding purposes. When
the pods become brown in the autumn the plants are pulled
up, tied in bundles, and housed until a convenient time has
arrived for threshing out the seeds.

Everlasting Peas. — These are not grown to any gi-eat
extent — a circumstance to be wondered at, as there are
many kinds which would yield plenty of bloom, and of a
good colour. Lathyrus latifolius and its white variety,
L. Sieboldi, and also the rod-flowered L. Drummondi, for
example, one would think, might be grown against walls
or in any corner where good soil could be procured. Their
blooms are, however, not so sweetly scented as those of the
Sweet Pea.

Violets. — During the autumn and spring months any
one visiting Covent Garden ]\Iarket, or its neighbourhood,
must have seen piles of Violets exposed for sale. They
are tied up in small bunches, each surrounded by a few
green leaves of their own, and sold for Id. each, or more,
according to the time of year and the quantity in the
market. At Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Richmond,
Teddington, and other jjlaces on the side of the Thames,
Violets are grown to a considerable extent. They are
usually found under orchard trees — a position in which
they thrive remarkably well — and I have often seen dozens
of women gathering the produce and placing the bunches,
after being tied up, in square hampers, ready for men to
carry on their heads to the nearest railway station to be
sent to market. The following extract respecting Violet
culture is taken from " The Gardener " for the month of
September, 1877 :

" A position sheltered from the north and west, and
sloping towards the south, is chosen for the plants, as,
under such conditions, they flower better at the close of
the autumn, and also in winter than they otherwise would
do — seasons when the flowers bring the highest prices.
Before planting, the soil is well stii-red up with the spade,

I

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

165

and, although the roots of the Violet do not descend very
deep, the plants grow so much the better and more vigor-
ously in proportion to the depth of soil. The large lumps
or clods are well broken and pulverised with a long-toothed
iron rake or a fork. Lines or drills are then marked out,
at a distance of 1 ft. from each other, and the plants are
set at about the same distance from each other in the rows.
Every four rows form a bed, so that the flowers of two
rows may be gathered from the alley on each side without
trampling on the soil of the bed or on the plants themselves.
The plants are chosen from the strongest runners, which the
largest plants produce in quantities, like the Strawberry.
The most favourable season for planting is in March or
April, the plants being usually inserted in the rows with a
dibber. The kind of manure employed, especially in cold
soils, is street-scrapings, and is the manure almost exclu-
sively used by Violet growers and Strawberry growers in
the neighbourhood of Paris. The third year after planting,
the flowers become less abundant, are smaller in size, and
grow on shorter stalks. After the third year the plants
are pulled up, and fresh plantations are made. A few
growers adopt frame-culture during the winter and eaiiy
spring months, the frames being surrounded with warm
manure or leaves for the purpose of keeping out the frost.
When treated in this way the plants will afford a succession
of flowers up to February. Taken altogether, the profit
on each frame used in forcing Violets in this way amounts
to from 10s. to :iOs. Violets are also forced in heat, either
on a hot-bed or with the assistance of hot-water pipes, and
sometimes both are employed together. This method is
generally resorted to when a good supply of flowers is
desired about New Year's day.

It is difficult to calculate accurately the probable produce
of a crop of Violets, as it is exceedingly variable. In one
season 12,000 bouquets may be gathered from 21 acres of
ground, while in another season the same ground may not
yield more than 3000 bouquets. But usually the profit is
greater when the general crop is moderate, as, when the
crop is abundant, prices fall very low in the market, and
sometimes hardly do more than repay the various expenses
of culture, rent of ground, &c. This will be made plainer
from the following calculations on the produce of 2^ acres
during three seasons of maximum, medium, and minimum
produce. In a year of plenty (say 12,000 bouquets to
2^ acres), the first bouquets of winter and the latest in
autumn will fetch about 5d. apiece, and when the full
crop comes in in spring. Id. apiece. Supposing one-half
the crop sells at the first price, and the other half
at the second, we have 12,000 bouquets at od. each =
£150. Against this we must set off the expenses as
follows :

Rent of 25 acres of groand £12 0 0

Digging and preparing tlie soil 4 M 0

Three hoeings at £2 Ss. -Id. each . . . . 7 5 0

Manure 14 8 4

Planting 2 10 0

Spreading the manure 15 2

Cutting off the runners 0 IG y

Gathering, packing, and other market expenses of

12,000 bouquets at Id. each . . . . 50 0 0

Total . . . £92 5 2
Deducting this from .... £150 0 0

92 5 2
We have a profit of ... . £57 14 10

If, now, wo take a season with a medium crop (say COOO
bouquets to 2h acres), these will sell for 2d. each at the
lowest price, and for lOd. each at the highest, or 3000 at
2d. each, and 3000 at lOd. each = £150. The expenses
will be the same as in the last case, except for the gather-

ing, packing, and other market expenses, which, for 6000
bouquets at Id. each, will be £25, instead of £50. De-
ducting this from £92 5s. 2d., we have £G7 5s. 2d., which,
deducted from £150, the market value of COOO bouquets,
leaves a profit of £82 14s. lOd. Lastly, let us take a
season with a minimum crop of, say, about 3000 bouquets
to 21 acres, of which 1500 will fetch Is. Ohd. each (or
£78 "2s. 6d.), and 1600 will sell for 4id. each (or £25),
equal in the total to £103 2s. tid. The general expenses
will be still the same, except in the matter of gathering,
packing, Ac, which for 3000 bouquets at Id. each, will
amount to £12 10s. To this must be added the other
expenses, which, as before, amount to £4'2 5s. 2d., making
a total of £54 15s. 2d. Deducting this from £103 2s. Gd.
(the market value of the 3000 bouquets), we have a profit
of £48 7s. 4d. From the foregoing calculations it will be
seen that the profit is greatest in seasons of medium
produce, since, in years of maximum yield, the various
expenses of gathering, packing, &c., are much increased,
while the market price is diminished to the lowest — indeed,
sometimes so much that growers do not care to gather
their flowers. On the other hand, in seasons of minimum
produce, it is the other general expenses, which, remaining,
as they do, unchanged, swallow up the greater part of the
profits. It must be understood, however, that tbe figures
given here are only ajiproximate."

Those who purchase or arc presented with bouquets of
Violets have, as a rule, little idea of the labour required
to produce them and prepare them for market. Violets
arc cultivated on a large scale around London, and in
some parts of Kent, Surrey, Middlesex, and Sussex Violet
culture is a most lucrative industry.

Lavender. — Under some conditions this is, perhaps, a
more profitable crop than either vegetables or fruits, and
few people are aware of the immense quantities of it which
arc grown within 2() miles or so of London. In Surrey
alone there is supposed to be no fewer than 350 acres of
land devoted to its culture, and almost as large a space
may be found under Lavender in Hertfordshire. At
Mitcham both cottagers and market gardeners grow
Lavender for sale, and when the fields of it are in bloom
its fragrance pervades the air for miles. Lavender is
increased by means of rooted slips, obtained by divi.sion of
the old roots. The young plants are put out in March or
April, 18 in. apart, in rows half that distance asunder, the
space between the rows being the first year planted with
Lettuce, Parsley, or some similar crop. When the Lavender
becomes crowded, each alternate row and plant arc lifted
and transplanted to another field to form a new plantation.
The remaining plants then stand 3 ft. apart each way, and
intercropping is discontinued. During the first two or three
weeks in August the flowers arc harvested. The stalks
are cut oS' with a sickle, bound up in sheaves similar to
Wheat, and carried to the homestead for distillation or for
other purposes. In Hertfordshire a somewhat different
method is practised. The young plants are put out in
November, 3 ft. apart each way, no other crop being
grown between them, and the ground is well tilled and
attended to. When three years old, the plants are con-
sidered at their best, and after they have been planted
seven years they are dug up and the ground is replanted.
A new plantation is, however, made every year or so, and
thus there are always young, vigorous plants upon which
dependence for a crop of flowers can be fully placed. It
is estimated that there is on an average sufficient Lavender
flowers grown in England to produce from 25,000 to
30,000 gallons of Lavender water, the greater part of

156

THE GARDEN.

[Feb, 22, 1%79.

which is produced at Mitcham and Hitchin. Some market
gardeners also grow Lavender in spare corners and
between fruit trees. This is cut before the flowers are
fully expanded and sent to market, where it is tied in
small bundles, and hawked about the streets or sold on the
stalls for Id. or 2d. each. Where a stock of young,
vigorous plants is kept up, good profits are often realised
by the culture of Lavender for sale in this way.

CnEYSANTHEMOMS. — The blooms of the incurved Japanese
section of Chrysanthemums during autumn, when Ca-
mellia blossoms are scarce, have a good run in the market,
and fetch high prices. White blooms are most in demand,
and at one time the Anemone-centred or quilled kinds were
most thought of, but since such beautiful kinds belonging
to the Japanese section have been raised they are less
popular. The flowers of the Japanese varieties are
much more graceful than any of the other kinds, and on
that account everyone admires them. For sale in pots lai-ge-
flowering Chrysanthemums are littlegrown,butthe Pompon
varieties are cultivated to a large extent for this purpose.
Cuttings of these are struck in frames in June after the
latter have been cleared of bedding plants. As soon as
struck, the Chrysanthemums are transplanted to the open
ground with a dibber, allowing plenty of space between
them. The points of the shoots are jjicked out once or
twice during the summer, and as soon as the plants show
bloom they are lifted and potted into convenient-sized pots,
well watered, kept in the shade for a time, and housed
when sharp weather is apparent. The soil in which they
are planted is sandy loam, light, but not very rich. The
three forms of Cedo N'ulli — golden, lilac, and white — are
the principal kinds that are grown in pots. A section of
early flowering Chrysanthemums, too, which has of late
years been introduced is very eligible for mai-ket purposes.
The plants assume a dwarf, compact habit, and the flowers,
though not so large and perfect as the autumn-flowering
kinds, are very effective, and, either in a cut state or on the
plants, are valuable, especially as they come in in August.
Some of the best kinds in the large-flowered section, with
incurved petals, are : Alfred Salter, rosy-lilac ; atro-rubens,
dark red-carmine ; Attraction, blush ; Beverley, ivory-
white ; Cherub, golden-amber ; Christine, peach ; Empress
of India, pure white ; Gloria Mundi, golden-yellow ;
Guernsey Nugget, primrose-yellow ; Mount Edgecumbe,
white, rose tinted ; and, the best of all, Mrs. George
Rundle, pure white, of fine form. Among the Japanese
or ragged flowered kinds are : Jane Salter, white, tipped
with rosy-lilac ; Reine des Blanches, white ; Magnum
Bonum, rosy-lilac ; Boule de Neige, pure white ; Elaine,
white and carmine ; Garnet, blood red ; and James Salter,
lilac.

Michaelmas Daisies. — When flowers are scarce in the
autumn, cut blooms of these may often be seen in the
market, where they sell for the same jjrice as those of
Violets, viz., a penny a bunch. The varieties usually con-
sist of the small-flowering kinds, which, when neatly
arranged and surrounded with Violet leaves, are very
pretty, and shoots of some kinds bear so many flowers
as to form neat little bouquets of themselves. The plants
are increased by means of cuttings, and also by division of
the old roots when young plants are required for sale in
pots ; but when cut bloom only is needed the old jslants
re frequently allowed to remain in some out-of-the-
way corner undisturbed for years. Of small-flowered
kinds, the best for market are Aster dumosus, blush ;
ericoides, white with yellow centre ; horizontalis, white,

rosy-lilac centre ; multiflorus, white, neat and jJi'ctty ; and
Shorti, lavender-blue. Among the large-flowered and at-
tractive kinds which bloom in autumn are : Amellus,
lilac-blue ; cassiarabicus, blue, orange centre ; grandiflorus,
jjurple ; liuarifolius, purplish-lilac, light centre ; and Novfe-
Anglise, rich, shining rose, with an orange centre.

Dahlias. — Many of the dwarf varieties of these may
often be seen oflFered for sale in pots in the flower market.
They are struck from cuttings inserted in the spring, and
planted out-of-doors in rich soil as soon as the weather is
sufficiently mild for them. As soon as the flowers begin to
expand, the plants are lifted and put into G-in. and 8-in.
pots, well watered, and brought to market, where they find
a ready sale for the ornamentation of windows and bal-
conies, positions in which, if shaded and kei^t well sup-
plied with water, they continue in good flowering condition
for a long time. The flowers of both the large-flowering
and the Pompon varieties are also largely used in autumn
in the commoner kinds of bouquets, along with Roses,
Pelargoniums, and other flowers which are then plentiful,
but their culture expressly for market is not great. They
are increased by division of the old tubers, or by taking up
the same and introducing them into heat in spring ; when
they throw up young shoots, those which are not jjithy are
taken off with a heel and inserted in small pots in a gentle
bottom-heat. When well-rooted, they are hardened ofi",
and in .June are planted out-of-doors. The majority of the
blooms which come to market are, however, obtained from
jjlants left in the ground for years, the roots of which are
protected in winter by a covering of ashes or loose litter.
Late in autumn the flowers are most valuable, esjiecially the
white ones of the Pompon class, and if they are protected
from autumn frosts they sometimes fetch good j^rices.

To these may be added Canterbury Bells, Delphiniums
of the formosum type. Anemones, and Eschscholtzias, the
blooms of which are largely used in the commoner kinds
of bouquets, but none of which are sold in pots. Roots of
them, as I have before stated, are disposed of by thousands
outside the market. The blooms of the blue Cornflower
(Ceutaurea Cyanus) are largely used in bouquets in spring
and summer. It is a native plant, and grows wild in abun-
dance in many parts of England. Any one growing a
stock of it, and allowing the flowers to go to seed, has no
difficulty in getting plants of it, and, as regai'dsblue flowers
in Covent Garden, this and Stokesia cyanea, to which
allusion has already been made, are the chief, not forgetting
Blue Cinerarias and Violets. C. W. S.

A Reminiscence of The Tulip Mania.— At the end of last
December, savs the " Dautsehe Giirtner-ZeitUDg," two houges in the
main street of Hoorn, about twenty miles from Amsterdam, were
offered for sale for demolition. These honses were purchased during
theTulip trade which flourished from 1634 to 1637 with the proceeds
of three Tulip bulbs! The record of this remarkable purchase was
preserved in a stone inserted in the gable of one of the houses.

A New Darlingtonia.— This, which was found on Black Hawk
Creek, in Sierra county, is represented in colours in the " Californian
Horticulturist " for January. It presents a marked variation from
plants of that family heretofore described. The " Scientific Press "
some little time ago, represented the flower as about 12 in. high at
maturity; in the patch of Darlingtonias from which the specimen
in the " Hcrticultnrist " was taken the flowers reach an average
height of 40 in. Newberry's report on the Darlingtonia, ia Prof.
Bolander's library, represents the bracts upon the scape aa increasing
in number and size near the blossom, and finally blending wilh the
floral envelope. With this the illustration given in the " American
Agricnlturist " agrees. A writer in the paper just mentior.ed ex.
amined hundreds of scapes, and found each without a vestige of a
bract nearer than 2^ in. from the flower.

Feb. 22, 1S79

THE GAEDEN.

157

THE FLOWER GARDEN,

A QUIET NOOK.
The accompanying little drawing represents a scene at the
bottom of one of the carious narrow vales in Somersetshire,
in whieh grow many wild flowers that are not found in the
open fields. It represents a colony of Solomon's Seal and
Paris quadrifolia clustering over and around an old stump, and
happy under the shade of the Hazel trees and beside the little
stream that winds through the valley. It was drawn from Na-
ture by Mr. Alfred Parsons, engraved by Mr. Hyde, and is one
of the cuts prepared for a forthcoming edition of the " Wild
Garden." It need not be said that numbers of hardy exotic

c; .>i 'lii u's Seal and Paris 4 lairifolla at homo.

plants and ferns would thrive better in such places than in our
trim borders, and would, moreover, thrive without care. W.

VIOLAS INTERMIXED WITH PELAEGONIUMS.
Violas, whether considered as such, or as Pansies, the two
being still distinct, though blood relations, have, in my own
memory, through patience, skill, and energy, made a develop-
ment outstripping that of any flower with which I am
acquainted, and, looking at that pretty weed of our arable
land, the A^ola tricolor, and those exhibition trays of large
circular blooms of nearly every possible colour called Pansies,
most of them seemingly cut out of Genoa velvet, there really
appears something in selection and development. The Violas,
so understood, are evidently nearly approaching the Pansies.
Whilst the Pansy of the florist seems to have derived its excel-
lence and perfection from itself, without aid from what we may
call intermarriage, the Viola appears, as improved, to be the
result of cross breeding or hybridising, and appears to be
made up of the British Viola lutea, the Pyrenean V. cornuta,
and the cultivated Pansy. The Viola cornuta made a stir on
its first introduction into modern gardening, and its descend-
ant, V. Perfection, is still one of the best bedding Violas
known, retaining the colour of its parent (cornuta) with the
size of a moderate Pansy, and what I intended, when com-
mencing this article, was to point out a purpose for which it is
peculiarly adapted, and that is, softening or toning down. A
few plants of the above Viola, systematically planted with
scarlet Pelargoniums, have a fine, cooling effecc. Plants of it
thus treated become somewhat drawn, so as to mingle their

blooms with those of the Pelargoniums, among whidvlowin" to
the size of bloom, it is very striking, yet soft and pleasing.
Verbena venosa I have seen employed for the same purpose,
but it is not to be compared for effect with the Viola. Ainontr
pink bedding Pelargoniums it is more beautiful still, owing to
the nearer affinity in colour. The Viola will maintain the
beauty of the bed when the blooms of the Pelargoniums are
withered or wasting, and sparingly introduced among beds of
white Pehargouiums (I am speaking of zonals) it is truly beau-
tiful; here it may be said to give a warmth to the cold white
of the Pelargoniums. T. Williams.

Onnskirk.

BRYTHRINA CRISTA-GALLI, AS A BEDDING PLANT.
This, although a native of Brazil, -is found to be sufiiciently
hardy to withstand (with the aid of some slight protection,
such as that accorded to beds of Fuchsias) the rigour of an
ordinary winter in this country. For many years it was sup-
posed to require the temperature of a stove, and with liberal
treatment it may be induced (when grown under glass) to
flower satisfactorily twice during the season. It is subject,
however, to the attacks of red spider when grown under glass,
and on that account a somewhat close and moist atmosphere,
and frequent syringings, are necessary to its proper develop-
ment. It is, however, when planted out in a suitable soil and
situation in the open air, that this plant, both as regards foliage
and flowers, attains its greatest degree of perfection, and a
good sized bed of it in the flower garden, associated with other
plants, forms an attractive object ; so much so, that it is to be
regretted that it is not used for this purpose more frequently.
It may be increased by means of seed, where that can be con-
veniently had, but it is generally grown from cuttings, which
strike root readily, and in order to obtain them, a few old plants
in pots should now (middle of February) be plunged in a brisk
bottom heat, and these will soon furnisii an abundant supply
of cuttings, which should if possible be taken off with a heel,
and inserted in a mixture of silver sand and finely sifted leaf
soil, and placed under a hand-glass in the propagating pit.
Here they will speedily strike root, and should afterwards be
potted ofl: singly when sufiiciently rooted, and, under careful
treatment, they will be large enough to plant out with other
bedding plants about the end of May. They will bloom more
or less freely during the first season, and if they can be pre-
served in the, beds through the following winter, they will
flower in greater perfection the second and succeeding
summers.

The bed intended for Ery thrina.", should be carefully drained,
unless the subsoil is naturally of a light or gravelly cliai-acter, as
the plants during winter are more likely to suifer from damp
or stagnant moisture than from severe frost, as the surface of
the bed can readily be mulched with dry, littery matter, so as
to efi^ectually protect the roots of the plants from the effects
of the latter. The bed should be composed of moderately rich,
light soil, and the mulching should be removed soon after the
middle of May, when the decayed stems should be cut off
close to the surface of the soil, and a slight surface-dressing
applied. As the young shoots progress, they will require
to be neatly staked, more particularly if the bed be in
an exposed situation. It is, of course, too early as yet
to ascertain how such plants have fared during such a
winter as that which we have just experienced, when the frost
has penetrated to a much greater depth than is usually the
case. But in a narrow border in front of a plant house, I saw,
some years since, a line of these plants in full flower, and pro-
ducing a grand effect. I was informed that they had iwith-
stood the exceptionally severe winter of 1860-61, and that they
had never been protected in any way. It is, however, possible
that in that case the roots of the plants derived benefit from
their proximity to the front wall of a heated structure.

Cutford, Burij St. Edmunds. P. Gkieve.

Stem Roots a Protection to Lily Bulbs. — Ag the writer iu
the " Califoruian Horticukuiiat " Bays (p. IIS) : — " AVe agree as
regards the decay of the old bnlbs and the lormatioQ of new ones
internally," will Mr. T. Smith, of Newry, bo good enough to eay if

158

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1879.

in "the interesting discovery he made a day or two ago " (p. 135),
the bolbs he then found, which, as he tella ua, " were perceptibly
larger than when they were planted," were the same identical bnlba
that were planted in " the beginning of April last year ? " — B.

have always an abundance o( flower in summer. Few plants are
more showy in old-fashioned herbaceous borders than Tigridias. —
Cambrian.

THE "FLOWERING" SPURGE.

(eupiiorma cokollata.)
This is one of the best of American plants, and in trade language it has
"money in it," as it is one that may be grown by florists as a source of
proBt from the sale of its flowers. The genus Eaphorbia is a large
one, there being over 700 species which are widely distributed ; those
found in temperate climates are herbs, often small and inconspicuous,
while in tropical countries they are shrubs and even small trees, some
of which are very thorny and grotesque in habit. Without going
into the details of structure, it may be said that the flowers are ex.
ceedingly simple, having neither calyx nor corolla; the male flowers
consist of a single stamen with a small scale, and the female flowers
of a single pistil upon a long stalk. Several of these simple
staminate flowers and one pistillate flower are placed in a sort of cup
or invulcre, which hides the stamens, but the pistil, having a long
stalk, stands out beyond the invulore. The latter, which passes for
the flower, contains a whole cluster of very simple flowers. Though
the flowers themselves are not showy, it is often the case that the
parts surrounding them are very much so. One of the most brilliant
plants of our hothouses is a Euphorbia, popu'arly known as Poin-
uettia, the leaves which surround the heads of invulcres of this, are
of the most intense scarlet colour. It is for these brilliant upper
leaves — or bracts, as the botanist calls them — that lai'ge numbers of
these plants are cultivated, as they are specially in demand for holiday
decorations. In other greenhouse species, the invulcre or flower-cup
itself is showy, being furnished with large petal-like scarlet appen-
dages or lobes, which make it very closely resemble a real flower. In
our native Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) these appendages
are of the purest white, and the plant appears as if it bore a cluster
of small white flowers, while it is really a mass of very
showy flower-cups, inside of which the real, but minute flowers
are hidden, though in time the pistillate flower shows itself above
it. This plant is found from New York westward and south,
ward ; it is abundant in the Pine-barrens of New Jersey,
and in similar localities to Florida. It has a large branching,
perennial root, which sends up several stems 2 ft. to 3 ft. or more
high ; the leaves upon the stem are scattered, without foot-stalks ; at
the top of the stem are several branches, and these branching again
form the umbel-like flower cluster, at the base of which is a whorl of
several leaves. As with other Euphorbias, all parts of this plant
contain a milky juice which flows freely whenever a portion is cut or
broken. The dried root has been more or less used in medicine, es-
pecially in the Southern States. The Flowering Spurge ia an excel-
lent border plant, as it produces abundance of — what in this sense we
may call flowers — in July and August, and they last antil October and
November. The white petal-like lobes do not readily wither, and on
this account the flowers are very useful for bouquets and floral decora,
tions ; small, white, lasting flowers are always in demand for such
purposes, aud the plant is likely to become popular among florists and
those who grow flowers for cutting. While we have no doubt that
the Flowering Spurge will prove a valuable plant to force for cut
flowers in winter, we shall not recommend its use until we see the
results of experiments now being made in this direction. We have
mentioned that the pistillate flowers stand out beyond the invulcres ;
as these are green and unsightly, they much detract from the appear-
ance of the cluster, and they should be picked off when used for
bouquets, &c. We are glad to see that this very handaome native
plant is offered by dealers, though some of them make a mistake in
claiming that it is new. That enthusiastic cultivator, the late
Mr. Joseph Breck, in his " Book of Flowers," published a quarter of
a century ago, and in his later "New Book of Flowers," speaks of it
as a " most excellent species," while it was figured and commended as
long ago as 1819 in " Loddige's Cabinet," and Duchatre states that
it was introduced into the French gardens in 1803. Nevertheless, a
plant in the sense of being little known may be said to be new. —
" American Agrioultarist."

Tigridias Out-of-doors in "Winter.— In the remarks which
accompany the excellent coloured plate of the Tigridia given in The
Garden (p. 142), it is stated that " some cultivators allow the
bulbs to remain undisturbed during the winter." In Wales we
never think of lifting the roots, and they succeed admirably; all
we do is to put a little light manure over them every winter, and we

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

TRANSPLANTING AND RENOVATING OLD VINES.
I NOTICED in The Garden a few weeks back some inquiries
respecting the transplanting of old Vines, and as I have of late
years been engaged every autumn in renovating borders, I am
able to say that such work, if taken in hand at the proper time,
may be carried out with the greatest success, and in most cases
with marked benefit to the Vines. The reason for this is not
so obvious at first sight, but when we take into consideration
the immense increase clipping and severing some of the largest
roots causes in the number of feeders, the gain at once makes
itself apparent, espeoiaily when we bear in mind the large
amount of fresh food there is supplied by the formation of new
borders. Although the Vines I had to deal with were not ac-
tually lifted, they were to all intents and purposes the same as
if they had been, as every particle of soil was harrowed out
from among them, and every root laid bare under mats till
new loam was put under them. From beginning to end this
took a week, as working the earth out from among the roots
was rather a slow process, but although this was the case, the
leaves never flagged during the whole time, nor afterwards
showed that they had been interfered with. Our success was
due to the precaution we took to carry on the work during a dull
time, when we could have the house entirely closed both day and
night, and the foliage frequently syringed. Had the sun broken
through, we wei'e prepared with shades to run down the roof,
and these we did use occasionally for a fortnight or more after
the work was completed, for though the leaves were nearly
ripe, we were anxious to preserve them fresh and keep them
from falling as long as possible. This was done not only with
a view to plump up and finish the buds, but to aid fresh root
action before the winter set in, by doing which, the Vines
started strongly the following spring and bore excellent crops.
Those operated upon in one case were upwards of twenty years
old, and had stems as large as one's arm, but for all that they
already show symptoms of becoming regenerated and of being
as vigorous as ever. Any one, therefore, who has Vines
that from any cause do not give satisfaction, need not
hesitate setting about their renovation, for there is no plant
with which I am acquainted that is so tenacious of
life or that will bear so many liberties being taken with it as
the Vine. The best time to operate on old Vines is the last
week in September or the first in October, as then the wood
is firm, and the foliage has well nigh reached maturity, but the
season at which the wors should be done will depend in some
measure on whether the Vines h.ave been forced or not ; for if
they have, of course they will be in a more favourable condition,
aud, in that case, will bear rough treatment sooner than they
otherwise would. Whenever done, a great point is to prevent
their roots from drying, which may be done by having mats,
thick cloths, tarpauling, or anything of that kind to lay over
them as they are got out of the soil, and by keeping them fre-
quently syringed or sprinkled with water from a fine-rosed
pot. In addition to this, the house should be saturated with
moisture, and so shaded thttt it may be left shut without the
temperature running higher than between 80" and 90°, as,
beyond that there would be considerable risk of the leaves
scalding, which would defeat the object in view. It will be
found that the best way to set about getting the soil out is to
open a wide trench first right along the front of the border,
and, in doing this, cut all the roots as they are come at that
may have strayed beyond. The space so opened out will afford
every facility for following them on by working down the earth
from among them with the aid of a sharp-pointed fork. While
this is being done by a careful handy man or two, others, less
trusty or expert, may be engaged removing it out of the way,
by which means the work may be carried on more regularly
and expeditiously than if conducted in a sort of hap-hazard
manner. It frequently occurs that people try to improve the
health and condition of their Vines by simply top-dressing
the border, but a few inches of fresh loam placed there might

1B79]

THE GARDEN.

159

as well be in the pasture for all t'je good it does, as roots,
unless encouraged by heavy mulchings to draw them upwards,
never feed so near the surface. This is readily accounted for
by the extreme upper portion being subject to so many changes,
not only as regards warmth, but moisture likewise, besides
which, light penetrates some little way, and roots seem to
have an inclination to avoid it and alter their course
accordingly. On the other hand they are attracted towards
manure, and this is why they grow upwards when it is applied
as a surface dressing, and another reason is that then the con-
ditions are more favourable for their travelling in that direc-
tion, as a mulching effectually excludes light and intercepts
evaporation, the absence of moisture being one of the primary
causes of driving them below to search for it at a lower level.
It will be seen, therefore, if fresh soil is to be made available
for them to feed on that it must either be buried by having a
covering of manure to entice the roots to it, or it must be put
near where they are, which is by far the wisest plan, and to do
this at least 1 ft. of the top should be removed and a portion
of that held back near at hand to scatter on again over the
loam. Vines, like all other plants of a gross feeding nature,
like sod fresh cut from a meadow, and the more loamy and
fibry it is the better it suits them, and the less tendency has it
for running or binding together. When such can be got, to
attempt improving it by mixtures of any kind is the greatest
mistake possible, as, except a few bones, whatever else is added
tends to spoil and render it less lasting by hastening the
decomposition of the vegetable fibres it contains, which, in their
slow deca\-, absorb the gaseous juices and yield them up when
called on by the rootlets to do so. Leaf mould is like poison,
as, when it lays quiet and dry it is sure to generate fungus,
and this, when it comes in contact with plants, attaches itself
to the bark, which it permeates in all directions with a perfect
network of the most minute threads, the effect of which is to
utterly paralyse all healthy action and ultimately to destroy
life altogether. Mortar rubbish and such like materials are
useless, for if employed in any quantity they impoverish the
soil by causing too rapid drainage, and render the mass so
loose and hollow as to afford no stability to the roots.

g. D.

HINTS ON ORCHARD-HOUSE CULTURE.
It 19 unlikely that the cnltivation of fruit trees in pots, in these
■useful structures, will increase in popularity, owing to the close at-
tention the trees require during the growing season ; and yet where
amateurs can find time to give personal attention to them, it is most
interesting as well as instructive to note the growth and development
of bud into blossom and leaf, to watch and aid the setting of the
blossoms, and ultimately to realise the full fruition of one's labours
in the handaome and lagcions fraits. It is needless here to go into
any lengthened details of orchard. house culture, but a few seasonable
remarks may be useful. The orchard house is generally a glass
structure of any convenient shape, constructed for its adaptability to
grow fraits well, and especially in districts where the climate is not
suitable, or in places where the character of the soil is not well
adapted to the culture ot stone fraits. Whatever may be the form of
the house— and it is worthy ot note that trees will do well in the
ridge. and- furrow, span roof, half. span, or lean.to— the internal ar-
rangements are of the simplest. The most primitive of any that
have come uuder my observation, has consisted simply of a shallow
trench dug in the centre ot the house, the soil being thrown out right
and left, and made level. Very few persons would be content with
this style, while a few shillings expended on gravel and edging tiles
would form neat borders and paths, always pleasant to look upon. A
narrow house mcy have a path down the centre, with a border on
each side ; while one over 18 ft. wide should have a bed in the centre,
with a narrow border all round the sides. The paths should be about
2 ft. 6 in. wide, and the borders for the trees may be covered a few
inches deep with Cocoa. nut fibre refuse. The roots should not be
allowed to grow oat at the bottom ot the pots. I place the pots on
bricks, or raise them on inverted pots, to prevent this, 'and also to
keep oat worms.

It the pot trees have been wintered out.of-doors, they ought to be
taken into the house by the first week in February, and they will
require but little attention until the blossoms are expanded. See that
the trees are well watered at the roots, without giving them too mach.
Oive air freely, but keep the frost out. It will always pay to have a
heating apparatus. No doubt good trait has been"growa in sucoes-

sive seasons withont any such aid, bat in some cases there has been a
failure ot the crops beoauso ot the nntavonrable character ot the
weather when the trees have been in blossom. The effect ot frost is
not felt very much it there be plenty ot sunshine by day. lb is
daring dull, cold weather, with a low temperature at night as well as
by day, that artificial heat is required. When the trees are in flower,
it is as well to shake them gently twiceaday, to distribute the pollen.
In this way, a good " set " is generally secured. Where the natural
Boil ot the garden is unsuitable, it is very desirable to grow the trees
in pots, as a small quantity ot imported soil serves fur each tree.
Good clayey loam from the chalk is the beet soil tor stone fruits, and
it answers equally well for Pears ; a fourth part ot good rotten manure
ought to be mixed with it, and in potting, the soil should be well
compressed with a wooden rammer.

Unless for the sake ot variety, it is not desirable to grow many
sorts ot fruit trees. Six good Peaches are:— Hale's Eirly, Early
York, Royal George, Grosee Mignonne, Bellegarde. and Desse Tardive.
Nectarines :— Lord Napier, Murray, Pine-apple, Violette Uitive, and
Victoria. A tew useful Pears are :—Beurre d'Amanlis, Bearre Diel,
Louise Bonne, ot Jersey, Souvenir du Congres, Marie Louise,
and Williams' Bon Chretien.— J. Douglas in " Florist."

SAUCERS IN STRAWBERRY FORCING.
It sometimes happens that some of our most useful horticul-
tural appliances sink in the estimation of those who employ
them, owing to their being so used that they not only fail to
confer any benefit, but actually prove a source of loss and in-
convenience. Saucers have long been used in Strawberry
forcing, and may, undoubtedly, be made valuable agents of
fertility, and yet many a crop has been ruined by employing
them in an injudicious and indiscriminate manner. A practice
exists of placing Strawberries in pans as soon as they begin
to grow. If the plants are thoroughly well-rooted, and if the
watering is condacted by an experienced person, no harm will
result from it, and, where the pots stand over hot pipes or
flues, the saucers are useful for maintaining a healthy, moist
atmosphere. But this practice has its dangers, and I would
not recommend its adoption in a general way, as the water is
apt to lie in the saucers just at a time when thorough drainage
is most required, the effect being the destruction of the most
important feeders of the plant. The real use of saucers is
to enable the grower to administer such an amount of moisture
to his plants as could not well be effected by any other means.
Now, the question naturally arises at what period of their
growth do they require to be thus saturated ? The answer,
which is easily given, is when they are fully furnished with
well-developed foliage, and when the roots are in a very active
state, a stage of growth never fairly reached until they are in
flower. Before this time it would be safer to dispense with
saucers altogether, and trust to careful waterings to supply
the necessary moisture. In the earlier stages of growth the
water cannot drain away too freely, and anything tending to
produce stagnation will inevitably cause torpidity of the root,
and eventually entail the destruction of those white fibres
upon which depends the subsequent fertility of the plant.

I have known establishments in which Strawberries were
always far from satisfactory, although there was ample ac-
commodation for them. When, however, I saw that the plants
were placed in pans before even the flower trusses had fully
appeared, I was at no loss to account for the deficiency. In
rejecting pans altogether we, however, run from one extreme
to the other, and those who repudiate pans and saucers can have
but a faint idea of what an important part they may be made
to play in ripening off a heavy crop of fruit. In a previous
number, " J. S. W." advocates the substitution of saucers of
soil for the ordinary method, and I can believe that he finds
his system beneficial. But useful as it may be in affording ad-
ditional nutriment, to me it is open to the objection ot not
being able to supply sufficient moisture when the crop is
swelling off. Perhaps for very early forcing there would be no
difficulty experienced, but in April and May when we are liable
to periods of hot, sunny weather, my experience has hitherto
led me to believe that large plants cannot be maintained in a
vigorous, healthy state, and heavy crops be ripened satisfac-
torily, unless there is provision for supplying au unlimited
amount of water. The saucer, in fact, represents the delugicgs

160

THE GAEDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1879.

which we find it necessary to administer to ont-door planta-
tions in hot weather ; the amount of water which a well-fruited
Strawberry plant will absorb in hot weather has often surprised
me, and I have remarked that if this extra amount of moisture
were not supplied, there was invariably a falling oS in weight.
i hot weather should supervene when the fruit is three parts
swelled, the plants, it luxuriant, will require much more water
than can possibly be given them in the ordinary way of ad-
ministering it, in proof of which I may cite instances when the
pans were filled two and three times a day, and yet not a drop
was left in them by the following morning. Let any one imagine
the labour involved in administering this amount of water in
*he ordinary way, and how very likely the plants would be to
suffer at some period of the day, especially when grown near
the roof in a light, airy house. A strong-rooted Strawberry
plant when in full fruit, with the functions one and all in a full
activity, and subjected to a strong solar and artificial heat,
is more liable to suffer from want of moisture than from a
superabundance of it. There are times when it really appears
to revel in sub-aquatic treatment, and, if, after a bright day,
the pans be filled up with clean manure water when the house
is closed, the appearance of the plants the following morning
will fully indicate the beneficial effects arising therefrom.

With respect to letting the roots go out of the pot, my expe-
rience has led me to the conclusion that, if they go into fresh
soil before the bloom is thrown up, an undue luxuriance of the
leaf will be the result. I have often practised this method,
but would never again allow the roots to work into the new
soil before the plants were in flower, as, after that time, the
increase of nutriment tells upon the fruit, which appropriates
it to its own development. For this reason I would avoid
strong stimulating manure in the earlier stages of forcing,
but I have always considered soot water an admirable fer-
tiliser at that time ; it strengthens without stimulating, and
may be freely used with perfect safety. There is not the
slightest doubt that red spider is enabled to fully establish
itself when not only moisture but nutriment is deficient ; the
foliage becomes deficient in substance, and cannot resist its
attacks. By preserving the roots in a perfectly healthy state,
n ever over ?vatering in the first stages of growth, and supplying
abundance of moisture and food when the plants are in full
growth, the leaves will acquire such substance that the enemy
can make bat little impression on them. John Cornhill.
Byfleet.

MILDEW ON STRAWBERRIES.
I SEE it stated in The Garden (p. 146) that the liability of the
Black Prince Strawberry to mildew is an objection to it as a variety
for forcing, which is quite true, for, so far aa I have seen, it never
BEcapes mildew, and usually suffers to such an extent as to render
the fruit quite worthless ; bat I think I can guarantee that if the fol-
lowing measures be taken to check the mildew clean crops of fruit
will always be secured. It is rarely that the mildew appears to a
noticeable extent before the fruit begins to swell, and if, when the
berries have just set, the plants are thoroughly sulphured, it will
keep it down till the fruit is all gathered. It does not do much
good, however, to duat the sulphur on the planta, the syringe must
be used. A. quantity of sulphur, according to the number of plants to
be gone over, should be thoroughly stirred up in a little skim milk
till it be disintegrated, and then poured into a pitcher of water and
applied right and left to the plants till they are well wetted on the
upper and under sides of the foliage and berries also. There is no
danger of overdosing the plants, and it may therefore be applied
freely. The water should be kept stirred while it is being applied,
otherwise the sulphur settles at the bottom, and the plants are apt to
be smeared with it. It applied in the right way, and at the right
time, it will hardly be noticed on the foliage, and none will be
observable on the fruit when it is ripe. Of course the plants are
never syringed after the sulphur is applied. I have forced from 600
to 700 plants of Black Prince every season for the past fourteen
years, and have always had bright, clean fruit of good size. Prince
of Wales is another sort that is subject to mildew, and may be cured
in the same way. It never touches Herioart de Thury. With us the
Black Prince is one of the best early forcers, and is ten days or more
earlier than Hericart de Thury. J. S. W.

examined them on St. Valentine's Day, and found on each plactlfrom
twenty to thirty fruit, which I shall reduce to a dozen. I can, there,
fore, with confidence corroborate all that Mr. Tillery says (p. 146) ia
favour of this variety. — K. Giibekt, Burgliley.

Pine Houses. — The quotation Mr. Simpson makes, from what I
wrote in The Garden (p. 60, 1876) was in reference to amateur gar-
deners' glass houses, who are not supposed to grow Pines, and on that
account I intentionally there omitted to mention them in any way.
The article he thus refers to has nothing to do with the present
question. — T. Baines.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

strawberry Forcing in Pots. — My first Strawberries, consist-
ing of Vioomtessa Hericart de Thury, are now swelling rapidly. I

Early Asparagus. — Good examples of blanched French Aspara-
guB are now oiiered for sale in Covent Garden Market. They show a
great improvement on the English-grown Asparagus offered for sale
there a few days ago. — S.

Potatoes for Amateurs. — The list of Potatoes quoted (p. 151)
aa being suitable for amateurs for ordinary garden cultivation, in-
cludes nine kinds, three of which I should strongly object to recom-
mend ; but still that is not so bad as a list of fifteen kinds of Peas,
especially as most amateur gardeners are limited to a space of from
one-eighth to one-fourth of an acre in extent. In a list of Potatoes
suitable for a small garden, I should not include coarse-growing
kinda such as Victoria or Magnum Bonum, because these want more
space than amateurs can generally afford ; further than that they
want fairly early kinda, in order that they may get the ground
cleared in time to get in a winter crop of some sort to succeed the
Potatoes. A few Ashleaf Kidneys should always be planted, and
these should be followed by Early Union and Early Rose, then
Snowflake, King of Potatoes, and Vermont Beauty ; these are ample
for the purpose, and are a good selection. It only three kinds are
wanted, the first, third, and fifth will be the beat to be had. It is
not correct to say th^tt the Old Handsworth Early and Porter's Ex.
celsior are identical ; there is no intimate connection'between them ;
Porter's Excelsior is a larger cropper, and a far superior Potatoe
to the Old Handsworth. — A. D.

Clima:x Potato. — In his complaint (p. 151) as to the quality of
this Potato "J. D. H." realises one of the difficulties that beset those
who are invited to advise as to the best kinds of Potatoes for certain
soils. Under ordinary circumstances Climax may be regarded as one
of the best of the American sorts, and ought to be good where Vio-
toriaa. Regents, Snowflakes, &c., are good. That it is not eo is diffi.
cult to explain, except on the supposition that the disease destroyed
the haulm some time before the tubers were matured, and hence
their watery character. That such a result has fallen to many kinds
that are generally good I have this winter abundance of evidence,
and no doubt many good kinda are being condemned for thia very
reaaon. Nothing is more probable than thia ; if the plant is practi-
cally killed before the tubers are more than three parts ripened their
quality must suffer. " J. D. H." should not have made auch a com.
plete change in his chief crop at once. It would have been better to
have obtained smaller quantities of some half dozen kinds, and then
to have grown on the one that proved the best. For next season's
growth I would advise that some of Climax be again planted, and
also some of Snowflake, Schoolmaster, Dawes' Matchless, Magnum
Bonum, and King of Potatoes. These are all good, dry eating, mealy
kinds, and large croppers, white akins, and should do well in any
fairly good soil. Climax, Snowflake, and King of Potatoes, should
be planted in rows 30 in. apart, and Magnum Bonum, Schoolmaster,
and Dawea' Matchleas in rows 36 in. apart. If none of these kinds
will give satisfaction, then, I fear, the soil in question muat be utterly
valueless for Potato culture. — A. D.

Boxes for Early Peas. — Seeing that " A. D." (p. 151) advocates
the use of boxes torearly Peaa, allow me to say that for several years I
have used boxes for that purpose, 3 ft. 6 in. long, 10 in. wide and 6 in.
deep. The bottoms are separate, and are kept in their places by
means of two pieces of tar.oord round each box. When the time
comes for planting, trenches are made, the boxes are placed in them
and the cords are untied ; the bottoms are then gently withdrawn,
the frames are removed, and the earth ia preased round the Peaa j
if these operations be all carefully performed, the Peas never
seem to feel the transition, and succeed admirably. At present I
have a number of these boxes sown with Peaa under the stage of a
greenhouse, and they will after a time be placed in a cold frame. In
the summer the boxes come in usefully for flower aeeda, &o. The
advantages of having the boxes large are, that the Peas can remain
in them a long time it the weather be unfavourable for planting. —
J. J.

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

161

STORING ICE.
I HAVE nothing to add to Mr. Dennis's description (p. 59) of
a well-constructed icehouse, though I should apprehend some
danger from the drain, which ought not to have direct com-
munication with the ice, but should be a trap drain or a common
drain itself well stuffed with hay, through which the melted
ice could percolate. I have had to do with some very scientific
kinds of icehouses in my time, but I always found that
elaborate structures were needless, and often useless ; and that
a rough and ready method of storing ice was the best. One
method of ensuring thorough drainage is to place an old cart
wheel at the bottom covered with straw. Lining the icehouse
or ice well, too, with straw, is important, but this is too often
done in an ineffectual manner. It is useless to place straw
untied or in a loose manner between the ice and the walls, a
seemingly large quantity of loose straw lies in a comparatively
small space, when jammed by the weight of ice against the
wall. Straw linings should be carefully prepared, pressed to-
gether as firmly as possible, and tied with three bands, as
shown in fig. 2, with the ends even. Applied in this form the
straw lining may be made nearly as compact as the masonry.
In this way it not onlv becomes a powerful non-conductor of
heat, but, by its symmetry and straightness, becomes a kind
of internal thatch, carrying down to the well all moisture with
which it comes in contact, only, if the icehouse should be of

Pig. 1.— Straw lining ; 2, central straw
column ; 3, aperture ; 4, masonry.

Fig. 2.— Bundles oE

straw.

large dimensions," I would carry a column of these straw
bundles right up through the centre of the ice, one on the
other, from the top to bottom, chimney fashion. This will
ensure drainage from the centre.

Icehouses should be constructed as near the water as pos-
sible from which the ice is to be obtained, certainly not in the
pleasure grounds, as filling such houses is often rough work,
but, wherever they are placed, let as much of the house be
underground as possible, provided the drainage is efficient.
The north side of a knoll or steep bank, accessible from
other points, is a fit situation ; in such a position, afteras much
ice as possible has been introduced by the doorway, and the
latter is closed up, tons of ice can be introduced through the
aperture at the top till the house is completely filled. This
filling in the house from the top is important, and, where a
natural brow does not exist, one may easily be formed, the
material excavated from the icehouse going a long way to
accomplish this. Never be in a hurry to shut up the house
the day on which it is filled if it be during frost, especially
such a frost as that which we have experienced this winter ;
on the contrary, let the frost get to it. And why should we
pound and almost grind our ice when filling the house ? What
do we gain by it ? " It lies close " says some one. I have no
doubt if ice could be packed or built up in layers, as formed, it
would not waste away so soon. Wenham Lake ice comes to us
in solid blocks. However, by the.following method masses of
ice, whether in houses or pits, may be converted into nearly
solid blocks, and the quantity of ice doubled.

I once had charge of what we called the ice-hole. This was
on the steep north side of a large mound, covered with trees.
The mound was formed of the excavations of some fish tanks
(a series of which were close by). On the north side of this
mound, as stated, the ice-hole was formed; yards below the
bottom level ran a brook, into which the drainage ran, and so

well did the ice keep in this cold hole, with its walls of clay
that there was scarcely ever any drainage at all, it was always
ice ; the inside was straw-lined in the usual manner, and fag-
gots of brushwood were laid at the bottom. The ice was close
by, and of course the water also, and about a yard of ice (in
height) was filled in, water was ran in till level with the ice ;
this was quickly converted into ice, and the process was con-
tinued till the place was full. This mass of ice was nob
covered over sometimes for weeks after being put together,
but was there freezing away till a thaw or change was antici-
pated.

The person to whom this hole belonged, spent hundreds of
pounds in experimenting with icehouses, but they were all too
scientific. The last whim was a kind of round tower, wholly
above ground, with a kind of casing of straw at some distance
from the ice, thus enclosing a body of warm air around the
building, but it never secured a pound of ice.

Onnskirk. Thomas Williams.

Outdoor Camellias. — Oar Camelliaa ont-of-doora here are in
the same conditioD as those at Lintoa Park (p. Hi). Were I asked
what shrub has withstood theserere winter which we have had best ?
I would auswer the Camellia, a fact of which we have ample illus-
tration ia the intensely groeu leaves and fairiy.developed flower
buds with which our plants are loaded. I have jast been examining
them to-day, and I think I never saw them look so green and healthy.
I quite agree with Mr. Groom that the " Camellia might be planted
out-of-doors in many places much more extensively than it ia." I
am of opinion that it would succeed perfectly in any county in the
United Kingdom, provided it waa planted in a poaitiou fally exposed
to the sun throughout the summer. — Cambrian.

Lean-to and Span-rjofed Houses. — This ia a subject on
which I have lately bestowed much thought, and it ia one, too, on
which I have had considerable experience. If I wanted to grow stove or
greenhouse plants for show I should have a span-roofed house running
from north to south, for the sake of equal light j but if I wanted a
house for Orchids I should have a wall bailt east and west, and a
lean.to erected on the north for cooi Orchids, and one on the south
for Cftttleyas and Dendrobea, having the pathways near the wall,
and the stage near the glass. Thaa the plants in pota would have
the benefit of the span-roofod house, and I should have the wall on
which to hang those on blocks. There they could be syringed with,
out damping others, and, as they require more watering than those
in pots, it would be the beat place for them, and the whole hoaae
could get the benefit of the moisture given oS by the wall. The old
Begonia house at Kew was a half-span-roofed structure, having a
south aspect, and a high back wall. There the plants grew vigorously,
while in the new house, a span-roofed one, they have not grown half
so freely. The old house that was on the south wall of the museum,
at the bottom of the herbaceous grounds, was a lean.to ; there stove
plants grew splendidly, and so did the Cocoa-nut Palm, while in the
Palm house the latter died. I had charge of the old house (No. 19
to the north of the then Graaa department ; that waa a lean.to, and
theae Palma grew moat aatiatactorily ; it had originally been uaed as
a Cactua honae, and there Cacti grew better than they have ever done
since. I have had these plants in lean-to and also in span-roofed
houses, and I find them to be more easily managed in the former.
I am also acquainted with several places where they are grown, and
in every case the lean.to houses contain the healthiest planta. — J.
Ckoucher, Sudbwu House, Hammersmith.

G-ermination of Seeds. — Notwithstanding the importance of
this subject, there are few matters less understood, and for mmy
kinds of seed a uniform practice is acted upon. No donbt it ia right
for a great many seeds, but not as regards all. Take, for instance,
the common Primrose. I remember, many years ago, an eminent
cultivator stating that nothing tried his patience more than waiting
for some seeds of this Primrose to come up, and I well believe him.
Some years ago, when I waa actively employed in trying to multiply
varietiea of the Primrose for the garden, I found there was no way
of getting seedlings up ao certainly as by planting the parent planta
in a sort of rough shrubbery border plentifully overran with weeds,
and only now and then pulling a weed np by the hand, leaving the
young plants and the weeds to straggle on together, and when they
flowered removing what waa good to more suitable quarters, for I
waa convinced that the preaenoeand shade of the weeds were a great
help to the Primrose seed. Some other seeds, no doubt, need the same
kind of aid, while others require to remain longer in the earth than
we sometimes have patience for. I fear we have yet much to learn
in this matter. — A Retired Gardener.

162

THE GARDEN.

[FzB. 22, 1879.

FXjJ^TIE: CIi2CVIII.

SPOTTED GLOXINIAS.

Drawn by Mrs. DUFFIKLD.
What are Spotted Gloxinias ? They represent a race of erect-
flowering varieties having pale grounds spotted or punctured
with chocolate, red, and reddish-brown. The size of the spots,
their dispersion over the flower, and their colours vary, but, as
will be seen, they are all exquisitely beautiful, and they contrast
favourably with the varieties of red, crimson, purple, and other
tints with which they are associated. As a rule, striking
colours preponderate in Gloxinias, and it is of some value to
have these in company with varieties possessing delicate tints.
Hence the interest which centres round these newer types.
There is no doubt that seed from a good strain of Gloxinias
would be certain to produce some varieties more or less of a
spotted character.

Seed of Gloxinias should be sown early in spring, so as to
allow the plants an opportunity of attaining a sufficient size,
in order that they may flower during summer in a way that
will exhibit their true character ; if sown about the middle of
March, they will have the requisite time. The seed should be
sown in an ordinary pan with 1 in. of drainage at the bottom, on
which place a little Sphagnum. The soil should consist of
equal parts of loam, peat, and leaf-soil, all sifted ; add to the
whole one-sixth its bulk in sand, it being essential to have the
material of a loose open character, or the roots of the young
seedlings will be injured in transplanting them. Till the pan
with the soil to within 5 in. of the rim, pressing it down
moderately firm, then water with a fine-rose, so as to close up
the surface, and on this sow the seeds, not too closely, or they
will become crowded, and consequently drawn up before they
are large enough to pot off ; cover very lightly, and place them
in a temperature of 65°. As soon as the young plants appear,
elevate them close up to the light, screen them from the mid-
day sun and supply them with water, giving a little air during
the day. When the leaves are 1 in. long, move the plants
singly into 3-in. pots, using soil similar to that in which the
seeds were sown, and at once replace them near the light,
raising the temperature as the days increase in length. By
the end of June they will require shifting into 4-in. pots, using
the soil without sifting, and they should receive the treatment
previously recommended. The best kinds should be marked
for propagation, and the inferior ones discarded. When the
flowering is over, give them less water, discontinue shading,
and admit more air, so as to ripen the growth. When the
leaves have died down, the soil must be allowed to become
quite dry, and be kept for the winter in a temperature of 50° ;
cooler than this is not safe for any length of time. They
generally winter best when the bulbs are allowed to remain
in the soil and pots in which they have been grown ; but
as they become large and are in pots of a considerables size,
this is not always convenient, in which case they should be
stored in paper bags filled with dry sand, to preserve them
from the air, otherwise they shrivel, and thereby receive serious
injury.

To give a succession of flowers through the summer, a
portion of the plants may be started about the middle of
February, and a further supply in March ; let the pots be pro-
portionate to the size of the tubers — 7 in. in diameter will be
large enough for the second season. In potting just leave the
crowns of the tubers on a level with the surface of the soil, and
immediately they are potted place them in a temperature of
60" at night, and 6" or 10° warmer by day ; if not put in heat
as soon as potted the roots will rot ; the soil ought to be in a
slightly moist state when used, and little water should be given
until growth has commenced. Treat them throughout the
season as recommended for the previous summer as to heat,
shade, air, light, and moisture. As already pointed out, their
satisfactory (lowering will depend upon their receiving abun-
dance of light ; a shelf over a path within a few inches of the
roof is the best place for them, for in such a situation not only
do they get the requisite amount of light, but they also
receive more air, both being so essential to short, sturdy
growth. This summer they will bloom well and increase
considerably in the size of their roots, yet it is in the

third and fourth years after sowing that they will make the
finest display.

When the bulbs get large they may be divided, retaining to
each portion some of the buds with which the crown is fur-
nished ; but the most general method of propagation, and by
far the most expeditious, is by leaf cuttings. If the leaves be
taken off in the summer when fully matured with a portion of
the leaf stalks, and this portion be inserted in 6-in. pots, drained
and filled with half peat or loam and sand, with i in. of sand
on the top, and kept in a brisk heat, slightly shaded, and the
soil moist, they will form healthy bulbs before autumn, or, if
the variety that is to be increased be scarce, several may be
produced from single leaves by cutting through the midrib on
the under side in four or five places, and laying the leaves flat
down on the soil in pots or pans, prepared as above, but suffi-
ciently wide to admit of their being so placed; over each
place, where the midrib has been severed, secure the cut parts
on the soil with a pebble about the size of a cockle, at which
points bulbs will be formed, which, when the top has decayed
in the autumn will require to be wintered, and afterwards
grown on in every way as recommended for the plants raised
from seed.

Gloxinias are very valuable for decorating the stove or inter-
mediate house in the summer season, continuing to bloom
more or less for a considerable period. The flowers are very
useful for cutting, and if placed in water they will last for
several days, provided the plants have made their growth and
produced their blooms in a thoroughly light situation, with
the requisite amount of air to impart a sufficient substance to
them, the latter an indispensable condition when they are
required to be used in a cut state. The ability that the fiowers
of most stove plants possess to enable them to keep well when
cut for vases, &c., generally depends materially upon the way
the plants have been previously managed, but there are few so
much dependent in this respect as are Gloxinias, the whole cha-
racter of the plant being so much changed for better or worse,
according to the conditions of cultivation. When well grown
the leaves are stout and short, borne on stout foot stalks, with
the fiowers standing up well above the foliage ; whereas, if
grown either too moist or too hot, with insufficient light, the
whole plant has a soft, flabby, straggling appearance that
effectually destroys its beauty and shortens the duration of its
blooming. By using a sufficient number of plants, and bring-
ing them on at different times, a succession of flowers may be
kept up from April until the end of September.

The varieties figured in our plate were from the collection
of Messrs. Veitch & Sons, Exotic Nursery, Chelsea; their
names are Nimbe celeste, Charme de Lutice, Irene, William
Kobinson, and Ami Thibaut.

Floral Committee Certificates. — Certificates, if they are to
be of any value to the general public, should be granted with care ;
if they are marks of superiority, then the plants or florist flowers
should be superior to those already in cultivation. If the plant be
a fine-foliaged one, it should equal or be superior to those which wo
previously possessed. My reason for making these remarks is that
at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society's Floral Com-
mittee, a first-class certificate was awarded to a meagre-looking
Palm, in a very undeveloped state, named Cyphckentia macrocarpa,
which I suppose was thought by a few of the Committee to be worth
that distinction. Now, considering we have such Palms as Calamus,
DEemonorops, Cooos, Arecas, Seaforthias, Kentias, PhcEnix, Geonomas,
ChamEedoreas, Euterpe, and others of the graceful type, and Latanias,
Livistonaa, Licnalas, Stevensonia, Verschaffeltia, Sabal, &o., of the
noble class, not forgetting Thrinax and Chamserops, we have great
numbers from which to select, and in my opinion care ought to
be taken to see that anything new should be in a condition to show
its full grace and beauty before it is awarded a certificate, which the
plant that I saw at South Kensington the other day failed to do. —
J. Croucher, Sudlury House.

Love-lies-bleeding for Harvest Decoration.— There are
few plants that come in more usefully for this than Amarantus cau-
datus, or Love-lies-bleeding, and now is the time to get the seed, so
that it may not be forgotten when the other annuals are raised. To
secure a good supply of plants of it fit for the purpose, early, middle,
and late sowings should be made. For our decorations last harvest;

"HE OARDEN

NEW VARIETIES OF GLOXINIAS.

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

163

the red sort only was used, bat a jadicions admixture of the white
and red sorts might perhaps be made to prodace a pleasing effect. —
B. S.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

AN AMATEUR'S GREENHOUSE.
Having already given a rough notioa of the structure, and of
the manner in which I manage to keep out the frost, I would
now supplement it by an account of the manner in which I
provide for its furnishing, premising that I lay claim to no
originality or skill, but simply to the fact of knowing what I
wanted, and of a determination to do the best for meeting my
wants. Two things I laid down to guide me in filling the
house — to have nothing but good plants, for I felt that rubbish
and indifferent things take up quite as much space as good
ones, and that in making a selection the difference in price is
not appreciable between what are recognised as really good
plants, and those which, a little cheaper perhaps, are inferior
in quality. The second point was to endeavour to have a suc-
cession of blooming plants, having especial reference to the
earlier months of the year, not filling my house with a col-
lection of any one sort, but having selections of a few of the
best of several kitds of plants ; and perhaps I may be able to
make the matter clearer by giving the state of the house, &c ,
say during January.

I have kept the two sides of the house distinct, reserving
one for hardwooded, and the other for soft-wooded plants ;
the small shelf at the end of the house is occupied with
four large-sized Camellias — Mathotiana, Sarah Frost, Mrs.
Cope, and Chandleri. These, alas ! will soon, I fear, be too
large for the house ; and I shall have to do with them as I
have frequently had to do with Azaleas — exchange them away
for smaller plants, Sarah Frost I must try to keep, for it
is a reminiscence of a pleasant tour made in the middle of
France ^ith an ardent horticulturist, no longer with us.
Besides these, I have eighteen others, smaller plants, consist-
ing of Lavinia Maggi, L. M. rosea, Valtovaredo, Mrs. Abbey
Wilder, Montironi, three or four of alba plena, irabricata,
Henri Favre, Countess of Derby, fimbriata.Eugenie de Massena,
and Jubilee. These seldom fail to give an abundance of blooms,
and I never put them out-of-doors. When they have done
blooming, I remove them to the lower house, stand them under
the shade o£ the Vines, and leave thera there all the summer.
They like the shade, and, although it is not so good for the
Vines, yet this is a secondary point with me. I am aware that
most people place them out-of-doors, and where there is a
careful person to see to the watering, that is all very well ; but
my experience in past years was that they were neglected,
and, as no plants are so long in hanging out signals of distress
in this matter, it was often not until the buds began to drop
off that I found out the mischief that had been done, whereas
in the house, even should the watering be neglected for a day
or two there are no scorching rays of the sun to dry up the
roots and injure the blooming.

To follow the Camellias I have about two dozen Azaleas— of
course smallish plants, but large enough for me to be able to cut
plenty of bloom from for vases or baskets for the house. Here
again I have taken care to have good sorts, such as Flag of
Truce, Fasination, Gem, Grand Duchesse de Bade, Iveryana,
Vesuvius, Stella, Madame Van Houtte, Duchess of Beaufort.
Apollon, Sigismund Rucher, &c. As they increase in size
more rapidly than the Camellias, they hawe more frequently
to be changed, and I would strongly advise those who wish to
grow only a few to select the later-raised Belgian varieties.
'I'here can be no comparison between them and the older sorts,
the flowers are so much larger, and the plants so much mere
floriferous. Here again, also, I adopt the plan on never putiiag
them out-of-doors. They take their place along with the Ca-
mellias in the lower house, and until this year I have never
seen any thrips upon them ; but this year, owing, I imagine,
to the long-continued frost, and my being compelled to keep
up fire-heat, it has invaded me and become troublesome ; I
hope, however, to get rid of it by some of the numerous in-
secticides of which we hear so much. Along with these I have
a few, and only a few, other hard-wooded p'ants — Libonii

floribunda, which, however, requires a little more heat than
I can give it, I fancy ; a few of the hardier Heaths, Genetyllis,
&o. On the other side of the house I have at present some
largeish plants of zonal Pelargoniums, which gave me more
bloom than anything else during the winter months, some of
Mr. Pearson's pink-flowered varieties being especially notice-
able for this purpose. I am aware that a more even and higher
temperature would suit them better, but I must be contented
with what I can get, and all through the long and dreary time
I have had from one to two dozen trusses of bloom. Besides
these, I have about a dozen plants of Cyclamen, three or four
Tropa3olums, which will be very gay by-and-by ; some pots of
Lachenalia pendula and tricolor, which are very bright ; some
also of the pretty little white Roman Hyacinth ; and some
three or four dozen of show Pelargouiums, which are now in
smallish pots, but which will be shitted by-and-by so as to give
them more space to grow, and to fill up vacancies when some
of the above-named are done flowering. Cinerarias I do not
attempt, for I find that the temperature is not even enough
for them, and experience has taught me that it is better to
grow what will really do well than to be attempting things
which only end in disappointment and vexation of spirit. I have
a few pots also of Primula cortusoides amoana, which come ia
very usefully for cutting.

Such is the present aspect of the house ; but I must pre-
pare for its future gaiety as well as for the present, so I have
just taken out of their winter quarters, where they have been
covered up with leaves, and have started well, about seventy
Hyacinths ; these will be brought into the house in succession,
and will make it quite gay and fragrant. In the lower house
there are some pots of Lilies, Vallotas, Calochorti, Ixias,
Babianas, and Tritonias, which will in turn take their place in
the upper house; while there are also some two dozen Fuch-
sias and some tuberous-rooted Begonias for the later summer
and autumn blooming. I reserve the lower house in autumn
for Chrysanthemums, which afford such a fine variety of cut
blooms in the dreary months of November and December.

In thus detailing the contents of my greenhouse, I must
utterly disclaim all idea of doing anything in a super-excellent
way. Of course great gardeners would laugh at my efforts,
although I may say I have seen Camellias in many a big house
not half so healthy as mine; they would find fault with the
shape and size of my plants, and think that I had indeed made
mountains of molehills, and magnified my g:ese into swans.
Bat I have the satisfaction that it pleases myself and my
friends. It must be borne in mind that I have no regular
gardener, and that I have either to do or superintend the work
myself— I cannot tell this man or that to do what I want, and
that, iu consequence, all failures must be laid to my own door;
but I may say there is hardly a time when a gardener may pay
me a visit but that I can show him something that he will be
pleased to see, and something which is very probably new to
him, although it is one of the disadvantages of living in a
country place that so few do come. Nothing is more pleasant
to a horticulturist than to be able to talk about, with one who
loves the same pursuits, the things that are very dear to him,
and to recognise that true brotherhood which art of whatever
kind ought to bring ; and my hope in giving this short account
of my experience is, that I may be able to encourage someone
who, like myself, has to fight against difiiculties, and to whom
it will be a pleasure to overcome them. Delta.

CHRISTMAS ROSES IN POTS.
I THINK it ia a mistake to repot these every year when they are
wanted for flowering in pots. A gardener who has to provide a sup.
ply of flowers all throagh the winter, told me a few days ago he
could not get on with his Christmas Rjses, they would not flower,
and he further said he should have to give up their culture altogether ;
and jet what charming and useful plants they are early in the year !
and hosv acceptable they are when blossoms are scarce ! I have now
glowing in a cold house a half-dozen plants in furty-eight pots, thut
were forced into bloom in a Pine stove a year ago, being put on a
shelf close under the glass. I put the plants in a cold frame by way of
hardening them off, and then placed them out-of-doors for the summer
aud autumn on an ash bed with other plants. At the end of October
they began to show signs of throwing up their flower stems. The

164

THE GAEDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1879.

plants were put under cover during frost, and they are now blooming
with remarkable freedom. They have not been shifted, and all the
stimulus they are receiving is a slight occasional surface-dressing
with Clay's Fertiliser, which is washed into the soil when water is
applied. The flowers are large, numerous, and of an almost snowy
whiteness. I am in favour of confining the roots in a somewhat
small space ; in keeping the plants growing freely during the
summer, as allowing them to take all kinds of weather during the
time they are in the open air, of not shifting oftener than once in two
cr three years, and in applying some stimulus at the time of flower,
ing. There are, no doubt, different strains of Christmas Roses, one
being of greater freedom than the other in the way of producing
flowers. I need scarcely state this is the variety or strain to be
chosen by those growing in pots for flowers. If a few crowns of this
form can begot, let them be divided and potted up into pots, just suf-
ficiently large, and grown on into a size for forcing, giving one more
shift into the blooming pots when requisite. Probably the best plan
would be to bloom for two years in succession, or not more than
three, and then plant out for one year for a thorough rest, potting
up for further service a year after. These roots, when lifted, can
be reduced a little by taking off a few of the outside crowns for
stock, so as to reduce the roots to suit the size of the pots. There
should be only sufficient space to put between the roots and the sides
of the pots some good yellow loam. In planting out the single
crowns for stock Ihey should be put in a like compost, and of suffi-
cient depth to enable them to root well iuto it. In this matter plants
fit for flowering early under glass are provided, and with a little care
and forethought a sure and most acceptable contribution of cut
flowers can be had at a time when their market value ranks at the
highest. D.

TREATMENT OF CYCLAMENS AFTER FLOWERING.
Many who grow Cyclamens are at a loss to know what to do with
them after they have done flowering, and the complaint is often
made that when the growing season arrives they fail to make any
satisfactory progress. When the Cyclamen has finished its allotted
work, which will be by the middle of May, it will need a period of
rest ; but this rest must be a natural one; the bulb mast go to sleep,
as it were, iu the manner in which Nature has ordained that it
should do, and those who suddenly withhold water and dry off the
foliage quickly will only have themselves to blame when they find
their bulbs wholly inadequate to the work which they are expected
to do. What would be the result if we were to out off the supply of
moisture from a deciduous tree when ripening its wood ? Not death,
perhaps, but certainly a mined constitution. And yet bulbous-rooted
plants are often treated as it they had no tissues to perfect ; they
are forced into a state of rest long before their time, and are then
expected to come up to the mark in a hearty, vigorous manner when
called upon to do so. A moment's reflection will convince any one
how strongly opposed to reason such treatment must be. In the case
of the Cyclamen the utmost care should be taken to preserve the
foliage in a healthy state when taken out of the conservatory. The
plants should be placed in a, north frame, or in the partial shade of
trees, where they are sheltered from scorching sun, harsh winds, and
heavy rains. Water carefully, letting the soil dry out between each
watering ; the leaves will then die away gradually, but if some of
them remain green and healthy it will not matter, as I have found
them to flower just as well as when the foliage dies entirely away.
As sson as the bulbs are well at rest, which they will be by the end
of July, turn them out of the pots, shake away all the old earth, and
plant them in a bed of light soil in the open air. Do not let them re-
main at all dry, but water them freely and they will start much stronger
than when kept in pots. By the end of September they will have
started into growth, and will be furnished with a quantity of healthy
fibre. They may then be potted iu a light, free, well-sanded com.
post, and then be placed in a cold frame, merely protecting them
■from heavy rains and frost. By the latter end of October they may
be placed in a light greenhouse, where they will come into flower
early in the year. These old bulbs do not flower quite so early as
those grown from seed in a single season, but they make an effective
display in the early spring months, and the neat habit and graceful
appearance which distinguish the Cyclamen, place it in the first
rank of winter and spring flowering plants. J. Coknhill.

five years ago ? It was about that period that I lost the last speci-
men that I ever saw of this plant, and I little thought at the time
that I might never be able to replace it. If it still exists the follow-
ing description will enable any one to identify it. Like all its suc-
cessors, it produced the same kind of small unobtrusive blossom that
they have, but the form, colour, and texture of the leaf were peoQ.
liar. It resembled an Oak leaf in size and shape. When fully de-
veloped, it had a dark mark running its entire length, and being
somewhat glutinous to the touch it left on the finger a powerful and
agreeable perfume. My recollections of the plant lead me to think
that its leaves grew more in clusters than is the habit of the sorts
now in cultivation. I have seen many of the so-called Oak.leaf
Pelargoniums, but not one of them had the peculiar characteristics
of the original. B. S.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOE GAEDEN.

THE ORIGINAL OAK-LEAF PELARGONIUM.

I WONDEK what has become of this onoe highly-valued plant ? Does
it still survive in the window of some remote cottage or farm-house,
where the pat of a former generation is still cherished by the old.
fashioned inmites, like the once fashionable pigtail that might have
been seen reclining on the ooat co'.lar of an aged shopkeeper thirty-

Large Poinsettias. — The fine Poinsettias exhibited at South
Kensington on the 11th inst. by Mr. Parr, of Harrow Weald Park,
were struck at the end of July or early in August from cuttings
taken from old plants which had been placed out-of-doors in June to
harden. The cuttings were put singly in 2i-in. pots, and, when
properly rooted, shifted into 6-in. pots, placed near the glass, and
kept in a temperature of from 55° to 60'. By these means flowers
of superior colour and quality may be had till nearly the end of
February.

Chinese Primulas Damping o£f. — If the Primulas mentioned
by " K. T." (p. 152) are old plants, that is, of more than one season's
growth, the damping off of which complaint is made is a common oo-
currence. It is only with the greatest care that old plants can be
kept free from this evil, as even the finest and most robnst-looking
plants will suddenly collapse and die, rotting off just above the soil.
If the complaint relates to yearling plants then it is unusual and in-
explicable. The worms alluded to are common in vegetable soils, and
are, perhaps, rather the product of vegetable decay than the cause
of it. The best soil for Primulas is decomposed turfy loam, some
well-rotted manure, plenty of silver sand, and a mixture of broken
pieces of charcoal. In such a compost Primulas should thrive well
and be healthy. The mildew which attacks the Primula is very in-
sidious in its operation. A flower may be seen to hang loosely on
the stem ; it may be pulled away, but this does not check the damp,
which travels down the stem to the larger truss stem, which it in-
fects with decay. Presently the old stem and truss collapse, and if
this be but pulled away the mildew continues to travel down the stem
to the plant, and into that also. The same occurrence takes place
in the leaves, and in all cases, whether of leaves, stems, or flower
stalks, too much care cannot be exercised iu removing the decayed
portion entirely, aud thus prevent its further progress. Damping off
at the base of the plant is so unusual with yearling plants that it is
rarely found necessary to take any very special precaution with
them, but in the case of old plants it is desirable that they should
be somewhat elevated in the centre of the soil, sloping it off to the
sides of the pot. In repotting these it has been found by such an
experienced cultivator as Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley, to work in round
the sides a good quantity of small pieces of charcoal, for securing
free drainage, and it is of the first importance iu all cases that the
soil should be thoroughly sweet and porous. — A. D.

If "K. T." (p. 152) will break up some charcoal rather finely,

and put about a tea-spoonful of it round the base of each Primula she
may save those she may have left. I put some round my plants after
they had been in flower six weeks. I have bad Primulas in full bloom
ever since the middle of last September — one batch consisting of
about seven dozen, and I have flowers now larger than a crown piece.
The white insects of which " K. T. " speaks, in my opinion, are the
result of a stagnant condition of the soil about the roots, and the
reason I think so is this : I have some capital Cyclamens, the drainage
of one of which was stopped, and on examining the plants I found
the soil full of the small white insects just referred to. — J. H.,
Bedford.

Portable Greenhouses. — Messrs. Dodds & Robb, of the City
Bead, have invented a portable greenhouse which promises to be
useful where space is limited. It can be made of any size, large or
small ; it is fitted [with stages and side and top ventilators, all of
which, together with the lights, can be taken to pieces in a very short
time, and reconstructed when and where required.

Bouvardia Vreelandi. — This I find to be one of the best varieties
of Bouvardia for blooming in midwinter. — Cambeian.

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

i65

BIRD-SOARBRS.

Crops in kifccben gardens, situated near woods, are always
liable to be injured by birds ; in such places, therefore, bird-
scarers of some kind are indispensable. The conventional
scarecrow, usually consisting, as is well known, of a stuffed
figure impaled upon a stout pole, the whole being crowned with
an antique hat, is indisputably useful, but it lacks two im-
portant attributes of life — sound and motion. Tbe accompany-
ing woodcut represents a bird-scarer which I have designed
and inade. It combines both sound and motion, and has been
■used in a large kitchen garden with good effect. The cross-
piece (a a) is affixed to the centre pole (6) , so that it will revol ve
evenly; at the top of the pole the board or table (c), with its
supports (c) must be fastened, in order to make the cross-piece
revolve properly. The cross-piece is attached to the pole by
means of the pin, ring, and nut shown at {.v). At each end of
the cross-piece is a staple, on which a strong swivel {/) is
hung. Attached to the swivel at either end are light yet
strong chains ; at the end of each chain is a circle of light and
strong galvanised iron wire, about 13 in. in diameter, tightly
covered with some light and stout fabric, such as calico {h).
The length of the chains must not exceed 18 in. Midway be-

not always atating where they grow, bnt how they look in their
native places, and some guide given as to the hardiness of the
southern species.

Bird-scarer.

tween the swivel and the circular discs, a sheep-bell {h) should
be fastened. On the top of the cross-piece a gable framewoi'k
is erected (as shown in the illustration), from which must be
hung another sheep-bell. The height of this bird-scarer
should be about 8 ft. 6 in., and it should be placed in an open
space in the garden, where seeds are coming up. When the
wind catches the circular discs, it at once puts them in motion
in all directions, and violently rings the bells, while the oscil-
lation and revolving of the cross-piece, caused by the rapid
movements of the discs, also rings the bell m tbe gable at the
same time. The irregular and sudden motions of the discs are
caused by the large surface of calico exposed to the breez,'.
To combine the two kinds of scarescrows, coloured cloths, &c.,
can be added to the framework. Pekcy T. Ixgkah.

Slouijh.

" lieehan's Native Flowers and Ferns of the United
States." — We have received a fresh instalment of this book. The
character of the plates is well kept up; if anything, indeed, they im-
prove. The printing, paper, &o., are the most satisfactory which
we have ever seen in a book of the kind. Every lover of hardy
plants must wish success to this important work. What we should
like to see is a little more about the native localities of the plants,

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Greenhcuse.

General Stock. — There is much more difSoulty in managing
greenhouse plants during such a winter as this than when it ia
milder, for when the temperature is so low for a number of weeks as
to require almost continuous use of fire heat, even when no more ia
applied than is requisite to preserve the stock in a healthy condition,
it always has the effect of exciting some plants to commence growth
earlier than they otherwise would do. Hard. wooded plants need to
be oarefull£_ treated in tha matter of water, so as to prevent the soil
frsm getting too dry or, on the other hand, too wet. Although the
eun has not yet much power in drying the air, still within the next
few weeks it possibly may render the more frequent application of
water necessary, and, to ascertain the need for this, the whole of the
plants should be examined every other day at least. Whatever tjing
yet remains to be done should be finished forthwith, as when any
great portion of this work is delayed later in the season it interferes
with the ordinary routine of other operations that in their turn
come round. If any plants happen to be affected with brown scale
they ought at once to be well washed with a moderately strong solu.
tion of insecticide. This also will not admit of being deferred, forit
not done before the flower buds begin to move they are almost cer-
tain to be injured ; this is especially the case with such plants as
Boronia serrulata, Eriostemons, Chorozemaa, Croweas, Myrtles,
Neriums, and Pimeleas, ou all of which brown scale will live and in-
crease, though it does not thrive upon them so fast as on plants of a
more suocnlent character. Its presence is easily detected by the
dirty black deposit which it leaves on the foliage, and which, if
allowed to remain, does more injury than the extraction of the sap
on which the scale subsists. After syringing, before the foliage gets
dry, it should be gone over and well sponged, for although the leaves
of plants like these are too small to treat in this way individually,
much of the dirty matter may be thus removed.

Plants for Succession. — Nothing connected with the manage-
ment of a garden requires more consideration than due calculation,
with a view to keep up a continuoua supply of flowering plants.
Without this, however ample the means at command, there is sure
to be sometimes a much greater quantity of bloom than is wanted,
with corresponding deflciencies at other times. If anything, the
knowledge and observation necessary to successfully retard the
floweiinfj of plants is greater than that requisite to accelerate their
blooming. Where no better structures for accommodating the collec-
tion of plants grown exist, than the old-fashioned lean-to house
facing the south, it is a difficult matter to retard plants, as on houses
of this description the sun, from the time of its getting much increase
of power, exerts its full influence in raising the temperature, while for
the next six or eight weeks the wind is frequently so cold, that to
admit air suflicient to keep down the heat often existing through the
middle of the day, would be to inflict serious injury upon many
plants which are even making no leaf growth, and with nothing but
their old mature foliage on them. It may be necessary to impress
on all who attempt to keep back a certain portion of their stock of
Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Primulas, and similar soft-growing sub-
jects, and still more hard. wooded plants of such a nature as Ca-
mellias, Azaleas, late flowering Epacrises and tbe like, that
whatever is done to delay their time of blooming, should always
be carried out before the flower.buds are much developed,
as anything done by means of a lower temperature when they are
near their opening period, is certain to interfere with their quality.
Where there happens to be a lean. to house or roomy pit with an east,
west, or, still better, north aspect, it will be found to be the greatest
boon to those on whom the responsibility rests of keeping np at all
times a considerable supply of flowers. If a few Camellias, Azaleas,
Acacias, Cytisus, and Epaorises — selecting those plants that were
the latest to flower and make their growth last year — are at once re.
moved to a place of the description above named, they will come
into bloom several weeks after those that are located in structures
more fully exposed to sunshine. A portion of all the soft-wooded
subjects already spoken of, in their case choosing those that were the
latest raised from cuttings or seed, will be alike useful. I may hera
observe, that although light is at all times of great importance to the
well. being of plants, still, now, for some weeks, with subjects like the
above, where little leaf growth is being made, the absence of as
much of it as they would receive in structures more directly under
the influence of the sun, will not have a like injurious effect, as it

166

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1879.

would when active growth waa going on. At the same time they
should be so placed whilst here, that they will get the maximum
amount of light afforded by the situation.

Camellias. — The earliest flowered plants of these that are now
do3e blooming and that are commencing to make their growth must
be encouraged by putting them where they can receive the requisite
amount of warmth and a moist atmosphere. By accelerating their
shoit growth, and the formation and development of their fiower
buds, they may be so managed with a sufficient stock to come on in
succession as to be had in flower for nine or ten months in the year ;
bit as DO forcing can, with anything like a reasonable chance of
success, be carried out in their ease, it is in the early growth of some
and keeping it back in others that their time of blooming can in this
way be regulated.

Lapagarias. — Where trained examples cf both the red and white
Lipageiias are grown, they should at once be repotted, if they
require it. For the first few years after being ra'sed from cuttings
or layers they are very slow growers, and must not be over. potted ;
but when they have attained oonsiderab'e strength, they require
more root room than many plants, otherwise they will not keep on
forming their annual sucker-like shoots from the root of increase!
strength. Wanting, as they do, more water than the majority of
plants, the pots in which they are grown must bg well drained ; good
fibrous peat alone, with a little sand, is the most suitable siiil for
them. They are so effective for conservatory decoration, producing
their flowers in long succession that they are well deserving of pot
culture, as well as the more ordinary method cf being planted out.
They look well and show their flowers to advantage when trained on
umbrella-shaped trellises. Ooe point in favoar of pot culture is that
it admits of their being moved about from one house to another
at different seasons of the year, when their requirements, as regards
non-e.fposure to the direct inUaence of the sun through the spring
and summer, whilst their growth is being made, can be better pre-
vided for than when in a fixed position.

Plumbago capensis.— The different purposes to which this fine
plant can be turned are such as to make it deserving of being grown
in quantity wherever there is room. In no way is it more useful
than in small, say 6-in. pots, for associating with whatever happens
to be in flower through the late summer and autumn. Plants cut
back now and placed in a little warmth will, in a few weeks, produce
growths which, when 3 in. or 4 in. long, can be taken off with a
heel ; they will root soon if accommodated with sufficient warmth.
Examples that flowered last autumn, and that were then cut back
and kept on growing slowly through the winter, may be at once
repotted if they require more root room, but of the latter they do
not need so much as many plants. Ordinary loam, a little sand and
rotten manure, are all they want. If, after potting, they are kept
in an atmosphere slighly close they will directly make growth that
will flower before those allowed to come on slower.

Croweas. — These rank amongst the most serviceable autumn-
flowering hard-wooded plants which we possess. If grown to a
medium size in 8-in. or 10-in. pots few plants are more useful in con-
servatories late in summer, when flowers are scarce ; but in order to
have them in bloom before the autumn is far advanced t'cey require
special treatment, as they take more time to make growth and open
their flowers than most plants that bloom from the current season's
shoots. To effect this it is necessary to start them about this time
in an intermediate temperature, first cutting them in to the extent
of some two-thirds of last summer's growth.

Monochsetums.— These Melastomads, though profuse winter
bloomers, are not well adapted for cutting on account of the dis-
position which the flowers have to fall quickly. The little roon which
they occupy, blooming as they do as freely from twelve months
struck plants in 6. in. pot3, as those larger in size, renders them ac-
ceptable additions to the conservatory or warm greenhouse during
winter and early spring. Where stock is wanted, it a small planter
two be now cut back, whether it has flowered or not, and put into an
ordinary stove or intermediate house temperature, they will, in a few
weeks, produce plenty of cuttings, which, taken off, and struck thus
early, will lurnish a supply for next winter.

Show and Fancy Pelargoniums. — These will now be making
more growth, to encourage which, the night temperature should not
be allowed to fall much below 45,° giving air on every fine day, still
keeping the plants well elevated up to the roof glass, and setting
them sufficiently far apart to prevent the under leaves being deficient
of light. Whatever sticks and ties are needed for support, and to keep
the branches open, should be at once supplied. Examine such plants
as these, and also Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Tree Carnations, and
everything else liable to become infested with aphides ; and as soon

as any trace of these can be found, immediately either dip or fumi-
gate. If these troublesome pests be not allowed to get much hold
of the plants through the spring, they are easier to deal with than
they otherwise would be.

Lilies. — Where considerable numbers of these are grown in pots,
especially of L. auratum, their time of blooming will be so different
under the same treatment, as to make them the most useful subjects
for conservatory decoration that can well be cultivated ; differing as
they do in natural habit from that of most other plants with
which they are thus associated, they are always an acceptable addi-
tion to whatevel' else may be in bloom. The various forms of Liliom
speciosum, including L. punctatum, L. album, and L. rubrum will
generally come on in succession. Pots of all the above, and many
others similarly grown that are stowed away, must be carefully looked
after, with a view to their being removed to a good light position, as
soon as ever the shoots appear through the soil, for if allowed to
remain even for a short time after they have commenced growth
where they do not receive enough light, their stems will be drawn up
in a way that no after treatment during the season can rectify.

Cinerarias. — At no time are these more serviceable than at the
commencement of the year ; but as they will not bear forcing, thera
is no means of having them blooming then but by early sowing. A
little seed may now be put in.

Agapanthus umbellatus. — The different varieties of this fine
old-fashioned plant are not nearly so generally grown as might be ; they
will bear rougher usage than most plants, without suffering to any
appreciable extent. Their adaptability for standing, either in or out
of flower, in porches, verandahs, or similar places about dwellings is
not surpassed by any plants in cultivation. They will live and thrive
with their crowns and roots so crowded in the pots as would prevent
most plants making any progress ; but though capable of bearing
this treatment for a long time, they do correspondingly better with
a fair amount of room. Any that have got too large may now be
divided, cutting them into four parts, and putting them in pots that
will afford sufficient room for a couple of years. By dividing them
thus early, and at once placing them in a greenhouse temperature,
where the roots will immediately begin to recover from the injury
which they unavoidably receive during division, there will be less
check to the season's growth than if the operation were deferred till
later in the season. — T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Auiiculas. — Although the weather still continues to be rather
cold. Auriculas are making new growth very freely, and the rising
trusses begin to demand attention, as well as watering and airing,
for, unless air be judiciously admitted the flower stalks will not be
stiff and elastic, and, on the other hand, exposure to a cold wind will
cause the flowers to be cupped, whereas the pips ought to open out
quite flit. Then it is not so easy to tell which plants require water
and which do not, owing to the surface dressing deceiving the
operator ; increased attention in reference to this is therefore neces-
sary. In ventilating the frame light should be tilted against the
wind.

Carnations and Piootees. — Now that the weather is fine
plants in beds should be looked over, the surface should be stirred
with a pointed stick if it be wet, and in a day or two, if no rain falls,
it will soon become dry. Make any plants firm that are loose, and
where plants have died during the winter their places must be made
good from reserves in pots. Plants in pots remain quiet as yet, but
they will soon start into active growth, when they must be potted.
When this takes place, to insure healthy, stocky growth, see that
the lights are removed on all favourable occasions. It is now a good
time to take cuttings of the perpetual-flowering sorts; the small
side growths very speedily form roots if planted in small pots in fine
sandy soil, placing the pots in a hotbed or forcing house. A corre-
spondent asks for six of the best for flowering in winter ; they are : —
Alegatiere, bright scarlet ; Annie Williams, pink ; La Belle, pure
white; Miss Joliffe, pale pink ; Proserpine, scarlet ; Bose Perfection,
bright rose.

Dahlias. — It was stated last week that young plants, when
rooted, were to be removed into a house where more air could be
admitted than would be desirable for unrooted cuttings. This is
preparatory to potting them into larger pots, which must be done as
soon as the plants have, by their growth, shown that they are well
rooted.

Hollyhocks. — The same remarks apply to these, as far as regards
potting. Of course it is well known that these are mnch hardier
than Dahlias, and that they do not suffer even if frosts are admitted
to the frames. It would not, however, be well to snbjeot them to so

Feb. 22, 1379.J

THE GARDEN.

167

low a temperature ; after being previoaely propagated in a warm
boase tbey must be gradually inured to atand a lower temperature.

Fansies in Pots. — These are now making good growth, and early
flowers would, doubtlesB, open well, if we had genial weather and a
little sunshine, which we do not yet obtain. It is necessary to ex.
amine the plants every night with lamp light, in order to destroy
slugs, and if even one aphis were to be seen on a plant, I would have
the frame fumigated with Tobacco smoke. This ought to be done as
a preventive before the plants are in full bloom. Such plants appear
to most advantage when placed on a neat stage near the glass.

Piimula cortusoides. — This, and all allied species in cold
frames are now starting freely into growth, and a few of the plants
should be removed into a warm greenhouse and, if possible, be
placed close to the glass ; there they will flower considerably earlier
than those in cold frames. The pretty little P. nivalis with its dense
tufts of delieite white flowers, P. dentioulata, and others, require
very similar treatment to that recommended for Auriculas and
Polyanthuses.

Phloxes in Pots. — Oars are starting very freely, but we did
not put the plants into a greenhouse, and the growths are not yet
sufficiently advanced to be taken off for cuttings. It is now time
they were put in if a good bloom is to be expected at the end of the
summer. Oars will be planted out as soon as the cuttings are taken
off. If they were intended to flower in pots they should now be potted
into 8 in. pots in rich soil.

Tulips. ^The ground with us is very wet, and one can imagine
what it is about Manchester and other parts of Lancashire and York-
shire where the choicest Tulips are grown. It will be unnecessary
to protect ours at present, but it would be folly to advise the fanciers
to trust theirs to the frost at night. I recommend glass lights, as
being far superior to coverings of thick felt or canvas of any sort, as
protectors.— J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

Though the long. desired thaw has taken place, the succeeding
wet weather has, as yet, prevented much progress being made; but
we must, nevertheless, persevere, as the buds of many trees are get.
ting very forward, especially those of Apricots, which are swelling
perceptibly daily, and another few days of mild weather will induce
some of them to expand. It is, therefore, very important that the
protecting material should be got in readiness and all nailing or
tying be accomplished forthwith. Where there are not proper
appliances for protecting fruit trees on walls, such as glass copings
and cases, frigi domo, or canvas blinds, a good protector can be made
by lajing a few poles slantwise against the walls, and fastening to
them either hay or straw bands, Birch sprays, Spruce branches, or
Eotting two or three ply thick. Of course, it is just possible that as
good crops of fruit may be had without any protection as with it,
but then it is a risk, as we can never depend on the weather, so it
is better-to be on the safe side, and protect the bloom in some way
or other. The pruning of Peaches and Nectarines cannot longer be
delayed ; tbey are now starting into active growth, and every day's
delay will now, in some measure, be injurious, canker and gumming
being, as I believe, as much the result of untimely and unskilful
pruning as of bad soil and improper drainage. The buds are too
far advanced for the trees to have the usual washing or dressing
with soapy water or other insecticide, so that, as soon as all nailing
or tying has been completed, syringe both walls and trees with
soap-suds, with tobacco water added, as a preventive, more especially
against black fly, to which Peaches in the early stages of growth are
liable. Any bush fruits that are yet unpruned should also have
attention. The common mode of pruning these is much to be repro-
bated ; by it nearly all the young growth is annually removed,
whereas, if a reasonable amount of young wood were left, and a
proportionate amount of old stems and spurs taken off, the fruit
would be much finer and the trees would last longer in a vigorous
condition. As soon as the ground is suitable, any trees requiring
it should be top dressed with fresh loam or manure, and all newly
planted trees — without exception— should have a mulching of stable
litter, and be staked, to prevent wind. waving, the friction produced
by which breaks off new roots as fast as they are formed. The long,
continued frost having loosened Strawberry plants, they should
now be well pressed into the ground ; indeed, the whole bed would
be the better for being thoroughly trodden, and well mulched with
half-rotted stable manure. Taking fruit trees as a whole, there has
not for some few years been such an abundant prospect, so far as
fruit bads are concerned, as there is this season, for, with the
exception of a few shy.bearing Pears, all kinds of fruit trees are
literally covered with bods. Provided, therefore, spring froets and
mischievous birds keep off, this may be expected to be the best
fruit season which we have had for years past. — W. W.

Kitchen Oarden.

Vegetables for some time to come will be very scarce ; it will
therefore be desirable to' anticipate this scarcity by paying extra
attention to forced productions in that way. Eirly Cauliflowers have
Buffered severely, and it will not do to depend much on them. Aspa-
ragus from the open air will be very late, and so will Peas. Autumn
planted Cabbao'es are much injured, and these also cannot be relied
on ; therefore, no pains should be spared either to produce forced
vegetables or to forward early open-air crops, such as Peas, Broad
Beans, Carrots, Turnips, Potatoes, Cauliflowers, and Cabbages, all of
which may now be safely sown or planted on warm borders. The
heavy rainfall that has prevailed ever since thaw set in militates
against the accomplishment of seed sowing in general, and though
the season is advancing, nothing will be gained by doing it whilst the
ground is at all "pasty," but, as soon as practicable, let it be done,
especially such crops as Parsnips and Onions, both of which require
a long season. Garlic, Shalots, and Potato Onions may now all be
planted ; Chives and Sorrel may also be dug up, divided, and re-
planted, as neither of these do so well when allowed to grow in the
same spot year after year j the same remark also applies to many
kinds of herbs, which should now have their yearly overhauling for
the purpose of divition, transplanting, manuring the beds, and the
like. Jerusalem Artichokes may now be planted ; Globe Artichokes
should have the protecting material removed from their base, and in
lieu they should have a thick mulching of good manure ; but first
fill up any blanks that the frost may have made with offsets
from the strongest stools. If new plantations are to be made,
let the ground for theni be heavily manured and deeply
trenched, and, when planting, allow them plenty of head room.
Rhubarb plots will now require their annual dressing, and new plots
may be made by lifting a few of the largest roots, and cutting them
into single eyes ; such roots will produce the finest Rhubarb next
season, but none should be pulled from it this season. Hyatt's Yis-
toria and Prince Albert are the two best varieties to grow, the latter
being the best for forcing. Asparagus beds should now have a slight
" pointing" over, but not so deep as to injure the crowns. Salt,
gnano, and wood ashes are all good manures for Asparagus, and if
mixed with fine dry soil, they may be applied to the surface after the
" pointing" has been done. It is yet too soon to make new planta-
tions, bat the ground for such should be got in readiness; it cannot
be made either too deep or too rich. The late frost has so crippled
many plantations of Broccoli, Cabbages, and Brussels Sprouts,
that it will be advisable to pull them up at once, in order to
prepare the ground for other crops, whilst there is, comparatively
speaking, leisure for doing so. As soon as the soil is sufficiently
dry, crops of Spinach will be much benefitted by surface stirring, as
will also Cauliflowers under hand lights. Cabbages, and autumn sown
Onions. Earth up Peas in order to protect them from cold winds ; at
their present stage of growth sparrows eat out their points,
and, when once they attack them, they clear off the lot, unless
effectual steps be taken to clear the sparrows off by the use of the
gun. Sow for succession such kinds as Advance, Dr. McLean, and
Best of All. Sow in warm positions Lettuce, Canliflower, Brussels
Sprouts, and Coleworts, and prick out under hand lights or frames
those that were sown in warmth a few weeks ago. A good breadth
of Potatoes should now be planted on a sunny border, where, in the
event of frost setting in, provision can be made for protecting them
as soon as they appear aboveground. If no such attention can be
bestowed on them it will be better to defer planting for another fort,
night ; in the meanwhile, however, the sets may be started in shallow
boxes of leaf soil, and kept in any light structure from which frost
is excluded. Forcing pits containing Potatoes, Carrots, Radishes,
Lettuces, Asparagus, Ac, should have their lights drawn right off
on mild days, and be closed early in the afternoon in order to hus-
band any little sun heat there may have been. Keep up a regular
supply of Tarragon, Mint, and small salads by introducing a small
batch at frequent intervals to the forcing pit. — W. W.

Extracts from my Diary, Feb. 18-23, 1878.
Watering Peach trees in orchard houses. Putting on nets and
ribbon Grass on Apricots for protection. Planting Pear and Apricot
trees. Thinning Grapes on pot Vines. Sowing on south border
Dr. M'Lean, William the First, Marvel, and Standard Peas. Dgging
vacant ground. Earthing up Potatoes in frames. Sowing a batch
of French Beans. Putting fresh soil on surface of Cucumber bed.
Pruning and nailing Pears ; also outside Vines. Planting Carnations
out of cold houses on a north border. Making a fresh plantation of
Eoyal Sovereign, Champagne, and Victoria Rhubarb. Getting in
fresh batch of Strawberries for forcing. Cleaning, thinning, and
tying Stephanotis. Shifting Beans from Melon house into Pine stove
for fruiting. Sowing Carrots and Radishes in frames ; also sowing
Mignonette in pots. Pruning and nailing Plums ; also Red CurraE)a

168

THE GARDEN.

TFeb. 22, 1879

on walls. Potting IMelons in 6.\o. pots. DislMddirig and thinning
Peaches. Tying and staking Tomatoies. Pottiug Calceolarias. Sow-
ing Petaniaa. Prunin^j and railing Pears and Plums. Digging east
border for sowing seeds. Planting Tripoli Onions. Tjing put Vines.
Painting Vines in late Vinery. Disbudding Peaches. Propagating
bedding plants. Potting Pelargoniams. Hoeing and earthing border
of early Peas. Starting Muscat house. Propagating Centaureas and
Iresines, and Jlesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatiim. Empty,
ing Pine stove for Cucumbers. Looking ;over Apples in fruit room.
— R. Gilbert.

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

THE CEDAR OF LEBANON AND OTHER CONIFERS.
Allo"5v me to thank Mr. Woodall for his remarks in reference
to the comparative merits o£ certain trees to which he has
directed attention (p. 71), namely, the Deodar, the Cedar of
Lebanon, Araucaria imbric.ita, Cupressus macrocarpa, and
0. Lawsoniana. I note also the incidental remarks ia allusion
to Araucaria Bidwilli and the Norfolk Island Pine, but these
being Conifers that will not withstand our climate need not be
further referred to. The Deodar, as we all know, when young,
and growing in sheltered situations, is always handsome, but, in
its more advanced growth, it can hardly l)e unfair to say that
it has utterly failed to realise the hopes and high promise of
its earlier days, when first introduced into English gardens.
Of the Araucaria imbricata there is still room to hope, and fair
ground to believe, that in the southern and western counties
of England and Ireland it will prove perfectly hardy. It is
true it will neither thrive nor live long anywhere within the
influence of smoke, but healthy and vigorous trees of it are
occasionally met with in the uplands of the midland counties,
and in other situations where least to be expected. Some few
years ago I saw a dozen or more trees of it, 10 ft, to 20 ft.
in height, in the most perfect health, growing in the pleasure
grounds of Dunrobiu Castle, in Sutherlandshire, not many
miles from John o'Groats. The Araucaria possesses two
properties of no small value in an ornamental tree, that is, it
suiters less than most trees from high winds, and it needs no
protection from cattle or animals usually occupying pasture
land, donkeys excepted. When this latter peculiarity is more
generally known, the Araucaria will doubtless become one of
the most prominent and ornamental of our park trees. With
regard to the Cupressus macrocarpa, I quite agree with all that
Mr. Woodall has said in favour of that magnificent tree. Like
the Araucaria it is, unhappily, rather tendei-, and is, therefore,
only adapted to the south and south-western parts of the
country, but in these localities it will be likely to prove one of
the most valuable of this particular group of Conifers, and it
is undoubtedly one of the most rapid-growing evergreen trees
that we at present possess. These remarks apply only to the
spreading aud free-growing form of the species, of which there
are many varieties. In the year 1858 1 planted two small speci-
mens of this variety on either side of the entrance gate leading
into the grounds of the late Mr. Robert Byass, Neville Park,
Tunbridge Wells. These two trees now measui-e respectively
50 ft. and 55 ft. in height, and not le.-s than 25 ft. across the
broadest part of the trees. In spite of the late protracted and
severe frost, with the scorching and bitter east winds, these
trees appear at present perfectly unscuthed. No doubt both
this and the Araucaria would thrive equally well Oii the shores
of the western Highlands, where the Gulf stream greatly
modifies the severity of the native c'imate. Three or four
years ago I had occasion to visit that part of Scotland during
the month o£ May, and on the eastern shore of what is known
there as the J ura Sound, I found growing on the open and
exposed lawn of an old Highland mansion and about a couple
of hundred yards from the shore, a tree of the Indian Rhodo-
dendron, 10 ft. or more in height, in perfect health and covered
with masses of scarlet flowers. On the same lawn was grow-
ing a plant of the common Hydrangea, 7 ft. or more in height
and as much across. Cupressus Lawsoniana needs no comment
beyond the fact that it is thoroughly hardy, and that some of
the varieties are very handsome. 'J'he last of the five trees
above alluded to is ohe Cedar of Lebanon, and the opinion
expressed by Mr. Woodall, and his comments upon its merits.

led at once to a desire to add my testimony to its
incomparable value as a hardy ornamental tree. During a
daily occupation amongst trees, extending over a period of
more than forty years, 1 have felt quite a growing afiectiou for
this glorious gift of Nature. Mr. Woodall may well refer to
the grand old Cedars at Upper Gatton and Warwick Castle
as samples of what the Cedar becomes under moderately
favourable circumstances. Similar examples in various localities
could be easily given, and notably those at Pains Hill, Surrey.
There is, perhaps, no grander production in Nature than a
Cedar or group of Cedar trees in maturity, or say a stage or
two beyond that period. An old Scotch Fir, an old Oak, an
Elm, a Sweet Chestnut, or gnarled Beech, may take the next
position in poiut of picturesque beauty, but none of these
approach in magnificence and grandeur the aspect of the Cedar.
Having said thus much in behalf of this particular tree, it may
seem unnecessary to add that during all these years I have, as
often as opportunity offered, felt it an obligation laid upon me
to influence all whom I could persuade to plant Cedars, and I
look back with no small satisfaction at what I have been per-
mitted to accomplish in this way.

With ample evidence to the contrary, in now so many in-
stances throughout the country, it is marvellous to find so
many persons clinging to the prevalent fallacy that the Cedar
is a tree of slow growth. It is quite true that a Cedar or any
other tree will grow slowly, planted, as they very often are, in
exposed aud draughty situations on open lawns ; treatment to
which many Cedars have been cruelly subjected. If Cedars are
planted like other ordinary trees with the usual shelter of com-
mon plantations, and the latter properly attended to, and duly
thinned — if this, I say, be done, I venture to assert that they
will surpass both in height and bulk of growth the ordinary
evergreen trees with which they are surrounded ; and not only
so, but this growth will be maintained. The Cedar is of
course thoroughly hardy, and quite free from any capricious
preference as to the soil in which it grows, provided it is fairly
good of its kind. There are two localities within thirty or
forty miles of Loudon, where a considerable number of Cedars
had been heedlessly planted along with the common mixed trees
of the ordinary plantations ; one of these extending over an
area of about forty, and the other twenty-five or thirty acres.
In both cases these plantations may have been made fifty or
sixty years ago. In one case the soil is a mixture of gravel
and clay, and the other a thin covering of heavy loam on a
subsoil of chalk. In both the examples referred to the Cedars
are the larger trees. Anyone caring to verify this statement,
I shall have much pleasure in trying to secure an opportunity
for their doing so. Robekt Marnock.

FENCING YOUNG TREES FROM RABBITS.
If rabbits only are to be guarded against, netting 2 ft. high might
do, but if for hares it should be higher; for one must allow for the
snow helping the hare to her dainty morsel, the leading shoot of a
Larch, or any of the Coniferee, after which tbe tree does but little
good. We have used 27 in. iu length of wire to each young tree,
well pegged down, and 4 in. in the earth, to keep the ground ga-ue
from pushing the wire against the tree ; and these, which form
plantations, are now (although adjoining woods where hnndreds of
ground game are killed) fine, healthy trees. If it is a spot where it
can be done without interfering with the shooting, I would reoom.
mend wiring the whole round, keeping the wire 6 in. below the
surface, and making a notch in the top of each stake to prevent the
netting slipping down. Many have the Grass growing near the trees
cleaned away, but from my experience, I think it an error, for by
the time the wire is worn out the Grass is a great protection to the
bark of the trees. Of coarse the leading shoot and upper branches
must be kept clear. — J. J. M.

Unless wire netting is very carefully put up, and carefully

looked after, it is of very little use against rabbits, when employed
on a large scale, after it has been up a few months. The best way is
to keep the rabbits down for three years. Young rabbits will force
their way through an incredibly small hole, and old rabbits will get
in when the snow drifts. — A. J. S.

If for guarding single specimens, 2 ft. netting would be

quite sufficient, but for a plantation 3 ft. is quite little enough ; and
it the soil be light, I should recommend that a separate piece of
netting from 8 in. to 1 ft. wide, be laid flat on the ground on the

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

169

outer aide of the 3-ft. nettins;, thus forming, as it were, the capital
letter [_. Thia should be aunk slightly in the ground by removing
the aod, placing the wire in position, and then replacing the turf.
As rabbits always try to barrow under the upright netting close
to the bottom of it, they are prevented from doing so by the piece
under ground. I commenced nearly twenty years ago by using
light wire netting; bat have given it up for some time as I found
that it soon rotted. Some allowed rabbits to get through in a very
few years. There are always parts that escape being galvanised ;
these soon begin to rust and the work of destruction goes on rapidly.
It is very little good wiring out rabbits unless the work is
properly done. Bid work is merely throwing away money ; cheap
wire won't remain good five years, and can never be moved ; whereas
good strong wire can be taken from one p'antatioa, when the treea
are no longer in danger, to another. I have found No. 17 wire, 1-i-in.
mesh, galvanised, the best if the plantation stands by itself ; but if
joined to others, where there will be young rabbits, a smaller mesh
is necessary, as they will get through when small, and some day the
new plantation will ba found to be well stocked with one's enemies,
unable to get back throngh the meshes. — A Soldier

— — I have had considerable experience in fencing against rabbits,
and the best advice I can give is : Plant your treea first, and when
they have attained eight or ten years' growth, get your rabbits, but
only in moderation. If, however, one lacks patience and will not
wait, the next best thing to do is to erect wire fencing ; but one
might just as well try a brown paper fence as one only 2 ft. high ;
they would jump it withoat the slightest difficulty. It might do for
a Sower bed, because in summer rabbits have plenty of other food,
and do not like the trouble of jumping 2 ft. I have tried wire fencing
2 ft. 6 in. above ground, and found it perfectly useless either for
young plantations, or anything of which rabbits are fond. The
cheapest in the end is good strong galvanised wire, 1^ in. mesh, 3 ft.
high, well supported by posts every 6 ft. or 8 ft., and either 6 in. of
wire underground or boirds of that width. Even with all this
4000 yards would require constant watching, especially in autumn
and winter, to atop the holes where the rabbits are found getting
throngh. Wire at 6d. or 8d. per yard will be simply throwing money
away. The cheap wire rots very soon, and rabbits get through it
with ease. Anything under Is. a yard would be useless expense, and
only end in disappointment. It is needless to say that even ten or
fifteen yeara' growth affords no guarantee from danger by rabbits. If
kept in any quantity they will play sad havoc in severe weather with
trees of considerable growth, especially Spruce, Larch, Beech, Moun-
tain Ash, Hollies, &o. At such times, when the ground ia coversd
with snow, say for a week or more, the beat and only way is to feed
them with hay or Turnips ; even then choice trees shonld be protected
by tying twigs and small branches round them. — " Field."

NOTES & QDESnONS ON TREES, SHSUBS, & W03DLA.ND3

Paulowaia ImperiaUa. — In reply to Mr. Rogers (p. 143), aa to
whether the Paulownia usually forms its flower. buds in autumn or
not, allow me to say that I have always found it to do so, and ou that
account have preferred its nearly allied congener the Catalpa, for,
except in the southern counties, the flowering of the Paulownia is not
satisfactory. In the spring of 1872, we had a grand display of bloom
on a large plant of it at Ashburnham, in Sussex, and that was the
only season up to that period in which it had escaped frost. Evi-
dently young, vigorous, growing plants of it are more liable to have
their flower. buds icjared than those that have become well es-
tablished, and that have made more compact growth ; Mr. Rogers'
testimony as to its having passed throngh thia very severe winter
unscathed, makes me hopeful that it may yet be more generally
planted than it is with sncoesa. — A. Hossack, Uci'jleti, Alcesfer.

Timber of Taxodium sempervireng and Kauri Pine. —
I notice that Mr. E. II. V/oorlaU says (p. 2.3) that " extreme rapidity
of growth " ia a characteristic of thia Taxodium, which produces the
famous red wood of commerce, so useful for many purposes, being
both atroog and durable. The timber of the Kauri Pine, another
tree of extremely rapid growth, may also be mentioned aa producing
timber of the highest value, being considered equal to that of English
Oak. It is used for maats for the British navy, no other tree being
conaidered equal to ic for that purpose. I see that no less than
70,000,000 cubic ft. of Kauri Pine were cut and sawn for home use
and export in the province of Auckland, New Zealand during the
past year, a fact which affords some idea of its value. — C.

Exochorda grandiflora. — The severe winter which we have
had haa at least had a beneficial influence on a bash of this beantitul
hardy shrub — which, however, with me, at least, generally proves an
exceedingly shy and uncertain bloomer, having, after the mild and

almost frostless winter of 1877-78, only produced a single raceme of
bloom-^by inducing it this year to show bloom on almost every ter.
minal shoot, and on many of the lateral ones as well, much to my
delight. I have been told that this shrub is in some places, espe.
oially near Weybridge, usually attacked by small birds, such as bull,
finches, in the same way as these birds sometimes attack Apple trees,
and that unless protected by a net or tiffany screen they eat out all
the blossom buds, but they fortunately never so attack it here,
though they are by no means so indulgent to the Apples trees in my
garden.— W. E. G.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE WINTER MOTH & THE LIME LOOPER MOTH.

CIIEniATOBI.i BRUM.VIIIA A.ND HtBEllNIA DEFOLAEIA.

TuESE two moths, though belonging to different genera, are
members of the same iamilj, and are very similar in their

'ytif.*

Male and female moth and caterpillar o£ Chelmatjbia brumaria.
Male and female motli and caterpillar of Hybernia defolaria.

habits. The caterpillars of both species, where abundant, are
very destructive to the leaves of most fruit trees and many
other trees. The favourite food of the caterpillars of the winter
moth is the buds of the Apple trees, but they also extend their
ravages to the leaves of Elms, Limes, Willows, Hornbeams,
Whitethorns, Hazels, and Roses. The caterpillars of the Lime
looper are particularly fond of the leaves of Lime and Apple
trees, but they also attack other fruit and forest trees. As the
female moths of both species are entirely destitute of wings,
or have only the merest rudiments of them, they are much
easier killed or prevented from laying their eggs on the trees
than most moths, for they are only able to crawl up the stems
to reach the buds, near which they deposit their eggs. Several
methods may be employed to prevent the female ascending the
trees. A layer of birdlime may be placed round the stems of
each tree, in which they would be caight if they attempted

170

THE GAEDEN.

Feb. 22 187

to cross it ; or a piece of sacking or some stout cloth, or a
band of tow bound round the tree, and kept well tarred, would
have the same effect. A kind of open wooden box, about 1 ft.
high, may be made round the foot of each tree, which should
be sunk an inch or so in the ground to prevent the moths
getting under it, and kept well tarred or coated well with cart
grease. A kind of collar of zinc or sheet iron, with the upper
edge turned outwards, can be used in the same manner if well
tarred, and will effectually prevent the females from ascending
the trees. In the case of espaliers whatever means are used
to prevent the females creeping up the stems must be
applied to the supports to which the trees are fastened.
If any measures of this kind have not been taken, search
should be made on the trees for the moths, which, however,
are difficult to find, as they so much resemble the bark in
colour. It IS during the months of October and November,
and again in April and May that these precautions should
be taken. The caterpillars may be destroyed by laying sheets
under the trees and giving the branches a sudden shake or
striking them with sticks covered with something soft, to pre-
Ju^!' f n ^^^^ °^ ^^'^ boughs being injured, and collecting all
that tall. On espaliers and dwarf trees they can be picked
ott before they have done much mischief by carefully looking
over the bursting buds and opening any which have their
points fastened together by silken threads. Most birds, par-
ticularly starlings, and titmice kill large numbers of these
caterpillars ; many are destroyed by various insects, wasDS and
ants. Many of the moths are killed when leaving the chrysa-
lides by early and late frosts, which render the ground too hard
to allow the moths to reach the surface ; bad weather soon after
they make their appearance is very fatal to them. The winter
moth may generally be found in October and November, and
even in December and January ; some, however, do not leave
the chrysalides until the following spring. The males gene-
rally appear first, and may be seen flying about in the twilight
in search of the females, who, as soon as they leave the earth,
begin to creep up the trees, as they are unable to fly; they
deposit their eggs, which are very small, of a bright green
colour, and firmly glued to the tree, singly on the buds and
twigs. Each moth lays about 200 eggs. The caterpillars are
hatched as the buds are bursting. At first they feed on the
tender part of the buds, covering them with fine threads ;
afterwards they attack the young fruit and leaves, which they
fasten together to forma shelter; these they soon reduce to
skeletons, and then take up fresh quarters. If in large
numbers they soon strip a tree of its leaves, causing it much
injury, particularly in the case of fruit trees. Towards the
end of May they have usually attained their full size ; they
then let themselves down to the ground by threads, creep
under clods or stones, or bury themselves a few inches below
the surface, and become chrysalides, in which state they re-
main until the beginning of winter or the next spring. The
habits and economy of the Lime-looper moth are so similar to
those of the winter moth that they need not be mentioned here.
The male of the winter moth measures about 1 in. or IJ in.
across the wings when fully extended, the upper pair of which
are brownish, reddish, or pale, grey, with several darker, fine,
wavy, transverse lines ; the lower wings are somewhat paler
than the upper. The body, thorax, and head are yellowish-
grey, and very slight in proportion to the wings. The female
is wingless, or has only the rudiments of wings ; her body is
f in. long, tolerably stout, and darkish grey in colour ; if the
rudimentary wings are present they have two darker trans-
verse lines. The caterpillars, when fully grown, are about
-J in. in length ; their heads are greenish or browni-h, the
bodies are green or yellowish-green of various shades, with
several longitudinal whitish lines ; they are twelve-jointed, the
first three, the ninth, and last have each a pair of legs ; as these
legs are at either end of their bodies, when they wish to move
they draw up their bodies in a loop, bringing their anal legs
close to their front ones, hence the name of loopers ; they then
advance the front part of their bodies as far as they can
stretch, thus becoming quite straight again. All the cater-
pillars of this family move in this manner, and as they seem as
if they were measuring whatever they are moving on, the
family has been given the name of Geometrida;, or earth mea-
surers. The chrysalides are of a yell j wish- brown colour.

The males of the Lime looper moth are considerably larger
than those of the winter moth, measuring IJ in. or Ij in.
across the wings ; the upper pair vary much in colour, but
generally are yellow or yellowish-red speckled with black, with
the base of the wings reddish-brown and an irregular trans-
Terse band of the same colour nearly midway between the edge
of the darker base and the end of the wing ; in the middle of
the lighter space, near the front margin, is a dark spot.
In some varieties the base of the wing is not dark.
The lower wings are greyish or brownish-white with a
central black spot. The antennaB are very deeply toothed.
The females are entirely destitute of wings, and are about i in.
long, of a yellowish-white colour, with several black spots on
the back. The caterpillars are nearly Ij in. long, -nith their
feet arranged in the same manner as those of the preceding
species ; their heads are reddish-yellow, their bodies are red-
dish or yellowish-brown, rather darker on the back, with a pale
yellow band on either side, in which, at the middle of each
joint, is a reddish spot with a white centre. When at rest it
assumes the attitude shown in the woodcut. The chrysalides
are reddish-brown. S. G. S.

NOTES OF THE WEEK,

Cyoads and Camellias. — These, assoolated with tree FerDs and
other fine-leaved plants, are now Btrikingly effoctivo in the large
conservatory in Mr. Ball's nursery at Chelsea. The Camellias, which
coneiat of large spacimens, are judioionaly intermixed with the va.
rionsly tinted differently formed fronds of the Cycads, Palms, and
Ferns, and arranged in this way, a conservatory is rendered much
more erjoyble than when famished with straight and formal stages,
filled with showy bat common plants— an arrangement too often found
in private gardens.

-ZEchmea Marise Beginse. — This is, without doabt, one of the
most useful and attractive of Bromeliaceoua plants. Eren when not
in flower, it well grown, it makes a good table or vase piant, on
account of its stiff eilverj-green leaves, and when furnished with
brilliant rosy-purple inflorescence, as we now find it in Mr. Williams'
nursery at HoUoway, it is a plant at once effective and striking.

Varieties of Asparagus. — Few plants are more gracefal in
habit than the different varieties of Asparagus, of which there are
now many in cultivation. For table decoration, or for the ornamen.
tation of sideboards, where light, lace-like greenery is needed, few
plants will answer better. We lately saw a large and varied collec
tion of the more ornamental kinds of Asparagus in Mr. Bull's nur-
sery at Chelsea.

Lasting Properties of Orchid Flowers. — The length of time
during which some Orchid flowers will last unoat in good condition ia
almost incredible, a remark which appropriately applies to those of
that showy Orchid, OJontoglossum Halli, plants of which are now
finely in bloom in Measra. Veitch's nuraery at Chelsea. On a speci-
men of this bearing two graceful flower spikes 3 ft. in length, the
first blossoms opened quite three months ago, and yet even now
there ia scarcely a decayed flower to be found on the plant in question.
Orchids like this, which flower for so long a time during the darkest
months of the year cannot well be too extensively grown or too highly
valued.

Sarracenia purpurea. — Numbers of plants of this in Mr. Wil.
liams' nursery, Holloway, are now furnished with large, crimson,
globular, nodding blossoms, which contrast effectively with the large
and fully-developed pitcher.like appendages with which they are
associated. Though hardy this Sarracenia ia handsomer when grown
in heat than out.of-doora.

Ijichenalia orchioidea.— This is now in bloom in Mr. Ware's
nursery, Tottenham. Its flower spikes, thickly beset with violet,
tinted pale blue blossoms, upright rather than pendulous, render it
distinct and really handsome, though perhaps not so showy as some
of the better known kinds. Cortusa pubens, a larger and more
robust apecies than C. Matthioli, is also in bloom in the same nur-
sery.

After the Frost. — I have just seen some tuftg of Winter Aconite
and Snowdrops in a cottage garden, which had, the latter especially,
all the freshness and purity of hothouse flowers. Indeed they seemed
to have, during the short periods of sunshine of the last few days, shot
from the ground, aa it were, too suddenly to become soiled, but in
reality it was doubtless the shelter of overhanging shrubs which had
prevented their having become rain. splashed. The tallnesa of the

Feb. 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

171

Snowdrops was very remarkable, both flower stalks and leaves stand-
ing boldly erect, folly 10 in. high, as though their having been frost-
bonnd had made them more sneceptible to the influence of the snc-
ceeding mild weather and rain. Crocuses are Bhowing colour, and
Daffodils are pushing their soft green epears upwards, as it really glad
to be once more free from the shelter of mother earth. The yellow
winter flowering Jasmine has also rushed into bloom with equal ra-
pidity, and the severe weather has caused its flowers to burst opeu
simultaneously, that is, much more so than is usually the case in mild
winters. My Roses, too, have pushed forth, I am sorry to see, their
tender young growth during the last few days, and fruit-buda are
everywhere swelling fast. — B.

Primula Caslimeriatia. — This is the name of a pretty Primula
belonging to the P. denticulata group, now to be found in Mr. Wil-
liams' nursery at Holloway. The plant is sturdy in habit, and its
leaves are covered with a sulphur like farina. The plants in question
are not yet in flower, but their blossoms are described as being pro-
duced in very large heads, and of a rich purple colour with yellow
centres.

Camellias at Chelsea. — Notwithstanding that it has been a bad
season for the production of good Camellia blooms, the Camellia
houses in Messrs. Veitch's nursery look better than we ever remember
to have seen them. Plants in pots consisting of large shapely speci-
mens are coming finely into flower, whilst those planted out perma-
nently are full of buds, which promise soon to open. All the best
old and new kinds are represented by well-grown plants, and when
in full bloom will be well worth inspection.

Amaryllises at Holloway. — Seedling Amaryllises now enliven
the houses in Mr. Williams' nursery at Holloway with their large and
brilliant blossoms. In most cases the plants are exceedingly strong,
bearing two and even three large spikes of flowers. Though it is by
many thought almost impossible to improve greatly on the kinds of
Amaryllises now in cultivation, there are in this collection some with
larger flowers than usual, and, moreover, the plants appear to be
more floriferous. Arranged in a cool house, the plants alluded to
contrast eSfeotively with Cyclamens, Cape Heaths, Tree Carnations,
and other plants in flower with which they are associated.

Angrsecum sesquipedale superbum. — This fine variety of a
well known Orchid is now in flower in Messrs. Veitch's nursery at
Chelsea. Its blossoms are neatly twice the size of those of the
ordinary type, and they are of grea: substance, and as white as
ivory.

Cendrobiums in Small Pans.— There will shortly be a fine
display of these in Messrs. Veitch's nursery, Chelsea. They consist
of such kinds as D. crassinode, D. Wardianum, D. Devoniauam, &c.,
all remarkably well grown in small, shallow pans. The pseudo-
bulbs are of good size, and, being thoroughly ripened, owing to their
being suspended close to the glass, they promise to produce flower
spikes from every joint. Some, indeed, are already fully in bloom,
and long rows of them are coming on in succession.

Croton roseo-pictum. — This is one of the finest of the new
Crotons now in cultivation. It is good in habit ; its leaves are large
in siie, and its colour, a combination of different shades of crimson,
rose, and scarlet, renders it a very striking plant at this dull season
of the year. Some good specimens of it may be seen in Mr. Bull's
nursery, Chelsea.

PS Flowers of Iberis semperflorens at Christmas— This
nseful hardy plant, now in flower in quantity in Mr, Parker's nur-
sery. Tooting, might with advantage be grown for supplying cut
flowers at Christmas, or even earlier. Plants of it lifted from the
open ground in September, potted, and placed in cold pits or frames
for a month or so, and afterwards introduced into a gentle heat,
might easily be had in flower during the dullest part of the year.

Dendrobium eudocharis.— This pretty hybrid Dendrobe is now
in flower in Messrs. Veitch's nursery, Chelsea. It is the result of a
cross between D. japonicum and D. heterooarpum. It is dwarf and
compact in habit, and its flowers, which are produced in profusion,
are creamy-white with a pale yellow-purple striped throat. It is a
valuable addition to oar collections of Orchids.

Hardy Flowers 'at Tooting.— The effects of the few days of
mild weather which we have had are clearly visible as regards the
growth of hardy flowers, and, should it continne, many of them will
soon be in bloom. In Mr. Parker's nursery, even now, Crocus
Imperati and the pretty blue C. Sieberi are in full blossom, as are
also Galanthus Imperati and G. plicatus ; the Giant Hellebore
(Helleborua altifolios) is also producing a few fine blooms, varyini»
from pure white to deep rose ; the common Christmas Rose (Helle-
borus niger) has also been in flower tor many weeks past ; the Cape
Pondweed is likewise flowering with great freedom, and Saxifraga

Burseriana and S. Rooheliana are also opening their flowers. Hardy
Cyclamens, too, in Mr. Barr's ground are in flower, where a little
protection has been afforded them, and those growing in masses
amongst the Grass under trees will shortly be in bloom.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — The mildness of the weather during the past
fortnight has awakened quickly many of our early spring flowers.
Conspicuous among these are the various kinds of Snowdrops j be.
sides the common Galanthus nivalis, there is the variety called Shar.
locki, which may, at a glance, be distinguished from the ordinary
form by the blotch of green on the outside of the large petals and
much longer and narrower bracts, thereby rendering it very distinct.
The plaited-leaved Snowdrop (G. plicatus), though a very old intro-
duction, is not so common as it should be; it has large flowers and
broad leaves, which differ from those of all the other kinds by being
folded at the back. It is a native of the Caucasus. Undoubtedly
the choicest of all is G. Elwesi, which grows about 6 in. high, and
has broad, flat leaves of a very deep green. It produces large,
drooping, pearly-white blossoms, with the small inner petals wholly
green, except a narrow, crisped, white margin. It is a native of
Smyrna, and was found by Mr. Elwes on the summit of the Yaman-
lardagh Mountains, in 187-4. One of the best of the spring flowering
kinds of Crocus is C. Imperati, a robust and free-flowering kind, with
flowers 2 in. across when fully expanded ; these are fawn coloured,
heavily pencilled with purple on the outside, and of a pleasing lilao
hue within, contrasting finely with the bright yellow stamens. It ia
also sweet scented. Its native habitat is on the mountains of South
Italy, &c., at high elevations. The Alatavian Crocus (C. alatavicus)
is a new claimant to public favour, and though not so showy as the
last, is, nevertheless, very pretty. Its flowers are white with yellow
spots at the inner base, and finely grained on the outside with deep
purple. It is a native of the Alatan Mountains, and is one of the
numerous introductions of Dr. Regel, of St. Petersbnrgh. Crocus
chrysanthus var. fusco.tinctns much resembles the preceding in the
markings of the flower, but the ground colour is yellow. The variety
fusco-lineatna differs in having the black markings disposed in fine
lines on the outside. Both inhabit the Bithynian Olympus and else-
where in Asia Minor. The Bulbocodium.like Colchionm (C. bulbo-
codioides) is a very desirable plant, much in the way of C. montanum,
but the flowers are globular in form ; they are produced plentifully
and are of the same delicate blush tint as those of C. montanum.
The Vernal Bulbocodium (B. vernum) has blossoms of the same
colour, but they are much longer and have narrow, attennated petals.

Greenhouse Plants. — Boronia negastigma though not one of
the showiest of the genus, is highly desirable on aooount of the
delicious aromatic fragrance possessed by the blossoms, which are
globular, nearly i in. in diameter, dull purple on the outside and yellow
within. They are borne in profusion on very slender branches fur.
nished with small. Heath-like leaves, arranged in whorls. Such a
charming acquisition as this cannot be too strongly recommended, as
it is one of the hardiest of the Boronias, as well as one of the easiest
to manage, and well adapted for introducing into dwelling rooms
during the flowering season. It is of Australian origin, being found
in the vicinity of King George's Sound. The round-leaved Xanthosis
(X. rotunditolia) is a very remarkable Umbelliferous shrub also from
Western Australia. It grows about 2 ft. high, with leathery, heart,
shaped leaves, which are sharply toothed, and it produces terminal
clusters of small flowers, each enclosed in membranous white bracts
much resembling a Hydrangea; besides this, it has not much bea'ity
to recommend it for general cultivation. The Jasmine-flowered Rho-
dodendron (R. jasminiflorum) is certainly one of the most beautiful
of that family. It attains several feet in height, though it flowers
freely in a small state. The leaves are small and oval, and the
blossoms have a narrow tube 2 in. long with spreading petals IV in.
across, both of waxy whiteness, contrasting beautifully with the deep
red stamens rising from the tube. It was introduced in 1848 by
Messrs. Veitoh from Mount Ophir, where it grows at 5,000 ft.
elevation.

Stove Plants. — Eucharis Candida, a bulbous plant of rare
beauty, at first sight reminds one of its better known congener E.
amazonica. It has ample foliage and pure white blossoms, but it
differs in its leaves being larger and its blossoms smaller, with the
divisions gracefully reflexed, and also in the corona being longer,
more deeply toothed, and having a zone of yellow at the base. The
flowers are produced in the same umbel-like manner as those of E.
amazonica, and expand in quick succession. It was introduced by
Mr. Bull from the United States of Colombia, and was first figured in
The Gaeden in 1876, PI. XVI. Imantophyllum miniatnm is another

172

THE GARDEN.

[Feb. 22, 1879

very handsome member of the Amaryllia family, belonging to the
non-balbous section ; it has large Bword-shaped leaves, that spread in
a fan-like manner, and are of a very dark green. The flowers which
are large are borne in a dense terminal cluster on a stout compressed
stalk ; their petals are 2 in. long, bright orange scarlet in the upper
hair, and yellow in the lower. It is a native of Natal, and therefore
may be grown successfully in a warm greenhouse.

Orchids. — Amongst those now in flower may be mentioned Tri-
chosma suavis (syn. Eria cylindropoda), which, though an old intro-
duction, is one of the rarest of East Indian Orchids in cultivation.
It has short, slender stems, with oval, leathery leaves, and produces
its flowers in short, loose, terminal racemes ; they are of the size and
form of those of the old Ccelogyne media, white, with a golden lip,
the edges of which are marked with deep brownish-red streaks ; but
the chief point of attraction is their delightful fragrance. It was
first discovered and sent to Chatsworth by the late Mr. Gibson from
the Chirra district in the Khoseea Hills, where it was found growing
upon trees in densely shaded woods at high elevations. Dendrochilum
glumaceum, a native of the Philippines, is represented by a very fine
specimen bearing a score or two gracefully drooping spikes of small,
pellucid, ivory-white blossoms, which are very sweet-scented. Though
not showy, this fine Epiphyte has a remarkably pleasing effect, and
well mei its a place in the moat select collection. Lselia snperbiens
is a truly superb plant, being the largest and stateliest of the genus.
So handsome is it, that it ia one of the few tropical flowers which
specially excite the admiration of the natives of Guatemala so that
they plant it in front of their dwellings. It is found at considerable
elevations growing abundantly, near the town of Comolapa, in the
crevices of exposed rocks, but sheltered from north winds, where
the stems attain a height of 2 ft. or more, with leaves large in pro-
portion, and produces flower stems frequently 12 ft. long, terminated
by a dozen or more of large purple blossoms. Dendrobium Hilli,
named in compliment to the present Director of the Botanic Garden
at Brisbane, is one of the handsomest of Australian Orchids inhabit,
ing the vicinity of Moreton Bay. It is nearly allied to the better-
known D. epeciosnm, but may at a glance be distinguished by its
more robust habit and larger blossoms, which are cream-coloured,
copiously spotted with purple, and borne in long dense racemes,
terminating the stout stems with large leathery leaves. D. Findlay-
annm is a very distinct kind with peculiar knotted, erect stems and
large blush-tinted flowers with a spreading shallow lip, white, with
a central blotch of pale yellow. W.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS-

Ferneries.— I am about to erect a stove Fernery with a north aspect,
and I shall be glad to have the advice of others as to what plants besides
Ferns I can grow with advantage in the same house. I presume I can
grow Palms, Alocasias, fine-foliaged Anthuriama, and Marantas. Will
Cycads grow as well in a house with this aspect as where they can get the
sun ? Could I grow any flowering plants along with them ?— Amateur.
fAll the plants you name, including Cycads, will grow well in such a
house and for flowering plants nothing would do better or be more suitable
than tuberous-rooted Begonias, of which the variety is now legion.—
W. H.l

Good Standard and Bush Rosea.— The frost having killed
about half-a-dozen of my standard Rosea at Buxmoor would you name
some of the beat to replace them ? also a few bush Roses that would do
well ?— J. D- A. [Baron de Bonstetten," maroon ; Beauty of Waltham,
carmine • Duke of Edinburgh, scarlet ; Madame Alfred de Rongemont,
•white ■ Mdlle. Therese Levet, rose ; and Star of Waltham, crimson, are
six good standard Roaes. The following selection as hush Roses includes
most shades of colour, viz. :— Alfred Colomb, Charles Lefebvre, Com-
tesse ue rierenye, Countess of Oxford, Dr. Andry, Fisher Holmes, Fran-
cois Michelon, La Rosifere, Loniae Darzeus, Madame la Baronne de
Rothschild, Martiuise de Castellane, Mdlle. Eugenie Verdier and Sa-
frano.-A. W. P. I

Planting Carriage Drives.— In answer to "Beta's" inqiiries
(p. 132), allow me to remark that few things are more difficult than
giving advice in matters connected with landscape gardening, unless one
is thoroughly acquainted with the ground upon which the work is to be
carried out. I have always considered that carriage drives should be
planted on either side with such trees and shrubs as will produce the
greatest variety and aucoeasion of flowers and foliage during the year, in
order that the aspect may he as cheerful as it is possible to make it. The
list of trees and shrubs suitable for the purpoae is a long one ; it will,
however, only be necessary to give the names of some of the most desir-
able. What is perhaps of equal importance is the knowledge as to how
the outline of the shrubbery border ia to be formed ; this should neither
he straight nor parallel with the line of roadway, hut should be naturally
furnished with recesses ht-re and there, and a greater width of turf in
some pkoes than in others. This will afford an opportunity for plant-
ing isolated shrubs or plants upon the turf, a feature which, in my opinion,

greatly improves the appearance of carriage drives. The ground should
also slope slightly towards the roadway. The following trees and shrubs
are amongst the most suitable and ornamental for planting in such situa-
tions, viz.. Arbutuses, Portugal Laurels, Philadelphus, Aucubas, Coluteas,
Spiraeas, Berberis, Lauruatinus, Cydonias, Tamarix, Broom, Phillyreas,
Deutzias, Weigelas, Cornus, Euonymuaes, Chinese and Japanese Privets,
Ribes, doable Furze, Yuccas, Hypericums, Garryas, Lilacs, Hollies, and
Sumachs. Should space be found amongst the foregoing somewhat in
the background, the following trees should be introduced, viz.. Birch,
Acacia, double-blossomed Peaches and Cherries, Purple-leaved Beech,
Laburnum, Cercis, Salisburia, Variegated Aoers, Scarlet and other Horse
Chestnuts, and Scarlet Thorns. Common Laurels, Ligustrumovalifolium,
and similar shrubs may be used to fill up any blanks which remain. Upon
the broadest portions of the turf Pampas Grass, Yuccas, Bamboos, and
any of the many graceful and dwarf -growing Conifers should be planted
singly. Where Rhododendrons are planted in masses, the bulbs of hardy
Liliums should be introduced amongst them. With respect to planting
clumps, much will depend upon whether they will be in sight of the house
or not, or whether they would be surrounded by any large forest trees, or
otherwise ; in the latter case our best forest trees would be the most
suitable, whereas in the former I would recommend the following, viz..
Maples, Birch, Catalpa, Liquidambar, Robinias, Cheatnuta, Beech, Lom-
bardy Poplar, Planes, Turkey Oaks, Limes, Ailantus, Sycamores, Moun-
tain Ash, &c. A few shrubs may also be mixed with good effect round
the outer margin of such clumps. — Charles Den.vis, Southivark Park.

Hardy Perns. — Kindly give me the names of four good British
Ferns suitable for exhibition. — W. C. (Athyrimn Filix-foemina plumo-
sum, Polystichum angulare cristatum, Lastrea FiUs-mas cristata, and
Seolopendrium vulgare criapum. — H. A.]

Tree Perns. — I have some that appear to have a solid mass of roots
yet, if repotted in larger pots, the latter would appear disproportionately
large. Would it injure them to cut off a portion round the root and repot
in the same sized pot ? Supposing it will not, what amount of root
should be removed ? The stems are from 2 tt. to 3 ft. in height, and in
from 16-in.to 22-in.pots. — Amateur. [Is there any necessity for repot-
ting your Perns ? We should be inclined to think not ; they only require an
abundant supply of water. If, however, you must cut away their roots to
induce fresh ones to come in their places, you may reduce them one-half
if you choose. Tree Ferns withstand with impunity a great deal of hard
usage.— W. H. G ]

The "White Poppy. — In answer to Mr. Masters (p. 132) allow me
to say that the White Poppy is cultivated at Bodicots, near Banbury, by
Mr. Rufus Usher, the well-known grower of medicinal plants. I saw it
in splendid condition the summer before last in Mr. Usher's ground. —
J. R. Jackson.

A Cure for Wireworm. — I have some newly turned up meadow
land which I wish to use as kitchen garden ground. As usual in meadow
land there are wireworms, and the land is too heavy to roll. What iathe
next best cure ? If rape dust, how, and in what quantities, should this
remedy be applied ? — W. E. [The land being too heavy to roll is un-
fortunate, but I would recommend the attempt being made as soon as the
drying winds of March and April set in. In the meanwhile give the
ground a good dressing of salt — say at the rate of 6 cwt. to the acre, and
hoe or scarify as often as the state of the soil and other circumstances
will permit. This operation will not only aid in the pulverisation of the
soil but bring many of the worms to the surface, when the birds will soon
find them out and devour them. I have tried powdered linseed cake on
a small scale, and though it certainly destroyed some, it is a much more
expensive remedy than salt and frequent rolling, which never fail to
efi'ect their destruction. — W. W.l

iNames of Plants. — G. — Myrsiphyllum asparagoidea. W. C. —
We are unacquainted with any Asplenium bearing the name yon give.
Send ua a frond or two. The correct spelling ia Imantophyllum. J. H.
Ross. — Dendrobium aggregatum. W. C. — Lastrea spinulosa. — Subscrifcer.
— If the flowers are of a blackish-brown colour, and Violet scented, the
plant is probably Boronia megastigraa, which it appears to be, as far as we
can judge by the scrap sent. J. P — 1, Sparmannia africana ; send the
other when in flower. M-, Regent's Park. — Asplenium biforme, syn.
A. bulbiferum incisum.

Questions.

Pinely-flowered Oncidium excavatum. — I have a small plant
of this Oncidium in an S-in. pot bearing a spike of bloom nearly 4 ft. in
length, furnished with over 360 fully-expanded flowers. Is not that an
uncommonlyllarge number of flowers for this species to bear ? — Asiateur,

Heating Small Greenhouses. — I have a small greenhouse, snau-
roofed, 20 ft. by 14 ft., and 12 ft. high. I want to heat it to at least 50" or
55° during winter, but 1 am totally unable to decide what kind of boiler
would be the best and ultimately cheapest, as each vendor declares his
own apparatus to be the best, and I have no technical knowledge to
enalile me to estimate their respective merits. As this is a moat im-
portant question to amatenra, would you kindly insert it ? when I hope
that some of your readers may be able to give us the benefit of their
experience in the matter. — L. J. Browne.

Cucumber and Melon Pailures. — My Cucumber and Melon
leaves have become spotted, and though the plants are growing luxuriantly
and showing plenty of fruit, both that and the blossoms die off. To what
cause can such failures be attributed ? — A. M,

THE GARDEN.

173

No. 380 ]

SATtTHDAY, BTABCK 1. 1879.

" This is an art
Which does menJ X.imro : c^aTi:re i-'. rather : but
TnB .4.nT itself is N\Tur.B."' — Shrkegpeare.

THE TEA-SCENTED ROSE.

fConcludei from page lot.)

Then will I raise aloft the milk-whits Rose,
With whose sweet scent the air shall be perfamed.

Shakesjieare.

"Were I asked to name the Tea Rose (a Tea Rose pur ct
simple — I will explain immediately) upon which the proprietor
might most confidently depend for the constant production of
its flowers in true character, be the seasons propitious or un-
kind, I should declare to win with Souvenir d'un Ami. And
this Rose is fair as she is faithful. Not only when grown under
glass by such artists as Charles Turner and George Paul, 4 ft.
in diameter, and covered with its large blushing blooms, is
Souvenir d'un Ami a sight to make an old man young, but out
in the garden, having a sheltered site and careful culture, it
abounds in generosity and grace. Not only so, but in this, as
in all other cases, the natural process, the purer air, and un-
diminished light, give a fulness and freshness which can never
be quite realised by artificial means ; and if a second question
was put to me, " What Roses have moit impressed you by the
grandeur and size of their beauty, during your thirty-four
years of observation," I must again reply, firstly, Souvenir
d'un Ami, and secondly, a Due de Rohan. The former appeared
upon a most robust shoot, growing, from a four-year old plant,
upon a wall with an east aspect, and was, I think, the largest,
heaviest, Rose I ever saw, or shall see. It was inspected by
many gardeners on the tree, and was shown afterwards, cut,
to others, all being unanimous in the opinion expressed by a
rustic lover of the Rose, " My stars ! she's a wopper ! Some
may read these lines who remember the magnificent specimens
of Souvenir d'un Ami, which were showu at Hereford and
elsewhere, by a brother whom we all love and mourn, the Rev.
George Arkwright, and they will readily imagine the capabili-
ties of an abnormal, highly- favoured bloom. The latter Rose
referred to was a Due de Rohan, shown by Mr. G. Paul, afore-
said, some years ago at Birmingham, so hugely handsome, that
I entreated my friend to remove him from a box, in which he
made all the other Roses to appear as though they were as-
hamed of themselves, and would gladly hide their diminished
heads. They might have adapted and addressed to their owner
Cassius' words on Csesar —

Why, George, he doth bestride this narrow box
Like a Colossns ; and we petty blooms
Blush under his hng;e leaves, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.

*****
Now, in the name of all the gods at once.
Upon what meat doth this De Rohan feed
That he is grown so great ?

The last Rose on my list is not even noticfd in many of our
catalogues, and was unknown to me until my friend, Mr.
Curtis, of Chatteris {miUi secmidns, in his appreciation of a
Rose), kindly sent me buds, from which I have grown and
shown in victorious stands, the charming flower, truly named
Unique. It is a white Rose, streaked with rosy-purple, res-
semUant (i une Tidtpe, and is a mcst distinct and attractive
variety. Unhappily the buds arrived when I had no vacancies
on my seedling Briers, and they were of necessity inserted
upon standards. Woe to me ! the Rose is Unique no more,
but has gone over to the majority of Tea Roses upon stan-
dards, and is dead. Although " there is life in the old dog
(Rose) yet," on which thes 3 Tea Roses once bloomed in beauty,
there are very faint signs of vitality in their illustrious guests ;
the sweet little cherubs perched up aloft are hopelessly frozen
at the mast-head. It is sad to see them, after so much abun-

dant beauty, withered and blackened (the snowy Niphetos
blackest of all, a swift and just retribution, some will say,
upon my disparagement of her merits), and it is a welco:3e
solace to transfer our tearful eyes to the Tea-scented Roses
upon the seedling Briers, which are frost bitten, but not
vitally injured " scotched, not killed," and from which we con-
fidently anticipate a strong growth and bountiful efflorescence
" when the green leaves come again."

I have written so discursively, in the enjoyment of my
holiday among the Roses, as a horse, brought from stable to
pasture, gallops hither and thither, Icela per arva ruif, as we
had it in our school pentameter, that I have left myself brief
space to treat of those varieties of the Tea-scented Rose which
are so luxuriant in their growth and " robust " in habit that
they more resemble the Noisette than the Tea, reminding us
of the wood and foliage of Cloth of Gold, Lamarque, and Sol-
faterre. Regarding these climbing Teas in alphabetical order,
we must off with our hats in the presence of the Belle, some-
times called the Glory, of Bordeaux, and of the Beauty of
Lyon ; but not even the gallant Captain Macheath would say,
" How happy could I be ivith either," because though the pride
of the Claret Capital has her charms, in amplitude of form, in
glossy foliage, in bicoloured petals, which are of a fresh flesh
colour on the one side and of a rosy-purple on the other, her
Roses are rough in outline, and, in their quality, coarse. Had
she been a Vine she would have produced good vin ordinare,
and plenty of it, but never Lafitte (by the way, I remember to
have given half-a-guinea for H. P. Jacques Lafitte, but he was
only a mediocre Medoc), never Latour, nor Leoville, nor La
Rose ; whereas the Lady of Lyons, the very name endears her
to our gardeners, for was she not Claude Melno'.te's, the gar-
dener's, love ? has much more elegance and refinement in con-
tour and complexion. She is not, it is true, so beautiful nor so
constant as Pauline Desohappelles ; she has not quite the
hardy constitution of her mother, Gloire de Dijon, of whom
anon, but, in her best form, she is very winsome, with
her pure pale lemon flowers ; and thus La Belle Lyounaise
justifies the description of her fellow citizen : — Fleur grande,
pleine,bien faite,j(ttine canarifonce passaiii ati, eaumon, ires
vigoureuse et fris beJIe.

Nevertheless, our Beauty of Cheshunt surpasses both these
foreign belles, as completely as Venus surpassed Juno and
Minerva. Her cruel father has selected for her the ugliest
name he could find— Cheshunt Hybrid; he long evinced a
reticence with regard to her merits, marvellously rare among
the raisers of Roses ; and some Rosarians who had planted the
Rose, among them one of the most accomplished, have failed
from defect of soil or culture to realise her charms, and there-
fore have doubted and denied them ; but she has triumphed at
home and abroad. The stern parent says in last report, " "We
think more and more highly of her after our yearly greater
experience," and no Rose-grower who has seen her in the bloom
of health, would think his garden complete without her. In
pots, on walls, budded high or low, on Brier or Manetti, it is
always charming, with its bright clean wood, and glossy
leaves, and exquisite buds, and large symmetrical densely-
petalled blooms, in colour rose, deeply flushed with carmine.
It is a distinct novelty, and will, I hope, be the founder of a
new family ; in fact it already stands at the head of a Nonvelle
Seriede Roses— Rosiers, Ryhrides de Thes Remontants in one of
the French catalogues, followed by La Pi-ance and two new
Roses, sent out last spring by M. (juillot, Madame Alexandre
Bernaix, and Mademoiselle Blanche Durrschmidt.

Climbing Devoniensis is a very valuable variety, and must
be one of our mural Roses, however few they may be, and how-
ever many the disappointments hiust be. I warn the young
amateur of these disappoiatments, because the growth of this
Rose is so rapid and continuous, that its wood is rarely ripened
when winter comes, and it suffers grievously from the frost in
consequence. Budded low on the seedling Brier, and well
mulched early in December, it cannot be destroyed, and will
come in strength from its base when spring returns ; but this
constant process of recovery and exuberant produce of branches,
which are rarely matured, prevents as a rule that abundance of
Roses which would bo given to a more genial climat?. A few

174

THE GAEDEN.

[Makch 1, 1879.

beautiful blooms we are sure to have, and with these we may
well be content.

If to the treo some venial errors fall,

Look at the Rose, and you'll forget them all.

Of such an old and universal favourite as Gloire de Dijon
it is superfluous to speak. The readers of The Garden know
as well as I that it is the first and the last, and the most
generous, with its large, many-coloured flowers (white,
buff, yellow, and red in lovely combinations), and that
although it has rarely in its individual blooms that
perfection of form which satisfies the keen connoisseur, no
Bose, no flower, in our generation has shed so much beauty
and sweetness around our English homes.

Gloire de Dijon has four daughters, Madame Berard,
Madame Levet, Mademoiselle Marie Berton, and Madame
Trifle. The first of the four is smaller in size but more com-
pact in shape than her mamma — a very attractive Kose ; the
second resembles the mother in vigorous growth, but is, in all
other points, inferior ; the others I have not proved. Madame
Trifle is suggestive of something very sweet, though the
French description of the Rose is more appropriate to the
savoury, and sounds as though the writer was thinking of a
mayonnaise— Jawne saumon a Vintirieur, parfois jaune cVceiif
cuivre.

And now ring out wild bells, roar cannons, bray trumpets,
roll drums, float flags, fill balconies, wave handkerchiefs, and
shout, my Rosarians, shout ! — (Yea, let your shouting be such
as hath not been heard in England since the Oxford Seven
beat the Cambridge Bight at Henley in 1843)— for behold the
Emperor of all (Tea-scented) China, Le Roi des Roses, the
Field-marshal of the Universe ! behold, in all his golden glory,
Marechal Kiel !

There are but three words which we dare to speak in such a
presence as this—" Hip, hip, hurrah !" The hips, of course,
for the seedling Brier on which he is enthroned, and the hurrah
for the Royal Rose ! S. Reynolds Hole.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

PLANTING OUT WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS

DURING SUMMER.
I DO not wish to find fault with those who adopt and recom-
mend growing such plants as the berry-bearing Solanums,
Salvias, Stevias, Eupatoriums, Libonias, &c., in pots all the
summer, as I have no doubt success may be obtained in that
way, but, according to my opinion, at a greater cost for labour,
&o., than when they are planted out. IPart of the success of
planting such plants as those above mentioned in the open
air in summer, depends upon the site selected for them. If
planted in very rich land they are apt to become gross, and,
therefore, do not lift well in autumn ; often thev lose their lower
leaves, and do not flower so freely afterwards. Again, if the
pinching or stopping of the growing shoots be neglected, a
straggling habit is engendered, which is difficult afterwards to
put right. The pinching should be done when the removal of
just the terminal bud will sufiioe to give the requisite bushy
habit. If delayed until several inches of wood have to be
pinched off, there is a waste of power, as a greater check than
is necessary is given, and in our short summers, time lost is
never recovered. Assuming that an open-air, sunny position,
where the ground has been some time previously well worked,'
is available, and that the plants intended to be put out are
■brought forward and regularly hardened off, about the end of
May is a suitable time to plant. In allotting space to each
species, the size which they are likely to reach should be con-
sidered, as it is better to have a few well-grown plants than a
greater number of starveling, ill-developed ones.
_ Where only medium or small-sized plants are required, cut-
tings struck early in the season— say now— will, under good
management, make good specimens, but when large plants for
conservatory decoration are desired, then one, two, or even
three-year-old plants, of some kinds, will be more suitable. If
any of these be out well back when the flowering is over, or

say about April, and planted out about the end of May or begin-
ning of June, they will make handsome, well-furnished bushes
for the following winter. It will be very beneficial to mulch
the surface of the ground amongst and around the plants aa
soon as they are planted. Mulching tends to keep the roots
close at home and near the surface, which will be found to be
of immense advantage to them when the time comes for lifting
and potting them, as the less the roots are cut about then the
better ; and for the same reason, in very dry, hot weather, water
should be given when necessary, but if well mulched water will
not often be required. The period for lifting may vary a little,
according to situation, but in most places the middle of Sep-
tember will be as late as they should remain in the beds, and
about ten days previous to lifting, the roots should be cut round
with a spade at varying distances from the stem, according to
the size of the plant and the size of pot they are to occupy,
leaving as much root as possible.

If the plants are growing in rich soil, and at any time show
symptons of grossness, a spade thrust into the ground at a
suitable distance from the stem, so as to sever some of the
roots, will correct any tendency to a plethoric habit, and ensure
the production of wood which will be fertile as regards
blossoms. This plan of checking the roots a little with the
spade will not take up much time, and may be resorted to when
necessary, during the growing season. It will promote a larger
root development close at home,which will.be found to be of great
benefit when the plants are lifted. After they are potted into
suitable-sized pots (which should not be too large) they should
be placed in a shady position for a few days, still keeping them
in the open air, as the longer they can remain in the open air,
if safe from frost, the better, as it will enable them to become
well established before being housed ; and they will be less
likely to lose foliage than if lifted and moved into a drier,
warmer atmosphere at once, before the roots had fairly re-
covered their power of supplying the wants of the plants. The
advantages of planting out are at least twofold ; it saves labour,
and secures a better development if fairly carried out. Neither
a very rich soil nor yet a poor one is so good as one of medium
quality. Where the soil is poor and sandy, a little better soil
should be placed round the roots of the plants y> hen turned
out. E. Hobday.

COMMON PINKS FOR FORCING.

Anne Boleyn and the common white are desirable Pinks for forcing
in quantity for cut flowers. In the preparation of the plants for
forcing an early start is half the battle, and, to obtain this early
start, the cuttings or pipings must be taken from plants that have
been forced ; and any one who may wish to make a beginning should
take up a few plants aa soon as the weather breaks, pot them, and
introduce them by-and-by into a gentle warmth. The cuttings
should be taken as soon as the new growth is in a fit condition for
striking, which is when the young shoots begin to acquire just a little
solidity or firmness at the base. They must be inserted under a
handlight or in a close frame, where just a little bottom heat can be
had. The cuttings must not be permitted to lie about exposed to
the air whilst beinj^ prepared, aa they are more susceptible of injury
from this cause than moat plants. As they are trimmed they should
be placed in a pan or some other vessel containing water, till a suffi.
cient number be prepared. If only a few are required, they may be
rooted in pots or pane ; but the first-named plan is the best, and
produces the most vigorous plan's. They must be shaded from
bright sunshine and kept in a moist condition, without too much
saturation. A light sprinkling of water when the shading is removed
on bright afternoons will be beneficial. Under such conditions the
cuttings will soon root, when air ehould be given, gradually increas-
ing ita quantity till fully exposed. As soon aa they are sufficiently
hardened to bear full exposure, take them up carefully and plant
them out in a prepared bed in an open situation, about 9 in. apart.
A fresh loamy soil, slightly enriched with old cow manure, suits them
best. The summer management, which will not involve much trouble,
oonsista in maintaining a looae friable surface by frequent stirring,
and watering occasionally in dry weather. Early in October the
plants must be carefully lifted, with balls and all the root possible,
and potted in 5 in. or 6 in. pots, putting the strongest in the larger
size. Some of the strongest plants of Anne Boleyn may perhaps
require pota a size larger, if the cuttings were obtained early. After
potting the planta may remain in the open air on a coal-ash bed for a
time, but must not be exposed to severe f roat. From the open air they

' March 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

175

shonld be taken to a cold pit, where they mast remain till moved
into heat for forcing. The stronger and bettor established the
plants, the better they will bloom when forced. But if started early,
theforcing should begin gently, and the plants shoald occupy a light
position. Of late years a class of perpetnal or forcing Pinks has
sprung up. About a dozen years ago a bright self-coloured kind,
called Garibaldi, was largely grown in the neighbourhood of Yar.
mouth and Norwich, and among newer introductions the following
are desirable kinds to grow for flowering : Annie Williams, White,
Perfection, Miss Joliffe, Lord Lyons, Newmarket, and Lady Blanche.

E. H.

SOPHRONITIS GRANDIFLORA ON CORK.
Tnis, one of the most brilliant of winter flowering Orchids, is
more amenable to different ways of culture than most plants.
It may be grown and flowered successfully in pots, pans, or
baskets, and we have frequently seen it planted on dead stumps
of Tree Ferns, and with excellent results. Perhaps in no way,
however, is it seen to better advantage than on arch-shaped
pieces of virgin cork, as shown in the annexed woodcut, pre-
pared from a plant thus situated in Messrs. Veitch's nursery,
Chelsea, where a large number of plants of it are grown in this
as well as in other ways. When on cork they can be suspended
from the roof or placed flatways against walls or pillars, and
in this ?vay they can be grown without taking up space, which

Sophronitia granditlara on Cork.

would be available for other plants. Small plants of it well
rooted should be obtained and fastened on the cork 2 in. or
3 in. apart by means of wire ; they should then be suspended
close to the glass in an intermediate house, kept well watered
■with the syringe during the growing period, when they will
soon increase in size and occupy the whole block, and when
covered with flowers in such profusion as the plant from which
our figure was taken will form one of the most attractive
objects in the greenhouse or conservatory during the winter
months. Its blooms last, if kept free from damp, for a long
time in good condition both on the plants and in a cut state,
in which way they are unsurpassed for use in button hole
bouquets. C. W. S.

DOUBLE-FLOWERED SEEDLING PETUNIAS.
Finding these so exceedingly useful during the greater part of
last summer and autumn for greenhouse and conservatory
decoration, as well as for bedding purposes, I would strongly
recommend anyone having such structures to keep gay, to get
a packet of seed of the double varieties, and sow it at once;
double kinds being best adapted for pot culture and not so
suitable for turning out, their flowers being too heavy to with-
stand the efliect of wind and wet, which, towards the end of the
season, sadly mar their beauty. By sowing thus early, plants
may be grown to a large size and had in full bloom by July, if
nursed on for a time in gentle heat, and then placed in cold
frames or a light house where they can get plenty of sun. This
renders them short-jointed, and much more floriferous than
they otherwise would be, as the least shade draws them up

weakly, and makes their branches so puny as to require support.
The best I had were plunged out of doors iu a bed of ashes to
keep the pots cool, and thus prevent the soil drying too rapidly.
This kind of treatment appeared to suit their requirements
exactly.as they grew close and dense, a condition aided by having
the points of the shoots nipped out just before the plants re-
ceived a shift into larger pots.

Although double Petunias may be propagated by means of
cuttings, seedlings are preferable, as they grow stronger and
give little trouble, but when any of very superior merit show
themselves it is always worth while keeping a stock plant of
such for cuttings, which, put in now, soon strike root on a
manure bed under a bell glass kept close for a time. The single
forms make grand beds if planted where they can have plenty
of room to spread, but, as they are naturally strong growers, a
poor soil is best for them ; it deep, so that the roots can get
well down, that checks any tendency to over robustness, and
yet affords the necessary support during dry weather. Besides
forming magnificent beds, single Petunias make fine masses in
borders, but, when used in that way, they require support ; the
neatest and best way of effecting this is using coarse-meshed
rabbit wire cut into yard lengths, which, run round and tied to
a stake at the ends, forms a capital frame, through which they
thread their shoots, and completely hide the wire with their
gay blossoms and foliage. There are many other plants of a
similar character for which a trellis made in this way answers
well, and, as they last for years, nothing for the purpose can be
cheaper or more handy.

As Petunia seeds are very small, they should only be slightly
covered at the time of sowing, otherwise the young plants
are unable to push through the soil. Pans for such seeds
should be filled nearly full with rough leaf mould, and on
the top of that should be put an inch or so of finely sifted soil
made perfectly level and smooth. That done, the next thing
is to give a gentle watering, and then they should not be
disturbed for a few hours, when all will be ready for
sowing. This should be done thinly, and a little silver-sand
sprinkled over the seeds, when, if placed in a moist heat, they
will soon germinate, especially if the pj,n be covered with a
sheet of glass, or kept dark by a piece of paper for two or three
days, as by that means evaporation is intercepted and a more
uniform warmth is maintained. S. D.

ORIGIN OF THE SPOTTED GLOXINIAS.
The origin of this strain of Gloxinias is intereeting, as it affords an
illustration of how flowering plants which reproduce themselves freely
from seed, sometimes break into new and distinct types of form and
colour. It has frequently occurred that a certain family or species,
which may not have shown during a series of jears any great tendency
to sport, all at once gives us something both novel and beautiful.
M. Vallerand, with whom these spotted Gloxinias originated, informed
me that for a number of years he assidnously crossed the best known
varieties, but, although he annually raised a large number of seedlings,
he could not succeed in obtaining anything better than those already
in cultivation. Being discouraged at finding his best efforts so poorly
rewarded, he had determined to relinquish the attempt. Ills seed,
lings that season had nearly all bloomed, with the usual
result. There remained but a few weak plants to flower. Curiously
enough, on the weakened and latest seedling appeared a single
flower, so distinct and so beautifully marked, that M. Vallerand
declared that he was quite taken by surprise. It I
remember rightly there was but a single bloom on the plant. It
may easily be imagined how that plant was cherished, the flower
carefully fertilised, and precaution taken to destroy every other bloom
near it. The seed was ripened, and from this sprang many other
charming forms. All M. Vallerand's varieties were distinguished
by a neat, compact, floriferous habit, and the curiously mottled flowers,
so unlike the ordinary strains of Gloxinias, caused at that time
quite a sensation in the horticultural world. I have a vivid recoUec.
tion of going to see his seedling plants when coming into flower.
They were planted out in ordinary frames, and certainly presented
one of the most interesting flower displays I ever witnessed. All
who grow Gloxinias should have some of these spotted varieties in
their collection, for, as may be seen by the coloured plate given in
The Garden of last week, they are not only highly ornamental, but
have a peculiarly chaste and delicate appearance.

Bijfleet. J. CORNHILL.

176

THE GARDEN.

[March 1, 1879.

Treatment of Cyclamens After Flowering. — My expe-
rience differs from that of Mr. Cjrnhill (p. 16 i) in one very im-
portant particular, and as I am a succeasfal grower it is worth
consideration. Instead of placing the balbs to rest under a north
wall or frame I place mine where they can get all the sun possible,
covering them slightly with leaf mould. A traveller in Palestine
told me of this as being natural to the Cyclamen, and I believe the
more sunshine it absorbs in this stage of growth the more flowers and
the finer will it have in the future. — Bkockhurst.

Perns in Windows. — I have an arch over a window in my con.
servatory fitted with cork, between which are planted different kinds
of I'erns. I find great difficulty in supply the roots of these plants
with sufficitnt nourishment, as the syringe only waters the fronds
and leaves the soil almost nntouohed. Besides I find the syringfl
spoils the foliage of several kinds, such as Adiantuma, some sorts of
Pteris, and others, while on the other hand the spray suits the Da-
vallia oanariensis and Platycerium alcicorco. Can any of your readers
recommend any contrivance which would enable the water to drip
and percolate gently amongst the pieces of cork, and thus supply
water to the rcots. — M. L. D.

Heating Small GreenhouBea.— In reply to llr. Browne's in-
quiries (p. 172), allow me to say that I hare a house of about the
same cubic contents as the one he meutionerj, for which I use a boiler
of the following construction. It consists of about 25 ft. of l-in.
steam pipe bent into a series of coils, each ceil being 15 in. in dia-
meter, with a space of 1 in. between the coils. The top and bottom
ends of the coil are turned outwards opposite ways, and, passing
through the brickwork, serve to support the ci.il. The whole is set in a
square fire brick chamber one brick thick, and the chamber is carried
up 1 ft. 6 in. above the top of the coil to form a hopper, which is
charged with coke. The flue is carried out just level with the top of
the coil, and, as the fire below that point burtjsout, fresh coke falls
down to supply the waste. Wrought iron pipe 1^ in. in diameter is nsed
for the conuection between the inlet and the outlet of the coil anj
the cast iron pipe in the house, consisting of 93 ft. of pipe 3 in. in
the bore. I have two of these boilers at work, and find no difficulty
in maintaining a constant temperature of 55° in one house and 65°
in the other. In fact, the temperature has never fallen below these
points during the presentexceptionallysevere wintur. The fire only
requires attention once in twelve hours, and tho average cost per
day is S^d. If your correspondent will write to me I shall be very
pleased to send him a drawing of the coil and mode of setting, to.
gether with other particulars. — J. A. Oxley, Jii/.oc Hill, Frame.

Rustic Baskets. — ^To those who appreciate a really pretty rustic
basket, allow me to recommend Wyoh Elm rods for their manufacture.
The bark being thick, wrinkled, and deeply serrated, resembles that
known as virgin cork on a reduced scale without being so heavy in
appearance. The heart of the rod is tough, andjihe bark never seems to
have a tendency to crack or peel off it even when exposed to a torn pera-
ture under glass of from 80° to 100,' i.e. when the baskets of which
it is made are used to hold plants in pots. I have not tested them
with loose soil, but have no doubt of their proving satisfactory. The
rods can be obtained of wattled fence or common hurdle makers,
and are very cheap. One rod of say from 8 ft. to 10 ft. in length,
and from 1 in. to 2 in. thick, on an average, will make a basket quite
large enough to hold a fair-sized pot. If required, such rods can bo
delivered split np the middle. Nothing more is wanted for making up
such baskets, but some small galvanised or copper wire, and they
stand a vast amount of tear and wear. — C. F., Merlwood.

Plant Culture without Bottom Heat. — Mr. Simpson's ad-
miaoion (p. 1.39) that he never plunges plants of any kind in a bed
heated by pipes or fermenting materials, that is, does not use bottom
heat, at once brings the discussion between us on this subject to an
end. If Mr. Sim[;son had read ray article carefully, he would have
seen that the figures given by me clearly referred to the temperatara
of the house, not to that of the plunging material. It is self.evideni,
that plants grown in hothouses in pots or similar appliances, cannot
fail to have their roots as warm as their tops. It is opposed to both
the nature and the well-being of plants, to subject their roots to
greater heat than their tops, by plunging them in material with a
higher mean temperature than that of the air of the house ia which
they are grown ; when lees than this is used, from a common-sense
point of view there may be said to be no bottom heat at all ; and
going beyond the subject as relating to plants, with their roots as
well as their tops confined to the houses in which they are grown,
there is abundant irrefutable evidence that they do as well, or better,
with the roots cooler than the tops. But setting individual opinions
aside, the fact remains that the greater portion of the best and most
BuccessFul plant growers have ceased, or all but ceased, to use bottom
heat. — T. Bai.ves. [We have published the above at Mr. Baines'
particular request, bat here this discussion really must end.]

TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS,

"TREES OF THE FUTURE."
The family of Spruce Firs, including both Picea and Abies,
may fairly be cousidered as the type of a Fir tree. Differing
as it does by its upright spiry growth and tiers of horizontally
spreading side branches, from the rounded forms and spread-
ing, branched head of deciduous trees, we owe to this family
in particular much of the charm which our varied woodlands
afford us. In the future it seems moat probable that the modern
introductions will exceed in beauty anything which we before
possessed, and will, owing to their hai-diness and adaptability
to most soils and situations, increase the favour in which they
are already held. It is again to California, or Oregon, which
borders on it to the north, that we are indebted for the most
beautiful and hardy species. First, both by right of beauty,
as well as by alphabetical precedence comes Abies Albertiana,
a tree that has now been introduced long enough to show that
it is capable of coming to perfection in this climate. It has
not received half the attention which it deserves, because it is
so much like the Hemlock Spruce (Abies canadensis), which
does not usually thrive in this country from reasons that are
difEoult to explain, and is at best but a rather small tree.
Abies Albertiana, in the forests of Oregon, is a large and most
graceful tree, attaining n height of 120 ft. in most places, and
exceeding that height occasionally; so it far surpasses A. cana-
densis in stature, while it closely resembles it in habit. Its
soft, drooping branches and delicate feather}' sprays of foliage,
silvered over on the under side, coupled with great rapidity of
growth in ordinary soils and situations, should make it a for-
midable rival to the Deodar, as a graceful tree to be looked at
on a lawn at all seasons of the year, and its hardiness, com-
bined with its beauty, makes it, perhaps, the most satisfactory
tree of large growth introduced during the last twenty years.
Side by side with it in its native Oregon forests grows the green
Abies Douglasi, another tree that has shown itself thoroughly
at home with us in England, and is justly considered a very
valuable addition to our hardy trees. Its soft, green foliage,
rapid growth, and abundant branches have made it very popu-
lar among planters, and, as it is a tree of the largest size, we
may confidently hope that the next generation will see many
thriving examples of it towering aloft and forming landmarks
in the distant horizon.

The somewhat sombre but still beautiful Abies nobilis, with
its dark colouring and stifCer growth, is another most distinct
tree from this region, the climate of which in the main so much
resembles our own ; owing to its sturdier growth it suffers less
in exposed sitiiations than A. Douglasi, whose only fault is that
it loses much of its beauty when fully exposed to gales. In
common with these other introductions from Oregon, A. nobilis
is endowed with a vigorous constitution, and thrives equally
well ou the fiat plain as on the hillside. The fine specimens of
this Fir at Elvastou Castle are among those earliest planted
in England, aud, even in that somewhat low and flat situation,
they have withstood the most trying frosts. Perhaps no family
of Conifers can show three such distinct and beautiful species
as these, the growth and colouring of which are so varied : the
first, A. Albertiana, with slender branches and short, flattened
leaves that spread only horizontally, and show but little of their
silver lining ; the second, A. Douglasi, whose leaves are bright
green, soft, and long, radiating like a brush through three parts
of a circle ; and, thirdly, A. nobilis, with stiff blue-green leaves
that curve upwards, aud which, when young, tip the branches
with silver by showing tbeir under surface — thus giving a
special beauty to this tree in the month of June.

In so large a family there must be degrees of beauty among
its members, and Abies nigra certainly has the least claim to
that gift in its native country. A small tree even under the
most favourable circumstances, it becomes, after forty years'
growth, the most wretched-looking object conceivable, with
scanty branches aud a blackened, smoke-dried aspect. It is tho
presentment of misery itself, and gives a chill, northern look
to its surroundings that can hardly recommend it generally,
but yet it has been planted in many parts of the country be-
cause there is a stage of its growth when it is attractive ; as
that, however, soon vanishes, it only deserves mention as an

Maece 1, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

177

ciTianieiital tree to be avoided, unless a specially -sTiiitry effect
bo so'iglit for. To Russia ii is that 1:70 ovr& the hardy and
beautifal Abies Nordraanniana, a Conifer that has been largely
planted daring the last twenty years. In a young state it is
decidedly greener and more ornamental than the familiar
Silver Fir (A. Picea), but in after life it much resembles it.
Never attaining to the lofty height of its Alpine congener, it
is, nevertheless, a valuable tree, as it is less exacting as to
depth of soil and sheltered situation, conditions required by a
Silver Fir if mature beauty be sought for.

Among so many introductions from far countries it is
pleasant to find an European species (Abies or Picea Pinsapo)
so thoroughly at home in English gardens. A native of Spain,
and rejoicing in limestone soils, it has replaced in many locali-
ties, its earlier introduced congener Abies cephalonica, which,
in Nature, is confined to the small area of the island from
■which it takes its name. Just as Abies Albertiana is superior
to A. canadensis, so is A. Pinsapo superior to A. cephalonica,
a_ vigorous form of the same Conifer, which adapts itself to
cjroumstances, and forms a handsome and distinct tree. Its
rigid, hedgehog-like leaves that radiate evenly round the
young shoots, and the spray that branches at right angles to
the side shoots, distinguish it at a glance from any other kind ;
indeed, on the whole, it may be considered the best of European
Firs from an ornamental point of view. The Himalayan
Spruce Fir (Abies Alorinda) is another distinct member of this
family that must not be overlooked in reference to future
blame or praise, and there can be little doubt of its gaining a
favourable verdict when planted rather closely. Like the
Deodar, its side branches hang very closely to the main stem;
the small spray droops perpendicularly as a AVeeping Willow,
and the whole tree assumes quite a columnar aspect in conse-
quence, so that it has somewhat of a dravu-up look. Owing
to its superior hardiness, compared with the Deodar, it repi-o-
duces its natural growth in England, and promises to attain
something like the height which it roaches in its native
country.

Before closing these imperfect notes, which only touch on
some of the most familiar of modern importations, a few words
on the Japanese Retinosporas may not be out of place, as they
have lately been so much planted in all parts of the kingdom.
In their native country they are of a very straggling habit, so
much so that unless pruning or tying up be resorted to, they
are apt to become quite unsightly. The lovely R. plumosa is
a particular instance of this, and the most beautiful specimens
in Japan were to be seen in the courtyards of temples, where
they were trained to a single stem, and the side branches dex-
terously pruned, till the effect was much like that of a green
fountain. In the colder climate of this country it becomes less
straggling in habit, and we are thereby the gainers. R. obtusa
and K. pisifera, though less beijutiful, are satisfactory small-
growing Conifers that have each a charm of their own, but
the variegated forms have a singularly mealy, unsatisfactory
eiSect when full grown. In Japanese gardens it is usual to
associate the brightly-coloured Maples with these green Coni-
fers, and it is only under such conditions that the gold varie-
gated variety is seen to any advantage, while the silver variety
does not make a really good effect, even under such favourable
circumstances. English cultivators now have such numbers
of beautiful trees and shrubs from which to select that they
can well afford to reject some things that have little else than
novelty for their recommendation and may, by planting only
what is proved to be beautiful, render their gardens the pride
of the world. B. h. Woodall.

IMPROVING SPRUCE FIRS BY CUTTING OFF
THEIR TOPS.
Whilst the aubjecfc of Coniferous trees is being diaoassed, allow ma
to recommend those of yoar readers who wish to have ornamental
epecimena of the Spruce Fir to try the effect of catting off the tops
of those whose upward growth is so rapid as to prevent their being
well-famished with side branches. The late Mr. Pearson, of Chilwell,
first gave me this advice aboat twelve years ago, telling me of a
gentleman who then lived in the south of Nottinghamshire, who had
for a long time been in the habit of treating his Spruce Firs in this
way, and with good results. ISc. Pearson also illustrated his advice
by two specimens of Abies Nordmanniana on his lawn, one of which,

the handsomer and better furuUhod tree of the two, had formerly
been est down for mischief by one of bis chiUren to about half its
height. The same thing had recently happened to one of several
plants af Nordmannianas which I had planted here, and that tree is
now the best I have out of some hundred. I do not recommend, nor
are any of your readers likely to adopt, an indiscriminate beheading
of such trees, bat it thoee who have several specimens of the same
sort will try the effect on some of the more lanky and fast growing, I
feel sure they will not be disappointed. I have found the treatment
answer well with Abies excelsa ard A. Nordmanniana, but especially
with Abies Douglasi, a species very apt in some soils to overgrow
itself and very ready at making fresh leaders. It ia interesting to
watch the process by which the end of a si !e branch is educated into
a leader, the branch being gradually lifted by it into the perpen-
dicular line of the trunk, when the point of section gradually disap-
pears. I have just cut off 8 ft., being about one-third of their height,
from two of my tallest trees of A. Douglasi, planted about ten yeara
ago, and through my experience of the treatment have more oonfi.
dence of the result than some of joar readers may feel. I have not
treated any specimens of Abies nobilis in this way ; that species is
rather shy as regards making a new leader, and I am hardly rich
enough in it to make the experiment. C. Wolley Dod.

Bd'je Hall, Malfas.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHaUSS, & WODDLiNDS

Pruning Eaonymuses.— There are few shrubs that are better
adapted for edging beds or planting on sloping banks or margins of
shrubberies thau Eaonymuses, but the beautifully variegated gold
and silver leaved varieties need constant watchfulness in regard to
pruning away the green. leaved portions, or the latter quickly
monopoliae the strength of the plant, and the variegated shoots Ian.
guish and eventually become overpowered. As, however, a tolerably
large collection may be looked over in a short time and the plain-
leaved shoots removed, neglect in reference to this matter is iuex.
oaaable. As Euouymnsea are easily raised from cuttings inserted
tinder hand or bell glasses, I need scarcely say that it is important
that the best coloured shoots should be selected for cuttings. Few
plants are better adapted for pot culture than Eaonymuses, and iu
districts where this beautiful shrub suffers from exposure a portion
at least of the stock should be grown in pots so as to receive some
protection in winter. A rather poor compost is the best for bringing
oat the leaf colouring of the variegated varieties. — J. Groom.

Camellias Out-of-doors. — I have seen these grown out-of.doors
in many different localities, but the most healthy bushes I have ever
seen were grown in a border behind a north wall amongst Rhodo-
dendrons in Scotland. Owing to the position, or probably the lati.
tudeot the place, they did not flower; but they were not injured by
27' of frost iu the severe winter of 1860. We have a few plants at
Loxford that grow well and also flower well in mild seasons. This
year they were well furnished with flower buds, which look well even
now, but on taking hold of them they drop off, owing, no doubt, to the
severity of the winter. The lowest temperature registered here has
been 20' of frost. I see it is stated by some that the buds on bushes
out-of-doors are all right. Have they been put to the test of shaking
the bashes, or trying to pall them off with the hand ? — J. Douglas,
Loxford Hall, Ilford.

We have grown Camellias out-of.doors here for more than

forty years. Ah old workman says that one of our plants was a
a large one 8 ft. or 10 ft. high forty years ago, and that it was pro.
tected throughout the winter with poles aud mats. It stood near the
house in a very sheltered nook. About eighteen years ago, in order
to protect it more fully I had a movable framework made with npright
pillars, which fitted into sockets let into the ground ; from these raf-
ters were fixed to the house, and a light trellis work on the top was
covered with mats, which were also hung in the front to protect the
plant as much as possible in severe weather. Now, although this
was a very fine healthy Camellia in a sheltered place, and well oared
for, setting its buds as freely as possible, often five aud six at a point
which were duly thinned, good flowers were the exception. They
opened with a yellowish or brownish tinge at the base of the petals,
and dropped almost as soon as thoy were open ; iu fact, the season
of flowering was so short, and the quality of the blooms so inferior,
that I boxed np the ball of the plant and. with lifting jacks, a strong
truck, and horse pow3r, removed it to the centre of the conservatory. It
is now 12 ft. high, 15 ft. by 15 ft. through, and is tarnished with several
hundreds of flowers, in all stages of development ; some, being open
before Christmas, were used for church decoration. In the case of
another plant of the same sort (double white) which has been pro-
tected and well sheltered, both plant and bads appear quite healthy,

178

THE GARDEN.

[March 1, 1879.

bnt I am of opinion that not a single fairly good flower will be pro.
daoed. When the bads are oat through, they will be found to be
dark in the centre. I wonld recommend no one who wishes for good
flowers, to plant Camellias oat of doors, unless in a milder climate
even than that of Devon. That they are perfectly hardy, I admit,
Some of the growths of last year are 9 in. long, and in good health,
bnt no evergreen with which I am acquainted is more liable to be
broken down by snow, and protecting them from that is the chief
reason why we protect them here. Sorts of little value may be
planttd where a little protection can be given, bnt I would say all good
sorts are well worth growing under glass. — Jon.N Gakland, Eillerton,
Exeter.

Camellias under a Verandah. — It may interest some to know
that Camellias thrive and look well under a verandah. We have
Bome doing remarkably well and full of healthy buds as large as small
Nuta. They have protection from frost only. — Wetherden.

GARDENING IN RUSSIA.
From a letter kindly handed co us by Mr. Robert Marnook from an
English correspondent of his residing in the Province of Poltava, we
make the following extracts :— The snow is now (Jan. 10) so deep,
and the weather so boisterons, that even the shops in our village are
Bhat. Bat winter only began about the middle of December ; till
then we had beautiful weather. It sometimes happens, too, that we
have very little or no snow all the winter, but with hard frost and no
snow the roads are frightful ; at other times we have neither frost
nor snow till February or March ; once I have seen spring begin very
warm at the end of February, and in the middle of May there were
eight days of frost and cold cutting wind ; but, in general, winter
begins about November and lasts till the middle of March. Worst
of all, in this part of the country, the summer is sometimes terribly
dry, not a drop of rain falling during two and even three months ;
this happens every five or six years, and, when yon consider the
great heat of this climate, you may imagine what are the effects of
Buch long, dry weather. However, the Province of Poltava is not so
dry in general as some others further south in the direction of the
Black Sea, where there is bo little rain sometimes — as last year, for
instance — that the crops never arrive at maturity. They are, be-
Bides, exposed to the depredations of enormous locusts that swarm
in those parts and fly about like birds. They are very pretty but
very destructive. A young man who called on me in KiefE last
autumn said that last year his father's estate, nearly 3,000 acres,
wonld not yield 100 roubles (£10). In that part of the country, too,
the crops are destroyed by an animal called avrashka ; it is about
the size of a rat, and lives in holes underground, and, indeed, the
ground seems to be full of it everywhere.

In this part of the world it is impossible to have early crops of
Cnonmbers iu frames, unless these are made to fit o'.osely, owing to
mice. The Russians are particularly fond of Cacumbers, and must
have them at any price as soon as possible. It seems that even the
mice, too, have aristocratic tastes, as they prefer them to anything
else, especially the seed, which they are certain to scrape up and eat,
if they can only get into the frame. About 400 fruit trees had
grown hero for seven or eight years on a hill, where they were
continually beaten and battered with the wind. Of course,
they did not yield a bushel of fruit a-year. I have had them all
lifted and planted in a charming valley, where the soil, too, is much
better, and I am in great hopes that wo shall have heavy crops this
year. We have but few stove and greenhouse plants, for the fact is
we have not a suitable place in which to keep them ; but we have a
great many bedding plants for the 2''^>'t^>'>'''S near the house. In
this part of the country it is not men but girls or women that are
employed generally in gardens, sometimes only little children. Men
are too scarce everywhere, or too dear, and all are required for the
field ; even boys are sometimes not to be had. In general, people are
engaged for the whole summer, otherwise there wonld be nobody to
do the work. Not only do the peasants know nothing about work in
a garden (they can neither dig nor rake like a workman), but it is quite
painful to see the dawdling sleepy manner in which they go about it.
However, I can always have one or two men when I really need them,
besides two which I have regularly, in the way of foremen to carry
out the work.

There are a few things in Russian gardening which, by way of
contrast, I may mention. For instance, it is only the i oots of Par.
Bley and Celery that are used in the kitchen ; the leaves are never
required. Celery is never earthed up and blanched for salad, as in
England and other countries, because nobody would eat it. There
seems not to be a single stone in the ground ; at least, I have never
seen one in the whole province of Poltava. The working hours are
from snnrise to sunset, that is, from three or four oclook in the morn.
ing till eight or nine at night. Girls are paid at the rate of lOcopeks

a day, women 15 copeks ; at the very most, when digging is required,
they receive 20 copeks, that is, about 6 1. a day, and it is considered
very good pay. There are bat few gardens in the far away steppes
which are not entirely under the control of the stewards, so far as
relates to the work-people and payment. They rarely have, however,
unfortunately, either knowledge or taste, so far as relates to gardening,
and when the owners spend their time and money in towns far off, or
in other lands, of course, the gardens are allowed to run to waste.
This has been the case in several places where I have been ; still, I
know of several gardens managed by gardeners with whom the
steward has no dealings."

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

GTNERIDM JUBATUM.
Tnrs is a magnificent Grass, with a flowing, mane-like inflo-
rescence. As the engraving shows, the lateral branches of the
plume are remarkable for their length and their graceful cur-
vature, and the secondary branchlets are numerous, long, and
slender, the whole forming a dense, massive plume, not less
than 3 ft. in length. I have only seen a female inflorescence,
which is of a silvery hue slightly tinged with pink at the base
of the separate florets. Perhaps it may be worth while stating
that the sexes are borne on separate plants in all the species of
Gynerium, and that the plumes of male flowers are neither so
handsome nor so durable as the plumes of female flowers.
Whether this is a distinct species the material before me is
insufiicient to determine, but its distinctness and superiority
as a variety are beyond question. The specimen from which
the accompanying woodcut was prepared was supplied by
Mr. Gumbletou, in whose garden, at Belgrove, near Queens-
town, it flowered last autumn. W. B. Hemslet.

Outdoor Verbenas. — Although the Verbena is seldom seen in
good condition as a summer bedding plant, it is nevertheless well
worthy of a little extra attention for that purpose, but good plants
cannot be had except good cuttings are procurable. The best means
of insuring these for spiing propagation is to keep a few store plants
in pots all the summer, cutting them pretty closely in in the autumn
and giving them a shift. Soon afterwards they should be set in a
cool honae or pit from which frost is excluded, and iu this way better
cuttings will be insured in spring than those from autumn-struck
plants. — J. G., Linton,

Violet Culture for Market. — The statements referring to this
matter quoted by " C. W. S." (p. 153) are too high. Violet culture
furnishes to the grower no such an El Dorado as is there suggested.
Violets are an uncertain crop, and only in good seasons can they be
said to pay well. The writer puts the rental of ground as low as £4
per acre, instead of which good market garden land in the neigh-
bourhood of London will fetch from £5 to £6, and the rates, of which
no mention is made, are heavy. Whilst the Violets have been calcu-
lated at the highest prices the expenses have been put at the lowest;
but Labour and manure are very costly, especially the latter, as may
be seen when I state that an ordinary cartload, as brought from
London, is valued at 10s., and the picking, bnnching, and marketing
present a formidable item. It is dilfioult to follow the writer when
he alludes to bouquets. Violets are gathered at so much per dozen
bunches, and generally " leaved " by others, then tied into half,
dozens, and in this way sent to market. All the calculations I have
heard in relation to the Violet are based on the price per dozen
bunches, which are sometimes as high as 23. 6d., sometimes as low as
91., all depending on the season. Daring a mild open winter Violets
will constantly expand a few blooms, and these maintain a small
amount of trade, which is the best paying one ; when towards the
end of March and the beginning of April, the entire crop of bloom
expands and is soon over, the price falls to its lowest point, and the
soil produces nothing more for the next eight or nine months. Such
a winter as the present is most disastrous for Violets, there being no
blooms and the leaves are destroyed wholesale. When the crop does
come it will be all at once, and with a glut the returns will be very
low. An average profit of £20 to the acre is esteemed a very satis,
factory one. — A. D.

Iiily Bulbs. — la reply to " B." (p. 157) allow me to say that so
far as I could see, the bulbs were the identical ones planted in April,
for they occupied the same spots ; and the nature of the position
which they occupied, coupled with the totally undisturbed condition
of the ground, qaite precluded the possibility of any person having
changed them. — T. Smith, Newry,

MiRCH 1, 1B79 ]

THE GAEDEN.

179

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THE GAEDEN.

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ORNAMENTAL-LEAVED AND BERRY-BEARING

PLA.NTS FOR MARKET.
Plants grown expressly for the beanty of their foliage are
at all times in great demand, and many growers devote the
greater part of their space to them. Ferns, Palms, Dra-
caenas, and similar plants find a place in the flower market
at all seasons of the year, and, as they last for a much
longer time uninjured by exposure than flowering plants,
as a rule, they fetch more regular prices, inasmuch as
growers can take them back again and still grow them
into larger and more valuable plants, whilst if flowering
plants be not disposed of soon after they come into bloom
they become comparatively of little value, and have to be
sold for what they will fetch.

Ferns. — These constitute the most important fine-
foliaged plants grown for market ; they are cultivated both
for sale in pots and for furnishing fronds for mixing with
cut flowers. The kind most in demand is the Maiden-hair
Fern (Adiantum cuneatum), and with this — so great a
favourite is it — it would be difficult to overstock the market.
It is of medium growth, and stands well in rooms when
not subjected to the influence of gas-light. In is, in fact,
everybody's Fern. It is increased by division of the roots
and by spores- or seeds, which are sown in September
and October, in pots filled with light sandy soil. A little
fir.cly~Bifted brickdust is generally placed on the surface of
the pots, because it soaks up moisture, and prevents the
plr.nts, when making their appearance, from damping ofl^
which they are very liable to do. The pots are plunged
in^ beds in which there is a little heat, and they are covered
with bell-glasses, small lights, or circular pieces of glass.
When well established, they are i^ricked out thickly in
small pots, and afterwards divided and potted on until
they are in 5-in. or 6-in. pots, or larger as desired. All
Ferns are increased and grown in the same way, exceptino-
such kinds as British Maiden-hairs (Adiantum Capillus°
Veneris), which have creeijing rhizomes, and these are
usually increased by cutting up old plants into small pieces
and potting them at onee^ in 5-in. pots. To furnishinp-
green fronds of Adiantum cuneatum for cutting, a grower
near Tottenham devotes sevei'al houses. The plants
for this purpose are grown in 12-in. pots, in good
peat loam and sand, and the fronds which they produce
far surpass any which I have seen in any other establish-
ment near London. When these large specimens become
exhausted from constant cutting, they are pulled to pieces
and potted into 8-in. pots, and are replaced by a batch which
has been thus treated pi-eviously and become well-esta-
blished in large pots. In this way a continuous succession
of fine healthy plants is kept up. The house set apart for
plants for the present cutting is kept much cooler than
those in which they are being brought on in succession, and
by this means tb.e fronds become hardened, assume a deeper
gi-eon colour, and last in good condition after being cut for
a much longer period than if they had been subjected to a
warmer temperature. Each large plant is expected to
furnish sufficient fronds during the year to bring in 15s.,
the average price being 9d. per bunch of about a dozen
fronds. A. gracillimum, which is a variety of A. cuneatum,
is now becoming popular as a market plant, on account of
its light and graceful fronds, which are excellent for
bouquets. It seeds readily, comes true to character from
ep3rcs, and is, therefore, a favourite with growers. A larger
variety, named A. concinunm latum, has during late years
boLMi held in high estimation ; and this has been so far for-
tunate for growers, as it can be raised to any extent by

means of spores, the produce of which in one year may be
grown into beautiful specimens, well furnished with large
and graceful, rosy-tinted fronds. A kind similar to this,
but in some respects better, named A. Flemingi, is likely
to be grown ere long to a considerable extent ; as yet, how-
ever, it is scarce, and, in addition to its requiring more
heat than other kinds, it is questionable if it can be raised
in as large quantities in so short a time as would be desir-
able. Indeed, neither of the two kinds last named can be
grown aiiywhere but in a warm house, and their fronds
when exposed to the air soon become shrivelled up, both
in a cut state and on the plants. A. decorum, an old
variety not unlike A. cuneatum, still maintains its value as
a market Fern. It is a fast grower, and an universal
favourite. A. scutum is also a good variety, resembling,
when well grown, the beautiful A. Farleyense, but it is
much more easily grown, and it lasts long in perfection.
With some growers A. hisiaidnlum and A. formosum are
favourites, and so are also the stronger-growing, broad-
leaved kinds, such as A. trapeziforme, macrophyllum, and
CathcriuiB ; in fact, most of the Adiantums, when grown
into neat little specimens, soon command purchasers,
but many of them are useless for cutting, and too slow
growers to be remunerative. Next in importance to the
Maiden-hair Ferns are the diffijrent kinds of Pteris, of
which P. serrulata and tremula and their varieties are
most in request. The common Pteris serrulata is a grace-
ful little Fern, but it takes a long time to grow into a good
specimen. The advantages belonging to it are that it ca-n
be grown in small pots, and, either in a cut state or on tbe
plants, its fronds stand well for a long time, even when
exposed to a cool temperature. Of this species there is
also a variety in cultivation named P. serrulata major,
which, when grown in 6-in. pots, is one of the most grace-
ful of Perns. It has fronds from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in length,
branched and beautifully arched, so that a well-grown plant
of it forms a grand object for room or table decoration.
It is somewhat scarce, owing to the large demand for it
and the dLfficulties experienced in raising it from spores.
There is also a crested form of this Fern (Pteris serrulata
cristata), which is very valuable for market jiurposes. It
grows quite as freely as the original form, and is very
pretty. As a pot plant, however, Pteris tremula is, per-
haps, grown to a larger extent than any other belonging
to the genus. It will stand for a long time in heated
rooms, and excellent specimens of it can be obtained from
seed in twelve months. A new kind of Pteris raised in
Mr. Ley's nursery at Croydon, named P. Leyi, is one which
will, no doubt, in time, be largely grown to supply fronds
for cutting. As a pot plant, it is unsuitable for market;
but its fronds, which resemble in shape a bird's claw,
are valuable for jalaciug at the back of button-hole
bouquets. To the above kinds maybe added Pteris serru-
lata cristata graudiflora (a handsome form), Adiantum
pubescens, Phlebodium aureum, Blechnum corcovadense
and braziliense, Nephrolepis exaltata (a useful kind for
baskets, and very popular), and Adiantum Farleyense.
Some of the Gymnogrammas are also much grown, but
they are difficult to manage when in a small state during
winter, and require, perhaps, too much attention to be as
remunerative as some of the Idnds above named. Dick-
sonia antarctica and some of the Lomarias and other forms
of Tree Ferns make excellent market plants in a small
state, and command a ready sale. They are easily raised
from spores. Many other kinds of Perns are also grown
for market, but those just enumerated are the kinds jn-in-
cipally cultivated for that purpose. Very large quantities

March 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

181

of the small-growing Ferns are sent to market in April
in 2h-in. f)ots, and in this state they find a ready sale.
Adiautum Farleyense is propagated by division of the
plants, which are out up in winter and spring. This fine
Fern is marketed all through the year, and, owing to its
fine appearance and its comparative scarcity, it always
fetches good prices. Its fronds are of little value for
cutting, as they wither in a few hours ; but, as a table plant,
this Fern is much sought after. As yet, it has not been
raised from seed — a fact which is detrimental to its being
propagated quickly, and hence the cause of its being sold
at higher prices than most Ferns.

Paliis. — There is always a large demand for Palms in
the market ; therefore, at all seasons of the year, we find
them liberally associated with flowering plants in the
florists' shops. They are principally raised from imported
seeds, sown in pots and pans, and placed in bottom-heat.
When the young plants are up, they arc pricked out in
other pans or boxes, until they get again established, when
they are potted off singly into 3-in. and 4-in. pots in good
I'ick loam and peat. Plenty of heat and moisture are given
them ; as they progress, they are potted into 5-in. and 6-in.
pots, and, before being sent to market, they are exposed to
a cooler temperature, in order to harden them a little.
Some are potted in large pots, but the pots generally used
are C-in. ones, and in these large and healthy plants are
grown. Among the best and most appreciated market
Palms is Livistona borbonica, a kind easily raised from seed,
and one which grows rapidly, good saleable plants of it
being obtained in three or four years from the time when
the seeds are sown. Corypha australis is a common kind
also largely grown ; it is hardy in character, and, being
neat in ajipearance, is largely in demand for room decora-
tion— a situation in which it lasts in a healthy state for a
longer period than most other Palms. Livistona altis-
sima is likewise largely in demand, but, as seeds of it can-
not be obtained in very great quantities, it is seldom found
in the market in large numbers. Another good Palm,
equally difficult to j^i'ocure, is Rhajiis flabelliformis ; it has
a graceful habit, and, when grown to a height of 2 ft. or
3 ft., is very handsome. Another excellent Palm is Cocos
Weddelliana, a light and elegant kind which has not been
very long in commerce, but, seeds of it having been ob-
tained in large quantities, it will, no doubt, be largely grown
for market in years to come, if it will but stand the rough
usage to which such plants as are taken there are subjected.
Areca creuata and A. Herbsti are both dwarf, compact
growing Palms of great value for market purposes ; their
stems are furnished with sharp, black spines, their stalks
are of a reddish-bronze, and the under sides of the leaves
are beautifully glaucous.

Club Mosses. — These are grown by thousands by
growers for market. The bulk of the plants, however,
are not sent to market, but are disposed of to decorators
on a large scale, such as Mr. Wills, of South Kensington.
They usually consist of Selaginella denticulata, grown in
damp places under stages, and similar positions where little
else would succeed. One of the best cultivators of Sela-
ginellas near London is Mr. Elliott, of Fulham, who makes
a speciality of them. He grows his plants in heated pits,
close to the glass ; they are never shaded except during
very hot sunshine, and more bushy or sturdier plants could
not be. Old plants are divided into small pieces, and
four or five of them are pricked into 5-in. pots at equal
distances apart. They are then subjected to a warm,
moist temperature until fresh roots are emitted, and, as
soon as they begin to cover the surface of the pots, su2i-

cient soil is added to form a mound, into which the plants
soon root, and, when they have become well established,
they are coijiously watered overhead daily through a rosed
watering-pot, and are freely exposed to light and air.
The best plants are picked out as required for market,
and the vacancies are tilled up with younger ones. Sela-
ginellas grown in this way are greatly preferred by pur-
chasers for decorative jnirposes to those grown in damp
and sunless situations, because they better withstand the
heat of rooms, and, under any conditions, last perfect for
a much longer period. Selaginella formosa is grown largely
in 5-in. pots, both in the shape of bushy little plants and
pyramids. Plants of it in the latter form have a very
handsome appearance, and are much used for room decora-
tion, as, if kept warm and moist, they last good for a con-
siderable time. The soil used for Club Mosses is rich
sandy loam, peat, and leaf-mould or rotted cow manttre,
with broken bricks or pots added to keep the soil porous.
As regards culture, abundance of water at the roots and
overhead, and a warm temperature, are the chief points to
be observed.

DEACiENAS. — These are favourite market plants, and
always command a ready sale at good prices. In addition
to their fine apjjearance, they withstand the heat of rooms
and comparatively rough treatment for a long time without
apparent injury ; hence their popularity. Growers for
market propagate them with remarkable rapidity, i.e.,
when they have a good stock of old plants on which to
operate. The old D. terminalis still remains the best of
the genus for market work ; it is hardier than any of the
newer kinds, and its foliage is bright and lively. D.
Cooperi is also a good graceful-leaved kind, and D. She2>
herdi is considered an excellent plant for all purposes.
Several of the green-leaved kinds are likewise grown,
but those with coloured foliage are most remunerative.
A new sort, with green and white variegated leaves, has
lately been introduced by Mr. Wills, of Anerley. Its habit
of growth is similar to that of D. terminalis, of which it
is a variety. This kind, which has been named D. t. alba,
will, no doubt, be grown to a large extent when the stock
of it has become plentiful. Market growers jn-opagate
Dracaenas by cutting up the stems of old plants into pieces,
each of which contains an eye. These are placed in
Cocoa-nut fibre, on a strong bottom-heat, and, thus situated,
they soon commence to push young shoots. Here they are
allowed to remain until the shoots have attained a height
of 2 in. or 3 in., when they are separated from the parent
stock and placed singly in small pots filled with shra-p
sandy soil and plunged in a brisk bottom-heat. In this
way they soon take root, and are afterwards potted on
until they are in 5-in. or 6-in. pots, sizes in which they are
always taken to market. Some propagate Dracasnas by
taking off the leaves with an eye at their base and a
piece of the old wood, while others take the full-grown
tops off old jjlants and strike them at once in pots of the
proper size for sending to market. Abundance of water,
heat, and air are the chief essentials as regards the sue-
cessful culture of Dracrenas, and the large, handsome
plants that are grown in such small pots are quite mar-
vellous.

SoLASUMS. — About Christmas time there is a ready sale
for these, and, indeed, throughout the whole of the winter
there is a large demand for them. Market growers pos-
sess several varieties of them, but none are greater
favourites than Weatherill's Hybrid, which is dwarf _ in
habit and produces masses of large, bright scarlet berries.
Some plant out their young plants in the open ground and

182

THE GARDEN.

[March 1, 1879.

pot them in autumn, but the most successful way is that of
striking them in spring from cuttings which are obtained
from old plants introduced into heat early in the year. The
cuttings are inserted ten or twelve together in 6-in. or
G-in. pots, and are plunged in bottom-heat, in which they
soon form roots ; they are then potted singly in o-in. pots,
and, after having become well-established, their shoots are
stopped, which induces them to break and form bushy little
plants. They are next shifted into 5-in. and 6-in. pots into
good holding loam and sand. They are then arranged on
wide, airy stages, on which they are allowed plenty of
room, in order to induce them to grow short-jointed— a
condition in which they yield more berries than they other-
wise would. Thus circumstanced, they remain until their
fruit is set, a free circulation of air being afiforded them
whilst they are in blossom. When the berries are fairly
formed, manure water is given them, which imparts to the
leaves a healthy, deep green appearance, and helps the
berries to swell. At this stage the plants are placed out-
of-doors in the sunniest position that can be found for them ;
here the berries soon colour, and, when that occurs, the
plants are taken to market. Late batches are finished off
iu houses in a moderately warm temperature.

Aspidistra lukida yariegata.— This is one of the most
valuable of market plants ; its leaves are beautifully striped
\vith green, yellow, and white, and plants of it will con-
tmue to thrive in the same pots for a great length of time,
and the heat and dust of rooms affects it but little. It is,
however, a plant of comparatively slow growth, and few
cultivators can obtain enough of it. It is increased by
cutting up the roots in spring, potting them, and plunging
them in a brisk bottom-heat until well established, after
which the plants grow perfectly well in a greenhouse tem-
l^erature. q_ -yp-, g_

Large v. Small Plants of Each iris amazonica — This is
snoh a general favourite, either in the form of out flowers or other
wise, that whatever course of culture yields the best results is the
one that should be followed. I have hitherto thought it best to
grow good single bulbs in small pots, and by resting batches of plants
in saocession, I have bad a constant supply of fine blooms ; but where
large numbers of flowers for cutting is the object in view I think
that large pots filled with bulbs will, as a rule, yield the best results
and if required for decorative purposes, there are few plants that
combine the good qualities of a flowering and fine.foliaged plant bo
well as this Eaoharis. We have at the present time several large
specimens of it coming into flower, each furnished with on an
average, twenty spikes of bloom. They were iu full blossom in
November last, and were kept quite cool until near Christmas in
order to preserve their flowers, which we used in large quantities for
table decoration. Since that time they have been subiected to
ordinary 6tove temperature. Being starved from want of pot room
we have sni.plied them with an unlimited quantity of tepid liquid
manure which few plants like better than the Eucharis. Many of
the old flower stalks have not yet decayed, but I find that fresh ones
^^.^°°°^'J'g °P vigorously beside them-J. Groom, Lintm Park,

,•= ^^Tw^v,^'^^^^ Peas. -Sowing these where they are to bloom
IS much to be preferred to sowing them in pots or boxes ; and it I

Z%% fJ° "if "^ " ""^^ °° ^^'"^ '° ^""^ ''>«'". I should say the
middle of March if a good long season of bloom be wanted. Last
year I sowed at the time just named in the open ground, and also a
few in pots, for the sake of experiment, in soil «ell prepared. Those
in pots I put under glass, and when up hardened thenT off in a cold
box pit, afterwards planting them out beside the others Those
sown in the open ground commenced blooming as soon as those from
pots, were much stronger, yielded much the largest quantity of
bloom and continued longer in that condition ; in fact, they bloomed

0 bloom f"r'^ "'?■ '''"'=' "^^ ''"''■ ^ ^"^ ''■^^ 'f °°« wLts Tem
^„^ Tw T^ *"°^ continuously, it is a good plan to cut off any

ff -ef o^n tb^ °T °°v'^'"" "r°°° ^' '^'^^'^ ^'^ible, as the pods

:pXj-a.te cXjXix:.

KHODODENDRON CINNABARINUM.

Drawn by J. N. FITCH, P.L.S.
The name cinnabarinum, by which this Rhododendron is popu-
larly known, baa been printed on the plate, but its proper
name is Blandfordiaeflorum, a species, although closely allied,
and perhaps even connected by intermediate forms, very dis-
tinct, if we confine ourselves to the typical forms. This, how-
ever, is the true BlandfordiKflorum, which is as superior to any
of the varieties of cinnabarinum known to me as some of the
hybrid varieties are to ponticum. If the coloration of R. cin-
nabarinum has undergone no deterioration in Hooker's " Rho-
dodendrons of Sikkim Himalaya," t. 8, then the name would
indeed appear to be more appropriate for the present plant
than for typical R. cinnabarinum. Nevertheless, our plant
could not have a more suitable appellation, for its flowers for-
cibly recall those of the magnificent Australian Liliaceous
genus Blandfordia. As R. Blandfordioefiorum has got into
cultivation under the name cinnabarinum, it may be worth
while pointing out hosv they differ. In the first place the
flowers of the latter are scarcely more than half the length of
those of the former, and they are of a more open bell shape.
In the shape of its flowers R. Blandfordiaeflorum reminds one
more of the;Malayan Island species. R. cinnabarinum is a
variable plant, and Sir Joseph Hooker says that " neither of
the figures in his ' Rhododendrons of Sikkim Himalaya ' (that
is to say plate 8 the type, and plate 7, under the name of R.
Roylei, uowjregarded as a variety of the other) gives a good
idea of the plant, which forms a rather elegant bush, about
8 ft. high, conspicuous in May and June, on account of its
elegant blossoms, which form very loose and graceful heads of
long, pendulous flowers. The figures are from stunted speci-
mens in very exposed situations. The leaves are not usually
reticulated, except under these conditions. It is universally
considered poisonous to cattle and goats ; of the latter I have
seen many die from eating either of this or of a species of An-
dromeda. If employed as fuel the smoke causes the eyes to
inflame and the cheeks to swell." This rather long quotation
is from the " Botanical Magazine." It is given in the
text accompanying plate 4788, which is a representation
of R. cinnabarinum var. pallidum, a variety grown in the
Horticultural Society's garden under the name of R. theae-
florum. Apart of this quotation, that relating to the poisonous
properties of R. cinnabarinum, I remember having seen in the
second volume of Hooker's " Travels in India," but not that
relating to the " long, pendulous flowers," and I cannot help
thinking there is some mistake, because all the specimens and
figures I have seen of the varieties of R. cinnabarinum have
open, bell-shaped flowers. Moreover, this opinion is strength-
ened by the fact that Sir W. Hooker subsequently, and, shortly
after its introduction, figured R. BlandfordiasBorum. In the
" Botanical Magazine," at the place quoted, three varieties of
R. cinnabarinum are distinguished, namely, the typical variety,
the variety Roylei, and the variety figured, pallidum. It seems
probable that Sir Joseph Hooker's notes got mixed in some
way through not having the plants before him at the time of
writing. Both species inhabit the same region, at an elevation
of between 10,000 ft. and 12,000 ft., or nearly up to the snow
line ; they are, therefore, amongst the hardiest of the Sikkim
Rhododendrons. Respecting the plant here figured, Mr. Gar-
land, Killerton, Exeter, writes as follows :— " Some fifteen or
sixteen years ago, having several Sikkim Rhododendrons in
pots which did not flower satisfactorily, I determined to plant
them in warm, sheltered situations in the pleasure grounds,
and accordingly planted them in a high, perfectly-drained
south slope, the soil being chiefly decomposed vegetable matter
and leaf mould, and Ihe subsoil rock of volcanic origin. They
have grown luxuriantly ever since. R. Blandfordiaeflorum has
flowered for several years past as freely as the common
R. ponticum. The plant is now 9 ft. high and from 6 ft. to
7 ft. through, the leading stems being erect in habit and the
side branches rather pendent. The trusses of flowers from
the latter are somewhat like large bunches of Fuchsia
flowers; they are also sweet scented. The plant withstood
the severe winter of 1866 unsheltered with impunity, and it

i*j:r ( (S79

THE GARDEN

March 1, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

18a

remains uninjured by the severe weather of the present winter,
as I have to-day (January 20) examined the wood, leaves, and
flower-buds. AH lovers of Rhododendrons should give this
unique and hardy species a prominent position in their collec-
tions, however small these may be, as I feel sure they would
not be disappointed. It is also very beautiful in the form of
cut flowers. Ic is spoken of by those who have seen it here as
one of the prettiest plants in the pleasure-grounds. I hope
this season to send you some good trusses of R. Thomson!, as
it is well set with flower-buds. Both the above have a sunny
situation, and are well sheltered from cold winds — north, east,
and west — by other evergreens."

Such is Mr. CJarland's account of this fine shrub, but it must
be remembered that he writes from that part of the kingdom,
where the climate is eminently favourable to the growth of
Sikkim Rhododendrons. W. B. Heusley.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Stoves.
Potting. — Saoh plants as were started earliest should now be
potted, for iu the case of stove subjects that have attained about the
size to which they are to be grown, the usnal course is to remove a
good portion of the soil to admit of its being replaced by new material,
In carrying out which many of the roota must bo disturbed, and some
Baorifioed, and, where too much young growth has been made before
this work is done, it naturally receives a severe check, which, for a
time, has a stagnating influence that prevents the free development
of the shoots essential to the production of an abundance of bloom.
With all such plants as the twining section of Clerodendrons, that
show their flowers almost simultaneously with the commencement of
growth from the ripened wood, where the limited root space which
they at present have necessitates larger pots, there should be no dis-
turbance of the roots further than the removal of the old crocks, as
this would almost be certain to have the effect of limiting the amount
of bloom produced. The room given to the various species of plants
grown that naturally attain a considerable size will, to some extent,
need to be regulated by the space at command, but free.growing
subjects like AUamandas, B^ugainvilleas, Clerodendrons, Vincas,
Tdberncomontauaa, Hibiscus sinensis, and others of similar habit,
where expected to produce the full complement of flowers of which
they are capable, need to be grown to a good size, to secure which
they ma it have sufEo'.ent root space.

Propagation of Autumn and Winter Flowering Sub-
jects.— Plants of such kinds as Plumbago rosea, Serioographia
Ghiesbreghtiana, Thjrsaoanthua rutilans, Eranthemum' pulchellum.
Euphorbia jacqiiuiisflora, and Aphelandra cristata, that were recom.
mended some weeks ago to be headed back with a view to producing
cuttings, may shortly be expected to have made sufficient growth for
the purpoie. In the case of all subjects of the above description, I
have found that when cuttings are taken off with a heel — although this
is not absolutely necessary with more than a few — they will make
stouter plants, with less disposition in the cuttings to draw up weakly
before roots are formed, than when severed at a joint in the ordinary
way ; for though it may be argued that there ia time enough for the
newly struck stock to acquire strength, if a little observation be
directed to the subject, it will be seen that plants from the stout,
sturdy cuttings, will always keep ahead of those that were weaker at
the commencement.

Dichorisandras. — There are several species of these that deserve
to be much more generally grown than they are. Their distinct
ereci habit is held by those who want to make every plant conform
to the dwarf, bushy shape to be an objection ; but in reality it is an
advantage, as in assemblages of plants either large or small, diversity
of general character ia the greatest charm. Upright planta, such aa
the Dichorisandras, forming as they do stout cane-like shoots from
2 ft. to 3 ft. in height, well furnished with handsome leaves and ter.
minating in conspicuous beads of beautiful flowers, are among the
most telling subjects that can be grown for late summer and autumn
blooming. For those who are not acquainted with them, I may say
that their habit is not nnlike that of a miniature Canna, the shoots
being produced very similarly from a fleshy sort of crown. Where
they have been kept tolerably warm throughout the winter, these
Dichorisandraa will now be pushing shoots of sufficient siz9 for cut-
tings. These should be taken off from the base, inserted in small
pots and struck in the usnal way. Old plants that bloomed last year
and, that have several stems may be divided, so aa to confine them
to one, two, or three, a ccording to the intention of the cultivator.
D. mosaioa, and D. vittata tricolor, are both handsome kinds.

Aphelandri, aurantiaca B.oezli. — The flowering of this plant,
like that of most others, is considerably influenced as to time by the
treatment which it receives, but, where it has been kept tolerably
warm, it will shortly be iu bloom, and will form a conspicuous object
in the stove or intermediate house amongat plants of dwarf habit, and
also for intermixing with Orchids. The ease with which it can be
made to produce its fine heads of orange-red flowers in small pota
when only a few inches high beSta it more than moat subjects for
growing in quantity. Aa soon aa the earliest.bloomed exaiuplea are
out of flower they should at once be placed under conditions that
will induce them to produce cuttings for propagation.

Francisoeas. — The beautiful, distinct, violet. purple flowera
borne by most of these plants sufficiently recommend them to the
attention of cultivatora, who, moreover, find them to be easily grown
and propagated. P. calycina major, F. eximia, F. Lindeni, and F.
co.ifertiflora. if well managed, will give a succession of flowers from
the commencement of the year up to midsummer. F. Lindeni ia one
ot those planta that have been for some time in cultivation, but
which many growers have doubtless not seen, or it would be more
generally met with. It ia a compact-habited kind, as free in the
production of bloom as F. oonfertiflora, and one which retains the
colour of its flowera better than that species. Cuttings of any of
these put in now and grown on freely through the summer will make
nice small flowering plants in 6-iu. or 7-in. poti next yeir.

iEolimeaa and Billbergias. — These may now be propagated
by division ot the crowns, which, if slipped off with a piece of stem
attached to each, and placed in 5-in. or 6-in. pots, well drained, and
filled with a mixture of either peat and Band or loam and sand, with
a liberal sprinkling of pot shreds or charcoal, will soon root and form
young growth from the dormant eyes at the base ot the lower leaves.
Nothing is more useful than these yEihmeas, which retain the colour
of the bloom stems and seed vessels for ao long a period unimpaired
after the floivera are absolutely orer, aa to be acarcely distinguishable
from plants really in bloom. They are also nsef al either for standing
about amongst fine-leaved planta on the stages of the orchid house or
conservatory, and through the autumn in halls, corridors, or wherever
small-flowering subjects are required. The large-growing A. Marise
Regina) is a very distinct and handsome variety, a striking object when
either in or out ot flotver. The Billbergias have a like habit of growth,
bat they are much taller and do not list nearly ao loag in bloom.
Sjma of the largest growers with their reSexed, drooping, long, strap-
like leaves are very beautiful when not ia flower.

Bertolonias and Fittonias. — It is not unusual to see these
elegant small-growing plants lost sight of amongst things of larger
stature ; yet, independent of their individual beauty, they add maoh
by contrast to the larger growers when associated with them. Ber.
tolonias require a good deal of warmth to bring out their true colours,
bat, when well managed, the markings ot such kinds as B. Van
Houtteana, B. margaritacea aplendens, and B. superbissima, are
scarcely surpassed by those ot the best varieties of Ansestochilus.
They will strike root freely now in the shape ot cuttings made of the
half.ripened shoots kept moderately clDae, moist, and warm. The
Fittonias root aa readily as weeds, and, in addition to their adapta-
b lity for cultivating in auspanded baskets, small pots, or pans, they
may with the best advantage be used as edgings tor stages in stoves
or intermediate houses, or for covering out-of-the-way corners, where
few plants can be found to thrive freely under so little light. In the
case ot all such plants aa the above, cire should be taken to see that
the stock from which the cuttings are obtained is free from insects,
espeoiallv scale and bug.

Orchids.

■L-ew indoor cultivated flowering plants admit of the time of bloom-
ing being varied so much as Orchids. Such portions ot the spring
and early flowering stock as are required to be kept a little later than
usual should at once be put in somewhat cooler quarters j this applies
to such as Cattleyaa, LEelias, Dendrobes, Epidendrums, Brassias,
Anguloas, Chysia, Oncidiums, and Trichopilias, that bloom from the
mature growths after resting, aa any attempt to retard the flowering
of planta which bloom from the current growth now in courae of
formation would be certain to result in imperfect development and
injury to the plants. With what retarding is attempted care must
be taken not to keep the plants cooler than each respective species
can bear, and in conaequence ot their being in a lower temperature
there should be comparatively less moisture given both to the roota
and in the atmosphere. At the same time no cold air should be
allowed to come in contact with them, for I found when I was grow-
ing Orchids for exhibition that many species could be retarded a con-
siderable time in a somewhat lower temperature than ia usually
considered necessary, providing the other conditions which I have
mentioned were complied with, but that they would not bear cold
external air being admitted to them. Whilst such plants as the above are

184

THE GARDEN.

[Makch 1, 1879,

at rest, it gives an opportunity for going Beveral times over them,
with a view to eradicate any scale with which they may be
affected.

Ecuticarias. — The long, drooping, thong.like leaves of these
plants render them worth a place in any collection of Orchids, even
if they never prodnced a flower, so distinct are they from everything
else. S. Steeli and S. Uadweni are both well worth growing j they
are often considered difficult to bloom, but I never found them so, if
the blocks to which they were attached were kept hung up daring
the growing eeason near the roof, where they got plenty of light, and
the plants were afterwards submitted to a long rest. They may now
be expected to be about pushing up their large, singalar.looking
flowers, and care must be taken that much water be not allowed to
lodge about them. It is necessary to allude to this for those who
may not have previonsly grown them, as I have frequently seen the
young flower buds destroyed by syringing before it was noticed that
they were in existence. This may be avoided by moistening the
roots, which will usually be met with extending below the block.
Plants of these not yet strong enough to flower, and that require re-
blocking, ought to be attended to at once before any growth com-
mences; nothing but the hardest and most enduring wood should be
rsed, for their roots adhere remarkably fast to whatever they may
cling, and live much longer than those of many others.

Bulbous Calanthes. — There are few plants that exhibit so much
difference between being well grown and indifferently as these.
Amonst Orchids, there are not many that need so much light as they
do, although the foliage is too thin to bear the direct rays of the sun.
There is no situation in which they succeed so well as hung np near
the root over the paths, and where they can be so accommodated,
they should be grown in pans. They will very shortly require potting,
which will be seen by the growth buds beginning to swell at the
base of the pseudo-bulbs ; their roots are altogether of an annual
character, and those produced last year will be all decayed ; but
instead of cutting them wholly away, it is better to shorten them
to about 1 in. in length, the portion retained, being made firm in the
i;ew material, will hold them in position until fresh fibres emitted
from the bottom of the young growth get hold of the soil.

Shading. — The snn is often very powerful at this season, if only
for a short time. It is not at all advisable to shade the plants sooner
than is absolutely necessary, but the position of the house in which
they are grown will determine how soon it is requisite to put on the
blinds, which by all means should be movable. Houses that stand
with the ends east and west expose the occupants in the middle of
the day very much more to the sun than when in the contrary direc-
tion, and with such it will frequently be found needful to get on the
blinds at once.

Koses.

Where a snffioient stock for growing on in pots with a view to
forcing next winter, has not already been potted, this must no longer
be delayed. Young plants in small pots that want more room should
at once be shifted, placing the whole in cold pits or frames, and
keeping them a little closer for two or three weeks, until the roots
have begun to act ; but in the case of plants that are thus undergoing
a preparatory process, there must be no attempt at hurrying them on
into growth, as the stouter they are the better they will fulfil the
object for which they are intended. A slight syringing overhead in
the afternoons, when the weather is bright, will help to keep down
insects; to still further effect the destruction of green fly, dip any
plant that is found infested in Tobacco water. A vigilant eye must
be kept on the general Kose house, to detect aphides and red spider,
fumigating, it there becomes a necessity for this, very cautiously,
otherwise the foliage will be injured. Ventilation should yet be con.
fined to the roof, as the external air is still much too cold for admis-
sion at the sides.— T. Baines.

Flow^er Garden.

Auriculas.— Airing and watering must now be carefully attende<^
to. The offsets that were taken off require some care; many o*
them being small and having but slight hold of the soil, are apt to be
washed out of the pots when applying water. We use very small
pots, _ tmaller than 2^ in. ; they are such as are used by raisers of
seedling Orchids. Offsets that were placed in these pots last autumn
have wintered very well, and we are now potting them off singly
into small pots. Last October, or early in November, we planted
ont a large collection of the choicest Alpines, and not one plant has
been injured by the severe weather, showing that they are neither
affected by wet nor cold ; they are now growing away very freely,
although we had 9= of frost the other night, after nearly 6 in. of
SLOW bad melted over them during the previous day.

Carnations and Piootees. — The few fine days which we have
had have started these into active growth, even though it is cold at
night ; thus showing us how eager vegetation is to escape fro^ii the
trammels of winter. We would not start to pot them aa yet, bat the
plants have not been well treated during the winter, owing to want
of time to pick off dead leaves, and to stir the surface soil in the
pots. We must either do this now or pot them, and it will save time
as well as forward the work by doing the latter. It may be as well
to say that 8 in. pots are large enough for a pair of plants. The soil
should be good loam, well enriched with rotten manure and a fourth
part of leaf mould, with the addition of a little sand ; press the soil
in with the fingers. Many turn the plants out of doors as soon aa
they are potted, but it is better to keep them under glass tor a few
weeka, if possible.

Dalilias and Hollyhocks. — It may be as well to remind cnlti-
vators that aa these are now entirely under their coni;rol under glasa,
a few days' inattention to their requirements may ruin the prospects
of a good display of flowers. I have seen them placed in close
Vineries, overshaded by the leaves until the growths had spindled
up very weakly. Wherever they are, therefore, they mast be placed
close to the glass, and after they are well rooted, admit aa much
air aa possible. If they are well established and healthy, shade ia
injurious. Inure them to stand in oald frames with the lights
removed aa soon as weather permits.

Pansies and Pinks in Beds.— The named varieties of the
former certainly do not stand well during a severe winter, unless
they are well established ; our beda look very miaerable. By far the
easiest way to make a good display of show Pausies is to sow seeda
of them in August or September; perhaps August is the best mouth.
In that case the plants may be set out in beda before the weather ia
severe; or they may be wintered in boxes and planted out early in
spring, under which treatment they make a grand display. Pinks
are looking fairly well, and when a few blank spaces are' made goad,
they will be all right.

Phloxes, Delphiniums, Pyrethrums, &o. — If these, or any
plants of a similar character, in beds or borders have to be increased
by division, no time should now be lost in doing so. They are all
beginning to start, and their growth will experience leaa injury now
than if the work of division were left until later. Although many
have no other way of propagating their Phloxes than by chopping up
the clumps with a spade, it is a shiftless plan, and never gives good
results, saoh aa may be obtained by taking outtinga, as has been pre-
viously recommended.

Polyanthuses. — As I write, the first flowers of these are open,
ing, and how very beautiful they are when they first expand ! the
clear golden edge and centre and the black body colour are most
striking. The Polyanthus does not seem to go bo entirely to rest aa
the Auricula, inasmuch aa we generally have a few flowers open be.
fore March comes. They require plenty of water at the roots now,
but care must be taken not to wet the leaves so much as to cause
them to damp off. Mats must be placed near tha glass to prevent
injury from frost. — J. Douglas.

Spring Bedding Plants. — These have been greatly injured and
retarded by the protracted winter, and any reserve stock there may be
should now be utilised in making good all blanks, or aa supplemen-
tary plants to any that do not seem likely to start kindly into growth.
Well press the whole of the plants into the ground ; such as have
not large roota the frost is sure to have upheaved, and, if not made
firm, the firat dry day will cause incalculable injury. Beda of Pinks
and Carnations also require similar attention, after which a rich top-
dressing of loam and manure should be applied over the entire sar.
face of the beds. If the weather should prove severe it will be de-
sirable to protect beds of Hyacinths and Tulips that are far advanced
in growth ; a few evergreen branches laid over them will prove an
eflacient protection. Now that the bulbs that usually fringe shrubby
borders can be seen, all such borders should be lightly " pointed"
over, i e., if the shrubs have previonsly bean trimmed, not in too
formal a manner, but simply so as to induce an equable balance of
branches or shoots. Coniferous trees may also now be trimmed ; a
denser growth ia ensured it occasionally vigorous-growing trees have
the tips of the longest branches cat off. Picea Pinaapo, P. cepha-
lonica, P. nobilia, and Cryptomeria japonica are specially liable to
grow straggly if not thus pruned occasionally. The symmetry of the
emaller.growing shrubs is also much improved by occasionally taking
off the point of a shoot that is outdistancing the other, or a crooked
or duplicate leader. Hedges and other fences that are kept clipped
may now all be operated on. Turf levelling and verges trimming
should now be proceeded with ; also laying and relaying Box and
other edgings. The long and severe frost has found out the weak
places in walks; therefore, these should now be well drained and re.

Makch 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

185

gravelled j indeed, the whole of the walks shoald be thoroughly
coDsolidated by frequent rolling before the drying winds
of March set in. We now, surely, may anticipate freedom
from very keen frcst, therefore the hardy Fernery and rock garden
may be thoroughly cleaned up, the dead fronds of any Perns that
were left for winter protection may be cleared off, and the ground
dug or pricked over, adding fresh peat soil where requisite, and fill-
ing np any gaps that may have been caused through the severity of
the winter. Kock plants, in common with others, have suffered to
a certaiu extent; Anbrietia Campbelli and Phlox verna, which, aa a
rule, are amongst the hardiest, are, according to present appearances,
the most injured ; all require pressing firmly into the soil, and,
where necessary, fresh soil added. Many kinds will now bear divi.
sion, and if done now the parts severed will have time to get root
hold before drought sets in. Cannas that were lifted in the autumn
and stored in sheds may now be divided, potted, and started in gentle
waimth. It is to be feared that those wintered in the open ground,
if not killed, must be seriously injured, so that it is necessary to
make the most of the reserve stock. Dahlias should be placed thickly
together in boxes filled with vegetable mould and put in a warm
house, say in a warm temperature of from 65^ to 70°, when they will
soon produce shoots, which, if taken oS when about 3 in. long and
inserted singly in 3. in. pots in a compost of leaf soil and loam, and
plunged in a bottom heat of 75', will strike root in a week or two,
and make the finest of plants for putting out at the end of May.
Altemautheras, Coleuses, and Irfsines should all now be encouraged
to produce cuttings by giving them good positions and abundance of
heat ; the former strike freely in any warm place. The system
which I like best is to make up a hotbed, not more than 2 ft. in thick,
nees, and, having placed the frames on it, the compost is put in ; it
cousists of half loam and halt leaf mould, the whole being made
firm, and as soon as the heat is up the cuttings are inserted and root
in from five to ten days ; here they remain until they are transferred
to the flower garden at the beginning of June. Those put in at this
early period have to supply the bulk of outtinija for the thousands of
plants that are required, but there is no difficulty about this, for
under such conditions they grow like weeds. — \V. \Y.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — There having been no sunshine to put the sap in motion,
or Bufiiciently sharp frost since the fruit was cut to necessitate the
firing of late Vineries, the Vines are this season having a more
effectual rest than has been possible for several seasons past, and they
may be expected to be proportionately benefited. Since harvesting
the fruit by the end of the old or beginning of the new year haa
been adopted, there haa been a general improvement in what were
once called the coareer varieties of Grapes, the reason being that
such Grapes had not, under the old n'aime, a snfficiently long season
in which to ripen, and, as a rule, even no>v the Vines are not started
early enough for them to get fnlly ripe aa they should be by the
beginning of October. All late Vineries should be closed by the end
of this month; therefore, let the necessary cleansing and top-dressing
of borders be done forthwith, and, presuming that the borders are
inside, they should have repeated soakings of tepid water, in order
to thoroughly moisten every particle of the soil. If the drains be
clear, there need be no danger of an over supply ; at all events, it is
better to err on the aide of giving too much than too little. The
same remark is applicable to early houses that have inside borders,
only it is advisable that the water applied to these be of the same
temperature as that of the house ; eve»^ a few degrees warmer is
preferable. There is still a lack of sunshine, consequently, there is
very little progress in growth, and, though the season is advancing,
be content to proceed slowly rather than risk the permanent injury
which the Vines will receive by continuous haid firing. As soon aa it
can be seen which bunches are best formed, cut off all others not in-
tended for a crop ; one day's waste of the energies of the Vines, were
such bunches allowed to remain, would be injurioua to those left to
ripen ; and the same may be said in reference to thinning out the
berries ; all such thinning should be finished by the time when
they attain the size of Peas. Such constant firing as has this
season been required, will lay the foundation for attacks of red spider ;
therefore, as'a preventive, keep the atmosphere charged with ammonia,
either by occasionally sprinkling the walls and floors with manure
water — particularly when closing up — or by keeping a supply of fresh
stable litter strewn on the floor of the house. The ammonia-charged
atmosphere thus engendered is inimical to insect life, and in the
highest degree beneficial to the Vines. Some care and judgment is,
of couiee, needed in the application, both aa when to apply it, and in
what proportion. With regard to the former, the only time that it is
likely to be injurioua is when the Vines are flowering (as it must be
obvious that a drier atmosphere is then required) and also when the
Grapes begin to change colour, when its application should be entirely

withdrawn. Then as to proportion. No one would apply so strong
a dose as to make the eyes water on entering the Vinery, and yet I
once heard of this being done, the result being that the foliage got
injured. Pot Vines will require incessant attention as to moisture ;
usually they are placed in close conjunction with hot water pipes
when, it not plunged, they soon get dry. Where such provision can
be made for them after the fruit is set, they would do beat placed on
a bed of rotten manure, and the roots which protrude from the bottom
of the pot might be allowed to ramify in it. Vines that have been
cut back for the purpose of making fruiting growth for next year
should be[aoriipulonsly prevented from rooting beyond the limits of
their pots. As soon as Vine eyes have formed roots, take them out of
bottom heat and grow them on without it. The succulent, fleshy
rootlets thit are made in bottom heat soon perish if a check of any
kind occurs, and though the growth of the Vine may not be so rapid
without bottom heat, it will be far more lasting and fruitful.

Pines. — After such a long spell of sunless weather it will be ad.
visable to have some slight shading material in readiness to be ap-
plied for an hour or two when the sun is brightest till the plants get
inured to the change, when it must be entirely dispensed with, except
in the case of newly. potted plants, which may require shade till the
roots get to work in the new soil. With more daylight an increase
of air moieture is necessary, more especially to plants that have done
flowering, and that are swelling their fruit. In the oaae of any planta
that have missed fruiting, it convenient, let them be placed by them-
selves, and be kept comparatively dry, both at root and top. Such
treatment will soon have the desired effect, when they may be re-
turned to their former quarters. Succeaaion plants that have been
wintered in 5-in. or 6-io. pots, should not bo allowed to get root-
bound, but should be at once transferred to their fruiting pots. When
doing this bo particular that each ball is thoroughly moiatened pre-
viously, for it put into the larger pot in a dry state it will remain so.
It a few ot the largest suckers, taken from Queens, now swelling
their fruit, be potted and grown on freely, they will make the
-finest fruiters twelve months hence. Bottom.heat for fruiting Pines
should now range from 85' to 00', in other stages 10' lower will be
ample. The atmospheric temperature should be allowed to fluctuate
somewhat with the weather. With sun heat So° or 90° are none too
much for fruiters and those that are growing freely, but on cold
windy days 15' or 20* lower will be suflicient.

Figs. — These when in full growth are impatient of the slightest
approach to dryness, either in the borders or in the atmosphere ; a
check thus given frequently causes the fruit to drop prematurely,
therefore guard against this by keeping them well supplied with
tepid water, and ply the syringe freely whenever the state ot the out-
side air admits of it. Give to plants in pots liberal doses of tepid
manure water about twice each week, and keep the growths restricted
and fruitful, by continued pinching out of the points at every fourth
or fifth joint. All houses should now be started, or at least as soon
as the weather will admit of the borders having had the needed top.
dressing, which should consist of rich loam, well decayed cow ma-
nure and lime scraps, made very firm, in order that a certain amount
of resistance may be given, to induce the roots to throw out lateral
rootlets.

Peaches. — Red spider will be almoit certain to get a lodgement on
the earliest forced Peaches, owing to the fire-heat that has had to be
applied to keep anything at all like a forcing temperature. Aa aoon,
therefore, aa the fruit is set, syringe the treea freely with clear water
of the aame temperature as that ot the house, and the walls and
floors with manure water. Oar early house when in blossom was
badly attacked by ants, which, in search of honey, ate out the pistils
ot many of the flowers. After trying several remedies, the most
effectual was that of surrounding the stems ot each tree at the base
with guano, and now there is not a single ant to be seen in the house ;
those that were previously in the blossoms wero waylaid and killed,
i'orcing should still be proceeded with slowly ; lost time can be made
up when better weather sets in. Trees in flower, in the absence of
sunshine, will need to have the pollen artificially dispersed, either by
means of a camel's hair brush, or by well shaking the trellis when
the atmosphere is dry. The temperature should be kept in as equa-
ble condition as possible ; say about 55°.

Strawberries. — As soon as the fruits are set and it can be seen
which are likely to swell off most kindly, remove all superfluous
berries, about eight to a plant at this early season will be suSicient.
Vicomtesso Hericart de Thury and President are the only two kinds
we force, and for several years they have never failed, whilst other
varieties have done so, hence our determination to abide by those two
sorts. Planta now being introduced into heat, if intended to ripen
in the position in which they are first placed, should be set on turvea
which have received a sprinkling of wood ashes, soot, or bone dust.
Into this, by the time the fruit haa set and requires extra assistance

186

THE GARDEN.

[March 1, lfc79.

the roots will have found tteir vroy, and lees feeding and watering
will therefore be required. Any that have to be shifted from place
to p'ace may be similarly treated by using a second pot, placing a
good crock over the bottom, and on this one of the above-named
manures, mixed with loam in sufficient quantity to form a founda-
tion for the plants to stand on. This is a better plan than saucers,
which have no drainage, and consequently the soil often gets sour and
stagnant. With the continued absence of sunlight artificial ferii.
lieation is still indispensable.

Melons. — These are sun. loving plants, and if grown with a super.
abundance of moisture and fire heat, the flabby growth made will
not withstand the sun heat, so essential to their well-being. It ia,
therefore, imperative that they should have as little air moisture and
water at the root as is possible to keep them slowly growing till
brighter weather arrives. Give air whenever the outside atmosphere
13 favourable as soon aa the thermometer registers 70^, and close as
soon as it begins to recede from that figure, giving the plants a gentle
dewing overhead when closing up. Sow for succession in bottom-
heat, and, as soon as germination takes place, give them a warm
position as close to the glass as possible, in order that they may
develope a sturdy foundation on which to build a successful growth.
— W. W.

Parks and Open Spac?s-

Iiawns. — During March, if the weather be favourable. Grass seed
Bhoald be sown where it is desired to form now turf or renew old.
This is especially the case on large open spaces, in order that the
young Grass may have a reasonable chance of becoming established
before they are much frequented, as it is neither practicable nor desir-
able to enclose portions for this purpose. The Erst condition neces-
sary to ensure success is that the ground should be efficiently drained,
and the whole surface broken up to a sufficient depth to allow of its
being levelled, great care being taken that should any portions re-
quire a oonsidjrable amount of filling up, that the soil be well
rammed in thin layers. This would occur in filling up trenches where
drain pipes have been laid. Where the surface is composed of gravel
or poor soil, it is desirable to give a dressing of good soil, at the rate
of twenty cart loads per acre, or more where it is easily obtainable.
Having spread this evenly over the whole area, it should be harrowed
and rolled until thoroughly pulverised, and any large stones or other
rubbish should be gathered off before the seed is sown. Alt-hough in
favourable situations three bushels of seed is considered ample to sow
per acre, I am of opinion that not less than tour bushels should be the
quantity sown in public parks and open spaces on all those
portions to which the public have access. Care should also
be taken that the seed is of good quality. From 1 lb. to 5 lb. in
weight of white Dutch Clover, mixed with the quantity of Grass
seed recommended to be sown per acre, will be found an improve-
ment on dry soils. After the ground has been prepared in the manner
described above, the seed should be sown evenly over the surface. To
do this a calm day mast be chosen ; this done, the best way without
exception, with which I am acquainted, to bnry the seed is to use
steel forks, drawing them backwards and forwards until the seed is
properly covered. This any ordinary workman will do ; neither bar-
rowing nor raking will bear comparison with forks for this purpose.
A light bush harrow may then be drawn over the surface, and all
stones, sticks, or other rubbish which may have been turned up,
picked off, and, lastly, the whole area thoroughly rolled ; in fact, the
surface cannot be too much consolidated, unless it be of a clayey
nature. Lawns treated in theabove manner are sure to succeed, and,
with favourable weather, may be fairly green in about a month. —
Charles Den.nis, Southwark Path.

Extracts from my Diary, Marcli 3 to 8.

Pruning and nailing Pears. Digging vacant ground. Thinning
Grapes. Painting Vines in late houses. Propagating bedding plants.
Pruning Apples. Pruning and nailing Mareohal Niel Rose and
Clematis. Preparing Pine stove for planting Cucumbers, by making
a ridge of manure 8 in. thick and 2k ft. wide. Eirthing up Potatoes
in frames. Thinning Grapes in pot Vinery. Propagating Veibenas.
Emptying Cucumber house of winter plants and getting fresh plants
in. Frlling bed in Cucumber house with manure for Melons. Getting
in soil for planting Cucumbers in Pine stove. Looking over Apples in
fruit room. Sorting Potatoes for growing for exhibition. Sowing
Begonia and Amarantus seed, and potting Palms. Earthing np Peas
iu boxes in cold houses. Laying turf in hotbed for Melons 4^ in.
thijk. Preparing Strawberries for forcing. Starting Figs in pots. Re-
arranging plant houses. Sowing first batch of White Spanish Onions,
also of Tom Thumb and summer Cos Lettuce between the Onions.
Propagating bedding plants. Preparing house for Melons. Sowing
cold frame with Sivory, Marjoram, and Sweet Basil. Sowing Peas in
pots for Etarting in cold houses ; also sowing first batch of Brussels
Sprouts and Cauliflowers out-of. doors.— S. Gilbert, Burghley.

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF MR. NIVEN, OP DRUMCONDRA.
O.v Tuesday, February 18, death removed from amongst us one whoso
name has been intimately connected with horticulture in Ireland for
the past halt century. The groundwork of the late Ninian Niven's
fame was first laid in the gardens connected with the chief sscretary 's
official residence in the Phoenix Park. These he remodelled. Intro-
ducing a new and methodic system in all departments, he soon made
them worthy of the brief but expressive criticism of the late
Mr. Loudon, who, when making a professional tour in Ireland, said
" they were the best managed gardens in that country." Mr. Niven's
residence here extended over some nine or ten years, during which
period he carried off a vast number of prizes at the horticultural
shows. About this time the Curatorship of the Royal Dablin Society's
Gardens became vacant, and he was then asked to compete for this,
the premier post of his profession in Ireland, and was successful in
the competition. For five years he discharged the duties that here
devolved upon him so entirely to the satisfaction of the Council, that
when in 1839, he resigned his post, he received, at the hands of the
Royal Dublin Society, a very handsome presentation. Daring the
above period the grounds had been thoroughly remodelled, and great
and important improvements made — improvements which have been
since further modernised, and, which under the skilful management
of his successor, the present curator, Dr. Moore, render the Glasnevin
Gardens a credit alike to the profession and to the country.

During the latter part of Mr. Niven's curatorship his time w.is
occupied to a considerable extent in carrying on professional work,
and, after resigning his post, he devoted his energies entirely to the
career of a landscape gardener, and has since been employed in that
capacity in all parts of the country ; and it would be easy to point
out numerous instances where his art has assisted Nature in a manner
only possible to one who was a born landscape gardener. During the
thirty-four years of his life devoted to this delightful employment,
he further organised horticultural and experimental nnrsery
grounds at Drumcondra, not far from Dublin, where, besides au
admirably managed nursery, containing the finest collection of frait
trees iu Ireland, are to be found a choice assortment of botanical
specimens, and Alpine and herbaceous borders containing mementos
of the olden time, when the countless scarlet and zonal Pelargoniums,
Verbenas, Lobelias, and other florid elements of the modern system
of flower gardening had not seen the light.

Amid the many claims on his time in connection with his pro.
fessional career, as well as the entire management of his home nur.
series and experimental garden, he was a not unfrequent contributor
on botanical subjects to the periodical literature of the day, more
especially in early life, and we find his name constantly occurring in
" Loudon's Magazine." A valuabla essay on the cultivation of the
Potato, written many years ago, carried off the gold medal offered by
the Royal Dablin Society ; this was succeeded by a second pamphlet
on the Potato disease, and, just before the close of Mr. Niven's resi.
deuce at Glasnovin, he published a popular guide to those gardens,
the first, we believe, that had been attempted of any botanical
garden. With the " Guide " proper was incorporated a text book on
pr'actioal botany, the object being to popularise a science that, at the
period we speak of, had but few votaries among the general public.
To these may be added one of the best practical treatises on the
cultivation of Asparagus, the value of which is fully appreciated
even at the present day.

Mr. Niven had attained a ripe old age — eighty years. During his
long and useful life he had an almost perfect immunity from illness,
rarely having been confined to the house previous to the attack which
ended iu his death ; and the very day previous to this attack, he had
been out marking trees in his garden. Up to a few months since he
was, for his years, the halest and healthiest of men, looking as though
years of work and wonted energy were still in the future. The
symptoms of an insiduous disease in the coarse of last year unex-
pectedly manifested themselves. Born in Scotland, nearly all the
years of his manhood were spent in Ireland. We need hardly add
that Mr. Niven was the father of the present curator of the Hall
Botanic Garden, so well known to many of our readers.

The Weather in Somersetshire.— We have had another
return of severe weather, the thermometer being down to 26®, 24",
and 25' Fahr. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights respectively,
and we also have about 2 in. of snow on the ground. "The latter
circumstance is fortunate, as it will protect the young growths which
so many of the herbaceous plants had made during the snuny days
last week.— J. A. Oxley, Innox Hill Cottage, Frame.

The Weather in North Notts.— The weather still continues
here of the most wintry character ; it has been snowing all day
(Feb. 24), and it now lies to the depth of 4 in. Yesterday morning

Makch 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

187

(the 23rd) the thermometer registered 8° of froat, and it seems likely
to last, for the barometer is rising rapidly. This second setting in of
severe cold will do great injury to vegetation, especially vegetables.
All the Broocoliea here withstood the severe frost in January very
well, having been laid down close to the ground in the antamn, and
some of the early sorts slightly protected with litter. Brossels
Sproa'a and Cabbages for sprouts are, however, all injuied and rot-
ting, having been with their long stalks exposed to the cold east
winds in December and January. Young Cabbages, Winter Spinach,
and Onions are safe as yet, being close to the ground under a covering
of snow. Unless we have a very dry and fine March the spring will
be a backward one and vegetables very scarce and dear. I am
afraid that the fruit tree blossoms will likewise open weakly and the
fruit set badly after such a protracted and severe winter and early
spring. — W. TiLLEEY, Welbeck.

GARDENER'S FRIENDS,

THE GOLDEN-EYED FLY OR LACE-WINGED FLY.

(CHRYSOPA I'ERLA.)

Tnis insect which is generally tolerably common in gardens
and orchards, is one of the gardener's best friends, for its
grubs are most deadly enemies to the green fly, a fact which
cannot be too generally known, as they should be encouraged
in every possible manner. The grubs are not at all particular
what kind of aphis they attack, for they have been found among

Chrysopa perla.

many different species, from the common green fly of the Rose
to the nearly black species found on Poppies and other plants.
It is diSicult to recommend any particular course of action by
•which these useful insects may be protected, but every gar-
dener should make himself familiar with them in their various
stages of development, so as to avoid injuring them when they
are met with. If any of the grubs are found whilst cleaning
a plant infested with green fly, they should be carefully re-
moved and placed on some plant where they can be'of use. The
genus to which this insect belongs, and a nearly allied genus
(Hemerobius) coutain a considerable number of species whose
habits and economy are very similar to those of the one I am
now describing. The Natural Order to which they belong is
called Neuroptera or " nerve-winged," from the great number
of nervures or veins in the wings, which form a delicate net-
work. The lace-winged fly is a very beautiful insect, with four
large, transparent, lace-like, green wings, which in certain
lights give lovely rosy or golden reflections, and brilliant golden
yellow or green eyes. When touched it emits a most disgusting
odour, which is probably some protection from its enemies, for
otherwise, it is a most helpless insect, flying very slowly, and
having no visible means of defence. The perfect insects make their
appearance in the spring, and may be found throughout the
summer, during which season there are several generations.
They are very short lived, only living a few days. They ar-
range their eggs in very curious clusters on the leaves and
stalka of plants infested with aphides ; every group contains

about a dozen eggs which are each placed on the top of a long
transparent,hair-like stalk, sometimes 1 in. long. They have often
been supposed to be of vegetable origin, as they much resemble
the seed vessels of a Moss or some Fungus. It is not known
that the females have ever been found in the act of laying their
eggs, but it is probable that they touch the leaves with a viscous
fluid, of which they have a sucply near the extremity of their
bodies, which they then raise, drawing out a thread to which
the egg is attached. The eggs are thus elevated, probably for
security, and particularly from their future prey, which at times
are in such numbers on the leaves, &c., that the eggs might
otherwise be destroyed. The grubs are hatched in a few days,
and immediately commence a war of extirpation against the
helpless green flies ; they are furnished with a pair of long,
powerful jaws, with which they seize their prey, the contents
of whose bodies they instantly suck out. They are very vora-
cious, and will empty the largest aphis in less than half a
minute. Mr. Curtis placed two in a box, which fought desper-
ately ; the conqueror feasted on the vanquished, and soon after-
wards sucked the contents from a caterpillar f in. long. They
generally cover themselves with the skins of
their victims, or with pieces of Lichen, &c.,
so that ttey are very difficult to find. The
grubs of some species so clothe themselves
with the skins that they are almost as round
as balls. They are fully grown in about a
fortnight, and then, selecting some fold in a
leaf, spin a little round cocoon, about the size
of a small Pea, of whitish silk, in which they
become chrysalides. The thread is nob
produced from the mouth, as it is with caterpillars,
but from the end of the body. Except in the case of
the chrysalides of the last brood, which remain unchanged
until the next spring, the perfect insects appear in
about three weeks ; they are about i in. long, and measure
from IJ in. to 11 in. across the wings. The males are
somewhat smaller than the females. It seems almost impos-
sible that such comparatively large insects should come from
cocoons no larger than small Peas, but such is undoubtedly the
case. Their heads are furnished with two delicate antennas
about i in. long, composed of a great number of very fine
joints. The eyes are very prominent, and, as before stated, are
of a brilliant golden hue ; the legs are short and the body soft
and slender ; the wings are long and oval, very large in pro-
portion to the rest of the insect. When at rest they cover the
body like the roof of a house, but they are not folded over
one another. The general colour of the insect is pale green
or yellowish-green, but there are very beautiful coloured
reflections from the wings in some lights. The grubs, when
fully grown, are about f in. long. Their bodies have eleven
very well-defined joints, with a tubercle on either side, from
which springs a bunch of hairs, except the last two joints,
which do not bear tubercles. They have only three pairs of
legs, one being on each side of the first three joints ; the last
joint, however, is generally used as a foot. Their colour is
usually whitish or pale brown with orange or brown spots.
The cocoons have already been described. S. G. S.

Grub of sn allied
fpecies.

from

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

VINES IN RELATION TO ROOT TEMPERATURE.
I HAVE, during the past winter, and up to the present time,
made some observations on the progress of Vines in several
of the Vineries here, in relation to the temperature of borders.
Early in September last I had thirty-six pot Vines from two
nurserymen— eighteen from each. They were strong and well-
ripened, and were shortly afterwards pruned and rested till the
middle of November, when half the number were started at
ordinary temperature, and the remainder followed in the same
house the first week in December. The pots were not plunged
in a hotbed, but simply set on the floor, as closely together as
they would stand, and'a handful of leaves was stufied in between
them to keep them moist ; all along the roots have just had
the same heat as the tops. Owing to the constantly dull weather
which we have experienced they are not so forward as usual,

THE GAKDEN.

[Mauch 1, 18) a.

but those started about November 15 are coming into flower
at this date (Feb. 21), and those started in December are close
at their heels, but they will not be in dower for a week
or so; yet another house of second early Vines that have
ripened their wood in June last, aud that were pruned early in
the autumu and started December 1, or at the same time as
the second lot of pot Vines, have now shoots about 6 in, long
at the hottest end of the house, while at the coolest end the
shoots are hiirdly 1 in. long. Inside the Vines have been
treated exactly the same as the pot Vines, but differently at the
roots, which are all outside, except a fractional portion inside the
front wall th.it we do not take into account, either in watering or
manuring, the roots outside cxtendingl-t ft. from the Vinery, aud
lying near the surfcioe of the border. Whenthe Vines were started
the border had upon it 1 in. of dry litter, and the temperature
of the border, 18 in. and 1 ft. from the surface, ranged from
40" to 45°, the weather having been cold, and snow and frost
prevailing. More leaves were added to the border and mixed
with litter, and later the materials were again turned, but, ow-
ing to the small quantity of them, they did not ferment actively
and no more were at hand, the demand being greater than our
supply for various purposes, no leaves having been procurable
since November till ten days ago, owing to snow lying deeply.
The result was that the temperature of the border rose but
slowly, and when tested, on Jan. 13, the thermometer stood
only at 40°, which is about 10° lower than it was last year at
the same period, and the Viues are, I should say, quite three
weeks behindhand. They are, however, strong aud in excel-
lent health, and have not been started earlier than they have
been for years back. Of course, the long continuance of dull
weather has had a retarding effect upon the Vines, but so has
it also had upon the pot Vines, yet the latter are at least a full
month in advance, and are looking strong and well.

Now, what cau be the cause of the difference iu the progress
of the two houses ? I can attribute the backwardness of the
second Vinery to nothing but the colder root temperature.
The Vines in both cases consist of the same variety; they have
been treated alike, are about equal iu vigour, and the second
early Vinery had the advantage of bein^ earlier ripened and
pruned, and therefore reidier for a start. Take another in-
stance. A mixed Vinery, which has in previous years been
started in March, was this season started at the beginning of
February; the roots are all inside and cannot get out, and the
border was standing at 50° at the time of starting, and it is
now (Feb. 21) 55', and sometimes a little under it. The result
is that the Vines have responded at once, and the bunches of
such kinds as Duke of Buccleuch, Golden Champion, and
Hamburghs are just showing themselves, and if they progress
as fast as they promise to do the crop will be ripe about as soon
as that in the second early Vinery before mentioned.

A good deal has been said about the inutility of fermenting
materials. They have been said to be almost non-effective in
communicating heat downwards to the soil, and as rather pre-
venting the escape of heat than communicating any of them-
selves. This raa'.ter I have also investigated during the past
winter. Early in January a Muscat Vinery border outside was
covered with 1 ft. of leaves and litter in equal quantities, and
about the end of the same month the bed was increased to a
clear depth of 18 in. by adding more leaves and litter, which
were carefully turned and mixed, and since then it has not been
touched. When first covered, the border stood at 45°. After
being covered, the temperature began gradually to rise, and
after the second addition and turning the heat of the ferment-
ing materials rose to 75°, and that of the soil, 18 in. below the
surface, to 00° ; the temperature was also still going np, and
this week a thermometer inserted in the border, 8 ft. from the
Vinery frout, registers 68° 2 ft. below the surface, which is
higher than I want it, the temperature of the litter close to the
soil being 70° exactly, and now declining. These observations
have been verified over and over again, and by others besides
myself, and the temperatures were registered by a proper
bottom-heat thermometer, 2j ft. long, in a copper case.

Though perfectly well aware of the effects of fermenting
materials in heating the soil, I did not think that so gentle a
heat would communicate such a high temperature to it, to the
depth of 2 ft., but the fact is as I have stated, and shows how
grpuadless are the suppositions of those who have, on the one

hand, asserted that the litter burns the roots, und, cc the otlicr,
that it does not heat the soil to any sensible extent.

J. S. W.

la Janaary last I visited a friend whose early Vines were in a

bad state. They had b?en started ia the end of November, and had
broken very irregularly, some of the shoots being much longer than
others ; the leaves too were small and weak, and the shoots the same,
showing but small, deformed bunches; in fact, they locked wretched.
I asked what had gone wrong with them, as the wool of last season
seemed to have been well ripened. I was told that the heat had been
kept at from 50° to 55' at night, with a corresponding rise by day ;
but as the Vines were planted ontside I began to examine the border,
which had not been covered. I found it to be a raised one, the greater
portion of it being above the ground level, the situation being damp.
It was well drained and the soil good. The usual method, until this
Beason, had been to pat on it a good coat of dry leaves previous to
starting the Viues early in November, and then to thatch it with dry
straw. Bat this year no such protection had been given, and when
the border was inspected we found it to be frozen some 6 in. or 8 in.
deep ; and as the Vines had been hitherto fed on the top by mulch-
ing, &o., during the gro«in» season, and covered up early, of course
there was a good portion of roots near the surface, which, I need not
say, were hard frozen. Not much relation between root and branch
here thought I. I shall, therefore, bo interested in seeing how the
Vines succeed. I may just mention, however, that I am no believer
iu extremes of any kind. I would not pile high heaps of fermenting
material on a Vine border, nor would I leave it bare as just named.
I ought to add that these Vines always broke well, and furnished tine
crops every season when protected. The above has been written
believine we often learn as much from our failures as our sucoesses.
W. X. Y.

SAUCERS OF SOIL FOR FORCED STRAWBERRIES.
I KEFEK to this matter again just to assure Mr. Cornhill (p. 159)
that allowing the plants to root through the bottom of the pot bsfora
they flower does not cause an undue " luxuriance of the foliage " at
the expense of the fruit, as I am sure he will find out if he tries the
pUn fairly. It is not like treating the plants to strong doses of
manure, for I only recommended sifted l:»am and sand with a sprink.
ling of Standen's manure, which consists of bone duat principally.
Too much heat will cause an over-production of foliage more surely
than anything I know, and not only in the case of Strawberries, bat
in that of some other fruits ; but an additional rooting area cannot
have that effect upon Strawberries in pots any more than it cau upon
Strawberries growmg in the open ground. I find that young autumn,
planted runners in a good, deep, well-manured soil always produce
the finest fruit and the heaviest crops proportionately. Jly object
in using saucers filled with compost was to save time iu watering, which
it does in our case, and to avoid using liquid manure which is apt to
be spilled on the fruit and foliage by drip or otherwise, and also to
cause a disagreeable smell in the house ; whereas, the saucers of soil
are perfectly inoffensive, the Standen'a manure being quite inodo-
reus when mixed with soil, or even when scattered on the surface of a
pot. To me this appears a far cleaner aud mora convenient plan
than watering the plants frequently with liquid manure of any kind.
I was last year in a Strawberry house where all the plants had just
received a dose of liquid manure made from drainage of the cow-
houses and pigeries, and the smell was simply intolerable. I once
knew a lady of high rank who would not taste forced Rhubarb after
seeing how it was grown under pots covered with stable litter, till
she had a forcing house, heated with pipes erected for the purpose ;
but I think a Strawberry house soaked with the drainings of manure
is a still more objeotional feature of garden practice. According to
my experience the Strawberry house ia one of the places in the
garden most frequented by ladies and gentlemen daring JIaroh and
April. They come simply to see the Strawberries growing. It is
desirable that the house should be clean and free from offensive
smells at such times. J. S. W.

Pear, Lson Lsclerc de Laval. — This is a good baking or stew-
ing Pear, but worthless as a dessert fruit, although the late Jlr. Thos.
Rivers speaks of it as being often half melting and agreeable as
such. This may be so in the soil and climate of Sawbridgeworth,
but not here. I merely direct attention to it now for the purpose of
pointing out its free bearing character, either in the form of pyramids
or bush trees. We have had good crops from a bush tree during the
last two seasons, aud they keep well and are of good size. The tree
is hardy and grows well here, and the fruit ia fit for use from January
till June.— J. C. F.

March 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

i89

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Camellias from New Eagland.— Mr. C. M. Hovey, the well,
kcojrn Boston horticulturalist, has jaat arrived in London, bringing
with him some of his most remarkable gains in new Camellias, in the
raising of which he has been for many years most successfal. He
has also brought a box of cut flowers of many of his own varieties,
and these, which we saw in London the fifteenth day after they were
cut ill Boston, were in excellent condition. They were packed
loosely in a cardboard box, there being five or six inches of shoot to
each flower. Some of Mr. Hovey's new varieties will doubtless soon
be seen in flower in this country.

Fuchsia splendens. — This fine Fuchsia is well grown, and
flowered during the winter and spring months by Mr. Cannell, of
SwaL'ley. It is one of the best of Fuchsias for winter flowering,
coming readily into bloom without much foroiog. Indeed at all sea.
eons of the year, under proper management, woll fijwered plants of
it may be obtained. In habit it is graceful, whilst its Correa.like
scarlet yellow. tipped blossoms are freely pro^luoeJ on every young
shoot. In a cut state, sprays of it are very usetnl for small glasses
or vases — a condition in which they last in perfection even in warm,
close rooms for several days. Mr. Cannell has larj^'e specimens of this
Fucbsia in flower at the present time in hia nursery.

Spring Flowers. — I see in Somersetshire that hardy Cycla.
mens, slightly protected, are in fljwer. I have hal the white
Cyclamen hederajfolium in a south corner, unprotected, in flower for
the pnst fortnight ; also Crocus Imperati, several sorts of Uepatioas snd
Galanthus Imperati, Violet Victoria Kegina, and Helleborus colohicus
and abchasicus, are well in bud. Veronica Blue Gem I Qud stands the
cold well, the temperature having dropped as loiv as 16" Fahr. Other
kinds of Veronicas seem to have been cut back decidedly, the mean
temperature for January being 32'' Fahr. I have forgotten to mention
that Daphne indica alba is also in bloom ; notwithstanding the cold and
snow resting upon it, the leaves are only slightly browned. — A. B. T.

Early Spring Flowers in Kent.— The frost having here re.
laxed its hold of the soil, spring flowers have ma'le a sudden bound
into full bloom, and, although the Snowdrop bears the Palm for chaste
and quiet beauty, drooping its head as it to hide its charms, the
Golden Aconite on the contrary spreads wide its yellow petals the
moment the sun looks through the drifting clouds. We have here
spring flowers such as these scattered in unlimited quantities on
banks, under trees, and in semi-wild positions, and they seem to
rejoice in being left undisturbed by spade or scythe. — J. G.

Cannell's Dwart Ageratum. — This is the best Ageratum for
pot culture which we have seen. In habit it is compact and branch,
iug, and plants of it grown in 5 in. -pots mike neat pyramidal bushes,
that are masses of dark bluish. purple. coloured blossoms daring the
winter months, and form good associates for Primulas cyclamens and
similar plants. In auoh company we found the other day a quantity
of plants of it blooming profusely in Mr. Cannell's nursery at Swan,
ley, where the stock originated.

Dracaenas for Table Decoration. — Narrow.leaved Dracaanas
are found to be the best for table decoration, and when these combine
a graceful habit with finely-coloured leaves they are doubly valuable.
Amingst narrow.leaved kinds in Mr. Wills' nursery at Anerley may
be mentioned D. Earnesti and D. Sydueyi, both of which have grace,
fully-arching and highly. coloured leaves. A kind to be sent out
shoitly, too, named D. jacuuda, promises to be one of the very best
kinds in the narrow-leaved section ever raised at Anerley.

Fruit Prospects in Kent. — These, at present, are very favour-
able, for, in addition to a protracted spell of frost and snow, we have
had scarcely a break in the clouds for weeks together ; consequently
buds of all kinds are still dormant. We can scarcely now have an
early spring, and, considering that fruit trees have not generally
been heavily cropped for some years, we ought, if the season prove
at all propitious, to have an exceptionally fruitful year in store. —
J. G., Linton.

Hardiness of Erica gracilis.— This pretty little winter-
flowering Cape Heath has borne the Arctic rigours of the present
winter with perfect impunity, planted out asd quite exposed to the
sea breeze at Sorrento Lodge, Dalkey, the residence of Sir Francis
William Brady, Bart. The only trace of the effects of the frost is
the slight discoloration of the young growth at the extremities of
the branches, which are densely clothed with its pretty flowers, fresh
looking as possible, and much brighter and more highly coloured than
those on plants of the same growing under glass. — " Irish Farmer's
Gazette."

CrotOEs in Winter. — Alargehousodevoted totheae in Mr. Wills'
nursery at Anerley is just now remarkably attractive. The plants,
which consist of almost every known kind, are grown in the form of

pyramids — a way in which they are much more graceful and orna-
mental than when tied and twisted into baloon shapes, as is too fre-
quently the case with Crotons. The variety and beauty of colouring
in the leaves, too, is such as is rarely seen in any one place, and at
this, c jmparatively flowerless season of the year the effect of such
plants is more striking than at any other time.

Seedling Amaryllises. — These make a fine show just now in
Messrs. Henderson's nursery at Maida Vale, where a large quantity
of them are in bloom, and some thousands of them are coming on in
succession. Amongst them we noticed several fine new kinds, notably
one named Virgin Qaeeu, which is almost pn:o white, and therefore
a groat acquisition.

Gloxinias at Anerley. — These are now coming freely into
bloom in Mr. Wills' nursery at Anerley. Mmy of the flowers indeed
have already opened, which is annsually eaily for Gloxinias. The
plants on which they are produced are remarkable examples of good
culture. They were raised from seed sown in the early part of last
year, grown on, fljwered, ripeael off early, and started into growth
early in winter. Plants of snch easy culture as these can hardly
bo too highly prized, as, under proper management, they afford a
variety of riahly-er.lonred blooms from February till the end of
summer. In another house some 10,000 or 12,000 seedlings are being
grown on for use next year, a circumstance which s'uows how highly
Mr. Wills prizes Gloxinias for decorative purposes.

Gardensrs' Soyal Beaevolsnt Institution. — We nnderatand
that Mr. Serjeant Cox has consented to preside at the next anniver-
sary dinner in aid of the f auds of this iustitution, and that he has
appointed Wednesday, the 2Qd of July, for that purpose. The dinner
will take place at The Albiou, Aldersgxte Strest.

Priz3s for Auriculas. — We are informed that Mr. W. J. Barns,
of Bristol, the maker of iho patent square hand and cap glasses,
proposes to supplement the prizes of the National Auricula Society's
exhibition of April 22, next ensuing, as follows, viz.. Class I, fifty
plants, first prize, a 20-in. hand-glass ; Class A, twelve plants, first
prize, an ISin. hand-glass ; Class B, six plants, first prize, a 16. in.
hand-glass; Class C, four plants, first prize, a 11 in. hand-glass;
Class D, two plants, first prize, a 12. in- hand.qlass ; Class K, twelve
plants, first prize, a 21 in. cap-glass ; Class L, six plants, first prize,
a 21-iD. cap. glass ; Class N, six plants, first prizs, a 20-in. cap-glass.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Greenbousa Plants. — The numerous and highly ornamental
group of Rhododendrons which inhabit the high regions of Sikkim.
Himalaya are now beginning to adorn the temperate house with their
magnificent heads of blossom. The earliest amongst them is the
Bearded Rhododendron (R. barbatum), so named on account of the
long brown hairs with which the short leafstalk is thickly covered.
The blossoms are large, of a very rich crimson with a dark centre,
and are collected into dense globular heads, which terminate the
branches. The Hairy Rhododendron (R. ciliatum), from the same
region, shows the same peculiarity in the hairy leafstalk, though in
a less degree; it is of dwarf habit. The flowers are 3 in. across,
blush. white, with striking brown stamens, and each head consists of
six or seven blossoms. R. prascox is a first rata shrnb for forcing
into flower early ; it is very showy, dwarf in habit, and produces
abundance of deep purple flowers. Gillies' Azara (A. Gilliesi), when
not in flower, reminds one of some of the smoother leaved forms of
the Common Holly; but the branches are tinged with red. The
flowers are small, of a rich yellow colour, and produced from the
axils of the leaves in oblong catkins 1 in. long. It is a native of
Chili, where it grows at considerable elevations on the Cordillera of
St. lago, and forms handsome bushes from 10 ft. to 15 ft. in height.
This extremely handsome shrub will also thrive and survive our
average winters in the open air in some of the southern counties.
Amongst the showiest of cool house climbers is the Toothed Hibbertia
(H. dentata), a species with small oval leaves, possessing a ruddy
tinge, and bearing a profusion of flowers 1 in. across, of a bright
canary.yellow. The fact that it keeps in a flowering state during
the "reater part of the year much enhances its value. It is a native
of New South Wales. The White.spotted-leaved Hasmanthus (H. albo.
maculatus) is a very desirable novelty from South Africa. 'The bulb
measures 2 in. through, has green fleshy scales, and the leaves are
three in number, leathery in texture, 9 in. long, 2 in. wide, blunt at
the point, of a shining bright green, and studded here and there with
white spots. The flower stem is short and stout, terminated by a
dense head of pure white blossoms bearing yellow-tipped stamens.
This is, wo believe, one of Messrs. Henderscn's intrcductions.

Stove Plants. — The Palm house is at present enlivened by several
kinds of Franoiacea, small shrubs belonging to the Figwort family

190

THE GARDEN.

[March 1, 1879.

and natives of South America. Amongst them are P. eximia, a kinJ
with an erect, branching habit, lance-shaped leaves, and profusely
studded with blossoms of a beautiful violet-purple colour fading to a
lighter hue, each being about the size of a crown piece. F. laDifolia
differs from F. eximia in having broader leaves, smaller Sowers, and
a short calyx. The large-flowered kind (P. maoranlha) is dwarferiu
habit, and, as its name implies, it produces flowers of a superior size
to the others. This, like the last, was found in Brazil. The value of
these charming shrubs for stove decoration can scarcely be overesti-
mated, more especially as they are of such easy culture and flower so
early, and by retarding the growth of some of them, a continuous
succession of flowering specitnens may be kept up for a long time.
Hebeclinium ianthinum is a very handsome Mexican Composite, of bold
aspect, having large, heart-shaped, ooarsely-toothed leaves, and broad,
terminal-olustered flower heads of a p'lle violet-purple colour, much
resembling those of the common Ageritom. Though strictly a stove
plant, this may be advantageously employed for the decoration of
cooler houses, the plants for which should be grown in heat and in-
troduced there when in flower. Two splendid species of Strelitzia
have for many weeks past adorned the cmI end of the Pilcn house
with their gorgeous blossoms. They much resemble each other in
general aspect, differing chiefly in the size and form of the leaves j
both produce several flower stems that rise above the leaves and bear
dense clusters of blossoms of most peculiar structure, of a deep indigo
blue colour, accompanied by largo-pointed floral leaves of a rich orange
colour. Being of noble port, and producing flowers during many
months of the year, they are highly desirable plants for greenhouse
decoration, and are, moreover, very easily grown. Both are natives
of the Caps of Good Hope.

Orctlida. — In addition to those previously mentioned there are
still several beautiful kinds that deserve notice, such as the large,
flowered Hooded Oacidium (0. cuouUatum var. grandiflorum), which
is a little gem in its wiy, and csrtainly one of the hxudsomest of the
family to which it belongs. Its flowers, which are large, have sepals
of a greenish colour, the lip being nearly the size of a shilling, white,
and copiously spittel with purplish-crimson. The blossoms last a
long time in psrfaction. It is of South Amor^oin origin, boing found
growing on tho trunks of treos in shady forests oa the western
declivities of Pinohincha. Thsreare several other beautiful varieties
of this fine epiphyte, all highly desirable for cultivation. Djndro.
bium luteolum, a native of lloulmein, cannot be considered a showy
kind, as its flowers are wholly cream coloured and unaocompmied by
a vestige of foliage. A far more attractive and graceful kind is D.
Pierardi, the blossoms of which have a yellowish tinge with the in.
Bide of the hooded lip more or less heavily pencilled with carmine
streaks. They are produced thickly on slender, pendulous stems,
thereby rendsring the plant admirably adapted for basket culture.
This elegant kind is an old introduction from Burmah. The long,
leaved Lidy's-slipper (Oypripedium longifolium syn. C. Reichenbaoh-
ianum), though not showy, is remarkably curious. It has very long,
graesfuliy arching foliage, and sends up branching flower stems
bearing blossoms G in. across ; they have long, narrow, twisted petals
of a pale green, and a Up 3 in. long of a grean and dull purple
colour. The rare C. Lowi, from Borneo, is also finely in flower. Its
spreading side petals msasure 5 in. across, and are covered with
short hairs, the outer halt being of a violet-purple colour the inner
greenish copiously spotted with deep purple; the lip is also of a
purplish hue. Oas of the most desirable of the Lidy's-slippers is the
hybrid C. Sedeni, as it is remarkably floriferoai, and has almost
continually several expanded blooms on it. Though its colour is not
showy, the violet shade of the whole flower is very pleasing. It is a
cross bstween the small. growing C. Sjhlimi and C. Isngifolium.

W.

ANSWERS TO COfiRESPONDENTS-

III EEfaets of Using Creosote Paint under Glass. —

I notice that one of your correspondents recommends that the under
sides of the laths intended for the paths ia Vineries should be tarred.
List autumn, having to make, some I had all the laths painted twice
over with creosote. This was done in an outhouse, and they were
allowed to stay there for three weeks so as to allow the smell to pass
off. The effect under glass was disastrous. Grapes that were
hanging were so flivoured as to be useless, the leaves were burnt,
and several stove plants standing there lost all their leaves, and, in
some oases, died. I offer this as a caution to others inclined to try
it.— W. B.

Dielytra spectibilia. — If at this season, when this plant is
pushing up its early growths, good strong clumps of it be lifted and
placed in a very gentle heat, they will soon make beautiful plants for
indoor decoration. Out-of-doors, a very sheltered position should be
chosen for this plant, as, starting early into growth, it ia liable to
suffer from spring frosts.— J. G., Linton.

Pinely-flawerad Onoidluca excavatum.— In answer to "An
Amateur " (p. 172), allow me to say thit, according to my ezpsrience of
this species, I consider his plant to have bloomed unusually well. A small
pknt of it hero threw up two spikes in November last ; the larger of the
two produced 230 blooms, and the smaller one 190. It is quite probable
that, had we removed the smaller spike in a young state, the larger one
would have borne a much larger quantity of flowers. Does "An Amateur"
use peat as his staple compost ? If so, that may account for his obtaining
so good a result. I find that this species does much better in peat than in
anything else.— T. W. S.

Broken Mercury in Thermometers. — When thermometers get
the mercury or spirits disarranged or broken up into several parts, there
is no better way of rectifying them, thxt I am aware of, than taking the
upper part of tfie glass in the hand and giving it a few sharp swings in a
downward direction, the swiftness of which is generally suflicient to at
once force the atoms together again. I have had many thermometers out
of order, and I never yet failed to rectify them in the above-named manner,
and if your correspoadent (p. 152) will adopt the same means, I have no
doubt that he will be able to put the one he has, in a broken condition,
into proper working order- If there be any difficulty with the index, a
magnet applied to the tubs just over it, and moved along, will cause it to
follow, till it reaches the vacuum, where it will stop, a plan of setting
that saves moving the glasses. — S. D.

Orange Trees. — The shedding of the leaves of Orange trees in the
way stated (p. 152) shows clearly that something has gone wrong with the
roots, and, as these are most likely diseased or perhaps dead, it will be
advisable to shake out the soil and substitute fresh material. That most
suitable for Orange trees is a yellow, fibry loam that has been stacked for
a few months ; to this should be added about one-tenth or so of its bulk
of thoroughly decomposed cow manure that has got dry enough to be
rubbed up fine so as to admit of being incorporated with the loam, and
to which, if not naturally a little gritty, some sharp sand ought to be
added to keep the whole porous. Before repotting, however, a thorough
examination of the roots should be mide ; all the decayed portions, if any,
should be cut away, and, in case of disease or fungus showing itself, it
will be best to give them a thorough washing by repeated dippings in a
bucket or tub of water, for, unless the fibres are clean, it will be next to
impossible to restore the plants to health again. With the roots over-
hauled in this way it will be necessary to reduce the top, which may be
done either by a general shortening back or thinning out of the branches.
This effected, and the potting complete, the next thing is to plunge the
plants somewhere in a gentle bottom heat, or to place them in any
forcing house or mild stove, where they can he frequently syringed over-
head and have the benefit of a mild, genial atmosphere. In such a situa-
tion Orange trees soon break and become refurnished, but, till they get
some fresh foliage, the soil must have but very little, if any, water,: or
young rootlets will not be able to take to it kindly. In order to lighten
the work which plants thus treated have to perform, any blooms that
show themselves ought at once to be*taken off, as they are a great tax,
more particularly if allowed to set and develop into fruit. — S. D.

Names of Fruits.— D. L. — Your Apple is unknown in Covent Gar-
den ; indeed in its present condition it is indeterminable. Can you send
us a fruit or two of it in a sound state ?

Names of Plants. — Capt. M. — Senecio Petasites, sometimes called
Cineraria platanifolia. Anon, — Your specimens, without fruit or flowers,
are diffieult to name, two, however, are recognisable, viz., the Huscus,
which is R. Hypoglossum, and the little Berberis, which appears to be
B. empetriformis. W. C. — Asplenium filcatum.

Books. — Captain B. and R. F. — " Hobday on Cottage Gardening,"
Macmillan, Bedford Street, W.C.

Questions.

Magnum Bonum Potato. — Will some of your correspondents
give their experiences with regard to this Potato ? I had good seed, and
was rewarded by a great yield; but the Potato33 are white, waxy, and
watery — quite unfit to eat. A gardener Smiles from here grew some with
no better results, and they have been given to the pigs. Is this the fault
of the Potato or the soil ? and will it be of any use to give it another chance.
— B. H. J. S.

Monstera deliciosa. — Would any of your correspondents kindly
tell me how best to grow Monstera deliciosa for its fruit? Would a
three-quarter span roofed forcing pit, 12 ft. 6 in. wide and 16 ft. long, with
a back wall 8 ft. high, be suitable for the purpose ? How should I plant
and train the plant to the best advantage ? The house would face the
south.— E. G. L.

Camellia Donkelaari. — What treatment should be followed in the
case of this plant with the view of ensuring its having the flowers blotched
A large plant of itiu my possession has had thera self-coloured for twenty-
five years. Thinking the variety which I possessed might not be true, I
obtained a plant ia bloom, which, after the first potting, went back to the
Self-coloured flowers. — T. B.

Growing Plants in Fruit Houbos.- Will " S. D." (p. 91)

kindly state the method which he employs to hive Linum trigynum,
Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana, and Schizanthus Fapilionaceus well in
flower daring the winter months. — M, F.

March 1, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

19 1

ICE HOUSES AND ICE STORING
The annexed plan of an ice house may possibly be of service
to those who are contemplating the erection of such a
structure. It will be seen that the " well " is entirely under
ground. About most places it would not be difficult to find a
spot where the whole building could be thus sunk, and being
under ground it is less liable to be effected by variations

Ground plan of lea Well,

Ground plan and plevation of small
house over mouth of Well.

of temperature, and, moreover, the more effectually to guard
against this, the "well" is constructed with double walls,
between which a space is left to act as a non-conductor of heat
to the inner wall from the outer wall and ground. The walls
consist of 9 in. work, and the bricks ought to be laid in Port-
land or Roman cement. Some might think the inner 9 in. wall
too weak, but if they reflect for a moment they will see that it
is strong enough, inasmuch as the stored ice, unlike water or
other fluids, has no lateral pressure, and, unlike the egg-shaped

Section o£ Ice Well.

" wells," the whole weight of the congealed mass presses on
the bottom. The floor of the " well " ought to slope towards
the centre, as shown in the annexed woodcut, in order that the
water may be induced to pass quickly from the ice into a drain,
where it may be found necessary to make one, as shown in the
plan by the dotted line. The trap with which the drain is con-
nected need not be very large ; about 1 ft. square will be suffi-
cient, and on the top of this an air-tight trap ought to be placed
in order to keep back from the ice well any current of air which
might enter it from the mouth of the drain. Over this trap a

few rough slabs should be placed, and over these should be put
a covering of clean straw, which will prevent any sediment
from getting to the trap and drain. The latter may consist of
a 3-in. or 4-in. tiles, either of which will take away far more
water than will drain away from the ice. Where, however, the
ground is found to be gravelly or porous at the bottom of a
well, I have no hesitation in saying that it is unnecessary to
make any drain. A good large hole dug out and a few cart-
loads of rough stones packed into it, finishing off with a
much smaller size, and laying on the top a good coat of gravel
with the sand well taken out of it, will be found to be drainage
enough in a porous bottom. It may be added that where the
foundation is " sound " it is, in my opinion, quite unneces-
sary to concrete the bottom of an ice well. Turning
now to the top, 1 is the ground plan of a small house to
be built over the mouth of the well (2); 3 is a cross
section and elevation of 1, showing a doorway in the roof
into the well, through which the ice is to be obtained for
use. On the ridge a beam ought to be placed lengthways,
as shown in the section, to which a block and tackle should be
fastened for raising the ice in buckets or boxes, and also for
lowering and raising the person or persons who go down to
fill them. The doorway will be found to be most convenient
if made to open the whole length of the house, and it should
form one-half of the roof ; the other part of the roof would be
best made of one large Yorkshire or Arbroath flagstone cut
of sufficient strength to carry a few inches of soil on the top
of it, as this side of the house, along with its roof and both
the ends, could be easily covered out of sight. If the well
were placed on a slope so that nothing would be seen but the
front elevation (5) with its roof doorway, for the purpose
described, and a small doorway (6) through which the well
is filled from the shovels. It requires no harrowing along a
passage, as close to the front of the little house a platform,
either temporary or permanent, ought to be made, to which
the ice is to be brought and pounded. This little door ought
to be made as tight as possible to exclude air. A close-fitting
trapdoor ought also to be placed on the mouth of the well,
which, by-the-way, can be filled to the top with ice. The little
house should then be filled up with straw, the roof-door shut
down, and all will then be finished. Thus far, I have tried to
describe the accompanying plan of an ice-house, and to point
out some of its advantages over those that are built about half
out of the ground, and I think its superiority over either the
" square " or " egg-shaped " forms will also be apparent, inas-
much as its storing capacity is greater than either of these,
the circumference and depth being equal. It is drawn to the
scale of 1-lOth of an in. to 1 ft. As to the storing I have nothing
to add to what Mr. Dennis recommends; as to the pounding of
the ice, this can scarcely be too well done, but I do not believe
in the straw up the inside of the house, and moreover a foot
in thickness of straw all round the house lessens its storing
capacity very considerably. I have a house to fill here, just
such a one as that which Mr. Dennis describes, which I
used to pack with straw, as he recommends, but I found the
ice to keep no better, nor, in fact, not quite so well as without it.
I store in this house sixty cartloads of ice every year when it
is to be got, and it is consumed long before the summer is over.
I also stack about 170 cartloads, which, when well covered,
keeps for twelve months. This season there were about six
loads of old ice when we began to put in the new. I may just
add that I find light Oak mallets much better implements for
pounding ice than sticks or clubs. Jas. Fairweather.

Salston.

Whilst thoroughly agreeing with Mr. Williams (p. 161)

and others that ice may be safely stored in a " rough and ready
manner," I cannot admit that it is a desirable method, unless
the question of expense be paramount to all other considera-
tions. Mr. Williams has said that he had nothing to add to
my description of a well-constructed ice house (p. 59), and
forthwith affirms that, as a rule, they are needless and often
useless, and that the palm is to be bestowed on the " rough and
ready manner." With regard to Mr. Williams' assertion that
straw tied tightly in bundles is superior to the same laid in
loose I entirely disagree. He says that " strawing ice wells is
too often done in an ineffectual manner ;" but surely that is
no reasonable objection, as those who have charge of the work

19-

THE GARDEN.

[Maech 1, 1879.

should see ta.it it, i^ properly doue. When well done, it vviU
be found to bj far better than straw packed in bundles, and it
will act exactly in ths sa,m9 manner, as far as drainage is con-
cerned. I'lis central column of straw seems worse than useless,
unless, indeed, the sug<?estion that ice should be stored without
being thoroughly broken is adopted, in which case it would
certainly be necessary. Ice, if properly packed, will, lu melting,
form a cone for obvious reasons, and thus insure drainage
from the centre. That ice houses or pits should be constructed
as near the water from which a supply is to be taken
as is possible is self evident, and, therefore, my suggestion
that a convenient spot in the pleasure-ground or wild
garden should be selected for the purpose, as, in the
majority of instances, in places which have been laid out with
taste and judgment a lake exists either in the pleasure ground
or in pro.ximity to it; and although filling icehouses is rough
work the approaches to them are generally in the best condi-
tion for carting during hard frost. By the term pleasure
ground I include woodland walks, drives, bridle paths, and all
other positions which may be used for promenades. With
regard to filling I maintain that i;;e cxunot be pounded too
small, as therein lies the secret of success iu preserving it iu
suitable structures. The ice becomes a compact mass in a
short time, and may, if desired, be cut out in solid blocks for
use. That Wenham Lake and other ices are imported iu blocks
is easily accounted for, blocks being convenient for transport.
Some hundreds of tons of it are generally unloaded within
two minutes walk of this park ; this ice is usually for imme-
diate use and not for storing any considerable length of time.
There cannot be the slightest doubt that the method described
by Mr. Williams of filling ice wells with ice and water would
recommend itself where practical, but I venture to ask how
often would an opportunity occur in our variable climate of
carrying it out ; perhaps once in twenty years ? I speak
advisedly so far as the southern counties of England are con-
cerned ; those in higher latitudes may be more fortunate in this
respect. Charles Dennis.

Southioarh Parh.

TH£ KITCHEN GARDEra.

POTATOES WORTH GROWING.
The informatioQ sought by "J. D. II" (p. 151) is identical with
qaestions whU-h h.^ve been put to me scores of times in a twelvemonth,
and no woruler. fui' the imuiensD number of Potatoes that have been
brought before the pnblio within the last dozen years, nineteen,
twentieths of which are worthless to eat, is enough to perplex anyone
who has not had an opportunity of trying them, or seeing and tasting
them as grown indiilerent parts, and from different soils throughout
the country. I may here remark, too, that I do not consider a Potato
worth growing that reqiiirea to be coaxed into a condition fit to eat,
by only planting it on the very best picked soil. Any Potato that
will not come good in quality on such land as "J. D. H. " describes,
and where he grew his Rivers' Ashleaf and Victorias so good as he
says, is a useless oamberer of the ground. For many years I made
Potato-growing a hobby, and a few yeai's back, when quantities of the
new varieties came out, I began to grow all of which I could hear
anything like a favourable account. Every one of the American sorts
I had enough of the first or second year, except one or two,
which on good Potato land are just fairly good and nothing
more, being always too soft for my liking ; and by far the
greater portion of the English.raised seedlings I found of a like
description, although almost all will find some one to recommend
them. With those who have space and care to grow a quantity of
sorts for the sake of novelty, or to mark the differences in their
character, and have plenty of pigs to give the bad ones to, there
is no objection to growing any number of kinds, but to those who
only want such of the best as will give a supply all the year
round, the interminable number bronght under notice is a positive
nuisance. There is not one of the very early round sorts that I
would now grow, for the reason that I never yet met with anv
equal to the Kidneys. If '-J. D. H." has one good Kidney, such
as Rivers,' of which he speaks, Myatt'a, Teitch'a Improved, or
Lee'a Hammersmith, Dalmahoy, York Efgent, and Patterson's Vic.
toria, he has all that anyone can require who wants a good.fla.
voured, dry, mealy Potato that, when well boiled, shows, bv its
glistening look, that it ia full of starch, and this, I think, is a'bout

the description that cornea up to the standard which most people
like. There are some, I know, who say they prefer the soft ones
that stick to a knife like a piece of uew cheese. Those who like
the latter have no difficulty now in meeting with plenty of such as
will suit them. T. Baixes.

Patterson's Victoria Potato, for which " J. D. H." (p. 151)

substituted Climax, ia one of the best Potatoes for winter use in
existence, and I would recojimead "J. D. II." to plant it again.
Climax we regard as about one of the worst Potatoes for eating
amongst all the American kinds; still, it is not naturally sweet, and
probably those which taste thua may have been touched by frost.
Rivers' Aahleaf, Gloucester.shire Kidney, Early Mealy, and Patterson's
Victoria are four excellent Potatoes for all seasons and situations. I
do not think that it is generally known that Potatoes pretty smartly
touched with frost will become as good as ever again if they are kept
covered up and in the dark until they have become thawed. Some
of ours were quite sweetened by the frost, but, owing to adopting
the precautious juat named, they have quite regained their natural
flavour. CAiTBRiAX.

Winter Spinach. — When sown on a dry, warm border, about
the middle of August, this ia a valuable crop. It should either ba
sown thinly, or be thinned out at two operations— first, by drawing
the hoe through it in the same way as turnips are hoed out ; and then
a short time afterwards, singling out the plants by hand to 7 in. or
8 in. apart. If the supply be required mainly for winter, it is better
not to pick any leaves off in autumn, as that would, in a measure,
retard and weaken the growth. If the plants have been allowed to
grow on unchecked, there will be an almost unfailing supply in
winter, which will prove invaluable in a season like the present. I
have never known frost injure the prickly.seedad variety when grown
on a warm, well-drained soil. Where green vegetables are much
required, winter Spinach should be made a speciality, as it ia sure to
be in demand, and may be relied upon often when other crops fail in
severe winters. — E. H.

Transplanting Onions in Spring. — Onions are often sown
too early in autumn, and, aa a consequence, are rendered mora liable
to bolt in spring. Some allowance shonld be made for latitude, but
in roost places the end of August will be early enough to sow Oniona
for transp'auting, with the view of securing bulbs for summer use.
I have at various times tried to ascertain, by experiment, if there
were any advantage in transplanting at any particular period, or
whether the autumn. planted crop, or those transplanted in February
or March, did the beat ; and I have come to the conclusion that,
except on dry, warm soils, the best time to transplant is in March,
as early as possible after the first of the month. The removal from
the seed bed to fresh, well-prepared land tends to encourage very
rapid development and secuies mild. flavoured bulbs. To obtain very
large bulbs they must have plenty of space — 9 in. or 10 in. square
for each plant will not be too much, and this distance permits of the
hoe being used freely in the early stages of their growth ; but, if
Onion beds are hoed after the bulbs begin to form, a very careful hand
shonld hold and guide the hoe, aa a very slight touch from the hoe or
any other other implement may break the skin of the fast-swelling
bulbs, and cause damage and deformity. In securing large bnlbs for
exhibition or other purposes, rich top dressings, accompanied by fre.
quent waterings in dry weather, will play an important part, and must
not be neglected by those who wish to excel. I saw very fine samples of
a kind called Magnum Bonum at some of the exhibitions last year. Id
ia globular in shape, and appears a remarkably fine variety, and likely
to be a good keeper. — H. E.

Lettuces under Glass. — The glass roof in winter and early
spring, whether it be a handlight, cloche, garden frame, or lights
temporarily fixed, creates an artificial climate, and wards off, so to
Epeak, the cold, cutting winds that usually do more havoo than
still frosty air. The latter can always be rendered harmless by a thin
covering of dry litter over the glass, which may remain on for weeks,
if the low temperature continne, without the plants sustaining any
material injury. It has been said that Lettuces do not force well. But
how are we to define the term " forcing" ? If it means simply for.
warding crops by artificial means, then I say Lettuces can be easily
forced ; and I have always found that from this time onwards a little
bottom. heat is of great advantage to them. Lettuce plants pricked
out now on a bed of leaves, where a steady warmth can be secured
for five or six weeks, will come on rapidly, and will probably fill np a
blank and be highly appreciated. No doubt when, from a severe
winter or any other cause, a scarcity of salading exists, a kind of
express system of salad growing can be adopted by sowing Lettuces
in boxes in a high temp6rature, and using them in a small state. The
Early Paris Market I find the most suitable of the Cabbage kinda for
this purpoae,and any good white Cos follows well in suooession. — E. H.

THE GAEDEN.

193

No. -^ei j

SATURDAT, MARCH 8, 1879.

"This is an art
)7Tiich does mend Nature : change it rather : but
Th8 AaT ITSELF 13 Natuhe." — ShaJcenpecire.

NATURAL SITUATIONS FOR VIOLETS.
Violets are ever welcome, and the demand for them is gene-
rally found to exceed the supply. Where wood and shelter in
any natural form exist, there should be found Violets in
abundance. The Mossy bank, the woody dell, are the natural
homes of the Violet, and most readers of The Garden will
have vivid recollections of some such favoured spot, where
they were wont in the sweet springtide to search for their
flowers, laden with perfume and dripping with dew. Violets,
shunning the free light and hot glare of the sun, retreat beneath
the friendly shelter of some overhanging bough; there,
nestling amongst the Grass, they are little affected by periods
of drought, and grow freely and flower profusely. Where lies
the difficulty in finding situations in pleasure grounds, where
Violets would grow freely and increase in strength, extending
themselves with each succeeding year P Such spots would not
only be a source of interest in themselves, but would furnish
such a quantity of bloom as would prove at times of great
service. Some little care would of course be needed in the
first instance , such as a little good soil in which to start them,
and an occasional watering during the first season. There are
some plants which never seem to fit into ordinary garden
arrangements, and I have always considered that planting Vio-
lets in open flower-beds was inconsistent with good taste. They
seldom look happy there, and often refuse to thrive. Violet cul-
ture in open situations requires experience, and a considerable
amount of labour and attention, to bring it to a successful
issue, especially in hot, dry summers ; and the inexperienced,
often failing to bestow the necessary care, are apt to make the
complaint that they " cannot get Violets to last any time, the
plants die off." Had some sequestered nook been chosen for
them, screened from harsh winds and scorching sunshine, they
would have shown their gratitude for the selection by an abun-
dant harvest of bloom. In the more unfrequented parts of the
grounds, where the scythe is seldom used, in the park and in
the orchard, are to be found situations in which Violets would
flourish and feel quite at home. They are impatient of con-
finement, but place them where they enjoy a free and constant
circulation of pure air and they will grow and flower in per-
fection. Some of our newer kinds are strong growers and
would undoubtedly naturalise well, but I do not see why even
the most delicate should not be thus treated. I remember once
admiring a large bed of that glorious double kind, so popular
in France, called Violet de Parme. The plants had evidently
escaped from some garden, and, running through a hedge, had
established themselves in the Grass of an orchard, where they
enjoyed the partial shade of some Apple trees. I never saw
more healthy plants nor finer bloom than these produced, and
their fragrance was something to remember. The hand of man
had placed them in an unsuitable position, and they had in-
stinctively discovered a new home for themselves. I have
never forgotten that bank of Violets, and have never since
seen anything so good. I do not think that Violets are very
particular as to soil, so long as it is free and well drained ; they
never grow naturally where stagnant moisture exists. Soils of
a loamy character, in which a considerable portion of decayed
vegetable matter is present, are probably best, and when
naturalisation is attempted on poor or sandy soils a top dress-
ing of good mould might be annually afforded them, anamount
of labour which they well repay. J. Cornhili..
Byfleet.

Border Polyanthuses. — These have stood the froat better than
any other spring flowers, and, except the destraetion of some of the
old leaves, no harm has been done. Now nothing is showing bloom

earlier, all sorts, kinds, and coloara are pushing into flower, but
the earliest in all cases are the seedling plants of last spring.
This is an indication that it is well to raise seedlings every year ; the
trouble of raising them is slight, and the advantage manifest. Not
the least charm in the border Polyanthus is the great variety of
colours which the flowers possess. — A. D.

HOW TO RAISE ANEMONES FROM SEED.
Such was an inquiry in The Garden last antamn. The following
method will enable anyone to raise them with complete snecess, pro-
vided the soil be suitable — namely, a moist loam. The seed may
be sown at once. To save time I always sow it as soon as it is ripe,
taking care only to select it from the very brightest-coloured flowers.
First, as to preparing the seed ; pains must be taken to separate it
thoroughly. Spread a newspaper on the table, pour over it a quart
of sand, or dry ashes, or fine earth ; sprinkle the seed over this, and
rnb the two together till the separation of the seed be complete. As
to the seed bed it need not be larger than 3 ft. by 9 ft. Choose the
sunniest part of the garden. Dig and rake till the surface is very
fine, tread it down, and give it a good watering. Wait cntil the sur-
face is dry enough to scratch with a fine rake ; sow broadoastj cover-
ing the seed about the thickness of a shilling ; beat flat with a
spade, and give a light sprinkling of water. Now comes the most
important point in my method. Never let a ray of sunshine reach
the bed j cover it with newspapers, spreading a few Pea sticks or
something to retain the covering in its place. Keep the surface of
the bed always moist. In abont twenty days the young plants will
begin to appear ; when all seem up remove the covering, and no
further care will be needed except watering. This mnst be strictly
attended to, for if the bed becomes once thoroughly dry, the plants
are apt, after forming small bulbs about the size of Peas, to stop
growing, the foliage to die, and the bulbs to lie dormant for months,
but it kept well waterel through the summer they will go on grow-
ing all through the winter, and begin to blossom the following spring.
Some young seedlings from seed sown as soon as it was ripe last year,
removed to a box placed outside a south window, without any pro.
tection, are now (the end of Feb.) showing young blossom buds, and
before March is out they will be in flower. The seedlings may either
be left to blossom where they were sown, or be transplanted in Sep-
tember or October. Anemones are among the hardiest as well aa
the most beautiful of our hardy spring flowers. In spite of the late
long and severe winter, a bed in my kitchen garden has never been
without a few blossoms upon it. H. P. Jbstoh.

GERMINATION OF PRIMROSE SEEDS.
The germination of seeds is, as your correspondent says (p. 161), an
important subject not too well understood, and a matter in which one
requires ofttimes to exercise patience. For instance, I have at the
present time two kinds of shrub seeds, just appearing above ground,
that have been sown as nearly as possible two years. In the ordinary
course of affairs many people, not understanding their nature, would
have thrown them away at least eighteen months ago, and blamed
their seedsman for sending them bad seeds. Tour correspondent's
account of his Primrose seed is a case in point; there is no ordinary
everyday seed with which one requires to be more patient, and yet I
should say that his plan of allowing the Primrose seed to sow itself
amongst the weeds was one of the worst of all ways to get up a stock,
for by this plan a large n amber would in all probability succumb to
the exigencies of the situation. Notwithstanding this, he probably
secured more than he would have done had he saved the seed and
kept it " nice and dry " till spring — another bad plan. The seeds of
many kinds of Primula, if sown the instant they are ripe, will ger.
minate at once, and make good plants before winter sets in. Othera,
if sown as soon as gathered, will remain in the soil till the following
spring, and come up as regularly as Mustard and Cress (P. japonioa
for instance) In any case the seed is safer in the soil than in a paper
bag, and much time is gained thereby, for, aa in the case of P. japo-
nica, if the seed be kept over till spring or nntil it haa become tho.
roughly dry, it will not germinate for at least a year, and sometimes
two; and the same holds good in the caae of many hardy plants.
The best plan is to sow at once as soon as the seed is ripe. Of oourae
there are cases, aa in those of seeds of easy germination, where this
would not do, but in the case of all seeds where the period of ger.
mination is long or uncertain, sowing at once should be practised. A
common error with sowers of Primula seeds is to cover them too
deeply ; as a rule they will come up much sooner if sown on a moist
surface and kept so, than if they were covered, but the error ia by
no means confined to the seeds of Primnla. Those of a large num-
ber of other plants are also lost through the same coarse of bad treat-

194

THE GARDEN.

[March 8, 1879.

ment : almost any seed will grow on a uniformly moiat siirfnce, while
many will not auooeed if covered with eoil. T. Smith.

Nen'ry.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN.

"Winter Aconites and Snowdrops. — Much baa been written
respootinp; the unlorgrowlh ot Jisech treea. Where this diffioalty
really exists, I would recommend the above to be planted thickly,
as, when seen in large masses, a3 at this place, they are exaeediogly
pretty at this comparatively flowerlees season. Tbey will thrive even
where Grass will not grow under the densest of deciduous trees. —
W. C. B.

Hardiness of Terrestrial Orchids and one or two other
Plants. — It will now be very interesting to hear of the success or
failure ot Diea grandiflora. Orchis foUosa, va'ioiia Cypripediams,
Sarracenia purpurea, Darlingtonia californioa, and similar subjects
which have of late years been planted out in bogs or peat beda in
cool, moist situations. The past few winters have been exceptionally
mild, but the present one has been severe, and yet I am pretty well
sure that the t-nowy covering which low-growing plants have had will
have preserved many that would have perished it exposed to any.
thing like the same amount ot frost and cold cutting winds without
the snow. It has always been a suggestive tact to me that, as a rule,
aquatic and bog plants suffer less during frost than any others.
During the past winter I have seen the Cape Aponogeton frozen hard
in the ice, like a fly in amber in fact, for weeks, and yet the plant is now
green and floriferous j Sarracenia purpurea, too, seems to enjoy a snow
bath, being as fresh as ever. I am anxious ab nit the scarlet Disa ;
perhaps Dr. Moore, ot Dublin, or Dr. Wallace will give ua some in.
formation respecting this anon. — B.

Japanese Methods of Packing Plants.— Those who have
Been a shipment of Japanese plants unpacked cannot fail to believe
that painstaking is a Japanese characteristic. Sometimes little
baskets of split and woven Bamboo are used, in which the plants are
closely packed, after having had Moss tied about the roots. The
tops are protected by long Bamboo splints, and perhaps covered with
straw matting and tied with straw rope. The most valuable plants
are packed in long boxes, which outwardly present an appearance
similar to those used in Eastern nurseries ; but, whoever attempts
to open them, will 6nd a curiously elaborated system of wrought
nails and almost unassailable fastenings. We do not think that the
Japanese take sufficient care to secure their small painted labels to
the plants. We have observed shipments in which half the labels
were, on unpacking, found in the bottom ot the box,

liilies in Mud Balls. — Lilies from Japan usually arrive in per.
teot condition. This is owing to the method of packing. Instead ot
using Band, or sawdust, or dry Moss, the bulbs are "puddled," each
separately in a thick clay mud, until each one is coated \ in. thick.
Thin paper is, in most cases, then wrapped around to keep the mnd
from cracking off. These Lily mud balls are then packed in a box
and some light material sifted in between them, and in this way they
travel safely. — " Californian Horticulturist."

Hardiness of Erica gracilis. — This is not quite so robust a
plant as the notice of it (p. 189) would lead one to imply. It is true
that I have had it out of doors for two winters within a stone's throw
ot the sea, and without protection from frost, but between it and the
sea blasts there is a bank of earth, which protects it from the fury
ot the winds. Thus situated, it has been more or less in bloom since
Christmas. The snow has fallen round it, and, after a thaw, has been
frozen into ice, but this bright little Heath has withstood all this
hardship without injury. It is growing in a sheltered nook, protected
from the north wind by a hill, and by the low bank which I have
mentioned from the violence of the gales off the sea. E. hyemalis is
also comparatively uninjured and in bloom out of doors, where it has
been for two winters unprotected, except by a hedge, from the sea
winds. There are many places in the south of England and Ireland
much more favourably situated as regards shelter than this, and
where, I have no doubt, many ot the Cape Heaths would thrive well
with suitable care. As to plants of any kind withstanding the full
south-easterly gales off the sea, I know ot very tew indeed. — Sak.
EENTO, Dublin.

A Handy Plant Frame.— Messrs. Elppingille, ot 118, Holborn,
have invented a frame which is likely to be much need when better
known by those who wish to raise their own plants in spring for
window or garden decoration where room is limited. The frame in
question is so simple in construction, that it cannot readily get out ot
order. In the interior is a strong galvanised iron tank, extending the
whole length ot the frame, and about two.thirds of its width, covered

with stout slates on which to place the soil or plunging material. The
water in the tank ie heated by a patent oil stove, which will burn
without attention for twenty-four hours. The products ot combustion
do not enter the frame, but all the heat available is corapletely
utilised ; the stove is disconnected from the frame for trimming, &c.
The tops of the frames slide off either way. This is very convenient
for planting or removing the cuttings, or ventilating. The heat can
be regulated at from 70' to 90° Fahr., which is a temperature high
enough for propagating purposes. — S.

GARDEN LABELS.
No doubt many cultivators will readily endorse the remarks ot
" Brockhurst " (p. 145) with regard to the want ot durable plant
markers, and more especially is the want felt where there is the
naming of a large collection of hardy perennials to be kept in an
efficient state, as we all know that it entails a considerable amount
ot time and labour to do it thoroughly. Durability is the main point
to be looked for in labels required for the outdoor garden, where they
are expected to stand all weathers, and many kinds, both patented and
unpatented, tail to give full satisfaction in this important quality.
This is strikingly apparent after the recent severe weather, for those
made of terra cotta are nearly all broken asunder and shattered, and
those with porcelain faces, mounted on iron legs, are very much
injured by the porcelain tailing from the iron. Labels made ot wood,
whether deal or teak, are not durable, even when the lower halves
are previously steeped in tar or creosote, unless they are made ot
Buch a size as to render them vary unsightly. The most durable
written labels X find to be those made of strips of zinc, with the
names written on them with sulphate ot copper, generally known as
indelible ink. These stand tor a very long period, and remain per.
fectly legible. Putting aside the matter of expense, of course, the
most efficient labels are those of iron, carefully painted with several
coats of white paint, and the names written in black. These are
only suitable for public gardens, as, from their necessarily large size,
they form a very objectionable feature in those belonging to private
establishments. The suggestion ot "Brockhurst" as to the deair.
ability of having progressive numbers to correspond with a catalogue,
instead of the written names, is not new, but, in my opinion, ehoild
be practised more extensively. As far as my experience goes, the
best material for this mode ia lead, with the numbers stamped
in it. These will last for generations, and may be altered at
Will, simply requiring the number to be hammered out, or
the portion containing it to be cut off. Their cheapness ia
another and not inconsiderable recommendation, tor by using what ia
technically known as 4. lb. lead, i e., 4 lb. to a square foot, the average
market price being £1 per owt., and by cutting the labels in a tri.
angular form, 6 in. long by 2 in. wide, which ia quite large enough
tor ordinary purposes, 336 could be cut from 1 owt., costing about
Jd. each, and, when discarded, they may be sold as old lead for half
the original value. If stouter lead, such as 6 lb. or 8 lb. be used,
and the labels ot larger size, the additional expense would be but
trifling. A set ot i in. number stampers is all that is required, and
a man may stamp several hundreds in a day. A stout pair ot sois.
sors to out the lead to the required size is ot course indispensable.
It is a general plan for a private grower to arrange the numbers cor-
responding with his own manuscript catalogue, but I think it a pity
that owners of large collections ot hardy plants do not adopt an
analogous method to that pursued by British botanists in arranging
their collections of dried plants for purpoeea ot exchange, &o., that
is, they follow oue recognised printed catalogue, known as the
" London Catalogue ot British Plants," where there is a number
accompanying each name, and, therefore, specimens ot each person's
herbarium corresponds with those numbers, thus facilitating very
considerably the usual tedious task ot reference, exchange, &a.

W.

Distribution of Fruit Trees and Seeds amongst the
Working Classes. — In the annual report ot the Grantham Horti-
cultural Society, the members are congratulated on the success
which has attended the Society's operationa. The result, says the
report, may in some measure arise from the annual gratuitous
distribution of fruit trees of the finest kinds amongst the working
classes, to which, last year, gifts of thirty-five collections ot vege-
table seeds, each containing fourteen varieties of Sutton & Sons'
stocks, were added. Daring the present winter a double diatribu.
tion ot trees (26S in number) has been made. Lord Brownlow and
Sir W. E. Welby-Gregory having very kindly contributed to that
special fund ; and it may be added that the late Mr. Ostler con.
tributed towards the seed distribution fund. The total number of
trees that have been distributed ia 818, and in thia work the clergy
and others have given very valuable assistauoe.

March 8, 1879.]

THE GARDE X.

195

TREES, SHRUBS & WOODLANDS,

THE WOOD OP CONIFERS.
The wood of most Coniferous trees maybe distinguished even
in the dark, at least, when recently cut, by its strong odour of
resin. Moreover, its lightness for bulk serves to distinguish
it from most kinds of timber in common use, and then a cross
section of a trunk does not exhibit prominent medullary rays

Fig. 1. — A vortical radial section of the n-o:)d of the Spruce Fir. The longi-
tudinal cells are studded with bordered pitp, and a portion of the tissue of a
medullary ray is ebown in the middle of the section, traversing the longi-
ludinal cells. Very much enlarged.

— lines running from the centre to the circumference — charac-
teristic of the Oak and numerous other woods. Nevertheless,
although inconspicuous, they are present ; but Coniferous
wood may almost invariably be recognised when highly mag-
niSed. A longitudinal section of the wood shows something
like the accompanying figure, that is to say, the cells are
studded with disc-like markings, called bordered pits. It
should be mentioned, however, that this kind of marking,
though characteristic of Coniferous wood, is not absolutely

Fig- 2 —Diagrammatic representation of the foriration of bordered pits of
the apruce Fir. The circles represent eections of bordered pits,

peculiar to it ; indeed, similar markings are not uncommon in
the tissue of herbaceous plants. These bordered pits originate
from an unequal thickening of the cell wall. Spaces of the
wall remain thin through very little of the thickening matter
being deposited thereon. As the thickening of the other
parts proceeds in two contiguous cells from the inside, it is
projected from both sides of the thin part until the two pro-
jections nearly meet as an arch over the thin part. This occurring
on both sides of the thin part separating contiguous cells, there
are eventually two nearly enclosed spaces separated by the

original thin part. Should the wood cells lose their protoplasm
(the active or vital substance!, and the cells become filled with
air and water, the thiu partition is destroyed, and thus
there is free communication, through the circular open-
ings of tbo pit, between the cavities of adjoining cells.
Seen from the front, the thin part and the thickened dome,
with its orifice, appears as two concentric circles (fig. 2).
Associated with this peculiar structure, in Pines and Firs, at
least, is a remarkable substance, the value of which has only
quite recently been determined. This is coniferin, which
occurs in the cambium liquid or elaborated descending sap. It
was first discovered by Hartig, in the Larch, about twenty
years ago. It is obtained by boiling, filtering, and inspissating
the sap to one-fifth of its volume, from which, after cooling,
the coniferin separates in crystals, which have to be pressed
and recrystallised from water or alcohol, with the addition of
animal charcoal. Treated with chromate of potash and sul-
phuric acid, coniferin is converted into vanillin or vanillic acid,
the aromatic principle present in the seed vessels of Vanilla,
for which it appears to furnish a perfectly efficient substitute.
During the past two years coniferin has been collected for this
purpose in North Germany by hundreds of pounds. The
price varies from 60s. to 60s. per kilogramme, and the opera-
tions of collection and preparation can be easily and economi-
cally performed by women. When the trees are cut down in
spring or summer the branches are at once lopped and the
trunk stripped of its bark ; the trunk is then scraped with a
sharp instrument and the sap is collected in sponges and ex-
pressed into pails. A healthy tree, of medium size, yields
from 7 to i' pints of sap, and each pint of sap contains from
100 to 125 grains of pure dry coniferin. W. B. Hemsley

ORNAMENTAL FORESTRY.
TuE department of the planter's labours which more than any
other displays his taste and judgment, is the selection and disc
position of his single trees, and the arrangement of his small
groups or clumps; for, while large masses of plantation should
be characterised by simplicity, groups require variety, which
may be obtained in one place by an admixture of species, in
others by the arrangement of the trees in close or open order,
or by differences of height, foliage, and general habits of
growth. Wherever the area to be planted has been obtained
from arable or pasture lands by the removal or grubbing of
hedges and laying field to field, the necessity for planting
single trees will seldom exist ; here the difficulty will generally
be so to thin out and group the remaining ones, as to eliminate
their hedgerow character, and, at the same time, maintain the
continuity of the plantations. As I have before remarked, the
close-headed tree is by no means the most picturesque ; its
effect, like that of a very dense plantation, is lumpish. Those
which give alternations of canopy and recess, and consequently
of light and shade, are to be preferred in most situations, and
for landscape effects trees with pendulous branches, twisted
trunks, and contorted arras, as the Wych Elm ; with sweeping
and recurvate branches, as the Ash ; with towering tops and
wide-spreading and sweeping base, as the Silver and Spruce
Firs; with a glorious mass of blossom, even though somewhat
close-headed, as the Horse Chestnut ; with overhanging and
receding branches, as the Plane and Sycamore ; and the Poplar,
in some situations, are much more serviceable. The play of the
branches in these gives endless varieties of light and shade,
while very dense and close heads maintain nearly the same
uniformity throughout the greater part of the year. Where-
ever dense shade is required, the planter can have recourse to
the Beech, Spanish Chestnut, Oak, Elm, and Sycamore, all of
which are highly effective, and upon good soils produce stately
single trees. As subjects for landscape effects by means of
pollarding, he has the Ash, Willow, Oak, Elm, Lime and
Poplar; for giving seclusion the Spruce Fir and Scotch Pine,
as well as the Larch, Willow, Poplar, and Birch, which maybe
cultivated with undergrowths of Holly, Yew, Hazel, Portugal,
and Common Laurel, Dogwood and Box, or, if within the direct
influence of the sea, the Elder and the Sycamore. For beauty
of form combined with odoriferous qualities.thereare the Birch,
the Plane, and the quick-growing but short-lived Balm of
Gilead Fir.

196

THE GAEDEN.

[Makch 8, 1879.

It is unnecessary, and, indeed, impossible, to particularise
trees best adapted for standing singly in the various situations
for which the aid of such ornaments is required. The planter
must be guided by the character of the place as well as by the
soil. To attempt to lay down rules without considering the
real requirements of the situation would be like naming a tree
for introduction to a landscape painting and at the same time
utterly disregarding its accessories. Thus, the straggling
ramifications of the Spanish Chestnut, which flourished upon
the mountains of Calabria, where Salvator Rosa painted it in
all its stages of decay, eminently fit it for the wild and deso-
late scenes into which he has introduced it, while the beautiful
forms and the profuse foliage of the trees in the groups of
Claude are equally well adapted to the rich balustrades which
they overhang and the magnificent columns and porticos with
which they are intermixed in his paintings. The Spanish
Chestnut, as a single tree, is highly effective in pirk scenery,
particularly where there are groups of Oak, with which it
harmonises in colour, while the forms of its branches and the
twisted truuk, the deeply-furrowed bark and the size of its
leaves, produce the necessary variety. In July the heaviness
of its head is relieved by the blossoms, which appear upon
long catkins, and are followed by spiked clusters of the live-
liest green, from which the seed is obtained in autumn. The
Horse Chestnut has a growth so close and compact that its
head would appear intolerably heavy, with its foliage in a
round mass, quite destitute of lightness and airiness were it
not for the profusion of pink and white flowers which adorn it
in May. lu a foreground this tree, even in full bloom, cannot
be considered otherwise than as a glaring object ; for, though
each flower is intrinsically beautiful, the effect of the whole
mass is heavy from want of variety. Its proper place is
amongst a mass of other trees, to give density to distant
scenery, or it may be serviceable to screen objects near at
hand.

The Lime is seldom seen to perfection as an avenue tree,
where it is generally clipped or elbowed and thus disfigured ;
but when allowed free growth it forms au elegant tree. Its
warm tints give it a charm in winter, particularly in a snow
scene. The variegations of the stem of the Birch, consisting
of patches of brown and white intermixed with long stripes
of a silvery lustre, the deep brown of its spray, combined with
a lightness and elegance of form and graceful foliage, emi-
nently fit it for the lawn and the park. In old age its bark
becomes rough and furrowed, and generally uniform in colour
throughout. The Acacia is too brittle for situations of great
exposure, and its liability to accidents from storms makes it a
tree not to be depended on for any length of time, either as a
screen or an ornament, It should be planted only in situa-
tions fairly well sheltered. The beauty of its blossoms, the
rapidity with which its quick growth repairs damage done to
it by wind, and the luxuriance of its growth from suckers when
planted near water are its greatest recommendations. The
Plane and Sycamore are often highly picturesque in their
forms of growth, and the effect is considerably increased by
their habits of scaling or throwing off their bark in large
flakes. Their leaves receive and reflect great masses of light
and both kinds afford good shade, which, in the case of the
Sycamore is almost impenetrable. The Walnut retains its
leaves for so short a time that it is best planted singly or in
groups unmixed with other trees. The warm russet hue which
it assumes in May renders it highly effective as a contrast to
the almost universal verdure which prevails at that season.
The ramifications of its branches render it one of the most
beautiful and interesting of deciduous trees, the blunted and
partially-rounded ends contrasting well with the lighter and
more graceful spray of the Beech and Elm. In the Beech the
trunk is generally the mi)st picturesque part, as it is often
deeply fluted, while its smooth bark is generally variegated
with irregular patches of Lichens. The beauty of its head
is often marred by branches which shoot out in straight lines.
A young Beech is, however, generally a free-growing and ele-
gant tree. In its autumnal dress of sober brown and glowing
orange, which often only partially hides an inward wealth of
lingering verdure, it presents a contrast to the Horse Chest-
nut, upon which the outermost leaves are the last to turn
yellow and drop oS.

The pendent branches of Wych Elms sometimes give to
their heads the most fantastic forms, producing the perfection
of jutting promontory and receding cove, aspects which are
frequently heightened by accidents to the branches in conse-
quence of their brittleness. In the production of masses of
light and shade the Common Elm far surpasses both the Oak
and the Ash. In situations where this tree either connects
other plantations or breaks their abruptness it harmonises
better than almost any other with the Fir tribe during the
summer, and with the orange of the Beech and the russet of
the Oak in autumn. Upon a good and suitable soil it also
rises into a stately tree. In the Ash beauty of foliage gene-
rally accompanies elegance of form. The way in which the
branches first start off with a growth close to the stem, then
gradually assume a graceful sweep, often ending with a recur-
vate form, is highly effective. When fairly sheltered, the Ash
retains its leaves of a lively green in a mild autumn longer
than most other trees. It is seldom very handsome in old age,
as the new growths which start from broken branches and from
the trunk after accidents do not harmonise with the ruin.

The Oak combines in itself stateliness of form when young,
with majesty in its prime, and grandeur in old age. Its head
is fairly light and open. When the young tree is unpruned,
the branches appear to divide the trunk instead of merely
springing out of it, and this gives it a distinctive character.
Whether as the aspiring young tree, the king of the forest or
the " unwedgable and gnarled Oak," this tree everywhere com-
mands admiration. After a severe winter and a cold spring,
the Oak comes into leaf before the Ash, but during a warm
spring the Ash, which is shallower rooted, sooner feels its in-
fluence and bursts forth first. A. J. BnRKOws.

GLOSSY-LEAVED LAURUSTINUS.
(viburnum lucidum.)
Or the numerous varieties of the Laurustinus, this has the
boldest foliage and the largest flowers, and it has altogether a
more robust habit of growth than the ordinary varieties. At
the moment of writing I have not fresh specimens of this fine
Laurustinus before me, but among the numerous dried speci-
mens of Laurustinus in Kew herbarium, there is one of lucidum
collected by the late Dr. Bromfield in the Isle of Wight. It is
so distinct from all the others in its larger flowers and smooth
shining leaves of great substance, as to at once attract the eye.
Bromfield collected it " from a finely flowering and very large
bush in the grounds at St. Clare, Ryde, February 5, 1846."
There it appears to have developed its full beauty, and I believe
this shrub can only be recommended for the southern and
western parts of the kingdom. My experience of it in the
heavy soil of the weald of Sussex is that it is less hardy than
the common Laurustinus, but on the chalk it succeeds perfectly.
In fact, all the varieties appear to flourish well in chalky soil,
and I never saw more floriferous and healthy examples than
those growing almost on the bare chalk near the sea in the
south of England. Loudon says of this variety, " When the
winters are sharp, the flowers are killed, and never open unless
they are sheltered." He adds that it is a native about Algiers
and on Mount Atlas, which would account for its being tender.
With regard to its native country, Lawson is probably right,
for the wild specimens in Kew Herbarium, nearest this, are
from Morocco. This variety is also called grandiflorum in
some gardens. It is noteworthy that a shrub which has been
cultivated in British gardens for a century or more should
remain comparatively rare, and it is also singular that it should
never have been figured before. Probably this is not only because
it is not so hardy as the common Laurustinus, but also in part
due to the fact that it is not so easily propagated. For several
reasons, independently of its constitution, this variety should
nowhere altogether replace the ordinary one. It does not
usually flower so freely, neither does it flower so early, and its
flowers, though larger, ate not so suitable for cutting, on
account of the stoutness and rigidity of the branches. Again,
it is of taller growth, and does not form the neat, dense bushes
of the ordinary Viburnum Tinus. The specimen from which
the annexed illustration was prepared was supplied by Mr.
Scott, of Merriott, Crewkerne, Somerset.

W. B. Hemslet.

March 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN

LARGE GLOSSY-LEAVED LADR0STINU3 (VIBUaNU-M LUCIDU:.!).

198

THE GARDEN.

[March 8, 1879.

CAMELLIAS OUT-OF-DOORS.

I THINK it will probably be found that Camellias are hardly less
hardy than the coramon Laurel in any part of the country, but
whether they will bloom sucoesafally, or with any def:jree of cer-
tainty ia another matter. I presume the prospect of flowers is the
only indaoement to make the Camellia an outdoor shrub, for there
are plenty of other shrubs that are quite as handsome and more
readily procurable for forming shrubberies. We have a plant of the
old single red variety that has been growing outdoors here for forty
years or more. Whether it has at any time been killed down or out
down I do not know, but it seems to have been cut back once to near
the ground. I have, however, known it for fouiteen years, and it
had not been meddled with for a long period before that as far as
any one can remember. I moved the plant about ten years ago to an
exposed south border, and it is now a squat-headed bush about 5 ft.
high, and always sots a great quantity of buds, which expand freely
after mild winters. The plant is in perfect health at the present
time, and does not appear even to have been browned, as some of the
Portngal Laurels have been. I doubt, however, it the buds will
expand, as they appear to be black in the heart now, though, to all
appearance, light enough outside. I believe this same plant
was mentioned by Ilarrison, some forty years ago, when he
was gardener here, either in the " Transactions of the Royal
Horticultural Society " or in the old " Florioultural Cabinet," of
which he was the conductor, and then, as now, the hardiness of the
Camellia was under diacussion. When I was at Drumlanrig Castle
there were several Camellias of a good size planted against a norih
wall and in good health, though, so far as I remember, they did not
flower during the five years I was there. They were only protected
by a mat in winter, and the thermometer frequently dropped daring
hard weather nearly to zero. In Dorsetshire, I am told, the trees
frequently bloom pretty freely, though the frosts are severe enough
in winter sometimes to kill the Broccoli in the kitchen garden
quarters. A few years ago I saw a shnibbsry of Camellias in a
garden not far from Bournemouth. I think there can be no doubt
about the hardiness of the plant, but the question is, Is it worth
while planting it out-of-doors except in situations where it will flower
^''eely ? J. S. W.

It would be unfortunate if the remarks made (p. 177) upon

the present appearance of Camellia buds on plants in the open air,
should deter any one from planting these noble and singularly hardy
ornamental shrubs. That the flower buds may after the recent
severe weather be damaged to some extent there can be little doubt,
but then how many other hardy shrubs have suffered in a like degree.
Have we not often had seasons, when even the hardy Rhododendrons
have had their flower.buda almost destroyed, and yet who would
make this an objection to planting them as much as ever? Most
people who have Camellias in the open air, find that they flower
freely and well five out of every six years, and that the plants are
perfectly hardy— indeed, much hardier than many shrubs that make
their now growth early in the year. R^iododendrons, Laurels, and
many kindred shrubs, often have their young shoots cut baok by late
spring frosts, but this does not happen in the case of Camellias,
simply because their young growth is made later, and is thoroughly
ripened and seasoned by the summer's sun. A free exposure to
sunshine ia not essential ; indeed a little shade during the hottest
parts of the day is rather beneficial than otherwise. The greatest
enemy to the flowers is fierce winds, which bi"at them about; but
then all flowering shrubs are subjected to the same danger when
storms abound. Any one planting out Camellias for the first time,
will do well to plant first seme of the commoner kinds, and in some-
what sheltered situations ; then, when these are seen to thrive,
continue with more valuable sorts, and extend the radius of
exposure. In this way both experience and confidence are gained.
The soil should consist of a good admixture of peat and a little rotten
manure, but it is not desirable to excite rank growth.— A. D.

-. I tave Been a very fine specimen of the old double white

Camellia in front of a private residence in High Street, Battle,
beautifully in flower, the blooms being quite as perfect, as regards
form, as those grown nnder glass. It would be best to plant
•Camellias agamat a wall in situations where they required protection,
as m that case it could be more effectually applied.— A. H Ragleq

RABBIT-FENCES AND FRUIT-TREE PROTECTION.
I AM afraid we rather underrate the rabbit's powers of leaping, a
question which determines, to some extent, what sort of fence will' be
required to keep them out of places where they are not wanted I
have seen a rabbit jump up upon the top of a stone fence 3 ft. high
and jump down on t' e other side, and it had not been driven or
frightened in any way. We have had considerable trouble with them

here, both in the woods and pleasure-grounds, and to test their
abilities in getting over a wire fence, I enclosed some young wild
rabbits about a month old, and just tame enough not to be frightened
at any one's presence, within a ring fence of galvanised wire, 2^ ft.
high, set up with stakes on the Grass in front of my house. They
were hardly two hours in this before they were out again ; they were
put baok over and over again, always with the same result. They
soramhled up the wire like a oat, and let themselves tumble over on
the outside. Whether rabbits would act in the same way, if they
wanted to get to a plant, I do not know, but it ia quite
probable they would, if pressed for food. The suggestion
of " A Soldier" (p. 168), to lay a piece of wire flat on the ground in
erecting wire fences ia a good one, but it is better simply to bend a
piece of the upright sheet of wire out than to put down a aeparate
piece, as holes are apt to be made at the junction. Such a fence ig
better than a stone wall. Rabbits are sometimes very troublesome
in orchards during severe winters, gnawing the bark off the stems of
the trees and killing them. In such cases, when the trees are not
over numerous, wrapping the stems round with paper, just a little
higher than the rabbits can reach by atanding on their hind legs,
will be found an excellent and perfectly effectual preventive. The
paper should he tied on pretty securely, otherwise the winds and
raiua will tear it off. D.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHRUBS, & W00DLA.ND3

Gorse or Furza. — Laud intended for Gorse seed should be pre.
pared much in the same way aa Turnip land, that is, deeply stirred
and finely pulverised ; it should also have a dressing of good lime
compost or a little well-rotted manure where a quick growth ia
desired, though it is a plant that will eventually flourish even upon a
poor soil. From the middle to the end of April about 4 lb- of good
seed per acre may be either sown or lightly drilled in ; this will be
found sufficiently thick either for cover or for catting aa food for
stock- Where Gorse is intended to form a hedge about 1 lb. of seed
to the 100 lineal yards may be sown upon the top of a well-worked
ditch bank. This plant is more permanent if it be not allowed to
seed, and the best time for trimming it is directly after the flowers
are shed, generally about the middle of June. Daring the severe
weather of the present winter rabbits have in many places made
great havoc among the young Gorse of last year's sowing. — A. J. B.

Sowing' BroDin Seed. — Host kinds of Broom, but more espeoi.
ally those of the largest growth, known as Portugal Broom, flower
early in May, and ripen their seeds by September j and the sooner
these seeds are committed to the ground after they have been
gathered, the better plants will they make the following summer.
They miy, however, be sown with Gorse in the spring, or trans,
planted amongst it aa S6:dling<. It is difficult to say in what pro-
portion these seeds should be sown together for ornamental pur-
poses, but we would recommend a trial of 1 lb. of Broom to 3 lb. of
Gorse. — A. J. BuiiRjvva.

Spruce Fir Timber.— Ia alluding to useful Conifera (p. 143)
*' S. D." speaks of the Spruce as a worthless timber tree. Thia
surely cannot apply to the Norway Spruce ! The Spruce will thrive
and produce useful timber on boggy ground, where few other trees
will succeed. As a shelter or nurse tree, too, at suitable elevations,
it is of great value. In Scotland and in Ireland the thinnings of
Spruce sell as readily as those of Larch for fencing purposes, and for
pit props. For roofing farm buildings Spru'e has long been naed in
Scotland. I need hardly apeak of the value of imported Spruce
timber for scaffold poles, spars, masts, white deal, Baltic deal, &o. —
Chas. McDonald, Garden House, Stolceslet/.

Ceroidophyllum Japonicum. — This very rare and choice tree
was, as far as I can learn, first introduced to America by Mr. Thomas
Hogg, who sent it from Japan to hia brother, Mr. J. Hogg, of New
York, at leaat as early as 1863. This very tree stands in Mr. Hogg's
garden at Harlem to-day ; and its ornamental value, as there indi-
cated, is very great. 'The outline is pyramidal and the foliage rich,
glossy and beautiful, resembling the heart-shaped leaves of the Japan
Judas tree, only smaller. Indeed, we may reasonably expect that
the attractions of the Cercidophyllum will, in time, gain for it among
deciduous trees a reputation similar to that possessed by the Japan
Judas tree among shrubs. At present, however, it is almost, it not
entirely, unattainabla in thia country. Practically it cannot be
grown from cnttinge, and little or no seed aeema to have been sent
from Japan. An anomalous tree, its relations with other plants are
peculiar ; for, though said to be of the Magnoliaceae, it cannot appa-
rently be grafted on any stock known in America. — " Rural New
Yorker."

March 8, 1879 ]

THE GARDEN.

199

PLANTS AND FRUIT FOR MARKET.

CaRCDLtc.o EECDRVATA. — This is a plant whicli sells
readily in the market, but at present it is rather scarce.
It will, however, in time probably be one of the most
extensively cultivated of ornamental-foliaged plants. Its
leaves are beautifully recurved, bold, and striking, and
well-grown plants of it in C-in. pots, furnished with from
six to ten leaves, make admirable subjects for vases, dinner-
table, and similar decorative purposes. Its enduring
properties constitute one of its chief advantages. There
is also a variegated variety of it, but this is more tender
than the type and, as yet, too expensive to be remunerative.
Indeed, it is a question if ever it will be appreciated as
much as the green-leaved form. The Curculigo is increased
by means of offsets, which are thrown up from the roots
of old plants. These are torn off, placed singly in small
pots, and plunged in a brisk bottom-heat ; when well rooted
they are potted, after which water (overhead and at the
roots), heat, and air are all that are required in order to
induce the plants to grow rapidly. In eighteen months
excellent marketable specimens are obtained, and sometimes
in much less time, and, as the plants take up comparatively
little room and fetch high prices, their culture is remune-
rative. Any good soil, well drained, suits the Curculigo,
but rich fibry loam mixed with leaf-mould or rotted manure
and a little road or silver sand, makes the best compost
for it.

Ceotoxs. — These are good market plants, but they are
not genei'fJly grown to the same extent as Dracajnas or
India-rubber plants. Some of the old kinds, such as C.
variegatum, C. undulatum, and C. Weismanni, are those
principallj- grown at present, but there has of late years
been so many new and attractive kinds with long, grace-
fully-drooping leaves that we may expect Crotons soon to
rank among the most popular of market jjlants. They are
increased by means of young shoots, the points of which
have been previously pinched out and have again started
into growth. In this way, bushy tops are obtained, which,
when taken off aud placed in small pots, soon take root,
tuid in twelve months make handsome little plants. Heat
and moisture are the chief essentials to success, as, in order
to have well coloured leaves, too much heat can scarcely
be given them, provided moisture is supplied accordingly.
Crotons are, however, not good room plants, as the effects
of gas soon cause them to shed their leaves.

Ficus ELASTICA. — Of all plants grown for their foliage
for market purposes this is the most popular. It is the
best London window plant in existence, and a plant which
will grow and keep healthy in the same pot for years if
well supplied with water. Nearly every florist around
London grows as many plants of it as he has room for, and
yet it keeps up its price in the market. It is propagated
by means of young tops of growing shoots, which are
taken off and struck in the same way as those of Dracsenas,
old plants being generally grown to provide them.

Yellow-feuited Capsicums are now grown for market
purposes, and sold for decorative purposes alone. The
seed is sown early in spring, say in March, in pans
or shallow boxes, placed in a gentle bottom-heat. When
np, the seedlings are potted and grown on in a warm pit
or frame. They fruit ten weeks after sowing, and have a
very effective appearance, especially when associated with
scarlet-fruited kinds. When grown close to the glass, and
allowed plenty of air, they form dwarf, shrubby plants,
12 in. or 18 in. high, each bearing from thirty to forty
shining yellow fruits, which last in beauty for several
months.

CrPERUS ALTERNiFOLius is also a favourite market plant;
it is easily increased by division of the roots, and it can
also be raised from seed. Heat, rich soil, and water are
its chief requirements. The variegated kind is seldom
seen in the market.

Myrtles, Scented Verbenas, Ardisia crcnata, aud Coleus
are all grown for market, the two former being always in
demand.

Grevillea robusta. — This is a capital market plant, and
one which is much valued for room or table decoration.
It is raised from seeds imported from Holland, which, if
obtained new and good, soon germinate. It is sown in
heat early in spring, and the plants are potted on until
they occupy G-in. pots, when they are placed in an inter-
mediate temperature until they attain a height of from
18 in. to 20 in., when they are sent to market. Seed
sown at the time named produces good marketable
plants in autumn, which is the time when they are most
plentiful.

Hardy Shrubs.

Green-leaved Euonymuses, Tews, Eetinosporas, Arbor-
vitres, and many other compact-growing shrubs arc sold
by thousands for window decoration during winter. The
Golden Yew is a favourite plant, as are also the green and
golden-leaved Thujas. Most of these are imported from
France. Many thousands of Thuja aurea are, however,
raised from seed yearly, and one grower near London has
a method by which he can get the seeds to germinate in a
few weeks. When once up the plants grow rapidly, and,
by being potted on, soon make handsome little bushes which
never Tail to find a ready sale at remunerative prices.

EuONTMUS japonicus and its golden variegated variety
are grown by the thousand in cold pits, and good, bushy
plants of them in 5-in. pots fetch from 12s. to 18s. per
dozen. E. radicans is also grown for the beauty of its
foliage. Euonymuses are easily propagated, and soon
grow into saleable plants. They withstand the dust
aud smoke of London better than most other plants, and
on this account are readily bought up for the decollation
of balconies and window-sills. Cuttings of them strike
readily, and, if grown on in a warm house or frame,
soon become bushy little plants.

AuCUBas. — ^These rank amongst the most important
plants in the outdoor department, and many valuable seed-
ling varieties of them have been raised by market growers.
They are chiefly grown in pots, and by iiitrcducing male
plants amongst them they become loaded with large
clusters of brilliant scarlet berries. The variegated form,
too, may be found heavily laden with berries, and at
Christmas time such plants find a ready sale at high prices.
When standards are required, grafts of a free-fruiting kind
are placed on stocks of the common variety, grown to the
desired height. By this means handsome plants with fine
round heads from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in diameter, and studded
with scarlet berries, are rapidly obtained, and fetch from
10s. to 15s. per pair in the market. Young, dwarf plants
of Aucubas are obtained by pegging down on the ground
branches of established plants; in this way they soon strike
root. They are then severed from the parent plant, potted,
and placed under cover to come into bloom in order to be
fertilised. After the berries are well formed, the plants
are taken into a warm temperature in order to get the
berries well coloured.

Fruit.

The demand for fruit in this country has during the
past few years increased to an enormous extent. Both for
hardy and indoor fruits there is always a ready sale, and,

200

THE GARDEN.

[March 8, 1879.

notwithstanding that the quick and cheap means of transit
enables Continental growers to send their produce to
London in such large quantities and in such good condition,
the extension of fruit culture in England is on the increase.
It would be difBcult to form any estimate of the amount of
fruit consumed yearly in London alone ; but that it must
be something enormous we may judge from the fact that
nearly £0,000,000 is yearly sent out of the country for
foreign fruits. If we suppose that London consumes only
one-twentieth of this, it costs us £300,000 to supply the
metropolis with fruit, irrespective of what we ourselves
produce. Forced fruits from France and the Channel
Islands come at times to our markets in such quantities as
to render English produce anything but remunerative, and
it is only by attentively watching and ascertaining the
requirements of the markets at all seasons of the year that
our indoor fruit growers can make that industry profitable.
The price paid now for fruits deviates but slightly from
that paid half a century ago ; although the quantity which
we receive is fifty times greater, yet the demand has in-
creased accordingly, and thus the price has been kept up.
Mach has been written on the sulsject of the extension of
fruit culture in England as a profitable industry, and, whilst
some have recommended our railway embankments, which,
at a rough estimate, represent nearly 200 square miles, to
be planted with Apple trees, Pears, or Cherries, the fact
seems to be overlooked that in a plentiful fruit season the
grower's profits are almost trifling compared with those
realised in a year when the crop is only moderate. It has
been said that a profit of £100 per acre can be obtained by
fruit culture, and that such an amount has sometimes been
realised there can be no doubt, but seldom of late years
has that been the case. Even in a plentiful year hundreds
of bushels of good Plums, Apples, and similar fruits are
allowed to rot because the market is so well supplied from
abroad that they would not pay for the gathering.

Early Plums have been tried on a large scale hy several
growers near London, but, when we look at the present
state of the market, this seems a bad investment, because,
in the first place, the blossoms of early Plums are fully
expanded just when spring frosts, of which we have had
ample experience during the past few years, overtake them,
and the consequence is only a partial crop. Then, in the
second place, suppose the crop to be a plentiful one, the
fruit is ripe just at the time when the " glut " comes from
abroad, and the prices are, therefore, low. Now, if late
Plums, to come in after the bulk of the foreign produce is
over, were grown, there would be a good chance of profit
arising from their culture, because the blossoms would be
more likely to escape spring frosts, a better crop might be
depended upon, and the fruit, being fresher and in better
condition than that from abroad, packed in barrels and
tubs, would meet with a readier sale at remunerative
prices.

To Apples and Pears the same remarks, to a great extent,
apply. When, in plentiful years, there is a "glut," the
price obtained hardly repays the cost of gathering, storage,
and cartage ; therefore, the best fruits are kept back until
later in the season, when sound-keeping Apjales and Pears
fetch fairly good prices. It has been stated that fruit cul-
ture ought to prove more profitable than meat culture.
"In order to fatten a bullock," it is said, " we require at
least the produce of 2 acres of good land for three
years, after which the animal is worth from £20 to £30,
while, on the same ground, we could have grown at least
£100 worth of vegetables and fruit." This statement,
however, fails to fairly represent the case. In the first

place, the expenses connected with 2 acres of Grass land
for bullock feed would be little or nothing compared with
those incurred in the production of fruit and vegetables on
the same space, and the cost of marketing the two com-
modities would be also greatly in favour of cattle feeding.
If farmers who fatten bullocks were to devote the ground
on which thoy feed them to vegetable and fruit culture,
and it came a good year or two for these crops, they would
certainly have cause to repent the change which they had
made. Fruit trees, too, it must be remembered, take
several years to become established. If, as has been
stated, £100 per acre can be gained by fruit culture, it
is surprising that so little fruit is grovni. I have no doubt
that if ten people were to start fruit and vegetable culture
on a large scale for, say, ten years, they would realise good
profits, laut I am persuaded that if 10,000 people started
in the same kind of culture, the result would be a failure.
If, in the neighbourhood of towns, the public could buy
direct from the growers, we should have good results, but,
where the produce has to pass througli several hands, just
the reverse is the case. Fruit culture, as it now is, pays
fairly well ; but, if it were greatly extended, prices would
become so low as to be unremunerative. C. W. S.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

HEAT FROM FERMENTING MATERIALS FOR VINE

STARTING AND FORCING.
One can almost fancy some cultivator of the very old school
exclaiming — why, what does that mean P heat is heat ! What
matters it how produced, or where it comes from ? Stay, was
the heat of flues equal to that of hotwater pipes ? Well, for
some purposes, perhaps better, when we had it pure and with-
out smoke and sulphur. Just so, and I am willing to admit, to
cut the matter short with our older cultivator, that I have seen
as good Grapes grown by the heat of flues as by that of hot
water or any other mode of heating. Smoke and gas-light flues
surmounted or crowned their whole length by evaporating
troughs of water-tight cement, gave out a heat at once pure
and genial, soft and sweet. But then there were serious risks,
for smoke has a wonderful power of escaping through the
tiniest flaw in flues, whereas it often seemed as if sulphurous
gases discharged their broadsides into the houses through the
bricks themselves. Hot water is pure and inoffensive, neither
can it subject the pipes through which it passes to such ex-
tremes as to burn or change the chemical properties of the
air, and hence it may be described as the most perfect mode of
heating that has yet been invented. But, nevertheless, the
heat evolved during decomposition is undoubtedly better for
some purposes than that obtained from any other source. It
is also so cheap that it may in fact be said to cost nothing. Of
course there is the labour and expense of purchasing, or, at
least, collecting and carting manure and leaves, Cocoa-fibre re-
fuse, tan.sawdust, or other substance that yield considerable heat
during the process of decay. But the products, that is, the
manure left as a residuum, pay the cost of labour and material,
and the heat may be said to be presented free of costto the culti-
vator. Decomposition is not only the cheapest source of heat
but the heat so generated is of the highest quality ;
it is genial and feeding, as well as warming. There
is no known means of genialising the air of houses so
effectually as the introduction of a mass of manure
and leaves on the floor and bed of the house. The whole
decomposing mass raises and distributes moisture in the finely-
diffused form of visible or invisible vapour. It is probable
that this is one great cause of the superiority of the heat of
decomposition. Many of the means of genialising the atmos-
phere of Vineries or other hothouses may be described as far
too gross and ponderous, the latest teachings of science
being to show that the leaves of plants do not absorb water. Bo
that as it may, it is certain they cannot absorb the huge drops

Mabch 8, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

201

which are frequently applied to the delicate leaves of Vines
through the rose of a syringe. In striking contrast to this is
the gentle vapour that rises softly from the surface of a
decomposing mass of leaves and manure. The constancy of
the supply of vapour, too, adds to its potency and its value.
Most modes of vapourising the atmosphere of hothouses are
more or less fragmentary or intermittent. They are apt to be
neglected ;just when attention is most needed. The vapour
may be said to vibrate, as it were, between the extremes —
dryness and saturation. By the use of hot manure or other
material, the two important processes of warming and vapour-
ising are linked together by natural laws, and the one cannot
proceed without the other. Every degree of heat raises its
proper modicum of moisture with it ; thus the whole air of
the house is genialised in the most efficient manner. Proba-
bly, too, the wide area of the evaporating surface has some-
thing to do with the greater efficiency of the mode of heating
rendering the atmosphere genial. It is customary to cover a
large proportion of the floor of Vineries with decomposing
matter ; this entire surface becomes a large evaporating pau
of the most approved sort, neither too hot nor too cold, under
good management. Much evil has been wrought by evaporation
being overheated by flues, &c. Tender leaves may enjoy vapour
but a very little steam fetters their functions or destroys
their life. An excess of vapour may also arise from decom-
posing materials if they are used in too rank or too moist a
condition ; but, properly sweetened and all excess of moisture
sweated out before being introduced into Vineries or other
houses, the vapour and heat alike will be sweet as a Nut.
Then such heat is feeding as well as soft and genial ; even the
vapour is more or less charged with carbonic acid gas and
ammonia and other plant food, and the heat diffuses these
through the atmosphere, lifting the heavier gas by its buoyant
power and bringing it into direct contact with the stems and
leaves of the hungry Vines, and these immediately turn them
to account.

No other source of heat within reach of the cultivator
thus simultaneously feeds and also warms plants. It may
be fancy or it may be fact, but it almost seems as if one could
see Vine leaves consume the food thus offered them ; the
leaves are larger, greener, grow faster, as a rule, where decom-
position is employed as a source of warming. Not only this,
but the Vines break more kindly and with greater regularity
and stronger vigour. So generally is this admitted, that many
cultivators use a bed of decomposing matter merely for this
special purpose ; as soon as the Vines fairly break into leaf
and shoot the manure is removed. The mere fact, however,
that such materials furnish the plants with a full supply of
gaseous food suggests the importance of using them with
caution and skill. An excess of carbonic acid gas or ammonia
would blight or kill, not feed, their tender foliage. Some, who
have not carefully guarded against this, have mixed rank
London or other manures with that already in use, and the
whole " mass has gone off like a cannon," to use the expres-
sion of an experienced gardener, who lost a most promising
crop of Muscats through the indiscretion of mixing part of a
truck of such manure with an exhausted mass of decomposing
leaves and manure in a Vinery; but, with careful preparation and
use and a bi-daily turning of this mass, there is little or no danger.
The heat evolved is also strong and constant. Fnll half the
amount of coal may be saved in the early forcing of Vineries
Dy a judicious use of decomposing matter in association with
other necessary warming. This is an important point, as the
cost of coal is one of the most serious drawbacks to early
forcing and to the more extensive production of tropical fruits
and flowers. Neither is there anything new in this utilisation
of a cheap and natural source of warmth. It has been almost
universally employed in the culture of Pine-apples and other
tropical plants, for the entire hot-bed, used as a means of
bottom-heat, also becomes, and is, one of the most potent
means of warming the atmosphere also. And if so useful and
powerful in Pine culture, there seems no good reason why it
should not be more generally used for Vines also. And, indeed,
it is very generally used. Many of our very best Grape
growers look upon the genial heat arising from decomposition
as the most potent factor in their success, and seldom start
an early house without their bed of leaves and manure. About

two parts of the former to one of the latter keep a steady heat
for a long time. A week or ten days preparation should take
place in the open air, during which the mass should be turned
over, upside down, and inside out three or four times, at least.
A bed or ridge 4 ft. or 5 ft. in thickness will generally prove
sufficient. Where such materials are not available, tan is
perhaps the next best substance to use. It gives out a good
heat, but its vapours are less kindly, and its gases less feeding
than those already indicated. Cocoa-nut fibre refuse, sawdust,
&c., are less suitable, and can hardly be called feeding. Unless,
in fact, leaves, manure, or tan can be had, it will hardly be
worth while to employ other substances as sources of heat in
the starting or forciug of Vines ; but with these at command,
the cheap and most efficient source of heat derived from de-
composition should be employed in all cases where there is
sufficient room or proper conveniences for their use.

D. T. Pisn.

TEMPERATURE OF VINE ROOTS.
The unsatisfactory way ia which the Vines described by " W. X. Y.''
(p. 188) have broken, with their roots in an outside border wholly
unprotected, is jast what might have been looked for, especially ia
such a winter as this, and is another evidence ot the mistakes gene-
rally committed by following extreme courses. I have received
several oommunicationa from different parts of the country relating
to early started Vines with their roots outside. In one case a mode-
rate amount of fermenting material was put on the border at the
starting time, and some was added subsequently to keep np the
warmth, bat the shoots moved so slowly and anevenly that an
examination ot the border was thought to be the wisest course. The
small roots near the surface were found to bo rotten, and the causa
was attributed to the saturated condition of the soil from the great
quantity of snow that had fallen there, and which, as it melted,
settled through the covering material. This conclusion ia most likely
to be correct, as the fermenting matter, I understand, was never
above 70" ; consequently, there was no excess of heat to inj ure them.
In another inatanoe the mulching of dry leaves and dry litter was
put on as heretofore, early enough and in sufficient quantity to keep
in the stored-np summer's heat, but with nothing on the top to throw
off the wet. In this case the shoots are strong, but have come slower
than usual. In other cases, where the dry covering material was put
on, and means taken to ward off the wet, the condition is described
as in every way satisfactory. This all points in one direction, the
necessity for taking means to keep in the accumulated anmmer's aun-
heat by putting on the covering sufficiently early, and the equal
need for keeping out the winter rains and melted snow from the soil
in which the roots of early forced Vines are placed. Thia is not a
costly operation, nor difficult where the roots have not extended
beyond the limits of the border.

Twenty -one years ago I had a quantity of shutters made of J-in.
boards, 9 in. wide, cut from ordinary American Spraoe deal ; these
wore nailed four together, edge to edge, to cross pieces of the same
material, and on the joints were put strips 3 in. wide by i in. thick.
The whole received two coats oE boiling gas-tar on the upper side,
and they were again dressed with the tar two years afterwards.
Nothing has been done to them since ; they have been exposed to the
weather all the time, and I have now a number of them forming the
roof ot a shed, and they look as it they would last a good many
years longer. They were made by the garden men, were chjap, and
evidently have been durable. After the dry material was put on the
borders, these shatters were laid on the top, with their bottoms rest-
inwon an ordinary spout made ot boards like them, and which carried
off the water that otherwise would have settled in the border, just
at the point where the greatest quantity of feeding fibrea were
located.

When the roots ot Vines have to any considerable amount got
outside the prepared border, it ia obvious that little can be done for
them either in the way of protection, keeping in the earth heat, or
supplying more to it ; and few who have had much to do with Vines,
are unaware that by far the greater quantity of such as have been
established for any length ot time, and that are not subjected to root-
lifting, and thus their roots to a great extent kept within the pre.
scribed space, have often very few feeding fibres, except such as are
far out into the ground beyond. Nothing ia more common than to
hear roots spoken ot which are '.supposed to be |in the border, when,
on examination, all that have direct influence in sustaining the heads
ot the Vines, are found to be quite outside the situation allotted
to them ; and in this way are as incapable ot being influenced by the
well-meant but useless attentions given to the prepared borders, as if
they belonged to another set of plants. T. Bainei.

202

THE GAKDEN.

[Mahch 8, 1879.

I^Xi-A-TE CXi3CX:.

A GKOUP OF DAFFODILS.

Drawn by Mrs. ROBERT MILES.

Up the mountains the Greeks buried their dead, and there
they lay o'ershadowed by a canopy of Asphodels, whose
flowers twinkled on their branches like evening stars— a fit
type, the Asphodel, of the Resurrection, with its dead blooms,
and blossoms, and buds, as of days that were, and days
that are, and days that are to come. And so these
dreamers came to think that when a new life was come
to the sleepers they would wake in Elysian fields, in
meadows one mass of ever-blooming Asphodels. And
whoever is responsible for our English name " Daffodil "
thous;ht that these saffron flowers were the Asphodels
of the Greeks, and so called them "Fleur d'Asphodel,"
from which we get the corrupted came Daffodil. Let us
keep to this beautiful derivation beyond all others, and learn
humbly from it that our own churchyards might be as full of
Daffodils as the Elysian fields were of Asphodels. We
ought to plant the commoner kinds in such numbers that
the village children might pick and pick, and yet could
not pick them every one. Of those kinds to be planted
by the thousand are the common Lent Lily (Narcissus
pseudo-Narcissus) and its giant variety (N. maximus), with
the large two-coloured Daffodil (N. bicolor), and the
small form (N. minor), which is one of the first flowers
of sprmg. The Poet's Daffodil (N. poeticus) and its double
form can be obtained by the thousand from orchards near
London for a mere trifle, and the Peerless and Scented Daffodils
(N. mcomparabilis and N. odorus) will soon be very common.
Of the Daffodils in the accompanving plate, the nearest on the
Wt 13 the large form of the two-coloured Daffodil, known as
Bicolor Horsfieldi ; it is hardly represented as large as life.
Ihe Empress is a larger form still of N. bicolor, and the
Emperor is the largest of all Daffodils. Next to Horsfieldi, at
the top, come two portraits of a pale form of the Peerless
Daffodil (N. incomparabilis) ; on the left, half-way down the
page, IS the Poet's Daffodil (N. poeticus), whose double form
IS as lovely as a Gardenia. Immediately next to that comes the
rare Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil (N. triandrus), some forms
of which have white crowns. That pale, self-coloured one
in the middle is N. cernuus, a fine companion for Anemone
,AT^I>°tu ^°^^'" ^t'ill comes the rare white Hoop Petticoat
(N. Bulbooodium monophyllus), which is certainly not easy to
grow. I don't think this has been properly represented before.
Observe the deep lobing on the fringe of the petticoat— a
flower opening here, of the purest white, full of light, like frost
on a window pane. If one person, by this picture and these
notes, has been seized with a fancy for Daffodils, our labour will
not have been in vain. Fbank Miles.

Binr/liam.

Daffodil Culture.
There are but few species or varieties belonging to this family
that are not perfectly hardy, or that will not succeed under
ordinary circumstances in the open border. A few kinds,
principally from Algiers, Spain, and the islands in the Medi-
terranean, consisting of N. pachybulbos, viridiflorus, cala-
thinus, Broussonetti, and the various forms of Corbularia, and
some others, flower mostly during the autumn and winter, and
consequently are not adapted for out-door cultivation, except
in very favourable situations. I have made several attempts
to grow some of these out-of-doors, but have always failed. I
have flowered them, it is true, but their blossoms and foliage
get so much injured by the weather that the bulbs become
emaciated, and in the second or third season disappear. For-
tunately there are, as I have said, but few of this character ;
the great bulk are not only perfectly hardy, but will grow in
almost any soil or situation, and increase in numbers rapidly.
By means of hybridisation, too, it is possible to obtain varieties
much superior to any yet in cultivation, and the process is so
simple that any one may practise it with a fair chance of suc-
cess. Most of the Narcissi prefer a good, rich, friable loam,
annually enriched by a top dressing of manure. I believe in
heavily manuring for all bulbs, Lilies especiall v, but care must be

used to keep the manure away from the bulbs while in a fresh
state. For the small early flowering kinds, such as N. rupi-
cola, N. Bulbocodium intermedins, and others of like character,
I would recommend a sandy loam, and the bulbs to be planted
in rather drier positions than the vigorous forms of bicolor,
Telamonius lobularis, &c. All this family require replanting
every three or four years, some even in two, but this depends
a great deal upon the condition under which the bulbs are
placed. The best criterion as to when they require replanting,
is the production of small, weak foliage and a scanty propor-
tion of flowers. When that occurs, one may make sure that

White Hoop-petticoat Narcissus m. Balbocoaiam monophyllaa).

the bulbs have exhausted the soil, and that they have nol^
sufficient room and strength to fully develope themselves.
Hale Farm Nursery, Tottenham. ' "

A. Perrt.

Myosotis dissitiflora Injured by the Severity of the
Winter. — Thia uaaally beantif q1 spring garden plant is now in a
deplorable condition. I have never seen it so mach injured, and fear
that it will make but a poor display, although it now shows evidenoa
of breaking np afresh from the roots.— A. D.

MAKcn 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

203

ROSES.

PKOTECTING AND FORCING.

Peotection f«om Frost.— Let us now proceed to describe the
various ways in which Rose trees are protected from frost.
The Brier in its natural state is not hurt by frost, but the
grafted varieties are more or less tender. Rose trees, however,
like other plants, are differently affected by frost, according to
the circumstances in which they are placed. For instance,
a shrub which would bear cold amounting to 18" or 20"
below the freezing point, provided the thermometer fell
gradually and in dry weather, would perish if such a degree of
cold were to set in suddenly before the sap had begun to flow,
or after its shoots had been swollen by rain or a thaw. Again,
if the same Rose tree were planted in light, sandy, dry soil it
would not be injured by cold some ii)'' below the freezing
'point, while in a strong, clayey soil, capable of retaining a good
deal of moisture, it would perish at a much higher tempera-
ture. In order, therefore to be prepared for danger, we must
inquire into the different.kinds ot Roses which we are cultiva-
ting, the nature of the soil, the aspect of the beds, and the
general state of the climate of the locality.

Shelters for Dwakf Roses Budded and on their own
Roots. — Dwarf Roses are generally planted in beds or in
borders. During the first fortnight in October we earth up
each bush as far as the first branches. The earth used for this
purpose should be fresh, and rather light than heavy. The
watery shoots which project beyond the prescribed limits are
cut back. The interstices between the branches are then filled
in with leaves, so as to form a heap round each Rose of from
14 in. to 16 in. thick. This mound of leaves and soil is kept
in its place by covering it over with branches of some green
shrub, such as Broom. If necessary, a layer of straw, form-
ing a kind of slanting roof, may be constructed over the leaves
BO as to throw off the wet.

Shelters for Standard and Half Standard '.Rose Trees.
— When the stem of the Rose tree is sufficiently flexible to
allow us to bend down the head to the ground, we bring it
half under and half above the level of the soil, covering it
over with a heap of leaves as above described. The stem is
surrounded with a packing of dry Moss or Hay, kept in its
place by a straw covering, and, finally, the base of the tree is
earthed up and surrounded with a mass of dry leaves. The
■whole is kept firm by means of a training stick, which is
inserted in the ground at the highest part of the curve made
by the bent stem, the two being firmly tied together in the
■usual way. When the stems cannot be bent without danger
of breaking them, we must begin by cutting the principal
branches of them even with each other, j- Their ends are now
brought together and tied, and the empty spaces between them
filled up with dry Moss, the whole being kept in its proper
position by a second tying. The head is now surrounded with
Moss, and the lower part of the stem is earthed up and covered
with Rye straw, beginning from the bottom. The ears of the
straw, if it has any, should be upwards, and the lower part
should spread like a thatch over the surface of the leaves form-
ing the mound. The upper portions, in the same way, should
spread out and project beyond the head ot the tree, and be
brought together above the head, and firmly tied together in
the form of a double cone. The apex of the cone should be
covered with a flower pot, the hole of which has
been closed by a cork, the whole being firmly
attached to a wooden support driven into the ground. It
must be understood that if a single length of straw is not
sufficient, we must use two layers instead of one, taking care
to begin at the bottom. As soon as all danger of frost is over
the coverings are taken off ; but it is as well not to be in too
great a hurry over this operation, because, on account of the
trees having been kept so well covered, they will have put
forth numerous delicate shoots, which are not accustomed
either to the least cold or to the hot rays of the sun, so that
in any case we should take away the coverings when the sun
is not shining. All the precautions which we have described
above are not sufficient to guard against the effects of frost on
dormant shield-buds which have been grafted at the latter end

of the season ; we must, therefore, protect them further by
surrounding them with a dry Maize leaf, with oiled paper, or
with grafting wax.

Rose Forcins. — The virieties preferred tor forcing are
Rosier du Roi, LaReine, Jules Margottin, Madame Boll, Souve-
nir de la Reined'Angleterre, Louise Peyrouiiy, Blanche Lafitte,
Bengal Cramoise Superieur, Tea-scented Roses, such as Sou-
venir de Malmaison, Madame Falcot, Marechal Kiel, Safrano,
Madame Lacharme, Mrs. Bosanquet and Lamarque. These
varieties are grafted on low stocks at about 4 in. from the
ground, and form dwarf Rose trees fit for pot culture. Before
potting, the roots must be trimmed and the suckers cut off ;
they are then planted in 6-in pots in a mixture of equal parts
of Iresli mould and well rotted night soil, which has been
passed through a fine sieve. The potting generally takes place
in November, and the potted Roses are buried in the borders
of the garden, placing the pots on their sides, and protecting
them from the cold with an abundant layer of litter. In the
month of April these Roses are planted out in borders, so that
each border may contain five rows. They are then pruned, the
strongest branches being chosen and cut down to within 8 in.
of their base, all weak shoots, producing nothing but leaves,
being got rid of. The surface of the bed is now covered with
a layer of manure, which will do much to keep the roots of the
Rose trees moist. The trees, however, must be copiously
watered during summer. In the November following these
operations they are taken into the forcing house. The tips
only of the branches must be pinched off, for in this case
quantity is of more importance than quality. The pots are
placed either in the frames of the forcing house, or on a
layer of stable manure about 8 in. thick, made up
on the surface of the tan in the frames without plunging the
pots, which must be kept at a certain distance from each other,
otherwise the plants are apt to become weak and " leggy." To
keep the soil in the pots constantly moist, their surface is co-
vered with a good layer of stable litter, and watering is kept
up during the whole time of forcing. One very essential point
is to keep in the forcing-house several barrels filled with water,
which must be always kept at the same temperature as the
house itself ; that is to say, at from 60° to 65°. According as
we want to force the growth of our Roses, and obtain a supply
of blooms for a certain predetermined date, we must allow a
period of forty or fifty days for the plants to flower fully. If
we notice any aphides on the tops of the shoots, we must lose
no time in giving the plants several copious fumigations with
tobacco during the night, until these troublesome pests be
eradicated. If these Rose trees are grown for commercial pur-
poses, they are sent to market as they come to perfection, and
are replaced by others. This kind of succession of forced
Roses lasts until the month of April, the remaining subjects
being planted out in the open air, after having been unpotted.
M. Laurent, of the Rue de Louvere, at Paris, is at the head ot
the forced flower trade. With him winter does not exist, and
from November to May he supplies the market with a constant
succession of Roses and Lilacs, these flowers being sought
after more than any others, for bouquets and head-dresses for
dinners and balls.

The method of forcing Roses for cut blooms, differs from
that adopted when the trees are sent to market in pots. The
trees are planted in the soil of the frames of the forcing-house
itself. Thanks to the perfection to which the art of heating
by hot water has been brought, we can regulate the tempera-
ture at will, at the same time leaving the glasses of the frames
quite uncovered, so that the colour of the blooms is in no way
interfered with. Failure takes place in only such severe win-
ters as that of 1871-2. Rose trees forced in this way have the
woody portions of their branches only half matured. As soon
as May arrives, the lights of the forcing house and the
frames must be opened, in order to give them the full benefit
of the summer. It is just at this period that the Rose trees
should undergo a fresh pruning, which consists in cutting out
all weak shoots, whichonly tend to entanglement, and shorten-
ing the bloom-bearing branches to a length of about six inches.
Watering must of course be kept up, and the ground weeded
and hoed as often as may be necessary. There is but little
trade done in Rose-buds during the summer and autumn, ex-

204

THE GARDEN.

[March 8, 1879.

cept at the feast of St. Mary, September 8th, when they will
fetch as much as four francs a dozen, every lady bearing the
name of " Mary" being presented with rose-buds by all her
friends on that day.

Forcing Roses in Fkames. — It is not at all necessary to have
a forcing-house in order to force Roses. The following is the
method adopted by the Paris florists, in order to procure a
supply of Roses early in the spring. Rose trees are potted
a year previously, and kept in the borders of the garden. To-
wards the beginning of November the pots are taken out of
the beds, and laid by the heels with the plants in a slanting
direction, so as to avoid the growth of the wood and hasten
the fall of the leaves. About the middle of December, or a
little later or a little earlier, according to the weather, the pots
are placed in their proper position. For this purpose a bed is
dug, and the necessary number of frames placed upon it. In
each frame we plunge eight pots, reserving a space about 10 in.
broad along the sides of the frames, and the whole is covered
in with the lights. Frames for Roses ought to be 2 ft. 2 in.
high in front, and 2 ft. b in. at the back. The Rose trees,
which should be kept fairly watered, remain in the frames
until the eyes are swollen. The shoots above the eyes are cut
down, and all useless shoots are got rid of. The pruning over,
the frames are surrounded with a wall of stable manure, run-
ning all round the frame and overtopping it by about 6 iu. or
7 in. The wall of the manure should be 2 ft. wide at the base,
and 1 ft. 4 in. wide at the top ; iu about ten days the manure
will be in full fermentation. We must now thoroughly un-
cover the frames iu order to get rid of the ammoniacal fumes,
which are fatal to Rose trees, as well as of the damp, which
would cause the plants to wither if fresh air did not dry
the leaves and buds thoroughly. The frames must therefore
be propped open every day when the weather permits, and
covered with straw mats at night. It must be understood
that the mats are never taken off except the sun be shining.
The growth of the plants must be looked after, insects must
be rigorously destroyed and the green fly put to flight with
copious fumigations of tobacco, given iu the evening. The
protecting walls of manure should be turned once every fort-
night. Rose trees treated in this way, generally bloom about
forty days after they are placed in the frame. Counting forty
days as the period necessary to bring a Rose tree to perfection,
we can so adapt our supply of pots to the frames, that we can
have a succession ot blooms from the beginning of February
to the middle of May, when the first Roses grown in the open
air begin to make their appearance. J. Laceaume.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

NOTES ON SEED SOWING.
Sow only seeds ot good quality, both as regards germinating
power and pure stocks. When a failure occurs badly-prepared
land or careless sowing is often the main cause. A favourable
seed time can generally be had by watching and waiting, and
promptly taking advantage of it when it arrives ; it is better
to wait a few days than to sow when the ground is in an unfit
condition to receive the seed. But with land difiicult to work
in a backward season a crop may often be successfully got in
with the aid of a few light boards laid across the bed ; this, in
some cases, may perhaps involve a little more labour, but it
insures success. The same means may be usefully employed
in transplanting in wet seasons, as nothing makes land that is
naturally adhesive so unfio for plants as treading on it when
its surface is wet. All seeds are best sown in drills, at varying
distances, according to each particular kind, but, in all cases,
room should be allowed to use the hoe freely. Both thick and
very thin sowing are, iu certain cases, evils to be avoided, but
the character of the land should be considered in deciding
what quantity of seed to sow. On light, warm land, where
every seed will grow, fewer seeds should be sown than on
damp, heavy land, and where, perhaps, in a cold, unfavourable
season, slugs and other insect enemies may be troublesome.
Besides, no matter how good the seeds may be, some will pro-
duce better and stronger plants than others, and there shoald

always be sufficient plants on the ground to allow of a choice
being made, so that the crop, when finally thinned, may consist
of selected plants only. Those who have had much to do with
young plants will understand the importance of this, although,
it may be, the work of thinning is often delegated to workmen
who ignore or overlook its force.

The depth at which seeds should be buried should bear some
proportion to the size of the seed ; but the character of the
soil in which they are laid is even of more importance. In
warm, dry soils seeds may be safely and advantageously placed
deeper than where the soil is of a heavier nature. Drills for
what are termed small seeds need not in any case be more than
i in. deep, and less will suffice on heavy soils. In the latter
case, unless the soil be in a mellow condition, cover with a pre-
pared compost, of which burnt earth, or decayed vegetable
matter from the waste heap, forms the chief part. When this
plan is adopted, no matter what the soil or the season, the
seeds will germinate regularly and well. Larger seeds, such
as Peas and Beans, may be covered 2 in. for early crops, while
later sowings may be put in a little deeper. The same remark
applies to later sowings of small seeds, such as those of Turnips,
as it often happens in dry weather, by burying them just a
little deeper, the seeds can be laid in moist soil, and will, in
consequence, germinate more speedily, and when seeds lie long
in the laud the crop cannot be so even or regular. In certain
cases the germination of seeds may be hastened by mixing
them with some damp substance, such as sand, or by soaking
them in water for twenty-four hours or so before sowing, bub
the most natural way is usually the best, and artificial plans
should only be adopted where, from some unavoidable cause,
the sowing of the crop has been delayed.

All seeds should be sown on moderately firm land ; for some
plants, such as Onions, this is indispensable, and it is es-
pecially necessary if the land be of such a nature as to not
readily consolidate or settle down, and there is a vast difference
in different gardens in this respect. Treading is the means
commonly adopted to secure solidity, but where land is very
light, the iron roller may be drawn over it twice in contrary
directions. If the surface be not sufficiently dry to bear the
roller at the time of sowing, or even the feet, delay sowing till
the surface is in a suitable condition. This need not, however,
interfere with the sowing of the seeds, as the final treading or
rolling may be given a week or ten days after the seeds have
been sown, and it will be better to do it then than not at
all.

There is nothing better than lime dustings to preserve young
plants from the attacks of slugs, and very early in the morning
or late in the evening, is the best time to apply them. Stirring
the surface among the young crops the moment they appear,
freely and often, will also help to keep the slugs in check, as
they cannot travel well over a rough, uneven surface, and the
stirring will also encourage and stimulate the young plants to
grow up out of their reach. Scattering dry ashes over any
crop to which slugs are partial, is likewise a good preventive,
as their soft, slimy bodies can't get over the sharp, jagged edges
of the small particles of cinder with which sifted ashes
abound.

Where mice or birds are numerous and troublesome, the
seeds should be thinly coated with red lead just previous to
sowing, in order to make them distasteful. This is easily
done; first, damp the quantity of seeds to be sown with water
or oil ; then scatter a little dry lead over them, and stir and
mix altogether. It must not be forgotten by persons unaccus-
tomed to the use of such sublances that red lead is poisonous.
Paraffin oil may also be used for soaking seeds in to preserve
them from vermin, but as commonly sold in the shops it varies
greatly in strength, and should be used first experimentally
till its effect has been ascertained. E. Hobday.

SPADE HOES.
A HEAVY iron hoe appears to be the universal implement em-
ployed for land culture by all half-civilised races, and perhaps
under all circumstances no other would be so generally useful.
In the Economic Museum at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, there
are one or two examples of " fasses " or spade hoes used in Egypt,

Makch 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

205

and Livingstone, in his volume of " Missionary Travels " (Lon-
don : John Murray, 1857) illustrates two similar forms which
he saw used by the African natives of Batoka and Angola.
Both consist, as will be seen, of a heavy iron blade set in a stout
wooden shaft. The Angolan form is peculiar, however, in
having two shafts which diverge from the blade at an angle of
about 22°, aud on being struck into the soil the two plough-like
handles give the operator a greater leverage power than one
would naturally do. The other implement illustrated may be
taken as the type of that adopted by the Chinese emigrants in
the Straits Settlements and Eastern Archipelago generally ;
indeed, wherever a Chinaman sets his foot in a new locality for

Batoka Spade Hoe.

cultural purposes, a chopper and a blade or two of his national
" chunkal " or spade-hoe are sure to form a part of his extremely
small belongings. He sets to work by cutting the brush wood and
small timber on his future clearing, and piling this at the base
of the large trees, he fires the whole until only a few great
black stumps, and here and there a gaunt, leafless Durian or
Dryobalanops remains of the old forest. Now, the " chunkal "
is used to stir the virgin soil by chopping it up, a much quicker
process than digging ; indeed, a spade would have no chance
in a competition where, as. in this case, the soil is full
of roots. If desirable, the soil can be thus chopped
up to a depth of 12 in. or 14 in., the only drawback being that
the operator stands on the freshly cultivated land. Armed
with a chopper and one of these spade-hoes, a solitary China-
man will not unfrequently build a miserable little Palm-leaf
hut on a well watered bit of forest near a river, and in a month

Angolan Spade Hoe.

or two he will have cleared several acres, to which, when
planted with Gambler or Pepper, he looks for a fair return.
Here, alone in the tiger-infested forest, or at the best with a
companion or two equally poor as himself, he subsists on a
little boiled Rice, until his crops of Sweet Potatoes, Bananas,
Sugar cane. Egg fruit, Maize, and Yams are fit for use ; for one
of his first cares has been to clear the bit of land around his
hut, on which to plant the few roots and seeds which he has
brought with him, most probably the gift of one of his richer
countrymen, perchance of the trader of whom he bought the
bag of rice, which with a little freshly caught fish from the
river, are the only " stores" which stand between him and

starvation, until his garden produce is available. I have often
come across these clearings right in the heart of the forest,
miles away from any other human habitation, and have been
as much astonished at the amount of labour performed with
such a simple tool, as the thrifty labourer himself was to see
me. Practically, I found one of these heavy sharp-edged hoes
invaluable for taking up shrubs and plants in the forest — a
much more difficult operation than one would imagine — since
the earth an inch or two below the surface is often thickly in-
terlaced with strong roots. In English gardens such an imple-
ment— which any blacksmith could soon make — would be of
great practical use in clearing shrubberies and plantations, as
well as for earthing up onerations of all kinds. It must be
well steeled along the cutting edge, and should be made strong
and heavy enough to sever roots as thick as the wrist at a
blow. It will then be found a really useful and practicable
implement ; a combination of the awkward old grub-axe with
the hoe and spade, and invaluable for cultivating land near
hedges and trees where roots are plentiful, and where the use

"Chunkal" or Chinese Spa-ie Hoe.

of the common spade, to say the least, is extremely incon-
venient. I. 0. U.

ADVANTAGES OF PLANTING POTATOES EARLY.
Last year was an exceptionally bad year for Potatoes, and it
is not surprising to find growers condemning good kinds, such
as Climax, which may be new to them. I never had a more
striking example of the importance of early planting on the
size and quality of the crop than last year. In the first place
I will speak of a good breadth of Lapstones. This, with me,
is usually the best of all Potatoes, and I have grown it more
than twenty seasons. Early last year I trenched a piece of
ground three spits deep, throwing it up into ridges 2-i- ft. wide.
I manured it with the contents of a rubbish heap, consisting
chiefly of rotten leaves and lawn sweepings. In fine, dry
weather, about the middle of March, drills were drawn between
the ridges. The sets were carefully planted, and the ridges
were forked over, making the ground level. About a fortnight
afterwards the remaining portion was trenched, treated, and
planted in the same way. Those planted first were up a few
days before the rest, but in a short time no difference could
be seen, and when in flower no trace of any rows existed, as
far as general appearance went, but the disease set in earlier
than usual, and with unwonted severity, and on the whole, in
a fortnight, not a green leaf was left. When dug, in the
middle of August, those first planted were twice as large as
the tubers of the second lot, but the quality in both cases was
close and bad.

With reference to other sorts grown under plough culture,
let us advert to an adjoining field. This, consisting of two
acres, was twice ploughed, dragged, harrowed and rolled, and
got to a fine tilth, and the Potatoes (two sorts, Portyfolds and
Regents) were ploughed in from 6 in. to 7 in. deep, and 3 ft.
from row to row, the plough turning a 12 in. furrow each time.
The planting of the field was finished in two days (the 18th
and 19th of March) ; the weather being fine the crops were

206

THE GARDEN.

[MAnon 8, 1879.

put in under the best of circumstances. A little Guano was
sown in the furrow wish the seed, and nothing more was done
until the young plants began to show themselves above the
surface, when the ground was lightly harrowed in order to kill
all small weeds. As the Potatoes grew they were twice horse-
hoed, the second hoeing covering Hussey's Grey Stone Turnip
seed, sown by hand from a tin powder canister with a small
hole in it. Nothing more was done until the tubers were dug
in the middle of August, when the Fortyfolds (having suc-
sumbed to the disease soon after the Lapstones) turned out to
be a small sample but of good quality ; the Kegents, the haulm
of which was only partially affected, proved to be a fine crop
and excellent in quality, whereas Regents, grown by cottagers
to whom I gave some seed, planted a month later, proved
small and close, although well cultivated ; a decided proof,
according to my opinion, of the advantage of early planting.
When dug the crop is taken to cool dark sheds and picked
over. About two or three weeks afterwards, the seed and
eating sorts were stowed away in their respective places, and
they have not been picked over since, as this season, owing
to the cold weather, they have not begun to grow yet.

On the headland of the field on the south side, after the
Potatoes are planted, I sow Savoys, Drumhead Cabbage, and
Thoujandheaded Kale. These, when transplanted, make up
for any deficiency that may occur in the Turnip crop sown
amongst the Potatoes. Some of the Turnips measured 22 in.
in circumference. The culture of this field for both crops is
even less than that which an adjoining field receives for a Tur-
nip crop alone under a good tenant farmer, and we get our
crop of Potatoes with no more labour than that of dropping
in the seed and digging the crop. For many years I have tried
most of the new sorts sent out, and some years ago I exhibited
over fifty kinds at South Kensington, but now for stock I rely
on the above three old sorts. The field referred to is now well
dresssd with rotten leaves, and it will ba ploughed up deeply
as soon a.s fine weather sets in. The soil here being naturally
well drained, I plant deeply and never earth up a Potato.
Earthing up buries the first leaves, and thereby makes the
Potatoes ten days or a fortnight later than they otherwise
would be, which is of some importance when the disease
shortens the season by setting in so early as it did last year. I
ought to add that in my Potato culture not a single cartload of
ordinary manure was used in either year during which I have
grown Potatoes in the above manner. John G-^rlaxd.

KtUerton, E.vctci-.

NOTES AND QUSSTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GARDJ1.S[.

Winter Lettuces. — Daring this long winter I have daily out
good Lottaces of the Black-seeded Bath Co3 variety, grown out of
doors. The seed of it wa3 aown in the first week in July, ita produce
was planted in good land, and when full grown covered oi/er with 6 in.
of light Bracken. This not only prevents the froat from injuring the
Lettuces bat blanchos their hearts. On St. Valentine's day I lifted
several barrow-loads, and laid them in for use, the ground being
wanted for spring Dropping. — -S. Gilbert, Bwrihlei/.

Magnum Bonum Potato.— It is most probable that the soil in
which " B. H. J. S." (p. 190) haa grown his Magnum Bonum Potato
is far too rich. This variety, to be good for table, should be
grown in soil that is comparatively poor and moderately dry. If
Magnum Bonum cornea unfit to eat in snoh soil, there are fifty other
sorta considered g)oJ that would, it grown in the same soil, be in the
same condition. The .anxiety to secure a large crop induces planting
to be done in a rich, fertile soil. This may suit the more delicate or
less robust early or garden kinds, but in the case of large-growing
Borts it it a mistake. Except where this ia the oaae, I have not only
heard no complaints of the quality of Magnum Bonum, but have
heird it generally highly spoken of. I raised a splendid crop of
moderate.aized tubers of this kind from land that had not been
manured for three jeara. — A. D.

Potatoes and Frost — I trust no one will be disposed to take
" Cambrian's " remarks as to the slight effects of froat upon Potatoes
literally, and next winter be careless in protecting their stores. The
more completely the frost ia excluded the better, aa not only does a
Blight attack affect the eating quality ct the tubers, but it too often
kills the bnd germs, and thus induces blindness in the seed tubers.
I obaerve that both " Cambrian " and Mr. Baines falls into the error
of quoting Myatt's, Veitoh's, Lee's, Rivers', and Glouceatershira

Aahleaf Kidneys as distinct kinds. Nothing can be more delusive.
The exhaustive trial of Potatoes undertaken at Cbiswick a few years
ago, and which fully settled the question of distinctness or otherwise
in relation to numerous kinds, showed that all these so-called sorts
are one and the same. Where, again, is the difference between Dal-
mahoy and York Regent, except in the imagination ? As to reoom.
mending the Regent, I would strongly recommend ita not being
planted. A sort that it ia almost certain will show a crop more than
half diseased is woroO than useless. — A. D.

GARDENING FOR THE WE1K.

Conservatcry.

Camellias in pots as they go out of bloom in conservatories shoald
be removed into the houaea in which their growth is to be made, and
their places should be supplied by plants that flower later, so as to
keep up a sucoeaaion. Even in places where considerable numbers of
Camellias are cultivated, it often happens that none of the varieties
that possesa a natural disposition to bloom late are grown, which is
not only a mistake, ao far as regarda the flowers for out purposes, but
also from a decorative point of view, as, when the Camellia bloom ia
over, especially in large conservatories, it is a diffioult matter to find
flowering plants of size auffioient to take their place for general effect.
Azaleas, if brought into flower aa recommended, will now be very
useful for theae atructurea, and ao will also Genistas, Acacias, Epac-
lises, Ilabrothamuus (grown as standards). Lilacs, Deutzias, Pru.
nuses, Guelder Roses, Rhododendrons, Ghent Azaleas, and similar
forced shrubs. By the assistance of these, combined with amaller.
growing plants, such as Cinerarias, Cyclamens, early-flowering Pelar.
goniums, and the late batch of Primulas, Hyacinths, Tulips, Lily of
the Valley, aud Naroisai, a diaplay may now be forthcoming, which it
is not easy to eq'.ial, either for quantity or diversity, at any other
time of the year.

Insects. — Through the little extra warmth required in conaerva-
toriea, coupled with the fact that many of the plants have been
brought on into bloom in a higher temperature, aphides are certain
t) make their appearance on some, and if continual watchfulness be
not maintained, so aa to destroy them, they aoon apread to an extent
that entails very much more labour later in the season. At no time
is it so necessary to take means for keeping these pesta in check as
conaervatory are necessarily moved backwards and forwards to other
at the present, when the various subjects that have to do duty in a
houses. If theae inaects be not killed on their firat appearance, the
occupants of almost every house in the establishment get infested
with them. There are several objections to fumigating conservatories,
eapeoially when attached to the dwelling, where the odour from
Tobacco, or of the various preparations now made from it for using in
like manner, is highly disagreeable for some days after. To avoid
this, any plants found to bo affectei should be taken out and fumi-
gated elsewhere. For thiapnrpoae I have found it well to employ a
small, teat-like contrivance, consiating of a light, wooden framework
that could be set up in a potting ahed, or any outbuilding suSioient
to hold a considerable number of planta, by covering the whole up
closely with any available material, auch as canvas. Peach blinds, or
mats, and if a good oiled sheet happens to be at hand, putting it
over all, the fumea can be kept in until the inaeota are killed. If
two or three applications be given to effect their destrustion, without
its at anytime being so atrong aa to injure the planta, it will be
much better and more economical than fumigating the conservatory,
or even a large house, when only a limited number of plants require
to be treated in this way.

Shading. — The aun now begins to be powerful, and there ia a
disposition, in flowers aa the season advances, not to last so long.
This particularly becomes apparent if no shading ia employed ; but
fixed shading ia at all times injarioua in its consequences, and should
never be used if it can be done without, where there is a desire to
grow the plants well. At no season are its effects worse than in the
early spring, when the young, tender shoots and leaves require all
the light they can possibly get, and where, although there may be a
necessity for shielding the flowers from the direct rays of the sun for
a few hours in the day, daring the very much longer period when
nothing is needed, the shade does much miaohief. On conservatories
with plain roofs there is no difficulty in the matter, by merely nsing
blinds with the ordinary rollers ; but on those that are more elaborate
in their construction they are generally unworkable, necessitating
resort being had to fixed material, but thia, whoa so employed,
should always be very thin and light-oolonred. The coloured shading
of every kind is an unmitigated evil, for the simple reason that it
darkens the planta proportionately as it is removed in colour from
white.

March 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

207

Oreenhouee.

Potting Hard-wooded Plants. — Plants of this description are
now potted much earlier in the eeason than at one time was con-
sidered the best ; then the operation was deferred till towards the
end of April or May, when more active growth bad commenced, bat
this naturally had the effect of subjeoting them to greater danger
of death or injury by the dittarbanceof their roots when the drying
influences of sun and air were more powerful in their action on the
wood and leaves, and, in addition, the state of the weather necessi.
tated the admission of more air to keep down the temperature in
place of the confined, close state of the atmosphere it is essential to
provide for a few weeks after potting, and which can be managed so
much better whilst the weather is comparatively cool. SafBcient
soil should at onco bo prepared, both peat and loam, propottionate to
the number of plants that require one or other, in all cases breaking
it by hand instead of sifting, except for plants that hive only just
advanced beyond the cutting stage, and I may bore urge that,
despite what may appear to be extravagant practice in rejecting
much more of the solid earthy portion of the soil, and confining the
use comparatively more to the fibrous matter, this will in the end
prove the truest economy, as not only will the plants grow away in
Buch material a deal faster than in the soIH, compactor soil, but those
of an enduring character and expected to keep on f jr a number of
years will be far less liable to get out of oon^iition and die
prematurely. At the same time it may be necessary to point
out that when soil of the description advised is used it requires
more care in compressing it closely in the pots. All the pots requisite
should be in readiness — new ones so far as wanted, and old ones clean-
washed — with crocks broken to the sizes needed, and also washed
clean if they have been before naed for a like purpose, with the
necessary labels to replace all that have become illegible, so that the
work can go on and be completed in a systematic kind of way.

Where there is a very large number of hard-.vooded plants, it is
nsual to commence with the smallest first; there is one disadvantage
attending this, that it necessitates a considerably larger quantity of
pots on hand — stock always liable to breakage — whereas, if the large
specimens are potted first, gradually ODming down to the smaller, the
pots that are thus set at liberty can be used for the latter, but this,
of coarse, must be subject to the condition and imme'^iato want o£
shifting of the different plants to be operated upon. On those whose
expei'ience has been more confined to plants of a soft-wooded, quick-
growing character, it may be necessary to impress that, to prevent,
as fivr as possible, the injaryliable to be inflicted on hard.wooled
subjects in removal, through the breakage of their roots, which are
60 ranch longer in repairing any barm they sustain than are plants
of a more rapid-growing, hardy description, it is reqtiisite to take
every precaution not to disturb them more than is unavoidable. The
system once thought needful of loosening the roots from the
old ball is most disastrous in its consequences ; incalculable
numbers of tender-rooted, hard-wooded plants have been destroyed
by it. Even when absolute death does not ensue, it frequently
takes months before there are a sufficient quantity of healthy feeding
fibres to supply the place of those mutilated. It is a'so of impor-
tance with this class of plants to see that the soil which the roots
are already in is well moistened before potting, so as to allow all the
time possible to elaose before water is given after they have been
placsd in new ma'erialjfor'then ason that wheu duecire haibeen takeu
to avoid any injury to thsm, a good number will be broken in the
necessary removal of the old drainage from the bittom of the ball,
and if water has to be given before these have had time to heal up,
the wet condition of the new soil, laying in absolute contact with
them at the bottom of the pots, often causes them to rot back so far
as to destroy the plants. This, unquestionably, is the direct cause
of death after potting, although it may often not take place for many
weeks, or even some months later. After potting, it is essential that
the plants should be kept for three or four weeks closer than usual,
admitting little if any side air, and keeping the atmosphere moist.

If the plants are standing on shelves or stages the groond under-
neath should be moistened, the evaporation from which will be sutfi-
oient for the purpose, as hatd. wooded plants generally are better not
Byringed, except with a view to remove insects, or for a time after
being oat back. If the weather comes very bright, it will cause the
temperature to rise considerably, but as this, so early in the season,
will rarely be more than for a few hours in the middle of the day, it
will do no barm if the roof ventilators be open. E^en in the case
of plants that are not to be potted, and that usnally receive a maxi-
mnm of air, such as Heaths, it must be given very sparingly at the
Bides or not at all during this and the next month, when the wind
happens to be of the dry cutting character proverbial at this season,
for, if admitted in a current upon even the old foliage, it is often
very destructive in its effects. In span-roofed houses where means

exist, as they onght to do, of giving air at both sides, a little can
always be admitted at that opposite to the direction from which the
wind happens to come.

Tender Annuals for Pot Culture. — If a little seed be now
sown of Balsams, Globe Amarantus, Celosia pyramidalis, and
Cockscombs they will come in early for conservatory and greenhouse
decoration. It is not well to sow the seeds in more heat than is
necessary for their healthy germination, and in raising the young
plants at this season, it is essential that, from the first of their
appearance, they be placed as near the glass as possible, for, if they
become in any way drawn op weak and spindly, no after attention
can ever repair the injury ; for a like reason they should always be
potted singly as soon as they are large enough to handle.

Striking Zonal Pelargoniums.— These plants, as is well
known, will strike at any time of the year, but the varieties intended
for winter flowering I have always found to do much the best from
cuttings struck the autumn previous or early in spring, times
which give them a chance for getting the wood hard and solidified ;
without this condition, when subjected to the warmth requisite for the
tree development of flower through the dull season, they almost in.
variably are inclined to ran to leaf rather than the formation of
bloom. Cuttings taken off now, struck in warmth, grown on without
check, and thoroughly hardened up during the latter end of summer,
if properly managed afterwards, will well answer the purpose
required.

Fancy Pelargoniums. — The disposition to cultivate plants that
are more easily grown, has caused these to fall into comparative
neglect. The present is much the best season to strike them, secure
ing for the purpose the freest-growing shoots. They will root now
much more certainly and quickly, and grow better afterwards than
those put in when the old plants are cut back after flowering.

Puchsias for the general display should now be encouraged to
make all the growth possible, as, if they do not attain sufficient size
early in the season, their natural free-flowering disposition brings
them into a blooming state, rather than to shoot extension, when the
weather gets hotter. Stop the shoots as requisite, to fully furnish
the plants. Syringe them freely on the afternoons of fine days to
keep down insects.— T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas.— A pleasant change has come over our specimen
plants. A few weeks ago they werj almost dormant, now the
young leaves are expan led, and trusses are emerging from the
centre of the crowns, showing by the development of the pips
that the leaf covering is very favourable to their growth, as moat
of them are as far advanced as the side trusses that could be seen
in November. See that the greatest care is taken to protect the
young growths from cutting winds ; also that the frames are covered
with mats at night. We have a number of pots full of seedlings,
as it was perceived that the seeds were vegetating as the frost set in
about Christmas, the pots were taken oat oi the frames and P'aced
in a greenhonsp. The joung plants have mostly formed a third
leaf and they must now be pricked off, say about twenty.five plants
in a 4.in. pot. The pots are filled up with fibrous loain, leaf.mould,
and a little rotten manure, merely using about i in. of fi°«'y-
siftad soil on the surface in which to plant the young seedlings ;
after pitting, place the pots in a cold frame.

Carnations and Picotees.— We have now finished potting these,
and have, as far as possible placed the plants under the shelter of
glass lights ; the object in doing this is to shelter them from high
linds and heavy rains. Those who have not the convenience of
lights had better improvise some sort of shelter. Mr. Dodwella
garden at Clapham is exposed to the wind in all directions, and
he has erected a framework which he has covered with hexagon
garden netting. This would not answer quite so well as glass frames,
but on the other hand, no attention is required. He informs tne
that heavy rain drops are broken by the netting, and fall on the
plants in the form of spray. The netting is also a sufficient shelter
from high winds. No water should be applied to the plants for at
least a week after potting. It is very desirable that each class and
section be kept separate, and the Tarieties should also be arranged
alphabetically so that any particular kind may be readily found.
Begin potting the scarlet Bizarres, following on with crimson
Bizarres then pink and purple Bizarres ; next come the flakes purple,
scarlet and rose in their order. Take of Picotees the red-edged first,
following with purple and rcse-edged, and lastly aU the fancy varie-
ties, comprising self Carnations and yellow.ground Picotees.

Hollyhocks.- The plants propagated in spring will not be quite
ready to plant ont until the first week in April, but old plants potted
up in the autumn and cuttings straok at that time may now be

208

THE GARDEN.

[Marcu 8, 1879.

planted ont on the first favourable opportanity. The work can be
done even if the border be not in good condition, if there ia a
reserve of dry loam to place round the roots. I always do this with
fine sorts ; about two or three spadefuls of soil are taken out, and as
much of the prepared soil put in its place ; a compost of two parts
dry loam to one of rotten manure from spent Mushroom beds answers
well. See that the soil in the pots is quite moiat befoie putting the
plants out, this is better than watering after planting them.

Pansies in Pots. — For a cottager or amateur who cannot afford
the luxury of a greenhouse, there are no plants better adapted for
producing choice early flowers than these, or that can be propagated
either from seeds or cuttings with so little trouble. Of course seed,
lings that had not flowered would not be grown in pots, which should
contain only the choicest varieties. See that air is freely admitted
to the frames in order to prevent tho growths from being drawn up
weakly. Only shut up close on frosty nights. Give manure water-
ing at every alternate watering, ss soon as the soil in the pots is well
filled with roots. If the frame faces the south, it will be necessary to
shade it, in order to preserve the flowers, during a few hours in the
middle of the day.

Primula oortusoides and other kinds grown under glass are
now making rapid growth. The pretty little P. nivalis should be
grown in quantity ; its delicate pnre white flowers are very sweet, and
are freely produced. P. japonica may be grown for the sake of variety,
but it cannot be said to be either a king or queen amongst Primulas.
The finest single and double forms of the common Primrose are easily
grown ; what ihey all want at this season is no lack of water at the
roots, attention to cleanliness, and free ventilation. Insect pests are
very annoying, and must be destroyed.

Tulips. — These are now mostly through the ground, and, to all
appearance, are making a very healthy growth. One does not know
what a day may bring forth, but with the 1st of March came a change
for the better. The plants should, however, be protected from severe
frost should it again occur, and that can be done as recommended ia
previous numbers. Hexagon netting, as used by Mr. Dodwell for his
Carnations, I would prefer to any thicker covering. — J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

At length the long desired change in the weather has taken place,
and with it comes a formidable array of arrears of work, which will
require the most persistent energy to overtake. First and foremost
Bhould be the planting of any fruit trees that has yet to be done,
after which, complete the pruning and nailing of all wall fruits, es.
peoially those that are on southern and western aspects ; the trees on
the northern and eastern walls are not so forward, and can, therefore,
be left to bring up the rear. Fortunately, the protracted cold has bad
one good effect, and that is, that even if vegetation now should make
the most rapid progress, all kinds of fruit will be later in flower than
is usually the case, and, consequently, there is greater ground for
hope that they may escape spring frosts, which are ofttimes so disas-
trous. A finer prospect of an abundant fruit season could not possibly
be than there ia in this district (North Hants) this season, and happily
the birds have, by the hard winter, been thinned to something like a
reasonable limit; therefore, there is little danger to apprehend from
that qnartsr; ttiU vigilance will be requisite to ward off any attacks
which they may yet make, and also to have in readiness all protecting
matei ials, to be applied as soon as the blossoms begin to burst. A few
mild days will start all trees into active growth, and grafting of new
or improved varieties of fruit on inferior kinds, can now be done. If
the Btooka were headed down a couple of months ago, all the better,
though this need not be an obstacle, as no real harm will be done by
cutting them down now. Cleft or wedge grafting is that which we
practise and recommend as being at once simple.expeditiouely dooe.and
effective. Work the olay well over the grafts in order to exclude
both air and rain, and keep a reserve of olay to renew any damage
that may be caused by frost lo setiiog it from the stocks. Cuttings
of Gooseberries and Currants can be made on wet days, and be planted
now at any time. Single-stemmed bushes should a'wajs be preferred j
therefore select the young growths of last year, which should be at
least 9 in. long, twelve or fifteen not being too much. Pick out all
the eyes or buds except two or three at top, and plant firmly in rows
18 in. apart and 6 in. apart in the row. They will root in a few weeks,
and as growth proceeds pick out any buds that may appear near the
surface of the soil c- through it, the object being to form a tree that
shall have a single stem, and be free from suckers. Transplant any
cuttings that were put in last season, giving thera about double the
space which they have had as cuttings, and next year they will be
sufficiently large to form permanent plantations. Established plan,
tations of Gooseberries and Currants should be lightly "pointed"
over and a liberal mulching of stable manure be afterwards given

them ; lacking this, give them a dressing of lime, soot, or wood
ashes, or the three mixed together, in which case the mixture should
be applied when the trees are damp, and if thrown over them as well
as on the ground, some of it will adhere, and not only kill Moss and
Lichen, but keep off mischevious birds. Some varieties of Straw-
berries have suffered severely during the winter, and any not mulched
prior to the frost setting in, are sure to be permanently injured.
Any thus affected had best be uprooted forthwith, and new planta-
tions formed from the runners pricked out in reserve beds last
autumn. Of course no fruit can be expected from such plants during
the present season, but tho best runners for next season's forcing
may be obtained from them, so that they will be of some service if
planted thus early. Figs that have been matted or coiled up with
hay bands for the winter may now be uncovered, but they should be
nailed at once or tied closely to the walls to be clear of frost. Thin
ont any weak or unripe shoots, but avoid cutting them more than ia
absolutely necessary for the full exposure of all the branches to light
and air. If the trees are in full bearing vigour use manure freely
over the surface ; but if strong-growing and shy as regards fruiting,
partially root prune by taking out a trench at a reasonable distance
from the stem, and cutting off a few of the largest roots ; then fill in
with the same soil without any admixture whatever. Keep all strong
growths constantly pinched during the summer, and this, with im.
paired root action, will conduce to fraitfnlness another season. —
W. \V.

Kitchen Qarden.

Now that favourable weather has set in all vacant ground should
be dug and all crops of a doubtful character, such as frost-bitten
Lettuces, Broccolie.i, Cabbages, Globe Artichokes, &c., should be
removed. Parsnips and Carrots that have been wintered in the
ground shonld also be got up before they start into growth, and the
ground can then be got in readiness for other crops. Celery already
manifests a tendency to bolt, and, where such is the case, it is best
to lift it and heel it in nnder a north wall, an operation which not
only retards the Celery, but sets tho ground which it has occupied at
liberty for Peas, Potatoes, and similar crops. Winter Spinach,
though mr.ch damaged, is, with the two or three milder days which
we have bad, starting into growth, and this crop may therefore be
left till the Spinach, now to bo BOwn, is ready to pick. It may then
be dug into the ground as manure, and the plot set apart for Pota.
toes or the earliest batch of Broccoli, either of which do well as a
Buccessional crop to Spinach. Seed sowing will now be the most
pressing operation, and, a suitable seed bed being the first stave of
the ladder, neither labour nor patience should be spared iu preparing
it. Light soils need little beyond well firming in order that the drills
may be drawn neatly, but heavy soils will require the surface to be
worked about on fine days, and the drills to be drawn a couple of
days or so prior to putting in the seeds ; if the drills, too, can have a
coating of lighter soil or the seeds be covered in with such, the suc-
cess of the crops will more than compensate for the extra labour.
Considering the fickle character of our spring months it is yet too
soon to plant the general stock of Potatoes, though, considering the
liability to disease when the tubers are late in maturing, one hardly
knows which is the greater of the two evils, that is, the haulm to be cut
down with spring frosts or the tubers destroyed by murrain. In any
case, I would recommend the risk to be made of planting a good
breadth of the first early kinds, and, as soon as the tops show above-
ground, draw the soil over them, and when this can be no longer done
cover them with long stable litter till all danger from spring frost
is over. If the ground be dry and has been deeply trenched
or dug, dibble the sets in in preference to planting them
in drills, but in wet or tenacious soils drill planting is preferable
because the sets can then be covered, as they should be, with dry
mould or vegetable refuse, such as leaf soil, the ashes from refuse
heaps, and similar material, all of which assist in the production of
clear tubers. Preserve the straightest medium-sized old roots in
Seakale that has been forced, for the purpose of forming new
plantations, work which may now be done, as cuttings are forth,
coming for the purpose. Cut them into lengths of from 4 in. to 6 in.,
and plant them iu rows 2 ft. asunder and 18 in. apart in the row. A
long dibber is the moat convenient implement for the purpose, and
the tops of the cuttings should be covered with at least a couple of
inches of soil. Of course the deeper and richer the ground is, the
finer will be the Kale to be had for forcing next season. Horseradish
may be planted in exactly the same way, but such a plantation
should not be used for a couple of years. As regards forced vegeta-
bles. Rhubarb will now need little beyond the crowns being covered
with pots, to keep up a constant supply. Seakale, also, will readily
start into growth by covering the crowns with cinder ashes, or old
tan, and the Kale is sweeter when thus produced than it otherwise
would be. When there is no provision for forcing Asparagus on the
ground, such as frames or pits, another batch must be lifted to

March 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

209:

maidtain the supply till the open.air prodnca is ready. Frenoh
Beans will now do best if sown in a pit or frame, sach as that from
which the earliest Potatoes have been dag. A slight bottom heat,
and a top heat of 60°, are all that is required. Sow thinly in rows a
foot apart, and earth np with light rich mould as growth proceeds.
To Carrots, Radishes, Potatoes, and CauIiBowers, air mast be freely
given whenever the weather is favourable ; the latter will " button,"
if kept too close or crowded. W. W.

Extracts from my Diary, Uarch 10 to 15.

Thinning Grapes. Shifting Strawberries that are set from Muscat
house into Melon house, to swell their fruit. Digging ground lately
cleared of Celery for Onions. Sowing west border with Carrots.
Sprinkling with artifioial manure, cultivating and drilling south
border for Potatoes. Putting in Muscat Vino eyes. Propagating
Verbenas and Ageratuma. Sowing Lobelias and Schizanthuses.
Earthing up Potatoes in frames. Sowing east border with Student
Parsnip and James' Intermediate Carrot. Planting south border with
Alpha, King of the Earlies, and Early Hamsworth Potatoes. Planting
first batch of Melons. Tying Tomatoes in fruiting pit. Tying
Cucumbers. Potting Ferns. Sowing first batch of Turnips between
Rhubarb. Sowing first batch of Celery. Putting lights on Peach
wall as protection from frost. Staking Peas in boxes in cold
houses. Hoeing and cleaning Asparagus beds. Sowing Pyrethrums.
Thinning Mignonette in pots. Putting in Vine eyes, consisting of
Gros Colman, Duke of Buccleuch, Pearson's Golden Queen, Canon
Hall Muscat, and Bowood Muscat. Sowing Begonia seeds. Staking
and tying Roses. Getting in another batch of Asparagus into Mushroom
house. Tying and stopping Vines in Hamburgh house, first time.
Tying up Vines in Muscat house. Propagating Begonias. Planting
Maguum Bonnm, Ripley's Seedling, Haigh's Seedling, Old Lapstone,
and Uxbridge Kidney Potatoes. Pruning and nailing Pears and Morello
Cherries. Forking twitch out of Asparagus beds. Getting Roses,
Dautzias, &o., that have been forced from cold houses to the open air.
Shitting pot Vines. Potting Gloxinias, Calanthes, and Calceolarias.
Pruning and nailing Pears. Protecting Peaches on walls with net.
ting. Staking Pyramid Apples ; also first crop of Peas outside. Pot-
ting a batch of French Beans. Clearing ground of Brussels Sprouts,
&c. Making new lining to hotbed in frames. Sowing Poinsettia
seed and a pan of Lavender. Clearing off and cultivating ground
for Potatoes, and giving it a top-dressing of old sawdust. Potting
next batch of Frenoh Beans. Planting International Kidney Pota-
toes. Emptying Fine stove of Rhubarb for pot Vines. Making
fresh lining to pit for Pines. Thinning Grapes. Tying Peaches in
early houses. Pruning and nailing Cherries and Figs on east wall.
Planting after Brussels Sprouts early Vermont Potatoes for seed,
also a few single rows of different varieties for stock only. Tying,
stopping, and disbudding Vines in Hamburgh house. Thinning
Grapes in pot Vinery. Patting a little soil over Peas in pots in cold
houses. Making a fresh Cucumber bed in the Pine stove. Getting
half-hardy plants out of span-roofed house. Re-arranging plant
houses. — R. GilBEKT, Burgliley.

NOTES FROM KEW.
Greenliousa Plants. — Another addition to the lovely Himalayan
Rhododendrons mentioned last week is a silvery-leaved kind (R- ar-
genteuni), which is remarkably handsome and distinct. The plants
are from 6 ft. to 10 ft. in height, and have leaves'nearly 1 ft. in length
and proportionately broad, their under surfaces being silvery. The
heads of bloom are very large and dense ; the individual flowers, which
are bell-shaped, measure upwards of 2 in. across the mouth, and vary
iu colour from a pale sulphur-white to a delicate pink, with a central
dark blotch. It inhabits the lofty mountain peaks of Sikkim, where
it forms with many others a very striking feature in the landscape,
often growing 30 ft. high. It first flowered in this country (at Kew)
about twenty years ago. The yellow-fljwered Chor-ozoma (C. flavum)
is an elegant little Australian shrub, with small. Holly-like leaves,
and it is a desirable kind on account of its distinct colour, as the
majority of Chorozemas, though they differ in foliage, bear flowers
which strongly resemble each other. The charming little single-
flowered Milla (Triteleia) uniflora, a native of Buenos Ayres, asso-
ciates admirably with other showy plants, the star. like, pale purple
blossoms, abundantly produced, being highly attractive. It is
scarcely necessary to add that this desirable bulbous plant is perfectly
hardy, and that, ere long, it will help to enliven outside borders. It
is very variable in point of colour, for, even in a small batch, some
marked varieties may be detected, and two in particular deserve
notice, viz., conspicua, of a deeper shade than the type, and lilacina,
with conspicuous violet-blue stripes down the centre of each division.
Eriostemons, when covered with pure white, star-shaped blossoms,
nearly 1 in. across, are very showy. Two kinds now in flower closely

resemble each other, viz., E. onspidatum, with narrow and sharply,
pointed leaves, and E. myoporoides, with ,the leaves much broader.
Cytisus fiUpes, a shrub growing from 3 ft. to 4 ft. high, of a very
gracefully drooping habit, is well adapted for interspersing with plants
of rigid growth, the branches are long, very slender, and leafless, and
are covered for the greater portion of their length with small white
blossoms. Viburnum suspensum, a Japanese shrub of no great
beauty, is desirable for the sake of variety. It is of dwarf growth
and produces numerous clusters of whitish blossoms, resembling those
of the common Laurustinns. The huge plant (40 ft. high) of the
New Holland Silver Wattle Tree (Acacia dealbata) is now splendidly
in blossom in the Temperate House. The profusion with which the
clusters of golden blossoms are borne, added to the elegant silvery
foliage, renders it one of the most desirable of the numerous family
to which it belongs. It is, moreover, extremely useful for cutting
purposes, as it lasts in good condition for a considerable length of
time.

Orchids. — Though an old introduction, and now tolerably common
in gardens, but few Dendrobes can rival D. Devoniauum for beauty
and gracefulness. The flowers, which are about li in. across have a
large, roundish lip, beautifully fringed at the margins, and furnished
with a large central yellow blotch which contrasts finely with the
delicate blush tint of the other parts. These are plentifully produced
on long, slender, pendulous stems, on which account it is best adapted
for basket culture. It inhabits the Khasya Hills and other places in
North-east India. Scarcely less beautiful, and now apparently be.
coming rare, is D. mutabile, better known, perhaps, as U. triadenium,
a continuous blooming kind, but more freely at this season than at
any other. The flowers, which are lather small, are white, sometimes
with a rosy tint and a bright orange spot in the centre, and they are
borne in clusters 3 in. long. It is a native of Java. Of qnrte a
different style of growth is D. densiflorum, which has stout, erect
stems terminated by two or three leathery evergreen leaves. The
clusters of blossoms are very dense and of a bright orange colour,
but, owing to their short duration, this Dendrobe will never become
such a popular favourite as many of its congeners. Except for the
delicious perfume of its flowers, the Crisped Rodriguezia (R. crispa)
is scarcely worth consideration, as the blossoms are of a dull green
unattractive appearance. The same may be said of the curious little
Notylia nuptialis, though it possesses a more aromatic fragrance than
the preceding, much resembling that of Cowslips. It has been aptly
remarked that the Lily of the Valley amongst Orchids, is Odonto.
glossum pulchellum, as the chaste beauty of its waxy, pure white
blossoms, mingled with the deep green foliage, at once reminds one
of that flower. The variety called majus is superior to the type in
point of size, if that be a recommendation, but both well deserve to
be accommodated even in the choicest collection. The rosy Odonto-
glossum (0. roseum) possesses a 'colour rarely seen in the genus,
viz., a deep rose, that renders it highly desirable, being about the size,
form and colour of Mesospinidium vuloanicum, but it may at a glance
be distinguished by its different habit. Chysis Thorwaldseni pro-
duces remarkably handsome flowers, 2 in. across, white, with a golden
dash on the lip, and the whole flower of very firm texture, though
apparently it does not hold its beauty long. The Crested Ccelogyne
C. cristata) is a general favourite and has but few rivals in that
numerous family. The pure whiteness of its large flowers, relieved
by the bright yellow crest, contrasts admirably with the deep green
leaves which invariably accompany them, and set them off to
advantage.

Stove Plants —In the Palm house, the large-leaved Clavija
(C. macrophylla) is now very attractive. It is a stately shrub about
10 ft. high, with a naked, erect stem terminated by a huge head of
ample foliage. The flowers are small, somewhat globular, of a bright
orange colour, and borne in long pendulous racemes which are abun-
dantly produced from the axils of the leaves and also from the naked
stem. It is a native of Brazil. Near this is another handsome
flowering shrub, viz., the Myrica.like Cyclonema, a member of the
Verbena family and a native of the eastern coast of Africa. It is
about 3 ft. high, with heart-shaped, coarsely-toothed leaves, from the
axils of which spring numerous loose clusters of blossoms which re-
semble in form those of a Clerodendron — white suffused with pink, and
a clear blue, lip-like, lower petal. Higginsia Ghiesbreghti is remark,
able more for the rich velvety hue of its reddish.purple, lance.shaped
leaves than for the beauty of its blossoms, which are produced in
dense clusters at every joint on the stem, and comparatively inoon-
spicuous. As a fine-foliaged stove plant few can surpass it, and it is
for this purpose that it is strongly recommended. Crinum ornatum
is a lovely tropical, bulbous plant which, besides possessing a stately
habit, has long, bold foliage. Its flower stem rises nearly 5 ft. in
height, terminated by an umbel of about a dozen large blossoms of a
delicate blush tint and sweet scented. — W.

210

THE GARDEN.

[March 8, 1879.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Sazifraga Buraeriana. — Thia charming Saxifrage ia now in
bloom in Messrs. Uendereou's nursery at Sc. John's Wood, both in
cold frames and in the open air. Small plants of it in 3 in. pots,
sheltered from rain and snow, bear eight or nine beautiful snow-
white blossoms, each nearly as large as a shilling. In any sunny
border or on rockwork this Saxifrage grows freely, and flowers most
profusely ; and it would also be quite at home in a cold house, where
secure from snow and rain its beauty would be unimpaired.

Snowdrops on Stonecrop. — These prettiest of all our early
spring flowers have come up from the beating down which they had
by the heavy snow looking as fresh as ever. I have some now in full
bloom on a carpet of green Sedum, and the effect is most satis-
factory. I shall plant with them next autumn bulba of the Siberian
Squill, as these are much cleaner on a carpet of this kind than when
growing out of the soil without such protection. — A. D,

Rhododendron myrtifolium. — Tbia is well worth growing in
quantity for early flowering, where cut blooms or attractive con.
Bervatory plants are required, It is compact in habit ; its flowers,
which are as small as those of a Kulmia, are of a delicate piuk colour,
and being produced in close trusses, are very convenient for cutting.
It is grown by Messrs. Ojborn, of Fulham, in whose nursery it is
DOW in flower.

Masdevallia Veitohi. — Like most other Orchids, this varies
greatly both in the size and quality of its blossoms. The best variety
of it which we have yet seen is now in flower in one of the Orchid
houses at Gunnersbury. The size of the bloom ia larger than that of
any other Masdevallia, whilst it ia perfect in form and indescribably
brilliant.

Aphelandra aurantiaca Roezli.— Thia ia grown in quantity
by Mr. Roberta at Gunnersbury. The plants, which are in 6-in. pots,
are bushy, well furnisbed with marbled leaves, and produce large
quantities of spear-like heads of brilliant scarlet blosaotna. Though
of little value for furnishing floivera for cutting, plants of this
Aphelandra are very useful, and have a handsome appearance in
vaaea or for furnishing the front rowj on conservatory stages.

Rhododendron Falconeri.— Thia, one of the finest of the
Himalayan Rhododendrons, is now in flower in Jlesars. Djwnie &
Laird's Winter Garden at Edinburgh, where it is bearing no fewer
than thirty.nine trnsaea of beautiful, large, creamy. white blossoms.
The plant in question is some 7 ft. in height.

Old Azileas at Fulham.— The old and excellent plants of
Ghent Azaleas, for which Messrs. Osborn's nursery has long been
noted, promise this year, in spite of the late severe winter, to bloom
equally well as in former years. The buds are very numeroaa, and
have not suffered the slightest injury from frost, thus showing that
these charming flowering shrubs may be planted with safety even
in the coldest districts.

Hardy PUnts in Flower at Tottenham— Among the beat
of these may be mentioned Saxifraga Baraeriaua, Crocus Iniperati.
C. Olivieri, C. Sieberi, C. biflorua, Muscari Szivitzianum, Uepatica
angulosa. Cyclamens, and several varieties of Ilellebores ; Narcissus
Clusii, Fritillaria pudica, and F. Kirelini are also in bud. Indoors
the Lachenalias are very gay, especially L quadric ilor. I have had
them in flower since October. Begonia Froebelli is magnificent
What a grand winter-flowering plant it is ! IIa)manthu<! cionabari.
nus is also very sbowy, but not hardy. Primula erosa and Imanto.
phyllum miuiatum are alao in bloom. — A. P.

Camellias at Fulham.— A large houao devoted to these in
Messrs. Odborn's nursery at Fulham is now very gay, many plants,
ooneiating of the best known kinds, being profusely in bloom. The
plants are of home growth, very vigorous, and are in every way pre-
ferable to those of foreign growth, the blooms being larger and more
perfectly developed, whilst the buds are less liable to drop. Over the
Camellias are trained Tea Rjaes, a plan which ahows ua how charm-
ing a house can be made by means of suL-h a combination. If the
Roses be trainei close under the glass, and not allowed to get too
thick, they would affjrd that partial shade in which Camellias
delight.

Dendrobium Ainaworthi.— This is, without doubt, the best of
Hybrid Dendrobea, and of this, even, there aeema to be inferior aa
well as fine varieties. The beat which we have yet seen is now in
flower in Messrs. Veitoh's nursery, Chelsea, where it originated from
a cross, made by Mr. Seden, with a fine variety of D. nobile coerulea.
cena and D. heterocarpum. The flowers are larger than those of any
other Dendrobe in the section to which this hybrid belonga ; ita
petals are of fine form, broad, waxy, and pure white, set" off to

advantao-e by a rich dark purpliah.crimaon throat. Inferior varietiee,
under the same name, in the nursery just alluded to, and which
originated elsewhere, the result of a similar cross, were obtained
from varieties of an inferior quality in the firat place, thus showing
that in cross-breeding there is a great advantage in selecting the
very beat varieties of the species which are to be the parents.

Galaathus Imperati. — This fine new Snowdrop ia slightly
earlier than either the common or the Crimean Snowdrop. It has
larger flowers and longer stalks than the two last-named. — .R P.

Rhododendron Hodgsoni. — Thia Sikkim Rhododendron is,
according to the " Iriah Farmers' Gazette," finely in bloom at Glaa-
nevin, where it is quite a tree some 12 ft. or 14 ft. high, well fur-
nished, and carrying no fewer than 160 gorgeous heads of roay-purple
flowers. Several other speoiea are also now in bloom in the same
house.

Cyclamen coum vernum. — Notwithstanding the inclemency of
the weather, this beautiful little harbinger of spring now forms a
lovely object on the rockery at York. — R. P.

Azalea viscosifera. — Thia ia one of the beat of the Ghent
Azaleas for forcing. Ita flowers, which are pure white^except that
the upper petal is slightly tinged with yellow at its base^are deli-
ciously fragrant, and valuable for bouquets. We saw plants of it in
bloom lately in Messrs. Osborn's nursery at Fulham, in company
with A. mollis and other varieties ; also well flowered examples of the
common Guelder Rose (Viburnum Opulua), Rhododendrons, berried
Aucubas, and forced bubs.

O.chids at Gunnersbury. — In the fine collection of Orchida in
Baron Rothschild's garden at Gunnersbury, are just now several
plants in flower well worthy of notice. Prominent amongst these is
the rare Odontoglossum Andersonianum, bearing two gracefully
arched branching spikes, beset with no fewer than 200 waxy, cream-
coloured, beautifully spotted blossoms. 0. AleiandrfO, a fine variety,
is in equally good condition, the flowers measuring from 4^ in. to 5 in.
in diameter, of satiny whiteneaa suffused with violet, the lip being of
bright gold marked with brown spots. 0. cirrhoanm is a'ao produc-
ing a fine apike of bloom. Phalsenopsis grandiflora, and Schilleriana
growing in wooden baskets along the front of one of the houses are
likewise very effective, a narrow stage under them being c'.ad with
Selaginella denticulata and Panicum variegatum, which being kept
moist serve two purposes — that of giving the bouse a pleasing
appearance, and beneSttiog the Orchids.

Prizes for Am iryllis. — An amateur, anxious to encourge the
cultivation of thia tribe of plants, offers the following prizes to bo
competed for at the Royal Horticultural Society's meeting, to be held
at South Kensington, on April 8. The priz?8 offered are; — ^A. For
the best dark seedling, lat prize, £i ; 2ud, £1 ; for the best light
seedling, lat, £2 ; 2ad, £1. No prizes will be awarded unless the
seedlinga show decided form and substance of bloom. B. For the
best six Amaryllis, named, three to be dark and three light varieties,
lat, £2 ; 2nd, £1. The prizea to be awarded only if the exhibits be
considered of auffioient merit. Form, substance, and breadth of
petal are necessary points. 0. For the best variety selected from
among the plants exhibited in class B — For the best dark variety,
£1 ; second beat, lOa. ; for the best light variety, £1 ; second best,
IOj.

Orchids in Flower at Chelsea. — The Orchid houses in Messrs.
Veitch's nursery at Chelsea are, at present, very gay, with flojvering
plants of some cf the beat and most popular varieties. Among others
are especially notable Dendrobium crassinode, grown in baskets and
small pans, and thickly beset with blosaoras ; D. Wardianum, in
equally gocd condition ; and specimen plan's of the old, bat useful,
D. nobile, growing in pota, are psrfect ma^aea of blossom. D. Far.
meri bears large drooping bunches of white and yellow flowers.
D. Pindleyanum ia a vary delicate-flowered variety, with violet-tinted
petals and lemon-coloured throat. The curious blood. red Maxillaria
Turoeri is alao in flower, as is likewise Angroe3um citratum, the pretty
white a owera of which are set in thick rows on the upper side of
long, arohir.g flower.spikes. In addition to these are the beiutiful
Hawthorn-scented Odontogloaaum madrense and 0. RoezU roseum and
album, flue varieties ; the rare Epidendrum Wallisi also bears flowers
with waxy, cinnamon-coloured petala and white, purple-traced lip.
Many Lycaat's are alao in bloom, and Cittleyaa, of the TrianEe aec-
tion are well repreaented. To theae may be added Odontoglossum
prasnitena, 0. glorioaum, O. HiUi, 0. nevadenae (a kind having
flowers with chocolate petals, barred with gresnish-yellow, and a
white lip), 0. AlexaudriB, and 0. cirrhosum in great variety.

Lily Bulbs.— I hive to thank Mr. Smith for his reply (p. 178),
but I differ from him on the subject ef the bulbs, as I agree with
the writer in the " Calitornian Horticulturist" (p. 118), a°s regards
'■ the decay of the old bulbs and the formation of new ones inter,
nally."— B.

Marce 8, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

211

ANSWERS TO COERBSPONDENTS.

Evergreen Ferns.— Can any corrcppondont kindly give me a list of a
few medium-sized evergreen Ferns, whose fronds will not tarn yellow during
the months of December, January, and February in a greenhouse where
the temperature ranges from 46' to 56', as almost all of mine have done,
at the very moment when they were]required for table and other decora-
tion.—D. [The following Ferns, suitable for a cool or intermediate
house will be found, if properly treated, to be in good condition during
December, January, and February, and other dull parts of the season,
viz., Asplenium Belangeri, A. biforme, A. lucidum, Aspldium capense,
A. falcatuni, Dictyogramma japonioa, Gleichenia semi vestita, Gymno-
gramma Massoni, G. Calomelanos, Nephrodium glabollum. Xephrolepis
undulata, Onychium japonicum, Polypodiura sub-auriculatura, Todea
barbara, Woodwardia radicang, and \V. r. cristata- All these have bright
clean-looking foliage. — J. B J

Zonal Pelargoniums for Culture under Glass —Would
you assist me by naming a dozen and a half good Zonal Pelargoniums.
I am anxious to add to the greenhouse collection which 1 already possess,
and which is not large. Constant and free bloomers, producing large
trusses, are what I am anxious to get, besides being distinct varieties.
Would you also name two of the best white kinds ? Are Leamington
Lassie and New Life good and free bloomers?— K T. [The following
will possibly answer your purpose, viz., Mrs. Wright, deep rose ; Jliss
Gladstone, white, with a pink centre ; David Thomson, brilliact crimson,
with a white eye ; Sybil Holden, soft rosy purple ; J. C. Musters, purple
and crimson; Circulator, rosy-scarlet; Colonel Seely, crimson-scarlet,
with a white eye ; Lady Sheffield, violet-purple-pink ; Lizzie Brook, rosy-
crimson ; and Tom Bowling, orange-scarlet. Jeanne d'Arc and White
Vesuvius are two good whites — H. C.J

Heating Small Greenhouses. — For a house like that described
by Mr. L. J. Browne (p. 17^2) I should recommend a small — say 20 in,
long — common saddle boiler as the cheapest, safest, most efficient, as well
aa most economical, both as regards fuel and attention, that can be
adopted. A 24 in. one will heat two houses such as that named. A flued
saddle is preferable to the ordinary form where there is work enough for
it to do ; but they are not made small enough to heat a single house,
similar to the one in question, and to have a boiler too large proportionate
to the amount of piping attached to it is to incur the certain annoyance
of its driviug the water in quantity out of the feed cistern when the lire
has to be kept going briskly in severe weather. The coil boilers men-
tioned (p. irO) often do their work fairly well, but I very much prefer a
saddle, especially for such places as those under consideration, where, if
well set with a roomy furnace, it will burn up anything, and require cor-
respondingly little attention. — T. B.iinks.

Cucumbers in Houses.— I am building a little house for Cucum-
bers, salads, &c., for market, and in the winter to keep bedding plants, as
I do not think it will pay to grow Cucumbers in the winter, and being
only a garden labourer, I have not much capital. I want, therefore, to
grow what will pay best. My house is 13 ft. long and 0 ft. 6 in. broad,
lean-to against a wall 9 ft. high at the back and 1 ft. brickwork in front,
with 2 ft. glass, making it 6 ft. ; then 1 get 3 ft. fall for the roof, with
glass ends. I think of building a flue along the front for bottom-heat,
crossing the end and along the back. Will you kindly tell me whether
brick flues or iron pipes would be the best, and what distance should the
wires for training the plants be from the glass ? and how far apart ? Also
what is the best Cucumber for the purpose ? and how deep ought the bed
to be for the mould ? and how wide and what distance apart should the
plants stand — C. C. [A flue will answer if you only want to grow Cu-
cumbers during summer, and if this be built in the way you propose, you
will get sufficient bottom-heat. The wires should be about 15 in. from
the glass, and about 12 in. apart. String will answer the purpose as well
as wire. The best Cucumber for the purpose is Rollisson's Telegraph or
Tender and True. 6 in- or 8 in. of mould will be enough to plant the
plants in, if you earth them up afterwards as the roots appear on the sur-
face of the soil. The plants should be 2j ft. apart, but you can plant as
thickly again as this if desirable, and crop each alternate plant whilst in a
young state, destroying them when the rest have become well established.
With a flue abundance of moisture must be kept in the house or red
spider will soon get possession of the leaves of the plants. — S ]

Names of Plants.— J. TF.— Acacia lophantha, a native of New
Holland, ir. B.—l, Niphobolus Lingua; 2, Polypodium Billardieri ; 3,
a,pparently some Maxillaria, of which some better specimens should have
been sent.

Names of Fruits.— J. D. B.— l, Some local variety undetermin.
able ; 2, Hanwell Souring.

Questions.

Cutting down Arbutuses. — I have an Arbutus hedge twenty
years old, that is now too high. If the Arbutuses be cut down close to
the ground, or leaving a few feet of stem, will they be likely to sprout
again?— E. F.

Eucalypti. — Where can I purchase small plants of E. amygdalina, or
seeds of it ? I find many notices of Eucalypti in The Garden, but no
mention of where to obtain stock or seeds of them. In several gardens
here, the Eucalyptus globulus had attained a height of about 20 ft , but
the severity of this winter has killed them all. Prince Troubetkoy
reports E. amygdalina to have withstood 6' below zero centigrade (21'
Fahr.) at Home. It might therefore succeed in Devonshire. — Exmouth.

Cyclamens. — Some flowers come very jagged and others are small
and poor, although grown from the very best seed, and having good bulbs
and foliage. Ought I to throw such away, or will there be a chance of
improvement if I grow them on for nest season ? I find Auriculas to
vary, but I fear a Cyclamen once poor is always poor. Can any Cyclamen
grower give me a word of advice on this subject. — BROCKnuitsT.

Flower-bed Arrangement.— Can any one advise me about a bed I
propose makmg in a bedged-in Grass court. It is to be seen from a dis-
tance of 30 ft. My idea is an oval bed 8 ft. long and 5 ft. in breadth, to
be planted with AraliaSieboldi, Yucca recurv.i, and New Zealand Flax,
supplemented in the summer with Coleus and Iresine, and Centaurea
canlidissima, the rest of the bed to be permanent or protected with
hurdles or matting next winter. I propose to put in the Aralias and
Yuccas of about 1 ft. high, also the New Zealand Flax. But, as I am
ignorant of their relative rates of growth, I wish to ascertain how
many of each I may require, and how they should be arranged ; whether
it is indispensable to place the Flax in the centre, or whether I should
centre the bed with a pillar Rose, or a drooping flowering shrub, or one of
slender, erect growth. In the latter case what would be the best Hose
for the purpose, or the best shrub ? I do not want Willow, Laburnum,
or Almond. The Grass court is oblong, sheltered, moderately sunny, but
the soil is heavy, cold, and damp ; county, Oxfordshire. — Azucf.na.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

AMATEURS' GREENHOUSES.
If the thousands of amateurs who possess greenhouses, such
as " Delta " (p. 138) describes his to be, were to follow a similar
course as regards the plants grown by confining themselves to
those they can accommodate in a way calculated to admit of
their thriving satisfactorily, there would be less disappoint-
ment than there now is. It does not follow that every one
with similar accommodation must needs grow the same kinds
of plants exclusively. People's tastes and fancies differ with
respect to these as with other things. The secret of success
with amateurs who rely principally upon their own knowledge
in, and attention to, what they cultivate, is to keep principally
to such subjects as they can manage, and not attempt more
variety than the capacity of the house or houses which they
have will permit. This is just what the majority do not do,
but, instead, get a bit of almost every plant with which they
meet that takes their fancy, until the generally limited room is
crammed up to an extent that makes it impossible for all to do
more than exist, and when any of the least deserving, it
usually happens to be these, get too largo the owners have
seldom courage enough to clear them out.

" Delta's " practice is also an example of that which I have
always urged upon amateurs, viz., the advisability of growiuf
some Grapes in their glass houses, especially where they have
two, or one in which there is a division, for, although by
real lovers of flowers, the continued opportunity which a
greenhouse affords for enjoyment all the year round is often
felt to be sufficient for the trouble and comparatively little
expense entailed, yet there are few who will not acknowledge
that good Grapes are not also always acceptable, and that both
these and plants can be grown together equally presentable
is evident by what we see continually accomplished. The
principal thing to keep in view where both fruit and plants are
to be grown together is, that whether one, two, or more Vines
are planted according as the size of the house and other cir-
cumstances will allow, the roof is not covered to more than half
the extent that would be admissable if Grapes alone were grown
in the house, and that the plants, which must necessarily stand
underneath, have comparatively more room than if there was
nothing over them. This precaution, coupled with greater
vigilance in looking out for insects, will enable those who like
to grow both Grapes and plants to gratify their inclination,
even when the means available are no greater than those
which " Delta " has. I do not mean to assert that either the
plants or the Grapes can be had equal in appearance to those
produced under separate treatment, but it is what I should
adopt myself under like circumstances.

In respect to the means by which " Delta" t\ arms his house
with a flue composed of large drain pipes, it is far from a
safe method, as I can testify both from ray own experience and
the break-downs which I have seen in the case of others who
have adopted a similar mode of heating. Even when the pre-
caution had been taken as " Delta" describes, of having several
feet of brickwork adjoining the fire before the tiles commence,

212

THE GARDEN.

[Makcii 8, 1879.

and with a strict attention in keeping the pipes swept clean of
soot, accompanied by careful stoking, I still found that, as with
a brick flue, the soot would nevertheless sometimes get on (ire,
the invariable result being cracking of the tiles. This occurred
when they were made of different descriptions of clay, both
glazed and unglazed, and after they were cracked, if the fire
charged at all, it generally separated those that were so
affected, with the consequent admission of smoke and sulphur,
the destructive effects of which it is not necessary to particu-
larise. In my own case, instead of having the pipes round
the house continuous, I bad in each corner a short length of
ordinary flue covered with stone flags, which much facilitated
the sweeping process, but from the cause I have named I had
them out, and a brick flue put in their place, made, as I would
always advise where this system of heating is to be used, with
the bricks on bed not on edge, that is, -il in. work instead of
3 in. This is so much stronger, less liable to crack, or be
shaken and leaky through age, getting on fire, or the furnace
charging, that it is much to be preferred ; it takes very little
longer to get up the heat in these stronger made flues,
than with such as are built brick on edge, and the addi-
tional substance enables them to retain heat longer after the
fire has burnt down, so that the little time which is
lost after the fire is lit, is gained in the opposite direc-
tion. But, now, when hot water pipes are so easily and
expeditiously put together with indiarubber rings, yarn,
and red lead, or Portland cement, there is little need
for the apparatus costing much more than a flue ; and if the
furnace for the boiler — a common small saddle is the best in
cases of this sort — be made with a view to economy, it will
burn up all the cinders and refuse from the fires in a dwelling
house. The fire space must be roomy, so that the work can
be done on the slow combustion principle, which, to be suc-
cessful, needs a good body of fuel, as a matter of course, with
a damper to regulate the draught. A handy man, such as
"Delta" speaks of, with a few hints from any intelligent
cultivator who understands this description of work,J and who
is generally to be found in every neighbourhood, would suc-
ceed in putting in a simple hot-water apparatus without much
more difficulty than a flue. My reason for here recommending
an ordinary saddle in preference to one constructed on the
improved principle, with flue and terminal end, is that none of
the latter are made but what are much larger than required
for one or two small houses, and the price of the common
saddles is a good deal less. T. Badjes.

THE OAK-LEAF PELARGONIUM.
In answer to " B. S.'a " inquiry (p. 164) coacerning this Pelargonium,
I can certainly say that it long survived the " Pig tails " with which
" B. S." somewhat oddly asBOoiates it. I know not when these
appendages went out ot fashion, I only remember seeing one some
fifty.five years ago at least ; bat I have met with and grown the Oak-
leaf Pelargonium down to a far later period, and I have no doubt
that it may yet be found if perseveringly looked after. When I saw the
last plant of it I cannot recollect, but I well remember bedding the
variety oat. It was a great favourite with us before the zonals made
their appearance. Thia Pelargonium cannot well be confounded with
any other, and, moreover, it ia figured in "Curtia." " B. S.'a"
plant ia not, however. Pelargonium qneroifolinm, but P. glutinosum.
The true Oak-leaved Pelargonium ia a much amaller and neater plant,
something in the atyle of the old Moore'a Victory, and may be met
with in nnraeries and gardens under the name of Fair Helen, and is
as regards flower, one of the moat beautiful of all the Cape Pelargo'
niuma. Moore'a Victory I have not seen for many yeara, and, like
the once famous P. Davyanum, is perhaps loat. It ia surpriaing that
the Cape Pelargoniums have not been taken in hand more eameatly
than they have been, containing, aa they do, some of the moat power,
fully scented plants known. They also posaesa an infinite diversity
of foliage, and a refined beauty in the flowera of many of them, such
as P. ardens and P. eohinatnm, and, as yet, we have only taken in
hand the old P. inquinara, zonale, and lateripea, between which a
crosB has been effected by Mr. Wills. How rarely now do we meet
with the old P. tetragonum, or ita variegated form ? and who has ever
seen the aimple-leaved Pelargonium, P. lanceolatum ? What inte.
resting work it would be for some enthuaiaat to gather together the
nearly 300 Cape Pelargoniums with which we were once acquainted !
There was at one time a pure golden-yellow Pelargonium, but it is a
question whether it now exists or not j thia was named P. luteum.

There waa also a P. flaviim, with foliage like that of a Carrot. What
ahadea of colour might not be produced with auch material with which
to work. Imagine a pare yellow Tom Thumb, or a Vesuviua. Many
of the Cape Pelargoniums may still be met with, mostly among cot-
tagers, who are fond of auch sorts as the Nutmeg, the Parsley
(P. criapum), the Mint-scented, and others. I ought, perhaps, to
add that Mr. Cannell, of Swanley, has the nucleus of a collection of
these interesting plants. Thos. Williams.

ASPARAGUS DECUMBENS.
Tuis makes an elegant basket plant. Its foliage is light and
feathery, assuming a gracefully pendent habit, and, being of a
pleasing shade of green, when well grown it is effective
either in the conservatory or dwelling house. Its blossoms,
though small, are sweet-scented, and when in fruit it is one of

FruitLng Spray of Asparagaa decnmbens.

the most interesting of the class of plants to which it belongs.
The plant from which the annexed spray, showing the fruit,
was taken was sent to us by Messrs. Vertegans, of Birming-
ham. S.

Propagation of Bertolonias. — Mr. Baines (p. 183) omitted to
mention that the leaves afiord a very ready means of propagation, aa
they will produce aeveral planta from each leaf, by simply pegging it
down flat on the aurface of aome light aoil, and placing it under the
same conditions as recommended for cuttings. This mode is, I con.
aider, far preferable to taking off the half-ripened shoota, partion.
larly aa they are not produced very plentifully, and there is less riak
of spoiling or at least disfiguring a plant, aa the lower leaves, which
may have become shabby, will answer the purpose aa well or better
than the newer ones. B. Van Houtteana, guttata superbiaaima
margaritaoea, and others, strike moat freely in thia way. — W.

THE GAEDEN.

213

No. E83.]

SATORDAY, MARCH 15, 1879.

** This is an Ewt
yhich floes mend Nature : change it rather : but
Ths A2T ITSELF 13 Natdbb." — ShaJcesjjeare^

INDOOR FRUIT GROWING FOR MARKET.
From Fiuchley, Potter's Bar, Barnet, and other places in
that direction, comes the principal supply of forced fruits to
our London markets. The houses in which they are grown
are by no means elaborate as regards construction ; they
are mostly span-roofed, and vary in length from 100 ft. to
300 ft. — strong, light, and airy. They are, as a rule, effi-
ciently ventilated and well supplied with hot-water pipes,
the latter being equally distributed about them, thus
obviating the necessity of making them so intensely hot
• — -even during cold weather — as to produce bad results
from attacks of red spider, a pest di-eaded more, perhaps,
than any other by the fruit grower.

Grapes. — These are the most important of indoor fruits,
and by many pronounced to be the most profitable. Much,
however, as has been before stated in regard to other
crops, depends upon having them ready for market just at
a time when they are most required. The rapidity with
which Grape culture has extended during the last few years
is something surprising, and that it is still on the increase
is apparent by the number of glass houses that we see almost
daily springing up in London and its suburbs. Even at
the back of villa residences, where a few yards of ground
exist, may frequently be seen numerous small houses
devoted to the culture of Grapes, either for market or
private use. Our imports of foreign Grapes during the
summer, though great, do not appear to affect in any
material degree the interests of English cultivators ; for,
unless imported fruit be of fair quality, its cheapness will
by no means guarantee its sale in London markets. From
the Channel Islands we receive large consignments of first-
class Grapes much earlier in the spring than it would pny
English cultivators to produce them ; but, after the end of
May, by the aid of cl\eap and improved appliances, and
increased knowledge of their business, growers near
London who can cut their Grapes and take them forthwith
to the salesman, can compete on equal terms even with the
Jersey cultivators, notwithstanding that the lartter have
the advantages of a milder climate and purer atmosphere.
I have often been informed by London Grape growers
that it is 230ssible to produce fruit of good quality, during
the summer and autumn mouths, at Is. 6d. or 2s. per lb.,
with profitable results. But for all this, the enormous
profits required (perhaps necessary to meet the heavy
losses often sustained) by the retail vendors render it im-
possible for the public to reap the advantages of cheaply-
grown fruit. During the winter months, when Grapes, as
a rule, realise the highest prices, if the cultivator obtains
for fruit of the highest quality, 6s. or 8s. per lb., he
thinks himself well paid, and yet the retail price often
reaches from 18s. to 20s., and even 25s. per lb. But at
these prices the demand for Grapes is ever on the increase,
and growers having a great extent of glass devoted to Vine-
culture find no difficulty in disposing of their produce. In
one of the most important Grape growing establishments
near London there are seventeen large houses entirely
devoted to Grape culture, and, collectively, these houses
contain no fewer than 650 canes, the majority of which
are in excellent fruiting condition. At one time the Vines

here were planted in outside borders, or, if planted inside,
their roots were allowed to ramble outside, but now they
have nearly all been placed inside, in newly-made borders.
The latter are of limited extent, but well drained ; they
receive liberal top-dressings of good yellow loam yearly,
and are copiously supplied with manure water during the
season when the Vines are in active growth. Shanking
rarely occurs in any of the houses here, and should any-
thing be found to be the matter with the roots, owing to
their being inside and almost as comeatable as the branches,
it can soon be remedied.

In making a new Vine border, just enough soil is pro-
vided to plant the Vines in the first year, more being
gradually added as required until the whole of the border
space is tilled. By this method the soil is kept in good
tilth for a much longer period than would be the case were
the borders wholly made at the commencement. The
kinds principally grown are the Black Hamburgh, Gros
Colman, Madresfield Court, and iluscat of Alexandria.
Late Grapes are looked upon with disfavour, it being thought
that the expense incurred in keeping them during winter
is greater than the extra money obtained for them. The
aim, therefore, is to have all Grapes ripe by the middle of
September, and marketed as quickly as possible. The
earliest houses are planted with Black Hamburgh and
Muscat of Alexandria, the fruit of which is usually ripe
by the middle of May. Very early Grapes seldom pay
for the fuel needed to produce them, inasmuch as the
demand for new Grapes before the beginning of May is
comparatively small, and the prices uuremunerative.
Indeed, it is a singular fact that in some seasons Grapes
ripe in April only realise from 10s. to 12s. per lb., whereas
a few weeks later they fetch double these prices. This is
owing to what is termed the London season not having
fairly commenced in April. Madresfield Court is generally
fit for sale in August and September, and sometimes
earlier, and it is highly appreciated in the market on.
account of its jet black colour and excellent flavour. I
have seen magnificent basketfuls of it exhibited in the
Central Avenue, Covent Garden, supplied by Mr. Wilmot^
of Isle worth, and they invariably realised higher prices
than any other kinds. Muscats excepted. As an early
Grape, too, this is found to succeed well, and the examples
of it shown in May at some of the London shows have
been simply magnificent. Good strong, established canes
of average length are generally allowed to carry about
twenty bunches each, and, as there are upwards of 400
such canes in the establishment referred to, it will be seen
that the quantity of Grapes yearly cut for market is very
considerable. In pruning, the Vines in question are
not cut in so closely as we often see them done in private
gardens, but a good plump bud is always left to each spur,
and in some cases pieces of young wood 20 in. in leugt!i
are left to take the places of spurs that fail to break. No
plants of any kind are to be found in Mr. Wilmot's Vineries,
except, perhips, a few Tomatoes and Capsicums in pots, i(>
being perfectly well understood that, in order to grow
Grapes well, houses must be entirely devoted to them.
Cow manure and soot steeped in water form the princijjal
stimulants used in the Isleworth Graperies.

At a large fruit-producing establishment at Potter's Bar,
Grapes are grown to a large extent — a fact which will be
understood when it is stated that a supply of excellent
Grapes is obtained from April till the following March, or
at least nine months out of the twelve. The varieties
grown are Black Hamburgh for early fruit, and Gros
Colman, Lady Downes, Black Alicante, and Jlnscat of

214

THE GAKDEN.

[March 15, 1879.

Alexandria f ui-nish tlie mid-season and late supplies. The
principal Vinery is a span-roofed one, 200 ft. long and
20 ft. wide. The Vines are planted inside, and the roots
are allowed to run both inside and out, but no pretentious
border has been provided for them. Their main stems are
trained under the roof in the form of arches, and ■when
loaded with fruit present a sight unusually interesting.
From this house one year 2000 bunches of ripe Gra])es
were cut. Vine borders here receive little attention
beyond being forked up and manured in spring, the soil
being simply that of which the garden consists, which is
of a yellow clayey character. In autumn, when the Vines
need but little nourishment, the borders outside are planted
with Broccoli or similar vegetables that can be removed
before spring, when the Vines require to be a'gain started.
Heavy mulching and feeding when they are in full fruit,
and when they require nourishment most, are the principal
points depended upon, it being maintained that, whilst at
rest, the ground can be turned to isrofitable account in the
way just named without injury to the Vines. In a span-
roofed house, 100 ft. long, planted with late sorts, no border
whatever was made in which to plant the Vines ; a sunk
path was simply cut through the centre of the ground on
which the house stands, and the Vines were planted on
each side, the main stems being trained up one side and
down the other alternately ; each of these are allowed to
carry twenty bunches, with the form and size of which any
Grape grower might well be satisfied. As regards pruning,
the spur system is the plan adopted. No more fire-heat
than is necessary is used, but in autumn, in order to finish
the fruit properly, a brisk heat, with plenty of air, is
applied to all Vines on which any fruit is hanging. Grapes
are cut for market three times a week ; each time all
bunches which are perfectly coloured are cut and placed
stalks upwards in baskets, which hold about 8 lbs. each.

On some occasions 1 cwt. of ripe Grapes is marketed
from this place at one time, these supplies, as has just
been stated, being obtained during the greater part of
the year. As soon as the Vines have been cleared of fruit
the houses are closed for a few days and the syringe vigo-
rously applied to the foliage to clear it of insects, &.C., after
which as much air as possible is admitted, and the roots
receive a thorough soaking with water in order to plump
up the buds and retain the foliage in a healthy state as
long as possible, for, whilst the fruit is ripening, water is,
to a great extent, withheld, in order to improve the flavour
and solidity of the berries ; the roots, consequently, often
get very dry before the crop is cleared, and hence the
necessity of a good supply of water afterwards, a point
probably too often overlooked by Grape growers. A house
planted fifteen mouths before mj visit with small canes of
Duke of Buccleuch, and only allotted a border about 2 ft.
wide, yielded some sixty-four good bunches of Grapes.
The rods were planted closely together and fed with
manure water, a system on which it was proposed to grow
other Vines. The owner has lately planted a house 150 ft.
long with young canes of Black Hamburgh for furnishing
an early supply ; this house, which is of singular construe'^
tion, was originally intended for Cucumber culture, but
as these did not succeed in it so satisfactorily as could have
been wished, it was converted into an early Vinery, a pur-
pose for which it is considered admirably adapted. It is
20 ft. wide, and the roof, which is supported on side walls
3 ft. in height, is flat, 9 ft. fall lengthways in the roof only
being allowed to throw off water. The interior arrange-
ments consist of a series of beds, some 10 ft. wide and
15 ft. long, surrounded by low brick walls; between each

of these beds are narrow paths, and also one the whole
length of the house, on one side of which is likewise a bed
3 ft. wide, also the length of the house. In the centre of
these beds the Vines are planted 3 ft. apart, and trained
iipwards, and when well established, good results in the
way of large crops of Grapea may be reasonably expected.
The beds are planted with Melone, chiefly for seed ; these,
it might be thought, would greatly exhaust the soil, but
this is easily counteracted by heavy manuring, mulching,
and copious supplies of manure water whilst the Vines are
in active growth ; when the Melons have been cleared
away, during winter this house is filled with bedding plants.
In sirring it is used for Strawberries, and thus the whole
6j)ace is kept fully occujaied. C. W. S.

(To he continued.J

FLAVOTTB OP STRAWBERRIES UNDER GLASS.
An impression exists that Strawberries ripened under glass
are uniformly inferior in flavour to those grown in the open
air, but I do not hesitate to aflSrm that, in two seasons out of
every three, Strawberries under glass are better flavoured than
those grown in the open ground. In many establishments it is
the custom to get ripe Strawberries as early in the season as
possible, and when ripened in March, or even in April, almost
entirely by means of fire-heat, oftentimes with but little aid
from the sun, they are naturally deficient as regards saccharine
matter. The greater portion of those, however, who devote a
part of their glass to forwarding this fruit are well content if
they can obtain Strawberries during the month of May. By
that time the power of the sun is fully felt, and it often occurs
that more favourable conditions then exist for the perfect
development of the saccharine properties of the Strawberry
than later in the season when the ripening takes place out-of-
doors. Nothing can be more delicious than this fruit when
well ripened, and nothing is more insipid when it is coloured
— for one can hardly say ripened — under unfavourable circum-
stances. Being naturally of a watery character it requires a
large amount of heat and light to thoroughly solidify and
mature it; at the same time it demands a considerable quantity
of water during the growing period, which, if withheld, has the
effect of diminishing the secretions, and consequently dete-
riorating the flavour of the berries. 'Ihe latter conditions may,
in the case of outdoor plantations, be supplied at will, but the
heat and sunshine are not always realised in our fickle climate ;
the expectations of a fine crop are often blighted by a period of
wintry weather or heavy and continued rains at ripening time.
Then, again, we often experience chilling weather when the
plants are in full growth and when the iruit is swelling. Any-
thing which tends to weaken the general health of the plant
will extend its influence up to and during the ripening time.
First-rate fruit can only be obtained from vigorous plants, and
our spring weather often fails to induce that luxuriance which
is so necessary.

These vicissitudes may all be guarded against under glass,
sufficient water can always be administered, whilst excess may
be guarded against. Artificial heat judiciously employed will
insure a temperature necessary to promote a healthy and active
state of the organs of nutrition, in fact, we simply modify and
ameliorate our climate, just hitting that happy medium which
is the very keystone of success. It may be safely afiirmed that
few, even of those who make a point of annually consuming a
considerable amount of Strawberries have really enjoyed this
fruit in perfection. With specially prepared fruit I have often
surprised and gratified lovers of the Strawberry, aud when, as
has often occurred, the only experience of its flavour has been
derived from opeu-air fruit, the surprise has been still greater.
Anyone who wishes may easily convince himself of the supe-
riority of fruit grown under glass. Let a portion of the crop
be covered when commencing to colour with light sashes, and
let them remain day and night until the fruit is coloured. The
first fruits will, of course, have lost their gloss and will be
rather diminished in weight. But the flavour ! That will re-
compense anyone for the slight loss of weight and the exercise

March 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

215

of patience. I once covered some in this manner, tben more
for the purpose of preserving them from accidents than any-
thing else, as they were wanted for a particular purpose. The
season was very hot, and that year outdoor fruit was good,
but that under the glass even better ; indeed, they were the
richest and most highly flavoured Strawberries I ever tasted.
The great heat and drought had eliminated the greater portion
of their watery character, so that there was not the suspicion
of acidity in them. Thus managed, British Queen and Presi-
dent are superb. If in May pot plants be so placed that the
fruit can be kept on them some time after it is coloured, at the
same time diminishing the supply of water and giving free air
during the day, not even taking it off on mild nights, the result
will be a treat to the grower; and if he has hitherto cherished
an unfavourable opinion of the merits of house-grown Straw-
berries, he will be ready to admit his error.

It must be remembered that a Strawberry is no more ripe
when first coloured than is a Grape ; it requires some days —
sometimes, in dull weather, a week — to attain perfection. In
the open air this condition is but seldom attained, owing either
to the impatience of the grower, or to vermin of some kind
attacking them. Unless the season is hot enough to thoroughly
warm the soil, the under side seldom ripens, and the only way
to ensure perfectly ripened fruit is to prop up each truss on
sprays of Birch ; sun and air then have full play around them,
and they ripen right through. The only" objection to this
method is that the berries are liable to scald if brought up
suddenly from the shade of the foliige and exposed to hot
sunshine. Under glass this objection does not hold good, as
the fruit seldom burns when brought up as soon as it is fairly
swelling. Those who grow for market gather the fruit when
most saleable, and that is as soon as it is coloured, and is fresh,
plump, and bright. Apart from the face of wishing to pick as
early as possible, the berries are then at their heaviest ; leaving
them after they are coloured in a hot sun means loss of weight.
Whoever grows to gratify their own palate will naturally
prefer quality to quantity, and will not mind exercising a little
patience to ensure it. One season's trial, whether it be hot or
cold, wet or dry, will suSice to convince the most sceptical that
highly-flavoured Strawberries may be grown under glass.

By fleet. J. Cou.n'uill.

PRUNING, TRAINING, AND PROTECTING

APRicors.

TuE branches of Apricots should be kept close to the wall.
If both natural and artificial spurs be permitted, the latter
should never be allowed to become large ; they project too far
from the wall, and in a bad season scarcely any kind of pro-
tection will save the fruit on them. Young wood should be
encouraged as much as possible. Where natural rather than
artificial spurs are mainly relied on, both blossoms and fruit
must be nearer the wall and under the immediate influence of
its warm dry, surface. In trying to renovate old full-grown
trees, the removal of old spurs and the encouragement of
young wood should go on gradually side by side; thus no
check or disorganisation will take place. New life and vigour
will often be infused into old trees by thinning out some of
ihe mediuni-sized branches, and filling up the space with young
wood. This plan need not be resorted to so long as the crop
produced is satisfactory; but where Apricots have been an
uncertain crop, a change of system w.U not, under any circum-
stances, involve much sacrifice, and it may result in a decided
success. The great object should be to encourage the produc-
tion of young wood, and to lay in as much of it as there is
space for without crowding. In connection with this, dis-
budding in spring should be brought more into a regular
system. To lay in more wood without reducing the number
of the young shoots by disbudding the weakly spray would
be futile, and would lead to the leaves and branches injuriously
shading each other ; unripe wood would follow, and the result
would bo weakly blossoms, which would stand no hardship of
wind or weather.

Though a tree should be trained close to the wall to secure
full benefit from its warmth, it should not be braced up too
tightly. Gumming is often caused by tight ligatures, or by a
badly.placed nail injuring the bark. AH ties and shreds should

fit loosely, to give space for the branches to swell ; no nail
should be driven in close to a branch, and no more nails or ties
should be used than are necessary to keep the branches safely
in position. Where a tree has been well cared for from its
youth upwards few nails will, generally, be required, as, when
the branches have been properly disposed from the first, the
work of training afterwards is very much simplified. The fan
system of training is the best for Apricots. When carefully
carried out it leads to a better, more regular distribution of the
sap ; admits easily of any slight alteration of any branches
that may be taking the lead during the first years of the tree's
formation ; and afterwards, should a branch die unexpectedly,
the loss can easily be made good. In selecting trees from the
nursery care should be taken that the stocks ou which they are
worked are in a good, sound, healthy state.

As to protection, it is well known that healthy trees, carry-
ing strong, well-matured, fertile blossom buds, will bear more
exposure to cold without sustaining injury thin those deficient
in strength and vigour. Every wall for fruit trees should have
a good sound permanent coping of stone, projecting at least
from 3 in. to 4 in. fi'om the wall, and it should be grooved
underneath, near the edge, to collect the water ; it will also be
a great advantage if under this groove can be fitted a small
sheet iron or zinc gutter to carry off the water and prevent it
dripping on the trees. A good projecting coping keeps the
wall dry and sound, and trees will thrive much better
on a dry, warm wall, than on one that is constantly damp.
As regards further protective measures, every season's expe-
rience still further convinces me that as good results can be
obtained by using simple, inexpensive materials as by the aid of
those of a more elaborate and costly character,with the exception
of a good glass structure. Light feathery sprays of Yew tree,
with the thick ends stuck in under the branches of the tree,
projecting from the wall in a downward direction, will afford
good shelter from cold winds, and keep off cold rain and sleet.
By keeping the light ends of the sprays pointing downwards,
the snow and rain will be precipitated to the ground beneath,
instead of being conducted to the wall, which will be the case
if they have au upward tendency. In windy places an ordi-
fishing net may be drawn over all, to keep the wind from
blowing the sprays of Yew from the wall or injuring the blos-
soms by waving. One advantage of this simple mode of pro-
tection is that, as the season advances and more light is re-
quired for the swelling fruit, the leaves of the Yew branches
shrivel and drop. Where nets of a thicker substance are used,
or canvas, or if any other system of covering be adopted that
requires removal in the morning and replacing at night, the
borders frequently become so trodden in wet weather as to be
a serious detriment to the well-being of the trees. Many trees,
through injudicious protection in spring, are weakened ia
health, and rendered more liable to insect attacks. E. H.

FRUIT CULTURE FOR MARKET.
"C. W. S."(p. 109) says that " both for hardy and indoor
fruits there is always a ready sale." On the next page, how-
ever, it appears that " in a plentiful year hundreds of bushels
of good Plums, Apples, and similar fruits, are allowed to rot
because the market is so well supplied from abroad that they
would not pay for the gathering." This statement implies
that our home-grown fruit is inferior to that from abroad, or
that foreign fruit of equal quality can be imported at a cheaper
rate, or that there is a prejudice in favour of foreign grown
fruit, resulting from its superiority or cheapness, better dis-
tribution, or some other cause. It is not to be so much re-
gretted if foreign produce of superior quality can be imported
cheaper than we can grow it at home, provided the laud we
have can be put to a more profitable use. The consumers, who
are by far the largest class concerned in the matter, are bene-
fited, and the smaller class, the growers, must take care o£
themselves by groAfing and finding ways of distribution for
better and cheaper fruit in such quantities as to compete suc-
cessfully with foreign imports, or by devoting their land to a
more remunerative industry if it can be found. At any rate,
there is no reason why our fruit growers should not adopt
means for preserving or canning their surplus fruit in plenti-
ful years, as is now so successfully done in America and France.

215

THE GARDEN.

[MAEcn 15, 1879.

In any case " 0. W. S." need never fear that many bushels of
eiiily Plums will be "allowed to rot," since such varieties as
Prince of Wales and Rivers' Early pay well for iheir culture,
notwithstanding the drawbacks which he names. "0. W. S."
goes on to say : " Now, if late Plums, to come in after the bulk
of the foreign produce is over, were grown there would be a
good chance of profit; arising from their culture," the fact
being that late Plums are now grown far more extensively
than the other kinds. Mr, Dancer, of Chiswick, has long
known the value of late Plum crops, and his quarters of such
sorts as Prince Englebert and Belle de Septembre amongst
others are generally well cropped with fine marketable fruit
by the ton, while Jlessrs. Rivers, and the yet more extensive
Pershore grower?, have long known the value of both early and
late fruiting Plums. The inexperienced might be led by
"C. W. S.'s " remark to infer that early Plnms were a failure
generally, and late fruiting kinds not generally grown for
market.

tome time ago I made what I thought at the time to be a
very moderate, comparative statement, namely, that " in order
to fatten a bullock, we require at least the produce of 2 acres
of good land for three years, after which, the animal is worth
from £20 to £30, while on the same ground we could have
gi-own at least £100 worth of vegetables and fruit." To this
" C. AY. S." takes exception, since he says " it fails to fairly
represent the case." I venture to suggest, however, that he
may have failed to read my statement exactly aright, for, had
be done so, I feel sure he would have agreed with me, that any
callivator of average merit could certainly obtain more than
£100 worth of vegetables and fruit off " 2 acres of good land "
in three years. How does this statement fail to represent the
case .^ At any rate I am firmly convinced that the result I
mentioned cau be readily realised, since £17 or even £10
is not uncommon as an annual return for an acre of good land
under a vegetable and fruit crop. Potatoes, Onions, and
St.'-awbeiries would yield such a return under anything like
good management. For so short a tenure as three years, to
think of planting fruit trees is, of course, quite one of the
question, nor are stock-feeding farmers advised by me to
attempt fruit culture unless,indeed,they possess the special tech-
nical knowledge, which is as essential as capital towards success
in this as in other branches of trade. The assumption made
by " C. \V. S."that the bullock would be fed on " Grassland "
is more than I anticipated, since, when I used the comparison,
I did not forget that the cheapest and altogether best way of
feeding the animal would be to house it and use pulped root
crops and cut fodder from arable land, augmented by Linseed
or Cotton cake, as is now the practice of the most expe-
rienced of large meat-producing farmers.

As to the extension of fruit culture, to which your corres-
pondent alludes, I have only to say that if increased fruit cul-
ture in England, together with increased imports from abroad,
have failed to lower prices (as is admitted by " C. W. S.") then
il is sure evidence tbat the general demand is ahead of the
general supply, and with our present increasing rate of de-
m:ind, owing to increase in population, neither ten nor fifty
largo fruit and vegetable growers would influence the markets,
if 1 bey would only give us fruit and vegetables as cheap and
as good or better than those imported from abroad. Our own
home groovers must balance the imports, or we, as consumers
rather than as producers, must be prepared to pay for foreign
fruit and vegetables even more liberally than we have hitherto
done ; and I see that we paid upwards of £10,000,000 last year
for imported fruit and vegetables alone. F. W. Burbidse.

Pot Vines. — The past winter haa proved a rough time for pot
Tines that have becD, for want of hcuse room, out-of-doors with a
mat or two thrown over the pots. Perhaps it may be s:id tbat well
ripened and established pot Vioes could ecaicelj suffei* irjnry when
io exposed ; but all depends npoa the way iu which they have been
grown. In any case, barm may be done by exposnre, and none are
BO safe as those which have the shelter of houses, even though in
these they may be partly frozen. Foiced pot Vines produce large
pithy canes that look well, and perhaps tempt the buyer more easily
than Vines grown on a more natural system. Such Vines also pro-
dnce soft Seshy roots that form a mass round the sides of the pots,
and when turned oat-ot.doora in the summer to ripen, rot or decay

in some way, either from cold, exposure, or excess ct moisture. Such
forced Vines should never be exposed to the open air, but should be
placed in cool houses in the autumn to complete their maturity. In
some nurseries Vines in pots are not exposed to the open air at any
time ; they are not even forced except such as is necessary to start
the eyes into growth, and they are finally finished off in low span-
roofed bouses, in which a gentle beat can be used if needed. Such
Vines are remarkably short jointed, the wood hard and wiry, and the
pots are full of hard, fibrous roots. These are Vines that any one
may plant or fruit with the greatest certainty that they will do well.
—A. D.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

FLOWER-BED ARRANGEMENT.

The first thing which "Azncena" (p. 211) should do is to improve
the soil in the bed, and if, as hesajs, it is wet and co',d, some drainage
should be put in the bottom. This will be safeat doue by throwing
the beet Eoil from the top on one side ; then take the bad soil from
the bottom away altogether, to the depth of 3 ft. if possible; 6 in. of
stones or any kind of rubble may now be placed iu the bottom, on
which place a layer of tuif with the Grassy side downwards, to keep
the drainage clear. Ou this make the bed, and have the siil made as
good as possible by mixing some old man:;re with it ; turfy loam,
with some old charcoal, vegetable refuse, or leaf. mould will do. There
are many ways of effectively planting such a bed, bat round-headed
plants, such as Aralias, do not associate well with sedge-like plants,
such as the New Zealand Flax, unless they stand well above them, so
as to show their outlines clearly and distinctly. If any system of
carpeting be adopted, the permanent occupants should be far enough
apart to permit of the undergrowth being seen through the foliage
of the others. Allow me to offer the following, as suggestions based
upon what I have myself tried and seen done elsewhere :

Arrangement No. I, — D.-acaana indivisa iu the centre, one New
Zealand Flax at each end, and four Yuccas on the flanks, i e., two on
each side, with one plant of Boocouia cordata between the Dracaana
and Flax at each end. The Bocconiaa will be an immense improve-
ment in summer. Many other hardy plants may be used in a similar
manner, notably some of the Delphiniums and Phloxes. The Dra.
ctenas and Flaxes will need protection during severe winters. Last
winter—! e., the winter of 1877-8 — no protection was required. This
year they have had their leaves drawn np together and secured in a
cone. shaped mass with matting ; then they had a single mat wound
round them and, thus secured, with some straw placed round the
stems and over the earth at the base, large plants of them have
kept safely here.

No. 2. — Chamaerops excelsa in the centre, with half-a-dozen small
Aralias grouped round it. Two or three Lilies might with advantage
be introduced, such as Lilium auratum, lancifoliom, or candidam.

No 3. — Two p'ants of Ailautus glandulosa 2 ft. on each side of
the centre, longitudinally, with six dwarf plants of Acer Negundo
variegatum planted round. The Ailantus sh'iuld be trained toasingle
stem some 1 ft. high, and should be pruned well back every spring,
JQSt before the buds push. The largest shoots of the Aoers will
require a little shortening. This will make a handsome bed in summer
when the groundwork is filled in with bright colours ; but the plants
are deciduous, and this, so far as regards winter effect, will be a
drawbaclc.

No. 4 — New Zealand Flax in the centre, and half-a-dozen Yuccas
round, with about four small plants of Tamarix worked in, so as to
effectively balance the whole. The Tamarix must be pruned close
back every spring.

No. 5, — Acacia inermis (standard) in the centre, with half.a-dczeu
Aralias round it, and a couple of plants of Bambusa Metake, one ou
each side the central plant.

No. 6,— Rose Gloire do Dijon in the centre not too rigidly trained,
with a plant of Clematis Star of India planted near it, so as to grow
np and mingle with the Rose, with half-a-dozen plants of New Zealand
Flax, or any others of light, elegant habit planted round.

There are numberless arrangements that might be added in a
similar way, all of which would look well in suitable situations. For
instance, a good.s'zed Pampas Grass in the centre, and the remainder
of the bed planted with dwarf plants to set the Pampas Grass off to
the best advantage, would be a simple and effective arrangement. I
cannot help thinking that hardy plants that will require no protec-
tion in winter would be the most satisfactory. I know of a similar
bed, only larger in size, planted with Yuccas, among which are placed
thinly Bneoonia cordata, and the effect is' always pleasing. The
ground is carpeted with Cerastium tomentoaum, but there are num-
berless dwarf hardy plants that would be suitable for forming the
ground woik. A good.sized, pyramidal, variegated Holly would form

Makch 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

217

a good centre for a bed of hardy plants, or a standard Rhododendron
with four dwarf, standard, grafted plants of CotoneaBter microphylla
planted one at each end , and one at each flank, with a variegated
Euonymas between each two Cotoneasters. In short, your correa.
pondent is more likely to be embarassed by the multitade of plants
at his disposal than by a scarcity. The first and most important
matter is to provide a good bed of soil. E. Hoeday,

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Snowdrops. — Galanthns Imperatri, which is jast now in ful'
beauty here, having this season come into bloom somewhat later than
G. nivalis, is undoubtedly the finest Snowdrop at present in cultiva-
tion, some of its blooms measuring more than 1 in. in length. Galan-
thns Elwesi, a rare and beautiful species from Asia Minor, is also
now in bloom ; it is totally distinct in appearance from all other
Snowdrops, and can b3 at once distinguished by its dwarf habit of
growth and by the green blotch at the base of each of the minor
petals, which, when the flowers are fully expanded, is very conspi.
onous. Both the single and double varieties of the common Snow.
drop (G. nivalis) are unusually fine this year, and although they have
been in bloom for nearly five weeks past, the flowers are still in good
condition. G. plicatns is only now showing its broad leaves above
the surface of the ground, and will
continue the succession of Snow-
drops into April. — Hugo Hakpl'H
Ckewe, Calie Aliey, Derhij.

Yuccas in the Isle of
Wight. — I planted the Yucca of
which the annexed is a representa.
tion about twelve or thirteen years
ago, acd it has taken well to this
place. The climate of the Isle of
Wight is evidently very favourable
to this tribe of plants, which all
flourish here amazingly. The
flower.spikes come all from a single
stem, and they last in blcssom deep
into the autumn — sometimes
nearly to Christmas. The Yucca
in question is 8 ft. 3 in. high at
the highest point, and its circum-
ference is 24 ft. 6 in. On a lawn
it forms a splendid cbject, and
when two or three of them are
planted together the effect is soon
very striking. There are some
other species grown here besides ^ ^

Y. gloriosa, but I think this is the
best of them. — Marcus Lowtheh, t

Captain R.N., Thm-nton, near
Hyde.

AbsoTinal May Apples
(Podophyllum).— Last August,
when rambling through the woods
a few miles from this city (Day-
ton), on a sort of botanical tour, I
found a small group of Podophyllum in fruit. Upon examination I
found several abnormal specimens in twos, threes, and fonra, and
one fine bunch of seven, which I had photographed. Can any of
your readers explain the cause or causes of such irregularities Y I
may add that the plants themselves were, to all ontward appearances,
normal, and gave no indications why they should produce such mon-
strosities.— An American.

■"^L

Yucca gloriosa in the Isls o£ Wight

Oil-heating. — Several of yonr correspondents having lately
expressed their opinion that oil stoves are useless for warming
greenhouses, &c., I think it right to relate my experience, which
certainly does not coincide with theirs. Just before last Christmas
the little boiler which has hitherto supplied the heat to my small
house completely broke down, and, finding it impossible to get it
promptly repaired, I wus obliged, in despair, to look round for some
temporary means to keep out the very severe frost that then pre-
vailed. I ultimately purchased, for 353., a petroleum stove, fitted
with two 3-in. burners, supplied from a tank holding about one quart
of oil. From that time to this the temperature in my greenhouse
has not been below 42°. The lamp burns for twelve honrs without
attention, and actually gives off no smoke, but I admit that there is
a slightly disagreeable smell. My plants, which are of a miscella-
neons kind, look healthy, and, as far aslcan judge, have not suffered
in the least ; therefore, I contend that the oil stove has served me well,
and I shall not be persuaded hastily to discard it. — W. M.

NATIVE MOSSES AND JUNGERMANNIA.S UNDER

CULTIVATION.
While the various kiads of Lycopods and Selaginellas are
much run upon for carpeting purposes in stores and conserva-
tories, the capabilities of our own Mosses and Jungermannias
for ornamentation are, I think, unfairly overlooked— a circum-
stance somewhat strange, as they receive a full meed o£
admiration in their na'ive woods. Let me describe an arrange-
ment of Mosses and Ferns, which has been in my little stova
for the last two years, and which has attracted universal
admiration. My gardener brought home one day a quantity
of the larger and more beautiful Mosses from a neighbouring
glen, and was so struck with their beauty that he determined
to try to cultivate them. He arranged them on pieces of old
board about l!U in. by 24 in., fastening them down with fiiio
copper wire, which went through rather than over the Moss,
and thns was hidden from view. Into thi.s cushion were dib-
bled bits of sraallgron-iug Fern, such as Adiantum glauco-

phyllum, A. Capillus-Veneris,
Davallia dissecta, &c. The
■whole was then placed in ati
intermediate stove, with one
edge dipping into a huge pot
which was kept full of water,
and which was itself smothered
outside with Adiantums, having
been used as a water pot for
many years in a large Orchid
house belonging to the late Mr.
Bewley, of Blaokrock, county
Dublin, from whose posseesioa
it passed into mine. The
Mosses were thus kept coa-
stantly moist by capillary at-
traction, and soon commenced
to grow vigorously, as did the
Ferns, notwithstanding there
was no soil whatever on the
board. When all was proceed-
ing favourably the affair waa
taken down from the water pot
and kept frequently syringed,
and it has continued ever since to
be a mass of exquisite verdure.
From time to time various other
small plants were inserted, and
all have grown with great luxu-
riance and seem perfectly
happy. Amongst the plants
on my board may be noted the
following, and I am by no
means sure that I have exhausted the list : — Of Mosses, the
chief is Hypnium (Thamnium) alopecurum, one of the most
beautiful, as well as one of the easiest Mosses to culti-
vate. Mixed with this are Bryum (Unium) uadiilatum,
Hookeria lucens, Polytrichum commune, P. undulatum, and
Jungermannia aplenioides. Of Ferns, Adiantum Capillus-
Veneris, A. glaucophyllum, A. setulosum, A. pubescens, DS-
vallia novro-ZelandisB, D. dissecta, Cxymnogramma ochracea,
Pteris cretica, Onychium lucidum, Selaginella Martensi, and
S. M. variegata. Of miscellaneous plants, there are Campanula
hederacea, Pinguicula grandiflora, Anagallis tenella, Stellaria
media, Arundinaria falcata (seedling), Torenia asiatica (the
only plants which have survived the winter are those in the
Moss), and a small Hypericum. Recently I have inserted
sundry small Orchids, such as Deudrobium japonicum, D.nobile,
Odontoglossum Alexandres, Acropera Loddigesi, &o. They
look healthy, but have not been there long enough to speak
positively about them yet.

While speaking of Mosses I may mention a very pretty ■
Selaginella called, I believe, helvetica, which grows abundantly
on moist banks in the region of the Tete Noire, and doubtless
elsewhere in Switzerland and Savoy. Plants brought thence
last summer and wintered in a cold frame are now in good

218

THE GARDEN.

[MAKcn 15 1879.

health. In form it resembles P. apoda, but it is trailing in
habit, not cushion-like, as in the cas3 of S. apoda. I do not
Bee it in either Ware's catalogue or Backhouse's.

GfiKENWOOD PiM, M.A., F.L.S.
Monhatown, Co. BulAin.

THE CULTURE OF PANSIE3 IN POTS.
I wisn amateur gardeners — those who have a great love for a
few specialities — could be induced to take up the culture of
Pansies in pots, and grow and bloom their plants in a cold
frame in early spring. In this way the rich colours and mark-
ings of the yellow ground, the white ground, and the self
Pansies are seen to the best advantage in the cool, bright spring
weather. The flowers are large, stout, and of fine shape, the
colours rich, and the belting surrounding the ground regular,
and of that glossy richness of surface and texture peculiar to
the Pansy. Twenty-five years ago I had something to do with
growifig them in this way, but that was the day of Pansy
societies, and when prizes were offered at the London shows
for Pansies in pots. It is a fact that the encouragement given
to certain plants, by reason of the places assigned them in
prize schedules, has much to do in the direction of encoura-
ging their culture ; but I would have Pansies grown in pots
for the sake of the pleasure they afford, and, when successfully
grown, the great reward they bring to the cultivator. It is
not too late to set about the culture of Piinsies in pots, pro-
vided some good young plants, struck from cuttings taken in
J^nly or August last, could be had well established in small
pots. In the days I have referred to it was customary with
the Pansy growers to pot up a good portion of their plants in
small pots, and winter them in cold frames, and good plants
could be had all through the winter. It would not be difficult
to obtain such plants now, especially from the Scotch florists,
'but they are not so common in the south of England as they
used to be. Pansies for cultivation in pots should be grown
from cuttings and not from divided parts of the plants.
Healthy, well-rooted cuttings make vigorons, stocky plants.
It is best to begin in October or by the beginning of November
potting the plants into 5in. pots, as this gives them a good
start and enables them to get well established. The plants
can be safely wintered in a cold frame having a dry bottom, as
damp is the greatest enemy to the plants during the dead
Beason of the year. All the water necessary during winter is
just sufficient to keep the plants alive, and air should be given
on alliavourable occasions. If sharp frost sets in some cover-
ing ought to be placed over the frame while it lasts.

The next stage is that of shifting into the blooming pots;
this should be done about the end of February or early in
March, selecting the size of the pots to suit the character of
the plants; the largest can go into 8-in. pots, the smallest into
-6-in. or 7-in. pots. This done, the plants should be encouraged
in every way to make a free, stocky growth, taking care not
•to keep them too close and so imparting to them a drawn
appearance. A cold frame, with the plants resting on a well-
■draiued bed, is the best convenience for the plants ; the
spot should be cool and somewhat moist, and if shaded
by trees during the middle portion of the day so much
the better. Under such circumstances, and with due attention,
the Pansies can hardly fail to do well. Tears ago growers in
pots for show purposes used to stimulate their plants freely
by giving them strong doses of liquid manure. Modern
growers have modified this course of treatment, finding they
lost plants through overfeeding. Just as the flowers are
expanding some weak manure water can be given once in the
morning, but having the plants raised on inverted flower pots,
so that a quick drainage can be secured. A good compost for
Pansies is made up of one-half good fibry loam, one-third old
rotted cow manure and horse droppings that crumble almost
to powder, and the remainder well-sweetened and thoroughly-
decomposed leaf-mould. Liquid manure has been referred to,
and to have this handy for use, two tanks, or a tank in two
divisions is required. In one division should be put some
fresh sheep and cow manure, and a little pigeon's manure if it
can be aot, and on this water should be poured, and the whole
well stirred up together ; then it should bo alloived to subside
until the surface-water is clear, and the clear liquid drawn off

into the other division and used, diluting it as may be thought
best. Liquid manure should not be used very strong for
Pansies in pots.

Those who make a point of growing flowers in pots, are al-
ways careful to keep up a supply of good plants from cuttings.
The first batch of cuttings are taken in June, and when the
plants from which the cuttings have been taken have done
flowering, they are cut down to the ground, leaving any
young growths that may be coming up from the roots. They
are then top-dressed, and set out-of-doors in a shady place,
and finally turned out into the open ground in August, and
planted into a prepared bed under a north wall or hedge. Ihe
soil for such a bed can be got from the siftings of the refuse
soil from the potting-bench, and the plants mulched with a
little spent manure from a mushroom bed, to keep the surface
cool and moist.

It is scarcely necessary to give a list of varieties. Any
florist would be able to recommend and supply a suitable
selection ; only let the cultivator take care, as far as he can,
that they are strong, healthy, and well-wooded plants, and, as
such, worthy of his care and attejition. D.

03MUNDA PALUSTRIS.
Like the Brake, the Fern-Royal has a very wide range of dis-
tribution, and consequently presents a great variety of forms,
some of which climate and other conditions have so much
differentiated that, taken by themselves, they would be re-
garded as distinct species. The Fern Royal is distributed all
over Europe and Asia, (excepting the Arctic regions). Tropical
and South Africa, and the Mascarene Islands, and in America
from Canada to Uruguay. O. regalis var. palustris is an
American variety occurring in Central America and Brazil,
anl one of the prettiest of the genus. The accompanying
engraving gives a good idea of the beauty of this Fern, re-
duced to about one-sixth of its natural size. It has alternately
been regarded by different writers as a species and variety,
and, like too many other Ferns, has received a number of
different names. Milde enumerates the following in his
elaborate monograph of the genus : O. palustris, Schroeder ;
O. spectabilis var. brasiliensis, Greville and Hooker; O. spec-
tabilis, Martins and Galeotti; O- mexicana. Fee; O. spectabilis
var. palustris, Presl. ; and O. pulcherrima, Pohl. The pinnules
are finely and elegantly toothed, a character which could not
be shown in this very much reduced representation of the
plant. I know nothing of ihe history of its introduction,
but it comes nearest to the (). gracilis, figured in Lowe's
" Ferns, British and Exotic," viii., t. 4. It is well grown in
Mr. Williams' nursery at Holloway, whence our illustration
was obtained. W. B. HEMSLEr.

CROrONS FOR TABLE DECORATION.

Ajioxg ornament.al foliaged plants suitable for decorative pur-
poses none are more beautiful or useful than Crotons, some of
the newer varieties of which have not only magnificently
coloured leaves, but are also very remarkable as regards shape.
One of the most peculiar in this respect is C. iutcrruptum,
with which Nature has played some strange freaks by forming
gaps in the leaf-blade, and these occur regularly on each side,
leaving only the midrib for a distance varying from 1 in. to
2 in., when it again assumes the ordinary character for a short
space till there is another break, and so on, which, together
with the rich veining, renders the plant very interesting.
There is another curious kind named spirale, which has leaves
about 1 ft. long, with a regular spiral twist from top to bottom,
and, as these are narrow and beautifully coloured, it is particu-
larly adapted for use on dinner tables, as are also many of the
others. One of my special favourites for this purpose is
C. Wiesmanni, which has long, rarrow foliage of a pleasing
green shade, veined regularly throughout with bright golden-
yellow, the effect of which, seen under artificial light, is greatly
heightened and intensified. A pair of this and a well-colouicd
Dracffina Cooperi for the centre, or vice versa, is simply per-
fection, as, being somewhat of the same type and habit of
growth, they associate well together. Another tine variety
for a similar purpose is C. angustifolium, which has long,

March 15, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

219

narrow leaves that droop in a very graceful manner, and these,
as soon as they attain a little age, become brilliantly tinted,
the midrib being of a bright glowing crimson. When required
for table decoration, the best way is to start with young plants
and grow them on with single stems clothed with foliage right

fibry peat and sand, and grown in the warmest part of the
stove, keeping them well up to the glass, in order that they
may have the full benefit of the sun, as without that they do
not assume the rich leaf markings for which they are so highly
prized.

Osmuoda palnstiis.

down to the pots, an easy matter to accomplish, it the points
of any strong shoots be taken off and struck, which may be
done by inserting them in sharp, sandy soil in single pots, and
placing them where they can get a strong, moist beat. As
soon as they are struck, they should be shifted on into rough.

Beautiful, however, as are the above-named Crotona, and
many others that have been in commerce for a long time, they
are likely to be eclipsed by several of more recent intro-
duction, as, on going through one of the London nurseries
some time ago, I was much struck with the appearance of one

220

THE GARDEN.

[JilAr.cn 15, 1879.

called Lord Derby, and, although many of the plants were only
small ones, they were conspicuous among a whole houseful of
others for the striking colour of their foliage, which, in most
kinds, does not become at all marked till they attain some cou-
siderable size. If this should turn out to be a good grower,
as its appearance would lead one to suppose, it will be much
sought after for exhibition purposes. Although not at all
equal to it in point of colouring, C. Disraeli resembles it in
form, but those who are so fortunate as to have the first can
well dispense with the latter. 0. Mortii is a very desirable
kind to grow in a collection ; the ground colour of its leaves is
a deep glossy green and the midribs yellow, with the same
shade running on iato the leaf blades, where it again forms a
margin around their edges.

The only drawback to Crotons for general use is that they
are very tender, but, for all that, with a little management
they may be made available for the embellishment of conser-
vatories during the greater part of the summer. All that is
neoessiry is to place them in the warmest part of the house,
where draughts or cold air does not play immediately on them,
and, when so situated, if kept tolerably dry at the roots, they
will stand until quite late in the autumn without showing the
least signs of distress. There is one thing that should be
borne in mind, however, and that is, that the transition from
the close, confined heat of a stove to that of a cooler house
must be gradual if their safety is to be insured, as, with this
class of plants, it is sudden changes that work the mischief,
by causing them to flag and lose their tender young roots,
■which get a chill, and, onoe these are gone, nothing but a brisk
temperature will restore them or save the plants from perishing
outright.

The habit of most of the large-leaved Crotons is naturally
bushy, but in order to make it more dense and compact, the
points of all the leading shoots should be nipped out about
this time, or the branches should be cut back where the speci-
mens are already large enough, and the pruning to which they
are thus subjected will cause them to break again, and to be-
come refurnished with fresh young foliage. When the young
growth of such as are pruned back is about half-au-inch long,
the plants should be partially shaken out and repotted, but
being subjects of a rather moisture-loving nature, it is im-
portant that they should have free drainage, for, although in
the height of the growing season they cannot well have too
much water, their health is injuriously affected unless it can
pass freely off. In potting, about equal parts of peat and loam,
■with a little sand, will be found to answer best, and this soil
should be used rather rough and lumpy, but pressed in tolera-
bly firm, and after a day or two watered with tepid water to
settle it about the roots. No more should then be given till it
gets tolerably dry again, after which, as growth progresses,
they will gradually require more. Stiff formal training with
Crotons, and indeed with all other plants, should be avoided,
as it spoils their beauty; in short, beyond a little adjustment,
partaking something of the pyramidal form, the less staking
and tying they have the better they look. A few sticks hidden
among the foliage may be used to secure the main branches
to, so as to bring the frame into shape, after which the regu-
larity of the growth will do the rest.

A good plan to get Crotons well up in colour, is to grow
them in houses among other plants that do not require shade,
and in order that the tops may be brought up close to the glass,
they should be set on inverted pots so as to be above their
associates. Thus situated, they get the benefit of a full play
of light. To prevent the attacks of red spider and thrips, pests
to which they are rather subject, heavy syringings should be
given every morning and afternoon during bright days, but
should either of these pests effect a footing, hand washing
must at once be resorted to, or they soon do irreparable da-
mage. A good soft sponge and soap and water carefully used
will soon clean the foliage, and even if there are no insects, the
plants quite pay for the labour and .time thus bestowed on
them by their improved appearance. S. D.

Coelogyne cristata— This, in my opinioD, is one of the finest
of all winter-blooming Orchids, and, what is of eqaal importance, it
ia very easily cultivated. We have a small plant of it in a 5. in. pDt

bearing at present three spikes of bloom. It has been grown on the
back shelf of a Pine stove, where it seems to thrive satisfaatorily.
On the same shelf a plant of Lycaate Skioneri has prodaoed, amongst
others, one of the largest blooms I ever saw on any plant of that
species. I may just remark, auent growing many plants in thesams
house, that on the same shelves with the Orchids there are foar dozen
Black Prince Strawberry plants in 6 in. pots, with from thirty tt>
fifty frnit formed on each plant. — Cambbian'.

CULTURE OP MONSTERA DELICIOSA.
The structure described by " E. Gt. L." (p. 19J) will suit the Mon.
stera very well. The elements of success in tha culture of this
tropical fruit are beat, light, and moisture, and, provided these
necessary conditions be one and all supplied, success will ba ensured.
Any form of training may be adopted which will bring the plant
well up towards the glass. It may be made to cover a portion or
the whole of the back wall trellis, or, what is preferable, it may be
trained round forked tree stumps, a system which suits it admirably.
It may be grown in a tub, bat I should prefer planting it out in a
good body of fibrous peat and loim in equal proportions, which
should rest upon a good drainage of brick rubb!e. Thus placed,
unlimited supplies of watar may be given in hot weather, and th&
fruit will be fine in quality and abundant. One of the bast fruited
specimens of it which I ever saw was at Cologne; it enjoyed an ex.
tensive root-run, and many of the main feeders found their way into
a miniature lake ; the stems were trained to tree branches, and the
fruit was plentiful and good. Although the Monstera will thrive in
a low temperature, it will not develop its true character as a fruit-
bearing plant, unless a brisk growing heat be maintained during tha
spring and early summer mouths. If " E. G. L." intends to devote
the whole space of his house to the Monstera, there will be but little
diflBoulty in growing it to perfection ; bat if other plants are to be
grown along with it, they should not be permitted to crowd it, or in
anyway obstruct the light from it, and only just enough shade should
be given to prevent scorching. J, Cor.vhill.

Byfleet.

LAPAGERIAS BEST FROM LAYERS.
Ix " Gardening for the Week " (p. 163) incidental reference is made
to the slow growth of the Lipagaria, the writer observing that both
the red and white Lapagarias, when raised from cuttings or layers,
are " very slow growers, and must not be over.potted." This is true
with regard to cuttings. They take months to strike, and make slow
progress afterwards, but not so with layers, which grow fast when
well managed. We have a young plant here which originated from
a layer put down in November, 1877, and by October following,
or eleven months afterwards, it had one strong shoot 8 ft. long, one
5 ft., one 3 ft., and one or two lesser ones. I bought the plant oE
Messrs. Fisher, Holmes, & Co., of Sheffield, who had at about the
same period several hundreds of the same age, with shoots ranginff
from 3 ft. to 9 ft. in length, and producing abundance of flowers.
This was the white variety. These plants had no leading shoots to
begin with, but were prodaoed from the leaf-bud, the shoots being
layered their whole length with only a portion of each leaf peeping
above the soil. The firm in question has been producing stock in
this way for years, a house 50 ft. long being set apart for tha pur.
pose. The largest plants are at onoe transferred to 9-in. and lO.in.
pots, which were well filled with roots the same saasDn. The success
attending the raising of plants in this way has suggested the idea
that the best way to grow tha Lapageria profitably for decorative
purposes, would be to raise plants annually lika pDi Vines. I
reckoned that the aggregate length of flowering shoots prodacsd by
layers from two or three old plants would be 1300 ft. at least,
reckoning the numbar of plants at 300, their average length at 5 ft.,
and only allowing one ahoot to a plant ; bat 2000 ft. would be nearer
the mark, for many of the plants had from 12 ft. to 18 ft. of wood
upon them. Djring last autumn the whole of one side of the roof of
the house was a sheet of white Lapageria flowers, from plants under
a year old. The maltiplioation of wood is easily explained. Tha
shoota, when trained on to the roof in the usual way, do not break
freely at the buds, but lengthen at their extremities principally, but
when they are buried in the soil they produce long shoots from each
bad, and also begin to pat oat suckers at an early stage. Pare peat
and sand, plenty of drainage, and plenty of water at the roots, are
considered to be the essentials as regards tha saocessfnl culture of
this climbing plant. J. Simpson,

Forcing the Lauruatinus. — Instances may often be found in
which the principal merits belonging to plants oaltivated in this

March 15, 1879

THE GARDEN.

221

ooantry remain nndiseovered for years. The Laurastinus haa long
been employed to ornament our pleasure grounds, bat we are only
jaat awakening to the faot that it makes a pretty pot plant, and may
be forced into bloom at a very early period of the year. Those who
have so treated it this season will have been enabled to fully appre-
ciate its merits. It is useful either as a small oompaot plant for general
decorative purposes, or large specimens may be grown in tubs, to be
introduced as required into the stove or forcing house — and they by no
means require the lightest and best part of the structure — where
they will yield, from Christmas onwards, an abundance of flowers for
cutting. Anyone who has a warm hoase may utilise the Lanrustinus
to great advantage, as the plants may be plaoed in a light shed or cold
frame, from whence they may be introduced into heat. Where there
are corridors and draughty plaee3 to decorate, these forced plants will
be found as useful as any plant in cultivation, inasmuch as they last
SO long in Sower, and do not show any signs of suffering when ex-
posed to vicissitudes of temperature. It would be well if everyone
made a point of keeping a stock of Lanrustinus in pots, as, apart
from the enjoyment to be derived from them early in the year, they
serve to guarantee us against exceptionally severe winters. We from
time to time experience a season which cuts off a great portion of
the outdoor plants, and our gardens are denuded of this pretty shrub.
By propagating every year, there would always be some good-sized
specimens available for replacing those destroyed. — Bvfleet.

ROSES.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Treatment of Cyclamens after Flowering'. — "Brook-
hurst" recommends (p. 17o) that old Cyclamen bnlb^ should be
placed in the full sun when removed from the conservatory. I have
practised this system but I abandoned it, as I found that bulbs thus
treated never flowered so well as those which had received protec-
tion. It hardly seems fair treatment to expose a plant, which during
the spring has received the shelter of a glass roof, and which has
probably been even screened from the hot sun, to the vicissitudes of
an English summer. Even such hardy shrubs as the Lilac and
Deutzia wonll be much injured, if on removal from the greenhonse
they were all at once exposed to the full force of the sun and wind.
As an experiment 1 once placed some Cyclamen bulbs where they did
not get any snn the whole summer through, and many of them had
nearly 200 blooms on them. I am aware that in its native habitat
the Cyclamen grows in the full sun, but the faot of its thriving natu-
rally under sunshine, does not warrant us in subjecting it when in
cultivation to great extremes. — J. Cornhill.

Having always paid great attention to Cyclamens after

they had done blooming, I read with much interest the paragraph
which appeared in The Garden (p. 164) on the subject. 1 am
delighted to see prominence given to what is so important to theso
lovely flowers, viz., the great care necessary during their state of
rest, a fact forgotten by almost all amateur Cyclamen growers.
There is one question, however, which I should like to ask your cor-
respondent, and that is about the two removals mentioned (p. 161).
The Cyclamen is always impatient of removal, but iu pot culture one
shift is absolutely necessary on account of changing the soil. There
are, too, at all times of its growth so many fine, delicate rootlets,
which would, under the system of first planting out and then repot-
ting, run a double risk of injury. Would it not be better to move
them in July into larger pots and then let them bloom without
further check ? Jly plan has always been the same as that which
yonr correspondent recommends np to July, when I take them care,
fully out of their pots, shake the earth from them, and wash them in
tepid water, cutting away any dead roots which I can find. I then
pot them and keep them warm for a few days till the roots become
established, and then plunge the pots in ashes in a sheltered part of
the garden, having them always watered and syringed till the nights
become frosty, when they have the protection of a cold frame till
they come into bloom. My Cyclamens have been beautiful, some
bearing from sixty to seventy blooms, well thrown up above the
leaves. I may add that the main thing in the culture of these
flowers is, first, to procure and sow the seed in June, when it is fresh
from the old plant, to keep the plants well drained and the leaves
well syringed, and, last and most important, is the care and culture
after flowering. — Star.

Propagating Bertolonias. — I am well aware that these plants
may be increased by means of leaves in the way mentioned by " W."
(p. 212), a plan well worth following in the case of those who grow
Bertolonias in quantity for sale, but for private places I prefer shoot
cuttings, as, with them, one gets a plant up in a condition to show its
character in much less time, and taking off the tops helps the plants
to break back, and better furnished specimens are the result. —
T. Bainks.

CULTURE i:q" POTS AND IN BORDERS.
Culture in Pots for Market. — Large quantities of dwarE
Roses are grown in pots for the Paris market. These Rose
trees come from the district of Le Brie like those which are
intended for forcing. They arrive in Paris abont the month
of November, and are at once laid by the heels in the beds pre-
pared for them. They are potted in the open air during the
fine days of autumn, or in winter under a shed. The pots used
are 6 in. in diameter, and are filled with a compost consisting
of one-third of rotten night soil, one-third of light earth, and
one-third of garden soil. The pot, which must be well drained,
is filled to a third of its height, and the Rose tree is placed in
the middle. The plant is held in the left hand, and the pot is
filled up with the right, sprinkling the soil between the roots,
and pressing it down from time to time. The Rose tree ought
to be so firmly fixed in the pot that it can be lifted up, pot and
all, without the latter separating from the ball. The potted
Rose trees are then laid in by the heels, the pots being laid upon
their sides, and allowed to remain in that position during the
wmter. In February or March they are planted in borders in
four rows, at a distance of 16 in. from each other, in every
direction. This method of culture adapts the plants first for
the market, and, finally, for being grown in rooms. As there
is a large demand for Roses about midsummer, the festival of
St. John, and on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption
in the middle of August, it is very important that the Rose
grower should be well provided with Roses in full flower at
these two periods. To effect this it is necessary to reserve
several borders specially for plants which must not be pruned,
so that the whole of the sap may produce plenty of wood, and
a moderate number of flowers at the extremity of the branches.
About six weeks before the time when they are required
they are pruned, at least two-thirds of the most vigorous
branches being cut off, the weakest branches being cut back
to the stem. The sap then fills the lowest eyes, which have
hitherto remained dormant, causing them to develop them-
selves fully. The growth of the plants is watched until the
new buds begin to form, which generally takes place about
the twentieth or twenty-fifth day. Vegetation is then
encouraged by copious waterings , giving one watering-potful
to every four plants. If the plants are growing too fast they
must be checked by giving them a smaller quantity of water,
or else by shading them from the light, or, better still, by
transferring them to a cold house. By this means the Rose
grower can be ready for the market by a particular day, with a
well grown stock of plants, which will bring him in from
Is. 3d. to Is. 8d. each. AVe have already stated that it is the
Rose du Roi and the Aimee Vibert which are best fitted for
pot culture. Bengal Roses may also be grown in pots from
5 in. to 6 in. diameter, which are sold from 4d. to 6d. each,
while the little Lawrence Pompons may be grown in pots oE
from 2i in. to 3^ in. diameter. These beautiful little plants are
specially fitted for stands and janliniercs in small rooms.

Burgundy Rose Pompons.— The Burgundy Rose Pompons,
which belong to the Cabbage Rose class, have produced a dozen
varieties, those most usually cultivated being the Rose de Mai
and Pompon du Roi, with purple flowers, the latter bemg the
most dwarf of all. The Burgundy Pompon, which is a true
miniature edition of the Cabbage Rose, was found in 1735 on
a hill in the neighbourhood of Dijon, where it was growing
spontaneously ; hence its name. In some localities it is called
the Pompon de Mai, on account of its coming intD its fullest
perfection iu that month. The buds of this beautiful variety
are specially fitted for head-dresses and bouquets for balls.
They take the place of winter flowers when they begin to
become scarce, and when made into beautiful bouquets with
Violets, form fresh, bright, and elegant head-dresses. Tte
Pompon Rose is grown in borders, beds, and clumps. It is
very easily cultivated, as every soil seems to suit it; it is, how-
ever, best adapted to light soils, in which it blooms much
earlier and more abundantly. These two varieties of Roses
are propagated by the suckers which they throw up. Every
year the roots are earthed up, so as to cause the new shoots to
throw out roots, which are separated in the autumn. The

222

THE GARDEN.

[March 15, 1879.

Pompon Rose, when grafted on the Brier, does not seem to
thrive, but when cleft-grafted or budded on the Cabbage Rose
it seems to prosper. It forms a Rose tree with a full head,
and lives a long time without being injured by the frost.
In this form it ought to be trimmed down to about 6\ in., a
single branch of last year's pruning being preserved. We
must also be careful to cut away all the weak shoots which
interfere with the form of the head.

Dwarf Roses for Growing in Borders. — Dwarf Roses
may be conveniently used in the formation of borders, as well
as in beds and round baskets, or on the edges of clumps. Such
borders are remarkable, not only for the abundance of flowers
with which they are covered during the whole season, but also
for the variety of colours which may be obtained by grouping
different kinds together, as well as for the ease with which this
sort of Rose is cultivated. All that is necessary is to prune
the trees so as to induce them if possible to throw out new
shoots from their base which will cover the whole of the soil
beneath them. To make a Rose border, several parallel or con-
centric lines are planted, according to the shape of the bed.
The Roses are about 4 in. from each other on each row, the
rows being 8 in. apart. Less than three lines should not be
planted if we wish to obtain a happy effect; we can, however,
increase that number, according to the result we desire to
obtain. By graduating the height of the plants from the first
row to the last, so that they gradually increase in size, or else
so that they increase as far as the middle of the bed, and then
decrease to the other side, we obtain a bed of single or double
slope as we please. The first form is mobt suitable for the
borders of shrubberies, the second for open beds or baskets.
We give below the names of those varieties which are most
suitable for growing in borders. They must be planted accord-
ing to their height, the smallest in front : 1. Laurence's Glory,
Tery small flower, crimson-purple ; 2. White Pompon; 3. Pom-
pon bijou, light pink ; 4. Pumila, a variety of the Noisette,
white; 5. Double mulbiflora, globular flowers, pink; 6. La
Desiree, bright pink; 7. De (Jhartres, half double, delicate
pink. J. Lachaume.

DPXJ.A.TE CXj3C2CI.

Kose Niphetos. — Canon Holecondems this Rose, bat he qualifies
his condemnation by frankly owning that its buds are grown by
thonsands for the London market to be made up aa button-holes, or
inserted in the beat bouquets. Nor can we honor it more than by
using it for the latter purpose. Catherine Mermet, a large, fleshy
Kose, I cannot think superb ; it lacks the modesty of Niphetos, and
Harie Baumann is quite out of the competition, owing to its brilliancy
of colour and robustness of habit. As to making Niphetos in paper,
the flowers are not to blame ; moreover, it is only the most beautiful
that are chosen for imitation. Niphetos has but one fault, at least,
to my prejudiced eyes, viz., its fragile wood often rendering the
blooms invisible without raising them. This renders the plant more
suitable for a cool greenhouse than for outdoor growth. — Eugene
E. P. Lkgge, Litton Cheney, Dorset.

Souvenir de la Slalmaison Bose. — Mr. D. T. Fish inquires
(p. 10) why this Kose is malformed early in the year, and improves
as the season advances, and asks whether the improvement can be the
consequence of an excess of vital force early in the year. I think
he will find that it is more likely due to a deficiency of vital force at
that period. There may be a plethora of food and yet impetfeot
assimilation. To produce the coloured corolla requires the greatest
concentration of vital force of which a plant is capable. Probably
this Rose requires for its perfect development a higher and more con-
etant temperature than the early summer affords. On this subject
see the " Quarterly Journal of Science " for October, 1878 ; article,
" What is a Flower ? "— F. T. Morr, Birstal Hill, Leicester.

Bose The Bon Silene.— This was sent to mo about 183G by M.
Tibert, of Longeaumeaax, near Paris. It is the forcinff Rose, par excel-
lence, of all others to date. It has fine long, large, buds of a dark rosy-
red, opening to a delicate pink, with a delicious odour, and not fully
double. Cut when one-third grown and opened in a cool temperature it
surpasses all others, having a fine footstalk and rich foliage. There are
tens of thousands out every day for our bouquet makers. Boston growers
have entered into it so largely that the Rose passes under the cognomen
of Boston Bud. — "Gardeners* Chronicle."

The Atlantic forest, according to Profeaaor Gray, is composed of
6fi genera and 155 species ; the Pacific forest has only 31 genera and
78 species of timber trees.

VERBENAS.
(with coloored figures of four new kinds.)

Drawn by Mrs. DUFFIKLD.
Verbenas have long been favourites because of the many
uses to which they may be put. In many parts of the country,
especially in the west of England, Verbenas rank high as exhi-
bition plants ; they are shown in the form of specimens in pots,
and also in a cut state, much in the way in which Roses are
shown. They are subjects cultivated with comparative ease ;
out-of-doors they bloom profusely, and stand well till quite late
in the autumn; and if the lustre of the flowers happen to
become dimmed by a storm, a burst of sunshine quickly
restores their lost beauty. As to where and by what successive
steps Verbenas have become improved, it is not necessary to
allude. As in the case of other flowers, their present fine
development is, doubtless, the result o£ years of patient indus-
try. From the Continent have come many fine varieties, and
we have also some.excellent kinds the produce of English-saved
seed.

For flower garden decoration, a few of the best will be found
to be Celestial Blue, Crimson King, Edwin Day, cerise ; Firefly,
vivid scarlet ; James Birbeck, shaded pink ; La Grande Boule
de Neige, pure white ; Mrs. Mole, lavender; Oxonian, purple,
with a white eye; Purple King; Wonderful, plum-coloured;
and two new varieties, viz , Gruss aus Erfurt, bright scarlet,
and Mdlle. Emilie Hulter, bright purple, with a white eye. A
pretty and effective bed may be secured by mixing a few good
varieties together.

The varieties figured in the accompanying illustration are :
Annie Improved, one of the best of the few striped varieties in
cultivation ; Lady of Lome, blush white, with a rosy-purple
eye, a very fine exhibition variety ; and two remarkably good
new varieties in the possession of Mr. Cannell, of Swanley
Kent, named Henry Cannell, crimson-scarlet, a fine and effective
hue of colour, and Swanley Gem, white, suffused on the edges
with mauve-blue.

In the west of England, at such exhibitions as Trowbridge,
Shepton Mallet, Sherborne, Bath, Ac, Verbenas in pots are
shown in such fine character as to astonish those not in the
habit of seeing the Verbena grown as an exhibition plant.
The specimens, which are cultivated in large pots and of con-
siderable size, are laden with a profusion of good trusses of
bloom, the produce of one season, from cuttings struck in
March. When well rooted they are potted into small pots,
and are afterwards repotted into two sizes larger ; when
these are filled with roots they are shifted into their
blooming pots, often from 8 in. to 10 in. in diameter. The
leading shoots are stopped two or three times in order to pro-
duce six or eight strong shoots, and, as the trusses of buds
appear, all are removed except the terminal buds, as they
rarely, if ever, produce fine pips.

To insure a good head and succession of bloom, a strong
growth is encouraged, especially shoots from the base of the
leading flower stem, as they are found to produce trusses equal
in beauty to those of the leading shoots. During wet weatber
the plants are placed under glass to protect them from harm
in that direction, and when the flowers are expanding they
need to be protected from the sun. The best soil is loam, leaf
mould, and peat in equal proportions, with a sprinkling of
guano thrown among it. This gives a free, light, open soil,
and the pots should be well drained.

When grown out-of-doors the Verbena should have liberal
treatment ; a dry, open border should be selected tor it, and the
ground should be trenched and well dressed with spent hotbed
manure and leaf soil. Undersuch circumstances the plants can be
put out about the end of May, and as they make growth the
shoots require to be pegged securely over the bed and be kept
well thinned. If good blooms be wanted for exhibition in a
cut state, it is necessary, as the show draws near, to place lights
from a frame on the beds as a protection from heavy rains ;
indeed, it is impossible to have fine, clean trusses for show
purposes without some such protection. Some of the finest
exhibition Verbenas will.be found to .be_ Beauty of Coleshill,

WAR '• l«T9

-.FNAR

.Hi

March 15, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

223

Annie Improved, Augusta Buckner, Crystal Palace, Duke of
Edinburgh, Her Majesty, Holfgartner, Kindermann, Lady of
Lome, Mauve Queen, Pre-eminent, Keiue des Roses, Star of
Erin, and Warrior.

When Verbenas are exhibited as cut blooms, which they
were often last year by Mr. Cannell, some five trusses or so
are put into a bunch, and a stand of flowers, well set up, is a
charming feature at an exhibition. Some are sweetly fragrant,
a property which gives them additional value. D.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flovrer Garden.

Auriculae. — These now require daily attention, and if it be
intended to exhibit any plants of them, steps should be taken to for.
ward those that are too late, and to retard those likely to be over
before the show day. In this, as in moat other things, those who are
attentive to trifles, and who manage their plants themselves, will
have a great advantage over growers who think that saoh work can be
well carried oat by others. It may not be generally known that there
is quite a month, on an average, between the flowering of the earliest
and latest varieties of Aarioalas. Taylor's Glory anl Campbell's
Pizarro, for instance, are always very early, and, in order to have
them in flower with the general collection, they ought to be placed
in a lean-to frame or house with a north aspect. On the other band.
Smiling Beauty, Lancashire Hero, E»rl Grosvenor, Duke of Argyle,
Beeston's Apollo, and a few others are always late, and must be
pushed forward. The Auricula is easily forced, but it must be done
in one partioalar way ; the plants must be close to the glass, air must
be admitted freely by day, and the ventilators should also be open a
little at night.

Carnations and Picotees. — Since these were potted, they are
making good growth, and care should be taken to water only when
they require it ; indeed, it would be better rather to under water
than overdo it. Mr. Dodwell ,who has had a lifetime's experience in
the culture of these plants, does not give any water until nearly the
middle of April. He tells me that he potted and placed his plants
out-of-doors in February, merely using the shelter alluded to last
week (p. 207). Mr. Dodwell has also an excellent plan for preventing
the soil from becoming hard through heavy rains, ani that is by
placing oyster shells on the surface, with the hollow side down. Now
that fine weather has set in, and the barometer points to a contiou.
ance of it, it will be necessary, where the plants are put out in beds,
to Btir the surface soil, taking care that the plants are made firm
and supported by a stick if required. Where old plants in borders
were not layered in autumn, that had better be done now, but the
plants should be allowed to flower this season without removal.

Tree Carnations. — Amongst the many plants that have come
recently into more general use for winter flowering, these sweet.
Bcented, continuous-blooming subjects hold a prominent position, and
deservedly so, as, for the purpose required, they have few equals.
They differ from most plants in not producing a sheet of flowers at
once, and in this way sometimes furnishing more than are required.
On the contrary, they keep opening in succession over a long period,
and in a manner that admits of every individual bloom being used.
Cuttings made now from young sho.ts furnished by plants that have
been forced, and put in a medium temperature, will root freely, and
make useful stock for next winter.

Dahlias. — It is still very cold at night, even in rather favoured
districts ; the thermometer here last Saturday registered 7° of frost
^a warning that we should be very careful how we expose our plants
at night ; they would certainly have suffered in a cold frame if the
glass were not well covered. If the plants be still in a heated house
they certainly ought to be placed quite close to the glass, and be
furnished with sufficient air. If stock enough be not yet obtained
no time should be lost in starting such sorts as are wanted,

Fansies and Pinks in Beds. — Many Pansies that seemed
hopelessly lost are now starting from under the surface of the ground,
and in this way we hope to save moat of our varieties. Keeping the
surface soil stirred is of much benefit to the plants ; it is certainly
desirable to have a reserve in pots or boxes, and to keep them in cold
frames, to make good any that happen to die off in winter. Pinks in
beds are much the same as Pansies as regards treatment. Mr. Ball,
of Slough, recommends planting them out in spring. If this be
done, they must be grown in pots and kept under glass, like Carnations
and Picotees, during winter.

Phloxes in Pots. — I have already stated how useful these are
for conservatory and greenhouse decoration in the autumn. Plants
of them propagated last year, and that are now in 6-in, pots, if shifted

into 9-in. and 10-in, ones make noble specimens, each with five or
six spikes, which are suflicient to produce a good display. The Phlox,
whether it is grown in pots or planted out, is a gross feeder. It re-
quires rich soil and manure water in abundance when the plants are
in active growth.

Polyanthuses. — These are now coming into flower very freely
William the IV., Napoleon, Formosa, and Alexander (Pearson's)',
opened in the order in which their names stand. The two last named
are fine varieties, Alexander especially so ; it is an old variety and
very scarce. It is a good time now to sow seeds of Polyanthuses
either in a cold frame or where the frame has been placed over a
manure bed, the heat of which is nearly gone. Plants produced from
this sowing flower very strongly next year. Do not at nuy lime coddle
the plants in heat, as this is injurious to them. — J. Douglas, Loxford
Hall, II ford.

Shrub Planting^ and Benovating Lawns.— These are
operations which should be completed as early as possible in orJer
that root action may have commenced before a period of drought has
set in. It is also desirable to roll all lawns well, whilst, as yet, there is
moisture sufficient to render them capable of beiug thoroughly con.
solidated. It is simply labour in vain to roll lawns when dry ; Mossy,
or patchy places may be renovated by raking the affected spots deeply
and sowing them with Grass seeds, which shonld be covered with line
Boil and well firmed. In order to maintain a good green sward, no
dressing that can be applied is so effective as wood ashes and soot
mixed in about equal proportions, and strewn over the ground in
showery weather. Where new lawns are to be formed by sowing Grass
seeds, the sooner now they can be got in the better. The first requisite
is that the ground should be well drained, the next that it should be
thoroughly consolidated and have a smooth, dry surface. If it be at
all wet or dauby, defer sowing till it is dry, as it is only then that the
seeds can be raked and rolled in, without which it is uareasonable to
expect a good lawn.

Koaes. — A month ago Eosea seemed to be severely injured, but
the last few mild days have caused them to bud forth, and after
taking a general survey, we do not find that more than two per cent
have succumbed. All of them are now pushing so fast that it will
be desirable to prune them immediately, after which, lightly fork in
the manure that was applied as a mulching in the autumn, and it
more manure can be spared, re-mulch, for Roses are not easily over,
done in the matter of manure. Any that have yet to be planted
should receive immediate attention.

Spring Flowers. — Already, after such protracted cold, many
hardy flowers are in full beauty ; indeed, spring flowers generally
are growing rapidly, and, by way of setting them off to advantage,
let every nook and corner be kept neat and clean. All vacant beds
and borders should be put in order for their summer occupants, each
being prepared according to the plant or plants intended for it.
Calceolarias, Violaa, Verbenas, and all sub-tropical plants cannot well
have too much manure trsnched into the beds, but Pelargoniums and
most other bedding plants flower best when given but little. All the
beds, however, require to be deeply dag. By way of increasing the
apace for bedding plants in houses, such aa Golden Feather Pyreth.
rum and Tagetes signata pumila, can be raised in the open air. Sow
at once on a south border, and it any old lights or hand-glasses can
be used, well and good, but such are not really necessary; we sow
thinly on light vegetable mould, cover the seeds with the same,
and transplant direct to the flower bods as wanted, thus virtually
doing away with pots, boxes, indoor space, and a great amount of
labour.

Asters, Stocks, Zinnias, and Helichrysums.— These
should now be sown in frames, and aa soon as germination has
taken place, they should be quite exposed to the atmosphere when
the weather ia at all favourable; when large enough to handle,
prick them out into similar frames, and keep them close till they
have become established ; afterwarda, gradually inure them to full
exposure. Many kiuda of annnala tor early aummer flowering may
now be aown in the open ground, each aa Mignonette, Clarkias,
Collinsias, Escbsoholtzia, Honesty, Larkspurs, Nemophilas, Sweet
Peas, Saponarias, Sohizanthuses, and Virginian Stocks, all of which
are cheap, easily raised, very ahowy, and lasting. — W. W.

Indoor Fruit Department.
Vines — The remarks made (p. 183) with regard to la'-e Vines are
still applicable. All such Vineries should ba put in working order
forthwith. The few sunny days which we have had has already caused
some of the more vigorous Vines to bleed, and our remedy for that
is, as soon as it is observed, to start the Vines into active growth
by closing the house, and maintaining a humid minimum tempera-
ture of 60'. Thia soon has tha desired effect, as the sap is then
diverted into its proper channel. At length forcing has become an

224

THE GAEDEN.

March 15, 1879.

easy operation, the last few days' snii having worked wonders both
as regards appearance and progress of early Vines j the attempt
may therefore now be made to overtake lost time by closing up very
early, and allowing the temperature to ran np to 90^ for an hour or
two in the afternoon, taking care that there is plenty of air.moieturo
at the time of closing. Keep the thinning of bunches well in band
by commencing to thin as soon as the first bunch is ready. No
other work should be allowed to interfere with or delay this, as the
sooner all surplus bunches and berries are removed, so much the
better will the general crop be. Train, tie, and stop the shoots in
something like methodical order. As regards training and tying,
get the side shoots in a horizontal line if you can without breaking
them, but if this cannot be done, what does it matter if they are
not quite straight? the fruit will be equally good. A far more
impDrtant point is seeing that no more shoots are retained or tied in
than can have full exposure to the light, and this latter must govern
the stopping of the shoots. If there be space for the growth, let
them njmain, but if not, and they are likely to get crowded, then
frequent pinohings will be necessary. Saccessional houses will
require disbudding as soon as it can be perceived which are likely
to make the best shoots and produce the finest bunches, and one
sboat to each spur is generally aniple in the cas? of young vigorous-
growing Vines, bat old Vines may generally have two growths.
Though Vines may be planted at almost any time, with fair prospect
of success, the best season is frocn now to the middle of April.
Every one now knows, or ought to know, considering all that has
been written, how to make a Vme border, and, this being ready,
secure strong one-year-old Viaes, and cat them back to a couple or
three joints. As soon as these have began to push afresh shake them
out, remove every particle of soil, and replant them, spreading; the
roots out level, and covering with about 6 in. of soil. Then thickly
mulch with stable litter, whether the borders are indoors or out ; it
the latter, no water will be required, and the Vines, in suoh cases,
should also be left sufficiently lon» to admit of the old stems having
their tops pat through the wall in order that the new growth may
start from the inside. If the borders are inside, water as soon as
planted with warm water, bat do not turn on much top heat till new
root action has commenced.

Pines. — With increased solar heat a brisker bottom heat may now
be maintained for plants in all stages of growth, and there should be
a like increase of atmospheric moisture, except in the case of those
that are in blossom ; more water will also be requisite. All the stock
should now be closely examined as to their requirements in this
respect at least once weekly, and a weak solution of guano water
may now advantageously be given to all plants, except suckers that
were last potted. These should be kept moist by a confined atmo-
sphere and occasional syringings, and the application of some slight
shading till the roots are seen at the sides of the pots. Do not delay
the potting of any that have been wintered in small pots, for it once
they get pot. bound, the check invariably results in premature and
nselees fruit. Ail recently shitted plants should, when the sun is at
all powerful, be shaded for a couple of hours each day, till the roots
have extended into the new soil, when it may be discontinued, except
in the case cf smooth C^iyennes, which do beat when constantly
screened from the scorching midday sun.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Continue to disbud and tie in the
shoots in early houses and thin the fruit with a free hand ; usually
this operation is done but sparingly, till stoning is over, as so many
fruits drop during that process ; but the very fact of their falling
should act as an incentive to thin at once. It is the strain that has
been, and still is, on the trees that causes the fruit to drop, whereas,
if the energies wasted in carrying an over-crop were given the chance
of expending their force on just the quantity of truit intended to
ripen, there would not only be no falling at stoning time but the fruit
would be in every way finer, and the uncertainty of a crop ever
failing would be reduced to a minimum. Guard against the borders
getting dry ; so much fire heat has been very drying, and though such
drought may not be very deep, still, as surface-feeding roots are of
immense import, encourage them by watering with warm water.
Keep also a few inches of mulching, to retain both heat and moisture,
and to give off that ammoniacal vapour which is so fatal to red spider.
On frosty mornings delay syringing till the sun has absorbed the
condensed moisture of the previous night, but syringe freely at all
other times, not only to keep at bay insect pests, but because the
trees revel in abundance of moisture, so long as the air is changed
daily so as to prevent stagnancy. The trees in succession houses that
may be in flower during suoh bright weather as we are now having
will need no artificial fertilisation other than an occasional shaking of
the trellis. Bees, too, will now find their v-ay to them, and aid
materially in effecting a good set. Keep late houses open night and
day, to retard and prevent them from getting much in advance of the
trees on the open walls, in order that a continuous succession of fruit
may be kept np till the open.air crops are ready.

Figs. — Beyond the importance of giving these — especially old,
free-bearing trees— plenty of water, and the richest top-dressings,
there is, for th3 present, little to add, other than that stopping the
shoots by pinching will now require frequent attention, and this
should be done, a few points at a time, at intervals of a few days, or
even a week — a plan by which a longer succession of fruit is insured.
The surface roots of Fig trees are the mainstay of the fruit, and hence
the ioiportance of top-dressing and constantly feeding with manure
water. As to any that are bearing freely in pots, liberal treatment
mast be continued till there are indications of the fruit approaching
maturity, when a drier — not dry — state, both of root-run and atmo-
sphere, should prevail.

Strawberries. — We gathered our first fruit ou the Gth — a month
later than usual this year, though the plants were treated in all
respects as in previous seasons, thus showiug the effects of the pro-
tracted winter. Now that spring has become so far advanced, there
are but three requisites necessary in order to obtain good Strawberries
till the open air fruits are in. The first is, to have plenty of good
plants; the second is, convenience for growing them ; and the third
is, never. failing attention to their wants. It is presumed that the two
first are established, or the third will be impossible. I know no fruit
forcing so exacting as Strawberries, for, once neglect watering or
airing at the proper time, and fiae fruit need not bs expected.
With sunny weather water will be requiied twice a day, or, if not,
they should at least be lojked over with that intent. lu fine
weather bees will aid the setting projass, but, shoald a dull period
set in, still use the camel's-hiir brush. Crops ripening should have
all the air possible ; bat do not attempt to roast the n into flavour by
withholding water from the roots — a mistake too fiequently made,
and which is a sure precursor of red spider.

Melons. — These are now growing rapidly, and thjse to be trained
on trellises in houses should have the side shoots piuchad till they
reach the trellis, but those in fraoies should ba allowed to retain
their side shoots, and the main points should be pinohei out as soon
as they attain 18 in. or 20 in. in length. Keep the linings well re.
newed, so as to maintain a minimum temperature of 65'^. Probably
no water will be required till after the fruit is set, bit it will ba well
to occasionally examine the soil in order to prevent its becoming any-
thing like dust dry. In houses where the air is more light and dry .
ing the plants should be syringed at least once a day, and this will
be almost all the water they will require till the sin has acquired
greater power. Now that daylight and sunshine are in the ascendant ,
increase both the atmospheric moisture and the temperature ; the
latter may range by night at from 65° to 70', and by day from 70' te
80'.— W. W.

Extracts from my Diary, March 17 to 22.

FKUir. — Shitting Strawberries from 6.in. pots into 8-in. onee.
Thinning Grapes. Shifting Figs out of Pine stove into Peach house.
Putting another batch of Strawberries into Pine stoves. Shifting
pot Vines out of Vinery into Pine stove. Top-dressing Strawberries
for forcing. Watering late Peach houses. Pruning and nailing
Plums. Hoeing and cleaning among Gooseberry trees. Tying
Peaches in early house. Thinning flower buds of Cherries in cold
houses. Tying and stopping Vines. Tying Fig trees. Wheeling
long manure among Currant trees as mulching. Fljwers. — Boxing
Pelargoniums for summer bedding out of cutting pots. Shifting
seedling Coleuses into 6-in. pots. Putting in cuttings of Verbenas.
Sowing Cockscombs and Foxgloves. VEGETiELES. — Sowing the fol-
lowing kinds of Peas, viz , G. F. Wilson, Osman Pacha, llarvel, and
Standard. Planting another batch of Cucumbers in Pine stove.
Cultivating ground between Cabbages. Sowing Osborn's French
Beans in 4-in. pots. Planting International Kidney and Myatt'a
Prolific Potatoes in frames for exhibition purposes. Pricking out
Cauliflowers into frames out of seed boxes. Potting Tomatoes.
Tying Cucumbers and sowing more seed. Drilling ground for Pota-
toes. Preparing border for Parsley by dressing it with ashes from
the rubbish heap. — K. Gilbert, Biirghley.

Ants and Paraffin. — I have lately been troubled very much
with ants amongst pot Roses which were fast coming into bloom. I
found several of the bloom buds eaten partly away, and a closer ex-
amination revealed the fact that the depredators were ants. I watched
them through a microscope and saw them plainly doing the mischief.
I at once procured a large watering pot full of water, with just enough
paraffin added to taint the water ; this was sprinkled through a fine
rose over the heads of the plants. The ants at once took to flight and
not one has since reappeared. This may prove a hint worth remem.
bering, especially by those who are in any way troubled with these
iittle pests.— H. Hakkis.

March 15, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

225

TREES, SHRUBS & WOODLANDS.

CUTTING DOWN ARBCTTUS HEDGES.
" B. F." (p. 211) does not say what the spooiea of Arbutus is of
which the hedge described as twenty years old and now too high is
composed, bat I have little hesitation in saying that it may b3 cut
down with safety, as Arbutuses are plants that generally break freely,
and afterwards make vigorous growth. Some oE the strong-growing
species, such as A. Andraohne, that had attained a large size, and
were killed in the winter of 1860-61 down to the surface of the snow,
which theu covered the ground, broke from the crowns in the spring,
and have now ft rmed fresh stems 8 in. or 9 in. in diameter, with
heads proportionately large, and without close esamination it would
cot be noticed that they ever had been injured in any way. I should
recommend the hedge to be at once cut down to within 12 in. of the
ground, using a saw for the operation, not a bill. hook, which will split
and haggle the stumps. Do not cat these, or anything elsa that ia
intended to grow up again, and ia exposed in the open air, straight
off in a horizontal.line, particularly when the wood haa grown to a
considerable thickness, but slanting, say at an angle of 50 , so that
the water will not lodge on the surface of the cat. By doing the
work immediately, the latent buds on the stumps will have time to
gradually develope, and be in a state to push shoots in good time, so
that they may get fully matured before autumn. The young growth
will moat likely be of a character to require shortening back some-
what twelvemonths hence, or it will rush straight up then without
breaking, so as to have suiBoient bottom. T. Baines.

Arbutuses, if cut down now, will break as freely as common

Laurels. Use a bill-hook in preference to a saw for the purpose, and
do not out them lower than 2 ft. from the ground. — W. il.

Let me tell " E. F." (p. 211) that we have many Arbutus

trees here which are constantly becoming too large for their places,
and we cut some of them down nearly every winter to generally
about 3 ft. from the ground, and they never fail to atart freely and
strongly into growth again. With us, in thia respect, they might be
compared to Willows. — Cambrian.

— Arbutuses may be out down with great advantage. Two

years ago I out down a large scraggy tree within 18 in. of the ground,
which has now acquired a perfect bush form with fifty or sixty
shoots 5 ft. high. They should be cut down at once. — W. V.

WOODLAND WORK FOR MARCH.
TnE arrears of work, both in the woodlands and in the nurseries, are
so heavy that the greatest activity will be required to get them well
under, so as to have everything iu readiness for the bark stripping
Bhonld the season prove an early one. Where the thinning of oloae
plantations, which have been hitherto neglected, ia not yet completed,
it will be better to deter the work for another winter, than to carry
it on after the trees begin to break into bud, as the atandards are
certain to receive a aevere check from late spring frosts if such
occur. This remark applies especially to mixed plantations of about
twenty years old and upwards, where the trees have become very
much drawn up, and, consequently, slender in the atems. Here
thinning ahould now be very cautiously carried out, and the opera-
tion ia better extended over two or three years. Wherever planting
and transplanting are now going on, great care should be taken to
keep the roots well covered, as the keen and frosty air of JIarch often
proves very injurious to young plants during removal, and a good
paddling will prove very beneficial to those which hive to be carried
any considerable distance. Push forward rapidly the falling of cop-
picing, so as to have everything cleared from the stools by the begin-
ning of April ; also trim and round o££ badly. cut stools, and remove
the debris of broken branches and decaying wood, and everything
likely to interfere with the free growth of the underwood. In the
nursery the spaces which have been cleared of plants may be well
manured and dug in readiness for a crop of vegetables, which will
prove the beat preparation for a future tree crop. A liberal dressing
with well-rotted manure, to be followed either by roots or corn, will
leave the land in better condition for seedlings than a badly-worked
summer fallow. The latter end of March and the early part of April
are the nuraeryman's beat seasons for the preparation of his seed-
beds and the sowing of the seeds. In most places very little of this
work was done in the autumn, and winter set in too early for those who
put off the operation beyond November. Acorns, Walnuts, and
Spaniah and Horse Chestnuts may still be planted in a good loamy
soil, fairly dry and well pulverised. Less covering will now be
required than was necessary for autumn-planted seeds. About 2 in.
apurt will afford the young plants fair nursery space. If placed in
drills the plants are more conveniently undercut, where such is the

practice ; but, when the smaller seeds are sown, the young plants
afford each other greater protection from winds, cold, and drought.
Beech, Elm, Maple, and Sycamore are so liable to be oat off by the
late spring frosts that a good part of the seed is better reserved for
sowing in the early part of April. The seeds of Alder, Yew, Holly,
Hawthorn, Hnrnbsam, and Mountain Ash should be very lightly and
evenly covered with fine soil, which is best sifted over them to a
depth of from i in. to 1 in., according to the size of the seeds. Much
more seed is generally destroyed by too thick than by too light a
covering of soil. The stems arising from seeds too deeply buried
are more liable to attack than those from seeds lying near the sur.
fiice, and which, from the sun'a early influence, start off at once into
vigorous growth. The land intended for Ash keys ahould be deeply
stirred and well pulverised, and it ahould not be too much oheltered.
The seeds of the Pine and Fir tribes require to be thickly sown and
well protected from birds, which often prove very destructive to them
as they rise from the seed bed. Beds of from 3 ft. to 4 ft. wide are
convenient for these, and the seeds require to be sown about as thick
as Onions, or two to the square inch. They flourish best in a soil
moderately light and in good condition, not too much exposed to the
sun nor too closely shaded. As the plants appear aboveground cover
the beds with nets and water occasionally in dry weather. To insure
the young planta from froata atick theamall spray of the Elm, Beech,
&o., iu the beds. Upon very light land, where the plants are apt to
become loosened by the wind during the summer, a little finely-aifted
soil scattered over the beds will insinuate itself around the stems and
fix them. A. J. Bl'beows.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

SPROUTING POTATO SETS.
Though this is a oomm^n enough practice, it is not so frequently ob-
served as it ought to be. Sprouting the aeta ia of the greatest im-
portance in unfavourable seasons, when planting cannot be]proceeded
with, and also in late and cold situations. Sets sprouted about thia
season and planted out in April or even in May, will produce a crop
weeks before those planted without sprouting, though the eyes may
be moving. Sprouting, however, requiroa to be done in an intelligent
manner. It is a bad plan to start the tubers in strong heat, as in that
case the shoots come weakly, and after they are put oat, even if
hardened off previously they often go o££ by canker or damping. The
best plan is to start iu time and in a moderate heat. We find that
the eyes of our main crop seed, if procured in February and laid on
the bottom ahelves of the fruit room, where the temperature generally
ranges from 45' to 50," and covered over with short straw to keep
them dark, push fast enough, and that the shoots are generally
1 in. long or more by planting time. Eirly varieties need a trifle more
heat. They should bs packed as closely together on end as they will
stand, in boxes or old flat-bottomed hampers, and covered about 2 in.
deep with fine, light soil, from which they may be lifted easily when
transplanted, with plenty of good roots, and at the same time they
can be disbudded if necessary. In transplanting, very little of the
tops should be left ab.>ve ground — if at a season when frost may still
be apprehended, none at all indeed.

Unless the weather be very unfavourable, Potatoes forwarded in
thia way and planted out get hold of the soil and goir just as soon
as those forwarded in pots and planted oat with balls of soil, a plan
which entails a great deal more labour. The sets may, however, ba
sprouted without rooting, and I am not sure that this is not jast as
good a plan as the other, while it is certainly more cjnvenieut. I
once planted out Potatoes that had been started in soil and which had
long roots attached to them, and another lot that had been stored in
a cellar all the winter, and which had sprouted 3 in. but had no roots,
and, if anything, these last grew the fastest. The reason of this,
probably, was that those transplanted with roots received a check,
while those without roots received none, but were rather euconraged
by being transferred to the soil. A cellar is as good a place as any in
which to atart seed Potatoes, if a little light can be admitted to it, as
the temperature is usually high enough to cause the sprouts to mova
gently, and it the Potatoes be spread oat thinly on the floor the
sprouts will not be weak and drawn. S.

DALMAHOY AND YORK REGENT POTATOES.
" A. D." asks (p. 206), " Where exists the difference between Dilma-
hoy and Yoik Regent, except in the imagination?" If "A. D."
knows anything of one of these aorts he ia certainly totally unac-
quainted with the other, or he would never have asked such a ques-
tion. The chief difference between the two sorts named is that the
Dalmahoy is a second early kind s looeeding the Kidneys, ani gene-
rally coming in for use daring July and August, while the York

226

THE GARDEN.

[MiRCir 15. 1879,

Regent is a late sort, rarely fit to lift till October. They are also
nnlike in flavonr, the Dilmahoy being the best of the two in its
season, for it is not a kteper like the Regent, while in their foliage
they are bo nnlike that one might tell the different breadths of each
a long way ofl. I have grown the two together for years, prooaring
the Dalmahoys from a reliable source in Scotland, and the Regents
from a Yorkshire dealer. As to Myatt's and Veitoh's Kidneys, they
are also two sorts. J. S. W.

— " A. D. " might have observed that I neither said, nor meant
to imply that the Kidneys which I named (p. 192) were faither dig.
tinct in character than being forms of a well-marked type, any one
of which was enough to grow. The fact of my only recommending
one was sufficient evidence that I did not consider them very different
from each other. I am aware of the conclusions arrived at by the
Chiswick trials ; but, nevertheless, there is a difference in some of the
kinds there pronounced so near alike as not to deserve distinct names ;
this the following instance confirms : — An acquaintance of mine, who
yearly grows 10 or 12 acres of Potatoes for seed, asked me to get
him any new kinds that made their appearance, which I had reason
to think were really good. I procared for him a couple of b'lshela of
Hammersmith Kidney the first year after it came out ; they were
planted in rows through the middle of a 10-acre piece of ground,
beside Myatt's and other Kidneys ; but the crop of the Hammersmith
variety was a complete failure through rabbits eating the whole of
the leaves as fast as any were produced during the season,
leaving the stalks as bare as if they had been hand-picked, and not
another Potato was touched, although there were at least a score of
kinds grown. This was the first instance I ever knew of rabbits eat.
ing Potato tops to any extent, but it clearly went to prove that this
Kidney was not identical with the others, though the difference thus
determined was of a nature that proved nothing either for or against
the merits of the tubers. The diffarence, with little distinction, in
kinds bearing different names has led to no end of confusion. I conld
go into any of the great Potato growing districts and find a dozen
sorts different in both their time of coming to maturity and also in
their eatable quality, yet all bearing the name of R=gent. When
speaking of this good old kind I meau the true York Regent, a very
different variety from Dalmahoy ; this, when true to name, has much
deeper eyes, is rougher looking, larger, not so early, and, at its best
for using, later than the Regent. Arguing in the same direction, on
similar ground to that which " A. D." takes up, I have heard it said
that Patterson's Victoria is a Regent, which, so far as general quali-
ties go, holds good, but it is late in coming to maturity and a very
late keeper, properties quite sufficient to make it deserving of the
distinct name which it bears. T. Bacjes.

" A. D." (p. 206) may be right about Myatt's, Veitch'a, and

Lee's Kidney Potatoes being alike, but he is wroi g as regards Rivera'
and Gloucestershire Kidneys. Here no two Kidneys c uld be more
dissimilar. Rivera' with us produces a good crop of ordinary. sixed
tubers at leai-t twelve days earlier thaa the Gloucester, while the
tubers of the latter ara larger than those of Rivers', as are al,-o the
stems, although both are grown together on the same piP03 of ground.
Rivers' Kidney we always force in frames, but we would never think
of using the Gloucester for such a purpose. — Cambrian.

NOTES AND QUBSTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

■potatoes and Frost. — " A. D." (p. 206) certainly gives common
sense advice with regard to the protection of Potatoes from frost.
We all do our best, according to circumstances, as to storage, and I
consider that " Cambrian," in The Gabden of March 1, rather gave
ns a hint as to how to make the best of a bad ]>h than encouraged
neglect. As to the settlement of the question with regard to distinct-
ness between the so-called different varieties of Ashleaf, I cannot
quite accept the dictum given at Chiswick as final, being convinced,
after several years' trial, that we might as well say all Tea Roses
were the same. What an exceedingly bad soil " A. D." must have
the misfortune to cultivate. Regents, I thought, would prove s ic.
oessful everywhere, and however early the disease might come, I
always considered that they would be fit to eat, however small. The
Regent answers equally well on chalk as on deeper soil, nor can any
fault be found with it, except that in very wet seasons it has a ten.
dency to snpertnberate. As for American Potatoes, no doubt in their
native land they are good ; in England all, from Early Rjse to Cli-
max, are equally bad, nor has our Patterson's Victoria been beaten,
except, perbaps, by its seedling the Queen. — Eugene £. P. Leoqe,
Ditton Cheney, Dorset,

Hagnum Bonum Potato.— In answer to " B. H. J. S." (p. 190)
allow me to say that I find this Potato, when cooked, to be qaite a
"floar ball " and excellent in flavour. The only drawback which this

Potato has is its liability to produce many ill. formed tubers. Ojfc
of several bushels grown here last year, I do not think I could have
selected a peck of what could be called well formed ones. In the
ca e of this variety there was very little disease. It was planted ia
rows 2 ft. apart, and 2 ft. asunder plant from plant, no manure being
put on the ground for one year previous to planting. It should be
borne in miad that there is quite as mnoh art in cooking a Potato as
in growing it ; if more attention were paid to this particular point,
wo should not hear so many complaints aa regards quality. — A. H.

My experience of Magnum Bonum is the same as that of

" B. H. J. S ," only the yield with me was inferior ; the Potatoes were
uneatable. The sort that does best with me is Patterson's Viotoria.
R. K., Devomhire.

Winter Cacumbers. — Although the season has been very nn.
favourable for winter Cacumbers, there having been continuous frost
aud scarcely any sunshine, yet we have had an abundant supply. The
sort on which we rely is Rollisson's Telegraph,amost prolific variety,
four or five fruits showing at almost every joint of new growth, and
necessitating constant attention in removing all surplus ones, or they
soon exhaust the plants. For ordinary use I find medium-sized
Cucumbers preferable to the long exhibition kinds, as, when Cnoum.
bers are required daily, there is a great waste in supplying any other
than those which produce fruits from 12 in. to 16 in. in length. —
J. Groom.

Webbs' Perpetual Bearer Cucumber. — Amongst recent in.
troductions this new Cucumber has proved with me to be a very
valuable variety. I have grown it side by side with several well-
known sorts, viz , Telegraph, Dake of Edinburgh, Berkshire Cham-
pion, and others, and find it to be better than any of them. It runs
from 18 in. to 20 in. long, good in shape and colour, and excellent as
regards flavonr. It ia also the most prolific Cucumber with which I
am acquainted. — R. G.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Multiplying Vandas. — I have a large plant of Vanda tricolor, the
lower leaves of which are gone. It has near the bottom two side growths
so that I could now make it into three rooted plants. Is it safe to do
this? and is this the time to do it ? It has flower spikes just appearing;
Vanda suavis the same. — A. A. [Vandas may be divided and potted in
fresh pots almost at any season, provided they have young roots atta^jhod
to them. Heel them off after shaking the plants clear of the compost,'
and pot them to the lower leaves, raising them to form when finished a
good convex surface. If you are careful, the operation will not interfere
with the etlloresoeuce of the (lower spikes. Sometimes, however, Vandas
make larger " shows" than their strength warrants, and the flower spikes,
especially in an embryo state, g> oif. All Vandas, in fact, require
handling and potting down as they grow to some size, to keep up a good
appearance amongst their associates in the Orchid house. — J. An-
derson.]

Goat Moth Caterpillars — In one of our Rose borders I found a
large caterpillar, which, I am told, is that of the goat moth. Huw can I
keep it ? what does it eat ? and what length of time must elapse before
it reaches a perfect state ? — W- C. B. [The caterpillar of the goat moth
bores into the stems of various trees, forming long galleries in which it
lives feeding in the wood of the tree. Within these galleries it generally
becomes a chrysalis, but sometimes it leaves the tree and undergoes its
change to the chrysalis state in the ground at the root of the tree. The cater-
pillar is about three years in attaining its fall size, when it is about 4 in. ia
length, If the caterpillar in question bo full grown it may become a
chrysalis if placed in a box, at the bottom of which is about 4 in. or 5 in.
of tine moist earth. If not fully grown it would, I imagine, be very dif-
ficult, if not impossible to roar it without placing it in a tree into which
it could bore, when, of course, the caterpillar would be lost. If
" W. C. B." would send a description of the caterpillar, it might be
possible to tell him if it were that of the gOat moth or not. — G. S. S.]

Holly Hedges. — I want to plant a Holly hedge against a wall facing
the south as a background for a border of herbaceous plants. What
time of the year should I plant ? What sized plants would be best ? and
does the ground want any particular preparation? — A. M. A. [Hollies
require ground in which they are to be planted to be fairly dry naturally,
or, if not, made so by draining; but a border that will answer in this
respect for herbaceous pUnts will do for the Hollies. If there be a sufli-
cient depth of soil to admit of the ground being dug 15 in. or 18 in. deep
it should be treated so, putting in a good dressing of rotten manure, to
which few plants are more partial than Hollies. Plant either in the mid-
dle of April or beginning of September; the plants may be either of the
ordinary trade size for hedges or up to 5 ft. or 6 ft. ; this is a mere ques-
tion of price. If immediate effect bo required the larger ones will give it
at once, but whatever size is employed the plants should he such as are
in a condition for removal without serious check by having been trans-
planted not more than two years ago. Whichever time is decided upon for
planting, they should not be longer out of the ground than can be
avoided ; they must be thoroughly soaked with water when put is, and.

March 15, 1879.J

THE GAEDEN.

227

if the work be done in April, again well watered at such intervals throui;h
the summer as they may appear to require it by the more or less dry
weather which ensues. The larger the plants are the more attention will
they need in this respect. If not planted until September, one good
watering at the time of planting will be enough. Plants large enough
for the wind to have much hold upon them wiJl require staking to pre-
vent their being disturbed by it. — T. Baines.]

Eucalypti. — Exmouth. — Seedsand plants of E. amvgdalina and other
Eucalypti may be had of Messrs. Laing & Co., Stanstead Park. Forest
Hill; from Messrs. E. G- Henderson, Pineapple Place, Maida Vale, and
other metropolitan nurserymen.

Qeneral Index to Back Volumes of the " Garden."—

The GiUDEN has now reached so many volumes, that, as a subscriber
from its commencement, I venture to suggest the desirability of a Gene-
ral Index being published ; say up to the end of last year. It would be
a, great boon. — M. W. [VVe intend publishing a General Index to the
back volumes of The GARDE>f, at the end of this year or next.J

Books. — J. H. W. — There is no such book anywhere published. The
species of plants are so numerous, that no one work could deal with them
as you desire. Your only plan is to get different books ; as, fiir example,
" Williams" for stove and greenhouse plants, and " Hardy Flowers" for
border plants, &o.

Names of Plants. — Cypress. — 1, Pinns Pinaster var. maritima ; 2,
Thuja occiJentalis var. sibirica Hort. ; .3, Cupressus Corneyana ; 4and5,
Cupressus Lindleyi, but cultivated as I Knightiana and elegans ; 6, Fita-
roya patagoaica H. S' Son. — Sparminnia africana. H. Koss. — Den-
drnbium Pierardi. W. B. S. — Daphne Mezereum. T. B. — Dendrobium
nobile ccerulescens,

Mutisia decurrens. — I shall be very much obliged to any one who
will kindly ttU me where this plant can be obtained. I have been trying
to get bold of it for some time, and Me.-srs. Osborne, of Pulham, bavo
been helping me, but hitherto in vain — U. Ewbank, St. John's, H'^de.

Liberlan Coffee Seeds. — How long do these take to germinate ?
and what is the most suitable temperature, and best method of growing
this Coffee ?— VV. G.

STORING ICE.

It may be that I am wrong and that Mr. Thomas Williama (p. 161) is
right in reference to this aabjeot, b it some of his saggestions respect,
ing storing ice seem unaoand in principle. 1 have always understood
that a lamp of ice could only melt by the action of heat on its outer
surface, and that the object of stacking in the form of a cone was
that the heap might expose the least amount of surface to the action
of the air in proportion to its bulk. No drainage is needed except
where melting is going on, and that only takes place at the sides of
the heap near the walls of the icehouse. No melting takes place in
the centre of the heap, and it of course follows that there is ro need
for dr.inage there. Yet Mr. Williams recommends running a chimney
stuffed with straw up the centre of the stack Tor drainage purposes,
bat which is simply a device for creating the very evil that it is
intended to care. If we desired to make an ice house in which the
ice would waste quickly nothing better could be devised than Mr. Wil-
liams' plan, if the circumference of the central flue was only enlarged
a little, as by such means the heap of ice would be exposed to the air
both inside and outside, and would waste proportionately quick. As
to the nse of straw, in our house here, which is exactly the shape of
that figured in Thk Garde.v, only that it has doable walls, no straw
is used ; the ice keeps just as long without it, and we have tried
both plans, packing the bundles of straw exactly as Mr. Williams
recommends, bat round the sides only. Your correspondent says,
" Why should we pouad our ice in filling the hoase ? " The reason, I
should imagine, is very easily given. It is poanded because one can get
twice or three times more ice into the same space by doing so, than
could otherwise be got into it. This any one may convince himself
of, by filling a box with ice packed in its rough state, and then
breaking it up fine and observing how its bulk is reduced. Storing
Wenham Lake ice is a very different matter from filling ice houses in
this country. The blocks are sawn out square, and packed method i.
cally together that no space may be lost, tiat such ice as we are able
to get during our fickle winters, is not thick enough to be manipu-
lated in this way, and can only be stored economically and expe-
ditiously by being poanded to pieces, and the smaller it is broken the
better. If ice were built up in layers, formed as Mr. Williama
suggests, I have no doubt it would keep better ; but can he tell us
how this is to be done in an ordinary way, when, as often as otherwise,
the ice is so thin that it will hardly stand pulling oat of the pond.
The building up suggestion is impracticable. C.

My remarks on storing ice (p ISl) I felt aura would evoke

criticism and comment; but, so far, I have come off better than I
anticipated. Routine work is not always rational work, and practice
too often sanctions a thing for which it would be bard to find a reason,
aad^whoever has the boldness to question, or to depart from, an anti-

quated idea, or practice, is almost certain to meet with reprobation.
Mr. Dennis, in criticising my communication (p. 191) has gone further
than was neceseary. I never hinted about " giving the palm " to
the rough and ready method, considering the storing of ice a very
costly luxury. What 1 really meant was that, as not one in a thousand
could afford to build an ice house, thousands may enjoy the luxury of
ice with little more trouble than that required to store a mound of
Potatoea. What I meant by strawing ice wells in an " ineffectual
manner " does not imply careless or slovenly work j straw applied in
a loose or littery manner is " ineffectual," compared with that
material used in a compact, straight, methodical manner. Mr. Fair,
weather seems to think (p. 191) that lining with straw is useleES ; but,
where straw is employed (and I am of opinion that in most caeea it
will continue to be used), loose straw, as commonly applied, is no
more to be compared to straw placed in a methodical manner than a
rubble wall can be compared to squared stone. Mr. Dennis states that
straw applied loose is superior, when well done, to straw tied up in a
straight, systematic manner, and asserts that it will act exactly in the
same manner as regards drainage. I am afraid Mr. Dennia will stand
alone in the latter opinion. It is tantamonnt to declaring that every
hay stack. Corn stack, or thatched building needs no thatching,
properly ao-called, but may have the straw put on in a loose manner,
as in that way it will carry off the rain equally well. Surely that
cannot be correct ; loose straw will take in water as quickly as the
other ; so will a sponge, and the one will part with it almost as soon
as the other. Mr. Dennia further enquirea "how often would an
opportunity occur of filling an ice house with ice and water ? " and
answers "once in twenty years." I reply, not twenty hours. It is
alwaye supposed to be frosty weather when ice houses are being filled,
and water applied at the same time will, by contact with the ice, be
almost immediately congealed, and will, if the mass be high and large,
never percolate to the bottom, and that is the reason why I advocated
the process to ba done gradually, weather permitting, but it may be
done at once. Fill a tall cylinder with broken ice, place it out.of.
doors in frosty weather, when full of ice apply water, and Mr. Dennis
will find that the converting the water into a solid state, is not a
phenomenon that may only happen once in twenty years.

Ormskirk. Thomas Williams.

NOTES PROil KEW.
Hardy Plants. — Most loonspiouoos among the early sptinj;
favourites are the numerous kinds of Crocuses, which exhibit con-
siderable diversity in form and colour. The new and rare C. etruscus
is in fine condition ; it has numerous delicate mauve blossoms, and a
golden ring at the inner base. C. Weldeni is an exquisite little gem,
bearing snowy white blossoms and bright orange stigmas. It is re-
garded by some as a variety of the ordinary C. biflorus, but snch a
distinct plant is— at least, for horticultural purposes— deserving of
specific distinction. It is a native of Dalmatia, whilst C. biflorua
and its obvious form, are natives of Italy. By-the-way the non.
striped form of C. bifiorus is sUo very distinct, the upper half of the
flowers being pale mauve, and the lower part having an orange tinge.
It is called here C. biflorus estriatus. The small form, pusillns, merely
differs from the type in the matter of size, as does also argenteus in
the other direction. The old favourite Cloth of Gold Crocus is eclipsed
by tew ; the rich orange of the inner part of the flower charmingly
contrasts with the velvety. black of the outside. C. suaveolens is a
neat little kind, much in the way of the better.known C. Imperati,
but smaller, and having, in addition, a pleasant perfume. One of
the finest of the whole set is C. banaticus, whose flowers are nearly
as large as those of the garden forms of C. vernus. They are bright
violet purple, and have a conspicuous V.shaped marking of deep
purple on the outside tips of the blossoms. It has also broader leaves
than the majority of cultivated kinds. It is a native of the moun.
tains of Hungary and Transylvania. C. Fleischeri ranks highest on
the score of rarity, if not on that of beauty. Its flowers, which are
creamy-white, are elegantly pencilled with deep purple lines. The
fibres on the bulb of this kind are distinct from those of any othar
Crocus, being intervovon in a very remarkable manner. It inhabits
limestone hills near Smyrna. The Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica)
and the two.leaved kind (3. bifolia), with its various forms, were the
first to peep above ground this season. They associate charmingly
with Krelage's variety of the netted Iris (Xiphion retioulatum). This,
though not so brilliant in oolour as the type, is highly desirable, on
account of its opening its flowers a week or two earlier. It may at
a glance be reoogniaed by the violet oolour of the falls, whereas in
the original kind they are of a deep rich purple. The beautiful Saxi.
fraga Burseriana is well represented, and amongst the specimens one
may detect well-marked forma differing in the size of the flowers,
the length of their stalks, and also in the habit, B)me being of a
loose, spreading growth, others forming compact, dense tufts. S.

228

THE GARDEN.

March 15, 1879.]

Boeheliana ia scarcely inferior to the last, thoagh not so free flower.
ing, and it has smaller flowers. The opposite.leaved Saxifrage (3.
oppojitifolia) and its white variety shoald be seen on every rookery,
more especially the lovely Pyr-inean variety, which is considerably
larger in all its parts than the type and equally free flowering. The
form rabrrt, of which a coloured plate appeared in The Gaede.v last
year, is a shade darker in colour than the original.

Hardy Shrubs. — Though not very showy, Standish's Honey-
suckle (Lonioera Siandiahi) deserves a place against a wall on acoonnt
of its early flowering, and also on account of the delicious psrfuii.e
yielded by' the blossoms ; the latter are about 1 in. long, and of a
oreamy-whitB colour, borne profusely on naked branches. Jasminum
nudifljrum, too, bears golden-yellow bl-issoms in profusion. It is a
plant that cannot bo too highly recommenied, on account of its early
flowering. Handsome, both in foliage ani flowers, is the Nepalese
Birberry (Berberia nepalensis), a capital shrub for a wall, a position
in which it thrives more vigorously than in a ahrnbberv.

Greeahause Plants. — Several elegant climbers well deserve a
passing notice, snoh as Kennedya rnbicunda, a New Holland plant,
producing a profusion of large Pea-shaped blossoms, of a deep red
colour. K. ovata and its variety rosea, very desirable evergreen
kinds, are now bearing a copious supply of dense clusters of small
light purple flowers, which are very useful for cutting purposes. One
cf the handsomest of the Honeysuckles is the North American ever.
green kind (Lonicera sempervirens), whi^h is now very showy, bear,
ing, as it does, numerous clusters of scarlet and orange-tipped bios-
Boms. A curious as well as handsome trailer is the Chinese five,
leaved Akebia (A. quiuata), bearing, as its name implies, leaves with
fire oblong leaflats and loose clusters of barren and fertile flowers,
the latter twice the size of the former, and both of a deep claret
colour. Hardenbergia Comptoniana at first sight reminds one of the
ovate.leaved Kennedya, but diffors in the form of its leaves and also
in the much darker colour of the bbssomg. All the above can be
strongly recommended for training to the rafters of even small
greenhouses, as they are graceful in habit and are abundant flowerers.
As a basket plant few are more suitable than the profuse flowering
Crassula (C. profusa), the slender branches of which hang gracefully
over the sides of the pots, and are literally covered with clusters of
white, star.like blossoms; it delights in a dry atmosphere, and is
therefore admirably adapted for room culture. — W.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

White Lil-ic. — We have lately cut this in great quantities, and
of the purest white. We dig up large bushes, 8 ft. or 9 ft. high,
of the common large-flowered purple kind, with good balls, and set
them in corners of early Vineries and Peach houses. A temporary
box of bricks ia constructed for enclosing soil round their roots.
They are kept syringed an 1 waterel, like other occupants of the ho ises,
and, with the exception of the partial shade obtained from the Tine
leaves, they have had all the light that there has been. The branches
have been tiel up to economise space, and, thus bundled together,
they have looked like pillars of enow. LiUc produced in this way
ia preferable to that grown in darkness, as the foliige ia of its natural
colour, and in the case of flowers, even for table decoration, there is
nothing like their own foliage for garniahing.— James Groom, Linton
Park, Maidstone.

Double-spathed Arum Lily.— The most atriklng flower which
we have seen for a long time is a noble specimen of a double-spathed
Arum Lily (Calla aathiopica) grown in Mr. Leaf's garden at Pain's
Hill, Cjbham. The fpithes, taken together, measured nearly 16 in.
aorcss, and tach, separately, 6 in. in diameter. Double spathes are
not uncommon with this Arum, but we never saw both so parfect as
in the case ju&t referred to.

Hardy Flowers at Touting.— The few days sunshine which
we have had have done much to forward hardy flowers. In Mr. Birr'a
ground Crocuses make a fine show, and Hepaticas are equally good ;
they consist of single pink, double pink, single b'ue and purple, and
even small plants represent complete masses of brilliant bloaaoms.
Cyclamens have not done so well out-of-doora this year as usual, ex.
cepting those in pits in temporary frames, which make a fine display.
They consist of C. coum, rose; C. Atkinsi, white; and C. ibeicum,
dark rose. Sno.vdrops, especially Galanthns plicatus, are very fine;
such bulbs as were moved last year and replantad not tOD thickly in
beds bear very large blossoms, and shov that, whilat allowing
bulbs to stay in the ground undisturbed for years is calculated to
inoreiSB thd qciantity of blossom, it is by no means the bast method
of obtaining Unf fljwars. G. El.vesi, a new and pretty Suovdrop, ia
now in flower, and the Winter Aionite forms quite a cirpet of green.

ish-gold flowers. The white Hoop Petticoat Narcissus (N. raonopbyllus)
ia blooming well in a raised frame, and other kinds of Narcissi are
fast coming into bloom, as are also Squills. Aubrietia ileltoidea
variegata (the golden-leaved Aubrietia) is a pretty plant, now in flower
in Mr. Parker's grounds, in which we also noticed the Winter Snow,
flake (Lenoojnm vernum) in full beauty. Iris Krelagei ia opening
several flowers, and Narcissus minor, the earliest of the Daffjdila, ia
in full bloom.

Bhododendron arboreum at South Kensington.— The

fine Rhododendron arborenm, for which the great conservatory in
the Royal Horticultural Gardens at South Kensington is celebrated,
is now in great beauty. It is a noble specimen, and bears handreds
of trusses of bright crimson. scarlet blossoms.

Primula Eva Fish. — This ia one of the most attractive of
double Primulas. Its flowers, which are very large and double, with
fimbriated edges, are blnish-violet, a colour which contrasts well with
the white flowers of P. Blushing Beauty, both of which, together with
many others, may now be aeen in good condition in Messrs. Hinder,
son's nursery at St. John's Wood, where they originated.

Cornus MiS variegata. — This, in addition to the beauty cf its
foliage in summer, is valuable in the shrubbery in winter, thickly
beset, aa it ia, with clustera of bright yellow buds. In this condition
we find plants of it in Mr. Parker's nursery at Tooting, where,
among other trees and shrubs, they have, at this comparatively flower,
lesa season, an interesting appearance.

Irosine brilliaatissima. — Where highly-coloured plants are
desired for ribbon or carpet gardening this cannot fail to be a favourite.
It is dwarf in habit, bright rosy. crimson in colour, and in every way
much more effective than any other plant of the same class. It
originated in Mr. Cannell's nursery at Swanley.

Hardiness of Aralia Sieboldi. — That this plant is perfectly
hardy may be proved by the fact that examples of it in Messrs,
Osborn's nursery at Fulham, have withstood the lata severe winter
without much apparent injury, and this is by no means a favourable
situation. It is a noble plant in shrubbery borders, and its perfect
hardiness gives it additional value.

Selagintlla Wallichi. — This is one of the most useful of Club
Mussea for pot culture. It throws up long, graceful fronds of a glis-
tening bronze colour, which, for vase decoration, are equal to those
of any Fern used for that purpose, and we 1-grown plants of it might
be male available for dinner table decoration. It is grown well by
Mr. Williams at the Victoria nursery, HoUoway.

Hardiness of Ficus minima- — Thia is one of the neatest and
best of plants for covering walls in plant houses, and it may also be
used with advantage for many purposes out-of-doors, it being much
more hardy than ia generally supposed. We noticed a plant of it
growing on a wall in Mr. Parker's nursery at Tooting, which had
withstood the late severe winter wUhont sustaining any apparent
injury, whilst the larger kind, P. repana, growing in the same place,
is almost killed.

Tree PsBsnies. — There will shortly be a fine display of these ia
Messrs. Henderson's nursery at Pine-apple Place, where, as elsewhere,
they are found to be valuable for conservatory decoration, and for
supplying cut flowers. They are grown in cold houses or frames till
the bloom buds show themselves, when they are subjectel to a little
heat, which has the effect of speedily bringing them into blossom in
a cool house. These flowers last for a cousiderabla time in perfec-
tion, and being large, handsome, and sweetly scented, they have a
fine effect when associated with Dautzias, Amaryllises, and similar
plants in bloom.

The Rose House at Gannerabury. — Tnis is, perhaps, one of
best Rose houses to be found near London. It is apan-roofed, with a,
narrow brick bed all round and a large bed in the middle. In the
narrow beds a!e plantel Tea Rises, one to each rafter, and these are
trained under the roof, but fsey are confined to a s,)ace of 2 ft. in
width so as not to obstruct the light too muoh. A hedge of Gloira
de Dijon occupies the centre cf the bed, ani the remiining space is
filled with dwarf Hybrid Perpetuala, which, although they get a little
drawn on account of being a long way from the glass, supply a large
quantity of bads for cutting. Many hundreds of buds, just expand-
ing, may now be found in thia houae.

Mr. Little's Cyclamens. — Theaehave long been noted for their
excellence, both aa regarda growth and quality of bloom. This year,
however, the plants are not so satisfactory aa uaual, owing to soma
mismanagement over which the owner had no control, bat as regarda
richness of colour and strain generally rapid strides are still being
made. Compactnaas of growth and shortness of fljwer stalks are
aimed at rather than size, and by means of skilful cross.breedicg,

MiRCa 15 I-

THE GARDEN.

229

perfection, from a 9oriat's point of view, will doubtless ere long be
attained. In a long, light, airy house, Mr. Littla haa at present sath
a display of Cyclamens as one seldom has an opportunity of seeing in
any one place, and in colour thoy vary from pure white to the deepest
purple and crimson. These are backed up by some finely grown
seedling Amaryllises, Azaleas, Pelargoniums, and Piimulaa.

Salvia splendens. — An improved vr.riety of this brilliant Saje
has been flowering freely in Mr. Cannell'a nursery at Swanley. Its
leaves are wholly different from those of the type, being much larger,
roauf', and deeply serrated on the ei^ges, whilst the flowers, which
are prodncaJ in large trusses, are treble the size of those of the com.
mon kind.

Grapes at Oxenford Castle, Dalkeith. — Just now Mr. An-
dereon has a maguifioent display of Grapes in his stove shelves in
bottles. They consist of not less than 200 bunches of Lady Downes,
Alicante, Pearson's Golden Qaeen, Gros Colman, and Muscat of
Alexandria. It is somewhat diiEouIt to keep gool Muscats so late,
bat nevertheless the bunches look well among their associates, and
scarcely anything else is eaten so long as they last. Golden Queen
looked plump and fresh, and was as good in flavour as any yellow
Grape, with the exception of the Muscat. The conserving room is
new, and at present unhealed, but Mr. Anderson kept two paraSin
lamps going night and day during the severe winter through which
we have passed, and which did the work effectually. Grapes look
tempting at any time, but in artificial light, suspended from so many
Moselle bottles, the effe.-t was indeed charming. — J.1.ME3 AndekiOJJ,
Meaioivhink Nurseries, Uddiihi^tone, X.B.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS,

EOYAL HORTICULTL'LIL SOCIETr.
March 11.
The most striking features on this occasion were the grand banks of
Cyclamens supplied by some of the best growers of that flower, and
attractive groups of plants from some of the prineipil London nursery-
men. The conservatory, too, in which the show was held was in itself
very attractive, many of the plants which it contained being finely in
flower.

First-class Cartifieates. — These were awarded as follows;—

Ipsea £peeio3a (Philbrick). — A terrestial Orchid, with beautiful,
waxy, leraou-culourei-1 flowers, delicately scented.

Ama'^llis Virgil (Veitch & Sons). — A white, crimson-striped kind
with very broad, well shaped, recurved petals, evidently the forerunner of
a fine breed of Amaryllises.

Azalea Empress of India (Van Geertl. — .A dwarf, free-flowering
l.ind valuable for decorative purposes, the fi.iwers being large, semi-double,
aad bright pink iu colour, blotched with purple.

Cymbidium Lowiacuin (Low & Co.). — A kind resembling C.
giganteum, havinglong, graceful flower-spike?, and large, greenish-yellow,
was-libe Qon-ers, having a rich velvety crimson lip.

Cyclamen persieumpicturatum (H. B. Smith).— .V variety with
mottled leaves, and very large flowers with white, rose-edged petals purple
at the base.

Cyclamen Crimson King (H. B. Smith).— A sort dwarf in
hahit, bearing fine broadpetalled flowers of a deep crimson colour.

Divallia Marissi (Veitch & Sons).- A dwarf spjiies, with finely
cut lace-like piuuoj, and well adapted fo:- pan or basket culture.

Me'^ als were awarded as follows :

To Sir Trevor Lawrence for a group of Orchids, small Banksian.
To Mr. Bull for a collection of new and rare plants, silver-gilt Banksian.
To Mr. B. S. Williams and Messrs. Osborn & Sons for miscellaneous
groups of plants, silver Banksian. To Mr. H. B. Smith, Ealing, for a
group of Cyclamens, large gold Banksian. To Mr. Edmonds for Cycla-
mens, silver-gilt B-inksian. To Mr. Clarke, Twickenham, for Cyclamens,
silver Banksian ; and to Mr. Ford, for Apples, silver Knightian medal.

Groups of Plants- — From Messrs. Teitch & Sons, Chelsea, came
au attractive c:roup of plants, consisting of finely-berried stiudard and
bush Aucubas, new and rare Amaryllises, Cyclamens, and Primulas,
backed up by Palms, and other fine-foliaged plants. In this group was
also a hybrid Cattleya (C, Vtitchi), the result of a cross between C,
labiati and C. crispa ; it has a delicate violet-coloured flower, having a
rich clartt coloured lip. Camellia reticulata fl,-pl , from the same firm,
was noticeable on account of its distinct character, its flowers bein? stiff
and wasv. aud of a deep rosy-carmine colour. Mr. Bull exhibited ,a mis-
cellaneous group of new and rare plants, amongst which were well-grown
graceful specimens of the arching-leaved, finely-striped Curculigo recur-
vata variegati, the twining-stemmed Philodendron gloriosum, no-le
Cycads and Palms, Dracajnas, and Orchids, Mr. B. S. Williams contri-
huted an effective group of plants, consisting of finely-berried Aucubas,
several new Amaryllises and Primulas, including pansfulof P. denticulata,

associated with which were finely flowered examples cf Dendrobium
Wardianam, OJontoglossum Alexandras, aud Lady's slippers, Messrs.
Osborn & Sons, Fulham, exhibited an attractive group of plaut,s, amongst
which were well-flowered Rhododendrons, Amaryllises, Deutzias, Spiraeas,
Abutilons, and Azaleas, the whole being relieved by Palms, Ferns, and
other fine-leaved plants.

One of the finest collections of Orchids ever exhibited at these meetings
was one shown on this occasion by Mr. Spyers, gardener to Sir Trevor
Lawrence. They were both un-jsually well grown and profusely bloomed.
Among them were fine varieties of Dendrobium Wardianum and
D. crassinode, having hundreds of large, finely-formed blossoms ;
D. nobiIe,masses of blossom,and the pretty primrose-coloured D. lutecium,
grown on a wooden raft, profusely laden with flowers. With these came
a well-grown specimen of Cymbidium eburneum, bearing eight ivory-like
flowers and four buds ; Lady's Slippers, of various sorts ; finely-flowered
specimens of Odontoglossum Alexandrie, bearing graceful spikes of
large blossom beautifully spotted ; D. nebulosum pardinum, a kind gene-
rally admired on account of its large, waxy, brown-spotted flowers ; and
the brilliant orange-coloured Lajlia harpphylla ,nnd some fine examples of
Phalaiuopsis. Mr. Benhara, gardener to Earl of Stradbrook, Ilenham
Hall, exhibited four tiuely-fiowered nlants of ?hala?nopsis Schilleriana,
bearing collectively between two aud three hundred blossoms. Mr. Cannell,
ot Swanley, again sent a magnificent stand of blooms of Zonal Pelargo-
niums, the colours being of unusual brilliancy and the flowers of superior
form. The best kinds were Kleon, dark scarlet; Mrs. Leaver's, rose;
Henry Jaoobv, crimson; Lizzie B)Ooks, lively scarlet, very large; and
White Vesuvius. A grand bank of Cyclamens, made up cf finely. grown
plants, was contributed bv Mr. G. B. Smith, of Ealing, Mr. Edmonds, of
Hillingdon, and Mr, Clarke, of Twickenham, Mr. Smith's collection was
remarkable for the excellence of the white-flowered kinds ; Mr. Edmond's
had very large flowers ; aud Mr, Clarke, blooms possessing colours seldom
seen iu Cyclamens.

Miscellaneous Subjects, — Messrs, William Paul and Sons, Wal'
tham Cross, exhibited an extensive collection of cut blooms of Camellias,
consisting of nearly fifty of the best known kinds, including finely deve-
loped blossoms of Fimbriata, Imbricata, the fine, red, wax-like Matho-
tiana, and the pretty pink white striped Madame de Strekalofi' ; also
Beauty of Hornsey, La Reine, nnd others. A few Japanese Primulas
having flowers with distinct colours, came from the Society's Gardens at
Chiswick ; also well flowered plants of Imantophyllum miniatium. New
Primulas of the denticulata tjpe were also shown by Mr, Ware, of Tot-
tenham, Messrs. Veitch aud Sons contributed a basketful ot plants of a
new Drac£ena,from the South Sea Islands, named D, Princess Marguerite.
It is compact in habit, and its leaves are of a glistening cream colour, and
sometimes striped with green and rose. Mr. James, Islewortb, showed
blooms of Cinerarias of great excellence : aud Mr. Blaud, Cranbourne
Court, sent a basketful of finely flowered Neapolitan Violets. Mr. Bull
showed Nephrolepis ensifoli.i, Adiaotum helium, and Pteris umbrosa
cristata. Mr. Paul furnished a bushy, glossy-leaved, white-flowered
Camellia, named Ninfa Egerii, which was much admired ; and Messrs.
Osborn exhibited a good yellow-flowered Abntilon, named Yellow Prince.
Mr. Cannell sent cut sprays of Fuchsia splendens, in good condition;
also plants of Ageratum, Cannell's dwarf. Mr. Buchan, Wilton House,
Southampton, sent a flowering plant of Maxillaria Harrisonia; Buchani-
ana; also fine varieties of Odontogossum Andersonianum, and O. Alex-
andras The last-named Orchid also came from Mr. Green, gardenerto
Sir J. Mdclaey, who likewise showed a bloom of Vanda Cathr-arti, which
had been cut from the plant three weeks, and which was still in good
condition.

Fruit and Vegetables.— One ot the finest collections of Apples
perhaps ever shown at this season of the year was exhibited at this meet-
ing by Mr. Sidney Ford, gardener to W. E, Hubbard, Esq., Leonards
Lee, Horsham It consisted of fifty dishes of plump, sound, highly,
coloured fruit. Among the best mav be mention Wadhurst Pippin, Poor
Man's Pro5t, Alfriston, Northern Greening, Norfolk Beefing, Blenheim
Orange, Ribston Pippin, Golden lleinette, Pronger'a Seedling, and Sheep 3
Nose Mr Divers, Maidstone, also sent several good dishes of Apples,
and ilr, L, Kiilick, of Langley, showed a collection of Potatoes of
fine quahty. Messrs. Sutton & Sons contributed several kinds ot
Rhubarb.

Erica propendena tubiflora. — This ranks amongst the pret-
tiest of soft, wooded Heaths, and is one which deserves a place in
every collection. It Bowers profusely, in habit it is compact, and
the whole appearance of the plant when in bloom is most satisfactory.
Were I limited to three kinds of soft- wooded Heaths, I would choose
Erica hyemalis, gracilis, and the variety under notice. Heaths are
and have for some years past been as it were under a cloud, their
decorative value not being so fully appreciated as formerly. Although
not quite so easily and quickly grown as the majority of those plants
whicb are reiied npon for conservatory and window decoration, they
are by no means difficult to grow. It cut back and potted early in
good fibrous peat, placed in cold frames, and from thence set oot in
the full sun, they will form useful bushy little specimens, and the
soft neutral tints which many of them display, render them valuable
for associating with shades ot colour of a more glaring and pro-
nounced character. — J. C, Byfleet.

230

THE GARDEN.

[March 15, U79.

KEW GARDENS.
On Thursday uiKht, the 6ih inet., Sir Trevor Lawrence directed the
attention of the House of Commons to the existing regulations for open,
ing these gardens to the public, lie said, the outlay of public money on
these gardens was very large. Last year it was, in round numbers,
£20,000, and this year it was somewhat over £18,000. This consti-
tuted one. sixth of the whole amount voted by Parliament for the
parks and pleasure-grounds of the United Kingdom. The number of
visitors to Kew was constantly increasing. In 1877 it was 678,972,
being considerably larger than the number of visitors to the British
Museum, exclusive of the reading room. On the occasion of two
Bank Holidays last year close upon G0,000 visitors entered the
gardens in one day. One proof that good had been done by the
movement for extending the hours during which the gardens were
open to the public was aEforded by the fact that on Bank Holidays
the gardens were now open at 10 o'clock instead of 1 o'clock, as was
formerly the case. That the change was appreciated was shown by
the circumstance that on Easter Monday 4,000 people, and on Whit
Monday 5,000 people, entered the gardens before 1 o'clock. While
agreeing with the directors that in all matters connected with Kew
botanical science had a paramount claim, he showed, by quotations
from the reports of Dr. Lindley and Sir W. Hooker, that the gardens
ought to become an efficient instrument for refining the taste and for
increasing the knowledge and rational pleasure of the middle and
lower classes. At present the gardens were opened daily at 1 o'clock
and closed at sunset. At Dublin, however, the Botanical Gardens
were open from 10 to 6. At Edinburgh the Botanical Gardens
were generally open daily, except on Sundays, from 6 to 6; from
daylight to dark in winter, and from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in June, July,
and August. The Jardin des Plantes was open daily from 8 o'clock
till dark. The Botanical Gardens of Berlin were open for nine hours
every day, except Saturday and Sunday ; but although they were
entirely closed on two days of the week, they were in the course
of ea^h year open for a longer period than Kew Gardens. At Ham-
burg the Botanical Gardens were open from sunrise to sunset, and
at Geneva they were open every day during daylight. The
Botanical Gardtns at Rouen, Caen, and other places in
France were also open daily during daylight. Sir Daniel Cooper
stated that at Sydney the Botanical Girdens were open from
6 a.m. to 8 p.m. iu summer, and while there was daylight in winter,
adding that they were a general resort of residentsjof the city during
all hours of the day. These gardens were open much more liberally
to the public than those at Kew, and when it was said that it was
impossible to do at K-jw what was done eUe«'here, he might fairly
ask why it should be so? It was alleged that there was no real
demand for opening the gardens, except a local demand ; but the
vestries and local bodies of the West of London ani the suburbs,
clmost without exception, had memoriiUsod the House in favour of
an early opening. He concluded by moving—" That it is desirable
that the Koyal Gardens at Kew should bo opened to the public at
10 a.m. on week days, with such reservations as may be found
expedient."

JMr. T. Cave seconded the motion.

Mr. Geuakd Noel said there were two strong reasons against the
proposal. In the first place, it would very njaterially add to the
annual expenditure; and, in the second place, it would alter the cha-
ra^terof the gardens, looking to the purpose for which they were
originally established. The gardeners went to woik in the morning
and remained till 12 o'clock, when they went to dinner ; after that
they appeared in the g irdens as constables, and it the gardens were
opaned at 10 an increased staff would be necessary, at an expense of
from £1,500 to £2,000 a year. He did not think there were any
sufficient grounds for this additional outlay. On the B ink Holiday
in August last year the gard^?ns had been opened at 10, when the
number of visitors was about 58,000. Oc these not more than 4,000
entered before 2 o'clock. Between 10 and 11, rnly about 600 were
admitted; between H and 12, 1,200; between 12 and 2, about 2,000.
This, he thought, showed that the public ha 1 no particular desire to
enter the gardens before 1 o'clock. The daily average number of
persons waiting for admission at the 6ve gates was in August, 1877 ,
4J; in September, 32 ; in October, 12; iu November, 4 ; "in Decem-
ber, 3 ; in January, 1878, 3 ; in February, 3 ; and in March, 5. If
the arboretnm weie opened at 10 o'clock an additional staff of 25 or
30 men would be required, and n3w regulations would have to be
made. At all public institutions there were restrictions on the admis-
sion of the public. For instance, the British Museum was o; en to
the general public four days a week ; Windsor Castle, five davs ; the
Naiional Gallery, four days ; Hampton Court, five days ; South Ken-
sington Museum, the most popular institution in London, three days •
and the Tower of London, two days ; while Kew Gardens were open
every day of the week, Sunday included. They were open until dusk
whxh meant halt-past 8 o'clock in summer, and they were closed

only on one holiday, namely, Christmas Day, There really was no
ground of complaint, for there was no other institution from which
the public derived so much advantage in the shape of unrestricted
admission. Persons taking a special interest in botany and horticul-
ture were admitted at 8 o'clock in the morning. He had received
deputations on the subject, and also memorials signed by 500 of the
most eminent botanists in the country, who, one and all, urged the
Government not to assent to the proposal. No doubt the motion was
brought forward with the best intentions, but it would be disastrous
to the best interests of the gardens, and he therefore hoped the
House would support him in opposing the motion.

Mr. M. Henry was greatly disappointed with the answer of the
Chief Commissioner, who had trifled with the real question, because
for this purpose the gardens might be divided into two portions, and
that which was purely botanical could be closed while the rest was
open, and three or four policemen would afford complete protection
to the arboretum in the early part of the day. Some prejudice was
introduced by speaking of this as a local agitation; he had no local
interest in it, and he felt that it was no argument at all to say that
local residents, who did nothing wrong by living at Kew, should be
denied a privilege because it would improve the value of their pro.
party. He hoped the right hon, gentleman would review his
decision,

Mr. A. M'Arthuk supported the motion. Other gardens of a
similar nature were thrown open to the public, and the same might
very well be done at Kew.

Mr. AsHLEV also supported the'motion. London, he said, was the
only great town in Europe that did not give its gardens the whole
day to the public.

Mr. Fawcett said the subject was one of general, and not of merely
local, interest. No evidence whatever had been adduced to show
that scientific research would in any way be interfered with. They
were told that a memorial against the proposal had been signed by
500 scientific men. He had some experience of scientific memorials,
and he knew that when one or two eminent signatures were obtained
it was very easy to get a number of others to follow. The First
Commissioner of Works had spoken of the great expense that would
be incurred by the proposed change, but in almost the same breath
he had emphasised the fact that thejearly visitors would probably be
very few ; so that from the right hon. geutlemaa'a own point of vie??
the argument from expense was inadmissible,

Mr- A. Mills pointed out that it was evident, from the experiment
that had been already tried on a Bank holiday, that a very small
proportion of the class which it was sought to benefit were likely to
avail themselves of the opportunity afforded. Of 58,000 Bank holiday
visitors on a recent occasion, no fewer than 54,000 entered the
gardens after two o'clock. It was, therefore, a delusion to suppose
that to open the gardens early would be to confer a boon on any
considerable number of persons. After all, the question was, as a
matter of fact, a conflict between botanical science and the owners of
villas at Kew and the neighbourhood, and the House would have to
decile whether the gardens were to be kept up in such a way as to
reflect credit on the directors and on the nation.

Da. Playkair said that as it was admitted on all hands that the
early visitors to the gardens would not be very numerous, the ques-
tion narrowed itself to this — whether the convenience of the inbabi.
tants of Kew outweighed the disadvantage of the proposed change.
He would remind the House how high was the character of Kew Gar.
dens, and how deserved wa^ the great reputation of the scientific
staff there employed. The hon gentlemen who had brought forward
the motion had mentioned the Irish and Scotch gardens j no doubt
the hours for opening them were earlier, but EJinburgh was not so
vast a city as London, and those who frequented its gardens early ia
the morning were exclusively Btudet:ts. The supporters of the motion
had dealt somewhat unfairly with what had fallen from the First
Commissioner of Works with regard to expense; for the point of
the right hon. gentleman's argument was that after the admission of
the public the gardeners ceased to be gardeners and became watch-
men, thus necessitating an increase of the permanent staff. They
were hardly justifled in making the change for the convenience of a
few of the Kew residents.

Mr CuDiTi suggested that the gardens should be opened early on
Mondays during the summer season, and argued that so small a con.
cession woild not interfere with the work of the scientific staff.

Sir H. Peek said if his right hon. friend the Chancellor of the
Exchequer would assent to the opening of the gardtns on Mondays,
he would, to a great extent, meet the wishes of those who were in
favour of the motion.

The House divided. The nambera were : —

Ayes 91

Noes 196

Majority against the motion .,, .„ — 102

THE GARDEN.

231

No; S83.]

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1879.

" This is an art
ffhich does mend Nature : change tt rather : but
Thb Ast IT8BLP IS Natcbb."— 5Aatfsj)cartf.

CAMELLIA HOUSES.
In most gardens of considerable size there are glass houses for
special purposes ; as, for instance, the Rose house, the Heath
house. Orangery ; but seldom in private places does one meet
with a house devoted to Camellias, and yet those who have
seen Camellias in anything like perfection, must admit that no
plants are more worthy of a structure specially devoted to
them. Such houses, for example, as the Camellia house at
Bicton, that at the nurseries of Messrs. Pince and Co., of
Exeter ; the front corridor of the Messrs. Veitoh's nursery at
Chelsea,or the Camellia house at the late Mr. Martin's place near
Kingston, and many others, are sights to be seen, perhaps, but
once, but to be remembered for a lifetime. Nor is it necessary
to have a very large or lofty house for Camellias. Common
lean-to greenhouses may be made to look well by furnishing
their back walls, and planting them with a descending series of
plants of shorter stature down to the front path. Common
span-roofed houses look best with a bed of tall plants in the
centre, and shorter ones in the side borders. Camellias, also,
thrive admirably in large architectural houses, many of which
are so heavy and semi-opaque, as to prove the graves of num-
bers of valuable plants of other kinds. The Camellia does
admirably with less light than almost any other plants, and one
of the greatest improvements that could be effected in not a
few gardens, would be the clearing out of mixed collec-
tions of plants from architectural conservatories, and the
furnishing of such wholly with Camellias. As evergreens
they rank amongst the handsomest, while not even the
Hose can excel them in richness of colour or in perfec-
tion of form. Individual plants in pots or single blossoms are
extremely rich and beautiful, but housefuls of Camellias reach-
ing to the stature of trees and spreading out to the circumference
of Portugal Laurels, are magnificent beyond all other plants
with the exception of Rhododendrons. And, fortunately.
Camellias are much easier grown successfully out of pots than
in them. With thorough drainage, and almost any proportionate
mixture of peat and loam, or a bed of good peat or good loam,
Camellias planted out are almost sure to succeed. The roots
in pots get cramped and starved, or sodden ; but, planted out,
they have a free root run, increase and multiply faster, and
continue in more robust health in consequence. In fact, no
plants are more easily kept in health and in free-flowering
condition than Camellias planted out under glass.

After flowering is the best time to prune them, if they need
it ; and no plants pay better for skilful treatment than these.
The late Mr. James Barnes used to cut in the fine plants at
Bicton rather severely every year ; this kept them at home, as
it is called, and caused them to break well back, so that almost
every plant was a perfect specimen, clothed with foliage,
branches, and flowers from base to summit. After pruning is
also the most convenient time to dress with some fresh soil,
if the plants seem to require it. This will not generally be
oftener than once in three years, and the surface dressing
should be put firmly on the old soil so as to encourage the roots
up into it. Loose dressings prove injurious by concealing the
state of the borders, and the roots also refuse to strike freely
into them.

It is almost impossible to overwater Camellias during their
growing period, provided the borders or beds are thoroughly
drained, which is essential to success. Manure water may also
be freely used at this stage if the plants be at all weakly ; the
tops should also be freely syringed at least twice a day, and,
unless the house has a northern or eastern aspect, the roof
should be shaded from, say, 11 till 2 o'clock during the grow-
ing period, should the weather prove bright and hot. As the
growth gets nearly finished and the buds begin to show, cooler
and drier treatment should be adopted until the houses are either
unroofed for a month or two in July, August, or September, or

the ventilators and door must be all left open night and day.
The transition from the open state to the closer one of flowering
in the autumn must be made skilfully, a step, as it were, at a
time ; otherwise, the buds are apt to drop. The best time to
plant out Camellias is in February or March, just as the plants
go out of flower and are starting into fresh growth. As much
of the old soil should be removed from the old balls, and as
many of the roots should be unravelled, as possible. It is
seldom, however, that many of the latter can be undone
without wounding or breaking them ; if only a few can be
directed out from the ball, this will generally be all that is
practicable. The soil must be placed up firmly against these,
and the old balls. This is a work of some delicacy aud diffi-
culty, for unless the new soil be brought up tightly against the
old balls, the water passes by, not through, the latter, and the
plants may die of thirst, while the new soil is saturated with
water close to the dry ball. On the other hand, the projecting
roots are apt to be bruised and broken in the necessary conso-
lidation of the soil. After planting, it is good practice to
give the plants a good watering ; this effects a closer union
between the old roots and balls and the rich compost than any
amount of mere mechanical consolidation can accomplish, and
enables the roots to strike away at once into their own root
runs. As there must necessarily be considerable reduction
and disturbance of the roots through planting out, it is well to
reduce the tops at the same time by the removal of any un-
shapely or unhealthy branches. By maintaining a semi-satu-
rated atmosphere for a time, and also shading overhead,
should the weather prove bright, the plants will speedily start
into vigorous growth and thoroughly establish themselves in
their new quarters, frequently making more growth the first
season of their being planted out than they have done several
years previously. D. T. Fish.

Hardwicke House, Bury St. Edmunds.

CAMELLIAS PLANTED OUT.
Wheke there is convenience for planting out Camellias, there
can be no question that they not only grow more freely than
when grown in pots or tubs, but they also produce a greater
quantity of flowers ; yet it is not well, even where a suitable
house exists for planting them out, to treat in that way more
than part of the stock, for the reason that there is no means of
controlling the time of flowering, either by hastening or re-
tarding the bloom of any portion in a way that can so easily be
done with plants that are movable from one structure to
another ; but in most gardens where there are more than a very
few glass houses, space may be found to turn out some of the
plants. In the case of any that have been for a considerable
time in pots, it becomes necessary to some extent to disturb
the ball, with a view to a partial loosening of the roots in
planting. Twice in the year can this operation be performed
with less interference with the growth and flowering capabili-
ties of the plant than at other times — that is, now, before much
growth has commenced, and after the season's shoot extension
is completed and the buds about forming. If the disturbance
of the roots, already alluded to, take place later in spring, when
the principal portion of the plants are just about commencing
to grow, it will check them severely ; and if left until the
autumn, when the buds have attained any size, it is almost
certain to cause their falling off ; consequently, if planting out
is to take place before growth is made, there should now be
no delay. The bed to be occupied by the roots ought to be of
sufficient depth to admit of 6 in. of drainage material, which
may consist of broken bricks, or anything of a like character,
reduced to pieces 1 in. or 2 in. in diameter, over which it will
be well to lay a thin turf to keep the flne particles of soil from
settling down amongst the drainage, similar to the
usual course followed in making a Vine border. Above
this there should be depth enough to have 2 in. or
3 in. of new soil beneath the roots, and to allow
the balls to be sunk 2 in. or 3 in. below the surrounding
soil of the surface of the bed when rammed quite solid round
the plants so turned out ; this is necessary to prevent the roots
getting dry, by the water, when applied, percolating through the
new material in a way that would leave the ball dry ; to further

232

THE GAEDEN.

[Marce 22, 1879.

prevent this, it will be well to perforate the undisturbed part
of the ball with an iron skewer. It is requisite to impress the
necessity oE these precautions on those who may not ha,ve had
experience in the planting out of Camellias, from the liability
there is of the soil occupied by the roots that have not been dis-
turbed, getting dry ; when this occurs, and whilst it remains in
that state, the plants can never make satisfactory growth.
Turning out of the pots in this manner may, with advantage,
be practised upon specimens, the branches of which have got
into a thin straggling condition, as, when the roots that have
thus unobstructed room to spread have attained strength, the
plants will generally be found to push out quantities of young
shoots from the old wood. I should, however, by no means
recommend the branches being out in, however loose and thin
they are, until a season has elapsed after they have thus broken
freely ; for, where the unavoidable disturbance of the roots
takes place, and there is a reduction of the leaf surface by
pruning as well, the simultaneous check becomes so severe
that plants in not over vigorous condition take a long time to
recover. For back walls in lean-to or hip-roofed houses, or
where there happens to be an end wall to a span-roofed house,
there are few more desirable plants than Camellias, if there is
root room available for planting them out. Their handsome
ever-green foliage affords an agreeable covering for the walls,
in addition to the flowers they produce, and the free gi-o wth that
is usually made, consequent upon their extended root develop-
ment, enables ihem to cover a considerable space in little time.

T. B.

Soil for Camellias. — It is frequently urged that Camellias re.
quire peat and other ingredients almost out of the reach of ordinary
cultivators. That they will grow in peat we all know, but its quality
VKriea so much that the majority of growers would do hotter when
making a bed or border for them to form it as they would a Vine
border, simply omitting all noxious rank manures and relying on a
top spit oE an old pasture to supply noui-ishment. This would main-
tain healthy growth longer than any kind o£ compoat ever put to-
gether. A little dry cow or sheep manure or sand if the soil be de&cient
in that respect, might be added with advantage. If at any time the
plants need stimulating, liquid manure or a rich top-dressing keeps
all going on satisfactorily. This is the beat season for planting Camel-
lias, and I would recommend any one having plants in an unsatisfactory
condition to plant a portion of them out-of-doors, not under the shade
or drip of trees, but where they would be subjected to moderate
exposure, i.e., where the force of cutting winds would be moderated
by trees or shrubs or buildings. Our moat flourishing beds of them
are on Grass in openings in the Pinetum and pleasure grounds, where
dense specimen Conifers grow in luxuriance without shading them.
Camellias out-of-doors, though perfectly hardy, will never supply the
place of those under glass, as spring frosts are so liable to damage
their flowers. Under glass they are the very beat winter flowering plants
which we have. Their season of flowering too may be lengthened by
having plants that mature their growth early and that begin to
expand their blooms before winter sets in. Thus a continuous suc-
cession may be maintained all through the dull months until Boses
are abundant. — J. Gkoom,

Is it Necessary to thin Camellia Buds?— This is an
important question, inasmuch as it just determines whether the
grower shall have two blooms, or even more, in place of one.
Thinning the bads out, when there are more than one or two, at the
points of the shoots, to one only, is generally recommended and
practised, on the plea that, if all were left, it would exhaust the tree,
and impede the perfect development of the flowers generally. The
entire wisdom of the practice I have, however, often doubted ; and,
when I have followed it in any instance, I must confess it has been
with reluctance, and not with a conviction that I was doing much
good. Consequently, I have not been very particular in lessening
oar supply of Camellias by robbing the plants of their buds. A fine
plant of the old double white has these two years been allowed to
carry as many blooms as it produced, and it shows no signs whatever
of distress ; and the same applies to other sorts that have been simi.
larly treated for a considerably longer period. The old double white
mentioned had hundreds of buds upon it ; but if I had thinned them
out to the best and largest, the most of them would have been over
by this time, as they began to expand at the beginning of December.
As it is, there are some hundreds of later buds to come on yet ; for it
is very rarely that two blooms of the double white expand at the
same time on the same shoot. As soon as one is cut, the next most
advanced comes more quickly, and so on with the third. I doubt

if the mere act of flowering exhausts a plant in the least, though I
am aware it is a theory with Chrysanthemum growers that thinning
the buds of their plants makes those left grow larger. Probably
however, it is the extra freedom and room which permits their full
development. One never sees Vines distressed by flowering, nor
yet by the swelling of the berries up to the stoning period j and
then comes a sensible pause in the production of wood growth, which
is less vigorous. Of coarse, it is well known that the eaergies of
all plants are most taxed when they begin to form and mature their
seeds. In the case of the Vine, I have never had reason to think
that the plant felt the strain before the berries began to stone.
Up to that point the green berries seemed to act the part of leaves,
and to be agents of elaboration. And it appears to be much the same
with the Camellia ; if it be not permitted to produce seed, it is not
very material how many flowers it is allowed to produce. — 0.

Camellia^SportB. — I send you two Camellias gathered from the
same plant. The original plant is the alba plena, or double white ;
it has been in my possession six or eight years, and is about 4 ft.
high. There has been nothing particular in the buds or flowers until
last year, when I observed on one branch a flower slightly tinged
with pink. This year the branch is producing blossoms of a beau-
tiful rosy-pink, with a pale stripe in the middle of each petal. I
send you a bloom, and also a white flower from the opposite side of
the tree. Can you suggest any means by which I can secure a
reproduction of these pink blooms ? Can it be done by inarching
on another tree? or would you advise cuttings being struck? I
cannot decide whether this pink variety is a true sport, or whether
the original stock on which the alba plena may have been grafted has
influenced this particular branch. — W. N., Newark. [It seema to be
a sport, and a very pretty one both as regards form and colour. You
may secure it by inarching now on a healthy young Camellia, or you
may graft it or strike cuttings of it in the autumn. — M.]

ON CROSSING THE AURICULA.
One most favourable evidence of the strength and intensity o
the Auricula revival, is found in the activity shown by some of
our cultivators in the way of producing new varieties of this
glorious spring flower. Mr. 0. Turner, Slough ; the Rev. F.

D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard ; Mr. B. Simonite, Sheffield ; Mr.

E. Pohlman, Halifax ; Mr. J. Douglas, Loxford Hall ; Mi-. John
Read, Market Rasen, and others, are working patiently and
systematically in this direction, and with cheering results. In
a communication received from Mr. Read the other day he
gave me an interesting account of his method of crossing the
Auricula, which is worthy of publication as a contribution to
floricultural science. In all his crosses Mr. Read almost in-
variably selects two varieties of the same class, as green-
edged, white-edged, grey-edged, or selfs, taking care that the
flowers are at the same stage of maturity in the pip as possible,
choosing the seed-bearing parent for form, and the pollen
parent for colour. As soon as the pips to be operated on had
partially expanded, so as to enable Mr. Read to see into the
tube and notice that the anthers had not burst, he takes a pair
of small-pointed scissors, and with these cuts away the pips
just below the anthers, being careful not to injure the stigma
with the scissors ; there is then no danger either of self -fer-
tilisation or of being crossed by insects, as they will not ap-
proach a mutilated flower. When the flowers of the pollen-
beai'ing plant expand and the anthers are in that powdered
condition suggestive of being in a state of fitness for the
operation, advantage is taken of a fine sunny morning to
examine the stigma of the prepared pip, which will most pro-
bably be in a fit state to receive the pollen, and will present
quite a viscid appearance on the summit ; a camel's-hair pencil
is employed, and being first drawn to a point by placing it in
the operator's mouth, it is then used to collect a portion of
pollen from an anther of the flower to be used in this way, and
it is then inserted in the mutilated tube, scattering the pollen
on the stigma in the act, to which it will adhere, repeating the
operation to make the work doubly sure ; and if the day chosen
for the purpose be fine and warm, the operator will soon per-
ceive the effect produced on the stigma. If several different
crosses are to be made, it will be necessary to wash off any
remaining pollen from the brush after each attempt ; and,
remarks Mr. Read, " I merely draw the brush through my
mouth for the purpose ; this is my invariable practice, and it was
also the practice of my late floral friend, John Cunninghame ,

March 22, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

233

the raiser of John Waterson, grey edge ; Mrs. Campbell, white
edge; Peter Campbell, Tain O'Shanter and Souter Johnnie,
green edges." When setting down the foregoing notes, Mr.
Read also remarked, " I have now fine pods of seed on Head-
ly's George Lightbody crossed with Lancashire Hero ; True
Briton and Earl Grosveaor crossed with my seedling Regu-
larity ; Lancashire Hero crossed with Colonel Taylor ; and
Pizarro crossed with Lord Lorno. From these crosses I fully
expect something worth looking at." Mr. Read has very
kindly sent me a few of his seedling Auriculas to flower, and also
a few of his seedling gold-laced Polyanthuses ; of the latter he
has been a grower for many years, but has parted with his
named flowers, leaving himself only some seedlings from good
crosses. Let us hope they will emulate in quality and useful-
ness some of his new Auriculas. R. D.

FUCHSIA SPLBNDENS.
This is one of the most beautiful of Fuchsias for winter flower-
ing. It strikes readily from cuttings at all times of the year,
and, in addition to its being useful for pot culture, it forms one
of the best of plants for growing in baskets. It is well man-

Fachsia Bplendens.

aged in Mr. Cannell's nursery at Swanley, where it is now finely
in flower, and from whence sprays were furnished from which
our illustration was prepared. C. S.

FUCHSIAS IN SMALL POTS.
How seldom do we see Fuchsias grown well in private gar-
dens in small pots, and yet they are plants well adapted for
growing in that way. The pots generally selected for market
Fuchsias are 5 in. ones, and the result is surprising to those
who have not experienced what can be done with them under
such conditions. I feel sure that if lovers of flowers generally
knew how effective Fuchsias are for all decorative purposes,
and how easily they may be had in bloom almost the whole
year round, much more attention would be paid to their
culture in small pots than is now given them. Briefly, then, I
will endeavour to describe the treatment which I have found

from considerable practice to produce the best results. Let
us suppose that the first batch of plants are required to bloom
in perfection in March, at which time they form most beautiful
objects to mix with spring flowers in the conservatory or for
table decoration. The kinds which I have found best adapted
for early flowering are Mrs. Marshall and War Eagle. The
cuttings for this purpose should be struck in the preceding
August. Their mode of propagation is so simple and well
known as to need no description hero. They will succeed in
any close shady frame or hand-light. When sufficiently rooted,
which should be in a very short time, pot them ofl! singly into
thumb pots, in a mixture of loam and leaf soil, with plenty of
silver sand, replace them in a frame, and shade for a tew days.
After this they will bear full exposure to light and air, but be
sure that they never in any way suffer from want of water, as
the object in view is to secure bushy plants, with green foliage
to the rim of the pot.

As soon as they have grown to the height of about 3 in.
pinch ofl: their points, which will induce them to break freely.
Keep them well syringed and free from all insect pests.
Washing with Tobacco water is best for the destruction of
green fly, as fumigation, if ever so carefully done, is apt to
cause the loss of tbe foliage. As soon as they are well rooted,
shift again into 3 in. pots ; and if a cold pit be available, with
coal ashes to place them on, then this is the place of all others
in which to grow them well. The lights can be moved off
altogether at night in favourable weather, as they greatly enjoy
the dew. When the shoots have broken well, and grown an
inch or two, stop them again, so as to induce them to form
compact little bushes. By the end of September they will be
ready for their final shift into 5 in. pots, using, in place of leaf
soil, about one-third part of decayed manure. Drain the pots
well with small pieces of potsherd, and press the soil mode-
rately firm ; replace the plants in the pit, and continue the
syringe on all fine warm days, with strict attention to watering,
stoppmg, and cleanliness. About the middle of October they
should be removed to their winter quarters. _ The best form
of structure for them is a span-roofed house, with a path down
the centre, and side beds with, if possible, a covering of small
ballast or Cocoa-nut fibre on which to place the pots. They
greatly enjoy the cool moisture arising from these and similar
materials, and it also avoids too frequent a use of the watering
pot. The temperature of the house should range from 50"^ at
night to about t;o° in the day, according to external circum-
stances. This will be a safe guide for the winter months, the
object being to keep the plants growing slowly the whole time ;
if they once get stunted in small pots they lose their foliage,
and become comparatively worthless. They should receive
their final stopping at the end of December; the points of the
shoots thus taken off make excellent cuttings; they strike
freely in a Vinery or any house in which there is heat, and
will follow the earliest plants up well, requiring treatment in
all respects similar ; only, as they will have the advantage of
increasing daylight to grow in, they may bo kept warmer ;
and, indeed, the quicker they are grown the finer will be both
flowers and foliage.

It is well at this season to have a few old plants of the best
summer-flowering varieties to put into heat, from which to
obtain a supply of cuttings. After this the latter can always
be obtained from the stoppings of young plants. I would also
recommend a batch of cuttings to be put in, according to re-
quirements, every month until September ; by so doing a good
supply of fresh blooming plants can be had from March to
December. But to return to the early plants ; these we will
suppose are finally pinched in, and are, as they should be,
bushes about <J in. or 8 in. high from the pot. Increase the
temperature with the lengthening days, and maintain a free,
moist atmosphere ; now a little weak manure water may be
given with advantage. There is nothing whatever better for
this purpose than clear, weak soot water. Be careful in venti-
lating to avoid all cold draughts of air ; this is a fertile source
of mischief to the foliage, which, if taken proper care of, is of
so much beauty and importance. By the first week in February
the plants will require tying into shape ; this can best be done
by placing one strong stick in the centre of the pot and tying
the shoots to it, so as to form little pyramids. They will require
frequent attention to this matter. As the bloom buds make

234

THE GARDEN.

[Makch 22, 1879.

their appearance, manure water may be given more frequently,
and they should be well washed with Tobacco water before
opening their flowers, taking care to syringe well with clean,
soft, warm water, next day, so that no stains maybe left on the
plants. On bright days shading for a few hours will be
useful.

Let us suppose that we are now in March ; our plants, if all
has gone well, will be compact little specimens 18 in. to 2 ft. in
height, and about 1 ft. through, and loaded with fine large
flowers and deep green shining leaves, than which nothing can
be more ornamental. All the attention which they now require
is abundance of water until they fade and the younger plants
take their place, when the old ones can be thrown away, or, if
desired, a few can be kept to form large specimens. With the
culture of these last-named, however, I do not intend to deal ;
my object is simply to direct attention to the merits of the
plant as a quickly-grown object of great beauty in small pots,and
withal so easy to manage as to be within the means of every-
body. I do not give a list of varieties, as almost all the really
good kinds are amenable to one system of treatment. I may,
however, add that kinds having the stiff, branching habit of
Lady Heytesbury do best without stopping, as they form
naturally a well-furnished plant, of course with the support of
one stake. The two early kinds which I have named are the
best for late autumn as well as spring work. In conclusion, I
will say that I feel sure, if the few simple rules which I have
given for the growth of small specimens of this charming
plant be carried out, the result cannot fail to give much
gratification to the grower. H. Bailey.

GROWING PLANTS IN FRUIT HOUSES.
Allow me to state, in compliance with " M. F.'s " request (p.
190), how I manage to have Linum trigynum, Sericogra-
phis Ghiesbreghtiana, and Schizanihus papilionaceus in full
flower during the winter. We start with a few of the Linum
in the spring by shortening all the shoots back as soon as the
plants have done blooming, after which they are placed in any
forcing house or pit where they can get a little moist heat to
give them a start, with a view to supplying us with a sufficiency
of cuttings. Th ise are taken off with a heel, that is, with a
portion of the old bark at the base, when they are about 3 in.
long, and are then inserted in sandy soil and placed either
under a bell glass or in a propagating box where there is plenty
of atmospheric moisture till they strike root. This they do in
the course of a fortnight or three weeks, when they are ready
for potting, which is done in soil consisting principally of loose
fibry peat or leaf mould, Linums being plants that like vege-
table matter in which they can ramify freely. When potted
oS they are replaced in a similar situation to that which they
had before the cuttings are taken till they push again, which
brings them to the end of May or the beginning of June,
and after that they go into any cold frame or pit that happens
to be at liberty, to be kept therein and grown on during the
summer. To keep them clean and healthy during that season
I always make a point of having some kind of plunging material
such as halt-decomposed leaves or tan that I can put the pots
in, thus keeping an equable degree of moisture about the roots.
The heavy syringings they receive keep the air moist, the
object being to keep them free from red spider, their great
enemy — a difficult task to manage when treated in any other
way. Isolated as we have them, and under so much control,
it is very rare that the above-named pest puts in an appear-
ance, but should it do so at any time we at once resort
to sulphur, which we first mix as a paste and then stir
it up in some water kept agitated while syringing it on. To
be effectual, however, the under and upper sides of the leaves
must both be thoroughly wetted, and the frame shut up early
every afternoon, so as to raise the temperature to nearly 90°;
before doing which the walls and other surfaces should bo wetted,
that the air may be saturated with moisture. This treatment
continued for a week or so generally has the desired effect, and
the sulphur is then washed off by giving a good drenching,
either by means of the garden engine or syringe, and after this
is done, the latter instrument is used freely every day both
morning and evening, before opening or shutting them up.

This regular and continuous wetting of the foliage is the
main secret of success in growing fine healthy Linums, fcr do
what "one will, without it it is impossible to have them in the
condition they should be. In the majority of cases, under
different treatment, they become partly defoliated, showing
gaunt, bare stems, and what few leaves they have towards the
tops of the shoots are invariably discoloured, giving the whole
plant a wretched, woe-begone appearance. Besides being
such moisture-loving subjects, both at the roots and top when
growing freely, with the heat they get by shutting them up
early during the summer, they also require shade during the
heat of the day, which should be afforded by drawing a piece of
tiffany, canvas, or any thin, light material of that kind over
the frame, removing the same at the time of closing, or when-
ever the sun goes in, so as to keep the foliage as stout in tex-
ture as possible. The greater part of our plants are in 6-in.
and 8-in. pots, a size quite large enough to grow fine specimens
with the help of a little weak manure water given towards
the autumn, and afterwards when carrying their bloom. If
we wish for a few large bushes, we obtain them by keeping some
of the best and most shapely of those cut back, which are
potted on and treated in the same way as the others. The
habit of Linums is naturally shrubby, but, in order to make
them more shapely, it is sometimes necessary to stop the
leading shoots, which causes them to break again and keep
well furnished below. In potting, we give free drainage, and
use soil composed of either refuse, peat, or leaf-mould and
fibry loam in the proportion of about two parts of the first
named to one part of the latter, with just a sufficiency of sand
to keep the whole open and porous. By the end of September
or early in October they are removed to a house, and, during
winter, kept in a temperature never lower than about 45°, in
which they unfold their floivers in the greatest profusion.

As regards the Schizanthus papilionaceus, the seed for winter
blooming is sown in August, and the plants pricked off and
grown on, three in a 6-in. pot, in any cold frame till late in the
autumn, when they are placed on any light, airy shelf near the
glass till they begin to show blossom. This prevents them
from becoming drawn up, to which, in the absence of sun they
have a strong tendency. Like all, or most annuals, they are
fond of rich soil, and succeed best in that which is light, if
potted somewhat firmly, and with good drainage bear liquid
manure and plenty of water, after they become fully established.
To have plants to come in at this season or a little earlier, it is
necessary to sow again at the end of September, and grow the
same on in slight heat till forward enough for the greenhouse,
in which they stand well in a temperature anywhere about 50.°
There is another annual I can specially recommend, that is most
valuable for cutting to work up in choice bouquets or embellish
vases, as it is not only lasting but is very choice and suitable
in size and colour, the individual blooms having much the shape
and appearance of those of the Forget-me-not, and having a
deeper blue shade that is very telling when associated with those
of a paler hue. The name of the plant just referred to is
Browallia elata, and there is a larger variety, B. Roezli, that is
even more desirable, both of which require the same treatment
as that recommended for the Schizanthus, when, if so favoured,
they will be found to keep up quite a display for several months

in succession.

In propagating the Sericographls Ghiesbreghtiana we always
make choice of the tips of the shoots taken from the old plants
before cutting them down, as, being shorter-jointed than others
that form afterwards, they make the closest and best speci-
mens. At this time of year the tender young points are very
liable to green fly, and therefore, previous to putting the cut-
tings in, they should be examined, and if found to be infested
with these parasites, dipped in Tobacco water, otherwise the
leaves get crippled just as they begin to unfold. Any hotbed
or close place where a Verbena will strike suits the Sericogra-
phls, as it is remarkably free rooting, and when potted off does
well for a time on the shelves of a Vinery or Peach house till
the weather becomes warm enough for growing it on in
cold frames. This is generally the case early in June, after
which, if plunged in a bed of leaves and tan, and kept duly
watered and syringed before closing, their growth is rapid and
the shoots of that firm character that always produces a great

March 22, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

23o

quantity of bloom. Except on sunny days, and during just the
height of summer plants of Sericographis do not require shade,
unless after being repotted or disturbed at the roots, when, if
they show symptoms of flagging, it will be advisable to screen
them for an hour or two till they again get a fair start. Although
they grow in almost anything, sandy peat suits them best, but
failing this, leaf-soil and loam answer very well, used iu about
the proportion of two-thirds of the former to one of the latter,
iu which they require to be potted somewhat firmly. The best
place in which to winter the plants till they come into flower
is an intermediate house, where they can be placed so as to have
plenty of light, and the full benefit of all the sun we then get,
which helps to colour the bloom, and adds to its texture and
substance. When removed to the lower temperature of the
greeuhouso, it is important that the plants be kept as dry at
the roots as they will stand without suffering, for, although
they will bear a good deal of hardship, cold and wet are very
trying, and apt to cause the flowers to fall. Iu case of mealy
bug assailing them, we lay the pots on their sides, and syringe
the shoots and leaves with paraffin and water, using a wine-
glass of the former in a four-gallon pot. This remedy is much
easier aud far more effectual than hand-washing, for however
carefully that may be done, it is never thorough in its cleansing,
being sure to leave some for stock. S. D.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Pink Iiady Blanche. — This ia a free-blooming Pick, and one
very valuable for forcing; it ia easily grown and usetol in the con.
Beivatory, as well as for catting for bouqaets, white flowers being
always in request. The blooms, too, do not burst like those ot other
varieties. My mode of culture is as follows : About the end of the
present month, or aa soon aa there are plenty of oattinga, which
there will be if the planta have been forced on in a little heat, I
insert them in the same way aa I do those of Verbenaa j I plunge the
pota in a gentle bottom heat under a hand-light, or place a square ot
glaaa over the pot, shading them when the sun is very powerful ;
when well rooted, I gradually harden them off. About the end of
April I plant them out about 10 in. apart in good soil, and if it con-
tains 2 in. or 3 in. of loam, all the better; during the summer they
will take care of themselves. About the middle of October they
will require to be potted in 5. in. pota, and kept in a cold frame
through the winter, or till they are required for forcing. — W. G.

Oak-leaf and other Pelargoniums. — I have the Fair Helen,
Oak-leaved glutinous sort. Lemon aud Citron (I think it is) scented,
alao another scented like camphor or something ot that character. —
M. GlLLUM, Red House, East Uouhej.

Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums. — There ia now such a diversity in
the colours and character of the Ivy.leaved Pelargoniums that cul-
tivators ot all claaaes will increase the attractiveness ot their con.
aervatoriea by giving them more attention. For flUing baskets and
trailing over the edges of vases, rustic and otherwiae, they possess
merits ot a high order, and these merits are generally recognised ;
but their value for specimen culture, and tor decorative purposes in
Bemi-specimen form, does not appear to be sufficiently known.
Specimens of the Ivy-leaved varieties are exceedingly attractive, and
their production ia very simple, aa you have only to put them in
8 in. pota, three thrifty examples in each, and then train the ahoota
to a neat trellia of wire, or neat stakes. Well draining the pots, by
placing about 2 in. of potshreds in the bottom, may be regarded aa a
matter of course, and the plants must be placed at regular distaneea
apart, with just anffioient soil underneath to raise the surface of the
ball to within about 1 in. ot the rim. The next step will be to fill
the space between the balla with the prepared compoat, and to be
careful to presa it somewhat firmly. The trellises ahould be securely
fixed in their places when the potting is completed, so that the train,
ing may be done immediately afterwards. Balloon and barrel. shaped
trellises are perhaps the beat, and they ought not to be too large,
as it is most important they should be well covered. Those 2 ft. high
and 18 in. iu diameter, or thereabouts, will be the most snitable.
For decorative purposes they should be grown in 6 in. pots, one
plant in each, and trained to a single stake. When loosely trained
in this way, with the lateral growth hanging down in a natural
manner, they are surprisingly beautiful. The stakes, it may be added,
should be about 18 in. in height. All the varieties are more or less
suitable for culture as here recommended, but those who do not want
a large number will act wisely if they select Lucie Lemoine, La
Fiancee, Konig Albert, Progress, Argna, and Bridal Wreath. —
" Gardeners Magazine."

TREES, SHRUBS & WOODLANDS.

A FEW GOOD WEEPING TREES.
Great attention is paid to the propagation and training of
trees of a weeping character in the United States of America
and also in Canada, and more particularly iu the province of
Ontario. One of the most extensively cultivated is the Weep-
ing Birch, sometimes called the Lady Birch. This tree has a
very light-coloured bark, and graceful branches, which are
swayed to and fro by the slightest breeze. It was introduced
into the province by Messrs. Ellwanger and Barry, in the year
IbSl. Its home appears to have been in Germany, for a oor-
respondant of the " Horticulturist," writing from thence in
1848, speaks as follows concerning a specimen which he had
seen in Booth's nursery at Holstein : — " It had descending
shoots 32 ft. long. The branches hung as perpendicularly as
those of the Weeping Sophora, or the common Weeping Willow,
and they are quite as delicate and pensile as the latter." Once
introduced, this tree was eagerly sought after, and in a very
short time from 5,000 to 16,000 stocks were budded with it
annually. The original tree was cut down only last November,
to make room for improvements. The projectors of the fine
park at Chicago, have planted one of their finest avenues with
this tree. The Cut-leaved Birch is in Ontario planted in the
most prominent and conspicuous positions upon lawns. It is
a rapid grower, and attains a very considerable size. For
avenue planting it is preferred to all other trees, and it haa
been extensively used for this purpose in western New York.
Young's Weeping Birch was raised at Godalmiug. To the
graseful elegance of the Birch family, it adds the erratic habit
of the Weeping Beech. Its long, slender branchleta fall from
the main branches in thread-like spray.

The Kilmarnock Weeping Willow was introduced into On-
tario in 1857. It was first discovered growiug wild in a se-
questered corner of Moukwood Estate, near Ayr, in the west of
Scotland. This Willow is well adapted for small lawns, and
for such it is often grafted on stocks from 6 ft. to 8 ft. high.
Though comparatively little cultivated in its native country it
is highly esteemed in America.

The Weeping Beech is one of the most remarkable of droop-
ing trees, as its branches first shoot upwards then outwards,
twixt and turn in a variety of shapes, aud finally droop and
trail on the ground. It is one ot the largest of lawn trees,
and in Ontario some specimens cover an area of 100 ft. in dia-
meter. One of the first specimens known grew iu the garden
of the Baron de Man, at Brussels, and a noble specimen was to
be seen iu the nurseries of Mr. Anthony Waterer, at Woking.
The White-leaved Weeping Linden is a handsome drooping
variety with large round leaves of a greyish-green colour above
and a silvery-grey beneath. When worked upon stocks of
standard height the branches first shoot out horizontally, and
then bend gracefully towards the ground. Its distinct silvery
foliage makes a fine contrast with the deep green of surround-
ing trees.

Of Weeping Elms the country possesses many varieties.
Prominent among these is the American Elm, a noble
and stately tree. The Camperdown is a very picturesque and
elegant variety ; its growth is strong and its branches often
assume a zigzag form outwards and downwards ; the leaves are
large, dark green, and glossy, and cover the tree with a luxu-
riant mass of verdure. The Scotch Weeping Elm is also ex-
tensively cultivated, but it does not equal the last-named.

The Weeping Mountain Ash has probably received as much
attention as any weeping tree, on account of its distinct and
curious habit when worked 2 ft. or 3 ft. from the ground and
allowed to grow wild. In the autumn when it is laden with
large clusters of bright red fruit it produces a brilliant effect.
The Weeping Poplar is not so elegant as some of the droop-
ing trees noticed above, but its character is decidedly pendulous,
and its branches spread aud droop gracefully. As it is a rapid
grower, it is well calculated to produce immediate effects ia
situations where such trees are desirable.

The appropriate position for these trees is always upon the
open lawn, single, never in groups or masses, nor mixed up
with other trees in belts or borders. In the hands of a skil-
ful planter they are capable of producing the most charming

236

THE GARDEN.

[March 22, 1879.

results, and are more effective in giving character and expres-
sion to a landscape than any other trees. A. J. Burkows.

SHRUBS FOR SMALL GARDENS.
Now that frost may soon be expected to relax its hold and belter
weather set in to dry and improve the condition of the ground, it ia
high lime to be looking round to see what mischief the severe winter
has wrought among evergreens and ornamental plants with the view
of taking the first opportunity to set about repairing the damage.
Where Ilollies have to be planted, in trenching or digging holes for
them or other shrubs of a like character, some thoroughly decom-
posed manure worked in with the soil will be found a great help, not
only in expediting their growth, but in inducing finer leaves in the
case of the variegated kinds. Next to Hollies come the Aucnbas,
which, since the male variety has been introduced, have been greatly
improved. To get them to bear berries freely, it is only necessary to
plant a male plant near, in order that the bees or other insects may
carry the pollen from one to the other when searching for the
rich nectar which the flowers contain. Except the Euonymns, I
know of no shrub that will bear smoke and dnst better than the
Ancuba, and this makes it of great value for planting in the vicinity
of towns. The same may be said of the Euonymus, the habit of
which is close and bushy, and the plant altogether well suited for
a limited space. Palms are everybody's favourites, and were it only
known how hardy Chamagrops humilis is, I am sure it would be in
great request for the embellishment of forecourt gardens and plant,
ing on lawns, as, when it attains a little size and age, it is a noble-
looking object, and a great ornament in any place. As to its power
of withstanding intense frost and cold, the severe time through
which we have just passed has tested its capabilities in this respect,
and, although quite unprotected and fally exposed, I cannot see that
the one which we have here has sustained the least harm, nor do I hear
of any others elsewhere having suffered. Another fine-toliaged plant
18 Berberis nepalensis, which has magnificent Palm-like leaves of great
size and of a deep, glossy green colour. In form it greatly resembles
the old and well-known B. Aquifolium, but it is considerably larger
and more upright in growth, and when in flower or bearing fruit in
such clusters as it usually does, it is one of the most effective ever,
greens that can be had.

For affording variety and breaking up uniformity, nothing comes
in better than the Bamboos, the hardiest of which ia Bambusa Metake,
a variety introduced many years ago from Japan. This, during the
present winter, has retained its foliage and is quite unhurt, but
Arundinana falcata, the most elegant of all, is leafless, although the
stems appear as if they would become refurnished in the spring. To
group or associate with these, Arundo conspicua, A. Donax, and the
Pampas Grass, are the most suitable, any, or all of which brought
into juxtaposition, produce a striking effect. The whole of these like
a loose.open soil, with plenty of water during the summer and autumn,
when growth is active, or the Arundo and Pampas are about throwing
up their fine plume.like flowers. Aralla Sieboldi is, likewise, found to
be sufficiently hardy to withstand ordinary winters, and ia a plant of
noble aspect and one that should not be lost sight of, as it ia
thoroughly deserving a place wherever room is available. The leaves
of this fine Aralia are much larger than those of the Fig, and are
deeply oat or divided, and being so bright and polished lookin", are
exceedingly ornamental. After a few years' growth, and when" folly
established, it sends up huge panicles of flowers greatly resembling'
those of the Ivy, as do also the berries that it bears afterwards, from
vphioh young plants may bo readily raised. Garrya elliptica, when
clothed with its long, drooping inflorescence, is an object of great
beauty. The flowera are borne at the enda of the young ahoota
formed during the previoua year, and have much the appearance of
the catkina of the Hazel, but are considerably longer and more orna-
mental. Then again, there are Rhododendrona, the most beautiful
and hardy of all flowering shrubs, that only require to be planted in
peat or sharp, gritty soil, and supplied with plenty of water to succeed
perfectly. Berberis Darwini and B. stenophylla are remarkably
handsome when laden with their rich gold and bronze-ooloured bloom,
and both are plants specially adapted for small gardens, as they may
be pruned and kept to any size required. Among deciduous kinds
Cydonia japonica, Deutzia crenata, fl.-pl., Philadelphus grandiflorns,
and the double Almonds and Cherries, are the most striking, to which
should be added the lovely variegated Acer fraxinifolium, that ahowa
up BO well against dark evergreena. If space admits of planting a
tew npright.growing trees, Cnpreasua Lawaoniana will be found to be
one of the most suitable, as it ia of moderate stature and of a grace,
ful, drooping habit which improvea with age. Of amaller size, but
ht aasociates for this come the Hetinosporas, which equal in beauty
some of the finest Ferns. All these are particularly suitable for neatly-

dressed grounds where really choice plants are required, as are also
the Gold and Silver Yews, which, when making their young growth,
are particularly bright and cheerful looking, and at a distance appear
as if covered with bloom.

If instead of the heterogenous mass of things one generally sees
crowded into small gardens and pleasure grounds, such choice plants
as the above were selected, how much better would be the effect pro-
duced, as then each might be so placed as to have proper room in
which to develope itself, and show off its natural beauty to advantage.
There is no time more favourable for a general overhauling and re.
arranging of evergreens than the end of March and beginning of
April, as then if carefully lifted with good balls and plenty of root
they are sure to grow, whereaa thoae interfered with in the autumn
have the winter and cold cutting winda to contend against, under
which they frequently snccumb. The only drawback to spring
planting is, that it has to be done quickly, as at that season the bnda
soon burst, and it does not do to have the plants long out of the
ground after the young shoots begin to show themselves. Caught
j ust before this, the top and bottom start away together, and with a
little mulching and a few good waterings, shrubs of whatever kind
become quickly established. S. D.

A FEW CALIFOENIAN WILLOWS.
Some years ago Prof. Asa Gray, the veteran botanist of the United
States, gathered up all the Willows of his Herbarium at Harvard
University, and sent them to M. S. Bebb, of Illinois, who had a
Willow garden — a " Salicetum," aa he scientifically called it. Mr.
Bebb was making a study of the Salicea, and had planta from many
parts of the world, American botanists began to rejoice that at last
a competent man would do a good service to botany, and make him.
self a well. deserved reputation in a difficult field. I was applied to
for Californiau species ; that was more than six years ago. I made
a pretty careful study of the Willows of Santa Cruz, and will give
the readers of " The Horticulturist " the result of our work, so far
as this locality is concerned. I fear Mr. Babb has become dis.
couraged. The task of arranging American species in a satisfactory
manner is aa yet unaccomplished. The Willows are the " black
sheep "of the botanist, and to be successful they must be studied
at all seasons of growth. Herbarium specimens will not do, unless
selected as but few collectors ever select them. It is necessary to
have the flowers, staminate and pistillate, in their different stages of
growth. These are borne on different trees, giving the trees quite a
different aspect during the flowering and fruiting season. Then the
leaves should show different stages of growth, and the different agea
of the plant make quite a change in the appearance of the leaf, ao
that leaves from young trees and old trees of the same species must
be compared. Then, after the botanist has all these, still he may be
contused nnleaa he has the growing plants before his eyes.
Mr. Bebb's plan of a Willow garden was therefore a good one. I
tried to encourage the starting of one at our university, and aent
about fifty species for trial. Nearly all have perished between squirrels,
drought, and want of proper care and place to rear them. But the
Willow is a beautiful tree, and many species are quite ornamental ;
their uses are numerous and valuable; thev are easy of cultivation,
and yet we know less about them than almost any other tree. There
is no garden in America, except Mr. Bebb's, where they can be
studied and compared. Kew Herbarium ia the only place where
American types of the Willow can be found. In California we have
some very handsome indigenons Willows. Growing in the vicinity
of Santa Cruz we have five species, as follows .-

1. Salix Bigelowi (Torr.).— BIgelow's Willow, the commonest
species in California, grows from 10 ft. to 50 ft. high, generally along
streams and river bottoms. Leaves spatulate, glossy green on top,
pale glaucous underneath, sparingly toothed on the edges, with the
margin wavy. The young branches make good baskets. It flowera
from January to June. It does not correspond well with Bigelow'a
Willow, but for the present must bear that name.

2. S. lasiandra (Benth.).— This, in thrifty trees, has long,
tapering leaves, nearly the same shade of greon on both aides,
evenly and sharply serrate. It is found in the same localities with
No. 1. In somewhat impoverished trees it has long, slender branches
and drooping, somewhat like the Weeping Willow. It has several
namea — S. lucida, S. pentanora, and a number of varieties. Corre.
spends with the Shining Willow of the Atlantic States.

3. S. laevigata (Babb). — This seems to be a new species, and a
beautiful Willow too. The leaves are smooth and shining, finely ser.
rated with sharp point, not tapering, glaucous underneath, beauti.
f nlly veined. The tree grows from 10 ft. to 50 ft. high, with a
pyramidal aspect when young. It resembles a cherry tree somewhat.
The flowera (catkins) are pale yellow, longjand slender ; it blooms in

March 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

237

June, and tho flovfera remain on the tree for two or three months.
Found with Nos. 1 and 2.

4. S. fiitchensis (Bongard). — Thia ia the Sitka Willow, found
sparingly at Santa Cruz, perhaps its southern limit. It is beautifully
lined with white velvet on the under sides of the leaves — the upper
sides are dark green, evenly veined, with scarcely a trace of velvet
except on the midrib. The tree, from 5 ft. to 15 ft. high, has a
reclining aspect, and grows in wet places near the edge of and bend.
ing over streams. Over the bay at Monterey is found S. Coulteri
which resembles the Sitka willow in the velvet appearance of its
leaves, but it ia a different species, and very pretty.

5. 8. brachystachys (Benth.). — A very interesting little tree
on our brushy hill and mountain side?, seldom coming down to the
bottom landa. In February the male Bowers light up the hill aides
with their short woolly catkins, in a glow of white splendour ; but
the female flowers, larger and coarse, do not appear until late in May.
Tho leaves are in shape like those of S. Bigelowi, but are lined under,
neath with a thin coat of fine hairs which turn rusty brown as they
become old.

When the second volume of our Californian Botany ia published
we hope, through the perseverance of Mr. Bjbb and others, to see
the Willows of our State brought into a more aatiafactory system, so
that our local botanists and horticulturists may understand each
other better when talking of this useful and beautiful genus of plants.
— Dit. Anderson, in " Californian Horticulturist."

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLAND?.

Polygonum virginianum. — This ia one of our most beautiful
Bummer llowering shrubs, if 1 may so call it, for it is cut down to the
ground like a Phlox in winter, but it grows quickly intj the form of
a shrub in summer, and produces shoots from 6 ft. to 10 ft. long,
which are completely covered the whole of that length with little
pendant clusters of cream-coloured Spir;ei-like Bowers. It is a useful
showy plant, and one which should be planted in all shrubberies. —
Camiiriam.

Seedling Cork Trees.— Although the Cork treedoes not, as
a rule produce many good Acorns, yet, in favourable seasons, we
get a tew for planting, and some of the young plants are now
attaining considerable dimensions. In thelryoungatate they require
attention in the way of stopping strong side shoocs that are rival-
ling the leader, for, if left to their own habit of growth they ap.
pear more inclined to form a spreading many. headed bush than a
fine single trunk. The beauty of many a specimen ia marred
through lack of a little judioioua pruning during the early etage
ot growth. — J. GiiooM.

Tlie Roya\ Forests. — There has been a good deal said lately
about the way in which Dulwich College, Welliogton College, and the
Royal Patriotic Fund are managed, but the strongest charges brought
against the administrators of these funds fade into insignificance by
the side of the returns given in the " i^inancial Reform Almanack "
with regard to the " lloyal Forests and Woodlands," which show that,
extensive and valuable as these properties are, they are anything but
profitable to the public : — Djan Forest : Receipts, €8,81 i ; expendi-
ture, £6 720 ; cost per cent, for management, £76. New Forest :
Receipts, £11 909 ; expenditure, £9,986 ; coat per cent, for manage,
meot, £83. Windsor Park and Woods : Receipts, £5 977 ; expendi-
ture, £2G,96S ; cost per cent, for management, about four-and.a-half
timea more than the receipts. — " Truth."

The Climbing Hydrangea (Sohizophragma hydrangeoides.) —
Considerable expectations have arisen concerning thia now climber.
Possibly, also, these expectations have been exaggerated by incorrect
reTcrence to the charmsof Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, charms
that have dimmed by comparison the beauties of other Hydrangeas.
T^ie conception of a Climbing Hydrangea, with great white or pink
fliwer trusses 18 in. long enveloping the front of a building, rather
startles the imagination. But the correct statement that the plant
in question has a poorer truss, with sterile flowers leaa showy than
tho?e of U. paniculata grandiflora, ahonld moderate any excessive
expectations. After all, we know of no one who has flowered the
Climbing Hydrangea ia America, and certainly, in other respects,
our knowledge of its behaviour is small. Seed has been imported
within a few years, for the first time from Japan, atad a few plants
exist. We have some small plants ourselves, and Messrs. W. S.
Clark, C. S. Sargeant, and P. Henderson have others. It seems to
u3 premature, therefore, to decide as yet on its merits. The foliage
ia attractive, and, judging from descriptions of eye-witnesses of its
beauty in Japan when in bloom, ita value muat bo considerable.
With us it grows slowly at first, like the Wistaria, until it obtains

well-established strong roota, when ita development ia rapid. Ita
propagation from aeeda or cuttings ia eaay, and it aeema, after tho
trial of several years, to be perfectly hardy. Mr. Peter Henderaon
haa a variety that diCfera somewhat from ours in habit and growth ot
leaf, but it is doubtless the same thing, ahowing merely the ordinary
tendency to vary. Although it ia too aoon to give an opinion con.
cernmg the value of thia climber, I feel confident that it will yet
prove a fine ornamental flowering vine for America. Our need, more-
over, for more good hardy flowering climbers haa been frequently felt
and expressed. — " Rural New Yorker."

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

FRUIT CDLTUBE FOR MARKET.
Allow mo to inform Mr. Burbidge (p. 215), that hardy fruit culture
even here in Kent, is not that " El U;rado" of wealth for the growers
that oonsumera might imagine, and it ia no stretch of imagination to
suppose that vast quantities of fruit are spoiled in thia neighbour,
hood in plentiful aeasona, simply because it cannot be got with profit
from the growers to the consumers. In order to illustrate my mean-
ing more fully, I may stato that last summer Apples ot the pooreat
description were selling for more per peek in Suffolk, thau Keutiah
growera wore getting per bushel from the London market ; really
firat.clasa Keswick Codlings fetched only 2s. per bushel, and ot thia
Is. was paid for carriage and other market expenses. It will there-
fore be seen that no great margin is left for labour, rent, and profit.
U the consumer benefited by such low prices there would be less to
regret, but the general public only get a fractional advantage, as
they pay nearly as much in plentiful fruit seasons as in those in
which there is a scarcity. I may remark, that it ia not from a lack
of knowledge of their buainesa that growers fail to make fortunes
from fruit growing, as no class of men so closely study the fluctua-
tions of the market. But the Plum crop ia a precarious one, and any
Boft kind that keeps only a few days after it is ripe, is almost sure to
glut the market, and in tliia respect Uamsons pay about the beat of
any Plum crop. I may remark that some of the freest bearing Apples,
aa Lord Suftield and Cellini, although ao well suited for private gardens
are not good for market, as, being too soft and light, they bruise
easily, and being retailed by weight do not suit the hawkers.

Linion I'ark, Maidstone, J. Groom.

I WILL confine my answer to Mr. Burbidge (p. 215) chiefly to his own
writings on this subject. I stated that " in a plentiful year hundreds
of bushels of good Plums, Apples, and similar fruits are allowed to
rot because the market ia ao well eupplied from abroad that they
would not pay for tho gathering." This statement Mr. Burbidge
confirma in his writings on "Fruit Culture for Market," whero he
Bays " the market salesmen also foster the introduction of foreign
fruit, because it enables them to be, to a great extent, independent
of the frnit grower here at home, and hence he is obliged to take
low prioea for all but the very beat of hia produce. Many of the
market gardeners near London left tons of Pluma to fall and rot on
the ground in 1875, because the market was glutted with foreign
fruit, and the prices offered would not pay for picking and carriage,
and since it has been the case with Strawberries." I did not infer
that early Plums were a failure generally, but that they often are ia
indisputable. Neither did I infer that late Pluma are not now grown
to some extent, bat the produce of the few growers mentioned by
Mr. Burbidge ia like a drop in the ocean, and aa late Plums, accord-
ing to Mr. Burbidge's saying, pay so well, that is so much in favour
ot my statement, viz., that " if late Pluma, to come in after the bulk
of the foreign produce waa over, were grown, there would be a good
chance of profit arising from their culture." Albeit, I may add that
in some years " even the finest fruits have failed to realise 6j. per
sieve," a very low rate indeed. There ia alwaya a ready
Bale for fruit at a price, and there are hundreds ot
tons more fruit consumed now than formerly, on account of
the produce aupplied by the foreigner, who senda ahiploads at a time
to our markets, which ia sold by auction for wtat it will fetch,
greatly to the disadvantage of the home grower, should he aend his
produce to market at the same time. We have no proof that the
foreign grower always exports his fruit at a profit j but, that he can
grow it cheaper is certain ; on this point your correspondent
remarks :— "The American fruit grower, who obtains 400 buahela cf
fruit every other year for twenty years from his rich cheap soil,
without manure, and with a minimum of labour and cost, can eaaily
compete with the English grower who pays an annual rent equal to
the whole purchase money of his competitor's land, and haa to spend
fully as much more in manure and labour; but, it the Western
grower should, by fertilising hia land, double its yield, the extra 400
would not be grown at a profit." This clearly shows that when a glut

238

THE GAEDEN.

[MAncn 22, 1879.

of foreign frait comes in the home grower stands no chance of profit
whatever j and, it Mr. Burbidge claims great superiority for English-
grown fruit, I would refer him to a statement made by himself, viz.,
" the American fruits that cross the Atlantic, and that have perhaps
travelled hundreds of miles to or from port, look nearly as free from
blemish as those of home growth." Then, as regards meat versus
frnit culture, I still say that the calculation referred to by Mr. Bur.
bidge fails to fairly represent the case, for whilst I am well aware that
considerably more than £100 worth of fruit and vegetables could be
obtained from two acres of land in three years, even under ordinary
management, I consider that the difference in the capital and labour
required to cultivate two acres of land for three years and that of
utilising the same space for meat culture is so great that the only
way to arrive at anything like a satisfactory statement would be to
invest a stated capital in the culture of the two, and judge by the
profits at the end of the term. C. W. S.

THATCHING VINE BORDERS EARLY IN AUTUMN.
Covering Vine borders with a deep layer of dry leaves <ind thatch.
ing all over thickly with Wheat straw has been recommended by
those who object to fermenting materials as a plan by which we may
" retain the accumulated heat of summer " in a Vine border, pro.
vided the border be covered early in the autumn. One eminent
Grape grower, who shares these views, has produced authorities to
show that a border, covered with 18 in. of dry Wheat straw earlv in
autumn will retain the accumulated summer heat in the border well
through the winter. Now it follows that if a border covered by non-
conducting materials at the end of the summer retains the heat
throughout the winter, the temperature of the roots of the Vines
during September, October, and November may be very much in
advance of that to which the tops are subjected, 20", we should say,
at least, and, as all know who have to do with early forcing,
it is the practice to keep Vines that have to be started in
November or December as cool as possible during the autumn
months, in order to keep the buds from pushing before their time.
I have myself no objection to the thatching plan, except that I think
it is an unwise practice to keep the tops cool and the roots warm at a
season when it is of the utmost importance that both should have
complete rest. One danger to be apprehended with Vines that have
been forced early for a few years is the premature breaking of the per-
manent buds, which frequently occurs, and is only too much facilitated
by keeping the roots warmer than they ought to be. It is obvious at
all events, I think, that covering the borders early in autumn to re-
tain the solar heat is a practice totally inconsistent with the theory
that the roots should not be subjected to a temperature in advance of
the tops. Has this aspect of the question presented itself to those
who hold this theory on the one hand and advocate the early covering
of Vine borders on the other. J. SurpsoN.

WoHley,

POT VINES.

"A. D." (p. 216) says that injury from exposure in the case of pot
Vines depends upon the way in which they have been grown. This is
far from the fact. Grow Vines in pots as well as the best of treatment
can produce them, and allow the pots to stand upright out-of-doors
through a wet autumn and the early part of winter, and the roots
will be pretty certain to be found rotten even if frost has not reached
them. " A. D." confuses the preparatory growth of pot Vines with
their forcing. Cultivators understand forcing to mean the treatment
to which they are submitted on the season in which they produce
frnit, let this be with canes from eyes or from cut backs. " A. D."
speaks of some nurseries in which pot Vines are not subjected to
more heat than is necessary to start the eyes. This will do for such as
are required for permanent plantiug, but what about the quantities
grown to sell for forcing ? Treated in this way they would scarcely
have shed their leaves in the autumn before the new onos were re-
quired to be on them. As to the assertion that pot Vines should never
be exposed to the open air, if " A. D." will visit in A ugust or September
Messrs. Osborn's nursery at Fulham, he will see standing out-of-doors
in rows on the sunny side of, aud resting against moderately low,
closely.clipped hedges, snch quantities of short.jointed canes, as thick
as a man's thumb, already brown and as hard as whalebone, yet still
carrying their leaves gteen and healthy, as will show the mistake
under which be labours respecting pot Vines. That immense numbers
of Vmes of this description are injured by being out-of-doors with
their roots in a position to suffer from the wet and cold, most people
are aware, and, for this rea>oD, whenever I have had occasion to
purchaie Vines, if there was any probability of their baring been in-
jured, I have always examined the state of their roots. Even for
planting, whether this is done whilst they ate dormant or after growth

has commenced, it !a well known how Vines that have all their roots
alive and healthy make headway over others that have been damaged.

T. Batnes.

TWO EARLY APPLES.
Amongst the many early dessert Apples, there are, perhaps, none
better known, and few more relished or of higher merit, than the
Ojlin. More especially is this so in Scotland, which seems to be its
adopted home, for there its qualities are superior even to what we find
them in the south, where, however, it is also much prized. TheOsIin
is a very old Apple, and one of a very distinct character, which can
scarcely be confounded with any other. There is no very authentic
record of its origin, but it is supposed to have been introduced by the
monks of Arbroath from France ; and this is very likely to have been
the case ; still, it is strange that no trace of this name or of this
Apple can be found in any French list of fruits. Like mo.'>t good
fruits, the Oslin enjoys many synonyms ; amongst others, it is often
called Arbroath Oalin, Arbroath Pippin, Scotch Oalin, Summer Oslin,
Mother's Apple, Burr-knot, Orglon, Orgeline, lic. The truit may be
described as of medium size, fl*ttish or roundish. oblate in shape, very
evenly and regalarly formed ; eye large, open, prominent ; stalk short
and inserted in a slight cavity ; skin rather thick, pale yellow, and
strewed with brown dots ; flesh yellowish, firm, very rich and sprightly
in flavour. In warm seasons it is apt to be somewhat dry, aud at
other times it is liable to crack, often to a great degree. In nse
during September. The tree is of free growth, of erect habit, with
large, broad leaves, somewhat liable to canker as it grows old, and
the branches are frequently covered with knobs or burrs, from which
roots are readily formed, on their being placed in the ground.

Early Jalien. — This is a very excellent early Apple, generally
relegated to the kitchen j but it is really a very good dessert fruit.
It is not quite so captivating in appearance as many others, but in
quality it is unique. The peculiar brisk aromatic flavour of the flesh,
and its crisp freshness, render it extremely pleasant on a warm day
in August, when juicy fruits are scarce. In the " Fruit Manual " it
is compared to the Hawthornden for all its good qualities, and indeed
it might be called a summer form of that variety. The frnit is of
medium size, roundish and somewhat angular. Skin smooth, pale
yellow, having frequently a tinge of orange on the side next the sun,
and strewed with whitish dots. Eye large, the segments broad, closed,
set in an irregular basin. Stalk short, set in a deep cavity. Flesh
yellowish-white, crisp, juicy, brisk, and pleasiint. It comes into nse
early in August, and is much esteemed for cooking. The tree is a
free grower, and succeeds well on the Paradise stock as a dwarf.
—"Florist."

NOTES AND OnESTIONS ON THE FRUIT G&RDSN.

Damsons, being in most seasons remunerative, are being now
largely planted in Kent and elsewhere. E^fery j'ear most of the
orchard hedi^erows near Maidstone are planted with them, and in
some cases two or three rows of them are planted as wind screens for
tenderer fruits. The Crittendale Damson raised in this neighbour-
hood is hehl in hiE:rh estimation. Plums, when good, glut the market,
and prices go so low as not to pay for the gathering; but Damsons
coming in when other soft perishable fruit is over always sell well,
and in some seasons realise a good profit. — J. G.,Linion.

Old V. New Melon Seeds. — At a meeting of the Botanical
Society of France, M. Duchartre called attention to a statement of
M. Cazzuola in the bulletin of the Tuscan Horticultural Society in
1877, to the effect that Melons raised from fresh seed bear a large
proportion of male flowers and very few female flowers, while, on the
other hand, seedlings raised from old seed bear many more female
flowers than male. The statement was confirmed by M. Millet, a
French grower, and, we may add, by the experience of Melon growers
in this country.

Crab Apples. — The value of Crabs was thoroughly discussed at
a recent meeting of the Maine Pomological Society, and they were
generally denounced in emphatic terms. When, some years ago,
they were introduced, they were recommended not only for extreme
hardiness, but for the high prices at which the frnit would sell. It
is found now that there is little market for them, and they will not
sell for nearly the price paid for common Apples ; while the psrsis-
tenoe with which they hang to the tree, with their small size, renders
gathering slow and laborious. Dr. Reynolds, in a paper on the snb-
je'Jt, stated that there were already more trees planted than will
supply all the fruit neeled, aud that they couM not be regrafted to
advantage, as they make poor stocks. Mr. Smith said '' Crab Apples

March 22, 1879 j

THE GARDEN.

239

are not worth the picking." Mr. Wheeler thought a tree or two
wonld be well for each frnit grower for culinary parposes. Preei.
dent Gilbert sai4 there could be no reason for growing them except
where the climate is such that common Apples entirely fail. A letter
was read from Dr. Hoskins, of Newport, where the winters are in-
tensely cold, and where some years ago much attention was given
to raising the Crab in its many varieties, in which he says, in speak,
ing of Crab stocks, " It has got so in Vermont that to say Crab
stocks to a fruit grower wonld be almost at the risk of one's neck.
They have had a full trial in Northern Vermont, for nearly twenty
years, and the only result is utter failure. The trees begin to fail
almost as soon as they come into bearing on Crab stocks." The
Russian Apples, he adds, as Tetofsky and Oldenburgh, are the only
sorts that endure that climate, and, although not of first quality, are
profitable. — " Country Gentleman."

SCBNT-TIBLDING PLANTS.

By G. W. SEPTIMUS PIESSI5, P.O.S.
Ilang-Ilang (Cananga odorata).

Tnis plant grows abundantly in the Philippine Islands, and is
especially cultivated in Manilla by M. Julien,of Westembayan,
to whom I am indebted for the illustrations from which the
annexed woodcnts were prepared, atid also for examples of the

Ilang-Ilang (Cananga odorata),

Champaca (Michelia Champaca), or false Hang. The true Hang-
Hang (Flower of Flowers) yields, by distillation of its blossoms,
a minute quantity of an oUo resembling the odour of the flower
from which it is derived. The value of this otto, when pnre, is
from 18s. to 22s. per oz.in the European perfume market. Unfor-
tunately, however, there grows in the same country the Cham-
paca tree, which yields an otto, by distillation of its leaves.

somewhat resembling in fragrance that of the Hang-Hang, but
of little more commercial value than tho otto of Pimento,
which realises 2s, per oz. With this the true Hang-Hang is
frequently adulterated. Ihe otto of Hang- Hang has not been
introduced into Europe more than about sixteen years, but the

Flowers and Fruit of Cauanga odorata.

price that it fetches, when pure, shows that it occupies a pro-
minent place amongst perfumes.

Leaf Mould and Root Fungi. — In lifting a quantity of Roses
lately that were in an unsatisfactory condition, I found that the
lower roots were infested with fungns, evidently caused by planting
in leaf mould, for all the roots that had run into the natural stiff soil
were quite fresh and healthy. Leaf mould is doubtless most valuable
when composed of leaves alone, but too often sticks and pieces of
dead wood are largely mixed with it, and in that case it becomes a
dangerous medium for fungi. As regards Roses, good farm-yard
manure is generally better than leaf mould. — J. G., Linton.

Storing Ice. — If " C." (p. 227) will look at my remarks (p. 161)
on ice storing again, he will find that I never recommended running
up through an ice house "aohimney stuffed with straw and a central
flue." I know nothing of " stacking ice in the form of a cone," I
never saw one ; I know, however, something of filliog a vault, or
well, or cellar with ice full up to the apex or top— filling up every
inch with ice, but have no idea of such places being fitted with a
cone. Why in a cone, which contains, geometrically, the least amount
of matter for its height which any form can assume ? I fully admit
** C.'s " observations that ice can only melt by the action of heat on
its outer surface, and certainly a cone is all outer surface ; but where
is the outer surface of a vault or cellar of ice wholly below the level
of the ground ? On the top, (certainly not the top or point of a
cone), whereon the heat, the melting agent, strikes vertically, and on
opening such places I have found the wasting ice with a dead flat
or even concave form, containing water like a bowl ; hence the
advocacy of a column of straw as drainage down the centre, but not
a " chimney stnSed with straw." Certainly a cone of ice needs no
central chimney, seeing that a cone is little more than a chimney
itself. — Thomas Williams, Ormskirk,

240

THE GARDEN.

[Maecii 22, 1879

:pXjJ^t:e: clxixitx.

GLA.DIOLI AND THEIR CULTURE.

(with a colouked pigure of mrs. rates.)

Drawn by Mrs. DDFFIELD.
Gladiolus, Mrs. Bates, was raised by Messrs. Kelvvay, of
Langport, Somerset, in the year 1870, aud was awarded a first-
class certificate by the Plymouth Horticultural Society in 1871.
It was named Mrs. Bates, in compliment to the wife of the
president of that society, the senior M.P. for Plymouth. Its
flower spikes, which are of the largest size, are thickly beset
with blooms of the finest form, and very constant as regards
colour and marking. Messrs. Kelway's name has long been
associated with ilie Gladiolus, and few, if any, have done so
much to improve it, or have been so fortunate in raising so
many fine kinds, remarkable alike for their diversity in colour,
and for their substance, breadth of petal, and general habit,
points which Messrs. Kelway have persistently maintained were
essential collectively to constitute a good Gladiolus. Their
stock comprises upwards of 2,000 varieties under name, the
greater part being their own seedlings. In choosing a position
for Gladioli when spikes for exhibition are required, it is oi:
the utmost importance that an open situation should bo
selected. There can be no doubt that a deep loamy soil, not
too heavy in texture, is the most suitable for the production of
spikes for exhibition, but by deep digging and liberal manur-
ing, very sati.sfactory results may be obtained in soils of even
an uncongenial character. Early in autumn the soil should
be dressed liberally with manure from an old hotbed. After it
is spread regularly over the surface, trench the soil up to a
depth of 2 ft., aud leave the surface as rough as possible, so as
to expose a large body of it to the direct action of the frost and
rains during the winter: this is of importance in the case of
heavy soils, for it is very desirable that they should be tho-
roughly pulverised by the action of the weather. If this is
done it will bo in good condition for working in spring,
and a pricking over with the fork will suffice to reduce
it to a fine tilth, and even in wet seasons admit of
the bulbs being planted without unnecessary delay. The
planting of the bulbs should commence in March, and be con-
tinued at intervals ol^ a fortnight until Juno. By this
means a succession of bloom will be obtained from the earliest
moment at which the show varieties may be had in flower
until quite the end of the season. If planted in beds the rows
should be 18 in. apart, and the beds must be 1 ft. in width.
Beds cf this size will admit of one row being planted down
the centi'e, and a row on each side at a distance of 6 in. from
the edge of the bed. As soon as the plants have made suffi-
cient progress to require support stout stakes should be put
to them. The top of the stake must not bo higher than the
first bloom, and the stem should have one tie only, and that a
strong one of bast. After they are staked the surface of the
bed should be covered to a uniform depth of 1 in. or 6 in. with
partly-decayed manure. This dressing is of the greatest value,
for it materially assists in keeping the soil cool and moist
abont the roots during hot weather. As soon as the plants
show bloom liquid manure in some form is most beneficial in
promoting a full development of the flowers. If for exhibition
the spikes should be cut when about two-thirds of the bloom
are expanded, as the lower floAvers are generally of a finer
quality than those towards the top.

In growing Gladioli for garden decoration it is simply neces-
sary to select positions where they will present the most
effective appearance, and there prepare the soil for them.
They have a fine appearance planted in clumps between Dahlias,
Hollyhocks, Phloxes, Roses, and other subjects of a some-
what similar character. They are also very effective planted in
clumps alternately with Tritomas, and also associated with large
masses of Cannas. They are likewise in every way suitable
for intermixing with Amei ican plants, the dark foliage of which
shows off the richly-oolnured flowers to good advantage. The
positions for them should bo marked out in the course of the
autumn or winter, and two or three spadefuls of manure should
be dug into them. As a rule, the space for each clump of bulbs
should be 18 in. in diameter, and the soil should be turned up
to a depth of 18 in. or 21 in. March and Aoril are the best

months in which to plant for garden decoration, as they are
then at their best during August and the early part of Sep-
tember. Plant from three to six bulbs in each clump, and
confine each group to a separate colour. They must be staked
in much the same manner as those intended for exhibition, to
prevent the wind from injuring them.

In selecting Gladioli for exhibition, Messrs. Kelway have
found, after long experience, that, tj insure a supply of a given
number of spikes at any particular moment, a large num'„er
of sorts should be planted. That is to say, instead of planting
from six to twelve bulbs of a sort, it is preferable to plant
from one to three of each variety, and increase the number of
sorts accordingly. For example, in purchasing a hundred
bulbs, from fifty to seventy varieties should be selected. For
decorative purpoffes it is also preferable to have a large number
of sorts, because of the greater variety of colour which they
afford. The improvement which has been made in this beau-
tiful flower within the last ten years has proceeded at such a
rapid rate that many of the sorts which, a few years ago, occu-
pied a foremost position are now quite surpassed, and for exhi-
bition purposes are comparatively worthless. AVe therefore
select from Messrs. Kelway's collection a few of the very best
kinds, remarkable alike for good forr.i and texture, and unques-
tionably the best in commerce. The varieties possessing these
qualities arc : —

Ada, Baltnonred, Qaked with caraiiae; centre, rose, white line on
each petal.

Agbius, Balraon.pink, flaked at tho edges with veriuillioD, eje
creamy.yellow ; a flower of great Bnbstonce.

Abimus, claret, flaked with pnrple, centre white.

Ball ok Fire, scarlet-ciiniBon, centre blue, maroon-ppotted.

Beauty of Englanh, white with yellow blotch, and violet stripe ;
a flower of preat substance.

Belgica, flesh, voiued with lilac ; a flower of great substance.

Bre.nnus, crimson. maroon, centre white, tinged with blue, and pos-
aessing a violet stripe on the lower petals.

Colonel Pinnet, white, slightly flaked with lilac.

Dr. Woodman, salmon, flaked with pink and lake, and having a
large blotch of carmine on the lower petal ; a fine exhibition flower.

EavrTiAN King, maroon, with a violet stripe on the lower petal.

Eusebius, scarlet, centre white.

Kelix, crimson, flaked with carmine

Lady Bridport, blush, flaked and striped with carmine ; for exhi-
bition, one of the best in commerce.

Miss Salway, crimson, spotted with white.

Mr. Derry, amaranth, flaked with purple, and lined with white ;
tall fine spikes.

Mrs. Kynartin Mainwarey, dark rod, flaked with maroon, spotted
with white, and edged with blue on the lower petal.

Oberon, lilac, flaked with violet on lower diviaons ; carroine rose.

FriiLLis Stuckey, rose with a white line, and blotched on the lower
divisions.

Sir Massey Lopes, orange-rose, with a light centre, lower petals
white, with a purple stripe j a fine flower.

ViiroBY, flaked crimson, centre purple ; a lovely variety.

It is necessary to observe that the bulbs should be taken up
as soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow. Place them in a
cool room where they can be dried gradually. When dry clean
them and put them into paper bags, and store thera in a dry
room where they will be quite safe from frost.

Asparagus decumbens— This plant, of which an illustration

is given in TuE Garden (p. 212), although introduced as far back
as 17fl3, does not appear to have been cultivated in gardens until
recently. It is a native of the Capo ot Good Hope, aud is a plant
cf very easy culture. In the spi'ing — say March or A]iril — the stems
(it the past year's growth die down, and if it be desirable to increase
the stock, the tubers should be divided at once, taking care not to
overpot them ; they may then be placed in a cold frame, and will
require but little attention for some time. They should be watered
sparingly until the stems appear above the ground, when a more
liberal supply will be necessary. Early in July they should be placed
ont-ot. doors ou a bed of coal ashes, aud should remain there until
the middle or end of September. By this time the stems will be
fiom 1 ft. to l.V ft. in length. A few plants might with advantage
be placed in a temperature of from 50" to 60^, which will hasten the
development of their leaves and flowers, the remainder being kept in
an ordinary greenhouse temperature. The flowers, though small,
are dehcionsly fragrant, one plant being safiicieDt to shed an agree-

f "r^

March 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

241

able pertarae Ihroughont a large oonaerTdtory. For dinner.table
decoration it is invaluable, ita pendnlons, feathery spray rendering it
particularly usefal. — H. Vertegans, Chad VaUe.y Nurseries, Edf/-
hastoii, Bii'niinijham.

PREPARING PLANTS FOR TRANSPLANTING.
Mucn of the success in moving young plants propagated from seed
or cuttings depends upon the way in which they have been prepared
for it, especially in the case of bedding or border plants that are put
out annually in order to create a diaplay which depends upon a quick
and good growth as soon afterwards as possible. The plants may be
all that could be desired when ti-ansplanted, but it roots and tops
are not in a condition to progress at once, weeks may be lost before
they begin to grow and flower freely. It is a fact, pretty well known,
that when a plant or tree is put into the ground with its roots in the
form of a matted ball, it never gets proper hold of the soil, never
thrives as it ought to do, aud is usually short lived. The roots of
snoh a plant never leave the surface of the ground very far, but
retain the bundle form in which they were first planted, and are
consequently deprived of free root action, whilo exposeed to the
vicissitudes of weather in a far greater degree than tht^y wouKl have
been had they penetrated deeply into the ground and got a stablo
hold of tho soil. Trees that had been planted in the condition above
described, and which had made little growth, have been found at the
end of ten years with their roots in almost the same warped and pot
bound state that they were in when turned carelessly out of tho
flower pot into the ground. It is to avoid causing any tbing approach.
ing this condition that the cultivator should strive in rearing plants
that have to be shifted into pots or transplanted, no matter whether
the plants be large or small. The CNigenoies of modern gardening
have taught cultivators a good deal in relation to such matters, still
it is only too evident, from what one sees, that we have room for
improvement. One of the most notable advancements ever m.ade
was the getting quit of the " thumb pot." We have known ]ilaces
where bedding and other plants were raised by the hundred thousand,
and yet all were shifted on from the thumb pot, entailing an enor-
mous amount of needless work in potting, watering, moving of
plants, &c., and with anything but satisfactory results as regards
successful culture ; nor are such practices extinct yet, though we
believe there are not many who have either the time or the inclina-
tion now to shift such plants as Lobelias, Verbenas, Calceolarias, and
Buch like, twice between the time of striking them as cuttings and
planting them out iu the beds. This brings us to the subject of

Transplanting and Boxing off Seedlings and Cuttings
of such plants as herbaceous Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Primulas,
Cyclamens, &o., and bedding aud border plants, such as Verbenas,
Lobelias, and most subjects of the tender herbaceous type iu either
class. The greenhouse species are sure to be healthier and freer from
insect pests and disease the longer they are kept out of flower pots.
From the seed or cutting pot they should be pricked out into boxes
or pans; but boxes are preferable and as cheap, if not cheaper, iu
the end, as they are not likely to be broken. When boxes can be
made for the purpose, of a handy size, 3 in. or 4 in. deep (not
more), and painted, it is best, but a very serviceable article may be
mannfactured on wet days by a handy man from old packing cases,
or from unplaned i-in. deals, or such other materials as may be pro-
curable. Provision dealers have generally a good storo of empty
packing boxes of slim make that they are willing to dispose of, and
which, when sawn up into sections about 3 in. deep aud bottomed,
make excellent temporary propagating boxes, that last for a couple
of years or BO; and such will be found useful. A few holes should
be bored in the bottom of each box, or the bottom boards should be
left a little open to permit drainage ; bnt there is never much danger
of the soil souring in boxes through insufficient drainage.

Pricking Out. — One of the greatest mistakes frequently made
in pricking out seedlings and cuttings is the employment of a turfy
or fibry compost, or the placing of such materials in the bottoms of
the boxes above the drainage. Such a compost would be very suit-
able for a final shift, or for young plants potted off singly ; but when
the plants have to be shifted from the pans or boxes which
they occupy with balls, such a compost renders it well nigh impossible
to disentangle the roots without sacrificing the best portion of them.
The roots get hold of the masses of fibre, and the plants hang
together in an inextricable fashion, and can only be separated by
drawing the knife through them, cutting away roots as well as soil,
the result being a serious check to the plants. The compost should
be well mixed aud sifted through a J-in. sieve, or even a smaller mesh
for very tender-rooting subjects, and should be placed in the box
without anything between it and the drainage. From such a compost it
will be found that the plants will lift each with a little ball of soil
attached to them, and without injury to the rootlets, unless

they have been allowed to remain too long iu the box, when, of
course, they will get root.bound, as in a pot, but which cannot
happen if they are shifted in a reasonable time. When young seed-
lings or cuttings are pricked oft, they are usually entirely shaken out
of the soil and dibbled into the boxes, and some prefer to make
a deep, or rather perpendicular, hole, aud drop the roots straight into
it — a good plan in planting out permanently, but not in pricking off.
A blunt dibble should be used, and a round, rather wide, and not very
deep hole should be made, into which the roots should be dropped in
a bunch, and the soil pressed gently over them. When the plants
come to be lifted out of the box, the difference between those so
treated and others which have had the points of their roots let down
deeply will be apparent. The first will lift with a ball of roots clus-
tering roiiud the base of the plant, and ready to take possession of
pot or soil, as the case may be; but tho second will be found to have
rambled considerably " from home " and difficult to lift with all the
roots, the best of which will have spread along the bottom of the
box. These reuurks apply more particularly to plants that have to
bo afterw.ards transferred to pots. As to the general run of bedding
plants, with tho exception of Pelargoniums, and such subjects aa
are the better for a check, they should never he in a pot after they
have been struck, but should be boxod off or planted out on sheltered
borders, wbcro they can be protected, or in cold frames, and from such
quarters transferred to tho flower beds. Tho idea that such subjects
suffer less check by beiug transplanted from pots is a mistaken ono.
The plants may droop a little at planting it the weather be very dry
and warm, but they get hold of the soil sooner, and make much
greater progress than semi-started plants that have been previously
coddled for si"; weeks or two months in small pots, and they have
always tho advantage of being larger and finer to begin with, for a
p'ant in a box or bed always makes the most progress. In trans-
plantiug from the cutting or seed pot to tho frame, the same rules
should be observed, as regards compost and planting, as have been
given above, and the plants should not be crowded ; but no more
room need be given them than will just allow of a moderate ball of
soil beiug lifted with each plant. It the soil be light and finely
sifted, and allowed to get slightly dry previous to transplanting, the
plants will como up easily with all their roots by just grasping the
plant and soil iu the hand , and they should be dropped into their places
in the flower bed in the same way, and with as little interference with
the soil as possible. There are, however, some border plants, annuals
particularly, that do not succeed with intermediate transplanting,
but should be transferred from the seed bed to the border at once.
Stocks and Asters are examples of this. With care they may be
pricked off from the seed bed and afterwards transplanted, bnt the
check, less or more, which they are likely to experience is sure to
tell upon the quality of the flowers. The best plan with all such
subjects is to sow very thinly in a fine soil laid upon a hard bottom,
into which the roots cannot penetrate, and transplant from the seed
bed. Tho seedlings will pull or lift np with the best portions of
their roots intact, and, it the border has been suitably prepared for
them, they may be let into the ground with a dibble or trowel, first
making a deep hole, into which the tap-root should be dropped per.
pendicularly.

For Vegetables transplanting is often beneficial, inasmuch aa it
promotes early fertility in some things, such as Peas and French
Beans ; the latter stand the operation very well, either singly and
shaken quite out of tho soil, or in groups from the seed pot. Cauli-
flowers are the greatest sufferers by transplanting, perhaps, of any
vegetable. It pricked out in a finely divided soil, however, and
lifted int* good beds before they get too large, there is little danger
of their " buttoning." We prefer, however, lifting the plants from
the seed bed with the whole of their tap root, if possible, and plant-
ing them with a dibble, letting the roots down straight and deep into
the ground. If the work be done carefully such plants always pro-
duce the finest heads. Of course, the seed should be sown thinly or
the young plants should be thinned out well at an early stage. Few
of the other tap-rooted vegetables, like the Carrot, Parsley, and
Beet, transplant well, nor are they ever prepared for the purpose ;
but it is not unfrequently desirable to fill up gaps when it is too late
to 8 iw seed, and transplanting can then only be resorted to. We
have transplanted all the above at times with success, when the work
was carefully performed. The difficulty is not the getting the plants
to grow so much as getting them to produce roots fit for use in the
case of the Carrot and Beot. Everything depends on the weather at
the time and getting the long tap roots up without injury and plant,
ing them safely. A good deep aud straight hole should be made, the
roots should be dropped into it as straight as they came up, and the
soil pressed up against them, not too firmly. Watering will be neoea.
sary for a little while afterwards, especially in the case of Parsley,
and if the latter can also be temporarily shaded with branches till it
gets hold of the ground all the better. — " Field."

242

THE GARDEN.

Mauch 22, 1879.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Stoves.

The snn now begins to inSaenoe the teiiperature of all plant
BtructureB in the middle of the day, and it often happens that
during this month, more than any other in the year, the heat in the
honsea will rise high when the condition of the external air ia such
that opening the ventilators, except very slightly, would be most
injuriua?, espocially to the young, tender shoots of plants grown in
stove heat; for this reason it is necessary for all who have the
management of houses wherein are subjects to which conbinuons heat
is applied to be constantly watchful of the weather at this time, par.
ticalarly in the mornings, as, although it is desirable to raise the tem.
peraturo without delay after it becomes light, still, if the working of
the fires be not regulated by the appearance of what the weather
gives promise to be dnring the day, the result frequently is that by
ten or eleven o'clock, if it be clear and bright, the temperature of
the house, from the combined effects of the sun and unchecked fires,
is so high as to necessitate the admission of more air than should be
giveu, which in addition to its chilling influence, dries up the atmo.
sphere of the house in a way that causes the tender foliage to flag
severely, and I have noticed with stout-leaved subjects like Ixoras,
Gardenias, and Medinillas, that the young leaves which thus droop
much are often permanently disfigured, and though the after
progress made by plants so affected may be such as to load to
the supposition that little harm has been done, still there is no donbt
from the sympathy which exists between the leaves and roots, that
the latter suffer through any in j nry to the former, and the whole plant
ranst be proportionately affected thereby. Thus the necessity there
is for daily keeping a look-out as to the weather, and stopping the
fires sufficiently with a view to avoid the temperature rising too high
becomes obvious ; but, should this occur, less mischief will result by
letting the thermometer run up to 90° or 95," with a little air on, than
by reducing the temperature aboat 10° through the admission of too
much air. Plenty of water thrown about on all evaporating surfaces
helps to counteract the effects of heat rising higher than desirable. It is
almost needless to say that sun heat is very much preferable to that
derived from fire, and with this view continual watchfulness ia requi-
site to utilise the sun heat, as far as possible, by not allowing the
afternoon to get too far advanced, so that the sun has got off, or
almost off the glass, before taking off what little air may have been
given. In fact, with a good light stove, the plants well up to the
glass, and a constant look-out for the weather, I have frequently been
able to get through this month with the admission of very little ex-
ternal air, to the evident benefit of the plants.

Stiading. — The shading of stoves, like that of all other struc-
tures, can only be looked upon as a necessary evil, never to be
employed except when and where unavoidable. In the stove the
more or less necessity of shading will be determinable by the desorip.
tion of the subjects grown and the position of the house. A house
of any form facing the south, where the snn in the middle of the
day comea directly upon the occupants needa shading for a time on
the sun-exposed side for almost any kind of plants, whereas, in the
case of structures placed in the opposite direction, the bars and
rafters break the force of the sunshine, and this, coupled
with its striking them obliquely, much red\ice3 the necessity
tor shading, and, with bouses so situated, I for some years
oeased altogether to shade such plants as Ixoras, Dipladenias, Gar.
denias, Rondeletias, Allamandas, Bougainvilleas, Gloxinias, Achi-
meoes. Euphorbias, or anything with stout foliage,' excepting that
when some of these were in bloom they were very thinly shaded,
with a view to shield the flowers. The increased quantity of bloom
produced and the general appearance of the plants proved non-shading
to be an advantage. The large numbers of tender-leaved, fine,
foliage subjects, such as Cyannphyllums, Sphaerogynes, Caladiums,
Alocasias, and some Palms absolutely require shade when the sun is
powerful, as otherwise, if the foliage ba not positively burnt, it gets
80 brown as to make it unsightly. It ia much the best plan to put
those plants, both flowering and fine-leaved, that want shade, at one
end of the houso, naing shade there only. It cannot be too often
impressed upon beginners in the cultivation of stove subjects that
the blinds in all cases should be movable, and that they should never
be down before there is absolute necessity for it, nor to fail in rolling
them up as soon in the afternoons as they can be dispensed with.
The material used should also not be thicker than jnst to break the
force of the snn's rays.

AcMmenea and Caladiums. — Achimenes for late blooming
that have not been started, should at once be put into heat. Those
first started in pans will shortly be ready for placing in the pots or
hanging baskets in which they are to be grown. For large honsea

there is nothing more effective than these plants in good-sized wire
baskets suspended from the roof. For general purposes pots of small
or medium size will be found the most useful. Their rapid growth
necessitates a liberal supply of water through the growing season,
for which reason see that the drainage is efficient. Any Caladiums
not yet started should immediately be shaken out and repotted.
These will be serviceable, retaining as [they do their leaves fresh and
in good condition through the autnmn. If there be a deficiency of
any kind when the young crowns have got G in. or 8 in. in length,
they may be cut out from the tubeis, placed singly in small pots, and
treated as is nsoal in the case of cuttings, in which way they will
shortly get established.

General Propagation. — Cuttinga of most stove plants root
freely in a much shorter time than those of the generality of green-
house subjects. Many of the hardwooded plants that were recom-
mended to be headed down some'.time back, will soon have made shoots
that will furnish the best kind of cuttinga, as, when they get a few
inches long, if severed at the junction with the old stem, they are in
the best possible condition for making good plants in a short time, as
these shoots have always a less disposition to flag when not so closely
confined under bell-glasses or in a propagating frame, and are com.
paratively less liable to damp off than cuttings made from growth
further developed. For general decoration, small and moderate-Sized
examples are of more use than large specimens, and, in the case of
quick. growing plants, it is well to err on the right side by having
enongh of Gardenias, Clerodendrons — both shrubby and climbing —
Allamandas, Dipladenias, Rondeletias, Vincas, Tabernaamontanas, Ste.
phanotis, Rogieras, Medinillas, Luculias, Lasiandras, Hibiscus, Hoyas,
Ariatoloohias, Bougainvilleas, Aphelandras, j33iehynanthns, and Abuti.
Ions ; of these suBioient cuttings for whatever may be required should
at once be put in. Toung plants of the majority of soft-wooded
stove subjects, being of quick growth, are better than old ones. Cot-
tings of Impatiens, Meyenias, Pentas [carnea, Torenias, and Erantbe.
mums, should likewise be put in in all cases, seeing that they aro
clear of insects.

Propagation of Fine-leaved Subjects. — Cuttings of Cyano-
phyllums, Aralias, Crotons, Dracfonas, Ficuses, Hippomane spinosa,
Rhopalas, and Sphajrogynes, should be taken off as soon as they are
large enough for the purpose. In the case of moat of them the young
shoots that are formed after heading hack root much more readily
than the points of the strong branches, especially when obtained
with a heel, as they can be got at this stage of their growth. All
the larger.leaved species of this description require sufficient room
in the cutting pots, or they are liable to damp off, and every effort
should be made to retain in perfect condition the whole of the leaves
which they possess, as upon being clothed with perfect foliage down
to the base depends their appearance afterwards. Plants that re-
quire to be increased by division of the crowns are easiest managed
about the time when they commence growth. Some of the species of
Pandanns, Musas, Hedychiums, Cyperus, Anthuriums, &c., may there-
fore now be divided as wanted, potting the pieces separated singly
and keeping them close until they have become established.

Ardisia crenulata.— Both the red and white fruited varieties of
this plant, when well managed, are amongst the most useful berry,
bearing subjects which we have. Where young shoots are obtain-
able they should now be propagated, putting them separately in
small pots, or, if in larger numbers together, taking care that they
are so treated that whatever leaves they possess may sustain no
injury. For table or room decoration they are deservedly great
favourites, lasting as they do with care in good condition for months.
They are equally suitable for standing about on the side stages of
stoves, intermediate houses, and warm conservatories, where, if
slightly elevated above their associates, they are very effective; bat
if considerable numbers are wanted, it takes some time to get up a
stock from cuttinga, and beautiful plants may be raised from seed,
which if sown now in pots or pans, drained and filled with open
sandy soil tolerably compressed, thoseeds slightly covered and placed
in a brisk growing temperature, after some time the seedlings will
make their appearance, but they are slower in all stages than many
other plants.

Bouvardias. — A sufficiency of cuttings should at once be got in ;
they will succeed either made from the roots or shoots ; where enough
of the latter are not at hand, a good. sized plant or two will provide a
number of the former, using the stronger pieces in bits from J in. to
1 in. long, putting them in pots or pans partially filled with sandy
soil, the upper portion being sand alone, and inserting them about level
with the surface of the material. If kept moist and warm, they
will soon commence to gi'ow, and they should be placed singly in
small pots as soon as large enodgh to handle.

Makch 22, 1870.]

THE GARDEN.

24

Greenhouse.

Azaleas. — Those ttat were forced early, and ttei'r flowering now
over, Bhould at once be placed in heat to encourage a continuance of
the growth, which would be more or less excited by the warmth to
which they were subjected, in order to bring them into bloom. Some-
times these early forced plants, after flowering, are for a time snb.
mitted to cool treatment, with a view to their being placed in a
growing temperature along with those that bloom later. There are
two reasons that point to this treatment being wrong; first, it neces.
sarily has a stunting inQaenoe npon the shoot growth ; secondly, the
opportunity is lost of getting their growth made early and the bloom
buds formpd, by which means there will be little difficulty in getting
them into flower at a correspondingly early perioi next winter with
comparatively less heat, a matter of considerable importance, whether
the plants are required for ordinary decoration or the flowers for
cutting. Previous to putting them into warmth they should be
closely looked over to see that they are free from thrips ; should any
trace of these be found the plants ought to be either fumigated,
dipped in Tobacco water, or syringed with that liquid. Any that
require larger pots it will be better to defer moving till some further
progress is made in the growth of the young shoots, as, until this
takes place, the roots of Azaleas do not begin to move.

Heaths. — Directions were recently given as to the potting ot
hard wooded plants generally, but Heaths need to be treated excep-
tionally in this matter. Although the roots of most of the species
and varieties are extremely fine and impatient of excesses of any
kind, still the majority of the garden hybrids naturally form such
quantities of fibres, that to keep the plants in the vigorous condition
necessary to their being clothed with healthy foliage and abundance
ot bloom, they require larger pots than any other plants of suoh
comparatively slow shoot growth, and wherever they are allowed to
remain with their roots too much confined, tliey invariably get into a
stunted state, from which they rarely it over recover. This does not
apply alone to the harder-wooded section, but also to the softer, winter-
blooming kinds, which, to keep them in a healthy condition beyond
the size of the ordinary trade- flowering plants, must have a sutfioient
amount of pot room. I have seen the winter-blooming Ericabyemalis
when planted out in a prepared bed on the floor of a light greenhouse,
attain a height ot 5 ft. and as much through, flowering so profusely
every season as to permit of the branches when in bloom being out in
pieces 1 ft. or 15 in. in length. I mention this to give some idea of
the vigour that plenty of root room gives to plants for which it is
often supposed very limited root space is sufficient. The majority of
Heaths like peat ot a closer and heavier character than most other
hard. wooded stock. Early autumn for the potting, especially ot large
Heaths, is preferable to spring, but where the stock, large or small,
is likely to suffer from want of additional root room before the aummei 's
growth is completed, it is much better to pot now, in all cases paying
particular attention to the'efficienoy of the drainage, and see that the
Boil contains snflicient sand to keep it sweet and permit the water to
pass through it when rammed tightly into the prts in the way neces.
Bary in potting Heaths so as to grow them well. To still further Insure
porosity, a moderate sprinkling ot clean pot-shreds, broken about the
size of horse Beans, incorporated with the soil, will be an advantage.
After potting restrict admission ot air and prevent the atmosphere ot
the house in which they are placed getting too dry. — T. Bai\es.

Plo'wer Garden.

Auriculas. — These, when in flowor, suffer more readily from th«
effects cf sunshine than almost any other flower; it is, therefore,
necessary to remove those that have any pips open to a place by
themselves, to avoid shading plants that are in flower. Old-fashioned
growers objected to placing sticks to the trusses ; they were anxious
to show that the flower stalks were so stout and elastic as not to
require any such extraneous aid. Some kinds, however, require a
little support, and I do not scruple to give it. I use for the purpose
small Willow twigs cut into suitable lengths. It the work be pro-
perly done the sticks will scarcely be visible. When the plants are
being moved, or subjected to any kind of manipulation, one must be
careful not to rub any of the white powder or farina from the leaves
or flower stalks.

Carnations and Piootees.— The Tree or perpetual flowering
varieties ot Carnation require attention at this time ; they produce
plenty ot blooms when aided by a warm greenhouse temperature ;
the stems should be tied to sticks, else thg weight of the flowers bends
them down, and they snap at the joints. Some of the large, full
flowers are very beautiful, but nearly all of them burst the calyx,
unless it be tied round before the Bowers open with a strip ot mat-
ting. See that a goodly number ot cuttings ot all the varieties are put
in for flowering from January to June next year. The very smallest
offsets, it inserted in sandy soil, will soon forni roots on a gentle
hotbed.

Hollyhocks. — -Instructious as to planting out choica-named
varieties have already been given in The Garden (p. 208) ; see,
therefore, that this operation is carried out as soon as the plants have
been inured to the open air. Later. propagated plants should be
placed in cold frames when they have become well established, and
they must also be speedily hardened off. For ordinary decorative
purposes seedlings make the best display, and if the seeds be saved
from the finest double flowers there will be comparatively few in-
ferior varieties amongst them. If the seeds be saved from varieties
of decided colours, without crossing, the seedlings will vary but little
from their parents, and halt ot them will be as good.

Pansies. — A few pots may be removed from frames to the green,
house, where their agreeable perfume and rich colours will be appro,
elated. They ought not to be placed there until they are in flower,
as, if at a distance from the glass, the growths soon become drawn
up weakly. Cuttings mav now be put in to produce late flowers of a
better quality than can be obtained from old plants. The Bowers of
show Pansies very speedily deteriorate in quality unless all ot them
are picked off at frequent intervals in order to allow the plants to
have a short rest. The growths ought to be thinned out, and the
surface of the soil dressed with rich compost, when the young shoots
may bo pegged down over it.

Primula cortusoides, and also all hardy Primroses, give the
greatest satisfaction when grown under glass ; they can be attended
to at the same time as Auriculas, and much in the same way. The
great advantage o^ growing such plants in pots under glass is, that
the flowers can be inspected in all sorts ot weather, and they occupy
such a verv small space, that they may find a place in the smallest
gardens. We had a small bed of Primula cortusoides, which stood
out without any attention for several winters, but the plants were
ultimately lost. We are now planting out a bed of the white, lilac,
and red forms of P. amceua'; planted at this time, they will flower as
strongly as the plants in pots.

Delphiniums, Phloxes, and Pyrethrums in beds, if

they have not been replanted, should now be attended to without
delay, as some ot them have made considerable growth. Delphinium
seeds, if sown now in heat and well attecded to, will produce flowers
in succession to the old established plants. D. formoium and D. Ma.
dame Henri Jacotot are two ot the very best ; these seeds should
be sown in spring. The one has bluish purple flowers, the other
blossoms ot a beautiful clear light blue.

Tulips. — With us the florist section of Tulips in beds are making
exceedingly strong growth, although late in comparison with that ot
the last iew years. On the first favourable opportunity we will
surface dress the beds with rotten manure; this acts in two ways —
it prevents evaporation, and kenps an equable temperature round
the roots. — J. DouGtAs.

Hardy Fruit.
It pruning ot all kinds, staking, tying, and nailing bo finished, aa
by this time they should be, attention must now be directed towards
devising ways and means for protecting the trees when in blossom.
Here the first Apricot flowor opened on the 10th ; it was full and as
well developed as if we had had no hard and protracted winter, a
fact worth recording, as previously we had certain misgivings in the
matter, having found a few Pear and Cherry buds blackened right
through. A recurrence to sunless days, and bleak ** north. casters "
has, however, had the effect of retarding any further expansion ot
fruit buds, and though it will now be late ere Peas, Peaches, Cherries,
&o., open, still the necessary protection should be ready if required.
Though the trees are backward, any grafting that has to be done
had better receive attention at once, for the double reason that there
is now more leisure for doing it, and that it is very probable that
when a change does take place growth will be very rapid, and, con-
sequently, a good grafting time be very limited. Any trees that are
languishing through poverty of soil, or over.fruitfulness, may be ren-
dered vigorous by now removing the surface soil right down to the
roots and replacing the same with good maiden loam, and a liberal
admixture ot well-decayed manure. Well press the soil about the
roots and finish oft by a thick coating of manure on the surface as
far as the roots ot the tree extend. The sarface-dressins and ma-
nuring of Raspberries should no longer be delayed. No hardy fruit
crop so soon shows the good results of manurial dressings, or gives
better returns than these, and this fact should be an incentive to the
accomplishment of the operation. Thin out straggling branches or
boughs, and eradicate the suckers from round about the stems of
Nuts. The value of the sticks thus removed for various purposes
will pay for the labour, not to mention the benefit accruing to the
trees, as root suckers are little better than parasites, for they live on
the vitality which would otherwise aid in the production of more or
better fruit.— W. W.

244

THE GARDEN.

[MiRCH 22, 1879.

Kitchen Garden.

Here, in the'south-west of England, the paBt fortnight has been a
glorious seed time, and all onr kitchen garden crops which require to
be got in early have been sown. Onions, Parsnips, Early Horn
Carrots, Peas, Broad Beans, Radishes, and Lettuces, have all received
attention in that way j Shallots, Garlic, and a good batch of early
Potatoes have been planted. AH of these, whore not yet sown or
planted, should have immediate attention, and every endeavour should
be made to bring up arrears of work, the result of the long winter,
from which we have hardly yet Gocaped. Preparation should be made
for planting the priuoipal plot of Potatoes ; deep tilth, moderately
enriched soil, thorough drainage, head-room for the hanlni by planting
the tubers a good distance apart, and medium-sized seed tubers with
but two sprouts, constitute all that is required in order to ensure
success. Peas and Broad Beans should be sown suceessionally,
according to the demand. As a rule, as soon as one lot emerges
above the soil, another should be sown. Earth up and stake Peas, and
on the cold or windward side screen them with Laurel or other ever,
green boughs. Sparrows and chaffinches at this early season have an
insatiable taste for the tender tops, and when once they commence
their attack, nothing short of annihilation will deter them.
Badidh, Tarnip, Broccoli, and Cabbage seeds are equally
dainty morsels to these pests, and, unless netted over as
Boon as sown, woe betide them as soon as the first
obafiinch finds them out. Cinliflower plants wintered in hand-
lights should now be finally thinned out, about three of the
be Bt being left to mature on the ground; the remaindtr should be
carefully removed with balls of earth, and planted in the warmest
available position. A deep drill helps to ward off cutting winds, and
as soon as the plants get sturdy it can be filled in level, and no other
earthing up is required. Prick out Cauliflowers sown in heat a few
weeks ago; a south border and a little evergreen branch protection
are all that is required. Such plants will make a good successiou to
those now being planted. Brussels Sprouts and early Cabbages should
be treated in a siuiilar manner. As to other seeds to be sown, plant,
ing to be done, and other routine work, consult The Garden (p. 107
and 208). The heavy work now requiring attention will be the dig.
ging out of Celery trenches, clearing off stems of Broccoli, Brussels
Sprouts, and other winter greens, and preparing the ground for Po-
tatoes, Spinach, Peas, Runner Beans, and the like. Let all the walks
and edgings be put in good order, and maintain neatness at all times
by arranging that wheeling over the walks or all other heavy traffic
be done, either on frosty mornings or daring the prevalence of drying
winds.— W. W.

Extracts from my Diary, March 24 to 29.

Fruit. — Top-dressing pot Vines. Tying and stopping Muscats
first time. Shifting Strawberries. Grafting Gios Col man Grape on
Pearson's Golden Queen, and Harewood Muscat on the Trebbiano.
Looking over Apples in fruit room. Disbudding Peaches in second
boose. Sowing batch of Melons. Planting Pines in frame. Dis.
budding Nectarine at end of late Vinery. Shifting ripe Straw.
berries into cold house. Thinning Grapes in pot Vinery. Emptying
Pine pitand mixing manure and leaves for hotbed. Potting Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury Strawberries for fruiting at Christmas. Watering
cold Peach houses. Tying Muscat Vines. Gettiog in fresh batch of
Strawberries into Vinery. Hybridising Cherries in cold houses-
First Hamburgh Vines in flower. Peaches in cold house set; also
Early Amber Cherries. Flowers. — Propagating Lobelias, Petunias,
and Ageratums. Sowing Phlox seed. Putting in cuttings of Eu-
phorbia jacquinireflora, and sowing seeds of Poinsettias. Shifting
Alternantheras, Mesembryanthemums, and Petunias out of cutting
pots into 3-in. ones. Sowing Primulas and Cinerarias. Nailing
Camellias on Peach house walls. Putting Primulas into cold frame.
Pricking out Pyrethrums into boxes. Boxing Iresines and Lobelias.
Breaking up old stools of Begonia Weltonieusis, and potting them ;
also potting Caladiums and fancy Pelargoniums. Tying Roses and
freeing them from suckers. Potting Miles' hybrid Mignonette.
Vegetables. — Sowing Sweet Basil and French Beans ; also main
crop of Onions and a little Lettuce. Planting Potatoes for exhibition ;
also batch of French Beans. Sowing Leeks. Preparing ground for
planting show Potatoes by giving it a dressing of ashes and sawdust.
Planting M'Kinlay's Pride Potatoes.

THE LIBRARY.

Potatoes and Frost. — " A. D. " (p. 206) is right so far as the
frost question goes. But 1 cannot admit that Myatt's Kidney and
Gloucestershire Kidney are identical with the old Ashtop- I have
every respect for dear old Chiswick, and also for the authority of the
fruit and vegetable committee — still, I only take their opinions for
what they are worth. — E. Gilbert, Burgliley,

POTATOES— HOW TO GROW AND SHOW THEM*.
A.S a skilful cultivator and a most successful exhibitor of
Potatoes, Mr. Pink is entitled to give full and free expression
to his views concerning them, and out of his experience,
aided by helps from other sources, he has produced a book that
promises to be most useful. It is, perhaps, unfortunate that
the title should so imperfectly foreshadow its contents, for,
besides directions for growing and showing the Potato, there
are chapters upon the history of its introduction to this country,
its botanical character, the cause of the disease, suggested
remedies, the Potato as an article of food, and other matters of
much interest. Thus the book is more comprehensive than its
title indicates, whilst on the other hand, it falls somewhat short
of what a book upon the Potato should bo. This, however, is
a detect that time may remedy, as it is a singular fact in rela-
tion to this valuable esculent, that information respecting it
is certainly on the increase, and with new sorts and fresh ex-
perience, the phases of its cultui-e are continually changing.
On the special topics of the book — growing and showing —
Mr. Pink treats fully, devoting chapters specially to the
preparation of the soil and to manures and manuring.
As regards manures, he enters into some elaborate chemical
details, and .appears to favour the application of special manures
rather than our farmyard composts. In one respect there is
a seeming inconsistence in his statements, as in one place he
says, " Poor soils never produce good crops, nor arc the Pota-
toes from them of first-class quality ;" and later on wo have,
" The quality of the tuber is never so good when stimulating
manures have been applied to the growing plant." If Potatoes
grown on poor soils are devoid of quality, in an inverse ratio
those grown on rich land ought to be specially good; but such
is not the case, and the wisest grower is he who avoids all rich
manures, and yet has his land in fairly good condition, fertile
in phosphates and other Potato constituents. The chapter
devoted to planting and after cultivation, is the most exhaustive
and practical in the book, because it consists largely of the
author's own experience, and details the various methods of
planting, as applicable to different soils and positions. The
ridge system of planting is recommended for stiff, heavy
lands, and the flat system for ordinary soils- It may not,
however, be understood, that when strong growing kinds are
planted on the flat system the same distance apart as when
planted on the ridge, the result is about the same, as each
plant developes into a ridge in the end, if the rows be properly
earthed.

Growers for show are often greatly troubled with the wire-
worm, which will pierce the tubers and greatly injure them.
Mr. Pink recommends the placing of pieces of rape cake in the
rows at intervals, as the worms will attach themselves to these
baits, and may be removed in considerable numbers with the
pieces of cake about the time when the plants are through the
soil. This is no doubt a much more practical plan than merely
rolling the soil, as no amount of pressure thus applied, short of
absolute crushing, would destroy this troublesome pest.

Earthing-np is recommended to be done gradually, and not
all at once, as the gradual gathering of soil about the roots
tends to the formation of tubers from the stems. Of course it
is evident that if Potatoes are being grown for exhibition much
more care aud attention must be given to the plants than would
be necessary under ordinary culture.

The concluding chapter is entirely devoted to exhibiting,
selecting tubers for that purpose, packing, and staging them,
subjects also treated of in a small pamphlet just issued by
another famous exhibitor, Mr. Porter, of Old Meldrum.
Mr. Porter's exhibits have always been remarkable for natural
polish, and this he chiefly attributes to the presence of a good
dressing of pounded charcoal sown with the seed tubers.
Mr. Pink's book is illustrated with engravings of some well-
known Potatoes ; it is neatly got up, and contains a large
amount of useful information concerning the subjects on which
it treats. A. D.

* " Potatoes — How to drow and Show them.'
Crosby tockwooil & Co.

Br James Pink. London

Makch 22, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

245

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE BROWN-TAILED MOTH.

(I'ORTUESIi AUEIFLUA.)

The caterpillars of this moth are very similar in their habits to
those of two species which we have already described, viz., the
small ermine raoth and the lackey moth, though it does not
belong to the same family as either, but to the family Arctidoe.
Fortunately, this insect is seldom so commonly found as the
other species, but occasionally they appear in great numbers,
■when the mischief they commit is proportionately great. They
feed on a great number of different trees ; their favourite food
appears to bo the leaves of the Oak, Elm, White Thorn,
Black Thorn, and most fruit trees. Like many insects, in some
years they are much more abundant than in others, and having
been particularly abundant one year, are perhaps hardly to be
seen for several years afterwards. This species was so abundant
particularly near London in 1S72, that, according to
Mr. W. Curtis, the greatest alarm was occasioned, not only for
the trees and hedges, but also for the corn and Grass crops ;
one shilling per bushel was paid for the webs of these cater-
pillars, which were burned in the presence of the church-
wardens or other parochial authorities. Prayers were offered
up in some churches that the country might be delivered from

Caterpillar of Porthesia auriflua.

this plague. In such numbers were these pests, that eighty-
one bushels were collected in one day in the neighbourhood of
Clapham. Though of late years nothing of this kind has been
experienced, still great injury has been done, particularly to
fruit trees, at various times by this insect. Unfortunately,
there is not much that can be done to lessen its numbers,
except by waging war against it on all possible occasions. The
moths, on account of their size and colour (pure white) are
easily seen, and as they are very sluggish during the day, may
easily be shaken from the trees and destroyed ; wet and cold
weather kills great numbers of them. Many of the eggs are
destroyed by a minute, four-winged fly, hardly visible to the
naked eye, which lays an egg in each of those of the brown-
tailed motb, which are soon destroyed when the little gruba
are hatched. As the eggs are laid in clusters on the under side
of the leaves, they can easily be detected, if carefully looked
for. The caterpillars may be found at the points of the branches
sheltered in their webs formed among a few leaves. During
the winter these bundles of leaves should always be cut off
and destroyed. In the spring the trees should be well looked
over, so that any injuries which are being committed may be
detected, and at once checked. The caterpillars are, unfortu-
nately, so hairy that birds seldom touch them ; they should
always be carefully handled, as their hairs come off very easily
and stick into the skin, causing a considerable amount of irri-

Moth of Portlicsia auridaa.

tation. They suffer much, however, from the attacks of several
species of ichneumons, which assist very much in keeping
down the numbers of this insect. The balls of leaves contain-
ing the chrysalides should be carefully destroyed. The moths
are first seen towards the end of June, the females soon after-
wards begin to lay their eggs. The care they take in this pro-
ceeding is very remarkable and interesting. Having selected
a suitable position, generally on the underside of some leaf,
she deposits her eggs, about 200 or 300 in number, and yel-
lowish in colour in a heap, which she carefully covers with the
tawny-coloured hairs with which the end of her body is pro-
vided. These hairs she is said to pull from herself by means
of a small pincer-like organ which the extremity of her body
is provided with. The caterpillars are generally hatched in
August, and, at first, only feed on the softer parts of the
leaves, which they somewhat curl
up by spinning threads from one
side to the other, under the shel-
ter of which they live secure from
the attacks of foes, and protected
from the weather. When this leaf
is reduced to a skeleton, the cater-
pillars remove to another, and as
they increase in size, they begin to
form a regular nest by fastening several leaves together,
nnd covering them with a thick web ; they attach the
nest very securely to the branch, so that when the leaves
die over which it is made, they cannot fall and carry it with
them. The caterpillars now seek their food from the nearest
leaves on the branch, and only return to the nest for shelter ;
they change their skins for the first time in August, and leave
off feeding in September or October, and soon become torpid,
in which condition they pass the winter within their nests. Fi-om
experiments which have been made on them, they seem to be able
to withstand almost any amount of frost without injury. The
same influences which cause the buds to open in the spring
seem to reanimate the caterpillars, and they at once begin
feeding on the opening buds. It is at this season that they do
the most injury to the fruit trees. At the end of May they
change their skins for the third time, and then spread them-
selves over the trees, no longer keeping together in any way
or returning to the nest. In June they roll up several leaves
with a brownish web, within which they undergo their change
to the chrysalis state ; sometimes several chrysalides may be
found within one web. The moths measure about IJ in. across
the wings, and are pure white in colour, with the exception of
the last three or four joints of the body, which are brownish.
The antenniu are very deeply toothed in the males ; the thorax
and body are densely covered <with long hairs, which, at the
extreme end of the latter, form a kind of tuft. The cater-
pillars, when fully grown, are about 1 j in. in length and of a
brownish-black colour, with tufts of dark grey hairs ; on the
back of each joint, with the exception of the first, are two pure
white spots, forming two longitudinal rows down the back of
the caterpillar; between these rows is a double bright red line,
and on each side of every joint is a reddish-brown tubercle,
those on the same side being connected together by a red line.
On the back of the fourth and fifth joints there is a fleshy
hump ; on these, and on the middle of the back of the other
joints, as well as on the side tubercles, there are tufts of long
grey hairs. The first three joints, the sixth, seventh, eighth,
ninth, and last joints bear legs. The chrysalides are dark
brown surrounded by a coarse brownish web. S. G. S.

Myosotia dissitiflora Injured by the Weather.— It "A. D."
(p. 202) will winter this Forget-me-not under a north wall, he will
find it much les3 liable to be injured by frost. I have a quantity of
the true variety, all struck from cuttings put in last June, looking
fresh and quite green, but not yet in flower. — R. Gilbert, Biirglihy.

Glass Labels. — Owing to upright wooden labels looking ao
very ugly in an Alpine garden, I procured from a glass manufactory
the refuse of green bottle glass in large lumps. These were beaten
to pieces about 1 in. square of irregular form, and the names of the
plants were written on the flat side with a diamond. These labels
are of course very durable, look well, and are not disagreeably oon-
spicuons. — 0. F. Auqsbubt, Bavaria.

THE GARDEN.

[March 22, 1879.

NOTES FROM KEW.
Hardy Plants. — A charming companion to the many coloured
forma of the ordinary Hepatica is the large Hepatica (Hepatioa an-
gulosa). It is of tufted habit, growing nearly a foot high and as
much through. It has coaraoly-toothed, heart-shaped leaves, and
produces an abundance of blossoms over 1 in. across, and of a beau,
titul sky-blue colour. It is admirably adapted for partially shaded
borders or even fully exposed if it be planted in stiff soil. It is a
native of Transylfauia, and, though an old introduction, is still far
from being common. Auother beautiful Windliower is Anemone
Pulsatilla, commouly called the Paaque Flower. It Is one of our
most ornamental indigenous plants, though now somewhat rare. The
■whole plant is covered with soft, siiky hairs ; the leaves are deeply
cut into numerous narrow divisions, and the blossoms, which ara
3 in. across, are of a pale purple, with a bright yellow CRntre. It
inhabits dry chalky hills and similar exposed places throughout Europe
and Siberia. Among the Hellebores are some really desirable kinds,
such as the Hungarian H. atrorabens, which grows about 1 ft. high,
and bears fine dark purple flowers. Much resembling it is the Ab.
chasian Hellebore, which apparently differs in being taller, the Sowers
smaller and more cup-shaped, and the flower stalks being more leafy.
The Olympisn Hellebore (H. olympicus) sometimes called Kamt-
Bchatkensis, is a handsome kind with blossoms almost white. There
are also some labelled Berlin seedlings, one of which is especially
noteworthy ; its flowers are purple and very copiously spotted with
dark red ; the sepals moreover differ from those of the others, inas-
much as thoy are decidedly pointed. Most probably this variety is
the result of a cross between H. abchasious and the Spotted He/le.
bore (H. guttatus). The many forms of the Green Hellebore (H.
viridis) are also well represented, but as they are not interesting
generally, further comment in reference to them is unnecessary.
Turning to the Crocus beds we have, in addition to those enumerated
last week, several other little gems, comprising C. veluchensis, or as
it is called in some collections, the White. beaked Spring Crocus (C.
vernus leucorhynchus), a name very aptly applied, as the tips of the
petals are of the purest white, appearing more conspicuous on account
of the deep, purple, Y-shaped mark immediately below it similar to
that in C. banaticus ; the lower part of the flower is of a lighter hue.
As yet it is very rare in cultivation. It is a native of Greece and
Transylvania. It may not bo out of place to add that the figure
bearing this name in the " Botanical Magazine " (tab. 6197) does not
represent the plant in question, but the plate by Dean Herbeit in the
" Botanical Register," 1817 (tab. 4) is an excellent portrait of it.
C. Olivieri (syn. C. Aucheri) a pretty yellow. flowered kind is dis-
tinct on account of its globose flowers and broad foliage. Some com-
plain of its being a shy bloomer, but in a stiff loam and fully exposed
it is remarkably the reverse. It is found in Greece and Asia Minor.
The elegant little C. stellaris is supposed to be a hybrid between C.
Inteus and C. susianus, and, juding from the colour, this origin ia
very apparent, as it has the dark marking of the latter disposed in
fine lines on the outside. C. Siebe i and C. reticu a'us, fron its oo«
riously-netted bulb coats, are old but very desirable kinds ; the former
particularly so, as it comes in so early and keeps up a contiauoua
show. The Juniper.leaved Saxifrage (3. juniperifolia) is an exqui-
site Alpine Gem, forming dense, cushion-like tufts of sharp. pointed
Juniper-like leaves, aud throwing up about 2 in. high, little tassel-
like heads of gokien.yel low flowers. Such a distinct kind needs no
pen to racommend it. The typical form of the netted Iris (Xiphion
retioulatum) has now expanded its first flowers, and, as remarked
last week, is much superior to the variety Krelagei, though later.
This remarkably handsome bulbous plants hould be| accommodated in
every garden, be it large or small. A sunny border, consisting of a
good sandy loam evidently suits ita requirements capitally. Those
who possess it should keep a good look out for the ripe seed pods a
few months hence, as the seed readily germinates it sown as soon as
it is ripe. Trillium nivale is a rare little Alpine species, remarkably dia.
tinct from the other cultivated kinds on account of its small size, and
also its flowers being borne^quite erect. It is not more than 2 in. in
height, and has a whorl of three small pale green leaves. The blos-
soms are large for the size of the plant, being 1 in. across, of a tri.
angular outline, and of a pure white colour. It inhabits shady Pine
woods in the Eastern States of North America.

Orchids. — One of the most singular as well as rare of the numerous
family of Dendrobiums is the tongue-leaved kind (D. linguaeforme)
found in the vicinity of Moreton Bay. It has oval, tongue-like leaves,
1 in. long, aud thick in proportion, and produces erect racemes of
pure white blossoms with attenuated petals, so characteristic of the
majority of the North Australian Dandrobes. It apparently succeeds
well when merely fastened to a block of cork or wood. D. primu-
linnm ia a very showy kind, having a pendulous habit and flowers
over 1 in. across with a rounded, crisped lip, and uniformly of a deep
rose colour ; the form giganteam ia desirable on account of ita

superior sized blossoms ; both are natives of the East Indies. Odonto-
gloasum triumphans is one of the finest of ita section. It has flowers
quite as large as those of 0. luteo-purpureum, but the markings are
far brighter. It waa diacovered about a dozen years ago by
M. Linden at high elevations in New Granada. Tbe rather shy.
flowering Aloe-leaved Cymbidium (C. aloifolium) is very conspicuous
with its drooping spikes of dark chocolate and white blossoms
developed from the baae of the narrow, leathery leaves. It is a native
of the East Indies and is also known as Aerides Borassi. The sweet,
scented Odontoglossum (0. odoratum) at once reminds one of
O. gloriosnm, but its smaller and sweetly-scented blossoms render it
very distinct. It is found at lofty elevations in Merida, and, as yet,
appears to be somewhat rare in collections.

Stove Plants. — Dalechampia Eoezliana is a very ornamental
stove plant belonging to the Spurgewort family. It has a dwarf,
shrubby habit with leaves of the size and form of the leaflets of the
common Horse Chestnut. The point of beauty consists in the two
heart-shaped floral leaves, as in the Bougainvillea, which are, in the
type, of a pale pink colour enclosing a tuft of bright yellow flowers.
These have the consistence and veining of true leaves, therefore last
a very considerable time in beauty. The variety rosea is a decided
improvement, as the bracts are larger and of a deeper shade ; the
white form, too, is desirable for the sake of variety. The showy
Pancratinm (P. speoiosum) a native of the West Indies, is one of the
finest of the genus, being of bold habit with spreading, ample foliage,
and producing several stout flower stems terminated by an umbel-
like cluster of about a dozen blossoms having narrow segments 6 in.
across and a funnel-shaped corona, the whole of snowy whiteness save
the golden-tipped stamens ; it moreover emits a delicioua perfume.
In the Cactus house the very handsome Cereus Mallisoni ia flowering
pr jfosely. It ia apparently of penduloua habit, and ia grafted on
the magnificent night-flowering Cereua (C. MacDonaldiffi). The
flowera are large, of a deep scarlet colour, aud though they are rather
fugitive they are borne in continuous succeaaion. — W.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

New Himalayan Primrose. — There is in Mr. Ware's nuraery,
juat coming into flower, a charming new Primroae, a Himalayan
speciea under the name of Primula rosea. It ia quite new to cultiva-
tion, but known long ago, as it ia figured in "Koyle's Illustrations
of Himalayan Botany." It originated from seeds distributed from
Kew in 1877. The colour ia a pleasing shade of rose without the
BuSusion of a purplish tinge so often seen, and the pips are each the
size of a sixpence. The foliage ia of a bright emerald green
and appeara along with the flowera. It ia, we consider, one of the
moat charming additions to hardy plants that we have had for some
yeara, aud, being of a tolerably robust constitution, it will soon become
common.— W.

Daphne Mezereum. — Bushes of thia now form very pretty
objects on the Grass or in shrubbery borders, being, as usual, loaded
with purple flowers that are delightfully fragrant. The evergreen
Spurge Laurels are, I find, most useful for furnishing beds under
trees, as they flourish in positions where little else will gro>v, and
although not conspicuous as flowering shrubs, their fragrance,
especially in the evening, is very agreeable. One need not see them
to be made aware of their presence. — J. G-, Linton.

Platycerium grande. — There are some plants which, although
by no means difficult to grow when fairly well treated, vet neverthe-
less never become very plentiful; to that class belongs this Stag's
Horn Pern. We recently saw several fine examples of it in Messrs.
Jackson's nursery at Kingston, where, growing on pieces of wood on
which there was a sufficient quantity of material for the roots to
extend in and be kept moiat, planta of it thrive well, and measure
from 3i ft. to 4 ft. across. They are in an Orchid house, kept mode-
rately warm. — P. G.

Rhododendrons and Camelliaa st Glasnevin. — The Rho-
dodendron aud Camellia houae at Glaanevin ia just now unusually
gay and interesting, while most plants out of doora atill have a
wintry look. Ou R. arborenm and its varieties there are hundreds of
flower heads, and standing very conapiououaly amongat them is a fine
plant of R. Falconeri, a mass of bloom. E. Dalhousise is just opening
its first buds, and in a few daya it will be a sight worth going miles
to see. — E.

Gesnera macrantha. — This is one of the brightest and most
desirable medium-sized, winter.flowering stove plants grown. We
noticed it the other day in the Kingston Nurseries beautifully in
bloom ; it seems to be a stronger grower than the old but still hand.
some G. Cooperi. It has larger foliage, stout short stems about 1 ft.

MiRCH 22, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

247

in length, and it bears on the top of each from twelve to twenty of
vivid red, large, tube. shaped flowers. It asacciates well with other
plants, and is very conspicuous at this season. A fow examples of
this Gesnera, along with winter blooming Bagoniaa, would make any
Btove look gay. — P. G.

Oreen Haiicot. — We have received from M. Godefroy.Lebceut
specimens cf a very curious variety of Haricot obtained by M. Che-
vrier. It is small, and has the rare merit of always remaining per-
fectly green. It is a heavy cropper, and, when cooked, found to be
excellent.

Large-leaved Saxifrages. — These, which are more generally
known under the name of Megasea, are highly decorative spring-
floweriug plants, particularly when they are treated as a speciality,
as is the case at the Exotic Nursery, Tooting. Uere are very fine
examples of the many forms of S. ligulata iu full beauty ; one kind
named pulcherrima more especially arrested attention, being very
floriferous and of a delicate blush tint. The hairy.leaved kind (3.
ciliata) and its white-flowered variety are also in fine conditiou, and
later on they will be succeeded by such rarities as S. purpurascena
and S. Stracheyi, both very scarce Himalayan plants. — W.

Seedlings of Iris Ksempferi. — Mr. Barr has added to his col-
lection of Irises the whole of Messrs. Von Siebold & Co.'s stock of
seedlings, consisting of selections from the best types of double,
semi. double, and single varieties of Iris Ktempfori, and as it is his
intention to distribute these plants at once, a good oppoitunity is
offered of seenring some fine varieties which may reasonably be
expected to exist amongst them. Mr. Hovey, whoso arrival in this
country we announced the other day, states that some of the varieties
which he has recently grown are truly magnificent, both as regards
colour and size of flower.

Orchids at Garibaldian Villa, Tottenham. — The following
have been, and still are, beautifully iu flower, viz. : — CattleyaTriante,
C. Mendelll, C. Mossia3, and C.amethystoglossa ; Cymbidium Mastersi
and C. eburneum; Coelogyne cristata and C. speciosa; eighteen
kiuds cf Lady's-slippers and as many Denrirobes ; Dendrocbilum
glumaceum ; Epidendrum aurantiacum ; Vanda Cathcarti and others ;
four kinds of Laelia; Saccolabium prtcmorsum; Renanthera matu-
tinaj various Masdevallias, Phalseuopsids, and Odontoglossums ;
Sophronitia grandiflora and many others. Of these the Phalainopsids are
bearing scores of fine spikes; the Odontoglossum house is also very
gay, and the Cattleyas will be at their best in about a fortnight.
The plants altogether look well, and have maintained a fine display
all through the winter. — H. C.

Crocuses at Tooting. — At Mr. Barr's grounds we were agree,
ably surprised to find a good clump of the new and rare Etruscau
Crocus (C. etruBcus) flowering freely amongst many other choice
kind^. The flowers, which are purple with faint stripes and awtet.
scented, associate well with such varieties as C. banaticua, a flue
dark kind, the delicate C. Weldeni, and the various forms of C. sul-
phureus, the most conspicuous of which are striatus, feathered with
dark stripes ; concolor, of a uniform pale yellow ; and laeteus, of nearly
a cream colour. A variety somewhat resembling C. stellaris being
of a pale yellow, heavily pencilled with black ou the outside, and
a bright golden-yellow within, is very attractive.

Flower Shows at the Crystal Palace. — We have received
a copy of the schedule of prizes offered for competition at the summer
exhibition to be held on May 24. There are thirty-two classes alto,
gether, and only first and second prizes are offered. In conjunction
with this is a list of the prizes offered by the National Kose Society
for competition on June 28.

The Spotted Hellebore (H. gnttatns). — Among the rich
collection of Hellebores at Mr. Barr's grounds at Tooting, we
observed a remarkably fine form of the above. The flowers are as
large as those of H. niger, spreading, nearly white, and each sepal
very profusely spotted with dark purple. The sight of this hand-
some variety at once gives a clue to the origin of the copiously
spotted hybrids that have lately emanated from the continental
gardens, and with which, until lately, our acquaintance has been
by means of illustrations only. Another very distinct kind is a
blush. tinted form of the Olympian Hellebore (H. olympioua), ou
which account it is decidedly superior to the original, which gene-
rally assumes a greenish shade. — W.

Orchids at Southampton. — Being at Southampton the other
day and having a few hours to spare, I bethought myself of an invi.
tation given me by Dr. Ward, more than twelvemonths ago, to call
and see his Orchids should I be in the neighbourhood. It was a
wretchedly cold day, snow was falling fast, and glad I was when I
reached Dr. Ward's residence iu Harland Place, facing the public
park. Although cramped for space. Dr. Ward has sufficient glass
structures to contain a very choice collection of Orchids— a perfect

multiim in parvo. Here I found the choicest representatives from
every country and their finest forma, from Dendrobium Wardianum
to the beat of the introductions of later years ; such as Odoutoglos-
sums, Roezli, vexillarium, &c., and all wonderfully luxuriant and
healthy. Amongst plants in flower, I noticed some grand examples
of Lycaste Skinneri, Sophronitis grandiflora, La)lia acuminata, Onci-
dium leucochilum, Calanthe vestita, several forms of Cypripediums,
Odontoglossums, Zygopetaluma, and others, all showing abundance of
flower spikes. Suflice it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my short
visit, and went away feeling thankful that it is possible to find here
and there in one's travels an oasis, as it were, in the desert. Would
that there were many such ! Now that Orchids are so cheap, and
cool house ones so easy to cultivate, is it not surprising that there
are so few cultivators of them to be found. To the credit of
Southampton, be it Eaid, there are, I believe, several very excel-
lent collections in its neighbourhood, whose acquaintance I had no
time to make. — F. H.

Qardening (Illustrated). — This is a cheap new weekly paper,
intended to meet the wants of small cultivators. All who enjoy the
charms and the healthful and profitable advantages of gardening must
wish these to be extended to every owner or occupier of even the
smallest patch of land. Happily for most of ns, the pleasures of a
garden have little relation to its extent. In so far as they have, the
advantages seem to be in favour of the smaller claaa of gardens.
Many an amateur cultivating his own garden out of business hours
is happier in it than he who is waited upon by a dozen gardeners.
Good health and pleasure can be secured by the buay mau in no way
better than by gardening. Advanced as our horticulture is, much
yet remains to be done : Markets and large cities to supply with the
best hardy fruits ; the land made to double its present produce ; the
worthless kinds of fruit with which the greater number of small
gardens and orchards are stocked have to be removed and replaced by
first-rate varieties, hardy enough to grow anywhere ; the great variety
of delicate vegetables now existing have to be made popular, so as
to bo a useful aid to our present food supplies ; and there is room for
vast improvement in all that concerns the embellishment of the out.
door garden throughout the year with plants hardy in our climate.
The aim of Gaudening (Illustiated) will be to help forward progress,
eapeoially in the smaller class of gardens, and to so treat the various
subjects dealt with in its pages that its words may be understood by
all who read.

The floral decorations at Windsor Castle on the occasion of the
marriage of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, were on a
very extensive scale, and were most tastefully arranged by Mr, Jones,
the head gardener at Frogmore. Messrs. Veitch and Sons had the
honour of presenting the bridal bouquet, and Her Majesty and the
Crown Princess of Germany also accepted bouquets from Messrs.
Veitch.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

DALMAHOY POTATO.
I SHOULD not have thought so much misapprehension existed with
regard to this Potato, as the letters of " A. D." and Mr. Balnea seems
to indicate; allow me, therefore, to snpplement my brief note
(p. 225) by a few more particulars regarding the Dalmahoy, as it is to
be regretted that any uncertainty should exist regarding a Potato
every way excellent, except, perhaps, that it is not one of the beat
disease-resisting kinds- It is an enormous and even cropper, equal,
in my opinion, to any other sort in cultivation at present, and the
same may be said of its cooking qualities. It forma our main second
early crop here, usually coming in in July, and lasting throughout
August and part of September. It was raiaed twenty years ago, or
perhaps more, near Edinburgh, and was named, I believe, after the
place where it originated. For very nearly the period just named, it
has, to my knowledge, been a favourite main-crop garden variety in
the Lothians, and its merits were many years ago pointed out by
Mr. Thomson, of Drumlanrig, who cultivated it extenaively when at
Archerfield, in Eaat Lothian, where it waa generally grown as a
second early, and it has been more than once described by Mr. Thom.
son and others as suoh. In all the trustworthy Scotch seed cata-
logues it is described as a second early sort, and one of the best
and large quantities of it are distributed by the Scotch houses,
while the Tork Regent is described as a "late" kind. In Carter's
list, where the different varieties are entered in their order of earli.
ness the Dalmahoy comes in after the Early Shaw, and the Regent
as one of the latest on the list. Mr Baines' description of the two
sorts would be pretty near the mark if he would reverse their names.
He has just transposed the two. The Dalmahoy has the shallowest

248

THE GARDEN.

[March 22, 1&79.

eyes, in which reapeot it can be diatinguished from the Regent at a
glance. What haa been extenaively grown for| a long time in York.
Bhire aa the Regent, and sold by those who claim to have the true
variety is unfit to lift or use when the Dalmahoy ia completely
ripe and cooka like a flour-ball. The Dalmahoy is much smoother
than the Regent in outline, and haa also very much the shallowest
eyea. Messrs. Ireland & Thomson hold stock of what is regarded as
the true Dalmahoy by those who have bean longest and beat ac-
quainted with it. J. S. W.

Potatoes worth Growing.— Oa first reading " A. D.'s " com.
ments (p. 20G) upon the aorta of Potatoes which I recommended for
planting, I did not notice hia atatement that the Regent waa almost
certain to ahow a crop more than halt diseased. This ia incorrect ;
even in the worst of seasons, if the seed be properly prepared and
planted in good time (which the great majority of people who only
grow such a quantity aa is required for their own use can without
difficulty do), the crop will be ready for taking np before the disease
makes its appearance ; and even if half the produce were rotten,
still the grower would be a great deal better off with one-half sound
and of good quality, than with the whole of most of the worthless
aorta year by year recommended at a high price. If the Regents be
not worth planting, may I ask " A. D." how it ia that the numbera
of individuals who each grow hundreds of acres in the great Potato,
growing districts still have at least three. fourths of their land occu-
pied with Regenta ? The character which thia best of Potatoes
receivea from " A. D." meeta with direct confutation in nineteen,
twentietha of the gardena and fields where Potatoes are grown
throughout the kingdom. Those who choose to grow sorta that coat high
prices for mere novelty have a right to do as they please, but it is
quite time that the immense number of people who only want the
best should realise the fact that there are none amongst the new
kinds which surpass the old ones, and very few that equal them, not.
withstanding the efforta made to push them forward. — T. Baines.

Aa I have grown all the sorts of Potatoes alluded to (p. 206)

over and over again, and have satisfied myself aa to the exactness of
what I previoualy said concerning them, I prefer to abide by the
Chiawick decisions, which were made only after opportunities of com.
pariaon such as no private grower could posaeas. Seed obtained from
one locality may yield a crop either earlier or later than aeed of the
same kind obtained from another place, and thua lead to the inference
that they are distinct kinda. Moreover, true stocks are not always
aent oat. At Chiswick, the atocka of each sort grown were obtained
from several houses or localitiea, and the truest possible stocks were
secured in every case. Mr. Legge ia more fortunate than most
growers with his Regenta. All through this part of the country,
where that variety has been grown by the hundred acres for market,
the loss reaulting by it waa very heavy, and, in consequence. Magnum
Bonum and Market Champion are taking its place. Out of several
hundredaof bushels of various aorta sold retail during the paat winter,
positively not more than one gallon of Regents has been asked for.
Those growers are, undoubtedly, wise who prefer to stake their hopes
of a winter supply of Potatoea on aome kind that will not give them
a crop half rotten, let its sound remainder be ever ao good. — A. D.

Hagnum Bonum Potato. — Last season, at seed time, a sackful
of Magnum Bonum Potatoes was seut to me, and they were duly
planted ; one row, 35 ft. long, across one of our rich garden quarters,
and six rows in the field along with Patterson's Victoria, Regent,
and Comptou's Surprise. I lifted the single row on the 29th of August,
and it yielded twenty-six atones of the very best Potatoes I ever saw,
but I cannot say that they were the handsomest. The six rows in the
field turned out a grand crop, but, if anything, more ugly than in the
garden. I find Magnum Bonum to be a success, but compared with
Lapstone it sinks into insignificance. — R. Gilbert, BurghU'ij.

Scarcity of Green Vegetables.— Green vegetables have not
been so scarce for aome years aa they are now. A farmer here
has just commenced cutting Turnip tops for the London market.
Although they are of poor quality, and are out with a large por-
tion of Turnip attached to them, they have realised very high
prices. Aa is often the caae scarcity appears to intensify the
desire for fresh vegetables, and the cultivator above alluded to is
beseiged by applications by thoae who might easily have secured
themselves against this dearth. Freah, juicy Cabbages may bj
had the whole winter through, and a day's work for one " man
would suflice to provide for the wants of a email houaehold. Sop.
posing a good piece of Coleworts to be grown, they should, at the
commencement of the winter, be laid in closely in a sheltered
place, and if protected by a few boards or some litter, tender
Cabbage may be had the whole winter through, no matter how
severe the weather may be, I have practised this system myself

and know its value. I would therefore recommend it to the notice
of those of your readers who may now be suffering from a scarcity
of green vegetables. — X Cokmhill, Byjleet.

Early Peas in Boxes. — For the earliest crop out.of-doors we
use long narrow boxes made in 8-it. lengths. They are merely strips
of wood fastened together at the ends by means of tapering pieces
of wood, and there is an extra piece in the centre for increasing the
strength. These boxes have no bottoms, but strips of turf are laid
in them to retain the soil. The latter is about 2 in. deep, and the
Peas are sown in it in January. By the time they are ready to
transfer to the open border in the end of February or early in March,
they will be found to have rooted through the turf. They are at once
staked, and evergreen branches are placed at close intervals to break
the current of harsh winds. I may add that the boxes are 4 in. wide
at the bottom, G in. wide at the top, and 4 in. deep. In planting, a
trench is taken out and the box ia set in it. After such a winter as
the paat, I find that by this mode of treatment a good start is obtained
over Peas sown out-of-doors in November. The latter, as a rule, are
gappy and very much out up. — J. G.

Veitch's Protecting and Grange's Cauliflower Broccoli. —
The paat winter haa been very destructive to Broccoli cropa generally,
and kinds that usually come into use in autumn are only now be.
coming fit for table. We have lately been cutting good heada of
Veitch's Protecting, a kind that in ordinary seasons would have been
fit for useatChriatmaa;alao Grange's Cauliflower Broccoli, a very good
sort. It ia rather aingular how these eacaped, while many of the
late sorta on the same quarters are killed. Their heads were par.
tially advanced before the froat aet in, and they were frozen aa hard
as atone for weeks, yet the thick covering of foliage and gradual
thawing under an entire absence of sunshine saved the remnant of
the crop. It is somewhat singular that Cabbage plants, even in the
seed beds and protected from the severest weather by a covering of
snow, are more cut np than the Broccoli. — J. Groom, Maidstone.

Spade Hoes. — The illustration (p. 205) pretty nearly represents
» very uaef ul garden implement in daily use in Kentish gardens ; we
call it a mattock hoe, as it answers the purpose of hoeing, grubbing
up roots, and digging at the same time ; in fact, aa " I. O. U."
remarka, although a rude and simple-looking implement, it ia surpris.
ing the variety of uaea to which it may be put. Here the land ia
stiff, and orchard and garden crops necessitating a good deal of traffic
on the soil, light tools so useful on light sandy land are comparatively
useless, therefore tools of great strength have to be provided, and the
spade or mattock hoe is invaluable, aa it cats up the softest weeds or
the stoutest suckers with equal facility. Another Kentish tool for
breaking up or trenching land, or digging hop gardens or orchards, is
the "Jspud " or three-tined fork, the size andlweight of which would
alarm those accustomed to use Park's light steel forks, but which the
labourers here prefer to a spade. — J. Groom, Linton.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS-

Laurels Turning Yellow.— My Laurek are planted on a chalk
bauk, with a south aspect, in about 2 ft. of good soil ; nevoi-thelesa, they
turn yellow, a circumstance for which I cannot account, aud I should be
glad of iuformatiou on the subject. — B. C. W. [The chalk subsoil is
the ciuse of the ehaugo of colour, and there is no remedy except dig-
ging out the chalk to a much greater depth, and replacing it with soil free
from calcareous matter. Why not substitute Box for Laurels? Box
flourishes on the driest hanks and in the most chalky soils. — W. W-]

Soil for Cucumbers. — I have a Cucumber house heated with hot
water pipes. What soil suits the growth of Cucumbers best. — Sub. [A
loam of medium texture that is neither heavy nor light suits Cucumbers
best. It should not be broken up iuto pieces of less size than that of
fowl's eggs, as then the fibre is more lasting. Add to every 9 bushels of
loam one bushel of horse manure and half a bushel of charcoal pounded into
bits the size of marbles. Thoi'oughly incorporate the whole together, and
when making up the bed press the soil moderately tirm — W. U.]

Crocuses after Flowering.— What is best to he done with
Crocuses and other bulbs when done flowering.— A. S. [Plant them out in
mixed flower borders. Do not cut off the stems, but let them decay
naturally, they may then be expected to flower fairly well in open borders
next season. Bulbs are so cheap, and flowering them in pots a second
season so unsatisfactory, that it is not worth the trial. — W. W. 1

Flowerless Stephanotia.— In the autumn of 1877, I planted a
strong plant of Stephanotis floribunda in a narrow border at one end of a
lean-to plant stove, 28 ft. long. It made considerable growth last season,
which was carefully trained to three wires on the back wall, near the top.
These growths reached the other end of the house by the end of the
season, but produced no bloom, with the exception of one solitary small
truss. Growth has again commenced, and shoots as thick aa a quill are
already 3 ft. long, but there is no sign of bloom. Have I got what ia
called the flowerless variety ? A word of advice from some of your Cor-
respondents would be very acceptable, — H. H, [I have had numbers o

March 22, 1879. J

THE GARDEN.

249

Stephanotis from different sources, but I never have met with one of the
so-called flowerless varieties, although I have seen a good many fail to
bloom through not receiving the treatment which they required. Aback
wall, such as that described, is a bad place for Stephanotis, which wants
all the light possible and sunshine as well, so far as that caa be admitted
without scorching. If much or fixed shading has been used on the roof
of the hoase, the plant will be all but certain to fail as regards flowering.
Unless the extending shoots, which sometimes run to a considerable length
before producing any bloom buds, show blossoms in a week or two, I should
recommend the plant being cut back to half its present length, and, if
possible, the head and the shoots thit will be formed during the summer
should be trained on wires close under the roof glass over the front path
in the house, if such exists. Use as little and as thin moveable shading
as is consistent with the non-scorching of the other occupauts ; the
Stephanotis likes a drier atmosphere and more air than the generality of
stove subjects. Where the conditions above pointed to are absent, it never
gets sufficiently ripened to bloom more than sparingly. — T. Baines.]

Evergreen Hedge. — A. P. 0. — If the soil be suitible, nothing will
answer your purpose better than Holly.

Goat Moth. — " W. C. B. " (p. 22'3) may easily rear the goat moth by
confining it in a large flower pot, or some other vessel, placing a little
earth at the bottom, and giving it a small log of Oak to eat. The perfect
insect comes out about the end of June ; it does not remain long in the
chrysalis stxte. It is useless to put it in a wooden box, as it can easily
eat its way out. — Geo. Wall, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wi'jiit.

Liberian CofiFee Seeds (p. 227).— The germination of those de-
pends entirely on their condition. If fresh and good, they vegetate in
about a month or six weeks, if sown in a temperatare of from 7*^^ to y5^.
The plants should be grown in a similar temperature, and cultivated the
same as any ordinary hothouse plant ; there is nothing special in their
cultivation. — B.

Pathways for Peach Houses.—" Welshman ■' (p. 132) will
find lattice footpaths the most suit.able. We have them here made with
four Oak rails 3 in, wide and each li in. thick, nailed on cross bars 1 in.
apart , they make capital pathways. Stone paths in any fruit house are
never good, as the soil cannot be watered unilerneath them.^C.VM BRIAN.

Seeds lor Binding Sand. — Will some one be kind enough to
advise me as to what kind of seeds will germinate and grow best in pure
sand banks along the sea shore ? This is a question of much importance
in many looilities. as sand blowing on to the land becomes a heavy loss.
Last year we sowed six bushels of Broom seed on the sands, and harrowed
it in like Grain crops, but it failed to grow- — Camurian. [Seeds, we fear,
would not vegetate. Roots of " Sea-bent " are best for covering sandy
stretches and arresting drifting sand. — G. B.]

Dead Tops of Pampia Grass.— I have throe large plants of
Pampas Grass with tops all killed by frost. Would it be safe to bui-n off
the withered Grass as is done on the prairies of America. It would be
difficult to cut them down as they are a mass of stems, and have not been
cut for years. — O- W- D- [It would undoubtedly injure Pampas Grass
plants to barn off their dead leaves. The dead Grass should bo cut off
with a knife. A good thick layer of well-rotted manure dug in, round,
and over the roots of such plants would be very beneSoial to them. — G. B.

Pansies for Exhibition — Kindly give the names of twelve of
the best Pansies for this purpose. — F. P. [The following are a few of the
best show kinds : — Captain Cowan, deep golden yellow, belted with bronze
purple; Dr. Gibb, cream self ; George Murray, pare yellow self ; Undine,
white, with a very light purple belting ; Clio, deep yellow, with a light
purple belting ; Garry, rich dark self ; Mrs. Reid, white, with a very light
purple belting ; Alpha, pure white self, with a distinct dark blotch ;
W. Forbes, dark self; John Halliday, rich yellow, belted with maroon;
Mrs. Russell, light yellow, belted with bronzy purple ; Favourite, white
ground, violet purple margin ; Mrs. Henderson, white, with a light purple
margin.]

Roses and Gishurst Compound.— I have some very good freo-
growing Roses of various sorts, climbiag over some rough wooden palings
about Sft. high. Some of them were quite spoiled last year, and nearly
so the year before, by red spider. I wish to try " Gishurst Compound"
as a remedy, but fear that if I apply it by syringing freely and strongly
enough to kdl the red spider, I may so impregnato the soil with tho
" Compound," as to kill my Roses and other plants. Will any of your
readers tell me whether I need fear this, and if not when I had better
syringe my Roses, and what strength to use the " Compound."^
Tegapa. [Gishurst Compound will do very well as a winter dressing for
Roses, and no fear of its injuring the roots need be apprehended if it be
used according to the directions that will be found on the box containing
it. Well syringe every crevice of the palings as well as the Roses. The
best preventive of red spider is to manure the ground freely, and keep the
Roses well watered ; once let the border get dry and the foundation is
laid for tho attacks of this pest. Every evening in dry weather well
syringe tho plants with clear water. — W. W. H.]

Peach Trees and Galvanised Wire.— I should be greatly
obliged if any of your experienced readers could explain the cause of my
Peach trees becoming black and the bark going to decay at the exact part
where they touch the galvanised wires ? They have been planted two
years, in a small house without artificial heat, and are now full of bloom
buds, but since the sun begun to shine they show symptoms of suffering
in all cases beyond the damaged part. I have also on a portion of the
back wall, and trained to the same kind of wire, a Jessamine, which is

alike damaged. Is this usual ? and can it be prevented without taking
down the wires ? If not, what should I do for the best ? and should the
alteration be made at once, or should the trees be left alone this season ?
■ — J. VVooD, WoodviUe House. The Spring, Kirkstall. [Though some
cultivators denounce galvanised wire and believe it to be injurious in the
manner indicated, you need not get alarmed or think that you must take
down the wires. Simply tie slacker, so as to allow sufficient space for the
expansion of the wood. We have galvanised wire trellises in two of oar
Peach houses, yet a branch never dies, and full crops of fruit hive been
obtained regularly for many years. — H. W.]

Insects. — J. Q., Henhj Hall. — Of your four grubs two are the grubs
of the beetle, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, well known for the injury which
they do to the roots of plants ; the other two are pupa of some hy-
menopterous insect. The four are much alike in size and colour, but are
very different as the slighest examination shows. You should destroy as
many of the grubs as you can to prevent them getting into the perfect
state, and so prevent increase. — W. W. S.

Work on Castor-oil Plant. — R. P. — We know of no such work
on the Castor-oil plant. We presume you mean its culture in the Tropics.
In this country its culture is'very simple, and is described in the " Sub-
tropical Garden."

Names of Plants. — J. R. — Apparently some seedling form of
Rhododendron Dalhousias. C. M. 0. — Primula dentioulata, or some slight
variety of it ; Viburnum lucidum, Pteria longifolia, and Andromeda caly-
culata latifolia. P. J. N- — Seems a small shoot of the Carob tree (Cera-
tonia Siliqua), but with such a specimen it is difficult to say with certainty.
Wnite Lapajeria. — It is a much newer and rarer plant, and the stock in
the country much less ; therefore, it is more expensive. SoiUh Wales. —
Seems to be part of a leaf of Lardizabala biternata. In South Wales it
should form a fine wall climber.

ROSES.

WINTER AND SPRING FORCED ROSES.
The method of forcing Roses given in detail by M. Lachaume
(p. 20l!) differs materially from that practised in this country,
especially by the best growers of these flowers for the London
market. In Prance it appears that small plants are mostly
grown one season in pots and then forced, the heat by which
they are brought into flower in the case of such as are forced
in frames being derived from fermenting materials alone. In
Prance the plants seem to be grown in comparative darkness,
but in England we are of opinion that plenty of light is con-
ducive not only to the production of large flowers, but in the
case of pinks, reds, and yellows better colour; and flowers pro-
duced by plants so treated keep longer fresh than when they
have been grown with less light. Nor is this all. The Rose
growers in this country find that by subjecting their plants to
a maximum of light whilst being brought on into flower they
grow on and increase in size and strength from year to year ;
whereas if forced in darker situations they improve but little,
even if no absolute deterioration takes place. The advantages
of the plants getting stronger and larger are manifest as the
flowers borne by such are, in the aggregate, much larger than
those from small plants, a circumstance which makes a mate-
rial difference in the prices which they realise, as full-sized
blooms fetch the double the money small ones do. Anything
in the shape of fermenting matter in the houses in which the
plants are forced is now e.xcluded by those whose flowers are
held in the highest estimation by the buyers, for, as might be
supposed, everything of this character tends to the production
of a soft, flabby, texture in the blooms, thus rendering them
less durable and, consequently, less valuable.

The houses which have in recent years been erected, and
which are still being largely added to, are made to admit as
much light as any combination of glass and wood can possibly
do. The glass in most cases is from 18 in. to 20 in. wide, and
the bars which hold it are as thin as they can be, considering
the weight they have to bear ; they are, however, strengthened
by a proportionately light bar, placed beneath them trans-
versely midway between the eave and ridge, and which at short
intervals is supported by light iron or wood uprights. Not
only is the roof thus made so as to intercept no more light
than can be avoided, but the sides and ends are often glass
right down to within a few inches of the ground. Such are
the Rose houses now being built by the market growers in the
neighbourhood of London, and which in many cases have
another peculiarity ; viz., the extremely small provision made
for the admission of air through the autumn, winter, and

250

THE GAKDEN.

[Mabch 22, 1879.

spring ; in fact, for nine months out of the twelve. To such
extremes is this being carried, as to quite upset much that has
been written in regard to ventilation in plant-houses of all
kinds. But when we see such a course pursued by people who
have been years engaged and are most successful in growing
this particular flower, in a way that gives the best return for
the outlay incurred, and when, ini addition, we see the
plants go on year after year improving in size and ability
to produce larger quantities of the finest flowers, it be-
comes evident that all has not been learned which; is possible
on this important subject. It is, in fact, a confirmation of
what I have long observed, and also urged, in the cultivation
of by far the greater number of the plants that require, or are
grown in, heat, viz., that the more light we can give them the
less air they need. There is immeasurably more mischief done
by the admission of too much external air than there is in the
opposite direction, to say nothing of the waste in fuel when
the internal air of the structures in which plants are grown is
warmed so as to necessitate the ventilators being opened to let
it out. The subject, however, is one which needs to be
approached with caution. Those who attempt to grow plants
in heat, and with a minimum admission of air in dark houses, or
such as do not admit the full complement of light, are almost
certain to fail. Insufficient light and little air will not do
together. Where there is a minimum of the former, there
must be a maximum of the latter in the case of plants cultivated
in heat. T. Baines.

old leaves intact are already puehing np vigorously. To Ferna and
many other plants, the decaying leaves also form a natural and effi-
cient winter protection. — J. G. L.

CENTAURBA RAGUSINA FROM SEED.

It will be years before we shall get a bedding plant likely to be
capable ot euperseding this. It is eo striking in appearance, so com-
pact in growth, and so useful in various combinations that it is almost
without a rival. Its glistening silvery foliage contrasts well with
such plants as Lobelia speciosa, purpleand violet Petunias, Verbenas,
Gazania splendena, &c., and it remains good right up to the end of
the summer. One good quality about C. ragnsina is, that no amount
of rain disBgurea the plant in the least ; the leaves retain their colour
under all circumstances. Some find it difficult to propagate by means
of cuttings. This is obviously the best method of keeping up a stock
of a good, compact variety (for aeedlinga differ in type), and a good
plan to secure such a atock is to introduce aome old atools of last
summer's growth into a good brisk heat in February, at the same
time depriving them of a great part of their foliage, and in a few
daya there will be plenty of young auckers and side-shoots, which,
taken off with a small portion of the stem attached, inserted in a
2i.in. pot, and plunged in a brisk bottom. heat, will, in a few daya,
be rooted sufficiently to be potted off, which operation needs to be
performed tenderly, as the roots are very brittle, and soon break.
When the cuttings are repotted, they should be returned to warm
quarters to establish themselves a little ; they can then be gradually
hardened off.

A short time since I Bowed 500 fine plump seeds, Bowing them in
pans in a good, light, sandy aoil, and placing them on a gentle bottom
heat. Over 400 of them grew quickly, and the others are gradually
ahowing through the soil. As soon aa large enough to handle they
will be pricked off into ahallow boxea. The next ahift will be into
small sixty pots, and, it there is time and house apace, they will yet
have another ahift. Thia is a rapid way of getting up a stock, and I
find as a general rule that seedling planta are pretty uniform in cha-
racter. At any rate, the aeedling plants that ahow a tendency to
grow tall should be planted out with tall. growing plants, or go in the
centre of large beds, keeping the dwarfer-growing types tor dwarfer
associates. I have tried Centaurea ragnsina compacta tor bedding
purposes, and confess to being disappointed. It is too dwarf tor mauy
combinations, and to my mind it lacks the chastened ailvery hue that
belongs to the older type. Such ia my experience. Others may be
more fortunate with it, but I can only state what has happened in
my own case. To many the foregoing |information may appear the
reverse of new. Let it be remembered that the ranks ot gardeners,
and of amateur gardeners in particular, are constantly being renewed,
and that there is, in oonaequenoe, no lack ot learners. D.

Tritomas and the Frost. — We grow Tritoma Uvaria and other
varieties extensively, as when in bloom they look well backed up by
evergreens. After the frost first broke up, in clearing away decayed
leaves and frost-bitten subjects, aome ot the Tritomas were partially
divested of their weather-beaten leavea, and I find that these have
suffered severely from succeeding frosts, while those left with their

PROPAGATING.

Grafting Daphne indica rubra. — This is best increased in
this way. Get the stocks into the propagating house early in
March — say a fortnight before they are required to be grafted,
in order that the sap may be in motion. With a sharp knife
cut the scion, as shown in fig. 1, then the stock, as seen
in fig. 2 ; bind tightly together with thread or matting,
and put a small piece of grafting wax on the top (cut-off part)
of the stock ; set them on a cool bottom in the grafting box in

Fig. 1.— Scion of Daphne indica rubra.

the propagating house, and keep them close for a few days
then give a little air every morning for a couple of hours.
Under proper treatment they generally unite in about six
weeks, when they may be gradually inured to more air, and
removed to the greenhouse. — H. H.

Useful Paths for Forcing Houses. — There
are so many fancy articles now-a-days in the way
ot tiles and other ornamental flooring, that some
of the more serviceable but less ahowy materials
get overlooked. For forcing houses or pita where
a good deal of work has necessarily to be done, and
where a smooth, hard surface that can readily be
cleaned is a desideratum more than ornamental
effect, I find nothing better than good cement laid
on a good thickness of concrete or broken bricks. If
applied about 1 in. thick and allowed to get tho.
roughly set and hard before it is trodden on, any
kind ot wheeling or even carting may safely be
carried on on it, and it is very durable. A grating
just outside the door, with a cesspool to catch any
sand or soil that may be washed out of the houses, so that the water
may run away without choking the drains, will be found a useful
addition to any kind ot glass structure. — J. G. L.

Hardiness of Selaginella Kraussiana and S. Browni.—

These have proved hardy with me thia winter planted in an unheated
hoaae. They are now quite healthy and growing. — J. L.

Fine Dendrobium Wardianum. — Mr. Charles Hart, ot Loa,
aends us flowers ot a remarkably fine variety ot Dendrobium War.
dianum, measuring 5 in. in diameter, and very finely coloured. It is
pronounced to be the finest variety yet Been ot this plant.

Fig. 2,— Stock for
Daphne.

THE GARDEN.

251

No; sa4i]

SATVHSAT, UABCa 29, 1878.

Vol. XV.

■' This is an art
JIThich does mend Nature : change it rather : bnt
Thb Abt itself is Natueb." — Shakespeare,

EARLY FLOWERING SAXIFRAGES.
In spite of cutting easterly winds, and the bleak wintry storms
that still prevail, the group of Alpine Saxifrages, of which
S. oppositifolia may be regarded as the type, display their
charms here in a manner that seems almost out of harmony
with the rest of Nature. The original typical form of
S. oppositifolia, so common (and, perhaps, exclusively known)
forty years ago, is now very scarce with us. Its rosy purple
flowers are nearly circular, and form a mass of bloom so dense
that the blossoms often overlap each other, and entirely con-
ceal the foliage. The variety known as S. oppositifolia var.
splendens, has flowers of much greater brilliancy, though
slightly smaller. In bud, especially, the colour is almost car-
mine, and exquisitely beautiful. In density of bloom it
approaches the typical form, but rarely quite equals it. This
variety we obtained many years ago ou the mountains of
Scotland. S. oppositifolia major has flowers twice the size
of the typo, with less of the purple tinge. It is of a clear Rose
colour, inclining to Cherry. The petals are broad and well
rounded, but when fully expanded they are less compact than
those of the type. The origin of this showy variety is unknown
to me. S. oppositifolia pyrenaica differs conspicuously in
habit. Its shoots are ascending (/. e , erect at the tips), and
are twice as robust as those of any of the preceding. The
flowers also are larger, but usually more sparse. Perhaps its
finest form is S. oppositifolia pyrenaica maxima, which has
enormous blossoms (as large as shillings), of a lovely light
rose colour. The inflorescence of this is often very dense.
S. oppositifolia alba has, as the name implies, white flowers,
■which form a pleasing contrast to the other varieties; but,
unfortunately, though the colour is good, the form of tie alba
which we grow at York is anything but good. It is narrow-
petalled, and not compact in bloom. Should any one possess
a snow-white, well formed, compact flowering alba, I should be
glad to have some information respecting it.

S. Rudolphiana (Koch) has a more spreading habit of growth,
and the rosy purple flowers are borne sometimes singly, some-
times (though rarely) in pairs. Its alliance is with S. biflora,
the habit of which is loose, with clustered ascending tips. The
flowers are in clusters of from two to four, varying in tints
from bright rose to deep blood colour; petals narrow, and
wide apart. S. Kochi is similar in habit to the last, but it
has rosy purple flowers, also borne in twos and fours together
at the extremities of the shoots ; it is good in form, the petals
being broad and close. S. retasa has foliage very short, firm,
dense, and compact. Its flowers are small, and in clusters at
the extremity of erect stalks ; the petals are narrow, pale
rose, sometimes brighter. It blooms rather later than the
varieties of S. oppositifolia. S. Wulfeniana is closely allied to the
preceding, of which it is probably the Tyrolese form. S. Bur-
seriana, with its charming white circular erect blossoms, and
brownish-red — sometimes almost scarlet — calyces, contrasts
grandly with any or all of the foregoing, and blooms at the
same time, or even earlier ; i. e., as soon as the winter's cover-
ing of snow or ice melts off. This species forms dense circular
cushions of compact erect branchlets, and is an invaluable
early spring flower.

S. oppositifolia and its varieties flourish in'open, rich, loamy
soil, either in the common garden border or in fissures of rook-
work ; but, in either case, the soil should be trenched or pre-
pared fully 2 ft. deep, so that the roots may reach a level
below that which is affected by summer drought. They are
perhaps the finest when placed in* a fissure or on a ledge of
rockwork, where the roots can ramble backwaid or down to
any depth, the soil being rich, light loam, mixed with frag-
ments of limestone or grit (small fragments of any rock will
do), and a little river sand. Ihey should always be placed so
as to get sunshine ; they grow but will not flower freely in the

shade. The same treatment, with a little admixture of peat or
vegetable mould, suits S. retusa and S. Wulfeniana. The Tyro-
lese species (biflora, Rudolphiana, and Kochi) are less easy to
please. They grow wild on the moraines of glaciers, where
light vegetable soil, sand, and dehrU of every kind blend with
massive rocks, now coating the surface, now filling the inter-
stices ; water dripping or oozing around, and frequently flow-
ing in volume within 2 ft. or 3 ft., so as to soak the bases of
the rooks on which their rosy carpet is spread. They will
condescend to grow in pots, nevertheless, but rarely with the
freedom which characterises the varieties of S. oppositifolia.
York. J. Backhodse.

PRIMROSES AS WINDOW PLANTS.

The Primrose, both single and double, is deservedly a favourite
garden flower, but its value as a pot plant for window decora-
tion is not perhaps so well known as it should be. There is
not the slightest reason why our dwellings should not be made
gay with this charming spring flower at an earlier period of
the year than it comes naturally into bloom in the open air.
Primroses arc impatient of forcing, but they flower beautifully
in the window of a cool room, and expand their pretty bright
blooms as well, and oftentimes better, than wheu in the open
ground. Nor are they particular as to aspect; according to
my experience they thrive quite as well in a north window as
in one more fully exposed to the sun. It is this latter quality
which renders Primroses especially valuable, as we really find
but few plants which, during February and March, will grow
and flower freely in a north aspect. Many apartments, which
at this season of the year present a rather dreary appearance,
might be effectivelj' and inexpensively enlivened by filling
their windows with Primroses, and the most satisfactory pait
of the matter is that Primroses not only live there, but the
owner has the pleasure of seeing them grow, expand, and
develop fresh beauty every day. It lays in the power of every
one to render their homes bright and pleasant in early spring
by means of these ever welcome flowers. By planting them
out during summer in good soil in a sheltered situation and
keeping them well watered they may be lifted with good
crowns and roots, placed in 4-in. and 6-in. pots, and stored
awaj- in a frame or in si-mo sheltered spot where they can be
protected during severe weather, from thence to be introduced
— about the middle of January — into the situations which
they are intended to beautify. J. Corndill.

liijjleet.

Muscaii lingulatum. — The rare, pretty, and very distinct
little Muscari Imgnlatam has been in bloom with me for the last two
weeks. It ia the rlwarfest of the genua aa far as I am acquainted,
and the moat distinct. The flower spike, which ia a pale sky bine,
rises trom two short, strap-shaped leaves, which remind one more of a
Tulip or Bellevallia than Muscari. The bulba were sent to me by Mre.
Darford who collected them in the CilicianTaurna at the same time that
she diacovered Crocus parviflorua. With the Muscari Mra. Darford sent
me three or four bnlba of a Scilla allied to, but distinct from, S.
sibirica. It flowers about a week earlier than the latter species, has
blooms of a'much paler colour, and ia much smaller in all its parts.
It reminds me of Scilla eibirica minor which appeared in The Gar.
DEN a short time since. It may be the Russian S. amcenala, but I
know nothing personally of these two varieties. Mrs. Darford's
Scilla is earlier than S. bifolia nivalis ; in fact, it is the first of the
family to bloom.— H. U.4BPi;r Crewe.

lieseon from Nature.— I have often been struck with the
beautiful effects which Nature with simple materials producea in
landscape scenery. Here is an example which I saw last summer.
A river meandered through vfrdant meadows, the banks of which
were studded with Willows, Alders, Ash, and Brambles. These
were sometimes in the form of single specimens or small clomps, and
at other times expanded into dense masses of foliage, either formed
of a single species or composed of various kinds. The foreground was
carpeted with Forget-me-nots, and these again were backed np by
masses of the purple Loosestrife and the large Willow Herb which
fpratig out of the dense foliage of a species of Sedge. Higher up
tufts of the bright J ellow Tansy lighted up the whole mass, whilst
noble specimei s of the Waterdock Banked it, and the lovely flower,
ing Rush issued here and there from the water itself. A few Willows
and Adders in the background completed the picture. Effects such

252

THE GAEDEN.

.[Mabch 29, 1879.

as these are easily obtained, though not necessarily by means of the
pin- ts just named. There is, happily, a wide fiold for choice in this
reicet; there are many noble plants that are well adapted for, and
whrh might be utilised for this purpose. — John Cornhill, Bijfleet.

NORTH AMERICAN HARDY PLANTS.
We bave received from Messrs. Woolson & Co., of Passaic.
New Jersey, U.S.A., catalogu«« of North American plants,
bulbs, &c., very interesting on account of what they enumerate,
and very correct as regards nomenclature, &c. The list de-
voted specially to North American roots, bulbs, &c , is one in
•which will be found many beautiful plants of North America
offered for sale for the first time. In this American catalogue
occurs not a few plants very common in Europe, even in a wild
state, but also many which have not as yet been introduced to
cultivation here. There is a separate list of North American
Ferns, not without value to those who wish to enrich their col-
lection of hardy species, and also a list of North American
Orchids. We have reason to believe that the nomenclature of
the plants offered by this firm is correct. The following are a
few of the plants enumerated : —

Amianthiuji musc.etoxicu» (Gray). — A smooth, bnlbons plant
1 to 2 ft. high, with broadly, linear leaves, and a simple, dense
raceme of handsome white flowers, which turn green with age.
Flo.vers and foliage both showy. Does best in a rather moist, sandy
soil. New Jersey and southward.

Androstephium breviflorum [Watson). — Utah. Flowers violet,
borne in umbels of four to seven, in early spring. A stouter plant
than the next, and with smaller flowers. New and rare, and as yet
but little cultivated.

Andrcstephium vioLiCEUM (Torr.). — A rare and showy species
from Texas, 6 to 8 in. high, with a small, coated bulb, which sur-
mounts a depressed globular bulb or corm. Flowers violet, borne in
umbels, slightly fragrant.

Aeis.ema TRipnytLUit (Torr.). — An aroid, 12 to 18 in. high
from a Turnip, shaped corm. Spathe green, or of ten variegated with
dark purple and whitish stripes or spots, and much hooded at the
summit. Commonly known as " Jack.in.the-Pulpit." An interest-
ing and showy plant for moist places.

Brodi.ea gracilis (Watson). — New species; California; 2 to 4 in.
high ; dwarf, with small yellow flowers, with brown mid veins.

Brodu;.\ multiflora (Benth.). — Oregon; 1 to 2 ft. high ; flowers
blue ; leaves 1 to li ft. ; fleshy ; bulb 1 in. or more in diameter
resembles B. congesta, but distinct.

Calochortus aureus (Watson). — Southern Utah ; a dwarf species
4 to 6 in. high, with flowers 2 to 3 in. in diameter, of a deep, rich
yellow ; petals bearded and furnished with purple spots at the base;
recently described and still rare.

Calochortus elexuosus (Watson). — Utah; branching,with greenish
orange-spotted sepals and purplish petals, deep purple at the base,
and a circle of orange or purple above ; flowers 2 to 2J in. across ;
new and rare, and but little known in cultivation.

Calochortus Gbeeni (Watson). — New species ; Northern Cali-
fornia, Oregon, &c. ; 1 ft. or more high ; flowers large lilac, barred
with yellow and purple ; new to cultivation.

Calochortus Gunnisoni (Watson). — Eocky Mountains, &o. ; one
of the finest and, at least with us, most hardy species. Stem 6 to
20 in. high, bearing one to four flowers, the petals of which are white
above, yellowish. green below the middle, dark purple at the base,
and strongly bearded.

Clattonia triphvlla (Watson). — Oregon, California, &o. ; stems
from deep.seated tubers ; flowers in compound racemes, white or
pale rose colour ; not before offered.

Coopfria Drummondi (Herb.). — Texas; a bulb belonging to the
Amaryllia family, with slender, linear leaves and a naked stem, which
bears at the top a single, fragrant, white flower 1 in. or more across,
with a sleuder tube 5 to 6 in. long ; an excellent plant for forcing ;
this is hardy in our grounds.

Cooperia peduxculata (Herb.). — Tesa?; flowers white, opening
at night, and vfery fragrant ; differs from the above in having a green
tube and longer and broader leaves.

Crinusi americanum (American Crinum). — Florida ; 1 to 2 ft. ;
a rare and showy bulb which may be planted in the open ground
during summer; flowers largo; 6 to 8 in. long, very fragrant ; similar
in habit to pancratium, but without the crown on the tube of the
flower.

DrLr.'iiNU'M SIMPLES (Dongl.). — Oregon and northward; 12 to
30 in , liparing dense racemes of flowers, which vary from blue to
almost white or yellow. This species of Delphinium is tuberons-

'ooted, and drops its leaves soon after flowering ; the tubers, after
owering, may be kept in dry sand, like Dahlia roots.

Dicentra uniflora (Kellogg). — Sierras of California, southward
stems 3 to 5 in. high, from a fasciculate fleshy root, surmounted by a
bulb-like cluster of grain ; flower-scape one.flowered ; petals flesh-
coloured ; we believe this is new to cultivation.

Ebttheonium albidum (Nutl.). — White Dog's Tooth Violet. —
Iowa and other Western States ; flowers purplish white, and leaves
not generally spotted ; a fine showy species.

Erytheonium' purpureum (Watson). — A new and recently described
species from California ; flower stems low, stout, and bearing four to
eight flowers, which are light yellow, more or less tinged with purple,
and deep orange at the base ; very distinct from the last.

EuSTYLis purpurea (Englm. & Gray). — A beautiful plant belonging
to the Iris family ; flowers of a deep purple, borne on stems 1 ft.
high ; fine for forcing.

Fritillabia atropurpurea (Nutt.).— Sierra Nevada and northward j
stem 4 to 21 in. high, and bearing one to nine flowers, which are dark
brown, variegated with greenish white or yellow ; both leaves and
stems are generally tinged with brown or purple.

Feitillaeia pudica (Spreng.).— Oregon, Utah, &c. ; a pretty
dwarf species 3 to 8 in. high, and bearing one to six deep yellow,
bell-shaped flowers in early spring ; one of the easiest to grow.

Feitillaeia BECURVA (Benth.). — California; 1 ft. or more high,
with flowers 1 in. long, blotched scarlet and yellow ; very fine and
showy.

Habeanthus Andeesoni (Herb.) var. texanus. — Texas ; a beautiful
dwarf Amaryllid with narrow leaves from su.all obovate bulbs ; stem
one-flowered ; flowers 1 to 2 in. long, yellow or copper coloured,
striped externally with reddish Veins ; fine, and not offered before, we
believe.

Hespeealoe tucc.efolia (Etglm.). — Texas; this, which has
been styled the "Ked-flowered Yucca," grows 4 to 5 ft. high, with
numerous red, cylindrical, bell-shaped flowers, which look more like
those of Aloe than Yucca ; a very rare plant which has seldom been
under cultivation.

Hespeeochieon puMiLUS (Poiter). — Oregon, &c. ; a dwarf, stemless
Alpine 2 to 4 in. high, bearing in early spring single purple or pur.
plish white flowers, which are densely bearded within ; this is Villar.
sia pumila (Dougl ).

Lewisia beachycarpa (Engelm.). — Utah, Sierras, &c. ; a species
new to cultivation so far as we are aware ; the leaves are fleshy,
spathulate or linear in rosettes ; flowers white, 1 in. or more in dia-
meter, with seven to nine petals, and very showy.

Mertensia OBLONGIFOLIA (Don). — Oregon, &o. ; 6 to 8 in. ; this is
one of the most showy and desirable Alpines for early spring flowering
that we have cultivated ; the flowers are deep blue in close clusters ;
it has proved perfectly hardy with us for several years, having stood
our cold winters without protection.

Pancratium ROT atum (Ker.). — Florida to North Carolina; 1 to 2ft.;
flowers large, white, fragrant, with beautiful fringed crowns.

Stenanthium occidextale (Gray). — Oregon ; a rare Liliaceous
plant, which we believe we are the first to offer; stem 6 to 24 in.
high, bearing greenish-purple flowers, which have recurved, yellowish
tips, and are borne in a raceme or simple panicle ; individual flowers
i in. or more long ; this has somewhat the habit of Camassia esou-
lenta ; Grows naturally upon the Mossy banks of mountain streams,
and, our collector writes us, is scarce.

Teillium petiolatum (Pursh).— Oregon, &o. ; the most remarka-
ble of all the N. A. species ; leaves large, cordate, with long petioles ;
flowers large, sessile, purple.

In a Somersetshire Garden. — The annexed engraving shows a
portion of a rock garden at Orchardleigh Park, on which the hardy
Palm is quite at home, grouped with Yuccas and hardy Ferns. Near
the same spot, but not shown in our sketch, the New Zealand Arundo
and the Pampes Grass attain unusual dimensions. These and such
as are shown in the engraving aro bold and varied types of exotic
plants hardy in most districts, but particularly free and vigorous in
this western county.

Balantium Culcita. — This, one of the most useful of Ferns,
has the large spreading fronds of a Dicksonia, without its stem. We
have some large clumps of it growing on elevated rocks in our
Fernery, and, in addition to its being one of the noblest looking of
Ferns, it is eminently suited for cutting, the fronds being sub.
divided so that the sprays are available for many kinds of decoration,
and of a most beautiful deep glossy green, a colour which they
retain for a very long period. Any one having a cool Fernery, and
desirous of having a riv,il to the well. known Woodward ia radieans,
should try this noble Fern, which I feel sure will give satisfaction. —
J. G., Linton.

Mabch 29, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

253

PLANTING THE SIDES OP CARRIAGE DRIVES.

In addition to the Rhododendrona which " Beta " (p. 132) proposes
planting along the sides of hia carriage drive, groaps of gold and
silver Hollies would have a capital effect, bat, in order to show these
ofiE to the beat advantage, clamps of the common kind or some other
dark evergreen should be planted between them. It is best, however, to
use the aame species, as then they associate well together, and a good
way of arranging them is to plant alternately at wide intervals,
when part of the apace between may be filled with irregular beds of
Bhododendrons, groaps of Arundo Donax and conspicna, Bamboos,
Pampas Grass, and each like,
which will render the drive
both ornamental and interest-
ing at all seasons. Similar
effects may be produced by
naing the common and varie-
gated Yews, but, being so
much Blower growing than
the EoUiea, it would take
many years to get them of
large size. One of the bright,
est and best of the golden
Hollies is Lord Harrington,
which, in good rich soil, grows
at a great rate, and soon forma
a very handsome specimen.
Before planting the best way
is to break up the ground to
a good depth by trenching it
thoroughly over, and, when
doing this, to work in plenty
of rotten manure, together
with the trimmings from the
sides of roads and the scrap-
ings of the same, a mixture
that Hollies greatly delight
in. These shruba can only
be transplanted with safety
abont the first week in April,
or jast as they are bursting
their buds, a time when there
is a reciprocal action below,
thus enabling them to start
off into growth at once before
the bark becomea ahrivelled
and contracted, from which
they seldom recover. A heavy
mulching with a thorough
soaking of water at the time
of planting will help to pre-
vent this, and be of great
service in enabling them to
become quickly established.
Irregular. shaped clumps will
be found to prodnce the best
eSect, as being less formal,
the outline viewed from any
particular spot ia sure to be
more pleasing and satisfac-
tory. As the soil is of aeandy
loam, it will suit all the plants
enumerated above, Rhodo.
dendrons included, unless it
happens to contain calcare-
ous matter, which if it does,
these shruba will refuse to
touch it, aa they have a
strong dislike to anything of
that kind. Sharp grit they
are very fond of, and, like the
Hollies, greatly appreciate
any trimmings from the road-
side, which if mixed with refuse peat, or thoroughly decomposed
leaf soil, answer famously for giving them a start. Assisted
in this way, X have known of several instances where they succeed
and flower better than when they get all peat, which is accounted
for by the more rapid manner in which the latter decays, and the
shallower level the roots ramify in when they have little else
bnt vegetable matter to feed on. Although Rhododendrons
object to much manure in the soil, it is of great benefit during
hot, dry summers if laid on the surface, as then the juices are
washed out and carried down, and the dense shade it afiords keeps

the ground cool and intercepts evaporation, at a time when mois-
ture ia of the greatest importance in assisting them to form their
yonng growth and stud it with flower buds. The margins of
the Rhododendron clumps or the vacant spaces between the plants
will come in admirably for planting different kinds of Lilies,
the soil and situation there being specially adapted for their
successful culture, as, to grow them well, it is essential that
the bulbs should be in soil on which the sun does not shine
hotly, although the tops will bear almost any amount. Thia
they will get in abundance as they peep up amongst the

shrubs, the foliage of which
ia a great help in showing off
the gorgeous beauties of the
flowers to the greatest ad-
vantage. Most of the Lilies
are supposed to d6 best in
peat, but the finest L. aur-
atum which I ever saw waa
growing in a mixture of
leat.mould and roadside trim-
mings in about equal pro-
portions, the latter of which
contained a good deal of
sharp washed sand, that
appeared to suit the bulbs
remaikably well, as they
increased in size at a great
rate, and each year grew
finer and stronger. The
hardiest of the Bamboos is
Bambnsa Metake, the habit
and general character of
which render it just the
thing for associating with
the Arundo or the Pampas
Grass, magnificent groups of
which may .bo formed sepa-
rately or mixed in large
masses, the effect either way
of the whole, seen in such
striking contrast with the
more round.headed Shrubs,
being such as to break up
the uniformity and give a
more natural appearance.
The point in plantiug is to
leave plenty of breadth of
Grass between the several
masses, as nothing adds so
much in heightening and
giving finish to the whole as
a large expanse of turf, the
tendency unfortunately of
late years being to curtail
this, and thus English gar.
dens and grounds are robbed
of much of their beauty.
Very ornamental olampa may
be made in the paddoiks
adjoining by planting the
White Poplar, or Abele, and
Copper-leaved Beech, the
ailvery leaf of one and the
dark rich colour of the other
being very telling from early
spring to autumn, and, as
they are both tolerably fast
growing, there would not be
long to wait before getting
them to a fair size. Among
the Pinuaes, none, in imy
opinion, forms more pictu-
resque groups than the Scotch Fir, the polished bark of which and the
quaint heads the trees form as they attain age giving them quite a
tropical appearance. Among deciduous trees Liriodendron tulipifera
is one of the most ornamental, aa ia also the Plane ; both have
very large, finely-cut leaves that colour up well in the autumn.

In a SomersetBhire Garden.

D.

Glossy -leaved Laurustinua. — Thia acquires here a very large
size and generally blossoms profusely, though somewhat later than
the common kind. This year, however, though both are covered with

25 +

THE GARDEN.

[Mahch 29, 1879.

flower bads, I fear the frost Vaa injurafi the buda too much to allow
of tbem flowering well. — C. M. Owen, Goreij, Ireland.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

VEGETABLES v. FEUIT.
In the discussions which take place from time to time on the
subject of growinp; fruit in this country with advantage to the
consumer and profit to the cultivator, it seems to me that the
question of providing a good and cheap vegetable diet is very
much overlooked. When people can buy oranges for months
in the year at two a penny, eatable foreign Grapes of much
better appearance than those often sold in Covent Garden at
high prices, for 4d. and 6d. per lb., Apples, Pears, Plums, &c.,
at prices which just leave the lowest margin of profit to the
grower and retailer, or makes it worth his while to carry them
to the market, I do not think they can complain so greatly,
but in the matter of salads aud green vegetables how do the
masses of the people in the great centres of industry stand ?
Why, they have simply to do without them; firstly, because
after supplying themselves with the other necessaries of life
they have little to spare on vegetables, and secondly and prin-
cipally, because vegetables are too expensive and uncoraeatable.
The general arrangements in most of our large towns where
vegetables are most needed, for the distribution of marketable
garden produce, are, as a rule, simply execrable. The general
public cannot conveniently procure what they want except
through the middlemen or greengrocers, and it does not appear
that the latter can sell remuneratively under a figure fifty or
a hundred per cent, above what they pay for their goods in the
market. This, to my knowledge, is exactly the state of things
in some of the largest towns in England. Why, in some of
these towns, you might count the respectable greengrocers'
shops on the fingers of one hand, and these cater for the
wealthy principally. Go into the market on any day and see if
you can buy even a head of Curled Greens with more than a
mouthful of wholesome or cookable leaves on it for less than
Id. or 2d. each; three small sticks of Rhubarb for less, when
it is plentiful ; a stick of Celery under 3d. ; a Cucumber under
63. or 9d. in season, or any other common produce at a reason-
able price, and then say whether it be fruit or vegetables that
are most out of the reach of people who can do without fruit
to some extent, but who would consume vegetables in quantity
if they could only procure them. From these and other causes
it is a fact that a vast portion of the inhabitants of all our
great towns and plenty of our small ones are absolutely with-
out wholesome green food of any kind from one year's end to
the other.

But the question is, Could vegetables be aroivn to come
within the reach of the masses, and, at the same time, to pay
the growers ? No doubt they could, provided greater facilities
were afforded in the way of markets, where people could go at
convenient hours, and without travelling a mile or two, to buy
what they wanted. It is not to be expected, of course, that it
would pay farmers generally to turn their farms into market
gardens, but it would pay some of them near large towns to do
so, and simply devote their land to the culture of common
■vegetables. Fruit crops are not to be depended upon with any
degree of regularity, but there are few or no parts of the
country where good crops of common vegetables could not be
secured any season with certainty, aud there is as little doubt
that they could be equally readily disposed of at remunerative
prices.

Before, however, the question of growing and disposing of
either fruit or vegetables on an extensive scale and for the
benefit of the people can be settled, the question of market
accommodation must be considered. In some large towns
there are what are called fruit markets, but they are monopo-
lised for other purposes. In Sheffield, for example, the dead
meat and poultry market is a good one of its kind, and is
devoted to the purpose for which it was built ; but what is
called the fruit market, a hirge, commodious, and well-lighted
structure, everv way adapted to the display of garden produce
on small stalls, liketheHalles Centrales in Paris, is almost exclu-
Bively devoted to the sale of everything except vegetables and

fruit, for which I have always understood it was originally
intended.

Would the working classes add vegetables to their dietary
if they could procure them good and cheap, is a question
sometimes asked, and one which may be answered affirmatively
at once. As things are at present they can only procure
vegetables as a luxury, occasionally, perhaps, on a pay night,
and travellers in local trains on Saturday s will often see the
wives of working men returning from market with a few green
vegetables in a basket along with their groceries and other
goods, and which represent the week's supply. During pros-
perous years we have been told by the dealers that the poorer
classes are amongst their best customers. The mere tact that
the refuse of the greengrocers' stalls is often sold to hucksters,
who sell it among the poorer and lower orders of the towns, is
sufficient evidence of the desire to obtain green food when it
can be had at a reasonable price. J. S.

REGENT AND DALMAHOY POTATOES.
"J. S. W.'s " ooramunication (p. 217) in reference to these Potatoes
oonfirma what I wrote on the sabjecl), that under the name of Regent
several sorts are grown, some earlier, others later ; but the original
Regent I maintain, despite what may be described in catalogues or
elsewhere, is not either late in coming to maturity or can be correctly
classed as a late Potato in any way. It the seed be fairly prepared
and planted at the proper time, the tops, in most parts of the
country, will be dead or dying by the end of Aagnst ; it shows
its intermediate season habit by sprouting earlier in the spring than
the late-growing, late-keeping sorts, and also by its deterioration in
eatable qualities sooner than the late ones. I write from memory,
but I believe it is over twenty years since I became acquainted with
the Dalmahoy, which then made its first appearance in the Potato,
growing districts of Cheshire, where I was living at the time,
and where it was soon generally known and largely grown,
both as a field aud garden crop. It was a rougher and
deeper-eyed Potato than the Regent, as well as later in every way.
The sort now sold by many as Dalmahoy is very different from the
kind first known under that name, and I have often heard others
make the same remark in reference to the forma exhibited of this as
woU as of the Regent and many others, and this notwithstanding the
difference that soil and cultivation have npon them. We often hear
late Regents and early ones spoken of, aud immense qnantities of a
late deep-eyed bat very good Potato are cultivated in Lincolnshire
and other Potato-growing districts, but all the argument possible
will never make such into the true Regent. In the case of any vege-
table of which there are such numbers of varieties in cultivation as
there now are of Potatoes, with their liability to get wrongly named,
there is sure to be much confusion. The sort now known as Forty-
fold is a totally different kind from the original, and I could point to
nnoabers of similar instances. T. Baines.

NOTES AND QUfiSTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

The Chiswick Trials of Vegetables. — I have no doubt that
" A. D." is as famili r as most people with the different varieties of
the Potato, judging from what he has written on the subject from
time to time, and if he be determined to pin his faith on the Chiswick
trials in all cases, no one need interfere, bat there are numbers who
do not, and the decision of the Chiswick authorities that a well known
early Potato and an equally well known late one are identical, gives
some colour to the belief thit they are not infallible. Both tbem
and ■' A. D." have simply been deceived beyond all manner of doubt.
The Potato in question was sent oat by its raiser as an early kind,
and wag subsequently proved to be an early one by those who grew
it for twenty years afterwards or longer. How it turned oat to be a
York Regent at Chiswick, is for the Chiswick authorities to explain.
—J. S. W.

Scarcity of Vegetables.— I had 120 plants of Snow's Winter
White Broccoli planted on a sheltered spot on a south border, and out
of that number all were killed except ten. The fioat ha9 also killed
Cabbage stamps and Scotch Kale. Brussels Sprouts have stood
beat with us, and the more leaves they have on them the better they
stand the frost, as the leaves protect the Sprouts. In autumn we
had a quantity of Lettuces and Endive. The first sown early in July
we took np and pat in pits and cold Peach houses, thinning them aa
they were wanted. Of Endive we had a good plantation in the open
border, which we protected with dry Fern. From this we lifted
plants as we wanted them and pat tbem in the Mushroom houae to

Mabch 29, 1S79.]

THE GARDEN.

255

branch ; th'g carried as on some time, and by having a good stock of
Chicory, Mustard and Cress, and Celery, I shall be able to keep np a
daily supply till the end of March, wben I shall have to depend on
Lettnces and Chicory, Mustard and Cress, and Celery till Ridiehes
<!0T3e in. Onions in a green state are by some much prized. Of
ihose sown to stand through the winter in the open air not one in
fifty is left, but I have plenty in pits sown in January, and by prick,
ing them off into boxes I shall have enough. I only grow two sorts of
Lettuces, and one kind of Endive for winter use. A winter like the
p\3t proves the advantage of having plenty of pits and frames in
which to keep winter vegetables. — J. C. L.

Dwarf Peas for Small Qjrdens. — Inquiries as to what are
the best sorts of Peas for small gardens, kinds that want no sticks,
arj so often addressed to me that I have no doubt there are others
bojide my correspondents to whoai the information would be wel-
co ne. Maclean's Advancer is the beat early dwarf Marrow, but,
as an earlier dwarf semi-Marrow, First Crop may be sown to precede
It. For a middle crop use Maclean's Wonderful, and for the latest
Laxton's Omega. These are the dwarfeet of their class. Another
good selection, rather taller, but still classed as Dwarf Peas, are
Princess Royal, Premier, an! Veitch's Perfection. All of these pro.
djce Peas of the very beat quality. — A. D.

THE LIBRARY.

VAN HOUITE'S FLORE DBS SERRE3 BT JARDINS
DE L'EUROPE.

The fourth and concluding triple part of the twenty-second volume
of this profusely and most beautifully illustrated, but, alas, most
irregnlarly-published work has just reached us, and if, perhaps, hardly
in any material degree superior it is, at least, fairly equal in in.
terest and beauty to recent issues of the work, which, for the future,
it is to be hoped will appear with greater regularity. This triple
number contains, as usual, twenty. seven ojloared plates or their
equivalents, comprising portiaits of the following plants: — A double
p'ate representing the pitchers of three fine varieties of Nepenthes,
named respectively N. albj-marginata, N. R^ilTlssiana, and N. sau.
guinea. A double plate representing six varieties of the fine double
Cinerarias raised and sent out by Messrs. Haage & Schmidt, the well-
known Erfurt house, which, from their perfect duplicature, more
resemble miniature Dahlias or forma of the double Groundsel than
Cinerarias; indeed, they were absolutely mistaken for double Ground-
sel wben first sent to this country as cut blooms only to a leading
Liudon florist ; bat, unfortunately, they generally deteriorate when
propagated by cuttings, which much detracts from their value, as
th=<y have constantly to be reproduced from seed, of which only a
small prop )ition, of course, comes doible. A double plate of Ama-
raatus atro.pi'purens, a fine, deep b'ooi-red, tasselled form, said to
be a native of Caloalti and to b3 well alapt^d for summer bedding
if sown in the open air in Miy. A double plate of Azalea indica
Soavenir de Louis Van Hontte, a most beautiful, S3mi-double, self
variety of clear bright rose colour, with individual Bowers of immense
size and fine Bubstance. A double plate of Ca'nellia Roi des Beiges,
a fine rose-oolouiei variety, the blooms of which are sometimes diked
with white. A double plate of Garciuia Mangostana, the tropical
fruit known as Mangosteen, a native of the Molucca Isles, and showing
blossom as well as interior and exterior of the fruit. A double plate
of Hybrid Rhododendron Comte Charles de Kerchove, raised at
Ghent, with large, whitish blossoms, distinctly edged with pale
pink and with distinct chocolate coloured markings on the upper
petals. A double plate of the beautiful fine foliaged plant, named
Maranta Massangeana, a native of Brazil. A double plate of the
Grape Ingram's Prolific Muscat, which we consider altogether out of
place in a work of this nature. And also single plates of : — S^veu
varieties of Cyclamen (named respectively — 1, Atkinsi ; 2, persicum
amarautinum ; 3, album punctatum ; -4, persicam roseum ; 5, Coura ;
6, Aleppicum candidissimum ; and 7, persicnoi album), all of them
very pretty little flowers ; Masdevallia Periateria, a terrestial Orchid,
more curious than ornamental, with brown and greenish flowers ;
Fremontia californica, reproduced from the " Botanical Magazine" j
C^rtopodium punctatum, likewise a reprint from the same work;
Allium oreophilum, a pretty little rose-coloured Garlic, a native of
the Caucasus, already figured in Regel's " Girten flora " ; Blumen-
bachia Chiquitensis, a reprint from the "Botanical llagazine"; Pityro.
sperma acerinum, a pretty, white-bloomed, hardy herbaceous plant
from Japan — also known under the name of Actaea japonioa, and with
rather handsome foliage ; the inflorescence of the almost hardy
Chinese Palm (Chamserops Fortunei), now frequently met with in
oar gardens ; the fine speoimen of Araucaria imbricata taken from

the frontispiece of Mr. A. Mongredien's work on " Trees and Shrubs
in Eoglish Plantations," and which is a rather fanciful portrait of the
Dropmore tree as it appeared some three or four years ago ; this plate
we consider but a makeshift, and altogether unworthy of insertion ia
BQch a work as that now under notice. W. E. G.

EFFECTS OF THE WINTER IN SOUTH DEVON.

The various Citrus trees, for which this place has been famous for
more than two centuries, though slightly damaged, are safe, with the
exception of a fine Bergamot Lemon, which is in a doubtful condition,
the same may be said of a Sweet Lime. These trees are on south
and east walls, only protected by frames of wood or reed. Dracoenas
iu a dry situation a^e unhurt, while smaller plants in a damper site
are quite dead Ilardy Palms are wholly uninjured, as are also
Camellias, which are laden with flower buds. Hybrid Rhododendrons
are quite safe, especially some very fine white varieties from the
Sikkim Aucklandi. One fine specimen of the true R. arboreum,
several feet high, is unhurt, as is likewise the Ceylon R. nobile. A
few of the Sikkim Rhododendrons have their foliage damaged.
Largo plants of Myrtns apiculata against a wall will lose a good deal
of their foliage. The Loquat is uninjured, as are also Berberis For.
tunei, nepalensis, and Hookeri, three species of Esoallonia, and an
American Aloe. A huge massof New Zealand Flax, hitherto uninjured,
is much damaged. A vast number of young and rare shrubs, planted
in a new piece of the American garden, are killed, as might be
expected after such an arctic winter. Shrubby Veronicas are much
injured, if not; quite dead, with the exception of V. Traversi and
V. pinguifolia. Clematis indivisa is much damaged. Three Em.
bothriums are unharmed, but one, the largest, a magnificent specimen
approaching 30 ft. in height, in a low and damp situation, is damaged
and will lose all its leaves. Magnolia Campbelli, growing near it,
is also damaged. Five species of Eucalyptus, one, E. amygdalina,
between 20 ft. and 30 ft. high, are quite dead, but seedlings of
B. CDCcifera, though slightly injured, are alive, as is also a huge
umbrageous tree, with a trunk 5 ft. or 6 ft. in circumference, incor-
rectly named E. montana, from the highlands of Tasmania. A beautiful
specimen of Cantua dependens is quite dead, and a tall Acacia deal,
bata is much injured, but may recover. Fortunia sinensis is dead,
and Laurus aromatica is killed to the ground. Seedling Bambnaa
arundinaoea are injured, '.but many Chinese species have done well.
Tne Japanese B. Metake is wholly uninjured, and forms huge verdant
masses. The following are qiite safe, viz., Olea ilicifolia. Ilex lati.
folia. Acacia Nemu, Morus hispanica, Oreodaphne californica, Choisya
ternata, Desfontainea spinosa, Drymya Winteri, Pyrus Maulei, and
Elgwortbiachrysantha. John Luscombe.

Co.iibe Royal, Kingshridye.

EFFECTS OF THE WINTER IN NORTH DURHAM.
At last the snow is gone, and we may now somewhat safely predict
that we are clear of the tyranny of the storm king, who has
maintained his supremacy since the middle of November. The
extraordinary weight of snow that fell at various times has been very
destructive to the finer kinds of shrubs and speoimen Coniferte. As
I mentioned in a former note, I had seen several Be3ch6S broken at
Lumley Castle ; since then I have witnessed great destruction in the
same direction. Splendid old Cedars of Lebanon have had their
limbs split off by the bole, and some huge evergreen Oaks have not
fared much better ; in fact, all the larger trees have carried their
heavy burden till at length it has disfigured them for ever. In apite
of this heavy covering of snow, the frost, which was as remarkable
for its severity as the snow was for its weight, has severely injured
many of our finest shrubs. Every day sees the ground atrewn with
leaves of large green Hollies, while, singularly enough, the variegated
sorts are apparently little hurt, and the Laurustinus has not suffered
in the way one would have expected. A handsome Araucaria imbri.
cata, something like 20 ft. high, haa not a brown spine nor a broken
branch on it. A large Hydrangea, which has been planted out many
years, is showing signs of starting into growth, evidently not much
the worse for the ordeal through which it has pasa-rd. Some of the
Rhododendrons, cf which we have a splendid collection, have had
their flower buds killed, but there are stiil plenty left to make a good
display. Roses have suffered as much, if not more, than anything
else, the mischief showing itself in the form of a narrow brown
collar, sometimes nearly at the bottom of the shoot, necessitating its
entire removal. In an unheated house, where some zonal Pelargo.
niums had been left, they are completely killed, while, in the same
house, Selaginella dentioulata ia growing as luxuriantly as it in a
Fernery.

266

THE GARDEN.

[March 29, 1879.

Passing to the kitchen garden matters are even worse; almost all
the autumn planted Cabbages have perished. Some Broccoli may
make small heads, bat the greater portion of it has failed, and bo
have autumn sown Onions, while Globe Artichokes will scarcely
recover. Owing to the early advent of winter, and the nninterrapted
stretch of continued bad weather, kilchen garden work is a long way
behind, and now when the severe weather is gone, bringing up work in
arrears, and the usual extra push that needs to be made at this
season, will occupy all hands. Land that has been dug during winter
is now in capital working order, but that which has lain undog will
be in a bad state, particularly ^in the case of strong soils ; still it
will, perhaps, bo the best plan to dig and crop it as we go on, as the
land will not be much benefitted by the short exposnreit must neces-
1 arily have before being wanted.

To predict the success or otherwise Jof onr frait"cropa may yet be
premature, but to all appearance we shall have good crops. Peaches,
Nectatines, Plums, Apricots, Pears, and Morello Cherries on walla,
are thickly set with plump, healthy bloom bnds. Standard and
pyramid Apples and Pears have a fine healthy appearance. Small
fruits also look well, and what is very odd, the birds have not taken
to the buds this year as usual. With immunity from frost, we may
thna fairly calculate upon having a good fruit year, but should late
froata occur, or easterly winds prevail when the trees are in bloom,
we here, at least, within seven or eight miles of the German Ocean,
may count upon the destruction of our cropa. Tynedale.

THE if^DOOR GARD EN.

CELOSIAS AND THEIR CULTURE.
These are many fine flowering annuals for both out and in-
door decoration, but I know of none more ornamental or useful
than the Celosias. They may be had in flower from June to
•J anuary, and during all that time they may be used for room
or conservatory embellishment with excellent effect. They
have no scent worth mentioning, but the colours of the flowers
are both interesting and varied. As with other annuals there
are many strains of Celosias ; some exhibit a good deal of the
cockscomb style, others form long narrow inflorescence,
but the best produce plumes more feathery than the finest
heads of Pampas grass. It may be said these are the only
kinds really worth growing, so very much superior are they to
all others, but the worst of it is they are rather difficult to se-
cure. The best way is to buy a mixed packet of seed, grow the
whole well, and save seed only from the very best ; we thus
improve the strain, especially if seed be saved in this manner
ear after year. Celosias produce seed freely, but, as is often
the case, the best are always the shiest in this respect. When
the flowers show signs of decaying, the plants should be placed
in some warm, dry, airy house, to prevent them from damping
and to ripen the seed. This should be gathered a little before
it is fully ripe or it may drop out. The best, or, in fact, the
only mode of propagating the Celosia is from the seed. It
may be sown from JTebruary to July, firstly to produce eaily
plants for midsummer and autumn blooming, and lastly for
plants to bloom late in autumn and midwinter. The seed may
be sown either in pots or pans ; we generally use 8-in. pots for
the pui'pose. They are filled quarter full of crocks, over which
is put some rough material, and the remainder is made up of a
mixture of loam, leaf-soil, and sand in equal parts. This com-
post is made moderately firm, the seed is sprinkled thinly on
the surface, and then covered over with a little of the same
mixture ; a gentle watering is then given, and the seed soon
germinates in either an air heat of 60°, or a bottom heat of 70°,
Under the latter treatment the young plants come up sooner,
but healthy young seedlings may be secured both ways. As
soon as the young plants are about 2 in. high they are carefully
lifted and potted singly in 3 in. pots, using the same kind of
mixture as tnat in which the seed was sown, and giving them
the same temperature, &c., as before. From this time onwards
there is only one pest that is to be guarded against, and that
is the red spider ; it is particularly fond of the Celosia, and
very often spoils the plants when not checked. When young
the leaves may be sponged if there be any sign of spider, and
as the plants become large, frequent syringing will keep it in
subjection.

As the young plants gain size it will be found that the pots
soon become filled with roots, when a shift into larger pots

must be given, the size being determined by the amount of
roots; previous to flowering, care must be taken that they
never get pot-bound, for when that occurs they invariably
start into bloom, thus affording a certain means of flowering
them at any time and in any sized pot. From 3-in. pots they
should be shifted into 5-in. or 6-in. ones. Fair-sized plants
may be bloomed in the latter size, and when they are wanted
for small vase decoration this size will be found very useful.
After being taken from the 3-in. pots well-decayed cow manure
should be substituted in the potting compost for the leaf soil,
as Celosias are rather strong-feeding plants. When they have
been potted a second time they may be again placed in a mild,
close atmosphere, but after the beginning of June they suc-
ceed very well in an unheated frame, where, being near the
glass, dwarf, sturdy plants are the result. They may be placed
in the conservatory just as the flowers are forming, but they
should not be taken into a room until they have nearly or quite
expanded, and the time during which they remain in bloom
will surprise people not acquainted with them. Three months
is not an unusual time for them to retain all their good pro-
perties in this respect ; owing to this, plants which come into
bloom in July will be found in the same condition in the begin-
ning of October, and plants just coming into bloom in October
will remain so until after the new year. The latter stock of
plants should be kept hardy, that is, not grown in a close,
warm place, but in frames fully exposed to the sun. The
younger and more vigorous the plants are during the short
days the better do they bloom and withstand a low tempera-
ture. When in flower, especially in winter, they do not require
much heat; a temperature anywhere between 36°. and 60°
suits them. What they want more than heat is a dry atmo-
sphere, as damp soon rots the feathers. It is chiefly on this
account that they succeed so well in rooms. I have also found
them to last a very long time in church decoration, a point of
importance in the case of those who (like ourselves) have to
decorate the church nine months out of twelve. If any one
imagines that Celosia culture is a difficult matter, let me assure
them to the contrary ; no plants are more easily grown, and
none will yield a better return for attention paid to them,
whether that be much or little. Cambkian.

Forced Shrubs. — It may be well to tell the inexperienced that
when hardy shrubs that have been forced are taken oat of conserva-
tories, &c., they should not be placed out-of-doors under shrubs, or in
any out-of-the-way place j on the contrary, they should be put into
some place to make their growth before being put out. Thus treated,
they will force much more easily the next season. Some Bhododen.
drons thus managed for four years have done good service, and the
same may be said of Ghent Azaleas. — J. Crook.

Camellias, &c., at Kingston. — There are few, if any, cultivated
plants that exhibit such a difference in the length of time daring
which they will keep on flowering when planted ont as compared
with being grown in pots or tubs as Camellias do. We lately saw
(second week in March), in Messrs. Jackson's nursery at Kingston, a
number of tall plants occnping a lean-to house facing the north,
bearing a considerable quantity of flowers, although they tad been
in blossom ever since September last, and from that time until now
had produced a continuous supply of finely-developed blooms for
cutting. Amongst them was the fine old red kind called eximia, the
beautiful pink-flowered Fordi, and the straw-coloured semi-double
ochroleuca, a great favourite with those who object to formal shape
in flowers. This establishment has been long noted for its fine col.
lection of hard-wooded plauts, and at no time have we seen them look
better than they now do, especially the specimen hard. wooded
Heaths. Amongst these we noticed grand examples of Cavendishi,
Fairreana, CandoUeana, tricolor impreasa, tricolor speciosa, Aitoni
Turnbnili, ffimula, and an unusually beautiful plant of depressa,
literally studded with flowers just beginning to open. Of less well,
known varieties the collection contained Lindleyana, one of the very
finest high-colonred sorts in cultivation, and mundula, a distinct kind,
the flowers of which are star-shaped, opening flat like those of E.
delecta. Amongst greenhouse plants we remarked the true variety of
Aphelexis rosea, 3^ ft. through, and examples of the dark-ooloured
A. macrantha purpurea ; Boronia serrulata, was thickly set with
flower-buds; numerous large planta of Phcenocomas, Pimeleas,
Hedarorcas, Statices, and some handsome Azaleas, retaining plenty
of healthy foliage, which augurs well for their flowering satisfacto-
rily. We likewise saw a number of Vandas in more than ordinary

Makch 29, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

257

strong condition, Dendrobiam Parishii, and D. Benaonise, little over a
twelvemonth imported, have psendo bnlba from 15 in. to 18 in. long ;
Dendrobiam barbatalnm has been in bloom five or six weeks ;
Caelogyne oriatata is coming on with a number of fiower-spikea,
which appear as if they would not open before the middle of April,
showing the length of time it may be had in flower, with a sufficient
quantity of plants at command. — P. G.

LACHENALIA PENDULA AS A BASKET PLANT.
This is grown to perfection in baskets in Messrs. Veitcli's
nursery at Chelsea. The baskets, which are made of wire, are
round, lined with Moss, and filled with good soil. The bulbs
are planted at equal distances apart in the Moss all over the
baskets, and when in flower they form large balls of brilliant
blossoms and deep green leaves. The bulbs are taken out
yearly; the baskets are refilled with fresh soil and planted
again. Abundance of water is necessary after the plants
commence to grow, and this can best be supplied by immersing
the baskets wholly in a tank. Grown in the manner jus
described Lachenalias thrive amazingly, and are seen to bette

Basket of LachenflUa pendula.

advantage than when grown in any other way, whilst for hang-
ing either in windows, porches, or conservatories, they are both
useful and attractive. S.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

riower Garden.
Ivy out or clipped before new growth commences will present a
very different aspect throughout the season from what it will do if
deferred till new growth haa commenced ; therefore, let it be out at
once. Hedges, screens, lines, or belts of shrubs that have to be kept
clipped in a formal manner should now be operated on. Many com-
mon Laurels, Bays, and Laurustinns have been terribly injured by
the severe weather, hence the pruning of these had better be deferred
for a few weeks longer, till it can be seen as to whether or not they
should be cut right down and allowed to break from the bottom. Any
that now seem dead had better be headed back at once. Climbing
Eoaes, Clematises, Virginian Creepers, Wistarias, and other climbers
will now require attention as to pruning, regulating, and nailing, and
any that need additional stimulus to ward off parasites and promote
more vigorous growth should be top dressed and mulched. Herba-
ceous plants may now be divided, regulated, and rearranged ; many
kinds that are just starting into growth, such as Pyrethrnms, Poten.
tillas. Asters, Phloxes, and Delphiniums, will bear division with,
out the least apparent check, and retain their vigour longer
than when left in the same position for years. When
replanting, take pains to arrange the plants, both as to height of
growth and colour of flowers, in order that the tail growers do not
overshadow the dwarfer kinds, or, that there shall be several plants
in j axtaposition of the same colour. When the arrangements are
finished, any vacant spaces there may be will come in for the sowing,
or planting ont, of Sweet Peas, Lupins, Mignonette, Stocks, Asters,

Zinnias, and other annuals.Jall of which add both to the beauty and
interest of such borders. Hints as to other outside operations were
given at pp. 181 and 223. The preparation of bedding plants, both
from seeds and cuttings, is'now the moat important indoor operation.
If the sub-tropical plants were sown, as recommended, a few weeks
ago, they will now be ready to prick out or pot on, aa the case may
be. After that, till new growth has started, keep them oloae and
shaded, and then grow them in as cool a temperature as is compatible
with health and sturdy growth. Seedlings of Amarantus, Perillas,
Cineraria maritima, and others of a similar nature, may be pricked off
into boxes, and grown in an intermediate temperature. A better
plan is to priok them out in heated pits, and as soon as they have
become established turn off the heat, and gradually expose them to
the atmosphere. Calceolarias, Verbenas, Gnaphaliuma, and Lobelias
may be planted out in turf pits, and covered with straw hurdles,
mats, or frigi domo. As we have not the convenience for turf pita,
we plant them out in trenches that have been prepared for Celery,
and cover with evergreen boughs. Many Pelargoniums, for want
of room, are treated in the same way, and hitherto the plan has been
successful. For vases and basket beds, the Ivy-leafed Pelargoniums
— many varieties — are invaluable, and cuttings put in now will make
good plants by bedding out time. Amongst other appropriate
creepers for such purposes may be named Coboea scandens, Maurand ja
Barolayana, Convolvulus major, and Tropoeolam canariense, all of
which are best raised from seeds. — W. W.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Fines. — The earliest Queens will now be swelling fast, and may
with advantage have an increased temperature by day and also more
air moisture ; close up early, say about two o'clock, syringe the walls
and floors when closing and the plants occasionally, especially when
the air is parching and the sun powerful. Frequently examine the
plants to see if they want water, as they should now incline to the
wet rather than the dry side of a medium state of moisture, a con.
dition which is most desirable for plants swelling o£E their fruit.
Remove all gills as they appear, and all suckers, except what are
absolutely required to keep the desired stock. The bottom heat
should be maintained at 85°, and the top heat according to the
weather, that is, if cold north-easterly winds prevail 65' will be suffi.
oient, but at other times not less than 75" should be the role, and air
should be given when the thermometer reaches that point ; it should
be reduced as heat declines, finally closing with a temperature of 90°
or 95°. The last potted suckers will by this time have formed roots,
and therefore may be treated as established plants ; give more air,
and dew them overhead about twice weekly, and if there be no
evaporating pans on the pipes syringe the walla and floors, after the
manner indicated for the fruiting plants. When the sun is powerful
slightly shade for a couple of hours at midday till the plants have
become accustomed to the change from clouds to sunshine.

Strawberries. — If we could but annihilate that most persistent
enemy — red spider, what a boon it would be to cultivators. Our
first lot of plants before the fruit was gathered were badly infested
with it, and instead of reserving the plants for open-air planting we
have had them destroyed, and recommend others who may be in the
same fix to do likewise. Succeasional batches are not likely to get
affected, as the days being longer and brighter less fire heat is
needed, and the syringe can be more freely plied. Keep the atmo.
sphere on the side of dryness when the plants are in flower, or the
fruit is near maturity, but at all other times have plenty of moisture.
When it is necessary to retard ripe fruit, it is easily done by allowing
the plants to become moderately dry, and then moving them to a
cool fruit room ; in such a position we have had them keep in perfect
condition for a week, and frequently longer. Precaution must be
taken against injury from mice or rats, which may have gained
access in the room.

Extracts from my Diary, March 29 to April 5.

Flowers. — Boxing and potting Pelargoniums. Propagating V«r-
benas, Meaembryanthemnma, Lobeliaa, and Ageratuma. Planting
out Gladioli. Be-arrauging houses and sowing seeds of Poinsettias.
FRUrr. — Shifting Strawberries, the fruits of which are swelling, into
a warmer house, and moving those which are ripening fruit into a
cool Vinery, in order to improve their flavour. Tying and stopping
the shoots of Cucumbers, and putting fresh lining to Pine pit. Top-
dressing Strawberry beds, and making hotbed in Pine pit on which to
plant Melons. Tying iu shoots of Peach trees in second house.
Vegetables. — Sowing Major Clarke's Celery in boxes in frames.
Preparing old Rhubarb ground for Potatoes. Sowing Veitch's Self,
protecting Broccoli and Autumn Giant Cauliflower in frames.
Planting Myatt's Prolific Potato, and preparing sets for tho main
field crop. Pricking out Tomatoes from seed pans into boxes for
planting ont-of 'doors in June.

258

THE GARDEN.

[March 29, 1879

THE CALCEOLARIAS.
(with a coloureb plate of c. fucuslefolia, a new species.)

Drawn by CO.VSTANCE PIEBREPONT.

Fashion seems as potent in the garden as in the boudoir, and,
in the restless hankering after something new, many an old
favourite is neglected for, or supplanted by, something less
deserving of our attention. This is inevitable, and perhaps
not so much to be deplored, for we cannot always be admiring
the same flowers, any more than we can derive enjoyment from
hearing the constant repetition of one tune, be it ever so sweet ;
and, after all, as old fashions in dress are revived, so will plants
thao were formerly in favour come into vogue again. It is
true, to a certain extent, that bedding Calceolarias were in
fashion until they were, or appeared to be, worn out, and many
a gardener would rejoice could he depend upon them as here-
tofore. It is a singular fact, that they still thrive unaided in
some places, whilst in others all the skill that can be brought
to bear on their treatment is unavailing and fruitless. But the
original wild forms have almost entirely disappeared from
■'^'■'''S'J gardens, many oE them doubtless because they could
not hold their own in competition with more attractive intro-
ductions. The genus Calceolaria is, however, so rich in species,
and presents such a wealth of variety in form and colour that
it deserves a few columns by way of a re-introduction to the
lovers of flowers. It comprises upwards of 100 distinct species,
including annual and perennial herbs and dwarf shrubs. Its
geographical area almost exactly coincides with that of the
genus Fuchsia, ranging, as it does, from Mexico to the south-
ernmost point of South America, and re-appearing in New
Zealand; but, unlike the Fuchsia, it is not represented on the
eastern side of South America, at least only in the extreme
south. The greater number of the species inhabit mountain
valleys, ascending to an elevation of 13,000 ft. to 14,000 ft.
within the Tropics, where they enjoy a moist equable climate,
which IS never very hot and never very cold. Some few occur
in the and districts of Chili; they find their greatest concen-
tration in Chili, Peru, and Ecuador; only about four species
are known to grow in Central America and Mexico, and
two have been discovered in New Zealand. In foliage
they offer as great a variety as the most polymorphous
genus, for, la addition to those described below, there are
such species as pinifolia, ericoides, hypericina, &c., names suffi-
ciently indicative of their peculiarities without further explana-
tion. Of their duration mention has already been made. With
regard to the flowers, the species included in the following
selection illustrate their whole range of variation. The pecu-
liarities of the flowers of each species being given in the
descriptions, it will suffice here to explain their general
character. The corolla belongs to the bi-labiate or two-lipped
type, but in most species, and especially in the hybrid races
met with in gardens, one of the lips is reduced to very small
proportions, whilst the other is enormously developed in the
form of a pouch. On the other hand, C. violacea and others
have an almost regularly two-lipped corolla, the lips being
concave instead of pouched. In all the species known, save
one, the flowers contain only two stamens each, but in this
(O. tnandra) there are three fully-developed stamens. Not
nearly all of the species in this selection are deserving of cul-
tivation in the same collection from an ornamental point of
view, but their respective merits depend greatly upon the taste
of the cultivator. Independently of the hybrid races, herba-
ceous and shrubby, the history and parentage of which are
given in some detail under the species concerned, these here
enumerated are some of the most ornamental :— C. hyssopi-
toha, Henrici f uchsia^folia, and violacea (shrubs) ; 0. integri-
lolia, alba, amplexicaulis, thyrsiflora, and flexuosa (half shrubs) ;
t>. pisacomensis, Darwini, Fothergilli, Pavoni, arachnoidea,
corymbosa. plantaginea, and tenella (perennial herbs) ; and C.
chehdouioides (an annual herb). It is difficult to classify the
species according to their nature and duration, as some of them
are herbaceous or half shrubby, according to the climatal con-
ditions, but some approach to this has been attempted.
Although a few of the species are sufficiently hardy to with-

stand the ordinary winters of the south-west, it should be
borne in mind that Calceolarias are essentially greenhouse
plants, and several of them are of special value as winter-
flowering plants. Mr. T. Smith (Rodger, McClelland & Co.,
Newry) kindly forwarded some practical notes, which are
embodied under the respective species almost in his owa
words.

Shrubby Species.
1. C. fuclisiaefolia.*— Thoogh cloeely allied to C. cerasifolia,
C. padifolia, and specimens named C. deflexa, in Kew Herbariom, it
does not exactly agree with any of these. Poasibly a revision of the
genus with more ample materials may lead to its identification with
a described species, but in the meantime it may bear the name hero
proposed for it. Oar plant differs from its nearest allies in being
almost entirely doBtitnte of hairs and any glutinons exudation, and
more especially in the shape of the corolla. The absence of hairy
appendages and glutinous matter may be due to the different con-
ditions to which the plant ia subjected under cultivation, and with
regard to the shape of the corolla, this is a character not easily
determined from dried specimens, though dried epecimens of a plane
sent to Kew many years ago by Messrs. Veitch are easily recognis-
able as the same species. When out of flower it exhibits amaiked
resemblance in habit and foliage to some of the hybrid FuchsiaB,
which have the nnder side of the leaves of a pale or silvery hue. It
is an erect shrub, 2 ft. to 3 ft., or perhaps sometimes more, in height,
with glossy foliage. As the accompanying plate does not show the
peculiarities of the shape of the corolla, it may be briefly described.
The lips are nearly equal in diameter, the lower one, however, being
saccate and very much inflated, has the appearance of being much
larger than the upper, which is almost flat and circular, and intruded
around the base of the ovary, the intruded part being furnished in-
side with a ring of white glutinous hairs. None of its immediate
allies appear to be, or have been, in cultivation. There is, however,
a cultivated specimen of C. tetragona in Kew Herbarium, a species
of the same section, with stout, distinctly quadrangular stems,
broader, thicker, glutinous leaves, and a larger greenish.yellow calyx.
Several of the species of this seetion named, all of which are Peru.
vian, are highly ornaumental. Of this particular one Mr. T. Smith
says, " it requires to be grown freely daring the summer months in a
cool, shady situation, as its glossy leaves are most impatient of
summer sunshine. It should be housed before danger from frost
arrives, and it will then come into bloom about October and continue
a beautiful mass of golden flowers throughout the winter months.
Unquestionably it is the handsomest yellow-blossomed, winter-flower-
ing plant in cultivation." The accompanying plate was drawn from
a living plant supplied by Messrs. Rodger, McClelland & Co., nursery,
men, Newry, County Down, Ireland. Most likely a native of Peru,
where it and all its nearest allies are at home.

2. C. hyssopifolia. — A shrub of narrow erect habit, having
rather slender stems well furnished with narrow leaves, 1 in. to 2 in.
long, more or less glutinous, and clothed with a white fur on the
under surface. Flowers of a clear pale yellow, in shape resembling
those of the well-formed herbaceous hybrid class, but with slight
indications of lobing around the circumference, and scarcely an inch
in diameter. Certainly a very attractive species. It is a native of
the Qaitian Andes, at an elevation of 9,000 ft. to 13000 ft., and was
introdnced into this country by Prof. Jameson, of Quito, who sent it
to Mr. I. Anderson. Henry, of Edinburgh, in whose garden it flowered
in 1865 ; and it was figured in the " Botanical Magazine," t. 5548.
C. Hartwegii, lavanduleefolia, roamarinifolia, and gossypina are allied
ornamental species, especially the last, not yet introduced.

3. C. Henrici. — A handsome shrubby species of comparatively
recent introduction, figured in the "Botanical Magazine," t. 5772.
It was sent by Professor Jameson, of Quito, to Mr. Isaac Anderson.
Henry, of Elinburgh, after whom it was named by Dr. Hooker. Its
afliuities are with C. hyssopifolia, from which it differs in its longer
(i in. to 5 in. in cultivated specimens), broader leaves, and some,
what smaller, more nearly globular flowers, without any indications
of lobing around the circumference of the lower lip. The flowers,
too, are of a rather deeper yellow. A native of the Andes of
Cuenca.

* CiicBOLiEii Focasi.UDLii, species n07a,— Fruticoaa glabra eglutinosa,
2-3 pedalis; ramis terotibus gracilibue ; foliia oppositis petiolatis, Fuchsisa
cajasdam, ovato-laTJceolatia, 2-3 pollicaribas calloso-serratia acutiusculia,
discoloribus, •upraviridibua reticulato venosis, Bubtus argenteis, petioloeapra
caualiculata leviter barbate, aemipollioari ; floribas flavis cymoso-corymbopis
graciliter pedicellatis ; calycis lac.nila rotundato-oraLis, acuiis reflexis. non-
nunquam leviter glutinos^is ; corollte labiis subaaqualibus, inferiore elliptico
saccato-calceiformt, ultra medium aperto, auperiore latiore rotundato, valde
compreeso, basi circa ovarium intruso intua auualo villoso-glanduloao prfedito ;
staminibua declinatis, filamen'ia brevibaa, antheria magoia; ovario glabro^
stylo filiformi. Affiaia C. cjraaifoIifB et. deflesja, aed differc, foliia diacoloribua
eglutinosis atque etiam forma coroUre, &c. — W. B. Hbuslby,

March 29, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

259

4. C. violaoea. — This belongs to a small section of the genns,
formerly regarded as generically distinct, under the name Jovellana,
on accoant of the lips of the flower being nearly equal and concave
instead of pouched, forming together a gaping, month. like corolla,
and on account of the anther cells being contiguous or confluent ;
but connecting links of every grade have since been found. C. vio.
lacea is a spreading, much. branching shrub, 3 ft. to 4 ft. high in cul-
tivation, with deeply lobed leaves, 1 in. or less in length, and lilao
blue Bowers spotted with yellow and red inside, and from i in. to 1 in.
long. It was introduced many years ago from South Chili, and
figured in the Bot. Mag , t. 4,9i9. Oae collector (Bridges) states, on
a label in Kew Herbarium, that it delights in decomposed granite.
Mr. Smith informs me that it is the only species of Calceolaria hardy
at Newry, and this season it has been cut to the ground by the frost,
but shortly after the frost broke it begun to show signs of growth.
In ordinary seasons it blooms freely in April and May on shoots of
the preceding season's growth. C. triandra has the habit of C. vio.
lacea and small, pinnately lobed leaves, but it is remarkable in the
genus for having three stamens, instead of only two.

Half-Shrubs or TXnder-Shrubs,

5. C. punctita. — A half.shrubby species, with flowers similar
in shape to those of C. violacea, but rather larger, and almost exactly
the habit, foliage, and inflorescence of our native Figworts (Scropha.
laria). The leaves are 3 in. to 5 in. long, oval, and donbly toothed ;
the flowers, according to Dr. O. Cunningham, naturalist to the sur.
veying expedition of H.M.S. Nassau, are white spotted with lilao,
and the whole plant has a most unpleasant odour. Mr. R. Pearce
introduced it in 1862 for Messrs. Veitch, and it is figured in the
" Botanical Magazine," t. 5393. Although the flowers are so like
those of C. violacea, the resemblance ceases there. The variety figured
in the " Botanical Magazine^" has lilac flowers with a yellow blotch on
the inside of the lower lip. A very common Chilian plant.

6. C. pollfolia. Hooker, Bot. Mag., t. 2897. — An erect branching
nndershrnb, with small ovate or oblong leaves, clothed with a white
felt.like down. The flowers are few, and about a third of an inch in
diameter, subglobose ; the upper lip yellowish white, about half the
size of the other, and turned down upon it; lower lip of a more
decided yellow. Introduced from Chili by Mr. Cruickshanks, in
1826. There are about half.a.dozen others of this section, not any of
them remarkable for their beauty.

7. C. flexuosa. — A very fine sabshrubby species, with cordate
coarsely toothed leaves, 3 in. to 4 in. long, and large terminal panicles
of golden yellow, hairy, nearly globular flowers about 1 in. in diame*
ter. Stems rather slender and weak, leaves thin, calyx large,
greenish yellow, resembling that of C. Pavouii and its allies, which
are, however, very different in their habit and foliage. Mr. W. Lobb
sent seeds of this from Pern to Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea,
who succeeded in raising it ; and it was figured in the Botanical
Magazine, 1859, t. 5154.

8 C. bicolor. — A diffusely branching undershrub, with ovate
coarsely-toothed stalked leaves, 2 in. to 3 in. long, and yellow and
white flowers of medium size, remarkable for the lower lip being
curved completely over the upper very small one. A native of Peru,
whence Mr. Cruickshank sent seed about the year 18.30. It is figured
in the Bot. Mag., t. 3036, under its right name, and in the Bot. Reg.,
t. 1374, under the name of C. diffusa. Mr. T. Smith says this makes
a useful greenhouse plant in winter, if grown on freely during the
previous summer. There are upwards of half-a.dozen others of the
same section, of which one at least, C. flexuosa, described above, is
more ornamental.

9. C. vertiolllata. — A diffnsely.branohing, half-shrubby species
having slender, hairy branches, clothed with ovate, 'sharply serrated
leaves, from 1 in. to 2 in. long and terminating in a]narrow spike of
lateral clusters of small, deep yellow flowers. The corolla is peculiar
in the upper lip being altogether suppressed, and in the lower one
being very slender at the pointof attachment, and produced upwards
in a curved, inflated pouch. Introduced from Lima in 1830 by Mr.
Cruickshanks and fi.?ared in the Bot. Mag., t. 3091, under the erro.
ceoas name et C. angustiflora. It is more curious than beautiful.

10. C. thyrsiflora. — This and C. alba, among suffrutescent
species, have a remarkably slender, erect habit of growth, and the
stems are crowded with linear, coarsely toothed leaves, usually not
exceeding 1 in. in length in this species, though there are forms
having leives intermediate in length between these aid those of C.
alba, which are 2 in. long ; hence they may be varieties of one
species, for there is little, if any, difference in the flowers, except
colour. The inflorescence is long, narrow, and dense, and the nearly
globular, deep yellow flovers are fion a third] to .half anj inch in

diameter. A common species in Chili, where] it bears the name of
Pttipe, and is u?ed for dying yellow. It was introduced in 1828 by
Dr. Gillies, and it is figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 2915, where it is
stated that the blossoms have a slight fragrance, not unlike that of
the flowers of the Laburnum. This, it is recorded, has hybridised
with C. FothergiUi, particulars of which are given under that
species.

11. C. alba. — An nndershrub with the habit, foliage, and flowers
of C. thyrsitiora, save that the leaves are longer and the flowers white.
A very pretty species, raised by Messrs. Veitch from seeds sent to
them from Chili by Mr. W. Lobb before 1844, and figured in the
Bot. Mag., t. 4157. It is said to be rare in its native country.

12. O. adscendens. — This species is, or rather was, better
known to gatdeners under the name of C. rugosa, Bot. Reg., t. 1588,
though it had previously been published in the fame magazine, 1. 1215,
under the above name. C. crenata (Bot. Beg., t. 790) is merely a
slight variety of t'.^e same species. It is one of the sub-shrubby,
yellow. flowered epecies that has been used for bedding, though by
no means the best. The stems are rather slender with a reddish
tinge, and the leaves small, rough, and sharply toothed. Introduced
from Chili in 1823.

13. C. sessilia. — Allied to C. integrifolia, but a more shrubby
plant, with distinctly sessile leaves, broadest at the base, and woolly
stems, at least, when they are young. A native of Chili, introduced
by Mr. Cuming in 1831, and figured in the Bot. Reg., t. 1628.
Flowers deep yellow, the upper lip of the corolla two. thirds the size
of the lower, and applied to it.

14. C. dentata. — Near C. adscendens, but having longer leaves,
less harsh to the touch and more finely toothed, and larger, more
numerous flowers. It is figured in the Bot. Reg., t. 1476, under the
name of C. chiloeiisis. It was sent from Chiloe by Mr. Anderson,
who was the botanical collector attached to Captain[King's expedition.
This and C. adscendens were probably both concerned in the parentage
of the hybrid bedding varieties. C. andina is a closely allied species
inferior in point of beauty ; it was formerly in cultivation and is
figured in the Bot. Reg., t. 1576, under the name of C. Herbertiana
var. parvi flora.

15. C. viscosissima. — This, in 'many respects, looks like a
broad. leaved variety of C. integrifolia, and it was published as such
iu the Bot. Mag., t. 3214 ; but Lindley subsequently published it as
a distinct species, Bot. Reg. t. 1611. In gardens it was called C. ru.
gosa macrophylla, and it is recorded that it was raised from seed by
Mr. Cameron, of the Birmingham Botanic Garden, but nothing is
said respecting the origin of the seed. It is a robust, ^exceeiingly
viscid plant, with broad leaves and tawny flowers.

16. C. integrifolia. — This, above all others, is the bedding
Calceolaria. It is an exceedingly common Chilian plant, varying
considerably in the width and toothing of the leaves, and in the
degree of viscidity of the stems and leaves, as well as in the size and
tint of its flowers. The name integrifolia is not an appropriate one
in the sense it is now generally understood, because the leaves,
although undivided, are always toothed. It appears to have been
first introduced by the Horticultural Society, in 1822, and figured in
the Bot. Reg., t. 74 1. This has rather broad leaves, whitish under-
neath, and not unlike those of Sage. Plate 1803 of the same work
represents a narrow leaved (angustifolii) variety; both have bright
lemon yellow flowers, with the upper lip of the corolla half the size
of the lower, and closely appressed upon it. C. rugosa, Bot. Mag., t.
2523, seems to be a variety differing in the tomentum on the under
surface of the leaves, being of a rusty colour and in the flowers being
of a deeper yellow. There are several other synonyms of the
species.

17. C. crenata. — This is figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 4154,
under the name of C. floribunda, and differs from typical C. amplexi-
canlis (figured in the same work, t. 4300) in the leaves being rounded
not cordate, and stem-clasping at the base, and in the flowers being
of a paler yellow, but, at the most, it can only be a slight variety of
the same species. It was sent to Messrs. Veitch, from Chili, by
W. Lobb, in 1813.

18. C. amplexicaulis. — A few years ago this was almost as
familiar in the flower garden as C. integrifolia. It is the one with
soft, dark green leaves clasping the stem, and a profusion of pale
yellow flowers. It is true the Bot. Mag. figure, t. 4300, represents
rather a deep yellow almost orange flowered variety, under this
name, and a pale yellow one, which I take to be a variety of the
same, under the name of C. floribunda, here given under C. crenata.
C. amplexicaulis inhabits Peru and Ecuador, and was introduced by
Mr. W. Lobb about thirty years ago.

260

THE GARDEN.

Marce 29, 1879.

Herbaceous Perennials.

19. C. Pavonii. — Thia is one of a gronp of about sis herbaoeons
species, remarkable for their robust habit, large, coarsely toothed
leaves, with usually a triangular blade and broadly winged perfoliate
petiole, and for their very large calyx. 0. Pavonii, Bentham, Bot.
Mag, t. 4525, is a native of Pern, and was first cultivated in thia
country, it appears, by Messrs. Luoombe, Pinoe & Co., of Exeter, in
1850. It grows 3 ft. to 4 ft. high, and is everywhere covered with
more or less glutinous hairs. The leaves in luxuriant specimens are
upwards of 6 in. long, the triangular cordate blade about halt of it,
and the wing of the petiole increases in width downwards, the
winga of the two opposite leaves being connate at the base,
thus encircling the stem with a broad, leafy expansion. The showy
bufi yellow flowers are borne in terminal and lateral corymbs, the
entire inflorescence being large and effective. The pale green calyx
has spreading sepals 2 in. from tip to tip ; the upper lip of the corolla
is nearly flat and disk-like, and the lower one is nearly orbicular, very
mnch inflated, about 1 in. in diameter, and curved upwards against the
npper one. Mr. T. Smith writes: "Thia forma handsome speci-
mens, 3 ft. or 4 ft. high ; it commences to bloom in the autumn, and
continues through the winter; and it is a most distinct and deair.
able conservatory plant for this season when striking flowering plants
are scarce." The other species of this group are C. tomentosa, a
very woolly plant with ovate leaves ; C. oalyoina, remarkable for ita
yellow calyx, aa large as that of C. Pavonii, and for its flowers being
in umbels or trusses like a Pelargonium ; C. perfoliata, this also has
a yellow or greenish yellow calyx and aubumbellate flowers, but the
flowers are smaller than those of the last, and the blade of the leaf
is broader at the base ; finally, 0. dilatata is relatively a very slender
plant with smaller leaves and flowers ; they all inhabit the same
region as C. Pavonii.

20. C- piaacomensia.^One of the most diatinot speoiea of the
genus, having leaves something like C. amplexicaulis, but easily dis-
tinguished from all others hitherto introduced, by its large brilliant
orange red flowers. It is a tall, robust, herbaceous perennial, with
deeply toothed, rough leaves, recurved at the margin, and a suooea-
Bion of shortly stalked cymes of flowers in the upper part of the
stem, forming together an inflorescence 6 in. to 9 in. long. The upper
lip of the corolla is small and concealed by the lower one, which is
abruptly bent upon itself and over the npper one. Introdaced by
Messrs. Veitch from Peru through their collector, Mr. Pearce, and
figured in the Bot. Mag., 1867, t. 5677.

21 C. lobata. — An ascending or trailing, branched, more or less
glandular pubescent herb, with roundish, cordate lobed leaves, about
2 in. in their greatest diameter, and borne on relatively long petioles;
flowers clear yellow spotted with red inside, and arranged in loose
panicles. Upper lip of the corolla small ; lower one large, saccate,
suddenly bent upwards about the middle, and recurved on itself.
Mr. Smith says, " thia flowers in the freest possible manner all
through the autumn, winter, and spring months, and is a moat useful
basket plant, or to hang over the edge of the greenhonae stage." I
have seen no record of the date of introduction of thia species, but
it is figured in the Bot. Mag. for 1877, t. 6330, from a plant furnished
by Messrs. Veitch. It is a distinct and attractive species, native of
the mountains of Peru.

22. C. crenatiflora. — Although an old name, the species to
which it properly applies waa published in Sweet's Brit. Fl. Gard.,
1832, second series, t. 155, on its introduction into this country under
the name of C. pendula. A better figure of it may be seen in the
Bot. Mag., t. 3,255. It is a robust plant, with larger stem leaves
than C. corymbosa, and equally as large flowers, which are yellow
dotted with red. The calyx is relatively large, the upper lip of the
corolla very small, and the large lower one saccate with a small
opening and notched and grooved in its lower part. There seems to be
indications in some strains of hybrid Calceolariaa that this species
was concerned in their production, particulnrly in the long, pendent,
grooved, and crenated corolla. According to Gay it affects humid
situations in ita native country. Chili. C. glandulosa is an allied
species, with small yellow or white flowers.

23. C. racemosa. — This is a herbaceous species, cloaely allied
to C. corymbosa, bnt inferior as an ornamental plant. It is a Chilian
plant, and was in cultivation in this country in 1830, when it waa
figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 1,313, under the name of C. Herbertiana.

24. C. corymbosa. — One of the parents of the hybrid race, and
the one whose characteristics are most prominent in the strains cul-
tivated at the present time. This species gave size to the flowers,
the yellow element in colour, breadth to the leaves, and robustnees
in habit ; whilst C. purpurea and C. arachnoidea gave shape and the
other colours to the flowers. 0. corymbosa was introduced from
Chili about the year 1822, and was figured in the Bot. Reg., t. 723,

from a plant raised in Lady Tankerville's garden at Walton-on-
Tbames. It has large, oblong, rich yellow flowers, with a large
opening to the lower lip. The commonest species in Chili, ranging
from Coquimbo to Valdivia, Valparaiso, Santiago, &c. The following
is a condensed account of the history of the early hybrids of the
herbaceous olaas. C. Toungi, Bot. Reg., t. 1448, was the first
hybrid of thia olaas of which a coloured plate was published, if not
actually the first one raised. Farther particulars respecting thia
will be found under C. arachnoidea. In Loudon'a " Gardeners' Maga-
zine" for 1830, p. 493, it is stated, in an extract from the " Edin-
burgh Philosophical Journal," that Mr. Morrison, gardener to Lord
President Hope, Granton, being aware that several of the finest
species of Calceolaria were shy in producing seeds, suspected that
this defect might be corrected by applying the pollen of certain
kinds to the stigmata of others ; and he first has had the merit of
presenting to the florist hybrids thus produced, which equal it they
do not surpass in beauty any of the species. Mr. Morrison succeeded
in intercrossing C. corymbosa, C. arachnoidea, C. plantaginea, and
C. Fothergilli. In the same periodical, 1832, p. 48, it is stated that
Messrs. Young purchased the stock of these Scotch-raised hybrid
Calceolariaa. In July, 1831, Messrs. Young exhibited some
of them, aa well aa their C. Youngi, at the Horticultural
Society's Rooms. In 1832, Mr. Atkins, nurseryman at Northamp.
ton, sent a beautiful hybrid which he had raised to Loudon,
who states, Gard. Magazine, 1832, p. 473, that it waa very much
like C. Youngi. It was figured in Sweet's " British Flower Garden,"
second series, plate 168, under the name of Atkinsiana. Plate 162
of the same work is a representation of C. Martineause, the variety
mentioned under C. Fothergilli as being a hybrid between that and
C. corymbosa. It certainly has the long flowers with the very open
lower lip of C. Fothergilli, bnt there are wild specimens of 0. corym.
boaa, itself a very variable apecies in a wild atate in Kew Herbarium,
almost exactly like the plant represented, and, although it is stated
that C. Fothergilli was the female parent, it is possible that there was
some mistake. The two species are so very different that one would
not expect them to intercross. Another hybrid, C. Wheeleri, Sweet's
" British Flower Garden," second aeries, t. 130, was raised
by Mr. G. Wheeler, nurseryman, Warminster, from a hybrid
between C. purpurea and C. corymbosa, fertilised again by C. pur.
purea. It haa amall, though regular, inflated flowers of a rich dark
red. To complete the history of hybrid Calceolarias would occnpy
too much space, and probably interest only a few readers ; suffice it
then to say that the idea having once been made known, the earliest
hybridiaera soon found imitators all over the country, improvement
succeeded improvement, and the first hybrid varieties which were
originally sold at high prices soon became valueless.

25. C. arachnoidea. — Thisspeoies deserves our attention, because
it was one of the parents of the earliest hybrid herbaceous Cal-
ceolarias. It is a remarkable and very diatinct speoiea with large
leaves, in shape like those of the hybrid, but clothed with a silvery,
dense, felt-like down. The flowers are of a rich purple, but some-
what crumpled and rather irregular in shape. It is a native of Chili,
and waa introduced to this country about the year 1827. There are
figurea of slightly different varieties of this species in the Bot. Mag.,
t. 2874 ; and the Bot. Reg., 1. 1454. This species is of some econo-
mic importance in its native country, as ita roota furnish a red dye,
superior, Bridges states, on a label in Kew Herbarium, to Brazilian
wood for its fine colour and durability. Dr. Gillie's note respecting
this species in the Bot. Mag., plate 2925, seema worth reproducing
here. " The Calceolaria," he Bays, " described by Dr. Graham, under
the name of C. arachnoidea, and to which I had assigned the specific
appellation of C. tinctoria, in consequence of ita utility in dyeing, I
first found near the silver mines of San Pedro Nolaaco, on the sum.
mit of the mountain so called, near the junction of the river Maypu,
with the Rio del Yeso and del Volcau. On a subsequent journey
across the Cordillera, further to the south, and opposite to San Fer.
cando, I also met with it in abundance growing in all the most ele.
vated valleys which I visited in the vicinity of La Casa de las Damas.
Here many people were employed in digging up the roots,
which they dry and collect in bundles for sale. In Chili, where
this plant is in great use, under the name of Relbun, for
dyeing woollen cloths of a deep crimson colour, the alum earth
employed as a mordant in this process is obtained abun-
dantly from a mountain in the neighbourhood. This plant grows in
hard gravelly soil, where the fibrous roots penetrate in all directions
a circumstance which renders the colleotiog of it to any considerable
extent a work of time and labour." Gay, " Flora Chilena," p. 182,
states that it is common in the mountains of Chili, from Coqnimboto
Conoepoion. C. caua is a cloaely allied species, with yellow flowers
the roots of which are also used to dye red. With regard to the part
that C. arachnoidea has played in the production of the hybrid race
of herbaceous Calceolariaa which has now been brought to such per.

Maech 29, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

261

feotion, we have fortunately the best of evidence. Plate 1,418 of
the "Botanical Register" is a representation of C. Yoangi, which, it
is there stated, was raised in 1830 by Messrs. Young, of Epsom, from
a plant of C. araohnoidea impregnated with 0. oorymbosa. It is a
very pretty variety, in which the colours of the flowers of the ts'o
species are combined, but the plum purple or reddish violet of C.
arachnoidea is intensified into a very dark purple brown, the whole of
the top of the lower lip being of that colour and the rest yellow.
Further details respecting the parentage of hybrid herbaceous Cal-
ceolarias will be found under C. oorymbosa and C. purpurea.

26. C- purpurea. — An erect herbaceous species, with leafy
stems from 1 ft. to 2 ft. high, terminating in large, loose corymbs of
numerous small, lilac-purple flowers. The stalkless leaves are coarsely
toothed, rough to the touch, and more or less glutinous. The flowers
are about i in. in diameter, both lip3 of the corolla inflated, the upper
one about half the size of the lower, and closing like a lid over the
opening of the lower lip. Seeds of this species were sent by Mr.
Ci'uicksbanks from Chili to Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1826. It
appears to have been one of the parents of some of the early hybrids,
but there is hardly any trace, it any, of it in the race of hybrids
now cultivated. For particulars respecting these early hybrids, see
under C. oorymbosa and C. arachnoidea. There is a very pretty and
singular Calceolaria figured in Sweet's " British Flower Garden,"
second series, t. 24 1, under the name of 0. purpurea var. |<iota. It
wi^B supposed to be an accidental variety of C. purpurea, from which
it differed in nothing except the colour of its flowers, and it was
raised by Mr. Wheeler, nurseryman, of Gloucester. The flowers are
white, with a band of bright purple around the opening of the lower
lip, the purple shading off gradually downwards into the white;
within, and on the margin of the opening, they are yellow.

27. C Fothergilli. — A tufted, herbaceous perennial with small
obovate.spathnlate, glandular leaves, and leafless flower scapes about
6 in. high, and bearing one flower each. A singular plant reminding
one of a Butterwort (Pinguicola) by its habit and inflorescence. The
flowers vary in colour, but they are some mixture of yellow and
purple brown ; lower lip of corolla about 1 in. long and very open ;
upper lip reduced to a small disk. This is one of the prettiest and
hardiest of the genus, being a native of the Falkland Islands and
Patagonia. It was introduced from the former country in 1777 by
Dr. John Fothergill, and it is the subject of one of the few plates
which adorn the first edition of Alton's " Hortus Kewenais," and it is
t. 348 of the Bot. Mag. This and its allies should be treated as Alpine
plants. There are numerous species of the same group equally in-
teresting, but few if any of them are in cultivation. They inhabit
the same region and would be hardy in this country under suitable
conditions as to soil and moisture. C. nana is a miniature of
C. Fothergilli, growing not more than 2 in. or 3 in. high. C. Dar-
wini is a very handsome species of this group, with Soivers nearly
twice as large as those of C. Fothergilli. If the operatorj were not
mistaken, C. Fothergilli was one of the parents of some of the earliest
raised hybrids. Thus in Loudon's " Gardeners' Magazine," 1831,
p. 510, it is recorded that Miss Martinean exhibited at the Horticul-
tural Society, a Calceolaria raised from seed of C. Fothergilli, fer-
tilised by C. oorymbosa. There is also a very pretty Calceo-
laria figured in Maund's " Botanic Garden," VII., fig. 595, and it is
recorded that this beautiful variety of Calceolaria was raised by
Mr. Thomas Williams, gardener to John Willmore, Esq., of Oldford,
near Birmingham, from seeds of C. Fothergilli, the flowers of which
had been fertilised by pollen of C. thrysiflora. This variety was
afterwards sent out under the name of C. pardauthera. Judging from
Maund's reduced figure it must have been a very handsome variety.

28. C. plantaginea. — Herbaceous, with tufted leaves, not
unlike those of the Ribwort Plantain (Plantago major), and very
slender, erect, leafless flower stems, 6 in. to 9 in. high, and bearing
two to four yellow flowers. One of the numerous species introduced
from Chili, in 1826, by Mr. Cruiokshanks, and cultivated for a time.
There is a figure of it in the Bot. Mag., t. 2,805. The corolla is
nearly hemispherical and yellofv, elegantly dotted with red under-
neath. C. Hopeana, figured in Paxton's Mag. Bot., ii., p. 286, is said
to be a hybrid between this and tho very different C. oorymbosa.

29. C tenella. — A pigmy, herbaceous, decumbent speoies>
about 3 in. high, spreading and rooting at the joints; stems thickly
clothed with small Thyme-like leaves. Flowers yellow with a few
red dots or lines about J in. long ; both eyes of the corolla saccate,
the lower one three times as large as the upper. A very pretty
species for the rook garden, introduced from Chili by Mr. G. Downton
for Messrs. Veitch, and figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 6,231.

Annual Herbs.

30. C. petiolaris. — A tall, branching, herbaceous plant ; stems
glandular, leafy ; leaves ample, stem clasping, and coarse ; flowers

numerous, small, yellow, in loose corymbs; calyx relatively largej
corolla about 5 in. in diameter; upper lip nearly as large as the
lower, and pressed down upon it. This species was cultivated in tho
Horticultural Society's Garden, in 1827, from seeds received from
Chili. It is figured in the Bot. Reg., t. 1,214, under the name of
C. floribunda, and in the Bot. Mag., t. 2,876, as C. connata. Judging
from the roots of dried specimens, this species is of annual duration.
Luxuriant specimens grow 3 ft. to 4 ft. high, and have quite stout
stems. It possesses no special ornamental character.

31. C. pinnata. — A slender annual from 6 in. to 1 ft., or occasion-
ally higher, having elegantly cut foliage, but small, inconspicuous yellow
flowers. Although the leaves of this species are very beautiful, it is
rather a weedy plant, and would be cultivated more as a curiosity
than for ornament. It is interesting as being the first species of the
gen IS cultivated in this country. Introduced from Peru in 1773,
through the agency of Sir Joseph Banks, and figured in the Bot. Mag.,
t. 41. It has become naturalised in India, and last year I saw a
specimen of it which had been found growing wild in Sussex. No
doubt the seed had been conveyed with some garden refuse to the
spot where the plant was found.

32. C. chelidonioidea. — As its name implies, this species resem.
bles the Celandine, Chelidonium majus. It is an annual, from 1 ft.
to 3 ft. high, with elegantly cut foliage and rather large, yellow,
almost globose, flowers. A native of Peru, growing in ditches, on
the banks of streams, and moist, shady situations generally. It was
cultivated in British gardens some years ago, and there is a woodcut
of it in Paxton'a Fl. Gard., iii., p. 143.

83. C. mexicaaa. — A slender, yellow. flowered annual, growing
at a great elevation in the mountains of Guatemala and Mexico, the
northern limit of the genus. C. gracilis and C. tenuis are allied
species natives of Peru. They are scarcely worth cultivating for any
ornamental character which they possess, especially now when the
choice of more showy, more elegant, and more lasting annuals is so
very extensive.

34. C. scabiosssfolia. — A Peruvian annual, resembling C. pin-
nata, but of much coarser habit and even less ornamental. Cultivated
in England in 1823, and figured in the Bot. Mag., t. 2405.

ludez to the Names.

Those in italics are either synonyms, hybrids, or species incidentally
mentioned under others.

adscendeas, 12 deJUxj, 1

alba, 11 dentatft, 11

amplexicaulis, 18 nUffamt 8

andina, Vi dUatata, 18

aracnQoidea, 25 fiexaisa, 7

Atkinioniana, 21 iUnbunda, 17

iinjiMfi/f ira, 9 Fo hergitli. 27

bicolor, 8 faciiaiaerolia, 1

calycina, 19 glandtdoea^ 22

c^na, 25 g^syp'tna, 2

cern^ifolia, 1 gracila, 33

chelidonaidea, 32 Hartwegi, 2

chilaensis, 11 Hearici. 3

corymboaa, 2i Herbert iinx^2Z

crenata, 14 Sopeana, 23

oreaata, 17 hydsopifolia. 2

crenatitlora, 22 iategrifolia, 16

Dari^ini, 27 licanlttl<Bfoiiit 2

lobata, 21
macrophi/lla, 15
Martiaeaa^e, 21
mexlcaaa, 33
nana, 27
P'ldifolia, 1
pardantkera, 27
Pavoaii, 19
peudttla, 22
perfiliaiit 19
petiolaris, 3 J
jtictu, 26
piaaata, 31

racomosa, 23
roiimarinifoHa, 2
rugo$a, 16
BcabioaieiV^lia, 31>
eessilia, 13
teaella, 29
tenuis, 33
tetragona, 1
thyrdiflsra. 10
tomentou'i, 19
triandra, 4

verticillaui, 9
violacea, 1

piaacomensia, 20 viacosiasima, 15

plautagiooa, 23 Wkeeleri, 21

pDllfolia, 6 Yfiungi, 25

punctata, 5 Youtgi^ 21
purpurea, 2G

W. B. Hemsley.

STORIi^G ICE.
In order to prevent any misunderstanding, allow me to say that the
icehouse recommended by Mr. Williams (p. 161) represents a stack built
on the principal of a cone, and with a thick column oE straw bundles
up the centre of it, which, we are told, is to provide for drainage
there, but where, it can be demonstrated both theoretically and prac.
tically, no melting takes place, and no drainage is needed. Hia
central column of straw is neither more nor less than a clear waste
of space, and a channel for heat to waste the ice. Mr. Williams him.
self furnishes the best argument against central drainage when he
says (p. 227) that water poured on the top of the stack " will, by
contact with the ice, be almost immediately congealed, and will
never percolate to the bottom." Could a better argument be fur.
nished against draining the centre of the heap P If water " never
percolates to the bottom," even when it is poured on the heap, what
do we want with a funnel up the centre ? How also does Mr.
Williams reconcile this statement with another (p. 239) that he has
seen the water from wasted ice standing " as in a bowl " on the top of
the ice ? I never witnessed such a phenomenon. A stack of the
shape which he has given never wastes with a flat top, but melts
pretty evenly all round, leaving the sides of the house from top to
bottom, and retaining its original shape till the very last fragment

262

THE GARDEN.

[MiRcii 29. 1879.

disappears, unleg-i it hag been interfere! with. Bit people do nob
take the ice from off the top of the heap if they can help it, bat
from the side, henoe the castoii of having a aide door in mist ice
faoa^iea. In conoluaion, I may say that I never abated that a cone
contained more than any other figure in proportion to it? " height"
— " bulk " waa the word U3ed by me, and, of course, I also meant a
<jjne of a height in proportion to its base, or, in short, a heap such aa
we usually build in oar ice houses. In speaking of the cubic con.
tents of any body, I did not suppose it was necessary to be more
explicit. " Where," as^a Mr. Willianrn, " is the outer surface of a
cell ir of ice wholly below the level of the ground ? " I reply that
the outer surface is where he tella as to place the straw, whether the
heap be above or below ground. C.

INDOOR FRUIT GROWItfG FOR MARKET.

(Contitiuei from page 211.J

Grapes. — In small gardens at the back of villa resi-
dences— -of which Mr. Sweet's, at Lsjton, is a good example
— Grapes are sometimes grown mo3t successfallj. In
such ca.ses the borders are inside — outside borders taking
up too much Space where the extent of ground at command
is limited ; and, moreover, in the case of early houses, the
borders would require to be warmed by means of ferment-
ing material of some kind, and this cannot well be afforded,
especially in places where it cannot afterwards be made
use of in the way of enriching vegetable grounl. In a
few cases, however, there is a narrow border outside the
houses in which the roots are allowed to ramble ; but these
are principally confined folate or mid-season houses. The
rod and spur system of training is the one adopted in such
cases, and the chief aim of the proprietor is to get the
wood thoroughly ripened previous to pruning ; this end
attained, success becomes almost a certainty. In pruning,
the shoots are not cut closely into the old wood, but a
good plump bud, which is almost certain to produce a large
bunch of Grapes, is left on each spur, and, should any of
the back eyes break, the one bearing the best bunch is
selected to remain and the rest are removed. When the
spurs become long and scraggy, one or two of the rods are
cut down each year and replaced by youn t ones run up,
and in this way strong, healthy, fruit-bearing canes are
always maintained. Some of the Vines have two, three,
or four rods e ich — others only one. In some cases the
Vines are planted on each side of the house, each row
furnishing one-half; but in others only one side is planted,
anil the canes trained so as to cover the whole of the roof.
This latter plan is an excellent one, as, when repisite,
fresh Vines can be planted on the vacant side, without in
any way disturbing the roots of existing ones ; moreover,
the newly-planted Vines can be allowe ,1 to get well esta-
blished before the older ones are discarded, and thus
neither Vines nor crops are sacrificed. The chief kinds
of Grapes grown here are Black Haniburu-h, Muscat of
Alexandria, Black Alicante, Lady Downes Seedling, and
a few Gros Colman. The two former kinds are started
in November and December, and furnish ripe, marketable
fruit from late in May until the end of August. Gros
Colman furnishes fruit during the early part of the autumn
and, indeed, up to Christmas ; and Lady Downes and Black
Alicante keep up a supply until February. Late Grapes
are always left on the Vines until sent to mai-ket, the mole
of keep ng them iu bottles of water, that of late years has
come into practice iu private establishments, being too
troublesome for market growers. A piece of paper is,
however, tied over the top of each bunch to preserve it
from damp and dust, and a dry, airy atmosphere is always
maintained in the house as long as the Grapes are hanging
there. Such Grapes realise in the market from (3s. to

7s. Gd, per lb. Watering is an operation to which Mr.
Sweet pays unremitting attention. Each house is watered
four times during the season, as a rule, and at each
application sufficient is given to thoroughly saturate the
whole of the soil down to the drainage. The first watering
is usually given immediately the Vines are pruned, this
being to compensate for the long season during which the
roots have of necessity been kept in a dry state in order to
keep the fruit in good condition, as water applied to the
roots of Vines after the fruit is ripe impairs the flavour of
the produce, as well as its keejjing properties. The second
dose is given when the leaves become expanded, the
third when the fruit is fairly set, and the fourth when
stoning is completed. If very dry weather prevail, and
another watering become necessary, it is supplied just
before colouring commences. Manure water is at all times
liberally sup^^lied, even when the Vines are first started,
and to this may be attributed in a great measure the
unusual strength which the shoots attain, even in the dull
sunless season. Indeed, to the effectual mode of watering is
attributed in no small degree the almost marvellous results
obtained ia this establishment. All Grapes sent from here
are of the best quality, although the Vines are very heavily
cropped. Indeed, as a Grape grower, Mr. Sweet is ex-
celled by few who grow entirely for market. Young Vines
planted in autumn make canes the following summer as
thick as a good-sized walking-stick, and the following
season are allowed to carry a moderate crop of fruit.
Alicantes grafted on stocks of Muscat of Alexandria give
great satisfaction in this establishment, where they yearly
bear large and perfect crops of fruit. Whenever a house
of Amines is found to be on the decline as regards bearing
qualities, young Amines are speedily substituted for the old
ones; half measures, such as trying to reerait the old
canes, being, in the case of market growers, simply a waste
of time and money.

Another very important Grape-growing establishment,
notice of which must not be omitted, oa account of the
large Grape Vine to be found in it, is that of Mr. Kay, of
Finchley. Grapes are grown here to a considerable extent
and " the large Vine at Finchley," as it is called, is well
known to all Grape growers. This Vine has produced
remarkable crops of fruit every year since it became esta-
blished. The hoase — a span-roofed one — in which it
is growing has on several occasions been lengthened in
order to afford additional room ; it is now 90 ft. long and
18 ft. wide — a space entirely occupied by this Vine, which
enters the house on one side about the middle. Its main
stem, which measures at the bottom neaidy 2 ft. in circum-
ference, crosses the roof, and from this issue ten strong
rods, half of which are trained each way horizontally.
On this Vine, when visited in Auo-ust, 1877, there were
nearly 500 well-formed bunches of Grapes, each of which
averaged about 2 lb. in weight. The border, like that of
other Vineries here, is outside ; it is about 15 ft. wide and
■i ft. deep, made on a hard, clayey bottom, on which is
placed a quantity of brick rubbish, &c., for drainage ; the
soil consists of ordinary loana and brick rubbish, such as
can be obtained in any place where building is going on.
No manure was mixed with the soil before the Vine was
planted, but the border receives an annual top-dressing in
autumn to protect the roots during winter and spring,
and from this the roots, no doubt, derive considerable
nourishment. As regards pruning, the spur system is
that adopted ; the wood is thoroughly ripened every year
by exposing it freely to air and light, and, could the house
and border be further enlarged, this Vine would, doubtless,

Makch 29, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

2 53

become one of the very finest in the Kingdom. Its fruit
is usually fit for use in September, after that from earlier
houses is finished. Amongst late Grapes here a house of
Lady Downes Seedling and Black Alicante deserves notice.
It is a low, lean-to structure of considerable length, and
has a northern aspect — a position in which the fruit is found
to ripen equally well as that in a more sunny situation,
and, being later in ripening, it can be preserved in good
condition for a long time, provided the atmosphere of the
house is kept dry and airy. Most of the Mnes consist of
from four to five canes each, old ones being removed as
often as it is considered expedient to replace them with
young ones. As soon as the Grapes are cut, the houses
are thrown open, and the Vines ex[)osed to the full influence
of the weather. This has the efl'ect of ripening the wood
thoroughly and of clearing the foliage of insects should
any exist. Most of the canes in the late houses are allowed
to carry from twelve to fifteen bunches each, all of which
they ripen perfectly.

Vinory, Teach, and Plant Houfe combined.

Mr. Elliot, of Fulham, to whom allusion has already
been made, grows mid-season and late Grapes only. His
Vines are all planted in outside borders, which arc heavily
mulched with manure throughout the year. When I
visited this establishment, the Vines had only been planted
a few years, and were, consequently, not thoroughly esta-
blished. It is remarkable how much more quickly market
gardeners fill their houses with Vines than private growers.
Canes planted here filled the houses in two years, and the
third season they carried excellent crops. Vines of the
Black Alicante variety planted in a house with a northern
aspect made remarkable growth the first season and tho-
roughly ripened it, and they will in all probability succeed
equally well as if they were in a house with a southern or
eastern aspect, which most people contend is indispensable
to the production of well-coloured Grapes. Black Ham-
burgh, Gros Colman, and Black Alicante are the only
varieties grown in this establishment. They are not (as
before stated) forced, but are allowed to advance naturally,
fire-heat being applied only to dispel damp or prevent the
tender shoots from receiving severe checks by sudden
changes in the weather should they occur. The varieties

come into use in the order named, and, as fruit of the
best quality only is produced, it accordingly realises high
prices. The Hanilurghs are usually fit for market by
August, and fetch from 4s. to .5s. per lb. Gros Colman,
in September, October, and November, realises from 6s. to
9s. per lb.; and Alicantes, in mid-winter, from Cs. 6d. to
7s. t5d., according to the demand there may be for them.
Whilst the Vines are at rest, scarlet Pelargoniums,
Mustard and Cress, Tarragon, <ic., are grown under them.
Mr. Yeldham, of Fulham, grows Grapes to a largo
extent, his object being quantity rather than quality, in
order to meet the demand of a second-class trade ; his
houses arc, therefore, not wholly devoted to Grape grow-
ing. Of these he has altogether twenty, ranging in length
from 100 ft. to 250 ft. and proportionately wide. The Vino
borders here, as elsewhere, are all outside, well drained,
heavily manured during the winter, and copiously watered
during summer. Most of the Vines, which have been
planted for a number of years, are trained on the rod and
spur system, several canes being allowed to each Vine.
Oie large house is, however, pruned on the long rod
system, which consists in ti-aining up young canes every
year and removing them as soon as they have borne a crop
of fruit. By this method, a crop of large bunches of
Grapes is almost a certainty ; but, Mr. Yeldham remarks,
they do not always colour so well as those produced on
older canes. Black Hamburgh is the only kind grown
here, and this variety serves both for early and late crops.
The earliest houses usually ripen their fruit late in May
and early in June, and others are brought on in succession.
As very large bunches and berries are not sought after,
the bunches are thinned much less severely than would
otherwise be the case, and a greater number of bunches
are left ou the Vines. Crapes of this description, owing
to their cheapness, find a readier sale than thoFC which are
brought to the highest slate of perfection. The principal
late Vineiy is a span-roofed one, '2'20 ft. long, and, before
the railway ran through the grounds, taking away jjart of
it, this house was nearly double that length. A pathway
runs inside along the front, and at the back is a border
from 12 ft. to 15 ft. wide, planted with Camellias. Another
very ])rofitable kind of house — of which the accompanying
illustration will give some idea — is one which, at some tim e
must have been a shed. A glass front and roof have, how-
ever, been fixed in it, the spars, rafters, and boarded back
remaining unaltered. The upright posts which support the
ends of the cross raftersare about 12 It. apart, and at the foot
of each of those next the glass front is planted a Vine, the
main shoots of which are trained horizontally along the
cross rafters, and from this main stem issue at every 2 ft.
or so other rods, which are trained in an upright position
towards the roof. By this means the Vines obstruct very
little light from other subjects grown in the house, whilst
they themselves have abundance of light and sun from
every side. In the centre of the house, and between these
Vines are planted standard Peach trees, which are from
12 ft. to 15 ft. high, and as much through, and during June
and July their branches bend under the weight of good-
flavoured and well-coloured fruit, which they bear. The trees
are never pruned, but in every respect liberally treated, and
they amply repay the trouble bestowed upon them. Peaches
and Nectarines during June and July realise from 10s. to
15s. per dozen, according to size and quality. The house
in question is 215 ft. in length, and 28 ft. in width; the
back boarded wall is covered with Gloire de Dijon Roses,
one plant alone furnishing 150 ft. of the space. A number
of Camellias and several large specimens of Mock Orange

264

THE GAEDEN.

[March 29, 1879.

are also growing ia this house, the latter yearly bearing
immense quantities of sweet-scented white blossoms, which
are eagerly bought up by bouquet makers. All available
space on the floor aud between the trees is occupied by
Rhubarb, and in February and March there is such a quan-
tity to be gathered that one wonders how it could all be
disposed of so early in the year. A more profitable or
interesting house than this, it would be difficult to meet
with ; indeed, so simple is it in the way of arrangement,
and so inexpensive as regards labour, that it is surprising
that other fruit growers have not adopted similar ones.
From this house alone Mr. Yeldham cut in one year 7300
bunches of well-ripened Grapes.

Grape growers for market differ from private growers
in their methods of culture in several particulars. For
instance, they do not stop the shoots at one or two joints
above the bunch, but allow three, four, and, if there be
room m the house, as many as five and six joints. By
this means they get plenty of folioge, and they can crop
the Vines much heavier than they otherwise could do.
Syringing the foliage is not so much practised by market
growers as by private cultivators, as they are of opinion
that heat aud too much moisture together render the foliage
thin and poor, thus injuring the crop. Thinning, which is
completed at one operation, is always performed as soon
as the berries are well formed. This practice saves labour
and the results are found to be as good as when the bunches
are gone over twice or thrice. Abundance of air, all the
light possible, plenty of water, and a growing temperature
are the chief points observed in the general cultivation of
the Vine in market gardens. C. W. S.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.
Seldom have these been brighter than at the present moment
(March 25). The two principal elements in the matter are the
numbers and the lateness of the buds. With a winter of
almost unexampled length and severity, running through
March with about 10' of frost and a cold north-east wind, most
of the fruit buds are now as soundly asleep as they are in
most seasons in the middle of February ; it follows, that
unless April proves far more genial and exciting than usual,
the probability is strong in favour of the fruit buds being so
late as to escape the killing severities of late frosts. The
destructive power of these arises more from the tenderness of
the prematurely-developed buds than from the actual amount
of the frost itself ; hence, every week longer that fruit buds
remain closed the prospect of the fruit season brightens.
The buds, as I have said, are also abnormally numerous as well
as late. Several years' partial rest, and, upon the whole, a
favourable autumn for the maturation of the wood last season,
have enabled the trees to recruit their strength and mature a
plentiful crop of fruit buds. The fear has been expressed In
certain quarters that the severe frosts of the past winter
may have injured the fruit buds, but this does not seem to
have been the case to any extent. The winter has been one of
great steadiness of character as well as severe cold. There
has been far fewer fluctuations of temperature and of sun and
shade than usual. It is the sudden changes rather than any
mere intensity of cold that proves most injurious to fruit buds.
With leaden skies and almost continuous frosts for three
months at a stretch, the buds wintered well. Hence their
present safety .and the prospect of a plentiful season. It is
well, however, to make security doubly sure by adopting some
of the more simple means of protection. After trying every-
thing, from glass, slate, and wooden copings of different widths,
and all kinds of textile fabrics, portable and fixed, it may seem
somewhat humiliating to have to come back to the conclusion
ihat the simplest aud most primitive means of protection are
by far the best. These consist of the thrusting of a few Fern

fronds, Asparagus tops, and a few loose handfnla of straw, or
sprayey boughs, among and over the flowering shoots. The
protection is thus placed close to the flowers. This method
of protection creates no currents or draughts. Such protect-
ing screens, when formed of Spruce or other boughs, have
also this great advantage; the screen removes itself piecemeal,
a leaf at a time.as it were,and by the timethe more genial weather
enables the embryo fruits to take care of themselves, nothing
of such screens is left but a few bare skeleton boughs, which
obstruct but little light and scarcely injure the trees. With
the ordinary run of seasons such as we have had of late years,
it is hardly safe to remove these wholly till the end of May.
But so much and so gradually do such protectors remove
themselves, that it is possible to disbud the trees before
finally removing the whole of the self-reduced protectors.
'i hese simple methods may be adopted alone, or in conjunction
with glass or other copings. Last season, while Peaches,
Nectarines, and Apricots were wholly destroyed, protected
with glass copings faced with canvas or screened with netting,
the trees screened with boughs under the copings carried a
full crop, and the trees themselves also came through the
ordeal of the last trying spring unharmed. Similar simple
means of protection are equally effective for cordon Plums,
Pears, and Apples, and they are easily applied to such trees.
A few bushy boughs laid over or on, have never failed to ensure
a crop of Plums on cordons, and saved a capital crop of
Apples on cordons last season, while all others, with few
exceptions, were cut off by the severe weather of the last
spring. In most large gardens such protecting material costs
nothing, and it is as efficient as it is simple and cheap.

D. T. Fish.

POT VINES.

" A. D." has done good service in directing attention to the evil prac-
tice of placing pot Vines oat-of-doors, a plan generally adopted in
nurseries. Pot Vines grown for forcing purposes (I am assured by the
most extensive growers in London and elsewhere, that most of their
stock is sold for that purpose) cannot have too long and too favourable
a season under glass in this country, in order to fit them for starting
readily in November and December. I find, and all with whom I
have talked on the subject find, that when they grow their own pot
Vines, and get them ripe and pruned by August, or, at the latest, by
September, they can get them to start with comparative ease in
November, and get their crops in early without too much pressure at
the end ; but nursery- grown Vines that had been put out-of-doora
about midsummer " to ripen " as it is termed, never can be got to
start readily, simply because they are not ripe enough to prune early,
and therefore, they get no rest between pruning and starting. We
grow our own pot Vines when we can afford the room, but quite as
often we have had to buy them, and I think we have
had considerable quantities of pot Vines from eight or ten
of the most noted growers in the country. In most cases I
ordered the plants about midsummer, with the special object of
getting good and early ripensd canes, but I never yet could get
Vines that were as ripe as they should bs to their [extremities or with-
out green leaves in September, and even in October, and I have always
had to place them under glass to finish them. There is not so much
objection to placing the plants out-of-doors, provided the roots are
protected from wet and frost after the canes are quite ripe, the bads
brown and hard, and the laterals also brown and ripe np to the first
pinching, but before that they should be under a glass roof.

I am speaking of Vines grown from eyes the same year of course.
For such plants there is no more than time for them to complete their
growth and ripen their wood perfectly by August or a little later, and
the sooner after that they are pruned and rested previous to starting
the better. That this can be done quite well there can be no doubt.
From eyes put in early in March I have had canes 7 ft. high quite
ripe, nearly to the extremities of the laterals, aud pruned by the
beginning of September, thus giving them two or three moutha
complete rest before forcing. These Vines were as thick as one's
thumb, and some of them that were sent to an Edinburgh nursery,
man were exhibited in their pruned state at the International Show
in Ejinburgh in September of the same year. A little later in tha
season a nurseryman who sells about lOOO Vines annually, would
readily have taken the whole houseful at a figure much above the
usual wholesale price, if wa would have parted with them. The plants
were never out of the house all the summer and they started early
aud easily into growth. J. S. W.

March 29, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

265

Peach Trees and Galvanised Wire. — I would recommond
Mr. J. Wood (p. 249) to give his galvanised wires two or three coats
of paiut. I cannot qnite assure him that this will save his trees from
being damaged, bnt, so far as I have tried it, I am inclined to believe
it will. Another good plan is to give the matting a couple or three
twists between the wire and the shoot in tying to prevent the two
from comirg in contact. Notwithstanding the recorded experience
to the contrary, it is a fact that in many gardens galvanised wire
kills the shoots of Peach trees wherever it touches them, exactly as
Mr. Wood describes. Both indoors and out it does, or rather did do
EO, with us in almost every case where the young shoots simply
touched the wires. The evil was unknown with us till we used the
galvanised wire, while against our painted iron wire and wood trel-
lises I have never noticed a damaged shoot, all other conditions being
equal. I do not know whether it was to prevent the wires injuring
the young shoots of the Peaches or not, but I noticed that in most of
the examples of trained Peach trees at the Paris Exhibition the
shoots were not tied to the galvanised wires but to straight laths
placed between them and the wires, and in oases where the laths
were absent the Willow withes used for tying were twisted so as to
prevent contact. — J. S. W.

Galvanised wire seems to diHer in character; in some

cases, if the branch only touches the wire, the latter destroys its
bark, while in others no damage is done. If Mr. Wood (p. 249)
will give his wires two coats of white lead and turpentine mixed
pretty thickly, allowing the first coat to get thoroughly dry before
spplyinz the second, he will experience no further injury. — James
Sjhth, Waterdale.

Dieu Donne Apple. — This has been on sale in Covent Garden
all the season, and has met with great approval, not only on account
of its beauty, bnt its pleasant quality. Despite a certain amount
of what might be called woollineaa, it is, to my taste, one of the best
Apples I ever met with. O.i applying to Mr. Rivers for plants he
told me that he had never heard of such an Apple, and that it was not
mentioned in any of the French or English pomologioal dictionaries.
I shall be glad to know whether it is in cultivation in this country,
and if so where plants are to be had. In Covent Garden I was told
a very remarkable but rather romantic story about the name of this
Apple, which comes from the south of France, and is said to be in
cnltiva'ioa near Bordeaux, Bayonne, and elsewhere. — H. B.

Protecting Vine Borders. — I should not again have alluded
to this subject were it not an important one. Does not Mr. Simpson
Bee the difference between the extremes of putting on the protecting
material whilst the weather is still so warm as to endanger the buds
starting prematurely, and not applying it until so late that a con-
siderible portion of the heat had been lost ? Does he think that
anyone having a knowledge of Grape growing would fall into the
former mistake ? Bnt suppose they did. Would it have the effect of
causing the Vines to break prematurely ? Nothing of the kind, if the
tops were kept as cool as they should be, and the treatment had been
of a character to keep the old foliage on in a healthy condition for its
wonted time. Did any one ever know or hear of Vines thus
breaking through the border being covered with protecting material ?
If not, raising objections to it is useless, so far as practice is con-
cerned. Covering in borders at the proper time has been, and is still
being further carried out in hundreds of places throughout the
country, and the results have been found equally satisfactory, and in
many cases very much more so, than when the soil is allowed to lose
its summer heat and is afterwards artificially warmed. — T. Baines.

NOTES FROM KBW.
Hsrdy Plants.— Of these one of the finest which we have seen
for a lona time is the charming new Himalayan Primula rosea, to
which reference was made last week (p. 246). It is now in bloom
on the rockery at Kew, and quite lights up the surroundings with its
bright rosy blossoms, which are borne in considerable profusion.
Some of the Kew specimens have the flower stems but little
developed, forming a cushion-like m£tss of flowers and foliage toge.
ther, but this peculiarity in no way detracts from their beauty.
Another charming acquisition is the new Chionodoxa Luoilias, which
was found and introduced by Mr. Maw from Smyrna. In point of
size and habit it at once reminds one of the two-leaved Squill (Soilla
bifolia), but the flowers are fewer and much larger, being 1 in. across,
with rather narrow segments of a bright sky-blue colour, gradually
fading to an almost white centre. It is doing well in the open bor-
der, in company with Squills, Daffodils, and other spring flowering
bulbs. In the Narcissus collection, the exquisite little Single-leaved
Daffodil (Narcissus monophyllus) is furnished with a goodly supply
of blossoms. Nothing in the way of hardy plants could well surpass
the chaste beauty of this DiEEoiil. It is a native of Algeria, and in

order to grow it successfully it requires heat and not much moisture
immediately after the flowering season is over ; hence we see it here
as well as at other places grown in a handlight or frame. The Megaaea
section of Saxafraga is now very showy, enlivening the rockeries
and borders considerably. Besides the well known kinds, S. ligulata
and orassifolia with their nnmeroua forms, there is the somewhat rare
S. Stracheyi, discovered some years ago by General Strachey, at high
elevations on the Himalayas. In habit and foliage it resembles the
ordinary kinds, bnt the panicles of bloaaoms are lighter in colour.
S. ornata apparently possesses no character to distinguish it from
S. ligulata, except in being a shade lighter in colour. The Retuae
Saxifrage (S. retusa) ia a neat trailing plant, much resembling
S. oppoaitifolia, but differing from it in the flowers being smaller,
and collected in dense terminal clusters, which, before they expand,
look very much like red berries. The blossoms are of a violet purple
tint. It is found plentifully in several mountainous parts of Central
Europe, especially on the Maritime Alps. Remarkable more for
curious structure than bright colouring is the pigmy Umbellifer
Hacquetia (Dondia) Epipactis, another inhabitant of the Alps. Its
flowers, which are yellow, are collected into a small head, surrounded
by a row of yellowish bracts. Similar with regard to attractiveness
ia the rare Oriental Coptia (C. orientalis), a Japanese plant belonging
to the Crowfoot family, with tassel-like heads of white flowers rising
3 in. high, and resembling the North American Gold Thread (C. tri-
foliata).

Greenhouse Plants. — The handsome Australian Acacias form
the leading feature in the Temperate House, the most conspicuous
being, in addition to those previoualy mentioned, the pointed-leaved
variety of A. longifolia named niucronata. This forms a large shrub
with linear, pointed leaves, and literally covered with dense racemes
of lemon-coloured blossoms. The whorled Acacia (A. vertioillata),a
kind Tvith remarkably short. pointed, needle-like foliage, is very ele-
gant, even in the shape of small pot specimens, and Drummond's
Acacia (A. Drummondi) is now bearing long racemes of bright
yellow flowers. The Rhododendrons continue still in beauty, and
added to their number is R. niveum, a kind having close and rather
small heads of purple flowers, but very distinct on account of the
white under surface of the leaves. K. fulgens is in great beauty ; it
has deep crimson blossoms, smaller in size and more spreading than
those of the others; like the foregoing, it is a native of Sikkim
Himalaya. The Rose-flowered Camellia (C. roeaoflora), a miniature
pink-flowered species, from China, forms quite a contrast to the
larger kinds on account of its size, but it is none the less showy. Its
foliage is much the same as that of the ordinary kind, but in habit it
is more lax. Aloe abyssinica, with yellow flowers, and A. plicatilia,
with scarlet and green flowers, are very showy amongst succulents in
the Western Octagon, but they are too cumbersome for general cul.
ture. HteTiauthus natalensis, a Cape bulbous plant of considerable
beauty, though of rigid habit, ia at present finely in flower. It is
about 15 in. high, and has a stout flower stem copiously spotted with
red at the base, and terminated by a large dense head of flowers with
scarlet orange-tippel stamens surrounded by livid purple scales.
Imantophyllum miniatum is a very desirable Amaryllid, with large
orange.scarlet flowers rising from amidst deep green bold foliage.
As an instance of the elasticity of its constitution, it is flowering
profusely in a cool greenhonee, and also in the Palm house. I. Aitoni,
also a native of Natal, and in the Palm house, is very inferior in
point of beauty, aa its flowers are much smaller and of a duller
colour.

Stove Plants. — A very desirable variety of that most lovely
stove plant Plumbago rosea is now finely in flower in the "[" range
under the name of snperba ; the colour of its blossoms is of a much
deeper shade than that of the original, from which it may be dis.
tinguished at a glance. Geissomeria nitida is a very showy Acanthad
of dwarf, erect habit, with large, leathery, deep green leaves, and a
terminal cluster of bright scarlet, narrow, tubular blossoms 1 in. long,
with hairy atamena protruding from their mouths. Another orna-
mental plant of the same family is Aphelandra pulcherrima, a native
of Columbia. It ia of rather loose habit, about 2 ft. high ; it has
oval leaves, and the branches are terminated by heads of tubular
flowers 2 in. long, of an orange-scarlet colour. Begonia prismato-
carpa is an elegant little gam only a feiv inches high, an 1 profusely
studded with deep orange.ooloured floivera mottle 1 anl panoillei with
red ; it forms a striking plant both as regards aize and colour.

Orchids. — ^La;lia cinnabarina, a fine Brazilian epiphyte, ia well
worthy of a place in every collection on account of the deep orange
colour of its blossoms, a colour seldoai seen amongst Occhids. It is
a very variable kind with regard to siz^, soue forms bsariug flo/?ers
fully twice the size of others. Coelogyne flaooida is remai kable for
the profusion of its long pendant racemes of creamy. white blossoms,
which have a golden crest on the lip, rendering them very showy,

266

THE GARDEN.

[March 29, 1879.

though their perfume ia anything but agreeable. Ornithidiam coo-
cineum, though deep red flowered, can hatdly be recommended, scarce
as that colour is amongst Orchids, as the flowers are small and borne
on short stalks, though produced plentifully enough. It inhabits one
or two of the West Indian Islands. The well-known Lycaste Skinneri
with its large blossoms of many shades of colour, varying from a deep
purple to white, is now becoming attractive, and, owing to its sno.
ceeding under cool treatment and being so easily managed, it shonld
be in every collection. Epidendram erectum has for a long time
assnmed a gay appearance ; its numerous dense clusters of dark violet
flowers terminate leafy stems from 6 ft. to 10 ft. long. It is also a cool
honse kind and a native of New Granada. — W.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

In the Botanic Garden, Regent's Park, a specimen of the very in.
terestirg Winter's Bark bears many of its singular flowers in the
economic house, and a large plant of the Giant lUioium antiquorum
bears many flowers in the conservatory. It is interesting to notice
how freely the tropical Philodendron giganteum grows planted out in
the conservatory.

Iris reticulata. — One of the few flowers that now brave the
easteily breeze is this beautiful Iris, which is at present finely in
flower in Mr. Wilson's wild garden near Weybridge.

The Spring-flowering' Hellebores. — These beautiful flowers
are no longer likely to be left hidden under their often ample leaves
in their native hills or here and there in botanic gardens. We have
lately seen a very interesting gathering from Glasnevin, and Mr. Barr
and other growers are making good collections of them.

The Seedling' Azaleas, crosses between A. amcena and some
of the garden hybrids, recently distributed by Mr. B. 8. Williams,
have this season fully proved their excellence for winter flowering by
the length of time during which they remain in bloom. We saw one
of these not yet sent out, named Princess Margaret, that had been in
flower continuously from October up to the middle of March ; the
colour is reddish-crimson, and the flowers are good in texture, well,
formed, flat, and almost circular. — P. G.

Ataccia pinnatifida — This is now in flower in the Pine. apple
Nursery. It is a most singular.looking plant, with pinnate, long,
stalked foliage, and a flower spike nearly 5 ft. in height, the flowers
and accompanying threads being pendent. They are chocolate-
coloured, and the stem is yellowish. green and mottled. It requires a
hothouse. — J. B.

American Camellias. — We understand that the new and beau,
tiful seedling Camellias, belonging to Mr. C. M. Hovey, which were
exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on
Tuesday last, and so jnatly appreciated as to have first-class certifi.
cates awarded them, will be offered for sale at Stevens's early in
April.

Hyacinth -with Fifteen Flower Spikes. — At a meeting of
the Roy.il Botanic Scciety, held the other day in Regent's Park, a
remarkable and very pretty Hyacinth, with fifteen spikes of flowers
from one bnlb, grown by Mr. Asplin, and a painting of the same by
Mies B. Maguire, were exhibited.

" li'Art des Jardins." — We have received what is, without
doubt, the most important book published for some time on landscape
gardening, that of M. Ed. Andre, of Paris. Before we have had time to
look at the book with a view to anything like a sufficient notice
of it, we must, nevertheless, now announce its appearance, and
say that it is extremely well produced, large, full of many prac.
tioal details explaining the formation of gardens, as well as general
views of design in all styles, and abundantly illustrated. Apart from
these things, it will have interest for many of our readers as being the
work of one who, while a thorough horticulturist of large experience
and great knowledge, is also a botanist, a scholar, and one who
has travelled ranch in many lands, and seen as much as most men
of the vegetation of the world, as illuetrated in gardens as well
as in Nature. Such varied experience and knowledge have been
brought to bear on a subject so interesting to many, and io a
future number we hope to show in how far the results are instruc.
tive from the point of view of English landscape gardening.

Primula rosea. — This pretty new hardy Primrose is now in
flower at Glasnevin, and Mr. Gumbleton writes to us as follows con.
cerning this and other plants at present in bloom at Belgrove : — " I
have row two very interesting and rare, if not new. Primulas in
bloom in my greenhouse, raised from seed from Cashmere received
and distributed by Mr. H. J. Elwes, which turn out to be P. rosea of
Royle and a fine form, with considerably larger pips, of P. farinosa,
with powdered foliaee and a good-sized head of bloom ; these are also
now in flower at Kew. Another very interesting and, I believe,

exceedingly scarce little Irid is also coming into flower in my green,
house, sent to me last autumn by Mr. Whittaker, of Perriby Brook,
near Derby, as Ariatoa pusilla, but which turns out to be in reality
another variety of the same family (A. cyanea), figured so far back
as vol. xiii. of the " Botanical Magazine," t. ■158, and also in vol. i. of
Andrews' " Botanist's Repository," t. 10. It seems very free bloom-
ing, my small plaut showing already either four or five heads of
flower. I have now in great beauty, in my greenhouse, a number of
lovely light-coloured hybrids of the beautiful Primula Sieboldi, raised
by Lemoine and Dean, of Ealing ; some of them are most beautiful.
My large bush of Pteroatyraxhispidum, which I thought would never
bloom, has flower in nearly every shoot of the young growth. The
rose-coloured Aponogeton distachyon, from Machelea, is also in
bloom in my pond for the first time."

New Christmas Rose. — Messrs. Barr & Sugden exhibited the
other day at South Kensington a Christmas Rose named Helleborua
orientalis, var. Dr. Moore, a seedling raised at Glasnevin. Its flowers
which are rose tinted, are very beautiful. Dr. Moore describes it aa
a very ornamental border plant, and being of the taller kind of
the later, flowering Christmas Rose, it would make a good pot plant
for the decoration ;of cool houses in winter. It is more ornamental
than any of the Berlin seedlings which we have flowered in this
country.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

March 2.5.

Notwithstanding a heavy snowfall, which lasted all day, there was on
this occasion an excellent show, which was visited iu the course of the
morning by H. M. the King of the Belgians. The chief attractions
were some fine groups of plants from Mr. Wills, a hank of Hyacinths
from Messrs. Veitch <t Sons, and Cyclamens from the leading growers.

Pirst-elass Certificates.— These were awarded as follows: —

Hyacinth King of tlie Reds (Veitch & Sons). — A variety with
short, compact flower spikes, thickly beset with double dark red blos-
soms.

Hyacinth Le'viathan (Veitch & Sons). — A sort having noble
spikes of blossoms, which individually are unusually large, well formed,
and of a lively flesh colour.

Camellia Mrs. Hovey (Uovey & Co.). — A kind with flowers o£
medium size, exquisitely formed, and of a delicate pink colour.

Camellia C. M. Hovey (Hovey & Co.). — A red-flowered kind,
excellent iu form, aud well worth attention.

Azxlea Duke of Conna ght (Williams).— A dwarf-habited
kind, having purplish-crimson, hose-in-hose blossoms,

Galanthus nivalis Melvillei (D. Melville). — A robust growing
kind with large, well-shaped flowers of scowy whiteness.

Hyacinth The Sultan (Veitch & Sons). — A kind with very stout
symmetrical trusses of blackish-blue flowers.

Hyacinth Duchess of Connaught (Veitch & Sons). — A won-
derfuUy showy kiud, with bold trusses of pale blue flowers.

Hyacinth Salmon King (Veitch & Sous). — A valuable variety,
with salmon-coloured blossoms.

Rose Madame Alexander Bernaix (Turner). — A hybrid Tea
Rose, having large, finely-shaped, globular blossoms of a bright pink
colour; evidently a good addition to the class of Roses to which it
belongs.

Cyclamen Queen of the Belgians (H. B. Smith).— A dwarf,
habited kmd with pure white, broad-petalled flowers; excellent for
market purposes.

Primula rosea (T. S. Ware).— This charming addition to hardy
Primroses was fully described iu The G.tliDEN last week [p. 246).

Amaryllis Mrs. Baker (Veitch & Sons).— One of the best of
Amaryllises ; on one spike it bore four fully-developed blossoms, with
broad, round, recurved petals of a rich crimson colour.

Medals. — Mr. Jol-.n Wills was awarded a gold medal for a collection
of Orchids and other plants, and Mr. Bull received a similar award for a
collection of new and rare plants. For a group of flowering and fine-
foliaged plants, Mr. B. S. Williams received a silver-gilt Banksian medal,
as did also ilessrs. Osborn & Co., for a rniscellaneous collection of plants,
aud ilessrs. Paul & Sons, Cbeshunt, for a group of pot Roses. Mr. R. Dean
had a silver Banksian for a collection of plants of Primula dentioulata,
and similar awards were made to Messrs. Pa^l &■ Sons, Waltham Cross,
for cut blooms of Camellias ; to Messrs Charles Lee & Sons, Hammer,
smith, for a group of miscellaneous plants ; and to Mr. Aldous, South
Kensington, for dinner- table decorations. To Messrs. Veitch & Sons,
Chelsea, was awarded a gold medal for a collection of Hyacinths ; and
Messrs. Osborn & Sons had a silver gilt Banksian for Hyacinths. Mr.

MA.RCH 29, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

267

Moorman, gardener to Messrs. Christy, Kingston, was awarded a gold
medal for Hyacinths, Tulips, &c.

Groups of Plants.— Mr. John Wills, exhibited a group of plants
such as are rarely seen at this season. Amongst them we remarked well-
grown examples of PauUinia thalictrifolia, Rodgea macrophylla, bearing
large trusses of snowy. white blossoms, Bertolonias, Droseras under glass
cases, fine-leaved Palms, Ferns, New Dracteuas, Yuccas, well-flowered
Gloxinias, Amaryllises, Anthuriums, fine-leaved Crotons, and Caladiums.
The same exhibitor also showed an attractive group of finely-flowered
Indian Azaleas, set in an irregular bed of Maiden-hair Ferns, Grasses,
Cyclamens, blue Cinerarias, &o. In the centre of the two collections
described was a tasteful arrangement snita,ble for a sideboard, the back-
ground of which consisted of Ferns, finely flowered examples of Dendro-
bium Wardianura D. nobile, and Odontoglossum Alexandra, with long,
graceful flower spikes ; mixed with these were dwarf Palms and Lady's-
lippers. The bed was composed of the close-growing Selaginella apoda,
in which were plunged groups of Tea Rose blooms, fine spikes of flowers
of Dendrobium Wardianum, and flowering plants of Gloxinias- Mr. Wills
also showed the grand Sevres vase, won at the Versailles Exhibition, also
medals from the Paris Exhibition. Mr. William Bull sent a large and
attractive group of new and rare plants, amongst which were finely-
flowered Orchids, Anthuriums, the double white Epacris (E. onosmteflora
fl.-pl. nivalis), and fine-leaved Cycads. Amongst Orchids was a group of
well-flowered plants of Odontoglossura cirrhosum, also well-flowered
examples of the pretty Odontoglossura Phalasnopsis, the scarlet Ada
aurantiaca, Oncidium sircodes, Masdevallias, sraiU plants of Lycaeto
Skinneri cerina (bearing ten magnificent ivorv- white flowers), the chocolate
and green OJontoglossum triumphans, Dendrobiura Wardianum, and fine
Cattleyas. Mr. B. S. Williams furnished a grouo of plants, consisting of
fine-leaved Dracsenas, Amaryllises. Sarraconia Drumraondi in bloom, and
other insectiverous plants ; also^Eehmea MarifeRegin^ and Cyclamens,
Mr. Roberts, Gunnersbury Park, showed a charming group of Orchids,
Amaryllises, and Ferns. Among the Orchids was a plant of Odonto-
^lossnm Andersonianum with two spikes, each bearing nearly forty
blossoms ; also well-flowered examples of Phatenopsis Schilleriana, and
fine varieties of Odontoglossura Alexindne. Mr. Aldous, South
Kensington, showed a good group of flowering and finefoliaged plants,
but too much crowded to be seen to advantage. Messrs. Paul & Son,
Cheshunt, contributed a group of Roses excellent for the season. Among
others were La France, John Stuart Mill, Captain Christy, Duke of Edin-
burgh, Madame Lacharme, Jean Pernet, Charles Lefebvre, and Princess
Mary of Cambridge. Messrs. Osborn & Sons, Fulham, and Messrs. Lee
& Sons, Hammersmith, also showed attractive groups of flowering and
fine-foliaged plants, including Imantophyllumg, Rhododendrons, Azaleas,
Clematises, Cyclamens, ani Deatzias.

Hyacinths. — Of these Messrs. Veitch & Son exhibited a collection
remarkable alike for quantity and quality, upwards of 300 plants, perfect
as regards culture, being staged. Their spik-^s were strong and sym-
metrical, and the individual flowers possessed of great substance. Over
eighty new sorts were included in this collection. Messrs. Osborn & Sons,
Fulham, also furnished a collection of well-grown Hyacinths, and a good
group likewise came from Messrs. Carter & Co. ; these were backed up by
finely-flowered plants of Dicentra spectabilis, and edged with clumps of
Lily of the Valley. Mr- Moorman, gardener to the Misses Christy,
Coombe Wood, Kingston, showed a well-grown collection of Tulips,
Hyacinths, and Crocuses. Messrs. Cuthush & Sons, Highgate, also sent
a well-grown collection of Tulips and Hyacinths, and fine panfuls of Lily
of the Valley.

Cyclamens. — Of these hundreds of finely-grown plants were shown
by Mr. Edmonds, of Hayes, and Mr. B. Smith, Ealing. The latter had
also a large group of Cyclamens with pure white flowers, many of them
delicionsly scented.

Hardy Flowers. — Mr. Dean, of Ealing, had an interesting hank oi
tardy flowers, consisting of finely-grown, well flowered examples of Primula
denticulata and its varieties ; various Primroses ; Siberian Squills ;
Viola Profusion, a large white-flowered kind excellent for spring gardening;
Polyanthuses and similar plants ; all of which served to show how attrac-
tive I ' ool greenhouse may be made in winter by means of such hardy
plants _ Mr. Parker, Tooting, also exhibited a collection of hardy plants,
consisting of finely-flowered examples of Megaseas, Hepatioa triloba
cosralea, and cut blossorns of Aponogeton distaohyon ; also flowering plants
of the gold ' ave 1 Aubrietia deltoidea ; the sweet scented Iris denticulata,
so well adao""d to pot culture; the earliest of the DaS'odils. Narcissus
minor, Bulbocodium vernura, and Siberian Squills Messrs. Barr & Sudgen
showed a plant of Helleborus orientalis, var. Dr. Moore, fully noticed
elsewhere. Mr. Ware, of Tottenham, showed various hardy Primulas,
consisting of P. denticulata ; an interesting variety named P. d- purpurea ;
a variety of P. denticulata from Cashmere having compact heads of purple
blossoms and gold-powdered leaves ; also the pretty dwarf Primula rosea,
a new species now in flower for the first time simultaneously in various
collections.

Floral Decorations. — Messrs. Green & Co., Victoria Street, sent
two very attractive bouquets, composed chiefly of Camellias, Orchids,
Rose buds, Stephanotis, and Eucharig. A very attractive dinner-table
arrangement was shown by Mr. Aldous. It consisted of three light and
elegant gold-coloured stands, named the Isabella stand, with trumpet
glasses filled lightly with Lily of the Valley, white Lilacs, Orchids,
SpiriBas, and double white Primulas. There were also several dishes of
fruit and some coat bouquets, the whole making a charming table.

Miscellaneous Subjects. — Messrs. Wm. Paul & Sons exhibited
t venty boxes of cut blooms of Camellias, which were greatly admired on

account of their variety of colour, size, and substance. Mr. Parr, of
Harrow Weald Park, showed new Abutilons of a meritorious description.
Messrs. Veitch & Sons showed plants of a new Dracssna, from the South
Sea Islands, named D. Princess Marguerite. Mr. Green, gardener to
Sir G. Macleay, contributed cut blooms of Prostranthera lasianthos and
Salvia elegans. Mr. Cannell showed some remarkably fine blooms of zonal
Pelargoniums on a bed of the dwarf green Nertera depressa. Messrs.
Veitch & Sons showed a finely-grown specimen of Rhododendron Veitohi,
a greenhouse species from the Khasia Hills, bearing large, showy, white
flowers, with fimbriated edges. Mr. B. Williams showed Azalea Duke of
Connaught, a dwarf kind, with small, brilliant rosy-crimson flowers, and
excellent for forcing, Mr. Charles Turner, Slough, exhibited a basketful
of the Tree Carnation A. Alegatiere, which is considered to be one of
the finest scarlet-flowered kinds for winter blooming. Messrs. Cuthush
& Son, Highgate, showed stands of Camellias, among which were Eximia,
scarlet ; Queen of Beauties, peach colour ; Mathottiana, crimson ; Cup of
Beauty, white ; the stripe 1 Laviaia Maggi, its rose-coloured variety, and
other fine kinds. Mr, Parker, Tooting, sent a floiveiing plant of
Dendrobium superbum giganteum, hiving large and attractive purple
and violet blossoms. Mr. Stevens, The Gardens, Trentham, showed a
fine variety of Odontoglossura Andersonianum, one spike of which bore
eighteen large, finely-spotted blossoms.

Fruit, — Mr. L. KiUicfc, Langley, Maidstone, showed a collection of
Apples remarkable for their good quality, all the specimens being large,
sound, and highly-coloured. Among the best were Summer Quoiuing,
Bedfordshire Foundling, Beauty of Kent, Winter Nonsuch, Court Pendu
Pliit, King of the Pippins, Northern Greening, and Tower of Glamis.

EOYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY.

M.1.RCH 26.

The plants which formed the chief features of this show were those
shown at South Kensington on the previous day, and of which mention
has iust been made.

First-class Certifleates were awarded to Messrs. Veitch & Sons
for Amaryllis Mrs, Baker, Epidendrum Wallisi. Davallia Mariesi, As-
plenium Neo-caledonicam, and to the following Hyacinths, viz, Duke of
Connaught, single dark blue ; Royal Blue, blue, white centre ; Duchess of
Connaught, single light blue ; Duke of Norfolk, semi-double, dark blue;
King of Reds, fine rosy-red ; Salmon King,V.flesh colour ; Lord Derby
single, red sti-iped ; and MacMahon, single yellow.

Mr. James, Isleworth, received certificates for Cinerarias Master Harold,
rosy crimson, shaded purple, with a white disc ; Mrs Bland, white, edged
with violet ; and Earl BeaconsSeld, dark maroon purple.

Mr. H B. Smith, Ealing Dean Nursery, had a certificate for Cyclamen
Duke of Connaught.

Mr. Little, Hillingdon, received a certificate for Cyclamen The Gem, a
charming kind with broad, round, white petals shaded with rose.

Certificates were likewise awarded to Mr. Williams, of HoUoway, for
Pandanophyllum humile, Croton albicans, C. Williamsi, Calyptrouon a
Swartzii, and Gleichenia dicarpa Ijngip'mata.

Also to Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, for Davidsonian prurien?, Staphylea col-
chioa, Epacrisonosmajflora, Adiantam helium, Lastrea aristata variegata,
and Macrozamia McKenziei.

Messrs. Low, of Clapton, received certificates for Cymbidium Lowi .
and Mr. Boiler, South Kensington, for Agave raarmorata, and A. Shawi'

Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, showed a fine bank of Hyacinths,
among which were eighty new kinds, the best of which were — Cariinal
Wiseman, pink and white; Duke of Connaught, blackish purple ; Troca-
dero, rosy pink ; King of the Reds, rosy red ; Pottgieter, lavender ; Le-
viathan, flesh colour ; and Duchess of Connaught, light blue. Amongst
the older kinds were : Whites— La Grandesse, Queen of the Netherlands,
Mont Blanc, Madame Van da Hoop. Reds— Prince Albert Victor,
Vuurbaak, Von Schiller, Princess Louise. Dark Blues— Baroness Van
Tuyll, King of the Blues, General Havelock, Marie. Light Blues—
Lothair, Lord Derby,"John Bright, Czar Peter- .

Messrs- Osborn, Cutbush, and Carter & Co-, had also fine displays of
Hyacinths and other plants- Mr- George Paul, who was the only
exhibitor of Roses, . had a large group, in which were fine blooms of
Comtesse de Serenye, John Keynes, La France, jAnnie Alexieff, John
Bright, Captain Christy, and Madame Lacharme.

Mr. Williams showed a good collection of plants, conspicuous amongst
which were jEchraea Mariie Reginte (in flower), Rhododendron Deu-
nisoni, new hybrid Azaleas (obtained by crossing A. amcena with large,
flowered kinds), giant Cyclamens, forms of Primula denticulata, Cycads,
Palms, fine-leaved Dracasnas, Sarracenia flava, Gleichenias, Casuarina
ericoides, and Adiantum Farleyense.

Mr. BuU, of Chelsea, had a fine display of Orchids and fiue-leaved
plants. , . ,

Azaleas were not so good as we have seen them in former years at
spring shows. The best half-dozen came from Mr, Ratty, gardener to
R. Thornton, Esq , Sydenham, who had well-flowered examples of the
purple Reine des Roses, Due de Nassau, the robust searlet- striped
Madame Ambroise Verschaffelt, and the semi-double Constant Van
Keersbilock. Mr. James, Redlees, Isleworth, had also well-grown
plants, among which were Criterion, Iveryana, and the brilliant kind
called La Superb.

Messrs. Cutbush & Son showed basketfuls of plants consisting of
Epacrises, which made a good display. Among the best kinds were
odorata alba, white magnifica, pink ; Waltoni, flesh colour j Newton,

263

THE GAEDEN.

[March 29, 1879,

white ; hyacintliiaora candidissima, -white ; Fireball, red ; Model, rosy-
pink ; a very dwarf and pretty white kind named The Bride, and a variety
named Lady Alice Peel, rose, tipped with white.

Mr. Douglas, Loxford Hall, Ilford, exhibited some fine plants of Nar-
cissi, amongst which the best were gloriosa, Grand Monarque, Queen of
the Netherlands, and Grand Soleil d'Or. The same exhibitor had also
grand plants of Deutzia gracilis, 3 ft. high and as much through, com-
plete masses of snowy-white blossoms- Mr. Douglas likewise showed the
best Tulips consisting of Vermilion Brilliant, Proserpine, and Keizer
Kroon.

Mr Boiler, South Kensington, sent a large collection of miniature
Cacti.

Mrs. Messelbrook, St. John's Wood, exhibited flowering plants of the
richly-coloured Amaryllis formissiana.

A list of prizes awarded on this occasion will be found in our advertising
columns.

LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL
EXHIBITION FOR 1880.

It is a source of deep regret to me that my colleagues so quietly shelved
the idea of holding the above show next year at a meeting which was
held on the 18th. I think when we had such an excellent opportunity of
carrying out the arrangements for the exhibition, backed as we were by
Her Majesty's Commissioners for 1851, who would, I feel sure, have lent
ns their willing aid if we had asked them, it should have been done, and
I feel sureitsfailui-e willbe deeply regretted by horticulturists generally.
The fact is simply this, a few of us have arrogated to_ ourselves the posi-
tion of thinking for the general body of horticulturists in the country,
instead of, as I have urged the committee time after time, calling a general
meeting by advertisement. This is what ought to have been done months
ago, when, I feel sure, horticulturists, as a body, would not have con-
sidered any crisis at the present time an obstacle to carrying out the
show successfully fourteen months hence. It is not reasonable to
suppose that Her Majesty's Commissioners would ever listen to any
overtures for the site at any future time unless they came from a more
spirited body of men than those who have brought the present negotia-
tions to such a miserable failure.

I still hope that Her Majesty's Commissioners will themselves carry
out the arrangements for this most^important exhibition, and if they do
not feel disposed to do so on their own responsibility, there are plenty of
people (not strictly horticulturists) who would speedily guarantee
£lo 000 or £20,000 ; and if there be no other means of attaining this end,
and'Her Majesty's Commissioners will let the gardens, arcades, and Albert
Hall for the purposes of an international show in 1880 ; I have no donbt
I can find gentlemen willing enough to furnish the required amount for
the purpose. I, therefore, appeal to the great body of horticultnrists_ to
support me in this undert iking, in order to prove to the few that the spirit
• of emulation is stiU potent. I trust that a large meeting will shortly be
held and that the general and predominant feeling will be to push the
proposed exhibition to a successful issue with might and energy. What
can be more conducive to the welfare of millions of our fellow countrymen
than the cultivation of their minds, brought about under the influence of
Horticultural teaching ? Take the labourer, for instance ; how much
pleasure does he not derive from the cultivation of his little cottage or
allotment garden after his day's toil is over in the fields ? Having refreshed
himself with his humble meal, he goes forth into his garden, and occu-
pies the remaining daylight in what proves to him a source of pleasant
recreation, beneficial alike to himself and his family, instead of spending
his hours in idleness. If there be in his neighbourhood a village
horticultural society, his energies are stimulated to their fullest extent by
the hope of gaining some of the prizes to be competed for. I therefore
maintain that the example set by a great International Horticultural
Show held in London would be productive of immense benefit to the
whole of the country by infusing a spirit of emulation into the breast of
every cottager in the country. I cannot help thinking that if the
exhibition in question was carried out, that Her Majesty's Commissioners
of the Exhibition of 1851 would be conferring a large amount of benefit
on countless thousands of Her Majesty's subjects, and be fulfilling the
ideas intended when they were appointed the guardians of the money
entrusted to their care, and which was derived from millions of the humble
workers in the great hive of industry in Her Majesty's dominions ; and I
cannot conceive any greater advantage Her Majesty's Commissioners
could confer, nor anything likely to be more conducive to the general
good of the country than their encouraging an exhibition of this
)^ni. John Wills.

16," OnsloiD Crescent.

Seottisli Seed and Wursery Trade Association.— At the

annual general meeting of this Association, as wUl be seen by an
advertisement in another column, attention was directed to the importance
of arbitration in all eases of dispute between buyers and sellers of seeds
and plants, thus preventing expensive, and too often vexatious, as well as
unsatisfactory, litigation. For carrying out this resolution, it was resolved
to place the services of the committee at the disposal of all disputants
upon the payment of one giiinea towards the funds of the Association,
besides all expenses incurred in connection with each case brought for-
ward. All farther information on this most important arrangement may
be had upon application to the secretary. In connection with what may

be considered the primary object of the Association, viz., the prevention
and exposure of attempts to vend adulterated seeds, it was agreed to offer
to seedsmen's and nurserymen's assistants a prize of £5 for an essay on
the best means of discovering the various forms of adulteration and
admixtures in Clover seeds, stating particulars of all foreign substances
found in any questionable samples offered for sale. Competitors for this
prize must lodge their essays with Mr. David Hunter, secretary of the
Association, on or before November 1 next, f or adj adication of the judges
to be appointed by the committee. All parties desiring to join the Asso-
ciation may remit the annual subscription of one guinea to the secretary.

ANSWERS TO COilRESPONDENTS.

Iiilium auratum. — How am I to obtain blooming plants of this in
the shortest time from seed ? — Inquirer. [I should sow in a deep seed
pan, place it in a greenhouse and leave it for three years, then pot the
bulbs ; when sown out of doors, we have found that the bulbs do not
flower for six or seven years. — G. F. Wilson, Heatherbank, Weybridge.']

Has Lead Wire any Injurious Effect on Hoses?— Both
last year and this I observed, in pruning my Roses, that the branch to
which the label was attached was, in many cases, dead j the labels
are zinc, tied loosely round the branch with lead wire. In some instances
the branch was quite healthy.— E. F. T., Belfast [I have not observed
any especially bad efi'ect from the use of lead wire. It is best to attach
the label to the stem of the tree (taking care to loosen the ties each year ,
as a small branch is almost sure to be cut through by the wind-waving
of the wire and label. — Geo. Paul.]

Strawberry House. — I am about to have a Strawberry house
erected, but before doing so, I should be glad of some information on the
subject. — C!. J. H. [For Strawberry forcing there is nothing better
than an ordinary forcing pit, with a stage in the form of a stair. By this
arrangement, every plant is near the hght and easy of access by simply
drawing off the lights. The heating power should be suflicient to ensure
a minimum temperature of 60° on the coldest nights. — W. W. H.]

Books. — W. F. G. — Parnell's " Grasses of Britain " might, perhaps, be
obtained of some second-hand bookseller. The Lawsou Company publish
some works on Grasses which may answer your purpose.

Stephanotis flo"ibunda. — A. A. Thorn. — It is not unusual for this
to bear seed pods.

Castor-Oil Plant. — B. P. — There is a short article on the cultiva-
tion of the above, with other statistics, in " Tropical Agriculture," by
P. L. Simmonds ; published by Spon, Charing Cross. — J. W,

Ifames of Plants. — 8. L. B. — It is very diSicult to name Hyacinths
from single bells, many of them being very much alike. We think the
one you send is Lord Wellington, but we are by no means sure. Hyacinths
might be propagated successfully in many parts of England, a principal
requirement being a deep sandy soil ; but the process is tedious, and would
not pay commercially, unless carried out on a very large scale. — W. P.
E. D. — 1, Oncidium cryptocopis ; rather a rare kind. 2, Cypripedium
Schlimmi. 0. T. — We cannot undertake the naming of Camellias, which
should be sent to some specialist; No. 1 seems to be anemoneflora.

Fruit Rooms. — A hint or two about fitting up a fruit room would be
of service to me. What I have got to work on is a two-stall stable lonjc
disused, and I thought of leaving the ramp, and carrying narrow shelves
(of splints with spaces between them) round each stall, so as to avoid
having any quantity of fruit out of sight. I should further darken the
windows with shutters. Beyond this I am ignorant, — Tyro. [Your
stable will make a very good fruit room if the aspect is north or east ; if
open to the south or west, the air of the room would be too dry, and,
though, to a certain extent, this could be neutralised by provision being
made for keeping all ventilators closely shut, such a condition is not
desirable, as a slight circulation of air is, at aU times and in all weathers,
short of actual frost, necessary ; of course, a damp situation would be
equally bad as south or west, only this is easily remedied by means of
drains. The proposed shutters would be needed ; and, occasionally, when
necessary to dry the room, the windows might be opened ; but a couple
of ventilators in the roof are much preferable. Your plan for shelving
cannot be improved, but if you can add drawers for some of the latest
kinds of Apples and Pears, they would keep longer without shrivelling.
Understand, these are only for the longest keepers ; the early and mid-
season fruits would rot in such drawers. — W. H.]

Neglected Orchids. — I am anxious to inquire if much is known of
Vanda alpina. I have a plant in a 5-in. pot with forty-nine expanded
flowers ; as it is a very small flowering variety, perhaps it is dismissed by
most growers as insignificant. I have rather a fancy for many of the
rejected ones ; I can hardly imagine, however, that the plant in question
is a Vanda at all ; the deep recess or bag behind the lip remmding one
more of a Saccolabium. Another plant seldom seen is Meiracylium
a plant, with lovely, .Sophronitis-like, violet blooms, which I should have
thought would have won for it a plaoe amongst the upper ten. — R.

The Southampton Horticultural Society. — This Society,,
which in future is to be called the Royal Southampton Horticultural
Society, offers, we observe, prizes for the coming year amounting in th&
ggregate to £.350.

His Majesty the King of the Belgians honoured Mr. Wills' establish.
ment with a visit on Tuesday last, after inspecting the Royal Horticultur«l
ociety's Show »t South Kensington,

THE GARDEN.

269

Ko. S85.}

SATURDAY. APRIL 5. 1879.

Vol. XV.

" This is an art
T^Thich does mentl Nature : chanjje it rather : but
Thb Abt itself 13 Natubk." — Shukegjieare,

INDOOR FRUIT GROWING FOR MARKET.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Tho chief supply of early
Peaches and Nectarines comes from France and Spain.
These are succeeded by fruit from the Channel Islands ;
and mid-season and late Peaches and Nectarines are sup-
plied to a large extent from the south and other parts of
England, chiefly from private sources. There are, how-
ever, several Peach growers for market near London. In
a small place at Barnet both Peaches and Nectarines are
well grown, though in a somewhat primitive manner.
The houses in which they are grown are of the half-span-
roofed kind with a pathway through the centre. In the
earliest house the trees grow in an inside border of very
limited dimensions, but they, nevertheless, appear to thrive
remarkably well, and yield enormous crops of fruit. The
trees in the other houses occupy an outside border. During
the autumn, after the fruit has been gathered, the lights
are removed from the roof, and the trees are exposed to
the full influence of the weather, which has the efiect of
cleaning and hardening the wood, as well as allowing the
border to become thoroughly soaked with rain-water. The
first house is started early in January, and the Peaches
are usually ripe early in June; the second house is started
a month or six weeks later, to succeed the first, and the
trees in the third hoase are allowed to come on without
much forcing, and to ripen their fruit just before the early
outdoor Peaches come in. In the second early Peach
house I noticed a tree that covered 300 square ft. of
trellis, then bearing over thirty-five dozen fruit. Other
trees in the same house, though not quite so large, were
proportionately fruitful. In such old trees as these are I
never remember seeing so much young and fruitful wood.
Indeed, it is surprising how they have borne such heavy
crops for years in succession, and still retain their health
and vigour. The borders, both inside and outside, are
covered with rotten manure when the trees are started
into growth, and this not only nourishes the roots, but also
keeps the soil moist, thus obviating the necessity of fre-
quent waterings.

A good plan seldom adopted in the growth of indoor
Peaches and Nectarines is well carried out in a market
garden not far from the one just alluded to. The pro-
prietor calls it the ridge-and-furrow system, but it is, in
fact, the cordon plan, which is largely practised in France.
The trees, twenty-five in number, are planted, 3 ft. apart,
on the south side of a half-span-roofed house ; their main
stems are trained upwards like Vines 2i ft. from the glass ;
each stem is furnished on both sides with henlthy spurs,
from which are emitted from five to eight shoots. When
pruning, three or four of the best-ripened fruit-bearing
growths are selected, and the rest are cut away, leaving
in all cases a few eyes to furnish young shoots during the
ensuing summer for supplying the next year's crop. The
shoots which are left for fruit-bearing are not trained out
horizontally, as is generally done in the case of Vines ; on
the contrary, they are trained towards the glass, and thus
form, as it were, a ridge and furrow. The kinds of
Peaches grown are Royal George, Noblesse, Grosse Mig-
nonne, Late Admirable, Barrington, and other sorts, which

naturally succeed each other, thereby prolonging the
season during which fruit can be had in good condition.
The Nectarines consist of such kinds as Violette Hative,
Balgowan, and other popular sorts, all of which succeed
on this system remarkably well. From this house in one
year were gathered nearly 1500 large and excellent fruits,
which found a ready sale at good prices in the market.
The house is started in Janiiary, and the trees are brought
on gradually ; gathering commences towards the end of
July, and an abundant supply of fruit is obtained until
the beginning of August. The trees had only been
planted three years, and so satisfactory had been the resirlts,
that it was proposed to do away with trees trained in other
ways and replace them with cordons — for in seasons when
complaints wore being made about Peaches falling off, these
trees carried a crop that would have surprised many of our best
growers, three, four, and five large fruits being observable
on single shoots. In order to still further utilise space, it
was proposed to lower the main stems of the trees and
train the shoots in a more upright direction towards the glass.
The trees had only covered one side of the roof, but it was
intended to train them down the other side, which, when I
saw them, for tho time being, was covered with Tomatoes,
on which there was a heavy crop — a result attained by con-
stant stopping of the young growths and by the removal
of superfluous foliage, so as to throw the vigour of the
plants into the fruit. Peach trees, after being cleared of
fruit, are well watered and the leaves kept well syringed,
all air and sunshine possible being admitted in order to
thoroughly mature the wood and buds. As soon as the
leaves have fallen, all shoots which have borne fruit are
cut back, and the young growths which have been selected
for bearing next year are laid in their places.

Several very largo Peach trees may be found in Mr.
Kay's garden at Finchley. They are of great age, but
under the culture to which they are subjected, they yearly
bear heavy crops. The chief conditions are — keeping the
wood well thinned by timely disbudding and pruning,
thoroughly ripening that which remains, and duiing the
time the trees are in fruit supplying their roots with abun-
dance of water. The fruit is ripe in July and August, and
better fruit than that grown here is seldom seen in Covent
Garden. Even in seasons when there is elsewhere a
comparative scarcity of Peaches these old trees carry
heavy crops. Too rapid forcing, insuificient ventilation,
and dryness at the roots are the chief causes why people
lose their crops of Peaches and Nectarines. In order to
convert all available space to profitable account during the
time when Peach trees are at rest, plants, such as Solanums,
Cytisus, Fuchsias, and Pelargoniums, are grown in the
houses. Cuttings of these are struck during the summer,
potted, and placed out-of-doors or in cold frames until
unfavourable weather sets in, when they are removed to
the house, in which are moveable stair-like stages provided
for them near the glass.

Mr. Yeldham, of Fulham, has also two houses devoted
to Peach trees, which are trained on wire trellises under
the roof. Barrington, Violette Hative, and Rcyal George
are the kinds grown, the latter succeeding remarkably well
here, ripe fruit having frequently been gathered from the
trees weic'hiug from 8 oz. to 10 oz. each. Standard Poach
trees, to which allusion has already been made, are ajso suc-
cessfully grown under glass.

Peaches and Nectarines out-of-doors are not very largely
cultivated near London, and where they are the trees are,
of course, nailed to walls. There is no reason, however,,
why Peaches and Nectarines should not in favourable

270

THE GARDEN.

[April 5, 1879.

localities be planted and grown as standards. We
should not, of course, expect them to produce fruit
of the best quality, but in favourable seasons good
crops of second and third-rate frnit mio-ht be looked for
with tolerable certainty. In a small garden at Cheshunt,
I saw a standard Peach tree from 15 ft. to 20 ft. high, and
as much through, and at the time of my visit its branches
were literally loaded with fair-sized, well-coloured fruit;
the proprietor informed me that this tree had that year
yielded at least 1000 sound aad usable Peaches, and their
flavour, though, of course, not equal to that of those grown
on walls, was refreshing and good. This tree had been planted
about eight years, having been jjreviously grown in a pot.
After planting, no attention had been paid to it beyond
now and then, when it was found necessary, thinning out
a few over-crowded or unfruitful branches. In previous
years I was informed that the fruits produced were much
finer than in the season when I saw it, owing to their
having been thinned out a little whilst in a green state.
The variety was the Early York, but other kinds of a less
hardy, but much choicer, character, were also growing in
the same garden in the form of dwarf pyramids, and were
all liberally bearing large, and in every way excellent,
crops.

Pine-apples. — There are now only about two places near
London where Pine-apples are grown for market, and in
these the fruit is ripened late in summer, when foreign Pines
are not so abundant. Pine-apples formerly occupied a
prominent position iu Mr. Wilmot's establishment at Isle-
worth, but now only a few hundreds are fruited there annu-
ally, and these chiefly for supplying private customers. To
grow Pine-apples for market does not pay — not because they
cannot be produced as cheaply now as ever they have been,
but the profits required by London retail fruiterers are so
great, that consumers will not buy English-grown Pines so
long as they can got imported ones at a much lower price.
During the summer months there is a fair demand for
home-grown Queens, which realise at that season high
prices ; but it is just possible that foreign growers will in
time make provision for furnishing Pines at that season.
Queens and Black Jamaicas are the only kinds now grown
in market gardens, these being of much finer flavour than
any others which ripen during summer, — the time when the
the bulk of English market Pines are ready for use.
Where Pines are still cultivated for market, they are grown
in pits plunged in leaves and rough manure, none of the
more complicated methods of supplying bottom-heat by
means of hot-water having found their way into market
Pineries. Hot-water pipes are, however, used to supply
top-heat, but the whole system is what most people would
call a rongh-and-ready way of growing Pines. Neverthe-
less, excellent fruit has been and is still produced under
such conditions. C. W. S.

a special company of botanists from here are to visit it in its native
wilds as poon as its flowers open in the sprinp. It was named by
Dr. Gray in compliment to Dr. Short, an eminent botanist of Kentncky.
A nearly allied species, namely, Sfaortia uniflora (Schizocodon uni-
florns) was discovered not long ago in Japan. — William Falconek,
in " Country Gentleman."

Shoitia galaoifolia. — This highly interesting and rarest of
North American plants is now in blossom in one of the greenhouses
in the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Mass., where it is an object of
great attraction. It is a sweet little plant, not showy by any means,
but alwelcome garden Alpine. It is about 4 in. high, with Galax-like
leaves, both as regards form and browny colour, and pure white bell-
flowers, borne singly on stems 3 in. high. In 1778 Michanx discovered
a Pyrola-like plant in the mountains of North Carolina, and secured
the specimen, which was in frnit, but not in flower for his herbarium.
Beyond that specimen, not another vsstige of the plant, dead or a'ive,
was known to exist till last year (1878), when it was re-discovered
growing on a hillside in North Carolina, and specimens were then sent
to the garden here. Long before its re. discovery it was earnestly but
unsuccessfully hunted for by Dr. Asa Gray and others; and even now
SO mncli importance is attached to the long-songht mountaineer, that

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

PLANTS FOR THE SDB-TROPIOAL GARDEN.
Nothing forms a more distinctive feature in the embellishment
of gardens, or helps to break up the uniformly flat surfaces of
beds so much as fine-t'oliaged plants, one or other of the most
striking of which placed in the centre of a circle gives it a
finish quite unattainable in any other way. Not only are they
very effective used in this manner, but they are equally so for
grouping in masses or standing as isolated specimens on lawns,
for the latter of which purposes some of them are specially
adapted. One of the most serviceable for this kind of work is
Chamaarops Fortunei, a Palm that is not only exceedingly or-
namental after it has attained a fair size, but one which has the
additional merit of being quite hardy in localities that are in any
way favoured. Even in the most northern districts of England
it will stand any ordinary winter if slightly protected by
putting a few leaves or dry litter around the stem and collar,
for, with these vital parts a little sheltered, the foliage may with
safety be left to take care of itself. To test its enduring powers
I have had one left in a very exposed situation without the
slightest cover, and although, as is well known, the winter has
been one of unusual severity, the plant at the present moment
looks as fresh and well as it did in the autumn. The way in
which this fine-looking Palm is best managed is to turn it out
early in the spring, after being properly prepared for the
change.as then it has time to make its growth and become firmly
established before bad weather sets in. To give it a good start,
which is half the battle, a large hole should be dug previous to
planting, and if the natural soil be bad, the space should be filled
with sandy loam and leaf mould, but in all cases when the
latter is used, it is a very important matter that it be thoroughly
decomposed and entirely free from sticks or anything of that
kind likely to engender fungus, a parasite which, when it
attacks the roots of plants, soon throws them out of health
and frequently destroys them altogether. There are many
other Palms that are valuable for plunging out in conspicuous
places during the summer, the most noticeable of which are
Areca sa'pida, A. Baueri, Latania borbonica, Phoonis reclinata,
Chamajrops australis, and Phoenix dactjlifera, but none of
these will bear sharp frost, and should, therefore, be moved
under cover by the end of October.

Another noble-looking plant for planting as a specimen is
Aralia Sieboldi, which has leaves considerably larger than those
of the Pig, and, being of a pleasing shade of green, and singu-
larly bright and polished, they have a very striking appearance,
which is heightened in the spring when the plant comes into
flower, and begins to bear seed. Seeds, obtained and sown
now in heat will make very useful-sized plants by the autumn,
that will be of great service for the embellishment of rooms,
halls, corridors, &o., as, owing to the thick, leathery texture of
its magnificent foliage, this Aralia will stand in places where
there is not much light better than any other plant with
which I am acquainted. There is a variegated variety
which is even more ornamental, owing to the leaves being
margined with a rich, creamy-white band, but this colouring
appears to have made it more tender than the normal form, as
it does not bear the cold so well. It is, however, a most
valuable plant for decorative purposes indoors, especially during
the winter, when plants of an ornamental character are not
over plentiful. Unfortunately, it cannot be raised from
seed, and is not very free in affording cuttings, which makes it
scarce and dear as yet, but it is one of those good plants that
are quite worth the first outlay, as it is sure to give satisfaction.
For forming bold masses in the sub-tropical garden, A. papy-
ritera should not be forgotten, as, grown in deep, rich soil, it
is a remarkably stately-looking object that will endure a good
deal of cold and wind without suffering or getting its leaves
torn and injured in the way so common with many others that

Apeil 5, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

271

attain a large size. One great advantage in growing this
variety for decorative purposes out-of-doors is that it may
either be protected in the beds or position in which it stands,
or be dug up and wintered in any dark shed or cellar, where,
although it loses its foliage, the stems break and start away
again in the spring, when they are little, if any, the worse for
the treatment. Any one having plants of this kind and wishing
to increase them, will find that the most ready way of doing so is
to cut ofi a few of the largest and most fleshy roots, which,
divided into about2-in. pieces and buried in sharp sandy soil and
then placed in a brisk bottom-heat, will soon break and form
useful plants by the end of May.

Hedychium Gardnerianum, although generally treated as a
stove plant, is sufficiently hardy to stand out in ordinary winters
if planted in light, well-drained soil and protected with half-
rotten leaves or any thing of that kind over the crown. Fine
as it is grown under glass, it is much more so turned out with
plenty of root-run, and, when so accommodated, is a valuable
plant for forming bold clumps, or for massing in the fore-
ground of shrubs, the uniformity of which it helps to break
up and define. By dividing and starting any now, they will
get well advanced by June, and may then be planted with
safety.

Another capital plant for the same kind of work, or for
grouping near lakes or ponds, is Arundo Donax, the tall reeds
of which, towering some 10 ft. or 12 ft. high, and clothed with
gracefully drooping foliage, have a very striking effect. It is
to be feared that the hard winter we have had will have injured
plants of this where not protected, but a slight covering over
the crowns is always sufficient to insure their safety. Any
division or planting should be carried out in April, just as the
young shoots are pushing through the ground, as then one can
easily see where to thrust in the spade, and the injured parts
caused by so doing quickly heal over when growth fairly com-
mences. To associate with the last named, Arundinaria fal-
catii and Bambusa Metake should not be forgotten, as they are
both plants, even in their young stage, that arc exceedingly
ornamental. A. falcata is the most elegant-habited of the two,
but B. Metake has the merit of being more hard}-, and appears
quite unaffected by the present sharp winter. Both of these
do best in a deep, loose loam, where they can find plenty of
moisture below, and, it they can get this and shelter, their
growth is most rapid. Phormium teuax, too, delights in a
similar soil and situation, and, from the flag-like appearance of
its leaves, is well adapted for planting near water, where, if
slightly protected around the base during the winter, it soon
becomes established, and forms an object of great interest and
beauty. The striped or variegated kinds are remarkably hand-
some, but at present ail of these are too valuable to be risked
outdoors, except during the summer months, when, if plunged
in suitable positions in the sub-tropical garden, they produce a
striking effect. Plants of the normal type may be bought at
a very low price, and they likewise come readily from seeds,
which, sown now in heat, germinate quickly and make useful-
sized plants at about a year old.

Grevillea robusta, the leaves of which, in general appearance,
are equal to any Pern, is one of themost elegant habited plants
\t is possible to have, alike valuable either for in or out-door
decorative purposes, and it is specially adapted for arranging
in the centres of beds, or interspersing among others of lower
growth, to relieve their flatness. This, like the majority of those
plants now to be alluded to, admits of increase by seeds ; but
these being somewhat hard, germinate with more freedom if
soaked for a few hours in a little tepid water before being
sown. Besides being so useful for the purposes already specified,
young seedling Grevilleas having healthy foliage down to the
pot, form exceedingly graceful ornaments for the dinner-table,
and when of larger size, come in admirably for assisting in the
embellishment of greenhouses and conservatories during the
winter. Next in point of gracefulness to the last-named, is
Acacia lophantha, a plant of singular beauty ; if seeds are
sown now, and when up nursed on in gentle heat, they will be
quite large and strong enough for turning out by the first
week in June. Ricinus, or Castor Oil plants, are all very
noble looking subjects, but the most remarkable among them
is B;. Gibsoni, which has leaves almost as rich and highly
coloured as the well-known Iresine, now so much used for

bedding. I think the most telling group of fine foliaged plants
I ever saw, was one formed of the above-named Ricinus and
Melianthus major, the contrast between the two — the one so
light and silvery looking, and the other of such a fine dark
bronzy hue — being such as to arrest attention at once, and
produce a most pleasing effect. As the Ricinuses are up within
a few days after being sown, and the plants grow so rapidly
afterwards, the seeds should not be put in till the end of April,
otherwise the plants either get toolarge before it is safe to venture
them out, or if confined to small pots become stunted, and
lose their lower leaves, which greatly detracts from their
beauty. On the other hand, the Melianthus major cannot well
be sown too soon, as it is not only slow in germinating, but
takes some time in attaining much size, even when nursed on
in heat.

Other rich combinations of colour may be made by asso-
ciating Melianthus with Coleus, using the first-named as a
centre, or better still, with Chilian Beet, the brilliant tints of
which are then made to appear all the brighter. The effect of
this latter is considerably heightened by being planted on raised
mounds or banks, so as to get a full play of sun and light
behind the leaves, which are then translucent and show off to
the greatest advantage. The best way to manage Chilian Beet
is to sow seed singly in small pots in a little warmth about the
middle of April, as then the plants can be transferred to
their summer quarters without check. Solanums, such as
Warczewiczi, giganteum, or other large-leaved kinds are grand
decorative subjects that may be raised quickly and cheaply in
any ordinary hot bed frame, and, if planted in rich soil form
quite a feature in the subtropical garden during the summer.
8. marginatum, although not so large or strong growing, has
handsome silvery foliage, and blends well with Ricinus
Gibsoni. Canuas are quite indispensable, the contour and form
of their noble foliage being such as to commend them for
extensive use in all arrangements where fine-leaved plants are
required. The growth of these, like most others already
alluded to, is so rapid that seed sown at once will afford plants
late in the spring. The strongest and best, however, are such
as are obtained by saving the old roots in the autumn, and
dividing the same now, which, if started in rotten leaves in a
frame, lift well when required for use.

Echeveria metallica is another useful plant, either for form-
ing groups among other succulents, or in raised mounds with
the ground carpeted with Sedum lydium or other prostrate
plant of the same or a similar nature, that the harmony
between them may add the connecting link, as it were, and
render the \\ hole complete. The fine massive form of this
Echeveria likewise makes it valuable for dot plants in carpet
bedding, where, with B. retusa, it generally takes a very
prominent part. It propagates readily during the summer by
means of leaves or pieces of the flowering stems put in fall
sun in the open ground, and it may be raised from seed sown on
the surface of finely-sifted soil, kept moist, and covered with a
bell-glass till the plants make their appearance.

Acanthus latifolius has also large, glossy foliage, and comes
quickly from seed. Plants of it in shrubbery or herbaceous
borders, when in full flower, are fine-looking ornaments that
are sure to command attention ; but, being of strong growth,
they require plenty of room.

Another plant of remarkably bold type and pleasing green
foliage is Wigandia caracasana, a really fine subject for the
sub-tropical garden, which, if sown now in strong heat, nursed,
and potted on, will be quite soon enough for the purpose. As
most of the above require rich soil, the positions they are to
occupy should now be prepared by being trenched and heavily
manured, so as to be in readiness for planting before the busy

season arrives.

Summer Treatment of Old Cyclamen Bulbs.— In refe-
rence to the inquiry made by " Star" (p. 221), I may state that my
reason for recommending the bulbg to be planted out was in order
to BimpUfy the watering, as I know that many fail simply through
the roots being injured by giving too much water whilst the bulbg
are starting into growth. Placing them in the open ground obviates
this danger, and by the time they are ready to pot, fresh fibres and
new leaves are formed, when water maybe given without injary.

272

THE GARDEN.

[April 5, 1879

" Star" cannot, therefore, do better than follow a system which has
produced such good results. I used to treat old bulbs much in the
Euanner described by " Star," shifting them out of 4-in. into 6-in. pots,
and gently shaking out some of the soil when quite dry from those in
6.in. pots, giving fresh drainage and working in a little fresh soil,
replacing them in the same sized pot, as I found by thus treating
them, and administering weak manure water when in full growth,
they succeeded much better than when transferred to larger pots.
They were looked through the first 'week in July, but the bulbs were
placed for a time in a frame, and were carefully watered until they had
struck root, for I found that when exposed to heavy rains, many of the
young fibres perished. I found, too, that they grew faster when
thus sheltered, and, forming their flower bnds sooner, they came more
quickly into bloom. I may add, that I have always considered that
two.year.old bnlbs give more satisfaction than those which have
exceeded that age. — J. Cornhill.

NYMPH^A OBSCURA v. N. ROSEA.
Such is the heading of an article that appeared in the January
number of the " Botanical Index " (an excellent periodical iasned by
llr. L. B. Case, of Richmond, Indiana, U.S.A.), in which is repro.
duced and commented upon a short note that I communicated to
The Gaeden last summer on Nymphsea odorata minor. There ia
evidently some misapprehension as regards the information which I
wished to convey, or the writer of the comment cannot be justified
in suggesting the re-naming an already aptly.named and well-known
plant. In order to set the matter in a clear light, and to obviate the
necessity of referring to back numbers of The Gakdex, allow me
to quote both the note and the comment in question. Here is what
I wrote : — "M'ymphsea odorata minor is the variety named by Pursh
as rosea, to which name it may justly lay claim, as the plant which
we noticed in flower lately in the Kew collection confirmed. It is
much smaller in every part than the type ; it has the same dark
purple colour on the mnder side of the leaf, and also the attenuated
lobes. The blossoms, which are about 2 in. across, have the outer
petals deeply tinged with rose, a colour which contrasts finely with
the fringe of golden stamens. Though much inferior to the recently
introduced rose-coloured variety of N. alba, it is, nevertheless, a dis.
tinct and valuable kind." Concerning this, the writer in the "Bo.
tanical Index" says :^" According to Sir Joseph Paxton, there ia
already a variety of Nymphsoa with pink flowers, from the East
Indies that received the name of ' rosea ' in 1803, which, of
course, must take precedence, and if the rosa-coloured variety of
N. odorata is distinct enough to warrant a separation another name
must be chosen. With this idea in view we selected the name
' obscnra ' aa the most suitable one for the variety ; at least, it
expresses the fact aa well aa any name can do. All plant collectors
are aware of the disposition of plants with white flowers to pro.
duoe bluish, brownish, yellow, flesh-coloured, or pink and rose.
coloured flowers, while plants with coloured flowers are continually
producing albinos, or, at least, flowers many shades lighter
than the nsual colour, the generally accepted types. The
practice of multiplying species or even varieties upon such ob.
ecure and indetinite points may be excused in a commercial point of
view, but it certainly is a source of great confusion in botanical
nomenclature." The last sentence wonld lead one to infer that I am
the offending party in calling the plant in question by the name of
minor, but I can assure the writer, on no less reliable an authority
than the " Flora of North America," by Torrey and Gray, that this
variety waa named minor many years ago by Sims, an old English
garden botanist, and it has been known under that name by both
botanists and cultivators ever since. I mentioned the name " rosea "
given to it by Pursh merely in allusion to its synonomy, and also to
show that that learned botanist observed the permanent character in
the rosy tint of the flowers running parallel with its smaller size,
even in a wild state ; but aa the name of minor is very applicable, and
has priority of date, it must, as in the usual way, take precedence.
The Nymphaea roaea alluded to by Paxton is merely a variety of
either N. Lotus or N. rubra, and it would matter not if there were
many more roae-colonred varieties, so long as their varietal name
was preceded by the specific, and therefore I fail to see how in the
present instance it can lead to "contused nomenclature." By forcing
such an apparently meaningless name aa " obscnra" npon an old and
well-known plant, without giving na any authority for it whatever,
is, I consider, a breach of the laws which regulate botanical nomen.
clature. W.

Golden-flowered Millfoil (Achillea aurea). — I am surprised that
this old-fashioned herbaceous plant is not otteuer met with in culti-
vation than it is. The peculiar shade of yelloir which the flowers

exhibit is nnoommon, and the habit being good and the whole plant
very hardy and easily grown, it would be found suitable for many
situations in the flower garden. I have seen it thrive remarkably
well planted in the front line of a shrubbery, where it formed when
in bloom a very distinct and somewhat striking object. — J. 0.,
Byfleet.

Primula denticulata. — It wonld be difficult to find any hardy
plant that is more deserving of greenhouse or frame culture than this
Primula. It is now beautifully in bloom, presenting a hue of colour
that no other spring flower possesses. Starting with denticulata, then
follow varieties of Primula amcena, and later on come P. japonica,
aikkimenais, Parryi, &c., whilst the smaller sorts are intermediate,
filling up during the time when these large kinda are in bloom.
P. denticulata and its ally purpurea may be raised freely from seed ; a
few pods from a plant of the latter last spring yielded me about 600
seedlings, the majority of which are just now coming into bloom.
These will be planted out in a cool place in the open ground when the
bloom is over, and there they will remain until November, when they
will be lifted into 5-in. pots for blooming. During that time they
make about three crowns. When planted out again the second year
they produce from six to twelve crowns and make grand plants for
8i-in. and Of-in. pots, producing large trusses of bloom. It is well,
then, before again planting out, to divide the plants into several pieces
in proportion to the number of crowns, as these will again produce
large heads the next spring. The culture is simple, and so treated
the crowna come stronger than when they are kept in pots all the
summer. I find that this Primula roots deeply ; indeed, it is difficult
to wrench it out of the ground in the autumn with a strong fork.
Before potting, it is necessary to shorten the roots somewhat, but no
harm will be the result of this operation. Aa an outdoor decorative
plant it blooms almost too early, except in very sheltered nooks, and
these are generally too warm in the summer. Merely for a supply of
cut flowers a number of plants may be planted thickly in a frame with
advantage. — A. D.

The Scarlet Clematis (Clematis coocinea). — When the "Revne
Hortioole " appeared with a coloured plate of a Clematis with bright
scarlet flowers, and called it Clematis Pitoheri, we were not a little
astonished. We had long cultivated Pitcher's Clematis (Clematis
Pitcheri), not only for its intrinsic beauty — for as a climber, with its
large, dark purple, solitary flowers, it is a really handsome plant —
but because it bore the name of one of the most courteous and genial
of men of the " Old School " (Dr. Zinaa Pitcher, until hia death
the leading phyaician of Detroit) that it was ever our good fortune
to meet. To have a plant thus endeared to na set aside by a new
comer bearing the name, however brilliant it might be, waa far from
pleasant. The correctness of the "Revue Horticole's" plate waa
called in question by the " Gardener's Chronicle," whereupon came a
correspondent of The Garde.m, with a statement to the effect that
Clematis Pitcheri waa scarlet, for he saw the flowers of the first plant
imported into France. Here was a muddle, and all about an American
plant. Clematis Pitcheri waa originally described by Torrey and
Gray, in the " Flora of North America," with " purple " flowers.
We collected in Texas a pnrple-flowered Clematis which we labelled
C. Pitcheri, and which passed under the eyes of both Torrey and
Gray, without any hint that it waa not correctly named. Then our
specimen in the garden, with ita large purple flowers, if it be not 0.
Pitoheri, what is it ? Either we were wrong and our European friends
right, or vice versa, and we looked up the matter. It seema that a
scarlet-flowered Clematis was first collected by Dr. James on Long's
expedition, and was recorded as C. Viorna, variety coccinea, and has
since been regarded as a scarlet variety of the well-known C. Viorna,
until Mr. Buckley came across it and gave it the name of C. texensis,
though Dr. Englemann, regarding it as a species, had called it C.
coocinea. Without going any further into the nomenclature, it appears
this scarlet Texan Clematis has aomehow reached Europe, and is
known in both France and England aa C. Pitoheri, while it is here
known only in botanicp.l specimens. Whatever it may be, it is not
Clematis Pitcheri. We are glad to say that we have got upon the
track of the plant, through an intelligent correspondent in Texas, and
expect to have it in cultivation the coming summer. Whatever the
botanists may do with it, it promises to be a desirable plant for our
gardens. — " American Agriculturist."

Wintering Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica. — In several
positions this plant has perished completely. We use it largely for
carpet bedding, and have had it in different situations. The best and
healthiest roots we have now have been in a rather damp, cool situa-
tion on the north side of a bed of shrubs. A number of roots taken
up in antumn, and planted in a cold pit, have all perished ; and nearly
all of those growing in southern exposures in the open air have turned
brown, and now appear dead. Evidently it winters best in a situa-

April 6, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

273

tion where the aan does not shine fall upon it. I shall work up my
usual stock by taking those roots from the north border, palling them
into little bits, and dibbling them into warm pits. They increase
rapidly in heat. — E. H.

Hardy Primulas. — It is interesting to note the difference which
soils and climates make on these plants. In the south, in dry, warm
soils, it is next to impossible to grow them at all, whilst in the north,
especially in loamy soils of a good depth, they luxuriate to perfec-
tion. P. cortnsoides acquires here a good size, and is a front rank
hardy border plant. P. amoeaa and its varieties have not succeeded
here planted out permanently ; but they were tried on warm expo-
sures on the rockery, which may account for their failure. P. ja-
ponica does splendidly here as a border plant. The double varieties
of P. aoaulis do not succeed at all. P. purpurea and alba are the
only sorts left, while just outside the garden are acres of single
varieties of P. acaulia growing and flowering profusely. P. denticu.
lata last year had on one plant fourteen of its lilac balls in perfection
at one time. The same plant is pushing up again strongly this
spring. — B. P. BitOTHEESTON.

Pelargonium. Daveyanum. — Mr. Williams will be glad to know
that this fine old-fashioned hybrid Pelargonium is not lost. I have a
plant of it in my possession at the present moment, and in the green-
house from which it came to me there was, a few years since, a good
stock of it. I believe, too, that it still flourishes in that home of
every good old-fashioned plant, Wardie Lodge, Edinburgh. There are
still several places where the
Cape Pelargoniums are care-
fully cultivated and propagated.
There is a capital collection of
them at Kew; and Mr. Beech at
Castle Ashby, and Mr. Baxter
at the Oxford Botanic Gardens,
deserve untold praise for the
care and the energy which they
have devoted to this most in.
teresting group. I fancy, too,
that Sir George Macleay and
Mr. Green are well aware of the
curiosity and value of the Cape
Pelargoniums, and any visitor to
the gardens at Pendel Court
would soon discover that the
time has not yet come when
horticultural taste shall have so
utterly degenerated, that a Cape
Pelargonium is one of the good
old things of the past. Pelar-
gonium flavum is advertised in
Messrs. Haage and Schmidt's
last bulb catalogue. Talking of
good old plants, can any one send
me a cutting of the donbleYellow
Ilocket(Barbarea vulgaris fl.-pl.)
which, unfortunately, I have
lost. — H. Hakpur Crewe, Dray.
ion-Beauchamp Rectory, Tring.

Snowfl.akes in the Wild Garden. — We have rarely seen any.
thing more beautiful than a colony of the summer Snowflake on the
margin of a tuft of Rhododendrons in the gardens at Longleat, where
they were planted by Mr. Taylor. Some of the flowers were on stems
nearly 3 ft. high, the partial shelter of the bushes and good soil
causing the plants to be unusually vigorous.

Hardiness of Azaras. — Notwithstanding the notes that have
appeared from time to time in reference to the comparative hardi-
ness of these elegant Chilian shrubs, the past winter has committed
much havoc amongst them. In the arboretum at Kew, those unpro-
tected, comprising the handsome A. microphylla, dentata, Gilliesi,
integrifolia, &o., are killed, but A. integrifolia and the variegated
kind trained against the wall of one of the houses are not much
injured. Fortunately none are so rare but that they may be readily
replaced. — W.

Tacca pinnatifida. — This plant, to which allusion was made
at p. 266, under the name of Atacoia piufatifida, closely resembles
an Amoaphophallna in its habit of growth, having a solitary pinna-
tisset leaf, borne aloft on a stout petiole from 2 ft. to 3 ft. iu height,
while its bearded inflorescence is very similar to that of Ataccia
cristata, a well known stove plant from Malacca and Perak. This
Tacca, however, is an economic plant of some value, being largely
grown by the Sandwich Islanders under the name of " Pi," and a
peculiar kind of Sago is obtained in quantity from its underground

tubers, and used by them as food. It grows very freely on the sandy
soil near the shores of many Malayan islands, but is but rarelv used
there, as the Sago Palm yields an abundant supply, and Rice is there
more plentiful.— F. W. B.

Calceolaria amplexioauliss.— In the notice of Calceolarias
(p. 259) I was glad to see mention made of C. amplexicaulis, an old
favourite of mine, and one that used to be in great esteem in Hert-
fordshire for bedding, a purpose for which it is one of the best and
most continuous blooming kinds that can be grown. The way in
which it is managed in gardens in the county just referred to, is to
plant it in small circles on the Grass among other beds, where it
is tied and trained to sticks placed and brought together at the top,
something after the manner in which they are placed over a basket
of plants when sent out from a nursery. Thus managed, they form
magnificent pyramids, and soon hide the supports ; but it is only in
moist, cool soils that they do this, although this particular species
will stand more heat and drought better than any other with which
I am acquainted. Its colour is a very soft lemon ; it is very free in
habit, and, where the soil suits it, sends up a quantity of suckers
that keeps up a constant succession of flowers till quite late in the
autumn. The long period of time during which I have known this
variety I have never once seen it diseased, a failing to which all
others are exceedingly subject, and which makes them so uncertain.
It is a kind which I can, therefore, strongly recommend. I am sure
that any one who once has it will not readily part with it. — S. D.

Sciila sibirica. — The flow,
ers of this Squill being of a
deep and lovely blue, contrast
vividly with the pure white of
the Snowdrop.and form a feature
of singular richness and beauty
in the spring garden. If grown
in the open border, care should
betaken not to injure the bulbs
by digging or hoeing. The roots
should be allowed to remain in
the ground for a lengthened
period, like those of the Crocus
and Snowdrop ; and if the
clumps get too large, they can
be broken up with great ease,
just as the tips appear throngh
the soil than at any other time.
Even when an abundance of
roots is formed, large clumps
will divide easily into several
smaller ones, which may be at
once replanted without any dan-
ger. For pot culture, it is well
to proceed in a more methodical
manner ; and, looking at the
great beauty of the flowers and
the early period at which they
appear, it is remarkable that
this Squill is not more largely
grown in pots for decorative
Purposes. A piece of ground, deeply dug and moderately manured,
^hould be planted with bulbs in the autumn in small clomps of about
^ix roots to each. If these be all sound (and this is not always
'he case with imported bulbs), each plant will be large enough to
lift into 5-in. pots after a year's growth, that is, these newly,
imported roots should he in the ground at least eighteen months
before they are potted ; this makes two relays of bulbs ceces.
sary. Once a stock is obtained, provision for an ample supply of
flowers in pots is easy. The clamps should not be kept in the pots,
but should be re-trausferred to the open ground as soon as the flowers
have decayed. — A. D.

Seedling Aubrietias.^The introduction of several rich dark-
coloured Aubrietias, such as A. Campbelli, Eyrei, and Henderaoni,
has lent additional value to these charming spring flowers for bed-
ding purposes. Mr. Ingram, of Balvoir, has raised a pink kind, the
flowers of which are small, but the colour distinct. I was fortunate
enough to get a batch of seedlings last spring that furnished a
number having very deep rich colours of quite a violet tint. Patches
of these on rockwork, or masses in beds, with red and white Daisies
and similar hardy bedding plants, would produce a striking effect in
the spring garden. When the plants have done blooming, they
should be lifted, palled to pieces, and replanted in some shady
place where they will make fresh roots, and become strong by the
next winter. Treated in this manner, they will be found to give
the greatest satisfaction. — A. D.

Bnowfiakee in the WiM Garden.

274

THE GARDEN.

[April 5, 1879.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

GOLDEN CHAMPION GRAPE.
Those vpho for a few years back have been in the habit of seeing
Bome of the leading West of England Horticultural Exhibitions will
have noticed the enely finished Grapes, especially Golden Champion,
shown by Mr. Shore, gardener to the Rev. J. Heyworth, Henbnry
Hill, near Bristol. Being in the neighbourhood about the middle of
this month, I felt desirous of seeing the Vine which produced these
finely grown Golden Champions, a kind with which more fail than
succeed. There were originally four other Vines in the house with
their roots inside, but thay succumbed to the Phylloxera, and I
nnderstand that there is still some of the insect on the small portion
of roots belonging to this Golden Champion inside the house. It was
grafted eleven years ago on Ingram's hardy prolific Muscat, a sort,
if I recollect rightly, " let out" by the late Mr. Standish, of the Ascot
Nurseries, but one which did not meet with much favour. The Vine in
question now covers a large portion of roof, and the present season's
shoots are remarkably strong, and showing quantities of large
bunches, some of which looked as if they would weigh from
3 lb. to 4 lb. J noue of the bloom was open, but the crop, so far as it
has advanced, gives promise of being, as hitherto, very fine. The
Vine is planted inside, in a small stone-enolosed space, so limited as
to have no influence for or against the condition it is in. The roots
pass through the wall to the outside in the usual way, first under a
walk, and from thence through the immediately adjacent garden wall
into a Grass field, where they exist in abundance, but no preparation
has there ever been made for them, no fermenting matter to warm
them, or anything to keep the summer's aboorbed heat in or winter's
cold rain and melting snow out. The case represents extremely
opposite conditions as regards the temperature of the roots and top,
much greater than I, or I suppose any one else, would recommend or
through choice adopt. But there is this Vine, after such a winter as
we have had, one amongst untold numbers of other Vines throughout
the country in a similar state, giving silent but irrefutable rebutting
evidence against the opinions of those who appear to look upon a
warm condition of the roots as inseparable from successful Grape
growing. Its present treatment, I understand, is just such as it has
from the first received, and from the time when it first came into a
bearing state it has always done equally well. T. Baines.

A VISIT TO THE THOMERY VINEYARDS.
The village of Thomerylies about a mile and a half from the railway
station, and a good bit of the forest of Fontainebleau is traversed
between the two— the trees. Oak chiefiy, standing thickly together
like seedlings in a hotbed. Almost as soon as one emerges from the
dense shade of the wood, he finds the road bordered on one side by
Vine walls, and on the other by a rough fence, over which the field
Vines scramble in a semi-wiid state, like Blackberry bushes, and
down in the valley below lies the village surrounded on all sides by
Vineyards— some small, and some large, and all enclosed and subdi-
vided by low mud. built walls, on which the Chasselas de Fontainebleau
Grapes are grown, the fields being cropped with the commoner wine.
prodncing sorts, upon which comparatively little pains are bestowed.
Far out of the village the walls are clothed with Vine and Pear
trees, trained in the most perfect and methodical fashion, and bearing
heavy crops of fruit. The Grapes were not ripe at the time of our
visit, early in August, but the Pears were ; some sorts had indeed
been gathered. The trees were not protected in any way, though
the fruit was hanging temptingly ripe within arm's-length of the
highway ; and the border in which the roots of both Vines and Pears
grew was only about 2 tc. wide, and was supported by a dry stone
wall built along the roadside. A group of whitewashed buildings, a
little way from the road, looks very much like a Scotch farm,
steading; but a peep within the enclosure shows that the arrange,
ments and appliances are of a different order, and relate exclusively
to the culture of the Vine. The walls of the court, the dwelling
house, and sheds, &c., are all covered with the Chasselas de Fon.
tainebleau (Royal Muscadine) Grape, and at a glance one can see
that every shoot, and almost every leaf, is trained in its allotted
space, and all the laterals stopped and pinched as it they had been
newly gone over. It is the same in the village. Every wall appears
as if it had just been newly whitewashed, and every cottage on south
east, and west exposures is covered with a mantle of green Vine
foliage, nnder which the bunches hang in profusion, literally touching
each other in some places. Every bit of available space is utilised,
and not an inch more growth is permitted than is necessary to the'
snccessfnl fruition of the plant, which is cropped as heavily as ic will
bear. An English cultivator is rather disconcerted at the appearance

of the Vine borders in front of the houses — the border is the
street, and is paved with large boulders right up to the stems of the
Vines. Yet both wood and foliage are remarkably good and cleau^
scarcely any trace of spider or mildew to be seen — and the leaves
large and leathery, and of a substance never seen in an English
Vinery. Of course, the thrifty cottagers simply utilise their
walls in this way, and attend to the training and general culture of
their Vines in the evenings— just as the English cottager looks after
his Potato plot and garden when his day's work is done. In the
Vineyards proper, devoted to the culture of dessert Grapes, Vines
are trained to low walls from 6 ft. to 10 ft. high, and coped with
brick tiles, the parallel strips of ground between the walls being
devoted to the production of common wine-producing Grapes chiefly ;
some of the better sorts are also trained on espaliers in the open
ground. There is nothing in the culture of the Vine at Thomery
that particularly arrests the English Grape-grower's attention,
unless it be the skill and method displayed in the training of the
Vines, so as to get the greatest amount of fruit from a given space,
combined with the cheap and simple, not to say primitive, but per-
fectly effective appliances employed to meet the end in view. There
can be no doubt, we think, that the French excel us in making the
most of means and appliances. Where we spend money they spend
extra labour and attention, and with better and more constant results.
This fact forces itself upon the stranger at once.

The winter of the north of France is more severe than that in this
country, as is indicated by the single fact that the Arauoaria imbricata
is not hardy there, and consequently not planted as an ornamental
tree, and the spring frosts are also severe, yet we are assured that the
Vine crops at 'Thomery seldom or never fail, although the protective
appliances — old-fashioned copings and sheets — are much the same as
those used in this country fifty years ago or more. Expensive patent
glass copings and such like are unheard of. Brick, deal, and plaited,
straw copings, 9 in. or 1 ft. wide, were shown at the Paris Exhibition,
but no glass ones, by French makers at least. Our settled conviction
is that there is nothing to hinder dessert Grapes from being grown
in the south of England just as successfully as at Thomery, and with
the same means, if the cultivator would take the same amount of
pains in their culture. Crops would undoubtedly be a little later in
England, but not much, and it is perfectly possible to ripen Grapes
after the autumn frosts set in. The Muscadine ripens in August and
September at Thomery, and on espaliers later; but behind the house
of M. Rose Charmeux, who is one of the principal cultivators in the
district, there is an archway or covered walk, planted entirely with
Black Hamburghs, or Frankenthal, as it ia callec3 there, which we were
informed ripened a crop in October. Under this archway the bunches
seemed to hang as thick as leaves, aud were all hand-thinned.

The spur system of training, in some form or other, is generally
adopted. When the Vines are trained vertically, they are planted
16 in. apart and the shoots are mostly trained from one spur, 8 in.
or 9 in. apart, aud as often as otherwise the shoots bear two
bunches, each about half a pound in weight. It may therefore be
guessed how heavy the crops are. We have heard of 40 lb. to
20-ft. rods in this country, the canes being trained 4 ft. apart, but
the Thomery growers exceed this in some instances, as regards the
Vine rod, and generally we should say as regards space. On one
young Vine of Foster's Seedling, which is becoming a favourite for
wall culture, we counted eighteen bunches on a rod about 5 ft. long,
and we estimated the bunches at 1 lb. weight apiece ; some of them
would be 2 lb. Indeed, we never saw much finer bunches of that
variety. In flavour it is not so good as the Muscadine, but its
cropping qualities are a recommendation. The Vine that bore the
above number of bunches had just a strip of wall 16 in. wide allotted
to it like the others. No doubt the hardier constitution acquired by
the Vines, both in leaf and branch, enables them to bear such heavy
crops. The wood of the Vines was brown aud ripe to the ends of the
shoots when we saw them, and a portion of the leaves had been picked
off to allow the sunshine to get to the fruit to hasten its maturity.
After the fruit begins to colour, this practice is not considered to be
injurious in any way to the he'ilth of the Vines. The soil of the
Vineyards is a brown, flinty-looking compost, and varies in depth
from 18 in. to several feet, and the surface where the roots of the
Vines are is mulched with decayed manure or litter. After the
Grapes have been thinned, early in the summer, the after.onlture
consists almost wholly in training the shoots and pinching the laterals,
the last being done by women who nip the shoots off with their
fingers- The espaliers and bushes in the open quarters are not so
particularly looked after apparently, but on the walls the laterals
appear to be pinched as fast as they push, after the first stopping,
little or no growth being permitted beyond the fruit, the exigencies
of space demanding that every shoot be kept strictly within bounds.
Aa to the quality of the Chasselas de Fontainebleau Grapes, they are

AnuT. 5, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

275

certainly superior to the same kind grown under glass at home, being
well oolonred, sweet, and ot good flavour, very much superior to the
foreign Grapes usually sold in this country daring the autumn and
winter. — " The Gardener."

CLEARING STRAWBERRY PLAtiTS OP RED SPIDER.
The writer ot the calendar (p. 257) recommends that Strawberry
plants which are badly infested with red spider should be thrown
away when removed from the forcing house, but there is no need to
resort to this extreme measure, as in their case the spider may be
promptly and thoroughly exterminated. When the plants are removed
from the foicing house, they should be placed in a sheltered situation
for about a fortnierht, when they should be dipped in a mixture of
soft soap and sulphur, which will not only kill the perfect insect, but
will also destroy its egga. In preparing the mixture, about 4 oz. of
soft soap to 1 gallon of water will be necessary, adding thereto
enough sulphur to cover the whole of the plant after immersion
with minute particles. The sulphur should not be thrown loosely into
the water, but should be first formed into a paste which will
efiEeotually disintegrate it. On a plant thus smothered no living thing
can exist, and in a fortnight the plants will be clean, and when
planted out will grow away freely. Whilst dipping the plants the
mixture must be kept well stirred and ttie water should froth. The
sulphur will then adhere so tightly, that nothing short of
heavy rains will loosen it. I generally employ one part
black to two of flowers of sulphur. The black sulphur is
very powerful, and should never be used under glass. It is
indispensable that the foliage be well hardened before dipping the
plants, or it is liable to be injured. I occasionally find ihat a few
leaves get a little hurt, but when once the spider is gone the plants,
if supplied with nutriment, start again vigorously into growth.
Forced Strawberry plants yield a crop the following season when
planted out, and therefore should not be destroyed. A well enriched
piece ot soil and an occasional watering in hot weather are all that
they require.

It is inconceivable with what rapidity red spider will spread over a
piece of ground in a hot, dry summer, and growers, as your corres-
pondent wisely recommends, should be careful not to incur
-any risk. I have seen Scarlet Runners, bedding plants,
■and even Bos edging almost ruined by this very small pest,
and it is rare that Strawberry plants come out of the forcing-house
entirely free from it ; but, it treated in the manner just described,
the little extra labour will be well repaid. The soil of a locality in
which I once resided was very sandy, and consequently parched in
the summer. British Queen grown under such circumstances was
generally so attacked with red spider, that it could scarcely exist
until dipping and syringing with soft soap and sulphur were resorted
to. After that it grew as freely as the other kinds. This variety
would appear to be peculiarly susceptible to the attacks of red spider,
which fasten on it in preference to other kinds. To this cause may,
I think, be attributed the inability to grow this highly-flavoured
fruit in many localities. Plantations of it after bearing often die
completely off, but if the plants were thoroughly syringed as soon
as the fruit was gathered — choosing a period of dry weather for the
operation — and then delnged with water, the ravages of this de.
Btroyer would be reduced to a minimum. These remarks apply more
particalarly to light, porous soils, where the foliage does not acquire
the solidity which a strong loam imparts to it, and where it is more
difEcalt to supply the necessary amount of moisture to the root.

J. CORNHILL.

Thatched Vine Borders and Vines Breaking Prematurely.
— Allow me to explain that when writing on this subject (p. 238) I
accepted the advice given by Mr. Baines and others to cover Vine
borders " early in autumn to retain the accumulated heat of summer "
to mean the only thing apparently it could mean, viz., to cover the
borders when the temperature of the earth was at its maximum,
which it reaches in August, and does not subside very perceptibly
till past the middle of September, within which period I apprehend
" early in autumn " comes somewhere. I, however, accept Mr. Baines'
latest explanation, but it does not in the least alter the fact, that by
covering the border in autumn we start the roots much in advance ot
the tops. Indeed, it is an aggravation of a practice attended, as we
have been told, by bad results in every way and under all circum-
stances. As to the retained heat of summer not helping to cause the
Vines to break prematurely, I can only say that I have lately been
taught that bottom heat causes an undue development ot top growth,
and I suppose Vines are no exception to the rule. — J. S. W.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

ENDIVES GROWN FOR TRIAL AT CHISWICK.

By A. F. BARRON.
E.VDivES are divided into two great classes.

1. Curled Endive. The Chicori-e Jrisie of the French. — Leaves
deeply cut or laciniated and curled.

2. Batavian, or Broad-leaved. La Scarole ot the French. — Leaves
broad, resembling Lettuce.

The collection was sown on July 1, and treated in the usual manner
for an early autumn supply. The season being favourable, the
autumn fine and open, they succeeded well, so that the trial was, in
every respect, satisfactory.

1. — Curled Endives.

1. Ever Wliiie Curled (Vilmorin). See White Curled.

2. Fine Curled Moss (Vilmorin). See Moss Curled. A fine seleo.
tion.

3. Fine Curled Ficpus. See Picpus.

4. Fine de Rouen. See Stagshorn.

5. Gloria Mundi (Minier & Co.). See Green Curled.

6. Cli-een very fine Curled Summer (Vilmorin). — Leaves about 6 in.
long, resting close on the ground, with a broad, fleshy midrib, the
edges toothed and much curled, ot a deep green colour. Forms very
large, full hearts, which blanch readily and early without mnoh
tying. Crisp, fleshy, and excellent.

7. Hreen Curled (llinier & Co.). — Leaves from 7 in. to 8 in. long,
lying flat on the ground, very deeply cut and toothed, of a bright
green colour. Forms large, full hearts, which bla-ch readily on
being tied ; somewhat liable to rot in wet weather.

8. Green fine Curled Winter (Vilmorin). — A good selection of
Green Curled.

9. Green Curled Euffec (Vilmorin). — A very good selection ot Green
Curled.

10. Imperial Curled (Vilmorin). — A variety of the White Curled,
with broader leaves and not quite so much cut. Good.

11. Laciniated Louriers (Carter) (Vilmorin). — Leaves short, very
deeply cut and laciniated in a singular manner ; of a dull glaucous
green colour. Forms close, full hearts of excellent quality, which
blanch naturally to a good extent. This variety will not tie np;
requires covering up to blanch thoroughly ; very hardy.

12. Large R'iffcc (Watkins & Simpson). See Green Curled.

13. Louviers. See Laciniated Looviers.

li. Moss Curled (Carter) (Minier). — Leaves very short, very finely
cut and curled like Moss; ot a bright green colour. Forms small,
compact, full hearts ot very fine quality. This variety is too small
to tie np ; requires to be covered up to blanch thoroughly. Fine for
garnishing and tor early use, but very liable to rot in moist weather,
and is rather tender.

15. Picpus (Vilmorin). — Leaves long, lying flat on the gronnd like
the Green Curled. Ot a very deep green colour ; deeply cut and
finely curled, thick and fleshy. Forms very large, full hearts of fine
quality. A very fine vigorous-growing variety ; one of the best types
of Curled Endive. First-class certificate.

16. Rouen. See Stagshorn.

17. Ruffec. See Green Curled.

18. Stagshorn (Vilmorin). — Leaves very short, very deeply cut;
like the Louviers, but somewhat smaller than that variety j very
hardy.

19. Selected Green Curled (Veitch). — A good selection ot Green
Curled.

20. Wrench's Moss Curled (Wrench). See Moss Curled.

21. Wliite Curled (C&TteT) (Minier) (Veitch). ^Leaves from 7 in.
to 8 in. long, lying flat on the ground, deeply cat and finely curled ;
of a very fine pale green colour, hence called white. Forma fair-
sized hearts, but requires tying up to blanch thoroughly ; a very
distinct variety in appearance, and hardy. First-clasa certificate,

2. — Batavian or Broad-leaved.

22. Broad-leaved (Vilmorin). See Round-leaved.

23. Broad-leaved Winter (Vilmorin). — Leaves long, broad ; deep
green, slightly toothed and wavy in outline; requires tying up to
form hearts. A good, hardy, late variety.

24. Frazer's Broad.leaved (Minier) (Veitch). See Broad-leaved
Winter, No. 23.

25. Green Batavian (Carter). — Leaves very long, narrow, forming
small hearts. Worthless.

26. Roitnd.leaved (Carter) (Minier) (Veitch). — Leaves from 10 in.
to 12 in. long, broad, light green, toothed atid wavy in outline, the
outer lying flat on the soil, the inner incarving from the points and
thus forming a close heart, which blanches naturally to some extent.

276

THE GARDEN.

[Apkil 5, 1879.

When tied up, a close, firm heart is formed, aa white as ivory and o£
excellent quality. This is by far the best Batavian Eadive.

27. White Batavian (Carter) (Miuier) (Veitch). — Leaves long,
resting flat on the ground ; of a pale green colour. Forma small
hearts, which require tying up. Very apt to decay in moist weather.
Worthless. — "Royal Horticultural Society's Journal."

ROSES.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

The Dalmahoy and Regent Potatoes. — Allow me to testify
to the correctneaa of " J. S. W.'s " description of Dalmahoy and
Regent Potatoes. The White Don does better here as a second
early sort than any other which we have tried. Mr. Baines is surely
mistaken when he classes Victoria with the Regent. The cottagers
about here show it aa a Kidney in its flattest form. In ita roundish
form it is quite distinct in appearance, aa well aa in other points,
from the Regent. I would recommend Walker's Regent as the best
disease-resisting of the type. — R. P. Brotherston.

That the Regent and Dalmahoy Potatoes were identical at

Chiswiok cannot be disputed. About thirty samples on the aggregate
were obtained from all parts oE the country, and planted aide by side.
These samples had been grown in different soils and climates ; the
first year some were a little more forward than others, and the
tubers of some handsomer than others. Sets were carefully saved of
each sample, and the result of the second year's trial (confirmed by
a third year's experience) waa, that all differeneea had diaappeared.
In height, in the character of the haulm, in the colour and size of
the flowers, thene was no perceptible difference between Dalmahoy
and Regent. — R. D.

Without entering at all into the discussion aa to whether the

Dalmahoy, Regent, and others are distinct varieties or not, I can
truly say that my somewhat lengthened experience of Potatoes has
led me to arrive at pretty much the same conclusions as those
which Mr. Baines appears to have come to, and, like him, I am clearly
of opinion that any one who has the true Regent and a soil that suita
it, can have none other at present among the many much vaunted
kinda at all equal to it, or that will in any way approach it for
quality and flavour. As to the American sorts, the moat that can be
said for the majority of them is, that they are heavy croppers, but I
venture to predict that they will be discarded and forgotten in less
than half the time the Regent has been in cultivation. Why the
very name of this latter helps to aell others, for if I miatake not, the
Schoolmaster was said to be an improved Regent, or to possess some
of its qualities, and also Patterson's Victoria, thus showing that the
great repute it has gained may be used aa a teatimonial for others.
No doubt there will always be buyers of new varieties of Potatoes, as
there are of other novelties, and it ia well there should be as an
encouragement to raisers, but that does not alter the fact that old
sorts are not yet beaten, neither does it appear likely that they will
be for aome time to come. Until I can find something better than
Aahleaf, Regents, Flukes, and Rocks, I shall stick to these almost
exclusively, as I have had quite enough of most of the others. Prizes
given for Potatoes at a show are a delusion, for the adjudicators can
know nothing of their merits for the table, and can only make their
awards haphazard, except so far as the clearness of skin and shape
may help in leading to a decision. — S. D.

Hardiness of Broccoli. — The evidence furnished by the state
of the Broccoli plantations this season seems to me to be conclusive
in favour of planting in an open, airy situation, and to plant far
enough apart, so tha'". the plants may acquire a hardy constitution,
and build up a firm, hard growth. The late kinds with us have sut.
ferred little or no injury. Among newer kinds Lauder's Goshen
seems a very hardy, desirable kind ; CatteU'a Eclipse, Watt's Excel,
aior, and Veitoh's Spring White are also in good order, although the
lower leaves are somewhat browned, and the plants generally are
rather smaller than usual at this season ; but the long severe
winter will easily account for thia. Such kinda aa the Leamington,
Cooling's Matchless, Early Penzance, Suaaex Winter, and Veitch's
Self-protecting have all suffered more or leaa, and those occupying
comparatively sheltered situations moat of all. Still there is not much
harm done ; and Cabbages planted thickly on a warm south border
have already, since the change in the weather, made considerable
progress, and will sojn come into use. — -E. H.

Red Genoa and New Giant White Tripoli Onions. —

These two sorts have stood apparently unhurt with me here during this
last winter without any protection whatever. The seeds were sown the
first week in August on an open space in the kitchen garden. They came
up very thickly, aad were allowed to remain in that condition, although
against the old rule as to leaving them thick during winter. — J. Win-
meld, Bidlth.

KOSES PLANTED OUT AND IN POTS.
Pillar and Rafter Roses. — The great thing to contend within
the cultivation of Roses on the raftera, pillars, and walls of green-
houses and conservatories is their liability to be attacked by aphides
and red spider, and the diflioulty that besets their deatrnotion in sach
situations. In the case of aphides it will frequently happen that
climbing Roses in these poaitiona are the only subjects in the house
affected, and, where the structure's non-attachment to a dwelling
house makes the fumes of Tobacco leaa objectionable, there is still
the coat of the material in fumigating a house tor the very few plants
thus infested, and to syringe them with Tobacco water, Gishurst,
Quassia, or other of the liquids used for insect destruction is gene,
rally out of the queation on account of the condition in which these
leave the woodwork and glass of the building. On this account I
have always found it absolutely necessary to look over Roses in situa-
tions of this description every week at this time of the year, for, if
allowed to become infected thus early, the coming flowers and tender
foliage are injured. When the young growths are at all troubled
with the aphides they should be at once dipped in Tobacco water.
To prevent red spider, which, with the increased sun's warmth, makes
its appearance very early upon Roses, little can be done in such
positions except repeated syringing with clean water ; thia ia often
diaac;reeable inoonaervatoriea, &c., through wetting the flowera and
foliage of plants that are better without it, nevertheless, it becomes
necessary, and the work should be done in the mornings of bright days,
when all upon which the water falls will be likely to get speedily dried
up. It is well to regulate the young growths of plants in aituationa of
thia sort — both the weaker kinds and vigorous growers, like Mareohal
Niel, the climbing Devoniensis, and Lamai'que, thinning out the weak
spray not strong enough to bloom. One of the principal things to be
attended to in the cultivation of Roses in these positions ia the en-
couragement of strong young shoots from the base, or anffioiently
low down the stems to f nrnish the particular places they happen to
occupy ; when this is not done there is generally a disposition in
Roses so grown to make all or the greater part of their growth
towards the top, leaving an unsightly portion of bare stem. With
Buflioient forethought in pruning this can be avoided by, from time to
time, cutting some of the old strong shoots low enough down to the
point from whence they spring, which will [cause the lower eyes to
break. Whore this was not done when they were pruned in the
winter before growth commenced, and there is an evidence of their
getting into the condition described, there need be no hesitation in
shortening a portion of such shoots now. Roses so grown, particu-
larly where there is more heat employed than is necessary to keep
out frost, are always apt to suffer from mildew, caused by the admis-
sion of cold external air in direct contact with the young foliage ;
during this month, when accompanied with bright sun, the air is
often very keen, and care should be taken to admit it where it will be
least likely to affect them injuriously.

Roses in Pots. — Attend regularly to the routine requirements
of these in their different stages, whether they are plants that have
been forced through the winter and are now making growth that will
furnish suocessional flowers, or those that are coming on with their
first bloom. Use every means to keep them clear from insects ; one
of the best ways of effecting this I have found to be syringing with
water slightly impregnated with soot — say, a large handful to three
gallons, well stirred up, and then allowed to remain for two or three
days, pouring it gently from the vessel in which it has stood, so aa to
leave the sediment in the bottom. Soot ia ao disliked by insects
generally that thus applied it has the effect of rendering the foliage
distasteful to them. To plants that have been growing through the
winter liquid manure will now be of the greatest assistance. Roses
will endure it stronger than many plants, and I ahonld recommend
Boot to be added to whatever else ia uaed. Not only ia it invigorating
but I have remarked that plants in pots which received it in a liquid
state were always less subject to the attack of insects than where it
was not used. It is also the best and safest eradicator of worms.
There is another matter connected with Rose growing in pots in pri.
vate establishments which often escapes notice. By some a Rose in the
winter and early spring may be reckoned simply as a Rose, little regard
being paid to the form of the flower, yet I frequently hear the quea.
tion asked by those who grow their own Roses, " How is it that the
beautiful, long, half-expanded buds to be seen in the London flower
shops are so superior to those of home growth ? " It ia simply a
matter of a little manipulation ; the London forced Roses have each a
thin ligature of bast tied round the buds at about one-third the dia.
tanoe from the base of the flower when they have slightly begun to
open, and there this ligature is allowed to remain until the blooms

April 5, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

277

are oat and ready for use. This permits the development lengthwise
without allowing thetm to expand. At first sight such work might
appear tedious, bat a small amount of practice will enable
anyone in a short time to go over a considerable number of plants
and tie the blooms in this way. The bast must neither be too tight nor
too loose, nor is it possible to convey in writing the exact point to
which tying should be carried, as different varieties require to be
somewhat differently dealt with in this matter. A little observation
will, however, soon assist those engaged in securing every bloom thus
grown in a very much handsomer condition than if left to itself. Any
of the earliest forced plants that do not show an ability to produce
many more flowers should be transferred to cold pits or deep frames,
where they will be gradually hardened off. On no account should
they be turned out into the open air until the season is sufficiently
advanced. Where room in continued warmth can be afforded for such
plants to go on and make further growth, it will tend to much increase
their size and strength, by which their blooming tor the time to come
will be proportionately influenced.

Outdoor Roses.

Pruning. — The remaining portion of Roses may now be pruned
I take it for granted that those for whom these remarks are intended
require their Eoses for general purposes, and not for exhibition. With
dwarfs, either grafted or on their own roots, and which are cultivated
on the pegging-down system, the old shoots that were last year
trained down should be cut out altogether in the case of very stron g
established young plants, and shortened in the case of such as are
weaker, or that have only been planted one year. As a matter of
course, the last summer's shoots that have sprung from the base of
these dwarf pegged-down plants will now be in an erect position.
With strong plants, the weakest of these may be completely cnt away,
shortening the strong ones in proportion to the space to be covered
when pegged down. Whatever manure is needed should then be pnt
on and forked in without disturbing the roots, and, it the nature of
the land require it, some more may bo put on the surface by way of
a mulching. The necessity for doing this before the shoots are pegged
down, an operation which should be done at once, will be obvious.
Any Roses on walls that yet remain unpruned should have this work
no longer delayed, for even in the northern portion of the country wa
are not likely to get frost that will injure them after this time.
On account of the difficulty frequently experienced in applying
manure to the roots of Roses in snch positions, they are more liable to
get into a weak condition from want of it than when planted else-
where ; but if they are to be kept in a free-growing, satisfactory state,
manure, in either a liquid or a solid form, must reach the roots in
some way.

Pillar Roses, and also those on arches spanning walks, or in similar
positions, need to be left in a way that will exhibit more freedom of
shoot development than would otherwise be necessary, as it often
happens that in pruning and training the work is done in a manner
which gives them an even. clipped appearance, a character so desirable
to avoid. Instead of all the shoots, weak and strong, being cut to a
uniform length, it is much better to thin out a great number of the
weaker growths, leaving each year the stronger ones cut to different
lengths. In this way by the time they get into leaf they will have a
free, open appearance.

Rose Hedges. — There are no more beautiful objects in a garden
than divisional hedges, or screens, composed of Roses, when these
are managed as they ought to be, which is often far from being the
case. Roses in an ordinary hedge-like form, when in flower, are cer-
tainly most effective, but the more or less even outline is an objeo.
tion. The most pleasing arrangement which I have ever been able
to hit npon, when Roses were employed as a divisional screen, was
fixing a light, thin, inexpensive sort of improvised trellis.work, made
of iron rods overlapping each other so as to support the plants, and keep
the whole from being blown out of shape by strong winds. It was inten-
tionally so far uneven in height, that it varied from the lowest points,
which were not more than 4ft. Gin. out of the ground, up to
y ft., the highest. Until the Roses had grown so far as to cover
it the appearance was not such as to satisfy those who are fond of
everything trim and even. The irregnlarities of height were still
further brought out by the different colours of the kinds planted, and
which varied from the deep crimson Boursault to the Ayrshire Dundee
Rambler (white), the pale flesh-tinted Gloire de Dijon and others
of similar habit that occupied places on the trellis which admitted of
their growing higher than the others, that produced flowers of
a character more in keeping with the generally accepted form which
Eoses ought to have than the climbing kinds. They were old sorts,
such as Chenedolo (crimson), Madame Plantier (white), William
Jesse (crimson, shaded with lilac), Paul Ricaut (rosy.crimson), Juno
(pale rose), Conpe d'Hebe (pink), and Blairi No. 2 (blush). The

advantages this light ironwork had over a wooden fence that woul
give a light appearance were that it cost less to begin with, was less
objeotionable to the eye and^more durable. T. Bainks.

Roses with, their Roots in Inside and Outside Borders.

— As bearing on the question sometimes discussed as to the relative
temperatures of borders inside and outside of glasshouses and their
effects on the growth of plants, I have observed that in our Rose
house here — a cool house, where the growth is natural — Mareohal
Niel on a Brier stock, with its roots growing in a cold, stiff, clayey
loam border outside, facing the east, is making growth quite as early
as the same Rose is doing in an inside border, or rather bed, as the
soil is raised some 2| ft., and is enclosed all round by a brick wall.
This should make the soil at least several degrees warmer than
that ontside, but the growth shows no advantage. It is, therefore,
evident that the action of the plant is more governed by the atmo-
spheric temperature than by the terrestrial, condition of the roots.
I have also observed that that charming tinted Tea Rose Homer has
the advantage of all others in the earliness of its growth, which ia
quite 3 in. in advance of Mareohal Niel, although this sort also has
its roots on an outside border, buli on the west side. This is a capital
Rose for house work, as it grows freely, does not push away several
long, woody growths, but gradually covers the trellis. Some kinds,
such as Lamarque, grow away with a rush, having a few specially
long shoots that soon reach the top of the house. These should be
planted alternately with the more bushy kinds, and thus the house
will be evenly covered. Cuttings of Mareohal Niel put in just after
the bloom was over proved a great success. These are now strong
enough to be shifted into 8-in. pots, and, doubtless, will presently
each carry some fine blooms. — A. D.

PROPAGATING.

ClNEUARIA MARITIMA COlirACTA-

— This beautiful dwarf, whitef
leaved variety, the finest os
the class to which it belongs, i-
best increased by means of cut.
tings, made as herewith shown.
They should be inserted in Feb-
ruary and March, and should
be taken from plants that have
been placed in a warm green-
house. Pour-inch pots, drained
well, and filled with fine, sandy
soil, are those most suitable for
the purpose. Insert the cut-
tings, and tighten them well in ;
give them a good watering,
but not over the leaves, and
place them in the cutting box on
a gentle bottom-heat, in which
they will strike root in about
ten days. They may then be gra-
dually inured to the air before
they are taken out. If any of
them require water before they
are rooted, they must be taken out and watered, so as not to
damp the leaves. This Cineraria may also be increased in Sep-
tember by means of side shoots taken from plants out-of-doors
and put ia a close frame on a cold bottom. When rooted,
place them in the greenhocse for the winter. H. H.

Cutting of Cineraria maiitima
compacta.

Centaurea ragusina from Cuttings. — I quite agree with all
that " D." says (p. 250) in favour of this charming silvery-leaved
plant ; but doubtless many find it difficult to get a stock of it, either
from seed or cuttings, compared with the facility with which eoft-
wooded plants are, as a rule, increased in such ways. For several
years past I have raised it from seeds ; but, although by no means a
novelty, the number of seeds in a packet is so limited, that it takes a
good many packets to get 400 or 500 plants. With, however, a few
plants planted out in good soil in spring to start with, a good
many side shoots may be obtained from them in autnmn. These, it
taken off with a heel of old wood and inserted singly in 2i in. pots,
tying the foliage up to a single stick, and plunged in a cold frame,
will strike root with scarcely any loss. The old stools may be lifted
and wintered in a cool house, and at this season, if subjected to a
gentle heat, they will yield a quantity o£ side growths tor propaga-
tion.— J. G.

27S

THE GARDEN.

[April 5, 1879.

PARK ROADS.

London is not the only place (see p. 88) where so-called mac-
adamising is carried out by contractors and others, nor is the
" Pall Mall Gazette " the only paper that has directed attention
to the matter, for the same thing has been adverted to in
The Garden more than once. On roads and drives, on private
estates, and even on the highways, which are supposed to be
managed by people who understand their business, plenty o£
examples of macadamising are to be found that would make
the hair of the original inventor of the system stand on end
were he alive. The real truth of the matter is that the majority
of people who have to do with road making only know the
system by name, and have a vague idea that it simply means
spreading plenty of stones on the ground and nothing more.
Hence it is that so many roads are a continuation of heights
and hollows, which are always being repaired wioh no better
result, and to the continual inconvenience of traffic and dis-
comfort of pedestrians. Few people know how easily a good
and properly macadamised road can be made, or understand
how excellent and enduring such a road is. A man who
understands the system, and sees it carried out properly will
make a better road with a few inches of broken stones than
others will make with three times the quantity of mateiial, not
to mention useless labour. Macadam cared very little what
sort of a bottom he had to^deal with if it were not anabsolutn
morass, and he was not often deterred by that. " For a road,"
he says, " it is not necessary to lay a foundation of large stones,
pavement, &c., as it is a matter of indifference whether the
substratum be hard or soft, and, if any preference is due, it is
to the latter." Thesejstatements look like heresy compared with
much that we have read on road and walk making, but the
great road maker was right, nevertheless. First of all, what-
ever the bottom was like, he took care to see that the ground
had evenly settled before the stones were spread upon it, that
there might be no subsidence in any part afterwards to cause in-
equalities, a matter which is often overlooked. When the
roadway had to be prepared, large stones dug out of the
ground, or any inequalities to be made up, the ground was
afterwards left to settle before proceeding further with the work.
In putting on the stones quite as much care was exercised.
First, the hardest stone in the district was procured — granite,
flint, or whinstone ; next, it was broken to the regulation size
• — in pieces about 1 in. in diameter, though a rougher size will
do ; and, lastly, the stones were not laid on the road, but
spread shovelful after shovelful to the depth of from 6 in. to
10 in., which was considered sufficient for general highway
traffic. The road was made slightly higher in the centre than
at the sides, to throw off the water, as the object was to form
an impermeable crust that would keep the water from perco-
lating to the bottom, thereby rendering it soft and causing it
to work up, the necessary drainage being, of course, secured
in the usual way. This is macadamising in the proper sense
of the term, a system which has nearly superseded every other,
but it is the attention to trifles in carrying it out that makes
perfect work. For example, many people would attach little
importance to the stones being broken or angular, and
be quite as indifferent about the mode of spreading
them on the road ; yet these are two of the most
important points. The use of water-worn stones of
the same size, will not make a solid crust, because they
yield to pressure, their round surfaces offering little or no
resistance ; but it is different with broken stones, which, when
of uniform size, and clean, and properly spread on the ground
set fast on the same principle as that of an arch. I have seen
roads made on an extensive scale on this system, and had to
make such myself, and I have never seen anything to equal
them. Garden walks, which are often cut out deep and filled
in in the bottom with large stones, may be made on Macadam's
principle with far less trouble and with much better results.
Broken stones, to the depth of 2 in. or 3 iu., will be quite suffi-
cient, and they should, after being spread on, oe beaten even
on the surface with broad wooden rammers. This sets the crust
effectually at the beginning. Afterwards a thin coating of
clean gravel should be spread upon the surface to hide the
stones, but no more. Such a walk is smooth and firm, and
comfortable to the feet in all weathers ; rain only washes it

clean, and frost has not the least effect upon it if the bottom
be drained. The material holds no moisture to freeze ; it is
the accumulation of soft gravel on the surface of walks that
freezes and renders them so muddy and uncomfortable after-
wards. With us the stones are broken by a machine to any
size we want them. J. S. W.

IPXi^TE GXiXlXlI'V"-

TWO ALPINE FLOWERS.
The two Alpine flowers here figured are among the most
beautiful yet introduced to our gardens, in which, however,
they are not often seen in good condition. Gentiana bavarica
is indeed very rare in gardens, as compared with G. verna,
and rarely well grown. In size and flower this species re-
sembles the Vernal Gentian, but is very readily known from
that by its smaller Box-like leaves of a yellowish-green colour,
and by all its very small stems being thickly clothed with
foliage, forming close, dense tufts, from which spring flowers
of the deepest and most brilliant blue, which, as the observer
gazes at it in admiration, seems occasionally flushed with a
slight tinge of deep rich purplish-crimson. The flower is even
a shade more lovely than that of G. verna. The plant is a
native of the high Alps of Europe. G. verna occurs in the
same place abundantly ; but, while it is found on dry ground,
or ground not overflowed by water, G. bavarica is seen in per-
fection in spongy, boggy spots, where some diminutive rill has
left its course and spread out over the Grass, not covering it,
but saturating it so that when you walk upon it the water
bubbles up around. . There can be no doubt that we must
imitate these conditions as far as possible if we desire to suc-
ceed with the plant in England. The best thing to do with
it is to plant it near the margin of a rill that falls foom a rock-
work, taking care to let no Carices, Couch Gr.ass, Cotton
Grass, or other strong-growing subjects get near the spot, or
they would soon cover and destroy the plant. It may also be
grown in pots, plunged in coal-ashes or sand during the
summer, sandy loam to be the soil used ; the plants to have
repeated and abundant waterings from early spring till the
heavy autumnal rains set in, or to be placed standing half
plunged iu water. In all cases it must have free exposure to
light.

Aquilegiz. glandulosa is a very beautiful species with
handsome blue and white flowers and a tufted habit. It
flowers in early summer — a fine blue, with the tips of the
petals creamy-white, the spur curved backwards towards the
stalk, the sepals dark blue, large, and nearly oval, with a long
footstalk. The leaves are much divided, the upper part of the
stem covered with glandular hairs. It is a native of the Altai
Mountains, and one of the most desirable kinds for the rook
garden, or the select border, in well-drained, deep, sandy soil.
It is increased by seed and by very careful division of the
fleshy roots when the plant is in full leaf. If divided when,
it is at rest, the roots are almost certain to perish, at least, on
cold soils. This plant thrives better in northern gardens than
about London, though we have seen it growing freely at
Slough. J.

Variegated Funkias as Pot Plants.— The beautifully
variegated forma of this useful genus have, duriug the last few years,
been in great favour as edging plants for sub.tropical beds, and, being
hardy, they meet the wants of many small cultivators, who, having
a limited quantity of glass, cannot preserve more tender subjects}
I have lately been pleased with the beautiful effect which these
plants produce under glass in pots for indoor or conservatory decora-
tion. A few established plants in pots were placed in gentle heat
along with Deutzias, Spirasas, &c., and the clearness and beauty of
the variegation rendered them exceedingly effective. Such aorta as
F. Fortunei argentea, F. japonica lutea, F. lancifolia albo.marginata,
F. ovata variegata, F. undulata variegata, are all exceedingly
beautiful ; being of easy culture, they cannot fail to succeed under
the most ordinary circumstances. Good clumps, lifted in autumn and
placed in pots just large enough to hold the roots, and plunged in
leaves until Christmas, will, when introduced to gentle warmth, prove
no mean rivals to many of the stove plants that must be grown in a
high temperature the whole year round. — J. G.

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April 5, 1870.]

THE GAEDEN.

279

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Indoor Plant Department.

Tree Ferns are often grown much too warm and moist. Under such
treatment they attain a larger leaf development, and frequently a
deeper green tint than they otherwise would do ; but so managed they
are not nearly so useful, the result being; that they generally soon
outgrow the limits assigned to them, and it they have to be moved for
decorative purposes to other places they are a good deal more sus-
ceptible of injury. This particularly applies to the well-known
Dioksonia antarctica, the distinct and handsome D. equarrosa, as well
as to Cyatheas, especially C. princeps, a plant often known as Cibotium
princeps, which, though beautiful when grown with too much heat
and moisture, soon gets so large as to smother everything else near it.
The fine varieties C. Bnrkei and C. Dredgei are scarce and dear, but
for all ordinary decorative purposes C. dealbata is not only one of the
most beautiful of all Tree Perns, but from the bard, tough, whalebone.
like texture of its fronds, will bear more ill-usage than any other
species. Some of the oldest fronds of all these plants will now begin
to have a rusty appearance, but, unless in the case of specimens which
are exceptionally strong, and that produce fronds larger than may be
desirable, I should not recommend the removal of any of the old
leaves that yet retain vitality until the young fronds in course of
development are fully grown ; they must now have plenty of water
at the root. I by no means recommend their having too much root
Bpace, which is a great mistake as regards the cultivation of tree
Ferns, unless in the largest houses where head room is not
limited.

Small-growing Tree Ferns. — Those handsome miniature Tree
Ferns, the Lomarias, '! which L. cycadiEefolia, L. discolor, and
L. zamifefolia are such beautiful examples, can be grown in small
houses where the larger species could not be accommodated. These
and also the well-known L. gibba will do better with warm green,
house treatment than in a hot stove. Brainea insignis is another of
the small representatives of arborescent Ferns, even superior to the
Lomarias, but it requires more warmth,

Cibotiums. — Where those grand, wide-spreading, drooping-
habited Ferns, C. Schiedei and C. spectabile, can be elevated suffi-
ciently high in the Fernery to show oS their beautiful fronds to
advantage, there is nothing in the whole family of Ferns that sur-
passes them. They need a moderate amount of heat and more root
space comparatively than the tall-stemmed kinds, without which they
have usually a sickly yellow hue. If there be a disposition to confine
their roots, they must be regularly supplied with weak manure water
through the growing season. Where large fronds are required to
mix with out flowers, it is a great advantage to have such as will last
long in good condition. For this purpose the creeping, rhizomed
C. glaucescens, or, as it is more generally known, C. Bai-ometz, stands
nnrivalled. This is one of those strong. growing species that can be
planted out on a mound in a moderately warm Fernery ; for, although,
it left uncontrolled, like most other strong growers, it has a disposi-
tion to encroach upon and smother smaller kinds, still, a free use
of the knife in reducing the matured fronds during the winter season,
when they will be found most useful employed ia the way above
mentioned, will always keep it within due limits.

Gleiclienias. — These will now begin to grow apace, and if, at the
time recommended fir general potting, there were left over any with
insufficient room, this at once should be supplied, as there are no
plants in cultivation with which X am acquainted that suffer so much
from want of space to allow their creeping rhizomes to spread.

Gymnogrammaa. — These are not generally so much cultivated
as they once were, doubtless on account of their requiring a higher
temperature than most Ferns, and also because they are of compara.
tively little service for cutting, yet there are some amongst them so
distinct and beautiful as to deserve a place wherever there is the
means of growing them. Amongst these may be reckoned the best
email forms of the golden G. chrysophylla, the silver G. tartarea,
G. peruviana, and G. lauata, all of which will now be commencing to
grow, and must be snpplied with heat and root moisture, but they
should never be syringed overhead.

Platyceiiums.— P. grande, the finest of all this section, is
deserving of cultivation, not only in the Pern house, properly so
called, but anywhere where there is an intermediate temperature,
with an end wall or a shady corner at which it can be placed. The
only points of importance that I have found essential to a successful
cultivation of this plant, are never allowing its roots to get too dry,
bat in giving water to them, to see that it does not get in any appre-
ciable quantity to the layers of old dead shields that remain under
the living ones, for if these are much wetted, it frequently happens
that they communicate decay to the later formed living ones, laying

over and in contact with them before those last produced cover
them ; therefore be extremely careful that the young shields and also
the fronds do not receive the slightest touch until they are perfectly
developed. They are also liable to the attacks of Thrips, which
directly disfigure them ; shading them from the influence of the sun
is at all times necessary. The distinct and handsome but smaller
growing P. Stemmaria succeeds in a warm greenhouse under much
the same conditions as those required by the common Elk's Horn,
P. alcicorne.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas —Choice-named varieties of these should now be re-
moved into the show house. Many of the pips are opening, but the
best pips will not open without a little heat ; they will do fairly well
in frames, should the weather be mild ; but dull, cloudy weather, and
the temperature but little above the freezing point night and day,
will be productive of mischief. It is astonishing to see how tenaoi-
ously some growers cling to old customs. Even the old-fashioned
wooden shutters may yet be seen in some districts, and pots 6 in. or
7 in. in diameter with a Smiling Beauty or Colonel Taylor of small
proportions pining away in the centre. The air of ordinary Auricula
frames is too cold and damp for the most tender flowers. Placing
mats on the frames at night and removing them in the morning is
also troublesome. Alpine Auriculas are much more hardy than
other kinds ; even the finest varieties of them have stood out during
the present winter in the open ground without injury, and, although
behind those in frames, they look as well, and promise to produce
flowers quite as freely. Their beins? later is all the better, as they
will succeed those under glass. The Auricula will stand a zero
temperature if the ground be dry, but stagnant water is fatal to it.

Carnations and Picotees.— The weather has been compara-
tively favourable for plants of these that have been potted into their
flowering pots and placed out-of-doors. Although the east winds
have been cold enough, there have been no heavy rains. See that
the plants are quite secure, and if any of them show, by their foliage
shrinking, that a wireworm is at the root, remove the plants and
destroy the intruder. Now is a good time to sow seeds to produce
strong flowering plants for next year. Sow in pots or pans, which
may be placed either in a cold frame or on a gentle hotbed, on which
the seeds will vegetate rather more freely. The frame might also be
available for many other subjects, such as Asters, Stocks, Zinnias,
Khodanthes, and other half-tender annuals which may be sown at
this time. See that the ground is in a friable state between rows of
seedlings that are expected to bloom this year. Look for slugs and
the leather-coated grub, which still does mischief if unchecked.

Dahlias. — Success on the exhibition table in reference to these
can only be attained by good treatment now. See that they are not
coddled too long in heat, nor exposed to cold east winds. The soil
where the plants are to be placed should be turned over in fine
weather, and a reserve of suitable compost may be prepared to place
round the roots at planting out time. Supports for them should be
prepared.

Gladioli. — The general collection of these may now be planted
out, and of all the plants with which we have to deal the Gladiolus,
more than any other, requires a light, deep, rich, well.prepared soil.
A change of stock is essential to continued success on the exhibition
table or to produce the best flowers for other purposes. I have not
yet found a better way to plant the corms than that of drawing
drills, as for Peas, IS in. apart. Plant them from 6 in. to 1 ft. apart
in the rows, with a little sharp white sand under and over each corm,
then fill up the drills with maiden loam well pulverised.

Phloxes in Pols. — If the frames are wanted for more tender
subjects, these may well be placed out-of-doors in a sheltered situa-
tion. See that the plants are potted at once, if not already done.

Polyanthuses. — The beauty of these pretty spring flowers cannot
fail to win its way to the hearts of all lovers of hardy plants
I well remember admiring a bed of them in Yorkshire, in which there
were thousands of them in an out-of-the-way corner. They are of
such a hardy nature that they do not refuse to grow even when
partially shaded, or they will stand in open quarters just as well.
The choice sorts in pots should now be crossed in order to produce
seeds. Pin.eyed flowers, that is, those with the stigma protruding
from the mouth of the corolla, produce the best seeds. The flowers
of course must be well marked, and in all other respects what a
Polyanthus ought to be. The plants have grown so much that it has
been necessary to remove the pots to give them more room. —
J. Douglas.

Parks and Open Spaces.

Pruning. — Where pruning is necessary in consequence of shrubs
having become overgrown, or from other causes, the general character
of each must be preserved as far as possible. The beauty of shrubs,
and also their utility, lies very much in their individuality ; those
whose habit ia spreading should not be pruned to iorm close bushes,

280

THE GARDEN.

[April 6, 1879.

and vice versa. The same applies to trees, and where it is necessary
or desirable to prune with the object of preventing injury from high
winds, ray opinion is that it is much better to take out whole branches
close to the stem than prnne the branches themselves ; this method,
whilst thinning out the superabundant wood, does not destroy the
character of the trse thus operated on. Speaking generally, how-
ever, trees should be artificially supported until they are capable of
taking care of themselves, and I cannot help thinking that, so far as
regards towns, those trees which have never been pruned are by far
the handsomest.

Ivy and other Edgings.— These, when kept in good condition,
are extremely effective, but the contrary is the case it neglected.
Ivy and Buonymus radica::3 are useful town plants, and edgings of
these from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in width are especially adapted for small
open spaces, as, for instance, squares. The decaying shoots of each
should be carefully pruned out "and all dead foliage removed. Then
the beat and strongest of the young wood should be retained and
regularly pegged down, putting in new plants where required. A
light dressing of thoroughly decayed manure will also be found
very beneficial.

Hedges. — These may with propriety be planted along the fences
of public or private squares where it is not intended to use the banks
amongst shrubs for flowers, and, without doubt, one of the very best
shrubs for this purpose is Privet. A hedge of this neatly trimmed
prevents the bare branches of larger shrubs from being seen.

Planting.— Although many perennials and annuals succeed fairly
well in plantations which are scantily planted, yet I am of opinion
that shrubs alone are best. Thick planting should characterise town
gardens, in order that they may present as cheerful an appearance aa
possible during the dull season; indeed, I consider that a stock of
shrubs in pots should be kept for filling all beds which are not devoted
to the growth of Hyacinths and similar subjects. It is astonishing
what might be done in this way at a trifling cost. In spite of
difficulties there is still a goodly collection of trees and shrubs which
withstand smoke tolei-ably well. If plantations be now lightly hoed
or forked over a considerable amount of work will be saved hereafter.

Flower Beds. — Where it is intended to form new beds for flowers
or fine foliaged plants, they should be prepared at once. The soil
should be taken out to a depth of 2 ft. to 3 ft., a layer of brick rub.
bish from 6 in. to 1 ft. in thickness should then be placed in the
bottom, and covered lightly with partly decayed manure, and filled
up with a mixture of soil suitable for the plants intended to be used.
Towards the middle of next month, it is probable that Hyacinths and
some varieties of Tulips may require support ; a method of doing
this, which I have found very successful, is to have stiff wires, about
15 in. in length, bent round at one end to form an leye ; those can be
readily inserted into the ground. I pass the matting used for tying
through the eye, and tie it just under the blooms, and as the stalk
lengthens the wires are lifted to the required height. Such supports
are much neater than small sticks, and with a little trouble the wires
might be made to clasp the stems, thus dispensing with the tying.
Seeds of annuals, such as Mignonette, Beet, Iberia, Carduna, Lark-
spurs, Love-lies-bleeding, Prince's Feather, Sweet Peas, Linums, &c.,
may now be freely sown. As the majority of annuals are short-lived
as regards flowers, the best plaa to adopt when a succession is
desired, is to sow at intervals of a fortnight, the main point tending
to Bucoess being, that fine seeds are not buried too deeply nor sown
too thickly.

Grass should be thoroughly freed of weeds, the growth of which
will soon be rapid ; roll and mow frequently. Also roll and weed
roads and paths as often as may be necessary ; tar.paved walks which
show signs of deterioration should be painted over with tar, and
c overed thickly with fine sea sheila, sand, or other similar materials.
I am confident, from long experience, that this time of the year, pro-
vided the walks be dry, is preferable to the summer time for this
work. The tar ahould be put on hot with long-handled brushes, and
the shell or other materials should be spread over the surface, before
the tar has set or become dry. — Chaeles Dennis, Soutlnoarl: Park.

Indoor Fruit Department.

rigs. — The earliest trees will now be approaching that critical
stage when the frnit so mysteriously drops — an evil at the bottom
of which is the introduction of cold currents of air. When any of
our fruit has dropped, we have invariably observed it to be nearest to
the ventilators ; moreover, none of the second crop ever falls prema-
turely, the weather being then warmer, and the trees hardier, hence
the advice which I would give, above all else, is to avoid cold currents
of air, but to ventilate freely when the outside atmosphere is soft and
balmy. As the fruit approaches maturity, discontinue syringing
overhead, but keep up a goodly amount of moisture by repeatedly
damping down both floors and borders. If manure water be occa-
sionally sprinkled about, it will help to prevent red spider from gain.

ing a footing, and in other ways prove beneficial. I would again
repeat the oft.reiterated injunction to keep the borders well watered,
and always to use tepid water.

Vines. — At the present time, perhapa the most important matter
connected with late Vines, which will now be starting into rapid
growth, is to be certain that the borders have had a snEBoienoyo
water to thoroughly moisten them throughout, a not very easy matter,
taking into account the long time that water has had to be with.
holden from them, more particularly in cases where the Grapes were
left to hang on the Vines ; therefore, if any doubt exists aa to defi.
ciency on this score, fork down to the very bottom of the borders in
one or two places that seem likely to be the driest, and if the soil
on being pressed in the hand does not adhere, then water is stiU
required. Mulch the borders thinly with stable litter, and keep up a
humid temperature of 60' in the coldest weather, and whenever it is
sunny give air early, and as carefully aa it for early Vines, closing
up by 2.30 with a renewed application of humidity, when, it 85° are
reached, the Vines will revel in the extra warmth. Disbud aa soon
as the best " shows " can be discerned, leaving two shoots on each
spur in the case of old Vines, but one only in the case of young and
vigorous ones. Those in flower, Muscats more particularly, demand
hourly attention to secure a good " set." It a circulation of warm,
dry air, to disturb the pollen, could at all times be maintained, arti.
fioial fertilisation would be best left alone, but as this is impossible
(at all events, in spring, when biting easterly winds are the rule), it
is best to resort to artificial aid, which should be used when the highest
temperature has been attained. The removal of surplus bunohea
before blossoming rather than after that period would tend to ensure
a better " set." Lateral growths should be left intact till after the
fruit is set. Grapes that are atoning should be kept at aa equable a
temperature as possible — say 65° at night and 75° by day, declining
proportionately in exceptionally cold weather. A moderately humid,
ammonia-charged atmosphere ahould still be maintained, but as the
Grapes approach the saccharine state, moisture should be gradually
withheld. Supply pot Vines that are bearing full crops with an
abundance of clear manure water, which, as a matter of course,
should be of about the same temperature as that of the soil, and,
where there is space for development, let the lateral growths extend
without restraint.

Peaches and Nectarines. — In the earliest hoaaea the fruit will
now be stoning, and the trees will for a time require little atten-
tion beyond vigorously syringing them at least once daily to prevent
the advent and spread ot red spider. When the weather is mild and
bright, the air moisture can scarcely be too great, and plenty of this
is the best antidote for spider; but in cold, sunless weather an undue
amount of atmospheric humidity would be as injurious as the evil it
was intended to remedy, as it would probably tend to the production
ot mildew. Faint-heartedness as to pulling off all fruit not intended
to mature should be overcome at once, as the energy wasted in main-
taining such fruit, if utilised by early thinning, would be of immense
benefit to the crop. Mid-aeason houses will now require to be finally
disbudded, and if green or black fly has appeared, it will now be safe
to fumigate, but it should be borne in mind that neither the young
frnit nor foliage will yet stand a strong dose ; it should, therefore, be
done rather mildly and on two or three nights aucoessively. The
season is too far advanced for late houses to be longer retarded, so the
moment the blossoms begin to open, if the weather be cold apply fire
heat and air judiciously but regularly, in order to keep up a circula.
tlon of fresh air, and this with an occasional shake of the trellis will
disperse the pollen, and no other aid will be required to obtain a free
set. See that inside borders are well soaked through prior to closing
np the house, and if fumigation be now effectually done, probably it
will not be again required — at least that is my experience in the
matter.

Melons. — It is now time to sow for the principal summer crop,
and, as previously advised, the seeds ahould be sown singly or at moat
a couple in a 3-in. pot, or other, that no potting off or division be
required, for, however carefully this may be done, a severe check is
the result. When the early plants show fruit, select about four of
the finest on each plant, and fertilise at one and the same time. Some
varietiea fail to swell off more than one or two fruits, and the reaaon
frequently ia because they have been set at different times, and the
one that has got the lead has retained it. Till brighter weather arrives
apply air moisture somewhat sparingly, and also keep the bed for the
present rather dry than moist. — W. W.

Hardy Fruit.

The present, as far as fruit culture is concerned, ia the most critical
period ot the whole year, for a single night's frost may do a large
amount ot injury ; hence the importance of adopting preventive mea-
sures to ward off frost, let the cost ot labour to do so be what it may.
Evergreen boughs and Birch or Hazel spray, straw, or hay bands

April 5, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

281

netting or canvas fixed to short poles, are all handy, effective proteo.
tors for walls that have not — as walla shoald have — proper movable
blinds. Small bashes, lines of cordons, and espaliers, can be pro-
tected in the same way as wall fruits, the labour of doing so being
by no means so formidable as one might imagine. Where there are
movable curtains to walls they should be kept down during bright
snnahine to retard the opening of the blossoms ia hopes that the
advanced season may bring freedom from frost wheu the flowers are
fnlly expanded, and, no matter what the weather may be, the cover-
ings should be let down nightly, and on frosty mornings be allowed
to remain down for some time after the sua shines, and
during the prevalence of keen east or north-easterly winds they
should also be left down. Although the weather has now become
genial, the slow growth made by all kinds of fruit trees has been
favonrable to any planting or removal of trees that could not be done
in the autumn, but it will be advisable now to defer any other such
operations till next autumn, for, to say the least, the success of such
late planting is rather a risky affair, success only being certain in
the event of the springtime being showery, or through the pains
taken to keep the roots of the trees moist by malohing and watering
when such is required. Any further renovation of fruit tree borders
still on hand shoald forthwith be completed. Daring the operation,
all suckers or shoots that proceed from the stock shoald be cut off.
I am at a loss to discover the cause, unless it be excess of moisture,
bat all frait trees here during the last year have thrown up an
nnusually large amount of root suckers. Peaches especially being
subject to it. We have had them all cut off, by working out the soil
from about the uppermost roots, and have replaced it with fresh
maiden loam, with which was intermixed a small proportion of wood
ashes and bone dust, finishing with a rather thick layer of fresh stable
litter. The importance of such surfacings cannot be over-estimated,
and they are equally as valuable in the case of other fruits as in that
of Peaches. A plot oE ground should now be prepared, on which to
plant out, as soon as sufficiently hardened, the earliest forced Straw-
berry plants. These, if the flowers be kept picked off, will produce
early runners for another season's forcing, and some varieties — notably
Vicomtesse Hericart da Thury — will produce fine fruits in the
antumn. — W. W.

Kitchen Oarden.

Though prejudicial to vegetation, the cold north-easterly winds
that have prevailed of late have been favourable to the advancement
of work in this department, as without their drying effect, in many
cases a suitable seed-bed could not have been obtained ; as presumably
such is now the fact, and that all that I term long seasoa seeds have
now been got in, the next operation will be planting out Cauliflowers,
Lettuces, Cabbages, autumn-sown Onions, and the general stock of
Potatoes. The earliest Potatoes will soon be above ground, and
vigilance will be required to keep the soil well drawn over them till
the haulm gets too high for this being done, when stable litter
or Bracken shaken lightly over them will form an efiicient protection
against any ordinary frost. In dry weather the hoe is a great eoono.
miser of labour, and at this early season, though the weeds are barely
discernable, it shoald be in full swing among all growing crops, such
as Spinach, Cabbages, Broccoli, Lettuces, and Parsley, when it will
both aid growth and destroy weeds. In the event of showery weather
— for which this month is proverbial — a sharp look out for slugs will
be requisite, or Cauliflowers, Lettuces, and similar plants will soon
disappear. The best trap for these is bran pat down in small heaps,
of about a tablespoonful each, near the plants early in the morning
and late at night. On this they will be found feeding, and can be
destroyed. Lime, soot, and wood ashes all more or less deter them,
but bran ia the best remedy. It is yet rather soon to sow the general
stock of Broccoli and Kales, not but what they would do best if sown
now and grown on without check ; but, as of tener than not they have
to be planted on land that has been cropped with early Peas or Pota-
toes, the plants are apt to get stunted ere the ground is at liberty for
them, so it is best to sow late ; still the early kinds should now be
Bo?vn, and also a few Savoys and Scotch Kale. We usually sow thinly
in drills 1 ft. apart, and then no transplanting, other than the final
one, is required.

Forcing Vegetables. — Potatoes, Carrota, and Radishes should
be well aired ; indeed, on bright days the lights should now be entirely
off ; more water will also be required, and a spindly growth of Carrots
and Radishes prevented by timely thinning. French Beans in frames
may be kept rather close till they begin to show flower, after which,
air freely, support with Birch twigs, and water liberally ; a check from
want of water would be the precursor of red spider. All the Seakale
intended to be forced this season should now be covered up.
Asparagus will soon be had from the open air, and no more need now
be forced. Rhubarb, too, in the open air is growing rapidly, and all

coverings mav now be removed from this. Sow Celery, ridge
Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, Tomatoes, Capsicums, and Sweet
Basil.— W. W.

Extracts from my Diary, April 7 to April 12.

Flowers. — Shifting Verbenas oat of catting pots and putting
them singly in 3 in. ones. Boxing Pelargoniums for bedding. Pot.
ting Carnation Souvenir de la Malmaison. Getting bedding plants
out of Vineries into cold pits; also Deutzias, Almonds, &c., which
have been forced. Pricking out Lobelias and Pyrethrams into
boxes. Sowing another batch of Primulas. Shifting Chrysanthe-
mums which have been struck from cuttings in pot Vinery into cold
pits. Fruit. — Tying Ciioumbers and Melons. Top-dressing Vine
border with fresh loam ; also Melons. Tying Peaches and Nectarines ;
also Pigs and young Vines. Pruning and nailing Morello Cherries.
Planting out Strawberries that have been forced. Vegetables. —
Finishing planting the main crop of Potatoes. Sowing French
Beans in pots. Sowing main crops of Parsnips, Beetroot, Carrots,
and Whitloof. Making now plantation of Mint. Sowing main crop
of Leamington, Autumn Giaut, Salt-protecting, Watts' E.^celsior, and
Cattell's Ejlipse Broccoli; also main crops of Cabbages, Winter
Greens, Brussels Sprouts, and Dsvarf Ulm Savoy.

TREES, SHRUBS & WOODLANDS,

THINNING PARK TIMBER.
Instances of plantations having been neglected, or, to say the
least, badly managed iu the matter of timely thinning, may be
seen almost everywhere. Few thin until irreparable damage
is done, often not until a once promising plantation has become
a tract of bare poles with a tuft of twigs on the top of each
straggling up in search of sunlight. There are two chief
objects for which timber may be grown, each requiring a
special mode of management with a view to the best results
in each case. The first is the management of timber with a
view to profit ; the second is its management with a view to
ornament. Thinning in the first instance has to be performed
very gradually, and must never be severe. The object being
straight and clean trunks, sufiicient room for a healthy head is
all that is required without overcrowding, and the plantation
should never be made so thin as to admit the prevailing winds
cutting unduly through it ; in short, the important matter of
shelter cannot be forgotten where timber is grown for profit.
But it is not with timber grown for profit that we wish at
present to deal.but with ornamental or park trees as specimens ;
and with the production of really fine park trees thiuning must
be done in time and thoroughly. No one, even the most inexpe
rienced, can fail to be struck by the beauty of trees standing
out singly in a park, where they have had room to develop
themselves throughout their existence without touch or shade
of other trees, compared with trees of the same variety which
have been only slightly overcrowded, perhaps leaning over to
one side, or it may be branchless for the fourth of their height
on one side. Trees of this latter sort are simply an eyesore,
and it is for this reason more than any other, namely, the
neglect of timely thinning, that many of our trees have a bad
reputatioQ as regards beauty. Everyone admires a well-grown
Oak ; or an Elm, dangerous though it be when old ; or a Chest-
nut, which, as a flowering deciduous park tree is far before the
Lime, which has long reigned as a favourite avenue tree,
possibly because of its frequency on the Continent, but for
which we have no special favour, but the contrary.

Again, no one will dispute the beauty of the Beech, even
when its stem is bare to a great height ; but for the Ash as an
ornamental tree few will say a word. An old Ash, however,
which has had room for fair development has a beauty peculiar
to itself, altogether different from that of its stiff character when
young; just as the stiff, arrow-shaped Scotch Pine gets flat
and table-headed with age, so the Ash becomes pendulous when
it is old enough to be a good park tree, but to arrive at this
stage and to be really an ornamental object it must never have
been spoiled by contact with other trees. The Birch is a tree
neglected on account of a supoosed want of beauty, but when
old it is one of the most graceful of trees, changing its stiff,
upright growth to just the reverse. It cannot be included
amongst our largest park trees as single specimens, but in
groups wide apart it is quite distinct and beautiful, its beauty
being enhanced by its silvery-white bole shining through the

282

THE GAEDEN.

[April 5, 1879.

branches. It is one of those trees which quickly get spoiled
if thinning has been neglected. Its branches are slender and
impatient of shade, the boctora branches quickly dying off,
leaving the tree a bare pole. Where specimen trees are the
object, w^^ether in groups or plantations, or where single
specimens are being nursed for a time with a surrounding of
minor trees, thinning must be done without delay. When the
side branches begin to come in contact at the tips in some in-
stances, as in the case of trees which have a pyramidal
habit.this is even too late. We may refer to the Turkey Oak as an
example of a tree which should be thinned sooner than the
English Oak, as being much more liable to be spoiled from
overcrowding. We have often heard the remark, " Oh ! they
have still some room ; let them grow a little longer ;" and so
irresolution ends in mischief.

A great mistake is often committed by planting large trees,
such as the Lime and Elm, tooclosely together to form groups.
In a young state, what appears to be ample room is found,
when the trees have only half grown, to be quite inadequate,
and thinning becomes a difficulty; if it be done at all, the
symmetry of the group will be spoiled, and, if left unthinned,
the trees do, of course, grow into what looks a compact group
from a distance; but the outside trees must of necessity
become one-sided and lean outwards, while the inside trees
become bare poles with a few green twigs at the very summits.
The pormanent trees in a plantation, if there be any hope of
their ever attaining to specimen size, should never be planted
nearer than .5 !• ft. ; that spice is even too little for Oaks or
Beeches. I am acquainted with a plantation formed by one of our
ablest landscape gardeners where the permanent trees — Cedars
of Lebanon— are planted loO ft. apart, the intermediate spaces
beingfilled in with miscellaneous trees, to be entirely thinnedout
as growth progresses. Where miscellaneous pla;.tations have
been made without any preconceived plan as to thinning, or
what particular tree or trees were ultimately to be permanent,
it is best in the first place to select those sorts for permanent
trees which seem best to suit the soil and locality, as, for
instance, the Beech will be found to succeed perfectly where
the Lime and Elm will not do well; the Lime will grow where
the Oak will not, and the Sycamore or Norway Blaple where
none of these will be successful. Fortunately, the Horse
Chestnut is not fastidious as to soil, which gives this tine park
tree always a chance among the many. The most healthy trees
in a given locality will be, as a rule, the best shaped ones, and
the shape of a tree will always count a few points in its favour
when it comes to the question of selection for the axe. The
badly shaped tree will have to go always, provided the space left
v.ioant by its removal is not too great, for better have a badly-
shaped tree than no tree, it being only a question of time for a
tree to ultimately balance itself if not hopelessly spoiled from
long contact with others. Thinning may yet go on for a week
or two before trees get overloaded with foliage ; indeed, I have
no hesitation in saying that it is never too late to '.hin. We
have thinned young plantations all summer, or where it is
absolutely necessary to relieve flue trees from being spoiled.
The value of the fallen timber should never once be thought
of where the well-being of the trees, left from an ornamental
point, is concerned. G. D.

PinuB insignis. — A very fine example of this handnome Cali-
fornian Conifer is at present growing in the girdena at Claren'ont,
the reaidence of Mr. Stephen Warren, distant aboat three milea from
the Walthatn Station of the Great Bistern Railway. The tree, which
standa on the lawn, ia about 40 ft. high, and beautifully furnished with
branches to the ground, forming a fine symmetrical specimen, re.
markable for ita deep grass-green, denae, and maaaive appearance.
This tree haa apparently withstood without injury the severe and
prolonged cold of the past winter. Smaller plants of thia Pine, in
the same garden and in other places in thia neighbourhood, have
likewise come through the winter unacathed, a fact which saya much
for the value of a dry October, as experienced last year, for ripening
the wood of our more tender trees and shruba. — Arthur W. Paul,
Waltham Cross.

Narcissus Bulbooodium.— Thia ia a moat nsefnl Daffodil for
growing in pots for the embelliahmentof the conservatory. We have
some plants of it growing in 6-in. pots with from twenty to thirty
blooms on them. — J. C., Farnboronoh.

CALCULATING THE HEIGHT OF A TREE.

When the height of a tree can be ascertained by actual
measurement, it is always best to determine it in that way, but
it rarely happens, if the tree is above 20 ft. high, that this
method is available without risk of injury to the tree. Inmost
cases, the height of a tree of remarkable size has to be deter-
mined by calculation, and if the ground be clear and level
around it, this calculation is very easy and requires no greater
knowledge of arithmetic than the rule-of-three or simple pro-
portion. The principle upon which all sums in simple propor-
tion are worked is that of having three amounts given from
which we have to obtain a fourth, which is the answer. Wa
all know that the answer is certain to be right if the sum be
correctly done ; but there is another " if " which we must nob
overlook. The sum may be correctly worked, but the height
of the tree will not be right if there be any mistake in either
of the three amounts given to you. In order to be accurate in
the determination of the height of a tree, it is necessary to ba
fully alive to the different ways in which mistakes may arise
in one or all of the three measurements from which the height
has to be calculated. There is only one way of obtaining this
knowledge, and that is by clearly understanding the principle
upon which the calculation is worked. This we will endeavour
to explain in language as simple as possible, aided by a few
engravings.

Fig. I.

With a 2-ft. ruler and a lead pencil draw a straight line as
has been done at a b c in fig. 1 ; let this line be 12 in. long, and
make a mark at B half-way along; the point B will then be 6
in. from a and 6 in. from c. Now draw an upright line from B
to D, and make this line of any length, say 5 in. long. If you
have done this correctly, the distance from a to D (along the
dotted line) will be the same as the distance from c to D ; but
if the length of the two dotted lines be not exactly the same,
the line B D must be wrongly drawn ; in other words it is not
upright.

Fig.*.

A ready way of drawing one line upright to another is that
which carpenters call the " 3, 4, 5 " method, and this is shown
in tig. 2. Draw a line j to l, and make it 4 in. long ; cut two
strips of stiff paper, one Sin. the other 6 in. long; lay one
end of one strip at j, and one end of the other strip at L, and
you will find that you can make the other ends of the strips
meet at n. If a line be now drawn from n to l, it must be
upright on the line j L.

We will next suppose that we have, in fig. 3, the line l m
drawn about upright to j l, and that we wish to prove whether
it is really upright or not. in order to determine this, the
line J L must be halved, and each half halved again, whereby
we get it divided into four equal parts. Now carry on the line
L M towards n until the distance from i. to n ia equal to three

April 5, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

83

of these parts. Lastly, measure the distance from j ta n, ard
i£ that distance be equal to five of those parts then the lice
L M is perfectly upright.

.-IN

FiK- 8.

HaTin? thus, as we hope, made it clear -what is meant by an
upright line, how to draw one correctly, and how to ascertain
whether a line is upright or not, we propose in future to call
every upright line a perpendicular, that being the word com-
monly used by those who have to deal with heights and their
measurements. They also call the liae upon which a perpen-
dicular is drawn the base line.

E,'

C,'

* B O

Fis. 4.

Upon fig. 4 is a line B c, which is perpendicular to A B. If
the dotted line from a to u be carried on in the direction of e,
and if the base line A B be also carried on in the direction of D,
and if another perpendicular line be drawn anywhere along
the line a B D, as, for instance, at D E, the length of each per-
pendicular line will be in proportion to the length of its own
base line ; in other words, the base line A B is to its perpen-
dicular B c as the base line A D is to its perpendicular d e. In
the figure A B is 10 and b c 6 ; if, therefore, A D is twice 10, D E
must be twice 6, and so on.

fore stay to prove, what must be evident at a glance, that the
same proportion must also exist between the base line c H and
the perpendicular h e. If any one should doubt it he has only

Ksr.

Let us now go a step further and look at fig. S. It is a

repetition of fig. 4, with an additional line c u, the distance

from D to H being the same as from B to c. We already know

that as A b is to B c, so is a d to d e, and we need not there-

to turn fig. 5 on one side, as at fig. 6, whereby base lines ana
perpendiculars change their names, and he will see that base
line E H is to perpendicular h c, as E D is to D a, or as c b is
to b a.

»ig. 7.

In fig. 7 will be found a third perpendicular o p Q, of course
bearing the same proportionate length to that of its base Ime
A B 0 as the others bear. It will be unnecessary here to go
over the same ground again in order to prove that we are cor-
rect in asserting that the base line c P is to the perpendicular
p Q as the base a D is to the perpendicular D E.

Let us now proceed to apply this knowledge of proportions
to the practical use which is our object iu view, and in order
to keep to simplicity as far as possible in our explanations, we
will retain the same letters in our future illustrations as hereto-
fore used. Provide two light poles, each with a pointed end,
and of such lengths that when stuck firmly into the ground
one shall be just 5 ft. high and the other 10 ft. high. Another
plan is to fasten each pole into a square piece of thick plank
in which it stands upright. In either case, the poles when
used must be of the proper height and be placed perfectly
uprit'bt, and this must be ascertained by a string and weight.
In fig. 8, the 5-ft. pole B c is 6 ft. away from the 10 ft. pole
o r Q?and upon looking from the top of the shorter pole to the
top of the longer one, we see the top of the tree D E m the
distance. Now the proportion which we have to work out is
this : as c P is to P Q, so is c R to K E ; we can measure the first
three of these terms in the proportion and from them calculate
the last term. The first term c P is the distance between the
two poles, which is the same as B o, or 6 ft. The second term
p Q is the difference between the heights of the two poles,
namely 5 ft. The third term c R is the same as B D, being the
distance of the shorter pole from the tree trunk, which by

284

THE GARDEN.

April 5. 1879.

measurement we find to be 24 ft. Our sum therefore, is — as 6
is to 5, so is 24 to the height from r to e. This works out 20,
and if to this we add 5, being the height from d to b, we find
the whole height of the tree to be 25 ft.

But if either of these poles should happen to have been out
of the perpendicular this calculation would be wrong. In the
next figure (No. 9) it will be noticed that the 10-ft. pole is not
upright, and that the distance between the poles, measured on
the ground, is 7i ft. instead of 6 ft. If this error had not

E

A

m

m

Q.-'

;>i^

Pig. 8.

been detected the sum would have been stated thus — as 7J- is
to 5, so is 25 to the height from b to e. This works out 16,
and, after having added to this 5 (the height from d to b), we
should have wrongly stated the height of the tree to be 21 ft.,
or 4 ft. less than the true height.

It is not often that trees having the kind of outline sketched
in our figures up to this time are much out of the perpen-
dicular ; indeed, the very fact of their being so would gene-
rally prevent our taking sufficient interest iu them to care to

know anything about their height. But with trees of a more
branching habit it is very frequently the case that the highest
point or branch is not over the stem, and, as far as we are con-
cerned in the matter of determining its height, this is just as
bad as if a Poplar had grown diagonally instead of upright.

In cases such as that indicated in fig. 10, it will be neces-
sary to stick an umbrella or walking stick or other mark into
the ground immediately under the highest point, as nearly as
can be guessed, and then to check the correctness of its posi-

tion by walking away from the tree in various directions, and
observing whether the umbrella always appears to be under
the highest point. If it does not, its position must be shifted
until it appears to be correctly placed.

In fig. 10, the distance from b to d is found to be 19 ft., and
from B to o is 6 ft., while the difference between the heights of
the two poles is 5 ft. as before. Therefore the proportion is
as 6 is to 5 so is 19 to the distance from r to e, which works
out 15 ft. 10 in. Adding to this the height d b, which we know
to be the same as b c, that is 6 ft., we determine the highest
point of this tree to be 20 ft. 10 in. from the ground. It must
be evident, from a mere glance at this fig., that if any one had
failed to notice the fact of the highest point not being imme-
diately over the middle of the stem, the ground distance would
have been measured from b to the tree instead of from b to the
umbrella, hence the third term of the proportion would have
been wrong, and the result would have been that the calculation
would have shown the tree to be about 3 ft. higher than its
highest branch.

Fig. 10.

D

Up to this point, we have been dealing with vertical irregu-
larities, showing their effects upon the calculations, and how
to find them out and correct them. In the concluding portion
of this paper we shall treat of horizontal irregularities. W.T.

THE CALYCANTHUSES.

The deliciously-scented blossoms of the Carolina Allspice and
some of its varieties make them very desirable shrubs, and
their size and compact habit alike recommend them, even in
gardens where only the more select shrubs are grown and
room is a first consideration. All the kinds are quite hardy in
this country, and, with the exception of the Western Calycan-
thus, do not seem at all particular as to the position or soil in
which they are planted. In the north of England and else-
where I have seen them luxuriating even in strong clay, and
in the south they appear nearly as much at home iu a dry,
gravelly soil, though in somewhat sheltered and shady spots.
In the peat border, along with American plants and shrubs
especially requiring a peat soil for their successful cultivation,
they thrive admirably, although, as previously stated, such
conditions are not absolutely necessary. They seem to attain
a maximum degree of development in good rich soil, where a
tolerably uniform amount of moisture obtains. Young shoots,
layered in summer, make roots readily, and layering is the
most easy and expeditions mode of obtaining a stock of these
charming shrubs.

The Carolina Allspice (Calycanthns floridns) is the kind which
hasbeen the longest known in English gardens, having been introduced
by Cateaby in 1726. It, however, seenas to have remained very rare
for a quarter of a century, when fresh importations were made by
Collinson. In a letter written by the latter to Linnaeus, bearing date
May 12, 1756, he says, " It is a charming Suffruces, and grows in
my garden in the open air, bearing flowers abundantly every year."
It forms a dense, round bush, has oppoeite, shortly-stalked leaves,

April 5, 1S79.]

THE GAEDEN.

28h,

and lurid purple powerfully aromatic bloasoma, borne singly on short
stalks at the extremity of the branches, which, as well as the roots,
have, when bruised, a very decided smell of camphor. The blossoms,
when crushed, exhale more or less a fragrance of Strawberries, or,
according to some, of ripe Quinces or Apples. In the typical plant,
which in a state of nature is found in rich soil on hillsides in Vir.
ginia and southward, and flowers from May until August, the leaves
are oval, and softly downy beneath ; fruits are but rarely developed.
Under favourable conditions this species will attain a height of 6 ft.
or 8 ft. Several varieties, some of which have at various times been
regarded as species by different botanists, are to be seen in botanical
and other establishments. The principal of these are : —

OvATUS, a form with roundish-ovate leaves.

Oblongus, a variety with oblong leaves.

LoNGiFOLius, in which the foliage is much longer than in the type.

MiCEOPHyLLUs, in which, as the name implies, the leaves are much
smaller.

Nanus, a compact.growing dwarf variety.

Inodorus, a sport with flowers almost or quite scentless.

There is also a form with variegated foliage, known as Variegatus ;
and another, Asplenifolius, with cut leaves.

The Glabrous-leaved. Calycanthus (C. loevigatus) is found on
the mountains of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Carolina, and flowers
from May to August. It has rather wrinkled, oblong or ovate, gra.
dually taper-pointed leaves, rough to the touch on the upper surface,
and smooth and green on the under. The blossoms, which are hardly
Bweet-scented, are of nearly the same lurid purple colour as those of
the preceding kind. C. ferax and C. pennsy Ivanicns are names under
which this is sometimes found in both books and gardens.

The Glaucous-leaved Calyauthus (C. glancns). — The large,
conspicuously laper.pointed, somewhat lance-shaped leaves of this
kind distinguish it well from the foregoing ; they are flat, green
above, and of a decidedly whitish. grey tinge beneath. The almost
scentless blossoms are less deep in colour than those of the Carolina
Allspice, from which they differ in being frequently fertile. It is
found on the mountains in Virginia and southward. In some books
it is described as C. fertilis.

The Western Calycanthus (0. oocidentalis) is a much larger
ehrub than, and totally different in habit and general appearance from,
the others. It is handsome in growth and foliage, and especially so
in the large size and bright colour of its blossoms, which are 3 in. or
more in diameter, and of a somewhat bright purplish-red colour. It
was sent by David Douglas from California to the Royal Horticultural
Society's Gardens in 1831. It is perfectly hardy, but a warm, sunny
spot or a wall singularly favours the ripening of its wood and, con-
sequently, the production of its beautiful flowers, whioh, however,
totally lack the delicate scent peculiar to some of the kinds, or, to speak
more correctly, are destitute of any scent whatever. The leaves are
large, 5 in. or 6 in. or even more in length, heart-shaped at the base
and somewhat taper-pointed, shining green on both upper and under
surfaces. This is kno%vn in some gardens as C. macrophyilus, and
flowers from the end of August to October. G.

Vernal and rough.stalked Meadow, 4 lb. of each ; wood Meadow
Grass, 7 lb. Prepare the ground and sow Whin or Furze seeds either
for hedges or for game covert. Hedges of this plant should not be
trimmed until towards the'end of June. Also plant cuttings of Osiers
for the use of the basket maker. Choose land near a stream, so that
water may be admitted into the open intermediate ditches or shut
out at pleasure by means of sluices. Cuttings of 12 in. or 14 in.
long, from branches of two years' growth, may be planted in rows
from 18 in. to 3 ft. apart, and from 18 in. to 2 ft. between the cut-
tings, according to the growths of the various kinds and the ages at
whToh they are intended to be cut. These cuttings should be inserted
about two-thirds of their length. The ground intended for Osiers
should be well trenched, liberally manured, and thoroughly cleaned.
If the weather is mild seedling evergreens should be lifted by the
middle of the month, never taking up more than can be planted again
the same day. Scotch Pines (two years' seedlings) may be planted
in rows 12 in. apart and 3 in. between the plants ; the land should be
in good condition, in which case, at the end of another year, they
will be fit for planting out permanently. Strong Spruce of two years
old or weaker ones of three years may also be removed. It planted
in a rich, humid soil, they will make great progress. If intended to
remain two years in the lines give them spaces of 12 in. by 6 in. ;
also transplant two-year Silver Firs ; these will require more space
than the Spruce. The Pinaster and Stone Pines should be planted
out in lines as one.year seedlings, otherwise they become too tall and
slender ; sandy loam suits them well. Considerable care is required
in lifting the Stone Pine on account of the length of its roots. Two.
year seedling Hollies may be planted, 5 in. or 6 in. apart, in situa.
tions shaded from the midday sun ; these, as well as the Yew, flourish
in a rich sandy soil. The cones of Firs and Pmes, where still un.
opened, should now be placed upon a hair sieve on a kiln and subjected
to a heat of not more than 112" Fahr. ; if necessary, they may after-
wards be threshed and then sifted. The Silver Fir, Balm of Gilead
Fir, and Weymouth Pine yield their seeds with very little trouble,
but the Larch, Scotch Pine, and Spruce generally require more at-
tention. Finish sowing all seeds of the Coniferous kinds, and pro-
tect from frosts beds of young plants, particularly in situations
where the morning sun may strike them while m a frozen state.
Mark as soon as possible all Oaks intended to be felled this season,
and make preparations for the bark stripping, of which 1 will give
some account later on in the month. A. J. BuEROWS.

WOODLAND WORK FOR APRIL.

Whatever spaces have to be filled up in woodlands should now be
furnished as quickly as possible, both as regards deciduous and
coniferous trees. The main point to attend to now is quick removal,
allowing no plants to remain out of the ground longer than is abso-
lutely necessary. The grafting of trees may still be continued, the
Fulham and Lucombe upon the common Ojik and the rare and
variegated kinds of Maple upon the Norway Maple and the Sycamore.
Dry and frosty weather in April is a good time for removing the
dead branches of the Larch, Spruce, and Silver Fir. The operation
is best performed by dealing them a smart blow with a heavy stick
or mallet, which loosens and withdraws the bolt.like insertions so
injurious to the converted timber. The pruning and trimming of all
evergreen shrubs and hedges should be finished up and large plants
brought from the nursery to fill up gaps. Hollies and Yews, the
Hemlock Spruce, Portugal and common Laurel, and the Box may
BOW be safely removed as strong plants 3 ft. high, but they should
have been previously transplanted in the nursery so as to have secured
for them plenty of bashy, fibrous roots. In removing at this season
of the year large plauts which stand singly in a dry soil a good
watering round the roots, followed by a thorongh ramming or beating
of the soil, will enable the transplanter to remove them with a solid
ball. This is a favourable time for sowing Grass seeds upon wood
rides or for game cover in open corners of the woodlands. For rides
I have found the following mixture suitable :— Timothy, tall Fescue,
Meadow Foxtail, and hard Fescue, 2 lb. of each ; rough Cocks-
foot and smooth.stalked Meadow, 3 lb. of each; sweet-scented

Oak Timber.— Much of the oldest Oak Timber in this country is
not of the same kind as that now in use. What we call Oak timber
now is the wood of the Qaercus pedunculata. This has its fruit
stalked and its leaves sessile. The other Oak, the Quercus seasiliflora,
has its fruit sessile and its leaves stalked. This latter is the Oak
which furnished timber to some of our oldest buildmgs— to St. Albau 3
Abbey and to Westminster Hall. The old wood is so unlike our
modern Oak timber, in the absence or indistinctiveness of the silver
grain, that it was long considered to be Chestnut.

Convolvulus Cneorum.— The fine specimen of this highly oraa-
mental shrub, which was the source of so much attracti on at Kew
during the last and previous seasons, has unhappily taUeu a victim
to the cold of last winter. A considerable number of other feouth
European shrubs have unfortunately also shared the same fate a tact
which a glance at the walls and arboretum at Kew will fully con.
firm. As, however, it is of tolerably rapid growth, those who have
sustained the loss should not be discouraged, but should plant again.
— W.

Choisva ternata.-It is gratifying to find that this handsoms
Mexican shrub has withstood the exceptionally severe wmter through
which we have passed with only the protection of a wall. It cannot
be too highly recommended for general culture, as even when not in
flower it is a fine evergreen. An idea of its beauty when in bloom
may be gleaned from the coloured illustration of it which appeared
in The Garde.\, Vol. XII., p. 233.— W.

Straightening Trees.— One may not be able to quite straighten
trees that are crooked, but, nevertheless, their appearance may be
greatly improved by the following operation :— Make two or three
longitudinal incisions on the inner side of the bend, and repeat this
several times during the summer ; it will increase the formation of
wood on that side. I have seen this result with trees from 2 in. to 4 lu.
in diameter, the trees being left almost straight.—" Cultivator.

Clianthus carneus.— So far as I am able to see, this is the OBly
plant killed in our garden by the late severe winter. It was grow,
ing against a south wall, and was never protected. Plants of it in a
cool greenhouse will soon be in great beauty, and, with protection
of this kind, few flowers are more showy at this season of the year.
— Cambrian.

!i86

THE GAKDEN.

[April 5, 1879.

WOODLAND GARDENING.

Tuis kind of gardening is now becoming interesting. Many
subjects that bave long lain dormant are now bursting forth
into leaf and flower from under the covering of dry leaves or
decayed stalks, which it is always advisable to allow such sub-
jects as deciduous Feres to bear, as they not only protect the
crowns but preserve the roots from frost. Many plants found
to winter quite safely under such conditions suffer severely in
bare flower garden beds. Our woodland garden here is a dell
overhung on the north by a steep, almost precipitous bank
that shelters the occupants from the cutting blasts tbat blow
from that quarter. "Winding flights of steps roughly cut in
the bank lead down into it from the dressed grounds, and here,
wnder the shade of overhanging trees, on which Ivy, Mistletoe,
and wild Clematis are allowed to ramble at will, may be found
an agreeable resort at all seasons of the year. Clumps or
irregularly formed beds of flowering, deciduous, or evergreen
shrubs, are dotted about without formal design, and old. Ivy-
clad stumps of trees form a rootery nearly hid from view by
a covering of hardy Ferns, Cotoneasters, Periwinkles, and
Euonymus. At the present time Primroses quite carpet
the turf with an endless variety of colours, the remnant
of the named varieties being planted here indiscriminately
after the beds in the flower garden are planted, and, as
they seed freely, the result is a mixture of all shades of colour.
Polyanthuses, Oxlips, and Cowslips are just coming into flower,
while Snowdrops and Aconites are getting over. Crocuses of
many kinds are, however, abundant ; here, too. Narcissi, Jon-
quils, and Daffodils find a congenial home, and wood Anemones
and single Violets flourish both on bank and dell. The only
drawback is that mice eat the Crocus bulbs, especially such as
are freshly planted. The beauty of a wild or woodland garden
depends very much on the position which it occupies ; anyone
having an old quarry or gravel pit, or any kind of irregular
surface may soon convert it into a pleasant and interesting
resort by adding from time to time hardy plants that will
never fail to produce effective flowers. In level districts a
worn out orchard might be utilised in a most interesting way ;
the old stumps might be made to support climbing plants, and
by letting the hedgerow grow wild, a screen would be produced
that would afford shelter, and that would at the same time
shut out from view other portions of the ground. J. GfiOOM.

Ice Storing. — "C." (p. 261) persistently endeavours to charge
me with what I never uttered. I am made to advocate a thick column
of straw. This is a misrepresentation; I never used the word "thick."
My central column of straw was in bulk little more than that of a
draining pipe, and as for its being a channel for heat, where is the
heat to come from in a vault wholly underground ? My sketch of an
ice well or cellar, as regards shape, was merely in. aginary, or, at
least, not absolutely correct, and was only intended to shosv thn method
of applying the drainage ; a scale or dimensions was never meant. I
have said, and still maintain, that the best place for storing ice is a
vault or cellar wholly underground, and such places may be three or
four times aa wide as high, provided they be deep enough from the
effect of vertical heat, 1 will also mention that it is infinitely pre-
ferable to take the ice from an aperture at the top of the cellar the
same as water is drawn from a well, and not from a door or aperture
at the side, which is about the best method that could be devised for
admitting heat and air to the cone of ice. Now, let me answer
" C.'a " questions briefly. I am described as fnrnishiDg an argument
against myself concerning central drainage. When I said that " water
poured on the top will almost be immediately congealed and will
never scarcely percolate to the bottom," I stated what was true, bat
* C." should remember this was during frost ; and now for another
question. " IIow do I reconcile this statement with having seen ice
with water standing on the top as in a bowl ?" Let me here remind
*' C." that this was at melting time ; certainly not simultaneously.
* C." aays *' he never witnessed such a phenomenon ; " probably not,
nor yet others who stack ice in the shape of Cleopatra's Needle. But
I must again " theoretically and practically" assert that a mass of
ice in a vault of whatever shape, if broader than high when the
opening is at top, has a tendency to only melt at the top, and to
become dished or bowl. shaped under the opening, and that the sides
of such places, being farther from air and solar influence, are aa
cool aa the centre, and it is a totally different circumstance from
an apiidght body of ice, having a door at the side to let in heat and
with a side wind. — T. Williams, Ormskirk.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — Each successive week at this season of the year
brings to onr notice fresh objects of interest, and amongst the most
noteworthy now in flower is the Persian Iris (Xiphion persicum),
introduced as long ago as 1627. Though not ao beautiful as the
Netted Iris (X. reticulatum), it presents a more striking contrast
in colour, the three spreading falls being creamy-white heavily
blotched with the deepest purple at the tips and copiously spotted on
the lower half relieved by the bright orange crest, and the inner
sides of a delicate porcelain. blue tint ; the upright petals or standards
are reduced to mere acalea. It moreover yields an agreeable odour.
Like its congeners, it is perfectly amenable to pot culture, and it will
also succeed in Hyacinth glasses. Another charming bulbous plant
is Nuttall's Erythronium (E. Nuttallianum), a yellow-flowered kind,
much in the way of E. americanum, with similar bright yellow bloB.
soms, having reflexed petals and reddish stamens, but lacking the
marbled foliage of the latter kind, and it is technically distinguished
by the absence of the very small ear-like proceaaes at the base of the
petala, aa seen in all the other species. That beautiful old favourite
the Dog's-tooth Violet (ErythroniumDena-canis) should be accommo.
dated in every flower border, aa it ia amongst the earliest of spring
flowers. Amongst Drabas, which are pretty rock plants, belonging
to the Crucifer family, the best is D. bruniajfolia, a rather scarce
kind, and a native of the Caucasus. It forms denae, caahion-like,
bright green tufts, studded profusely with small golden blossoms.
The yellow Alpine Whitlow Grass (D. aizoides), one of oar rarest
wild flowers, is remarkable for ita bright yellow blosaoma and gloaay
leaves, margined with hairs produced in rosette. like tufts. D.cuspi-
data much resembles the last, but is smaller and looser in habit.
Another desirable Crucifer ia the many. leaved Coral-root (Dentaria
polyphylla), which inhabita various parta of Central Europe. It
growa about 6 in. high, and has leaves arranged in threes, each divided
into four pairs of leaflets. The flowers, which are large and creamy
white, are produced in many flowered terminal clusters. Turning to
the Borage family, which yielda ao many fine border flowers, we
notice the early flowering Oriental Borage (BoragoorientaIi3),a kind
with a spreading habit and ample foliage, producing abundance of
clusters of violet.coloured blossoms, the petals of which reflex as in a
Cyclamen. The majority of the kinds of Comfrey are giaantic in
stature and coarse in habit, but the Iberian Cjmfrey (Symphytum
ibericum) is interesting on account of its growing only a few inches
high; it has small, deep green, heart-shaped leaves and drooping
clusters of yellow blossoms, which are about the size and form of
those of Ooosma taurica, but are red before expansion. This is an
excellent plant for a rockery or front row of an ordinary border, as it
apparently thrives equally well in both situations. Some of the
charming alpine Primulas are finely in flower, and amongst them the
Fairy Primrose (P. minima), one of the smallest of the family. It
has rosettes of small wedge-shapeJ leaves, beset with sharp teeth at
the tips. The flowers are large for the size of the plant, being nearly
1 in. across, and rose-coloured. It inhabits the mountains of South
Europe. The Entire-leaved kind (P. integrifolia) is another gem; it
has glossy leaves, and white-eyed rosy blossoms as large as a shil-
ling. P. Dinyana is another diminutive species; it has viscid,
slightly-toothed leaves, and rich purple blossoms borne in clusters on
short stems. The Himalayan P. denticulata, with ita namerona shades
of purple flowers, ia also well represented, and some appear to be
distinct enough to merit varietal names.

Hardy Shrubs. — Both walls and ahrnbberies are enlivened just
now by the bright golden blossoms of the Drooping Forsythia (P. sus-
pensa), a Chinese shrub of singular beauty. Its slender, gracefully
drooping branches are covered with flowers, which laat in good con.
dition for a conaiderable time. Though it is perfectly hardy and
succeeds well in a shrubbery, it is seen to best advantage whea
planted against a wall. Not so, however, P. viridissima, which
is also in flower ; its habit is stiff and formal, and therefore it is best
adapted for forming isolated specimens, or interspersed with other
shrubs. Cornna Mas, a European shrub, covered with heads of
small yellow blossoms, is also attractive, and so are also the several
varieties of that most desirable shrub the Mezereon (Daphne Meze-
reum). Standish's Honeysuckle (Lonicera Standishi) ia very sweet
scented, and on that account, as well as because of its early flowering,
it merits a place amongst hardy shrubs.

Stove Plants.— By far ths most attractive objeofc in the Palm
House ia the East Indian Aaooa (Jonesia Asoca), a shrub belonging
to the Pea family. It grows several feet high, has handsome pinnate
foliage, and possesses the peculiarity of producing its clusters of
blossoms, which are orange when first expanded, changing to bright
scarlet, both on the naked branches and young shoots. The Scarlet
Brownea (B. ooccinea) is another striking plant; it bears dense
clusters of rich scarlet flowers in the same remarkable manner as the

April 5, 1879 ]

THE GAEDEN.

287

Jonesia. It inbabits Tarions parts of tbe West Indies. Sinningia
Yonngiana, a Gesneraceous plant, Tery similar and nearly related to
the ordinary Gloxinia, is a very handsome stove plant, with large,
ovate leaves and rich purple blossoms. It is said to be a hybrid
between Ligeria speciosa and Sinningia velutina. Amongst the
Brcmeliads, Libon's Billbergia (B. Liboniana) well merits a place in
every stove. It is of medium size, with Pine-apple-like foliage, from
which arise several flower stems bearing long tubular blossoms with
scarlet calyxes, and corolla white in the lower half, and deepening
to rich purple at the tips. It was discovered in the environs of Rio
de Janeiro several years ago by M. Libon. Alpinia bracteata is a
handsome member of a much neglected family formerly known as
Scitaminero. It grows about 5 ft. high, has broad, JIaranta.like
foliage, and produces terminal spikes of rather large white blossoms
heavily pencilled inside with cinnabar red. It is of Chinese origin,
and an old inhabitant of stoves.

Greenhouse Plants. — Amongst these, one of the most interest,
ing now in flower is the little trailing Sarmienta (S. repens). It has
nnmerous slender, trailing branches, with opposite, small, roundish
leaves, slightly toothed at the tips, and from the axils of which are
produced bright red blossoms, about 1 in. long, urn-shaped, with
protruding, yellow-tipped stamens, the whole plant reminding one of
Mitraria coccinea. It is admirably adapted for growing in a sus-
pended basket or pot, and, being a native of the cool districts of
Chili, it should be grown in a cool, moist greenhouse or frame par-
tially shaded. The Asarnm-like Heterotropa (H. asaroides) is a cari-
ous Japanese plant, and a member of the Aristolochia family. In
foliage it strikingly resembles Cvclamen europeum, having the same
heart-shaped leaves and beautiful variegation. The flowers are hidden
by the foliage, but, as they are more singular than beautiful, that is
not so much to be regretted. Some of the Cape Irids are very useful
decorative bulbous plants. The old Synnotia bicolor has Iris-like
foliage, from which arise stems bearing flowers of a creamy. white,
the lower petal being purple with a grooved crest of yellow.
Sparaxis grandiflora and tricolor are also desirable, the former pro-
ducing large white blossoms striped with purple on the outside ; the
latter flowers with almost every intermediate shade from bright red
to orange. Styphelia tubiflora is a very ornamental, erect-branching
plant, very similar to an Epacris, Its narrow, tubular flowers are of
a rich carmine tint, the petals being beautifully fringed with the
same coloured hairs. It is a native of New South Wales. W.

purple. Here also is an immense mass of the scarce Odontoglossnm
Londesboroughianura some 3 ft. by 2J ft. across, newly imported but
in excellent condition. From what has been teen of this Odonto.
glossum in the shape of the few plants which have bloomed in this
country, it is a magnificent addition to this already rich genus. If,
as has already been stated, it comes from the same district as O. citros-
mum, it may be expected to thrive under like conditions, i.e., not
too hut but still enjoying more warmth than the generality of Odon-
toglossums. — P. G.

Hardiness of Habranthus pratensis. — This is now coming

up strongly in my garden, having stood through the winter without
any protection. This fine plant may therefore be considered perfectly
hardy, as the frost must h »ve penetrated far beluw the position of
the bulbs.— J. G. N.

Orchids at St. John's Wood. — The following Orchids are now
in flower in Mr. F. A. Philbrick's collection at St. John's Wood,
viz. : —

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Rhododendron Auckland!. — In a rocky corner of my winter
garden a little tree of this Rhododendron is now bearing' Beventy-
three trasses of flowers, each trues containing from seven to nine
large blossoms. I cannot understand why this most beautiful species
is so seldom seen in cultivation. When well treated and fully
established it ia very free flowering, and its waxy-white blossoms,
which are slightly veined with rose, are deliciously perfumed. —
0. F., Au^shurg^ Bavaria.

Seedling Hepaticas. — We have received from ilessrs. Rodger,
McClelland & Co., of Kewry, blooms of a seedling form of Hepatica
triloba rnbra called superba. It ia larger than the ordinary kind,
has rounder petals, and is also different from the type in colour, which
ia of a blight and beautiful shade of rose.

Biownea grandiceps.— This is said, by the " Irish Farmers'
Gaz'^t'O,'* to be now in fail flower in the large stove conservatory at
Glasnevin; and to be a sight worth seeing. It is furnished with upwards
of fifty of its gorgeous flower.heads, which, set off to advantage by
the dark pinnate foliage, are most effective. In an intermediate
honse adjoining, Solandra grandiflora, which covers a considerable
portion of the roof, has been for weeks and is still very striking and
noteworthy, producing in profnsion its great trumpet.shaped white
flowers, which in size and form much resemble those of the white
Brugmansia, but instead of hanging perpendicularly, like those of
the latter, they stand out horizontally from the stem.

Orchids at HoUoway. — Now when the stately species of East
Indian Orchids do not receive so much attention as they once did
and still deserve, it ia refreshing to meet with a thoroughly well.
grown collection, such as that in the Victoria Nursery, Holloway.
Vandas especially, which are too often found with bare stems, may
be seen here in quantity, with arched leaves perfect down to the
pots ; the different forms of V. suavis and V. tricolor alone are pnsh-
ing up some fifty or sixty flower-spikes, several of which are already
beautifully in bloom ; one in particular, V. tricolor formosa, has
petals and sepals in the case of newly-formed expanded flowers,
quite flat and heavily spotted and diffused on the margin with deep

AnRrjEcum sesquipedale
Adaaura'itiaca
('oDlogyne cristata
Catt eya Harrisoniae

rriansB

citrina
Cypripedimn villosum

Ar^us

barbatum

bitiorum

Dajanura
Dendrobium uobile, seve-
ral variotiea

elesjans

Wardiannm

eras si node

craasiuode Barberi-
anum

Freemani

Dendrobium lituiflornm

Devonianum

Cambridgeanum

Finrtleyaauoi

crepiUatum,

Fiera,riii
Lsclia buperbieas

anceps
Lycaste tikinneri
Masderallia ienea
Odoniogloesurn Alexan*
drse

pulchellum majua

roBenm

Phaltenoneis

cirrhosum

PeBCtttorei

nebulibum

nebulosuui pardinum

Odontofflossum Rossi-
ma jus

Cervantesi

Cervantesi decorum
Oncidium cuculatum

junciflnrum
Phalajaopsis Casta

amabiiia

grandiflora

achilleriana
Sophroniiis grandiflora
Vanda tJuavis Veitchi

suavis RolUssoni

tricolor superba

tricolor insijjnis

gigantea

ccefuleEcens

Pansies. — Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, until
within the last few days Pansies are beautifully iu flower in several
places. We have just seen some fine blooms of both fancy and other
kinds from Mr. Hooper*s garden, at Widcomb3 Hill, Bath. They
were named kinds, the beat of which were John Darke, J. T. D.
Llewelyn, Rev. J. Phelps, all rich dark shades of red ; Sir William
Wallace, yellow blotched with maroon ; G. F. Wilson, a finely formed
fancy kind ; White Clipper, white blotched with bluish-purple; and
William Goodchild, pale blue blotched with black. Several others
were also equally good.

Hardy Plants in Bloom in the Newton Nuraeries, Ches-
ter.— Nowithatanding the severity of the winter, and the bitter east
winds which we have experienced of late, we have a fair amount of
Alpines and the earlier bulbous plants producing quantities of bloom.
A fine bed of Bulbocodium vernnm has been producing its lovely
purple flowers for the past three weeks, also a few plants of its varie-
gated variety. Crocuses are nearly out of flower ; a few of the best
are Imperati, Sieberi, biflorns. Ancheri, and susianus. Some half-
dozen beds of the Dog's-iooth Viulet (Erythronium Dens-cauis) will,
with the aid of a few sunny days, be a mass of rosy. lilac flowers.
E. Den?-cania album is now in flower, and some plants of E. giganteum
are throwing up some fine spikes. Despite the coM, Iris reticulata
has never ceased to produce its lovely violet-scented blooms. Saxi-
fraga oppositifolia and its varieties are also still well in flower; some
tufts about 1 ft. in diameter being a mass of bloom. S. Barseriana
and S. juniperina are still in blossom, the latter having bright, gol-
den, tassel. like flowers borne on short erect stems, 3 in. in height.
On a fine plant of the mauve-coloured Hepatica angulosa I counted
upwards of 100 flowers. Anemone ranunculoides opened its first
bloysoms to-day (April 2) ; they are of a bright yellow colour. The
Utah Agave has proved to be perfectly hardy, having withstood the
winter on the rockwoik here. We have Primula rosea, P. oashmeri-
ana, and P. capitata, all finely in bloom ; the two latter are of the
P. denticula section, and on the under sides of their leaves is a golden
farina. P. spectabilis, rosy. lilac ; P. nivalis, pare white ; and
P. marginata, mauve, are now also in flower. — E. J.

Hardiness of Fortune's Gardenia.— Mr. Scotfc, of Auchen-
dennan, has recently discovered by accident the hardiness of Gar-
denia Fortunei. A plant of this fine shrab, about 3 ft. high, and
growing in a 10-in. pot, was thrown on to the rubbish heap. Six
weeks afterwards, when the ground was bound hard with frost, and
the foliage of plants all around was drooping, the plant of Gardenia was
discovered, and was found to be tbe freshest evergreen about the
place, although tbe ball was frozen through. — '■ Florist."

At the Royal HorticuUnral Society's show last week, Mr. Willa
was awarded two gold medals ; one for a group of plants arranged
for effect, acd the other for new and rare plants.

283

THE GARDEN.

[ApRu. 5, 1879.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"" ^gchynanthus grandiflorua. — Anon. — This requires a stove tem-
perature and plenty of water in order to obtain free growth, without which
free blooming cannot be expected.

Puchsia Dominiana. — Inquirer. — This Fuchsia may be flowered
early in winter by striking cuttings of it in spring and growing them on,
keeping the shoots stopped and the flowers picked off until within six or
seven weeks of the time when it is wanted to be in flower. — S.

Pruiting the Monstera. — At Hillfield we found no difiioulty in
f ruiting this plant. It was placed in a large pot on a slate stage close to
the glass in the centre of the Orchid house, and a noble-looking object it
was, throwing its tine foliage over the pathway on each side, and forming
quite a bower to walk under. The pot in which it grew was placed about
3 ft. from a large tank of water, which the roots reached, and in which
they ramified abundantly ; thus circumstanced it fruiting freely —
J. C. II.

Rose Houses. — As I am about to erect a small Hose house would
you kindly inform me what are the dimensions of the one at Gunners-
bury, and the angle of its roof ? — Subscriber, DiMin. fLength, -12 ft,
width, 22 ft. ; angle of elevation, 30'' ; width of borders round the house,
2 ft. 6 in. ; depth, 2 ft. 0 in., centre bed, width, 11 ft. 6 in. ; depth of
border, 2 ft. 6 in. ; width of pathways, 3 ft. 6 in. — J. R.]

Setting Peaclaes. — Having read several remarks lately on the
setting of Peaches by artificial means, such as by the use of Pampas Grass,
feathers, &c,, it occurred to me while thiuuing some Peach trees the
other day that I would take the liberty of sending a few shoots as fair
samples of our trees here, which have had none of the above means
applied in order to set the fruit. I never find the slightest difliculty in
setting Peaches, Plums, or Cherries, without having recourse to such
measures. — D. il. [Peaches could not possilily be set more thickly than
those above alluded to. On a piece of shoot 4^ in. in length we counted
a dozen fruit]

Shrub Pruning. — 1. How, and at what time, should the white and
yellow Jasmines be pruned ? Do they flower on the wood made the pre-
vious year and also on two-year-old wood ? 2. Should Pyrus japonica be
pruned like an Apple or a Pear tree ? 3. Does the white Spira9a ripen its
crowns in this country sufiiciently for forcing ? — Sue. [Prune the Jas-
mines immediately after flowering. We always clip them with hedge
shears- Nearly all their flowers are produced on shoots of the previous
year's growth, but occasionally some few flowers appeared on spurs. The
Pyrus japonica flowers most freely if pruned on the spur system, but a
certain amount of new wood should be laid in annually to supply the place
of any old shoots, the spurs of which have become long and unsightly.
The white Spinea never fails to ripen its crowns sufficiently for forcing,
but it is well to have two sets of plants and to force them alternately, ?'.e.,
those forced this year, as soon as done flowering, should be planted out
on a south border and allowed to flower next year in the open air, when
they will be quite fit to force the following year. — W. W-]

Plowerless Stephanotis. — Mr. Baines says in reply to " H. H."
(p. 248) that he has never met with one of the so-called flowerless varie-
ties of Stephanotis, and that he considers bad management is the only
cause of its not flowering. In this I cannot agree with him, as I am per-
fectly sure that there are plenty of plants that do not flower in collections,
owing, I believe, to their being seedlings. I have met with numbers of
plants, well grown, but which would rarely flower, and which, when re-
placed by plants obtained from cuttings taken from flowering plants,
succeeded admirably, I was recently at a sale of plants where a very fine
Stephanotis full of buds was sold for a high price. Over seventy seedling
plants were then sold at more than the usual nursery price for ordinary
plants, because they were seedlings from the plant in question, amateurs
imagining that they had obtained bargains. This, I believe, explains the
complaint so frequently made about flowerless plants of Stephanotis. —
J. H. Ley, Croydon.

Koot-eaten Hollies. — Can you inform me what has eaten the roots
of my young Hollies ? Two years ago I planted a line of them 60 yards
long, to form a hedge, and all went well until a few days ago, when I
found several of the plants eaten off at the roots. Would moles do this ?
The thick part of the root has entirely disappeared, nothing remaining in
the ground but the small fibres. I am noc sufiiciently acquainted with
the habits of the mole to know whether it would eat the roots of trees
or not. — J. H., Newton House, Rillington, York. [My behef is that the
mischief is done by the field mouse, and this is confirmed by the opinions
of others to whom I have shown the section of the root. During the
past winter, this ht;tle animal has been unusually busy, and I attribute to
him the destruction of many scores of Austrian Pine, which he has
attacked in the manner shown by the specimen sent. Seeing these
completely ringed in many places after the severe weather of January and
February, I concluded that rabbits had obtained access to them by climb-
ing upon the snow drifts. The injured plants were removed and others
put in their places, and since that time nearly every fresh plant has been
injured- Some of the older ones are ringed 5 ft- from the ground, in
places inaccessible to rabbits. Several mice of an unusually dark colour
have been seen amongst the trees, and before many days are past I hope
to hear that one has been caught in the act- The mice commenced upon
several Scotch Pines, but these wei-e evidently not to their taste and they
returned to the Austrians. — A. J. Burrows.]

Limes for Avenue or Street Planting.— The following kinds
of Lime trees are said to bo good for town planting, for which it is known

the common kind is unsuitable, owing to its early defoliation. The sorts
recommended are Tilia alba, T. macrophylla, and T. dasystyla, which
retain their fine bold leaves until most other deciduous trees are bare of
foliage. Tilia alba is an old and well known tree, but it is not so often
seen and planted as its merits demand ; its leaves are larger than those of
the common kind, and beautifully white on the under surface. The other
two are remarkable for their large, handsome foliage, fully double the
size of that of the common Lime ; they are somewhat alike when seen,
at a little distance, but when closely examined they are sufficiently distinct
to be kept separate. T. dasystyla is not well-known nor perhaps plentiful,
but it has two good qualities belonging to it ; its leaves are large and fine
and they hang on the tree till late in the season. — " Florist."

Ifames of Plants. — J. S. L. G. — 1, Croton spirale. 2, Gymno-
gramma Massoni. 3, Lygodium japonicum. 4 and 5,' undeterminable.
6, Davallia dissecta. 7, Didymochlaana truncatula. S, Niphobolus ru-
pestris. 9, Selaginella csesia arborea- 10, Adiantum pentadactylon. 11,
Adiantum Capillus- Veneris variety. 12, Nephrolepis undulata. J. H. 0.
— The Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas).

Insects. — TV. W. Stickland. — The grubs sent are apparently those of
the weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus, the grab of which is a well-known
gardener's enemy, and should be carefully looked after and destroyed. —
W. W. S.

Questions.

Sweet-scented Cam ellia. — I have been told that there grows at
Cintra, near Lisbon, a double white Camellia with scented flowers. Can
any reader of The G.^rdex inform me whether this is so or not? and,
if so, is it in commerce ? — A. H. H.

Coleus Seotti- — If any of your correspondents have tried this for bed-
ding purposes, I should be glad of their experience respecting it. —
A. H. E.

Glass Structures. — As I am about erecting a range of glass con-
sisting of a plant house and early and late Vineries. I should be glad to
be informed as to the respective merits of span-roof houses as compared
with half-span lean-to houses both for plants and Viues ; also as to the
cost and difficulty of heating them respectively. — E. S.

A Green Base for Dinner-table Plants. — The common
practice of placing the plants on the dinner table in vessels of gold
and silver may be varied occasionally with advantage. Bases may
be arranged in the following manner : — Choose a number of circular
pieces of board, i in. thick, and from 9 in. to 12 in. in diameter; the
larger circles will form a base for a plant in a 5 -in. pot and the smaller
for a 3-in. one. Edge the boards with narrow strips of perforated
zinc, rising np above the face of the boards about V in. ; this is quite
enough to hold the soil np till the Moss and other plants used com-
pletely cover it. In placing the soil on the boards an empty pot of a
suitable size should be held in the centre and the soil pressed round
it, raising it np to the rim in an easy graceful curve. Selaginella
denticulata will soon cover the soil and form a dense mass of elegant
green, and, when required for use, the empty pot can be taken
out and the plant dropped into the hole left. Although I have only
mentioned the Selaginella, other plants, such as Sedum glancum
and Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica will do for a green base, vrhilst
for oolonred bases small cuttings of Alternantheras, dibbled in quite
thickly, and placed in a close, warm pit, will soon famish them well.
Tradesoantia vittata for a large base has a pretty eSect ; it is more
spreading and less formal in its growth than most plants, and grows
very rapidly. There is a good deal of green mixed with the cream
colour in its variegated foliage that makes it effective under artificial
light. In clothing these bases I rather prefer taking large spreading
pieces ot whatever plant I require, except the Alternantheras, laying
the sprays on the little mounds of soil, and pegging them close down
with very small pegs, using sprays enough to cover the whole well ;
then I sprinkle some sand over the top, water with a fine-rosed pot,
and place them in a warm, shady situation. They do very well set
among larger plants in the stove, or in any sitaation where warmth,
moistare, and shade are present. — E. H.

(OBITUARY.

We have to record, with much regret, the death of J.1.MES Stevenso.v,
who, for upwards of thirty years, was gardener at Cobham Park,
Surrey. The gardens there, with their extensive ranges of glasshouses,
their fine fruit walls furnished with galvanised wires on which to train
the trees, were wholly planned and laid out under his direction, and most
complete they are acknowledged to be in every department. But gar-
dening, proficient as he was in it, did not alone occupy Mr. Stevenson's
attention; he was also a good architect; the schools in the village of
Cobham, built in commemoration of the late Mr._ Harvey Combe, were
erected under his superintendence and from his designs, and he acted as
clerk of the works during the building of the new mansion at Cobham
Park. Both in public and private life he was much respected; his
friends, of whom few had so many, have lost a genial, kind-hearted man,
and horticulture one of her ablest practitioners. He died on Sunday
morning last, at the comparatively early age ot sixty.

THE GARDEN.

289

No. £86 J

SATURDAY, APBIL 13. 1879.

"Tliis is an art
Wliicll does mend Natui'e : chanj^e it rather :
The Art itself is yxiVRS."— Shakespeare.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

but

"Wild Gardening in Hyde Park.— A higli bank at the end

of the .Sei-pentine has lately been prettily dotted with Crocuses of
various colours and Snowdrops, which look very gay in the Gras.s,
though they have not yet spread into the glovnng tufts that one
admires in country gardens. About London, owing to the plants
being frequently disturbed, one rarely sees a handsome glow of
Crocuses. As on such banks under trees as that at the Seqjentine
there is no need to mow the Grass until tlie Crocus leaves are ripened,
these plants might there be allowed to gi'ow undisturbed. In time
they would probalily prove a gi'eat atti'action. We have noticed
them sometimes more at home under trees where the Grass is poor
or nearly absent tlian in open, rich. Grassy places.

Anemone stellata. — I have the white form of this Anemone
now finely in flower. At first it is rather stained witli purple, but
when fully out it is a pure white star, with pale purple under petals.
This with the black eye and the jiretty foliage makes it a striking
flower, and a very good addition tc spring hardy plants. It was
found wild near Rome about two years .ago by my friend. Dr. Lowe,
and is, I believe, very scarce. — H. N. Ellacombe, Bliton.

Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora.— This magnificent

shrub has come tlu'ough tlie past \\'inter without tlie slightest injury,
alive, in fact, to tlie tips, thus estaVilisliing its claim to rank among
the h.ardiest occupants of our gardens. By-the-l»y, now is a good
time to prune it. It sliould be cut in quite close, in order to ensure
sti-ong young growths and large lieadsof flowers. — T. Smith, Kewrij.

The Pour-coloured Lachenalia (L. quadricolor). — We

saw this hanilsome plant flowering in fine condition the other day at
Chiswick. Its lance-shaped leaves are mottled \vitli chocolate, and
also the flower stem, wiiich rises from 9 in. to 10 in. high, and bears
sever,al drooping bell-shaped flowers with a striking combination of
colours, being scarlet below, then yellow and green, and tipped
with deep cliocolate. As a greenhouse plant it ought to be better
known than it is, having now been in this country for many years.
— W.

Andromeda floribunda. — Among the numerous kinds of
spring-flowering shrubs few are capable of producing a more showy
effect than tliis dwarf Andromeda, on account of the abundance of
tlie pure white Lily of the Valley-like blossoms which it produces.
When planted in masses, or associated with the drooping Forsythia
(F. suspensa) and others, it is remarkably ert'ective, and tends to
relieve the naked appearance of tlie latter. — W.

Cypripedium Schlimi. — This appears to be almost a per-
petual (lowering Orchid. I have a plant of it under my care in a
10-in. pot, which has been flowering for fourteen months, not more
than four or five days intervening at any time between the fading
of one flower and the opening of another. At the present time it is
bearing two spikes, with a third flower on each, and another spike is
just about to commence flowering, so that, under favourable circum-
stances, it ynW continue in blossom for six months longer. The
plant in question is grown in an ordinary stove, where, during the
late severe winter, the thermometer averaged 46° for over a fortnight.
— E. D.

Saxifraga retusa.— On the new and excellently constructed
rockery at Chiswick, this little Saxifrage quite enlivens its sur-
roundings by its dense cushion of pink blossoms. In our opinion it
is much prettier than the ordinary S. oppositifolia, to wliich it is
nearly related, as its small blossoms are produced in umbel-like
clusters, and its growth is more compact. The common Hepatiea,
in a gTeat variety of coloirrs, is also a very attractive feature here,
being jjlanted in large masses on the shady side, thus forming a
means of giving the rock garden a cheerful appearance at this the
dullest season for Alpine flowers. — W.

Chusan Palms and the Frost.— Several plants of Chama>-

rops excelsa that have stood fully exposed all the winter are as green
and healthy as possible ; even the young immature leaves are not
the least injured. As we had frost enough to kill sucli plants as
Stocks, Wallflowers, and many of the so-called hardy spring flowers,
there need now be no hesitation in planting this handsome Palm out-
of-doors in any well-sheltered position with a good prospect of suc-
cess.— J. G.

Camellia reticulata.— In the Royal Horticultural Society's
Ciardens at Chiswick, this Camellia is just now highly attractive,
being literally covered with huge rosy blossoms, which are semi-
double. Like the ordinary C. japonica, it is quite hardy, but it
flowers far more satisfactorily under glass than out-of-doors ; hence
it is afforded the protection of a deep two-light pit, which it cojtt-
pletely fills.— W.

Hardiness of Lilium neilgherrense.— A pot of this was

plunged through tlie winter along witli otliers in a cold frame, covered
quite over witli about 4 in. of sand. This pot was quite close to the
side of the frame, and frozen quite through and through ; neverthe-
less the bulb is now jierf ectly sound, and is making new roots. — ■
T. S.AiiTH, Newrij.

Dog's-tooth Violets in Grass.— A few days ago I saw a

number of irregidar clumps of these, dotted here and there oa a
gently sloping bank of turf, and, in front of clumps of evergi-eens,
they looked quite cliarming, and their dark spotted leaves showed
up to much better eftect on the fresh gi-eeii Grass than they do
in borders. They were all of the red variety, and required a few of
the wiiite fonii among them to m.ake the picture j^erfect. — T. Smith,
N' irrif.

Hardy Primroses.— For the early decoration of the fiowcr
garden the different varieties of Primrose are well worth careful
attention, as they not only afford a gi-eat variety of colour, but a long
and continuous season of bloom. M.any of our coloured single
varieties that began to flower freely last autumn, after being ice-
bound for weeks together, burst out in full beauty some time ago,
and are now covered with blossom. Tlie double varieties (white,
sulphur, mauve) are now opening their flowers in such profusion as to
quite conceal the foliage, the double white being exceptionally chaste
and beautiful. They succeed admirably in sheltered beds among
Conifer*, &c,, cutting winds being more destructive to them than
frost. — J. Gkoom.

Aucuba Berries. — We have some beds of Aucubas qaitc
loaded with berries that are getting beautifully coloured. Aucuba
flowers may be reailily fertilised by planting a male Aucuba in the
bed, or any^vhere within the radius of a few yards. This is both
simpler and more effectual than artificial fertilisation, which, on si
Large scale, is almost imjjussible. — J. G. L.

Hepaticas in Masses. — These charming spring flowers are
now in full beauty with us. They should not be divided too fre-
quently, as one good large clump is more effective than a dozen small
ones. In cottage gardens in this neighbourhood they are largely
grown, and few plants ai'e prettier at this season of the year. — J. G. ,
Maklstoni'.

New Park at Birmingham. — On Saturday last, the Major
of Birmingham opened the new park at Smallheath, which has beeo
presented to that tovcix by Miss Ryland, and towards the laying out
of which she has contributed £4000. The park is about 41 acj«E
in extent, and is the eighth jjark which has been opened in Bina-
inghain.

Plants in Flower in a Somersetshire Garden.—

There are now in flower in my garden in Somerset (April 2) the.
following plants, viz., .Soldanella Wheeluri, Scilla pnccox. Iris per-
siea, Alpine Auriculas, Orobus niger, V'iola lutea. Lungwort, Cycla-
men coum (red), Saxifnaga oppositifolia. Primula Golden Plover,
a variety of Polyanthuses, and Puschkinia scilloides. The follow-
ing plants also are well in bud, viz., Dicentra speotabilis, D. eximia.
Camellia imbricata. Crown Imperials, Primula cortusoides, P. den-
ticulata, Iberis gibraltarica, a white Veronica with mauve stamens
(the name of which I do not know). Agapanthuses, wliich iare
been out all the winter, although cut down by frost which registered
as low as 12^ Fahr. , are now shooting freely. Also, I hope to haTC
saved a Lapageria rosea which was planted against a low south wall ;
this, I am glad to say, appears to bo shooting, although the froali
cut it down to the gi-ouiid. — A. B. T.

Royal Horticultural Society.— It is understood, says the

"Builder," that the " 1S.51 Commissioners" have determined to take
possession of the gardens at South Kensington ; in fact, that they
have formally demanded it and have been refused. The Law Coorte
will probably be appealed to to settle the precise legal position of
the two bodies.

Edinburgh Professorship of Botany. — We leam that

this has this week been filled by the selection of Dr. Dickson.
Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow, and prevjoualy
in the University of Dublin, where he succeeded Dr. Harvey.

Mr. HOTey's Camellias.— Specimen plants of these beantifu}
new American Camellias, several of which received first-class certi-
ficates the other day at South Kensington, are now in flower ie
Mr. Bull's nursei-y at Chelsea. They .are to be sold, we understao'i,
at Stevens' Rooms on the 17th inst.

290

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

NOTES rr.OM KEW.

Hardy Plants.— The plant of Blagay's Daphne (D. Blagayana),
from which our coloured illustration (Plate 143) was taken last year,
is again in flower, though scarcely, if at all, larger than at tliat time,
thus shomng its slow rate of growth. A more desirable dwarf shrub
for the choicest parts of the rock garden is not in cultivation.
The dense tcmiinal clusters of pure white blossoms, immediately
surrounded by deep gi-een lea^-es, added to the delicious perfume
emitted by them, similar to that of its congener, D. indica, at once
arrest attention. This charming novelty is a native of rocky places
in various parts of Carniola, and, though, as yet, very rare in collec-
tions, it is one of the plants requiring to be sought after. The Pusch-
kiuias are charming little bulbous plants, and have a brilliant effect
when associated with other spring-flowering plants. The rare
P. scilloides (see our illustration last year) is a dwarf slender kind of
spreading habit, producing abundance of flowers, about 1 iu. across,
of a delicate mauve tint. What is kuo%\-n as P. libanotica (sjm.
P. sicula of Van Houtte) is a very handsome kind growing about
C iu. high, of erect habit, with a pair of rather broad-channelled
leaves, from which arises a loose raceme of blossoms, each about the
size of a sixpenny piece, white with a blue .stripe down the centre of
each division. The variety compacta is a much superior kind with
larger flowers arranged more densely and the blue markings brighter.
All are natives of the Caucasus. Amongst the Dafl'odils the Bulbo-
codium or Hoop-Petticoat section is becoming interesting. The
narrow-leaved form (Narcissus Bulbocodium var. tenuifolius) differs
from the type on account of its narrow twisted foliage, and rather
smaller flowers. A little Alpine form called nivalis is even smaller
than the last in all its parts. It is found at liigh elevations on the
mountains of .Spain. Another charming Spanish kind is N. rupicola
(syn. N. juncifolius var. apodanthns), but it differs from the Rush-
leaved Daftbdil in having smaller sized bright golden flowers, crimpled
crowai, and in being very glaucous.

Greenhouse Plants.— The Convallaria-like Speirantha (S.
convallarioides) is a pretty Liliaceous plant, which grows about 9 in.
high ; it has lance-shaped leaves, from which arises the flower stem,
bearing pure white blossoms -i in. across, of finn texture and arranged
iu a racemose mamier. It is a native of China, near Shanghai.
Though it flowers more freely when under glass it is perfectly hardy.
Some of the Lachenalias are very showy, notalily the old L. tricolor,
and also its variety luteola, with its flowers almost all yellow.
L. tigrina is another very desirable kind ; it has a brown and gi-een
mottled stem and drooping bell-like blossoms, scarlet and pale gi-een
tipped -svitli deep chocolate. These, like the rest of the Lachenalias,
are natives of the Cape, and therefore they require the protection of
a cool house or frame. In some of the species of Pelargonium, we see
colours that have not yet been infused into the hybrid varieties, and
none is more striking in this respect than P. ardens var. superbum,
which is truly a striking kind ; it has large, hairy, somewhat heart-

' ' r ■ , 1 . . .. ! J bilos-

r house

very pretty effect it has when mixed with other plants. The Ne-
penthes-like Arisa^ma (A. nepenthoides) is a handsome novelty from
Sikiim belonging to the Arum family. It is about 2 ft. high, has
an erect stem, beautifully mottled with Ijlack, purple, and light gTeen,
and bears a pair of leaves divided into narrow wavy divisions. The
blossom is not showy, being gi-eenish, but the form is angidar, the
upper part resembling a pitcher of Nepenthes.

Stove Plants. — Some highly ornamental climbing plants now
adorn the roofs of the Palm-house and stove, and amongst them the
twining Petroea (P. volubilis) is very attractive. It has long, slender
branches and oval, deep green leaves, from the axils of which are
produced long, drooping racemes of star-like blossoms, consisting of
a pale mauve calyx with narrow spreading di\-isions, considerably
larger than the corolla, %vhich is of the size and form of the common
Violet, and of a deep bluish-purple tint. It soon drops after expand-
ing, lea\'ing the calyx, which remains in beauty for some time. It is
a native of Vera Cruz, and a very old introduction to our stoves,
though now but too seldom seen. It was the subject of a coloured
illustration in The Garden (Vol. XII., p. 40). Few occupants of
the stove are more beautiful or useful for general cultivation than
Clerodendron Tliomsona?, an old introduction from Tropical Africa.
The pure white lower parts of the blossoms form a striking contrast
to the rich, deep crimson of the corolla, seldom seen even amongst
tropical flowers, and the profusion with which they are borne, and
the leng'th of time during which they continue in perfection, much
enhance their beauty. Near to tliis is C. speciosum, a garden hybrid,
not nearly so attractive. The sho-n-y Bignonia (B. speciosa), with
large, mauve-coloured flowers, pencilled with deep purple, is a higdily
desirable kind, perfectly amenable to greenhouse culture. It is a
native of Urua^lay, from whence it was introduced about forty years

ago. B. jnirpurea, which is flowering freely near the preceding,
apparently differs but slightly, if at all, from it. Thunbergia lauri-
folia is another showy climber, M'itli large, pale mauve blossoms, pro-
duced in long, pendulous racemes. The many-flowered Pavo-
nia (P. niultiflora) is a very ornamental shrub, belonging to the
Mallow family. It grows about IS in. high, and has rigid, slightly-
toothed leaves, from 6 in. to 8 in. long. The flowers are produced
singly from the axils of the upper leaves ; they consist of an outer
I'ow of narrow bracts, about 1 in. long, an'anged in a cup-like
manner, enclosing the deep cliocolate-coloured flower, from which a
fringy tuft of stamens jjrotrudes. It inhabits the primeval forests of
Tropical America, and appears to be the same as the kind known as
P. Wioti. Phc'cdranassa chloraera is an interesting Amaryllid. -H-ith
a stout flower-stem, nearly 3 ft. high, terminated ]>y an undjel com-
posed of about six blossoms, which are "2 in. long and tubular ; the base
and the tips are of a glaucous gi'een tint, and the rest of a deep flesh
colour. The leaves, like the stem and flowers, are also very glaucous.
It is a native of Tropical America. More curious flowers in point of
structure than those of Mantisia saltatoria, a plant belonging to the
Ginger family, seldom come under observation ; indeed, it is difficult
to describe their strange form. They bear some resemlilance to the
insect known as Mantis, hence the generic name. They are also
called Opera Girls, from the fanciful notion that they resemble
dancing figmres. The colour of the blossoms, as well as those of the
stem and bracts, is pale purple, and there is a bright orange-coloured
portion corresponding to the lip of an Orchid flower. Another
member of the same family that comes from the same counti-y, viz.,
the East Indies, is Monolophus elegans (sjti. Kannpferia), a plant
which bears beautiful large flowers, with a rich purple lip, elegantly
pencilled with darker lines, and the other parts pure white. They
are, moreover, deliciously fragrant, and appear some time before
the leaves.

Orchids. — The large-leaved Dendrobium (D. macrophyllum) is
one of the best late flowering kinds ; the numerous large violet-
purple blossoms borne on long drooping stems are very atti-active.
The variety superbum, on account of its bright coloured and larger
flowers, is an improvement on the original, and deseiwes a place in
every collection. Considerably in the way of the last, but mth much
smaller blossoms, is a novelty from Moulmein, bearing the almost
unpronounceable name of D. rhodopterygium. Another jNIoulmein
kind is D. dixanthum, with orange-coloured flowers, rather small, and
with a nearly round unfringed lip. D. crystallinum, with respect to
the size and colour of the flowers, much resembles the old D. Devo-
nianum, but lacks the beautiful fringed lip of the latter kind.
D. barbatulum, which is a native of the -vicinity of Bombay, is a
charming kind. Its blossoms, which are of ivory wiiiteness, the lip
being hairy at the base and tinged with yellow, are arranged in dense
one-sided racemes on long slender stalks. It is a very useful kind
for cutting purposes, as it lasts so long a time in perfection. One or
two novelties among the Lady's-slippers attract attention ; such as
Cypripediuni Boxalli, whicli seems to be a compromise between the
well-known kinds G. villosnm and insigne. It has the foliage of the
former, but the markings and colour of the blossoms more nearly
resemble those of the latter. C. Ai-giis, a native of the Philippines,
has mottled foliage, and flowers having a purplish lip, spotted side
petals, and the upper part striped with gi-een. The whole plant strong-
ly resembles the rare Javanese kind C. superbiens (syn. C. Veitchi).
Odontoglossum cirrhosum, one of the best of its section, is well in
flower. It is a variable kind in the matter of colouring and size of
flowers, for in a small batch one may detect some well-marked forms.
No collection of Orchids can be considered complete without tliis
charming kind. — W.

Ne'w Fastigiate Silver Poplar.— This, according to Pro-
fessor Sargent, iu the "Gardener's Monthly," has been called
P. alba BoUeana, in compliment to Dr. Charles BoUe, of Berlin.
Several very finely grown specimens of this pjTamidal Silver Poplar
may be seen, it is said, in the public garden of Teflis, and as the
garden was laid out and planted by a fugitive Persian prince, whose
name it still bears, it is probable that this tree was originally
brought from Persia. The Fastigiate Poplar is perfectly hardy,
gi-ows rapidly in any slightly moist soil, and is particularly remark-
able for its haliit and gi'cat size, completely dwarfing the Italian
Poplar with which it is associated. The bark, even in old specimens,
is smoothed out as if it were polished ; it is of a clear bluish-gi'een
colour, without spots or cracks. The ramification is strong and
characteristic. The brilliant white of the lower side of the leaves,
which remains unchanged in its purity throughout the sunmier,
makes a strong contrast with the dark gi-een of the upper side, pro-
ducing a striking cflect, and rendering this tree visible at a long
distance off. Tlie wood of the Fastigiate Poplar is of finer ([uality
and more highly esteemed than that of the other Poplars. It is an
ornamental tree of the first order, and can be highly reconmiended.

April 12, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

291

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

DRAPERY FOR THE TRUNKS AND BRANCHES OF

TREES.
Some time ago I saw a Weeping Willow, on the margin of a
lake, that had its trunk clothed with Virginian Creeper, and
the efiect in autumn, when the sun shone through the drooping
branches of the Willow — whose leave.s were just becoming
tinged with gold — upon the crini.son of the creeper-covered trunk
was rich in the extreme. The Everlasting Pea, both the rose-
coloured and the white varieties, are very suitable for planting
near smaU-growing trees, such as Laburnums, Thorns, or
standard fruit trees, when such are grown in or within view
of the grounds. In small places, where the orchard trees are
planted on or near the lawn, some interest may be added to
the plantation by covering the stems with some strong-
growing creeper that is not easily destroyed, and I have seen
these Peas used for the purpose
with good efiect. Of course,
they cannot be planted in or-
chards to which stock have access,
as in such cases nothing would
be permitted to live. Even the
trees, until the stems become old
and gnarled, must have protec-
tion. The Hop is a very efl'ec-
tive plant for draj)ing a thin
specimen Arbor-vitas, or Yew
tree, but the shoots should be
thinned out in spring, and not
more than three or four allowed
to climli up to the tree. When
the leader emerges from the top
of the bush, and throws its long,
graceful wreaths of Hops over
the dark green foliage, the con-
trast is most effective. In like
manner the taller, stronger varie-
ties of Tropaiolum could be used
on shrubs towards autumn with-
out doing any harm, as the first
frost would kill them, and they
could be removed. After the
first year there would be no oc-
casion to plant any seeds of
these Tropajolums round the
shrubs, as enough would fall and
winter in the ground to furnish
sufficient and to spare. Clema-
tises are well suited to plant at
the base of deciduous trees and
even Yews, especially those with light-coloured flowers, which
are set off to advantage by the dark background. The accom-
panying woodcut represents a Clematis montana on the branch
of a Yew tree which I saw last May at Great Tew, and very
effective it was. Jasmines and Honeysuckles are general
favourites for such purposes. But all these plants do better
if planted before the trees become too old or the soil ex-
hausted. In the case of any old tree it may be desired to
clothe, some of the exhausted soil should be removed, and some
fresh rich material substituted. But the new soil must not be
placed much higher up the bole than it was covered by the old
soil, or some mischief may arise to the bark of the tree and its
health be injured. The Wistaria, if planted before its support
has become old, will combine with excellent effect with any
single specimen of not too dense a habit. Of course, the
Beech should be avoided. E. H.

Clematis montan.a on a br.indi of Yew.

HARDY BOG PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE.

Watek-loving plants may, in cultivation, be conveniently
divided into two classes, viz., those needing to be totally sub-
merged and those requiring only the soil in which they are
planted to be more or less constantly saturated for their suc-
cessful treatment. The former class has already received fidl
attention in The Garden (Vol. XIV., p. 149), and it is the
object of the following remarks to describe the most select
and beautiful members of hardy bog plants which should be
more generally found in cultivation than they are. One of
the chief drawbacks to their introduction into gardens probably
is that they require a situation that exists naturally in only
few gardens ; but to construct artificially on a small, or even
on a large, scale, a pla^e well adapted for the purpose is a
simple matter, \^^lcre deep) water aquatic plants are grown,
bog plants should, of necessity, be an indispensable adjunct, as
they flower under ordinaiy care when placed in pots or pans

upon elevated ridges or shelves,
^ or planted on an ordinary raft

_ ^ _ made of rough planks, or on the

5& = more elaborate principle of the

Wilson raft, the appearance of
which, or some other simple and
inexpensive contrivance, would
be welcomed by most lovers of
hardy plants. Again, those who
are the fortunate possessors of a
charming rivulet in proximity to
the garden could form, without
entailing much trouble, a capital
bog garden by simply diverting
the whole or part of its course
so as to flow amongst rubble,.
&c.,'upon which bog soil could be
placed, and if the position be in
a slanting direction so much the
better. In gardens where the
above sources are not available,
the best substitute is to take out
the soil to a depth of 18 in., and
then place a layer of clay about
6 in. thick at the bottom and
sides, and on it put the soil,
which for general purposes — and
in which the majority of bog
plants will thrive — should con-
sist of three parts fibry peat, one
part coarse sand, and one part
leaf-mould. The surface should
be undulated, so that those re-
quiring less moisture may be
placed on the mounds. It will be found that even during sum-
mer comparatively a small amount of water occasionally is re-
cpiired to render it constantly swampy. For growing a few bog
plants, or for isolated specimens, ordinary large-sized earthen-
ware pans ^\all be found to answer the purjiose capitally. la
planting the bog garden care should be taken that the .strong-
growing kinds will not, when fuUy developed, overrun those
of weaker growth ; hence it is advisable, as in the case of
rock gardens, to set apart select spots for the more choice and
rare kinds.

One great source of annoyance in connection with bog
gardens is, that they are very liable to the depredations
of the feathered tribe, which, in search of worms, play
much havoc both with plants and soil, especially in spring ;
and if the usual mode of scaring be not effective, the
choicest and smallest plants should be protected by pieces of

20-''

THE GAEDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

galvanised wire netting. Though this charming class of plants
las been introduced from almost every temperate region, yet
it ia tlie bogs and swamps of North America that have
afforded the most plentiful supply, and amongst them are
st>me of the most beautiful. Amongst the choicest of these
may be mentioned : —
The Virginian Meadow Beauty (Rliexia virginica), a plant

■which inliabits the sandy swamps of Virginia, &c. It is remarkable
as being the only hardy member of tlie family to which it belongs.
It is of a neat habit, witli numerous erect, quadrangular stems grow-
iug about 1 ft. in height, and bearing for a considerable time during
■anuner terminal clusters of rather large, rosy-purple blossoms mth
a central tuft of bright yellow stameus. Though reputedly difficult
io manage in cultivation generally, it succeeds admirably in some
gardens, delighting in a deep, moist, peaty soil, when afforded jjartial
shaile. It may be propagated freely by means of seeds, though a
somewhat slow process, or by careful di\'ision in autumn, and in the
operation every portion of the roots should be planted, as every small
piece develops buds.

Another equally beautiful plant is

The Worm Grass (Spigelia marilandica), though it is question-
able whether it succeeds best in a bog bed, or otherwise. The finest
specimen of it which I ever saw was gi'owing in a fully-exposed and
saimy position in rich, stitF, loamy soil. It appeared to be in the
most robust health. As it is generally assigaied to bog cultm"e, it is
jnstifiable to include it in our list, but, wherever its position may be
ia the garden, it may be recommended as one of the most desirable
8ia! dy plants which we have, and one which should be included even
in the choicest collection.

The Naked Coreopsis (C. nudata) is one of the most i-emark-
able of the vast family of Comjiosites. It so strikingly resembles the
common Rush when not in flower, that it would be difficult to dis-
tinguish them, as the leaves are developed in the same cylindrical
auumer. The flowers are very beautiful, being about H in. across, of
a bright rosy-purple, changing to a lighter hue, and having a yellow
ccEtre. They are borne on slender, forked stalks, about lA ft. high,
which bend gracefully, thus much enhancing its beauty. The only
fiowering specimen of this rarity which I have as yet seen is in the
£ew collection, where it is apparently thriving well in a loamy soil
m a moderately moist position. It is a native of Floiida, inhabiting
moist but exposed places.

Fringed Polygala (P. paueifolia).— One of the handsomest of
all the Milkworts is this delicate Uttle North American sjjecies. It
grows only 3 in. or 4 in. high, has a creeping and branching rhizome,
and bears slender, erect branches, each with four or five ovate leaves,
and terminated by a small cluster of flowers, which resemble those
of P. Chamajljuxus in form, but they are J in. in length, and are of a
bright rosy-purple colour. It inhabits sphagnous swamps in various
localities, generally in mouutainous districts. In cultivation it
appears somewhat difficult to manage, but it apparently thrives best
in peaty soil, to which has been added a little leaf-mould and white
sand. It should be placed amongst the most select occupants of the
bog garden. At present it is very rare in EngUsh gardens.

Yellcw Milk'WOrt (P. lutea). — This is scarcely less pretty or
interesting. It produces its small, bright orange-coloured blossoms
ia globose heads, about j in. in diameter, on stems from 3 in. to 6 in.
high. It is much easier to manage than the preceding, delighting in
moist, sandj' places, conditions under which it is found in New Jersey
and other parts of North America.

Helonias bullata. — This is another useful subject for the bog
garden. It is of an erect habit, growing from 1 ft. to 2 ft. high, with
a rosette of light green, oblong, lance-shaped leaves. The flowers,
■which are small but densely arranged in a racemose manner on erect
stems, are rosy-purple, and are produced in the beginning of summer.
Tliis very handsome plant inhabits various parts of North America,
abomiding especially in New Jersey and Virginia, where it is found
in swampy places. In cultivation it thrives well in peaty soil, and,
like the preceding, requires an equable, moist, and not too wet posi-
tion.

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassiapalustris). — In addition to our
native examples of this, the bogs of North America afford two others
equally interesting and beautiful, \iz., P. caroliniana and P. asarifolia.
°Xiie former has larger flowers than our indigenous species, and the
peculiar crown-like appendages inside the flower are fewer in number.
P. asarifolia is .also larger, but has kidney-shaped root leaves, other-
■wiae they l>oth much resemble P. palustris, and thrive under the
aame treatment in a compost of fibry peat, loam, and sand, and in a
3iot too wet position in the bog garden.

Sclerolepis ■V^erticillata is an interesting and beautiful bog
plant, nearly allied to Pjupatorium. It has a dwarf, creeping habit
and uaiTOW leaves, arranged in whorls of five or six. The flower-
heads terminate the branches and are of a beautiful mauve colour,
and they last a long while in perfection. It should be allowed to
creep about in the wettest parts of the bog ; it is quite indifierent as
to quality of soil, and is easily propagated by division or by means of
seeds.

Galax aphylla, a member of the Heath family, is a most
desirable plant for our purpose. It is an evergi-een perennial, with
roundish leaves, and during the greater part of the summer is adorned
with an al)undant sujjply of long and erect racemes of numerous small
pure white blossoms. When established, it has a tendency to
grow in huge, compact tufts, and when in flower fonns a very attrac-
tive object. It thrives well in a deep, peaty soil, but should be
placed in a not too wet position.

The Twin Plcwer (Linn»a borealis), belonging to the Honey-
suckle family, is a charming little plant, dedicated to the naturalist
Linna-us. It is a slender, creeping, and trailing evergi-eeu, ■with
roundish, shghtly-toothed leaves, in the axils of which are produced
thread-like flower-stalks, which are forked, each bearing a small,
bell-shaped, gracefully-drooping flower of a pale pink colour and very
fragrant. It thrives admirably when gTown imder the same condi-
tions as the preceding, but should be afforded partial shade. Besides
being indigenous to N^orth America, it also inhabits various parts of
Europe, and comprises one of oiu' native wild flowers, though some-
what rare.

Orchids. — Some of the North American representatives of these
are especially noteworthy, such as the Moccasin-flower or showy
Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium spectabile), which is generally acknow-
ledged to be the finest of the genvis, and well it merits that distinc-
tion. It is too well known to need description, more especially as an
excellent coloured illustration of it will be found in Vol. XI. of The
Garden. The stemless Lady's-slipper (C. acaule), which inhabits
shady, moist woods, is another fine kind, well deserving of culture,
also the Ram"s-head Lady's-slipper (C arietinum), ■with its small,
singularly-shaped blossoms. The small white Lady's-slipper (C. can-
didum) is a rare and very pretty kind, ■with rather small white and
Ijrowaiish flowers. The larger yellow Lady's-slijiper (C. pubescens)
should rank next to C. spectabile as regards size and elegance of
blossoms, which have wa\'y, twisted, purplish-bro^wn outer di^iasions
and a bright yellow lip. All the above-mentioned kinds thrive
admirably when associated ■with bog plants, and all delight in a deep,
jieaty soil and partial shade ; they may be propagated readily by
diWsion in autumn or spring. Calopogon pulchellus is another beau-
tifid bttle bulbous-rooted plant, well deserring of culture. It pro-
duces erect stems about 1 ft. high, clothed with nan'ow leaves, and
in summer it bears at its apex from two to six blossoms, 1 in. across,
of a pink-purple colour, ■with the lip beautifully bearded with white,
yellow, and purple club-shaped hairs ; it is, moreover, very fra-
grant. The Ophioglossum-like Pogonia (P. ophioglossoides) is a hand-
some kind, from 8 in. to 9 in. high, bearing but one large stem-clasping
leaf, and a solitary flower, or rarely more, which is 1 in. in diameter,
of a pale purple colour, ■with a crested and elegantly-fringed lip. The
bulbous Arethusa (A. bulbosa), which inhabits the bogs in Virginia,
&c., and which is now of frequent occurrence in cultivation, is an
interesting as well as elegant little plant, wliich is very easy to
manage. As its name impUes, it produces small, globular bulbs,
from which spring the small flower-stems, each l.iearing, in early
summer, a single large blossom, of a lovely I'ose-purple colour, and
sweet scented. There are various other North American ten-estrial
Orchids in cultivation of less striking beauty than those above men-
tioned, comprisingthecuriousand rare Northern Calypso (C. borealis),
which bears a large and showy purple and yellow flower ; also
the white-fringed Orchis (Platanthera blephariglottis), 1 ft. high,
witli beautiful pure white blossoms, ■with a dehcately-fringed lip.
The large purple (P. fimbriata) and the small purple Orchis
(P. jjsychodes) are not uncommon in cultivation, and are especially
noteworthy.

AU the preceding kinds of Orchids thrive well in deep,
peaty soil, and in partial shade, with the exception of the
Calypso borealis, which delights to creep in wet, li'ving Moss
only. The hardy representative of the gorgeously painted
foliage of the tropical Anajctochili is undoubtedly the downy
Goodyera (G. pubescens), which, although of not such bright
colours, the silvery markings on the rich green foliage render
it strikingly beautiful. It seems to thrive best in a some-
what shady position, but shade is not indispensable.

Insectivorous Plants. — It is a rather singular coincidence
that the majority of the so-called insectivorous plants are natives of

April 12, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

293

the North American bogs and swamps, and of these there ai-e several
of sufficient hardiness to be growTi in the open air in this country.
Of these, probably the best known and hardiest is tlie purple Side-
saddle flower (SaiTacenia purpurea). Besides the beautiful markings
of the pitcher-like leaves, it bears etiually singidar blood-red
flowers, which, in the case of established plants, are freely produced
annually. A still more remarkable jilant, in point of structure, is the
Californiau Pitcher ijlant{Darlingtoniacalifornica) which may now be
included in the list, inasmuch as it has proved hardy enough to with-
stand the full vigour of our climate. Young plants may be obtained
from seeds which germinate readily. The best and quickest mode
of propagation is, however, liy ottshoots, which old-established plants
throw out plentifully, and which soon make strong specimens.
Another, the strikingly-curious Venus' Fly-trap (Dioniea muscipula)
is perfectly amenable to outside culture, with perhaps the protection
of a bell-glass during the winter. Like tlie two preceding, it acquires
luider such treatment a robustness tliat is unknown to plants under
indoor culture. Of about the same degi'ce of hardiness is the Trum-
pet plant (Sarracenia flava), which inhabits tlie bogs of Virgdnia, &c.
It differs from its congener (S. purpurea) in having its pitchers (juite
erect and much longer, and the flowers are yellowish. One mode of
treatment is applicable to all the four preceding ; they should be
grown in a compost consisting of one part tibry peat broken
roughly, one part live Sphagnum Moss chopped rather fine, and a
little sand and broken charcoal. A layer of Moss should be placed
on the surface, so that it will gi'ow round the plants, thus tending to
keep them in a healthy condition. Their position in the bog garden
should be in the wettest part, but the ground should be raised where
the plants are placed so that the surface may be somewhat dryer
than about the roots.

Sundews. — Two beautiful Sundews inhabit tlie North American
bogs besides those found in this country, viz., the .slender Sundew
(Drosera linearis), witli long and very narrow leaves profusely
bedewed vritli the \iscid substance peculiar to all the Sundews. It is
found on the shores of Lake Suiierior. The thread-leaved Sundew
(D. filiformis) is another veiy handsome kind witli still longer and
narrower leaves, and mth beautiful rose-coloured blossoms, which
are produced at tlie end of summer. It is fouml in various parts of
the United States growing in wet sand, a circumstance which should
be noted, as a frequent cause of failure in cultivating this plant is
treating it in the same manner as the other kinds ; it should
be gro^vn in a compost of coarse river sand, with an admixture of a
little fibrous loam, and should always be kept in a very moist
condition.

Hooker's Chrysobactron (C. Hookeri) is a highly orna-
mental New Zealand plant, where it inhabits the margins of water-
courses, boggy places, &e., growing in gTeat abundance, forming
clumps sometimes more than 3 ft. across, and, when in full blossom,
it is said to afford a splendid siglit, as vast areas are covered with its
beautiful bright yellow flowers. Its foliage forms compact tufts, tlie
leaves being about 1 J ft. long, narrow channelled, and of a glaucous
green colour, shaded witli Inown at the base. The flower-spikes are
leafless, and rise nearly "2 ft. in height, and the flowers are borne in a
loose racemose manner, expanding in May or .lune. It tlirives best
in peaty soil mixed Math a good sprinkling of river sand, and the
soil should be constantly moist, Init not too wet. It may be propa-
gated freely from seeds, or by diWsion, an operation which should be
done in spring.

Samolus litoralis is another very elegant New Zealand bog
plant, belonging to tlie Primrose family, but lemarkably unlike one ;
it more resembles the Cranberry than any other plant with which
we are familiar. It has numerous slender brandies, 1 ft. to Ih ft.
long, with small, leathery, oblong foliage. For a considerable time
during summer the branches are covered with rosy blossoms, h in.
across, which are borne in the axils of nearly every leaf, tlius ren-
dering it very attractive. To be successful with it under culture,
it should be gTOwn in a ricli, loamy soil, and be kept con-
stantly moist and fully exposed. Propagation may be easily effected
by means of the numerous suckers, or offshoots, or by seeds.

Cape Crinum (C. capense). — One of the showiest and most
stately denizens of the bog garden is this charming liulbous plant and
its varieties. As to its hardiness in the south there can be uo doubt,
as I have grown it for some years wholly unprotected during winter.
It is the largest-gi'owing, hardy buUjous plant we have, having bulbs,
when fully matured, 6 in. in diameter, each developing numerous
glaucous green leaves from 1 ft. to 2 ft. long, and 4 in. broad at the base,
tapering to a point. The flower-stems are stout, rising consideraljly
above the foliage, Ijeing from 2 ft. to 5 ft. high, each bearing from
six to sixteen large flowers in an umbellate manner, varying in colour
from almost wliite to a deep rose. The variety called C. riparium is
the darkest, and there seems to be every intermediate shade between
that and C. fortuitum, which is the lightest. C. striatum has the
dark colour arranged in longitudinal stripes. The position of the

Cape Crinum in the bog garden should be where the roots will be itt
abundant moisture, but the bulbs raised and comparatively dry. It
delights in a deep, rich, loamy soil, the stitler, the better ; in fact, it
is advisable to put clay at the bottom, in order that the roots may
revel in it. Young plants may easily be obtained from seed, which
should be sown as soon as it is ripe ; it may also be increased by
division of the bulbs. If there be but one bulb, and it shows no sigm
of making ort'shoots, it should be cut over at the top, when it v/ili
immediately send out numerous shoots, by which it may be propa-
gated.

Native Bog Plants. — Our native flora affords a few very
desirable objects for the bog garden ; indeed, some are not surpassed
in beauty by tlie choicer exotics. Amongst these may be noted the
Marsh Geutian(Gentiana Pneumonanthe), which inhabits low. Heathy,
moist places, growing from Gin. to 12 in, high, with erect stems a;ad
naiTOw, pointed leaves. The flowers are borne in terminal clusters,
and are from 1 in. to 2 in. long, bell shaped, of a lovely deep blue
within, and with five broad, greenish lines corresponding with the
divisions outside. The white variety, though rare, forms a chai-ming
contrast when associated with the type. It thrives best in a deep,
peaty soil, where it is constantly moist. It may be increased by
seeds or careful diN-ision in spring. The bog Asphodel (Narthecium
ossifragum), with its Iris-like leaves, forms dense tufts from 6 in. to
8 in. liigli, and i)roduces numerous elongated, straight racemes of
rather large yellow flowers, succeeded by red capsules, which remain
on the jilant during winter. It delights in a spongy, wet place, with
live Moss on the surface, in which the fibry, creeping roots like to
creep. An elegant little plant, too, is the bog Pimpernel, which is
found in various parts in wet. Mossy bogs. It has tliread-hke, cre«'p-
ing stems ami roundish leaves, from the axils of which are borne its
pretty pink blossoms on long, slender stalks. It will take care oi
itself if placed under the conditions mentioned above, and will sooo
cover large spaces. Grass of Parnassus (Pamassia palustris) is,
another very interesting bog plant, difl'ering from its North American
congener in its more numerous gland-like appendages inside the
corolla, which give it a more fringed appearance. Like the other two
kinds pre\nously mentioned, it succeeds well in ordinary bog soil in a
moderately wet position. The common Marsh Marigold makes a very
showy plant, enlivening the bog garden in early spring with a pro-
fusion of its bright golden blossoms, and, on this account, it is welt
worth gi-owing. Caltha radicans is a kind much resembling it, but
it has a creeping habit, smaller flowers, and triangiilar, not he;irt-
shaped, leaves. The British Sundews well merit attention, as they
are scarcely less beautiful than the rarer exotic kinds, especially
the common round-leaved kind (Drosera rotundifolia), with its
rosette of dew-bespangled leaves and small spikes of white flower?.
The Great Sundew (I), anglica) and the spathulate-leaved kind
(D. intermedia) are less common ; the former has longer and much
narrower leaves than the latter, but both are copiously covered with
\-iscid matter. They all thrive in company with the North Americ-UB
kinds before alluded to, and should be gi-own where they would be
fully exposed and not likely to be overrun by plants of ranker gTowth.
The Scottish Asijhodel (Tofieldia palustris), a plant with the habit of
an Iris in miniature, and spikes of jiale yellow flowers, may also find
a place amongst others. The Summer Snowflake (Leucojum «sti'.imij
also desci-N-es a passing notice, as it thrives better when grown with
bog plants than in an ordinary border, and very beautiful it is for the
purpose -H-ith its drooping clusters of Snowdrop-like flowers. A
moderately moist place and loamy soil will be found to suit it capita,
ally. Some of the indigenous Orchids prefer bog treatment,' and
these include some of tlie best. The handsome lax-flowered Orchis
(0. laxiflora) which inhabits the bogs and wet meadows in the
Chaimel Islands, attains high perfection in the bog garden in rich,
loamy soil ; also the Marsh Orchis (0. latifolia), a larger and even
finer kind, mth long spikes of numerous blossoms, varying in colour
from a pale rose to deep purple, and beautifully dotted with purple.
The Marsli Helleborine (Epijiactis palustris) is another handsome
kind requiring like treatment, and one which would thrive better
with an admixture of broken chalk to the compost. The Butterworts
again are very pretty as well as curious little plants, always found
gi'owing wild in spongy bogs, amongst Moss, &c., and under these
conditions they should be cultivated. The best is the Irish Butter-
wort (Pingiiicula grandiflora) which inhabits boggy places in the
south-west parts of Ireland. It has large Violet-like blossoms of a
pui'iilish-blue colour, white in the centre, and is the finest-flowering
kind in cultivation. The common and Alpine sorts (P. |, vulgaris and
alpina) are much smaller and less desirable. The Vallisneria-)e.avcd
Buttei-wort (P. vallisneria;folia) which was the subject of a coloured
illustration in the last volume of The Gardex, is sure to be a popular
favourite when it shall have become better known than it now is.

The foregoing remarks allude chiefly to the choicer kinds of
bog plants, but there are many other.? that might with advan-
tage be as.sociated with them, and especially those with hand-

294

THE GAEDEN.

[April 13, 1879.

some foliage which would considerably enhance the interest and
beauty of the bog garden and break up the monotonous eifect
of dwarf vegetation. For instance, what fine specimens of
the noble Gunnera scabra can be obtained in a short time
under such treatment ! also the fine-leaved Japanese
Groundsel (Senecio japonica) and a host of others; but
care should be taken when planting them that they are
arranged so that the weaker and dwarfer kinds will not be
overrun by them, though in many instances they afford the
partial shade that is indispensable to the well being of some
plants.

Subjoined is a list of desirable kinds adapted for bog cul-
ture, and the majority of them are readily procurable at most
nurseries. Those marked thus * are British species.

Dwarf kinds which succeed best in peaty soil : —

Coptis trifoliata 'Drosera anglica

Helonias bullata
*Gentiana Pnt:umonantlie
Galax aphylla
Spigelia maiilandica
*Anagallis tenella
■*Linu{ca burealis
Sarracenia purpurea
*Saxifraga Hii-cuius

aquatica
Sclerolepis verticillata
Polygala paucifolia

lutea
Drosera linearis

* inteniiedia

* rotuiiiUfolia

Cornus canadensis
Khexia virginica
Chrysobactron Hookeri
Darlingtonia californica
Onoclea sensibilia
Lastrea novaboracensis

tliylypteris
Gypripediiun spectabile

arietinum

gut tat urn

acaule

candidum
Goodj'ei'a pubescens
^Xarthecium ossifragum
Struthiupteris gennauica

Kinds that like rich, loamy soil, and being kept constantly
very moist : —

Crinum capense and vars. Hydrocotyle nitidula
"*CaItha palustris and fl.-pl. mitrophylla

leptosepala nioscliata

* radicans Lobelia syphilitica

*Epipaetis palustris Primula sikiciniensis
*Orchis laxidora Munmi

foliosa

* latifolia

* palustris
Myosotis palustris
Polygoinini Bruiionis
Lathyrus palustris
Tulbagliia alliacca
Syinptocarpus fujtidus
^Chrysosplfnium oppositi folium

* alternifolium
Drosera tilil\irmis

Gratiola officinalis quadridentata
^Campanula hederaoea
Coreopsis nudata
"Leucojuni a^stivum
Hydrocotyle bonariensis

*Sagitt;uia sagittifolia, var. fl.-pl.
Paucradum rotiitum
^Piniiuicuhi m-ainUflora
vallisnLTiiL'I'.dia

* vulu:aris
Swertia perennis
"■'Viola palustris
■*Parnassia palustris

asarifolia

caroliniana
*Alisma Piantago
Villarsia ovata

reniformis

* alpina

* lusitauica

The following are tall-growing kinds, all of which thrive in
rich loamy soil, except those marked thus f, w^hich require
peaty soil : —

*Butomns umbellatus
Hibiscus palustris

moscheutos

militaris
Gunnera scabra
*Lythrum Salicaria

alatum, itc.
Irises, various
Senecio japonica (syn. Erythrochrcte

pinnatifida)
Eupatoriums, any
*Cyperus longus

vegetus
*Osmunda regalis
*Rumex Hydrolapathum
Eriophorum polystachyum, and other

kinds
Phonnium teuax
*EpiIobiura hirsutum, &c.
*Lysimachia thrysittora
* vulgaris, &c.

Tradcscantia virginica

Scirpus lacustris

Equisetum Tehneteia, and others

*Carex peudula

* riparia

*Arundo Phragmites

Donax, variegated
Sa-xifraga peltata
Justicia pedunculosa
Saururus ceruuus

Louie ri
*Epilobium angustifoliura

album var.
Typha. various
Pyrethrum serotinum
*Leucanthennun lucustre
'Spira'a I'lmaria
'Aster tripoliuni
tLilium canadense
t pardalinum
t Puljinsoni

w.

Mistakes.— The "Rural World" in its report of the Missouri
Horticultur.T,l Society, gives au .imusiug statement of tlie mistakes
made by the different members as reported by themselves. Mr.
Garrett said his mistake was in planting too many kinds of fruits.
Esperlaut said he planted Hale's Early on too rich ground, causing
rot. Mustard says his was in setting out too many Pears. Evans in
not planting all Ben Davis Apples. Goodman in trying to raise fruit
with the nursery business. Slocomb in going into the fruit business
at all. Todd in planting too many sorts of Apples.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE ILOWEK GAEDEN.
Selaginella Kraussiana. — "J. L." (p. 250) sj^eaks of Sela-

ginella Kraussiana (usually called in gardens denticulata) as having
proved hardy with him this winter in an unheated house. I pre-
sume this is near London, but he does not say. With me the same
plant has stood uninjured for three winters past in the open air on a
Fern rockery quite unjjrotected, the thermometer having on one
occasion been so low as 8° Fahr. — P. ,Neill FK.iSER, BockvUle,
JSIurrayJield, Edlnburffk.

Golden Feather Pyrethrum.— Where a large supply of

this is in request, the most expeditious mode of obtaining it is to
make a slight hotbed in a frame or brick pit in spring, and sow its
seeds broadcast on finely-sifted soil. Only just cover the seed and
keep the lights close until it germinates, when air may be gradually
given, and as soon as the young plants are hardened off, the lights
may be dispensed with altogether. — J. Groom.

Tigridia Culture in New Jersey.— In The Gakdex (p.

142) are some interesting remarks on Tigi-idias. AVhile, however,
your correspondent is right on most points, I cannot quite agree with
him in some of his cultural directions, and especially when he
recommends planting in "a partially sliaded position." Tigi'idias do
particularly well in my grounds, and I grow many thousands of them
every year. The soil in which they are gi-own is very light and
sandy, is manured only moderately, and is dug to a depth of not less
than 1 ft. Instead of being best planted in partial shade, Tigridias,
on the contrary, luxuriate in the broiling heat of our sunny summer
weather, which seems to be but seldom, even in the slightest degree,
either too hot or too dry for them. — George Such, iSoutfi Amboy,
New Jersey, U.S.

Nymphsea scutifolia. — Here, at the Cape of Good Hope,
this and Aponogeton distachyon grow together ; and as the Apono-
geton has proved to be quite hardy in England, I am inclined to
think that Nymplia'a scutifolia will be found to be equally hardy.
Should this on tri.al prove to bo so, the following four plants would
form a very pretty group, grown in ornamental water, viz., Calla
iethiopica, Nymphtea scutifolia, N. allia, and Aponogeton distachyon.
— Charles Ayre.s, Cape Town, li'oiith Africa.

Spring and Summer-blooming Clematises.— Although

the spring-flowering varieties of the Clematis are yet Ijest known as
pot plants, and in this form are vei-y effective for cool conservatory
decoration, they are also most beautiful trained on a wire trellis or
against a wall, or, indeed, in any place where climbers are at home
and will thrive. A wall or fence devoted exclusively to varieties of
the Clematis would be only half planted if the spring-blooming kinds
were not included, as some two months of additional flower are lost if
these be not planted. I have one showing flower-buds already. All
of this section bloom from the wood of the jjrevious year, and there-
fore tlie pruning must be of the most careful description. Only late,
weak shoots should be taken out, whilst the strongest should be left
and regulated, the ])oints being shortened back very moderately. The
suunner-blooming kinds flower on the wood of the present season,
and the stronger the gi'owth the greater the amount of bloom. The
strongest growths invariably spring up from the base of the plant ;
therefore, the wood of the preWous summer shoidd Ije cut back in
the following winter to within 1 ft. or so of the ground. As the
spring growths have the first start, these should in all cases be kept
close to the trellis or wall, and the young growths of the summer
kinds should be carried over them, as they will have to be entirely
removed in the winter, whilst the larger portion of the others will
remain. These kinds should be jjl.iuted alternately. I have found
that the spring-flowering sorts, through the early ripening of their
wood, have proved even hardier during the past severe winter than
has the summer bloomers, the wood of which is grosser, and there-
fore less able to withstand hard frost. — A. D.

Myosotis dissitiflora Best from Seed.— This favourite

Forget-me-not has sufl'ered much from the severity of the past winter,
and M'ill l)e very late in flowering. I find that seedling plants of it
are much more vigorous and altogether better than those raised from
cuttings, but, as it is not a free seeding variety, the difficulty lies in
getting sufficient seed. The Ijest plan is to jdant a quantity of old
plants, rather thinly, on a partially-shaded liorder, when the beds
are cleared in May, covering them at once with a small-meshed fish-
net to keep linnets and other small Inrds from the seed ; allow the
latter to scatter itself on the soil and keep it moist in tiines of
drought. Aliundance of seeilliugs Mill spring up that will be fit for
transplanting in August, ami they will make beautiful plants with
which to furnish bods for spring display. — J. Gkoo5i, Linton.

Sowing Stock Seed.— The frost this year has made a ccrc-
plete clearance of all kinds of Stocks, and as few flowers are more
beautiful, either in a cut state or for the decoration of beds or bor-

[April 12, 1879.

THE GARDEN.

205

tiers, no time should be lost in getting seeils sown under some kind
of glass covering. In a few iiower-pots, pans, or boxes, enough
plants may be raised for even a large garden, and by the end of April
they may be planted out with a fair chance of being unchecked by
■cold weather. The Ten-week varieties are very beautiful for beds or
borders, and so are the Intermediate kinds, especially the scarlets,
jjiirples, and whites. During mild winters established plants flower
almost continuously through the year, but this season we must start
afresh, and the best way in which to insure continuous blooming is
to proNide a deeply-trenched, well-fertilised root-run, for Stocks are
strong-rooting subjects, and they gi-ow and flower just in proportion
t J the way in which they are treated. — J. Groom.

The Edelweiss. — This interesting little Alpine has this winter
proved to be perfectly hardy, ha\-ing stood as an edging to a small
round bed on the lawn without any protection whatever. It flowered
here last year, and as clumps of it are now showing nine or ten
crownis each, I hope to see it flower well during the coming season.
Here, on the sandstone, it grows vigorously. I may add, that
among Alpines in flower we have several varieties of Hellebores,
Hepaticas, and Aubrietias, also .Saxifraga virginiensis .and a variety
called atro-purpurea, one of the Moss section, which, either in or out
of flower, is an acquisition on account of its beautiful green foliage
a:id compact habit. Several tufts of Anemone Pulsatilla are also
now coming into flower, and among Primuliis we have P. viscosa,
P. capitata, and P. marginata. C'ortusa Mathiola h.as also got through
the winter well. — A. B., Pusey Oardens, near Fariivjdon, Berks.

NEW AND RARE PLANTS.

A FEW NEW OR LITTLE-KNOWN PLANTS.

Aralia califomica. — Those who are familiar with A. racemosa,
a species indigenous to the Eastern States of North America, will
readily recognise this, which may be succinctly described as a gigantic
form of the plant named, reaching in its adult size a height of from
6 ft. to S ft. It is a smooth branching, herbaceous plant, with bi-
■jiinn.ate foliage. Tiie flowers, which are small and whitish, are pro-
duced in umbels, which are arranged in compound panicles, 1 ft. or
*2 ft. long, and are succeeded by hve-seeded, deep purple, beiTy-like
fruits. It remains long in bloom, and will be found a useful and
eff'ective plant for the wild garden shrubbery, or for any situation
requiring a vigorous habit of growth.

Coronilla libanotica. — Several pretty species of this genus
are commonly cultivated, and this plant is not unworthy of being
associated with them. It is a dw.arf herbaceous species, forming a
low bushy tuft of slender stems, clothed with neat pinnate foli.age,
yielding an abundance of flowers in axillary umbels, of a creamy-
white colour, fading to pale pui-ple. It blooms the first season from
seed, but more strongly the second year, and appears to be perfectly
hardy, having stood witliout protection the recent severe weather.

Delphinium decorum. — Of tall perennial Larkspurs there is
luappily no lack, but the dwarf species are comparatively restricted
in number. This plant can scarcely fail, therefore, to meet with a
favourable reception, combining, as it does, a height not much
exceeding 1 ft. with rather large, deep blue flowers on long foot-stalks,
in an open raceme. The lower leaves are five-lobed, the upper ones
with narrow linear divisions. I have no persona! experience of this
plant, but believe it will be found a perfectly h.ardy perennial of easy
cultivation. The seeds much resemble those of D. nudicaule in size
and form, and are hardly distinguishable from them. It is a native
of California.

Erythrina herbacea. — Coral plants have long been represented
in gardens by several fine species, and their beauty is such that they
need but one addition to their good points, viz., greater hardiness, to
render them the most pojiular of plants. The well-known E. crista-
galli and the almost equally familiar E. laurif olia are occasionally met
with in favoured localities, more or less completely exposed in sum-
mer ; but even at Kew, they are generally planted in a pit from which
the sash is removed in summer, and it is doubtful if they are ever seen
in perfection when fully exposed. How far this plant will prove an
efficient substitute for the older and better-known species remains to
be seen, but, having been found to resist a New York winter, it may
be fairly assumed to be sufficiently hardy for open-air cultivation in
England, and it is eminently deserving of a trial. It is of rather
dwarfer habit than the two species above-named, having a woody
root-stock which throws up in summer, under favourable conditions,
stems from from 2 ft. to 4 ft. high, these stems being of two kinds,
one sort bearing leaves only, the other only flowers with a very few
leaves. The leaves are trifoliate, each leaflet being triangularly egg-
sTiaped and stalked, and both stems and leaf-stalks are prickly. The
flowering stems bear a raceme 1 ft. or 2 ft. long of narrow flowers,

each about 2 in. in length, the deep scarlet standard which in so
many genera is erect, being here horizontal and folding over the
wings and keel. The seeds are of bright scarlet, resembling those of
E. viarum, and should be sown on heat as early as practicable, the
seedlings being kept in a good fr.ame the first winter. This species
is a native of Texas, and is found as far north as Carolina, and west-
ward to Sonora.

Prasera speciosa. — This has a more robust habit, and bears
somewhat larger flowers than F. Parryi. It is, like the plant just-
named, a biennial of stout erect habit, growing from 3 ft. to 5 ft. high,
with nerved leaves, in whorls of four to six, the lowest being 6 in. to
y in. long, and about 2 in. wide, tapering into a long petiole, the
upper ones connate and linear. The flowers .are produced in umbel-
like pedunculate cymes, the corolla being about 1 in. across, four-
parted, rotate, of whitish colour, tinged with blue, and conspicuously
dark dotted. At the base of each division are a pair of oblong and
strongly-fringed glands with a fringe of eight to ten long bristle-like
filaments. This is likely to prove an interesting plant, and will be
best rsised in a cold frame, the seedlings being subsequently planted
out as early as is practicable, to obtain strong growth the first season.
Tlie seed may also be tried in tlie open ground, either with or with-
out the aid of a hand-light. This plant is a native of Western
America, from Colorado to California.

Gentiana afflnis. — This is a neat sub-alpine species from the
Rocky Mountains, with the general habit of growth of G. pneumo-
nanthe, and, like it, perfectly hardy. It grows from 1 ft. to IJ ft.
high, with the foliage oblong to lanceolate, rough on the margins, and
flowers six to twenty in number, arranged in a leafy spike or thyrsus.
The corolla is deep blue, .about 1 in. long, and nearly as much across,
when expanded. Though less showy than G. septemfida, it is a
desirable plant, and is quite as easy of cultivation. The seed is best
raised in a cold frame, artificial heat being unadvisable with the
plants of this genus.

Petalostemon Searlsise.— The genus Petalostemon com-
prises an interesting group of ■Legaiminostc, occurring chiefly east of
the Rocky Mountains, having small pinnate foliage, and small flowers
arranged in dense terminal bracteate cylindrical spikes. Two species
are occasionally met with, P. candidum and P. violaceum, but they
are scarcely to be found outside botanic gardens. P. Searlsia; is of
recent discovery, having been first collected on the Pahranagat
Mountains in South-eastern Nevada, by Miss Searls, whose name it
appropriately bears. It is a perennial plant, with pinnate foliage
composed of from five to seven oblong-linear leaflets, which with
stem and branches are clothed with large glands, and a long, compact
spike of rosy-purple flowers, which, though indi%'idually small, pro-
duce some efl'ect by their number. It is probaVdy quite hardy, and
is deserving of a trial as a border plant, or even on the rockery.

Pentstemon Menziesi.— One distinct early-blooming form of
this shrubliy species of Pentstemon, with tubular p.ale violet flowers,
has long been cultivated in gardens under the name of P. Sconleri,
but the typical species is either unknown in cultivation or very rare.
P. Menziesi resembles P. Scouleri in having obovate-oblong, toothed
foliage, somewhat leathery in texture, often purplish beneath, with
flowers of a reddish -purple in terminal one-sided racemes. The
anthers are remarkalile for being densely covered with long hairs. It
is a native of California and the neighbouring States.

Silene pennsylvanica.— Altliough this pretty species of

Catchfly is not entirely new to cultivation, seeds h,ave hitherto been
unattainable, and it has consequently been scarce in gardens. It is
of dwarf habit, seldom reaching 1 ft. in height, with numerous
spreading stems furnished with foliage varying froni spathulate to
lance-shaped, and bearing rosy-purple flowers in terminal cymes, each
blossom being about 1 in. across. When strongly grown, it forms an
attractive border plant. It succeeds best in rather light sandy soil,
but is not particularly fastidious in its requirements. It will occa-
sionally produce flowers the first year, but more generally it does not
blossom till the second season.

Quamoclit hedergefolia.— Under the somewhat loose name
of scarlet Ivy -leaved Ipomiea Quamoclit, this pretty species has been
offered by an eminent French firm. It is, however, totally distinct
from the common Cypress Vine just named, dittering both in its
foliage and its inflorescence, the former being pedately five-lobed, and
the latter, instead of being axillary and solitary, is produced in ter-
minal clusters or cymes. The fine scarlet tint of the flowers and the
profusion with which they are produced compensate for their rather
small size. Its stems are very slender, and tinged with purple. It
is said to be of very rapid growth, attaining a height of froni 6 ft. to
S ft. in a few weeks, and continues in bloom during the entire sum-
mer. It may be treated either as a half-hardy annual, in which case
it should be sown under glass or on a hotbed in February or March ;
or as a hardy annual, the seeds being sown in April or May in the
open ground. Quamoclit hederjefolia occurs over a wide extent of
the South American Continent, and extends even to the West Indies.

Ipswich. W. TH0MP.S0N.

296

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

TOMATOES AND THEIR CULTURE.
Tomatoes are fast rising in favour, and deservedly so, for
unquestionably they are among the most useful and whole-
some esculents groTvn. In America and on the Continent,
where they are eaten fresh gathered from the ^jlant, they
are much more appreciated than they are here. The best-
flavoured and most agreeable for eating without being
cooked is Carter's Greengage, which, when perfectly ripe, is
very handaome-looliing, having a clear yellow skin that gives
it a most tempting appearance. Last autumn, being fine and
dry, Tomatoes were particularly good, and, although they may
not be liked at fir.st, one soon acquires a relish for them.
It is not many years ago that people would not eat Rhubarb,
bundles of which were offered in Covent Garden Market and
could not be sold at any price, and yet, as is well known
now, the consumption of Rhubarb is enormous. Owing to
the more tender nature of the Tomato, and the consequent
difficulty and expense of growing it in this country, fruit of
it can never be very plentiful or cheap ; but, from the free-
bearing habit of the plants, and the heavy crop they carry, I
see no reason why it should not be offered at a much cheaper
rate than it is. Early in the season, when produced under
glass, the price must of necessity be high to be remunerative ;
but later on, when they ripen under the shelter of a wall or
fence, or even in the open ground, they ought almost to be
within the reach of all. So simple as regards culture, how-
ever, are they, that any one having the convenience of any
ordinary garden frame to raise the plants in may grow a sup-
ply for themselves, as any building facing the sun will do to
train them on, or they may be planted out in any warm border
and supported by stakes, or be allowed to trail over the ground
with their fruit resting on a few tiles or pieces of slate.
These will keep them clean and by the warmth absorbed from
the solar rays help to ripen the crop. To aid in doing this, it
is necessary to trim out the superfluous branches, that the
clusters of Tomatoes may have fuU and free exposure, light
being essential not only to give them colour, but to impart
flavour.

There are thousands of amateurs who, though not having
much room, are in possession of small houses in which they
winter their bedding plants, and when these are turned out,
in nine cases out of ten these structures stand idle during the
summer, but if fiUed with Tomatoes they might be very orna-
mentally furnished, and a heavy yield might be obtained.
Nothing can possibly be more easy to manage, as the
chief attention they require is plenty of water and the thin-
ning already alluded to ; if they get this and a tie occa-
sionally to prevent their falling about, they are sure to do, for
they are in no way subject to insects, or liable to get injured
by inattention in the way most other plants are. What they
Like is plenty of air during the day to aid in setting the fruit,
and once the crop is secured, an abundance of moisture
at the root to assist in swelling it off. Soap-suds, or any mild
sewage of that kind, proves most acceptable to the plants after
they have filled their pots or boxes with roots, as does also
soot or guano water, and if assistance be given in this way it
matters little what sod is used, as they are sure to grow quite
strong enough during the earlier stages of their existence, and
up to the time when the fruits begin to swell. If it can be
managed they do best trained to strained wires within 1 ft.
or so of the glass after the manner of Vines or Cucumbers,
in which way the huge clusters of fruit, hanging beneath the
foliage, have a veiy ornamental appearance. Not only may
Tomatoes be grown to perfection in this way or in pots in

any backyard, but they do well in boxes outside of windows,
where trailing down or tied to a trellis they are objects of
great beauty and utility.

To have them strong and fit for turning out-of-doors
at the end of May, seed .should be sown at once, and
placed in any warm hoiLse or frame to induce it to germi-
nate. Once up, it is necessary that the pot or pan containing
it be stood near the glass where the plants can obtain
plenty of light, otherwise they soon draw up weakly, as they
do also if allowed to remain thickly together. It is best,
therefore, as soon as they are large enough to handle, to pot
them separately, or two in a 5-in. pot, from which they can be
shifted on when they require more room. If they are in-
tended to be turned out against a wall or on an open border,
it should not be done till quite the end of May, and then only
after the plants have been previously hardened, they lieing,
when young, very tender and exceedingly susceptible of frost.
For growing in houses or any spare pits or frames, the object
should be to get them into a frait-bearing state as quickly as
possible, for, however early they commence they always keep
on till destroyed by cold in the autumn, so that there is no
fear of them ceasing to give a supply through exhaustion.
The best kind to grow for culinary purposes is Hathaway's
Excelsior, a fine large red sort almost as smooth and round as

a ball.

S. D.

"York Regent Potato. — Having known this variety ever since
I can remember, I am confident that it is not a Dalmahoy, although,
perhaps, there is not difference enough between them to give them
separate names at Chiswick. In the west of England the York
Regent is grown largely under several names, such as Early Orange,
Early Knotts, Early Frame, &c., but it is always a second early, and
generally sells well after the Ashleafs are over ; but the haidm of
tlie Dalmahoy, as grown by Mr. Scott, at Merriott, from >Scotcli sets,
is at least three weeks later in dying off, and the tubers in shape are
very like the Victoria, but the skin is rougher, and the Potatoes,
when seen in quantity, are rounder tlian those of that variety,
though a few tubers may be mistaken for those of the Victoria. —
HE>rRy Farr, Bushey Grove.

Dwarf Peas Unprofitable. — I fear that those wlio follow

"A. D.'s" advice (p. 255), and sow such Peas as First Ci'op, Mac-
lean's Wonderful, Laxton's Omega, Princess Royal, Premier, Veitoh's
Perfection, and others, \vith the intention of growing them well, or
in any form to secure a crop without sticks, will find themselves
greatly disappointed. Not one of the Peas just mentioned grows
dwarfer than 2i ft., and some of them, sucli as Princess Royal,
attains the height of 5 ft. im<ler ordinary cultivation. I have found,
and I have no doubt others have done the same, that no Pea over
18 in. can be properly gro%vn without sticks, and when they attain a
height of 4 ft. or 5 ft. they require a great many sticks to support
them. To grow Peas requiring no sticks, and be thoroughly on the
safe side, Premium Gem, Little Gem, Maclean's Blue Peter, and Tom
Thumb can be recommended. I have never found any of these to
exceed 15 in. in height, and the crop which they produce is surprising
for their size. But, at the same time, I may just say that I am not
in favour of dwarf Peas at any time or iu any garden, as they yield
so very little in proportion to tall-growing kinds. After gathering
one good dish from dwarf Peas, the best and most of the produce
will have been secured : but tall-growing sorts generally yield a long
succession of dishes, and to such an extent is tliis the case that I
would recommend all to gi-ow only the tall varieties of Peas. Where
sticks cannot be secured for them, it will be found to pay hand-
somely in the end to buy wire hurdles for them. These vdVi last any
one's lifetime, and they answer the purpose for which they are
intended capitally. We gTew dwarf Peas here at one time, so as to
test them thoroughly, but we have now quite given them up as
unprofitable. — Cambrian.

New Plan of Preventing Lettuces Running to Seed.

— The best lieads of Lettuces often ran to seed and become unfit for
table. A German paper says this can be avoided by di'awing a knife
through one-half of the stem to which the head is attached. The
sap, or, as it is called in Germany, the milk, will flow and rob the
head of the power to open, yet enough .sap will still remain
to keep it fresh and growing for another week or so.

AraiL 12, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

297

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE GOAT MOTH.

(COSSUS LIGNIPEEDA.)

This insect, which is one of our largest moths, is very-
destructive, when in the caterpillar state, to various trees by
boring long galleries in their stams and branches, which soon
reduces them, particularly'in the case of young trees, into an
unliealthy condition, thus rendering them more liable to the
attacks of various other insects ; this is especially the case
with Elms, which are very often attacked by Scolyti when in
an unsound condition. The branches of trees bored by this
insect are oftened so much weakened that they are very liable
to be broken off by a high wind. The caterpillars have been
found in the following trees, viz., Apple, Plum, Walnut, Oak,
Ash, Willow, Poplar, Beech, and Lime ; but they are much
more common in the softer- wooded trees, such as the Willow and
Poplar, than in the othera. There are, unfortunately,
but few means of destroying this insect. The moth
may be found resting on the stems of trees during the day-
time, but, though they are
so large, they are very
difficult to find, as they
much resemble the stems
in colour. As the cater-
pillar usually passes the
whole of its life within the
wood of the tree, it gene-
rally escapes detection
untO its presence is be-
trayed by some portion of
the tree flagging. If this
part be carefully examined,
a hole will always be
found from whichsap mixed
with small sawdust-like
jiieces of wood (the excre-
ment of the caterpillars) is
exuding ; at times the
neighbourhood of the in-
sect may be detected by
its strong and peculiar
goaty smell. It is on ac-
count of this smell that
this insect has been given
the name of goat moth.
Perhaps the best means of

stopping the ravages of the caterpillar is to cut off the
bough, when practicable, in which it is, and then to destroy
it ; at times, by enlarging the entrance to the hole, the cater-
pillar may be killed by means of a long wire. Tobacco-
smoke blown into the hole has been suggested as a
means of dislodging the insect, but I am not aware if
it has been tried with good effect. When in the
chrysalis state they are quite as difficult to destroy, as
they nearly always pass this period of their existence within
the tree. The goat moth generally emerges from the chrysalis
in June or July. The female soon afterwards lays her eggs,
which are very numerous, from 700 to 1000 ; these are de-
posited beneath the outer bark of a tree by means of a strong
ovipositor ; by far the greatest number of these eggs are pro-
bably destroyed by some small parasitic insect, or there must
be a great mortality amongst the young caterpillars, as few
comparatively attain maturity. The newly-hatched cater-
pillars do not at once eat their way into the hard wood of the
tree, but for the first year content themselves with the more
sappy portion of the tree. They seldom or never leave their

galleries unless they cannot obtain the required amount of
nourishment, or have been in some way disturbed. They do
not attain their full size untU they are nearly three years old,
during which period they have changed then- skins seven
times. Besides the unpleasant smell which these insects
always emit, they dincharge a very strong-smeUing liquid from
their mouth, which is probably of some use in softening the
wood. They are very strong, as the following experiment,
made by a naturalist, will show : — One was placed under a
bell-glass, weighing i lb. (more than ten times the weight of
the insect) ; this it raised with the greatest ease. A book
weighing 4 lb. was then placed on the glass, and even with
this weight in addition it raised the glass and escaped. The
shape of the glass somewhat favoured the caterpillar wedging
it up, as it were, with its head. Lyonnet has made a very
interesting study of the anatomy of this caterpillar, and has
found that its head contains 228 muscles, its body 1C47, and
its stomach and intestines 218G.

Some naturalists have tried to identify this caterpillar with
the Cossus of the Eoman gourmeU, but one can hardly imagine

any one eating an insect
with such a strong unplea-
sant smell, unless they
were starving. When about
to assume the chrysalis
state the caterpillar forms
a rough cocoon, composed
of small pieces of wool and
silk thread, round itself,
near the entrance to its
hole, within which it un-
dergoes its change. Occa-
sionally, however, the co-
coons are formed in the
earth at the foot of the
tree. The moth measures
from 3 in. to 'ih in. across
the wings when they are
frdly expanded ; its body
is stout and large, and
about 1^ in. long. The
males are somewhat smaller
than the females, and their
antennae more deeply
toothed. The general co-
lour of both sexes is brown-
ish-grey, more or less dark;
the body is striped with alternate transverse dark and
pale bands. The upper wings are mottled with blackish-
bro^wn, and covered with innumerable small wavy, trans-
verse lines of the same colour, with several dark bands of
various lengths near the tips interspersed with various
lighter patches ; the lower wings are dark grey with darker
markings, wliich are much less distinct than those on the
upper wings. The full-grown caterpillars are about 4 in.
in length, and nearly as thick as the finger. The head is
black, and is furnished with a strong pair of jaws ; the entire
insect is very sparsely covered with short hairs. The chrysalis
is yellowish with very well-defined joints, on the back of each
of which are two transverse rows of short spines, of a darker,
colour, which point towards the tail ; by means of these
spines the chrysalis is able to work its way out of the cocoon
and to the entrance of the hole, when the perfect insect is
matured within it ; the moth having escaped from the chry-
salis case crawls on to the stem of the tree, leaving the empty
case, as a general rule, at the entrance of the hole.

S. G. S.

298

THE GAEDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

THE GARDEN IN THE HOUSE.

P LATE C LXX V,

AQUATICS IN BASINS.

There is an impression abroad that it is only those who have regular
hothouse aquariums who can grow tender aquatics. This, however,
is not the case, as there are numbers of handsome-leaved or flower-
ing subjects that may be grown successfully even in basins. The
beautiful Nympliaea odorata I first became acquainted with in a
shallow milk basin that stood during the summer on one of the shelves
of a stove, and well the plant gi-ew and flowered. We give the
names of a few of the species that may be cidtivated in basins, with
some particulars regarding their culture. The one we have named
above is one of the best, as it is not of the strongest habit, and can
easily be accommodated in a large milk basin ; if considerably larger
all tlie better. It may either be jilanted in a layer of soil laiil in tlie
bottom of the basin, or it may be potted in a 0-in. pan, whicli should
be submerged a few inches below the rim of tlie basin. The flowers
are white and delieiously scented. It will grow . either on a sunny,
warm shelf in a gi'ceuhouse during sununer, or in a stove or in favour-
able localities outdoors. The basin should be kept full of water,
and, to prevent a gTeen scum forming on tlie surface, fresh and clean
soft water should be added weekly by pouring it into the basin
through a coarse-running i-ose until tlie scum has been run ofl over
the sides. The object of giving tlio water through a rose instead of
a spout is to prevent the soil from being stirred and making the
water muddy. Another gi'and subject is the Nympha;a candidissima,
the flowers of which are amongst the best of subjects for decoration
in a cut state. Tlie plant gi'ows well enough out-of-doors, but it
does not flower freely e.xcept in favourable localities, unless warm
water be run into the tank daily to keep the temperature of the
water above the normal figure. ^Vhere the waste water from a hot-
water tank was allowed to run into an outdoor tank in which this
Nymphsea was jjlanted, we have known it do well and flower most
profusely during the summer, while in anotlier tank in the same
garden, but not so heated, the gi'owth was ociually strong and
vigorous, but flowers were scarce. And this applies to most of the
e.\otic aquatics gTown in garden ponds and pools, which, as often
as otiierwise, might be heated at very little e.\pense or trouble.
When grown in a basin N. candidissima requires a pretty large one,
2 ft. inside at least, and if wiiler all the better. As it requires
rather deep water, too, it cannot very well bo potted, but should be
planted out in tlie bottom of the basin. The same directions apply
to the beautiful Aponogeton distachyon. It, too, likes deep water
and room for the spread of its leaves. It is a rapid-gi'owing plant,
and is soon up and in flower. A plant of ours, grown in a basin
under a frame with other aquatics, was in flower tliis spring in less
than three weeks after the root had been planted. The beautiful
pearly-white flowers are so delieiously and sti'ongly scented, that the
perfume of one flower pervades a whole structure. The foliage of
the jilant is also pretty and interesting, and in the still atmosphere
of a glass house the leaves arrange themselves beautifully on the
surface of the water, always keeping their upper surface perfectly
dry and clean. Flowering aquatics that it is desirable to cultivate
in the way here described are necessarily limited, and of the hardier
species the above three are the best, but there are one or two hot-
house Nymphieas that may be added to the list. TlieseareNjnnphiua
Devoniaua and N. ciprulea. The first has beautiful crimson and the
last blue flowers ; both are beautiful varieties. Tliey however need
a stove heat or a temperature between a stove and a greenhouse,
otherwise they require the same treatment as the others. As to
general treatment, all the species named should have a position near
the glass and abundance of light ; the more sunshine the plants
receive the better they will grow and flower ; shade ruins the plants ;
The sunny side of a gTcenhouse or stove is' the best place for them,
but for the first-named a cold frame is as good as anything. Of
course, where these gi-ow well enough outdoors there is no need to
gi'ow them under glass, but all are natives of much warmer coun-
tries than ours, and they enjoy a high temperature and produce
cleaner and finer flowers under glass. We have seen the whole of
them grown sjilendidly in a Victoria tank, wliere the temperature
was much above their requirements ; besides, wlien grown under
glass the plants can be had in flower much earlier in the year, and
later also. As regards winter treatment, it is not necessary to keep
the plants in the liouse except when they are growing. For con-
venience the water may be poured oft' about November, and the
plants may be taken out and laid in soil in any corner where the liglit
is not entirely excluded ; if they are kept moist they will keep
well enough and begin to push in spring, when they may be again
planted in the basins. Of course, tlie diff'erent species must be kept
in a suitable temperature. Tlie hardy sorts wiU do anywhere where
they are safe from frost, and the stove plants may be placed in any
comer of that structure. Chef.

ROSES JEAN LIABAUD AND M. E. Y. TEAS.

Drawn by ALFRED PARSON.S.

On a pleasant morning in June I left my liotel in one of the
squares of Lyons, and travelled by the short tunnel railway
at an angle of 45° to the manufacturing district of La Croix-
Rousse. Here, high above the rest of the city, I looked down
on the fine streets and squares which lie in the angle of the
two rivers, the Rhone and Saone, which meet just below the
town. ■ Up through the main street, the old-fashioned garden
of M. Jean Liabaud is reached, the raiser of the dark Rose
illustrated in tlie accompanying plate. Here I had a hearty
welcome, and was shown M. Liabaud'.s best Roses, seedlings
and others, amongst them Jean Liabaud. We owe to M.
Liabaud two or three distinct families of Hybrid Perpetuals,
the very dark race of which his Monsieur Boncenne and
Baron de Bonstettin were the first, culminating in this splendid
Rose, Jean Liabaud, now figured, which is really well repre-
sented in everything but in form, which is hardly good enough,
the petals being usually more evenly arranged than in the flower
from which the drawing was prepared. Elie Morel, Marquise
de Mortemart, and Anna Alexiefl" are some of M. Liabaud's
seedlings, but it is the race of which the best representation is
here given, for which we are most indebted to M. Liabaud, con-
taining, as it does, the fine climbing Roses named above. His
Roses are good, and his description of them never too ornate.

M. E. Y. Teas is, perhaps, the finest-shaped of any of the
Hybrid Perpetuals, and no prettier sight can be seen in the
Rose nursery than rows of this beautiful kind in full bloom.
Nearly every flower is perfect, and the difficulty is, when cut-
ting for exliibition, to choose the most beautiful. Would it
were rather more vigorous, says the Rose grower ; but, alas 1
how few things are perfect. It is very free flowering, and is
richly scented. The raiser of it is M. Eugene Verdier, of
Paris, to whom we are indebted for many good Roses.

Vheshimt, Herts. George Paul.

MR. WM. MORRIS ON THE ART OF THE FUTURE.*

I WISH people to understand that the art we are striving for is a.
good thing that all can share, that will elevate all ; in good sooth if
all people do not soon share it, there will soon be none to share ; if
all are not elevated by it mankind will lose the elevation it has gained.
Kor is such an ai't as we long for a vain dream ; such an art once
was in times that were worse than these ; when there was less
courage, kindness, and truth in the world than there is now ; such
an art there will be liereafter when tliere will be more courage, kind-
ness, anil truth, than there is now in the world. Let ns look back-
ward in history once more for a short while, and then steadily forward
till my words are done.

I began by saying that part of the common and necessary advice
given to art students was to study antiquity ; and no doubt many of
you, like me, have done so ; have wandered, for instance, through the
galleries of the admirable museum of iSouth Kensington, and, like me,
have been filled with wonder and gTatitude at the beauty which lifts
been born from the brain of man. Now, consider, I pray you, what
these wonderful works are, and how they were made ; and, indeed, it is
neither in extravagance nor without due meaning that I use the word
wonderful in speaking of them. Well, these things are just tlie
common household goods of those past days, and that is one reason
why they are so few and so carefully treasured. They were common
tilings in their own day, used without fear of breaking or spoiling —
no rarities then — and yet we have called them wonderful. And how
were they made ? Did a great artist draw the designs for them — £i
man of cultivation, highly paid, daintily fed, carefully housed,
wrajjped up in cotton wool, in short, when he was not at work ? By
no means. Wonderful as those works are, they were made by
"common fellows," as the phrase goes, in the common course of their

* From an Address to the Students of the Birmingham Society of Arts
school of Design, dehvered on February 19.

ROSES ; M0^'=-

' '^ --^ MD JEAK ' :-^niMi

April 12, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

299

daily labour. Such were the men we honour in honouring those
works. And their labour — ilo you think it was irksome to them ?
Those of you who are artists know very well that it was not ; that it
could not be. JIany a grin of pleasure, I'll be bound — and you will
not contradict me — went to the carrying through of those mazes of
mysterious beauty, to the invention of those strange beasts and birds
and flowers that we ourselves have chuckled over at South Ken-
sington. While they were at work, at least, these men where not
unhappy, and I suppose they worked most days, and the most part
of the day, as we Jo. Or those treasures of architecture that we
study so carefully nowadays — what are they ? How werejthey made ?
There are gi-eat minsters among them, indeed, and palaces of kings
and lords, but not many ; and, noble and awe-inspiring as these may
be, they difl'er only in size from the little gTey churcli that still so
often makes the commonplace Knglish landscape beautiful, and the
little grey house that still, in some parts of the country at least, makes
an English village a thing apart to be seen and pondered on by all who
love romance and beauty. These form the mass of our architectui'al
treasures, the houses that everyday peoi>le lived in, the unregardeil
churches in whicli they worshipped. And, once more, wlio was it
that designed and ornamented them ? The gi-eat architect, carefully
kept for the purpose, and guarded from troidJes ? By no means.
Sometimes, perhaps, it was tlie monk, the ploughman's brother ;
oftenest, his otiier brother, the village carpenter, sndth, mason,
whatnot — a common fellow, whose common every day laljour fashioned
Avorks that are to-day the A\onik'r and <lespair of many a hard-work-
ing "cultivated " architect ; and did he loathe his work ? Ko, it is
impossible.

I have seen, as we most of us have, work done l)y such men in some
out-of-the-way hamlet — where to-day even few strangers ever come,
and whose people seldom go live miles from their own doors — in such
places, I say, I have seen work so delicate, so careful, and so inventive,
that nothing in its way could go further. And I will assert, without
fear of contra*liction, that no human ingenuity can produce work such
as this without pleasure being a third party to the brain that con-
ceived and the hand that fashioned it. Nor are such works rare.
The throne of the great Plantagenet or the great Valois was no more
daintily carved than the seat of the village mass-john or the chest of
the yeoman's good wife. So you see, there was much going on to make
life endurable in those times. Not every day, you may be sure, was
a day of slaughter and tumult, though the histories read almost as if
it were so, but every day the hanuncr clinked on the anvil, and the
chisel played about the Oak beam, and never without some beauty
and invention being born of it, and consequently some human
happiness.

That last word brings mc to the very kernel and heart of what I
have come here to say to you, and I pray yon to tliink of it most
seriously — not as to my words, but as to a thought which is stirring
the worhl, and will one day grow into something. That thing which I
understand by real art is the expression by man of his pleasure in
labour. I do not believe that he can be happy in his labour without
expressing tliat happiness ; and especially is this so when he is at
work at anything in which he especially excels. A most kind gift is
this of Nature, since all men, nay, it seems all things, too, must
labour, so that not only does the dog take pleasure in hunting, and
the horse in running, and the liird in flying, Ijut so natural does the
idea seem to us that we imagine to ourselves that the earth and the
very elements rejoice in doing their appointed work : and the poets
have told us of the spring meadows smiling, of the exultation of the
fire, of the countless laughter of the sea. Nor until these latter
days has man ever rejected this universal gift, but always, when he
has not been too much perplexed, too much bound by disease or
beaten by trouble, has striven to make his work at least happy.
Pain he has too often found in his pleasure, and weariness in his rest,
to trust to these. What matter if his happiness lie with what must
be always with him — his work ? And, once more, shall we who have
gained so much forego this gain, the earliest, most natural gain of
mankind ? If we have to a gi'eat extent done so, as I verily fear ive
have, what strange fog-lights must have misled us ; or rather let me
say, how hard pressed we must have been in the battle with tlie
e\-ils we have overcome, to have forgotten the greatest of all evils.
I cannot call it less than that. If a man has work to do that he
despises, that does not satisfy his natural and rightful desire for
pleasure ; tlie greater part of his life must pass unliappily and with-
out self-respect. Consider, I beg of you, what that means, and what
ruin must come of it in the end. Oh, if I could only persuade yon
of this, that the chief duty of the civilised world to-day is to set
about making labour happy for all, to do its utmost to minimise the
amount of unhappy labour — nay, if I could only persuade some two
or three of you here present — I should have made a good night's
work of it.

Do not, at any rate, shelter yourselves from any misgiring you may
have behind the fallacy that the art-lacking labour of to-day is happy

work — for the most of men, it is not so ; it would not take long, per-
haps, to show you that the would-be art which it produces is joyless.
But there is another token of its being most unhappy work, which you
cannot fail to understand at once — a grievous thing that token is — and
I beg of you to believe that I feel the full shame of it as I stand here
speaking of it ; but if we do not admit tliat we are sick, how can we
be healed ? This hapless token is that the work done by the civilised
world is mostly dislionest work. Look now ; I admit that civilisation
does make certain things look well, things wliich it knows, consciously
or unconsciously, are necessary to its present unhealthy condition.
These things, to speak shortly, are chiefly machines for carrying on
the competition in buying and selling, called falsely connnerce, and
machines for the violent destruction of life — that is to say, materials
for two kinds of war, of whicli kinds the last is no doubt the worst,
not so much in itself, perhaps, but because on this point the conscience
of the world is beginning to be somewhat pricked. But on the other
hand, matters for tlie carrying on of a dignified daily life, that life of
mutual trust, forbearance, and help, which is the only real life of
thinking men — these things the civilised world makes ill, and even
increasingly worse and worse. If I am wrong in saying this, you
know well I am only sayiug what is widely thought, nay widely said,,
too, for that matter.

It is quite true, and very sad to say, that if anyone nowadays
wants a piece of ordinary work done by gardener, carpenter, mason,
dyer, weaver, smith, what you will, he will be a lucky rarity if he
get it well done. He will, on the contrary, meet on every side with
evasion of plain duties, and disregard of other men's rights ; yet I
cannot see how the British working man is to be made to bear the
whole burden of this blame, or indeed the chief part of it. I doubt
if it is possil-ile for a whole mass of men to do work to which they
are driven, and in which there is no hope and no pleasure, witliout
trying to shirk it — at any rate, shirked it has always been under such
circumstances. On the other hand, I know that there are some men
so right-minded that they will, in despite of irksomeness and hope-
lessness, drive right through their work. Such men are the salt of
the earth. But must there not be something wrong with a state of
society, which drives these into that bitter heroism, and the most
part into shirking, into the depths often of half-conscious self-contempt
and degradation. Be sure there is. That the blindness and hurry of
civilisation as it now is have to answer a heavy charge as to that
enormous amount of pleasureless work — work that tries every muscle
of the body and every atom of the brain, and which is done without
pleasure and without aim — work that everybody who has to do with
it tries to shuffle oft' in the speediest way that dread of starvation or
ruin will allow liim. I am as sure of one thing as that I am living
and breathing, and it is this : that the dishonesty in the daily acts of
life, complaints of which are in all men's mouths and wliich I can
answer for it does exist, is the natural and inevitable result of the
world, in the hurry of tlie war of the counting-house and tlie war of
the battle-field having forgotten — of all men, I say, each for the other,
having forgotten tliat pleasure in our daily labour which Nature cries
out for as its due. Therefore, I say again, it is necessary to the
further progress of civilisation that men should turn their thoughts
to some means of limiting, and in the end of doing away with degrad-
ing labour.

I do not tliink my words hitherto spoken have given you any
occasion to think that I mean by this either hard or rough labour. I
do not pity men much for their hardships, especially if they be
accidental, not necessarily attached to one class or one condition, I
mean. Nor do I think (I were crazy or dreaming else) that the work
of the world can be carried on without rough labour, but I have seen
enough of that to know that it need not be by any means degrading.
To plough the earth, to cast the net, to fold the flock — these, which
are rough occupations enough, and which carry witli them many
hardships, are good enough for the best of us, certain conditions of
leisure, freedom, and due wages being granted. As to the bricklayer,,
the mason, and the like — these would be artists, and doing not only
necessary but beautiful and therefore happy work, if art were anything
like what it should be. No, it is not sucli labour as this which we
need to do away with, but the toil which makes the thousand and one
things that nobody wants, which are used merely as the counters for
the competitive buying and selling falsely called commerce, which I
have spoken of before — I know in my heart, and not merely by my
reason, that this toil fcries out to lie done away with. But besides
that, the labour which now makes things, good and necessary in them-
selves, merely as counters for the commercial war aforesaid needs re-
gulating and reforming. Nor can this reform be brought about save
by art ; and if we were only come to our right minds, and could see
the necessity for making labour sweet to all men, as it is now to very
few — the necessity, I repeat, lest discontent, unrest, and despair at
last swallow up all society. If we, then, with our eyes cleared,
could but make some sacrifice of things which do us now no good,
since we unjustly and uneasily possess them, then indeed I believe

.300

THE GAEDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

we shoiiUl sow the seed of a happiness which the workl has not yet
knowni, of a rest and content which would make it what I cannot
help thinking it was meant to be, and with that seed would be sown
also the seed of real art, the expression of man's happiness in his
labour — an art made by the people, and for the people, as a happi-
ness of the maker and the user. That is the only real art there is,
the only art which will be an instrument to tlie progi-ess of the world,
and not a hindrance. ......

I believe there are two virtues much needed in modem life, if it is
ever to l)ecome sweet ; and I am quite sure they are absolutely neces-
sary in the sowing the seed of an art which is to be made by the people
and for the peoi>le, as an happiness for the maker and the user. These
virtues are honesty and simplicity of life. To make my meaning
clearer I will name the opposing \nce of the second of tliese — luxur}' —
to art. Also I mean by honesty, the careful and eager giving his due
to every man, the determination not to gain by any man's loss, which
in my experience is not a common virtue. But note how tlie practice
of either of these virtues will make the other easier to us. For if
our wants are few, we shall have but little chance of being driven
by our wants into injustice ; and if we are fixed in the principle of
giving every man his due, how can our self-respect bear that we
should give too much to ourselves ? And in art, and in that prepar-
ation for it mthout which no art that is stable or worthy can be, the
raising, namely, of those classes which have heretofore Ijeen degraded,
the practice of these virtues would make a new world of it. For if
you be lich your simplicity of life will both go towards smoothing
over tlie dreadful contrast between waste and want, wliicli is the great
horror of civilised countries, and will also give an example and
standard of dignified life to those classes which you desire to raise
who, as it is, indeed, being like enough to rich people, are given both
to envy and to imitate the idleness and waste that the jjossession of
mucli money produces. Nay, and apart from the morality of the
matter, which I am forced to speak to you of, let me tell you that
though simplicity in art may be costly as well as uncostly, at least it
is not wasteful, and nothing is more desti-uctive to art than the want
of it. I have never been into any rich man's house wliich would
not have looked the better for having a bonfire made out-side of it
of nine-tenths of all that it held. Indeed, our sacrifice on the side
of luxury will, it seems to me, he little or nothing, for as far as I can
make out what people usually mean by it, it is a gathering of
possessions which are but sheer vexations to the owner, or a chain of
pompous circumstances which checks and annoys the rich man at every
step. Yes, luxury cannot exist without slavery of some kind or other,
and its abolition will be blessed like the abolition of other slaveries,
by the freeing both of the slaves and their masters. Lastly, if, besides
attaining to simplicity of life, we attain also to the love of justice, then
will all tilings be ready for the new spring time of the arts. For those
of us wlio are employers of labour, how can we bear to give any man
less money than he can decently live on, less leisure than liis education
and self-respect demand ; or those of us who are workmen, how can
we bear to fail in the contract we have undertaken, or to make it
necessary for a foreman to go up and down spying out our mean tricks
and evasions ; or we the shopkeepers, can we endure to lie that we may
shutHe oft' our losses on to someone else's shoulders ; or we the public,
how can we bear to pay a price for a piece of goods which will help
to trouble one man, to ruin another, and starve a third ; or, still
more, I think, how can we bear to use, how can we enjoy something
wliich has been a pain and a grief for the maker to make ?

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

THE ROYAL FORESTS.

DmiNG the last few years much has been WTitten respecting these
Crown lands wliicli is in the highest degree misleading. Such para-
gr.iphs as tlie one from " Tnith," which was lately printed in your
columns would make it appear tliat the small income derived from
these valualilc possessions of the State is the result of mismanage-
nient on the part of the Commissioners entnisted with the care of
them. This illusion is quickly dispelled by a careful examination of
the " Report of Her Majesty's Wood, Forest, and Land Revenues,"
which was printed by order of the House of Commons in July, 1878.
Lea\'ing out of consideration the Royal park and woods at Windsor,
which, as the surroundings of a Royal residence, the abode of Her
Majesty, are as much a national duty to maintain in the highest
state of order as any of the public parks in tlie metropolis, the other
forests miglit soon become by \\ise legislation sources of vastly in-
creased national profit. But the half-hearted measures adopted for
some years past have so hampered the action of the Commissioners,
that in spite of the most earnest protests on their part, they are
compelled to look o while year after year the property of the State

is sacrificed to private interests. That this is not allowed to pass
without protest is shown by the able report of Commissioner Howard,
who, in speaking of the laws at present regulating the management
of the New Forest, characterises their effect as "producing a gratui-
tous transfer of the jiroperty of the State to private landowners — a
measure neitlier supported by precedent nor founded upon principle,"
and in tliis sentence lies the gist of tlie whole matter.

The total area of the New Forest is 91,000 acres, 2,000 of which
are the property of the Crown absolutely, and 26,000 acres belong to
private landowners, but are subject to the Crown's forestral rights.
This leaves about 63,000 acres to be dealt with by the Commissioners.
From this the income of the past year amounted to about £12,000,
while tlie expenditure was about £10,000. Before the introduction
of the Bill of 1851, the Crown was entitled to the soil and freehold
of the 63,000 acres and to forestral rights, as well as to powers of
enclosure for planting and powers of management. AVhen the trees
witliin the enclosures were "past danger of browsing of deer, cattle,
or otlier prejudice, " they were to be laid open and an equivalent
quantity of land enclosed. At the same date the rights possessed
by the commoners were (1) rights of pasturage; (2) of feeding
jiigs on the Mast ; (3) of turbary or cutting turf ; (4) of fuel and
marl. These rights they could exercise for about six months in the
year. By the Bill of 1851, the rights of the Crown to keep deer in
the Forest were extinguished, and as an equivalent it was allowed to
enclose 10,000 acres in addition to 6,000 acres which were jireviously
enclosed. The expenses of making and maintaining such enclosures
were to be met by the sale of decaying trees, or any other trees not
adapted for shipbuilding. The Crowm was thus supposed to be pos-
sessed of a " rolling power " by which it could continue to enclose
and throw open from year to year, always provided that no enclosure
was less than 300 acres exclusive of roads.

Though the Cro^ra thus resigTied the valuable right of keeping
deer, up to the present time only about one-lialf the land allowed by
law to be planted as an equivalent has been actually enclosed and
planted, or about 5000 acres ; and even in this such difficulties had
arisen, and such obstacles were encountered that a Select Committee
was appointed in 1868 to inquiry into the operations of the Act, and
they recommended the allotting to the Crown of certain portions of
the forest in fee freed from all common rights, the rest to be left for
the unrestricted use of the commoners. Following this, a resolution
of the House of Commons in 1871 directed that, pending legaslation
on the forest, no ornamental timber should be felled, no enclosures
made, and, in short, nothing cut save for purposes of thinning ex-
isting plantations, executing repairs, and satisfying the fuel rights of
the commoners.

Another Select Committee was appointed in 1875, and passed the
following resolutions : 1. — That the forest remain open and uuin-
closed, except to the extent of the Crown's right to plant trees. 2.
That the ancient woods, trees, and scenery be carefully preserved.
3. That powers of enclosure be exercised only on the area which has
been hitherto taken in at various times. 4. That the Crown retain
the power of keeping the 16,000 acres of gTO'n'ing timber and trees
at all time under inclosure, but that the rolling power over the open
part of the forest should cease. 5. That a nominal quit-rent be
charged by the Crown to the commoners for the exercise of' the
right of common during fence montlis and winter heyning. These
are the resolutions bearing more immediately upon the subject. The
Crown claims, and undoubtedly possessed, the right of making suc-
cessive plantations over the whole 63,000 acres, with the limitation
that not more than 16,000 were to be enclosed at any one time. The
old woods cover about 5000 acres, which are reduced every year to
meet the fuel riglits of the commoners. By the above resolutions
the valuable rights of the State over between 40,000 and 45,000 acres
are extinguished, and the commoners are given the rights of pastur-
age for twelve months instead of six montlis, as formerly, for which
the State is to receive no compensation, except the nominal quit-rent,
As a protest against this spoliation, the Conunissiouer, in his Report,
says : "I sul unit to your lordships that it cannot be to the interest
of the public that new or enlarged private rights should be created
over the property of the State. "

In the operations of these resolutions of the Select Committees,
and not in any mismanagement by Crown Commissioners, are to be
found the reasons for the vei-y small returns made from these valu-
able Crown lands. An Act of Parliament defining and limiting the
rights of the commoners, and maintaining the rights of the State
would strengthen the hands of the Conmiissioners, and enable them
to realise an income more commensurate -with the actual value of
the land, whether for ago-icultural or arboricultm-al puqioses. Or,
should a severance take place, tlie area allotted to the Crown would
at once be placed under such scientific treatment as would make it a
valuable school for young foresters, and eventually an important
addition to the income of the State. A. J. BuREOws.

April 12, 1879.]

THE GARDEN,

301

THE CLIMBING HYDRANGEA.

(SCHIZOPHEAGMA H YDE ANGEOIDE.S.)

Subjoined is a representation of this new Japanese climber,
referred to in The Garden (p. 237), which, although much
reduced in size, affords a good idea of the general aspect of
the plant. As will be seen, the leaves are somewhat heart-
shaped in outline, and as deeply toothed as those of the common
Nettle, and their maximum size appears to be about 4 in. in
length and 2J in. in width. In habit the plant apparently
resembles the common Ivy, and, like it, emits throughout the
whole length of the branches an abundance of roots, which
cling to a wall or the sides of a pot with considerable
tenacity. The flowers are white, and, though somewhat small,
are produced in such profusion as to give the plant a pretty
appearance, accompanied by their small Horal leaves. It exists
in several collections in this country, and doubtless will soon

The Climbing Hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides).

become common, as it is one of the easiest plants to propagate,
merely requiring the branches to be cut into short lengths,
pegged to the soil, and treated as cuttings of ordinary hardy
perennials. It is probably perfectly hardy, as during the past
winter it has been quite frozen. It is now, however, grow-
ing vigorously, but, as a rare plant, it necessarily received the
protection of a hand-light for the salce of precaution. As a
wall or trellis climber it wUl doubtless become valuable, and
if, by cultivation, the flowers become sterile, and thereby the
petals or sepals enlarged, as is seen in its congeners, the
Hydrangea and Viburnum, it will, indeed, be a desirable
acquisition. It inhabits woody districts at considerable eleva-
tions on the mountains of Japan, and, therefore, most probably
partial shade will be found to be beneficial to it ; but thi.s,
and some other points connected with its culture, will doubt-
less be enlarged upon as the plant becomes better known and
appreciated. W.

INDOOR FRUIT GROWING FOR MARKET.

Forced Strawberries. — Strawberry forcing is carried on
in the neighbourhood of London to a large extent, and with
very profitable results. People within a short distance of the
market can gather the fruit when it is required by the sales-
man, and it can thus be supplied fresh, whereas growers at a
distance, who have to pack their fruit and send it by rail on
the chance of its being sold, are not in so good a position as
far as profits are concerned. Sir. Wilmot, of Isleworth, grows
a large quantity of early Strawberries. Sometimes they arc
placed in the Vineries until active growth has commenced ;
but, as a rule, they are confined to pits and other placc^^
specially provided for them, thereby avoiding the chances of
their introducing red spider into the Vineries, which they are
very apt to do. Upwards of 20,000 Strawberry plants in
pots are forced here every year, and large quantities are
planted out in heated pits and frames For the former purpose
the strongest and earliest runners produced by outdoor plants
after their fruit has been picked are layered, when they soon
take root. They are then carefully lifted with as much earth
adhering to their roots as possible, and carried on hand-bar-
rows down to the potting-shed, to be potted into 6-in. pots.
The soil used for potting consists of a stift', loamy character,
with a liberal addition of good rotten manure. The plants
are potted firmly in the soil, and when that is done they are
placed closely together in pits, where they are kept well
watered, and have but little air given them until they have
commenced to make fresh roots, when the lights are removed
and the plants exposed to as much sun and air as possible.
Plants treated in this manner are not so good as those layered
in small pots in the first instance and potted into larger pots
afterwards, but it is probable they pay best, because the labour
incurred in keeping from 20,000 to 2.5,000 small pots well
supplied with water during the hottest part of the summer is
by no means slight, to say nothing of the labour of filling
them with soil and pegging the runners down on them.
Portions of the pits in which the plants are placed are supplied
•nath 3-in. hot-water pipes running all round them, and into
these compartments the best and earliest plants are put in
order that they may be brought gradually on when forcing
time arrives. Wlien wet weather sets in in autumn the lights
are put on and tilted up at the back, and water is withheld
from the plants in order to induce them to ripen their crowns
thoroughly, a condition in which lies the principal secret of
success. Soon after the commencement of the new year the
first batch of plants is plunged in a gentle hotbed, consisting
of manure, tan, or leaves, and made up to within 6 in. or
8 in. of the glass. An atmospheric night temperature
of from 40° to 45° with a rise of 10° by day is maintained
until the plants show flower, when the temperature is gradu-
ally increased until the blooms are expanded, at which stage
the plants are removed to the Strawberry house to set and
ripen their fruit. Water is cautiously applied to the roots
until the young fruits are formed, and abundance of air
is admitted on every favourable opportunity. When well set
the smallest and unshapely fruits are picked off, water is
more freely administered, and liquid manure is occasionally ap-
jjlied to assist the swelling of the fruit. When the fruit
begins to change colour, a cool, airy temperature is maintained
and water is again more sparingly given to the plants, in order
to enable them to ripen the berries perfectly and improve
their flavour. By the time the first plants have ripened their
crop a successional batch, which has been brought on in the
same way as the first, is ready to be put into the house, and thus
the plants are brought on until the stock is exhausted. Mr.
Wilmofs Strawberry house is one of the best of the kind to
be met with in market gardens. It is 10 ft. high, and

302

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

about the same in width at tlie bottom, ami one side of the roof
comes nearly down to the ground, the other, which is short,
resting against the back wall. The staging inside consists of
shelves arranged like the steps of a stair, and is placed quite
close to the glass. Here the plants set and ripen their fruit
remarkably well, owing to their being subjected to abundance
of light, air, and sunshine. Strawberries that are planted out
in frames consist of young plants dug up from between
the rows of outdoor plantations, when they are forked over
and manured in March. As much earth as possible is brought
in with the roots, and they are immediately planted about
12 in. apart each way in unheated pits, in which have been
put a few feet of warm manure, covered with 1 ft. or 1 8 in.
of good rich soil. After planting, a good watering is given,
and the lights are kept rather close until the plants are in
flower. The gentle heat of the bed in which these plants are
placed quickly promotes root action, and trusses of flowers
are soon visible, when they are afterwards treated exactly the
same as pot plants. Another batch of plants from the same
source is also planted in cold frames without bottom-heat, in
order to keep up a succession. These two plantations yield
a good supply of fruit after that from the pot plants is ex-
hausted, and before the earliest fruit can be gathered out-of-
doors. When in bloom women are enqjloyed to pick off the
runners and tie a piece of bast, which is sui)ported by a few
.small sticks, round each plant, in order to afford a better
opportunity of watering and keeping the fruit clean.

One grower near London who forces some 9000 plants
annually always keeps a plantation out-of-doors on purpose to
supply runners, but instead of waiting until these have attained
a good size, and layering them in pots (as is generally done),
as soon as runners can he had with a jiair of good leaves,
they are severed from the plants, and dibbled ten or twelve
together in 6-in. pots filled with sharp sandy soil ; they are
then placed in a warm temperature, such as that of a Cucum-
ber or Melon house, where a little shade and moisture can
be afforded them. When well rooted, they are shaken out of
the pots and potted singly in 3-in. pots, and again placed in a
warm house until they have become established, when they
are hardened off and placed out-of-doors. Early in August
they are potted into their fruiting-pots in good, rich, stiff
loam, and placed in an open, sunny situation on a bed of
ashes, where they receive plenty of water, and all runners are
kept regularly cleared from the plants, which are encouraged
to ripen their crowns well before wet weather sets in, a point
on which ultimate success greatly depends. Plants which
have been forced are also used for that [lurpose a second time.
As soon as the fruit has been gathered from them, they are
hardened off, and placed closely together out-of-doors in a
shady situation, and are given jilenty of water, and otherwise
well attended to. In July they are shaken out of their pots
and planted in well-prepared ground for a few weeks, where
they get well hardened, and make a quantity of new roots
close to the stems ; they are then taken up, all the old roots
cut off, and the stems cleared of dead leaves, &c. ; the plants
are then placed in their fruiting pots. Thus treated, they
produce fruit quite as plentiful and good as that from runners.
Strawberries here are placed in cold pits,, Ac, when bad
weather sets in, and batches of about 1000 at a time are taken
to Cucumber and Melon houses until they are in bloom, when
they are removed to a more airy place to set their fruit ; and
when fully set they are placed in the large, flat-roofed house,
already alluded to, to ripen, which by this time will have been
cleared of bedding plants. Sir Charles Napier is the only
kind of Strawberry grown here ; its fine appearance makes it
a good market fruit, and being firm-fleshed, it sustains little
injury from travelling.

Another grower, who informed me that he usually gathered
about 280 lb. of ripe fruit from 3000 plants in pots, obtains
runners from outdoor jilants which are layered in small pots
filled with garden mould in July. In August they are potted
in 6-in. pots in stiff loam, little or no manure being used ; by
this means rank growth is kept in check, and the crowns
ripen thoroughly and never fail to bear good crops of large fruit.
The plants are brought into bloom in the Cucumber-houses,
and when they have set their fruit, they are taken into the
Vineries or similar places to ripen. They are then placed on
.shelves, not near the glass, as is usually the case, but simply
placed on boards laid on the floors of the houses ; and,
although shaded to a great extent, the fruit, both in colour and
flavour, is all that can be desired. Sir Charles Napier is here
also the only kind grown, with the exception of a few hundreds
of Keen's Seedling to produce a few early fruit. The bulk of
the crop is ripened and gathered by the middle of May, as
after that time there is no convenience for Strawberries under
gla.ss ; and, moreover, if kept in houses with other subjects,
they are apt to infest them with red spider.

A larger grower at Hammersmith cultivates Strawberries
in pots to the extent of 30,000 plants yearly. They are
raised from runners layered in 3-in. pots as early as they can
be obtained from plants in the open ground, and, when well
rooted, are shifted into 6-in. pots. They are then placed in a
sunny position, and when wet weather sets in the pots are
laid on their sides, a position in which they remain until
frost sets in, when they are stacked one on the other in mounds
and covered over with ashes or dry litter. Early in February
all dead leaves are picked off the plants, and they are placed
on the floor of a large lean-to house 12 ft. from the glass.
Here they remain until the fruit is gathered, shelves and
similar contrivances being entirely dispensed with. Straw-
berries are not forced here very early in the season, but the
fruit is ripened in quantity a month or so before it can be
obtained out-of-doors. Strawberries in May fetch from 4s. to
6s. per lb., according to quality, and pay much better than
those obtained a month or more earlier, although the latter
realise double the price. The house in which Strawberries
are grown here was at one time intended for a Vinery ; but
as it was found that Strawberries succeeded in it so admirably
with very little trouble, the idea of planting Vines was
abandoned, and it was kept entirely for Callas, Spiraeas,
Deutzias, etc., during the winter, and Strawberries in spring
and early summer. The back wall is planted with Peaches
and Nectarines, which yield large crops.

Strawberries in pots have been very successfully grown by
Mr. Bennett, of Rabley. One year he fruited a large batch
of plants that had been forced the previous year, shaken out
and re-potted, and placed on the shelves in the houses. The
quantity of fruit obtained from these plants in November and
December was something wonderful, and when I paid Mr.
Bennett a visit in March he informed me that he was then
picking good Strawberries from the same plants, as weU as
from some that had been grown from runners in the ordinary
way the previous summer. Garibaldi is ilr. Bennett's favourite
variety for forcing, and in his hands it is certainly superior in
every respect to any other kind I have seen used for that pur-
pose. The fruits produced even in the darkest days of winter
are of a bright scarlet colour, and on several occasions large
fruit of it ha.s been exhibited at the Koyal Horticultural
Society's meetings at South Kensington, and obtained each
time first-class certificates. In the middle of March I have
seen shelves of this Strawberry presenting an appearance equal
to that often seen in May ; the fruit was large and well-
coloured, and, contrasted with Keen's Seedling, it had a
decided advantage both in appearance and flavour. The pots

April 12, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

303

were placed about the house wherever it is convenient, on shelves
close to the glass, no pans or saucers being employed for
placing the pots in, but abundance of water was given when-
ever the plants required it. Thinning the fruit was never
thought of, each plant being required to produce as much as
possible, and some of them yielded as many as fifty good
Strawberries. The fruit is picked three times a week, packed
in punnets, and taken to market. For those produced before
Christmas Mr. Bennett obtained from 12s. to 15s. per lb., and
during February and JIarch Strawberries of good quality fetch
double that price. Strawberries when grown in pots or frames
to a large extent are gathered by women every other morning,
who place them in small punnets used for that purpose. When
all are picked, the punnets are covered with leaves, packed in
hampers or boxes, and sent to market. Sometimes the pickers
are paid by the day, and at others they receive so much per
dozen punnets, according to the crop. When forced plants
have ceased bearing, the best are picked out, placed in a
sheltered position and kept well supplied with water until a
convenient time has arrived for them to be planted out-of-
doors in rows between fruit trees or in open cjuarters on land
previously heavily manured and deeply dug, a position in
which they seldom fail to yield heavy crops the next season,
but, as they seldom bear sufficient to be remunerative the second
year, they are dug up and the ground is planted with other crops.
Outdoor Strawbekrie.s. — Strawberries are extensively
cultivated around London, especially in the neighbourhoods of
Isleworth, Acton, Deptford, Chiswick, and Twickenham. In
the Fulham Fields the soil is considered to be too light to
grow Strawberries well, and therefore scarcely any are grown
there, it being considered more profitable to grow other crops
that succeed better. Strawberries are often grown under fruit
trees, but there are also many open fields devoted to their
culture. Those who grow Strawberries for forcing often plant
out some of their plants after the fruit has been gathered, but
the majority of the Strawberries in market gardens are
obtained from runners taken ofl" the outdoor plants after the
fruit has been gathered ; the best of the runners are then
selected and severed from the parent plant with a spade, so as
to make them entirely dependent on themselves for support,
and thus they are allowed to remain until rccjuired for plant-
ing, which usually takes place about September or October.
The ground to be planted is heavily manured and deeply
trenched, or, if it was exceptionally well manured for the
previous crop, only a little is used, and sometimes it is only dug
one spade deep. The ground, Ijeiug levelled, is marked oif
into lines 18 in. apart, lengthwise and crosswise, and the
plants, which are dug up with as good balls of earth as pos-
sible adhering to their roots, are placed exactly at the inter-
sections of the lines, thus leaving them 18 ic. apart each way.
In some cases, however, more sjiace than this is allowed.
After the fii-st year's crop is gathered, Sir. Dancer, of Chis-
wick, lifts every fourth row in order to make a pathway to
enable the women to gather the fruit off those remaining.
These paths are cropped with Lettuces or Coleworts, and thus
little or no loss is sustained. Although, as I have stated,
Strawberries are largely grown under the partial shade of fruit
trees and between rows of fruit Inishes, the most favourable
situation for them is acknowledged to be an open one. When
under fruit trees the distance apart of the plants varies, and
depends on circumstances, but 20 in. or 24 in. is the average ;
one, or at most two rows only, are grown between the bushes.
For the first year after planting Lettuces, Turnips, or other
dwarf crops are grown between the rows, and even in the
winter of after years that space is not unoccupied. No care
is exercised in their culture beyond hoeing and mulching, the
latter being performed in May or June, or early in spring, and

consists of the common stable manure, which, after it is
washed by a shower, is quite clean. A common way of
mulching is to scatter the manure all over the field, covering
the plants as well as the ground. This being done early in
spring, the foliage rises up through the litter fresh and strong.
Gathering is done chiefly by women, and in dry weather.
The fruits are carefully packed into punnets, which are packed
in large Ijaskets for the convenience of waggon transit. After
the fruit has been gathered the runners are cut away on either
side of the rows, and all refuse taken immediately to the centre
of the alleys, which are then dug and crojijied. A plantation
lasts good for three years, bearing sometimes more or less,
according to the land and the dry or wet summers.

Most of the Strawberries grown near London are disposed
of for dessert, the chief supply for preserving coming from
Kent. At Swanley there are hundreds of acres devoted to
Strawberries, the climate and soil being admirably adapted to
their growth ; I say the soil, because the plants appear to
succeed in it so well, but in reality the climate must have
the most beneficial eflect, or else cultivators, as a rule, are
decidedly wrong in their statements with regard to the
most suitable soil for Strawberries. It has often been said
that a stitt" clayey loam of a rich character is indispensable to
the perfect culture of the Strawberry ; the soil at Swanley is,
however, exactly the reverse of this. In some places it may
bo termed rather solid and stifl", but in the majority of cases
it is of a light sandy and remarkably stony character ; and in
this the plants appear to succeed quite as well, and bear crops
equal to those planted in soil of a heavier nature. _ Indeed,
the soil which produces the best crops here is one in which
no gardener would think of planting his Strawberries, and
yet the yield is enormous. In well-established plantations
may be seen as many as 1 00 good fruits on a single plant. The
chief kinds grown are Keen's Seedling, Sir Joseph Paxton,
Sir Charics "Napier, Late Pine, James Veitch, and Early
Crimson Pine. British Queen may lie found here and there,
but not in very large quantities. The plants are put out in
well-manured soil in autunni in rows about 2i ft. apart and
1 J ft. from plant to plant. Other crops are seldom planted
between the rows, the aim being to give the Strawberries the
full benefit of the soil. The plough is run between the rows
in autumn, which keeps the plants on ridges, thereby keeping
the roots well drained. In spring the horse-hoe is used and
the ground levelled, after which, in many cases, a slight coat
of litter or straw is laid between the plants, in order _ to pre-
vent the fruit being splashed by the rains. The majority of
Strawberries are grown in open fields by themselves, but large
quantities are to be found between young Gooseberry or Cur-
rant bushes, a position in which they succeed well until the
trees get so large as to injure them by their shade. For pre-
serving, Strawberries are not in such great demand as other
small fruits ; therefore they are oftener picked with stalks
attached to them. They are picked in small baskets, which,
when full, are emptied into sieves holding about 24 lb. For
each of these the pickers get 5d. in ordinary seasons, and at this
rate they make good wages. Even in a year when the crop
was not so heavy as usual, one grower informed me that he
had sent away nearly 6 tons in one day. Altogether, one year
an extensive grower sent away 125 tons of Strawberries to
the London markets ; and in one day the next year one grower
sent away 2500 pecks, the weight of which is nearly 16 tons.
All runners are kept regularly cut off the plants, and the
ground is kept free from weeds. The best fruit finds its way
to the London and other markets, but what are termed
squashers, which means the bruised or over-ripe ones, are
picked without stalks, put into tubs, and disposed of at some
of the jam factories.

304

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

Amongst all the Strawberries that come to Covent Garden
Myatt's British Queen still retains the foremost position as
regards flavour, price, and the quantity sold for dessert pur-
poses. This fact is well known to Strawberry growers, who
cultivate it extensively wherever the soil is suitable, but in
Kent few of this variety can be seen, the reason assigned
being that the Kentish growers sell most of their fruit to the
jam manufacturers, and they say their soil is too light for it.
The variety called Sir Joseph Paxton created quite a sensation
in Covent Garden when it was first introduced, for when
unpacked the fruit came out fresh and uninjured, whilst other
kinds were much bruised. Fruit of Sir Joseph Paxton
resists wet remarkably well ; it is fine in form, of a good
colour and flavour, and fetches more money in the market
than any other kind, British Queen excepted, and it is the
chief variety grown in Kent. Goliath, a kind which will
endure drought well, is also grown ; likewise Comte de Paris
and Princess Alice, both early and prolific sorts.

The cost of rooted Strawberry runners is about .5s. per
1000, and if planted in rows 2i ft. apart each way 7000
plants per acre are required, but if planted in rows 2i ft.
apart and Ih ft. from jjlant to plant about 10, .500 would be
wanted. The best fruit, which is picked in punnets early in
the morning and placed in boxes, each of which holds some
five dozen punnets, and sent to market early in the day,
realises, on an average, Is. 6d. per lb. If a field of Straw-
berries be sold to a merchant it realises about £18 or £20
per acre, the purchaser bearing the expense of gathering, &c.
Strawberries gathered in tubs and sent to the jam merchants
fetch about £25 per ton.

Packing Steawbekries. — Most of the finest of English-
grown Strawberries sold in Covent Garden are packed in
shallow punnets, 9 in. or 10 in. in diameter, and in these all,
or nearly all, the fruit is exposed to the eye of the purchaser.
In the midst of the Strawberry season large quantities of fruit
are brought to market in sieves and half-sieves, a sieve con-
taining about seven imperial gallons, but in this case the fruit
is principally intended for preserving, and, therefore, its
appearance is a matter of less moment than when it is to be
used for dessert. There can be no doubt that the broad,
shallow English butter-basket, or the Bordeaux basket with a
loop handle on the lid, are the best forms of basket to use for
transporting Strawberries in quantity either by rail, steamer,
or road, and after these the English punnet system is most to
be recommended. In the latter case the Strawberries are
picked and placed immediately into the punnets by women and
children, who carry them when full into the packing-shed, there
to be packed in large boxes. A few leaves are scattered in
between the layers to keep the fruit moist and cool, and in
this way most of the fruiterers and salesmen in Covent Garden
are supplied with freshly-gathered Strawberries two or three
times a day. An Enfield grower, who annually sends large
quantities of the finest Strawberries to Covent Garden, uses
what may be termed combination baskets, made in the form
of half-sieves, and 10 in. in diameter, by 7 in. in depth.
The lid consists of a flat, bottomless basket, over which
a cloth is tied by the corners, and this, placed over the
basket, forms a well- ventilated covering, and also prevents the
fruit from being crushed by any weighty substance falling on
the basket from above. Erect cylindrical jars have been re
commended in which to pack Strawberries, but the shape is
against them, inasmuch as the weight of the upper layers of
fruit crushes those below them. Such jars are cool, and the
fruit may keep fresh for a longer time placed in these and
securely tied down with paper than in shallow baskets, but the
weight of the jars themselves is as much or more than that of

the fruit, and this alone would prevent their ever being largely
used for packing purposes.

Mr. Gloede, of Hamburgh, writing on the subject, says : —
" I found from experience that the best material in which to
pack Strawberries are the leaves of the green garden Orach
(Atriplex hortensis) ; I therefore always sow a certain quan-
tity of Orach seed in March or April, so as to have young
leaves available for packing purposes before the crop of Straw-
berries is fit for use. For packing I use shallow boxes of
various sizes which do not hold more than two or three layers
of fruit ; I line the bottom with Orach leaves and thereon put
the Strawberries packed closely together. The first layer
being finished, I again use Orach leaves, and so on until the
box is full, when I add a good layer of leaves on the top, so
that when the cover is put on the boxes will, if necessary,
endure hard usage for a couple of days without their con-
tents being in the slightest degree injured. I have frequently
sent Strawberries packed in this way both by post and rail
over 200 miles, and they have invariably arrived in excellent
condition. The sorts which I prefer for such purposes are
La Constante, Sir Joseph Paxton, Waltham Seedling, Duke of
Edinburgh, The Countess, Early Crimson Pine, Cockscomb,
Fairy Queen, Lucas, Dr. Hogg, Unser Fritz, Ascot Pine-apple,
and Due de Magenta, all of which may be picked when quite
ripe ; whilst President, Frogmore Late Pine, and James Veitch
should be gathered a day beforehand. It is useless to attempt
sending such soft kinds as Black Prince, Marguerite, Keen's
Seedling, Jucunda, (fee, however handsome they may be, any
distance, as they would be sure to be more or less damaged.

C. W. S.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flo-wer Garden.

The cliarm of a garden is the constantly-recurring freshness wliicli
tile various plants present at all seasons, but more especially this
spring, after the long, dreary winter through which we have just
passed. Though many spring-flowering plants have succumbed,
those that have sur\'ived are thereby rendered the more enjoyable.
Amongst them may be named conmion Violets, red and white Daisies,
Crocuses, Primroses, Anemone apeunina, Ai'abis albida, and Scilla
sibirica. These will very shortly be supplemented by Omphalodes
verna, Irises, Candytufts, Hepaticas, Gentians, and othei's. All of
these should be plentiful in every garden. Expense as regards these
plants need be no barrier, as they can all be had for a few pence
each, and can be transplanted at almost any season. The denser
iSedums and Saxifrages are appropriate plants for association with
the foregoing, either as undergi-owth or as intermediate patches. The
following are now very beautiful, viz.. iSedum aureum, S. acre ele-
gans, S. glaucum, and S. lydium, .Saxifraga rosularis, S. hirta, and
Thymus hirsutus. The smallest plant of any of these split up and
propagated during the sununer would make several good patches for
next spring time. Lily of the Valley is now starting into vigorous
growth, and its flowers aWII be much improved if tlie inert surface
soil be removed and replaced with fresh loam and well-rotted manure
in equal proportions. Beds of Dieentra spectabilis and Spiraea
japonica should be treated in the same way, but it will be necessary
to protect these in the event of sharp frost occurring. Mats laid on
hooped sticks form the simplest protection for them and other spring
flowers of doubtful hardiness. Where spring gardening is not prac-
tised, and the beds at liberty, a good deal may now be done to
advance the summer bedding and prevent a pressure of work at that
inevitably busy season. The arrangements can be completed, the
designs marked out, and the hardy and half-hardy plants may be at
once planted. Edgings, di\-isional lines, and gi'oiuidworks of Violas,
Echeverias, Sempervivums, Saxifrages, Sedums, Menthas, &c., can all
now be planted %vitli safety, and very shortly Calceolarias and
Verbenas may follow. Tastes difTer both as to arrangement of
colours and design.s ; I shall therefore say nothing on either of these
points, except that there should never be a preponderance of glaring
colours, of which the eye soon tires, and the designs should be of the
simplest kind ; intricate designs are never elfective. Autunm-so«Ti
annuals tliat have surWved the frost may now be thinned out ; the
plants are sturdier, and flower better than if left too thick. Sow in
the open gi'oimd Sweet Peas, Mignonette, Candytufts, Eschscholtzias,

April 12, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

305

Larkspurs, and Clarkias, and prick out those sown in frames as soon
as they are fit to handle. Bedding plants have driven annuals for
summer embellishment out of our flower gardens, and though this is
to be regretted it cannot be wondered at, seeing that bedding plants
are so much more lasting and amenable to manipulation. Still,
there is room for both in most gardens — the bedding plants for the
parterre, and the annuals for the mixed liorders, supplementary to
the herbaceous plants, a purpose for which they are every way
adapted. Shrub planting, pruning, hedge clipping, and all other
extraneous woi'k should now be completed, as each week wiU bring
its own work that must be done, such as mowing and rolling lawns,
sweeping, weeding, and rolling walks, and planting out bedding
plants. - W. W.

A-Tiriculas. — Exhibitors now of these ■will have an anxious time
of it, as all the tnisses of flowers are showing themselves, and the
question arises as to whether certain flowers will be in perfection at
the time required. No definite instnictions on this point can be
laid down for those who have not had experience in such matters ;
suffice it to say, however, that, as a ride, selfs are in good condition
early, and that they do not stand so well as the best gTeen, grey, or
white-edged flowers. There are exceptions, however, as one of the
latest Auriculas to flower is Duke of Argjde, a fine crimson self, and
some of the edged flowers lose their character in a few days after the
zenitli of their beauty has been reached. If it be intended to push
forward any late trusses, the plants may be placed in a warm house,
near the glass, and air must be admitted rather freely by day, with
a little at night. The Auricula shows are fast approaching, and as
many growers at long distances off may want to exhibit, but are
deterred from doing so owing to the expense, I may mention that if
such persons would turn the plants out of their pots, and ^\Tap the
balls round with old shading tightly, they might be packed into very
small boxes. I have, indeed, seen an exhibitor caiTying a box in
each hand, in each of which there were thirty plants — as many as
most amateurs ^^■ould be able to exhibit. The societies provide pots
and Moss for surfacing them.

Carnations and Picotees. — These seem more stubborn to
start into gi-owth this year than usual ; when they do fairly start,
they wnll probalily make up for lost time. Look over the plants and
remove decayed leaves, also weeds which will be sure to gi-ow in
the fresh compost. Keeji all tender sorts under the protection of
cold frames as long as it is convenient to do so. If cuttings of Per-
petu.il-flowering Carnations have not yet been put in, no time ought
to be lost in seeing tliat this is done. Those who are desirous of
ha\'ing a large stock of plants should put in the small side growths
as soon as they are large enough for that purpose. If these be
placed under a close glass light in the propagating house, not .5
per cent, mil fail to strike root. Cutting's put in early and now
well rooted should be potted off singly in small pots, setting the
pots in a warm, rather close place, to induce the formation of fresh
roots ; aftenvanls place them in a cold frame.

Hollyliocks. — These should be gTown much more extensively
than they now are. .'^eeds from the best sorts may now lie sown in
the open air if there be no glass lights or frames available, but they
will germinate more freely in a gentle hotbed, although they must
not be coddled under glass after they are abovegToimd. Plants
raised in this way will flower well next year. See that no time is
lost in getting all named sorts planted out, using the precautions
jirexiously recommended,

Pansies. — These are even more deserving of attention than the
Hollyhock, as they are attacked by no disease that cannot be easily
combated. Plants in pots are now making a charming display, and
if the leaves have been kept free from mildew and gTCenfly, a con-
tinuation of fine flowers may be expected. When the flowers begin
to fall off in quantity, as they -will do in time, pick all of them off,
surface dress with rich soil, and on this peg the shoots down : this
will produce renewed vigour, and perfect flowers will be the result.

Hardy Primulas in Pots.— SpaiTows are very destructive
to tliese when planted outdoors. We have hundreds of Primroses and
Polyanthuses planto<l out, and it is disheartening to see the flower-
buds picked ofi' and dropped on the gi'ound in thousands before they
open. Grown in cold frames, the finer forms of Primrose rival even
the Auricula and laced Polyanthus. They require but little atten-
tion, but that must not be denied them ; they must have free venti-
lation, plenty of water, and the leaves kept free from red spider and
greenfly. Plants of P. nivaUs are now masses of bloom, which is
admired by every one. We place the plants under a north wall when
they go out of flower, and there they make free, health}' growth.

Tulips. — These everywhere have made slow, but healthy gTowth.
I wish we could cover the beds with glass lights, to prevent rain and
frost from injuring the leaves, and also to save the rising flowers from
injuiy. We would rather, as yet, use them for the Carnations. In

order to grow the finer kinds of Tulips well they ought to have a
glass protection. The canvas shades should now be used on cold
niglits. — J. UouGLA.s.

Parks and Open Spaces.
Plants for Out-of-the-way Corners.— In public parks,

especially ■\\iicre they are extensive, will always be frmnd, compara-
tively speaking, neglected corners in out-of-the-way places, where,
from some cause or other, it is both impracticable and unadvisable to
carry out tlie usual routine work of the more conspicuous portions.
This is paiticularly the case imder large trees (where few plants will
thrive), on banks, &c. These positions may be considerably im-
proved liy the addition of plants which require but little attention.
One of the most useful for this jnirpose is the (iiaut Cow Parsnip
(Heracleum giganteum), a plant which produces nolile umbrageous
foliage and bears immense umbels of gi-eenish-white flowers on stout
stems, from S ft. to 10 ft. in height. It soon establishes itself, and
care should be taken that it does not seed too freely, as it woidd
cause much trouble. Altogether it is a most desirable plant, and
wonderfully effective. Thistles (Carduus) are vei'y handsome sub-
jects for the same purpose, some of the varieties reproducing them-
selves freely. Calega officinalis should be found in eveiy wild or
neglected garden, as a few plants of it placed at intervals of 6 ft. or
9 ft. apart will soon estabHsh themselves over a large area, as they
seed profusely. Tiie foliage is extremely elegant, the Pea-shaped
flowers (pale blue and white) exceedingly pretty, and they continue
in perfection for a consideraole time. The annual Sunflowers are
most desirable. A few seeds of them sow n in tlie most open places
between trees and shnibs produce an efl'ective show during
the summer and autumn months. Evening Primroses (CEno-
thera) and ilarigolds produce a profusion of bright, yellow
flowers, and require no further attention than an occasional weeding.
Phytolacca decandra is a hardy perennial, gTowiug some 4 ft. in
height, and bearing veiy handsome and peculiar spikes of dark
crimson fniit. Centaureas, belonging to the hardy section, are par-
ticularly attractive, some ha\ing golden-yellow ball-like flowers,
others blue, jmi-jjle, &c., and all of them are of easy cultivation.
Verbascums are also well adapted for shiidjberies, and produce a
profusion of singiilar Orchid-shaped flowers of various rich shades.
Among plants that are more suitable for the front rank in shnibbery
borders may be mentioned the following : Nasturtiums, Antiniii-
nums, Canterbury Bells, Columbines, Foxgloves, Geums, Pyrethrums,
Rockets, Sweet Williams, Valerian, Polemoniums, Glauciums,
Lupins, Wallflowers, Polyanthuses, Pansies, Sajjonarias, Mignonette,
&c. These are all extremely varied and beautiful, and require but
little attention, reproducing themselves freely, and yielding a round
of flower exteniling over several months. Beets, Fennels, and Acan-
thuses are most useful in the way of furnishing foli.age, as are also
Artemisias. With such plants as these, many a nook which is now
neglected might be made attractive. The whole of the above require
only the simplest treatment, and will well repay those who will
give them a trial.

Annuals, &c., as Substitutes for Bedding Plants.—

Although annuals do not, as a rale, last long in flower, tlicre are
some wiiich may worthily rank with bedding plants, and amongst
these may be mentioned the following : Asters. Balsams, Heli-
chiysums. Nasturtiums, Ten-week Stocks, Phlox Drummondi, Por-
tulacas, Tagetes, San\italias, and Zinnias, as flowering plants, and
Beets, Amarantuses, Perilla, Artemisias, Tobacco, Ice plants, Sola-
nums, Ricinus, and Salvia argentea as fine foliage plants. There are
also a few perennials, biennials, and annuals which may be raised
from seed, but which are usually struck from cuttings in order to
preserve some special character, \iz., Ageratums, Verbenas, Lobelias,
Petunias, Cannas, Chamfepeuce, and Pyrethrams ; all these are
beautiful as regards eitlier foliage or flowers, and, if carefully used,
may be induced to produce a display almost equal to that jielded by
our most favoured bedding plants. With the exception of SanvitaUa
and Beets, the whole may be raised in j)ots on a slight bottom heat,
and as soon as they are fairly out of the gi'oimd they shouhl be
placed in a greenhouse for a few days to harden oft'. A cold frame
having been prepared with rich soil, the flowering section, with the
exception of Ageratimis, Balsams, Lobelias, Petunias, Phloxes, Por-
tulacas, and Verbenas, which should be pricked ofl' in pots and kept
in moderate heat close to the glass, should be pricked oft' about 3 in.
or 4 in. apart. The whole of the fine-foliaged section should be
put into pots, pans, or boxes, and retained in heat. A knowledge of
the heights and colours only is then required to make a gTand dis-
play. A moist, waiTU day should, if possible, be chosen to put them
in the open ground, and if taken up with balls of earth they will be
sure to succeed. Sanvitalia and Beets may be sown where they are
required to stand and tliinued out where necessary. PjTethnims,
Petunias, Lobelias, Ageratums, Cannas, and Chama^peuce should, to
have them in good condition, be sown as early as possible.

306

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

Trees and Shrubs transplanted during the winter should be
carefully watched in regard to watering. Many failures are .attribut-
able to negleet in this respect. I would recommend, except in wet,
heavy soils, tliat as soon as the buds show signs of expansion w.ater
be given on the least appearance of shrivelling of either b,ark or
buds, and in dry weather w.atering should be continued until the
foliage is fully developed. In many cases a weak mixture of manure
water may be given with advantage.

Grass Seeds sown during March will soon be fairly above
gi-ound, and should be well rolled as often as the weather will
permit. As soon as the Grass is sufficiently gi'own the mowing
macliine or scythe should be used ; this cannot be done too soon or
too often, as some Grasses, and also weeds, will be found to grow
rapidly, and will, if allowed to remain, destroy some of the most
desirable kinds of Grass. — Charles Dexnis.

Conservatory.

A\niere conservatories of large size are kept fully furnished with
flowering jjlants all tlirough the season, it not only requires several
other houses or pits to bring the plants into flower in succession, but
also others into which they can be moved after blooming. When
conservatories are kept, as they generally are, at a much higher tem-
perature tlian ordinary greenliouses, and the structures into which
the plants have to be moved after blooming are insufficient for the
purpose, the plants often receive a check whicli much interferes with
the season's gi-owth. All such subjects as Genistas, Acacias, Daphnes,
and even Deutzia gi'acilis, that have been pushed on in heat, should,
immediately after blooming, be placed where gi'owth, already begun
to be made, can go on unclieeked. Any plants of these descriptions
that require more root-room sliould at once be potted, for, in their
case, tlie flowering capabilities for next winter will, in a great measure,
be proportionate to the gTOwth wliich they make through the summer,
and any that will bear cutting back should be operated on freely, for
with plants such as those just named, it is usually mucli better to
have a good number of a compact, useful size than to allow them to
get too large, as, in that ease, they often have a bare-stemmed and
unsightly appearance. Azaleas and Camellias taken from the conser-
vatory should at once be placed under conditions favouraWe to their
growth ; tlie Camellias should be kept close, and sliould have a night
temperature of .50' or 5.5°, and higlier in tlie daytime, according to
tlie weatlier. Tliere should bo plenty of moisture in the atmospliere
and at their roots, and tliey shoulil be shaded from bright sunshine.
Azaleas thus started into gi'owtli should l)e kept scrupulously clean
from their worst enemy — thrips ; but in tlieir case, little, if any,
shade is required or should be used, as it induces a soft, weak con-
dition of tlie leaves, rendering tliem more lialjle to sutler from the
attacks of insects .and less capable of bearing any application for their
destruction. Cyclamens done flowering should at once be placed in
a house or pit where the atmosphere can be kept a little close, with
plenty of light, liut slightly shaded from the sun ; these are also
liable through the spring montlis to get infested with gi-een fly and
red spider, wliich, coufiuingtliemselves almost exclusively to the under-
sides of the leaves, frequently go unobserved until the foli.age is very
much injured, the result of which is that it dwindles iiway through
the summer, and the roots get into a stunted, hard state, which pre-
vents their afterwards growing and flowering satisfactorily. Where
means exist, and the liints that liave been given are followed for
keeping back a few of the latest-flowering kinds of Camellias, these
■>vill be found very useful in the conservatory during this month
along with Epacrises, Boronias, Eriostemons, Azaleas, Rhododen-
drons, the last batch of Hyacinths, Tulips, Lily of the A^alley, forced
Roses, Cinerarias, &c. As the sun's power increases, there will
be still more need for attending to shading, or the flowers of most
plants will be of comparatively short duration.

Climbers that were cut back during the winter, and that have
now commenced growth, must li.ave regular attention in the way of
training. Tliose possessing a twining lial)it require constant care in
tliis matter, otherwise the shoots get interlaced to sucli an extent
tliat it is imijossible afterwards to get them disentangled, and the
young growth of all such plants .as these is generally so tender as to
scarcely admit of being untwined from anything tli.at it laj's hold of
witliout stopping further extension. Plants of this description, either
grown in pots, tulis, or planted out in borders, where the root space
is hniited, will, in most cases, require the assistance of manure water.
It is, however, of little use applying this unless growth is actually in
progi-ess ; for, if given at other times, tlie fertilising elements which
it contains get washed away by the usual waterings, and do no good.
In structures of this description tlie use of ordinary manure water is
not admissable, from its ofl'ensive odour, but if made from guano,
with a little soot, and applied early in the morning, that objection
will be obviated, and ill places where nothing of tlie kind can be
employed, Standen's manure dusted on the surface of the pots, tubs,
or beds, where it gets washed into the soil with the ordinary water-
ings, will be found most effectual.

Greenhouse.

Hard- wooded Plants. — Whatever potting remains to be done
should be finislied fortluvitli ; not only is this necessary to make way
for otlier work, but it will Ije nmcli more conducive to the well-being
of tlie plants. The roots of such as were potted earlier will now be
beginning to take to the new soil ; they may be gi'adually inured ot
a fuller admission of air, but during this month it must be given at
the sides of the house and with caution, for, although on some days
the weather is favourable, on others it is not, and it sliould always
be remembered that plants grown under glass are, for the most part.,
indigenous to countries considerably warmer than our own, and that
consequently during our cold spring weatlier they are not able to bear
exposure to anything in the shape of a direct drauglit. Young plants
that have been potted should now be well tied out, with a view to
laying the groundwork of future specimens, determining the shape
by their natural li.aliit, or that whicli they would assume if undis-
turbed, and stopiiing and bending lower dowm the strongest shoots,
so as to equalise the growth. The whole stock, large and small,
should now be gone over every morning in order to ascertain what
requires water, as any inattention in tliis m.atter is much more in-
jurious in its efl'ects in tlie case of hard-wooded than in that of soft-
growing jjlants.

Tuberous-rooted Begonias.— A stock of these should be

grown in all places, large or small, on account of their being so
useful in many ways. Roots of them stiirted some time ago will now '
have made some progress, and should be furnished with root-room
proportionate to tlie size of the bulbs. They will thrive under or-
dinary greenhouse temperature, but will come on faster if kept a
little w.armer. Any remaiuiug bulbs that ni.ay yet be in a dry state
should immediately be started ; they will come into flower later in
the season.

Calceolarias. — The herbaceous varieties will now be gi'owing
apace, and should be well attended to with manure water ; they are
gross feeders, and the adv.ancing flower-spikes will be much benefited
by it. They should lie kejit in a temperature of 45' at night. There
are no plants th.at require more care as to keeping them free from
.aphides, for if tliese be once allowed to get ahead, it takes a severer
ajiplication of Toljacco to kill them tlian the Ijlooms will bear.
The shrubby kinds are equally deserving of cultivation as tlie softer
sorts, although their flowers may not be so conspicuous. There are
few more useful subjects for general decoration than the old C. aupea
floribunda. It is serviceable in the shape of siii.all plants, such as
are grown for the London market ; but so managed it is insignificant
compared with the character wliich it assumes when grown on for
years and regnilarly cut back each season after flowering, something
like a Pelargonium, part of tlie soil being removed, and tlie plant
re-potted similarly. In this way I have kept these shrubby Calceo-
larias on for a number of years until tliey were from 2 ft. to '2i ft.
through, forming dense masses of golden-yellow, which continued in
perfection in the conservatory for weeks after the spring-floM'erinf
2>laiits were mostly over, a time .at which tliey are very acceptable.
Any of the stout-habited, dark-flowered kinds are suitable for gi-ow-
iiig in the same way. The treatment ■\\liicli tliey want at this time
of the year is such as that whicli answers for the herbaceous
sorts.

Cinerarias and Primulas.— Tliose who intend to save seeds

of these sliould select the best marked forms as seed bearers. In the
case of the Primulas they should be set on a dry, airy shelf, where
they will get plenty of light, choosing plants that have not been
weakened througli early flowering, as tliey will not produce nearly
so much seed as those that have only bloomed recently. With Cine-
rarias it is necessary to keep tlie colours separate. My practice is to
put tlie liest forms and colours of red, and also of blue, as well as
the white gi'ounds with red tips, eacli by themselves in small
frames from the time they come into flower, selecting for the pur-
jiose the latest bloomers. Thus treated, these three colours will
jjroduce plenty of variety, including the ni.any shades of jiurple and
violet ; but only by keeping them apart can a preponder.ance of the
blues and purples of different shades be .avoided. A little more
Cineraria seed m,ay again be sown towards the end of tlie month,
and the plants from the first sowing must be treated so as to prevent
their being dr.a-mi up weakly. A Lttle Primula seed should also be
so«n to come into flower before Christmas. Double Primulas may
now be propagated liy means of cuttings kept a little warm, but not
so much confined, or tliey are liable to damp. They are not nearly
so effective for decorative purposes as the single varieties, but where
flowers .are much in request for cutting the double kinds are a great
deal tlie best, as they last longer than the single ones.

Berry-bearing Solanums that are to be pl.anted out during
the summer, a system of treatment which, when the phants .are
managed in accordance with their requirements, I have found to be
better and entail less labour than keeping them in pots ; but to sue-

April 12, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

307

ceed in ha\nng the berries coloured early enough in the autumn they
Tuust be put out at once ; they will stand much more hard weather
than is generally supposed. I have never seen any frost after this
time that -n-ill injure them in a fairly sheltered position, such as that
or.linarily selected for their summer quarters. The advantages of
planting out over gi-owing in pots are, a denser habit of growth, more
profuse and better coloured foliage, with much less trouble in keep-
ing the plants free from red spider, and supplied with water.

Orchids.

The house in which the cooler section of Orchids are gro^ini will
now be getting gay with the flowers of Odontoglossums, Masdevallias,
and other spring-blooming, cool house species. Wliito or nearly
white flowers like those which niost of these Odontoglossums Viuar
are very much more liable to show the effects of condensed moisture
by becoming spotted than flowers of other colours ; therefore, to keep
the bloom fresh as long as possible, no more atmospheric moisture
should be maintained than is necessary for the well-lieing of the
many subjects that will now be making growth. Plants that have
been affected the preceding season by that diminutive little pest the
yellow thrips must be looked to, as increased solar heat will cause
them to breed fast, and, if left unchecked, they not only make the
foliage unsightly, but the injury which they cause to the young
leaves in a partially developed condition has a serious effect upon the
strength of the plants, for leaves that have been so damaged in their
young state do not retain their vitality for the allottcil time, and
with these plants, as with all others, any premature loss of leaf has
;i weakening influence upon the whole plant proportionate to the
extent of the injury inflicted] Whatever potting in this depai-tment
remains to be done should be at once earned out, and the pots of
those that do not require more root room ought to surfaced with a
little fresh material. — T, Baixes.

AlfSWEES TO COEEESPOKDENTS.

Zinc Labels.— Are these injurious to Orchids? A wTiter on these plants,
speaking of wire, recommends copjier, because, he says, any other metal is pro-
bably injurious to tlie i)lants. — W. B.

Androsace helvetica.— I have a large cushion of this in a pot which T
plunged two years a'-,'ii in C'H-oa-nut libre refuse mixed with sand, and I find now
that the roots have iiciut rated intn the j'hiiiLiing material. Kow, as I want to save
seed from it, I should not like to doaiiytliin-^' whieh would interfere with the forma-
tion of flowers, but I am ;ifraid tlie routs, rambling in the Cocoa-nut fibre, will,
in themselves, be a cause of preventing a free production of blooms, and I think
this must have been the cause of its not having flowered last year, while the
year before, when the roots were confined in a pot, there was a good show of
bloom. What had I best do to attain my object ?— E. H.

Cool Orchids.— Having greenlionse and forcing house attached, I would
l)e obliged if you eouhl give me the names of a couple of dozen of Orchids that I
could grow without a great amount of heat.— H. [The following will answer
your purpose, viz. :— Dendrobium nobile, Cypripedium insigne, Lycaste Skinneri,
< 'a'logjiie cristata, Odontoglossum Alexandra;, O. grande, O. cirrhosum, O. nebu-
liisiun, O. Rossi, O. gloriosum, Lycaste nrnmatica, Dendrobium monilifonne, D.
japonicum, D. heterocarpum, Sophroniti-; grandillora, Oncidium macranthum,
O. ohryzatum, Maxillaria picta and aurantiaea, ryjiripedium venustum, C. bar-
')atum, C. caudatum. C. spectabile, Disa grandillnra. The two last-named ^vill
■^row in a frame from which frost is excluded, but require to be always moist —wet
even rather thandry— not only when growing, I lut also when at rest. The Disa espe-
cially will require water in abundance when gi'owing, wliich will be during the
winter nmnths, at which time it could be removed to a temperature of 50' to 55'
witli ail\';tntage. If, however, you are unacquainted with the management of
Orchids, I would recommend you to obtain half-a-dozen plants only as a com-
mencement, and for this purpose Dendrol»ium ni'l»ile. 1). japonicum, Lycaste
Skinneri, Cj'pripedium insigne, C. barKitum. and Oiieidium ohryzatum are the
best and also the cheapest. They are all strong constitutioned, free-flowering
kinds, and all I have named succeed in a house, the atmosphere of which is kept
ninist and not allowed to fall below 45' during the winter months. Odonto-
;.'lossum cirrhosum. although a comparatively new plant, is cheap and grows like
a weed, but if Odontoglossums are attempted they must be carefully shaded, and
the staging and Hooring of the house must beiiamped down several times daily. If
the house be a dry one the stage, which should be near the glass, may be covered
with a layer of Sphagnum Moss, on which the pnts cutaining the Orchids should
be arranged. This will help to keep a moist, genial atmosphere around them,
iiioisturc and light being more essential for most Orcliids than any great amoimt
..f heat.-B.]

Names of Plants.— .ff. W. B.— Send us a piece of your so-called soap plant
when in tlower ; we may then be able to answer your (luestion. E. F. ,§.— Bryo-
phylluni ealyeiimra. .4. A'.— Comus ilas (the Cornelian Cherry). IS. /;.— Den-
drobium densillorum var album. Of this there are several varieties, the largest
itnd best being named Schroederi. Mian T. — sisyrinchium graudiflorum.
\V. L- .\ .— Tropaiohnii tricolorum, certainly not T. azureum.

Camellia Sports.— I send you herewith two blooms from the same tree of
the Comtesf a Laviuia Maggie Camellia, one of wiiich has the usual cherry-ro.'je
flake and stripe on a white ground, and the other is a deeper cheriy-rose self-
coloured sport, and shall be glad if any of your readers would inform me whether
to their knowledge a similar sport has occurred elsewiiere in the case of the
above-named variety. This is the third year during which it has appeared with
me. and therefore it is fair to conclude that it is likely to be permanent, and may
be worth propagating. --T. B.

Vines.— Su&.-If your Vines be as bad as you describe, your best plan will be
tn take them up and plant new ones.

Wellingtonia.— I have a well-grown plant about 30 ft. high that the frost
has severely injured, the points of the shoots being dead and ipiite brown from
0 in. to 12 in. How should the tree be treated? Shall I cut back all overV—
W. B. [Yes ; cut the dead tops off at once.]

Questions.

Vines in Greenhouses.— "Uli at am I to do with a Vine, a Black Ham-
burgh ? It is ten years old, yet the stem is no thicker than a man's finger, and it
has borne no fruit. The shoots are weak, and it looks starved, and yet it has
good manure and manure water, and been closely pruned last year. The roots
are in a bed outside a small greenhouse, and the two brandies are trained inside
and tied to the supports of a span-roof. I must add that the greenhouse is small
and full of flowering plants, and fire-heat is applied to it nearly all the winter. I
-should like a few bunches of Grapes for effect if not for enjoyment. What is to
be done ?— Wethekden.

SOCIETIES AND EXHiBITIONS.

EOYAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
April 8.-

The show of plants on tliis occasion was an exceedingly good one,
many of the leading nurserymen contributing attractive groups, but
the special feature of this exhiljition was seedling Amaryllises, from
Jlessrs. Veitch & Sons, C'liclsea, consisting of about 150 plants of
unusual excellence. Amongst them were introduced, with good effect,
healthy dwarf Palms, Ferns, and similar plants. A gi-oup of Orchids,
from .Sir Trevor Lawrence, also attracted gi'cat attention

First-class Certificates were awarded as oUows : —

Dendrobium Brymerianum (Veitch & .Sons).— A species

with golden-yellow llowcrs and bearded lip ; previously described in
The Garden.

Amaryllis Duke of Connaught (Veitch & Sons).— A

scarlet-tlowered kind, \\ith broad, round petals of remarkable sub-
stance, and very smooth.

Chionodoxa Lucillise (Ban- and Sugden). — A cJiarming,
hardy, Scilla-likc plant, having starry flowers, white and tipped
with blue.

Ccelogyne ocellata maxima (^^'illiams). — A free-blooming

kind, with white yellow-lxirretl flowers set on long, gi-aceful, arched
spikes.

Masdevallia bella (Sir Trevor LawTcnce). — A fine variety of
the t'him;era type, having Large and singular blossoms, \(luch, in
the case of plants grown in baskets, come through their meshes, a.s
M. C'him;vra often does.

Dendrobium crassinode album (Sir Trevor La-n-rence).—
A variety having fmcly-formed llowcrs, of snowy-whiteness, with
a well-defined golden-yellow tliroat.

Cultural Commendations were awarded to ilr. Green,
gardener to Sir G. JL JIacleay, Reig.ate, for a cut spike of JIackeya
bella, a fine olil greenhouse climber rarely met with, and bearing
Bougainvillca-like IJossoms of a delicate lavender veined with
crimson. To Mr. Boiler for a singular Ecliinocactus named E. my-
riostigana ; and to Mr. Wooilbridge, for a fine specimen of CjTtopo-
dium punctatum.

Medals were aw.arded as follows : — Large gold Banksian to
Messrs. A'eitch & Sons for their gi-oup of seedling Amaryllises ;
small gold Banksian to Jlr. Williams for a similar exhibition ; a
silver Banksian to Mr. Barr & Sugden for cut blooms of Narcissi ; a
silver-gilt Flora to Mr. Bull for a gi-oup of new and rare plants,
Orchids, c&e. ; large gold Banksian to Sir Trevor Lawrence for a
gi-oup of Orchids ; silver-gait Flora to Messrs. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt,
for a collection of pot Roses ; and a small silver Banksian was recom-
mended to be given to Mr. Woodbridge for his plant of CyrtoiJodium
punctatum.

Miscellaneous Subjects. — Mr. William Bull showed an
attractive gToup of new and rare plants. Orchids, &c. Among them
were good plants of Dracaena Goldieana, Curculigo recun-ata striata,
Kentia Bulmoreana, Encephalartos villosus, Epaci-is onosmajflora
fl.-pl. nivalis (in good condition), a little Alpine Azalea named
A. balsama?flora, Croton Dormannianum, and Ha?mauthus einnaba-
rinus. With these were associated Ccelogj'ne ocellata, Dendrobium
Falconeri, D. crassinode Barberiauum, D. Wardianum.Lady's-slippers,
Odontoglossum gloriosum, 0. triumphans, 0. odoratum, 0. Pescatorei,
O. crispum, 0. cirrhosum, and O. Halli ; also Masdevallia ignea and
Harryana %-iolacea, and Cymbidium Lowianum and eburneum.
Among Orchids shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence were Dendrobium
.Jamesianum, bearing twenty flowers ; D. thyi-siflorum, with a dozen
pendent trusses ; D. Devonianum, bearing a pseudo-bulb upwards of
3 ft. long, and beset with large fringed blossoms ; the yellow
Oncidium eoncolor, with froni fifteen to twenty gi-aceful spikes of
unusually large blossoms ; also fine examples of the brilliant Masde-

308

THE GARDEN.

[April 12, 1879.

vallia Harryana, and a fine purple variety of it named M. H. cceru
lescens ; Ctelogyne coryrabosa, the curious Ccelia Baueriana, Odonto"
glossum cirrhosuni, 0. triumplians, Lady's-slippers, and Phaltenopsis.
Mr. B. S. Williams, Holloway, showed a group of plants, consisting
of Sobralia aurantiaca, Amanda tricolor superba, V. suavis, Odonto-
glossum triumphans, 0. cirrhosum, and Pescatorei ; also Lycaste
Skinneri and Cymbidium eburneum. With these were associated
Crotons Disraeli and Williamsi, fine-leaved Dracteuas, Yucca fila-
mentosa variegata, the curious Sarracenia psittaciua in flower, a fine
panful of Dionaja muscipula, and well-flowered plants of Anthurium
Scherzerianum. The same exhibitor also showed a rich and varied
gi-oup of AmaryUids. A fine group of pot Roses came from Messrs.
Paul & Sons, Old Nurseries, Cheshuut. Among them were La
France, Frangois Jlichelon, Madame Lacharme, Catherine Mermet,
Comtesse de Serenyi, and Royal Standard, all in good condition ;
also cut blooms of Marechal Niel and otliers. Messrs. Barr & Sugden
exhiliited cut blooms of Daffodils, among which were the following
kinds, viz., the double Florence Dafibdil, Narcissus Humei, N. Pseudo-
Narcissus Leedsi, N. obvallaris, N. o. maximus, N. incomparabilis
albus Leedsi, N. cernuus, N. nanus, N. lobularis, N. Telemonius,
N. bicolor of Florence, and N. lorifolius of Leeds. The same exhi-
bitors also showed a box of cut blooms of Hellebores. A group from
Messrs. Charles Lee & Sons, Hammersmith, contained well-flowered
Indian and Ghent Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Amaryllises, & Spiraeas,
intermixed witli Pahns and other fine-leaved plants. Messrs. Osboru
& Sous, Fulham, had a group of plants consisting of Azaleas, An-
thuriums, Hyacinths, Arum Lilies, and fine-foliaged plants ; and
Mr. Aldous, South Kensington, showed a group of Hydrangeas,
Azaleas, Pelargoniums, Ferns, and similar decorative plants. Mr.
Parker, Tooting, contributed hardy plants, amongst which were the
double-flowered variety of Primula acaulis lilacina, a suitable sort
either for pot or border culture ; also blue Scillas, Ficarias, and Saxi-
fraga diapensioides, a dwarf kind with white flowers, like those of
S. Burseriana. Mr. Dean, Bedfont, exliibited a gi'oup of Primroses,
among which were single and double kinds possessing various colours,
such as purple, white, crimson, yellow, mauve, lilac, and interme-
diate shades. Large-flowered blue Aubrietias and brilliantly-flowered
Polyanthuses also came from the same gi'ower. Jlr. Wiggins,
'/ardener to H. Little, Esq., Hillingdon, showed Cinerarias very
dwarf in habit, and having well-formed, finely-coloured flowers.
From Chisvdek came remarkable plants of Hebeclinium ianthinum,
with large bronzy leaves and Ageratum-like heads of blossom ;
also weli-gro^vn examples of Primula rosea and P. denticulata.
Messrs. Veitch & Sons showed standard plants of Lilac Charles X.,
having clean stems 4 ft. high, surmounted by large, round heads of
blossom ; also a fine panful of the sweet-scented Australian Boronia
megastigma. Messrs. Cutbusli & Sons, Highgate, exhibited several
bo.xes of cut blooms of Camellias, among which we noted large
flowers of reticulata, the well-known kind called Chandleri, and
many of the best white and striped kinds. The same firm also
showed a group of Epacrises, among which were plants having white,
pink, and rose flowers, and various intermediate shades of these
colours. Mr. Green sliowed blooms of Abutilon venosum, a kind
with palmate leaves and large crimson-striped flowers of large size.
Mr. Howe, gardener to A. Smith, Esq., Streatham, showed fine
blooms of Rhododendron Nuttalli, and Mr. Heims, gardener to
A. Philbrick, Esq., fine blooms of Odontoglossura nebulosum par-
dinum superbum. Mr. Wiggins furnished, amongst Cinerarias, Dolly
Little and Rosa Little, two dwarf kinds, the former having purple
flowers with wliite centres, and the latter white flowers edged with
blue. Mr. Hovey again showed Camellia blooms, consisting of kinds
already alluded to in The Garden. Mr. Hunter, Lambton Castle,
contrilmted plants of Valeriana Phu. The Rev. J. T. Boscawen
showed a plant of the white-flowered Rhododendron Mrs. Townshend
Boscawen.

The prizes offered for new Amaryllises brought but little competi-
tion, the only prize awarded being to Mr. Speed, Chatsworth, for a
plant bearing a remarkably strong spike of scarlet blossoms with
white centres — si.x in number.

turf, while another, with the spade, cuts away the roots that pene-
trate the soil below. A roll made of a strip 12 ft. long is as large as
two persons can conveniently liandle. A new turf-cutter, made as
follows, has been found to be an improvement on the old method : —
Tlie body of the cutter (A) is a block of hard wood, 10 in. thick,
12 in. wide, and .3 ft. long; the cutter (b) is a strip of J-in. iron, 3 in.
wide, and bent at the ends at right angles to fit the block, as shown
in the engraving; one side of this is hammered thin and ground to
an edge, not only along the horizontal part, but for 3 in. or 4 in. on

AMERICAN NOTES.

Home-made Turf-cutter.

the turn-up portions. This is then firmly bolted to the block, the
distance below it being governed by the tliickness at which the turf
is to be cut. The lower jjai-t of the block, immediately above the
knife, is hollowed out to allow the turf to pass easily between the
block and the cutter. There is, of course, an arrangement for hitch-
ing a horse to it, and a couple of handles, like plough handles, are
attached to allow the implement to be guided. The block may be
weighted, if necessary, to keep it down.

India-rubber Ploor-'wipers for Greenhouse or Dairy

Floors. — Tliere is an article called tlie "window-wiper," which is
coming into very general use in cities. It is a strip of vulcanised
India-rubber, about J in. thick or less, fastened upon the edge of a

flat piece of wood, and project-
ing from it as an edge, as seen
in tlie engi-aving. This is used
to clean windows, and being-
wiped over wet glass leaves it
clean and dry. The eftect of a
similar use of the wiper, or of a
stronger one adapted to the pur-
pose, upon wet floors, is to
sweep and wipe the floor, leav-
ing it clean and nearly diy,
much better and more rapidly
th.an any mop or broom, or both

Stone Floor-wiper.

combined can do. In fact, in greenhouses, dairies, and kitchens,
when once tried, it becomes almost indispensable, and upon cement
floors, where water can be freely used, it is efficient in its action,
both cleansing and drying the floor very rapidly.

An Improved Road-scraper. — If the operation of an

ordinary road-scraper be observed, it will be seen that it is faulty in
one important point, viz., that it leaves the lioUows as it finds them,
if, indeed, it does not scrajjc them out deeper. It simply smooths
the surface, but does not level it. By the simple addition of runners

A Useful Turf-cutter. — For making a small lawn it is far
more expeditious and satisfactory in all respects to lay do^vn turf, if
it can be procured, than to sow seeds, and even where the surface is
too large to be turfed sods are almost indispensable for those portions
bordering upon roads or paths, as well as for the outlines of such
beds as may be made in it. The usual method of cutting turf is to
lay down a board of the desired width; tlie operator, while standing
upon the board, cuts down on each side of it with a sharp spade ;
then, lifting an end of the strip with the spade, one person rolls the

An Improved Road-scraper.

by which it is kept from falling into the hollows, it will draw earth
into them instead of scooping them out. The ninners are raised
1 in. or 2 in. above the bottom of the scraper. It ^^^ll thus scrape
up the loose soft earth and deposit it wliere needed, that is. in the
hollows, thus levelling as well as smoothing the surface. Tlie form
of the improved scraper is represented in the anne.xed engi-av-iiig. —
' ' American Agriculturist. "

THE GAEDEN.

309

No; 387.]

SATURDAY, APBIL 19. 1879.

"This is an art
Which does mend N.->ture : change it rather : hut
The Art itself is Xature."— SAaJreiipcari;.

TOMATOES EVERY :M0NTH IN THE YEAR.

Having been very successful iu the cultivation of Tomatoes,
allow me to give an account of my mode of treatment, and to
show how Tomatoes may be obtained every month in the year.
To the main crop I have a house exclusively devoted. It is
span-roofed, 45 ft. long and 11 ft. wide, and runs from east to
west, but it would have been better from north to south, as in
that way more light and sunshine are secured. In the house
in question, though I plant the largest plants on the north
border, those on the south side soon shade them. I sow the
seed the first week in .January, and pot off the seedlings when
fit to handle. I plant early in ilarch, and from this house I
have sent Tomatoes to market from the first week iu ilay,
1878, to the first week in April, 1879. I pulled the old
plants up in JIarch, when I planted the fresh crop ; but I put
the green Tomatoes in a box, covering them up, and they
coloured satisfactorily. The soil for Tomatoes should not be
over-rich at planting-time ; when fairly started they should
have a good dressing of manure ; but be careful as regards
the use of fresh stable litter. They require liberal watering,
and as soon as I see the first fruits setting, I give them liquid
manure.

In the house above alluded to I have them planted 2 ft.
apart. One row of Trophy is planted all round the house,
and when the plants get up to the wires they are stopped and
the next shoots are trained over the trellis-work. Then there
is a row of the old Red, the plants of which run up a stick

5 ft, and are kept to single stems. Trophy is the principal
cropper, and it is astonishing what a quantity of fruit can be
got off a single stem ; the plants fruit at every alternate joint,
beginning about 1 ft. from the bottom. The front row on the
north border is planted so that the jjlants do not face tlie Isack
row of Trophy. Although Trophy is the kind upon which I
most depend, its fruit being heavy — a great consideration where
fruit is sold by weight and the plants abundant bearers — still,
I would recommend your readers not to plant many of it, as
it is not every one who can fruit it at first ; but, after watch-
ing its peculiarities the first year, more of it may be planted.
In the house just described I have had plenty of fruit, each of
which weighed over 1 lb., and they were almost as round as
an Apple. I am very careful as regards seed saving. Toma-
toes planted here in March are now in flower, and by the first
week in May fruit will be ripe. I .should state that the whole
of our Tomatoes are grown in heated houses.

In our late Vinery, which is 80 ft. long, I have a row 18 in.
plant from plant on the liack wall ; these I fruit in the shape
of single stems. I do not, however, expect tliese to do much
good this season, as the Vines are now three parts up the
rafters. Nevertheless, the Tomato plants being strong, may get
up the wall before the Vine leaves shade them too much.
Tomatoes are very accommodating after the fruit is set ; but,
until then, they require plenty of light. In this house, when
the Vines were younger, I had as many as forty large fruits of
Trophy on a square foot, but I cannot get that now. In July,
1874, I cut eight fruits of Trophy in a bunch, which weighed

6 lb. The largest single fruit I cut of this variety weighed
about 2 oz. short of 2 lb. In this house last year I did not
get many fruits at the bottom, but towards the top, especially
in the autumn, the produce was excellent. I grow the same

varieties here — the old Red and Trophy — as in the early
house, but I am trying a few of Hathaway's Excelsior and six
plants of Acme. In growing Tomatoes on the single stem
system it is necessary that all the side shoots should be
pinched out.

Let me now give some account of a supplementary crop
which I had in my Cucumber house, a lean-to 80 ft. long
with an east aspect. At the end of September, having a fine
lot of plants ready, I pulled the old Cucumbers up and
planted Tomatoes in the same soil 12 in. apart, training
them in the form of single stems up the trellis. These
plants fruited well and supplied an abundance of Tomatoes
friMu Christmas to the middle of February, when they were
pulled up to make room for Cucumbers. Had it been
possible to plant the Tomatoes two or three weeks earlier,
they w'ould have done better still ; as it was, I found that
very few fruits set after Christmas, but doubtless more sun-
shine would have made a difference.

As to varieties, first on my list stands Trophy, but this
requires room to run, and but little fruit is got off it till it
reaches the wires. This is the finest flavoured of all I have
tried ; it is always admired for its fine appearance, and with
those w'ho eat tlie fruit raw as grown it is a great favourite.
I find this kind to require starving in order to get the first
blooms to set ; after that more liberal treatment may be given.
Secondly, the most useful sort for general cultivation is the
old Red, and, with liberal treatment, this variety acquires a
larger size. I weighed some of the fruit which I raised in
the Cucumber house at Christmas, and found them to weigh
8 oz. and 9 oz. each, although this is a light-weighing variety.
AVinter fruit do not turn the scale as that grown in summer
does. In regard to Trophy, I forgot to mention that after the
first fruits are set, it should never be allowed to get dry or
the fruits will crack, and it requires plenty of ventilation.
Of Acme I had some good fruits la.st year at the end of June,
but later on when I wanted them they failed to come, and
they cracked very much. I will not, however, condemn it, as
it was grown in a Vinery, and the treatment was not such as
I should have given it anywhere else.

In saving seed, as soon as the fruit is ripe, take the seed
out, or it will spear and be useless. I have grown Tomatoes
in large pots very well ; Keyes' Early Prolific and Earley's
Defiance are very suitable kinds for this purpose. During
some years I have planted Tomatoes 3 ft. apart and trained
up three stems, but in that case one must keep all the
side shoots well puiched in. Acme, being so prettily coloured,
is well worth growing, and it is a kind that is well
flavoured.

In order to have Tomatoes in perfection, they should remain
on the plant till they are ripe. This is my plan, but in clear-
ing out the old plants any fruit that happens to be unripe
should be placed in layers in baskets or boxes covered over
and kept warm. Under such conditions, they soon acquire
colour, and are fit for market. It is astonishing the length
of time they wUl hang after they have become red. Being
troubled with wireworm, in planting we cut a Potato into two
or three pieces and place them about 4 in. from the stem.
These act as traps, which can be examined every third day
and the wireworms destroyed. I have found thes^ pests to
be very troublesome in new soil, but after the plants get
fairly established they su.stain no harm. The chief points in
Tomato growing consist in having strong plants to begin with,
then plenty of water, afterwards liberal feeding, and abun-
dance of ventilation. My practice is, as soon as the fruit sets,
to take out the centre piece of the leaf, an operation which
assists the swelling of the fruit. Stephen Castle.

Broadiuater, Worihincf.

310

THE GARDEN.

[April 19, 1S79.

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT GROWING FOR
MARKET.

The ill formation which Mr. Groom gives (p. 237) respecting fruit
culture iu Kent is interesting: but quoting the fact that "really
first-class Keswick Codlings fetched only is. per bushel " does not
prove that fruit culture generally was unprotitalile in Kent at the time
of whicli he speaks. Tliere are losses to be borne in every business,
and I do not suppose fruit culture to be exempt from them at times.
Now, if tliose interested will turn to Vol. VIII. of The Garden
(p. 405), they will find an instructive account of Kentish fruit cul-
ture, from which I venture to make a few extracts. At Sittingbourne
is a 9-acre plot of Cherries and hard fruit, which has yielded £30
per acre, on an average, for five years. An old plantation of the
same, which lies well near Barden and Tunstall, has produced an
average of £34 per acre for tliirteen years. A little estate of S8
acres lias for fourteen years yielded fruit worth £19 9s. 6d. per acre.
The lowest average quoted is £13 143. jjer acre for thirteen years,
other plantations liaving furnished a yearly average of £20, £19, £27,
and £17 per acre, the bottoms for grazing being let at £2 per acre,
an allowance being made to the tenant for a proportion of rates and
tithes. A plantation of Green Gage Plums at Gillingham ' ' bore
abundantly one year, making, I believe, more than £100 per acre.
The owner was offered £50 an acre for the fruit on the whole 28
acres (£1400), half of which was not nearly so valuable as the Green
Gage part." So much for Plum culture. In the same paper as much
as £100 per acre is mentioned as having been obtained in excep-
tional seasons by the culture of Gooseberries, Black Currants, and
Kentish Cob nuts. For the very ordinary systems of fruit culture
now generally adopted, however, tliese last returns are as exceptional,
on the one hand, as Mr. Groom's illustration, to wliich I have alluded,
is on the other. From a proprietor's point of view, fruit culture in
Kent, as elsewhere, is profitable, much more so than some would
have us believe, seeing that land suited for fruit culture is worth more
by 50 per cent, at least than other ground in tlie same neighbourhood
equally good, but under araljle or pasture crops. There is much
market garden land in Kent, and also around London, let at from £4
to £G per acre, while close alongside such plots, similar land planted
with fruit trees fetches from £10 to £15 per acre, and is considered
to be better worth tlie money. These facts speaks for themselves,
and sliow very plainly that it would pay landed proprietors to plant
good land near towns with suitable fruit trees, previous to letting it to
market growers. That fruit and vegetable crops are profitable on tlie
farm, even although they cost more producing and marketing than or-
dinary farm produce, is well known, and we even find Mr. Mechi
growing Strawberries and Peas for market on his farm at Tiptree,
and we can scarcely believe he would risk lowering his yearly
balance sheet unless he thought that they would yield a good
profit.

Mr. Groom tells us that London is not always the best market
for fruit, and that the cost of carriage and marketing Apples
from Kent is Is. per bushel, a very moderate cost, seeing tliat
Cherries from the same county cost 3s. per sieve for gathering and
marketing. Large quantities of good fruit are wasted in fruitful
.seasons ; hence the reason I have so often recommended that the
unsaleable surplus should be preserved or canned, as is done in
America and France. I took exception to "C. W. S.'s" statement,
that "both for hardy and indoor fruit there is always a ready sale,"
because that statement certainly "fails to fairly represent the case,"
especially when on the very next page (p. 200) we are told that
' ' hundreds of bushels of good Plums, Apples, and similar fruits
are allowed to rot," which proves most conclusively that there is not
always a ready sale for them, even "at a price" that is barely
remunerative. The same market is open to both home and foreign
growers, and, as I said before, home fruit gi'owers must protect them-
selves. The best proof that foreign growers do, on the wliole,
export their fruit at a profit is that the inijiorts generally increase,
which they would not do unless a profit were made.

As to the fruit r. meat-growing question, it is admitted that more
than £100 worth of fruit and vegetables can be produced on two
acres of good land in three years. Now is it possible to obtain £100
annually from 6 acres of a meat-producing farm ? He would be
a successful man indeed who could make .£2000 a year from a meat
farm, or any other farm of 300 acres, unless fruit and vegetables be
grown ; and yet this is only about half of what the farm should
yield, if it be true that large holdings give better returns than small
cues, or if the results are to be equal to those derivable from fruit
and vegetable culture combined, and they must be so combineil if
the best results are to be obtained. I am well aware that fruit crops
generally are not so certain as vegetable crops or farm crops, and yet
if a fair crop be produced once in three years, fruit culture is too
remunerative to be abandoned. There is a fruit, vegetable, and flower
farm at Fulham for which a rental of £12 per acre has long been paid,
and I am told the proprietor is satisfied with a fruit crop every three

years. Tlie market gardeners are far better off than tlie farmers, so
far as foreign imports are concerned. The American gTowers cannot
compete witli our own in tlie production of fresh, soft fruits or
vegetables, as tliey do in the farmer's ease in the production of fresh
meat and corn. All over the country our farmers have had from 5 to
10 jjer cent, of tlieir rents remitted by their landlords during the
past year, and if this has been done in the case of men paying from
40s. to 50s. per acre only, Iiow is it that market gTowers of vegetables
and fruit, who pay from £4 to £15 per acre can afl'ord to do so, if it
be not that this branch of land culture is more profitable than
farming ? I'roximity to London or other large towns does not wholly
account for the high rents paid by market gTowers, nor does the cost
of planting, since in most cases this has been done at the tenant's
own expense. Good land is worth more to them than to any one
else, unless it be the speculative builder, and this is the principal
reason that high rents are paid.

It is easy to see that the market grower's position is not so good
as it was ; the fact cannot be denied that cheap imports have lowered
his profits, and his remedy is to grow better crojis than those imported
at an equal or lower cost. If manual labour is too expensive he must
use horse power. The land must perforce be cultivated and in-
creased crops must be obtained ; again we must meet the foreign
imports and their tendency to lower home j^rices by growing more
fruit and vegetables, especially of such easily-damaged kinds as will
not bear carriage well from abroad. The foreign grower obtains the
best general price for his fruit during our times of gTeatest scarcity ;
hence we may compete best with him by extending our fruit and
vegetable-producing area to its utmost limit. The only real draw-
back to a more extended system of fruit and vegetable culture is the
distribution question. Consignments of all garden produce sent to
Covent Garden and other metropolitan markets are now in comjia-
ratively few hands ; indeed, it is not going too far to say that the
fruit salesmen have it in their power to form a " ring" by which the
wholesale prices are fixed. They have comparatively no risk, and
yet they monopolise a large share of the profits of the grower, and
increase the cost to the consumer as well. As I have before said, they
favour the influx of foreign fruit, because the rapidity of open auc-
tion sales affords them a better chance of speculating with advantage
to themselves. I have often thought that if a little of that spirit
which induces fruit growers to let their produce rot on the ground
rather than market it when profits are too low to be worth their
notice, had been displayed by them at the first auction sales of
foreign produce, they might have competed to better advantage with
their opponents.

The Continental grower, however, of both fruit and vegetables
makes his greatest gains by bringing his produce into the market two
or three weeks earlier than our own climate will allow being done.
Our own cultivators must undersell him at all other times. Large
growers of fruit or vegetables can never deal directly with the con-
sumer ; they can sell their fruit by auction, or instead of sending it
to London, which it appears is not always the best market, they
might place agents of their own not onU' in London, but also in all
our principal provincial towns, and then trust to the telegi-aph wires
in order to find the best market. For the sale of the finest fruit
especially, a co-operative fruit store might be tried in London with
advantage, and, if carried out on a broad basis, such an institution
would be sure of success, for then people would buy their fruit, as
they now buy their other supplies, with far more comfort than they
can possibly do in Covent Garden. F. W. B.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE KITCHEN GAEDEN.

The Regent Potato. — This variety which has been so much
eulogised by several contributors could not be mistaken for Dalmahoy.
The Red Regent is the best as a thoroughly good second early sort,
fit for raising the first week in Augnist if planted in March. —
E. P. Leoge.

Dwarf Peas. — These must not be wholly condemned. No two
better Peas can be grown than the Kentish In^icta for a first crop,
and Hare's Dwarf Slarrow, which I never found to exceed 4 ft. in
height. Concerning the last named, the verdict I have always heard
is " Could not be better." — Eugene P. Legge, Court House, Litton
Cheney, Dorset.

Earthing up Potatoes.— Whatever may be the necessities
of Potato culture iu fields that in gardens should not be performed
in the same offhand way, and no implement can well be more unfit
for the purpose of earthing up Potatoes than the hoe. Misled by
the instructions commonly given as to planting in rows at 2 ft. apart,
&c., jjersons continue planting so close together that when the
haulm or shaws are above ground, they are driven to the necessity
of using the hoe as an earthing imiilement or of doing nothing. In-

April 19, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

311

stead of planting at 2 ft. apart, let the rows be according to the sort,
from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. ; use a fork to earth up with instead of the
hoe, and far better results will be obtained. It is an excellent
plan to line out tlie ground to be planted in widths as may be
required ; then in digging work down each portion, and throw it into
a ridge. When this has been done thoughout the entire piece to be
planted, the furrows should be forked over deeply and left lying as
fine and loose as possible. At planting time strain a line along the
furrow, draw a shallow drill with a hoe, in order that the sets may
lie regidar and even ; plant and dress with artificial manure, wood-
ashes, soot, or other useful light compounds ; then fork down the
finer surface of the ridges, and cover tlie tubers to a depth of 4 in.
When the plants are tlu-ough the soil, fork over the intervening
spaces, anil when the haulm is from 6 in. to 8 in. in height, earth up
carefully with a fork, and perform the operation again some eight or
ten days later, leaving the ridges sharp and neat throughout. With
such wide cultivation it is possible to plant winter Greens between
the rows, and a good dressing of manure may be worked into the
furrows before planting. The crop resulting from the wider space
allotted will certainly repay the e.vtra trouble. — A. D.

Lettuces Running to Seed.— The German plan (see p.
296) of preventing this cannot be called new, as it has been
practised here for many years. Our mode is to cut the stem nearly
three parts through, securing the Lettuce to a stake, and inclining the
head to the north as much as possilile. During hot weather in
summer, wlien any deficiency is likely to happen between the
different plantings, we have, by means of this metlioil, prolonged the
supply for at least a fortnight. I have known German (Jreens, gi-own
for competition, to be treated in a similar manner, in order to prevent
them from bolting. — U.wiD Mukray, Cukean, Ai/rshire.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

HOYA CARNOSA AND BELLA.

The best known and most useful species of this liandsome
genus are H. carnosa, a fast-growing creeper, anil H. bella, a
dwarf and more delicate growing kind. Both liave thick,
fleshy leaves, and botli produce alnindantly for a considerable
period in summer, clusters of wax-like flowers, from the centre
of which exudes a single drop of a honey-like fluid, which has
led to their receiving the name of honey plants. Althougli
these two species of Hoya are commonly classed as stove
plants, and they may, indeed, be cultivated successfully in a
stove, yet H. carnosa will grow equally well in an interme-
diate or warm greenhouse, and will often flower more freely in
such a structure than in the stove, simply because its drier at-
mosphere leads to the better maturation of the wo(k1, without
which flowers must be scanty. In the stove the plant should
stand in the full sunshine during the time the growth is being
made. When grown in a low temperature it must not be over
watered in winter ; indeed, during that period this class of
plants should be kept comparatively dry. If ever disease
overtakes the plants it is generally caused by using too large
pots, and plying the watering-pot too freely in winter, when
but little root-action is taking place. Very large plants of H.
carnosa can be grown in very small pots ; indeed, I saw a large
plant last year growing on the back wall of a damp stove that
had absolutely no soil at all. It had originally been planted
in a small chink of a border in the back path, but the branches,
wherever they touched the damp surface of the wall, had thrown
out roots like those which the Ivy generally and Fig some-
times do, and when I saw it the connection with the border had
been a long time severed without having produced any efl'ect
upon the plant's health or progress.

Both H. cornosa and H. bella make admirable basket plants ;
indeed, they show to better advantage treated in that way than
in any other, as their drooping flowers seem intended to be
seen from beneath. H. bella is especially a choice subject for
a basket, but its culture must be confined to the stove. It is
not so hardy or robust in constitution as its vigorous relative,
but it is more elegant in appearance, and in a choice collection

of stove plants it will always attract attention. Like many-
other of our choice-flowering hothouse plants, the taste for
foliage has driven them, temporarily, into the background, but
plants,^ in themselves so beautiful, cannot long remain in
obscurity.

The main cause of failure (where failure occurs) in the cul-
ture of this class of plants is potting in soil of too close a
texture. Hoyas are impatient of stagnant moisture about
their roots, and the material forming the root medium must be
of a porous character. In potting specimens of considerable
size, the pots must first be well drained ; more attention should
be paid to this, in this case, than is customary or even neces-
sary for the general run of stove plants. The soil should con-
sist of about equal parts of good turfy loam and peat, pulled
to pieces with the hand, and the fine, light particles should be
shaken from it so that only the turf remains ; to this should
be added about a sixth part of sand and the same quantity of
broken charcoal. In such material the plants may bo firmly
potted, leaving sufficient space at the top in proportion to the
size of pot used, for giving water, as in the growing season the
plants delight in and require a liberal supply of moisture both
at the root and in the atmosphere. It is only stagnation that
must be avoided. In potting small plants the turf should be
broken up small, but never sifted.

The best position for H. carnosa, if grown in a pot, is trained
on a -wire trellis just under the roof, or it may be trained over
a wire trainer, either globular or of any other desired shape.
H. bella must be neatly supported with small stakes, but no
more than are necessary shoidd be used, as they add nothing
to its beauty, and the roots of a plant are often injured by
having the Ijall honeycombed with stakes. A very handsome
basket of plants for su.spending in the stove may be filled in
the following manner : A plain wire basket of a suitable size
should be procured, 10 in. in diameter and 6 in. deep, which will
grow a fine specimen. The bottom and sides should be lined with
Moss, and towards the top of the basket should be worked in
half-a-dozen small plants of Panicum variegatum, with the
ends of the shoiits hanging through the wires, which will be
pegged under the bottom, and form a beautiful covering for it
In the top of the basket should lie jilanted five or six healthy-
plants of Hoya bella, jiressing them in firmly and then cover-
ing all in neatly with Moss. After the plants are well esta-
blished the basket may be hung in the full sunshine, except
when the Hoya is in flower; then a little shade will be beneficial
Jlost of the Hoyas are readily increased by cuttings of soft,
young shoots in sandy soil in a brisk bottom heat, either with
or without the assistance of a bell glass. If a plant should
become sickly, it is best to start afresh with a young one, and
they are so easily propagated that a few young plants of bella
might always be coming on. Plants in a bad state of health
are difficult to restore, as it, in nearly all cases, arises front
decay of the roots through imperfect drainage, or the soil
having become clcjse and sour. There was years ago a variety
of bella under the name Paxtoni, if I remember rightly, that
had a slightly more vigorous habit, but otherwise resembled
it. When mounted on wire the flowers of all the species are
useful for bouquet making, although if used too freely they
impart to the bouquet a rather too formal an appearance.

E. Hobday.

Primula amcena.— I observe that Mr. Gumbleton alludes tO'
this beautiful .Japan Primrose as Primula .Sieboldi. It would be well
if tins appellation were universal, but I hesitate to employ it until
botanists have decided as to its proper title. I wish now to say
that it is not possible to display the full beauties of this handsome
Prinuila until it has been grown for a couple of years in large pots.
The crowns are then tliick, tlie foliage aliundant and dense, and the
flowers thrown up strongly and in abundance. Early in its growth

312

THE GARDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

the foliage is crowded up into a mass, but as it lengthens in stem,
it falls in a graceful way round tlic pot, and the numerous flower-
stalks carry a very ornamental head of Ijloom. It is an especially
lieautiful species for the cool gi-eonhouse or conservatory. — A. D.

ABUTILONS GROWN FOE TRIAL AT CHISWICK.

BY A. r. liARKON.
The following varieties were all propagated from cuttings early in
spring, and gi'own and flowered in pots in a cool greenhouse. For
this purpose few plants can be more highly recommended, or are
better adapted for the autumn decoration of the conservatory. Good
plants planted out early in June will gi'ow and flower well, and are
very suitaMe for tlie sub-trojiical garden.

Ch-KiiiJicatioH as to Colour of Ftoivei's, dc.
Flowers WniTE. Simon Del.iux. striatum.

Boule de Neige. Flowers Orange. ThnrnZm^"^"'''"™-

Flowers Yellow. Darwiui inompsom.

v!;w."!S'Ar Darwini' comiMctum. Flowers Yellow,

!•> ,„tn^' Darwini grandiflorum. Caly.x Coloured.

iiLiueuui. Darwiui majus. Megapotamicum.

Flowep^ Lilac, Danvini te.ssfillatiim. Megapotamicum variega-

Auna Crozy. La Lorraine.
Oomtessa de Medici Spada Prince of Orange.

Lilaceiun album. ^^T.^,...,x,.. t*....

Louis Marignac. Flowers Purple.

Souvenir de MaximiUian. msigue.

Flowers Rose. ^"."'^ ™" Ho';"^, .

, , , _ bouvenu- de .St. Mam-ice.

Alpnonse Kan-.

Danvini robuatum. Flowers .Striated,

Le Gvi\ot. Yellow.

Le Progi'63 Eerauger.

rosa?florum. Sloutgolfler.

^ose^un florihuuduin. iiiveum niarmoratum.

tum.

Megapotamicum veuosum.
vexillarium.

Varieties with Varie-
gated Leaves.
Darwini tessellatum.
niveum marmoratinn.
Megapotamicum variega-

tum.
Sellowianum marmoratum
striatum variegatuin.
vexillarium.

Anna Crozy (Bull)— Plant of rolnist, vigorous growth ; fiue habit ;
flowering freely late in the season : good for winter flowering.
Leaves large, broad. Flowers large, and of finely cupped form ; pale
lilac, witli dark veinings. Very pretty.

Alphon.se K ark (Lemoine).— Plant of tall, free growth, and fine
branching habit. Leaves small, deeply cut. Flowers small, of fine
rounded form, borne on long .slender stalks ; colour reddish-orange,
with dark veinings. Free flowering.

Beeangeb (Van Houtte).— Plant of tall, erect habit of growth ;
not branching. Leaves large, deeply cut. Flowers very large and
elongated, of a clear pale orange colour, beautifully streaked M'itli
dark bro-mi. Very shoM-y, but somewhat shy flowering.

Boule de Neige.— Plant of fine free-branching habit. Leaves of
medium size, somewdiat pointed. Flowers of medium size, of finely-
cupped form ; pure white. Very free flowering. Excellent.

CoMTE.ssA DE Medici Spada (Van Houtte).— Plant of strong,
robust growth. Leaves large, woolley. Flowers of medium size";
pale lilac. Very shy flowering. Woi-thless.

Darwini (Lemoine) (Fraser).— Plant of free, vigorous gTOMi;h.
Leaves large, broad. Flowers briglit orange, with dai-ker veinings ;
fine-cupped form. Not free flowering.

Darwini compactum (Lemoine). — A compact-gTOwing, free-
flowering variety. Flowers reddish-orange. Inferior.

DARwnNi GRANDiFLORUM (Bull). — Plant of fine liabit. Leaves
large. Flowers very large, of longish form, of a pale orange colour,
with dark veins. Free flowering and good.

Darwini maju.s (Lemoine) (Bull). — Plant of smaller growth, but
in otlier respects very similar to D. grandiflorum.

Darwini roisustum (Lemoine). — Plant of fine, compact habit.
Free flowering. Flowers orange, shaded with rose ; of fine form.
Distinct and good.

Darwini TESsELL.ATt:M (Veitch). — Plant of fine, robust habit.
Very free flowering. Flowers liright orange, similar to Darwini.
Leaves large, broad ; beautifully variegated or marbled ; light gTeen
and yellow. A very ornamental jilant, whether in or out of
flower.

Due DE Malakoff (Fraser).— Plant tall ; free gTOwing ; not
flowered.

Louis Marignac (Bull) (Lemoine).— Plant of fine habit. Very free
flowering. Flowers large, of finely-roundeil cupped form ; clear pale
lilac colour, with slight venations. Very pretty. Distinct. One of
the best. First-class certificate.

Louis Van Houtte (Bull).— Plant of compact habit of gi-owth.
Free flowering. Flowers large, of fine cupped form, but somewdiat
rough : dark purple colour, with ^\•hite throat. Distinct and
beautiful.

MoNTGOLFiER (Van Houte). — Plant of tall, free gT0%vth, Leaves
large, deeply cut and pointed. Free flowering. Flowers large, much
expanded, of loose form ; of a d\dl pale yellow colour. Worthless.

Megapota.micum (Van Houtte). — Plant of slender, spreading
habit. Leaves small and pointed. Flowers small, bell-shaped, and

singularly beautiful, the calyx being dark red, the corolla pale yellow,
and the stamens dark brown, in very pleasing contrast.

Megapotamicuji variegatu.ai (Van Houtte). — A variegated
leaved form of the preceding.

Megapotamicum vencsum (Van Houtte).— A very tall, strong-
gi'owing variety of Megapotamicum.

NivEU.M MARMORATUM. — Plant of free growtli. Leaves large,
broad, downy, beautifully marbled pale gi-een and yellow. Flowers
of medium size and loose form ; yellow, streaked witli dark orange.
Valuable as a handsome foliage plant, and very suitable for bedding.

Perle d'Or (Bull). — Fine dwarf-growing habit. Free flowering.
Flowers of fine, rounded, cupped form ; of a pale Primrose colour.
Very pretty. A good variety.

Insigne (Williams) (sym. ignenm). — Plant of tall, free growth.
Leaves large, heart shaped ; very tliick aiul nigose ; deep green ;
stem covered with short bro\™ hairs. Flowers borne on long and
slender panicles ; the petals short, broad, much reflexed, of a dark
purplish-crimson colour, with dark venations. A late autumn or
winter-flowering species. Very di.stinct and beautiful.

La Lorraine (Bull). — Very similar to Darwini grandiflorum.

Le Pkogres (Bull). — Very similar to roseum floribundum.

Le Grelot (Bull). — Plant of fine, compact habit. Free flowering.
Flowers large, and rather long ; finely cupped ; of a pale rose colour,
with dark venation. A very beautiful variety.

Lemoinei. — Plant of fine, free habit. Leaves large, somewhat
pointed and toothed. Free flowering. Flowers large ; pale yellow ;
of finely-cupped form, borne on short stalks. A very fine variety.

Le.moinei (Van Houtte). — Same as Due de Malakott', of Fraser.

LiLACEUM ALBUM (Bull). — Plant of Nngoi'ous gT'Owth. Flowers large,
of a pale lilac colour ; finely-cupped form. Very pretty, but con-
sidered inferior to Louis Marignac.

— "Horticultural Society's Journal,"

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR GARDEN.

Failure of Lily of the Valley.— ilany have had their
Lilies of the Valley fail this year ; but tlie fault, I tliink, cannot lie
with tliG Lily clumps or eyes, as we have had, and still have, this
season some of the finest which I ever saw. Om' clumps, wliich are
obtained from two Dutch firms, have thrown up from twenty to
thirty spikes each. I have always found Dutch clumjjs preferable to
Belgian ones. The single eyes also have been fine ever since Christ-
mas. My opinion is, that protecting tlie clumps before putting them
in to force is the main cause of failure. I find the harder they are
frozen the better tliey flower, and the quicker they come into blossom.
I also find that placing enough dry Moss to hide tlie eyes loosely on
the tops of the pots when they are put in to force of gTeat service.
Our conservatory now is very gay with hundreds of Spineas, quan-
tities of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Imautophyllums, Amaryllises, and
Orchids. — Ja.mes O'Brien, Pim-ajiple Nursery, Maida Vale, Edij-
warc Koad.

Thunberg'ias. — Any one in want of a good useful conservatory
plant should now sow in gentle heat a sujijjly of Tliunbergia alata
and T. aurantiaca, liotli of which form charming edgings for masses
of other plants, or for draping stages or baskets, or, indeed, setting
otf to advantage any arrangement of decorative plants, as, in addi-
tion to their bright .and cheerful flowers, their liabit is drooping and
gi'aceful, and they look extremely well in suspended baskets. Such
plants conceal angularities, soften down hard lines, and give
arrangements strictly artificial a more natural appearance than they
otherwise would have. — .T. Groom.

Conservatory Climbers. — I am about to add a conservatory
to my villa at Torijuay. It will be erected against the side of tlie
house, and be between 40 ft. and 50 ft. long ; the entrance hall will
be reached by crossing it, so that it mil be divided into two beds,
surrounded by a path 4 ft. wide. Pillars and arches will rise on each
side of the path, on wliich I desire to train a choice collection of
flowering climbers. Having long been accustomed to a similar
edifice, I .am well acquainted with the ordinary decorations of a con-
serv.atory, but I wish to inquire of readers of The Garden if any
distinct jilants have come under their notice that I might add to my
collection. Tlie numerous additions to our horticultural treasures
may have introduced some hitherto unknown, or the constitution of
some plants may h.ave developed themselves so as to render them
suital>le denizens of a house of a lower temperature than a stove. I
woulil, however, mention that to suit an invalid member of the
family the conservatory in question will lie kept at a higher tempera-
ture tlian houses of this description usually are, as the boiler is
intended to heat the rooms of the villa, which must be kept at the
same temperature five or six months of the j^ear. The late Mr. Siiiee,
in "My Garden," mentions Stigmaphylla ciliata as thri\iug as well

April 19, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

313

in a conservatory as in a stove. Can any reader of The Garden
confirm this statement from experience ? Is Thimbergia natalensis
likely to succeed ? and what Passion-flowers and Bignonias can I
plant with a fair hope of success ? I had for many years in a con-
servatory Bignonia venusta, tlie branches of which were about 40 ft.
long, but it never produced a single flower. Will the different
Bougainvilleas answer my pui'jiose ? What tropical Ferns of striking
appearance can I grow at the northern end of the house, where it is
intended to fix the boiler? Tlie names of from twelve to twenty
would be welcome. Has any one ever bloomed (ielsemium semper-
virens, which old writers eulogise ? I had it for some years, but
discarded it from its total alisence of flowers. It is now used in
medicine as a sedative. — -J. L.

FlowerleSS Stephanotis. — There can hardly be any doubt
that the flowering of the Steijlianotis floribunda is much influenced
by culture, but there can be just about as little doubt that there are
free-flowering and shy-ilowering varieties of the same plant. It is a
well-known fact that the .Stephanotis is frequently raised from seed,
and, considering how much seedlings of most plants vary in habit
and floriferousness, there is nothing surprising in tlie fact of there
being wliat are called " flowerless varieties " of the Stephanotis, and

Pelorgoniums, and similar plants, furnishing as it does a soft tint
of colour. We have used it for this purpose the whole winter, as
well as for cut bloom, which looks well in the daytime, but not under
gaslight. I would recommend all who require cut bloom in quantity
to grow it, feeling sure that they will not be disappointed. Our
plants of it for conservatory decoration have been grown on in a green-
house, the temperature of which is generally about from 45° to 50"
at uight, with a rise of 10° by day. This variety is far in advance of
any Ageratum previously in cultivation, both for tlxe flower garden
and for house decoration. — J. C, Farnboro'.

HERBACEOUS P.EONIES IN THE WILD GAEDEN.

The accompanying engraxnng represents one of the most beautifid
eff"ects obtained in wild gardening by an Oxfordshire gentleman, who,
when he took up the subject seven or eight years ago, had before
that time paid no attention to hardy plants. Struck with the idea,
he partially cleared out a portion of a neglected wood, and in it and
by walks and glades leading to it, planted a great variety of the
more rigorous hardy plants. Hei'baceous Peonies were amongst
those that succeeded best in the past early summer, when our sketch

Herbaceous Psonies in Wild Garden in Oxfordshire.

it is mere assumption to attribute all cases of failure to flower the
plant to bad culture. Nurserymen profess not only to distinguisli
varieties by their free-flowering habit, and vice vertst'i, Ijut also by
their foliage. Kot long ago I saw, in a large nursery, many plants of
what was considered an exceedingly free-flowering variety. The
plants were of all sizes, from a one-year-old plant up to others
covering a great part of the roof of a stove, and all flowering pro-
fusely, while beside them, and gTowing in a tub in the same house,
was a large plant of the flowerless variety, with no flowers on it at
all, and which I was told was kept simply as an example of its kind.
We have also had the two growing in the same house here. One
flowered profusely from the beginning, yielding basketsful of bloom
from both the young and the old wood, while the other flowered
scarcely at all, and although the latter was a large and fine plant
covering a large portion of the roof of the stove, we removed it,
threw it on to the rubbish-heap, and the otlier plant now occupies its
place. — Chef.

Ageratum Lady Jane. — This is a very accommodating and
useful plant for flowering in winter. It is easily cultivated, an
abundant bloomer, and its blossoms continue for a long time in per-
fection. We have had plants of it in flower since the end of Sep-
tember. It associates well with Primulas, Cyclamens, Scarlet

was taken; the effect which they produced was very beautiful and
striking, either close at hand or seen at a considerable distance off'.
Herbaceous Pfeonies are amongst the most free, vigorous, and hardy
of perennial plants, and with them alone most novel and beautiful
effects may be carried out in most places where there is room. Even
in comparatively small places, a group or two oiitside the margin of
a shrubbery would be desirable. The effect of the blooms amongst
the long Grass of the wild garden is finer than any appearance wliich
they make in borders, and when out of flower they do not seem to
be in the way, as they often are thought to be when in borders
and beds. It is almost needless to speak here of the gi'eat variety of
beautiful forms now obtainable amongst these herbaceous Pieonies,
many of which are also very agreeably scented. The older foniis
were not remarkable in that respect, but rather the contrary. This,
it will be seen, is part of a scheme for embellishing country seats
with hardy flowers without interfering with the flower garden
proper at all, and without relation to the long standing dispute as
regards the merits of bedding out v. mixed borders.

Sophora speciosa.— A Texan con-espondent writes to the "Gardeners'
Monthly " as follows : — " We have a broad-leaved evergreen here, called 8ophora
speciosa, that is the perfection of beauty. It is a native of this region, and
grows from 10 ft. to 20 ft. high. Its tlowers, which are pm-ple, are Pea-shaped,
and are borne in large clusters, and very fragrant.

314

THE GAEDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

FRUIT CULTURE FOR MARKET.

Orchard Fkuit. — The end of July, and throughout the
month of August, is perhaps the best time to see fruit in
market gardens, but those who prefer floral beauty should
visit them in April and May when laden with blossoms, and
when the bright green leafage is just sufficient to tone down
the too gorgeous display. A walk through Mr. Wilmot's
grounds in the month of May is, indeed, a treat to any one
who loves floral beauty ; grand old specimen Pears, Plums,
and Apples towering high overhead, intermixed with dwarfer-
growing trees all loaded with bloom, are, indeed, a sight worth
seeing. In the .spring of 1877 there was probably the finest
display of blooms ever seen near London, but, owing to the
late frosts, the trees were soon left destitute of both flowers
and fruit, and many growers suffered severe losses in conse-
quence ; both Pear and Apple trees, capable of bearing many
bushels each, being in some gardens completely stripped.
There is probably no body of men more alive to the value of
the surface culture of the soil between fruit trees than market
gardeners, and if we compare the crops produced in such
market orchards as those of Mr. Dancer, at Sutton, with those
under Grass, the immense advantage to the crops found in
surface cultivation, dressing, and cropping is at once apparent.
For the production of permanent orchard trees market growers
give the preference to maidens, as sooner jiroducing good
fruiting tree.s. It is their impression that these develop into
good trees sooner than two-year or three-year-old trees, because
the removal from the nursery at an early age induces an earlier
and better establishment in their permanent homes ; also that
these do not require staking and are not affected by the wind,
as is the case with older trees, all of which require stakes and
a larger amount of attention than it is sometimes possible to
give them. Maidens, moreover, can be fashioned into any
shape the grower may prefer, which is not the case with older
trees. In sheltered orchards the standard is still preferred,
but, where winds prevail, a dwarfer form of growth proves
most advantageous. For the first few years a little careful
pruning is given to the trees ; but, when once established and
in fruit, an occasional thinning of surplus branches is all that
they receive.

Nearly all the orchard land in the neighbourhood of London
is cropped with vegetables. Of what are termed Grass
orchards there are but few ; the land is too high rented to
admit of its being thus applied. Bush fruits, Moss Roses,
Wallflowers, and Lettuces form important under crops.
Most of the orchard trees are of the old standard form, which
are allowed to grow undisturbed, the only pruning they receive
■being simply the removal of dead or fruitless branches. But
these tall, large-headed trees of olden timesarerapidlygivingway
to dwarfer ones, and to thosewhichcan be trainedin aconvenient
manner, so that little room is taken uj) and better fruit is
obtained. As old trees die out, they are replaced by a very
different form of tree from that formerly planted, and these
are very differently arranged about the ground. Dwarf neatly
trained trees are found to produce large crops of fine fruit in
favourable seasons, and they afford greater facilities for
gathering it when it is ripe than the old form of standard,
and much expense and labour are thereby saved ; vegetable
crops, moreover, can be grown between them with far more
profitable results than could be olitained under large,
unwieldy-headed trees, the branches of which shade nearly
every inch of ground. Should a failure in the fruit crop
occur where dwarf trees exist, the loss is not so severely felt
as it otherwise would be, on account of there being a good
vegetable crop to fall back upon. Sometimes market gar-
deners cut back the branches of old and useless sorts of fruit

trees, and graft the stumps with kinds of a more valuable
character. Mr. Wilmot, of Isleworth, practices this method
extensively, and obtains in some instances remarkably good
results, but as a rule such trees are felled and replaced by
young ones. Orchard trees were at one time planted in rows,
at distances varying from 10 ft. to 20 ft. apart, but in many
cases these have been thinned by natural causes as well as by
the felling axe, and old orchards that now exist have, as a
rule, a very irregular aiipearauce.

When market gardeners plant fruit trees to fill up blanks,
they do not treat them as was formerly done, viz., plant them
exactly in the same places occupied liy their predecessors, to
be choked and shaded by the overhanging branches of their
more stately neighbours ; on the contrary, they endeavour, as
far as possible, to plant them several yards away from where
the old roots were extracted, and by thinning out the branches
of surrounding trees likely to shade them, afford the newly-
planted ones a much greater chance of success than they
otherwise would have. When old orchard trees have been
cleared to make way for younger ones, or when entirely new
orchards are formed, the trees are planted at much greater
distances apart than used to be the case. Sometimes they are
planted so as to form boundary lines, or aflbrd shelter to
vegetable crops, but the best arrangement which I have seen
is to plant in rows from 20 yards to 30 yards asunder, and
from 15 ft. to 20 ft. apart in the row, the vacancies between
the trees in straight lines being filled up with Gooseberry or
Currant bushes. By this arrangement, good lines of Apple,
Pear, or Plum trees, with an undergrowth of bush fruits, are
secured, and good breadths of land are left between the lines,
which can be worked by the jilough or harrow without in-
jury to the roots of the trees, whereas, as formerly arranged,
all the space left for vegetable crops had, of necessity, to be
worked by the spade or fork. Another great advantage gained
by this mode of planting is that of being able to gather the
fruit, or perform other operations necessary to the fruit trees,
without seriously injiu'ing the vegetable crops. Such breadths
of land as have just been described are admirably adapted for
Radish culture or Mushroom ridges during the winter, and in
summer Broccoli, Spinach, or early crops of Potatoes can be
grown there to perfection. In orchards where overhanging trees
exist, crops requiring light and sun cannot be grown with
satisfactory results, and resort has to be made to such crops as
Thyme, Sage, Rhubarb, etc. Herbs thrive tolerably well in
such positions, and in the case of Rhubarb, the crop is usually
gathered before the trees have made so much growth as to
prove injurious to it. The branches, indeed, of the trees
protect, in some measure, the crowns from cold winds and
frosts, and thus promote earlier growth than would otherwise
be the case.

Pruning. — Market gardeners dislike pruning in all its
forms ; yet, of late, many admit that by using the knife
judiciously better fruit is obtained in the case of young trees
than can be got by leaving the trees unpruned. Many of them
prune rather hard in order to get the trees well open in the
heart at starting, so as to expose the branches to the influence
of the sun and air, thus inducing fruitful spurs. When, how-
ever, this end is obtained, and the trees begin to bear fruit and
rank growth is somewhat subdued, they fall back into their
old system, and never prune at all, except, as before stated,
merely removing decayed, unfruitful, or overcrowded branches.
Suckers pi'oduced from the roots of the trees are carefully
removed with as much root as can be obtained, tied in bundles,
and laid in some out-of-the-way comer until a convenient time
arrives for them to be planted singly in rows or disposed of
to nurserymen. In the former case a well-manured and deep-
dug piece of ground is selected, and, after having their roots

April 19, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

315

and stems trimmed, the stocks are placed thickly in rows, 2 ft.
apart, the space between the rows being cropped with Sea-
kale, Turnips, Cabbage.s, or similar crops until the stocks are
lit for grafting or budding.

Grafting. — Nurserymen now-a-days do comparatively little
grafting, budding being found a better and more expeditious
method, but market gardeners adhere to the old system, and
"work" the stocks some G in. from the ground, putting
grafting clay over the incision, afterwards earthing it over with
soil with a view to keeping it moist and inducing the grafts
to "take "more readily than they otherwise would do. If
the graft, as is sometimes the case, be put on the stocks 3 ft.
or 4 ft. above the ground, with a view to make standards, they
are bent down and pegged firndy to the soil and covered the
.same as the others. Market gardeners do not, however, often
,»-aise their own fruit trees ; on the contrary, they obtain their
chief supply from nurserymen, a method which they find, from
experience, to be by far the most protitalile, as they can, as a
rule, obtain better trees, and the cost is much less than that
incurred in grafting, planting, and otherwise attending to
young stocks themselves ; and, moreover, the ground that they
would occupy is available for vegetable or other more remune-
rative crops.

Clearing Fruit Trees from Insects. — Lime is often
dusted over old fruit trees to keep down caterpillars and other
destructive insects, and limewash is frccpiently painted on
the old stems after they have been thoroughly cleaned of
Moss. This is done to prevent the further growth of Moss ;
hut some gardeners consider it of little use, as the cause of
Mossy fruit trees invariably arises from an imperfectly
drained subsoil.

Kentish Orchards. — In these, the plan mostly adopted
is to plant the trees (which are generally half standards),
22 ft. by 16i ft., with Gooseberries or Currants between
them 5i ft. apart. The cost of the trees, bushes, and labour
comes to about £'20 j)er acre. In about three years the
berries will begin to bear and to make s<ime return. Trees
grow faster and bear sooner in arable plantations than on
Grass. The cultivation assists very much, and, of course,
the more the land is manured the greater will be the crop.

The Apple. — Apples are cultivated in London market
gardens to a greater extent than any other fruit, as, in con-
sequence of the trees coming into bloom comparatively late
in the spring, there is little fear of any injury being sus-
tained by frosts, as in the case of many fruits, and thus
good crops are more certain. Such kinds of trees as hear
fruit of large size, and that possess a handsome appearance,
are those chiefly cultivated, although some of the small kinds
of dessert Apples are also grown. P'air Maid of Kent,
Wellington, Stirling Castle, Blenheim Orange, Kentish
Fillbasket, Yorkshire Greening, Keswick Codling, Barchard's
Seedling, and New Hawthornden are amongst the favourite
kinds of kitchen Apples ; and for dessert, Devonshire Quar-
renden, Kerry Pippin, Golden Noble, P^ibston, King of the
Pippins, Golden Knob, and Cox's Orange Pippin are sorts
highly appreciated by fruit growers. Since our markets have
been so abundantly supplied with Ap})les from America,
English growers have been rather doubtful as to whether the
increase of Apple culture would be remunerative ; for, although
London alone is capable of consuming all that are grown in
England, even in a plentiful season, the prices obtained for
them in such seasons by the growers scarcely recompenses
them for the gathering. In a season of scarcity, on the other
hand, foreign Apples keep the prices down so low that English
<TOwers do not get much higher prices than in a season of
plenty, for the Americans are capable of sending us any

quantity, and it is only the low price which their produce
would fetch in a good English Apple year that prevents them
sending larger quantities. In the immediate neighbourhood
of London, therefore, the culture of the Apple is by no means
on the increase, for the land is high rented, and old orchards
are being yearly cleared oti' to make room for the builder, and
few care to speculate in a very large way in orchard planting.
True, in old-established gardens the land is kept planted with
trees, as it becomes necessary ; but few new fruit gardens are
made. Although Apples were at one time wholly grown in
the form of standards — and, indeed, they are now to a great
extent — yet dwarf pyramidal trees are mostly preferred. Tall
standards, however, allow of crops being grown directly
under them more conveniently than dwarfs ; they are, in
some gardens, planted in rows about 16 ft. apart one way, and
1 2 ft. the other. Dwarf trees are planted much more thickly
than this, the distance between them for the past few years
being only from 6 ft. to 8 ft. ; afterwards, every alternate
tree is removed, and what remain goon develop into good
fruit-bearing trees.

The true Paradise stock is that on which nearly all dwarf
Api)le trees are now grafted, and the amount of fruit that ia
gathered from these dwarf trees is astonishing. Mr. Dancer,
of Chiswick, grows large breadths of Cox's Orange Pippin in
this waj', and with the most satisfactory results. Stirling
Castle and Hawthornden are also excellent kinds for dwarf
trees, as are likewise Warner's King and Lord Suffield.
Quality and quantity combined is the chief aim of good
growers for market, and thousands of bushels of magnificent
fruit find their way yearly to Covent Garden. Another
advantage belonging to dwarf trees is that gathering, pruning,
and other operations can be performed, as I have said, with
comparatively little labour ; and, moreover, the fruit gets so
little bruised that nearly every one is sound and saleable. Sort-
ing is seldom necessary, and if the crop from an acre of small
trees be less in quantity than that from the same area planted
with tall trees, it is, taking all things into consideration, pro-
bably the most remunerative. From Kent come larger con-
signments of Apples to the London markets than from any
other of what are called the home counties, but the produce
from individual Kentish orchards is probably less in quantity
than that from market gardens nearer London, as in the latter
vegetables are grown between the trees ; therefore, the land is
heavily manured and yearly trenched, operations which benefit
the fruit trees. Mr. Charles Whitehead, in an interesting
article on " Kentish Orchards," in tlie Royal Agricultural
Society's journal, writes as follows in reference to this : —

" It is only recently that the occupiers of Grass orchards
have discovered that fruit trees require a large and regular
supply of manure, and that Grass land has more than enough
to do, unassisted, to repair the waste caused by constant mow-
ing or feeding oti" with animals getting their whole subsistence
from it. Many Apple orchards of this description, which old
men can remember as having been abundantly productive of
Nonpareils, Ribston Pippins, Margils, Golden Russets, and
other Apples of choice quality, rare size, and excellent flavour,
have been grubbed up to make room for Hops. As the best
land was invariably selected for Apple orchards, in times when
Hops were not so highly esteemed, it is found that Hops
always thrive remarkably well in the ' old orchard ' grounds.
Most of the Apples now produced on the Greensand are grown
on land that is dug and hoed continuously, either upon full-
sized standard or half-standard trees. The former, from too
much or too little pruning, and neglect of long standing, are
in an unsatisfactory state, not yielding a tithe of what might
be expected. The half-standards, though not frequently met
with, are comparatively young trees, having been trained ia

nic>

THE GARDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

the way they should go in more enlightened times, and their
fruit is of better size and quality. The land is thickly
covered witli trees of various kinds, so that in midsummer it is
often as difficult to force a way through some fruit plantations
as through an ordinary copse, and it is a question whether
the under trees, whose roots are nearer the surface, do not
absorb the bulk of the manure and thus starve the Apple trees.
Cultivated fruit plantations in Kent are seldom manured
with farmyard or stable manure, as from its bulk it is difficult
and expensive to put on land thickly covered with fruit trees.

Shoddy is largely used, at the rate of from 1 ton to
2 tons per acre, costing from 48s. to 100s. per ton, according
to its per centage of ammonia. This is easily got in, and
suits fruit trees well. Kags, both mixed and woollen, form a
capital easily-applied manure ; the quantity put on and the
cost are about the same as in the case of shoddy. Fish
manure. Rape dust, and the refuse from furriers' and tanners'
shops are all good manures. I have tried superphosphate of
lime without much apparent benefit. From kainite of potash
jiut on fruit land at the rate of 7 cwt. per acre, it was thought
that good results followed, though the effect of this manure
could never bo traced when applied for other crops ; for Apples,
like Hops, absorb an enormous quantity of potash from the
soil. All manures are put on in the winter, and the land is
dug afterwards with the Kentish .spud used in Hop gardens
(a tool having four flattened tines) as early in the winter as
possible, before any bloom-buds are developed, so that the
diggers may not injure them and rab them off. The planta-
tions, or plats' as they are locally termed, are hoed over with
plate hoes two or three times during the sammer to check the
weeds. In the formation of an Apple orchard intended for
Grass it is found in practice to be best to plant the trees
on well trenched land, and to lay it down after a few years,
when the trees are well established. I have planted Apple
trees of the excellent variety known as Lord Sutfielcl on
Grass land and on cultivated land at the same time, luith
being manured in the same way ; those on the cultivated land
grew away from those on Grass in a remarkable degree,
and bore fruit the second year, while the others did not bear
for three or four years. Apples are raised entirely from
grafts. The tendency to reversion in this plant, in common
with others of a fruit-bearing character, renders it impossible
to depend upon plants raised from seed, or upon obtaining
like from like. If the pips of the best sorts of Apples be
planted, they reproduce heterogenous varieties. When chance
has developed a prodigy, it is a fact well known to fruit
growers that this can only be surely perpetuated by scions or
grafts.

Notwithstanding this, there can be no doubt that Apple
trees produced from cross-fertilised seed would be more vigorous
and fruitful than those reared in the usual w.ay from a long
series of stocks propagated by scions. Mr. Darwin shows most
clearly in his recent interesting work that cross-fertilisation of
plants improves them in most important points, and that con-
tinuous self-fertilisation through many generations tends to
gradual degeneracy. The conclusions arrived at by Mr. Darwin,
after a most elaborate exposition of experiments upon various
plants, are that cross-fertilisation is generally beneficial and
self-fertilisation injurious. This is shown by the difference in
weight, height, constitutional vigour, and fertility of the oft-
spring from crossed and self-fertilised flowers, and in the

number of seeds produced by the parent plants

After plants have been propagated by self-fertilisation for
several generations, a single cross with a fresh stock restores
their pristine vigour. There has been a fallacy prevalent, that
trees raised from grafts do not survive the parent stock — that
when an Apple tree dies, aU those trees that have been propa-

gated from scions taken from it die in mournful accord.
Mr. Knight, President of the Royal Horticultural Society
in the latter part of the last century, firmly believed in this
curiously unnatural provision, and attributed the decay of the
best sorts to its action. Kentish growers now generally, however,
discredit these absurdities, and attribute the decay of some old
sorts, as the Ribston Pippin and the Nonpjareil, in particular
places to the exhaustion of essential elements in the soil, to
bad treatment, to constitutional debility, and liability to
lilight and canker. To these causes may be added the change
in the temperature, to which allusion has been made. The
Grab is the proper stock upon which to graft Apples, but as
the supply of these stocks is limited, the best stocks are
selected from those that have been raised from pips for that
purpose in a nursery, and are grafted with scions of the kind
required. The stocks are chosen from those sorts which have
clear, hard stems, and the trees are moved into the orchard
when they are from four to five years old.

Pruning. — Most growers cut young trees hard in the first year
they are planted out, as this is supposed to favour root
development. A most successful grower, however, objects to
this practice, considering ' that the tree has enough to do to
establish its roots without being weakened by cutting.' For
the first few years the young Apple tree should be pruned so
as to keep the middle well cleared out and the leading shoot.s
as level as possible. When the tree is well established slight
pruning only will be necessary once in two or three years. Very
few growers prune their Apple trees scientifically or manage
them thoroughly in other respects. Here and there a planta-
tion may be found where the trees have received systematic
and proper treatment from the date of planting, where good
fruit is produced in abundance ; and it is asserted confidently
that the land in Kent really suitable for Apple growing may
be made to yield fruit not much inferior in quality to the
traditional Nonpareils, Scarlet Nonpareils, Golden and Rib-
ston Pippins, and other sorts, whose sweet memories linger
yet in the recollection of Apple-loving octogenarians. To en-
sure this, however, there must in most cases be a fre.sh start ;
the land must be unexhausted, the management more skilful,
and the treatment altogether more liberal. It is better to
prune Apple trees in the autumn, as soon as the fruit has been
gathered, because it is more likely that fruit buds will be
developed from pruning at that season than after winter cut-
ting, which usually tends to create unproductive wood. The
pruner of trees crowded with wood nmst aim at gradually
cutting the oldest superfluous branches, so that eacli branch
loft may stand out by itself, and get a full share of air, light,
and sun. If the fruit grower employ only ordinary labourers
to prune his trees, lie should examine each tree himself, and
mark with chalk those branches which he thinks should be
cut away, In the case of young trees that have been pro-
perly trained, and of older trees that have been reduced to a
proper state by gradual pruning as above described, the amount
of pruning required is very trifling. The fruit in most sorts
comes upon spurs or short twigs on wood that is at least two
years old, generally from buds that are covered till late in the
autumn with clusters of dead leaves. The chief objects are
to ensure a proper supply of these fruit-bearing spurs, and to
keep them from being crowded and starved out by unfruitful
shoots or suckers that grow out on all sides in many sorts.
There are a few varieties, however, in which the fruit is grown
upon slight shoots. These require thinning out and shor-
tening if possible to prevent the fruit from receiving injury
from wind.

Varieties. — The chief sorts grown in Kent are, f com-
mencing with dessert Apples, the Ribston Pippin — the best
of dessert Apjiles — now, unfortunately, a somewhat shy

April 19, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

317

bearer. The King Pippin is much grown in Mid Kent and
the Weald ; this is a handsome Apple when well grown, but
it is inclined to be specky on the rag-stone, though doing better
on the Weald clay. Joanettings and Summer Pippins (early
kinds) are also grown and bring good prices. Red Quarren-
dens, Farleigh Pippins, Pearmains, Nonpareils, Golden Knobs,
which ordinarily keep well until Apples come round again,
bringing high prices in Covent Garden Market, are found in
most Kentish plantations and orchards. The Margil, whoso
flavour is nearly equal to that of the Pvibston, and, as
Dr. Hogg remarks, is of a better size for dessert, is too shy a
bearer, and is not, therefore, extensively grown. The Blenheim
Orange, a large and handsome Apple, is much grown near
Maidstone and in the Weald. Cox's Orange Pippin has been
planted extensively of late. This is a high-class Ajiple for
dessert from November to January, sup[iosed to have been
raised from a pip of a Ribston Pippin. The principal cooking
Apples grown in Kent are Keswick Codlins, (Jooseberry Pip-
pins, Hawthorndens, Northern Greenings, Wellingtons, Winter
Greenings (all valuable sorts), the Golden Noble, and Lord
Suffield (a very fine-flavoured, early-bearing sort). Tower of
Glamis and the Manks Codlin are chiefly planted now. In
most old Apple orchards there are several other sorts of little
value, such as the Gough, an acid and very low-class Apple,
but an abundant bearer. Cider is but little made in Kent
now ; its quality is comparatively poor, and the natives prefer
beer, and there being but little demand for cider, growers send
windfalls and low-class Apples in barrels to London, where
they find a sale at some price for the ' smashers,' as low-class
jam makers are styled in costermonger parlance ; though, as a
correspondent remarks, ' since the Adulteration Act there has
not been such a demand for rubbish.' As many as 500 bushels
per acre have been grown in plantations where the trees were
in their prime. Taking an average of seven years of the
average Apple-growing land in the county, the croi) per acre
per annum wonld be about 130 bushels. The average price
per bushel home to the grower for Apples for the last ten
years has been about 2s. 2id. ; the expenses for picking,
packing, carriage, commission, and return of sieves, amounting
to Is. 4d., having been deducted. For the preceding ten
years, the average price, clear of all these expenses, was about
Is. lOd. per bushel. The annual yield per acre of the orchards
under Grass must be regarded as being 20 per cent, larger than
that of the plantations in respectof Apples, butthe average annual
yield of both taken together amounts to about the quantity
of bushels stated above. The fruit growers in Kent do not
appear to have tried growing, upon a large scale. Apples and
Pears on low bush trees, obtained by working upon the true
Paradise stock, whose influence tends to dwarf the habit of
growth, and to produce fruit abundantly. These bushes can be
easily pruned and root pruned If thought desirable. There are
several plantations of these in the neighbourhood of London,
one notably at Chiswick, belonging to Mr. Dancer, who grows
large quantities of the finest fruit upon this system, which, it
is thought, might be adopted successfully by the large fruit
growers in Kent."

In gathering Apples, baskets holding a bushel each are
placed here and there about the orchard, and the pickers
gather the fruit in smaller ones, which, when full, are emptied
into the large ones. At the end of the day the baskets are
carted to the packing shed, where the fruit is sorted into three
sections, the largest, the medium sized, and small and bruised,
the latter being picked out and placed in separate baskets.
The small and inferior fruit is usually sent to market at once
and sold for what it will fetch, but the best, if they will keep,
are not disposed of until the best prices can be obtained for
them.

Melons. — Only in a few places near Liindon are Melons
gro\\'n to any extent. They are not considered a profitable
crop, inasmuch as the demand for them is uncertain.
Late Melons are the most profitable, as they come into use
when other fruits are comparatively scarce, and the demand
is then greater, and, moreover, they keep for some time.
The chief supply, however, even of these, comes from
country growers. A kind named Little Heath was some
time ago grown to a large extent by its raiser, Mr. Monro,
of Potter's Bar. Though not held in liigh estimation gene-
rally, Mr. Monro grew it to perfection. The plants were
planted in a good fibrous loam mixed with a little decayed
manure, underneath which are bottom-heat pipe.s. The plants
are put out when about 8i in. high, and the first fruits are
usually ripe at the end of April. The first cut fruits of this
kind realised 21.s. each. The .same fruits in other years realised
ill the market 30s. each ; after these two other crops were
obtained from the same plants. Many of the fruits on October 1
weighed upwards of 2 lb. each, and these were grown with-
out the least fire-heat. Three crops of the Little Heath Melon
were obtained from the same house in six months, and the
fourth would be ripe in a few weeks afterwards. This sort
justly claims the palm for early and quick ripening, certain
fruiting, and prolificness, not only as a hou.se Melon, but much
more so as a frame variety. In one house sometimes might
here be seen hanging upwards of 100 beautiful finiit at one
time, each weighing from 3 lb. to 7 lb. ; and three days before
my visit there had been cut from this house sixteen ripe fruits
for market, several others being ripe, the flavour of which was
excellent. When this Melon is wanted about 4 lb. weight,
and of first-rate flavour, the less heat and the less soil given it
the better. Jlr. Bennett, of Pialiley, had one year the finest
houses of Jlelons, perhaps, ever seen, several hundreds of fi-uit
hanging at one time. They were even in size and excellent
in every way, but many of them yielded but very little profit
to the grower. The sort wliich Mr. Bennett grows is one of
his own seedlings, which has been shown on several occasions
at the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens, South Kensing-
ton, and been much admired. C. W. S.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — Few spring flowers exhibit more delicate
be.auty than the white-liowered variety of the Large-flowered Sisy-
rincliium (S. grandiflorum), the narrow, C4rassy foliage of which con-
siderably enhances the effect of the pure white, transparent, bell-like
blossoms, which are suspended from slender stalks about 9 in. high.
The original plant is one of the numerous discoveries made liy Douglas,
who found it on low hills in Columbia gTowing in dry soil. In culti-
vation it thrives admirably in ordinary garden gi-ound, in any position,
but it seems to prefer a northern aspect. A more singular-looking
plant than Bigelow's Scoliopus (S. Bigelowi) seldom comes under
ol:)servation, and it sjiecially commends itself to lovers of the curious
amongst flowers. It belongs to the Trillium family, and has a pair
of broad, ovate leaves, which are deep gi-een, spotted with black,
similar to those of Orchis maculata, and which lie on the surface of
the soil. From between these leaves arise some half-dozen blossoms
on slender stalks from 2 in. to 3 in. long, and 1 in. across, tri-
angular in outline, with the three broadest diWsious greenish, heavily
pencilled with deep chocolate ; the three other segments are hair-like
and curve inwards. It inhabits the vicinity of the Tamur Pass, not
far from San Francisco, whence it was recently introduced, we
tielieve, by Mr. Ware, of Tottenham. It thrives in a peaty soil, and,
like the Trilliums, evidently prefers a shady situation. Though
u])wards of three centuries have elapsed since the Liou's-leaf {Leontice
Leontopetalum) was first introduced, it is rarely met with except in
liotanical collections, but it is, nevertheless, an interesting plant,
developing, as it does, a large, Cyclamen-like, depressed stem, with
divided and very glaucous foliage, and producing a stout stem 1 it.
or H ft. high, terminated by a cluster of yellow flowers, .^ in. across.
It apparently reijuires to be gi'own in a hand-light, in order to protect
it from excessive moisture during winter, as it inhabits rather arid
districts in the Levant ; othei-wise, it is perfectly hardy. The Cortusa-

318

THE GARDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus cortusiefolius) is a handsome plant from
the Canary Islan<ls. Its leaves much resemble those of some of the
kinds of Heuchera in size and form ; hence the origin of its synonym
(R. heucherajfolius). The flower stem, which rises 1^ ft. high, bears
numerous bright yellow blossoms from 2 in. to 3 in. in diameter ; it
is considered the finest of all the species, with the exception of the
beautiful white-flowered R. Lyalli, which in New Zealand is very
aptly called the Water Lily of the Shepherds, and wliich has been
tlie desire of all hardy plant growers to possess. The Spring Adonis
(A. vernalis) is another very showy member of the same family,
growing about 1 ft. high, with finely-cut leaves and each stem termin-
ated by a solitary, shallow, spreading blossom from 2 in. to 4 in.
across, and of a bright yellow colour. It is a native of Southern
Europe and Siberia.

Greenhouse Plants. — Acacias now form the leading feature
in tlic Temiierate House, the most desirable for general culture being
Rice's Acacia (A. Riceana). This may be termed the Weeping
Willow Acacia, as it is said to grow abundantly on the banks of the
tributaries which flow into the Derwent in Tasmania. Its long,
slender branches covered with golden blossoms hang froni tall, whip-
like stems in graceful profusion. A. leprosa is similar in habit, but
the blossoms are much larger and of a primrose-yellow shade. A.
obliqua is a neat-growing kind, which flowers abundantly in a small
state ; its leaves are small and oblique in outline, and the blossoms
are deep orange. A. puliescens is a most profuse flowerer in a large
state ; its habit of growth is very rigid, but compact and desirable
when grown in small pots. The Natal Squill (Scilla natalensis) is a
handsome kind, with stems rising lA ft. liigh, the upper half of
which is covered with pale blue blossoms ^ in. across. Two highly
ornamental Rhododendrons are especially noteworthy, viz., Countess
of Haddington, which forms a dense bush covered with large blush-
tinted, funnel-shaped blossoms, which have been in perfection for
several weeks past ; and Princess Alexandra, a kind which much
resembles R. jasminiflorum.

Stove Plants. — Cochliostema Jacobianum is one of the grandest
and most beautiful of stove plants. It is stemless, and forms a huge
tuft of leaves, wdiich are often a yard in length and 0 in. in widtli,
from the axils of which are produced several long racemes, the stalks
and bracts of which are of a purplish shade, while tlie flowers are
2 in. across, with the petals beautifully fringed and of a rich violet-
blue colour. Though it flowers more freely during spring, it is more
or less in flower during the gTeater part of the year. It is a memljer
of the Spiderwort family, and is a native of Ecuador, wlience it was
introduced about ten years ago by M. Linden. Hebeclinium atro-
rubens is a handsome Mexican Composite, much in the way of its
better known congener, H. ianthiuum ; but the flower-stalks are
covered W'ith a dense, woolly substance of a deep, reddish-purple,
thereby much enhancing the eSect of the violet-blue clusters of
blossoms. The showy kinds of Amaryllis or Hippeastrum are very
conspicuous, notalily A. marginata, a dwarf kind, bearing a large
cluster of splendid blossoms, rich crimson, profusely streaked with
a lighter shade. H. vittatum var. solandriefiorum, a handsome
variety, differs from the original in having long, tubular blossoms,
which in form much resemble the flowers of Solandra, from which it
takes its varietal name. Arrhostoxj'Ium formosum is a splendid
Brazilian Acanthad, witli ovate, wrinkled leaves, from the axils of
which the blossoms are produced on long, slender stalks ; they are
tubular, 1 in. across, and of a bright scarlet colour. A very useful
plant for general culture is the Violet Scullcap (Scutellai'ia violacea),
as it is of dwarf, compact habit, and bears dense racemes of violet
and purple blossoms very freely. The variety robusta is, as its name
implies, of a more robust gTOwth, and on this account is even pre-
ferable to the type.

Orchids. — One of the finest of the very numerous kinds of Epi-
dendrum is the two-horned kind (E. bicornutum) from Trinidad.
Its blossoms, which measure 2 in. across, are of firm texture, jjure
wdiite with a narrow lip copiously spotted with pm-ple, with just a
dash of yellow at the base. Liuldemann's Phalajnopsis (P. Ludde-
manniana) is no less handsome than its lovely congeners, on account
of the peculiar markings of its blossoms, which are lA in. in diameter,
with the lip of a rich amethyst tint, the sepals being of the same
colour, but paler and transversely marked with brownish bars. Its
habit of gi'owth and foliage strongly resemble P. rosea. The large-
flowered Phalajuoijsis (P. gTandillora) is an extremely beautiful
species with pure white blossoms ,3 in. across, boi-ne on long, slemler,
drooping stalks. It is a native of Java anil Borneo. The fragrant
Pilumna (P. fragrans), with large, white, golilen-eyed blossoms borne
from the base of the bulbs, is very attractive, in addition to its <leli-
cious odour. One of the most beautiful of Lady's-slippers is Cypri-
pedium niveuni, with elegantly mottled leaves, and flowers 2 in.
across, pure waxy white, more or less spotted with violet. Such a
charming kind as this needs only to be seen to be appreciated. It
is a native of the Tambelan Islands. W.

PLATE CLXXVl

A GROUP OF HARDY AZALEAS.

Drawn by Mrs. DUFFIELD.
These beautiful hardy shrubs appear to be, as a rule, overlooked by
planters now-a-days, for they are seldom seen in modern gardens ;
if, however, they are carefully arranged in groups or masses, they
form, when in flower, in May and June, a truly gorgeous spectacle.
Although commonly known in gardens as Azaleas, they are really
Rhododendrons, the only true hardy Azalea being A. procumbens
(Loiselcuria procumbens) ; in fact, I should imagine that formerly
they were commonly known as Rhododendrons, as in a catalogue of
the FuUiam Nursery (Whitley & Osborn), dated 1840, tliey are not
in any way coupled with the name of Azalea.

Most of them are of North American origin, but the common
species, A. pontica (Rhododendron flavum), is a native of the Levant,
Asiatic Turkey, &c. The average height of A. pontica is said to be
from 4 ft. to 6 ft., and most of the others reach from 3 ft. to 5 ft.
They thrive best in a peaty soil, under treatment somewhat similar
to that which suits ordinary Rhododendrons. They are propagated
)jy layering the lower shoots during the spring or summer mouths,
leaving them two years before removing tliem. The flowers figured
in the plate were cut from our groui) of fine old specimens of these
Azaleas, some of which measure over 7 ft. in height, and as much or
more through. The age of these plants is difficult to ascertain. In.
a manuscript book of my late uncle's (Mr. William Osborn) I read as
follows: "The Fulham Nursery is supposed to have been com-
menced liy ' Gray ' early in the eighteenth century. He received
many American trees and shrubs from collectors and amateurs in
America, and enriched his stock from tlie sale of Bishop Compton's
trees. In 1740 he published a catalogue of his plants, which is said
to have been written by Philip Miller. In the preface to Catesby's
' Hortus Europaius Americanus,' dated 1/67, it is said that ' Mr. Gray^
at Fulham, has for many years made it his business to raise and cul-
tivate the plants of America, from whence he has annually fresh
supplies, in order to furnish the curious with what they want ; ' and
that, ' through his industry and skill a greater variety of American
forest trees and shrubs may be seen in his gardens than in any other
place in England.'"

From this we may imagine th.at many of these old plants were
introduced to the Nursery by Mr. (iray. It is, however, possible
that they were brought here from Brompton by Messrs. ^^'hitley,
Brames, & Milne, when they took the Nursery, about the year 1810.
I am informed by my foreman, Mr. Pitman, who has been here for
fifty-six years, that most of them were here when he came, and that
many of tliem were nearly as large as they are now.

The varieties are very numerous and include a number of Belgian
hybrids. I may mention the following as being some of the best —
coccinea major, the best of the old varieties; Cymodoce and Souvenir
de Mortier, rich crimson ; pontica macrantha, jjright yellow ; Reine
de I'Angleterre, bufi', shaded with red; viscosifera, white, tinged
with yellow; Beaute de Flandre; grandinosa, bright red and orange;
Gretry, briglit vermilion and orange ; Triomplie de Roezl, bright
crimson and orange; Minerva, pale pink with a darker shade ; Mor-
teri, pink and orange ; elegantissima, rather lighter than Morten ;
flamboyante, nearly crimson; Ne Plus Ultra, the best Belgian hybrid;
Gloria Mundi, intense orange ; Julius Ctesar, rich crimson ; euprea
eximia nova, very pale pink; Morteriana, in the way of Morteri, but
darker ; Cramoisie flamboyante, fine dark orange ; Mazarelli, salmon
and orange; electa, gloriosa, variegata, &c.

I am not positive as to the names of tlie varieties figaired, but
believe tliem to be Ne Plus Ultra (bright red and yellow), euprea
eximia nova (pale pink), pontica macrantha (yellow), and pontica
versicolor (pink and yellow). A number of seedlings have been raised
in England at dift'erent times, but they do not appear to have the
substance of these or to be so decided in colour. Their petals,
too, are less reflexed and more pointed. These Azaleas are very
useful as forcing plants. Robert Osborn.

Fiil/inm.

Myosotis dissitiflora.— Mr. Groom (p. 294) must be unfortu-
nate as regards Myosotis dissitiflora, for at the present time I have
many in full bloom, although the ground is covered with snow 1 in.
in tliickness. I find they grow with us equally well from cuttings or
seed, pro\-ided the season suits, but I should think the safer course
would be cuttings struck in a frame in heat. — E. P. Legge.

Silene var. Robin Hood. — This makes one of the prettiest and
most lasting of bediling plants for the spring. It is very easy to
raise from seed, very hardy, and, until the Pelargoniums come in,
very gay though neat. As to its time of flowering, if sown in the
begnnning of October in the open air, next April there will be a mass
of bloom. — E. P. Legge.

April 19, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

319

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Stove.

The principal stock here should now be making vigorous growth.
Ixoras will be forming their flower-heads, and will be much
strengthened by a liberal use of manure water ; these plants are
much better assisted in this way than by employing tlie manure in
a solid form incorporated with the soil, as in a li(iuiil state it can be
applied just at a time when it is most wanted.

Dipladenias sliould liave their shoots regularly trained to the
strings or wires that support them, otherwise they get into a con-
fused mass, from which it is impossible to separate tliem without
injury. Such as are intended ultimately to bloom on trellises should
not be trained on these until the young growths sliow a sutticient
quantity of flowers, as bending the shoots do^^^l, in all probability,
will have the effect of stopping their further extension.

Bougainvilleas. — Specimens of these in pots intended for con-
servatory decoration, wliere they will necessarily be in a lower tem-
perature than that of the stove in which growth has been made,
require special treatment, in order to pi'epare tliem for this. B. glabra
is by far the easiest managed and most useful for this kind of work.
In order to bloom it well from the time wlien it is started into
gro%vth in winter or spring, the soil must never be allowed to approach
a dry condition, svich as would cause the leaves to flag, even in the
least, for when tliat occurs the shoots generally make little further
progress, in which case the quantity of flowers which they produce
is very much less tlian where vigorous uninterrupted gi'ONvtli lias been
maintained. For a like purpose the young shoots should be kept
temporarily tied up in an erect position until the full complement
of bloom is visible. As soon as the bracts of tlie earliest iiave got
to about three-fourtlis their full size, and begnin to attain their colour,
the plants should he moved from the stove into a cooler, but not a
cold, house ; a Vinery "at work," where more air is admitted than
in the stove, will be found the most suitable place for them. Here
the flowers will come on slowly, and will last, after getting tlieir full
size, six or eight weeks, and they will abnost be as deeply coloured
as those of B. speciosa. If, in place of being treated in tlie manner
recommended, the plants be allowed to remain in the stove until tlie
flowers are fully matured, anil then moved into cooler quarters, it
usually happens that they all fall in a very short time.

Gardenias. — Any plants that have been forceil into bloom early,
and that have now done flowering, sliould be freely cut back, well
cleaned from insects, and returned to the stove. As soon as gi'owth
commences they should lie moved into larger pots, or, if not required
to be grown to a larger size, a portion of the old soil slioulil be sliaken
out and the plants should be replaced in fresh material in the same
pots whicli they previously occupied. The compact-growing, free-
flowering a. citriodora is well deserving of cultivation ; its beauti-
fully-scented flowers are always acceptable, and its occupj'ing so
little room, compared with the stronger - gi-owing (;. florida and
G. Fortunei, makes it more suitable for those whose accommodation
is limited.

Allamandas. — Such of these as are grown on trellises in pots
should not have the shoots traiued until they show flower, but oiu'ht
to be kept slightly supported in an erect position, as, if bent down,
they keep on breaking out afresh. They will now bear continuously
a stronger appHcation of manure water than most plants ; they sliould
therefore not be stinteil in this respect, as the stronger they get the
greater profusion of flowers they will produce, assuming that last
year's wood was thoroughly ripened.

Caladiums and Alocasias.— These will now be in active
growth, and every encouragement should be given to free, vigorous
development, not by an over-lengthening of the foot-stalks, but by
an endeavour to impart all the strength and substance possible to the
leaves, so that, if required, the plants will be able to do service for
decorative purposes in a somewhat lower temperature than that of a
stove later in the season. The condition to permit of this can only
be secured by allowing the plants sufficient room, keeping them near
the glass, and using no more shade than is necessary to prevent the
foliage being discoloured.

Marantas.— Plants that were increased by division earlier in
the season v,i\\ now be forming root and leaf-growth freely.
Encourage a stout, sturdy state of the leaves in preference to a soft,
extended development, which renders the plants wholly unable to
bear even for a short time a temperature lower than that of a stove.

Achimenes and Gloxinias. — The earliest started Achimenes
will now have advanced considerably, and, whether grown in baskets
or pots, give them all the light possible, so as to prevent the shoots
being drawn up long and weak, for upon this depends their aliility to
bear an abundance of flowers. The latest started bulbs should, as
soon as they are ready, be transferred to the pots or baskets in which

they are intended to bloom, and treated so as to make their gi-owtli
slow and strong. Glo,xinias now flowering may be assisted to pro-
duce a still longer succession of bloom by giving them manure water,
provided the leaves are kept in a healthy, clean condition, free from
insects. Large plants intended either for home decoration or exhi-
bition should, if possible, be set on a shelf near the roof and be
allowed to come on slowly, treatment that holds good with these
plants for whatever purpose they are intended and at whatever time
of the year they are required to flower, (iloxiiiias are so accommo-
dating that they may be had in bloom for eight months out of the
twelve ; but to have the flowers with the strength and substance
requisite to enable them to stand without flagging on the plants when
subjected to a lower temperature than that in which they have lieen
grown, or to make them equally of use for employing in combinations
of cut flowers, it is necessary that they be grown slowly and under
such conditions as are here described, Mliicli give them a sturdy
character, very different from the weak flabby gi-owth of both foliage-
and flowers too often met with.

Winter-flowering Stove Plants.— The stock of these,
including Euphorbias, Eranthcmum pulchellum, Sericographis
Ghiesbreghtiana, Thyrsacaiithus rutilaus. Plumbago rosea, Jacaran-
das. Begonias, and Aphelandras, must liave every assistance given
them, so as to obtain a stout, sturdy, short-jointed condition of the
plants, giving them enough pot room to insure a plentiful supply of
healthy roots, for on this depends their ability to bear the full amount
of flowers of which they are capable more than upon shoot develop-
ment, which, if .at all of a leng'theneil, etiolated description, is want-
ing in bloom-producing properties.

Poinsettias. — Moderate sized heads of these [ilants on stout
stems are the most generally useful. A good deal depends upon the
character of the house which they are to occupy wlien in flower ;
if to do duty in a large structure intermixed with larger-sized plants,
they require to be grown proportionately large; anil when so managed
on stems from 4 ft. to 4t ft. high, strong and vigorous, they will pro-
duce immense heads, such as are unobtainable from dwarf plants.
Where wanted, some of the old stock should at once be started in
heat and moisture for this purpose, and if any small stools exist,
they may be headed down to within a few inches of the surface and
grown on with from one to three stems each. If liberally treated
through the season they will make fine decorative objects.

Amaryllises. — These most beautiful and easily -grown plants
seem .again lieginning to receive that attention which they deserve.
For conservatory decoration, when in bloom, where they can receive
a few degi-ees more warmth than an ordinary gTeenhouse affords, they
are invaluable ; their distinct habit, anil the endless variety in shades
of colour that have resulted from crossing the best species, particu-
larly adapt them for associating with the usual jilants in liloom
in such structures through the spring, but when so used it is neces-
sary to bear in mind, as I have already stated, that they are not-
placed in too cool a position, as the deciduous section when in flower
are at the same time making active leaf-gTowth, and if kept in too-
low a temperature this will naturally receive a check which is fatal
to the increased size ami strength which the plants should yearly
attain, and upon which their ability to increase through the production
of offsets depends. Whilst flowering see that they do not want for
moisture, as active root gi-owth is now also going on, anil as soon as they
liave done blooming they should be at once placed in an intennediate
temperature where they will get abundance of light, and air every
day when the weather is at all favourable. They succeed best in
good, strong, holding loam, well rammed into the pots at the time of
shifting, and, as comjiared with most other plants, they require to be
under-potted as to size, though restriction in this respect must not be
carried too far in the case of large bulbs that have a disposition to produce
offsets, but which, unfortunately, many of the finest seedlings are
slow in doing. Of all the plants in cultivation I know none that are
more suitalile for amateurs to raise from seed, or to which more
interest is attached, but where crossing is attempted none but the
best broad-petalled flowers with well-defined colours should be
selected to breed from, and the nearer the' colour at the base of the
segments approaches to white, not green, the better ; this latter is of
importance, as it adds so much to the improved ajipearance of the
flowers. Seedlings are generally kept in the pans in which they have
been soivii, or to which they have been transferred, until they have
attained considerable strength, as, if potted singly before the bulbs
have got some size, with a proportionate amount of roots, they would
only bear pots so small that the httle soil which they hold would be
continually liable to get dry through the gi-owing season, a condition
which should never be allowed to occur. One of the great advan-
tages that Amaryllises present to the cultivator is the little space
which they occupy whilst making their growth, and during the time
they are at rest they can be set where few other plants would do at
all.

520

THE GAEDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

Pancratiums. — Tliesc sliouUl be gi-own wherever clioice bouquet
flowers are iu deniauil. From their eomparatively hirge growth they
require more I'oom than Amaryllises, but, like these, they are easily
gi'own ; in faet, their ability to exist under audi indifferent treatment
is usually the cause of their being so neglected as not to flower satis-
factorily ; but if, as soon as the Vilooming is over, instead of Ijeing
placed in out-of-the-way corners, half smothered witli plants of taller
gi-owth, they are set where they are exposed to full light, with little
or no shade, it will have the effect of keeping their leaf -growth much
more within bounds than when it is made under opposite conditions,
and their flowering cajiabilities will be proportionately increased.

Celosia pyramidalis. — This is one of the most useful decora-
tive plants that can lie grown ; its elegant, erect habit affords such a
contrast to tlio generality of otlier plants, that it is never in the
wrong place associated M'ith anything else. If a little seed be now
sown and treated in tlie way iu which ordinary Cockscombs are
found to succeed, the plants will do well ; but, for the guidance of
those who have not grown it, I may add that, like its near relative,
the Cockscomb, it is very suljject to the attacks of red spider,
which, if allowed to become established, will ruin the appearance of
the plants and correspondingly curtail the development of the
flowers. A free use of the syringe on the undersides of the leaves
is necessary in order to keep them clean.

Orchids.
Sophronitis, Masdevallias, and Dendrobes.— Sophro-

nitis now gone out of flower tliat need fresh blocks should immediately
be given tliese liefore they have commenced to grow. Any of the
Masdevallias that are making growth must now be liberally supplied
with root moisture, for there are few sul>jects that require so much ;
even the plants that are flowering want to be kept much wetter than
most things. Dendrobiums in flower, such as D. Wardianum,
D. crassinode, D. noliile, and others, will now maintain a gay
appearance, especially if the pendulous haliited kinds are, as they
always should be, suspeiuled where the pseudo-ijullis can assume
their natural drooping position. When grown in pots, there is a
necessity for tying tlie bulbs more or less erect, but nothing detracts
more from the collective lieauty of the flowers. All that are now
making growth must be treated as to moisture l)Oth in the atmo-
sphere and at the roots in a way conducive to shoot development ;
at the same time, having regard for those that are in flower, it is well
to let the atmosphere be a little drier during the night than would
be requisite if there were no bloom to care for. Still, these being
naturally moisture-loving subjects, when in a growing state the air
nmst never be allowed to get over dry. Plants in baskets, inde-
pendent of the water which they receive from the syringe, should
from time to time after they commence to grow be dipped in a pail,
so as to insure tlie whole of the material in which the roots are
l^laced getting moistened.

Cattleya MosSiSe. — The almost innumerable forms of this
showy Cattleya will now began to push iip their flowers, the time for
the opening of which can be regulated according to the requirements
of individual cases. Wliere many of these are grown, and it is
deemed desirable to liave the greater portion of them in flower at
once, it will only lie necessary to keep them at a medium imiform
temperature, and supply water to the roots as they require it ; but
where it is thought preferable to have them last as great a length of
time as possible, a portion of the plants, especially those that bloomed
the latest last year, and that were the most backward in completing
their gTOwth, may be kept cool and dry. In this way they will bear
the temperature of an ordinary warm greenhouse, viz., about 4.5^ at
night, removing them from %\'here air is admitted. Thus treated, the
flowers may be delayed until the middle or end of June without any
perceptible injury being done to tlie plants.

Cattleya Trianae. — When this has done blooming it will at
once show a disposition to make growth, which should be encouraged.
This section with many gi'owers does not maintain the robust,
healthy character common to other species, in many cases, after a few
years'cultivation, dying off' weakly, but I have noticed that when
gTOwn in baskets or pots and suspended near the glass roof, they
rarely show any decline iu healtliy vigour ; yet it is evident that
they are much weaker in constitution than the rest of the genus, and
where subjected to over-heated and too moist treatment they gra-
dually get into a weakened condition that soon ends in death.

Cattleya labiata. — This grand old autumn-blooming kind will
now commence to grow, but, like the others to which it is allied, it
cannot bear too much water at the roots, and it frequently happens
that through well-meant attention over-much moisture is given
early in the season, and which I have found most disastrous in its
effects. If the soil for this and other species now in the early stages
of sn-owth Ije kept just a little moist it will be sufficient.

Cattleya marginata. — The small-growing forms of this plant
are genjrally found to succeed much the best on blocks associated

with Spliagnum. Tliey will now begin to grow, and where any addi-
tional Moss is required it should be at once provided, as if there be
not sufficient of tliis it necessitates a too frequent application of the
syringe.

Cattleya intermedia. — The different handsome summer-
flowering forms of this, tliough the Ijlooms are not nearly so effective
individually as some others, from the delicate tints of tlieir long-
enduring flowers are well deserving of cultivation. The variety
known as C. amethystina is amongst the best, producing, as it does,
when strong, six or seven flowers from a pseudo-bulb. It blooms in
different ways, sometimes from the growths as they are just about
being comjileted, but more generally and satisfactorily from the
bulbs matured late the preceding autumn. I have found the young
advancing flowers very liable to get injured by tlie scape becom-
ing decayed and getting into a damp, wet condition ; the same
often occurs with Cattleya Skiniieri. Care should therefore be taken
that no water through drip or any other cause reaches the flower,
stem until it is sulficiently advanced to be out of danger. The bloom
of these will now be on the move, and the time of flowering, like the
previously-mentioned C. Mossia», can be regmlated as required by
similar treatment, but C. Skinneri must not be submitted to so low
a temperature as the others, as it is not able to bear it.

Temperature. — Tliis, in the various houses, including that occu-
pied by tlie hottest species, must now be increased as reijuired by
the advancing season, and the time for active growth being at hand,
root, as well as atmospheric moisture, must be increased, but on no
account let there be any excess of the latter, especially during the
night time. Its presence in too great quantity is, undoubtedly, one
of the causes tliat has tended to destroy vast numbers of tliese costly
plants. — T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — Tlie named varieties belonging to the florist section
are now in full bloom, and this must be jireserved for as long a period
as possible. The advantage of a house to show off the jilants has
been well proved this week ; for several successive days it has been
impossible to remove the lights from the frames, even for a few
minutes to water the plants ; it lias been snomng nearly all day,
and, as I write, the cutting east wind, with blinding snow, is disas-
trous. As regards its effects, the largest portion of our plants are in
a house where they can be enjoyed more, because of the rough
weather outside. Thin out all badly-marked or badly-shaped pips ;
also thin the flowers of all trusses that have too many pips. Small
offsets potted last autumn or early this year must now lie potted off,
placing the plants in a frame behind a north wall ; give them plenty
of air, removing the liglits altogether in fine weather. See that
plants of Alpines in beds are attended to, the beds kept clear of
weeds, and the surface soil stirred if necessary.

Carnations and Picotees. — Such weather as we are now
experiencing is very trying to tlie newly-potted plants in the open
ground, and those who can place their jjlants under glass have a
decided advantage. Ours are in frames, where tliey seem to do well.
Wireworm has been troublesome this year ; tliey eat into the centre
of the stem, then work upward or down to the base of the stem.
The plants attacked are speedily destroyed, and the pest is seldom
seen until the mischief is done. If any trace of gi-een fly is to be
seen, fumigate so as to destroy it. It has I'leeii necessary to go over
our whole collection in order to pick out weeds and stir the surface
of the soil in the pots.

Dahlias. — These must not be too severely exposed to the weather
as yet. If the plants are in cold frames it will not answer to expose
them to the frost at night with only the glass between them and the
open air. Place mats over the frames at night. Remove any plants
that are established into the frames, but they must not be placed in
frames from a warm forcing house all at once. The plants require
plenty of air, when the weather is fine removing the lights alto-
gether. If the best results are to be obtained sutticient space must
be allowed between the plants to allow of tlie free development of
the leaves.

Gladioli. — Still continue to plant out a few of those on favour-
able occasions. If possible the gi-ound should be dry, and it is desir-
able that it should be well pulverised by turning the surface over
when it is in a dry state. Seeds may still be sown, but to ensure
the flowering of the plants next year they must be sown on a hotbed.
The seeds will germinate in a fortnight, after which air may be more
freely admitted to them. By-and-liy when the weather is fine they
may be fully exposed with the lights off. Freely supply the pots
with water when the seedlings are in full growth. Rmi the hoe
through .amongst the plants that have appeared above ground. The
rough, dry surface is a slight protection from frost, but when the col-
lection is but small it is easy to invert a flower pot over each plant
at night, remoriug it in the morning.

April 19, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

321

Phloxes and, indeed, all similar herbaceons plants gro-mi to
flower in pots may now be placed in a favoiu-alile position out-of-doors.
What the largest proportion of these require are generous supplies of
water at the roots and rich potting material for them to work
into, and do not allow the plants to be root-ljound in the small jiots
in which they were wintered. Place sticks to the young gi'owtlis,
as they easily snap oil' at the surface of the soil.

Polyanthuses- — Tliese are now in full beauty and are very
much admired. This is a free, fast-rooting plant, and, therefore,
requires considerable supplies of water at tlie roots ; the frames in
which the plants are growing should face the north, but even here it
is necessary to shade. Seedlings raised from seeds sown as soon as
they were ripe last year should now be planted out in a bed of rich
soil behind a wall or a hedge.

Pansies and other small-growing plants of that kind in frames
require attcution as regards keeping the leaves free from insect pests.
A close atmosphere is conducive to the spread of insect pests. All
such plants continue in the most healthy condition when air can be
freely administered. Should tlie flowers be required for any par-
ticular occasion, it is best to pick all the open blooms from the plants
two weeks iireWous to that date. — J. Dol"i;L.\s.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — In some instances early Grapes will now be colouring,
a critical stage in the case of Vines that have in previous years been
cropped too lieavilj-, or that have not had a sufficiency of water dur-
ing the present season, conditions either of which tends to the pro-
duction of slianked berries. If there be any apjirehension on
this score it will lie well to apply the remedy even before the disease
shows itself, and that is to water liberally with tepid water, and
mulch innnediately afterwards with litter or old mushroom-bed
manure, in order to retain the moisture and prevent the necessity of
watering again till tlie fruit is cut, and should there be any mis-
gi^aags as to the crop lieing too heavy it will lie better to cut ofl' a
dozen bunches at once than run the risk of three times that numbei'
shanking. (Jood colour and finish can only be attained by free and
regadar ventilation. Cold cuiTeuts of air must be avoided, but a
gentle circulation of rarified air is now a necessity night and day.
This, of course, implies firing, but that must only be done to a rea-
sonable extent, for the bloom will be denser if the maximum tem-
{)erature does not exceed 65'. The air moisture should Ije lessened,
)ut not entirely withdr.a\vii, or red spider will soon get the mastery,
if, as is probable, considering the season, it has at all established
itself. Pot Vines require the self-same treatment, with the adilition
of more frequent waterings. Late Vineries will now recpure a large
amount of attention in the way of tjing down, stopping, and regulat-
ing tlie siioots, and tlie atmosphere cannot well he too liuniid, or the
house be shut up with too much sun-heat from the present time till
the flowers open, when a more buoyant and drier atmosjihere sliouM
be maintained. Do not stop the shoots according to the orthodox
fashion, viz., .at one joint beyond the bunch, but according to the
trellis space there may be naked, all of whicli should be covered, but
not crowded. I have known Vines that have become decrepid and
condemned wholly resuscitated by the adoption of this rational
mode of treatment, viz., allowing the lateral gl•o^vths to extend in every
direction so long as they could be exposed to light. Any Vines yet
to be planted should have early attention, for, though they thrive
when planted at any season, April may be considered the best time
for planting them. As to the manner of planting see The Garden
(p. -I-Ii).

Pines. — The continuance of sunless weather whicli we have
experienced has had a deteriorating effect on even the most stocky
Pines, for it has been necessary to employ so much firing that the
foliage has become drawn and the finest "shows" are not even equal
to average ones of last year ; now, however, that better weather has
set in, much may be done to neutralise this e\nl by giving air freely
during the early part of the day and closing up early with abundance
of moisture, and allowing the temperature to run up for an hour or
two, with sun lieat, to 90" or 95'. Of course, this treatment only
applies to fruits that are swelling ; any that are ripening should,
when practicable, be put in a compartment by themselves, as these
require more air and a drier atmosphere. Suckers that were potted
a couple of months ago ought now to have filled their pots with
roots, and should therefore be shifted into larger pots and placed in
a bottom-heat of 85°. Keep them in a close, moist atmosphere till
the roots have struck into the new soil, when ventilation may be
allowed as before.

Strawberries. — Incessant attention as to watering is now wliat
Strawlien-ies chiefly require ; under no circumstances should they
be allowed to flag from want of water. As a general rule, the first
blossoms produce the finest fruit, and, as soon as eight or ten of these
have set on each plant, all others should be picked ofl', and every
alternate day the plants should ))e watered with clear manure water.

Syringe overhead on fine sunny days when closing up, and discon-
tinue the same as soon as indications of ripeness are perceived.
Should the supply of plants for indoor forcing be likely to come to
an end ere the outdoor Strawberry season arrives, it will be found to
be a good plan, in order to eke out the supply of fruit, to at once
place over established open-air plantations ordinary cold frames ;
the plants thus covered, if well attended to as regards syringing,
%vatering, and giving air, will be quite a month in advance of the
ordinary supply. The varieties La Grosse Sucree and President are
both capital sorts for this kiml of semi-forcing.

Figs. — Those in pots approaching maturity should receive a fina^
dose of manure-water, and, if the pots admit of it, they should be
mulched witli droppings directly afterwards, as frequent waterings
are now undesirable, though anything like a dry state is to be depre-
cated. Daily waterings noM" would be tlie forerunner of insipid
fruit : therefore, the best plan is to water at long intervals and mulch
in order to retain the moisture communicated as long as possible.
Gi\'c air freely, liut avoid ariditj' and cold draughts. Trees that are
planted out in inside borders with limited root run cannot have too
generous treatment ; always water with tepid gnano-w'ater, and
syringe overhead twice daily. Pinch out the points of the side
shoots at every .second or third joint, and the terminal shoots should
also be stopped if likely to overshadow other shoots or fruit. Figs
arc as susceptible as most other fruits to injury from over-cropping,
and any extra fruit taken as a first crop will tell against the second ;
it will be well, therefore, to be content with a moderate first supply,
and remove the redundant fruit forthwith.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Early Beatrice and Early Louise,
the two best early kinds of Mr. Rivers' seedlings, are now swelling
rapidly, and though neither of them can in all respects be placed in
the first rank, they are most valuable for early "work," and a tree
of each should have a place in all moderate-sized Peach houses. We
have gathered ripe fruit of I'^arly Louise five weeks in advance of
that of Koyal George in the same house, a fact wiiicli will show how
valuable these early kinds ai-e. Well ply the sjTinge and husljand
sunheat by closing up early, and above all, see that inside borders
have no lack of water, and are kept covered with stable litter,
w hich helps to keep up the desirable humidity. Partially disljud
late houses as soon as the fruit is set, and finally disbud when the
fruit has attained the size of large Peas, removing all surplus fniit
at the same time. The points of the side shoots should be stopped
at the first leaf, and the main terminal ones trained to fumisli the
trellis, wiiich should, however, not be crowded with useless wood.
The latter will not only have to be cut out at the winter pruning,
but it will also prevent the rijjening of the next season's fruit-ljear-
ing shoots. Young, \igorous-growing trees sliould receive clear
water only, but abundance of it should be given, and any strong-
growing shoots may be repressed by occasionally pinching out their
jioints, or bending them downwards, in order to check the current of
sap. Shoots of medium strength — small rather than large — ripen
the best, .and, as a matter of course, are most fruitful. As soon as
green or black fly is observed, in however small numbers, fumigate
witli Tobacco paper for two or three nights successively, care being
taken to have both the foliage and the atmosphere dry before per-
forming the operation.

Melons. — Early fruits will by this time require support, and we
have yet found nothing better for this purpose than a piece of ordinary
fisli netting tied at four points to tlie trellis with string ; when thus
tied, a piece 0 in. square will support the largest fruit. If water be
requisite it should be given co])iously now, for by-aiid-by, wiien the
fruit is fully grown, it will be dangerous thus to apply it for fear of
causing the fruit to crack. Keep up a good supply of atmosjjheric
moisture as a preventive of spider, and if it should appear, sponge
at ouce the foliage with soapy water. In compartments where the
plants are flowering, take pains to fertilise them, and if about four
on each plant can be operated on at the same time, they will be the
more likely to sw'ell equally. The air moisture should lean to the
dry side till a full crop has set, when an increase may take place ;
air may then be given freely in the early part of the day, and growth
encourageil through forcing by means of sun-heat in tlie after part.
If the beds for succession plants are not ready, pot on the plants, as
the roots sliould never be allowed to feel the sides of the pots, such
a clieck causing them to fruit prematurely and before the plants are
strong enough to perfect a crop. — W. W.

Kitchen Garden.

Beds or plots of Asparagnis should now have a dressing of soot,
salt, or wood-ashes, wliich will both fertiUse the soil and keep off
slugs from the young shoots now emerging from the soil. New plots
may now be planted in rows 3 ft. apart and 2 ft. plant from plant in
the row. The old system of forming beds and covering them up
annually with fresh soil should be allowed to become obsolete. If
grown on the flat system and in regular lines, and the soil be kept

"22

THE (GARDEN.

[April 10, 1879.

stirred during tlie growing season, and surface dressed in winter,
•H'itli eitlier a little fresh soil, rotten manure, salt, or Imnit ashes
from tlie refuse heap, the best of Asparagus will be tlie result.
Judging from plantations in the neighbourliood of Paris, plenty of
spaoe between the rows seems to be tlie aim of French growers, and
ap; arently the reason why they excel us in the culture of tliis escu-
le:it. Seeds of it may also bo sown for transplantation next year.
Siakale, Rhubarl), and Horseradish th.at have yet to lie jjlanted can-
not longer be delayed if they are to be satisfactory in gi-owth aiul
produce ; and the same remark applies to Potatoes, all of wliich
■ought now to be in tlie gi-ound ; earth up early border kinds, and keep
litter or Bracken at hand for covering when frost seems imminent.
Thin out, earth up, and stake advancing crops of Peas. Notwith-
standing the severe winter, birds are still sufficiently numerous to
seriously injure these by eating out the points ; therefore, we have
still to use the gun in self defence. Thin out Parsnips to 8 in. ajiart
as soon as the seedlings can be handled ; stir tlie soil between the
TOWS when dry, and also between all other gi-owing crops, such as
Parsley, Cabbage, Lettuce, and winter Onions. A general sowing of
Kales, Broccoli, and Savoys may now be niaile; also a last sowing of
Autumn Giant t'auliflower. The usual routine work will now con-
sist of making frequent and regular sowings of summer vegetables
and salads, such as Lettuces, small Salads, Eadishes, Spinach, Tur-
ni|is. Peas, and French Beans. Keep walks, alleys, and edgings neat
anil trim, and the gi-ound between all crops well stirred both for the
<lestruction of weeds and for the advancement of gi-owth. — W. W.

AMERICAN NOTES.

Big Trees. — Prof. Brewer corrects the coinnion error as to the
lieight and age of the big trees of California and Australia. Al-
though the Eucalyptus of Australia measured more in height, the
•Sequoias of California, taken as a whole, are larger in size. The
.State Geological Survey carefully measured the trees in the different
groves, including several hundred in all, and found only four that
were over 300 ft., the tallest being 325 ft. Only a small jiortion of
the whole exceeded 230 ft. As to the age of these trees, Prof.
Brewer says that only one was accurately counted to the centre, and
that this was only a few hundred years old. He admits, however,
that some may be 2000. The estimate that tlie age of the oldest
extended back to the time of King David and the Trojan war was
made by counting the thin outer annual layers of old hollow trees,
and erroneously supposing the interior ones to be as thin during the
young and vigorous jieriod of the growth of the tree.

Carnivorous Plants.— Some discussion has recently taken
place as to the inrtuence on growth of the insects caught by carni-
vorous plants. Mr. Peter Henderson, as repoi-ted some months ago,
tried the experiment on a hundred plants of Venus' Fly Trap. There
was no difference whatever in the gi-owth of those which had free
access to insects and those from which they were entirely excluded.
The experiment had been previously tried under Darwin's direction
■where a number of Drosera rotundifolia were fed with meat and
niade an increased growth. This result is not at all surprising when
it is remembered that putrid meat is one of the most powerfuKanimal
fertilisers, and it seems surprising that the fact should have been
overlooked that a highly-manured plant will always grow more
rapidly than one without it. We have known some instances where
special fertilisers applied directly to the leaves of plants liad pro-
duced similar results. The insects caught by the plants alluded to
seem not to have jiossessed much value as manure. — "Country
Oentleman."

Ice Storing.- It does not matter in the least wlietlier Mr. Williams' column
of straw up the centre o£ his ice-heap lie thick or thin. It is unnecessary ami
wrong in principle, for the reasons I have given, and which he does not now
venture to dispute. He tells us (p. 280) that when he said water poured on the
top almost immediately concealed, he meant during frosty weather. Ave we to
understand from this that he does not consider the ice-heap in an ice-house to be
at or lielow the freezing point under the surface as long as it lasts? A bottle of
water buried in the ice at midsummer freezes quickly just the same as it would
do in winter ; and it follows, therefore, that drainage from the top, it any,
would freeze in passing through the heap. If this were not so— if the ice in the
body of the stack were not in a freezing state, it must be thawing— there can be
no medium state, and it follows, as a matter of course, that every fragment of ice
of which the heap is composed is surrounded by a temperature above" S2°, and if
this were the case, why the heap, instead of lasting one or two years, would not
last above one or hvo weeks, but would perish immediately. Did your corre-
spondent never see an ice pudding frozen in a bucket of ice in July? Sir. Wil-
liams asks : " AVhere is the heat to come from in a vault wholly underground " to
render his central column of straw "a channel for heat?" a query which carries
its own refutation. If there be no heat to penetrate the straw communication in
connection with the air at the top to the ground of the bottom, where can the
heat come from when there is no straw shaft at all ? and if there be no heat, how
can the ice mtdt int»rniilv? and if it does not ni»it.what is the use of the central
drain?— C. [Heie we think this discussiou s; ould stop.]

A COUNTRY VICARAGE GARDEN.

Many an exquisite bit of tree or shrub scenery may often be found
in gardens attached to country vicarages. Away from the busy hum
of towns, miles perhaps from a railway station, one often meets with
gardens abounding in nooks and corners, full of the clioicest kinds
of hardy plants, shrubs, and trees, with just enough glass to prove
the truth of Cowper's lines, "Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse
too," and just enough bedding out to show that it is possible to graft
the new on the old — to introduce modern ideas without discai'ding
all one's old-cherished favourites. Wonderfully interesting are some
of these olil manse gardens : Imt the dignitaries of the Church in all
ages hiive always been staunch suiiporters of gardening in its
truest and best form. .Just such an ideal place I found the other
day in the rectory garden at Warboys, Hunts, the residence of
Canon Hill. Many years ago, the place must have been planted and
laid out by someone j>ossessing the ej'e and feeling of an artist. A
small stream had been coaxed from the fields near, and widened out
into a miniature lake, with its island and serpentine banks so clothed
and garnished with tree and shrub gi'owth as to throw some parts
into deep shadow, which seemed to enhance the brilliancy of the
oi)en stretches, and at the same time left a pleasing doubt in the
mind as to its real extent. The jilace altogether did not consist of
more than 3 acres, but the trees and shrubs were so happily gTouped
and blended, the grassy glades, and the open stretches of sparkling,
glimmering water seemed dropping into the view just where the eye
sought some relief, producing a complete and most charming picture.
Another feature was .an old-fashioned terriiced garden on gravel, with
narrow. Box-lined beds, the whole surrounded by a dwarf wall, on
the reverse side of which was trained new varieties of Roses, and at
its liase was a long border for herbaceous plants, with groups of
Lilies, Roses, and other interesting hardy plants that are not near so
common now as they deserve to be, A neat little span-roofed forcing
house has just been built on the site of an old-fashioned lean-to pit,
the glazing being done without a particle of that greatest of all
nuisances in hothouse building, putty ; and the future cost of paint-
ing, which in glass structures of the ordinary tj'pe is usually so heavy
an item, will be thereby much reduced. I have often noticed how
the leading g.ardcn in the district gives a tone to the gardens of less
extent and degree around it. When visiting Belvoir some years ago,
long before I reached the castle gardens, I could see their beneficial
influence in the glowing masses of spring flowers in the cottage and
other gardens in the neighbourhood. So it was here at Warboys on
a lesser scale. The shrubs and trees of tlie rectory garden seemed to
have overflowed in more than one direction, and I noted, during my
short visit, sever.al examples where more than average taste had been
employed in their arrangement. But little illustration is needed to
show that example is better than precept. — E. H., in " Field."

GARDENER S' FRIENDS.

DEVIL'S COACH-HORSE, OR FCETID ROVE BEETLE.

(OCYPUS OLEU.S.)

This very common and well-known beetle is not generally
considered by gardeners to be an insect in any way likely to
be of any service to them, and they more frequently imagine
that it is destructive to vegetation ; in this, however, they
are very much mistaken, as these beetles feed entirely on
animal food, and the number of smaU insects which are de-
stroyed by them is very considerable. On no account should
any of these beetles or any members of the same family be
])ur]iosely destroyed, as none of them are injurious to plants.
The devil's coach-horse may often be found under stones or
boards which liave laid some time on tlie ground without being
moved, or running across garden paths. When disturbed, or
at the approach of any danger, they turn up the ends of their
bodies over their backs, and, opening their large jaws, put
themselves in a very ferocious attitude, as if prepared to do
battle with any comer ; they look as if they would bite any
one who touched them, but they are perfectly harmless, and
may be handled with impunity. They belong to the family
of beetles called Staphylinidas, a family which in this country
is considerably larger than any other with which we are
acquainted, and which contains more than 750 British
species.

[April 19, 1879.

THE GARDEN.

323

The Staphylinidaj vary very much in size ; a few species are
somewhat larger than that which forms the subject of thia
paper, and some are hardly one-tenth of an inch long. They
nearly all closely resemble one another in form, being very
long and narrow, with shortish legs and very short wing-cases.
They are generally black or very dark brown ; some, however,
are more gaily coloured. Most of them fly well, and all can
run very fast. They feed entirely on animal or decayed vege-
table matter. The devil's coach-horse leaves the chrysalis case
towards the end of May. The female lays her eggs, which are
oval in shape and unusually large (in fact they are larger than
those of any other English insect), measuring about one-tenth
of an inch in length, in the course of the summer. The grubs
or other larvae, for they cannot be called grubs like the larva;
of most beetles, very much resemble the parent insects, except
that tliey have no wings or wing-cases, and are brownish-grey
in colour. They run with great activity, and are very bold
and voracious ; they will even attack and devour their own
species, and, like the perfect insects, live entirely on animal
food ; they may often be found under stones, clods of earth,
boards, or anytlung, in fact, which will afford them shelter.
According to Dr. Heer, they often construct cells in the earth,
about 1 ft. deep, in which they take up their
abode, seizing any unfortunate insect wliich may
happen to fall into or cross it. The larva re-
mains as such during the winter and early spring,
and in May assumes the pupa or chry.salis state,
which change it undergoes beneath the surface of
the earth ; about a fortnight afterwards it leaves
the chrysalis-case as a perfect insect. It is now
entirely black in colour, and rather more than
1 in. in length ; the head is roundish and rather
wider than the thorax, tlie jaws are long and
powerful, the antennte consist of eleven K"^« Beetle,
joints, which, with the exception of the basal ones, which are
rather longer, are much of the same size ; tlie thorax is rounded
and narrower than either the head or wing-cases ; the latter are
very short, and cover a pair of long, well-formed wings, which,
when not in u9e, are carefully folded beneatli tliem ; the insect
uses the end of its body, which it turns over its back to assist
in the operation of folding up its wings. The body is some-
what flattened ; the six last joints are not covered by the wing-
cases, and are hard, scaly, and well-defined. The extreme end
of the body is furnished vnth two small organs, from which
the insect can emit a most unpleasant smell, and which it
doubtless employs as a means of defence. Several nearly
allied species have the same means of defence. The larv;e are
somewhat smaller tlian the perfect insect, measuring about
1 in. in length ; their antenna; are very short ; the first three
joints of the body are the only ones which bear legs ; these
joints, with the fourth, are hard and horny ; the remaining
nine joints are soft, rounded, and fringed with hairs at the
sides ; the end of the body is funiislied with two long, feeler-
like organs ; the last joint is merely a conical tube, which is
used as a seventh leg. The pupa or chrysalis is not a hard
case like tliat of a butterfly, but the insect is enclosed in a
skin, through which the immature limbs can be seen folded
over and the head bent upon the breast. S. G. S.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

Shaw'3 Patent Mineral Solution Tiffany.— .\ customer of ours has
■written as follows respeetiu;^ this tiffany ;— The poisonous nature of the solution
"which Hies about the plants in the shape of powiler has burnt the leaves of 700
plants, and has injuretl my Grapes, so that we have been obliged to remove it
from the house as useless in its present state. The plants were in splendid con-
dition before erecting the tiffany. "ttTiere a small portion of the house had no
tiffany over the plants they are all right, thus clearly proving that the fault rests
with the tiffany. Should not this kind of tiffany be used outside the glass and
not inside ? We have advised our correspondent to remove the tiffany to the
outside, and give the plants a sjTinging with tepid water in order to remove
the poisonous nature of the solution. What is the experience of your readers
with reference to this tiffany?— Lamoubeu-x & Co., Pli/mmith.

BARK AND BARK STRIPPING.

The period of bark stripping and harvesting is one of the most
anxious seasons of the year with tire forester, as the quality of the
hark is so largely dependent upon the weather during the time which
intervenes between tlie stripjung and the ilelivery, as well as upon
the carrying out of the work at the proper time, to secure easy and
expeditious peeling. In most cases, the time when the bud is just
expanding into the leaf is that which gives the greatest weight of
liark of the best quality, and with the smallest amount of labour.
By deferring the work even for a few days there is often a loss in
weiglit, amounting to as mucli as 10 per cent., and a great deteriora-
tion in quality.

Even in tlie most favoured situations it is but seldom that the
season for stripping extends Tieyond from twenty-five to twenty-eight
days. Ill this district (Kent) it often reaches from about the iOth of
April to tlie "iOtli of May in an early spring, and from about the 1st
day of May t(j tiie end of the month in a late one. Much depends
upon latitude and the exposure of tlie situation, and farther north
it is often from about the middle of May to the middle of .June. The
liealthiest trees in the most sheltered situations break out earliest,
and generally strip easily and yield good bark, while those of
unkindly growth or in exposed situations linger in the bud, strip with
difllculty, and yield bark dehuieiit in tannin. Wherever hammering
has to be resorted to, the cured bark is generally deficient in that
bright inside creamy colour which denotes abundance of tannin
matter. .Such bark is also much more liable to deteriorate upon the
drying stage during a wet season.

Trees growing in sheltered hollows having a southern aspect yield
the best bark. Under twenty years old the trees have not arrived at
perfection for stripping, and after tliirty years the yield both of
tannin matter and extractive diminishes. The astringent property
upon « hicli the value of bark so much dejieiids is most abundant in
trees of middle age.

A calculation of the quantity of bark to be stripped may be made
from the following data : A flourishing, well-proportioned, and full-
gi-own tree will jiroduce from .5 to (i cwt. of bark for every ton of
measurable tiinlier it contains. Trees of medium age, averaging
10 ft. eacli, will jiroducc a ton of well-cured bark for every 150 ft.
of timber ; hedgerow trees in favourable situations about a ton of
liark to '.i tons of tiiiilier. Tlie j'ield from plantations or cop])ice
Oak will be proportionate to the space afiorded to the gi'owing tim-
ber. \\'liere tliis is ample we may estimate a ton of bark for every
4 or 4t tons of timber. Small Oak poles will not average more than

1 ton of Ijark from 5 tons. All liranches of 1 in. in diameter should
be peeled, as these contain iu proportion more tanning matter than
the trunk bark.

Tlie number of hands required to strip and stack a given quantity
of bark in a stated time will depend upon the size of the timber as
well as other circumstances. As a general rule, the larger the trees
tlie fewer the hands. Taking the average of several years, I have
found that about six or seven men, with two strong boys, will fell
the trees and strip and stack 1 ton of bark in the day. The price
paid ]jer ton has for some years been £1 l'2s.

Before felling a tree, care should be taken to ascertain if both the
body liark and that of the branches will run easily. An experienced
eye will generally tell this at a glance. The necessary tools for fell-
ing and cutting up are the heavy and light axes and the handbill. For
peeling the peeling-iron and the wooden mallet, made of Ash, about
4 in. square at the head and 7 in. long, with a wooden handle. This
will sometimes be found necessary for loosening refractory bark, but
the less it is used the better the quality of the bark.

Various methods of stacking bark are adopted in different places.
One of the most common consists in placing it upon a raised stage
formed of strong forked sticks driven firmly into the ground, and
upon which are placed longitudinally other peeled rods, so as to form
a secure platfonii ; upon this is placed the smaller shreds of bark,
the whole being securely thatched or covered in witli lengths of the
body liark, averaging from .3 ft. to .3 ft. 6 in. If the bark be well
stacked, no turning will be necessary in an average season, when it is
fit for delivery in about a fortnight ; but should a long spell of wet
weather follow, choose a fine day and open and re-arrange the stack.
When the bark will snap between the fingers or under pressure and
not bend, it may be considered fit for delivery.

During the process of curing, the inner side of the bark should
never be exposed to the sun or rain. The stage should be raised
sufficiently high to admit a free current of air under the bark ; about

2 ft. will be sufficient for this purpose. Bark generally loses about
one-third of its weight in drying if properly harvested. A dull
inside colour indicates bad curing or the presence of but little tan-
ning matter ; this matter, which gives its value to bark, is found

324

THE GARDEN.

[April 19, 1879.

mainly in the white cortical layers, which are situated next the
allinruuni or sapwoocl of a tree.

In felling trees of an age to leave repro<lnotive stools, great care
should 1)0 taken not to strip off the liark down to the roots, as is
often carelessly done, as this destroys the continuity of the dormant
liuds. While smaller poles may be ailvantageously cut down with
the axe, all trees having a diameter above (i in. to S in. are better
felled by the aid of the cross-cut saw ; this will be found to be economy
both of time and timljer.

In delivering bark, it is customary to tie it up in bundles with
witlies for the convenience of loading. Formerly it was chopped in
small iiieces and afterwards ilelivered in bags. The cost of tying up
is aliout Is. Gd per ton. Chopping costs 6s. or 7s. per ton.

As soon as the .stripping and stacking are finished, no time should be
lost in cutting up the conl-wood and faggots, and getting the whole
of tlie proiluee removed from the fall. As the speedy curing of the
bark depends so much upon the airiness of the situation in which it
is staged, it is scarcely necessary to remark that, for this purpose, an
open spot should be chosen, well removed from the shade and drip of
trees, and where both sun and wind have free access.

A. J. BURKOWS.

they should be made extra large, and should be well supplied with
ricii compost and a barrel or more of bones to each tree. —
" American Agriculturist."

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.

The Red Maple (Acer rubrum).— Why is not this beautiful
deciduous tree more extensively planted? For sometime past speci-
mens in the Kew arboretum have been most conspicuous on account
of their innumerable clusters of small red flowers. As an orna-
mental tree at all seasons few e(pial this in beauty ; in spring its
flowers render it especially striking, in summer its compact growth
and fine foliage make it a very effective sliade tree, wliilst in autumn
the brilliant golden-yellow of its decaying leaves attracts the atten-
tion of even the most casual observer. It is not such a rapid grower
as the Silver-leaf Maple (Acer dasycarpum), but is neater in habit
and much more handsome during early spring, its l)Iossoms being
deeper in colour liy a shade or two and lasting for a longer time. — (i.

Cassandra calyculata.— This pretty little underslimb is
now (and has been for some time) in blossom. It forms a dense bush
about IS in. higli, has small, leathery, Box-like leaves, and produces
its pleasing, urn-shaped white blossoms in great abundance from the
axil i of leaf-bke bracts at the tijis of the branches. It succeeds
well in moist, peaty soil, is perfectly hardy, and is a native of the
northern parts of Asia and North America. — G.

Lonicera Standishi.— The creamy-white, deliciously-f rag-
rant l)lossoms of this Chinese Honeysuckle, and its flowering so early,
rcmler it a decided acquisition to any garden. Although not strictly
a climbing kind, it makes an acceptable wall plant, and it is well
worth wlule to accord it such shelter, as the flowers are produced
under tliose conditions much more freely than from plants in the open
border. It is a deciduous, twiggy shrub, with pale yellow-brown
branches, the lilossoms being developed much in advance of tiie
leaves. To Mr. Fortune is due the credit of its introduction to this
country ; he found it generally cultivated at .Shanghai, and sent plants
from^ thence to the Royal Horticultural Society, liy whom it was
distributed along with L. fragrantissima, from which, however, it is
quite distinct. — (4.

Transplanting Trees in Winter.— It is unquestionably
better to transplant trees when small from the nursery rows either in
spring or autunm, but it is sometimes desiraljle to move large orna-
mental or fruit trees from the forest or pasture, or from their place
in the orchard or lawn where they have been planted too close. This
is best done in the winter, and by the frozen-ball method. Dig a
trench around the tree, making the ball of earth 6 ft. or more in
diameter, according to the size of tlie tree. For a tree 6 in. or S in.
through at the Ijutt the trench need not be more than i ft. deep, and
may be dug at any time late in the autumn, or during a thaw in
winter. The places to receive the trees are to be jirepared before-
hand, and furnished with rich loam. When the ground is frozen
12 in. or 18 in. the block of earth can be prised out with levers, put
upon a truck, and removed to its new home. A rock-lifter or
stump-iraller is a much more convenient machine to do the lifting
and transplanting. If the work be carefully done there is no risk at
all in the removal ; the roots are not exposed, and freipiently the
tree, the next year after transplanting, will make the average growth
of wood. This method is particularly desirable in remo\-ing ever-
greens that have been too closely planted and begin to crowd one
another. Valuable trees, six or eight years old, may thus be saved
that niust otherwise l)e sacrificed. We have frequently moved lar>'e
seedling Pears from old pastures by this means, put on new tops, and
in three or four years had them loaded with the finest varieties of
fruit. In preparing borders for the transplanting of large fruit trees

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

NEW PLAN OF FILLING A HOUSE WITH VINES.

I CALL the plan which I am about to recommend "new," because,
so far as I am aware, it has not been recommended before in any
work upon the Vine nor practiced. As is well known, the usual
way with young Vines is to train up one or more rods to the top of
the rafter, if they will grow that length, and to cut them down
again to the bottom wire at pruning time, and, during the next few
years to leave a few feet of wood every season till the Vinery is
completely furnished with bearing rods — a practice which requires
from five to six years, according to the size of the Vinery. The
plan which I propose, however, and which, I hope your readers will
try and record the result, is to grow good strong canes to the top of
the rafters the first year and not to cut them down at all, but leave
them entire. They need not be cropped at all, or, at least heavily,
the first season after planting, but they vnll assuredly carry a good
crop the next, and should afterwards go on bearing in the usual way,
thus giving the grower several years' advantage in starting over the
old jilan of gi-adual extension. I am induced to think this plan will
succeed, from my experience with some supernumerary Vines here,
which were left their full leng'th the first season and cropped
the second. These Vines, owing to circumstances which need not be
specified, have, most of them, been left, and have been fruited every
year since 1S71, and they have always carried good crops of late
(irapes, and have never pjroduced a shanked or badly furnished
bunch. Some of them have had another limb led from the base,
but otherwise they have hardly extended more than 1 ft. from the
points of the original rods. .Some are just the same length and size
as they were the season in which they were planted.

On another occasion, in 1S67, I ran a Muscat Vine from an eye up
to the top of the rafter the same year, about 19 ft. long, and left it
that length, pruning all the others down the usual way. The year
following (the second year) it bore fourteen bunches .and the others
two and three apiece, all about 2 lb. each ; but the third yesir the
Vine that had not been cut down, and which had been so heawly
handicapped in the matter of cropping did not show a single bunch.
The fourth year it did not show so abundantly as the others, but it
produced enough for a fair crop, and since then it has gone on bear-
ing like the others, from which it cannot now be distinguished,
except that it has not a break .along its whole lengfth. I may state
that I had no difficulty in getting every bud right down to the soil
to break freely the first ye.ar of fruiting, notwithstanding the
length of the cane, which was well ripened and as thick as a
walking-stick.

I may state that I purpose extending a 'Vine of Barb.arossa this
year .along tlie top of our bate Vinery to the length of GO ft., if it
will grow as much as I expect it to do, and leaving it unpi-uned at
the end of the year as a further experiment. J. Simpsox.

Wortki/.

GOLDEN CHAMPION GRAPE NEAR BRISTOL.

ExAMPLE.s of Vines flourishing with their roots in a cold border and
their tops in a hothouse must surely be few and ill to find when
your correspondents have to take us to the mild climate of the
Bristol Channel to show us a Vinery in which the Vines are only
pushing, ami not in flower, near tlie eiul of March. I am informed
th.at the Myrtle is hardy near Bristol, and that Fuchsias and scarlet
Pehargoniums frequently stand the winter with little or no protection.
Gr.apes, therefore, on hardy stocks, and with their roots partly in-
side and partly out, pushing late in March, can surely be nothing to
wonder at. Here, in Yorkshire, and well up on the li.ackbone of
England, I could, at the present moment (April 5), show magnificent
shoots ami bunches, not in flower, on Vines with their roots°entirely
outside, witli not a scrap of any kind of protecting material upon
the border, and the treatment and the Vines have been the same
for the i)ast fifteen years. I should not be surprised if the tempera-
ture of the Ijorder was below the mean temperature of the Vinery,
which we like it to be as nearly as practicable ; the heat of the soil
will, however, rise soon enough, .and we are in no hurry with the
crop, which comes on almost of its own accord. Probably Mr. Baincs
visited Bristol as near the end of March as the middle of it— at the
date of tlie show there (March 20) possibly— and, if so, one feels still
less surprise .at the growth of the Vines at Henbury Hill. Orapes
likely to Ijc ripe in time for the autumn shows in the favoured west

April 19, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

325

of England ought to be produced without the aid of heated or pro-
tected Ijorders of any kind, if thej' can be produced at all.' As much
is accomplished in the far north. Had the Vinery in question been
full of ripe bunches instead of bunches in bud only, it would have
been worth alluding to under the circumstances ; as it is, it proves
iiothiu'' more than one would have expected as a matter of course.

J. S. W.

GRAPE CULTURE IX MARKET GARDENS.

Many of the practices described by "C. W. S." (p. 204) as being
adopted by Lomlon market gardeners are woi-thy of imitation in
private gardens. I am of opinion that the London market gardeners
are not surpassed, in a general way, either in tliis country or on the
Continent, judging by the number and quaUty of the crops which
they take ort' their ground during the season : but in the matter of
< ! rape cultui-e, your corresjiondent will perhaps excuse my saying
tliat I think he has lieen led into an error in stating that " it is
remarkable how much more (juickly market gardeners fill their
houses with Vines than private growers." To fill the houses with
canes in two years and take excellent crops off the Vines the third
season, as the market gardeners are said to do, is not a remarkable
feat. Man}' private growers who understand Vine culture ordinarily
well fill their Vineries with good canes the first season from eyes, and
take a heavy crop off the Vines the year following ; .and tliis goes on
Ijy a system, more than once described in The Gakpen", till the
permanent Vines come into full bearing. I have done this frequently
myself, and on one occasion we finished an excellent crop of Black
Hamburghs in May, planted the house the same month with newly-
struck Vines, and took a crop the whole length of every rafter
IS ft. long the season following, not losing a season. Between the
supernumerary fruiting Vines permanent ones were run uji the same
season, and lietweeu tl>e two sets a full crop has been ol>tained every
year since, and that was in 1871. Tlie early Hamburghs were done
away with to extend the late supply. But even this (juiek work has
been exceeded in private gardens, wliere Vines struck from eyes in
spring were made to pi'oduce a crop of fine fruit the same season,
tliat is, in about nine or ten months after the eyes were jiut in, a
feat not likely to be surpassed, I imagine : but it may lie perfornied
by any one M'ho can grow pot Vines fairly well. I question also
very much if anything is gained 1)}' the practice of allowing the
laterals to extend as much as five and six joints beyond the fniit,
which the market gardeners, according to " C. W. S.," consider
enables them to crop their Vines " nnich heavier than they other-
wise could do." It is important to have sufficient good and mature
foliage upon the Vine ; but whether it be licfore or behind the
bunches does not matter in the slightest degi'ee. Indeed, considering
how closely togetlicr market gardeners g:-ow their Vines, as a rule,
I am puzzled to understand \\here they can find room for such a pro-
fusion of lateral gro\vth. I doubt if either market or private growers
exceed or approach the Grape glowers at Tliomery, near Paris, in a
general way, as regarils constant and hea\y crops : and yet their
system of training and pinching tlie shoots is the most severe
that could be devised. The Vines are planted only 1 ft. 4 in.
asunder ; two shoots are often trained from one bud ; many of the
shoots carry two bunches, and all are pinched just about one leaf
beyond the last bunch, and no after gTowth is permitted, for the
laterals are pinched as soon as they can be laid hold of by the finger
and thumb. The leaves are also thinned out when the fruit begins
to colour early in August, to let the sunshine reach the bunches.
Yet the Grapes so produced are well finished, crisp, and excellent in
flavour. It would appear that a certain quantity of foliage is needed
to nourish the fruit, but not so much as one might imagine ; and so
long as that (piantity is kept in good health, I do not think the fruit
is in the least benefited by a further extension of growi;h. It should
be borne in mind also that it is the first-formed leaves, that come to
maturity with the fruit, upon which most depends ; if they are lost
or injured by disease or otherwise, the fruit will not finish in a proper
manner, no matter how much young growth is produced afterwards.

J. S. W.

CULTURE OF THE PINE-APPLE FOR MARKET.

Ix an early nuniljer of The G.^rden I made some remarks on the
culture and season for having Pines ripe for market, but since then
times are changed, owing to the introduction of the St. Michaels
Pines, which have reduced the price to such an extent that gTowers
of Pines for market have mostly done away mth them. Still, there
is a season yet when we get no St. Michaels, and that is the months
of July, Augaist, and September, a time when the English Pine can
be grown to its gi-eatest perfection and at the least cost. In order
to get them ripe in the tliree months just named, the suckers should
be taken ofi' the old plants about the middle of February, and potted

in 7-in. pots, well drained and clean, in some good top sod of a light
loamy character, full of fibre, with a good sprinkling of rough sand
well intermixed with it. Pot firmly. As top sod is often difficult to
procure, I may add that Pines will succeed fairly well in any open
mixture, provided it is sweet. Always avoid mixing manure
with the compost, as it retains water and sours the soil.
When the suckers are potted plunge them in a bed of tan, which has
been prepared Ijy sifting all the dust out of the old tan, and replacing
it w-ith fresh material ; mix all well together. In this way a steadier
heat is maintained than would otherwise be the case, and in order to
preserve tlie roots in a healthy condition, the bottom-he.at should not
exceed 85', with a close atmospliere of GO' at night', and (i.) Ijy day.
No ventilation will be required during February and March.

If the fires be properly attended to, in six or seven weeks the suckers
will be well rooted and should at once be repotted into 10-inch pots, in
^vliich tliey should be fruited, and again plunged in the tan lied, whicli
should have been previously forked over, keeping the atmosphere
close and moist. Always avoid g'iving any check to the plants, as it is
apt to cause them to fruit prematurely ; in fact, in order to grow
good fruit in the least time, the plants should never receive a check
from the time in which tlie suckers are potted till the fruit is ripe.
Watering must be carefully attended to ; a short supply is apt to
cause the jdants to push fruit jirematurely ; too much rots the roots.
It is best to allow tlie soil to get nearly dry, and then give sufficient
to thoroughly wet the ball.

If the soil 1)0 fairly good no manure-water will be required Viefore
the plants show fruit, but afterwards give a regular supply in a v.-eak
state, whicli is much better than a strong dose now .and then. Sheep
or cow manure makes the most suitable liquid, mixed about two days
before it is wanted. As the sun gains more power gave air early, and
by degrees ; in a light house, with the plants close to the glass, less
ventilation and less fire-heat are needed, conditions alike beneficial
to the plants and the pocket. Pines should never be shaded ; give
air early, keep the fires low, and shut up early in the afternoon,
slightly damping the plants overhead with the syringe. If the ther-
mometer shoulcl run up to 100' no harm will be done, provided the
jiipes are cool. Stir the fire in time to get the pipes wann by the
time the sun liegnns to decline, so as to maintain a steady tempera-
ture for the night, and by tlie time Novemlier sets in the plants will
have made good growth, when a drier atmosphere must be main-
tained to well ripen the plants. This induces them to fonn a good
centre of short, thick leaves, a sure sign that good fruit ^^•ill be the
result.

During December and .January a dry temperature of aliout 60°,
with no more water at the roots than will keep them from being dust
dry, is what they require. \^"hen Febniary sets in fill up the eva-
porating pans, moisten the paths, and allow the thermometer to run
to from 6.5' to 70', according to tlie state of the weather outside.
Maintain a bottom-lieat of from 70' to SO'. By the end of February
the fruit will begin to push through the centre, when a genial, grow-
ing atmosphere must be continued by damping the surface of the
beil with the sy.inge. Never syringe the plants overhead after they
show fruit ; it induces the production of large crowns. If the fniit
should be coming in too earlj' give as little fire-heatas possible. Under
such conditions the fruits swell better and are longer in ripening, but
it is better to have them in a little early than too late, as they can
be kept on the plant five or six weeks after they are ripe in a cool,
dry place. As soon as the fruit begins to change colour, ventilate
freely, and maintain a drier atmosphere, which very much improves
both colour and flavour. James Smith.

Wali^rda/''.

OUR FRUIT PROSPECTS.

These continue bright and fair. Seldom have all tender stone fruit
trees been more thickly crowded with fine, healthy blossom-buds.
The fear that the unusual severity of tlie past winter may have
jiierced throiigli the dormant buds and injured them in that state has
proved gToundless. The stigma and many of tlie embryo fruits, as
well as the stamens, seem safe and sound ; they are now (April 6)
fast bursting into blossom, and from the time they open till they are
sheltered by the leaves and safe from the stinging severities of the late
frosts of May is the season of gTcatest anxiety to the cultivator.
With, however, anything like fine weather and ordinary skill in the
application of protective expedients, it is hoped that a good croj) of
wall fruit may be insured. We have first applied our glass copings
and a thin screen of Spruce, Yew, and other lioughs, as recommended
a week or so since in The Garden, and feel jiretty confident concern-
ing tlie result ; though, of course, there is many a slip in the fruit
cro]i Ijctween April and the end of ilay. The wood is, however, as
a rule, strong and healthy, and tlie buds remarkalily plump and full;
tliej' are also later by several weeks than e^'er I remenilier to have
seen them, and all these things are very much in their favour.

326

THE GARDEX.

[April 19, 1879.

Pyramidal Pears and Plums seem, however, rather thin of bloom in
these gardens, but possibly this may be only local. Pear bloom on
walls barely seems an average crop, though m.any of the trees are well
laden. Cherries and Apples show well, and it is to be hoped the Apple
crop may prove an average one this season, for a scarcity of Apples
proves by far the most serious loss to all classes of society. Other
fruits may be looked u])on as luxuries, more or less, but Apples as
necessary articles of diet ; hence, their scarcity and conseipient
de.arness liecome a serious drawliack to the comfort and health of the
people. For Apjiles as food are proverbially sanitary. I had lung
the pleasure of knowing a chemist who was also a clever vegetable
physiologist aiul l)otanist, wliosc only medicine for himself for years
was a baked Apple. But the chief use of Apples and other fruit is to
render medicine unnecessary. Apples are also nutritious, and are
asserted to be liiglily favourable to the sustentation of brain power,
by supplying the system with almndance of phosphorus and other
matters. Be that as it may, one has noticed how ])opular Apples are
among all classes, and witli what eagerness children desire .and
devour them. The scarcity of Apples has no doubt added consider-
ably to the sense of deprivation and distress that has so largely
prevailed among the industrial classes during the past winter, and
tile badness of trade and the lack of nioney have placed the somewliat
full supply of excellent American and Canadian Apples beyond reacli
of the purchasing powers of the working classes. It is, therefore, to
be earnestly hoped that, among other symptoms of returning jiros-
perity, one of the most cheerful and promising may be the strong
probability at least, for it is yet too early to think of the certainty,
of a good crop of fruit. D. T. Fisii.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FEUIT GAEDEN.
Setting the Blooms of Peaches and Nectarines. —

I quite agree witli " D. M.'s" remark (p. 288) in reference to this
subject. Pro\ideil tlie trees are properly pruned, the roots through
tlie autumn and winter well sup]ilieil %\ith manure and water so as
to keep tliem at M'ork, and ventilation given judiciously while the
trees are in bloom, in order to dry the pollen thoroughly once every
day, there need be no apprehension about the flowers setting. Should
the weather be adverse, then, of course, more fire-heat is necessary,
in order to obtain sufficient ventilation. I may add, that the trees
here have .annually, for years, carried extraordinarily heavy crojjs of
good fruit, the result simply of proper root action, vigorous growth,
and se.asonaUe ventilation. — Thos. Coweurx, Sunbiiri/ Pari:

Saucers for Stra'wberries. — A few weeks ago one of your
correspondents disputed the utility of using saucers of soil for Straw-
terries, as recommended by me, urgnng that extra feeding from the
beginning would produce leaves at the expense of flowers and fruit.
In looking over a successional batch of Strawlierries the other day
previous to tliinning out the berries, it occurred to me to send you
two plants cut over at the surface of the ]iots, just to show you
whether or not such a practice is attended with the bad affects stated
by your corres]iondent. The two kinds I send you are a fair s.ample
of about 400 plants of the same stage just now and of our early
batch now over. The s.amjile of Black Prince grew in a 4J-in. pot,
and the Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury in a 5t-in. one. The first has
about seventy well-develoiicd flowers "upon it^ and mostly all set per-
fectly and swelling freely from the size of small Beans downwards :
and the last has about sixty or more still farther advanced. I think I
may say also that you will find that the foliage in lioth cases is not too
vigorous, nor yet by any means unhealthy. I am not in the habit of
confidently recommending any plan to your readers that I am not
sure about myself, and I send you the enclosed as vouchers in this
particular case.— J. S. W. [No Strawberry plants could possiljly lie
better set with fruit than those in question, or more healthy or pro-
mising in every respect.]

Sluggish Seeds.— A quantity of seed of different varieties of
Primula amrena, sown directly it was saved last Augnist in a shallow-
box and placed in a greenhouse, where it has ever since remained, is
just now germinating freely, but not a single seed grew within six
months from the time of sowing. This proves how necessary it is in
the case of certain seeds to have patience. Those who did not under-
stand tlie nature of seeds of this description would have been apt to
conclude that they were dead. I have had recently a similar time
to wait for tlie germination of home-saved seed of Liliuni auratum
sown in the .autumn, but it came up well in the following summer.
Whilst some seeds will germinate freely at any time, there can be
little doubt that spring time is the most natural season, and hence
the germination of many things that at other seasons refuse to grow.
— A. D.

Chionodoxa Forbesi. — This pretty bulbous plant, a native
of Asia Minor, has again proved perfectlj' lianly in Derbyshire, and
has stood the winter witliout any protection in the open ground. It
has been fully tliree weeks in bloom. Orchis foliosa is also pushing
up strong shoots, although quite unprotected this winter. — M. S.

LOVKLL.

Begonia Ingrami. — Of all Begonias with which I am acquainted
none are more serviceable for winter blooming than B. Ingrami.
Plants of it here commenced flowering in October last, .and the same
plants have kept on blossoming, without intermission, up to the pre-
sent date (April 14), and they have still an abundance of bloom on
them. — J. Jefkeey, Cork.

Roses »'. Camellias. — It is reported that in Paris a great
effort is being m.ade to revive the use of Camellias for evening wear ;
but white Roses are preferred because of their more graceful appear-
ance.

Smart Prost on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and sleet on
Sunday and Monday last, destroyed all leaves and stems of the early
Potato crop in the noighliourhood of Penzance. Some hundreds of
acres are either wholly destroyed or seriously checked, the damage
being many tliousaiuls of pounds. — " Cornishmaii.''

National Auricula Society. — The third annual exhibition
of the soutliern section of this Society will be helil in the Conserva-
tory at South Kensington, on Tuesday next, the '22m\ inst., when a
very interesting display of both Auriculas and Polyanthuses, in
addition to the usual fortnightly exliibits of the Society, will be
made.

Bongardia Ran'WOlfl. — This, without doubt, one of the rarest

as well as one of the most beautiful of hardy plants in cultivation, is
now in fine flowering condition at Kew. It is a member of the
Barberry family, though remarkably unlike one, as it has a depressed,
Cyclamen-like stem, from the apex of which spring tlie leaves, which
are divided into from three to eight pairs of leaflets, each of which is
again divided, presenting the appearance of being .arrangeil in whorls.
These are wedge shaped, of a pale glaucous-gi'een hue, and each has
a conspicuous reddish-purple blotch at the base, thus rendering them
very attractive. The tlower-steni is much branched, rising 6 in. high,
and bearing roundish, golden-yellow blossoms from j in. to 1 in.
across, which droop gracefully from slender stalks. Though now so
rare, this beautiful pil.ant is amongst the earliest recorded occupants
of the garden, as it is mentioned by all the early writers on garden
plants. It has a wide range of geogi-aphical distriliution, as it is
found from the Cireek Archipelago to Afghanistan. — \V. O.

A New Dracaena. — One of the most stately species of this
genus that we have j-et seen is one wdiich is now and has for some
time yiast been finely in flower in the Palm House at Kew. It is
tree-like in lialiit, with a woody stem as thick as a man's arm, and
forked .at the base, each branch rising (i ft. high and terminated by a
huge head of deep green foliage, similar in appearance to the ordinary
broad, green-leaved Cord}-lines. From the centre of each head is
produced an immense ijanicle, over 3 ft. long, wliich branches in a
candelabra-like manner and droops most gi-acefully ; on this are
arranged myriads of rather small greenish-yellow blossoms, which
emit a peculiar honey-like odour. The name of this handsome novelty
is D. floribiinda, of Baker ; its native country is not given. Though,
it possesses such imposing grandeur when in a flowering state, it can
never become an object of general culture on account of the large
size which it must apparently attain before it produces flowers, but
when associated with other large-gi-owing subjects in suitable struc-
tures, as at Kew, the effect which it produces is such as needs only
to be seen to be appreciated. — W. G.

Mr. T. Blake Wirgman has completed a portrait of Mr. Robert
Marnock, which! s considered by all who have seen it to be remark-
ably successful both artistically and as a striking likeness.

The Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata). — In "Notes from
Kew" (p. iOll), it was stated tliat the large plant of this tree was
then ill splendid bloom in the temperate house of the Royal Botanic
Gardens. It may interest some of your reailers to know, that in
spite of the thermometer being at 19° and 17^ here at night, .and snow
on tlie ground for a week, more than once, with frost and snow again
last week, a plant of the same tree here in the open air, on a north-
east bank which is by no means well slieltered, is covered with bloom
on every terminal shoot, and has been in full flower ne.arly three
weeks. The plant, which is about thirty years old, was killed to the
ground in 1800-01, l)ut recovered, and is now 20 ft. high, and lias pro-
duced me some healthy young jilants from suckers which it threw up
one season. The foli.age has snft'ered slightly from the winter, and
has lost much of its silvery hue, but it stands out in good contrast

April 19, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

327

■with a large Pinus insignis, which forms a backgi-ouiul to it, as seen
from tlie wiiulows of the house. I sent a sprig of it to Kew in
March, and Sir J. D. Hooker informs me tliat tlie Hower-balls of my
specimen are, as miglit be expected, ratlier smaller than those under
glass at Kew, and the leaf less silvery. — J. N. Rogers, Penrose,
HeUtoii, Coniwall.

Notes from Vienna. — I went the other day to Schijnbninn to
have a look in the houses. In these I noticed several Acacias in
flower, such as A. offinis, angustifolia, dealbata, Douglasi, floribunda,
glaucescens, longifolia, lineata, reclinata, and vestita. Arisa^ma
ringens, a curious Aroid from Japan, with a brownish-coloured
stem, is kept here in pots in a cool house. In Knglaml it will pro-
bably prove to be hardy. Primula acaulis violacea fl.-pl., also kept
in pots, is now bearing flowers in profusion. I also noticed a small
plant of Soldanella alpina in flower. Of Banksias the following three
species are in flower, viz., B. spinvilosa, (xarthcri, and erica?folia. I
also found Calpurnia (Virgilia) capensia a very handsome plant, with
whitish-pink flowers, in great beauty. A week ago our Wallflowers
and otlier hardy and half-hardy herbaceous jilants were jilanted out
in the beds devoted to spring flowers. We generally have three or
four kinds of Wallflowers, and as edgings we use Alyssum saxatile,
white and blue-flowered Forget-me-Xots, and Aubrictia deltoidea.
Violas are great favourites here, especially those witli pure white,
light blue, or yellow flowers. Vi'e have again heavy falls of snow,
and the nights are very cold, so much so as to stop all outdoor work
in the way of planting. Since November last we have had snowfalls
every week, and they seem very reluctant to leave us. — Louis KR.i-
PATSCH.

ANSWERS TO OOEEESPONDENTS.

Bedding" Plants.— What plants are best suited for planting round a foun-
tain ? and alsi) ftir beds in a conservatory, the planting tn be low, being in
front of a dra\vini;-ronni window? — C. A. P. [It the fountain be of a dressy
character, and situated on a parterre, then the ordinary class of bedding plants
■will 1)6 most suitable, such as Pehirgoniunis, Calceobirias, and Lobelias, which
can be replaced with small evergreen shrults in the winter ; hut if it be of a rustic
nature, then use hardy plants, such as the dwarfer Saxifrages. Sedums of the
Telepbium purpureum type, variegated and green Periwinkle, and moisture-loving
Alpine plants, sueli as Gcntiana acaulis. For your conservatory border, as tlie
plantinur mii-^t Ii'.- low, it will be best to grow the usual conservatory decorative
idants in snvvll pots to plunge in the beds, which may be carpeted with lyco-
podium dc-nticulatum.— W. H.]

Camellias under Verandahs.— In growing Camellias under a verandah
should the plants l»e in the ground or in tubs or pots ? Is the roof of the verandah
sufficient protection from frost? Should they be trained against the wall of the
house ? and if planted in the ground would they require to he kept watered ?—
Querist. [Camellias will do well trained to the wall of the house, ami if tliere
be border space they will be best planted out. They should have a well-tlrained
bottom, and at least "2 ft. in depth of soil, which should also be 2 ft. or more in
width. In the summer-time, they will require copious suiijjlies of water, and
shouhl be well syringed iu the summer season if the verandah prevents the rain
from washing the foliage. Nearly all Camellias are as hanly as common Laurels,
and they will, therefore, need no winter protection. — W. W.]

Rabbits Barking Trees.— Do rabbits eat the bark off evergreen Oaks, and
what remedy is best to ajiply to prevent their damaging any trees ?—C. T. H..
IIartsd>/wn, )icar Marfjatc. [Though I have never known an instance of much
damage being done either to the evergreen or common Oak by rabbits, yet I have
on several occasions known them commence upon both ; and during such a
winter as the past one very few trees have been sjjared in localities where rabbits
abound. With us they have attacked Fir and Pine, Holly, Ash, Chestnut, Beech,
Puplar. and many other trees. After tr>ing many mixtures for keeping rabbits
from injuring young trees, I have found the following to be the most efficacious:
-Take nearly equal parts of cow manure, night-soil, and <|uicklinie, and beat
them up together with water in a pail to such a consistency that it can be applied
with a common whitewash or tar brush ; to tliis add a little Stockholm tar and
linseed oil. Apply freely to the stems ami lower branches in dry weather, and the
plant; treated may be considered safe for a year.-A. J. Bukrows.]

Prop ^" ating C imellias.— Can Camellias be propagated from cuttings put
in next S; > ember or October like other evergreens? also can they be pn>pa','ated
by layers, i o in what month? On what stoeks can they be grafted ?- D. H.
[Cmiellias a l;tst propagated by grafting or inirching them upon the common
single red vari tv. The latter is obtained by means of cuttings struck iu heat, or
by means of seeds. The best months for striking them in are August and Sep-
ember. Seed may be sown at any time on buttom-heat. For directions for
rafting and inarching see Vol. XIII. of The Garden (p, 3S5).]

Evergreen Ferns.— Kindly give me a list of small-growing evergreen Ferns
that will live in a case outside a window during winter, facing the north-west.
Would a green glass roof in any way assist me ?— Subscriber. [Try Aspleniuni
Adiantum-nigrum, A. fontanum, and A. marinum ; Ceterach ofhrin;irum, Lastrea
Filix-mas crispa, Polypodium camliricum, and P. cristatuni ; Polysticlmm angulare
parvissimum, Scolopendrium Wardi, and Lomaria alpina. There would be no
harm in having the glass of the roof sUghtly tinted with green, but ordinary glass
would be equally good.— H. A.]

Fumigating" Vines.— Would it hurt Vines to fumigate them ^vith Tobacco
paper? and until what stage as regards the fruit would it be safe to do it? Thrips
are also making their appearance.— Z. Y. X. [Fumigation, if properly done, will
not injure either the Vines or the Grapes, which may be fumigated up to the time
when they begin to change colour. Sponging the leaves infested with clean water
will keep the thrips iu check till the crop is ripe, when more severe measures may
he resorted to.— S.]

Phormium tenax in Water.— Am I likely to succeed in growing Phor-
mium tenax out-of-doors in Sussex if I plant it in a basket or hamper of suitable
soil, aud then di'op the hamper in a poud, so that the top of the hamper is 1 ft.

below the surface of the water ? The roots could never be frozen, but I am
afraid that the plant might rot off in the winter, although it miu'bt grow well iu
the summer— E. G. L. [We have certainly seen tliis jihuit growing in water in
the south of Ireland, and it is well worth a trial in that way in Sussex.]

Has Lead Wire any Injurious ECfects or Not?— The effect com-
plained of (p. 270) may be due to galvanic action. I should recommend the use
of lead labels attailiud with lead wire as a preventive. If a piece of zinc and a
silver coin be pbircd in the moutli. the galvanic action may be observed by a
strong and peculiar taste, whereas if they be put into the mouth separately
nothing whatever occurs. The action of lead and iron may be observed on old
iron railings, where the lead used to fasten tlie iron to the stone has eaten the
iron iu many instances completely away. Probably galvanic action is the cause
of injury to young shoots of Peach trees, through being trained against galvanised
iron training wires.— BENEDICT.

Camellia Sport. In answer to "T. B." (p. 307), allow me to say that I
picked last week from a white Camellia in the open air, about thlrly-flve years
old. a single bluoni whicli was entirely rose-coloured, though the llowers usually
have no streak of rose, and I think I have seen the same sport on the same plant
before. -J. J. R, I'ciirosc, Ilclshm.

Names of Fruit.— S'. ir. 5.— Apparently Winter Nelis.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

XEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
SOCIETY.

HORTICULTURAL

Tins is one of tlie oldest liorticultural societies in England, having
been established in 18i-l. During the time in which it has been in
e.\istence it has been subject to many vicissitudes, but never has it
been so prosperous as it is at present. During the last few years its
affairs have been in tlie hands of energetic business men, who work
well together, and who ha\"e been successful in raising tlie Society to
a position of eminence. There are annually three flower shows ;
the first w^\s held this year on April i) and 10 in the Corn Exchange
and Town Hall, and, taking it upon the whole, it was, jjerhaps, the
best spring show that the Society has ever held. There were eighty-
six exhibitors, and the entries comprised 2187 plants staged for
competition in the various classes ; they consisted of SU4 jjots of
Tulijjs, Hyacinths, and Narcissi. The arrangements made by the
managing committee were excellent, but the exhibitors did not do
their best to maintain them. For instance, some of the groups of
Hyacinths were set up in a most careless manner, the tallest spikes
being in front and the short ones behind, mixed up anyhow without
regard to contrast or harmony of colour. As a set-off to this, some
of the groups were well arranged, notably the first prize one iu the
class for twenty-four jiots (>f Hyacinths. The effect of some well-
grown pots of Lily of tlie ^'alley was considerably lessened by those
in the back row being lower than those in the front. The use of a
few Vilocks, on wdiich to elevate the pots, would have been of con-
siderable service in many cases.

One of the best features of this excellent exhibition was a collec-
tion of Dielytra spectabilis, consisting of a row of well-grown plants
nearly as long as the room, and a very good effect they produced. It
is worthy of note tliat this line herbaceous plant is quite hardy iu
any part of the British Isles. Its pendulous spikes of pretty rose-
coloured flowers were, on this occasion, quite charming. Then there
were gi'oups of Hejiaticas, comprising the blue and iloulde red forms
only. AVhy cannot the single white variety of H. triloba, and tlie
still more charming pale blue H. angoilosa, also be grown and
exhil-)ited ?

A class was provided for hardy Primroses, and, therefore, one
Avould have expected to have seen the many fine varieties of Primula
\'ulgaris exhibited, but this class was represented by but six small
plants of Primula aimena (.Sieboldi). Witli the Lily of the Valley
came a pretty bank of bright blue Forget-me-nots ; then there were
■\\'allflowers of the double German type, well grown indeed. Auri-
culas and Polyanthuses were shown in considerable numbers ; the
pretty Spiraea jajionica formed in itself quite an exhibition. Cine-
rarias were represented by several groups of good strains of seed-
lings, but the plants lacked training in the form of good specimens.

Stove and gi'eeiihouse plants were represented by exceedingly good
specimens of Imantophylluni miniatuni, and a very fine variety named
superbum. There was a very good specimen of Camellia Mathottiana
alba, with superb pure white imbricated blooms. There were also
well trained Epacrises, and fairly well bloomed examples of Azalea
indica. Orchids were represented by the old but very useful Onci-
diuni sphacelatum, the popular Denbrobium nobile, aud the scarce
but handsome Cymbidium eburneum, with ivory-white pale yellow-
lipped flowers. Richardia ;ethiopica was represented by robust
specimens having large flowers.

Passing to the room reserved for vases of cut flowers, bouquets,
button-hole flowers, and cut flowers in stands, we found a most
excellent arrangement, much superior to that of last year. The vases
numbered fifteen, and they were well arranged, the first prize one
being particularly fine ; a few of them were rather overdone with

328

THE GARDEN.

[April 10, 1879.

flowers— certainly a grave fault. Bouquets were very numerous, and
a large proportion of them were very tastefully arranged. Cut
flowers comprised Roses, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Camellias.
These were very fine indeed, and made an exceedingly good display.
Although the weather was very unfavourable, a large attendance of
visitors thronged the rooms during the time when the sliow was
ope,i_ J. Douglas.

SOJIE OF THE PRIMROSE FAMILY.

Of all liardy spring flowers, can any surpass in beauty or variety of
line tliese early favourites ? From the wild Primrose by tlie river's
l)rink to the last-discovered foreign-bred member of this widespread
family, all are lovely. Whether these pale, delicate Uossoms nestle
in Moss, on sunny banks, or light the dark recesses of deepest dell in
copse or covert, contrasting with Wild Hyacinth, Wood Anemone,
and Dog Violet, how beautiful they are. Later, too, when the fields
are dotted with yellow Cowslip, how gay the children intent on
gathering the golden treasure— wealth so easily acquired, the pur-
suit of which brings colour to tlie cheek and pleasure to the heart.
Cowslip, Oxlip, and Polyanthus, with their gi-ander relatives Cycla-
men and Auricula, all belong to my friends the Primrose family.
There is a story told, how long ago, hard workers, gold seekers, afar
in the Antipodes, walked many weary miles to see a little Primrose
in flower that some home-loving emigrant had carried across the
ocean to that distant land from the mother country, and how stern
eyes were dimmed by tears as recollections of home and childhood
awakened in the hearts of careworn, toilworn men. I do not know
liow the story (a true one) ended ; perhaps kind deeds of love and
penitence, and half-forgotten prayers sprang from those softened
moods ; but surely the little flower had fulfilled its mission of love,
and deservccl the pretty name by which the Germans know it,
Himmels Schlusschen (Heaven's Key).

We must, however, leave the woods and fields (with large nosegays
for homes and hospitals) and peep into the cottage gardens, gay just
now witli crimson and lavender and rosy-pink and deep red blossoms,
all Primroses and Polyanthuses, hardy as sweet, brightening the
smallest patch of garden ground, thriving in the poorest soil.
Furtlier on, even in the humblest attic window of the town, you
may see a root of Primroses in a flower pot, making the dreary room
gay with a scent and glimpse of country Hfe ; or, more touching sight
still, in a broken glass a bunch of Cowslips, a fast fading record of a
brief and hard-won holiday. To every reader of The Garden" I
would say cultivate these earliest and loveliest of hardy flowers, not
the sinde Primrose only, but the doulile sorts also, miniature Roses
in form, and as hardy as their frailer progenitors. ^Vhy these
double Primroses are, comparatively speaking, so little grown is a
mystery to me. Many country gardeners to whom I have spoken
have never or rarely seen the double yellow, and have failed repeatedly
to procure me a specimen, and many amateur gardeners have never
heard of such a flower !

For arrangements of flowers for the table what is prettier than a
jjlate or saucer filled with Moss and rows of double Primroses inter-
mixed ^^^th pink or scarlet Pelargoniums and sprays of Forget-me-not,
and fringed with fronds of Maiden-hair Fern ? or, for liutton-hole
bouquets, one or two blossoms of the white or yellow double Prim-
rose, with purple Cineraria or Czar Violet ? Some have double rose
and double purple kinds ; these are new to me, but I doulit not they
will prove as lovely as my older favom-ites. To every one who has a
garden, and delights in it, I commend again and again these freely-
blooming pets of mine. Plant them now ; they will neither droop
nor lose their buds and blossoms on removal, even when in full
bloom. Unlike their companions, the Hyacinths, they want but
little care. When spring has brightened into summer they "die
domi," indeed, but a little leaf-mould sprinkled over the sleeping
beauties is protection from the fiercest sunshine, and even Pelargoniums
or other .Tune belles planted between them serve but to throw a
friendly shade, and do no harm to their unobtrusive neighbours.
Next year these will push their leaves and Inids througli .January
snow — ]iromise of wanner days to come, and in themselves be some
of the fairest gems in spring's fair coronet. J. P.

vigorous anil beautiful as ever. It is surprising that more of these
matchless spring flowers, which thrive anywhere, are not gi'owu.
Their roots are vermin-proof, and so are their leaves and flowers.
A\'hile Crocuses are stamped out root and branch, Snowdrojis are to
the fore in graceful masses of unmarred beauty. Neither slug, nor
snail, nor mice, nor rabbits, nor sheep, nor other ruminants interfere
witli Snowdrops ; hence they run out of the garden into the woodland
walks and woods, and all over the meadows. No flowers are more
easily gTOwn. Perhaps, however, they prefer a sheltered, partially
shaded place and a lot of light warm soil, somewhat rich in humus. I
have seen them thrive in all soils, from thin sand to stiff clay, and in all
sites, from tlie semi-darkness of a thickly overhanging wood to the
most exposed upland pastures ; perhajjs, however, they are most at
home in the wild garden or in woods and plantations. In such places
Snowdrops alone, or relieved with a few patches of the commoner
blue early Scillas, produce artistic results beyond reach of all the
more formal combinations of more expensive and formal art. The
spring Forget-me-not (Myosotis dissitiflora) is also, in ordinary
seasons, a good companion for Snowdrops, but this year, speaking
broadly, this beautiful plant has failed. Of course the term failure
is not applied absolutely. AVo have many hundreds of it struggling
into blossom; a gi-eat many of these, however, are somewhat brown and
patchy. That condition in April is called failure, and it is, compared
with the display of azure beauty with which this lovely Forget-me-
not has been wont to overspread beds and Ijorders at this season of
the year, or rather a month earlier, in the heyday and pride of the
Snowdrop season. After flowering, a partial fading of the leaf is the
best time for diriding and multiplying Snowdrops. The practice of
keeping the bulbs out of the soil is not, by any means, one to be
commended ; far better divide and plant at once. The bulbs -will
thus lie kept plump and fresh, and be able to start in good time next
year without risk or trouljle. Plant say six roots in a jpatch 6 in.
deep ; single bulb planting leather tries the patience of cultivators,
but patches of six will at once, or soon, swell out in masses of
sufficient magmitude to bear further sub-division. Any soil will grow
them, but could a spadeful of light earth composed of equal parts of
sandy loam and leaf-mould be added for each gTouplet of jilants, they
soon, by the superior sti'cngth of their flowers and the more rapid
increase of bulljs, would show they were not insensible to the care of
tlie cultivator. But tliis may be called one of the refinements of
cultivation rather than a necessary adjunct to the successful culture
of the Snowdrop, either in the garden, wood, mead, lawn, or by the
side of woodlands, roads, or walks. D. T. Fish.

PROPAGATING.

Genetyllis (Hedaeoma) tulipifera. — This is easily increased by
means of cuttings, made of the side shoots, put in in April and May.
The pots for their reception must be prepared, so as to allow h in.
from the rim for bell-glasses to stand on. The soil
should consist of half peat, and the other half clean
yellow loam and silver sand sifted fine and pressed
into the pots, which must be well drained, rather
firmly. Make the cuttings as shown in the accom-
panying illustration, put them in firmly, and gnve a
good watering. After the lapse of an hour or so the
glasses may be put on, and the jiots placed on a
gentle bottom-heat (a tan bed is best). In order to
obviate an excess of moisture, the glasses should be
taken off' and wiped every other morning, an ope-
r.ation wliicli must receive particular attention, or
the leaves will fall off'. As soon as the cuttings
begin to grow, tilt the glasses daily for a few hours,
and by degTces they may be left oft' altogether.
Tlie young plants thus raised -nnll lie ready for pot-
ting off and placing in a shady, cold frame in August, keeping them
close and shaded from sunlight. H. H.

THE SNOWDROP SEASON.

This year this has been the longest on record, as far as I can remem-
ber. Notwithstanding the lateness of the season, not a few of these
even blossomed in Febru.ary, and here we are at the end almost of
the second week in April, yet still we are well provided with Snow-
drops. Even the common single is still in flower, and the Crimean
variety is in full beauty. These are not only much more graceful than
the double Snowdrop, but they are like\^nse valuable for their lateness.
In seasons like the past, when so many spring flowers are either
crippled or killed, it is pleasing to tuni to masses of Snowdrops

Aucuba Berries.— "J. G." (p. 289) says that Aucuba flowers
may lie readily fertilised by planting a male Aucuba in a ))ed or any-
where ^vithin the radius of a few yards. I have about 200 female
Aucubas, and about a dozen male ones planted amongst them, but I
have never had a single berry. My male plants always flower long
before my female ones. The male ones are now in full bud, but the
female plants are not showing their buds yet. Is my experience in
this respect exceptional ? If not, what explains " J. CJ.'s" success,
and tliatof previouscorrespondents, who, I have observed, have written
similarly ? It mav be said I might save the pollen, but that is not
the point. I find 'some difficulty too in doing that, for there seems
to be very little pollen indeed ; so little that it can scarcely be col-
lected, 'is my experience again exceptional? — W. H. TiLLETT,
Sprotcstonbrk}(je, yonvich.

THE GAEDEN.

329

SATUEDAY. APRIL 26, 1879.

"This is an art
Which does mend Nature ; clian^'e it rather : but
The Ari itself is Nature. "—S/iafespeare.

CHILDREN'S GARDENS.

There is a period in the life of every boy and girl when they feel a
desire to have a garden to plant and cultivate with their own hands.
This desire may assume various shapes, according to the nature or
disposition of the child, and with some perhaps may only be of a
fleeting character. But, making every allowance for the fickleness
of youth, enough of sterling thoughtful material remains to produce,
if properly utilised, an influence for good, not only on their own
lives, but also on all with whom they may come in contact. Gai--
dening, or the cultivation of plants and Bowers, will not act upon all
alike, neither will its benefits be conferred upon all in the same
degree; but I am con\'inced, from early experience, and what has
come under my observation since, tliat if, during a boy or girl's early
life, a love of gardening were encouraged, it would develop into one
of their greatest pleasures. In the same way as the trained eye can
see in works of art, such as paintings and sculptures, beauties that are
hidden from theuntrained, so also the man or woman who lias in earlylife
learned toknowand love plants and flowers will derive more refined and
lasting pleasure from the frequent changes that Nature is continu-
ally spreading out before them than they otherwise would do. Give
young people but a yard or two of ground to cultivate in some shady
comer and they will be contented. What if they do frequently
transplantthe Primroses and Daisies which they bring in fromthebanks
and hedgerows in accordance with their changeable whims and
fancies ; they are gaining knowledge ; they are learning something
of the mysterious workings of Nature, the study of which never
cloys or wearies.

One of the most interesting children's gardens which I have ever
seen was situated in a dingle or dell, and would now, I suppose, be
called a wild garden. Though the period to which I am referring is
something more than twenty years ago, yet the scene rises before me
as vividly as if it were but yestenlay. It had thickets of Thorn and
Birch, where the nightingales sang and reared their young. Open,
sunny spots were there, too, where many rare kinds of indigenous
plants flourished, and around which lingered many pleasant associa-
tions. There were shady spots for Ferns and other shade-loving
plants, and banks whereon the wild Thyme grew, emitting, when
brushed by the feet, a pleasant odour. Where the shade was dense
the ground was carpeted with the brightest, freshest Moss, and, to
make the situation absolutely perfect, a babbling brook meandered
through the valley, overhung in places with Brambles and Willows,
its course being occasionally broken by piled-up boulders or other
impediments, that gave louder voice to its music and buoyant life to
a most charming spot. Such situations for children's gardens can
only be found in the grounds of the wealthy, but I am convinced
that any one with an eye for such matters could easily find positions in
semi-wild spots where the hand of Nature has already laid the foun-
dation for interesting gardens for children, where they might —
encouraged occasionally with a kindly guiding word — work them
according to their own ideas. Girls especially would find tliis kind
of gardening instructive and interesting.

Many of our British wild flowers are as beautiful as expensive
exotics. What banks of Primroses, Violets, Bluebells, and Lily of
the Valley might be had ! and the hardy species of Geraniums are
quite as interesting, if not quite so showy, as the glaring-coloured
Pelargoniums common in the parterre. What a sight masses of Snow-
drops, Aconites, and Wood Anemones would present early in the year !
When left long in one position they become naturalised and
flower all the better for it. In an article of this kind one cannot
notice a fifth part of the beautiful wild flowers that might find a con-
genial home in such a garden, nor yet set forth the interest which the
collecting and bringing home the plants would excite in the minds of
the young. How easily, too, and pleasantly might a competent
teacher, under such circumstances, incite a desire for and afterwards
instil into the youthful mind a knowledge of the science of botany,
which, too often, as commonly taught, is but a dry study, not very
enticing to the youthful of either sex. Most of the work would be
light, and such as children could do with a little kindly, unobtrusive
guidance. In but few cases would a man's labour be required after the
place was laid out. Such a garden would annually grow in interest from
the additions made to it, both in plants and seeds, until not only
children, but older people might be seen wending their way in
the direction of the children's garden. There must be a good dry

path leading to it and through it, and it must lie so laid out as to
embrace the prettiest spots and views. In our flimate there are many
wet days, and a garden tliat could only be entered in dry weather
would not satisfy the impetuous youthful mind. Arbours and bowers
covered with creepers and furnished with rustic seats would come in
due course, as one of the earliest efforts of man, both civiUsed and
savage, is to build himself a shelter after his own peculiar fashion on
or near the spot which he cultivates.

The foregoing sketch only illustrates one phase of gardening for
children, but there are many others which can now be only glanced
at. The bold, resolute boy, desirous of acquiring distinction as a
cultivator, might be indulged with a plot of ground in some con-
spicuous portion, where a feeling of pride would impel him to be
energetic and industrious. In this way the dispositions and impulses
of children might be directed into a good channel, and even their
very failings drawn upon to strengthen their moral nature. If we
descend lower in the social scale, many of the artisans' and labourers"
children would take to gardening if permitted and encouraged to do
so ; I have, indeed, often seen more enthusiasm among this class of
children in their gardening operations — generally untler difficulties —
than in the case of those of a higher rank in life.

But, apart from the influence tliat a care of, and love for, flowers
is capable of exercising over a child's future, there is the further
most interesting study of insects and tlieir modes and habits of life,
and the work which they do. Some of your readers are doubtless
acquainted with tlie works of De Saint Pierre, a genial, kindly
French writer upon natural history of the last century, and the
description he gdves of the thirty-seven species of insects that visited
a single Strawberry ])laut standing in a pot outside his window in
Paris during a very siiort jieriod. The earth, air, and water teems
with life, of which but little really is known. The cultivator, from
sheer force of circumstances, becomes acquainted with most of the
insects that are injurious to the plants which he cultivates, but he
knows comparatively little of the mjTiads of beautiful insects that
have work to do in the world, and are doing it almost unnoticed by
us. Space mil not permit me to say anything of the advantages to
be derived from children being encouraged to take an interest in
gardening from a utilitarian point of view, altliough a good deal
from this standpoint could he said in its favour, and the time may
perhaps come when practical horticulture may either be taught in
existing schools or else special schools be established for the purpose.
It appears to me certain to happen in the future, that the produc-
tion of fruit and vegetables will become a more important industry
than it is now. E. Hobday.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — Some exquisite little Alpine Saxifrages are
thriving admirably on the recently-constructed rockery in the herba-
ceous ground and several are finely in flower, amongst which the
most noteworthy are the Aretia-like Saxifrage (S. aretioides), a
charming kind, which grows in dense, hoary, cushion-like masses,
and which is now besjiangled with numerous bright golden blossoms,
each J in. across, borne on stalks li in. high ; similar in appearance
to the foregoing, but with white blossoms, and equally desirable is
S. valdensis. The Diapensia-Uke Saxifrage (S. diapensoides) is
another gem, with its silvery flowers terminating the cylindrical hard
tufts of hoary leaves. S. RocheUana is certainly one of the most
satisfactory and easiest kinds to grow, as it rapidly spreads into large
patches, which, throughout the spring, are enlivened by sparkling
white flowers. Vandell's Saxifrage (S. Vandelli) is yet a rare kind
in collections, but perhaps it is scarcely distinct enough from S. Bur-
seriana (of which some consider it a variety) to allow of its being
sought after ; in habit it is apparently between S. Burseriana and
juniperina, but it has the large white blossoms of the latter kind.
The rare S. flagellaris is flowering finely, and its bright yellow
blossoms, which are large for the size of the plant, are very attrac-
tive ; its leaves grow in rosettes, which throw off in all directions
slender runners that quickly take root, thus increasing very freely.
It is remarkable also as belonging to the few flowering plants which
grow at the highest latitudinal limit of vegetation, as it is found only
in Arctic North America and at lofty elevations on the Rocky
Mountains. The numerous kinds of Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) are
now beginning to make an effective display in the hardy bulb collec-
tion, and amongst them are several new kinds. M. Szovitzianum is
a very handsome sort which bears dense racemes 2 in. long of bright
clear blue, sweet-scented flowers ; it is a native of the north of
Persia. M. Pinardi is another beautiful sort that bears even longer
and denser racemes of blossoms than tlie last, but they are of a much
darker hue. M. micranthum is apparently the smallest of all the
cultivated Muscari, but it is none the less interesting, especially as it
is the sweetest scented of them all. The best of the older kinds to be
ound at Kew include the lovely M. Heldreichi ; a native of Gree ce

330

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

with its clear blue clusters of flowers, the minute teeth of which are
]iui'e wliitc, thus considerably enhancing the ell'cct. Tiie ])ale-
fiowereil form of M. botryoides is quite unsurpassed in point of colour;
the soft aky-blue tint of the blossoms contrasts admirably with its
pure white neigldioiir (album), and the deep purplish-blue shade of
the type and the other kinds. This variety seems to be rather
scarce in gardens, but it shoulil be the aim of all hardy flower lovers
to possess such a desirable plant. The Leopard's Banes (Doronicum)
are handsome, early-flowering Composites of neat habit, and remark-
ably floriferous. They all have yellow flowers. The most desirable
kinds are D. anstriacum, with heart-shaped leaves and flowers "2 in.
across, and D. caucasicum, a kind more slender in growth and 'with
smaller flowers. The short-stemmed Hutchinsia (H. brevicaulis), an
inhaljitant of the S«"iss Alps, is a rare Crucifer. It differs from the
better-known H. alpina in having much shorter flower-stalks ; hence
it is more compact and tufted in gi'owth. The showy Toothwort
(Dentaria digitata) is another handsome Crucifer, which grows about
1 ft. high, and has leaves cut into five narrow segments. The flowers,
which are large, are rich pur|jle, and produced in flat racemes ter-
minating the stem. For partially-shaded borders this fine plant is very
effective. It is a native of central Europe. The Twin-leaf (Jefi'er-
sonia diphylla) is a very interesting and rare member of the Barberry
family, its leaves being cleft into two lobes. The flowers, which
are white, measure 1 in. across, and have a central tuft of yellow
stamens. It strongly resembles the Bloodroot (Sanguinaria cana-
densis), another singular and pretty plant also in flower. Both are
natives of North America.

Hardy Shrubs. — Few shrubs are at present more interesting
than the showy Ribes (R. speciosuni), the flowers of which resemble
tliose of a Fuchsia in form, and the gi'aceful drooping manner in
which they are jiroduced renders them remarkably distinct ; they
are bright red in colour, 1 rV in. long, and are produced pilentif uUy in
succession for a considerable period. It is perfectly hardy, though a
native of California and other parts of Nortli-west America. Rubus
spectabilis is a very showy Bramble with large wrinkled leaves, and
flowers, 1 in. across, of a deep magenta tint. It inhabits shady
woods near streams on the north-west coast of North America.
Another handsome North American slirub is Nuttallia cerasiformis,
which, in stylo of gi'owtli and flowering, is very similar to that most
beautiful of all spring flowering shrubs, Ribes sanguineimi ; but its
pendulous racemes of blossoms are white. Prunus triloba, a hand-
some Rosaceous shrub from China, is an object of much beauty at
the present time, being literally covered with lovely rosettes of
■double blossoms, varying in colour from almost white to deep
pink.

Greenhouse Plants. — On entering the east door of the Tem-
perate House a large plant of HolboUia latif olia, from the Himalayas,
covered with a profusion of blossoms, attracts attention on account
of the delicious odour which they exhale ; they hang in clusters
amidst deep evergi'een foliage, but, in point of colour, they are
somewhat inconspicuous, the pollen-bearing flowers being pale green
and the seed-bearing ones of a li^^d purple hue. It is, however, a
most desirable climber for adorning the roofs of conservatories.
Amongst Hinudaj'an Rhododendrons may be noted R. campylocar-
pum, a kind which has deep crimson, funnel-shaped blossoms,
copiously spotted with black. The hybrid variety Princess Alice is
another beautiful kind, which has large \\hite flowers. Though sur-
rounded by a host of handsome garden varieties, the old Camellia
reticulata is worthy of note ; its huge rosy blossoms, with bright
golden centres, are very attractive. The variegated-leaved variety
of the old Kerria japonica is one of the most pleasing shrubs
imaginable, and, when studded with a profusion of orange-
coloured blossoms, it is highly ornamental. It is perfectly liardy,
having withstood the past winter with impunity, liut its variegation
api)ears to be shown to better advantage under glass than out-of-doors.

Stove Plants. — The greatest ornaments among the smaller
subjects in the Palm house are two East Indian Eranthemums, which,
on account of their remarkable beaut}', should be in general cultiva-
tion. In style of growth they are similar to Plumbago rosea, and
produce their blossoms in the same long, one-sided, raceme-like
manner. E. cinnabarinum is tlie finest. It has ovate leaves and
blossoms I in. across, of a rich violet tint with a darker blotch in
the centre of the upper petal. E. purpurascens has narrower leaves
than the last, and rather smaller flowers. A variety of tlie old
favourite Justicia camea, named superba, shows an improvement on
the original both in point of colour and size of blossom. Burchellia
eapensis is noteworthy on account of the reddish-orange colour of its
tubular flowers, which are collected at the tips of the stems in dense
clusters. Belonging to the same family is the Gardenia florida, which,
in its double form, is so highly esteemed on account of its perfume.
One would hardly imagine that the original plant was the parent of
that which bears such large double flowers, as in the original plant
they ai-e small, and the corolla is four-cleft. Such a change shows

what skilful culture may effect in course of time. A very handsome
form of Crinum australe, named canaliculatum, is a very conspicuous
object ; it has stately, broad foliage, and bears huge umbels of pure
wliite flowers, 4 in. to 6 in. across, which are sweetly scented. It
is a matter of regTct that the exquisite beauty of the South Ameri-
can Cypellas should be so fleeting, as they present a striking feature
when in perfection. C. gracilis, an Iris-like plant, has branching
stems that bear blossoms 3 in. across ; their outer petals are pure
white, while the inner ones are of a rich indigo-blue shade, and the
lower ones are elegantly barred with brown. It is a native of Brazil.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Schomburgkia tibicinis at Kew.— The flowering of this,

the very handsome C'ow's-horn Orchis of Honduras, is an event not
to be overlooked by Orchid lovers, not only on account of its shy-
flowering propensity, but also for the rare beauty of its blossoms,
which are undoubtedly the finest in the genus. The stems, which
grow from 12 in. to IS in. high, are about the size and have the same
peculiar curve that a cow's horn has ; they are, too, as hollow and
smooth inside as a Bamboo, and are used as trumpets by Indian
cluldren in Honduras ; hence the origin of its specific name. At the
base of each stem there is also invariably a small hole leading to the
interior, which furnishes access to colonies of ants, which infest the
plant in its native habitat. The leaves are from two to four in num-
ber, tenninating the stems, and are large, oblong, and leathery in
texture. From between these the flower-stem rises several feet high,
though in the Kew specimen it measures but 3 ft., and bears from
six to a dozen blossoms, 2h in. across. The wavy-edged sepals are
of a deep rose colour, speckled with white on the outside and rich
chocolate-red within. The lij) is sandal-shaped, deep rose outside,
pale within, and jioncilled with chocolate-red streaks. The whole
flower is of very firm texture, and under favourable conditions lasts
in perfection for several weeks. — W. G.

Dendrobium barbatulum. — The more we see of this charm-
ing Orchid the more we are convinced that eventually, when it
becomes better known and less rare, it will prove to be among the
most valuable of this beautiful family, especially for cutting pur-
poses, for which the arrangement of its pure white blossoms admir-
aldy adapts it, as they are borne in dense racemes on slender grace-
fully arching stalks from the tips of almost every stem. Like most
other Orchids, the flowers are variable in point of size and form ; in
some they are only H in. across, with broad segments and an almost
heart-shaped lip, and a faint blush tint may be detected in them ; in
others they are larger, with the segments much narrower and the lip
extremely so, and of the purest white, with nothing to mar its chaste
beauty except the golden hairy fringe at the base of the lip. For its
free-flowering tendency and the lengtli of time during which it con-
tinues in perfection, and flowering, as it does, at a time when the
majority of Orchids are on the wane, we should consider it invalu-
able for growing for market purposes, and doubtless those con-
cerned in that direction will ere long avail themselves of it, if they
have not done so already. The very efl'ective display made by this
Orchid alone now in the Orchid house at Kew is quite sufficient to
recommend it. — W. G.

Azalea Empress of India. — We have received from Mr. A.
Van Geert, Ghent, a coloured illustration of this new double-flowered
Indian Azalea, the blooms of which are as remarkable for size as for
their striking colours, which are rosy salmon spotted and boldly
edged with white. At the International Show held at Ghent in April
last year, this Azalea obtained a first prize under the provisional
name of " Ht^ros des Flandres," and on the 11th March last it
obtained a first-class certificate at South Kensington. It is compact
in habit, a free flowerer, and will certainly make a first-class plant
both for market and exhibition purposes.

Hardy Flowers at Eastcott.— The sharp frosts, hea%-y

showers, and snowstorms of last week have together severely affected
herbaceous and rock plants, but the following are in full flower and
uninjured, notmthstandingthe weather, viz., Muscari botryoides album
and cioruleum, Puschkinialibanotica, Primulanivalis, Narcissus bicolor
Horsfieldi, Anemone fulgens, Gentiana verna, Hutchinsia alpina. Saxi-
frages, Epimediums, Androsace, Omphalodes verna, and Draba. —
A. K., Eastcott Cottage, Pinner.

Crystal Palace. — We regret to leam that Mr. George Thom-
son, the very capable superintendent of the Crystal Palace Gardens,
has resigned his situation in that establishment. Those who have
seen how well he has managed all departments of the gardens there
witli a very much reduced staft' will regret this, and wish
Mr. Thomson a fitting sphere for the exercise of his abilities.

April 26, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

331

Rhododendron NuttaUi. — I have now in my winter garden
a plant of this Rliododendron bearing thirteen trusses, each consist-
ing of from iive to seven flowers. The largest truss is 13J in. in
diameter, and the single flowers are large in proportion. The plant,
a seedling from the first that flowered in Europe, is comparatively
young, and proves that this superlj Rhododendron is not a shy bloomer,
though generally supposed to be so. — 0. F., Autjshurij, Bavaria.

Mr. \Y. GoLDRiNG, for some years Superintendent of the
Herbaceous and Alpine Department of the Royal Botanic Gardens
atKew, has resigned that position, and joined the staff of TheGarden.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

TREE FERNS AND ORCHIDS.

Epiphytal Orchids and Tree Ferns are found as co-partners in the
forests of botli hemispheres, and the latter are especially beautiful as
seen in the form of gioves besides streams, on mountains, or on hill-

Tree FeruB, Bromeliads, and Orchids.

sides in the Tropics. In the East, some species having stems from
20 ft. to 30 ft. in height are not uncommon, and they may be readily
distinguished from all other types of vegetation, not only by their
form, but by the delicate tints of fresh green colour which their ample
fronds possess. The finest of all Tree Ferns in size are doubtless the
Dicksonias of Australasia, but in grace of frond and slender-stemmed
elegance of port, some of the Eastern species far surpass them.
Naturally they exist in groves, and the charms which they possess
when so seen is due to their variable size and the curious positions
in which they grow. Here they root into the earth, and their great
umbrellas of plumy fronds are borne aloft on the straightest of stems.
I have seen a little colony growing on a large sandstone rock, their
masses of black hair-like roots forming a perfect mat of fibres over the
surface of the mossy stone, while close by were a pair of specimens
which had rooted on a large tree trunk 20 ft. above the ground level.
The spores had germinated there, ancl it was curious to see the way in
which their stems were curv-ed, so as to allow room for their spreading

plumes. Tropical forests are, however, monotonous in effect after
a little acquaintance with them ; their tints are less variable than
those of our ovn\ woods, and if any strikingly beautiful views
be obtained in them, one is almost sure to find the effect due either
to groves of Bamboo or Tree Ferns in the foreground or middle dis-
tance. Although generally found in wet, or, at least, moist and
shady places, still Tree Ferns will not unfrequently flourish in full
sunshine, nor do their fronds suffer, as is the case sometimes at
home, especially when the soil in which they gi'ow is allowed to
become too dry. Naturally, their roots can ramble about under Moss
and stones or tree roots, and very often they reach the water near
them, and so can defy the power of even a tropical sun. Moreover,
a mass of dead leaves and other (MiW.s is sure to congregate around
the base of their stems, and so the roots are always comparatively
cool and moist. Tree Fenis at home suffer not so much, however,
from dryness at the root as that of their stems, and in order to
remedy this some wrap Sphagnum Moss around them, while others
sjTnnge them two or three times a day. What one most admires in
a tropical forest is the utter abandon of Fern and Orchid beauty, as
seen amongst the branches of Moss and climber-draped trees. In
the East this is especially so, and in South America the Orchids
have often to fight their battle of life with epiphytal Bromeliads of
many kinds, some of which are quite as lieautiful as their more
fashionable neighbours. We generally try to meet the wants of epi-
phytal Orchids by growing them on blocks in our Orchiil houses, but
in the case of the majority of epiphytal Bromeliads we give them
ordinary pot culture, and they simply have to make the best of it.
In Stevens' auction rooms the other day, however, a plant of the
beautiful Odontoglossumvexillariumand others of O. Alexandra were
jiointed out to me, which had been jiotted in ordinary garden
earth, just as an artizan would pot a Fuchsia, and yet singularly enough
both species had maile larger bulbs and leaves than those of the pre-
vious year. In their wild state one may often find both Orchids and
Tree Ferns gi'owing in stitt' yellow loam, sometimes in clay itself
surfaced with sandstone grit, and if peat earth be found it is gene-
rally accomijanied l)y dwarf and scrubby vegetation there as athome.
Of course, peat has its specific value for Heaths and similar [ilants,
but for strong-gi'owing Orchids and Tree Ferns a trial of rough
fibrous loam is much to be desired. That C'ypripediums aiul Cymbi-
diimis will succeed in fibrous loam, from which the small earthy
particles have been sifted, is a well-known fact, and I am convinced
that many Cielogynes and semi-terrestrial Orchids generally may be
grown in a well-drained compost of fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and
coarse sand with perfect success. The accompanying illustration
gives one an excellent glimpse of the graceful contour of Tree Fern
fronds, as seen spreading above a tangled group of Bromeliads and
long-bulbed epiphytal Orchids in their native habitats. The droop-
ing character of the dead fronds is very faithfully rendered by
the artist, as are also the chaffy and paleaceous bases of the large
stipes; indeed, the sketch may be taken as an example of how readily
a few judicious touches with the pencil on 1 or 2 square inches of
boxwood may be made to give one an idea of graceful vegetation,
and to define difl'erent classes of plants with almost photographic
accuracy. B.

CONSERVATORY CLIMBERS.

Tacsonias. — Nothing adds so much to the ornamentation of a
conservatory as climbers, among which there are now some very fine
plants, the most recent introduction of note being Tacsonia exoni-
ensis, a hybrid between T. mollissima and T. Von Volxemi. In
habit it is intermediate between the two parents, and the flowers
partake in about the same degree of the character and colour of both
of them. This Tacsonia is both beautiful and a remarkably free
grower. The only drawback to climbers of this class is their liability
to scale, which clings so tenaciously to the bark, that it is not an
easy matter to destroy or dislodge it. In appearance these pests are
not unlike small splashes of whitewash, and are to look at just as
inanimate, for one can never detect any movement in them with the
naked eye, and yet somehow or other they manage to spread at a
great rate, and soon cover the entire bark of the stem from one end
to the other if undisturbed. In order to get rid of scale, the first
thing is to prune out all that can be spared, which in most cases will
be the entire shoots made last summer, as, like most climbers, Tac-
sonias flower on the young wood ; the object, therefore, should be to
make way for this, and give it all the encouragement possible. To
remove the scale, a solution of Fowler's Insecticide is as good as any-
thing, which, used in the proportion of five ounces to a gallon of sofl
water, and well rubbed in with a brush, so as to wet the whole, is
sure destruction to the insects. In growing and training these Tac-
sonias, there is no way in which they do so well, or show themselves
off to such advantage, as when run up to the roof and allowed to
depend therefrom, very much in their own natural manner, except,
of course, that they should not be allowed to grow wild and become

332

THE GAEDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

an oiitaiigled masf, Ijiit tliiiincd out, aud not tied formally or at all if
it can be avoided, as then they droop gi-acefully down, furnished
with their trumpet-shaped blossoms, and look quite at home. The
soil in which they do best is a fibry loam cut from an old pasture,
and the fresher it is used the more they like it, besides which, it
lasts in an open condition longer, and is therefore more desirable on
that account. In order to grow these and other climbers well, and
keep them in a vigorous, healthy state for a lengthened period, it is
necessary that they liave plenty of root room, such as is afforded by
a good border, for although they may be grown in large pots or boxes
for a time, they never attain that degree of strength or flower so
ft'eely as they do under more liberal treatment. One climber, how-
ever, is an exception to this, and tliat is

Tecomajasminoides, which requires pinching in order tocheck
any undue redundancy of growth, aud cause a ripening and hardening
of the long, twining shoots it forms, without which the blooms are few
and far between ; but when restricted and fully exposed to the
influence of sun and light, it is one of the most useful and ornamental
conservator}' cUmbcrs tliat can be had, as it is a fine evergreen, with
foliage tliat never looks shabby or becomes infested "wdth insects.

Passifloras. — Of these, all the greenhouse kinds are very desir-
alile, resemljling in habit the Tacsonias, with which they associate
well and form most elegant roof garniture. Another great thing in
favoxir of the Passion flowers is that thej' are quite proof against
insects, for, although I have had to do with them tor a great number
of years in houses where others do not escape for long, I never knew
any of them affected, and this immunity renders them doubly valu-
able for planting in situations where they caimot well begot at. The
treatment requisite for them is much the same as that recommended
for the Tacsonias, so far as pruning aud training are concerned, but,
being remarkably free in the way of gi-owth, almost any soil will suit
them, so long as they receive plenty of water, of which, if properly
drained, they cannot have too much during the three summer months.
The sorts best adapted for conservatory decoration are P. racemosa
civrulea, P. Mayana, P. Coh-illi, and P. Count Kisselkefi'; the first
of these is nearly hardy.

Mandevilla SUaveolens. — Were it not for being deciduous
and so subject to gTccn fly when making its young growth, Mande-
villa suaveolens would be much prized as a climber, on account of its
pure white, Couvols-idus-shaped flowers that are borne in such pro-
fusion, but, unless it can be fumigated, it is useless attempting its
oulture, and as conservatories generally adjoin the dwelling-house,
it is not easy to do this without creating a nuisance.

The Lapagerias- — For a shady, damp wall, where a trelli
can be placed, or some wires strained vertically, or for a low struc-
ture not much exposed to the sim's rays, nothing can equal the La-
pagerias, the red and white varieties of which gTown so as to inter-
iningle together have a most charming effect, the one helping to set
oft' the beauties of the other to advantage. I have heard many com-
jilaints of the great difficulty experienced in getting plants of these
Lapagerias to start and do well, a failing generally owing to a want
of proper preparation of the Ijorder iu which they are gro^Ti, as
when this is suitably made, they start away with gi-eat freedom, and
soon become thoroughly estabhshed. Requiring, as they do, immense
quantities of water when flowering and making their growth, it is a
matter of the gi-eatest importance that plenty of drainage should be
provided, otherwise the soil loses its healthy texture, and is rendered
sour and inert, a condition that is highly unfavourable to the roots.
Soft red brick broken in pieces about the size of Walnuts is as good
as anything to drain with ; 6 in. of this will not be any too much,
and if on these some sods of peat are laid at starting tliey will keep
the interstices clear for years after. In the filUng up of the remain-
ing space, which should not be less in depth than from IS in. to 2 ft.,
the same kind of material should be used, only chopped up a little,
as it cannot well be too rough, and to keep it open and porous a good
sprinkling of silver sand is necessary. In this mixture I have found
Lapagerias to thrive well. They are somewhat difficult to move or
interfere with, unless it be done just as they are commencing
their gi'owth, as .at that season, if they are well watered and
kept syringed for a time, they may be transplanted with safety. In
turning them out of their pots, it is always advisable to remove as
much of the old ball as can be done fairly, so as to disengage their
roots, which are then at liberty to take possession of the new soil,
aud, this being fresh to them, they lay hold of it with aN-idity. The
gi-e.at thing is to begin with good, healthy plants, which, though they
coat a httle more, are the cheajiest and best in the end. They can
only be raised from layers or cuttings to be depended on to come
true to name. Unfortunately, slugs have a gi-eat partiality for the
young shoots. A liattery, made by means of a strip of zinc and
copper, the two metals being brought in contact, forms a safeguard
if placed around the collar of the plant, and a broken lamp glass is a
good protection for any young shoot that may be just making its
a.ppearance aboveground. Those who may be desirous of increasing

their stock of Lapagerias will find tliis to be a good time for layering ;
to get tliem to root, all that is needful is to bury the stem of the
shoot about 3 in. deep, and allow the branches or points leading from
it to have their tips out so as to keep up a circulation and maintain
life in the whole. The hardiness of these magnificent climbers is
such that they will succeed in any house from which frost is excluded,
and the damper and cooler the atmosphere the better it suits them.

Rhynchospermum jasminoides.— For clothing pillars>

nothing is better adapted than this, and it is a plant that bears prun-
ing well, and will readily conform to any method of training that
may be necessary to cover the space allotted to it. Exposed fully to
light and sunshine, so as to ripen its gTOwth, it flowers -with great
freedom, and, being so sweet-scented, it quite fills a large house with
its odom-. Either loam or peat, or a mixture of the two, suits it, as it
is not at all particular as regards soil, but does best in that in which
there is plenty of gi-it, and it should be made firm, as compression
induces a short, sturdy gTOwth and a more floriferous habit.

HabrothamnuS elegans.— For covering a large breadth of
wall, where it can be trained flat and allowed to form breast wood,
HabrothamnuS elegans is a grand plant, bearing, as it does, long
racemes of tubular blooms that hang down from the ends of each
shoot in a most gi'aceful manner. In a house kept somewhat warm,
and planted out where it can have plenty of root-run, it flowers
almost continuously the whole year round. To aid it in doing so, all
that is necessary is to remove the spent growth and keep the
plant supplied with a little liquid manure at each alternate
watering or so. Being of rather a gross feeding habit, the border
intended for it should consist of rich soil, such as good fibry loam,
the turfy sods of which, chopped up roughly, soon help to push it
along.

Jasminum gracile is likewise a «apital plant for the same
purpose, and one which rapidly fills a large panel ; or it may be run
up into the roof and used as a climber. The foliage of this Jasmine
is about the size of that of a Myrtle, but much thinner, and the
flowers are small, white, and star-shaped, hanging iu clusters, and
strongly scented. S. D.

THE COFFEE SHRUB.

' At the present day the Coffee shrub is cultivated throughout the
Tropics, but its native country is the mountainous regions at the
extreme north-west point of Abyssinia, the word Coffee being derived
fi-om Caffa, the name of one of the provinces of that country. From
Abyssinia the Coffee was first introduced into Arabia by the Arabs,
and cultivated in Yemen, or Arabia Felix, as it was anciently called,
and for upwards of two centuries Arabia supplied all the Coffee then
used. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, however, the
Dutch succeeded in transporting it to Batavia, and from thence a
plant was sent to the Botanic Garden at Amsterdam, where it was
propagated, and in 1714 one was presented to Louis XIV. The credit
of introducing the Coffee shrub into the Western Hemisphere is a
disputed point. One story asserts that the French introduced it
into Martinique in 1717, while, on the other hand, the Dutch are said
to have previously taken it to .Surinam. In either case it is certain
that we are indebted to the progeny of a single plant for all the
Coffee now imported from Brazil and the West Indies."

This above short but expUcit account was written by the late Mr.
Alexander Smith, the first curator of the Economic Museums at Kei«.
Like that of many other beverages and forms of vegetable food, the
first account of the use of Coffee is lost in obscurity, and wherever it
has been introduced, it has always at first met with much opposition.
Until quite recently the best Coffee came from Mocha by way of
Aden, but now the methods of preparing the berry are so much
improved both in Ceylon and elsewhere, that Mocha Coffee has
nearly lost its once high character. The plant producing this grateful
beverage is a glossy-leaved slirub, nearly allied to Ixora and Cin-
chona ; it attains a height of 10 ft. or more, and the part used is
the seeds or "beans," two of which are produced by a red berry
nearly as large as a cherry, the berries being preceded by white
flowers clustered in the axils of the leaves. Until cjuite recently
only one species (Coffea arabica) was generally cultivated as yielding
Coffee, but now another larger grOTting and more productive kind
(C. liberica) is being planted in Ceylon and elsewhere in Eastern
plantations. Apart from its larger berry and greater productiveness,
however, the new plant is said to be amenable to successful cultiva-
tion at a lower altitude than is possible with C. arabica, so that much
land below 1400 ft. may now become available for Coffee culture,
which, previous to the introduction of the Liberian variety, had to
be emi^loyed for the grov\-th of less productive crops. A great draw-
back to successful Coffee culture in Ceylon of recent years has been a
peculiarly subtle and destructive leaf disease, the only effective
remedy for which is plentifully manuring the land. Again, plantations
have become worn out, and virgin land is not now so readily attain-

April 26, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

333

able as formerly, hence we find pioneers out all over the Malayan archi-
pelago prospecting for suitable Coffee estates. Akeady plantations have
been commenced in Perak, and also in Lahore, the mainland imme-
diately behind the tovi'n of Singapore, and the most satisfactory
accounts have been published of the suitability of the highlands of
Nortli Borneo for this particular industry. In Malacca, Sumatra,
Borneo, Java, and the Philippines the Coffee shrub is found around
the native huts, where it exists and affords a moderate supjjly of
berries without any especial system of culture ; but, for its profitable
growth as a sale product, not only is the best of red loamy soil — if
with boulders anil Bamboo clumps in moderation, so much the better
— required, but the culture and preparation are laborious throughout,
and bad weather during the harvesting and drying of the crop often,
by damaging the produce, lowers the profits considerably. Unless
systematically cultivated, the crop produced is a straggling one, and
thus much labour in collecting the berries is wasted ; hence, one
great object iu the cultivation of the Coffee shrub is to obtain a
simultaneous crop. The berries are gathered when ripe, and a pulp-
ing machine through which they are passed removes the outer coat,
after which they are immersed iu water vats for twenty-four hours to

Coffee Shrub in Fruit.

clear them of mucilage and other useless matter. They are then
dried and passed through another macliine or mill, which removes
their parchment-like coats. The berries are now in the Bean-like
form so well kno\vii to us, and are dried well and packed in barrels
for exportation. The roasting process enlarges the bulk of the bean,
but it loses in weight to the extent of one-fifth or even more by the
process, and its chemical nature is also essentially changed, since, by
the action of heat, are developed the volatile oils and aroma to which
the flavour is mostly due. On careful roasting its value as a beverage
much depends, and this is the principal reason why the French and
Italians — to say nothing of the Turks, who were the first to use the
beverage in Europe — excel us in its preparation, since they are care-
ful to roast their Coffee immediately before it is required for use, and
so the perfection of flavour is obtained in all its pristine freshness.
Freshly-ground Coffee is a great absorbent ; indeed, in this way it
forms one of the best of disinfectants ; hence it will be evident that
Coffee, after being roasted and ground for use, should be carefully
preserved from contact with the air, or germs of disease may thus
unwittingly be imbibed. Indeed, Coffee should neither be roasted

nor ground at all until wanted, if it can possibly be avoided. The
leaves as well as the berries contain caffeine, which is the essential
principle of this product as a beverage, and iu Sumatra the natives
of some localities prefer an infusion of the leaves to that of berries
prepared in the usual way. Its value as a beverage depends on its
two-fold action, as a soother of the vascular system, while it acts as
a stimulant to the brain, and its value as food is negative rather than
otherwise, since it prevents undue- waste of tissue rather than actu-
ally aflbrds any nutriment to the body.

Brazil, and Ceylon, and British India, have hitherto been the great
Coffee-producing countries. In 1875 the total imports were 1,589,732
cwt., of which 750,055 cwt., of the value of £3,743,505, were from
Ceylon ; in the same year from Brazil '222, 375 cwt. were imported, of the
value of £961,470 : from Aden the imports were 15, 058 cwt., of the value
of £78,991 ; while British India sent 148,476 cwt., valued at £765,534.
It is singular to notice that whereas in 1871 large imjjorts of C'ofl'ee
came to this country from Mauritius and the Cape of Good Hope,
the supply fell to almost nothing in 1875, but whether owing to
the failure of the crop throiigh disease, or the discovery of other
markets, or tlie introduction of a more profitable branch of culture,
we are unable to say.

It may be interesting to some to learn that Coffee, as a beverage,
was introduced into Arabia about the commencement of the fifteenth
century, and soon superseded a drink previously prejjared from the
leaves of the Kat plant (Catha edulis). In Constantinople Coffee
was first used about the middle of the following century, and in
1652 the first Coffeehouse was opened in London, and the popularity
to which Coflee houses rose in after years is a well-known matter of
history. B.

PANDANUSES, OR SCEEW PINES.

Among the many ornamental-foliaged plants useful for general deco-
rative purposes, the Screw Pines, or Pandanuses, take high rank,
being alike remarkable for their singular habit and the peculiar
gracefulness of their foliage. When young, they fonn handsome
objects for dinner-table decoration, associated with such Dracaenas
as D. Cooperi, or others ha\'ing recurving leaves. One of the most
useful for this ]iurpose is P. javanicus variegatus, the foliage of
which is beautifully striped with creamy-white bands that contrast
well with the lustrous green running between them. What renders
this particular kind of such value where glass accommodation is
limited is that, unlike some others of more recent introduction, it
may be kept long in a small state by simply confining the roots; but,
when this is doue, to keep it iu health it must have abundant sup-
plies of water, or the leaves soon assume a sickly hue and become
infested with scale, an insect to which all the Pandanuses are more
or less subject. Although this variety admits of being restricted, it
grows rapidly if well treated, and iu two or three years may be got
to the size of a large specimen for exhibition or conservatory embel-
lishment, where, if previously hardened, it will stand well for two
or three mouths during the height of tlie summer.

When re((uired for either of these purposes, the best way is to
give a good shift early in spring, and place it at the warm end of the
stove, where it can obtain plenty of sun and light, in which posi-
tion, once it gets hold of the fresh soil, its growth will be rapid.
The leaves being of a gi'acefully pendulous nature, the plant should
be elevated, in order that the tips may not touch the stage on which
the plants stand, or suffer injury by being smothered up by others
surrounding it. Raised on an inverted pot, this will not happen,
and the base will become better furnished than it otherwise would
be. P. javanicus variegatus is not, however, so difficult to manage
in this respect as some of the others, owing to the free way in which
it foiTOS suckers, which, if not taken off, cluster closely around the
bottom and make quite a thicket. These are the parts to get for
propagation, and any of them taken off carefully with a heel without
being bruised will strike, if plunged iu strong bottom-heat. To pre-
vent losing them from decay, the ragged end should be trimmed with
a sharp knife and left a short time to dry before being inserted in
sandy soil in 3-in. or 4-in. pots. If this )>e tolerably moist, they will
not require water for a week or two, as the drier they are kept
without flagging, the more likely ivill they be to root. Why many
fail in striking Pandanuses and plants of that class is in placing them
where they get syringed, as, owing to the fonuation of the leaves,
they are receptacles for water, which, unless the plants are turned
upside down, stand in them till the tender parts are destroyed. To
insure safety, therefore, they should be attended to in this way once
or twice a week till roots are formed, after which, as growth pro-
gresses, they are not so susceptible of injury.

Another exceedingly ornamental Pandanus is P. Veitchi, a hand-
some kind, partaking somewhat of the character of the one already
named, but it is of bolder habit, has broader leaves, and is well suited
for occupying a vase in a prominent position. Where space can be

SS4

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

afforded it, P. utilis forms a grand-looking oliject, as it has leaves
quite 2 in. wide, and from 3 ft. to i ft. long, which, with their red
spines, liave a striking effect. The twist or screw in the stem of this
is very marliod after a year or two's growth, the axils of the leaves
heing arranged in regular spiral whorls, as is also the case with most
of the others. P. elegantissima is, as its specific name implies, a
very elegant variety, the haljit of which is dwarf and bushy, and
the plant altogether one of the best adapted for use in rooms or
windows during the sunnner.

One great advantage in growing any of these Pandanuses is that
they are not, like the generality of stove plants, tender, reciuiriug
much care and good management to have them in proper condition,
as, under anything like fair treatment, they always thrive and look
well, and are available for use at any time during the year. The
only thing to avoid when they are wanted for talde decoration is not to
let them staml about in coUl places, or keep them out of heat, for,
although more enduring than others that have soft, fleshy leaves, the
roots get chilled, and when this takes place, the edges of the foliage
are apt to become discoloured, which greatly detracts from their
appearance. In order to keep them well furnished, it is a good plan
when potting to drop the ball a little lower at each shift, as then it
not only brings the foliage nearer the pot, but gives the plants a
chance to root afresh round the collar, which tliey readily do.

Pandanuses will succeed in almost any soil if plenty of water be
given, but that which brings out the variegation better than any
other is such as is poor and that contains plenty of sand. This, with
either peat or loam, suits them well, and allows the large roots to
ramify freely. S. D.

DOUBLE-FLOWERED IVY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS

GROWN FOR TRIAL AT CHISWICK.

By A. F. BARROX.

The introduction of M. Liebmann's double-flowered form of the Ivy-
leaved Pelargonium, Konig Albert, some few years ago was a plea-
sant surprise, being the commencement of a new class of highly
ornamental plants wliich are exceedingly suitable for the decoration
of the conservatory and also for cut flowers. The elegant and chaste
forms of the single-flowered varieties of the Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums
bear no comparison in point of appearance with the new double-
flowered varieties for which we are mostly indebted to that very
skilful hybridist, M. Lemoine, of Nancy. These new double-
flowered varieties all belong to the true peltatum or trailing species,
and are of various shades of colour, from almost pure white to dark
lilac.

The following received first-class certificates : —

A. F. Barkox (Lemoine). — Flowers large and very double, of a
pale rosy-lilac colour, with dark veins on the upper petals ; produces
a large truss. A very fine varict}'. Flowers of the largest and finest
forms.

Elfrida (Eliort). — Flowers large ; dark lilac, shaded with purple ;
of fine form. Trusses of medium size. Very free floweriug. A
pleasing lively-coloured variety.

Lucie Lemoine (Lemoine). — Flowers large ; rather loose ; of avei-y
pale lilac colour, with dark veins on the upper petals. Free flowering.

Mademoiselle Adrienne Barat (Lemoine). — Flowers large and
very double, pale lilac. Very free flowering and fine habit.

Sarah BEKNU-iRDX (Lemoine). — Flowers almost white, the upper
petals veined and tinged with lilac. Free flowering. Robust
growth.

Viscountess Cranbrook (Lemoine). — Flowers large and full,
■white, shaded with rosy-lilac colour. A pretty variety. Free
flowering.

Classification of Varieties according to Colour.

Flowers White or very Pale Lilac. — Lucie Lemoine, Madame
Eraille Gallo, Sarah Bernhardt, Renoncle, and Viscountess Cran-
brook.

Flowers Pale Lilac. — A. F. Barron, La Fianci5e, and Made-
moiselle Adrienne Barat.

Flowers Dark Lilac— Elfrida, Madame Perle, and Ktinig
Albert. — " Royal Horticultural Society's Journal."

Begonia multiflora.— This is, without doubt, one of the best
of Begonias, combining, as it does, in one plant all the good proper-
ties of both the flowering and fine-foliaged section. In growth it is
dwarf and compact ; tlie foliage is very ornamental, and, even in the
case of the smallest plants, from the axil of every leaf is produced
a bunch of beautiful flowers nearly large enough to hide the leaves,
and they remain in perfection for a very long period. For furnishing
stands or baskets I do not know any plant to excel it. — J. Groom,
Linton.

Hoya bella in a Cool Vinery. — A correspondent in last

week's Garijen says (p. 311) that "Hoya bella can be grown only
as a stove plant." This remark may prevent some from cultivating
this very f ragTant and beautiful plant. I have had specimens of it for
several years in full perfection in a cool Vinery planted in peat, and
sparingly watered through the winter. — H. A. H.

Rhynchospermum jasminoides Hardy in Devon.—

I have had this planted out against a south-east wall, and even during
the paat severe winter, with the protection of only a single Laurel
branch, it has stood quite uninjured by the frost, while on each side
of it Philailelphus mexicanus, Eccremocarpus scaber, Clianthua
puniceus, Habrothamnus, and even Passifiora cojrulea were either
killed or cut to the ground. — H. A. H., South Devon.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

GOLDEN CHAMPION GRAPE NEAR BRISTOL.

In reply to "J. S. W.'s " remarks (p. 324) on this subject, allow me
to state that I mentioned the Vine in question because the Grapes
produced on it are well known to be unusually excellent. I may
also add that Bristol and its neighl)Ourhood tliis winter have been
little dift'erent, as regards the severity of the frost, from the gTeater
portion of the kingdom; therefore what holds good in practice in the
one place will hold good in others under like conditions. The Vine
just named was started in January, and was just approaching the
flowering stage at the time wliich I mentioned. At the time when
it was started the soil was at its lowest temperature, and if it were
necessary to have an equal root and top temperature for Vines
started in November, it is also the same if started in January, or
even later. " J. S. W." cannot escape the logical consequences of
his line of argument in this direction. I have had to do with a good
many Vines in my time, and have seen a good many more, but it is
news to hear, as "J. S. W." states, that Vines advanced so far as
this in the middle of March will only ripen their fruit in time for
the autumn shows. But in discussing this subject, " J. S. W."
occasionally makes admissions that seriously damage the views which
he strives to establish ; he refers to his Vines in a bleak district of
Yorkshire, that without a particle of protection on the border were
on the 5th of April sliowing magnificent shoots and bunches. Now
these Vines must have been started in the beginning of March, or
earlier ; up to March we scarcely had a glimpse of sun, and at the
end of February, by testing the earth's temperature, I found that it
had not risen perceptibly ; and again, on the 16th of jSIareli it was
only 4' higher than in January. ".J. S. W.'s" Vines are about as
strong evidence against all he has M'ritten on the subject as could
well be adduced. He speaks of examples of cold roots and warm
tops being few and ill to find. If he had occasion to move about the
country as much as I have, he would see plenty. Not
more than three miles from where I now WTite I could
show him a couple of instances, both cases in which
the produce is sold in C'ovent Garden Market. In one the crop is
fast colouring, and will be all sold by tlie middle of May. The
Vines are Black Hamburghs and Buckland Sweetwater planted in
the usual way just inside the front wall, with all their roots outside,
and not a vestige of anything has there been over them except about
6 in. of litter on some 6 ft. of space up to the front wall. In the
other place the crop is about stoning, with the i-oots in a like posi-
tion, but not in any way more protected ; and this is how they
are treated year after year, as I can testify, and the soil is as heavy,
cold, and retentive as it well could be. The growers are men who
have for a quarter of a century been engaged in Grape forcing, with
the strongest of all incentives — competition in the market— to treat
their Vines in a way in which they will produce the most money ;
and in this tliey are successful, as no better early Grapes reach
Covent Garden.

I have a letter before me from a friend in the north of Yorkshire
who regularly begins to cut Grapes early in May. He writes: "I
have the best crop this year that I ever had, although I was not in a
position to obtain protecting material until most of the summer
warmth ha<l escaped from the soil, and then I had only a thin cover-
ing to throw off the rain and snow-water. Some 2t ft. of snow have
fallen altogether during the winter." The severe winter we have
passed through has been unfortunate for "J. S. W.'s" ideas about
the necessity for warming the roots of forced Vines, as, from what
has come within my own knowledge, tlie discussion that has taken
place on the subject has induced many who have hitherto followed
the practice to test its value by dispensing with all but protection;
and they are so far satisfied with the results that the fermenting
heap with them will henceforth be a tiling of the past.

T. Baines.

AruiL 2G, 1S79.]

THE GARDEN.

335

GLANDS IN PEACH LEAVES.

To the naked eye these look like mere warty excrescences on the
stem and base of the leaf; but that they are there for some useful pur-
pose there can be no doubt ; my own ojjiuion is that they serve as
reservoirs of food for the leaves, and that this is the case is proved by
the fact that glandless-leaved varieties are, aa a rule, very subject to

Fig. 1.

Tnildew ; for instance, the following glandless kinds, viz.. Royal
<ieorge. Early York, Noblesse, Early Newington, and Sulliamstead,
are all notoriously subject to attacks of mildew. There are three
types of foliage in the Peach, as will be seen by reference to the

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

annexed illustrations : — Fig. 1 is glandless, fig. 2 shows kidney-
shaped glands, and fig. 3 round glands. Of course, it is not claimed
for the two latter types that they are entirely exempt from liability
to the attacks of mildew, but their liability to it is not great in com-
parison with glandless kinds. W. \V.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FEUIT GAKDEN-

Naming Fruit Trees. — This is a subject that has been, and
still is, very much neglected, but that such should be the case is to
be regretted when we consider how much more interesting and con-
venient it is to have correct names for all our fruits. As Peaches
and Nectarines are oftener fouml grown and exhibited under wrong
names than most other fruits, a few words in reference to these, wliile
the trees are in bloom, may not be out of place. It frequently
happens that when one enters a new situation no names are found
attaclied to any of the fruit trees, and to get their correct names
is no easy task. I have frequently had, even from nurseries, Noblesse
for Royal George, Violette Hative for Noblesse, and so on ; but, with
the help of books, I have generally managed to put things straight.
Now, as I have said, is the time to take the matter in hand. In the
first place, carefully note do^vn the size, shape, and colour of the
bloom, then in a few weeks, when the leaves are fully developed,
■note down the size and shape of the leaf, whether glandless or if
•with glands, whether the latter be round or kidney -shaped ; then,
when the fruit is ripe, note the size, shape, and colour of that and
the exact date of ripening. One more item remains, and that is, to
know whether the fruit is a freestone or a clingstone, and the size
and shape of the stone. All these things being carefully noted by
the aid of the " Fruit Manual," or Scott's " Orchardiat," I dare ven-

ture to say that the correct name of the frait in nine cases out of
ten will be ascertained. The names of Apples, Pears, and all other
fruits may also be discovered by careful observation in the same way.
• — H. Harki.s, Denne Park.

Grape Culture in Market Gardens.— "J; S. W." (p. 325)

furnislies some interesting remarks regarding rapid returns from
youug Vines ; no one would (juestiou the capability of young rods in
vigorous health to finish olf a good crop the second season of their
existence. But the statement that good crops have been produced
the first season, or in nine or ten months from the time when the eyes
wereinserted, is certainly something new in (irape culture. "J. S. W .
says this feat is not likely to be surpassed, but if it has been accom-
plished once, there is no reason why it should not become, at least,
an established practice. I liave myself been satisfied if I could get
well-ripened canes in one season's gTowth, ami fruit early the next or
within 15 months from the time when the eyes were inserted. The
Vine requires a certain period for active gi-owth, and, accommodating
as it is in regard to rest, it must, nevertlieless, have a period of rest
before it is actively started for producing a crop. Tlierefore, I think
"J. S. W." shoulil give us a detailed account of how a crop of Grapes
may be harvested from Vines raised from single eyes in nine or ten
months. — J. Groo.m, Linton.

Pruning Apples and Pears.— Having grown on for

several years from wliat is called tlie maiden state a number of Apple
and Pear trees in tlie pyramid form, and adopted, year after year,
the common practice of shortening back the j)revious summers
growtli, I have at length found that tliis form of pruning after the
first few years becomes a mistake, and simply leads to the produc-
tion of wood and no fruit. Tlie tree is so mucli emplnyed in making
good tlie amputations of the preceding winter, that it is unable to per-
form tlie work of producing fruit-bearing liuds, and thus every sea-
son's gTowth simply results in waste. Having abandoned the cutting-
back practice altogetlier last autumn, and contented myself with the
taking out of all superfluous gTowth, I now find in looking over the trees
that in large numbers of them almost the only fruit-buds are at the
extremities of the very wood tliat, under tlie hard-pruning practice,
would have been cut away. Here begins the first prospect of fruit,
and once tlie energies of the trees are directed into that channel,
instead of the production of rank, barren gTowtli, crops from year
to year will be assured. There is one valu.able feature in this habit
of fruiting at the extremity of the previous season's growth, and
that is, the weight of the fruit causes the shoots to bend downwards,
and thus the rapid upward passage of the sap being checked, the
dormant buds are plumped and forced into tlie position of fruit
spurs. Beyond a little judicious thinning the best annual pniner of
either an Apple or Pear tree is the production of a good crop of fruit.
—A. D.
Fruit Culture for Market.— "F. W. B." (p. 310) quotes

some very tempting averages of profit from fruit orchards in difierent
localities, and, doubtless, they are realised sometimes, or fruit
gi-owers could not exist ; but for the established orchards a high rent
is demanded, and the expense of planting orchards and cultivating
them up to a bearing period are weighty matters. With owners of
l.T,nd it is quite another m.atter, and "F. W. B.'s" suggestion that
landlords should plant orcliards is an excellent one, as the uncer-
tainty of recompense for improvements is gTeatly against tenants
planting largely, for few stop long enough in one holding to reap the
full benefits arising from their plantations. Co-operative fruit stores
are much wanted, in order to enable consumers to get the benefit of
abundant crops. If some such ready means of placing consumers in
direct communication with the growers were in existence we sliould
hear no more of quantities of valuable fruit being spoilt through being
unremunerati ve. At present the culture of fruit for preserving is about
the safest investment, and promises to become a large industry in this
neiu-hbourhood, the fruit being sold direct to the manufacturers. —
J. Groom, Linton, Kent.

Apple Culture for Market in Scotland.— In Scotland

the cultivation of Apples for market purposes is not carried on now
to any extent worth naming, although at one time the Apple crop
was one of considerable importance, especially in the C'arse of Gowrie
and the Vale of the Clyde. The leading kinds were AUanbank
Seedling, Cambusnethan Pippin, Keswick C'odlin, Early Julian,
Ecklinville Seedling, Fulwood, Tower of Glamis, Golden Noble,
Hawthornden, Red Juneating, Grey Leadington, Oslin, Old Pear-
main, and Yorkshire Greening ; these were the leading kinds. In
more recent times growers planted such as Lord Suflield, Cox's
Orange Pippin, Blenheim Pippin, and Warner's King ; but, as has
just been stated, not to any great extent, many failures having
turned market gardeners against their cultivation. A crop of Apples
is quite an exception in Scotland. — David Syme.

Strawberries for Table Decoration.— Strawberries, as a
rule, are grown to eat, but there is no reason why they should not

336

THE GAEDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

gratify the eye as well aa the palate, ^aad, in fact, at this season of
the year, I prefer the sight of a .Strawberry house full of fruit in
various stages of development to all other sights in a garden.
For dinner-table decoration a centre-piece or two side groups,
consisting of about half-a-dozou pots of ripe Strawberries bedded in
Moss, is, according to my idea, perfection, the foliage being so orna-
mental, and the glistening fruit under strong light so tempting. Any
one who has only had Strawbemes handed round, should try how
much better they are wlien gathered from the growing plants on the
table. — .J. (Jroom, Linton.

Destroying Red Spider on Strawberry Plants.—

Allow me to correct an error (p. 275). It should be 1 oz. instead of
4oz. of soft soap to 1 gallon of water. — J. C.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

CITY TREES.

Towards the close of last autumn, being desirous of ascertaining the
best kind of trees for planting in the City of London proper as dis-
tinguished from its suburbs, I made several excm'sious through the
territories of the Lord Mayor and Corporation, from Barbican on the
north to the river on the south, and from Staple's Inn on the west to
Tower Hill on the east. Although many capital cities of Europe
can boast of longer and more numerous open spaces filled with
greenery than the city of London, there are few that possess so fine
a growth of indi\-idual trees as we do in the very centre of our own
close, smoky, foggy business quarter. Leigh Hunt tells lis in his
"Town," "that there is scarcely a street in the city of London
from some part of which the passenger may not discern a tree ;" a
dictum which is perfectly true, as far as the principal streets of the
metropolis are concerned. I know of no capital city, with the
exception of Constantinople, that can match that splendid specimen
of tree growth, the venerable Plane, in Stationers' Hall Court, which,
although literally immersed in a square cell of brickwork, seems to
thrive as bravely as if it were growing in its own native woods.
The hot and dusty wayfarer, during the early summer, who seeks a
refuge in this court from the bustle and clatter of Ludgate Hill, and
I)auses awhile beneath its green canopy, every twig of which forms a
perch for a twittering sparrow, may shut his eyes and fancy himself
for the nonce in some primeval forest, instead of in the heart of the
City of London.

Beginning our excursion at the north-west corner of the City
boundai-y, the first oasis that we come to is the garden of the chapel
belonging to Staple's Inn, which lies behind the fourteenth-century
houses in Holborn, immediately opposite Gray's Inn Lane. It is
better, however, to enter it from Southampton Buildings. I have
frequently astonished friends of mine who have lived all their lives
in London by taking them through Southampton Buildings and
Staple's Inn, even old inhabitants of the locality being imaware of
the existence of this green spot. The garden is fairly well laid out
with a maximum of turf and a minimum of flower-bed ; but its
principal beauties lie in its Planes, Figs, Vines, and Virginian Creeper.
Passing along Holl^orn in the direction of tlie Viaduct we speedily
reach the churchyard of St. Andrew's, Holborn, the Planes and
Poplars of whicli are its chief excellences. There are a few Haw-
thorn bushes, but no matter how beautiful they may he when laden
with fragrant blossoms, they wear a very shaljby, ragged, withered
appearance towards the end of the season. At St. Sepulchre's, on
the other side of the way, there are some excellent Planes, but the
Lime trees were in all their autumn ugliness long before the middle
of September. In the central garden in Smithfield the Thorns and
Poplars liid fair to thrive, and in years to come the Planes will no
doubt do tlieir best to rival their splendid brethren in the courtyard
of St. Bartholomew's Hospital hard by.

Charterhouse Square is another well planted open space — a double
row of Planes stretching diagonally from corner to comer of the
enclosure in the form of a St. Andrew's cross. There are also a few
Thorns, Elms, Ijmes, and a Sycamore or two, all of which wore a
very i-usty appearance. A few Ashes and Poplars seemed to have
borne the summer's heat with great patience, especially the latter.
At one of the houses in the square there is a fine Grape Vine, which
was green and beautiful, a remark that will apply to a splendid Fig
tree on the other side of the enclosure. In the churchyard of St.
Olave, in Silver Street, there are some fine Planes and Poplars,
althougli it is inconceivable how they flourish so well in such a close
locaUty.

Finsbury Square made a fine show with its Poplars and Planes,
the Elms, Tliorns, and Ashes coming off second best. Finsbury
Circus, though smaller tlian the Square, is much better laid out, and
beats its neighbour out of the field in the way of variety. The

Sumach and Ailantus were in great be.auty here in the middle of
October, and the Robinias and Figs were as gTcen as they were in
the preceding May. The Lilacs and Laburnums here, as everywhere
else, wore a most pitiful appearance.

Those who are not acquainted \vith the locality will be surprised
to find some fine Figs and Thorns in Draper's Gardens, a newly-
made street Ijuilt on the site of Draper's Hall, on the south of
London Wall. On the north side of London Wall there is a row
of leggy -looking Limes, whose condition was such as to convince any
disinterested observer of the futility of trying to grow this tree in
the smoke and foul air of the City of London. This remark applies
with even greater force to the Laburnum and Lilac. At the begin-
ning of October the withered condition of these Lime trees was
made all the more ghastly on account of a few of them having put
forth a second gi-owth of pale, sickly -looking leaves.

In the newly-laid-out churchyard of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, we
had Planes, Poplars, and Privets all in excellent condition, the latter
especially, which, with great good taste, had been allowed to grow
in their own way, instead of being pruned into ugliness. In the
disused churchyard of St. Martin's Outwich, in Camomile Street,
Bishopsgate, there are two fine old Planes in fair condition, consider-
ing they are planted close up against the wall of a house.

Wandering down Houndsditch we come to Aldgate Church which
possesses a tine row of Poplars. There are some splendid Ashes,
Planes, Sumachs, and Robinias on Tower Hill ; but these are beyond
the City boundaries, and it is only of City trees that I wish to speak.

There are numerous other gi'eeu spots in the City which I visited,
such as Lawi-ence Pountney Hill ; Queen Street, Cheapside ; Wood
Street, Cheapside ; St. Magnus' Churchyard ; Fish Street Hill ;
St. Switliin's Lane, &c., but they all taught the same lesson, and
that is, by properly selecting new subjects and rejecting old ones,
the few ojien spaces in the City may be made gi'een and lovel}', if not
for ourselves, at least for our children and gTandchildren. I may
remark, en pn.ss(f)i(, that I have purposely excluded the Temple
Gardens from my list, although they are within the boundaries of the
City, for the all-sufficieut reason that from their extent and openness
they can hardly be allowed to come within the same category as such
confined spaces as Finsbury Circus and Charterhouse Square.

The splendid specimens of the Western Plane to be found within
the City boundaries prove most conclusively that it is the city tree
2Mr excellence. Smoke, dust, drouglit, foul air, do not seem to have
any effect upon it. Of its beauty and hardiness there is no need to
speak, for fine specimens are so common throughout the country,
that it would be waste of time and space to enlarge upon its numerous
points, further than to say that it possesses every property that best
befits a city tree.

If the Plane is the Emperor, the Robinia is unquestionably the
Cro'mi Prince of city trees. It has not the majestic beauty of its
superior, either in leafage or branchage, but it is fully fitted in every
other way for city [ilantiug. In the autunmof 1875 I travelled from
the shores of the Black Sea to those of the Atlantic, passing through
Constantinople, Atliens, Messina, Palermo, the princiijal cities of the
Italian Continent, Macon, Dijon, Lyons, Orleans, Remies, St. Brieuc,
and across the sea to Jersey. The summer had been an exceptionally
hot one, and in the south of Europe the whole of the ordinary vege-
tation was burnt up ; but, wherever I went, I found the Robinia still
in the prime of its verdant loveliness. In the King's garden at
Athens, in the garden of the ViUa Nazionale at Naples, in La Flora
at Palermo, where even the Orange trees. Date Palms, and Pepper
trees seemed to be suffering from the heat and drought, the Robinias
were refreshing masses of emerald verdure. There are comparatively
few specimens of the Robinia to be found in the City of London,
and, where they do occur, I am sorry to say that their natural
beauty has been only too often interfered with by the ruthless hand
of the pruner. There is no excuse for this, for the different species
of Robinia are equal to providing the most capricious planter with
subjects of almost every form that he can desire, from the bushy to
the pendulous, without being obliged to resort to mutilation. This
was the tree that William Cobbett extolled so much as a timber pro-
ducer. Its value as an ornament in city and town gardens can
hardly be overestimated, although its wood, in this country, at any
rate, has never been satisfactorily used for industrial purposes.

Another tree, which is invaluable for city planting is the Ailantus
glandulosa, whose large, long, half pendulous pinnate leaves contrast
finely with the foliage of the Plane and the Robinia. Last autumn,
in Finsbury Circus and other parts of the City, it remained green
and fresh when many of its neighbours were already dropping their
leafy garments. It seems to suffer from smoke and foul air almost
as little as the Plane and the Robinia. It is to be regretted that it
has been so sparingly used in the City. I could name a dozen spots
where it would form a most agreeable contrast to the trees already
planted. Finsbury Circus seems to be the only place where its true
value has been appreciated.

April 26, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

337

The common Fig 13 another tree wliich seem3 to thrive every-
■where alike in confined localities, such as Staple's Inn and Laurence
Pountney Hill, as well as such open, well-ventilated spaces as Lin-
coln's Inn Fields and Bloomsbury Square. Its broad green leaves
and bushy form give it a high value as an ornament when mixed
with trees of contrasted habits. There are some excellent specimens
scattered about the City, but they might be largely increased with
advantage.

Poplars, more especially the large-leaved sorts, seem to be per-
fectly at home in the smoke, as those in St. Andrew's and Aldgate
Churcliyards abundantly prove. The fastigiate varieties do not
seem so well fitted for city work. The Vine, too, grown as an orna-
mental plant, be it understood, seems to be a most valuable addition
to our City greenery, judging by the specimens in Staple's Inn,
Charterhouse Square, and elsewhere. Its value for this purpose will
be ajjpareut to every one wlio has allowed a Vine to run wild without
a thought of tlie Grapes it would yield. Its congener, the Virginia
Creeper, is also always a success wherever it may be grown.

The Stag's-Iiom Sumach and many of tlie Ashes are also good
trees, and the Catalpa, the Mulberry, the Paulownia, and the Tulip
tree would, I have but little doubt, grow just as well. The Pau-
lownia, from its comparatively low and bushy habit, ought, when
combined with tlie Plane or the Robinia, to form an excellent subject
for street planting. The Victoria Embankment, Northumberland
Avenue, and Abbey Road, St. John's Wood, have all been planted
with Planes and nothing else. It seems a pity that some attempt
at variety was not made at the first going oft'. The Plane is
undoubtedly tlie best of all city trees, but there is no reason why it
should not have a foil now and then in the shape of a Robinia or
P.aulownia. In the City, and, indeed, in most of our town planta-
tions, trees of a weeping habit, such as the Weeping Birch, the
Weeping Willow, the Weeping Asli, the Weeping Elm, the Sophora
are almost entirely neglected. In the triangular enclosure in the
middle of Harrington Square, Hampstead Road, there is a Weeping
Willow, whicli, by its contrast with the more erect trees near it, is a
most artistic feature in the picture. Although a high authority on
the subject has given it as his decision that dark-leaved Oaks and
Beeclies are inadinissable in a tree picture, I must venture to diff'er
from him. .Surely dark foliage, when used sparingly amongst masses
of green, cannot fail to satisfy the artistic eye.

It is time, however, to speak of those trees which should be reso-
lutely banished from our City enclosures. The first of these is the
Lime. It is tnie tliat in the early summer tlie Lime, with its black
trunk, bright green leaves, and white tassels of sweet-smelling
flowers, is an admirable object, but in the course of a very few weeks
we have to pay a heavy penalty for our pleasure. The leaves begin
to shrivel in the sun, tlie trees are invaded by legions of caterpillars,
and the Lime is no longer a beautiful, but a painfully ugly object,
which only becomes tolerable when the winter winds have whisked
off its last ragged leaf. The same remarks apply, though perhaps in
a secondary degree, to the Lilac and Laburnum. Lovely as these
well-known trees are in the beginning of the season, nothing can
equal their raggedness later on. Could Limes, Lilacs, and Labur-
nums be bedded out in the spring, and taken away when they begin
to show signs of rustiness, there would be nothing to say against
them ; but, as we have not yet reached such a pitch of civilisation,
we must either be content to put up with their latter-day shabbiness,
or else remove them altogether. .ludging from the general condition
of Elms, Horse Chestnuts, Hawthorns, and Sycamores scattered so
sparingly about the City, they seem to thrive but poorly, although
their failure is hardly so complete as the trees just mentioned.
The Horse Chestnut especially seems little fitted for city use, although
it gi-ows fairly well in Regent's Park. As this article is intended to
treat of trees and shrubs grown for the sake of their foliage, I shall
say nothing about supplying the places of such subjects as the Horse
Chestnut, the Thorn, the Lilac, and Laburnum. With such a list
as the above city planters might, in a few years, make our open City
spaces perfect little Paradises of leaf and branch beauty at a very
small outlay.

A word about the lesser vegetation in our City squares. Like his
suburban brother, the City gardener seems to be hopelesslypossessed
with the idea that the only underwood fit to grow in towni must
necessarily be either the everlasting Laurel, the pei-petual berryless
Aucuba, or the eternal well-cropped Privet. The sooner the whole
tribe of so-called evergreens is rooted up the better, and if our
English Privet followed them it would be no great loss, for at best
it is a weak-looking shrub. London gardeners wdio camiot keep
their hands from mutilating the Privet should visit the hedges of it in
the Regent's Park, where, for a wonder, it is allowed to have its
o^vn way, and therefore speedily grows into a refreshing screen of
verdure. But, pretty as it is, it is distanced by its .Japanese con-
gener, which has larger and glossier leaves, and is altogether more
sturdy in habit. Sometimes a gardener, bolder than the rest, plants

a few Rhododendrons, Euonymuses, or Hollies. In tlie first instance
the result is generally a dismal failure ; in the two latter a gratifying
success, as tlie specimens in Finsbury Square and elsewhere abun-
dantly prove. 'There are hundreds of hardy shrubs, beginning, let
us say, with the Box and the Berberry, that I feel confident would
grow like weeds in the most confined city enclosure. This part of
the subject, however, I do not wish to treat of further, as, during
my investigations, I confined my attention almost entirely to trees.

Charles W. Quin.

AUCUBA BERRIES.

With regard to these, I dare say both "J. G." and Mr. Tillett
are right, though the success attending their respective etforts is so
widely diS'erent. If about this season we carefully examine a batch
of seedling Aucubas, we will find tliat the time occupied by the
whole batch in flowering is about six weeks ; some early, others late.
The originally imported variegated Aucuba (now so extensively cul-
tivated) is a female, and one of the latest to flower in spring, so that
berries being tlie desideratum, it would serve no purpose to plant
alongside of the old Aucuba one or more plants of the earlier flower-
ing males. " J. G.," who has been successful in putting berries on
his plants, must have had male plants which blossomed with his
females. Mr. Tillett's non-success (and his is by no means excep-
tional) was probably due either to his plants flowering at dift'erent
times, or to the flowers of one or other sex, or both, being injured (a
common occurrence) by frost or cutting winds. For the latter reason,
we may always expect to have better crops of Aucuba berries in the
warmer parts of Great Britain than in other less favoured
localities.

In the foregoing, many, I have no doubt, will find satisfactory
reason for the success or non-success attending their efibrts to put
berries on their Aucubas, and here I probably ought to stop ; but,
having just lately looked with admiration on a large plant literally
bent down with the weight of its large, red-tinted fruit (uot fully
coloured yet), you will, perhaps, indulge me with space for a few
more remarks on this excellent evergreen shrub. We liave seen that
many of the seedlings do not flower at the time when the common
kind does ; and, to further the certainty of putting berries on it in
the future, it is ob\nous that nurserymen liave a duty to perform, not
only for their own credit and benefit, but in justice to their patrons,
and that is, the selecting (for sale) from amongst the thousands of
seedlings now raised by them sucli male plants, be they gi-een or
variegated, as flower at the time when the old female plant
blossoms. Many of each batcli of seedlings are green, and the
se.xes seem to be fairly proportionate. Numbers of the variegated
seedlings are better marked than the popular kind, and some of them
may, some day, supersede it. It is scarcely possible to speak too
highly of the gTceu seedlings, there being few, large-leaved evergreen
shrubs that rank superior to them, and the wonder is that they do
not oftener find places in the forecourts of our cities than they do,
seeing that so many naturally liaudsome and elegant shrubs are so
denuded of the beauty natural to them as to become unsightly
skeletons. Geo. Syme.

Borrowa.^Ii.

Mr. Tillett asks if his experience in reference to the fertilisa-
tion of Aucuba plants is exceptional ? I think it is, as Aucubas
often get fertilised, even when the male and female jdants are at
great distances apart, and when one would think it would be impos-
sible for the pollen to reach tlie female. Acccmpanying this is a
brancli of the variety which we call A. himalaica, which was con-
fined in a comer in an old Vinery all last year, and, to my certain
knowledge, no male Aucuba was nearer it than '200 yards, yet this
plant was loaded with berries, and is certainly one of the finest
berry-bearing Aucubas which we have, its large scarlet fruit
remaining on the plant for many montlis together. I planted a few
males amongst my bed of the common Aucuba, and the result was
that every plant became fertilised and bore berries. I enclose also a
sprig of what we call A. latifoUa, a green kind, which, it will be
seen, is a Uttle later in flowering than the female kind, but this is
owing to the latter having been kept in the house all the winter. —
J. ScoTT, Merriott. [The specimens sent by Mr. Scott were covered
with berries, most of which measured jj in. in length. He also fur-
nished leaves of what he calls Scott's Aucuba japonica macrophylla,
a finely variegated variety, and strikingly handsome. One leaf of it
which we measured was just 1 ft. in length and .5 in. wide at the
broadest part, and in appearance seemed more like the leaf of a great
Arum than that of a shrub.]

Mr. Tillett's difiiculty in getting the flowers of his female

Aucubas fertilised with so many male plants gro\ving amidst them is
surely exceptional, as I have so far seen little difficulty in getting

S38

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1S79.

berries in abundance where male plants were near. An excellent
plan, and one which I have seen adopted with success is, where the
male plants are precocious to grow tliem in large pots, and keep them
in the cool shade of a north wall until the female plants are in bloom,
then carry these pot plants to the required place, and elevate them
just above the tops of the female plants ; tlie wind will then more
freely distribute the pollen over the blooms to be fertilised. — A. D.

Mr. Tillett'a Aucubas will doubtless in time produce fruit.

It is not an exceptional circumstance for the males in certain plants
to flower before tlie females ; tliat happens in the Hazel, yet we all
know that Nuts come without artificial fertilisation. In tlie case of
the Aucuba, we hare many bushes quite lailen with beautiful red
berries, though the male varieties are at great distances off. If
iMr. Tillett's plants liave only been planted out one or two seasons, I
would recommend him to allow them to remain undisturbed, and
await the result. Although I have grown Aucubas largely for several
seasons, I never s.aw them so well berried without artificial fertilisa-
tion as tliey are tliis year. — James Grooji, Linton, Maidstone.

• Mr. Tillett's experience as to the male Aucuba blooming

before the female is not exceptional, at least I experienced the same
difficulty ; but, fortunately, I had the males in large pots and
plunged tlieui under a north wall, where their progress was retarded,
and when the females were in flower, or nearly so, the males were
planted amongst tliem. The result is, that at present every female
has reil berries on it, though, by some means, the quantity has been
reduced during the winter. I may add that this year the blooms
of both males and females appear, as far as I can see at present, to
be more uuiformly developed. — J. Wood, WoodriHc, Kirkxtall,

I would recommend Mr. Tillett to take up a few of his male

plants, pot tliem in large pots or boxes, and place tliem in some cool,
shaded situ.ation until his female plants are in lilooin, and then place
his males among them. In this way I liave succeeded in getting a
good crop of berries. — D. P., Hayward Heath.

PLATE CLXXVI I

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHEUBS, & WOODLANDS.

Hardiness of the Camellia.— As one amongst the many
instances of the hardy constitution of tlie Camellia I observed at
Kew the other <lay in an open border about half-a-dozen good-sized
plants, which, during the last and previous winters, Iiave been quite
unprotected, expanding flower buds in abundance, though large
numbers have fallen. One variety in particular is very attractive,
being in full flower with its blossoms scarcely inferior to those grown
under glass, and the foliage is of a deep glossy green. — W. G.

Many predicted that Camellia blooms on open-air bushes

would fall off after the late severe winter, but I find that such is not
the case ; here Camellias are now flowering profusely, even the
double wiiite being loaded with blossoms. Up to the present time
we have scarcely had two fine days together free from frost or snow
or driving storms ; still the blossoms keep expanding, .and some large
bushes wliich we recently transferred to the conservatory li.ave, in
spite of remov.al and check attending it, unfolded a glorious display
of bloom. As to hardiness, I can safely assert that the Camellia is
hardier tlian tlie Laurustinus, which with us is much browned.
I may also .add that plants of the old wliite Azalea planted out in
the open air are quite healtliy, and swelling their buds up for flower-
ing.— J. G., Linton Park, Maidstone.

Conifers and the Frost. — Amongst the numerous varieties
of Conifers gi-owing here very few have suffered from frost during
the past severe winter. Araucaria Cunningliami does not appear to
be injured in the least, but it is well sheltered on all sides by loftier
Conifers, and several other tander varieties have thus far escaped,
while nmny of our ordinarily hardy flowers liave been killed, anil the
bloom of even the hardy Forget-me-not has been all cut off. I may
add th.at a sni.all specimen of Libocedrus Doniana is very much
injured by the late spring frosts, the outer shoots lieing all browned,
but otherwise it is fresh enough. It is not, however, advisable to
plant subjects tliat are not frost proof, as, except for their rarity,
they are not more valuable th.an those that have been thoroughly
tested as regards hardiness. — J. Geoom, Linton.

Large Hardy Azaleas. — Mr. Osborn gives (p. 318) the

measurement of some specimens of these wliich are growing in his
nursery at Fulliam. Allow me to give you the measurement of two
specimens of the common A. pontica whicli are growing on the lawn
here ; one measures 10 ft. 8 in. in height and 20 ft. in diameter, and
the other 9 ft. 3 in. in height and 19 ft. 6 in. in diameter. It is
needless to add that such specimens when in flower are a sight wortli
travelling miles to see, and also when tlie leaves begin to ripen in the
autumn. I can obtain no information about their age. They are
growing in a brown, liazely lo.ani and .are in perfect health, and, as a
rule, flower magnificently. — Jas. FAiRWE.iTiiER, Ualston.

A GROUP OF NEW TUBEROUS-ROOTED BEGONIAS.

Dra\™ by CONSTANCE PIERREPONT.

Few plants Iiave responded more readily to the manipulations of the
hybridist than tuberous-rooted Begonias. B. boliviensis ami B.
Veitchi are species, and a very large proportion of the popularly-
named varieties are the result of crossing these two sorts. If any
particular species be crossed with another allied species the produce
is generally intermediate between the two, and, therefore, amongst
the first seedlings from the cross there are usually but few that
prove to be distinct. In the next generation the variations are
greater, and the further the seedlings are removed from the first
cross tlie more frequently do these occur. Tuberous Begonias are,
as has just been stated, a class of plants that are easily hybridised ;
seed-pods are speedily formed, and good flowering plants arc pro-
duced ill six or eight months from the time when the seeds are sown.
Propagating them by means of seeds is effected by preparing well-
drained 5-in. or 6-in. pots. Over the drainage place some Moss or
fibrous loam, and fill up with a compost of two parts loam, one of
leaf-mould, and a little sharp silver sand. The seeds will be found
to be very small, and should only just be covered with the soil, which
may be kept moist by placing a square piece of glass over the pot.
January is a good month in which to sow the seeds, which will vege-
tate freely in a temperature of from 55 ' to 60°, and most speedily on
a gentle liottom heat. The plants, when up and of sufficient size,
should be pricked off' into the same sort of soil as that in whicli they
have been growing. When the weather is warm they may be placed
in a greenhouse or cold pit, and be shifted into larger pots as they
require more root-room. They will flower about midsummer beauti-
fully in pots 5 in., Gin., and? in. indiameter, according to the strength
of the plants. A good compost forthemtoflowerinmay consist of turfy
lo.am three parts, rotten manure one part, and one part leaf -mould
and a little sand, to which may be added a few bits of charcoal to
keep the compost open and sweet.

Many of the choicest varieties cannot be freely propagated, and, as
a consequence, are high-priced. Those who want a good stock of
plants to furnish their greenhouses or flower borders at a cheap rate
would do well to purchase a packet or two of the best seeds, and
treat them as directed above. A collection of the best sorts, if
bought in the form of plants, costs a considerable sum, and they are
only necessary for those who intend to exhibit them. Named varieties
are propagated by means of eyes, with a leaf and part of the stem
attached, and although every one of such eyes will produce roots,
top growth, and also tubers, very few of them will make permanent
plants, that is, they will not start or grow from the tuber the follow-
ing season. It is only the few eyes that have what growers term a
wood bud that are propag.ated, and these are usually found near the
base of the stem. .Some of the Pjiiglish-raised hybrids have very few
eyes that will,,produce plants, and President Burelle, a fine double
variety, is so difficult to increase, that its raiser, Mons. Lemoine, has,
as yet, but a small stock of it.

Last year I saw in the nurseries of Messrs. Laing & Co., Forest
Hill, over 150 distinct varieties of these tuberous-rooted Begonias in
pots. They were arranged in one house and comprised nearly all the
sorts that are wortliy of culture. Amongst them were W. E.
Gumbleton, ricli scarlet, witli the petals M-ell shaped ; Charles Baltet,
crimson-scarlet, shaded with purple towards the centre ; Professor
Pynaert, a briglit rose, large-flowered sort ; Bayard, glowing scarlet ;.
Baron Hruljy, crimson, suffused with violet at the base, one of the
best ; Vesu%aus, a very free-flowering orange-red ; Acme, rosy-red ;
Baron Li5on Legiiay, pale rose, distinct and good ; Laurent Descours,
bright rose, and large and showy ; Alexander Leguin, pale orange
red ; Lecointe, a very beautiful variety with bright rose-coloured
flowers ; President Burelle and Louis Van Houtte, the two last
double-flowered kinds. Besides these there were many seedling,
varieties flowering for the first time, which will, wlien sufficient
stock can be obtained, take their place as standard varieties.

Tuberous Begonias have been grown in beds and borders very suc-
cessfully. Last year single specimens might have been seen out-of-
doors 3 ft. in diameter and more than 3 ft. high, well furnished with
flowers and foliage. As bedding plants in masses they are too
brightly coloured for some tastes, but that will easily be toned down
when the yellow and white varieties are sufficiently numerous to be
used for outdoor decoration. J. Douglas.

[For the varieties represented in the accompanying plate we are
indebted to Messrs. Laing & Co., of Forest Hill. The large centre
bloom is Marquis of Salisbury, that immediately above it Mrs. Carter,
that below it Tliomas Bell ; the delicate pink variety is Garland, the
yellow Mrs. Colonel Long, and that just below it Rosy Box.]

THE GARDEN

April 26, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

339

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

Fortunately, in gardening, as in all other matters, there are counter
balancing circumstances which have this season been of the greatest
service to us. The protracted winter having hindered planting and
other extra work, such labours liave now been accomplished during
the time which in ordinary seasons wonld have been given up to
mowing, but which this season did not require attention till at least
three weeks past the usual time. A commencement, however, has
now been made, and frequent cutting from this time to the end of
September is indispensable, if a good turf be desired ; and without
this even the best of gardens becomes unattractive, which need not
be tlie case, seeing that the exjiense of mowing is reduced toaminimum
by the introduction of so many good kinds of lawn mowers. For
the next two months the whole of tlie turf will require to be mowni
once each week, and after that once a fortnight to the end of the
season. Walks should al«'ays be rolled after heavy rains, and tlie
weeds on them be kept down by hand picking. It is not yet too
late to turn and surface-gravel any that require that attention, but
the sooner it is done, whilst tlie weather is showery, tlie better will
they' consolidate. Bedding out will now demand a large share of
attention, both as to preparation of lieds and jilants. The system
has gi'own to such proportions tliat for this, in many establish-
ments, other most important and more profitable work has
to be neglected ; but so long as employers demand it, as
many of them do, so long must we endeavour to make the
best of a bad bargain. One way out of the difficulty is to make
use of all tlie hardy plants that are in any way suitable for associa-
tion with the general stock of summer bedding plants. We are cer-
tainly drifting in that direction, as note the use now made of.Sedums,
Saxifrages, Yuccas, Euonymuses, Retinosporas, and other small-
gi'owing shrulis, many of which are not only as effective as the best
kinds of bedding plants, but far more so, at once adding additional
grace to the parterre and neutralising that gaudiness which is now-
a-days far too prevalent in nearly all summer bedding airangements ;
moreover, such hardy pl.ants can be left in position when the others
are gone, and thus, in a measure, one great objection to summer
bedding, viz., its transitory character, is obviated. There are otlier
plants of a graceful nature which, though not quite hardy, are nearly
so, and of the easiest culture, and well adapted for- summer planting
out, either as central objects in formal arrangements, or as "dot"
plants to relieve the monotonous glare, which is unavoidable when
Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Lobelias, and similar plants are used.
Among such are the following : Acacia lophantha, Aralia .Sieboldi,
Gre\nllea robusta, Draca?na australis, Chaiiuerops e.xcelsa {small
plants), Ficus elastica, Araucaria excelsa, Pliormium tenax variega-
tum, Solanum marginatum. Ferula gigantea, and oth«rs of a similar
character. Pansies, Violas, Calceolarias, Verl)onas, and plants of
like hardiness can now with safety be planted out, and the space
they have occuijied in pits or frames will be availalile for more tender
subjects, such as Iresines, Coleuses, and variegated Pelargoniums.
None of the plants sliould be allowed to get stunted through want of
root space or dra\vn from want of head room ; to prevent tliis eitlier
pot oil' or plant out in frames any that are likely so to suffer ere bed-
ding time arrives. Iresines and C'oleus, which are generally used in
quantity, do best planted out in a warm pit, and thus quantities of
pots and boxes are set at liberty for other plants. Seedling Lobelias,
Centaurea candidissima, Cineraria maritima, and Perilla nankinensis
will all thrive well if pricked out in cold pits, and as to PjTethrum
Golden Feather, that with us never has any preparation otlier than
sowing it in the warmest available position in the open air ; by thus
sowing it at the beginning of March we never fail to have an abun-
dant supply. — W. W.

Auriculas. — We are now in the midst of preparations for exhi-
biting our Auriculas, not wholly welcome work, inasmuch as they,
as a matter of course, must consist of the best plants and the choicest
varieties, and they do not always come home in quite such good con-
dition as that in which they were before being removed from home.
It is, too, a very anxious time for the cultivator. Some of the
choicest kinds are very scarce, and if any accident happen to them
it is sometimes difficult to get another plant of the same sort. As a
set-off, however, to all this an exhibition of this kind affords an op-
portunity for growers from all parts of the country to meet together
and discuss matters relating to Auriculas. The general public also
have an opportunity which would not otherwise be afforded them of
seeing the plants. As Auriculas go out of bloom, if it be not in-
tended to save seeds, the flowers should be pinched off as soon as
they fade, leaving part of the footstalks. If the stem be broken off
the portion that is left does not dry up, but dies off moist do^vn to
the centre, and sometimes kills the plants. Now is the time to
hybridise, in order to obtain seeds that will produce new and good

varieties. Green-edged varieties should be crossed with flowers of
the same section ; grey-edged with grey-edged, and so on. In the
case of Alpines the light-edged flowers with white centres should be
crosseil with others of the same class. Shaded-edged flowers are
most esteemed, and such only should be used for parents.

Carnations and Picotees. — Plants in beds and borders are
now starting into growth, and w ill not succeed if neglected. Make
them tirni round the roots by pressing down the soil with the fingers,
and, if necessary, a short stick should be placed to any weakly sub-
jects. .See that the surface of the beds is stirred up and that weeds
are removed while they are in a small state. By this time the
earliest-rooted plants of the perpetual-flowering section ought to have
been potted off, and on the care taken of them now depends whether
they will gladden the cultivator with their beautiful sweet-smelling
flowers at Christmas or not. The plants should lie encouraged with
a little warmth during cold weather, but they must be placed near
the glass, and where a free circulation of air can be ailmitted amongst
them. Pot off others as they re<iuire it, using small pots. Seeds of
the different sections may also be sown in pots, placing them in a
hotbed.

Hollyhocks. — All these ought to be planted out by this time in
lieds or borders ; e\'en the spring-propagated plants should be put
out at once, if not already done, and great care should be taken in
planting them, especially if the spikes are intended for exhibition.
Some good loam mixed with a third part of rotten manure should be
placed round the roots. It is by paying attention to minute details
that success is achieved.

Pansies. — These require continual attention. Now wireworm
and the leather-coated gi-ub will be troublesome underground, and
must be looked for if the beds indicate their presence. For "when
the flowers fall off in quantity" (p. 305) read "quality." The
meaning is this : A show Pansy will continue to flower until the
character of the blooms are so deteriorated that tlie variety cannot
be recognised ; in that case pick all the blooms oil' and surface the
soil round the roots with rich compost ; this will restore the blooms
again to their original size and quality.

Hardy Primulas. — The most useful at present are P. amcena
and its varieties — hardy kinds enough ; but they do not stand well
out-of-doors, owing to damp and frost. In cold frames they stand
severe frost with impunity. We leave the plants in cold frames
until the flowers open, when they are removed to the greenhouse.
Primula japonica sometimes flowers well in pots, and, although this
variety has not quite realised the expectations formed of it, still it
should be grown for the sake of variety. Green fly persistently
attacks it, and also red spider, pests which must be destroyed. In
short, all this class of plants grow and flower freely in cold frames,
and sliould be removed to the greenhouse wlien in flower.

Tulips. — These are now becoming interesting ; their flower-buds
are rising strongly. Tliey are later this year than usual. Ours are
fully exposed to the weather, and, though frosts by night and keen,
cutting winds by day have been the rule rather than the exception,
not a leaf or bud is injured. If the surface of the beds has not been
dressed with rotten manure, that should at once be done. The
different species of Tulips that have been introduced recently are very
interesting, some even very beautiful, and they form a distinct and
pleasing feature in beds or bonlers. They can also be gi-owii in pots
in cold frames, using light soil in which to jilant them. The bulbs
of some of them are small, and, therefore, tliey do not require to be
covered deeply. — J. Douglas.

Conservatory.

If a sufficient number of Azaleas, Epacrises, and other hard
wooded, sijring-flowering plants have been retarded, there will be
little difficulty in keeping conservatories now fully furnished with
lilooming subjects, as where there is at command a small house
not much under the influence of direct sun, there is no reason why
a continuous supply of Azaleas, wdiich are tlie most effective of spring
flowerers, should not be at hand all through the comin g month, and
it will invariably be found much more satisfactory to have their
blooming thus dispersed over a lengthened period than to have a pro-
fusion for a time with scarcity afterwards. Even where there is no
regnilar house or pit, with some spare lights fixed up te mporarily
during spring on the north side of a wall, a very useful retarding
structure may be improvised, only whatever may be done in this
direction the plants must not be subjected to insufficient light, as
considerable shoot-growth is now going on, and any deficiency in this
respect will have a most unfavourable influence upon the state of the
plants next year. It is necessary to impress this upon young growers
of this class of plants, as an idea is prevalent that no haim would
accrue through their being kept for a time in an over dark situation,
as the growth made under such conditions could be ripened by
exposure afterwards; yet this is by no means the case, as leaves than

340

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

are formed under insuflicient light are so far wanting in texture that
no after treatment can set tliem riglit ; be the plants of an ever-
green, semi-evergreen, or deciduous character, it is of the gi-eatest
importance that their leafage be produced under conditions that will
admit of its endurance for the full extent of its allotted time.

Oranges and Citrons. — These come more under the head
of intermediate temjierature subjects than those belonging to the
greenhouse ; for, altliough in this country they frequently receive
little of the warm treatment at tlie time their growth is being made
which they so much enjoy, still, to keep them in a vigorous, healthy
state, with a full complement of luxuriant foliage, without which
they have but a meagre appearance, they should now, when, in
most cases, their growth will be about commencing, receive, if pos-
sible, warmer treatment than tliat which an ordinary greenhouse
affords. Where there is a conservatory, kept, as usual, above a
greenhouse temperature, they will do there whilst they are making
their gi-owth, but they should be set where they can be liberally
syringed every day till it is completed, or they will succeed in a late
Vinery, but the latter is only a make-shift sort of place ; for,
although they enjoy a little shade from bright sunshine whilst
growth is in progi-ess, still the dense foliage of the Vines continuously
overhead excludes more bght than is desirable. In the cultivation of
large specimens of eitlier Oranges, Citrons, or Lemons, it is desirable
that their growth be allowed a little more freedom than it often
receives. By using the knife less, the trim appearance that these
plants frequently have where every shoot is cut back to an even
surface, like the standard Bays so much used on the Continent, will
be obviated.

Greenhouse.
Standard Heliotropes and Habrothamnus-— Standard

plants are often considered in themselves not very striking objects,
but they are most useful in combination with others of a dwarfer
character, as by their use the disagi-eeable even surface frequently
present in greenhouses and conservatories is avoided. The above
two subjects are particularly adapted for growing in this form, and the
present is the most suitable time through the season for preparing
them. They may consist of established plants, headed downi to near
the collar ; when broken into growth the shoots shoiild be thinned to
a single stem, which should have a stick for its support, and should
be run up to the height required, which may be from 3 ft. to 5 ft.,
according to the size or description of the structure which they are
intended to occupy, and the plants with which they are to be asso-
ciated when in flower. After the desired height has been reached
stopping nuist lie resorted to, and continued until the heads have
attained a sufficient number of shoots. If headed-down plants like
these are employed, as soon as tliey have fairly broken they should
be turned out of tlie pots, a portion of the old worn-out soil should
be removed, and more root-room should be given them, usiug tolera-
bly rich soil. Thus managed, useful sized examples may be had by
autumn, at which time their flowering will be found very acceptable.
If established plants be wanting, it will be necessary to proceed in
the usual way with cuttings, which, if treated liberally as regards

?ot room, will soon reach a serviceable size. In reference to the
[eliotrope, so much esteemed for its perfume, it is doubtful if any
of the new varieties are better than or equal for this purpose to the
old original kind, which still appears to have the preference with
gi'owers for market.

Brugmansias. — Old plants of these that were cut back and
started some time ago will now have made a certain amount of growth,
Jind may, if they re(piire it, receive larger pots, or have the surface
renewed with fresh soil, keeping them in any available structure
where they will get plenty of light and air, so as to keep their shoots
short and stocky, which latter is essential to a vigorous head of
bloom.

Greenhouse Rhododendrons. — These beautiful spring-
flowering plants will be found to lie most useful where large conser-
vatories have to be kept gay; lieing almost hardy, they may be placed
out-of-doors diu-ing the summer and autumn after their growth is
made, which is a great advantage, and in winter they may be put
into pits. Vineries, or anywhere where space can be found for them.
Amongst the best are Countess of Haddington, blush white ; Gibsoni,
a compact-growing, free-flowering, white kind with small foliage ;
javanicum, bright orange ; Prince of Wales, orange-red ; Princess
Mary, white, tinged with pink ; Thomsoui, scarlet ; Veitohianum,
white, tinged with yellow, the petals being fringed ; Edgworthi,
white, sweet-scented ; retusum, orange-red ; Princess Alice, blush-
white ; fragrantissimum, blush-wliite ; and, for a roomy situation,
Knttalli is one of the best ; it bears large heads of very large white,
funnel-shaped flowers ; these will all succeed in ordinary peat soil, and
do not require so much pot-room as do many plants of similar growth
and habit. After blooming they will make their gro\vth in any
greenhouse or pit, during which time they must be plentifully sup-

plied with water, and after the flowers have formed they can be set
out-of-doors.

Greenhouse Dracaenas. — These, especially whilst confined
to a small or medium size, can be used for so many jjurposes that
they are almost indispensable, but it is necessary to keep up a con-
tinuous supply of young ones, as the larger stock will come in for
use where smaller plants would not be so effective. When they get
naked and leggy it is well to take off their heads, j^utting these
singly in pots just sufficiently large to steady them, and subjecting
them to a warm, confined, moist atmosphere, treatment under which
they will soon root. The stocks, after the heads are removed, if
placed in stove heat will, before long, push out a number of shoots
that can be taken off as they get large enough and rooted, or a
portion of the stems may be cut into lengths of 1 in. or 2 in. ; these,
if treated like cuttings in warmth, will break and form roots in a
very short time, making useful little plants in eighteen months.

Callas are most serviceable when grown with single crowns that
can be flowered in 6-in. pots ; a plentiful supply of this size will be
found of very much more use than large specimens. The flowers
are of such a distinct and striking character, that one bloom is fre-
quently as effective as two or thi'ce, and when sufficient numbers are
grown to admit of their being brought into flower in succession,
there is no difficulty in a supply being kept up from Cliristmas until
late in the spring, but where Callas are grown in quantity it is best
to turn them out in summer. Specimens that have flowered, con-
sisting of several crowns, should now be taken out of their pots and
divided, putting them in a row in a light situation in a well-prepared
piece of ground about 1 ft. ajiart, supplying them sufficiently with
water through the season until the beganning of September, when
they can be taken up and jilaced in pots of the size above mentioned,
in which they will bloom. This I have found to be the most satis-
factory way of growing them which I ever tried.

Early-flowering Pelargoniums.— Independently of the

zonal section of these, wliich, when well managed, can be easily had
in bloom all through the winter and spring, there are numbers of
early-flowering varieties that partake more of the character of the
large-bloomed or show kinds than of the zonals. These are not
equal, from a florist's point of view, in the form of their flowers, to
the best exhibitmn sorts ; but, nevertheless, they are such as are
largely cultivated by the London market growers. Many of them
have only local names, and often not cultivated by any except those
who gi'ow for market, yet they are most valuable as decorative sub-
jects, being of a very floriferous habit, sturdy, short-jointed, and
able to bear a considerable amount of warmth to bring them into
flower. If these were more generally cultivated in private establish-
ments they would be found to be of great use at this time of the year,
as they are far better than the endless presence of red and pink
zonals.

Large-flo"wered and Fancy Pelargoniums. — The

blooms of these will now be fully formed, and will have made some
progi'ess, and be indeed in a condition to be benefitted by the appli-
cation of manure-water, which, if used too early in the season, is apt
to cause a disposition to produce leaves at the expense of flowers. If
sufficient ties and supports have not been already given to the plants
to keep them in a presentable state, at the same time avoiding all
stiff', formal training, this should at once be attended to.

Chrysanthemums. — These are so easily grown and tenacious
of life that in the press of other matters at this time of the year they
often get ueglectecl ; yet, though so easily managed, want of atten-
tion is sure to result in a deficiency of flowers when they come to be
wanted. A cold frame up to the time when the plants have got
fairly established in 5-in. or 6-in. pots, with plenty of air, and fully
exposed to the light is the most suitable place for them. If cuttings
were put in in November or December, and kept in a cool place just
out of the reach of frost, they will, ere this, have been transferred
to pots of the size just named. Such as were propagated later
through the winter must, as soon as the little pots they occupied
are filled ivith roots, l)e at once moved into larger ones, stopping the
shoots of those that are intended to be gi'own in the usual bushy
form ; but I should recommend a portion to be gTown in the shape of
low standards on a single stem from 2 ft. to 2^ ft. in height, and not
stopped until they have reached this, after which, nip out the points
two or three times, so as to induce them to break a sufficient number
of shoots to form the head, and all on from the first, remoxnng any
side breaks below these or sucker growths from the bottom ; but for
gTowing in this way the freest flowering, medium-sized kinds shoidd
be selected, as many of the largest bloomed varieties that are not
able to perfect so many flowers are not so well adapted for this shape.
Mrs. Bundle, white, incurved ; Mrs. Dixon, rich yellow, incurved ;
George Glenny, straw coloured, incurved (both the latter are sports
from the unsurpassed Mrs. Bundle, differing in no way from that

April 26, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

341

variety except in colour) ; Julie Lagi'avt?re, velvety crimson ; Her-
mione, blush; Annie Salter, yellow; Lady Talfourd, rosy-lilac ; pur-
pureum elegans, violet-crimson; and others 'of similar habit will all
be found suitable for gi-owing in the form of standards. — T. B.ilNE.s.

Hardy Fruit.

Here, North Hants, on the mornings of the l'2th and 13th inst.,
we registered S and i)' of frost respectively, and the same on tlie
18th and 19th, and this, with the wind continually blowing from the
north and north-cast, has shattered our hopes of a full Apricot crop,
for, tliough the trees were well protected with scrim canvas, many of
the fruits, which were the size of French Beans, are quite frozen
through, and, curiously enough, those only just setting seem all
right. Happily, Pears, Plums, and Cherries have not yet unfolded
their blossoms, and therefore seem uninjured. Such weather abnost
makes one lose heart, but still every effort must be made to save
fruit-buds from further injury by protection of some kind. Goose-
ben-y and Currant buslies should have dry Bracken, straw, or hay
shaken over them ; some that have been thus covered are quite un-
injured. Straw litter is somewhat unsightly, but little is thought of
this so long as the fruit is saved. Any grafting yet on hand should
have immediate attention, and after sharp frosts the clay put round
the grafts should be e.xamined, as the frost may cause it to crumble
off. It is a good plan, when the operation is first done, to bind over
the clay either hay or Moss, whicli both preserves the clay from
being cracked by frost or drying winds, and from being washed off
by heavy rains. Apricots are now fit to disbud ; as a rule, this is
best done as soon as the fniit is set, and before tlie shoots have at-
tained much size. Some cultivators do not disbud Apricots, but in
lieu pinch out the points of aU gro%vths that are not required to
fumisli the wall as soon as two leaves are formed. Of course this
persistent pinching induces the formation of a mass of fruit-buds,
indeed, far too many, and hence our advocacy of disbudding in a
reasonable degree, say to aljout one-third the extent as that required by
Peaches ; even then there will be abundance of shoots for the fonna-
tion of fruit spurs, and these should be kept constantly stopped
throughout the summer. Thinning the fruit betimes is also an im-
portant matter ; usually it sets iu clusters where there is space only
forasinglefruit, soitmust lie obvious to all that an early removal of tlie
surplus produce is of importance. If any leaves curl up, grubs will lie
found ensconced in them, and should be searched for and destroyed.
With tlie exception of the liability of Apricots to canker, this leaf-rolling
maggot is about the only enemy they have to contend against.
Young, newly planted trees are apt to grow too strongly, more espe-
cially the uppermost shoots. In order to check this tendency it is
well to stop the leading shoots twice or so during the season ; a more
equable distribution of sap to all parts of tlie tree is tlius ensured,
and, therefore, a more even gTowth. Such remarks are not only
applicalile to newly-planted Apricots, but to all other kinds of fruit
trees, and not only to wall-trained trees, but also to nearly all others.
Peaches are in magnificent blossom, the flowers being full and well
developed, and, setting aside accidents, this should be a good Peach
year. Where the trees and walls were not .dressed in winter it is
more than probable that gi'een or black fly will soon make their ap-
pearance, and if, when first perceived, the trees be well dusted over
with Tobacco powder, or occasionally syringed with soapy water,
there will soon be an end of them. This is a matter that will not
be put oft' without serious injury being the result, as these pests soon
gain the mastery. "Prevention is better than cure;" hence the great
importance of winter dressing, which I have so frequently insisted
on, as well as early disbudding. Still, let tlie trees be sheltered
nightly ; thefruitwill swellmore kindly by avoiding extremes of either
heat or cold, therefore, for the present, the blinds should be down
for a couple of hours during the brightest sunshine, and as soon as
all the fruit is set a \'igorous syringing with tepid water will help to
dislodge the fallen blossoms, and loosen any that may still adliere to
the young fruit. Apples are fuller of flower-buds than they have
been for some years, but bullfinches are now playing sad havoc with
them. These little depredators were so late this year in their attacks
that we had begun to think the winter had tliinned them, but such
is not the case. We continue to shoot them in self-defence, having
in vain tried all other known remedies. Strawberries have gone
through the winter with but little apparent injury, and they are now
making fine growth. Any decayed leaves may be removed carefully
so as not to injure the new foliage. If they have not yet received
a surface mulching of well-rotted manure, that should at once be
done, but previously hand-weed. The surface roots of Strawberry
plants are their mainstay, and no digging or deep hoeing should
therefore even be practised amongst them. The plants should not
continue more than two years on the same ground, and, therefore, if
it be well trenched and manured previous to planting, the surface-
mulching recommended wnll be ample nourishment without the doubt-
ful proceeding sometimes resorted to of forking in rotten manure.

Plantations made now of the earliest-forced plants will produce very
early runners, and if the first flowers that show themselves after
tliey get established be picked off, successional blooms will produce
a fine crop of autumn fruit. — W. W.

Extracts from my Diary— April 28 to May 3.

Flowkrs. — .Sliiftiug Chrysanthemums out of cutting pots singly
into 5-in. ones ; also shifting establislied plants. Shifting Gloxinias.
Potting Migaionette for growing into standards. Plantingout oldCliry-
santhemums on north border. Potting Calceolarias out of 6-in. pots
into 8-in. ones. Putting in cuttings of Bouvardias and Verbenas
for stock. Potting Pereskia stocks on which to gi-aft Epiphyllums.
Moving Pelargoniums from Vineries to cold houses. Putting in cut-
tings of Violets under handlights, and planting old plants outside
under north wall. Fkuit. — Planting Melons of various kinds.
Thinning the fruit of Strawben-ies. Disbudding Peaches and Nec-
tarines and thinning tlie fruit. Tying and pruning outdoor Fig trees.
Thinning Grapes. Clearing out fruit-room. Watering cool Peach
house borders. Tying Vines. Watering outside border of early
Vinery. Vegetables. — Shifting Tomatoes out of seed-boxes into
5-in. pots ; also Vegetable Marrows out of seed-pans into pots of the
same size. Making a bed for Vegetable Marrows with old Cabbage
stumps and manure. Clearing away Brussels Sprouts and preparing
border for the reception of other crops. Tying and stopping Cucum-
bers. Planting Garlic and Shallots. Solving first batch of Scarlet
Runner Beans. Sowing Cauliflower and Cabbage seed; also Mustard
and Cress. — R. (hLBEKT, Burjldey.

PEAR CULTURE IN MARIOIT GARDENS.

Much attention has of late year.s been paid by market gar-
deners to the culture of Pears, which, if of good quality,
generally fetch g<iod prices in the market, and growers are
now beginning to discover the importance of growing the best
kinds, as trees that bear dozens of large, well-flavoured fruit,
pay much better than those which produce bushels of Pears of
inferior quality ; therefore, as old trees wear out, better sorts are
planted to fUl their places. Pear trees are nearly the only
fi-uits grown on walls in market gardens, i.e., where walls
exist, which is in but few places, and in some cases where
these are low the trees are planted on one side, and trained
over the top and down the other side. Occasionally they may
also be found in the form of e.spaliers.

Crackixc; Stopped by Grafting. — Pears of the commoner
kinds are chiefly grown on the old-fashioned standard run-
wild system, no pruning being given but what is done with,
the saw ; and, in a good season, it is wonderful how heavily
the trees are laden with fruit. These standards have been
" worked " on the Pear stock, which forms a clean stem, the
branches usually springing from near the union of the stock
with the scion. There are dwarf Pear trees, too, and many
that succeed better on the Quince than on the Pear. Market
gardeners generally are not, however, very particular about their
stocks, for they get the bulk of their trees at the nurseries,
and what they graft themselves is usually done on whatever
stock they have at hand, be it seedling, sucker, or layer of
Pear or Quince. They practise grafting more on old and
worn-out trees than on young stocks, and for this purpose
they head back the trees in winter or early in spring, either
at pruning or digging time ; the scions, after being selected, are
" heeled in " until March, when they are put on the trees.
Grafting more than one kind of Pear on a tree is said to be a
preventive of fruit cracking during the swelling period. A
large grower near London, who possesses the finest natural
Pear-tree soil in the district, states that a somewhat light yet
deep, substantial, hazelly loam suits Pears best. In reference
to cracking, he found that, although the trees were in a
thriving and healthy condition, and annually set good crops of
fruit, yet at gathering time scarcely a half sieveful of good
marketable Pears could be obtained from them, the fruits being
invariably cracked. This induced him to try the effect of
grafting more than one sort on each tree, and the result

342

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1870.

proved most satisfactory ; for, not only did the grafted por-
tions produce excellent fruit, but the original kinds no longer
cracked ; on the contrary, they produced fruit of exceedingly
fine quality, well-formed and symmetrical. Finding grafting
in this way successful in a few cases, he extended the practice
throughout his orchards ; therefore, where one kind of Pear
grew alone on a tree, now there are at least three sorts, each
apparently being of material benefit to the other ; for example,
a number of trees, formerly Beurre Diel only, now bear huge
branches of Beurre Bosc and Louise Bonne, tlie trees being
furnished in good seasons with large crops of these three sorts.
Pear trees are not, however, all tall standards, for some are as
dwarf and symmetrical as one could wish to see. Naturally-
grown bushes are preferred to rigid French pyramids, as the
former bear more fruit and resist wind better than pyramids.
Some kinds of Pear trees have naturally a pyramidal habit,
which, as a matter of course, is encouraged. Bush Pears are
in rows, about 9 ft. apart and 8 ft. asunder in the row, and
some are even closer than that. At Mr. Dancer's are some of
the finest and most vigorous bush or pyramid Pears on the
Quince stock to be found anywhere, and in nearly every case
the trees bear large crops of splendid fruit.

Vaeietie.s. — Among the varieties grown on the above system
are Beurre Hardy, a clean and shapely tree, and a good cropping
variety when well managed ; Doyenne du Cornice, one of the
finest-flavoured of all Pears, and one which is very prolific ;
!Marie Louise, Marie Louise d'Uccle, Huyshe's Victoria,
and other varieties. Souvenir du Congr(5s, an excellent fruit,
raised as a seedling from Williams' Bon Chriitien, does well,
and bears large, highly-coloured fruits on young-grafted bush
trees ; these fruits average about two to the pound, and possess
a flavour resembling that of its parent, but more aromatic.
Louise Bonne of Jersey, when cut in well, is very productive.
Tlie Duck's Egg does well, and is a valuable early market
Pear. Of Williams' Bon Chretien no fewer than 100 bushels
were sent to market from one garden alone in one day.
Beurr6 Bosc is by some regarded as the king of market Pears,
on account of its prolific bearing habit and handsomely-
formed and large-sized fruits, of fine quality. One of the
best Pears that we have seen in the market of late years is
one grown by Mr. Wilmot, of Isleworth, named Pitmaston
Duchess. Some of the specimens of this remind one, as
regards size, of the Belle Angevine (Uvedale's St. Germain),
and their flavour resembles that of Marie Louise. Some
fruits of this variety have been known to weigh If lb. This
Pear, therefore, finds a ready sale in the market.

Among early market Pears ripe in July and August may
be mentioned BeurriS de I'Assomption, a large-sized, lemon-
yellow kind ; Williams' Bon Chretien, Citron des Cannes, a
medium-sized fruit and an abundant bearer ; and Madam*
Treyve. These are succeeded by Belle et Bonne, Beurr(5
d'Amanlis, Beurr6 Superfin, Fondante d'Automne, Gratioli
of Jersey, Hazel, Louise Bonne, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Marie Louise d'Uccle, Autumn Nelis, and Seckle ; these keep
up a supply till the end of October, after which come into
use until Christmas, Vicar of Winkfield, Winter Nelis,
Napoleon, Marie Louise, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Doyeun^ du
Comice, Althorp Crassane, Colmar d'Aremberg, Bishop's
Thumb, Beurr(5 L6on le Clerc, Beurr6 Hardy, Beurr6 de
Capiauraont, Beurre Clairgeau, Beurrt^ Bosc, and Beurr6
Bachelier. Amongst kinds which come into use after the
new year has set in may be named Bergamotte Esperen,
Glou Morceau, Knight's Monarch, and Easter BeurriS ; many
other kinds are also gi-own for market, but these form the
cliief supply.

Cropping Beneath the Trees and Storing. — As with
other orchard trees where large Pears exist, the ground under-

neath is cropped with vegetables or bush fruits, but where
dwarf pyramids are grown this system is not so much prac-
tised ; the ground is, however, kept clean by hoeing, and some
market gardeners mulch heavily with manure in summer, and
in winter the manure is forked into the ground. Most
growers dispose of their Pears when gathered, leaving the
dealers to find storage room, but in a few cases where good
storage can be found at home, they are kept till they are
nearly ripe before they are marketed. A great proportion of
the best dessert Pears seen in the English markets are im-
ported from France and the Channel Islands. Indeed, Cali-
fornia and many parts of Eastern America are likely to play
an important part as regards furnishing Pears to the English
markets ; but the distance and length of time that elapses from
the period when the fruit is packed till it is unpacked in
England sometimes tells badly in regard to Pears, a circum-
stance favourable to English growers. C. W. S.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

ALSTRCEMEEIAS AND THEIR CULTURE.

TnosE who have never grown these beautiful Lily-like flowers can
have no idea what a grand display they make in beds or borders grown
in masses, or the gi'eat value they are for cutting to furnish vases,
in which they stand longer fresh than anything else I am acquainted
with, except it be the old and well-known t'alla and Amaryllis, or a
few things of that kind, with large porous stems that take up such
quantities of water. This the Alstrcsmerias do, too, owing to the
peculiar structure of their stalks, wliich are tubular, aud up these it is
drawn by capillary attraction, so that the blooms are always well fed.
Not only are they very telling in beds and borders, but they are equally
eif'ective planted in masses near the margins of woodland walks,
wliere when once they Ijecome established they look quite naturalised,
and soon take care of themselves. Many of our herbaceous jjlants may
be used to gi-eat advantage in this way, especially such as are strong
growing, and just at this time of year when they are being overh auled
there are always plenty that want reducing, the divisions from wliich,
taken care of and planted annually as they can be spared, soon make a
show, and greatly enrich any place and add to its interest. To start with
such plants as Alstrcenierias, however, it is necessary that the ground
should be previously prepared by being broken up or trenched, and a
supplyof plants gotinpotsforturningout, orseed soivn where theyare to
stand, Alstrcenierias lieing difficult to transplant or divide, their stems
and tuberous roots penetrating deep down in the earth, and the less
they are interfered with the better. A loose sandy soil is the most
suitable for them, as, being of a somewhat tender nature, it is essen-
tial that they have a free root-run with plenty of drainage ; if
they can have this and an open, sunny spot, they gi-ow with great
vigour, and fonii magnificent masses studded so thickly with flowers
that they are quite a sight to behold. The tubers being just now on
the move, the present is the proper time to begin with them, as they
travel with safety, and have the whole season before them to get a
thorough hold ere the winter sets in. To make them perfectly safe
from frost, they should be planted 6 in. deeji, and in the autumn it
is always advisable to give the surface of the gi'ound a mulching of
rotten leaves or any decomposed vegetable matter of that kind, as,
being so thoroughly non-conducting, the crowns are then out of
harm's way. Unless sown in heat now, or in the open soil as soon as
gathered, seeds of Alstrcenierias are slow in germinating, and often lie
dormant a year, which, being the case, the pans or beds they may be
placed in should not be disturbed any more than is requisite for
keeping them clean. S. D.

Myosotis dissitiflora.— The only way to test the merits of
cuttings and seedlings in the case of this Forget-me-not is to plant
them separately for comparison. I am aware that they grow and
flower in favourable seasons tolerably well from cuttings, but not
with the luxuriance of seedling plants, which, if procurable in quan-
tity, I would always prefer to dividing old plants ; that is only re-
sorted to as a makeshift. As regards Mr. Legg's suggestion that a
supply should be struck in frames in heat, I question whether, even
if t!iat were practicable, it would be a means of rendering the plants
better able to withstand such a winter as that which we have just
passed through. We have too many tender subjects already to
attempt coddling hardy ones under glass. — J. Gkoom, Linton.

April 26, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

343

THE ANNUAL PEAS.

The Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus). — Of the many kinds of
hardy annuals wliich we now have for embellishing the outside
garden in summer, few are so universally esteemed as Sweet Peas.
The variation in the colours, from the purest white throughout
almost every conceivable shade to purplish-black, the delightful per-
fume, the facility with which they may lie gi-own, and the many
uses to which they can be applied in garden decoration, all contribute
to place them amongst the best of annuals. As a temporary screen
for shutting out uusit'htly objects, or for rapidly covering arbours or
trellis-work, or as floral fences for the protection of more tender
plants, these annual Peas are unsurpassed ; and, lastly, but not least,
they make charming plants for the wild garden associated with sur^li
companions as the Canary Creeper, the various kinds of Convolvulus
and Clematis, each striving as it were to rival each other in beauty.
Of late years several well-marked varieties have been raised, as .1

glance at any seed catalogue will show, and of these some of the best
have been illustrated in the pages of The Garden in the form of
coloured plates.

Though none of the other annual kinds of Lathyrus can surpass
the .Sweet Pea, there are several other kinds whicli make pretty
border plants. Of these the best is the Tangier Pea (L. tingitanus),
which grows about 3 ft. high, and produces small, dark red-purple
flowers in abundance. The Chickling Vetch (L. sativus) is another
pretty kind, with flowers varying from pure white to deep purple.
The variety azureus is a remarkably elegant dwarf kind, that bears
a profusion of clear blue flowers ; L. s. coloratus has flowers white,
purple, and blue ; L. Gorgoni, which grows about 2 ft. in height, is
a very desirable plant, with pale salmon-coloured flowers ; L. artieu-
latus, Clymenum, and calcaratus are other pretty kinds, that are
quite suitable for flower borders, as is also the Crimson Vetchling,
with numerous small crimson flowers and Grass-Uke foliage. This is

one of our rare native wild flowers, which grows on Grassy banks in
various jdaces.

The culture of all the foregoing is, of course, of the simplest
character ; tliey should be sown from March till June in the open
border. They will well repay liberal treatment and an open posi-
tion, which ofttimes they do not get ; and if care be taken to leave no
more pods on the plants than are necessary for seed, the flowers will
be more plentifully proiluced and the season prolonged. Sweet Peas
are also quite amenable to pot culture for greenhouse decoration, and
very pretty they are treated in that way. In order to obtain flower-
ing plants earlier than they otherwise would be they may be sown in
autumn and protected during winter, when they will flower early in
spring. \V. G.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN.
Summer Treatment of Double Primroses.— I have

been interested with what " S. D." has written (p. 328) respecting
the beauty and comparative rarity of these charming spring flowers.
It is a fact tliat, with the exxeption of the doulile white and lilac
kinds, all others are generally but little known in gardens. For this
tliere is an obvious reason. Few jilants are more ditficult to keep
alive during our hot summer months than the rich crimson, purple,
and yellow kinds, and when lost cultivators do not care to replace
them. There can be little doulit that thrips, generated by a heated,
dry atmosphere, is a great enemy to these plants, and that their cul-
tivation anywhere in the soutliern part of the kingdom is full of
dilHculty. The only kinds that are relialile are the white, lilac,
early sulphur, and tiie rose, the latter a very distinct large-flowered
sort. These Primroses are impatient of frequent removal, and should
l>e undisturbed for several years. Of the yellow kinds there are
three, the Giant Yellow, Late Yellow (these two difler chiefly in the
appearance of the foliage), and a large fomi introduced last year from
the Continent by Messrs. Veitch. The colour of the blooms in each
case is clear straw-yellow. Unless a cool, shady situation can be
found for these yellow, purple, and crimson kinds, it is useless to
plant tliem out. Stocks of them are generally obtained from Ireland
or the north of Scotland. — A. D.

It is pleasant to find The Garden recalling the memories of

lialf-forgotten flowers, and doing much to induce people to try and
bring tliem again into cultivation. Its correspondent, who writes so
truly (p. 328) of the Primrose, desers-es the thanks of those who love
the modest beauties of a time gone by. " Old-fashioned " ought not
to be a term of reproach in the garden, when loveliness and fragi'ance
are concerned ; and those who, while carefully cultivating all that is
new and ornamental, would not willingly let die the favourites of the
century's earlier days, are doing good service, and are worthy of com-
mendation. A lady, writing in the " Floricultural Cabinet," in May,
1846, enumerates the following very douljle and most distinct
varieties of Primrose as forming her collection: "Crimson, white,
purple, straw colour, rose, deep yellow, pink, buff, lilac, and red."
The conductor, Mr. Joseph Harrison, in tlie number for December,
1843, had mentioned "flesh, violet, and cojiper" coloured varieties.
Are these to be had now ? Messrs. Rodger, McClelland & Co., Newry,
whose collection contains so many rare plants, have got "yellow,
purple, crimson, lilac, blush, and rose." If any reader of The
Garden, who has got other varieties, would assist in making a com-
jilete list, a general benefit would be confen-ed upon gardens and
gardening. My own flower-beds only contain white, yellow, crimson,
purple, and lilac varieties, though some years ago several others
were to be found there. — \Vm. Joux.stux, BaUyl-ilbefj, Co. Domi.

Outdoor Primroses. — I heartily commend "J. P.'s " remarks
respecting those to the attention of all lovers of hardy flowers, and
as we have them in quantity, both double and single in every obtain
able shade of colour, I can speak with certainty as to their merits.
^Ve have used them largely for table decoration, for, as "J. P."
remarks, they are easily arranged in Lycopod or Moss, and look well
either by day or under artificial light. For people in London during
the early part of the season, a few tins filled with green Moss, in
which bunches of Primroses are placed, gamishsd with their own
foliage, form a decoration fit to set before a queen, and the double
ones make charming companion button-hole bouquets with just a
spray of some other colour. During the present inclement spring the
Primrose is nearly the only flower that has been able to brave the
wind for any length of time, and our best beds of it at present are
those partially overshadoweil by the branches of drooping Conifers
and Hollies. The shelter of these in winter and their shade in
summer form the principal item of Success in the cultivation of
these lovely flowers. At present, our double varieties are in full
bloom, and most beautiful they are ; why they are not more
generally grown is to me a mystery. — J. Groom, Linton Park, Maid-
stone.

34,4

THE GARDEN.

[April 26, 1879.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

BKUSSELS SPROUTS.
During a winter like the past, Brussels Sprouts is by far the most
useful vegetable which we possess. Thousands of Broccoli have
perished before forming a vestige of head or flower ; Cabbages and
Savoys have rotted off their stems, and those which have escaped are
" bolting ;"' but Brussels Sprouts have furnished a supply of excel-
lent food during every day in the most severe weather, and they are
now about the only green vegetable to be had in the open quarters
of the garden. On this account, therefore, I am gi-owing Brussels
Sprouts much more extensively this summer than hitherto,^ and I
would strongly recommend everybody to do the same. Whether
large or small, tlie Sprouts will be found most useful during winter
and spring ; and, let the weather be what it may, a large supply of
Sprouts may confidently be depended on ; nor need there be any fear
of their failing to come to maturity, or of their becoming useless, if
the same attention be devoted to them whicli is paid to ordinary
Cabbage. I know, iiuleed, of no vegetaljle tliat will give so much
satisfaction with so little attention. We have some liundreds of
them planted out in tlieir permanent quarters now and some thou-
sands in seed-beds. If possible, the plants should be planted where
they are to stand not later than the first or second week in May.
We have tried them early and late, and find the first week in May
to be the Viest, as when tlie Sprouts are not well formed and hard
before winter weather sots in, they do not swell so well afterwards,
nor do they keep so well. When they are fully swelled by the end
of October, they will keep as sound and liard as marbles until the
following May ; and in order to secure such a result, it is well worth
trying to get good plants up early in spring.

Our earliest plants were raised in a box in a little heat in Februarj',
dibbled into a frame on a slight hotbed in March, and, finally,
planted early in April. Our earliest seed, sown in the open border
in the first week in March, will be ready to plant in May, and the
produce will be covered from top to bottom with fine sprouts by
November. Those who have no plants to put out early in May
would find it answer their purpose to buy a few hundx'eds. Some
think that Brussels Sprouts may be grown anywhere, and they are
right. They may be gi-own well in odd corners and amongst other
dwarf-gTO'sring ;rops ; for instance, we plant many of our Potatoes
3 ft. from row to row, and plant Brussels Sprouts between them.
When the Sprouts are planted just about the same time as the Pota-
toes they soon grow up and get well out of the way before the Potato
stems have any effect on them, but our best Sprouts are gi-own 3 ft.
plant from plant all ways. Tliis distance may appear gi-eat at first,
when the plants .are small, but when they get up to about 4 ft. in
height it is not too much for them, and those planted wide always
stand better in winter than those that are close, besides yielding
finer Sprouts. Some of ours were planted only 18 in. apart last
year, and the ground was soon covered with a mass of foliage, which
caused the stems to run up long and weakly, and before the Sprouts
were thoroughly formed many of the stems were bent down and
lying Iialf tlieir lengtli on the ground. In order to secure the best
results from Brussels Sprouts this must be avoided ; they should
never be planted closer than 2 ft. each way.

A good deep soil, well manured, suits Brussels Sprouts best, and
when the soil is poor jjlenty of good manure placed close to the roots
will soon couuterbalance other deficiencies. Nearly all varieties of
the Brussels Sprout .are good when properly cultivated, but preference
might be given to Gilbert's Selected Burgliley, an excellent variety.

Cambrian.

placed in their present quarters sooner, but the house was only
emptied at the beginning of March for the Tomatoes, which were at
the same time transferred to 12-in. pots from the 5-in. ones in which
tliey had stood all the winter. I think it was at Garston Vineyard
where I once saw a large quantity of cutting plants in August tliat
were newly struck for fruiting from Christmas onwards. Cuttings
gi'ow almost as vigorously as seedlings, and are more fruitful.

Our seedling plants are now about IS in. high, and are being placed
in vacant spaces about the late Peach houses, as the temperature of
these structures gets high enough for them. Tomatoes will grow and
bear in any heat, from our outdoor simimer temperature to that of
a warm stove. In our high and cold situation, however, they never
colour out-of-doors, even in the most favourable exposures, unless the
plants be put out when the fruit is far advanced, when we find it
better to keep tliem inside. There are generally spare frames or
room in gardens during some part of the summer where such subjects
can be grown ; we have always filled our early Potato frames with
Tomatoes about this season, and to keep the fruit from coming in
contact witli tlie soil the branches are trained over a few old Pea
sticks laid on the bed, and which answer the purpose perfectly.

J. S. W.

ASPAEAGUS PLANTING.

As the season of planting Asparagus approaches, tlie insertion of
this little diagram, showing the open way of planting, may remind

TOMATOES FROM CUTTINGS.

I DO not see that either of your correspondents (pp. 296 and 309)
mentions this plan of propagating Tomatoes, whicii, under some cir-
cumstances, is a good one. Here, as we need quantities of the fruit
as long as we can conveniently have it, we propagate both by means
of seed and cuttings, and set the plants about the houses wherever
there is room for them. Spare Tomatoes can always be disposed of
more remuneratively than most other vegetables. We have to buy
large quantities of Newtown Pippin Apples and Jersey Pears while
they are in season, the cost of which is largely defrayed by means of
the money obtained for spare Tomatoes, wliich dealers buy readily
at about 6d. per lb., and it does not take many fruit to weigh that
much.

Our cutting plants were struck last November and are now about
5 ft. high and bearing freely, tliough the fruit is not ripe yet, and
could we spare the house for them I have no doubt tliey would go on
bearing till this time next year. As it is they will be allowed to bear
till about Christinas, perhaps. The plants would have had plenty of
ripe fruit upon them in February or March if they could have been

Ground Plan of .\sparagus Bed.

our readers of the advant.ages of that system. The illustrations
show, in section and plan, the open mode of planting in a shallow
trench without any special preparation of the ground, provided it be
of ordinary quality. Any good garden gi'ound, for example, would

Section of .\sparagus Bed.
not require manure the first year of planting ; a little is given over
the roots as the plants get older, the dressing being given in the
autumn and waslied dowTi by the winter rains.

Variegated Kale.— We send you examples of our Leaf upon Leaf Winter
Rainbow Kale for garnishing and for flower garden decoration during autumn,
w'inter, and sprin;,'. We have many varieties of this Kale, the colours of wliich
are very pretty.— C. Freeman & Freeman, JV^o7wic/t. [The specimens sent, pale
yellow, purple, and other colours tipped with ^een, are bright and effective,
even after such a winter as that from which we have hardly yet escaped.]

Garden Labels.— I forward to you a label which differs from any other I
have seen, .and which seems to me to have some very good points about it. 1st.
It is cheaper than any other label I know of, and the price, I should say, could be
still very considerably reduced if it were made in quantity. 2nd. It has a very
pleasant appearance in the flower border. The best part of Mr. Ellacombe's label
is reproduced in it, viz., the way in which the name of the plant is written upon
it. 3rd. It must be very durable, as the part that is made of wood does not touch
the ground. 4th. It keeps an upright position, which is more than other labels
have done with me .after the late frosts. I saw this label in a rough form in an
old-fashioned garden, and I like it so much that for the future I do not think I
shall ever use anything else— H. EWBASK. St. John's, RytU. [The label in ques-
tion consists of a nearly S(|uare, tliin, wooden head, painted first white and then
black. In writing the n.aine the hlack is pierced through so as to make the letters
look white on a black groundwork. Two galv.anised wires fixed iu the bottom
part of the head about i in. apart fonu steady and lasting supports.]

April 26, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

345

ANSWEES TO COREESPONDENTS.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

Stokesia cyanea— With me this forms plenty of flower-heads, but they
will not open. My plants are now exactly in the same state that they were when
placed in my warm t^eenhouse last OctoI>er. How should I treat them?— H.
BUKNEV. [The ill-success attending the culture of this handsome autumn-flower-
ing, hardy perennial may, without doubt, I)e attributed to being placed in a warm
greenhouse just at the commencement of the flowering season, for, like many
other hardy plants of similar constitution, it hates the stagnant, humid atmo-
sphere of glass houses, and naturally resents such treatment by not flowering.
Being a native of Carolina and the Southern States, where a bright, dry autumn
is the rule, a close imitation ot such conditions is ob\iou3ly most conducive to its
successful treatment ; therefore, in order to grow it to perfection, it should be
placed in a fully exposed and sunny position in a light, rich soil, and should receive
copious waterings during summer so as to encourage an early formation of
flower-heads, but artificial waterings should be withdrawn towards the end ut
summer. In naturally damp localities, a hand-light placed over the plants at the
flowering season will be found to he very beneficial, but it should be so arranged
that it allows free admission of air on all sides, while it protects from excessive
moisture.— \V. G.]

Cyclamens Plunged Out-of-doors in the Summer.— I should be
glad to know if Cyclamens would do well if their pots were sunk in the ground
under a north wall about the middle of May, and left there until they were
potted for blooming a^ain ; also if it weakens them or otherwise injures them
to retain some of their leaves all the year, as last year ours never completely died
down ; they were then only eighteen months old ; also if it is right to set them
in saucers of water instead of watering on the top when coming into bloom.—
L. E. [The bulbs will do ver>' well if treated as described, but the roots will be
better preserved if the plants can be placed in a frame where heavy rains can be
warded off. I have generally found that a few leaves remaining on during the
summer indicates a healthy state of the roots, such plants starting strongly.
Saucers are not neces ary for Cyclamens ; they should be watered in the usual
manner, not allowing them to remain dry.— J. C. ]

Primrose Grubs— What are the enclosed grubs which devastate my Prim-
roses? I lind thcni L'uibedded in the succulent roots, and the leaves turn brown,
and the Primrose decays ; how shall I destroy them?^J. O. [What you have seut
are apparently the grubs of Otiorhynchus sulcatus. Searching for and destroy-
ing them, and killing all the parent weevils which can be found is the most likely
way of getting rid of them.— W. W.]

Frost-bitten Roses.— Will any of your correspondents kindly give me a
little advice as to the treatment of standard Ptoses a little injured by this last
severe winter?— Euo.enk E. P. Legge. Court House, Litton Chene;/, Dorset.
(Prune back to the first eyes that show signs of sound life.— Arthur AV. Paul.]

Metal Label Ties.— "W. B."(p. 307) may take it, aa a general rule, that
all connnon metals are injurious to plants, more especially copper, which is more
easily dissolved than any other, particularly if the juices of the plant are at all
acid. To make assurance doubly sure, metal labels should be attached to plants
by well-waxed string.— C. W. QuiN.

Ants. — Of late my plants have been infested with ants. I have tried to ex-
terminate them by placing pieces of camphor in their runs and a weak solution
of paratfin oil. but without success,— T. M. M. [Try the effect of sprinkling fresli
guano ou the places which they most fre'iuent]

Camellia Sports.— Allow me to infonn "J. B." that I have a cherry-rose
self-colnured sport of Lavinia Maggi Camellia. I did not notice it before tliis
yrfW.— -I. Maktin. Cork.

Names of Plants.— iJ. Gill.— A veiy bold and richly-coloured Rhododen-
dron. We should advise your sending it to some of the Sun-ey growers and
having it tried further north than yourewn district. A. L.— Some Epidendrum,
but what species the specimen sent does not enable us to say. J. i/.— Cerinthe
aspera. J. IK.- We do not recognise the leaves alone ; send us fresh specimens
when in fiower. .4. 5.— 1, Saxifraga crassifolia; 2, Double Primrose (Primula
acaulis); 3, Polyanthus variety (t'rimula elatior) ; 4, Anemone apeuuina; 5,
Chrysanthemum coronarium ; 6,Photiaiaaerratifolia. O.—l, Narcissus pap3Taceus.
var. near dubius ; 2, Narcissus nioschatus ; 3, too much decayed to determine
rightly, but either moschatus or cernuus ; 4, N. pseudo-narcissus var. ; the scrap
of Sedum-like plant is Rhodiola rosea. 11. 3/.— Star of Bethlehem (Ornitho-
galum arabicum. .1/zon.— We do not recognise any of the leaves of tropical
plants sent, and we doubt whether any botanist would like to be responsible for
naming plants from leaves only. J. H. F.—\, Selaginella stolonifera ; 2, Mer-
tensi ; 3, Cfesia ; 4, Wildenovi.

Names of Fruits. — r. m. iJ.- Ne Plus Meuris.

Prickly ComfY-ey.- Messrs. Carter l^ Co., High Holbom, will furnish you
with plants of this, but probably not seed ; they may be planted now.

Questions.

Cyclamen Sports— Amongst seedlings of Cyclamen persicum I have one
plant with seven large, finely-shaped blooms. The first that opened is a beautiful
pink with a dark crimson eye ; the other six are all pure white, without the least
trace of colour about them. That they all spring from one bull) is certain, as the
bulb is slightly above the soil in the pot and can lie distinctly seen. Is this im-
usual? It is considered hereto be quite a curiosity.— H. Harris, Denne Park.

Bean Disease in the Ionian Islands.— Having recently taken a farm
here, my first crop of Broad Beans has shown a disease called here the wolf ; a
miniature tuberous excrescence forms on the root of the Bean stock (when aliout
flowering), giving out sprouts as thick as my forefinger, and making a flowtT-head
like a Hyacinth. It takes all suction from the Bean stock, which gradually turns
black and dies. Can auy of your readers suggest a remedy ?— Eked. C. Bro\V"N,
Corfu.

Seedling Cinerarias.— Having this season some very fine Cinerarias, I send
half-a-dozen blooms. I raise them from seed, and have about ten dozen, all equal
to those sent, at present in the conservatory ; their head.s measure from IS in. to
24 in. across.— A. Kevan, Highjield, Middlesborouyh-oji-Tecs. [The blooms sent
were large, bright in colour, and good both as regards substance and form. ]

Rhododendron Blooms on Old Buds— In lifting Rhododendrons for
forcing lately we found <ine with good plump flower buds, surrounded by the
seed-pods from last year's flowers. I do not rememl^er having observed the same
thing before, but possibly some of your correspomlents may have done so. Some
plants, such as Phaljenopsis amabilis will flower several times from the same
spike, and Hoya camosa from the old flower-stalk, but I was not before aware of
Rhododendrons having the same propensity.— J. Groom.

EOYAL HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY.
April 22.

Thk Conservatory at South Kensington helil hundreds of beautiful
plants on Tuesday last ; but, perhaps, the greatest interest was con-
centrated in the show of Auriculas. These were superb in tlieir way,
and the Roses of Cheshunt and Waltham Cross were certainly of the
loveliest ever seen at this season of the year. One bloom of the
Hybrid Perpetual Madame Liabaud, too, in the choice group sent
from the Veitchian collection was deser\'edly noticed as containing
most of those qualities which go to make up perfection in that most
perfect of all flowers, tlie Rose. Hebe might have selected so perfect
a chalice, while the colour, nearly wliite with the most delicate sug-
gestion of flesh in the centre, the fairest of Rose and Lily tints, was
combined with a dehcious rich .and satisfying perfume. Amongst
garden plants of tropical origin were many lovely Orchids, Palms,
and Ferns — the loveliest of rosy Odontoglossums, with large flowers
of satin like lustre, a citron-scented Cattleya, with flowers as bright
in colours as those of golden Daffodils (C. citrina), and, perhaps, the
smallest plant of one of the finest of all Orchids, Lfelia purpurata,
ever seen, the segments of snowy whiteness, while the lip in itself
h.ad nmcli of the colour .and beauty of the aniethyst and ruby com-
bined. A new Lilac, with the largest and whitest of flowers from
Lord Londesborough's garden, vied in purity with the long
petalled blossoms of a Pancratium-like plant from tlie time-honoured
gardens at Siou House, which, under the name of Hymenocallis
macrostepliana, deserves the attention of .all lovers of fair flowers.
The assertion that ding^- colours and gTateful fragrance are often
combined in flowers is especially true of an Australian shrub of
especially gi-aceful and floriferous habit of gi-o%vth, Boronia mega-
stigma, the colours of which are dark Ijrown and dingy yellow, the
perfume so distinct and pleasing that no conservatory should be
witliout such a sweetly modest ornament. "The Roiiring Moon of
Dattbdils " lias long passed this .spring, and April showers, albeit
rather cold and ungenial ones, liave attended the blooming of these
old - f.ashioned favourites. Of varieties new .and old, at least
fifty were exhibited, their tints of soft yellow — sulphur, primrose,
or orange — and white being most pleasingly represented together
with considerable variations in form. Amongst the most noticeable
was the large sulphur-coloured variety of tlie Hooped Petticoat Bul-
bocodium, whicli, in sweet co-partnery with the blue Lithospermum
prostratum, crops up here .and there in little colonies on the Western
Pyrenees, especially near the lighthouse of Biarritz. The seedling
Narcissi of the last few years are especially remarkable for their
variety in fonn, colour, and stature, and are welcome to all those
fond of outdoor flowers ; and the same may be said of the numerous
forms of hardy Primrose and Polyanthus, both new and old, which
graced the show. The snow-white flowers of Magaiolia stellata,
several floriferous examples of which were sent from tlie Veitchian
establishment, were much admired, and its beauty and fragi-ance at
this season, albeit unattended liy foliage of its own, will render it a
welcome addition to the ranks of half-hardy shiiibs, and if fresh
greenery be required for contrast witli its star-like petals, then the
new and beautiful Adiantuin Williamsi, or the laciniiite form of
A. Farleyense, shoivn by Mr. Sniitli, of Worcester, under the name
of A. alcicome, are both charming Ferns for such a purpose, or some
of the pendent, crested foniis of Pteris serrulata, of which one
ch.arming variety was exhibited, may be employed, together with
Palms and Cycads for associating with this Magnolia and other leaf-
less spring flowers. The gi-oups of decorative jilants, comprising
Orchids, Ferns, Pialms, and forced flowers from tlie leading nurserymen
were much admired. Amongst plants curious as well as beau-
tiful, or otherwise interesting, may be named the gi-acefuUy drooping
flowered Hibiscus scliizopet.-ilon, introduced by Messrs. Veitch, the
petals of which are recurved into an elegant cup-like shape, and are
cut into segments almost as delicate as those of a filmy Fern, the long
anther-fringed style adding to the other attractions of the flower.
Tlie North American Pitcher plants, or San-acenias, were well
represented by plants of San-acenia Drummondi and its white
variety, all in the most vigorous health, their long trainpet-like
pitchers being in some cases nearly 2 ft. in height, most gTacefuUy
modelled, and in some cases richly coloured. A little tuft of Venus'
Flytrap (Dion;ea muscipula) bore tall scajies, terminated by rather
large and showy Primrose-like flowers of pure white ; and the Mantis-
like orNautch Girl-like Mantisia saltatoria, brouglit by Mr.Green from
.Sir G. Macleay's garden, gained mucli attention from those interested
in botanical curiosities. One of the most striking plants, how-
ever, in the wliole exhibition was the specimen of the Gi,ant Viper's
Bugloss (Echium Decaisneanum), or E. fastuosum, also from Sir G.
Macleay, the stout stems of which were clothed with stout,

846

THE GARDEN,

[April 26, 1870.

lanceolate glaucous leaves, and terminated by dark-blue flowers,
arranged in dense spikes of nearly 1 ft. in length. Of this fine
species a characteristic coloured plate was given in The Garke.v
(Vol. X., p. .546). Mr. Green informs us that the plant as exhibited
was raised from seed two years ago, and wintered in a greenhouse.
Tlie plants are also said to enjoy the hottest of sunny positions out-of-
doors during the summer months, so as to thoroughly ripen their wood
for flowering. Among the plants lionoured with first-class certifi-
cates on this occasion were Gloxinia Mrs. Bause, a large and showy
white fiowei-ed kind, liaving a ring of rosy crimson around tlie throat
of the corolla, and the White Lilac (Syringa albo-grandiflora) pre-
viously alluded to. Tlie sliow w.as conveniently and tastefully
arranged, and the Azaleas and other decorative plants from the
Society's garden, as usual, excellent.

NATIONAL AURICULA SOCIETY.
April 22.

Tub southern section of this Society was held, on this occasion, in
connection with the Fruit and Floral Committee Meeting of tlie
Royal Horticultural Society, at South Kensington. Tliere were
exliibitors from as far north as Yorkshire, but tlie season has been
most unpropitious, and the flowers have been rather unduly forced to
get them in llower at tlie date recjuired. Tlie competition for twelve
show varieties was restricted to four exhibitors, the first position
being taken l:)y the Rev. F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard ; Mr. Horner
also gained the highest prizes in many of the other classes.
!Mr. Couglas, gardener to Francis Whitbourn, Esq., gained the
highest award in the class for fifty plants, including Alpines,
although exhibitors will not include Alpines in such a class if they
can help it. Mr. Douglas also exhibited the best Polyanthuses of the
gold-laced section, the best border Polyanthuses being sent by
Mr. R. Dean, Ealing. Alpine Auriculas were very pretty indeed,
and much more hardy than the show flowers ; tliey 'will stand out
well in the open borders during tlie severest winters. The best
were sent by Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough ; two of his new ones,
Duchess of Connaught and A. F. Barron, received first-class certifi-
cates ; they were both of a very refined character, and the edges
were beautifully shaded, one of tlie first properties of an Alpine.
The Rev. F. D. Horner exhibited some very choice seedlings, notably
a dark self named Ringdove, in which the paste is dense, pure white,
and quite circular ; Grey Friar, a large grey-edged flower, sent by
J.T.D. Llewellyn, Esq., Ynisygerwn, Neath, also received the Society's
highest award. It is noteworthy that, notwithstanding the gi-eat
ertorts being made at present to raise seedlings, the old flowers sent
out nearly fifty years ago are still superior to any of them. George
Lightbody, Headly, received the prize ofl^ered for the best Auricula
in the exliibition, certainly a very old flower raised by the late veteran
grower of Stapleford. The following were the best flowers exhibited
in the ditt'erent classes ; viz.. Show Auriculas, gi-eeii edges. Freedom,
Booth ; Colonel Taylor, Lee ; Admiral Napier, Campbell ; Prince of
Greens, Trail ; Champion, Page ; Lovely Ann, Oliver. Grey edges-
George Lightbody, Headly; Lancashire Hero, Lancashire : Complete,
Sykes ; Alexander Meiklejolin, Ray ; Charles E. Brown, Headly ;
Colonel Champney, Turner. White edges comprised— John Simonite,
Walker ; Smiling Beauty, Heap ; Glory, Taylor ; Earl Grosvenor,
Lee ; Ann Smith, Smith ; Catherina, Summerscales. Selfs com-
prised as the best— Pizarro, Campbell ; Topsy, Ray ; Lord Lome,
Campbell ; Charles J. Perry, Turner ; Metropolitan, Spalding ;
Ehza, Sims. A few of the best Alpines exhibiteil were Beatrice,
Turner ; Susie ALatthews, Turner ; Mrs. Ball, Turner ; Unique,
"Turner ; Sensation, Turner ; Mrs. Meiklejolin, Meiklejohn ; Diadem,
Gorton ; Florence, Douglas. The best Poly.anthuses were— George
the Fourth, Exile, Rev. F. D. Horner, Beauty of England, Cheshire
Favourite, Lancer, and William the Fourth. Supplementary to the
Auriculas and Polyanthuses were the usual goodly display of Roses
in pots; and also in a cut state Orchids, cfec, tlie whole making a
very good exliibition.

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY.
April 23.

A VERY effective display of spring flowers formed the leading feature
at this meeting, comprising weU-st.aged collections of Auriculas,
Cinerarias, Roses, Cyclamens, Amaryllis, Azaleas, &c., amongst
which were numerous examples of high class cultivation.

Botanical Certificates were awarded to the following : —

Odontoglossum odoratum (Veitch & Son).— A new species,
much in the way of O. gloriosum, but with small blossoms, which
exhale a delicious odour.

O. Ruoksrianum (Veitch & Son).— A beautiful kind, similar
to O. Alexandra'.

Dendrobium nobile atro-purpureum (Bull). — A new-
variety, with larger and more ricli';r-coloured blossoms than the
original.

Phaius Blumei (Bull).— A spesies with large flowers, the
sepals of which are bu3' and the lip white.

Sarcochilus Fitzgaraldi (Veitch & Son).— A dwarf, neat
growing si^ccies, with an Aerides-like habit and rather small flowers>
wliite speckled with purplish-violet and yellow centre.

Oncidium Kienastianum (Veitch & Son). — A new, but not

a very ornamental species, similar to 0. crispum.

Phalsenopsis Pariahi (Veitch & Son). — A curious little
novelty, with small blossoms, creamy-white tipped with dull purple.

Kentia MacArthuri (Veitch & Son). — An elegant new Palm,
with gracefully-arching foliage.

Geonoma COncinna (Bull). — A distinct new Palm, of elegant
growth.

Kentia "Wendlandiana (Bull). — A new species, with pinnate

foliage and good habit.

Catakedozamia Hopei (Williams). — An interesting new
Cycad, with elegant pinnate leaves of leathery texture.

Goleus Surprise (Bull). — A pretty variety, with green leaves,
mottled with creamy-white.

C. Distinction (Bull). — Another ornamental kind, with foliage
of a vinous-metallic hue, forming a striking contrast to the last.

Amaryllis Hercules (Little). — Flowers of good form of a

fiery scarlet colour.

Auricula Grey Friar (Llewellyn).

A. Unique (Turner).

A. Susie Matthews (Turner).

A. Duchess of Connaught (Turner).

Tulipa Greigi. — This handsome Tulip was shown in a rather
poor condition, which failed to exhibit its high-class merit (see The
G.4RDEX, plate LXIIL).

Primula platypatala flore-plena (Paul and Son).— A

charming double Primrose, with flowers of a rich deep purple.

Floricultural Certificates were awarded to —

Azalea Marvel (Bull). — An excellent novelty, very floriferous,
though the blossoms are somewhat small, with a tendency to become
double. The colour is a rich purplish-rose tint.

A. balsamiflora (Bull). — Another fine variety of re.al merit,
with perfectly double flowers of a rich salmon colour.

A. "William Carmichael (Williams). — A kind with rather small
flowers of brilliant colour.

Stove and Greenhouse Plants.— The first prize was

awarded to Mr. (4. Wheeler, gardener to Lady Louisa Goldsmid,
Regent's Park, the only exliibitor in the class who staged fair-sized
and well-flowered specimens. Six greenhouse Azaleas came from
Mr. A. Ratty, gardener to R. Thornton, Esq., the Hoo, Sydenham ;
a good but inferior half-dozen to the last came from Mr. James, gar-
dener to W. F. Watson, Esq., Isleworth ; Mr. Charles Turner also
staged excellent medium-sized plants. The class for nine Cinerarias
was well contested, and excellent examples of good cultivation were
shown by Mr. James, Mr. J. Wiggins, gardener to H. Little, Esq.,
Uxbridge, and Mr. G. Brightwen, gardener to Lady Clare, Great
Stanmore. Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn, also exhibited
numerous examples of a brilliant strain, remarkable for ricli variety
in colour and form. Mr. Wiggins showed Amarj-llises, the finest
being Hercules, Hereward, and Morning Star ; Mr. B. S. Williams
also showed in this class. Auriculas were shown in excellent condi-
tion ; Mr. C. Turner took the first prize for twelve ; '2nd, Mr.
Llewellyn, whose certificateil variety. Grey Friar, was very beautiful j
Mr. James also exhibited in this class.

The Miscellaneous Class for extra prizes was very numerous,
including a good display of rare and new plants from Mr. Bull,
several of wdiicli obtained certificates. Messrs. Veitch & Son also
staged a fine bank consisting chiefly of Orcliids, the majority of which
were new and certificated ; a very fine lot of Orchids were shown
also by Mr. Heinis, gardener to F. A. Philbrick, Esij., Regent's Park.
An excellent group of fine-foliaged plants and Orchids also came from
Mr. B. S. Williann. Messrs. Paul & Son, of Cheshunt, made an
excellent display with well-bloomed Roses in pots, which were much
admired, as were also some cut blooms sho^^•n by the same exhibitors.
Pelargoniums, Cyclamens, and Hyacinths were also shown in good
condition, and greatly added to the attractiveness of the meeting.

THE GARDEN.

347

No; £89 J

SATTJEDAY, MAY 3, 1879.

Vol. XV.

"This is an art

■Which does mend Nature : ehanfre it rather : biit
The Art itself is Mature."— Shakespeare.

SITUATIONS FOR SPRING FLOWERS.

EvERTOXE who has a garden wishes to see it brightened up early in
the year with flowering plants. The advent of the Snowdrop is
hailed with delight, iind as the season advances tlie Daffodil, the
Crocus, and the Primrose receive eiichintheir turn a hearty welcome.
Spring flowers come as old friends, and, unlike many kinds of plants
with which we adorn our parteiTCs in summer, they remain with us
the whole year through : and if we cherish them they reward our
care by an annual renewal of their pretty flowers. Most of us may
have at some time or other Nnsited one of those old-fashioned gardens,
now, unhappily, becoming more and more rare, in which dense
masses of Daft'odils, Anemones, Tulips, and glorious bunches of
brightly-coloured Primroses and Polyanthuses were to be found
growing in wild luxuriance. How finely they grow and bloom under
the shelter of old fruit trees, and we may be told that this patch
of Narcissi has all sprung from a single bull) planted years ago, and
that that mass of Violets or gi-oup of Primrcses has .annually flowered
in that same place for a long period. Loving these bright heralds of
sjiring as we do, and .anxious as we are to have them .amongst us, is it
not strange that we do not, as a rule, make better provision for them ?
Their requirements are smaU, but they are gi-ateful for even a little
care. When placed in hot, dry situations, they cannot exist any
number of years in good condition. Where, for inst.ance, do we find
the Primrose gi'owing n.aturally ? in sheltered, semi-shady nooks, in
woods, in the hedgerows, in well-drained but fairly moist soil. If
we wish to make this charming race of plants feel .at home witli us,
we must accord them these conditions. We must take the old-
fashioned garden for our model, and we sh.all doulitless find that
there are some spots in our gardens, modernised as they may be to
suit the present fashionable style of gardening, which -will pretty
well reproduce the conditions in wliioli we know that these spring
flowers gi'ow so well, live so long, .and flower so fi-eely. We have
no need to go farther than the so-called shrubbery to find suitable
situ.ations for most of our spring flowering plants. When shnibberies
are planted, they might be so arranged .as to secure plenty of verdure,
and <at the s.anie time cosy little slieltered nooks might lie created,
where the Primrose, tlie Snowdrop, the C'ycl.amen and many more
of our little floral gems might nestle undisturbed by the spade or
other garden implement, and where with but little care they would
yearly increase in size and blooming capacity. Shnibberies thus
an-anged would be a source of much interest ; the Laburnum, tlie
Lilac, the Laurel, and even Conifers might be m.ade to shelter Violets,
Primroses, and simikar plants, which would be most grateful for
their friendly protection.

Spring flowers, to give satisfaction, should be planted where the
soil around them is but Utile disturbed : they should be seen in
masses. A single Snowdrop or Narcissus gives no idea of the real
beauty of either of these plants ; it is only when thoroughly esta-
blished and growing and flowering with native vigour that a just
conception of their merits can be formed. In m.any establisliments
the whole of the flower beds are devoted to summer bedding ; it is,
therefore, useless to attei^pt the permanent culture of spring flowers
in them. They must either be removed at a considerable amount of
labour to suitable summer quarters, or they become stifled and dried
up amongst other plants. In large establishments there are always
situations ad.apted for a wild garden, where every condition necessary
for successful plant growth may be realised, but many gardens do
not possess sufficient scope for this purpose, .and then shrubbery bor-
ders will be found to be serviceable. A too prevalent custom in
this country consists in fonning continuous lines of trees and shrubs,
which are often so arranged as to present a very uniform, and often-
times where large quantities of common Laurels .and Rhododendrons
are planted, an almost unbroken surface. These compact masses of
trees and shrubs are scarcely more attractive or oflfer gi-eater variety
th.an a closely-clipped evergi-eeu hedge would aflbrd. If, instead of
this close, formal arrangement, the outline were broken up here and
there, forming Uttle recesses, andcarryinguptheturf .at intervals some-
what irregidarly between and amongst the shrubs, which would, in
any case, be preferable to the fomial Grass edgings so often seen,
some of tlie prettiest effects of spring gardening might be carried out.
In tlie little recesses and sheltered spots thus formed, the shade, the
shelter, the undisturbed repose, which are indispensable to the well-
being of so many of our low-growing, flowering plants, might easily

be accorded them. There, too, every aspect would be olitainable
and each individual species and variety would get the position most
suitable for it.

How often do we hear the complaint made that so many of ou
beautiful varieties of Primroses fail to thrive. There is really no-
reason wliy, in our clim.ate, they should not succeed ; they only need
to be placed in natural situations, .and they would undoubtedly
flourish and yearly increase in vigour. Illustrations h.ave been given
in The C4arden at various times of groups of Cyclamens, Snow-
drops, Hepiiticas, &c., in which the results of the judicious selection
of natural situations were admirably portr.ayed. Not only when thus
placed do they thrive better, but the arrangement gratifies the eye.
One sees at a glance that the surroundings are in accord.ancc with
Nature's teachiugs. We can never err by endeavouring to introduce
variety into our gardens, and it is surprising how much may be
accomplished, even in sm.all places, to vary their aspect. In the
distribution of spring-flowering plants much may be done in this
way. There might, for inst.ance, be one nook devoted to the various
kinds of Narcissus, in another we could est.ablish Snowdrops and
Crocuses, another recess miglit contain a collection of Primroses, .and
so on, .and during the summer we would have the satisfaction of
knowing that they would never be in any way molested, and in the
early days of spring we could, as in old-f.asliioned gardens, wander
from spot tosjMt and welcome our old friends as they appeared.

.J. CORNHILL.

Early Violas.— Tlie h.ardy bedding P.ansies which have of
recent years been produced— the result of crossing Viola comuta and
lutea— have proved to be amongst the most satisfaetoiy of spring
bedding or border pl.ants. Those that have stood all the winter in
the open ground are now fast becoming fine clumps of bloom, and
those witli mixed Polyanthuses and p.atches of Aubrietias arc the
most effective of liardy garden plants this spring. Some kinds of
these bedding Violas still hold tlieir position .as the best of their
respective colours, a few others have had to give place to improved
kinds, but new sorts have been sparse of late, as it is diftieult to
improve where there is so Httle room for improvement. Of white
kinds, the purest and earliest is now a sort named Profusion, sent
out from Edinburgh, but of summer-blooming kinds the best is
Vestal, a southern production ; these two txcer.all others for bed-
ding purposes, and wliere tliey .are grown none others are needed.
Of yellow kinds, the very earliest, and therefore the most useful rn
the spring g.arden, is Vellow Boy ; it is dwarf, bright in colour, and
remarkably free. Bedfont Yellow is another good early v.ariety, and
for summer use the best are the old Cliveden Yellow and the paler
yellow. Crown Jewel. Blue shades of colour are more abundant.
Of these the best are Blue Beauty, a deeply coloured kind ; Blue
King, royal blue, a charming, delicate, marine blue ; tlie Tory, a
deep purplish-blue ; Blue Beard, a very rich indigo-blue, dwarf, free,
and continuous as regards flowering ; and Improved Blue Rjll, a
most floriferous kind. In the purple section, the old Cliveden
Purple is still one of the best for spring, although none of this colour
are very early ; Jlulben-y is the handsomest for summer use. Of
other kinds, lilacina and rulira lilacina are charming m.auve kimls :
H.arlequin is a pretty tricolor flaked variety ; and Peach Blossom is a
good reddish-liLac. — A. 1).

Shaded Self Polyanthuses.— A r.ace of hardy Polyanthuses
is springini' up that will, it is lioped, possess many of the beauties
of the shaded Auricula. The flowers are of medium size, good in
form, flat, and have a distinct lemon centre, margined by a dark
shaded colour; they seem almost duplicates of the shaded Auricula.
Phants belonging to this strain differ in all respects from those tliat
are gold-laced, as far as the flowers .are concerned, but they resemble
them in habit, flowering about the same time. They differ, how-
ever, entii-ely from the fancy or border section, amongst which are
some useful sorts, such as wliite, yellow, red, purple and crimson selfs,
and many flowers with varied hues and markings. In the introduction
of new strains of flowers of this description, a special impetus must
of necessity be given to the cultivation of the Polyanthus, both for
ordinai-y garden purposes and also for exhibition. Many consider
that the very refined gold-laced flowers lack variety ; the best kinds,
also, .are difficult to cultivate, and seedlings from them .are seldom
good, whereas good fancy or shaded strains will inv.ariably reproduce
some as good as the parent, and a few, perhaps, better. — A. D.

Sweet Williams after the Prost.—The winter, severe as
it undoubtedly has been, has left these quite uninjured ; their foliage
IS fresh and go-een, .and the plants vigorous, showing no evidence of
damp or decay. This fact is worthy of being noted, when Stocks,
Wallflowers, Antirrhinums, Pentstemons, and other biennials have
been killed wholesale. Those who may desire to secure a good
display of Sweet Williams next year should at once procure seed
and sow it, as it is well to have the plants strong and capable of

348

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 3, 1879.

producing several heads of flowers at blooming time. .Such plants
will be secured if seeds be sown at once. Tlie strains known as
Hunt's anil the Auricula-eyed are botli good, and produce huge
heads of (lower, wliilst their markings arc varied and beautiful.
The finest ellect is obtained when tliey are grown in masses, as the
flower-stems not only serve to support one another, thus obviating
tying, but also show off the beauties of the bloom to bettor advantage.
The Sweet William is at its best about midsummer, and continues
in bloom all the month of .June. — A. D.

Violet Culture at Laxenburg.— We have Violets in flower
here from November until March. In order to have good established
plants before autumn sets in we plant out in May in a bed composed
of rather sandy, rich garden soil. The plants used consist either of
cuttings, which have beeu struck in spring, or one-year-old plants
jvliich have been kept in pots to flower throughout the winter. After
planting out care is taken to keep the soil well stirred, and to peg
down any runners that are formed during summer. Occasionally a
top-dressing of leaf-mould is given to encourage a strong free groM'th.
At one time we used to shade our plants during the hottest summer
months with lattice work, but now we have done aM'ay with that,
and sow broadcast amongst the plants some seed of tlie common Dill
(Anethuni graveolens). When up tliese are thinned, leaving just
sufficient to give a slight shade to the Violets. Thus fortified, our
beds are exposed to full sunshine, and the plants are undisturbed
until they have done flowering, but in November when the blooms
begin to appear frames are put over them to keejj them from frost.
Well-established jilants flower, as I have said, continuously from
November until March, but a great deal, nevertheless, depends on
the weather. During a few hours of sunshine flowers increase
rapidly, both in size and numbers. Our plants are only allowed to
flower one year ; after that they are removed, the best runners are
selected tor cuttings and put in at once, four in a pot ; they are then
kept cool and shaded in a frame until they strike root. Generally
half of the cuttings thus struck are planteil out the same year in
May ; the other half are sliifted into larger pots, in which they are
wintered. Crenerally speaking, however, one set of plants is about
as good as the other by the autumn. The Czar is the only variety
which we grow. — Louis Kropatsch.

Spring Flowers in Yorkshire.— After so severe a winter

as that just experienced, it is most interesting to me to read what is
in bloom early in April in open borders ; therefore, on the take and
give principle, allow me to tell others that I have the following in
bloom here to-day (April 10), viz. : Anemone neraorosa fl.-pl., San-
guinaria canadensis, Pulraonaria officinalis, Scilla taurica, S. bifolia,
S. sibirica, various kinds of Hepaticas (incbiding angidosa and the
double blue), the Marguerite Daisy (cold frame). Primula denticulata,
P. pulchen'ima, Sisyrinchium gi-andiflorum. Hyacinths, double and
single Primroses (florists' kinds), Omphalodes verna, Androsace
carnea. Iris reticulata. Auriculas (Alpine and florists' kinds), Vincas,
Draba azoides, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Daphne Cneorum,
Erica carnea, Auricula alpina marginata. Jessamine (double yellow and
J. nudiflorum). Hellebores, Saxifraga Burseriana, and, besides these,
I scarcely need name the various kinds of Crocuses, Narcissi, Arabis,
Aubrietia, Pansy, Tussilago, Polyanthus, Violets, Daisies, and last,
but far from least. Wallflowers. — J. Wood, Woodville, Kirhstall.

Crown Imperials. — What noble spring-flowering bulbous
plants these are ! I have groups of them in the borders in front of
my house .3 ft. high, each stem carrying whorls of beautiful large
drooping flowers surmounted by a crown of lance-shaped leaves,
which seem to add to the efi'eetiveness of the flowers. Many of the
.stems bear six flowers in the whorl, tlius showing their strength, as
weakly bulbs liave only five or, in some eases, only four. Like most
spring flowers, they are later in blooming this year than usual. In
mild seasons they often flower in March. All the Fritillarias are
beautiful, and very easily cultivated. Like most of the Liliaceous
plants, they flower best when not often disturbed, or if taken up,
they should not remain long out of the ground. They are not parti-
cular as to soil, but a light deep loam suits them best. What manure
is used should be well decomposed. — E. Hobday.

Myosotis dissitiflora. — Allow me to inform Mr. Legge
(p. 318) that in reality this plant is best treated as a biennial ; the
seeds should be sown one year to produce flowers the next. Of equal
quantities of plants raised from seed and from cuttings, all of the
former will live, whilst perchance one half of the latter will die
during the winter. It is because of this inevitable fatality that
failures so often result to old or propagated plants. If it be desired
to propagate by means of cuttings, pull away every available shoot
in September, and dibble them out thickly in a piece of ground ;
each one will make a well-rooted plant in a few weeks. — A. D.

The difticulties under which your various correspondents

appear to labour in gi'owing this most useful Forget-me-not are
to me inexplicable, for with me it thrives without the slightest

trouble. Al)Out five years since I purchased a dozen plants of it for
a border, and ever since I have had an abundant supply of self-
sown plants of it, besides yearly giving large quantities of it to my
frionils. With me it is perfectly hardy, and after the severe winter
wliicli we have had, the young plants are, if possible, more healthy
than usual. I have some single plants of it quite 6 in. across both
ways. The border in which they have all along been is in front of a
Iiouse facing the soutli, and they are exposed to the full blaze of the
sun in summer and to the east winds in spring. — F. J. Alexander,
Fenilee, Gnmierxhuri/.

Cliveden Blue Pansy. — Amongst the few spring flowers that

have maintained tlieir usual character for early flowering must be
mentioned this beautiful blue Pansy. We have many large vases
edged with it, and the fine effect which it produces is heightened, as
it were, by the dreary weather and general backwardness, or rather
absence, of spring flowers, which prevails this season. This variety,
so lovely in sjiring, loses its colour under bright summer sunshine
and becomes a pale grey, but for spring gardening it is still unrivalled.
— J. Groom, Linton Park, Maidstone.

Fuchsias. — Everything possible must now be done to get spring-
struck Fuchsias large in size. A little shade should be given them
when the sun is bright to encourage growth and sufficient pot room,
syringing freely overhead every day, picking off the flowers and
stopping the principal shoots, so as to furnish plenty of branches. —

T. BAINE.S.

LAWNS, CROQUET AND CRICKET GROUNDS.

Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading, have published, in the form
of a circular, the following hints on the laying down and improve-
ment of lawns, &c. ; A good close velvety turf is one of the most
ornamental objects a garden can boast of, and oftentimes the most
difficult to obtain. In the fir.st place, careful preparation of the
ground proposed to be laid down to turf is necessary. This should
be commenced in the winter by draining, if found requisite, and
digging to the depth of 6 in. to 1'2 in., according to the nature of the
soil. The land should then be levelled and made firm witli a heavy
iron roller, and subsequently raked, to remove stones, &o. Where
the natural soil is too stony, a supply of good mould should be spread
over it, to the depth of 2 in. or 3 in. If the land is poor, some well-
rotted stable-manure will be very beneficial ; but where this cannot
be obtained the best dressing of artificial manure is 2 cwt. of super-
phosphate, 2 cwt. of Peruvian guano, and 2 cwt. of dissolved bones,
mixed, per acre. In March, after the ground has been made
thoroughly fine and clean, a heavy iron roller should again be used to
make it perfectly level, and as the subsequent appearance of the
lawn depends in a gi'eat measure on this part of the preparation, we
cannot too strongly urge the importance of its being well done. The
ground should then be evenly raked, the seed sown, at the rate of
3 bushels per acre, and the gi'ound lightly covered with fine mould.
April and September are the best months for sowing. After this has
been accomjjlished, the gi'ound should be again rolled, and as soon as
the young plants have att.ained the height or 2 in. or 3 in., the whole
plot should be carefully gone over with a sharp scythe, and from the
months of April to October should be mown every ten days.
Frequent mowing and rolling are indisjjensable to maintain the turf
in good order. A close green sward will thus be obtained in nearly
as short a time as a lawn produced by turves, while it will be far
more permanent, and at much less expense. Ransome's mowing
machines are excellent after a comparatively close turf is established ;
but for the first six months after sowing, we recommend the scythe
to be used in preference to the machine. It wall sometimes happen
that annual weeds indigenous to the soil come up ; these can easily
be checked, if not destroyed, by mowing them off as soon as they
make their appearance. Plantain, Dandelions, and Daisies, too, will
often appear, and these must be cut up each one singly about an inch
below the surface (not deeper), and about a tea-spoonful of salt
dropjied over the cut part. Birds are very fond of Grass seeds, and
care should be taken to keeji them off until the seeds are well up.
It often happens that lawns subject to constant use become thin as
the autumn approaches. To improve them is easy and inexpensive.
In September or March lightly rake the turf, sow some of our fine
Grasses and Clovers, at the rate of 20 lb. per acre, apply a thin
dressing of mould mixed with some well-rotted manure, or dissolved
bones, and well roll afterwards. Moss in lawns is generally a sign
of poorness in the soil, or a want of drainage. To eff'ect its removal,
rake off as much Moss as possible, apply a top-dressing of quick-lime
mixed with rich compost in the winter, and sow more seed in the
spring ; or a top-dressing of soot will, by encouraging the growth of
Grass, destroy the Moss. This should be applied in the spring, at
the rate of about 16 bushels per acre. Croquet or cricket grounds,
where the turf has become bare through constant use, may be quickly
improved and made ready for the next season's use, by sowing seeds

May 3, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

349

thickly on the bare places during September or March, according to
the instructions given above. Whether the turf is bare or not, it
will be found generally beneficial to apply during the winter a slight
dressing of either well-rotted stable manure, or the mixture of arti-
ficial manure before mentioned, at the rate of 2cwt. per acre, which
will gi-eatly encourage the growtli of finer kinds of Grasses, and help
to produce a close-growing turf. We should not omit to mention
Iiere, as in fine garden lawns, that mowing alone will not insure a
good bottom, witliout that compression which a roller alone can
give.

PEIMULA GEANDIS.

A VERY distinct Primrose ; native of the Western Caucasus, at an
elevation of 0000 ft. to 9J00 ft. It was described some years ago by
Trautvetter from an imperfect dried specimen preserved in the Peters-
burg Herbarium. Boissier has taken it up in his " Flora Orientalis,"
with the remark " .Species pulchra ulterius inquirenda angaistie la-
ciniarum corolla; insignis." It now appears to liave been introduced
into Russian gardens, andafigureof it was recently jrabUshed in Kegel's

ri-imula grandis.

"Gartenflora." This Primrose is remarkable for the narrow, erect
lobes of its rosy corolla. The accompanying engraving was pre-
pared from the figure in the "Gartenflora," from which some par-
ticulars respecting tlie plant may be extracted on a future occasion.
There are no dried specimens of it at Kew. W. B. He.m.si.ey.

DOUBLE-FLOWERED DAFFODIL.

We have sent you a couple of flowers of a double Narcissus for
inspection ; we believe it to be a variety of the common double yel-
low Daflfodil Van Sion, and have named it Ajax major albus variegatus
fl.-pl. We suppose it to be new ; at least we never saw it before.
Perhaps you will be kind enougli to give us some infoiination
respecting it. A. E. 'Bas.'saart &, Co., Boijelcnzang.

[The double-flowered Daffodil sent is very beautiful, and although
grown in English gardens many years ago, it is now compara-
tively rare. A characteristic coloured figure of it is given
on plate 44 of Hale's " Eden," a fine old work on garden flowers,
published a little over a century ago. Tlie variety is tliere called
the Silver and Gold Dafl'odil, which is a most expressive name,
and at p. 517 we are are told that " the petals are of
a very delicate sliining silvery-gi-ey and the cuj) yellow. This is the

natural colouring, but sometimes the yellow runs in light variegations
among tlie grey, and often the gi"ey in the same manner spreads itself
among the yellow ; either way, the colouring is extremely singular
as well as pretty." As a variety, it is quite distinct, and it is so rare
in our gardens that, for trade purposes, it is, to all intents and pur-
poses, a "new" plant. It is a double variety, nearly as large as the
common double yellow (N. Telenionius plcnus of Herbert), but the
perianth segments are of a delicate sulphur colour — indeed, nearly
white, so that the contrast between them and the rich golden coronal
segments is very striking. It is not of the Spanish or N. major race,
nor of the race of N. Tclemonius plenus or Van Sion of Dutch
gardens ; it is simply a double form of one of the large wild Daffodils
(N. Pseudo-Narcissus), near N. bicolor, having wliitish peri.anth seg-
ments. We are glad to see that so interesting a variety is yet pre-
served to cultivation, and should be obliged for particulars of it, so
far as may be known to our correspondent. The common name,
"Double .Silver and Gold Daliodil," would be the best one for it ; if,
however, a Latin one must be had, then we may recommend N.
Pseudo-Narcissus variegatus plenus, or N. Pseudo-Narcissus albo-
luteus plenus, as l^eing a more correct one than that suggested, which
would prove misleading to English cultivators of these favomite
flowers. — B.]

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

OIl.\NGE CULTURE AT WENTWORTH.

Some forty years ago our Orange trees used to be taken to the south
front of the castle during tlie summer months, and were placed
during winter in a dark room with only four windows in front to
give light ; there were then only a few leaves on one side of the trees ;
at that time the slated roof was taken off, and a glass span-roof sub-
stituted. This increase of light caused a slight improvement in the
trees. Still, their exposure during the summer, and tlie cold
temperature of the Orangery, where the fire heat w.as barely sufiicient
to keep out frost during winter, told detrimentally on the health of
the trees ; the}' made weakly gi'owth, and bore a few small Oranges.
Seven years ago a large conservatory was built, into which we took
the better half of our trees, keeping the remainder in the Orangery,
and had it fumislied witli hot water, so that we could give more
heat. The extra warmth which we now give has made a
wonderful improvement on the trees, both as regards fruit
and foliage. They no\v bear good-sized fruit, are clothed with
healthy leaves, and it is delightful to enter the Orangery when the
blossoms are opening early in spring. We give tliem copious
sjTingings daily during tlie growing season, and use a compost con-
sisting of fibry loam, cliarcoal, spent Hops, sand, and a few bones, if
at hand. The trees are in tubs, and remain for a number of years
after being shifted imdisturbed. AVe give them a niglit temperature
of from 55° to GO' in M'inter, and about from 60' to 05° in summer,
with a proportionate rise in tlie daytime, according to the state of
the weather. Tlie .Seville Orange is tlie kind which we mostly gi'ow,
on account of its habit being more gTaceful than that of the others,
and we find that the fruit hangs longer on the trees, on which there
is now a fine crop of Oranges, which have been fully ripe six months,
and yet look plump and bright. I consider Orange trees to be vei-y
desirable subjects for conservatory decoration, and very interesting
at all periods of the year, often having ripe and gi'ccn fruit and blos-
soms all on them at the same time ; in fact, I know of no other
plants which elicit so much admiration from all ^^ho see them.

I find Oranges very useful in the dull months of winter, when
there is not much variety amongst dessert fruits. At that time a
good dish of home-gi'own Oranges, irith a portion of the branch on
which they grow and leaves attached, is very desirable.

Jame.s Battey.

[Some specimens of Mr. Battey's Oranges accompanied this com-
munication and were, in all respects, excellent.]

GRAPES FROM VINES RAISED FROM EYES THE
SAME YEAK.

I SEE that Mr. Groom doubts my statement under this head (p. 3.j5),
and adds that the plan "is certainly something new in (Jrape cul-
ture. ' I am pleased to be able to answer his questions, and to tell
him, however, that the plan is not new, and this was the reason why
I did not enter into particulars before. The subject was thoroughly
ventilated in the horticultural papers a number of years ago, and has
often been alluded to since in The Gardex and elsewhere. The
plan, which Mr. Groom will perceive, at once disposes of his theory
that Vines require a distinct period of rest previous to fruiting under
all circumstances, is simply as follows : Strike the Vinos from eyes
in March, and gi-ow them on in the usual way till the canes begin to
change from green to yellow and the eyes get plump, and at this

350

THE GARDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

stago, l)ut not later, cut oft" all the leaves autl laterals ami at once
start the Vines in a moist heat, which will cause the ijermanent buds
to bveak, which would otherwise have remained dormant till another
year. Tliis ^vill be about August, and tlie fraits will bo ripe some-
wliere about the new j'ear, according to the speed at which they have
been pushed on. I have often caused the joints of young
planted-out canes to break in this way, just by way of experiment,
bat never forced a regular crop, for the reason that we have always
liad plenty of good (J rapes from midwinter onwards. I, however,
once saw a house of pot Vines just starting in this way for a regular
crop at Thoresby Park, and Mr. Henderson expected a good crop
from them, and they certainly looked as promising as any Vines
wliioh I ever saw. Tlie practice is founded upon the fact that Vines,
often by too close pinching, break their pei'manent buds on the cur-
rent year's canes and riijen a second crop ; indeed, it is seldom odd
bunches accidentally produced in this manner are not to be found in
Vineries, and probably Mr. Groom has observed as much himself
witliout t!ie idea occun'ing to liini tliat this disposition of the Vine
might be taken advantage of under certain circumstances, as has been
descri))ed. I may add that 1 did not expect any one to "question the
capability of young rods to fiuish off a good crop tlie second year of
their existence, " because the practice is common, but I have not yet
heard of any one who lias made a practice of leaN-ing their A''ines
18 ft. or 20 ft. long the first season and fruiting them the whole
length of the rafter the second or even the tliird year, and going on
in a regular way afterwards. J. S. W.

STRAWBERRIES ROOTING THROUGH POTS.

Allow me to inform "J. S. W." (p. 326) that I did not assert that
the rooting through the jiots exercised a detrimental influence U23on
the flowering and the setting of the fruits. What I did say, and
what I H'ould repeat, is, tliat when the plants root through their
pots, before the flower-truss is thrown up, it is apt to cause an un-
necessary luxuriance of foUage ; whereas, if the roots only enter the
fresh soil when the flowers are opening, the fruit gets the fuU benefit
of the e.xtra nutriment, and swells up much finer than it otherwise
would do. The conclusions at which I have arrived upon this sub-
ject are not deduced from tlieory, but are the results of actual prac-
tice extending over a period of years. " .J. S. \V." will find tliat in
my previous remarks I did not entirely condemn his practice, having
myself gro^Mi very fair crops on the rooting-through system, but
repeated trials have convinced me that better fruit and more of it
can be obtained when the roots remain in the pot. By confining the
roots to the pot we preserve a complete command over them, and by
placing them in pans they can be supplied with an unlimited amount
of manure water when swelling ofl', the saucers often being filled two
and three times a day. I would ask your correspondent why he
considers it necessary to employ manure water of an offensive cha-
racter ? If he would put a iiiece of guano in his tanks, or would use
soot water, his houses would ))e free from nauseous smells, and he
would find these stimulants sufficiently efficacious for his purpose ;
nor do they, if used in a clear state, soil either the foliage or the fruit.
If your correspondent were gro-«aug for profit and could compare
the two systems over a period of years, he would, I am assured, find,
as I have done, that the rooting through the pots is of no real service,
and that good fruit is more easily obtainable when the roots are con-
fined to the pot. As bearing upon this subject, I may mention that
wo grow a considerable number of Strawberries here planted out in
cold frames, and we now make a practice of planting in rather poor
soil, and mulching when they come into flower. By this means we
secure a compact habit of growth, and, being enabled to plant more
closely, we get a much larger yield than when the plants are set in
rich soil, the quality of the fruit being in Ijoth cases equal. Vicom-
tesse Hcricart de Thury is well adapted for private gardens, as it is
naturally a hea\'y cropiier ; it sets a large quantity of fruit, and is of
aa exceptionally good constitution. It is, however, of but little use
to market growers for general culture under glass. They would be
only too pleased to have their laliour facilitated by being enabled to
j,Tow such free-gi-owmg, robust kinds instead of being obUged to con-
tme themselves, if they desire to make a good price of their fruit, to
such varieties as are distinguished by a more delicate constitution. I
have been acquainted with several growers who succeeded very well
•with Hericart de Thury when they failed with other kinds, and it is
a varietj' th.it I should recommend to those who aim rather at obtain-
ing a fair crop of Strawberries tlian the production of first-class
market fruit. j. Cokxhill.

Byficci.

. Strawberries for Table Decoration.— Strawberry plants

in fruit are often used for this purpose, though Mr. Groom (p. 355)
seems to think they are not. I may mention, however, that indoor

Strawberries, gathered into a sieve and placed in the sun, or near
the influence of fire heat, for a certain time, are far more palatable
than those which are freshly gathered in a moist house and
immediately sent to table. — Tuoma.s Cowburn, The Gardens,
iSunburii Parle.

Apples Grown for Market in Ireland.— There is no

such tiling as fruit farming on a large scale in this country such as
exists in Kent and other coimties of England. The Dubbn
and other town supplies come from various gardens and small
orchards, where there is a surplus after home wants are provided for.
It is rather a mietrum uatlierum affair, many of the varieties being
local, and jjossessing local names. The varieties, however, which
command fairly good prices, and which are favourites with fi-uiterers
are — culinary. Cathead, Echliuville, Kentish Fillbasket, and York-
shire Greening ; dessert, Scarlet Crofton, Irisli Peach, Eve Apple,
Margil, and Ross Nonpareil, — Ambko.se Balfe, 28, Westland How,
Dublin.

Golden Champion Grape near Bristol.— The additional

facts furnished by Mr. Baines on this subject (p. 334) are very in-
structive. Golden Champion Vines started in January with their
roots outside in tlie neighbourhood of Bristol were not in flower at
near the end of March, and I venture to guess the bunches of these
same Vines are not much more than thinned, if they are that length,
at this date (April 26). Now, here. Golden Champion Grapes with
their roots aU inside were started a mouth later than those at Bristol,
and were equally advanced at the end of March, and the berries on
some of the bunches are the size of small Peas ; liuuches of Hamburghs
in the same house are ready to thin. Muscats stai'ted early in Febru-
ary are now coming into flower, and a few bunches are set and swell-
ing. The roots are outside principally, and all are under fermenting
materials. The Muscat, I may pioint out, is about a month later
than the Champion. It would appear, therefore, that we have saved
a month or more in fuel, labour, and attention in our case by treat-
ing the roots to the necessary warmth, not to speak of the advan-
tages of the practice in other ways. It is a mistake to transfer the
question of jirotected borders for early Vines to the subject of late
Vines that ripen their crop after midsummer, and this is all I wished
to point out before. — J. S. W.

FRUIT CULTURE FOR MARKET.

Plums. — These are chiefly grown in market garden.s in the
form of standard and dwarf bushes. Standard Plum trees are
planted from 1 .5 ft. to 20 ft. apart each way, unless vegetable
crops or bush fruits ai'e not to be grown between them, in
which case they are planted more closely. The more room
the trees are allowed, however, the more perfectly does the
young wood ripen, and heavier crops of better quality are the
result. Where vegetable crops are grown between Plum trees
it is absolutely necessary, owing to the .surface-rooting character
of the trees, to deeply dig the ground every year, inasmuch as
were this operation neglected one year great danger to the
roots would ensue, but when done yearly over-luxuriant
growth is prevented by continuous root-pruning, and yet the
roots, being small, the trees are not injured by their being cut
away, as would be the case if they were allowed to become
large before digging between the trees was performed.
Annual manuring and deep culture render the trees very pro-
ductive, and unless the bloom gets injured by spring frosts,
thinning of the fruit several times over has to be resorted to,
in order to insure a fair crop ripening satisfactorily ; after this
operation has been performed, no other thinning takes place,
and sometimes in good seasons may be observed large trees
with their branches supported on wooden props, in conse-
quence of the weight of fruit being more than they could bear
without fear of breakage. Princess of Wales, Coe's Golden
Drop, Victoria (Blue and Green Gages, Jefferson, Orleans,
Kirk's) Washington, Magnum Bonum, Royal Hative and Belle
de Septembre, are all kinds extensively grown in the neigh-
bourhood of London. An acre of good Plum trees has some-
times been worth as much as £50, the prnxhaser being at the
expense of gathering the fruit ; at other times, however, in
consequence of over-abundance of fruit, prices in Covent
Garden are remarkably low, common Plums being often sold

May 3, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

351

for Is. 6d. per bushel wholesale. Plums are not so much in
demand for preserving as some fruit, hence the low prices
just referred to ; and so imperfect are as yet the means of
communication between producer and consumer, that fre-
quently when this kind of fruit is so cheap, it brings so low a
price to the grower that it is scarcely worth his while to
gather it, and sometimes large quantities are allowed to rot or
are given to pig.s. The stocks used for Plums are the Brompton
or free stock, the Mussel and the Myrobalan. The Prince of
Wales Plum is grown by the ton, but heavy losses are often
sustained by trees of it dying off. Some attribute this to
imperfect union with the stock, others to the soil, and some
to the heavy cropping of the trees. The Purple Gage is
largely grown on account of its vigorous habit and prolific
bearing qualities. It is sometimes cal ed Poupart's Plum ; its
fruit is about the size of the Green Gage and similar in flavour.
Another good culinary plum is Pershore, the fruit of which
is yellow, and the trees of it enormous croppers. Belle de
Septembre is another favourite Plum, which in some seasons
has fetched as much as 26s. per bushel. The Bed Compote
is a good late kind, which resembles the Victoria, and which
in Covent Garden is valued highly, because it comes in late,
keeps well, and generally fetches good prices. WeU-esta-
bli.shed trees of it yield enormous crops, even more than the
well-known Victoria. Other good standard varieties are
Pond's Seedling and Mttchelson Plum, the latter being grown
by the acre by some growers. Its fruit, which is excellent for
preserving, is of a reddish-purple colour, of medium size, and
good flavour. To these many more kinds might be added,
but those enumerated are such as are generally grown near
London by the best cultivators for market. " Growers in
Kent," says Mr. Whitehead in the "Royal Agricultural
Society's Journal," " prefer the forward Orleans, Magnum
Bonum, Blue Diamond, Victoria Dauphin, ilu.ssel, Early
Rivers, and Washington ; black Plums sell the best. The trees
are planted between Cherry and Apple trees, and are set in
plantations by themselves with bushes under them. A tradi-
tion exists that £100 per acre has been made in one year on
a piece of land planted with Green Gages. The average price
of Plums in London is £19 per ton. In 1876 they made
from £28 to £32 per ton, in 1871 only from £12 to £14.

There is a famous Damson known in Kent as the Crit-
tenden, that has been planted to a large extent during
late years. It is propagated by suckers, or " spawns," which
come up all round the trees, and jneld fruit after their kind
without being grafted. After these suckers have been planted
out for two or three years, they commence to bear. This
kind of Damson is amazingly prolific, and its fruit brings
high prices for jam, bottling. Damson cheese, and, as some
say, for manufacturing port wine. Plum trees, like Cherry
trees, do not require much pruning ; on the contrary, they
are apt to fall into ill health if the knife be used too freely.
It is merely necessary to cut back any over vigorous growths,
and to clear out wood that crowds up the centres of the trees.
Plum trees do not succeed well in exposed situations, as their
roots are so near the surface that they are liable to be blown
down by the wind."

Damson trees are now but comparatively little grown
in the immediate neighbourhood of London, and as old trees
die out young ones are seldom planted in their stead. In
Kent, however, they appear to grow wild like the common
hedge BuUace, and I have seen the lanes literally overhung
with heavy-laden boughs of black fruit. One Kentish grower
informed me that if his Damson trees were placed in a line
30 ft. apart, they would occupy a length of twenty-two miles.

Figs. — These are seldom to be found in the London market
gardens, but in the vicinity of Worthing large fields are

entirely devoted to their culture. The trees are chiefly grown
in the form of standards, and the soil in which they are
planted being of a light clayey character they succeed
remarkably well, and in favourable seasons bear heavy crops-
of fruit. In some Fig orchards there may be counted as
many as from 150 to 200 standard trees of great age ; indeed,
many of them are supposed to have been planted more than
100 years. From each of these trees, in good seasons, are
frequently gathered as many as 20 dozen of fine ripe fruit.
Fig crops vary very much both in quantity and quality, in
accordance with the season, but in hot, dry summers may be
seen scores of men, women, and boys busily engaged in
gathering the large luscious fruit, and packing them in baskets
and boxes ready for Covent Garden Market.

Chekeies. — These are not very extensively cultivated in
what may be tenned the metropolitan market gardens. In some
places, however, they find a place and succeed tolerably well.
The best trees are grown in the form of dwarf, open-hearted
standards grafted on the Mahaleb stock within a few inches of
the ground, conditions under which they thrive well and bear
heavy crops. Vigorous-growing sorts, such as the Bigarrcau,
are, however, grafted on seedling Cherry stocks. Vciy little
is done in the way of pruning, excepting in the case of dwarf
trees, which are kept within bounds by frequently shortening
back the young vigorous growth. Tall standards never receive
any pruning whatever beyond cutting out old and decayed,
limbs, the young growth being allowed to grow at random.
Knight's Early Black, May Duke, Elton, Late Duke, Kentish
and Black Heart are the kinds chiefly grown, although the
Bigarreau is by no means neglected where it is found to suc-
ceed, and the same remark applies to the Brandy Cherry (the
Morello). This, in the form of standards about 6 ft. high,
and bearing heads from 6 ft. to 8 ft. in diameter, fruits freely,
and in seasons when most other kinds get cut by spring frosts,
Morellos grown in this fashion invariably escape. They are
grown amongst large Apple or Pear trees, which, to a
great extent, jirotect them. The only pruning they
get is removing dead or useless branches.

In Kent Cherries are chiefly grown in Grass orchards, in
which the trees are managed on the run-wild system ; jnany
of them are very old indeed, and in good seasons they yield
hea\"y crops. When in flower the Kentish Cherry orchards
are well worth seeing, covering, as they do, the distant hills
for miles round ; though in some years the quantity of blossom
is unusually great, the crop of fruit may be far below the
average. Cherry trees are planted on land overlying a dry
subsoil ; in clayey soil they are, as a rule, but short-lived.
The kinds chiefly gTown are the Kentish, Cluster, and Bigar-
reau ; these are good croppers, and from well-established trees
have frequently been gathered as much as 1000 lb. of good
fruit. In some seasons the Cherry crops arc sold by auction,
and also by private contract, the purchaser paying the ex-
penses of gathering ; this is supposed by some to be the most
profitable way of disposing of them. The buyer erects a
wooden shed, in which the daily gatherings are put, and when
all are gathered they are sent to market as soon as possible.
An acre of good Cherry trees sometimes yields from £30 to
£40, which, considering that there is no expense attached to
their culture, and that the Grass underneath can be eaten oft"
by cattle, is by no means unprofitable. Some of the more
intelligent fruit growers think that it pays better to gather
and market their fniit them.selves, their trees in this way being
less injured and a better price being obtained for the produce.
The cost of picking and marketing Cherries is about 3s. per
sieve, and of this sum about Is. 3d. goes for picking and
Is. 2d. for carriage and marketing expenses. The additional 7d.
is expended in sieves, ladders, and other necessary appliances.

352

THE GARDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

Nuts. — A few cultivators near London grow Nut tree.s, but
the cliief .supply is from Kent. There the plants are trained
up with a single stem less than 1 ft. in height, after which
the branches are tied outwards to a wire or wooden hoop, so as
to give them a cup-like form. All shoots sising from the centre
are removed during summer. The advantage of the pilants
being trained in the shape just alluded to is that it admits
sunlight into the centre of the plants as well as elsewhere.
Sometimes a plantation of Nut trees occupies several acres in
extent, the trees being fully 14 ft. in diameter, and not more
than .■"> ft. high at the outside. Severe pruning is adopted to
keep them within bounds, and all .suckers are carefully removed
every year. The small wood of the previous year's growth pro-
duces the fruit, and short spurs of this are only left in winter,
all gross and fruitless shoots being entirely cut away. The
trees are, as a rule, to be found alternately planted with
standard Apple or Pear trees, and when Ap|iles and Pears are
scarce a fair crop both of Cobnuts and Filberts is often
secured. On the Kentish ragstone Filberts and Cobnuts are
more grown than bush fruits. The soil just suits them and
they bear abundantly. The Cobnut is more productive and
protitalile than the Filbert ; the Nut is larger, but not so
well flavoured as the Filbert, but the tree gets quicker into
bearing. Sometimes a single tree, well established, has been
known to bear 40 lb. of Nuts, and over £100 per acre has
been made. The trees are generally planted about 16 ft.
apart each way, and the pruning of them requires consider-
able skill and care ; this is performed by men used to the
work, the usual prices ranging from 2d. to 3d. per tree.

C. W. S.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

THE PAPAW TKEE.

(CAEICA PAPAYA.)
This, with the exception of the OTiiav.a, has perliaps a wider dis-
tribution than most exotic fruit trees, being found %('ild nearly
everj-Avhere in tropical and sub-tropical countries, although it is now
geuerally believed to l)e of South American origin. It forms a very
ornamental tree in trojjical gardens, and its fruits are occasionally
eaten, but they are not much esteemed, not even by the natives, and
still less by tlie majority of Europeans. It forms a small single
stemmed tree, of a succulent character, S ft. or 10 ft. in height
as a rule, altliough sometimes in old examples the stem is as thick
as a man's body, and branched towards the top, where each stem or
branch bcai-s a crown of long-stalked, seveu-lobed leaves. The
individual leaves often measure 2 ft. across, and, in addition to their
beauty, form a by-no-means-to-be-despised substitute for soap. The
fruits, which are 8 in. or 10 in. long, by 4 in. or 5 in. broad,
resenil)le a small Melon in size and shape. Even when cut open the
likencs.s to a scarlet-fleshed Melon is a very close one, but tlie seeds
are round, black, and wrinkled, resembling at first sight the pitted
seeds of some of the Granadillas or large-fruited Passion Flowers.
The pulp is soft and cooling, and when perfectly ripe, not unlike
tluat of an Apricot in flavour. When plucked green, tlie fuU-gi-own
fruit forms a substitute for Turnips, or it can be made into an agree-
able sauce or preserved with sugar.

Like the Orange, Banana, Cocoa-nut, and other tropical fruits, ths
tree bears flowers and fruits in all stages of growth during the whole
year. It is dioecious, that is to say, the male and female flowers are
borne on separate plants. The male flowers are produced on long
branched spikes or racemes, which gi-ow from the axils of the leaf
stalks, and are gamopetalous and tuliular, being much smaller than
the female flowers, which are generally solitary and large. They have
a corolla, consisting of five distinct petals, and they are borne on stalks
only an inch or so in length. In some cases, small abortive fruits, the
tize of hens' eggs, may be seen hanging from the male trees as though
rudimentary ovaries had been formed in some of the male blossoms.
Male flowers have not to my knowledge been noticed on the female
or fruiting trees, which is the kind here represented. Throughout
the West Indian Islands, where this plant is common, an infusion of
the fruits or leaves, or a mixture made from the juice of the plant,
13 said to possess the virtue of rendering the toughest meat or poul-
try perfectly tender if they be immersed in the fluid, or even if

merely suspended in the tree itself for an hour or two. Recently,
too, I read in a contemporary that chisels and other edged tools if
too brittle might be softened by being driven into the soft stems or
branches of this tree, and that this was practised by some of the
natives of South America with the desired result. Other still more
wonderful effects were said to belong to it.

Our illustration represents the general habit of a young fruiting
specimen in company with another universal tropical product, the
Sugar Cane. This, although not a fruit, and its fleshy stems being
simply natural sugar sticks, is far more popular for eating or chewing
wherever it is grown than most fruits. Although a native of the
East Indies, it is like many other cultivated plants now naturalised
in most tropical and every inter-tropical country. Tliere are many
varieties, but most of them produce jointed canes of bright golden
colour, varying in height, thickness, lengd;h of the internodes, and
quantity of saccharine matter produced. There are also several red,
black, and purple -stemmed sorts, and one variety grown in Spain
is called the " Elephant Cane," in allusion to its gigantic dimensions.
Both the Papaw and Sugar Cane may be seen in cultivation at Kew.

F. W. B.

BEGONIA INGRAM!

Some years ago I gi-ew this Begonia, but not finding it at all equal
to be B. semperflorens Saundersi for winter-flowering I discarded it
in favour of the latter, which is altogether less stiff' ami more grace-
ful in habit. So free blooming is it that ])lants in 3-in. pots may
often be seen laden with flowers, which appear at almost eveiy joint,
and, the colour being bright red, they have a particularly cheerful
appearance. This fine variety was sent out by Messrs. Garraway,
Durdham Down, near Bristol, and was much thought of in the west
of England for a long time, where it was largely grown for exhibition
purposes. Some time since I used to depend mucli on it for deco-
rative purposes during the summer, and employed it for filling a pair
of large elevated vases in a conservatory, where, from its position,
it always produced a most striking effect. The new tuberous kinds
are now so showy that B. semperflorens, good as it is, cannot be com-
pared with them ; but as these cannot be had during -winter, I am
always glad to fall back on B. semperflorens, which never fails me at
that season. A good companion to it is B. nitida, a free flowering
kind not nearly so much grown as it should be ; and the same may be
said of B. insignis, another capital plant, requiring but little heat to
keep it in health. To succeed these, and come in later in the sjiring,
B. manicata has no equal, its five pale pink panicles of bloom being
such as to command admiration. C'ut and placed in vases among
flowers, nothing imparts a better finish; but to have it in a condition
to last, it is necessary that plants of it be kept in a cool light stove,
with their heads well up to the glass. This stiffens the stems, and
imparts to the plants a more enduring character, as well as improves
tlie colour, making it several shades darker. I should think by
crossing some of the tuberous-rooted kinds with the varieties just
enumerated, we should soon get kinds that would bloom naturally
in an intermediate temperature during winter ; at any rate, the
experiment is worth trying, and, if successful, the strain would be
of gi'eat use in rendering our houses and windows gay at that dull
season when there is little in the floral way to cheer. S. I).

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOK GAEDEN.

Lonicera Standishi. — What your con-espondent states (p.
.324) in favour of tliis shrub is perfectly true, but, good as it is,
L. fnagrantissima is far better, its habit being more floriferous, and
the perfume, as its specific name implies, of the sweetest description.
One or two pkants of it on a stage will scent a whole house ; there-
fore, it is a most desirable jjlaiit to have under glass, for, except in
mild winters, and when grown against a south wall, or in some simi-
larly sheltered situation, it is very rare that it is seen in perfection.
This season it has a very weather-beaten look, and its blossoms have
been kept back to an unusually late jjeriod ; in ordinary winters they
are fully expanded by Christinas, whereas this year we had but
very few till quite the end of March, and then they appeared to
all rush open at once. I find that there is a gi-eat difference in the
habit and general apijearance of plants growni against the front of
a building from others in shrubbery borders, as in the former they
make short, sturdy shoots from spurs which are so short-jointed as
to be completely studded with flowers, while those in the latter
situation make more wood and do not bloom ^^^th anything like the
same freedom. In pots they do best, with the young growths kept
nipped in as they are formed, a mode of treatment that increases the
number of small twiggy branches to a gi'eat extent, and if these be
well ripened by full exposure, each of them will bear a very large

May 3, 1879.1

THE GARDEN.

353

<iuantitv of flowers. To those engaged in bouquet making these are
of mucli value for mounting, for, although small, they impart a
refresliing perfume. — S. D.

Stokesia cyanea.— The cultural directions given for this plant
■(p 345) are, according to my experience, quite correct, but simply
protecting the plant when in flower in the open ground does not
enable the grower to fully realise its decorative value. I would re-
commend Mr. Burney to take the plants up when the buds are ma-
tured and place them in the greenhouse, where they may be enjoyed
in all weathers. Tlie Stokesia succeeds well when thus treated, and
although it has a somewhat faulty habit, the indi\'idual blooms are
nleasin°', and the colour is just what is wanted in the early winter
■months" If a quick, free, early growth be encouraged the flower-
Jieads will mature early, and the buds will expand perfectly well
when placed in a glass structure and treated in the same manner as
Clirysanthemums. The value of the plant is imperfectly known in
private gardens, where it should be
growni by those who require much
bloom for cutting during the late
autumn and early winter montiis,
as it may, by treating it as above
described, be had in flower until
late in December.— J. Cornuill,
Biiflnet.

Pimelea decussata.— Many

of the I'iiiiclcas are not suitable
for small g.-owers, as they require
coiisider-.iile skill to be expended
upon their culture to liring them
to perlection. The present species
may, however, be grown by any
or.e who has a glass house, and its
^labit being neat and compact, and
tlie flowers bright and produced
in gi-eat profusion, it can scarcely
fail to gave satisfaction. It should,
after flowering, be potted in sandy,
fibrous peat, and be placed in a
cold frame. It should be syringed
and kept rather close until gi-owth
commences, when more air may
be given. Full exposure in the
summer and autunm is necessary,
in order to soliilify and mature the
wood. Cuttings made of the half-
ripened wood will strike easily
under a bell-glass in silver sand. —
J. C, Byfleet.

Cutting Asparagus. —As

Asjiaragus is now ready for cutting,
let me ask your readers to allow
the earliest of the stems to grow up
from the first, and to only cut those
which push through the ground
afterwards. The plan so often re-
commended of not allowing any of
the stems to grow up until cutting
lias ceased, at the end of the sea-
son, is, in my opinion, the worst
that anyone could possibly put into
practice. Early growth and a long season induce perfect develop-
ment, and to this rule Asparagus is no exception. The earlier the stems
wliicli have to stand during the summ?r are up the more thoroughly
do the crowns get ripened in autumn ; and this is no small advantage,
especially when the roots are intended for early forcing. Not allow-
ing the shoots to grow up until the middle of June must certainly be
anything but beneficial to the plants. Moreovei-, the first stems arc
generally the strongest, and the last the weakest ; therefore the latter
are by no means the fittest for improving the condition of the plants.
I find that by allowing about four of the first and strongest of the
shoots to grow up from each root the plants are improved in every
respect, and doing this does not interfere in any way afterwards with
the quality of the shoots wliich spring up for cutting. — C.^mbrhn.

Market Garden Notes. — Rarely have the outlying market
gardens presented such a bare aspect as they do now. (ireen crops
of all kinds are sparse, and what are growing look thin and lack
strength. Just now Turnip-tops are the only crop available for
market. Breadths of other greens have succumbed to the frost, and
white Broccoli not yet ready for cutting is thin, and has been much
injured. The season continues so cold and gloomy that early-sown
seeds are doing badly, and those that have grown move so slowly,

The Papaw Tree (Curica Papaya) in Fruit,

that they fast fall a prey to slugs, that, in spite of a hard winter,
are evidently just as numerous as ever. Of all suimner crops,
perhaps, amongst vegetables, the Pea crop is the most im-
portant to the grower. Early-sown breadths have in some places
done so badly, that they are being ploughed up and fresh seed sown.
Other sowings are very thin, and it is only the latest that present a
promising appearance. Late kiiuls have, to some extent, the start of
the early ones, and the result will be that we shall see two or three
sowings all becoming fit to gather at the same time, much to the loss
of the gi'ower, who looks to the earliest pickings from white sorts to
secure the best market prices. If the white varieties are found to
be only even in earliness with the blue, the latter will alone sell at a
profit. Next to having no crop at all, no greater misfortune can happen
to the grower than the accident of a glut in the market, as expenses
of seed, gi'owth, gathering, and marketing are calculated on a fair
price, and if this be not attained a serious loss is the result. Potatoes

have been largely planted, but in
consequence of the coldness of the
soil none of the earliest are yet
above ground. It is just possible
that many of the cut sets will have
rotted, and that thin rows will
lie seen presently. With such a
cold, late season as this is, the
middle to the end of Api'il is quite
early enough for planting large
breadths of Potatoes. — A. D.

Vegetation in Durham.—

A stroll through the woods here-
abouts in search of wild flowers
has sadly disappointed me. I had
expected to find Primroses in abun-
dance, instead of which I found
scarcely any. Vegetation is fully
six weeks later than it was last
year. Then Primroses, Wood
Anemones, Ribcs, and other flowers
were plentiful in March ; this year
Primroses are scarce in the last
week of April ; there are no Wood
Anemones in bloom yet, and the
buds of the Ribes have not yet
expanded. Even the handsome
little Pilewort(RanuncidusFicaria)
— the favourite flower of Words-
worth— which is often seen in Feb-
ruary, has not yet become general.
The catkins on the Hazels were
very pretty a few days ago, as were
also the large quantities of minute
female flowers. If the present dull
weather does not prevent their
setting, we shall in all probability
have a large crop of Nuts. The
Peach blossom on walls has not yet
opened, while last year it was in
full bloom when tiiat memorable
stoi-m of snow and frost set in, on
the 1st of April. Although we
are within a day or two of the
"merrie month of May, "tlie cuckoo
lias not yet been heard, nor is
there any well-authenticated record that the swallow has been seen.
Altogether, the "proud pied April" of the poets has been little
better than its predecessor— March. If the habits of birds form
any guide as to the probable state of the weather, I am afraid that
we are not yet quite " out of the wood," as I saw to-day a number
of fieldfares, which have not yet left us, almost a sure sign -that
there is more bad we.ather in store for us. — Tynedale.

Effects of the Winter in Hants.— The following are the

names of a few plants wliich have suffered severely here during the
past winter, namely, Buddlea globosa and B. Lindleyana— the latter
killed altogether ; Desfontainea spinosa, and the different kinds of
Euonyinus— the latter and the Double-flowered Furze killed to the
ground. One or two Japan Privets are also damaged ; likewise
Berberis Darwini. The Judas tree {Cercis Siliquastrum) seems to be
killed, and the Launistinus and Arbutus are much damaged, and
some of them are killed to the ground, although many of tlie latter
were 10 ft. in height. A strong plant of Magaiolia Lenne, jjlanted
last autumn against a south-east wall, and protected with Spruce
Fir branches, has been killed. Pentstemons are also all dead that
were left out, and Fuchsias are all likewise killed. Some herbaceous
plants, too, have suffered ; all the Antirrhinums are killed ; two

354

TEE GAEDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

plants of Primula cortusoides grandiflora, left out to test their hardi-
ness, are almost dead ; and Francoa ramosa, in a cold pit, is nuch
injured. The blossoms of Pears on south walls are just expandng ;
also those of Plums on west walls. There is a good show of bloom on '.11
kinds of fruit trees. The nightingale was heard on the 21st, and thl
cuckoo on the 17th. — J, C, Farnborough.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — Amongst the numerous varieties of Daffodils
now in flower, the little kind known as Graells' Daffodil (Narcissus
Bulbocodium var. Graellsi) is particularly noteworthy, as it is, witli
the exception of the beautiful single-leaved kind (N. monophyllus),
the most distinct of all the Hoop-petticoat gi'oup. It grows about
4 in. high, with a spreading crown of blossom about 1 in. long, and
of a pale yellow tint. It inhabits various parts of Spain, whence
it was introduced to us a few years since ; but, as yet, it is amongst
the rarest of cultivated kinds. The Mountain Daffodil (N. montanus
or poculiformis) is a desirable sweet-scented kind ; its large and
almost white blossoms, which droop in a singular manner, distinguish
it from its neighbours. The Large-flowered Erythronium (E. graudi-
florum) flowers just in time to succeed its better known congener
(E. Deus-canis). It gi'ows from 6 in. to 12 in. high, and has narrower
and not so prettily marked leaves as those of the last-named kind.
Its blossoms are IJin. across, and have narrow, reflexed petals, pale
yellow, with a ring of reddish brown at the inner base. It is a native
of California, and is perfectly hardy. The round-leaved Thlaspi
(T. rotuudifolium) is one of the most pleasing Alpines at present iu
flower. It at once reminds one of Iberis gibraltarica in miniature,
bearing, as it does, numerous heads of small blossoms of the same
delicate mauve tint. It is procumbent in habit, and has small
roundish leaves of a fleshy texture. It is an old introduction from
the European Alps, though now of rare occurrence in collections.
The Alpine variety of the common Gentiana acaulis is a charming plant.
In the Kew specimen it may be at once distinguished from the type
by the conspicuous pure white tijis of the angles of the corolla, a
character which tends to intensify the rich deep blue of the rest of
the blossom. Very few of the Fi'itillarias produce showy flowers,
though the strikingly curious markings to be foimd in the flowers
render them suitable plants for the flower border. The best of those
in flower are F. tenella (syn. montaua), a species with narrow, glau-
cous leaves and nodding flowers, globular in form, with peculiar
checkered markings of green and red chocolate colour. F. glau-
cescens so nearly resembles the last, that the distinguishing points are
scarcely definable. L. liliacea is very dictinct ; it has broad foliage
and large, reddish-brown, di-ooping flowers. F. latifolia, another
broad-leaved kind, is similar to F. Meleagris, but inferior to that
kind in point of beauty. The purple-flowered form of Primula
ciliata is by far the most attractive of the Primroses now in blossom ;
the deep, rich purple of the flowers relieved by the bright golden eye
at once elicits admiration. It is very similar to the kind known as
P. intermedia, of which we gave a coloured illustration iu The
Garden (Plate XXVIII).

Greenhouse Plants. — The New Zealand Veronica Hulkei if,
without douljt, the iiuest of all the Speedwells for greenhouse decora-
tion, though it is not nearly so well known as it deserves to be ;
indeed, the delicate lavender colour of its blossoms is so unusual
that it would be difficult to name another plant of so pleasing an
aspect. It is rather loose in habit, growing from 1 ft. to 3 ft. high,
and it has scattered, small leaves. The flowers are borne on ter-
minal, branching panicles in gi'eat profusion, and continue for some
weeks in beauty. The dark-leaved form of Scilla natalensis named
sordida — noticed last week — is no less beautiful than the original,
though the pretty star-like flowers are not produced so thickly. The
Fragrant Rhododendron (R. fragrantissima) is one of the most beau-
tiful which we have seen at Kew this season. It is similar to the
lovely R. Veitchi ; its flowers are nearly as large, and they are of
the same pure white as in that kind, and sweet scented. This is a
variety that should be sought after for conservatory decoration, as it
flowers well in a small state and is easily managed. The Conserva-
tory No. 4 is now gay with Australian plants, amongst which the
Pea family is of course predominant. Amongst these Pultena?a rosea,
with pretty rose-coloured clusters of flowers, is very desirable, as it
lasts such a long time in perfection ; P. stricta and Eutaxia myrti-
folia are other fine kinds, which bear abundance of showy j'ellow and
dark red flowers. The various kinds of Adenandra are also very
attractive plants ; A. umbeUata, -with deep pink blossoms, 1 in.
across, and A. fragrans, with blossoms of about the same size, but
white and fragTant, are the best. Amongst plants in flower in the
Temperate House the most conspicuous is Rhododendron Aucklandi,
from the Sikkim Himalayas, certainly one of the most beautiful
from that region. Its blossoms, which are very large and funnel-

shaped, are pure white, and, being subtended by numerous mem-
branous, magenta-tinted bracts, they are very effective.

Stove Plants. — The large-leaved Rudgea (R. macrophylla) is a
magnificent stove shrub introduced about a dozen years ago from the
vicinity of Rio de .Janeiro. Its handsome leaves measure over 1 ft.
long, and they are proportionately wide. In colour they are a very
cRep green, which contrasts finely with the snow-white heads, from 4 iu.
to l.in. across, of blossoms, which terminate each stem. The indi-
vidual blooms are 1 in. long, tubular, four-cleft, and of fleshy tex-
ture, whnh enables them to continue for some time in perfection.
Its style of nrowth is not elegant, as it is inclined to be leggy, but
as it flowers viry freely in a small state, this fault can at once be
remedied. In tie, same house a very beautiful member of the Spider-
wort family is in fltwer, viz., Tradescantia fuscata, a plant of dwarf
habit with oval leaves "overed with brown silky hairs. Its flowers,
which are borne on veryJiort stalks, are as large as a florin, and of
a ricli purjjle hue. For omunenting the roof of a stove few climbers
are more valuable than the oil Jasminum Sambae, on account of its
free-flowering property, and the delicious perfume of its double,
blush-tinted blossoms, which are ve-y useful for cutting purposes.
vHschynanthus pulcher makes a pretiv basket plant ; its elegant
scarlet blossoms, which are jiroduced pluitifully and continuously,
are highly attractive, and they hang in graceful profusion. Tlie
flowers of the Imperial Napoleona (N. impciialis) ranks, perhaps,
amongst the most strikingly curious of cultivacd tropical shrubs.
In fonn they much resemble the singular zoophjt-,es known as Sea
Anemones. They are circular in outline, 2i in. across, vith the outer
brownish-red portion membranous and spreading, and tip inner part
fringed and incurved and almost enclosing the bright orang centre.
They are produced plentifully on the tall-gi"owing shrubs, he deep
green foliage of which forms a striking contrast to the quaiit-look-
ing blossoms. It is a native of the African jungles, and in ciitiva-
tion needs an extremely moist heat to bring it to a flowering coidi-
tion. W.

THE LIBRARY.

THE CHEMISTRY OF COMMON LIFE.*

Both professional and amateur horticulturists mil find much to
instruct and entertain them in Mr. Church's new edition of the late
Professor Johnston's well-known work. The second edition, published
a short time after Prof. Johnston's death under the editorship of the
late Mr. G. H. Lowes, has long been out of print, and it seems strange
that such a length of time should have been allowed to elapse before
the publication of a fresh edition of one of the most popular of
scientific books. Like Faraday, Liebig, Tyndall, Huxley, and a few
others, Professor .Johnston liad the somewhat rare gift of convej'ing
scientific truths to readers of the meanest capacity without in any
way veiling or transforming them, and tlie present editor has done
wisely in interfering with the original text and general arrangement
of the matter as little as may be. Mr. Church has had the advantage
of being able to refer to Professor Jolmston's private and corrected
copy of the first edition of "The Chemistry of Common Life," so
that he has been able not only to incorporate in the present work
some really valuable matter from the late author's own pen, but he
has been able to learn the kind of additions which he contemplated,
advantages which were not enjoyed by the editor of the second
edition. Only such corrections and omissions have been made
as the progi'ess of science seemed to demand, and the addition
of an all too short chapter on the ' ' Colours we Admire " is one
which Professor Johnston, had he lived a few years longer,
must necessarily have added to the work as an approjiriate
pendant to the chapter on the "Odours we Enjoy." In this chapter
Mr. Church tells us how the chemist can now build up in the labora-
tory from such an unpromising material as gas tar a colouring prin-
ciple of gi-eat beauty known as alizarin, and, hitherto, only found in
the root of the Madder plant (Rubia tinctorum). The material from
which artificial alizarin may be formed being cheap, the manufac-
tured product has displaced the preparations of Madder root to a
great extent, so that the imports of that once valuable plant have
greatly fallen ofi'. Since this gi-and discovery of the means of imi-
tating Nature's own handiwork, chemists can now imitate the
jjrocesses going on in the Indigo plant, and indigo dye may be formed
in the laboratory with as much certainty as alizarin, although the
process is, as yet, too costly and elaborate to be commercially avail-
able. Every year, however, sees new discoveries in the direction of
manufacturing natural bodies hitherto only found in plants, and we

• "The Chemistry of Common life." By the late Professor .Tames F. W-
JOHNSTON, F.R.S., &c. A new edition revised aud brought doira to the present
time by Arthur H. Church, il.A., &c. W, Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and
London. 1S79.

May 3, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

355

must not be surprised if some day we hear of a cheap method of build-
ing up ordinary sugar in the same way as we now build up alizarin
and indigo. We also have an interesting account of colein, a colour-
ing matter discovered by Mr. Church himself in the leaves of the
Coleus Versehaffelti, which seems to be closely akin to, if not iden-
tical with, the colouring matter of Red Cabbage, red wine, most red,
blue, and purple flowers and fi-uits, as well as with the red pigment
of the C'opper Beech. Colein is a red, resinous-looking substance,
which will not dissolve in ether and only slightly in water, but is
very soluble in spirits of vrine. With a drop of ammonia solution
colein turns purple, violet, indigo, green, and yellow, while with a
drop of acid it takes a scarlet hue. Can it be, one may ask, that the
ever varying hues of flowers are due to the different degi'ees of the
alkalinity or acidity of the juices contained in their petals ? It is to
be hoped that Mr. Church will pursue his researches in this
direction. In a leaf of a Coleus, say Coleus Verschaflelti, the
colouring matter is very irregidarly distributed in the cells of the
epidermis, some of them containing much, some a trace, and others
none at all. The hairs of the stem and leaf of this plant form most
interesting microscopic olijects ; one hair, for instance, say of si.x
cells, may have the end cells richly tinted, while the rest are
quite colourless, or the exact reverse may be the case. The leaves of
variegated plants afibrd a vast field of research, both to the botanist,
chemist, and microscopist.

As for the ordinary leaf-green, or chlorophyl, as it is called,
Mr. Church frankly allows that, although it exists in thousands of
tons all around us, chemists have not yet ascertained its component
elements, much less their relative proportions. They are uncertain
whether it contains nitrogen or iron, or whether it consists of one or
more colouring matters. In this respect chemists appear to resemble
certain horticulturists, who, instead of trying to improve old and
valued subjects, use all their endeavours to produce novelties, whose
worth is, to say the least, problematical. The other chapters which
will interest our readers are the following: "The Soil we Culti-
vate," which not only treats of the dill'erent kinds of soil, but of
their varying constituents and their influence on the gi-owth of
(lift'erent s])ecies of plants; "The Plants we Real'," tlie title of
which sufficiently explains its contents; "The Bread we Eat,"
which fully describes Wheat and its substitutes, such as Rye,
Oats, Indian Com, Buckwheat, Rice, the Potato, the Plaintain,
the Sago Palm, &c. ; the three chapters on "The Beverages we
Infuse," including not only Tea, Coffee, and Cocoa, but their
thousand-and-one substitutes ; " The "Sweets in Extract " from
the Cane, Beetroot, Date Palm, Maple, Sorghum, and other sugar-
yielding plants. "The Liquors we Ferment" are so numerous, that
their description occupies three whole chapters ; while bread and
bread-stufts only take up a single one. It is another lamentable
sign of human weakness that "The Xarcotics we Indulge " take up no
fewer tlian eight chapters, or nearly a quarter of the whole book.
These are valuable from a philosophical point of view, as show-
ing that the lowest tribes of savages are just as prone to seek for
temporary comfort in the use of narcotics as the most highly-
cultivated European. It would take up too much space to give even
a list of the whole of the narcotics described in the jjresent edition of
Professor .Johnston's work, but a few of them may be selected from
localities wliich are sufficiently far apart to show the prevalence of this
form of indulgence. India has its Opium, Hashish and Betel ;
Poljmesia its daily Ava ; Peru its Coca ; the [Florida Indians their
emetic Holly ; the Tartars of the Himalayas their Thorn Apjile ; the
Englishman and Genuan their Hops, and we may say all the
world its Tobacco. "The Odours we Enjoy," and, as we
have said before, "The Colours we Admire," may be read -ivith
profit and with pleasure by all.

A full index will help the reader to a knowledge of the special
subjects of which the book treats. Chakles W. QniN.

HOVEY'S FRUITS OF AMERICA.

Mr. Hovey has sent us some numbers of this really noble work,
which was begun with the idea of figuring in colours all the fi-uits of
that country, whether of native or foi'eign origin. The plates are
well drawn and coloured and the descriptions full and accurate ; in
fact, we very niuch want in England a book on fi-uits equally satis-
factory in respect to full and exhaustive descriptions, such as those
of Mr. Hovey and M. Leroy. This book was, unfortunately, not
completed, owing to the gi'eat war in America, when the pirice of
paper suddenly increased to such a degree that tlic price of the pajjer
alone amounted to more than the anuoimced price of the book. It
had, therefore, to be discontinued, but not before a good deal of
useful work was done. We quote the following account of the Dix
Pear : —

Few, if any, of our native Pears hold a higher rank than the Dix.
The large size, beautiful appearance, and exquisite flavour of its

fruit, added to tlie vigour and hardiness of the tree, its productive-
ness, constant bearing, and period of maturity, give it a combination
of qualities which but few varieties possess. When originally
brought into notice, in 1829, it was pronounced "one of the very
best autumn Pears, which might, ■with the greatest safety, be intro-
duced into our gardens ; " and twenty years' experience have fully
confirmed the correctness of th.at opinion.

The Dix originated in Boston, in the garden of Madame Dix, in
compliment to whom it was named, about thirty-five years ago. The
tree sprung from seed near the house, and gi-ew so rapidly, that in
1829 it had attained the height of 23 ft., with a stem 10 in. in
diameter ; it still stands in the same spot, and has now become a very
large tree. It first began to bear in 1825, but did not produce a full
crojj till 1829, since wliich time it has continued to bear abundant
crops of fine fruit.

The Dix is very late in coming into bearing, and, on this account,
cultivators have often rejected it in making a selection of fine Pears.
The average period of its fruiting is eight or ten years, occasionally
in four or five, but oftener twelve and upwards. It has, however,
the good quality of constant bearing after it has attained a fruiting
state, and the Pears ripen ofi' as freely as tlie Baldwin Apple. It
does not succeed upon the Quince unless double-worked.

The Dix is one of the most marked varieties in the nursery. The
wood is almost as yellow, smootli, and slender as a Willow ; but the
tree has an erect and upright habit, and in tune forms a large and
fine head.

Tree. — Vigorous, upright, witli rather long and slender annual
shoots, occasionally tliorny, horizontal at first, but erect at the
ends ; as the brandies become older they assume a rather straggling
habit.

Wood. — Clear light yellow, smooth and glossy, with very minute
dots, slender and rather long-jointed ; old wood, pale olive-yellow ;
buds, medium size, roundish-ovate, slightly diverging, with very
prominent shoulders ; flower-buds, medium size.

Leave,s. — Small, ovate, liglit gi'een, broadest in the middle,
tapering to each end, little recurved on the midrib, slightly wavy,
and somewhat reflexed at the edges, with a smooth and glossy sur-
face, and very finely serrated ; petioles long, about 2 in. in length,
slender.

Flowers. — Medium size, petals narrow.

Fruit. — Large, about 4 in. long and 31 in. in diameter ; form,
oblong, inclining to pyi-amidal, regular, largest in the middle, taper-
ing to an obtuse point at the stem ; skin, slightly rough, greenish-
yellow, becoming pale yellow when mature, broadly tinged with pale
red in the sun, and mottled with dots of a deeper shade, often
nisseted around the crown, and regularly and thickly covered with
large, distinct russet specks ; stem, medium length, about 1 in. long,
rather stout, curved, and inserted in a shallow cavity, foi-med by
swellings and jirojections of tlie fruit, highest on one side ; eye,
medium size, open, and slightly sunk in a very shallow, plaited, or
furrowed basin ; segments of the calyx short, stiflF, projecting ;
flesh, yellowish-white, coarse, molting, and juicy ; flavour, rich,
sugary, slightly vinous, perfumed, and delicious ; core, rather large ;
seeds, small. Ripe in November, and keeps four or five weeks.

Provincial Spring Flower Shows. — I am glad that

double Primroses have found so many friends to help their cause.
If only our provincial horticultural societies could be jirevailed on to
hold exliibitions of spring flowers (as is done in London) in April or
in the early part of May, emulation would Ije excited among gi-owers
of hardy early blooming plants, and many a flower would thus be
brought into notice which at present is bom to blush unseen. A
corn-hall, assembly-room, a drill-hall or disused rink, would each
make a good exhibition room, and I think, in a pecuniary point of
view, we would find such a flower show to answer. Out-of-door exhibi-
tions, even in .July and September, are often spoiled by bad weather;
but there would be no risk of such misfortune to a show held under
cover, and to which so many persons would eagerly flock, anxious to
obtain a glimpse of early floral beauty. Moreover, an exhibition of
hardy flowers would open a wider field for competition among a
large class of cultivators, who are debarred by circumstances from
contesting for prizes offered for specimen plants and stove exotics,
the culture of which demand artificial heat, space, and labour. But
Auriculas, Alpines, Primroses, Polyanthuses, Hyacinths, Dutch
Tulips, Squills, Daffodils, Cyclamens, Anemones, &c., are readily
grown, while it would be easy for those who have forcing-houses to
add their quota, so as to make our country spring shows a success
to the promoters and a delight to the beholders. Will not
more than one provincial floricultural society take this matter
in hand, and announce a show of this description for May 1,
1880?— C. R.

356

THE GARDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

P LATE C LXX V I I I

HARDY ANNUAL HAIRBELLS.
(with a coloured figure of campanula macrostyla.)

With but few exceptions the whole of the numerous family of Hair-
bells are very handsome, and those of annual duration comprise some
of the most showy. To this group belongs the subject of the ac-
companying illustration, the recent introduction of w-hich to our list
of beautiful hardy annuals must be regarded as a decided acquisi-
tion. It is rather dwarf in gi-owth, seldom exceeding 1 ft. high, and
a good idea of its singidar habit may be gleaned from the subjoined
woodcut, from which it will be seen that the numerous branches
which are but sparsely clothed with foliage, are aiTanged in a can-
delabra-like manner, and which in addition to the large size and
pleasing colour of the blossoms, with the beautiful net-like veins of
a deeper shade, render it highly attractive. Its specific name macro-
styla, or large style, is given on account of an unusually excessive
development of that organ, which is cluli-shaped, and rises erect
from tlie centre of the blossom. It is found gTowing in sandy soil in
the vicinity of Lake Isauria, near Mount Taurus, in Asia Minor,
whence it was first introduced a year or two ago.

A rich light soil in an exposed and sumiy position seems to meet
its requirements. It may be sown in the open border, either during
the spring months or in September, to stand the ^vinter so as to
obtain flowers early in the season.

Campanula macrostyla.

Besides this handsome novelty there are several other species of
the annual class that are very desirable, and which have long lieen
esteemed as good old-fashioned border flowers. The best of these
are —

Lorey's Hairbell (Campanula Loreyi). — An old introduction
from Mount Baldi, in North Italy. It gi-ows 9 in. to 1 ft. high, has
numerous branches and small, staikless, shining leaves. Its blossoms
are of a blue-violet colour, and are produced in sufficient quantity to
render it a pretty border annual : it is seen to the best advantage
when planted in masses. Its variety called alba, with blossoms of
silvery-gi'ey, is also very attractive.

LiOeflflillg''s Hairbell (C. Lcefflingi). — This is a showy species,
dwarf in habit, rarely exceeding 4 in. high, and it produces a pro-
fusion of violet-blue blossoms J in. across. It is a cajjital plant for
the summer decoration of rockwork, or for front spaces in ordinary
borders. It is found growing naturally in the cornfields throughout
Portugal and .Spain.

C. attica. — Tliis is another miniature species, aliout .3 in. high,
with reddish-purple flowers, whicli are proiluced abundantly through-
out the summer. Its white variety is very pretty, and when inter-
mixed with the original kind is strikingly effective.

The Strigose Hairbell (C. strigosa) is a native of Aleppo
and other parts of SjTia, whence it was introduced a few years
since. It grows about 4 in. high, is a profuse flowerer, ami lasts
long without any abatement in beauty. Its blossoms are 1 in. across,
of a dark blue colour, the rather long tube being of a pale yellow
shade.

Venus' Looking-glass (Specularia Speculum). — Though this
fine old annual cannot be strictly classed with the Campanulas, it is
so often ranked with them that an allusion to it under this head is,
on this account, admissable. It is, without doubt, one of our
showiest annuals, and besides the large-flowered form called grandi-
flora, both in purple and white, we have the double-flowered kind,
which is said to come true from seed, and a procumbent variety
di^arf and compact in habit, and bearing violet-blue flowers.

S. pentagonia. — This is another well-known favourite witli
larger flowers than the last, but less profusely produced. Its colour
is purple, with the centre of a deep blue shade. This and the fore-
going are particularly desirable, for, in addition to their showiness,
they invariably scatter their own seeds, which come up year after
year and give no further trouble ; therefore they are as useful as the
perennial kinds. W. G.

EFFECT OF LOCAL INFLUENCES ON GARDEN
CULTURE.

I HAVK a large garden, ten miles distant from any towii, furnished
with the usual appliances for the cultivation of both hardy and tender
plants; I liaveauextensiveknowledge, both practicaland theoretical, of
their culture — in fact, with my horticultural friends, I am accepted
as the local authority on the subject ; yet here, even with extra care,
the commonest plants, such as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Chrysanthe-
mums, &c., cannot be induced to make a moderately healthy growth.
These easily grown plants better illustrate the difficult}' to which I
wish to direct attention ; but my remarks apply equally to stove
plants. Orchids, and others requiring more special treatment. The
cause of the mischief afi'ects almost all classes of jjlants which I
attempt to grow. My garden is unfavourably situated on a clay
subsoil, but this can scarcely influence to an extent so injurious
plants grown under glass in soil suitable to them, more especially as
the evil of which I complain is increasing. I could, a few years ago,
obtain fair results from the cultivation of many plants which now
refuse to grow. I have changed my head gardener five times in seven
years, hoping to find one who could master the difficulty ; all have been
men of experience, who had been successful gi-owers, and who would
probably again succeed elsewhere. Here all failed alike, and admitted
their failure. My present gardener, formerly plant gi-ower for three
years in a large provincial nursery, admits the facts as I state them,
biit is utterly at a loss for an explanation. As may be expected with
xmhealthy plants, insects thrive — the mealy bug especially delights
in the place. It does not confine itself to the stoves, but revels
equally in the cooler houses, and even on plants in the open gTOund.
But insects are not the cause of the mischief, or at any rate any
insect known to me and visible, for ordinary measures are taken for
their repression, and I can measure the damage done by them. I
have suspected the water, but the plants seem to behave the same,
whether watered from the covered tanks in which the rain is col-
lected or from a well. I have often heard of isolated cases of failure,
such .as a good gai-dener at a former place, celebrated for exception-
ally fine specimens of Adiantura Farleyense, being unable at his next
place, although circumstances and .appliances were apparently equally
favourable, to induce it to gi-ow ; but I have heard of no case similar
to my own, where the difliculty afi'ects many plants of the easiest
cultivation.

The question whicli I wish to submit for solution is : Has .anyone
noticed a local condition, irrespective of the ordinary influences
aSecting the health of plants, which prevents the development of
gi'owth usually following on proper cultivation ? Strange and excep-
tional as is my failure, it cannot be unique. The same causes, what-
ever they may be, must have produced simikar eflects elsewhere ; I
therefore write in the hope that some one of your readers, recognising
a former difliculty of his own, and more fortunate than I in dis-
covering the cause and remedy, may, in kindly sympathy with a
fellow-horticultxirist, publish his experience for the public benefit.

Warwickshire. E. T.

Hardy Border Plants. — It may be well to remind .all who
love to sec their garden boixlers gay with flowers that just now is a
good and proper time to sow in the open ground seeds of Wallflowers,
Stocks, Canterbury Bells, Pentstemous, Antirrhinums, Pansies, Poly-
anthus, and many other favourite hardy fiowers. The place selected
for so%ving should be a warm one, exposed to the full light of the
sun, as it is desirable that both seed and soil should h.ave all the
benefit of solar heat should the weather prove dull and cold, as it
does sometimes in May. During hot bright days it is easy to give
a little shading whilst the sun is high, but warmth is entirely essen-
tial to the free germination of the seed. Pentstemons and Canterbury
BeUs would germinate quickest under glass. — A. D.

NETTED HAIRBELL (CAMPANULA MACROSTYLA-BOISSIER.)

»

IS

Mat 3, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

357

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — A midland county Auricula gi-ower wiites for infor-
mation respecting the construction of garden frames for these flowers,
and his letter would lead one to infer that there is an impression
abroad that frames and houses of a peculiar construction are necessary
for Auricidas. If that be so, the impression is an erroneous one.
Our frames at Loxford are simply ordinary Cucumber frames, and no
system of side ventilation is provided. In summer the frames are
elevated on bricks placed at each corner. Whenever the weather is
fine, we pull the lights quite off, an<l do not trouble about the cold ;
Auriculas may suffer from heat in summer, but never from cold.
Another correspondent lost his collection last %vdnter from frost, so
he says ; but that caunot be the case, as under ordinary circumstances
no Auricula suffers from frost even during the severest winter. They
may be killed by kindness, or they may be starved by neglect, but
the weather must not be blamed. Wlienever an unsuccessful grower
is met, there is the usual remark about the " horrible weather, "
which never suits such people. It will be time next week to begin
potting. If the soil be not ijrepared, see to that matter at once, and
get the pots in readiness.

Carnations and Picotees. — At this date last year we had
begmi to place sticks to the flower-stems, and a few of the earliest
had been disbudded ; but, unless thei'e is a consider.able change in
the weather, they will not be so far advanced for at least a fortnight
yet. Those who can keep their plants in cold frames mil certainly
have a considerable advantage this season over those who have no
such means of protection. With the most careful searching of the
soil, it is not possible to remove all the wireworms, and we have lost
a considerable number of our best plants through that pest, and we
must expect to lose a few yet. Whenever a plant shows signs of
flagging, examine the undergi-ound round the stem, when the wire-
worm will be found ; but probably by that time the mischief will be
done.

Dahlias. — There is little to add to what has been already stated
in previous numbers resijecting tliese plants. See that they are
secure from frost, that they are not overcrowded in tlie frames or
pits, and be sure they have abundance of ventilation, removing the
lights entirely whenever the weather permits. Tlie foundation of
future success lies in a stocky, firm gi'owth and rigid, deep gi'een
leaves at the present time. When plants are received from the nur-
sery in 2;j-in. pots shift them at once into 3-in. pots into good rich
mould and place them in a warm house near the glass for a few days
in order to encourage root action.

Phloxes, Pyrethrums, Pentstemons, &c., in Pots.

— These hardy border plants may be classed together for convenience
sake. Their culture is much the same ; they require good rich lo.am
and S-in. or 9-in. pots, well drained, for i]lants with four or five
stems. The flowering-stems are now well advanced and the pots are
filled with roots ; if there is any lack of vigour give manure water
weak at every alternate watering. Support the stems with suitable
sticks. This class of plants require a considerable supply of water at
the roots, and they suffer if that lie neglected even for a day ; they
show signs of distress by the oldest leaves becoming yellow and the
stems hard and wiry. They should .-vU be out-of-doors now, sheltered
if possible from the north-west \\inds.

Polyanthuses. — These are mucli more lasting than Auriculas ;
the centre truss comes up first, and small trusses are produced for a
few weeks afterwards, therefore the same plant will remain in flower,
if kept in a cool place and shaded from the sun, for at least six
weeks. The leaves under glass have a tendency to become drawm ;
it is therefore better to remove the lights altogether in fine weather
and admit air at night. Water freely and remove all decaying
blooms ; as they go out of flower place the p ants on a cool bottom
out-of-doors for a time. — J. Douglas.

Orchids.

Beetles and Ants. — Most Orcliids requiring a high tempera-
ture ^vill now be in an active state ; the gi-eater portion, such as the
majority of Vandas, Aerides, and Saccolabiums, that flower in spring
and early summer, will be fast pushing up their bloom spikes, and
those who have to contend with the destructive beetles will need to be
continually on the look-out to protect the advancing flowers from
their depredations. The usual plan is to put a piece of cotton-wool
round the flower-stem, but I have found ordinary wool for this pur-
pose better, inasmuch as when it gets wet through syi-ingiug, the
moisture makes bttle difference to it ; not so with cotton, which,
when much saturated with water, gets into a close compact mass,
and does not offer such an effectual barrier to the approach of the
beetles. Where these are present, as they almost invariably are

where any considerable number of plants are grown, it is nnich
better to keep on continuously trapping them than to allow them to
rest for awhile until they have become numerous, and then to be under
the necessity of making extra efforts to reduce them. Independent of
the annoyance resulting from the loss of flowers which they destroy,
when allowed to get numerous they do immense injury to the plants,
especially the thick-rooted species, by eating the tender points of
the roots. I have seen collections so seriously attacked in this way,
that were it not for the recuperative powers whicli these plants pos-
sess they would have been destroyed outright, and as it was, both
their growing and flowering capabilities were very much reduced. I
have tried all or abnost all the different poison preparations made for
tlieir destruction, all of which kill more or less of them, but amongst
those whose destructive power is derived from phosphorus, I have
found none equal to Roth and Ringeson's beetle poison ; like otliers,
however, it very soon dries up, in which condition it is useless.
With the help of this laid down for a coujjle of nights at a time, at
intervals of a month, and small marmalade pots half filled with olive
oil or treacle, and place<l so as to touch the pots of the plants in
which the insects lodge, or anj-where near where they hide, they
may alw aj's be kept so few in number as to do little harm. Where
iuits exist to an extent to be troublesome, the oil or treacle will be
suflicient to keep them do«ii. In their ease it is better to use both
alternately, as, from their keen instinct, if the oil be always present
they soon learn to avoid it.

Shading. — So far, I scarcely remember a season when we have
had so little sunshine ; the effect of this will be that when it comes
continuous and powerful, the plants will be less able to bear it, and,
where fixed shadings were put on as early as it became necessary to
use any at all, the weakening influence in the case of such a spring
as this will be much worse than usual. One of the most successful
gi'owers of Orcliids, especially of East Indian ones, with whom I
recently conversed, informed me that he had become so convinced of
the evils attending too heavy shading, even when moveable, that for
tlie last two seasons he had used it very much thinner than for
thirty years he had ever previously done, with the obvious result of
shorter, stouter foliage, particularly in the case of such plants as
Vandas, Aerides, and Saccolaliiums, and with a proportionate
increase not only in the number of spikes produced by each gTowth,
but also in the quantity of flowers which they bore. The plants fur-
nished good evidence that rude hcaltli and a disposition to flower
are botli the result of an increased amount of light, which ripens and
solidifies the growth during the process of formation.

Ventilation, &C. — The cold, cutting east winds that have con-
tinued so long ha\e made the admission of air a difficult m.atter, yet
every day, if even for a few hours, enough should be given to dry up the
atmosphere of the house, liy which means more moisture may with
safety be indulged in for some hours after closing. Avoid high night
temperatures, as they are most baneful in their effects. It seems
singailar, but I have long noticed that Orchids which inhabit even
the hottest countries will not long keep in good health if submitted
to so high a night temperature as that in which hard-wooded species
of plants that come from the same countries will thrive. Difference
of opinion exists amongst Orchid growers as to syringing overhead
during the growing season, some practising it regidarly and others
little or not at all. Its effects a good deal depend upon the light or
dark character of the house in wliich the plants are grown, their
proximity to the glass, the volume of light during the time the sun
is on the' glass that is allowed to reach them, and also the more or
less air and atmospheric moisture that is applied. My own impres-
sion is that, with tlie exceiJtion of a very few species, if tlie plants
have not stamina enough in them to bear syringing overhead without
injury, the general conditions of cultivation under which they are
grown are such as not to be compatible with a healthy existence for
any considerable length of time.

Vanda teres. — This most distinct and beautiful species, the
individual flowers of which are equalled by very few, requires special
treatment in order to Ijloom it regularly every year. It is indigenous
to different parts of the East, and, to some extent, no doubt this
will have an influence upon its disposition to produce flowers in the
case of individual plants ; but, by gi'owing it in the lightest position
in the house, with the top not more than 6 in. or 1 ft. away from
the roof glass, and by withholding water altogether from the middle
or end of Novemlier tlirough the winter, during whicli time a tem-
perature of 55^ will be enough, it may be induced to flower ; with
more than this temperature, unless tliere is very little atmospheric
moisture, it never gets quite at rest, a condition indispensable to its
blooming. If, about the middle of March, the plants be put
amongsttlie warmest section, but no water applied until the flower-
buds have broken from the stem, I have found it to bloom as
freely as any other species ; after this water may be given, but, if
applied earlier, with me, at least, the plants always went off' into
growth. — T. Baines.

358

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 3, 1879.

Ferns.

In planting a liouse with Ferns, care is required to arrange
them in such a way that tlie stronger gi'owers will not encroach upon
and destroy the weaker ones, and attention in after years will also
be necessary to keep the large ones within bounds. This will be easily
effected by cutting away the oldest fronds to a gi-eater or less extent,
an operation which has the direct efi'ect of reducing the strength and
size of those produced immediately afterwards. This not only
applies to the lower-gi-owing kinds with creeping rhizomes, but also
to the tree species ; consequently, by a judicious removal of a suffi-
cient number of the old fronds whilst there is yet vitality in them,
the extension of those forthcoming can be regulated to a nicety ; but
it may be necessary to inform the inexperienced that this frond-cut-
ting must not be carried too far, or much injury will be thei-esult, as,
if many of the evergreen species with a creeping habit of gro%vth have
the whole or the greater portions of their fronds removed at once,
many of the rhizomes will die ; as a rule, the stronger habited the
plant the more cutting it will bear. Complete removal of the old
fronds, if they happen to get into bad condition through being
infested with scale, such as is sometimes practised on the h.ardier
kinds of Adiantum, should never occur in the case of any less able
to mthstand mutilation. I have frequently seen plants more or less
strong of Gleichenia, summarily treated in this way, either wholly or
partly die, A very much lietter plan mth any, but esijecially with
valuable plants of this description, is to kill the scale by thoroughly
syi"inging the whole head right downi to the surface of the soil with
a strong solution of insecticide ; even if to effect tlie certain destruc-
tion of the insects the application Ije given so strong as to more or
less disfigure the foliage, it ^\ill he very much less injurious to the
plant ultimately than removing all the fronds at once.

Propagation of Gleichenias. — These are not nearly so
plentiful as they deserve to l)e, taking into consideration their beauty
and usefulness. They need comparatively very little artificial
warmth to grow them well, and they do imraeasural)ly better in a
dry position, such as that immediately over exjjosed liot-water pipes,
or a flue, than elsewhere, conditions that would at once stop
the healthy development of most Ferns. One reason why
Gleichenias remain scarce is, that they cannot be propagated by
division nearly so readily as most other Ferns, for tlieir rhizomes will
not bear dividing into small pieces like the genei-ality of Ferns ; but
where healthy, vigorous specimens exist, they push their creeping
roots rapidly at this time of tlie year over the sides of the pots or
tubs which they occupy, and, if as they extend they are layered into
small jjots, drained and filled with peaty soil, and fixed in a
continuous row round the large pots in which the plants are
gro\Wng, and secured, as they easily can be, by a few strands
of wire, a large quantity of young plants can be thus
obtained, but the oper.ation requires care in carrying out, as these
young extending rhizomes are as soft, delicate, and susceptible of in-
jury as the gi-owing extremities of an Orchid root ; and if, on the
other hand, the layering be not effected until the rhizomes have ex-
tended a considerable way over the sides of tlie pots, and have got
into a hard, stunted condition, tliey are little disposed to grow freely
after they are layered : consecpiently it is best to prepare a sufficient
number of little pots for layering, and fix tliein in position just as
the creeping roots are about to extend beyond the rim of the pot in
which the plant being propagated from is gi-owiug. With a good vigor-
ous specimen, these push so fast at this season that iu a few weeks
they get sufficiently advanced to layer, and also form roots in pro-
portionately little time, but in directing and securing these young
root-gi'owths to the small pots in which they are to be layered, very
. great care must be taken not to injure them. I have found bits of
lead sufficiently lieavy to hold them in contact witli the soil less in-
jurious than the hooked sticks or similar appliances generally em-
ployed for that purpose. — T. B.iiNES.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of
starting late Vines sufficiently early for the crops to be perfectly
ripe before the end of September, when they may be kept sound
^vitll little or no trouble. Ours were thoroughly matured by the
beginning of September, and we have yet a goodly number of
bunches as plump and fresli as when they were cut at Christmas
time, and not a bad berry has had to be cut out of them, a circum-
stance wholly attributable to early maturity. All late Vines should
therefore now be ready to disbud, and be gro^v^l on freely by takinc
advantage of sunny days, to close up early, running up the tem-
peratm-e to 90°, or even more, along with abundance of air-moisture.
Inside borders are preferable for late as well as for early Grapes, and
though they cause additional labour as regards watering, the
advantages gained by the power to feed at will, and by being inde-
pendent of the weather, more than balance accounts for extra
labour. See that all inside borders are well moistened through

before the Vines flower ; outside borders will, of the two, rather
require to be protected from water than be given any. Of sunshine
we have still but little ; early Grapes, therefore, make but slow pro-
gress, and, unfortunately, many are exjiected to have them ripe by a
certain day. Where such is the case they must continue to force at
all cost, but the warning must be given that the strain will probably
be too much for the Vines, and though they may finish up fairly well
this season, next year the injury will become ajiparent. It is always
better to wait an extra week or two for ripe fruit than to perma-
nently injure the Vines by excessive forcing. Where Grapes are
colouring, ventilate freely night and day. There should now at all
times be a slight current of rarified air in the house, and the tem-
perature should be maintained at a minimum of GO' degrees on the
coldest nights. Atmospheric moistm-e must still be maintained, but
only in moderation, and on warm days give air rather freely, in order
to allow the stagnant moisture to pass off, otherwise mildew might
be engendered. Tie down and stop the shoots in successional
houses, and do not be afraid of leaving too many gi'owths or too
long shoots, jirovided there is space for full development without
overcrowding. In thinning out the berries, keep in mind the variety
being operated on, and thin little or much accordingly, erring rather
than otherwise on the side of overthinning, when the Grapes are
intended for long keeping. Pot Vines that are intended for fruiting
next season should be potted on as soon as the roots have reached
the sides of the pots, for if once they get entangled together before
a shift is gnven, they sustain a severe check by the operation ; grow
them on without bottom heat as near the glass as possible, and with
abundance of atmospheric moLsture. Stop the main shoots as soon
as they have become 6 ft. in length, and the lateral shoots at the
second leaf.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Routine work amongst these
will now consist in keeping the strong gi'owths pinched and the
whole neatly tied in, avoiding overcrowding. Expose as much as
possible the whole of the fruit to full daylight ; this is necessary,
both as regards free swelling and high colour. Give abundance of
tejiid liquid manure as soon as the second swelling of the fruit is
perceptible ; in well-drained borders it is hardly possible to give too
much. Well syringe the trees night and morning, and maintain a
moist, ammonia-charged atmosphei'e by sprinkling manure water on
the floors and walls till the fruit begins to colour, when it should be
discontinued. Late houses should now be finally disbudded, well
syringed, and abundantly supplied with water. Give no quarter
to green or black fly, but fumigate immediately any are per-
ceived.

Strawberi'ies. — Attention as to abundant supplies of water,
ventilation, and thinning out of surplus fruit is about all these now
need ; taking it for gi'anted tliat there are good jilants upon which
to operate, abundance of good fruit must be the result. The later
plants are throwing up their flower-stems, and should therefore not
be retarded, but be encouraged to make sturdy gTowth, by gdving
them plenty of room and turning their crowns sunwards. A cold
pit oil which the lights could be put at night is a suitable position
till they are required for introduction to the forcing pit. Plants
from which the fruit has been gathered should be gradually hardened
off' preparatory to forming new plantations, which can now be made
at any time. Any fruit requiring to be retarded may, if removed to
a cooi fruit room before it is dead ripe, be kept for a week or ten
days.— W. W.

Kitchen Garden.

We have now had about seven months of wintry weather, in the
shape of a succession of snow, hail, and rain storms, varied occa-
sionally by biting north and north-east winds, which we bore meekly,
inasmuch as they dried the ground and allowed seed to be sown ;
but, judging by present appearances of many of the seedlings, even
this work would have been best left alone, for to say that they look
sickly is to very inaptly describe their condition ; and, however
mild the weather may now become, many vegetables M'ill be very
late, and will need all the cultural aid tliat can be given them if they
are to attain anything like perfection this season. It is by paying
strict attention to tlie smallest details that success is to be
attained : therefore, begnnning with the seedlings, these should
always be thinned before there is tlie slightest danger of disturbing
the roots of those that are to remain. Many crops are irretrievably
injured by neglect in regaa'd to thinning them at the proper time.
Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, Turnips, and kindred subjects, should all
be thinned out as soon as they are large enough to handle, and after-
wards the gi'ound between tlie rows should be deeply stirred. The
main cro[)S of Beetroot, Broccoli, and Kale should now be sown.
Broccoli requires liglit, deep soil, free from r.ank manure, its best
fertiliser being soot or a surface-dressing of giiano as soon as the seed
is sow'ii. For hea\'y, tenacious soils, burnt earth, charcoal, and wood
ashes are preferable. French and Runner Beans may now be so^vn
in quantity. Amongst the different sorts the best for a main crop is

May 3, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

359

the Canadian Wonder ; if sown thinly in rows, 30 in. apart, it will

require small Birch twigs to support it, as, under good culture, it is
a prodigious crojiper. As a Runner Bean none equals Suttons'Oiant
White, a kind a long way in advance of the ordinary Scarlet Runner,
as it bears to the very bottom of the haulm, and continues bearing
throughout the season, if well mulched or watered in dry weatlier.
Cauliflower plants that were wintered in handlights are growing well
in spite of the weather ; these require high feeding, and,
should the weather turn out to be dry, a dose of liquid
manure will be of great assistance to them. Plant out successional
batches, and also sjiring-sown Cabbages and Coleworts, which will
come in for early autumn use. Brussels Sprouts are a most important
crop, for amongst all the winter greens these have proved this
winter to be about the hardiest. The main crop should now be
planted ; 3 ft. row from row, and '2 ft. plant from plant is none too
much. Thin out the seedlings of any that were sown in rows for a
permanency. After several years trial we can pronounce this to be
the best system of culture, its only drawback being that ground
cannot at all times be spared to thus sow them. Main crop Peas
must now be sown in quantity, in doing which it is well to forestall
the weather, and sow them in trenches, in order that in the event of
drought supervening, they can be well watered, as these, like
Cauliflowers, are thirsty subjects, and resent dryness, by the produc-
tion of mildew, instead of Peas. Earth up and stake advancing
crops, and if .an extra early dish be desired, pinch out the tops ; the
lateral gi'owths will soon show blossom, but, of course, this is at the
sacrifice of produce. We cut the first'Asparagus from the open
ground on the 26th ult. , three weeks later than usual, and Asparagus
is by no means looking so kindly as it usually does the first week in
April. This should now be looked over every morning in order that
all heads may he cut before there is the least trace of the buds at the
tips of the shoots opening. Now is the time to make new planta-
tions, before doing which beginners woulil do well to examine the
illustrations and instructions given in p. 344 of last week's (i-\RDEX.
Plots of groimd that have been occupied with winter greens will
now be liecoming vacant, and should be dug or trenched according
to the crop intended to be sown or planted on them. If for Celery, •
simply clear olf the stumps and dig out and manure the trenches ;
and if time and labour be scarce, the same mode of culture will
answer for Peas, Init preference should be given to entire trenching,
when time and labour admit of it. Forcing properly, so called, %vill
now be at an eml ; all salads and early vegetables in frames should
now have full exposure, except on cold nights, and a constant suc-
cession of small salads must be kept up by frequent sowings in the
open air. Tomatoes, Capsicums, Ridge Cucumbers, and Vegetable
Marrows should be potteil ei'e the roots get entangled together, and
be gi'own on sturdily till the last week of this montli, when they may
be transijlanted to their fniiting positions, either near south walls,
on south borders, or in other sunny sheltered spots. Prick out
Celery, C^auliflower, and hei-b seedlings, and grow them on -with
partial protection so long as cold winds and frosts continue. — W. W.

Parks and Open Spaces.
Freeing Roads and "Walks from Weeds.— During

May these will re(iuire particular attention in reganl to weeding, the
old method of hand-picking being yet the best. The ob.iectious to
this system are tlie amount of time taken up in the work, the impossi-
bility of pulling up the very small weeds which show themselves
after the fb-st shower, the loose surface left should there be many
weeds, and that hand-weeding does not destroy any seeds which may
exist in the gi-avel. Corrosive acids have been recommended for
clearing weeds from walks, and also salt, but these, although eflec-
tive, if used of sufficient strength and in sufficient quantity, can
only be applied with great cai-e, as any vegetation in the shape of
edgings with which they may come in contact will be sure to suffer
more or less. Acids are also destructive to watering-pots, clothes,
&c., and they will Ije found expensive, whilst salt is unsightly, as,
to be effective, it should lie on the surface for some time, its efl'ect
when used with water in a boihng state being less satisfactory than
when used in a dry condition. It must also be remembered that
whether acids or salt are used the weeds remain for some time in a
withered condition on the surface. Generally when roads and walks
are made with a view to utility, the work of weeding is
trifling ; but if broad roads aud walks little used exist,
they are certain to become extremely troublesome in this
respect. Sulphiu-ic acid (vitriol) is perhaps the most efficacious
for the purpose of killing vegetation, and it should be diluted with
20, 30, or 40 times its volume, according to and in proportion to its
concentration. Salt used in a dry state may be put on at the rate of
from 2 lb. to 4 lb. per square yard with boiling water. It matters
very little the (quantity used, provided it be not less than tluat re-
commended in a dry state. The action of both acids and salt is not
permanent, but nuiy, if well done, last the summer and autimin. The
best time for applying them is during dry weather, as weeds are

then in a state to take up the maximum of the poison applied. Hand
picking should be done in moist weather, the weeds coming up better
when the paths are in a soft state, and if well rolled, the effect is
more easily obliterated. A combination of both methods may be
tried with advantage. In dry weather roads and walks should be
watered to jjrevent dust, especially in the vicinity of flower beds,
and also in order that the stones may not become loosened in conse-
(pieuce of the grit, which assists in binding them together, being
blo«ai away, whilst on wet days rolling should by no means be
neglected. — C. Dennis, Southwark Park.

ROSES.

NEW ROSES, FRENCH AND ENGLISH.

The article which I \vTote for The Garden on this subject has
brought me into correspondence with one of the best known and most
zealous of French horticulturists, who has taken exception to some
of the views I have expressed, and has also given expression to some
things with which, on my part, I cannot coincide. This, and the
appearance of one or two articles in the '*. Journal des Roses," and
the fact that two Hue French Roses were admirably figured in The
Gariiex (p. 298), have induced me to follow up the subject, taking up
the objections of my correspondent, and adding such facts as may be
of interest on the subject, for we have aljundant evidence that nothing
connected with tiie queen of flowers is out of place or uninteresting. \
I had animadverted on the very great number of worthless Roses
which have Ijeen introduced annually for a number of years, puzzling
our Rose gi'owers, causing bitter disappointment, and worrying our
amateurs as to whether they shall trust tlie glowing descriptions
which our English nurserymen cannot endorse for lack of informa-
tion. To this it is rei)lied, that in tlia main it is true that far too
many Roses are sent out, and that it would be a great deal better if
they were ciirtailed ; but it is also said that there is not the needed
facility for liringing Roses under the cognizance of some competent
tribunal, and that Rose growers at Lyons, or Brie-Comte-Robert, may
each of them have what they believe to be good Roses, good
enough to send into commerce, but that proljably had they had
the opportunity of seeing one another's flowers, they might have
hesitated. I admit all this ; I never imputed dishonesty but
lack of judgment, and tliat blindness in tlie case of one's own
progeny, which affects other things besides Roses. But besides this
the retort is made, look at your Pelargoniums, Dahlias, &c.,
which every year are produced in large numbers, and yet the greater
portion of them ought never to have been sent out, being no better
than those which were already in existence. I think the hit comes
rather home, but ' ' two wrongs never yet made a right, " and there
is, moreover, this great difference between the two : if I buy in a
set of Pelargoniums, they take little room ; in a few months I can
see all about them, and discard or keep as I please. But it is a
very dirt'ereut thing with Roses. A nurseryman buys his lot in the
autunui ; he has to prepare his stocks in pots ready for grafting.
These pots liave to be kept in a hothouse, and take up a great deal of
room, and require a good deal of fuel. The space will be regulated
according to his trade, of course, but, under any circumstances, it is
an expensive process. These plants cannot be expected to give any
reliable Ijlooms, and it is almost eighteen months before he can posi-
tively decide, and then, perhaps, a large number of those about
which he has taken so much pains and gone to so much expense would
be consigned to the ruljbish-heap. This, I think, it is that most
severely taxes the patience and temper of Rose growers in England.
The descriptions given are unreliable in too many cases ; even if he
goes by the name of the raijer that will not always avail, for it is a
strange fact that some of those who have given us our best Roses
have also weighted their vessel with some utterly wortldess varieties.
One would hardly think that the raiser of Charles Lefebvre would
recommend Madame Leonie Giesseu ; and if he, one of the most
reliable of French raisers, could do so, we may surely expect that
others may make similar mistakes. While on this portion of my
subject, one is tempted to ask. What is the standard of perfection
recognised by French growers? In the "Journal des Roses" for
February there is a list gnven of a hundred Roses, which a com-
mission, formed by the Horticultural Society of the ' ' Haute
Garonne," has selected from those grown in the south-west of
France, and amongst them I find the names of some which
have been either banished from our lists or never known here :
Christian Puttner,* Docteur H^ron, Duchess of Sutherland, Duhamel
Dumonceau,* Francisque Barillot,* Gc'n^ral Due d'Aumale, Gloire de
Ducher,* Hortense Mignard,* La Motte Sanguin, Madame Angfele
Despott, Madame Clorinde Leljlond,* Madame Hunnebelle, Made-
moiselle EugiSnie Wilhehn, Oderic Vital, Princesse Mathilde, aud
Triomphe de Toulouse ; those marked having attained the highest

360

THE GARDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

number of marka possilile. 8ome of these I have never seen, and I
very much question if they have ever been exhibited in Kngland. In
the same list, as well as in another in the April number on Lyons-
r.aised Roses, I find Charles Lefeb%Te put down as having been sent
out in 1871 ; this must be a mistake. I find it in Rose lists published
in 1S63, and, to the best of my belief, it was sent out in IStil.

But the chief cause of complaint, according to my correspondent,
is that I have claimed credit for our Knglish-raised Roses which is
not due to them, for that it is a well-known fact that the gi'cater
portion of them are bought in France, rechristened, and sent out as
English-raised Roses, and he gives me the following list, the first
five of which he says are certainly French Roses, the others most
likely so : Virgile, Firebrand, Duchess of Edinburgh, CEdipe,
Lord Beaconsfield, Princess Christian, Princess Beatrice, Star of
Waltham, Reynolds Hole, and .Sultan of Zanzibar.

Let me say in reply to this that there is evidently a mistake as to
the two last on this list. I saw them in the seed-beds at Cheshunt,
•and know them to be English-raised Roses. Whatever may have
been done in former years, it is tolerably clear that resource will not
be had to this practice again to any extent ; several hybridisers are at
work. All know the i)arentage of the more recent English Roses,
and can have no doubt as to «-hat country claims the honour of intro-
ducing them, while those who do buy French Roses, such as Mr.
Bennett, of Salisbury, openly proclaim their having done so. The
23ractice of buying a foreign Rose and introducing it as if it were
English is a very harndess proceeding,* and is oidy misleading in the
event of prizes being offered for English-raised Roses, when, in some
instances, it would be difficult to refuse a prize on tliis ground, suffi-
cient evidence not being jjrocurable on the point. It would be a very
desirable matter to have a correct list of all really English-raised
Roses, and as an instalment thereof I give the following : "

Devoniensis, raised liy Mr. Foster.

.John Hopper, Mr. J. Beruers, and Mrs. Ward, raised by Mr. W.ird,
of Ipswicli.

Duke of Edinburgh, Beauty of Waltham, and Lord Clyde, raised
by Messrs. Paul before the dissolution of partnership.

Princess Louise, Annie Laxton, Emily Laxton, Marchioness of
Exeter, Mr. Laxton, and Charles Dawson, raised by Mr. Laxton, of
Stamford.

Reynolds Hole, Cheshunt Hybrid, The Shah, W. Wilson Saunders,
Sultan of Zanzibar, and Dr. Hooker, raised by Paul & Son,
Cheshunt.

My correspondent doubts very much whetlier I am right in
believing that English-raised Roses will be hardier in constitution
than French-raised kinds, and I think, perhaps, I was a little too
decided in my ojiinion on this point, for, on tliinkingthe matter over,
I do most certainly call to mind instances to the contrary, and I
remember one Rose of very great merit which obtained a first-class
certificate, and was purchased for a considerable sum by one of our
leading firms, but on growing and propagating it he fouml it so defi-
cient in constitution that lie threw it into the'ruljbish heap, wliile, on
the other hand, some of the Lyons-raised Roses have a vigour of con-
stitution one would liardly expect for the sunny south ; it is then, I
suppose, in this ratlier a matter of race than oi" birthplace, that seed
saved from vigorous-growing Roses, wliether at Lyons or Ches-
hunt, Brie or Slough, is likely to produce vigorous Roses.
The question as to the origin of new Roses, is, per-
haps, not so important now as it was a few years ago. English
raisers are on their mettle, and, notwithstanding some drawl)acks
to their efforts, are not likely to allow tliemselves to be second in the
race, and they must have seen that French raisers will not sell what
they believe to be a really first-rate Rose ; the (.'xprit de corps is too
strong for that, and they prefer having the honour of sending them
out themselves. I do not think anything could have tempted the
raisers of Charles Lefebvre, La France, Marie Baumann, or
Marc?cii.al Niel to have parted with them, and I find, as a m.atter of
fact, that few of those Roses which have been bought in France and
sent out in England hold a very high position in the estimation of
rosarians. I am confirmed in this by an incident in my own experi-
ence. Some years ago, it was reported that a Lyons raiser had
succeeded in obtaining a yellow Perpetual Rose, .and, as I ^vas in
France at the time, I was asked to go down to Lyons and try to
procure it for a well-known caterer of novelties in horticulture. I
went, but need not say it was an ii/iiis f<itum : nothing of the kind
was to be seen. In going through the Lyons Rose gardens, however,
I chanced to see a new Rose of a very novel character, which I
was desirous of obt.aining for my friend. On my own responsi-
bility, I offered what must have been a very tempting sum to
anyone at all willing to do business for it. There was never for a

moment an atom of hesitation in the emphatic non with which my
offer was met. " It is a grand acquisition, and I desire to have the
honour of sending it out and having my name attached to it ; " and
so it was, and I believe, as long as Roses are cultivated, it will hold
the place which I thought it merited.

There is still something to be done, and if only a raiser could get
a yellow Charles Lefeb%Te, or a pure white Jules Margottin, what a
fortune he would make ! and whj' not ? The strides whicli have been
made should only lead us to look for further progi-ess, and of this I
am perfectly convinced that whei-ever any really good Rose is intro-
duced no national jealousy, no insular pride will prevent the Rose
gi-owers of England from welcoming it and giving it all the honour
due to it. In no country is there greater loyalty to the queen of
flowers ; but as our loyalty to our beloved Sovereign is naturally in-
creased Iiy the moral qualities of one who is a pattern to her subjects
in all right ways, so our rosy roy.ilty is naturally enhanced when we
see it embodied in a flower of such surpassing excellence, as some of
those which I have named. Delta.

* My correspondent says, No ; it is dishonest, as it would be if, as he says, 1 liuy
ail tnglish racehorse, run him in France, give him a French name, and sav he is
a French horse.

NEGLECTED EOSES.

M.iN'Y a book has been WTitten about Roses, and many more might
and doubtless will, be published before Rose culture is half exhausted.
To take the subject fairly from the commencement, let me begin by
saying that of Roses we have no fewer than seventeen species indi-
genous to England. Exotic Roses, we read, were first planted here
in 1522, and the Damask Rose was brought to us from Syria in 1573.
Persia, China, the sunny vales of Southern Europe, and the rugged
Alps have sent us specimens of this lovely flower. From the Isle
of Bourbon and from America, too, Roses have made their way into
our gardens and become in turn acclimatised, .and later on parents
of blossoms gr.ander, larger, and more prized than themselves. But
a word for the Brier and Dog Roses, sweet garlands of childhood !
Who has not revelled in their odour and rejoiced in their delicate
loveliness ? These single native Ptoses are they which stamped, in
1377, the gold coin first struck by Edward III., and called the Rose
nolile ; in architecture, they marked the Tudor ejjoch, asid live yet
in stone on many an arch as the Tudor Rose ; it is the single Rose
that blooms in her.aldry the floral badge of England, and wreaths,
with Shamrock and Thistle, the Royal Anns of the United Kingdom.
The red and white Roses, innocent partizans of Lancaster and York,
yet decorate many a cottage garden with rustic beauty ; they have
no place in Rose shows, indeed, but they .are lovely notwithstanding ;
they last but a short summer's d.ay, but they are sweeter scented
tlian some of their finer relatives.

Modern history associ.ates the Rose more particularly with three
of the most unfortunate of queens, viz. , Henrietta Maria of England,
il.arie Antoinette, and, lastly, the Empress .Josephine, whose efforts
in Rose culture have been perpetuated in the beautiful Souvenir de
la M.almaison raised in Lyons, 1843. But every year produces some
new claimants amongst the Rose f.amily for horticultur.al honours,
while every year also, at every Rose show, the judges must be
puzzled to decide "which shall be fairest " where all are fair. Abler
pens than mine have described the glories of Marcchal Niel, lingered
on the perfections of Niphetos, dwelt on the charms of Madame
Lacharme, and lovingly pictured the beauty of La Fr,ance. Such
Roses as tliese have many powerful friends ; in truth to see them is
to admire them, but those for whom I plead are lovely, too, a little
old-fashioned, perhaps, but as we have goue b.ack to coaches and
mob caps, let us take one step back also to the flowers that charmed
our forefathers.

First, then, where are the Pompon Roses, once, I am told, a feature
at Rose shows ? Where is that charming little Rose de Meaux
(that surely was the Rose in the nursery tale, which fell from the
mouth of the good girl who liefriended the fairy)? and why is it never
represented at exhibitions ? Then as regards the lovely Scotch
Roses, exquisite in perfume, very cups of attar, how rarely do we
see them now, except, indeed, in old-fashioned gardens. The Aus-
trian Brier is never mentioned among Roses, tliough it would be
hard to find another of the same colour. As for the Macartney Rose
(Rosa bracteata), it seems unknown, though in bud and blossom it is
most handsome — worthy even a poet's praise or a painter's pencil.
And, liistly, who now cultivates that loveliest of damask (?) Roses,
tlie Rose Celeste, of the softest I'osy-white, the colour so delicate,
that it might form a fitting wreath for Aurora ? This

Kuse is fairest when 'tis budding new.
Its perfect beauty thrown into relief by the glaucous green of the
calyx and foliage ; exp.anded, it is true the flower is too single for a
connoisseur to admire, but to those who raise new Roses from seed,
the colour of tliis, combined with form and substance of some fuller
variety, would prove a ne phis nltra of beauty. Will some knight
of the Rose champion the cause of these neglected Roses ? — blossoms

May 3, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

3G3

THE BUTCHER'S BROOMS.

The five kno-nii kinds of Butcher's Broom are decidedly ornamen-
tal, as well as curious, plants, and are well worth a place in gardens.
With one exception, they are hardy, and in a state of Nature are dis-
tributed throughout Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa. All,
except the one placed last in the list given below, are also of great
use in planting under the drip and shade of trees where but few
other evergi-eens would exist. The most ready method of propaga-
tion is by division of the roots. The true leaves are minute, scale-
like bodies, very inconspicuous, and from the axils of these spring
the flattened, leaf-like branches, which assume the appearance and
perform the functions of real leaves ; these branches are technically
called cladodes.

The Common Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), re-
presented liy the accompanying woodcut, is by far the best kno'WTi
of the group. It is a true native of England, where it is found in

Common Butcher's Broom in Flower and Fniit.

copses and woods from Suffolk and Glamorgan southwards, being
naturalised in Scotland and Ireland. The small greenish flowers,
which appear in April, are borne on the rigid, spiny, somewhat egg-
shaped cladodes, and are succeeded by bright red berries about the
size of Peas. This dwarf, dense, much-branched shnib rarely attains
a greater height than 2 ft. ; its thick, white, twining roots strike
deep into the gi-ound, and when once established, even under appa-
rently very adverse conditions, it gi-ows freely.

The Alexandrian Laurel (Ruscus racemosus) is an ele-
gant shrub with glossy, dark gi'een, lance-shai)ed cladodes, larger
than those of the common Butcher's Broom, the inflorescence of
which is very different, the flowers in that being borne singly on the
cladodes, whilst in the Alexandrian Laurel the Idossimis are pro-
duced in terminal racemes. The habit, too, of this plant is not
nearly so dense as that of the last-named, biit it gi'ows to about the
same height. A native of Portugal.

The Broad-leaved Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Hypo-

lihyllum) is a very dwarf kind from the South of Europe, with

lance-shaped cladodes 2 in. or more in length, and nearly an inch in
width. The blossoms are — as implied by the name — produced from
the under surface of the cladodes.

The Double-leaved Butcher's Broom (Ruscus Hypo-

glossum) also comes from the same regnon as the preceding sort, and
is very similar in general appearance, size, &c., but it has the flowers
on the upper surface of the cladodes, each flower having a smaller
cladode overhanging it.

The Great Alexandrian Laurel (Ruscus androgynus) is

the only member of the genus which will not flourish in the open air.
It is a very striking greenhouse climber, requiring ample space for its
full development. There are t'wo magnificent examples at the
Crystal Palace, where portions of the galleries at the south end of
the building are draped with its beautiful evergreen covering. The
long shoots, some of which are 40 ft. or more in heiglit, last for
several years in full vigour and beauty, and as they die off' others are
produced from the root. At Kew, too, surrounding one of the stair-
cases of the gallery in the temperate house, there is also a fine plant.
Nothing could sm'pass in these positions tlie beauty of the specimens
we have named. The yoimg thick shoots grow up in a single season
30 ft. or more, and then commence to give off branches down to the
very gTouud. These branches are from 2 ft. to 2i ft. long, and have
much the appearance of large pinnate leaves ; the blossoms are borne
in threes round the edges of the cladodes. A native of Madeira and
the Canary Islands. G.

WOODLAND WORK FOR MAY.

DrRixu the jjresent month the forester's cliief aim should be to
secure his Oak bark, and to prepare it for delivery to the taimer in
the best possible condition. As the bark season is nearly a fortnight
later than last year, it will probably prove a short one, for if warm
weather sets in tlie trees will rush rapidly into full leaf, after wliich
the stripping will be difficult, and the loss of weiglit will be consider-
able. For the time, therefore, all other operations in the woodlands
should gave place to this. At present very low prices are offered by
buyers, not more than .f4 per ton in the woods ; but neither the
stocks on hand nor the (juantities which are likely to be
offered during the season warrant the acceptance of such a price, and
if vendors remain firm prices must shortly improve.

Every possible exertion should now be made to clear away from
the coppice all poles, faggots, and bnishwood, and to take up what-
ever has been laiil upon tlie stools to facilitate carriage from the falls.
No hoi'ses should be allowed to remain unmuzzled in the falls after
the appearance of the young shoots, and to ensure an early clearance
of the produce, tlie conditions of sale should be strictly enforced. Even
with the most careful supervision a gi'eat deal of mischief is done to
the cut stools in coppices by the feet of horses and the wheels of
heavy carriages where the produce is not carried to the sides of
brushed roads for loading. To avoid unnecessary traffic in the falls
the stripped bark should be staged near the sides of clearance roads,
and the fallen trees, together with the tops, should also be speedily
removed. Injured stools may still be thinned oft' smoothly and
evenly with the adze, and where it is customary to thin out the shoots
in falls made two years ago, this operation should now be performed. By
selecting from four to six strong shoots, according to the .strength of
the stool, and removing all the others, a much more valuable crop of
poles will lie grown than can be obtained by allowing all the shoots
to gi-ow on together until the period of falling. Tliis practice is re-
munerative under all circumstances, and where the produce of cop-
pice bark is a princijial object it is indispensable.

Wherever plants of a large size have during the past season been
put out into the woodlands, these will now require going over and
treading up. Evergi-eens in exposed situations may also require
staking and tying. Wherever it is now considered ad\'isable to
remove evergreens of large size, these should remain out of the gi'ound
as short a time as possible ; and such as have to be carried a con-
siderable distance should either have a ball of earth attached, or else
their roots should be well puddled as soon as the plants are taken
out of the gi'ound. With careful removal and one copious watering,
such plants may be considered safe.

In the nursery finish the sowing of Coniferous seeds, and protect
those young plants wluch are just appearing above gi-ound from the
ravages of birds and from destruction by late frosts. The trans-
planting of Coniferous seedlings should be finished as soon as possible,
and all seed-beds should be carefully weeded by hand before the
weeds gain sufficient hold of the ground to cause the disturbance of
the young plants by their removal. Wherever the seed-beds have
become battered, and the surface hardened by the late heavy rains,
a careful roUing with a light spiked wooden roller is a much safer
plan of loosening the surface than raking. The hoe will now require
to be kept constantly going between the rows of young plants, and

S04

THE GARDEN.

[May 3, 1879.

the frequent use of tlie fork among those of larger size will gi'eatly
promote the gi-owth of fibrous roots. The beds from which strong
deciduous plants have been taken should now receive a good stirring
with the fork, .and have all tlie broken roots removed from tliem,
preparatoi-y to the planting of the ga-een crops, which, with a liberal
dressing of manure, should precede the next tree crop.

Now that there is little danger of sharp frosts, the trimming of
evergreen hedges, such as Box iind Holly, may be at once completed.
When this is done too early in the season, the frost is apt to whiten
and render unsightly the cut leaves and branches. Wherever
labourers are plentiful, draining, enclosing, and road-making for
future imrseries and plantations may be proceeded with ; composts
may also be made, or turned oTer and mixed with lime, for future
use ; hedges ni.ay be cleaned, gi-afts attended to, and liave the cliiy
renewed where recjuired. Grass seeds may also still be sown in
wood-rides, or in situ.ations where they may he required to increase
the cover for game. The best results will be obtained upon land
which, after a thorough cultivation, is well rolled down before the
seeds are sown and lightly bush-harrowed afterwards. The lighter
Grass seeds are covered the better. A. J. BuBROW.s.

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TEEES, SHRUBS, & -WOODLANDS.

Aucuba Berries. — Mr. Tillett's experience seems very "excep-
tional," for witli us this season many of the plants are quite loaded
with berries and are exceedingly attractive, and the plants were
treated in all respects as " .J. G. " (p. 289) recommends. Since read-
ing Mr. Tillett's remarks, I had the curiosity to measure the dis-
tance between a male and female plant, and found it to be 48 ft. ;
yet the female plant was well covered with berries, proving that a
few male j^lants thinly dispersed over a large triict of gi'ound are
sufficient. I have long discarded the practice of artificial fertiliza-
tion, finding results without it equally satisfactory. The green-
leaved varieties bear much larger cluster of berries than the ordinary
Aucuba japonica, and on them the red fruit is shown off to better
advantage against the self-coloured leaves. Is Mr. Tillett sure he
has got male plants ? If so, I can only account for his failure by the
pollen having been destroyed with spring frosts before it became
matured. In such a case I would recommend Mr. Tillett to put a
few Spruce branches over his male jilants this season — just enough to
protect them when in flower. — A. H. R.

Ribes sanguineum. — This beautiful flowering Curr.ant, when
planted in shrubbery borders, should occujiy an open position, where
it can get full sunlight and exposure, so that the growth may become
dwarf and floriferous, for, if planted in half shady positions, very
little of its best effects are visilile, and its wood does not get ripened.
AVe have at present some bushes of it that well deserve the name of
Burning Bush, for being planted on the outskirts of clumps in the
park, they form brilliant spots of colour that ai'e effective several
hundred yards off. From the exposed positions which tliey occupy
on breezy hillsides the gi-owth is short and stubby, and they flower
so exceptionally aliundant that they look one solid mass of glowing
red. — J. Groom, Linton.

Pinus insigriis. — In answer to recent inquiries for rates of
growth of this Pine, I may quote two specimens here, in sheltered
situations, about a mile from the shores of the stormy Atlantic. One
was planted in 1842, and is now more than 70 ft. high ; it girthed
2 ft. 6 in. at 3 ft. from gi-ound in 1836, .and now girths 9 ft. .3 in. .at
the same point. The other, planted in IS3(i, is now 50 ft. high,
girths 7 ft. 6 in. at .3 ft. in height, and has a well-li,al,auceil mass of
dense foliage, averaging 40 ft. across from tip to tip. Each plant
was a nursery seedling. The fertile soil of Irehand will probably
produce more rapid growth than either of these specimens exhibit,
but in our poorer soil they prove that the climate suits them. No
Pine that has been tried here can approach insignis for vigour,
beauty, or shelter, and not one of the many hundreds that I have
show any trace of the severity of the past trying season, which has
been so destructive to h.alf-hardy plants. — J. J. Rogers, Pcnrouc,
Hehton.

The Sweet-scented Shrub.—Every one knows the Sweet-
scented Shrub (Calycanthus). As children we have doubtless rolled
its chocolate-coloureil flowers in our liandkerchiefs and inhaled their
sweet odour, .and that of its camphor-scented wood ; but do we realise
the plant's full excellence ? It has become so common, that, like .all
f.amiliar things, it has failed, perhaps, with time to retain its proper
hold on our regard. There are several varieties, tlie best known of
which are C. floridus and C. Ifevigatus. Then there is C. macro-
Ijhyllus of the Pacific coast, wliich is not quite hardy, and several
others of less value. The kind, however, tluat is best known to us,
and which is at the same time the best plant, is C. floridus. It has

the largest flowers .and leaves, and is of unquestioned hardiness and
vigour, well suited in every sense to do good service on the lawn. It
m.ay not have the high degi'ee of excellence possessed by some other
shrubs that could be nameil, but its foliage is rich and sliining, quite
noteworthy in general character. Its curious reddish-bro^^^l or pur-
plisli flowers, moreover, form a feature possessing much interest.
The Calycanthus has been thought in the past a somewhat difficult
jjlant to gi'ow, but it is really not specially clitficult to propagate from
root cuttings. Seed would, of course, produce it, but seed is not
easily obtainable, anil in other ways affords a less ready method of
propagation. Altogether, the Sweet-scented Shrub (C. floridus) is a
fine old hardy jjlant that we cannot afford to neglect.

The Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus Cembra M.andschu-

rica). — In Italy Ave have the Stone Pine (Pinus Pinea), somewhat
undjrella-sh.aped in contour ; Switzerl.and and Northern Europe con-
tribute the Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus Cembra helvetica) ; and Siberia
the Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus Cembra Mandschurica), the tree which
we specially wish to note. The Italian Stone Pine, though picturesque,
is not hardy in our climate, and so I pass by it without further com-
ment. Swiss Stone Pines are more or less common, and always
admired on the la-H-n. Their excellences have received a fair degree
of attention, although no more than they deserve; but I hardly think
the same can be said of the Siberian Stone Pine (Pinus Mandschurica).
Yet it is altogether a more noteworthy tree. The leaves are stronger
and massed together in a more efl'ective way. Bro.ader contours and
greater height also give it more imposing qualities. It h<as, indeed,
according to Gordon, Ijcen known to grow 100 ft. in height. Pines,
in their breadth and masses .and drooping grace of clustered needles,
are, in some sense, the Palms of the north, and among Pines few are
more effective than the Siberian Stone Pine, with its gTeat cones of
extr.aordinary length. These reddish-brown cones of such unusual
size are very effective, contrasting in .autumn with the long, heavy,
hanging Pine needles. — " Rural New Yorker."

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Successful Growth of Alpine Flowers.— We notice

Gentiana verna thriving as freely on .an exposed Ijordcr in the Rev.
Mr. Ewbank's garden at Ryde as the common (ientianella (G. acaidis)
fre(|uently does in " old-fashioned gardens," where it gets a chance.
We have long been convinced that Gentiana verna would thrive
freely on the level ground, where.as it generiilly perishes on rock
gardens of the common type and in frames. In the same garden a
still more delicate Alpine flower (Androsace carnea), also on a border,
is now a cushion of green decked mth pink blossoms, the plant being
surrounded and in a way protected from accident by a few half-
buried bits of sandstone. Near it likewise grows the rare and fragile
little Petrocallis pyrenaica — very seldom seen, even in botanic gar-
dens where Alpine jihants are grown — .also a mass of lilac blos-
soms. Mr. Ewbank protects his dwarf .and delicate plants very suc-
cessfully by placing a ring of perforated zinc around tliem, which
keeps off the slugs, creatures which, if .allowed their own way, fre-
quently graze down dwarf Alpine plants in a single night. The cli-
mate is favourable, though often too hot in summer for Alpine
plants.

The Crimson and Tellow Alpine Polygala.— This

brilliant Alpine plant, figiired in The G.^rde-N" some time .ago, is one
of the greatest gains among hardy plants introduced for years into
our gardens. We say so much, judging from a sm.all but healthy
specimen of it now flowering in Mr. Ewbank's garden, near
Ryde. The plant we figured it from was, no doubt, from being
imi>erfectly established, r.ather in a weakly condition, though its
beauty was so manifest that we did not hesitate about devoting a
coloured plate to it. But this sturdy little pUant, in the open
air, is far finer — so beautiful, indeed, that an enthusiast would not
hesitate to build a rock garden for it, if that were necessary, which
it is not, Mr. Ewbank's plant growing on a gently-raised bank. The
flowers are handsomer than those of any of the greenhouse Poly-
g.alas, seated on a sturdy evergi-een, li in. high, every flower being
quite "true" in its rich colouring. "We note this last quality in
reference to tlie sujiposition th.at the plant was but a discoloured
v.ariety of Polygala Chama^buxus.

Tulip Cultivation in Holland.— The Dutch official trade
returns show that the exports of flower bulljs during the sixteen
years from ISGI to the end of 1876 amounted in value to 19,640,000
Dutch florins (about £1,636,000), or an annu.al average of over
£100,000. It ajipears that the value has been annu.ally rising ; thus
the export for 1876 is set down iit 1,666,000 florins (ne.arly £1.39,000).
According to the latest survey the hand devoted to rearing bulbs of
Tulips, Hj-acinths, and similar flowers amounts to 240 hectares, or

May 3, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

30.5

nearly 600 acres. Of these about 10 acres are in the neighbourhood
of Egmout, about 90 round Velsen, while the remaining 500 acres
are in the neighbourhood of Haarlem, Schoten, Bloemendaal, and
Heemstede. I5ut besides these special localities, ^^'here the cultiva-
tion of the bulbs is carried out on a large scale, there are innumera-
ble small patches scattered all over the country where Tulip and
Hyacinth bulbs are reared with gi-cat care and success.

Azolla pinnata. — This extremely interesting flowerless plant
may not inaptly be named the Floating Selaginella, to the smaller-
gi-owiug kinds of which it bears a remarkable resemblance. Each
plant is about i in. in diameter, of irregular outline, and emits a
tuft of thread-like roots from the under sm-face. The upper surface
is bright green, except the edges, which are tinged with a reddish
hue, and the whole, when minutely examined, sparkles with crystal-
line brightness. For small indoor aquaria it would be a charming
acquisition, as it appears to be indiSerent as to the precise tempera-
ture of the water on which it floats ; it may lie seen flourishing in
the Victoria tank at Kew, and also in inverted bell-glasses in a cool
house. Like many other aquatics it lias a very wide geographical
range, as it inhabits the pools of the warm temperate parts of the
Northern Hemisphere as well as those of the Southern. — W. G.

New Muscari. — In "Notes from Kew " last week allusion was
made to a novelty under the name of M. Pinardi, but which is now
proved to be M. ai-meniacum (syn., Botryanthus armeniacus). It is,
undoubtedly, the finest of all the kinds in cultivation ; its dense
racemes of blossom are nearly .3 in. long when fully grown, and their
colour is a clear ccerulean blue before expansion, deepening into a rich
indigo tint, with the pure white teeth quite obliterated ; it is also
very floriferous, as the Kew plant prodiiced three spikes in quick
succession from each bulb. It is evidently allied to il. Heldrechi,
but difl'ers from it in ha\'ing broader and mucli longer leaves ; from
its specific name we may infer that it comes from Armenia.
M. Pinardi is also a new plant, but it belongs to the other section of
the genus, viz., tlie Leopoldias, in which the racemes are long,
each being terminated by a conspicuous tuft of barren flowers. — W. G.

Large Camellia. — Close to the old mansion belonging to the
Earl of Kenmare, at Killarney, is growing a magnificent specimen of
the old Camellia reticulata. It is about 4.") ft. in circumference,
though but some 5 ft. or 6 ft. in height. When we saw it in the
early part of this month, says tlie "Gardener's Record," the flower
buds could be counted by the tliousand, many of tliem having just
commenced to open. It is in the most vigorous health possible, as
its dark gi-een foliage testifies, and the past severe winter does not
appear to have injured it in the least, though the only protection
afforded was a piece of old canvas placed over it when the frost was
most intense.

Gloneria jasminiflora. — At first sight this handsome new
plant might easily be mistaken for a Jasmine. Its luabit of gi'owth
is erect and bushy, and it has ovate leaves .3 in. long arranged in
opposite pairs. The clusters of blossoms terminate the branches,
and consist of about a dozen in number, each liaving a narrow tube
IJ in. long, and a four-cleft corolla J in. across. The whole flower is
of snoivy whiteness, and the outsides of the blossoms are covered
with white down. Some trade lists class this Gloneria with stove
plants, but most probably a greenhouse temperature will be found
most congenial to it. It produces its blossoms during the winter and
spring months. — W. G.

The Blue Polyanthus (Primula elatior cccrulea).— This old
garden favourite, weU-nigh lost to cultivation, is flourishing on the
rockery at Kew and producing blooms in profusion, but they are
slaty coloured rather than true blue. They are, however, the nearest
approach to blue that we have in the Polyanthus, and on tliat account
the variet i- is desirable. Another beautiful plant belonging to the
same ehar.ning family, and a very free flowerer, is Primrose Golden
Prince, whicli has the deepest yellow flowers of any we know of ; it
lias been the admiration of all who have seen it. — W.

Alpine Primroses. — Amongst the numerous kinds of Alpine
plants that flower at this season of the year Alpine Primidas are,
perhaps, the most conspicuous. Of these we noticed the following
in bloom the other day in the York Nurseries, viz. , Primula latif olia,
viscosa, villosa, AUioni, marginata, and its large-flowered variety,
tyrolensis, Venzoi, pubescens, nivalis, purpurea, pidcherrima, rh;e-
■tica, Floerkeana, spectabilis, auricula marginata, Balbisiana, glau-
cescens, rosea (nearly over), ciliata, Dinyana, graveolens, and multi-
ceps. — P.

WeUingtonia Wood.— We have, says Dr. Woodman, of tlie
E.xeter Nurseries, sent out all our Easter flowers this season in
boxes made from the wood of the Wellingtonia gigantea, grown by
ourselves. We had occasion to cut down a grove of these trees to
make room for other plants, so we utili-sed the timber, which is
like Larch, but has a vein of pink running through it.

The American Dog's-tooth Violet.— By this we mean

the rich yello^^' Erythronium americanum so common in the Atlantic
States, and not tlie paler and, as we think, poorer yellow kinds
lately brought from California. E. americanum is in flower now, and
very beautiful it is, so mucli so that it is surprising it is not as much
gi'own as the European Dog's-tootli Violet (E. Dens-canis).
E. americanum would not appear to thrive on all soils, for we fancy
it often fails to flower wliere it seems to grow fairly well.

Artisans' Plant Show. — The show of this kind held in the
gardens at .South Kensington last year having been attended by as
many as 10,000 of the artisan and labouring classes, there will be a
similar exhiliition there on Wliit Monday, June 2. In order to place
this source of enjoyment within the means of the poor, 2d. only
is to be charged for admission ; and as the cost of the show is
very great, it is hoped tliat conti'ibutions will again be made to the
prize list.

The Marnock Portrait.— Mr. T. B. Wirgman's portrait of
Mr. Koliert Marnock has been accepted at the Royal Academy, and
is well liung in the centre of the Lecture Room. The portrait is
considered a most excellent one, both by artists and those who know
Mr. Marnock. Our readers will remember that this is a presenta-
tion portrait off"ered to Jlr. Marnock by a number of admirers of his
work as a landscape gardener.

Odontoglossum vexillarium. — There is now a gn-and dis-
play of this Odontoglossnm in Mr. Bull's nursery. King's Road,
Chelsea. It consists of 300 expauiled flowers, some of them the higliest
and richest coloured varieties that have ever yet been introduced.

Botanical Diagrams. — Dr. Arnold Dodel-Port is publisliing
at Zurich a series of Ijotanical and physiological diagrams, which will
be useful in schools and for liotanical lecturers. Siiecimens of tlieni
may be seen at the Linneau Society.

ANSWERS TO COEEESPOTOENTS.

Hyacinth Blooms Severed from the Bulb.— Along with this I enclose
two rtower-stenis of Hyaciiitlis s-'iown in the open air, and sliould he ohliged if
you or any of your readers couhl tell me whether they have heen severed from the
bulb by slugs or other vennin. I also send the bulb and foliage of one in case it may
assist. I may mention that I have a bed of Hyacinths, blue, white, and red, all
growing close to one another, and only the blue (but a large number of them)
have been thus treated. The bulbs seem to be sound, even after the hard winter
which We have had, and are throwing up very lai^e spikes of flowers where im-
touched. Tliey are gi'owing in a bed made up two years ago of road scrapings,
turf, aud leaf-mould, which has since been liberally manured, and has grown
bulbous as well as bedding-out plants each year since. All the sound
flower-spikes are now about 3 in. clear of the ground, and seem to be out oi
danger. As all the injui-ed ones seem to have been cut about the same time and
height, and as they rested on the foUage in a natural position, they were not
noticed until the sound ones began to distance them in growth. The bulbs came
from Holland direct, and the three colours are furnished respectively by Van
Thuyll. Queen Victoria, and Robert Stciger.—1>. J. B. [The flower-spikes sent
look as if they had been eaten off by slugs.]

Greenhouse Shading. —What is the best preparation for "muffing"
the glass of greenliouses (outside) such as will not be washed off by the action of
the weather, and which can be washed or rubbed ort'at the end of the summer?
I have been using whitening and milk. I>ut find it is washed off sometimes by
hea\'y rains.— SunsCRlBEK. [A little size added to the whitening aud milk will
cause them to adhere.]

Pears rfrom Monte Video.— I have sent you to-day two Pears. They
are from a barrel received from Monte Video. They are so good and in such ex-
cellent condition, that I thought it worth while to send them as a specimen.
I am unable to give you the cost, as the barrel was a present.— J. L. [Tlie Pears
sent were, as J. L. say.s. very goud -sweet, but gritty. They are large in size and
look not unlike Vicar of Winktield,]

Protecting Seed Beds from Birds (p 356).— The best and most inexpensive
way of doing this is to place sticks about 1 ft. in length around the bed, and tie
black thread from one to the other, thus forming a net. J have tried this plan
for several seasons, and I find it to answer admirably.— T. F.

Double-spathed Callas.— "X. S. S."— These are not uncommon ; an illus-
tration of one was given in THE GARDEN (Vol. X., p. 55).

Names of Plants —J* M.—l. im determinable ; S.Pulmonaria oflUcinalis ; 3,
Fumaria capnoides ; 4. apparently Genista sagittalis ; 5, Forsythia viridissima.
T. T. C— Tydjea, but tou withered to enable us to say what species. It requires
to be grown in a moist, wann gi'eenhouse. Beta.— The Cape leaf is that of the
Silver Tree of the Cape of Good Hope (Leucodendron argenteum). 3/".— Your Acer
is A. rubrum. North America. It may be propagated by cuttini^'s or by seeds, the
latter bein? preferable. Vitis.—l, Dicksonia antarctica ; 2, Doodia media; 3,
Adiantum hispidulum ; 4, Adiantum foraiosura ; 5, Pellrea (Platyloma) rotundi-
folia : C. Doodia Candida. 0. G. P.— We cannot undertake to name plants from
leaves only.

Questions.

Lily of the Valley.—Can any of your readers tell rae whether it would bo
possible to grow Lilies of the Valley in Luckuow. and what is the best substitute
for peat, which we cannot get here ?— A Lucknow Amateur.

Fertihsing Passion Flowers.— What is the modus operandi of fertihs-
ing Passiflora quadrangularis so as to obtain fruit ? I have a fine young plant
now showing abundant tdoom in an intermediate stove. Should the slioots be
stopped like those of a Melon? if so, should that be done before or after the
expansiou of the flower ?— T. P.

366

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 3, 1879.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

OTIORHYNCHUS SULCATUS.

I HAVE selected this beetle for the subject of the present paper, as
several of the correspondents of The C4aeden appear to have recently
liad plants suffering from the attacks of tlie gi-ubs of this insect,
whicli belongs to the very numerous family of weevils, so many of
which injure vegetation in various ways. Most insects are only
injurious during one stage of their existence, but in the case of this
insect both the beetles and grubs are very destructive to li\-ing
plants. Tlie grabs, however, are much more mischievous than their
parents, and are only too frequently found destroying the roots of
various plants cultivated in pots. When these plants begin to droop
and wither without any apparent caiise, the presence of these grubs
may be suspected ; and if they be the cause of the mischief, the
roots of the plants will, on examination, be found to be considerably
gnawed or eaten nearly through, generally just below the surface of
tlie ground. Cyclamens, Primulas, .Saxifrages, Sedums, and other
succulent plants ; TroUiuses, Adiantum pedatum, Strawberries, and
Vines are the plants which suffer most from these gi-ubs. The most
certain way of getting rid of these pests is to repot the plants affected,
taking care that none of the grubs are left among the roots or earth
replaced in the pot. If repotting for any particular reason is
undesirable, the roots may be examined by uncovering them as mucli
as possiljle, for the grubs are generally tolerably near the surface.
Watering the roots with an infusion of Quassia
or Tobacco-water has been recommended. Mr.
Dunn, in his "Report on Injurious Insects
for 1878," states that he lias succeeded in
stamping out this insect in his Vineries and
Peach houses by dressing the roots of the
plants during the dormant season with hot
lime, soot, or salt. The weevil at times does
considerable damage to Vines, Peaches, and
Roses by feeding on their young shoots.
They are very difficult to find on account of
their dark colour, and of their habit of only
feeding at night, remaining hidden in some
shelter during tlie day. They may, however,
be caught an hour or so after dark by spread-
ing white cloths under the plants, into which
the beetles will fall when the plants are
shaken. These cloths should be spread while
it is still daylight, as the beetles often drop
from the plants on the sudden introduction of
a light. The weevils make their appearance
in June, and should be destroyed as soon as
possible, so as not to gnve them an ojiportunity
of laying their eggs. These are probably
deposited below the surface of the earth, near or on the roots
of the plants on which the grabs are to feed. At first the damage
caused by the newly-hatched gi-ubs is not noticed, but in the autumn,
when they have increased considerably in size, they should be
searched for carefully, if there be any reason for suspecting their
presence, as it is during the winter and early spring months that
they do most injury. In May they descend an inch or two into the
earth, and there form small smooth chambers or cells, in
which they undergo their change to the chrysalis state. In
this state they remain for about a fortnight, at the end of which
they leave their chrysalis cases and come forth perfect weevils. They
are now about ^ in. long, and entirely black in colour ; the head is
produced into a long snout, with a deep longitudinal gTOove or
furrow do\^'n the middle, the tip of which is furnished with a pair
of long antennaj consisting of twelve joints ; that nearest the base is
very long and somewhat curved ; the remaining joints are small, and
form quite an elbow with the long joint, the four nearest the tip
forming an oval knolj. The thorax is broadest in the middle,
where it is considerably wider than the head ; it is covered with
small, raised tubercles. The wing cases are much wider than the
thorax and are oval in form, being broadest about the middle ; they
are much rounded transversely, and are sparingly sprinkled with small
brownish spots composed of minute hairs. The legs are strong and of
medium length: the thighsof the frontpairaremuch thickened towards
the knee joints, and are each armed with a strong tooth. The gi-ubs are
about h in. long, and are generally in a somewhat curved position ;
they are stout, fleshy, much wrinkled, considerably thicker in the
middle than at either end, and are entirely destitute of legs. The
joints are thirteen in number, well defined, and of a dirty white
colour, sparingly covered with stiff, bro^vnish hairs. The head is
reddish brown, and furnished with a strong pair of jaws.

S. G. S.

Otiorhyuchus sulcatus.

THE GOAT MOTH.

In the excellent descriptive paper on the Goat Moth (Cossus ligmi-
perda) — p. 297 — "S. G. S." says, "there are, unfortunately, but few
means of destroying this insect." As the insidious and destructive
effects of the larva; are much more prevalent than is generally
believed, the following statement may prove helpful to those who
have to contend with the eril in question : — About the year 1840 the
Royal Botanic Society obtained possession of the Inner Circle in the
Regent's Park, up to wliieli time this circular plot of ground was
occupied and familiarly known as .Jenkins' nursery gi-ound. Among
the earlier operations of transforming the then pasture fields into
what is now the Regent's Park, anxious, of course, to create as
speedily as possible a woodland asjiect, the then officers of Her Ma-
jesty's Woods and Forests made plantations along the boundaries and
elsewhere, and a line of Elm trees was about the same time planted
round the outer boundary of what is now the garden of the Royal
Botanic Society. During the year 1841, when the formation of the
garden was in progi'ess, it was discovered that a large number
of the Elm trees fonning the belt surrounding the garden were more
or less affected by the larvae of the Goat Moth. Many of the trees
were sick, and some so unhealthy as to be bej'ond recovery. The
following remedy was at once adopted : — Every tree was carefully
examined ; the presence of the insect was readily discovered ; a
strong round carpenter's chisel and hand mallet were the implements
employed, and wherever the insect was found the hole or gallery in
which the laiwaj were deposited was followed by cutting into the
liole of the tree. In some cases this operation had to be carried to
the centre of the tree, and, not uufrequently, at several parts of the
stem of the same tree. By many the operation was thought to be
so violent, that the ti-ees thus treated could not possibly survive.
When this severe operation was completed, and the bulk of the
enemy was supposed to have been dispersed, a decoction of salt,
lime, cow manure, and horse manure was made into the con-
sistency of a thick paste, and every hole or wound on the
stem of the tree was carefully filled up with this plaster ;
as a consequence of the unhealthy condition of the Elms, occasioned
by the lan'.T of the Goat Moth, the trees become the natural jirey
of the Scolytus. These burrowing insectshad seizediipon sickly trees
in such countless myriads that they could not, like the Cossus, be
sought for and removed individually ; a simpler process was adopted,
namely, using a brush and smearing the stems ^vith a thick wash of
the same ingredients as that employed to fill up t!ie wounds in the
stem. This smearing process was repeated several times at intervals,
until it formed a ^ in. to J in. in thickness over the entire stem of
the tree.

It will be sufficient to state that the results of these two opera-
tions were completely successful. The wounds in the stems of the
trees healed mth remarkable rapidity. Possibly the Scolytus was
unable to escape through the thick plaster coating on the stems and was
suffocated. I refrain, however, to dwell on the causes which jiroduced
these efl'ects. My present purpose is rather to simply explain the
operation which led to the results which I have descrilied above, and
to suggest to those who are the owners of trees the desirability of
maintaining a watchful outlook against the stealthy inroads of the
two enemies in question, for they are unhappily much less rare than
is generally supposed. R. M.

" S. G. S." (p. 297) and others of your readers may like to

know that I have found the foUomng method of destroying the Goat
Moth (Cossus ligniperda) to be effectual in the case of matured
timber : When the trunk of the tree is attacked, surround the
Orifice with clay, which will readily adhere to the rough bark, and
form the clay into a cuj^, into whicli as much coal-tar should be poured
as the cavity within will contain. The caterpillar will either try to
escape at another hole, if there be another, and can easily be killed,
or it will be smothered by tlie tar. If the tar be thick a little benzo-
line "nill make it liquid enough for the purpose, and neither will
injure the tree. In the case of a young tree being attacked the bark
may often be carefully cut away with a chisel and the caterpillar be
found. — J. J. Rogers.

OBITUARY.

Death of Mr. Mudd. — We regret to have to announce the death
of Mr. William Mudd, the Curator of the Botanical Gardens,
Cambridge, after a brief illness. Mr. Mudd was an associate of
the Linnean Society, and, as a botanist, possessed a high reputation.
The stipend attached to the office is about £100 a year ; it is in the
gift of the Botanical Garden Syndicate. The late curator, however,
made a good addition to his income by instructing pupils studying
for the Natural Sciences Tripos and the special examination in botany,
and was a great favourite with the younger members of the univer-
sity.

THE GAEDEN.

P.C,7

No. £90.]

SATUKDAT, HAY 10. 1879.

"This is an art
\\Tiich does mend Nature : chanse it ratlier ; but
The Art itself is Nature. "—SAaA-espeare.

"W'EEPING TREES.

The remarks of Jlr. Burrows (p. 2.3.5) on "Weeping Trees" brings
to mind a notice of a Weeping ilay Duke Chen-y wliicli appeared in
The Garden some weeks ago, and wliich is said to bear fruit equally
well as the type or May Duke of our gardens. I hope our friends
will not lose sight of this interesting object. I may say that I have
been quite fascinated with the idea of a Weeping Cherry loaded
with fruit. Imagine a row of such trees on a border in a garden,
worked say 5 ft. high, loaded with frxiit and drooping to the ground !
How easily such a row of trees could be netted wlien the fniit was
ripe ! I am afraid the idea is too fanciful to be realise<l. A propos
of weeping trees, I saw, many years ago, in a nursery the Cydonia
japonica worked on stems 7 ft. or 8 ft. high. I thought them
very beautiful looking objects, but at that time I was not curious
enough to notice on what stock they were worked ; nor can I imagine
any stock suitable for them, except the Pear, the Medlar, or the
Mountain Ash. Do any of the readers of The Garden know any-
thing of this matter ?

When speaking of the artistic value of weeping trees in high-class
landscape scenery, I should think that Mr. Burrows had in view such
bold trees as weep naturally, and not freaks and sports, such as the
Birch, the Salix babylonica, the Beech, the Deodar, and others. I
am not certain tliat Mr. Burrows is quite correct in advocating the
isolation of such trees wholly on lawns, and I would point out that
the beauty of such trees is very much enhanced by their pro.xiraity
to others of an ordinary character. Who has not seen in some
ravine or glen tlie white-stemmed Weeping Birch, wa%'ing its tresses
of pendent spray among its companions ? Such a tree in association
is far more beautiful tlian in isolation. In a plantation of trees on
the north side of a garden near here is a towering Weeping Birch
which, as seen from all parts of the garden, seems to be the spirit of
the whole place, and in reality neutralises the beauty of its surround-
ings. Yet I must maintain that this tree would look anything but
weU by itself : standing against the sky-line, it would, from its deli-
cacy, be almost lost.

I quite agree with Mr. Burrows that the lawn is tlie projier place
for such weeping trees astliose with which we are familiar. They are,
however, tiiily formal and avowedly artificial, and should be spar-
ingly introduced, and in some instances not at all, and nothing but a
vitiated taste would sanction their use in well-kept places. Their
only position seems to be in association with architectural terraces,
statuary, fountains, ifec, for a tree with its branches all growing
downwards is just about as natural as jets of water thrown upwards.
The main fault with most of these trees is that the branches all
droop from a given point, and only one; whereas, in such trees as the
old Weeping Willow the falling tresses of spray are broken and
diversified, like water in a mountain cascade. Allow me to point
out a method by which this excessive formality may be modified.
Take the Weeping Ash as an illustration ; when planting this tree,
fasten a stout iron rod to the stem, and let it extend upwards
through the centre aljout a yard or so ; to this upright rod train a
branch vertically ; it will soon throw out branches tier above tier,
and the process should be continued till the desired height is at-
tained, which may be 30 ft. This process will give the tree a pure
fountain-like appearance, wholly distinct from the foi-ms which such
trees generally assume. Thos. Williams.

Ormskirk.

A HISTOEICAL YEW HEDGE.

somewhat mythical, lady at the beginning of the eleventh century ?
or King John's Oak, that patriarch of the forest, who still holds his
own in " Merrie Shirewoode," or his

Famous brother Oak

Whereiu the ycpunu'er Charles abode

Till all the paths were dim.

And far below the Roundhead rode

And hummed a surly hymn.

note di-ove there from Canterbury, a distance of four miles on the
Dover road ; the last mile takes you through Bourne Park, a pic-
turesque spot beautifully planted. Bishopsbourne itself is a small
village, quiet and unpretending, but interesting to the student as the
jilace where Richard Hooker spent the last years of his life, and
where he composed that great work which has rendered his name im-
mortal. He was a remariiable man in a remarkable age, a veteran
in that mighty company of ^^Titers who adorned "the spacious times
of gi'eat Elizabeth."

The object 'of my visit was to see his monument in the parish
church, and the old rooms in the rectory which he had inhabited. The
liouse has been modernised and enlarged, but two rooms in it remain
as they were in Hooker's days, and the garden is almost entirely
surrounded by a Yew liedge which he planted. Part of this is
36 yards in length ; it is met at right angles by a shorter hedge,
33 yards long ; both are from 12 ft. to 14 ft. high. There is a curious
summer-house at the end cut out of the hedge, where it is much
broader, and at least 20 ft. high. Two men are employed for a fort-
night in Sejitember in cutting tliese hedges ; they stand on the top
to complete that part, and there is a firm path which supports their
weight, as they only sink in a few inches. The liedgcs are about
9 ft. tliick ; behind them is a Grassy path, where tradition says
Hooker used to walk, meditating his gTcat work. No doubt he,
mth his friend Dr. Saravia, one of the prebends of Canterbury,
passed many happy hours, as they

Discussed the books to love or hate.
Or ttmdied the changes of tlie state,
Or threaded some Socratic lireaiu.

Hooker, like many of the sons of genius, was (as we know) par-
ticularly unfortunate in his marriage. Unblessed by affection, he
took refuge in friendship ; and it is to one of those faithful and tried
companions of his solitude that we are indebted for the interesting
though uneventful record of liis life.

All this came unto my mind as I walked in the rectory gardens
with the rector's wife, who was a kind and patient cicerone. A
Grassy Ijank sloped down from the hedge to the house, from which it
was divided by a gravel walk. Several beds were cut out in this
bank, which were filled bj' many of those flowers

Wliich their gay wardrobe wear
When fu'st the Blackthora blows —

Scillas, white and pink Hyacinths, and Daffodils. In this sheltered
spot they bloomed freely while tlie east \vind was blowing hard and
the snow lay thick on the hills. Few were tlie traces of the spring
outside ; here and there, amid brown Grass and dead leaves, Prim-
roses faintly shone in the banks and copses, but liere in this favoured
garden no wintry blast could reacli April's fii"st-born flowers.

I often wonder that gardens in exposed situations are not oftener
enclosed and defended by Yew hedges. Perhaps their slow growth
(the one I have described was planted the latter end of the 16th
century), and the trouble and expense of having them cut, may
account for tliis neglect. They are both useful and ornamental,
and they give an air of retirement and privacy which is delightful.
Bacon recommends "a stately hedge wliicli is to enclose the garden ;"
but there is too much carpenter's work in it for my taste ; I prefer
something more natural, and would rather read about it in his
ch.anning essay than have it before my eyes in my humble garden.

Chaucer might have had my hedge in his mind, when he writes in
"The Flower and Leaf " of a

Hegge as thick as a castle wall.

That who that list without to stond or go.

Though he should all day prien to and fro.

He should not see if there were any wight

Within or no.

But this liedge was set with " Sicamour and Eglatere."

A fine Yew hedge not far from here, in an old-fashioned pleasure-
ground has always struck me very much. It divides a beautiful flower
garden from a jjart devoted to more useful plants. It is 35 ft. or 40 ft.
long, and 12 ft. or 14 ft. thick, and was probably planted about 200
years ago, being as old as the house, which is of that time. It was
built by an ancestor of the accomplished author of the ' ' Descent of
Man," and still remains in the Darwin family. N.

I do not know if anyone has treated of historical hedges ; such a
one is that which encloses the PLCctory Garden at Bishopsbourne.
On blustering and inclement Easter Monday the writer of this

Toxicophlaea speciosa (Thunbergi).— Many complain that
it is difficult to flower this fine Cape shrub, and under ordinary
treatment this is true, but at the Alexandra Palace might lately
have been seen a fine plant of it flowering most profusely. This
plant liad been gi-own well during the summer in a brisk he.it well
exposed, and during the winter it was allowed to get dry at the
roots, tliough in a moderately damp atmosphere ; this, it is believed,
has been the cause of success. It is a plant wliich will stand a con-
siderable amount of rough usage, and when in flower it is well
worth a jjlace in collections in which good flowers are valued. The

.3G8

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

plant at tlie Alexandra Palace is 6 ft. high, and is clothed with
foliage to the jjot, and bears bunches of white leaves in the axils of
all the leaves. — J. Croucher.

PinuS insignis- — I quite agree with Mr. Rogers, that this
Pine is beyond comparison the most beautiful of its family, but it is
too tender for cold, exposed situations. Two-thirds of those jilanted
by me on the Surrey Hills have been killed by the vi'eather ; those
left have not suffered for the last two years, and may, perhaps, get
used to our climate. Tlirough England and Scotland generally,
Pinus au.striaca, as a screen and as shelter, is far safer than in-
signis ; still, the latter should be planted all over large areas, for the
chance of it.s thriving. — A Subscriber.

Butcher's Broom.— "tf." (p. 363) is right respecting the
common Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) gi'owing wild in Glamor-
ganshire. In the woods at Penrice Castle, about 12 miles south-
west from Swan.sea, it gi'ows in cartloads, Init for my part I consider
it neither very ornamental nor useful. — Cambrian.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

WALLFLOWERS IN CITIES AND VILLA GARDENS.

The Wallflower is one of the most popular, as ■well as one of the
gayest, of spring flowers. Although it thrives and blooms profusely
in almost any situation, yet it never appears so appropriately placed
as when growing in tlie immediate \icinity of dwelling-houses, which
it brightens up early in the year with its fragrant flowers, the per-
fume of which is of the most agreeable and refreshing description.
The AVallflower, like the Violet and the Primrose, is a universal
favourite, and we scarcely seem to realise that spring has arrived
until its cheerful blooms make their appearance. More especially
amongst the poor is it cherished, not only in country districts, where
it may generally be foimd flanking the cottage doors, but its low
price places it within the reach of the working classes within our
crowded cities, who can oftentimes indulge in tlie luxury of a bunch
of Wallflowers when flowers in general are too dear for them to pur-
chase. Any one who has visited Covent Garden Market during the
early hours of a May morning will have remarked the fine bunches
of Wallflowers which are bought up in large quantities by the huck-
sters and carried away by them to be sold at a cheap rate in poorer
districts of the metropolis. These are, of course, grown in the
vicinity of London, and they are so fresh and bright, and exhale
such a delicious odour, that one cannot help wishing that every poor
inhabitant of tlie gi-eat city might be enabled to brighten up tlieir
homes with them.

In most large gardens there are spaces which remain vacant, spots
far removed from the dwelling which it is not considered necessary
to occupy with bedding plants, or of which the soil is of a very poor
description. All such unoccupied pieces of ground might be filled
with Wallflowers ; hard, strong, sandy soil in which most plants refuse
to thrive will yield a rich harvest of bloom, and even odd corners may
be made to furnish their quota of this easily-accommodated spring
flower. To such an extent might Wallflowers indeed in many places
be grown, as to render it no diflicult task to out a cartload of bloom
in a week. Although we feel the need of flowers the whole year
through, we yet seem now particularly to crave for their bright pre-
sence, when from a gloomy winter we emerge into the bright sunny
days of spring. It is just at this time that bloom is scarce. In the
summer there is, owing to the profusion of flowering plants that we
now possess, no difficulty in supplying our flower missions. In the
spring time gi-owers are naturally reluctant to gather their first
blooms, but if all the odd sunny corners and waste spots of gTound
were, as I have said, planted with \\'allflowers, enough would be fur-
nished to gladden the heart of many a pocir sufl'erer, and that without
in any way detracting from the appearance or in any way robbing
the dressed grounds.

The Wallflower is of a hardy character, and if once planted and left
undisturbed, allowing some seed to ripen, it will propagate itself with-
out further trouble. If a large plant once seeds the immediate
vicinity wiU be stocked for years. Cottagers scarcely ever take
the trouble to raise seedlings enough to come up yearly to supply the
places of those that wear out. It is true that the Wallflower, like all
other plants, repays with interest generous culture, and that flowers
obtained without any sijccial care being expended upon their growth
could not be expected to rival those which are brought into the
market from good gi'onnd. But the poor accept with delight any-
thing which presents the slightest appearance of bloom. Those who
revel in floral beauty the whole year through can scarcely realise the
intense pleasure wliich the commonest flower affords to a pent-up
denizen of our gi-eat sniokc-begi'inied city ; and could they witness, as

I have done, the care'lavished upon such common plants as the Mil-
foil, which have been dug up in the fields and sold for one-halfpenny
each, they could not but be well assured that tlie gift of a bunch of
fragrant flowers would be received with delight.

Apart, however, from this philanthropic view of AVallflower cul-
ture, there is no question that this plant might be made to play a
more important part than it generally does in spring decoration.
Cottagers are very partial to the Wallflower ; they generally plant
them close to their walls, near the entrance and under the ^vindows
of their dwellings. In such situations it luxuriates, for it never
seems more at home than when the roots can in some way feel the
bricks and mortar. It is in such places that the double varieties do
best and live longest. They not only grow more freel3', but they
often escape the ruinous effects of a sharp winter when those in the
open get killed. It is worthy of note, and probaljly explains in a
great measure the comparative absence of these double varieties
from villa gardens, that they are scarcely ever to be found placed in
these naturally congenial positions. Being consigned to the borders,
they seldom survive a vei'y sharp winter, and it frequently happens
that not a plant in the entire district escapes ; the variety is then
often lost for a number of years. These double kinds are grateful
for a little protection, and they should receive it in severe winters.
There should be no difficulty in finding suitable situations for them.
Why not plant, as cottagers do, both the double and single kinds in
conspicuous positions close to the walls, in the front or on the sunny
side of the dwelling ? When in bloom, they would fill the air and
the house with perfume. The side and end walls of greenhouses
might also be thus occupied ; such plants do very well even in the
framework, if once established. There is no need to prejiare a border
for them ; a little good soil, just to gnve the cutting or seedling plant
a start, is all that is needed ; in this they will speedily establish
themselves, needing no further care, and oftentimes showing more
satisfaction than if placed among other denizens of the garden.

In conclusion, let me recommend that unoccupied pieces of wall,
semi-cultivated and stony, barren pieces of gi'ound be occupied with
Wallflowers ; the expense and labour will be of the smallest descrip-
tion, and would be more than repaid by the large amount of bloom
thus rendered available for cutting, and by the general cheerful
appearance of the garden at an early period of the year.

Bijfleit. John CoRyniLL.

HYACINTH CULTIVATION IN HOLLAND.

Years ago, when Hyacinths were still so high in price that they
were only to be had by the rich, there were just a few gardens around
Haarlem where these bulbs were grown, and the stock was small at
that time. Since the railways and steamers go direct to nearly every
part of the world, the nurserymen of Haarlem are producing more
stock, and have arranged new nurseries for this valuable plant, so
that at present in spring the country around Haarlem for many miles
to the north and south is in reality a flower garden. The nurseries
generally lie along the dunes (low sand hills), and the soil is almost
pure sand, varjang in colour from white and yellow to brown and
grayish black, which great difierence enables the nurserjaiien to give
the Hyacinth every year a difl'erent and at the same time a quite
fresh soil. During the winter, those places where Hyacinths are to
be planted next autumn are trenched 3 ft. and sometimes even 5 ft.
deep, in order to bring the soil in which the Hyacinths have growni
one year down deep in the ground, and also to get afresh soil on the
surface. In March and April the soil is enriched with cow manure,
after which green crops or Potatoes are planted, and it is dug again
in autumn about 15 in. deep before it is ready for the Hyacinth.

In the end of August growers begon planting the bulbs, in oblong
rectangular beds, about 3i ft. in width — the depth varying according
to the different ages of the Hyacinths, and to the nature of the
ground, also to the height the soil lies above the level of tlie water.
By the end of Noveml)er all the Hyacinths are covered with reed
mulching about 1 in. thick, which is taken away in February or
March when the frost is over ; and if the leaves which are now just
coming out of the gTound look yellow, they are lightly covered again
till they are quite gi-een, when the reed is taken away.

About the 15th of April generally the Hyacinths are in bloom. It
is at that time the environs of Haarlem present that splendid sight
for which they are renowned. Flowers every-ivhere, and when there
is nomnd the air is filled with their rich perfume. When they begin
1 1 wither, tliey are all carefully cut off in order to prevent the bulb
from becoming too much exhausted, and are strewed over the land
where Potatoes are planted to prevent the sand from being blown
away by the winds. This bed of flowers is also of gi'cat benefit to the
land, as there is some manure in it. Directly after the flowers are
cut off, the bulbs begin to grow ; the leaves erect themselves and get
taller. The weather dui'ing May and June decides whether there

Mat 10, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

369

will be a good crop or not. For the last two years the Hyacinths
have been badly injured during these months by honey dews and
storms, so that it will require at least one good season to bring the
stock up right again.

About the last of June the gi-owers begin to take the bulbs out of
the ground, and this is the time to multiply them, which is done in
two different ways : Coming fresh out of the gi'ound, the bottoms of
the oldest and largest bulbs are cut into six or eight equal parts,
about the thickness of the height of the bulb ; this mode of cultivating
is called "crossing." Next year the old bulb is gone (decayed), and
on the separated parts of the bottom of the bulb, between the shells,
about twenty young ones are grown. Tlie small bulbs got in this
way require four years before they are large enough to be sold or
to be crossed again.

The other way of cultivating is called, in Dutch, " hollowing," in
English, " scooping out," which means, to make a hole. Probably
every one knows that a Hyacinth consists of several shells arranged
like an Onion, coming together at the bottom, and in the centre of
which is the flower. By the end of July, when the weather is fine
and dry, this bottom is carefully cut out, so that nothing is left but
the shells. The bulbs being severally wounded, are put in the draft
or sunshine to dry. After two or three weeks, when the wound is
quite dry and hard, a gTeat many small white nobs may be seen near
the dry part of the shells ; aiul being planted in the autumn of next
year, all these knobs will become very small young Hyacinths, that
do not bloom for two or three years, and take six, and sometimes
even eiglit, years to gTow to the ordinary size. By this way of culti-
vating, one bulb produces from 60 to 150 young ones.

Next j'ear the young ones are separated, when crossed, or picked
off the old dry shells in the other way of cultivating ; planted quite
free in aiitumn, and lifted again in June, and so on for several years,
which depends on the sort growing fast or slow, until the bulb is old
enough for the market, or to be used for cultivation. By applying
these metliods of cultivation every year, different stocks are obtained,
which are treated according to their age. The Hyacinths, after
being all lifted, are buried again in the earth in order to let the roots
die off, and to enable the bulb to close itself (ripen). After a fort-
night they are taken out again, and dried for an hour or so in the
sunshine ; then sifted to get the sand away, and brought into the
bulb house, where they are laid out on wooden tables in the draught —
for the windows of a bulb house are only shut when the weather is
damp.

By the end of July or beginning of August, the bulbs are sent out ;
so everybody may comprehend that it is necessary to send in their
orders for flower roots by the begnnning of July. New sorts of
Hyacinths are got from seed, which takes a vei-y long time, as the
grain of seed wants eight, sometimes even ten, years to grow, until
the bulb is large enough to jiroduce a good flower ; and then the
grower possesses only a single bulb. .So it may be imagined what a
long time it requires, as well as the gi-eat cost it incurs, to secm-e a
stock of such novelties.— Case's "Botanical Index."

MOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE ELOWEK GAEDEN.

Myosotis dissitiflora.— We have a long border now very
bright and showy with this Forget-me-not. In other places there
are irregidar patches, some clustering where self-sown under the
shade of pyramidal fruit trees, others in the full sunshine ; but I
do not believe we have lost a plant from the effects of the long and
severe winter which we have had. I like seedlings better than plants
raised from cuttings ; but I have not made use of cuttings lately,
thinking that the plants so raised lacked stamina in comparison with
seedlings. For the last two years I have not sown seeds either, as
young plants come up in thousands about the borders from self-sown
seeds. Seeds of this Forget-me-not produced early ripen and scatter
themselves before the later flowers are over, and the young plants
from early-sown seeds are in excellent condition for transplanting in
October. The seeds of this Forget-me-not are generally sown too
late ; they should be put in much earlier than those of the Califomian
annuals ; the middle of June in the north of London is none too
early. I think it is best to sow in a partially shatled situation, such
as on the shady side of a row of espalier or bush fi-uit trees, although
I confess that when seeds are self-sown they seem indiflerent as
regards aspect. — E. Hobday.

I have tested in various ways the relative merits of this

Forget-me-not raised from seeds and from cuttings, and I cannot
perceive the least difference Ix-tween plants of it raised in both ways.
I have raised many Imndreds from cuttings, and in examining beds
of them at present I find that not one plant in fifty has been killed
by the late severe winter. All of them are now in full bloom, but

many of the flowers have not tliat beautiful aznre-blue which is
natural to them, but a lilac sliade instead, doubtless the result of
frosty nights and cold winds. I have this season more plants
raised from cuttings than from seeds. I put the cuttings in on
July 22 in o-in. pots, and placed them in a cold frame behind a north
wall, so that they might be kept from the sun without using other
shading material, and I transplanted them on August 26 6 in. apart
on an open border of light soil in the kitchen garden. They were
planted out into the flower beds on the 31st of October. The seed
I sow about the third week in June, and transplant about the time
when the cuttings are ready. If the weather be hot and dry it is
absolutely necessary to shade and water the seed, or it will be some
weeks before it begins to vegetate. — D. Walker, Duiioiian, Tun-
bridije Wells.

Flowers in Churchyards. — All of us arc familiar with the

display made witli flowers in many of the cemeteries that adjoin
large towns ; but in some instances this partakes too much of the
character of the bedding-out system, and rather disturbs than assists
to create that feeling of repose which should prevail in churchyards.
In this respect many old-fashioned churchyards in rural districts are
models that might well be copied. I lately saw one situated on un-
dulating giound, which, although but lately restored, had its ancient
character carefully preserved. The old crumbling walls were clothed
with Wallflower and hardy Ferns, and the massive iron railings of
tombs were draped with clindjing Roses. The venerable Yews and
Walnut trees that had for centuries grown unjiruncd and undis-
turbed formed striking monuments of the past, and sjjringing from
the turf at their base were large masses of Daffodils, Jonquils, and
Tulips, but perhaps the most effective and appropriate of all was a
carpet of Forget-me-nots that had self-sown themselves in all
directions, and in the partial shelter of this secluded spot had with-
stood the inclement season far better than those on bare flower beds.
I may add that Arabis, Aubrietias, Saxifrages and similar plants also
do well and take care of themselves. — J. G.

Primroses. — Much has lately been written about Primroses,

and, as spring flowers for embellishing uncxiltivated places, too much
cannot be said in their favour. Here we have quite two dozen
different sliades of colour, and most effective they look when gTow-
ing in patches together ; but novihere do they look so well as when
clustering around old tree stumps or under the spreading branches of
rustic-looking trees. In this way many of them may be seen in the
pleasure-gTounds liere at jiresent, and every one who sees them is
perfectly charmed with them. Where they do not exist in such
places it would be time and labour well spent to endeavour to esta-
blish them. — Cambrian.

Early Violas. — With us none of the yellow Violas named by
"A. D." (p. '.M~) bloom so early and well as Dickson's (Jolden
Bedder, which, in my opinion, is the best for bedding purposes,
either in spring or summer. Next to this comes Dickson's Sovereign.
Of blue or purple shades. The Toi-y far outstrips all others in the
earliness and profuseness of its blooms, as well as in the richness
of its colour. Cliveden Purple is very inferior to Holyrood, which,
as a true jmrple for spring and summer bedding, would be hard to
beat. Neither Deans nor Dickson's lilacina are of much merit. —
Cambrian.

Diel3rfcra spectabilis.— The severe frost of April 12th, when
the gi'ound w.is frozen quite hard, laid our beds of Dielytra prostrate
and apparently dead, but with the return of milder days theygi-adu-
ally assumed an erect position, and are now bursting into f>dl
beauty. I have in former years seen this beautiful jdant quite
killed to the gi-ound witli less frost than it has resisted this year ; its
hardiness on this occasion being doubtless owing to the more har-
dened character of its naturally soft growth, arising from the excep-
tionally severe character of the season in which its growth was made.
— J. Groom.

Crown Imperials.— Mr. Hobday (p. .348) seems to tliink liis
Crown Imperials worthy of remark, because their stems are "3 ft.
high," and "bear six flowers in the M'horl." If he is in my neigh-
bourhood and will favour me with a call, I shall be glad to show him
specimens of the same plants, both red and yellow — the former SA ft.
high with eiglit flowers in the whorl, and several of the latter from
Sj ft. to 4 ft. high with flowers varying in number from eight to
thirteen in a whorl. — H. P. Dunstee.

Gentiana acauUs- — One of the most striking objects in gar-
dens at present is this lovely deep blue Gentian, which is simply
unique as regards colour, ami, being so very dwarf, it makes a good
edging for small beds. — J. G.

Cinerarias. — Blooms of these belonging to a choice strain have
been sent to us by ilessrs. F. and A. Smith, of Dulwich. They are
bright in colour, and, as regards form and substance, are all that
could be desired.

370

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879

Ej'IECTS of frost in the SOUTH-EAST OF
IRELAKD.

OoR chief losses amongst out-door plants from last winter's frost
liavc been half-hardy plants of kinds which are usually (juite hardy
here witliin three miles of the sea. The soil is light, the situation
sheltered, and the subsoil gi-avel. Myrtles have lieen greatly
injured. A plant of sweet-scented Verbena, about 1'2 ft. high, in a
well sheltered corner, shows as yet no sign of life ; it had lived out
uninjured for many years ; a large plant of the common Passion-
flower, which has lived out against the house for very many years, is
almost killed ; it is too soon as yet to know whether either of tliese
will recover. A plant of Corouilla glauca, also in a sheltered corner,
which had lived out-of-doors for some years, and sometimes blos-
somed almost the whole winter tlirough, is killed, as is also a plant
of Maurandia Barelayana, whicli had lived out-of-doors for two or
three years. Of Tropa'olum tuberosum, which grew luxuriantly
amongst Rhododendrons, making banks of bloom in sunny positions
through the autumn, almost every bulb is apparently killed. Almost
every Dahlia has also been killed, being, as usual, left in the ground
and covered with coal ashes during winter. Lobelia fulgens, that
most brilliant autumn-bedding plant, usually quite hardy here, is
much injured ; indeed, we fear that most of it is killed. Beds of
double Daisies are late in fiowering, as many of them were completely
lifted out of the gi-ound by the frost. Anemones from Pau are also
late, but are flowering well, and in good time for contrasting with
beds of Poet's Narcissus, double Jonquils, and Forget-me-nots.
The latter (Myosotis dissitiflora) required to be replanted here and
there, as some of the plants were killed. The Pampas Grass is also
injured.

Amongst plants on rockwork there have been perhaps as few losses
as during our ordinary mild, damp winters. To Canadian, North
Asiatic, North European, Swiss, and Pyreneau plants, the dry cold
of last winter was probably less trying than our usual w-inters, but
plants from warmer countries have stood it well. Of Cape bulbs,
such as Ixias, Babianas, &c., some have already come up, and
probably others will do so later. Crinum capense, Iris Pavonia,
Laclienalia quadricolor, Schizostylis coccinea, Oxalis versicolor
and Bowiei are alive ; the latter conies up every year, but never
blo.ssoms. The German Ivy, also from the Cape, appears to be dead ;
Agap.anthus umbellatus and the Belladonna Lily, though not on
rockwork, have survived.

Of New Zealand and Australian rock plants, Aca?na microphylla,
Fuchsia prooumbens, Mazus Pumilio, Nertera depressa, Polystichum
vestitum, and the New Holland Daisy, are uninjured ; but the New
Holland Violet, always very delicate here in winter, died ; and the
New Ze,a!and2Veronica pinguifolia has been almost killed ; a branch
or two which had beeu layered may perhaps survive.

The following South American plants are alive, viz., Triteleia
unifiora, Oxalis floribuuda, both white and rose ; Tropteolum
speciosum and ijolyphyllum, Geum coccineum, Calandrinia umbellata
(of tlus but cue plant survives), and Mimulus cuprous from Chili ;
but Malva canqjanulata, also from Chili, appears to be dead.

Of Mexican plants, Commelina tuberosa is dead, and but one small
piece of Echeveria secunda (or E. secunda glauca) survived. Oxalis
lasiandra' has not yet come up, but it does not usually appear till
late in the season.

Disandra prostrata, from the Canary Islands and i\Iadeira, and
Myosotis azorica, from the Azores, are alive. Convolvulus niauri-
tanicus, from North Africa, died, though usually hardy here. Con-
volvulus Cneorum, from the Levant, is so much injured that its
recovery is doubtful, though Muscari nioscliatum and Tulipa cor-
nuta, also from the Levant, are uninjured. j-Ethiouenia eordifolium,
from Mount Lebanon, and one or two other Syrian plants ; also Fri-
tillaria persica, Tulipa persica, and Crucianella stjdosa, from Persia ;
and Bambusa Fortunei, Dielytra spectabilis, and Saxifraga sarmen-
tosa, from China, are uninjured ; but Plumbago Larpentse, also from
China, planted last autumn, has not yet come up. We have got this
flower three difl'erent times, planted it with care in autumn, and it
has never appeared. Is it thoroughly hardy ? [Yes. — Ed.]

.lapanese Primroses, Anemones, Epimedium macranthum,
Funkias, Sedum spectabile, Spiraea palmata, Polygonatum japonieum,
and some other Japanese plants are uninjured. This Polygonatum we
have had for some years, but it has never borne berries, nor do I
think it has even bloomed.

Of Himalayan plants, Androsace lanuginosa is uuinjureil ; Polygo-
num vaccinifolium is injured, but not killed ; Rhododendron
ciliatum has produced few blossoms, as most of its flower-buds were
killed ; otherwise, this PJiododendron is uninjured. Of many kinds
of Himalayan, Japanese, and European Primulas the only kinds
M'hich we have lost is scotiea ; the hot sun of last sununer is, how-
ever, as likely as last winter's frost to have killed most of these
latter.

Of many kinds of Campanulas all are uninjured by the frost, in-
cluding the Italian C. Barrelieri (almost impossible to preserve from
slugs), garganica, fragilis, liirsuta, and isophylla. Most of our rock
plants belonging to Central and Southern Europe have survived, in-
cluding Sedum neglectum from Naples, Helianthemum formosum
from Portugal, Veronica lactea from the Balearic Isles, and others.
Sedum carneum variegatum, though considered not quite hardy, has
survived, as has also Selaginella denticulata, though one or two
pieces of the latter were killed. SaiTacenia flava, though a very
small plant, lived through the winter. Some of these plants were
protected by finger glasses or pieces of glass during the winter,
otherwise they were unprotected? One plant of Edelweiss was killed ;
another close beside it remained uninjured. Leaves of the common
Ivy are much injured. Roses and Carnations have not suffered much,
if at all.

The only vegetables which were killed here were some small seed-
lings of Veitch's Autumn Giant Cauliflower sown in autumn as an
experiment. They survived the December frost, being partly covered
with frozen snow. This snow was such a protection that I believe
few, if any, of the plants wliich we lost last winter woidd have suf-
fered were it not for the January and Febiiuary frosts alternating
with thaws, although the December frost was much the longest and
])robably the hardest. 0.

GorciJ, Ireland.

CHILDKEN'S GARDENS.

I CAN fully endorse all Mr. Hobday has said (p. 329) regarding the
great benefits which young people derive from a pastime so instruct-
ing and ennobling as the culture of flowers. When begun in early
years the love of it continues through life, enlarges the powers of
observation, and gdves more real enjoyment than can be derived from
any other source. Thousands go tlirough the world without even
knowing the names of even the commonest of plants, and pass them
by unobserved ; but if their early thoughts had been directed
towards them, they would see beauty in aU of them, for, as Sliake-
speare says : " There is not a plant, a leaf, but contains a folio
volume ; you may read, and read, and still find sometliing new,
something to instruct, even in the noisome weed." This is true ;
and those unacquainted 'B'itli such subjects lose half the pleasures of
life. If we only take a rooted blade of Grass and examine it, we
may see how wonderfully well adapted it is for the purpose for which
it is intended, and the same holds good in everytliing else. The
structure of plants is a study in itself, and as seeding is the first aim
and end of all plants, how marvellously this is provided for in the
different kinds. Take the Fuchsia, for instance ; its flowers are pen-
dulous, and in them and others of similar character the stigma is
long, and hangs beneatli the anthers in order that the pollen, when
ripe, may drop on it. In order, too, to insure its being caught in its
descent, a viscid matter is exuded, to which the polleu-graius stick till
their allotted functions are performed. In erect flowers this is
reversed, and, as if to make sure tliat there shall be no failing, the
blooms of Primulas cannot fall without being dragged or slipped
over the pistil, on the end of which is the stigma, and in their pas-
sage over they must of necessity leave some of tlieir pollen behind,
the anthers being seated on and attached to the tube. These are
only illusti'ations of the adaptations of the diflferent organisms, and
show how much there is to interest even ordinary observers, and
what is missed by those who never look at anything, except in a
casual manner. That a love of plants is innate with most of us may
be seen by any one who visits our cities and towns, where, even iu
the most poverty-stricken parts, window-sills are crowded with
flower-pots, broken jugs, and all kinds of nondescript earthenware
filled with soil, in the liope of coaxing a little verdure out of it. As
the so-called mould in these vessels is generally the scrapings and
gatherings of streets, these would-be gardeners labour under great
difficulties, independent of the soot, smoke, and dust with which
they liave to contend ; but it is something to tliem to mark how
plants gi-ow and seeds germinate, roots penetrate the earth and
buds and leaves unfold, each movement being watched with the most
lively interest. If in towns so much pleasure is to be derived from
a bit of green, how- greatly pri\ileged are those in the country who
can have their plot of land attached to their residences. I would
urge on all so circumstanced to set apart a portion for the youngsters,
as there it will be found they will spend their happiest hours,
acquire knowledge, and get imlnied with a feeling and love for flowers
that will never leave them. Who can estimate the amount of good
derived from such a start, or gauge in any degi-ee the softening in-
fluence which it brings to bear on our rugged nature ? That it has a
gi-eat effect in this direction is, I believe, a fact that no one will ven-
ture to controvert. S. D.

May 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

371

THE INDOOR GARDE'N.

THE TRUMPET TREE.

(CECROPIA PELTATA.)

This remarkably handsome member of the Bread-fruit family when
fully gro^vTi reaches a height of quite 50 ft., and its leafy branches
stand out nearly at right angles with the stem, thus forming a more
or less rounded and sjireading head. The most striking peculiarity
about tliis tree is pt-ihaps its hollow trunk, which has transverse
partitions inside analagous to those in a Bamboo, only in this case
they coiTespond in number with the scars which represent the
positions where the long-stalked leaves once grew. The rough
digitate leaves themselves are covered on tlie under sirrface with
white down, and are conunonly eaten by the sloth ; the young buds
form when cooked a useful vegetable, and the bark when young is
tough and may be used for cordage, while the old cortex may be
employed in certain cases as an astringent. The wood is e.xceedingly

Cecropia Peltata.

light when dry, and forms an excellent substitute for cork in the
making of floats for fishing nets. The toughness of its bark fibre,
and the production of caoutchouc by its milky juice, are properties
general throughout the whole Order, and well illustrated in Castilloa
elastica, which produces excellent rabber, and also by maceration and
beating a serviceable bark-cloth of fine texture. Perhaps the most
singular use to which the wood of this tree is put is the formation of
a peculiar instrument of percussion, used by the Indians of the Rio
Maupes, a tributary of the Rio Negro. A section of the trunk 5 in.
or 6 in. in diameter and about 4 ft. long is selected : the partitions
are removed and the inside is rendered smooth by fire. The lower
end of the cylinder is then filled with caoutchouc and leaves beaten
down into a sobd mass, and a handle is formed by cutting two holes
near the upper end. During the holiday fftes and dances these
drams are used by the performers, who, holding them by the handles,
beat the lower end on the gi-ound as an accompaniment to the move-
ments of the feet. This insti-ument is called " Amboobas "or " Em-
accompanying illustration represents a young specimen before the
banba, " a name by which the tree itself is also popularly known. The
branching stage as it pushes its way up into light and air through

Moss or Usnea-draped branches, on which Bromehads and Ferns
have also made themselves at home. The engraving is also suggestive
in another way as illustrating a phase of epiphytal plant-life not
generally recognised by cultivators at home who will persist in grow-
ing Bromeliads in pots and, as a rule, treating tliem to a dry-as-dust
system of culture, notwithstanding that in the South American forests
they are in many cases as purely epiphytal as their neighbours the
Orchids and the Ferns, and as thoroughly enjoy the heat and moisture
which they naturally obtain during the rainy season. Grown in small
baskets of fibrous loam, peat or leaf-mould, and 'living Sphagnum
Moss, in a genial temperature, suspended near the light, and deluged
with water when growing, many Bromeliads would rival even Orchids
themselves in diversity of leafage and flower beauty. B.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOR aAEDEN.

Japan Primroses.— During the past week the collection of
Japan Primulas of the amoi'ua family gi'owing in the seed trrounds
at Bcdfont luis been in fine condition. Exceeding, as it does, all
other Primroses in irs power to produce variety, the ama-na section
possesses an undoubted claim upon popular favour, and although the
numbers of seedlings that have been raised have so far been limited,
yet some two dozen or so of distinct form have been tlie lesult. These
forms embrace two distinct divisions in the formation of the flowers,
that is, some are smooth and round in petal, whilst others are charm-
ingly fringed and singiilarly giacefiil ; all, however, are very beauti-
ful. The rich, red-coloured, original amccna has been eclipsed 'in
deptli of hue by tlie elegant kind called laciniata ; lilacina has in-
creased the depth of its bluish tints in purpurea and Ophelia ; grandi-
flora is quite outdone in size and colour by maxima ; and alba Iras
produced not only finer smootli-edged forms, but some pure white
and beautifully laciniated. The variety named Snowflake, one of Mr.
Allen's seedUngs, is a beautiful descendant from this old form. The
permanent clumps, growing in S-in. pots, and throwing up large
numbers of flower-stems, are also producing fine blooms, thus
showing that to produce tlie highest kind of beauty in these flowers
the plants must not only be well establislied, but tlie pots should be
full of roots. In comparison with the forais of amcena the better-
known P. japonica looks stift' and formal, whilst from seed it simply
reproduces itself. The newer kinds may be propagated most freely
by roots, although seeding sparingly, but tlie tendency to jjroduce
variety in what little is obtained somewhat compensates for that
scarcity. In a few years good clumps of these very hardy and
charming Piinu-oses will be found in every greenhouse and conserva-
tory.—A. D.

Tropeeolum tricolorum as a Window Plant. —There are

few more suitable subjects for window culture than this pretty little
climbing plant ; it succeeds admirably in a cool room from wlieiice
frost is excluded. An east aspect suits it best, where it may catch
the morning sun, but where it is screened from its noonday glare, for,
although this species of Trop^olum loves the light, it dislikes hot
sunshine. It delights in a cool, equable, and rather moist atmo-
sphere, and flourishes better in a temper.iture of 55° than when
subjected to a stronger heat. It may be trained in various w.ays,
either upon a small balloon-shaped or flat trellis, or, what is still
better, and where it assumes its true character, it may be trained up
strings on each side of tlie window, and allowed to festoon and droop
down naturally from the upper part of it. The bulbs should be
potted in September and plunged in a cold frame, where they need
but little water until they have made considerable growth. In
November they may be placed where they are to flower, and should
be carefully watered, giving only just enougli to moisten the soil
througli. In April, when in full gTowth, they will require to be more
freely supplied, and a Uttle weak lime or soot water will very much
increase the \'igour of the plant and the size of the blooms. —

J. CORXHILL.

Fruiting Passiflora quadrangularis.— " T. P." (p. 365)

sliould allow his plant of this to gi'ow .as fast as it will at the ex-
tremities of the shoots, and flowers will be produced along their
whole leng'th ; if these be fertiHsed with a camel's-hair pencil
about noon every day, as they expand and the pollen becomes
dry, he will secure an abundant crop. Stopping the shoots
does not answer, but where too crowded they should be thinned
out, cutting those not wanted away entirely. The plant fruits
best when confined to a large pot or tub. Some have asserted
tliat P. quadrangularis will not set its fruit unless fertilised with
pollen of another variety ; but that is a mistake. We grew the
plant systematically at one time in a houss devoted to it, and fruited
it abundantly every season. The year after the plant was struck
from a cutting it produced fifty fiiiit, each being J lb. in weiglit. —
J. S. W.

372

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

Saxifraga sarmentosa mixed ■with Ferns.— Tliis

Saxifrage always makes an elegant basket plant, but its beauty is
much enhanced when mixed with Ferns of like hardiness. The
other day we noticed several suspended pans containing a hardy
Fern in the centre and the Saxifrage gi-acefully hanging over the
aides, multiplying itself abundantly. The Ferns used were Cyrtomium
falcatum, Aspidium angulare, Pteris cretica, &c. These make charm-
.ing baskets for .suspending in windows, especially iu towns, as such
plants seem quite indift'erent to a smoky atmosphere. — W. G.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

FILLING A VINERY IN ONE SEASON.

Tiii'.KE is nothing new in filling a Vinery with healthy and vigorous
rods the lirst season from eyes, but filliug a Vinery the first year,
and at pruning time cutting the rods off at the tops of the rafters, is
what I have never seen recommended in auy periodical. It is more
than twenty years ago since I planted a Vinery in the month of
June with young Vines, principally Black Hamburghs, in a border
wholly outside. It consisted cliiefly of loam, road gi'it, and, I
suppose, some leaf soil, as we were not so frightened for fungus in
those days as we are now. After the border was made it was
allowed to settle for ten days, more or less, pre\nous to the ^''ines
being planted. Nor was it made to its full extent ; on the contrary,
only a width of 4 ft. or 5 ft. was made along the front of tlie Vinery.
The Vines being home-grown were strong and about 6 ft. long, and
in planting good wide holes were made in the border, and a few
bricks were taken out beneath the wall plating in order to enable us
to introduce the Vines carefully into the house. All being planted,
the Vines were loosely attached to the wires in order to prevent any
hanging taking place between root and top. When the Vines were
planted their balls were not broken, but any roots that could be got
at were stretched out and laid in the fresh soil. At this time the
thermometer in the border stood, if my memory serves me, at 82', a
suitable temperature for Vine planting ; indeed, it could not be
otherwise, compounded, as tlie soil was, for the border during the
warm season. On briglit days the lower part of the house was
.slightly shaded until the foliage faced about to the light, and the
the inside paths, walls, &c., were kept moist through syringing with
tejiid water. In a short time the Vines began to grow- again, appa-
rently sufTering but little from being planted in their new situations,
and, with attention to airing and watering, they very soon were at
the top of the house, and exhibiteil an amount of vigour beyond my
highest expectations ; and to stop the shoots in their progress
appeared to me to be nothing more or less than cruelty to vegetation.
I considered, too, that the more top I could get the roots would be
running through the border in proportion, and upon examination I
was not disappointed. Instead of pinching the shoots when they
reached the top of the rafters, I simjjly turned the point of each
shoot down the wires .again to the wall plate, where most of tliem
stopped, altliough some of the more vigorous ones were allowed to
run in a horizontal position across the house. The bending at the
top seemed to retard their gron-th to a certain extent, as the
Vines up to this point ripened and thickened well, and by the end
of the season I had an experimental house of well-ripened A'ine
rods, quite to my satisfaction, upon Mr. .Simpson's systeni (p. 324).
I may state that fires were continued until the end of November.
In the beginning of December, at pruning time, the question arose
in my mind as to what distance back I should cut the rods. As they
■were strong and had plenty of plump eyes, I decided that it would
be worse than barbarous to cut them farther back than the top of
the house ; so, upon the " new plan," I filled a Vinery with strong-
bearing wood the first season, independently of taking a good crop
of Grapes out of the said house previous to replanting it ; and neither
was I disappointed with the crop the following season. The above
is my experience of the so-called new plan.

During the same autumn I visited several of the best gardens I
knew of, such as Trentham, Chatsworth, Enville, and others. At
Kn\nlle new Vineries had been planted the previous spring, and they
had made some very good wood, which was ripening well. The
late Mr. Eaton showed me the hothouses himself, and I found him
very communicative. In every Vinery we went tlirough the rods
■B'crc all stopped about half-way up the rafters, and a]iparently that
had been done more than once, or from their strength the}' would
have filled the house. In directing Mr. Eaton's attention to the
matter he informed me that stopping was a system that he had long
adojited in the case of young Vines. I therefore began to regret that
I had allowed my Vines to stray so far from home, but still, so far,
the results were satisfactory. At Chatsworth I saw a little of the nen-
plon of fruiting Vines the whole length of their rods, but not exactly

the same as that practised by Mr. Simpson. Well-grown pot Vines
were merely planted out in a narrow Ijorder while green, about 15 in.
apart, and, from what I could observe, the wood was ripening well.
1 was informed that these Vines were intended to be fruited their
whole length, which would be aViout 15 ft. the following season. At
Trentham I was shown both the hothouses and grounds by the late
Mr. Fleming, who drew my attention to everything that was new,
and particularly to some young Vines which he had planted that
spring, and certainly they were growing at a fine rate, but I could not
say they were stronger than those which I had left at home, and, like
my own, they had got to the top of the Vinery and were turned dovra
again, while three of the leaders were progressing horizontally from
opposite comers of the house, and getting on fast for 50 ft. in length.
Venturingto allude to the stopping and extension system, I mentioned
what I had seen at Enville in regard to stopping, and likewise what
I had done myself, and, in comparing notes, Mr. Fleming's opinion
was that the greater the amount of top the farther might the roots ex-
tend. Cutting back was not discussed, but, judging from appearances,
the Vines were strong enough to be treated on Mr. Simpson's plan.

When I came to Worksop Manor I found the Vineries not quite
satisfactory, but between pits and borders I hoped to produce suffi-
cient Grapes till I had got young permanent Vines established, and
I was not disappointed. My longest rod the first season was double
the length required, viz., 18 ft. or 20 ft., and abimdance of fruit ■was
produced so long as I was at Worksop Manor, and, for anything I
know to the contrary, the Vines are bearing well still, which speaks
volumes in favour of the so-called " new plan." J. Miller.

Ohf7iibpr.

VENTILATION OF COOL FRUIT HOUSES.

There is no'w a good deal of fruit grown in villa and other garden^
in glasshouses either not supplied with artificial heat, or where only
just sufficient warmth is ajjplied to keep out the frost. Such houses
are usually expected to serve a double jjurpose — to preserve bedding
plants in winter, and to produce a supply of Grapes and other fruits
in summer and autumn, and sometimes, also. Strawberries in spring.
This kind of fruit gi-owing is extending, and -Hnll probably, under
the influence of increasing wealth and a growing taste for gardening,
continue to extend. Now it need hardly be said that the planting
of fruit trees under a glass roof — though a tiling to be desired
from every point of view — adds to the responsibilities of those in
charge, horticulturally speaking, of tlie estaljlishment, inasmuch as
it increases the number of living things, to whose wants daily atten-
tion must be jiaid. In the whole range of cultural ojierations under
glass there are none more important than the management of
the ventilation. Plants must have air, and yet air-giving is often per-
formed in the smaller class of gardens in a very haphazard manner.
One jjerson with whom I am acquainted easily gets over the difficulty
by setting the ventilators of his gTeenhouse Vinery open and keeping
them constantly so from the end of May till the close of tlie season,
and then complains of his Grapes being small in bunch and berry,
and tlie crop, more or less, injured by mildew. Anotlier keeps his
orchard house closed till nearly midday, and then he cannot under-
stand why the leaves of his Peach trees lose colour and fall off prema-
turely, often accompanied or preceded by the fruit, the latter being
generall}' small and flavourless ; and yet, if one looks at the matter
from a common sense point of view, it ouglit not to be difficult to so
ventilate a house containing fruit trees as to obtain a fairly satisfac-
tory result, with the certainty that when sufficient thought has been
given to tlie subject the work will become lighter and also be better
done ; hesitation or doubt as to tlie right thing to do will be removed
by experience. In the ventilation of our dwellings we admit air on
cold days in very small quantities, if at all, and we avoid cold
draughts ; but on warm, balmy days we set the windows open.
Well, the same principle carried out in the orchard house or cool
Vinery will give fair results, but not the best that are capable of
being obtained, as these will easily be secured when some experience
has been gained, and we Ijegin to understand that if we carefully
utilise the sunshine, we can force, so to speak, increased size into our
Grapes and Peaclies without spending a sliilling on fuel.

If the best possible results are to be obtained •with fruit in cool
houses, the ventilation and the supply of moisture in the atmosphere
and to the roots, if inside, must be carefully attended to. There are
days and nights, too, in summer when, if the roof could be lifted
entirely off, the trees would be benefited liy the exposure. On the
other hand, there are days often as late as June when, if air be freely
given, the trees may be chilled, checked, and almost ruined.
During the early stages, when the gi'owth is young and tender, front
air should be given sparingly, if at all ; cold draughts are often in-
jurious. The presence of mildew, and all other ailments, may often
be traced to a cold current of air rushing througli the house early in
the season. I have often thought some change might be made iu

May 10, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

373

the arrangement of the ventilation of cool houses. My impression
is that ventilators inserted close to the ground would be an advantage,
so that the air could percolate through air bricks or some such con-
trivance that could easily be stopped up during very cold weather.
With some arrangement of this kind there would be no necessity for
any other night ventilation, and no cold draught would be created ;
besides, the fresh air coming in close to the ground would rise gradu-
ally as its temperature increased. I suppose no glass roof that ever
was fi.xed was altogether air-tight, and the circidation would goonso-
gradually and gently that no violent disturbance of the atmosphere
could take place. If air could be admitted in the way just suggested,
there would be no necessity to open the back ventilators till the sun
had risen and had begun to act on tlie glass roof so as to raise the
thermometer, then, of course, the general roof ventilation would come
into operation. Tiie inserting of ground-line ventilators is becoming
general in buildings where valuable animals are kept, and I believ^e
that if the same principle were adopted in hothouses and greenhouses
it would be an advantage, and would nieet a want that is much felt.
It should, of course, be well under control.

In the ventilation of the class of house to wliich I am referring in
winter there could be no diificulty, as the fruit trees would then be
leafless and at rest, and the more ventilation given the better con-
sistently with the safety of the bedding or other j)lants that the house
might contain. But when the buds buret in spring the ventilation
should be reduced to a system, if the greatest possible benefit is to be
obtained from the glass roof, not only as regards its protective power,
but also for the forcing, or rather stimulating, effect which the
climate under it will give if tlie ventilation be rightly managed.
Unless we keep in view this latter (piality we shall fail to realise tlie
full benefits which a glass roof is capable of affording. By closing
early on warm days, shutting in, so to speak, the sunshine, at the
same time syringing the trees or damping the borders to create a
moist atmosphere, and give an impetus to both the frail and the
young growth, that will tell a tale not only upon this year's crojis, but
on others that follow. Early closing and early opening should form
tlie keystone of all systems of ventilation.

Where there are no ventilators close to the ground, then the early
morning ventilation must be given at the highest point of the roof.
On a bright morning when not freezing, a little air should be admitted
as early as six o'clock, the (juantity being of course regulated
according to the outside temperature. In most instances a very
small aperture, at intervals of G ft. along the roof, will suffice, but for
very early ventilation I much prefer, as I have said, tiie cool air
entering at the ground line, where it can be carried out. With air in
circulation, and admitted fresh in small quantities from the outside,
the thermometer may be permitted to rise till it ai)proaches 70'.
More air must then be given, until the top ventilators are open to
their full extent. If sufficient provision has been made to give roof
ventilation, there will be no necessity to open the front ventilators,
■except when the air is genial and warm ; but if during the forenoon
the thermometer hanging in the house rises above 80', with full
top air on them, a little front air should be given, to be taken off
again when the thermometer falls below 80". In the afternoon the
air should be reduced in like manner, until the house is closed at
half-past three or four o'clock, according to the season of the year.
These directions only refer to bright sunny days. If after closing
on a bright day the thermometer runs up to 90°, or a few degrees
more, with a declining sun, no harm will be done. Later in the
season when the fruit is approaching maturity, a full and free circu-
lation should be given both day ami night, in order to give colour
and flavour to the fruit ; less will be required at night than during
the day ; still, the circulation should be maintained. E. Hobday.

ARTIFICIAL HEAT FOR VINE BORDERS.

As bearing out what Mr. Baines has asserted respecting tlie inu-
tility of fermenting material for covering early Vine borders, and as
proof, that in such an inclement season as the past, with its almost
continuous frost and heavy falls of snow and wet, good Grapes may
be gi'own without it, I send you a couple of leaves picked from Vines
planted nearly twenty years ago, and which have been forced ever since
and Grapes cut from them in June. Not only have these had no hot
manure to stimulate the roots, a matter considered of so much im-
portance by some, but they have not even been protected by a coat-
ing of straw and dry leaves or sheltered in any way beyoncl what is
afforded by a dressing of rotten manure apjilied in autumn, and which
in no part of the border is more than 2 in. thick. I think it will
be admitted that the winter has been as bad as it could possibly
be, owing to the absence of sunshine, and yet, as will be seen, the
foliage neither lacks size nor texture, tlie latter quality being in some
measure attributable to the low night temperature maintained, and
the dry state of the atmosphere kept up at the same time, as well as

during dull days, when we were always careful to have a little air on
to let out moisture caused by watering bedding plants with which the
house had to be filled, as they were potted in order to give thera a
start. I am of opinion that more early forced Vines are injured and
weakened by having the air too damp and confined than by any treat-
ment to which the borders are subjected, for if the leaves be made
thin and flimsy, they Ijecome a prey to red spider, and lack the power
of enduring bright sunshine or dry parching heat during the summer.
The evil of course does not rest here, as the roots are affected in an
equal degree, and the strength and energy of the Vines dwindle year
after year till they are unable to bear a crop that is at all remunera-
tive or satisfactory. .So convinced am I of the uselessness of applying
heat to Vine borders that I have long since abandoned the practice,
and the result so far has been that I have gi-own better Grapes than 1
was ever able to do with the soil weighted and sealed over with a
huge mass of steaming manure. If the borders are properly drained
and frost kept out by the natural means of some non-conducting
material, such as fresh fallen leaves or litter, the roots will remain in a
much healthier state than they will when unduly excited. This has
been my experience, and if others wI>o still go on in the old track will
get out of the rut, I do not tliink it at all likely they will ever get
into it again. — S. D. [The leaves in question measured 14 in. one
way and 12 in. the other.]

GOLDEN CHAMPION GRAPE AT HENBURY HILL.

Allow me to tell "J. S. W." (p. 350) that on the 29th ult.
ilr. Shore, the gardener at this place wrote to me sajnng that the
bennes were as large as those of full grown Hamburghs and stoning ;
and also tliat in the same house a JIadresfield Court Vine, with its
roots now entirely inside, though they will ultimately be allowed to
run out-of-doors, is not nearly so forward as the Golden Champion,
t!ie berries not being one quarter the size. As is obvious, the inside
treatment of the two has been iilentical, but one has its roots inside,
while those of the otlier are out-of-doors, and the latter, tlie Cham-
pion, beiug the most forward is conclusive evidence that the roots,
Ijeing outside, have neither retarded the growth nor been inimical
to it in any way. If Vines started at the end of January without
even protecting material on the border are too late to afford evidence
as to the uselessness of hot material on the border, why does
"J. .S. W." use it on Vines wliich he admits started a month
later ? He fails to take notice of the cases which I have adduceil
of Grapes being ripe by the first of the present month without a
particle of warm matter having been near their roots. With these
remarks the subject, so far as I am concerned, shall close for the
present. There has been, at all events, incontrovertible proof of the
uselessness and very often injurious effects resulting from the use of
fermenting matter on borders. "J. S. W." forgets that the roots
of established Vines, such as the gi'cater portion of those forced,
have, in most cases, their best feeding active fibres far beyond the
limits of the warm material-covered border, and consequently are
thus beyond its influence for either good or evil. The fallacy into
which "J. S. W." and others have fallen rests on the supposition
that plants collectively should make simultaneous root and shoot
gi-owth ; but that is a mistake. With a great number of cultivated
plants, the Vine included, it is not natural for root extension to
begin until a large amount of top growth has been made ; and when
fermenting material is laid on the border sufficient to warm it to the
extent which they deem necessary, root gi'owth commences sooner
than is either natural or well for the Vines. T. Baine.s.

STRAWBERRIES ROOTING THROUGH POTS.

Allow me to state, in answer to Mr. Cornhill (p. .3.30), that allowing
the plants to root through the pots previous to flowering does not
cause an undue luxuriance of foliage with me, and the example which
I sent to The Garden' Office showed this. Mr. Comhill's statements
aft'ord no means of estimating the productiveness of his plants, and I am
surprised to learn from him that market growers are obliged to con-
fine themselves to delicate sorts if they wish to obtain good prices
for their produce, and that in this respect Vicomtesse Hericart de
Thury "is of but little use to market growers." Only the other
week "C. W. S." informed us that Garibaldi, which is the same,
was a favourite sort with a noted London market Strawberry grower,
and that two other very large growers grew Sir Charles Napier
exclusively, ' ' because its fine apjiearance makes it a good market
fruit ! " but as it is not knonii it is an inferior kind otherwise.
" Briskly acid flavour " is all the praise bestowed upon it by pomo-
lo-ncal authorities. I believe that it is more extensively grown for
market purposes than any others. Your correspondent must there-
fore be under a delusion on this head. My experience is that private
growers cultivate fruit of tlie first quality, and that market gardeners
only second-rate, though it appears that Mr. Cornhill considers the
contrary to be the case. I have often tested what was considered

374

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 10, 1879,

fine samples of C'ovent Garden .Strawberries in April, and I will say
that more insipid fruit I never tasted, and I have often been told
by those who know, that market fruit cannot be compared with
home-grown fruit. The reason is obvious. Market gardeners do
not and cannot take the same pains to finish their fruit that private
growers take ; it would not pay them to do so ; hence they hurry
their fruit into market as soon as it is red, whether ripe or not. I
saw last year, in a noted fruiterer's window, about a dozen baskets
of forced Strawberries from a London market grower, amongst which
not a single berry in the whole lot appeared to be fit to gather. I cer-
tainly have never found a market grower who confined himself to
varieties that were "distinguished by a delicate constitution," but
they have a profound regard for the ' ' fill-basket " kinds.

•^ J. S. W.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE lETJIT GAEDEN.

Grapes from Vines Raised from Byes the Same

Year. — Allow me to assure "J. S. W." (p. 349) that I did not
doul)t the accuracy of his first statement under this head, but only
questioned the possibility of getting anything worth calling a crop
under one year from eyes. Although "J. S. W." is evidently well
acquainted with the details of the system, and has experimented on
planted out canes, yet he has not carried the system througli to the
end ; therefore, he saw, I fear, little to gain by it, and the chance of
a good deal to lose, as pot Vines, whether home-grown or bought
from the trade, are expensive articles \\*ith which to experiment. If
Mr. Henderson, of Thoresby, would kindly tell us how his Vines
finished their crop, it would doubtless interest many beside myself
who are anxious to get good crops in the shortest time. Although
"J. iS. W." says that the Vines breaking their permanent buds,
owing to their leaves having been cut off, " disposes of my theory
that they require a season of rest," yet that in no way alters the
character or constitution of the Vine, for if checked in full gi'owth
it must needs expend its force somewhere, and naturally breaks at the
eyes destined for next year's crop in the ordinary course. As, how-
ever, late Grapes and tlie mode of preserving them long in good con-
dition has nearly superseded very early forcing, I do not tliink that
many will follow so unnatural a system as that just alluded to,
whether it be new or old, but will be content with treating tlie Vine
as an ordinary deciduous subject that requires a decided season of
rest. — J. (4room.

Pniit and Garden Shelters.— Some time ago I recom-
mended the planting of screens of Fir and similar evergreen trees
for the protection of fruit gardens from the fierce sweeping east and
north-east winds. How much during the last few days have such
screens been wanted where Nature has made no provision for shelter !
Even, perhaps, worse than the sharp white frosts of night have
been the biting blasts sweeping through fruit trees and bushes with
destructive results. Every spring, as regularly as the trees bear
blossom, come east mnds which destroy the early flowers wholesale.
If some measures be not taken in time to render our gardens and
orchards thus protected, fruit growing will either become an impos-
sibihty, or will be so surrounded with losses as to render it valueless.
There is already too much reason to fear that generally the Goose-
berry and Currant crops are much injured. Growers state that this
is so, and should such prove to be generally the case, it will not only
result in a heavy loss to the growers, but also to the nation. All
Pears and Apjdes so far are yet uninjured ; Plums and Cherries have
been largely in bloom during the prevalence of the keen %vinds and
frosts. What the warm sunshine during the daytime has done to
promote fertilisation, the winds and frosts at night have largely
undone, and in the face of such facts it is difficult to look for an
abundance of the latter fruits. We must begin to realise that fruit
culture in this country is no longer an easy proceeding, and that to
check the damage wrought by the cold springs special shelter must
be given. No fruit garden should now be planted that has not its
protection in the shape of a screen of Fir trees. — A. D.

Exposing Stra'wberries to the Sun.— Those who have

good dishes of rij.ie StrawbeiTies will do well to be careful as regards
trying Mr. Cowburn's plan (p. 350) of exposing them to the sun.
The other morning we gathered a dish from some plants before takiniT
them out of a Pine-house, and, as they were not wanted for dinner
until night, they stood all day in a basket on a shelf exposed to the
sun. At niglit many of them looked as if they had travelled 200
miles, and their half-fermented-like flavour was anything but a'Tce-

able or an improvement on their taste when newly gathered.

Cambrian.

Fruit Prospects in Kent.— If lateness in blooming lie a
desideratimi, we ought to get good crops of fruit this year. With
us Apples promise to bloom abundantly, but it will not be fully

expanded before quite the end of May, and late flowering kinds will
open in .June. Pear blossom is partial ; that of Cherries generally
abundant ; but Plum and Damson bloom is very partial, many orchards
being very thin. I may add that both on Filberts and Cob Nuts
male and female blossoms are abundant, and, as they always flower
when frosts are prevalent, they may withstand the extremely low
temperature which they are still experiencing better than more
tender fruits. Busli fruits at present jjromise well. — J. Groom,
Linton Park.

NOTES OF THE WEEK,

CamelUas in the Isle of "Wight. — Notwithstanding the

severe winter and spring, the Camellias here are full of flowers, many
of which are injured by the weather, but the shoots being laden
with buds in all stages good flowers may always be found. A group
in Sir William Hutt's garden shows the most freely blooming and
showy plants of Camellias we have ever seen, either under glass or
out of doors. They are even more vigorous than Camellias often
seen about Rome. In Her Majesty's gardens at Osborne, the Ca-
mellias are also laden with flowers — an<l fine flowers — to a degree
that is never seen under glass. Hereabouts, at least, the Camellia is
not only a hardy evergreen, but the handsomest of all flowering
shrubs.

Orchids at the Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea.—

Amongst tliose which we noticed a few days ago in flower hero was
Cypripedium Lawreuceanum, which was finely in flower ; it some-
what resembles C. barbatum, but it is much superior to that kind
both in size and colour. The quaint-looking Masdevallia Chimaera,
with flowers triangular in outline, and measuring fully 8 in. from tip
to tip of the attenuated segments, is one of the most interest-
ing of the family. The rare Colax jugosus is very beau-
tiful ; its blossoms have the three outer di\'isions pure white, and tlie
inner heavily blotched with deep, reddish-purjjle and a rich purple
lip. As a rule, the majority of the Epidendrums are not showy, but
the flowers of the new E. W^allisi exhibit a very pleasing
blending of tints, the outer parts being yellow with here and there
a dark spot, and the large lip white pencilled with purplish-black
streaks, and the edges beautifully fringed. Brassavola Digbyana is
a kind not often met with in blossom. Its flowers are white, 3 in.
across, and they have a remarkably large lip, which is elegantly
fringed at the edges. The best of the Dendrobiunis now in flower
are D. Farnieri, thyrsiflorum, crassinode, chrysotoxuni, and the
handsome D. infundibulum, with its large ivory-white blossoms and
orange-coloured lip. The gorgeous Cattleya Mendelli is represented
by some very fine forms, differing chiefly from each other in the rich-
ness of the tints. Oncidium concolor alone makes a very effective
display on account of its free-flowering tendency and the clear rich
yellow of tlie blossoms, which render it scarcely inferior to the superb
0. Marsliallianum, of which there is a fine example in flower. Other
rarities, such as the curious little Phalienopsis Parishi and Sarco-
chilus Fitzgeraldi, are also in blossom. — W. G.

Rock Plants at Oakfleld- — A rockery under glass is seldom
met with, Ijut tlie advantage of having such a house is admirably
exemplified in Mr. Joad's garden at Wimbledon. There may now
be seen the choicest gems of the mountain tops luxuriating in native-
like vigour, and many of them in flower. Amongst these we noticed
the Siberian Saxifrage (S. sibirica), a handsome species which forms
a tuft of kidney-shaped, toothed leaves, and bears numerous pure
white blossoms J in. across. Associated with this was Ranunculus
Bertoloni, a rare South European Crowfoot with roundish leaves and
sno^vy white flowers about the size of a shilling. Various kinds of
Androsace were also finely in flower, notably the charming little A.
carnea and chaniiejasme. The creeping Epigfea (E. repens) here seems
quite at home, peeping from beneath the overhanging ledge of a
massive boulder, and producing a profusion of its delicate blush-tinted
blossoms. Another rai'e Saxifrage which we noticed was S. irrigua,
a distinct species belonging to the mossy section. It has finely-
divided foliage and large white flowers borne on stalks 6 in. high.
These are only a few of the many interesting plants to be seen in
this delightful house, in which are developed ever day new objects of
beauty.

Double Primroses. — We have received from Miss Owen, of
KnockrauUen, Gorey, Ireland, specimens of double Primroses, all
extremely handsome and varied in colour. Miss Owen states that
she has two distinct kinds of purple, also white, yellow, rose, lilac,
and crimson. One of the crimsons grows like a Polyanthus, and
this form seems constant ; along with these also came two double
Polyanthuses, a dark and a light brown one, and in the same garden
there is stated to be another double Primrose, white, slightly tinted
with very pale mauve.

May 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

575

Haberlea rhodopensis. — This charming little plant is now
flowering (nobably for the first time in this country in Mr. .load's collec-
tion at Wimbledon. It bears considerable resemblance to a small
C41oxinia, and belongs to the same family. It forms dense tufts composed
of numerous small rosettes of leaves, which have the appeai-ance of
tliose of the Pyrenean Ramondia (R. pjTenaica). The blossoms are
produced on slender stalks, from 2 in. to .3 in. in length, and are
about 1 in. long, tubular, with a spreading mouth. The colour is a
delicate violet-purple, with a faint dash of yellow inside, and copiously
spotted with purple. This interesting little gem comes to us from
the Balkan Mountains, where it is found growing amongst Moss, (fee,
on damp, shady, steep declivities at considerable elevations. Tliough
presumably quite hardy, it is advisable, on account of its rarity, to
keep it under frame culture. — W. G.

Cinerarias at RedleeS. — The excellent displays of this
deservedly popular flower made at the spring exhibitions by
Mr. .James are ample proof of his skill both as aculturist and hybridist,
and a visit to Redlees equally illustrates the fact. In point of size,
form, and variety of colour, Mr. .Tames' strain has apparently reached
perfection. In such an extensive collection as is gi'own here, of
course some colours predominate, and this is the violet series, but
even in these the tints are diversified by the various hues of the
central florets. Associated with these, too, is a promising collec-
tion of herbaceous Calceolarias, which will shortly be a sight worth
seeing. Cyclamens, which have made such gi'and displays in spring,
are now on the wane, and their place is being taken by the Pelargo-
niums, for which this establishment has so long been noted. — W. G.

Hardy Orchids. — Several of these are now flowering beauti.
fully in Mr. .load's garden. They arc growing in a house wholly
devoted to half-hardy plants, and which evidently suits their require-
ments admirably. Tliose now in flower comprise the yellow-flowered
Ophrys lutea, a South European kind, which has blossoms of a very
curious form. Orchis provincialis is another yellowish-flowered sort,
which has larger blossoms. The Spider Orchis (Ophrys aranifera),
one of tlie most variable of Orchids as regards the colour and size of
its blossoms, is here represented by numerous forms ; also the appa-
rently nearly-allied 0. arachnites. Orchis longibracteata, one of the
largest-flowered Orchises, has its blossoms, which are of a pale violet-
purple tint, produced in long dense spikes. Last, but not least, we
noticed the very rare Northern Calypso (C. borealis), a North Ameri-
can species with rather small flowers, possessing a remarkably curi-
ous structure somewliat resembling a bull's head. — W.

Greenhouse Rhododendrons.— The following kinds of

tender Rhododendrons are now finely in flower in Messrs. Veitch's
nursery, Chelsea, viz., R. Countess of Haddington, a kind with
large funnel-shaped flowers, varying in colour from a delicate blush
to a deep rose tint ; R. Sesterianuin, witli large pure white blossoms,
having crisped edges ; Princess Alice, with white flowers, which are
more shallow than those of the otiiers ; and 11. fragrantissimum, also
a large white-flowered kiml, and, like the preceding, exhaling a deli-
cious perfume. All these, and many others of a similar type, make
capital showy plants in greenliouses in spring, and should be more
extensively grown than they now are. — W.

Clematises at Chelsea. — One of the conservatories in
Messrs. Veitch's nursery is now gay with well-flowered plants of
Clematis, chiefly those of the patens type. They are trained on
balloon-shaped trellises, which are covered with flowers of various
hues, and exceedingly effective when seen mixed with other spring-
flowering plants. As they are so easily managed under pot culture,
they certainly deserve to be more extensively grown than they are
for conservatory decoration. — W. G.

Spiraea Thunbergi. —This is one of the neatest spring flowering
shrubs with which we are acquainted. It rarely exceeds 2 ft. in height,
and is for a consideraljle time literally covered witli small white
blossoms, which, seen en mas/ie, are remarkably attractive. Though
perfectly hardy, it is an excellent plant for conservatory decoration,
as it succeeds adnurably in pots. — G.

The Cluster-headed Polemonium (P. eonfertum).— This

singularly beautiful species, of which we gave a colom-ed illustration
(Vol. XIV., plate 48), is now finely in flower in the open air at Mr.
Parker's nursery at Tooting. Though it is reputed to be difficult to
manage, it seems to thrive admirably in a thoroughly drained posi-
tion, and where excessive moisture during winter is prevented as much
as possible.

Mesospinidium sanguineum..— We saw a fine display of

this beautiful Orchid a day or two ago in Mr. Parker's nursery. The
Grassy-like foliage and the^racefuUy-arching spikes of deep rosy-red
blossoms were very efl"ective. Associated with tliese was a good
batch of the rose-coloured Odontoglossuni (0. roseum) in fine flower-
ing condition, which was also very attractive.

Rose Medals.— The .Soci(5t(^ Ceutrale d'Horticulture of France,
dealing with the special gift of 'Madame Laft'ay, widow of the emi-
nent Rosarian, to be distriliuted to Rose growers who had raised the
best varieties of Roses, has decided that a gold medal should be
given to F. Lacharme, a gold medal to Guillot fils, and one silver-gilt
to Madame Ducher — all three of Lyons.

Pulmonaria dahurica.— A fine flowering example of this
rare little Liverwort may now be seen in Mr. Parker's nursery. It
gi'ows about 6 in. high, is spreading in habit, and has small lance-
shaped leaves and dense terminal clusters of deep blue blossoms. It
apparently requires a little protection during winter in order to bring
it to perfection.

Saxifraga aretioides primulina. — When this charming

variety is seen Ijy the side of the type the distinction is very marked,
as the blossoms, instead of being of an orange tint, are of a clear
primrose yellow. It also seems to be much dwarfer in gi'owth and
more dense. — W.

Muscari pallens. — This is an elegant little kind not often met
with. At first siglit it reminds one of the pallid form of M. bo-
tryoiJes, but it is readily distinguished by the flowers not being glo-
bose, as in the latter, though the colour is much the same. It is now
flowering freely in Mr. Barr's gi-ouuds at Tooting.

MasdevaUia Shuttleworthi.— An unique specimen of this
very singular Orchid is now in flower in Mr. Bull's nursei-y at Chelsea.
It is by no means so showy as man}' of its congeners, as the mark-
ing of its flowers is somewhat of a dull hue, but on account of its
extreme rarity it is particularly noteworthy. — W. G.

TuKpa Greigl. — Some of the best flowering examples of this
tine Tulip whicli we have yet seen are now in Mr. .load's garden at
Oakfield, wliere, in company with other choice hardy bulbous plants,
it thrives admirably. — W. G.

NOTES FROM KEW.

Hardy Plants. — The various representatives of the showj'
Borage family are particularly noteworthy, the rarest amongst them
being the beautiful Echium-like Aruebia (A. echioides), with clusters
of bright yellow blossoms h in. across with five spots at the base of
the divisions of tlie corolla, which are black, gi-adually fading to a pale
brown tint. It is perfectly hardy, and succeeds admirably when
planted on well-drained rockwork in a partially shaded position.
Boissier's Kemera (Kernera Boissieri) is a very neat little novelty
for the rookery. It gi-ows about 3 in. high, tufted in habit, and at
this season forms a perfect compact mass of small white blossoms,
which remain a considerable time in beauty. It is a member of the
Crucifer family, aud of perennial duration, and, as it produces seeds
very freely, we hope to see it more widely circulated. The North
American Trilliums are always worth referring to, as they comprise
some of the most ornamental of bog-loving plants. The large-
flowered kind (T. grandiflorum) is a superb species, and should be
in every collection ; the rich green of its trifoliate leaves and the
chaste beauty of the large pure white flowers render it highly attrac-
tive. It aliounds in various parts of North America, growing in
shaded, moist localities. Another handsome North American plant
is the large-flowered Uvularia (U. gi-andiflora) belonging to the LUy
family. It grows about 15 in. high, with stems about the size of a
quill, the ujjper part of which gTacefully droops, bearing the yellow
blossoms, which are 2 in. long, with narrow segments. As a choice
border flower it ranks high and deserves to be better known. Cory-
dalis nobilis is amongst tlie best of its family ; the dense clusters of
yellow flowers, rising from the finely-cut glaucous foliage, are very
attractive. C. bracteata, like the preceding, is a native of Siberia,
and differs from the last by the unusually large size of the floral
leaves ; the blossoms are about the same size and colour. Amongst
the bulbous plants a charming variety of the Rush-leaved Daffodil,
named Narcissus juncifolius var. apodauthus, is a very distinct kind,
and may at a glance be distinguished from the type by the larger
and richer coloured blossoms, and the cup being much shallower and
lobed. It is a native of Spain, and as yet seems to be somewhat
rare in collections. The Crocus-flowered Romulea (R. crociflorus) is
a very handsome Irid, which, when its flowers are fully expanded,
strikingly resembles those of the old Crocus biflorus, as they are
about the same size, and possess the same lemon tint inside the
perianth.

Greenhouse Plants. — Boronia elatior is sho\v-iest and most
gi'aceful of Australian hard-wooded plants, and makes a very fitting
companion to its deliciously-scented congener, B. megastigma. It
grows into a compact bush, with numerous slender branches and small
leaves interspersed with a profusion of rosy-pink globular flowers,
which are also sweet scented. Some of the original species of Pelar-

376

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

goniums, which chiefly inhabit the Cape of Good Hope, are ex-
tremely beautiful and certainly merit more extended culture.
P. Schotti perhaps possesses the richest coloured flowers of any ;
they are deep maj,'enta with a conspicuous black-purple blotch on
each petal ; the foliage, too, is ornamental, as it grows to a large size
when liberally treated. A remarkable Aroid is Arisa;ma priecox,
■\\hich has large, thrice-divided leaves and mottled stalks. The
flowers are very curious, consisting of a membranous spathe of
IJeculiar form, elegantly striped with gTeen and dark brown, enclosing
a cream-coloured club-shai)ed organ. Pentlandia miniata is a very
desirable Amarj'llid with a stout flower-stalk rising from an oval-
shaped bulb, and bearing several pendulous, tubular blossoms 1| in.
long and of a liright I'ed colour. The well-known Scutellaria Moc-
iuiana, which is usually met with in stoves, is made free use of in the
greenhouse, and a capital plant it makes for the purjjose ; the bright
scarlet clusters of flowers have a telling efi'ect when mixed with more
delicate-tinted kinds. The plants are grown in heat and gradually
inured to a lower temperature.

Stove Plants. — The Cotinus-leaved Dais (D. cotinifolium) is a
rare and interesting African shrub belonging to the Daphne family ;
the leaves are rather small ami oval, and the flowers are produced in
dense clusters, similar to those of Pimelea, and are of a pleasing
violet-purjjle tint. Tabern»montana eoronaria is a pretty shrub, of
neat habit, studded with numerous Periwinkle-like blossoms, which
are pure white with a golden eye. The double-flowered form of this
species much resembles the ordinary Gardenia, and is a capital sub-
stitute, though it is not so strongly scented. The roof of the old
Lily House is now extremely gay with that lovely climbing Brazilian
plant, Bougainvillea speciosa. This kind differs from the better
known B. glabra by its larger floral leaves and by the hairy leaves.
For planting in houses wliere room can be spared this superb plant
cannot be too highly recommended. Among the Bromeliads tlie
variety paucifolia of IJillbergia Wetherilli is now very attractive, the
deep carmine bracts and the indigo-Mue flowers, borne in gracefully
drooping clusters, need only to be seen to be appreciated. Another
handsome member of the same family, and one that retains its
beauty for such a considerable period, is ^-Echmea glomerata, a
Brazilian kind, with scarlet bracts enclosing rich purple flowers, col-
lected into very dense clusters at inteiwals along the flower-stems,
which rise 18 in. high.

Orchids. — The Long-tailed Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium cauda-
tum) is proljably the most curious of this vast family. The flowers are
arranged in a racemose manner on a long flower-stem, and consists
of a pouch-like lip as large as a pigeon's egg of a greenish-purjjle
hue ; the two side petals are developed to an enormous length, in
some measuring nearly 2 ft., and twisted more or less in a spiral
manner. The variety splendens is an improvement on the original,
as the flowers are larger and the tints better defined ; they are, as
indeed are all the species of this section of the genus, natives of
the warmer regions of South America. C. Hooker* is a desirable
Bornean species with mottled foliage and blossoms, with the lip
greenish, and . the tips of the side petals of a rich violet-purple.
Dendrobium Jenkinsi is a pretty little kind for gi-owing on blocks, to
which it readily attaches itself, and for several weeks at this se.ison
is highly attractive by the numerous rich yellow flowers which spring
from the small bulljs. Much resembling it in point of size and colour
of the flowers is the old D. chrysotoxum, one of the best of the late-
flowering Dendrobiums. Nothing can well exceed the rare beauty of
some of the Aerides, and the Fox-brush Orchid (A. Fieldingi) is one
of the best ; the long, dense racemes of delicate lilac-tinted blossoms
very aptly suggests its popular name, and which, combined with their
delicious perfume, renders it very desirable. The best of the
Odontoglossums now in flower is 0. Cervantesi, with flowers 2i in.
across, pure white, with the centre prettily marked with bars of rich
chocolate colour. Harrison's Oncidium (0. Harrisonianum) is a very
neat-growing kind witli glaucous foliage, and a long spike of small
flowers yellow barred with dark brown. Masdevallia ignea is a very
shon-y and free flowering kind of the Veitchi section. The blossoms
are large, with attenuated divisions, the upper one bending over the
face of the flower in a peculiar manner. The colour is orange-scarlet
striped with lines of a darker hue. — W.

PLATE CLXXIX,

Gardenias in Small Pots.— These are most useful when
grown in small pots, such as 48's or 32's, for house decoration. Some
plants of these here, fifteen months old, from cuttings, had from ten
to fourteen blooms on each, grown in .iS-sized pots, which in this
case are more useful than when all the stock consists of large plants,
and for putting in vases, baskets, &c., in rooms they are most useful,
and will be sure to be appreciated, as most people like Gardenias on
account of their fragi-anoe and form. Tlie ease with which they
may be grown brings them within the reach of all who have a warm
house, and they well repay any trouble they may have bestowed
upon them. — J. C, Farnborouij/i.

TYD^A ROBERT LE DIABLE.

Drawn by CONSTANCE PIERREPONT.
Few plants are more easily grown or produce flowers in greater
profusion than the T}'da;as. With a little care in their management
during the spring months, a constant succession of their showy
blossoms may be ensured for conservatory decoration throughout the
whole of the summer when most other flowering plants will have
become impatient of being under glass. The plant from which our
drawing was taken continued in fl^ower at the Pine-ajjple Nurseiy,
Maida Vale, with but slight intermission from July until October in
last year. Tyda^as may be divided into two sections, viz., those
which die down, like the Achimenes, and those which, although they
require a period of rest, resent one of too long duration or too severe
a drying off'. As, however, through intercrossing, these two sections-
have become difficult to distinguish, the best way, perhaps, is to
treat the whole as plants only requiring a partial rest. After they
have finished flowx-ring, therefore, they should be placed on a shelf
in a greenhouse in which a temperature of from 45" to 50' is main-
tained throughout the winter, keeping them in the same pots in
which they flowered, and giving them a little water now and then,
being guided in the quantity to be given to each by the appearance
of the leaves. Those plants which seem the most lively and gi-een
sliould have the most water gaven them, and in this way they should
be kept until the middle of February, wlien they may be removed
to a shelf in a warm house, and shortly after divided and
started into gTowth in small pots. As the season advances and the
plants Ijecome vigorous, they shoidd be potted onwards, until they
are in the pots in which they are to flower. The best compost to use
for Tyda>as (or, indeed, any other Gesneraeeous plants) is a mixture
of one-half turfy loam, one-fourth fibry peat, and one-fourth dried
cow manure rubbed tine and well mixed with the other materials.
Tlie chief points to be observed while Tyda;as are growing is to keep
them always in a genial temperature, and in a place where cold
currents of air cannot reach them. In .June and July, when the
buds begin to show colour, more air may be given, and as soon as
the first flowers expand the plants should be placed in a sheltered
part of the conservatory or gi-eenhouse, where they will continue to
bloom long after dull weatlier has set in. A few of the best
kinds are — Robert le Diable, well represented in the annexed plate ;
rosea, pink spotted with dark rose, and dwarf in habit ; gagantea,
yellow spotted with scarlet ; Vesu\-ius, red, spotted and lined with
maroon ; alba kermesina, white and rose ; Pericles, vermilion,
yellow and crimson ; tricolor, coral and white, spotted with rose j
and veuosa, magenta violet, spotted with purple.

JAME.S O'Brien.

RASPBERRY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS.

.SwEETNE.'ss and elegance, combined with such freedom of growth
and vigour of constitution as permits, without injury, foliage and
flowers to be cut in abundance, will always render this Pelargonium:
a favourite ; there is, moreover, a smaller variety of it, the leaves of
which, from their minute sub-division, are exceedingly elegant.
Both kinds grow freely, especially when planted out either in the
open air or in the gTeenhouse or conservatory. They are well
adapted for planting against a wall or pillar in some liglit situation
under glass, as the gi-owth in such positions is very rapid and con-
tinuous, and, though their lilac flowers are small, the successional
way in which tliey are produced for several months — commencing
early in the spring — adds much to their value. I think, from what
has come under my own observation and the information 1 have
gleaned from others, that the variegated Pelargonium called Lady
Plymouth must be a sport from this variety. If my information be
correct, this must have occurred some fifty years ago. I have often
seen green shoots on plants of Lady Plymouth ; in fact, we have
several now that seem to be identical with those of the Raspberry-
leaved kind (P. Radula). One need say but little about its cultm-e,
as a plant that has held its own for so many years, when so many of its--
contemporaries, introduced about the same date, have disappeared,
requires no special treatment. It is just tlie plant for the cottage-
window, or to plant out in summer in the little border in front of the
cottage. E. Hobday.

Double Sulphur-coloured Primrose.— This is a charming

variety, and one winch lasts a much longer time in perfection than
the original, and, being even more fioriferous, it is a decided acquisi-
tion either for pot culture or for planting in the flower border, en
banks, by the margins of woodland w.alks, and similar places. — •
\V. G.

THE GARDEN

May 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

377

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Greenhouse.

In order to keep up a continuous supply of flowering plants for
conservatories anil gi-eenhouses, it is necessary to be continually
providing subjects, wliicli, though of minor importance, nevertheless,
till up the gap that intervenes between the blooming of the gi'oups
of plants tliat afford the chief display throughout the year, and
without which, especially during the late summer and autumn months,
there would be sure to be considerable deficiency.

Abutilons. — These almost incessant flowering plants now exist
in such variety, and are so dwarf in habit and free blooming that
they will flower even in very small pots. Young plants of them
potted now and encouraged to make gi-owth will, four months hence,
have attained a useful size, keeping them stopped, as occasion may
require, in order to lay the foundation for a bushy form, which will,
in the majority of cases, be found the most useful. The stopping
thus recommended by removing the points of the shoots with the
newly-formed undeveloped flower-buds will induce the plants to
make growth instead of flowering till they are required. By way of
variety, and to assist eftective arrangement, a few of them may be
grown as standards, dwarf, or of medium-size, according as they
may be found most suitable for the description of structure whei-ein
they will have to be used. As has been already said, these plants
are being raised in such immense quantities from seed that to give
names would be useless ; it will be sufficient to say that they
exist in various shades of colour, from the deepest dark crimson
through the paler hues of red down to yellow ami white, and the
plants are as different in habit as they well can be from the species
hrst introduced.

Petunias, Single and Double.— At no season of the year

are these so useful aa late in sunnner and autumn; blooming, as they
do, in the smallest state, and continuing to flower on up to the end
of the year with very little attention, they deserve to be gro\vn in
quantity to come in about the time mentioned ; they will be found
especially serviceable, for when done with all of them can be dis-
carded, excepting a store pot or two of each variety, which should be
retained for purposes of propagation, a great advantage, as in winter
most of the space allotted to gi'eenhouse suljjects is needed for plants
of a more permanent character. Cuttings put in a few weeks ago
and now rooted — kept tliree or four together in 6-in. pots in
light rich soil, and moved into others 2 in. or 3 in. larger when
necessary, keeping them sufficiently stopped to have them compact,
and picking the flowers off till within a month or so of tlie time
when they are required in bloom, and the shoots kept in position
with a few liglit sticks and ties — will be most usefiil. Many of both
the double and single sorts are well worth cultivating ; tiie latter,
consisting of beautiful and distinct colours, are now raised from seed,
and yield an abundant amount of variety. Either the double or
single kinds Avill do for hanging baskets, but the single being usually
of a weaker and more procumbent habit, are better suited for the
puqK>se thau the others.

Amarantus and Balsams. — Young plants of the old-
fashioned Cockscomb, the small Globe Amarantus. and Balsams
should have every attention. They need plenty of light, and root
room sufficient to enable them to get strong and vigorous in their
early stages, otherwise their eflective appearance when in flower will
lie much diminished. A few more seeds may now be put in with
advantage to produce plants to bloom later on. In most places little
difficulty after this time will be experienced in accommodating all
such plants as those just named, for ordinary frames and pits — in
which they will grow much better during the summer tlian in houses
■ — will shortly be at liberty and ready to receive them.

Schizostylis COCCinea. — This is another plant that desen-es
to be gl'o^^^l in considerable quantities by every one who possesses a
greenhouse or conservatory. It is one of the finest late-flowering
plants which we have out-of-doors, where it can be protected a little ;
but, when properly treated, it is even more useful for conservatory
decoration. It may be managed in two ways, either planted out in
rows or clumps in the open gTound, in good moderately light soil
that will admit of its being lifted in the autumn for potting without
the breakage of root fibres, which inevitablj- happens when the land
is of a heavy, close nature ; or it may be grown in pots, six, eight,
or a dozen together, according to the size of the pots, which may be
from 7 in. to 10 in. in diameter. Each method has some disadvantages ;
but, on the whole, I prefer pot culture, provided the plants are pro-
perly attended to during summer with water. With all plants that
require similai- treatment to this it is requisite to urge the necessity
for this attention, as, if allowed to suffer from want of water, they
get so enfeebled as not to produce nearly their full complement of
flowers. To avoid this I should recommend the pots to be plunged

in coal ashes or loose earth, set in an open position, and supplied
with water often enough to prevent the soil ever getting dry.

Tritonia aurea and its Varieties.— For late summer and

autumn greenhouse decoration these plants are equal or superior to
many that require a gTeat deal more attention ; those who have only
seen the common T. aurea can have no idea, fine as that kind is, of
the efi'ect produced by an association of the varieties of ditt'erent.
colours as they now exist, from white, orange, buft", salmon, to red
and crimson. For those wlio have not gi-own them I may say that
for cultivation in pots they need little diflerent treatment from that
usually gnven to Lilium speciosiim, except, that being so much smaller
growing, tliey require proportionately less room, and may be gi'own
in larger numbers together in much smaller pots ; but as to soil,
potting, treatment from the time they appear above the soil in the
spring through the summer up to the blooming period, and also when
at rest in the winter, the management that suits Lilies will do for
them. They must l)e kept free from slugs and snails, as these pests
have such a liking for the leaves, that they riddle them completely,
a mishap which has an injurious effect upon the blooming and greatly
impairs their appearance.

Lilies. — Xothing is more useful for conservatory and greenhouse
decoration than the autumn-blooming species of these plants, for
which purpose, iudepoiidcntly of their other merits, they deserve
special attention. If amongst plants of Lilium auratum a few exhibit-
ingadisposition to bloom later than the others be picked out and marked,
they can, without any undue amount of retarding, be made most service-
able for the decoration of the greenhouse and conservatory in autumn.
Then there are all the iliffereut varieties . of L. speciosum that may
by similar treatment be induced to come in at the same time. If a.
portion of the plants be now put at the north side of a wall, but
not too much shaded or treated so as to cliill them, until the weather
gets warmer, they will afford a succession of flo\ver after those more
ifully exposed to the sun are over.

Gladioli. — Few plants are moi-e acceptable in the conserva-
tory tlian these late in the season after the weather outside is such as
to prevent tlie possiliility of their flowers opening satisfactorily.
They may be had in bloom in quantity in pots up to Christmas, but
to come in at that time the planting should be delayed until June.
If a small piece of reserve ground can be spared for them well pre-
pared and made moderately light, they may be lifted and potted'
when their bloom spikes are formed late in the autumn before suffi-
cient frost has set in to destroy them ; doubtless this very late plant-
ing is not conducive to tlie well-being of the plants, and it might be
urged on that account that the practice is not good, but effective
varieties are now so cheap that they can be had for is. or .3s. a dozen
or less, and even if after a single season's treatment such as this
they are found useless, which is not likeiy to be the case, their
culture would still be more economical than Hyacinth-growing, for
beautiful and indispensable as Hyacinths are, they are indiv-idually
much less effective than the Uladiolus.

Vallota purpurea. — This free-gi-owing and brilliant-flowered
bulbous plant is one of the best of autumn decorative subjects which
we possess. It is often gTOwn with a little extra warmth in spring
in the way in which the Amaryllises are treated. Where some are
wanted to come in earlier than usual such treatment has the eft'ect
of inducing tliein to do so, but where they are wanted late, as is the
case with tlie plants I am now particularly mentioning, they should
be treated on the cool system, as in an ordinary airy greenhouse, but
fully exposed to all the sunlight available ; so managed, when the^
plants are strong they will produce a succession of flowers till the-
autumn is far advanced.

Tuberous-rooted Begonias.— For blooming through the

autumn months a goocl number of these should be grown, selecting,
those that are the most distinct in colour. They soon acquire a
useful flowering size, and if small-blooming bulbs be now at hand in
3-in. or 4-in. pots, keep them growing until towards the end of the
month, when they may be turned out in a full open situa-
tion in light, free soil with just as much support in the
shape of sticks and ties as tlie particular habit of indi-
vidual plants are found to require. They should be well attended'
to with water, transferred to pots at the beganning of September,
and kept at a little above an ordinai-y greenhouse temperature.
Thus treated, they will bloom satisfactorily. Where a sufficient
number of larger plants exist, they may be kept in pots proportionate
to their size, placed for a few weeks in a pit or frame, and then have
their pots plunged out-of-doors, stopping them once or twice during
the season to induce a close enough habit, and they will keep up a com-
plete mass of flowers tlirough the autumn. For general decorative
purposes, some of the less perfectly formed flowers from the florist's
point of view — that is, those that have longer, narrower petals— are
more eflective, and have a more elegant appearance than the rigid,
stouter-growing kinds.

378

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

Plumbagro capensis. — Tliia very distinct old-fashioned plant
should be gi'own in considerable numbers by those who have to keep
up a succession of flowers. For late blooming, and to succeed the
plants that come in with ordinary greenhouse treatment, a portion
may now have their shoots stopped, and in the course of another
week or ten days be plunged out-of-doors in an open situation, where
all that they will require is their shoots being trained, so as to prevent
their getting into a straggled condition, and sufficiently supplied
with water. In cases where the plants are furnished with roots
enough to fully permeate the soil within the pots, manure water may
be given once a week ; this will have the effect of inducing a
stronger condition of growth, which will have a natural tendency to
further retard the formation of flowers, an object wdiich it is desir-
able to attain, in order to induce as late a disposition to bloom
tlirough the autumn as possible.

Swainsonas. — These handsome pea-blossomed plants, altliough
not naturally inclined to flower so late in the autumn as some suljjects,
may be easily had in bloom during September and Octoljer. Small
specimens in 8-in. or 10-in. pots, are more useful than larger exam-
ples. They will be growing away freely now, and if tlie whole of
the shoots, weak and strong, have tlieir points pinched out about the
end of this month, it will make them bloom later. The foliage is
liable to the attacks of red spider if not kept syringed during warm
weather, but if the water be applied freely once a week, so as to
reach the under sides of the leaves, it will be sufficient to keep tliem
in good condition. In the case of most plants that have a tendency
to suffer from the attacks of this insect, if they can be accommo-
dated in a light span-roofed pit, where they can stand on a floor
composed of ashes, sand, or any moisture-holding material, it will
be found much more conducive to their general well-being than
shelves or wooden or stone stages, from the continual moisture that
the former are always giving off, especially when most needed, during
the hottest parts of the day ; and on a cool, moist bottom, such as
described, tlie work of watering will be considerably reduced.

"Witsenia corymbosa is one of the best hard-wooded plants
for blooming during the latter months of the year. It is of very
easy culture, yet seldom seen, requiring no training or support iu
any w-ay ; the flowers are a beautiful blue, ecpial to the brightest of
the Myosotis, continuing a long time in good condition, and though
not produced in such (juautities, or of a character that will permit of
their being used iu a cut state to the extent of some flowers, j'et,
from the distinct cliaracter of the plant and its flowers collectively,
it associates well witli anything else. It is a slow grower, and suit-
able for either a large or small house. It requires a sandy peat soil,
and treatment iu other respects such as the less tender of evergi-een
hard-wooded subjects. Where provision is now made with the
plants I have above mentioned, there will be no cause for the com-
plaint so often heard that gi'cenhouses and conservatories through
the summer and autumn mouths contain few flowers possessing
interest or distinctive character. — T. B.iiXES.

Flower Garden.

Though the bediiing-out season, so far as dates are concerned, has
arrived, suitable weather has not yet set in, and till this occurs
and the weather becomes wanner, the planting out of anything of a
tender nature had best be deferred. All hardy plants sliould be got
in forthwith, and the places marked out and prepared for tender ones,
in order that there may be no unnecessary delay as soon as it is safe
to plant them ; meanwhile continue to propagate Alternantheras,
Coleuses, and Iresines, which cannot be planted too thickly together
if they are to be effective from the first. Pelargoniums, Lobelias,
Petunias, Heliotropes, and similar plants ought now to have full ex-
posure, except on frosty nights, when canvas or mat coverings will
be requisite and sufticient. Seedling bedders, such as Ricinus,
Wigandia, Solanum, Cannabis, and Ferula, must still have ^the
protection of a cool house or pit, and be afforded plenty of space to
induce sturdy gi-owth. As these cannot be planted with safety till the
first week in .Tune, if they are likely to get pot boun<l, they should be at
once shifted into larger pots in order that no check may be given to
the plants, as that causes premature flowering or fruiting, which,
as a matter of course, hinders that uoble development of foliage
which has made them so popular as easily raised sub-tropical plants.
If I were desired to name the class of plants that have the most
pleasing, most effective, and most lasting chai-acteristics as bedders
I should answer succulents ; I know that they are not popular bed-
ding plants, but I believe that they mil yet occupy a prominent
position, and that the gaudy, short-lived eflects now oljtained through
the use of Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, &c., will be suppressed. The
following list contains plants all suitablefor bedding purposes, which
if well arranged with dwarf Sedums, Saxifrages, and variegated
Mesembryauthemums as undergrowths or gToundwork, the result will
be so satisfactory as to convince the most sceptical of their utility ;
their names are : Agave americana and A. americana variegata.

Yucca aloifolia variegata, Sempervivum arboreum, S. arboreum
variegatum, S. physaloides, S. canariense, S. Donckelaari, Cotyledon
pulvendentum, Pachyphytum bracteosum, Kleiuia repens, Echeveria
metallica, E. glauca metaliica, E. agavoides, E. Peacocki, and many
others. Occasionally succulents are used iutermi.xed with the
ordinary kinds of bedding plants, but in my opinion siich association
is sadly out of place. Being such totally different types, the two
classes should, at least, be planted in separate beds. Of course there
is no good reason why the beds should be entirely isolated ; rather the
contrary, in order that comparison as to merit may be easily made ;
and if refinement and lasting properties are to win, the succulents
will gain an easy victory. Tlie heavy rain and snowstorms which
we have had have hardened the surface soil of herbaceous borders
and spring flower beds ; and now that ilrier weather has set in this
should be stirred with a hoe or small fork, to prevent cracking and
to destroy weeds. Pyrethrums are now throwing up their flower
stems and should be staked, as should also other plants that need
support. Any vacant spots in such borders should be filled up by
planting iu showery weather any spare aimual flowering plants which
there may be at hand, or they may be sown in position, and if done
at once, the follomng will flower profusely by August, viz., Sweet
Peas, Lupins, Scabious, Schizanthus, Nemophilas, Larkspurs, and
Candytufts.— W. W.

Auriculas. — Allusion was made last week to repotting collec-
tions of these ; we have begun to do ours. This is a matter requiring
some care. Many varieties of the choicest description have a ten-
dency to rot at the side of the stem, or at least become affected by a
dark spot, which spreads until the plant is destroyed. When it is
first perceived it should be cut out and tlie clean portion dusted
with fiuicklime ; after jiottiug these care must be taken not to give
too much water. The long tap root must be cut off' short, as the
plants do best when the roots are kept in a compact mass near the
surface of the pots. If it be intended to save seeds plants bearing
seed-pods must not be repotted, but be placed, if possible, behind a
north wall. I like to give such plants plenty of air night and day,
allowing the sun to shine upon them early in the morning and after
two p.m. Pay attention to small seedlings yet iu the seed pots ; as
soon as they are large enough let them be potted off, and tliose that
had been potted oft' in the autumn will now require to be repotted.
Either place one plant in the centre of a 2.^-in. pot or three round
the sides of a 3-in. one. Owing to the cold weather which we have
had the flowers liave lasted a long time. We have at least 200 plants
yet in full lieauty ; these must be kept cool by airing the house or
frames in which they are placed freely, and shading them from the
sun.

Carnations and Picotees. — Plants of tliese will have to be
placed out-of-doors next week, probably ; but before doing so, it is
desirable to fumigate the frames in order to destroy green fly, which
to Carnation gi-owers is a troublesome insect. As the weather has
been dry for some time, and promises to continue so, it would be a
good plan to mulch the surface of the beils and borders, but we
would not water until the nights are warmer. There can be but
little growth 'wdiile the thermometer at night falls a little under or
slightly above the freezing point.

Hollyliocks. — If plants propagated in spring .ire not yet planted
out, that should lie done at once ; they will flower with the Dahlias
in September. Plants out and gi-owing should be mulched, but do
not water, unless it is absolutely necessary, until the nights are
warmer.

Pansies. — We cannot boast much of the growth of plants of
these put out into borders ; they do not seem to like the dry east
wind which has so long prevailed ; nevertheless tlie plants look
healthy, and fortunately are yet free from greenfly. Plenty of blooms
can now be obtained from plants in pots. See that they do not
suffer from want of water, and give manure water at every alter-
nate watering. Air the frame freely .and pick off old flowers and
leaves as soon iis they show signs of decay, and arrange the plants
so that they may present a pleasing effect.

Hardy Primulas. — The directions given for the culture of
Auriculas gener.ally apply to these. They are plants that cannot bear
neglect ; .and it is better to pl.ant them out in a border and let them
t.ake their chance tli.an allow them to suffer in pots through lack of
air and water. P. amcena and its varieties are now in full beauty in
cold frames. They are much too fragile in leaf and flower to be planted
out of doors. The trusses of flowers must be supported with neat
sticks, and liber.al supplies of w.ater must be given at the root.

Tulips. — We have had the ground between the rows stirred with
a small hoe, .and after doing that a second time, a mulching of rotten
manure will be placed over the roots. This ought to have been done
a week or two ago, but the weather has not been such as to render
it quite necessary to do so. We do not think the flowers \vill be so
good this year as they generally are. Glass lights should now be

Mat 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

379

placed over them, but in our own case it is not yet convenient to use
them for this purpose. Coverings should be placed over the beds
every night to protect them from frost, removing them about eiglit
in the morning. — J. Douglas.

Hardy Fruit.

Up to the present time fruit prospects are good, but unless a
decided change in the weather occurs very soon, the season will be
too short to mature some varieties, even if they escape the sharp
frosts which we are still having nightly. All coverings must still be
continued, but any of a movable character should be taken off for at
least a couple of hours each day. The foliage of Pears and Plums
on walls will soon be sufficiently developed to be ample protection
for the young fruit, and as soon as this is the case, all other protect-
ing material should be removed. Peaches on well-protected walls
have set fine crops, and are now ready to disbud, an operation which
we prefer completing now whilst the buds are small, when time can
be afforded to do so. If neglected, or the buds are allowed to get
large, then, of course, it is best to disbud partially only, completing
the operation Iiy going over the trees tliree or four times at intervals
of a few days, as the removal of so many large shoots at once would
seriously check gTowth, and probably induce canker, gumming, or
other organic diseases. Carefully examine the trees daily, as at this
season and stage of growth gi'een or black fly is almost certain to
attack them, and any delay in the application of remedies makes the
battle harder to win. Probably open-air Grapes will this year be a
failure in the most favoured districts, for the Vines even now have
barely started into growth ; still, the usual cultural treatment nnist
be given them as a foundation for next year's fruiting. Disbud them
very early ; it is not necessary to wait till the embryo fruit can be
distinguished, as all the "shows" on open-air Vines are generally
alike, and the only selection required is to distribute the fruit as
evenly as can be done over all parts of the Vine. Rich surface-
mulchings and a watering Avith liquid manure when the fruit is com-
mencing its second swelling produce, in the south of England, Grapes
which will bear comparison with those from ordinary greenhouses.
Figs, too, will be late, and many will not ripen, except in tlie most
favoured districts. Laying in the branches thinly, so tliat the fruit
may be fully exposed to sunshine, will doubtless conduce to earlier
ripening. Pinch out or press at the third leaf the points of all new
shoots, and, if necessary, in order to jjrevent overcrowding, entire
shoots may be taken out. Constant repression of gTowth by pinching
is a necessity as regards fniitfulness in the Fig, more particularly if
the root-run be not circumscribed. With us Gooseberries and
Currants are likely to be very heavy crops, and doubtless this is
general. As a preventive of caterjiillar it will now be advisable to
sprinkle imder the bushes, or, better still, the wliole ground with
quicklime. Cuttings of these that were put in when the trees were
pruned should now be looked over for the purpose of rubbing off
superfluous eyes or buds. Each tree should have a clear stem, say
about 9 in. above gi-ound, ami if about three of the topmost shoots
be retained, and the points stopped two or three times during the
summer, by the autumn bushy little heads will be formed, and many
of them will be good enough for permanent planting. Vigorous
gi-owing young trees will be improved both in appearance and fruit-
fulness if the leading or strongest-growing shoots be stopped a time
or two during the growing season. — W. W.

Parks and Open Spaces.

Avenues. — Trees in avenues, so long as they need artificial
supports, require attention, in order to prevent their being injured
by too tight ties. Tying loosely is an evil in the opposite direction,
which must also be giiarded against. Attention should likewise be
paid to watering during the early stages of the develojiment of the
foliage, and in the case of trees which show signs of weakness, a
little manure water should be added, or the trees should be mulched.
The soil at the base should be frequently moved in the case of those
on the margins of roadways, but not so much so as to injure the
roots.

Shrubberies, Plantations, and Borders.— On dry warm

days the hoe must be used where weeds make their appearance. In
herbaceous borders plants requiring supports should have tliem ;
mulching with well-rotted manure will materially assist weakly-
growing kinds, and aid in fully developing the flowers. Annuals
should be kept free from weeds, and thinned out where necessary.
Many kinds which have been gi-own in frames, such as Stocks,
Asters, Zinnias, &c., may now be planted out, choosing showery
weather for the operation ; the same observations apply to perennials
from the nursery beds. Seeds of nearly all kinds of annuals, bien-
nials, and perennials may now be sown.

Flower Beds. — As spring flowering bulbs go out of bloom
they should be taken up and laid in sandy soil until they have
ripened off, when they may be sorted and stored away in a dry airy

place until the time for planting has again arrived. Pansies, Daisies,
Aubrietias, and many other spring bedding plants will continue
flowering until the time arrives for putting out summer bedding
plants ; but all beds which can be cleared should be prepared for
other plants by manuring, digging, or by adding fresh soil where
necessary. They should be ready by the second or third week in
May, when, should the weather be favourable, the great bulk of
bedding plants should be ready for planting out. In the case of
Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Ageratums, and similar plants, especially
where large quantities are needed, as is often the case in public
parks, it is by far the best plan to have them potted singly. Lo-
l>elias, Pyrethrums, &c., may be wintered in pots, pans, or boxes, and
watered, if necessary, as soon as planted. Watering, indeed, should
continue until rain falls, and must be done in the morning and even-
ing, never in the middle of the day, as it injures the plants and
hardens the surface of the ground. After rain, the hoe should be
lightly used among the plants, or, what is better, the beds should be
forked over with a small hand-fork.

Lawns and Grass Plots. — Grass should be rolled about
three days before it is niown, and again directly afterwards ; edges
of beds and verges should be neatly clipped with shears or cut with
the edging iron. Any subsidence in newly made plots should be
at once remedied. In every case -wlierc it is necessary to lift and
relay turf, immediately it is down it should be thickly covered with
fine rich soil ; the uusi^htliness of this for a few days will be amply
rewarded by the Grass being saved from burning, and by its becoming
gi'een in a much shorter time than when it is left b.\re, as is too often
tlie case ; moreover, it fills up any interstices which may be left, and
acts as a fertiliser. It is also advisable to sow about two bushels of
seeds of fine lawn Grasses per acre at the same time, lightly raking
over the surface ; it may then be left for a few days, raked over
again, and thoroughly rolled ; thus treated, a good lawn may be
formed even in dry weather. In all sm.all, open spaces surrounded
by buildings, where radiation is excessive, water should be laid on,
so as to be available when required, for the purpose of keeping the
Grass in good condition. A very frequent source of failure in the
case of lawn Grasses is defective drainage. On vei-y large, open
spaces, the Grass may be kept in good condition by gi'azing, for
which purpose sheej) are preferable to cattle.

Climbers on Walls and Fences. — These should be pruned,

cleaned, nailed, and mulched. AVith very little care or trouble,
walls and fences in towns might be made extremely pleasing to tlie
eye during summer. Few really good evergreens are available for
tlie purpose ; one, however, which is not sufficiently used is tlie
Euonymus ; this is a most excellent subject for covering walls ; it
grows freely and withstands smoke. Some of the shrubby Honey-
suckles may also be made available for the same purpose, especially
on open fences, and when mixed with Ribes the effect is strikingly
pretty. Climbing Convolvuluses and Nasturtiums will also assist in
Ijeautifying unsightly structures, whilst in out-of-the-way corners
Scarlet-runner Beans may be used with advantage. — E. Dennis,
SoiUhwurk Pari:

Extracts from my Diary— May 12 to May 18.

Flowers. — Boxing tubers of Dahlias, and placing them in pits in
order to start them. Sowing Mignonette in jiots. Potting Caladiums,
Achimenes, and Epiphyllums. Tying, stopping, and potting
Schizanthuses, Mesembryanthemuins, Petunias, Alyssums, and
Fuchsias. Potting Camellias and Ainarantuses. Propagating double
Primulas. Sowing in pots seed of Diantlius Crimson BeUe and
Eastern Queen ; also Eschsclioltzia Mandarin and Sweet Pea Violet
Queen. Propagating Bouvardias and double white Primulas.

Frcit. — Pruning and nailing Fig trees on south walls ; also tying
Figs in houses. Thimiing out and tying shoots of Melons, and fer-
tilising all open blossoms. Putting supports to Melons swelling
their fruit. Tying and stopping Cucumbers. Thinning Grapes.
Sulphuring hot-water pipes in Vinery for prevention of mildew. Top-
dressing Cucumbers. Thinning Muscat Grajjcs. Tying and stop-
ping Vines as required, and cutting out superfluous branches of fruit.
Tying Peach trees in early house. Hoeiug between Strawberries ;
mulching them and dressing them with lime.

Veget.\ele.s. — Shifting Tomatoes for fruiting into cold houses.
Pricking out first sown Celery into prepared frames. Potting a
second batch of plants of Vegetable Marrow. Sowing another bed
of Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Savoy. Hoeing between growing crops
of Onions and Potatoes. Earthing up the latter where necessary.
Planting out Vegetable Marrows on prejiared bed, and sowing more
seed under handlights on manure bed. Tying up Lettuces to blanch.
Sowing crop of summer Spinach. Earthing up Peas and Potatoes.
Hoeing between growing crops of Potatoes, Onions, Greens, and
digging trenches for Celery. Dressing them with Amies' manure, and
planting summer Lettuces on the ridges. — R. G., Burghley. <

380

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

ROSES,

INSECTS HURTFUL OR USEFUL TO THE ROSE.

The Greex Fly. New Researcher on its Habits. — The green
fly is only too well known to horticulturists and .amateurs by the
destruction it commits during the whole Rose season, and every one
is on the look-out for the best means of destroying it. The usual
way to arrive at this result is to study the habits of the insect, to
know exactly when it m-akes its appearance, how it multiplies itself,
and how it passes the winter. The following are tlie results of our
observations on the subject. We will first of all give a description
of the female Aphis Ro3;e :^

The body is of a delicate green in the summer, brownish-green in
the ■winter, and about ^ in. in length, of an ovoid form, swollen in
the hinder part. Its head is black, .and it has two little black eyes
that are almost invisible, and a trunk or sucker formed of three
■pieces; a couple of bUck antennte, or feelers, whicli fall backward
■over the back when the insect is at rest, but which are held upright
■when it walks. The thorax is black, and the three pairs of jointed
legs with black joints are studded ■\vith three black spots. The
longest feet are inserted at the base of the thorax, on each side of
the abdomen. On the upper lateral surface there is a kind of horny
process which secretes a gummy matter, whicli flows out in the form
of transparent globules or small masses. It has, also, four wings, of
whicli two are very small ; the two others, which are twice as long
.as the body of the insect, are raised over the l)ack, and are inserted
in the side of tlie round jiortion which forms the thorax. It is these
winged aphides tliat give liirtli to the first sjiring brood. The}' make
their appearance just as Nature is awakening, and may be found
crawling on the le.af-stalks .and shoots of the Rose trees, where they lay,
so to speak, not eggs, but living .aphides. The young aphis begins to
move about as soon as it is born, and generally t.akes refuge at first
■underneath its mother. Tlie fem.ale lays about ten young ones
in one iilace, and tlien takes flight to a distant part of the
shoot, where it deposits another family of ten, and so on
■antil the supply is exliausted. One female which we placed on a
shoot laid six young ones in two hours, representing a production of
seventy in the four-and-twenty hours. The first brood began to
produce young ones in turn .after their first moulting, which generally
takes place in about fifteen days. This period of the aphis' life
may be easily recognised by its torpor, and liy its producing a quan-
tity of floury m.atter with which it seems to envelope itself after oft-
repeated efforts. Tlie outer skin of the aphis then splits on the top
of the head, and the insect gradually struggles out of its cast-off
coat, which it leaves adhering to the leaves. It is only after the
third moulting that we can recognise the feni.ales by the description
given above. The wings become developed from .about the seventieth to
.the seventy-fifth day. Before this period they may be recognised by
the upper part of the thorax being ])ro-vided with little transparent
vesicles falling from the sides. The membranes constituting the
■wings are bent back on themselves, and the lower part is covered
towards the head of the aphis. When once the wings have made
their apjiearance the aphis has gone through all its transformations ;
it, consequently, takes flight, and distributes its progeny about the
tree in families of ten or twelve. We have never yet found the eggs
of the aphis on the Rose tree, but very often during mild winters,
such as those of 1861 and 1869, we h.ave seen .aphides pass the whole
of the cold season on the le.avea which have escaped. An analogous
observation was made by us in 1861, on the twigs of the Almond tree
and Peach tree which were exposed to the south. We have, therefore,
come to the opinion th.at the wingeil aphis drops with the leaf when
it falls, p.asses the winter at the foot of the tree, possibly under the
protection of the leaf itself, and makes its reappearance in the spring.
What naturalists have hitherto taken for the eggs of the aphis are
nothing more than the last brood of aphides, ■which assume a
black, thick co.at, in order to stand the -winter's cold. The aphis,
according to our observations, appears to be exclusively viviparous,
that is to say, it brings forth its young alive without the intermedi.ate
haying of an egg. We must, therefore, watch for the appearance of
the mothers of tlie first brood in the spring, and endeavour to destroy
them by every means in our power, especially with copious fumiga-
tions of Tobacco smoke. It must be borne in mind that by killing
one feniiile in the spring we prevent the birth of many thousands of
others during the year. Luckily, man has some able allies in his
war of extermination against the aphides. The ordinary ant is
exceedingly fond of the liipior secreted by the aphides, and they
suck the insect to death in a very sliort time. Whenever we see
even a single ant on a Rose tree we may be sure that the aphides are
not far off. The larv.t of the Hemerobius chrysops, or lace-winged
fly, also commits terrible havoc amongst the aphides, but their most
terrible enemy is an ahuost microscopic ichneumon, which fastens on

the aphis, piercing the lower portion of its abdomen with its
ovipositor, leaving an egg in the puncture. The wounded aphis at
once separates itself from the rest of the flock, fixing its sucker in
the skin of the shoot and remaining perfectly quiet and motionless.
Its coat turns from green to pink, and from pink to bronze. It is
not known how soon it dies after the attack, but about thirty days
after its dead body splits open and a little iclmeumon flies out,
having undergone all its insect transformations inside the body of
its victim, where it has not only found food, but lodging as well. In
the winter of 1868-69 we made several observations on the tenacity
of life shown by the aphides on the shoots of Rose trees. During
tlie night of January 20, 1869, they resisted a cold of 14" Fahr.
below freezing point. The shoots themselves were frozen, but the
aphides were still alive. The old ones had jireserved their usual
gi'een colour, but the young ones had become coppery in hue. This
fact, amongst others, goes to prove that our winters do not e.xercise
much effect in destroying insects generally.

Destroyixg the Rose Aphis. — This aphis being the most destruc-
tive of all the pests that infest the Rose, the means devised for its
eradication are endless. The most efficacious, according to our own
idea, is fumigation with Tobacco, which must be performed as
follows : A kind of conical hood of oiled or varnished cloth is
spread out on four hoops of iron wire, the lowest one being 3 ft. or
4 ft. in diameter, the three others diminishing gradu.ally to the top.
The hoops are kept together by five longitudinal rods, which are
fasteneil together at the top of the cone, the whole of the apparatus
being in the form of a sugar loaf. To the bottom hoop a cylindrical
cover of the same material is fixed, the lower end of which is to
be gathered round the bottom of the stem of the tree, a hole being
left for the smoke to pass through. The brandies of the head of the
tree are drawn together and tied firmly with one or more pieces of
twine. The double covering is then put over the tree and the lower
part tied closely round the base of the stem. The apparatus is kept
in its place by being susjiended from a kind of gallows or a tripod
made of tliree laths. Tobacco smoke is then blown through the
aperture left for the purpose through a tube of .about 1 ft. 8 in. long,
and connected with a fumigating bellows. The tulje is made of this
length purposely, so that the smoke will have time to cool before it
reaches the plant. If a fumigator be not at h.and, we may use a
flower pot h.alf full of hot cinders, the Tobacco being slightly damped
and placed on the top. The whole should be covered over ■with a
kiml of reversed funnel, the tube of whicli should be .at least 3 ft.
long .and bent on itself at the end. The Rose trees should remain
under the influence of the smoke for six or seven minutes. This
method, which is excellent in the case of standard or half standard
Roses planted in isolated positions, is, of course, inapplicable ■when
they are planted in clumps or beds ; in the latter case, use a fr.ame or a
damp cloth kept up by half-hoops, to keep it from injuring the trees.
The whole being made .as air-tight as possible, Tobacco smoke is
introduced for ten minutes. These two methods of destroying the
Rose aphis have been used by us since 18.'iO, and success is always
certain, provided the smoke is cold when .allowed to come in contact
with the plants. In any case, if only a few of the aphides escape
destruction all our labour is lost ; it is therefore necessary to daub
the lir.anches .and shoots with the composition presently to lie
describeil, if this operation has not .already been performed for the
destruction of the Rose kermes. Every morning the stem of the
Rose tree is tapped gently with a stick or cane, and the aphides drop off
.and f.all to the gi-ound, when they die of hunger, whilst those which
endeavour to climb back to their old positions are stopped by the
composition with which the liranches .and shoots are covered. In
addition to the method of destroying the Rose aphis which we have
just described, there is another to which we give the preference, on
account of its being much more simple and rapid in its effects. We
take a disc of sheet zinc, as shown in the annexed figiire, of about 2 ft.
in diameter, with a slit .about l\ in. wide, extending from the outer
eilge to the centre, so as to allow the p.assage of the stem of the
Rose tree. The edge of the disc is turned over a ring of iron wire
about Js in. thick so as to strengthen it. On the underside a forked
cross-piece of Pine or Oak is faxed by small nails, the two forks
passing on each side of the slit, the other end forming a handle about
6 in. long, wliich was to hold the disc. This cross-piece with the
handle should measure 2 ft. 6 in. long, .and Shin. wide. The disc,
when required for use, is smeared over with a layer of gas-tar or ma-
rine glue with an ordinary paint brush. Taking the handle in the
left hand, we hold it under the Rose tree, the stem of tvhich
passes through the slit, as shown in the figure. The stem and
branches of the tree are then gently but repeatedly struck with
a sm.all stick which has been covered with pieces of cloth, so
that it may not injure the bark of the tree. By this means the
.aphides fall on the sticky material with which the disc is covered,
and from which it is impossible to escape. With this simple appli-
ance we may clear a large number of trees from the aphis in a very
short space of time. As the smaller ajihides adhere to the young

May 10, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

381

shoots with great pertinacity, the operation must lie repeated every
few days until they have entirely disappeared. Where it is difficult
to procure gas-tar or marine glue, or in cases where their use is
objectionable, the following composition, wliich we make for our own
use, may be successfully employed : Melt in a pipkin 1 lb. 4 oz. of
white Burgundy pitch, stirring 'it with a stick or wooden spatula.
When the pitch is melted, add 1 lb. of ordinary lamp oil ; stir
until the mixture is complete, when it may be removed from the fire.
This composition always remains in a semi-liquid state, replaces the
gas-tar very advantageously, and costs very little. We ought to re-
mark that the surface of the disc should be cleaned and receive a
fresh coat of the composition every time it is used.

Caterpillar.^ which Prey upon the Rose. — These troublesome
visitors belong to the Order of Lepidoptera, and are the larva' of
small butterflies or moths \('liich fly by night, and are hence called
Noctu;e. They hide for days and days at the base of the stem or
l)ranches, and, being of a greyish-green colour, are easily confounded
with tlie bark of the tree. We have found three families of these
caterpillars preying on the Rose. The first variety is a green caterpillar

Kose Aphis Trap.

about I in. in length, and l-16th in. in diameter. Its head is green,
and seems to be destitute of eyes. It is covered with a few light-
coloured hairs, and has four longitudinal markings, covered by ten
annular lines of a blood-red colour. It has six white transparent
feet, four false feet, of which the two at the base of the abdomen ser\-e
for locomotion, as in the looping caterpillar. It hides itself in the
folds of the leaves of the Rose tree, upon which it feeds. When it
wishes to regain the earth it drops by a slender thread. The second
variety lives on the Cabbage Rose ti-ee. It is J in. long and 1-10 in.
in diameter. The body is dark go-een on the back, and dead white
on the under side. The head is spherical, and of a yellow colour.
It has two black eyes, six red legs, and seven pairs of false legs pro.
vided with suckers. The third variety is ^-5 in. long and 1-5 in. in
diameter ; the head is long, and of a yellow colour ; the body is
pearly-brown with a black band on the first ring. The nine rings
are each marked with a black spot. It has six black legs and four
pairs of false leg's. This larva is most destructive to Hybrid Roses.
It envelops the young leaves with its silky threads, hiding in their
folds, where it undergoes the operation of moulting, after which it
drops to the gTouud, when it becomes transformed into a chrysa-

lis. Specimens of three varieties were enclosed in glass bottles on
May 10, and jirovided with food in the form of Rose leaves. From
May 20 to 25 they were transformed into little oval chrysalises,
whieli, in due course, produced a number of small moths of various
colours, the general character of which ^\as dark grey, with darker
markings on the wings. To destroy these moths, we place a number
of wide-mouthed, glazed, earthenware vessels, one-third filled with
honey and water, at the foot of the trees. The moths, which at this
time have but few flowers from which to gather food, alight on
the surface of the honey and water and are drowned. On calm
spring nights we may destroy great quantities of these moths by
placing a lighted candle in a pan of water; the moths, being attracted
by the light, falling into the water and drowning themselves.

The Red Fly (Tenthredo Rosa?, or Selandria excavator. — Guerin.)
— This fly belongs to the Order Hymenoptera. For many years
enquiries were constantly being made as to the kind of insect whose
larv.T? pierced the young buds of the Rose tree during spring. This
fly, which we have studied attentively for the last twenty years,
l)egins to make its appearance about the beginning of April. It mea
sures about .^ in. long, and about 1-25 in. in diameter. The
body is black as well as the head, in which there are a couple of eyes
of the same colour, and two jointeil antenna', extending to the right
and left from the side of the head. The thorax is black, and carries
the first pair of feet, the two other pairs being inserted at the base,
just where it is joined to the abdomen. The six feet are black at
tlie end of the thighs, and white on the other portions ; each leg has
eight joints. The insect has four wings, the shorter ones with brown
divisions. When the insect is at rest, these wings are folded together
and lie along the body, which in the male is long and oval, but ter-
minated in a ])oint in the female. When the time for laying has
arriTed, the female looks out for a fitting place — on a shoot generally, at
the fork of the secoiul leaf from the top. It is here that she lays her
eggs — generally a single one, rarely more. From the egg proceeds a
larva, which pierces the epidermis of the young shoot and feeds on
the utricular tissue. This larva is A in. long and 1-15 in. in diameter.
In colour it is cream-white, with a dark line extending along the
back. The head is spherical in form and straw-coloured ; there are
also three pairs of white feet, and nine false feet on each side.
During its growth the caterpillar pierces a liole in the epidermis of
the shoot, after which it reaches the gi-ound by means of a thread
which it spins, and after bur}'ing itself in the earth imdergoes the
usual insect changes. According to our own special obsei'vations, we
should advise Rose growers to endeavour to capture these flies with
an ordinary butterfly net in the early morning, when they are the
most easily taken, or, at any rate, in the middle of the day, when
they are more shy. As for the larva' themselves, we must prune off
the affected shoots, which are easily recognise<l by their withered
appearance, taking care to burn them fur fear of accident. This
operation should be performed about the beginning of April, and
should continue until May, at which period the liark of the shoots
has become sufliciently thick to resist the attacks of these lai-vse,
which are only apparently mischievous during the early part of the
spring. J. Lachaume.

Pot Roses. — Where these are grown in considerable quantities in
a house exclusively devoted to their culture or amongst other plants
(the former is much the most satisfactory), there needs at this season
to be a good deal of difl'erence in the treatment which the plants
receive according as they have flowered early or late. The principal
blooming with the greater number will, as a matter of course, now
be past, but those that have been kept back to produce flowers up to
the time when they may be expected out-of-doors shoidd now be put
together where they can be shaded from bright sunshine. More air
will be required, liut it must still be given so as to avoid cold draughts,
as' the foliage produced under glass even now with long days and in-
creased sunlight is much tenderer and more subject to mildew than
that out-of-doors. The principal attention should be directed to
the plants that have furnished flowers through the winter ; those
that jiroduced bloom about the close of the j-ear from buds set before
the plants were taken indoors ought now to receive such pruning as
they require, but too much should not be cut away, as, for growing
in this manner, good-sized examples bear proportionately a very much
greater number of flowers than small ones ; the best course to follow
is to cut out from the base the weakest shoots, shortening the strong
ones so far, but not more than is necessary to keep the plants from
getting too tall. Repot those that require it, removing all the old
soil that can be got away without much disturbance of the roots, re-
placing it with new strong, holding loam to which should be added
some sand and a liberal amount of rotten manure. Plants that do
not want more root-room may have the surface soil removed and
new material put in its place. It is well to examine the drainage of
all, especially when there has been any worms in the pots, for where
these have existed it is not usually in a satisfactory condition. Plants

382

THE GAKDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

treated as the above had better be kept under glass until the close of the
month. Those tliat have flowered later, particularly the Tea varie-
ties, must still have the protection of pits or frames, gradually inuri ng
tiiem to more air before they are turned out. Wliere room can be
found, and the oljjeet is to get the plants up as strong and vigorous
as possible, the Tea kinds will be found to do best wholly under glass
or nearly so. Keep a sharp outlook for mildew, red spider, and
aphides, and apply the proper remedies the moment any of them is
observed.

Roses planted out and growing on the rafters or covering
the roof of the house, especially vigorous kinds, if allowed
to extend themselves freely produce in a few years wood rather than
flowers. To avoid this, it will be well at whatever time the main
blooming is completed to shorten back well down towards the point
from which they spring about one-third of the principal shoots of which
each plant consists. If this be done sufficiently early, enough strong
growth will be produced from these headed-back branches to afi'ord
a sufficient and almost certain supply of flowers the ensuing year.
This method will be found preferable to allowing the plants to go on
for some seasons with comparatively little pruning.

Outdoor Roses. — Tlie ungenial weather lately experienced has
had a marked ett'ect on outdoor Roses, particularly those that were
pruned early ; although the shoots are not killed back, the leaves
have a shrivelled, seared appearance, that indicates a weakened con-
dition of the growth unfavouraljle to the development of flowers,
but most favourable to their gi'eatest enemies, the Rose maggot and
aphides, which always seem to tlirive best when growth makes least
progi'ess. These pests should be continually sought for and de-
stroyed, especially the maggot, for even where Roses are only
required for ordinary decorative purposes, if the grubs be not
killed four-fifths of the flowers will be so disfigured as to be use-
less. Tobacco water will be found the best remedy for aphides, par-
ticularly in the case of plants on walls, where tliey increase the
fastest. In such situations, where the roots have often little room
to extend beyond tlie narrow border in which tliey are planted with-
out getting into a gravel path or similar nngenial medium, it gene-
rally happens that after the first few years the plants get into such a
jioor condition as to be ill furnislied with both shoots and flowers.
In positions of tliis kiml it is seldom tliat anything can be done in
the way of adding new soil, but I have often found it of the greatest
use to thoroughly saturate the gravel path over the roots with strong
manure water, given, of course, in a clear state, so that it would not
affect the colour of the gravel. In order to completely saturate with
the liquid in a way to fully benefit the plants, it is often necessary
to dam the water up on the walk to prevent its running away until
it has had time to soak down. — T. Baines.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Cutting' Young Asparagus.— Two years ago a large quan-
tity of Asparagus seed was sown here ; last year, about this time,
the young plants were transferred to well-prepared permanent beds,
and during the season they made excellent growth. Throughout the
winter the crowns were covered with manure to the depth of 2 in. ;
when gi'owth recommenced this was taken oft' and a good sprinkling
of salt thrown over the surface. Now the shoots are coming up as
thick as one's finger in clusters. To leave them all would cause the
stems to be quite a mass during the summer, which would be more
injudicious than beneficial ; therefore, we are cutting and using many
of the shoots. Many assert that Asparagus should not be cut until
the roots are three years old, and little until the fourth year ; )>ut
this, in our case and similar instances, would simply be losing one or
two years' proiluotion without reaping any advantage. The strength
and quantity of the shoots should always rule the cutting more than
the age of the roots. — Cambrian.

Early-planted Potatoes. — It would be interesting to know
how much those have gained who planted their Potatoes in March.
No Potatoes could show theirhcadsaboveground during tlie past week;
where, therefore, is the good of planting when at least six weeks
must elajjse ere it will be safe to allow the tops to appear above-
ground ? The most ordinary observer has seen tliat of late years it
is not safe, as a rule, to have the growths of tender plants above-
ground until the middle of May ; and, as far as Potatoes are con-
cerned, this can be secured by planting from the middle to the end
of April. Earlier the gTound is cold, and the sets and what spindly
gi'owth they make are exposed during theirlong existence beneath the
soil to the attacks of \vireworm, slugs, grubs, and rot ; when planted
later the sets germinate quickly, come away strongly, and escape
late frosts. Planting early is with many thought to be a panacea for

the disease, but planting must, in a common sense way, be regulated
by the season. I planted the iDulk of my best kinds on the two last
days of April, in ground ready prepared, in rows 3 ft. apart, ^to the
extent of one-third of an acre. Those who practise early planting
recommend burying the sets to a depth of 6 in. to avoid frost. What
could be worse, when 4 in. is depth enough for all ordinary purposes?
Sets well prepared by singling out and exposure to the light will
make a growth that will forward them ten days or more when
planted ; therefore, if planted about the end of April, they will be
through the soil in about a fortnight, and will be equal to the earlier-
planted ones in less than a month. — A. D.

Potatoes Early and Late Planted. — Wearealwaysanxious

to get early sorts of Potatoes planted as early as possible after the soil
is in good condition, but this season the earliest planted have had a
poor time of it. The ground has been so wet and cold, that in all
probability late planted sets will come to maturity first ; moreover,
slugs, wireworm, &c., prey on the earliest planted ones, while late
jjlanted ones comparatively escape. This season has upset many
practices that previous mild winters had rendered common. — J. G.

Early and Late Broccoli. — These come into use very
slowly this season ; even such sorts as the Penzance Early White are
only just forming heads, and doubtless, when the long-expected
warm weather comes, both early and late sorts will come in together.
—J. G.

Compton's Surprise Potato. — I have had this Potato for
several years, having obtained the tubers from a leading London house.
Two years ago the leavesblackened early, and I was afraid the crop was
lost, but not a large proportion of tuljers were tainted. Its foliage
is strikingly handsome, and it has always yielded well with me.
Using it now in May, there cannot be a better table Potato. — Wm.
JoHN.STON, BnUykilbeij, Co. Doion.

Slugs and the Frost. — There can be no question that slugs
get out of the reach of frost however severe, for never do I remember
them so numerous or destructive as they are this season ; and
as seedlings of all kinds are at a standstill, they have a far better
chance of destroying crops than when the latter gi'ow quickly and get
out of their way. My impression is that during winter most of our
garden destroyers get safely out of the reach of frost, and that after
a long period of hard weather they come forth from their retreats iu
spring more voracious than after a mild winter. — J. G. L.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE GIPSY MOTH.
(Hypogymna dispae.)

This handsome moth is another member of the family Bombycida;,
whose caterpillars at times do a great amount of damage in orchards
and among forest trees ; when in gi-eat numbers they almost entirely
strip the trees of their leaves. It is not a very common insect, as it
is somewhat local, but where found it is often abundant. It has
been given the name of dispar on account of the difference both
in size and colour Ijetween the males and females. The caterpillars,
owing to their voracity and size, are very mischievous, and soon
ruin the foliage of any tree they may attack. Tlieir favourite food
apjiears to be the leaves of Oaks, Limes, Elms, and most fruit trees ;
but they are not very particular in this respect. The best means of
getting rid of this insect is by destroying the masses of eggs, which are
often J in. high and 1 in. in diameter, and contain 400 or 500 eggs ;
they may be found without much difficulty if carefully looked for.
The eggs are generally laid in August or September on the trunks
or branches of trees, or on palings, walls, garden buildings, &c., and
are covered by the female with yellowish hairs from the end of her
body, which completely protects them from the weather. Scraping
the bark of fruit trees is a good method of destroying the eggs of this
and many other insects. If the pieces of bark, &c., scraped off can
be collected by laying a piece of sacking, or something similar, at
the foot of the tree, the operation will be much more effectual, as
many eggs and chrysalides of various insects fall to the ground
uninjured, and, though in an unfavourable position, may yet be
reproductive. Of course, if the scraping lie done in the autumn
there is less danger of any eggs on the ground hatching in the
spring, as the cold and wet weather of winter would probably
kill them. The caterpillar can only be destroyed by hand-picking
or shaking them oft' the branches. The latter, however, is
not very easy, as the caterpillars generally shelter themselves
in some crevice or sheltered place on the branches during the day,
and feed only at night-time. They should be handled with much
caution, as their hairs are very liable to stick into the skin of one's
fingers, and cause much irritation. These hairs are no doubt a gi'eat

May 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

583

protection to tlie caterpillars, as few birds will touch them, and the
parasitic ichneumons must find it more difficult to lay their eggs hi
caterpillars which are surrounded by such a ctieraux de/rise than in
the smoother ones. The perfect insects, particularly the females,
may easily be seen, on account of their light colour, resting on the
stems of the trees, and as they are veiy inactive are easy to kill.
The chrysalides may be found inclosed in very slight cocoons, in
sheltered positions on the trees or somewhere near. The moths are
not generally fi and until the end of July or the beginning of August ;
the females are seldom seen on the wing, but may be found on the
stems and branches of trees ; the males may be seen flying aboxit in
search of the females. The eggs do not hatch until the following

Catei-pillar of Hypogymna dispar.

spring, when in April or May, according to the season, the cater-
pillars come forth, and at once begin to search for their necessary
food. Those from the eggs laid on the trees have not far to go, but
others have to make what must be to them a very considerable
journey before reaching an appropriate tree. The havoc they commit
among the opening buds is very gi-eat, even though their size at this
season is so small. Havingchangedtheir skinsseveral times, they attain
their full size about the end of June, soon after whicli they select some

Hj-pogyinna dispar.

sheltered position on tjie trees or elsewhere, and, spinning a very slight
cocoon round themselves which sometimes hardly cover them, Ijeeo'ine
chrysalides. The insects remain in this state for about a month. The
moths measure across the open wings from lA in to 3 in. ; the sexes
difier considerably in size and colour as beiore mentioned. The males
are usually much smaller and darker in colour than the females ; their
antennae are deeply toothed on both sides like a double comb ; their
general colour is a greyish dusky brown, varying considerably in in-
tensity, with darker markings, which are sometimes hardly visible,
and their bodies are comparatively slender. The general colour of
the females is a greyish-white, their antennre are much less deeply
toothed than those of the males, and their bodies are proportionately
much stouter, and striped transversely with alternate dark and light
grey bands, which are somewhat darker towards rhe apex ; the body
is terminated by akindof brush of i eddish-yellow hairs, vrith which the
female covers her eggs as soon as they are laid. In both sexes tlie

upper wings are mark<Ml with three or four more or less inteiTupted,
blackish lines, composed of a series of crescent-shaped marks, and
a row of dots of the same colour on the end of the margin of the
wings. The lower wings have a row of dark dots round the outer
margin. The caterpillar is blackish-brown with fine wavy and reti-
culated markings of ycllowish-gi'ey on its I'ody. Its head is large
with fine gvey markings, and with a large, triangular, yellow spot in
the centre. The body consists of twelve joints, of which the first
three, the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and last each bear a pair
of legs. On each joint are several large tubercles, which are sur-
mounted by a tuft of stifi', reddish hairs ; the tubercles on the first
five joints are bl\ie, those on tlae others reddish-brown. On either
side of the front of the first joint are two long tubercles, each carry-
ing a long tuft of hairs. The chrysalis is dark brown, and termi-
nates in a long point furnished with small hooks. G. S. S.

BUSH FRUITS IN MAEKET GARDENS.

These consist of Gooseberries and Currants, to which may
also be added Raspberries, aU of 'which are largely grown in
most of the market gardens near London in which orchards
exist, for it is under the shade of such trees that the bulk of
bush fruits are found. In such a jiosition they are liable to
many disasters ; therefore, plants having two or three branches
springing from the root are preferred, because should a limb
be lost there would still be one or two remaining, whereas
had there only been one stem, a fresh plant would have been
needed.

GoosEBEEEiEs AND CuEEANTS. — These are propagated by
means of pieces of the young wood collected together at
pruning time and made into cuttings 1 ft. or so in length.
All buds on the part intended to be inserted in the ground
are removed, in order to prevent them from producing suckers
that would afterwards prove troublesome. They are then
placed in rows nearly close together, the rows being about
12 iu. asunder, and made firm by treading the ground about
their bases. Sometimes they occupy a narrow border by the
side of a hedge or wall ; but, generally, they are placed in
open positions and intercropped with spring Lettuces. The
ground in which they are to be inserted is in all cases deeply
dug and well manured, and in this they c^uickly root and
make useful sized bushes. Some raise their Currant and
Gooseberry trees from layers, and in that case in the month
of j\Larch whole rows of bushes may be seen layered, the
branches being kept in their places by means of wooden pegs.
The youngest and most supple branches are selected for this
jiurpose ; their points are cut off, a slight slit is made where
the bend enters the ground, and a few inches in depth of soil
are placed over the part layered. Branches thus treated soon
begin to push shoots from every joint, and when these young
growths attain a length of 5 in. or 6 in. some more soil is
placed round their bases from the alleys. In the following
October or November the layers are lifted and cut into pieces,
each having two or three ihoots and plenty of roots ; they
are then planted in nursery lines, and are allowed to remain
another year, iifter which they are removed to permanent
c^uarters.

In wet, low-lying districts market gardeners plant their
bush fruit trees on mounds or ridges from 6 ft. to 8 ft.
apart, and on the sides of these are planted Violets, Wall-
flowers, Tulips, Strawberries, or any dwarf-growing crop
that is benefited by a moist soil. A pathway for gathering
the fruits and flowers is left between the ridges ; in this way
little ground is wasted, and more profitable results are
obtained than would be the case were such fmits planted
on the level with no other crop between them. In wet
seasons small plants are much injured, so much so that
some growers find a difficulty in disposing of them, except
at unremunerative prices.

384

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

From Kent come the chief supplies of small fruits for pre-
serving, and the quantities of these sent annually to London
and other large towns are enormous ; people, indeed, unac-
quainted "with fruit culture on a large scale can form no con-
ception of the vast plantations of orchard and bush fruits that
are to be found in Kent. About Swanleyand its neighbourhood,
from any hill-top, may be seen miles of the higher-lying
grounds crowned with Gooseberries, Currants, and Rasi)ber-
ries, and the valleys filled with Hojis. In some places may
be seen patches of Potatoes or Mangold, crops which are
always grown on land to be afterwards devoted to fruit cul-
ture. This is done in order to get the ground thoroughly clear
of Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and other weeds, which
it would be difficult, as well as expensive, to do after the fruit
trees had been planted. Most people, when planting fruit
trees, prefer a southern aspect ; but in Kent an easterly one is
always chosen — and this for two reasons : one, because the
produce is always later, thus escaping, to some extent, the
late frosts in spring ; the other, because, should frost occur,
the sun strikes the trees, gradually thawing and drying the
blooms without injuring them ; whereas, in a southern aspect,
they are more suddenly exposed to the full force of the sun,
and serious injury is often the result. It is a well-lino wn fact,
too, that croj.is in elevated positions escape frosts better than
those in valleys. This was particularly noticeable in the case
of Raspberries, which on the hiUs wholly escaped the severe
frost of May 5, 1877 (so fatal to fruit crops in general), while
in low grounds the early blooms suffered severely. Everywhere,
during the fruit season, may be seen gangs of women and
boys busily engaged in gathering Raspberries, Gooseberries,
and Carrants. Collectivelj', they earn large sums of money,
good hands making as much as lis. per day at Gooseberry
picking, l:)ut the average rate is only about 6s. per day, and
that only by means of hard work from light till dark. In
Kent Currants and Gooseberries are likewise chiefly grown
between orchard trees, but, in some cases, large fields are
wholly devoted to them. In the latter case they are planted
in rows 6 ft. apart each way, with the exception of Black
Currants, which are allowed a little more room. Between
the rows, until the trees get too large, a row of Peas is
planted ; these are chiefly early sorts, which can be picked
before very dry weather is expected, and the value of the crop
is of such importance that from an acre of ground is often
picked 200 bushels. A woman picks in a good season 10
bushels per day, for which she is paid 3s. 4d.

The only kinds of Currants grown are the Black and Red
kinds, White ones being very little in request, except for des-
sert. The trees are in all cases well shaped and open in the
centre, and they yearly make luxuriant growth and seldom
fail to bear heavy crops. The ground between the rows is
kept frequently stirred by the horse hoe, and in the case of
Currant bushes growing under orchard trees, of which there
are hundreds of acres, many of the rows being half a mile in
length, it is impossible for man and horse to work the hoe on
account of the branches of the orchard trees ; therefore a boy
is sent to guide the hoe, and a long rope is attached to it, the
end of which is encircled round a wheel placed firmly on the
Grass paths that run through the plantation. To this rope a
horse is yoked, and by walking straight up the path the hoe is
readily drawn up the rows, the wheel, which is of course
placed immediately at the end between two rovrs, keeping the
rope in its proper place.

Gooseberries are likewise grown in a similar manner, but
the greatest amount is to be seen in open fields in elevated
positions. Plenty of space is allowed for the trees to expand.
The branches are not shortened back to any great extent, the
object being to get the trees as large as possible, and so in-

crease the amount of the crop. One very good arrangement
I noticed was standard Pears and Plums placed alternately
20 ft. apart each way, the straight lines between them one
way of the field being occupied by a row of Gooseberries.
Between these were two other rows of Gooseberries G ft. a])art,
and between these again were rows of Strawberries. When
the Gooseberry bushes are large enough they will of course
require all the room, and the Strawberries will be done away
with. This is, however, a very profitable method of crop-
ping the ground, as it admits of all necessary operations being
carried on without injury to either crop. Gathering com-
mences as soon as the berries are at all saleable, and continues
until they are ripe. In all cases the bushes are stripped at
one picking, as much as 10 acres per week being sometimes
cleared, ending with 20 to 30 in proportion as the markets
require it ; and as a week in favourable weather consists of
only four-and-a-half days, the best market being on Saturday
(to prepare for which it is necessary to leave off picking at
two o'clock on Friday), the quantity of work to be done in a
short time is immense ; and if wet weather, which bursts the
fruit, or intense heat, which scalds it, set in, picking the whole
quantity is impossible. Some growers employ during the last
two weeks of picking as many as 300 women and children.
It only lasts a short time, and one grower told me that he sent
to the north of England in two days about 300 bushels of
fruit. Women sometimes pick as many as 30 sieves of Goose-
berries per day, for which they receive about 10s. 6d. The
chief kinds grown are Rough Reds, and a yellow kind which
is generally picked when green, and also many others ; the
red ones are those left to ripen. A smooth green kind is
likewise largely cultivated for dessert. Some growers in good
seasons have been known to gather more than 3000 bushels of
Gooseberries.

Gooseberries and Currants in open plantations are gene-
rally placed 6 ft. aiiart each way, making 1210 plants to the
acre. The cost of plants if bought ranges from 8s. to 1.5s. per
100. Many growers (especially in the case of Black Cur-
rants) now jilant an intermediate bush, which is taken out
again after five or six years. By this plan they get a better
return at starting. It is now found much better in Kent to
form the young Black Currant into a stool instead of a bush.
This is done by not taking off any of the buds when the cut-
tings are struck. The plant in this way forms a better head,
and lasts many more years than it otherwise would do. Bush
fruits are sometimes highlj' renumerative, often yielding from
£20 to =£30 per acre, and Black Currants, which have in-
creased in demand of late years, have been known to realise
as much as .£60, minus the expense of marketing, gathering,
&c.

Raspberries. — Comparatively few Raspberries find their
way into Covent Garden, owing to the large demand for them
for preserving, and to immense quantities being contracted
for by jam factors long before the fruit is ripe. Raspberries,
however, that are sent to market are mostly gathered with
their stalks attached, placed in small punnets, which are
packed, some fifty together, into wooden boxes, and sent on
carts to London from the neighbouring market gardens. Near
London, Raspberry culture is carried on in a somewhat care-
less manner, the plants being principally grown between Apple
or Pear trees, and the kind generally grown is the red Ant-
werp. The ground in which they are planted is heavily
manured and trenched previous to being occupied by Rasp-
berries. In the autumn the old canes are removed and the
young ones are thinned out, so as to leave three of the
best, which latter are shortened back to about 2i ft. or 3 ft.
off the ground, and they are then tied to each other at the
top with pieces of tar twine to prevent them being swayed to

May 10, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

3S5

and fro by tlie wind, and also to afford greater facilities
for forking over the ground between the rows, which, when
■done, a good coat of rotted manure is spread round the bases
of the plants, in which position they remain undisturbed until
the fruit is ripe, excepting that the soil during the spring is
frequently hoed to clear it of weeds. Under fruit trees
Kaspberries succeed tolerably well, but the fruit is seldom so
large or weU flavoured as that }n'oduced on plants grown in
open situations, and in the rich warm sandy soils of the
county of Kent.

Within twenty miles of the General Post Office southwards,
however, there are vast fields entirely devoted to Easpberry cul-
ture. The sort most preferred by growers in this locality is Car-
ters' Prolific ] its fruit, which is large, is of a deep red colour, a
circumstance which renders it worth more money in the mar-
ket than paler-fruited sorts, and, moreover, it is an abundant
cropper, and the fruit ripens nearly all at one time — a great
desideratum, as it always pays better to pick and sell
at once than to gather at intervals. Raspberries here are
l)lanted on thoroughly cleansed land heavily manured ;
the young plants are obtained from suckers saved from selected
stools that have borne the largest crops and the finest fruit.
These are cut back to two or three eyes in the autumn, and
planted in rows 3 ft. apart, and G ft. asunder in the row. For
the first three years after planting, Potatoes or Mangolds are in
some cases grown between them, but after that if the Rasp-
berries have grown well they require all the room. Three of
the strongest suckers are always left for fruit bearing, and
these are shortened back to about 3 ft. from the ground, the
others being cut away. Late in autumn the ground between
the rows is heavily manured and roughly ploughed up, a state
in which it is allowed to remain until spring, when it is harrowed
down, always choosing a time for the operation wlien the soil
crumbles readily. Neither stakes nor ties of any kind are
used, the canes being suflficiently strong to support themselves,
and in some plantations of long standing may be found bushy-
headed standards with stems about 12 in. or 18 in. high, and
as thick as a broom-handle, bearing hca^'y crops. The ground
between the rows is kept rigidly clear, both of weeds and young
suckers, with the exception of such canes as are near the old
stools. This work is performed by horse hoes, to which is
attached a small harrow, which levels the ground and lays the
uprooted weeds and suckei-s on the surface to be dried up by
the sun.

Picking usually commences the first week in July and con-
tinues until the beginning of August. It is performed by
women and children, each of whom carries two baskets of the
form of a flower-pot, one in front and one behind, slung over
the shoulders ; these when full are emptied by boys into
wood It tubs pro\4ded for the purpose — that is, if the fruit be
intend 3d for preserving, but if for Covent Garden baskets are
used. As before stated, few liaspl>erries, however, come to
Covent Girden compared with what go direct to fruit-preserv-
ing depots — 1 fact which will l>e evident when I state that at
Swanley one year a merchant informed me that he was ready
to purchase 100 tons of them at £'40 per ton for that purpose,
although the usual price, it may be observed, is from £20 to
d£26 per ton. One grower, too, informed me that he had con-
tracted with a manufacturer of preserves to supply him with
10 tons. Few of the Kentish Raspberries are picked with
stalks attached to them ; most of the fruit seen in Covent
Garden furnished with stalks is supplied by growers near
London, who pick their finest fruits for the purpose and put
them at once in small punnets lined with leaves, which are
then packed, in Cjuantities in layers one over the other into
large square wooden boxes or chests made expressly for the
purpose. C. W. S.

ANSWERS TO COREESPOKDENTS.

Double Narcissus. —Is the enclosed the Gohl and Silver Daffodil mentioned
at p. 34:t of the lust niunber of THE Gardkn ?— G- H. [The Howers enclosed are
Ihnsu uf the duultle white-fluwered Xareissus incomparabilis of gardens, a variety
pupulurly known as the Orange Phicnix, and perliaps the most distinct and sJiowy
of all the three double forms of the species. Of tlie other two douhle kinds, that
known as Butter and Eggs has yellow perianth and orange coronal segments, and
that known as Sulplmr Phccnix has lemon-coloured i)erianth segments, and yellow
coronal ones. The contrast between the white petals and rich orange-red coronal
lobes of the flowers sent is strikingly etfective. Your plant was called by
Haworth Queltia alba plena, niveo-aurantia, hut it is now, as has been stated,
referred to the N. inconiparahilis of gardens, which is a species quite distinct
from the common Daffodil, of which the Silver and Gold Datfodil to which you
allude is a double form. The three double Ho we red varieties of N. inconipara-
hilis are sometimes called Lenten Koses, in allusion to their form and fragrance,
-li]

Flowerless Orchids.— Can you tell me what to do with five Orchids that
utterly refuse to tldwer, viz., Cattleya Mossiie, La;lia purpurata, Odontoglossum
ci ispuin an<i L'randc, and (\clogyne cristata ? The plants are kept in a small house,
chiftly dcvutcit to l;c-<iiii;;s and Ferns, the summer temperature averaging 65'
daring tlie daytime, and in winter about 60^. Tlie plants seem in good health,
arc well watered, and regularly syringed. Plants uf Dcndrohium nobile and
Oypripedium insigne grow and flower well in the s;iiiie h«nise. Would the plants
do better in a Vinery at work? I have tried every inethud I can hear or think
of.— F. M. [No doubt your plants have been too liljerally treated throughout
the year. Keep them drier during autumn, and give them a lower temperature
during winter, and in all probability they will flower hereafter regularly.
^W. G.]

Cucumber Insects.— What is tlie name of the insects that I have sent?
They have eaten the young growth out of a Cucunitjer plant. — Sub. [The box
sent only contained one very minute beetle belonging to the Staphylinidaj. a
species **{ Trogophltcus. I sought ciU-efuUy for any other insects, but found
nunc, although I used a lens to aid in the opeiation. Insects of this genus are
fuurul often in decaying vegetation, about Cucumber frames, itc, iiut I am not
aware uf their being in any way injurious to live plants ; on the contrary, they
are supposed to be among our insect friends, and are looking for animal matter
as food, not vegetable. The injury done to the Cucumber phmt in (tiKstiun must
not be laid toTrogophlccus corticanus, which is the insect sent fore.\;uniiiatiun.—
X. W.)

Grubs Iniurious to Primroses —The Primroses and Polyanthuses in
my garden are becuming exterminated through the enclosed grubs. Will you tell
me what insect is the parent of them, so that I may endeavour to destroy them?
—Windermere. (The grubs are the larva; of one or more species of Otiorhyn-
clius, which are very fond of the roots and stems of Polyanthuses and other
species of Primulas, The Otiorhjiichus is a beetle or wee\il, with a long snout,
dull bro^vn in colour in many of the species, particularly in those known to be
injurious to plants.— N. W.J

Wire"worm,s.— & A. W.— What you have sent is the perfect insect of
Elater lucmonhoidalis, the produce of one of the common and well-known wire-
wurnis. In the larvrc state it is very injurious to the roots of plants.and the pre-
sent insect and larv:c should be destroyed wherever found.— N. W.

Double Yellow Furze- -This seems rather difficult to meet with. I shall
be glad to know « here it can be got in quantity, and whether it is best propa-
gated by layering or division.— E. F. [It is most easily propagated by means of
cuttings put in during the autumn.]

Greenhouse Shading-— If "Subscriber" (p. 365) will mix whitening and
butter-milk tuua-tlier until tlie mixture is about the con.sistency of paint, and
ajtjily it t<i the gla-s witli a bnish on the morning of a bright day, four months
rain will not wash it off.— CAMBRIAN.

Names of Plants —F. 3f.— DondiaEpipactis. P. /.— Cupressusmacrocarpa
(California). C. W. C. — The Narcissi sent are both garden fomis, the one a rather
large flower of the common double Daffodil (N. Telemonius plenus), and the other
is the Butter and Eggs Narcissus, a double-flowered form of N, incomparabilis
aurantius (Queltia aurantia plena luteo-aurantia, of Haworth). — B. JC. D.—l,
Form of Begonia Rex ; 2, Oncidium sessile ; 3, Begonia semperflorens ; 4, Begonia
metallica. //. T.—l, Rhododendron Dalhousia3 ; 2, Diosma ericoides ; 3, Agatha)a
ctelestis variegata. P. J. JV.— Fritillaria imperialis lutea. C. .S" — Corydalis
cava albida, a common lM>rder flower. If. II., Ba<jsfiot. — YouT letter contained
no enclosure. W. M. C— Send them when in flower ; they cannot be named from
leaves only.

Questions.

Vine Failures.— My Vines this year, after several years* success, have
proved quite .i failure. The sorts are Black Haml)urgh, Lady Downes Seedling,
and Muscat of Alexandria, the shoots of which have ai>]ieared only at short
intervals, and bear a meagre description of embryo fruit. When the houses were
constructed an arch was turned in the front wall, opposite the centre of each
light, in communication with an outside well-prepared border, and the Vines
were planted inside as close as possible to each arch. It occurs to me, from my
gardener having accidentally foimd a mass of roots in the interior, that the main
bulk of the roots may have turned inwards instead of passing through the arches
into the border, and having exhausted their food in the inside soil (to which no
attention had been paid), have become unproductive. I should })e glad if some of
your readers would inform me if my conjecture is right, and that Ijeing so, what
is my remedy ? Would it be advisable to take up tlie Vines at the fall of tlie leaf,
and endeavour to fix the roots quite within the arches? or to plant them in the
outside border, admitting the rods into the house through an aperture in the
wall ? or to procure fresh Vines for outside planting ? Could it be possible that
the solution used for the destruction of insects, which my gardener last winter
applied rather stronger than usual to the stems of the Vines, was of so powerful
a character as to atfect the WtaUty of the buds, though at that time in a dor-
mant state ?— E. J). T.

Cherry Failures. — I have an orchard filled with Apple, Pear, and Cherry
trees, all planted four years ago last Februaiy, and they were thriving grandly up
to last June, when about the latter part of that month the Cherries began to
flag as if they had been blighted, or the roots chopped away. I examined the
routs, but could not discover the cause. The strange phenomenon is, tliat the
Apples and Pears by their side are doing well, and are showing plenty of bloom.
Perhaps some o your contributors can kindly throw some light on the subject.—
Subscriber, Southport.

Trees and Shrubs for Wet Ground.— Can you name any ahrub or tree
(b -'Sides Willow) wliich would thrive in a low-lying una wti ffeld?— CHOR.

SS6

THE GARDEN.

[May 10, 1879.

EFFECTS OF LOCAL INFLUENCES ON GAEDEN
CULTURE.

An attentive perusal of "E. T.'s" remarks (p. 356) convinces
rae that the causes o£ liis faihire in growing even such hardy plants
as Fuchsias and I'hvysanthemums are to be sought for primarily iu
the air, and not in eitlier the soil or the water, although these latter
must necessarily, to a certain extent, be participators in the general
atmospheric contamination. " E. T." only vaguely descriljes the
sitviatiou of his estate, as being in Warwickshire, but, as he adds that
it is 10 miles from any town, I imagane it is to be found somewliere
in the comparatively sparsely populated centre of that county. If
so "E. T." will know lietter than I can tell him that to the west,
north-west, and north of his flower borders and Orchid houses there
runs witliin less than 20 miles a frontier of factories, which, from
year's end to year's end, are continually vomiting foi-th sulphurous,
chlorous, arsenical, and other noxious fumes, which, slowly but in-
evitably, destroy vegetable life of every description. It may seem
improbable that these fumes can be carried to so great a distance, but
it must be remembered that it is not only the air that plays its part
in the matter, but the clouds and especially the smoke, which act as
sponges, and suck up these deleterious vapours, to redistribute them
in tlie forms of rain and smuts over many square miles of country.
Mr. A. H. Church found a crystalline "message from the sea" in
the form of common salt on the windows of the Agricultural College
at Cirencester, the sea spray tliat produced it having been carrieil
to a distance of more tlian 30 miles, as the crow flies, so " E. T."
must not be surprised at receiving unpleasant messages from tlie belt
of manufactories, which are to be found within two-thirds of that
distance from liis floral favourites. It must also be borne in mind
that amounts of plant poison, which are not to be detected by tlie
most refined chemical analysis, are quite sufficient to effect infinite
mischief amongst the inhabitants of the vegetable kingdom. There
being but little doubt tliat tlie air of the locality is in fault, the only
remedy for " E. T. 's " failures would appear to be removal to another
quarter, except, indeed, he is patient enough to wait until the action
of the Noxious Vapours Acts has resulted in the purification of the air
of even the Black Country. If " E. T." wishes to learn moi-e about
the action of noxious vapours on vegetation, I shall be happy to send
him some articles which I wrote recently on the subject in the
"Chemical News " if he will send me a post card to The Gakden
office saying where they will reach him. It would be interesting to
know whether " E. T.'s " neighbours fail or succeed in gi-owing flowers
in proportion, as they recede from or approach the Black Country. —
C. W. QuiN.

The letter of "E. T. " (p. 356) submits a most curious and

difficult problem for solution. His case is truly a most perplesing
one, and without more knowledge of all the circumstances tlian his
letter affords, explicit as a general statement of the case though it be,
I am inclined to fear he will not get really valuable help from fellow
horticulturists. Less than a century ago his garden would have been
set down as bewitched ; he might possiuly have been charged with
all kinds and degi-ees of moral turpitude ; and the aid of a priest
with bell and book would probably have been invoked. Has defective
ventilation anything to do with the unhealthy state of " E. T.'s"
plants ? It seems to me a not unlikely cause. Or have the houses
been painted with any ingi-edieut which gives off unhealthy fumes ?
such cases have occurred, and been unsuspected. Would " E. T."
state when the condition of tilings he describes first began ; and can
he remember whether its incoming was gradual, and what class of
plants was first affected ? It would be well, too, to state more in
detail the condition and appearance of the unhealthy plants. Are
young, newly-potted plants more affected than old, well-established
plants ? or are both affected similarly ? Is there any ai^pearance of
funt'oid growth ? Have the tissues been examined microscopically ?
and" has anything abnormal been noticed ? Do newly purchased
plants suffer like those raised on the premises ? In what way are they
first affected? Has " E. T." examined the roots of the affected
plants, and if so, have they any unusual appearance ? Is " E. T."a
dabbler in chemistry ? and if so, has he analysed the soil used in
potting his plants ? One more query : Is it possible that any delete-
rious substance can have been wilfully or negligently mixed with the
composts in the potting shed ? — Enquirek.

I would recommend "E. T." (ix 356), who socks advice on

this subject, to visit some of his neighbours' gardens where the gar-
dening is conducted under general conditions similar to his own, as
there can hardly be much difference in this respect within one neigh-
bourhood, and if he finds that they succeed fairly well in gi-owing
garden produce he may safely conclude that the fault, in his own
case, is in the management ; and as he confesses to having dismissed
five gardeners, " all men of experience and successful growers," one
after the other, before they had more than time to turn themselves
round in their new situation, let alone getting acquainted mth its

capabilities and peculiarities, he may safely conclude tliat the mis-
management in question is due to his iuterference. He should give
his gardener a cliance and means wherewith to work. If he will
follow this advice, he will live, I hope, to note a decided improve-
ment in his garden. It is paradoxical to hear " E. T." descriljing
himself as one having an "extensive knowledge, both practical and
tlieoretical," of plant culture, and as "an accepted authority" on
horticulture among his neiglibours, and in the next breath telling us
that he cannot gTOW even the commonest plants, and has a garden
smothered with bug indoors and out. — Chef.

It is certainly singular that nothing tlu-i ves -iWth " E. T. " ;

it would appear tliat his practical and tlieoretical knowledge does not
help him much. I should attribute the failure iu question to changing
the gardeners so often — five in seven years, not quite a year and a
half each. What chance has a man under such circumstances to
convert failure into success ? Let " E. T." gave a good man a fair
trial for a term of years, give him a chance to master local influences,
and then report results. I venture to predict that things will be
difi'erent. — J. M.

PROPAGATING.

Night-scented Stock. — This may be readily increased by
means of cuttings made of half-ripened wood, as shown in the
amiexed illustration, and inserted firmly in very sandy soil. August
is the best month in which to propagate these stocks, as they then
make good plants for early sununer decoration. Although, as I have

Cutting of Night-scented Stock.

just stated, this stock is easily propagated, it nevertheless requires
care ; but if placed in tlie shady jiart of a warm greenhouse without
any covering it soon emits roots. When the young plants are rooted
and beginning to gTow, pot them off and keep them on a shelf during
the dull months, ready for potting in spring, to flower in^May and
.lune.— H. H.

OBITUARY.

We have to announce with deep regret the death of Mr. W. Tillery,
for forty years gardener at Welbeck — an event which took place
on Friday, the lath, ult., aged 73. The severe winter thi-ough
which we have just passed added very much to the general break-up
of his health, which had been noticed by his family for nearly twelve
months. He, however, attended to his duties as usual until almost
the last ; even ten days before his death he walked tlirough the
glass-covered wall, in which he took so much delight, and was so
particular in attending to the ventilation, &c., himself. No persua-
sion was sufficiently strong to compel him to keep to the house
during the bad, cold weather, and it was only on becoming too weak
and exhausted that he took to his bed four days before Iiis
death. A man so well known and universally respected needs little
to be said in his favour ; we may, however, add that the gardening
world has lost one of its best ami brightest members, and The Gar-
den a -ivilling and able contributor.

THE GAEDEN.

587

Ko. 191 ]

SATTJKDAT, MAY 17. 1879.

Vol. XV.

"This is an art
Which does mend Kature : change it rather : but
TiiE AUT ITSELF IS lil MVRE."— Shakespeare.

FLOWERING SHRUBS AND TREES IN PARKS.

That fine old shrub, Ribes sanguineum, deserves all that can be
said in its favour as a spring-flowering subject ; had it been as diffi-
cult to gi'ow as the Bougainvillea was at one time supposed to be, it
would doubtless have been considered to be a gi-and plant. The
double v.ariety is very much superior to the single-flowered kind, and
it also blooms later and lasts longer. It is, indeed, a fine slirub, but,
curiously enough, fifty of tlie single-flowered sorts are planted for one
of the double variety, though tlie latter is an equ.ally free flowerer,
and deserves the name of Burning Bush, owing to its glowing
crimson colour. We think so much of it here that we have a large
stock of it in pots for forcing. When the plant first became knowm,
many years ago, it was, I believe, figured in the " Botanical Magazine "
as a particularly fine shrub. The flowers are very double, and of a
most intense crimson colour.

Another shrub equally good is the Pyrus (Mains) floribuuda, which
h.as been truly described as one of the most brilliant of spring-flowering
subjects. It flowers in a young state, succeeds the CuiTants, lasts
quite as long in bloom, and thrives in the worst exposures. These
two, Paul's Scarlet Thorn, the Lilac, Rhododendrons, Azaleas,
flowering Cherries, purple and yellow Laburnums, Deutzia crenata
and scabra, Honeysuckles, Spirsea Lindleyana (a far hardier slirub
than most people imagine), and other subjects that flower in spring
and summer, should be planted far more extensively about our parks
and the margins of wooils than they are. All those named are hardy
enough, and there is no doubt about tlieir thriving in the north or
soutli. The fault of park [ilantiug liitherto is the paucity of flower-
ing shrubs, which, wlicn tliey ai'e used, are usually planted far too
thinly to be eft'ective, or they are planted in the wrong place, or
under the shade of trees wliere they do not gi'ow or flower
freely. It is not a good plan to introduce too much of
the flower garilen into tlie jiark or woods. Too much dressi-
ness in such places is objectionable, but there is certainly room for
a far more extensive display of flowering shrubs and trees than there
is,*as from many woods near mansions they are almost entirely absent.
Rhododendrons have been pretty extensively planted on many
estates, but their display is but sliort-lived, and tliere is no reason
why such plantations should not be far more varied than they are, con-
taining, as they do, subjects th.atwillextendthe display every season
over a much longer period. It is necessary, however, that all such
subjects should have room and light. They may be planted tliickly
at first, and with advantage in tlie way of shelter, but when they
get crowded they should be thinned freely, and the plantations ex-
tended with those removed. No landscape gardener, as the term
goes, seems yet to have grasped a conception of what might be ac-
complished by the free use of our large and small-flowering trees on
an extensive scale, and associated judiciously with evergreen and
deciduous trees of handsome outline and foliage.

A narrow line of Rhododendrons along each side of a Grass drive
or carriage road, with tall forest trees encroaching overhead, perhaps, is
but a poor attempt at this kind of decoration, when by the simple
process of expansion and throwing back the lines, a tortuous track,
where nothing could be seen to advantage, might be tr.ansformed
into a broad vale glowing with colour and adorned with the stateliest
vegetation. The broad Grass avenue at Kew, which is, or was,
bordered on each side by a double row of Deodars, we have often
thought was marred thereby, and the opportunity of caiTying
the idea out on broader or more natural lines thrown away. It was
not necessary that such an avenue should be perfectly straight on
each side, or that it should be hedged in by a fence, the purjiose of
which is neither to hide anything, nor to preserve anything so far as
any one can see ; but Kew is by no means the only example that
might be adduced for the purpose of showing the fallacy of that kind
of planting. J. S. W.

Hardiness of the Camellia. — This is now proved beyond
a doubt. Fi-om the Isle of Wight on one hand, and Belvoir on the
othei% come reports to the effect that the CameUia has proved to be
one of the liardiest of outdoor shrubs, a result quite ' in accordance
with an observation made to me at Southampton several years ago
by a lady, whose experience of the CameUia in the open air is large,
viz., that it is hardier than the Laurel or any of its varieties. At

the Rectory Gardens, North .Stoneham, near Southampton, tlie resi-
dence of that centenarian gardener, the Rev. Canon Beailon, huge
Camellias have been grown for years on the garden walls, but there
shelter is given during the blooming time. At Glen Eyre, which
is within three miles, but is higlier, not the least shelter is given, or
ever has been. North .Stoneham Rectory lies near the river Itehen ;
and it is pleaded that there the atmosphere is charged to a greater
extent -with moisture than at Glen Eyre, and that during the preva-
lence of white frosts some protection at night is necessary. Whether
this plea may be correct or not, at least it is proved that on elevated
places, where the soil is porous and the air fairly dry, no protection
has been needed. So many thousands of good Camellia ptints have
been starved and killed in pots and tubs under glass, that its outdoor
cultivation is well worth attention. — A. D.

Trees and Shrubs for "Wet Ground (p. 38.5).— I know of

nothing more profitable to grow, or that will succeed better in wet
land, tlian the Alder. Wlien once the plants become established, it
is astonishing how quickly after being cut down they start again
and yield fine poles, that is, if protected from the attacks of game,
such as hares and rabbits, wliich are fond of nibbling tlie young
shoots as tliey start into gi-owth. Next to Alders in point of profit
and suitability for wet land stands the Asli, the wood of which
always meets with a (juick and ready sale. Elm, too, does well
where it can get plenty of moisture at the roots, and it is only when
so favoured that it keeps healthy for any length of time, or acquires
much size ; when sound and large Elm trees are valuable. By '
planting the two last-named at wide intervals, the Alder will be
found to do well between tliem, and come in as a sort of undergrowth,
an arrangement by which tliere would not be many years to wait
before the gi-ound would yield some return. If any shrubs or plants
are wanted by way of ornament, the common Rhododendron,
Bambusa Metake, Arundo Donax, and a few plants of Pampas Grass
might be used, and if judiciously arranged would fonn quite an in-
teresting plantation. Evergreen Oaks interspersed hero and there,
and some of the Conifer.-e, such as tlie Austrian Pine, Pinus Laricio,
and Abies Douglasi, would also liave a good effect, lint if the land be
very wet, it may be necess,ary to plant these on raised mounds. —
S. D.

Reviving Young Trees.— When young trees have been out
of the ground a few days, either in transit from the nursery or
otherwise, and not properly cared for, the bark becomes shrunken,
and although the roots may be in tolerably good condition, tliere is
great danger that the tree may die after it' is planted. Especially is
this the case with Peach trees. This may be prevented by burying
the whole tree a few days. To do this, dig a trench as wide as the
tree is high, and about 8 in. deep at one end and IGin. deep at the
other, and lonw enough to hold all the trees to be buried, when laid
in the trench five or six trees on the top of one another. Lay the
trees in the trench with the roots at the deep end of it, laying them
straight and packing them ctee together, but do not pile them up above
the level of the ground. Now cover the trees, tops, and roots 12 in.
to 15 in. with earth. If the ground be very ilry, a few buckets of
water should be slowly sprinkled over the earth after the trees are
buried. In four or five days they must be taken out and trans-
planted immediately, being careful to cut back the top.';. I have
known trees thus buried when taken from the pit to look a?
fresh as when dug at the nursery, and with propn- care never knew
one of them to die. — "Countrj' Gentleman.''

Magnolia conspicua. — This beautiful flowering tree which
looks so well in the form of a single specimen on Grass, with its
branches bending under a load of pure white blossoms, is at length
unfolding its petals, and will soon be in full be.anty. I look upon
the time of flowering of this tree as a pretty good criterion of the
general backwardness »f the season, as I have on many occasions
used its flowers for Easter decorations, a time when white flowers are
in such great demand. This year, however, the buds scarcely showed
signs of swelling at Easter ; therefore this Magnolia is quite a month
later than usual. Nevertheless, the blossoms promise to be abun-
dant, and their lateness has saved them from getting injured by the
late spring frosts that have prevailed with such persistency this
spring. — J. Groom, Linton Park, Makhtone.

Pacific Coast Coniferae.— Messrs. Hoopes Bros, and Thomas,
West Chester, Penn., say that nearly all the Pacific Coast Coniferaj
described in previous issues of their catalogue have been found
unreliable for the Atlantic\States ; also, that they have had success in
sending live plants to Mexico, Australia, the West Indies, and
various European countries.

Amygdalus nana.— This has much to reconunend it. as it is
very early flowering and very dwarf in habit, rarely exceeding 3 ft.
The colour of the flowers is deep rose, and they are produced iii
great profusion. For planting near the margins of shrubberies it is
admirably adapted, and ileserves to be better known. — W.

388

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Hardy Lady's Slippers. —We have received from Mr.
Douglas, of Loxford Hall, some Ijeautiful examples of hardy Cypripe-
diunis grown by him in pots, iii(.luding C. acaiile, Calceolus, and
pubescens. These are seldom seen in good condition in the open
ground, and we did not tliink that they could be so well gi'own in
jjots. It is probable, as Mr. Douglas thinks, that too many stones
are sometimes used in potting them. In any case we have never
before seen several of the species so well grown, and hope Mr.
Douglas will tell our readers how he gets such good results. Orchis
foliosa and Cyjiripedium spectabile, both very handsome, are more
easily grown. The fine yellow in the lips of C. pubescens and G.
Calceolus was very fine, quite distinct from anything usually seen
among stove species of the same family.

Narcissus pumilus. — Amongst notices of the Narcissi that
have ap^Jeared from time to time, this little plant does not seem to meet
with that lecognition wliich its merits demand. Itgi'ows from 2 in.
to 3 in. high, and, compared with its dwarfuess,like Gentiana acaulis,
it bears a very large flower. It is certainly one of the earliest and
most conspicuous of spring flowers in cultivation, and wliether in
lines or clumps is strikingly effective. It comes into bloom about
a month before the common DaftbJil, and "long before the swallow
dares," and if we understand rightly what .Shakespeare means by
" laking the winds of March with beauty," this must be the plant ;
while on Narcissi what mere shadows separate some of the kinds — ■
moschatus and cernuus, for example. — Thos. Williams, Ormskirk.

The Whipcord Saxifrage (S. flagellaris). — This Arctic rarity
proves not only to be one of the most distinct of its race, but one of
the freest gi-owing. Like its near ally, .S. Hirculus, it has large bright
yellow blossoms borne, tliree together, on viscid stems 3 in. or 4 in.
high. From each rosette slender threaddike or wire-like stolons are
thrown off, whicli, rooting at the tips, quickly foi'm new rosettes in
moist, peaty, and gi'itty soil. It is one of the plants found originally,
we believe, by Captain Ross during his long and dreary sojourn in
Boothia, the region of the Northern Magnetic Pole. It is now
blooming freely in the York Nurseries, but we understand that the
stock of it is yet limited.

Orchids at Holloway. — Amongst the representatives of this
popular family now in flower at Mr. Williams' nursery at Holloway
is the lovely Cattleya amethystoglossa. Its flowers, whicli measure
3 in. across, are pure waxy white, copiously spotted with rich purple,
and they have a bright amethyst lip. The handsome Arpophyllum
giganteum is also finely in flower, tlie small, sliell-like, magenta-
coloured blossoms being arranged on the spikes with almost mathe-
matical regularity. Burlingtonia venusta, one of the sweetest
scented of any of the kinds, has transparent pure white blossoms,
which are smaller than those of B. fragrans, and produced in gi'ace-
fuUy-drooping, dense racemes. Dendrobium superbiens will also
shortly be finely in flower.

Stra'wberries in Pots. — We have received from Mr. Muir,
gardener to C. K. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., Margam Park, Okmor-
ganshire, samples of fruit of the Vicomtesse H(?ricart de Thury
strawberry, gathered from plants in 3-in. pots. Tliey were lifted
from the gi-ound and potted into them about the beginning of
last September. Until the beginning of March, they had
stood out all winter quite unprotected, frozen hard nearly
all the time, and looking more dead than alive. Being
in such small pots, and thinking they were useless, no attention was
paid to them until March, when they were taken in hand, and the
result is tliat each plant has produced about a dozen large, richly-
coloured fruits. It should be adiled that ever since the latter have
been formed they have been frequently watered with Amies' manure
in a liijuid state.

Hardy Flovrers at Tottenham. — Though here, as elsewhere,
owing to the lateness of the season, there is a comparative dearth of
blossom, yet wenoticed the other day many rare and interesting plants,
such as the Virginian Liverwort (Merteusia virginica), a plant which
delights in a boggy peat soil. It grows about 1 ft. high, has oval,
stalkless leaves, and dense, terminal, drooping clusters of blossoms,
which are each J in. long, funnel shaped, and bluish-purple, changing
to a lighter hue. Another elegant North American plant is the
Anemone-like Thalictrum (T. anemonoides) a plant 6 in. high, with
small. Maiden-hair, like foliage, and slender stems terminated
by several pure white blossoms, nearly 1 in. in diameter. When
jjiauted in masses it is extremely effective, and ought to be oftener
met with tlian it is. Tlie white variety of the charming Anemone
apennina forms a fine contrast to the pleasing soft tint of the type.
The same may be said of the white-flowered form of the spring
Adonis (A. vernalis), which is also finely in flower. A variety of
the common Iiis pumila, named pallida, is very pretty, astheflowesr

assume a deep sky-blue tint, and make a brilliant display in masses-
The Caucasian Iris (Xiphion caucasicum), though not very showy, ia
a very distinct kind, with pale yellow blossoms and Grass-like
foliage. The Nortli American Trilliums are now in full beauty, the
best of all of them being T. grandiflorum, a plant seen to bestadvan
tage, as it is here in large masses. T. sessile is a quaint-looking kind,
with mottled foliage and erect, stalkless blossoms of a deep red
colour. T. erectum, a dwarfer kind than the last, also with blood-
red flowers, is in full bloom. The true Scilla amcena may here be
seen in perfection ; it is from 4 in. to G in. high, and has stout,
reddish-coloured flower-stems bearing deep violet-blue blossoms
nearly I in. across. Ranunculus ami>lexic.aulis is one of the best of
the Crowfoots, and a very pretty effect it has Avhen seen
in clumps ; its pure white, golden-eyed blossoms keep up a continuous
display for a considerable time. Polemoniura Richardsoni, a very
distinct North American plant, is excellent in borders, as it flowers
so freely, and the deep lavender tint of the blossoms is so very
pleasing. Fritillaria recurva, undoubtedly tlie finest of all the
FritiUarias, is also beautifully in flower in this nursery. It is fully ex-
posed, though, as a precaution, the protection of a fr.ame light was
given it during the late severe winter. Its flower-stalks, which are
about 6 in. high, bear terminal clusters of drooping, bell-shaped
flowers, 1 in. long, of a beautiful scarlet and orange colour. — G.

Senecio COncolor. — This new greenhouse perennial, lately
introduced from South Africa by Mr. Bull, has much to recommend
it, and doubtless it will, when better known, prove a highly decora-
tive and useful plant. It has a tuft of lance-shaped root-leaves,
which are deeply cut and covered with a hoary substance. The
flower-stems, which rise from 12 in. to 18 in. high, are produced
plentifully from the base of the tuft, at first horizontally and after-
wards erect ; the stems, which are branching, bear star-like flower-
lieads, 2| in. in diameter, of a bright violet colour, and they last a
considerable period in perfection. — G.

Ornamental-leaved BroccoK. — We have received from
Messrs. Andrt? Leroy & Co., Angers, leaves of a curled proliferous
Broccoli, which during the whole winter has produced a most
striking effect, and wliich has been admired by every one who has
seen it. Some of the leaves are rod and some variegated in an
interesting manner, and the coldest weather suits them the best.

Odontoglossum vexillarium. — The show of this Orchid

in the York Nurseries promises this season to eclipse that of any
previous year. Already the display is magnificent, and a little short of
1000 flowers will be in Ijloom during the next few weeks. Whether
from the lower winter temperature, or the more protracted coolness of
the spring, we do not know but the blossoms are certainly finer than
those of last year both in colour and size. They vary from deep rose,
through every shade, almost to white. Scarcely can two be found
alike, and the irregular blending of the various shades gives a general
efl'ect of colour wliich is indescriljably beautiful.

Narcissi Emperor and Empress. — Never, perhap?, was

a grander sight seen amongst buU^ous jilants in any garden than the
display of these two noble hyl^rid Dalibdils in the York Nurseries
atthepresenttime. Whole beds, with thousands of flowers of enormous
size, present a mass of bloom of extraordinary beauty. The Emperor
is the largest Daffodil in cultivation ; and the Empress, though
scarcely so large, has the advantage of nearly white petals, which
contrast finely with the deep yellow well-dilated tube.

Cattleya Skinneri alba. — Fine-flowering examples of this
rarity may now be seen in Mr. Bull's nursery at Chelsea. It differs
from tlie type only in having blossoms of waxy whiteness, with
nothing to mar their purity except a faint dash of lemon tint inside
the lip, and delicate pencillings of purple at its extreme inner base.
It has also tlie same free-flowering tendency as C. Skinneri, bearing
from six to ten blossoms on each stem. — W.

Griffinia Blumenavia. — This beautiful bulbous plant is a
decided acquisition to our list of stove ])lants. In the state in
which wo saw it in Messrs. E. G. Henderson's nursery, Maida Vale,
it is somewhat dwarf in habit, with lance-shaped leaves and short,
stout flower-stems terminated by an umbel consisting of numerous
blossoms, which are 2i in. long, IJ in. across, white, beautifully mot-
tled and veined with purpUsh-piuk. Like all tlie species, it is a
native of Brazil.

Retirement of Mr. Marnock.— After over forty years'

practice as a landscape gardener, Mr. Marnock has retired. All who
know him will unite with us in regretting tliat the most successful
of English landscape gardeners should cease active work in the
creation of such gi-acefully laid-out gardens as those made by him in
m.aiiy parts of the country. Mr. Marnock has made arrangements
with Mr. J. F. Meston to succeed to his practice, Mr. Meston
having been long .associated with Mr. Marnock and other landscape
gardeners in their work.

Mat 17, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

389

The Rose Show of the Royal Hortictiltural Society,

which was announced to be held on June 24, has, owing to the late-
ness of the season, been postponed to July 8. Mr. Wm. Paul and
Mr. Charles Turner intend having special exhibitions in connection
with the show, and a display of Roses of unusual magnitude is
anticipated. The Pelargonium Society's Show is also postponed,
and will be held at South Kensington in conjunction with the Rose
show.

Calochortus lilacinus. — This beautiful and rare bulbous
plant we noticed in Hower a few days since at Mr. Joad's garden,
Wimbledon Park. In colour and form it is similar to C. splendcns,
hut is smaller in all its parts. It is very free flowering, and the
delicate lilac tint of its blossoms is very attractive. It is synonymous
with the plant figured in the "Botanical Magazine" (t. 5804) as
C. uniflorus, but which is a distinct species. It is also known as
C. umbellatus. — W. G.

Anthurium Scherzerianum at Chelsea.— Numerous

specimens of tliis gorgeous stove ])laut are now in full beauty at
Messrs. Veitch & Son's nursery, and form a very brilliant spectacle.
Amongst them are several varieties differing in brightness of colour
and size, which varies from the immense spathes of Ward's variety
to the small-sized ones borne by the originally introduced plant,
thus plainly illustrating the good results achieved by skilful cidtiva-
tion. The form with two unecjual spathes is very interesting, and
the white-spathed form is also very desirable for the sake of
variety.

Muscari paradoxum. — This new Muscari is so distinct from
any other cultivated kind, tliat it is especially noteworthy. It gi-ows
about 1 ft. liigli, with three erect leaves, nearly 1 in. ■!» ide, and deeply
channelled. The flower-stem, which is stout and from 6 in. to !• in.
high, is terminated Ijy a conical raceme of densely arranged olilong
flowers, of a blue-black tint, faintly perfumed. It is a native of the
Caucasus, whence it was sent a year or two since by Dr. Regcl, of
St. Petersburg, to the Kew collection, where it is now in fine
flowering condition. — W. G.

The Double-flowered Caltha (C. palustris fl.-pl.).— Oncof

the brightest ornaments among liardy plants at this season is this
handsome marsh plant. Its numerous compact golden heads of blos-
soms are very effective, rising above the ricli deep green of tlie
foliage. In the bog garden or other moist places, or even in the
ordinary border, it thrives admirably, and is decidedly superior to
the single-flowered ordinary kind.

Dendrobium lituiflorum var. Freemani.^An importa-
tion of tliis line variety of I), lituiflorum was ottered for sale the
other day at Stevens'. Amongst the plants thus offered some were
in flower, and afi'orded .ample proof of the high merits of this
variety. We hear that the remainder of Mr. Freeman's impoi-tation
has been entrusted to Mr. Howard, of Southgate, for disposal.

Erysinmin pumilum. — One of the prettiest of Alpine gems
at this season is tliis pigmy Cnicifer, which now enlivens the rockery
and borders at Kew. Its heiglit is not more than 2 in. It lias a
spreading habit, and is studded thickly with clear yellow blossoms,
which are rather large for the size of the plant. As it is so easily
grown, and may be freely propagated by means of seeds, &c., it
should adorn every rockery or select border.

Veronica Hulkeana. — Too much can scarcely be said in
praise of this beautiful New Zealand Speedwell as a greenhouse
plant. It grows from 1 ft. to 2 ft. high, and produces delicate
lavender-tinted blossoms in great profusion in the shape of long, ter-
minal, branching racemes. As a pot plant or for planting out in
sheltered positions during summer it is highly desirable, and certainly
deserves to be better known than it is. — W.

Waterer's Rhododendron Exhibition. — Mr. John

Waterer's show of Rhododendrons — always one of the most inte-
resting of London floral exhibitions — will be held during June next,
in the gardens of Cadogaii Place, Sloane Street. A large tent has
already been erected there for the reception of the plants.

Cattleya Alexandras. — This is the name of a very beautiful
variety of the C. Mossiaj type, which we saw lately in Mr. Bull's
nursery at Chelsea. The blossoms, which are pure white, have a
delicate blotch of a magenta tint on the elegantly crisped lip.

Tulipa Kolpakowskyana.— This new liardy plant m.ay now
be seen in flower at Kew. Its general .aspect at once reminds one of
our indigenous species T. sylvestris, as it grows to about the same
height, and the flowers, which have narrow yellow segments, are about
the same size. Probably when it becomes more fully developed it will
present a more distinct character and make a pretty border flower.

Dr. I-iiAAC Balfour, of Edinburgh, has been appointed to the
chair of Botany in Glasgow University.

Gentiana verna.— In the nursery of Messrs. E. G. Henderson
and Sons, St. John's Wood, alargenumberof this, one of the loveliest
gems of the European Alps, gi-own in pots and flowering abundantly, is
now a sight worth seeing, as it is a sheet of tlie deepest sky-blue. It
also affords sufficient proof that it maybe successfully grown in pots,
provided there is no lack of moisture during summer.

Hose-in-Hose Polyanthuses.— We have received from

Mr. Dean, Bedfont, near Houuslow, some chai'ining examples of these
interesting spring flowers. When seen in masses, the double corolla
gives a depth of colour which similar masses of the single kinds do
not possess.

Camellias in Kent. — Mr. Mamock has sent us some beautiful
blooms from Camellias growing in the open air in his garden near
Tunbridge Wells. They are as large and tine as blooms cut from
plants indoors, and the foliage even more robust and glossy.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

The Two-spiked Aponogeton (A. distachyon).— One of

the most interesting sights in open-air gardens .at this season of the
year is a tank or lake studded profusely witli tlie pure white blos-
soms of this plant floiating upon a mass of emerald green foliage ;

The Cape Pond weed in an Knglish Ditclu

its ch.aste beauty, too, is much enhanced by the delicious Hawthorn-
like perfume which pervades the atmosphere wherever this afjuatic
grows. Such a sight may now be seen in Mr. Parker's nursery at
Tooting, where myriads of its blossoms are just in perfection, and
have been so for some time past. As to its hardiness, there can now
be no doubt, as the plants in question have not received the slightest
protection during the severe winter which we have just passed. It
evidently thrives Ijest in a running stream, but it m.ay be grown
successfully even in a tank of stagnant water, provided it be re-
plenislied frerjuently. For gi'owing in indoor atjuaria it is no less
desirable, as it flowers very freely, but in tliat case one plant alone
will be sufficient, as the scent of the blossoms from more th,an one
would be overpowering. We noticed tlie other d.ay, in Mr. Ware's
nursery at Tottenham, several flowers with a decided blush tint,
which, if pennanent, \iill render the variety a charming acquisition
for association with the type. — W. G.

HAKDY OUT-DOOR PLANTS.

DrRTXO the last six d.ays we h.ave had a low temperature, and three
nights from 2' to 4° of frost, still we have a fair show of flowers in
pots (plunged outside), and on rockeries Androsace villosa, A. carnea,
and A. Vitaliana are in bloom. The walls are enlivened by the new
growths of variegated Ivies and Jasminum nudiflonim. A large
yellow Pansy, 2 in. across, h.as kept us company all the winter
through, when the snow did not cover it ; and the same may be said
of those fine varieties of Daisies, Sweep and Bride. It is worthy of
mention, that some Hyacinths grown in pots, and forced in February
and March, 1877, were put in at the base of a small rockery having a,
south aspect ; last spring they only made strong healthy foliage,
but now they are finely in bloom. Aubrieti.as are just now
beautiful, and Gentiana acaulis is better than we have had it
before ; perhaps because I h.ad it all moved to the dampest posi-
tions on rockeries which I could find. With some of the finest
double white and sulphur Primroses before me, I feel iit a loss to
know why the)' are not oftener seen than they are in gardens. They

soo

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

are faithful to us uuilei- all circumstances, and what can be finer than
patches of coniinou I'l-inirose, 4 ft. in diameter, under the yet bare trees.
Hardy Fuchsias (so called ) and some of the ornamental Grasses are killed
wholesale. Aralia 8iel)oldi and its variegated kind have stood, losing
only some foliage ; the same may l)e said of Sweet Bay. Conmion
Laurel, Laurustinus, and Fire-thorn have suffered very much, but
are now reviving. The new round-leaved Laurel has stood tlie winter
much bettei than the common one even in a worse position. Several
varieties of Hydrangea have also braved it well, the kind with nearly
all white foliage included. Tulips not taken up for two seasons are
grand. Primula cortusoides and P. c. amoena alba are full of blooms
yet to open. I had six varieties of the shrubby Veronicas, and all
but one are gone ; I fear I have also lost Ramondia pyrenaica, Oxalis
rosea, Achillea Clavenn.'e, Papaver croceum, Lippia nodiflora, and
Anthyllis Vulneraria. Solanums are cut to the ground ; Aucubas and
Hollies never looked better and are fidl of bloom. Just now Epime-
diums, Daphne Cneorum, and Corydalis bulljosa are cheerful subjects.
Arabis rosea shows in grand contrast with the white-flowered kinds.
Orchises arc yet out of sight ; these, I fear, are too dry and too
much exposed to the sun on our south rockery ; they did not look
healthy all last summer. Meconopsis nepalensis has suffered very
much ; I hope that it is not now being finished oft' by the powerful mid-
day sunshine. Catalpas have all siiffered severely, but, reverting to our
little favourites, I have a treat in Ailonis nivalis and Alpine Auricu-
las, the latter raised from seed sown more than a year ago. Many
blooms are larger than half-crowns, and the colours are superb. I
grow them in frames, which, I believe, have never been entirely
closed throughout the winter. J. Wood.

Woodvillc, Kirhitall.

SPRING FLOWER GARDENING.

SsuioM has a season more adverse as i-egards a display of spring
flowers been experienced than the present ; and where summer
gardening ha.s to be carried on in the same beds many of the ordi-
nary earliest flowering plants will scarcely have reached their full
bloom before they nmst be cleared off to make room for their
successors. Tiiis part of Kent is generally considered to possess a
mild climate, and c.^rly flowers would certainly be as forward here as
in most parts of the kingdom ; yet I nnist confess that, as far as
.'priug floweis are concerned, the majority of them are a failure.
The only ones that have been really satisfactory are those which have
been planted in sheltered beds, banks, or borders, where the friendly
shelter of overlianging branches has mitigated the force of frost and
wind. We have had as fine a display of Aconites, Snowdrops, Prim-
roses, Daffodils, and similar flowers as any one could desire, where
they are naturalised in masses principally under trees where the
turf is thin, and where little mowing is needed ; but as regards the
same class of plants in open freshly-dug beds, they have been so late
and so weatUerbcaten as to be scarcely presentable at any time.
Under such uncertain conditions of climate, our future attempts at
winter and spring bedding must eventually, I think, come to be con-
fined to fine foliaged plants more than Sowers, for, beautifid as beds of
J''orget-me-not now are, they are scarcely more attractive during
winter than masses of bare earth. But when a good selection
of dwarf siirubs, or trees in a young state, such as
many of the Conifers are contrasted as to colour, habit, &c., and
the soil is carpeted with spring flowers, a pleasing efl'ect is produced
tile whole sjason through. There is no need for exjierimenting with
half-hardy plants, as tlie best shrubs for the purpose, viz., Retino-
sporas, Cypresses, Aucubas, Berberries, &c., are as hardy as any plants
which we possess, and the flowering plants which we employ should
ouly consist of those that are in full bloom Ijefore May, even in the
latest seasons, otherwise they should be placed in the list of early
summer flowers. For this reason bulbs, such as Crocuses, early
Tidips, and Hyacinths, should be freely planted, and the earliest
v.irieties of Pansies, Arabis, Aubrietias, and similar trustworthy
early-flowering plants that give a bright look to the beds early in the
season sliouUl only be deemed adniissable for the spring flower
garden. Of course in any mixed arrangement that has not to be
cleared oft' at a given time, a much larger variety of plants would
be eligible, as when the mode of arrangement allows of a gradual
blending of the seasons by moving any plant that has completed its
allotted time and replacing it by one coming into bloom simultane-
ously, and when, in a season like the present, the flowering of spring
l>lants comes on the heels of those of early summer, a blank is made
tliat upsets the whole eft'ect. We cannot alter the seasons or the
efteet which they have on vegetation ; therefore the wisest course
would be to prepare beforehand for severe winters by only planting
frost-proof subjects, the variety of which available is sufticient to
satisfy the most extensive wants th.at are likely to arise.

Union. J. Geoom.

EOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE PLOWEK GAEDEN.

Bedding Violas. — I regret to find that the few remarks which
I made (p. 369) upon these beautiful spring and summer-bedding
plants should have called forth such a discordant note as that which
has emanated from "Cambrian." I gave my experience of these
Violas here in the south ; he, his knowledge of them under circum-
stances very dissimilar, and it is unfair to assume that, because cer-
tain kinds may not be good in liis locality, they >are not good else-
where. At the Chiswick trial of Violas, conducted for three years
in succession, Yellow Boy proved to be the earliest of all the yellow
kinds, beating all the northern varieties which were thei'e. Of the
two kinds named, lilacina and rubra lilacina, both of which "Cam-
brian " deprecates, I find that both were awarded first-class certifi-
cates at Chiswick, where they were exceedingly beautiful, and they
are the same hei'e every summer ; both furnish hues of colour pro-
duced by no other Violas. The Tory mentioned by "Cambrian"
does not class with the purple self kinds to which Cliveden Purple
and Mulberry belong ; it is of a bluish-purple hue, and is very good
in its way, but it is not one of the so-called purple section ; nor is it
blue, and in this respect it compares badly w'ith Blue Bell, Blue
King, Blue Beard, and others. Holyrood is a large, massive flower,
of an indigo-blue hue, and is better suited for classing with show
self Pansies than with bedding kinds, at least, such is its character
here. The most popular and most widely-gi'own Viola is Blue Bell,
and for constancy it has never been excelled. I send a few blooms
of the kinds just named, including the Tory and a beautiful yellow-
self, quite new, named Queen of Spring, sent out by Mr. Vertigans,
of Birmingham. — A. Dean. [The blooms received from Mr. Dean
were clear and decided in colour and very beautiful. The blues and
purples fully confirmed all he has stated respecting them, and
nothing eould j)0ssibly be brighter or more charming than some of
the yellows or better as regards substance.]

Wallflowers in Market Gardens.— We have had two bad
winters in succession for the blood-red Wallflower so largely gi'own
for market use. Last year late spring frosts so crippled the plants
that they died wholesale, and the worst crop of seed on record was
the result ; where pounds were looked for half ounces only were
obtained, and, as a consequence, the price has gone up enormously.
A large gi'ower here saved enough last summer, and only just enough
for his own sowing this spring. Early sowing on generally a fine day
in January is the rule, and it has followed that the seed either did
not germinate, or that the plants have disappeared under the com-
bined effects of cold and vermin. This cultivator and his neighbours
had hitherto sold and bought seed from each other at about 6s. per
lb., but none had any to spare. He therefore applied to other seeds-
men for seed of a good stock, and was informed that he would be
charged '2s. 6d. per oz., or at the rate of 403. per lb., and so scarce are
good strains that this is now Init a fair price. This spring, in addi-
tion to the difliculty in raising seeds, the grower finds that large
numbers of the plants have been killed, old or very early-planted
ones wholesale, and that the market for the flowers, owing to their
hav-ing burst out all at once, is a duU one. Looking to the high price
of seed, and the low prices commanded by the flowers, larger breadths
will be saved for seed this year, and therefore next spring the price
may be about an average one. I observe that in one or two gardens
considerable bi-eadths of the new rose-purple kind of Continental
origin are being grown, and that they look exceedingly effective, but
whether they will fetch good prices or not remains to be seen.
Market folks are eminently conservative in their likings, and it is
exceedingly difticult to get any good new plant into a remunerative
sale. — A. D.

Crown Imperials. — Permit me to thank "H. P." (p. 369) for
his kind invitation. I hope to see him some day, and am antici-
pating much pleasure and profit from the interview. But he has
mistaken the object I liad in view ; I had no thought of self-glorifi-
cation, and the allusion to the number of flowers and the height of
the stems, was merely to show how beautiful t'rown Imperials are
with only ordinary border treatment ; indeed, I found, on looking
closer at the groups, that I had understated both their height and
the number of flowers which they bore. But my sole motive was to
recommend their culture, as I find, from questions frequently asked,
that scarcely one person in a dozen even knows what they are ; and
yet there are but few plants when in flower that produce a greater
impression upon all who see tliem. — E. Hobday.

Hardy Japan Primulas. — I observe that Mr. Douglas dis-
courages the planting of the varieties of Primula amama in the open
ground, as the flowers and leaves are fragile and liable to be injured
by winds. It is worthy of note, however, that these plants are per-
fectly hardy, a quantity here of various kinds ha\'ing been exposed
in pots all the winter mthout protection of any kind, and not one
has been injured, although in ^some cases the pots were split all to

May 17, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

291

pieces. As to suitability for planting out, it is also worthy of remark
that when planted out they produce leaves and flowers much later
than when grown under glass ; the flower-stems are shorter and
stouter, and the plant accommodates itself better to its position
than it would do under different circumstances. Planted in sheltered
spots and in nooks on rockwork, clumps of these Primulas would
prove extremely beautiful during the month of May. — A. D.

Hardiness of the Va-
riegated New ZeSjIand

Flax. — Amongst cultivated
plants we from time to time
meet with exceptional instances
in individuals that on account
of their hardiness, or other
properties, stand in direct op-
position to our preconceived
opinions fonnedupon data gene-
rally reliable. Variegation, be
it disease in the strict sense of
the term, as some maintain, or,
otherwise as held by those who
point to the continued vitality
exliibited by many of the long-
est known examples existent
amongst cultivated subjects in
this state, is still usually found
to bear with it a weakened con-
dition of the plant so affected
that shows itself in some way or
other, often through less endur-
ance of the leaves proportionate
with the more or less absence
of green colour present. The
plant under notice (Phormium
tenax) in its normal and varie-
gated state has this winter
stood out of doors in many
places, and has afforded con-
clusive evidence that in its
case variegation is not accom-
panied with an enfeebled con-
dition ; for, in every instance
of which I liave heard, the va-
riegated form has withstood
the winter better than the
green one. It is gratifying
to learn that this stately
plant in any form can, with
slight protection, be enabled to
bear a hard winter, if only in
the more southern parts of the
kingdom. And the fact of its
being hardier in the variegated
than in the green state opens
up further ground for consider-
ing the interesting subject of
variegation in general. — T.
Baine.s.

New AUium.— A very
handsome addition to our list
of hardy bulbous plants is A.
Erdeli, figured in the current
issue of the "Botanical Maga-
zine " (t. 6426). It is dwarf
in habit, being not more than
9 in. high when fully grown.
The leaves are broad and
glaucous, and produced in a
rosette on the surface of the
ground. The flower - stem,
whicli is stout, is tenninated

The " Water Lily of the Xew Zealand .Shepherds " (Ranunculus Lyalli).
As exhibited by Messrs. Veiteh & Sons at South Kensington on the 13th inst.

by a dense head of blossom, about 1 in. across, toothed at the
edges, and pure white in colour, which contrasts admirably with
the bright claret-purple tint of the centre and pale yellow anthers.
It IS a native of Palestine, extending along the Lebanon range to
Jerusalem. It is perfectly hardy and of the easiest culture. It may
be propagated by means of numerous small bulblets which detach
themselves armually from the mature bulbs. — W. G.

Chrysanthemums.— To grow these really well in borders, they
should never stand longer than a year without being renewed or re-
planted, and instead of a large number of stems being allowed to
start up together, they should l)e limited to three or four at
most. Being naturally of a gross-feeding nature, it is necessaiy that
the ground where they are to be planted be deeply trenched.— G.

EANUNCULUS LYALLI.

At last this long-heard-of plant, known as the ' ' Water Lily of the
Shepherds, of New Zealand," has flowered and been exhibited
for the first time in Europe, the honour of doing which belongs to
Messrs. Veiteh, who exhibited it in a flowering state at the Royal
Horticultural Society's meeting on Tuesday last, having successfully

imported it iu quantity through
Mr. Peter Veiteh, to whom
our collections are indebted for
so many rare and beautiful
acquisitions. Asa species, it is
allied to the very few which
are characterised by their
shield-like leaves of leathery
texture and by erect stems,
the blossoms being white or
cream-coloured. The Chelsea
specimens are necessarily in an
immatux-e state of develop-
ment, and in their present con-
dition they considerably re-
sendjle Nelumbium speciosum
in miniature, except that the
flowers are of the purest white,
•with a central tuft of golden-
yellow stamens, which much
enhance their chaste beauty.
Its native habitat is in moist
places in the Southern Alps of
the Middle Island, where it is
said to attain a great size, the
leaves measuring 15 in. in dia-
meter, and the flowers 4 in.
across. As it is found at con-
siderable elevations, we may
presume it is quite hardy iu our
climate, and now that such
satisfactory success has at-
tended its culture, after so
many repeated attempts at va-
rious times to gi'ow it, we
hope that such a desirable
acquisition will never hereafter
be lost to our gardens.

W. (i.

Hellebores in Pots.—

Although these will gi-ow al-
most anywhere, or in any soil
and situation, nothing pays
better for a little care and at-
tention at starting ; and the
plants are of such an exceed-
ingly useful character as to be
quite deserving whatever la-
bour may be expended on
them, for it may truly be said
of the Christmas Rose when
well gi-own, that you may ' ' cut
and come again,'' and the
flowers are of that lasting,
enduring nature as to be almost
unrivalled by any other. Their
value, as pot plants for win-
dow or greenhouse decoration,
is scarcely second to any at the
season they come in ; this is
a purpose for which they are
deserving a much more ex-
tended cultivation than they
now receive, as they may be
lifted from the ground towards the end of November, and placed
away any\\-here in a cold frame till they get into bloom. For patches
to stand permanently there is no better place than tlxe margins of
Rhododendron beds, as there the soil is of th.at description as to suit
their wants, and they can remain without disturbance, and be much
better circumstanced than they would be iu mixed beds or borders.
Till I obtained a few plants of H. niger maximus, I was under the
impression that the Christmas Rose was a slow plant to propagate ;
but I have not found it so with that variety, as in the space of a
little over a year I have got quite a stock, and this might now be
considerably increased. I note that numbers of seedlings have been
raised, but as yet I have been unable to get a single pod, although
I have tried artificial fertilisation. — D.

392

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 17, 1879.

=3

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Spring Crops and Slugs— The present spring has proveJ
thiit hard winters are not destructive to slugs. Our land is as badly
infested with them as it was last season, and sonie liundredsof young
Lettuce ])Iants have l)een sacrificed by them this spring. Tlie best
remedy we have tried for protecting seeds from slugs is sawdust ;
iiotliiug Ijaffles tliem like this laid on the beds aliout I in. thick ; no
slug will pass over it, and it is nearly equal to Cocoa-fibre as regards
waruith and conservative power. With the bitter experience of the
l)resent spring, it belioves all who have frames at tlieir command to
make free use of them for sowing and forwarding all kinds of vege-
table crops that will bear transplanting ; by doing so we have, at the
jiresent time, thousands of strong plants nearly tit for going into
their permanent quarters. — J. Roeert.s, Gunnerahuri/,

The Broccoli Crop. — Broccoli heads this year are small, and,
as a consequence, plants tliat have been so far spared by the
severe winter will produce but a poor crop. Market growers who
■were persuading themselves that at least they would have some good
Bro:;coli to scud to market are now discovering tliat the heads are
mere buttons, and, in cutting, find that the centre or pith of the
stems is blackened and destroyed. This is inevitable when hard
"winters prevail, and it serves to illustrate the vicissitudes to which
market gardening is subject. The early spring was full of hope, but
this the past two months have blighted. Nothing grows, and seed-
Lngs are fast vanishing from sight. — A. D.

Dry Fern and Straw for Protecting.— During the past

■winter the weather has Ijeen of such a character, as to prove what is
the best materials for jirotecting purposes. Early in December last
I covered some rows of Celery ; half of them was covered with dry
Fern, and half with dry, long litter fresh from the stable, and when
we came to dig the Celery, tlmt which was protected with Fern had
scarcely a bad stick, wliile tliat wliich was protected by Straw was
two parts out of three rotten, all being side by side planted at the
same time and the same sort, namely, Sulham Prize Pink. This I
find to be a good Celery. — J. C.

Orange Jelly Turnips. — The past winter has tried Turnips
as well as other tilings, especially those that were sown late to stand
through the winter for use in spring. I sowed three sorts. Early
Six Weeks, Snowball, and Orange Jelly ; the last has proved much
the hardiest. While the two first got cut badly and many rotted, this
stood uninjured, although sown side by side and at the same time.
Some do not like it because of its yellow look when cooked, but that
is no detriment. I would recommend all who have not grown it to
give it a trial. — J. C, Farnboromjh,

The Witloof. — This is not a new vegetable, but although ex-
tremely eominou in many parts of the Continent it is scarcely known
in this country : it is a plant of the easiest cultivation. Sow in rows
1 ft. apart, about the middle of this month, not earlier, as it is very
apt to run to seed ; thin out the plants to 8 in. apart in the rows,
keep the ground well hoed and clean throughout the gi'owing season ;
between the rows give at stated intervals good soakings of liquid
manure. When the plant is in vigorous gi'owth take up a few when
required, cutting off the green tops. As winter approaches, place
three to six roots in a large pot, filling it up with mould, and with a
smaller sized pot cover it up closely to prevent light from getting in,
and place the pot in heat, or in a warm cellar. In about three
■weeks it will have produced fine tender-leaved heads of a pale yellow
colour, equally good to be eaten as a salad or boiled. — B.

EFFECTS OF THE WINTER IN ANTRIM.

1 n.WE read "with interest "O.'s" account (p. 370) of the effects of
the winter in the south-east of Ireland ; perhaps I may be permitted
to add a little from the north-west. Contrary to "0.," we have
here for the most part a soil inclined to be heavy, and almost wholly
resting on limestone, of which there are extensive quarries close to
us. Like others, we have lost many plants on walls ; the blue Pas-
sion-flower (Passiflora ccerulea) on southern and other aspects is
entirely killed. Escallonianiacrantha, Leycesteriaformosa, audMagno-
lia grandiflora'are killed to the gi-ound, but will mostly push again from
the bottom. Three years ago I planted out in a sheltered nook
a good sized plant of the Magnolia from a pot ; it grew well
until last -M'inter, when it succumbed. Shrubby Veronicas, Sweet
Bays, Laurustinus, White Broom, a hedge of Berberis Darwini, large
clumps of Pampas Grass and Tritoma Uvaria, are all killed ou°t-
right, except the last-named, which may push again from the roots.
Many bnanches of the common Laurel are killed, especially where
they formed an arbour over walks ; no doubt the result of cold
draughts. Welliugtouias, Taxodiums, and others are badly hurt. In

mixed borders all Antirrhinums, Stocks, and most of the Wallflowers
are gone ; of the latter Belvoir Castle has stood the best. Beds of
Primula japonica (with some I have heard not quite hardy) have
stood here with impunity, and are now showing flower strongly. The
kitchen garden suffered severely. Broccoli, consisting of such hardy
sorts as Alexandra, Cattell's Eclipse, &c.. Savoys, Winter Greens,
Parsley, and Sage, were killed ; the only vegetable which survived
here was Brussels Sprouts. All through the spring the weather has
been of the most adverse character, and, I fear, will prove injurious
to tender wall fruit. We have had an excellent bloom on Peaches
and Nectarines here on south walls, but, unfortunately, at that time,
we had nightly 10' and 12' of frost, and now Plums, Cherries, and
Pears on warm w.alls are as white as snow, tlie two former past their
best as regards blossom. It will be the end of the month and into
June ere standards of the same and Apples will expand their blos-
soms. S. K.
7'emplepatrick.

Shelter for Fruit Trees. — This is a subject that deserves
serious consideration from all who contem]ilate forming new planta-
tions of fruit trees, and "A. D." (p. 3.S5) has done good service in
directing attention to it. Several instances came under my notice
last sununer, where excellent crops of fruit were had from Apples,
Pears, and Plums, which were clearly traceable to the excellent
shelter that surrounded the trees. — J. R., Oimnersbury.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

The Vine "Weevil. — Having been much pestered with this
weevil, I was much interested in reading such a full description
of its habits as that which appeared in The Garden a short time
since, and as it is considered so difficult to exterminate, it may be of
use to others if I mention how we deal with it here. Tlie place most
infested was a Vinery, where the larv;B did great damage to the roots
of the Vines, but, having to make a fresh border, they were cleared
out with the soil, and by watching closely for any feeding by night
we have been pretty free from them since. Last year by some means
or other a few of the beetles found their way into a large Peach
house, where they began feasting on the leaves, but by placing a white
cloth under the trellis and giving the trees a shake we soon got rid of
them. Although others have just lately made their appearance, these
are very minute, having evidently just changed from the larva state,
and by laying the disbudded shoots in small heaps on the set-off of
the back wall, they get under, where they are found in the morning
and quickly despatched. By following them up in this way before
they are old enough to breed, I do not anticipate any further trouble
with them, and if others who have them m ill adopt the same means
to entrap them, I have no doubt that they will soon effect an entire
clearance, as I am hopeful we have now done. — S. D.

Sparrows and Primrose Bloom. — Sparrows have picked

oft' the blossoms of Primroses this spring by thousands ; they do not
eat them, but leave them lying on the ground as if cut off with a pair
of scissors. I find, too, that sparrows have been visiting the Goose-
berry and Currant bushes in some orchards, destroying the flowers
in the same manner as those of the Primroses. The inclement
season, I presume, has made their ordinary food scarce, and there-
fore they attack the first eatable sulistitute that presents itself ; at
all events I do not remember such wholesale destruction of Primrose
blooms before. — J. GiiooM.

The Goat Moth. — I notice a misprint in the article which I
sent you on this moth in Vol. XIV. (p. 366) ; the word "salt" is
used instead of "soot." Kindly make this correction. Salt may
do harm. — R. M.

A Good Use for Old Logs. — With very little trouble
hollow logs can be made to serve a good purpose in the rustic decora-
tion of lawns. A section of a hollow tree, from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in
diameter, with a solid rim from 2 in. to i in. thick, when cut to a
length of about 2 ft., set upon end in any desirable spot and
filled with good soil, makes a good receptacle for either seeds or
plants. Should a larger surface for planting be required a section
may easily be cut 6 ft. or 8 ft. in length, and divided lengthwise
some distance above the centre. Then strips may be nailed across
the ends of the larger part, and the hollow filled up with earth, and
planted with Petunias and Verbenas, or a strip through the centre
may be devoted to low-growing annuals, and the sides and ends to
trailing plants. Leave the bark on, and in the split section bore
small holes in the bottom for drainage. When plants in these are
well established they are very ornamental. — " Rural New Yorker."

May 17, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

393

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — Owing to our keeping the frames a little closer than
we have been doing, and removing some of the pots into a warmer
house, we have been a little earlier than we otherwise would have
been in getting the blooms open, and the continued cold weather has
retardeil the later sorts so much that we have a good bloom yet.
Out-of-doors the finer varieties of the Alpine section are now at their
verj- best ; the colours are more brilliant than those under glass, and
varieties that have shaded edges under glass are not shaded in the
open air ; this is not invariably tlie case, but it is so with some sorts.
These hardy Auriculas are not much injured by the weather, and
have cerainly an exceedingly fine effect amongst Primroses, Anemones,
Muscari, spring-ficwering Saxifrages, and other plants that are in
blossom early in May. Most of the growers are now busy repotting,
and directions have been given in previous numbers as to the method
of procedure. After repotting the frame should be kept close for a
few days, and the plants must be sliaded from bright sunshine ; the
offsets must be kept quite close, especially such as have no roots. I
generally place them under a handlight, and then place small bell-
glasses over them to keep out the air.

Carnations and PicoteeS. — We have not yet placed pots
of tliese intended for exliibition out-of-doors. The Mcather has
hitherto been so cold and the frosts so sharp as to quite stop the
growth of the plants, and seriously cripple them. Keep the pots
free from weeds and the plants from insect pests. If it be intended
to flower any of them about three weeks earlier than usual, it will be
necessary to place the pots at once in a rather warm house. Blooms
of the perpetual-flowering section ought now to be plentiful, and
tliey should be freely produced until after midsummer, for, as the
leading flowers die off, the lateral growths push up and continue to
produce flowers, though of smaller size, hence the term perpetual-
flowering. Young plants must not now be neglected, as they are not
unlikely to be, owing to the pressure of work at this season. A
cold frame or a cool airy house is the best place for them until the
weather becomes warmer.

Dahlias. — Plants of these ought now to be quite ready for
planting out, luit as yet it would not be safe to do so. The plants
should be in pots sufficiently large to prevent their becoming root-
bound, and so far apart from each other that they will not become
drawn. Admit air freely, removing the lights altogetlier when the
weather permits. See tliat none of tlie plants sutter from want of
water, and apply it in tlie morning in preference to the evening while
the temperature is so low. The border for the plants may again be
forked over.

Pinks and Pansies in Beds. — The growth of these show

consideralile im]irovemeut. Pansies were looking so unhappy some
time ago that we had tliem taken up and replanted. The surface of
the Pink beds has been stirred with a small hoe, and since that
considerable gi'owth has been made. The plants are quite healthy, and
it only requires warmth to induce good growth which will produce
plenty of flowers, though late.

Forcing Pinks- — These belong to quite a distinct type from
the laced section with white grounds. Anne Boleyn is a good and
useful sort, and of newer varieties we have Derby Day, Lord Lyons,
and Lady Blanche, the latter a jiure white variety with smooth
flowers ; it is by far the best of the white sorts. Now is a good time to
put in pipings of them. I generally strike them in a hotbed on a
very gentle Ijottom heat. The frame should be kept rather close
until the cuttings are rooted, when air should be given more freely
without moving the pots from the positions which they occupy for a
week. When fairly established plant them out in the open border
ontil the last week in September, when they should be taken up and
potted in good soil, and the pots should be placed in a cold frame
until they ai'c wanted to be placed in the forcing house.

Polyanthuses. — These seem to delight in cold weather ; their
blooms in the open border appear to be quite uninjured, the colours
coming out in their richest hues ; our only trouble is the sparrows,
which will not let the blooms alone. The plants in pots seemed as if
they would exhaust themselves with the production of flowers, and
as there is abundance outside, we picked the flowers off the pot plants
and planted the whole of them out in rich soil ; there they ivill be no
source of trouble until it is time to pot them again in autumn.

Aquilegfias. — We grow nearly a hundred of these in pots, and
so far they have caused but little inconvenience, except watering
them when necessary. Now they force themselves upon one's
attention, as the flower-spikes are rising strongly. No one who has
•nly seen the finer species and varieties of these in the open border
can form any idea of their delicate beauty when grown in pots, A.

ccerulea is particularly beautiful, an<l the golden-yellow flowers of
A. chrysantha have an excellent efl'ect either singly or in masses. Give
them plenty of air, water freely at the roots, and syringe to keep the
leaves clear of red spider. — J. Douglas.

Stove.
Continuous Summer Blopming Plants.— Such subjects

as have a natural haljit of flowering for a long period during tile
summer months, or of producing gi'owth and flowers alternately at
difl'eient times during that season, now require sucli attention as will
further their disposition in that respect. AUamandas giown in pots
and tubs, if, treated in accordance with their requirements, will now be
well furnished with bloom, and, as already recommended, they must
be regularly supplied with stimulants, otherwise tliere wouUl be a
deficiency of the continued vigorous growth indispensable to tlie full
production of flowers. The same applies to plants that are turned
out, but that have limited root-space ; in their case a surface dressing
composed of one-half rotten manure, the other sandy loam, will be
found very useful, as the enriching elements which it contains will
get washed down to the roots in the operation of watering. Similar
treatment as regards manure waterwill answerfor Aristolocliias, Passi-
floras, Dipladenias, and the strong-growing Thunbergias, and such as
are planted out should be surface-dressed.

Hibiscus Sinensis. — Of this there are several varieties, all of
which have naturally such a free flowering disposition, tliat they will
bloom in a very small state ; consequently, they are alike useful ia
small and large houses. Both the double and single varieties are
alike handsome. One considerable advantage attaclieil to the plants
is that they will bear cutting in to almost any extent, their free
habit of growth enabling them to break out and grow away after
being headed in much quicker than most hard-wooded plants. A few
large specimens may be grown on to occujiy the centre or most pro-
minent position in large stoves, but small or medium-sized plants will
generally be the most useful ; they should therefore l>e propagated
by putting in a few cuttings two or three times during the year.
Points of the shoots 4 in. or 5 in. in length, or young lireaks from
plants that have been cut in taken off witli a heel, will root with
ordinary treatment in a few weeks. They will succeed in either peat
or loam, but where free-growing subjects are thus accommodating,
loam of a gooi'. free description is usually the best, as in it they mostly
have a freer disposition to flower.

Stephanotis. — When planted out with a moderate root-run,
and room for the head to extend sufficiently in a somewhat cooler
and drier atmosphere than the generality of warm stove plants
require, the Stephanotis will bear much the greatest amount of
flower, and individual plants of it will keep on producing succes-
sional bloom much longer than when grown in pots ; yet for con-
servatory decoration — for wliich purpose from its agreeable perfume
it is so well adapted — there is an advantage in growing some in pots,
as under this system of cultivation the time of their flowering can
be regulated, and they can be transferred during the summer months
to structures, where the heat is not sufficient to gi-ow them con-
tinuously ; but where they have to be placed whilst in bloom, even
during the warmest months of summer, in conservatories and green-
houses, I have found it well to bring them on into flower a little
slower, and to gradually inure them to tlie lower temperature before
the blooms were expanded, as in this way they will last very much
longer than if allowed to open in strong heat, and afterwards trans-
ferred to cooler quarters. The Stephanotis is so accommodating,
that it will succeed in a lower temperature both summer and winter
than that in which many people ever try it. It can be grown in a .
house not kept higher than from 45° to 48° through the winter, and
during the summer months with somewhat less artificial warmth
than is usually considered necessary for the majority of intermediate
house plants. Thus treated and kept in pots 10 in. or 12 in. in
diameter, without disturbance for years, they will not make shoots
more than 5 ft. or 6 ft. in length during the season, but will bloom
from almost every joint, the flowers lasting double the length of
time they will when grown hotter. Managed in this way, they will
ordinarily not open their blooms before June, but will make beau-
tiful objects for greenhouse decoration, a purpose for which they
require no further training than running the shoots temporarily
round a few sticks. After the flowering is over they may be slightly
cut in and replaced in their regular quarters ; the growing shoots
should then be trained near the glass, and there allowed to remain
until ready for being similarly employed the succeeding season. By
the use of manure-water whilst growth is being made after flowering,
I have had plants in a satisfactory condition in the same pots for
five or six years without any renewal of the soil. I have gone thus
far into detail with this method of growing this plant on account of
an impression which often exists, that it cannot be cultivated with-
out more heat than some have at command ; but when grown as just
described, it can be kept without any loss of leaf through the winter

394

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

in a lower temperature than it will bear if grown in hotter quarters
during tlie summer.

Potting Newly-struck Plants.— Cuttings of the more
generally-grown climbing and bushy-habited stove plants recom-
mended to be put in al)out the end of March will now be well rooted
and have got sufficiently inured to the full air of the house to admit
of their being potted. As to the time when such work should be
carried out, I have found it best to steer between two courses, the
one of moving the plants too soon from the little pots or pans in
which they were struck, and the other, which is still worse, of letting
them remain until their roots had got mucli entangled and tlie wood
in a somewhat hardened condition, in which latter case the after-
growth is never so free as it otherwise would be. The great point
with stove plants, the majority of which are quick gi'owers, is to
keep them during their early stages sufficiently near the glass to
counteract the natural disposition of a moist, close atmosphere to
induce extension at the expense of that solid, short-jointed, and
robust growth which is essential to vigorous health and ultimate
free-flowering. As to soil, those plants that will grow in loam, espe-
cially in stoves where a strong heat is maintained, will generally
flower freer in it than in peat, consequently it is Ijetter in such cases
to use loam ; but I would by no means recommend its employ-
ment for plants that have their gro'ivth unduly restricted ; for in-
stance, in the case of Dipladenias, for which it is sometimes recom-
mended, the results are so far against it, th.at the best flowered ex-
amples out of the many I have seen when gi'own in loam have not
more than half equalled the same species or varieties when gTOwn in
peat.

Bouvardias. — Wherever there is a continuous supply of cut
flowers required through the autumn and winter, these pl.ants will
be found to play a most important part in furnishing it, that is, if
they be really well gTOwn, but on this very much depends. Where
grown strongly and vigorously, if kept sufficiently warm through the
winter, they will, as the first flowers produced from the points of
the shoots are removed, keep on yielding a succession of bunches
from three or four of the lower joints one after the other as they are
cut, whereas if indifferently treated, and the shoots are comparatively
weak, not only are the trusses of flowers produced proportionately
small, but tlae successional yield is likewise little ; consequently,
when grown from cuttings struck in the spring up to a blooming size
in the course of the summer no time admits of being lost. Cuttings
put in in March will by this time have made considerable progress,
and should now be ready for transferring singly to 3-in. pots. If the
treatment has been such as recommended, the superiority of the
plants produced from root-cuttings over those that are made
from the young shoots will be apparent. The points of the
growths should be nipped out in order to induce them to
break freely. They will succeed in either peat or loam, but
where the latter is to be had of good quality, and to it is added some
well-rotted leaf-mould, sand, and fully decomposed manure, a mix-
ture will be formed that wili push them on in the way desired. They
should be kept in a warm, genial, temperature witli a moderately
moist atmosphere, plenty of light, air in the middle of the day, and
a thin shade from bright sunshine, until they have got fully esta-
blished. B. A'reelandi, one of the dwarf est and most compact of
Bouvardias and a very free-flowerer ; B. jasminoides, white and free
in regard to gi'owth ; B. Humboldti corymbiflora, white, with very
large flowers and bunches ; B. Hogarth, scarlet ; and B. elegans, also
scarlet, finer and larger than Hogarth, from which I believe it is a
sport, will all be found sterling kinds. Plants tliat were cut back
. some time ago, and which have now broken freely, if not already par-
tially shaken out and repotted, will be in a condition to be treated in
that w.ay, using compost like that recommended for the younger
stock, but in the case of these there is no need to push their growth
on so fast as the young plants, for, ha\dng all the season before them,
they have time sufficient to attain a size large enough to be conve-
nient.

Gesneras. — The rich-veined velvety-leaved section of these,
which, independent of their handsome foliage, form such conspicuous
objects when in flower, should be stai-ted at two different times with
a view to affording a succession, commencing with those first that
bloomed the earliest, and that have thei-efore been the longest at rest.
If the bulbs have been allowed to remain in the pots in which they were
grown, the soil permitted to become dry, .and they have been stowed
away in a situation sufficiently warm to keep tliem in a he.althy state,
they will now be fresh and plump, or if removed from tlie pots and kept
in dry sand in alike temperature, they will be in good condition for
starting ; they should therefore be placed in pots or pans, drained and
filled with light open peaty soil or loam with wliich has been in-
corporated a liberal quantity of leaf mould and sand, keeping the soil
m rather a dry state until they have commenced to grow, or there is
dajiger of their scaly roots rotting. They should be covered about
i in., not more, and put in a moderate stove temperature, and when

the shoots h.ave appeared 1 in. or 2 in. above the soil they should
be moved singly into 3-iu. pots.

Luculia gratissima. — Tliis splendid autumn-flowering plant,
though comparatively insignificant in a small state compared with
what it is when planted out so as to cover an end wall, or other
position that admits of larger developement, is, nevertlieless, very
effective gi'own in the form of moderate-sized specimens in pots ; a
way in which it is especially useful where there is a warm con-
servatory. Small plants that have been headed back after flowering,
partially shaken out and repotted, will now be in a condition to
move into others of a larger size, in which they are to bloom, giving
them good turfy loam, to which has been added a fair sprinkling of
sand. If any of the shoots show a disposition to so far take the
lead as to impoverish the rest, they should jiave their points pinched
out, and the branches of all ought to be slightly tied out so as to
gdve each sufficient room ; keep them well up to the light, and do
all that is possible to encourage strong gi-owth, for upon this and its
being well matured depends the ability of the plants to flower satis-
factorily. Old-established plants of this Luculia, used for penna-
nently covering back or end walls, that have been cut back after
they have done blooming, should, as soon as the yoimg growth
begins to move freely, be well supplied witli manure-water, or when
this or jilants of a similar character are growm in conservatories or
other structures, in which the smell from liquid of this description
would be objectionable, a good sprinkling of Standen's manure will
be found to answer all purposes. It needs nothing more than to be
scattered on the .surface, as the invigorating elements which it con-
tains will be washed down in the ordinary process of watering. —
T. Baines.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — If, in successful Vine culture, one matter demands a
larger share of attention than another it is the constant battle which
we have to wage with insect pests ; and amongst these red spider
and thi-ips are the most formidable. The latter, if taken in time,
can be efl'ectually exterminated by fumigation, but the former does
not yield so readily when once it has gained a footing, and this
shows how important it is to adopt preventive measures. These
consist in keeping the roots well supplied with moisture and nourish-
ment, the atmosphere charged with ammonia, at all events during
the earlier stages of gi'owtli, and judicious and regiilar ventilation.
A check through inattention to any of these matters is not unfre-
quently instrumental in producing bad results. Watchfulness in
regard to such matters is more especially necessary this season, con-
sidering the amount of artificial heat that has been required in order
to maintain anything like a gi'owing temperature, and the conse-
quent aridity of atmosphere and surface drought of borders. If
red spider has already appeared, first look to the conditions here
indicated, and then sponge the affected foliage with soapy water.
The much belauded remedy of applying sulphur to the pipes is as
useless as it is dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Late
Vines will now or shortly be in flower, and to make assurance doubly
sure, frequently tap the rods, in order to disperse the pollen. Mus-
cat Hamburgh, Mrs. Pince, Muscat of Alexandria, and Lady Downes,
if gone over separately with a camel's-hair pencil charged with pollen
from other varieties, will not only set more freely, but will swell
more evenly. Take oft' all superfluous bunches before they are in
flower ; what .are left will set more freely, and the laterals should
also be stopped at the same time, as gi'owth should continue unre-
stricted dui'ing the time of flowering. If the borders be in
any way dry, water liber.ally with warm water. One is constantly
being asked how often and wlien do you water your inside borders ?
but it is not possible to satisfactorily answer such questions ; all
that can be said is that they may be watered freely provided
the drainage be good, and at any time rather than they
should suffer in the least from drought. Of course, the most
unobservant would know better than to produce excessive atmo-
spheric moisture by watering atthe time when the Vines are in flower,
and when they require a somewhat dry air in which to set their
fruit freely. Intermediate Vineries will now need daily attention to
tying down, regulating, pinching the shoots, and thinning out the
berries. This latter work will not permit of procrastination, nor
indeed will the former without injurious results. If lateral growths
be left to develop into a thicket of foliage and shoots that have
eventually to be removed wholesale, one need not wonder if shank-
ing ensues. Grapes colouring should have free ventilation during
all weathers, .and if dull fires must be kept up, higli night tem-
peratures should be avoided. If there be any danger of the border
getting dry do not scruple to water, even though the Crapes are ripe ;
such watering will not harm them if abundance of air be afterwards
given to carry oft' excessive moisture. Outside borders that have
been artificially protected should now have tlie covering material
removed, the soil pointed over, and to prevent cracking, a coating

May 17, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

895

a couple of inches thick of horse droppiugs should be applied.
Where shutters or other water-tight coverings have been used water-
ing may be requisite, therefore the borders should be examined, for,
though the present crop may have finished perfectly, it should be
remembered that next season's fruit is, so to speak, manufactured
this season, and it there be any lack of water now the consequences
■will beappareiitenoughnextseason, inasmuch as tendril-like "shows"
will be produced in lieu of well-developed ones. As soon as recently-
planted Vines have taken a firm hold of the soil, free growth should
be encouraged by closing the ventilators early on sunny days and
running up the temperature to 90°. Syringe both Vines, walls, and
floors at the time of closing, and conserve the moisture in the border
by keeping it well mulched with stable litter.

Pines. — After such a protracted sunless time as that which we
have had, as soon as bright days occur, recourse must be had to
shading till the plants get inured to the change. The two or three
sunny days which we liave had have already browned the foliage of
the sturdiest plants, and, though shading is not desirable, it is better
to employ it than to have the foliage scorched. Supply those plants
that are swelling off fruit 'svith liberal quantities of tepid manure
water, and keep up abimdant atmospheric moisture by means of
frequently damping the floors and walls, and keep the evaporating
pans charging with manure water. Autumn fruiters ought now to be
showing, and as soon as this is perceived, well soak them, and in-
crease the bottom heat to 90'. Any that are required to sliow should
still be kept dry ; a check in that way \vill soon have the desired
effect, i.e., if the growtli has been matured. Pot on succession
plants ; they should never be allowed to get pot-bound till growi;!! has
been completed, and then sucli I'estriction is desirable.

Peaches and Nectarines. — The earliest kinds of these now
ripening should be exposeil to a free circulation of air, in order to
give them flavour ; therefore, if the cold weather which wo
are now having continues, firing will still be required, in order that
the desired ventilation may be given. Pinch ofl" or tie aside all
leaves that shade the fruit, and stop all unnecessary growths, an
operation which will have a marked effect on the swelling of
the fruit. Discontinue syringing, but still maintain a moist atmo-
sphere in order to keep down red spider. The shoots in succession
houses will require tying in, and only a sutficiency should be reserved
for next year's fruiting. Any others would onlj' have to be removed
at the winter pruning, and in the meantime would exclude the per-
manent shoots from that full exposure which is necessary for the
formation of vigorous fruit buds. Inside borders require abundant
supplies of tepid water, and after this has Ijeen given, mulch them
with stable litter, in order to prevent too rapid evaporation, and to
conserve the heat communicated. Late houses may now be finally
disbudded ; all surplus fruit may be pulled off at once, and there
need then be no fear of failure at stoning time ; it is leaving them on
so long and in such numbers which nine times out of ten causes
failure at this stage. Watei- l)orders liljerally, and syringe the trees
vigorously, to keep down spider, and for green or black fly, fumigate
with Tobacco paper the moment any are observed.

Figs. — The first supply of fruit is usuallj- obtained from trees in
pots, a system of culture which has many advantages, and which is,
perhaps, the best for an early supply, but it has also its disadvan-
tages, and of these one of the gi-eatest is that fine flavour as regards
the first crop is almost an impossibility without seriously damaging
the prospects of a second crop. Owing to the root space being so
circumscribed, and the demands made by both foliage and fruit so
large, frequent waterings become a necessity, in order that the fruit
may gain that fulness of flavour that can only be imparted by a par-
tial withliolding of water and full exposure to sunshine, both of
which conditions, under the circumstances, would be inimicable to
the second crop ; therefore, recourse umst be had to what I shall
call compromissorial treatment, that is, the pots should be plunged
in a bed of leaves, when less water would be required, and, when
necessary, it should be applied freely, after which tliickly cover the
surface of the pots with droppings, to prolong the necessity for
further watering as long as possible. The fruits should be gathered
the moment they show the least symptoms of cracking, and they
will then keep for three or four days in good condition. As soon as
all are gathered remove the old top-dressing and substitute fresh,
rich compost. Recommence syringing and water freely with liquid
manure, and if red spider has gained a lodgment, syringe the foliage
with a weak solution of the same liquid. Old and free-bearing trees
in open borders cannot have too generous treatment ; shut up early,
well ply the syringe, and keep the growths restricted by pinching
a few of them at intervals of a few days, a practice which insures
successional supplies of early autumn fruit.

Melons. — Plants swelling off their fruit will require careful
management as regards watering, as an overdose might induce split-
ting, whilst a meagre supply would be a sure precursor of red spider,

which soon destroys the foliage, and unless this continues good to
the last the fruit will be flavourless and insipid. It is therefore a
good plan to cover the bed with non-conducting material, which, as
a matter of course, prevents the too rapid evaporation of moistiire
and the necessity for frequent waterings. Klevate the fruit above
the foliage in order that it may receive the full benefit derivable
from light and air. Succession plants should be encouraged to make
fruitful rather than free gi'owth ; plenty of air on all favom-able
occasions, with a medium amount of air moisture, will insure the
former, whilst a close, muggy atmosphere will as certainly insure
the latter, but there will be no fruit. Plant out for tlie late sum-
mer's supply, and make another sowing if the plants cannot be
depended on for successional fruiting.

Kitchen Garden.

Nothing can make satisfactory gTOwth or progress whilst the wea-
ther continues so cold as it now is, and, unfortunately, at present —
May lOtli — there are no indications of a change ; it will therefore be
necessary to continue protection to all tender vegetables, by way of
accelerating gi-owth. Peas should be screened from the north-east
wind by evergi-een boughs ; Carrots and Radishes in open borders,
by placing over them Hazel spray ; and Cauliflowers that have
recently been planted out, by drawing the soil well up to them.
Potatoes and French Beans, as they emerge from the ground, should
for the present have tlie soil drawn quite over them, and those that
have got too higli for that sliould be covered with litter, so long as
frost seems likely to occur. All such labour may seem to some
unnecessary, but it is not so, as it frequently saves the crops on
which it is bestowed, and certainly this season early crops are
required, considering the general slaughter which the winter has
made amongst all culinaiy plants. Easterly winds, cold though they
be. have some redeeming qualities, and one of them is drying the
soil, wliich lias allowed surface-stirring amongst seedling crops, and
also bringing up arrears as regards Potato planting and seed sowing,
such as Carrots, Beet, Broccoli, and winter greens generally, all of
which, if not yet sown, should have early attention, as should also
tlie sowing of French Beans and Scarlet Runners ; tlie latter should
be sown in shallow trenches, to admit of liberal waterings in the
event of drought setting in. Tlie earliest sown Spinach ought now
to be fit to gather, therefore the remains of the winter Spinach may
be dug or trenched in, when the gi'ound will be suitable for Beet,
Peas, Broccoli, or (.'aubflower. In order tliat no unnecessary
exhaustion of the soil may take place, the old stems of Brussels
Sprouts, Kales, or Broccoli should be cleared off as soon as the
produce is used, and as soon as practicable let the ground be
lined out into Celery trenches, or be dug or trenched according
as it is required for tlie forthcoming crop. There should be no
fallows, accidental or otherwise, in kitchen gardens ; on the con-
trary, each successive crop should, as it were, prepare the way
for the one that is to follow it, and in furtherance of this
notes as to dates and positions respecting the various crops will
require to be kept. Tlie labour of keeping sucli a diary soon
becomes a pleasant duty, but those who do not care to take this
trouble — so-called — but who crop on the haphazard principle, would
at all events find it advantageous to adopt the simple rule of never
allowing two crops of a like nature to succeed each other on the
same plot of gi-ound, but should endeavour to have the character of
each successive crop as remote as possible. Several of what may be
termed half-hardy esculents will now demand special attention.
Amongst these are Tomatoes, which should be hardened off pre-
paratory to planting out on south borders or against walls at the end
of the month. The same may be said of Capsicums and Chilies.
Ridge Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows may be planted out at
any time, if they can be afforded the protection of hand-lights, and
by way of starting them quickly into growtli, a slight bottom-heat
is desirable, and easily created by the use of lawn mowings and
stable litter ; about 2 ft. in depth will be ample, and as the material
cools down the roots of the jilants will soon estabUsh themselves in
it. SeedUng plants of Thyme, Basil, Sweet Marjoram, and Sage
should be pricked out under shelter, and may be permanently trans-
planteil in the open ground about the end of the month. All kinds
of herbs have suffered severely, so much so, that new plantations of
them will be a necessity, and provision should be made accordingly
by pricking out a sufficiency of each sort. Sow Lettuces and
Radislies once a fortnight ; the former should now be sown where
the plants are to grow, as transplanting in dry weather entails much
labour in watering, and even if this be afforded the plants receive a
severe check. Asparagus being now in full bearing, Seakale may be
dispensed with ; any yet covered sliould therefore now be exposed,
and gaps in the plantation be made good by dibbling in sets made
from pieces of roots .3 in. or 4 in. long. Salt is a valuable fertiliser
for this esculent, and should be scattered over the surface after the
ground is dug. Cut off seed-stems as produced and thin the crowns
to one shoot only. — W. W.

396

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

OKANGE FLOWEES AND ORANGES FROM THE
SOUTHERN STATES.*
By W. B. BUSH.
In Florida the Orange, Lemon, and Lime grow wild and are found
in abundance. In_ Louisiana and Mississippi they are grown from seed.
The seeds are planted in early spring or in hotbeds in January.
AVhen one year old tliey are transplanted in a nursery arrangement.
At tlie age of two and half years they are budded, i.e., the seedlings
are of the sour variety, and to produce sweet Oranges fully matured
buds are taken from bearing trees and inserted. This is done to
render the tree more hardy, since the sweet seedlings are subject to
a root disease called heel, while the sour seedlings are not. Hence,
Orange growers resort to this means to produce sweet Oranges. The
trees are transplanted at tlie age of four years into orchards ; at the
age of six flowers first appear, and at ten years the trees are called
full bearers.

This beautiful evergreen is found in every civilised country where
the climate is favourable, and in colder countries it is the most che-
rished ornament of the hotliouse. It flourishes in the most southern
limits of the United States, largely in Florida, and to a considerable
extent in Mississippi and Louisiana, south of tlie lakes. In Mississippi
and Louisiana they are favoured by the lakes tempering tlie cold north
winds. Tliere seems but little difference between these States as far as
their favourable localities are concerned. The tree, however, requires
delicate cultivation and studied treatment. In the year 1816 Oranges
were introduced as ornaments to the States by the French. In 1830
an Orange tree in a box in bloom brought 400 francs, and about this
time some attention was paid to Oranges by liorticulturists, and
blooming trees in boxes were sold at from 50 to 100 francs in New
Orleans. The beginning of tlie cultivation of Oranges for fruit in
the Soutli dates back to 1848, wiieii numbers of trees were planted,
but in January, 1856, a cold wave from Texas brought the tempera-
ture down to 19° Fahr. above zero, and the large proportion of the
trees were killed. Not much attention was paid to tlie cultivation
afterwards until 1867 and 1868, and since then Orange growing has
been quite successful and assumed commercial importance.

In the case of healthy trees, the time of flowering is from the
beginning of February until April 10 ; unhealthy ones are found in
bloom sooner or later. The last week of February finds most of the
trees blooming. The humidity of the atmosphere materially affects the
flowers; when toowetthe pollen heads are injured and tlie secretions are
imperfect. Dryness has a simlar effect on the pollen and nectar, but
does not affect the secretion of oil. When the temperature is too
low, but few flowers are fructified, the oil cells are limpid, and no
nectar is secreted. The most favourable temperature is about 68" to
76° Fahr. ; under 60° Fahr. flowers are blighted. When bees are
found collecting the nectar, the conditions are favourable for the
development of flowers and fruit, and then the flowers contain their
most agi'eeable odour.

An ordinary tree will yield from 2 lb. to 10 lb. of flowers, ordin-
arily about 7 lb. As soon as the petals begin to fall a canvas is
spread under the tree, and by brisk shaking the petals will fall
with some leaves, which can be easily separated. The time when
flowers are most fragrant is early iu the morning ; late in the day
the odour is gi-eatly diminished. Prior to the late conflict, negroes
collected and sold Orange petals in New Orleans. A saucerful (about
2 oz.) was measured out, put upon a china plate, and set in the room,
for which the negro received about 50 cents. From two to three
plates would perfume a room for a week. Orange flowers produced
in the extreme southern borders are believed to possess a stronger
odour and more oil. The difference is accounted for in this manner :
In the Tropics and semi-Tropics the trees do not begin to bear very
much until about twenty years old, while in this country they begin
at about seven. The development is more rapid, the tree more
vigorous, and it is reasonable to suppose a better development of
odour in the flower takes place. The flowers are also more fragrant
and the fruit more juicy, but not so sweet as iu some other
countries.

Orange flowers, when placed in direct sunlight, in the course of
two days lose their odour. In diffused daylight they retain it for
at least three days, and in a dark humid atmosphere the odour is
quite distinct after one week. When bruised, they lose their odour
in half of the time stated. I have had no means of experimenting ai
to the amount of volatile oil, but believe that the better plan for the
pharmacist is to have the petals hermetically sealed and to make his
preparations direct.

Orange-flower water is one of tlie most agreeable vehicles for
nauseous medicines that we have, and when tlie pharmacist can
make fresh preparations they will be fully appreciated, and the

* From a paper read at a meeting of the Pliiladelphia College of Pharmacy in
January la£t.

expense will not be greater. The syrup of either flower or fruit hag
no superior, especially the syrup of the fruit. A honey collected
from Orange flowers is very fragrant with the Orange odour. The
flowers, placed in tin cans and sealed up, are known to have retained
their odour unimpaired for nine months. As a perfume they have
no equal. To sit under a tree when in full bloom is delightful, and
the fragrance intoxicating. If any one has made the syrup of Orange
from the fresh juice of the fruit and used it, he will not want to
use any more which is made from simple syrup and a few drops of
the oil of the rind.

PLATE CLXXX.

MRS. B A T E M A N'S LILY.

(lilium BATEMANNI-E.)
Drawn by Jlrs. DUFFIELD.
Ha VINO received permission from Mrs. Bateman, a well-known lover
of Lilies, we had the pleasure last autumn in naming this fine new
autumn-flowering plant Liliuni Batemanni*. It grows from 3h ft. to
4 ft. high, and with suitable cultivation might be expected to attain
double that height. It has a slender, light green, somewhat rough
stem, inclined to bronze at the insertions of the lower leaves ; the
latter are crowded, alternate, long and slender, arching downwards.
The flowers are semi-cup-shaped with spreading segments, somewhat
recurved, medium sized, of a deep apricot tint, and unspotted. They
are produced in umbels of from four to eight or twelve, not unlike in
tint those of Thunbergianum venustum ; but the plant, as to bulb,
habit of growth, fohage, and time of flowering, resembles very
closely L. Leichtlini or Maximowiczi, to which it is closely allied.
This new Lily first flowered with us in 1875 from some small bulbs
obtained from Japan in rather poor condition ; we were much
puzzled by its nondescript appearance, for the flowers reminded us
strongly of Thunbergianum venustum, while the strong growth and
h.-ibit were more like those of L. croceum. The plant being dwarf,
weak, and poorly develo]jed, we postponed that year any decision as
to its character till we could obtain stronger specimens. Fortunately,
in the winter of 1877-8, a large number of bulbs from Japan, under
the name of Talsta-juri, made their appearance in the market ; they
were small in appearance, and much resembled those of L. Leicht-
lini, having bro.ad, stout scales, with the front tier reaching only half-
way up the bulb. Bulbs of L. umbellatum are in genersil large and
flatter, with scales nearly well up to the top ; and those of L. Thun-
bergianum have more numerous, slender, and narrower scales, reaching
vertically higher than these up to the ajiex of the bulb. We pur-
chased and planted a lot of these bulbs, and, during growth, at first
thought we had got the true L. Leichtlini, comparing them with some
of the ti-ue plants growing very near, but later on a difference
appeared in stems and foliage ; the former were too rough and green,
whereas those of L. Leichtlini were smooth and dark coloured ; the
foliage, too, was large, more crowded, and arching, whereas in
L. Leichtlini it is more sparse, erect, and acute ; lastly, the flower-buds
were bluntat the tip, marked with red, and arranged in an umbel ; those
of L. Leichtlini more elongated, green ."it the top, and arranged on a
spike. When the flowers expanded we saw at once that we had our old
friend before us which had so puzzled us in 1875. We have here no
doubt a hybrid ; it may be between excelsum, which it much resem-
bles in shape and substance of flower, and L. Maximowiczi to the bulb,
of which its bulb is very similar. As an intermediate form it is most
interesting ; as a decorative autumnal form it is floriferous, elegant,
and striking, and well worthy of a good place in the garden. It will,
we should think, be placed in the Martagon section along with the
other three above-named forms. In this section we have many
superb forms, among which we may place first the very beautiful
early-flowering, canary-coloured L. .Szovitzianum, with its twenty or
thirty bell-shaped, broad-petalled flowers beautifully spotted ; excel-
sum, with its tall, peculiarly gr,iceful, nankeen-coloured flowers, so
exquisitely scented ; tenuifolium, elegant for its slender foliage, and
handsomest among dwarf Lilies for its tall spike of scarlet bells ;
Humboldti and pardalinum for their tall, floriferous spikes of light
orange flowers, variously spotted, and tipped with carmine or scarlet ;
L. parvum, one of the most beautiful and floriferous, small as to its
individual flower, but excessively graceful, and very tall growing ;
L. columbianuni, remarkable for its golden bells ; L. polyphyllum for
its symmetricallj', purple-spotted, bell-shaped, white flowers ; the
blood-red L. dalmaticum, 6 ft. to 8 ft. high, bearing thirty to forty
flowers ; L. Hansoni, a very early, stout-growing kind, likely, when
better known, to be an universal favourite ; and last, but not least,
L. Leichtlini, long acknowledged to be, with its delicately yellow-
tinted, purple-spotted flowers, one of the most graceful Lilies in
existence. Alexander Wallace.

Mat 17, 1879-1

THE GARDEN.

597

VEGETABLE CULTURE IN MARKET GARDENS.
That ordinary vegetable crops pay the grower well there can
be no doubt, and the soil cannot be better employed than in
producing good vegetables. In country places every cottager
can grow nearly enough of them for the maintenance of his
family ; land is cheap either in the shape of allotments or
otherwise, and, therefore, a good supply of wholesome vege-
table food can be obtained at little cost. Londoners, how-
ever, and the inhabitants of other large towns have to depend
upon the market for their supplies of vegetable food, and
although the market gardener often gets but little for some of
his produce, the consumer has to pay comparatively high prices
for all he purchases in that way. If growers could sell their
produce direct to the consumer they would get better profits
than they now do, and the consumer would get his vegetables
much cheaper and better. Sometimes good Cabbages, Peas,
and similar produce may be bought from hawkers at very low
rates, but in the market, owing to salesmen's commission and
other expenses, people have to pay as dearly in proportion for
vegetables as they do for animalfood. All things considered, how-
ever, market gardeners make a good per centage on the money in-
vested in their business, the real sufferers being the consumers.
To have vegetables wholesome we must have them fresh, and
this the poorer classes seldom get. The quantities of such
produce sold weekly in London are enormous, and yet at times
there is room for more.

Garden Farms. — What may be termed garden farms are
considered the most profitable, inasmuch as the facility of in-
tercropping, &c., is gi-eater than when market gardening
proper is carried on ; the land can be cropped with Corn or
other crops, and it is moreover kept clearer of weeds than if
either farm or garden crops alone were grown.

Mr. W. Glenny's farm at Barking (says Mr. Evershed, in
the " Agricultural Journal ") is a good illustration of a well-
managed garden farm. It consists of 150 acres of gravelly
loam, made rich and friable with manure, and otherwise kept
in the highest state of cultivation ; the land is entirely under
vegetable crops, with the exception of 18 acres of permanent
pasture, and 16 of wheat on the stiffest land. The vegetable
portion is thus appropriated : Potatoes, 34 ; spring-sown
and Lisbon Onions, 15 ; Cabbages (red and others), 13 ; seed
beds, 2 ; Carrots, 7 ; Parsnips, 9i ; French Beans, 6 ; Scarlet
Runners, 3 ; Vetches and green food for horses, 4 ; Parsley,
U; Willow and Osier beds, U; Wheat, 13; Mangold, U ;
Peas, 8 ; Asparagus, 1 ; men's allotments, 1 ; Cucumbers and
Melon.s, 2; seeds, 1 ; small crops, such as herbs, &c., 11.
Twelve horses are kept to cultivate the farm, convey the
produce a distance of 8 miles to London, and to cart manure.
The sums paid for manure, exclusive of cartage, during three
years are £211, £261, and £278; from 400 to 700 bushels
of soot are also used in each year. About one-half of the
manure is purchased at 3s. or 3s. 6d. per ton, and is drawn
from London in the empty waggons ; the remainder is bought
at 5s. per ton at the railway station or quay. Some other
manures, including spent Hops from an adjoining brewery, are
also brought on the farm. The labour bill, including beer, is
£1500, or £10 per acre. On .June 17, the number of labourers
employedjincluding 1 0 women, a wheelwright and a salesman, was
35, and their wages amounted to £30 per week. During the
winter five women are employed preparing goods for market,
bunching Leeks, pulling and bunching Greens, putting up
Onions, (fee. The implements of the farm, besides carts and
market waggons, consist of common ploughs, a double-breasted
or ridging plough for moulding up Potatoes, Beans, and Peas,
and some hand-drills. A small patent tool which resembles a
Dutch hoe set on wheels must be mentioned, because its use

shows the mechanical effects of manure and good farming in
making the surface friable. It is not uncommon for a man to
push this little implement over two acres in a day, cutting up
all the weeds between the wide rows of the garden crops. A
Willow bed supplies bunching rods for tying bunches of
Onions, Greens, &c. The Willow plants are set 18 in. apart
in the rows, which are 2 ft. asunder, and the bed lasts twelve
j'ears. Others of coarser habit are grown to make baskets
for vegetables, and the cost of the baskets with a few sacks
exceeds £50 a year. The cost of baskets, transit and market
dues, are estimated at 50s. per acre in large market gardens.
The weekly wages of hands vary from 5s. to 10s. for boys,
10s. to 14s. for women, and 15s. to 25s. for men. Most
growers, however, get a good deal of their work done by con-
tract at the following rates : Hoeing Cabbages at 2 ft. apart
by 15 in. first and second time 5s. per acre, third hoeing 4s 6d. ;
Potatoes, 3s. to 4s. per acre ; Carrots, broadcast, £3 ; Onions,
broadcast, £4 ; lifting early Potatoes with fork, sorting them
into three sections, and placing them in baskets, 8s. per
ton, or from 24s. to 30s. per acre ; gathering Peas, from 4d.
to 6d. per bushel; and lifting, bunching, and loading Carrots,
7g. per twenty dozen bunches.

Culture of the Soil. — Every vacant piece of ground not
required to be immediately cropped after the first week in
November is deeply trenched and heavily manured, and this
even amongst fruit trees. To most people the trenching of
ground under fruit trees would seem undesirable, on account
of the injury that their roots might sustain, but as
it is done every alternate year, at least, the roots never get so
large that their removal would injure the trees ; of course
the trenching does not come nearer their trunks than 6 ft. or
8 ft. Mr. Dancer, of Chiswick, practises this method, and
he finds that the trees are benefited by it ; he, however,
makes one provision, viz., that it must be done every year, and
that plenty of manure nmst be added. Those who grow
vegetables between fruit trees gain immensely by the deep
stirring of the soil, and where that is not done, digging and
manuring generally receives attention. Mr. Wilmot, of
Isleworth, seldom grows vegetables between fruit trees, but he
manures and digs the land frequently. Mr. Yeldham, of
Hammersmith, has proved by experiment that the trees which
yielded the best crops and best fruit were those that received
annually a fair amount of manure, forked in during the winter,
and that had the soil kept free from weeds or crops of any
kind during the summer. Trenching is considered by market
gardeners to be of the greatest importance in the case of land
about to be cropped by early vegetables, such as Cauliflowers,
Peas, or Lettuces, and also for root crops, such as Parsnips,
Carrots, Beetroot, Salsafy, or Scorzonera, or other deep-rooting
plant.s. Land that is to be planted with the root crops just
mentioned is generally that which was trenched and heavily
manured the previous year ; and fresh manure is never added
immediately before such crops are sown, as freshly-manured
land would cause the roots to fork, instead of growing straight,
and thus considerably reduce their market value. In trench-
ing, a staff of men are placed five or six paces apart, and each
works till he meets his neighbour. The manure, if any is ap-
plied to the surface soil, is thrown into the bottom of the trench,
and the soil from the bottom of the trench, which is usually
3 ft. deep, is brought to the top ; this practice is carried on
year after year. At Walham Green, Fulham, where land is
chiefly devoted to market garden crops, the most has to be
made of it, owing to the high rental which it realises. A plot
of several acres, for which £12 per acre is paid, consists of
fruit trees undercropped with vegetables and flowers, a plan
which is said to be highly remunerative. The produce of fruit
alone one year with another realises £25 per acre. Plum and

398

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 17, 1879.

Pear trees are planted alternately in rows, a plan by which
the taller-growing Pears throw very little shade on the Plums.
Not a little of the success which attends the undercropping
of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, however, is due to the large
quantities of rich, well-rotted manure and manure water that
is obtained from a clean and well-managed piggery, the occu-
pants of which consume the superfluous vegetables and fruit.

All vegetable refuse, except what is really necessary to burn,
is turned to good account by the market gardener. The
stumps of Brassica and Borecoles are carted away to the
manure yard and built into stacks, and when dry are used by
the labourers for making fires to boU their kettles. Good
farm-yard manure is, however, preferred to artificial by London
market gardeners. Market growers use manure in what some
would term " extravagant " quantities, upwards of 80 tons
per acre being frequently used at one application, and yet
it has to be purchased and carted six or seven miles. Soot
is also freely used in the market grounds in addition to stable
manure, and the condition of the crops tells how much they
are benefited by it.

Root Crops.

In these may be included Potatoes, Beetroot, Parsnips,
Turnips, Carrots, Salsafy, &c., all of which form important
market garden crops. In London market gardens immense
quantities of Parsnips and Beetroot are grown, but the chief
supply of Carrots sent to market during the winter is grown
near Weybridge, Esher, and Cobham, in Surrey, where
large fields are devoted to their culture. If possible, in mar-
ket gardens all root crops are cleared ofl' the ground in time
to admit of the ground being deeply trenched and ridged.
Preparatory to sowing, the surface of the soil is levelled with
steel forks, breaking it as fine as possible in the operation,
and finishing off by smoothing the surface with a wooden rake.
Some growers even roll it afterwards, but this is only done in
light ground, and when the soil is dry. Many open the drills
in the morning and sow the seeds in the afternoon, thus en-
suring, they affirm, earlier germination than would otherwise
be the case. As a rule, market gardeners select a piece of
ground for root crops that has been heavily manured the year
before and cropped with Cabbages, Cauliflowers, French Beans,
Celery, or similar vegetables which have been cleared off in
time to allow the ground to be trenched aud ridged for at least
a month prior to levelling it down for sowing. The average
cost of preparing these crops for sale is about 8s. per twenty
dozen bunches, viz. — digging up roots, 2s. 6d. ; washing same.
Is. 8d. ; bunching, 3d. 4d. ; cost of Willows for tying, 6d. ;
and to this are to be added carriage and commission. Beet-
root is not bunched on account of its being easily damaged
by rubbing.

Parsnips. — In market gardens Parsnips are always sown
as soon after the middle of February as possible, provided the
ground is moderately dry and warm, and crumbles freely with
the fork. Preparatory to sowing, the ground is levelled, and
the soil well broken in the operation, and finishing ofi^ by
raking the surface smooth with a worden rake. Shallow
drills are then drawn for the seeds at about 18 in. or 20 in.
apart ; and after being sown they are covered in by the feet
or the back of a rake, and the whole is smoothly rolled.
Sometimes white or green Cos Lettuces have been planted in
rows at the above distances, and the Parsnips are sown in lines
between them. In either case. Lettuces are planted — if not
first, they are put in afterwards ; and as the Parsnips take a
long time to germinate, the Lettuces are removed before they
injure them. As soon as the Parsnips are fairly up and
growing, they are thinned out a little, and when well
established, they are finally thinned to 9 in. apart. The

Lettuces, when marketable, are tied up and removed before
they can choke or otherwise injure the Parsnips, which after-
wards soon grow rapidly, no further care than occasional hoeing
being then bestowed upon them. The bulk of roots per
acre is enormous, many of the specimens measuring in-
dividually 7 in. and 8 in. in diameter at the shoulder, and
20 in. to 24 in. in length. The variety grown in market
gardens is the Hollow-crowned, a capital sort, that produces
roots from 4 in. to 6 in. in diameter at top, and from 10 in. to
20 in. in length ; and the crowns are, as a rule, buried a little
below the surface soil. Parsnips are not brought to market
much before November, unless the demand for them is great
and prices high. But from that time until the middle of
February they are in fine marketable condition, and, being
always left in the land where they grow, are lifted as
required. Being thus left undisturbed, they preserve their
flavour much better than they do when lifted and stored in
pits.

Beetroot. — A good crop of Beetroot is very remunerative,
and when there is a ready sale for it in the market it pays
better than any other root crop. The main sowing is made to
succeed Wallflowers, Radishes, Spinach, or Cabbages, and it
is also often grown on Asparagus ridges, between rows of fruit
bushes, and between lines of Vegetable Marrows ; and even
when growing in the open field, it is often intercropped. An
early sowing is usually made, in lines about 15 in. apart,
in the first week of May between rows of Cabbages or
Lettuces, recently planted ; after the seeds germinate and the
plants are well above ground, they are thinned out into patches
with short hoes, and when they have formed a few rough
leaves they are thinned out to single plants by hand. Some
make a sowing even as early as in March in a sheltered piece
of ground for yielding an early supply. In hai-vesting a crop of
Beetroot which hastobekept through the winter, the roots are
carefully dug up, preserving them their whole length intact, and
keeping 2 in. of the stalks attached after the leaves have been
twisted off by hand. They are then built in pyramidal-
shaped clumps, and covered with straw, over which a coating
of soil is put to exclude frost. Leaving the roots in the ground
is the best plan, as their proper flavour is thereby preserved
better tlian when lifted and stored ; but they are liable to be
injured by frosts in January, or to be locked in the soil when
it might be convenient to send them to mai'ket. Some of the
darkest and finest-shaped roots are kept for seed-bearing plants,
and are planted in some out-of-the way nook by themselves.
Transplanting Beets is only resorted to to fill up vacancies in
the rows, as in the operation the main roots are often broken,
or otherwise so damaged, as to render it almost impossible
for them to produce good roots. Dark crimson-coloured Beets
are those which are most esteemed by market gardeners, most
of whom grow their seeds saved from selected plants. Carters'
St. Osyth is a favourite kind with many growers, but none are
liked so well as the selected dark crimson.

Carrots. — Early Carrots are largely supplied from France ;
they are very tender and delicious, and, in many instances, far
better than those obtained from the London market gardens.
The main crops of Carrots are treated in much the same way
as other root crops. Seed of early varieties is sown from
February to March, after which the main crop is put in, and
the plants are not thinned out quite so much as other root
crops. The Early Horn is the kind used for early sowings ;
and, when in good condition, they sell well in the market.
There is a very handsome early Carrot named Early Nantes,
which would make an excellent kind for market if it could be
got true to name, but this is a diflicult matter. The Long
Surrey and Long Orange are the chief kinds grown for main
crops, and roots of these are furnished by hundreds of tons

May 17, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

899

all through the winter months. Some growers force the Early
Horn on hotbeds and in frames, in order to have them ready
for use in March or April, and these realise good returns.
Some also sow beds in a warm position in August and Sep-
tember for winter use. If the weather is mild, tine little roots
are obtained, and they sell readily at good prices.

Potatoes. — In the neighbourhood of London early Potatoes
are chiefly grown for market purposes, late kinds not being con-
sidered sufficiently remunerative to occupy such highly rented
ground. The varieties usually cultivated are the old Ashleaf
Kidney, Myatt's Ashleaf, Lapstone Kidney, and Regents.
The ground selected for Potatoes, if an open quarter, is
usually the lightest and dryest at command, as in such soils
the crop comes to maturity sooner than it otherwise would do,
and tubers raised in such soils are of the best quality.
About Deptford Potatoes are planted in rows 2 ft. apart, the
ground being previously manured and trenched, and levelled
down with the plough. Planting takes place as soon after the
middle of February as time and convenience will permit.
Some growers plant two rows of Potatoes between their lines
of Gooseberry and Currant bushes, which are 6 ft. apart, and
partially under the shade of large fruit trees ; but when fruit
bushes do not occupy this position, the Potatoes are planted in
continuous rows, about 2| ft. apart, just as they would be in
open fields. Other market gardeners loosen the soil between
the rows of their spring Cabbages in March with a steel fork,
and therein plant Potato sets with a dibber. When the Potatoes
appear above ground the Cabbages are removed for market ;
therefore, little or no injury happens to either crop, and as soon
as the Potatoes get up a little and some earth is dravra to
them with a hoe, the intervening space, if hard, is loosened
with a fork, and again planted with Brussels Sprouts or early
sprouting Broccoli. Before these can do much injury to the
Potatoes the latter wiU be ripe, when they may be lifted at
once for market, or kept for seed or home consumption. In
cases in which Potatoes are grown in the open fields a
crop of Lettuces may be got from between them, but after these
are removed it is not considered well to plant anj^thing else.
No sooner are the tubers all lifted, than the haulm is collected
and carted to the manure heap, and the ground is then manured,
or not, according to circumstances, and ploughed or dug over,
when it is ready for planting Cabbage, Coleworts, Leeks, or
for sowing with winter Onions, Spinach, Radishes, Turnips, or
late Celery. The summer culture of Potatoes in market
gardens consists in hoeing and keeping the crop rigidly clean.
Potato crops are always earthed up — an operation which is
done by means of broad iron hoes or double-moulded horse
ploughs ; and they are, as a rule, lifted with forks, but some-
times by the plough, which performs the task more expedi-
tiously. The tubers, being collected and sized, are put into
bushel and half-bushel baskets, and are covered with haulm,
which is held in its place by means of twigs of Hazel. These
baskets are then piled one above the other in waggons for
market.

With regard to general market Potatoes, a correspondent
writing to the " Gardener's Chronicle " in the early part of
1878 remarked : When a grower of Potatoes for market can
undertake to rent for a short season of six months land for the
purpose of growing Potatoes for market at a charge of £13
per acre, it might well be asked, How are the profits to be ob-
tained, and what kinds of crops are to be looked for ? For
this price the land is taken, well-manured and fairly well cul-
tivated, the planter having the choice either of casting out
drills with the plough or of dibbing the sets in. In the
present case the former plan is adopted ; the seed is laid in
rapidly by women and boys, and plough-moulders follow
behind and cover in as fast as the sets are laid. A wooden

roller presses down the apex of the ridges thus formed and
presently harrows will be run over the ground, and this will
leave it in excellent condition for hoeing when the crop is well
through the ground. The average quantity of seed per acre
is about 30 bushels of small and 35 bushels of large. The
present average price of seed of Victorias is .5s. per bu.shel,
which, exclusive of labour, adds to the expenses about £8, and
if £6 be added for labour and general cost per acre for lifting
and other charges, it wiU make a total of £27 per acre to be
deducted from the value of the crop before there is any profit
to go into the hands of the cultivator. Potatoes are a risky
crop, late frosts may injure them, drought may check them,
excessive moisture may iirovoke an undue amount of haulm
growth and a severe attack of the inevitable disease. A good
crop would be 8 tons per acre on ordinary fields and from that
may be deducted i a ton of chats worth about 15s. for pigs'
food, and li ton of seed size, leaving 6 tons of ware for
market. This estimate will only be fulfilled if there Vje no
disease, but if, as is too often the case, one-third be diseased,
the largest tubers as a rule being the worst, then at most there
wiU be but 4 tons of ware tubers for market, and only 1 ton of
seed. The price of Potatoes in the market is affected by the
state of the crop, which, because of the immense extent of
ground planted, is certain to be an abundant one if there be
no disease, and the price then will range from £4 to £5 per
ton. With a clean crop of Victorias held over until the
market had settled down to its winter price at £5 per ton the
amount realised per acre for 7i tons would be £37 10s., and
adding 15s. for the h ton of chats, £38 5s. A diseased year
would give 5 tons at about £9 per ton, which would give a total
of £45 15s. — a better paying crop, though less in bulk ; but
as the disease is so irregular in its efiects it may be that this
particular grower would not have more than one-half a crop
clean for sale — a common result when the disease is very pre-
valent, and therefore it would not be safe to look in any case
for a product that should realise more than £40 per acre under
any circumstances. If from this be deducted the £27 per
acre for expenses, and at least £3 for cartage to market, it will
be found that £10 per acre is no great profit to look for out of
such a venture, as all the amount deducted must be paid in
hard cash before the crop can be marketed. In spite of all
the contingent losses to which the cultivation of the Potato
for market is liable, it is evident that it is in market districts
yet one of the most wide-grown and best paying crops.
During the present winter, whilst Turnips have been selling
for a song and green stuff could hardly be given away, good
Potatoes have been fetching £10 per ton, and to have more of
a vegetable that wiU certainly sell at a good price is the desire
of all growers. Even so late as the end of March is com-
paratively early for the planting of Potatoes in the open field,
but Victorias are late growers, and therefore the safest to plant
now. The more growers on a large scale recognise the desira-
bility of planting the latest sorts first and earliest kinds last,
the more probable is it that their crops will escape at least one of
the Potato ills — late spring frost.s.

TuTRNiPS. — Generally speaking, the Turnip is not considered
to be a very profitable crop ; the demand for it in summer is
not great, but in winter and spring large quantities of Tur-
nips are disposed of, and the tops or greens from the winter
crop fetch good prices in spring, especially when other kinds
of greens are scarce. They are usually sold by the pound or
bunch. The earliest sowing of Turnips is made in the end of
January or early in February, in pits or frames, or on hotbeds
without frames; and main sowings are made broadcast on a field
about the end of February, or in March, to be succeeded by
another sowing made in April. After the plants come up
they are thinned, and the surface-soil is at the same time

400

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

loosened by means of small hoes. The largest roots are first
drawn for market ; thus the plants got thinned, and those
that remain have more space for development. The Early
White Dutch is the variety commonly used for spring work,
and the White Stone for main crops. When grown in brick
pits, 2 ft. or 3 ft. of rough fermenting material is cast into the
pit and firmly trodden down, and on this is placed a few
inches in thickness of garden soil, which is also made firm.
The seeds are then sown broadcast, and afterwards the frame
is kept close and moist until germination has taken jilace,
when plenty of air is admitted on every favourable oppor-
tunity. If the seedlings come up too thickly, they are thinned
out to 3 iu. or i in. apart. Frame Turnips are never large ;
the aim is to grow them quickly to the size of a hen's egg,
when they are tender and of good flavour, and to market
them at once. The method of growing them in hotbeds with-
out frames is, to cast out trenches 18 in. deep, G ft. wide, and
of any length, and firmly fill them with manure ; over this a
coating of soil is placed, and rolled or beaten solidly with the
back of a spade ; the seed is then sown, slightly covered, and
finished off by rolling again ; hoops made of Hazel sticks are
then fixed over the beds, so that they can be covered with
mats, and in the event of hard frosty weather setting in, some
strawy litter is added to the covering. If the weather is
mild, the mats are let down every day so as to admit light to
the young plants ; and as soon as it can be done with safety,
they are removed from over the beds and left erect around
their sides in order to ward off winds. Sometimes the aid of
either frames, or hoops and mats is dispensed with, and the
crop is grown on hotbeds like those just described, a little
loose litter being merely strewn over the surface until the
plants are established ; in this way excellent Turnips are
produced a week or twolater than those which have been protected.
Some growers use the space between the lines of frames for
growing Turnips ; and well it answers for that jiurpose, as,
owing to the soil being below the general level, it keeps com-
paratively moist, and the belts of frames protect the plants
considerably. The soil between Turnips is kept stirred with
the hoe as frequently as possible, for no crop is more benefited
by surface-stirrings than this. Early Snowball is a kind some-
times used for main crops, and also a very hardy variety
named Six Weeks. The Chirk Castle Black Turnip is often
seen in winter in the market. It is the hardiest Turnip grown,
and although its skin is quite black, its flesh is as white as
snow, and of excellent quality. Spring Turnips are generally
got oft' the ground in time to permit of it being cropped
with French Beans, Summer Cabbage, Spinach, or Celery.
Turnips for autumn use, and also the winter ones, however,
consist chiefly of the White Stone, which is a beautiful white-
rooted sort, which cultivators generally sow on ground just
cleared of Peas, and send them to market in winter.

Jerusalem Artichokes. — These find but little favour with
the London public, and there is but little demand for theai ;
consequently, they are not grown in London market gardens.
As this vegetable may be grown in almost any place, it is
generally planted on gravelly pieces of ground that would be
too dry for other crops. Knolls or mounds are usually cropped
with it, and it is also grown along the sides of hedges and in
shady places. A few growers, however, grow it on good soil
in open and somewhat exposed positions, and the result is an
abundant crop of fine tubers. After preparing the ground
by manuring and digging or trenching it, the tubers are
planted in February, in rows like Potatoes, and are allowed to
grow unchecked, and without being earthed up, till November.
By this time they will be ripe and in good marketable condi-
tion. The stems, which are sometimes killed by the frost, are
cut over close to the ground, and earth is spread over the

tubers to exclude frost. The tubers are lifted for market as
required, as their flavour is better when so treated than when
liftedandst<jredinpits. In February all that remain are lifted, for
if left longer they would be useless for culinary purposes ; what
are required for sets are then saved for that purpose and the
remainder sold for what they will fetch.

Salsafy and Scoezonera. — These, though not popular
market vegetables, are grown in limited quantities in some of
the best market gardens. The seed is sown rather thinly early in
April, in drills about 1 ft. apart in deep rich soil. When up
the plants are thinned to 6 in. apart in the rows, and during thefr
early stage some catch crop is planted between the rows. The
roots are generally left in the ground till they are wanted for
market, when they are lifted carefully so as not to break the
roots, which in that case would lose their milky juice, and
consequently their flavour.

Horseradish. — This is not grown to a very great extent
in London market gardens, but where it is found in them it
is always in deep, rich, open soil. Crowns such as are not
marketable are planted deeply in trenches 2 ft. apart ; the
plants stand 1 ft. asunder in the row. Manure is then
applied on and about the crowns, which lie in a slanting
position in the bottom of the trench, and they are at first not
deeply buried. Early in spring, after they have started fairly
into growth, the ridges between the trenches are levelled
down lightly, and a crop of Radishes is sown on the surface,
the latter being oft" in May, and by the time the Horseradish
appears in full row, the Eadishes are cleared off the ground,
which is hoed and afterwards kept clean. Covent Garden
is, however, now chiefly supplied with Horseradish from
Holland. A few weeks before Christmas may be seen on
market mornings huge heaps of it, consisting of bundles con-
taining from 20 to 25 sticks each, of first-rate quality, tied
up with small, but strong withes. These bundles arrive
packed firmly in casks, each of which holds nearly 300 bun-
dles. The sticks are not washed before being packed, but
are placed in the barrels apparently as they are dug up, with
a quantity of soil adhering to them, and in this way they
keep good for a length of time. December being the prin-
cipal month in which Horseradish is required, it would
scarcely answer the purpose of market growers near London,
who have to pay high rents, to occupy a very large portion of
their ground with crops that will not admit of others being
grown between them, and which can only be sown in quantity
at one particular season. C. W. S.

Children's Gardens. — Allow me to say that the love of
flowers is not wholly confined to the educated. The poorest
children enjoy their Saturday's holiday searching for the early
Primrose, Violet, wild Rose, or Honeysuckle just as much as those
of the rich ; nor do I for a moment think that all collect their
flowers for the sake of the penny which the squire's or parson's wife
gives them. I may remark that the cultivation of the soil is one of
the greatest blessings conferred on us. What is the first thing
which the agi'icultural labourer, returning from his toil, wants to see
after supper ? It is his garden. He feels no longer fatigued by
labour, his helpmate' forgets the worry of domestic duties that needs
must be, and liis children forget that awful School Board. See the
so-called gardens of poor children in the environs of London ; a little
Mustard and Cress, a few stunted Radishes, a stray Wallflower, a
little London Pride, a Daisy, yet these are a source of the greatest
interest. Turn, then, to older children. How many of the hard-
working men on our railways could bear their dreadful solitude as
pointsmen unless they had some ground, perhaps unfruitful, to tend ?
How many weary hours are there in that waste spot wiled away ?
how many cares forgotten, troubles lightened, off'ences forgiven ? I
speak as a gardener, though but an amateur ; yet to live in any town
for a lengthened period is wearisome. I must have my Rosea and
even my Cabbages to look at. — Eugene E. P. Legge, M.A., Cowt
House, Litton (flitneij, Dorset,

Mat 17, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

401

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

ADIANTUM PALMATUM.

This handsome and distinct species will make an excellent com-
panion to A. Farleyense, owing to the large size of its pinnre and the
length of its fronds. It was discovered by M. Roezl, at an altitude
varying from 10,000 ft. to 11,000 ft., in Peru, a fact of great import-
ance, as it may be cultivated in a greenhouse temperature. A very
noticeable feature in the plant is the flexuose or zigzag character of
the rachides, most marked near the apex of the fronds and the
rachides of the primary pinnae. The pinnules are herbaceous in
texture, smooth, large, from 1 in. to IJ in. in breadth, distant and
very distinctly stalked, the stalks varying from Jin. to} in.; the
temiinal ones are usually wedge-shaped, while the lateral ones are
truncate at the base, so as to become semi-circular in outline ; they

is nothing better for shading than scrim canvas, which may be obtained
of almost any draper. Pieces should be cut off about 4 ft. in width
and the length of the light, and each end should be tacked to a light
wooden roller. Thus arranged, they may bo used with facility, and
they do not get displaced by wind. — J. C. B.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

INSECTS ON FRUIT TREES.

The unseasonably cold weather which we have experienced for a
long time past has not only been injurious to tlie blossoms of all fruit
trees, but, owing to their slow rate of growth, has rendered them a
prey to insect pests, and more especially to green fly, with which

^

are deeply cut down into from three to five large lobes, which are
again more or less parted, an oblong sorus terminating each of the
divisions in the fertile portions. It received a first-class certificate
when sliown some time ago at South Kensington. For the annexed
representation of it we are indebted to Mr. Williams, of HoUoway.

Shading Fraines.— Shading of some kind for frames is neces-
sary during the summer months. Bast mats are often employed for
that purpose, but the shade which they afford is far too dense for
most plants. The light which plants growing in frames receive is
never equal in value or in power to that admitted into houses, hence
the necessity for using some material which merely breaks the force
of the sun's rays without depriving the plants of their beneficial in-
fluence. Perpetual shading by means of whitewash is not advisable ;
it may save labour and guarantee the foliage against scorching, but
the little extra labour involved in putting on and taking off shadinc
material will be recompensed by the extra vigour of the plants. There

Peaches and Nectarines are now in most places badly infested. In
fine, warn: seasons these are easily dealt with, as then one need have
no hesitation in using the garden engine and freely wetting the
foliage, but to do so while we have no sun, and with a cold, biting
wind always blowing would only make matters worse, as although
the fly might be washed off or destroyed, the wet would be produc-
tive of much harm. Vegetation will stand a great amount of cold
so long as the atmosphere surrounding it is dry, and, tender as the
young leaves of Peaches and Nectarines are, they form no exception
to the rule ; therefore during such times as these every effort
should be used to screen them from damp as much as possible, as
under such adverse circumstances nothing is so fatal to the flowers.
Rather than syringe or wet the trees thus early under the present
unsettled state of the weather, it will be advisable to go carefully
over them with Tobacco dust, which, pufted among the young shoots
by means of a cheap, handy distributor, now made and sold for the
purpose, will soon destroy the fly. A shilling tin of Tobacco dust
used judiciously will go a long way if applied during a still day, as
otherwise there is much waste, owing to its being very light, and

402

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 17, 1879.

therefore easily blown away. As this ground Tobacco lodges in every
curled leaf and ou the tips of the tender gi-owth, it soon makes these
positions very uncomfortable for insects, and the more they disturb
tliemselves the more enveloped they become, till death puts an end to
their struggles. In order to cleanse the trees when the weather gets
more favourable wash ofi' any stragglers that may have escaped ; there
is nothing better than a well-directed stream from the garden engine ;
but as the foliage is this season tliin and easily torn, the jet should be
broken, and not allowed to play against it with full force, unless at a
long distance ofl', so as to diminish its power. In order to give the
trees and wall time for drying, this operation should be done early in
the morning on a warm, sunny day, but by-aud-by the evening is the
proper time for such work, as then it has a very refresliing effect and
prevents the spread of I'ed spider, a pest to which Peaches and
Nectarines are jiarticularly subject. Fortunately, however, they
cannot endure cold water, which not only keeps them moving, but
breaks up their 'webs.

It is the practice with some to use one or other of the many kinds
of insecticides made for the destruction of red spider and green fly,
but if not very carefully applied and pi'operly diluted they are
dangerous, and often do considerable harm to the fruit. For use in
a liquid form there there is nothing so safe and effectual as Tobacco
juice, obtained by steeping the Tobacco in boiling water, and adding
thereto an ounce of soft soap to every gallon, and if some Quassia
chips be soaked or boiled with it the mixture will be all tlie more
effectual. A pound of Tobacco added to the ingredients just named is
sufficient to make 10 or 12 gallons of a strength that will kill green
fly almost directly it touches it. A decoction made as above stated
is always handy to keep in a large bottle for the purpose of dipping
fruit tree shoots into, and also those of Roses, for it frequently
happens that if taken in time the spread of these insects may be
stopped at once, and much after-labour and annoyance saved.

I have found that Peach and Nectarine trees gi'o%ving on walls
derive much benefit from being syringed with soap-suds every week or
so, followed daily with clean water ; the suds act as a preventive, which,
as the old proberb says, is better than cure, t'ertain it is they act
as a charm, and in some way or other have a very stimulating effect,
for whenever used the foliage soon assumes a changed look for the
better, and remains in a healthy condition. Apricots, though not
subject to green fly or red spider, are very liable to the attacks of
a maggot that curls up the leaves and eats its way out. These are
unusually plentiful this year, and should be searched for and de-
stroyed, or they soon do irreparable mischief.

The Gooseberry caterpillar is one of the most annoying and de-
structive of insects, as it is so voracious that it clears all before it,
that is, so far as leaves are concerned. Many resort to picking it off
by hand, but the quickest way to exterminate it is either to dust the
bushes with Hellebore powder, or syringe them with a decoction
made from steeping leaves of the common Foxglove in water. In
order to deal with the aphis on Currants the best way is to snip off
the tops of the young shoots, as it is only the tender leaves there
situated that they attack. S. D.

QUALITY OF STRAWBERRIES GROWN FOR
MARKET.

"J. S. W.'s" statement (p. 37.3), that it does not pay market
growers to ripen their Strawberries properly, and that they " hurry
them into market as soon as they are red, whether ripe or not,"
■will probably astonish those who, like myself, know from long
experience that the very reverse of these conditions is necessary in
order to make Strawberry forcing profitable. Allow me, as a market
grower, to inform ".I. S. W." that it does pay not only to ripen
Strawberries, but to finish them oft' in a perfect manner ; but it
certainly does not pay to send unripe fruit into the market. If
"J. S. W" had sent as many baskets of Strawberries into Coveut
Garden Market as I have done, he would be aware that it is the high
finish, that is to say, the fine glaze, combined with size and flavour,
which regulates the price. So much is this the case, that of a given
variety, some samples, although equal in size, will not realise so
much by several shillings per pound as others which are better finished
off ; not only is this the case, Init the experienced grower
knows full well that by gathering his fruit before it is
matured, it loses considerably in weight. Your correspondent
has prob.ably confused the outdoor Strawberry with the forced fruit,
the former, owing to various reasons, being gathered as soon as
it is coloured ; but the best gi-owers allow their forced fruit to hang
until it is ripe, knowing from long experience that such is the only
way to make the most of their crop ; they thereby ensure both
quantity .and quality. No market grower would prefer to send sour
(Jrapes, immature Pines, or Melons, or half-ripe Peaches to market,
and yet "J. S. W.'' asks us to believe that such growers are so little

alive to their ovra interests as to gather their Strawbemes before they
have attained either their proper weight or flavour. "J. S. W."
does not appear to be aware that the market is subject to constant
fluctuations. So much is this the case, that gi'owers, instead of always
picking their fruit before it is ripe, are often at gi-eat pains to keep it
for a time until there is a demand for it. It will probably surprise
" J. S. W." to hear that we have often liad here during the middle
and latter end of May upwards of 2 cwt. of fruit hanging ripe for a
week before it was gathered. There is no regular price for fruit, its
value being regulated entirely by the demand, which often fluctuates
in a remarkable manner. Regailar growers for market are fully
aware of these changes. I am acquainted with a very large gTOwer,
the largest, in fact, in the neighbourhood of London, who has at the
latter end of May the whole of his liouses full of ripe Strawberries.
On one occasion I was there when every fruit in the place was ripe,
and the whole of the glass was heavily shaded, the grower in question
informing me that he dared not water a single plant. This was
at Whitsuntide, when good fruit is seldom wanted, and, I may add,
that a few days later tlie price advanced, when, of course, the fniit
was immediately marketed. "J. S. "\V." will therefore perceive
that he has been ■wi'ongly informed.

As illustrating the influence which flavour exercises upon the value
of Strawberries, I may mention that the variety Marg^lerite, which,
although when well gi'own, is in appearance scarcely inferior to
Sir C. Napier and grows much larger, never realises so much as the
last-named variety, the reason assigned by the fruiterers being that
their customers complain of want of flavour. I will cite another
instance whicli should convince ".I. S. W." that flavour is held to
be of the first importance in a market Strawberry. Some years ago
I crossed Marguerite with Sir C. Napier, hoping to secure the fine
qualities of the latter in connection with the more robust habit and
enduring nature of the former. I obtained some reall}' handsome-
looking varieties, large and firm, 'with a beautiful glaze, in fact, the
very perfection in appeai-ance of market Strawberries. I took them
to a leading fruiterer in the Centre Row, Covent Garden, who was
pleased with their appearance, but, on tasting them, he at once
emphatically condemned them, as they all, unfortunately, in the
way of flavour resembled the female parent. When Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury first came into notice I asked the ojjinion of this
same fruiterer concerning it. His words were : " It is of no use to
you; do not gTOW it. It is bi'ight, but deficient in flavour," ami
yet the same man stands ready to buy almost any amount of good
Napiers.

When I said that market gardeners were obliged to grow kinds
possessing a more delicate constitution than H<5ricart de Thury, I
simply stated a fact "J. S. W." corroborates himself, as he informs
us, and quite rightly, that Sir C. Napier is the kind most extensively
grown by them, but he should have added that, owing to its flimsy,
tender chai-acter, it is one of the most difficult kinds to manage.
"J. S. W." may rest assured that, were Hericart de Tliury equal in
quality to Sir C. Napier, and that did it I'ealise the praise wliich that
variety does, market growers would be only too glad to adopt it on
account of its accommodating nature. And yet "J. S. W." informs
us that private gi'owers who force Hericart de Thury grow first-rate
sorts, but that market gTowers, who almost confine themselves to
Sir C. Napier, only grow second-rate kinds. An effective illustra-
tion of the relative value of the two kinds will l^e found in the fact
that a gi'ower here, who was induced to try Hericart de Thury, only
realised for it the half of that which he obtained for Sir Charles. It
will therefore be seen that, commercially, the latter kind is first-rate,
whilst the former is barely second-rate. Hericart de Thury is
simply a good hardy kind, well adapted for early forcing, as it sets
freely.

The fact of "J. S. W. " having seen badly-grown Str.awberries in
Covent Garden does not prove that the bulk of the fruit sent there
is inferior. Some of the worst samples I ever saw for sale were from
private establishments, and yet I should be sorry to assert that
private gi-owers, as a rule, do not know how to grow Strawberries. A
moment's reflection must suffice to convince "J. S. W." that he
has entirely reversed the order of things, .and that the best Straw-
berries are more likely to be furnished by those who devote their
whole time and resources to this branch of fiiiit culture than by
growers in private establishments. I am acquainted with one market
garden in which notliing but forced Strawberries are gi-own in the
glass structures. For forty years has this industry been carried on
there, and your readers may believe me when I state that the quality
of the fruit gi-own in that establishment cannot well be surpassed.
If "J. S. W." wishes to be classed amongst those who gi-ow first-
rate sorts, he has been unfortunate in selecting such kinds as Hericart
de Thury and Black Prince ; the latter variety scarcely pays for the
labour of watering. Let me recommend "J. S. W." to substitute
for them Keen's Seedling, President, Alice Maude, or Sir C. Napier,
kinds which may not be so easy to gi'ow, but wliich, when ■well-
ripened, are highly flavoured. With respect to the last-named variety,

Mat 17, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

403

allow me to state that if he will only gi-ow it well ho can entirely
eliminate the acidity of which he complains. Out-of-doors it is
true that it seldom acquires a good flavour, but under glass it may
be so gi-own as to be almost as lucious and rich as the British (Jueen.
Let any reader of The Garden try the experiment, and they will,
I am conduced, form a high opinion of this Strawberry, and will
prefer it to most other kinds.

To those who ;nay wish to grow for profit, allow me to give the
foUo-ning advice : Grow only the kinds which are in demand in the
market, and ripen and finish off the fruit well before gathering it ;
the neglect of these two points has been the cause of more than one
person finding Strawberry forcing unprofitable. The berries must
not only be large, but they must be highly glazed, Ijright in colour,
and of good flavour. Wlioever takes such fruit into the market will
have no difficulty in finding purchasers, anil will obtain the best
prices for it. Three or four shillings a pound make a vast difference
in a cwt. of fruit, and there is quite that difference Ijetweeu sour,
badly-coloured fruit and that which has been carefully finished off.
There is only one way of making market gardening profitable, and that
is to grow really good fniit. John Coknhill.

of any circumstance that may be related by its general utility or
practicability. I trust Mr. Henderson, of Thoresby, will record his
experiences in the matter, as Mr. Groom suggests.— J. S. W.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE lEUIT GAEDEN.
Exposing Stra-wberries to the Sun.— My remarks

(p. .S50) on this subject have been misunder.stooil by " Cambrian."
What I meant was that indoor Strawberries gathered in a sieve,
and placed for a time in the sun were more palatable than those
freshly gathered in a moist house ami immediately sent to table.
The same applies also to Peaches, Melons, Figs, and similar fruits.
If " Cambrian " kept his basket of Strawberries all day on a shelf
under glass, subject to the influence of a fierce sun, he lias himself
alone to lilame for the result. Having a surplus of Strawlierries on
Tuesday, the 6th inst., and a large demand for them on the Friday
following, those not required on Tuesday were placed on the roof of
a Pine stove exposed to the sun for a time, when tliey were removed
to a cool dry fruit-room, and, along with others, sent to table on the
<lay named, when they were (juite as good-looking, and certainly
better flavoured, than those freshly gathered. In support of this I
may add that I never allow the plants to be watered or the houses
to be sjT-inged on tlie same day on which the fruit is gathered. —

J. COWEIRN.

Apples for Market in North Yorkshire.— North

Yorkshire is not an Apple-gi-owing district, but some good .\pples,
; rown in the Cleveland district, appear in tlie Stockton and Mid-
dlesborough markets. In the autunm we have quantities of Ham-
burgh A]iples, which keep inferior-gi'own fniit out of our markets,
but good samples of English fruit at fair prices are in demand.
About Yarm, where both soil and situation are favouraljle, con-
siderable numbers of different kinds of Apples are grown, but
Codlins are most frequently met with in market gardens ; Lord Suf-
field will, however, soon take the place of Codlins in this district.
Rosehill Pippin is a local Apple of considerable merit, Ijeing hand-
some and of good quality ; Dumelow's .Seedling, or Wellington, does
well, and is much esteemed ; Nancy .Jackson is a fine market Apple,
but it appears to me the same as the Old Pearmain ; Cockpit is,
perhaps, the most generally grown Apple in Clevel.and. The tree is
hardy and free bearing, but the fruit is too small for market ; the
new Cockpit, however, bears good-sized fruit, and apjjears equally
free-bearing. Amongst other sorts not generally grown, but cif
which good samples are seen in the markets, may be named Emperor
Alexander, Warner's King, Cellini, and Brabant Belletteur. Ecklin-
ville produced fine fruit on young trees here, and I am of opinion
that it will prove a standard autumn Apple in Cleveland. — Charles
M 'Donald, Stokesk)/.

Grapes from Vines Raised from Eyes the Sarae

Year.— I ought to have stated (p. 374) that, according to reports,
good crops of Grapes have been grown, ripened, and gathered on
this plan. Speaking from memory, I think it was Mr. Hardy who
first accomplished the feat before he went to manage the gardens
belonging to the Pasha of Egj'pt. I think the Vineries were built,
plauteil, and a croj) of Grapes ripened in them within the ye.ar ; and
to the best of my recollection the fruit was exhibited either before
the Royal Horticultural Society, or sent to Dr. Lindley, who at the
time drew sjiecial attention to the plan adopted in growing it. If I
am in error, I hope someof your correspondents, who must remember
the circumstance as well as myself, will correct me. These remarks
will, I hope, dispel Mr. Groom's doubts on the subject, and I may
state that the question as to the utility of the plan was not raised by
me, but by Mr. Groom himself. I only recorded a fact, and I do not
suppose the general readers of Ti£E G.arden measure the interest

EAPID PINE GROWING.

1. — The following is a list of Pine-apples cut from a pit planted with
rootless suckers from 12 in. to IS in. high on May 16, 1874 : —

Date.

No,

Ih.

Date.

No.

11).

Date.

No.

lb-

July 18,1875

4}

Sept. 10

. 8}

Nov. 5

.. 7i

18 ..

4

10

. 64

6

.. 7

26 ..

H

12

. el

6

.. 7

26 ..

4i

14

• n

9

.. 6

27 ..

4i

IG

. 6i

9

.. 7

27 ..

5

16

. 7

9

.. 6

27 ..

16

■ 6}

9

.. 7

28 ..

4}

28

. 6

9

.. 6

28 ..

4|

30

. 55

9

.. 7

31 ..

*i

Oct. 3

. 6

9

.. 6

August 2 . .

5

3

. 7

12

. . 7

2

5i

20

■ 6f

12

.. 5

3 '.'.

5;

20

. 6*

12

.. 64

!> ..

6

20

. 6

12

.. 5

5 ..

5

26

. 8

16

. . 5

6 ..

6

26

. 7

16

.. 6

C ..

5

26

. 6

17

.. 6

10 ..

5i

26

• S*

17

.. 7i

14 .,

5

27

. 7

18

.. 7

Sept. 3

6

27

. 6.

18

.. *

.-i

U

27

. 7

18

.. 4

6

"7

. 7

24

.. 5

5

6i

Nov. 1

7f

24

.. U

7

7

. 8

24

.. 6

7

7*

. S

24

■ ■ "2

2.— The

follow

-ing

n-ere produc

ed by rootless suckers

taken off

old stools on January

9, 1876

and the

ruits were cut on

the

dates

subjoined :

—

Date.

No.

111.

Date.

No.

11).

Date.

No.

lb.

July 31 ....

H

J.anuary 13 .

■ 4}

Fel)uary28 .

.. 3i

August 15 . -

61

19 .

. 6

March 9

4^

15 ..

5

19 .

. 6

9 .

.. 3J

24 ..

*i

19 .

. 51

9 .

.. sl

24 ..

sj

26 .

. 8

9 .

.. 3

29 ..

5

26 .

. 4

15 .

.. 4

Sept. 9

*i

26 .

. 3

15 .

.. 4

Dec. 9

61

26 .

. 3

15 .

.. 6}

10

6i

31 .

. 6

15

■■ BJ

15

^

31 .

. 6

22 .

.. 4

15

6i

31 .

• 5

31 .

.. 5

15

6

31 .

■ 6i

31 .

.. 4

15

Sk

February 2 .

. 6V

.Aprils ...

.. 4

19

5i

2

. 6t

7 ...

.. 3

21

a

18.'

. 4

23 ...

.. 5

21

5

18.

. 4

2« ...

.. 3

29

(ii

18.

. 3}

28 ...

• !

29

H

18.

. 4

May 7 ...

.. 3i

29

*i

18.

. 3

7 ...

.. 2

29

4

23.

. 3i

19 ...

.. 6

IS"

7_

23.

• H

19 ...

.. 5i

January 5.. . .

5}

23

■ ii

19 ...

.. 6

5 ..

si

23.

. 4

29 ...

.. 4

13 ..

7

28.

. U

29 ...

.. 5

13 ..

6}

2S.

■ 3}

29 ...

.. 6

13 ..

6J

The above is the produce of suckers taken from the plants in list
1 and planted in the same pit.

3.— Pit, planted on August 30, 1877, with rootless suckers from
old stools, the first fruit being cut on June 20, 1878, and the rest
according to date : —

Jane 20
August 3
5

5
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
17
17
17

No.

lb.

1878,

. 4

■ 41

. 4

■ 4J

. 4

• 6}

. 5

. 5}

. 5

. 5}

. 4

. 4

. 3

. ik

■ 4i

. 5

• 5i

. 4

. 4

• 3}

. 4

. 3J

. 5

• 54

■ *J

ove is

the pre

Date.

August 17
21
21
21
21
21
21
21
21
30
30
30
30
31

Sept 4..

October

Nov. 9 . .

11 ..

16 ..

16 ..

19 ..

20 ..
22 ..

22 ..

23 ..

No. 11).

.. 1 .. .5i

.. 1 .. 4

.. 1 .. 4

.. 1 .. 3J

.. 1 .. ik

.. 1 .. 3J

.. 1 .. 33

.. 1 .. 4i

. . 1 . . 5

.. 1 .. 3;,

.. 1 .. 4

.. 1 .. 5

.. 1 .. 4

.. 1 .. 4

.. 1 .. Zi

15 1 .. 6i

25 1 .. 5:

-. 1 .. 6

.. 1 .. r-

.. 1 .. 7

.. 1 .. 4i

.. 1 .. 6

.. 1 .. 51

.. 1 .. 7J

.. 1 .. i\

.. 1 .. 5*

Date.
Nov. 25 . .

25 ...

26 .
26 ..
29 ...
29 ....

Dec. 2 ....

No.

3
9
14
20
30
30
30
30
30

January 28 .

28 .
28 .

lb.
81
5i
7
6
7
6i
6i
9i
8
6
5
5i
64
8
5
*i
4i
4

4
4

4i

4

The a'.ove is the produce of suckers from the plants in list 2,
and planted in the same pit. Now I have a very fine lot of suckers

404

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879.

from the old stools of list 3, which will be planted in the same
pit as soon as it is ready.

4. — A Pine pit planted with rootless suckers on February 7, 1878,
produced the following results, the first fruit being cut on July 6,
and the rest in succession : —

D.ate.

Xo

111.

Date.

No.

11..

Date.

No.

lb.

July 0

• SV

Dec. 3

. H

January 3 .

. H

23

. 6

9

• n

6 .

. B

27

: 11

14

■ 7i

6 .

. !>i

27

19

. f'i

e .

■ H

27

. 4?

19

. 6*

9 .

. 7

27

• H

19

• ii

(1 .

. m

27

. 4

19

■ 6}

0 .

. 4

27

■ ^i

19

. H

13 .

. 4

Angust 1 . . .

■ 45

21

■ 7*

15 .

. 4

6...

■ 4J

21

. 7i

16 .

. b

e...

. 4

21

• <H

15 .

■ i>j

6...

■ 4i

21

. 7

17 .

. 6

6...

■ 3}

21

. 4i

20 .

. 7

6...

• H

24

. 6f

21 .

. *

27...

. 4

24

. .=1

21 .

. 6

27...

■ 3}

24

• 43

24 .

. 4

October 22 .

• •H

27

7i

28 .

. 3

Nov. 7

. 7

27 .

• H

28 .

. 3-

8

■ 7J

27 .

. 6t

February 1 .

. 3

18

■ "i

27

• 4}

15.

• -vt

22

. (i

27

. 6}

17 .

. 5t

22

■ 4J

27 .

. H

19.

■ "t

23 ...

7

1879.

19.

• ii

27 ...

■ 4i

January 3

.. 1 .

■ 5i

The pit in which these were growni is of the same dimensions as
the other, and contained tlie same number of plants ; four fruits in
it did not ripen, and one plant did not start. The list is merely
given to show what can be done in twelve months. M.

Artificial Heat for Vine Borders. —" As proof," says

" 8. D." (p. 373) " that good Grapes may be grown without artificial
heat, I send you a couple of leaves ! " I would respectfully submit
that fruit is in question, not leaves, and if your correspondent
wislied to prove tliat early Grapes could be grown to perfection
without protected borders, I think, in common reasonableness, he
ought to liave sent you fruit as well as leaves, even though it is now
getting well on for midsummer, and explained aswell if hisVineswere
planted inside or outside, and other necessary particulars. If leaves
are reckoned "proof" of a crop of fruit, I claim to have beaten your
correspondent, and, in confirmation thereof, send a sample of leaf,
16 in. liy 16 in., from Black Hamburg Vines that arc now stoning
their berries, and which have for years been treated witli fermenting
materials. I have often, indeed, had leaves nearly 18 in. each way,
and the colour and texture, as will be seen, is not amiss. — J. S. \V.
[The leaf sent fully bears out all that "J. S. W." asserts in reference
to this matter.]

EFFECT OF LOCAL INFLUENCES ON GARDEN
CULTURE.

A FEW years ago my plant houses were affected for a season
similarly to those of "E. T." (p. 356). Everything sickened and
turned yellow, and as I had made no change, except as regards the
water, to that my gardener attributed the disaster. Owing to a
droughty summer, he was obliged to have recourse to the water
company's supply, which contained bi -carbonate and sulphate of lime
in solution in considerable quantity. Whether it was tliese impuri-
ties, or the fact of the water being applied to the plants often direct
from the mains, and consequently below the temperature of the
houses, or both, that induced ill health I cannot tell, but on provid-
ing a larger store tank for rain water the plants soon began to recover
themselves ; it took however, a second season Ijefore the effects
passed off completely, especially as regards Camellias and Azaleas.
I may state that my garden was within 3 miles of a manufacturing
town of 200,000 inhabitants, and in one of the largest chemical and
lead-producing districts of the kingdom ; nevertheless, we had no
difficulty in getting very satisfactory results in plant culture, with
the just-named exception. — T. B.

In compliance with the request for further particulars of some

of your correspondents, who have kindly replied to my previous letter
(p. 386), I may state that tlie garden is situated aljout half way between
Birmingham and Leamington, on rather high ground with a heavy
clay subsoil, and is exposed to the south-west wind : the air of tlie
district is very pure. I tliiiik it may be assumed that defective ventila-
tion is not the cause of the mischief, nor fumes from paint, &c., which
could scarcely permanently affect Clirysantlicinums grown under glass
only when young. Excepting a trial of Carson's paint on one range,
the best lead paints only have been used. Some of the houses have
baen built fifteen years, but the deficient growth was first noticed ia

the Chrysanthemums about seven years ago, since which time the
number of affected plants has gradually increased up to the present
time. The influence shows itself in arrested growth of the foliage,
which, I think, is the part first affected, for upon examination the
roots generally appear to be healthy, though in turn the imperfect
development of the leaves re-acts on the roots, and their growth is
arrested. Then the deficiency of root action renders the soil stag-
nant, and the utmost care has to be exercised to avoid
making matters worse by untimely watering. The plant does
not die, but languishes in a weakly condition favourable to the attack
of insects. Newly potted plants are slow in starting, and newly pur-
chased plants are difficult to establish. No fungoid growth is observ-
able, and although I have not examined the tissues microscopically,
my knowledge of the microscope leads me to think that its ordinary
powers would not reveal the cause of the disturbance ; however, I
will make the suggested examination. I fear chemical analysis of the
soil will be of little use, for having tried many soils from various
districts with the same results, it can scarcely be a question of the
relation of its inorganic compounds, and organic matter is difficult
to discriminate ; if anything organic be the cause, from the peculiari-
ties of the case, it must be assumed to be a local infection ; the sepa-
tion of this from the other components of the soil would be beyond
the powers of the most accomplished chemist. At one time the only
admissible explanation seemed to be the wilful or negligent mixing
with the compost or water of some deleterious matter ; but, after
careful examinations and many precautions, I concluded tliat the
idea had no foundation. Noxious fumes from factories must be so
diluted, if they reach one at all, as to be inert ; besides, plants grow
quite satisfactorily in the immediate neighbourhood of Birmingham,
which emits the most varied fumes, and is in close proximity to the
Black Country. I fear even the good gardener, whose observations
have been limited to the ordinary results of efficient and deficient
cultivation may not possess the special knowledge necessary to enable
him to elucidate the mystery ; iiiy only hope is that some one who
has had a similar experience may be able to give an explanation. —
Eii.MUXD ToNKs, Packwood.

Mr. C. W. Quin is surely wrong in blaming our Warwickshire

manufactories for " E. T.'s " failures. He ought to come to Birming-
ham and see the collection of plants in our Botanic Garden ; also the
Primulas grown by Mr. Tomkins, and his Marechal Niel Rose tree with
hundreds of bloom on it — Ijotli places within a mile or so of various
chemical and other works, and quite near a forest of chimneys. All
around this smoky town, too, are numbers of amateurs who grow
jilants of a very delicate kind very successfully. — F. Banks,
14'J, Waratone Lane, Birraiwjham.

Theoretical knowledge, such as that which " E. T." states he

possesses, is almost invariably fatal to success when not accompanied
by practical experience. It is only by means of sound knowledge as
regards the routine of cultivation that the operator i.s enaliled to
know how far to go and when to stop in shaping his practice in
accordance with theoretical deductions. " E. T." requires no further
answer than the advice given by "Chef" and "J. M." If he
already has, or will get, an intelligent, experienced gardener, and
tell him fully and exactly what he requires, allow fair means for
carrying out the work, and patiently await results, giving a kindly
word of encouragement to try again in cases of failure, I have no
doubt tliat he will very soon see an improveinsnt in his garden such
as will surprise ami satisfy him. Mr. Quin's conjectures as to the
cause of "E. T.'s" failni'es will not bear the test of a moment's
reflection by any one who has ever seen and noted the innumerable
examples of successful gardening in the case of a large number of
tlie usually cultivated plants in close proximity to the manufacturing
districts, and still less by any one wlio, like myself, has lived and
been engaged for over twenty years within ten miles of Manchester,
and for some half-dozen years of the time between that smoke-
begrimed city and Stockport, where the wind, when blowing from
three out of the four points of the compass, is laden with smoke and
noxious gases arising from a variety of manufactories. Soil and
air combined make the cultivation of many kinds of plants
out-of-doors in tliis and similar places an impossibility, but
not so such as are grown under glass, althougli even with the latter
it is uphill work, inasmuch as everything requires great labour and
attention, if only to keep their leaves waslied and the glass clear
from soot accumulations. Within half-a-dozen miles of Manchester
there can lie seen collections of Orchids, hard-wooded stove and green-
house plants. Azaleas, and Heaths, together with Fuchsias, Pelar-
goniums, and Iiundreds of other plants not surpassed, if even equalled,
by any in the kingdom ; tlie same, too, holds good witli culinary
vegetables and fruits gi'own under glass. Tliis is so well known by
all connected with horticulture who move about the country as not
to need mentioning, and no more instructive lesson in gardening can
well be learned than is derivable from a ramble through the collec-
tion of plants grown in the Manchester district. From an intimate

May 17, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

405

acquaintance ■n'ith the neighbourhood, I feel con\'inced there is not
anywhere to be seen more conclusive evidence of the inherent love
of gardening existent in human nature than is liere exemplified both
amongst employers and gardeners. The results of gardening around
this great manufacturing centre have a direct bearing upon the case,
which has given rise to these remarks in showing what it is possible
to accomplish where there is unison of feeling and a perfect under-
standing between employers and their gardeners, without which there
can never be very much accomplished, eitlier satisfactory to tlie
former or that will reflect credit upon the ability of the latter. — T.
B.UNiS.

Messrs. J. B. Browx & Co.'s price list, just received, contains
illustrations of wrought iron hurdles, bar iron and wire fencing, car-
riage entrance and wicket gates, galvanized wire netting, seed and

Galvanised Wire Strawberry Guard.

Strawberry guards, Pea supports, French system of iron and wire
fruit trellises, wiring for garden walls, WTOught iron tree guards,
lawn mowers, garden engines, rollers, pumps, lawn seats, cast iron

Galvanised Wire Pea Trellis.

vases, and many other garden appliances. It also contains an eyed
straining trellis screw, w-ith nut for tightening French trellis work,
said to be neater than the raidisseur. The list is excellently printed
and has many engravings, far more delicately done than those which
usually embelUsh catalogues.

PROPAGATING.

Fertiltsi.nTt Flowers of the Chinese Primrose. — It is a curious
fact in relation to all the members of the Primula family, whetlier
tender or hardy, or from wliatever clime they may come, tliat most
of the flowers are pin-eyed, that is, have the stigma projecting beyond
the pollen anthers, and in many cases even beyond the throat of the
flower. This feature is less marked, or indeed entirely absent, in
show Auricidas and Polyanthuses ; but these have been selected
during many years' careful watching from myriads of seedlings, three-
fourths of which were pin-eyed. If seed of these be saved from
high-class thnim-eyed flowers, the results just indicated will inevit-
ably follow. This is a fact at once curious and inexplicable but for
the probable reason that there is a tendency in all newly-raised
florists' flowers to revert to the original wild form in wliich tlie pin-
eye is invariably green. It is a moot point whether the pin-eyed
flower forms the best seed parent if left to Nature's operations or
not, but in the Chinese Primrose tlie majority of plants produce pin-
eyed flowers, although in this case the defect, if it be one, is nmch
less noticeable than is the case with Auriculas and witli the Polyan-
thus. As with the Chinese Primula it is absolutely necessary that it
be annually raised from seed, so is the production of seed of the
greatest moment. Those who make seed growing a speciality find
that it is necessary during the winter months to use a small camel's-
hair brush freely, to bring the pollen from the stamen to the stigma,
and thus promote fertiUsation. The late Mr. Windebauk, of
Southampton, who used to have a collection of some twelve or four-
teen kinds, always employed a different brush for each sort, in order
to secure distinctness, and he was most successful. Others adopt the

practice of pulling the flowers, so that the pollen may be deposited
on the stigma in its upward passage — a doubtful remedy, as the pollen
is more likely to be retained on the under side of tlie stigma than on
its pin-head surface. Where bees can get at the flowers they will
fertilise them freely, but the best results are got from thrum-eyed
flowers, in which the stigma is placed just below the anthers, and
where some of the pollen is sure to fall upon it. It is absolutely
necessary that the atmosphere should be fairly dry during the period
of fertilisation, otherwise the pollen will be of no value. — A. U.

ANSWERS TO OOEEESPONDENTS.

Syrin^ng Vines— Oualit Vines to be syringed witli water from now until
tlie fruit liegins to cIianKe colour? or had tlie house better be kept quite dry,
and merely the Vine roots outside moistened by watering the border? The
hunches are just showing. No heat is used, except a tire at niglit to prevent
damage from frost. My Vines suffered badly from mildew two years ago. which
killed every Iien-y, and last year the crop was small.— J. H. \V. [li you keep tile
floors and walls of the Vinery moist you need not syringe the Vines themselves.
Much has been said in favour of syringing Vines and much against it, but all
that has yet been arrived at is that equally good Grapes can be produced either
way. As, however, your Vines are subject to mildew, merely keeping the floors
moist will suffice, and this must be discontinued on the first appearance of that
I'ungus. Ventilate freely, avoiding draughts, leave no more foliage than can be
e.vposed to light, and regulate the crop according to the amount of foliage. A
little tlrc-licat at iiiglit will do good, as tlien you can leave on a little air at top.
As soon as you discover mildew paint the hot water pipes with sulphur, and at
once remove alfected leaves or berries. — S.]

Outdoor Camellias.— Kindly name a few of the handsomest of hardy
CameUias, and also say whether or not Lady Hume's Blush is suitable for out-of-
door culture.— ('. 11. [Nearly every kind of Camellia will succeed out-of-dooi-s
untler favourable circumstances. Lady Hume's Blush is one of tlie liest which
could lie used for tliat pui*pose : other kinds might consist of the old Double
White (albaplcua), Beali, Donckclaari, imbricata (red), llarcliioness of Exeter,
Reiue dcs Fleurs, and Wilderi.— C'.\MB1UAN.]

Greenfly on Roses. —What are the liest means of destroying the small
green fiy whicli infests Roses ? I tried strong 'Tobacco water last year and cou
staut t)rushing otf with a white feather, and couid not get rid of countless num-
bers of these pests.— H. S. G. [First wash the insects off as far as possilile witli
cold water applied with force by means of a good syringe. When again dry
sylinge witli a solution of Quassia chips, boiled in soft water, at the rate of 4 oz.
to the gallon, in which may also lie dissolved 4 oz. of soft soap. 'The ends of the
shoots most affected may also be dipped in this solution.]

Herbaceous Calceolarias.— We have at present a fine show of these
In our conservatory. They have been sulijected to no unusual treatment, liut
have had great cave and attention. They have been very early this year, at least
as far as we are concerned, as we have had tliem well in flower for three weeks.
aud they promise to finish their three months of bloom. Tile plants vary from
1 ft. to 1* ft. in height, and measure some "2 ft. across. I send yon some tiloonis
of them tor inspection —-M. G. (The Idoonis sent are large, finely spotted, and
good iu form— altogctlicr what would be called a good strain.]

Saxifraga flagfellaris.- In " Notes from Kew " (p. 329) I see mention made
of a plant with this name. I have never met with the plant, aud I am sure that
it must be scarce. Does it differ from S. arachnoidea described liy Haworth ?—
Thos. Williams. [The plant in question is the true S. flagellaris, of Sternberg.
Though as yet rare in cultivation, it has, however, been gio«n at Keiv for some
years. It conies from .\rctic North America.— W.]

Rose Petals— -^re these saleable anywhere in London?— .4. B. [Freshly-
gathered petals of fragrant Roses like the old Cabbage, in quantities of 1 cwt. or
more, are l)ougIit liy wholesale druggists and also by the Iierbalists in Coveut
Garden, Viut Kose petals when dropping have lost their fragrance and are of no
value.— P.]

Salsify Seeds.- Will these grow the second season ?— Magnum Bonum.
[Yes, if they have been kept airtight, and were good in the first place, but we
should prefer fresh seeds.]

Rose Celeste.— "C. R." (p. 360) inquires triumphantly who cultivates this
Rose ? Allow me to infonn him tliat I do, and that I have done so for years.
This old Rose is a most deteraiined coloniser, and liard to extirpate, should any-
one lie so ruthlessly inclined. " C. R." has tolerably well described it, and I may
add that in the bud it is a very jewel among Roses.— Thomas Williams,
Onitskirk.

CameUias in Orchard Houses. —We have a large doulde white Camellia
planted in a co'd orcliaid bouse which is only heated sulHciently to keep out
fhe frost. The tree is very healthy, and is every season covered ivith Inids, but
the young wood is made licfore the liuds open, and when the young shoots are
3 in. or 4"in. long, and the buds have swelled to the size of Walnuts, they mostly
fall off and very few come to perfection. It is planted in a good hght near the
glass, aud receives plenty of water Would it do better taken up and potted so
that it might have more heat ? If so, at what time should that be done ? or can
any other'treatment be suggested ?— JI. A. E. [The cause of the Camellia iu
question not flowering is probatdy due to its being placed in a too warm position
and watered too freely just before the expansion of the flower buds, thus prema-
turely exciting the leaf buds into growth. Ti-y cool and aii-y treatment, and give
it less water till after the flowers have fallen.— W.]

Names of Plants.— if. If.— 1, Fritillaria Meleagris allia ; 2, Leucojum pul-
chellum. Mrs. J/.— Double variety of Anemone coronaria. W. JI. — Belle de
Chatenay Violet. H'. Z).— Sonchus pinnatus. W. C. — Omphalodes vema.—
H. it Co.— Anemone nemoralis fl.-pl. X. Y. .?.- Amelanchier canadensis.
F. W. iJ-- Saxifraga cffispitosa. IF. C— Eupatorium agei-atoides. If. M. 5.—
1, Brassia verrucosa ; 2, B. maculata.

Questions.

Vicomtesse Herlcart de Thury Strawberry.— Not being sure .is to
having the true variety of this, and wishing much to get up a good stock of the
right kind for forcing, Isliould l)e glad if some of your correspondents will kindly
state what are its distinguishing features. Those 1 have retain ttle petals till the
fruit is far advanced, and to one's thinking would turn out indifferent setters, as
the anthers appear bare of pollen and are not pushed out well over the fru't.— S.

40G

THE GARDEN.

[May 17, 1879

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

ROYAL HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
May 13.
The exhibits at this meeting, though not vei'y numerous, and con-
sisting chiefly of miscellaneous gi"oups, contained many plants of
i.Teat interest, both as regards rarity and novelty. The numerous
and choice collections of Messrs. Veitch & Sons, B. S. Williams, and
others, the superb cut blooms of Roses from the Waltham Cross
and Cheshunt Nurseries, Mr. Dean's Primulas, and the Daffodils from
Messrs. Barr & Sugden formed leading features, which were much
admired on account of their general excellence.

First-class Certificates were awarded to the foUomng
plants : —

Ranunculus Lyalli (Veitch). — A beautiful and rare New
Zealand Crowfoot, having peltate root leaves of a leathery texture,
and flower-stems of about 1 ft. high, branching and bearing flowers
21 in. across, saucer-shaped and pure white, with a central tuft of
golden-yellow stamens.

Arnebia ecbioides (Elwes). — A rare and very handsome,
perfectly hardy Boragewort, from Asia Minor, vrith lance-shaped
root-leaves, and dense clusters of funnel-shaped flowers J in. across,
bright yellow, with a black spot between each division of the corolla,
gi-adually fading to pale brown, and at length becoming quite
oV)literated.

Primula acaulis Golden Gem (Osbom). — A pretty variety

of the conuuon Primrose, witli flowers of a much darker shade, and
borne very freely.

Polyanthus Prince of Orange (Dean).— A very bright

yellow-coloured and free-flowering kind of the Hose-in-Hose type.

Begonia Comtesse de Choiseul (Laing).— A fine double-

flowared variety with delicate blush-tinted blossoms of fine form.

Azalea mollis var. Comte de Gomer (Veitch).— A pretty

variety and an abundant bloomer, the flowei'S being produced in
large clusters, and of a rich salmon colour.

Dracaena superba (Williams). — An elegant hybrid of graceful
habit with rather narrow leaves, the lower ones of a deep metallic
lustre, the upper of a rich magenta tint.

Croton Princess of "Wales (Veitch). — An extremely orna-
mental variety with narrow spirally-twisted and gi'acefuUy arching
leaves from 1 ft. to li ft. long, beautifully variegated with creamy-
yellow and various shades of green.

Amaryllis Mrs. Morgan (Williams).— A superb variety
with large blossoms of fine form, of a deep rich crimson colour,
margined with pure white.

Cupania elegantissima (Williams). — A fine decorative plant
with pinnate leaves, resembling many of the Cycads.

Azalea pontica var. narcissiflora (Veitch).— A hand-
some j'ellow-flowered novelty aptly named, as its long tubular blos-
soms, widened at the mouth, strikingly resemble the flowers of
several of the large kinds of Daffodils.

Selaginella Kraussiana aurea (Donaldson).— A golden-
leaved form of this well-known kind, and one very desirable for the
sake of variety.

Miscellaneous Groups. — Messrs. Veitch & Sons staged an
effective mixed group of plants, to which a silver-gilt medal was
awai'ded. Amongst these were Rhododendron Maiden's Blush, a
pretty hybrid bearing terminal clusters of tubular blossoms, with a
spreading corolla IJ in. across, of a delicate blush tint ; R. Duke of
Edinburgh, another beautiful variety, also of the gi-eenhouse class,
with flowers somewhat smaller and of a deeper hue tlian those of
the preceding ; Cypripedium selligerum, a fine hybrid, the result of
a cross between C. barbatum and C. hevigatum ; its flowers, which
are considerably larger than those of the former, have the distinct
markings of the latter. Along with these came Dendrobium Rhodo-
stoma, a beautiful hybrid between D. Huttoni and D. sanguino-
lentum. The collection also contained the handsome Epidendrum
Wallisi in a fine flowering condition ; .also Dendrobium thyrsiflorum,
Cattleya Mendelli, Odontoglossum cirrhosum, and others. Dioscorea
retusa, a graceful greenhouse climber from .South Africa, has small
flowers borne profusely in catkin-like clusters from the axils of
each leaf. Hcemanthxis cinnabarinus is a fine bulbous plant with
immense clusters of orange-scarlet blossoms. Coleus Lord Falmouth
is a very distinct kind with purijlish-red leaves, edged with green.
The same exhibitors also showed the lovely Crinum Macowani, a
variety in the way of C. amabile, but much finer, the flowers being
of a deeper shade. Mr. B. S. Williams exhibited a choice selection"
for the most part consisting of beautiful hybrid Dracaenas ; also the
highly ornamental D. Goldieana and D. lentiginosa, the latter a very

elegant plant with narrow bronze-tinted leaves, very graceful in
habit. Adiantum Williamsi is a pretty new Maiden-hair Fern with
the pinnie scarcely at all incised, and of a pea-gTeen tint. The very
handsome Brazilian shrub, Glonera jasminiflora, was staged in such
a condition as fully justified the high enconiums that have been
passed upon it, as the specimen shown was nearly 3 ft. across and
literally covered with clusters of snowy-white Bouvardia-like
blossoms, which admirably contrasted with the rich green foliage.
This gi-oup was also awarded a silver-gilt Banksian medal.
!Mr. Wills had a tastefully-arranged group of plants, consisting
chiefly of Azaleas, Palms, Caladiums, and Gloxinias, many of the
latter being remarkably fine ; for these a silver Banksian medal was
awarded. A similar medal was awarded to Messrs. Lee, of Ham-
mersmith, for a well-arranged collection. Messrs. Osbom & Sons
contributed an effective group, amongst which we noticed the charm-
ing little Cliilian plant Sarmienta repens, which makes such a capital
basket plant for a cool, moist greenhouse. Mr. .J. Aldous sent
some fine-foliaged and flowering jalants, which received a vote of
thanks. Roses, in the shape of cut blooms, came from Mr. Wm. Paul,
Waltham Cross, to which a silver Banksian medal was awarded. A
fine collection also came from Messrs. Paul & Son, of the Cheshunt
Nurseries, the Tea varieties in which were particularly good. Of
Pelargoniums a well-grown group was exhibited by Messrs. Hayes,
Edmonton, consisting of Prince of Wales, Fair Maid of Kent, and
Duchesse de Moreau. The same exhibitors also staged numerous
well-gTown examples of a choice strain of Cinerarias, which received
a silver Banksian medal ; an excellent lot of Erica ventricosa also
came from tlie same exhibitors.

Hardy Flowers. — A highly interesting exhibition of terrestrial
Oi'chids was contributed by Mr. Green, gardener to Sir G. Macleay,
Pendell Court, Bletchingley. It consisted of several unnamed kinds
of Oplirys, the rare O. .Speculum, with a flat lip resembling a
metalUc-like mirror, edged with rich brown velvet ; the yellow-
flowered 0. lutea and the curious 0. aranifera ; Orchis tephrosanthos,
with blush-tinted blossoms with deep amaranth lip, was also very
fine ; Dipodium punctatum, a curious Aiistralian species, with
violet-purple flowers mottled with a darker shade, was also shoivn.
A fine basketful of the beautiful Gentiana acaulis came from Messrs.
Osbom & Sons, to which was awarded a medal. As usual, Messi's.
BaiT & Sugden made an excellent display with Daffodils, which, be-
sides the older kinds, contained several new and good varieties.
This gTOup was enlivened by cut blooms of Anemone fulgens var.
multipetala, the blossoms of which are of a deep scarlet colour. A
silver Banksian medal was awarded to Mr. Dean for a superb gTOup
of varieties of Primula amcena, many of the newer kinds in which
were strikingly beautifid ; laciniata, with elegantly cut petals, deep
rose and pure white coloured, the lavender-tinted ilauve Beatity,
purpurea, and lilacina were especially noteworthy. A similar medal
was awarded to Lily of the Valley Victoria, exhibited by Messrs.
Hawkins & Bennett, Twickenham. This is a decided improvement
on the original, Ijeing more robust in habit, free flowering, and having
the flowers a shade larger. Messrs. Veitch & Sons staged a very
effective display of Azalea mollis, with flowers varying from almost
white to deep yellow and orange-scarlet. These were interspersed
by Japanese Maples, with their tinely-cut and metallic-hued foliage,
and also by numerous well-bloomed examples of hybrid Clematises,
amongst which a doubled-flowered kind, Countess of Lovelace, with
deep purple blossoms, was very fine. The best of the light-coloured
single-flowered kinds were Fair Rosamond, Miss Bateman, Lady
Londesborough, and a very deep purple-flowered variety called Duke
of Edinburgh. This gTOup was justly awarded a sih'er floral medal.
A gi'oup of Rhododendrons was shown in fine condition by Messrs.
Lane & Son, Berkhampstead, and received a silver floral medal. Mr.
H. Boiler exhibited iin interesting set of Cacti, consisting chiefly of
Mamillarias, of which M. filifera and M. formosa were highly com-
mended. The rare Lowiana variety of Vanda coerulescens was ex-
hibited by Mr. Heims, gardener to P. A. Philbrick, Esq., Avenue
Road, Regent's Park. It differs from the type and the variety
Boxalli in having pure white flowers with a riolet-purple lip. Cul-
tural commendations were awarded to Mr. Reeves, gardener to
C". Hart, Esq., Lee, for Odontoglossum vexillarium, with seven
flower-stems ; also for a large-spathed form of Anthurium Scherzer-
ianum, and a very finely-flowered variety of Masdevallia Veitchi.
Mr. Green showed cut blooms of the curious Gongora portentosa and
Alpinia nutans ; also Crinum omatum. Mr. G. Turner contributed
cut blooms of Tree Carnation A. Alegatiere, a kind with deep
scarlet Camellia-like blossoms, 3 in. across.

Fruit. — This was but scantily represented ; it comprised Melon
Davenham Early, from Mr. Jacques, Davenham Bank, a novelty to
which a flrst-class certificate was awarded. Figs (Brown Turkey
and Grosse Monstreuse de Lipari), which received cultural commen-
dation, were exliibited by Mr. Pratt, Hawkstone Gardens, Shrews-
bury. Apple Ducks-bill came from Messrs. Coleman, Brede, Sussex.

THE GARDEN.

407

No; £92;]

SATURDAY, MAY 24. 1879.

Vol. XV.

"This is an art
A\Tiich does mend Nature : cliause it rather :
TuE Art itself is Natcke."— S/iaiTsjjeare.

hut

HYBRIDS OF SIEBOLD'S PRIMROSE.

These most beautiful, easily cultivated, and free blooming hybrids
of the fine Japanese species, commonly but, I think, erroneously
known as PrimiUa cortusoides ania?na, figured in the "Botanical
Magazine, " vol. xci., t. 5528, and which I venture to think, with
others better entitled to form an opinion than myself, should rather
bear the name of P. Sieboldi, have been raised and sent out by two
well known firms of florists, viz., M. Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, and
Messrs. Dean, of Ealing. Each firm has distributed previous to this
year some half-dozen varieties, all of wliicli bloomed well in my
greenhouse during tlie month of April and the latter half of the
preceding month. The names of M. Lemoine's varieties are,
1 , Clarkiasflora ; 2, vinca;flora ; 3, lilacina marginata ; 4, fimbriata
occulata ; 5, violacea ; 6, alba lilacina fimbriata. Those sent out by
Messrs. Dean are, 1, cirrulea-alba ; 2, cortusoides laciniata ; 3, lila-
cina perfecta : -1, Mauve Beauty ; 5, maxima ; (i, purpurea. As to
the parentage in the way of crossings or fertilisation of the French
hybrids, I have little or no information, except that the pollen
almost invariably used to fertilise with was that of the species
cortusoides, which is a native of Siberia, and is figured in the
" Botanical Magazine," vol. xii., t. 399 ; and that the seed bearer was
probably P. lilacina. As to the English hybrids (which I am happy
to say seem to me decidedly the finer set of the two, especially as to
size and substance of tlie individual blossoms), Messrs. Dean inform
me that the varieties which they have used as parents liave been
mostly lilacina and grandiflora, with the blood of amrena or Sieboldi,
and that a little seed has also been obtained from P. Sieboldi allia,
but that they are almost invariably shy seeders, and that the quantity
of seed obtained at any time is exceedingly small. The following
descriptive notes of some of the best and most distinct of these
beautiful hybrids (which every lover of his greenhouse should, as
soon as possible, add to his collection if he does not already possess
them) may not be uninteresting to your readers : —

1. P. Clarkiseflora (L.).— Bloom medium sized, deeply fim-
briated, of a fine magenta colour. A very free and profuse bloomer,
one of my plants bearing as many as eight spikes. It also produces
more pips on t)>e truss than any other variety, some of my trusses
having as many as thirteen pips ; and it is very (piick to
increase.

2. p. lilacina marginata (L.). — A rather shorter-stemmed
variety than the others, with jiijis rather above tlie medium size, of
which from five to eight are usually found on each truss. The centre of
the inside of the flower is pure white, while the margins are more
or less deeply flecked with the clear lavender colour of the reverse
of tlie flower. This is a very pretty variety, and, apparently, rather
easier to get to seed than any of the others seem to be.

3. P. fimbriata occulata (L.).— A profuse blooming,

shorter-stemmed variety witli pips of much smaller size, opening
quite flat and minutely fimbriated. Colour, deep lavender with a
clear white eye.

4. P. vincaeflora (L.). — A very free-blooming variety with
shorter flower-stems than most of the others, and having medium-
sized pips of fine substance and of a deeper shade of violet than any
other, with a distinct white eye. Flowers open, quite flat. An
extremely pretty variety.

5. P. Ccerulea-aJba (D.).— A very fine variety with pips
quite as large as a crown piece ; they open quite flat, the inside
colour being pure white, while the reverse is of a fine bluish-
lavender. From six to seven pips are produced on each truss of this
variety.

6. P. lilacina perfecta (D.).— The tallest-stemmed of all
the varieties, and one which has very large-sized pips, which, how-
ever, never open quite flat, but always remain more or less cupped .
The ground colour of the inside of the flower is pure white, but
almost the whole of it is washed with deep lavender, the colour of
the reverse of the flower. Tliere are from eight to nine pips on the
truss. An exceedingly fine variety.

7. P. Mauve Beauty (D.). — A rather shorter-stemmed variety
with good trusses, consisting of from eight to ten pips borne closer
together on shorter foot-stalks. The flowers open quite flat, and are
of fine substance, the inside colour being the purest white, the reverse
pale lavender. A chaAiing variety.

8. P. Lavender Queen (D.).^A very fine variety some-
what closely resembling P. ccerulea-alba above described ; the
individual pips, however, are rather smaller, and are borne on
shorter foot-stalks ; consequently they are closer together in the
truss.

9. P. maxima (D.). — A fine variety with deeply cupped pips,
eight of wliicli are usually to be found on each truss. The interior
colour is white, the exterior deep rose colour.

10. P. laciniata (D.). — A beautiful variety of the same fine
deep magenta colour as Lemoine's Clarkiseflora, but with much larger
and more deeply-laciuiated flowers than those of that variety, not,
however, so freely produced, only from six to nine being found on
each truss, and the flower-stem being also considerably shorter.

M. Lemoine has also sent out this spring five more named varieties of
these beautiful plants, named respectively Beautc, Gaiete, Joyau,
Venus, and Virginal. Having only just received these, though some
of them were in flower when they reached me, it would, of course,
not be fair or fitting to express any opinion as to their merits till
next season, when they shall have become established in their new
home, and when it is to be hoped they may prove themselves worthy
companions of their beauteous brethren above ilescribed. There
are also two other varieties described by a correspondent in last issue
of The C4AKDEN, named Ophelia ami Allen's Siiowflake, the first-
n.amed a deep purple self, and the latter a fine pure white, which,
especially the latter, are likely to be desirable accpiisitions.

Belijrove, Queenslomi. W. E. Gumbletox.

WILD FLOWERS FOR THE GARDEX.

Is the present day, when so much of the time and attention of both
professional and amateur cultivators is devoted to bedding plants in
one form or another, it is hardly to be wondered at that our native
British plants do not come in for a fair share of patronage.
Mr. A. K. Wallace, who has perhaps travelled through more
countries than most living naturalists, lias repeatedly called atten-
tion to the fact that the floras of temperate climes present more
vivid displays of colour and beauty tlian are to be found in those of
tropical lands, and he points out that the erroneous ideas usually held
as to the flowers of the Tropics are due to the fact that we are accus-
tomed to see collected together in one house the most brilliant and
showy plants from all parts of the world. If exception be made of
the wild Hyacinth, Primrose, and one or two others, it is but seldom
that any of our native wild flowers arc to be found in any but the
garden of the botanist. There are, however, many species that are de-
serving of cultivation, not only from a botanical point of view, but on
account of their intrinsic beauty, and they may often be advantageously
used in conjunction with exotics. The Creeping Jenny (Lysimacliia
Nummularia), one of the best known, is well worth gTowiug. It is
by no means an uncommon plant, and may fretpicntly be met with
in Jdamp places and by stream sides. For a small rustic basket
nothing can be better than this plant, together with a few Lobelias,
and perhaps a Fuchsia or white Pelargonium in the centre, the bright
blue of the Lobeha forming a fine contrast to the golden-yellow
blossoms of the Creeping Jenny, whicli are produced abundantly on
the long stems overhanging the sides of the basket. Of other
creepers, the Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Linaria Cymbalaria) and I\-y-leaved
Campanula (C. hederacea) are both worth growing, though neither of
them is so showy as the above. In an open, tolerably dry border,
the following are a few species that may be cultivated with advan-
tage, viz.. Geranium sanguineum (crimson), G. phojum (deep purjile),
G. pratense (pui-ple), Potentilla rupestris (white), perhaps the most
beautiful of our native Cinquefoils, and Potentilla verna, which
forms in May a mat of green, dotted all over with golden-yellow
flowers ; the common Rock Rose (Helianthemum vulgare), Malva
moschata (the Musk Mallow), the Woo^l Vetch (Vicia sylvatica), as
well as V. Orobus, two very graceful plants, but neitlier of them seems
to take very kindly to cultivation. Most of the above thrive in pots
in a cold frame. If there be a piece of ornamental water, or a
fountain basin, the following will be found valuable acquisitions :
The Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), the Globe-flower (TroUius
europiBus), the flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus), the Gahngale
(Cyperus longnis), a member of the Sedge tribe, and one of our most
gi-aceful and elegant plants ; the Water Lobelia (L. Dortmanni), and
Villarsia nymplueoides, which somewhat resembles a yellow \Vater
Lily in miniature. The two latter should be planted 1 ft. under
water ; the others may be planted on the wet margins of the pond,
or in pots about three p.arts submerged. Some of the plants just
named are but rarely to be found wild, but all, or nearly all, may be
obtained of dealers in hardy herbaceous plants. Our native Orchids,
many of which are wortliy of attention, must form the subject of a
separate paper. B.

408

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 24, 1879.

FLOWER GAEDEN ARPvANGEMENTS.

There are many situations where mixed beds, i.e., beds planted with
several kinds of plants, may be appropriately placed. The following
are a few examples that I have eitlier tried myself or seen else-
where ; —

1. A circle 14 ft. in diameter, consisting of variegated Pelargonium
Flower of Spring and Viola Blue Perfection planted alternately ;
one standard plant of Orevillea robusta, witli about 3 ft. stem in the
centre ; five smaller plants of Acacia lopliantlia 3 ft. from edge,
following the line round at regular distances, so that they extend in
a circle round the central plant, and about 4 ft. from it, with a
band 1 ft. wide of Alternanthera amabilis round tlie outside. Tliis
arrangement is always pleasing and attractive. Tlie featliery cha-
racter of the fine-foliaged plants used corresponds well witli tlie
lively blue and white groundwork. To be effective Alternantheras
must be jjlanted thickly, and the soil must be made rich.

2. Oval, 12 ft. by 8 ft., consisting of a groundwork of Crystal Palace
Gem Pelargonium, with Lobelia fulgens, IS in. apart ; good strong
plants of the latter only should be used, and they sliould bear some
relation to each other as regards strength, jjlanting the strongest in
tlie centre of the bed. The Lobelias like a rich soil and plenty of
water, and, under such conditions, are very effective. They must
be neatly and securely staked and tied, or the wind may blow them
over. All flowers must be picked off the Pelargoniums. Two rows
of Lobelia Blue Beauty or some other good kind round the outside of
the bed will finish it off satisfactorily.

3. A bed consisting of a dark-flowered Heliotrope with rather
small plants of Abutilon Thompsoni, mixed in proportion of two
of the former to one of the latter. The Heliotrope must be pegged
down till the bed is well covered and the plants are coming into
flower. The Abutilons will grow erect, and the yellow-mottled leaves
peeping out of the purple Heliotrope make a very efl'ective bed,
which will be enhanced by liaving a double row of Iresine Lindeni
as an edging outside. The mixture is suitable for any shaped bed,
but circles or ovals are the most easily planted, and the most artistic
in outline.

4. Mangles' Pelargonium and Verbena venosa. This is a very old
form of mixture, and also an effective one, which, in the case of an
oblong bed of considerable size, has a fine appearance. A double
row of Pelargonium Harry Hieover round the outside, and liere and
there a plant of the dark-leaved Castor-oil plant (Ricinus Gibsoni)
planted about the bed, adds to its effect. The bottom leaves of the
Castor-oil plants should be taken off to lift the tops well up, and
admit light to the plants below.

5. A circle 12 ft. in diameter, consisting of variegated Pelar-
goniums and Coleus Verschaffelti planted alternately, and supported
by a broad band of Gibraltar Pennyroyal outside, with small circles
of Alternantliera dotted along it at regular distances apart, and one
plant of Dracaena indivisa in the centre.

6. Circle 10 ft. in diameter planted with tuberous Begonias thinly
on a groundwork of variegated Mesemliryanthemums.

7. White Fuchsia Rose of Castile on a groundwork of Iresine
hirsuta.

8. Balsams planted thinly on Sedum glaucum.

9. Mrs. Pollock Pelargonium and the old mauve-coloured Viola
cornuta planted alternately.

This list might be extended indefinitely, and might include mixed
beds of fine-foliaged plants of large growth only, as well as succu-
lents, such as Aloes, Cacti, and Kcheverias. Most people have seen
at some time or other what a very pleasing group has been made witli
the odds and ends of plants left after the parterre has been planted ;
and a group of this kind will fit in wherever a central bed is desired.
Pink and white Pelargoniums, planted alternately in a large mass,
have a very good effect, being soft and pleasing in colour.

E. Hobday.

PENTSTEMOXS AT HOME.

The following are natives of California, where, in their wild state,
they fill the valleys and cover the hillsides with tlie gayest of blooms
fi-om May to October. Within California and its vicinity there have
been found some twenty odd varieties, all fine plants, but I shall only
speak of a few of the finest, and which I deem most worthy of culti-
vation.

Pextstemon spectabili.s. — This, one of the handsomest species,
grows from 2 ft. to 4 ft. high. It is found on dry hillsides, blooms
continually from May to October— the drier and more sterile the
place the finer the bloom ; I have seen it in flower where the ground
was as hard and dry as a brick. The flowers are borne in long
Iianicles, often 2 ft. long, loosely many flowered ; corolla nearly

li in. long, the short tube suddenly expanding into a wide ventricose
throat. In colour, the throat and tube are a rich purple, while the
lobes are a clear Idue.

P. RiCHAUDSONi grows from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and makes a
branching, well-shaped plant. Flowers in loose, irregular panicles ;
corolla with an ample inflated throat, the u])per and lower lips
widely spreading. Colour, a clear violet throughout.

P. CENTRANTHIFOLIU.S. — This, Our most showy species, gi'ows from

2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and has panicles from 1 ft. to 2 ft. long. Flower
with a narrow tubular corolla over 1 in. long. Colour, a bright
scarlet-red. Very dry grounds.

P. Menziesi. — A fine variety, and one which makes well-branched
plants 1 ft. high. Flowers with a gradually expanding tubular
corolla J in. long. Colour, from light to deep pink. Flowers in
short panicles. Grows in high, dry situations, where it blossoms
finely.

P. AN'TIRHINOIDE.S. — A handsome variety, growing from I ft. to

3 ft. high. Corolla with a very short tube and wide, open mouth,
the upper lip of which is arched, and lower recurved. Flowers
borne on single peduncles, terminating leafy panicles. Colour, pure
yellow, for which it is remarkable. There is a very near species of
the .above known as P. breviflorus, reported as having a flesh-coloured
corolla streaked with pink. Height, shape of corolla, &c., not
known.

P. coRDiFOLins. — A peculiar variety with long sarmentose
branches from 3 ft. to 4 ft. long ; scrambles over bushes. Flowers in
leafy panicles ; corolla with a long, narrow tube H in. long, the upper
lip erect, and quite J in. long. Colour, bright scarlet.

P. GLABER. — This is the most common sjiecies reported from
Oregon and eastward of the Rocky Mountains ; gi'ows from 1 ft. to
3 ft. high. Flowers in narrow panicles 1 ft. long ; corolla from J in.
to 1 in. long ; tube narrow, opening into an oblong, funnel-form
throat. Colour, blue to violet-purple.

P. RoEZLi. — Grows from 6 in. to 1 ft. high, flowers in compound
panicles. Corolla 4 in. long, funnel form above the narrow tube.
Cjlour light violet-blue. — "Gardeners' Monthly."

EOTES AM QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GAEDEN.

Pansies and Violas. — I grow great numbers of the bedding
varieties of these, and it may, jjerhaps, be of general interest if I
mention some of the characteristic qualities of the various kinds as
exhibited here. This year the earliest has been Golden Queen, a
yellow, much resembling Dickson's Golden Gem, but earlier and
larger and quite as free. I have Sovereign, Golden Gem, Corisande,
Golden Prince, and CUoth of (iold, but for a spring-bedding yellow
I give the place to Golden Queen. Next in order come (1) Pansy
Blue King ; (2) Viola Acme and Admiration ; (3) Tory, Blue Bell,
and multitlora ; (4) Holyrood, and a host of Violas and Pansies. The
most beautiful Viola grown is, in my opinion, Holyrood, but I am
not sure that it blooms freely enough to be a perfect bedder. As an
early spring bedder Admiration well merits its name. A very beau-
tiful bed here just now is the following, viz., a circle 12 ft. in dia-
meter planted thus : (1) an inner circle of Golden Queen Viola ; (2)
two rows of Tory ; (3) two rows of the pink-flowered Daisy Aucubse-
folia ; (4) two rows of Blue Bell ; (o) edging of Pyrethrum Golden
Feather. For a beautiful summer bed it would be difficult to surpass
a mixture of pink Pelargonium (says Mr. Haliburton) and Viola mul-
tiflora ; it is barely possible to have a more delicate and charming
combination. Its absence of glare and perfect repose is a treat to
eyes sore with the garish splendour of modern flower beds. A
noteworthy characteristic of this abnormal season is that Pansies
and Violas are earlier than Daisies. With us the former are, for
tlie most part, in full bloom ; while the latter have scare dy a flower
upon them, and si;ein to be devoting their energies to leaf-growth.
Is this experience general ? — Herbert Milungton, Kiiij hdu-ard's
School, Bromsi/rope.

A Few Facts about Alpine Plants. — Last year I gathered
seeds of (iuaphalium Leontopodium (the Edelweiss), and this spring
they were sown in pans, well drained, and filled with peat, and kept
in a cold frame. They germinated freely, therefore I had hundreds
of seedlings, which I pricked out into small pans filled with peat
mixed rather finely with broken pieces of sandstone. Amongst other
Alpine plants recently received from the Tyrol, Saxifraga ca;sia (the
Silver Moss) is a singular object Avhen in flower ; the blossoms are
white, and are borne in small panicles on thread-like stems about
3 in. high. Amongst Primulas the charming P. farinosa, with its
silvery leaves and lilac-purple flowers, is at present finely in blossom.
Allied to this species is P. longiflora, the flowers of which resemble
those of P. farinosa, except that they are on longer stalks, and are

Mat 24, 1879.]

THE GAKDEN.

409

also generally of a deeper colour ; it is a native of the mountains of
Austria and Italy. Ranunculus alpestris, a pretty though diminutive
species, with dark glossy green leaves and white flowers, is now
in bloom and very interesting. Heliantliemum alpestre, a dwarf-
growing species with beautiful yellow flowers, has a fine appearance ;
it comes from the Tyrol. This year flower garden work will be far
behind the usual time, as we shall have, to all appearance, to wait
till the beginning of June before any warm, settled weather sets in.
— Louis Kropatsch, Laxenbunj.

Bedding Violas. — We are pleased to see from the remarks of
your correspondents, that bedding Violas are flowering so freely in
the south this season. In Octol)er last we planted out a large num-
ber, which stood the winter well, and for some time they have been
blooming profusely ; without them, indeed, our borders would have
been dull this spring, when all flowers are so much later than usual,
and even Wallflowers and Stocks have been destroyed by frost.
We send you blooms of the following varieties, in order tliat it may
be seen what fine colours exist amongst these Violas for early spring
bedding, viz., V. Acme, Canary, Brilliant, Grievei, formosa, rubra
lilacina, stricta azurea, stricta cygnet, jjicturata, Tlie Tory, multi-
flora, Snowdrop, Holyrood, Sovereign, Pilrig Park, and Dickson's
White Bedder. — DicKsoxs & Co., Waterloo Flare, Etlinbiirnh. [All
liandsome, but Holyrood especially so ; indeed, matchless as
regards colour.]

BOG PLANTS.

In the remarks on these (p. 201) it is stated tliat the common
British Sundew (Droscera rotundifolia) thrives in company with the
American species, which the writer states should be grown in coarse
river sand. I am not familiar «ith the Nortli American kinds, but
I have often gathered D. rotundifolia in morasses in Scotland, and

may mention that I never
found it gi-owing any-
where but on tlio surface
of Sphagnum Moss, where
it spreads and thrives
wonderfully. In such situ-
ations the ground was
always soaked with wet,
but there was no standing
water within 1 ft. or 2 ft.
of tlie surface of the
Sphagnum, and the Sun-
dew roots were confined
to the surface of the Moss.
I used to grow the Sundew
in a tub with a few other
native aquatics, and I
found that tlie surest way
of getting it to establish
itself was to carry away
a patch of the Sphagnum
witli the Sundew in it,
and set the whole in the

Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris).

tub half or three parts filled with Sphagnum and water, so that the
top layer of living Sphagnum and the Sundew received tlieir supply
of moisture by capillary attraction only, whicli was quite suiBcient.
The Sundew does not thrive well in "the neighbourhood of smoky
chimnies. The Parnassia palustris I found growing and flowering
vigorously in a heavy red soil, close to tlie side of a loch, and so wet
and soft that one's feet sank over the ankles. At the same place
the Pinguicula, of which the annexed is an illustration, grew abun-
dantly in firm but moist, clayey ground. J. S. AV.

Crown Imperials. — Several notices of tliese showy-looking
bulbs have appeared in the columns of The Garden lately, and much
has been said in their praise, with all of which I can readily agree,
for I have a clump of them which has remained untouched for some
years, and which throws up a number of fine-flowering stems. The
white Anemone japonica Honorine Joubert has got entangled with
them, and when they die down it takes their place ; but I wish to
draw attention to their value in another point of view, viz., as cut
flowers. I do not mean the wliole he.ad of bloom, but tlie separate
bells. If one or two of these are taken off and placed amongst other
flowers in the base of a March stand, I venture to say that few will
look at either without admiring them, and asking what that curious-
looking flower is. — Delta.

Double Primroses (pp. 328 and .343). — A few years ago a lady
living at Strabane, in the north of Ii'eland, sent me some plants of

the double yellow, two shades of double crimson and deep purple,
and we also had then both the double white and lilac. A succession
of dry, hot summers entirely destroyed the roots of these lovely spring
flowers, leaving with us only the single yeUow. Some tliree years
ago we found in a wood at a village not far from Sandon, in Staf-
fordshire, amongst the wild Primroses growing thickly and luxu-
riantly there, roots with double flowers, the stamens and pistil
being changed into petals. Two of the flowers were gathered, and
since that time some of the people living in the village have trans-
planted the I'oots into tlieir gardens, where, I believe, they still exist
and are much prized. — K. Edwards, Maryfield House, Newcastle,
titafordshire.

VEGETABLE CULTURE FOE MARKET.

Asparagus. — Our chief supply of early Asparagus comes
from French gardens, in which it is cultivated on a better
system than that followed about London. French Asparagus,
which is .supfilied as early as November, has, therefore, so
materially altered the price and demand for English-grown
Asparagus, that the Fulham growers and others are continu-
ally reducing their plantations, and some have entirely done
away with Asparagus to make room for quicker-growing and
more remunerative crops. The French Asparagus, which is
blanched, and about 1 b in. or 1 8 in. in length, is much stouter-
stalked than that grown in England ; consequently it commands
a higher price than the latter, the usual price at Christmas
vai-ying from 15s. to 35s., or even 40s. a bundle of 100 heads,
according to the demand and quality of the produce ; whilst
English-forced produce, which seldom appears much earlier
than February in any great cjuantities, sells for 7s. 6d.
to 10s. 6d. per bundle retail, but the grower does not
get near that price, and it is, indeed, barely remunerative.
Out-door Asparagus in warm early seasons is, however, a
paying crop where the soil is suitable to its growth, but in
late cold springs the beds do not begin to bear until May,
thus materially shortening the cutting season, and likewise the
profits ; for cutting must be discontinued by the middle or end
of June, in order to allow time for a full growth of the shoots
before the end of the autumn. This crop occupies the ground
for two entire years without yielding any pecuniary return,
and, in addition to the ground it thus occupies, great expense
is incurred in the way of manure and labour. Although
Asparagus begins to'produce a little in the third year, it is not
until the fourth season that it begins to fully pay for the
trouble and expense of gi'owing it. During these three years
the same ground would have yielded six, nine, or twelve
other crops, each of which would have probably well paid the
cultivator. Asparagus, too, even in a young state, is a gross
feeder, and whether in the long run it really pays well or not
is rather a difficult problem to solve even by the grower.

Asparagus in London market gardens is raised from seeds
saved in autumn and sown in rows, from 18 in. to 2 ft. apart,
in February among lines of young fruit trees, or bushes, or
Moss Roses. The less shaded the ground is the better, but
open ground is seldom devoted to this crop the first year. I
have, however, seen a field at Isleworth cropped with it. Pota-
toes, Cabbages, and Brussels Sprouts being planted between
the rows. Great attention is paid to Asparagus the first
season in the way of hoeing and cleaning and thinning a
little if too thick. The succeeding spring, provided the
plants have grown strongly, they are transplanted. Market
gardeners now seldom plant beds of Asparagus, and such as
may exist are giving place to the single-row system.
Jlr. Steel, of FuUiam, hacl some Asparagus beds containing
three rows, planted 2 ft. apart from one another, and from the
centre of one bed to that of the next was 9 ft. He had also a few
other beds with two rows in each, the same distance apart as in
the case just named, but in this instance the beds were only
7 ft. from centre to centre. Mr. Dancer, of Fulham, and some

410

THE GARDEN.

[May 24, 1879.

growers at Barnes and Mortlake still have Asparagus on the bed
principle. These beds, in addition to the Asparagus, yield three
^ rows of French Beans in early summer, two rows of Coleworts iu
autumn, and throe rows of the same in the alleys between them.
The method now generally adopted, however, is to plant
Asparagus in single rows or lines, 6 ft. or more asunder. The
ground for the croiis having been trenched and heavily
manured in the previous autumn, it is marked off into beds
with alleys intervening 1 ft. wide. In these beds Radishes
are sown in December or January, and in March or April,
after the litter for the protection of the Radishes has been
removed, the alleys are dug over, and in these the Asparagus
plants are planted, about 18 in. apart. The Radish crop will soon
be removed from the beds, which are then cleaned, slightly
forked over, and sown with Beet or Onions, or Leeks are
transplanted on them. These crops occupy the space till
autumn, when they are cleared off and Coleworts or Wall-
flowers planted in their place. Nothing more remains to be
done, except hoeing the ground and keeping the plants clear of
weeds, until autumn, when after the stalks turn yellow they
are cut off. As soon as the ground between the rows after
this becomes vacant, the whole receives a heavy coatof rich light
manure, and soil to a thickness of 5 iu. or 6 in. is drawn
over the Asparagus roots in the form of ridges. The .sjiaces
between are then dug over and again | cropped with
Eadi.shes, Lettuce, or similar crops. The next year, which is
the third from the time of sowing and one from the time of
planting, a jiartial crop is obtained. Only a part of the heads
that show themselves are cut, and these only where they are
the thickest. This is continued for about three or four weeks,
when all the shoots are allowed to grow. After the tops have
been cut off in the following autumn, more soil and manure
are drawn to the ridges, which by that time have the appear-
ance of Celery rows, minus the plants, with a wide alley
between them. The next season a good crop is expected.
All shoots, small or great, are cut as fast as they appear, until
the end of June, when all are allowed to grow at will, except-
ing small sprayey shoots that are better removed than left.
In the alleys are now planted two or three rows of Coleworts, and
in many cases, too, the ends and sides of the ridges are similarly
planted ; but if Beet had been sown there, it will remain until
the autumn. AVhen cutting-down time conies, all the unberried
" Grass " is cut and laid in heaps together, whilst the berried
stalks are kept separate. The former is carted to the fireheap,
or is put under hotbeds when they are made, and the latter
are kept for seed in a dry and airy shed. After being stored
there for a while, until the seeds become ripe and firm, the
berries are separated, washed and dried, bruised, and rubbed
iu sand, afterwards washed again to clean the seeds, which are
spread out to dry, and then stored until sowing time. Before
the time for thus clearing the ridges most, if not all, the Cole-
worts will have been marketed ; therefore the surface-soil of
the ridges is drawn into the alleys, and into these it is dug
rather deeply. Immediately some of Cock's hardy green Cole-
worts are planted, which are marketable by the end of
February, after which the routine of ridge-making is pro-
ceeded with. Plantations last in good bearing condition for
six or seven years, after which time blanks occur, when
it is considered more profitable to break them up than to keep
them longer. When such is the case they are cut from during
the last year of their existence as long as the result will pay
for the trouble, and if it is thought that the roots wiU after-
wards be of any use for forcing, they are permitted to occupy
the land till November, when they are lifted for that purpose,
but if too poor for that purpose they are uprooted at once ;
the ground is levelled, manured and dug, and planted with
BroccoU and Cabbage. The ordinary long saw knife is the

instrument used in cutting, and the men and women employed
in market gardens are adepts as regards its use. They sliji
down the blade alongside of the shoot, and, with a peculiar
twitch, sever the stalk from the crown without injuring it or
the advancing shoots in the least. The heads when cut are laid
in heaps on the ridges, afterwards to be packed in long Grass from
the field, collected intobaskets, and conveyed in a cart or barrow
to the sheds, where they are washed, tied into bundles of 100
(105), and are that night, or early the next morning, sent in
large square hampers to market.

Previous to this, however, I should have stated that the heads
are sorted into three sizes, the best being sold at the best
prices, the second cheaper, and the third, for soup or fla-
vouring, at a nominal rate. The yield of Asparagus per acre
depends much upon the season, soil, and situation, and also
the mode of culture. In some of the French Asparagus-growing
fields from 300 lb. — or, in unfavourable years, still loss — up
to 1200 lb. per acre are obtained. According to quality, the
produce is divided into first, second, and soup Asparagus,
the first being worth, on an average, Is. to Is. 2d., the second
6d. to 8id., and the third 3d. to 4d. per lb. In some cases,
even in poor seasons, 40,000 lb. of i^rime quality, the produce
of 12.5 acres, have been sold at Is. per lb. It thus realised,
without taking second rate and soup Asparagus into account, over
,£16 per acre. Although the first outlay in raising Asparagus
is somewhat considerable, the cost of cultivation, &c., per acre,
if the average of several years be taken, does not, it is esti-
mated, exceed £25 ; and as the gross return amounts to
between £35 and £50, in exceptionably favourable years
reaching even to £120, the margin for profit is ample.
English growers should, however, one would think, by inter-
cropping, realise more profits than French cultivators, who
allow their plants much more space, both between and in the
rows. Nearly every market gardener has some particular kind
of Asparagus which he grows and likes best, but the one most
grown is a variety cultivated by Mr. Dancer, of Chiswick.
Mr. Harwood, of Colchester, a grower for Covent Garden
Market, sows spring Onions all over his Asparagus ground the
first year after planting, care being taken to remove all that
come up too near the crowns of the Asparagus plant. As
soon as the Onions are gathered, a dressing of lime dust, soot,
salt, or other manure, is applied to the beds, and covered over
with a few inchos of soil from the alleys. Manure is always
preferred to other dressings, as it enables the shoots to push
easily through it the following season. The second year a
row of Cucumbers is grovra in each alley, which is previously
well manured and dug. In March of the third year the beds are
faced up, the quantity of soil being put on thick enough to
allow of the stalks to be cut 7 in. long. Mr. Harwood, who
has taken many prizes for Asparagus, cuts such stalks 10 in.
long, and the following is the weight of some of the prize
bundles, consisting of fifty heads each, in respective years :
In 1872, one bundle weighed 7 lb. ; in 1873, 7A- lb. ; in 1874,
8 lb. 14 oz. ; in 1875, 8 "lb. 2 oz. ; and in 187''6, 100 heads
weighed 15ilb.

Peas. — Of all vegetables brought to Covent Garden Market
none, perhaps, are more esteemed than early Peas, and to the
grower they are, in good seasons, a remunerative crop. Nearly
all market gardeners near London grow them largely ; and
although French Peas are sent to market early in May, and
sold at cheaper rates than English growers could aflbrd to
produce them, preference is always given to home-grown Peas,
for which there is always a good demand until about Septem-
ber. After that time the ground is occupied by crops likely to
pay better than late Peas. Until the end of October, how-
ever, fine examples of the Ne Plus Ultra type may be obtained
ready shelled in the market, the produce in many instances of

May 2-4, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

411

the Surrey fields, Bedfordshire, Essex, and adjoining counties,
from whence come the greater bulk of both early and mid-
season Peas to Covent Garden. In making early sowings it is
a practice with market gardeners to choose a fine day to break
down the ridges (the ground being previously manured and
cast into ridges), measure off the lines and draw drills in the
forenoon, and to leave them open till the afternoon, so that the
soil in them may dry a little, and become thereby warmer ;
then to sow the seeds and cover all up before the evening.
The drills vary from 2 ft. to 3i ft. apart, according to the
vigour of the sorts which are to be sown. In the close lines.
Lettuces or Spinach are used as inter-crops, but in the more
distant ones Cauliflower is the crop usually planted. In many
instances the first sowing of Peas is made in December on a
warm border ; but, considering that they must be sown a little
deeper than in January, and the ri.sks to which the seeds are
liable from mice, birds, insects, and damp, it is a much-disputed
point among good growere whether the December sowing has
any advantage over that made in January, many contending
that the produce of the latter is quite as early as that of the
former, and the crop less subject to risks. Diiferent growers
have a preference for different kinds ; but the early dwarf
kinds are universally the most desired, on account of their
quick returns, the small space they occupy, and because they
require no stakes. Beck's Little Gem is much liked for an
early crop, on account of its dwarf habit and good qualities.
Other sorts highly esteemed by market gardenere are
Early Frame, Groom's Dwarf, and Bishop's Dwarf. As a
rule, they are sown for a first crop in January, and invariably
on a dryish soil, and in as sheltered a place as j)ossible, other
sowings being made fortnightly in succession till April, or even
till the Lst of July. William the First is a fine early Pea for
market purposes. It is of about the same height and lialiit
as Sangster's No. 1, and equal to it in earliness ; but the pods
are larger, fuller, and greener. JIultum in Parvo is also largely
grown in many places as a market Pea with the best results,
coming in, as it does, quite as early as Sangster's No. 1, but
having larger pods, while the Peas are as delicious as Veitch's
Perfection. It grows to a height of from 16 in. to 18 in., can
be sown in rows 20 in. apart, wants no laying, and if cut
by frost, as the early Peas often are, it will send up a pro-
fuse second growth that will bear a heavy crop. Laxton's
Omega, on account of the deep green colour of its pods and
Peas, is also a good market Pea. It is a dwarf Ne Plus Ultra,
but hardier and as good a cropper ; the pods fill well, the
Peas being still soft and juicy when the shells are full to
bursting ; it is a fine dwarf late variety.

Sticking Peas is seldom resorted to in market gardens, the
haulm being allowed to lie on the ground. Gathering is a
matter well attended to, as the oftener the pods are picked
when full the longer do the plants continue to bear. Most
market gardeners save their own seed, and, indeed, some grow
Peas for seed only ; in this case the haulm is frequently
shifted from one side of the row to the other, in order to
prevent the pods from rotting, from being destroyed by snails,
and to expose them to the air and sun, and thus cause them
all to ripen alike. When ripe the haulm is pulled up and
dried, and taken indoors to be cleared of its seed during
wet weather. When the Green Peas arrive in the market,
which they do in half-bushel baskets, covered with Ehuharb
leaves fixed on the surface by means of Willows, and are
disposed of to various salesmen, women shell them in large
quantities. All the Peas then, little and big, are sifted, the
largest being kept separate, and all spotted or worm-eaten
ones are picked from them ; they are kept in basins by them-
selves, and sold at a higher rate than the others, which are in
theu- turn re-sifted and picked, until three kinds and three

prices of Peas are made. I have known some market gar--
deners in the height of the season pay nearly £100 per week
for gathering Peas.

BiioAD Beans. — These are not grown to any great extent,
in London market gardens, and although good supplies of
them are brought to Covent Garden Market, they are the pro-
duce of large fields in what are termed the home counties. A
few London market growers produce them for the sake of con-
venience of cropping, itc, but they are not considered remu-
nerative when the cost of the labour incurred in cultivation,-
seed, picking, packing, and carting is considered. Where
they are grown, however, dry and light soils in warm posi-
tions are chosen for early sowings, which consist of the Early
Mazagan. Sowings of this kind are made in January, and
again in February, in rows 2i ft. apart, running across or
obliquely in the borders or quarters. Large sowings of the
Longpod are made in the latter half of February and in
ilarch, in rows equally distant, as for Mazagans, but with less
particuhrrity as regards the way in which they run, the posi-
tion of the quarter, or the quality of the soil which they
occupy. The Broad Windsor, which forms the principal crop,
is generally sown in March. The Green Broad Windsor is
preferred by consumers ; therefore market gardeners generally
grow this sort for the main crop. Beans are sometimes sown
on ground occupied by Radishes, with the progress of
which they interfere but little, as the Radishes are too small
to injure the Beans, and they are sure to he removed before
the Beans can be in any way injurious to them. Early Stone
Turnips are not unfrequently sown between the rows of
Beans, and such spaces are also sometimes occupied with Cos
Lettuces, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, and Brussels Sprouts in
every second row. Lettuce being in the intervening one. The
Lettuces, being soon ready for market, are removed, and thus
make a good clearance for a free circulation of air, and a
passage from which the Beans off two rows can be easily
gathered. ^Market gardeners, as a rule, do not save their own
seeds of Beans, as they find it cheaper to buy them. When
seeds are to be saved, the haulm must be allowed to occupy the
ground a few weeks longer than it otherwise would do, and
thus the chance of cropping it with Savoys, late Sprouts, or
Cauliflowers, Endive, and a few other similar crops is lost. As
soon, therefore, as the Beans have entirely yielded their crop
the haulm is pulled up and carted to the manure heap. Some
growers, however, grow Beans for seeding purposes, and in
this case about one-half or two-thirds of the pods, consisting
of the earliest-formed, are picked ofl' for marketing in a green
or usable condition, the remainder being left to ripen. If all
were left the seeds would not be so large, plump, or heavy as
when the pods are thus thinned out. When the Beans have
become well matured, the haulm is pulled up and laid on its
side to dry for the remainder of the day, if fine ; it is then
tied into bundles, dried thoroughly, brought home, and either
thrashed at once, or kept under cover or in a thatched stack
until a more convenient season for thrashing out the seed
occurs. The ground cleared is then dug or ploughed or
deeply worked without being manured, and a crop of Endive
or white Cos Lettuce is planted thereon for use in October, or
Savoys, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Broccoli, autumn
Radishes, Leeks. The season when Broad Beans are in the
market is comparatively but a short one, and although
they usually find a ready sale, the London public do not
appreciate them in the same way as they do Peas, French
Beans, or Scarlet Runners. C. W. S.

Spring-flowering Balbs in Regent's Park.— Not-
withstanding the unfavouralile weather which we have had, that
portion of tlie park known as the Floral Walk is now rendered gay

412

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 24, 1879.

by means of a numerous and brilliant display of Tulips and other
spring bulbs. By a judicious bleuding of the various colours the
gaudy hues of some of the kinds are elfectively toned down by the
delicate tints of others — treatment the result of which is highly
satisfactory.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

NEW POTATOES.

DuElNO the summer months there is nothing in the vegetable way
more esteemed than new Potatoes, but althougJi this is the case, the
practice of most gi'owers is to plant all their stock at once ; by doing
which, the skins of the young tubers are set before the end of July,
and therefore cannot be got off without peeling. This not only
detracts greatly from their appearance, but tlie Potatoes are never so
good in quality, as there is something in the inner skin that appears
to preserve the delicate flavour in cooking. It is a well-known fact
that even old tuljers which are fully ripe are always better when
steamed or l>oiled unpeeled, and young ones that can be presented
at table without losing any of their starchy matter, and so finished
off as to be just cracking, are as near perfection as possible. To eat
when young, the Kidney sorts are the most esteemed, the best of
which are the Ashleaf kinds, such as Veitch's and Hyatt's, and to
have these in succession, it is necessary to make two or three plant-
ings in some open, sunny spot, wliere they can be afforded light, rich
soil, and have plenty of space for the air to circulate well between the
rows, which will be the means of rendering the foliage thick and
firm, and enable it to resist the attacks of disease, so prevalent when
the hauhn is in any way drawn. To keep the shoots of the seed-tubers
back, they should be spread out singly on light shelves in a shed or
cellar, where they can be kept cool by allowing a draught to pass
through, and if tliis is done the growth will be very slow and sturdy,
and the sets but little shrunken or wasted, even at the end of several
weeks hence. I have had them as late as the latter part of July, at
which time when planted they are quickly through the ground and
really for earthing up, and if favoured witla a soaking rain just before
that operation takes place, the young tubers swell rapidly and are
soon fit for use. Managed in the way above-mentioned, two crops
may be got off the land the same season, and the spaces set at liberty
by the middle of October for planting Cabbage, or anything of that
kind to stand the winter. It should Ire borne in mincl that Potatoes
saved for late planting should not have their shoots rubbed off, that
is, if they are of the Ashleaf Kidney kind, as when divested of their
first growth tliey rarely start again, except to form small tubers
around them. U'he general tendency of Potatoes to supertuberate
has been taken advantage of to get young ones in winter, but to do
this, the round strong-growing sorts are tlie best, and the larger the
sets of these are, the greater and more satisfactory is the yield they
produce. This is owing to tlie larger amount of stored-up matter
they contain, whicli enables them to pass the summer without
shrivelling up in the way those of smaller size would be likely to do ;
to prevent which, they should be stored in the coolest place that can
be found, and have all their shoots rul.>bed out as they show. To
start them in the autumn or winter, all that is necessary is to bury
them in boxes of moderately dry earth in layers, and stand them iii
any situation where theycan feel a little warmth, when in the course of
a month or six weeks they will be studded all over with clusters of
young ones. These, although not so good as those obtained under
more natural conditions, are a novelty at that time of year, and are
much esteemed by some, and old spare tubers that remain over
at the end of the season may be utilised by turning them to
this account, as it is better than throwing them away. S. D.

CUCUMBEK DISEASE.

I HAVE had considerable experience in the culture of Cucumbers
and Melons, and although I have read from time to time accounts of
the Cucumber disease in The Gaepe.x, I never had it amongst my
plants until now. I find too, that the Cucumber disease described
in The G.\rdex, Vol. XIII., is quite different from that in my case.
The alarming rapidity with which this disease lias traversed the
whole range of my pits is astonishing. I first discovered it in an end
light on the 9th of May, and now (May 14) it is in thirteen lights,
planted with Cucumbers and Melons in the usual way. The soil is
composed of turfy loam, leaf-mould, and manure. I cannot form
any idea as to what has caused this disease to break out, unless it be
minute fungi in the manure and leaves, which form tlie heating
material for these pits. What had I best do to prevent its getting
mte my Cucumber house which is a short distance off? Shall I
destroy all these plants of which I send you samples for examination,
or is there any way by means of which I may save the best of them ?

A Cucumber grower, four miles from here, has lost all his winter crop
through this same disease. J. M.

GloncpMcrxhire.

[The samples which accompanied this communication exhibited one
of the most virulent cases of Cucumber disease which we have yet
seen. We wish a few fruit had accompanied the leaves, as the disease
mostly shows itself in a somewhat different character in the fruits.
But more than enough of leaves and stems have been forwarded to
prove the case to be one of the worst possible of the Cucumber
disease. There are many types and grades of it ; some comparatively
mild, others running rapidly into WTctched masses of rottenness.
There is nothing unusual in its spreading so fast ; it generally does so ;
and the strong probability, almost amounting to certainty, is that
before it has quite wrecked the plants in the pits it will have
attacked the house. It is impossible to account for the
sudden appearance of this disease. Soil, skill, treatment,
site, continue just the same as usual, and yet, alas ! the
plants are suddenly crippled or destroyed. It is, morever,
highly infectious, and is often carried from place to place.
A neighbourly visit from an infected garden may even bring it. It
came here on a plant of Tender and True, and almost vanquished us
for two years. Salus decidedly checked it, whether by destroying
the disease, or stimulating the plants so much as to help them to
make a rush through it, continues doubtful ; most probably the latter ;
and hence, partly at least, originated a change of practice, which
has enabled us to master, rather than wholly stamp out, the disease.
We observed that the young plants grown in a brisk heat had no
disease ; it was therefore determined to continue a wanner course of
treatment all through. A rise of temperature from & to 80', or 85°,
at top and bottom, has suppressed, if not extinguished, the disease.
It is, we believe, still here, but it does not show itself. We had
proofs of this in the autumn. A cold pit was planted with French
Cantaloupe Melons ; these got diseased, while those subjected to more
heat were free from it. Acting on this fact, our Cucumbers and
Melons have had, as has been before stated, more heat than usual,
and up till now we have seen no disease. Our advice is destroy the
worst plants or the whole in the jiits. Thoroughly clean, then add
new and more heating material, and make a fresh start. The surest
way of sweeping the disease out of the house is to advance the
temperature to 80°, or even 90°. With abundance of light and
proper care in regard to air, &c., this high temperature is by no
means unfavourable to Cucumbers or Melons, while it has proved
with us the only sure or certain antidote to the disease. — D. T. Fi.sH.]

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

WIREWORMS.

(aTHOUS hemorrhoid ALIS and AGRIOTES LINE.4.TtTS.)

The grubs of these beetles, as well as those of some nearly allied
species, are only too well known to gardeners and farmers by the
name of wireworms, and it is perhaps hardly overstating the case to
say that they are among the most troul:ilesome foes with which either
has to contend, as at times they are in great abundance, and live on
and destroy the roots of most garden and farm crops. The grubs of
the Tipulid:e (Daddy Longlegs), described in The Garden for
August 10, 1878, are sometimes called wireworms, but that is quite a
mistake ; the term should only be applied to the grubs of the beetles
belonging to the family (the Elaterida?) to which the insects belong,
which form the subject of this paper. Wireworms are generally
most abundant in newdy-made gardens, particularly if the ground
has been previously pasture land. When they are present in great
numbers they can only be got rid of by much trouble and labour.
There have been many means suggested for keeping this insect in
check, but few are of much use unless the ground be well cultivated,
and care taken to destroy every one which may be found. No por-
tion of a garden should be allowed to remain undisturbed and covered
with weeds for any length of time, for such places form regular hot-
beds for the propagation of these and many other insects. Most
birds, particularly rooks, starlings, blackbirds, thrushes, pheasants,
and partridges, are very fond of wireworms, and if the gTound be
kept properly worked, so that they can get at them, they destroy
immense numbers. Moles also are their deadly foes, and certain
carnivorous beetles belonging to the family Carabida; kill quantities
of them. Slices of Potatoes or, in default of these, slices of Beet-
root, Turnip, Carrot, &c., or pieces of Lettuce or Rape-cake have
been found very useful as baits when buried about 1 in. below the
surface near any plants which have been, or are likely to be, attacked
by these grubs. Each bait should haveasmallstickstuckinto it, so that
it can be removed and examined; this should bedone every morning, and
the wireworms which wiU be found boring into the bait destroyed.

May 24, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

413

Some recommend merely laying these baits on the ground, as being
more efficacious than burvingthem, a plan which is certamly simpler,
and might be tried as well as the other. Some plant Daisies, the
roots of which the Avireworms are particularly fond of, to attract them
from any plants they wish to preserve. Gas-lime, and a mixture of
lime and fresh soot, well incorporated with the soil, are very eaectual
in keeping them in check. Common salt strewn over the ground and
well dug in (about 6 cwt. to the acre), is also much recommended.
Rolling the ground is of little or no use, as the wireworm is so tough,
and generally so far below the surface, as to be unhurt by any
ordinary rolling, and the ground is made harder, and consequently
birds have more difficulty in getting at them. Fortunately, the wire-
worms are not free from parasites ; a very small ichneumon fly hnds
them out and deposits its eggs within their bodies. They are also
infested by a minute intestinal worm. Both these parasites no doubt
assist in checking their increase. The beetles should always be
destroyed whenever they can be found. They are at times attacked
by two species of minute ticks, but it is very questionable if their
numbers are reduced by these parasites.

A very successful cultivator of Picotees and Carnations tells me
that he always had the earth in which he grew his plants carefully
looked o\-er twice on the potting bench to be quite sure there were no
•vvireworms amongst it ; and even then he placed a piece of Carrot m

^^^^

.,pa3xaxai2>.

1. — Athous hfcmnrrhoidalis(macrniRed). 3.--.4!iriotes line.itus (macniifled),

2.— Wu-eworm Ciuagiiifled aud natural size). A.— Side view of thorax of ditto.

each pot, which was examined every morning, and the plants were
not considered safe until the Carrot had not lieen touched by wire-
worms for a few days. In 1874, a piece of land near Worthing,
which liad not been cultivated for two or three years, during wliicli
time it had been lying waste, was made into a flower garden ;
-during the first year nearly all kinds of herbiceous plants suffered
much from the attacks of the wireworm, particularly Carnations,
Pansies, Daisies, Polyanthuses, and Sweet Williams. Wlienever a
plant was found to be drooping, it was lifted, and a careful search
made for the worms, when sometimes five or six would be found on
one plant. The second year tlie damage, though considerable, was
much less, the same plan being pursued. Tlie third year the number of
wireworms was so much diminished, that no particular care was
taken to exterminate them, but every one met with was destroyed,
as well as any of the beetles. The garden is now nearly free
from them.

Wireworms appear to be almost omnivorous, as far as the produce
■of kitchen gardens is concerned, and the flower garden fares little
better. Such plants as Irises, Ranunculuses, Anemones, Lobelias,
Dahlias, Stocks, and the plants already mentioned, are amongst those
particularly liable to be attacked. Young trees in nursery gardens often
suffer much from these insects. The Elateridie are a tolerably large
family, containing nearly sixty British species. The beetles are all
long, narrow, and oval, with very long thoraxes ; they are usually of
a dull brown or yellow colour, but some are more gaily coloured ; they
are mostly very active and fly well ; if disturbed they generally fold up
their legs and antennae and feign death, and if on a flower fall to the
ground. Their legs are so short, that if one chances to fall on its back
it could not right itself, were it not for the following peculiarities in its
structure : The thorax is furnished beneath with a small spine (fig. 3a),
and which fits into a cavity in the breast when the insect lowers its
head and thorax. If the beetle falls, or is laid on its back, it raises
its head and thorax, which forces the spine into the cavity ; then
forcibly trying to straighten itself again, the spine flies out with an
audible click, and the insect is raised several inches into the air and
generally falls on its feet ; if it does not, it makes another jump. The

beetles are quite harmless, and may generally be found on flowers,
particularly umbelliferous ones, stems of Grass, under stones, &c.,
during the spring and summer. The females are provided with
longish ovipositors, which they can protrude or retract at pleasure ;
with these tliey deposit their eggs, which are very small, oval, and
wliitish, during the summer below the surface of the ground, near
or on tlie roots of some plant. The number of species of which
the wireworms are destructive is not exactly known. A very large
majority live in decaying and decayed wood, but probably ten or
twelve, or perhaps more, are injurious to garden and farm crops. The
grubs of the following species, however, are very destructive and very
common, particularly those of the first two, Athous ha'morrhoidalis,
Agriotes lineatus, A. sputator, A. obscurus. The wireworms are all
long, narrow, smooth grubs, of a yellowish colour, and are very
tough and horny, resembling very much the common meal worm in
general appearance, and they are tolerably active. They are very
long lived and grow very slowly, for they do not attain their full
size for five years ; at the end of that time those of the largest species
are about J in. or rather more in length. When full grown they
descend deeper into the earth, and form small, oval cells in which
they undergo their change to the chrysalis state.

Athous haimorrhoidalis is about 4 jn. long ; the head is black, with
shining eyes of the same colour, and is furnished with a pair of dark
reddish-brown antenna;, consisting of twelve jonts. Tlie thorax is
bluish-black in colour, and covered with very minute pale hairs,
which are scarcely visible to the naked eye ; it is long and narrow,
with the sides nearly parallel, and terminating in a spine at each
angle of the base ; the wing cases are ratlier wider than the thorax,
and are long and narrow ; they are not quite as long again as the
head and thorax together, the sides are nearly parallel, but gradually
converge to a point ; tliey are of a dark reddish-brown colour,
covered with fine pale liairs ; they are striated with several finely
punctured longitudinal lines ; the legs are short with long feet, and
of a chestnut-brown colour.

Agriotes lineatus is about | in. long, and is considerably stouter
in proportion than tlie foregoing species; the head is small and
blackish ; the autenn* are reddish-brown, and consist of twelve
joints ; the thorax is dark brownish-black, sliaded at the edges into
cliestnut ; it is nearly as wide as it is long, and very convex ; both
sides terminate at the base in a spine ; the wing cases are long,
oval, and convex, with somewhat parallel sides ; they are striated
longitudinally with several punctured lines, the spaces between the
lines being alternately Ijrownish-black and chestnut ; the entire
insect is covered with minute pale hairs.

The wireworms of difi'erent species are very similar in appearance,
but they can be distinguislied by the last joint of the body, which
varies in form ; the distinctions are, however, not worth mentioning
here. They are all long, narrow grubs, horny and very convex
above. Their bodies are composed of twelve smooth, yellowish
joints ; the three first each bear a pair of sliort legs ; the last is fur-
nished below with a retractile tubercle, which serves the purpose of
a seventh leg ; this last joint is generally roundish and flat at tlie
top, and usually more or less toothed at tlie edge, but varying in
this respect according to the species. The first joint of tlie body is
much larger than the three following ones. The head is somewhat
darker than the rest of the grub ; its mouth is furnished witli minute
feelers and a pair of strong, toothed, reddish-brown jaws ; there
are a few scattered hairs on the body. The chrysalis is nearly as long as
tlie perfect insect, and of the same form, all the limbs of winch are
distinctly visible through tlie semi-transparent skin in which they
are wrapped. "• ''• ■*•

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

CAMELLIAS AND THEIR VARIOUS MODES OF
CULTURE.
Pot Culture. — Where small plants only are wanted, or speci-
mens to shift from one house or room to another, healthy plants in
pots will always be found most useful. Such plants should al^iays
be in the hands of the cultivator when from 15 in. to 18 in. high,
and about half these measurements in width. Abundance of little
plants of this description can always be purchased, and they are
better to begin with than larger ones. They will probably be in
3-in. pots, and when it is found that these are becoming pretty well
filled with roots they must be shifted into 6-in. ones. What to pot
them in, and when to pot, are not very important questions, as I
find that our plants succeed well, potted or planted, at any time, and
in any kind of soil ; and at the same time it is best to be on the safe
side, and for that reason it will be well, especially in the case of
young growers, to be careful at first as to the selection of their soil
until it has been proved that the roots wiU not refuse material of a

414

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 24, 1879.

commoner kind. A mixture of loam and peat, in about equal parts,
with a liberal addition of silver sand, makes one of the best composts
which can be used for Camellias. Before potting them into larger
pots the latter must be perfectly clean and dry ; good drainage must
also be secured, and it is a good plan to place a thin layer of Moss
over this before putting in the soil. In beginning to pot, a few of
the roughest pieces of the material should be placed at
the bottom, and tlie ball kept entire sliould be set on this.
The soil should then be put carefully round the sides, ramming it
down firmly, and leaving the surface of the old ball just covered and
no more. After potting, if the plants are about to start into growth,
they should be placed in a moist, jiartially-sliaded house in a tem-
perature of 55' or 60'. They should remain no longer there than
the roots get liohl of the new soil, as, after that, full exposure to the
sun and less moisture in the atmosphere siiit them best. When
Camellias are potted, after the flower-buds are fomied, but not opened,
they should not be excited into growth in any way, but be allowed
to quietly establish themselves in the new soil. For my part I
would just as soon pot Camellias when the buds are half swelled as
immediately after the blooms have fallen. Plants of tolerably good
size may be grown in 6-in. pots, and when too large for these a 10-in.
pot will generally be found to be a suitable shift. From this they
may be shifted into H-in. pots, each time using the same compost as
that recommended in the first instance. The general culture of
Camellias in pots consists in keeping them always potted in good
sweet material, keeping the roots constantly moist, as nothing injures
the Camellia so much as drought at tiie root. During the time when
the most tender part of their gro\vth is being made they may be
kept in a somewhat close, moist, warm atmosphere, but whenever
growth seems at an end let them be fully exposed to sun and air.
Except when newly potted, they should never be shaded ; indeed, if
they can be accommodated with an unshaded liouse during the summer
and autumn, so much the better, but after growth is completed — say
from the middle of June until tlie end of September — they do well
placed out-of-doors in a situation sheltered from wind, but fully ex-
posed to the sun. The bloom-buds often drop to a greater extent under
pot culture than under any other mode of treatment, and in nine
cases out of every ten bud-shedding is either the result of bad
drainage or of drouglitsome time or other. The foliage must at all
times be kept quite clean, either by means of sponging or syringing.
Nothing sets off Camellia blooms to greater advantage than fine,
healthy, clean foliage.

Box or Tub Culture. — Wlien Camellias become too large for
ordinary-sized pots, rather than allow tliem to liecome deteriorated
from want of proper root-room, let them be planted in large round
tubs or square boxes. This mode of gi-owing them may be called
pot culture extended, as in planting and general i-equirements tlie one
requires the same attention as the other, bat when once established
in a large tub or box they do not require to be often shifted, twelve
years being not an unusual period for plants to remain in the same
box. Our largest specimens stand out-of-doors from the middle of
May until the middle of October. They are wintered in a large cool
house, and they bloom superbly during March, April, and May.
When established, watering copiously at the root constitutes the
chief attention which they require. For convenience of shifting about
and general decoration, small-sized pots will, however, be found of
greater service than either tubs or boxes.

Planted Out Under Glass. — Of the various ways of grow-
ing the Camellia indoors tliis is by far the best ; thus treated, they
grow bettor, bloom more profusely, and the blossoms open in succes-
sion for a greater length of time. Several liushes in the conservatory
here bloom from before Christmas until after Easter, and we can
never insure anytliing like this in tlie case of pot or box plants. From
one plant alone of the double white we cut, during December, Janu-
ary, February, and March, over 1000 blooms ; and yet it is not a
very large plant, being only some 10 ft. high and about 4 ft. through.
Beds for Camellias may be of any size, from 3 ft. sijuare and 2 ft.
deep to those of larger dimensions. Here, as in potting, perfect
drainage must be secured before planting is attempted. The soil
should be much the same as recommended for pots, only rougher, and
a dash of charcoal in it will be an advantage. Both before and after
planting the soil should be firmly trodden ivith the feet. The plant-
ing may be done at any time, except when the blooms are open. To
plant them would probably cause them to fall prematurely. Last
February we planted about a dozen Camellias, all set with buds.
After planting, they wei-e liberally watered at the root and syringed
overhead ; since then they have all produced some very fine blooms,
and they are now making vigorous growth. Either young or old
plants may be planted out, but when they become too large for pots
and boxes, invariably the best plan is to plant them out,
spreading out the roots a little if they have previously been twisted
ronnd the pot, but a thorough breaking up of the ball should not
be attempted, unless the soil about the roots be in a very bad con-

dition. After they begin to grow they must be copiously watered
and, with plenty of moisture at the root, syringing overhead is not so
much needed, except for the purpose of keeping the leaves clean.
If the weather happens to be very sunny when planting, and
especially if they have started into growth a little, a slight shade
should be afforded them for some ten or twelve days, but after that
they should be fully exposed ; that ripens the wood, matures the
buds, and ensures a profusion of blossoms. Camellias may be planted
out against conservatory walls, to which they should be trained.
When Camellias become too large for the purposes for which they
are wanted, they should be cut in just before growth commences,
and any having long bare stems may be cut back with every cer-
tainty that they will push shoots further back from the old wood,
provided they are treated tlie same as plants just starting into
growth. Early blooms may easily be secured by starting the plants-
early into gi'owth, and having the buds ripened well early in autumn.
Camellia blooms in November, December, .January, and February,
I need scarcely say, are much more valuable than they would be about
this time of the year. When kept clean and healthy, few or no
insects harm Camellias.

Open-air Culture- — Camellias are now conclusively proved to
be hardy, a fact, however, by no means new ; but they are not grown
out-of-doors so plentifully as they should be now, yet in so many
parts of the country June is the best month in which to plant them
them out, and where they have been wintered in a close house they
should be, as it were, hardened off before they are finally planted out.
The best situation for them is one well exposed to the sun, but shel-
tered from strong winds, which prove more disastrous to the flowers
than anything else. No greater mistake could be made in the case
of outdoor Camellias than planting them in a shaded ' ' nook. " In
such a position they might be well protected, but that would prove
anything but a benefit to them in the end, as full exposure in summer
promotes free flowering, and renders them proof against frost. When
the pit is made for their roots two or thi'ee baiTowloads should be
taken out, and the same kind of material as that recommended for
indoor plants should be substituteil. In planting, this must be well
and carefully pressed against the roots, and after that is completed,
if they are planted on lawns, the turf should be laid neatly down
again around their stems. Immediately the planting is done a good
watering should be given, and this should be repeated once or twice
a week while the weather remains dry. In excessively hot and dry
weatlier a mulching of rough manure is of much service over the
roots for the first few months, and until such time as the roots have
taken a firm hold, one or two stakes, sufficient in strength to hold
the plant steady, should be put to eacli. When planted, during the
first winter, if they have not become quite established, and the
weather should prove severe, it is a good plan to protect tliem a little
with old mats, or in some way or other, but these should be put off
or kept on according to the state of the weather.

The following is our selection for both indoor and outdoor culture,
viz. : Double white, Augustina superba, Beali, Chandleri elegans,
Lavinia Maggi, Countess of Derby, Countess of EUesmere, Countess
of Orkney, Cup of Beauty, fimbriata, Jenny Lind, Jubilee, Lady
Hume's Blush, Mathotiana alba, Mrs. Abbey Wilder, Queen of
Beauties, Rubens, and Wilderi. Cambbiait.

HAKDINESS OF CAMELLIAS.

The ability of Camellias to live out-of-doors unprotected in England
appears to be something new to several who have written of late
respecting them ; but their hardiness has been long known in some
districts not nearly so favourably situated as the places instanced.
I could have pointed to examples of the old Double White and others
200 miles north of London a score of years ago that had then for a,
similar length of time stood out in a shrubbery border uninjured.
There can be no objection to any one who happens to have spare
plants or feels disjiosed to so turn them out doing so ; but except
in the most favoured spots on the coast the result with these, or any
other plant that naturally blooms so early, can never be satisfactory,
and even such exceptional places only very partially so. The time
when Camellia flowers are most required is from October to April, a
season long enough to satisfy most people, although it can be extended
much longer tlian that where desired ; and the disposition to thus
bloom through the winter months is one of the gi-eatest merits of
this most beautiful and useful of flowering shrubs. "A. D." speaks
of the thousands of Camellias that are starved and killed in pots and
tubs, a statement which is quite correct ; but this is not the fault of
the plant, or any evidence of its unsuitability for that description of
culture ; so treated, as well as planted out, and in both cases grown
under glass is its legitimate position in this country ; its flowers are
too susceptible of injury from spring frosts and of being chafed by
the wind to admit of more than very partial success out-of-doors.

May 2-i, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

415

although the plant itself is quite as hardy as many that are all that
could be desired in the open air without any protection whatever. It
is desirable to grow all the plants possible out-of-doors that will
endure our cUniate, and that bloom at a time of the year when their
beauty can be fidly developed and enjoyed ; but when their nature
is such as not to admit of this, except as curiosities, and for those
who liave no convenience for treating them in accordance with what
they require, Camellias, or anj-ihing else of a similar character,
merely occupy a place that could be much better filled by otlier
shrubs. T. Baines.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE INDOOE GAEDEN.
Sarracenias at Chelsea.— At Mr. Bull's nursery there is

now an extensive and interesting collection of these singular plants ;
they till the whole of one side of a span-roofed house some 60 ft.
long. Most of them were imported last summer, and since then
have made growth more like that which they usually produce in two
or more years than the result of a single season. The plants are
almost touching the root glass, and up to the middle of May have
never been shaded in the least, nor, we understand, will be, unless
the sun is found later on to burn them ; this treatment veiy much
intensifies their colour. They comprise S. Drummondi rubra and
S. flava major — the true very large-gro\ving variety with its ^eat
veined lid. This is very scarce, and much the largest and hnest
species yet known. In the same collection were also other forms of
S. flava, the singular small-growing S. psittacina ; S. variolaris, very
strong ; S. purpurea ; the hitherto scarce S. rul)ra, with its \-iolet-
Bcented flowers, that, independent of their quaiut singularity of foi-m
and rich maroon-coloured petals, are deserving of cultivation for
their perfume, as a single bloom will scent a whole house. Amongst
these is a very distinct new kind, in fonn in the way of S. rubra, but
evidently a large and free flowerer, ■with stouter pitchers than those of
tliat kind. Some of the first fonned since it was received have
attained a height of from 20 in. to 24 in., and stout in proportion,
but its most distinctive character is exhiliited in the lid, the inner
side of whicli, over some three-fourths of its velvety surface is dark
chocolate, the colour quite solid and distinctly defined from the lower
central portion of the lid, which is netted over with the same colour
on an olive-green ground. It is a very distinct and welcome addition
to this not over-numerous section of Pitcher plants, wliich are
gradually making their way in the estimation of plant growers, since
their cultural requirements have become better understood ; and it
has been found that they thrive and attain a condition of high colour
in tlieir pitchers, wliich so much enliances their appearance in a
much lower temperature than that to which they used to be subjected,
and which was alike destructive of both healthy vigour and appear-
ance. With them were associated a beautiful lot of Droseras, dis-
tinct species, in excellent condition, and a cpiantity of thriving
Dionseas ; also the New Holland Pitcher plant, Cephalotus foUicu-
laris.— P. G.

Large Dionaea muscipula. — I think that with a little

care in selection we might soon have a much larger variety of this
highly interesting plant than that which one generally sees in culti-
vation. I have at tlie present time two tine seedlings growing at the
cool end of our intermediate house here, along with cool Odonto-
^lossums, &c., which present vei-y striking differences, both in
general habit and in the colour of the leaves. One is the common
variety, with green leaves produced in abundance, and it measures
about 6 in. across, and the other has petioles about 4 in. in length,
of a purplish-red colour, and leaf-lobes quite 1 in. long, exclusive of
the bristles or teeth, which measure J in. in length. When laid
down in the natural way the leaves extend considerably over the
rim of a 9-in. pot, and have to be tied up in order to get the bell-
glass on the pot. Both plants are growing together under exactly
similar conditions in 2-in. pots, plunged in Sphagnum within
another pot of size sufficient to hold a bell-glass, and they are kept
constantly wet, air being admitted at both top and bottom of the
glass. A greenhouse or cold frame is said to be warm enough to
grow the Dion^a successfuU}', and this may be so during the summer,
but I find that during the greater part of the growing season such
quarters are too cold for it, as the leaves lose their vitality to a gi-eat
extent. I put one plant at the warm end of a greenhouse for a fort-
night, and in a short time the leaves refused to close on any object
that was placed within them, but when restored to its old and
wanner quarters it recovered its sensitiveness in a short time. —
J. S. W.

Gloxinias all the "Year Round. — Few plants are more
useful or more accommodating than Gloxinias. They may be grown
by anyone who has a pit heated by fermenting material or otherwise,
and a greenhouse to put them in when coming into bloom, which
should be some time between June and September. For the last

fourteen months we have never been without some plants of them in
bloom, the number ranging from six to thirty at a time. We find
them most useful, especially when gTown in 5-in. pots, the size in
which we mostly grow them. I find them useful for mixing with
Fems and fine-foliaged plants for house decoration, and also in the
shape of cut flowers for filling vases in winter. A few blooms of
these, and a few of other light-looking flowers, together with Fern
fronds, have a pretty eflect in a vase, and are sure to be appre-
ciated in winter. We grow a batch of them for conservatory decora-
tion during summer ; these are started the first week in April, and
we keep potting a few the first week in every month during the first
ten months in the year ; this gives a good succession. Our stock o£
bulbs is upwards of 150. We sow a packet of seeds in March, the
seedlings from which bloom in August and September, when the
best of them are picked out and saved for stock, but as good bulbs
may be bought cheaply, some who have but little room may piefer
that course to sowing seeds. To the amateur, Gloxinias may be
strongly recommended, seeing that tliey are at rest during winter
when room is most valuable. They are neither difficult to grow, nor
do they want nmch heat. — J. C, Farnborowjh.

LAST WINTER'S DISASTERS.

I HOPE that a carefid record will be kept of the disasters among
tender plants from the cold of last winter. Whatever has stood but
sligiitly injured may be in future considered as safe. I am afraid
Ireland, where the soft rains of the Atlantic and the high winter tem-
perature have led to a good deal of experiment in planting out the
hardier exotics, has suflered a good deal. I have lost Fuchsias,
Euonymuses, Veronicas, and MjTtles ; a noble Cordyline indivisa
was killed ; and on a south wall, where the plants were protected
during tlie winter, a large Mandevilla has gone, as well as Verbenas
and Habrothamnuses, and a Magnolia is much l)rowned. All our plants
of Pampas Grass, too, are dead. The place of which I speak is
sheltered, and on the limestone plain in the centre of Ireland, which
rises some 200 ft. above the sea level. At Charleville Forest, some
twenty miles to tlie soutli. Laurels have been in many cases killed.
Those very intelligent nurserymen, Messrs. Rodger, McClelland &
Co., of Newry, write to me that the winter has treated them also
very badly, though their stock is so large, they will soon repair the
disaster. Laurustinuses, Euonymuses, and the large-leaved ^^ero-
nicas are killed to the ground. Ceanothus Veitchi has proved
proved cjuite hardj-, even as an unprotected bush in the open ground.
The azureus grouj) is safe. Gloire de Versailles is alive and, happily,
breaking. Curiously enough, by the side of squares of Laurustinuses,
of which not a vestige remains above ground, hundreds of Drac^na
australis rear their heads, the ends of the leaves browned, but
othenvise uninjured. The small-leaved Veronicas are all safe ; Escal-
lonias are dead to the ground. I hear that Rhj-nchospermum jas-
minoides has stood perfectly in Sussex, and Camellias are green and
vigorous where the common Laurel is brown, languid, and unhappy.
I saw this at Lord Pelham's, near Folkestone — magnificent plants
covered with bloom. Still, there is no reason for despair. The
actual losses will very probably turn out less than was at first sup-
posed, and we shall, at least, know better what to plant and what
to avoid. Bkixsley M.^rlay.

St. Katharine's Lodge, Regent's Pari:

■ The weather here (Bromsgrove) for the past eight months has

been very severe. We have lost cartloads of shrubs usually con-
sidered perfectly hardy, notably common Laurel, whicli has behaved
badly, double Gorse, which is quite dead, Berberis Darwini, Coto-
neaster microjihylla, and many others ; our Deodars have lost nearly
all their leaves and look like deciduous trees, and even common
Yews and Hollies are cruelly scarred and damaged. I have very
little faith in the fruit crops hereabouts. — H. M.

The Past "Winter in Ireland. — We leam that there has

been great destruction of trees and shrubs in the south of Ireland.
Many of the fine plants at Fota, near Cork, are killed, including the
New Zealand Flax, which gi-ew in quantity there. The variegated
forms suflered less than the green kinds. The Draccenas and the
Tree Fern (Dicksonia) were .also killed.

Sarmienta repens. — This charming little Gesneraceous plant

is one of the best we know of for gi'owing in baskets, or suspended
pans, or pots in a greenhouse. 'Phe slender wiry creeping stems
hang gracefully over the sides, and for a long time during spring bear
a profusion of bright scarlet tubular flowers, which are very sliowy,
especially when seen in quantity, as we saw a few days ago in Messrs.
Veitch and Son's nursery, at Chelsea.

41G

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 24, 1879.

LOCAL INFLUENCE ON VEGETATION.

" My g.arden is unfavourably situated on a clay subsoil, but this can
scarcely influence to an extent so injurious plants grown under glass
in soil suitable to them, more especially as the evil of which I com-
plain is increashig " {]>. 356). "Some of the houses Imve been built
fifteen years" (p. 404). Several professional cultivators having agreed
to differ about this mystery, may I be permitted to suggest that the
■words in italics in the above extracts contain the solution of " E. T.'s "
difficulty. The glass having in the course of its long exposure to
light changed to a yellowish, non-actinic tinge, and the statement
that the influence first shows itself in arrested gi-owth of the foliage
would seem to confirm my conjectures. I would call the serious
attention of horticulturists to the evil influence that discoloured
glass must have upon plants submitted to its killing care, a point
either unknown to them, or disregarded as of no importance.
Another matter to which no attention appears to be given is the
extremely varying quantity of actinism which we get on different
days. I know, as a practical photographer, that on arid, blue-sky
days, with the wind in the nortli and east, the power of the light is
trifling compared with that which we get with a south or west wind,
bringing up moisture and almost self-luminous masses of cloud ; and it
is not the mere moisture that makes tlie difference, but that ever-
varying property of liglit, wliich -n-e call actinism, that ought to
obtain some attention from those engaged in forcing, if from no
others. London Stone.

May I be allowed to state that I have been in the employ of

" E. T." as head gardener ten months, and that during that time
1 have had no interference whatever as regards the management or
treatment of his plants ; also that I have every requisite required for
plant-growing. I can also testify to "E. T.'s" practical know-
ledge of plants and their requirements. I have never before expe-
rienced such difficulties in the way of plant culture as I have met
with here; the plants to which " E. T." especially refers almost
refuse to grow, and for what reason I am utterly at a loss to guess.
Cuttings strike freely and also root well after potting, and for a time
the roots remain healthy, but from want of growth they, too, become
eflfected. — W. G.

PLATE CLXXXI.

Plants Uninjured by Rabbits.— As my place is infested

with rabbits, I have made a list of shrubs, &c., not injured by these
vermin, and if any one can add to it I shall be much obliged. I call
certain plants rabbit-proof, but my experience, of more than twenty
years, has shown me that tliere are individual rabbits from which
nothing is safe — "doginthemanger," in fact — which, from sheer
mischief, bite things that they will not eat, especially attacking
what is newly planted, and going back day after day to finish the
mischief, unless the plant be protected. 1 find the stems easily pre-
served by rolling loosely round them a few Briers, or even placing
upright twigs of any sort round the stem, and tying them closely to
it. This, of course, does not apply to the protection of the outer
branches, but only to hinder them from barking the stem. I find
daubing with mud also very often effectual. My list is as follows :
Andromeda Catesbsi, A. formosa, and some others, excepting A. poli-
folia and cassinifefolia ; Araucarias, Arbutus (including Pernettyas),
Aucubas (when large). Azaleas, Berberis (except stenophylla, which
is cropped at the points), Box, Black Thorn, Butcher's Broom, Brier,
Corchorus japonica, Cryptomeria elegans, C. japonica, Cupressus
Lawsoniana, Chimonanthus fragrans, Chionanthus virginica, Deutzias,
Elder, Euonymus, Heaths (except sometimes E. herbacea), Epime-
diums, Gaultheria Shallon and others, Helleborus, Hollies (only
when old). Honeysuckles (climbing and Tartarian, &c.). Ivy, Junipers
(except the berry-bearing when small), Kalmias (of sorts, except
K. glauca) Ledums (of sorts), Laburnum (except when small). Laurels
(only when large). Lilacs, Mahonias (except when very small and
newly planted), Menziesias, Myrica cerifera, M. californica. Peri-
winkle, Podocarpus, Polygala Chama;buxus, Privet, Quercus Ilex
(Evergreen Oak), Retinospora ericoides (all others greedily eaten),
Ribes sanguineum, Rhododendrons (except dwarf small-leaved kinds,
which are sometimes cropped), Rhodora canadensis, Roses (generally),
Savin, Sweet Brier, Spiraeas (both herbaceous and shrubby), St. John's-
■wort and other Hypericums, Syringa (Philadelphus), Thuja Lobbi,
Thuiopsis borealis, Weigelas, Wellingtonia (?), Yews (of sorts), the
common Taxodium,'and the upright T. japonicum. — M. C. D.

Alpines on "Walls. — Tliis plan of growing Alpines we saw a
few days .ago in Mr. Latimer Clarke's garden at Sydenham Hill, in
which a wall, built slightly in a slanting position and facing south,
was thickly covered with numerous Saxifrages, Primulas, Androsaces,
and similar plants, all thriving vigorously, their only point of
attachment being the uarrow layer of soft mortar between the bricks.
The wall is backed up with soil— in short a sunk fence or ha-ha, and
this probably keeps the mortar moist.

ERITRICHIUM NANUM AND PENTSTEMON
HUMILIS.

E. nanum. — Most people are acquainted with the interesting
little Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), which inhabits the Scotch
mountains, to which this, the loveliest of all Alpine gems, is a near
relative, but it far excels it in the intensity of the azure-blue of its
small blossoms, a colour only equalled by some of the Alpine Gentians,
such as G. verna and G. bavarica. Though it has the reputation of
being somewhat difficult to cultivate, a fair amount of success may
be ensured by planting it in a compost consisting of finely-broken
limestone or sandstone, with the addition of a small quantity of rich
fibry loam and peat, and selecting a spot for it in the rock garden,
where it will be fully exposed, and tlie roots in proximity to massea
of half-buried rock, to the sides of which they delight to cling.
Being always found growing naturally in stony places and continually
watered by myriads of snow rills, due observance should be paid to
providing it with an abundant supply of water during spring and
summer, but it should be withheld in autumn. The chief enemy
with which one has to contend in growing this little gem, and indeed
all other Alpines which have silky or cottony foliage, is excessive
moisture during winter, whicli causes them to damp off in a short
time ; in their native habitats they are covered with dry snow during
that period. To obviate this some recommend planting it where an
overhanging ledge protects it from rain, &c., but if such protection
be not removed during summer, it has an injurious effect, causing, as
it does, too much shade and dryness. A better plan is to place two
pieces of glass so as to form a ridge over the plant, thus keeping it;
dry, and at the same time allowing a free access of air at the ends,
but these should be removed early in spring. It is a native of
Europe, and is widely distributed, as it is found along the whole range
of the Alps from Carniola to the south of France, and it revels in the
clear raritied atmosphere of the loftiest summits often as high as
10,000 ft.

Pentstemon hmnilis. — With but few exceptions, many kinds
of Pentstemons that liave come to us from the Far West grow from
1 ft. to 2 ft. in height, but this diminutive Alpine species, which
inhabits lofty regions on the Rocky Mountains, seldom exceeds 9 in.
in height. It forms compact tufts, and is remarkably free-flowering,
and the blossoms, whicli are large for the size of the plant, present
a very attractive appearance, on account of their pleasing blue colour,
diffused with a reddish-purple hue. It should be planted in the
rock garden in the most select spot and fully exposed, using a com-
post of gritty loam and well-decomposed leaf-mould, and during
summer it should be copiously supplied with water. W. G.

Hardy Flo'wers at Ke"W. — Amongst the most noteworthy
of those now in flower may be named the Carinthian Wulfenia
(\V. carinthiaca), a pretty dwarf rock plant, growing about 6 in.
high, with a tuft of finely toothed leaves, from which spring flower
stems terminated by a dense cluster of small purplish-blue flowers.
The purple-flowered variety of Polygala Chanutbuxus, figured in The
Garden (Vol. XIII., p. 36), makes a charming little rock plant. Its
pink Pea-like blossoms with a yellow keel are produced plentifully,
and are very attractive amidst its small Box-like foliage. The Hima-
layan Primula Munroi is flowering very freely, its pure white
blossoms, rising from deep green tufts of small oval leaves, being very
effective, and rendering it a most desirable kind. A rare member of
the same family is the Obtuse-leaved Androsace (A. obtusifolia),
with small umbels of pure white blossoms with golden eyes.
Another exquisite Alpine is the Pyrenean form of the Alpine Forget-
me-not (Myosotis alpestris), of which a coloured illustration was
given in The Garden (Vol. XL, plate LXI). Nothing can be prettier
than cushion-like masses of this plant, not more than 1 in. high,
studded profusely with small flowers of the deepest azure-blue, with
a very small yellowish eye. It is a notable fact that this Pyrenean
form is far more robust in constitution than the Scotch form; as a cul-
tiviited plant, it is therefore preferable. Of the numerous kinds of
Fritillaries now in flower, the most desirable is F. pallidiflora, a
really handsome kind, that grows about 1 ft. high, and has rather
broad very glaucous leaves from the axils, of which large white
blossoms are produced plentifully, and h.ave a very pretty effect,
drooping, as they do, so gracefully. F. pyrenaica is another hand-
some kind, the flowers of which are bell-shaped, of a livid purple
hue outside and yellow within. Muscari compactum, one of the
newer kinds of Grape Hyacinth, is a pretty addition to that class of
plants. It mucli resembles M. neglectum, as regards its blue-black
flowers, but is larger iu all its parts, more especially the foliage,
which is much broader. — W.

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THE GAKDEN.

417

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

Though the season is advancing, considering the necessarily low
temperature of the ground through lack of sunshine, nothing w ill be
gained by planting out tender bedding plants till there has been a
few days of bright sunshine. Meanwhile, however, the plants
should be subjected to the hardening-off process by placing them
under the shelter of trees, walls, and turf pits, and the more tender
kinds, such as Coleus and Alteniantheras, must still have the protec-
tion of glass. Calceolarias, Verbenas, and Lobelias will stand 2" of
frost ; these may therefore be planted together with all hardy plants,
and the putting out of the tender kinds will tlien be (luickly accom-
plished as soon as favourable weather has set in. There are two
requirements of especial importance as regards successful planting ;
the first is, that the roots be in the same state as to moisture as the
gi-ound to which they are to be transferred ; and the other is, that
the soil be well compressed about tlie roots. Beds or borders intended
for small seedlings, or for plants that are to he put out without balls
of earth, should be previously well watered ; and if partial shade,
such as that afforded by evergreen twigs, can be given, they will
start into growth the more readily. Advantage should be taken of
showery weather to thin out and transplant Asters, Stocks, Phlox
Drummoudi, Zinnias, and other annuals ; also biennial plants, such
as Antirrhinums, Pentstemons, Wallflowers, and Sweet 'Williams.
In dry weather surface-stir the soil amongst herbaceous plants and
shrubbery borders, a process which has the three-fold advantage of
destroying seedling weeds, aerating the soil, and ensuring neatness,
without which no garden can be fully enjoyed. Clematises, Wis-
tarias, and other climbing plants are now in rapid gTowth, and will
require some little attention as to training, in order to prevent injury
from high winds. One of the most telling and natural modes of
training, if such it can be called, for Clematises is to let them randjle
at will amongst a few Hazel branches in quiet and retired nooks in
pleasure-grounds, associated with shrubs of any kind. This manner
of growing them is most suitable. Roses, in spite of the cold, seem to be
pushing very strongly, and, at present, are free from aphides and
maggots ; but doubtless both will shortly make their ajipearance, when
summary measures for their expulsion should lie taken by syringing
with soapy water or Tobacco liquor for aphides, and hand picking for
maggots — the only certain cure and, if taken in time, tlie quickest.

— w. w.

Auriculas. — Those who are saving seeds of these will not be
able to repot the plants until July or August. We always put aside
some plants from which to save seeds, which take nearly three months
to ripen from the time of the setting of the blossoms. .Some differ-
ence of opinion exists as to the best position of the plants when the
seeds are ripening. Some fancy that they should be rather freely
exposed to the sun ; however, I prefer placing them behind a north
wall, or in other positions where they have the sun for a few hours
in the morning, and again in the afternoon when its rays are not so
hot as at noon. I had a letter from one of tlie best growers in the
north last week ; he says, "Auriculas are looking well, and I intend
to begin potting at once." He can only get at his plants at night,
and it will take him just a month to finish potting. Saturday after-
noon is a great boon to amateurs of this kind. Ordinary lovers of
flowers have little idea of the shifts to which enthusiastic " special-
ists " are driven in order to effect their purpose. See that the loam
used is not infested with wirewornis ; if it is, they must be carefully
removed by hand-picking. Next to the quality of the loam, the
drainage is most important. If a sort of delicate constitution be
allowed to remain in a pot wherein the drainage has been choked by the
compost working in amongst the potsherds, probably the plant will
die, or, at least, become so debilitated that it will take years to
recover.

Carnations and Picotees. — This week we have begmn to
place sticks to the stems of our plants. It is best to do this in an
early stage of their development, otherwise they are apt to be
broken over near the surface of the ground. If there be any green
fly on the plants, remove it with a brush while the work is in pro-
gress, or it may be convenient to dust them with Tobacco-powder.
If any scarce varieties be throwing out growths near the base of the
stem, and that are too high up to be layered at the right season,
they may now be slipped off and put into pots, placing the latter
under a close hand-glass behind a north wall, where I allow tliem to
remain for ten days or more, and then place the pots in a frame with
a gentle bottom heat ; treated in this way, most of them will form
roots, and be stronger and better than those layered in the usual
way. Seedlings will also require attention ; if they are large enough
to handle, let tliem be pricked out an inch or more apart in pans or
boxes. Pay attention to watering the growing stock in pots ; it has

not yet been necessary to do this in the case of those planted out in
beds.

Hollyhocks. — The weather is now warmer, and plants put out
early are making considerable growth ; a single stem only should be
allowed on each plant. Red spider does much injury to the Holly-
hock in warm, dry weather ; it is therefore well to see that the
leaves are quite clean during their early stages of growth. Seeds
sown in fine soil in the open ground would still grow strong enough
to flower well next year, or the seeds would vegetate more readily if
sown in pots or pans, which could be placed in a gentle hotbed.

Gladioli. — If seeds of these were sown as recommended on a hot-
bed in April, tlie plants will now be strong, and in order to get good
bulbs tliat will flower well next year, see that they do not suffer from
want of water when in a growing state. I remove the glass lights
from tlie frames in the daytime when the weather is fine, and replace
them at night. In cold days the lights are merely tilted a little at
the back ; nor do I let them get rain, unless it be a warm gentle
shower, which does good. A few bulbs may yet be planted for the
latest bloom. Keep the hoe at work amongst those that have
appeared above gi-ound, and as soon as dry warm weather sets in
give a good watering, and then nmlch the surface of the beds with
rotten manure.

Hardy Primulas. — I see that "A.D. "comments onmynoteson
these last week. I never said the plants were not quite hardy ; but
I planted some out-of-doors ten years ago, and they gradually
dwindled away. I had two or three dozens of them out-of-doors
this year, and the leaves were (juite disfigured by wind and rain. In
a sheltered nook on the rock-work at C'hiswick I saw a plant of
P. ama-na looking remarkably well ; but it was almost as snug as if
it had Ijeen under glass. My plants are now in full beauty, and are
well worthy of culture for greenhouse decoration ; but out-of-doors
they can only be planted in exceptional positions.

Tulips.— Beds of these are now becoming interesting even to the
ordinary ol'isorver. In one ))ed a few bybkemen breeders are now
in flowe'r, and very beautiful they are ; they contrast well with some
flamed and feathered bizarrcs in juxtaposition to them. When one
looks at the beautiful feathering on some Tulips, and the chaste
beauty of the rose grounds, it does seem strange that they should
have gone so entirely out of fashion. Their time will no doubt co-re
round again ; indeed, one gi-ovver in the north of England, failing to
get a satisfactory bloom, owing to the late spring frosts, has Iniilt a
glasshouse to cover his be<ls, and it is a treat to see the beautifully
healthy glaucous foliage that has been produced under such favour-
able conditions. — J. Dox:<ilas.

Greenhouse.

Camellias.— Where sufficient numljers of these plants exist,
and are managed in a way to yield a long succession of
flowers, those that were in bloom before the close of last year will by
this time have made their growth, and will have formed flower-buds
that will be visible, and where any of such require potting, I should
recommend that operation to be carried out now, when, as I know
from experience, it will interfere less with their ensuing flowering
than if it were performed at any other time. If it be done in spring
just as growth begins, an unavoidable injury occurs to the roots that
at once seriously interferes with the tax put upon them to support,
commencing shoot extension when root assistance is most required.
That this damage to the roots cannot be avoided, even if there be no
further interference with the ball than the removal of the crocks,
will be evident, as anyone who has ever potted Camellias must have
noticed the extremely fragile character of their feeding fibres, which,
previous to top-growth beginning, are in the most active condition
if the plants are in anything like a healthy state. If the potting, with
its consequent disturbance of the roots, takes place now, just as the
buds are formed, it has no effect in retarding the season's growth, and
the buds are not sufficiently advanced to suffer through the effects
of the shift, as they would be almost certain to do to the extent of
falling off if the operation be deferred later, and there is
yet plenty of time for the roots to recover the breakage to which
they have been subjected, and to get fairly established in the new soil,
and be in the most favourable condition for supporting the expanding
bloom when the time for its opening has come. From these observa-
tions it will be seen that where Camellias are managed in a way to
give a succession of flowers, the potting cannot be carried out at any
particular season, but should be performed as the plants in succession
approach the bud-setting stage, already indicated. At the same time
it may be well, perhaps, to inform beginners that Camellias will thrive
with considerably less root-room, in proportion to the size of the tops,
than many other plants, and that too large pots or tubs, especially
when the plants are not in a vigorous state, are the most likely
means of bringing about an unhealthy condition. I have often seen
Camellias pointed out when somewhat weakly as requiring more
oot space when the opposite course should have been pursued, and

418

THE GAEDEN.

[May 24, 1879.

wlion the best way of improving them would have been to have
removed a portion of the soil, replacing it by fresh material, and
putting them in smaller pots or tubs for a time. They never should
be repotted oftener than can be avoided, as they may be kept in a
healthy growing state by the use of manure water, provided this be
given at the proper time to be effective, which is immediately before
and whilst the shoot growth is going on. It is no uncommon occur-
rence to hear an opinion expressed that liquid manure is of no use
to these plants, and, from what I have observed in the matter, I
very much doubt if it is, unless applied at the time above mentioned.
Even in the case of plants that are fairly strong, and with sufficient
root-room, I have found that whilst growing there is nothing more
beneficial than liberal aijpUcations of soot- water given in a clear state ;
it seems to agree with Camellias better than with most other plants ;
it strengthens the gi-owth, gives a deep lustrous green to the foliage
by which the appearance is much improved, and has a powerful influence
in ridding the soil of worms. As to soil, some gi-owers prefer loam,
others peat. Wliere loam of good quality can be obtained, the
plants will generally have more disposition to bloom in it than in
peat ; but in the latter the growth is freer, the foliage larger, and of
a more pleasing colour. Whichever is used, the pots must always
be well draiued ; sufficient sand must be added to the soil to insure
porosity, not only at first, Irat afterwards, and in the jjotting the
soil must be compressed, so as to make it thoroughly solid. The
latest flowered plants will now he making their growth, which must
be encouraged by a moist, comparatively close atmosphere, with more
shade than is necessary for that portion of the stock that made their
growth before the sun had so much power.

Azaleas. — As the latest flowered amongst these go out of bloom,
all seed-pods should be immediately picked off aiid tlie jilants placed
in a house or pit, where a warm, genial, moist atmosphere can be
kept up, giving air in the morning before the temperature has risen
too high, and shutting it off early enough to enclose plenty of sun-
heat. At the time of closing syringe thoroughly — not a mere
sprinkling, but a good drenching — getting the water to the under
surface of tlie leaves on all sides of the plants ; by this alone can
thrips and green By be kept in check, and where these pests are
found to exist, means should at once be taken to destroy them by
dipping or syringing with Tobacco-water or fumigating. The latter is
the quickest way, but I do not like resorting to it, as it often takes a
stronger application of the smoke to kill tlie tlirips than the leaves will
bear. Any premature loss of foliage, either through this or injury
sustained from the insects in question, is certain to show itself in the
weakened condition of the plants, through which cause, more than
all others, is directly attributable the unsatisfactory state in which
Azaleas are often met. The earlier bloomed plants will now be in a
condition to pot in the case of those that rerpiire it, but such as
flowered later should be left undisturbed for three weeks or a month
yet. Azaleas, like Camellias, are best without too much root-room for
several reasons, one of which is, that if placed in large pots before
they have attained a corresponding size, a time comes when the soil
gets so permeated with roots as to necessitate still more room, which
makes them inconvenient to move about and is not necessary, for by
the use of concentrated stimulants, such as Standeu's manure, which
I have found far tlie best for Azaleas, using it from the time the
plants were in small pots upwards, large specimens can be kept in a
vigorous, free-growing, satisfactory flowering condition, with much
less root-room than many subjects need. Keep the plants well up
to the glass, and use no shading more than is necessary to prevent
the leaves getting absolutely burnt ; by being thus exposed to the
sun, they will acquire a solidity and substance that will enable the
plants to retain them in much larger quantities tlirough the winter
than when grown under the weakening influence of subdued light.

Coleus, Centaureas, Humea elegans, &c.— If a num-
ber of Coleus of the most effective varieties be grown in small or
medium-sized pots from cuttings struck each spring, one of tlie most
serviceable purposes to which they can be put is for use in green-
houses and conservatories during the summer and autumn until the
temperature becomes too low for them to preserve their character.
If a sufficient quantity be put now in 7-in. pots in good ordinary
soil, and grown ou in a cool stove or intermediate temperature, kejjt
well up to the light, and stopped so as to enalJe them
to branch out without any attempt to induce the low, flat
form which these plants are too often made to assume,
from their naturally rapid growth, they will, by the middle of July,
be large enough for decorative purposes such as those for which they
are intended. There are numbers of plants generally used as bedding
subjects that are very serviceable potted on in like manner, notably
the white-leaved Centaureas, such as C. argentea, ragusina, and
gymnocarpa. If a few of the stronger examples of these raised from
seed or cuttings be placed in 6-in. or 7-in. pots, and grown on in a
frame or pit until tlie middle of summer, they will be of great use
for placing amongst flowering or higher-coloured-leaved plants in

greenhouses, halls, or conservatories. When well managed, few
plants liave a more elegant appearance than the old Humea elegans,
especially in large conservatories, but to have it in good condition it
must not be stinted for pot-room, never allowed to want for water,
and the under surface of the leaves should, from time to time, be
examined in order to see that they ai'e not affected with green fly or
red spider, to both of which they are \'ery subject. The bedding
Chamtepeuce Cassabonoe is likewise well adapted to be used in the
same way ; also the large Echeveria metallica and the variegated
Coprosma Baueriana. The last is a plant of comparatively slow
growth, and one which is well deserving of cultivation in pots for
conservatory decoration ; it will succeed in either peat or loam, but
in peat the foliage generally has the cleanest and brightest appear-
ance. For standing on shelves or in positions where thei-e is not
room for large pots, a few of the best flowering Lobelias, especially
the lighter-coloured varieties that have a free habit of growth, will
be found very useful during the autumn. It may be said that some
of the plants just named are common, and that their legitimate posi-
tion is in reality in the open ground, but they are so distinct
and well adapted for >ise in the way here indicated, that they afford
a pleasing variety when it is most needed in greenhouses and
conservatories.

Veronicas. — Tlie late-flowering varieties of Veronica, of which
V. Andersoni may be taken as an example, are indispensable for
blooming through the last months of the year ; they are so manageable
that they will flower in either a small or large state, according to the
size of the structure in which they are required, or the inclination
of the cultivator ; but the condition that they will be in at the time
required dej^ends upon how they are treated now. They may be
either kept in pots plunged through the summer, or planted out in
free open soil and then lifted in autumn. For such as are wanted
in a large state, retention in pots will probably be the best way,
provided they are regularly attended to with water, from a deficiency
of which plants thus turned out often suffer. If that be likely to
occur, it is better to have them planted out where the roots, to a
certain extent, can make shift for themselves. In the case of plants
struck in winter or during this spring, I should give a decided pre-
ference to planting them out, as they will probably attain double the
size they ai-e likely to reach in pots. A good open situation should
be chosen for them, and all plants of a similar description, away
from trees or other influences likely to draw them up weakly.

Tree Carnations. — Tliese indispensable winter-flowering sub-
jects, tlirough the press of otiier matters during summer, do not always
get the attention wliicli tliey need. To get spring-struck stock up to
a useful size before autumn, it must have timely moving into pots
large enough to admit of its full development ; at the same time it
is not well to give it more root-room than is necessary. The prin-
cipal thing to avoid is allowing the plants to remain in the little pots
which they occupy too long, by which means the roots get into a
stunted condition, and the best of the growing season is over before
they attain any size. Plants that have bloomed and that were shaken
out and repotted will require constant attention as regards water, as
the pots get full of roots, and sufficient support by sticks and ties
should be given to keep them from falling about in an untidy way.
In doing this, however, avoid compressing them into that broom-like
form to which they are sometimes subjected, and which has a direct
tendency to aggi'avate the natural disposition which some of them
have to spire up weakly. On the appearance of green fly, dip or
fumigate ; tlie former is frequently the most effectual, as on these
plants aphides seem more tenacious of life than they do when fed on
the juices of some others. — T. B.\ine.s.

Hardy Fruit.

While the weather remains so uncertain one can only reiterate the
necessity there still, unfortunately, is to guard wall fruits against
cutting winds and frost. Notwithstanding the unfavourableness of
the season, the fruit prospects here continue excellent ; Apricots are
good ; Peaches are all that could be desired ; Pears, Plums, and
Cherries the same ; small fruits heavy crops. Apple blossoms, though
not yet open, were terribly injured by the frost on the morning of
the 10th, when the thermometer fell to 24'. We may now reason-
ably hope that the end of the winter has been reached, but tiU there
is a decided change let the breastwood on Pears, Plums, &c., remain
intact, as this will give some little protection to the tender fruit, and
its removal at this early stage of growth, though desirable, is not
imperative. No quarter should be given to aphides, for if not
attacked as soon as perceived, at this season they soon destroy the
prospects of a crop of Peaclies, Cherries, and Plums, all of which
are peculiarly liable to be infested by them. The cheapest and most
effectual remedy is soap-suds, applied either by means of the syringe
or garden engine ; since we have applied these, we have never re-
marked any evil consequences, such as are likely to follow the appli-
cation of some at least of the many decoctions that are offered for

Mat 24, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

419

their destruction. Curled and blistered Peach leaves should be
picked ofT, and if mildew appears dust the affected parts thickly witli
sulphur. The surplus fruit of Apricots sliould now be picked off :
Peaches will also require the same attention, but at present these
should be thinned but sparsely, and disbudding should now be com-
pleted. Any injury tliat .Strawberries have sustained consequent on
such a protracted winter is, after all, more apparent than real, as
they are now throwing up their flower-stems as strongly as ever, and
thougli the greater part of the old foliage has decayed, the growtli of
the young leaves seems to have been the more vigorous in consequence,
and there is now promise of a good Strawberry season. Strong
plants that have thrown up a number of flower-stems should have
the weakest of them removed, more especi.ally when line dessert or
exiiibition fruit is desired. If not yet mulched, such an operation
should no longer be delayed, as in the event of dry weather setting
in it will prevent tlie necessity for watering, and in the meantime
will nourish tlie plants. Plant out recently forced plants, and for
the present, ha\-ing a view to autumn fruiting, keep the flower-stems
picked off. Thin out any unnecessary shoots or suckers of Rasp-
berries, retaining about four of the strongest to each stool. Rasp-
berries are free feeding and moisturedoving plants, and soon suffer
from drought ; therefore the gi'ound about them should now be
covered with gc od manure, which will ser\'e both puiijoses, and repay
the labour bestowed by producing finer fruit. \Vhere gi-afting has
been done persistently rub off' all shoots that spring from the stock,
and occasionally examine tlie grafts, making good any injury that
has happened to the clay from frost or drought. — W. W.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

VINE FAILURES.

The irregularity with which " E. D. T.'s" Vines (p. 38.5) are break-
ing is, no doubt, owing, as he surmises, to the winter dressing tlie
stems received, for if the solution applied were at all strong, it
would be sure to destroy or injure the buds, and dam.age the bark as
well. More harm is done to fruit trees l)y the use of insecticides
when they are in a dormant condition tlian most people imagine,
and the failure of crops arising tlirough it is generally attributed to
other causes instead of the right one. I have known instances of
Peaches and Nectarines suffering so much from a strong winter dres-
sing as to cause them to shed the wliole of tlieir buds, and so cripple
their health that tliey were a long time before they recovered again.
Vines will stand more, but the practice of annually barking and
painting them over is a bad one, as it serves no useful purpose, and
takes from the pUint th.at which Nature intended as a protector to
tlie inner rind, a part that should not be needlessly exposed, for if it is,
the light and air acting on it causes contraction, which gi-e.atly impedes
the flow of sap and the swelling and gi-owth of the wood. I do not see
how it is possible that Vines which have hitherto been in such a
satisfactory state as those " E. D. T. " is concerned about appear to
have been can have failed all at once through anj-thing having gone
wrong at the roots, unless they are partly eaten by the lar\-a.' of any
insect, such as thoseof the Otioi-hynchus, figured in The <!.\RDEXashort
time ago, .and which are most destructive to Vines ; so mischievous
are they, that they eat long furrows in the main roots, and in places
nearly divide them, thus cutting off the principal ch.annels for the
flow of the sap, and leaving their feeders beyond utterly useless.
Some years ago I had a border sadly infested by these grubs, and
before we could get rid of them they diil a gi-eat deal of injury, and
had it not been for renewing the soil, it is quite Ukely we should have
been plagued with them yet.

Another likely cause to affect the Vines in question is tluat they
may have fungus generated around their collar, a thing that
frequently happens when they are planted inside and kept dry, as is
generally the case if the stems are wholly under cover, as then the
decomposing bark seldom gets wetted through, and is therefore just
in the condition favourable for the spread of the mycelium that does
so much harm to vegetable life. There is one thing about this, its
presence may be easily detected by making an examination of the
suspected part, and if the fungus is there it will be apparent by the
whiteness of the inner portions of the bark, besides which it always
gives off an offensive odour. Minute, and of little consequence as sucli a
parasite may appear, it pai'alyses the whole action of plants, and not
only quickly throws theni out of health, but, after a time, destroys
them altogether. Being out of siglit, such an insidious enemy is
seldom suspected or even thought of ; but I am of opinion that more
Vines and fruit trees suffer from it than fromany other malady. Should
those belonging to " E. D. T." turn out to be so affected, I would
recommend the whole of the outer loose bark about the collars to be
removed, and that part to be scrubbed vnth soap and \^ater, and

afterwards coated with thick liquid lime and clay painted on by
means of a brush. This dressing will destroy all the fungoid growth
it comes in contact with, and will not in any way injuriously affect
the Vines ; but to keep them free from such a scourge in future,
attention should be given to see that the border at the particular part
when' the Vines stand does not get into a too arid condition, or
have any decomposing vegetable matter, such as leafy manure, lying
long on its surface. If the roots of the Vines be healthy, and the
injury results from the winter dressing, the best way will be to run
up fresh young rods from near the bottom by making choice of the
shoots most conveniently situated, as the chances are that the old
ones will never break regularly again, owing to the spurs h.aving
perished. The house ni.ay then be refurnished and the Vinesin profitable
bearing again in less than half the time it would take if replanted ;
for, under the most f<avourable conditions of growth, yoxmg rods
should not be allowed to cai-ry a full crop under three years, or
the strain will tell on them afterwards. The Vines being planted in
the way " E. D. T." describes, that is, immediately in front of the
arches ami close to the wall, are in as favourable a position as it is
possible for tliem to be, and they are sure to find their way out
without any coaxing or disturbance ; and, as the border appears
to have been well prepared, the wisest course seems to be to let
them alone.

Without an examination it is almost impossible to say what is the
real cause of their having gone amiss : but these conjectures may
help to elucidate the mystery and be of some assistance in getting
them right again. As failures anil the knowledge of wliat has led
to them often do more to benefit others thiin recorded successes,
perhaps " E. D. T." m.ay be kind enougli to inform us at some
future time «Ii.at discovery he has made with respect to his, and the
means he took to remedy the same. S. D.

EXPOSING STRAWBERRIES TO THE SUN.

NoTiiiXG tends so much to deteriorate the flavour of Strawberries
after being gatliered as to leave them exposed to the sun, the heat
from which at once sets the juices contained in them in a state of fer-
mentation, and converts the saccharine matter into something little
better than vinegar. The same action takes place, though in a less
degree, with such fruit as Peaches and Nectarines, and does not in
any way improve any other fruit after being plucked from the plant,
as even iu the case of Apples and Pears the tendency it has is to
cause them to shrivel instead of allowing them to ripen properly.
The cooler and drier fruit can be kept when gathered till used the
better, as that is the only way to preserve its true flavour, and
another matter of great importance connecteel with it is to see that
it is not bruised or damaged in the handling, either when picking or
dishing it up. I have seen servants when engaged at this latter work
take hold of Strawbemes between the thumb and finger, and handle
them with no more care or thought to all appearance than they would
use in the case of an uncooked Potato, and the same with Grapes,
which tliey rub all the bloom off ; while as to Peaches and Nectarines,
the bruising whicli they receive, unless eaten immediately, soon causes
them to become decayed. This indifference on the part of those
who have to dish fruit is no rare occurrence, as most gardeners can
testify, but to know that it is so is very provoking, as the productions
on which they pride themselves seldom get placed before their
employers in the condition they ought, and the result is that they are
often subjected to blame through the shortcomings of others. Not only
are Strawberries injured by being exposed to the sun after being
gathered, but the same thing happens to those in pots if subjected'to
the full solar rays after this season, the gTcat heat being more than
the fruit will bear, and so trying is it that I have often seen the
seeds roasted, as it were, and the Strawberries containing them quite
browned and completely dried up. This is sure to happen if the
plants get the least dry and the fruit thereby checked in its swelling,
but as a safeguard where late ones are gi-own it is always advisable
to turn their backs to the south and let the fruit droop away from
the sun, so that it may in a measure be screened l)y the foliage. It
will be found, if this is done, that the fniit \\all not only swell faster
and gi'ow considerably larger, but that the quality will be altogether
finer, although a certain amount of sun is necessary, but much at
this time of year is a thing to be guarded against, as it is a frequent
cause of rendering the late lots of these useful fruits inferior to
those gatliered early in the season. In picking Strawben'ies for use,
they should always be got early in the morning, that is, before the
sun shines on them, and before the plants receive any water, as this
is quickly conveyed to the fruit, which it makes flat and insipid in
flavour. ■ S. D.

Pot Stra'wberries and Frost.— I have maintained in The
Garden' and elsewhere at different times that pot Strawberries might
be exposed to severe frost for a long period without suffering the

420

THE GARDEN.

[May 24, 1879.

slightest injury or having their fruitfulness impaired when tliey came
to be forceil, an assertion wliich has been so emphatically contra-
dicted by others. The examples of Strawberries furnished to The
Garden office this week by Mr. Muir should, however, set the ques-
tion at rest, I think. These Strawberries (about a dozen large,
richly-coloured fruit to a 3-in. pot), we are told, are from plants that
have, during all the last severe winter, stood unprotected and " liard
frozen." — J. S. W. ^^

STRAWBERRIES FOR MARKET.

I AMquite willing to acknowledge thatMr.Cornhill (p. 402)knowsmore
about market gardening than I do, nor do I doubt the ability and
success of market gardeners generally in the culture of fruit. I
believe that we private gardeners have learned mucli from them ;
but the question between him and me relates to his assertion that
Vioomtesse Huricart de Thury was of " little use to market growers,"
who, he further adds, are "obliged to confine themselves to such
varieties as ,ire of delicate constitution " if they desire to get a good
price for their fruit. This is a definite enough statement, and is
what I undertook to controvert from the papers of " C. W. 8.,"
whose impartial and disinterested statements on the subject, and tlie
evidence of my own eyes, I choose to accept as being probably nearest
the truth. In The Gaudex of April 12 he mentions Sir Charles
Napier and Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury only as the most ^lopular
for market purposes, and we have Mr. Cornhill's word for it that the
latter is an inferior kind ; and I shall be surprised if many gardeners
who know much about Strawberries will coincide in describing
"Sir Charles" as anything but a second or third rate kind of vigorous
constitution. Allow me also to inform Mr. Cornliill that I do not
confound forced with out-door fruit, which he admits is gathered as
soon as it is coloured, and for the same reason, probably, that forced
fruit sent to market is gathered in the same state. I spoke, however,
of Strawljerries in April, a season when out-door crops are not fit for
market, I imagine, and tliose that I tasted were offered at 15s, or 20s.
per lb. retail, if I remember rightly. As to the assertion that
Sir Cliarlcs Napier can be grown so "as to be almost as rich and
luscious as a British Queen " under glass, I can only say that I doubt tlie
fact. I admit that Strawberries can be grown to as gi'eat perfection
under glass, underfavouralile circumstances, as out-of-doors ; buttosay
that they can be improved to the extent of converting a Sir Cliarles
Napier into a British Queen, is surely seeking to tax one's credulity
too far. Sir Charles Napier is a favourite kind with market
gardeners because it is a sure grower and bearer, and produces hand-
some, if not very good, fruit. As regards his asserting that Black
Prince does not pay for tlie labour of watering it, I can state tliat
two years ago, when we had a surplus of this kind, I sent a ijuantity
of it to the Manchester market, and in competition with tlie London-
grown fruit which is also sent there I received for the first lot
20s. per lb. ; for a similar quantity the week following, 15s. per lb. ;
and the next week, 10s. per lb. This was in April, when forced
Strawberries were, comparatively speaking, plentiful. In the same
town, and at the same time, a private buyer gave 25s. per lb. for the
same kind. I can vouch for these facts if needful, and if sucli prices
will not pay for watering, I would ask Mr. Cornliill what he con-
siders a commonly remunerative price for the best he can produce at
the same season ? This year about the middle of April, C'oveut
Garden prices were given at from 4s. to 10s. per lb. Within the
present month of May I have seen Black Prince Strawberries from a
private garden sold in Manchester for 6s. per lb. to a fruiterer who
had his window full of London-grown Sir Charles Napier of fine
appearance, but far beliind the fane black gloss on berries of the
"Prince" which were sent to the market just to fetch what they
could, the market day being over, and the shops supplied.

J. S. W.

THINNING GRAPES.

No one can tell exactly what would be a reasonable crop for a Grape
Vine to carry without knowing something of the age and strength
of the Vine ; a pound per footrun of rod (may be a reasonable crop
for a healthy Vine on the average to produce ; and something may
be done in feeding in critical times, such as the stoning period, to
enable a plant to bring to perfection a heavy erop. But plants will
not maintain their health long if overdosed -ivith stimulants, there-
fore the safest plan to pursue is to find out the limit of production,
and not exceed it. If it be necessary to form a correct estimate of
the bearing power of the Vine before deciding as to the number of
bunches it shall be permitted to carry, it is still more so before
thinning out the berries, as some Vines will produce berries half as
large again as those of others, and that, too, independently of the
skill brought to bear upon their cultivation. Take the case of the
Black Hamburgh — still the most useful and most popular variety

grown ; there is considerable variation in the size of the berries, even
when the Vines are receiving the same treatment, often, indeed, in
the same house.

The sooner Grapes are thinned after it can be seen which berries
are taking the lead the better, cutting out the small berries, as some
of these may be imperfectly set. At any rate, those that take the
lead generally keep it, and a sufficient number of such berries should
be left to form compact handsome bunches. With some loose
bunched kinds, such as tlie Barbarossa, it is a good plan to reduce
the bunches a little, by cutting off their extremities. It is not easy to
say how large a proportion of the berries should be cut out ; in fact,
without seeing the Vines it must be mere guess work, but at least
two-thirds, and, in some instances, the large-berried kinds, as Buck-
land Sweetwater, Madresfield Court Muscat, &c., may be thinned
more severely, but it is best to go over them a second time unless
oue is ipiite sure of tlie size which the berries will ultimately reach,
as it is not pleasant to contemplate bunches lank and loose from too
severe thinning. To tliin Grapes well requires considerable judg-
ment, as well as knowledge, of the strength and constitution of the
Vines, and this can only be acquired by experience, accompanied by
careful oliservation. The lierries in thiniiiug should not be touched
with the hand. With a small smooth stick in one hand, and the
scissors in the other, the bunch can be manipulated with ease with-
out touching a berry. Grapes that are intended for late use should
be thinned more than would be necessary if they were cut as soon
as ripe ; and large bunches should be well thinned out in the centre,
or the moisture will lodge in the bunches and induce early decay.

K. Hobday.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE EETIIT GAEDEN.
Grapes from Vines Struck from Eyes the Same

Year. — May I trespass on your pages to say farther in reference to
this subject that I sent Mr. Henderson, of Thoresby, the para-
graphs from The Garden by Mr. Groom and myself, in case Mr.
Henderson might have overlooked the matter, and have received the
following reply : " Of course Vines can be fruited the same year in
wliich they are struck from eyes, and you can make any use of this
letter you like. The plan succeeded with me. I adopted it when
our houses were all new, as you will remember, and when our per-
manent Vines were only gi'owing, and, under similar circumstances,
I should resort to the same plan again, and get good average crops of
Grapes from the Vines." From this it will be perceived that " the
possibility of getting anything worth calling a croj)," as Mr. Groom
expresses it, is placed beyond a doubt, and tliat on some occasions
the plan may be well worth adopting. — T. S. W.

Ne'w Plan of Pilling a House with Vines.— Mr.

Simiison (p. 324) may suppose that the practice which he describes
of running a cane up the full length the first season and allowing it
to remain is new, but in this he is mistaken. I have tried the same
plan more than once, and have much oftener seen others adopt it,
but the result is the reverse of any gain, for there is always a dis-
position in the case of Vines so treated for several years to push an
excess of vigour into the spurs towards the top, and to leave the
lower ones proportionately weak, independent of the most careful
management in getting them to break the first season. Mr. Simp-
son says the usual way is to cut the first season's growth down to
tlie bottom wire at pruning time, and during the next few years to
leave a few feet of wood every season until the Vinery is furnished,
a practice which takes from five to six years, according to the size
of the Vinery. This seems slow work, and if Mr. Simpson is satis-
fied with furnishing a house at this rate, no one else need complain,
but it would be much too slow for most people. The practice which
he imagines to be new, and that which he describes as the usual
course followed, are two opposite extremes, midway between which
most people, who have any claim to being successful Grape growers,
would steer. — T. Baines.

• Allow me to state that Mr. Simpson's plan of filling a house

with Vines is not new. Several houses have been pl.intcd on the
same plan about Bishop's Stortford, and with such good results, that
more houses have been planted and filled and managed on the same
plan. Amongst them I may name a span-roofed Muscat house about
100 ft. long.— W. T.

Rapid Pine Growing. — Permit me to ask "M."(p. 403) if
he would kindly state whether the Pines which produced such rapid
and excellent results were planted out in the pit or confined to pots,
and what the variety was. In list 4 he states that from a pit planted
with rootless suckers on February 7, 1878, fruit was cut in succession
from July 6. This, according to the list, shows excellent results in
the short space of five months ; whereas, under the general mode of
cultivation it takes about eighteen months. Is there any mistake in
the statement, or is it a fact ? — E. C. P.

Mat 24, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

421

ROSES,

EOSE BORDERS.

A Rose border, to be worthy of its name, should furnish Eoses at
least half the year through. To accomplisli this, resort must be had
to all classes, and the best result will be otrtained by choosing the
freest blooming varieties in each. Whether the plants should be
standards or dwarfs seems almost immaterial, excepting as a matter
of individual taste or surroundings. Dwarfs, esj^ecially those on
their own roots, are generally considered more elegant and natural,
and have further tiie advantage of producing tlieir flowers in greater
quantity, and in a manner that renders them more agreeably
eflective. Certain sorts, also, thrive well as dwarfs, but make very
indifferent standard plants.

Some of the earliest Roses that grace an English summer are the Briers,
the best of which are the Persian Yellow and Harrisoni, together with
the unique Copper Austrian, which should be in every mixed Rose
border. Following closely on these are the miniature Provence kinds,
the best of which — De Meau.x and Spong — being dwarf in growth
as well as small in flower, are most suited for the front row or for
edging. About tlie same time as these the various Moss and Provence
Roses begin to open, and are speedily followed by such gorgeous sum-
mer bloomers as tlie Damask, Madame Hardy, Madame Sootmans, and
Ville de Bruxelles ; tlie alba — Felicite (Parmentier), Madame Audot,
and Madame Legras ; the French or Gallica — Blanchefleur, Cyntliie,
D'Aguesseau, CEillet Parfait, and Village Maid ; and the summer

/l!t;?^Kiv.

.A. Kose liortler.

flowering Hybrids— Charles Lawson, fulgens, Mad-ime Plantier, Chi'^ni'-
doli?, and Paul Ricaut. By the time these are on the wane we have the
Hybrid Perpetuals in full beauty, and as they faile we may still
cut Roses in profusion far into the autumn from such beautiful kinds
as the Bourbons— Queen, Queen of Bedders, Souvenir de la Mal-
maisoii ; the Noisette— Fellenberg, Celine Forestier, Bompiet d'Or,
Reve d'Or, and Triomphe de Rennes ; the China — Cramoisie Supi^-
riil'ure, Ducher, Fabvier, Mrs. Bosanquet, and the ever-blooming
common pink monthly Rose ; whilst such Tea-scented varieties as
Safrano, Marie van Houtte, Sombreuil, Jean Ducher, Marie Ouillot,
are sufficiently hardy to withstand the cold of an ordinary English
winter. Other Tea-scented Roses, such as Gloire de Dijon, Madame
Berard, Madame Trifle, Belle Lyonnaise, and probably the new Reine
Marie Henriette will also give fine crops of autumnal blooms, but
require training in a special manner. The main shoots should be but
slightly shortened in ]>runing, and bent to the ground and there
secured to pegs. The laterals should be spurred back in a similar
manner to that in which Vines are treated, and will be found to
produce a fine lot of flowers, many of them also making sufficient
growth to be treated as main shoots the following year. Roses of
tliis class should, however, be planted sparingly, unless space be of
no consideration.

If the Rose border by chance be backed by a wall with a southern
exposure, the season for Roses may be accelerated by almost a month,
as certain of the Tea-scented and Hybrid Pepetual kinds will open
their flowers in an ordinary season in such a situation in May, and
such a wall would oifer a fine opportunity for cultivating such distinct
and beautiful varieties as the Banksian Roses, white and yellow.

the Macartney, single and double. Fortune's yellow, and the old
Rosa sulphurea, sometimes called the Burghley Y^ellow.

The Rose border should be planted in the axitumn, excepting the
Tea-scented and China varieties, which are best left till spring.
Pruning generally should be done in March, the tenderer kinds a
month later. The plants should be mulched with sliort manure in
autumn, which will help tliem to resist tlie winter's frost, and this
will be dug in in the spring ; a second mulching of long manure in
summer, if the weather be dry and hot, will be beneficial. Many
of the vigorous-growing Roses amongstthe summer Roses — the Hybrid
Perpetuals and Noisettes — may be pegged down to advantage, and be
thus made to cover more ground and give a finer display of flowers.

Wallham Cross. A. W. Paul.

INSECTS HURTFUL OR USEFUL TO THE ROSE.

The Oardex Ant. — The garden ant, which belongs to the Order
Hymenoptera, does great mischief to Rose trees either by forming
ant-hills at the foot of the plant, or by constantly walking back-
wards and forwards on the branches and young shoots. Their
jiresence is always a sure sign that aphides or kermes are not far off ;
by destroying these insects we put an end to tlie visits of the
ants. We may, however, attack them in a more direct manner. If
we place amongst the branches of the Rose tree several small vials
half filled with water mixed witli honey or sugar, the ants, being
attracted by tlie mixture, will fall into the liquid and be drowned.
To destroy an ant-hill at tlie foot of a Rose tree, we must turn up
the soil and sprinkle it with flour of sulphur. If the ant-hill is at
a distance from the Rose trees it iiiiist lie laid bare, and a number of
little conical packets of flour of sulphur placed in the middle and
lighted. As soon as they have half burnt away the soil is returned
to its place. The ants are destroyed by the siili)liurous acid pene-
trating the soil, which also prevents any of those which are outside
from returning to carry oft' the larv*. Ant-hills may also be de-
stroyed by watering them with boiling water.

The Rose Sawflv. — The Rose sawfly (Hylotoma Rosa;) is ,an
insect which Rose growers know only too well by the mischief they
do to the young shoots. The characteristics of the Rose sawfly are
a yellow "head, in the form of an elongated square, bright whitish
eyes, cluli-shaped antenna- smooth and without joints, and four trans-
parent wings with thick nerves. The two upper wings are placed
close to the breast, the two under ones a little lower down. The six
feet are marked with round black spots. The abdomen is of an
orange-yellow, and is composed of nine rings. The lower extremity
of the abdomen is split in the under portion, allowing the s.aw to be
thrust in and out. This saw, which is formed of a horny substance,
is flat, and measures 0'4th of .an in. in length, by O'lUth of an in.
in width. The Rose sawfly makes its appearance from the 15th of
July to the end of August, at which period it lays its eggs. It has a
heavy flight, and is easily caught, especially when it is at work on a
young shoot. When about to lay its eggs it fixes itself against
the rind of a young shoot, with its head downwards, and by means
of its saw it cuts into the rind and deposits an egg. It then moves a
little lower and begins again, raising between each egg a kind of par-
tition made out of the iilires of the bark. It leaves in each shoot on
an avenage about twenty eggs, although in some cases we have
observed as many as fifty. "These eggs are placed at a distance of
l-16th of an in. apart, and cont.ain a young Larva. At the end of
about ten days the larva becomes visible under the shell, and may
be readily distinguished by its black head and eyes, and its six little
feet marked with black spots. When first laid these eggs are 0'04
of an in. in diameter, but at the twentieth day they will have in-
creased to 0 '06 of an in. They now become of a slightly dull yellowish
colour and the young larva is hatched shortly after. Each
of the flies lays a batch of eggs in two and sometimes in four of the
young shoots before taking its departure. Like most other insects,
its purjjose in life having been accomplished, it dies almost imme-
diately, its dead bod}' being freiiuently found exactly under the spot
where it had laid its last batch of eggs, as we have frequently
observed for several years past. It is always on Rose trees in full
bearing that this flyjprefers to fix itself, and, by an admirable display
of instinct, lays its eggs an inch or two from the top of the young
shoots, so that its progeny may have soft and tender leaves to feed
upon. In addition to this, we have noticed that the sawfly gives a
transverse saw cut to the rind of the shoot, just below where its eggs
are laid, so that they may not be covered over with the ascending
sap. We may easily detect the presence of the Rose sawfly by
noticing the curved form attained by the shoots in whose rind the
eggs have been deposited, or after some five or six days, by the rind
having turned black, without the growth of the shoot having been
interfered with. The eggs are hatched about the twentieth or twenty-
fifth day, and the young larvje continue to he produced for three
days afterwards. At the time of hatching they measure 0.12 of an

422

THE GARDEN.

[May 24, 1879.

incli long, and are of a dull white colour, especially on the body.
Tiie shell or cocoon of this egg remains in tlie incision of the rind.
The young larvie soon spread themselves over the young leaves of
their native shoots, which they attack at the edges, leaving nothing
behind but the veins. At the end of a few days, the different
parts of the body begin to assume their natur.al colour, the head
becomes black in company with tlie six feet, and the skin
of the body is marked with small black spots. They increase
in size at the rate of 0.2 of au inch in nine days. After
the twentieth day the larva; measure a little more than h in.
by O'OO of an inch in diameter. The head becomes yellow with two
black eyes. The mandibles turn !)ro\\ni, and the three pair of feet
of a pinkish-white, as well as the false feet and the under side of the
abdomen. The skin of the back, which is of a beautiful green
colour, is marked longitudinally with yellow and black spots. The
false feet are provided with a numl^er of silky tufts. About this
stage the l.arvi^; remove to a lower portion, where they find more
substantial food in the mature leaves of tlie Rose tree. As soon as
the larviB have reached two-thirds their natural size they cast their
skins, and assume a much brighter colour. Taking advantage of the
night dews, which soak tlirougli their skin and soften it, they begin
to cast off their exuvia, beginning with the head, .and by repeated
i^Tigglings and drawing thenvselves backwards and forwards, they
gradually slide the old skin from ring to ring, finally casting it off
when it reaches the extremity of the abdomen. At this jjeriod the
larva appears of an even colour, that is to s.ay, the difterent parts of
the body appear to have left their proper colours in the skin which
has been cast off by the insect, but in about a couple of
hours the light acts on the skin in some peculiar way, and,
as if by enchantment, the colours come out more brilliantly
than ever. This change generally takes place at sunrise. At
the end of about thirty days the larva reaches its full size,
its length being nearly h in., and its diameter a little more than
1-lOth in. It now drops to the ground bj' a tliread wliich itsecretes
itself, and penetrates the soil to the depth of from l-3rd in. to i- in.
It now spins a kind of cocoon with verj' close meshes, so as to protect
the coming chrysalis from the damp. This cocoon, which is about
4 in. long by j in. thick, is of a yellowish-grey colour, witli irregular,
round meshes, and crossed by extremely fine fibres. If this first
envelope is not sufficient, the larva constructs another witli much
finer threads outside the first one. We have torn asunder one of
these cocoons, which are very strong in their texture, and we have
found the larva inside curled round with its head and tail together.
We have also noticed that one-tliird of the length of this cocoon is
empty, so that there may be room for the chrysalis to change
into the perfect insect, as well as for the larva to be able to
move about while engaged upon its work. As soon as the Rose
sawfly has finished its cocoon it is slowly transformed into
a chrysalis, which, at the proper season, gives birth to the
perfect fly, whicli appears in May or Jime, and gives rise to a
new generation, as has already been described. These flies are very
easily caught when they first appear, when large quantities of them
may be destroyed. The most rational mode, however, of getting
rid of them is to cut off the bush shoots upon which the eggs have
been laid and burn them immediately.

The Cockchafer and its Grub (Meloloxtha vulgaris — Fab.).
— The perfect cockchafer is familiar to every one, but few know
the extent of the ravages committed by the larva> of this insect
generally known as the white worm. It lives in the earth for three
years, and during that time it is calculated th.at in France alone it
destroys crops of various kinds of the value of .£40,000,000 sterling.
Other varieties of the common cockchafer, such as Melolontha hip-
pocastane, albida, equinoxialis, solsticialis, and a>stiva, are also very
destructive in certain localities. At Ivry, near Paris, in 1864, the
Grass plots and lawns of that locality were almost entirely destroyed
by a white gnib of a much smaller size than that of the common
cockchafer ; 150 of these gi'ubs were gathered in a single square
yard. Great attention ought, therefore, to be paid to lawns and
Grass plots in the vicinity of Rose plantations, so as to keep them
free from their destructive larv;e. They generally make their ap-
pearance towards flowering time, and never before the leaves have
well advanced towards maturity. They do not appear all at once ;
the accidents of locality and temperature will .advance or retard the
transformation of the grub into the perfect insect, so that there may
be an interval of as much as a month between the appearance of the
first and last batch. If the weather turns cold after the first comers
have made their appearance they will return to the galleries which
they have dug for themselves, or else they will dig new
ones if the old ones have become filled up. No sooner
has the cockchafer unfolded its wings for the first time
than it alights on the leaves of the trees upon which it feeds.
At the dawn of daj', and during the early part of the night, and
often in the middle of the day, when the sky is overcast, this insect
may be seen flying backwards and forwards. Its flight is heavy,

irregular, and undecided, and it rushes blindly against any objects
that may be in its way, falling heavily to the ground, from which it
soon rises into the .air once more and resumes its flight until it is
again knocked down. It begins to breed at about the end of April
or the beginning of May. The cockchafers which begin breeding
so early are those which have lain dormant .all the winter, owing to
their having undergone a later transformation either from cold or
some other retarding cause. We often see females of the former
year flying about as late as the end of June. The male cockchafer,
it may be mentioned, is a polygamist. The female when laj'ing time
approaches drops to the ground in the neighourhood of some plants,
the roots of which will furnish succulent food for the young larvse.
Once in the ground the female digs a hole, 3 in. to 6 in. deep, at the
bottom of which she deposits some seven or eight eggs. During the
day she leaves the hole in search of food, and lays a fresh batch of
eggs in another hole a few days after the first, frequently on the top
of her latest-laid eggs. On an average the female cockchafer lays
from sixteen to twenty eggs, which are suspended in groups of seven
or eiglit, which may be found during July at the foot of the
iStrawl:ierry and other plants. The egg of the cockchafer is white,
of a regular oval form, and is .about 1-lOth of an in. in length. The
larv* are h.atched about fifty days after the eggs are laid, that is to
say, about the beginning of July. When fresh from the egg the larva,
is about 0'2 of an in. long, anil 004 of an in. in diameter. In colour
it is of a dirty white, the head and feet being of a pale bright yellow.
The mandibles, which even at this early stage are sufficiently for-
midable, are black. At the end of a fortnight it has grown to nearly
twice the size, ami the intestines filled with blackish matter become
visible. When first hatched the larva feeds on the roots which are
nearest to its birthplace. These larv.T; live together in groups until
the month of September, at which period they separate, except when
congregated round several vigorous plants. In October and Novem-
ber, according as the weather is more or less cold, the grub of the
cockchafer buries itself in a g.allery, the depth of which varies from
1 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft., and estaljlishes his winter quarters under the roots
of the trees or pl.ants which he intends to feed on during the cold
weather. In the month of September we counted sixty cockchafer
grubs in the hollow stem of a dead Cherry tree. When it returns to
the earth for the winter it measures ;| in. in length, and 2-lOths of an
in. in diameter. Every winter the cockchafer grub casts its skin.
When the spring arrives the grub, guided by the increased tempera-
ture, comes to the surface, and prep<ares for ravaging the
plants in the neighbourhood on a large scale. During this
stage of its existence its growth is vei-y rapid. When
eleven months old it is li in. in length, and l-5th of
an inch in diameter ; a month afterwards it has increased to li in.
long and J in. in diameter. The maximum development is reached
in eighteen months, when it measures 2 in. in leng'th and i in. in
thickness, the body being now covered all over with short reddish-
brown hairs. For three years it carries on its ravages, the winter's
cold obliging it to bury itself in the earth until the time comes for
it to be transformed into the perfect insect. The larva of the cock-
chafer, like those of other insects, possesses but few faculties, except
that of devouring everything within its reach, and of being very
tenacious of life. The cockchafer grub does not walk, in the true
sense of the term ; it advances like an earthworm, by the alternate
expansion and contraction of the rings of its body. When it digs its
gallery it doubles on itself, the hinder portion serving as a support,
while the head is tlirust forwards. The mandibles break up the
earth and the feet push it on one side, the body revolving on its axis,
so to sjjeak, at the same time, pressing and smoothing the sides of
the hole. A vigorous gi'ub will in this waj' dig a hole li ft. deep in
about an hour. When the grub begins to look out for food, the gal-
leries are either horizontal or only gently sloping, but when it buries
itself in the earth in order to take up its winter quarters or to
undergo the ch.ange from gi'ub to beetle, it digs a well or
gallery that is nearly vertical ; sometimes, however, it is formed of
several broken lines, at others in gentle curves. It is at the bottom
of these vertical holes that the shells or capsules in which
the metamorphosis takes place are found. This change takes place
in the course of the winter, the larva changing into the perfect
insect bj' casting o9" its outer skin, which it leaves behind it at the
bottom of the capsule. We in.ay .at times meet with cockchafers under
the soil in J,anuary and February in a very advanced stage of trans-
formation. The cockchafer grub is not dainty in the choice of its
food ; it feeds on all kinds of food alike, although there are some
which it prefers to others, such as those of the Strawberry plant
.and Rose tree, but they may be also met with amongst the roots of
the Dandelion, Leek, Parsley, Sorrel, sakads. Grass, Lucerne, and at
the base of young Ccd.ars. When these plants, therefore, are grown
in the neighbourhood of Rose trees they should be frequently ex-
amined to see if they are infested with these pests. It is conse-
quently, on account of its preference for certain plants, that Rose
growers plant or sow Cos and other Lettuces in the neighbourhood of

Mat 24, 1879. J

THE GARDEN.

42'

their Rose trees, in ordertoattracttheoockchafer gi'ub to the surface of
the soil. Its presence may easily be detected by the witliered ap-
pearance of the Lettuces. As far as insect-destroying manures go,
I have, after many experiments, extending over several years, become
convinced of their inelficacy, or .rather of their utter uselessness.
The larva of the cockchafer is possessed of a remarkable amount of
vitality. Immersed for a full fortnight in water, it still lives, and
after having buried it in dry earth for a whole month, I have found
it alive and well ail the end of that time. I have even plunged it into
a strong solution of sulphate of copjjer (Ijlue copperas) without
hurting it. It also resists tlie action of a solution of carbonate of
■soda, which is so destructive to other forms of animal life. Kven witli
fish manure, mixed with carbonate of soda, it escaped all injury,
after having been submitted to its action for more than a montli.
Nothing in the ordinary way, except excess of heat or cold, will
destroy it. For instance, if the thermometer sinks to only a couple
of degrees beyond the jiroper point, the animal dies just as it does if
it is submitted to the action of sunliglit for only a quarter of an
hour. AVe must come back, tlierefore, to our first advice, which is
to attack the larvK during tlie first year wliile they are still young
and gathered together in groups. The most certain way, however,
of destroying them effectually is to pick them off the plants in the
morning and the daytime when they are half asleep. They should
he thrown into tubs of lime-water, either alone or mixed with
one-tenth of common petroleum or paraiKn oil. They soon become
suffocated in this mixture, after whicli they are burnt or buried.

Useful Insect.^. — If certain insects are the decided enemies of
the Rose grower, there are others which are his friends, and Avhieh
should be cherished as such. Amongst these we may count the
cicindellas, or garden beetles, whicli are strongly carnivorous, the
bronzed Rose beetle, the large black carabus, which is a frequenter
of Box borders and the bases of walls, the coccinella, or lady bird,
the larv.\» of which devour the Rose aphis at the rate of fifty per
head every ^lay ; they are generally fountl on the leaves of the Lime
tree ; the ichneumon, wliich destroj's the larva> of the leijidoptera
and the aphis, and lastly, the churchyard or burying beetle.
A dead mole, which was thrown on the path of one of our Rose
gardens, was attacked by a couple of these insects, and
a reinforcement of three other burying beetles came to the assist-
iince of tlieir friends. Tlie next day there was no longer any
trace of the mole in the jtathway, Init, at 2 ft. from the spot where
the body had lain, at the edge of a border, I noticed a small heap of
■earth ; it was the mole. The burying beetles, finding the soil of tlie
pathway rather too hard for their jaws, they had transported their
prey to a softer locality, and had buried it there, and, after having
stripped it of its skin, were making ]>reparations for laying their
eggs in tlie dead body, wherein 'H'<:iuld breed a ))rogeny of young
larva;, with their natural food ready to liand. The ordinary frog
and the hated toad are also among the Rose grower's most faithful
allies, seeing that they make great havoc amongst worms and young
slugs. Owls and bats, too, feed upon nocturnal insects, and the little
birds, which make a garden pleasant with their sweet harmonies,
pay for the slight amount of damage tliey do by doing their best to
relieve us of all kinds of insects, wliether useful or injurious.

The Syrphu.s Flv.— The Syrphus Pinastri belongs to the Diptera,
and deserves to be particularly nu-ntioued amongst useful insects.
Its larva; feed upon the Rose aphis, and it is generally about the
middle of April, as soon as the larvie of the aphis first begin to
make their appearance, that we may see this fly, which has some
resemblance to a small gadfly, poising itself over the young twigs
which ai-e covered with aphides. The vibration of its wings is so
excessively rapid, that the eye can scarcely perceive their motion ; at
other times it may be seen resting itself on a leaf, from which it
disappears at the sliglitest sound. This fly measures 4-lOths of an
inch in length and 2-lOths of an inch in diameter, and is pro-
vided with six feet, two of wliich are inserteil in the neck
and the remaining four in the base of the thorax ; they are
black at the upper part of the thiglis, and yellow in the middle,
■each being composed of five joints. Tlie heacl is very large, with a
flat white space in the middle, upon which may be noticed two
antenna;, in the form of clubs, of a brownish-black hue, with two
little filaments attached. The tliorax is black, as well as the back,
which are marked with three white bands, which grow smaller as
they extend towards the base of tlie abdomen. Tlie belly is flat,
and is marked with four white transverse bands and two longitudinal
streaks placed on the sides. The wings are very transparent, and
are of the same length as the body. The female, with instinctive
foresight, lays her eggs on the Rose leaves which are most likely to
afford a good crop of aphides. It lays about the beginning of April,
and continues laying at intervals until tlie end of September. Each
female lays from eigliteen to twenty eggs in two or three days. The
eggs are as white as snow, and are of an ovoid shape ; they measure
l-25th of an inch in length, by l-50th of an inch in diameter, and

are glued to the edge of the leaf liy the female by means of a glu-
tinous substance which exudes from her body. When the larva
issues from the egg the skin is of a dead white marked with a
number of brown stria; at the lower part of the back. It is J in
in length and l-2.'5th of an inch in diameter at its birth, and it is only
as it grows older that the skin takes its proper colour. When the larva
arrives at maturity it is of a bright green hue, a divisional line of
yellow running along the middle of tlie back, which is marked with
black dots on each side of the line. The head is elongated, in the
form of a trumpet, allowing a kind of black dart to be seen
under the transparent skin. This dart is divided in two and
serves to disembowel the larva; of the aphis on which it feeds.
Seven pairs of processes indicate where the feet ought to be. It moves
about with great difficulty, fixing itself by its head, curving its body
anil dragging it after it until it joins the licad, which is again
advanced and held firm as before. The larva has also the power of
standing uj), so to speak, on its hinder part, stretching out its body
in search of aphides, « liich it pierces with its dart, holding it up in
the air, and, sucking the juices out of its body, it throws away the
empty skin and moves off' in search of other prey. Its gluttony
is so great, that we have seen it suck the interior out of six aphides
in less than seven minutes. A single aphis we have seen devoured
in eighty seconds ; and when once it is gorged it fixes itself on the
edge of a leaf to digest its meal, the rest of the aphides actually
ei-awling over its body without being in any may molested. From
the time it is hatched to the time it assumes the form of a perfect
fly is generally about tliirty days. AVhen fully grown it is 3-5ths in.
in length and about 1-lOtli in. in diameter. Before transformation
it fixes itself by the heail to the edges of a leaf by a silken thread ;
the body becomes shorter, and gi'ows rounder towards the base ; the
skinturnsof abrouzy hue ; andtheyellowband which divided the body
in two disappears. The seven pairs of false legs are surrounded by
the skin of the body, the whole forming a little cocoon, rounded at
the base, and slightly pointed towards the summit, measuring J in.
in length by l-12th in. in diameter. This cocoon sometimes tui'iis to a
bronze colour as the time for the ultimate change approaches ; others,
on the contrary, are smaller and preserve a dead white line. It is
possiljle that these smaller ones produce male flies, as they are fewer
in number than the smaller ones. After twenty-four or thirty days
the insect breaks the envelope of the cocoon, and takes flight in
search of its male or female mate. Thus the larva ot the last crop of
eggs gives birth to those flies which pass the winter in the midst of
decayed leaves and other shelters, seeking their fortunes as soon as
the temperature will allow them to fly about, which is generally
aljout the end of March or beginning of April. J. L^chaume.

AFSWEES TO COEKESPONDENTS.

Autumn-flowering Herbaceous Plants.— AVouM you kindly give me
tlie uaiues of say three vlozeii of the best hanly herbaceous plants that would
l>]oom in July and Auy:ust, plants sacli as Delphiniums, to have a few of the best
varieties named? — A-

Alstrcemeria aurantiaca Geum coceineum fl.-pl. Pentstemon Hartwegi
Asclepias tuberosa Hemerocallis fnlva Pentstemon sentianoides

Aeonitum Napellus Lobelia eardinaiis Pentstemon Jaffrayanus

Achillea Ptarmioa fl.-pl. Lolielia fultjens Pentstemon azureus

Betonica grandillora Linaria dalmatica Pentstemon heterophyllus

Coreopsis lanceolata Lilium auratum Platycodon grandiflorum

Campanula nobilis Lilium speciosum Rudbeekia speciosa

Chelone Lyoni Monarda did>-ma Spirrea palmata

Chelone obli^iua ilonarda tistulosa and 8pira?a venusta

Delphinium Keteleeri vars. Senecio puleher

Delphinium Belladonna Nepeta macrantha Tritoma Ifvaria

Eryngium amethystinum (Enotliera fruticosa A'eronica virginica

Geutiana aselepiadea (Eiiothera rii>aria Veronica longifolia

Gentiana asclepiadea allja Phlox decussata in variety Zauschneria califomica

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Strawberry.— Not being sure as to
havini.' the true variety of this, and wisliing much to get up a good stock of the
right kind for forcing, I should be glad if some of your correspondents will kindly
state wliat are its distinguishing features. Those I have retain the petals till the
fruit is far advanced, and to one's thinking would turn out indifferent setters, as
the antliers appear bare of pollen and are not pushed out well over the fruit.— 8.
[If the variety which you have does not set most freely and bear enormously, you
certainly are not in possession of the true sort, as these are its special charac-
teristics, ruder ordinary culture the berries are of medium size, of flattish,
conical fonu, and deep red ; the flesh being also deeply tinged with red, very
solid, and of a rich, luisk flavour. The foliage, which is very glossy, is light
green, and so hardy tliat the late severe winter has damaged it but little. It is
synonjTuous >vith Garibaldi, a most excellent Strawberry for any purpose. —
W. W.]

Cattleya Flowers without Sheaths.— Two of my young plants of
Cattleya Triana; have jtroduced flowers without sheaths, the bud springing direct
from the top of the bulb. Is not this very unusual ? and how can I prevent it
for the future ? The plants seem healthy, and have produced flowers with sheaths
at the same time. Those without sheaths were large and well coloured, but
flabby, and fell dowu the day after expanding.— A. A. THORN, Charley.
[Without seeing the plants alluded to, or having any idea as to the temperature
and mode Of culture to which the plants have been subjected, it is next to im-
possible to say why your plants have produced flowers without the usual sheaths,
and especially as they have at the same time borne flowers with sheaths in the

424

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 24, 1879.

natural way. Too high a temperature with dense shading, may possibly have
been one of the causes. The llowers fading or drooping so soon is a sign of
weakness, want of moisture at the root or in the atmosphere, or of fertilisation
having been effected. General weakness, but from what specific cause we cannot
say, would lead to both the results named. Flowers produeed without sheaths
are most generally seen on the weakly secondary growths, which it is difficult to
prevent some species of Cattleya from making.— B.]

Names of Plants.— 3/re. G. R.—l, a variety of Narcissus Tazetta, of the
Soleil d'Or type, as cultivated in gardens : 2. N. Horibundusof Jour, ct Foiirreau,
the noseg.ay Hermione (II. tloribunda), of H.aworth ; 3, N. poeticus var. Mai.alis,
the May-Howering Poet's Narcissus, of Haworth. J. 11'. C— 1, Ranunculus
hederaceus ; 2, Kanunculus auricomis ; 3, Luzula campestris ; 4, Anthoxauthum
odoratum.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Asparagus Planting. — It may not be amiss to note that the
season will permit of this being done to a later date than usual this
year. There are great quantities of foreign Asparagus in our markets
now, but it is frequently most disagreeable in taste from the length
of time during which the samples are on the way ; hence anotlier
reason, if another were required, for making the home culture of
Asparagus equal in all respects to that of any otlier country. Prizes
for the encouragement of Asparagus culture, announced in this
journal last year, and which are to be given for seven successive
years, will commence two years hence at the great show of the Bath
and West of England Society.

Primula mollis. — This, though an old introduction, is now rare
in collections, a singular fact, considering that it is such a pretty
species. We found it the other <Iay in full bloom in the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park. It is quite distinct from any other
cultivated kind with which we .arc acquainted ; it appears to be
intermediate between P. cortusoides and P. sinensis, butis distiuctfrom
both. It grows about 8 in. liigh, with leaves somewhat triangular
in outline, and covered on botli sides with short dense hairs. The
blossoms are nearly 1 in. across, of a lively rose-coloured tint, similar
to that of the new P. rosea, but with the centre of a deeper hue.
The colour of the calyx is singular, being of a rich red-purple on the
lower i)art, and the segments gi-een. The blossoms, which are
arranged in whorls on erect stems, open in succession from the base
upwards. It is a native of the hills of Bhot.an, at high elevations,
whence it was introduced to our gardens about a quarter of a
century ago.

Herbaceous Calceolarias. — There is just now a very fine
display of these in one of the houses in Messrs. .Suttons' grounds at
Reading, so fine, indeed, both as regards perfection of growth and
profusion and strain of flowers, that I have felt it to be my duty to
direct attention to them, in order that those interested in these good
old-fashioned flowers, wdio happen to lie in the neighbourhood, may
call aiul see for themselves. The plants average about IS in. in
width, and are so dwarf, yet vigorous, that anyone might fancy they
had never been subjected to the slightest warmth ; the flower-stems
are of uniform height, and sufiiciently strong to do without supports,
these being used only to keep the flower-stems equi-distant. There
may be seen amongst them all hues of colour, from creamy white to
deep Vermillion, and yellow flowers are the exception. This last is
certainly a step in the right direction, as yellow flowers have long
held the predominance. — W. W.

A New Pontederia. — A very beautiful and distinct species
of Pontederia, at present unnamed, evidently new to cultivation, is
now finely in flower iu the Royal Botanio Gardens, Regent's Park.
Its affinity is with the well-known P. crassipes, from which it differs
in having long rhizomes, from which the leaves spring at regular
intervals ; also in having its leaf-stalks not swollen but of an uniform
size throughout, and in having the leaf-blade wedge-shaped instead
of heart-shaped. The blossoms are borne in much the same racemose
manner as those of P. crassipes, and they are of the same mauve
tint deepening towards the centre ; they, however, differ from those
of P. crassipes in having the yellow Idotch on the upper petal much
more distinctly defined, and most of all in having the margins of
the petals beautifully fringed, which heightens their beauty con-
siderably. It is a native of Brazil, whence it was brought and pre-
rented to the Royal Botanic Society iu March last. — W. G.

Shrubs in Flower in Battersea Park.— Many beautiful

shrubs now adorn the shruliberies and lawns in tliis park. Berberis
stenophylla is in nuiny spots a mass of golden blossoms, more par-
ticularly a fine specimen between the Antennaria-covered mounds,
generally termed the "snowy mounds." It cannot be too highly
commended for general planting, as it is much h.ardier than B. Dar-
wini, not being in the Ie,ist affected by the past winter. It is a hybrid
between B. Darwini anil B. empetrifolia. Rilies aureum is another
fine old shrub, the pendulous racemes of golden blossoms of which
contrast finely with the pleasing green tint of the young foliage. It

makes a capital plant for associating with its better-known neigh-
bour, R. sanguineum. The double crimson-flowering Peach (Amyg-
dalis persica ft. -pi.) is one of the most brilliant objects w'e know of,
especially when placed, as it is here, so as to have a good background
of evergreen foliage. The double-flowering Cherry (Cerasus vulgaris
fl. -pi. ) isequally desirable, the pure white, rosette-like blossoms, which
areborneinprofusion,beiugextremely attractive. Another jjretty shrub
is the variegated-leaved Kerria japonica, which has apparently with-
stood the severity of the past winter unscathed. Its rich orange
blossoms, mixed witli the elegant white and green foliage, render it
a very efl'ective plant. The double-flowered Spiriea (S. prunifolia fl.-pl.)
is a neat and pretty shrub ; its small, white, button-like blossoms
are produced so plentifully that the plants look like masses of snow.
The hanilsome Forsythias (F. suspensa and F. viridissima) are now
past their best, but only to be succeeded by a host of other fine
shrubs equal to them in interest and beauty. — W. G.

The Lily of The Valley which Messrs. Hawkins & Bennett
grow at Twickenham is now the admiration of Covent Garden. It
is gTOwn iu the open ground, and brought into flower earlier by
placing frames over it, instead of the usual way of raising the
plants.

Dracaenas at Anerley. — The fine collection of Dractenas in
Mr. Wills' nursery is now well worth seeing. Here may be found
superb specimens of the choicest hybrid varieties, comprising along
with tliose that are now generally well known other beautiful kinds
that have not yet been distributed. Tlie different varieties are too
numerous to individualise, but amongst those which most attracted
attention were well-grown and highly-colouretl specimens of
magestica, ignea, Frederici, Gladstonei, with flesh or magenta-tinted
markings ; the best of those with green and white variegation being
terminalis alba, Mrs. Wills, Rcgina, all examples of high-class culti-
vation.

Hardy Flowers from Colchester.— We have received

from the New Plant and Bulb Company, Colchester, cut flowers of a
handsome Muscari, named par.adoxum, but not that of Baker ; Iris
iberica (true), and a beautiful large-flowered variety of it, said to be
very dwarf in habit ; Uvtdaria grandiflora, a handsome North American
Liliaceous plant ; Fritillaria recurva, a pretty orange-blossomed
species ; Trillium grandiflorum ; Dodecatlieon elegans, a finely-
coloured American C'owslip ; and the following Orchids, viz., Cypri-
petlium pubescens, (iymnadenia albida, and Ophrys fusca. The Iris
iberica .and its varieties grow, it is stated, unusually well about Col-
chester, and bloom most abundantly.

Hedysarum humile. — This is one of the most brilliant little
gems on the ne\ily-constructed rockery at Kew. It is a compact-
growing perennial, not more than 3 in. high, having pinnate leaves
with from seven to nine pairs of leaflets. The flowers, which are
borne on short stalks, are arranged in dense clusters, and are of an
intensely deep magenta line, and therefore very showy. It should
find a place on every rockery. It is apparently rare in English
gardens, but the Kew plants being of Continental origin, it will
doubtless soon liecome better known.

Posoqueria longiflora. — This very handsome stove plant is
now very attractive at Kew. It is an erect growing shrub with large
leathery leaves of noble aspect. The blossoms are borne in large
terminal clusters, and are nearly 6 in. long, with a greenish narrow
tube ; the petals, which are pure waxy white, are arranged in a star-
shaped manner, and exhale an agreeable aromatic perfume. It is
a member of the Cinchona famil}', to which so much attention has
recently been directed, and a native of Guiana.

Pelargonium Society. — It being desirable that all the novel-
ties exhibited for the Society's Certificate of Merit should be presented
in the best condition for adjudication, we understand that arrange-
ments will be made so that the censors and executive committee will
meet for that purpose on June "24, as well as on July S, the latter day
having been adopted for the Society's show instead of the former,
in consequence of the lateness of the season. In submitting the
new varieties for adjudication, Rule 7 must be strictly observed. On
June 24 any plants that may be staged will be placed in the conser-
vatory. As the Royal Horticultural Society has fixed .July 9 for its
evening fete, tlie leaving of the exhibits over the night of the 8th
must be entirely at the option of the exhibitors.

-Alteration of Date of Rose Show.— Putting back the

date of the National Rose Show I regard as a wise step, as the queen
of flowers, like everything else, is quite a fortnight later this season
than usual. Some excellent vegetable prizes are offered at this show
by Messrs. Carter and others, and it is to be hoped the awarding of
them may also be put off until the 8th of July, as I fear few Peas,
Potatoes, Cauliflowers, &c., will be in show condition by June 24.
this year. — Cambrian.

M\Y 24, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

42.5

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY.

M.A.Y 21.

The Krst summer exliibition of this society was held last Wednesday,
and, notwithstanding that some of the classes were but scantily
represented, the tent was well filled. The absence of Pelargoniums
and pot Roses, except in one class, was conspicuous, as on previous
occasions they formed such an attractive feature. The Roses from
the Waltliam Cross and C'hesliunt Nurseries (not shown for com-
petition) were, however, particularly noteworthy, and added
greatly to the attractiveness of the exhil^ition. Messrs. E. H.
Henderson and Sons, St. John's Wood, exhibited a very eflfective
bank of well arranged plants, consisting of Palms, Orchids, Ferns,
&c. Besides the novelties certificated were noticeable Coburghia
luteo-viridis, the beautiful Bertolonia Miranda", Amaryllis Harley-
aua, and many others ; also a fine batch of Ana'ctochili in good
condition. Messrs. Vcitch and Sons furnished a sm.all, but excellent
group of new and rare plants, many of wliich obtained certificates.
Ranunculus Lyalli was again shown in flower, but not so fine as
hitherto. Some flowering specimens of the new hybrid
Cypripediums were shown, viz., C. calanthum, and C. super-
ciliare, both distinct kinds. From Mr. Bull came a numerous
collection of new and rare plants, several of which were certificated ; also
a tastefully arranged group of Orchids, Ferns, Palms, and other plants.
Mr. B. .S. Williams sent a large and rich collection, containing many
plants of interest, which were much admired, and sever.al of the new
kinds received certificates of merit. From Messrs. .John Laing &
Co., Forest Hill, came a small but tastefully-arranged group of fine-
foliaged plants intermixed with Az.aleas, Gloxinias, and Begonias,
of which some were certificated. Similar groups also came from
Messrs. Hooper & Co., Messrs. Osborn & Son. and Mr. (i. Wheeler. Mr.
H. Boiler, Kensal New Town, exhibited a small collection of
Cacti, including large specimens and many in miniature pots.
A magnificent display of Clematis came from Messrs. .lackman &
Son, Woking Nursery. These were shown in pots gracefully trained
on balloon-shaped trellises, and were splendid examples of high-class
culture, all being very finely bloomed. Those with the liglit-coloured
flowers were Fair Rosamond, Mrs. .S. C. Baker, Maiden's Blush,
Miss Bateman, and Vesta. The best of the dark purple kinds in
various shades were Sir Garnet Wolseley, Lord Londesborough,
Lord Mayo, Albert Victor, Lord Derby, Aureliana ; all the above
being varieties of sterling merit and highly desirable. An effective
group of Pelargoniums, intermixed with the fine new Victoria Lily
of the Valley, was sent by Messrs. Hawkins and Bennett, Twicken-
ham, and were much admired. Mr. George, Putney Heath,
exhibited cut blooms of new varieties of Abutilons, which were very
fine. From Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Sons came cut blooms of a
very fine strain of Mimulus in excellent condition.

Botanical Certificates ■nere awarded to —

Csrpripedium, species from Java (Veitch). — A very distinct
novelty, with flowers as large as those of C. villosum, the upper
sepal being green with creamy-white margins, the lateral sepals
being rich brown and spotted at the edges, and the lip of a paler hue,
the wliole flower having a very glossy appearance.

Cypripedimn Boxalli (Bull).— A species in the way of
C. villosimi, but very distinct.

Sarracenia atro-sangninea (Bull).— A handsome new

variety, similar to S. rubra in liabit and form of pitchers, bat, in
addition ti the red network of veins, with the upper half of the lid
of the pitcher of a deep blood-red colour.

Tillandsia zebrina major (Veitch).— A variety with an
unusually large spike of scarlet bracts and yellow blossoms.

Phsedranassa chloracea vera (Henderson).— A beautiful

bulbous plant, with long, tubular flowers of a deep flesh colour,
tipped with dark green, the blossoms hanging gracefully in umbels
from stout, glaucous stems about 2 ft. high.

Tulipa etellata (Bull). — A beautiful early-flowering Himalaya
Tulip, allied to the old T. Clusiana, but with the blossoms whiter.

Spiraea nivosa (Bull). — A very pretty and graceful novelty,
similar in appearance to Astilbe japonica, but with broader foliage,
denser flower-heads of snowy whiteness.

Nephrolepis pluma (Veitch).— An elegant kind witli long
pinnie and gracefully arcliing fronds.

Asplenium horridum (Williams).— A distinct Fern with
broad fronds, the stripes of which are covered with a fulvous, downy
substance.

Polypodium Kremeri (Veitch). — A very elegant novelty, of
dwarf growth, reminding one of P. Dryopteris.

Todea plumosa (Veitch).— A charming new Filmy Fern in

the way of T. superba, liut more transparent, of a pale green.

Pteris cretica hybrida gig-antea (Henderson).— A very

robust and liighly ornamental variety of tliis favourite Feru, growing
over 3 ft. high.

Doodia aspera var. multiflda (Veitch).— A pretty variety,
with the tii)s of tlie fronds divided into numerous segments.

Cupania elegantissima (Williams). — A decorative plant of
graceful liabit, witli pinnate leaves resembling some of the Cycads.

Croton Burtoni (Williams). — An elegant variety, with long
drooping leaves, liaving undulated margins, and prettily mottled with
yellow and green.

Croton Bvansianum (Bull). — A variety with an erect habit,
the leaves of wliich have a tendency to be trilobed, and all of them
are more or less richly coloured.

Croton Dormanianum (Bull). — A distinct form with ovate
leaves, also finely variegated.

Asparagus gracillimus (Bull).— A graceful climber, with
slender stems, and small rich green foliage.

Zamia obliqua (Bull).— A handsome Cycad, with bold leaves
and liroad glossy obliijue leaflets.

Cyphokentia macrocarpa (Bull).— A noble-looking Palm,

with bolil pinnate leaves, which, wlien young, assume a rich purplish-
red tint.

Cycas siamensis (Bull). — A novelty in the way of
C. circinalis.

Cycas pluma (Bull). — Also an elegant plant, with arching
foliage.

Catekidozamia Miqueliana (Bull).— A species of graceful,

j'et bold haljit.

Dracaena Laingi (Veitch). — A very ornamental and distinct
variety, with prettily variegated foliage, which droops gracefully.

Erythrina marmorata (Veitch).— A very desirable novelty,
having its leaves beautifully mottled with various sliades of green
and white.

Cattleya Skinneri alba (Bull).— A charming white-flowered
variety of this fine Orchid.

Ranunculus Lyalli (Veitcl;).— A handsome New Zealand
plant, described and tigiired in our columns last week.

Oncidium tetracopis (Bull).— A handsome novelty in the
way of 0. crispum.

Encephalartos Hildebrandi (Bull).— A decorative Cycad,
of graceful lial>it.

Ploricultural Certificates were awarded to—
Rhododendron Duchess of Teck (Veitch). — A beautiful

variety of the tubular-flowered greenliouse section, bearing large
clusters of blossom, of a delicate orange tint, suffused with pink.

Begonia Comtesse H. de Choiseul (Laing).— A desirable
novelty, with perfectly double flowers of good form, and of a delicate
blush tint.

Begonia Marie Bouchet (Laing). — Another double-flowered
variety, witli beautiful rosette-like blossoms, of a rich crimson colour.

Begonia J. H. Laing (Laing). — A brilliant scarlet-coloured
variety, with single flowers, of a large and very fine form.

Begonia Jaubrey Clark (Laing). — Also a desirable acquisi-
tion, witli briglit scarlet blossoms and handsome foliage.

Begonia Zulu (Hooper). — A beautiful variety, of robust habit,
having elegant foliage and brilliant scarlet flowers.

Caladium L'Albane (Osborn). — A novelty with very beau-
tiful foliage, the ground colour being transparent white suffused with
pink, and distinctly veined with green.

Azalea mollis Comte de Gomer (Veitcli).— A beautiful

variety, with large, deep, rosy-pink blooms.

A. mollis Baron Constant Rebecque (Veitch).— Similar

to tlie foregoing, but with flowers of a ricli yellow colour.

A. pontica Graf Von Moran (Veitch).— A very pretty and
free-flowering variety, mucli resembling tlie singular form A. narcis-
siflora, but witli the flowers of a deep blush tint.

Gloxinia Duke of Connaught (Veitcli). — A beautiful

variety of the erect flowered type, with large wliite-edged blossoms
of a rich purplish-crimson colour.

42G

THE GARDEN.

[May 24, 1879.

Coleus Empress of Germany (Bull).— A superb variety,
•with tlic leaves of a bright reddish tint, having a slight edging of
gold.

Coleus Starlight (Bull). —Another very beautiful form,
having wavy-edged leaves of a ileep rosy hue, margined in yellow.

Coleus Harlequin (Bull).— A handsome variety, with the
foliage very grotestjucly marked with various tints, quite distinct
from any which we have seen.

Coleus Butterfly (Bull).— Also a very desirable kind, having
eaves deeply tootheil, of a violet-rose tint, edged with pale yellow.

Pansy Champion (Hooper). — A jiretty variety, of good
orm.

Mr. Boiler, of Kensal Town, received certificates for JIamillaria
filifera, M. formosa, and Kchinocactus myriostigma, all interesting
Cactaceous plants.

Miscellaneous Plants.— The class for twelve stove and
gi-eenhouse plants (nurserymen) was but poorly represented, there
being but one entry, and that from Messrs. Jackson & .Son, Kingston,
who showed a good collection, the best plants in whieli were Iman-
topliyllum miniatum, with over a dozen large heads of flowers ;
Hedaroma tulipifera, Rhododendron Countess of Haddington, large
and finely flowered'; Erica depressa, Boronia pinnata, Aplielexis
maorantha rosea, and others, all fine examples. In groups of ten
plants (amateurs), Mr. Chapman, gardener to .J. Spode, Esq., Rugely,
was first. He had Erica Cavendishi 4 ft. through and well flowered ;
Dracoijhyllum gracile, a superb example, as was also Statice profusa.
Ixora coccinea was staged in splendid condition ; also I. Prince of
Orange. Azalea Mars, Chorozema Chandleri, Hedaroma tulipifera,
and the sweet-scented Erica odora rosea were all fine examples of
high-class culture. The second prize went to ilr. G. Wheeler,
gardener to Lady Louisa Goldsniid, Regent's Park, whose specimens,
though somewliat small, comprised some well-bloomed examples, the
best being a large plant of Erica affinis and a fair-sized specimen of
the pretty Aotus gracillima. The class for six stove and greenhouse
plants brought out three entries, the first prize being awarded to
Mr. Chapman, who had a remarkably even group containing splendid
examples of Erica depressa, Tremandra ericajfolia, Dracophyllum
gi-acile, Acropliyllum venosum, Ixora Prince of Or.ange, and Anthu-
rium Schei-zerianum. Tlie second prize went to Mr. .J. Child,
gardener to Mrs. Torr, Garbrand Hall, Ewell, whose best plants
were Azalea Iveryana, Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, Hedaroma
tulipifera, and Erica depressa. Mr. G. Wlieeler was awarded the
third prize for a small but weU-flowered group. In the nurserymen's
class for six, Messrs. Jack.sou & Son were the only exhibitors, with
finely-grown plants of Hedaroma fuchsioides, Boronia serrulata,
Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, and others.

Orchids. — These formed a prominent and very beautiful feature,
and thougli tlie entries were not numerous, some capital groups were
shown. In the amateurs' class for twelve plants, Mr. Douglas, gar-
dener to V. Whitbourn, Esq., Loxford Hall, Ilford, staged a splendid
lot for the first prize, the most noticeable being a gi-and plant of
Dendrobium nobile, over 3 ft. high and as much through ; Cattleya
Wameri,a magnificent variety ; Cypripedium villosum, with twodozen
flowers ; Masdevallia Harryana, a deep-coloured variety with eighteen
blossoms ; Odontoglossum Roezli and variety alljidum, O. vexillarium,
and 0. Phaljenopsis, all superb plants. An admirable collection was
also sho%vn by Mr. Heims, gardener to F. Phdbrick, Esq., Avenue
Road, Regent's Park. The best of these were a gi-and plant of
Cattleya Skinneri, a very rich-coloured form, LffiUa purpurata,
Cattleya Mendelli, Dendrobium thrysiflorum, Maxillaria Turneri,
and others, all in fine condition. In the nurserymen's class for twelve
Orchids Mr. B. S. Williams was awarded the first prize for a group
consisting of the lovely Dendrobium Parislii, a fine plant ; Vanda
suavis, with four large racemes ; L.-eUa j)urpurata ; the gorgeous
Cattleya Mendelli ; Jlasdevallia ignea, a pale-flowered form, but
finely bloomed ; the novel Cypripedium Swanianum ; Masdevallia
Lindeni, with over two dozen highly-coloured blossoms, and others.
Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, Lower Nonvood, also competed,
and was deservedly awarded the second prize, his plants showing
superior cultivation and rich variety. The most noteworthy were
Dendrobium Wardianum, a fine example of this lovely Orchid ; D.
nobile, a gi-and plant ; Oucidium concolor, O. crispum grandiflorum,
O. Marshallianum, and 0. sarcodes were also well flowered ; also
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum and Cattleya Mendelli. Messrs. Jackson
& Sou were awarded third prize in the same class.

Roses. — The classes for Roses in pots were but scantily filled, a
fact doubtless owing to the backwardness of the seasons, though the
Messrs. Turner, of Slough, made a very effective display in the class
for twenty plants in 8-in. pots. Amongst these the best flowered
were — Perfection de Montplaiser, a Tea-scented variety, of a fine
canary-yellow ; Duchesse de Vallombrosa, flesh colour, shaded with

rose ; Souvenir d'un Ami, Jean Liabaud, Mademoiselle Thi5rtee
Levet, Captain Christy, Royal Standard, Princess Beatrice ; all also
very fine. The Cheshunt and Waltham Cross Nurseries contributed
superb collections of cut Ijlooms, not for competition. These were
deservedly much admired, as they included some exquisite examples.
Amongst those from Messrs. Paul & Son were splendid trays of Tea-
scented varieties, sucli as Marechal Niel, Celine Forestier, the lovely
Cheshunt Hybrid, Belle Lyonnaise, and otliers. From the Waltham
Cross N'hrseries came a very fine group, including the finest of the
Hybrid Perpetuals, Tea-scented, and other kinds in cajjital condi-
tion ; also a well-filled tray of a Banksiau Rose, named Rosa
BanksiiE odoratissima, a very sweet-scented variety, with pale
sulphur-yellow double small blossoms in large clusters.

.A.zaleas. — These, as is usual in Jlay, formed a very prominent
feature of the sliow, and the classes into which they were divided
were numerous and well filled. For six for competition amongst
a'nateurs the first prize came from Mr. A. Ratty, gardener to-
R. Thornton, Esq., The Hoo, Sydenham, who staged a first-rate
group ; indeed, as fine as we have yet seen. It comprised Georgiana,
a gigantic pjTamid of blossoms of a deep orange-scai'let ; Criterion,
Exquisite, Distinction, in various shades of pink ; Model and Eulalie
Van Geert, all admirably gro%vn and effectively staged. Mr. G.
Wheeler exliibited a collection of smaller-sized plants for tlie second.
Ijrize, several of which were remarkably well bloomed, and judiciously
selected as regards variety. An extra prize was awarded toMr. J. Child,
gardener to Mrs. Torr, Garbrand Hall, Ewell, for six plants of small
size. In the nurserymen's class for six, Mr. Turner and Mr. Williams
competed, and took first and second prizes respectively. Tiie former
gi'oup consisted of fair-sized and well-bloomed plants, some witli very
large flowei-s, such as Due de Nassau, Duchesse de Nassau, and
Reine des Fleurs. For twelve plants in IC-in. pots, Mr. Ratty was
.again first with capital examples, his best being .Stella, Juliana, and
Model ; the other competitor was Mr. Turner, who had a very even
group. In tlie class for six in 12-in. pots for amateurs, Messrs. Ratty,
Cliild, and Wlieeler were the competitors.

Heaths w-ere but second-rate, and the entries few. Messrs.
Jackson secured the first prize for twelve in the nurserymen's class ;
the second prize went to Messrs. Peed & Son, Norbury Vineyard
Nurseries, Lower Stre.atham. Tlie class for six only brought out one
exliibitor, Mr. G. Wheeler, to whom the second prize was awarded
for a somewhat uneven collection.

Ferns. — In the amateurs' class for six exotic Ferns, Mr. Douglas
took the first prize with a good gi'oup, the most noticeable plants in
which were Adiantum concinnum leetum, (ileichenia Speluncse, and
Davallia polyantha. Mr. Wheeler took the second with an evenly-
grown group, comprising Adiantum tenerujn and Alsophila exoelsa,
The nurserymen's class was represented by only one collection, which
came from Mr. Williams, and consisted of a gi-and mass of Adiantum
Farleyense, Davallia Mooreaua, Gleichenia Speluncoe, and G. rupes-
tris.

Fine-foliaged Plants. — These were shown in splendid condi-
tion. Amongst tlie amateurs, Mr. C. Rann, gardener to J. Warren,
Esq., Handcross Park, Sussex, staged a grand collection for the first
prize, consisting of superb examples of Croton interruptum, C. varie-
gatum, Zaniia Lehmanni, Cycas revoluta, Areca sapi(la, and Latania
borbonica. The second prize went to Mr. Ford, gardener to J. 6.
Meegan, Esq., Windermere House, Norwood, whose plants included
some magnificent specimens, especially a gigantic Diett'enbachia picta
of a size rarely seen ; also Alocasia metallica in first-rate condition.
For the third prize Mr. Douglas staged an evenly-matched lialf-dozen,
including Cocos Weddelliana, Croton Wiesmanni, C. uudulatum, in
good plants. An extra prize was also awarded to Mr. R. Butler,
gardener to H. Gibbs, Esq., Regent's Park, for a small but efi'ective
group. In the nurserymen's class Mr. Williams sscured the first
prize with a fine group, amongst which Dasylirion acrostrichum,
Pandanus Veitchi, Phonnium tenax variegatum, were noteworthy.
The second prize came from Messrs. Hooper & Co., who showed fair-
sized specimens in choice variety.

Hardy Flowers. — The class for Alpines in pots was badly
represented, the only exhibitor being Mr. Parker, Tooting Nurseries.
Amongst these were Saxifraga muscoides purpurea, a little gem but
1 in. or so high ; S. Maweana was also shown in fine flowering con-
dition. Some well-filled baskets of the brilliant Gentiana acaulis
formed a very beautiful feature in Messrs. Osborn & Son's collection,
as was also the beautiful little G. vema in that of Messrs. Henderson
& Son. Cut blooms of the curious yet handsome Iris iberica were
very noticeable in Messrs. Veitch & Son's group, and were much
admired. A numerous and choice collection of cut blooms of P.ansies
was exliibited by Mr. H. Hooper, of Bath, the newer varieties
amongst which were very beautiful. A flowering branch of Pynis
(Malus) floribunda (figured in The G.iEDEN, Vol. X., p. 384) was
sent by Mr. A. Waterer, Knap Hill.

A list of awards will be found in our advertising columns.

THE GARDEN.

427

No; £93.]

SATTJBDAY, MAY 31, 1873.

"Tliis is an art
"Wliich does mend Nature ; chan.cre it ratlier : but
The Aet itself is Natoee. "—SAatcspcare.

ALPINE FLOWERS AT YORK.

Ilf speaking of the Alpines now in flower on the rockwork in Messrs.
Backhouse's nursery at York, I will mention them just as they
occur to me. The rock garden is approacheil from the north by
means of a zig-zag path sunk towards the lower end considerably
below the ordinary gi-ound level until the banks become so steep,
that rocks are required to hold them up. Here the rockwork proper
commences. The first plants which attract attention are huge masses
of Primula Auricula marginata, bearing large trasses of yellow fra-
grant blossoms, and associated witli tliese may be seen two fine speci-
mens of a rare Saxifrage (S. Tombeana), a species whicli produces
white flowers early in the spring. Here, on looking round, one sees
every ledge and fissure occuijied by Alpine plants, amongst which some
of the finest are Myosotis rupicola. Erysimum pumilum, Sa.xifraga
lantoscana, Anemone fulgens. Phlox subulata, Sedum asiatioum,
Aubrietia grajca superba, Alyssum saxatile compactum and A. inon-
tanum. This last is a very useful plant for a hot, dry position,
wliere it flowers most profusely. It is a very dwarf kind, and bears
large heads of showy yellow flowers, though the M'liole plant is not
more than from 3 in. to 4 in. high. A few paces furtlier on and a
nan-ow neck of water is reached, a sortof connecting link between two
pieces of water. To tlie right are examples of the mountain Pine ( Pinus
montana) with crooked and weather-beaten steins, which, overhang-
ing the track, give the whole place an air of Alpine rusticity. A little
further on still is a shelving banli of stony oartli interspersed with
Alpine plants, and a bank of Grass in a sort of semi-wald condition.
To the left, that is, on the opposite side of the water, in tlie distance
are large Pines, Spruces, Larches, &c., wliile in close proximity, and
shelving down to the water's edge, may be seen a combination of
Polysticliuma, Lastreas, Polypodiums, Cystopteris, Adiantum peda-
tum, Struthiopteris, Orchises, Globe-flowers, Lily of the Valley, and
wild Primroses, all struggling for existence amongst tlie Grass.
Advancing a few strides and pushing past another veteran busli of
the Mountain Pine, a pond of water is readied, and looking across
to an island just opposite may be seen large tufts of the English
Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium Calceolus), and very fine indeed they
must be when in flower. I also noticed two fine patches of the new
rose-coloured Primrose (P. rosea) in a remarkably thriving condition
planted near tlie water line. The same remark also appUes to Saxi-
fr.aga pedemontana, a kind, I believe, seldom seen in gardens. It is
a distinct plant, having large, tliick, deep gi-een leaves, and bearing
panicles of large, showy, white flowers. A lovely display of
Myosotis dissitiflora and Narcissus jnncifolius intermixed next
presented itself on a steep bank faced with stone, tlie earth sloping
down to the walk, and the yellow flowers of tlic Daffodil mingling
interestingly with the blue blossoms of the Forget-me-not. Hanging
from the rocks is Cytisus Arduini, a fine dwarf Alpine shrub, bearing
arching racemes of golden-yellow blossms ; and at the foot of the rocks
in a damp and shady nook, Andromeda fastigiata forms quite an
attractive feature. It is by no means a common plant ; in fact, it is
rarely seen in such good condition as it is here, wliere it forms a tuft
18 in. across, loaded with Lily of the Valley-like flowers of exquisite
loveliness ; associated with it is another pretty dwarf evergi-een shrub,
viz., Menziesia empetriformis. On the ledges up among the rocks
grows the white Fritillaria, a desiralile plant anywhere, but, situated
wliere its pure white bell-shaped flowers can be seen from below, its
beauty is greatly enhanced. Pushing forth from the base of a
huge rock is Meconopsis aculeata, a plant which grows from 2 ft. to
3 ft. high, and bears nearly throughout its entire length a profusion
of large saucer-shaped, nodding, purplish-blue flowers. Unlike
Meconopsis ncpalensis, this plant is a true perennial, and is on that
account of much more value than that kind. Now we have reached
the south ami main portion of the rockwork on which flowers are
very numerous and lieautiful. One of the most prominent features
here is a large conical summit clothed with Gentiana acaulis, com-
pletely smothered with flowers, and a solitary tuft of the white
Fritillaria and a mass of Arabis albida greatly enhance the
beauty of the blue flowers of the Gentian. A more beautiful
sight than this it would, I think, be difficult to find]
Near this spot are two fine kinds of dwarf Iris ; one, I. olbiensis,
from 2 in. to 4 in. high, and bearing large, deep blue flowers ; the
other, I. Cengialti, a little taller, and with even larger and deeper
and more intense blue blossoms. To the Alpine Poppy, -with its
yellow, white, and scarlet flowers, belongs quite a charm of its own ;

and Lithospermum tinctorium, a new species, is a real gem ; it has
large, very dark, brilliant, blue flowers, which continue in perfection
for many weeks, and it is a plant by no means dirticult to grow. The
Arctic Bramble (Rubus arcticus) is a desirable plant ; it has rose-
coloured flowers, borne on slender steins from 2 in. to 4 in. high.
Associated with this was a beautiful Violet mth pure white, wax-like
flowers — a white variety of V. pedata. Delphinium tricorne, a dwarf
Alpine Larkspur, is anotlier valualjle acijuisition. Its flowers, which
are purplish-lilue, possess an indescrilialde lustre, and are borne in a
compact spike from 4 in. to G in. long, the whole stem being from 6 in.
to 12 in. high. Veronica satureia;folia, a prostrate kind with pale
blue flowers ; Ranunculus Bertoloni and other rare Crowfoots ; Silene
acaulis, grandiflora, and alba; Erysimum rha^tieum, &c., may all be
seen here to advantage.

Near the base of the rock the ground has been formed into irregular
mounds, and into the lower parts have been introduced vast quanti-
ties of bog^-earth in wliich tlie following plants seem to be in a thriv-
ing condition, and some of them are in flower, \'iz., Trillium gTandi-
florum and the dark-flowered T. erectum, Erythronium giganteum,
Primula cortusoides aino;na, a tuft fully 1 yard in diameter, full of
flower ; Iris cristata, a little beauty in boggy places ; Mertensia
paniculata, a charming kind ; various kinds of Globe flowers ; and
dift'erent species of Pyrola. Here, too, on raised portions of the
gi-ound I noticed Polygala Chamajljuxus purpurea, which is, without
doubt, the most beautiful Alpine that has been introduced for a long
time. It is very dwarf and neat in habit, evergi-een, and jiroduces
its flowers, wliicli are deep purple or magenta \vith an orange centre,
in gi-c.at profusion. I must not omit to mention the Lady's-slippers,
wliich, tliougli not in flower, bid fair to be very gay. Cypripedium
spectabile and C pubescens are unusually vigorous.

Leaving the rock garden and jiassing through an opening in the
trees, we fhid ourselves amongst Alpine plants cultivated in pots,
plunged in 4-ft. beds, aud in one of these beds there is just now such
a display of the Vernal Gentian as I never remember witnessing
before, at least in cultivation. Tliere must be some hundreds of
flowers, the whole forming a compact mass of the most dazzling
blue. p,

RAISING ANTIRRHINUMS FROM SEED.

The homely Snapdragon, with its old-fashioned associations and its
bright, cheerful, delicate, and pleasing colours, is one of the most
attractive of our liardy liiennials, aud is perhaps as prodigal of bloom
as any otiier plant that can be named. But such a severe winter
as that which we have just passed througli, following upon a
wet autumn, has sorely tried tlie plants, and whole plantations of
them gTowing in retentive ground have been killed outright. Wliere
plants have occupied lighter ground, or a drier position, many of the
Snapdragons have escaped ; but many more in less favoured spots
are utterly lost. It lias been an exceptional winter, and many years
may elapse before another happens so trying in its effects on vegeta-
tion generally.

It is usually recommended that the seed of Antirrhinums be
sown in July to have plants to winter for the following summer. A
better plan than this can be adopted, carrying with it greater
advantages, namely, to sow seeds in January or February in a gentle
bottom heat, ami by pricking off the young plants into pans and
boxes, get them on into size as speedily as possible. If these be
planted out in a prepared bed at the end of May or early in tjune
(taking advantage of showery weather to do so), they make good
bushy plants by August, and all bloom at the end of that month and
through September. The advantage of this plan is that the cultiva-
tor sees the quality of his flowers tlie same season as they are raised
from seed ; he can reject inferior ones, and utilise the best varieties
for planting in prominent positions in autumn and spring. If the
winter cuts his plants ofl', he will have seen something of their value ;
and any thing particularly good can be lifted and put into a cold
frame, or some other place of protection to keep them from the possi-
bility of hai-m.

Exhibitors of Antin-hinums at exhibitions held in .July and early
in August will find the foregoing method a good one for obtaining
some good spikes of bloom for show purposes at the end of June and
early in July, if they be required so early in the summer. Cut
blooms of Antirrhinums, sho^^^l in bunches of three, four, or six
spikes, find a place in many schedules of prizes, and when cut from
good varieties and well arranged in a cut flower stand they are
very attractive. The plants that flowered the previous September,
if they survive the winter, which they do in nine cases out of ten,
gi-ow into good size by July, and furnish very fine spikes of bloom.

In proportion as the Antirrhinum receives generous treatment, so
will it produce fine blooms. What miglit be termed a holding loam,
well manured, and deeply dug before planting, makes an excellent
bed ; and in order that the plants may display themselves to the

428

THE GARDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

best advantage they should bo phuited at least IS iu. to 2 ft. apart
each way ; this gives tlieni ample space in which to develop. The
seedling plants might be planted out nearer together in ilay and
June, and tlie very best sorts replanted in another bed in October,
lifting the plants with good balls, and treading the soil tirmly about
them. If a severe winter follows, these transplanted plants are
likely to suffer more severely than those not disturbed.

During the past ten or twelve years the habit of gi'owth of the
Antirrhinum has become much dwarfer than it used to be. I can
remember tliirty years ago when Mr. J. Riley, at that time of
Huddersfield, used to get Antirrhinums to great dimensions, and it
is on record that one of liis plants, flowered in 1818 with others
produced from cuttings of tlie best seedlings raised in 1847,
measured 7 ft. high and 4 ft. 2 in. in diameter ; and this specimen,
though the largest, was not very much above the aver.age of the
plants obtained, be it remembered, from cuttings taken the previous
autumn. In the ease of small gardens, plants of that size would be
very embarrassing, but from such plants it was not unusual to cut
spikes 24 in. in length.

A good type of Antirrhinum is one that is of dwarf, compact, and
yet free branching growth, and from ih ft. to Sh ft. high when in
full bloom. The Tom Tiiumb varieties are mucli dwarfer ; the
Continental types are often of inferior quality, but some of them
are very pretty. They are being improved ui>on, especially in the
way of obtaining very handsome striped flowers.

The Snapdragon deserves a hearty welcome to every garden.
Those who have not sown seeds of it should do so at once, in order to
secure good plants for flowering early next summer. P^. D.

HARDENING OFF SUMMER BEDDING PLANTS.

Those who have much bedding out, as it is called, to do know full
well that tlie plants wliieh they employ shoidd be, when placed in
the open air, both healthy and vigorous. Our summers are subject
to considerable fluctuations of temperature, and the season through-
out is often so unfavourable that weakly or unhealthy jilants have
but little chance of succeeding. Anything, therefore, which tends to
check them when turned out of their winter or spring quarters
should be carefully avoided. And yet one often sees the ordin.ary
run of bedding plants subjected to treatment that cannot but prove
inimical to their future \velfare. A common practice is that of
placing them, wlien removed from glass structures, under wide-
spreading trees. It is true that they are there iiroteeted from frost, but
in other respects such positions, unless exceptionally well-sheltered,
are uusuitable. The chilly wintry air which too often pre-
vails in May blows through them, and so cripples them, that they
need half the summer to regain their normal vigour. Where there
are plenty of cold frames hardening off is an easy and satisfactory
process, as on cold nights and windy, chilly days the sashes may
be left on, merely allowing free ventilation. Hardening off may then
be so gi'adually conducted, that the plants will retain all their fresh-
ness and vigour, and will go into their summer quarters with an un-
impaired constitution. Plants thus treated will be certain to outstrip
those which may ]ia\'e become crippled from hasty exposure. These
remarks apply even to such eompar.itively hardy subjects as zonal
Pelargoniums, Lobelias, &c., but they are still more applicable to
such tender jilants as Coleus, (.'annas, &c., which are at all times im-
patient of cold draughts and sudden chills. Spring-struck Verbenas,
Alternantheras, &c., often show the eft'ects of reckless exposure the
whole summer througli, and nrany of the failures in Verljena culture
might be traced to this cause alone.

Tlie process of hardening and solidifying the tissues of young
plants must be a very gradual one. In this matter the grower will
have to be g'uided by the nature of the plant, and the way in which
it has been treated during the winter and sjiring. Autumn-struck
Verbenas and Calceolarias, for instance, may be hardened off and
rendered capable of Ijearing full exposure, except on frosty nights,
by tlie beginning of April ; -ttiiereas many of tlie more tender kiiicls of
bedding plants, and most of the so-called sub-trojiieal plants, can
scarcely be fully exposed until the beginning and sometimes the
middle of June. Tricolor Pelargoniums, for instance, in three sea-
sons out of four, succeed best if kept in sheltered quarters until the
second week in June.

Those with wdiom frame room is scarce during April and May
should endeavour to provide some kind of efficient protection for
their plants when tui-ned out of the glass structures. A span-roofed
framework constructed of stout 9-in. boards for the sides and ends,
with a light, strong, ridge board and some liearers nailed thereto to
support the mats, will be found capable of affording ample shelter, and
if about 8 ft. in width, every plant therein will be well under the
eye, and may be easily watered. These protectors should be erected
in the warmest, sunniest corners in the garden, where, if possible,

the east winds wliich are apt to prevail in the spring do not touch
them. Therein all may be covered up secure and warm on frosty
nights and cold days.

A more simple, but equally efficacious, contrivance may be made
with Hazel rods, bending one from each side, and tying them in the
middle. In fact, spring protections are so easily and inexpensively
constnicted, tliat the wonder is that they are not more extensively
used for all kinds of purposes. Not only do they afford the shelter
which in cold seasons is so much needed, but they enable us to enjoy
both fruit and vegetables at an earlier period than we can obtain
them wlieu they are fully exposed. AVhether the g.arden be large or
small, some system of protection should, therefore, be organised.
One season's trial will convince the most sceptical that time and care
bestowed on hardening off bedding and sub-tropical plants are not mis-
spent, and that, even in the case of the commonest and hardiest
kinds, the treatment just indicated is better than merely placing
them under the shelter of trees or walls. J. Corshill.

Bi/Jieet.

AURICULAS— WHITE MOULD AND POTTING.

I AM not sure that botanists have determined this to be a Fungus,
but I term it so for the sake of giving it a definite designation. It
is sometimes called the white mould, and it fastens itself on the roots
of the plants that wind tlieniselves about the insides of the pots,
and if the soil about the roots becomes dry, and the plants kept in
a warm place, it appears to spread with remarkable rapidity until
the whole of the roots exterior to the ball of soil are affected by it.
The presence of tlie mould soon shows itself in the plants, the leaves
turn sickly, and the plants get into a very poor state of health, and
sometimes die. Years ago, it was known to the old growers of
Auriculas as the " white froth," and they used to find it in the heart
of the plants where it can be too often met mth in these days, and
they have left on record tlieir experience, that if it is allowed to
remain it will be pretty certain to induce canker.

How it originates, or wliat causes predispose it to appear on the
roots have not been made clear to gi'owers. But it exists, and it is a
very troublesome pest. It showed itself on a very few of my plants,
and the leaves soon told tlie tale. As soon as there were signs of the
presence of the mould, the soil was shaken from the roots and
burned ; the roots were carefully washed in soft water, and well
rinsed after, and the plants put into small pots to induce renewed
root-action as soon as jjossible. Every gi-ower who has the mould in
his collection, will do well to utterly destroy all traces of it by burn-
ing the soil, and so stamping out any remains of it.

As a precautionary measure, I think gi'owers will do well to be
very careful as to the eliaracter of the leaf-mould they Use for their
Auriculas. I am uiuler tlie impression that the " white froth " is a
Fungus generated by vegetable matter in a certain stage of decompo-
sition, and I have been led to take up this supposition from the fact
that I used a certain lot of leaf-mould ill potting a few of my plants,
and these very plants included the worst affected. The leaf-mould
should be so decomposed as to lie literally mould and with no trace of
any leaf in it. This should be turned over, sweetened, and well
exposed before being used. Auricula compost should be as well
sweetened and seasoned as it is possible for mould to be.

AVlien conversing with Mr. John T. D. Llewellyn, of Ynisigcrwii,
Neath, some time ago on this very matter, lie said that he had been
troubled with the white mould in a few of his plants, and, on dis-
covering it, had shaken all the soil from tlie roots and washed them
in a very weak mixture of paraffin and water, and then repotted
them ; and he had found them do well afterwards. To the best of
my recollection, he said he had mixed about half a teacupful of
paraffin with four or five gallons of water, and he had found a little
of this mixture given to some plants, the soil of whicJi was so ■
affected, had helped to kill it. Mr. Llewellyn had wisely confined
his experiments to some common sorts, but he had been led to think
it might be safely apijlied to choicer varieties. Mr. Llewellyn's
experience had induced him to think that tlie white mould spreads
more rapidly on the roots of plants allowed to become somewhat dry,
and I am disposed to favour this theory, for two or three of my
plants most affected with the mould had become very dry indeecl,
and the mould had spread with gi'eat rajiidity.

Now that Auriculas are being repotted, the cultivator should take
every precaution he can to prevent the gi-owth of mould in any way.
The month of May is undoubtedly the best time to repot, at the
same time separating any plants th.at require it. A soft yellow
loam with a kind of silken texture to the touch, as full of fibre as it
is possible to be ; some of the leaf-mould I have already described ;
some decayed stable manure, reduced by age to a bhick powder ; and
some silver sand, or finely-broken charcoal make up the compost I
am this season using. The loam is not sifted ; it is simply crumbled
to pieces — being in the form of lumps of fibry tiu-f — and none of the

Mat 31, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

429

fibre is taken out. Young offsets potted at tlie end of April are grow-
ing freely in this compost, root and leaf alike flourishing. At the
time of potting I shake out the whole of the soil from the roots,
shortening back the tap-root, or "carrot," as may be required, and
then repot in thorougldy clean or new pots, giving them plenty of
drainage. Generally I am putting the plants into smaller pots than
last year, putting tlic strongest growers into the largest size. If by
the end of August tlie more robust gi'owers in the smaller pots need
a shift, it is easy to give them one. There is much less danger from
under-potting than from over-potting. 8ome of the plants
Mr. Turner, of Slough, e.xhibited at the 8outhern Auricula Sliow in
the Horticultural Society's Gardens in April last were in quite
small pots, but they carried beautiful lieads of bloom.

I am potting Iiarder than last year ; tliat is, the soil is pressed
more firmly dowii about the roots. That they will find their way about
among it, I have no fear. This is a gi-eat adx'antage in the case of young
stock, as the soil does not dry so reailily in drying weather as
when it is lighter and more open. I tliink it is well not to use too
light a soil in tlie case of Auriculas ; I am this season using more
yellow loam and less leaf mould, making tlie compost more adhesive.
It is most important that there be sufficient drainage ; a water-logged
soil is certain to be injurious to Auriculas, and especially to the
more tender varieties ; i.e., varieties with a less robust constitution.
R. D.

THE SNOWDEOP ANEMONE.

(a. sylvesteis.)

Most of the Windflowers are be.autiful, lint this is one of the best,
as it is comparatively dwarf, and very free as regiirds flowering, its

The Snowdrop Anemone.

pure white blossoms being as large as a crown piece when fully blown,
and drooping gracefully when in bud. The foliage is elegantly cut
into narrow segments, and is hairy underneath. This Windttower is
a capital plant for the ordinary flower border, the lower parts of the
rockery, or the margins of shrubberies, by the sides of woodland
walks, in the wild garden, in all situations being quite indifferent as
to the nature of the soil, provided it be not too dry. It comes from
the groves and from hedgerows in many parts of South and Central
Europe, where it presents a showy appearance during early
summer. W.G.

Drooping Star of Bethlehem in the "Wild Garden.—

This pretty species (Ornitliogaluin nutans) is one of the best for
planting in the wild garden and similar places, as it is rapid and
vigorous in growth, and scatters its seeds far and near, which gi'ow
freely, so that it soon makes effective masses. In tlie American Gar-
den at the Fiilham Nurseries it is now beautifully in flower, and the
tall stems of drooping blossoms are very efl'ective [when in large
masses, as seen here. — W. G

YUCCA GLORIOSA IN TEXAS.

I \^^SH I could show you here a full-grown specimen of the Yucca
gloriosa. It is quite common in this region, and is one of the first
objects in the Texas vegetable world that attracts the attention of
the new-comer from the more Northern States. The two very
striking peculiarities of this Yucca are the leaves and its enormous
bloom. So formidable are these leaves that the tree bearing them
has received here the common name of Dagger Tree. As the tree
increases in height the undermost leaves drop, exposing the smooth
bark below them. It attains a height of from 12 ft. to 15 ft. So
now you can imagine the appearance of this Yucca, as its head of
great gTeen swords, supported by the clean naked trunk, constitutes
the entire tree. Sometimes the trunk Ijranches out and supports
several such heads as we have described, often so closely pressed
together as to appear to constitute one gigantic cro\vn of monstrous
thorns. About the 1st of March a spike shoots upward from the
centre, and here gTow the flowers, an enormous plume sometimes 3 ft.
long and IS in. in diameter, and so compactly placed as to seem a
solid mass. The ruling colour is a rich shining creamy white, which
is varied by a light tinge according to the sub-variety. The tree
itself is beautiful, and when it is surmounted by its glittering plume
in such a gay contrast with its long bright green leaves, the Yucca
gloriosa is certainly a prince in the floral kingdom. I have seen this
flower at a full distance of two miles when circumstances were all
favourable to a distant view. — "Gardeners' Monthly."

EOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Potting Auriculas. — According to Mr. Douglas, Auricula
potting for the forthcoming season should have been commenced a fort-
night ago, but I think he is wrong in recommending this, because early
potting is a[)t to produce autumn Iilooming, and any i)lant which
blooms thus is weakened for the spring flowering, (lid Auricula
growers say it is better to let tlie plants grow on in shade for two or
three weeks yet, during which time all shoots are to be taken from
them and pottecl off ; by this plan the plant acquires strength after
its flowering, and is not likely to put forth blooms in the autumn.
Perhaps Mr. Horner or some other northern authority would give his
opinion on this point. — Brockhuust.

Orobus vernus on Rockwork— This old-fashioned early
spring-flowering plant makes a charming subject for the rock garden,
as in such situations it becomes dwarfed and more floriferons, and
its many-coloured Pea flowers are seen to Ijetter advantage than on
the ground ; on rock'w'ork, too, it blooms very much earlier. This
plant might have been appropriately lu.med mutabilis, taking into
consideration the varied tints which the blossoms assume between
opening and decay. — Thos. Williams, Orni.':l:irI:.

Effects of the Frost. — It may, I think, be roundly stated
that almost all herljaceous plants which die completely down have
passed through the winter unhurt. Of sixteen varieties of
Aquilegias, including coerulea and chrysantha, I have not lost one.
The same may be said of Saxifrages, but Sedums have suffered
gi'eatly, many sorts being entirely cut off. Mr. Williams, of
Ormskirk, recommended Mesembryanthemums for rockwork, and I
got M. edule and Taylori accordingly, but they are both dead; so
are Yuccas, and, in short, all the succulent jilants have suffered
greatly. All the Gorse, Broom, and Heath tribes have been cut
down, but many are sprouting again. Some large Arbutus shrubs
which fruited here last autumn are quite dead. Of Roses I think
only two are lost out of about 130 sorts grown liere. — Buockhurst,
Dk/.-ihui-i/.

Dates of Rose Shews. — I must differ entirely from "Cam-
brian " in his remarks on this suljject. He has, by-the-by, made a
great mistake in imagining that the date of the National Rose
Society's Exhibition has been altere<l. The date of the Pelargonium
Society's Show (to which the Royal Horticultural Society add a
Rose show, a very different thing from the National) has been altered,
and I think very unwisely. I have never known postponements to
answer, whether in picnics, flower shows, or any other kind of
aiTangement. Plans have been made, persons arrange for them, and
are consequently put about when tlie date is changed. In a flower
show there is another objection ; it may be done with the very best
intentions, but there are always sure to lie some people who imagine
it to have lieen done to suit somebody. In the present case the incon-
venience is already felt, witness the notice just above "Cambrian's"
note ; there must be a double examination of plants sent in for
certificate of merit ; and as to the postponement of a Pelargonium
show five weeks before the date on the plea of weather, it would
seem to me that the resources and skill of English gardeners must

430

THE GARDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

be at a low olilj if they could not niauago to overcome that little
difficulty ; aud even as to Koses, I think it is all wrong. People are
judging about the future condition of Roses from their experiences of
the past few years. They \\ere much more forward, but then came
that cold wave about the 20th, with its frosts, which most materially
checked their proga-ess. This year we have had a long and dreary
winter and cold spring. Roses were on the 13th, when the Royal
Horticultural Society altered the date of their show, no doubt very
backward, but since then a great change has occurred ; the cold
northerly winds seem to have left us, aud the effect of genial rains
and sunshine has been marvellous. We have had no such check about
the ■20th as we have generally had, aud Roses, amongst other plants,
liave completely altered. I am astonished now (the 24th) to see the
progress mine have made ; not only can the buds be felt but seen
protruding from the foliage; shoots have gTown 7 in. or 8 in., and if
this sort of weather continues, or indeed if we have no very decided
check, as I think is not improbable, I am quite prepared to find that
on this day five weeks Rosarians will say the National Society's day
i.i not a bit too soon. Jfoiis rerrons. — Delta.

New Zealand Flax- — I am glad to find from Mr. Baines'
statement that the variegated variety of this Flax is likely to be even
more hardy than the normal forni, for if so it will be one of the most
strikingly ornamental plants for outdoor decorative purposes in cul-
tivation. Except in very favoured parts of England, I am afraid,
however, from my experience of both forms, that neither will stand
our climate without protection, but, fortunately, owing to their
gi'owth and general habit, this is an easy matter, as a few leaves or
Bracken heaped around their collars are sufficient to shield the vital
part, for if tlie crowns and hearts of the plants do not get injured
they start away freely again in the siting. It is singular that the
striped variety should be an exception to all other variegated plants
as regards hardiness, that is, so far as our present knowledge of varie-
gated plants goes, for, as a rule, they are tenderer than gi-een forms,
the leaves always siiffering first and most in parts where there is the
greatest absence of chlorophyll. This is very striking in cases in
which the variegation occurs at the e.xtreme margan of the leaves,
the edges of which soon become aflfected by damp or cold, and fre-
quently die oft" altogether. It may be that the Phormium tenax
from having bands of green running u]:i the entire length of the leaves
between the creamy-white gets better fed in that part, aud, being less
sappy through a more restricted growth, the severity of tJie weather
has not so much efl'ect upon it. Although the Aruudo Donax proves
quite hardy with us without any protection, the variegated kind gets
killed, and will not succeed with all the coaxing we can give it,
and I suppose it is equally unmanageable elsewhere, as I do not
remember to have seen it, except under glass. It would appear,
therefore, that the variegation has much aflected its constitution,
and not only is it so with that particular plant, but with all others
with which I am acquainted. — S. D.

Haberlea rhodopensis.— The aceompanying illustration of
this plant is taken from a drawing of it which was sent to us by
Herr Max Leichtlin, of Baden-Baden. We lately had occasion to
refer to it on its flowering iu Mr. Joad's garden at Wimliledon for
the first time in this country. Apart from its beauty, it is highly in-
teresting, as being cue of the few hardy members of the family to
which it belongs. This little gem comes to us from the Balkan
Mountains, where it is found growing amongst Moss, &c., on damp,
shady, steep declivities, at cousidei'able elevations ; hence -ne may
reasonably presume that it is perfectly hardy, though on account of
its rarity it has hitherto been gi-own under glass in this country. It
apparently thrives under similar treatment to that afforded to its
cougeuer the PjTenean Ramondia (R. pyrenaica), which in habit
and general aspect it somewhat resendiles. It has, we learn, been
successfully imported in (juautity to this country, and may be found
in several of the Loudon Nurseries. — W. G.

Lilium BatemanniBe.— In the "Botanical Register " for tlie
year 1839, PI. 38, we liave, Iljelieve, the true Lilium Thunbergiauum.
flowered by Messrs. RoUisson the previous year. I doubt whether
tliat was increased, or even saved ; at any rate we have had for
years past, under the name of Thunbergiauum, many varieties of a
Lily, all of them entirely dissimilar to the original both in flower and
foliage. No one can doubt the characteristic accuracy of Miss
Drake's drawing in "The Register," neither can we question the
present figure with Dr. Wallace's description, but are not the two
identical? and is not the recent introduction rather Thunberg's
Lily recovered than a new discovery ?—T. H. A. H, South
D<von. " '

Primula cortusoides amoena alba and P. cortu-

SOldes.— Of these I grow quantities ; I have them lioth potted and
massed in the border. In both eases they are mixed, aud beautiful
they look ; a double row in pots in a small late Peach house is superb.
Ut those outside it may le said the blooms ai-e not so clear, but they

possess a stoutness which makes amends for that deficiency.
Several Androsaces have borne seed, and the same may be said of
Saxifraga Burseriana. Tritoma glaucescens and Uvaria have surprised
me. I thought thej' were killed, but they are coming up stoutly.
Roses are badly infested with grubs. — J. ^VooD, Kirkstall.

Sparrows and Primrose Blooms.— If ^Ir. Groom (p. 392)

has actually caught sparrows in the act with which he charges them,
they must answer for their sins ; for my own part, after much
watching, I have never once detected a sparrow, but I have found
the gi'een linnet (Loxia chloris) to be tlie delinquent, destructive
alike of Primrose and Polyanthus. My remedy (and a successful
oue) is string, with pieces of jiaper suspended immediately above the
lilants. — T. H. A. H., South Devon.

Narcissus pumilus. — This, I believe, is known aud sold in
some places as N. minor. However, from the description which I
gave of the plant (p. 388), whatever may be its true name, it cannot
be mistaken. — Thos. Williams, Ormskirk.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

NEW SAVEET-SCENTED EHODODENDRONS.

A VEKY fine gTouji of early flowering sweet-scented Rhododendrons
has been raised by Mr. Isaac Da«es, of Brook Lane Nursery,
Ormskirk, and they formed a remarkable feature in a large and
interesting group of spring flowering jilants, exhibited by Mr. Samuel
Barlow, J. P., Stake Hill House, Slattocks, near Manchester, at the
meeting of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society
on Ajiril 29.

Attention should be called to these sweet-scented Rhododendrons,
for their excellent qualities are ob\noiis. They are remai'kablc for a
bushy habit of growth aud marvellously free blooming character ;
the flowers are very large and of handsome shape, generally white,
and here and there tinted with faint lines and streaks of blush lilac ;
iu addition they are richly fragTant, and remain for a considerable
time in flower. Their being almost or quite hardy, except in times
of unusual severity, they are easily cultivated, and invaluable for
greenhouse decoration. One great recommendation is they are early
bloomers, and come on early in cold houses without the assistance of
artificial heat.

The plants shown by Mr. Barlow were in excellent condition, the
most striking being one of the newest, namely. Countess of Derby.
The flowers are of the purest white, bell-shaped, handsome in form^
and deliciously fragTant ; and so free of bloom is this variety, that
quite small plants of it in 3-in. pots appeared as if they would break
down under the load of flowers they bore. Next in jioint of merit
comes Lady Skelmersdale, also bearing white flowers of large size,
but of such a symmetrical appearance as never to be ungainly in
aspect ; quite a small plant of this shown singly in Mr. Barlow's
collection had eleven trusses of bloom, and these contained on the
aggTegate between sixty aud seventy flowers. Countess of Sefton
has a bushy compact habit of growth, the flowers large, fragrant, cup-
shaped, white, with a band of rosy-purple on each side of the corolla,
which is liandsoinely fringed, imparting to the flowers a peculiarly
attractive appearance. Mrs. James Shawe, Duchess of Sutherland,
and Miss Davies are all white-flowered varieties, the second of these
three, like Countess of Sefton, having the flowers finely fringed ;
they are all distinct enough to form a collection, and are of great
value as decorative plants.

These Rhododendrons are managed by Mr. Barlow in a very
simple and efficient manner. He has a long span-roofed house,
sunk below the ground level, in which he at certain times of the
j'ear cultivates Auriculas, Polyanthuses, Lilies, and many other
interesting hardy plants ; and here the Rhododendrons are kept
during the summer after being potted when they have done bloom-
ing. They are potted in a compost made up of peat, sand, fibrous
loam, and a little Cocoa-nut fibre, well mixed together. After being
potted they make a free growth, which should be encouraged,
as it conduces to the formation of good specimens. These Rhodo-
dendrons are not quite hardy, and should be protected from frost and
wintry weather to ensure their being kept from harm. AVlien the
buds begin to swell, the plants can be removed to a comfortable green-
house or conservatory to get them into flower early.

The freedom with which these sweet-scented Rhododendrons
flower has a kind of cliastening influence on the plants, correcting
anything like a tendency to ramjjant gi'owth. All the training they
require is just suflicient to keep them to something like a handsome
appearance, avoiding that tendency to tie in a rigid shape which is
so common among some plant cultivators. R. D.

Mat 31, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

431

WATERSIDE PLANTING.

Nothing adds so much to the charms of a landscape as the presence
of a lake or a river, more especially if their margins be planted with
trees and shnibs. Sombre masses of Conifers, the feathery forms
of Birdies and Willows, and the fiery autumn-coloured masses of
American Oaks and Maples all contribute their share of beauty to
such situations. It may lie said that dark impenetrable trees or
groups should find no place on south sides, because of the gloomy
shadows imparted to the water when so situated. One of the items
not to be overlooked in such planting is the hue which the trees
assume in autumn, a point next to form. Amongst tlie many
American Oaks which become beautiful in autumn may be named
Quei-cus nibra, Q. Catesbei, Q. ambigua, Q. palustris, Q. coccinea,
and Q. tinctoria. These flourish magnificently in moist ground, and,
whether associated in groups or placed as solitary trees, yield
charming effects, especially when hanging partly over the water.
Platanus occidentalis .succeeds well in such places. Quercus pe-
dunculata fastigiata is effective either in the form of a group or
singly ; so also is Celtis australis by itself or associated with varie-
ties of Abius. The
Celtis is a good
tree to plant
where a rocky mar-
gin exists. Catalpa
syringa'folia suc-
ceeds excellently
with its roots partly
immersed in water,
and when mixed
with such .subjects
as Thuja occidenta-
lis, or Juniperas
virginiaua, or some
dark green Pinus as
a background to set
off its masses of
white blooms, the
effect is all that
could be desired.
In good soil it will
reach a height of
from 50 ft. to 60 ft.
Of Poplars, such
kinds as Populus
alba, P. alba nivea,
the different varie-
ties of P. balsami-
f e r a (especially
macrophylla and
gi'andidendata) and
P. gr.'cca are indis-
pensable. P. pen-
dula should be used
■ivith caution, as, if
planted in quan-
tity, it seems to
impart a sense of
sadness to the
landscape. The
Poplars look best
planted in groups
with rapid-grow-
ing Conifers. The

Tulip Tree succeeds admirably in moist situations, and its autumn
tint is peculiarly pleasing. With American Oaks it makes a happy
combination. There is a pyi'aniidal variety which is useful for
lightening up round-headed groups. Juglans regia laciniata is like-
wise a low-growing pretty tree, as are also the American Ashes, such
as Fraxinus juglandifolia, F. aucub^'efolia, and F. longifolia, the
latter having foliage of a violet colour ; F. sambucifolia is a tree
with a most distinct character ; also F. lentiscifolia. The pendulous
kinds of Ash make good waterside trees, and the nearer they are
planted to the water the better they look.

The Birches, such as Betula alba, B. daliurica vera, B. grandis,
B. lenta, and B. costata make admirable small-sized groups or single
specimens. Their only drawback is their inability to live long in
such situations. Birches are perhaps most effective in groups
planted thickly. Acer dasycarpum, with its redelish flowers and
laeiniated foliage, silvery beneath, should be found in every collec-
tion, as should also Acer marginatum, with its brilliant red autumn tint,
A. dissectum syn. palmatum and pseudo-platanus, A. tricolor, and
A. Worlej'i, all of which are effective, and delight in moist ground.

Amongst trees of lower stature may be mentioned Sorbus aucu-
paria, the berries of which are pretty ; also its variety pendula.

S. liybrida and S. lanuginosa are both fiue-foliaged trees, the latter
having a pymiidal habit and greyish colour. Pyi'us spectabilis and
its varieties make excellent single specimens, being beautiful both
when in flower and fniit. Hippophte rliamuoides is a pretty low-
growing tree, as are also Eleagnus sativa and E. argentea, both of
which have neat grey foliage and bear small yellow flowers ; they
should not be planted in great numbers, at least, not in the vicinity
of walks, their scent to many being unpleasant. The trees jiist
named are certain to do well near water, provided the soil be not too
unfertile ; but the list of such subjects is by no means exhausted,
and liut few evergreens belonging to temperate climes have been
included. SvLVESTRIS.

Moravia.

Haberlea rhodopensis (Fi'ivalcisky). Balkan Mountains. A new Alpine plant ; natural size ;
colom-, Jelitate mauve-orange ; throat with pm-ple spots.

CAMELLIAS AS HAEDY SHEUBS.

Mr. B.\ines is usually apt to assume that he kne^v of the existence of
any fact recorded in your columns forty years or so before any one
wlio writes of it. His gi-eat experience, howevei-, as regards Ca-
mellias is tlu'own
in the wrong scale,
and it is clear to
me that he has not
seen the s h r u b
under the best con-
ditions in the open
air. Many know,
as he does, that the
Camellia is hardy
even in northern
gardens, but that
it is not worth
planting for its
flowers in such
places. But it is
not known to many
(and among them
Mr. Baines) that
over a large dis-
trict in the south
of England the Ca-
mellia is not only
hardy, but that it
flowers better than
it ever does in pots,
and that even this
severe season has
not in the least
dimmed its beauty
in the Isle of Wight
and a large area of
the adjacent coast
regnon. In many a
garden in this re-
gion the Camellia
wonld prove the
handsomest of all
hardy flowering
shnibs. To see
these shrubs in
flower, standing on
• lawns without a

shred of protection,
and with even after severe storms many flowers in good condition,
would do Mr. Baines' heart good, and be even more agreeable than
calling up his long experiences. S. W.

TEEE PLANTING IN CANADA.

Great encouragement is now being given by the Canadian Govern-
ment to emigrants in the North West to plant forest trees upon tlieir
farms, for though at the present time the long, rich Grass upon the
prairies helps to retain the moisture, it is often found that sufficient
rainfall for the successful cultivation of the land is not assured in dis-
tricts denuded of trees by forest fires and other causes. The Dominion
Parliament, therefore, is giving liberal grants of land to settlers,
who secure an additional quarter section at a mere nominal jirice of
about 10 dollars on the condition that they plant up the 32 acres by
annual instalments. As an incentive to planting the example of an
ex bensive Minnesota famier has been quoted, who, two years ago,
covered 72 acres with cuttings of Cotton wood. Poplar, and White
Willows. These are now from 10 ft. to 14 ft. high, and in the most
flourishing condition. The same planter put in several bushels of
seed of Oak, Elder, Elm, Maples of various kinds, and Bass wood,

432

THE GARDEN.

[May 31, 187).

all of which have tliro\ra up stems from 3 ft. to 5 ft. high. Belts
of Oak, Ash, Whitewood, Tamarac, and Spi'uce skirt the banks of
the rivers and streams. Tliere are also considerable groves of Poplar
upon the prairies, and this wood after being ]>eeled is extensively
used for fencing purposes. This and the soft Maple are very rapid
in their growth, and the latter is considsred one of the most valu-
able trees for sliade.

The soil appears to be eminently fitted for the operations of the
planter, as it consists of a black alluvial argillaceous mould, rich in
organic matter, from 18 in. to 4 ft. in depth, and resting upon a
strong clay. Its materials are, for the most part, finely pulverised,
light and niellDw. On the Red River twenty crops of Wheat have
been grown in succession, without either fallow ormanure, averaging
40 bushels per acre in good seasons. When land is selected for
planting it is separated or enclosed by cuttings of the common woods
of the district, which are inserted by the aid of a line to within two
buds of their tops, and at an angle of from 30° to 45°. With clean
cultivation during the first two years these cuttings soon form a bar-
rier impenetrable to horses and cattle, and a valuable shelter to the
after plantations. It is found that 10 acres planted in this way at
8-ft. distances will, at tlie end of five years, furnish all the fuel and
fencing required for a large farm, and also realise a handsome sum
from the proceeds of the sale of spare fence poles, which are sure of
a market. The cuttings are planted as soon as the frost is out of the
ground, and the operation is generally finished by the 1st of June.

To secure tlie planting of the land certain restrictions are placed
upon the grant, of which the following are the heads : —

1. — The aj^ijlicant (male or female) must be over eighteen years
of age.

2. — That not more than 160 acres can be held by any one person
for the purposes of forest tree planting.

3. — Tile laud shall be open prairie and without timber.

4. — The applicant shall pay an office fee of 10 dollars at the time
of application.

5. — At the expiration of six years from the date of entry the
occupant is entitled to a patent for the land on proving to the local
agent —

(1). — That 8 acres of land entered had been broken and prepared
for tree planting within one year after entry, an equal quantity
during the second year, and si.xteen additional acres during the third.

(2). — That 8 acres of land had been planted with forest trees
during the second year, an equal quantity' during the third, and 16
more acres within the fourth year, the distance being 12 ft.

(3). — That one-fifth of the land has, for the last two years of the
term, been planted with timber and well and regularly cultivated and
protected from the time of planting.

By the olFcr of such liberal terms on the part of the Government
it is believed that these vast prairie lands will soon be clothed with
timber, whicli the care and foresight of the intelligent settlers will,
in moat cases, isolate from the destructive effects of fires.

Fiuckleij, Kent. A. J. Burrows.

WOODLAND WORK FOR JUNE.

There will in many districts still remain considerable quantities of
bark to deliver, and even some trees to fall and strip. On the whole,
the season has been one of the most unfavourable foi' sucli work
which we have experienced for many years ; the contin\iance of cold
■weather and frosty nights have so comjiletely checked tiie How of the
sap, that but few trees have run well. No time or ojjportunity should
now be lost in finishing the bark harvest and carting away the
timber, faggots, &c., from the falls, after which a general clearanae
from the stools should be made and temporary roads cleareil and
stopped up for the summer. B.ark in this district has realised from
£4 53. to £4 10s. per ton in the woods ; but the falls of timber have
on the whole been le?s than an average, and consequently the bark
must be a short supply. In the case of recent falls it will now be
necessary to look over the tillers and lighten the heads of such as are
bent down by the weight of their foliage. These are sometimes
numerous in fast-growing coppices, but timely attention will often
completely restore them to an erect position. All injured branches
of the store timber should also be removed by a clean cut close to
the bole ; and wherever damage has been done to the stools by
■wheels and the removal of timber, such should be at once trimmed
off evenly.

As soon as time will permit, enclosing, draining, trenching, sub-
soiling, digging, and pitting for autumn plantations may be taken in
hand. Materials for fencing and road-making may also be carted
where required, and composts formed in situations convenient for
future use. A well-made compost is one of the most valuable
auxiliaries of the planter, and no opportunity of collecting materials
for auch should be lost. Lime not only purifies and stimulates, but
it also in the course of time enriches such admixtures of raw

materials. It formed one of the principal ingredients in the com-
posts so largely used by Sir Henry Stewart, whose transplanting
operations carried out early in the present century are among the
most successful on record. Upon land infested with insects, and
upon mossy lands and peat bogs after drainage, a heavy dressing of
lime will render it unnecessary to pare and burn the surface.

Dig, hoe, or otherwise clean hedges, and trim such as are intended
to receive another switching in the autumn. Also prune hedges of
Furze or Oorse, Privet, Holly, and Klder, and look well after the
boundary fences of woods and plantations, so as to keep out live
stock of all kinds. Wire fences may now require tightening, and
either painting or tarring. Where tar is used, select a hot dry day
for its application, and let it be ■well rubbed into the wooden
standards.

Large trees intended for removal in the course of a year or two may
now be cleared, and opened out, and have trenches dug round them
at distances proportioned to their spread of branches, so as to cut
away their straggling roots. Tlie trenches thus formed should after-
wards be filled up with the best soil obtainable, and the spaces
between the trenches and boles well mulched and lightly forked
over. These operations will all conduce to the formation of abun-
dant fibrous roots.

In the nursery great activity will be required to keep down weeds,
to crop the sjiaces cleared of seedlings, and to dig and hoe in the
lines. In dull weather seedling Evergi'cens may still be pricked out,
but they may after\vards require -watering and shading. Beds of
Exotics should lie protected until all danger of frosts is past. The
bandages of forward grafts may be loosened, though the clay upon
late made ones will still require attention, and perhaps renewal. Varie-
gated Hollies may be budded and their stems cleared of superfluous
branches.

The seeds of the Elm generally ripen towards the end of June.
In gathering such select tall, well-gi'Own trees, and be particular in
the handling and storing of the seed, as it is very delicate and heats
quickly. On this account it should be well spread out if not sown
the same day on which it is gathered. When intended to remain in
the beds for two-year seedlings, it should not be sown too thickly, as
the plants are apt to become drawn up and weakly. A covering of
A in. of soil is sufficient, and this should be both rich and mellow.
The seeds kept over for sowing in the following spring should be well
and gradually dried before being stored away. An airy loft is the
best jjlace for storing them. The quality of Elm seeds may be
ascertained by the firmness of the cajjsule. A. J. Burrows.

Pluckleij, Kent.

THE BARK AND TIMBER TRADE.

0.4K bark stripping in this locality is now ■well nigh over for the
season, and in the southern counties generally it will be brought to
a close at the end of this week. This j'car's strip of bark will be
considerably l)elow the average quantity, on account of the very
low price wliich Oak bark is realising ; it is, on an average, about
£1 per ton less tlian last year. This I gatlier from returns received
of recent sales throughout the country. The Government sale of Oak
bai-k in the New Forest averaged £4 5s. lOd. per ton, this being £1 3s.
less than last year, or £2 Os. Od. lower than in 1877. At Stamford,
on the 15th ult., Messrs. Pvichardson offered 245 tons of new Oak
bark for sale by auction ; but it appears there is little demand for
bark in that neighbourhood, for out of eleven lots only four were
sold, representing 60 tons, at the low average price of £2 123. 6d.
per ton of 20 cwt. in tlie wood ; the other seven lots, representing
185 tons, were bought in at the reserve price of £3. On the Wobum
Estate, Beds, this year's bark was sold for £4 per (21 cwt.) ton
delivered at the railway station. In Sussex and other southern
counties the price has been, on the average, about £4 per ton
of 21 cwt. tied up into bundles and weighed in the wood.
At Newport, and other parts of Shropshire, the price ranged from
£4 to £4 5s. per ton of 22 cwt., delivered at the railway station or
tan yard. The bark in this neighbourhood (Longleat, Wilts) has
been sold for £3 10s. per ton of 21 cwt., put on waggons in the wood
and weighed at the nearest weigh bridge, or £4 per ton delivered at
the tan yard ; these jirices being £1 less than last year, or £2 10s.
lower than in 1877. I do not think I ever experienced so great a
depression in the bark and timber trade ; the latter is equally dull,
and prices of all descriptions of timber are down, with perhaps one
exception, and that is for well-gi'own co])se Ash, there being still a
demand for clean butts at a good price. The fall of timber through-
out the country is sure to be less than in former years. I have no
doubt that the timber trade -vnW improve in another season or two,
and in the meantime landowners would be wise to only cut such
timber as is a necessity until the demand is greater than at present.
On this estate we intend to make the cut short until timber, bark,
underwood, and faggots yield better return. George Berry.

Longleat.

May 31, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

433

NOTES & QUESTIOlfS ON TREES, SHRUBS, & WOODLANDS.
Remarkable Rhododendrons.— Among the Rhododen-

tli'ons now in flower at Glenville are two plants of tlie R. altaclerense
remarkable for their size and the profusion of their bloom. One, the
largest of the two, stands close upon 20 ft. high, and is SO ft. in cir-
cumference at the base, where the l)ranches rest on the Grass ; higher
up it is of gi'eater circumference. It is a mass of flower from bottom
to top and on all sides, as tlie plant stands free of other trees. It
vouUI be next to impossible to count the trusses of bloom. The
other is about 17 ft. high and 40 ft. in circumference. It is of very-
symmetrical form, being an elongated dome shape. There is not
one shoot on this plant that docs not carry its truss of flowers, and
at a short distance off it appears an unbroken sheet of crimson. As
in the other case, the trusses could not be counted, and there cannot
be less than 1000 on it. This, tlioughan old variety, is a most desir-
able one to grow, as it is of free growth and a constant bloomer.
Amongst the rarest Himalayan varieties in flower are Aueklandi, with
eighteen trusses of beautiful rose-shaded white flowers ; R. cinna-
barina, with over eighty rich crimson blooms ; Windsori, a rich scar-
let, flowering for first time at Glenville, tliough the plant is a large
and vigorous one. All who grow Rhodoilendrons should certainly
gi-ow Auckland!, for beyond doubt it is the most beautiful of the
tribe, and has a highly agreeable perfume. It is perfectly hardy,
too, as its natural habitat is over 7000 ft. elevation. — "Irish Gar-
<leners' Record."

Bird Cherry (Prunus Padus). — There are many huge spreading
bushes, or ratlier trees (for some of them are upwards of 40 ft. high,
iind as much or even more through), of this beautiful free-flowering
and sweet-scented Cherry growing in dili'erent parts of the woods at
Longleat, ami just now their masses of blossom are everywhere con-
spicuous. This being one of the freest flowering, hardiest, and most
■easily cultivated of trees, the wonder is, that it is not more plentiful
everywhere than it is. Numbers of it grow herealjouts in the hedges,
scenting the air at a time when there is hanlly anotlier hedge shoot
in bloom. Lilacs, too, are becoming plentiful in the hedges, and
their blooming period quickly succeeds that of the wild Cherry.
Laburnums, Hawthorns, and Lilacs Idoom about the same time,
except jierhaps tlie Scotch Laburnum, which is about a fortniglit
later than tlie common variety. Liberal (juantities of all these have
been <listributed about the hedges, so as to secure a succession of
blooming plants until well into summer. Nor must I forget the
sweet Brier, with which many gaps in tlie hedges have been filled
up.— G. B.

■Camellias in the Open Air. — I am at a loss to understand
why tlie blooms of the Camellia sliould be regarded as more tender
■and more liable to damage from wind and rain in the open air than
those of the Rhododendron, Azalea, and otlier hardy early-blooming
shrubs. Are there not times when storms damage these ? But will
anyone assert that because of that misfortune neither Rhododen-
drons nor Azaleas should be grown out-of-doors '! Those wlio h.ave
had experience of the Camellia in the open air know that for one
bloom that may be damaged by the weather twenty or more are pro-
duced clean and beautiful. The growth of the Camellia is stiff, and
its foliage hard and leathery ; therefore the wind exercises less effect
upon it than upon many otlier flowering shrubs. A daily paper an-
nounces that a Continental nurseryman is going to plant on one of
the railway banks at Kilburn 100 Camellias, to be in flower next
July during the Agricultural Society's exhibition. This will be a
novelty, indeed, and might help to stimulate the cultivation of the
Camellia as a hardy shrub. — A. D.

Spiraea Thunbergiana. — This is just now in full bloom.

Several plants of it which I put out in the woods are now from 4 ft.
to 5 ft. high, and form effective bushes. It is altogether a superior
«leciduous shrub, but not the dwarf jilant "W. G." seemed to infer
it is when he said that it grows about '2 ft. high. I have several
jilants of in the nursery as well as those jilanted out in the woods,
and I believe that in a few ye.ars they will be from G ft. to 10 ft.
liigh, and as broad as high if allowed their full develojiment. It is
ft very distinct and pretty Spiraja, one of the earliest to bloom, and
not easily mistaken for any other variety ; its small lanceolate leaves.
an<l slender twigs clothed with white Hawthorn-like flowers, at once
xlistinguish it. — G. B.

Buerger's Evergreen Oak (Quercus Buergeri). — The list of

cultivated kinds of Evergreen Oaks is not large, and this handsome
species is such a desirable addition that it well merits a passing note.
It forms a tree or large shrub of noble, spreading habit and free
growth. The leaves are as large as those of the common Laurel, but
of a deeper green, and far more effective. In form they are ovate
and pointed, and leathery in texture. It is perfectly hardy, having
withstood the past winter with impunity, and now forms a fine
feature amongst other shrubs in Messrs. Veitch & Son's Nursery at
Coombe Wood.— W. G.

VEGETABLE CULTURE FOR MARKET.

French Beans. — When Peas and Broad Beans begin to
get comparatively scarce these are always welcomed. They
always command a sale, provided they are good and fresh, and
overstocking the market with them is almost a thing unknown ;
but when large quantities of them are introduced prices are
ot course affected. Under any conditions, however, and all
through the summer, a good crop of Beans is a profitable one,
and where soil and situation are at all suitable, market
growers cultivate French Beans in large quantities. The
principal kinds grown are the Newington Wonder and Long-
podded Negro, which, although old varieties, are reckoned to be
the two best. Their productive qualities are great,
for when well attended to as regards timely picking of the
pods, they continue fresh, vigorous, and fruitful for a long
time, and their pods, as a rule, are less apt to turn tough and
unusable with age than is the case with some varieties. The
Black Belgian has also found its way into the market gardens ;
it is a good, dwarf, early sort, much like the Negro, of which
it is considered to be a variety. It is very useful for late
sowings and for early framework. Some growers prefer the
Newington Wonder to all other sorts ; it is a very prolific,
dwarf-growing kind. Other growers prefer the Negro, which
they grow in frames, for their earliest, main, and latest crops ;
but most of them also grow the Newington Wonder. The
Canadian Wonder or Red Flageolet is a comparatively new
kind, and one whicli will doubtless be grown largely for
market. It is a robust grower, a good cropper, and its pods
are as large as those of a Scarlet Runner and of good quality.
Early crops of French Beans are grown in frames, such as
have 'been cleared of Cauliflower and Lettuce plants ; the
mould in the frames is pointed over with a spade, and the
Beans are sown in four rows under each light, and about 3 in.
or 4 in. from seed to seed in the row when the soil is dry.
The middle of March is the common time for sowing in
frames, and then the sashes are kept close till the seeds
have germinated, when they are tilted up a little at the back in
favourable weather, but care is always taken to keep them
close in the case of cold winds, and to cover them over with
mats or litter in the event of frost. As the plants advance
they are treated more hardily, but judiciously, judging
'according to the weather. After the middle of May, when all
fear of frost has passed, the sashes are entirely drawn off
throughout the day, if fine, and replaced at night. Whilst
growing plenty of water is given them at the roots, and
picking commences about the second or third week in June,
or about three weeks sooner than the earliest border crops
come into use. A few frames, too, are also frequently occu-
pied by French Beans sown thickly, for the purpose of trans-
planting thence to the open ground, and to fill any blanks
that may exist in the frames in which the sowings for fruiting
therein have been made.

The first outdoor crop is usually transplanted from such
frames, and the warmest possible position is selected for
this purpose ; the time for so doing entirely depends on
the state of the weather and nature of the ground. If the
weather be fine, the soil moderately dry and light, and the
position warm and sheltered, the plants are commonly trans-
planted during the fir.st fortnight of April, but if otherwise,
they are delayed a little later. They are then lifted with as
much earth adhering to their roots as possible, and are planted
in little patches under hand-lights. The usual way is to draw
lines 3 ft. apart across the border, others 2i ft. asunder
lengthways, and upon the middle of every little square thus
marked place an ordinary hand-light, under which plant six
or eight plants. If there be not sufficient hand-lights for the
whole space to be planted, half-bushel vegetable baskets are

434

THE GAEDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

inverted over the plants ; and, as they are so open to the wind,
they are sometimes covered for a time with mats. As soon as
the Beans have got a good hold of the soil and begun to
grow, their protection is removed. Great care must be
exercised with hand-light Beans, otherwise they are a
deceptive crop, and sometimes die off altogether, especially
when nursed too tenderly and changed too suddenly, if
the ground be cold and wet, and their top covering insufficient.
Those grown in frames, and which come into bearing early in
June, la.st in good picking condition for six weeks ; and those
in warm borders begin to fruit in the last week of June or
first week in July, and continue to yield a fair crop for nearly
two months in a moderately moist season, if kept closely
picked. The first main crop immediately follows the border
ones, and, as a rule, lasts the longest. Drought makes them
short-lived sometimes, but in rich soils, and wanu, moist
seasons, the yield is so heavy that it is scarcely possible to
pick them as quickly as they grow. Drought, too, induces red
spider, with which large fields are sometimes completely over-
run ; and although this pest is very prejudicial to the health
and longevity of the crop, there is no remedy for it.

The valley of the Thames is unequalled as regards the growth
of French Beans ; the soil is not liable to excessive drought,
and it is made light and rich by much working and heavy man-
urings. French Beans are gross feeders ; they require
manurial substances of such a character as can be speedily
turned to account ; therefore, land that was richly manured
for the previous crop — such as for Celery — and which has after-
wards again been liberally dressed with short manure, such as
that from ^lushroom beds or old Cucumber pits, suits them
perfectly, The crop to succeed such as are grown under
handlights is planted on a south border, in front of a wall
or thick hedge if possible, which is dug over and lined off in
cross-rows at 18 in. apart, drawing the lines in the form of
seed-furrows with a hoe. Herein are planted Beans 5 in.
asunder in the row ; they are earthed up in due time, and, if the
weather be favourable, come into bearing three weeks after
those grown in frames. Smie growers erect barricades of
mats in an upright position to stakes driven in the earth, and
placed to the windward side of the borders ; and they also
surround frames containing them, but not covered with sashes,
with the same protection to ward off cold and frosty winds.
Sowing begins out-of-doors during the first fortnight in April,
just as the state of the weather and soil permits, and the
warmest available position is selected for the purpose. If the
ground be free from all other crops at the time of sowing,
there is more need for a sheltered place than if it were
cropped. In sowing, the lines are drawn at 2 ft., 2^ ft, and
sometimes at 3 ft. apart, and the seeds planted about 4 in. or
5 in. asunder. The earliest crop is often sown in drills
drawn between lines of Cauliflowers, Cabbages, or Lettuces.
These crops, instead of being injurious to the French Beans
when they appear aboveground, are simply beneficial to them,
inasmuch as they protect them from cold winds until they
have gained some strength and the weather becomes mild and
warm, by which time the bulk of the Cauliflowers will have
been removed for market. Even then, however, the Beans do
not got all the space to themselves, for no sooner is the earth
cleared of the other crop, than it is loosened a little between
every alternate line, and those spaces replanted with Lettuces
or similar crops. Thus one space contains another catch crop
while the other is empty ; and by means of having this empty
space to walk in, the women can pick two lines of Beans, one
on either side of the empty alley, and never disturb the
other crops in the alternate alleys. Should the French Beans
have come up well, and be nearly ready for picking before the
first occupants of the soil are entirely removed, the alleys are

not cropped again until they become exhausted. The drills
for sowing are drawn in the morning of a fine day and left
until the afternoon, when seeds are sown and some
earth drawn over them. The first main sowing is made
on the open field about the second or third week in April,
under the same circumstances as that already mentioned, or
the field may have been previously planted out with Cos
Lettuces in lines 12 in., 15 in., or 18 in. apart; between
every two lines of these would be sown one of Beans. Along
both sides of Asparagus ridges Beans also often find a place.
Some growers sow late crops in rows 4 ft. apart, and plant
two rows of Coleworts in every intervening alley. Before
the seeds ajipear the soil immediately over the seeds is
gone over and slightly loosened with an iron-toothed rake so
as to permit of an easy egress of the seedlings. When sown
in bare fields, even though Lettuces be planted amongst them,
a little ridge of soil is frequently drawn to the north or wind-
ward side of them as an additional protection from cold
winds. Whilst the plants are growing they are rigidly
attended to as regards keeping them clean and hoeing the soil,
and when they reach 4 in. in height they are earthed up a little.
The catch crops, too, are cleared away as soon as they are
ready, in order to give the French Beans every oppor-
tunity of a healthy development. Successful sowings are
made every fortnight or three weeks, until the end of June,
by some growers, but most of the large growers sow their
French Beans about the 8th and 20th of April, the first and
last week in May, and the first week in July. The last sowing
consists of the Negro, and just yields a good crop of
young and fine pods before being destroyed by frost ;
whereas, were they sown a fortnight later, they
would be apt to be nipped when coming into bloom.
Gathering is well attended to, for if full-grown pods be
allowed to remain too long on the plants the latter soon cease
to bear. The Beans are gathered by women into baskets,
which, when full, they carry on their heads to the ends of
the rows, there to leave them to be carted home, where they
are washed to remove the grit. They are then packed into
round half-bushel vegetable baskets, which are covered with
Khubarb leaves fastened down with withies, and piled one
above another on the waggons that convey them to market
three times a week. Most market gardeners save their own
seeds, and a piece of the main sowing is generally selected
for this purpose. The plants in the rows to be saved for
seeds are first subjected to two or three pickings for market ;
then they are left untouched until the Beans are fully ripe,
when the plants are puUed up by the roots, tied into little
bundles, and slung in pairs across a fence or rail to dry.
Sometimes, too, the haulm is spread over sashes to dry, and,
in the event of wet weather, is strewed under some spare
sashes, where it gets well dried without receiving any of
the rain ; it is sometimes spread out over a series of
sashes resting on frames, and other sashes laid over it
again, and tilted up at back and front, so as to permit of a
free current of air, where the seeds dry readily. They are then
housed, and during wintry weather are thrashed, cleaned, and
stored in rough brcnm paper or canvas bags, or placed in
di'awers, or the corner of a loft, until sowing time arrives.

ScAKLET KuNNERs. — These, on account of their taking up
more room, are not so largely grown near London as the
dwarf French Beans. Their yield is not so great in propor-
tion to the ground oocujiied, and they are also, unless sup-
ported by stakes, more difficult to gather. Piound Wands-
worth, and in some parts of Kent, within 20 miles of London,
however, large fields are devoted to their culture. In some
places stakes are used, but, as a rule, the points of the shoots
are kept stopped, and the haulm is allowed to rest on the

Mat 31, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

435

ground. In some respects this latter practice is best, for the
rows can be placed close together, and, moreover, the haulm
shades the ground and keeps the soil moist, a condition
essential to the growth of Scarlet Runners. A rich, light
soil and an open situation is that usually chosen for them.
Some plant a few rows in warm, sheltered places for early-
use, the seeds of which are sown in a temporary frame in
April, and are transplanted from thence to the open ground
as soon as the weather is warm enough to admit of it, but,
as a rule, the seed is sown in drills in an open field about the
first week in May. Ground previously occupied by Celery
suits these Beans perfectly, the soil being deep, well worked,
and rich. The seeds are sown in broad drills from 4 ft. to
8 ft. apart, according to whether the plants are to be staked
or not. Two rows occupy each drill, and the plants when up
are left from 4 in. to 6 in. apart each way, the thinnings being
used to fill up gaps, should such occur. When the plants are
fairly up a ridge of earth is drawn to each side of them to
jirotect them in some measure from cutting winds and late
frosts. When in full flower the points of the shoots are pinched
off, an operation which causes the stem to branch out and
grow dwarf. In gathering, the Beans are first put into sieves,
which are carried to the end of the rows to be packed in
bushel baskets ; the latter are removed to the packing shed,
v.-here a little long Grass is placed over their tops, and kept in
its place by means of Hazel rods ; they are then placed in waggons
and sent to market. Early in July Scarlet Runners appear
in Covent Garden, and when that happens French Beans are
not in so much demand as hitherto, the majority of vegetable
consumers preferring Runners to French Beans. Some market
gardeners sow successional crojis for autumn use, but the bulk
of the produce is brought to market in the end of July and
throughout August. Their general culture is the same as that
followed in the case of French Beans.

The Cabbage. — This is one of the most important of green
vegetables, and although not considered by many so profitable
as some others on account of its gross feeding character, it
comes into use when there is little else to send to market, and
often realises high prices. In the spring of the year many
acres of Cabbages may be seen about Wandsworth, FuDiam,
Gunnersbury, and, in fact, all round the suburbs of London.
The Cabbages sent to market in April, !May, and June are
the produce of seed sown early in August, and the plants are put
out in September or early in October. Succession crops are
sown in spring as soon as the weather is favourable. If sown
too soon, as is sometimes done, the young leaves get injured
by frosts, especially if these occur immediately after a period
of mild weather.

The Enfield ^Market Cabbage is that which is principally used
in the market gardens about London. It is one of the oldest
in cultivation, and one of the best, and for this reason the
growers generally save their own seed, and take great care
that their plants of it are not crossed with other sorts. The
.sowing for the principal crop of this Cabbage is generally
made between the end of July and the middle of August, on
poor gi-ound if possible, as in that case the plants come up
stocky and hardy, and stand the winter well ; whereas, if made
on rich ground, a soft rank growth is produced, which is
much more easily injured. This sowing is, as a rule, made in
4-ft.-wide beds — a width found to be convenient for weeding
and hoeing amongst the plants. 'Wlien sufficiently strong to
be transplanted, they are planted on ground cleared of Onions
or Potatoes, and a seconcl batch is planted on land cleared
of Celery, French Beans, or Vegetable Marrows. Every
empty space, under fruit trees or elsewhere, is also planted
with Cabbages. In planting, the ground is lined oft" into
rows 30 in. apart, and in these the plants are put in 15 in.

asunder. Between every two rows first planted another is
now put in with less care, thus making the plants stand 1.5 in.
apart each way. Early in spring every alternate line of
plants, and also every other plant in the lines or rows left,
are lifted and sold as Coleworts. This allows the permanent
crop plenty of room to come to maturity. With a view to
subsequent plantations, which are made all through the winter
wherever ground is vacant, the young plants in seed-beds
are removed and pricked out into others a little further apart,
in order to keep them in good condition for planting out
as long as possible. In this way, indeed, many of the plants
are kept till spring, when they are transplanted to succeed
those planted out in autumn, and to come in before the pro-
duce of the spring sowings, made late in February or early in
March, to furnish Cabbages from June to August. The plants
from this sowing are put out in rows 2 ft. or 2^ ft. apart,
and in the intervening spaces are put lines of Lettuces, a
a plant of which is also set between every Cabbage in the row.
In May may be often noticed men busily engaged in tying up
early Cabbages in the market gardens at Fulham and else-
where. The operation is simple, just, in fact, that adopted in
the case of Cos Lettuces. The succulent outer leaves are
folded carefully around the heart or centre of the plant, and
the whole is bound firmly with a withe or piece of bast.
There are several good reasons for this practice. The centre
being protected from the weather, the Cabbages heart sooner
than they otherwise would do, and they are more easily
handled in gathering and packing for market. Early Cabbages,
the leaves of which are so brittle, would lose half their value if
some precaution of this kind were not taken to keep them from
being broken by loading and unloading them. Red Cabbages
are sown in March, and the plants are put out in rows from
3i ft. to 4 ft. apart, and the plants stand about 3 ft. asunder in
the rows. As this crop stands until the heads are large and
solid, a piece of rich land is devoted to it, and intercropped
with Potatoes, ordinary Cabbages, Lettuces, French Beans, or
other vegetables of that kind. The produce of the July
sowing is generally considered better than that of spring.

CoLEWOETs. — These are Cabbages puUed for market when
about half grown, and for supplying such, every spare comer
in market gardens is planted. As soon as fruit bushes have
been cleared of their crops rows of Coleworts are planted
between them ; they are also planted under fruit trees, no
matter how large the trees may be, and also between rows of
Moss Roses. The space between Celery ridges is likewise
generally planted with Coleworts, as is also that between
Asparagus ridges, the edges of which, too, are often cropped
with Coleworts. Between the rows of French and Runner
Beans and late Savoys, the Colewort is also planted, and, in
fact, like Lettuces, it is planted in every empty space where
there is a probability of its growing. Whole fields, too, are
sometimes cropped witli it, and are cleared in good time for
winter Radishes. Cock's Hardy Green Colewort more re-
sembles an ordinary Cabbage than the Rosette, which is
grown largely for market, and, being hardier, is sown a month
or six weeks later, so as to form a .succession to that sort. A
sowing of the Rosette is usually made in May in beds in an
open piece of ground ; and, when up, the young plants are
thinned with small hoes. The strongest plants are first
selected for transplanting, and are put in chiefly as catch crops
between other vegetables. For spring Coleworts, only the
thinnings of the Fulham Cabbage are used. The Rosette is,
perhaps, the greatest favourite in the market, its beautiful
white heads, when bunched, having an attractive appearance ;
but, as regards quality, nobody would eat the Rosette who
could get Cock's Hardy Green — i.e., if they were acquainted
with the respective flavours of the two varieties. A kind

4.3G

THE GARDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

called Blue Colewort is largely grown for a November crop,
as earlier iu the year it is apt to " bolt." Coleworts are tied
in bunches, packed in waggons, and sold in this way in
market.

Savoys. — These are not so much esteemed as Cabbages,
but they are largely cultivated by some growers. The seed
is sown in March, and the plants are put out under trees or
in similar positions in the same way as Cabbages. The varie-
ties grown are the Dwarf Green Curled, Early Ulm, and
Drumhead. Sometimes they are used as Coleworts when
half grown, in which case they are planted thickly among
other crops in any vacant places in the same way as Cabbage
Coleworts. During winter when greens are scarce Savoys are
most in demand. They are very hardy, and are all the better
for being subjected to frost, and for this reason they are a good
winter crop. The refuse of the seed beds are sometimes
planted out in August to supply Coleworts in winter and
spring.

Brussels Sprouts. — These are chiefly grown in market
gardens as catch crops, under orchard trees, or between other
vegetables. The seed is sown in April, and the plants, when
large enough, are put out wherever a vacant piece of ground
occurs. Market gardeners prefer Brussels Sprouts with
medium-sized stems to those of rank growth, as from these
they get harder and better Sprouts, which realise the most
money in the market. In gathering Sprouts most market
gardeners pull up the plants and cart them to the packing
shed, where women divest the stalks of the Sprouts and pack
them in I bushel or bushel baskets, the largest and plumpest
being always put on the top. The Cabbage-like tops are
packed separately in large baskets. Some growers, however,
pick the Sprouts from the plants as they grow and leave them
to supply another crop. Brussel Sprouts when in the seed
bed are often attacked by small white-winged flies, which
congregate on the underside of the leaves and greatly
injure the plants. In order to get rid of these, an old sack
is nailed to two poles, about 6 in. being allowed to hang over
one of the poles to act as a flapper. The sack, but not the
flapper, is then tarred all over, and two men, one each side
the seed bed, walk quickly along with the sack directly over
the plants. The flapper drags over the plants and disturbs the
flies, which fly upwards and get stuck to the tar. This
operation several times repeated gets rid of the majority of
the insects. C. W. S.

Early Mint. — On warm sunny beds in the shelter of a north
hedge some of the market gardeners are gathering tine shoots of
Mint for sauce and other culinary purposes. Sucli a position, botli
warm and still, in so far as it is unvisited by rude northerly and
easterly winds, is as good as a cold frame. The beds are made liglit
in the character of the soil, and above the ground level in September,
after it has been deeply dug and well manured, and very early in the
spring, the Mint peeps through tlie surface, and .iccording to the
weather so is the growth made. It is remarkable what a growth has
been made despite the cold weather. Many put their Mint away in
the coldest and sliadiest parts of the garden, where it is certain to be
late, and the few remarks made under the above heading show how
this practice can be improved upon. A well-managed market garden
supplies many valuable cultural hints. — R. D,

The ^^ater-creSS (Nasturtium officinale). — Tliis is one of the
most wholesome of our wild plants. It is useful in salads, as a
relisli at breakfast, tea, or supper ; and as an esculent with salmon
nothing surpasses it eaten with a little vinegar ; but how completely
IS its cultivation neglected in this country, whilst tons of it are sent
into Paris iu the course of twelve mouths ! But what one most re-
gi'ets is the recklessness in operation amongst people — men, women,
and children — who go to the clear purling brooks in the country to
gather this Cress ; their usual habit is to rake out the fine, long, and
strong stems, with their rootlets, &c., and leave them on the banks
to wither and die, after having pinched off the young shoots. The
stems should always be thrown back into the stream to reproduce

young shoots. I have known some, yea many, localities where this
useful esculent used to gi'ow in abundance, but whence it has been
entirely destroyed by tliis carelessness. In pinching off the young
shoots, two or three of the leaves nearest the stem should be left,
because from the axils of these leaves the young shoots are produced.
In gardens througli which a clear stream meanders Water-cresses,
should be established, as they would become profitable to the pos-
sessor and a boon to the neighbourhood. — W. B. C.

PLATE CLXXXII.

BROWNEA MACROPHYLLA.

Dr.awn by MISS TRAVERS.

The genus Brownea consists of small evergreen trees belonging to
the LeguminosEe, and to that section having regidar corollas. The
si^ecies are peculiar to Venezuela, New Granada, and some portions
of Central America, one of them being also found in Trinidad. The-
leaves are alternate, equally pinnate, and from 1 ft. to 1^ ft. long, with-
from four to twelve pairs of entire leaflets. Tlie flowers are flame-
coloured or crimson, and disposed in dense, sessile heads. It would
be difficult to point out a more beautiful genus than this, and in few
places are Browneas grown in such perfection as at Lakelands, Cork,
the residence of Mr. W. H. Crawford. Here B. macrophylla bloomed
for the first time iu the United Kingdom, and only at two other
places has it flowered in Europe. This is the third year in which it
has produced its beautiful blossoms in succession at Lakelands, and
this year its blooms, tliough retarded in their development, possibly
by the severity of the winter, were produced when they did begin-
to expand in gTeater profusion than ever before, and were scattered
all over the tree from within I in. of the ground to the extreme
points of the young growth of last year, as many as eighteen of these
gorgeous heads being in full beauty on one and the same day in
April. Eacli blossom-head only lasts in beauty for a couple of days,
the jjetals falling on the evening of the second day after expansion.
Another variety named B. latifolia, nearly as handsome as the variety
figured, but much shyer to bloom, also flowers occasionally ,at Lake-
lands, as well as B. grandiceps, B. .ariza, and B. coccinea, the latter
comparatively small and insignificant in size though brilliant in colour,
and of a deeper shade of scarlet. Mr. Crawford hoped to have
bloomed a plant sent to him as Brownea erecta last summer, for the
flowering of which he had been waiting patien tly for many years,
but when the tree bloomed it turned out not to be a Brownea at all,
but Talisia megaphylla, a plant which bears myriads of small, fluffy-
white flowers on a candelabrum-like scape. W. E. G.

Camellias in Boxes. — " Cambrian " states (p. 414) that
Camellias in boxes need little attention for many years, but I think
they may be benefited by a root examination and fresh soil every
third year. AVith this object in view my Camellia boxes are made-
so as to let down the sides, in order that fresh soil can be added, and
tlie roots pruned at pleasure. A skilful carpenter will easily plan
this when making the boxes. — Brockhurst.

Anemone fulgens and its Varieties.— Messrs. Barr &.

Sugdcn have sent us flowers of a large variety of Anemone fulgens,
ranging in shade from brilliant scarlet to a luminous crimson, ani
with the usual conspicuous black tuft in the centre, the flowers
ranging in size from i in. to 5 in. in diameter. Anemone fulgens-.
and its varieties will doubtless occupy a conspicuous place in our
gardens now that they have become more plentiful and comparatively
cheap. This jjlant appears to afford considerable variety, and from
seed it is probable that ere long we may have a section in which there
are some good representatives. The kind here alluded to is A. ful-
gens gi-andiflora. Then tliere is tlie typical fulgens, of uniform
scai-let with black centre ; then fulgens annulata and fulgens oculata.
The form multipetala, with from twenty to thirty petals in number,
is also a very desirable kind. A. f. annulata and A. f. oculata are
no doubt the single forms of the double Peacock Anemone so abun-
dant at Cannes and elsewhere ; at least, they are found flowering
amongst tiie doulde ones, and if the petals of the double variety
be carefully examined, the yellowish-white ring and eye can be dis-
tinguished. The inference may, therefore, fairly be drawn, that the
double Peacock Anemone is a form of A. fulgens. In addition to-
Anemone fulgens, we understand there is a rose-coloured variety.

Dendrobium Dalhousianum. — AVe noticed a fine specimen,
of this beautiful but shy-flowering Orchid a few days since in the
collection of Mr. A. C. Stearn, Radnor House, Twickenham, bearing
a dozen spikes and over fifty flowers of large size and very distinct
as regards colouring. — W. G.

May 31, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

437

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Perns.

Elegant as most Ferns are, still there are some that are very much
more so than otliers. Of late years the fashion has usually been to
give preference to the larger-gi'owing species to the exclusion of
many of tlie smaller kinds ; but that is a mistake, inasmuch as
where there is a preponderance of the strong-gro\ving species, they
occupy a good deal of room, proportionately reducing the accommo-
dation available for a greater number of varieties to which more
interest will be attached. So many charming and distinct kinds
grown some years ago are now so seldom met with, that a short list
may not be out of place. Amongst Adiantums the old A. cuneatum
is such an established favourite, that it generally finds a place ;
indeed, there is scarcely an indifferent species in the whole family,
but the following are particularly deserving of culture, viz., A. cau-
datum, A. cultratum, A. excisum multitidum, A. pentadactylon,
A. scabrum, A. teneiiim, A. Veitchi, A. reniforme, A. scutum,
A. Farleyense, and A. gracillimum ; the last two, especially A. Far-
leyense, do a great deal better grown much cooler than they usually
are. Aspleniums of medium gro%vth may consist of A. Belangeri,
A. bulbifenim, A. Hemionitis, and A. lucidum, all of which are
distinct and handsome. Most of the Cheilanthes are extremely
elegant, especially C. tenuifolia, C. lendigera, C. frigida, C. fragrans,
and C. dealbata. Davallia Novaj-Zelandi.-e, D. immersa, D. bullata,
D. dissecta, and D. canariense are good ; and of Gymnogrammas,
select G. tomentosa, G. lauata, G. rufa, G. tartarea, G. ilertensi,
G. peruviana argyrophylla, and G. chrysophylla. The elegaut
climbing Lygodiums are always desirable ; amongst them L. palmata,
L. scandens, L. circinatum, and L. flexuosum are all handsome.
Amongst Nothocla^nas, which are nearly allied to Cheilanthes, may
be named N. Eckloniana, N". trichomanoides, N. vestita, N. sul-
phurea, and N. nivea. Of Polypodiums I would recommend P. ap-
jjendiculatum, P. lingua, P. musiefolium, P. plumosum, and P. sub-
auriculatum. Amongst Pterises the well-known P. cretica is one of
the best greenhouse Ferns in existence, and all but hardy, and the
same may be said of its variegated form P. albo-lineata ; the old
P. serrulata is a most useful kind for cutting, and amongst its many
of the crested forms P. serrulata Leyi, P. s. Dixoni, and P. s. corym-
bifera are well worth growing ; also P. scaberula, Leucostegia im-
mersa, and L. chasrophylla. Many consider Tod;vas difficult to
cultivate ; but they are not so if kept sufficiently shaded and moist
at the root in a moderately close, moist atmosphere and always cool ;
greenhouse temperature is quite sufficient for them. The best
amongst them are T. superba, T. intermedia, T. Wilkesiana, and
T. Fraseri. These are only some of the many comparatively small
Ferns that are deserving of cultivation. I have not attempted to
divide the greenhouse from the stove species, as, excepting the
Gymnogi-ammas, all may with advantage be grown with less heat
than that to which Ferns are often subjected.

Gleichenias. — These are of larger but not coarse growth, and
even in the most select collections a few of the best Gleichenias
should be gTowu ; the most beautiful and distinct are G. rupestris,
G. Spelunc«, and G. flabellata.

Platyceriums. — P. grande is the finest of all ; it requires a
little more warmth and a closer atmosphere than the others.
P. Stemmaria is also a handsome and interesting plant, although its
shields are not of the evergreen character of those of P. grande.
Grown as they often are on blocks of wood, with comparatively little
matter for their roots to run in, Platyceriums require more atmospheric
moisture, as well as more attention, in regard to watering than when
in pots ; but when cultivating them in pots I have found it best to
invert the pot, securing it on to a stout piece of wood, acting as a
plinth ; I then knock the bottom (now uppermost) out, and while in
this position fill the pot one-fourth full of drainage, the remainder
being peat crocks and a little sand, such as would suit the generality
of Orchids. I set the plant on the top with its roots inside, and
secure it with a couple of sticks inserted within the pot ; the pot
being upside down is more favourable to the development of the
shields than if it were in its usual position. These Platyceriums
must never be exposed to much sunshine, and on no account must
they be allowed to get dry, and they must be kept scrupulously clear
from thrips, which are very partial to them, and which must be
destroyed by moderate fumigation, as when the growing fronds are
affected with these insects they will not bear touching with the
sponge, in fact so delicate are they when in a tender, growing state,
that even a slight accidental rub with the hand will stop them from
fully developing.

Orchids.

Treatment when in Flower. — Independently of the large
general collections of Orchids that now exist in so many places, there

are large numbers who cultivate only a limited quantity of these
plants, and in such establishments it frecjuently happens that the
plants when in flower are set for a time in conservatories, halls, and
other places, which, in addition to interfering materially with the
season's growth, are calculated to do permanent injury to them.
This especially happens in the case of the thick-rooted true air
plants, a large portion of the active roots of which are above the
soil and fully exposed to the air, and consequently independent of
the more heat which they at all times require. They receive a cheek
very much greater than species such as Cattleyas, Oncidiums,
Epidendnims, and Odontoglossums, which possess an ability to stand,
a lower temperature with a drier atmosphere. I am led to make
these remarks through frequently seeing Aerides, Vandas, and even
Phala'uopsis and .Saccolabiums, placed when in dower in conservatoriea
uuder such conditions. They may not sustain much harm in summer,
but too much air and too dry at atmosphere not only completely
stop active root development, but has a most injurious effect upon
the older leaves, which soon begin to shrink, and, though the mischief
may not be at once perceptible, generally ends in some turning
yellow and prematurely falling off wlien the plants are returned tO'
their gi-owing quarters. Valuable Orchids should never be so em-
ployed, however desirable it may be to place them where they may
be most conveniently seen. I have more than once met with a way
of obviating this difficulty. It was having in a conservatory
attached to a drawing-room, immediately opposite the glass doors of
the latter, a movable structure in the form of a Fern case. It was
6 ft. in height, some S ft. or 9 ft. in length, and proportionally less-
in width. It was fitted up with dwarf Ferns and Lycopods in the
bottom, and a few hanging baskets of Orchids suspended from the
top ; to this only just enough air was given to keep tlie flowers from
spotting, and as much moisture was jiresent as kept the plants from
suffering through the atmosphere being too dry, and, except during
the coldest time of the year. Orchids when in flo^\'er could thus
arranged be seen with comfort, and that without any material check
to tlie plants. Cattleyas, La^lias, Dendrobes, and numy others re-
quiring a moderate temperature could through the spring and summer
months be allowed to stand there for the full lengtli of time during
which tlicir flowers lasted without sustaining the slightest harm.

General Treatment. — In the different houses devoted to
jilants requiring different temperatures the gTowth of many should
now be in full progTess. Some species, especially PhalaHuopsis, when
strong and vigorous, are so disposed to keep on blooming, that
those who have newdy commenced their cultivation frequently feel
disinclined to curtail their flowering, and the result is that injury is
often done to the plants through not gdving them sufficient time
wherein to make new growth, or, through the period when such
growth is made being deferred till late in the season, when there is
insufficient daylight to solidify the gTowth. For this purpose I should
recommend flower-stems not being allowed to remain on the plants
too long during the summer months, but to cut them a%\ay, which
will have the effect of inducing the plants to make gi-owth. This, as
a matter of course, does not ajiply to the sjiecies P. Luddemanniana,
Vidiich regularly produces young plants from the joints of the flower-
spikes, neither does it refer to strong examples of other kinds where
there may be a disposition to get them to form young plants from the
lower joints towards the base of the bloom-stem, which they some
times do when the leading portion is cut away. These, as well a-
Vandas, Saccolabiums, Aerides, and other heat-requiring species thas
have done flowering, should now be aflbrded a brisk temperaturet
with no stint of air iluring the middle of the day, to dry and sweete
the atmosphere, charging it well with moisture for a time when thn
house is closed, avoiding too much heat in the niglit, keeping the
plants well up to the glass, using no thicker blinds than are absolutele
necessary to preserve the plants from injury, and making a poiny
never to have them down unless there is sufficient sun to make itt-
necessary.

Intermediate Heat-requiring Plants, or such as are

often described as Mexican house subjects (a very bad term, consider-
ing that the temperature which plants from that country need has a
wide range), should also be encouraged to make stout, well matured,
but not hurried gTOwth. The majority of Cattleyas and Lielias are
much more impatient of water at the roots than the generality of
other Orchids ; they are imable to preserve their roots in a healthy
condition if the material in which they are placed be kept nearly so
wet as many other species from both the Eastern and Western
Hemispheres absolutely require. Through an impression often pre-
vailing amongst the inexperienced, that Orchids collectively when,
growing need to be kept wet, we frequently see Cattleyas and Lrelias
completely ruined through their roots rotting in quantity, and
leaving the plants, so that they could hardly stand in the pots,
without being supported. I am now alluding to plants that are
gTOwn in pots in the usual material, and not to a few individual
species that succeed best on blocks, or such as have not been very

438

THE GAEDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

long imported, and are being kept for a year or tivo until they get
established ou blocks suspended, with little moisture-holding matter
about them ; in the case of such as these it ■will be obvious that
water must be given much oftener than wheu tlie roots are en-
veloped in a considerable body of moisture-holding material. Keither
do the plants in this department require so much atmospheric
moisture as tlie East Indian kinds ; collectively, they will bear more
air, and most of them will do with less shading.

Cool Orchids. — For the next two months or so the advantages
of having a house less fully exposed to the direct action of the sun
than when facing the south, or a span-roofed erection standing in the
usual position, will be apparent, as most of the plants thrive better
with less heat than is all but unavoidably ijresent in houses thus
under the influence of tlie sun, ou which latter it will frequently be
requisite to use blinds somewhat thicker tlian would be otherwise
advisable, but where this becomes a necessity they must never be
drawn down when they can be dispensed with. Such species as
Masdevallias will now require a maximum of water, wliilst Odonto-
glossums and allied species will need the material in which their
roots are placed kept fairly moist, yet it should not be in that
saturated state in which it is sometimes met. I have seen these
plants, although making very large pseudo- bulbs and correspondingly
amjile foliage, witli the latter so affected mth spot from the over-
moist condition of the roots, and stagnant atmosphere through in-
sufficient air being given, tliat they became badly diseased. The
plants here will be better for air, more or less, being admitted to the
house night and day. — T. Baines.

Flower Garden.

.A.uricu.las. — Reference was made a fortnight ago to the length
of time during wliich Auriculas had continued in flower this season ;
we are now in tlie last days of May, and still Iiandfuls of Alpines
may be gathered out-of-doors ; and, unless the weather be very hot,
we may do so up till midsummer. In all my experience I have
never seen tliem so long in bloom. I i-eceive letters from many
quarters asking for information as to the treatment which the
various sections reijuire. Every week something lias been written
about tliem, and by referring to back numbers of The Garden,
the necessary information for each week will be found. There are
numbers of seedling raisers who are also in want of information as
to the best vai-ieties from which to save seed. It is now too late to
save seeds, but those who liave any should sow it at once, and thus
a season may be gained. Sow it in pots or pans, and in either case
drain well, placing some Moss or fibre over the drainage, to prevent
the compost from mixing with it. This is quite necessary, as the
seeds will not all vegetate for a whole year. The soil sliould consist
of sandy loam and leaf-inould, with sand added if necessary. Rake
the compost quite level on the surface, and sow thinly, just covering
the seeds with fine soil. The pots should be plunged in a very
gentle bottom-heat and be covered with a Cucumber frame or hand-
light. With the warmer weather which we are now experiencing,
considerable attention must be paid to watering and keeping gi-eeu
fly in check, for if it inci-eases it will seriously cripple the
jilants.

Carnations and Picotees. — Plants of these in pots are now
all out in the open air, and, for the present, they require no more
attention than seeing that they are freely supplied witli water at the
roots, that is, those plants that show by strong growth that there is
also a corresponding root-action. A few varieties make but little
gi-owth, and, unless water be very judiciously supplied to them, they
will speedily cease to exist. If the weather be very hot, let the plants
be .syringed freely at 5 p.m. Out-of-doors but little gi-owth has been
made so far, even in the most favoured districts as far south as
Loudon. From Bradford, and even in the soutli of Yorkshire, I hear
that Carnations and Picotees have made no signs of "spindling,"
that is, throwing up their flower-stems. The surface of the beds
should now be stirred, and a little fresli dressing applied ; equal
parts of loam and rotten manure answer well for this purpose.

Dahlias. — We shall not plant these out this year until the middle
of June ; the weather is fine at present, but it is impossible to say
how long it may last. It is better to shift the plants into larger
jiofs than to risk their being injured by cold winds, which check
tlieir gi-owth and very materially retard the blooming, even if the
flowers are not mucli injured thereby. When it is necessary to keep
such jJants for a long time in pots, they require all the more care as
regards watering and seeing that they are freely exposed to air and
light, :!nd that there is sufficient space between the plants.

Pansies. — Those in beds are now flowering freely, and, as we
expected, are making good growth. They are also strong and
healthy. Last year we had a bed about 60 ft. long planted with
seedlings of a good strain. That bed was a mass of bloom from May
until the end of autumn, and was admired by all who saw it, some

going so far as to say that it was the best feature in the garden. The
named varieties are cheap enough, and they gTOW as freely as seed-
lings. Plants in pots are more beautiful still, as regards the individual
flowers, inasmuch as they can be protected from dashing rains ; they
require a good supply of water when the pots are full of roots.

Phloxes. — Amongst all tall growing hardy herbaceous plants,
none are so effective as decorative objects in pots as these. They
now require a good deal of attention. See that the stems are secured
to sticks, and if the pots are well filled with roots, some rich dressing
must be placed on the surface of the soil. Give plenty of water,
never allowing the pots to become quite dry. I like to fully expose
the plants to the sun, and if the pots are plunged in Cocoa-nut fibre
refuse, or some similar material, less water will be required.

Pentstemons.Pyrethrums, Aquilegias, and several other

hardy herbaceous plants do remarkably well in pots, and are all use-
ful when in flower as decorative plants for tlie greenhouse. The
treatment which they require is much the same as that described
above for Phloxes.

Polyanthuses. — Those who have tlieir plants still in pots would
do well to place them out of doors in the open border. Turn them
carefully out of tlieir pots, and jilant them without breaking the
ball of earth. Ours are already well established, and are making an
excellent growth, showing that tliey have laid hold of the rich new
loam provided for them. Examine the leaves, and if they are
infested with red spider, this pest must be destroyed, or else it will
ruin the plants. I wash the leaves with soapy water. Green fly is
also fond of the Polyanthus, and must be removed in the same way.
— J. BonciLAS.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Strawberries. — The last batches of these are now opening their
blossoms, and as there is now no danger of their not setting, the
weakest flowers may be picked off at once, leaving from eight to
twelve of the best ou each plant according to its strength. As soon
as set they may at this season be given manure water daily,
and ou no account should they ever be allowed to get dry ; such a
check would render tliem an easy prey to red spider. Instead of
saucers or turves on the shelves for the plants to root into, we have
this year adopted the S3'steni long practised by some of using a second
pot half filled with loam and droppings, and have reason to be more than
satisfied with the result, never lla^^ng had so good a supply of fruit
before, not to mention the lessened labour as regards watering, and
the convenience which the system affords for moving the plants from
one liouse to another, as such has often to be done where there are
not proper pits or houses for the purpose of Strawberry forcing. If
the earliest forced plants have been carefully inured in cold pits to
bear exposure, they may now be planted out for the purpose of pro-
ducing early runners for next season's forcing.

Figs. — Established trees of these that are swelling off fniit
require to be freely supplied mth manure water, which may be con-
tinued till the first symptoms of rijieniug are observed, as also may
syringing overhead and abundant air moisture. The border should
be dressed 3 in. or 4 in. in tliickness with half-rotted manure, which
will not only benefit the roots, Ijut will supply a valuable and neces-
sary element to the air of the house. Let all fruit be exposed to
light as much as possible, or both colour and flavour will be deficient.
The tips of the shoots must be persistently pressed or pinched out,
and leading shoots should be tied in, care being taken not to over-
crowd. Any surplus second crop fruit may be rubbed off at once.
Trees in pots from which the fruit has been gathered, after haling been
re-surfaced with rich compost, should be plunged in leaves to econo-
mise watering, and should be well washed with the syringe or garden
engine night and morning. A night temperature of about 65° and
70° to 75" by day, with an increase by means of sun-heat, will soon
tend to the production of a good second crop.

Peaches and Nectarines. — Without abundant sunshine
fruit of these \\'ill neither colour well nor be very palatable, and
therefore the change to brighter weather has been in every way most
beneficial, more especially to fruit ripening, as that in all first early
houses will now be doing. Although it is said that a Peach is not
ripe till it falls from the tree, it is not wise to allow any to do so ;
on the contrary, examine them daily, gathering only those that part
from the stalk with the slightest pull ; they will thenjjack and travel
safely, or keep in the fruit-room longer than they otherwise would
do, and the flavour will be brisker than if the fruits were allowed to
hang till they were over-ripe. As soon as the fruit is gathered, well
wash the trees, thin out all new growths that are not required for
next year's fruiting and tie in the others at such distances apart as
will allow light and air to have full play on them. The borders
should be well supplied with water and the trees be as regularly
syringed as during the earlier stages of growth, in order to jji-eserve
the foliage good to the last, and then a good crop of fruit for another

May 31, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

439

year 'will be ensured. Succession-houses, in which heavy crops of
fniit are swelling, should be afforded liberal supplies of tepid manure-
water, and every leaf or shoot that overlaps the fruit should either
be tied aside or taken off, and all lateral and sub-lateral gi-owths
should now be stopped by pincliing out tlieir points. In late houses
tie down the shoots, remove surplus fruit before stoning, and syi'inge
the trees twice daily.

Vines. — The improved state of the weather has already had a
marvellous effect on Vines, more gi'owth having been made during
the last six days than in the pre\'ious eighteen, a circumstance which
renders it difficult to keep pace with their requirements, as to thin-
ning, stopping, and tying ; such work, however, should never be
delayed. The thinning of late Grapes should not be deferred a
moment after tliey are ready, as growth goes on so rapidly that they
soon get too large to admit of expeditious or neat tliinning. The
lateral growths on Lady Downea are now produced so rapidly, that
unless repressed by stopping once a week they become a complete
thicket, and when cut off a check to the Vines must necessarily be
the result, and as a matter of course the crop is more or less injured.
Houses in which the Grapes are commencing their second swelling
should be shut up very early with an atmosphere well charged witli
moistiu'e, and if the borders are inside well soak them witli mamu'e-
water, and as this should be the last application of manure, it may
be a])i)lied rather stronger tlian heretofore. Houses containing ripe
fruit should be kept as cool as possible compatilile with the pre-
servation and health of the foliage. All lateral growth should be
persistently stopped, but the leading shoot on each Vine should be
allowed to ramble at will. — W. W.

Kitchen Garden.

Now that wanner weather has set in, vegetation is advancing
rapidly, and the most persistent energy will now have to be exer-
cised, in order to keep ahead of the work requiring to be done.
Sowing seeds too thickly is one of the commonest errors in garden-
ing, and if the result was only the waste of seed, that woidd not be
of mucli importance ; butwlien seedlings are neglected to be thinned
till they have injuriously affected each other, and wlien the removal
of the surplus plants destroys half the roots of the others, it ■will be
seen how necessary it is to keep in advance of all such work. Par-
snips, fjarly C'arrots, Turnips, Leeks, and Onions are some of the
seedlings tliat now need thinning, after which, deeply stir the soil
between the rows, to induce a quicker and more vigorous growtlu
Peas suffer from over-seeding as much as anytliing with which I am
acquainted. When the haulms are 2 in. or 3 in. apart they bear
pods to the very bottom, wliich obviously would not be the case
were they clustered together. Earth up and stake such as need
support, and sow for succession such kinds as British Queen, Veitch's
Perfection, and Cliampion of England. If sown in shallow trenches
waterings and midchings (both recjuisite in warm di-y weather) will
be the more effectual. The principal crop of Runner Beans should
now be so\iti ; 6 in. apart in the row \rill be quite near enougli for
these, and if the points be pinched out when 2 ft. high, that will
ensure the production of pods from the very bottom of the haulm.
Earth up Potatoes. If high culture l)e aimed at, strew between the
rows guano or soot ; stir deeply ■with a fork, and, after a good rain,
earth up. The haulm should be thinned out to single or, at most,
double shoots, and then, though tlie tubers may not lie quite so
numerous, they will be finer and of a more equable size. Top Broad
Beans, in order to induce earlier formation of pods and to prevent
an attack of black aphis, which invariably take possession of the
tops of these whenever the season is favourable to their develop-
ment. Unless Broad Beans be in special request, no more should be
so-rni, as at the time when they would be ready there will be
abundance of better vegetables. As ground becomes vacant, prepare
and recrop it with Coleworts, C'auliflowors, Early Broccoli, Brassels
Sprouts, and Savoys ; the two latter ■svill stand the severest ■winter,
and should therefore be planted in quantity. Early Broccoli and
Cauliflowers continue in use a limited^ time only, so these should be
planted successionally, and only in such numbers as will meet the
demand. Globe Artichokes that have been raised from seed and
grown on in frames may now be planted out in deeply enriched
ground, and if the season be favourable, and they are not allowed to
suffer from want of water, some few heads may be had in the
autumn. Established plantations of Horse-radish, Seakale, and
Rhubarb that ai-e throwing up flower-stems should liave them cut off
and the ground receive its summer mulcliiug of manure. Weeds
may be kept down on Asparagus plots, and at tlie same time the
roots benefited by an occasional light sprinkling of salt. Sow Let-
tuce wliere it is to stand, and thin out the plants to 9 in. apart.
Tomatoes, ridge Cucumbers, and plants of similar hardiness may
now be planted. During favourable weather keep the hoes going, in
order to keep down weeds, which, now that rain has come, will grow
apace. — W. W.

AMERICAN NOTES.

The Dewberry.— General Noble, of Bridgeport, asks, in the
" Gardeners' Jlonthly," why so little attention is paid to the Dew-
berry. He speaks of the delicious Dewbei'ries, or trailing Black-
berries of Virgania, some of which he says are H in. long.

"Wistaria japonica. — Besides the purplish-blue variety,
spoken of in Parson'sCatalognie.wenoticepinkand white now gi-owing
in California. Tlie racemes did not attain a lengtli of much more
than 1 ft., buttheyhadnot had time to fully recover fromtlieirjourney
from .Japan. The fi-agrance is delicious, and attracts insects to an
annoying extent.

Blue Gums in St. Joaquin County.— The Eucalyptus

is beginning to be largely planted in this county along roadsides and
in tlie form of gi'oves. In gardens and city lots it is not here, any
more tlian elsewhere, a satisfactory tree. We have also noticed that
tlie trees were greatly affected by the frosts of last winter, in some
cases hardly recovering.

Drying Raspberries. — A correspondent of the "New York
Tribune " says there is no kind of dried fruit in such brisk demand
in the market as Raspberries, and that it is quite as pro Stable to dry
them as to sell them fresh. 100 quarts will make 30 lb., which, at
30 cents per lb., gives 9 cents per quart for the fresh fruit, less half
a cent, the cost of drying. The Black Caj) is here alluded to, which
he states is the most hardy, reliable, and easily-gi'own of small
fruits.

A D'Vyarf Csrpress. — We lately observed, at the nurseries of
Mr. West, Stockton, the most unique little tree imaginable. It is
an accidental seedling from Cupressus macrocarpa, and a more com-
pact, globular, neat-leaved dwarf Conifer we never saw. We have
forgotten exactly the number of years which have passed over its
head, and we fail to remember the exact number of inches it was in
height — little enough certainly — but we are quite sure that it is worth
propagating, and sending out as a good dwarf of California parent-
age.

Rose Hedges. — In the grounds of the State Insane Asylum in
Stockton we saw some fine effects produced by various hedge plants.
One of those hedges was formed of perpetual Roses trimmed close
to a height of 2 ft., and, being full of leaves, buds, and blossoms in
a perfect mass, is an entire success as a hedge. We should suggest
that the alternating of red, white, and yellow, or the planting of
opposite sides of a walk with different colours, would give a pleasing
variety.

The Stockton Insecticide.— Mr. Milco, of Stockton, has,

for some years past, been investigating the properties of Pyrethrum
carneum, a plant largely used in Dahnatia for the manufacture of
various insect preparations. Believing that there was room for the
business, he introduced the plant some years ago, and, after many
trials, and not a few tribulations, has, beyond a doubt, put his article
on a somid financial basis. Tke preparation, which is made from
the flowers, is called by a Dalmatian name, " Buhach" (pronounced
Boohatch), and this title has been patented by Mr. Milco as a trade
mark. The quality of this insecticide, made from fresh flowers,
appears to be superior to that of any now in the market from foreign
sources. Professor Hilgard has brought various comparative tests
to bear upon it, and gives it his endorsement.

Is the "Rural New Yorker " we find a plate and description of a
New Quince, The Champion. This variety originated on the grounds
of Mr. George Perry, Fairfield, Conn. It is of large size, and resem-
bles in shape a Duchesse Pear. Its chief merit seems to be that it
comes into bearing vei-y early, and is very prolific. — "California
Horticulturist.

EJarly versus Late-flowering Magnolias.— Most people

will acknowledge, if they will be frank in the matter, that they
oV'ject to Chinese Magnolias, so-called on account of their peculiarity
of blooming before the development of the leaves. We miss the
foliage which attains such beauty later, and while we would not
sacrifice the wonderful beauty of the flowers in early spring, we
cannot help wishing that fine foliage might accompany such fine
flowers. It is probably for this reason that the late-flowering Mag-
nolias are so popular, notwithstanding the comparative inferiority of
their bloom. That of M. cordata is yellow, of medium size, attrac-
tive, but not extraordinary in any way. The same may be said of
M. glauca, except, perhaps, that it is sweet-scented, while the flower
of M. macrophylla is noteworthy only for its large size. What we
want is an attractive, sweet-scented, good-sized Magnolia flower that
develops at the same time as the leaves. M. hypoleuca is such a
species, as well as one other variety not yet named. Yet so few of
even the first of these Magnolias have been offered to the trade that
it is not strange that they are overlooked.

440

THE GARDEN.

[Mat 31, 1879.

Abutilon insigne. — This is a fine variety of the Abutilon
family, wliicli, thougli ohl, is still quite rare, and deserv'es to be
more generally grown. In a November number of The (iARDEN it
is figured under the name of Abutilon igneum, but later on in
December it is spoken of, in the same paper, under its pr(i])cr name
of A. insigne. As long ago as 1860 we had fine, largo plants of this
variety, which wehad grown purposely for winter blooming, producing,
as it does, large, pendulous clusters of .velvety, crimson flowers, veined
with dark maroon, in gi'eat profusion all winter long. Unlike any other
variety, this throws its flowers well out from the foliage, eacli ter-
minal shoot being literally loaded with perfect liells. The leaves are
of a rich dark green, of thick texture, and prominently net-veined
on the under siile. This variety is quite distinct in leaf and flower
from any other, and deserves to be in every good collection. —
C. H. HOVEY.

The Best Time to Transplant Magnolias.— There

exists a common impression even amongst experts tliat Magnolias
should be transplanted as early as possible in the spring ; experience,
however, teaches just the contrary. In fact, a Magnolia should
not be trausjilanted until the leaves Ix^gin to show signs of piishing,
which, in tlie case of Chinese Magnolias, is while the flower is
in full bloom. There is a sluggishness in the spongy texture of the
Magnolia roots which, like that of the roots of evergreens, needs
wanning up before transplanting can be attempted with the greatest
certainty of success.

Mr. THOM.iS Hogg in the " Gardeners' IMonthly " explains to
Professor .Sargent the difference between " introduced " and "first
introduced," and calls attention to the fact tliat Cercidophyllum is
spelt Cercidiiihyllum in Miguel's Flora Japonica. — " Moore's Rural."

Trees and Shrubs for Lawns.— In selecting tliese the

tendencyto follow mere fancies, ortouse only particular ami favourite
plants, must be kept in strict abeyance. Many and various plants
should be employed intelligently. Hardy deciduous trees, shruljs,
evergreens, herljaeeous and bedding plants, in short, everytliing
that conduces to the beauty of the lawn, nnist be united into one
harmonius whole. Doubtless there are occasions when a mass of
colour, obtained by using many plants of one kind, is desiral)le, but
generally a variety of plants and methods of combination is more
desirable. Tlie eye thus never becomes satiated, and iseverrenewinr'
its pleasure. But what is the actual condition of lawn-planting as
practised to-day in tlie case of myriads of small places throughout
the country — places, moreover, that belong to intelligent people ?
The entire collection consists frequently of a few fruit trees in the
background, an Elm, a Norway Spruce, an Arbor-vita^ hedge, with
a bed of the glowing Coleus. All these plants, be it noticed, are of
the most pronounced and coarsest type. Tliey may be and are valu-
able in suitalile positions or in other combinations, but are decidedly
ill-fitted for the interior of a small place, both from the character of
their beauty and their habit of excessive growth. We intend no
disrespect for either of these varieties, many of their qualities being,
in their own way, most admirable ; but we do say that if other and
good selections were made after studying parks or nurseries, fewer
jioor lawns woidd exist. Landscape gardening, or lawn-planting,
seems very difficult to some, and is i:iractieally considered a myth by
others. To one class we can only say, practise it yourself and diffi-
culties will soon disappear ; it has no arcana into which you cannot
pierce. To the other we answer, lawn-planting exists, and has its
assthetic laws, just as taste in general has definite laws. — S. Pae.soxs,
in "Scribner."

Effects of the Frost in Devon.— Plants that have stood

out-of-doors for years here, such as Veronicas, Euonymuses, large
Fuchsias, &c., in good situations, have this winter been killeil to
the ground. Laurustinuses are also much injured ; young stock of
them in the nursery have not had a green leaf left on them. Myrtles
on the house walls too are quite bare, but are now breaking freely.
Rhododendron Dalhousianum is much injured, and looks very badly
while R. cinnabarinum, a coloured plate of which appeared in The
Garden a few mouths ago, is quite uninjured, and is again in full
bloom ; R. Thomsoni and R. campylocarjjum are also unhurt. Our
large plants of Dracaena australis, from 14 ft. to 15 ft. high, with
clean stems from 9 ft. to 10 ft. in height, are not even browned ; on
the contrary, tliey are growing vigorously, and in the case of one of
them several gi-owths are bursting from the main stem ; these unpro-
tected were killed to the ground in 1866, and my neighbours have
had theirs killed this year. I saved mine by well pro-
tecting their stems with sti-aw bands, tightly and neatly bound
round from the ground upwards as far as possible, and then I
thatched with straight Wheat straw, in order to keep them quite
dry, leaving all the dead under leaves on to protect the top of the
straw. I treated two plants of Dicksonia autarctica in the same

way ; their leaves were quite killed, but the larger of the two is un-
folding healthy fronds, but the other, a much smaller plant, I fear
will not start. They were planted within a few feet of each other.
Both the Ferns and Draesena will repay tlie little trouble which it
takes to protect them, as these and Palms give a place quite a tropical
character. I protected Chama^rops Fortunei in the same way, but
probably it would have stood uninjured without that attention. One
of the most beautiful shrubs now in flower here is Pyrus (Mains)
floribunda, every plant of which in all sorts of places is loaded
with blossom, which in the bud state is most beautiful. This Pyrus
gi'ows freely, and should be freely planted along with the best Thorns
for ornamental effect. No Hawthorn here is yet in flower, a
circumstance which shows the lateness of the season, as Hawthorns
are generally in full bloom here the second week in May. — John
G.\RLAND, Kilkrton, Exeif.r.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

GRAPES FROM EYES RAISED THE SAME YEAR.

That Vines can be induced to fruit the same year in which they are
raised from eyes has often been proved, and the fact that they will
do so is instructive, inasmucli as it shows the wonderful inclination
which the Vine has to produce fruit, and its disposition to conform
to varied treatment. But beyond this, as far as either my own
experience goes and that of others who have tried the plan, it has
nothing to recommend it, for the weight of fruit obtainable is too
small compared with tlie length of time during which the Vines
require room and attention. 'Take, for instance, a case where new
houses have been erected, with no old Iiome-gTown Vines at hand to
fill them. If tlie grower were to raise his own from eyes and have
many more than he required, and if he were to fruit a portion in the
way described, he would require a separate house or pit for the
work, as it scarcely need be pointed out that the permanent Vines
wouM want to have their growth matured and their leaves off by
the time tliose in fruit had ripened their crop. If, instead of this,
he were to buy fruiting Vines, so as to have double the number
required for permanently occupying the space and fruit the super-
numeraries, tlie extra weight of fruit obtainable in this way over
fruiting from the current year's raised Vines would more than com-
pensate for the cost. " J. S. W." is wrong in instancing what
Mr. Hardie did, as regards ripening a croj) before the close of the
year in which the houses were completed and the Vines planted in
April, because the Vines, instead of being raised that year from eyes,
were, I believe, very strong ones of the previous year's growth. I
have before me the account given at tlie time, which says the Vines
(Muscats) were furnished by Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, Chester ;
they were cut down to within 3 ft. of the ground, and planted in
April ; tliey quickly reached the top of the house strong and healthy,
some of them nearly 1 in. in diameter ; the tops were then cut off,
and all tlie laterals taken out ; they then started again, and were
allowed to carry an average of nine bunches each. This was thought
at the time to be a great feat, but, without the slightest disposition
to disparage, I fancy most Grape growers failed to see it, or to
approve of young permanent Vines being so treated. Premature
cropping is always condemned, but here it was carried out in a most
exhausting form. Most likely this was one of the numerous
instances that occur in which present exigencies demanded more
consideration than tlie future ; nevertheless, an equal result might
have been obtained by other means. So far, however, as gi'owing
Grapes from Vines of the current year's raising is concerned, I can-
not look upon it as anything more than a cultural curiosity, for the
simple reason that a better return may be obtained in other
ways. T. Baines.

— ■ — I remember well the circumstance referred to by "J. S. W."
(p. 40.3) and also the interest created by Dr. Lindley's congratulatory
remarks upon the subject. I also recollect a visit which I paid, ia
company with others, to the gardens in question, situated at Wells,
in Norfolk, for the purpose of seeing these Vines the following spring.
Jlr. Hardie had then left the place, and was, I believe, on his way
to Egypt. That was, I think, about eighteen or nineteen years ago.
The Vines were planted .along the front of the house — a lean-to one
— and trained up tlie rafters in the w.ay usually followed in the ease
of permanent Vines, and the canes were of about average size and
strength. The object had been to break the upper half of the rods,
fruit them, and then prune the fruiting ends away, and break the
lower portion for the following j'ear. But the Vines had evidently
not taken kindly to the treatment ; for, although the first part of the
system was carried out, the second part, at the time of our visit,
looked very much like a failure. The truth is, we cannot eat our
cake and keep it too. The conclusion to which we came, after com-
paring notes, was that it was not a system likely to become general.

May 31, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

441

and, in fact, there w<as nothing heard of tlie Vines at Wells after-
wards ; but if I understand "J. S. W.'s" iire\'ious communications,
his remarks liave ajiplied more to pot culture than to permanent
Vines, and it is obvious that the two are not on the same level. With
high culture, it may be apjjlied to the former with a fair amount of
success, but high pressure work of this kind applied to Vines must
destroy their permanent character. E. Hobday.

PIXCHING ORCHAED HOUSE TREES.

Some of your readers who are amateur cultivators of orchard house
trees may not be quite cerfciin as to the proper lengths to which the
shoots should lie pinched. The accompanying illustration represents
a sketch of a shoot from one of my forced trees — a Nectarine. The
first pruning, I find from exjjerience, should be at the fifth leaf, as a
general rule ; the sketch will, I think, sufficiently explain my
meaning ; it is intended as a guide for tlie practice of pot culture.
My forcing house of trees in pots is now full of fruit well advanced.
The weather which we have experienced during the past winter and
spring, will, I hope, have convinced the most incredulous that,
although Peach gi'owing out-of-doors may have been carrieil to a
jiitch of ]ierfection by our ancestors, it is a painful task to their pos-
terit}'. Happily, tlic cold storms and nijjping frosts arc harmless to

Shoot of Nectarine pinched for the fU-st time.

troes under glass, a luxury which we can enjoy. My trees both on
trellises and in pots are crowded with fruit, and one house, twenty-
five j'eai-s old, is as productive as ever it was.
Hawbrulijcworth. T. Francis Rivers.

NOTES AM) QUESTIONS ON THE TEUIT GAEDEN.
Artificial Heat for Vine Borders.— "J. S. W." objects

(p. 3.">8) to leaves as proof that good Grapes may be grown without
the aiil of fermenting materials on Vine bordera, and yet he knows
as well, or better than most people, that the size and condition of
the foliage is the surest index as to the state of the Vines, which
any one could furnish, and ought to be far more satisfactory than a
bunch of uurijie Grapes. If I had sent unripe fruit, "J. S. W."
might have raised an objection to that ; but if he requires additional
proof of what I stated, I shall have much pleasure in bringing that
forward later in the season. I may state that the Vines from which
the leaves in question were cut are, and have always been, in an
outside border, and are now about twenty years old. At one time I
used to apply lieat to the border, but I have long since given it up,
as I was of opinion then, as I am now, that it is productive of more
harm than good. — S. D.

In reference to the remarkson this subject, permitme to suggest

that those of your correspondents who give us their opinions should
state : 1. How many years their Vines have been forced. 2.
At what time the fruit is usually ripe. 3. The nature of the soil,
whether light or heavy. For my own part, having had to supply
Grapes in May during the last twelve years, I have found a moderate
covering of warm manure and leaves applied to the roots very bene-

ficial, but I should be glad to dispense with the labour entailed
thereby could I only get satisfactory evidence of its not being re-
quired. I would venture to suggest, however, that Vines that have
not been forced for say three years, so as to have ripe Grapes in May,
should not by any means be allowed as evidence in the matter, as
Grapes ripe after that month cannot be called early in the true
sense of the term. As to " S. D.'s " remarks (p. 373) on the Vines
which produced the foliage which he sent for inspection, I do not
see what bearing they have on the subject further tlian to show that
his V^ines produce fine foliage, which I admit is in some cases,
not in all, associated with good fruit. However, to jiut the matter
to a practical test, permit me to ask "S. D." to send up to The
Garden' Office, during the month of June, two average bunches of
Grapes from his Vines, and I will undertake to do the same from
Vines that have been treated with artificial heat at the roots. I may
mention, too, that the Vines from which my fiuit will be cut have
produced ripe Grapes in .June during the last three years, and that
they have been heavily cropped, a fact that can ije attested by
several of your readers. — H. J. C, Orimxtoii.

For nine long j'ears have I always had manure and leaves

to the depth of from ii ft. to 3 ft. thick on the border of my second
early house, and also on the border of the Muscat house, and I kept
them regularly turned to keep all sweet, and I have always been re-
warded with good crops of fairly good (irapes : still, the bunches
never came np to my standard, being loose and too long. Some, I
know, will say. Oh, the wood was not ripe ; but it was ripe and solid.
I therefore this season altered my usual course, and merely pro-
tected the border witli dry straw, and the result is a magnificent
show of close, compact, but not little bundles now, May 9, thinned.
I therefore feel certain that warm roots have a tendency to make
bundles long and straggling, and I shall never again warm a Vine
border, so much satisfied am I with the result in an opposite direction.
— U. Gilbert, Biinihlc;/.

New Plan of Filling a House with Vines.— Mr. Baines

has, he tells us, tried this plan more than once and failed, but tliat is
no reason why others should fail also. If ht will honour me with a
call now, I will give him a chance of picking out this Vine from the
others, if he can, by any excess of vigour at the top, and weakness
at the bottom, or elsewhere, which he says are the results of the
practice. Not only is this Vine equal to the others in the house as
regards equalisation of vigour among the branches, and their regular
distribution from top to bottom, but it is better than some of them.
I will also show him a number of other Vines of different varieties
that have been treated in the same way, but which have not such a
length of roil, and to which the same remarks apply ; and in the case
of all the experiment has been going on for nine or ten years, a longer
period, perhaps, than ilr. Baines' experiments extended over. As to
the plan of cutting down Vines to the bottom wire the first year,
and leaving a few feet of wood every year afterwards, I said it was
the usual plan, and so it is, but I did not say it was the best plan
under all circumstances, or recommended it. It may be slow for
ilr. Baines, but if he will turn to my articles on the Vine in the early
numbers of The G.^rdex he will there find as expeditious a method
of raising and fruiting Vines recommended as lie ever probably prac-
tised. It is a noticeable feature of Mr. Baines' Grape-gi'owing
experiments that he has more to say about his neiglibours' than his
own success, though it does not seem to be possible to suggest any-
thing in connection with the subject that he has not tried and settled
beyond all question, even so long ago that he only reveals his secrets
when he finds they are no longer worth keeping. Will Mr. Baines
state any one case, and where he has seen the system tried, and give
particulars of the experiment ? — J. Simpson".

The Apple Blossom. — In a large orchard in North Hants I
observed the other day at least one-half of the Apple bloom as good
as killed by frost ere it had expanded its petals ; the style and the
fniit germ were as black as one's hat. This orchard was situated in
a dry, airy position, and consideraldy elevated. It may, however,
turn out that such mischief is but local, as on returning home I ex-
amined the trees here, and found no trace of damage. It is worthy
of note that Pear blossom is, within a short distance of tlie orchard
in question, marvellously abundant and (juite unhurt ; indeed, whilst
the Apple bloom is comparatively abundant, the Pear bloom is nn-
usually so, and heavy crops may be looked for. In the metropolitan
market gardens Black Currants are spoken of as being thin, but most
other fruits are promising, although more than that it is not yet safe
to predict. — A. D.

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Strawberry.— After

seeing the grand examples of this Strawberry produced at Heckfield,
wliere it is chiefly grown for forcing purposes, I am surprised to find
that some still speak unfavourably of it. There it produces as fine
fruit as President and of better flavour, and the crop is half as large
again as that of President. Bufta o-uorn manure is incorporated

442

THE GARDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

with the soil in which the Strawberries are grown, and another
element of success is the securing of good early runners. In winter
the plants are stored so that the balls do not get dry, and therefore
they lose none of their roots, which they do in the dry-as-dust plan
of wintering. The pots are plunged during winter in ashes or
leaves, thus giving the roots some protection, Ijut in otiier respects
they are allowed to take their chance. — A. D.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

Saxifraga Wallace!. — This handsome Saxifrage, to which
we had occasion to refer last season when in flower, is now very
attractive in several collections, notably those at Kew and in Messrs.
Osborn & Sons' nursery at Fulham. It is apparently unknown in
herbaria ; hence its provisional name lias not been authenticated nor
its affinities explained, but it is, for horticultural purposes, very dis-
tinct from any other cultivated kind. It is in tlie way of the fine
Algerian S. iSIaweana, and, in our opinion, is much superior to it, as
it is far more robust and lessdifficult to manage, besides lieing earlier,
freer as regards flowering, and very easily propagated. In one point
it difi'ers from S. Maweana, viz., in not developing the small, round
l^uds during the summer, which is such a marked characteristic of
the latter kind, and which is very detrimental to it under culture,
as it often gets thrown away as dead by the uninitiated. — W. G.

Cattleya Reineckiana. — We last week saw a flower of this
extremely rare and charming t^attleya, from Sir Trevor Lawrence's
collection, at Burford Lodge, Dorking. It belongs to the Mossise
section. The indiWdual bloom measured 7i in. across ; the sepals and
petals are of great substance, and of the purest white. The higher
jjart of the labellum at the point where it begins to unfold is suffused
with lemon, below wliich is a large blotcli of vivid purple, the margin
being Iieautifully fringed. A few examples of the plant were intro-
duced many years ago, but in such limited numbers, tliat comparatively
few Orchid gi-owers have seen it in bloom ; and it was at one time
supposed to be lost. We know of no species in this showy family
that surpasses it in beavity. — P. 6.

Petraea volubilis. — One of the greatest ornaments in the large
conservatory in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, is this
beautiful and now little-known climber, which is an old introduction
from Vera Cruz. It ranks, without doubt, amongst the finest stove
climbers which we jjossess, as it is easily grown and scarcely ever
fails to produce a crop of delicate mauve, star-like blossoms, which
hang in long racemes in gi'aceful profusion, and continue in beauty
for a considerable time. A coloured illustration of it appeared in
The Garden, Vol. XII., Plate LXXXIL— W.

Muscari paradoxum. — In the note given in our last fissile
(p. 424) we mentioned that the Muscari which we received from
Colchester under this name was not the true plant, according to
Mr. Baker. We are now asked to correct this statement, which is
described as an error. This, however, we cannot do, as the plant
sent to us is certainly not identical with Muscari paradoxum contri-
buted to the Kew collection by Dr. Regel, which flowered for the
first time last year, and which was authenticated at the time by
Jlr. Baker. The true plant is so well marked and distinct from any
other cultivated species that it may be recognised at a glance ;
indeed, if we mistake not, it is still doubtful as to whether it is not
generically distinct from tlie other species of Muscari. The specimen
from Colchester is apparently identical with M. compactum of Baker,
though the material is not at hand to enable us to settle the point ;
however, the same species we noticed a day or two since in the Kew
collection flowering by the side of the true jjlant, having been recently
contributed from a well-known nursery, and not yet revised. The
following short description of the true M. paradoxum will suffice
to distinguish it from others : Bulb larger than that of other kinds ;
leaves three, about 9 in. long, 1 in. to j in. wide, quite erect, deeply
channelled, and bright green ; flower-stem 6 in. to 9 in. long, ter-
minated by a dense raceme of small, oblong flowers, blue-black in
colour, and exhajing a faint scent. It is a native of the Caucasus. —
W. G.

bhrubs in Flower at Coombe Wood.— A fine feature

just now in Messi's. Veitch & Son's luirsery at Coombe Wood is the
flowering sjiecimens of Magnolias belonging to the deciduous group,
especially the beautiful M. Lennei, of which we gave a coloured
illustration in The G.\bdex (Vol. IX., plate XXIV.). It is jjer-
fectly hardy and flowers very freely. It is not often tliat we meet
with any Australian Protead flowering in the open air in this
country, but here may be seen fine examples of the pretty Rosemary-
leaved Grevillea (G. rosmarinifolia) in full bloom. Its curious red
flowers are borne jwofusely amiilst the dense evergreen leaves, which
are narrow and very rigad, and from 1 in. to 2 in. long. Pyrus

Maulei, figured in The Gakdex (Vol. XIII., p. 390), is also beauti-
fully in flower. The Coombe Wood specimens are dwarf in habit,
and proiluce their orange -scarlet blossoms in abundance, succeeded
by numerous briglit orange and red fruits. Daphne Cneorum, though
an old and well-known dwarf shrub, still ranks amongst the most
beautiful of spring flowering plants. The deep rosy tint of the
blossoms, the profusion with wliich they are produced, added
to their delicious perfume, especially when planted in masses, render
it a very desiralile plant for every garden. With blossoms of a
similar colour and equally as free flowering is the Glaucous-leaved
Kalmia (K. glauca), a very showy kind, well deserving of more
extended culture both out-of-doors and for early forcing. Polygala
Cham.-ebuxus is here quite at home and flowering profusely, though
not so showy as its rose-coloured variety. The various species of
Ledum will soon form an interesting feature, as well as the numerous
masses of Rhododendrons which thrive so admirably at this nursery.
— G.

Hardy Orchids at Kew.— In one of the open borders in the
herbaceous ground the following species are now in flower, viz.,
Serapias cordigera, a beautiful South European kind, the blossoms
of which have he.art-shaped lips of a rich claret colour ; S. lingua
differs from this in having a tongiie-shaped narrow lip, but it is
similar in colour ; Ophrys Speculum is a strikingly beautiful species,
the lip of whicli shines like burnished steel, and is bordered with
rich brown velvet ; 0. aranifera and 0. fusca are also very singular
but not prettily marked kinds ; Orchis provincialis, with creamy-
white blossoms copiously spotted with brown, is also very elegant.
The various kinds of hardy Cypripedium ai-e thriving vigorously, and
the North American C. pubescens is already bearing handsome
yellow-lipped blossoms.

New Masdevallia. — A JNIasdevallia of the Chirafera group is
now blooming in the York Nurseries. The flower measures 10 in.
from tip to tip, ground colour very pale, nearly white, richly and
heavily spotted all over with claret-purple. Each segment, especi-
ally at the margins, is sliaggy, with rough coai'se hairs, giving the
flower a novel and extraordinary effect. The "tails" are deep
purple. We understand that of this Masdevallia one plant only has
yet been seen, and that a portion of it is to be offered for sale at
Stevens' this week (29th inst.). Professor Reichenbach, to whom a
flower has been sent, provisionally names it Masdevallia Back-
housiana.

A New Allium (A. kurataviense). — This novelty from Turkes-
tan is now in flower in the open borders at Kew, but it is not such a
desirable plant as tlie figaire given of it a short time since in Regel's
" Gartenflora " would lead one to suppose, as the flowers are of a dull,
livid purple tint, and not at all showy. It is, ho-rfever, very Ijeautif ul
in foliage, especially when the leaves first unfold, as they are from
2 in. to 4 in. broad, have several longitudinal ribs, and are of a deep
glaucous-green colour, bordered with bright red. Tlie whole plant
does not exceed 9 in. in height. — W. G.

Alpinia nutans. — This remarkably handsome plant is now
finely in flower in the Palm House, at Kew. It belongs to the now
much neglected family of Scitaminea;. It is Canna-like in habit, has
bold foliage and stems, from 6 ft. to 8 ft. high, terminating with
drooping racemes of blossoms, which have much the appearance of
those of an Orchid, being of firm waxy texture, whitish on the out-
side, and having a heart-shaped lip of a rich orange colour, heavily
pencilled with orange-red.

New Hardy Rhododendron. — Mr. Luscombe has shown us

a cut specimen of a beautiful seedling Rhododendron, the result of a
cross, effected at Combe Royal, between R. Fortunei and Thomsoni.
Its trusses of flowers, and also the individual blooms, are large and
showy, the colour being a delicate rosy -pink, paler in the centre than
at the edges or back of the flower. It has bloomed freely in
Mr. Luscombe's garden in the open air.

Xanthoceras SOrbifolia.^This lovely Chinese shrub will
shortly be in flower in Messrs. Veitch & Son's nursery at Coombe
Wood. An interesting fact in connection with it is that it has with-
stood the past winter with impunity, though quite unprotected and
in rather a Ideak position. It will be found well figured in The
Garden (Vol. VIII., p. 524), accompanied by an engraving of the
fruit.— W.

Ochna multifllora. — We noticed a very remarkable stove shrub
bearing tlie aljove name in one of the collections shown the other
day at South Kensington by Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway, but
whether it he correct with regard to its nomenclature or not we are
unable at present to ascertain. The specimen in question was in a
fruiting state, and the numerous clusters of pea-like fruits airanged
in a circular manner on a fleshy bright red disc with the reflexed
calyx segments of the same colour had a very pretty effect, especially
when contrasted with the bright gi-een foliage. — W.

SIat 31, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

443

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE LILAC MOTH.
(geacillaeia syeingella.)

This beautiful little insect, when in the caterpillar state, is often a
great annoyance in gardens by spoiling the foliage of the Lilac
bushes. Tlie leaves, when attacked by them, wither and crumple
up, which gives the buslies a most dismal appearance. The moths
are very common and mdely distributed ; they make their first
appearance in ilay, and lay their eggs on the young leaves of the
Lilac as soon as the buds ojjen ; they may again be found in July
and September, for there are three broods during the season. As
soon as the eggs are hatched, the caterpillars make their way, some-
times severaltogetlier, between tlie upper and lower skius of tlie
leaves, and feed on the parenchyma or interior substance of the leaf,

Gracillaria s>TmgeUa.

which soon withers and shrivels up. As soon as the caterpillars can
obtain no more nourishment from the leaf, they reappear on the sur-
face and move to other leaves. They then provide themselves with
a shelter by rolling up a leaf, or by fastening two or tln-ee leaves
together mth silken threads ; thus protected from the weather and
many other enemies, they feed principally upon the upper surface
of the leaves that surround them. They attain their full size in
about a month, and then, leaving their habitations, let themselves
dow-n by threads in search of a suitable place where they can undergo
their change to the chrysalis state. Having found "a convenient
position under a leaf, or in some crevice in the bark, they each spin
a small oval cocoon round themselves, witliin which they become
clirysalides. In this state the insects remain for ten days or a fort-
night, when the moths emerge from the cocoon, and soon begin to
lay their eggs, which are hatched in due course, and the second
brood of caterpillars begin their work of destruction. This gene-
ration attains the perfect state in September. Again eggs are laid,
b ut he transformations of this brood are not completed until the
following spring, as tlie insects remain in the chrysalis state during
the winter, the perfect insects appearing in May. The best way of

getting nd of this pest is to gather all the leaves which are
attacked as soon as the injury is perceived, and to destroy them Ijy
burumg or burying them ; by this means the numbers in the fol-
lowing generations will be considerably diminished. The cater-
pillars sufi'er much from the attacks of ichneumons, who find them
out even when they have made themselves most secure. The moths
are so small, that they are very difficult to find ; if in great numbers it
might be worth while to sliake the boughs occasionally, and capture
any moths which are disturbed ^ith an ordinary'butterfiy net, or they
may be shaken into an open umlirella. This insect belongs to the
group of moths called Tineiua, Mhicli contains a large number (about
650) of British species. They are mostly very small ; some, indeed,
only measure 2-lOths of an inch across their wings wlien fully
expanded. The colouring of these moths is often exceedingly bril-
liant, some appearing as if they were most richly gilded ; their wings
are all long and narrow, and are usually very deeply fringed ; their
anteunaj are long and delicate, and not toothed in any way ; in some
species they are very long, and are more than four times the length
of the insect. The caterpillars of many species mine in the leaves of
various plants ; others form portable coverings of the substances on
wliicli they feed, whicli tliey carry with them. The moths whose
cateii5illars are the little gi-ubs which do so much damage to furs
and woollen articles belong to this family. The moths of the genus
Gracillaria may generally be recognised when at rest by the very
peculiar way in which they sit, with their heads very much raised.
The Lilac moth measures about J in. across the open wings (in the
figure it is represented considerably magnified), which are very
naiTow in comparison with their length ; the upper pair are lirowu,
with several wliitish markings and various streaks of brownisli gold,
and are deeply fringed ; tlie lower wings are pale gi-eyish-brown,
with very deep fringes. The antenna; are longash and very delicate.
The caterjiillar is about 2-lOths of an inch long, and is of a gi-eenish-
wliite colour with a darker liead. The body is composed of twelve
joints, and is furnished with seven pairs of legs ; one pair on each of
tlie first tlu-ee, and on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and last joints.
The cocoon is composed of whitish silk, and contains a brown
chrysalis. G. S. S.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

CRYSTAL PALACE.
May 24.

ATtliis the great summer exhibition held on Saturday last the principal
featiu'es were some exrjuisite gi'oups of Roses, a brilliant collection
of Clematises from the ^^'oking Nursery, showy gi-oups of Azaleas,
and the usual well-gi'own stove and greenhouse plants. Tuberous-
rooted Begonias, too, were very attractive, and admirably exempli-
fied what rapid strides have been made within the past few years in
regard to the improvement of this showy class of plants. Miscella-
neous plants were numerous and varied, and received their full share
of attention, amongst the most notewortliy being tastefully arranged
mixed gToups from Messrs. B. S. Williams and Messrs. John Laing
& Co., and a pretty gToup witli umbrella fountain above in terra
cotta from Jlessrs. Dick Radclifl'e & Co., to all of which extra jjrizes
were awarded.

First-class Certificates were awarded to the following new-
plants —

Adiantum "Williamsi (Williams). — An elegant Fern from the
mountains of Peru. It grows about 9 in. high, and has spreading
fronds, the ])innules of wliich are membranous and of a briglit green
colour. A decided acquisition to our lists of greenhouse Ferns.

Cupania elegantissima (Williams). — A gi-aceful plant about
lA ft. high, with pinnate leaves of finn texture, resembling those of
a Cycad. A useful decorative table i)laiit.

G-eonoma gracilis robusta (Williams). — Asits varietal name
implies, this Palm is more robust in gTowth than the type, and is
also a graceful decorative plant of easy culture.

Croton Henryanum (Williams). — A variety of bold habit,
with ovate leaves prettily mottled with gTeen and creamy-yellow.

Sarracenia "Williamsi (Williams). — An interesting hybrid
partaking of the habit of S. flava and >S. purpurea, with leaves from
9 in. to 12 ill. high, erect, the lid of the pitcher-like leaves
measuring about 3 in. across ; light green in colour, veined with
crimson, especially on the upper half of the leaves.

Croton 'Williamsi (Williams). — A handsome form of good
habit and free gi'owth, -viith large oblong leaves richly-coloured with
green and yellow, and streaked %vith crimson.

Begonia altheseflora (Laing). — A beautiful double-flowered
variety, witli blossoms resembling those of a Hollyhock in miniature
and of a red-cerise colour, A very desirable acquisition.

444

THE GAEDEN.

[May 31, 1879.

Begonia Maude Churchill (Laing).— A variety with richly-
marked foliage, and large, roundisli, orange-coloured flowers tinted
on tlie outside. It is dwarf and very vigorous in habit.

Calceolaria Crystal Palace (Ford).— A remarkably fine

variety, producing tine trusses and very large blossoms.

In addition to the foregoing, the following, which have received
certificates elsewhere, and whicli have been previously described in
our columns, also obtained first-class certificates, viz., Comtesse H.
de Choiseul (Laing), Marie Bouchet (Laing), J. H. Laing (Laing),
Mamillaria forniosa (Boiler), M. filifera (Boiler).

Miscellaneous Plants.— A superb group of pot Rosea from
the C'heshunt Xurscries was a great source of attraction, and cer-
tainly the plants composing it were perfect models of cultural skill.
A grand plant of Cliarles Lawson measured from 7 ft. to 8 ft. across,
and was literally covered with deep rose blossoms of good form.
Celine Forestier was of similar dimensions, and equally well flowered.
The other vai-ieties were the blush-tinted Souvenir d'un Ami,
Madame de St. Joseph, the deep, rich-coloured Victor Verdier,
Dr. Andry, Beauty of Waltliam, Edward Morren, and Anna Alexieff,
all large, admirably grown, and well staged. The prizes offered in the
class for eighteen only brought out one collection, and that was from
the Slough Nurseries ; it was arranged in two gi-oups. The plants of
which it consisted were not large, but many of them wei-e well
flowered, and deservedly much admired. The Azaleas foi-med a very
prominent feature, the classes being numerous and well filled. The
group of nine plants from amateurs, to which the first prize was
awarded, was particularly fine, as tlie specimens were not only
■well flowered, but the flowers individually large. The other entries
merited no comment, with the exception of a collection of eighteen
plants from the Slougli Nurseries, to which a first prize was awarded.
The plants were not large in size, but the flowers were unusually
large and higlily coloured.

Stove and gi-eenliouse plants were numerous, and comprised some
remarkable e.xamples of skilful culture, especially in tlie amateurs'
class for nine, in the first prize gTOup of wliich were very fine plants
of the yellow-flowered Erica Cavendishi and E. depressa, profusely
flowered specimens of Acrophyllum venosum, the showy-looking
Statice profusa, and a huge plant of Ixora coccinea, covered witli
large clusters of orange-scarlet blossoms. The next group in point of
merit were large well-flowered specimens of Azaleas and a superb
plant of Imantophyllum miniatum. The exhibits in the nurserymen's
class were scarcely so good as we have seen, though the nine plants
from the Kingston Nurseries comprised well-grown plants, most of
wliich we noticed last week. In the first prize collection of six from
amateurs. Erica ventricosa, Epacris Eclipse, Azalea Perryana, and
A. Iveryana were prominent examples of good culture. Fine
foliaged jilants were remarkably well shown, especially those from
amateurs ; the nine which gained the highest award comprised
Croton interruptum, C. variegatum, C. Wiesmanni, Gleiclienia semi-
vestita, Basylirion glaucum, Ai'eca sapida, Latania borbonica, and
Zaniia Lehmanni, all plants in good condition, 'the best plants in
the second prize lot were Dieftenbachia Bausei, Anthurium crystal-
linum, Croton variegatum, and the prettily mottled-leaved Spathi-
phyllum pictum. In an extra prize collection were Gymnogramma
gigantea in fine condition ; Alocasia metallica, and Diefl'enbachia
picta ; the last of a size rarely seen and unusually vigorous. Heaths
were badly i-epresented in botli classes, and merit no comment.
Draca;nas were shown numerously and in the form of good speci-
mens, including besides many of the finest hybrids, the ornamental
D. Goldieana, whicli makes an excellent exliibition plant.

Orchids were not numerous, but amongst tliem were a few ex-
cellent plants. A grand mass of PhaLTiiopsis grandiflora with ten
spikes of flowers was especially noteworthy ; also Vanda suavis with
eight spikes. The pretty Dendrobium Falconeri, well flowered, and
the gorgeous Cattleya Meudelli were much admired.

Crotons were also numerous, but with the exception of the first
prize collection they were not very remarkable. Tlie former contained
large and well-coloured plants of C. volutum, Youiigi, magesticiim,
trilobum, interruptum, multicolor, Cooperi, Hendersoni, and angusti-
foliuni, of a size rarely seen at an exhibition.

Ferns were but scantily shown, there being but one entry in
each class, and none of these were very noteworthy.

Begonias were shown in admirable condition and in the form
of large specimens, especially the group from the Stanstead Park
Nurseries, which gained the highest award. The best varieties
amongst them were Massange de Louvrex, Jladame Oscar Lamarche,
J. W. Farrand, Calypso, Cleopatra, Baronne Hruby, and Thomas Bell.

Pelargoniums were well shown, though not abundantly,
those from the gardens at Redlees and the Slough Nurseries fully
maintaining their supremacy.

Calceolarias were remarably fine, and one variety in particular
named Crystal Palace, to which a first-class certificate was awarded,
was the finest that we have yet seen. Hardy flowers were, as usual,
shown badly ; the only collection staged came from the Tooting
Nurseries, the best plants being Dielytra spectabilis, Spirjea japonica,
Narcissus Bulbocodium, and Iris nudicaulis.

EOYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
GREAT SUMMER EXHIBITION, May 27 to 30.

This, the most important meeting at South Kensington during the
season, was opened on Tuesday last, and, notwithstanding the un-
propitious state of the weather on the opening day, a numerous
company visited the exhibition during the afternoon. The usual
spacious tent and a supplementary one leading from it to the entrance
of the Council-room were crowded with floral treasures, and at a
glance we were at once convinced that in point of number and gene-
ral excellence of tlie exhibits, they quite equalled those shown on
former occasions, and their arrangement on the gTacefuUy undulating
surfaces under the large tent left nothing to be desired, as, viewed
from any point, the effect was charmingly picturesque, though the
absence of the usual central group was conspicuous, as hitherto it had
been a prominent feature, but this desideratum on this occasion was
apparently unavoidable.

First-class Certificates were awarded to the following
plants : —

Fritillaria recurva (Elwes). — A species from California, and
one of the most beautiful of all the cultivated kinds. Its steins grow
from S in. to 9 in. high, and are terminated by several drooping bell-
shaiied blossoms, which have recurved segments varying iif colour
from pale reddish-orange to bright orange, copiously spotted in the
inside with bright red in the finest varieties.

Cypripedium pubescens majus (F.lwes).- A large-
flowered form of this handsome hardy Lady's-slipper, and a very
desirable acquisition for the bog garden rfnd other damp places.

Amaryllis Lady Louisa Egerton (Speed).— A pretty

variety bearing an iiinbel of large flowers having reflexed segments,
blush-white, heavily streaked with deep magenta.

Azalea pontica Graf Von Moran (Veitch).— A. delicate

blush-tinted variety, very similar in form to the singular kind called
iiarcissitlora, to which we have previously referred.

Gloxinia Duke of Connaught (Veitch).— A pretty addi-
tion to dark crimson-flowered kinds, tlie blossoms of which are of
good form, edged round the top with white.

Croton Evansianum (Veitch).— .\ handsome novelty, good
in habit, and having bold foliage, somewhat trilobud in form, and
richly variegated with yellow and crimson and various shades of green.

Azalea Madeline (Turner).— A first-rate variety, with flowers
of fine form and large size, and pure white in colour, spotted with
pale green, and remarkably free both in growth and flowering.

Besides these, several other novelties were exhibited, amongst
which were Primrose Cloth of Gold (Carter), a sulphur-coloured
double-flowered variety ; Magnolia Soulangeana nigTa (Veitch), a
dark flowered form, with wdiieh were cut blooms of type for com-
parison ; Azalea mollis Arthur de Warelly (Veitch), a pretty bright
yellow-flowered kind ; Draciena Laingd (Veitch), a handsome table
plant ; Pelargonium Baroness Burdett Coutts (Sawyer) ; Clematis
Blushing Bride, the double-flowered variety of languinosa, and
Begonia metallica var. (Dixon).

A cultural commendation was awarded to Dendrobium Falconeri,
and a couple of small plants in flower of the Nepalese Poppy (Meco-
nopsis nepalensis) from Chiswick were highly commended.

The class for twelve new plants w^as represented by three exhibi-
tors. The best came from Mr. Bull, who furnished a grand mass of
Dracaena Goldieana, fine plants of D. Willsi, Diefl'enbachia Shuttle-
worthi, Anthurium Veitchi, very fine examples of Nephrolepis Dutfi,
Loniaria discolor var. bipinnatifida, and Croton roseo-pictum ;
Cycads were represented by Eiicephalartos Friderici-Ciuilielmi,
Bowenia spectabilis var. serrulata, E. Hildebrandi, and the elegant
fine-leaved Palm, Thrinax barbadensis, and a fine pan of the bril-
liant-flowered Ha;niantlius Kalbreyeri, which quite enlivened the
whole gToup. The next collection in order of merit came from Mr.
Wills, wdio had good plants of Croton Queen Victoria and C. Prince
of Wales, Pritchardia gTandis, the graceful Draca;na Anerleyensis,
D. tenninalis allia, D. majestica, small plants of Nepenthes Courti,
Acalypha mosiaca, Dieffenbachia Shuttleworthi, and the novel-look-
ing Ficus Grelli semilata. Mr. Williams contributed a gi-oup con-
taining well-grown plants of Croton Prince of Wales, C. Williams,

May 31, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

445

and Microlepia hirta cristata, and the elegant Gleichenia dicarpa
longipinnata ; also Dracsna superba and Cupania elegantissima, the
bright-flowered Azaleas Mrs. Carmichael, Prime Minister, and others.
The prizes offered by Mr. Bull for plants sent out by him since 1876
brought forward three exhibitors in the amateurs' class, but the ex-
hibits were but of ordinary size. The first prize group contained
Draca?na Robinsouiana, D. Goldieana, D. \-i\-icans, and D. Rex, the
graceful Aralia filicifolia, Kentia Wendlandi, and Lomaria
Dalgairnsite, the prettily-variegated Croton Williamsi, C. Hen-
dersoni, and Dieffenbachia illinita. The second prize col-
lection included some of the preceding, in addition to Gymno-
theca Raddiana, Panax laciniatus, Pitcairnia platyphylla,
Chama;dorea formosa, Davidsonia pruriens, Croton Disraeli, and a
crested form of Pteris umbrosa. The next in point of merit con-
sisted of small examples of Brahea filamentosa, Dracrena amboynen-
sis, Croton Rex, Macrozamia Mackenzii, Gymnogr.amma Mertensi
var. Dobroydensis, and others just mentioned. In the nurserymen's
class there were two exhibitors ; the best came from Mr. Williams,
who had fine plants of Croton Disraeli, C. Williamsi, and Dracaena
Rex ; also smaller plants of Cibotium pruinatum, Kentia Wend-
landiana, Dieffenbachia Shuttleworthi, Dracania Robinsouiana,
Calyptronoma Swartzi, Sadleria cyatheoides, Croton princeps, and
Odontoglossum cirrhosum. The other grou]) was staged by Mr. Wills,
which comprised Gynmotheca Raddiana, Croton Challenger, David-
sonia pruriens, Croton Disraeli, Pheenix rupicola, Lomaria Dal-
gairnsi*, Enceplialartos Hildebrandi, in good plants ; and smaller
examples of Uioff'enbachia Chelsoni, Anthurium Veitchi, Panax
laciniatus, and a good pan of An;ectochilus couciunus.

Roses. — Of tliese there was a fine display. Mr. Turner, who
was first, furnished superb examples of Celine Forestier, Charles
Lawson, Duke of Edinburgh, Madame de St. Joseph, and others
scarcely less in size. The largest in Messrs. Paul & Son's collection
were Charles Lawson, Celine Forestier, Princess Mary of Cambridge,
and Juno, all of which were well-flowered and in vigorous healtli.
The highest award in the class for twenty was also won liy Jlessrs.
Paul & Son, whose group contained several large and well-bloomed
examples ; Mr. C. Turner and Messrs. H. Lane & Son, of Great
Berkhampstead, g.ained tlie other prizes respectively. The amateurs'
class for six was better filled tlian we have hitherto seen it, three
exhibitors having shown in it, and, though the plants were somewhat
small, they were examples of skilful culture, and well selected as to
variety. From Messrs. Veitch's establishment came a splendid and
numerous display of pot Roses, not for competition, including many
of the newer varieties. These were interspersed with plants of
Japanese Maples iu rich variety, from the undivided-leaved kinds to
the delicately-cut foliage of Acer dissectum and others, all varying
in colour, from a pale yellowish-green to a deep coppery tinge. The
efi'ect of this arrangement was charming, as the graceful contour of
the SLaples relieved the formal ajipearance of the trained Roses, the
gaudy tints of which were also toned down, as it were, by them.
Cut blooms of Roses were also contributed from tlie \\'.altliam Cross
and Cheshunt Nurseries, from which latter came also a group of pot
Hoses, not for competition, all of which were nuich admired.

Miscellaneous Plants Arranged for General Effect.—

In this class it need scarcely be mentioned that Mr. Willswasfirst. The
arrangement of his gi-oup was strikingly effective, though it diff"ered
mateinally from that designed by him last year, and which was so
much admired. It occupied a semi-circular position at the end of
the tent, and consisted of a background of tall Palms, Tree Ferns,
Cycads, &c., amongst -nliich the elegant le.aves of the tall Cocos
flexuosa had a pleasing effect ; from these the gentle slope on which the
group was an'anged was thickly carpeted with various kinds of plants,
from the common Creeping Jenny to the choicest Orchids, but though
arranged i romiscuously, all harmonised with eacli other clianningly.
A splendid plant of jSTepenthes Hookeri, with dozens of its jjundent
pitchers, was raised in the centre. Immediately Ijehind this was a
fine plant of Cocos Weddelliana, whose gi'aceful foliage admirably
contrasted with tliat of Phyllotienium Liudeni and other Aroids,
Dracienas, &c., the somewhat sombre foliage of wliich was relieved
by an undergi-owth of Calceolarias, Pelargoniums, (Gloxinias, Odonto-
glossum vexillarium, 0. Alexandrfe, and others all intermixed with
such elegant subjects as Adiantum gracillimum and A. cune.atum,
Drosera binata, with an edgingof Selaginella to hide the pots. The next
group in point of merit was that shown by Messrs. .John Laing & Co.,
which consisted of weU-grown Azaleas, Caladiums, Begonias, Palms,
Gloxinias, &c. An extra prize was awarded to Jlr. Aldous for a
group of a somewhat novel character, consisting of small Fems,
Palms, Deutzias, Lily of the Valley, and Spirfeas, with a predomi-
nance of double white Stocks, all arranged on a dense sloping bank.
The other gi-oups, though well disposed and containing many choice
subjects, re((uirc no comment, except that of Messrs. Veitch & Sons,
whose small but excellent collection of new and rare plants was
liighly interesting and much admired. Amongst them a collection of

insectivorous plants claimed considerable attention, as did also a
choice selection of Orchids, including the rare Epidendrum sjTinga;.
thyrsus, Dendrobium infundibulum, D. Bensona.', Aerides Veitchi,
and others ; also cut blooms of the quaint but beautiful hardy Iris
iberica, plants of Saxifraga pyramidalis, and an Azalea named
Flambeau, of a rich deep crimson. A grand liank of the finest varie-
ties of Clematis was showni from the Woking Nurseries, and was
desei i'cdly much appreciated, as the plants composing it were models
of high-class culture. A noticeable feature of this exhibition was
some plants arranged in boxes for windows, a purpose for which they
are admirably adapted and extremely eft'ective, as their habit is so
graceful and their colours so bright. A choice gi-oup of well-gi-own new
and rare jJants was shown by ilr. Williams in the long tent ; it con-
sisted of Dracaenas, Crotons, Palms, and other fine-foliaged and
flowering plants ; also a very fine mass of Coleus Kentish Fire.

Fine-foliaged Plants.— The am.iteurs' class for these was well
filled and the exhiljits good. The first prize group consisted of a
gi-and plant of Cycas revoluta, a highly-coloured and well-gi-own
specimen of Croton interruptum revolutum and variegatum, huge ex-
amples of Areca sapida, Latania borbonica, Zamia Lehmanni and
Dasylirion glaucum. Fine examples of Dieff'enbacliia Bausei, picta,
and Croton variegatum were conspicuous in the second prize gi-oup,
and a grand mass of Dieffenbachia picta in that which was third.
Ferns, which may be included iu this class, were remarkably fine ;
indeed, some of the plants in the gToup which gained the highest
award were of a size seldom seen, such as Todea superba, of which
a plant over a yard through was shown ; Gleichenia microphylla,
G. Mendelli, and Cibotium Scliiedei. The next in point of order con-
sisted of fine plants of Davallia Mooreana, Gleichenia glaucescens,
microphylla, Cyathea dealbata, and others. In the nurserymen's
class for six there w.as but one exhibitor, whose plants were of high-
class merit, comprising Gleichenia rupestris, Speluncte, a fine plant
of Adiantum Farleyense, Davallia Mooreana, and Alsophila excelsa.

Azaleas. — The competitive classes for these were numerously
represented both by amateurs and nurserymen ; the best eight in the
former being remarkably evenly matched, and perfect as regards
profusion and size of blossoms. In the nurserymen's class for eight
the higliest award went to tlie group from the Slougli Nurseries, the
plants in which, tliougli but of moderate size, bore \-ery fine flowers
in good variety and rich in colour. The open class for fifteen brought
six competitors, but even the first prize collection contained only
ordinary specimens.

Orchids. — These were both in point of numbers and cultural
merit below the average of former years. The best in the class for
ten came from Mr. B. S. Williams, who showed Cattleya Mendelli
w-ith eighteen blossoms ; C. Mossi*, with seventeen ; Masdevallia
Liudeni, with over three dozen ; also fine examjiles of La;lia purpu-
rata, Cjqiripedium Swanianum, Vanda suavis, Odontoglossom Pes-
catorei, and others. The open class for fifteen was closely contested,
the finest examples in the best gi'oup being Dendi'obium nobile, a
gi-and jilant ; Cattleya Warneri, Masdevallia Harryana and its
lirilliantcoloured variety Whitbourni.ana; while in thesecond group the
best were Cattlej'a ilossi.'e, Oncidium crispum var. gi'andiflonim, Den-
drol>ium Wardianum, and Ladia purpurata. In the class for a gi'oup
of Odoutoglossums, Mr. Bull was the only exhibitor. His collection,
which was tastefully intermixed with Adiantum gracillimum, and
others, with a background of Palms, Cycads, &c., consisted of ■i\ ell-
flowered exam])les of 0. vexillarium in rich variety ; 0. Pescatorei,
0. Alexandra-, 0. Andersonianum, O citrosmum, and others.

Stove and Greenhouse Plants were well shown. The best
group of twelve in the nurserymen's class comprised capital examples
ot Erica depressa, Pimelea, Hemlersoni, Hedaroma fuchsioides, Aphe-
lexis macrantha purpurea, and others. The same exhiViitors were
also first in tlie class for eight. The gi-oup which gained the highest
award in the amateurs' class contained excellent plants of Hedaroma
tulipifera. Erica depressa. Azalea Iveryana, and A. Magnet. Heaths,
as we have had occasion to remark at other exhibitions this season, were
inferior to those shown iu previous years, and the class contained
but two entries.

Tuberous-rooted Begonias. — These were a source of much
attraction, and were deservedly much admired, as periiaps never
before have such excellent groups been staged, particularly those
from the Stanstead Park Nurseries, in whicli they are made a
speciality. Those to which the first prize was awarded included
flowers with various shades of colour, from bright canary-yellow to
the brightest veraiillion. Amongst the most conspicuous varieties
were J. W. Farrand, Marquis of Salisbury, Calypso, Princess of
Wales, Princess of Denmark, and Massange de Lou%Tex, all excel-
lent single-flowered kinds ; the best of the doubles shown were
Pa'oniflora, Comtesse H. de Choiseul, and M. Keteleer.

Gloxinias. — Of these the best came from the Anerley Nurseries,
and amongst them were some extremely beautiful varieties remark-

446

THE GAEDEN.

[Mat 31, 1879.

able for their large size, good form, ricli colouring, and position of
the blossoms, which are neither too erect nor too horizontal, while the
plants were compact and vigorous. The second prize collection was
well named, and on the whole was good, as was also a collection
from the Society's gardens at Chiswick.

Pelargoniums. — Both show and fancy varieties of these were,
as usual, shown in grand style liy Mr. .J.imes, of Redlees, the plants
being of large size and well flowered. This exhibitor occupied the
first position in both classes, and Mr. C. Turner, of Slough, the
econd.

Hardy Flowers. — The best of tliese were Narcissus Bulbo-
codium, Spir;ea jaijonica, Dielytra spectabilis, Saxifraga Maweana,
Pingiiicula gi-.andiflora, fine masses of Orchis maoulata superba,
andthe beautiful Dianthus neglectus. Cut blooms of hardy plants
were also contributed. These included Aponogeton distachyon,
Pyrus floribunda, Caltha palustris fl.-pl., and Dorouicum austriacum.
The second prize collection were .Spira»a jjalmata, Pulmonaria vir-
ginica, Corydalis nobilis, Cypripedium spectabilis. Double Pheasant's-
eye Narcissus, &c. Cut blooms of Pansies were contributed by two
exhibitors, and contained some strikingly beautiful varieties, richly-
coloured, of large size, and good in form. An interesting and beaxi-
tiful gi-oup of liardy flowers was contributed from the Fulham Nur-
series, not for competition, which received its full share of attention,
as it contained many choice examples, both in Alpines and the larger-
gi'owing hardy plants.

Fruit. — Tliis, on the whole, was inferior to that which we have
seen here previously. Though the entries for Grapes were numerous,
they contained no remarkable examples. The first prize for Black
Hamburghs was awarded to well-coloured and fair-sized bunches,
and scarcely inferior were those which gained the second award.
White Muscats of Alex.andria were but poorly shown, the three
bunches in the competition for the second prize being disqualified,
as they were Foster's Seedlings. Buckland Sweetwater was well
shown. Pine-apples were poorly represented ; the first prize in the
class for two was -n-ithheld ; the second was awarded to a pair of
the Charlotte Rothschild variety. Pines shown singly were also
inferior, with the exception of the Smooth Cayenne. Strawberries
were shown by several exhibitors in fine condition. The best three
dishes consisted of Sir Charles Napier, Sir Joseph Paxton, and
President. The first prize for one dish was awarded to fine fruits of
Sir Joseph Paxton. Peaches and Nectarines were represented by
one dish of the former and two of the latter ; but they were not very
remarkable. Cherries were well shown from Lord Carington's gp.rden ;
the class for two dishes consisted of fine fruits of Elton and Black Circas-
sian ; the latter variety was shown also in the class forone dish. Melons
were abundant, and well grown. The first prize wasawarded to Wind-
sor Gem, the second to Hybrid Queen Emma, and Read's Scarlet Flesh
took the third. Tomatoes were excellent, the dish to which the
first prize was awarded being fine fruits of Improved Trophy.

Vegetables. — Two exhibitors staged collections of vegetables
in two kinds, botli very good, the best containing excellent examples
of Improved Trophy Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Tender and True
Cucumber. The prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton &. Sons were not
numerously competed, as the class for three varieties of Melons and
three of Cucumbers was filled by only two exhibitors, whose
collections were very fine. The prizes for six dishes of Peas (J peck
each) were not competed for.

Amongst the numerous miscellaneous contributions of horticul-
tural structures, implements, and garden appliances, we noted, at the
entrance to the large tent, the pretty Statuette Fountain in terra
cotta, with Ferns and other plants elegantly arranged in rustic work
of tufa ; this was contributed by Messrs. Dick Radclyfle & Co.
Among those whicli were aiTanged in the corridors and in the
groi;mls, we noted the Patent Heat Regulators from Messrs. J. H.
Critchley, Cheltenham, which is apparently a useful contrivance for
regulating the distribution of heat through hot-water heating appa-
ratus with great facility, and which was distinguished by a silver
Banksian medal. A similar prize w.as awarded to Messrs. Foster
& Pearson, Beeston, Notts, for samples of their Patent Slot Throttle
Valve, and which was also commended for its simplicity. Messrs.
Richardson & Co., Darlington, exhibited small models of planthouses,
and erected a full-sized structure, with improved patent roof methods
of ventilating, patent glazing, and samples of the French systems of
shading. The same exhibitors also showed their Portable Glass
Wall Tree Protectors, and several examples of Eoilei's. Boilers were
also exhibited by Messrs. Smeaton & Co. , FuUiani. Mowing machines
were shown liy ilessrs. Crowley & Co., Sheffield, with their
Invincible ; .and ilessrs. Ransomes, .Sims, & Head, Norwich, their
Automaton ; and the Excelsior by Messrs. Waite, Burnell,
Huggins, & Co., Ujjper Thames Street ; and Messrs. T. Mackenzie &
Sons, Holborn Vi>aduct, The President. Specimens of mrework
came from ilessrs. Thomas & Co. , Edgwai'e Road ; and Rustic

Garden furniture, &c., from the P.anklibanon Furnishing Ironmongery
Company ; and a like contribution from Mr. J. Caven Fox,
South Kensington. Some examples of Woolford's Portable
Water Tank, made of galvanised iron, were shown, a very
useful appliance for plant houses where much w.atering is needed.
Messrs. Blake & JIackenzie, Liverpool, showed numerous articles,
including febb's Universal Flower Pots, Garden Labels, Insect Traps,
Machines for filling seed packets. Celery Collars, and other things.
Samples of " Florvita " were exhibited by the inventors, Messrs.
Prentice Bros., Stowmarket, and a collection of Royal Poljrtechnic
Barometers and Scientific Instruments came from Messrs. .J. Da\ns,
Newington Butts. Flower Boxes with movable sides were exliibited
by Messrs. Whitburn & Young, the sides of which were decorated
by the Xylographic process. In addition to the above in the mis-
cellaneous class numerous and exquisite examples arranged in elegant
designs of skeletonised fruits, flowers, and Fern fronds were exhi-
bited in the council room by Mrs. K. B. Cussons, .Southport, and
Mrs. M. Hodgkins, Hyde Grove, Manchester, to whose collection
was awarded a silver-gilt medal.

A list of the prizes awarded at both shows, of which the foregoing
are reports, \vill be found in our advertisement columns.

ANSWEES TO COEKESPOmENTS.

Diseased Cucumbers.— Can you inform me wfiatis tlie matter with my
Cucumbers? Plants uf tliem in an early fr.ame grew luxuriantiy, and sliowed
plenty of fruit 3 in. long by Easter. The young shoots then began to show a
cm-ly and broken appear.ance as if they had not the power of further develop-
ment. The fruit also begiin to show in the morning a gummy exudation, as well
as at some joints of the stalks. The soil they are in is the same as that in which
Cucumbers grew and bore good crops last year. The beds were well prepared,
bottom-heat good, and watering and airing have been carefully attended to.
Young plants of Melons, Cucumt)ers, and Vegetable Marrows from both old and
new seed are precisely in the same condition, and I may add that two friends
who had young Cucumber plants from me are in the same plight as myself. —
A. G. [Your plants have caught the ordinary Cucumber disease, for the cure of
which (see p. 412) Mr. Fish recommends wai-m and liberal treatment.]

Cattleya Flowers without Sheaths.— Mr A. A. Thorn (p. 423) need
have no misgivings about his pLants of Cattleya Trianffi that have produced
llower-spikes without sheaths, a circumstance, no doubt, caused through the
plants being young, and not having acquired snthcient strength. It is a very
common occurrence, .and is usually to be met with in the case of pseudo-bulbs
that spring from others that have been too we.ak to flower. That this is correct
is proved i)V the fact that these sheathless spikes rarely produce more than one
bloom ; that is, when tliey belong to the one-leaved section, of which C. Jlossiie
may be taken .as the best-known example. The flowers drooping is caused by the
.alisence of the scape to support the st.alks ; but, if they had been tied to small
sticks, I have no doubt they would have hasted as long as the others. I have seen
Cattleyas that have become weakened by any of the many causes that reduce
them to such a condition— such as loss of roots, or in the case of the leading
buds being eaten out by slugs— flowering in the way descrii)ed ; but, as soon as
they regained strength, the disposition to do so disappeared.— T. BAINE3.

Roses at Cannes —\Vlien at Cannes lately I s.aw in the Jardin Mazelle a
Rose with flowers somewhat resembling the common Dog Rose, but with larger and
wliiter petals .and yellow stamens. It was freely covered with bloom, but was
most remjirkable for its rich evergreen foli.age, resembling in colour and glossi-
ness that of a Camellia. They informed me that it came from Japan, and was
called Rosa alba Camellia. Is such a plant known in England ? It makes a
beautiful shrub. — J. Thomas. [Doubtless the Ramanas Rose of Japan (Rosa
rugosa alba), flgiued in Vol. IX., p. 452, of The Garpen.]

Seedling Pansies —C. C— Your seedling Pansies. which have been grow-
ing aU the winter in open beds, and which have been flowering freely for some
weeks, belong to a good strain, being rich and well varied iu coloiu', and of good
substance.

Books— B. J ilf.-" Greenhouses for the Many," 171, Fleet Street.

Names of Plants.— G. r.— l, .Sedum, probably stoloniferum ; 2, S. lydium ;
3, .S. brevilolium ; 4, S. albescens. Miss O.— 1, Sedum pulchellum ; 2, Sa.vifraga
Aizoon ; 3, TroUius napellifolius ; 4. Triteleia unilfora, of which T. lilacina is a
variety. A. £:.— Aciuilegia canadensis. T. II. i<'.— Send them when in flower ;
plants cannot be named ^vith any kind of certainty from leaves alone.

Questions.
Salt on Stone.— I would be glad if any of your readers, who are posted up
in such matters, would kindly say if occasional dressings of salt to " Y^orkslure
Fl.ag" or other stoue would permanently injure the stone. Here the terraces
andstau-s are black and discoloured from the prevalence of a minute Lichen
which grows on the flags, as well as from the deposition of "soot blacks," with
which our atmosphere is alw.ays charged, and I noticed last summer that where a
quantity of salt had been spilled on the stairs in going over the walks, it cleaned
the stone <as thoroughly as if it had newly left the mason's chisel, and I thought
of applying it more extensively if it would not damage the ston.^. Hitherto, the
cleaning has been done by stone-rubbing, but the labour is great and only partly
efficacious.— J. S. W.

International Horticultural Exhibition. —A meeting

of horticulturists, convened by Mr. Wills, to consider the advisa-
bility of holding an International Exhibition next year, was held in
the Albert Hall l.ast Tuesday, at which, after some discussion, it
was agi-eed that the committee which had previously been appointed
should be asked to re-consider its decision, which was, that it is
inexpedient to carry out such an exhibition during the ensuing
year.

THE GARDEN.

447

Koi S94.]

SATURDAY. JUNE 7, 1879.

*'This is an art
■Wliich does mend Xataie ; chanse it latlier ; but
The AEr itself is a xrv re."— Shakespeare.

M. ANDRE OX LANDSCAPE GARDEXING.*

j\I. Edouard Andkij's scientific and elaborate book on the
art and science of practical and landscape gardening is a
voluminous work of eight or nine hundred pages, pre-
pared with all the usual severity of niiiuite detail so common
to our exact and painstaking neighbours across the English
Channel. The work is divided into twelve chapters, and
these are again divided and .sub-divided in a manner most
commendable and helpful for general reference. The author
unites the two professions of architect and landscape gar-
dener, and, judging from the work before us, he appears to be
freely patronised in both capacities. It was hardly to be
expected that the author would restrict himself to a narrow
practical treatise on so tempting a suljject. We are, therefore,
furnislieil with an historical sketch of the gardens of antiquity
and the general progress of garden art in Europe up to the
present time, more especially as it relates to the condition of
landscape gardening in Franca. The gardens of antiquity, so
far as history enables us to judge, consisted exclusively of
parallel and rectangular forms. There is much truth and
some exaggeration in the statement made by high authority
to the effect that wherever in the art of any country variety
is made to predominate it may safely be inferred that art has
long been cultivated in that country ; and, on the other hand,
wherever the love of uniformity prevails it may, with equal
safety, be inferred that in that country people are but in the
first stage of improvement. It is, of course, natural to
believe that in the infancy of art, when the attention of man-
kind was first directed to works of design, forms .should be
selected capable of most strongly expressing the skill of the
artist, and the surest mode of effecting this would be the
adoption of designs expressive of uniformit}-. -When, there-
fore, it began to be considered that a garden was an object
capable of beauty and of conferring distinction on its owner,
it was but reasonable to expect that the earlier efforts should
be directed with a view to render the designs as unlike as
possible to the natiu-al scenery of the country around, and
thus to display more forcibly the amount of labour and
expense thus bestowed. It is an interesting fact that the
history of antiquity records no single instance where this
character of uniformity has been deviated from in any spot
considered solely as a garden ; nor till within the last couple
of centuries or so does it appear to have been imagined that
a garden was capable of any higher aim than that of utility
and uniformity in design. So also, in process of time, when
art had made some feeble progress, and garden decoration had
begun to be employed, it was exclusively restricted to
such objects as regular cascades, grottoes, and trees cut into
the form of animals. So tenacious, indeed, are the habits of
popular taste, that these and similar objects, such as vases,
urns, statues, and the like, made of cheap and perishable
material, are still held in estimation and valued as objects of
decoration. Any or all of these may undoubtedly be
employed in accordance with the purest taste ; but it requires
the hand of a master to deal satisfactorily with a matter so
fraught with delicate difficulty. It is not too much to say

"L'Art des Jardins." Traits G^ncSral de la Composition des Pares et Jardins
par Edouard Anilrc'. Paris : G. Massou, Editeur.

that many an English — and French garden, too — otherxsise
beautiful, are rendered hideous by the introduction of mere-
tricious objects, such as commonplace vases and the like,
supposed to be ornamental. The plea for this slight diversion
is the fact that the matter in question is vital to all that
is simple and pure in taste, and needs to be repeated
again and again, in the hope that this most prominent and
national blemish may disappear from both English and Con-
tinental gardens.

In the elaborate and thoroughly exhaustive work before
us, the editor, as already stated, has divided his matter into
twelve chapters, and the work is embellished with eleven
coloured plates and 8GG engravings. The latter are employecl
to illustrate and aid the more complete explanation of the-
letterpress, and the former as exemplifications of the style- in-:
which the author has carried out the eleven examples iii.^
question, consisting of public parks and private' gardens...
The minute and persistent exliibition of detail accompanying ■
the illustrations of this work is a marvel of patient persever-
ance, and thoroughly characteristic of the exact and methodical
habit of the French mind. But while we can thus speak with
unmeasured satisfaction of the unsparing labour and carewith.^
which the detail and the general execution of the work^has.
been carried out, we extremely regret that a work of
such pretentions, and an author so sure to be followed, should
possess such wide influence in the dissemination of a style of
gardening so utterly faulty as most of his published plans
portray. What we specially refer to is the singular mono-
tonous uniformity of the lines of his roads and foot-paths ;
but most of all the deliberate indifference with whicli Jie>.
treats one of the chief charms of garden landscape, namely,
breadth of effect. Instead of seeking where he may cprietly lead'
his roads and foot-ways amongst groups and near boundaries,
they are made to cross and recross again and again what
should be broad and undisturbed open lawn. As an example
of this, sec Plate IV., page 38.5. AVe utterly repudiate the
idea that there is anything English in this style of monotonous, •
circles, for it is an acknowledged creed in Engli.sh landscape
gardening that roads and foot-ways must ever be held sub.- •
ordinate to the requirements of utility, and never introduced^;
except where necessity demands them ; but, in looking at
the finished plans in the book before us, it would seem as
if the gardens had been made in order to provide the means
for a display of roads and foot-paths.

* We make these remarks with no other feeling than an
earnest desire that the author, who has so much in his power-
for good or evil, may be induced to restrain the redundance
of his intensely artificial flowing lines, roads, and foot-Avays,
and study more the less artificial and more agreeable fonns of
Nature. E. Maenock.

Amoxg the many changes in France during recent-
years nothing is more striking than the improvements made^
in the public gardens of Paris. Not only have these been,
made on an extensive scale, but quite different from the old
French style of landscape gardening, as illustrated at Fon-
taiuebleau, St. Cloud, Versailles, and other well known
gardens. This style, the old style, not only was the rule
in France, but was adopted in many other royal gardens-
throughout Europe. Happily for the art of gardenino-,,,
all the newer gardens in Paris have been arranged upon,
a totally different principle, and, as any impartial person
must admit, with considerable taste and judgment. The
large parks and the minor ones, the squares, and even the
small " places " designed during the time of the Second
Empire and up to the present day, have been formed with a
view to the natural development of the trees and objects.

448

THE GARDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

contained therein, and not wholly forgetful of the repose,
verdure, and variety desirable in such places.

The newer style has been adopted in all recent changes to
the entire exclusion of the old formal one. The fact that a
garden is formed in immediate proximity to buildings does
not compel the designers to make it formal in obedience to
any laws of association, of which we have all read in books
on landscape gardening, and the result is that these little
gardens in the heart of cities, a)id often against some of
their great public buildings, have a charm of freshness which
could never have been secured in any other way. I know of
nothing in city gardening more instructive than one of those
oases right close against some large church, or plunged, as it
were, amid public buildings, or surrounded by lofty houses,
the Grass bright and fresh, and the fine-leaved plants and the
trees and other plants in abundant foliage and flower. These
gardens were, I believe, originally based upon what used to
be called in
France the Eng-
lish style, but
were marked by
features which
could hardly fail
to be studied with
advantage by any
one interested in
the subject from
this side of the
Channel. The
novel features of
such have often
been described in
The Garden —
their good, as well
as what would
seem their objec-
tionable, features.
With the forma-
tion of these gar-
dens the author
of the book under
notice had much
to do.

It was desir-
able that so
marked an im-
provement should
some day find
expression in the
literature of the
subject, and now

M. Andre has stepped in and has thoroughly executed this
part of the work. For a long time no important •s\ork on
landscape gardening has appeared in France, or elsewhere
that we know of, except the work of Alphaud, which is
mainly the publication of the plans, sections, and details of
all kinds of architectural work done in the public gardens of
Paris. The present book is really an important step in
advance in various ways, and therefore worthy of the atten-
tion of all students of landscape garden art. It is a general
book on the subject much more than the illustration of the
work of any particular school or period. Thus we have the
usual illustrations and dissertations on the gardens of
antiquity — the Villa of Pliny, &c. ; the Middle Ages, and so
on down to recent times, including a long account of English
landscape gardening — a long chapter on esthetics, one on the
love for nature, the principles of garden composition, in

Artiticial Hock G;uiloiib; sticvui Entciiug Stalactite Cave iu Paris Parli

which the author begins to be useful in his drawings, sections,
etc. This is, indeed, one of the best features in the book,
viz., that it gives sections and small cuts showing the .simplest
implements, and practical details of operations such as have not
been given in any other work of the kind. This idea is
carried out even to the extent of giving minute details of every
plantation in some of the places described.

The chapter on views is well worth reading, and M. Andre
takes up the defence of old trees against those who cannot
resist the temptation of destroying them without absolute
necessity. He C3nsiders all such trees should be preserved
so long as there is the slightest doubt as to the good that would
result from their suppression. The artist, he considers,
should make for them every sacrifice, and modify his plans
so as to make the best use of their noble or picturesque
form.s. He may show his love for such trees by even pre-
serving those already dead, and covering them with hardy

creeping plants,
and he cannot too
much study the
full effects of cut-
ting down fine
trees before the
hatchet is put to
one of them.
The hatchet, in a
few instants, may
destroy the work
of many years.
But we must not
fall into the other
excess. He very
properly con-
siders that no
good work is pos-
sible in a woody
district or situa-
tion without sac-
rificing trees if
they are too
thickly placed
and are injuring
each other in
effect or health ;
if they hide beau-
tiful views, if
they cover a
mound across
which a view is
desirable, or
occupy the bot-
bottom of a ravine in which a carpet of turf may be required,
if they cover a house or make it moist, their destruction
should be decided upon, particularly in such cases as those in
which fine trees generally remain.

An excellent feature of the book is the contrast of what
the author considers good and bad forms. This he carries
out in the case of plans, entrances, drives, water margins, and
in various other ways to the great profit of the reader. M.
Andrt5 is a thorough student of the literature of the subject,
and frequently illustrates the designs of others to explain his
point. I notice, for example, a tracing of a good and well
laid out English garden on page 394, and one of a most
elaborate Continental one on page 396, the author justly
pointing out the difference between them— except that it
seems to us the absence of needless drives in a park need not
by any means sacrifice the " promenade " iu the park ; on the

June 7, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

449

contrary, that would seem to us to make it far more agreeable
and not less extensive. Referring to the " wild garden," the
author, sa3-s M. Andre, " preaches an introduction and naturali-
zation in our woods and in shrubberies and masses in our parks
of a great number of exotic species, of which a part only
could resist, without reduction, the invasion of the natural
vegetation." The fa?t is, that such is the number of vigorous
hardy exotic plants, that destruction, through their aid, of the
native vegetation would in many cases be quite possible if
desirable. The whole northern temperate world is full of
t3'p8S of plants as vigorous, and even more vigorous, than our
native ones, as, for example, the Golden Rods, Cow Parsnips,
tall Jlallows, Buphthalmum, Globe-flowers, Giant and Globe
Thistles, Compass plants, and a host of other strong plants
too numerous to mention, of the same t3'pe ; while numbers
of smaller plants are equally dilficult of extermination if the
situation in which they are placed be studied.

It is impossible in so short a notice to do justice to a book
so full of inte-
rest, so well pro-
duced, and so
practical. If we
have any feeling
of disappoint-
ment in the
book, it is only
that details are
far more pre-
dominant in
cuts and illustra-
tions, (fee, than
sketches of the
best results at-
tained. In this
respect the book
does not quite do
justice to the
best modern
work in France
and elsewhere.
It woidd have
been well to
have given a
largernumber(_if
artistic illustra-
tions, showing
the breadth, va-
riety, and pictu-
resqueness of

the best modern gardens, which many people cannot under-
stand from plans. But this is perhaps asking what is not
reasonable, as the book is most liberally illustrated (some of
the woodcuts in which we reproduce), and, as usual with
important French books, well printed. W. R.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

A Ga:'deu in the Suuth of France.

Woodland Wild Flowers. —The wild SciUaor Blue Bell is just
now in great beauty, but even tliis is as late this season as other
plants ; last year I saw immense masses of it in full bloom in the
first week in May, and now tlie end of the month is reached ere its
full beauty can be seen. Not so common, but not less striking when
seen in a mass, is the deep reddish-purple Orchis. Of this I saw a
few days since in a meadow a large clump so fine as to elicit the
warmest admiration. The spikes of bloom were some G in. or 7 in.
in length, and quite perfect. By th.e water-sides the large yellow
Caltha is even more striking than some of our gar ten varieties of
the Globe flower. The purple Ajuga is here and there in flower, and
the Lady's .Smock as well as many others. It is now a good time to
wander about the fields and hedgerows to gather wild flowers, but
not to rob the country of their roots, as is often done, even in the
case of plants that are scarce. — A. D.

WINTER PRUNING.

Pear Tx'ess. — Winter pruning is performed when the sap of
the Pear tree is at rest, except during severe frost. The operation
may take place as soon as thd last leaf has fallen, es^iecially in the
case of weak, ohl, and worn-out subjects. On the otlier hand, the
pruning of subjects which show a stro-ig tendency towards a luxu-
riant growth of leaves rather than tow.irds a good show of fruit
should be deferred until the sap begins to rise. There is no harm in
pruning the same tree at different times of the year, tlie main branches
in tlie autumn and the fruit-bearing In-anches in the spring. The
amount of wood to 1)3 pruned away depends on tlie nature of the
tree, on its strength and growth. For instance, we must prune
Ibss closely those sul)jects which are of vigorous gi'owth, which
produce but little fruit, and ramify freely, as well as those intended
for large trees, or which have been grafted on free stocks.
(lener.xUy speaking, we must prune less closely in cold climates
than in warm, the locality, soil, aspeet, and situation being taken
into consideration. The princip.al branches of the tree should be left
pretty long. On the other hand, the Pe.ir grafted on the Quince should

be closely pruned,
as well as those
subjects which
are intended to
jiroduce a large
number of fruit-
bearing shoots, a
remark which
will also apply to
the topmost
bi'anches of the
tiee. Too fre-
quent and too
elo.se pruning will
injure a weak sub-
ject, while in tlie
case of a vigorous
treeitsfruit-bear-
ing capabilities
will suffer severe-
ly; besideswhich,
canker is almost
sure to set in.

The direction
in "w hich the
branch gi'ows
sliould govern the
amount of prun-
ing to be given to
it. For instance,
brandies that are
much inclined to-
wards the hori-
zontal should be
sparingly pruned,
while thosewhieh
gi'ow in a vertical
position may be
thinned out with advantage to their neighbours. If we find ourselves
under the neccssitj' of pruning but sliglitly an upright branch
belonging to a variety that ramifies but feebly, we may pinch off' or
cut with tlie pruning knife the two eyes nearest the top of the twig,
at the same time cutting away a portion of the rind above the lowest
eyes in the form of a horseshoe. This is especially necessary when
tlie lower shoots exhibit a tendency to spread. These remarks apply
nioi-e particularly to Beurr^ Hardy, Louise Bonne d'Avranches, and
Fondante des Bois.

In closely pruning a branch whose tissues have become hardened
we promote its gTowth, but in suffering a weak branch to giow
untouched we frequently make it weaker than ever. In any ease it
is admitted that with these and a few more exceptions pruning
closely injures a branch, wliile leaving it uupruned strengthens it.
Is not an unpnuied Pear tree gi-owing in the open far stronger than
another tree of the same age pruned into the shape of a spindle ? A
healthy, robust-looking branch, if it is shorter than its neighbours on
the same bough, and if it ramifies freely, need not be pruned — for
instance, in tlie case of the Beurr6 Six, Nouveau Poiteau, de I'As-
somption, and Comte Lelienr. In these instances alongitudinal incision
will facilitate the expansion of the bark and the spread of the sap.
Tlie shoot is pinned down to the eye, the eye l.ieing chosen on the
upper part of the branch if it is weak, belo* if the tree is a pyramid,
and level with the eye if it is grown en j/almetle as a cordon or as a

450

THE GAEDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

candelabrum ; in fact, in sucli a direction as to follow the main
branch.

When tlie tree has once bcgxni to hear fruit, we must adopt a sys-
tem of moderate pruuinj;, or at any rate prune closely and spaj'ingly
in alternate years. It is, however, only experience, and above all
observation, which can guide tlie fruit grower in the application of
these general rules, and of the exceptions to them. Pruning
the fruit-bearing branches is much more simple. It is suffi-
cient that they sliould not be allowed to crowd together so as to
make confusion ; that is to say, the spaces between them must be
regular. They are eitlier cut or broken to a length of from G in. t(j
8 in. The type of a fruit-bearing shoot is a twig or small branch of
medium thickness, and of the lengtii of from 6 in. to 8 in., the eyes
or buds of which are successively transformed into fruit, and which
may be kept in proper condition, renewed and regenerated, so to
speak, by judicious pruning. Tlie perfection of Pear-growing is
to produce an average of ten gooil fruit per annum per yard run of
the principal brandies. The eye of the Pear tree generally takes two
or three years before it is converted into a fruit-bearing shoot,
but in certain varieties \\'hicli come, like the William, Ducliesse,
and Beurri; C'lairgeau, to maturity with great precocity, we may
liave fruit at the end of a year. In these eases the Pear-grow er
should not allow the trees to bear too many fruit. Other varie-
ties, like the Beurr6 Diel, the Bon Chretien, and the St. Ger-
main, tlirow out shoots from the base. In such cases heavy
pruning must be avoided, and tlie production of fruit must be
insured by means of slits out in the bark where the latent eyes are
beginning to sliow tliemselves, and by pinching oif the buds at the
end of the fruit-bearing shoots. The stiil", upright shoots which are
to be found in the Triomphe de Jodoigne, the BeurrC' d'Harden-
jjout, and the B.ichelier, fruit on Uis upper portion, and thus,
thanks to the natural smootliuess of the bark, they do not become
wrinkled at the base. We must beware of twigs wliich are too sliort,
and of simple fruit buds growing immediately on the stem, whicli
are deprived of the resource of bud.3 to replace them, such as the
Doyenne d'Automne and d'Hiver, the Beurre Gris, the Passe Cras-
saue, the Passe Colmar, which show them sometimes, but they die

• off after flowering only once. The shouts must be made the most
of in the case of the most proilnctive varieties, in which the ter-
minal eye grows more naturally into a fruit-bearing twig, such as
the Crassane, tlie M.arie Louise, Josephine de Maliues, Urbaniste,

. de Tongue, Seigneur, and Ecrgamotte Esjjeren.

Water shoots are cut down on the heel to the thickness of a five-
^shilling piece. Adventitious eyes will swell at the base, but if they
gvow too long they may be pinched down to a single one. Old fruit-
liearing twigs and branches are maintained in jiroper condition by
incisions and pruning down with the secateur so as to diminish
their length and check ramification. While the sap is in full vigour
during the summer, the usual operations to be performed are bud-
<ling, pinching, twisting or breaking oU' the gi'een shoots, all of
whicli liave their importance iu keeping up a proper balance between
the main branches of the tree and the amount of fruit produced.

Ch.ikles B.\ltet.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FEUIT GAEDEN.
Pruit Growing at "Worksop Manor.— Mr. Miller,

'"Clumber (p. 37-), will doubtless he pleased to hear that the Vines
at Worksop Manor, to wiiich lie .alludes, are still in the vei"y best
condition. I \^-as sliown through the forcing and otlier houses on
the '21st of last month, and I found the crops of fruit (in all stages)
very satisfactory. Grapes were ripe and well coloured ; of Figs
(Brown Iscliia) there were heavy crops, and of Strawberries (of the
James Veitch variety) there was a very fine display. Melons were
ripe iu quantities, of a useful size, about .3 lb., and finely netted ;
and Peaches and Nectarines, from ripe fruit down to the later varie-
ties, were excellent. Mr. Miller, wlio is now at Clumber, thorouglily
renovated the fruit dciiartment at Worksop Manor before he left it,
and, as will be seen, with excellent result;;. — J. .Jeffer.sox, Work.^oj}.

Grapes from Byes Raised the same Tear.— I am

much oljliged to Mr. Holjday ior putting me riglit as regards Mr.
Hardie's experiment in reference to this subject. I did not know,
or had forgotten, tliat he conteniplanted fruiting the same Vines the
following year, and wliicli, I can quite believe, would have been too
soon to exjiect a remunerative crop. I would only recommend the
plan to he tried with pot Vines. In the same page (p. 440) objec-
tions are raised on the score of expense and accommodation in
putting the plan into practice, which presupposes a conjunction of
circumstances that are to a great extent im.aginary. The crop
secured by Mr. Henderson, of Thoresby, in this way did not cost a
penny for extra accommodation, for the Vines were fruited on tlie
side-shelves of the roo;ny Pine stoves there. As to my being in

error in saying that Mr. Hardie got a crop of Grapes from his Vines
the same year in whicli they were raised from eyes or planted, I do
not see it. My original statement (p. 32.5) was to the effect that
Grapes were produced from the Vines of tlie same year, or "in nine
or ten months after the eyes were put in." What Mr. Hardie did
was to take a crop of (irapes, about the new year or a little later,
from rods that were not in existence in April, or iu less than ten
mouths from the time the cane that bore them broke bud. As to
not looking upon such a result as "anything more than a cultural
curiosity," as Mr. Baines expresses it, I need only observe that most
jieople would regard a crop of Grapes at the rate of nine bunches
to the young rod as a rather acceptable curiosity about mid-winter
or later.- J. S. W.

Rapid Pine Growing —In reply to " E. C. P." (p. 420), allow
me to say that the Pine plants were rootless suckei-s when planted
out in the pit ; the variety was the Smooth-leaved Cayenne. List 4
contains no mistake, lint positive facts, and I may add that I have
had freipiently as good results during the many years that I have
grown Pines. — M.

American Cranberry Farms. — One of the largest Cran-
berry farms in the world is known as .Sackett's Marsh, near Berlin,
Wisconsin. It comprises 7.50 acres of marsh, about one-fourth of
■which is under cultivation. The yield has sometimes reached 3o,000
bushels.

AN AMATEUR'S GARDEK

Yon have given us some excellent advice as to an amateur's green-
house ; can you not do the same about an amateur's garden ? This is
a difficult question to reply to, and any attempt to answer it must
be made at a consideralile rate of failure. When you have a green-
house before you, when you know well its eapaljilities, and can tell
your experiences with it for some years, it is very easy to advise in
reference to it. No matter where it is erected, it is not affected by
climatic influences in one place more than others ; the same plants
can be grown iu it witli nearly equal chance of success in the suburbs
of a smoky town or in the pure air of the country vilhage, but when
one eomes to wi'ite about i garden the whole thing is changed ; gar-
dens vary iu size, character, situation, climate, soil, yea, in almost
every item, and therefore the difficulty of giving advice is intensified.
The tastes of their owners are multifarious, and in nothing, perhaps,
is the old saying truer : Tot Iiotnines tolidem scnlenthe ; and one has
but the experience of one's own garden to show the truth of this,
at one time having it on the top of a breezy clitf overhanging the
sea, where nothing could gTOw, that once showed its head above the
projecting fence, at another time in a lovely valley where Nature had
done her best to make gardening a pleasure, but where a light sandy
soil made it a difficulty ; at another time in the back garden of a
watering-place villa, not 40 ft. square, and then, again, in a ])ieee
simply fenced ofl' from a field, and in all and under all circumstances
having to contrive how economy could be pi'actised in the carrying
out of a favourite pursuit, the love for which has no way diminished
as years have gone by, and one which, in times of sorrow especially,
has ever been a comfort. Like angling, it allbrds time for reflection
and communing with oneself, and to the overtasked brain or over-
burdened heart there is in it ever a wellspring of comfort. It is not
the worrying of exhibition, but the culture of plants, that ever gives
a return for the care bestowed on them, that constitutes the pleasure
of gardening.

In guving, therefore, any hints on the formation or keeping up of a
garden, my own varied experience would hinder me from taking auy
one particular type as a pattern, but would rather lead me to put
forward some general principles which may be applicable to all, and
in the course of these few remarks I may, perhaps, state some things
which may be of use, premising that I have in view those who do
not employ a professional gardener, who work at it much themselves
ami superintend all.

The first point, I think, in entering on a new garden is to ascer-
tain what is the character of the soil, and what plants suit it best.
Educated gardeners ire supposed to know all these things, but ama-
teurs do not, and oftentimes make mistakes in consequence. Sup-
pose any one like myself with a great love of American plants, as
they are called, aud seeing the gorgeous displays at Bagshot and
other places, were to say I shall have a plantation of them; and have
a garden or place on the chalk, we all know that the result must be
failure ; chalk is absolute jioison to them, and much expense and
trouble might have been saved had this been recognised. Again, on
a stilf clay how hopeless it is to try and gi-ow plants that require to
root down deeply, and to be free from stagnant moisture, c.;/.. Lilies ;
you may dig out, fill in, ami plant, but after all there will be failure ;
your Lilies will not grow, Ijut dwindle away. Closely connected -irith
soil is situ.ation, and this has to be well considered. Thus iu the

June 7, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

451

neighbouvhood of a smoky town it is a real waste to try and grow
Eoses. They drag out a miserable existence, and are at the best
poor half-starved tilings ; and, indeed, this suitability or otherwise
of soils goes a good deal furtlier than some people imagine. Take,
for example, .Strawberries ; it is not imti! you have tried tliat
you find out wliich sorts \\ill suit the soil, and theu you liave to adapt
yourself to the circumstances.

My second piece of advice would be, do not attempt beddmg-out
or carpet gardening. I do not -n-age an indiscriminate warfare against
these systems ; there are some places where they are singularly
appropriate. Our gi-eat public gardens are little frequented, except
during the summer months, and then the gay and bright colouring of
Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Verbenas, and otlier bedding plants, or the
neat geometrical jiatterns made of carpet plants are pleasing enough.
The persons who look at them are passers-by, so to say; they are not
amongst them continually, and hence their eyes do not get satiated
with them, and the fine beds of Victoria Park or the sub-tropical
gardening of Battersea could
not well be supplanted by any
other kind. In the garden of
the Luxembourg, at Paris, a
part used to be filled with
mixed borders, and, however
interesting, it bore an unfavour-
able comparison with the Pare
de Moiiceau, *or other places
where the bedding-out and sub-
tropical gardening were carried
out. The same liolds good, I
think, with regard to the large
country seats of our aristocracy.
As a rule, during tlie spring
and early summer months, the
owners are away in London,
and until Parliament is up they
are not likely to be at home ;
to have then their gardens in a
full blaze of colour is, no doubt,
pleasing, and a herbaceous gar-
den at that time would not
present tlie same attractive
appearance. The owners are
only at home for a short time,
and do not get tired of the
gorgeous, albeit sameness, of

colouring; but it is a different

thing w-ith tlie amateur, who

has a small garden .iiid limited

means ; if he carries out this

system, tlien until June there
"~ is nothing to be seen in his

garden but bare eartli. The

plants are bedded out in .Tune ;

they grow on in July ; are iu

their full beauty in August ;

and tlien tlieir glory is de-
parted— for two months, and

the beauty of the garden for

the rest of the year is sacrificed.

It is idle to talk of spring gar-
dens ; limited space and limited

means forbid this. Then if he

has a greenhouse the gi'eater

portion of it has to be

utilised for the gi'owth of

bedding plants, to the exclusion

of many things wliich he

would like to have, but which he can find no room for,

Kuikj Staii-w.ij ill tliu rare dm Euttcs-Chauiii

I would not,
however, have the garden depend altogether on mixed borders of
hardy plant.-i, but would so aiTange them that space should be left
for a certain quantity of Pelargoniums and other plants, which,
jjlanted amongst the otliere, will brighten up the borders, and thus
make them attractive tliroughout the whole year.

A third point on wliicli I would insist very strongly is not to try
delicate or doul)tfully liardy things ; there is sucli a largo number of
plants of gi-eat beauty which are perfectly hardy, that it is unwise to
waste time, money, and patience on tilings which dwindle away and
die. Many iiersons have been tempted to try plants which are said
to be liardy, and are so in ordinary sea-sous, Init which perish in
severe frost, that it is well not to try them. Bearing in mind the
locality in whicli the garden is situated, choose then your plants
accordingly. Plants may be grown out-of-doors in Devonshire and
Cornwall which would perish in Lincolnshire or Yorkshire, or will
succeed in a high and airy situation, but would succumb to the damp

cold of a valley not far off. I have seen Launistinus killed to the
ground in a low situation, while on an elevated spot close by they
have not had a leaf injured. Many know the way in which
Violas and Pansies tlirive in Scotland and the cooler parts of
the island, but in tlie liotter and drier districts tliey do not thrive ;
and, thanks now to the skill of the horticulturists, and the en-
terprise of those who cater for the public, there is such a wide
iield to select from that no one need be at a loss.

I would also advise any one w!io really loves flowers to have, if
space permits, a rockery ; it need not be very elaborate, it must not
be cockneyish. Consult " Alpine Flowers " ; see in that little work
what style is to be avoided and what to be followed ; there is a large
number of most lovely plants which are lost in a border, or get over-
grown by more roliust things, which flourish well on a rockeiy, and
which in the earlier months of the year amply repay any care
bestowed on them.

And lastly, let me give as a golden rule, endeavour after tidiness

in all your garden arrange-
ments ; a garden overgrown;
with weeds, or littered about;
with things that ought to have
been put out of the way, loses
one half of its licauty. That it
is in certain places and times,
difficult no one can question ;
country gardens are more apt
to suffer from weeds than
suburban ones. If the garden
be not walled it is probably
surrounded with fields and
hedgerows, the seeds from
which are disseminated far and
wide, while in the neighbour-
hood of a town where every
inch is utilised and most gar-
dens arc walled in, tlie same
liability to suffer from one's
neighbours docs not exist ; thert
there are times when it is im-
possible to get on the gi-ound,
and the soil is so wet that hand-
weeding is equally difficult. In
such cases all weeds will grow
apace, and the garden of
necessity becomes untidy ; but
it is a matter to bo most dili-
gently attended to, not merely
for the injury the weeds do to
the garden, but because of their
unsightliness, and the hoe is
one of those garden implements
whicli ought never to be allowed
to rust.

In tliese observations I have
had flowers more especially in
my mind, but I am not sure
that the same rules do not
equally apply to the kitchen
garden, and, indeed, in some
small gardens, flowers, fniit,
and vegetables are so mixed up
together, that it is impossible to
lay down rules that do not
apply to all alike. What I have
said may appear truisms, and
it may bo asked what need to
put such tilings on paper ?
but my own experience is, tliat it is the overlooking of
truisms that often conduces to failure, and that if writers would
not imagine that those for whom they write know a gi-eat deal
more tlian they really do, tliey would often write more etlectively ;
and I cannot close these remarks without quoting the words of one
wlio will ever be considered an authority on all he wrote aliout, the
late Mr Rivers, who concludes the preface to the tenth edition ot
his "Pose Amateur's Guide" thus: "A practical cultivator, in
writin.' on cultivation, labours under a disadvantage : he almost
obstinately supposes that every one would know something relatiTe
to these, with him every-day operations ; he is apt, therefore, not to
r.o sufficiently into detail.'' I have strenuously endeavoured to-
resist this feeling, and humbly trust wliat I have written on this
subject or on any other will be found sufficiently explicit.

(.See p.

If

Sliriiect or on miy umv^i >*^'i •j^ *^....^. .- „._ ^..^ ^ , r _. ,
that be not so, I shall have much pleasure in supplying such further
information as may be asked for in order to make the subject od
which I write clear. ^elta.

452

THE GAEDEN.

[JuxE 7, 1879.

EFFECTS OF LOCAL IXFLUEXCES OX CxARUEN

CULTURE.
I REiiRET to s"a liy Mr. Bailies' nota on tliis subject (p. 404) tliat
so eminent a horticultural authority as he is should tlunk tliat my
"conjectures as to the cause of Jlr. Tonks' failures will not bear the
test of a moment's reflection." Neither ilr. Baines nor Mr. Tonks
himself will, I suppose, venture to assert that vegetation even of
the hardiest description receives no injury from clilorous, nitrous,
or sul2jhurous fumes. That whole districts are laid waste l)y these
deleterious gases is a fact that is patent to everyboily. It only re-
mains for me to consider the question of tlieir l>cing carried to a
sufficient distance to aft'ect Mr. Tonks' flowers injuriously. If either
of my opponents will refer to the Blue Book containing the Minutes
of Evidence given Ijefore the Koyal Commissioners appointed to in-
vestigate the working of the Alkali Acts (Pari. Papers, c. 2159 — 1 —
1S78) they will timl some terrible stories touching the effects of
noxious fumes not merely on herbaceous vegetation, but on forest
trees. They ^^■ill find that sturdy subjects like Oaks, Pines, fiid
Weeping Willows are seriously damaged, and in some cases killed
outright, by these fumes at between si.x and seven miles from their
source ; that fruit and Rose trees are withered up in a very short
time at the same distance ; and that chlorous fumes liave been de-
tected in notable quantities in the air at ten miles from the delinquent
factory. I could, if space permitted, fill half a number of TiiE
G.iRDEK with similar Iiistories related to tlie Conunission by farmers,
horticulturists, doctors, land surveyors, and other witnesses belong-
ing to all grades of society. It thus being proved upon incon-
testable evidence that Oaks and Willows are killed by noxious
fumes at six and seven miles oft", is it not perfectly reasonable to
suppose that Mr. Tonks' flowers at Packwood, which is about ten
miles from Birmingham as the crow flies, might hi seriously aft'ectcd
by these enemies of the horticulturist ? I trust, tlierefore, that Mr.
Baines will now allow that my conjectures are worthy of some
consideration. My opponents will, no doubt, say that flowers are
grown in perfection under the very chimneys that give fortli the
fumes. This is a fact that I am perfectly aware of, and, as I write,
I have in my eye half-a-dozen diri'erent charming spots within reach
of the worst parts of Tyneside, the Black Country, Widnes Dock,
and similar localities. But wh.at does tliis all prove? Not that
ilr. Tonks' flowers and plants are not killeil by noxious fumes, but
that Mr. Baines, the managers of the Birmingham Botanical Society,
Mr. Tomkins, and a host of their fellow-workers are possessed of
sufllcient skill, patience, knowledge, and, above all, lengthened
local experience, to grow plants in spite of the action of these delete-
rious agents. S'.ich being the case, Mr. Tonks has every reason to
hope that tlie evils from which lie is suifering are to be remedied.
If, as I always have supposed, and still suppose, the fumes from the
Black Country are the cause of his failure, he may surely take
heart in the fact that, with proper experience and skill, plants may
hi and are growing in the very tliick of tSu vapours whose bad
ejects he must only feel in a greatly weakened form.

C. W. QlTIN.

THE AVINTER IN DORSET.

From this exposed situation — 731 ft. above the sea — we are glad to
be able to record few losses from the effects of tlie late exceptionally
severe winter. Amongst climbers, Passiflora ccerulea is killed to the
ground, but is springing from the root ; Escallonia macrantha,
Bignonia radicans, Aristolociiia Sipho, and diS"erent kinds of Clematis
are quite uninjured. Ceanothus azureus, .lasminuin revolutum, and
Lonicera sempervirens were only slightly cut by frost and keen
winds. Lilies of various kinds have never looked better. Crinum
capsnse, without even the protection of ashes, is growin" well.
Linums, sucli as narbonense, salsoloides, alpinum, and ilavum,
though late, are now shooting strongly. Cyclamen europjeum has
fared liadly, e\'erv plant killed ; as are also Nieremi)ergia rivularis
and Eryngium eburneum. Primula denticulata, purpurea, pul-
cherrima, and luteola ; Epimedium colchicum, Veronicas, and
herbaceous plants {^cnerally are looking healthy. Tupa Feiiilli is
pushing strongly, and has been out of doors, with only tlie protection
of ashes o\'er t!ie roots in winter, for several seasons ; it bloomed
"witli us last year for the first time. Echium fastuosum, in a Ijorder,
thougii carefTiUy matted, lias been killed, but plants of it have stood
in a greenhouse witli impunity where Callas were severely injured
l)y one night's intunse frost. Aquilegias (chrysautha, ccerulea,
glandulosa, &c.) have proved very hardy. On the whole, we con-
gratulate ourselves here on the greater hardiness of plants in this
high and dry climate, though their growth m.ay be less luxuriant
than in warmer and more sheltered places. Conimou Laurels have
not suffered at all, though the Laurustinus has bsen injured to some
extent. At pres'jnt, also, tlie prosjiect for wall-fruit is promising.
The bloom, though rcm.ukably late, has been unusually fine.
Anhmori'. K. L. Davidson.

Rabbit-proof Plants. — In one of the earlier numbers of The
(t.\udi-n I gave a list of herbaceous plants and shrubs which ample
experiment had sliown me to be practically rabbit-proof, and further
experience has not given cause to diminish or materially to increase
that list. " M. C. D." (p. 41()) gives a list, in which he includes
Hollies an 1 Laburnums. Now, I have seen repeatedly Hollies more
than 3 ft. in circumference, and Laburnums of equal size, gnawed
and destroyed. Privets also are liable to be eaten. Plants of the
bulbous type are rarely eaten, except the Crocus, which has not a
chance ; tlie otliers, i.e., Lilies, Irises, Tulips, Tritomas, Lily of tlio
Valley, Butcher's Broom, Solomon's Seal, Narcissi, Asphodels, Leu-
cojums, Snowdrops, &c., are perfectly safe.' .So are the Arum family
and mo.st of the Rose tribe, c.;/. , Spiraea, Potentilla, &c. Heaths,
Rhoilodendrons, and Azaleas may be safely planted, though the
latter are sometimes cut a little at first till the rabbits find out wdiat
tliey are. Of the Primroses, P. jajionica is quite rabbit-proof and a
noble plant for woodlands. Varieties of P. acaulis (veris) are sate,
except tlie large-flowered Polyanthuses. Auriculas ai'e greedily
eaten. There are many rabliit-proof su!<jects among the Raimuculus
faniilj', such as Clematis, Columbine, several Anemones, Monkshood,
Larkspur, Globe-flower, and Winter Aconite. Hepaticas are eaten
lip directly, more's the Jjity, for tliey would grow as readily in our
woods as ill Switzerland. The Hypericums and Pajonies are excellent
things to jilant out, and rabbits do not touch tliem. Your corre-
spondent mentions Cupressus Lawsoniana and Epimedkim, but they
both suft'er here ; and of the Hellebores the best, the Christinas
Ptose, is destroyed at once. — SALMO'iCErs.

PROPAGATING.

THE PROPAGATIOX OF BEDDING PLANTS FOR
STOCK.

It may seem premature to refer to this matter now, but some things
are much easier and better struck late in spring before the heat in
the propagating bed has altogether declined. The cuttings will
strike now easily, and such things as Coleus, Iresine, and Alternan-
theras, put in handy-sized shallow boxes, and after they are rooted
if placed out-of-doors in some corner, the growth will be hard and
firm, and will pass through tlie winter safely with a less expendi-
ture for fuel than if all the proiiagating is delayed till summer or
autumn. The variegated Mesemljryanthemum is best propagated
now, and it is difficult to get up a large stock of Lobelias from cut-
tings taken in autumn, and lifting and potting the old plants is a
troublesome and not always a satisfactory proceeding : but if a few
jjots or a boxful of cuttings are put in now from the last batch
rooted, or if the plants are coming into flower, tlie flowers might be
cut oft' half-a-ilozen plants and the plants shaken free from soil, when
each plant will probably divide into a dozen or so, and if these bits
are dibbled into a Ijoxful of sandy soil and placed in a close frame, a
hundred or so of small plants will be secured to form stock plants
for another year. It is a long time to look forward, I know, but
there is a saving in it. Pelargoniums and other subjects are of course
best propagated in autumn. I am speaking more especially of those
plants, such as Coleus, that require to be wintered in heat, and of
that other class of plants, like Loljelias, that do not strike well in
autumn, or Mesembryanthemums, that, if not well established, are
apt to damp off in a cool house in winter, and now every liit will
strike, and it will be very pleasant, when the propagating season
comes round next February, to have a good stock of healthy plants
to work from. E. Hobday.

Royal Horticitltural Society.— We are requested to state
that the special prizes oftered Ijy Messrs. Hooper & Co., Jolm Laiug
&'Co., Jas. Carter & Co., and Sutton & Sons, will be competed for
on .July 8 instead of June 24, as formerly announced. We have also
been informed by Messrs. Sutton & Sons that as there was no com-
petition for six dishes of Peas on May 27, the same prizes will be
oft'ered by them on .July 8, and that the restriction as to the
varieties will be withdrawn. The prizes offered by Messrs. Jas.
Carter & Co. for vegetables and Peas have also been deferred until
July 8.

Monstrous Pelargonium.— We have received from Mr. R.
Gilljert, of Burgliley, a remarkable monstrosity in the shape of a
semi-double floi\ering Pelargonium. From the primary truss of
flowers, which is large, have sprung a dozen or more secondary
trusses, the whole making a huge pyramidal cluster 1 1 in. wide at
tlie base and 7 in. high, a strikingly effective head of flowers being
the result.

June 7, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

4.53

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

A NEW SARCOCHILUS.

Our illustration represents one of the most distinct of Australian
Orchids, belonging to a genus of which hut few known species are
handsome enough to secure a
permanent position in our
gardens. It was introduced
by Messrs. V'eitch about two
years ago, and is named in
honour of a zealous Orchidist,
Mr. Fitzgerald, v(diose beauti-
ful work on the Orchids of
Australia is now in course of
publication. This gentleman
collected no fewer than sixty-
two species of Orchids \\'ithin
a mile radius of .Sydney, the
capital of New South Wales,
.and his observations on the
means by which some of the
species are natur.ally fertilised
by insect agency are largely
quoted by Darwin in his
" Fertilisation of Orchids."
The genus Sarcochilus was
founded by R. Brovrr, and
comprises a few Australian,
Fijeean, and Malayan Epi-
phytes "with short stems,
narrow distichous, leathery
leaves, .and bracteated spikes
or racemes of fleshy open and
sometimes showy flowers.''
The lip is three lobed, .and
the central division is pecu-
liarly short, thick, and fleshy,
and from this cliaracter the
generic name is derived. The
species liere illustrated is of
neat habit. It gro%vs and
Ijlooms well in the Veitchiau
collection, planted in a fresh
compost of ]ieat, sphagnum,
ami crocks, the whole placed
in a small Teak-wood basket,
and suspended near the glass
in an intermediate house. As,
in the case of other true Epi-
phj-tes, its thick roots seem
to enjoy exjiosure to the dif-
fused light in a humid atmo-
sphere and moderately warm
temperature. In order to cul-
tivate it successfully, it must
on no account be over potted,
a very little fibrous compost
in the smallest of Teak-wood
basket.s being amply sufficient
for its requirements, and
under tliese circumstances it
makes a vigorous and healthy
root gi-owth, stout foliage,
and produces spikes 1 ft.in
length, be.aring from ten to
fifteen flowers. The flowers
of dilferent plants .as imported
vary in size and markings,
but aver.age 1 in. or more in
diameter. The sepals and
petals are nearly equal, of
waxy whiteness, eacli markeil
at its base with a few trans-
verse bars of rose inclining to
purple, or -nhat is known as
port-wine colour. The lip is
short, thick, and of waxlike
consistence, white with a dash
of lemon-yellow on the disk,
and in some varieties a few
minute rose-coloured dots are
visible. The profile or side
view of the flowers shows

them to be elegantly bell-shaped at the base, .and, owing to their
general form, colour, and concentric markings, as seen from the
front, they call to mind the smaller forms of the South American
Odontoglossum Cervantesi, or a small marked variety of tlie dainty
little Aerides japonicum. Were the plant less rare it would soon
gain for itself a place in our gardens as one of the neatest and

[prettiest of all Australian
Orchids, apart from the ad-
ditional interest which it pos-
sesses as being the only intro-
duced species of a little
known genus at all likely to
interest amateur cultivators
of Orchidaceous plants. B.

New Australian Orchid (Sarcoc'.iihis FitzseraUli).

Untrained Azaleas. —

— In a careful examination of
the several suljjects l)rought
together on the occasion of
the last meeting at South
Kensington, I stumbled, so
to speak, upon an untrained
Azalea, which aftbrded me
more pleasure tluan I can well
express, so much more beau-
tiful was it than the hard-
trained specimens invariably
presented .at exhibitions. This
specimen was one of the old
A. indica alba, and belonged
to the Society. It ^\"as about
S ft. in height and of a jiro-
portiouate diameter, and it
had been gi'own entirely in a
natural manner ; and, as it
was densely flowered, it pre-
sented a most beautiful aj)-
pearance. To compare it
with the close-trained j^jTa-
mids and the flat buslies pre-
sented by tlie majority of the
exhibitors is absurd, so much
more beautiful was it. It is
said that unless Azaleas are
trained they will not travel.
Nodoul)tthe branches require
some amount of steadying,
Irut it is nonsense to say that
Azaleas cannot be sent a few
miles by road or rail without
being trained in a manner
tliat makes them but little
short of hideous. I venture
to say that Mr. Bari'on would,
with the aid of a few stout
stakes and a little bast, so
secure the branches of the
plant in question that it
would tr.avel to Scotland
witlioiit half-a-dozen of its
blooms lieing injured, — "Gar-
deners' Magazine."

Orchids at Norbiton.

— In the rich collection of
these popular plants in Lord
Londesborough's garden, we
reniiarked the following in
flower, viz., Epidendrum
cnemidophorum, a rare spe-
cies of the erectum type, with
slender stems terminated by
large, droojjiug clusters of
blossoms, which are pink,
copiously si>otted with rich
chocolate, and very showy ;
the lovely Dendrobiura in-
fundibulum, with its ivory-
^vhite and orange-coloured
blossoms, was also finely in
flower; and D. senile is a very
curious miniature kind, with
short stems densely covered
with whitioh hairs. W.

454

THE GARDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

UOTES or THE WEEK.

Fine English Asparag'us. — Mr. Hanvood, of Colchester,
took the first prize for Asparagus at the Colchester and Essex Hor-
ticultural Society's show last week with one of the finest specimens
of English Asparagus which we have yet seen. We are persuaded
that in a very few years specimens as fine as any sent fi'om abroad
will be gro\™ by the same market gardener. It is blanched to aljout
tlie same degi'ee as the best Frencli, tlie tip slightly green and an
inch or two pinkish, but not so much as the Dutch Asparagus.

Cassiope fastigiata. — This rare and beautiful Ericaceous
plant is now bearing a profusion of blossoms in one of the ojien
borders at Kew, where it has been quite unprotected during the
past winter. It grows to about 1 ft. higli, and lias small scaledike
leaves densely arranged on the stem in a quadrangular manner,
similar to Andromeda tetragona. The blossoms are small and bell-
shaped, of a pure waxy whiteness, witli a delicate pink eye,
and hang gracefully from tlie upper part of the stems. A
moist peaty soil and partial shade apparently suit it admirably.

Tulipa stellata. — A bed of this rare and beautiful Tulip is
now very showy in Mr. Bull's nursery. It is somewliat similar to
tlie European T. Clusiana, but is superior to tliat kind, inasmuch as
the blossoms are larger and pure white, witli a faint dash of yellow
at the inner base and a delicate blush tinge on tlie outside. It is a
native of the Western Himalayas, wliere it is found at gi-eat eleva-
tions ; hence it is liardy in our climate.

Lselia elega-ns alba. — A magnificent cluster of this lovely
Orchid has been sent to us from Sir Trevor Lawrence's rich collec-
tion at Burford Lodge, Dorking. Its blossoms are large and the
colours well defined, especially on the lip, tlie liright amethyst tint
of whicli forms a striking contrast to the pure white of the other parts.
Altogetlier it is a decided improvement on tlie tj'pe, and the cluster
of flowers sent are admirable examples of skilful cultivation.

Lilium Hansoni in Pots. — This rare and handsome Lily
succeeds admirably when groAvn in pots, a condition in which we
saw it a few days ago in Mr. Bull's nursery, in which it was pro-
ducing its pretty orange and chocolate coloured flowers very freely,
bearing as many as fourteen on two stems in one pot. It grows
from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and the leaves are arranged in whorls at
wide intervals on the stem.

Spring Flowers at Wantage. — Mr. Caud^^•e^, of Wan-
tage, a place celebrated for Primulas, Pansies, Polyantliuses, and
similar jilants, has sent us some beautiful semi-double Cowslips,
dwarf in habit and profuse flowerers : a very dark Polyantlius for
spring bedding ; also a Poly.anthus named King Alfred, a finely-
laced variety, and two good Daisies, white and red, the last prettily
quilled.

Herbaceous Calceolarias at Langport.— There is now

a fine show of these in Jlessrs. Kelway's nursery at Langport. It
consists of about a thousand pilants, blooms of some of which have
been sent to us, and, judging from their size and striking colours,
the display must bo a very effective one.

Cornus canadensis. — Flowering plants of this pretty and
now somewhat rare miniature shrub we saw a few days ago in
Jlessrs. Jackson & Son's nursery at Kingston. It grows from 4 in.
to (i in. high, and has the upper leaves of the stem in whorls gene-
rally from tour to six in number. The flowers are small and ]iurplish,
surrounded liy a wliite invohicre nearly 1 in. across, wliieh is the
most conspicuous part. It delights in moist soil, and makes an in-
teresting bog plant, or it may be planted in the lower parts of the
rock garden.

Rubus deliciosus.— One of the prettiest shrubs at present in
flower at Kew is this fine Californian Bramble. It forms a com-
pact bush a yard or more high, and for a considerable time at this
season covered with a profusion of pure white blossoms, which are
2 in. or more across, succeeded by red fruits, which, by the way, are
not very delicious.

Cattleya MacMorelandi.— This lovely and rare Orchid is now
in flower in Messrs. \'eitch &, Sons' nursery at Chelsea. In habit
and gencr.al aspect it is similar to C. Mossia-, but the flowers which
are rather lai-ger than those of the ordinary varieties of C. Mossite,
li.ave the segments pure white, with the exception of a delicate
blush tinge on the two lateral sepals. The lip is very shallow and
much crisped at the margins, witli two conspicuous deep orange
blotches, and a faint purplish-violet tinge at the base. Scarcely less
beautiful, and (piite as rare, is C. AVagneri, which is also in flower
at Chelsea. The blossoms are large and pure white, with nothing to
mar their chaste beauty except a faint dash of lemon tint at the tip
of the lip.

Green Trees in London.— It is charming just now, after

the harsh spiring and winter, to see the beauty of the budding trees
in many parts of Central and West-Central London. Such beauty
should encourage people to form gardens and to plant trees in such
places, for the success of those already planted shows, as far as
deciduous trees are concerned, that the beauty of spring buds or
summer foliage is as evident in London as in the country, and far
more welcome. — V.

Iris tenax. — We noticed the true form of this fine North Ameri-
can Iris in flower in the Kew collection, and also at Mr. Ware's
nursery, at Tottenham. Its foliage is narrow and very tough,
the bases of the leaves having a pinkish tint. The flowers, wdiich
are large, are borne singly, and have oblong beardless falls of
pale lavender hue, with a conspicuous spot almost ^\hite, the stan-
dards being narrow and of the same colour. It is a handsome border
flower, and one whicli succeeds best in rather moist localities.

Alpine Phloxes at Tottenham.— These beautiful rock-
plant varieties of P. subulata are now in full beauty in Mr. Ware's,
nursery at Tottenham, and nothing can well exceed the brilliant
effect which they produce when seen in masses. They vary in colour
almost as much as the numerous forms of P. Drummondi, the flowers,
varying from pure white to a deep violet-purple and clear rose, with
every intermediate shade. It is one of the best plants with wliieli
we are acquainted for covering exposed places on rockeries, as it
grows so rapidly and flowers so profusely.

Haberlea rhodopensis. — This rare Alpine gesneraeeous
plant, of which we gave an illustration last week, will shortly be in
flower in Mr. Ware's nursery at Tottenham. It was pilanted on the
I'ockery a few years ago, where it has remained unharmed, thougli.
quite unprotected. It has not, however, shown signs of flowering
previously.

No one can entertain any doubts as to the complete

hardiness of this plant. I have had it in the rockwork without pro-
tection for two years, but it has not yet flowered. — H. N. Ella-
COEJIE, Bittoii Vicaraije.

Cacti in Flower at Hammersmith.— Mr. Peacock's col-
lection is now enli\'ened by tile following beautiful and in most eases
rare species, viz., Echinocactus mamillosus, a kind with pretty
golden blossoms, 2\ in. across, borne on the apex on a cushion-like
plant beset with strong spines ; Mamillaria Schiedieana, witli
numerous magenta-coloured fruits, in form and size much resembling
those of the common Barberry, thickly studded on the conical stems,
and enveloped in white star-shajied hairs. Similar to this is M-
stellaris, the hairs of which arc, however, browner in colour. M.
Fosteri is another pretty kind \\itli magenta-coloured blossoms.
The most beautiful which we saw Mas M. Burgesi, which was about
4 in. high, and which had a thick I'oundcd stem the surface of
which was studded with about two dozen deep magenta-tinted blos-
soms, each nearly as large as a shilling, which rendered it very
eft'ective. These are but a few of the many choice succulent plants
that afford interest to the plant lover in this collection.

The True Meconopsis siniplicifolia is now in flower in
the York Nurseries. It has had the credit of being one of the finest
of Hiinahayan Alpines, and ccrt.iinly is a striking and beautiful
pilaiit. Its flowers measure 3 in. across, and are borne solitarily on
stalks H ft. to 2 ft. high ; they are of a deep rich blue, shaded
towards the margins of the inner petals with rosy-purple, colours
with which a mass of deep golden anthers in the centre contrasts
grandly. The leaves, as the name implies, are very nearly, and
sometimes quite, entire. They measure from 4 in. to 6 in. in length,
and are lanceolate and hairy. This sijecies is deciduous and truly
perennial. The allied M. aeuleata, another Himalayan species, also
promises to make a fine show in the same nurseries shortly. It has
branching stems, and forms a pyramidal mass of large purplish-blue
flowers from 1 .V ft. to 2A ft. liigli. Its leaves are deeidy lobed and
rough, with coarse hairs. This, too, is deciduous and perennial.
Both are quite hardy. — P.

Orchids at Chelsea. — A few days ago we noticed amongst
many other Orchids in flower at Messrs. Veitch's the following
beautiful kinds, viz., the Colax jugosus, with broad, handsome
foliage and wax-like blossoms, the outer sepals being white and the
inner prettily mottled with deep puriile. -\mongst the Dendro-
biums, the most desirable in flower were — D. Bensonia;, a splendid
spiecies, remarkalily free flowering, with yellow and white blossoms,
with two conspicuous brownish-black blotches at the base of the
lip ; D. infundibulum and D. formosum are somewhat similar, their
large flowers of ivory whiteness rendering them very attractive.
For suspended baskets, few of the late-flowering kinds are better
adajited than D. crystallinum, the large orange lip and magenta-
tipped sejials of \\diicli are very showy and last a long time in jier-
fection. D. tortile, though by no me.ans a novelty, is not often met-

June 7, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

with, though, ou account of its delicately-tiuteil flowers and curious
spirally twisted sepals, it is very desirable. The display of Odonto-
glossum Alexandra; is remarkably line ; the varieties are numerous,
both as regards size of flower and colouring, and all are well gi-own,
many long arching flower-stems bearing from eight to sixteen
blossoms. 0. cirrhosum, too, is very beautiful, and a dangerous
rival to the preceding, particularly in the case of some of the finest
varieties, of which there are several here. Amongst Orchids note-
worthy as curiosities, none arc so interesting as the exijuisite little
Restrepia antennifera, the blossoms of which have the lower sepal
joined into a boat-shaped form, the others attenuated into antennfe-
like processes, all beautifully spotted with reddish-chocolate on a
yellowish gi-ouud. The flowers of ilasdevallia Peristeria form a
striking contrast to those of its showy " congeners, as they have
nothing to reconunend them but singular form and strange but dull
markings.

Rose-coloured Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum roseum).—

We lately saw flowering examples of this choice hardy plant at Kew,
and also at Mr. Ware's nursery at Tottenham. Tlie specimens in
question were about 1 ft. higli, though the plant is said to gi-ow froni
2 ft. to S ft. high in a wild state. The stems are quite erect, with
the leaves, which are lance-sliaped and glaucous, arranged in whorls.
The blossoms are tubular, and about j in. long, borne in pairs from
the axils of the leaves on short, slender stalks ; hence the flowers
are drooping. The colour being of a soft rose tint, the flowers have
a pretty effect set oft' by the rich glaucous hue of the foliage. It
inhabits various regions in Central .Siberia, and though it has been
introduced for some considerble time, it is at present very rare in
collections.

MasdevaUia Backhousiana.— This singular and highly
interesting novelty, which was disposed of at Stevens' the other day,
is now flowering in Mr. Peacock's collection at Hammersmith. As
we have previously remarked, it is allied to M. t'him;cra, l)ut it is
considered by Professor Reicheubach to differ from that kind.
The flowers are produced singly, and the three segments are from
3J in. to 4 in. across, each having tail-like attenuations from 2?, in.
to 3 in. in length. The ground colour is pale yellow, thickly spotted
with reddish-chocolate, and covered ou the inner surface with nume-
rous short liairs. The lip is smaU, and forms a whitish, pocket-like
process in the centre.

Pleione Hookeriana. — Several potfuls of this charming
Alpine Orchid now in flower forms a conspicuous feature in the
Orchid houses in ilr. Peacock's garden at Hammersmitli. It is,
perhaps, the smallest of all the cultivated kinds, growing not more
than 3 in. high, and bearing numerous blossoms, which spring from
amidst short, ovate leaves. The colour is delicate pink and white,
the lip being of a darker hue, and the pencillings of a lemon tint.
It is one of the most desirable kinds for growing in a cool house,
conilitions under which it thrives admirably. It is found at consider-
able elcA-ations in the Eastern Himalayas.

Hibbertia Reedi. — Tliis charming little Australian plant is
now seldom met with, yet it is one of the prettiest ornaments which
a greenliouse could ])03sess during spring, when it is literally covered
with small golden blossoms, which are very effective mixed with
those of otiier plants. We saw it a few daj's since in Messrs. Lee &
Son's nursery at Hammersmith, whore many of the now little-known
Australian plants receive attention. In addition to this, we saw a
"variety of Hedaroma tulipifera with flowers the markings of which
were of a deep blood-red, being the darkest-coloured form with vihich
we have yet met.

Hesperochiron pumilus. — This rare hardy plant is now in
Bower on the rockery in Mr. \Vare"s nursery at Tottenham. It is
stemless, dwarf in growth, and has numerous oblong leaves borne on
slender stalks, forming a rosulate tuft. The flowers are produced
singly on slenrler stems from the axils of the leaves, erect, bell-shaijeil,
measuring nearly ^ in across, and are white, varying to a purplish
tinge. It gi'ows in marshy grouml, and in other damp jilaces in the
Rocky Mountains of Northern Utah, &c. It belongs to the same
family as the Nemophila, and is as yet scarcely known amongst
cultivators. — W. G.

MasdevaUia to"varensis. — -A.s an instance of the fi-ee-flowcr-
ing habit of this charming cool-house Orchid, -n-e notice in the last
number of " L'llhistration Horticole " that a plant in the garden of
M. de Rothschild, at Ferrieres, had 137 blossoms expanded on it at
one time. — W.

Succulent Plant Catalogue. — Jlr. Peacock, .Sudbmy
House, Hammersmith, has printed a catalogue of his succulent
plants, consisting of the names of the plants according to their
current nomenclature. The result is a neat little brochure invalualjle
for reference, more especially if the names had been accurately
spelt, which in many cases they are not, Mr. Peacock has resolved
i;o distribute 5000 copies of it amongst growers and collectors of

succulents. Those who wish for it, therefore, have only to send to
him a suitable wrapper directed and stamped.

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

KOYAL IIOIiTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

JuxE 2.

This, the Whit Monday flower show, notwithstanding a downpoirr
of rain during the -iiliole day, was visited by nearly DOOO persons.
The large tent was well filled with plants, but this was owing chiefly
to the liberality of exhibitors at the last meeting, many of whom
allowed their groups to remain, which added much to the attractive-
ness of the show. These included Mr. Jackman's Clematises, Roses
from the Slough, Cheshunt, and Clielsea Nurseries, the miscellaneous
collections from Mr. B. S. Williams, Messrs. C'utbush & Sons,
Osborn & Son, Laing & Co., Boiler, and others, besides several
groups of Ferns, fine-foliaged plants, &c., from private gardens. The
competitive classes were not so well filled as might have been ex-
pected, especially those which contended for the general prizes, and
the exhibits, too, were neither numerous nor noteworthy. The prizes
for groups of decorative plants arranged for eft'ect were awarded to
Messrs. Wills, Hooper & Co., Aldous, in the order in which they are
mentioned. The collections of plants in flower were, on the ^\'hole,
very well grown, especially Fuchsias and Pelargoniums. A group of
Harrison's Musk, shown by Messrs. Reeves, was deservedly much
admired, and gained the fii-st prize.

MANCHESTER ROYAL BOTANICAL AND

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

M.\Y 30 TO June 6.

Notwithstanding the sunless spring which we have had, the' dis-
play made on this occasion, taking it collectively, was above the
aver.age of what these annual ^^'hitsuntide exhibitions held here
usually are, and "which are deservedly most successful, combining, as
they do, an assemblage of every description of plants, exotic and
hardy, that can at this season of the year be shown in a condition to
fairly represent their respective kinds. Every available foot of space
in the permanent exhiljition building, the annexe adjoining, and also
tlic large tent, were filled as full as they could hold. The ever-
green trees and shrubs, as \\'ell as kindred subjects weregi'ouped out-
side, and added much to the interest aud general effect of the exhi-
bition.

In the amateur's class of twenty stove aud greenhouse plants, half
flowering and half fine-leaved subjects, there were three exhibitors,
who collectively staged such a bank of fine specimens as have rarely
before been brought together. The two best collections, shown by
Mr. Tudgey, gardener to J. F. O. Williams, Esq., Worcester, and
Mr. Hamlett, gardener to E. Pilgrim, Esq., Cheltenham, were so
nearly matched that the judges awarded first prizes to botli, and well
they deserved it. In Jlr. Tudgey's gr.oujj there was an unusually
good Anthurium .Scherzerianum not less than -ih ft. through and as
much in height, bearing some sixty fully developed flowers large in
size and bright in colour ; it is much the largest example we have
seen. The fine spring-blooming Heaths, Victoria and ventricosa
magnifica, were large in size aud profusely flowered. Three Palms
in the same gi'ouji, viz., Geonoma gracilis, Stevensonia grandifolia,
and Pritchardia pacifica, were very elegant, yet massive. Mr. Ham-
lett had a wonderfully fine Cordyline indivisa, the largest of which
were extremely stout and strong ; a fine new orange-coloured seed-
ling Ixora, named Pilgrimi ; several well flowered Azaleas, including
the glowing purple Due de Nassau, still one of the best ; an immense
Ence]ih.alartos villosus, aud a couple of large and vigorous Gleichenias,
G. Spelunca; aud G. rupestris.

In the corresponding class for nurserymen there were .also three
exhibitors, among which Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, and Messrs.
Cole, of Manchester, had a close nm, but the first prize was awarded
to the former. This collection contained the finest-flowered yellow
Cavendish Heath with which we have met ; it was literally covered
with bloom from top to bottom, so much so as to scarcely admit of
its leaves being seen ; an equally well-bloomed Stephanotis flori-
bunda, and the now seldom-seen Pimelea spectabilis rosea, much the
best form of this distinct and handsome plant, were also shown in
this collection. In Messrs. Cole's group was a profusely-flowered
blue Statice profusa, 5 ft. in diameter, and a very meritorious Ixora
coccinea, covered with bright scarlet flowers, which, when well
managed, as this was, is the finest of all the Ixoras. Messrs. Cald-
well, of Knutsford, Cheshire, had an effective exhibition, in which
were beautiful examples of the elegant Davallia Moorcana and

456

THE GARDEN.

[Juke 7, 1879.

Cileichenia dichotoma, both of which rank amongst the most distinct
and beautiful of Ferns. The six collections competing in these
cl.asses were sucli as to really make an exhibition in themselves, and
at once exemplified the superiority of the effect produced by mixed
groups of blooming and tinedeaved plants over an arrangement in
which the flowering and the oruamental-foliaged subjects are shown
separately.

Orchids, as usual at Manchester, were jjresent in much gi-eater
nundjers, and the plants individually larger than those seen at other
shows, although on tliis occasion some collections were absent. In
the amateurs' division for fifteen plants Mr. Bolt, gardener to W.
Turner, Es(j., was first. Most notable amongst his plants were an
exceedingly well-grown Odontoglossum vexillarium, bearing sixteen
large spikes of flower ; 0. Koezli, with eighteen flowers ; O.
cirrhosum, equally fine ; Saccolabium Turneri, one of the forms of
S. guttatum, unsurpassed if equalled by any of tiie others ; it l»ore
four charming droo]>ing racemes, the largest of wliich was over 20
in. long, the sjiotting and colour of the laljcUum deeper than
nsual ; associated with this were also .S. gmttatnm, with seven spikes ;
Aerides Fieldingi, bearing five spikes ; Masdevallia Lindeni, and
Lielia purpnrata, splendidly bloomed, ilr. Swan, gardener to \V.
Leech. P>sq., wlio was second, had in a very good gi-oup a very large
and finely- bloomed Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, witli fourteen of its
lemon and white-coloured <lrooping racemes. For nine Orchids Mr.
Osman, gardener to R. B. Dodgson, Esq., received the first award ;
amongst them were the glowing magenta Masdevallia Harryana,
with large flowers ; I)endrobium Schr.ideri, and D. Devonianum.

Groups of fine-leaved Plants were well and largely shown,
and had an excellent effect, serving as a background for the Orcliids
and other smaller growing flowering plants. Tliey consisted of tlie
usual kinds of Palms, Cycads, Crotons, Tree and other Ferns, &e., and,
as arranged on this occasion, they happily toned down the glow of
colour produced by flowering plants without making the whole too
sombre, a result of not unfre pient occurrence since large fine-leaved
subjects have been so much used, both at exhibitions and for gene-
ral purposes and decoration. Tlie new permanent iron canvas-covered
annexe adjoining the exhibition house, 330 ft. long and 7- ft. wide, pre-
sented a beautiful appearance looked at collectively, and the plants
individually were generally well grown. Conspicuous amongst them
were Mr. C Turner's large and magnificently bloomed Roses, which
here had no rivals; he showed in both the classes for 12 and 20. The
most remarkable amongst them were large l^ushes of the well-known
pale rose-coloured Charles Lawson, Celine Forestier (p.ale lemon
colour), Jliss Ingram, Paul Verdier, Beauty of Waltham, Edouard
Morren, Madame Theresa Levet, and the ever-lovely La France.

Azaleas were well shown by Messrs. Cole, wdiose plants were
beautifully flowered and nearly untrained, their branches being al-
lowed to hang in almost their natural positions.

Exotic Perns. — Of these a well-gTown group was contributed
by ill: Lingard, gardener to H. Samson, Esq., in wliich wei-e
large examples of (Tleichenia Spelunc;e, (i. Mendelli, and G. flabel-
lata ; the latter one of the most distinct.

Misoellaneous Subjects.— Messrs. .J. Waterer & .Sons, of
Bagshot, occupied all the end of the annexe with Rhododendrons,
to which the .Society's gohl medal was awarded. In the class of
twenty miscellaneous plants in or out of flower, ilr. .Smith, gar-
dener to J. Rylands, Esq., stood first, having amongst others a very
Large spreading example of the fine Tree Fern (Cibotium regale).
Prizes were offered for .Sarracenias, Nepenthes, Droseras, and kin-
dred plants, and shown in that way they were very eft'ective. A gToup
shown by Mr. Bruce, gardener to .1. Fildes, Esq., contained unusu-
ally well-gi'owu Sarracenias, consisting of S. Drummondi alba, S.
Drummondi rubra, S. variolaris, .S. psittacina, .S. purpurea, .S. rubra,
and four forms of S. flava ; also Darlingtonia californica, numerous
Droseras, and Dionnja muscipula. Mr. Anderson, Meadowbank,
Glasgow, received the Society's gold medal for a beautiful exhibition
of Amaryllises. Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons, Liverpool, won the
Society's gold medal for a hundred miscell.aneous plants eft'ectively
arrange:!. Messrs. J. Dickson & Sons, Cliester, had a fine collec-
tion of eighty Alpine and herbaceous plants, for which a gold medal
was awarded. One of the most interesting exhibits present was
Messrs. Staudisli & Co. 's . I .apanese hardy plants, consisting of some
000, representing eighty-five species or distinct varieties; to this a
gold medal was also awarded. Messrs. Waterer likewise received a
similar medal for a beautiful collection of twenty-five varieties of
Holly, and another for ten hardy evergTeen trees and shrubs.
Messrs. Osborn & Sons showed a select gi'oup, consisting of this class
cf plant, not over large, but in perfect condition. Mr. B. S.
Williams was awarded a gold medal for twelve new and rare plants.
The same exhiljitor also had a lai'ge and vp^'ied collection of plants,
nit for competition, as had likewise Messrs. Osborn & .Sons, from
w'aom came some finely-flowered large baskets full of the lovely blue
G^ntiaua acaulis, much fuller of bloom than it is often met with.

Messrs. R. P. Ker & .Sons had likewise a very interesting gTOup of
plants of this description.

Fruit was quite as abundant as the dull character of the season
would have led one to expect. Mr. ililes. gardener to Lord Caring-
ton, was first, with a very good collection, in wliich were Black
Hamburgli and iluscat of Alexandria Crapes ; Black Circassian, and
Governor \\'ood Cherries ; beautifully finished very fine .Tames
Veitch Strawberries ; Elruge Nectarines ; Brown Turkey Figs ;
Cox's ( Jolden .Gem Melon, and a Pino. Jlr. .Jamieson, gardener to
the Earl of Crav.'ford and Balcarras, was first for Black Hamburgh
Grapes, finely finished, black, and well covered with hloom. In the
class for white Grapes, ilr. Bannerman, gardener to Lord Bagot,
took the first prize with a very good Buckl?.ud Sweetwater.
Mr. Upjohn, gardener to the Earl of EUesmere, was first for Straw-
berries in pots.

A list of prizes will be found in our advertisement columns.

PLATE CLXXXIII.

LILIUM PARKMANNI.

Draivn by NOEL HU-MrHREY.S.
This remarkable Lily was raised by Mr. Parkman, President of
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. It is a hybrid between L.
auratum and a deep-coloured variety of L. speciosum. The latter
was the female parent. Feitilisation, Mr. Parkman st.atee, took
place readily, and the young buUis v.-ere planted in the open gi-ouncl
for the first time in the spring of ISUO. There were about fifty of
them. .Several, as they gTew, showed the peculiar spotted stem of
the m.ale parent, but when they set flower-buds, as nearly all of them
did in the same season, the features of L. auratum could be
distinguished only in one of tliem. The rest, in bud and flower,
appeared to lie merely L. speciosum, quite unaffected by the pollen
of the m.ale parent. The one alluded to was a remarkalile exception.
The flower opened ten days earlier than any of the rest ; it had the
fragrance of aur.atum, and resemljled it also in form. This first
flower measured 94 in. from tip to tip of the petals. In the follow-
ing year there were several flowers, of which the largest measured
lU in. This liybrid, Mr. Parkman reports, was the most successful
result of a great number of experiments tried by him in the cross-
fertilisation of Lilies. This genus is certainly remark.alile in the
tenacity with which it preserves the char.acteristics of the female
parent .and resists tjie influence of the male. Thus he impregnated
L. longiHorum and L. Takesima with the pollen of L. auratum, L.
speciosum, and six or eight other Lilies, the anthers of the fertilised
flowers being carefully removed before tliey ripened. L. Takesima
bore seed in abundance, but the resulting plant did not ditfer per-
ceptibly from its female parent, shiwing no feature of the isiale. He
removefl its anthers and fertilised it again with auratum and specio-
sum, thinking that the influence of the male might .apjiear in the
seconil generation if not in the first, but this doulile fertilisation pro-
duced no efl'ect. The same result followed a similar experiment with
L. canadense and L. superbum. In this case also the flower resulting
from the first experiment was again fertilised. The result was a very
scanty crop of seed, liut tliis seed produced a plant in whicli no sign
of the male influence was visible. L. Parkmanni, as will be seen, is
a nolile Lily, large in size .and strikingly bright in colour. It suc-
ceeils well in a pot, but Mr. Antliony Waterer, from wdiose estalilish-
ment, .at Knap Hill, tlie flower was obtained from which our plate-
was prepared, informs us tliat it grows freely with him planted
out in company with L. speciosum.

Dates of Rose Shows. — "Delta," wdio objects to the alter,a-
tion of the dates of Rose shows, has doubtless ere this found that
two fine days do not make a spring, and also that outdoor Roses have
so far made but slow jirogress. Looking at the general efl'ects upon
vegetation produced by the late cold spring, it is impossible to doubt
th.at Roses must be backward. In making such imjiortant changes,
depend upon it the authorities of the shows in question have not
done so without good reason. "Delta" says, "changes in shows are
sure to be ch.arged as brouglit about in someone's interest." Cer-
tainly in the press nt case it is so, but it is in the interest of both
growers and tlie public. The laws of the Medes and Persians may
have been un.alterable, but the dates of shows are not ; and when the
season is a month Later than usual, show authorities may well alter
tlieii' shows to suit the season. — A. D.

Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society's Show,
June 17. — It may interest some to know that Messrs. Webb
& .Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, give special prizes at this exhibition
for the best collections of vegetables, consisting of eight distinct
varieties, and including Webb's Improved Ashleaf Potato and
Webb's Perfection Pea. 1st prize, 21s. ; 2ud prize, 14s. ; 3rd prize, 7s

June 7, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

457

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

Those who liave no " bedding out" to do this season are much '.o
be envied, as they ■will escape the anxieties consequent on sucli a
backward coUl season, and the necessarily very short time during
which the plants will continue in perfection, even if they attain that
state, which at present apjiears very doubtful. We have generally
by this date not only finished the planting out of the tendercst
Idnds, Ijut completed the clearing up of the attendant litter, ami
have had the walks, edgings, &c., put in proper trim ; but, so far
as can be seen at present, it will be quite the end of the mouth be-
fore such work can this year be accomplished. It is aUvaj's advisable
to make the best of a bad job, and this should now be done by con-
centrating as much labour as possible on this work, in order that the
planting may be brought to a close as soon as possible, and, as the
ground is still very cold, the tender plants, such as Coleus and Alter-
nantlieras, should be left to the very last. It will now or ought
to be safe to plant out large gi'owing sub-tropical plants, such as
Ricinus, Solanums, Wigandias, Abntilons, and the like, which should
be at once staked to prevent injury from wiml : all sucli stately gi'ow-
ing plants sliould be given ample room for full development, and by
way of at once fully furnishing the beds, groundwork plants suited
to each should he used. Of these there are innumerable kinds, a few
of the best being the variegated Euonj'mus, variegated Periwinkle,
Festuca glauca, and F. viridis, Gnaphaliuni lauatuni, Pyrethrum
<Toldeu Feather, Mentha gdbraltarica, and the several varieties of
Sedum anil Saxifrage that are usually used for carpct-beddiug. As a
rule, tlie colour of the undergi-owth should contrast, or at least
harmonise, witli the taller gi-owing plants. By suggesting such
arrangements, it will be seen that we advocate a single variety only
for each bed, the only exception being that, saj', for the taller growing
Solanums, such as S. giganteun-, we would prefer an outer line of
a similar kind, but having a dwarfer haljit, such as S. roljustum.
Similar arrangements are practicable in the case of all the varieties,
as, for instance, the tall gi'owing gTeen-foliaged Ricinus viridis can
be surrounded with the denser growing and bronzy-leaved Ricinus
Gibsoni. From these examples others will suggest themselves.
As soon as planting out and clearing up are completed other joljs
that are necessary will present themselves, one of the foremost being
the clipping of Box edgings, an operation requiring more than average
care, liotli as to doing the work evenly and avoiding cutting
into the old wood. The earlier flowering Rhododendrons and
Azaleas will also reipiire to have tlieir seed-pods jiicked oil', and the
beds or clumps hoed to keep down weeds. It would add to the in-
terest of the garden generally if the margins of such clumps were
planted with other varieties of hardy plants which flower at other
seasons, and, happily, this is becoming general. By planting the
hardier varieties of Lily, also Trillium, Narcissus, (iladiolus, Schizos-
tylis cocciuea. Iris (many kinds), Sedum spectabile, Ericas (belonging
to the carnea section), I)»phue C'neorum, Andromeda hypnoides, and
many others, satisfactory results may he realised. Heavy rains
having hindered machine mo\\-ing, the bents will soon be too high for
the machine to cut them ; therefore, as soon as drier weather prevails
this must Ije kept constantly at work, to prevent the scythe being
required when other work is pressing. Edges and verges will require
clipping about once a fortnight, for if left for a longer [leriod especi-
ally at this season, they seed and cause endless labour, not to
mention the untidiness belong'ing to them when not kept regularly
cut. Roll walks after heavj' rains ; they should be kept clean by
means of hand weeding ; hoeing is never desirable, indeed they should
never be allowed to get into such a state that hoeing is rendered
necessary. — W. \\".

Auriculas. — In reference to the remarks of "Brockhurst " and
" R. D." (pp. 42S-'29) as to repotting Auriculas, I may mention that
I have tried potting at various times, and I am of opinion that it
should be done as soon as convenient after the plants are out of
bloom. I do not find that potting later makes any dift'erence as re-
gards autumn blooming. By this time I fancy Jlr. Simouite and the
Rev. F. I'. Horner will have finished their potting ; ours are potted
from want of time more than anything else. It takes most of tlie
large growers a inontli to finish their potting, but it takes us longer
owing to the piressure of other work. I have never seen the " winte
froth " alluded to by " R. D.," nor have I heard of it until now,
unless he means the Auricula aphis. I think " R. D." is wrong in
recommending the leaf mould to be allowed to become much decayed
before using it. I like to have a good deal of broken leaves in it,
but I ]jass it through a sieve to free it from bits of rotton wood. I
have used leaf soil not too much decaj'ed ever since I began the
ciilture of this flower, and the mould has also contained plenty of
small bits of rotten wood, but never on a single occasion lias tlie
wood or bits of leaves produced "froth'' of any kind. The

Auricula is one of the easiest grown of plants, or it would not
flourish in the midst of Sheffield smoke, and if the leaves be kept
free from green fly the plants of it will flourish under very adverse
circumstances.

Carnations and Picotees. — Owing to the warmer weather
which we have lately had tlie flower stems of these are now pushing
up rapidly and strongly, and it is necessary to look over the i>lant3
at fvequent intervals, to see tliat they are not snapped by the tie
liolding them down. See that apliides are removed with a small
brush ; they usu.ally cluster on the very top of the stem. Continue
to take pipings where they can be obtained, and treat them as
pireviously reconimended.

Hollyhocks. — These, if clean and free from disease, ought now
to be making good gi'owth. If fungus has attacked the leaves, there
i? no remedy, except such as may be considered as bad as the disease
itself. The best way is to destroy the plants and fill their places
with something else. The Ho'lylioek is frequently to be seen
making an unhealthy gro'.vth ; this is in almost every case the result
of red spider attacking the under sides of the leaves ; the plants in
such cases do no good until it is destroj'ed.

Gladioli. — I have planted out bulbs of these as late as the middle
of June, and tliey flowered well the same season, but the bulbs liad
not time to ripen thorouglily, the result being a bad bloom from
them with many losses the ensuing year. Still where there is a good
stock of roots, very late planting may be tried, but I would
recommend the planting of such roots very early next year. Our
summers ai'e too short forripiening the Gladiolus well, and, what is
worse, tlie wet in autumn and cold nights deliilitate the stock so
much, that it requires a considerable amount of perseverance to
be aide to cultivate it at all.

Hardy Primulas. — It will be necessary to see that those out"
of-doors on sunny banks are not suffering from drought. The
common Primrose and its many beautiful varieties do not take kindly
to sunny banks. The fact is, they ar; moisture-loving plants, and
also like a little sliade and plenty of water in summer to prevent the
leaves becoming a prey to red spider. The more tender species and
varieties that have finished blooming with us in tlie greenhouse have
been removed to a frame with its back to the south ; t hey are not
allowed to suffer from want of moisture, and in this position the y
will gradually ripen their crowns. Most of the failures as regards
these plants are due to the neglect to which they are sulijected ^^ lien
not in flower. We would rather place them behind a north wall, but
that position is not available.

Tulips. — Our beds are now in full flower, but the blooms show
that protection has not been afl'orded them from rain. The flowers
are rather fragale, and the pollen on tlie anthers is washed oS' on to
the base of the cup, sadly marring its beauty. There is much dif-
ference between a good strain and a bad one, and those intending to
cultivate Tulips should try and get the best. The blooms require to
be sheltered both from wind and rain.

Hardy Cypripediums. — From letters which I receive, it is
evident that people are anxious to know how to grow these fine
flowers well. At present the surfaces of the pots are quite covered
with gi'een Moss, and the plants are never allowed to suffer from
want of water, but tlie soil is not saturated : the leaves are syringed
twice a day. The plants are always shaded from bright sunshine,
and air is freely admitted. In potting let the pots be half filleil with
clean potsherds, placing some Sphagnum Moss over them to pre-
vent tlie compost getting down amongst the drainage. — J. Douglas.

Greenhouse.

Palms. — -A-U impression prevails that only the very hardiest of
these will stand the temperature of a conservatory or ordinary gi-een-
house all the year round, andanotherreason why many never attempt
to arow them is the knowledge that many of them in a wild state
attain such a size, that under cultivation room could not be found for
them in ordinary jilaut structures. So anien.able, however, are they
to control iu this matter that they may be said to diU'er from most
other plants, as it is possible to keep them in a healthy state for a
number of years with the gTowth so circumscribed, tliat they can be
accommodated in as little as a twentietli of the space v.'liich they would
fill if encouraged to grow at tlie rapid rate of which tliey are capable,
and the gi-owth-restrioting influence thus brought to bear upon them
has another efl!'ect of inducing some species to bear a mucli lower tem-
perature tl-.an they would stand if their whole gi-owtli had previously
been made in a full complement of heat such as they enjoy. Of
this the great Fan Palm (Latania borbouica) affords a good illustra-
tion, found as it is in the Mauritius, where it gi-ows to so large a size
that a single plant of it would almost fill a moderately large house,
as it very quickly will under cultivation where tliere is heat and
root-room enough ; yet so manageable is it that it niayjie kept in a
10-in. or 12-in. pot in an ordinary living room, where fires exist con-

458

THE GARDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

stantly through the winter, for several years, producing annually
some new leaves, an<l altogether appearing as if the conditions suited
it. Tills being the case, it and a good many others may be had in a
still bitter state under greenhouse or conservatory treatment, espe-
pecially so where there is a temperature a few degrees higher during
the winter tliau most gi-cenhouso plants require, say ranging from
44° to 4S' in the night. In addition to the above species there are
Trithrinax mauritia'formis, Seaforthia elegans, a New Holland kind
that will stand in any ordinary greenhouse; Areca Baueri (syn.,
Seaforthia robusta), a Norfolk Island plant that does not like quite
so low a temperature as the last named ; Filiapis fialielliformis from
China and Japan, a good greenhouse subject of comparatively small
growth ; Pritehardia filifera (syn., Brahea filamentosa), from Cali-
fornia ; and Livistona rotundifolia, a very handsome Palm. The
following Kentias from Lord Howe's Island require nothing more
than a greenhouse temperature, viz., K. australis, K. Balmoreana,
and K. fosteriana, all very beautiful kinds of comparatively small
growth; Cocos australis (syn., Diplothemium campestre), C. chilen-
sis, found in both New Granada and Chili ; Chamajrops Fortunei and
C. humilis are all accommodating plants. I have found Palms to suc-
ceed equally well either in lo.am or peat, where the warmtli to which
they were subjected continuously was such as to best suit their re-
quirements. I have also seen them thrive well in heat in a mixture
of on2-third loam and two-thirds pure yellow claj', with very little
sand, but tlie pots were well drained. When, however, they are
to be grown in less heat and moi-sturo than tliey w-ould be subjected
to where the intention, instead of restricting growth, was to get tliem
on quickly, I have found good holding loam to suit them best, as the
leaves produced by plants rotted in it are tougher, have more sub-
stance, and are better able to retain their vitality under the somewhat
imfavourable conditions in wliich they will be jilaced than those deve-
loped in a warm, moist atmosphere. Palms are so distinct and dif-
ferent in appearance from all other plants, that there is scarcely any-
thing that can be grown in a greenhouse with which they do not both
contrast and associate. Tliey are little subject to insects, and are
very easily managed, but the soil in which their roots are placed
must never be allowed to get too dry, as, in common with all other
evergreen plants, the leaves make a continuous demand upon the
roots, which if insufficiently supplied with moisture are at once
unal)le to fulfil what is required of them, but in the winter months
to all the varieties named, except those descriljed as the hardiest, no
more water should be given tlian is sufficient to keep the soil moist.

Neriums and Hydrangeas.— There are several subjects
tliat, from their adaptaljility for general decorative purposes, are
largely cultivated liy those who grow for market, and yet are com-
paratively little used in private establishments, and to that class
belong both the plants just named, which, no doubt, are often seen
in the shape of large, unwieldy examples, but these are of little
service compared with the small, compiact plants resulting from
annual propagation, and which are alike suitable for the smallest
greenhouse and for the largest plant houses. Both, too, are so
easily grown, and will Ijear such com]^arativeIy rough usage that,
w'hen in flower, they may be placed in living rooms, halls, or similar
situations, where many tenderer plants would not long exist. They
may be struck any time in the season from early spring until late in
t)ie autumn. Tliere is, therefore, no difficulty in getting plants
raised from cuttings put in at the present time to bloom satisfactorily
next year. Tlie course most desirable to follow is to have a sutlicient
quantity, so that they can be used without stint and in succession.
Plants of the Hydrangeas that have been forced will have had con-
siderable shoot gi'owth excited whilst being brought into flower, and
if good-sized cuttings be now taken oil', put in warmth in a close
frame or under propagating glasses, they will quickly root. In
addition to tlie ordinary well-known species, I sliould recommend the
new white-flowered Japanese kind called Thomas Hogg to be
grown ; it is a free bloomer and produces large flower-heads.
Another kind, not so new as the last, nor yet so generally known or
cultivated as it deserves to be, is H. paniculata grandiflora, which is
one of the finest decorative plants ever introduced ; its heads are
not so large as those of tlie others, but they are produced in the
greatest profusion, and form complete panicles of bloom. Of the
old Nerium splendeus tliere are now several forms, varying in colour
from pure white to the deep pink of the original. In the case of
these also, cuttings may be taken off as soon as they are available,
and they will root under the usual treatment in a few weeks ; where
large flo\verless plants exist, their leading shoots may be made into
cuttings, and, from their natural free-rooting disposition, larger
pieces may l)e struck than could be used in the case of most plants ;
consequently, if kept in a moderately warm, close atmosphere, to
enable gi'owtli to be made, good-sized plants may soon be obtained
and got ready for turning out-of-doors in the full sun, so as to get
the wood hardened up liefore autumn, upon which, especially in the
gase of Neriums, depends their ability to bloom.

Salvias. — These are plants that may also be induced to flower
during the succeeding spring when raised from cuttings later than
many subjects, as their rapidity of gi'owth enables them to attain
sufficient size much quicker than most plants. Besides the well-
known .S. gesnera^flora, which is one of the best of spring bloomers,
S. Heeri, S. Grahami purpurata, and S. Verschaft'elti are handsome,
useful kinds. The course to follow is to get the cuttings rooted
quickly, and to push them on with liberal treatment, just stopping
the shoots as far as may be necessary to induce them to break.
Bushy plants such as can thus be obtained by the autumn in C-in. or
7-in. pots will, in many cases, be more useful than larger specimens,
and I have found these late-struck plants to often ilo better than
those rooted earlier, as when propagated at the usual time for striking
most plants in spring, they either gi'ow to a larger size than is
wanted before the summer is over if tlie requisite root-room be given
them, or if any attcnijit be made to prevent them becoming too large
by restricting them in the way of pot-room, they get into a stunted
condition and lose their under leaves, in which state they are neither
sightly nor possess vigour sufficient to produce flowers fairly
developed.

Kalosanthes. — These likewise belong to the most effective and
easily-managed class of gi'eenhouse suljjects, although I frequently
hear people complain of some of the best varieties not blooming
freely, a circumstance that may almost invariably be traced to keep-
ing them too long under glass during the previous summer ; with
them simply turning out in the autumn for a few weeks is not suf-
ficient. To insure their flowering, the plants should be exposed to
the full sun and air from midsummer until there is danger of fro.st.
They also may be propagated at any time of the year, as almost
every bit of half-ripened wood, large or small, will root, but those
struck last summer or early the present spring should have enough
root-room given them by at once placing them in the pots in which
they are to bloom. Autumn-struck plants may be grown singly in
6-iii. or 7-in. pots, which, in most cases, w-ill lie fouud large enough,
or two or three may be put together according to the size of the
specimens required. Such as were struck this spring may be grown
f lom six to a dozen together without stopping. Pots about 8 in. in
diameter will be large enough for the maximum number just named.
For ordinary purposes many prefer to grow a number together in
this way ; wlien they have bloomed once, discarding them, as good-
sized examples can be got up so much quicker than when the plant
is confined to a single cutting, which needs to be stopped several
times and gi-own for two summers before it becomes large enough to
make much efi'ect. Good sandy loam, with a little manure and sand,
will grow them equally well as jieat, which some prefer. In addition
to the old K. miuiata and K. coecinea, generally known as K. punieea,
K. Frederic Desbois and K. Pha-uix are magnificent kinds, wliich
produce very large heads of intensely bright-coloured flowers.

Zonal Pelargoniums for Winter Flowering.— Most

of these are naturally so freely jiredisposed to bloom, that they will
flower more or less in almost any condition, and at any time of the
year, if only sufficient warmth be present ; but for winter use there
is no doubt that the harder and more thoroughly matured the wood
is through exposure in the open air to the summer's sun the freer
they will bloom, and the disposition to make leaf growth when sub-
jected to heat during the winter \vi\l be lessened, even when every-
thing possible has done with plants from summer-struck cuttings.
I never could induce them to flower so freely in heat at the time
w'lien they were required as those that made growth earlier, and
that were subjected through the late summer and autumn months to
management that had a stunting influence, such as in the ease of
most plants would be highly injurious, but in their case is evidently"
an advantage. Older plants already flowered have been cut back
and repotted, and also those that wore struck from cuttings last
autumn, if not already in their blooming-pots, should be at once
transferred to them, and as soon as the roots have got fairly over the
shift, thej' should be placed out-of-doors, ex230sed on a bed of ashes
in the full sunshine, setting the pots as closely together as they will
admit of, wdiicli to some extent will prevent their drying up so quickly.
If the plants are deficient in size, manure water given once a week
for the next six weeks will be an advantage ; but otherwise there is
no necessity for it, the object being to get the whole as hard as
possible consistent w-ith a healthy state ; even if some of the lower
leaves fall off, the plants will be none the worse in reality. All the
training they should receive is just the two or three sticks to each,
with a fev/ ties necessary to keep them in an erect jjosition.

Show and Fancy Pelargoniums now in flower will need

shading during bright weather, or their beauty ^vill be comparatively
short-lived. Those who grow these plants for the requirements of
ordinary gardens need them to keep on flowering for a considerable
time in preference to the simultaneous blooming, but short duration
of flower, aimed at by those who cultivate for exliibition, the plants
in the former case being much smaller in proportion to the size

June 7, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

459

of the pots they occupj', which permits of tlieii- making gi-owth at
"the same time the flowers are expanding which will bloom in succes-
sion, to assist which manure water should be given once a week.
Plants that have liad their points pinched out to induce late flower-
ing mil also be benefited by manure water, and care should be taken
to see that they are quite clear from aphides liefore the blooms
expand, otherwise if it becomes necessary to fumigate them after
they open, it will cause most of tlie petals to drop. — X. Baixes.

Hardy Fruit.

The most pressing requirement in this department now is tlie ex-
termination of aphides, for, in spite of every precaution, bl.ack aphis
is almost certain to attack Cherries, and sometimes Peaches and
Plums ; and if the trees be not dressed as soon as they are attacked,
the aphis increases with such rapidity, that remedial appliances have
to be so strong, that injurious eflects are apt to happen. Our usual
remedy is soap-suds, used just as they come from the laundry, but
if the trees be badlyinfested Tobacco liquor is added, snd in a day or
two afterwards they are well -naslied with clean soft water, applied
with some little amount of force by means of the syringe or garden
engine. Another important operation now demanding attention is
thinning the fruit, but to what extent it is difficult to say, as so much
depends on the varietj', health, vigour, &c., of the trees. Each one
must therefore decide for himself as to the quantity of fruit which
each tree is able to perfect without injuriously affecting the next
year's crop, for it should ever be a maxim that two moderate
crops are preferable to one heavy one. The surplus fruit of Apricots
with us were picked off a week ago, those removed being the smallest
and worst, placed such as those behind or betw een the branches.
Peaches have set in clusters, and are now being thinned ; and so are
Pears on south and west walls ; the thinning of standards and pyra-
midal trees will follow a fortnight hence, and at the same time the
most \ngorous slioots will be stopped, and the weaker growths a few
days later. In thinning Pears bear in mind the variety ;
for instance, t\iice the number of fruit may be left on a tree
of Winter Nelis as on that of Duehesse do Angouleme, for
the o'jvious reason that the latter fruit is double the size
of that of the former. Again, as to Peaches and Nectarines, one
large fruit is infinitely better tlian two small ones. If the trees
have received tlieir final disbudding, the permanent gi-owths may
now be laid or tied in in the case of walls not wired ; a few Hazel
twigs, placed in a horizontal position in front of each slioot, and fixed
at the ends in the old biranches, answer all the purposes of nails and
shreds, and the work is done more expeditiously. Stop at the first
joint all the sub-l.aterals that are being made by next year's fruiting
wood, and pinch out tne points of any shoots that are growing too
robustly. This is the season when cordon-trained trees require most
attention, which, however, merely consists in constantly keeping
the gi-owths well stopped back, .an operation which induces fruitful-
ness, but which, at the same time, in some me.asure cripples the
ti-ees. The latter, therefore, must be kept in liealth and vigour by
means of frequent manurial dressings. These are best supplied in
the sliape of surface mulchings of wcU-rotted manure, which should
be continued during the whole of the growing season. The gnreat
merit of the cordon system is the large variety of fruit that can be
had from a comijaratively limited space ; therefore, in the case of
small gardens, cordons are worthy of adoption if for no other reason
than this. A large tree of Williams' Bon Chretien Pear, that may
produce bushels of fruit that will not keep, is, to an amateur, of no
more value than a tree that produces a couple or three ilozen fruit,
and as the coi'don system admits of at least twelve kinds being
gi-own in the space of one large, fan-trained tree, a. long succession
of fruit may be had in lieu of the fortnight during \\hieh Williams'
Bon Chr(;tien remains good ; if the fruit be grown for market, that,
of course, is another matter, but even then a greater variety would
be desirable. Red and White Cun-ants are exceptionally well-fruited |
and we are now cutting, or rather pinching, oft" some of the useless
spray which overshadows the fruit ; the main shoots will not be cut
till after the fruit is gathered, as these form supports for the nets,
which we ai'c obliged to use to keep off birds. (Jooseberries are
being simil.arly treated. Summer stopping of these is not generally
practised, but it ought to be, considering that such stopping ensures
handsomer and more prolific bushes. — W. W.

Extracts from my Diary— June 9 to June 14.

Floweks. — Potting Eupatoriums and Bouvardias raised from cut
tings ; also Migmouette and Double Petunias. Propagating Poin-
settias. Tying in young shoots of Stephanotis and Allamanda.
Fruit. — Commencing to thin Grapes in late Vinery (Black Alicante).
Going over Black Hamburgh Grapes for exhibition, and cutting out
all inside and crowded berries. Watering late Vinery border with
manure water. Potting Garibaldi Sti-awberry for autumn fruiting.
Layering a few early runners of Iveeu's Seedling and Perpetual Pine
Strawberries for early forcing. Trenching gi-ound for Strawberi'ies.

Mulching Peach borders ■n'ith decayed manure. Tying in young
shoots of Peaches, &c. ; dusting Peaches outside with Tobacco
powder to kill green-fly, &c. VEGET.tELES. — Tying and stopping
Cucumbers. Hoeing between all growing crops, and staking Scarlet
Runners. Diggnng out Celery trenches. Planting Veitch's Self-
Protecting Broccoli. AVeoding and thimiing out crops of Parsnips,
Beet, and Carrots. Sowing a batch of Rosette Colewort, Little Pixie
Cabbage, Green Cos, and Wheeler's Tom Thumb Lettuce. Thinning
out beds of Carrots, Onions, Beets, and Pai'snips. Clearing gi-ound of
Spinach. Planting out more Lettuces between Celery trenches.
Hoeing and cleaning Asparagus beds, and sowing Mustard and Cress.
— R. Gilbert, Bunjldey.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

NEW ZEALAND FOEESTS.

The New Zealand forest is entirely evergreen, and though the return
of spring is not visible in a fresh outburst of foliage, which makes the
woodlands of the old country so attractive, yet there is compensation
in the landscape being spared from the desolating appearance of
leafless trees. Many of those plants which adorn our conservatories
with continual freshness are natives of this forest. For instance,
the Tree Fern Dicksouia ant.arctica is well known for its majestic ap-
pearance, but it shoulil certainly be seen in this its natural habitat,
with stems 20 ft. high, crownetl by fronds from 8 ft. to 10 ft. long.
To stand at the side of a chasm and look down its rugged sides
clothed with Blechnum and Mosses, a gushing stream sparkling at the
base, and one of these giant Ferns filling up the centre, is but a
sample of the many natural Ferneries which the traveller comes
across. Another exile known to most lovers of Palms is Areca
sapida. It soon overtops the Tree Ferns, while the different shades
of gi-een make a pleasing contrast. In spring it throws oiit bunches
of red berries, which are much prized by the natives, while the leaves
are used by many settlers for thatching purposes. In its habit of
growth it seems to shun all exposure, and seeks the shelter of other trees.
Often it is found in places completely guarded against both sun and
wind. We have a species of C.alibage tree, which from its^ hardy
habit would do well for "sub-tropical gardening." In leaf it is much
like a Dracaena, and when seen at a distance looks very like a plume
of feathers. For greenhouse decoration in winter it would be a
pleasing object. Another denizen of the forest here is Dacrydium
cupressiuum, a plant which has not received the attention which it
deserves. It has been in cultivation more or less for thirty years,
and ha\-ing been numbered with the .luniper family, may in some
collections be found labelled Juniperus elata. The brightness of its
evergreen foliage, which retains vigour and freshness throughout the
entire year, with innumeralile waving branches bending with feathery
lightness to the most gentle breezes, including a pleasant symmetry
of form, all tend to gave it rank amongst the rare and beautiful, and
make it a most desirable plant for greenhouse culture.

We may now notice one or two of the timber trees which consti- ■
tute the wealth of the New Zealand forest. The foremost of these is
known to collectors of hard woods as Dammara australis. Leaving
out some of our British Oaks of historic fame, it would be almost iin-
possible to find a more stately tree. It is common to meet with it in
the forest of the North Island, rising to a height of 150 ft., and
measuring 30 ft. in circumference at the base. The wood is very m-
flammable, from tlie amount of resin contained in it ; and this no
doubt accounts for vast extents of such forest having been accident-
ally burnt. It exudes a valuable giim, which has become an im-
portant article of commerce. For shipbuilding it is considered equal
to Oak, and large quantities are annually exported for that purpose.
Another timber tree of colonial reputation is Podocarpus Totara. In
foliage it is somewhat sombre ; the wood is so close in the grain as to
be tei-med "iron wood " by the natives, and is of course very durable.
As indicative of the wide dom.ain of some of the Natural Orders,
we may mention that the Verbena has a representative here, which
ranks amongst the finest timber trees which the colony possesses,
viz., Vitex littoralis. After the first few years of growth it begins to
assume its proper form, which ever after marks it as one of the hand-
somest trees of the forest ; and for the construction of wharfs and
bridces, and every variety of work whore it is necessary that wood
should be placed under water or deeply imbedded in the earth, its
timber is considered invaluable.

The New Zealand forest cannot be said to be rich in floral produc-
tions. There are, however, some which deser\-e notice. Foremost
amongst these, for peculiarity of gTOwth and gaiety of flower, ranks
the Rata (Jletrosideros lucida). It commences to entwine round
other trees in the form of a very slim climber, but its growth is so
rapid that it quickly encircles the whole tree. With every fold it
tightens its grasp until all vitality is entirely crushed out of the

460

THE GARDEN.

[JuxE 7, 1879.

trunk round which it clings for support. Another member of the
.s.ame family, Metrosiileros tom-jntoaa, m.xkcs the forest somewhat
gay during the montlis of D^csmber and January. Its flowers, which
are scarlet, are arr.anged in terminal cymes. British residents
have honoured it with the name of "fJhristmas tree." Another
floral attraction in tlie forest is Clematis Nov:e Z;elandioe. It provides
itself witli a natur.al trellis-wovk by entwining the rugged stem, and
then hanging down from the ln\-inches in long festoons. The flowers
are pure white, and jiroduced in rich profusion ; and being a spring
flower, it is to the natives a flor.al almanac, telling them when to plant
their much-prized ICumara or Sweet Potato. — "The Gai'dener."

NOTES & QUESTIONS ON TREES, SHEUBS, & WOODLANDS.
Hardiness of Shrubs at Coombe Wood.— It m.ay be

of interest to st.ate that, in the elevated portions of Messrs. Veitch
& .Son's Nursery, several slirubs whicli in other places — at Kew, for
instance — have lieen severely injured, or even killed, have suft'ered
comparatively little at Coombe Woo I. Amongst these are the Chilian
Azara microphylla, Berberis Darwini, f-lrevillea rosm.arinifolia, not
iniured in the least, and thriving luxuriantly ; Xanthoceras sorbi-
folia, uninjured, and about to flower ; and Magnolia Campbelli, a
Himalayan species, breaking freely ; the Golden Chestnut (Castanea
clirysophylla) is, however, severely hurt ; Quercns Buerger! (a hand-
some J.apanese Oak), Viburnum Awafulki, Raphiolepis ovata, Olearia
Haasti, Osmanthus myrtifolius, and the ornamental .Japanese Grass
(Eulalia japonica variegata) are quite uninjured and thriving
vigorously. — W. G.

Hardiness of the Indian Azalea. — Amongst the trees

and shrubs wliicli have [lassed through tlie winter unharmed, none
in tiiis district are more conspicuous than tlie vai-ieties of Azalea
indiea ; of these several plants in large pots were placeil out-of-doors in
a higli exposeil position about this time last j-ear, and from tliat time
until now they have neither been removed nor protected, and in a few
ilays they will be m.asses of bloom — as fine, in fact, as any that could
be grown indoors. Last year when overhauling our Azaleas two or
three M'liich were nearly killed by standing too long in a dark place
were tlirown awav ; one of our labourers picked them up and planted
them in his little front garden ; there tliey made good growth, and
they are now Ijeautifully in bloom. In another place not far from
here tliere is another fine plant C|uite established out-of-doors and
doing well ; tlierefore it may he fairly inferred, I think, that Indian
Azaleas might safely l^e made to adorn onr lawns and shrubberies,
.and I can assure those who have never seen them .at their best out-of-
doors tliat very few shrubs surpass them in beauty. — C.\mbf.i.in'.

Xanthoceras SOrbifolia. — Tliis has been in flower here for
nearly a fortniglit, and I am very mueli disappointed with it. Per-
hajis, however, the frosts and winds of May have disfigured it, and
that in a Ijetter season it would be more attractive. — H. N. Ell.\-
COJIEE, Bltton Vkararji'.

ROSES,

Outdoor Roses. — Like all plants that make a large gi-owth
annually, Roses, either mixed with otlier plants or by themselves,
exh.aust the soil in bed.s and borders devoted to them rapidly ; but
little difficulty exists in supplj-ing them with all they require in this
respect, as liberal dressings can be forked in after they are pruned,
<anil mulching with manure tlirough the summer months can also be
resorted to. Where tlie hand is at all of a light description, this
covering with rotten manure is of the greatest possible use, for not
only are the pl.ants invigorated thereby, but it protects the best roots,
which are those that lie nearest the top, from the scorching power of
the sun, and it also very much reduces the loss of moisture from the
soil by evaporation, consequently it is often better to apply a portion
of the manure given to Roses in this way than dig the whole into the
gi'ouncl. Where mulching has not Ijeen previously carried out, I
should recommend it to be at once applied : l)ut in private places
wliere it is frequently most needed, wlien the beds hold a prominent
position, the manure used needs to be of a character such as not to
form an eyesore, tliat is, it should not contain much strawy matter,
.and ought to be so far rotten tliat it can at the time of putting it ou be
reiluced to a fine condition, in wliich case it will h.ave no more
objectionable appearance than a surface covered with tan. An
excellent and far from unsightly niateri.al for mulching Roses, where
obtain.able, is spent Hops, laid on about 1 in. thick. There is seldom
niucli difficulty in getting these near large towns, and a cartload will
go a long way. Although they not possess enriching properties more
than ordinary vegetable matter, they keep the ground cool and the

roots from being parched up by the action of the sun. In private
gardens, Roses are planted in so many positions and so many ways
as almost to preclude the iiossibility of giving them the manurial
sustenance whic'.i they require. This is especially the case with
standards when planted on (4rass in rows by the siilcs of walks and
in similar situations. I have always held that this is the most
objectionable way in which Roses can be gi'owii, as from the difficulty
aliove stated tliey often get into such an impover-
ished condition as to be anything but ornamental. One way of
meeting this is in winter to remove the turf for some feet
round the roots and add new soil and manure, afterwards
replacing the turf, but the objection to this is that it makes the
Grass gi'ow round the trees at such a rate, as to require mowing twice
as often as the adjoining surface, and from its extra gi-eenness gives
tlie lawn a jiatchy appear.ance, but m here Roses are thus gTown it is
necessary to do sometliing, in onler to assist the exhausted soil.
Tliis may be accomplished now witli marked effect, by giving
liberal soakiugs of manure water to tlie circular spaces that are
usually left unturfed round each tree, filling tliese up with the liquid
sever.al times, by which means it will not only settle straight down,
but will spread out towards the extremities of the roots under the
Grass. If given liefore growtli commences, the first after lilooming
is o\'er, its etiects will be at once .apparent, not onlj' in the shape of
better growth, but also finer flowers.

Insects and Mildew. — The two other difficulties with which
Rose growers on either a large or small scale have to contend arc
insects, such as aphides, red spider, and the Rose m.aggot, and also
parasitic fungi ; tlie Rose maggot will still be present, though not
in such large i|uantities as earlier in the season, and can only s,atis-
factorily be dealt with l)y hand-picking. Apides are generally much
more troublesome in confined ]irivate gardens than in the open spaces
devoted to the cultivation of Roses by trade growers. I have tried
all sorts of contrivances for fumigating tliem in the open
air, liut found them little more than a waste of time anil material,
for tliis reason, that the space tempor.arily enclosed around the plants
for the purpose is too small to retain a sufficient body of smoke long
enough to kill the insects. For their efl'ectual destruction nothing is
equal to syringing with Tobacco, Quassia, or so.ap and water,
separate or combined. I have found that a weak infusion of
Quassia or soap, combined with Toliacco water, not only kills the
eggs of these pests, but every living insect which it touches. As
the sunuuer advances red spider may also be looked for, and if
it be not talcen timely in hand it not only completely spoils
the appearance of the folijige, but has a correspondingly injurious
efl'ect upon the .autumn flowering ; a little Ciishurst added
to the Toliacco or Quassia water (which alone will not exterminate
this spider) v.ill kill it, but it must be used with caution, or it will
cause the advancing bloom-buds to f.all oft'. Water impregaiated with
sulphur will likewise kill red spider, .and also mildew, which to-
Mards the end of summer is usually so injurious, especially where
tlie soil is at all liglit and much sheltered from free currents of air.
This decoction can be made Ijy putting 8 or 10 gallons of clean water
into a vessel, and adding 1 lli. of flour of sulphur, stirring the
two up well once a day for a week or so, and using the water in a
clean state, for unless so dealt \^'itli if tiie syringe be not a very -open one
it will clog up. Liberal applications of water with the garden
engine or syringe two or three times a week will be of great use
in Keeping down aphides and red sjiider. Except these matters are
attended to there will be little else but disaiipointment, and in the
case of private growers the mistake often committed is cultivating
more than there is time to jiroperly attend to ; one-fourth the number
usually gi'own well cared for, and sufficiently supplied with all that
is necessary to invigor.ate them, will give very much more satisfaction
than ten times the quantity left, as they often are in a great measure
to themselves through the whole course of the season, with the
exception of pruning, tying, and digging the ground, and the
addition of often a very inadequate amount of manure. In large
establisliments where Roses are cultivated extensively for sale com-
paratively little attention is given or required, for where many
acres of tliem are grown together, localities are selected in which
soil, climate, and other conditions are most favourable for their
growth, and where insect pests, mildew, and other annoyances that
beset their growth in private gardens are very much less trouble-
some.

Rose Stocks. — Those who propagate their own standard and
half-standard Ptoses by budding will need to see that the stocks do
not suffer from want of water should the weather become very dry,
otherwise the growth will be weak and puny, the buds when put in
will be much less likely to take freely, ami the aftergi-owth will be
proportionatel3' weak. It is well to go over the stocks and to remove
all the superfluous shoots that are thrown out from the stem, retaining
some three or four at the head, which will be sufficient to favour the
development of roots.

Ji-.N-E 7, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

461

Pot Roses. — A gi-eat portion of the stock \\ill now be eitlier
jilungeJ out-of-doors, or in a condition for being so placed, and it is
liere during the pressure of the multifarious subjects which demand
attention at this season that Roses are apt to get neglected :
hence it is that pot Koses, except in tlie ease of those who make
a speciality of them, are often unsatisfactory, for no matter how
much care is bestowed upon tliem during the time they si's being
forced or brought gradually into bloom uniler glass, as the caae.may
be, comparatively little can be done to assist the production, of
flowers unless the plants receive all the attention that they.', need
after the flowering season is over, as it is during tliat tiiil^'.that a
great deal of their root development and shoot-groMiliir-is made,
upon which depends their ability to produce a full, eoji'iplement of
flowers. The foliage of Roses that liave been growii under glass is
necessarily more tender than that of sucli as are produced in the
open air, and consequently more liable to Ijoth red fe[ii^er and mildew,
for the destruction of ^ Inch a continual outRSVk' is needed, and
whei'e eitlier of these pests is present, means should be taken for
their ei'adication. Where aphides exist the plants should be either
dipped, syringed, or removed to a house or roomy pit tliat will hold
a body of smoke sufhcient to remain long enough to kill the insects.
To funii'^ating in ordinary garden frames or such like contrivances
there is the objection that the small \olume of fumes which they
hold so soon es-
capes, that to
kill the insects
it is necessary
to apply the
smoke so dense
that it is liable
to injure the
plants. To pot
plants again
manure water
will be of the
gi'eatest assist-
ance, also to
large specimens
planted out
within the dif-
ferent glass
erections in
which Roses are
so grown, and
which it is ne-
cessary to en-
courage by
every means be-
tween this and
the autumn to
make as much
strong growth
as possil)le. On
these likewise
both animal and
vegetable para-
sites should lie
dealt with as in

tlie case of outdoor Roses, using every means at command to insure
the production of as much healthy foliage as possible, and its
retention in a fresh vigorous condition. T. B.iiSES.

l)y dividing the stump can also be grafted, potted, and then placed
on a hot-ljed, «-here the grafts will speeilily push vigorously. A
cutting of this Rose of medium strength will "furnish, after the first
year, a stock fit to work as a dwarf, and in the second year one for
a half or full standard.

Kosa polyantha

NEW ROSE STOCK.

Ros.\ P0LY.iNTH.\, of which the annexed is a representation, is
strongly recommended in the "Journal des Roses " as a stock. It is
a Japanese Rose, which bears single white odoriferous flowers, thirty
or forty in a panicle, succeeded by obovate fruits of the size of a
cherry-stone. M. C'arriere states (Rev. Hort., 1870) that it makes
sterile shoots of 6 ft. or upwards in length. Some seeds of it re-
ceived from .Japan in 1873, at the Botanic Gardens of Bordeaux,
produced young jjlants of fine gi'owth, in wliich, after the second
year, an exceptional vigour was noticed, and since then numerous
trials have proved that it may be advantageously substituted for the
Briar as a stock. To ]irovide these, strong bushes of it should be
carefully taken up in November, and the stems separated, so as to
preserve to each a piece of heel, provided or not witli roots. The
larger stems should ]>e planted at proper distances apait, and budded
in July or August, to make standards. Tlie shorter stems, being
more or less cut back, will make half-standards or dwarfs. The
branches ami jiieces of stem up to the smallest sprigs should be re-
served for cuttings which root readily, and the larger roots obtained

INSECTS ON ROSES.

I no not remember a season in which Roses have been so much
infested with insects as they are this year, as not only have they
more than their share of aphides, but the maggot, a worse enemy, is
rife among them, and is fast curling up the leaves ami destroj-inc the
buds. To get rid of these pests by the ordinary means of washes or
insecticides is quite out of the question, as owing to the manner in
which they are enfolded amongst the foliage none of these can ever
reach them, and wliere there are many plants, picking tliem out by
hand is tedious work. The most eft'ectual, as well as tlie most expe-
ditious, way of dealing with the maggots is to go carefully over the
plants and jiinch them between the finger and thumb. Their pre-
sence may Ije readily detected liy the bloated and jiartially twisted
appearance of the foliage, and to make sure of their destruc-
tion, every leaf in this state should be operated on. In

dealing with
green fly no-
thing is equal
to a decoction
made from To-
bacco, Quassia-
chips, soft soap,
and Gishurst ;
this mixture is
most powerful
in its eflects,
and yet if used
properly dilu-
ted so mild and
harmless, as re-
gards the Rose,
as not to injure
the most deli-
cate leaves. The
proportions in
which I use it
are 1 lb. of To-
bacco and 10 oz.
of the other
three ingi'edi-
cntstolOgallons
ofboilingwater,
which, bedeweil
on the plants at
a temperature
of 90' or so by
means of a sjT-
inge, is almost
sudden death to
the aphides,
or they may be desj^atched by dipping the shoots into the
mixture. Wliere they are not all affected, or the pilants stand a
long way apart, this is the most economical plan, as it involves less
loss of licjuid, although it takes more time. If the dipping or
syringang be done over night and allowed to remain on till morning,
it is generally more effectual than it otherwise would be, and tliere is
less risk of injury than when the sun has more power ; but in all
cases a good washing with clean water should follow, so as to cleanse
the foliage and knock off any stragglers that may be hovering
between life and death from having partly escaped through not being
exposed to the moisture. As a cure for mildew, iientasulpliide of
calcium is as good as anything if used in the jiroportion of a wine-
glassful to a 4-gallon pot of water, and syringeil on the plants in the
evening : this destroys the fungus. Sulphur, too, diedged on when
tlie foliage is moist with dew is a good remedy, but not so likely to
reach every attected part. S. D.

Roses at Cannes. — I do not think your answer to Captain
Thomas's question as to Rosa allia Camellia in last issue (p. 446) can
be correct, as the Ramanas or Rosa rugosa (or Regeliana as it was
called when first introduced) has certainly not got smooth shining
leaves like those of a Camellia. I should feel more inclined to think
R. alba Camellia was the single Macartney Rose. — W. E. GuM-

ELETON.

462

THE GARDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

POTTING AURICULAS.

In rejily to " Brockluirst " (p. 429), -H-ho thinks Mr. Douglas wrong
in recommending Auriculas to be repotted about the middle of May,
I have only to uphold what I have always jiractised and written, au<I
that is that these plants cannot be repotted too early after they have
bloomed. I tlierei'ore think Mr. Douglas is right. All my exhibition
plants are repotted immediately on their return from the show, i.e.,
bsfore April is out, and the rest follow in the order of their passing out
of bloom. Mr. Douglas, happily, need not subject his plants to a
turning out of jiots and a long journey, but I needs must ; and thus,
over exhiljitors from long distances, the London gi'owers have this no
mean advantage. The comfort and saving to comparatively undis-
turbed jilants is something as grateful as the convenience to our own
selves of a long railway journey in a through carriage compared with
the evil and upheaval of having " to change." I am aware of what
has been the practice among growers jrast and present, and that on
the side of later potting there lies the authority of the late George
Lightbody, of patriarclial repute in Auricidas. It would be very
wrong to deny the success of that metliod, yet my own experience
points to equal safety and gi'eater advantage from earlier potting.
I deny plainly that potting in May is likely to induce autumn
blooming. Those whose plants indulge in that ill-timed display
have other causes to blame for it. It may be that they are rich in
v.arieties of a naturally restless habit, which persistently will bloom
twice or oftener in the year, treat them how you will. Or it may
be that a collection has suffered from some summer maltreatment
sxich as being kept too hot or dry. Upon plants in such distress the
effect of moist cooling autumn weather will be a sudden joy capable
of driving them out of their course, while if life itself has been in
danger they may make attempt to flower in accordance with the
instinct there is in vegetable nature tliat presses a dying plant to
save its species by rushing into seed-bearing just as we might
sometimes see an ill-conditioned Conifer expiring in a convulsive
production of cones.

Auriculas will take no visible harm Ijy being left undisturbed for a
few weeks after blooming, and those entrusted with valuable seed-
pods it is well to let alone awhile. But in early repotting there is
not that fatigue, and there is not that chock wliich light assertion
and theory may attribute to it. Rather is the spent plant in better
time relieved of fibres that have died and of stem become inert,
while the white, yoxing, vigorous roots, bristling from higher seats
of life around the leafy neck, are ready for now food and less
damageable than when grown longer. Other roots are also encou-
raged to push out, Ijoth liy the need the plant has of them and in
that very appetite which the relish of fresh soil creates ; and shoidd
there, by illhap, as I have known it, be any distasteful element in
the compost, which an Auricula soon discovers, there is the grand
resource still left of time enough to try again and remedy the evil
without the fatal loss of a season.

I have found these early-established plants settle down best to their
work and as safely in autumn as at other times, go calmly on, too,
contented to do a discontented act. Although I gi-ow a few of the
uneasy sorts, I have noted that the extent of my autumn bloom
ranges onlj' from about 2 to 5 per cent. ; this does not include the
young seedlings of a year old or so, for these have tricks and man-
ners of their owai, and it is not excessive, seeing that the Auricula,
as a member of the Primula family, may be expected to indulge some-
what in autumn blooms, even as will the commonest Primroses and
Polyanthuses. F. D. Horxer.

Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon.

MOTES AND QUESTIONS ON THE FLOWER GAEDEN.

"White Mould on Auriculas.— If "R. D. " will refer to
the reports of the Scientific Committee of tlie Royal Horticultural
Society, dating some two years back, he will find this subject fully
discussed and "settled." Mr. Dombrain and some other Auricula
growers described the white material as a sort of American blight,
and some of the substance was submitted to Mr. W. G. Smitli for
examination, and tliat gentleman described it at once as an animal
production. This idea was looked upon with disfavour at the time,
and no one threw more stones at it (in a good-natured way) than the
late excellent Mr. Andrew Murray, who wanted the stuff to be a
fungus. Some one now took Mr. Smith's side, and said he had actually
seen the insects embedded in tlie material on the Auricula roots, and
the matter was at last settled by an exhil^itiou of infected plants
with the white substance and insects in ^ilu on the occasion of the
visit of the Queen. Mr. Murray then frankly acknowledged
his error and described the insect. — A.

When to Plant TropEeoIum speciosum. — Many fail in
getting this plant to establish itself, a circumstance which, in my
opinion, must arise from planting it at tlie wrong time ; for I find
that liy taking it up after it has commenced its gi"owth, every bit
tliat has a small portion of the fleshy part of the roots attached to it
will live and grow as if nothing had happened. I manage to furnish
the whole end of a house in this way, and I could now increase this
Tropa;olum at least tenfold, as small pieces are cropping up through
the liorder in all c'irections. Any one wishing to possess it will do
well to obtain plants of it now and plant tliem at once, as by so
doing they will have time to form fresh tubers before they ripen oflf
in the autumn. Tlie situation most favourable for their growth is
the side of a north wall, or the shady end of a plant house, as there
they are able to maintain their leaves fresh and green and free from
red spider. In Scotland, where the climate is colder, this Tropajo-
lum gi-ows very freely, and, by keeping it piroperly watered during
the summer time, and giving it an occasional syringing, it may be
had almost anywhere nearly as good as it is tliere, the principal
thing being to maintain the foliage fresh, witliout which this plant
never gets on. I find that wires or strings strained vertically about
6 in. or 9 in. apart answer best to train it on, as then the young
shoots continue their ascent instead of being diverted from their
course and Ijecomiug an entangled confused mass. — S. D.

Tiilinm Batemanniae. — "T. H. A. H." (p. 430) thinks that
the figure of this Lily given in The Garden (\>. 3CG) is identical
with that given in the Bot. Reg., 1839, as Lilium aurantiacum. We
quite agree with him that the latter plant is the original L. Thun-
bergianum type. It grows from 12 in. to IS in. high, and we have
described it in our catalogue (No. 40) as the long-lost, beautiful,
unspotted Lily figured by Paxton, and called by him L. aurantiacum,
having large, erect flowers of a rich salmon-yellow colour, quite
destitute of spots ; its foliage and habit are of the true L. Tliun-
bergianura type. But Lilium Batemanniit, as described by us in
The G.iRDEN (p. 396) gi-ows from 3i ft. to 4 ft. high, and in habit
of growth and foliage resembles^L. Leichtlini or L. Maximowiczi.
The flowers are nuich more numerous, but smaller, than those of
L. aurantiacum verum. If your correspondent would gi'ow the two
forms side by side, he would soon recognise that there is a great
difference between them. — Alexaxder Wallace, Colchester.

Wild Flowers for the Garden.— "B." may well ask (p.
407) why these are not more used in gardens than they now are.
AVith but little trouble a most beautiful border might be made with
British jjlants alone, and, in the case of those whose gardens are
large, I cannot imagane a more interesting experiment. Even here,
within fifteen miles of Hyde Park, I have found and added to the
garden — the wild Tulip (T. sylvestris), the Snake's-head Fritillary
(F. MeleagTis) and its white variety, the Marsh Marigold (Caltha.
palustris), Water Forget-me-not (Jlyosotis palustris), the Yellow
Iris (I. Pseud-acorus), Lent Lily (Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus), Water
Lilies (Nynipha>a alba and Nupliar lutea), Meadow Sweet (Spirsa
Ulmaria), the Ivy Linaria (L. Cymbalaria), and several others of
almost equal beauty. My list would be too long if those plants
which have been collected from more distant parts of the kingdom
were added, so I must conclude with one only, viz., Pinguicula grandi-
floi'a, a large-flowering kind which is a gem amongst bog plants.
— A. K., Easfcott, Pinmr.

A Gopd Bedding Forget-me-not.— This is a seedling said

to be an improvement on Myosotis dissitiflora, which it somewhat
resembles, but it differs from that kiiul materially in being more
compact and dwarfer, a more profuse bloomer, and, above all, in
being much hardier, as it has withstood the past winter with impu-
nity, and the Ijeds in which it is planted have not a vacant space in
them, whilst those near them planted •\\-ith M. dissitiflora are bare,
all the Forget-me-nots having succumbed to the severe cold. Such a
desirable variety as that above alluded to is well worth a distinctive
name by which it may be known when it becomes more common.
— W.'

Lobelias from Cuttings. — Where a large stock of Lobelias
"is required true for Ijcds and Ijorders, nothing surpasses getting them
from cuttings, as they grow so much more uniformly than from seed.
We usually remove the flowers from a few dozen plants of each sort
early in autumn, in order to induce them to make a little growth
before they are lifted and stored in boxes for the winter. Early in
spring the cuttings arc taken off and inserted thickly in boxes of
sandy soil in a moist heat, where they strike without much loss.
Tliey may then be planted in cold pits, where they make fine plants
for turning out in May. — J. G.

Seedling Mimuli. — Some fine blooms of these have been sent
to us by Messrs. Downie & Laird, Pinkhill Nursery, Corstorphine.
They are large, rich, and well varied in colour and spotting, and of
good substance.

Juke 7, 1S79.J

THE GARDEN.

463

CHIONODOXA LUCILLE.

This, the subject of the accompanying illustration, is without iloubt,
the finest addition that has recently l)een made to our list of hardy
spring-flowering dwarf bulljous plants. Its habit at once reminds
one of the two-leaved Squill (.'icilla bifolia), as it rarely develops
more than a pair of leaves. The blossoms, from five to ten in number,
are produced on gracefully arching stems, from 4 in. to 8 in. high,
and are each nearly 1 in. across, star-like in form, and of a beautiful
clear blue tint on the outside gi'adually merging into pure white in
the centre. As to its hardiness, there can lie no doubt, as it has
withstooil the past winter with impunity, and flowers freely during
March and April. .Some misapprehension has existed as to its nomen-
clature, liut now, we believe, it is clearly understood that C. Forbesi,
which was considered distinct, is synonymous with Lucilia;. It is a
native of Asia Minor, whence it was introduced by Mr. (J. Maw,
who discovered it a year or two ago at Nymph Dagh. W. G.

VEGETABLE CULTURE FOR MARKET.

Beoccoli. — This crop is grown by market gardeners near
London chiefly under the .shade of fruit trees, but in the
valley of the Thames
there are acres of Broc-
coli in open fields. The
early supplies of Broc-
coli brought to the
market are produced
in the we.st of Eng-
land, where the cli-
mate is mild, and the
heads produced there
are infinitely superior
in size and quality to
those grown nearer
London. In mild sea-
sons Broccoli is so
good and plentiful as
to b3 of little profit
to the grower. In the
winter of 1878 many
never brought their
produce to nuirket at
all, but made use of
it at home, so low
were the prices offered
for it in the market.
In the market gardens

about London, the
Purple Sprouting, the
Walcheren, Snow's

Winter White, and Cock's Late White are the kinds
chiefly grown. The first sowing is usually made during
the month of April on beds of rich soil. Sometimes, how-
ever, the time of year when ground will be vacant to receive
the plants materially influences the time of sowing, for it is
an important matter to have the young plants healthy and
stocky at planting time. If sown so early as to have to be
kept long in the seed-bed they become drawn, and conse-
quently do not yield such good results. Another sowing is
generally made in the middle of May ; indeed, from this
.sowing the principal winter crop is obtained, and more plants
are raised than are required, so that all clubbed and
weakly ones can be discarded at planting time. A sowing of
sprouting Broccoli is made in the end of June or early in
July, from which is obtained a supply of Sprouts in the
following March and April, a time when they are in great
demand. When the young Broccoli plants appear above-
ground they are first hand-weeded, and aften\^ards thinned
by means of narrow hoes. As soon as they are strong

enough for transplanting they are planted in rows under fruit
trees, or in some other sliady situation, or in an open quarter,
as the case may be. AVhen planted between rows of fruit
bushes, two lines are inserted in the intervals between
every two rows ; but if two drills of Potatoes occupy this
space, then only one line of Broccoli is planted, and that
between the two drills of Potatoes. Should the whole space
under an orchard be planted with Potatoes, as soon as
these are earthed up. Broccoli is planted between the rows
without the soil being loosened. The Potatoes ripen before
the Broccoli can injure them much, and when the Potatoes
are removed the Broccoli has the whole space to itself.
The trees lose their leaves in October ; therefore the Broc-
coli, having the benefit of increased light, becomes invigorated,
and during that month and November begins to aftbrd a
good supply of sprouts, which are not all gathered at once,
even from the same plant, but at intervals as they become fit
for use. The immense breadths of Broccoli grown in some of
the market gardens render it almost a matter of impossi-
bility to have all heeled
in the same as we often
see them in private
gardens; yet it is very
seldom they are injured
by frost, and the fine
white, firm heads that
may be seen by thou-
sands in Covent Garden
Market during the
autumn are seldom
surpassed, if even
equalled, in private
gardens. In the neigh-
bourhood of Shepper-
ton, in the Thames
valley, may be seen
breadths of Broccoli
from 20 acres to 30
acres in extent, and
from this place alone
it is calculated that
in the height of the
season as many as
30,000 heads per week
are sent to market.
In some parts of Kent
Broccoli is grown to
a large extent, one
grower yearly planting over 200,000 plants.

Cauliflowek. — With this it is hardly possible to over-
stock the market. It has the advantage over Broccoli in this
particular, viz., that pickle merchants are always ready to
Isuy up any quantity of Cauliflowers in summer, whilst for
this purpose scarcely any Broccoli is used. In May, before
Peas and Beans can be had at reasonable prices, good Cauli-
flowers realise good profits to the grower. Early Cauliflowers
are usually grown under handlights, or are protected by old
baskets or small boughs of evergreen trees. To provide
plants for this purpose, a sowing is made on a well sheltered
piece of ground or a warm open quarter, in beds, in the
second or third week of September. The young plants are
allowed to remain in the seed-bed until the end of October,
or even the middle of November. Should frosty weather
set in whilst the plants are in the seed-beds, they are
protected by mats supported on short stakes 18 in. above the
ground. Sometimes a stout plank is set on edge along
the centres of the beds, and two rows of short stakes are put

Cliionodo.xa Lucilioc.

4G4

THE GARDEN.

[JuxE 7, 1879.

one on either side to support it, and over this are placed mats.
When the weather becomes too severe for them to be thus
protected, and when they require to be transplanted, they
are taken up and planted in frames or under handlights. The
frames are placed in a sheltered spot sloping to the south, and
are filled to within 8 in. or 9 in. of the top with ordinary soil
firmly trampled down with the feet ; over this better soil is
sifted to a thickness of 3 in. or 4 in., an.l in this the Cauli-
flowers are planted 3 in. or so apart. In this position they
remain until the February following and early part of Jlarch
without any further care beyond that of closing the sashes to
exclude frosts, cold winds, hail, or rain, and tilting them up
at front and back during favourable weather, and on very
fine days drawing them off entirely. Cold rains are very
injurious to Cauliflowers, but a warm shower in February
benefits them. Sometimes the plants grow so strongly that
their leaves touch or press against the sashes ; when that
happens the sashes are tilted up at front and back night and
day with pieces of wood or brick, otherwise frost would
injure such leaves as touch the glass. Dry sand, kept in a
shed for the purpose, is scattered amongst the plants two or
three times while they are in frames, in order to guard against
damp, and such jilants as sJiow signs of " buttoning " are
immediately pulletl out to give the others more room. Where
room is limited and the weather appears mild, young Cauli-
flowers are often wintered in the beds where they are sown,
or they are pricked off into raised beds of light soil not likely
to be soaked with wet in winter. Here they are sometimes
left unprotected, and at other times they are covered with
hoops and mats. Continued dampness of soil and atmosphere
is their worst enemy, as it induces growth so soft that it
cannot withstand frost so well as that produced on high and
dry ground. Where handlights are employed, an open field
or cparter is lined off into squares measuring about 6 ft.
each way. At every intersection nine Cauliflowers are planted
in a sufficiently small space to be conveniently covered with
cloches or handlights, which are immediately placed over
them, and a little earth is drawn ;!round the base of the lights
so as to shut up all apertures. The emitty spaces between
the rows of handlights are planted with Coleworts. In spring
these Coleworts are either thinned out, or entirely removed
for market, and a crop of Cos Lettuces is planted in their
place. As soon as the Cauliflon-ers have become established
they are allowed abundance of air, and otherwise treated the
same as those grown in frames. When the plants become too
thick, they are all lifted from under the handlights and
planted in open quarters or under other handlights.

IMarket gardeners generally begin to cut from Cauliflower
plants raised in this way some time in the month of May,
according to the mildness or otherwise of the season. The
best growers seldom make many sowings of Cauliflowers ; one
or two in autumn, and one or two in spring being the usual
number. The first autumn sowing, as before stated, is made
out of doors some time between the last week in August and
the third week in September ; and the second one, in frames,
in the last week of September or first week in October. From
these two sowings Cauliflowers are obtained from the last
week in April to the end of June. The first spring sowing,
if the autumn one is a failure, is made in a frame in the last
week of February or first week of March, or it may be made
in the open border any time during the first fortnight of
Ivlarch ; from this sowing a crop is obtained from the middle
of June till August or September. The third sowing is
commonly made in beds, in some open quarter, between the
middle of April and the first week in May, in order to furnish
an autumn supply. Dift'erent market gardeners have different
times for sowing Ca'iUflowers, but it is well understood that

strong, grossly-grown plants do not stand the winter so well
as medium-sized ones, and they are also more liable to
"button." Moderate-sized plants are decidedly the best for
mild winters, but in the event of very severe winters occur-
ring, strong plants are the best. Cauliflowers which have
been wintered in frames or under handlights are often planted
on ground cropped with Itadishes before the latter crop is
marketable, and by the time it is so, and cleared off, the
Cauliflowers will have gained good strength, when the ground
will be intercropped with Lettuces. In other in.stances, fields
are marked off into beds 5 ft. wide, with 1-ft. alleys between
them, and these beds are sown with round-leaved Spinach.
As soon as this is done, three rows of Cauliflowers are planted
along the beds. The latter outgrow the former, which, by
continual picking for market, is kept in check until it is
eventually exhausted, leaving the Cauliflowers masters of the
field. The autumn crops obtained from spring sowings
are thinned out a little in the seed-beds, and, when large enough
for handling, are planted where they are to remain perma-
nently. Should the weather be dry at planting time, a pint
of water, or a little more, is given to each plant, and the
sodden soil is soon afterwards freshened up by the hoe, thus,
in some measure, preventing evaporation. Late Cauliflowers
are nearly always intercropped with some other vegetable,
such as Lettuces, French Beans, Celery, Seakale, itc. Some
large growers, however, depart from this rule, and save much
labour ; for, if intercropping be practised, people must be
employed to keep down weeds by means of the hoe ; but
when Cauliflowers alone occupy the ground horse-hoes can be
freely worked among the rows. The Early London is the
variety used for the first crop by most market gardeners, but
some use the AValcheren for that purpose. The Walcheren
is the kind almost entirely grown for use after June, because
it suffers less from drought than any other sort, and is not
liable to "button." Snow's Winter White, an excellent sort,
is, as a rule, regarded as a Broccoli ; nevertheless, it has fine
white, solid head.?, and is largely grown to succeed the Wal-
cheren, being hardier than that sort. Snow's White, if sown
together with the Walcheren in April or May, makes a fine
succession to it, and comes in usefully till January. Early
Cauliflowers are always sent to market, but those produced
in summer and autumn are disposed of to a large extent to
pickle merchants.

Spinach. — During winter and spring Spinach finds a ready
sale ; but when other vegetables, such as Beans and Peas
come in, it is little thought of. Market gardeners seldom
grow it as a summer crop, as it " bolts " or runs to seed
before many leaves have been gathered from it, and in that
case it is by no means a iirofitable crop. The round-leaved
sort is that which is used for spring sowings, the first of
which is made in February, a second about the 1st of March,
and another sowing or two at an interval of three weeks or
thereabouts, just as empty space and convenience permit.
The latest sju'ing sowings are made on a damp, cool piece of
ground, provided such can be obtained, as, thus circumstanced,
better leaves are produced in hot weather than on dry and
warm soils. In July, if the weather be moist, a sowing of
the round-leaved variety is usually made on a spare piece of
ground for autumn use. Early in August a large sowing of
the Prickly-seeded or Flanders is made broadcast on fields or
in rows about 8 in. apart. Some growers prefer the Flanders
on account of its large fleshy leaves and hardy constitution,
and it sells in the market better than the Prickly sort. By-
sowing in the first and last week of August and the middle of
September, a succession of Siiinach from October till !May is
easily kept up. Although during winter but few leaves are
produced, the earliest sowings yield freely before then, and

June 7, 187 9. J

THE GARDEN.

465

the two latter abundantly in spring. Coleworts are frequently
planted in a field of late Spinach, at 3 ft. or 4 ft. apart. In
damp winters a large proportion of the roots may die, but in
ordinary winter.s thoy retain their vitality, and produce abun-
dance of large fleshy leaves in .spring. No care is taken with
this crop from the time of sowing till gathering beyond
hoeing and thinning once or twice. Spinach for market is
packed firmly in round baskets, and also in hampers of any
size convenient for handling. Spaces under fruit trees are
also often covered with Spinach sown broadcast ; and as the
trees are not furnished with lea\'es, they do not shade the
Ijlants. Open fields are also often sown with Spinach in
beds, which are covered by throwing soil over them from the
alleys ; on these beds Cauliflowers are also planted, at the
usual distances apart. I!y the time the Spinach has come
well up the Cauliflowers will have become well established, so
that the Spinach, which as soon as ready is removed for
market, does not injure the Cauliflowers much. When the
Spinach is removed, the Cauliflowers are permitted to have
all the space ; conseciuently the ground is gone over, hoed,
and allowed to rest for a few days, when some soil is drawn
to the Cauliflower plant.s.

Vegetable JIarrows. — The abundance of Vegetable
Marrows to be seen in Covent Garden tnd the streets of
London during summer and autumn gives some idea of the
extent to which they are grown in market gaulens. Alth<nigh
they are often sold at a cheap rate, yet the productiveness of the
Vegetable JIarrow renders it, in good seasons, one of the
most profitable of crops. The jam and marmalade manu-
factors use largo quantities of Vegetable Marrows, and pri-
vate individuals often turn them to a similar account. When
■well made. Vegetable Marrow jam is wholesome, and much
better than some of the questionable jams which one often sees
sold in the poorer shops. Early in JIarch hotbeds are erected
for producing Vegetable ilarrows, the seed of which is either
sown thickly in pots or pans of common soil plunged in the
beds, or sown broadcast on a bed with a few inches deep of soil
placed over the fermenting material. As soon as the plants
show two rough leaves they are pricked into other beds or
into pots. The usual method is to prei)are a scries of frames
set on slightly heated hotbeds ; on the surface of these place
a few inches deep of soil, into which plunge 6-in. pots, filled
with common garden mould to the brims, as thickly as they
can be stowed together. I.ito each of these pots two Marrow
plants are dibbled, and here they remain till planting time,
hardening them off by gradual but increased exposure in fine
weather. The first plantation is made ont-of-doors during
April, but the plants make little progress until the end of the
month. When ridge culture is practised the ground is marked
oH' in lines for them about 10 ft. apart, and each plant is about
6 ft. or 8 ft. asunder in the row. Where each is to be
planted, a hole about 20 in. deep and 2 ft. or 2h ft. wide is
dug and filled with fermenting manure, which is covered over
with the soil that has been thrown out in the excavation. Here
the plants are planted, the contents of one pot being put in
every ridge, and covered over with handlights or large cloches.
A little earth is at first drawm around the base of the lights,
so as to keep all close and free from cold currents of wind ;
and, in the event of frosty or cold windy weathjr setting in,
mats or litter are also placed around and over the lights.
Excited by the heat from the fermenting manure beneath
them, and protected from cold overhead, they are almost as
snug as in a hotbed, and, consequently, they soon take to
their new quarters, form fresh roots, and begin to grow.
'V^^len this i.s the case, the lights are tilted up a little on the
south side, by means of half-bricks or small flower-pots, during
favourable opportunities, but shut up at night. When growth,

however, begins to make rapid progress, the lights are left
a little tilted up at night, so as not to injure the shoots that
are pushing forward, and require more room than is afforded
under their little glasshouses, until finally the lights are en-
tirely removed, which will probably be in the latter half of
ilay. From this plantation fruit is generally cut in the first
or second week in June, depending on the warmth of the
season. Large growers have generally from four to six plan-
tations of Marrows, each succeeding the other by a fortnight,
so that the last planting is made late in June. Midseason crops
are jilanted on ground just cleared of Radishes. If the
Iiadishes be not cleared at the time of planting, the Marrow.s
are planted in every alternate alley between the beds, thus
permitting the Radish crops to be removed at convenience.
For the later crops, ground occupied by spring Spinach,
Radishes, autumn-sown Onions, Cabbages, or Cauliflowers,
forms a good medium. The space between the rows is not
lost during the minority of the Marrows, but is cropped to
within 2 ft. of them with Lettuces, in addition to which there
are generally three or four lines of Cabbages or Cauliflowers
planted along the centre of the space. Turnips also some-
times form the inter crop.

During the early stages of growth, if the weather be dry,
little basins of earth are drawn round the plants to form a
hole for the retention of water, of which they get a good
supply until their foliage covers the ground. The plants
begin to fruit when the vines are 3 ft. or so in length, and
continue growing and fruiting until frost, drought, or mildew
renders them usele.ss. In a dull rainy season, provided it be
warm, they thrive apace and fruit heavDy ; but in a hot and
dry one they are short-lived and less profitable. When they
are growing pieces of stone or brick are sometimes placed on the
advancing vines as they are pegged to the ground, to cause
them to root at the joints and thus afl:brd themselves increased
means of support. No care is, however, taken of them as
regards thinning the overcrowded vines ; but sometimes the
growers mulch the ground with litter, which not only enriches
it, but preserves its moisture, prevents to some extent evapo-
ration, and keeps the fruit clean from grit. As soon as the
plants begin to bear, every fruit is gathered when it attains a
marketable size, for if left too long, they render the plant
less fruitful. They are gathered three times a week, the
gatherers being suiiplied with fruit-collecting baskets, a stick,
and a knife. With a stick they turn aside the leaves of the
plants in search of the Marrows, and they are thus enabled to
go over the ground quickly. When each gatherer has filled a
basket, it is carried to the outside of the plantation and
emptied into a heap, or into large baskets, or a waggon sta-
tioned there to receive them. The trampling the Marrows
undergo in the process of gathering does .not seem to injure
them much. In August some good fruits are selected and
marked by inserting an upright peg alongside of each, and
these are allowed to remain untouched till ripe, when they are
cut and placed within frames or in exposed situations before
the sun, so as to become thoroughly ripened. They are after-
wards placed in a corner in some of the sheds, to await a
convenient season for extracting and washing the seeds.
After the middle of September Vegetable Marrows are com-
monly useless, and the demand for them diminishes ; conse-
quently, they are not after that time worth the ground they
occupy. Sometimes they are cleared oft' the ground at once,
and at other times they are left until frost completely kills
them ; but in all cases the haulm is raked oft' and carted to
the manure heap before manuring or digging the ground,
which is usually planted at once with Coleworts. Custard
Marrows are grown out-of-doors on the same system as early
Vegetable Marrows ; but as they are weaker growers than

4CG

THE GAEDEN.

[June 7, 1879.

the latter, they are only planted ahout 8 ft. !iy G ft. apart.
Tlie ground is also, as a rule, mulched all over, and in the
event of dry weather they get occasional good waterings.
The marketable value of Vegetable Marrows varies very much ;
sometimes they hardly pay the gi-ower, whereas at other
times they are highly remunerative, much depending on the
scarcity or abundance and the price of Peas, French Beans,
Cauliflowers, and other vegetables. The chief variety grown
is a selection from the old Cream Marrow, which is of first-
rate fiavour, hardy, and a prodigious cropper.

C. W. S.

GARDEN DESTROYERS.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

ECONOMICAL ASPAKAGUS CULTUKE.

Along with this I send a bundle of Asparagus cut from plants two
years planted, anA which have been grown without any special pre-
paration of the land. As will be seen, the heads are not particularly
large, as I am more anxious to secure a gi-eat numljer of quickly-
gi-own, tender, medium-sized heads than a few of extra size. For
this reason I cut last year a few of the largest, in order to equalise
the growth, as the size of the heads is governed by the preceding
year's shoots ; and if we wanted them very large, I should encourage
the largest stems by removing the weakly ones ; but, as I have already
stated [" I last year cut those that were above the aver.age in size, and
the result is a good yield of heads about the size of those which I
send, and no small ones ; consequently, there is no waste. The land
had previously been used for growing vegetahles, and therefore was
in fairly good condition, both as to ilopth and manuring. The plants,
when planted two years ago, were one j'ear old, and were strong
for that age, having been sown thinly and furtlier thinned out to
about 5 in. apart, and when they were planted all weakly ones were
rejected, so that a good average growth was by this means
secured.

I should not recommend young plants to be r.aised on land much
richer or lighter than that which tliey will finally occupy. I have
seen instances of the bad effect of transferring plants raised on
light rich land to that of a poorer character. The opposite case
would not lie so objectionable, although it is not dcsiraljle to plant
half-starved plants raised on poor land at all if it can be avoided.
The planting was done when the young shoots were about 2 in. or
3 in. above the ground, lifting them up carefully, so as to retain all
the roots uninjured ; and they were planted as speedily as possihle,
as much exposure to the air would be injurious, and it is better to
plant in dull w'eather. Lines were marked out across the plot .3 ft.
apart, trenches were opened with the spade of sufficient w-idth to
allow of spreading out the roots, and, as our land is porous and
often suffers from drought in sinnmer, the trenches were taken out
deep enough for the plants, when finally covered with about 1 h in.
of soil, to stand in a hollow about 3 in. or 4 in. below the natural
gi-ound level. I should remark, however, that this hollow has
since been filled up with compost formed of the cle.arings of the
rubbish-yard, which is often of a light n'ellow character, containing
a eood deal of vegetalde matter. Beyond a sprinkling of salt, this
is^the only manure which the plants have had, and they have never
had liquid manure or water of any kind given artificially, although
I should have given them some if time and circumstances had
permitted.

I should state that wlien the plants were first planted it was in-
tended for each to occupy a square yard, but I thought for a year or
two no gi'cat harm would be done by jnitting in a double number, so
that, altliough the rows were 3 ft. apart, the plants in the rows were
only 18 in. asunder. I believe that this was a mistake, as well-
selected Asparagus plants will profitably occupy at least a square
yard, even on inferior soil, from the very first. Tlie plants have
seeded most abundantly, and I have never yet been able to spare the
time to pick off the seeds in the way I should like, as seeding must
be exhausting, and when the seeds ripen on the stems some may drop
and grow, and perhaps be permitted to stand, unless a close eye be
kept over the rows, in order to see that the spaces are left unoccu-
pied. With this system of culture one need never be bothered with
beds of old weakly plants, as one might plant a patch every year
or two and destroy a corresponding patch, and so Asparagus culture
might be brought on to a regular system of rotation.

E. HOBD.^T.

[A very remarkable result for the time, though the benefit of such
a sj'stem will be far more apparent as years go on than when the
pl.mts aie young. The Asparagus was very delicately flavoured.]

A Tree Borer. — Great havoc is being made among the Sugar
Maples in the province of Ontario by the JIaple Tree Borer (Clytus
speciosus), an insect which seems particularly busy among the trees
which are jjlanted in the streets. As a preventive measure it is re-
commended that towards the end of .June, or the beginning of July, .
a coating of soft soap and lye, reduced to the consistence of cream,
be ap])lied to the hark of the trees on a warm day. Such an alkaline
coating is found to be particularly objectionable to this insect, which
seldom deposits its eggs upon such a substance ; or if by chance they
are dejiosited, the larvte perish in the attempt to penetrate. During
the daytime these beetles are generally seen resting quietly on the
trunks of the trees, but at night they are exceedingly active. During
the months of July and August the eggs are laid upon the trunks of
the Maples. The long fleshy gi'ubs hatched from these have six
legs, which may be said to be rudimentary, as they are useless for
purposes of locomotion. By means of the rings or segments of their
bodies, which they contract ami extend alternately, the insects force
their way through the wooden tunnels which they make in the trunk.
They are furnished with strong horny ja\\'s, which enable them to
pierce the hardest wood. After penetrating through the b.ark, they
lie dormant during the winter. On the approach of spring they pene-
trate the wood, forming numerous winding galleries in the trunk.
At the end of the year the larvai become changed into pupre, and
afterwards into tlie matured beetle, which forces its way out through
the l)ark to attack other trees. — A. J. B.

W irew^orms in Potting Soil. — To get rid of wireworms and

other pests from potting soil, leaf-mould, &c., I find it a good plan
to place it for a day or two in the hen pen. Tlie cocks and hens turn
over every particle, and I believe they pick out every grub and egg
in a most effectual manner. — Biwckhur.st.

ANSWERS TO COREESPOKDENTS.

Vanilla Tree.— Can you tell me what tree this is? It is mentioned in the
'Times "as beiuj? planted largely in Paris, and now masses of purple bloom ;
it is also recommended for town planting in this country. — A. M. A. [Possildy
the Japanese Paulownia imperialis, which hears flowers of a purplish-violet
colour, Itnt they are produced too early for the trees to make a yood display in
this country, except in very favourable situations. — W.]

Disa grandiflora.— Kindly inform me the best method of growing this
l()vi_ly Cajie Orchid.— A. K. [It should I>e 3:ro\vn in a cool, airy, and slightly
sbnded Imu-se, one having a northern aspect being most suitable. The compost
used Bluudd consist of equal parts of fibry peat and loam, broken charcoal,
cb"iipcd S|thagimm Jlnss and sand in small quantities, and a layer of chopped
live Moss should be placed ou the surface. Water should be given liberally during
the growing season, and an occasional watering with weak manure water will be
beneticial. Frequent syringings should be given in ortler to keep in check thrips
and otlier insect pests. The offsets should be taken ult as soon as rooted, or the
flowering stems will be weak.— W.]

"Willow Beetles.— ^^^lat are the enclosed? For the past three years they
have entirely spoiled the whole of our Willow beds, consisting of ahout an acre
and a half.— F. D. [The lieetles sent belong to the large family Chrysomelida;,
the niembei-s of which are plant eaters, aud often do very great injury. The name
of the species whicli is so destructive to the Willows in question, is Phratora
vnlgatessimffi. Collecting and destroying them is the only way of getting rid of
them, a plan difficult to effect on a large scale.— W. W. S.]

Grubs Attacking Carnations.— AAliat is the name of the grubs enclosed?
and how can I liest cle;ir a I'ed of r;iiiiati>in.s of them ? One is found at the root
of each plant, eating the lilacs, and nf course killing the plants. The latterwere
turned out of pots this spring. — B. 0. [The grubs sent belong to tlie family
Tipulida?, and are known as leather jackets. They should be carefully looked
for whenever a plant appears in the least unhealthy and destroyed. There is no
l)etter remedy than continually hunting for the grubs, which will be found very
near the siu'face of the ground.- W, W. S.]

Sorrel in Ferneries.— I have a hirdy Fernery which is covered with
Wood Sorrel. Is it likely to injui'e the Ferns?— S. H. [No; that is, if kept
within bounds.]

Names of Plants.— TT. A. B.— Ornithogalum nutans, Scilla italica. Sir
W. M. — Oniithogaluni nutans. F, B. — 1, I>r)ul)le Peach (Amygdalus persica
fl.-lil.); 2, Pyrus (Malus) tloribunda ; 3, Cupressus Lawsoniana ; 4, Aerides cris-
pum. A. B.—yVe cannot undertake to name double Petunias or double zonal
Pelargouimus. J. 5.— Lilium elegaus var. alutaceum.

Questions.
Camellias and their Various Modes of Culture.— In the article
on this subject (p. 4i;^> " Cambrian " advocates that Camellias should have full
exposure to the sun, both when uuder glass and when placed out-of-doors. Until
a few weeks ago, when I heard it .t ported that :Mr. Hovey, of America, had said
that he placed his C'amellias out- <: duors in tlie full Idaze of the sun, I thought it
■was essential that all Camellia plants, even when placed out-of-doors, should be
protected from the direct rays of the sun to prevent the foliage from being blis-
tered or injured. It would be a great convenience to me if I could place my
Camellias out-of-doors from the end of June to October in an unshaded place,
and I should like to know whether I could do so without risk of injury to the
foliage. I have had tlio foliage (old, not young growth) of plants in an unshaded,
freely-ventilated house blistered by the sun sa early in the season as April, and I
cannot help thinking that there must be some risk in placing Camellias out-of-
dooi-s iu a sunny place, especially from the effects of a bright sun following a
shower of rain.— Enquirhe.

THE GARDEN.

467

No. £85 ]

SATURDAY, JTTNE 14. 1879.

Vol. XV.

"This is an art
■Which does mend Nature ; change it rather :
The Art iiselp is SA'IUVle."— Shakespeare.

but

AN ERROR AS TO ASPARAC4US.

Eefereing to large Asparagus, a writer (" J. S.") in last week's
" Gardeners' Chronicle" makes the following remarks, which
are an echo of what is commonly said on a subject of some
importance to all who care about Asparagus culture : " In
the matter of cultivating Asparagus I believe we have a good
deal to learn, for in few gardens do we find it at all ecpial in size
to the immense heads sent over from France. The delicacy
and rich flavour of these, however, are, in my opinion, quite
spoiled by the blanching to which tliey are subjected, as instead
of being tender and eatable from i in. to 6 in. or so of their
length, only just the tops can be used, and even that portion
compared with such as is exjjosed to the full influence of
sun and air, is insipid and watery, and yet there are many
who still give it the preference." There is an amount of
error in such utterances which would make them amusing if
they were not also detrimental to a fair rinderstanding of the
subject. The delicacy of blanched Asjiaragus is in no way
spoiled by the process of blanching. It is a gross error to
suppose that "only just the tops can be used." The writer's
ideal of Asparagus is that it ought to be from 4 in. to G in.
in length. I have frequently eaten the Asparagus which he
states to be so useless perfectly tender 8 in. in length. It is
also a mistake to suppose that this Asparagus is " insipid and
watery " in any case where it is not badly cooked or in bad
condition from being kept too long after cutting. There is
also an important error implied in the paragraph, and that is,
that only French Asparagus is blanched. Now, as a matter
of fact, English market-grown Asparagus is, to a great extent,
blanched the same as the French, and is none the worse for it.
On the other hand, much French Asparagus comes to the
London markets green, and is used in that state — that, for in-
stance, which comes from the neighbourhood of Toulouse,
while the Dutch Asparagus is far more blanched than English
or French, being quite white throughout. The question of
blanched or unblanched Asparagus has, happily, nothing to do
with culture, which may be carried out without any reference
whatever to whether we want it blanched or green, but the
error as to the quality of blanched Asparagus is so common,
and so often repeated, even in professional journals, that a few
words on the question of blanching may not be amiss.

Errors about it have mostly arisen from the fact that some
who purchase large French Asparagus frequently do not
know how to cook it, and serve it with no part tender but
the tops ; they also often get it after it has been a long time
exposed in shop windows and in markets — a most unfavour-
able condition for a vegetable, which lo=ies its flavour very
quickly when exposed to the air. The cookery which suffices
for common small green Asparagus will not do for these
large and fine specimens. They require to be boiled, and
are boiled by all cooks who know how to treat Asparagus,
standing ^rect in the water with the tops just out of it, all
the stems being cut exactly the same length. The stems are
then boiled tiU tender, and in this process the tops, exposed
for about 1 in. of their length, are also cooked tender.

Recently I had an interesting test of this matter. A gen-
tleman taking the keenest interest in all culinaiy matters
spoke to me concerning this very subject, and avowed the
usual prejudice about the green Asparagus. I told him about

the cooking of it, which seemed to strike him as being
worthy of trial, and he at once resolved to try one of the best
French samples procurable ; I at the same tim.e procured
for him one of the very best English samples slightly
blanched, so that he might make a comparison, feeling certain
that he would give preference to the English Asparagus.
This was not so ; the large and fine French specimens, pro-
perly cooked, were found tender throughout, and of the most
delicious flavour. All those who really know anything about
Asparagus, such as ISIr. Webber, and many of the people
belonging to Covent Garden, know all this perfectly well, as
anybody may find on speaking to them on the subject.

There is really a good deal to be said for the blanching of
Asparagus which is supposed to be merely a matter of fashion,
and perverse fashicn. It is not likely that growers, who have
to live by cultivating Asparagus, and who, as a matter of
fact, satisfy the requirements of the most critical and most
accomplished cooks that are known, would go on for years
cultivating Asparagus in a vicious way. I have myself made
numerous and repeated comparisons as to the flavour of
Asparagus, and know it to be most delicate and excellent iu
the case of many blanched kinds, such as one gets from
Argenteuil, or from Mr. Harwood, of Colchester, or from some
of the great growers of the west of London, whose Asparagus
is generally blanched, but not quite so much as that grown
about Colchester ; but all such tests must be made under fair
conditions ; the cookery must be right, and the Asparagus
must be fresh. On the other hand, many samples of small
green Asparagus are also delicate, and somewhat distinct in
flavour from that which is blanched, but mostly when the
young points do not push far out of the ground. Then, again,
I have certainly found many specimens of long green
Asparagus deficient in flavour, and in several cases without
even the natural flavour of Asparagus. Whether this results
from exposure or from the peculiarity of the soil, I have not
yet ascertained. It may be soon noticed by those who watch
the shoots of Asparagus how very soon in warm days those ex-
posed begin to get scaly, and even to break out into buds, in
which case, if not cut promptly, they will certainly soon be
useless for the table. Herein there is a reason for
blanching apart altogether from the question of flavour,
which many good judges know well to be superior iu
the case of the finest blanched Asparagus. If, when properly
cooked, the blanched stem be tender and well flavoured, it is ,
manifestly an advantage to the grower to increase the length
and size of this stem by the process of blanching. Instead of
allowing his shoots to come up and break forth into very small
spray, by this simple process he conserves, as it were, the
strength of the rising shoot in the form in which it is most
profitable both to him and the consumer. A bundle of these
large, long, and well-grown shoots, not broken out into scaly
or green matter anywhere, is a very ditferent thing in the
market from one of green points, keeping better and
cooking better. In private gardens it does not matter so
much if people indulge their fancies as regards eating the
green points only ; but in market gardens it does make an
essential difference to the grower, whether he blanches his
Asparagus or not, because in that way he adds to the size and
length and weight of the saleable portion of his produce.
Some may say that this may suit him, but not the consumer.
The answer of the best cooks, good judges, who have fairly
tested the subject, is that the flavour is best and most delicate
when the Asparagus is blanched almost to the top— is blanched,
in fact, so as to show only the pink top, as is the case with the:
best French and English As^paragus.

Since writing the above, I have tried dai'y for nearly a
week samples of Asparagus cut at the same time, and noted a

4G8

THE GARDEN.

[June 14, 1879.

marked deterioration day by day, the flavour changing
towards the fifth day to an otfensive bitter one, and very
watery. Tliis was Enj;;lish A.sparagus of excellent quality,
grown at Colchester. The foreign Asparagus is frequently in
a worse condition as to age than the above sample, for natu-
rally Asparagus cut in another country, and, perhaps,
experiencing the delays of two markets, and afterwards being
exposed in a shop, can only be in a condition to mislead as to
its quality when gathered fresh. Few vegetables lose their
good qualities .sooner from exposure to light and air ; grown
at home, such fine Asparagus would be found all that could
be desired in flavour. V.

VEGETABLE MAEROWS IN MARKET GARDENS.

I HAVE read the remarks on Vegetable Marrows by " C. W. S." with
considerable interest — not only because I see yearly a large quantity
raised for market, but also because of the gi-eat liking I have for the
fruit as a jam-making product. lu this locality, where there is less
anxiety to secure early Marrows than is found nearer the metropolis,
seed is commonly so^ti in drills at about 4-ft. intervals, of course
tliinly, seldom earlier than the middle of May. If plants so raised
are later, at least they are more firmly established, and growers hold
that fruit is produced earlier on such plants than upon those planted
out from frames. That the soil is not so ricli as is found in beds
fully prepared may lead to this result ; but, the plants being thicker,
the quantity of fruit per rod is not less, whilst the attention required
is but little. It is not uuusu.al to see Runner Beans sown wide, and
rows of Marrows between tliem. Of course, whether the seed be
sown in drills or dibbled in in hills at 4-ft. intervals, rows are still
produced. It is so easy to save a large quantity of seed, that at
sowing-time it is seldom spared. A thick plant, it it escapes the
slugs, can soon be thinned ; but a thin plant is not so easily remedied.
With that conservative unreason tliat so thoroughly characterises
the Londoner, tlie Long White Marrow is almost the only kind that
can secure a sale, and if this be of the ribbed form so much the
better. In the matter of flavour and productiveness, some of the
green kinds excel the Long White, but, good as they may be, it is
useless to grow what the public will not purchase. The compara-
tively early stage at which tlic fruits are cut for market affords early
and most useful relief to the plants, and thus the produce is far in
excess of tluit obtained from plants that have to carry two or tliree
large fruits on them for seed. For the production of preserve, or,
to call it by its more homely designation, jam, the Vegetable Mar-
j-ow stands unrivalled. It can be relied upon to produce a crop of
fruit at the very cheapest rate when all others may fail. The white-
fleshed M.-irrow naturally produces the palest jam, but the flesh of
the darker kinds, and specially that of the Ohio .Squash, not only
produces tlie richest colour iu the preserve, but also the best flavour.
To make good jam the fruits should be well matured, but not ripe ;
that is, they should be fully gi-own, but the skins should not have
begun to harden — then the flesh is solid and contains tlie least pro-
portion of water. Much depends upon the making, but that is, like
■all cooking, a matter of culinary experience. When well made it
is, without doubt, one of the pleasantest and most wholesome of all

preserves.

A. D.

EARLY AND LATE PEAS.

Nothing in the vegetable way shows the backwardness of the spring
more forcibly than the Pen crop, for while in ordinary seasons we
always gatlier Peas at latest by the end of May, they will have to come
on fast if wc get any much before this month is out, although sown
and treateil in the ordinary way, and nursed on in a warm sunny
border. There is, however, every promise that Peas will be in great
abundance by-aud-by, as I never remember to have seen them more
vigorous and healthy than they now are. This is owing to the heavy
i-ains which we have had and the few days of re.al growing weather
between the rainfalls, conditions that just suit Peas and most
vegetable crops, all of which are now growing most satisfactorily.
In regard to Peas, it should be borne in mind tliat although they
look so well now, a week or two's strong sunshine may so dry the
soil as to bring on mildew, a pest which, wlien once it gets hold of the
leaves, is fatal to the bearing properties of tlie plants. Notliing
tends to ward this oft' so well and keep the plants in healtli as muleh-
inf the sides of the rows heavily with stable manure, which not only
keeps the soil cool, but prevents in a great measure the escape of
moisture. In light shallow lands it is next to impossible to grow
good Peas without mulching, for should tliey be watered it is of little
use, as before the water has time to soak down the dry, heated air

draws it out, and leaves the roots that it attracts near the surface
famishing more tlian before.

For early and mid-season crops I am averse to the use of manure,
as I find that it induces the plants to make too much haulm, but for
those expected to yield a supply till late in the autumn, some stimu-
lant of this kind is necessary, as it is surprising the difl'erence there
is in vigour between those sown now and others that have been put
iu up to this time. To make up for this deficiency of strength, they
must have something extra on which to feed, and this is, perhaps, best
aflbrded by digging and preparing trenches after the manner of those
got ready for Celery, except that after they are finished, they should
be to a gi-eater extent filled in, so as to leave them only about 2 in.
or 3 in. at most below the general ground level. This will be sufii-
cient to admit of flooding them with w,ater when necessary, which,
if they are expected to bear well, will be often after they get into
bloom and begin to show pods, as that is the time when their energies
are taxed most, and, to save exhaustion, every pod should be picked
when ready, whether the Peas may just then be required or not, the
maturing of seed being a great drain on the plants. After trying
many kinds for late sowing, I find none better in quality, or more
productive, than the old British Queen, which all through the
summer and autumn is a Pea of sterling merit, and one that may be
always relied on. This and Ne Plus Ultra are the only two tall
kinds th.at I care about, and, although they have been in cultivation
a great many years, they are still unsurpassed. S. D.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Haberlea rhodopensis. — At pp. 375 and 430 of The Garden
a description is given of this very interesting plant, which we believe
will prove to be one of the very best of recent introductions amongst
hardy rock plants. As we have grown this little gem for Several
years on our rockwork, a hint or two as to its successful cultivation
may not ba unacceptable. We liave treated this plant in the same
manner as the Pyrenean Ramondia, i.e., we have jilanted it on the
north side of the rockwork ; therefore the sun never directly reaches
it. We grow it in fibrous peat, and fix the plants, if possible, into
the fissurjs of the rockwork, so that the rosettes wliich it forms hang
in an oblique position, just as they do in their native country. It
succeeds well in this way ; but if no rockwork be at hand it may be
gi-own equally well on the north side of a Rhododendron bed. We
have it thus situated quite close to a stone edging, a way iu which
we also grow the Ramondia, and the Haberlea flowers profusely
every year in May and June. Established plants will produce from
six to seven flowers on a stalk, and form quite a lovely bouquet.
Tlie evergreen leaves are of the same firm texture as those of the
Ramondia. The plant is very hardy, having withstood our often
very hard winters without any protection quite unharmed. — Otto
Frceebl, A'ew Munsler Nurseries, Zurich.

Narcissus pumilus (pp. 338 and 430). — The plant figured by
Herbert in his " Amaryllidaceff' " under this name is very small,
and may possibly be a starved form of N. minimus, the smallest
of all the Daffodils. It is certainly not referable, as a garden plant,
either to N. minor or to its broad-petalled form N. nanus, both of
which bear flowers three or four times as large. Tlie N. pumilus of
Redoute's "Liliacea;," t. 409, is a small Grassy-leaved pLant bearing a
solitary white flower, and is supposed to be a variety of N. dubius.
Mr. Williams' plant is doubtless either N. minor or N. nanus, which
have briglit and effective flowers, and bloom early, as does also
N. minimus, albeit a much sm.aller plant. If Mr. Willi.anis has
N. cernuus and N. moschatus true, they are readily distinguishable ;
and if gi-own iu masses the distinctions are still more apparent. Apart
from size and colour, N. moschatus never produces double flowers,
while of N. cernuus there are two distinct double varieties. — B.

Herbaceous and Alpine Flowers at Manchester.

— Herewith I send you a list of the thirty-six plants to which the
first prize was awarded in this class at the late Manchester show.
It is difficult in gre.at exhibitions, like tli.at in question, to find a
suitable place for these denizens of the valley and the mountain ;
nor can I say that tlie site chosen for them at Manchester was a
happy one. The Pansies and Violas in particular were placed on
the gi'ouud as an edging to groups of large plants, and were, in
consequence, almost in obscurity. Among the plants shown by Mr.
Brockbank, I noticed a very dwarf and unique specimen of the old
TroUius europa?us — quite a miniature compared with the type.
Meconopsis Wallichi and nepalensis were in excellent condition,
but not fully developed. There was also a large mass of the new
and beautiful Saxifraga Wallacei, a kind seemingly intermediate
between S. Mawi and S. ajugasfolia. I need scarcely add that those

June 14, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

4G9

who would exhibit thirtj'-six herbaceous plants on a given day
would have to grow nearly sixty, and I was told the reserve in the
case under notice was equally interesting as those exhibited. The
following are the names of those shown, \nz., Meconopsis Walliclii
and M. nepalensis ; iSaxifraga Cotyledon, S. pyramidalis, and 8.
Wallacei ; a beautiful inorusted Saxifrage, probably incrustata,
eiToneously named S. serratifolia ; S. lantoscana ; S. atroirarpurea ;
Aquilegia vulgaris, a i3ne dark variety ; A. Skiuneri, true red and
yellow ; Lithospennum prostratum ; TroUius napellifolius, T. altai-
cus, T. europasus nanus ; Orobus vernus ; Primula amcena lilacina,
P. a. magenta, P. japonica (a fine pan), P. luteola (beautiful) ;
Dodecatheon Jaffiraj'anum ; Polygonatum giganteum ; Symphytum
variegatum ; C'ypripedium spectabile, C. acaule ; Iberis gibraltarica ;
Lyelmis alpina ; Myosotis Warleigh Surprise ; Sempervivxim mon-
tanum ; Oaltha palustris (double) ; Doronicum caucasicum ; Funkia
alba margiuata : Trillium grandiflorum ; C'laytonia siljirica ; Phlox
setacea ; Convallaria majalis stinata ; and Ramondia pjTenaica, a fine
mass. — Thos. William.s, Ormsl-irL:

Arnebia echioides. — The Borage-worts afTord us some of our
handsomest border flowers, and the subject of the accompanying
illustration, though not so showy as some kinds, is certainly amongst

potted this year.
Bkockhurst.

I shall keep a careful record of the results.-

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

Arnebia echioides.

the most remarkable. It grows about 1 ft. high, and has lance
shaped leaves from 8 in. to 10 in. long, covered with short, dense
hairs. The flowers, which are of a bright primrose-yellow, have five
black spots on the corolla, whicli graiUially fade to a ligliter shade,
and finally quite disappear. It is perfectly hardy, and succeeds
either on the rockery or in a well-drained border, and apparently
prefers partial shade. It is a native of tlie Caucasus, Northern
Persia, &c., and, though it has been introduced some considerable
time, it is still amongst the rarest of our cultivated hardy flowers. —
W. G.

The Woodrufif (Asperula odorata). — This interesting British
plant, with white-scented flowers, produced usually in May, but, like
all other plants, later than usual this year, is well adapted for plant-
ing at the foot of such trees as Arbor-vitse, or other evergreens, in
order to furnish the bare ground commonly seen at their base. Its
flowers liave a scent somewliat like that of new-made liay, and if cut
and dried, the plant is said to be a preventive of moths in woollen
and other fabrics. The plant is easily increased by division of the
root when growth begins in spring. — E. Hoed A v.

Time for Re-potting Auriculas. — I feel sure that all
Auricula growers will join me in tlianking the Rev. F. D. Homer
for liis very interesting note of last week, and will now feel quite
safe in following Mr. Douglas in the advice he gave as to early
potting. At tlie same time it is evident that there are two opinions,
and it will be interesting to note the results if Auricula growers will
keep a record of their experiences for future use. We commenced
re-potting ours only on Monday last, so the whole stock will be late

KHODODEXDIIONS AT CAIRNSMORE.

At the very foot of tlie huge mass of granite, 2300 ft. high,
which bears the name of Cairnsmore of Fleet, lies the
pleasant, well-wooded park which surrounds the house of
Cairnsmore, the residence of !Major and Jlrs. Colvin Stewart.
It would take a large space to describe the charms of the park
and pleasure grounds, musical with running water and the
song of birds. Yet soft and rich as are the changing scenes
within little more than a stone's-throw of the house, the
visitor is not allowed to forget that he is in a sub-alpine
region. For even should the impending mountain, with its
grim precipices, deep glens, and purple moorlands be for the
time hidden by the thick foliage, at every turn there are to
be seen huge monoliths of granite, sometimes so long and
slender as to be used where usually poles or posts would be
employed, as, for instance, in the hay-shed, the roof of which
is supported by granite pillars about 14 ft. high ; and in the
glen there may be seen a light bridge thrown airily across
the burn from crag to crag, which, on closer inspection, turns
out to be a single gigantic plank of granite.

But the specialite of Cairnsmore are the Rhododendrons.
For many years ilajor Stewart has been an enthusiastic cul-
tivator of this delightful shrub, and as the climate, moist
and mild (like all the west of Scotland), and the soil (granite
debris mixed with deep peat) are all that could be desired,
the amplest success has rewarded his eflbrts, and he is now
the owner of probably the finest specimens, if not of the
largest collection, in the south of Scotland. The lodge is
approached by a long drive through a glen, down which rushes
a mountain stream through a rough wood where have been
planted many hybrid Rhododendrons which promise, when
more air and light is given them, to form a woodland scene
probably unique in this country. On entering the lodge gate,
the first thing that arrests the eye is a magnificent bush of
the Cairnsmore Scarlet, a seedling which is said to h.ave been
raised there about thirty years ago, and which retains much
of the arborescent habit of the Indian R, arlioreum. This
biish overhangs the approach, is 1.5 ft high, and loaded with
bloom. In pleasing contrast is a large bush of Cunninghame's
White, which makes up in quantity what is lacking in quality
of the trusses. Passing along the approach, may be noticed
on the right, at some little distance, a long border surrounding
the garden walls filled with thriving Rhododendrons, of which
there is something to be said presently. Some fine bushes
of limbatum, loaded with Cherry-coloured blooms centred
with white, next attract attention, and a little further on is a
display of colour which for freshness and richness the writer
does not recollect to have seen equalled. An immense bush
of the Cairnsmore Scarlet, about 17 ft. high, absolutely
crowded with brilliant blossom, is placed in striking contrast
with a large double white Cherry. The contrast is so exquisite,
backed up as it is with the tender green of a giant ^ Beech,
that most people would feel rewarded for a very long journey
by this sight alone. But there is a great deal more to see.
Returning to the long border round the garden walls, the
\'isitor is intro:luced to some of the choicer varieties. The
Major has for years been working plants upon their own
roots, on which he finds that, unlike Roses, they are much
more robust than when grafted. From these plants round
the garden walls he has obtained a great quantity of layers.

470

THE GAEDEN.

[June 14, 187 9.

Pe'liaps the first blooms to catch the eye are those of a true
scarlet, wliich came to Cairusniore years ago misnamed Louis
Philippe, but which is Cjuite unique in colour, being indeed
truly scarlet. This is now called the Major, and if it finds
its way into the market undir that namj, is worth looking
after.

An exquisite white flower, with a quantity of dark puce
spots, named George Cunninghame, and sent out by the
Lawsou Seed Company, is worthy of special attention, as the
flowers are quite distinct and the foliage excellent. Among
the young plants which have not yet bloomed at Cairnsmore
one is struck by the vigorous growth and immense leaves of
W. H. Punshard (Waterer), and the neat foliage and compact
growth of Lady Ilchester. Lawsou's Sikkim hybrid Thom-
son! is a free bloomer and very pretty ; 8un of Austerlitz, a
fine carmine and of grand habit ; Verschaffelti, rosy white
with dark markings ; Broughtoni, witli handsome leaves and
bright rose flowers ; Altaclerense, full of crimson bloom ;
atrosanguineum, of a fine blood-crimson ; Augusts Van
Geert, with immense heads of a cherry colour, and a beautiful
unnamed sort, garlanded with rosy blooms in great profusion,
were at the time of the writer's visit the i^rincipal varieties
in bloom, but a great many other sorts were to follow, which
liave been delayed beyond their usual time by the ungenial
season. A walk round this collection does more to convince
the visitor of the mistake usually made in planting masses
of the common Rhododendron pontitum, to the exclusion of
these far more beautiful and interesting varieties, than pages
of writing. Another irresistible conviction to which one is
led is the superiority of plants on their own roots. Peat is
accessible in many places, but pure peat out of a Scotch Moss
will not grow American plants. It must be mixed with an
equal proportion of sharp sand, the coarser the better. Sea
sand, if it is coarse enough, does perfectly well, and a little
good manure at time of planting does wonders to help robust
growth. Even where peat is not available, Rhododendrons
will grow and flower well in good loam not approaching to
clay or chalk. They should, however, be supplied with
manure and leaf-mould mixed with sand in order to become
established. One more word : Let them not be exposed to
cold cutting winds in winter, or to the full blaze of .sunshine
in summer. The former destroys the foliage, and the latter
burns up the blossoms of many delicate Icinds, and thus
shortens the flowering period. In choosing a spot for choice
Rhododendrons, let the winds be broken by surrounding but
not overhanging trees or adjacent buildings ; let the sun have
frequent but not unbroken access, and let the grouud be
thoroughly drained before jareparing the beds.

I cannot close my notes upon the Cairnsmore Rhododen-
drons without noticing a very remarkable circumstance in
connection with them. The pyramids of blossom seem to
have the property of attracting all the queen wasps for miles
around, and Major Stewart has a very ingenious and
thoroughly effective means of destroying these. A strong
india-rubber band is secured by a string about 3 ft. long to
the wrist. Armed with this, the sportsman, for so he may be
termed, waits -till a queen wasp settles on a Rhododendron
(and on a sunny morning he has not long to wait), when,
taking a steady aim, he fires the india-rubber band off" the
thumb of the left hand, and rarely fails to knock the wasp
senseless on the ground. In this way from twelve to twenty
queens were secured in one morning during my visit, and that
of course represents the destruction in an easy way of so
many nests. Salmoniceps.

which is feathered from top to bottom with young twigs, as if a
colony of Ferns liad established themselves over the whole tree. It
forms a remarkable contrast to the other bare-branched and bare-
stemmed Elm trees in the same park. It is a variety of the Dntch
Elm, and tlie curious gi'owth of twigs in questioii is owing to nume-
rous excrescences develoj^ed on the branches and stems. — Y,

A Beautiful Elm.— Mr. Cole called my attention the other
■ day to a very beautiful Elm in Kensington Gardens, every branch of

NOTES & QUESTIOlfS ON TREES, SHEUBS, & WOODLANDS-

The Vanilla Tree. — Some foolish person has been writing a
note in the "Times" about tree jilanting in Paris, as follows : "Any
one interested in the planting of squares or boulevards, and with
time to spare, would find a trip to Paris well repaid by a view of the
Avenue d'Essling, now a mass of piu-ple bloom, which quite eclipses
the Chestnuts so familiar in this city. The Vanilla tree, with which
that avenue is plauted, has very handsome foliage, and would quite
stand the London climate, making a pleasant variety and gi'owing
rapidly." This has caused many puzzled persons, who only know
the Vanilla as a delicate hothouse Orchid, to ask what can be
meant. The writer can only mean the common I'aulownia, but he is
courageous enough to write to the ' ' Times" without taking the trouble
to ascertain the proper name of the tree. Of coiu'se he also recom-
mends it for use in London, without taking the trouble to enquire
how it actually gi'ows there, where it lives, but never makes any
such gi'owth or flowers so freelj' as we have noticed it about Paris.
On warm soils in the south of Encdand, and not far from town, it
does much Ijetter and sometimes flowers freely. The Catalpa is a
much better tree for Lo:]don, so far as we have observed, and both
grows and flowers very freely, even in the centre of the to\ra.

Constricted Bark. — This disease is occasioned either through
the action of tlie roots becoming too feeble for the proper support of
the tree, or through very dry cold air playing upon the trunk and
brandies of a tree which has become exposed. It is occasionally
shown by the bark becoming indurated and losing its elastic proper-
ties, whereby the sap vessels get confined and their proper functions
suspended. In the Plane tree the outer layers of bark peel off; in
the Oak they become torn longitudinally ; and in the Beech stretched
horizontally. When in this hide-bound state the trunks often
become covered with Mosses and Lichens, and are jireycd upon by
insects. The only sure remedy is scoring the trunk, and perh.aps the
main Ijranches, right through the bark from the top to near the roots
The operation may be safely performed about midsummer, and the
relief given to the tree will become apparent directly. We have
seen old Apple trees renovated by scraping or stripping off a con-
siderable portion of the rough old bark, and hide-bound young ones
instantly revive after scoring. By leaving the inner layers of bai'k
uninjured, considerable libei'ties may be taken with the rough ex-
ternal coating. — A. J. B.

Canker in Timber Trees. — This disease, tliough more fre-
quently fouud upon fruit trees in orchards th.an amongst timber
trees, sometimes attacks both the Elm and the Ash upon very wet
soils, the drainage of which is imperfect. It is more especially
found in low situations, where there is not a free circulation of air.
It may also arise from an unwholesome substance in the soil becom-
ing lodged in the vessels of the young shoots, causing blisters near
the buds, and at the bases of larger branches. The parts affected
are generally chosen by insects, whose larv;e keep the diseased
spaces open by feeding upon their margins. It is not unusual to find
fast-gTowing trees in the aliove situations attacked by canker. The
only eft'ectual remedies for the clisease seem to be good ventilation by
means of open cuttings or rides in the woodlands, and thorough
drainage. — A. J. B,

Lilacs. — These are now doing so much to relieve the ugliness of
many parts of London, tliat one regrets that the many beautiful kinds
grown in Continental gardens are not also gi'own liure ; and it is to
be regretted that the Continental way of pruning tlie Lilac bush, that
is to say, thinning out the shoots so as to induce a stronger bloom,
is not carried out with us. Tlie tendency of the Lilac to ramify into
a number of small shoots frequently causes some of the varieties to
produce very small flower-shoots, which a little Judicious thinning
would remedy. There are surely no shrubs more worthy of our
attention than the different kinds of Lilac.

Hardiness of Embothrium coccineum. — It may inte-
rest the readers of Thk Gakdex to know that two fine specimens of
this plant have lived through the late severe winter, .and are now
flowering well. I have lately measured Ijoth ; one is quite 20 ft.
high ami 8 ft. through, and is flowering freely ; tlie other is in the
American Garden, which is in lower gi'ouiid and in a less dry position;
consequently it lost the chief portion of its leaves during the
wintei-, but the wood is uninjured. It is 25 ft. high and IG ft.

June 14, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

471

through, and as every twig is bearing flowers it resembles a mass of
fire. Such trees as these are worth a long journey to see. — Samfel
HoRSMAN, C'o7)ihe lioyal, Kimjsbridije, Devon.

Cerasus Rhexi. — Let me strongly recommend this shrub to
the attention of your readers. It is one mass of bloom, and the
most striking object I have seen for a length of time. — A. R.,
Bromle;/.

A PUBLIC NURSERY.

IDESIA POLYCARPA CRISPA.

Allow me to direct attention to a curious case of dimorphism which
has appeared in two plants of the Idesia polycarpa. The general
form of the typical Idesia is too well known to need mention ; we
shall, therefore, content ourselves with figuring and describing the
monstrosity in question. This remarkable variation appeared for the
first time at the Museum of the Garden of Plants in Paris in 1875
in a plant of about S ft. in height and in a single shoot. In the follow-
ing summer anotlier plant, stronger than the first one, produced two
shoots, which were identical with the growths of the previous year.
In 1878 several otlier plants developed similar shoots ; it is probable,
therefore, that tliis variation may become permanent. The following
is the description of the variety of which we are speaking : The
shoots are denu-
ded at the base,
somewhat twisted
out of shape,
with uneven sur-
faces, showing
elevations and de-
pressions here and
there. The leaves
are of different
shapes and sizes,
with long leaf-
stalks, and fre-
quently reacli a
length of from i in.
to 8 in., and even
longer. The wliole
of the leaf is corru-
gated and twisted
irregularly,
the veins and nerves
being whitish.

The leaves of
the variety con-
sequently form the
strongest possiljle
contrast to the
smooth, regiilar,
well-shaped leaves
of the parent plant,
the monstrosity
being made all
the more remark-
able by the shoots
bearing nonnal
and abnormal

varieties of leaves growing on the same stalk. Practicil men will
tell us that this transformation is the result of an accident, while, on
the other hand, botanists will say that it is an anomaly. These
methods of accounting for the fact, althougli apparently sufficient,
are in reality worse than insufficient, seeing that they simply put the
difficulty ou one side instead of solving it. The reflective mind, on
the other liand, asks itself whether any of these changes of character
in plants can be called accidents. Are not all those phenomena, which
we call abnormalities, acccidents, and anomalies, just as much
governed by natural laws as those which we call normal ? If we
call such phenomena accidents, why should we not apply the same
term to the thousands of varieties which are constantly being dis-
covered amongst seedlings ? Are not the latter plienomona analogous
to the former ? We commend these observations to the attention of
vegetable physiologists.

^Yhatever may be the cause of this curious variation, the plant of
Idesia polycarpa crispa is none the less interesting to both horticul-
turists and botanists. The Idesia polycarpa, which was formerly
also called Polycarpa Slaximowiczi, was, at the time of its intro-
duction from Japan, much vaunted as a fruit tree, an idea which
still obtains amongst cultivators. It does, indeed, bear fruits,
botanically speaking, but, instead of being good to eat, they are,
on the contrary, dry, hard, and disagreeably bitter.

E. A. C'akkiere.

Idesia pofjcarpa var. crispa (one-tliird the natural size).

There is no more pressing want for our public parks and gardens
than a good nursery on gi'ound belonging to the .State and in pure
air for tlie main supply of the trees and shrubs now required in the
public parks and gardens of London and its neighbourhood. We find
the following not very hopeful reference to this subject in an article
on this suliject by Lord Henry Lennox in the current number of
"Time " : "I am one of those who are strongly of opinion that we
ought to have a nursery under the management of the Office of
Works in which to raise both trees and shrulis. It is, however, fair
only to add that in this view I have the misfortune to differ from no
less a personage than my distinguished friend Sir Joseph Hooker,
the director of Kew Gardens. Sir Joseph considers that, t\ hile it is
certainly cheaper for the nation to raise its own bedding and fine-
foliaged plants, it is better to Ijuy trees and shrubs when they are
cheap, and»at sales in the country, because he considers that the
demand for the latter is intermittent. It is exactly on this point that
I venture to differ even from so eminent an authority. " One of the
many reasons which it seems to us should lead to the establishment
of a public nursery would be the purchase of trees and shrubs of
desirable kinds which it is impossible to get at ordinary sales. If
the parks of London are to be planted in a fitting manner, the stores

from which tliey
are supplied should
be removed from
the fluctuation and
very narrow limits
of the ordinai-y
sales of common
shrubs and trees.
They ought, in-
deed, to be inde-
pendent of the
fashion of the day.
There should be re-
presented in them
all thefinenorthern
trees of the
world, and, as
we know too well,
comparatively few
of these are obtain-
able in most nurse-
ries, many of them
not obtainable at
all. Thus, for
example, there are
various American
trees which are
never seen in a
nursery, and when
rare trees are seen
elsewhere they
are not obtain-
able. To a pro-
perly organised
nursery for a supply
of the parks of
London people from all parts of the world would be happy to send
seeds and young plants, and we should be able to get up a splendid
collection of the hardy trees of the northern world, and tliese not
as single specimens, but as healthy young stock for distriljution
amongst the various parks in positions most suitable for them. The
very cheap common trees and shrubs might be obtained at sales,
no iloubt, but not the rare and good things. Our nurserymen would
be very glad to contribute to or exchange with such an establishment,
which could not fail to have a beneficial eftect on the tree culture of
this country.

Nursery Convention. — The fourth annual meeting of the
American Association of Nurserymen, Florists, Seedsmen, and
kindred interests is appointed to be held at Cleveland, Ohio, com-
commencing Wednesday, June 18, and continuing three days.
Among the objects sought by this association arc tlie following : The
exchange and sale of nursery products, implements, and labour-
saving devices ; the exhibition and introduction of new varieties of
fniits, trees, plants, &c. ; the cultivation of personal acquaintance of
others engaged in the trade ; to perfect better methods of culture,
gTading, packing, and sale of stock ; to procure quicker transit, more
reasonable rates, and avoiding needless exposure of nursery products
when in transit ; to obtain a reduction in rates of postage on seeds,
scions, roots, and cuttings ; to avoid the evils of dishonest tree
agents ; and to prevent the taxing of nursery stock when growing.

472

THE GAEDEN.

[June 1-4, 1879.

VEGETABLE CULTURE FOR MARKET.
Seakale. — Tliis is extensively growu in the neighbourhood
of London, and is considered a much more profitable crop
than Asparagus. The demand for it is, however, not so great
as that for Asparagus. Tliere are few people who do not
like Asparagus, green Peas, and new Potatoes, but there are
a great many who do not like Seakale. Large quantities of
it are, however, sold in Covent Garden between the beginning
of December and the end of March. This is proved by tlie
immense breadtlis of land devoted to its culture, and the
long trenches in which it is forced to be seen in the Fulham
Fields and elsewhere. Market gardeners grow Seakale on a
different system from that usually practised in private
gardens ; indeed, if they were not to do so, the crop would
be a far less profitable one than it is. Seakale is a crop easy
to cultivate and free from disease and insect pests ; it gives
little trouble, and is higlily remunerative. Growers in the
Fulham Fields, the Chiswick and Barnes Thames level, the
Deptford and Woolwich neighbourhoods, and, in fact, for
many miles round the metropolis, pay much attention to it,
and consider it one of their best vegetable crops.

Some growers raise Seakale plants from seed, but the
majority propagate them from root-cuttings. It is, however,
advisable once in every few years to raise plants from seed in
order to infuse fresh vigour into the stock. For seed sowing,
a piece of ground is selected in March and deeply dug or
trenched ; no manure is applied if the ground had been
liberally treated in that respect for the previous crop ; 4-ft.
wide beds, with 1-ft. alleys between them, are then formed,
and on these the seed is sown rather thickly and covered with
soil from the alleys or by raking them in. The seedlings
are left unthinned and unmoved during the succeeding sum-
mer and winter, no care being paid to them whatever beyond
weeding. When the plants are twelve months old from the
time of sowing, they are lifted, and all roots, except the
main ones attached to the crown, are cut off. The main roots
are also cut to 4 in. long. These are then planted permanently
with a dibble in good soil. The objection to .seedlings, how-
ever, is that they occupy the ground for one entire year with-
out yielding any return, and also that during the second
summer tliey are sometimes liable to produce a profusion of
small crowns ; and, unless these are reduced, the plants form
but weakly subjects for forcing. The reason why the seed-
lings are not thinned and planted out the first season is because
if so treated the majority of the plants " bolt " during the
summer, and at lifting time the roots are weak, and therefore
are both troublesome and unprofitable.

The best way, therefore, of increasing Seakale is from the
trimmings or cuttings of the fleshy roots cut away from the
plants when they are lifted for forcing. These thongs or
roots, when removed, are thrown into a heap in a shed, there
to remain until all the plantations that are to be lifted for
forcing have been dug up and trimmed. The best of the
trimmings are then selected, cut up into pieces about 4 in.
long, and laid in a heap liy themselves, and the remainder
thrown away. In January beds are prepared for the cuttings,
about 4 ft. in width, any length, and raised 6 in. higher than
the surrounding level, to keep the Seakale roots healthy and
free from damp. The cuttings are laid thickly on the surface
of the bed and covered with soil. At planting time, which
is in March, the beds are uncovered, when the roots will
have formed several eyes, all of which are rubbed off,
excepting the strongest top one. Some growers do not cut
the roots until planting time, but lay them on the beds as
selected from the shed. In March, when the beds are un-
covered, they select the best eye, then cut the roots at the

required length below it, and rub off all other eyes, as in the
previous case. The Seakale cuttings, being thus prepared for
planting, are inserted with iron-shod dibbles into ground
which was well manured and deeply dug or trenched in winter,
levelled in February, and lines drawn along it 3 ft. apart and
planted with Cauliflowers, keepng them at the same distance
asunder in the row.s. Between the lines of Caulifl.owe rs,
other lines are drawn precisely in the middle, and in them
are planted white or green Paris Cos Lettuces 18 in. apart.
In the rows occupied by the Cauliflowers, too. Lettuce plants
are inserted alternately. A Seakale plant is now placed
alternate with the Lettuces and Cauliflowers, but in the same
lines. The Lettuces are first ready for market, and are
removed before they injure the Cauliflowers. By the end of
June all of the latter crop is also marketed, leaving the
Seakale, which by this time will be coming up strongly, in
sole possession of the soil. Some growers plant Seakale sets
1.5 in. by 18 ia. apart amongst spring Cabbages, which are all
removed before they can materially injure the Seakale. Others
plant them between Asparagus ridges ; but in this case they
must all be lifted at the end of the first season, as is also the
case when they are planted between fruit bushes and Moss
Roses. Some market gardeners who grow roots for sale plant
their sets at 18 in. apart each way, and never intercrop the
ground amongst them, but take great care of them ; and,
under such management, they get finer roots than those pro-
duced among other crops. No care is necessary among Sea-
kale plantations throughout the summer and autumn beyond
frequently hoeing the surface soil, cutting away all flower-
spikes, and rubbing ofl" all small shoots that may chance to
spring around the main one.

When forcing-time arrives, if the field is to be kept to yield
what is termed "natural" Kale, i.e., without being forced in
any way, every third row of roots is lifted as required for
forcing, and thus the rows are left in pairs with a space of
3 ft. between them. The surface of the soil is then raked
clean, and from this wide space the rows are earthed over to
the depth of C in. to prevent the frost penetrating the ground
amongst the crowns and thus rendering it cold and late. The
Kale begins to push about the second week in March, and,
according to the position of the field and nature of the soil
and weather, a supply may be gleaned therefrom till the end
of April. As soon as the point of a shoot of Kale is dis-
cerned above the ridge the head is fit for cutting. For early
forcing, the very best crowns, and such as the leaves die away
from earliest, are selected and trimmed, so that 4 in. or 5 in.
of the main stem, with the crown on the top, only remain.
These are then placed closely together in an upright position
in a hotbed prepared for starting them in, which, in the case
of the earliest batch, consists of a manure-bed covered with
frames and sashes, and a few inches deep of soil levelled
within the frames for planting the roots amongst. A heat of
65" or 70" is kept up inside the frames, if possible, by apply-
ing hot linings of manure and by placing litter or mats on
the surface over the glass, which latter also keeps all dark
and blanches the Kale. Seakale growers try to have a good
cutting on Lord Mi^'or's Day ; but this is considered too
early for regular forcing.

Forcing commences in earnest about the first fortnight
in November, and large trenches or beds, on which
Cucumbers were grown during the summer, are cleared
out and re-filled with hot manure, over which 8 in.
of soil is placed, and therein the Seakale is planted thickly
in lines across the bed, which are about 5 in. apart, and about
the same space of a margin is left empty on each side.
Amongst the roots, and all round the lieds, rows of stakes are
inserted, 18 in. of their length being left above the soil.

June 14, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

473

Some 6 ill. or 7 in. d::ep of short litter is then strewed over
the whole surface of the beds, which are then covered over
with mits supported on the end's of the stake.s. Hoops and
niatg are often used instead of stakes. In about three or four
•weeks after the beds are made up, cutting begins, when it is
necessary to uncover the beds as the operation proceeds,
•drawing the short litter off the crowns to get at them, and
replacing it as speedily as possible, as all the crowns are not
iit to cut at the same timj. Beds for later crops are prepared
on a well-sheltered plot of ground as near home and the manure-
heap as possible. The ground is marked oft" into spaces
either 4 ft. or 5 ft. wide, with alleys 2 ft. wide between them.
These spaces are used as beds, over which the soil from the
alleys is placed, after finely breaking it, until the alleys are
20 in. deep. The Seakale crowns are then all lined into these
beds as described in the case of earKer beds, and thus the
beds are left uncovered until they are required for forcing ;
but, as a rule, two or more of them are always being forced,
and others started to succeed them. As these beds have no
bottom-heat, it is not necessary that they must be immediately
■covered, as in that case they, being incited at the bottom,
would grow, no matter whether their crowns are cared for or
not ; but, in this instance, having no exciting agent, and being
in a dormant state, they await the cultivator's convenience.
In forcing them, the alleys between the beds are firmly filled
with fermenting manure, and, the beds being covered as
formerly stated, with short litter and mats supported on the
upright stakes, all is finished. The Kale takes a longer time
to push into growth by this means than when forced on a
£ttinure-bed, and it does not come quite so regularly. This
method, however, has the advantage of less troulile and risk,
and great convenience in keeping up a supply until it can be
produced from the open-air beds, after which the forced roots
are removed to a heap by themselves, or to the piggery, where
their vitality is .sure to be destroyed. If conveyed to a field
at once, with the manure wliich formed the beds, and dug in,
they would grow again, and prove a future annoyance. The
manure being forked out from between the alleys, the soil is
levelled, and the piece of ground will then be ready for
digging over for French Beans, Cauliflowers, or Tomatoes.

Both forced and natural Kale are cut three days a week, for
•which purpose is used a small tool with a handle about 1 \ ft.
long, bent at the neck, and with a blade about 2 in. wide by
3 in. long. This is a handy instrument, and well adapted for
its purpose, as it can be so deftly employed for cutting the
Kale with a small piece of the root-stock adhering to it.
When the day's cutting is over, the Kale is washed, tied in
bundles of a dozen heads, placed on its ends in punnets,
and again packed into baskets, which are piled on waggons
and sent to market. After all out-door Kale is cut, the ridges
are levelled down, and the spaces between the rows cropped
■with white Cos Lettuces. Immediately the Seakale begins
to grow numerous cro'wns are produced; but the.se are all
reduced to two, or at most three, of the strongest, and in this
respect, in remo^dng their flower-spikes, and in keeping the
soil about them loose and clean, they are well attended to
afterwards. These old roots are the principal ones used for
early forcing next year.

Rhubarb. — This is an important crop, and the quantities
of it sold in spring are enormous. Waggon-loads of it are
sometimes sold at very cheap rates, but at other times good
prices have been obtained for it. Early Rhubarb is especially
acceptable, coming in, as it does, when Apples have become
scarce and dear. ' Rhubarb forcing in market gardens is very
.simple, and is done in hotbeds covered with hoops and mats.
In making young plantations, the sets are sometimes planted
about 18 in. apart each way; and, at forcing-time, every

other row, and the alternate plants in the row left, are lifted
for forcing ; old plantations, too, are cleared entirely for
forcing. The leaves will be decayed enough to be raked off
by the middle of October, by which time the first portion is
usually lifted for forcing. For this purpose trenches are cast
out, about 4 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep, and filled with fermenting
manure. Over this a thin layer of common soil is placed,
and in it the crowns, after being trimmed of some of their
rougher roots, are planted. Over the crowns some loose litter
is strewed, and then the beds are hooped over and covered
with mats, over which another layer of straw or litter is
placed during winter. In the outside covering, apertures are
made at gathering time, and closed again when done. In
February, if the weather be mild, the hoops and mats are
commonly dispensed with. In some gardens excellent Rhu-
barb is produced in pits, with some heating material under-
neath, and some loose straw merely shaken loosely over the
roots. Mr. Yeldham, of Hammersmith, forces Rhubarb in
large ciuantities in his fruit houses ; the roots are packed
closely together on the floors, a little leaf-mould or other soil
is cast over them, and they are afterwards covered with mats,
which remain on them until the stalks are fit to gather.
Rhubarb forced in this way is not so good in colour as that
produced in darker places, and which we see in the markets
early in the season ; but it is greatly superior to it in flavour,
and meets with a ready sale.

Whole fields in Surrey are devoted to Rhubarb culture,
but the bulk of it from London market gardens is
grown under fruit trees, positions in which it grows
well. In spring, when the produce is most wanted, the
trees aie leafless, and therefore they do not shade it
much, but afford slight protection, and the produce comes
naturally fit for use about a week sooner than from the open
field. The soil for growing Rhubarb is a deep, rich, and
moderately moist one ; exposed positions decidedly pro-
duce the finest Rhubarb, but under fruit trees this crop
grows almost as well as anything else that could be planted ;
therefore, in order to economise this space, few crops probably
pay better. The varieties grown consist chiefly of the Early
Albert, Myatt's Linnseus, Myatt's Victoria, Red Champagne,
and -Johnson's St. ilartin. Red Champagne is much sought
after in the market on account of its fine red stalks ; and,
when forced, its colour is brighter and more imposing than
that of other sorts. In making permanent plantations, divi-
sions of the old stools are used, and they are planted in
rows 21 ft. or .3 ft. apart, and from 2 ft. to 2i ft. asunder in
the roTVs. No leaves are cut away from them the first year,
but the space between the lines is planted with Lettuses or
Coleworts. During the second season many stalks are not
cut, but in the third year a fair crop is realised. As soon as
time can be spared in winter, and before the leaves begin to
grow, the ground between the rows is dug over roughly, and
a large forkful of rank litter placed over each crown. It
would be difficult to take the litter into the plantation on a
wheelbarrow, owing to the softness of the newly-dug soil ;
therefore the workmen carry it in baskets. As a rule, people
are employed to fill vegetable baskets, others to carry them
on their heads, and a few more to empty their contents over
the crowns of the plants. Under the litter the stalks come
up clean, tender, and crisp — very much more so than if none
were used. The leaf-stalks are pulled for market as long as
there is a demand for them ; and even in late summer large
waggon loads are often disposed of to jam manufacturers.
In bunching the Rhubarb for market, a piece of board, padded
with a piece of an old bag, is nailed to the bench in the packing
shed, and into it four nails or pegs are di'iven, two withies
being laid crossways for tying. The finest stalks are placed

474

THE GAEDEN.

[June 14, 1879.

in the bottom, the top and ends being alternate, and over
them some small ones, making up the outside again with large
stalks, so that the small ones are entirely hidden. These
bundles are then packed on waggons and taken to market
during the night, and in the morning are sold to the dealers
either by auction or otherwise. C. W. S.

NOTES OP THE WEEK.

Pine Tomatoes in Spring.— The scarcity and inferior quality
of Tomatoes have lately been very reniarliable in Covent Garden.
Tliis is to be regretted, considering tlie way in whicli tlie taste for
Tomatoes have grown of late years. Frequently inferior, spotted, or
half-decomposed fruits that have travelled a long w.ay are offered for
sale, and apj^arently bought and eaten. Tliree shillings a pound
has been the common retail price during the spring ; it is therefore
clear that our markets are insufficiently supplied, as an abundance
of fine Tomatoes could be grown to pay the grower at less than one-
lialf that. price. The finest that we have seen for a long time are
those that are grown by Mr. Gilbert, of Burgldey. The sort which
he likes best for printer cultivation is Criterion, inasmuch as owing
to a peculiar habit which tliis kind possesses, the leaves fall down
from the stem and the flowers stand erect, so that its fertilisation in
winter is very much easier than that of the ordinary kind, and there
is a marked difference in the freedom with which it produces fruit
compared with the other kinds. It was sent to Mr. Gilbert by
Mr. Bliss, of New York.

Tovaria oleracea. — This is one of the most striking hardy
plants now in fio^^er in the Kew collection. It is nearly related to
Smilacina, and, in the present state, is similar to the old S. racemosa.
The stems in the Kew specimen grow about lift, high, and grace-
fully arcli, though in their native habitat they are said to attain a
height of from 6 ft. to 8 ft. Tlie leaves vary from eight to si,xteen,
and are oblong and pointed. The flowers are nearly i in. across,
produced in terminal flat panicles, which attain 1 ft. in breadth, and
are white, tinged on the outside with pink, as are also the slender
stalks. It inhabits the temperate region of Sikkim, where it is found
at an elevation of from 8000 ft. to 12,000 ft. above the sea ; it is
therefore quite hardy in our chmate.

Anthurium Scherzerianum Palmeri. — Tliis is the name
of a very distinct form of the strikingly showy and now well-known
Flamingo plant. Its spathe is remarkably large, being about the
size of Ward's variety, but differs from it in its not being so broad,
but considerably longer. We noticed it amongst numerous other
varieties in Messrs. Veitch and Sons' nursery at Chelsea.

Campanula Allioni. — The Rev. Mr. Nelson tells ns that
this beautiful Alpine Hairbell grows freely and flowers abundantly
in his garden in Norfolk. It is a large-flowered dwarf species, and
admirably suited for the rock garden or the front margin of a choice
border of flowers. We believe it is one of Mr. Backhouse's intro-
ductions, handsome speoimens of it having been sent to ns last year
from the York Nurseries.

Gypsophila cerastioides.— One of the prettiest novelties in
the way of Alpines which we have had the good fortune to note of
late is this plant, which is now finely in flower at Mr. Parker's
nursery at Tooting. It gTows about 2 in. high, and has a spreading
habit. The leaves are about 1 A in. long and spathulate from the
axils, of which are produced sm.all clusters of blossoms, which are h
in. in diameter, white with a violet streak down the face of each
petal, and heavily pencilled with the same colour on the back.

The Lattice Plant (Ouvirandra fenestralis). — It is not often
that one meets with this singular aquatic plant in flower, but in
such a state we saw it a few days ago in Mr. Williams' nursery,
wdiere several plants of it are thriving admirably and developing
leaves to almost the inaximuin size. Tliey are growing in large tubs
of water, which, in order to keep it sweet, receives a surface-
syringing and a small additional supply daily.

The Late-flowering- Scillas. — Amongst the numerous kinds
of spring-flowering bulbous plants of which we have now choice
perhaps none are more universally esteemeil than the common Blue-
bell (S. nutans). Beautiful as it is pure and simple in its wild haunts,
it is much more effective when associated with the many-coloured
varieties that have emanated from it. The variety atro-cccruloa is
desirable on account of tlie rich deep tint of its bells, and it forms
a pleasing contrast to the pure white-flowered form which, too, is
distinguishable from a large-flowered kind, and one ot dwarf habit
called nana. Then, again, there is the rose or rather violet-coloured

form, which varies in intensity from a deep to a lighter hue. The
Spanish Squills, or S. campanulata, are similar to the foregoing, and
have equal variation in point of colour, but they are considerably
larger in every part, and the bells are more spreading. In this group-
one or two superb varieties are especially noteworthy, viz. , Empress,
a kind with unusually large blossoms, white, hned with blue ; and.
Emperor, a variety having a porcelain tint, also streaked with blue.
These, too, have very characteristic foliage, being much broader,
flatter, and of a deeper green than that of the ordinary forms of
these Squills. Of these a beautiful display may now be seen in Mr.
Barr's nursery at Tooting, where they are planted in large
masses, and in close proximity toeach other, sothatthere is a charm-
ing blending of colours. For the ordinary border Squills cannot be
too strongly recommended, as they are easily grown, and they never
fail to produce a good crop ot blooms, which are admirably adapted
for cutting, a state in which they last for a considerable time in per-
fection. Their most natural position, however, is as undergrowth,
in woods, &c., and also in the wild garden, where they well repay
the trouble of naturalising.

Flowering Trees in the Parks. — The parks of London are
now beautiful v,Mi flowering trees, and the air sweet with their fra- •
gi-ance. In this respect the gardening in the London parks is more
successful than in any others, mainly because trees are let alone and
allowed to assume their natural forms. The most that one can wish to
be done for them is thinning them out and opening them up alittle herfc
and there. We notice with pleasure that this has been done very
tastefully in Kensington Gardens by the edge of the Serpentine.
By thinning the trees and letting the turf spread among them here
and there much improvement has been effected. Something of the
same kind may well be done by the Long Walk, which is now very
beautiful. Many rare trees and shrubs there -vvill be all tlie better
for being protected from over vigorous neighbours. One of the tasks,
which both hj'bridisers and collectors might well set before them is
that of obtaining for us later-flowering trees and shrubs. One must
regi-et that the glorious bloom of the real summer trees should so
soon fade away, and in many gardens not be followed by any succession,
of blooming trees. To secure late-flowering varieties of the real
summer ones would be most desirable. Still more so should we aim
to obtain and give good places to late-flowering species.

Rare Hardy Flo^wers from Zurich. — We have received
from Jlessrs. Frocbel & Co., of Zurich, .specimens of the beautiful
white-flowered Eamondia (R. pyrenaica alba). Its blossoms are,
however, not quite white, but are sufiiised with a delicate blush tint,
and are furnished with a central orange-coloured ring. It is a charm-
ing acquisition to our list of rock plants. Associated with it was
Nigritella Henfleri, a kind in the way of N. angustifolia, but with
flowers of a much brighter colour, resemljling both in form and
colour the crimson cones of the common Trifolium incarnatum, ex-
cept that the flower-heads are shorter. The wdiite-flowered variety
of Omphalodes ^'erna, also in the same collection, is a pretty addi-
tion to early spriug-floweriug Alpines, and another pretty plant
which accompanied it was Orobus formosus roseus, which produces
an abundance of blossoms of a deep ro.sy tint when first expanded, but
which afterwards change to a bright purplish-blue.

The Trees and Shrubs m Victoria Park.— The effect
of the foliage of tlie trees and of the flowering shrubs in Victoria
Park is now remarkably beautiful. Nothing is more agTeeable at.
this season than wandering about in the noble parks, which are now
happily open to all, in London, and seeing the flowering trees in all
their glory of bloom, and finding out the rarer kinds and finest
specimens. No eflbrt hitherto made in gardening has had so good a.
result as that of planting hardy flowering trees, and it should
encourage the superintendents to turn their attention more and more
to this subject, because of the permanence and the value of tlie
results obtained. Little schemes of garden and temporary decora-
tions are naturally short lived, no matter what we do ; but the jjlant-
ing of fine flowering trees Londoners will have reason to be grateful
for for many years.

Carolinea elegans. — A handsome stove shrub bearing this-
name is now in flower in Mr. Bull's nursery. It has an erect habit,
and digitate leaves similar to those of a Horse Chestnut, the leaflets
being more leatliery in texture, and of a deep green hue. The flowers
are produced singly from the axils of the upper leaves, and are from
6 in. to 8 in. in lengd;h, of a yellowish tinge outside, and covered with
soft whitish down. The most attractive point is the red colour of
the stamens, which are numerous and neai'ly as long as the petals.
Like all the other kinds of Carolinea, it is a native of the Tropics of
the New World.

New Pelarg-oniums. — Mr. Hawkins, of Twickenham, is now
sending out two very beautiful Pelargoniums — the semi-double Vesta
and the beautiful double rose Madame Thibaut — both excellent kinds-
likely to be very popular.

JuxE 14, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

475

Nev/ D'warf Phloxes. — These bright little flowers are now-
very beautiful in Mr. Nelson's garden at Aldborough. Mr. Nelson
has raised a considerable variety of colours from Phlox subulata.
Any new varieties will of course be very welcome in the case of
such a favourite plant, which we only know hitherto in the pink and
the white form. It would be interesting to know if there are many
varieties where the plant is common in America ; if not, our
American friends will liave to come to us for these.

Saxifraga "Wallacei. — In the note (p. 442) in reference to
tliis plant we omitted to mention that it was a seedling, sent out
about two years ago by Messrs. Dicksons & Co., of Edinlnirgh, to
whom a first-class certificate was awarded for it by the Royal Cale-
donian Horticultural Society last year. The above name was given
to it on the suggestion of the late Mr. James M'Nab, wlio as well as
other competent authorities, considered it distinct from any other
kind in cultivation.

Muscari armeniacuin. — This is one of the handsomest of all
the Grape Hyaoiutlis, and the beauty of it is considerably enhanced
by its flowering at a period when most of the other kinds are past.
Its flower-stems grow 8 in. high, and are terminated by a dense
raceme from 3 in. to 4 in. long, of bright dark-blue flowers, with
small whitish teeth. The foliage is much the same as that of the
ordinary M. racemosum. It is now in full beauty in Jlr. Parker's
nursery at Tooting.

Tabernsemontana Camassa. — A highly desirable stove
shrub imder this name is now in flower in Mr. Williams' nursery at
Holloway. It has a neat compact habit, being IJi ft. higli, and has
glossy Laurel-like leaves of a bright green tint. Tlie flowers are in
terminal clusters of about half-a-dozen ; they are double, pure white,
and much resemble those of a Gardenia, for which tliey might be
advantageously substituted, their fragrance being similar ; being to
some extent freer both in growth and flower, this plant is indeed
preferable to a Gardenia, and therefore deserves to be better known.

Cymbidium Parish!. — This rare and beautiful East Indian
Orchid is now in flower in Mr. B. S. ^Villiam3' nursery at Holloway.
In habit it closely resembles the superb C. eburneum, and its
flowers are also about tlie same size, but dilfer materially in the
colour of the lip, which in this is copiously spotted and mottled
with a deep rose tint on a wliite ground, and also a tinge of lemon.
The waxy, pure white consistence of the sepals is the same, and
the delicious aromatic perfume exlialed by the blossoms is not less
powerful than that emitted by its better known congener.

Trichocentrum tigrinum. — This exquisite little species is
amongst tlie rarest of Brazilian cultivated Orchids. It is a stemless
and bulbless epiphyte, with leaves very similar to tliose of Oncidium
Lanceauum in formand markings, but considerably smaller. The
flowers are large for tlio size of the plant, and have sejials of a
yellowish ground colour l)eautifully barred witli rich eliocohito. The
lip is unusually lai-ge and wedge-shaped, witli tlie loM-er half prire
white and the upper of a deep rosy hue, surmounted by a golden
crest. The perfume is delicious and very powerful. It is now
finely in flower in Mr. Williams' nursery at Holloway.

Astragalus adsurgens. — This is one of the briglitest
flow"ered of the numerous kinds of Astragalus gi-own at Kew. It is
not more than .3 in. high, its leaves being composed of about a dozen
pairs of leaflets, whicli are covered with a hoary sul)stanoe. The
flowers are produced in dense heads, 1 1 in. across, and are of a deep
purple-magenta. This, and the beautiful Hedysarum humile pre-
viously mentioned and still in flower, are amongst tlie most desiralde
of tlie dwarf Leguminous plants used for adorning tlie rock garden.

The "Times" on Mr. Marnock's Portrait.— The
" Times " critic of the pictures of the year in the Roj'al Academy
Bay of this: "'Robert Marnock, Landscape Gardener ' " (951), by
T. Blake Wirgman, is one of the most masterly and thoroughly
ti'uthful and vigorous portraits of the year, without any sacrifice of
delicacy and iinish to force. The picture ivill bear near as well as
distant view. All the rest of Mr. Blake Wirgman 's portraits are
eclipsed by his 'Robert Marnock.'"

Blseocarpus dentatus.— One of the most interesting and
beautiful plants now in flower at the Pine-apple Nursery is this
greenliouse shrub. It is about 5 ft. high, and lias small lance-
shaped slightly toothed leaves, from the axils of whicli, and also
from leafless nodes, are produced clusters of pretty white bell-shaped
blossoms, beautifully fringed round the margins similar to those of
the Alpine Soldanellas, and highly attractive.

Saxifraga squarrosa.— This charming pigmy Alpine is the
smallest of the Crustaeeous section of Saxifrages which we have in
culti\'ation. When not in flower it looks Uke a Lichen when not
closely observed, but in flower the hoary mass is studded with small
white blossoms, which have a very pretty appearance. It is now in
flower in Messrs. E. G. Henderson's nursery, Pine-apple Place.

lochroraa longiflora.— This rare and handsome Solanaceous
shrub is now flowering in the temperate house at Kew, and is very
desirable for greenhouse culture. Its blossoms, about half-a-dozen in
number, are produced in terminal, drooping clusters ; tliey are from
2 in. to 3 in. long, tubular, 1 in. across tlie mouth, and of a bright
violet-purple colour. The leaves are ovate and pointed, and are
covered with a downy substance on both surfaces. Like all the
species, it is a native of South America.

Exochorda grandiflora.— This higlily ornamental shrub has
produced its large white blossoms abundantly during the past few
weeks on the walls at Kew. It is a fine species, and one which cannot
be too highly recommended for general culture. A good idea of its
beauty may be gleaued from a coloured plate given in The Gakdes
(Vol. XL, p. 152).

NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS IN FLOWER.

Kew. — The collection here is now well worth a visit, though th e
late season lias considerably retarded the flowering period of the
majority of tlio plants. Amongst those of special interest may be
mentioned the Black Sarana Lily (Fritillaria kamtschatcensis), which,
tliough far from being a novelty, is not often seen in flower, but which,
from its peculiar aspect, is highly desirable. It grows about 9 in. high,
and the leaves are arranged in whorls of four. The flowers, borne
three or four in number, are over 1 in. across, cup-shaped, and almost
black, the inside shining with a metallic lustre, relieved by a tuft of
golden stamens. It is a native of Eastern Siberia, Kamtschatka,
&c. Ourisia coccinea, represented by a fine example, is flowering
freely, its bright scarlet blossoms being very attractive. Near it
Pentstemou Scouleri is producing pretty lavender-tinted flowers.
The liardiness of this plant has now lieen thoroughly tested, as it has
withstood the past winter quite unprotected. Reseda glauoa, tliough
not at all showy, is an interesting species, the leaves of which are
narrow and very glaucous. Tlie finest of the Borage-worts in flower
is Symphytum bohemicum, which is bearing a profusion of pretty
cerise-coloured blossoms ; Polemonium humile in an adjoining bed is
also a neat-flowering kind, dwarfer and smaller in every part than the
ordinary kind. Tlie exquisite little TrifoHum uniflorum, with its
magenta and white blossoms, is an interesting object on the rockery.
An exception to the generally Ijrilliant-flowered Larkspurs is to be
found in Delphinium triste, which is now producing a profusion of
somln-e-tinted blossoms. Phlox bifida and pilosa are desirable kinds,
which make capital companions to their dwarf congeners P. subulatj
and its varieties, all of wliich are now in great beauty. The best of
tlie Irises are I. tectorum, a Japanese species witli large purple
flowers beautifully mottled with lines of a darker hue, and sur-
mounted liy a whitish crest ; I. pallida is a lovely kind, the flowers
of which are largest of all the cultivated species, and of a delicate
lavender tint ; I. Cingiatti is a dwarf species resembling I. puniila,
but has flowers of a deeper shade, with a light-coloured beard.
Amongst bullions plants. Pancratium illyricum is finely in flower ;
its blossoms are pure white, and their large size, number, and delight-
ful perfume render this Pancratium a most desirable plant, and it is
perfectly hardy. Ornithogalum orthophyllum and latifolium are
very similar to each other as regards flowers ; they Jiave steins nearly
3 ft. high, terminated by a pyramid of pure white blossoms, each as
large as a shilling, presenting a striking appearance. The old
C'aniassia esculenta, with its dark-flowered variety (atro-violaoea),
togetlicr with the newer C. Leiohtlini, witli its tall spikes of large
greenish flov.'ers, are very attractive. The various kinds of Calo-
chortus and Cyclobothra are now beginning to flower, and Cyelo-
bothra elegans is already flowering freely. Clintonia borealis, which
can neither lay claim to novelty nor showiness, has flowered very
freely, though now almost past. Chrysobactron Hookeri, a very
showy New Zealand jilant, delights in moist, peaty beds, where
amiually it produces a good supply of bright yellow blossoms in
long racemes.

Tottenham. — Amongst hardy flowers now in bloo»i at Mr.
Ware's the following are of unusual interest, viz., Fritillaria
reeurva, a beautiful Californian species, with rich orange and scarlet
blossoms ; the Ram's-head Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium arietinum),
a singular looking kind, the flowers of wliich are greenish-yellow,
with a small roundish lip of a pretty rosy tint. A very dai'k flowered
form of Camassia esculenta, named atro-violacea, is also very
attractive and decidedly superior to the type. The white flowered
form of the mealy Primrose (Primula farinosa alba) is another pretty
acquisition, the small white flowers forming an admirable contrast
to tliose of the original. The pretty Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis
alpestris) is also very fine in this establishment, its sparkling azure-
blue flowers quite enlivening their surroundings. Another charming
mountain gem is Arraeria setacea, a plant wliich forms dense cushion-
like tufts of the deepest green, studded with many heads of pretty

476

THE GAEDEN.

[JuxE 14, 1879.

pink flowers. .Saxifraga Wallace! is here, as at other places, one of
the finest ornaments of the i-ock garden ; its large pure white
blossom?, wliich are borne in great profusion, rendering it very
effective. The pretty Primula sikkiraensis has apparently with-
stoo.l the past winter unscathed, and is bearing gracefully drooping
canary-yellow blossoms plentifully. A capital plant to associate
with it in damp borders is Viola pedata, one of tlie prettiest Violets
we know of ; a peat border at Mr. Ware's is literally covered with its
delicate lavender-tinted blossoms. In the same border is a mass
of a large-flowet-ed variety of Trillium grandiflorum, a kind much
superior to the ordinary form as well as being later in flowering.
T. erythrocarpum is a charming species, which grows about 6 in.
high, and has erect flowers H in. across, pure white, with a bright
carmine centre colour. The Blue Daisy (Bellis rotundifolia ccerules-
cens) is finely in flower, though not of such a cterulean tint as its
name would lead one to infer. The Alpine Windflower (Anemone
alpina) is a very handsome plant, with elegantly cut foliage, forming
a large rounded head, from which spring numerous pure white
blossoms 2 in. across, and which have a very pretty effect.

Tooting. — In Mr. Parker's nursery the exquisite little Campa-
nula AUioni is flowering in a frame. Its blossoms, which are large
for the size of tlie plant, and borne quite erect, are of a violet-pnrple
tint. In the same frame is Dianthiis neglectus, quite a gem, with
bright rose and white-mottled flowers, produced in abundance. A
thriving batch of Houstonia ccerulea, with star-like, mauve-tinted
flowers is also very showy. Onosma taurica is a desirable Borage-wort
for growing on dry parts of the rockwork ; it has clear yellow blossoms
borne in drooping clusters. The white-flowered variety of Dielytra
spectabilis is a desirable plant, but scarcely of so robust a constitution
as the original. A bed of Primula Munroi forms quite a pleasing fea-
ture, its pure white clusters, when seen in masses, being very pretty.
Amongst the showiest of the larger plants is Verbascum phceniceum,
now bearing tall spikes of rich purple blossoms. The sulphur-
flowered variety of Anemone alpina is also a striking plant, its
feathery foliage and large pale yellow flowers contrasting well with
each other. Some rockwork covered with Atragene austriaca in
flower is very ornamental ; its large purple blossoms are scarcely
inferior to those of some of the hybrid Clematises. There is also a
white-flowered form which is equally desirable.

Fulham. — Bulbous plants, such as the rich purple-flowered
Camassia esculenta and its handsome congener C. Leichtlini, with
its tall spikes of greenish-white blossoms, l^in. across, are now very
attractive at Messrs. Osborn's nursery. The various kinds of late-
flowering Squills are also noteworthy, tlie white and the rose-
coloured forms of the well-known Scilla campanulata being very orna-
mental ; also the varieties of our native S. nutans with flowers of the
same colours. The canary-yellow-flowered Tulipa Celsiana and the
not very showy T. viridiflora are also now in flower in this nursery.

PLATE CLXXXIV.

Effects of Local Influences on Garden Culture.—

Mr. Quiu will, I have no doubt, pardon me for again saying that I
think the view which he takes respecting the cause of failure in the
case of the plants in Mr. Tonks' greenhouse is incorrect, and not
warranted by the circumstances as related. The fumes from alkali
or other chemical works, such as those at Widnes, with the neigh-
bourhood of which I am well accjuainted, and where even Couch
Grass for a short distance appears unable to live, are very different
from those that arise from the ordinary mamifactures carried on in
either the Black Country or in the cotton districts, and I should
have little hope of any one succeeding with plants, even under the
protection afforded by a greenhouse, if near enough to the place
from which the noxious gases proceed ; but I do not think that at a
distance of ten miles (which the Packwood plants are represented
to be from the places whence Mr. Quin supposes the injury in this
case comes) they would suffer perceptibly, much less be reduced to
the condition in which these are said to be. In fact, I know some
places where general collections of plants are successfully gi'own
very much nearer Widnes than the distance which Mr. Quin names,
and I do not think there is a place in this kingdom, or any other,
where poisonous exlialations so destructive of vegetable life exist.
It is impossible to grow jjlants without air more or less according to
their kinds, and when the air is charged with impurities sufficient
to injure or destroy vegetable life, the most skilful management
would avail but little. The injurious eSects upon plant life of
poisonous gases from manufactures is a subject of great importance
in this country, where works from which these arise are ever on the
increase ; much more is it so in the case of outdoor subjects tlian
in that of tliose grown under glass ; but I think in the case that
has given rise to this discussion the cause must be sought for beyond
atmospheric influences. — T. B.iiXES.

THE MOCK ORANGES.

(PHILADELPHU.S.)
These beautiful and usually perfectly hardy shrubs are commonly
but erroneously known by growers of ornamental shrubs under the
name of Syringa, a name which belongs to the Lilac. If an English,
name be preferred to that of Philadelphus, as it is by many. Mock
Orange seems to be about the most appropriate, most of the repre-
sentatives of the family having a perfume resembling that of Orange
blossom, though of less overpowering intensity. Some of the kinds
are, however, almost wholly devoid of fragrance, as, for instance,
the beautiful and distinct Mexican form, which is also, alas, decidedly
less hardy and robust in constitution than most of the other members
of the family. The number of known varieties of these beautiful
shrubs is comparatively very large, as many as fifty-five named
kinds being in cultivation in the wonderfully rich collection of M.
Alphonse Lavall^e, at Segi'cz, near Paris, the accompanying plate
being, I believe, drawn from specimens kindly furnished Ijy that
gentleman. Seedling hybrid varieties are also introduceil and dis-
tributed from time to time by Continental growers, one of the best
of which seems to be Souvenir de Billard, a very free blooming sort,
even in a small state. The last new variety sent out this year by
M. Lemoine, of Nancy, under the name of P. multiflorus pilenus,
seems, however, to be the freest blooming of tliem all, and well
deserving its name, the small cutting-plant sent to me having three,
heads of bloom showing on it. There are also several other double-
flowered varieties named P. dianthiflorus, P. deutziseflonis, and P.
primulsfloi'us, the last said to he the most doul>le and best of them
all ; but, though I have had a plant of it for three years, it has not yet
bloomed, so it cannot, I think, be said to be a free flowerer. There,
are also two pretty varieties with ornamental foliage, one of them.
possessing light golden foliage, and the other having a distinct silver
variegation. W'. E. G.

Children's Gardens. — Every young creature of the human
race descended from Adam shows its garden origin by an instinctive
love of stirring the soil in the season of vernal sunshine, and of
planting in it seeds and shoots. It should be the business of those-
who are placed where they are responsible for the future common
weal to see that all who are charged with the education of the youth
of the nation shall take especial care to cultivate this tendency..
Above every other temporal thing it has power to secure health,
peace, and competence. A young man or woman who has learned
to take interest in a garden and to gi'ow plants well, is secure from
the worst enemies of life ; secure of procuring food and clothing by
direct means, if indirect ones fail ; secure of healthful and con-
tenting employment for mind and body, and of innocent objects of
attention and interest countless in number, and changing every day.
Fortunate indeed is one whose early youth has been imbued with a.
liking for these pursuits and pleasures, and fortunate the society
possessing such members. For they are not bable to fall into the
unlawful courses which conduct the idle and the untrained into vice
and crime, and make them the shame and the burden — and often the
terror — of the industrious and the orderly. Our schools must find
some way to teach the eager little ones the principles of plant
gTOwth. Much can be done in a city schoolroom with small pots of
soil and seeds. In the country, where there are grounds fenced in,
some sheltered part might easily be laid off and divided by narrow
boards nailed on stakes driven down to keep them in place into a
row of little lots, on each of which some easy-growing and pro-
ductive plant may be set out to show what it ■snll do when it has
room, good soil, and sufficient support. On part of each lot the
occupant for the season can try any of the experiments that chil-
dren's whims suggest so freely. These will fail more or less, but.
their failure will be a lesson. The reason will appear ; and the
reason, too, why the Strawlierry plant (grown in a pot for setting
out), or the Radishes, or Tomato (trained up a stake), or Peas, or
Potato, or Cucumber, or Rose have made such complete and profit-
able gro\rth ; these latter being protected and cultivated under the-
t iacher's advice and care. Such instruction is given in thousands
of schools in other countries. There is quite as urgent need of it
here. — " New York Tribune."

Primula cortusoides amoena in Water. — Is it gene-
rally known that this is a very lasting flower in water ? I lately
took with me to the Highlands a nosegay in which were some ol
these Primulas ; all the trusses had flowers out, but some had buds.
I put them into the tin on the 12tli May, and into water on the 13th,
and on the 30th some flowers were still in full beauty. I enclose
one dried on that day ; the colour has changed in drying, but it will
be seen that it has kept its full shape. I saw symptoms of the-
severe winter in good-sized Ash trees completely barked round by-
rabbits as high as they could reach. — G. F. Wilson.

THE GAFnl,

K ORA^JCES ( PHILADELPHUS )

June 1-t, 1S79.J

THE GAEDEN.

477

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Stove.

The general stock of stove plants will now be in active gi-owth !
those tliat bloom during winter ami spring, and tliat are afterwards
cut liack and treated in a way to imluce them to make mature
growth preparatory to a similar production of flowers when the season
again comes round, must be encouraged, so as to get them up to the
requisite size before the days began to shorten, so far as to interfere
with their shoots and leaves being well matured. Cut-back plants
of most kinds, as their pots get full of roots, will be much benefited
by the use of manure water, but the etiiciency of this very much
depends upon its being applied at the right time, that is, when the
greatest development of both roots and branches is going on. The
stove, and likewise intermediate house, will now require more air,
botli as regards the amount admitted and the length of time when
the ventilators are cpn. The much less th.an usual .amount of sun
heat which we have had all through the spring, will, except in the
best houses that admit tlie fullest complement of light, have pro-
duced foliage of a softer and weaker character than ordinary, and
which will be much disposed to flag wlien extra air is given ; but
this will do no harm if the roots be sufficiently supplied ^\"ith water,
and tlie atmospliere of the house be not allowed to get too dry during
the time when air is admitted. Close both stove and intermediate
house early in the afternoons, accompanied by a free use of the
syringe in the case of all plants tliat need it ; any that have
flagged through the daytime will thus ([uickly recover, but do not
keep up too much atmospheric moisture at niglit.

Pinal Potting- of Winter-flo'wering Stove Plants. —
Such winter-blooming stove subjects as are raised from cuttings
annually in spring will require shifting into their bloooming pots be-
fore the roots become in any way cramped. The size of the plants
and their condition will determine when this operation should be
carried out, and on no account ought it to be delayed longer than
necessary, as it is desiraljle to get them fully estaldished with a
plentiful supply of roots in the pots in which they are to flower
before the season gets too far advanced, for when the
growth of all stock of this description is made sufii-
ciently early in the season to admit of a short maturing
process before the weather gets too cool in autumn, by giving them
more air and less shaile than they need when in the full height of
their growth, they will always bloom more profusely than when, to
attain sufficient size, it is necessary to urge on their gi-owth until
late in the season. As to the size of pots required, that must be
determined by the more or less vigorous nature of each plant ; such,
for instance, as tlie free-growing Salvias, Eranthemura pulcheUum,
and the strong Begonias, will want much more root-room than the
spare-rooting Euphorbia jacquinisflora or Toinsettias, and similar
plants. In all cases it is well to steer between the extremes of so
confining the roots, as would be sure to result in the loss of the
lower leaves, and of gi^^ng more root-space than is needed, as the
latter, with anything of a co.arse-growing character, h.%s the effect of
making them too large, and inducing a disposition to leaf .ind root
extension rather than the production of bloom ; and as all plants of
this description can be very much assisted with liquid stimulants, when
their pots get full of roots it will mostly be better not to use over-large
pots , especially where tlie whole space av.ailable for acconmiodating
such plants, both whilst growing and when in flower, is limited, as
a larger number of moderate sized examples will lie better calcu-
lated to give a succession than when a comparatively few larger
specimens are prepared. Particular attention should be paid to
stock of this kind through the next two months, in order to keep it
near enough the glass of the pits and frames occupied, to pre-
vent the shoots from becoming weak and long-jointed, for when this
t.akes pLace, no amount of after care will ever induce the plants to
flower so profusely as they ought. In order to still further eff'ect
this, whatever shading material it is found necessary to use should
not be thicker than is requisite to shield the plants from injury ;
ordinary bast mats, -which from want of a more suitable material are
often made shift with, exclude too much light ; the shading thus
applied sliould never be on the glass longer tlian needful. Fixed
shading, in the shape of canvas tacked on the glass, or any of the
various compositions used for smearing it with a view to save
labour, are all more or less objectionable, for the simple reason, that
for the few hours in the middle of the day during the brightest
weather that it is necessary to temper the effects of the sun's rays,
there is a much longer period during the morning and evening, when
they minimise the light which the plants want in the fullest amount
available.

Nepenthes.— The cultivation of these is now so much better
understood than it was at one time, that no one need hesitate growing
them who is in possession of a house, large or small, wherein is kept

up a temperature sufficient for the warmer section of stove plants ;
tliey may be grown as climbers either planted out or, still better,
in pots, as more control can be kept over their roots, witli a view of
preserving them in a good healthy condition. They can be run round
a pillar or up a rafter, but in the case of most of the best and finest
species, after the gi-owths have attained a few feet in height, they
assume a condition known amongst plant cultivators as "run-out,"
that is. the pitchers assume a dirt'ereut shape, and generally become
destitute of some of the parts ■\^ hich they possess before the shoots
extend so far, and in this state are very much less interesting than
they otherwise would be. For this reason they display their full
development, and are usually most attractive when their gi-owtli is
confined to pots of comparatively small size, so as to admit of the
plants being suspemled from the roof of the house iu which they are
grown in a way so as to keep their heads ne.ar the glass. Tliey must
now be regidarly shaded, as the sun at this season is much too
powerful to be allowed to shine directly upon them ; but the shading
used should be thicker or lighter, according to the position in which
they are placed ; if in houses that stand -with one side fully facing
the sun at midday they will need it thicker than if in structures
st.andiug in the opposite direction. I allude particularly to this, as
if the material employed excludes too much light, the plants are
drawn up weakly, and the pitchers are devoid of the high colouring
that so much enhances their beauty. They will now require a good
so<iking of water every day at the roots. I have found it best to
give them this in the mornings, as when the soil has been recently
moistened, it enables the plants to better withstand the drying
influences of the midday sun, and air which it is necessary to admit
to the house ; at the time of closing, let them be freely syringed with
tepid water, an operation to which it is necessary to attend regularly,
otherwise tlirips are very liable to establish themselves on the under
sides of the leaves, where from their drooping position, unless care
is taken that the water reaches them, they are enabled to remain
secure ; thus they very soon increase to an extent that proves per-
manently injurious to the leaves. Therearefewplants, if any, with which
I am acquainted that need so little root room as Nepenthes ; but when
any have become evidently too large for the pots which they occupy,
they should at once be moved into others 1 in. or 2 in. larger,
according to the condition of the roots and the size of the specimens.
In this operation neither the old soil nor even the crocks should
be disturbed further than removing such as can be got a-way
without interfering with tlie roots which are extremely brittle, and
more impatient of injury than those of any other plants with which
I have met. Let the material used, which should be similar to that
recommended for the general winter potting before gi-owth com-
menced, consist almost exclusively of vegetable fibre, intermixed
-with a very small portion of earthy matter ; as the shoots extend
each will require a stick to support it, but when inserting these in
the pots be careful not to disturb the roots more than may be un-
avoidable.

Cephalotus follicularis. — This interesting little plant is
sometimes assigned to the stove, and sometimes to the greenhouse
department ; the fact is, it may be cultivated in either, but the treat-
ment which it should receive in these different temperatures requires
to be considerably varied ; as a matter of course, iu the stove or
intermediate house it gi-ows much quicker than in the gi-eeuhouse ;
but, unless suVijected to more light by lieing placed near the glass, the
luxuriant gTOwth made for a time will be so far deceptive that the
plants -nnll become exhausted, and ultimately dwindle away alto-
gether. The best position I have found for them when gTOwn with
more or less heat is where there happens to be a shelf just beneath
the lower end of the roof lights, where the bell-glasses necessary to
cover the plants will be .all but touching the roof ; gro-ivn in heat in
this way, the glasses should be tilted continuously during the gi-owing
season, "more or less in accordance with the amount of air that is
admitted to the nouse. This Cephalotus being really a swamp sub-
ject, should never be allowed to get dry at the root ; and if the pots
are well drained, and the material in which the plants are grown be
of an open fibrous nature, there is little to fear from over-watering.
It may be propagated freely by division of the small crowns, or side
growths, usu.ally produced from the main stem, which when they
have got three or four leaves each generally form roots ; if they are
placed separately in the'smallest pots, and filled with vegetable fibre
from the best Orchid peat, added to an equal portion of chopped
sphao-num, a little sand, and a few bits of charccal or crocks broken
fine— material in which they all grow freely. In the case of either
larce or small examples of this plant, the pots in which they are
grown should be plunged in another pot sufficiently large to accommo-
date them, and filled with sphagnum, to admit of the covering bell-
glasses standing within the rim of the pot. Where there is stock
enough, a correspondingly more efi'ective specimen may be made by
plunging a number of pots containing individual plants m a large
pan, or pot, covering the whole with a bell-glass.

478

THE GARDEN.

[June 14, 1S79.

Dionsea muscipula. — This plant, which is so suitable for
associating with the Cephalotus, like it can either he grown in a
cool house or in an intermediate temperature : but I have fouml it
to bf more influenced by light than almost any other plant. Wlieu
grown in too dark a })Osition the leaves produced become much
attenuated, areless enduring and with correspondingly fewerroots, and
not so vigorous in condition collectively ; but, if too much elevated,
so as to be over-near the roof, unless regularly shaded when the suu
is on the glass, it generally dies altogether. I should recommend
those who attempt its cultivation, or who have tried and failed, to
place it in different positions in the house ; wlien rightly placed, the
trap-like appendages at the ends of the leaves will assume a beau-
tiful reddish-bronzy colour, which may be taken as certain evidence
that the situation suits it, and that it will not only continue to
thrive, but increase so as in a few years to enable the cultivator to
have considerable stock at command. Where it is at all strong, and
throws up flower-stems through the spring or about the present time,
as soon as these are apparent they should lie at once removed, as the
interest attached to tliem is not sufficient to compensate for the
weakening tendency which they have on the plant. Keep the plants
daily supplied with water, and from time to time see that they are
free from green-fly, from the presence of which they suffer more
than most plants. They sometimes succeed admirably in a house
where there is a good deal of air given, with a bell-glass over them,
tilted so as to admit air. They will grow in material such as that
recommended for the Cephalotus.

Droseras. — There are now several forms of these singular
plants quite distinct in haliit from the ordinary British species ;
they grow to a height of 10 in. or 12 in., and have elegant sub-
divided leaves, profusely armed with glands, similar to those of the
usual bog species. They thi'ive well grown in small pots in soil the
same as that named aljove, the general treatment being also similar.
They shoidd have water in sufficient quantity to keep the soil con-
tinually wet, and a light jiosition, in which the glands assume the
beautiful red tint natural to tliem, and which so much enhances
their appearance. As a rule, they succeed better a little more
confined than the Ceplialotus, that is, with the bell-glasses jjlaced
over them not so much tilted. — T. Baixes.

Flower Garden.

Auriculas. — It seems from remarks in last week's G.^rden that
it is quite time that repotting was finished. I meant to say {p. 457)
tliat ours were not yet potted, owing to want of time, although the
largest proportion are finished. I have noticed in repotting that
those potted in April and May last year have well filled the pots with
roots, which are exceedingly healthy, and that those potted later, in
July aud August, are not nearly so satisfactory as regards the state
of the compost or the health of the i-oots. It is evident that the
Auricula does not make the largest quantity of roots between the
last week in July and the end of the blooming time. Those who
sowed seeds in July or August last year would do well to pay con-
siderable attention to the plants at present, in order to get as much
growth as possible, so tliat that they may be strong enough to flower
next season ; for if they do not Sower, there will be the trouble of
growing them for another year. See tliat they are kept clear of
aphis by brushing them off or fumigating. We have occasionally
dusted the plants with fine dry Tobacco powder, which will also
destroy aphides to a limited extent. There lias been no need to
warn growers about injury from too mueh sunshine ; but, should
very hot, sunny weather set in after so much dull, cool weather, it
will be desirable to shade when the suu shines direetly upon the
plants.

Carnations and Picotees. — In town gardens where green
food is scarce, sparrows attack tiia flower-buds of these just as they
are formefl. Tliis warning may be necessary, as the mischief is
usually done early in the morning, even before five o'clock. Tlie
buds where injured look as if tliey were braised by the fingers.
White threads stretched over the plants sometimes keep tlienr off,
but a net placed over the beds is most effectual. Some of the most
forward of our plants now require disbudding ; it is desirable to
remove the centre bud, when tliree side oue5 will push out strongly
and flower about a week later. Those intending to exhibit will "do
well to take note whether tliey are likely to be late or early for a
certain date, and disbud accordingly. Tlie stems grow very rapidly,
and it is necessary to frequently look over the plants, iu order to fur-
nish them with fresh ties, aud to see that the stem is not injured by
the old ones.

Dahlias. — These have not yet been planted out, but we hope to
do so at once ; the plants are quite ready, aud no danger need be
apprehemled now fro-.n frosts. They liave been kept longer in pots
than usu.al, but we have not allowed the roots to become matted,
which should always, if possible, be avoided. Oar plan is to drive
the centre permanent stick into the ground firmly, and then dig out

about two spadefuls of soil in front of it. We then fill this opening
with good loam, enriched with about one-third part of rotten cow or
stable manure, or, what is perhaps preferable, both sorts mixed. In
this tlie plants are put out, pressing the soil firmly round tlieir roots
witli the hands. Tie their tops to the sticks at once, in order to pre-
serve tliem from injury. The present moist state of the ground and
atmospliere is very favourable for slugs ; therefore, see that they do
not eat the leaves at night.

Pinks. — The earliest of these should now be in flower, but there
is no sign of bloom at present ; the plants are, however, healthy and
the flower-stems strong, giving promise of a good display, even if
late. The stems have just been tied to neat sticks of dried Osiers ;
the surface soil has also been stirred up, and tlie beds cleared of
weeds.

Pansies. — These are now making a healthy growth, and the
flowers are large and of fine quality, though the rains occasionally
injure them. The plants delight in a moist atmosphere and plenty
of moisture at the roots. Peg the stems out if the plants have not
covered the beds.

Phloxes, Pentstemons, and Pyrethrums. — These are
placed together, because the work required to be performed is very
similar in each case. Old-established plants are apt to become over-
crowded with flower-stems ; these must, therefore, be thinned out
before they injure each other. The stems must be tied to their sticks
as they advance in growth.

Aquilegias. — These are now exceedingly beautiful. The light
blues, A. ccerulca and A. ccerulea hybrida, are charmingly brought
out when the plants are grown in pots and protected from rain under
glass ; they form at present quite a feature in our greenhouse.
When in flower they require consiilerable supplies of weak manure-
water : the leaves ought to be free from red spider and green fly
before the flowers open.

Polyanthuses. — Old plants of these put out in the open ground
from pots seem to revel in the dripping weather and moist atmo-
sphere wliich we are now experiencing. See that the surface of the
beds are lightly stirred and weeds removed. Seedlings come into
flower much more rapidly than those of Auriculas. Seeds of
them sown in March or April make strong-flowering plants by the
end of the year. I sowed in pots about the first week in April ; the
seedlings were pricked out into boxes, and when the leaves meet
together the plants will be put out about 6 in. apart, wheu they will
flower the following spring. — .1. Dougl.vs.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — Continue to attend to timely thinning out of both
bunches and berries, stopping lateral growths, watering, &c. Growth
now goes on so rapidly that a single day's procrastination in the
execution of any of these operations caunot take place without
injurious consequences ; an eft'ort should, therefore, be made to per-
form every operation at the right time. It is curious to note how,
under entirely opposite conditions, the same end is sometimes
attained — a case in point being our large house of Lady Downes ;
this, for the past two seasons, did not set its fruit so well as was
desired, some few of tlie best bunches having to be cut off, and yet
every pains was taken to disperse the pollen, and the weather was
all that could be desired, and now this season, though there has not
been a single hour's sunshine during the time when they were in
flower, and no attempt at artificial fertilisation made, other than a
shake of the trellis, every bunch is so thickly set that it is with diffi-
culty they can be thinned. Such a circumstance is calculated to set
one thinking, and the only solution I can at present give is, that the
Orapes were cut and bottled a month earlier than usual, hence the
Vines have had a longer rest, and are consequently better able to
stand a strain at this early stage of growth than they otherwise
would have been ; should my surmise be confirmed by another
season's experience, I shall look upon early harvesting of the ripe
fruit as au important item iu the cultivation of this best of all late
Grapes, for surely it deserves tliis designation, seeing that we have
bunches now (.June 7) with berries as plump and carrying as fine a
bloom as wlien they were cut at Christmas, and in flavour at least
equal to newly-ripened Hamburghs.

Peaches and Nectarines. ^As these will ^ot keep long
after being fully ripe, in order to lengthen out the succession let the
houses be freely ventilated night and day, iu order that full maturity
may bo developed as gradually as possible ; the flavour will also be
better in consequence. As soon as all the fruit is gathered the trees
may receive the same treatment as they did iu the earlier stages of
growtli, and the shoots intended for next year's fruiting should have
fall exposure to sunshine by the removal of all others that are not
requireil for furnishing the tree. The border, too. must be as well
attended to as it was before the fruit w.xs gathered ; indeed, at no
time should it be allowed to get dry, or even dryish, as is sometimes

June 14, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

479

recommended, under the delusion that it aids the rij)ening of the
wood. Thin the fruit in succession in late houses, and regularly
stop all lateral gi'owths, but particularly when tlie fruit is in its last
stage as regards swelling ; well ])ly the syringe till it begins to
change colour, and this will keep down red spider. For green fly
nothing is so eftectual as fumigation, and for mildew plenty of root
moisture and sulphur dusted over the affected parts. Fire -heat
ought not now to be necessary, but gi-owth should be pushed on by
closing the ventilators early, and so making the most of sun-heat.

Pines. — Usually at this season there is a redundancy of ripe
fruits which it is desirable to keep in good condition for as long a
time as possible, and one of the best ways of retarding them is just
before tliey are fully ripe to transfer the plants to a cool, airy house,
and shade tliem from sunshine. A well ventilated fruit-room, if not
too damp, is an excellent place for them. Where room cannot be
had for the plants, if the fruit be cut and suspended in a cool, airy
position, it will keep a considerable time in that way, but the former
plan is preferable. If tliere be any fruits required by a certain day,
and it is thought doubtful as to their being ripe at tlie time, a push
can be made by keeping a closer and moister atmosphere than is
generally desirable when the fruit is ripening, but it must be
remembered that such extra forcing will to some extent be a loss as
regards high finish and flavour, and tlierefore such extra forcing
should never be put in practice, except under the most unexception-
able circumstances. All varieties of Pines attain the highest
perfection of finish and flavour if, as soon as they begin to colour,
they have what may be termed greenhouse treatment, and are
allowed from this stage to ripen as slowly as possible. It is usual
to withhold water when this stage has been reached, but having
broken through this rule by keeping them moderately moist to the
very last, the results are so largely in its favour that now we always
water moderately. The autumn and winter fruiting varieties now
showing fruit should have the most liberal treatment. A bottom
heat, ranging from 83° to 90', must be maintained, and the plants
must be well supplied mth water ; they should be examined twice a
week with reference to this matter, and guano water or otlier liquid
manure should be used at every alternate watering. Until they are
in flower the air-moisture cannot well be too excessive, but at that
time a drier but not arid state is necessary till they are out of flower,
when moisture may be again increased. .Seeing that there has as
yet been only a few fitful gleams of sunshine, and the tissues of tlie
plants are too tender to withstand In-ight weather, partial shade may
still be requisite, more particularly in the case of smooth Cayennes and
recently potted plants. The strongest suckers from the earliest
ripened Queens may now be potted, and if grown on freely from the
first, tliey will make the finest summer and early autumn fruiters
next year.

Stra"wberries. — From the experience of the present season, it
seems to me that these will attain perfection ^^^thout sunshine, for
one hears on all sides how good they liave been, not only to look at,
but to eat. 1 interpret the matter thus : the weather has been con-
tinuously dull and cloudy, so comparatively little water has been re-
quired, increased fire-lieat has beeu neutralised by increased atmo-
spheric moisture, and so a moist heat has been engendered (the entirely
opposite of tliat afibrded by sun-heat), and tliis, combined by free
ventilation, which all know Strawberries must liave, has ended in
the production of as finely-flavoured fruit as could have been expected
in the most favourable season. Tliat old and long-continued favourite
forcing kind. Keen's Seedling, cannot be excelled in quality, but,
having gained some notoriety for its knack of non-setting and blind-
ness, its popularity is on the wane. Sir Cliarles Napier, however,
well ripened, is too acid for many palates, and so also is Sir Joseph
Paxton, whilst British Queen is too sliy a bearer, at least under or-
dinary conditions, so tliat tlie varieties President and Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury, with me at all events, must have first places.
These are still producing as fine fruit as anyone could desire, and all
tlie cultural aids now requisite are a full supply of clear manm-e-
water and the removal of redundant fruit.

Figs. — As soon as the first crop has been gathered, thoroughly
cleanse the trees, walls, and glass by means of a free use of the garden
engine, and, if necessary, apply a fresh top-dressing to the border ;
in any case there should be a renewal of the mulching, and the in-
side borders should be well soaked with wann water. All surplus
second-crop fruit should be at once removed, and the trees should be
syringed early in the morning and at shutting-up time. Very, little
fire-heat will now be necessary, all the forcing requisite being ob-
tainable by early closing on sunny days. The same remarks are
equally applicable to trees growing in pots, except that tliose bearing
ripe or ripening fruit must be kept drier both at root and top.

Melons. — As we never attempt tlie gi-owth of these in any other
way flian in houses heated by hot water, the notes under this head
are only applicable to the gi-owth of Melons treated in that manner.

The earliest fruit will now bo cut, and if the plants have retained
their foliage good to tlie last, they may again be left to produce
another crop. In order to encourage this, let the bed be thoroughly
saturated with warm water, and immediately mulched with 3 in. or
4 in. of droppings. Shorten back the laterals to within two or three
joiuts of the main stem. Syringe regularly, and otherwise treat as
recommended in the case of young plants, and a crop of Iruit will be
had mueli earlier than from young plants. Of course if the plants
have been damaged by sjjider or otherwise it is best to discard them ;
cleanse the house, renew the border, and replant with young plants.
Support swelling fruit with pieces of netting before there is any
danger of their weight breaking down the Vines, and take every
pains to keep the foliage clean to the last, tying any aside that
overshadow or prevents the sun from reaching the fruit. Succession
plants should be examined for the purpose of fertilisation when the
maximum daily temperature has been reached, and if three, or at
most four, on each plant can be fertilised at the same time, it will
conduce to more even and certain swelling off. Stop the laterals to
reasonable extent only ; so long as there is room without overcrowd-
ing, the more foliage there is the better. In case the old plants get
injured, and are not equal to the production of a second crop, another
sowing may now be made.

Kitchen Garden.

If, as is generally b elieved, a long and severe winter kills slugs,
how is it that they are now as numerous as ever ? At this place
they certainly are, if anything, more numerous, or at least more
troublesome, than in any previous season ; and to save such seed-
lings as Beet, Cauliflower, and Lettuce, we have had to apply
repeated doses of lime and soot, and also to trap them with Cabbage
and Lettuce leaves and small patches of bran. This latter bait
must have the palm for effectiveness. It appears to be a dainty
morsel to them, for so long as a bit remains nothing else is' touched.
Peas are, I suppose owing to the wet, growing abnormally tall ; we
have, therefore, topped them, hoping to prevent the injury that
might befall them through their getting too tall for the stakes.
Doubtless in good ground all kinds will this year grow taller than
usual, and topping may be done with advantage. Late kinds may
still be sown, except in cold, bleak localities, and there early sorts
should be put in. William the First is about the best of all the
early kinds, being within a day or two as early as Ringleader, and
equal in quality to Champion of England. French Beans have
grown very badly this season, aud those who took the precaution
to sow in boxes, with a view of transplanting, have acted wisely.
Now, however, they must germinate out-of-doors, and should be
sown in quantity for autumn use — 2 ft. apart from row to row, and
9 in. asunder in the row. The taller-growing kinds, such as Canadian
Wonder, ought to be supported with Birch twigs ; double produce
may then be had, for this variety grows so tall, and bears so pro-
fusely, that the haulm is weighted down, and much of the produce
gets spoiled if the plants are not thus supported. Lose no time ill
finishing the thinning out of seedlings of Parsnips, Carrots, Onions,
and Beet ; the last of these transplants fairly well, but care must
be taken to keep the points from doubling up in the process, or
forked roots may be the result. Fill up every spare bit of ground
with winter greens. Cole worts, and Gaub flowers. Prick out Broccoli
ere they get spindly by being left too long in the seed-bed. A few
of an early kind, such as Veitch's Self-protecting or Snow's, should
be permanently planted to succeed the autumn Cauliflower. Celery,
too, must now be got out. We always plant in double lines, in
trenches .30 in. wide and 9 in. plant from plant, using the best
manure at command. If the weather be dry when first planted, a
good watering is given, and once weekly in dry weather to keep the
plants growing ; for, if once drought checks growth, they are sure
to run to seed. Free, unchecked giowth never fails to produce
solidity, which enables Celery to witlistand any reasonable amount
of frost without protection. Sow Lettuces and Endive thinly where
they are to stand, and tliin out those previously sown to 9 in. or
12 in. apart, and prevent slugs from attacking them by the means
just named. Sow Radishes, Mustard, and Cress in any spare corner
every week or ten days. If Herb seedlings and the Herbery gene-
rally have not yet received the attention recommended (p. 395), it
should be gaven now, or several kinds may be wanting when required
by-and-by. We have generally made it a rule to discontinue
cutting Asparagus as soon as Peas are plentiful ; but, as a full
supply of these will not be had this year till quite the end of the
month, or perhaps July, it is evident that that rule cannot be
adliered to this season, more especially as the demands on it have
already been greater than usual, through the winter destroying other
vegetables. All who can afford it will, therefore, act wisely to
discontinue cutting forthwith. Scrupulously guard the steins of any
that has been recently planted from injury. The plan of sowing
Lettuces, Radishes, &c., between the rows cannot be too severely
condemned. — W. W.

480

THE GAEDEN.

[June U, 1879.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

CULTURE AND PROPAGATION OF SOFT-WOODED
HEATHS.

Cape Heaths are rarely found in good condition m small gardens,
many not even attempting their culture from the mistaken imjiression
that it presents difficulties which a small grower witii but limited
glass accommodation cannot surmount. So far is this from being
the case, that any one who possesses a greenhouse and a cold frame,
or even only the latter convenience, may grow these interesting
plants, as well as those who enjoy the couveuience of an extensive
range of glass. The free-growing varieties of the Cape Heath
should indeed be regarded as especially suitable for amateurs, inas-
much as they may be grown during a portion of the summer in the
f -ill sun, not needing the slightest protection from its rays, and in
wiater they will be content with tlie accommodation of an ordinary
fr.ime, and will bear, without manifesting any signs of distress, a
c jnsiderable amount of frost. I have known one of the largest
c lUections of Heaths in this country to be repeatedly frozen, the
soil in the pots being so hard that a pointed stick could not be tlmist
in it. I would not, of course, advise this treatment ; I merely men-
tion the circumstance as tending to prove that Ericas are not of such
a tender nature as many suppose them to be. Neither does their
general culture present any formidable difficulties, as any one who
can grow an Azalea may succeed in cultivating any of the soft- wooded
section of Cape Heaths. Many causes of failure in the culture of
this tribe of plants may be attributed to undue confinement, both in
summer and winter. Abundance of light and air is indispensable to
thiir well-being. I need scarcely urge the decor.ative value of the
Heath tribe, most plant lovers being well aware that it exhibits
considerable variety of form and colour, and that many varieties
have the merit of flowering at a season when bloom generally is
scarce.

Soil and Potting.
With respect to soil, tlie beginner can scarcely make any
mistake, as the only suitable compost is fibrous peat. Every
care should be taken to secure some of the very best quality, as
although Heaths will live and even gi'ow a little in poor peat, they
never attain a vigorous development, but linger ou in a miserable
way, utterly failing to develop the floriferous tendency wliich cha-
racterises this family of plants. Sour peat produces even nioi"e
disastrous results ; the rootlets, which are of a minute, hair-like
description, absolutely refuse to mingle with it, and a healthy
plant shifted into peat of this description will generally turn yellow,
make scarcely any growth, and when turned out tlie old ball will
come away from the new soil in much the same state as when jjotted.
I have felt it necessary to dwell somewhat at length upon this mat-
ter, as so many failures occur from this cause alone, and I know
from experience that few families of plants are so particular with
respect to soil as are the Cape Heaths. Give them a good, generous,
suitable compost, and any one may grow them to perfection ; pot
them, on the contrary, in soil which does not fulfil these conditions,
and failure and disappointment will assuredly follow. In jirepariug the
soil for use many of the best growers prefer breaking it up by hammer
to chopping it ; it should be broken into pieces about the size of
a nut, and about one-sixth of silver sand should be added to and
intimately mixed with it. If very dry it should be moistened
before being used, which is best effected in the following
manner ; Spread a thin layer of soil upon the potting bench and
sprinkle it ; follow up with another layer of soil, which must also be
moistened, and continue this until the entire heap of compost is
worked through. Allow it to lie until the following day, when it
will be found that every particle of mould is moistened through,
thus bringing it to just the right state of moisture for potting.
When used in a dry state, heavy waterings are rendered indispensable,
in order to thoroughly moisten it, and it often occurs that a consider-
able amount of injury is thus inflicted upon the young fibre. If the
base of the plant to be shifted is in a moist condition, and the com-
post employed is also moist, immediate waterings are obviated, and
the roots will have commenced to penetrate the fleshy soil before
much water is needed. Good free drainage is of great importance.
For 4-in. and 6-in. pots a piece of crock large enough to nearly cover
the bottom of the pot should be employed. Upon this place a layer
of fine crocks from which the dust has been sifted ; finish ofi' with
some of the most fibrous portions of the compost. When about to
repot make sure that the base of each plant is thoroughly moist.
The best way is to look through them the night before potting, well
watering those that appear at all dry. Do not attempt to remove any
of the old soil, as such a practice is sure to entail the destruction of
many of the best feeders, and be careful in extracting the old
drainage not to bruise or Ijreak oS'the roots, which are almost always
o be found amongst it. The fresh soil should be pressed in firmly.

and the surface should also be made firm, which has the eft'ect of
causing the water to percolate gradually through and thoroughly
soak every particle of soil in the pot. A small lath is often em-
ployed for ramming the soil down ; but I should warn the
inexperienced against making a too free use of this implement. I
have known the soil to be pressed in so tightly as to render it almost
impenetrable to the roots. In this matter there is a happy medium,
which if attained will ensure success.

General Treatment and Varieties.

We will now suppose that the plants have been potted in the
manner recommended, and have been placed in a cold frame upon a
well-ashed bottom. They will need a little air on fine days, and may
be slightly sj'ringed in the afternoon, watering when needful, but not
heavily. As they begin to grow both air and water will have to be
more liberallj' supplied, gradually increasing the ventilation until the
sashes can be entirely removed both day and night. Heaths enjoy
a maximum of sun and air, and they do not flower freely unless they
get it. JIarket gi'owers and nurserymen generally arrange their plants
during the summer months in long beds, allowing plenty of space
between each plant, and the success which attends this treatment
fully testifies to its value. A sturdy, close habit is thereby induced,
the foliage takes on a healthy gi'een colour, and the flowers are pro-
duced in profusion. In hot weather copious supplies of water must
be given. The most strict attention in this respect is needful, as if
once a plant droops from want of moisture, it never appears to gi'ow
with any degree of vigour afterwards. In tlie hot days of July and
August, when the pots have become full of roots and a large amount
of foliage is developed, evaporation in the full sun goes on so
rapidly, that some of the plants are almost sure to sufler unless they
ai'e looked through twice during the day. The rule should be to
water them that need it in the morning, somewhere before midday,
ami then towards evening give them all a thorough soaking. In very
parchingweatlieragoodnioisteningoverheail will also prove beneficial.
Should the season prove damp, mildew will often make its appear-
ance, and if unchecked will completely paralyse the energies of the
plants. It is, however, easily destroyed if taken in time in the fol-
lowing manner : Enclose flour of suljjhur in a fine muslin bag, in-
vert the plants, and dust the whole of the under side of the foliage.
Wherever there is mildew the sulphur will adhere, and will, in about
a fortnight, quite dry it up. By the end of September the jilants
should be placed in their winter quarters. If there is a scarcity of
room in the glasshouses they may be successfully wintered in a cold
frame. In some large trade establishments many thousands are thus
wintered, and although in a severe season the frost may penetrate to
and freeze them a little, they do not appear to be the worse for it.
I would of the two prefer to have them rooted to placing them in a
house where they would not be sure to enjoy the amount of air which
is so necessary to them. The treatment which, in this respect, the
ordinary run of bedding plants I'eceive during the winter will also
suit the Heath family. Plenty of air without cold draughts
should be the rule. Plants in 4-in. and 6-in. jjots are
very suitable for room decoration, but those who wish
to preserve them in health and grow them in for another year
should not keep them more than a week at a time in the dwelling,
neither should they be placed in an apartment where a fire is con-
stantly maintained or gas burnt. They may be employed to
decorate those apartments which are kept comparatively cool and
airy, and if taken out and well sprinkled, and allowed to remain for
a few days to recruit their strength, they will not suffer, and may be
again employed in the same manner. As soon as each plant is done
blooming, let it be cut down below the flower-spike, and be placed
in a cold frame in readiness for shifting. Although the generality of
soft-wooded Heaths are found to be most useful for general deco-
rative purposes when grown in small pots, yet larger specimens will
be fouml very effective. In large conservatories, for instance, well-
gi'own plants in 8-in. and 10-in. pots are useful, and, owing to the
pleasing neutral tints wliich many of them display, they associate
well with and help to subdue the glare which is often rather too
pronounced when a quantity of very bright-flowering plants are
brought together. The following are a few of the best varieties, all or
any one of which are suitable for beginners, and afford a succession of
bloom during the winter and spring months : hj-emalis and gi'acilis
autumnalis, the two best winter-flowering kinds ; gi-acilis vemalis,
similar to the last-mentioned kind, but flowering in early spring ;
Willmoreana, a strong grower and very effective ; Sindr3'aiia ; caffra
nana, a dwarf-habited, free, white-flowered kind, of an enduring
nature ; propendens tubiflora. a very pretty variety ; candidissima,
pure white ; colorans, ami Bergiana, the latter an extremely fine-
flowering pink-coloured kind, admirably adapted for gi'owing into a
large specimen ; persoluta alba and rubra, easily gro«Ti kinds, very
useful for cutting. The above are some of the most useful varieties.
Tliere ai'e many more good kinds, but those enumerated will suffice
to keep up a succession of bloom during the dullest part of the year.

Jdne 14, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

481

Propagation.

In trade estaMishments wliere tlie culture of Heaths is made a
speciality, the method of propagating is as follows : Early in the
year healthj' plants of the kinds it is desired to propagate are intro-
duced into gentle M'arnith : in due time they produce a quantity of
soft shoots. These are taken oft', and the lower portion of each cut-
ting is trimmed np with a small pair of scissors, the gi-eatest jjre-
caution being taken to preserve them from the drj'ing influence of
the air. Si.x-incli pots, which have been filled to about one-third of
their depth with di-ainage, are filled up to within 2 in. of the rim
with fine fibrous peat, wliich is surfaced with silver sand. The sand
must come up to the rim of the pot, and should be shaken down
finnly, so that wlieu moistened it does not sink any lower. When
filled, place the pot in a tub of water, so that the whole body of
soil may become thoroughly moistened, when thev should bo allowed
to stand and drain several hours before using them. Then take a

fested, a little air should be given for a few hours each day, tilting
the bell-glass slightly on one side, and mcreasing the ventilation as
gi'owth progresses until the glasses may be altogether removed. The
hardening off must, however, be very gradually conducted ; undue
haste will cause a very serious check, and will often entail the loss of
the little plants. When fairly hardened off they may be potted in
2Jt-in. pots aud' kept in a warm house until well established, when
they may be removed to a cold frame. During that season and the
following they will need to be kept pinched back, so as to induce a
bushy dwarf habit, and promote the formation of a mass of feathery
foliage near the pot. Unless a Heath is well furnished with healthy
foliage ilown to the soil, it can scarcely be said to possess any true
decorative value. On the Continent a dift'erent method of
propagating is practised from that above described. There
cuttings are inserted in the month of August, and inserted much
in the same manner as in this country, but they are placed in a cold

Cliysis Chelsoni ; a new Hylirid Orchid, between C. bractescens and C. aurea.

bell-glass and imprint its outline upon the sand, thus exactly indi-
cating the area to be filled with cuttings. If straight lines are then
draviTi from one side of the circle to the other, the cuttings may be
neatly and expeditiously inserted. As each pot is finished it is
covered with a bell-glass, and a gentle watering given over the glass.
It is, indeed, only in this manner that future moistenings can be
administered, as sprinkling in the ordinary way generates mould,
which is so deadly in its operation, that two or tliree days only suffice
to sweep off a potful of cuttings. The pots should be plunged up to
the rim in a tan bed, and strict attention must be paid to shading
them, as half-an-hour's exposure would suffice to destroy the most
promising of cuttings. Every morning the glasses should be
taken ofi' and the insides wiped quite dry, at the same time giving a
glance at the state of the cuttings. Should there be any signs of
damping, remove at once the decayed portion before it has time
to infect" the remainder. As soon as any signs of growth are mani-

frame until housing time, when they are transferred to a warm house.
During the winter they take root, and are potted oft' in the spring.
Both systems have their advantages ; by the former a gi-eat nuniber
of cuttings are obtainable from a single plant, as, by keepmg it m a
warm house, fresh shoots are continually forming to replace those
taken oS' ; therefore, so many plants are not required to furnish cut-
tings, and a stock may be quickly worked up. J. C. B.

Chysis Chelsoni.— The annexed woodcut represents a fine
hybrid raised at Messrs. Veitch & Sons' establishment at Chelsea,
and, on account of its distinct character, a decided acquisition to the
small genus to which it belongs. It is the result of a cross between
C. bractescens and C. aurea, and partakes of the character of both
parents. The colour of the flowers is nankeen yellow, with a large
rosy blotch on tlie tips of the sepals ; the lip, whicli is bright yellow,

482

THE GARDEN.

[June 14, 1879.

is pencilled and spotted with purplish-red. As evidence of its supe-
rior merit it has received first-class certificates from the Royal Hor-
ticiiltural and Royal Botanic Societies.

SHADING CAMELLIAS.

The ability of Camellias to stand exposure to the sun depends upon
circumstances, and, meanwhile, I would recommend " Knquirer "
(p. 406) to be cautious as regards exposing his plants that have
been grown in a glasshouse aud partially shaded, though lie may,
without hesitation, place them out-of-doors behind a high north wall
or hedge where they will be protected from tlie fiercest rays of the
sun. The jjlants should, however, have completed their growth
before being put out and showing their rudimentary flower-buds.
July is usually soon enough to jjlace Camellias out-of-doors, and they
may remain out two or three months. The practice is, liowever,
only advisable when the Camellia liouse is wanted for otlier pur-
poses during summer, for there can be no doubt of the advantages
of keeping them indoors all tlie year round when practicable. As
to exposing Camellias to the "full blaze of the sun" under glass,
that is a point on wliich " Camljriau " diS'ers from most other culti-
vators. My own experience is that in our fitful climate it is not safe
to dispense with a slight sliading after April. After a period of dull
weather particularly I find that the foliage is almost sure to suffer
from bright sunshine, notwitlistanding abundant ventilation day and
night, and the vigorous health of tlie plants. The scorching, or
whatever it may be called, is ilue sometimes, I fear, to lenses in the
glass, as I have not unfrequently seen a bush struck right across in a
straight line, and the same thing happen at the same place at dif-
ferent times, but as a rule blistering occurs indiscriminately when
the plants are exposed to bright sunshine tlirough a glass roof ; and
this appears to be the experience of most cultivators. Nurserymen
and owners of some of the finest collections of Camellias round London
and elsewhere, shade their houses, and also recommend tlie practice.
One of the finest houses of plants with which I am acquainted,
whether as regards size and health, or the abundance and quality of
the blooms wliich tliey produce, are permanently shaded by scrim
canvas throughout the summer. Anotlier private collection which
includes some of the oldest Camellias in England, all in robust health
has been sliaded every summer for many years back by having the
roof painted green. Many of the plants are trees in size, and have
never been out of the house. Upon the whole, I think the best
advice that could be given on the subject is to shade slightly from
briglit sunshine. It is certain, at least, that shading will do no
harm, and it may very probably prevent serious injury. That the
Camellia when gi-own out-of-doors will stand the most intense sun-
light there can, however, be no doubt. Plants gTowing in shrub-

beries in the full blaze of the sun are common en'ough, and for my
; I never saw one injured. An old bush here has been srrowins

.,4.K 11 1 --i. • .1,1, ., , O , fo

part ;

against a south wall, where it is exposed to the sun all day, and yet
it is as gi-een and healthy as can be. In the dry summer of 18GS,
and in more recent years, when the outdoor thermometer in the shade
registered 85^ and 90^ this bush did not suffer in any way, but re-
tained its foliage fresh and green ; yet it must often, and 'for long
periods at a time, have been exposed to a sun temperature of 130' or
more against a brick wall. Tlie fact, however, that Camellias will
endure such exposure out-of-doors does not afl;ect the question of
shading them when gi-own under glass. There are not a few sub-
jects besides the Camellia that will stand strong sunshine and a high
temperature in the open air that would become blistered or scorched
uadei- a glass roof. — J. S. W.

. 7 The query put by "Enquirer " as to the most suitable posi-
tion in which to place Camellias in the open air is one that will
doubtless be answered diversely, just as the Camellias under notice
have been grown in shade or sunshine. As a rule, in house culture
there can be little doubt that shading more or less is employed, esije-
cially if the plants be near the glass. If Vines or climbers partly
cover the roof, then generally more than enough shading is provided.
The chief danger to the foliage when exposed to the full glare of the
sun under glass is blister, but this is no doubt produced by excessive
concentration of the sun's rays upon a given spot through some
defect in the glass. Therefore, it is not certain that the same mis-
chief would follow in tlie case of plants in the open air, as there the
sun's rays are equally distributed ; the heat is never so gTeat, and
the sun does not possess scorching power until the foliage is hard
and the wood partly ripened. Camellias planted in the op'en ground
are fully exposed to the sun with impunity at all seasons, but the
foliage does not suffer. From this fact it is but fair to infer that the
more the foliage is exposed to light and air under glass the less
danger is there of its becoming scorched. Probably the chief dain'cr
to Camellias m pots likely to arise from full exposure to the ?un
would be the extreme hardening and drying of the balls of earth

that might follow. This could be obviated by the use of some
plunging material, but I tliink in placing them somewhat in the
shade in the open air gi'owers will prove as thoughtful of the roots as
of the foliage. — A. I).

In old dark houses, the roofs of which are constructed of

almost half wood, with small panes of glass and their innumerable
dirt-holding laps. Camellias can doubtless be grown without shading
and without their leaves being burnt or discoloured, but not in
houses of modern construction, built, as they ought to be, in a
way capable of affording the most light to the plants they contain,
which may be Camellias one season and plants of a wholly different
character another— not but that Camellias are very much better
for being grown in a structure that affords plenty of light, but the
admission of light and allowing the leaves to be injured by full
exposure to the sun's rays are very different. And in how many
houses of fair construction can Camellias be put to make their
growth without their leaves being absolutely burnt, unless shading
of some sort be applied? The position of a house has a good
deal to do with the sun affecting the plants within it. I have
had to deal with Camellias in a good many houses, varied in
ch.-iracter and standing in various positions, lean-to's and hip-roofed
facing south, as well as span-roofed with the ends east aud west,
and in the opposite way, and also a good many of my own plan-
ning, in which I have used all care in selecting the best British glass,
but not even in a roomy span-roofed structure, with its ends north
and south — in which direction, as is obvious, the sun's rays reach the
plants in an oblique direction, still further protected at mid-day,
when most powerful, by the bars and also rafters, where the latter
were employed — have I ever yet been able to dispense with shade of
some sort without the leaves suffering to some extent ; neither have
I ever seen these plants with others in a good modern-built house do
without shade at the time when they were making tlieir growth in
the spring and summer months. As to turning them out-of-doors
fully exposed to the sun, much depends upon the time when they
are so turned out ; if towards the end of summer, little injury may
follow, and their susceptibihty to be affected by the sun will be
influenced by the way in which they have been treated whilst their
growth was being made, and also by their being gi-adually brought
from a shady position into a sunny one ; but I have frequently seen
those who have thus exposed their plants regi-et it ; many of the
leaves, although not burnt as when under glass, became reddish-gi-ey,
a colour which they often assume when so treated, and which is not
only unsightly, but docs serious mischief by shortening their duration.
May I therefore ask what is gained by attempting to either grow
Camellias unshaded, or by exposing them to the sun out-of-doors
after their growth is completed, especially the latter ? For my own
part, in the case of such as are in pots or tubs, I much prefer, when
their growth is finished, putting them in a lean-to north house
\yhere available. If this bo not at hand, I set them under a few
lights improvised to cover their heads on the north side of a wall or
building, and where these are not obtainable I employ a piece of
tightly-stretched thin canvas or white calico, sloping so as to throw
oH' the rain, which, saturating the ball, frequently causes the buds to
fall. In such a position there is also much less danger of the soil
unobserved getting too dry, which is another cause of the buds
dropping, although in both cases tlie effects of the injury may not be
apparent until months afterwards, and the cause then forgotten.
Such makeshifts as the above cost little in material or labour, and
will preserve the plants from injury. But even dispensing with
them, I can scarcely imagine a place where there is not a wall, build-
ing, or a few trees, on the north side of whicli CameUias can be set
where they will be sliielded from the sun during the middle of the
day. In luishy dense growth, healthy condition in every w^ay, size
and profusion of flowers, there are thousands of examples to be seen
throughout the country that I think afford sufficient evidence that
the system of management with shade during the summer months of
the year, hitherto admitted to be the right treatment for Camellias,
is not likely to be surpassed by full exposure to the sun. Even
when the leaves were not actually injured, I never saw Camellias
fully exposed out-of-doors that had not more or less yellow colour in
the foliage, not only unpleasant to look upon, but also an indication
of want of good condition. — T. Baine.s.

If "Enquirer" (p. 466) cultivates his Camellias in the same

w;ay as we do, I can assure him that exposing them to the sun,
either m or out-of-doors, during the greater part of the summer will
do them much more good than harm. The Camellias which bloomed
best with us during the past winter were specimens planted out in
tlie conservatory ; but all the lights were off the house last year
from May to October, and, as will be remembered, the sun was
exceptionally powerful last summer. I am of opinion that the less
all plants that have either to produce fruit or flowers during winter
are shaded in summer the better. I am not so fond of shading now
as I was at one time, as I have frequently of late strongly suspected

June U, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

483

it to be injurious. It is not tlie genei-al exposure to the sun which
causes tlie foliage of Camellias to blister, uor is Ijlister confined to
Camellias. On the contrary, it may often be seen on Vine and Pine
leaves ; and, indeed, on nearly every plant grown under glass. Bad
specked glass is the sole cause of blister, as any one may prove who
will examine the roof of a glass house under wliich blistered leaves
occur wlien the sun is out ; a bright spot, like that produced by a
lens, will be sceu on each blister. We have sometimes found these
specks so powerful that a match could be ignited under them at a
few yards distant from tlie glass on a bright day. Therefore if they
will do this no one need be surprised if leaves are blistered. Rather
than shade the whole roof of^a house glazed with speckled glass,
we have had the specks all dabbled over with white paint, and this
has effectually prevented burning while it did not exclude much
sunshine. — Cambrian.

BEGONIA ABEL CAKRifeKE.

Tm.s is the result of a cross between B. discolor and Rex, discolor
being the male parent. Rex and its varieties are mostly stemless or
nearly so, and have persistent variegated leaves ^vdiich arc continually
being reproduced ; the roots, too, are fibrous or filiform. B. dis-
color, on the other hand, is tuberous, caulescent, and has leaves
uniformly gi'een on the upper side and red on the iiuder, whence the

Begonia Abel Carrilre.

specific appellation discolor ; moreover, the stems, and consequently
the leaves, are annual. It M'ill therefore be seen that these two
plants differ greatly, botli in appearance, mode of growth, and
general character. The hybrid in question is the result of crossing
these two very different species, and it participates in tlie character-
istics of both its parents. It has the aspect and growth of B. dis-
color, but with variegation and niarljliug on its leaves which
remind one of B. Rex. Its habit of growth is also slightly nioditied,
and its aerial portions last much longer than those of B. discolor.
The roots, too, are fleshy and smaller, loss so, however, than those of
B. discolor, which form tuberous masses. As for the hardiness of
this variety, we can say but little at present, but it will endure more
cold than B. Rex. New varieties, crosses between B. discolor and
Rex, produce bnlblets like B. Ptcx, but in smaller quantities,
and always much more slowly, a state of things which may explain
the facility with wliich they may be kept in leaf during the winter.
These bulblets are neither uniform in size nor form. Tlie two species
in question were crossed in 1875 by JI. Svahu, who collected the
seeds of the hybrids thus produced, and sowed them again the follow-
ing year. From these seedlings were obtained eight varieties, which
have been introduced into the market by M. Bruaut, a horticulturist
of Poitiers. One of these is the Abel Carriere variety, of which the
annexed is an illustration. It is an upright-growing plant, with a
straight, strong, fleshy -ramified stem, which with the leaf-stalks is of

a red colour. It often reaches a height of IS in., its general fonii
reminding one of that of B. discolor. Tlie upper surface of the
leaves is silvery, niarliled with rose, and the under side pale pink.
The flowers are also pink, and closely resemble those of B. discolor.

This variety, in addition to its other merits, possesses the recom-
mendation of being perfectly hardy, as the experiments of M. Bmant
prove most conclusively. Ten plants of it were left out in the open
gi-ouud at the beginning of last winter without shelter of any sort.
In November, a hard frost, with the thermometer at nearly 3° Fahr.
below freezing point, left their foliage intact, although tlie parent
Begonia discolor was completely stripped of its lea\'es a long time
before. Some days after, a cold of nearly 6° Fahr. below freezing
point stripped them almost completely, a few leaves, however,
remaining at the base. By the 23th of January, after having gone
through a severe winter, during which the temperature sank several
times to 18" Fahr. below freezing point, in spite of their being
planted in very damp soil, they appeared to have passed through the
trial unscathed. The eyes at the collar of the root were very appa-
rent, being well swollen, and evidently in an excellent condition for
an abundant growth. It would seem, therefore, that certain of
these new Begonias, which remind one, owing to their variegated
foliage, of their congeners in the hothouse, may be grown in the open
ground with perfect impunity. Such addition to our list of hardy
ornamental plants is a welcome one. — "Revue Horticole,"

Bright-flowering Cacti.— At this season the large-flowering
Cacti are very showy, producing, as they do, large blooms, and,
when properly treated, abundance of tlicni. For either greenhouse
or window culture they are well adapted, and not being very pretty
objects when not in flower, tliey are very accommodating, bearing
considerable adverse treatment if not making tlieir growth, at which
period, however, they should be well exjiosed to the sun and get a
good supply of water. The soil best suited for them is a good rich
sandy loam, not chopped up very fine, as the roots require plenty
of freedom to creep freely through it ; ]ilenty of drainage to allow
the water to pass off is also necessary. During the cold wintry days
they should be kept almost dust-dry, as anj'thing like a stagnant soil
is certain destruction to the roots. Tlioy are easily propag.ated by
means of cuttings. Any sized cutting is almost sure to grow. Cut
off a piece of a branch, put it in sand, and in a few weeks it is
rooted, when it can be potted, and will shortly make a good plant.
They have quite a variety of colours, some of a bright crimson,
others of a pink, while some of them are almost pure white. Cerens Cor-
deroyanus is a bright scarlet, C. Gordonianus, a rose-coloured one,
and C. crenatus, a kirge-flowering, creamy-white, of good form, and
well worth growing. — M. Miltux, in "Alliany Country Gentle-
man."

Mr. Peacock's Catalogue of Succulents. — We are
informed by Jlr. Ci'oucher that certain printers' mistakes account
for the errors in the spelling of the new catalogue, which, in any
case, are of slight importance, and may be easily remedied in another
reprint. The satisfactory thing is that the owner of the best and
richest collection of succulent plants ever got together has published
for the convenience of all interested in the subject a comiilete oata-
logue of his collection. If other amateurs were to do as much for
their favourite classes of jjlants as Mr. Peacock has done for his, one
could hardly imagine to what extent our garden wealth would grow.
We do not know, however, a more unsatisfactory class of plants,
because, do what one may, there is nothing will make the public
take to their cultivation. At one time we could not understand
this, and believed there was a future for them with the general
public ; but, notwithstanding the various effective ways in which
Mr. Peacock has shown them to us, they do not seem to be more
popular. We confess that there seems a reason for this, and that is
the uniform aspect presented by them. They are, to a gi-eat
extent, the same all the year round, and even Hawthorns or Roses
could hardly withstand such a test as that. Yet there is one section
which is deserving of attention froiis the cultivator, and that is, the
kinds that flower freely and handsomely. As frequently grown, the
Cacti do not flower in a remarkable degree ; but some species,
fairly well grown, flower in the most lovely manner, and Orchids
themselves are not so exquisite in show of Ijloom as some of the
flowering Cacti. It seems to ns that if anything remains to be
done by one Avho has already done so much for this strange family,
it would be to make known or get together in some way the really
fine-flowering kinds of Cacti, and there is nobody so well fitted
to find out w'hat is valuable in this way as Mr. Croucher. — R.

Todea superba. — A fine group of this elegant filmy Fem is
now one of the leading features at the Pine-apple Nursery. A re-
markable fact connected with these is that they have been subjected
to as much as 14° of frost in an unhcated house during the past
winter. — W.

484

THE GARDEN.

[June U, 1879.

THE FRUIT GARDEN.

SWELLING OF FRUIT.

There is a considerable difference of opinion among cultivators as
to whetlier size or weight in fruit are best attained by a compara-
tively high or low temperature. I saw it recommended some time
since in a calendarial column to subject forced Strawberries to a tem-
perature of 90' or 100° if high finish and size were desired, and in
another contemporary I read that the best and finest-looking Peaches
which appear at our horticultural exhibitions are those which have
been subjected to excessive high temperatures during the swelling
period. Is this so, may I ask ? To me such advice seems to savour
of inexperience, as those who follow it will find out. As regards
Strawberries, I liave always found that the fruit that was grown in a
moderate temperature swelled to the largest size, and was .also best in
quality in every way. Thisalso was the opinion of the late McEweu, who
'• swept the decks " as an exhibitor of forced fruit in Iiis time. He
was obliged to finish much of his fruit in stoves, but he acknowledged
thiit the temperature of such structures were too liigh. I see also
that " S. D." objects to the exposing of the fruit on pot plants to
the sun late in tlie spring, and he is quite right. When the weather
is very dry and bright in April and May, fruit under glass will be of
quite as good quality and superior in ajipcarance if its back is turned
to the sun about the time when it begins to colour. I have done
this m.any a time. As to Peaches and Nectarines, I have always
found that those forced early or pushed on under a high temperature
were the lightest by a good deal, while outdoor fruit, if well matured,
was the heaviest, the size being equ.al in both cases. It is often
necessary to push crops on in a higher temperature than is desirable,
but moderate temperatures should prevail where practicable. It is
much better to start sooner than to force vigorously towards the end.

It is just the same with the Pine-apple. This struck me very
much a number of years ago on one occasion when, in order to meet
a large demand, about a couple of score of Pines were treated dif-
ferently to fetch them in together — one lot was pushed on in as
high a temperature as they would stand, and the other and earlier
lot was held back and allowed to swell leisurely, to end with plenty
of air. The fruit of the last were not only the finest-looking, but
the heaviest by a good deal. I tested the fruit in the scales, and
found in one ease that the hurried fruit was about h.alf-a-pound
lighter than the other, both being of the same size. I have fre-
quently proved the same thing since.

These are facts of some importance to those who sell their fruit
by weight. I am not so sure about Melons, but probably the rule
holds good in the case of all fruits. Nor is the reason far to seek,
and physiologists corroborate what practice demonstrates. A certain
degree of heat is, no doubt, necessary to the production of fruit of
the highest quality, but when this figure is exceeded it is at the
expense of solidity of tissue, which requires time to form. Hard
forcing may cause distension, but it is that kind of distension which
we see in a bladder— hollow. The effects of a too high temperature
are well exemplified in the case of the Pear previous to the stoning
period. There is nothing more certain than that the crop can be
made to drop at that stage Viy simply raising tlie temperature to a
certain point. Alter stoning this result would not happen, but
premature ripening would be the consequence, and the difierence is
onlj' one of degree. We notice, as regularly as the season comes
round, that the largest and finest fruit is always that furthest
removed from the hot end of the house or furthest from the pipes,
and is generally on the top of tlie tree where the last fruit ripens.

J. S. W.

FRUIT GROWING IN ENGLAND.

Now that the export of American Apples is becoming an important
business for fruit growers everything connected with the subject
becomes a matter of interest to them. A discussion on the growing
of fruit for market in England has recently taken place in the
London G.-^rdex, from which we gather tlie following statements,
and whicli naturally have some bearing on the ch.aracter of the foreign
market : A correspondent of that journal says that the demand for
fruit in England has increased during the past few years "to an
enonnous extent. " It alwaj'S finds a ready s.ale. Notwithstanding
the cheap and quick transit from the Continent, and the excellence
of the Apples from America, the extension of fruit culture is on the
increase. We are told by one writer that about .30,000,000 dols. are
annually paid to other countries for imported fruits. Another cor-
respondent of the same journal says that nearly 50,000,000 dols. were
expended last year for fruits and vegetables imported into England. It
is supjiosed that the city of London consumes about a million and a
half. We are informed that England receives fifty times as much as
fifty years ago, the prices varying but little at the two periods. It

.appears that the s.ame trouble occurs tliere as in this country, namely,
low prices and a want of demand in abundant seasons, and large
quantities rot when the market is over-stocked, and the prices do not
p.\y for gathering. The mode of preserving by canning, so exten-
sively adopted here, is recommended in th.at country in such cases.
One of these con'espondents states that in Kent first-class Keswick
Codlings brought only fifty cents per bushel, and of this sum one-
half was paid for conveyance to market and expenses. Another cor-
respondent says that many of the market gardeners near London left
tons of Plums to fall and rot on the ground in 187.5, the market being
overstocked with fniit from the L'ontinent. The same writer mis-
takenly asserts : "The American fruit gTower, who obtains 400
bushels of Ajiples every year from his rich, cheap soil without
manure, and with a minimum of labour and cost, can easily compete
witli the English grower, who pays an annual rent equal to the whole
purcliase money of his competitor's hand, and has to spend fully as
much more in manure and labour ; but if the Western
gi'ower should, by fertilising his land, double its jaeld, the extra 400
would not be gi'own at a profit.'' American orchardists, who have
adojited the same opinion as this writer, are the very men who make
fruit gi'owing a failure. Their second-rate, scrubby, knotty Apples
find a slow sale at a low price. Those who, with good culture,
manuring, thinning, assorting, and careful p.acking, place the finest
specimens before purchasers, obtain good prices and ready sales, and
as soon as their products become known, they are eagerly sought on
account of their excellent quality, even in abundant seasons. In
looking toward a European market it would be extreme folly to
attempt to send bad fruit that long distance with the expectation
that it would pay expenses, and the damage to the reputation of
American fruit, caused by such shabby attempts to thrust poor fruit
on purchasers, would be many times greater than any possible gain.
— " Country Gentleman."

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
June 10.

TiiE plants exhibited at this meeting, though by no means numerous,
comprised several interesting novelties, to some of which first-class
certificates were awarded. These were —

Cattleya McMorelandi (Veitch). — A superb variety, with
large blossoms having sepals of a delicate blush tint, and a
shallow lip much crisped at the margin, and blotched with bright
orange.

Begonia Mrs. Arthur Potts (Veitch). — A beautiful variety
in the way of the fine Peruvian B. Davisi, but the blossoms are much
brighter in colour, .and piroduced more abimdantly.

Gloxinia Yakoob Khan (Veitch). — A handsome form be-
longing to the erect-flowering section. The blossoms, which are
large, have a spotted throat and a broad ring of rich purple on the
limb, copiously spotted with the same colour ou a white ground.

Ochna multiflora (Williams). — A remarkable stove shrub
shown in a fruiting state, from four to six gi'een Pea-like fruits being
placed on a bright red fleshy disc surrounded by reflexed calyx seg-
ments of the same colour.

Imantophyllum concinnuna (Williams). — A beautiful
Amaryllid, similar in habit to the old I. Aitoni, but with blossoms
of bright orange-red colour.

Begonia Marie Bouchet (Laing). — A splendid double-
flowered variety wliich has elsewhere received the same distinction
twice previously, and which has been aU-eady described.

Begonia Clovis (Laing). — Another superb double-flowered
kind, similar to the preceding, slender in h.abit, and having large
finely-formed blossoms, with deeply-toothed petals, very bright in
colour.

Begonia J. H. Laing (Laing). — A fine addition to the single-
flowered forms, being remarkably robust in habit and free flowering,
the flowers being large, good in form, and bright in colour.

Begonia Souvenir de Gand (Osborn). — Also a kind of
sterling merit, and well deserving of the distinction which was con-
ferred on it.

Pelargonium Nellie Hayes (Hayes). — A robust variety,
good in habit, and liearing large trusses of delicate pink blossoms,
with blotches of a deeper shade.

Pelargonium Maid of Kent (Hayes).— A very useful
variety, similar to the P. Duchess of Bedford, but of a better habit,
freer flowering, and of a more delicate tinge.

June 14, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

4:81

.Saxifraga "Wallacei (R. H. Society's Garden).— A handsome
Alpine, allied to the tine Algerian S. Maweana, but freer, both as
regards growth and flower, and more amenable to cultivation.

At the last meeting the following hardy plants were also certifi-
cated, but overlooked at the time : —

Primula sikkimensis (Dean). — A herbaceous variety
with long narrow leaves and pale yellow bell-shaped pendent flowers,
produced in scapes, on tall stems ; a very distinct and pleasing variety,
and perfectly hardy.

Polyanthus superbus (Dean). — A full border variety, having
large scapes of flowers of good form, the eye clear lemon ; ground
colour, deep maroon-crimson, shaded off like an Auricula.

Miscellaneous Plants. — Of these Messrs. Veitch & Sons
exhibited a choice collection, the most noteworthy amongst which
were the beautiful white-flowered Cattleya Wagneri and the lovely
C Mossii'e delicata. The ornamental Torenia Fournieri was shown
in this collection in fine condition, and displayed its distinct erect
habit admirably, contrasting well with the yellow-flowered T. Bail-
loni. From the same estabUshmeut came also Gesnera Chelsoni, a
remarkable hybrid Ijetween G. macrantha and Dolichodiera tubi-
ilora. The blossoms are tubular and from '2 in. to 3 in. long, of a
pale flesh tint, and domiy on the outside. A pretty white-flowered
variety of Weigela (\V. hortensis nivea) was also exhibited, and
though the specimen was small, it was enough to show tliat even-
tually it will be a very desiral)le plant. A remarkably handsome
Lilium, bearing the name of L. bulljiferum aureo-variegatum, was
shown bj' the same firm in fine condition. Its flowers, which are
produced in umbels, are of a bright orange-red colour, with tlie mar-
gins of the petals of a paler hue. Fvho.iodendron Prince Leopold
and Duchess of Teck were likewise very attractive ; also the brilliant
little Begonia Davisi and the elegant Boronia elatior ; the showy
Dendrobium Bensonia?, D. tortile, with its singular twisted sepals, and
Cypripedium Parishi were also conspicuous amongst the Orchids ;
and amongst plants remarkable for their singularity were the Arum
trilobum, with trilobcd leaves and flowers, witli a chocolate-coloured
spadix and purplish spathe, and Beckia astartoides, an intei'estingshrub
with Heath-like foliage and numerous small white flowers. From Mr.
B. S. Williams, HoUoway, came, in addition to those already alluded
to, the rare Cymbidium Parishi, an Orchid described elsewhere in our
colunuis. Messrs. Osbom & Sons, FuUiam, contrilnited a collection
of hardy plants, amongst which were Saxifraga Wallacei, Antheri-
cum liliastrum, the charming Alpine Myosotis rupicola, Iberis saxa-
tile, the white-flowered variety of Eriuum alpinus, and otliers. The
same firm also exhibited cut blooms of hardy Azaleas in rich variety
of colour. From Mr. W. Fisher, Woodlands, Clapham, came ad-
mirably-grown examples of Saccolabium retusum and Dendrobium
Falconeri, to which a cultural commendation was awarded. Mr.
Turner, of Slough, sent good jjlants of Pelargonium Illuminator, a
superb new kind, having lirilliant cerise blossoms with a white eye.
Messrs. .J. Laing & Co. showed, in addition to the Begonias men-
tioned above, B. Rosy Box, Maude Churchill, and a collection of cut
blooms of Pansies. Of the latter a choice exhiljition also came from
Mr. Fleming, Berwick, which received a cultural commendation.
Mr. G. Lee, Clivedon, sent cut blooms of ^'iola argent*flora, which
were rather large, and of a greyish-blue tint. A form of the white
Lilac was exhiljited by Messrs. Paul & .Son, Cheshunt, which showed
a great improvement on the original, both as regards size of flowers
and their abundance. From the Society's gardens was sent a col-
lection of Cape Pelargoniums, many of them original species.
P. .Schotti, with its very rich-coloured blossoms ; P. crispum, P. cu-
culatum, and P. ignescens were amongst the most noteworthy. From
the same source also came examples of the exquisite Saxifraga lan-
toscana and others ; also cut blooms of Begonias, one flower of
which (Nellie May) was unusually large, and of a pleasing rosy hue.
Cut flowers of seedling Columbines were also shown from Chiswick,
and afibrded a striking instance of the many hues which the seed-
lings of this varialjle plant assume. Soma admirable examples of
a species of Rhododendron from Bhotan were also sho«'n in the
form of cut blooms, which were large, and varied from white to a
rose tint. Choretis glauca was also exhibited in flower by Mr. J.
Burnett, The Deepdene, Dorking. It much resemljles Pancra-
tium sjieciosum in general appearance, but the umbels are fewer
flowered. It is no novelty, but its flowering is of a somewhat rare
occurrence.

Fruit. — About half-a-dozen Melons only engaged the attention of
the Fruit Committee. These were contributed by Mr. Miller,
Clumber, who showed a gi-een-fleshed netted Melon named William
Tillery, to which a first-class certificate was awarded. The same
exhibitor also sent a variety named C'lumber. Mr. J. Atkins, of
Wantage, also sent Improved Colston BasSett ; and Mr. John-
ston, Bayham Abbey, Freeman's Luscious.

EOYAL NATIONAL TULIP SOCIETY.

The closing days of the great Whitsun exhibition at Manchester
were enlivened by the annual show of this Society, which took place
in the Botanical Gardens, Old Traflbrd, on June .5. At one time it
was feared the show of Tulips would be a very poor one, but the
change to mild, growing weather on the 29th ult. greatly helped the
development of the flowers, and they grew into size and coloured
with remarkable rapidity. The best blooms were decidedly those of
the Rev. F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon, who had taken the
precaution of covering his bed with a glass erection, and thus brought
on his flowers with more rapidity than would otherwise have been
the case ; the next most successful growers were Mr. Thomas Haynes,
of Derby, and Mr. William Whittaker, of Salford.

The show was larger than was expected, and the flowers, on the
whole, large and well marked. The champion prize, that of a cup
for the best twelve dissimilar blooms, two feathered and ten flamed
flowers of each class, was won by the Rev. F. D. Homer, who had
Madame St. Arnaud, Dr. Hardy, Commander, Modesty, Mrs. Cooper
(a beautiful new feathered bybla'men of rare quality). Talisman,
Demosthenes, Duchess of Sutherland, Bessie, Mabel, Ajax, and
Mrs. Lomax. Modesty, Bessie, Commander, Madame St. Arnaud,
Dr. Hardy, Talisman, and Maljel were in beautiful form, pure and
well marked. The second prize was taken by Mr. Thomas Haynes
with Aglaia, Dr. Hardy, Mrs. Lea, George Hayward, Queen
of the Universe, Helena Mary, Duchess of Sutherland, Mrs. Lomax,
Adonis, and Sir Joseph Paxton. Sir Joseph Paxton, shown in its
feathered as well as flamed form ; Helena Mary, Dr. Hardy, Aglaia,
and Adonis were finely shown. The Rev. F. D. Horner had the best
stand of six dissimilar Tulips, one feathered and one flamed of each
class ; he showed Talisman, Mabel, Connnander, Sir Joseph Paxton,
Mrs. Cooper, and Barlow's Bion, Mr. Thomas Haynes being second
with Sir Joseph Paxton, Aglaia, Heroine, Bessie, Sulphur, and Violet
Amiable. Mr. William Whittaker wag third. Tliere is always a
similar class for half-guinea subscriliers, and this is provided to give
those having small collections a chance to \\in a prize. The first was
taken by Mr. H. Houseley, who had good blooms of Lord Byron,
President, Mabel, and Violet Amiable, the latter two being shown
botli feathered and flamed, Mr. R. Yates, of Leigh, being second. The
best three feathered and the best three flamed flowers came from the
Rev. F. D. Horner, -H-ho had in tlie first case Mrs. Cooper, Storer's
No. 6, and Heroine ; and in tlie second Lady Sefton, Adonis, and
Orion. Mr. Whittaker came second with three feathered Tulips,
viz., Adonis, Mrs. Lea, and Masterpiece ; and Mr. T. Haynes was
third with three flamed Tulips, viz., Aglaia, Sir Joseph Paxton, and
Bessie. In the class for two Tuhps, the Rev. F. D. Homer was again
first, with Dr. Hardy and Modesty ; and in the maiden growers' class
for the same number of flowers, Mr. James Turner was first with
Abbot's Gem and Aglaia. In the class for the best feathered and
flamed Tulip in each class, six classes in all, a goodly number of
flowers was staged, as ten prizes were awarded in each class, making
sixty in all, with the exception of the class for feathered bizarres.
The Rev. F. D. Horner took the first jirizes in all the rest, Mr. T.
Haynes being first in the former class.

Prizes were also awarded for breeder or unbroken Tulips. These
ai-e very beautiful in their self-form, and where large, pure, and
finely tinted, they were highlyattractive. In the class for six breeders,
two of each class, viz. bizan'es, roses, and bybkemens, Mr. T.
Haynes was first, with Dr. Hardy, Talisman, Mabel, Adonis,
Madame St. Arnaud, and Mrs. Lea. When these break or rectify,
it will be into the character of the Tulips wliose names they bear ;
but some may be of a finer strain than others. The Rev. F. D.
Homer came second, with Alice Grey, Music, Annie McGregor,
Dr. Dalton, Lady (irosvenor, and William Lea ; Mr. D. Barber was
third. The beet three breeders also came from Mr. T. Haynes, who
had Madame St. Arnaud, William Lea, and Alice Grey ; the Rev.
F. D. Horner was second. There were also classes for the best
rose, the best bizarre, and the best byblcemen breeder.

The premier feather flower was Mrs. Cooper, from the Rev. F. D.
Horner ; the premier flamed Tulip, Sir J. Paxton, from Mr. T.
Haynes ; and the premier breeder Tulip, William Lea, from
Mr. Darid Barker.

National Rose Society.— A meeting of the General Com-
mittee was held at the Horticultunil Club on Tuesday, when some
brief hints on tlie culture of Ptoses were agi-eed to ; these will be cir-
culated amongst the members and the dift'erent societies which have
afiiliated themselves with the National Society. Arrangements for
tlie Crystal Palace exiiibition were also made.

Erratum. — It was inadvertently stated in our report on the
Whit Monday show at South Kensington that the first prize for fifty
pots of Musk was awarded to Mr. Reeves, of Acton ; it should have
been to Messrs. J. & J. Hayes, of Edmonton.

486

THE GARDEX.

[Juke 14, 1879.

OBITUARY.

Dk. MOORE.

All M'lio know anything of tlic horticulture of Ireland v,i\\ leani
■with great regret of the loss of its most distinguished exjionent, for
Dr. Moore and Glasnevin have long led the horticulture of Ireland ;
few reputations were better deserved, as Glasnevin is a beautiful
and richly stored garden, and David Moore was the beau ideal of a
curator or director, which title he recently obtained. Always active
and vigorous, full of enthusiasm for pl»nts in recent years as much
as in his younger days, he yearly continued his travels throughout
Europe in searcli of beautiful or rare plants for his garden. Now in
Sweden, now in Austria, another year in the south of England —
anywhere where tliere was a botanic garden or a fine collection of
jjlants, David Moore was sure to be thei'e sooner or later in quest of
interesting subjects for Glasnevin. The stay-at-home curator is
sure to have a poor garden, and Dr. Moore was niost wisely allowed
the fullest liberty for travel, and took ailvantage of it in a way most
profitable to the Garden and Ireland. Death has lately been busy in
the ranks of leading horticulturists. It is sad to record within such
a short time the loss of many of the most distinguished men con-
nected with our gi-eat gardens — McNab, and iloore, and Niven, of
Drumcondra, all ^vithin a short time of each other. David Moore
was one of aband of young Scotch gardeners who, judging by their work
and their pi'Ogress in life, certainly were men of which any country
might be proud, and included the energetic Niven, of Drumcondra,
the Curator of Glasnevin before David Moore ; Eraser, the eminent
landscape gardener, and author of a well-known guide to Ireland ;
and the digaiified and much-esteemed Wilkie, of Phoenix Park,
Dublin, all uow no more.

Dr. Moore was a native of Dundee, and in early life commenced
his cai"eer as a gardener in the gardens of the Earl of Camjierdown,
at Camperdown, near Dundee. He aftenvards went to the nurseries
of the late Mr. .JamesCunningham, at Comely Bank, Edinburgh, where
he remained till 1828, when he left to take the appointment of
assistant to the late Dr. Maekay, Director of the Dublin University
Botanic Garden. Under such a master all youg Moore's
tastes for natural history were cultivated, and he rapidly became an
authority on the Irish plants. About 1834 the Ordnance Survey of
Ireland was commenced, and David Moore was appointed on it. In
1837 the first volume of its memoirs was published, under the title
of the "Ordnance Survey of Londonderry," and contained a memoir
on the geology of this district 1)y Captain Portlock, on its political
and antiquarian history by George Petrie and J. O'Donovan, and on
its botany by D. Moore. Tliis was Moore's first contribution to
science, if we except the assistance he gave to his old master,
Dr. Maekay, in the production of the " Flora Hiliernica," an assist-
ance gi'atefuUy acknowledged in the introduction to that work.
The projected survey of Ireland was, however, commenced on
far too elaborate a scale to be in like manner continued ; and
although a vast amount of material was collected towards
elucidating the history of others of the Irish counties, yet these
were never published, and the botanist of the survey soon after
this date resigned his post, and was elected Director of the
Gardens at Glasnevin, then belonging to the Roy<al Duljlin
Societj', with the improvements of which the name of Dr. Moore
will ever be connected. Often hindered for want of funds, with but
few sympathetic spirits to cheer him on, the Doctor laboured long
and haril, until he has, as now, made these gardens to hold their
own amid the gardens of Europe. Pleasantly situated by the bank
of the little Tolka, associated with the memories of Tickell, Swift,
and similar men, Nature has done much for them — the gardener's art
but little.

It is now a story — too well known to need repeating — how
Moore, working in unison -with Nature, made these gardens use-
ful to the practical gardener as well as to the botanist and citizen.
Many of our readers will recollect the numbers of new plants first
introduced to our gardens from Glasnevin, the numbers of interesting
plants first flowered or fi"\iited there, and the numbers of new hybrid
forms first raised there. Of Dr. Moore's more original botanical
work we can here only mention the " Cybele Hiberniea," undertaken
conjointly with A. G. More, F.L.S. ; his works on the Irish Mosses ;
on the Irish Liverworts ; and on tlie Irish Grasses. For a record of
his practical researches, of his many tours to Riissia, Italy, Spain,
France, Germany, and Norway in quest of botanical information, we
have left ourselves no space. He was a member of tlie council of the
Royal Irish Acadcmj-, whose president, Sir R. Kane, at the meeting
last evening expressed deep regret at his death, and observed th,at
he had contributed most valuable and interesting memoirs upon
vegetable physiology and upon tlie botany of Ireland He was also
a member of the Linn<ean .Society, and a corresponding member of
the leading botanical societies of Europe. He died early last Monday

morning in the Garden, and was interred at Mount Jerome Cemetery
at Dublin on Wednesday. He was for more than forty years curator
and director of tlie Royal Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, and was for
some time assistant examiner in botany in the Medical School of the
University of Dublin. As a recognition of his services, the Uni-
versity of Zurich conferred upon him the degi'ee of Doctor of Phi-
losophy in 1865.

The Dublin "Daily News" of the 18th inst. says that, "Dr.
Moore's eldest son is Curator of the College Gardens, Dublin, and,
since his ajipointment to that post, has given unqualified satis-
faction to the board of that college and the medical professors
who utilise the g.ardens and its collections for their lectures. Up to
a few days before his death Dr. Moore was a man of very active
habits and excellent health. On Friday, feeling some unpleasant
symptoms, he called on Dr. Butcher, who carefully examined him.
His ailment turned out to be a very serious one, and the severity of
the symptoms incre.ased with alarming rapidity. Dr. Butcher was
unremitting in his attentions, but no care or skill could avert the
fatal end. Dr. Jloore expired on Monday at •2.30 a.m. We presume
that his eldest son, an accomplished practical botanist, carefully
trained at Glasnevin and afterwards in some of the most famous-
foreign scliools, will be promoted from the curatorship he now holds
to the more valuable post held by his lamented father."

H. NOEL HUMPHREYS.

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death, on
Tuesday morning, the 10th inst., of Henry Noel Humphreys, who,
althougli only, as one miglit say, an occasion,al worker on horticul-
tural subjects, was long known in connection with them. After con-
siderable artistic training in early life, he, at a time when art was
not so much a fashionable profession as at present, deserted it for
literature ; but, before doing so, he had already, when a very young
man, done many beautiful drawings of plants for a publication issued
in connection with the Birmingham Botanic Gardens nearly fifty
years ago, the name of which, for the moment, escapes us. Years
afterwards, friendly with the Loudens and related to them by mar-
riage, he again took up botanical drawing for a time, illustrating
Mrs. Loudon's well-known works on the " Flower Garden," " Hardy
Bulbs," &c., books most successful in their day, and still on the
library shelves of many lovers of plants. He was very intimate with Mr.
Loudon when he lived in Porchester Terrace, Bayswater, and ■WTote
some memorials of him in The Garden. Then came a long interval
of active literar}' and other emplojnnent, and a total severance from any
horticidtural work, imtil the time of the appearance of Moore & Ayres'
" JIagazine of Botany," which was illustrated by some beautiful
sketches from his pencil. At that time, and several years before, he
was acknowledged to be one of the most gi'aeeful artists on wood in
London, and much sought after by publishers and authors requiring
tasteful work in that way. Again, after a considerable lapse of
ye.ars, he undertook the drawing of a number of beautiful
Alpine flowers, intended as the first series of a work on
the subject. To do this he remained at York for nearly
two months and made a series of studies, which are ad-
mitted by all who have seen them to be very beautiful, and in
which he has cauglit well the delicate grace and exquisite beauty of
these flowers. In this case, for the first time, so far as we know,
in drawings of the kind, the plants were drawn not merely in
detached portions, which is the rule in books, but as they grew
on the rooks with their surroundings of Moss and other minute
plants, so that one gets an accurate idea of their size and character,
as well as of the beauty of the individual parts. No man could
have devoted more painstaking and loving attention and precious
time to a work of this kind than did Heniy Noel Humphreys.
His early love of dr.awing plants being once revived, he continued
that work till a day or two before his de.ath, making studies from
plants gathered in the gardens round London, and frequently
drawing a pl.ate for The Garden. This slight sketch of his labours
in one direction may serve to give a feeble notion of the wondrous
activity of the man in other and in different directions, some of
which have no relation whatever to our art. He travelled much,
making many Landscape and other sketches on his waj-, and was an
excellent linguist. Those who knew him in early life speak of him
as one of remarkaldy bright parts and ready wit, qualities which he
retained to the end. His abilities and devotion to anything which
he took in hand were such, that the results could only be appreciated
bythose whoknewin howmanydiversewayshisenergiesweredevoted.
He died at his house in Westbourne Square after an illness of but
a few days, aged seventy-two years. He was born at Birmingham,
and educated at King Edward's Grammar School and in Brussels.
After a residence in Rome, he, in 1840, published his first work, the
descrijjtions to " Vie\i^ in Rome," by W. B. Cooke. He was joint
author ■ivith Mr. J. 0. Westwood of "British Butterflies and their

June 14, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

487

Transformations," published in 1840; of "British Moths and their
Transformations"; and author of "Illuminated Illustrations of
Froissart's Chronicles," in 1843; of "The Parables of our Lord"
(illuminated), in 1846 ; of " The Illuminated Books of the Mid<lle
Ages " (folio), and "The Art of Illumination," in 1849 ; of " Ancient
Coins and Medals," illustrated with fac-similes of Greek and Roman
coins, in relief, in 1850; of "The Collector's Manual," in 1853; of
" The Coinage of the British Empire," in 1854; of "Stories by an
Archa;ologist and his Friends," in 1856; of "Ocean Gardens," in
1857 ; of "Butterfly Vivarium, or Insect Home," in 1858 ; of " Goethe
in Strasburg : a Dramatic Novelette," in 1860 ; of "Holbein and the
Dance of Death," in 1868 ; of " A History of the Art of Printing,"
in 1867 ; of " Masterpieces of the Early Printers and Engravers,"
published in 1870; of " Rembrandt and his Etchings," in 1871 ; of
several novels, published anonymously, and of tales, magazine
articles, and other works, and numerous contributions to journals.

Canon Beadon. — We have also to record tlie death of tliat
veteran horticulturist, to whom allusion was lately maile in The
Garden", viz., the Rev. Canon Beadon, Rector of Korth .Stoneham,
near Southampton, which took place on Tuesday last, at the gi-eat
age of 102. He was born December 8, 1777, and it will be re-
membered that Her Majesty wrote him a letter on his attaining his
hundredth year.

EFFECTS OF THE WINTEFv.

Amongst the uninjured in the gardens here may be mentioned
all the kinds of Pinus, including excelsa and insignis ; all sorts
of Picea, including nobilis, magnifica, amabilis, ceplialonica, lasio-
carpa, Nordmauniana, Pinsapo, 'and others ; Cedrus atlantica
and Libani ; Abies Douglasi, Meuziesi, polita, canadensis, and
orieutalis ; Retinospora obtusa, pisifera, filicoides, s<|uarro3a, plumosa,
and plumosa aurea ; Cryptomeria japonica ; Araucaria imbricata ;
Torreya myi-istica, very slightly browned ; Cupressus Lawsoniana,
Ii. evicta, and L. aurea ; Chamcecyparis splieroidea variegata ; Ceplia-
lotaxus Fortunei, and drupacea ; Juniperus chinensis, c. aurea,
drupacea, occidentalis, phicnicea, virginiana, and v. glauca ; Prum-
nopitys elegans ; Thuiopsis borealis and dolabrata, tliis last even
greener than usual ; Thujas various, these also wonderfully fresh ;
Biotas, all fresh ; Cerasus lusitanica and laurocerasus, Wellingtonia
and Csdrus Deodara, some of the tips of which are browned ; and
Hibiscus syriacus. Amongst the damaged are Magnolia grandillora,
Cryptomeria Lobbi, Sequoia sempervirens, Cupressus macrocarpa,
Phillyrea angustifolia and latifolia. The killed consist of Verbena
triphylla, Ceanothus azureus, Myrtus parvifolia, Eccremocarpus
scaber, all of which survived the winter of 1877-78 ; Escallonia
macrantha ; Cupressus lusitanica, Corneyaua, and sempervirens, but
this last had been recently moved. Anon.

Effects unaccount.ably variable as regards the winter show

themselves even in the same localities. Large Bays on dry,
sandy soil, even under the immediate protection of high walls in the
northern couuties, are in some places Ivilled down to tlie ground,
whilst in others not far distant they are little injured. Hollies have
had their last summer shoots killed back, and are half denuded of
leaves. In one garden all the Pampas Grass is killed outriglit, or
nearly so, and in another garden adjacent this and other plants are
little the worse. In one large establishment in tlie midland coun-
ties, many Wellingtonias, planted when first the tree was distri-
buted, are either killed, or so far injured as to be worthless. Cedrus
Deodara has suffered severely, whilst, standing close to it, Crypto-
meria japonica is as gi'een and fresh as if we had passed tlirough a
mild ■winter. These are only a few instances of the many that have
come under my notice of the very partial effects left by the late
severe and protracted winter. — P. G.

The following is the condition of hardy and half-hardy jilants

and shrubs ne.ar the shore of the Atlantic in Cornwall : Killed —
Abutilon striatum. Aster argophyllus, Calceolaria aurea floribumla.
Cassia corymbosa, Escallonia macrantha, Eucalyptus globulus,
Fuchsias (all killed to gi'ound), Pelargoniums (various). Locust tree,
Physianthus albiflorus, Polygonum complexum (several), Spira'a Lind-
leyana, Veronica (several), Sweet Verbena (Aloysia citriodora), and
almost the entire stock of frame plants and cuttings, except Verbenas
and Chrysanthemums. Injured severely — Coronilla, Farfugiura
grande, Habrothamnus elegans, Myrtle, Rhododendrons (some),
Veronica Andersoni, A'itex Agnus-Castus. Injured slightly — Camel-
lias, in foliage (some), Euonymus japonicus, E. variegatus aureus. Laurel
(some), Myosotis dissitiflora, Ozothamnus thyrsoides, Taxodium sem-
pervirens. Escaped uninjured — Acacia dealbata, Berberis Darwini,
B. intermedia, Bocconia japonica, Chama^rops excelsa, Camelli.is
(some), Cryptomeria japonica, C. elegans, Forsythia viridissima,
Gunnerasoabra, Hydrangeas, Japanese Honeysuckle, Primula japonica,

Liquidambar, Louis Philippe Rose, Magnolia oonspicua, Madura
aurantiaca, Rose Jlarechal Kiel (on south-west wall), Myrsine
undulata, Paulownia imperialis, Phormium tenax, Symplocos japonica,
Sciadopitys verticillata, Sohizostylis coccinea, Sm'ilax aspera. Thuja
Doniana. Pinus austriaca, P. Pinaster, and P. insiguis, three most
valuable nurses, which suffered more or less in lS60-61, seem to
have escaped uninjured in all situations tliis season.— J. J. Rogeks.

Plants in the west of Ireland have suffered considerably ;

even at Killarney Arbutuses and Fuchsias are cut to the ground.
Such shrubs as Escallonias, Buddleas, and Laurustinus are much
damaged, and tlie New Zealand Flax is killed. Glengwruff appeared
to be the one favoured spot which had escaped any serious injury ;
the Fuchsia hedges which exist here were very little damaged, and
in the charming garden attached to the Eccles Hotel it wa3°hard to
believe that there had been any M'inter at all ; even the varie"ated
shrubby Veronica w.as uninjured. In another garden, at thel;anie
place, there were some magnificent clumps of New Zealand Flax ;
one was 57 ft. in circumference, and only the tips of the outer leaves
were browned. Near Dublin, I noticed that the Eucalyptus globu-
lus, though killed to the ground, was pushing up fresh shoots, and
I hear that this is also the case at Chislehurst. — A. K., Eastcott.

ROSES,

To Destroy Moss ox the Br.vxciies of Rose Trees. — These
Mosses or Lichens, which are frequently yellow, but oftener of a
gi-eyish-green, grow rapidly on Rose trees planted in the open air
in heavy, damp soil, as well as on Briers after having been planted
for two or three years in light soil. A rotten stake well groivn over
with Moss is apt to infest the Rose tree which it is supporting.
These parasites are easily got rid of in the following manner : Stir
up 1 lb. of quicklime in 6 pints of water, which will give a creamy
liquid, with which wash the parts with au ordinary whitewash
brush. Under this treatment the Moss and Licliens turn red and
fall off at tlie end of a few days, carrying with tham the layers of the
old bark. The tree soon becomes improved when thus cleared of
Moss and Lichen, which always harbour "a large number of destruc-
tive insects and their eggs. This operation should be performed
between the months of December and February, and keeps the trees
cleared for upwards of three years. As most amateurs do not like
to see their pet trees daubed over with whitewash, we may use lime
water instead. This is prepared by throwing 1 lb. of lime into
3 gallons of cold water, stirring the mixture well with a stick, and
allowing it to settle. The clear liquid alone should be used. It
should be made and used at once, as it will not keep its strencd^h
longer than a couple of days. It may be applied with a whitewash
brush or the syringe, which should be well washed after use. Instead
of lime- wash, cement- wash may be used in the proportion of IJ lb.
of Portland cement to 8 pints of water, and may be applied wi'th a
whitewash brush, the syringe, or the garden engine.

White Fungus. — This peculiar growth makes its appearance in
the middle of summer, and only disappears with the first frosts. It
grows in the form of a mass of white filaments, which cover the
leaves, buds, and seed vessels with au irregular mass of threads.
The leaves which are attacked with this disease speedily curl up,
wither, and drop. I have proved that this disease is most rife in dry
hot summers, and that Rose trees with a southern or eastern aspect
are the first to be attacked. The varieties which are more particu-
lai'ly liable to this disorder are the Geant de Batailles, Caroline de
.Sansal, and the Lion des Combats. It is easily got rid of by sprink-
ling the trees with flour of sulphur as soon as the sporules are
seen upon the leaves. If the disease spreads it must be stopped by
repeating the process three or four times. If it still makes head, the
infected leaves and shoots must be rigorously cut off and burnt. lu
order to preserve the young seedlings from this disease, we must
sprinkle them and the surrounding soil with flour of sulphur as
soon as ever the first leaves begin to make their appearance. The
sulphur which falls on the root Inlays its part in the cure by disengag-
ing a certain amount of sulphurous acid which takes place at or-
dinary temperatures.

Rose Canker. — The Rose tree is frequently attacked by canker, a
disease which is developed sometimes as the result of the bark of the
shoots having been accidentally bruised, and in others from similar
wounds formed by the branches chafing against each other. The
prick of au insect will often bring it on, esijecially if it has deposited
its eggs beneath the epidermis, the eggs producing larvae, which make
matters worse by still farther disorganising the tissues of the bark.
In either case we must thoroughly wash the wound, taking care to
destroy the larva' if there are any to be found. The edges of the
bark must be deeply pared away, and the new place well covered
with a thick layer of grafting wax, J. L-icliACME.

488

THE GARDEN.

[June U, 1879.

ANSWEES TO COEEESPONDENTS.

Orchids.— I have on Mocks severnl plants of Onciiliuni Forbesi and Cattleya
Mossia; which are growing so strongly as to have pushed out beyond the edges
of the block ; and, fearing they may be injured, could you advise me how to
make them grow back, so that they may lookniore compact and not so one-sided?
Could they he cut partially through with a sharp knife, so that more energy
might be thrown into the bottom parts? How, too. should I cultivate the Acan-
thophippium bicolor? it greivs very strongly, making three large bullis every
season, but I cannot induce it to flower.— ARGONAIT. [This is a diflicuUy often
experienced wheu Orchids are grown on blocks, and it can in some cases be
remedied by plunging the lower part of the wood into a pot of compost, as used
for the same plants when grown in pots, and into which they are thus induced to
root. In some cases the block itself may be enlarged with advantage by splicing
or tying another piece of suitable wood to it flrndy. The result of jiartially
severing the rhizomes, as suggested, will be to induce the back pseudo-liulbs to
break or throw out new growths. As the Acanthophippium grows so strongly
mthout producing flowers, it is possible the grow tlls do not become sufliciently
ripened, to which end allow the plant more sunshine, and water sparingly when
the bulbs attain their full size. A one-sided habit of growth is natural to a large
proportion of all known Orchids, and especially of Cattleyas and other rhizoma-
tous kinds, so that, to obtain compact and sjinmetrical specimens, one must
either plant several individual plants in the same pot, or, what amounts to the
same thing, induce the " back bulbs " to break by severing the rhizome between
the pseudo-bulbs. It is so unusual for Cattleya Mossia; to grow strongly when
cultivated on a block, that it would be interesting to know the size of "Argo-
naut's " specimens so gromi, and their yearly proportion of bulbs, leaves, and
flowers.— B.]

Roses at Cannes.— The foliage of the Slacartnej Rose, leaves of which
have been sent to me, is quite different from that of the Kosa Camellia. The
leaves of the latter are much larger, and have a gloss resembhng that of Camellia
leaves ; neither is this Rose at all like Kosa rugosa alba, except in the flowers,
which are single. As I did not return home straight from Cannes, I regret that
it was impossitile to bring one of these Rose plants with me. They were for sale
at the Jardin Mazelle, which garden, I need not tell you, though small, is, if I
may so term it, a perfect curiosity shopofrare shrubs and plants, unfortimately so
crowded together that most of the finest are badly shaped, and I have great
doubts if this Rose has been brought home, or, at all events, is to be purchased
at an English nursery. I visited Villa Franzozini, Lake Maggiore (mentioned
some years back in THE GAr.nE.N), and never saw anything before to equal the
quantity of CamelUas there ; in fact, one approaches the villa through a grove of
them, out I come to the opinion, after looking for some minutes on their tens of
thousands of blooms, that one's eye rests with much greater pleasure on the
tree Rhododendrons, which grow well in that district. The I'inetum at Franzozini
contains the finest specimens of Thuja gigantea I have ever seen, planted iu
clumps of three. The trees at Isola Madre, too, are worth a visit.— J. H.
THOM.\s, Belmont, Carlow.

Seedling Briers.— I have got a quantity of two-year-old seedling Briers
■which were moved out of their seed-bed early this spring, and are now planted
in rows in a shady border, and are of lieights varying from s in. to 14 in. How
soon will they be fit to bud '/ and should they be used for Hybrid Perpetuals as
well as Tea Roses, or only for the latter? and, when the time comes, should the
bud be inserted on the main stem close to the ground, or how?— C. (The seed-
ling Briers will probably be ready to bud by the 20th July. Hybrid Perpetuals
succeed equally well as Tea Roses on this stock. The buds should be inserted
on the main stem as low as possible. — A. W. P.]

Gooseberry Caterpillar.- -The ravages of the Gooseberry caterpillar this
year almost ecjual those of the locust. Bushes a fortnight ago pictures of
health and beauty are now skeletcms, the almost total destruction of the fruit
being threatened, and eventually the bushes. Is there any other mode of des-
truction besides h<and-picking 1 Last year there were few or no caterpillars, and
the bushes have had their usual top-dressing.— E. [Sprinkling the bushes
affected with freshly-powdered Hellebore when they are wet is said to be one of
the best of the many remedies proposed for the destruction of tliis pest.]

Primtila amcena. — We have received a few fine blooms of this beautifu
Primrose grown out-of-doors in Mr. Nelson's garden at Ntirwich. They are of
large size, the colours are well defined, and in considerable variety, affording
additional proof that it is quite amenable to outdoor culture.

Pelargoniums. — J. ir.— Keep the plants in a well-ventilated frame, and, in
the case of tricolors, keep the flower-buds pinched off, and treat tiie plants liber-
ally . "I'he same applies to the others you mention, except that the flower-buds
must only be pinched olf till within about a fortnight or so of the time when you
require them to flower.

Seedling Petunias. — The blooms of the Double Petunia sent are very fine,
the colours bright and distinct, and the flowers of good form and size, and
prettily fringed I we think the variety well worth perpetuating.

Names of Plants.— C. ii.— Paulownia imperialis. A, P.— Tradescantia
mundula. G. Ti. — -Ajiparently Pavia caliiornica. A. A'.— Genista liispanica.

Names of Fruits.—./. /J.— Sir Charles Napier Strawberry.

Primulas.— *1. ^.—Enquire at some of the principal London nurseries.

Questions.

Southern Palms. — In a hook of travel which I have been lately reading,
a Palm is mentioned as growing in the mountains nearChristchurch, Canterbury,
New Zealand. From the name one would naturally suppose that Kentia Canter-
buryana came from that neighbomhood, but I have been told on good :iutlKirit\-,
that it was brought from Lord Howe's Island in lat. 31° S. Ai-eca sajiida is fnund
in New Zealand as far south as lat. 38' S. Does it extend to the Soutliern Island ?
1 am also anxious to ascertain what is the southern limit of Jnbsea spectabilis in
Chili, and at wh.at altitude it is foimd there. I shall be much obliged to any cor-
respondent wiio can give me tliis im'ormation. — E. G. L.

Rhododendron Hardyanum.— Who is the raiser or grower of this Rho-
dodendron ? The size of the truss is large and bold, and the colour nearly crim-
son. It has stood the late winter almost intact. Its foliage is almost perfect,
though next to a Holly and Aucuba, which are sorry spectjides, scarcely a leaf
being on either. It would be invaluable to all wishing to grow Rhododendrons
near a town and in a smoky atmosphere, which seems not to have the slightest
effect npou it. I am within '2 miles of tiie Manchester Exchange. — W. A. S.

Milde'W. — Can any of your readers help me to find a recipe against mildew
in Roses, given, I think. t)y a large Rose grower in some of the puldications on
gardening? It consisted chiefly of sulphur boiled over the fire in an efirtheni
pipkin, an 1 pi-oved so efficacious last year that I wish to make some more, but have
to.-gottcu the particulars.— Constant Reader.

GARDEN LABELS.

We noticed in Mr. E-ivb.iiik's garden at Ryde a label which differs
from any other that we have seen, and which seems to have some
^'ery good points about it. A representation of it is annexed. The
transverse part of the label is made of a small strip of wood, which is
twice painted wliite and once black. The supports are made of stout
galvanised wire, which fit into two holes on the lower edge of the

little piece of wood. The name of
the plant appears in white letters,
wliich are very easily scratched up-
on the black surface. Mr. Ewbank
prefers these labels to those which
are made of iron, because they are less
cumbersome, and they cost with
him not more than a fifth part of the
iron labels. Also it is much easier
to scratch a name upon wood
tlian upon iron. They are better
in his opinion than labels which are
wooden throughout, because the
lower parts of these latter are sure
to decay in tlie ground. They have
a great advantage over zinc
labels because the WTiting on them
is so very legible, and no wetting
is required to make it plain. They
are not injured by frost, or
broken by a knock, which is so
commonly tlie fate of labels when
made of terra-cotta. Altogether,
on the score of appearance, of
duration, of cheapness, and of up-
rightness in the ground, these Isle
of Wight labels are worthy of
some consideration. A common
carpenter makes and prepares, -with three coats of paint, the little
transverse pieces of wood for Mr. Ewbank at a rate which does not
exceed Is. 6d. per hundred. A pound of the galvanised wire can be
purchased in Ryde for 4.U1., and any gardener can make the holes,
and cut and fit in the supports on a wet day, or when he has nothing
Ijetter to do. If these labels were made by machinery, tlie price
could be brought down to a very low figure. Mr. Ewbank is taking
to this form of label entirely, and he intends by degrees to exclude
all others from his garden.

New PLant Label.

Sheltered Nooks.— These, when formed by boundary walls
or low liuildings, and not by shrubs or under the drip of trees, can
be turned to account for protecting delicate plants wliich would be
likely to suffer in severe winters from entire exposure, and are very
useful for striking cuttings of Pelargoniums in the late spring and
early autumn months. Last year most of mine were raised in a
place of this sort, and for the protection tliat such a locality affords
to the more delicate subjects that usually have to rougli it in -winter
in the open borders, I can instance the case of the Aquilegia ccerulea.
This winter's cold killed all that were entirely exposed, "but I have
two now coming into bloom that were turned out of their pots about
six weeks ago. Tliey had lieen jilunged up to their rims in the
place already mentioned with no other protection whatever but the
wall, 2 ft. from them. I have now above 100 cuttings of Pelar-
goniums there, some of wliich had to encounter the frosts in the
early part of May, and not one appears to have suffered. I ought,
perhaps, to describe the place, for it has peculiar features, rather
favourable than otlierwise, to the use to which it lias been put. It
is of a long and irregular shape, open at its north and south extremi-
ties ; but there are some buildings, which, though they do not close
the opening at the north end, afford protection from the keenness
and violence of tlie nortli wind, and the sun's rays can only reach
the little borders during winter in the middle of the day, but they
are then scarcely felt, owing to some lofty trees whose branches
intercept them for nearly half the j-ear. This I consider to be no
disadvantage, as it tends to keep vegetation dormant in this confined
quarter, and excessive dampness is provided against by the free
circulation of air. In striking the cuttings of Pelargoniums and
Chrysanthemums, I usually, but not always^ raise the lieight of the
borders, and suiqily a little silver sand to the heel of each cutting
when planted iii this s^iot. — B. ,S.

We learn that ilr. Head has been appointed successor to
Mr, Tliompson in the management of the horticultural department
at tlie Crystal Palace. Mr. Head was formerly foreman in the
flower garden department at Kew, and lately he held the post of
superintendent of a garden in India.

THE GARDEN.

4S1)

SATURDAY, JUNE 21. 1879.

"This is an art
Wliich iloes menil N.iture : chan^-e it rather : but
Tub Aet ITiELF 15 a ATi^ RE."— S.'iulcespeare.

THE EAELY ALEXANDER PEACH.

Various notices have appeared in The Garden respecting
the existence of an American Peach said to be the earliest of
all Peaches ; this is the early Alexander. In 1876 I received
from Messrs. Capps & Son, of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, two
varieties which they described as being earlier and larger than
the early Beatrice, which had been largely [ilanted in American
orchards ; these two sorts are the early Alexander and the
Amsden Pine. Although I have fruited the early Alexander, I
have hitherto grown it principally with the view of testing it,
but after the experience of three seasons, I may venture to
say that it is a really valuable early Peach, good either for
forcing or for unheated orchard houses, or for walls, and the
fruit grower for market may plant it in the fullest confidence
of realising a handsome return from it. The fruit is large, of
a brilliant colour, and good in flavour, and it will ripen at the
same time, and in some c;ises earlier than the early Beatrice
hitherto the earliest Peach known. The early Beatrice, although
remarkable for its precocity, is too small ; the Alexander when
well grown is as large as the Grosse Jlignonnc.

In a fcjrciug house this year the Alexander ripened ten
days before the Early Beatrice ; but I do not attach much
importance to this^ fact, as the position of a tree will alter
the period of maturity very materially ; but the fact is, never-
theless, important, as proving its precocity. In a letter
received in July, 1878, from Messrs. Cajijis, they remark —
" Our Alexander Peaches were large and beautiful this year ;
they were very highly coloured, and commenced ripening
about the middle of June, and were all gone by the 10th of
July." On walls in England it will probably ripen about
July 20 ; in the orchard house it has ripened from the 6th
to the 10th of the same month. I think it may be assumed
that a fine early Peach is now in existence. The tree is
hard}- and grows vigorously ; it has stood the severe test of
the past winter as well as the hardiest English varieties.
The Amsden Pine, which I received at the same time, so
much resembles the Alexander, that it is hardly neces.sary to
grow the two sorts. The Peach season is now considerably
prolonged, the Alexander, Early Louise, Hale's Early, Early
Piivers, and Early York being an extraordinary advance upon
the Early Nutmeg, Double de Troyes, Early Ann, and Acton
Scott.

It is to be hoped that the refrigerating process will not be
the means of inundating our markets with American Peaches,
but I think there is good cause for thinking that the English
grower will have to compete against the Transatlantic orchards,
and therefore it may be necessary to select sorts that wdl
ripen before the American harvest begins.

Saiubridijeworth. T. Francis Eivers.

Vicomtesse Ht'ricart de Thury Strawberry is the best general kind
for pot culture. — A. D.

Stra-wberries and the Frost.— Not only are Strawberry-
plants not injured liy frost when exposed to it previous to being
forced in pots, but I am convinced that it does them good. All our
Strawberry plants in pots here this spring h.ave been unusually
vigorous and fertile, so much so, imleed, that I must say that I never
saw any pot Strawberries better, and yet the whole of them were
frozen hard for weeks together, most of them only being " strawed "
when placed in their forcing quarters. A few fruit of Black Prince-
shown early in March were admitted to be the best ever seen at that
season of the year. Black Prince is not, as has been stated, "an
inferior variety in all cases." Here it proves to be a very superior
sort, and much preferred to many varieties often recommended. —
J. MuiR, Mai-i/itia Park.

Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Stra-wberry.— My

remarks upon this Strawberry for pot culture (p. 441) were well borne
out by the plants from Chiswiek shown at the gi-eat exhibition
held at South Kensington last week. Better fruited plants it would
have been difficult to produce, as of the dozen staged all carried from
twenty to twenty-five fine ripe fruits, richly coloured, and lit for any
table. With them were staged a few plants of tlie new Karly Pro-
lific of the Sir Charles Napier type, but although the fniits were a
trifle larger, they were not so w-ell coloured, and produced not more
than oue-half the crop. Properly grown, and that is easy enough.

BLACK EOT IN THE VINE.

In- this country and in America this disease is known by the expressive
apjjellation of Black Rot. Unlike Oidium and the Phylloxera, it has
not been imported into Europe at least within the memory of man. Its
history appears to be coeval with that of all Vine gTowing countries,
having been minutely described liy all the earliest naturalists who
have treated of the Vine. 11. H. jlares, in his remarkable treatise
on the Vines of the south of France (" Traite des Vignes du Midi de
la France ") gives a transl.ation of a p.assage from " Theophrastus"
which describes this disease in such striking terms, tliat no one can
fail to recognise iu it the Black liot, which raged with such violence
in so many Viney.ards iu France, Italy, .Switzerland, and several
other parts of the winegrowing zone in Europe. The antiquity of
this pest has in no way diminished its virulence ; it seems to have
preserved its destructive character through a score of centuries, and
dilfers in no way in the year of grace 1S79 from wliat it appears to
have been when the learned Greek wrote his immortal " History of
Plants," some 350 years before the Christian era.

The first evil effects of the Black Rot generally make their appear- -
anee with the first shoots of the Vine somewhere about the middle
of the month of May, and increase in intensity, according to the
temperature and the variety of Vine, until the month of August,
always attacking the young herbaceous shoots as well as the Grape
itself from the time of its fw-mation until it Ijegins to rijjen. Rainy
weather, a fog, or a lieavy dew apjjear to be amongst the principal
causes of the disease, above all if damp weather alternates with
strong sunshine ; on the other hand, dry weather diminishes tlie
mischief. Vines imported from hot countries, especially those which
leaf abundiintly, are particularly subject to the Black Rot, the indi-
genous Vines of the north and centre of France suffering much
less. The foreign varieties which suffer most are the Greek Rosaki,
noticed by M. Mares ; the Asia Minor Chaouch, the Crujidero, the
Lignau, the Insolia, and tlie Muscat of Alexandria. In the southern
^'ineyards, the Carignan and tlie Clairette are peculiarly subject
to this disease. The first traces of it make their appearar.ce
in the form of little round specks or spots of a brownish-black
colour. They are unequally distributed over the shoot, leaf, and
Grape, upon all of which they appear simultaneously, as shown in-
the annexed woodcuts. These specks and spots enlarge, still, however, -
preservTiig their circular form, and passing from a dark brown to a-
black. They penetrate more deeply into the young shoot, and either-
check its growth or dry it up according to their number, and the
conditions for their development being more or less favourable. If
the attack is very severe the leaves and fruit follow the fate of the
young shoot. If, on the contrary, the spots are few in number, and
the conditions for their development are unfavourable, the young
shoot grows up without suffering irretrievably from the injury ; but
for all this, the leaf and fruit m.a}' suffer very severely, seeing that
the leaves and Grajjes on a perfectly healthy shoot may be utterly
destro3'ed by disease. These three parts of the Vine, the stem, the
shoot, the leaves, and the Grapes are, ho-\\ever, more frequently
attacked simultaneously by the black rot ; but it also happens some-
what frequently that one or other of them are preserved from the^
evil according to their state of healtli as well as to the resistance
they can make to the attack of tlie enemy. When these spots im-
plant themselves on the ribs of the leaf before it has attained its-
full development, it twists it up, curving it over on its under side,
causing it to perform its functions only very imperfectly. As for the
fruit, it may be a prey to the disease at any time from its first for--
mation, even before the flower is formed, to the moment it enters oil
maturity. Wlien once the skin becomes tender the disease has uo
longer any evil effects upon it.

As for the leaf, as in the ease of the fruit, the damage done
becomes more serious, and ends most frequently in the drying up and
death of these organs as soon as the disease reaches the stalk of

490

THE GARDEN,

[June 21, 1879.

either of them. These black spots which cause such damage to tlie
Viue liave some sort of analogy with those which we find on the
leaves and fruit of the Pear and Apple. The latter make their
appearance under precisely the same circumstances as those on the
Vine. They never apparently seem to attack the wood, and they
rarely cause the deatli of the leaf, althougli they may injure it, but
tiiey produce a kind of gall upon the fruit, which may harden the
.«kin and sooner or later cause tlie fruit to rot. As we have already
remarked above, danri or wet weatlier, heavy dews and fogs, always
precede these attacks of Black Rot, and appear to be amongst the
jH-ineipal conditions of its development. A Vine which can be pro-
±3cted from rain, dew, and fog is never attacked by this pest.
One fact which we shall quote will prove this assertion most con-
clusively. We have now growing in the rich soil of our kitchen
garden a strong healthy stool of the Agastenga (4rape, which has
formed three separate cordons. The first of these is trained verti-
■cally against an east wall, and covered by a movable shelter, wliicli
project's from the wall some 12 in. or 10 in. ; the seconil is trained
horizontally against an unsheltered wall witli a southern aspect at a
<listanceof someSin. above the soil; while the third is trained as
an espalierat a couple of yard! distance from the preceding. The
tliird cordon shows every trace, more or less serious, of having been
attacked by this disease. In 1S77, for instance, its fruit was com-
pletely destroyed by successive attacks of Black Rot, M-hich, so to
speak, burnt up the shoots, leaves, and fruit ; but the cordon turnetl
towards the south, on which no signs of disease could be perceived
i 1 ordinary years, nearly a quarter of the yield of Grapes was
.entirely destroyed. We now come to the third cordon, which was

•iTi^' 1.— P.irti^ri of :i Viuj le.if attiukoJ by Fi^. y. — S'.iouti nf the Vine
the Black Hot. • att.icketl by the same liisease.

(trained against a wall with an eastern aspect and protected at the
:top, but its yield was uninjured, and in no way suffered either in
■ •luantity or quality like that of preceding years.

M. Mai-es, whom we have already quoted, thinks that the mischief
iloiie by the Black Rot to the shoots, leaves, and fruit of the ^"ine
ids produced by unexpected changes of temperature, whicli coincide
■with the sudden appearance of rain, fog, or sunshine. The damage
■<lone, says M. Maris, has too much analogy with that jiroduced by
late white frosts for the cause not to be similar, and that the fungoid
liolies found by several naturalists in the portions of the Vine
"dnjured by this disorder are not the primary cause of the evil in
qU2stion, but nothing nure tliau one of its conse([uences. An
eminent cryptogamist, M. de Barry, a professor of the University of
Sjtrasburg, has lately made a discovery which seems to throw an
■entirely new light on this interesting question. M. de Biirry has
:-suc3eeded in innoculating the Vine with the Black Rot at will by
means of the excessively small spores of this particular cryptogam
— the Sphaoeloma ampclinum. He collects these spores by means
•of a damped cam?rs-hair pencil, and places them witli all the neees-
«ary precautions on the seed of a healthy Viue, and finds that after
u few days the anthraonosic spot begins to develop itself. "The
experiment devised by ISI. de Barry," says M. Planchon, who has
been good enough to communicate to us the article written by the
learned Strasburg professor, "proves incontestably that it is pro-
duced by the cryptogam which has been named by this author
Sphaceloma ampelinum. Tliis discovery is of primary importance,
because it gives an explanation of the reason for the necessity of the
.intervention of water, or at any rate of a certain amount of humidity

Fii:;.^. — Young Grapes suffering
' from Black Rot.

ancient continent, but it
the New World, where it

in the production of the disease, and that it shows the possibility of
opposing the propagation of the pest by attacking the spores before
tliey have had the time to produce their mycelium on the epidermis
of the tender slioot." Up to the present time, in order to guard
against the attacks of the Black Rot, we have only taken the neces-
sary precautions at the moment when the disease has made its fii-st
appearance— in other words, when it has been too late ; but from
what we now know it is very evident that we must be on our guard
before— at any rate at the exact moment when the spores of this
cryptogam are beginning to be disseminated.

It is not difficult to recognise the
Black Rot in the malady which the
Italian authors on diseases of the Vine
describe as the "male nero " (the
black disease), and the " male della
1 ustula nero " (the disease of the
jilack spot), which committed such
havoc in certain of the Vineyards of
the Italian peninsula in the year 1877.
Most of the German authors on this
subject, Herr H. Goethe amongst
others, speak of this disorder under
the name of " sehwarzen brenner," or
literally the black burner.

This disease is jirevalent not only
in nearly all the Vineyards of Europe
and probaljly in all those of the
seems to have attacked those of
is known as the Black Rot. M.
I'lanchou, it should be stated, was one of tlie first to point out
the identity of the European anthracnosis with the Black
Rot of America. There is another form of this disease which
the Americans call the (Jrey Rot — a form of the malady which is at
present unknown in Europe, Init which seems to have caused more
damage to American Vineyards even than its swarthy congener, as
we know it in Europe ; but, unlike the last-named disease, it only
attacks the ( irape after it lias entered on the period of maturity —
ill other words, it seems to take up its work as soon as the Grape is
no longer susceptible to the attacks of the Black Rot. The first
traces of the Grey Rot is a small brown spot surmounted by a
globule. This spot enlarges and spreads, and soon destroys the
whole of the Grape — both pulp and seeds — by rotting it, and not
by drying it up, as in the case of the Black Rot. The Vines
attacked by tlie Grey Rot have outwardly no signs of w-eakness or
disease, but they are suddenly attacked by this ijest while they
appear to be in the i^lenitude of their vigour, and that with such vio-
lence that the most promising Vineyards are totally destroyed in a few
days. The Grey Rot generally makes its appearance after a succes-
sion of warm or damp weather, and ceases when these conditions
become altered.

It is an interesting question as to whether the Grey Rot is a par-
ticular form of the 151aek Rot, or whether it is a special disease jwr
.■■■". This is a jn'oblem which can hardly be decided at present, for
the Grey Rot does not seem as yet to have made its appearance in
French Vineyards. M. Meissner, of ,St. Louis, Missouri, to whom
we are indebted for the above particulars concerning the Grey Ptot,
.states that having visited in September last the A'ineyards of the
t'hareutes, the Bordelais, Provence, Langnedoc, the Cotes du Rhone,
and du Beaujolais, he could perceive nothing throughout the whole
of those districts which in any way resembled the Grey Rot of
America, and he seems to think that, luckily for us, the French
climate is not favourable to the developmeut of this cryptogamic
disease.

We insist upon these details because it is not true, as some of the
detractors of the American Vines persist in rej>eating, that they
have been the means of introducing into France this same disease
of the (irey Rot which has committed such fearful ravages in the
Transatlantic Vinej'ards. The Grey P^ot appears to have been
confounded with the Black Rot, the efiects of which are perfectly
distinct, inasmuch as the latter disorder attacks the whole of the
Vine from the very earliest stages of its gi-owth, wliile the ravages
of the former are confineil to the Grape which has reached or passed
the ripening stage. The French Vine has already had ipiite enough
to undergo from Oidium, Phylloxera, and anthracnosis without its
being accused of suffering from a disorder which, unlike those storms
of which we have lately been the victims, ajipears to be as yet con-
fined to the American Continent. — "Revue Horticole."

Preserved Rhubarb. — Persons who have a taste for Rhubarb
or Pieplant are reminded by "The Western Rural " that the stalks
may be pared, cut in pieces an inch long, and dried the same as
A2)ples or Peaches, or stewed and canned like small fruits, thus af-
fording an excellent relish out of season.

.luxE 21, 1879.]

THE GAEDEN.

491

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

ROCK AND ALPINE PLANTS IN YORKSHIRE.

Cheiranthus alpinos and C. JIarshalli are now finely in flower, and
liave healthy foliage, while last spring we could scarcely gi-ow tliem.
Sneli little gems as C'ortusa ilatthioli, Hutchinsia alpina, Arenaria
C-tipitosa, and Veronica saxatilis have continued a long time in bloom.
Eroiliuni Reichardi may not be a plant of the rarest description, but
cert.iinly it is one of the prettiest of rock plants ; K. Manescavi is
more straggling in habit, but an alnindant bloomer. Krinus hispanicus
is strong and well-bloomed, but K. alpinus wxi nearly lost during tlie
winter, and that has been the case I find in several other gardens in
this neighbourhood. Genista prostrata is growing and blooming well,
the present humid weather seeming to suit it perfectly. Fapaver
alpinum album is a most graceful subject, and Potentilla alpcstris is
throwing out its prostrate bloom stems to an unusual distance, the
tips becoming erect, and carrying beautifully-formed, soft, clear
yellow flowers that last a long time in perfection. Anemone sylves-
tris has liail a bud season, owing to tlie heavy rains "which we have
had, otherwise it would have done well. I never saw the dwarf
Phloxes so good ; even P. Nelsoni, which always before with me
bloomed so indiil'erently, is now comjiletely covered with flowers.
Such quaint ilauts as tlie Ajngas, Erigerons, Euphorbias, and Salvias
are perliajis more cliaracteristic than pretty ; still, there are many
gayer jilants
that could be
better spared
if need be.
Delphinium
n u tl i c a u 1 e
stands out
richly witli
its singiilar-
c 0 1 0 u r e d
flowers of
orange-scarlet
and d a r k,
spare foliage.
Arenaria bal-
earica is a
good plant ;
it has glau-
cous foliage
and large
white flowere,
pos s ess in g
great s u b-
Btance.Anten-
naria hyper-
b o r e a is
d e n s e 1 y
bloomed, and,
owing to its
ashy-coloured
foliage and
lumpy pale

red flowers, it somewhat resembles a nearly-extinguished coal-fire. A
small piece of Dryas octopetala is prettily in flower. Iberis correaefolia
is simi)ly gran<l, masses of it being sheets of snowy whiteness. Irises of
all kinds here are most sparing of bloom. Myosotis rupicola and il.
alpcstris are new members here, but so fine are they that they are
sure to win more patronage. We cvit our first blown Rose outside
(on south wall) on the 12th inst. Linaria alpina has come up strongly
from seed which has been eighteen montlis in the ground. Dicentra
spectabilis is very weak and poor. Anthericuin Liliastrum (St.
Bruno's Lily) in front of dwarf shrubs, in good liold clumps, looks
most chaste. Lewisia rediviva (a small plant) is doing well here,
Aquilegias have made rampant growtli — 4 ft. — and arc well bloomed.
The variegated-leaved Veronica gentianoides is most satisfactory, and,
what is not usual with variegated species, it carries finer flowers than
the type. John Wood.

Woodvilli-, Kirkstall.

tlie gardens of the French International Exhibition held last year had
anipleopportunitiesof seeingnumerousspecimensof hiswork. In a late
number of the "Revue Horticole "was puliUshed a bed of this kind,
contributed by M. Comesse, wliich we reproduce below, along with
the list of plants with which it is to be filled, their places in the
figure being indicated bynunibo*s: No. 1, a Palm; 2, a group of
Begonias ; 3, Coleus niger ; 4, Lobelia compacta ; 5, Pyrethrum
aureum ; 6, Alternanthera versicolor ; 7, Alternanthera amabilis ; 8.
Alternanthera amiena ; 9, Sedum sexangulare spirale ; 10, C'rassiila
C'oojieri ; 11, Echeveria pachyphytum ; 12, Kleinia repens ; 13,
C'rassula Bolusi ; 14, Yucca quadricolor ; 1.5, Mesembryanthemum
cordifolium ; 1(5, Echeveria glauca met.allica elegans ; 17, Antennaria
tomentosa or Sedum glaucum repens ; 18, Echeveria secunda glauca ;
1 0, Alternanthera paronycliioides. These may, of course, be varied
at will, either by a complete change of colour, and even of size, or
the size and colour may be adhered to although the plants themselves,
may be changed. C. W. Q.

Mosaic Bed. Dcsigiieil by II. Comesse.

A ROCK GARDEN IN KENT.

An a pendant to the interesting description of the far-famed Alpine-
garden of the Messrs. Backhouse, at York, I should like to give one
of a garden in the other extremity of the island. I know, I am
glad to say, that described by your correspondent, and I think it
quite impossible to exaggerate its beauty or importance. Anything

more natural
than the ar-
rangement, or
more varied
t li a n t h e-
plants cannot
lie imagined..
Its accom-
plished owner'
has, of course,
unusual facili-
ties. He has,
independ-
ently of any
comm ercial
interest in his
plants, a real,
hearty love
for them ; is
an excellent
botanist, and,
with his cor-
respondents
in all parts of
the world, he
can bring to-
gether the*
various trea-
sures which
he receives^
from them.
The result of
as I know, is
of hardy plants

MOSAICULTURE.

Whether the particular style of gardening known to the French as
mosaicultare and to us as carpet gardening is in accordance with
good taste or not we will not now stop to enquire ; that the system
exists and is fashionable is sutticieut for our present purpose. In
order to ]>ractise it in perfection the laws of form and colour must
be studied. Amongst the most successful cultivators of the art in
France is M. Comesse, and those who had the good fortune to visit

all this is an Alpine garden which, as far
unequalled for beauty and extent ; and every lover
who has seen it will ever regard the first time that he did so as a
day to be indeed "marked witli white chalk." The garden which
I am about to notice is of a dirt'ercnt character. It is that of aa
amateur ; it does not equal in extent or variety that of Messrs. Back-
lio'jse, yet, as an example of tasteful arrangement and successful
culture, it is one well Avorthy of notice, and amply repays the visitor
who may be induced to go there.

8<-. Alban's Court, the residence of Mr. W. 0. Hamnond, is'
situated about throe iiiiles from tlie Adisham station of the London,
Chatham, and Dover Railway, close to tlie village of Nonington, and
about nine miles from Canterbury and Dover, and is one of a
cluster of gentlemen's seats which comliine to make that nook of
Kent very lovely. It closely adjoins Fredvillc, the seat of Mr.
Plumptre, and Goodneston Park, that of Sir Brook Bridges — parks
which are noted for their fine timber, esjiecially Oaks, the Fredville"
Oak being noted as one of the oldest and largest Oaks in England.
The house is entirely new — indeed, barely finished — and is one of
tlie very best examples of Tudor architecture. Tlie admirable taste'
of its owner has led him to keep free of all absurdities, such as are
too often found in modern copies of those days, and every portion
of it has been the result of careful study and personal superinten-
dence. It is somewhat elevated, the terraces are now being finished,
and will quite correspond with the building. They lead down to a
well-kept lawn, in which is a parterre, on whicli the eye will rest
with pleasure, the walled-in garden and shrubberies being out of

492

THE GAKDEN.

[June 21, 1879.

sight on tlie left ; ))ut the fine wood of tlie park shows well from
the house and terraces. At the back of the shrubheries, and close
to the garden, was a deep pit in which slirubs would not thrive, and
so, by a liappy tliought, the owner determined to convert it into a
rock garden. But there were no rocks in tlie neighbourhood, and
so here is another instance, like that at York, wliore .all the neces-
saries for forming the garden had to be brought from a distance —
in this case, I believe, from Tunbridge Wells, some thirty or forty
miles oflf. The garden is in the form of a semicircle ; the rocks
gradually rise from tlie bottom around the sides of the .amphitheatre,
which I should im.agine, .although I did not measure it, would rise
up some 20 ft., ami is some .30 yards or 40 j'ards across, gnving .ample
-Space, as may lie supposed, for a large variety of plants, which are
carefully planted according to tlieir several wants. At the period
.of my visit (June i) some of tlie earlier spring flowers M'ere over,
and some of the later ones were not in flower ; but there were many
of great interest. Oentiana verna was one, and had evidently lieen
flowering well in dillereiit parts of the rockery and had established
itself completely. Lychnis Lagasere, with its deep rosy coloured
ilowers, anil Litliospermum fiastoni, of an intense blue ; Poteutilla
vupestris, with ^\-liite flowers ; Aren.aria purpurasceiis, with its
purple flowers, were in good condition ; Silene acaulis had
•established itself most completely, and its dense cushions of liright
green were a picture in themselves, recalling my first sight of them
on the Col du Balme, in Switzerland. Ramondia pyrenaica was
just coming into bloom, but a sad calamity had occurred in connec-
tion with tills lovely plant. There was, %\'heii I saw tlie garden last
year, a very large number of it in various parts of the rockery, but
during last winter the mice attacked it, first carrying away the
leaves and then eating the roots themselves. The place it especially
delights in is a narrow fissure between two rocks, where it receives
no sun, but wliere its broad, leathery leaves cleave to the surface of
the rock, and its lovely mauve coloured flowers throw themselves up
in great profusion. This colour is, I tliink, unique in herbaceous
plants.

Of the Androsaces, A. carnea was over and A. Lanuginosa just
coming into Iiloom, but A. villosa was especially beautiful with its
soft silky foli.age and wliite flowers witli yellow eye. The white
Ranunculus ainplexicaulis and the pale suljihur Meconopsis nepa-
lensis were flourishing, while Mazus Pumilio was forming a
dense carpet, from which its p.ale violet flowers will come up in
great profusion. There was a Large variety of the Saxifrages,
Seduins, and Semporvivums ; amongst them a variety of arachnoi-
deum, with a good deal of red on the rosettes, w.as very good and
robust. Saxifraga coriophylla, longqfolia vera, Burseriana, and
others were fine. Daphne t'neonun, Linaria prostr.ata. Primula
Monroi, Astragalus monspessulanus, Sisyrinchium iinccps. Anemone
narcissiflora, are doing well ; but, in general, Mr. Hammond has
iiot been successful with Primulas nor with his bog plants, although
he has made an artificial liog, which it would seem ought to grow
them ; but the Pinguiculas were not thriving and the Droser.as had
perished. Cypripedium spectabile was growing very strong, and
some of our British Orchids were also doing well. The lovely little
Myosotis rupicola, with its intense briglit blue flowers nestling down
on its dwarf foliage, was so lieautiful that it may well console growers
of herbaceous plants for the impossiliility of growing the lovely little
Eritricliium iianum Lately figured in The Garhes. This latter is
one of those difficult plants over which a grower may break his heart.
Mr. Backhouse told me some years ago that ho had spent £100 in
trying to introduce it, but had failed. Mr. Elwes also informed
me tliat he had tried it and sent some fine jjlants to Mr. Atkins, of
Painswick ; lie had himself lost it after one season, and Mr. Atkins
had managed to keep it alive for two, and then it had died ; while
Mr. Hammond had erpially to record its failure with him. The
lovely Iberis jucunda was in good condition, but Mr. Hammond has
the same fault to find with it that I have noticed — that so many of
the jilants lose their leaves and then seem to perish. However, it
seeds so readily, and the seeils germinate so freely, that it is very
easy to replace tlie plants ■n'heii they become sliabliy. Various
kinds of Lilies were doing well, and promised for a fine bloom,
the early flowering kinds being already expanded. Oniphalodes
Lucilia; was also in excellent condition, and is certainly an extremely
interesting plant, and one that should be included in every
collection.

I have only indicated a few out of the many plants that are culti-
vated in this rock garden — a garden which is certainly calculated to
stir up a love for Alpine flowers in tliose who -i-isit it, and to encour-
age those gi'owers ^\'ho have already essayed their cultivation ;
iiltliough to those who, like myself, can only indulge in a very small
affair, it makes one feel somewhat humble. However, we cannot go
heyond our capabilitas of sp.ace or pocket, and so must rest content.
I think I may say for its owner that he will gladly welcome any one
5vho, possessed with the same t.iste, would desire to sea his garden.

Delt.\.

A BUTTERPOT BOUQUET.

In the Academy exhibition last year was a pretty flower picture
showing the use that may lie made of a Dutcli butterpot. It was one
of the many good flower pictures painted by Miss Mutrie, who is a
bright exception to artists who take this line, and who, generally
speaking, conspicuously fail. The finest flower picture I can call to
mind if one by Migiion, in the gallery at Amsterdam. It is a group
of huge Peonies, Roses, and other large flowers confusedly heaped up
in a vase. The charm of that picture is to be found in the fact that
the painted flowers are like real flowers, and give dcliglit to the be-
holder. The average of flower pictures are like bits cut out of w.all
papers miicli more than like living flowers, and give pain rather than
pleasure to the eye that is accustomed to note the characteristics of
the reality. Miss Mntrie's picture reminded me of th.at of Mignon,
and both reminded me that I h.ad in my museum a fine old iJutch
butteriiot of a hard slaty grey colour with an uncouth pattern of bine
and white stars on each side. I brought it out, and I crammed it
with Tulips, P;eonies, flowers of Seak.ale, spr<ays of Berberis, Tnimpet
Lilies, Asparagus, the leaves of purple Beech, and many more such
things as might by some be accounted coarse, .and in about ten
minutes I had a truly gorgeous butterpot bouquet. For a week it
stood on the sideboard and defied the critics. Then I cleared it out
and filled it M'itli flower spikes and leaves of scarlet Cliestiiut, purple
and V bite Lilac, Scarlet Thorn, Trumpet Lilies, double Tulips, and
smaller oddments, and ag.ain it carried on the defiant trade, and
misanthropes who witnessed its splendour instantly loved each other
and all mankind. I advise .all and sundry who possess Dutch butter-
jiots to l)riiig them out while there are m.aiiy showy subjects in flower,
and there is perhaps a new delight in store for them. The spread of
the huge boucpiet should be 18 in. or 20 in. over, an<l tlie whole
should be as rich and full as flowers and leaves can make it, with bits
of light spr.ay peeping out to tone it down and prevent suspicion of
vulgarity. The white flowers of the Seakale are invaluable for the
purpose if they are properly wedged in between fiery Pa^onies and
Tulijis, and there is scarcely a iloM'er in the garden but may be
pressed into the service to assist in the composition. — S. H., in
"Gardeners' Magazine."

JSOTIS AND QUESTIONS OS THE ILOWEE GAKDEN.

Orchis foliosa. — Tliis h.andsome terrestri.al Orchid is one of
the finest of the h.ardy kinds which thrive in our climate. It grow 3
from 1 ft. to 2 ft. or more in height, and produces long dense spikes
of rosj'-purple blossoms, spotted with a darker hue. It begins to
flower about the middle of May, .and continues in full beauty for a
considerable time. In the outdoor garden it delights in moist shel-
tered nooks at the base of the rock garden, or in some similar place,
and it should be planted in deep, light soil. It is .also perfectly
amenalile to pot culture, for which, on account of its neat h.abit, it
is peculiarly well .adapted, and it associates charmingly with other
sulijects used for go-eenhouse decoration. For this pui'jiose the plants
should be grown in a cool, airy frame, potted in fibry loam enriched
with decayed manure, and when al)Out to flower removed to the
greenhouse, where for several weeks they will be a source of gi'eat
attraction. It is .also an ell'eetivc exhiliition plant, and, when well
gi'own, such as we saw it a few days ago in Jilr. Williams' nursery,
at Holloway, it is scarcely inferior to some of its more showy epi-
phytic congeners from the Tropics. It is a native of Madeira, and
has been introduced for some considerable time. — W. G.

Cypripedium Calceolus and O. spectabile.— AA'e gTow
these here in large quantities in liorders, wliere a little shade can be
had. I used to adopt tlie w.atcr system ^^■ith bad efl'ects, but since I
made a lucky find my compost has simply been peat mixed with small
limestone shingle. In this the growth is astonishing, and some of
the clumps of C. Calceolus bear some fifty blooms, .all two on a spike,
while spectabile nearly grows to ;? ft. , often with three l>looms. It
is not generally kno'wn that C. Calceolus grows wild on the est.ate
here, and not 100 miles from Kendal. I say wild, as it is spread
over some considerable extent, and in two places. For many years
past I have made it a practice on a particular day to have all the
flowers pulled off, so that it may escape the notice of plant collectors,
who swarm in this neighbourhooil, and whose finding of any rare
plant or species surely leads to its extermination. — R. Ckaig, Levcns
Hall, MilnHiorpe, in " Gardeners' Clirouiele." [Mr. Craig, we fear,
tells too much.]

New Plant Disease. — M. Max Cornu lias detected a pew
malady which attacks plants of the Order Rubiacea; grown in hot-
houses. It appears that an Anguillula deposits its eggs in the roots,
these swell aiul decay, the jilant perishing rapidly. Precipitate sul-
Ijhur h.as been recommended as an efi'ective remedy. — "Athena;um.

June 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

493

The Wild Bluebell (Scilla nutans). — I was glad to see tliis
charming native plant favourably noticed in Thk Gaeden ()i. 47),
and have in some measure been anticipated in the remarks I liad
intended to make in reference to it. The "shade-loving Hyacintli,"
as I have lieard it descriljed, is at this moment the glory of our
northern woods, and in one open plantation close to where I am
writing may be seen perhaps twenty acres literally lilue with it. It
is seen to most advantage growing amongst Bracken (Pteris arjuilina) ;
the latter, where not too rank, with its feathery green, adds a charm
to the otherwise monotonous acres of blue. White and flesh colours
may also be found by those who choose to seek for tliem. No shade
is too gi-eat for this plant. It will grow under tlve densest masses
of Holly, and even muler the Beech right up to tlie bole. The
Spanish Squill (S. campanulata) is, as regards size, superior to the
common S. nutans, and may be as easily naturalised. Some of tlie
forms of S. campanulata are little inferior to the cultivated or Duteli
Hyacinth, and far handsomer tlian what is known as the Roman
Hyacinth (Scilla romana). Modern botanists have given our native
Bluebell the name of "Endymion;" the old name of "non-scriptus"
seems to be discarded. One of the family — a gem — Scilla amethys-
tina, is now very pretty witli me on rockwork. — Thos. Williams,
Onnskit'k'.

A Little Sketch at Longleat. — The accompanying illus-
tration sliows the etl'ect of certain very common native plants in
landscape ganleniug. It is a little sketcli, by ilr. Alfred Parsons,

Giant Bunluck ami Double Fiu/e ou lu^uijiu u£ v..iter at Lougleat.

of a water margin at Longleat, where the giant Burdock is asso-
ciated with double Furze — an odd combination, which struck us as
Tery beautiful when the Furze was in flower. _It is another proof,
if one were wanted, of ■\\'liat good eti'ects may be obtained in gardens
by the use of the simplest materials.

Aerides SchrcBderi and other Orchids. — A fine example
of tliis rare Orchi<l is now in flower in Mr. I'hilbrick's collection,
in tlie Avenue Road, Regent's Park. It somewliat resembles tlie
better known A. niaculosum, l)ut is much superior, as the blossoms
are larger and the colours more clearly defined. The Cattleya house
in the same garden is now also very gay with a choice assortment of
the finest kinds, among which the several varieties of C. Mossiffi are
very attractive ; also the shy-flowering C. lobata, a lovely species.
( 'yprijiedium Stonei, Epidemlrum vitellinum majus, and the various
beautiful forms of Odontoglossum citrosmum, one of the best of cool
honse Orehids are likewise finely in Ijloom. On Sobralia macrantha
Me noticed several cxjjanded blossoms, gorgeous, though fugitive.
Among the ilasdevallias was the curious M. Feristeria, the strongly-
coloured blossoms of which have a purple oscillating lip, which, with
tlie otlier parts, resembles a bird in miniature.

Iberis gibraltarica. — This has ag.ain proved itself quite hardy,
liaving passed through the severe winter with very little loss at Dids-
bui'y. We have a large quantity of it planted out on rockwork and on
sheltered borders, and it is by far tlie most beautiful of the herbace-
ous Candytufts. It is readily increased by cuttings, and two lots of
these have witlistood the frosts with no other protection than tliat
of a cloche. Iberis superba flowers a fortniglit earlier than I. corre;e-
folia, and is different also in its leaf, wliieli is longer and narrower.
After being some time iu flower it becomes very pink, wliich mars its

effect when massed. I. corre."cfolia ha,s not this fault, and, of the two,
is the finer plant. A large mass of it is exceedingly beautiful, and it
continues a long time in flower. — Brockhukst.

Tender Annuals and Slugs.— In the iilanting out of all
kinds of tender annuals, tlie greatest jiossible difficulty is experi-
enced ill saving tliem froiii slugs tliis year. Never before have these
pests been so abundant. In the evening tlie soil is literally covered
with them, and they fasten upon tender plants by dozens, and sweep>
tliem off wholesale in a single night. In putting out such tender
plants as Balsiinis, Asters, Marigolds, Stocks, &c., fresh from the
frame, the most ilisheartening results follow, .as, in spite of all pre-
cautions, they require to be replaced .again and again. Lime as we
may (and notliing is more efficacious than dustings of fresh-slacked
lime and new soot early in the evening, just as the slugs are first out
for their night's meal), these dressings are constantly neutralised by
tlie regular heavy rains which we are now experiencing, and thus
tlie work of keejiing the slugs iu check liecomes one of enormous
difficulty. Tlie hard winter, so far from killing such pests, doubt-
less had the effect of sending them deeper into the earth out of
harm's way, whilst the long continued moist weather we have had
enaliles them to breed by myriads long after the time when hot dry
weather has generally sent them deeper into the soil in search of
moisture. I find that slugs avoid Lobelias, Nasturtiums, Antirrhi-
nums, Peiitstenions, and a few other plants th.at have a strong
astringent taste. It is a good pl.an, as tending to harden the plants
before the final planting, to get them out of the seed-bed, and lay
them in in rows for a week or so ; they are then less succulent and-
less hked by the slugs. — A. 1). >

Violas and Pansies. — It would be well if some acknowledgecV
authority would lay down a rule defining exactly what is a 'Viola.
At the late Manchester Show Mr. Hooper's prize lot contained
several Pansies classed as A'iolas. I understand that Mr. Hooper
considers that there is no rule, but if we are to have prizes for Violas'
the judges should certainly disf|ualify exhiliits containing Pansies.
The only marked difference which could be insisted upon as marking
the Viola is, I consider, the eye. A true Viola should have a small'
clear eye ; anything with strongly marked lines diverging from the
yellow centre becomes a Pansy, ^'iolas are coming more and more
into use for bedding purposes, and I believe that next year will bring
some very choice sorts before us so, we ought to have the point
clearly defined. — Brockhurst.

Last summer I endeavoured to point out the pedigree of botit

Pansies and Violas, tracing the latter to cornuta and lutea. ^ En-
chantress .and Perfection still point to cornuta and lutea, and Golden
(iem to our native lutea, but such Violas as Chieftain, Tory, and
Holyrood are Pansies to .all intents and purposes, h.aving evidently
been bred from the cultivated P.ansy V. tricolor. Can any of thc-
re.aders of The Garden help us iu this matter ? Correctly speaking,
they are all Violas, and it may be pointed out that the so-called Violas
.arc continuous bloomers, but as to distinction, as reg<ards exhibition,
a Pansy may become a Viola and a Viola a Pansy. — T. Williams.

The "Woodruff (Aspcmlaodor.at.a).— This is Largely used in Ger-
many for fl.avouring summer drinks. " M.ai-Wein '' is easily con-
cocted, and furnishes a most delicious beverage at g.arden parties.
Take a handful of Woodruft' floAvers, cut off short, put them in a
bowl, sja inkle them with two table-spoonsful of white powdered
sucar ; pour over them a bottle of light hock and leave it for ten
minutes ; then pour oft' the wine, carefully straining out the leaves,
and let it stand till required, in ice if practicable ; then add, if
wanted light, two bottles of soda w.ater, or if wanted very good,
one bottle of sweet champagne and one bottle of soda water.—
BR0CK1IUR.ST.

Narcissus Bulbocodium.— I .am happy to report the perfect
success which has rewarded me in raising this charming Daffodil fronv
seed. Imported bulbs I h.ave found to flower well in the open,
border the first year, but after that they generally disappear, or at
least never flower again. Three ye.ars .ago I planted out a box of
seedlings, wdiich flowered freely in the springof 1878, and, having stood
hast winter without protection, have .ag.ain flowered this spj-ing. I am
well pleased at this result, for the Hoop-petticoat Daflbdil is one of
the choicest of its kind. Narcissus juncifolius is a distinct late
flowering kind that is worth having. — SALMO^'ICE^s.

Win-tering- G-ladioli Out-of-doors.— Bulbs of these left
in the ground through the winter are now shooting up strongly.
They were only protected by a mulching of half-decayed leaves
.about 2 in. in thickness, some of them being delicate kinds. The
soil is light, sharp loam, naturally dr.aiued. Other kinds, such as
Brenchleyensis growing in a wetter soil, and to which no mulching
was given, are growing equ.ally well, facts which, after such along
trying winter and Late spring, surely speak much in f.avour of Ciladioli
being hardier than most peo'ple give them credit for.— W. Divers^
Wierton, near Maidstone.

494

THE GARDEN.

[Juke 21, 1879.

HEATING BY HOT WATER.

The scientific principles on whicli the action of a liot-water apparatus
(lepeiiils are now so perfectly ascertained, ami permit of such easy
adaptation to every kind of circumstance, that no one need lie
deterred by any fear of disappointment from adopting this system of
ivarming. More than one-half of the hot-water pipes manufactured
in (ireat Britain are used in tlie warming of horticultural huililings.
In fig. 1, A represents the boiler, and B c li a line of pipe. "So
long as the lire is out, and the water in the whole apparatus equally
cold throughout, there is no motion, because the column of water in
c counterbalances that in A. And the same state of rest would
ol)tain after the fire was lighted if the water in every part could be
maintained at the same temperature, and consequently at the same
specific gravity. But that is impossible, inasmuch as the material
■of which the pipes consists abstracts the heat from the water, and
parts with it to the surrounding air. Heat makes water expand,
and diminishes its weight in a corresponding degree ; iron pipes cool
hot water flowing through them, and increase the weight of their
fluid contents accordingly ; the result is, that tlie column c is always
Iieavier, bulk for bulk, than the column a. Tliis causes a constant
circulation of the water in tlie direction of the arrows, its rate being
jjroportional to tiie difference of temperature between c and A.
There are two systems of heating by hot-water — the high pressure
and the low pressure systems. In the former the apparatus and
pipes are hermjtically sealed, and the temperature rises to .330', and
sometimes higher ; with the latter system there is always an open
■communication between the water and tlie atmospliere, so that the
water cannot rise above 212' in the hottest part. The high pressure
system, in virtue of the greater heat imparted to the pipes, allows of
a much smaller pipe being used, but the heat is so consider.able, and
practically so much beyond control, to say nothing of tlie ri-sk of an
accident from explosion, that this method is by no means so suitable
for horticultural work as the other.

Quantity of Pipe.

A square foot of glass will in one minute cool down to tlie tempera-
■ture outside IJ cubic ft. of the air inside the house. It is evident,
therefore, that as much heat as the glass walls and roof can pass
away to the air outside in a minute is the quantity that must be
supplied by the pipes in that time. Tlie prevalence of high winds
undoubtedly tends to an increased loss of heat, but the cooling eft'ect
of wind cannot be measured l)y its temperature ; its velocity must
also be considered. Wind travelling at the rate of .30 miles an hour
cools the air of a glass house as rapidly as a still atmosphere register-
■ing 2:>' lower on the thermometer. The first thing to <lo, therefore,
is to measure up the area of glass. If tlie frame is of wood deduct
.one-eighth from the total surface ; but if of iron make no deduction,
inasmuch as iron sash-bars allow of the escape of heat as readily as
glass itself. The following table shows how many feet of 4-in. iron
piping maintained at a temperature of 180°— the average temperature
yol a low pressure apparatus— will suffice to raise 1000 cubic ft. of air
in a minute from the temperature obtaining outside to that required
in the building ; —

Actual or
virtual tem-

Temperature required inside.

perature.

45'

50°

55° 1 00°

05' 1 70'

1 75°

1 80°

10-

144

185

205

235

270

300

3.50

400

15'

135

155

180

212

246

285

325

375

20'

105

135

100

190

221

257

295

335

25°

85

110

137

105

190

225

260

310

30'

65

87

110

140

175

200

230

285

35"

45

65

90

120

148

185

215

260

40'

25

45

70

95

125

100

180

230

45°

25

45

72

100

130

165

200

50°

25 65

75 105

130

170

Now, for instance,it is desired to find out how much pipe will be
xequired for a house, the glass area of whicli is SOO square ft., exclu-
sive of wood sash-bars, that has to be maintained at a temperature
of 60' when the lowest temperature outside is, allowing for the eft'ect
of winds, 10'. SOO square ft. of glass will cool 1000 cubic ft. of air
from the temperature inside to that ruling outside, viz. 10'. In the
table, on referring to the column headed DO', and opposite 10', is the
number 23.5, which is the quantity of pipe, of 4 in. diameter, tliat
will give off as much heat in a minute as the glass will waste. The
.size of the building, i.e., its cubical contents, does not affect the
■question ; it is the glass alone which gives off any appreciable heat,
and therefore whatever quantity of pipe will compensate for this loss
of heat by the glass will also warm the house, in the first instance,
and maintain it at the required temperature afterwards, because
until tlie air is heated to its maximum the glass will cool propor-
tionately less air, the cooling power of the glass being obviouslv ex-
actly proportional to the difference between the external and internal
.temperatures. The pipe, therefore, gives off at first more heat than
the glass wastes, until at last the point is reached when the two are

just balanced, and that balance is the temperature which is wanted
in the house. The best size of pipe for general use is 4-in., but
sometimes smaller are required for the sake of convenience. If 2-in.
are used twice as much will be wanted as if 4-in. had been put down,
and one-third more if 3-in. are used. Small pipes heat more rapidly
than large ones, but they also cool much more rapidly. For connect-
ing houses with each other, or with a boiler house in a central posi-
tion, 2-in. pipes will suffice ; they must, however, be placed in a
trench filled M'ith sawdust to prevent loss of heat.

The ventilation of horticultural buildings deserves very careful
attention. Plants have two sources of food — the soil in which they
gi'ow and the air they breathe. Motion and consequent change exist
in every climate, and cannot be entirely withheld from plant houses
without a corresjjonding loss of vigour and compact growth. The
advantages to vegetation of brisk motion in the air are, therefore,
obvious. Suppose that an opening is made in a hothouse wall at the
floor-level, and another in the opposite wall at the top ; a current of
air will enter at the bottom, and passing in a straight line to the top
opening, escape thereat, the rate at which it travels being propor-
tionate to the difference in temperature of the outside and inside
atmospheres. To secure an even distribution of ventilating effect
throughout the house, the ventilating inlets and exits must be set
at regular distances, and the total area of the inlets should be more
than that of the exits to prevent liack-draught. In summer it is
always more difficult to secure ventilation than in winter, because of
the smaller difference between the two temperatures, that of the
oute)' air, on the one hand, and that of the inside air on the other.
It will be necessary, therefore, to take as a basis for calculation the
temperatures obtaining in the liottest weather, and the ventilators
must be sliding so that the opening can be contracted as may be
necessary on the approach of colder weather. The inlets must always
open upon, behind, or under the heating pipes, wliether the latter
are on the floor or in trenches covered with iron trellis-work. By
this arrangement the air will be warmed as it enters tlie house.

The following table shows the quantity of air that travels through
a pair of ventilators per minute, the area of each being I square
foot : —

Hei-ht of exit Excess of Inside Temperature over Outside.
above nilet in

feet. 10°

15°

20° 1 25°

30°

15 200
20 230
25 200
30 2S0

215
2S5
3-20
330

230
330
370
400

320
370
410
450

350
400
450
500

For instance, if the exit ventilators are 20 ft. above the inlets,
and each set of an aggregate area of 6 f t. , there will be a volume of
19S0 cubic feet of air passing through the house in a minute when
the temperature of the latter is maintained at 20' over that of the
air outside, and these 1980 cubic feet must be added to the quantity
of air cooled per minute by the glass, walls, and roof in calculating
the quantity of pipe required to warm the house when ventilated.

There are many ways of securing bottom-heat. Pipes (two of
4 in. diameter for a bed 6 ft. wide) surrounded with large stones are
sometimes used for that purpose. Many use tanks for this pur-
liose. These are made of li-in. deals, grooved and tongued, and

h

u

Fig. 1.— .Section of Boiler aud Pipe.

secured by ties of iron rod, the joints being made tight with white
lead or of brickwork cemented inside, and covered with thin slates.
A division is run along the centre to nearly the extreme end of tlu
tank, so as to make the hot water flow its whole length before it
returns. The flow aud return pipes, instead of being only connected
with the tank, as they would be in tlie case just mentioned, are some-
times carried right through it. Pipes carried up from the tank pass
through the beils aud give moisture to the air when required, and a
tap fixed in the tank allows of the water to be drawn off at will.

June 21, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

495

The ordinary plan of moistening the air is by means of troughs anil
shallow pans, preferably made loosa and of tinned sheet iron, witli
a shallow bottom to fit the curvatiiri; of the pipe. The best position
for evaporating pans is in tlie dire:!t line of the ventilating inlet,
many cultivators making tlieir houses too liot and too moist. It is
quite true that heat expedites the growth of a plant, and that mois-
ture is essential to its existence, but heat and moisture are not every-
thing. A sufficient temperature during the day, and as much
humidity as will suffice to prevent any chance of the natural mois-
ture of t!ie plant being dried out of it, coupled with a plentiful
supi)ly of air, make the balance of maturing agencies to be aimed at,
tvnd at night plants require rest. To stimulate them then by keep-
ing the house unnecessarily warm results in weak growth.

Boilers.
Taking everything into consideration, there is no pattern boiler
which presents so many adva itages as the saddle. Large nuni-

bers of ijoilers recpiiring no __„,.„.„„,...„„^

brickwork setting are now ^^/'/'•■'//yy^- ''^/V/'y---y'-^'y'<'^/-C^/>;>.

sold, and one variety of
these — the ujjright — allows
the fire to be easily banked
up for the night without
necessitating a boiler un-
necessarily large. A per-
fect boiler is one that
presents a maximum sur-
face to the direct action
•of the fire, jiossesses a
large and free water way,
and has as few angles
as possible. Wrought-iron
boilers rust more readily

than cast-iron ones, but they are much less li.^ble to be cracked by
careless stoking. Water can absorb heat from an iron plate two and
a-half times as fast as the iron plate can rcjeive it from the fire.
This being the case, it is very evident that a boiler of any given
length or size will have its heating power considerably increased if
ribs be cast upon its fire
and flue surfaces, so as to
equalise the relative con-
ducting powers of the two
.sides of the plate. In es-
timating the heating power
of a boiler full weight must
■be given to the fact that 1
aquare ft. of surface exposed
to the radiant heat of the
fire is worth as much as
-3 square ft. of flue surface.
This is an important con-
sideration, inasmuch as a
boiler of complicated form,
althougli possessing consi-
derable surface, may, after
all, be but an indifferent
heating agent. As a general
rule, 4 square ft. of effec-
tive* boiler surface suffice
for 160 ft. (lineal) of 4-in.
pipe, 214 of 3-in., or 320 of
2-in.,andsoon. Large boilei's
heat more economically than
small ones ; for instance, one 6-ft,
pipe as two 3-ft. boilers of the

Iloriziintal Section of Boiler.

saddle boiler will heat as much
same pattern with less fuel. The
proper proportion of fire-grate surface is 4 square in. to SO ft. of 4-in.
pipe. Many good boilers are spoilt by liad setting. The annexed
sketches show the best method of fixing a saddle boiler.

Fig. 2is a plan at the line o h on fig. 3, which is a side elevation. After
building up the foundation to the proper height, the Ijars A, supported
on two bearers, are placed flush with the face of the boiler b, and
with their upper surface on a level with the bottom of tlie boiler.
The remainder of the furnace bottom c is made up of brickwork.
In front of the bars ami on the same level is fixed the dead plate ii,
a plain iron plate, 9 in. wide, and in length equal to tlie width of the
boiler. In front of the dead plate comes the fire door E, and beneath
it the ashpit door F. G (; are short pipes with flange covers com-
municating with the boiler for the purpose of cleaning it out. To one
of the covers can be attached a draw-olf tap for emptying the
apparatus of water. H H H are three flue doors, one for cleaning out
the top flues, and one for each of the side flues. I is a ridge of Ijrick-
-work supporting the arch ; J, a stout cast-iron web, one at each
.side, supported by being built into the side-work, to divide the side

That is, counting 3 ft. of flue surface as equal to only 1 of lire surface.

currents from the top one. K K are two fire brick lumps with an
opening between them of about 4 in. (more or less according to the
size of the boiler). When the boiler is made with a terminal end or
with a waterway check-draft, both or only one of these lumps is
dispensed with. Fixed as shown, they exert a reverberatory effect.
When the boiler is more than (i ft. long, the bottom lump is omitted
and one l fixed inside the boiler, leaving a space of about 6 in. in
depth between its top and the boiler crown. The side flues m m are
V.i in. wide and the full depth of the boiler. The aiTows indicate
the direction of the draught. Every squai'e inch of boiler surface is
thus used to the best effect. N is a damper fixed in the chimney at a
convenient heiglit.

Coke and coal in equal proportions, or coke and spent tan make
excellent fuels. The jjerfect comViustion of fuel is a point of the
greatest importance. It can be ett'ected only by the supply of the
necessary amount of oxygen, at the temperature of the furnace fire,
to the place of combustion. Tliere are three methods of doing tliis,

none perfectly successful
^^^^^^^^^^^??^^^^^^ in all cases, but either bet-

ter than nothing. First —
a judicious use of the dead
plate with a ventilator in
the fire door. Each fresh
charge of fuel is placed
on to the dead plate and
there baked or coked. The
more volatile constituents,
accompanied by a quota
of air passing through the
ventilator in the furnace
door, pass on to the scene
of combustion, and, at-
taining the proper tempe-
rature, burst into flame before they reach the flues, whereas if the
fuel had been thrown direct on the fire, or if the supply of air through
the fire door had l)een allowed to reach the i^lace of combustion at
too low a temperature, the volatile gases of the fuel would have
escaped as dark smoke, or as colourless and half-burnt carbon (car-
bonic oxide) into the flues.
Another plan is to lay pipes
in the flues, so as to receive
air from the outside and
deliver it behind the bridge.
Provided that the supply be
sufficient in quantity, and
the position of the pi]jes
in the flues such that the
air passing through them is
raised to the proper tem-
perature, there is not mucli
chance of any nnburnt gas
getting into the chimnej'.
A third plan is to carry an
iron pijic along the inside
crown of the boiler, one end
screwed into the boiler and
the other terminating in a
rose or spreader. The pipe,
Ijeing small, carries only
as much water as the heat
of the fire suffices to burn
into steam. This is expell-
ed with considerable force
among the liighly-heated gases, and, in virtue of the oxygen it con-
tains, expedites comljustiou. For a small apparatus, gas or petroleum
can be used — of course, not without a flue to carry ofl' the products of
combustion. Kone but clean water should be used with a Iiot-water
aiiparatus, and, when possible, soft in preference to hard. Where the
former cannot be had, the addition of sal-ammoniac in powder pre-
vents the deposition of the salts of lime held in solution by the
water. The supply cistern is to be fixed with its bottom not lower
tlian the higliest part of tlie apparatus. In size it should be capable
of holding one-thirtietli of the wliole water-contents of tlie boiler
and pipes, this being the cpiaiitity which will return to it when the
whole liquid mass is expanded by heat. A hundred feet of 4-iu.
pipe contain 54J gallons.

Joints and Air-pipes.
The old-fashioned iron-rust cement is falling into disuse. It is
undoubtedly very strong — in fact, unnecessarily so except for the
boiler-socket joints. Tlie socket, after receiving the spigot pipe, is
first caulked with loosely-sjiun yarn, and the cement, made of 10 lb.
of sifted iron borings with 2 oz. of sal-ammoniac in powdei-, and
moistened with water, carefully driven in till the socket is full. The
iron cement is now advantageously replaced Ijy one of red and white
lead. Joints made with india-rubber are very convenient. They

Fig. 3.— Vertical Section of Boiler.

49G

THE GARDEN.

[Juke 21, 1870.

are easily fixed, allow of additions or removal with a miniimim of
trouble, and provide for the expansion and oontraetion of a length
of pipe as the heat rises and falls. This exp.ansion is sin.all, but
irresistible. Where cement joints are used, short pieces of round
iron, placed under the pipes, allow them to expand and contract
without any eliance of danger from fracture. Wherever, as at dijis
and returns, air is likely to collect in a system of pipes, taps or pipes
must be fixed to permit of its escape. Tlie latter, carried up above
the water-level, are the Ijest because they require no attention. The
fiow pipe or pipes should always be taken, as far as practicaljle,
directly to tlie highest level of the eircul.ation. For, if two circula-
tions, at different levels, are worked from the same boiler, the one
at the higher level is apt to monopolise the supply of hot water.
\\'hen, however, the two levels branch olf from one upright pipe,
the introduction of a knee just aljove the lower branch will secure
something like a fair division of hot w.ater. The distance lietween
the horizontal flow and return pipe at tlieir points of junction with
the boiler should be 1*2 in. at least. This will secure a good circu-
lation with a long length of pipe, but where there are dips the depth
of these must be added to the 12 in., or the circulation of tlie water
Avill be very slow. A sm.all frame contiguous to the house can be
warmed by a boiler fixed at the back of an ordinary sitting-room
fire-grate. In fact, such are the eap.abilities of the system of heating
by hot water, and so easily does it adapt itself to a variety of cir-
cumstances, that there are, doubtless, nooks and corners around or
about the m.ajority of houses which could, liy a moderate outlay on
the part of a judicious cultivator, be m.ade to produce, pro rata,
results ejual to those obtained from extensive hot-honses.

Chas. S. Woodf.offe.

ITOTES OF THE WEEK.

Ereniurus robustus.— M. A. L.av.all.V', the President of tlie
Central Horticultural Society of France, has very kindly sent us
specimens of this gi.ant herbaceous plant, which is a native of
Turkestan. It was sent to him three years ago l>y a Russian friend,
and M. Lavallee believes it to have been the first time the plant
has flowered in France. The flower-spike lie sends us is a huge one,
measuring considerably more than 7 ft. in height. He has two other
stems larger still, measuring not less than 10 ft. in height. It flowers
somewhat after the fashion of the old white Asphodel, the blos-
soms being of a transparent white colour, witli green stripes outside,
and bold orange stamens, the colour of wliich is seen through tlio
buds before they open. The plant is perfectly hardy, and thougli
liking deep loamy soil, does very well in a san(ly one. We are very
glad to notice that JI. Lavallee, who has hitlierto done so mucli for
trees and shrubs, is now adding to our treasures of hardy herbaceous
plants.

New Pelai-goniums.— Tlie nurseries of Messrs. F. & A. Smith
at West Dulwich are now well ■worth a visit in order to see the
I'elargoniums alone, which are, of course, as they have been for a
long time, the leading fe.aturein Messrs. Smith's establishment. Tiic
novelties that have been sent out witiiiii the past few years from this
nursery are characterised liy tlieir early ami free-floweiing properties,
combined with fine form and rich variety in colour. Their habit, too,
is dwarf and sturdy. The new kinds to be sent out during the
present year ai'e very fine indeed, and show a marked advance on
older sorts.

Ageratum Oannell's Dwarf. —Amongst the numerous
novelties to bo seen at Mr. CaiincU's nursery, ,Swanley, few attract
more attention than this exquisite little bedding plant, which is un-
questionably the most desiral )le of its class yet brought out. It does
not exceed G in. in height, and assumes a broad, flat head jji-ofuscly
studded with large clusters of briglit lavender-coloured flowers. For
bedding purposes, especially for carpet bedding, it is a decided ac-
quisition, and has tlie additional property of producing a continuous
succession of flowers till late in the autumn.

Iris Telfordi.— Under this name Mr. Osborn sends us a superl),
large and fragrant Iris, resembling at first siglit the German Iris,
but much larger, and with a well-niarked thougii delicate odour. It
is a valuable plant, which should not be lost sight of by all wlio are
interested in the bolder kinds of hardy flowers. The Fulhani Xur-
series in old times ranked amongst the most famous for hardy [.lants,
and we are pleased to notice that tlie present Mr. Osborn does not
intend to let their interest in tli.at way diminish.

-A-g-apanthus umbellatus candidus.— This is a desirable
variety of .an old favourite, and quite an acquisition, its large iimliels
of pure white blossoms being very elfective, esjieeially when groujied
with other plants in a greenhouse. Thus situated, we saw it a few
days ago iu Mr. Biill's nursery at Chelsea.

Asparagus plumosus.— We lately s.aw some fine examples
of this elegant Cape climbing plant in Messrs. F. and A. Smith's
nursery at West Dulwieh, and we were much struck with its light,
graceful appearance. Its stems are slender and twining in habit, antl
the sm.all, ncodle-like leaves are produced on slender twigs, which
form a flat expansion of triangular outline. For training up the
rafters of a greenhouse, or even for pot culture, this Asparagus is an
invalualile decorative plant, and one that is likely to prove useful for
cutting purposes.

Pelargonium Freak of Nature.— Of the host of Felar-
goniums with variegated foliage, perhaps none presents a more
singular appearance than this Freak of Nature, specimens of which
we saw in Mr. Cannell's collection at Swanley. In general aspect it
somewhat resembles the variety Happy Thought, but is less robust
and more compact in growth. The leaves arc almost entirely creamy-
wliite, with a much crinipled edging of bright green. Altogether,
it at once reminds one of some of the sports of Scotch Kale.

A Striped Forget-me-not.— The list of v.arietics of culti-
vated Forget-me-nots is by no means numerous, and the addition to-
it of a pretty novelty tliat Mr. Cannell showed us the other day is a
^\■elcomo accpiisition. Its flowers, which are of moderate size, have
a ground colour nearly white, witli five stripes of blue radiating from
the centre in a star-like manner, producing a pretty as well as quaint
appearance. At present v.c are unable to speak of its habit, or
wliether it exists in quantity or merely as a solitary sport.

The Pelargonium Society.— We .arc requested to remind
the members that, although the Society's show lias been postponed
from June 24 to July 8 in consequence of the lateness of the season,
it has lieeii arranged that the censors and executive committee should
meet on the former as well as on the latter day for the purpose of
awarding the Society's certificate of merit to deserving novelties in
all tlie classes of the Pelargonium, so .as to ensure them being adjudi-
cated upon in their best condition.

G-enista prostrata. — This is one of the showiest Genistas
with \\-liicli wo are acquainted, and one which makes a capital plant
for overlianging ledges in tlie rockery, where for several weeks it
quite enlivens its surroundings by means of its bright yellow flowers..
Another desirable method of growing it is grafting it on some of the
erect-growing kinds, of which we saw some specimens in Messrs.
Smith's nurseries at Dulwicli, where they formed some of the most
attractive of spring-flowering shrubs.

Irises. — We have received from Mr. .Joseph Stevens a beautiful
and varied group of Irises from his richly-stored garden of hardy
plants at Bytloet. Nothing can better illustrate the slight use that
people make of the gi"oat wealth of flowers at their disposal than
these same Irises. One sees almost everywhere the old purple
German Iris. Tlie f.act th.at there are scores of equally beautiful and
yet distinct kinds which can be all easily grown in any soil in tlie
town .and in the country dots not seem to be taken advantage of in
garden 3 generally.

Geranium armenum.— By f.ar the finest specimens with
which we have j'ct met of this beautiful hardy plant we saw the
other day iu Mr. P. Rooke's garden at Wcybridge, some of which
were nearly 3 ft. through, and covered with handsome blossoms,
which are from \\ in. to 2 in. .across, of a rich deep magenta with a
central blotch of shining black, a colour with which the petals are
.also delicately pencilled. Considering that it is such an ornament.al
kind, it is not nearly so well known as it ought to lie ;■ indeed, it is
seldom met with in collections. A coloured illustration of it will be
found in The Garden (Vol. XI., p. 47S). In the same garden a
fine mass of the lovely blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) was very
conspicuous, as w.as also a collection of h.ardy Ferns, rich in variety
and grand specimens ; in fact, these form the specialities of the
garden.

New Hybrid Rhododendrons. — Many fine new hybrirl
Rhododendrons are in Hoover for the first time in the Lawsou
Nurseries, Edinburgh, and, along with the large collection of
already well-known kinds now in full bloom, form a magnificent
exhibition such as is rarely seen so far north. It was scarcely
expected that after the late long-continued and most severe
winter the flower-buds would have escaped, but, thanks to the
ripening weather of Last summer and autumn, the plants ajipear to
have been matured for the emergency, and are bloomin'g more freely
and the trusses are finer than have been produced for several ye.ars.
Two examples of the new hybrids have been submitted to us. One
a pale yellow, very showy and distinct ; this is a cross between
Smith's Yellow and Kussellianum. The cross was effected in 1868,
and the produce is now flowering for the first time. The other
hybrid referred to is one of a large b.atch of seedlings gi'own from
Aucklandi and John \Vaterer hybridised in 1807, and has been.

June 21, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

497

already well described as being " wortliy of botli parents." Wc are
informed that this new and distinct strain will soon be sent out, and
110 doubt, from their gi'eat lieauty and distinctness, will soon find
their way into collections. Besides liaving sufficiently proved their
hardiness, tliey will form magnificent conservatory plants for winter
and early spring flowering.

Calochortus elegans var. Tolmiei. — A plant of this ex-
tremely rare variety is now in flower in the Kew collection. Though
it is similar in some respects to the type, it is abundantly distinct, as
it is considerably larger in all its parts, gi-owing 1 ft. 15 in. high.
The flowers are 1 A in. across, of a pale lilac tint with the inner faces
of the petals eutii'ely covered witli hairs. It is certainly a very de-
sirable plant, and should be souglit after by hardy plant lovers. It
s found in the vicinity of the Wallauiet River, in Western North
America.

Gigantic Poppies. — Mr. Joseph Stevens has submitted to us
cut blooms of Pap.aver orientale major from his garden at Byflect.
They are the largest we have yet seen, measuring Ijetween 8 iu. and
9 in. in diameter, witli a conspicuous blue-black Idotcli at the base
of each petal and a largo tassel-like tuft of stamens in the centre,
which, combined ^vith the brilliant scarlet hue of the petals, has a
gorgeous ellect in the garilen, and is mucli enhanced when mixed
■with other sul)jects. It grows about .3 ft. high, and in good soil it
quickly grows into specimens as much tiirough. The line variety is
yet far from being common, but it is so much superior in all respects
that it deserves to be l)etter known, for there arc no plants which
tend to enliven the garden at this season as masses of these showy
plants.

Fritillaria Hookeri. — A fine flowering specimen doubtfully
referred to the aljove is now in flower at Kew. It much resemliles,
if it is not identical witli F. macrophylla (Lilium Tliomsonianum).
It is about 2 ft. high, and bears nineteen flowers, which are rather
large, and of a pale rose lilac. F. Hookeri inliabits the Lachong val-
ley in Sikkim, where it gi'ows at an elevation of 1000 ft. above
sea level. It was discovered by Sir Joseph Hooker about thirty
years ago.

Chrysanthemum frutescens. — We have received from a
correspondent in Ireland a i)liotograph of a remarkably fine specimen
of this Chrysanthemum. It is said to measure 7 ft. 4 iu. in height,
and 18 ft. in circumference ; and an accompanying note states that
it was received in the sliape of a rooted cutting only three years ago,
thus showing a remarkable instance of rapid growth ; it is also
stated to have Ijcen a perfect mass of bloom for more than a month
■at the time when it was pliotogi'aphed. A plant of such a high deco-
rative ch.aracter certainly deserves to be more extensively grown than
it is, both for adorning the greenhouse during spring and the outside
borders in summer.

Xerophyllum asphodeloides.— We noticed flowering ex-
.amplcs of this rare hardy plant a few days ago in Mr. G. F. Wilson's
garden at ^VcylJridge. It is tuberous-rooted, and has the aspect of
an Asphodel, having dense tufts of Grass-like leaves, which are very
tough in texture and rough at the edges, and which grow 1 ft. or
more long. The flower stems, which are about 2 ft. high, are fur-
nished with needle-like bracts, and terminated by a compact pyra-
midal raceme of snowy-white blossoms nearly h in. across, borne on
slender white stalks, from li in. to 2 in. long, which iliverge hori-
zontally from the stem. Such a showy and desirable jilant ilcserves
to be better known, more particularly as it is said to attain 4 ft. in
lieight.

Habranthus pratensis fulgens. — This brilliant plant

which Mr. Nelson proved to be hardy in his garden is this year senil-
ing up eleven spikes. It "will be remembered that we figured it
in The Oakden some time ago, but no coloured figure could do
justice to its extraordinary vividness and colour when seen in the
garden. It is in all ways quite a distinct kind among hardy flowers,
and we trust will be found equally free and hardy in other gardens
as it has been at Aldborough, near Norwich.

Lilium lancifolium rubrum. — It may be interesting to
know that this Lily is perfectly hardy, having stood out-of-doors
three succesive winters here and bloomed freely ; plants of it are now
Tiearly 2 ft. high. These are planted at the foot of a low south wall
(about .3?. ft. high), and are growing in a bed of Czar Violets, which
form their only protection. Our soil is rather light in character. — •
AY. DiVEPvS, Wiertoii, near MakUtone.

Iris longipetala. — This, one of the handsomest of the beard-
less section of Irises, is now in great beauty in Mr. <j. F. Wilson's
-garden at 'Weybridge. It has erect, sword-like leaves about 1 i ft. high,
and flowers some 4 in. across, with broad, ovate, drooping falls of a
lavender tint, delicately feathered with lines of a darker hue. The
^standards, which are rather narrow, are plain, and of a deep lilac

colour. It is a native of California, and is still one of the rarest in
collections. — B.

NOTES ON HARD? PLANTS IN FLOWER.

Byfleet.— A stroll through such a garden as that of Mr.
J. Stevens, at Byflect, in which hardy plants arc made a speci-
ality, is indeed a treat, even to those who are not particularly
conversant with plants. It contains between six and seven
thousand species and varieties, and of course a large number of
duplicates ; therefore throughout the whole year it is a continuous
source of interest, but it is more especially so during the summer
months. At present it is gay with choice varieties of Rhododen-
drons ; also with many forms of that beautiful Chinese shrub Weigela
rosea, ami Irises in endless variety, among which the beautiful
I. \ ictorine, figured in The Gauden (Vol. XIIL, p. SO), was con-
siiicuous. The most noteworthy of the rarer plants in flower were
Lithospermum Gastoni, a beautiful Pyrenean Borage-wort, with
whicli many experience some difliculty in getting it established;
here, liowever, it is evidently thriving admirably and producing
multitudes of sky-blue blossoms. Another lovely plant of tlie same
family is the mountain Cynoglossum (C montaiuim), wliich bears
terminal clusters of blossoms similar in form and colour to those of
the Italian Anchusa (A. italica). We also noticed here Anthcricum
(Chrysobaetron) Hookeri, a New Zealand Lilywort of rare beauty,
deligliting in boggy situations, and now producing its pretty orange-
coloured flowers very freely in loose racemes. Scouler's Pcnt-
stemon (P. Scoulcri) has proved itself to be perfectly
hardy, having withstood tlie past winter and being
now covered with handsome large lavender-tinted flowers?
The Altaian Dracocephalum (D. altaicum) is a plant not often met
with, tliough it is one to be recommended. It has a spreading,
prostrate lialjit, its branches being co\'ercd for nearly their whole
lengths witli deep ])urple blossoms of considerable size, which are
very slio\vy. The Round-leaved Ononis (0. rotundifolia) is another
beautiful plant, of shrubby, compact habit, from 1ft. to 2 ft. high,
ami at tlie present time covered with pretty rosy blossoms. 'The
white-flow creil Dielytra spectabilis we found here growing stronger
than we have hitherto seen it, and a charming plant it is, the pure
white flowers contrasting admirably with the deep green foliage.
On the rockery were numerous Saxifr.\gcs, including the elegant
S. lantoscana, which is equalled by few and surpassed by none.
S. MaM'canaand Wallacei were also flowering freely, and here was
also the pretty Canadian (.'ornel (Cornus canailcnsis), with its white
flo^\ers surrounded by a collar-like whorl of leaves. A fine tuft of
Saponaria ocymoides was highly attractive, and is certainly one of
the showiest rock pl.ants we have, hangnng as it does so gracefully
over the rocks, and flowering with the utmost profusion. A plot
dc\'otcd entirely to variegated shrubs and herbaceous plants was a
source of much interest on account of its novel appearance. It
shows at a glance what a large number of plants assume tliis cha-
racter, ami A\-|ien in such number there is sufficient diversity to
render the collection highly picturesque. — W. G.

"Weybridge. — The garden at Heathcrbank has long been famous
for its Lilies, but though this beautiful family is always the foremost
consideration with Mr. Wilson, the choicest of the Alpine and her-
baceous plants also receive much attention, the collection of which
bids fair to develop itself into an important department. The fa-
vourable jiosition of the gardens is highly conduciv.e to luxuriant
growth, for here one may see them revelling almost in native vigour,
and producing flowers in profusion. The Columbines thrive remark-
ably well in the lower garden, which is sheltered from northerlv and
easterly winds. Here are huge specimens of the beautiful Califor-
nian Columbine (Aquilegia californica) bearing scores of pretty
scarlet blossoms, whicli contrast finely with the canary-coloured
flowers of A. chrysantha. Though far from being showy, the gi'een-
flowered species (A. viridiflora) is noteworthy on account of its
rarity. Its flowers are somewhat small and of a dull greenish hue.
The Cashmere Larkspur (Delphinium cashmirianum) is also thriving
here with equal vigour, and is a highly desirable species. D. tri-
corne, which grows about 1 ft. high, is an interesting novelty -with
deep purple blossoms. The Edelweiss (Gnajihalium Leontopodium),
the characteristic Alpine of the Swiss mountains, has already pro-
duced its woolly bracts, and will shortly be in full flower. Another
pretty Alpine is the Arctic Bramble (Rubus arcticus), which gi'ows
but a few inches high, and bears numerous pretty m.agenta-tinted
blossoms. One of the best of the dwarf Potentillas is P. ambigua,
a charming species from the Himalayas. It is trailing in habit, has
deep green, three-toothed leaves, and flowers of a clear yellow
of about the size of a shilling. Primula capitata, also from the
same region, has few rivals amongst hardy Primroses ; the deep rich
purple blossoms, borne in dense clusters, dusted with a white

49S

THE GARDEN.

[JuN-E 21, 1879.

mealy substance, are very attractive. P. sikkimensis, too, is in
fine condition, and has witiistood the past winter witli imimnitj'.
Symphyandra W'anncri is a liigldy desiralile plant, as it is
dwarf in growtli, anil bears pretty purplish blossonis in profusion.
'I'lie same remarks apply to Camjianula nobilis, which we saw here in
very line condition. The Alpine I'oppy, with llowers varying in
colour from reddish-orange to pure \\'hite, is almost a troublesome
weed, so quickly do the seedlings grow. Amongst Alpines of humtiler
growth we noticed the charming Dianthus glacialis and alpinus, both
producing pretty rosy blossoms freely. Kamondia pyrenaica was
represente<l by several plants in a most thriving condition, ami
thickly studded with delicate lavender-tinted blossoms. In the
upper garden is the rootwork to which we have often had occasion to
allude, and of which illustrations may be found in The ({arden. It
is now gay with tine sjiecimens of diti'erent varieties of Azalea mollis,
one of wdiicli measured 4 ft. through, and was covered witli large
blossoms of a d-jep salmon tint. Near this was Primula japonica
in grand masses, which is certainly the most desirable method of
growing it, as the foliage greatly relieves the rigid habit of the
Bower-stem. Here also were large clumps of tlie pretty wdiite-
flovvered Arenaria grandiflora, intermingled with the blue Litho-
spermum jirostratum, and producing an efi'ect which was very
strikinir. — W. G.

PLATE CLXXXV.

IXTERNATIOXAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION
FOR ISSO.

The Committee appointed to cany out this exhiliition have rejected
the resolutions carried unanimously by the large meeting of horticul-
turists held at the Royal Allpert Hall on the 27th of May, 1879, a
fact which shows that they are determined that a gi-and international
show shall not be held in London next ye.ar. If they had been will-
ing that a fair and open discussion should take place, why did
they object to a more representative dcijutation from the large meet-
ing wdiich took place in the Royal Albert Hall? Why was it that a
score or more of our liest horticidturists were sent away and told
they could not lie admitted ? Why shouM this t'ommittee still wish
to maintain a position so much out of character with tlie jjresent
times ? and, after being asked to dissolve and give place to a Com-
m;ttee of Progress, why should they still assume to themselves a
jiosition so adverse to the progress of horticulture in this country 'i
See what nan be done in a city like Manchester, and under the
guidance of one determined man ; only 00,000 jicople visited tlie
exhibition .at Old Trafibrd in Whit week, and there was a profitof £800.
That 00,000 people could be induced to visit an exhibition in Man-
Chester clearly shows that it a grand exhiliition were properly
organized in London the number of visitors to the Manchester
Exhibition m.ay be multiplied by ten, thus sliowing tliat there would
be at least a clear b.alance of £10,000 after all expenses werj paid.
I think I stated that the expenses in connection v ith the proposed
exhibition would amount to £20,000, but £1G,.500 would quite cover
everything. "Oh ye of little faitli," why have you lost such a
golden opportunity ? Why should your protectionist principles be
allowed to "scotch" the wheels of horticultur.al progress? Such
another opportunity may never occur again. The first gentleman
in the land looked favourably upon the scheme, Her Majesty's Com-
missioners for the Exhibition of 1851 were willing that you sliould
liave the finest site in Europe for such a purpose, and a gentle-
man who will most likely be the first City dignitary next year,
and a power in himself, offered his great aid in tlie cause, and also
offered to become a liberal guarantor. Many other noblemen and
gentlemen also offered their willing support, .and their names are
ilown for a very considerable amount. 1 fear the opposition shown
by some exhiliitors must be attrilnited to the fear of being defeated
by younger men of the present d.ay, and to their dread lest the star
of tlieir p.ast successes should pale liefore the talent and energy w-hich
would undoubtedly be brought out by such an exhibition as that
proposed to be held in London in 1880. That the depression of
trade can have but little to do with the success of a gre.at interna-
tional horticultural exhibition properly organised is proved by the
success which attended the Manchester Exhiliition this year, a fact
which must Ije plainly evident to all whose vision is not obscured by
jirejudice, and who are not afraid to compete in a fair and ojien field.

John Will-j.

A GROUP OF BOUVARDIAS.

Drawn by CONSTANCE PIERRErONT.
Few plants are more easily gi-own, or more amply rewanl the care-
of the cultivator by the production of abundance of flowers than tin*
Bouvardias, yet it is only with a limited numljer of gr-owers that
they are brought to perfection ; and \\'hile those who are fortunate in
this resjiect can liring them into tiow-er during any month in tlie j'eai',,
or have tliem in succession all the year rouml, the m.ajority of those
who .attempt their culture fail not because thcj' cannot gi'ow them, but
generally because they take too much pains with tlicm in the wrong
direction, such as keeping them in pots throughout the summer, and
nursing tliem up under glass, whereby tliey are induced to malo
weak wiry wood and h.ard dry leaves, generally infested w-ith insects.
Tlie chief point in tlie culture of Bouvardias, or, indeed, in that
of any other class of jilants, is to induce them to make strong,
clean growth, and flowers will follow as a matter of course.
Bouvardias should be treateil according to the time at which they are
required to fiower, but as they are most useful when in bloom in
winter I will first give the treatment which they should receive iit
order to have them in (lower at that time. As the jdaiits go out of
flower they should lie removed to a rather dry house in wdiicli there
is a temper.ature of about .50'. Here they may be kept until the turn,
of the year ^\*hell each shuot should be cut back to the last joint, and
about a fortnight afterwards the plants should be turned out of their
pots, all tlie soil should be shaken oft' the roots, and tluy should
then be re-potted into small pots. They soon break freely, when
they should be kept in a cool house until the first or second week in
June, ^\"hen tliey m.ay be planted out in the open ground ; they re-
quire but little attention during the summer be3'ond giving them a
copious supply of water ami an occasional watering with weak
liquid manure. As growth progresses they should be pinched back
to the last joint two or three times during the summer, and the
Vr-eaker shoots should be continually' removed, the last pinching back
and thinning out being done in the last week in August.

About the second week in September they should be lifted and
jjotted into suitable-sized pots, and placed in a cold frame, where-
they should be carefully shaded from the sun for a fortnight or so.
They should lie potted in moist soil (turfy loam) and not watered at
the root for three or four days, but sprinkled lightly overhead night
and morning. When the nights begin to get cold tlie plants should
be removed to a intermediate house, i.e., one in which there is a
temperature of about 50 by night and 00' by day. Here, if copi-
ously supiilied with water, and assisted occasionally with a little
weak liquid manure, they will continue to bloom during the whole
of the winter in the greatest jirofusioii.

It Bouvardias are required for blooming in summer, a portion of
the plants potted in the winter should lie shifted into a size larger pot
in the spring and kerit growing. Although Bouvardias may be
grown to perfection in an intermediate house, some of tliem, sueli
as B. longiflora, B. jasminitlora, and B. Hmnboldti eorymbiflora,
will even stand stove temperature and flower lieautifuUy ; but wliere
much heat is given care should be taken to ventilate freely. To-
Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, from whose establishment were
obtained the flou'cring sprays from which our plate was prepiared,
belongs the honour of having raised or introduced the gi'eater part
of the best Bouvardias in cultivation, and from these has been made
the following selection, viz., B. Vreelaudi or Havisoni, white ; B.
Hogarth, scarlet ; B. elegans, bright scarlet ; and B. Maiden's
Blush, pale rose. These four belong to the same section, and are
tlie very Ijest for outdoor summer culture. B. Queen of Roses,
rosy-pink ; B. longifior.a flammea, pale vermilion ; and B. candidis-
sinia, snow-white, belong to an intermediate section, and form beau-
tiful compact plants for winter blooming when grown in the open
garden in summer. B. Humboldti corymbifiora, the large white ou
tlie annexed plate, is very fr.igrant. To these may be added B.
jasminoiiles, white ; B. umbellata carnea, -white changing to Idush ;
and B. flavescens, pale yellow. Occasional sprinklings with weak
Tobacco wiiter in the evening are the best means of keeping Bou-
vardias free from insects. Jajies O'Brien.

Mignonette and Bees.— Mr. I. E. Johnson, St. Georg:,
Utah, finds by continued experience that Mignonette is the most
valuable plant for bee-pasturage — blooming early and continuing till
nipped by frost— ami he tells " The Rural New Yorker " that he li.as
not a shade of doubt that a well cultivated acre of it would give
n ' nmdant employment all through the season for 500 colonies.

Paulo'wnia imperialis.— This at present forms a striking
object in pleasure gi-ounds, its spikes of blue. Gloxinia-like flowers
being very distinct from anything else in the w.aj- of flowering trees
or shrubs. It is a tree about which much diversity of opinion exists-
as to its hardiness, its wood lieiiig soft and succulent ; Init while
Laurustinuses, Myrtles, and similar shrubs were much cut up \>y the
frost, the Paulownia h.as from every branch sent out quite a cloud of'
its singularly eft'ective blossoms. — J. GROOsr, Linton, near Jlakhtone.

TH.E 'C. '

A npnnp OB\ BOUV/'JIDIA;

Ji-N-B 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

49!)

VEGETABLE CULTUEE FOR MARKET.

Mushrooms. — Enorinius quantities of these are dispisod
of iu Covent Gaixlen Maiket between September and April.
In nearly all cases they are grown on ridges in the open air.
S.inietinies these ridges are built between fruit trees, but
whin an open space can be had it is alwaj's chosen in pre-
ference. They are placed so as to form a series of ridges 8 ft.
apart. They consist of ordinary stable manure, from which
the strawy part Las been separated, and which has been pre-
viously turned over two or three times to sweeten and prevent
fermentation, for the fresher the manure the greater are the
chances of success. AVhilst tlie :nanure is being prepared,
the gr,)und selected for the ridges is levelled and lined o.T
into breadths G ft. wide with 2-ft. alleys between them ; the
maiuire is then wheeled along the rows and built firmly into
Ijluntly-tapering ridges. When constructed, they are left
exposed for a few days, in order that tlie heat, whicli is at
first great, may subside to about 80". If it gets too strong,
the ridges are thrown down and rebuilt, an occurrence liy no
means uncommon ; even whole fields of ridges in August and
8e[iteniber may sometimes be seen thus overturned. When
rebuilt and the proper temperature has been arrived at, they
are at once spawned on both sides, after which about 3 iu.
in thickness of mould arc spread over the manure and made
firm by being well beaten with the back of a spade, leaving
the surface smooth and even. The ridges are now left
undisturbed for a few days, and if the inside be not likely
to get too hot a loose covering of litter is ))laced over them,
which is increased in tliicknes-i as the heat subsides. In hard
frosty weather additional litter is applied, and mats are pegged
down on each side of the ridges to guard them from wet.
In this way frost is excluded, and also wet to a great extent,
and the litter is prevented from being blown away by wind.
Watering is seldom found necessary even in the dryest situa-
tions or seasons ; Init when it is done all coverings are removed
and the ridges are gently watered with a ro.sed-pot, the water
being used in a tepid state. When gathering the Muslirooms,
the litter is carefully removed by on i man ; after him come
others with baskets, into which the Jlushrooms are collected ;
and, following the pickers, are other men who rephce the
covering, for it is an important matter not to permit the
ridges to be at any time long exposed.

Market gardeners used formerly to make their own ilush-
room spawn, but now they find it, as a rule, cheaper to buy
it. The cakes into which it is made are broken up into pieces
about the size of a Walnut, and these are inserted in three
rows along each side of the ridges, from 9 in. to 12 in. apart
in tlie rows. The first ridges are made about the middle or
end of .July, the main series about a month later, and some
are often made in October. Dry frosty winters are beneficial
to the Mushroom crop, and dull, damp ones the contrary ; in
very wet seasons even the best of cultivators often lose large
sums of money in consetpience of their crops failing. When
the beds are exhausted, the manure, being thoroughly decayed,
makes excellent material for applying to ground about to be
planted with gross feeding crojis, such as Vegetable JIarrows,
Tomatoes, Lettuces, Celery, French Beans, itc. Jlr. Steel,
of Fulham, an I several other Mushroom growers, however,
instead of removing their ridges, plant them with the earliest
crop of Tomatoes, positions in which they ripen their fruit
much earlier than in open borders, ilr. Ellicjt, to whom I
have elsewhere alluded, is one of the nitist successful ]Mush-
roam growers in the neighbourhood of London ; his ground
lies high and dry, and he seldom loses a crop. In February,
1877, wliich was one of the wors; seasons on record for Mush-
room culture, I saw in hi.s packing shed no fewer than a score
of half-bushel baskets full of beautiful Jlushrooms at one

time. The large ones were being separated from what are
termed " buttons " and placed in baskets by themselves. The
latter fetch the most money, but the former probably jiay the
grower best, inasmuch as it takes fewer of them to fill a
basket. Jlr. Dancer, of Chiswiek, a very successful Mush-
room grower, often produces large quantities in cold frames
during winter ; but in summer Mu.shroom growing in this
way seldom repays the trouble incurred and the valualile space
occupied, ilushrooms are also sometimes grown largely in
Cucumber houses and similar places. When crops of Cucum-
bers are on the decline in summer, the beds are covered with
warm manure and spawned, and from such beds bushels of
good Mushrooms are gathered throughout the winter. The
Cucumbers are allowed to grow at will or die, but are not
pulled up, as the foliage even when dead helps to darken the
liouse, and thus furthers the growth of the Mushrooms. In
Vineries, too, where no Vine roots exist in the inside borders,
IMushroom beds are made, i.e., when sufiicient heat is kept
up in the houses to be favourable to their growth, which
happens, of course, early in the spring. Perhaps this is as
profitable a crop as can be enqiloyed to occupy such spare
spaces, and if private growers, who are often short of a supply
of Mushrooms, were to make up little beds in .succession in
similar positions, they would probably always have plenty.
Growers of ilushrooms always try to get a good crop into
market shortly before Christmas, as they are at that season
in great demand.

Tomatoes. — During the last few years Tomatoes have
risen raiiidly in public favour. At one time there was
comparatively little demand for them, but now acres of plants
are grown where formerly there were only dozens, and
hundreds of bushels of fruit are yearly imported from
America. As an indoor crop, Tomatt)es do not always pay
the grower unless he has plenty of house-room that would
otherwise be unoccupied. American growers can produce fruit
much earlier and at less expense than English cultivators,
who have to pay high rents and high prices for forcing
material ; and for this reason only a few peoi>le near
London attempt the growth of the Tomato as an early indoor
crop on anything like a large scale. Mr. Wells, of Barnet,
grows his Tomatoes in beds of soil that previously had been
occupied by Cucumbers, and even then the soil, he informed
me, was rather richer than he could have wished, for if it
l;ie too light and rich in character Tomatoes make rank
growth at the expense of fruit. The plants which I saw,
however, at Barnet, were loaded with bloom, and [iromised
to bear heavy crops. The variety grown was unnamed, but
seeds of it were obtained from a grower at Sherborne,
who exhibited it at South Kensington some few years ago,
and so well does it answer the purpose that Mr. Wells has
never grown any other. One year he put out a few plants
in a bed of burnt ballast out-of-doors, and although they did
not grow very luxuriantly, and did not ripen their fruit per-
fectly, owing to their being planted late, yet the crop was a
heavy one, and the fruit, whicli was picked green and ripened
on a shelf in one of the houses, fetched in the market in
November about 2s. per dozen. Mr. Bennet, of Rabley, grows
Tomatoes in beds in houses in the same way in which Vines
are grown. Tlie first crop, being brought on early, yields
fruit in April. Tlie plants are obtained from seeds or cut-
tings, planted in the beds in which they are to fruit in
January. They are subjected to plenty of heat and moisture
and receive abundance of water at the roots, and thus
treated they yield heavy crops, which I'ipen in Aiiril and
Jlay, and which are sold in the mai-ket at remunerative prices.
Stopping the shuts frequently and fertilising the blossoms
are important points in Tomato culture both indoors and out,

500

THE GAEDEN.

[June 21, 1879.

inasmuch as both operations not only increase the quantity
of fruit, but also its size and quality.

Outdoor Tomatoes in market gardens are not planted
against walls, as is done in private establishments ; but a
warm situation, convenient to water, is selected for them in
ojien positions, and in such positions they produce abundance
of fine, large, well-coloured fruit. The earliest planted ones
are generally put in the most favourable positions, such as a
warm border, or on eitlier .side of " spent " Mushroom ridges,
wiiere they are well sheltered. If planted too early, they
are liable to be cut down by late spring frosts, in which case
entire removal and replanting is the remedy usually applied ;
if the damage be not too great, however, the sound eyes pro-
duce shoots tliat eventually carry heavy crops. The large
red-fruited sort, wliich mucli resembles the Orangefield, is the
principal kind cultivated in Loudon market gardens ; and
growers for niarket will not bo easily perauaded to exchange
it for any of the novelties that have lately appeared among
Tomatoes. It is an abundant bearer, hardy, and, although
its fruits are not so shapely as those of many other kinds,
they are excellent in quality. Early in spring, the seeds of
this kind are sown broadcast in a frame, in which a bed of
fermenting manure, covered with 6 in. of light soil, has been
placed. These frames are protected during cold weather by
a covering of litter or mats placed over the sashes ; but
during favourable weather this is removed and air is given,
in order to render the young plants as strong, healthy, and
•stubby as possible. If the plants come up too thickly they
are thinned, and when they are about 2 in. high tliey are
jiricked out into 4-iu. or G-in pots, two plants being generally
put into each pot. Frames are sometimes prepared by placing
in them fermenting manure in the form of a bed to a depth
of 15 in., well trodden down, on which are placed 8 in. of
soil, and in such beds pots filled with mould are plunged up
to the brim. The plants are then dibbled into the pots, and
the frames shut up and kept close for a time, until fresh root-
action has taken place. They are afterwards kept freely
ventilated until ilay, wlien the sashes are entirely rejuoved
during the day, and rejilaced and tilted up at night and
in wet weather. During the last week in ^lay and first fort-
night in .June the plants are tlioroughly hardened off, although
still unaljle to endure even a slight fro.st, and they are planted
in warm positions, as before stated, on Mushroom ridges or
similar places. As soon as the fruit has attained its full
size, the leaves are turned aside so as to expose it to the sun,
by which means it ripens more readily, and is of a better
colour than when shaded. The ripe fruits are generally
jjicked off twice a week, leaving the greener ones a little
longer, so as to mature themselves ; but .should frost come,
all fruits are picked off, and spread out on hay in a frame
under sashes, where they eventually become red. The amount
of fruit borne by a patch of Tomatoes in a well-managed
market garden is really wonderful. Good Tomatoes of out-
door growth fetch £1 per bu.shel in Covent Garden, and some
large growers gather as many as eighty bushels per week.
Some idea of the extent to which Tomatoes are grown in the
Fulham Fields may also be gleaned from the fact that some
of the " quarters " hold upwards of 10,000 plants, and that
some growers have several such quarters.

Cucumbers. — Of tliese thousands are sold in the London
markets nearly every week in the year. As an indoor crop
either in winter or summer under favourable circumstances,
Cucumbers rank amongst the most profitable, and as an out-
door crop in warm localities or in temporary frames. Cucum-
bers yield good returns, and there is never too many of tliem,
for what cannot be sold in the market are speedily bought up
by pickle merchants.

Cucumbers in Houses. — One of the most extensive growers
of Cucumbers in houses is a market gardener at Potter's Bar,
who has many houses devoted to their culture, and the cpian-
tities cut every year for market arc almost incredible. In one
year over 25,000 Cucumbers were sent from this place to
London, which represented some ^500. They are principally
grown in low span-roofed houses, with 3-ft. beds on each side,
and in some cases a bed in the centre is devoted to Slelons,
the Cucumber plants at the sides being kept .sufiiciently withiu
bounds not to injure the Melons by their shade. The Cucum-
ber seeds are sown in the autumn, from which strong plants
are obtained to furnish the winter supply; these are planted
in loam and manure, and continue in bearing until spring,
when they are succeeded by others planted out later in the
season. During the summer Cucumbers are uot grown here
to any great extent, as, owing to sucli large quantities of out-
door or frame-grown ones coming from all the market gardens
round London, house room is too valuable to be occupied by
them. Cucumber-growing in market gardens is carried on on
a system very different from that practised in private gardens.
Where market growers spend 20.s. in fuel and other matters
connected with Cucumber growing, a private cultivator, as a
rule, spends 30s., and where the latter cuts one Cucumber from
a plant the former cut six.

One of the best examples of Cucumber-growing with which
I have met, considering the primitive character of the houses
and other means at command, was in Mr. Wells' garden, near
Barnet, a jilace somewhat low-lying and otherwise by no
means favourable for such a crop ; indeed, Mr. Wells informed
me that his out-door fruit trees, of which he has some remark-
ably healthy specimens, have never yielded him any fruit
worthy of mention for many years, and in the spring of 1877
when I visited his place, the blossoms of Apples, Pear-s, Plums,
Strawberries, and other outdoor crops were completely ruined
Ijy frost, while scarcely a mile oft" the blossoms of fruit trees
in other gardens were uninjured. But it is Mr. Wells' indoor
department with which we are now most concerned, and cer-
tainly when we take into consideration the character of the
glass structures as well as their exterior arrangements, the
results obtained from them are truly astonishing. There are
in all about a dozen glass houses, chiefly span roofed, and most
of them are devoted to Cucumbers. These houses are each
about 100 ft. in length, and are sunk to a depth of 3 ft. or
4 ft. A pathway runs through the centre of them, and on
either side are beds about 3 ft. wide in wliich the plants are
grown. In some cases these houses are placed side by side,
and instead of having partition walls the roofs of the houses
adjoining are supported on brick piers built from 5 ft. to 6 ft.
apart, a plan which admits of a free circulation of air, and at
the same time economises heat ; indeed, to free circulation is
no doubt, to a great extent, due the marvellous results ob-
tained, for there is no other apparent cause why Cucumbers
should thrive and bear better here than they do in other
places, but such is the fact. The heating apparatus is by no
means elaborate ; indeed, one would almost imagine there was
too little piping to keep early Cucumbers at a proper tempera-
ture. The only variety grown here is the Piabley, a short-
fruited, prolific kind, which meets with a ready sale in the
market on account of its excellent flavour, and owing to its
being but small the fruit can be sold at a cheaper rate than
if it wore larger, a matter of no small inqjortance in the case
of early Cucumbers, for ilr. AVolls informed me that where
he could grow one good fruit of Telegraph — a variety which
he formerly grew to a large extent, and which he still con-
siders the best variety in cultivation for private establishments
— he can grow two at least of the llabley, and he finds no
difficulty in disposing of them ; whereas, when he grew Tele-

/

June 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

.501

graph lie had often to sell it at an unremuiierativo price. All
Cucumber plants here are raised from seeds saved on tlie place ;
a little house is provided in a sheltered situation for raising
them ; the seeds are sown in small pots plunged in beds of
Cocoa-nut fibre, and when np the plants are potted into 4-in.
pots, out of which they are transferred, when read_y, to the
beds. The first sowing takes place early in December, and
the first house is planted early in January ; five weeks after-
wards the plants are sufficiently advariced to bear a moderate
crop. Soon after this two, or perhaps three, more houses are
planted to succeed the first, and when the plants in the
latter begin to bear fruit those in the first house arc pruned
and allowed a few weeks rest, in order to enable them to
bear large crops when Cucumbers are most in request. The
remaining four houses are planted all at one time, and the
plants in them continue to bear enormous crops until Sep-
tember or October, after wluch time they are done away
with, and the houses are devoted to other purposes. The
earliest houses arc furnished with six rows of 3-in. piping,
one row being placed on each side of the house, and a double
row along the beds on each side of the pathway, the later
houses having simply a flow and return pipe running all
round them. The scil used here for Cucumber growing is
such as is obtained from the garden outside, mixed with a
quantity of half-rotted stable manure, and after it has been
used one year it is returned to the garden whence it came,
and being considerably enriched the whole garden in time
becomes improved. Bottom-heat is never used here even in
the case of early houses. The beds in which the Cucumbers
are planted consist of stiff clay to within 1 ft. of the top of
the wall which surrounls the beds. Aljove the clay is placed
a ridge of soil 8 in. or 9 in. in de[)th, and into this the
plants arc put '2 ft. apart : occasional mulchings of manure are
given when the roots appear on the surface, and abundance
of tepid water is at all times applied to the soil. The plants
are in all cases trained up wire trellises fixed about 1 ft. from
the glas5, the main shoots being led upwards until the points
arc within 1 ft. of the middle rafter directly over the path-
way, when they are stopped, an operation which causes them
to bre.ak strongly at every joint. After this stojjping is
practised regularly in order to ensure as large a :;rop as pos-
sible, each shoot being pinched off at one joint beyond the
fruit. The labour involved in stopping, tying, and regulating
the shoots during the summer when all the houses are in full
bearing, is very great, as all those who know the time which
it takes to keep one small house in order will quite under-
stand, and on an average, from this place alone, 30,000 Cu-
cumbers are cut yearly for market. During the spring the
houses not occupied by Cucumbers are filled with Straw-
berries.

In another garden near London, of no great extant, mar-
vellous results are also obtained in the way of Cucumber
culture. The houses in this case arc furnished with troughs
made of rough boards about 10 in. deep and 3 ft. wide.
Into these troughs soil, consisting of loam, road-grit, and
horse-manure, is placed, leaving plenty of room for top-
dressings. This plan answers perfectly, as slight dressings,
frequently applied, maintain health without over- stimulating.
The point most noticeable is the small modicum of soil
allowed for the plants to grow in. They stand about 2 ft.
apart ; they are grown with straight stems about 1 2 in. or
18 in. long, and are trained on temporary trellises 1 ft.
from the glass, which is evidently not far enough, as both
cold and sunshine alfect them at that distance. The heat is
supplied by means of flues — that is, 9-in. socket pipes put
together with cement do duty as brick-flues. A row of
these pipes is carried under the middle of the troughs. In

excavating the path, the earth at the sides is left ; on the top of
this runs the pipe-flue, almost close to the b<ittom of the troughs
in which the plants grow. This flue is the only source of
heat ; in severe weather straw mats are put on, and are found
to be of great service. The cubical contents of one of these
structures is very little ; and, limited as the surface is, it can
readily be covered up to economise the heat needed inside.
The plants for bearing all spring and summer are put out in
the early part of winter ; the object being to have plenty
when the demand is good. The quantity of fruits produced
in these small houses is something raarvellou.s. They are cut
three times a week, and sui)plied direct to the consumers —
only the rough ones are sent to the market for what they will
bring. The sort which this grower prefers above all others is
Sutton's Perfection. C. W. S.

AMERICAN NOTES.

About a "Wild G-arden.— The idea of the wild garden is-
being taken up well in America jiulging by tlie following : I wislr
I were sure that this could catch the eye and have the attention of
the many who really love flowers Ijut, for one reason or another,
have no garden. Many a country dweller who intends to have a.
flower garden looks upon it as an undertaking that requires are
outlay of time, labour, and money. It is to he in the good time
coming, and in the meantime lie gratifies liis love for flowers Ijy
occasional rambles to see wliat tlie woods, the meadows, and the
coppices alford him. Now suppose that instead of tramping for some
miles for a few wild flowers, tliese could all be found — not only
those, but a great many more — all within the area of a few yards !
'Would he not rejoice at it ? This is just my idea of a wild garden.
A nook somewhere — not alreaily too much crowded with natural
gi'owth, where the roots of trees and shrubs will take all that the
soil has to give — but a good bit of unoccupied ground. Here put all
the native flowers that are desirable, witli a whole host of hardy
plants from other countries. There are few places that do not aff'ord
sucli a s[)ot — no matter if it be at a distance from the house ; this
garden has not to be watered, watched, and tended. But there may
be those who, like myself, prefer to make a wild garden. Our
wooded hill-side is too far oft', though that is more or less planted,
and even the jjasture has a corner penned o(i' for moisture-loving^
plants. There is not much wild about my wihl garden save the
plants. The fence is hidden by a row of closely planted evergreens.
A side is made "wild" by a drapery of Virginia Creeper and
Wistaria, and in this corner is

A Rockwork. — This rockery, of the stones at hand, was made-
with but one object in view — gi'owing plants. It would defy any
geologist to account for its upheaval, especiallj' as it is mainly of
new red sandstone, the worst of .all rocks for the purpose, but all
that we had. Of natural rock scenery there is little, but of cracks
and crevices theve are many. The ground around the rockery for
some distance forms a part of the wild garden. Last autumn we
had a goodly collection of plants from Europe, but I was away when
they were planted, so this spring I had not only the pleasure of
seeing the plants, but of making new discoveries. I have read of
an eccentric literary man, wliose name I have forgotten, who was.
very fond of confectionery ; one of his oddities was to hide sugar-
plums and the like in all sorts of odd places, that he might enjoy
the pleasure of finding them unexpectedly. My first visit this spring-
to the wild garden reminded me of him, in discovering new plants
in unexpected places, and I could understand his satisfaction over
his discoveries of hidden sweets.

Plants for the Wild Garden. — While in almost every
locality there are sulHcient flowers to make a wild garden attractive,
and one is worth having for these only, there are a great many from
other countries tht;t are able to make themselves quite at home, and
become naturalised. Of course tlie wild garden will have a succes-
sion from early spring until the frost puts an end to all bloom, and
this mentioning of those that greeted my first visit is intended only
to show some of the early blooming plants that may be introduced.
At the foot of the rockwork was a sheet of brilliant white, than
which notliing could be more beautiful. Yet it was only the common
Blood-root (Sanguinaria canadensis). Near by, that best of early
spring bulbs, Bulbocodium vernum, earlier than the Crocus, and in
a mass more showy, had nearly gone out of flower. Another
charming early native is tlie Rue Anemone (Thalictrum anemonoides),
delicate in foliage and habit, and bearing an abundance of small white-
flowers which have not the brilliant opaque white of those of the

502

THE GARDEN.

'[June 21, 1879.

Blood -root, but in their way are quite as pleasing. This is one of
the few flowers that sliow a temlency to become double in a wild
state. But speaking of douliles, I know of none of our wild ])Iants
tliat pnxluces such beautiful double Bowers as the Hepaticaor Liver-
leaf (Hepatica triloba). It is common in the woods, at least in all
the Eastern States, iloweriug as soon as the snow is ott'. It is also
a native of Europe, and Europeans have secured a number of
double forms possessing a variety of colours. I have found it wild
varying from nearly a pure wliite to the deepest blue, but never saw
any tendency to doubleness. Tliere are, however, double white,
jjiuk, red, blue, and purple, witli intermediate sliailes, and each one
a gem in itself. I fiml that we have ipiite a collection of native and
foreign species of Erythronium or Dog's-tooth Violet. Oar common
Erytlirouium americanum is welcome, but when it comes to the
(juestion of beauty tlie Europe.-vn E. Dens-canis is far ahead of it.
In beautiful contrast to tliis is the White Dog's-tooth Violet, rare in
the East, but common in the far West, and well wortli having. Those
who like oddities in the way of plants will admire the Asarums or
Wild Gingers. One species, known as Canada Snake Root, is
common in all tlie Northern woods. These, with two Southern
species, another from Oregon, and one from Eurojje, make up a group
which, while not showy, are interesting. When we come to showy
plants in tlie wild girden, we find Aubrietia deltoidea quite a sheet
of delicate purple. In a corner there is tlie Winter Aconite, one of
the earliest of all, and a little later, Adonis vernalis, with flowers of
a brighter yellow, and foliage so dark green and beautifully cut that
it would be worth growing for that alone. Close after Adonis comes
the slender-leaved Pitony (Pa'onia tenuifolia), double and single, so
beautiful with their rich crimson flowers, fine foliage, and withal so
rare. The Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) naturalises well
in the wild garden, and both the dark blue and white kinds seem to
be quite at home. Among other native plants worthy of special
notice are DicentraCucullaria, three-flowered Geum ((ieum triflorum)
from the far West, and more sliowy in fruit than in flower ; the
American Pasque Flower (Anemone patens var. Nuttalliana), its
large flowers making it noticeable. But it would make too long a
list to name everytliing, my object being to commend the wild
garden to every lover of wild plants. Our natives can grow tliere,
and a large number of foreigners may be naturaliseil and made
•wild. It can be made a source of gi'eat pleasure to those
who can have no other garden, while to those who liave the
most formal borders it will be a pleasing change to have a
nook or corner where their favourites can be at home. — "American
Agriculturist."

"Water Melons.— Mr. E. A. Riehl, Alton, 111., tells the "Rural
AVorld " tliat lie has cultivated every Water Melon usually described
in seed catalogues, and discarded all but tlie Ice Cream —
each specimen of wliich he finds of the highest excellence,
unlike other varieties which produce "a few choice ones and
the majority poor."

Roots in "Water Pipes.— Mr. T. S. Gold, of West Cornwall,
in a communication to the " Connecticut Farmer," mentions the
obstruction of water caused by a bunch of hair-like roots about 15 in.
long, all growing from one that had found its way through a little
hole in the g-in. lead pipe, which it completely filled.

The Plough in the Garden.— Mr. W. F. Clarke prints in
his "Western Advertiser" columns a plea for "The Improved
System of Farmers' Gardens" frequently suggested in "Tlie Tri-
bune": "Select a piece of land, unencumbered with trees or even
buslies, affording free scope for tlie plough. Discard beds and sow
everything in long rows far enough apart to ailmit of tillage with the
horse lioe. By adopting this method hard labour is reduced to a
minimum. It will cost liut a little extra trouljle to have sutticieiit
good manure on hand to make the land capalile of growing every-
thing sown in it to sucli a pitch of perfection as to be a constant
source of pride and jileasure." We copy this to give those who
cultivate in the old-fasliioned, laborious, non-effective way
an opportunity to compare tlie obvious advantages of the
])roix>sed improvement over the objectionable garden plan of our
forefathers, wliicli kills weeds only at the cost of persistent hard
work with rake and hoe.

May Bug's.— Mention is m^de in English records of 1747 of the
collection of eighty bushels of the larvie of the May bii,f ou one
Norfolk, farm. Tii3 same pjst is now very destructive in France, it
having bein stated at a sitting of the Paris Central Horticultural
Society that in one instance eighty-seven days of labour were ex-
pended on an acre, each man disabling 5000 of the grubs daily. The
most eft'ectual warfare seems to be to fight the bugs themselves, and
one member spoke of having so successfully employed school chil-
dren to collect them in cans and kill them witli boiling M'ater that
he has not been much malested since.

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

SELAGINELLAS— THEIR USES AND CULTUEE.

All who have glass houses should grow some of the many beautiful
forms of Selaginellas, for not only are they plants of extremely easy
culture, l)ut they delight in situations in which the generality of
plants would only linger and die. A saturated atinosjihere, combined
with jiartial sliade, is what suits them best, and if planted in good
free soil, they attain in such positions a high state of luxuriance,
forming a verdant carpet ever fresh and beautiful, and which even
the dullest days of winter have not the jjower to dim. Selaginellas
exhibit considerable variety of foliage, and a collection of a dozen
varieties of them forms a very attractive feature in any glass struc-
ture. When mixed with fine-foliaged and flowering plants they add
much to the beauty of the arrangement ; in fact, jilant gi-oups can-
not be set off' to advantage without them. Vast quantities of S.
Kraussiana, commonly, but erroneously, called deiiticulata, are grown
by the London florists for tliis purpose alone, and well-furnished
specimens in 4-in. pots command a ready sale in Covent tlarden Mar-
ket. This kind, being of a very hardy, enduring character, is pre-
ferable to .all others for general decoration, but other varieties may
be used in the same manner. I once saw some of the varieties em-
ployed in a very pleasing m.anner. They were grown in large pans,
and were fine masses of healthy, well-developed foliage. As placed,
they constituted an edging to a bank of fine-foliaged and flowering
plants, forming a bright, fresh belt of verdure, the effect of which
was intensified l)y the white stone floor and the bright flowering
lilants in the background. Many kinds of flowering plants, when in
bloom, are so overpoweringly brilliant that they require the associa-
tion of green-leaved plants. I'hey do not in themselves possess verdure
enough to counterbalance the glowing mass of colour which they
display. Tulips and Azaleas, for instance, gain much by being sur-
rounded by a fi-esh, cool carpet of verdure ; in fact, there are few
flowering plants whose charms are not enhanced by this combina-
tion. Many of these Club Mosses will thrive very well in a dwell-
ing housi, and if placed during summer in a shady situation, and
occasionally taken out and well syringed, they will maintain their
beauty for a long time. Some of the kinds may even be placed
during summer in the open air, and if a cool, moist situation be
clioseu for them they appear to enjoy the exposure. S. Kraussiana,
indeed, appears to be quite hardy in some parts of England, and we
shall probalJy find in the course of time that many others are of a
more enduring character than is now supposed to be the case.

Although Selaginellas are easily cultivated, they nevertheless re-
quire in order to have them in perfection a good free soil. Drainage,
too, is an important point, as, owing to the necessity for constant
waterings, unless the superfluous moisture can pass off freely, damping
is almost sure to take place. Any great depth of soil is unnecessary ;
G in. of well prepared compost will suffice to maintain Selaginellas
for years. A good mixture for this purpose consists of leaf-mould,
peat, and river sand in equal proportions. In such a compost any of
the kinds may be relied on to succeed, although some of the strong-
growing varieties enjoy the admixture of a little loam and well-rotted
manure. It is often stated that Selaginellas should be renewed
yearly. This, however, entails more labour than many can well
afford, neither is it indispensable, as if the planting is carefully done,
and the whole of the turf clippei over in early spring, it may be
maintained in good condition for years. When allowed to run into the
second year without clipping, it becomes drawn and weakly at the
bottom, and is tlien apt to die off in large patches ; whereas, if
closely .shorn off a new growth is made, and fresh life and vigour are
infused into it sufficient to carry it on for another season. A few
potsful of this kind should be grown by those who have apartments
to decorate. A dozen good strong well-rooted pieces, dibbled into a
4-in. pot, and placed for a time, until well established, in a close
warm house, to be removed to a cool structure to complete their
growth, will form fine specimens by the winter. Many wlio grow this
variety in pots commit the error of placing the plants close together.
Sucli a practice has the effect of preventing the formation of a mass
of healtliy foliage round the pot, and unless the pots are nearly con-
cealeil the utility of tliis plant is greatly impaired. Each plant
should stand quite free from its neighbour during the growiug se.ason.
Plants thus treateil will be found immeasurably superior to those
which have bjen allowed to intermingle one with each other, and will
be of great service for many purposes.

S. apodv is an extremely neat, dense-habited species, well adapted
for forming a narrow border on the stages of stoves and Orchid houses;
it mvy also be useil with good effect in combination with other plants
sucli as strong, free-growing Ferns. If, when the Fern is shifted, a
few tufts were pricked in round the edge of the pot by the time the
Fern has liejome fairly established and filled the pot with roots, the
Selaginella will have covered the surface soil with a fresh green
carpet. This species is also admirably suited for Wardian case?

June 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

503

and it may be grown to great perfection in an ordinary sitting-room,
if covered with a bell glass. Very pretty and interesting specimens
may be formed by associating it with some of the dwarf species of
Ferns such as Asplenium Trichomanes.

S. helvetica and caulescens may be both utilised in the same way,
as may also mutabilis, a highly interesting species, owing to the fact
of the foliage changing to white towards evening. Those who grow
plants in rooms should certainly include in their collection one or
more of these kinds ; they are always fresh and liright, and are so
easily managed, not reijuiring, if treated as above recommended, any
attention for days together.

S. KrauFslana and helvetica may, if need be, be turned to good
account in the sub-tropical garden. They luxuriate during the sum-
mer months in shade and moisture. When used for carpeting the
soil between Tree Ferns, Palms, and other fine fuliaged plants, they

that metallic hue which constitutes its chief charm. S. africana, atro-
viridis, and erythropus are all fine, distinct, strong-growing kinds,
that M'ill repay liberal, carefid culture. They may be grown into
fine plants in wide shallow pans so drained as to allow of fre-
(juent moistenings. In early spring they should be shaken out and
fresh potted, placing them on a damp bottom, where a certain
amount of filtered light is admitted to them. In Orchid houses and
stoves which have open stages many such positions may be found,
and it would in all cases be better to thus utilise and beautify such
situations than, as is often the ease, to allow them to remain bare
and unsightly. If a body of soil some G in. thick be placed under-
neath the stage, and the Mosses planted out in it, they will flourish
there with but little trouble, and will add much to the general good
appearance of the structure. J. Corniiill.

B lifted.

DavulUa (Microleiiia) lili-ta criatat i.

Nepliruleiiis Duffi.

not only find there the atmospheric condition essential to their well-
being, but they enhance in a consideraljle degree tlie beauty of those
plants with which they may be associated. On rockwork, again, in
winter gardens, where natural effects are aimed at, many of the
Selaginellas may be made to play an important part. Some of the
large-le.aved kinds, and the climbing species c^sia arborea, if
allowed to ramble freely and unrestrictedly, present a very graceful
appearance.

S. ca?sia and its variety arborea are two very distinct and attrac-
tive kinds. The foliage*of both varieties displays tints very uncom-
mon in plants, and the last-named kind is doubly valuable on
account of its climbing habit. Under favouraljlo circumstances it
makes shoots some feet in length, and may be trained up the trunks
of Tree Ferns or the back walls of hothouses, or it may be made to
clothe the supports of the plant stages. It is a free-growing variety,
but requires a warm, humid atmosphere, otherwise it fails to exliibit

Davallia (Microlepia) hirta var. cristata.— This ele-
gant N-ariety of the widely dispersed Davallia hirta was imported by
Mr. 15. 8. Williams from the .South .Sea Islands, where the crested
form appears to lie rather frequent. It is an admirable Fern for
baskets and broad pans, the feathery extremities being exceedingly
light anil graceful. The accompanying figure represents the extremity
only of a frond.

Nephrolepis DufQ. — Probably a crested variety of either
Nephrolepis exaltata or N. cordifolia, both of which have a wide
range of distribution ; but, so long as only sterile fronds are kno^yn,
it is not easy to settle this point, as the most important distinction
between the two s])ecies is in the fructification. This beautiful Fern
was collected by Mr. Duff', of tlie Sydney Botanic Garden, in the
Duke of York's Island, one of the Union group in the South Pacific,
and was imported into this country by Messrs. Veitch, by \\ horn it
has been distributed.

504

THE GARDEX.

[June 21, 1879.

LAW.
Hole v. BRADErRV. — Tliis action was brought for infringement
of the copyright of a liook called "A Little Tour in Irelanil, by an
Oxonian, "with Illustrations by John Leech." The work a\;is the
joint production of the Jlev. Sanuiel Reynolds Hole (now a Canon
of Lincoln) and the late Mr. .John Leech, -iiho were intimate friends,
and wlio in IS.'iS made a holiday tour in Irel.ind, Mr. Hole contri-
buting the writing and Mr. Leech the sketches of the book they
completed on their return, whicli was published by Messrs. Bradbury
& Co. in 18.59. The pulilishing arrangements were made by Mr.
Leech, and he appeared to have verbally made the ordinary pub-
lisher's agreement witli Messrs. Bradbury for half jirofits. No
written agreement was made, but Messrs. Br.adliury's books showed
an allowance of half profits to the authors. The work had been
successful to tlie extent of the sale of 3000 copies. Mr. Leech died
in 1804, leaving his property to his widow, upon wliose death, in
1808, the co-plaintiir. Miss Ada Leech, became her sole next of kin,
and entitled, by the Copyright Act, to stand as the personal repre-
sentative of Mr. Leech. Bradbury & Co. had reprinted the work
without the consent of either of the authors or their representatives,
and the plaintiiTs now contended that the registration of the copy-
right in their name was pninit /tide evidence of their title under the
statute, and asked accordingly for an injunction against the defend-
ants, for |an account of their receipts from the work, and for the
delivery up of Jlr. Leech's drawings and blocks by the defendants,
Mr. Hole being in jjossessiou of the manuscript of tlie book. The
defendants claimed to be themselves entitled to the eopjTight, and
represented that the arrangement with Mr. Leech (who was in tlieir
employ for illustrating "Punch") was th.it he should furnish
sketclies during a trip to Ireland in 1858, the plaintiff, who accom-
panied him as a friend, arranging to write the lettei'press, but tlie
book was to be the property of the finn. It was completed tlie fol-
lowing year on a second visit to Ireland by Mr. Leech, in company
with Mr. Mark Lemon, then editor of "Punch," and then Mr. Leech
agi-eed to sell the book to the defendants' firm on the terms that any
loss was to be sustained by them exclusivelj', but half of any profits
were to be paid to Mr. Leech. Tliat arrangement was ratified and
confirmed as tlie defendants alleged by the plaintiff', Mr. Hole. —
His lordship held tiiat an injunction must be granted as prayed,
restraining the defendants from publishing, and an account of profits
must be rendered by them. They must also deliver up Mr. Leech's
drawings and the blocks, and pay the costs of the action.

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

With such cold wet weather as that which has now prevailed for
many weeks past it is cpiite a relief to ))e alilc to say tliat bedding
out is finished ; growth is quite another matter, yet, though this has
been little, it has been siifKcient to justify a hope that all will pre-
sently come riglit ; but, in tlie meantime, no cultural efl'ort should
be spared to attain perfection in the way of display at the earliest
possible jieriod, for the longest season during which bedding plants
continue in perfection is far too short when the expense and pains
requisite to produce it are taken into account. As soon .as fine
weather sets in stir the siirf.ace soil of the beds, for the rains harden
it to such ail extent that if not moved it soon cracks, and growtli is
checked. A sni.all hoe or hand fork can be used for this purpose,
except in tlie case of carjiet beds, which, being planted thickly, a
hoe cannot be used ; recourse must therefore be had to a sharp-
pointed stick, with which a handy boy will stir up many beds in the
course of a day. With an eye to effectiveness, let all groundwork,
edgings, and divisional lines be kept true to design by frequent .and
regular pincliings or peggings ; if time thus to keep them in order
cannot be afforded, no attempt at geometrical arrangements should
ever be made ; on the contriiry, preference be given to masses of
colour arranged in lines or circles, broken at regular intervals by
means of "dot" plants, in order to oliviate the monotony of fl.at
surfaces. All kinds of bedding plants will be the better for having
their flower-stems picked ofl:' till gi-owth is establislied ; .at all events
none should ever be allowed to seed, « liicli Violas .and Piinsies are
already doing, and if not picked over they will soon give up flowering.
Calceolarias never fail to flower throughout the season if their
flower-stems be pinched off' once after planting, .and the same may be
said of Lobelias, which we clip over with sheep shears. Tall bed-
ding and sub-tropical pl.ants will require support, which it is best to
provide at once, ere injury accrues through storms of wind or r.ain.
.Small twiggy branches make excellent supports for all pl.ants that
do not exceed 2 ft. in height, such as Petunias, Perilla, and Calceo-
laria amplexicaulis ; but all large-growing sub-tropical plants must

have separate st.akes proportion.ate to their height, and the same
lemark applies to Dahli.as and Hollyhocks, the growth of which is
more robust than usual. Standard Roses may also require renewal
in the way of stakes lest their lie.ads get overweighted and break
oft" ; keep them free from suckers, and in showery we.atlier sprinkle
the beds with soot or guano, as where neatness has to be studied,
surface mulchings of rotten manure — tlie best stimulant — .are not
always practicable. Keep dead .and decaying flowers picked off, and
as soon .as any have done flowering, more particularly those of a
str.aggling habit, shorten back the shoots in order to induce a second
bloom. Complete the thinning .and jjlanting out of annuals ; this
has been a favourable season for such work, and if properly done .a
fine autumnal display may be exjiected, it'., if the plants be pro-
tected from slugs, which unfortunately are very numerous. As soon
as pl.anting is finished, tliere should be a general clearing uji of
walks, clipping and trimming of edgings, or any other operation that
ni.ay conduce to neatness. — W. ^V.

Auriculas. — The earliest jiotted plants are now making strong
liealthy growth, and afford a striking contrast to those not potted ;
the latter li.ave also made growth, but the difl'erence between tlie two
is easily recognised, and the leaves are not nearly so richly coloured.
A few of the seel pods sho%v signs of ripening, and as soon as the
seeds are gathered they M'ill be sown, and the pots placed in a li.and-
light or cold frame behind a north wall. A correspondent asks,
"Wli.at am I to do with plants that have finished flowering?" The
answer is, jjot them at once, and place them in a frame behind a north
wall or some similar position. Keep the frame close for a few d.ays,
but not quite close ; tilt the lights at the back an inch or two. In
potting remove nearly all the soil and examine the tap root ; this is
often in a state of decay, but whether it is so or not, it ought to be
shortened. Let the soil be light and nioder.ately rich ; it should be
composed of, say, four parts turfy loam, one of leaf-mould, one of
rotten manure, and some sharp sand. The largest plants may be
potted irf 5-in. pots, and the smaller examples in .3-in. ones. Over-
potting is a great evil. I.potted three plants of a very choice variety
some two months .ago. One was a little larger th.an the others, and
I ventured to pot it into a 4J,-iii. pot ; the otiiei' two were potted
into .3-in. ones ; the result being that the two in small pots are now
the largest and healthiest.

Carnations and Picotees. — These .are now making exceed-
ingly good growth, and the plants are as healthy .as I have ever seen
them. See that the more common kinds in beds and borders are
kept clean ; tliej' are sometimes .attacked by a m.aggot which eats into
the centre bud. This, when perceived, must be destroyed, even if
the bud has to be sacrificed.

Hollyhocks. — Those who have a clean stock of the best-named
varieties of these are fortunate, and should bo careful how they in-
troduce plants from other places amongst them, for the Hollyhock
fungus has extemiiiuated many fine collections. It is of little use
trying to combat this disease in auj' way except by burning thepLants
root and branch.

Gladioli. — These, although they st.arted slowly, are now im-
proving rapiilly, their growth being strong and the foliage deep gi-eon,
a sign that in time we will have healthy, "well-developed spikes of
flower. It is singular how- this jilant degenerates in ourclini.ate ; even
seedlings in tlic course of a few years fall oft' r.apidly as regards con-
stitution, although in quality the individual flowers do not suffer at
.all. Seedlings are easily raised, and flo\v'er strongly the year after
sowing. I usually sow in pots, raising about thirty plants in a 7-in.
pot. These require careful treatment during summer, and when the
leaves die off' the soil is shaken from the roots ; they are then packed
aw.ay, each sort in p.aper, with a very little dry sand amongst the
roots.

Tulips. — The leaves of these are begiuning to assume a yellow
tinge, and in ten days, or .at most a fortnight, v.e will dig them up
and store them aw.ay in a dry place, taking care that none of the
labels get displaced. The old Tulip growers did not use labels, nor
do the princip.al growers now ; they enter each v.ariety separately in
.a' book, bcganning at one end of the bed and working to the other end.
That glass coverings .are an advant.age has been show-ii by the Rev.
F. D. Horner having carried off .all the principal prizes last week at
Manchester, and it is a question whether a light glass structure is
not in the end quite as clieip as the iron fr,amework aud thick cloth
coverings that .are so much used, the wear aud tear of material and
the labour involved, to say nothing about untidiness, being very con-
siderable. AVhat does Mr. Horner say to both systems after having
given them both a tri.al ?

Hardy Cypripediums. — What is tlie best time to pot these
may well be asked. This is an operation which I used to perform in
winter just before the crowns began to move, and I have been very
successful. This year some of them have been repotted in full leaf,

June 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

505

all the soil being removed from the roots first. I thouglit this ivould
not answer, but I have been much plcised to see the jjlants gradually
becoming stronger, and some potted three weeks ago are well esta-
blished. The largest proportion of them take more kindlj- to turfy
loam tlian peat ; the roots do not seem to start into active growth
until the top has gi'own very consiilerably ; and in all my e.xperience
as regards growing Orcliids, I find that tlie best time to repot is just
when the roots begin to grow. — J. Douula.s.

Conservatory.

This structure will now, wlion the spring-flowering, hard-wooded
plants — including Az.aleas and otliers — are over, be dependent for
a display on sunnner lilooming plants aloue. The large-flowered
Pelargoniums, like everything else influenced in their progress
by the more or less sunny character of the weatlier, are this year
more than usually late, and such as in ordin.ary seasons would
bo getting over will at the present time be about their best. The
nature of these plants is sucli, tliat tliey are very impatient of any
excess of water, but, being as they are, if skilfully managed, fur-
nished with a mass of feeding roots that completely permeate tlie
soil, they sliould in dry weather be examined as to their require-
ments in respect to water twice a day, for if ever allowed to get dry
to an extent th.at will cause them to flag even slightly, every
cxp.andcd flower will fall. Tlie bloom of almost any plant .at this
season is of shorter duration tiian earlier or later when the weather
is cooler, and to keep up an effective display, nothing must be left
undone to prolong the bloom to its full extent ; shade the roof
during the daytime as far as may be requisite, and ilo not allow the
atmosi>here to get into that parched condition often met with in
conserwatorics, and wliich, esjiecially when the sun is on the glass, is
alike hurtful to tlie plants, ami renders an inspection of them dis-
agreeable, lu such houses water cannot be thrown about the floor
to moisten the atmosphere in the way in which it can be done in
some structures, as it makes the paths unpleasant to walk upon ;
but a good deal can be done by keeping the borders in which
climbing jilants are grown sufficiently moist, and if the wliole of the
stock, so far as it requires water, be attended to the first thing in
the morning, whatever is spilt about will get dried up early enough,
and the moisture from the newly watered soil in the pots will do
much to correct the drying influence of the sun and air ; for this
reason, and also on account of the plants, should any happen to be
dry through having escaped the eye of the attendant, it is much
better to do the general watering in the morning than to defer it
until evening, though in the case of many plants tliat occupy small
pots, and these very full of roots, in exceptionally hot w'eather it is
necessary to go over them at both ends of the day. Connected with
tliis matter of watering, it may be well to mention as a reminder
th.at if any plant be discovered in the middle of the day that has got
very dry, it ought at once to be removed to a shady position before
water is given, for there is not anything more likely to cause death
th<an the appliciition of water to the roots of a jdant when the soil
lias been allowed to become veiy dry, if standing where it is only
under the partial influence of the sun.

Fuchsias. — The first portion of large Fuchsias will now be in
full bloom, Ijut unless means be taken to keep them going, their
flowering will soon be over. The plants should be gone over twice a
week, in order to remove the seed-pods as soon as the flowers have
fallen, to the formation of wliich some varieties are much more dis-
posed than others, and if allowed to remain on tlie plants they have
a more exh.austing eflcct' than the production .and development of
flowers ; but even with this attention, if the plants be not kept in a
state which eiuables the shoots to keep continually extending, the
blooming is uecessarilj' soon over. Fuchsias like manure-water, but
it is necess.ary to give it them much weaker than to many plants,
otherwise it causes the buds to droji oft' in (juantity before they
expand. Instead of giving it to them periodically somewhat
stronger, I have found it better, after they have begun to bloom, to
use nothing else, but I .alw.ays ajiply it in a very weak state, and
used in this w;iy any offensive odour is reduced to a minimum.
Referring to m.anure-w.ater, I have never been afile yet to discover
the utility of being particular as to the material employed, such as
sheep droppings and the like, finding that made from horse m.anure
and gu.ano no way inferior, but in all cases I add some soot to it,
which goes far to destroy any disagieeable smell, clarifies the liquid,
.and is objectionable to insects of every description. To keep down
red spider on Fuchsias, as well as on other plants on which it will
live, .advantage should be taken of tlie early morning, or any other
occasion when it is known that the structure will not be requireil for
promenading, to apply the syringe freely ; not a mere sprinkling,
such as that given by a thoughtless operator, but a thorough wet-
ting of the under surface of the leaves, where these minute pests as
well as thrips are taught by instinct to lodge. With a like object in
view, the garden engine should from time to time be l>rought into
requisition, in order to reach the roof climbers thoroughly, bearing

in mind that one good washing is much more effectual than a dozen
de\Yings. This is especially the case with Roses gi-own in such
positions.

Lilies.— Where a good stock of such kinds as L. eximium and
L. auratuni that naturally bloom the earliest exist, they will be
found very useful for many purposes, p.articularly the former, which
f, omits le.ss powerful odour ni.ay be used in larger numbers than
the Latter kinds.

Palms.— In addition to the v<arieties of Palms that succeed alto-
getlier in a greenliouse temperature, there are many that through the
winter need a cool stove or intermediate house-warmth, which will
for the next three montlis bear conservatory or greenhouse treat-
ment ; these, combined with Cycads, Enceijhalartos, Beaucarneas,
Zamias, Dasylirions, Agaves, .and Yuccas, the largest used iis a back-
ground, tlie smaller and more feathery forms, intermixed with such
blooming plants as ni<ay be av.ailable, will produce a good eflect,
although not so floriferous as earlier in the season.

Greenhouse.

Hard--wooded Plants.— There would .appear to be a genenal
disappearance of many of these beautiful and distinct jilants from
gi-eeiihouses and conservatories. For tliis the reason often assigned is
the formal look wliich they have when tr.ained, as seeu on exiiibitiou
stages ; but it shouhl be remembered that when w'anted for this
purpose this is a necessity, and that when the same kinds of plants
are only required for home decoration, such training is unne-
cessary. It is certainly necessary to keep in view the general
habit of the plants, and when cultivated in pots in their early stages
the principal shoots should be stopped sufficiently often, and the
strongest branches tied out in a partially horizont.al position towards
the rim of tlie pot ; this it is necessary to do, in order to prevent
their getting bare and n,aked of foliage at the base as they get larger,
and to counteract the disposition which these, in common with most
other plants, liave to spire up thinly when grown under glass. Were
the numerous family of hard- wooded plants known in cultivation intro-
duced in sufficient numbers to greenhouses and conservatories through
the spring, .and esjieci.all}' thesummerand .autumn months, for .association
with thecompar.ativelyfew-tloweringsubjccts that now find f.avourw-ith
cultivators, these structures would not have the appearance that they
now too often present, containing as they do little lieyond the usual
Jilants grown for effective leafage, intermixed with zonal Pelargo-
niums, Fuchsias, .and the few other blooming plants that go to make
up the general display. Amongst the plants that I would suggest
for use in this w.ay I should not recommend ni.any of those concern-
ing which there is more than ordinary difficulty as regards culture,
either from inability to gro«' freely or a disposition to die off suddenly,
particularly by those who have not had much experience in their
growth.

The general stock tliat has been potted, as recommended through
the sjiring, owing to the absence of sun and the consequent less
necessity for the admission of a Large amount of external air, will
have had a more than usually f.avourable opportunity for the roots
taking to the new soil ; let them be placed where they will be fully
exposed on all sides to light during the time when growth is lieing
made, for both wood and foliage will be comparatively weak and
soft. It is well to remember that the gi-owing season this year,
through the absence of genial spring w'eather, w'hicli, to a great
extent, has an influence upon plants cnltiv.ated under glass, will be
comparatively short, .allowing much less tliaii ordinary time for
development and m.aturity : and it will be much better to )ie s.atisfied
with a less summer's growth than to attempt by any over-excitement
to make up for the later condition plants of .all descriptions are in
this season. This is especLally the case with such hard-wooded
species as naturally flower late in the spring or summer, and that
do not make growth till after the blooming is over, which is quite a
month later than usu.al. Summer-blooming Heaths particularly will
be influenced in this way, and many of these will have not more
than completed half their usual growth before the time comes for
placing them out-of-doors. Concerning the yoUow-flowcrcd E. Ca-
veudishi, one of the freest growers .and most vigorous constitutioned
of all Heaths, it is not generally known that it succeeds well with a
little extra warmth whilst making its gi'owth for some six weeks
after blooming, treatment that would be fatal to the health of most
Heaths ; but if the flowers, immediately on their fading, be picked
off, .and the plants placed amongst growing Azaleas, where extra
warmth is kejit up by early closing the house and syringing the
plants freely at the s.ame time, as is the custom in the case of
Azaleas, this Heath may be induced to make sufficient growth, and
still have time for fully ripening the wood in a way that will induce
it to flower satisfactorily every year, a result not attain.able more
tliaii each alternate season under the ordinary system of manage-
ment.

)0a

THE GARDEN.

[June 21, 1879.

Cutting Back Heaths.— Tlie freer growing kinds of Heaths,
snch as tlie plant just iiotioed, E. atiinis, E. ferruginea, E. Hart-
nclli, IC. propemlens, most of the ventricosas, ami others of similar
habit, when they have been allowed to get too tall will bear shorten-
ing to one-third or one-Iialf tlvAr size ; and if the roots are
abundant and in good condition, tliey will grow away freely after-
wards, .and by this means the lower jiortion of tlie plant will
gi'adually become furnished with young shoots ; but, as a m.atter
of course, pLants so treated must be kept in pits or houses for some
time afterwards, ami there should be no attempt to disturlj their
roots by jjotting however much they may be in want of this until
autumn ; all the freer-growing description will not only bear, but be
considerably assisted by the use of weak clear manure water during
the time they are making gi-owth. I mention this, as I often find
there is an impression that He.aths will not st.and any liquid stimu-
lant, which is a mistake ; yet it may be necessary to caution the
inexperienced tliat these, in common with all slow-growing suljjects,
will not bear its use in anything near so strong a state as grosser,
<{uicker-growing plants, and it never should be given them, except-
ing after they have commenced shoot growth and during the time
of its extension.

Chrysanthemums. — The time of putting these plants into
tlie pots they will liloom in will, as a m.atter of course, be regulated
liy the time at which they were struck ; sucli as grown from cuttings
put in about the close of the year, and which will produce a greater
profusion of fully-developed dowers th.an tlie later struck ones, will,
as already advised, be ere this in their blooming pots, and all the
later propiig.atcd ones should at once have their last shift, for if kept
confined in little pots too long the certain consequence is the loss of
the lower leaves and a hardened condition of the shoots, both of
which it is not possible afterwards to set to rights. Leaf mould as
a mixture with the soil is sometimes recommended for Chrysanthe-
mums, but I have alw.ays found thorn wdien this has been employed
have a greater disposition to make shoot gi'owth than to flower freely.
Good turfy loam, flitli a moderate addition of sifted rotten manure
and sufficient sand, will grow them well, potting more firmly than
they are sometimes treated to. As soon as they li.ave got fairly
hold of the soil sto[i the shoots so far as necessary, but not more, as this
pinching is frequently carried much too far and resorted to too late,
in which case it interferes with the blooming. — T. B.iixE.s.

Hardy Fruit.

Any trees that are fruiting freely and which, on account of otlicrs
being tliin of fruit, must carry a heavy crop, shouhl have assistance
either in the way of manure water or, what would be better, con-
sidering this wet season, rich surface mulcliings, or an occasional
sprinkling of guano. From long oliservation, I have come to regard
the application of such stimulants as doubly valu.able wlien applied
early in the season. As soon as the fruit h.as formed and is starting
to swell is when they are most eft'ective ; after that period they are
comparatively valueless — at all events as far as the present season's
fruit is concerned. Judging by recent accounts. Pears generally are
likely to be thin ; though tlie bloom w.as profuse and apparently
set well, the greater part has since fallen, owing to the long con-
tinued dull wet weather. At this place Pears on walls are bearing
a full croj), and there is a fair crop on standards, though many wliich
were most promising a few weeks ago are now very thin, "indeed,
and the prolific trees will have to make up for the loss, aided as has just
been indicated. The remarks lately made as to the extermination of
apliides are still necessary, (.'herries being more virulently attacked
than I have known them to be for some years. Pears and Plums on walls
now need to have all the breastwood cut back to within two, or at
most three, joints of the old wood ; but previously select all new
growths that are to be laid in as permanjnt branches, and tie, nail,
or fasten them back temporarily with small sticks ; then remove all
the strongest-growing shoots from every part of the tree, and com-
plete the opei-ation at an interval of a week, thus avoiding the
check tliat must necessarily ensue were all cut oft" at once.
Finish thinning out any clusters of fruit requiring it, and let
all wall trees be washed with clear water to dislodge the
fallen blossoms and cobwebs. The common spider is on too
friendly terms with his relative the red spider to be allowed
undisturbed possession of warm dry corners. What I mean is, that
an attack of red spider is sometimes superinduced by the presence of
ordinary cobwebs, which I have seen covered with red spider ; there-
fore no quarter should be given to either of these pests. .Strawberries
are likely to be a heavy crop, .and no time should be lost in keeping
the fruit oft' the soil by a tliin layer of straw ; tliis we never require
to do, our practice being to give a thick mulching of fresh stable
litter early in May, and this by the time the fruit needs protection is
washed clean by the rains. All \-arieties have grown so vigorously
that small twigs to support the clusters of fruit will be almost a
necessity, and certainly of immense service against the ravages of

slugs, which are very numerous, notwithstanding the late severe
winter. Unless tlie predicted hot weather comes very soon. Vines in
the open air will proljably be a failure ; for they are even now barely
ready for stopping or pinching out the points in front of the "shows" ;
still, the same care should be exercised in their culture as if fruit
jirospects were ever so cheering. Disbud, stop, and train in new
gi-owth where such is required, as in the case of indoor Vines young
canes proilnce the finest fruit, and provision should be made for the
renewal of old ones, by occasionally training in new shoots to take
their place at the winter pruning. The season will also be a short
one for Figs, ami tlie fruit ^^•ill require all the aid that can be aS'orded
in order to enal.de it to mature, such as exposure to full light and
sunshine, by tying aside the leaves, and stojiping all growths at the third
or fourth joint, except those that are required to cover the wall.
Such constant stopiping not only represses growth and induces fruit-
fulness, but aids materially the swelling of the fruit. Loosen or
untie altogether as may be reipiisite the ligatures of grafts ; as a
rule, it will be safe to dispense with ties altogether, and the only
attention now requisite will be to keeji the stock free from shoots and
suckers ; these latter should be persistently removed from all fruit
trees ; this season tliey are more than usually numerous, owing no
doubt to the excessive rainfall. — W, W.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

STREET TREES.

The very nnpropitious weatlicr experienced during the first five
months of the jiresent ye.ar, couiilcd ^vith the extreme backwardness
of the season, has not been all that could be desired for the well-
being of newly planted trees in streets, and unless a favourable
change follows, the wood now lieing made will not be sufficiently
matured to witlistand the influence of a severe and lengthened
winter should such occur. I do not say the trees will die, but they
will be less vigorous than under more genial circumstances. Of all
woi'ks connected with the beautifying of towns, so far as tlie horti-
culturist is concerned, none requires more care and tact than street
planting, in order that the result may be successful. The materials
with wliich roadways are usu.ally made being not only of bad quality
for the purpose of planting, but often positively destructive to vege-
tation, it is perfectly useless in such cases to look for that healthy
and vigorous growtli so essential in street trees, unless they are
planted in soil both suitable as regards (juality and quantity. With
regard to the selection of trees for towns, very little ditt'erence of
opinion exists among those whose practical and lengthened expe-
rience render them most competent to give an opinion. The Plane
is the kind gener.ally planted, and very justly too, as few trees can
bear comparison with it for beauty, vigour, durability, and smoke-
resisting properties ; it is, in fact, without doubt par exnlleiice
specially adapted for town planting. The Horse Chestnut planted
alternately with Planes in some districts is, in my opinion, a great
mistake. Why is it tliat we do not oftener see Pojilars planted ?
there are many varieties of them, and most of them jiossess the
characteristics 'H-hich are necessary in a town tree. The Black
Italian, for instance, produces dense foliage not lialJe to become
prematurely aS'ooted by heat and dust, as is the case with Limes,
Chestnuts, &,c. ; it is handsome in outline, and unsurpassed for
vigorous growth. I am confident that for jdanting alternately with
Planes no trees are more suitable, and planted alone as avenues, it
would give greater s.atisfaction than many trees which are used for
that purpose.

One evident source of failure in planting street trees is, in my
opinion, the pent-up condition of the roots. In the majority of
cases those who plant seem to think that it is sufficient to cut a,
small circular hole in the pavement just large enough to admit;
tlie roots to pass and to fix the guard. This is a great mistake,
ultimately resulting in injury to the trees or killing them outright.
JIany large and well-established trees could be pointed ont which
have died in consequence of having the paving brought up close to
their stems. The roots should have ample breathing-room, for
which purpose the surface of the soil slionld be covered by gratings
or encircled by tree guards ; this not only allows of sufficient water
being given when necessary, but also prevents the accumulation of
deleterious gases beneath the pavement in dangerous proximity to
the roots, and aft'ords facilities for keeping the surface-soil in an open
and healthy condition. New ly-planted trees should, in my opinion,
be firmlj' staked to prevent tile roots from being loosened in the soil ;
this is generally most carelessly done ; in many instances no supports
are placed to the trees, in others simply a collar is fixed to prevent
injury by rulibing against the guards. As a consetiuence, some
trees will be found to lean in the direction of the roadway,
others towards tiie houses — efl'ectually destroying the most desirable

Jtjne 21, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

507

results aimed at in planting avenues, namely, symmetry and regu-
larity.

These matters though simple are so important, that no one planting
street trees should neglect them. They add but little to the
oost whilst the advantage gained is very great. Certainly it is far
better to have twenty good trees tliau a liundred miseraljle ones.
Let anyone examine tlie trees upon the Victoria Embankment, where
the foregoing conditions have been rigidly observed, and ask himself
whether the work has not lieen well repaiil. There is no valid
reason why success in other districts should not be achieved pro-
vided the same means are adopteil. Fortunately tlie majority of
tlie trees in this truly nolde avenue are now able to s\ippoit them-
selves without artificial aid, and it lias tlierefore Ijeen wisely resolved
not to subject them to the severe pruning rendered necessary during
the past few years. The appearance of the trees as a consecjuence
is mucli improved, and they now l)id fair to assume those natux-al
proportions so much admired in well-grown Planes.

Soiilhwark Park. C'harle.s Dennis.

FERTILISATION OF THE ARAUCARIA.

In the "Revue Horticole" for 1S78 (p. 4-t.S) an account was given of
the experiments made by M. Hauguel on the fertilisation of certain
specimens of tlie Araucaria iinbricata in the department of the

ilalc catkins of the Araucaii:i hnbricata (one-iiuurter of their iiatmal size).

Seine-Infcrieure, wliich gives ample information as to the time wliich
is necessary for tlie seeds of tliese trees to become perfectly ripe,
starting from the day of fertilisation. It was then stated that in the
case of Araucaria imliricata tlie period was three months. All the
treatises which speak of this species state, with regard to its fruit,
that its maturation is biennial. These two statements, which
,are apparently at variance with each other, apply equally to most of
the genera of the Conifers, if not to all of them. The difference
between them has struck several of our readers, some of wliom
having written to us on the subject, we only think it riglit to give a
few explanations on the matter. These explanations are all the more
necessary, seeing that there is an important point connected with the
(juestion which has hitherto been too much neglected from a prac-
tical point of view. The diilerence in these st^tements simply arises
from confounding together two very different things, that is to say,
tlie fecundation of the fiuit with the duration of its persistence on
the tree. In any case, it is totally illogical to say annual or bien-
nial maturity, because some of the cones do not remain on the tree
even for a year, while others hang on their n.xtive twigs for four,
eight, fifteen years, and even more. Thus, while the fruit of the
Yew, the C'ephalotaxus, and the Abies, fall as soon as they come to
maturity, and those of the Tsuga, the Biota, and the Cedar fall at an
interval of from fifteen months to three years, there are others which
resist the tendency to fall almost for ,an indefinite period, such as the
Cypress and the Freuela. We also find a great difference in the

members of the same genua ; for instance, amongst the Pines, while
all those belonging to the Strobus section open in the autumn, or
e\'en at the end of the summer of the second year, it is not a rare
occurrence amongst those lielonging to the Pinaster and the Pseudo-
strobus section to see their ligneous cones remaining on the
tree for an indefinite period. From these facts it results that the
epithets " annual and biennial maturity " are misnomers, generally
speaking, and can only be applied in a very few cases. If, instead of
taking into account the duration of fruit on the tree, we confine
ourselves to taking account of the time which elapses betAveen the
fecundation and the ripening of the seed, we shall find ourselves
almost inclined to think that the whole of these species are annual.
AVhat has hitherto deceived most observers is that there are many
species in which the cones do not reach the adult stage until long
after they have made their appearance on the tree ; there is, how ever,
an easy method of determining the arrival of this period by watch-
ing for the dissemination of the pollen. As shown in the figure, the
male catkins of the Araucaria imbricata make their appearance early in
the sjiring ; the pollen, which is very abundant, escapingin the month
of June, at the period when the cones, which by that time have
gained a considerable size, open their scales and expose the ovules,
which thus become impregnated with pollen. From this epoch, three
months are sufficient for the seed to become ripe and fit for repro-
duction. Amongst purely annual plants we may mention those of
the Abies, the Yew, and the (iiukgos. E. A. C.^ukiebe.

RHODODENDRONS.

ALTiiouriii the wet, sunless weather which we have had up to the
middle of .lune has been anything but favourable for most plants,
Khododendrons have Vienefited greatly by it, the cool, moist state of
the atmosphere admitting of a gradual swelling of the buds, which
have now opened most satisfactorilj'. Seeing that Rhododendrons
will grow nearly as freely as Laurels, and that they are even hardier,
the wonder is that they are not planted to a greater extent than they
are, for besides the magnificent trusses of bloom which they bear,
they are efpial to any evergreen as a blind, or for oi-namental pur-
poses in pleasure grounds, where, if judiciously gi'oujied and backed
up w ith Hollies, so as to ward off strong winds when in flower, they
may be made to form quite a feature. I know that many entertain a
notion that Rhododendrons will not succeed without peat, but that
is a mistake, for there are some soils in which they do quite as well
or even better than in peat, provided they can get moisture enough.
A friable loam containing a good deal of sharp grit suits them admir-
ably if it is fresh and has not been under cultivation, and if they
can have this and a moderate amount of shade they M'ill flourish any-
wdiere, except in places where there is calcareous matter. This they
dislike, and therefore where chalk abounils it is useless attemjiting
their cultivation, unless special preparations arc made liefore plant-
ing by excavating large holes, and filling them with soil more con-
genial to them. As their roots do nut spread much, they only
require a moderate dejith in which to grow, but a mistake into which
many fall in filling beds is h.aving them too high, thereby thinking
to produce an immediate effect, instead of which the plants, under
such cireumstances, are incapable of making any jirogress and dwindle
away and die. Rather than have the surface above the general level
it should be below it, as then they get the benefit of what rain falls,
\\ Iiereas where the beds are elevated it is mostly lost from draining
off' to the sides, where it soaks in out of their reach. Some few years
ago a collection of Rhododendrons was nearly killed through having
been planted in tliis manner, but after being lowered the plants quite
recovered, and are now as healthy and floriferous as it is jjossible for
Rhododendrons to be. The soil in M'liich these are gi'owing looked
more like gravel than anything else, so full is it of small stones and
sand ; and yet in this where many would hardly expect a Laurel to
succeed Rhododendrons are found to luxuriate. True, they do not
make quite so much wood as they often do in peat, but that is an
advantage, except in cases where it is desired to get them to a large
size quickly, as they gi'ow more compact and always set a gi-eat
quantity of buds.

Parings ami trimmings from roadsides answer capitally for Rho-
dodendrons, and if to this is added about half its bulk of thoroughly
decomposed leaf-mould, no mixture or soil that can be got will suit
them better. \Miore only single pl.ints are wanted, it is a good plan
to dig holes that will each hold about a couple of barrOMloads of this
material, to which, unless the surrounding ground be congenial, the
roots will confine themselves and form a compact ball that after a
time may be lifted entire. I once had some seedlings planted out
in a quarter of the garden in narrow trenches which had been pre-
pared for them ; these plants could be pulled up holding together in
one long string, and they had to be chopped through in order to
separate them — a fact which shows how much they confine them-
selves to any particular soil %vhicli tlicy like, and how they avoid any

;os

THE GAEDEX.

[June 21, 1879.

that has been long under cnltivation. What there is in this they
object to I know not, but certain it is they arc never found to thrive
in it, and yet tliey are fond of manure when used as a mulching, in
which way it answers tlie doul jle purpose of acting as a stimulant and
keeping the ground shaded and tlie roots cool and moist. Tins is
lialf tlie battle in-growing Rhododendrons, for if they suffer at this
time of year from want of water, the young shoots are cliccked in
their progi'ess and become so stunted as to be nnable to set their
flower-buds. Although Rhododendrons are naturally moisture-loving
subjects, a wet, stagnant condition of the soil soon throws them out
of liealtli, yet they are just at home by the sides of running streams
or in positions where water can drain freely away from them. As an
under shrub in game coverts, the common R. ponticum is unsur-
passed, as neither rabbits nor hares will touch it, however short of
food they may be, and, being of a spreading habit, it just suits
pheasants to hide under. Fallen leaves in a state of decay that
always abound in woods make the surface-soil ex.actly suited to the
wants of Rhododendrons, and R. ponticum being less particular than
clioicer varieties may be planted with certainty of success even
without such vegetable deposits. S. D.

N0TE3 a QUE.3TI01TS ON TEEES, SHRUBS, aWOODLAlTDS.

Laurels in Kensington Gardens. — We notice with
pleasure that a great number of Laurels liave liccn cleared away
from under the group of varied Ash trees in Kensington (iardens.
A fa-eat deal of harm is often done in such cases by useless and
monotonous underwood, which crowds and robs the trees that
one really wants to develop, and is in itself, especially in a public
park, of no use whatever. Kensington Gardens should always be
as they are now — the home of fine trees, and everything which inter-
feres with their freedom and health should l>e removed.

Some New, or Little-known Willows.— Dr. Carl BoUe
(" lierliner Monatsschrift '') directs attention to the merits of Salix
nraleusis, 8. rosmarinifolia, and S. rigida pendula. The last he states
is a noble and handsome novelty, and a valuable addition to our
choice of Weeping Willows. It was accidentally discovered amongst
a number of cuttings of typical S. rigida, creeijing along on the
ground instead of growing erect, and the happy finder, Mr. Joseph
Wrede, lost no time in grafting it on stems of Salix pyramidalis.
This happened four or five years ago, and the results have exceeded
expectations, the new Weeping Willow being only of moderately
strong growth, and therefore suitable for small gardens. S. ros-
marinifolia is of course better known ; but, as Mr. Bolle observes, it
is much rarer than it ought to be. It certainly is one of the hand-
somest, if not the handsomest, species of a genus rich in beautiful
forms. Its proper name is S. incana. 8. uralensis is described as a
very useful Willow on account of the pliability and toughness of its
slender branches, which are suitable for the finest basket-work.
Professor Koch refers to this in his " Dendrologie " as a variety of
,S. helix. — "Gardeners' Chronicle."

Rabbit-proof Trees. — I was much surprised to see the
Laburnum mentioned by " M. C. D." (p. 416) as a tree that was
rabbit-pi'oot or nearly so. In a well-known botanical work it is
stated that hares and rabbits are so " extremely fond of the Labur-
num bark, that they will eat no other tree so long as they can get a
supply of it." I would not say that they will leave everything else
for it, but my experience is that they are extremely fond of the
Laburnum, and I believe it is sometimes planted or sown extensively
in woods for the very purpose of diverting rabbits from otlier trees.
I think they are, next to the Laburnum, fondest of Hollies, young
plantations of wliieh they destroy wholesale. On one estate, where
a nurseryman had planted the different varieties of Hollies upon an
extensive scale on the ornamental "massing system," the rabbits
which swariired in the park had not been reckoned upon, and in one
year they nearly ruined every jilant. Cupressns Lawsoniana is
eaten up by them here during liard winters as far as they can reach.
—J. S. W.

The Late Dr. Moore. — AVe omitted last week to mention
that a portrait of Dr. Moore was given in The G.^rden (Vol. XIII. ).
The following concerning him is taken from the "Irish Farmer's
(iazette " : " On the present occasion we have neither the spirits nor
the inclination to allude to Dr. Jloore's long and useful public
career. Sorrow for loss of a long known and greatly valued friend,
and sincerest sympathy for his family in their sore bereavement, for-
bid .any effort in that direction. We cannot, however, conclude
without expressing a hope that the heads of the Department of
•Science and Art may see their way to selecting as his successor his
eldest son, Mr. F. Moore, the present Curator of our University
Botanic Garden. The appointment would be a popular one."

The Late H. Noel Humphreys.— In "The Times" of
Saturday we briefly recorded tlie decease of a distinguished naturalist
and archa'ologist, Mr. Henry Noel Humphreys, which occurred at the
close of last week at his residence in AVestbourne Square, Hyde
Park. A son of the late Mr. James Huniijhreys, of Birmingliam, he
was born in the Miilland metropolis in 1809 or the following year,
and received his early education at King Edward's School, Birming-
ham. Having spent some time in artistic stucfics in Italy, he
published his first work, consisting of illustrations of Mr. W. B.
Cooke's scenery of Rome and its neiglibourliood. His next work,
which bears date IStO, entitled "British Butterflies and their
Transformations," he published in partnership with Jlr. .J. 0. West-
wood. This was followed by a similar work on " British Moths,"
three years subsequentlj'. Among his most important works of an
archaeological character between this date and LS.jG may bo specified
"Illustrations of Froissart's Chronicles," "The Par.ables of Our
Lord Illustrated," "The Coins of Kngland," "Ancient Coins and
Medals,'' "The Illuminated Books of the Mediaeval Period," the
"Coin Collector's Manual," the "Coinage of the British Empire,"
"Stories by an Arcluiiologist," and especially his mm/na ope)-a, so to
speak, " Tiie Art of Illumination," and " The History of the Art of
Writing from the Hieroglyphic Period down to the Introduction of
Alphabets." Mr. Humphreys has contri'outed to lighte« literature at
all events one dramatic novelette, called " Goethe ill Str.asbourg,"
and he was a frequent contributor to the "Gentleman's JIagazine,"
and to "Once a Week " in its palmy days, on sulijects connected
with his zoological and antiquarian researches. — " Times," June 10.

ANSWERS TO OORRESPONDENTS.

Culture of the Azorean Forget-me-not.— I should ba glal to know
what is th^ projiLT trfalniciit of ^.^Iyos)tis azoricu so as to imliice it to flowtT
freely. Some plants whicii wlto sown in July last are still without llowers. Is
it a biennial or itifreimial ?-A. B. [This sp^'oiLs is a perennial, thou;,'h duriii}:;
severe wiiiteis it is frequently destroyed when unprotected out-of-doars. Tt suc-
ceeds Iiest in rather shaded situations, and fleli:j;hts in a moist ricli soil, where it
flowers freely and continuously throu2:hout the summer, and if the plants in
question are treated thu-s, no doubt they will thrive. If gro^vn in a dry border it
is subject to attacks of mildew, which prevents it from flowering, and ultimately
kills it.— W. G.]

Tall Peas.— I sowed ^VIleeIe^■s First Early Peas in pots the first week in
January, and planted them out iu the end of February on a west wall border, and
at the present time they are 7 ft. high and one mass of bloom. They look, too,
as if they were capable of growing another 2 ft. or 3 ft. Nothing was dug in the
ground except a small quantity of rotten stable manure, hut the soil largely con-
sists of town sweepings, Wheeler's First Early is reported to grow -21 ft — R. G.
[Peas everywhere have grown unusually tall this year, so much so iu liiany places
as to need topping.]

Pear Tree Insects.—/). 5. —Not red spider, which belongs to the mite
family, but a scale blight or coccus, In that state where the dead bodies of the
females are covering a multitude of eggs, some of which are just hatching. Let
the scale be destroyed as soon as possible by washing the branches with a strong
mixture of soft soap and soot.— W. W. S.

Black Spot on Pears.— I am very much troubled with a little black spot
on my Tears ; the s'lrt has very little to do with it. By-and-by, as the fruits
enlur.re, so do the spots, and then cracks come on the surface r^nd decay begins.
Is it a fungus, and will sulphur stop it ? What is the cause of it ?— JuiiN JiARTEN,
ChiUiani- [The black spot on tlie Pears sent is due to the presence of a dusky
fungus named Cladospurium dendriticum (commonly quoted as Helminthospo-
rium i)yrorum). The cracks on the fruit as mentioned are said to be caused by
the presence uf the fungus. We know no cure.]

Seedling' Aquilegia.— F. M. J?.— The specimen sent is certainly handsome
and the colours distinct, Imt it too nearly resembles the hybrids that are raised
between A. ca'rulea and A. chrysantha, and which are now becoming common in
collections to lie suitable for the purpose you suggest.

Rhododendron Hardyanum.— In reference to my question (p. 4S8) I
may state that I have Iiotli R. Uardyanum and Blandyanum. The flower of
Hardyanum is nearly the same as that of R. Blandyanum, but a shade lighter
criniS'm. The leaf of Blandyanum is smaller and very distinct.— W. A. SMITH,
Bromjhton Dank. Manchester.

Names of Plants— ir. vl. S.—l, Coceoloba pteroclada ; 2, plants cannot
be named witli certainty from leaves only. C. J/.— I'aulownia imperialis. T. P.
—Apparently Medici^jo maculata ; send Orchids when in flower. C.^Chrysan-
themum frutescens. St. L. /»'. — Somel'biladelphus. ^f. C. — Apparently Mag-
nolia Lennei. C. E. 0.— Odontoglossum maculatum. C J. //.— Staphylea pimiata.
//.— ile pilus grandiflora, J. McD.—r>, Exuchorda graudiflora ; 0, Centaurea
montana ; 7. Hieracium aurautiacum ; others next week. G. T.—l, Saxifraga
hyimnides var. ; 2, Sedum albescens; 3, S. reflexum; 4, S. Selskianum. Cotta<jer.
— Philadelphus coronarius.

Diseased Grapes —There is no cankerous growth in the Grapes sent ; the
cuticle is somewhat cracked and discoloured, but beyond that we do not tliiuk
the berries are atfected.

Questions.

Tuberoses —Kindly give me a little advice about these. I procured my
buUis in Scittcnibcr ; since then they have been standing iu a temperature of
75' (my Vinery), planted three iu a pot. They do not seem to thrive, aud are
much iufesteu with green fly. What am I to do ?— M. J. F.

Conservatory Beds.— I am building a conservatory 5.t ft. long and 30 ft.
wide with an entrance porch l.'i ft. square. I have three Camellias to plant in it,
each I'i ft. high and 10 ft. in diameter ; I dislike the plan of a square bed in
centre for them. Would some of your cnrrc=pondents kindly give advice as to
the internal arrangement of the space, with ideas of how it may be broken up
into beds for flowers or Ferns ?—Bal bath Bl'RRY.

June 21, :1879.]

THE GARDEN

509

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY.
June 18.

The second summer exhibition of the season of this society was heU
on Tuesday last, wlien thei'c was an excellent display of flowers and
finiit. The classes were well filled, and tlie exhibits showed a marked
advance on tliose at the previous meeting. The leading features
were the groups of miscellaneous plants contributed from the leading
nurseries, the majority of whicli contained an unusual number of
new or rare plants of exceptional interest. The bank of Orchids
was filled to overflowing with a magnificent array of admirably grown
plants. The central position or post of honour was occupied by a
group from .Sir Trevor Lawrence's collection, and comprised speci-
mens of a .size rarely met with even at an exhibition. A novel and
charming disfilay came from Loxfonl Hall. It consisted of a group
of Columljines, comprising Acjuilegia cierulea, chrysautha, canaden-
sis, and ]>yrenaica, and tlie many beautiful hybrid forms that Mr.
Douglas has obtained by intercrossing and careful selection of seed-
lings. These were deservedly much admired. Fine-foliaged plants
and Ferns were unusually well shown. The absence of Roses was
conspicuous, these popular flowers being only represented by a few
indifferent cut blooms.

Certificates. — These were on this occasion awarded to the
following : —

BertoloniaRodecki(VanHoutte). — Ahamlsomeilelastomad,
with a habit like that of }5. Van Houttei, and leaves similar in size
and form, but rich gi-een, marked longitudinally and transversely
with silvery lines, and also cojiiously spotted.

Bertolonia Killichi (Van Houtte). — Similar to the foregoing
in haljit ami markings, but devoiil of spots.

Croton Princess of "Wales (Veitch). — An ornamental
variety with long, drooping leaves, prettily mottled with pale j-ellow
and green, and si>irally twisted.

Torenia Bailloni (Veiteh).— .\ pretty sjiecies with yellow
blossoms having a central dark blotch.

Araucaria Niepreschlii (Veitch). — A novelty in the way of
A. Knlei, with the scale-like leaves densely imbricated on the
branches,

Croton roseo-pictuni (1!ull). — A pretty and distinct form of
compact habit, and with liold foli.age elegantly variegated with green
and yellow ; the midril) and veins being of a deep rosy tint.

Encephalartos Frederici Guilielmi (Bull). — A handsome
novelty jireviously described.

Lilium purpureuni (Bull). — A beautiful purple-flowered
Lily similar to L. Wasliingtonianum, of which it is a variety.

Sarracenia flava picta (Bull). — Similar to t.hc type, but the
pitcher-like leaves are larger and the veinings brighter in colour.

Dieffenbachia Leopold! (Bull). — A beautiful plant of good
habit, witli large bold leaves of a rich gi'een, the midrib being broad
and almo.^t wliite.

Nepenthes Viellardi (Bull). — In pitchers and habit this re-
sembles N. distillatoria, but it is more deeply coloured in all its parts.

Cespedesia Bonplandi (Bull). — A plant of shrulil)y habit,
with large oblong leaves, strongly veined and sharply toot'ied at the
edges.

Blandfordia flava (Bull). — A Ijeautiful species, with large bell-
ghaped llo\\'ers, borne in umbels, and of a reddish-yellow tint.

Bulbophyllum Becoari (Bull). — A very remarkable Orchid,
witli leaves from 1 ft. to 1 \ ft. long, and from 0 in. to 9 in. wide, and
of le.athery texture.

Carludovica Drudei (Bull). — An ornamental Palm-like plant
with fan-shaped leaves.

Cereus C. M. Hovey (Bull). — A very fine variety, with
jarge red llowers, sulTiised with a bluish tinge.

Encephalartos Williamsi (AVilliams). — This appears
identical with that bearing the name f E. Frederici (Juilielmi.

Lycopodium species (Will .ams). — An elegant Lyeopod,
in the way of L. pldegmaria, growing about IJ ft. high, with tlie
fruiting branching arranged in a tassel-like manner at the tops of the
stems.

Sonerila Hendersoni amoena (Henderson).— A pretty
plant, with silvery spots, remarkably bright and clearly defined.

Pteris serrulata magniflca (.Jackson). — Aneleg.ant crested
variety of this well kno« ii Fern which will no doubt prove a useful
variety.

Yucca gloriosa elegans marginata (Morse).— A very
ornamental variety of the common Adam's Needle, with the leaves
prettily variegated, and a welcome addition to hardy plants.

Eohinocactus capricornus (Boiler).— A novelty forming a
globose mass, studded over with hooked spikes in a peculiar manner.

Orchids. — These, as before remarked, were unusually fine an
numerous, and those contributed by amateurs were by far the finest.
Tlie first prize group for twelve in the amateurs' class came from Sir
Trevor Lawrence's collection, and his specimens were extremely well
grown, the finest plants being Odontoglossum vexillarium, a fine
mass with more than twenty spikes ; BoUea ecelestis, the finest plant
we have yet seen, witli a dozen and a half fine blooms of a rich dark
colour. The gorgeous C'attleya gigas was shown with three line
blossoms, and a grand jilant of C. Mossi* aurantiaca. Sobralia
niacrantlia was shown in splendid condition witli many of its lovely
deep rose flowers ; Masdevallia Harryana violacea, with half a hun-
dred blossoms, and a pan of the chaste Cypripedium niveum, nearly
2 ft. through. Next in order of merit came Lord Londesborourdi
(gardener, Mr. Denning), who also had excellent plants, the most note-
worthy being Anguloa Clowesi, with several dozen of its yellow flowers ;
the lieautiful C'attleya lobata, with over fifteen spikes ; the pure white
Vanda Denisoni, Lielia purpurata and ciiinabarina, and a large mass
of Odontoglossum vexillarium. The other competitors staged well-
grown plants, though of small size. The collection from Mr. Phil-
brick's garden contained a fine example of the rare iErides
Sohroederi in capital condition ; also C'attleya Mendelli, Odontoglossum
vexillarium and citrosmuni. The nurserymen's class contained two
competitors ; the highest award fell to Mr. B. S. Williams, who had
excellent examples of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, with tv\o dozen spikes ;
C'attleyaMendelli, Cypripedium Swaniauum, and a fine mass of Orchis
foliosa. Intheothergroupthe curiousAcinetaHumboldti wasconspicu-
ous with its drooping racemes of spotted blossoms. In the classes for
six the specimens were not very remarkable, except a richly coloured
form of Cypripedium caudatum and a fine example of C. Stonei
with twenty-seven flowers.

Stove and Greenhouse Plants.— These were, as "usual,
admirable ex.amples of skilful culture, tliough in ])oiut of size and
general excellence they were not, as a rule, so well represented as
we have seen on previous occasions. The Kingston Nurseries took
the highest a%\ards in the open and nurserymen's classes, and Ml-.
.T. (,'hild in the amateurs' class. The Ferns were remarkably well
sliown, and a splendid half-dozen werecontributed from the gardens at
(iuimersbury House, Acton. These included huge masses of Davallia
Jlooreana, Adiantum Farleyense, Cileichenia flabellata and dicho-
toma ; also a gigantic panful of Davallia bullata, of a size rarely
seen and in the most vigorous health. The second prize gi-oup were
also superb specimens, the finest being Todea superba, Gleiehenia
Jlendelli and semi-vestita, and a fine mass of Adiaiitum Farleyense.
Some Vv'cll grown specimens of Tree Ferns chiefly comprised the
tliird prize gToup, which necessarily did not admit of much variety.
The nurserymen's class was not numerously represented ; the highest
award was taken by Mr. Williams' gi'oup, which contained good
pilants of Cileichenia Mendelli and rupestris, Davallia Moorei, and
Cyathea princeps. Messrs. Henderson & Sons were the other exhi-
bitors, wliose gi'oup consisted chiefly of Tree Ferns.

Fine-foliaged Plants. — These, too, were unusually well
shown, and the exhibitor wlio gained first honours in Ferns also took
the fii'st with these. The group contained huge plants of Alocasia
Lowi, Croton pictum and interruptum, Cj'cas revoluta and circinalis,
and Areca lutescens, all very effectively staged. The second and
third prize collections also contained some excellent plants ; the
former, Croton iiiterru2:>tiiiii and Wiesmaiini, and huge plants of
Areca sapida and Cycas revoluta ; Alocasia metallica and Croton
angustifolium were particularly noteworthy in the next lot, and a
splendid example of Dieffenbachia Bowmauui in a grouii to wliicli au
extra prize was deservedly awarded.

Begonias. — The classes for the tuberous-rooted section were
well-filled, and some excellent plants were shown. The best six came
from Messrs. T. Laing & Co., who took the first honours in the
nurserymen's class. This group contained Madame Oscar Lamarche,
James Duncan, Marquis of Salisbury, Edith Box, Massange de
Loiivrex, and Duchess of Edinburgh, all admirably well grown and
full of bloom. Messrs. .Jackson & Sons were next witli two splendid
pilants of the well-known Vesuvius and a very bright variety named
C)riH.T.mme, one of the finest we have seen. Messrs. Hooper & Co.
showed the other collection, in which Bayard and Pearcei graudiflora
were most conspicuous. The amateurs' class was represeiiteil by
three competitors. The finest six included finely-flowered plants
of Acme, Emperor, and Magenta King. The beautiful variety Paul
Masurel was finely represented in both of the other collections.

Heaths. — These were shown in fair-sized specimens from the
Kingston Nurseries, which group contained Erica veutricosa in several

510

THE GARDEN.

[June 21, 1879.

varieties and shades of colour, which gained the highest award in
the nui'scrymen's class. There were also well-grown examples sliown
hy amateurs', particularly those shown in the first prize group.

Pelargoniums. — These were by no means numerous, but those
stage<l were of liigh merit, especially the sliow varieties from the
Slougli Nurseries, wliich, as usual, were examples of very skilful
culture, and the varieties were remarkable for the fine form and rich
colour of their blooms. A well-grown collection of the fancy type
was also shown, and took the liighest award in the amateurs' class,
A group of six scarlet and zonal varieties came from Mr. Catlin, and
well deserved tlie distinction of first prize, as they were remarkably
well grown and flowered.

Roses. — These were but scantily represented even in cut blooms,
and consisted of small trays of Gloire de Dijon, Lamarque, and a set
in which Cheshunt Hybrid and Annie Laxton formed the best
blooms.

Cut Wooms of Carnations were excellently shown by Mr. Douglas,
Loxford Hall, liut were disqualified as not complying with the rules
of the schedule in being two dozen varieties. The same exhibitor
was disqualified in the class for cut blooms of stove and gi'eenhouse
plants, l)ut this was in the opposite direction, as the tray containeil
too many varieties, and the exact wording of tlie schedule stated
but twelve ; the first prize, therefore, was awarded to a much inferior
collection.

An attractive collection of Ixias, &c., came from Messrs. Hooper
& Co., and were much admired ; also cut blooms of Pansiesfrom Mr.
Hooper, of Bath, to which an extra prize was awarded ; also to a
collection of cut lilooms of choice varieties of Pj'rethrums.

The classes for wild flowers were not numerously represented ; the
first jirize group was awarded to a numerous and well named collec-
tion from a Sussex village.

Miscellaneous Groups. — These were contributed largely
from the principal nurseries, and formed an important feature in the
sliow. That from Messrs. Veitch & Sons was effectively arranged
on one of the central banks, with a background of Palms, Cycads,
and the elegant Japanese Maples, interspersed with well grown
plants of Saxifraga pyramidalis. The most noteworthy of the new
plants in addition to those mentioned above were — Dendrobium
Bensonia? var. xanthinum, a form with flowers devoid of the con-
spicuous black blotches of the type ; Begonia Mrs. Arthur Potts, a
brilliant little stemless v.ariety, bearing a profusion of deep red
flowers ; a new double Begonia named Clenient de la Haye, with
double ilowers of fine form of a lively rose tint ; also B. Exposition
de Sceaux, a single-flowered variety of fine form and colour. Tliu-
nia Marshalli, a superb Orcliid with pure white blossoms, with the
lip of an orange tinge and covered with yellow hairs ; also the
graceful little Dendrochilum filiforme ; Caryota D'Alberti, a Palm of
noble habit, with leaves similar to C'. Rulnphi ; Caladium Camoens,
a dwarf form, with heart-shaped leaves, gTeen edged, with a reddish
ground veined with a deeper liue ; CUoxinia Professor (irisebach,
Mrs. Peploe, Lady Holmesdale, and Vicomte de Condeixa were
also new, the latter being particularly fine, with erect flowers
with a pure white ring profusely spotted below with purple.
An interesting collection of insectivorous plants was also shown,
and a group of miniature Orchidaceous plants which attracted con-
siderable attention. Amongst these were the curious Masdevallia
Nycterinia and Peristeria, Restrepia elegans and antennifera, ami
various other curiosities. Opposite this group Mr. Bull arranged
an admirable collection, consisting for the most part of new or rare
plants. Of these many were certificated, and the most noticeable of
others were Microstylis calophylla, a beautiful leaved Orchid,
mottled with various shades of olive-green, and shown in fine con-
dition. Cattleya Boi.ssieri, with gi-eenish flowers, having a golden
lip marked with reddish lines. Spira'a Aruncus var. astibboides, the
plant shown previously as 8. nivosa, made also a fine display.
Lilium Browni and Hansoni also were conspicuous. A fine example of
the Godwinia gigas, a huge Aroid, with stem 6 ft. high, terminated
by a large spreading head of leaves ; Adiantum serpens, an elegant
Maiden-hair similar to A. tenerum, was represented by a large speci-
men. Some large masses of tlie splendid Hajmanthus Kalbreyeri
quite enlivened the gi'oup with its brilliant heads of scarlet blossoms.
Steudnera discolor is a very striking Aroid, with large
cordate leaves, green on the upper surface, and marked
with a wide band of black at. the under side. The flower,
too, is highly curious, but somewhat of a dull hue.
Several new varieties of Coleus were also sent by Mr. Bull, which
exhibited very diverse and rich colouring. An efl'ective group from
Mr. B. S. ^Villiams, consisting of Dracaenas, Palms, Crotons, and
Cycads, interspersed by other fine-foliaged and flowering plants,
amongst which were flowering examples of the lovely Thunia Ben-
sonia', an East Indian Orchid rarely seen in flower ; some pretty new
Bertolonias were also shown, and two of which were certificated.
Several specimens of insectivorous plants, one of which, Sarracenia

psittacina, was fine in flower. A similar collection came from
Messrs. Henderson & Sons, whicli comjirised well-grown plants of
To<lea superba ; an excellent group of Anajtochilus was also sent.
The pretty Impatiens Jerdonia; was also very attractive, as were also
fine examples of Elisena longipetala. A few choice hardy plants were
also mixed with the others, such as the pretty Saxifraga squarrosa,
Dianthus neglectus, and a collection of Svnidews in which Droserafili-
formis was very fine. Messrs. Laing & Co. contributed an extensive
collection, in which their speciality, the tuberous-rooted Begonias,
was a prominent feature, being very attractive and shown in
splendid condition. Similar groups came also from Messrs. Osborn
& Sons, Cutbush & Son, Wheeler, and a fine bank of hardy Ferns
from ^Iessrs. Ivery & Sous, Dorking, to all of which were awarded
extra prizes.

Fruit. — The display of this, though psrhajis not so large as on
previous occasions, was, on the whole, well represented, both in
point of qualitj' and numbers. The best collection of six kinds came
from Blenheim (Jardens, and included a fair-sized smooth Cayenne
Pine, Sir Joseph Paxton Staawberry, Royal George Peach, and Vic-
tory of Bath Melon, witli black and white Grapes. The best Queen
Pine Apple was shown by Mr. J. Fry, and Mr. Aitkin staged a good
sized Charlotte Rothschild in the next class. Grapes were shown by
numerous competitors ; the best three bunches of Black Hamburgh
came from the .Syon House Cxardens, as did also the finest Muscats of
Alexandria. Some well-finished bunches of Black Prince took the
first prize in the next class. Peaches were shown in good condition ;
the Ijest dished comprised fine fniits of Early Admirable and Grosse
Mignonne ; and in the Nectarines, A^iolette Hative and Lord Napier
were the first jjrize dishes. Strawberries were but scantily shown,
there being but one exhibitor, who had excellent dishes of President
and .James Veitch. A fine dish of Trophy Tomatoes was sho^vn,
to which was awarded an extra prize.

Waterer's Rhododendron Exhibition at Oadogan
Place. — A magnificent display of the choicest varieties of this
beautiful hardy shrub sent from the nurseries of Messrs. John
AVaterer & Sons at Bagshot is now on view in the garden at Cadogau
Place, to which a visit will be well repaid, especially by those who
contemplate planting, as here a selection may be made of the finest
varieties, and a gooil idea of their colour, habit, and relative time of
flowering obtained, all matters of importance to jJanters. The
following comprise some of the most conspicuous of the kinds now
in full bloom, viz., Duke of Connaught, a splendid variety witli
Large trusses and unusually large flowers of fine form. In colour it
is a brilliant carmine shaded with a lighter tint towards the centre
and wTthout the yellowish spots. There is a new kind dedicated to
tile Duchess of Connaught also, but this had not opened. Kate
Waterer is another fine kind, quite equal in size to the former, and
of a similar tint, but copiously spotted on the upper petals with pale
yellow on a light ground. Princess Mary of Cambridge has huge
trusses of finely formed flowers of a pale rosy shade, and profusely
spotted. Lady Cadogan is a very showy kind and a profuse bloomer.
The lilossoms are deep rose with almost black blotches on the upper
petals, and form a pleasing contrast to one called Lady Olive Guin-
ness, which has pure white blossoms and deep claret blotches. One
of the brightest in the tent is Lord Selliorne, the trusses of which
are large, and the colour bright cerise suffused witli markings of a
paler hue. Near this a pretty variety in the waj' of Leopardi was
very striking. Its flowers are bright rosy-lilac, copiously spotted
over tlie entire blooms with deep crimson. An excellent variety is
one named A'illage Maiden, a kind with delicate blush blossoms
sjiotted with brown. Near it was a dark-flowered sort called John
Walter. Lady Augusta Noel, Lady Guinness, John Henry Agnew,
Tintoretto, Lady Cathcart. Loguendum, and Miss Leaf are all varie-
ties of sterling merit, and highly commendable, though they repre-
sent but a tithe of the handsome varieties that are now in bloom,
under the large tent in these fashionable gardens.

Scottish Pansy Society.— The thirty-fifth annual coniije-
titiou of this Society will be held in the Carlton Convening Rooms,
AVaterloo Place, Edinburgh, on Friday, .June 27, a date which this
year may suit Pansy gi'owers in the south.

The Potato crop of Germany is always immense. It was almost

the only provision exported in excess of importation the past year,
and yet there was left about six times the average quantity produced
in the United States. Potatoes are used very extensively in the manu-
facture of spirits. The current supply exceeds twe ity bushels per head

Mr. Carr, late of Taversham Hall, Norwich, has been

appointed to take full cliarge of the large gardens of the Duke of
Portland, at AN'elbjck.

THE GAEDEN.

511

No. 397.1

SATTIK.DAY, JDNE 28, 1879.

"This is an art
Which does mend Nature ; change it rather :
The Aei itself is Nature. "—SAatcjfpeare.

but

NOTES ON SPANISH NARCISSI.

During the latter part of April and early part of May, in
coropany with, the Rev. H. 11. Crewe, I made a botanical
tour through Spain and Minorca, and as wc met with many
species of Narcissi, I think a few notes on their distribution
may be acceptable to the readers of The Garden.

We entered Spain by way of Bordeaux and Biarritz. Our
first Narcissus was a large sulphur-coloured Corbularia,
observed by the side of the railway between Dax and Bayonne
in passing through the Pine forests of the Landes. This is
probably the most nortliern point to which the genus Corbu-
laria reaches. In the neighbourhood of Biarritz the same
form is still more abundant, being widely distributed as
isolated patches in the moist lieathy hollows ; it is probably a
varietyof the old garden Corbalaiia Bnlbocodium, though much
paler in colour. The variation both in size and colour of the
Corbularias met with in the north and centre of Spain was
most perplexing, and raised the doubt as to the extent to which
separate speciKc rank should be assigned. The extreme forms,
both as regards colour and size, were apparently most distinct,
but the intermediate gradations so numerous and iU-deftned
that in the majority of cases we dared not assign a specific
name. The variations, however, were not gradually inter-
mixed, and, as a rule, where two forms were associated, they
were not those most nearly allied and not intermingled, but
occurring as separate patches. Mr. Llewelyn informs me that
the Biarritz sulphur-coloured form occurs also in great
abundance about Bagnires de Bigorre, in the Pyrenees, and
we again founil it abundantly on tlie liiUs to the north-west
of Pancorbo, at a height of from 2500 ft. to 3000 ft. It was
slightly smaller and darker tliau the Biarritz jilant, but
still much paler than the Corbidaria Bulboeodium of
gardens.

At Pancorbo we also found a lovely little Narcissus wliich
we could not distinguish from N. minimus of gardens. A
night journey from Pancorbo to Palencia precluded observa-
tions in the intermediate district, but midway between Palen-
cia and Leon the moist meadows were golden-yellow with a
small orange Corbularia, an<l this extended for fully forty miles
with scarcely an interruption to the village of Busdongo,
near the Puerto de Pajares, the pass over the Asturias, ranging
from a height of 2.500 feet to nearly 4000 feet above the sea.
We observed no other Narcissus in the nortliern descent of the
Asturias till we approached tlie bottom of the pass, where,
about six miles to the north of Pola de Lena, the rocks above
the road were adorned with a pale cream-coloured Nar-
cissus, one of the numerous forms of N. triandrus, probably
N. calathinus. This appeared at short intervals in some
neighbouring localities. North of Oviedo the moist mea-
dows by the side of the railway were bright with a large,
pale straw-coloured Corbularia, somewhat paler than the
Biarritz form, but scarcely distinct enough to separate as a
species.

The golden-yellow form, so abundant and continuous on
the north side of the Asturias, Avas here absent, but in a
meadow near Gijon, on the coast, we found two or three
specimens agreeing with it in colour, but exceptionally large ;
in the same meadow Narcissus biflorus was abundant. The
pale Narcissus triandrus (? calathinus) was again abundant

in the neighbourhood of Gijon, and was observed in several
localities on dry rocks near Variua, west of the town.
Cultivators should bear in mind that Narcissus triandrus and
its allies like dry, rooky locations, whilst the Corbularire
almost invariably occur in wet places — so wet where we found
them in the north of Spain, that they were troublesome to dig
up, bespattering the collector with mud.

From Leon to the northern slopes of the Sierra de Gua-
darrama our journey was by night. We passed Avila in the
early morning, and soon after crossing the watershed of the
Guadarrama, at a height of about 4400 feet, separating the
basins of the Douro and the Tagus, the Alpine meadows near
the station of Naval Grande were speckled with the tiny yellow
Corbularia nivalis ; this also occurred at intervals between
Naval Grande and Naval Peral ; but at the latter place it was
larger than the typical form, and was here and there inter-
mixed with a large form which differs little from the old
Corbularia Bulboeodium in cultivation.

At Naval P^-ral a pale straw-coloured Corbularia (probably
C. Graelsi) set in, occurring as separate patches and on rather
dryer ground than C. nivalis, and continued at intervals all
the way to El Esourial, and in moist meadows soutli of El
Escurial, half way to Madrid. The specimens we obtained
were somewhat darker iu colour than those received from
Professor Graels in 1876.

On dry rocks between Naval Peral and El Escurial the
beautiful Narcissus pallidulus (a pale variety of Narcissus
triandrus) commenced and continued at intervals along the
line half way from El Escurial to Madrid ; we also found
it abundantly above El Escurial, up to an altitude of
3500 ft.

Narcissus rupicola, allied to N. juneifolius, was extremely
abimdant about the lowest projecting rocks north-west of El
Escurial. I also obtained it sparingly in 1871 in the neigh-
bouring Sierra d'Avila, at a height of between 4000 ft. and
5000 ft., but it does not appear to be so widely distributed
in this region as the Corbularias and Narcissus pallidulus,
which are so extremely abundant, as to form one of the most
conspicuous floral features of the district.

South of Madrid we observed no more Narcissi till we
reached the island of Jlinorca, where we obtained Narcissus
serotinus in leaf. This also occurs abundantly in Majorca,
where I found it in flower in October, 1876. We observed
also in Minorca, rather plentifully, a variety of Narcissus
Tazetta, just out of flower, which is said to differ from the
typical form. George Maw, F.L.S.

Violas and Pansies.— All the so-called Violas now grown
for bedding purposes are garden hybrids, and may be called Violas
or Pansies just as it suits the taste of the grower. Practically there
is little or nothing left now to distinguish the bedding Viola from
the bedding Pansy, and althongli anyone well acquainted with the
different kinds could probably distinguish them, it would be exceed-
ingly iliiiicult to make their dilTerences apparent in print. To pre-
vent further mi.sapprehension and mistakes in the future, I think it
would be msc to distinguish ail bedding kinds as bedding Pansies,
leaving the term Viola to be applied solely to species such as comuta,
lutea, stricta, &c. That most if not all of the largest flowered kinds
of these Violas have been Ijred from contact with Pansies there can
be little doubt. I know that my first break from Perfection was
produced in that way, and it is most probable that insects have done
much as regards crossing. We Iiave show or English Pansies, fancy
or f?elgian Pansios, and a class of bedding Pansies would include all
others worth naming. As to the award at tlie Manchester show, it
was evident that bedding kinds only should have been invited, and
then the judges should have decided upon their merits just as the
plants presented suitable bedding features ; but as in this class Mr.
Hooper was the only exhibitor, there was nothing over which to
raise discussion. In reality all these tilings can only be judged
when planted out in quantity, and then it is rarely that large
flowered kinds prove the most effective. A dviarf, spreading habit,

512

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

medium-sized flowera of some good colour produced in great abund-
ance and for a long period, are the best characteristics of a bedding
Pansy. — A. D.

Mr. Williams (p. 493) is mistaken when he states that

Viola The Tory was bred from a Pansy, i.e., Viola tricolor.
Its seed jiarent was V. cornuta Perfection, as whicli was also that of
Alpha, Advancer, rubra-lilacina, and White Perfection. I fear
" IJrockliurst's " suggestion (p. 493) will not answer if the eye is
to be his only guide. I have a number of varieties raised from
V. stricta without even a single line or ray from the eye. — J.A.ME.S
Okieve, Pilriij Cottaiji:, Pllrhj Street, EiUnburijIi.

Sempervivums. — In tlie account of the rockery at St. Alljan's
Court (p. 492) a iSempervivum is described as a "variety of arach-
noideum, with a good deal of red on the rosettes." This is <loubt-
less S. Pomelli, a very handsome species, distinguished from arach-
noideum liy having tlie tuft of wool at the point of each leaf dis-
tinct and not eo-raingled as in tlie latter. As may l^e expected, there
is much confusion among tlie Sempervivums. — Thos. Williams,
Ornukirk.

Hoteia japonica for Edging Beds. — This useful plant,
.so largely gi'own for forcing, makes a beautiful permanent edging
for large beds, its foliage being so ornamental, that e\'en without its
feathery spikes of white flowers it is effective and fresh looking.
We have at present liumlreds of clumps of this plant, all of whicli
.appear to enjoy the alnindauce of moisture we are experiencing this
.season. — -J. GuooM, Linton Park, M'tiddoite.

Gigantic Poppies.— Mr. Stevens' Poppies, noticed in The
■■Gakdex (p. 497), are, doubtless, what are known and sold as Pa-
jsaver involucrum maximum. Tliis has enormous flowers, a clump
of whicli may lie seen a mile off. It will grow anywhere. I have
in view now a plant'_witli about tliirty of its enormous buds ready to
open. Tills plant is confounded witli P. bracteatum, a flower with a
deep crimson colour, having a solitary bract just under tlie bloom. —
Thos. Williams, OrmA-irk.

Myosotis Weirleigh Surprise. — This is the name of the
lilue ami white stripeil Forget-me-not which your correspondent saw
at Mr. Cannell's (p. 4913). We have a good deal of it here, and ex-
hibited a large pan of it amongst our plants' at tlie Manchester
•show, where it was much admired. It is, I believe, a sport from
M. alpestris, and grows as freely and flowers as profusely as that
variety. It is very beautiful, especially for bouquets. I am told tliat
it does not come true from seed, but it is easily propagated by divi-
sion and cuttings. — Brockhtrst.

Aquilegia chrysantha. — This plant's liking for a moist spot
lias been clearly shown tliis season. A strong specimen of it planted
along with a number of similar plants in a waterside bed, the surface
of which is only about 4 in. higlier than t'ne level of tlie water, is now
in the most vigorous liealth. It has thrown up about twenty stems,
and its flowers, notwithstanding the very backward character of the
.season generally, are now just on the point of opening ; while a
number of smaller plants on a warm and drier spot liave all, with one
or two exceptions, been killed Iiy the winter frost. — T. Smith,

Tropseolums in Plant Baskets. — We have a good many
flower beds made in tlie form of baskets, their outer edges'and liandles
lieing clothed with Ivy. I find Tropa?olums very effective trained
over the handles and allowed to mingle with the Ivy. Having a
■quantity of very tall scarlet Trop;eolums, we planted them early
■under the shelter of the Ivy, and they now form most brilliant and
striking masses of colour. I may add that these Ivy baskets, well
filled with brilliant-flowered plants, the edge being fringed with
trailers, make pretty objects in the flower garden. — J. Groom, Lin-
ton Park, Maiihtone.

Phorinium tenax. — k large specimen of this, planted near
water, though quite killed to the ground, is now shooting up strongly
again, and some of the first leaves are already '2 ft. high. On the
other hand, a small plant of the variegated New Zealand Flax
ifslantud near the one just alluded to, but on a little mound raised
about 1 ft. above the water, and which had not its leaves killed, is
only just showing signs of new growth. Let us hope that the above
may be the present condition of many of the plants reported to lie
killed. I should adil that I saw a few days ago a strong specimen of
the green-leaved sort, whicli has been growing for several years in
the forecourt of some schools at Dundalk — a bleak spot in which
scarcely any shrub or tree will thrive — quite uninjured by the frost
in any way. — T. Smith, Nennj.

"Watering Bedding Plants. — At this season when every
owner of a garden is having more or less planting done, it is liy no
means uncommon to find much unnecessary labour bestowed on
watering. Of course in the case of very sin:ill plants that have been

shaken out or much disturbed in removal, watering is absolutely
necessary, in order to keep the soil sufficiently moist to prevent their
drying up before their roots get established, but as long as they will
hold up or keep from flagging they root much quicker if kept free
from the chilling influence of doses of cold water. During tlie late
exceptionally wet period I have observed that plants in beds and
borders that are overshadowed and partly impoverished by the roots
of large trees, and therefore the first to suffer in periods of drought,
have this season niaile far more progress than those in open and
usually more favourably situated beds, simiily because the latter have
been saturated and chilled with heavy rains. — J. Groom.

Evening Primroses in the "Wild Garden. — The annexed
illustration is an attempt to show the right effect of a colony of the
large Evening Primrose naturalised on the margin of a wood. These
noljle and delicately-scented flowers are very easily grown and very
beautiful in any jiosition. They, however, from their height and
boldness, and the freedom with which they grow in aliiiost any soil,
are peculiarly suited for the wild garden, for shrubberies, copses, and
the like, sowing themselves freely. In this case they are apt to
become eventually somewhat too numerous and somewhat "starved,"
so that where confined to large groups in good ground they are best.
In any flower garden not confined to flat beds only, a small isolated
lied of these (Enotheras looks well. vSuch may be seen in the
Emperor of Austria's garden at Laxenburg — this being a favourite
flower there. It tells very well in the evenings in these beds — 4 ft.
wide — on the turf, near the margin of a shrubbery, or near groups
of specimens on the Grass. — V.

VEGETABLE CULTURE FOE MARKET.

Cucumbers in Pit.s and Feame.s. — During .summer the
long ranges of pit.s and frame.s iu market garJen.s devoted in
winter to the protection of tender culinary plants are applied
to Cucumber culture, and from these are cut thousands of
fruits weekly. Indeed, few frame crops pay better than
Cucumbers where they succeed well, and therefore every frame
tliat can possibly be spared is planted with them. One
grower at Fulham has a field of frame-ground, containing
many ranges of frames with from 800 to 1000 ordinary sashes,
in summer entirely devoted to Cucumber.s. From this field
are sent to marl^et weekly during tlie summer from 200 to 220
dozen fruits. Tlie Telegraph, and varieties of it, are much
grown in frames ; so is the Syon House, Pettie's, Rabley,
Duke of Edinburgh, Sutton's Perfection, and a few others.
Two or three men are usually kept at work in these frame
grounds, and on three days of the week (Monday, Wedne.s-
day, and Friday) they are employed in cutting fruits for
market, and on the other three week-days they are busy stop-
ping and regulating the shoots of the Cucumbers, watering,
(fee. Should any young fruits exhibit a tendency to become
crooked, they put them into cylindrical glasses open at both
ends. These glasses are about 1 2 in. or 1 .5 in. long, and 1 i in.
or 2 in. in diameter, and several thousands of them are
employed in one large frame-ground, as one good and straight
Cucumber is worth nearly a dozen small and deformed ones.
The crooked ones are disjiosed of for pickling. Should any
"nosed" fruits, as they are termed, or .such as have swelled
at the point, be found, which occurs late in the season, a piece
of string is tied round them, and they are left to ripen, as
such fruits are certain tn contain good seed. When the seed
fruits become j'ellow and are cut, they are placed under sashe.s
or on boards exposed to the sun, so as to get thoroughly rips and
hard before being separated from the pulp. The first sowing
to supply plants for growing in frames is made iu little
punnets or fiower-pots, early in the year, which are placed
in hot manure frames. When the seeds germinate and are fit
for potting off, two plants are potted into a G-in. pot, and tlie
whole replaced in the frames, keeping them near the glass.
As soon as the frames to be planted can be spared, they are
moved aside, and trenches east out .5 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep,
and firmly filled with stable litter. Over this some soil is
placed, and the frames set on again. Another sowing is

2 s

1879.]

THE GARDEN.

513

generally made to .succeed the first one ; but, as a rule, there
are seldom more than two sowings made, and the second is
only sown because all the frames are not empty at one time
to be filled by the first sowing. When the heat is at a proper
temperature for planting, a little more soil is introduced to
the frames, and one potful (containg two plants) is p7anted
under each sash, and one of the plant.s is trained towards the
front of the frame and the other towards the back. The
sashes are then put on and all is kept for a few day.s,

and, if need be, a little shading is also given by strewing
some litter over the glas.s.
Afterwards, until the plants
have fairly begun to grow,
no more ventilation is
given than is necessary to
prevent scorching in the
case of bright sunshine.
For several weeks after
having been planted they
are covered up at night
with litter, removing it
next morning ; indeed, this
covering is not discon-
tinued until the month of
June. AVhen the plants
have grown sufficiently to
come into bloom, they are
most attentively looked
after in the way of regu-
lating the gi-owths, pegging
them down, and stopping
the lateral shoots at the
joint beyond the embryo
fruit, and preventing an
accumulation of super-
fluous growths. Through-
out the day they are
allowed to have plenty of
air during the summer,
but it is all taken off at
night ; in the morning the
sashes are tilted up a
little, and as the heat of
the day increases the
saishes are still further
opened.

Water is given in the
morning abundantly to
those requiring it, whilst
those that are not dry
have simply a sprinkling
overhead. It is cold
water from the tap that
is entirely used, and doubt-
less this is the greatest
drawback to Cucumber
growing with which the market gardener has to coiitend, as
where one or several acres are covered with frames, it would
be almost an impossibility to make tepid all the water that
would be required. Large hog.sheads, however, are sunk here
and there about the frame-ground, and brick or cement tanks
are frequently used for containing water, with which they are
tilled for the next day's use. Guano-water is sometimes given
during the summer time, being applied through a fine rose
overhead. This application is not only useful a.s a stinmlant,
but when given overhead has been found to be of material
benefit in° destroying or preventing red spider, as well as

Kyht e.'Sc.vt of Large-flowered Evening Primrose in the Wild Garden

invigorating old plants. In reference to woodlioe, toads are
put in the frames to destroy them. Cucumbers require sunny
weather to set well, and in dull wet seasons they do not thrive
well, especially in the earlier part of the year. Should the
summer be hot and bright, the sashes are shaded a little, and
this is done by strewing some rank litter over the glass ; but
many market gardeners, by way of economy of labour, paint
the sashes with whiting. By August the plants arc getting
exhausted ; therefore careful attention is paid to thinning out
old and bare Vines, and encouraging young wood by means

of stimulants, in the way
of manure-water and cover-
ings from cold ; and in
this way they last till
Sei)teniber. No fruits are
saved for seed until Au-
gust, for if left sooner they
would materially weaken
the crop of marketable
fruit. Until August Cu-
cumbers are liable to red
spider, thrips, green fly,
mildew, canker, and vari-
ous other diseases ; the
only remedy being that
of keeping the jjlants irr
as vigorous growth as pos-
sible. When mildew at-
tacks the Cucumber it is-
generally the result of
insufficient ventilation and
too low a temperature.
When it does appear, dust-
ing thinly but evenly with
flour of sulphur through
a piece of mu.slin cloth
is the only cure. Thrips
are the most terrible of
the insect enemies which
attack the Cucumber ; for
these, and also for green
fly, which is sometimes
troublesome on the young
yruv.'ths, fumigating with
Tobacco is usually re-
sorted to ; but the foliage
of the Cucumber is so
tender, especially when
forced, that fumigation,
unless done very care-
fully, is a cnre which is
often worse than the dis-
ease, and should never be
attcjnpted by the inexpe-
rienced. For these pests,
and also for red spider, it
will generally be found best to apply the " Antidote for Red
Spider, Thrips, and C4reen Fly," by putting a small quantity
in the water with which the plants are syringed. Tiiis will,
if persevered in, obviate the necessity of fumigation, and keep
the foliage fresh and green. Canker in the stems may be
stopped by filling up the fissures with quicklime.

Cucumbers in the Opex Aik. — Market gardeners in the
neighbourhood of London grow but few Cucumbers in the
open air. Many have attempted it, but most of them have
now abandoned it, the result not having proved very satis-
factory. Where, however, it is carried on, they are grown

514

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

under glass and hardened off and planted out G ft. asunder
and 10 ft. row fro'.n row, and hand- glasses are put over
them. When they begin to grow the ground is well mulched
with straw, to keep the earth moist and the fruit clean. Due
attention is paid to their after-culture in the way of stopping,
thinning, &c., and in some cases fairly good results are
obtained. Under any circumstance.? Cucumbers form an
uncertain crop in open fields ; but while their produce is in
such demand in all large towns, their culture, where they will
succeed with tolerable certainty, will no doubt still be largely
cai'ried on. In one or two counties, the soil and climate of
which seem unusually well adapted to their growth, large
quantities are grown in the open air for the London markets ;
from such sources there are said to be sent to London not
less than 600 tons a week during what is termed the Cucum-
ber season. Of the.3e upwards of 100 tons have been known
to be sent to Covent Garden in a single day. What an acre
of Cucumbers realises in the way of money is uncertain ; but
they are stated to yield a good profit to the grower even if he
should get no more than Id. or 2d. a dozen for them. At
these prices sums varying from £20 to £60 per acre, accord-
ing to the season, are said to have been obtained for them.
In good Cucumber-growing localities, the seed is sown about
the beginning of ^lay, where the plants are intended to grow,
in rows some 4 ft. apart, and the plants stand nearly 2 ft.
asunder in the row. In favourable seasons they soon push into
active growth and cover the ground with vines, which, during
tlie latter end of May, the whole of June, and beginning of
July, spread in all directions and come into bearing. During
their growth, weeding and thinning their superfluous shoots
are well attended to, and if the plants should not entirely
cover the ground, or wherever blanks occur, Mangold Wurtzel
is planted in the vacant spaces. About i yds. apart are also
rows of Onions, set early in the spring, which, being allowed
to run to seed, serve in some measure both for shade and
shelter. Where Onions are not used for thi.s purpose. Rye,
•sown in the autumn, 4 yds. or 5 yds. apart, and cut as soon
as the vines cover the ground, is employed instead ; Peas are
also sometimes used for the same purpose. In this way the
ground is made to produce two or three kinds of crops at 'the
^sirae time, and if one should happen to fail, one or more of
the others, as the case may be, take its place. By the middle
•of July or earlier, according to the season, the ■ crop i.s ready
for a first gathering, and from that time to the end of Sep-
tember fruit varying in length from 10 in. to 12 in., green
and solid, though sometimes unshapely, is continually being
cut, sometimes to the extent of three tons at a time, and that
from little more than as many acres. AVhen gathered the
fruits are sorted, the best being sent to London, second-rate
kinds to the provincial markets, and what are small, crooked,
■or discoloured are given to pig.s. Eipo ones are saveil for
.seed, .so that little or no w.aste is ever experienced with crops
o.'' this kind. The baskets in which Cucumbers are sent to.
market are called "pads." In .shape they are square, with
hinged lids, and they hold about two bushels.

Gheekixs. — These are extensively cultivated in London
market garden's, some growers frequently gathering from
18,000 to 20,000 fruit in one day. The seed is sown in May
in rows where the plants are to remain in well manured land.
The rows are usually about 9 ft. apart, and the plants, which
are thinned out when snfUoiontly advanced to admit of the
.strongest being discerned and left, are allowed to stand 6 ft.
apart in the rows. The after treatment is exactly the same
as that practised in the case of outdoor Cucumbers, excejit
that the shoots of the Gherkins are allowed to grow unpinched.
The fruit is gathered when about the size of a man's finger,
placed in bushel baskets, and sent direct to the pickle manu-

facturers. A good place for Gherkins, and one often devoted
to them, is the alleys between the rows of spring-sown
Cabbages or Radish beds. The alleys are dug over, the drills
for the seeds opened in the morning, and the seeds are sown
in the afternoon when the ground is wann. When the
Radishes or other crops are cleared off the intervening beds,
the latter are dug, and a line of Cauliflowers or French Beans
is planted along the centre of them, or sometimes two or
three lines of Lettuces are put in. Some sow the Gherkins
on an oi^en quarter in patches of three or four seeds together,
in rows about -5 ft. or 6 ft. ajiart, and 3 ft. or 4 ft. asunder
in the row. Hand-glasses are then placed over the seeds, and
when the yoimg plants have come above ground abundant
ventilation is given until they show flower, when they are
fully exposed. Others sow a few seeds in the middle of the
space between fruit bushes for about 6 ft. or 10 ft. into the
brake, but no further. Thus, being near the outside, they
get plenty of air and light, and have, in addition, the shelter
of the bushes. In most cases, however, they are raised in
frames and transferred to the open ground in June, and in
this way they fruit earlier and usually give less trouble and
better results. C. W. S.

TREES, SHRUBS, AND WOODLANDS.

JAP.\NESE MAPLES OF THE PALMATUM TYPE.

These, in common with many more excellent shrubs, have for a long
time Ijeen under the bane of a false frost-tender reputation, which
has unfortunately hindered tlieir propagation and prevented them
from taking that place in British landscapes which they long ago
might an{l ought to liave occupied. I liave once before, somewhere
about this time last year, liad something to say concerning the beauty
and li.ardiness of one of these Maples, and it is with tlie proofs before
me ■\\liich tlie incontrovertible severity of the past ysinter has given
of the frost-liardy cliaracter of these slirubs that I am again induced
to make an effort to redeem them from almost utter neglect-, and, if
pos3il>le, instil into others something of tiie admiration which I my-
self h.ave for them. Here, in Derbyshire, full}- exposed during the
past winter, the smallest twigs of these plants were uninjured by a
zero cold, and later, when in spring they shot out their frail gTowth
1 in. or more in leng'th 10' of untimely and unlooked-for frost one
morning failed to hinder them from developing their thin shoots and
Iiandsome, palmate, dissected leaves of .all shades, from Apple-green
to the most brilliant crimson ; and now they are in all tlieir glory,
pleasant to look upon, and giving, as it were, by means of contrast,
a new interest and aspect to their naturally more sombre asso-
ciates.

The common Acer palmatum forms a dense average-sized shrub,
having numerous long thin shoots and opposite small palmate, at first
light, afterwards dark green leaves. A. p. atro-purpureum has larger,
at first bright, afterwards dark, red leaves on stouter shoots.
A. p. dissectum has finely-cut skeleton-like elegant apple-green
leaves, equalling the finest Ferns in their Vandyked vein.ation. Sub-
variety rubrum of the last is characterised by its reddish-brown
leaves, and jiresents a fine contrast to the last named. Both are very
attra;tive either in the mixed shrubbery or singly on a lawn. They
ought to be planted close to walks in order that the tracery of their
elegant leaves might be the better studied.

I have enumerated the most distinct and striking of the varieties
for outdoor planting, but there are many more polymoqihic forms
some of which have prettily variegated leaves, but though all are
perfectly hardy, tlioy are better calculated for conservatory decora-
tion than for any decided efieet out-of-iloors. I am not going to
underrate the qualities of such ornamental plants as purple Oaks,
Beeches, &,c., but I only say that A. p. atro-purpureum is the most
ornamental shrub of all. Seen near, its foliage is not only dazzling,
but also exceedingly neat : seen from afar, it scintillates among other
shrubs like a ruby. Jlay I be allowed to suggest, if it has not already
been carried into practice, tliat this plant miglit be advaiit.ageously
used for liedding purposes ? Pl.ants, say, from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in height
jilanted iiermanently in lieds wouhl produce such a show as no
Alternauthera, Iresine, or similar plants are capable of making, and
though the plant in question is deciduous, the bare twigsinwiuterneed
bs no objection to its use in this M'ay, as even nude twigs are surely
as jileasant to look upon as the barj lilack soil of beds in winter, all
the more consiiicuous after the fiery glare of autumn has vanished.

Borroii'Liah, D.rhijshire. G. Syme.

June 28, 1879.}

THE GAEDEN.

51i

FORMS OF LEAVES. -•

One of the most frequently used characters in the description of
plants is- the form of the leaf. This can hardly be wondered at, seeing
that it is one of the most striking and, generally speaking, one of
the most constant characters possessed by the plant. It is, however,
far from being invariable, and cultivators are frequently witnesses of
changes of this kind which never come within the ken of the scien-
tific botanist. The Olive, for instance, bears nearly circular leaves
on the ground shoots, whereas the ordinary leaves are six or eight
diameters in length. Several species of Ivy bear heart-shaped leaves
at the end of their long watery shoots, the normal leaves having five
and seven lobes. The common Bramble also varies greatly in its
leaves even on the same shoot, but tlie example we are about to cite
is still more extraordinary than any of those already mentioned.

For many years past we have noticed that in making sowings of
Sorbus Aria pinnatitida (figs. 1 , 2, 3) a number of the seedlings always
appeared to belong to different species, if we may judge by the forms of
the leaves, some of them bearing simple and others compound
leaves, the former closely resembling those of the Bird Sorbus, a
fact which led us to doubt the authenticity of the seeds. But seeing
that these discordant results were produced so constantly, we deter-
mined to procure the seed from a source which was beyond all
possible doubt. We even went so far as to collect the seeds our-
selves from plants in our own possession, which we sowed in pans in
virgin soil, placing them under a frame in a greenhouse to which we
ourselves alone had access, but always with the same results as when
we made sowings from seeds procured through the ordinary channels

Fig. 1. — Shoot of Sorbus Aria pinnatiflda with simple leaves.

and sown in the open ground. The forms shown in figs. 1 and 2
were not the only ones that we found amongst these sowings. They
are, so to speak, the extremes of the series, between which we found
every possible variation. One example of this is shown in fig. 3, in
which the leaves are only slightly indented at the lower part. What
is the lesson to be learned from these facts, of which we can person-
ally guarantee the exactitude ? A number of conclusions may be
drawn from them, the principal one being that Sorbus Aria pinnatifida
is not a species properly so called, but only a variety. We are not
only quite wilfing to admit this last-named fact, but we wiU go
further, and even allow that this plant is a hybrid — that convenient
term vrith which so many botanists in a state of distress and bewil-
derment seek to account for facts which they cannot otherwise
explain. But this easy method of .getting out of a diflficulty is really
but of little worth, seeing that these terms — variety and hybrid —
are of the vaguest possible character, and cannot be used in any
definite sense where scientific principles are in question. Such argu-
ments generally recoil on the heads of those who use them, and
render the so-called demonstrations utterly false and worthless. If
we allow that Sorbus Aria pinnatifida is a hybrid or a variety, how
many other so-called species may we not place in the same category,
most of which reproduce themselves continually with almost unswerv-
ing uniformity ? In fact, we should have to include under this head
the major portion of those varieties which botanists consider to be
separate species. On the other hand, if we examine the opinions of
botanists on the subject of the plant of which we are speaking, we
shall find ourselves in another difiSculty, which cannot be solved
easily even by scientific botanists, the facts of the case being opposed
to each other in such a way as to greatly weaken it. The plant we
are speaking of bears at least six synonyms, if not more, being mcluded
under no less than five difi'erent genera by as many botanists. We

have no wish to enter into any discussion as fo the value of any of
these appellations, which in no way change the facts of the case ;
but we would take leave to observe that they seem to point to the
fact that the Pear, the Service Tree, and the Thorn are of one and the
same genus. We are, however, in no way inclined to endorse this
supposition, and if we were asked to give any opinion on the subject
we should incline to the idea that the species figured belongs to the

Fig. 2.— Shoot of Sorbus Aria pinnatifida with compound leaves.

genus Sorbus and lies in the vicinity of S. Aria latifolia and intermedia;
m fact, it only differs from these species by the lobes of the leaves
at the base being indented more deeply, while, as for the other cha-
racters— habit, growth, general appearance, flowers, and fruit, they
are exactly similar. Our principal object, however, in writing this
article is not to interfere with the nomenclature of this plant, but to
show, by an indisputable example, that, contrary to the usually
admitted opinion, there is no absolute limit to be drawn between
simple and compound leaves, and that we may pass from one to the
other without any very striking gaps, a fact which is in strict con-
formity with the grand law of natural harmony, which embraces and
unites all, by showing that wherever there is unity of principle the
deviations from it are always relative, an opinion which we always
have and always will maintain. We may formulate our views in

Fig. 3. — Shoot of Sorbus Aria pinnatifida with partially cut leaves.

the foUowi 3g axioms : Wherever there is unity of composition dif-
ferences can only arise from diversity in the arrangement of the
parts, the forms of plants being, so to speak, nothing more than
the clothes which conceal their life. From these two axioms we
may deduce a third, viz., all plants, being composed of the same
elements, are allies or relations. It is not a question of greater or
smaller. The creation is infinite and infinitely variable in all its
parts. — Revue Horticole.

516

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

•KOTES & QUESTIONS ON TEEES, SHEUBS, & WOODLANDS.

Outdoor Camellias. -^I commend the following passage in
reference to these to the notice of "Cambrian" (see p. 414). He
■will find it in the second page of the first volume of the second series
of Sweet's " British Flower Garden." " The Camellia is not generally
so much cultivated as it deserves, though it is very hardy, standing
our severest winters when planted out against a wall, or in any shel-
tered situation without protection ; but being such an early flowering
plant, the buds are often much injured and sometimes destroyed, if
not covered a little in severe frosty weathar. We believe a northern
aspect would suit it better than a southern, as it would not be so
liable to sudden and frequent thaws in the day and frost at night,
which injures plants that are somewhat tender more than they are
injured by not being thawed while the frost lasts. We have proved
this," &c. My experience is altogetlier on the side of Mr. Sweet,
and against that of "Cambrian." I believe that Camellias do best
in a dull retired nook, where the direct rays of the sun can never
reach them, and where their roots can be always kept moist. That
they thrive well and blossom under conditions such as these anyone
could see by looking out of my windoWi^HENBY Ewbank, Ryde.

Chinese Method of Raising Weeping Trees.— It is
stated in RegePs " Gartenzeitung, " on the authority of Dr.
Bretschneider, physician to the Russian Embassy at Peking, that the
■Chinese raise weeping trees by reversing their extremities. Dr.
TJretschneider describes the operation, which he asserts he has him-
-■eelf repeatedly witnessed, as follows: " To raise weeping trees of
Sophora japonica, th«y plant two young seedUngs side by side. The
-tip of one of them is then bent downward and inarched on the base
•cf the other, tip downward. As soon as the graft has properly taken,
the tree that was doubled down is dug up, roots and all, and the
roots, denuded of the soil, turned uppermost, and the stem attached
to a stake in this reversed position. The stem of the tree, which
serves as stock, is then cut off at the point of union of the two, and
the roots of the reversed tree form the crown of the artificial tree.
In this novel position they require shading from the sun until they
iave formed some branches." In this manner, we are assured by
Dr. Bretschneider, as translated in the Gardeners' Chronicle, the
-Chinese obtain all their weeping trees.

"Weeping Cedar of Lebanon.— For the past twenty year^
1 have admired an exquisite specimen of the true Weeping Cedar o'
Lebanon which stands in the grounds of the house called Menival,
'the second house on entering tlie village of Dulwich from the London
end. The tree is quite visible from the road, and its gracefully pendent

branches flow over one another and roll out in waves upon the Grass
in a manner that reminds one of the falls of Niagara, and leads one to

sthink while looking at it that it is the most beautiful of all Conifers.
The tree looks about 30 ft. high, and is probably eighty years old,
and bears cones freely. The only other specimen I have seen is visi-
ble over a wall by the riverside in the village of Sunbury, and ap-
pears of similar age. I have for years sought for this Weeping

•.vCedar in vain in the nurserymen's catalogues, and presume it must be

../out of cultivation. — Latimer Clark.

Paul's Double Scarlet Thorn.— Thorns, or, as they are
commonly called. May trees, when planted in irregular groups in
^arks have a pretty appearance, the whiteness of the common kind
being greatly enhanced when contrasted with pink and red kinds,
both double and single, and amongst these Paul's Double Scarlet is
a real acquisition. We have some vigorous young buslies of it, and
*he lovely clusters of bloom which they produce look more like
■bunches of scarlet Banksian Roses than anything else with which I can
compare them. In every garden, however small, space should be
dound for so beautiful a tree, as, whether on the Grass or peeping
out of the shrubbery, it is always effective. — J. Groom, Linton Park,
Maidstone.

Deutzia gracilis. — One of the prettiest sights at present in
the pleasure grounds here is a large irregular bed edged -with this

Deutzia, the long shoots of which are wreathed with delicate snow-
-white blossoms in such abundance as to look like masses of the

purest driven snow. Beautiful as this well-known shrub is as a de-
Xioratiye plant under glass, it is even more beautiful when growing
luxuriantly out-of-doors. — J. Groom, Linton, near Maidstone.

The "WTiite Indian Azalea Out-of-doors.— Our white
Azaleas have not only withstood the past^winter out-of-doors entirely
•unprotected, but are now flowering freely, the blossoms being ex-
. ceptionaUy fine and pure white in colour. I see no reason why
Indian Azaleas in sheltered situations should not eventually become
popular as outdoor shrubs. — J. Groom, Linton Park, Maidstone.

Actinidia kolonaikta.— A peculiarity in this hardy shrub has
lately come under my notice which I think worth recording. The
plant is against a wall, and as soon as the first spring leaves appeared

it was pulled down and almost destroyed. I attributed this to the
cats usmg it as a ladder to get over the wall. It was fastened up
again and protected with a wire grating, and soon sent out vigorous
shoots. On Monday evening last the shoots were nailed and the
wire fencing removed, and before Tuesday morning the whole shrub
was violently pulled from the wall and much broken, and almost
every leaf stripped off. I have no doubt cats are the culprits, but
for what object do they do this mischief ? They do not eat the
loaves, nor do they seem to roll in them as they will in Valerian, and
I can detect no smell in them. It adds to the mystery that in another
part of the garden I have another species, A. polygama, not against
the wall, which they have not touched. — Henry N. Ellacombb,
Bitton Vicarage.

PLATE CLXXXVI.

THE HAEDY RED WATER LILY.

(nTMPH^A AiBA VAB. KOSEA.)
Drawn by ALFEED PARSONS.
This Lily is undoubtedly the most interesting and beautiful addi-
tion we have lately had to our aquatic flora ; but is there any reason
■why it should not ba further enriched by the multifarious colours of
the sub-tropical species ? Would it not be possible, for example, to
raise hybrids between the hardy N. alba and the more brilliant
N. stellata, &c., using the former as the seed-bearing plant ? If the
experiment has not been tried, it is worth trying. Putting aside
specul'ations as to what may possibly be obtained in the way of hardy
Water Lilies, we may congratulate ourselves on the present acquisi-
tion, for there seems to be no doubt respecting the permanency of the
colour of the variety rosea. It was at first suggested that the colour
might be due to local causes, and would possibly be lost under culti-
vation. Whatever the origin of the colour, some eight or nine years'
cultivation prove that it is fixed. This beautiful Lily is a native of
Sweden, where it is only known to exist in one remote lake — Lake
Fagertarn, in tlie parish of Hammar. It was discovered in 1 856 by
a Mr. Kjellmark, and, as far as we have been able to ascertain, it
was first published as a variety rosea in Hartmau's ' ' Scandinavian
Flora," edition 10, 1870, p. 86; since then the same variety, from
the same locality, has received two other names ; a fact to be borne
in mind in order to avoid disappointment. It should be added that
these names were inadvertently given by different botanists who
were in ignorance of each other's work, and not with the intention
of misleading the public as to the identity of the plant. Professor
Casparz, the director of the Botanic Garden at Kcenigsberg, who has
made the Water Lilies his special study for a great many years,
procured living plants and propagated them, and in 1871 offered
them for sale at 6s. each. At the time he made the announcement,
he published the variety in the " Botanische Zeitung," 1871, p. 874,
as new, under tlie name of Nymphsea alba var. rubra, explaining
that it differed only from typical alba in the coloration of its flowers.
Professor Casparz also gives directions respecting the suc-
cessful cultivation of this and other Water Lilies, which
may be repeated here. He observes that to grow
it fine, other things being equal, it must not be too much confined
for space. This is of such general application that it would seem
almost superfluous to mention it had we not every day e^vidence of
overcrowding. As a minimum it should have a superficial area of
12 square feet in water from 1 ft. to 2 ft. deep; 18 in. is a good
average depth where it can be controlled. The third name was
given to our Lily in Fries' excellent " Herbarium Normole," where
it is called Nymphsea alba var. purpurea. The dried specimens of
this collection are very fine, and the flowers, which are 6 in. in
diameter, retain their original deep colour. Fries himself must have
been greatly impressed ■(vith their beauty, for the label accompanying
the specimens in question bears the significant legend: "Maximua
et speciosissimus in Europa flos, Victoriam jemulans," or, in plain
English, the largest and most beautiful flower in Europe, emulating
the Victoria. The first coloured plate of the hardy red Water Lily
was published in the supplement to the "Flora Danica," t. 141,
which, however, represents the flowers of a much paler colour than
those we have seen cultivated in this country. It has been success-
fully grown at Kew, where it produced good flowers last year ; but,
as already stated, it has been cultivated for some years on the Con-
tinent. The first notice that we saw of it in English periodical
literature was in Trimen's " Journal ^of Botany," 1872, p. 329. Dr.
H. Trimen there records having seen it growing in the Botanic
Garden at Lund, where he was informed of its ongin by Dr. Ares-
chong. Every cultivator of hardy aquatic plants will be anxious to
possess this beautiful novelty, and, as the propagation of this class
of plants is not difiicult, we may look forward to their vrishes being
speedily gratified. W. B. Hemsley.

en

tn
f-;

June 28, 1879.J

THE GARDEN.

517

GARDENING FOR THE WEEK.

Flower Garden.

A-Uriculas. — .Seed pods of these are not filling well this season,
except in cases in which the flowers have been carefully fertilised.
It may be as well to state, in reference to hybridising that much
judgment is necessary in the selection of parents, and that seeds
saved from self - fertilised flowers are not likely to produce
many distinct and good varieties. Young seedlings have grown
vigorously during the last few weeks, and they must be provided
with more room as roots and leaves increase. It is interesting to
witness the development of the leaves ; at first they are quite green,
but the older ones gi'adually become coated with farina as they
enlarge. We still find small plants appearing in the seed pots, and
these are prickei.l oti' as soon as tliey become large enough to
handle.

Carnations and Picotees. — It is necessary to devote care-
ful attention to these just now, as any check to their gi'owth would
be fatal to the ilevelopmeut of full-sized, well-marked flowers. Keep
the surface of tlie soil free from (/onferv«, and remove all decaying
leaves. Tree Carnations are now making good gi-owth, and must be
shifted into larger pots as they require it. I have seen these plants
potted into very large pots, but that is a mistake. Our largest
plants are permitted to flower in ,S-in. pots, and smaller plants do
■n'ell in 6-in. and 7-iu. ones. What they require to grow in is good
turfy loam, well enriched witli rotten stalde manure and crushed
bones, and they must be well supplied with water at the roots all
through the growing season. At present they succeed best out-of-
doors ; the pots should be placed on a hard bottom, in order to pre-
vent worms from getting through. I never at any time use manure
water ; the only time wlien this is useful is when the plants have
become exhausted from flowering freely.

Dahlias. — The advice given some time ago was to leave the
plants in their pots until the weather had become fairly settled.
This has now happened, and nearly all the plants will have been
put out into their blooming quarters. Ours are growing freely, and
as the side slioots develop, all of them are pinched out Isut three or
four. These side stems must have smaller sticks than the centre
one placed to tliem as soon as th( y are strong enough to need sup-
port. Flowers will form on the centre steui of many of the plants,
but these must be pinched oif up to the time when the blooms will
be required, as no one cares to see Dahlias in bloom shortly after mid-
summer. There is no need to water, as the ground seems to be
sulficiently saturated to last through the season.

Pinks. — This is now the best time to put in pipings. The
smallest growths strike root most freely, ami if the weather is dull
and showery at the time when they are taken off, they may be put
in in a shady position quite in the open ground. I have propagated
them in that way in Scotland and not lost 5 per cent, of them. It
is ratlier more diliicult to propagate the Pink in tlie south than in
the north, ami iu dry sunny weather it is best to place tlie pipings in
boxes, and to strike them on a very mild hotbed. Tliey must be
shaded from the sun until roots are formed.

Pansies. — It is a good plan to put in some cuttings now to form
a late autumn bed. The season has been very favourable to tlie
growth of Pansies so far. If it is intended to have good flowers for
an exhibition or other purpose on a given date, pinch off all the
flowers that are open oriiearly so — indeed, even buds thatareshowing
colour — about a fortnight before the date on which they are required.
No flower degenerates more rajiidly than Pansies, and the only way
to maintain them in good condition is to occasionally denude them of
flowers and apply surface dressings to the beds.

Phloxes in Pots. — The utility of these for conservatory decora-
tion has already bean alluiled to, and they must now be well
attended to, in order to have them very strong at the time of flower-
ing. The Phlox is a gross feeder and absorbs an enormous quantity
of rich stimulants, either in the way of surface dressing or maiiure-
w.ater, not too strong. Tie the gi-owths to stout sticks as they
arlvance, and place the plants where they can obtain plenty of light
and air. — .J. DonoL.is.

Ferns.

There is no season of the year when Fern houses have a more
beautiful appearance tlian at present, when the different tints of
the young green fronds are in most cases developed. Everything
possible should be done that will tend to preserve them in good con-
dition. Unless these plants Ije free from me.aly bug, scale, aud
thrips, it is impossible to keep them in a satisfactory state all tlirough
the year ; the two former, from their glutinous excretions, to Mhich
the slightest dust adheres, soon cause the fronds to look black and
dirty ;°and the thrips, though easier to kill, not only disfigure the

fronds by destroying the outer cuticle, but also cause them to die off
prematurely. Where an eti'ort was made, as recommended, during
winter, to kill outright or reduce, as far as possible, these pests, the
improved condition of the plants will be apparent, and whatever
insects have escajjed should receive no quarter. The fronds will not
be in a state now to bear a strong enough application of any insecti-
cide to kill scale and bug, and these should be sought for aud removed
Ijy sponging. Tobacco water is the safest remedy for the thrips.
Any plants in small pots or tubs, particularly of the Tree species,
will be much assisted by frequent applications of manure water
moderately strong ; this will be especially beneficial in the case of
such kinds as are naturally of a pale yellowish tint, like the Cibotium
Schiedei, which ought to be in every collection where there is a house
large enough to gi'ow it ; for, althougli it is very wide-spreading, it
is of dwarf habit, with a stem insufficiently tall to admit of passing
iimlcr it in the way the tall-trunked kinds allow of ; but where there
is a projection of rock or rootwork it can be elevated with tlie best
effect ; or a stout trunk of a tree may lie used for a like purpose.
Where a large collection is planted out, it is necessary at this time
of the year to see that the strong growers do not encroach upon
the weaker ones ; this can be effected by cutting the older fronds
away freely, which will at once reduce the size of those that are to
come. The advantage of this during the season of growth, when
replanting cannot be carried out, will be obvious.

Orchids.
Cool Orchids. — The cultivatiou of these, so as to attain the
highest strength and vigour of which they admit, is much easier
when the house in which they are located is of a character best suited
to their requirements. The Odontoglossums, which collectively con-
stitute tiie most important genus that conies under the denomination
of cool Orchids, with a few exceptions, are plants tliat in their re-
quirements fully realise the term cool, for not only will they bear a low
temperature when at rest, but they are much averse to a high one when
growing ; the form and position of structure which best suits them is
no doubt a leau-to facing the north, not too high or overshadowed by
a wall higher than where the top of the roof-glass abuts against it,
as when the house is attached to a wall or high Ijuilding that extends
considerably above it, light, one of the most essential elements to a
continued healthy vigorous condition, does not reach the plants in
sufficient (puantity ; this is evident from the strong spikes and profu-
sion of flowers whicli are generally produced by plants with smaller
pseu(Io-bulii3 and less leaf development, the result of gi-owth under
enough light as compared with the size they attain wliere there is
a deficiency of this. Where a house of the description alluded to is
not available, and these plants have to be grown in a lenn-to structure
facing the south, or in span-roofed houses in any position under the
full influence of the sun, it is a difiicult matter to keep the heat from
rising too high during this and the next two mouths, as a tempera-
ture even in the daytime of 6.i' to 70' will suit them better than
higher. In such houses the advantage of tliicker shading advised
some time since will be obvious, as by the use of this the over-
alnindant sun-heat can better be kept out, to still further assist
which the rollers and blinds should work on strips of wood just
sufficiently strong to can-y them, fixed 10 in. or 1 ft. above the glass,
which will keej) the shading material enough elevated above the roof
to allow a continuous current of air passing between. Air should be
plentifully admitted night and day, tlie floors, walls, and stages on
which the plants stand kept continually wet, and the material in
which they are gi-owu equally well supplied with water. The amount
of fiower, comparatively large for the size of the plants, which the
species of Odontoglossum, such as O. cirrhosum, 0. Pesca-
torei, .and the dirterent forms of 0. crispum especially bear,
and the gi-eat length of time the flowers last upon the
plant, if allowed to remain until they decay naturally, is a
severe tax upon the gi-owths from which they are produced, as is
evident by the way in which the pseudo-bulbs generally shrivel, and
are some weeks afterwards before they regain their plumpness. This,
•with the exception of those that have flowered very late, they will
by this time have done. Where re-potting is necessary, or any
division of the plants is contemplated, anxiety to carry out the work,
so as to allow as long a period as possible for the growth to com-
plete, frequently induces the operator to pot or divide the plants
before the pseudo-bulbs have regained their plumpness after flower-
ing ; but this I have found to be a dangerous practice, as the nna-
voidable breakage and disturbance of the roots in re-potting have the
direct effect of cutting off the source from whence the bulbs become
reinstated iu their ])luiiip healthy condition, without which the
young growth immediately proceeding from them cannot be expected
to ever be equal to that arising from plants that have fully regained
tlieir woiitecl condition after the exhausting effects of flowering ; and
from this cause I have often seen healthy plants o f Odontoglossum,
instead of going on yearly increasing iu strength and vigour, and so
being able to produce double breaks, much deteriorate. There is a

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

ooiisidcnaMe iliffeieuce in tlie material employed Ijy growers of these
plants, Init after trying a mixture of Sphagnum and peat in quantities
nirre or less disproportionate of e".cli from nearly all peat to nearly
all Sphagnum, I have found that ahout half and half of each resulted
in the strongest growth. Keqniring as does this section of Orchi<ls
to have the soil in which the roots exist continuously wet almost up
to the point of saturation, it is evidently necessary to guard particu-
larly against the possibility of its becoming sour, to avoid which the
I eit and .Sphagnum should have something like one-third of their liulk
add 3d of broken crocks. These directions, so far as the potting
nia'eiial is comcerned, witli very few exceptions, hold good in respect
to all Orchids tliat neetl the soil to be kept very wet.
Intermediate House Cattleyas.— The numerous section

of spring-blooming Cattleyas, including the many and beautiful
forms of C Mossia', C lobata, C .Skiuneri, C. Aclandiie, C. inter-
media, and C. Warneri, M'ill have completed their flowering, and
had sufficient time for the bulbs that have produced the blooms
accjuiring their wonted plump condition, for, in their case as much
or e\'en more than tlie cooler section it is necessary for them to have
fully recovered from the shrivelling effects which the production of
their large fleshy flowers invariably has. The injurious result of
this untimely disturbance of the roots that takes place when tliese
l^lants are made up when in flower by putting several together, a
practice so common with exhibitors, is almost always evinced by tlie
weakened condition that follows for a year or two afterwards. What-
ever re-potting, with or without division of the plants, is necessary,
should be effected as soon as they have regained their normal state
in tlie way above described ; with these I should advise as much as
possible of the earthy matter being got out of tlio jjeat before mixing
it with the Sphagnum, in all cases adding a sufficient supply of crocks
proportionate to the increased size of pots emjiloyed. The extent
to which the roots of vigorous healtliy Cattleyas adhere to the insides
of tlie pots, or whatever they come in contact with, and the impossi-
bility ^^■ith even the greatest care of removing them without break-
age aflford am]jle evidence to the least observant that re-potting should
be resorted to as seldom as possible, yet when the stems have so far
advanced that the young gTowths formed extend beyond the rim of
the pot, it becomes at once necessary to give more room, for the
roots produced from such are not in a position to receive any nutri-
ment except from water, which they get either by direct application,
or througli tlie humidity of tlie atmosphere, the insufhoiency of
which is shown by the diminished size of the bulbs made under such
conditions. With a view to avoid shifting these plants oftener
than may be needful, it becomes necessary to give them pots
sufficiently large, yet they must not be too large, and must be
regulated in a great measure by the quantity of water given not only
when at rest, but through the growing season ; but where Cattleyas
are gi-own under the system of comparatively little root moisture as
compared with that which is necessary for most other Orchids, I
have proved by experience that there need be no fear of the de-
struction of roots often supposed likely to result from the use of pots
larger than necessary to accommodate them for a couple of years or
so. After potting keep the atmosphere surrounding the i)lants a
little closer and more humid than usual for a few weeks so as to
avoid tlie necessity for much water being applied to the soil, other-
wise the broken roots instead of healing up and commencing growth
are li.able to rot back for a considerable portion of their length.
Slight dewings with the syringe overhead will still further assist
them in this way.

Summer and Autumn-blooming Cattleyas. — Of
these the old but beautiful C. erispa, so charming and distinct, re-
quires especial treatment at almost all seasons ; if the development
of the flowers is not very slow and brought forward in a compara-
tively dry atmosphere, the blooming will not last half as long as it
will where these precautions are taken. The conditions required
are found to be such as are present in an ordinary Vinery where the
(Jrapes are wanted at an intermediate season ; here there is sufficient
warmth and moisture in the atmosphere, with air and shade, that
will give the flowers substance to last well for three weeks or more.
The later-blooming kinds, such as the true C. labiata, C. violacea,
the different foims of C. speciosissima, the beautiful hybrid C. exo-
niensis, and the C. Triana', will now be in diflerent stages of their
growth. The two-leaved kinds usually flowering about the end of
August or September will need less water to the roots than those
whose growth is not so far develojjed ; and all should be supplied
now with the maximum of heat they require through the season
from 55^ to C.5' in the night, with from 75' to 80° in the day, accord-
ing as the state of the weather will suit them.

Lselias. — L. purpnrata and L. elegans and others requiring an
intermediate temperature and flowering through the spring and early
summer will need, as regards potting, w.iter, air, and general man.age-
ment, to be treated as advised for the spring-blooming Cattleyas,
using no more shade than necessary to preserve the colour of the

leaves, with a free admission of air for some hours in the middle of the
day. dewing the plants o .'erhead with the syringe at the time of
closing the house, treatment which I have found of the greatest
benefit to a healthy development of growth ; neither have I e*er
found that La^lias, Cattleyas, or all this section of Orchids suffer in
any way from tlie use of the syringe when they receive enough air
and light, and are not subject to the enfeebling influences of too
much heat and atmospheric moisture, in which latter case syringing
often results in the loss of the young growths.

Indoor Fruit Department.

Vines. — Now that (irape-thinning has been brought to a close,
the main requirement will be to keep the lateral gTowths well
stopped back, in order to prevent overcrowding. Should there be
no danger of this through the Vines being at long distances apart,
then allow the laterals to grow till such danger appears. Inside
borders of Vines swelling their fruit will take any amount of manure
water, and, as soon as applied, the borders should be mulched with
2 in. or 3 in. of fresh stable litter in order to retain the moisture
and supply the atmosphere w ith ammonia. More than this quantity
would prove too powerful and injure the foliage. Ventilate freely
in the early part of the day and shut up early in the afternoon,
making free use of water to engender atmospheric humidity ; give
a little air at 7 p.m., and leave it on all night. Cirapes that are ripe
or ripening cannot have too much air, unless the wind prove excep-
tionally harsh, which is rarely the case at this time of the year.
Usually all atmospheric moisture is recommended to be withdrawn
when colouring begdns, but we have come to regard a moderate
amount as beneficial, inasmuch as it prevents an undue development
of red spider should that pest have gained a footing. Pot Vines
intended for early forcing next year should now have completed
their growth, which will now, as it were, require to be consolidated
and ripened by the fullest exposure possible to light and sunshine.
Keep later-nl growths closely jjinched, but the main shoot may still
be allowed to gi'ow on unrestrictedly. The plants should still have
abundant supplies of root moisture.

Peaches and Nectarines.— Fruits of these in the first early
houses will now have come to an end, and the trees may now be
overhauled, thinning out all unnecessary shoots, especially those that
keep light and air from acting on the wood that is intended for
fruiting next season. If this be done now, little if any winter
pruning will be necessary. Resume syringing and keep the borders
Avell supplied with moisture. Treat succession houses as recom-
mended in former notes for early houses, except that there should be
an increase of air-moisture now that the days are longer and warmer.
Ripening fruit should be fully exposed to light if it is to colour and
gnish off well.

Stra'Wberries. — The forcing of these is barely over, and yet pre-
paration must forthwith be made for that of another season. Owing
to the rain, runners are plentiful much earlier than at one time was
expected, and as early layering and consequently early maturation
of crowns are the main,sjuings of successful Strawberry forcing, at
any cost this operation should have immediate attention. We
always layer our first Strawberries (about a couple of hundred) in
5-in. pots, in which they are allowed to fruit, and which they do
mnch better than those layered at the same time in larger pots, the
reason being that the jiots get sooner crowded with roots, and this
induces earlier ripening of the crowns which, as a matter of course,
must fruit earlier than they otherwise would do, and, as they are
forced at a dull and sunless period of the year, no inconvenience
arises from their recpiiriug to be watered oftener than those in larger
pots. We layer the general stock in .3-iii. pots, and as soon as the
roots reach the sides of the pot we shift into (i-in. pots. The best
soil is moderately stiff loam without any admixture except a small
proportion of bone dust or horn shavings. Careful crocking to
admit of free drainage is imperative, as is also firm potting. After
potting place the plants in an open position, well supply
them with water, and keep all runners jiicked off as soon as they
are produced.

Figs. — In many instances the first crop of fruit will now be
gathered, and the trees may again be regularly syringed and be
liberally and frequently watered with guano or other manure water.
An excess of humidity is now all but impossible provided sufficient
air is given to daily renew the atmosphere, as anything like a stag-
nant condition must ever be guarded against. Rub off surplus fruit,
and avoid laying or tying in too many new shoots, which both
prevent the ripening of the wood and the flavouring of the fruit.
Where the latter is ripening, keep liotli atmosphere and roots some-
what dry — but neither arid nor dry, and do not gather any fruit till
there are symptoms of its bursting at the apex, for till that takes
place it is not in perfection. The fruit will keep in a cool, airy room
several days after being gathered in good condition.

June 28, 1879.]

THE GARDEN.

519

Kitchen Garden.

The almost daily rainfalls -wliioli we have had liave rendered
hoeing impossible ; therefore the most nrgent reciuirenient in tliis
department now is hand-weeding, for even if the weather should Ije
favourable for hoeing the majority of the weeds are too large for the
work to be done effectuallj' in that way ; at the same time, should
the weather prove favourable, hoes will require to be freely used
after weeding in order to induce a quicker growth through the
aeration of the soil. Tlie moist state of the ground has been
favourable to the tliinuing out of all seedlings, and also to the
planting out of the earlier varieties of winter Greens, Broccoli,
Cauliflowers, Coleworts, and Celery . Any of these not yet planted
should have attention before the season is too far advanced. —

THE INDOOR GARDEN.

UTILISING DEAD TREE FERN TRFNK8.

The sketch from which the annexed woodcut was prepared was
taken in one of the Ferneries at Messrs. Veitcli & .Son's nursery,

Loiiiaria attenuata on a dead Tree Fern trunk.

Clielsca. It represents Lomar-a attenuata growing on a dead Tree
Fern trunk, which is clothed also with imnnnerable sporelings of
various otlier Ferns, such as Nephrodium moUe, Folypodium Billar-
dieri, Lomaria blechnoides, &c. This is a desirable method of
growing Ferns, as they look more gi'acef ully and naturally than wlien
cultivated in pots, and they do not lequire so much attention, as the
roots insinuate themselves into the soft but solid texture of the
Fern stems where they are kei)t at an equable state as regards
moisture if water be occasionally applied. Under this treatment some
kinds of Ferns thrive better than when grown otherwise, whilst
others do not succeed so well. Tlie kintls that tlirive best are the
Lomarias, Nephrolepis, Davallias, Doodias, most of tlie Polypodiums,
many Spleenworts and Maiden-hairs, &c. A highly attractive

feature, too, is the wing of the large tropical Fernery at Kew, where
there are admirable examples of this style of growing Fern.<i;,
thriving in native luxuriance, mingled with the various kinds of
Trailescantia, Saxifraga sarmentosa, and Chlorophytum orchi-
dastrum, &c., and all the attendance they receive is occasional
watering and a daily syringing. W. G.

ORCHID GROWING IN AMERICA.

Perhap.s the following note may interest some of your readers, as it
tends to show what rapiil strides have been made on this side of the
Atlantic with regard to the cultivation of Orchidaceous plants, some
of the collections of which, both in point of nnndjers and size of
specimens, are not far belund the best of those in England, thoucli,
of course, the taste for them has not attained such popularity as in
England, yet there is evidently an increasing demand for them in
m.any of the States. The collection to which the following remarks
allude is in the gardens of Erastus Corning, Esq., Kenwood, near
Albany, New York, in which at the present time (.June 4) there
are upwards of 120 distinct species and varieties in flower, and the
majority are represented not by small-sized plants, Init by really good
specimens, such as would favourably compare with tliose in the best
English collections. Amongst those in flower of special note are
the rare Renanthera matutina, with its singular blossoms and equally
str.ange colouring, the beautiful Ladia Wolstenholmi;e, Aerides
Schrtederi, A. Larpent.'e, the curious Bulliophyllum Henshalli, Fro-
menaea stapelioides, and Nanodes Medus.%'. Of Odontoglossums
there are, amongst others, fine plants of O. vexillarium and O. Alex-
andnv, some of the latter bearing as many;is twenty or tliirty flowers
on each stem. The various kinds of Phakenopsis are now on the
wane as regards flowering ; the recent addition of an uni(pie specimen
of the beautiful P. C'orningiana, dedicated to the owner of tliis
noble collection by Prof. Keichenbach, has considerably added to the
interest of the collection. Cypripediums are numerously rejjresented,
inoluiling tlie fine hybrids C. Crossianum and Swanianum, as are also
the Eiiidendrums, of which E. Friderici (Uiilielmi and E. syringo-
thyrsus are the most noteworthy. The collection is rich in Masde-
vallias, and the curious M. nyeterina, M. elephanticeps, M. Bella,
together with the showy kinds, have been long in flower. The white-
flowered variety of L:elia Skinneri is a superb kind, and sliould be in
all collections. Another beautiful variety is a rich-coloured form of
Vanda tricolor named Corningi, and quite worthy of its distinctise
name. These are but a few of the many rarities in this interesting
garden. Fkedekick Goldring.

Bougainvillea spectabilis. — This is what we call a shy
flov^erer ; luit now and then, wliLii it finds itself favourably circum-
stanced, it produces flowers in profusion. We have a jil.ant of it
here, now in full bloom, which covers a division of a half-spau-roofed
hou.se between a greenhouse and Vinei'y ; and it also occupies the
adjoining roof sashes, the shoots being tied and trained close under
the glass in order to exjjose them to full sunshine. Those in th.e
apex of the house, where the heat accumulates, were the first to
show bloom, showing us that the Bougainvillea delights in solar
heat. Last year we turned it out of the jiot it was iu and planted
it in a prepared place, bottomed with stones and also surrounded Ijy
them, close to a flow pipe. This stone tuli, as it may be calhd, is
about '2 ft. square by \h ft. deep and well drained, tlie soil beino-
turfy lo.am, peat, and sand. It made vigorous gi-o\\th last summer,
and iu autumn water was given so sparingly that all the leaves
drooped during the day, but were revived by the morning ; it was
dry at the root, and seemed struggling for life. Nevertheless, this
kind of treatment has resulted in a profusion of bloom. It was kejjt
dry through the winter and sjiring months. It is, indeed, astonish-
ing what an amount of drought the plant will emlure without
perishing. Along with this I send a shoot to show how well it has
flowered. The topmost shoots under the sashes have been loosened
in order to allow them to disjilay their long pendent branches, laden
with their floral treasures, to better advantage. B. spectabilis
would undoubtedly be the glory of our hothouses could a display
of its beauty be insured jieriodioally. — .1. .JoxE.S, Peiii/lan, near
C'ardiijav. [The spray sent was loaded with inflorescence of the
very brightest colour. This is undoubtedly the best of all tlie
Bougainvilleas. ]

Viburnum plicatum under Glass.— Tliis handsome
flowering shrub is very effective as a pot plant for conservatory
decoration, the blooms being produced in jiairs all along the wood of
last year's growth. When they first open their colour "is pale pink,
but they soon beoome white. In tlie shrubbery border this variety
is nuicli appreciated, the smaller plants of it flowering much more
freely than the older and better known Guelder Rose. — .J. Groom,
Linton, near Maidstone.

)20

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1S79.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

SEAKALE FROM SEED AND ROOTS FOR FORCING.

In' "C W. S.'s " remarks on Seakale culture in market gardens it
is stated that market growers object to the practice of raising stoclc
from seed on the plea that seedlings " occupy the ground for one
entire year witliout any return, and also tliat during the second year
they are sometimes liable to i>roduce a profusion of small crowns ;
and unless tliese are reduced tlie plants form but weakly subjects for
forcing." As doubtless many beginners Avill copy the practices
described by your oorrespoudent, and for the most part usefully too,
allo.v me to say that the experience of market growers and gardeners
in private places is consideraljly at variance on the subject of Sea-
kale culture if the above quotation correctly describes the market
growers' opinions and practices in the matter. In one of the earliest
nundjers of The Garden, in an article on Seakale, I showed that
plants raised from seed woidd be fit to force at the end of the same
year, and the plan is one which has very much to recommend it
under certain circumstances. I never knew before that seedlings
that were thinned were apt to run to seed the lirst year, or that the
plants were liable to produce a profusion of small crowns the second
season. For tiie last fourteen years we have grown notliing else but
•seedlings here, and I do not remember ever seeing a single " bolted "
plant during that t'me. They certainly "bolt" the second season,
but if the seed-stalks be cut oif as soon as they appear tliey will
produce three or four strong crowns that will not seed, Ijut pi'oduce
goods heads for forcing. 'Wlierever space is an object, and where
the climate and soil are of an ordinary favourable character, no one
need trouble to grow Seakale for two years before forcing, either
from seed or roots, who can content themselves with good average-
sized crowns.

In good seasons we have had plants 5 ft. across from seed sown
in April, and we have never forced anything but seedlings till the
past winter, and the reason of this was that, owing to the cold and
late spring in our exceptionally late di-striet, our plants were hardly
more than above the ground Ijy the beginning of .July, and many of
thera were smaller than usual, but many also were tit for forcing.
This season being even more backward than tlie last, M'e have
planted both seeds and roots for the first time. In most parts of
England, however, and certainly in the south, or anywhere where
the seed can be got into the gTound towards the end of March or
early in April with tlie prospect of the plants being above gr'ound in
May or early in .June, a crop of fine roots fit for forcing the same
year may be confidently expected, and instead of tlie plants occupy-
ing the gi'ouud for "an entire year" to no purpose, they need not
occupy it longer than seven or eight nronths. Considering the way
in which seedlings are treated genei'ally, it is hardly to be wondered
at that they are usually poor. Seed being usually employed simply
to raise a fresh stock of plants, it is sown in rows 9 in. or 12 in.
asunder, and the plants, not being thinned out, tliey never get large ;
but sow in ro:\'s 2 ft. asunder in good, well-prepared ground, and
thin out to 20 in. or 2 ft. apart, and oliserve the difference. I liave
seen seedlings treated in this way produce roots nearly as long and
as thick as an Altrincham Carrot, and tops when forced of propor-
tionately good size. The only fault belonging to seed that I am
aware of where the crop depends upon it is tlie danger of lilanks
occurring ; but, by steeping the seed and sowing sufficiently thick
enough, little risk need be incurred in this way. Rats and mice are
almost as fond of Seakale seed as they are of Peas, but if the seeds
are rubbed while moist in dry red lead before sowing they v.'ill he
safe from such plagues.

Seakale is becoming a much more popular subject for forcing than
it used to be, and great quantities of roots produced near London
are sold all over the country. These roots, however, thougli well
gi'ow'n, are often half ruined in the lifting, many of them being mere
stumps not above 5 in. or 0 in. long, with all their extremities
broken off ; consequently they jn'oduce much poorer heads than one
would expect, or than they might have done had they not been
mutilated. I have seen quantities of these roots forced (all two or
tliree years old), and must say that the produce v.-as sadly inferior
to that produced by one year's seedlings. .1. S. W.

Early Peas, Potatoes, and Oauliflo-wers. — I have this
day (June 2.'5) gathered my first dish of Peas (William the First) from
the open ground, and a most excellent full crop they are, I have also
dug my first dish of Potatoes out-of-doors ; the variety is Alma, tlie
finest of all early Kidney Potatoes. Of Cauliflowers I cut the first
on May 23 ; the seed was sown on January 25 and put iu heat ; they
were grown on in small pots and boxes, and planted out. — Richard
NiSBET, Aswarhi/ Pari.

Asparagus "wholly Blanched. — As before pointed out, a
common error, not only in tlie case of the public, but of persons who
write on the subject, is tliat French Asparagus is blanched and
English green, the fact being that a great quantity of second-class
French produce is green, and the larger quantity of the best English
Asparagus blanched to nearly the top ; but neither the French nor
tlie English really blancli their Asparagus in the sense which the
Belgians and the Dutch do. In the best French Asparagus there are
pinkisli points, which have been allowed to see the light, and in the
best Eiiglisli there is a shade of green on the top ; but in Belgium and
in Hollan<l the whole is blancheil in the same way, as thoroughly as
we do Seakale. We have just received a specimen of Asparagus
from M. Severeyns, grown at Malincs, the shoots of which were
blanched equally throughout, not a trace of green or piuk being
visible in the close tops. The shoots sent were aliout 1 ft. in length,
and they had been a long time gatliered liefore the}' were cooked
in London. They were most delicate in flavour, a fact attested by
different persons, and they were perfectly edible for the lengdih of
8 in. Th eflavour was not that bitter kind which sometimes results
when the shoots are exposed to the light, but something more delicate,
yet retaining the true Asparagus fla\'our. A very favourable opinion
would have to be pronounced upon sucli if tasted when cut, as all
Asparagus should be ; therefore, this simply proves to us, even more
tlian any we have liefore tried, that tlie common opinion about the
value of blanched Asparagus is wholly untenable.

Lilies in Pots for Greenhouse Decoration. — Con-
sidering how effective the various kinds of Lilies are when grown in
pots, it is remarkable that they are not more extensively ,gi-owii. A
few days ago we saw in the Lily liouse in Mr. ilclntosh's
garden at Oatlands Park, Wcybridge, numerous Vi'ell-giown
specimens which were highly attractive. These coiuijrised
Lilium giganteum, 9 ft. or 10 ft. high, and bearing several of
its large, white, drooping blossoms ; L. parvum, M'ith from two
to tliree dozen flowers on each flower-stem ; the pretty
L. pulchellum and L. Hansoni, as well as the old L. pyrenaicum ; L.
Martagon and its white-flowered variety : the many forms of L.
elegans (Thunliergianum) ; L. Washingtonianum ; and the elegant
little L. tenuifolium, with its brilliant scarlet, turban-shaped flowers,
were also well represented.

NOTES or THE WEEK.

New Varieties of Alpine Gentians. — Mr. 11. Gusmus,
of Taibach, Austria, has scut us cut blooms of numerous varieties of
(Tcntiana alpiiia. Then' colours are rem.^rkably distinct and beauti-
ful, varying from the deepest azure blue to ]mre white, and in one
flower of the latter colour the tips of the corolla are of a ricli blue.
In all the forms except the white the throat of the corolla is
copiously spotted with blue on a greenish ground., and all have
greenish marks on the outside. These varieties of Gentian are, we
believe, quite unknoM'ii in English gardens, but we hope soon to see
them adorning our rockeries and flower borders.

Green Asparagus. — There lias o* late been plenty of green
Asparagus from France in the London and other English markets hav-
ing a flat, mawkish, and most disagrci;able flavour, probably from
being a long time cut. It is likely that the green Asparagus loses
flavour sooner than the thick blanched samples, tliough we have
some reason to believe that certain soils and districts influence the
flavour of Asparagus in a marked degree. In any case some samples
of Versailles Asparagus sent to the London market were not eatable
by many accustomed to the flavour of good Asparagais.

Hedysarum Mackenzi. — This is one of the showiest of the
dwarfer kinds of plants belonging, to the Pea famil}'. It grows
about 1 ft. high, and has slender branches furnished with leaves
about 0 in. long, and having from five to seven pairs of small leaflets.
The flowers are comparatively large ."ud of a bright rose colour,
borne on long slender racemes, which bear flowers successively for a
considerable time. Such a prettj' plant is well worth growing and is
perfectly hardy. It is a native of North America, and was discovered
about sixty years ago, but its introduction to our gardens is of a some-
what recent oociirrcnce. It is now iu flower at Kcw.

Golden-flo'wered Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalnni
aureum). — This is one of the handsomest dwarf-growing bulbous
plants which we possess, and yet how seldom does one meet with it
in gardens. We, however, saw it the other day in Messrs. Veitcli
& Son's nursery, where it is grown in pots in a cool house, and bear-
ing long flower-stems terminated by dense racemes of rich orange-
coloured blossoms, eacli about the size of a shilling. It is an old
introduction from Asia Jlinor, we believe, and, though it is generally
grown under glass, it is probably as hardy as other subjects from
that region.

Juke 28, 1870.

THE GAEDEN.

521

Dendrobium McCarthiae. — This is one of the most beauti-
ful of all the Denilrobiums, and is now finely in flower at Kew. Its
blossoms are larger than those of other kinds, and in colour somewhat
similar to that of D. nobile, but far richer, and the long pointed lip
has a conspicuous zone of pure white intervening between the deep
violet-purple colours. The flowers have a natural tendency to droop,
and when grown in baskets this peculiarity has a very pleasing effect.
It is much to be regretted that this lovely species is reputed to be
difficult to manage successfully.

"White-flo'w^ered Cypripedium acaule. — We learn that
a pure white-flowered variety of this beautiful hardy Orchid exists
in a noted collection of plants in the United States, and is spoken
of as Ijeing very liandsome. It takes the place amongst hardy Lady's
Slippers that is occupied by C. niveum amongst those from the
Tropics. We hope soon to see this desirable novelty added to our
collections, where undoubtedly it will be appreciated.

Double-flowered "Wistaria. — Tliis is now in flower
for the first time in Mr. Anthony Waterer's nursery at Knaj) Hill.
It is in all respects a decided acquisition, as its blossoms are per-
fectly double, and last a nmcli longer perioil in beauty than the
original with which it corresponds exactly in colour. We hope soon
to see this fine climber in general cultivation.

Scilla (Camassia) Fraseri.— Though of comimratively
recent introduction to our collections, this Sipiill will not compare
with the older kinds in point of beauty, and is much inferior to the
old Camassia esculenta, the flowers being considerably smaller and
of a pale purplish shade and produced in short, dense racemes. It
is, however, later in flowering than the other Squills and C'amassias,
whicli. perhaps, is a desirable quality.

Deep Pots for Lily Culture. — On a recent visit to the
rich collection of Lilies in the garden of Mr. G. F. Wilson, who is
one of the most successful cultivators of this charming familj-, we
observed that pots of unusual depth are extensively used, and the
fine specimens gi'ovni in theni aftbrd ample proof that dee]) pots are
important in reference to the gi-owth of Lilies. Tlie depth of the [lOts
varies of course with tlie diameter ; thus a pot S in. across the top
would be about 15 in. deep, and so on in the same proportion. As
Lilies are deep-rooting subjects, it is obvious that such pots are more
favoiirable for root extension than the ordinary shallow form.

The Plaited-leaved Viburnum. — This is one of the most
attractive shniljs now in flower at the Fulham Nurseries, wliere it is
gro^^^l in considerable numbers, and it bears a profusion of its white
balls of flowers in a small state, which is a desirable (piality. Tlie
peculiar plaited appearance of the leaves marks the species from all
the others. Tlie large-headed Viburnum (V. maerocephalum) is also
largely grown here, and though not such an abundant bloomer as the
preceding, its huge flower-heads, which consist entirely of sterile
blossoms, render it very sliowy and last a long time in beauty.

Eremostachys laciniata.— Fine specimens of this hand-
some hardy plant are now in fio«or at Mr. Ware's nursery, Totten-
ham. The foliage is ornamental, the root leaves being 1 ft. to H ft.
long, di\-ided into oblong leaflets, which are deeply jagged. The
flower-stems are about -t ft. high, furnished with numerous leafy
bracts that enclose large purplish flowers arranged in whorls. Thom'h
an old introduction it is but seldom met witii, probably o«-incr to the
fact that it is difficult to manage in some localities. It is a capital
subject for grouping in masses in proximity with otlier bold peren-
nials. It is a native of the Levant and Eastern Caucasus.

Pentstemon secundiflorus.— This species, which is one
of tlie finest of the beautiful family of Pentstemon, is now in full
beauty in the Kew collection. It is somewhat similar to P. glaljer,
but the leaves are much narrower and longer. The flowers are about
1 in. long, and the colour a bright, clear blue suffused with a pale
violet hue, with pencilliugs of a deeper shade in the throat, and they
are arranged in dense, one-sided racemes on stems about 2 ft. high. It
is a native of Western Korth America, and is, we believe, one'of the
numerous introductions of Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich, to whom our
gardens are indebted for many lieautiful species of this genus.

■Varieties of "Wistaria sinensis.— We noticed a few days
since, in the nurseries of Messrs. Osborn & Sons, Fulham, a variety
of this popular favourite bearing the name of niultijuga. Its dis-
tinctive character is in the unusual length of the racemes, which
measure from 1 h ft. to 2 ft. long, ami hang from the branches in
graceful profusion. The colour, too, of the blossoms is a shade
lighter, wliich adds to its distinctiveness. Another desirable variety
is the white-flowered kind, of which there appears to be two forms,
one of which seldom develops its flowers perfectly whilst tlie other
is as free flowering as tlie type. A large specimen of the white-
flowered variety grows against a wall, and the effect which it pro-
duces, contrasted with the old kind, is very .striking.

Delphinium cashmerianum album.— The white-flowered
variety of the pretty dwarf Larkspur from Cashmere is now in
flower on the rockery at Kew in company with the type with which it
contrasts admirably. The flo^'ers are pure white, and are Ijorne in the
same profusion as is usual with the original kind. As there are so
few, if any, white-flowered kinds amongst the perennial sjiecies, the
value of this novelty is considerably enhanced, and, doubtless, owing
to its producing seeds freely, it will soon be in general cultivation.

The Regent's Park.— M'e have been lately struck >xith the
beauty of a bit of undulated gi'ound in this park, lying in front of
the site of the old Colosseum, the flowering trees and shrubs beiiio-
remarkalile there, and the general efi'eet very pleasing. The contrast
between this and similar scenes and the sad geometry of the bed-
ding-out, now being everywhere placed with military precision in the
London parks, is very instructive.

Combretum purpureum.— One of the prettiest plants now
in flower in the stoves at Kew is the above graceful climber. It has
rich deep gi-een oblong leaves, from the axils of which are produced
large liranching racemes of briglit red flowers, which are very at-
tractive. Though an old introduction from Madagascar, it is worthy
of a place in every stove, and it is nioreo\-er very easily grown.

Varieties of "Weigela.— We have received from Mr.
J. Stevens' garden at Byfleet over two dozen named varieties of
tliese highly ornamental shrubs. They appear to dift'er chiefly in
the habit of growth, «liicli in some is quite erect, in others pen-
dulous, and also in the colour of their blossoms, which varies
from the deepest rose, such as may be seen in the variety Van
Houttei, through all the shades of pink to the snowy white flowers of
^AV. nivea, which, without doubt, is among tlie most beautiful hardy
shrubs we have. They are all specially adapted for small gardens,
as they are not of rampant growth, and in such seasons as the pre-
sent, which has been higlily conducive to luxuriant growth and pro-
fuse flowering, few shrubs present a more showy appearance. There
arc numerous kinds, too, of the variegated-leaved forms which are
desirable for producing a variety of eft'ect amongst other shrubs.

Scent-yielding- Plants.— There will be a small but interest-
ing exhibition at tlie International Agi-icultural Show, to be held
at Killiurn next week (Stand No. 627), of the products of flower
fanning from a commercial point of view. The acreage under scent-
yielding plants is far gTeater than many suppose it to be. Of Roses,
in Bulgaria, there are 5000 acres ; Lavender and Peppermints, at
Mitcham, 250 acres ; Violets, at Nice and Mentone, .300 acres ; Orris-
root, Ital}', 400 acres ; Geraniums, Valentia, 250 acres ; Lemon
(irass, Ceylon, GOO acres ; Citroiiella and Patchouly, Singapore, 270
acres ; .Jasmine, Acacia, and Tuberose, Cannes, 400 acres ; Orange
and Lemon, Sicily and Bergamo, 1500 acres. Other farms exist in
Timour and Malaya of which no accurate account can be given.

The Late Mr. Humphreys.— Professor Westwood, of Oxford,
paj'S the following tribute to the memory of H. N. Humphreys in
the Arademi/ ■■ "On his return from Italy, wliere his love for art
and Nature had been fostered, he was induced by his frieml, the late
.1. C. Loudon, to make a series of drawings of English butterflies and
inotlis, with their caterpillars and the plants on which they feed, the
text of which was contributed by the writer of this notice. The
plates of these works were zincographed by Humphreys, whose skill
ill delineation and taste in the arrangement of his figures ensured an
extraordinary and extensive sale not only of these entomological
plates, but also of the series of quarto volumes on ornamental annuals
— bulljous plants, ' ornamental greenhouse plants, and perennial
flowers — planned by Mrs. Loudon ; in all of which a numlier of
different species were groujied together in each plate. Suljsequently
Mr. Humphreys produced a second series of volumes on British butter-
flies aud moths. His task, however, was not conflned to plants and
insects. He published two \-olumes of illustrations of Froissart's
Chronicles from illuminated MSS. in tlie Loudon and Paris libraries.
His ' Illuminated Books of the Middle Ages,' produced in conjunc-
tion With the late Owen Jones, forms one of tlie most sumptuous
volumes published on manuscripts from the eight to the sixteenth
century ; while his works on the origin of writing, with facsimiles,
his books on English coins, in which he ingeniously reproduced each
in relief, printed in gold, silver, or copper, and on other coins and
medals, and his work on early printed books, in which he introduced
a large number of plates, representing full pages from many of the
rarest early block and other similar volumes, with his two little
works, consisting of the ' Miracles and Parables of our Lord, ' with
their original and highly elaborate coloured margins, were proofs of
his unwearied industry, as they were also of his excellent taste. The
two last-mentioned works and his ' History of Writing ' were
bound in a peculiar plastic embossed material of his oini composition,
which rendered them highly attractive, but which has not been
brought into general use."

i?>-2

THE GARDEN.

[June 28, 1879.

ANSWERS TO OOEEESPONDENTS.

ijaburnuni Sports.— I send you three Iiussl's of L-iburnum l»Ior>ms of
distinct colours wIiIl-Ii I cut from one tree. The latter is about 20 ft. hiyh and
looks quite handsome, covered, as it is, with the three colours.— F. DuDi>s.
tXhree-coloured blooms on the Labumura are nr>t uncommon ; the flesh-coloured,
copper-tinged kind is called C'ytisus Adatui ; the other, C. purpureas, ]

Clematises.— \Vliat is the pretty white Clematis with flowers rather larger
than a shilling', now in bloom ? Is it montana or a variety of it? If not, what
is it?— Constant Reaper. [It is C. montana.]

Diseased Leaves.-C, C— We find no insects or fuugi on the leaves sent ;
tliey seem to have l:ieen injured liy frost.

Nertera depressa. — Can you inform lue how this plant can be propagated,
whether by seeds or otherwise, and if it is hardy out-of-doors ?—E. B. [It maybe
readily propagated by division, which is best effected in spring; the young
plants should lie kept in a closj haadlight or frame until they have become well
established. It nny also be easily i-aised from seeds, which shonld be sown in
aatumn after being separated from the pulp. It succeeds out-of-doors in summer,
but it can scarcely be termed hardy in our climate.— G.]

Mealie.— Will you kindly say in your ne\t issue what kind of plant this is,
wUicIi fornix an important article of food in Natal?— F. H. L^^Je.iUe is a common
name in Afric.i for Indian Corn or Maize. — J. R. J.]

MecDnopsis "WaUiclii.— Allow me to enquire if any florist has this blue-
flowered Hiinihiyan i'oppy. It was introduced as a novelty in 187S, and the plant
J bought has proved, to my great disappnintnient, to be only the M. nepalonsis. I
tiiidtliat both Messrs. Ware & BaekliMUrie have been similarly disappointed, and
I begin to think the plant is not in England, or we should have heard of it this
summer. M. nepalensis has flowered abundantly with ns, and two plants uf it
are bsaring thirty or forty capsules filled with ripe seed, so tliat it is likely to be
plentiful. It is quite hardy and is as beautiful in winter, clothed as its leaves
are v.-ith thickly-set yellow hair.s like fur, as when it wears its summer crop of
primrose-cMoui-ed flowers.— BrjiCKHURST. [M. Wnllichi may be seen in the col-
lection at Kew, an 1 it also exists in v.irious other collections. Some of the
leading nxu'serymen no doubt can obtain it for you ]

Names of Plants— ..4rto??,.— The specimen of Rhododendron sent is ap
parently some unnamed hybrid. G. /*.— Allium Bauerianum, J. McD.—Z-,
Magnolia acuminata; 4, Cytisus Emerus. A. M. ,S— The Fern fronds arrived
much withered, and not iu a condition for naming them correctly. Send larger
specimens with ripe sori (seed) at the back of the fronls. W. C. — Tamarix gal-
lica, Ceanothus papiilosus. G. IF. — 1, Saxifraga liugulata ; 2, S. Andrews! ;
3, Hesperis matronalis fl.-pl. ; 4, Hesperis matronalis ; 5, Veronica pectinata.
P. I'. — Limuanthes Douglasi (California). J. A'.— Pulygala vulgaris, a native
plant al)undant throughout Britain. S. II. 5.— Rubus nutkanus.

Venus' Fly Trap (Dionxa muscipnla).— I have been told that this will suc-
ceed out-of-dnors in summer. Can I venture a plant or two out mth any chance
of success?— H. [The plant iu question will thrive admiralily out-of-doors dm-iug
the suumier montlis, provided it is allowed a liberal and constant supply of
water. It will also be benefited by allowing live Sphagnum Moss to grow on the
surface of the pot=.— W,]

SOCIETIES AND EXHIBITIONS.

EOYAL HOIiTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
June 24.

The exhibits at tliis meeting were umisnally few in number ; tlie
principal groups were contributed by Jlessrs. A'eitcii & Sons ; Mr.
Fisher, gardenerto F. Williams, Esq., AVoodhvn<ls, Balham, whoshowed
a well-grown collection of Gloxinias (to which a silver floral medal
was awarded) ; and Messrs. Barr & Sugden, who showed an interest-
ing collection of cut blooms. Irises, and Pyrethrums in rich variety.
From the Society's garden at C'hiswick came a group of Begonias,
amongst which, one named Nellie May, raised and certiticated fr(:)m
Chiswick last year, was remarkable fine, and of a pleasing pink tint.
A few examples of hardy Orchids were also shown, and an interesting
collection of Pelargoniums.

First-olass Certificates. — These wereawarded as follows : —

Xerophyllum asphodeloides (Wilson).— A rare North
American plant, descril)ed in The (tAP.den (p. 497).

Davallia fljiensis major (Veitch). — An eleg.ant stove
Haic's-foot Fern, dili'erin^' from the type in having larger-sized
fronds an-'. Inovder pinna;.

Begonia Royal Standard (Chambers). — A very iine va-
riety, liaving good habit and lai'ge symmetrical-formed flowers of a
brilliant scarlet colour,

Coleus Eva (King). — A kind with foliage grotesquely marbled
■.vith various sliades of reddisli-lirown and golden-yellow.

Miscellaneous Plants.— Messrs. Veitch & Sons sent a small
(jroup consisting of Rhododendi'on Duke of Edinburgh, a beautiful
: yl>rid witli large carmine blossoms, Eurycles australasica, a Pan-
cratium-like bulboiis plant with large and Ijold heart-shaped leaves
and umbels of white flowers. Another showy bulbous ])lant was
H;emanthus cinnabarinus, one of the brightest coloured of all the
Kinds, growing about 1 ft. high. Ledebouria pendula, an interesting
bulbous plant by no means showy, liearing dense pendulous racemes
jf small greenish flowers with purple-tipped stamens ; the leaves are,
as in most of its congeners, spotted at tlie bases. Croton Di'agoeanum
(iloxinia Mi's. Peploe, and Vicomte de Condeixa, but to these we
••illuded to on previous occasions. These iu addition to those certiti-

cated, which are enumerated above, comprised this group. Mr. R.
Parker sent a flowering branch of Weigela hortensis nivea, a pr.ru
white-flowered variety, and very desirable seedling. Mr. J. King,
gardener, Wray Park, Reigate, contributed Abutilon Rosy Queen
and In Meraoriam, also a group of .seedling Coleus named Maud, Ada,
Edith, Florence, and Eva ; the last mentioned received a first-class
certificate. Messrs. J. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, showed the fine
double-flowered Begonia M. Keteleer, of a pleasing pink colour,
Clematis Souvenir de Prince Imperial, a handsome variety of the
lanuginosa section, with large flowers, white, with a faint mauve tint
running through the centre of each sepal, was contributed by Messrs.
Cripps cfe Son, Tunbridge Wells. Mr. G. F. Wilson, Heatlicrbank,
Weybridge, exhibited a flower-spike of the rare North American
Xerophyllum asphodeloides, to which a certificate was awarded.
Cut blooms of an Aquilegia named Swakeleyi were also shown ; the
flowers were similar to A. ccerulea, but of a much deeper hue. A
cultural commendation was awarded to Mr. A. Boxall, gardener,
Claybury Hall, Chigwell, for a well-bloomed plant of C'ypripedium
barbatum superbum. Amaryllis Beauty of Chesterfield, a brilliant-
coloured variety with reflex petals, was shown by Mr. Speed from
Chatsworth. A pretty variety of Azalea amcena named lateritia
came from Mr. C'. Noble, Bagshot. the colour of which was unusual,
and of a pleasing soft tint. Seedling Begonias were exhibited
by Mr. J. Chambers, Westlake Nurserj', Spring Grove, Islewortii,
and were named Avalanche, floribunda, and Royal St.indard, the
latter being unusually fine and of a brilliant colour ; a certificate was
voted to it. B. Victor Enmianuel came from Mr. J. W.atson, St.
Albans, but it showed no marked advance on the older varieties.
(41oxiniaSurf,avariety with very large and erect flowers, was shown by
Mr. W. Fisher, gardener. Woodlands, Nighting.ale Lane, Clapham ;
and Mr. Wills sliowed G. Mrs. Causton, also a fine erect-floM'ered
form with large purple and white blossoms. Mr. H. Caunell,
Swauley, contributed cut blooms of a dozen varieties of choice Pelar-
goniums ; and Mr. Lye, Market Lavington, pots of Lobelia Blue
Beard, which no doubt will prove a useful variety.

Fruit. — A cultur.al commendation was awarded to Mr. Douglas,
Loxford Hall, for fruits of Strawberry Due de Magenta, a variety of
fair size and handsome form, but the flavour was considered not
equal to that of other kinds. Seedling Melons (Alplia) were shown by
Mr. H. Prinsep, gardener to Colonel Harcourt, Buxted Park, Sussex ;
and Melon, Netted Victory also came from Jlr. Gilljert, Burghley, as
well as two dishes of Tomatoes, Acme and Criterion, to which a cul-
tural commendation ^as voted. A couple of well-gi'own fruits of
Sutton's Earl of Beaconsfield Melon were exhibited by Mr. J. Clark,
gardener to Lord Hastings. Messrs. Hardy, of Stour Valley Seed
Grounds, Melton Constable, Suffolk, showed examples of their Eastern
KiugCosLettuce, a large-growing variety, which is said to withstand
the most severe weather.

Exhibition of Rhododendrons at Regent's Park. —

Tlie brilliant exhibition of these hardy shrubs from tlie Knap Hill
Nurseries is now well worth a visit. * It includes a host of novelties
associated with the best of the older varieties, and the manner in
which tliey .are arranged is very eff'ectivc. Tlie large numbers of
new kinds that have been raised and distributed by Mr. Anthony
Watcrer is ample proof, if any were wanted, that this class of plants
is made a speciality of in these widely-known nurseries. The new
varieties not yet distributed, as well as some not yet named, sliow .a
marked advance on older kinds, being well varied and rich in colour,
combined with large size I'.n 1 finely-formed Ijlossoms, aiul large com-
pact trusses.

Royal Botanic Society, June 18. — AVe omitted to
mention (p. .509) that iloricultural certificates were awarded to the
following plants, viz., Coleus Princess (Bull) ; C. Duchc;s of Teck
(Bull) ; C. Yellow Gam (Bull) ; Double-flowered Ivy-leaved Pelivr-
gonium Gazelle (Bull) ; Begonia Mrs. Arthur Potts (Veitch) ;
Gloxinia Mrs. Peploe (Veitch) ; Torenia Bailloni (Veitch) ; Begonia
Eilith Box (Laing) ; B. Princess of Wales (Laing) ; B. Electra (Hen-
derson) ; Pelargonium Queen of Scots (Foster) ; P. Invincible (Fos-
ter) ; P. Amethyst (Brehaut) ; P. Joe (Matthews) ; Tree Carnation
Miss James (Turner) ; Lobelia Erinus speciosa Blue Beard (Lye).

Pelargonium Society. — Although the date on which this
Society's show is to be held has been postponed, a few gi-oups were
contributed on this occasion, the principal of which came from Mr.
C. Turner, of .Slough, who showed well-grown examples of tlie show
and fancy v.arieties. Amongst them a brillhant-coloured variety
named Illuminator with flowers of large size and fine form, was es-
pecially notewortliy. A gold medal was awarded to this fine gi-oup.
ilr. Foster exhibited a numerous collection of new seedlings,
amongst which were many of superior merit. The following were
awarded first-class certificates, viz., Pelargonium Invincible
Emperor William, and Joe.

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