UMASS/AMHERST 312066 0333 3029 9 i»FPHifi»ww ;. \ mm %' :: \\ M ••^' V ^/w. f-^^^- ^"jS^ I;^X^USTI^ftTED WEEK1, 433 Auricula, 396 Auiicula disease, the, 443 Anhculas, autumn, 385 ; notes on, 377 ; potting, 21 ; show, cultivaliun of the, 526, 573 Australian big trees, 65 Austrian gardeners, 197 Autumn bouquet, 422 Autumn flowers, yellow, 282 Autumn tiower nutes, on hardy, 223 Autumn plantiug, 415 Autumn Koses. 371 : fruits, 410 Autumaal liower.-", late, 418 Avenue, a Scotch Fir, 3c>2 Avenues, notes on, 383 Ayr, flowers frcmi, 19 Azalea, autumualis, 41 ; mollis, 303 ; Victor Vandier Ilecker, 289; obtuta, 547 ; Princess Maude, 548 ; roticHora, 570 Azaleas and Rhododendrons, 302 Babiana, notes on, 4 r.ags for Grapes, improved, 187 Ball room decoration, 15 Balaamita granditlora, 156 Balsams, culture of, 29 Barrows, garden, 390 ; English itjle of, 329 liartonia aurea, 573 Baskets and epergnes, 403 Baskets, hanging plants for, 132 Bitile Abbey, pianfa and trees at, 348 Battersea I'aik, hedge of climbing plants, lU Beaos, Broad, and their culture, 362 Beaufijrtia spiendeus, 2J4 Beauty, is it a fashion ? 510 Beds, fianiking, 140 ; raised flower, .J43 Beds, hardy p ants in, 355 Beeches, New Zealand, 213 Beet, Turnip rooted, 19 BuetrtjOt, culture of, 510 BegoniiA. t". Barron, 57 ; Mrs. Stevens, 57 ; Thomas Moore, 57 ; a new hybrid, 430 ; ascotensis, 3s6 ; autumn Rose, 439; diversifolia, 157; go^-oensis, 104 ; insignis, 503 ; lineata, 25 ; Madame Comas&ie, 35 ; Madame Fanny Garon, 481 ; Madame Stella, 35 ; Moonlight, 503; Mrs, Stevens, 53 ; Thomas Moore, 58; Eemperfiorens rosea, 481; Victor Lemoine, 16L Begonias at Forest 11 11, 89 ; double, 225 ; best new of lfc8l-2, 311 ; out of doors, 278, 343 ; tuberous, 293, 540 ; winter flowering, 539 ; for windows, 174 ; out of doors, 108 ; as basket plants, 70 Belgian visitors, the, 11 Belvoir, notes frcm, 163 Bfrberidopsis corallina, 109, 1S3 Bermuda Grass, 264, 330 Bermuda Lily, the, 241 B;rry-beLn-ing plants, 178 Hesjhorneiia juccoides, 10 Bertolonias and Sonerilas, 464 Bilile Flower Mission, 274, 310, 374 Biennials for town gardens, 155 Bitreniria aurantiaca, 373 Bignonia radicans, 339 Billbergia mosaica, 10; Porteana, 11; thyrfcoidea. 353; nutans, 570 Bindweed, beware of, 109 Bingham, aquatics at, 369 Black Walnut, S3, 244, 303 ; as a timber tree, 131 ; ft home, th^, 406; substi- tutes fjr, 265 Backening walls, 351 Bloom, in a land of, 181 Boceonia cordata, 176, 357 Bocking Place, Orchi' a at, 84 Bomarea conferta, iGH ; in flower, 418 ; frondea, 183 Bomareas, new, 134, 174 ; notes on, 132 Bonapartea juncea, 202 ; in flower, 183^ Bones as manure, 400 Books— " D ctionary of Economic Plants," 135 " Exotic Ferns and Lycopods." 4U0 i " Flowers of Shhkespeare," 52i) " The Connty Geology of Eiighmd and Wal. s," 239 *■ Hot wa'er Heatii g," SO *'The Ga'dener," 520 ''The Larch," 238 " Town Gardening,"' 295 " The Colours of Fiowers," 525 Birder and rock plants, 20 Border plants, tall, 490 Borders for hardy flowers, 499 Borders for Vines, 16, 474 Borecole, culture of, 541 Botanic Garden, Cambridge, 294 ; Edin- burgh, 258, 294 Botanical jiardeus, 380, 412, 444 ; ugli- ness in. 473; Geneva, 477 ; public gar- dens, 516 Bougainvillea glabra, 41, 151 Bouquet, a IVovember. 481' Bouvardia Dazzler, 413; President Gar- field, 139 ; Priory Beauty, 570 Bouvardias, noteou, 535 Bravoa gcminiflora, 4 Break; ast-table, flowem for, 120 Brentford Kyu*:, proposed sale of, 204 Briers and buds, among the, 211 i;riers, the flist pull at the, 353 Brighton, new park for, 455 British Flms, trie, 419 British trees and shrubs, notes on, 381 Broccoli and its culture, 491 Broccoli, hardtning in winter, 49 ; lat-. 19; Late Queen, 78; lading in and protecting, i93 Brugmansia, a fine white, 2-^9 ; suaveo- k-ns, 70 ,132; £Ul- Brodiaca laxa, 17 Brussels Sprouts, early, 250 ; culture of, 577 Encklhonn, the, 381 Budding and grafting, 168 Buildings, garden, past and present, 345; ht rticuUural, 582 Bulb beds, permanent, 310 Bulb growing in Ilollaud. 181 Bulb list, Barr & Sou's, 206 Bulb trade, the, 328, 390, 450 Bulbous plants at Kew, 4 Bulbs, forcing, 461 Burdock, the, 317 Burdocks and Silver Weed, 49 Buttercups on lawns, 314 Buttercups, double, 67 Cabbage plants, sowing, 110 Cacti, hardy, 444, 460; (.n walls, 165; Rocky Mountain, 444 Cactus Dahlia, the, 439 Calantbe Veitchi, 480 Calceolaria aniplexicaulifl albescens creuatiflora, 224 ; Kellyana, 2Lfl ; phurua spltndens, 268, 311, 358 Calceolarias, raiding, 367 Callicarpa purpurea, 410, 442 Calluua vulgaris, varieties of, 386 Calochortus macrocarpns, 110 Calochorti, the best, 291; venustus, idl Calopogon pulchellus, 1.0 Calvary Clover, 220 Cambridge Botanic Garden, 294 Camellia in fruit, 92 Camellias, a selection of, 464 ; nmsery- men's and gardeners", 681 Camellias, striking, in winter, 161 ; white fccale on, 510 Camomile, the yellow, 85 Campanula fragilis, 134 ; persicifoUa coronata alba, 357 ; pyramidalis, 355 ; isophyila alba, 202 ; latifolia macran- tha, 41 ; nobilia alba, 154, 182 ; pulla, 11,138; Scheuzeri, 90; turbinataDick- soni, 359 ; TracheUum fl.-pl., 114 ; Van Uouttei pallida, 202; Zoysi, 114 Campanulas, 50 ; notes on, ISl Canada, wild Nuts of. 433 Canna Ehemanni, 162 ; Koutuni, 225 ; iridiflora hybrida, 526 Cannas, notes on, 244 ; wintering, 342 Caper plant, the. 233 Cappaiis spinosa, 233 Capsicum Little Gem, 10 Carditt tiower show, 22u Carnation Alfred Hudson, ence, 105, 161 ; Gloire 133; Henry CanneU, 105; bins, 105 ; Mary Morris, Jeliffe, 85; Mrs. Page, 105; Souvenir de la Malmaison, 5, 46 ; Susan Askey, White Clove, 101 ; \VUliam Skirving, 105 ; W. M. Hewitt, 105 ; W. P. Milner, 2S8 Carnation show at Oxford, 20 Carnations all the year round, 422, 491 Carnations and Dahlias, 457 Carnations and Picotees, 233 Carnations, border, 66; for exhibition, 426 ; from Uowth, 18 ; in London, ll:'> ; notes on, 159; old and new, 292 ; per- petual flowering, 441; tree, 306; use- less, 233, 29J ; winter flowerins at Slough, 402 Carriage, compensation for, 137 Cashmere Sage, the, 399 Castanea chrysophylla, 274 Castor-oil plants, 53 Catalogue of Rotes, 10 Catalogue, National Rose Society's, 29»i Catalpa blooms, 319 ; syringicfolia, 74 ; the, 1S4 Caterpillar, the Black Walnut. 319 Caterpillars on Chrysanthemums, 520 Cattleya Ainsworthi, 24 ; citrina, 274 ; aurea, 417; Candida, 503 ; gigas, 14; gigas grandiflora, 35 ; gigas striata, 3.". ; labiata Porcivaliana, 410 ; MoSsias Southgatei, 35; Trianro, 7" ; W liytei, 101 ; Walkeriana, 585 105; Flor- de Nancy, Tim Bob- 197; Miss THls GARDEN INDEX [Jan. (], IS.^3. Cattleyas, differences among, S5 ; up- side down, 416 Cauliflower, Veitch's Early, 213 (_'auliflower3, keeping; back, -Itil ; largr, 78, 86 ; note on, 23-2 f'elsia Arctunis, 3^9. 3S5 ; cretica, 31 1 Oentaurea alpina, 396 (^entm-y plant, the Queen Victoria, 44* Cerasus azorica, 419 ; tauro-cerasus lati- folia, 303 ; lusitanica, 419 Cereus J. T. Peaccck, 4 Cerinthe bicolorj 64 ii'eanothus azureus granditlorus, 202 ; Gloiie de Versailles, 65, 114, 244 Cedar, the, as an ornamental tree. 349 Cedars of Lebanon, 405 Cedronella cana, 224 Oaleriac, new variegated. 401 Celery keeping, 301 Cellar fungus, the, 207 Cellars, Muslirooms in, 3S7 Champagne, news from, 562 Charfeaa graminis. 551 Chasselas Grape, 440 Chatsworth, Orchids at, 333 Cherries, the wild, 8sl Cherry trees, dwai f Moreilo, 402 ; old and younii", 40 Chestnut, the red Uorse, 22S; tlie Tort- wortli, 523 Chicory, large-rooted, 403 Chilian, Stinging ^ettIe, 303 Chimonanthus granditlorus, 503 ; fra- grans, 5b9 Chinquapin, the We6t°rn, 27i Chiswick, cordon trained Peaclies at, 223 ; fruit trees at, 328 ; garden, notes from the, 1G2; meeting at, 197 ; trials at, 58 Choisya ternata, propagating, 269 Christmas decorations, 543, 581 ; ever- greens, 563 ; Roses, 561 rhrysanthemura Adrastus, 28S ; corona- rium, 159 ; Crimson King, 451 ; Etoile d'Or, 490 ; F. A. Davis, 451 ; Lady Scl- \vorne, 396, 418 ; La Petite Marie, 57 ; Lord Wolseley, 451 ; Maize, 332; M. Destreaux, 451 ; Mdlle. de Grange, 288; Madame Brun, 451 ; Ceres, 541 ; Duchess of Albany, 541 Chrysanthemum sports, propagation o^^, 510 Chrysanthemum show, R(»yal Aquarium, 453 Chrysanthemum, varieties of, 457 Chrysanthemums about London, 455 ; nt Chiswick, 3S9 ; at College Gardens. Dublin, 503 ; at Eynham Lodge, 439 ; at Plymouth, 462 ; at f^lough. 469 ; at the Temple, 431 ; at Windsor, 462 ; culture of, 29 ; exhibiting, 312 ; his- tory of, 453; in pots, 519; Japanese, 503 ; neAv, 4^1 ; notes on, 489 ; summer. 110; Anemone flowered, 561 ; lifted, 556 ; select, 533 Ohrj'sobactron Hookcri, 52 Chrysocoma Linopyi-is, 395 Cieukowskia Kirki, 65 Cinerarias, raising, 36S Cirencester, flowers from. 18 Clematis coccinea, 17 ; Gipsy Queen, 201 ; graveolens ia October, 332 ; I'lani- mula and Vitalba, 3S5 ; Flamniula hy- brida, 313 ; Jackmanni, 142 ; lanugino- sa, 134 ; Lucie Lemoine. HG ; Pitcheri, 85 ; Sieboldi, 142 Clematises, summer and autumn, 203; culture of, 143 ; from Tunoridge Wells, 3 Clerodendron Dalfouri, 428; Kicmpftri, 129; trichotomuro, 2i^, 32-1 Clethra arliorea, 113 Clianthus Dampieri, 134 Climate, intlucnce of forests on, 361 Climbers for an east wall, 180 Clovenfords, Grape-gi'owing at, 413 ; Or- chids at, 304 Club root fungus, the, 437 Clyst St. George, notes from, 314 Cobica Bcandens out of doors. 354 Cockscombs, large, 309 Cocos Weddelliftna in flower, 4S1 Coelogyne birbata, 392; Cumingi, 204 ; Gardneriana, 585 Coleus, good varieties of, 2SS Colenses out of doors, 304 ; seedling, 3ns CoUetift ferox, Idh Colletias, the, 333 Colour in tbe flower garden, 177, -170 499, 521, 513, 566 Colours of flowers, 111, 525 Columbine, a new, 243 Columbines, demoralised, 243 C^lutea arboreacens, 150; frutescens, 17 52 - Comely Bank Nurserj-, 322 Committee, the Floral, 516 Compaifcttia falcata, 104 : niacroplec- tron, 104 Compensation for cairiage, 137 Conifers from cuttings, 146; prox*agat- ing, 2i7 ; variegated. 33:^, 485 Coninra maculatuni, 533 (Convolvulus mauritanitus, 224, 28S, 332 Coibularias, the, 66 Cordyline indivisa, 70 Coreopsis lanceolata, 224 Coiiaria ruscifolia, 218 Coryanthes eximia, 35 Cosmos bipinnatus, f.03 ; b. parvifloru?, 541 Costua speciosus, 225 Cotoneaster micropbylla, 102 ; Siraoufcj, 332, 407 Cotoneasters, 523 Cottage gardeners, 121 Cottagers' gardens, 283 Cottage Gardens Association, 517 Covent Garden Market, 542 ; a Belgian s opinion of, 425 Country, a day in, 363 CraigleithNur.=ery, the, 322 Craig-y-nos Castle, mtcs from, 303 Crassula dejecta, 202 ; gracili?, 440 Cratfegue CaTriferei, 459 ; cordata, i56 ; Pyracantha, pruning, 459 ; select species of, 145 Cranberry, the American, 485 Craven, October flowers in, 312 Crinum Powelli, 114 Crocus, life history of, 497 Crops, fruit, report on the, f)5 Crossandra undulatifolia, 239 Croton aureo-niarmoratus, 35 ; Bruce Findlay, 35 ; Dayspring, 35, 57 ; Eyrei, 347; Princess Waldcck, 11; Thomsoni, 286 Crowhiirst Yew, the old, 165, 361 Crowfoots, alpine, notes on, 252 Crown forests, 411 Crown Daisy, the, 159 Crystal Palace, manager of the, 219 Cucumber Model, 110 Cucumbers and Xlelons failing. 223 Cucumbers, diseased, 6. 493 Curculigos, propagation of, 510 Currant Grape, the, 210 Cunningham & Frascr's nursery, 322 Cimninghamia lanceolata, 74 Ciipressus arizouica, 185 ; Lawsoniana erecta alba, 347 Cuttings, soft-wooded, 400 Cycas revoluta, 556 Cyclamen hederajfolium albimi, 224 Cyclamens, hardy, 250 ; infested V-v grub, 409; Palestine, 225; Persian, 636 Cymbidium Masters!, 392,503; Parishi, 35 ; elegans, 5S5 Cynipidsc, the, 334 Cyperus laxns variegatus, 465 Cypripedium cardinale, 30G ; Arthnria- num, 347; Fairriei^num, 306; grande, 35 ; insigne, 63, 436 ; inslgne Maulei, 119 ; selligerum majus, 417 ; spectabile, 51 ; spectabile, a fine. 38 Cyrtanthus Mackeui, 503 D. Dabeocia polifolia alba, 41 Dahlia Cherry, 347 ; Christine, 260 ; Con- stance, 347 ; cultivators, hints for, 208 ; Dr. Pegcnsteker, 309 ; Duchess of Albany, 3i7; Francis Fell, 3i7 ; Gem, 101 ; glabrata, 225 ; Guiding Star, 225 ; Harrison Weir, 3i7 ; Isabel, 347 ; John Henshaw, 260. 289; Juarezi, 184, 439 ; Little Princeps, 347 ; Marguerite, 347 ; Mrs. Burbidge, 347 ; Mrs. Gold- ring, 347 ; new double, 2S9 ; Nymphe, 347 ; Pantaloon, 347 ; Kuby King, 2r>i) ; the Cactu?, 184 ; Tyro, 347 ; Vellow Gem, 347 ; white Cactus, 343 ; Whits Quetn. hardiness of, 427, 491 ; White Star, 260, 347 ; Zimapani, 248, 238 Dahlias, bour4uet or pompone, 355 ; double, 393 ; new double, 395 ; notes on show, 312 ; pompone, 416 ; single, 183,353 ; at Tottenham, 354 ; in autumn. 370, 375 ; indoors in winter, 283 ; size of, 457 Daisies, double, 500 Daisy, culture for mark**!, 250 Damson, Crittenden, ISS Daphne indica, 536 ; planted out, 477 : propagating, 197 Darlingtonia californica, culture of, ICO, 331 Davallia tenuifolra Veitchiana, 35, 57 Day in the country, a, 369 Decoration of ball-room, 15 Decorations, dinner table, 4; floral, 1, 59, 200; Christmas, 543; floral, 539 Delphiaium cashraerianum, 3 Delphiniums, 50 ; colour in, 457 ; late flowering, 154 ; note on, 18 ; seedling, S8 Dendrobinm Dalhousianum, 63; endo- charis, 480; formosum piganteum, 371, 562 ; Goldiei, 392 ; leucolophotum, 392 ; infundibuluni, 552 Dendrobiums, the nigro-hirsute, 552 Deodar, preserving a, 319 Iteafontainea, 42 ; spinosa, 41 Design, garden, 135 Desniodium penduliflorum, 309 I>es3ert, setting up, 64 Destroyers, garden. 437 Deutzia gracilis, 241 Devon, flowers from, IS Diceutra eximia, '.SS Dichorisandra ihyrt-iflora. 430 Dicksonia chrysutricha, 35 Dicksons & Co.'s nurseries, 297 Dictamnus Fra^inelli, 1S2, 292 Difficulties of hardy fruit culture. SS Dinner table decorations, 4, 539 Dipladeniaboliviensis, 86; Brearlcjann, 183 Diplopappiis chrysophjllus, 109 Disa grauniflora, 4U, 113 ; superba, G3 ; polygonoides, 240 Disease germs in tbe air, 252 Diurnal rest for plants, 64 Douglas Fir, the, 227. 303 Downie tt Laird's nurseries, 343 Downside, Leatherhead, Orchids at, 210 Dracaena terminalis, 485 ; Thompsoniana, 35 Dracrenas, culture of, 29 ; nut of doitrs, 304 Diospyros Kaki, 3S9 Drumlanrig, fruit growing at, 316 Duke of Buccleuch Grape, 402, 447, 474 Duiidee Horticultural Society, 540 Dutch bulb trade, 455 E. Earwigs, 210 Eist Anpiii, storm in, 540 Eastnor Castle, large Vine at, 40 ; notes from, 431 Echeveria retusa speciosa, 520 Echiiiocereus gonacantiuis, 411; pcc- tinatus ruttspinus, 162 Edinburgh Butanic Gardeo, 2"8, 291 Edinburgh, public gardens of, 255 Edinburgh Nurseries, notes from the. 283, 297. 322. Wi Edinburgh, rock garden at, 2ii, 23 ; rock gardens about, 320 Edinburgh Show, notes from the, 261, 2S5 ; Roses at the, 30S Egg Plants and their culture, 254 Eichornea azurea, 90 E teagnu?, the varieties of, 522 Electric light, the. and plant growtb. '^ Electric lighting, 88 Elm?, British, 419 English plant names, 400 Ep- rgnes, dressing, 174, 233 Epidendrum Schomburgbi, 24n Epi-a;a repens, 46 >pilobium obcordatum, 10 Epipactis lalifolia variegata, 455, 502 Ei-iphyllum truncatum, 290, 471 ;and its varieties. 225 Erica cermthioides, 225 ; Farmentieri, C4 Eri;eron grandiflorum album, 93; ru- se urn, 157 Eryngium glnciale, 52 Eryihrrea diflusa, 159, 443 Erythrocha?te pahnatiflda, 139 Escallonia:! lor seaside, 362 Escallonia floribunda, COO; macrantha, 357 ; montaoa, 17 ; Phillipiana. is Esculent, a new, 6 Estimates of flowers, 416 Eucalypti, S3. 220 Euchaiis amazonica, 1C8, 202, 3f)9, 4 JO; flowering of, 410; Candida, 417 Eucnmis p'lnctata, 224, 2S8, 29:i Eulalia japonica, 443, '184, 191. 572 ; ji- ponica albolineata, 235 Euonymna for the seaside, 303 Euphorbia jacquiniraflora, 102, 482 ; puiii- cta, 225 Eurya lulifolia variegata, 309 Eurjcles amboinensis, 503 Evergreens, planting, 228; in sniiiracr, 42, 116 ; Ihristmas, 563 Everlasting Pea, varieties of, 20 J Esacum macranthum, 202, 422 Exhibiting hardy plants, 28 Exhibition at Agiicultural Hall, li ii Exhibition, Carnations for, 426 ixhibitions, judging at, 220, 283 Exogonium Purga, 418 Extension and re-triction, 254, 30(j Extension v. r<^striction, 330, 352 Eyot, Brentford, 304 F. Fashion and beauty, 510 Ferns, Filmy, a house of, 111 Fernelia buxjfolia, 5 Fern^ry, climbers for a, 390 Fernfield, Bridge of Allan, Oitbids at, 533 Ftrus and ferneries. 378 Ferns, be^t cultivated, 436, 497, 530, i63, 568; Filmy, 528; for table, 200; in rooms, 241 ; pot culture of, 421 ; propagation o/, 509 Ferula cummunis, 353 Fertilising Moss, 439 Ficus repens and its fruit, ■! 10 Fig Negro Largo, 153 Fig?, 475, 476 ; in pots, 7 Filmy Ferns for table, 201 Fir forest, a, 349 Fir, tbe Douglas, 227 ; the yelliw. scl Fir tree oil, 652 ; as an insecticide, lo'j Fire Pink, the, 371 Flame Nasturtium, the, 11 Flax, New Zealand, 502 Floral decorations, 1, 200 ; in London, 59 Floral photography, 307 Florida, Pine-apples from, 137 Florida Water Lily, 310 K oriculture in America, 436 Florist, woik of the, 8 Flower basket, a pretty, 220 Flower garden at Gunuersbury, 171 Flower garden, colour iu the, 17r 47(», 477, 490, 521, 543, .566 Flower gardening, 394 Flower gardens, past, present, and fu- ture of, 477 Flower, hardy, borders, 499 Flower Mission, the Bible, 374 Flower season, close cf the, 394 Flower beds, raised, 543 Flowers by post, 497, 506, 528; colours of. 241, 525 ; estimates of, 416 ; exhibiting hardy, 56 ; for cutting, 174, 559 ; for the breakfast table, 119 ; from North Wales, 386 ; good autumn, 309 ; hardy in winter, 491 ; immersed cut, 184; in shop windows, 481 ; October, 354 ; on lawns, 140; packing, 374, 410,427, 491 ; spring, 500 ; sweet scented, 472 ; yel- low, in autumn, 203, 232 ; weather proof, 426, 455 ; white scented, 353 ; winter, for markut, 462 ; arran^risi!.; cut. 550 Forcing plants, preparing, 482; in the dark, 535 Forest Hill, SO Forest Hill Cemetery, 436 Forest trees, two useful, 83 Forest tree seeds, keeping, 569 Forestry, School of, 586 Forests, Crown, 411 Forests influence for climate, 361 Forget-me-nots in Grass, 4 Formation and treatment of lawns, 500 Foxglove, malfonned, 138 Foxgloves, hybrid, 491 Fragaria indica, 161 Fragrant flowers, 89 France, notes from, 134, 431 Francoaramosa, 68, 90, 109 Fraucoa, varieties of, 110, 154 Freesias. notes on, 107, 241 ; vai ietics and culture of, 04 Fremontia californica, 115, 144, 16.'p, 439 ^French Bean, Longsword, 87 'French Willow, the, 85 Froebel's nurseries, Zurich, 336 Fruit buds, autumn swoUiugof, 48S Fruit cr^ips, report on the, b7, 95, 123 Fruit culture, difliculties in, 8S ; time In, a Fruit growing at Drumlauric:, 316 ; lor profit, 400 Fruit packing for travelling, 333, :JHS ; prizes for, 13 ; shrivelling, 525 Fruit preserving in ice, 263 Fruit, preserving ripe, 253 Fiuit tree borders, dear and cheap, 20't Fruit trees, young, 545; autumnal growth of, 275; gumming in, 415; in pots, S, C2; manuring, 141; summer pruning of, 488 ; surface stirring of, 142 ; water- ing in autumn, 316 Fruits and vegetables, foreign, 137, 176 Fruits, imported, 111; small, propagat- ing, 547 Fruits, stone gumming in, 3SS Fuel, cheap, 530 Fungus, Auricula, 410, 433 Fungus on Cioerar as, 284 Fungus, the club root, 437; the Hr-lly- hock, 376 Funkia grandifiora, 224, 295 ; Sieljoldi, 3, 250 Fuchsia, Alphonse Daudet, 220 ; a new, 284 ; dependen?, 162 ; globosa, 37l ; diseiised, 161 ; pumila, 184 ; Riccar- toni, 244, 303 ; Sunray, 602 Fuchsias, new seedling, 332 ; diseased, 2S4 ; iu Octo>:er, 3SG ; out of doors, 288 ; species of, at Pendell Court, 2K7 ; the hardy, 331 Gaillardia picta Lorenziaua, 11, 163, ISI, 244, 428 GaleandraDevoniana, 205 Gall flies, the Oak, 334 ; the Rose, 469 Gal's on Cucumber, 19 Garden, a north-east, 237; a wildeintss, 83 Garden barrows, 390 Garden, Cambridge Botanic, 29 1 Garden, colour in the, 177, 543 063 ; the. 477 ; ^ose in the, 566 ,Ja:1S5 ; in London piirks, 218 ; in Switzerland, 443 ; under difficuUies, 77; mid, 01 ; withcovcrel soils, 72 : winter, 43;i Gardens, botanic, ugliness in, 478 Gardens, botanical, 3S0, 412, 444, 510 ; cottage, association, 617 ; cott»gers', 283 ; experimental, at Girtford, 117 ; Inner Temple, 300 ; past, present, and ruture of, 477 ; public, of Edinburgh, 265 ; town, annuals for, 155 Gardeners, Austrian. 197 Gardeners, cottape, 1 21 , 430 Gardeners, Flemish, 1 1 Gardeners'Eoyal Benevolent Institutin, 20, 79, 304, 460 Gardeners, special. 3<3, 345 Judging, wro: g ideas in, 329 Judicious pruning, 406 Juglans, the species of, 251 Jiinipcrus occidentalis moncspcrma, IS.. Kalniia latifolia, 0 ; in a cut state, 33 Kalmias, soil for, 43 Ke-v, bulbous plants at, 4 Kew Hardens, 93, 367; gates at, 411; opening of, 411 ; leporton, 686 Kingston, Jamaica, flower show, 82 Knipliofia aloides uobilis, 157 Labels, 431 ; new. at Kew, 497 ; zinc, lor Rose trees, 3, 540 Labelling border plants, 561 Lachenalias and Halfodils, 55 Lachenalias, note on, 4 Lieha autumnalis, culture of, 408 ; llam- mea, 480; monophvlla, i.l0; .autumn- ' floivering, 373; htelzneiiiina, 586 Lagi-rstrrem'a indica, 85, 184 Lago Mapgiore, notes from, 372 Lambeth falace grounds, 680 Lancishire, nottsfrom, 120 Land, a tree, 301 Land of bloom, in a, 1S2 Lantaua Phosphore, 63 Lapagiria, a flue, 335; culture of the, 160, 483; rosea splendens, 413; hardi- ness of, 160 Larches, remarkable, 270 ; the Dunkcld, 270 Las'a stipitata, 35 Lasiandia macrantha, 670 ; in the open air, 202 Last rea montana coronan.s, 1.53 Laibyrus pjrenaicus, 150; odoratus Bronze Queen, 153 Lattice-leaf plant, 247 Laurel, a broad-leaved, 303 Laurel insecticide, the, 169 Laurustinirs in pots in winter, 526 Lawn, making a tennis, 229 Lawson Company's nursery, 208 LAW— Harwood i'. London Cemetery Cum- panv, 664 Lawson Nur.- ery, Edinburgh, 42 Layia elegans, 413 Leaf beds and Pine growing, 223 leaves from the Sjuthern .lilps, 423, 573 Leeaamabilis, 466 Leeks, culture of, 0 Leith Walk Nursery, 299 Lens esculenfa, 191 Lentil, the, 191 Lentinus Upideus, 207, 269 Leptosyne maritima, 161 Lettuce destroying insects, :*oi Lettuces and Onions, 2!2 Lettuces, summer, 18 : varieties of, 171 Leucojum vernum, 368 Liatris pycnoalatliya, 885 Licuala grandis, 111 Liculia gratif sima, 280 XiguBtiumchinen^e,74;chiiienEenai.inu, 40 Lilac, white, 174 Lilies as pot plant.a, 179 ; itoul le, 416 Liliuiii aurattin, a dw;irf, ItO ; a fine, 113; culture oi^ 138; double-flowered, 356; in > ova Scotia, 293; in the open border. 457 ; virAinale, 1(54, 286 Liliuni Patimannic, 2(2, 368; Catcsl a'i. 353; dalmi^ticum, 11, b9; giganteunr, 10; flairisi, 86, 107, 244; l^ichtlini, 133;longlfoliumTatesims3,S9; Wilssni, 65; spcciosiini Melponune, 197 ; tes- tiaceum, 138 ; Tliunbergianuni tiu- ( ntum, 57 Lille, International Hhow at, 212 Lily of the Valley, 442 ; English and im- ported, 463 ; well grown, 204 Lily, the south-, rn. 353 Lime, influenec of, en germination, 480 Limnantbes Douglasi, 244 Lin.aria thymifolia, 201 ; triornitbophora, 208 Lincoln's Inn Fields, E9) Liuderiia rivalis, 224 Liparis Saundersiana, 480 Little and Baliantyne's seed warehouses, 455 Loasalaterilia, 427 Loasas, the species of, 593 Lobelia, Finsbury Park Blue, 35 ; prize white, 17, 40 ; puraila Insjrami, 35 ; varieties of. 203 Lobelias, white-flowered, C9 London, open spaces In, 410 London rarks, gardening in the, 202 ;;rii- provemeiits in, 497 Longtwo^d, French Bean, 87 Lonicera ja onica, 169; temper\ irtr.s, 17 Loranthus Colensoi, 218 Lucas. Dr., the late, 106 Luculia gratissima, 480, 481, 519, 647 Lupinus nutkanns, 3 ; subcarnosus, 3S6 Lycaste Deppei punctatissima, 11, 35 ; Skinneii alba, t92; Skinceri, cnlture of, 245 LyAnis Haageana, 52 ; the old scarlet, 134 Lygodium scandens for cutting, 3"3 Lysimachia Leschcuaulti, 201 ; Huniniit- laria, 138 M- Madagascar, flora of, 520 JLagnoliamacrophylla, HO ; at Snmnicr- bill, 150 ; purpurea, 485 ; Soulangeai,a nigra, 17 Magnolias, the late flowetir.g, 26; mulch- irg, 622 Maiden-hair Fern in open air. 204 Maiden-hair Ferns for rod greenhonst", 359 Mains Halleana, 16:^ Mandevilla snaveolens, 1C9 Mansion House, Rose shew at, 19 ilanure, bene, 4C0 Manure lieaps. utilising, 78 JIanuring fruit trees, 141 Maple, the better kinds of, 459 Marguerite, a double, 10 Marigold, Sjotch, 41; new Fr nch ;.7! Marigolds, African, 202; Fr^neli, 218; becldirg, 601 JIariposa Lilies, the Ijott, 201 ^Market carden note;', 7 2 .Martagcm Lily, the black, S9 MaiC^renhaisia Ciiinowiana, 113 Masdeval ia Barheana. 480 Matlock Bath P.ivilion gardens, J67 Matricaria inodcr.i 11. -pi., 268 Mealy bug on Vine-, 676 ; .1< d Fir oil. 7 Meconopsis, or Indi.an Poppy, 90 Meconopsis Wallichi.iia, S8, uu Mcdicago Echinus, 220 Meadow Saffron, double, 363 Meilinillas, note en, 636 Melon disease, ciuso and cu;c of, 7, 40, 142 Melon, Ui^hcross Tlybtid, 17 ; Victory of Hath, 61 Melons in small pots, 17, •i'^ 142 Melons, Water. 141, '278 Menziesia polilclia alba, 3f2 Merciless letters, 73 Jlespilus grandillo! a, 103 Mezeron berrie.s, 75 Michaelmas Darsiis, tlio best, 288 : two good, 289 Michauxia canipanuluides, 162 Microcachrys tetragono, 407 Mignonette, Miles' Spiral, 3 Mildew on Roses, 2 Millabitlora, 169, 309 iUUionaiie hortlcultuio !-7 Vlll THE GARDIN INDEX Mimicry in Orchid flowers, 282 Miuiulus cardinaJia, 10 Mina lobata, 461 Mitella diphjlla, 21 Mr. Mattliew Brown, 8-2 Moccason flower, shade for the 35S ISloggridge, Mr. Matthew , 1(X> Monarda didima, 292 Monejwort, the, 138 MoDymusk Larches, the, 271 Wonocha>Uim8, 471 Moutbtetia Pottti. Cs ; rrsta, 101 Mouzie Larches, the, 271 Morello Cherry trees, dwarf, 402 Morina elegans, 368 Monnodes lentiginosa, 503 ; miicolor 349 ' Moss culture, 174 Moss, fertilising, 439, 516 Afoth, the antler, 661 Mountain Ash iu town gardens, 301 Moutan I'xonies, 140, 410 Mucuna imi Ticata, 101 Mulberry, the, 646 ; trees 475 Mullein, purple, 377, 3»5 ' Mummy Tea, the, 232 Munstead, Godalming, loi Mushroom culture out of doors, 654 Mushrooms, 207; are they poisonous. 498; in cellars, 387; outdoors, 49 175 Musa coccinea, 48 ; vittata, 11 us' Jlyosotis dissitiflora alba, 6 ; from seed. Myrtle, the Peach, 230 N. Narcissus mocophyllus, 467 50' 547 n ational Rose .Society 540 ' Native Guano Co. Show, 3S9 Naturalisation of plants, 371 Nelumbiums and theu- culture 4'1 Nelumbiums, notes on, 369 ' Nep.nthes and their culture \n Nepenthes matlagascarensis, 36 ■ Mas- oTill"' ^^' ^^^' "° ' ^"J""' ^^ • ^P^"«^ Nerine Fothergiili, 463 "^m'""" ^I'"'doni grrnJiflorum, 68- Mons. Balaguier, 68; Oleander, "95: SoBur Agnes, 58 ' New England Mayflower, 46 New England, notes from. 241 '>43 • n,- chidsio, 25 ' " ' N»w 7"'1'^3 ^^''' ^O; variegated, 602 New Zealaud, notes from, 218 4''3 Newry, notes from, 61, 167 ' Nicotiana tubiflora, 101 Nierembergia frutescens 11 Nomenclature of Orchids -'li Norfolk, notes from 394 ' Normandy, Orchids in 683 North Wales, notes from lis 28? 61T ^""**"SS, 8, 53, C4, 114, ilc, Notes by " Brockhurst," 2B8 Notes from a north-east garden •>S7 Notes from Eaitnor Castle 43' Notes from Fraoce, 134. 43'] Notes from Gosport, 296 Notes from Lancashire, I'o Notes from New England ''ll Notes from Newry, 51 '" Notes from Norfoli, 394 Notes from the .Southern Alps, 4''3 67j Notes from Wortlev, 566 Notes on Chrysauiiemums 4S9 Notes on autumn hardy plinf" i-n November bouquet, 481 ' November flowers, 439 November Orchids, 417 Nuphars, notes on. 369 ^ro'"llv''r°'^'"'' "^"S; Dicksons* »r,; K^'L'"^'"^'^'™''. 330;Gran- tc Road, 299 ; Laing & Co.'s, 89 ; Law- ''°\2'"r>mrs, 298 ; Leith \\'alk •>99 ■ safe o7%''if ** '•Sf"'"i'' "1 • "^i'"™'^ sale of, 34b ; Piing Park, 297 • Red- '.'no'th^^r'- SI--'""l>^I'''s. -i-odmorden, -!09 ; the Laws n. 41 ; Tunbridce Welii, the, 196 ; Craigleith, .he, ."22 ^ ^• ^ut8. the Canadian wild 43s Nympb^a alba rosea, 309 ; Dauberyana 439; flava, 41, 310, 421 ; gigautea 41 retTs'^lof'" • P"^"""' 3^8 " ^aniila: O.ik Apple, the, 335 Oak, a variegated, 303 Oak, gall flies of the, 334 Oak root gall, 335 Oak spangles, tlie, 334 Oak, green blight on, 74 OniTDAUV— Dickie, Dr. George, 106 Hinds, William, 686 Hooper, Edward ,1. 554 Meeh.an, Edward, 431 Lamarck iana, ; pumila, 157 ; .Moggridge, Mr., 82 Newington, Dr., 68 Dsbom, Robert, 14 .Sadler, John, 542 Sargent, Henry W., 564 Piesse, Septimus l>r. W 3U0 sherratt, John, 14 Shirley. Philip Evelyn, 320 Thwaites, Dr., 368 Ochna niultiflora, 674 Odontaglossum cordatum aureum, 35 crispum, 161 ; fine variety of 66 436 cnspum flaveolum, 393 ; grande,' 304 373; Rossi majiis, 393; tripudians' aureum, 36; vexillarium, 14 "04 • nSm iw" ™'''"™- 373;Wilckea: (Enothera Fraseri, 3.^8 • 130; tara.vacifolia, 358 speciosa, 17 Oleanders, notes on "'4 Olearia Eaasti, 85, 113 '"l,';l'""'".u™"'"^""" Siganteura. 168 macranthum, 205; Eogersi, 392,436 stelligerum, 104 ; three good 417 zebrioum, 162 <>nion, Golden Gem, 426 ; Trehons "13 On.ons and Lettuces, 232 Onions and their culture 109 Tfl"'nm'J,'"""';"'""' ""': llumiing, 216 , unthinned, 264 ^ Ohio Valley, notes from the, 319 Oil, Fir tree, 55.' Orange trees in small pots, 134 Orchard house culture, 676 Orchard houses, 416 623 Orcharding, succesitul 210 Orchards, shelter for, 361 Orchid bulbs, pruning, 565 n^'l"' "'""■.«. 2»4 ; in America, 631 Orchid descriptions, 114 Orchid flowers, mimicry in 282 orchid growing, the A B Cof, 119, 188 Or h!l =?''.^^™P"'"'"''^ »'• 2'i- 393 ,,' at Albany, 373; at liockin" ace, 84; at Bridge of Allan, 2s5Tat }± '.^n ?"xS'-''\","^^' '■^°* ■ "' Downside rj dn • "' Highbury, 167 ; at Kew, 183 at Selljorne, streattiam, 2S2 ; at Sud ^'"■J- House, 363 ; at The Dell Egham 62; at the Koyal Exotic Nutser;. so" ■ nood, 133 Australian, 245- British rare, .373; cool, 2S2; culture of 436 ■ description of, 306; growing 046 • at .St-auiford Hill, 662;' at Fernfleld, 632 in Normandy, 583 ' "wi^m,S5 """'■■ ""'" »». 373;in °''.o^'?^l" •?''"'"'<=a, 306; in New Fng- land, 26 ; in season, 85 l>rchids of Assam, some of the 6C1 Orchids making up, 53; 'notes on hybrid, 63 ; November flowerirg 41? • two good cool, 393 ' Orchis, latifolia, £05, 240 ; maculata superba, 3 ; the spotted 17 '"'*'•""''» Orchis fuliosa and its varieties, 630 Orchises, British, 3 Om nuntal arboriculture 147 Ornithogolum arabicum, 249 34f; ■ fhn- soides, 347 ' '^' Ornus europa^us, 117 Osboru's nurferies. 111 Osmanthus ilicifolius, 622 Osniunda japoLica eor.vmblfcra 35 67 • javanica, 36 ' ' ■" > Onviraudra fenestralis, 247 Ourisia coccinea, 4, 70' Overhanging trees, 3'4 0.\alis loliata, 199, 443 Oxford, Carnation show at "o Oxide of iron in soils. 216 ' Packing flowers for transit, 338, 410 4'>7 Packing fi uit, prizes fur, 13 Paddington, proposed park for 137 Incomes, herbaceous, 61 ; Moutan 44o- tree, 134 ; tree or Moutan, 1 to ' Palms, .sowing seeds of, 264; stove and greenhouse, 331 -"x; auu Pampas Grass, the 673 Pmicratium illyricum, 292 ; spccicsuni, Pandanus Veitchi, 400 Pam^ies,bord,rcf, IS; in hot dly soils. Pansy Distinction, 221 ; International, «. ; Kmg of the Yellows, 52; Ladi^ Kintore, 139 ; Lord Waverley 57 ■ Ma/ pie, 4, 6(1, 285 ; Sunburst, 06 ° 1 apaver apulum, 92 Paper making, materials for, 620 Paphinia rugota, 11 Para Grass. 296 Paraffin as an inseeticile, 661 "^^eiTI^^^^^ """«---. ^36; in [Jav. C), 188?. Parks, London, gardening in "48 Park, new public, 3,S9 Parks, London, flowers iu, 20" Painassia asarifolia, 201 Paroehffitus communis, 396 Parsley, culture of, 640 ; for winter "32 PassiHora ccerulea at Eastbourne 208 Paterson's, Dr., Orchids, 281 Pea Alfred the Great, 68 Pea crop, the, 110 Pe.-i Everlasiing, varieties of 204- CI1 "■!f ^a', '^'V' f'''S'o»'s Earliest of All, 232, 301 ; Lye s Favourite, 68 ; Mummy, the Si. 136, 232 ; Stratagem, 68 ■ Tur- ner's Emerald, 68 . o, iui Pc-ach, a fine. 222 ; Amsden's June at Decapns, 210 Peach borders, 209 Peach crop in America, 263 ^^83* ''""""'^' '^- • standard, in France. Peach Dr. Hogg, 3S9 ; Early Rivers', 7 ■ 1,. 7Vv?6'<'' 222; growing, about; 1(1 , of China or Peen-to, 222 ; Thames Bank, 301 ; the Amsden, 141 Peach trees, cropping, 62; fruitful. 410- weakly, 338 Peaches and Nectarines, late "10 Peachts and Peais in America, 21(1 Peaches, classiflcation of, 300 ; glandles' o« •0^;;''°''" t"^ outdoors, 53 ; late,' 2»2, 339 ; sunshine for, 39 Piiaches v. Grapes, 2;i I'eaches v. Pears on open walls 470 Pear and Apple eultme, 623 ' Pear growing for profit, .507 6"6 645 5-5 1 ear Maiie Louise, double graf tin- '361'- Iitmaston Duche;s,362; seckleou the Apple sto'.k, 186 Pear trees, double grafted, 389 Pears, stewing, 275 ; hsavy crop of, 540 Pears, the bi st. 276, 445 «■ . " Pears trained like l-eaches 216 Peas and Cocoa-nut fibre 3'"4 Ptas and their quality, 88 Peas, flavour of. 49 Peas in 1SS2, 387 Peas, late, s65 ; mildew on, 213; Mum- my, 346; prizes for. 79; protecting autumn s .w n, 513 ; six good, 87; sweet' in succession, 62 ° ■ • "='■. Peat for pot plants, 329 Peen-to, or Peach of China 2'" Pelai-gonium Advensurer, 36 ;"AgIaia 13 ;.S; Albert Crousse. 461; Belle' de Jour, 68 ; candidissimum plenum, 68 • Comtesse Horace de Choiseul, 13 58 •' Diadem, 13, 36 ; Duchess of Alban-' 13 ; Edith Little, 13; Eva, 68; Florrie Thompson, 13; Gambetta, 13; Got .<8; Grand Chancellor FaiuhLTbe IS ■ Irene 13; Kkber, 68; Lady Ho'oke' 12; Little let, 13; Love'ly, 1:/; Lumen; ^•I->"ette, 13; Mad. Harmant, 53 ' Mad. Mane Kneckt, 13; M. Hardy fnn Ir ^"O'!"'. 13: Jliss Hamil- ton, 58, Morning, 13; Mrs. Gor- don, 13, 461: Olive Carr, 68; Paul Jacobi, S48; Poiteau, 13; P^iuce-s of Vales. 13; Eollisson's Unique, 461 636; Rose Superb, 35; Royal Review,' 13 , Sister of Mercy, 36 ; Crania 13 • Vesuvius, 13; Veteran, 36; White t-.'j'jPP"' Improved, 13; (iuiiion Man- Pelargoniums and Geraniums 49 Pelargoniums certilicated, 1" ' Pelargoniums in midland counties 70 • in winter aud spring, 411 ; Ivy-leaved' 40 603; new, 121, :9S; plunging in pots 6; propagating, 168; tr.aining of, II; winttr zonal, 399 Pendell Court, Fuchsias from 387 Penn memorial trees, 640 Pentas carnea, 485 Pentstemon franklini, 236 ; Jatfrayanus, 62 Mrs.Macfarlane, 347 ; -Murrayanns 156; new, 108; Eichardsoni, 167- sne- ciosus, 166 . ' . -V"! Pentstemons, a note on, 134 ; seedlings, Peperomia resedieflora, 41 Perennials, a few good, 291 ; for winter and spring, 395 ; hardy, 248 ■ nrooi- gating, 323 ' . f 1 Perjploca gra;ca. 41 Pernettya floribunda, 19; mucronata ii~[ mucronata, new seedlings of 317' Pe£cat...ea Dayana, 12; Klabochorum, 24 ; Vervaeti, 541 ' Petunia Jtrs. Dunnett, 153 Petuni.as, single and double, 2"6 Phacelia campauularia, 20 104 Phala?nopsids, temperature of 56" i'hahcnopsis Esmeralda, 347 ' Phala'nopsisand Vanda grown cool. 480 Phah-enopsis at Clapton, 4S0 Phahciiopsis Sauderiana, 373; Schilleii- ana, 113 ; Stuartiana, 118 ; synopsis of the genus, 118; violacea Schrdderi, 163 ; Porter 662 Phallus impudicus, 331 Philadelphus microphyllus, 522 Philesia bu.\ifolia, 169, 220 Philodendrt ns at nome^ 396 Phlox ama'na, 62 Phormium tenax, 30 Photographs of Lily of the Va'ley, 10 Photography, floral, 367 Phygelius capeiisis, 102 Phyllocactus carinatus, 17; grandis 17 - multifloius, 17 ' ' Phylloxera convention, 444 Picea pectinata, 648 Picotee Esther Minnie, 105 ; Jlrs Gor- ton, 106 Pico!ees and Carnation", 233 Picotees, old and new, 371 Pllrig I'ark Nursery, 297 Pilumua fiagraus, 392 Pimeleas, culture of. 194 Pine-apples from Castle Hill, ]04 ; from Florida, 137 Pine growing on leaf beds, 7 223 Pines fruiting in small pots, 275, 351 Pmk Hill Nursery, the, 313 Pmk. Indian vaiieties of, 2.34; small double white, 92 ; the Fire 371 Pinks and their culture, 491 I'liiks, dwarf, 86 Piaus excclsa, 251 ; reflexa, 180 lipes, hot- water, 439 Pitcairnea aphelandra;flora, 547 Planes, London, 83 Plant collector, rambles of, 228, 316 337 359 • Plant forms, diversity of, 230 Plant Labels, 346, 640 Plant proteclion, 610 Plantain Lilie.s, 292 Plantains on lawns, 2 8 Planting and pruning, 469, 623 Planting, autumn, 415 ; hardy, 235 • on ,,?.i'"™ ' *^? '• ^P'''"S '■• autumn, 389, 407, 476 ; Vmes, 361, 414, 473 Plants at Aix les-Bains, Savoie 136 • autuinu notes on hardy, 223; herry- bciring, 179; by post, 410; distribu- tion from the parks. 346; exhibiting hardy, 60; for hanging baskets, 132- for indoor rockery, 442 ; for seaside garden, 287; for winter cuttin" 481- winter decoration, 398; froiu seed,' 307 ; hardy and the season, 109 : hardy in beds, 355 ; hardy in pots 22 ; hardy, notes on, 21 ; hardy stately. 139; hardy, summer notes ??' 1.31; influence of minerals on, 520; judging hardy, OS; old fashioned, 108 ; preparation of, for forcing 482; propagaing hardy, 51; some good, 166; sub-tropical, 197; tall border, 490 ; useless, 137 ; window, 174 ; winter flowering, 45 ; without earth, 143; alpiue, prolecling, 623- British, sudden appearance of, 665 •' herbaceous, and their culture 671 ■' labellMg border, 561 ; window, in win- ter, 575 Platanthera radiafa, 306 Platycodon grandifloium, log Platystemon calif, rnicuni, 06 Pleasme grounds in winter, 488 Pleione lagenaria, 373 ; praing, 410 Smilax tamuoides, 483 Smyrna Raisins and the Phylloxera, 222 Snails and slugs, our, 577 Suapdragon-i, note on, 183 Soapwort, double- flowered, 224 Sobralias, the. 508 Societies and exhibitions— Alexandra Palace Rose show, 56 Crystal Palace, fruit. 259 Crystal Palace Rose show, 31 Royal Horticultural, 11, 57, 104, 153, 197, 260, 340, 451, 541 International Potato, 284 International show at Lille, 242 National Carnation and Picotee, 105 International Rose, 32 Northamptonshire Potato, 3t>l Pelargonium, 12 Richmond, 35 Royal Botanic, 33, 178 Royal Caledonian, 390 Scottish Pansy, 30 Turnham Green and Chiswick, 1 1 West of Scotland Panty, 130 Soils and root formation, 230 Soja hispida, 93 Suianums, culture of, 172, 320 Sollya linearis, 85, 268 Solomon's Seal in shrubberies, 40 Sonerilas, 442 Soot as a fertiliser, 72 Sophronitis grandiflora, 585 Sorrel wood, uses of, 489 .Southurn Alps, leaves from the, 423, 495, 505, .573 Southwood, rock garden at, 5::7 Soy Bean, the, 93 Spaces, open, in London, 410 Spanish Broom, the, 404 Sparaxis pulcherrina, 157 Spartium juuceum, 404 Spathoglottis Fortuuei, 2in ; Lobbi, ISS Special prizes, 87 Special gardeners, 365 Spergula. the golden, 156 Spilauthes oleracea. 295 Spinach, culture of, 130 Spinca, a miniature, 2u2 ; callosa pumila alba, 109]; crispilolia, 249.522;Douglasi, 38; flagellifox-niis. :: ; paliata, 17, 52 ; palmata elegaup, 17 : paniculata gi-andi- flora, 208 Spring and autumn planting, 407, 415 Spring plants in summer. 204 Spring t'. autunni planting, 389 Stachys coccinea, 385 StamforA Hill, Orchids at, 562 Stanhopca llorida, 300 Stanbopeas, note on, 184 Stajisfleld's nurseries, Todmorden, 209 Stephanotis, floriferous, 216 Sternbergia a'tnensis, 357 Stephanotis floribunda in fruit, 570 Stinkhorn fungus, the, 331 St. John's, Ryde, 397 .St. Mary's Garden, Birmingham, 410 St. Nicholas House, 287 Stobrea purpurea alba, 4 IS Stock, Brompton, 22 ; Fairy Queen, 90 HLocks, noteson, 292 Storm in East Anglia, 540 Stoves, oil, 520 Strawberries and their flavour, 66 ; in autumn, 219, 223 ; in pots, 7 ; layering, 7, 01 ; top dressing, 414 ; wintering for forcing, 487 ; forcing, 6.5 ; late, 540 Strawberry crop, the, 103 ; culture. 166 ; Elton Pine, 62 ; Pcliasier, 210, 474, 525 ; plants for forcing, old, 402; the alpine or Four Season, 105 Streptocarpus biflorus, 102, 402 ; flori- bundus, 102 Strelitziaregiux, 481 Stuartta pentagyna, 183 Stumps, tree, 244 Sudbury House Orchids, the, 305 Sumach, ornamental kinds of, 163; the Venetian, 185 Summer notes on hardy plants, 16 Sunflowei"s. heliotropism in, 468 ; late perennial, 332 Sutton. Rose growing at, 478 Swainsona Osborni, 202 Swanley, winter flowei-s at, 549 Sweet Pea Bronze Queen, 153 Sweet Peas, earl., 458 Switzerland, a holiday in, 379 ; gardenJog in, 443 Tabernremontana Camassa, 39G Table decorations, 15 Tachiadenus cariuatus, 439, 481, 556 Tacsonia Itlooms dropping. 303 Tagetes lucida, 396; Prtrrji, 386; sigr nata punnla, 374, 4i.8, 626 Tea plant in New Zealand, 219 Tea Roses Adam and NiphetOB, 7X Teaching, donbtiul, 114 Tecoma radicans, 202, 339 Tecomas, note on, 418 Telopea specioai&sima, 400, 431 Temperature for Viues^ 4i8; low for Grapes, 350 ; cost of high and lo*, 32& Teucrium latifolinm, 17 The Dell. Egham, Neriues at, 339 Thibaudias, culture of, 23C Thorns, select, 145 Thuja aurea, mortality of,^450. Thymus, culture of, 193 Tiarella cordifolia, 21 Tigridia grandiflora alba, 346 ; or new white, 346 Tillandsia Lindeni, 151, 224; Lind, ni vera, 548 Timber sale, 251 Timber tree, a useful, 131 Tobacco plams, culture of, S Todea pellucidj. in the open air, 220; superba. 111 Tomato, common red. 403; Gilbert's se- lected Ilathaway's Excelsior, 307 ; new selected, 367 Tomatoes, 270, 325 ; all the year round, 6 ; culture of, 404 ; diseased, 255; fla- vour of, 404,625 ;new mode ol treating, 171 ; too coarse, 130 ; un. V. A'allota eximia, 247 ; purpurea, 202, 21-1, 231; out of doors, 288; yarieties of, 284 Vanda and PhaL-onopiis, grown cool, 480 Vanda coerulea, 304 ; Uookeriana, 260, 363, 438; culture of, 417; in flower, 23» ; insiguis, S92, 430 ; suavis Eollis- soni, 33 ; tricolor Patersoni, 38 Vandas gr.n™ cool, B02 Van Houtte Memorial Pond, 520 Vegetable, a new, 73 ; an old in a new form, 49 i VegetaMeg, f«reifrn, U1, 176 ; new, 492 ; size t). flavour of, 87 ; woitliless, 114 ; forcing. 664 Veneers for decrrativo work, 47G Verbascuni blattiria album, 90; pliir niceum, 377, 35j Verbena., now, 193 Veronica aiiRuatifolia, 109 ; corymbosa, 309 ; Hulkeaua, 16if ; Lyalli, 300 ; Traversi, tr Veronicas, 214 Viburnum Ooulus, 410 Victoria regia, 40, 113 Victory of the '• least bad," 13, 69 Vine borders, 39, 31T. 474, 487 ; costly, 209; covering outbide, 401, 470 Vine border, rcnuliing a, IG Vine culture, 416 "^'ine, cuttings of, 351 ; packing, 470 Vineries, wat r tanks in, 616 Vines, early planting, 475 ; laterals on old, 222 ; mealy bug on, 142, 242, 526, 576 : new books on, 174 ; shading, 37u ; tempera' ure for, 448, 475; when to plant, 276, 317, 351. 473, 488 ; air roots on, 636, 647, 676 ; pruuiiig, 647 Viola, Blue IVrfectit.m, 427 ; tiolden Gem, 427 ; Mrs Gray, 374, 670 ; pedata allia, 309 ; pedata bicolur, 378, 394, ilS ; new sweet scentt d, 670 Violas, good, 264 ; note on, 236, 265 ; of (iilFerent colours. 182; three dictioct, 140 ; au'l annuals, 159; as bediUng pl.nts, 341, 374 Violets, market, 460 Virginian Creeper, 324, 374 Vitis gongyiodes, 288; humulsefolia, 199 W. Wages, recovery of a gardener's, 493 Walks, 135 ; loose gravel en, 109 Wallflower, a gigantic, ly Wallflowers in August, 110 Walls, blackening, 361 ; Cacti on, 265 Walnut, American, 83 ; b'aCi, caterpil- lar, the, 319; black, English-grown, 243, 303, 319; froni^ seed in Austria, 319; substitute for, 266; usefulness of the, 131 ; from Indiana, 44 1 Walnuts, the, 251 Wansted Park, 137 Waratah, the, 400, 431 Warriston Nursery, 299 Wasps, destrojiug, 295 ; in gardens, 242 Waste heat, utilisiog, ISO W'ater Melons, 141, 278 Water lily, raising seedlings of, 491 ; the yellow, 41 Water softening procese, 81 Wafer tanks inViuei-ies, 546 WatSMUia Meriaiia, 18 Weather, the, 664; effect of, en insect life, 398 Weeds, tome poisonous, 532 Wf igela hortensis nivea, 186 Welliugtonia, the, at home and abroad, 116 West Coates Nurse-y, the, 343 West of England P.o arian Society, ICO \\(gandias, culture of, '.30 ^\ ilderii€S3 garden, a, 53 Wild ga deniug, 91 ; at Wislcy, CO Wi'tou House, Salisbury, weather at, 410 Willow, the whlt3 or Buntingdcu, 227 Windfiowers, notes on, 466 Window plants, 174 Winler-fluweriug plants, 4.5 Wmter llov ers at Swanley, 5^9 Winter gardening, 435 Winter, pleasure grounds in, 4S3 Wood pal den. the, 28 Wooolke and Mushrooms, 28 Woods, American, 497 Wood Sorrels, uses of, 489 Woolton Wood, Orcliidsat, 133 Wormia Burbidarei. 183 Worms in manure, 14 ; on lawi.s, 410, 313. 368 Worthless Grapes, 403 Wortley, notes from, 56.5 Wulfenia cariuthiaca, 1.57 X. -X i. liion AitcUisuui, -567 Vcw, the Crowhurst, 166, SCI Yew trees, ancient, 164 York borlicultural fete, 4to YouBg, George, 368 Yucca fllainentosa vaiiec-ata, C81 Yuccas, propagating, 133 Z. Zenobia speciosa, 270 /ephjrauthcs caiinata, 309 65 ; Treat !«■, Jan. G, 1883.] THE GARDloN INDEX ENGRAVINGS, ^sculus lulticunda, fruit and flowers of 2-29 .f)thusa Cynapiura 534 Agave Victoria; Regiiiic in (lower .. 44S Allium Scorodoprasum . . . . 425 Andromeda speciosa 271 Antler moth, the 551 Apium graveolens tricolor . . 490 Arachia hypogrea 277 Archangelica ofticinalis 555 Artichoke gall 335 Ash, varieties of 273 Asparagus, well developed stool of 512 Avenue of English EIras .. 382 Aubergine Noir de Pekin . 255 Azorian Laurel, the .. .. 419 Bags for Grapes, improved . . 187 Bartonia aurea .. 573 Bean, Broad, dwarf early .. 3C2 Bean, Broad, Improved v\ indsor . . 362 Bean, Improved Windsor .. 511 Begonia (^leen of Doubles .. .. 91 Bertolonia guttata 465 Burdock roots 317 Buttercups, double C7 Calochortus venustus . . . . 295 Caper plant, the 233 <'apparis spinoEa 233 Catalpa syringicEolia . .. .. 74 Celeriac, a new .. 490 Cellar fungus, the .. .. . 207 Cellar slug, fine specimen ol . - 578 Cerasusazorica _ .. .. 419 Charxas graminis . . _ 551 Chasselas de Fontainebleau Grape . . 447 Chicory, large-rooted 403 CoUetia spinosa 333 Conium maculatum . . . . 533 Crataegus Crus-galli ovalifoUa 146 Crataegus glandulosa 145 Crataegus m'iroccana 146 Crataegus pyrifolia 145 Currant gall .. ..335 Cjnips Kollari 334 Decoration, dinner table .. .. B7 Delphinium Glynni 3S Edinburgh, view in 856 Egg plant, fruit of . . . . 255 Erythra-a diffusa 4t3 Fieus repens in fruit 441 Fire Pink, the 375 Flower border, plan of section of a 470 Fraxinus araericana ciroliniani .. 573 Fraxiuus excelsior 273 Fraxinus excelsior heterophylla . . 273 Fremontiu californica . . 117 Fuchsia globosa 361 Godetia Ducliess of Albany.. .. 313 Gallfly, the Rose « .. ..469 Galls on Oak . . 334, 335, 336 Garden, reserve, at Munstead, plan of 192 Garlic ,.301 Grape bags, improved .. .. 187 Grape Chasselas de Fontainebleau 447 Ground or Peanut 277 Hollyhock, type of double .. .. 340 Hymenopbyllum deraissum . . . . 529 Hypericum Coris 318 Inula glandulosa, flower of . .. 234 Ipompea mutabilis 399 Itea virginica 38 Juglans cinerta 251 Juglans nigra 251 Juglans regia .. 251 Lens esculenta . . ,. .. 192 Lentil, the 192 Lentinus lepideus 207 Lilium auratura, double flower cf . . 355 Lilium Leichtliui .. ,.311 Limax cinereus . , 578 Lonicera Halleana ... 3s Magnolia auriculata 27 Magnolia cordata 27 Magnolia grandiflora 28 .Magnolia macrophylla .. .. 28 Magnolia purpurea 485 Magnolia Umbrella 27 Malva moschata alba 38 Marble galls 336 ifarigold, French, new gold striped 571 Melons, Water -.141 Melon, Water, five varieties of .. 278 Menziefia polifoHa alba 302 Mespilus grandiflora .. .. 163 Munstead, plan of gard ?n at . . 192 Nepenthes Rajah . . . . 122 Oak Apple gall 335 Oak galls 33 1, 335, 336 Oak root gall 335 Oak spangle 334 Onion Giant Zittau , . 170 Onion pyriform brown Spanish . 0,70 Onion, small blood red .. .. 170 Onion, small Paris silver skin .. 170 Onion The Queen 170 Orchids at Downside, Leatherhead 37 Orchis latifolia 205 Ornithogalum arabicum . . 249 Ornus europrea . . 117 Ornus floribund i ... 117 Oxalis crenata 489 Palmette A''errier trained tree . . 507 Palms, wild Date, iu Algeria .. 505 Para Cress 295 Pear tree trained as Palmette Ver- rier 507 Philodendrons at home 39S Picea pectinata at home . . 549 Plan of a flower border 470 Pyrus Sorbus, fruit of 381 Raphiolepis japonica. . .. 43 Rendle, AVilliam Edgcombe. . .. 217 Reserve garden at Munstead, plan of .. « 192 Rhodites rosEc .. .. . .. 409 Rivina la)vis 68 Rocambole, the 425 Rock garden at Southwocd, Bitk- ley 527 Rose gall fly 409 Salix alba Salpiglossis sinuata . . ScallioQs, bunch of -. Senecio japonicus Shallot, common Shallot, Jersey ■Silene virginica Silver Fir, the, at home Slug, the cellar Smilax tamnoides Sojahispida Southwood rock garden, the Soy Bean, the Spanish Broom, flowers of Spartium junceum Spllanthes oleracea . . Sternbergia aitnensis . . Strawberry, the alpine or Four Sea- son Tachiadenus carinatus Tamarix tetrandra Teconia(Bignonia) radicans Tiarella cordifolia Tree guard Trichomanes auriculatum . . Trichomanes radicans Turnip : American Strapleaf, Chirk Castle, Blackstone, Early Red topped Munich, Golden Ball, Jer eey Lily. Jersey Navet Turnips, seven varieties of .. Tydiea Madame Heine Verbascum phccniceum Walnut, the black Walnut, the common Walnut, the gray Water Melon, Ave varieties of Water Melons. . Weigela hortensis uivea Willow, the white or Huntingdon Zenobia speciosa 426 577 139 301 301 37S 540 578 49a 93 527 93 404 404 205 3:.7 170 5C6 73 339 21 45 529 529 212 212 421 377 201 251 278 141 185 227 COLOURED PLATES, ANEMONE PALMATA ALBA ARCTOTIS AUREOLA CATTLEYA CITRINA CATTLEYA TRTAN.*: AND A'ARIETIES CELSIA CRETICA CLEMATIS SIEBOLDI AND JACKMANI DENDRORIUM INFUNDIBULUM ECHINOCEREUS GONACANTHUS EPIG^A REPENS EXACUM MACRANTHUM FREESUS, GROUP OF HYPOCALYMNA ROBUSTUM... IMANTOPHYLLUM MINIATUM MARTHA REIMERS IMPATIENS SULTANI 46G 336 274 70 3H 142 552 ■144 4(; 422 \i5 231 358 208 IPSEA SPECIOSA I8g KALMIA LATIFOLIA a OCHNA MULTIFLORA BJ-k ONCIDIUM CUCULLATU.'\I GIGANTEUM 166 ORCHIS FOLIOSA AND VARIETIES 530 PESCATOREA KLABOCHORUM 24 PHALJENOPSIS STUARTIANA AND SCHILLERIANA ... 118 RANUNCULUS ANE MONOIDES 252 ROSE ALFRED K. WILLIAMS 206 SOBRALIA XANTHOLEUCA 508 SPATHOGLOTTIS LOBBI 188 TELOPEA SPECIOSISSIMA 400 UTRICULARIA MONTANA 486; VIOLA PEDATA TRICOLOR 378 THE GARDEN INDEX [J,^^•. 6, iss.l PHILIP FROST. The twenty-second volume of Tue Gaedex could not, we think, have been dedicated to a more worthy representative of gardening and "ardeners than Mr. Philip Frost, who has worked so long and honourably at Dropmore, and has been successful in makinc that place so universally famous as it now is for the magnificent collection of coniferous trees which exists there. Philip Frost has been well known in the gardening world for upwards ot half a century. Sixty years have passed and gone since he first went to work in the garden at Dropmore. His life has, therefore, not been a very changeful one, though he seems to have moved about pretty freely in his young days in order to acquire experience in his woik. He was born at Moreton in Devonshire, about the middle of 1804. When at the age of fourteen he was employed in planting and other work on Lord Grenville's estate at Boconnoc, in Cornwall, where his father also at the time was employed. Leaving home in the latter part of 1822, he arrived at Dropmore, then also Lord Grenville's estate. Here he stayed until 182G, when he left to go to Ashtead Park, but, at Lady Grenville's request, he returned to Dropmore the following year to be foreman. A year later ho left again for Lord Mansfield's carden at Caenwood, Hampstead. This place, however, does not appear to have suited him, for he soon left it, and then became foreman in the Botanic Garden, Chelsea, at ihat time under the curatorship of Mr. Anderson. In the autumn of 1832 Lord Grenville cnr'aged him to succeed Mr. Baillie as head gardener at Dropmore, and from .January 6, 1833, just fifty years ago to-day, Mr. Frost lijs presided uninterruptedly over the Dropmore garden. Lord Grenville appears to have been an ardent lover of his garden, and particularly fond of ornamental trees, especially Conifers and it was he who first led Mr. Frost to take an interest in that class of tree. A year after Mr. Frost took charge of the caiden the planting of ornamental Coniferic was actively commenced, and carried on at intervals until the death of Lady Grenville in 16G4. That Mr. Frost has been eminently successful in cultivating Coniferse, abundant proof is afforded by the magnificent examples which have made Dropmore so well known. With pardonable pride Mr. Frost points to the great Douglas Fir, now 114 feet high or more or to the equally remarkable Araucaria, over 60 feet high, and says, " Could it be believed that trees like these would grow to such a size during my term of service here, or even during a man's lifetime 1 " Mr. Frost waa, in his earlier years, a frequent contributor to horticultural literature ; even as far back as 1834 we find him contributing practical information to Loudon's Gardener's Magazine. He was also among the first to improve the Indian Azalea, and seedlings he raised by hybridising were distributed among his fiiends. One was called Glory of Sunninghill, which was acknowledged to be an exceptionally fine variety. In 1872, on the completion of his fiftieth year of service at Dropmore, some 200 of his friends presented him with a handsome silver cup, on which were engraved the portraits of the large Araucaria and Douglas Fir. Accompanying the cup was a purse containing £210, which was invested as a life annuity. W^. G. }VLT 1, 13«2. ^f/S J> 0P^^ THIE G-.^^:RX) EIST VOL. XXII. THE VICTORY OP THE "LEAST BAD." At the Botanic the usual fault was very evi- dent last weels; the old and deeply-rooted notion of elaboration has hardly been disturbed. A score of flowers where one would do, a hun- dred little vexing points put in with laboured care, symmetry secured by wiring in the most painful and elaborate way, and a general want of effect were the prevailing features. Scarcely one of the compositions must have cost less than four or five hours of pains- taking labour to put together, not to speak of the gathering and bringing of so many flowers, and the procuring of them even ; that must have been a serious matter for many of the exhibitors. No one had sense enough to give us three dishes of good Roses or any simple bold thing; the prizes were given by the judges to the least bad, and the first prizes would not, in many cases, have been given at all had it not been undesir- able to discourage the exhibitors. The first prize dinner table had a great many more flowers on it than would be tolerated in any house with sane inmates. Its brazen bowls were nice in form and infinitely better than the common trumpet-over-trumpet glasses which were adopted as the ideal form some years .ago. But they were too numerous, and they would have been better in some quiet colour. The second prize lot had many defects and some ill-smelling flowers, and it was far too much like the display of a chiuaware merchant, but won from its simplicity of colour and dis- tinctness. The third was of low dishes of flowers, rather more simple in arrangement — the judges avoiding in almost every case honouring the usually complicated dish-over-dish arrangement, though some of these had good points and re- ceived extra prizes. The mirror and the china swans is a device which came under notice among the " tables ; " a deal of wasted force of intellect was bestowed on this style, but no prize was given. It is a pity the artist had not a real lake and a herd of live swans to amuse himself with. In any case a dinner table is not the place for the " lake school " of " artistic floral decorators.'' Besides, the lakes hardly left room for the food, let alone the feeders. The root of the evil in this, as in many other cases, is cost. Speaking to a suc- cessful exhibitor, we said, " If any here had the sense to place three good bowls of Roses on a t.able, they would have beaten all these elabora- tions, including yours, which won." The answer was that simple arrangements did not suit the trade, for the obvious reason that little could be charged for them. There is much in this that is worth considering. We think one deduction should be — amateurs and florists should compete in separate classes for the table decorations. It is sad to think of the effect that these tables are calculated to have in London and other houses if people take any notice of them, but most know better, we hope. In many houses ladies seem to do the right thing mostly, and that is to airange a few things themselves in a not wearisome, hour-eating way. We know women who would in seven minutes and with a few china bowls or dishes do something infinitely more lovely than anything seen at these shows. As for the wiring business, it is almost devUish in its absurdity. Looked into, some of the most innocent flowers in these terrible "compositions" were swathed in wire so that their little faces might be turned exactly at the right angle to the public ! We believe a distmct step in ad- vance would be made by abolishing wire alto- gether in these baskets. If flowers can only be arranged by being trussed and spitted they are better not "arranged" at all. The schedule of these shows itself stands in need of reform. Whoeversaw anarch with flowers tied over it in a decent house ? Imagine the unfor- tunate exhibitors incited to take a number of grace- ful flowers and tie themclosely over an arch, aspeo- ple tie tawdry artificial rubbish over sticks when getting up the triumphal business. Hours must have been spent in collecting an infinite quantity of flowers of all kinds, and painfully tying them on to those slim arches. Large Lily buds (L. giganteum ) were forced into the distortions, and all their fine form and grace destroyed by the process. In one arch we noticed many large flowers pressed out of all form and broken. This is a class which should not exist, and which could have only a bad effect on all who attend or work at these shows. If we wish to decorate our sideboards or any simUar surfaces, there are various ways of doing so in a more natural and artistic manner. In the single dishes of flowers the competition there was just the same as in the tables ; the same style of elaborate over-doing, of neutralis- ing all simplicity or breadth of eiiect by the in- troduction of too many flowers, just as if one were to let a few dozen musicians all loose at once, each playing a different tune. It is really not a question of taste, but a matter of common sense and fact that a man cannot see with plea- sure or profit a great many things at once. In pictures, in gardens, in table decoration, the eye looks with most pleasure upon uncompli- cated effects. We do not say that mixtures would not sometimes be right and sometimes a relief, and most graceful, but it is the eternal repetition of the old nosegay idea which wearies and hurts. THE GARDEN. [July 1, 1882. One lady, who had a beautiful notion of Water Lilies and Forget-me-iiots, had a double dish united by a glass arch, and in the middle of this arch other superstructures built, with flowers in them. She did not, as she deserved to, win the first prize, as she would have done with one simple dish to show her excellent idea. The baskets next in merit were those simple in character, and with some predominating feature which gave them a definite character. The notion of quietness, decision, or harmony of colour is only just budding in the gardening mind ; many of the best things we have are lost through want of some perception of what is right in this way. In the baskets for flowers a great deal of tawdry and bad taste was displayed. The actual money value of several of the baskets of Orchids, &c., if bought in the market would not be less than £20! One of the baskets contained a garden of Roses, and fine Roses, too, japimed together and then running all over the handle as thick as paving pebbles, yet there was no good effect ; properly arranged, there was enough material in this to make two or three graceful baskets of Roses. The prize was given for the simplest thing in the many baskets, and one which probably did not take the young lady who sent it three minutes to arrange — a few good Pansies standing in Moss in a small, light basket with little on the handle. All the un- happy exhibitors thought the handle should not be seen, and the flowers were painfully stuck over the handles usually by the aid of wire. Some of the exhibitors, who had excellent taste in the selection and arrangement of flowers, made mistakes in adopting some of the ugly and elaborate forms of glass. Another class we should like to protest against at these shows is baskets for open garden decoration. Some very dreadful things with large heads, no bodies, and deformed feet were shown in this way ; they would not stand a moment in any open garden before a breeze, but nobody wants such things. A bed in the shape of a basket we sometimes see, but they cannot be carried to a show. What is really wanted in thisdirection would be tlie improvement of vases which we find in many gardens, and which are, indeed, an essential feature of some. Here is a class of subject very often badly done, and the society would do real good in letting people see how beautiful vases of various kinds might be arranged. It would be also well to encourage beautiful forms of vases. One might get then at the Botanic a well-formed and well-arranged vase. But these horrid cork, deformed, and rustic baskets are impossible creations, and can- not be gracefully done by anybody, and which, like the arches before mentioned, are doing harm, and nothing but harm. This show, in an improved form, would be one of the best things for gardening, and we hope the society will persevere with it, begin- ning with some healthy changes in its own plans. Flowersfor the table and the house are a charming subject, and it is of much importance that good and simple t.astes concerning them be spread through all who have tliem. The common florist's vulgar over-crowding and costly complications have no charm for the educated or refined, and the society would do well to encourage* i.iplicity in materials and designs to counteract i nase evil^. No flower show could be more fertile! a good than this properly carried out. The ambition to ex- hibit one's plant at a flower show is not a very common one, but everybody with gardens, and, indeed, tliose without them, and even in the most dismal haunts of our great cities, love to put a few flowers together for the decoration of their homes. Few have any idea how important it is how the flowers are placed. Our delight in them is determined to a w^onderful extent by the way they are arranged or the light in which they stand. We had ourselves no sufficient idea of the importance of this subject till within the past few years. Most gardeners dislike cutting flowers. If they knew their owninterests to the full they would aid and abet every attempt to cut flowers for the house and provide for full sup- plies in the open air garden. Some floweis that might be passed without notice out-of-doors are so lovely in form or colour on the table near the eye, that they would make an enthu- siast out of the most apathetic. We want their aid the more as our gardens are generally so arranged as to steal all the charm, and life, and variety out of the plants. It is not a question of the dinner-table only , but the breakfast-table or any other in the house of poor or rich, and there- fore we trust these shows may be continued and improved year by year. It would be well to get up similar and simpler ones in country places with the single object of the embellishment of houses, big or little, with flowers and foliage. It is a more important aim than any subject at the ordinary flower show, and 'it requires less ex- pense and care to succeed. For even if there are no greenhouses or great gardens near, there is usually a fine choice of material in th3 hedge- rows, woods, river-sides, or heaths. ROSE a^RDEN. MILDEW ON KOSES. " A. D." very courteously invites my opinion as to the cause and cure of mildew. I will therefore do my best to oblige him, and probably assist not a few besides who may be struggling with this troublesome pest, which has come on the heels of maggots, grubs, aphides, weakly growths, and malformed flowers to complete the trials of the rosarian for the }-ear. It may, however, be well to state at the outset that a pe'rfect cure for mildew on Roses is about as hopeless as one for the Vine pest or Potato disease. As to its causes, " A. D." has pretty nearly exhausted them ; an excess of moisture or of drought in the earth or air, sudden and severe transitions from the one state to the other, violent changes of temperature, and cold currents of air are one and all fruitful sources of mildew. An ex- cess or a scarcity of food will also produce mildew, as will also excessive growth and over-flowering or over-crowding, especially in a sheltered site or a stuffy atmospliere. Perhaps the most fruitful causes of all are sudden checks of the sap and ex- haustion of vital force or energy. Hence, we mostly find mildew following sharply on the heels of a spell of mild weather succeeded by a biting east wind. The latter arrests growth as well as shrivels up the tissues of the Eose, and mildew is the natural product of such stoppage or de- rangement of vital force. The general coldness of the" nights during most of May and June, and the prevalence of east winds were no doubt the predisposing causes of mildew this season. But many will ask, how could these produce mildew under glass .' "A. D.'s" experience shows whatmost practical Hose growers are well aware of — that few glass houses are proof against the keen pene- trating force of a sharp east wind. This pours in at every crevice and cranny, and punishes the Rose shoots all the more from their being made abnormally tender through being grown under glass. Like " A. D.," I have frequently seen mil- dew produced thus by cold wind. It follows it, especially in open houses, or where a door or ven- tilator may have been left inadvertently open, so speedily as to prove that the cold draught caused the mildew. As to remedies, by far the best is certainly prevention. With a clear and lively notion of the probable causes of mildew it may generally be avoided under glass. It one-half the energy ex- pended on cures were devoted to the prevention of mildew, it would be far less frequent. Even in the open air it is not wholly unpreventable. True, we cannot control the east wind, or make it genial to our Eoses by any amount of skill, but we may prevent it hitting them at a disadvantage, with their roots sunk in a bog or baked in a Sahara,_or the whole plant forced by stimulants into a Wil- low-like vigour, or exhausted with live hundred blooms. A medium healthy growth, with a fair crop of flowers, and an average supply of food and water, will be the likeliest means of prevent- ing mildew. And then above all the plants must be kept clean— clear of dirt and free from all suspicion of insects. Leaf injury, stem wounding or robbing of sap by leech-like aphides and devouring maggots — these beget the weakness and disorgani- sation of vital force and fluids that invite and start mildew. The former leads to the latter as surely as the ants carry the aphides to fresher and sweeter pastures new, and the two thus work in harmony to devour our Eoses. Therefore, if we would have no mildew we must have no insects on our Eoses. And so of other causes. These should be traced if possible and mildew nipped in the bud. Hence instead of prescribing the usual soot, sulphm-, nitre, or other cure for mildew, I would recommend as many cures or rather pre- ventives as there are causes. For example, where mildew is caused by drought it may be watered out ; by an excess of water it may be drained out ; by food it may be starved out ; by starvation it may be fed or grown out ; by overgrowth it may be checked out ; by overflowering it may be thinned or disbudded out ; by draughts it may be glazed or sheltered out : by insects it may be cleansed out. The most effectual cures after all appear to be sulphur, lime, soot, nitre, and alcohol. The two last must be used with care, especially the nitre. Alcohol even pure will not injure Eoses unless in a very tender state of growth, and the strong spirit checks or destroys the fungus. Methylated spirits of wine, however, must not be used, as the spirits of tar injures the leaves. Sulphur is the most common remedy, and the simplest way of applying it is in a dry state, as flowers of sulphur dusted over the leaves and shoots when the latter are either wet with rain or artificially syringed to cause the sulphur to adhere. Some, to avoid the waste of using dry sulphur, and also to bring its destructive forces into closer con- tact with the minute fungus, bring the sulphur into a semi-sublimated state by boiling, and apply it in a liquid state. It is, however, much stronger, and requires to be reduced with water when so used, and is apt in unskilled bands to destroy the leaves and tender shoots as well as the mildew. Sulphur, hov/ever, forms the bases of most of the cures for mildew offered to rosarians, and some of these are fairly effective, though it would be invidious to quote names. Quick and caustic lime is well known to be fatal to most forms of fungoid life ; hence it has often been employed in similar methods to sulphur, and as an antidote or a cure of mildew. Soot, again, possesses iiowerful semi- caustic or bitter properties that render it fatal to the growth of mildew. This may be applied either in a dry or liquid state. It is most effective in a dry state, though it is almost more diificulttomake it adhere to leaves or stems than even flowers of sul- phur, as it is called. Some, and I confess I prefer that, believe in the anti-mildew properties of all these, carefully incorporate and mix them to- gether, and apply them either in the form of a dry powder or a caustic liquid ; in bad cases of mil- dew several applications may be needful. A cheap and eflicient composition may be formed of two parts caustic lime, two of fresh soot that has been stored under cover, and one of sulphur. Dust as much over the mildewed parts as can be made to stick on saturated leaves and shoots ; leave it on until the air, rain, or dew washes it off. Should the mildew seem scorched or killed, let the one dress- ing suffice ; should it seem otherwise, repeat tae dressing again, or even a third time. With perse- verance, and especially associated with preventi- tive measures where the probable cause can be discovered, such dressings will finally subdue or cure the worst cases of mildew. The great thing, however, is prevention, and next in importance to July 1, 1882] THE GAEDEN. this is j^speedy attack on the disease the moment it appears ; when once firmly establislied it is difficult of cure, and even i£ cured the Koses may be crippled for a season, probably ruined for life. It is also hopeless to expect to cut show flowers from mildewed Rose trees, and even could this be done the judges would probably disqualify them on account of the mildewed leaves, while the latter sadly mar the enjoyment of Roses either in the garden or in the drau-ing-room. D. T. Fish. Old double yellow Rose. — The wearing out theory both in the case of this Eose and in that of fruit trees mostly breaks down when sub- jected to practical tests. For example, M. Jean Sisley says (p. ill) that his double yellow Roses refuse to grow. Ours, also received from the fount de Torre, grow like Willows. At present their one fault is that they refuse to form or open good flowers. As to the partial disappearance of such Roses as Rosa centifolia, changes of fashion have far more to do with it than any in- herent weakness through the mere lapse of time. There seems, in fact, no reason why a species of Rose should not be as permanent as that of an Oak, and no one has yet raised the cry that Quercus sessiliflora, say, is wearing or has worn out. Gladly as I welcome M. Jean Sisley's contri- butions to our knowledge of the history or litera- ture of this interesting Rose, I cannot accept his explanation of the cause of our failure to grow or to bloom it.— D. T. Fish. The weight of evidence from such an ex- perienced grower as M. Jean Sisley is so great, that I hesitate to make a statement not in accor- dance with his views. Yet here in my garden the old double yellow Eose grows as flourishingly as it did with my father some -tO years ago. It seems, however, very capricious as to soil ; it pre- fers a loamy stratum, with a sandy subsoil and much warmth. In some years, according to weather and climate, it flowers admirabh-, while in others nearly all the buds become deformed. There is, however, some prospect that we shall have a new double yellow from Cashmere and Little Thibet, seeds of which have been introduced lately by Mr. I. Anderson-Heniy, of Edinburgh. The plants raised from these look very robust and distinct. — Max Leichtlin, Baden-Baden. Pot Roses. — As many pot Roses thrive indif- ferently in a cool greenhouse, I should fee! obliged if any of your correspondents would in- form me if there are any Roses enuraerated be- low that are untrustworthy for such a position. Also, whether any of the varieties have been sur- passed in beauty and robustness by their more re- cent offspring or rivals ; Niphetos, Devoniensis, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Alba rosea. Souvenir d'Elise, Catherine Mermet, Xavier Olibo, Charles LefebiTC, President, La France, Alfred Colomb, Marie Baumann, Monsieur Furtado, Vicomtesse Decazes, JIadame Margottin, Isabella Sprunt, La Boule d'Or, Jean Pemet, and the new perpetual Moss Eose, Blanche Moreau. I may add that cUmbing is not permitted, and that the maximum height from the collar that Roses are permitted to grow is 3 ft. — PLTSiouTHiAy. Zinc labels and Rose trees. —Last plant- ing season I very carefully labelled my Eose trees with zinc labels, fastening them on, not tightly, with fine metal coated picture wire. At pruning time I found in almost every case the portion of branch above the fastening dead or dingy, and now at blossoming time I observe the whole branch bearirg the label dead from start to point. How to account for tliis is the question. No doubt the brass-coated tying wire contained copper and the zinc, and these with the moisture in the atmo- sphere have acted galvanically or electrically in such a manner as to turn the branch into a diminu- tive conductor to its destruction. I am not suf- ficiently au fait in electrical phenomena to speak deflnitel}', I confess ; but will some correspon- dent open up the question further?— R. A. H. Grijishaw. EDITOK'S TABLE. Iris cuphea. — A singularly curious and fine copper-coloured kind of Iris, from Mr. Stevens. Til' se who are interested in very quaint, yet good, colour would do well to secure it. * Behberis darwini in berry. — The fine purple Grape-like bloom on these pretty berries and their profusion make them of good use in the cut state, as, indeed, are those of the com- mon Barberry. , EosA BBUNONIANA. — This beautiful single wliite Indian wild Eose comes from Mr. Mc- intosh, of Weybridge, in whose garden it grows admirably. Mr. Ellacombe believes it to be the original of the Musk Eose. * Eose empress of india. — Dr. WiUiam Henry Browne, of The Laurels, Aldborough, Hull, has the art of growing the Empress of India Rose as large as fair specimens of the Cauliflower. It is a really most remarkable Eose in size, and we hope may be satisfactory in other respects. * Eose coupe de here. — Very fine, from Mr* Fish, who says it is his favourite pink Eose. It is a beautiful Eose, too, and, associated, as it is, with many of our earliest pleasures among Roses, we are glad its claims are still strong enough to secure it a home in many gardens. • Delphinium cashmeeianum. — Very fine, from Mr. Burton, of Gainsborough. If we had not the splendid erect forms that are now so fine wherever they are well treated, we should be very glad of this. As it is, it is distinct from all the rest, and a good plant for the warm border or a dryish bank. « Calochortus venustus. — The best plants we have seen of this fine Californian bulb, over 2 ft. 4 in. in height. It well deserves the name Butterfly Tulip, from the strange and delicate beauty of the flowers, especially when so well grown as these specimens sent by the New Plant Company at Colchester. • Gentiana BAVARicA. — The best and Strongest flowers of this we have ever seen in cultivation and a little stouter in stem, we think, than we have seen them by the alpine grass-bordered rdls where they jewel the ground. Messrs. Back- house seem to have succeeded in its culture at last, and we hope they will tell us how. * Viola queen of spring. — This is a beauti- ful, clear, bold, and handsome kind which Mr. Vertega)is, of Chad Valley, Birmingham, de- scribes as having been in bloom three months. This variety in this neighbourhood is considered superior to any otheryellow Viola, and is almost a perpetual bloomer. Siebold's plantain lily in the house. — Out-of-doors one admires this for its foliage more than its flowers, but in a fine specimen sent us by Mr. Stevens the flowers, with their quiet coloured bracts, are good enough for a proper position in the house, in which the foliage lasts so long and is so very effective. Ehodotypos keerioides. — • A singularly charming bush with pure white flowers and well formed curious rich green distinct leaves. It opens its flowers very well indoors, the buds expanding well. Out-of-doors it does not often show many flowers. A capital shrub for cutting for those who desire distinct and beautiful things on their table from the open air. Inula glandui.o.sa. — From Mr. Burton, of Highfield, (lainsborough, who says rightly it is one of the most showy border plants grown. It is a many-rayed Elecampane, very distinct, and in flower elegant for a plant of the kind, with rather a strong Camomile-like smell. Among the too numerous yellow composite flowers we have it seems a gain. * Orchis maculata supehba. — Beautiful, from the York Nurseries. This British Orchid has the good quality of spreading and increasing like an ordinary perennial, though not, perhaps, very quickly. Plent}' of Orchids grown in hot- houses are not so handsome, so thoroughly good in colour. It is excellent indoors or out, and a charming plant for cutting, the effect of the spikes being singularly good • LupiNUS NUTKANUS. — This is a distinct and some may call it a good plant, but it is only a "second-class" one, if quite that. Amid the number of hardy plants now in cultivation it is desirable to make a severe choice. If things do not give a distinct effect and a good one, and are inferior to other species near them, they had better be dropped out of cultivation, so far as gardens generally are concerned. It is inferior to the annual and common perennial Lupines. * The bush meadow sweets as cut flowers. — The Spiraeas are elegant plants for cutting ; they are very varied, and remind one in the case of many species with the little Hawthorn-like blossoms of other flowers that are past for this year. Some are delicately fragrant, and others have a good bright colour. Mr. Stevens sends one called S. flagelliformis, one of the white flowered type, which is good, but there is scarcely a species that may not be useful in the way we speak of. * MiLES's HYBRID SPIRAL. — I Send a Spike of Mignonette measuring 21 in. in length ; it was sown in pots in March, 18SI. I have heard several complaints among my friends as to not having the right variety of Miles's Hybrid Spiral. The plant this specimen came off is in a 12-in. pot and nearly -1 ft. in diameter. Perhaps some of our friends will kindly tell us if there be more than one sort of the above. I may men- tion that this plant has been constantly cut from since September. — D. Harris, Munstead. * British and hardy orchids. — Enclosed you will find a few blooms from our Orchid bed which has given a succession of flowers since early in April. TheButteifly and fragrant Orchids are delicious after a shower, and scent the air for some distance around the bed. The follow- ing are also in flower : Orchis foliosa, O. macu- lata superba, O. latifolia (several forms), Ilabe- naria albida, 11. viridis, Liparis Loiseli, and the Beo and Fly Ophrvs. — Angus D. Webster, IJaiuleiivi. Bani/nr. [\\e hope Mr. AVebster will continue his culture and observation of these as garden plants, and that he may see the way in which tlie admirably-grown British Orchids sent us by Mr. Wolley Dod are cultivated. We look forward to very interesting effects from Orchids as hardy plants in the future.] • Clematises from tunbridge wells. — A wonderful series of Clematises from Messrs. Cripps' nurseries at Tunbridge Wells, where these fine plants get much and deserved atten- tion. We wish we could describe their size and THE GAEDEN. [July 1, 1882. beauty both single, double, and, we may say, monstrous kinds. Some broken or some double kinds are certainly picturesque, but it is doubt- ful if the class number many good ones. Some single ones with a small rosette of petals in the middle are very pretty. Some single vars. are 10 in. across. The white kinds are very hand- some and effective. We congratulate Messrs. Cripps on their very successful culture of these Clematises on which no attention is too much. Fancy pansibs feom Scotland. — A lovely series of " fancy " Pansies, large, bold, and in- tense in colour, from Mr. John Forbes, of the Buccleuch Nurseries, Hawick, N.B. They in- terest us particularly what we may call the Wallflower-coloured kinds, some of which are really precious gains in giving us new colours. The following are the names of the varieties of this character which he sends selected from a great number of other colours that might be no less welcome to many. The two marked with the asterisk seem to us to show in a singularly beautiful way various shades of the fine colour we allude to: J. Cocks, Major Moleswortb, Mrs. W. H. MQler, Hecla, James Morgan*, Mrs. G.Wood, J. Grant, W. Cranston*. * Cebeus j. t. peacock (hybbid). — A very beautiful and large species from Mr. Peacock's collection, and much resembling the plant alluded to a few weeks ago as Phyllocactus amoenus. It is the fashion now, and a very sensi- ble one, to give prizes to encourage various classes of plants or vegetables. We can imagine nothing more worthy of help in this way thiin the really fine flowering Cacti as distinguished from the merely quaint and rare. A group well grown, comprising the very best of those, would, indeed, give novelty and charm to one of our summer flower shows ; the flowers, moreover, would be very attractive at night, and for that reason might come into some of the shows that now accompany the evening fetes. GAEDEN IN THE HOUSE. DINNER TABLE DECORATIONS. While approving generally of your remarks on this subject, and the rules which apparently guided the judges at the late Botanic fete, still one idea seems to have been overlooked, viz., such novelty in material, management, and vases, as can easily, and at a small outlay, be adapted to a dinner table without upsetting the general service, as such arrangements as were awarded the first and second prizes at the Botanic Gardens would have a tendency to do, and though the vases, &o., were very beautiful and appropriately decorated, yet few would be inclined to indulge in such ex- pensive and, when tired of, useless novelties. If such arrangements be encouraged, the china mer- chant will certainly have the best of the bargain. Geo. Fennell, Fairlan'n, Tonbrldgc. *^* We quite agree with you ; neither the first nor second prizes were simple, tasteful, or such as would be suitable for a dinner table in a gentle- man's house. As we say elsewhere, they were the " least bad." Such merit as they had was owing to their not showing the common vice of the floral decorator — overcrowding, painful elaboration, and too many ill-assorted flowers neutralising each other. They avoided too, though imperfectly, the common mistake as to form — dish over dish, and trumpet over trumpet glass. The craze for this form has unfortunately wholly prevented the use of bowls or simple dishes, and such as a gardener or any person whose time was precious could manage to arrange in a few minutes. But on the other hand they were far too large and pretentious for their purpose, and the china in the second was enough for a small shop ; both interrupted the view. FLOWER GARDEN. BULBOUS PLANTS IN FLOWER AT KEW. In the Cape house at Kew several rare and interesting bulbous plants are in flower as well as a good show of the better known kinds. Among several good Babianas is a species rarely if ever seen now-a-days, but which is an old in- troduction, viz., B. ringens. In this species we have an arrangement of flowers quite distinct from what is seen in that section to which B. rubra belongs, while the flowers are of an in- describably curious form. The flower-stem is thick and about 1 ft. long, about half way from the top of which a side branch is developed, bearing three to four rich red and yellow flowers. These flowers have one straight and two refle.xed sepals, and the petals are arranged — two almost horizontal and parallel to each other, the other erect and at right angles to them. This last is the longest, and its margins are incurved, so as to form a tube, which encloses the stamens; al- together a most quaint-looking and beautiful Babiana. Another fine Irid is EigideUa imma- culata, from Mexico, whose rich flame-coloured flowers are very attractive while tliey last, but unfortunately this is not longer than a day. Of Freesias there is an unusually good display, while the sweet odour given off by them adds con- siderably to their attractiveness. Lachenalias are represented by several varieties of L. pallida, some of which are dark blue, some paler, and some pale yellow. This seems to be a very vari- able species. Gladiolus tristis, with its yellowish- white sweet-scented flowers ; G. Colvillei alhus, of which there have been some fine specimens now almost over ; and G. gracilis, a purple and yellow Morasa-like species, with a most delicious scent, are all in flower. Amongst Albucas is a large specimen of A. Nelsonl which will soon bear over half-a-dozen strong spikes. This species has only flowered once before, namely, in the garden of the gentleman after whom it was named, so that we shall now have an oppor- tunity of seeing if the plant deserves the praise bestowed on it some time ago. Lilium Washing- tonianum is flowering nicely. It is a chaste, sweet-scented Lily, and was flgured in The Garden last year. In the same house are good plants of Sarmienta repens,a handsome specimen of the new Impatiens Sultani, and a collection of Oxalis, also flowering freely. Bravoa gemini- flora is just opening its flowers, as are also several Crinums. Littonia modesta is trained up one of the pillars and is bearing several of its orange cup-shaped flowers. Saundersonia auran- tiaca is looking happy, treated in the same way— the closely related genus, Gloriosa, being repre- sented by flowering specimens in the adjoining house. B. FORGET-ME-NOTS IN THE GRASS. Mtosotis sylvatica experiences no difi&culty in establishing itself in the Grass and holding its own where the Grass is thin. M. dissitiflora does likewise, but where the Grass is thick and tire turf perfect, the latter will hardly hold its own against the Grass. It, however, does remarkably well as a sort of link between the Grass and the shrubbery on that debatable border-land that in- tervenes between the two, where the shrubs are allowed to touch the turf. Here the partially over- lapping shrulis have destroyed or weakened the strength and hardiness of the turf. The shrubs also provide shelter, and husband the warmth of the sun in such cosy nooks and corners. M. dissitiflora comes early, and flowers with a per- sistency and vigour that no cutting nor'-easters can either mar or cut short. In such localities, too, it establishes and perpetuates itself by self- sowing, and though it does not grow so tall as under more liberal culture, it never looks more lovely than in such natural looking sites and forms. It should also be borne in mind, too, that Myosotis dissitiflora will thrive in many dry localities in the early spring that would burn up JI. sylvatica or palustris. The former enjo)'s the warmth as well as the dryness early in the season, and we have often had it in flower in sucli positions in February and March. In damp situations on Grass, where there may be more JIoss than Grass in the herbage, M. sylvatica and palustris may often thrive well. The latter is bj'no means wholly an aquatic, but may be grown well in almost any damp soil or moist locality. M, sylvatica is very accommodating as to site and soil, and will thrive well under an infinite variety of both as well as on the Grass. In fact, hardly anything in Nature or art can equal in beauty bold masses of Forget-me-not, contending for the supremacy of our fields or lawns with the myriads of Buttercups that crown our meadows with golden glory in our springs and early summers. Such glorious apparelling of our fields in blue and gold must be seen to be appreciated, and is within reach of all. The best way of naturalising Forget-me-nots on the turf is to scatter the seeds thinly in the early autumn. D. T. Fish, THE MAGBIE PANSY. Wheee Pansies are grown for spring bedding, this variety deserves a place. When planted in the centre of a small bed, with a suitable edging, it makes as fine a display in spring as one could desire, commencing to flower early in April, and producing an abundant crop of blossoms well into the summer ; but when we get hot, dry weather, the flowers lose their beautiful white blotches, which show them ofi to such excellent advantage in the early months of the year. This Pansy is also equally effective in mixed borders of hardy plants, or it may bo used at intervals along with other varieties of Pansies, or other dwarf early- flowering plants, or as an edging to flower bor- ders. It is a strong grower and a free bloomer, its large maroon-coloured flowers, blotched with white on each petal, makmg it distinct from most other varieties. Although towards the end of their flowering season the blossoms generally lose, as has been stated, a good deal of the white blotch, it reappears the following spring. I have known people unacquainted with this fact dig up and destroy their whole stock, imagining that the va- riety had permanently changed its character. Many Pansies with maroon flowers might be found, but not with the same white blotch. It must either be grown from cuttings, or old plants must be broken into pieces, saving all the young growths having roots attached to them. Plant them in nursery rows if required for spring bed- ding, leaving 9 in. between the rows, and from 6 in. to 8 in. plant from plant. If cuttings are used they should be put in about the end of May or in the first fortnight in June. Choose young fresh shoots from the centres of old plants ; cut them to a joint, and plant them in a handlight or in some shady corner, keeping them shaded for a few days until they begin to emit roots, when the shading can be dispensed with. When well rooted plant them in nursery rows, when they will soon become established, and make fine plants for planting in the flower garden or bor- ders in spring. Cut flowers of this Pansy may be used with advantage for filling small vases for room decoration, and I have employed them with good eiiect in specimen glasses on the dinner- table along with a few light sprays of some Fern. W. Cheistison. Oui'isia coccinea. — I have grown this plant successfully both in pots and in the open border ; damp and shade are essential to its well being. I do not consider jjeat requisite ; it will thrive well in ordinary loam. I have never tried it against the foot of a wall, as I should consider such a position both too dry and too hot. It flowers freely when the plants attain specimen size, and should only be repotted every second year, the shoots over- July 1, 1882.] THE GARDEN. hanging the side of the pots always flowering freest. In the Newtou Nurseries, Chester, a large patch of it, somewhat damp and shaded, was flowering freely a few weeks since in an open bed. — E. Jenkins. Myosotis dissitiflora alba.— I can con- firm "A. D.'s ■' remarks as to a veritable white va- riety of this Forget-me-not being in existence, as I last season saw a fine bed of it. It is singular how confident some are that it is a white form of M. sylvatica, while anyone conversant with plants so different in habit could hardly mistake one for the other. It may not, perhaps, be so valuable a plant for spring'bedding as the blue variety, but it is well fixed as to character, and no casual sport likely to revert to the type. — J. G. Annuals for autumn sowing.— A gen- tleman writes to me from a siuoky northern town suggesting that I might say what annuals I have found to do well with myself when autumn sown, in anticipation of some remarks on the subject by your correspondents, whicli, he says, he and many others will look forward to with great interest. _ I have found the following to be very useful, viz., Limnanthes Douglasi, Nemophila, Silene pendula, Saponaria calabrica. Erysimum Perofskianum, Centaurea Cyanus and coerulea. Sweet Peas, and Stocks. Of the latter Mauve Beauty has been very fine with me all this spring.— H. StuART- WOETLEY (Colonel). Aquilegia fragrans. — In reference to " Brockhurst's " notice of this plant on p. 420, I may say that Mrs. Davidson kindly sent me flowers last week of the variety of Columbine she called A. fragrans ; it proved to be undoubtedly the A. flavescens of Baker. I obtained seed of this in 1880 from Mr. W. Thomp.son under the name of A. fragrans, and, suspecting it when it flowered, I sent flowers to Kew, and BIr. Baker named it A. flavescens. Mr. Harpur Crewe sent me seedlings last year, raised, I believe, from German seed, called A. fragrans. He thinks they are the true A. fragrans. The flowers resemble what is figured in Wooster's " Alpine Plants " for A. alpina, but are far from answering the description given by Mr. Baker of A. fragrans. After having grown nearly every Columbine of which the seed is to be bought from any dealer, English or foreign, I have come to the conclusion, expressed last year by the editor of The Garden, that Columbines are so utterly demoralised by being huddled to- gether in gardens, that the only chance of getting them true is to get the seed of each species from its native habitat.— C. WOLLET DoD, Ersl/inc Hmifc, IJaniliuJnn, Pernelia buxifolia.— Allow me to thank " B." for the description of this plant (p. 442, Vol. XXI.), and to say that I fear the living speci- mens which I possess under the above name can scarcely be true if they must in all respects accord with Mr. Baker's description; they differ in two respects materially, my plants are only from 5 in. to 7 in. high, and have proved to be hardy. Pax- ton, speaking of F. buxitolia and F. ovata, calls them "elegant little plants;'' such terms could scarcelv be used in reference to subjects from 4 ft. to .5 ft." high, the size given by Baker. Whatever my plants may be, they much resemble 'Vaccinium Vitis-idica, the older leaves being spotted under- neath ; still the general appearance is distinct, seen as they grow side by side. My plants are about 6 in. high, stems very slender, branched, ascending, round, and slightly downy ; leaves from i in. to J in. long, petioled, shining, glabrous, coriaceous, obtuse, the younger ones being obo- vate. 1 have not seen the plants in flower, and cannot learn the precise particulars needed ; they were in berry when they came into my possession, and at no time, and more especially when in fruit, can it be said of these shining evergreen little bushes that they are " devoid of any characters likely to commend them for cultivation in this country." The berries were bright red and pro- duced singly from the axils of the leaves. I have no acquaintance with the Fernelias, and had I not been assured that the plant I have so imperfectly described was F. buxifolia, I should have taken it for a Vaccinium.— ^J. ^ oOT>,Woodville , Kirltstall. Plunging Pelargoniums in pots- Planting out of pots is undoubtedly the most economical plan, for with one good soaking of water they are usually independent of further artificial supplies for the season, and in open sunny positions, where the atmosphere is bright and clear, planting out is best. But in surburban gardens where from the confined space and smoky atmosphere the plants do not usually flower well, the best plan is to plunge the pots, and cover the soil with Cocoa-nut fibre. The latter not only gives a neat finished aspect to the beds, but re- duces the necessity for such frequent watering as would otherwise be needed. In cases where the plant refuses to flower freely the best way is to use kinds with good foliage,' such as the bronzes, gold and silver tricolors, bicolors, and ^ varie- gated sorts which make effective beds in con- junction with Coleus and other fine-foliaged plants that are known to succeed in such positions. Tliere is one great advantage belonging to this system, viz., that of the readiness with which any p'lant that fails can be removed and replaced by another, for when a garden is of but limited di- mensions there is all the more reason to have it in a high state of perfection. In winter, too, there need be little trouble in keeping plants that are thoroughly established in their pots, compared with those lifted and potted from open beds, with roots to make in the very worst period of the year. — J. Groom. Primula denticulata.— .To confine thedeep- searching, fleshy roots of this Primrose in pots is to cripple it effectually. When planted out in a cool shady place and in deep holding soil, not only will the leaf growth be remarkable, but the root- grip of the soil especially so. The best way to serve these Himalayan Primroses is to grow them during the summer in the open ground ; plant them out in April after the bloom is past, and^ if the stools are getting too large, split them up with a sharp knife. In rich cool soil these plants will make crowns in the ensuing autumn as large as a duck's egg ; and then ere sharp frost and snow come the'se should be lifted, the roots materially reduced, and gbt into pots of moderate dimen- sions, in which to bloom. After that is past they have but to be turned out into the open ground as before. I have always found that these Primu- las suffer more during the winter from wet, and especially from snow water, than from frost. No doubt the best position is on rockwork in sloping soil, but still I do not see why the crowns might not be protected with a small heap of coal ashes. Even more troublesome with me than excessive mois- ture are large slugs and snails, which are very partial to the flower-buds. Still they do not pre- sent any insuperable difliculty. The chief reason why the plants should be lifted into pots is that as they flower so early, their blossoms are too often marred and destroyed by bad weather. I can assure all who do not grow Himalayan Prim- roses that a dozen strong plants in pots under glass in the months of February and March are not to be despised. — A. D. SHORT NOTES— FLOWER. Ranunculus roots.— These should be kept ilry from now until their planting time in February. I would not have your correspondent expect too much from these Italian roots. I have never seen any from the south of Europe that can compare nith the Dutcli and English raised varieties. Perhaps when he has liloomed them he will liindly infomi the readers of The Garden what tliey are like.— Delta. Souvenir de la Malmaison Carnation. —I have no great opinion of either the red or pinl; forms of tliis Carnation, or even of the type. Many lil;e them because they are large. The flower consists of a bunch of petals, badly fonned, which have to be tied together, as the pod always bursts. From twenty to twenty-five petals are quite enough for a doulile Carnation ; when like that there is no need to strap up the pods.— J AS. Douglas. The editor of The Garden would be glad to hear of a young man with a good knowledge of hardy plants and taste that would fit him to take charge of a large and beautiful collection of alpine flowers and an extensive rock garden. KITCHEN GARDEN. TOMATOES ALL THE YEAR EOUND; Where Tomatoes are fruited under glass, and ripened early in spring or during winter, I find no kind "to equal tlie Orangefield. It makes growth quickly and sets fruit freely, even in winter, when we have but little sunshine. Being dwarf, seldom exceeding 2| ft. or 3 ft. in height, it is very suitable for pots, especially where other plaiits are grown in the same house or pit. In 10-in. or 12-in. pots each plant will on an average produce some thirty good-sized fruits, wliieh always ripen well, and are good in flavour even when grown in artificial heat. In order to have ripe Tomatoes all the year round, seed must be sown four times a year, and there must be plenty of room to accommo- date a good number of pots. I grow a number of plants in lO-in. pots in a span-roofed Peach house fitted with a stage on each side of the centre pathway, and from plants thus situated I pick a large number of fruits during the spring and early summer months. The S'ed is sown early in "February, three seeds being placed in a •3-in'. pot in lightsoil. They are set in a Cucum- ber house at work, where they germinate freely, and are soon fit to pot off into -j-'m. pots in rich fibry loam, mixed with a portion of leaf-mould and a sprinkling of silver sand to keep the com- post open. After potting I replace the plants in the same temperature in the Cucumber house until they fill their pots with roots; they then require shifting into 6-in. pots, using good fibry loam with a portion of rotten manure or decayed leaf-mould and a good sprinkling of old lime rubbish. The latter keeps the whole open, and tlie young roots seem to like it. Tomatoes can- not withstand sour stiff soil, in which they always have a sickly appearance, and do but little good. As soon as they fill the C-in. pots with roots shift them into their fruiting pots, using good sound turfy loam broken into pieces about the size of pigeons' eggs, and adding a third of old Mushroom manure and a good sprinkling of old lime rubbish broken fine. I use one 6-in. potful of bone-meal to every bushel of potting soil, incorporating it well with the soil before using it. I transfer the plants to the Teach house soon after starting it for forcing. Tlie temperature kept up in this house suits the Tomatoes, which grow freely and set plenty of fruit, although considerably shaded by the foli- age of the trees after the latter get into full leaf. Soon after potting I procure some straight stakes, from 3A feet to 4 feet in height ; one stake is placed to each plant, and the branches are tied loosely to the stakes. Assoon as the fruit begins to colour we use weak liquid manure made from fresh horse droppings steeped in a tub of water. When fresh made we use about a pint of the liquid to every gallon of clear water. When liquid is used too soon the plants make more foliage than is wanted, and if potted in good soil the latter will carry them on till the first fruits begin to colour. VVitb seed sown in the first week in February, and the plants grown on quicklv, one is enabled to pick ripe fruit about the eiid of April if grown in a Peach house, and earlier if grown in a higher tempera- ture. I only grow one crop upon the same plants, as I find it" more profitable to keep a stock of young ones coming on to succeed those that have fruited than to try to recruit exhausted plants. "Where a house is devoted to the cultivation of Tomatoes, strong varieties may be planted to be trained under the roof, while good crops of I Orangefield may be had from pots set upon the front of the bed in which the permanent plants THE GARDEN. [July 1, 1882. are pfrowing;. The produce of a second sowing, made about the middle of March, will succeed the early plants. The young plants from this will require the same treatment as that de- scribed until they are in their fruiting pots, when they may be placed in a cool orchard house or deep pit, in wliich they will be ripe before tlie outdoor crop comes in, and succeed the first crop, which generally lasts until the beginning of July. A third sowing should be made in the first week in July. The produce of this will only require to be grown in a cool house or pit until the end of September or beginning of October, when it may be placed in a house in which tlie temperature is kept up as near 00" as possible. Kipa fruit may thus be picked in December and on to the new year. A fourth sowing should be made in September, and the yoimg plants, the result of this, should be grown in a warm house, and will produce ripe fruit early in spring. The plants will grow and fruit freely in a ( Aicumber house at work in the winter months. The same treatment will be found to agree with the stronger growing varieties if grown in pots. The Orangefield is equally suitable for growing out of doors in summer ; being dwarf, it is suitable for planting against low walls or on bare spaces on walls on winch fruit trees are grown. Dromle;i Common. Wm. Ciiuistiso.v POTATOES— EARLY AND LATE. Amongst a considerable number of earl;' Po- tatoes here, the earliest is Early Rose, which, planted in the open ou February lb last, and par- tially injured by frost in April, I had for table use the size of du<;k's eggs on June 8. Beauty o£ Hebron came next, and then First Crop Ashleaf, with the quality in the inverse order named. I have limited quantities of such new varieties as Eight Weeks, Cleopatra, Bread Fruit, and Forcing, but shall be in no hurry lifting them. I may have something to say concerning them by-and-by. Snowflake I find, too, one of the best earlics, and Fortyfold is also good, with the disadvan- tage of coloured flesh, while the former, when first lifted, has tlie common shortcoming of most early varieties, of being too glutinous or waxy and flavourless. This failing is partially re- medied by culture ou a dry border, with afibrous, loamy soil, where the maximum of sunshine can be enjoyed. The Flounder is largely grown in this country, and is of fair quality, but very subject to disease. So much for early varieties; but the two points I wished particularly to refer to remain. 1, The present system of exhibiting; and 2, the best late-keeping Potato. First, " Sylvestris," re- fering to the last Crystal Palace show (p. 107), says, "size and beauty of form would be the deter- mining points in theeyesof the judges, for we could not expect them to become a tasting committee, so as to decide as to the cooking quatities." Tliis point has, if I remember rightly, been before raised in The Garden by Mr. Dean, and not satisfactorily disposed of. For my part, and I am not singular in the opinion, I believe this is pre- cisely the point the judges should decide; and further, I believe Potato shows will fail in what ought to be their principal function until they decide on the best early, late, and intermediate varieties for cooking purposes. People talk of the best Potato at an exhibition solely from size and beauty. Why, I know American varieties that in these two respects would, to use their own phraseo- logy, " whip creation," and yet when cooked are only fit for pigs or cattle. Is it not, therefore, a misleading blunder to speak of such varieties as the best 1 What valid objection can there be to classifying Potatoes, say, into early, late, and in- termediate, or into rounds and kidneys as a sub- section, giving points for colour if so decided, and have a cooking apparatus attached to every Potato exliibition, with definite rules of procedure framed to decide which is really the best variety ? One exhibition from this point of view might be held for earlies, say in August, and for late varieties, to determine their keeping properties, in spring. This brings me to a point I am very anxious to ask your correspondents for informa- tion about, viz., the best keeping late Potato. Three- fourths of the Potato crop in this country at pre- sent are Champion, yet I have found it worth- less for table use after April ; and Magnum Bonum has proved with us of comparatively in- ferior quality. W. J. M. doirmel. Leeks. — These seldom get the attention which they deserve, considering the length of season during whicli they last, and how useful they are during the spring months for various culinary purposes, when the crop of old Onions is getting exhausted, and the autumn-sown ones not yet of a size sufficient to render them fit for use. We sow in March for tlie first crop, and in April for those required late in the spring. A seed bed a few yards square will supply abundance of plants fit for transplanting in June. We then select some ground that has been deeply cultivated and well enriched ; we mark the rows out in it 18 in. apart, and make large, deep holes the same distance asunder in the row. We then lift the plants care- fully with their roots entire, and drop them into the holes so that their roots touch the bottom ; only soil sufficient to cover the roots is put in, a good soaking of water is given, and the top part of the hole is left open. Thus treated, the plants quickly grow up, -when the soil maybe filled in about them gradually. Or a very good plan is to prepare trenches just the same as for Celery, and to plant from one to three rows in them, earthing up in the same manner as for Celery. — J, G. A new esculent.— In a recent number of the journal of the French National Horticultural Society M. Dyboursk communicates the result of experiments made with Gobo, a species of Burdock, the root of which is much eaten in Japan. The seed was sown early in June in the open air in rich soil, the young plants being eventually thinned out to about 1 ft. apart. In the course of three months the roots had attained the length of 2 ft. and were proportionately thick. Cooked in the manner of Salsafy, they were found to be excellent, having much the flavour of Cardoons, M. Dyboursk has formed a high opinion of this Japanese vegetable, as, owing to its easy culture and the short time it takes to develop, it will, he thinks, prove of greater value than Salsafy or Scorzonera, being much superior to them in flavour. Will some of |your Scotch correspondents inform me whether the root of the common Burdock is ever eaten as a vegetable in Scotland ? and if so, which species ? There are two closely resembling each other, Arctium Lappa and A. Bardana, the latter the Bardane of the French, supposed to be eaten in some parts of France, Potentilla anserina, a wayside species, with hand- some silvery leaves, is also said to be eaten in Scotland, but I have never yet met with a Scotch- man who had eatenof any of these plants.— J. C. P.. Diseased Cucumbers —ff. L. (?.— The Cucumbers you send are suffering from what is termed "gumming," and the scars left by the "gumming" in the large example are covered with fungi, which are hastening on the destruc- tion of the crop. The fungus growth is entirely an after result of the "gumming," and the latter is caused hy some constitutional disturbance brought on by abnormal growth. What has made the plants wrong in the first instance it is impos- sible to say without the fullest particulars, or a very careful examination. It frequently happens that the roots and even stems are infested with- in by a minute worm, which lays its eggs and goes on breeding and feeding in and on the internal tissues of the plant. These worms often throw Cucumbers and other plants seriously out of health. The microsconic worms are in the earth, and some country brooks and streams swarm with them. Wlien water is taken from these positions the worms attack the plants, and a few indi- viduals soon increase to hundreds of thousands. They frequently descend in rain. No cure for them has yet been published— F. GARDEN FLORA. PLATE CCCXLIIL— KALMIA LATIFOLIA. The mountain Laurel of the American States (Kalmia latifolia) is one of those plants which, if of recent introduction, would be eagerly sought after ; but having been an inhabitant of our gardens for nearly a century and a half, it receives but little attention. When in robust health, as one often finds it among the Surrey hills, its dark glossy evergreen foliage alone stamps it as a plant of the highest merit, but when in flower in June and July its true value becomes apparent, and it remains strikingly .showy even after the beauty of the Azaleas and Rhododendrons is over. When raised from seed, as it often is in quantities, the individual plants vary a good deal both in size and colouring, and also in the profusion in which the flowers are produced; thus amongst seedlings the produce of one plant may sometimes be found greatly superior to that of another, and these, when once obtained, if propagated by grafting on the com- mon type become fixed. A well-marked variety is the kind called mytifolia, which, as its name indicates, has leaves much smaller than those of latifolia, and the growth is also less vigorous. The flowers, too, are smaller ; indeed, the whole plant may be described as a miniature form of latifolia. Of a totally different character is Kalmia angustifolia, a small upright shrub 2 ft. to -'i ft. in height and earlier in flowering than the others just named. Its leaves are generally about lA in. long and f in. bro.ad, but they vary somewhat in size as well as in colour, some being deep green, others of a pale hue, while a glaucous form is also sometimes met with. Its flowers are, as a rule, deeper in colour than those of K. latifolia, while some of the selected kinds known under the names of rubra and superba are deeper still. There is also a very dwarf variety called nana, which seldom grows more than 1 ft. in height, and another in which the leaves are edged witli creamy-white, but not worth grow- ing. In K. angustifolia ovata the leaves are broader and the plant more vigorous than in the common type, while the very glossy foliage of a kind called lucida renders it worth growing for the sake of variety. Kalmia glauca is a charming little plant, very distinct from all the others, and its season of flowering is much earlier, being often in blossom in April. This, and the dwarf variety of K. angustifolia, are seen to the best advantage when planted in dense masses. Culture and position. — Kalmias, like most other Ericaceae, like a peaty soil and a position that even though exposed is such that the roots are kept moist ; if dry, they soon assume a sickly aspect. K. glauca succeeds best in very damp places ; in planting it, too, it is well to bear in mind the fact that rabbits are very fond of it and will crop it close down to the ground. Suit- able spots may be fotmd for all the varieties of Kalmia in what is known as the American garden. The large kinds associate well with Rhododendrons and similar plants, while the smaller ones are available for carpeting. Jlany of the Kalmias make good plants for forcing in spring for the embellishment of the greenhouse and conservatory. Owing to their having a dense mass of fibrous roots they can be taken up and potted during winter after the bloom is well set without injury ; and when assisted by a gentle he.at and frequently syringed they flower freely and continue in beauty for several weeks in succession. Alpha. ',* Mr. Bond, of Walcot Gardens, in .Shrop- shire, was, many years ago, in the younger JtJLT 1, 18-52.] THE GAEDEN. Alton's time, busily engaged in drawing plants in the Royal Gardens at Kew. AVe had the plf asure of seeing a number of his highly finished excellent drawings, which show a care, a decision of drawing, and purity of colouring that we would find great difficulty in e(iualling now-a- days. It occurred to us that we would like to reproduce one or two of the said graceful draw- ings which he has kept carefully for many years, and one of these was the typical Kalmia which has since become so famous a plant in our gardens. Mr. Bond is now and has been for many years past head gardener to the Karl of Powis, at Walcot, whence on various occasions we have seen examples of his excellence as a culti- vator. The present earl is the third he has had the honour to serve during a period of forty- eight years. The drawing of Kalmia latifolia, represented by the annexed plate, was made about the vear 1839. FRUIT GARDEN. APRICOTS. Notwithstanding the fact that the Moorpark variety of Apricot is so liable to lose its largest branches without any apparent cause, it is, in my opinion, still the best Apricot to grow. The tree is a good bearer, and the fruit is larger and better flavoured than that of any other kind. In many cases Apricots are pruned too much ; for many years 1 followed the close pruning system, and obtained results in no way satisfactory. Since then I have adopted a more free-and-easy system, and have done what little pruning was necessary in Bummer by tying in the breastwood and pinching off the tops of the strongest shoots once in the month of June, and our crops have become greatly improved. Sucli a system will not, however, do in gardens where severe pruning and stifE training are carried out. But I am satisfied that where a good crop of fruit is of more importance than a neatly trained tree the free-and-easy system is the most protitab'e. In winter, instead of cutting off all the breastwood, we cut out some of the old, exhausted shoots, and tie in the young ones in.'-tead of cutting them back to a spur. By thus tying in the young slioots they slielter each other, and better crops are the result. Our trees of the Moorpark variety suffered so much from the loss of large branches that I determined eight years years ago to try other varieties, and secured Rivers' Early, the Royal, and Musch-Muscb. Rivers' Early I discarded the second year after fruiting, as the skin was so thick and the stone so large, that it was considered to be valueless ; it is only right, how- ever, to say that the tree was a good grower, and produced fruit in abundance. The Royal has a good many if not all the characteristics of the preceding, except that the tree is less vigorous, the fruit somewliat larger, and its branches do not die off so suddenly after the tree attains a good size. It is somewhat tender, and only suit- able for very warm positions. Under glass 1 have seen this variety better than any other kind, i.e., it I except the airy lean-to houses at Sawbridge- worth, where Apricots of all kinds used to be grown so well in pots. The tree of the JIusch-Musch kind is quite distinct from that of the Moorpark, and with me it is a very prolific bearer. It is a good grower, but the fruit is small, and has a thick skin and indifferent flavour. It is not so likely, I appre- hend, to lose its main branches suddenly as the Moorpark, and where a hardy variety is required in positions where others have failed, this should, I think, have a fair trial. J. C. C. berries in pots to lose no time in getting the earli- est runners they can get of the desired kinds layered in small pots, so that they may be fit for getting into their fruiting pots early in July. After trying all kinds of plans I am convinced that Layering in 3-in. pots filled with good rich soil answers best. We use turf cut about 1 in. tliick and stacked up long enough to kill the Grass roots, with a thin layer of manure between each layer of turf. When this is chopped down it is ready for use ; it will, however, require chopping ratlier finer for the small pots than tor the fruitinop pots, but we never sift soil for Strawberries ; place one crock or potslierd at tlie bottom and fill ujj with soil ; tlieu carry the pots to the beds wliere the laj'ers are to be had, and ]jlace one in tlie centre of each pot, securing it with a wooden peg or a flat stone. The latter is preferred by many, as it retains moisture under it, and hastens the pro- duction of roots. Keep the layers well watered, and in a fortnight or tlu'ee weeks they will be well rooted and fit for severing from the parent plants. Place them in a shady situation till required for potting. — J. G. L. Layering Stra-wberries.— This is an opera- tion in which an early •start is of importance. The sooner the runners are in their pots the greater is the chance of getting good fruitful plants. To attempt early forcing with late potted plants is to court failure. I would, therefore, re- commend all who contemplate forcing Straw- CAUSE AND CURE OF MELON DISEASE. This heading may seem presumptions, but being anxious to assist " A. M." and otliers to tlie utmost of my ability in a matter in which I have had considerable experience, the title will at least command attention. "A.M. ''is quite right in separatine; what is termed the disease from ordi- nary canker near the base of the Melon plant; the latter is provoking enough, but it affects but one place, the base of the stem, and seldom proves de- structive till the crop has reached to somethingHke semi-maturity. But the disease attacks every part and sends its gangrenous and fatal wounds through the stems or leaves in any or all directions. When first brought into personal contact with it, I con- sulted all available authorities, scientific and practi- cal, as to its origin. The answer virtuallj' amounted to thi.s — not known. As to remedies, immediate destruction, cleansino: and deodorising the houses' fresh seeds from a distance, were the chief. All these failed, however. Thus thrown back on our own resources, it occurred to me that the disease seemed to originate in a check of some sort. The plants most virulently affected were mostly the more succulent. Could an excess of moisture and a paucity of heat be the provo- cative causes of the disease ? It looked like it. If so, then the remedies are simple - more heat and a drier atmosphere. From then till now we have, when possible, given our Melons more tro- pical treatment, and the result is we have out- grown the disease. True, "A. M." says we had plenty of bottom-heat, but the expression is a vague one. Does his plenty mean from 80*^ to 90°, with atmo- spheric warmth in proportion ? Even under such tropical conditions it is possible to keep Melons far too moist both at top and bottom. They are in no sense swamp plants, though in the free at- mosphere of tropical climates it might be impos- sible to over-water their roots ; but the case is widely different in the cramped, artificial areas of our hothouses or frames. This much is certain, we succeeded in out-growing the Melon disea.se by forcing the plants at high-pressure speed from the start to the finish, and when and where we can command these favourable conditions we have not had it since. D. T. Fisii. light, airy situation convenient to water, and, if possible, free from worms. Avoid crowding the plants together or setting them near trees, as it is important that the leaf-stalks be kept short and stout, and that good single crowns in preference to double ones be thoroughly ripened before the autumn. Water well with water which has been exposed to the atmosphere, and keep the beds of concrete or ashes on which they are placed well moistened, but avoid wetting the tender foliage in bright weather or at any time with water that is colder than the mean temperature of the air. Remove all weeds and runners. Apply lime water if worms gain a lodgment, and rearrange occasionally, as they require more room, and to prevent the plants from rooting into the ground. With many growers it is the practice to avoid the use of small pots altogether by filling the fruiting pots up to within J in. of the rim, and then pegging the runners tightly down on the surface. The drawback to this excellent plan is the establish- ment of a colony of worms during the time the pots are standing on the quarters, and the time occupied in watering in dry weather. The plants, however, make excellent heart buds, which ripen well, and the check which follows shifting from 3-in. pots to fruiting pots is overcome. — W. C. Pine growing on leaf beds.— The follow- ing is a list of I'ines which I have cut, and I still have thirty more to cut. They were rootless suckers planted on a bed of leaves in February, 1881, and the ripe fruits were cut as follows : — Weigllt. Weight. Date lb. Date lb. Aug. 16 ."> Oct. 26 . 3J ,, 22 6^ Dec. 30 . 6,: ,, 24 i. „ 30 4 7 ,, 31 6. „ 31 Sept. a .. 4: 1882. ,, 111 5 Jan. 4 : ^f ,, 13 6 „ V „ 13 5 ,, 10 7 ,, 13 .. 4i „ 10 . 6i „ 16 ■• 4i „ 19 1 1, 15 4 „ 2.1 7 I, 20 .. i\ „ 25 61 ,, 20 .. 4i „ 30 5 „ 24 6 Mar. 6 4 ., 24 .. 4,. April 15 5} ,, 24 .. 3,. „ 17 5i „ 2S 4 „ 28 4 Oct. 7 4 May 2 Si „ 7 4J 0 45 „ 26 4} 4 6 These Pines were grown, as I have said, wholly on a bed of leaves. Our succession Pine pits are 8 ft. wide and 8 ft. deep, and a 3-in. hot-water pipe runs round them for top heat. The fruiting pits are VI ft. wide and 11 ft. deep, and a flow and return 4-in. pipe runs round them close to the walls for top heat. Over the front pipes is an open trough for hot water — the back pipes are only used in very cold weather. — D. SHORT NOTES— FRUIT. Strawberriea in pots.— Young plants in- tended for early forcing should be placed in their fruiting pots by the end of June or early in July, Small pots, 5 in. to 6 in. in diameter, are quite large enough for the first batch, but for the general stock a larger size may be used with advantage, if only to economise time in watering. See that the fruiting pots are clean, dry, and well crocked, for, much as the Strawberry enjoys a strong, rich soil with plenty of moisture, it soon becomes unhealthy in a pot from which water can- not pass away freely. Pot the plants singly, with the crowns well up above the soil when all is finished, and place them on a bard surface in a Figs seem to be well grown at Worksop Manor under Mr. Sutton. They are in pots plunged out of sight in the borders. They are annually well dressed with well-rotted manure and loam ; the house being a lean-to, they are trained three parts up the front, and like^vise up the back. — M. Mealy bug and Fir oil.— It "A. E. P." will try on liis Vines half a pint of Fir tree oil mixed with six quarts of water, applied with Wells' patent spray diffuser, he will find it one of the best things he ever used for mealy bug or indeed for any other kind of insect on plants. The dif- fuser is so e.osily worked, and deposits such a fine spray on the plant that neither mealy bug nor red spider can with- st.and it.— Chas. Goobe, Eastcote, RecthiU. Fruit prospects in Shropshire, Mr. Bond informs us, are anything but bright. During the 4S years he has been at Walcot he has never known, lie says, such a season. There are few Apples or fruits of any kind, and the trees are nearly destroyed by blight. He adds that during May and June there has hardly been in that part of the country a sunny day. Early Rivers Peach.— What kills the stones of tliis Peach V All its stones with me were dead last year, and I find the gi-eater part of them to be so this year. It does not prevent the fruits from ripening, but they are slightly deformed. It is a very good Peach notwithstanding the defect named, and is also very early. My tree is in good health, with only about eighteen fruit on it.— C, M. THE GARDEN. [Jdly 1, 1882. NOTES AND READINGS. No PRUNING ! — Mr. Fish is a welcome re- cruit to the ranks of the " no pruners," not- withstanding certain publications issued lately from the Bazaar office, in which mostly all the barbarities of " restriction " are accurately described and recommended ; but that is neither here nor there, nor is it of any consequence that Mr. "Ush waited to see what your contemporary had to say before casting his vote in with the advocates of extension. He is now in doubt if " any pruning at all be needed " — that is " the grave and vital question " now to be answered. In its general application we would say de- cidedl_y pruning is needed in the case of trained treeS) but it must be conducted on more intelli- gent principles than hitherto. In regard to standard trees, or trees not grown on walls or espaliers, probably no pruning is needed worth spealsing- about. It is gratifying to hear that a "great change for the better" has come over our pruning practices lately, which there is rea- son to think is true, although, judging from an " epitome " bringing garden practice down to 1881, one would not think S3. A "diagram illustrating branch distribution," intended for general application to wall trees, and by which " fruit trees may be readily trained into the forms which are amongst the best that have been devised," delineates in the clearest style what INIr. Fish describes as " the old and bar- barous practice of hacking off the heads of trees." The first step towards improvement in this direction would be the destruction of much matter on pruning that has been published, and especially the diagrams,'wluch many gardeners have found to their cost were barbarous. « The future opportunity of the florist. — Hitherto the labours of the "florist" have been too restricted in their scope, and he now finds the work he ought to have accomplished long ago being taken out of his liands. How- ever creditable the productions of his art, they have been too few and too far out of the track of the gardener and lovers of flowers generally to merit the attention of any but a few specialists. To raise one or two Pansies or Auriculas or Tulips annually or periodically is not and never can be an object of sufficient importance to fire the ambition of any cultivatorwho takes a broad view of his profession and wishes to cater for the public taste. One thing which is sure soon to engage the attention of those who seek to im- prove our garden flowers is the selecting and per- petuating of good varieties from seed. Propaga- tion by cuttings will probably never be given up, for it is the only means we have of per- petuating favourite varieties ; but propagation by seed is preferable, because it is easier and readier, from the gardener's point of view, as regards raising stock to furnish the garden, if it was only reliable. We want strains of such things as good Violas, Pansies, Primulas, Verbenas, Dahlias, Auriculas, Pyrethrums, Petunias, Phloxes, Primroses, and all popular garden flowers, that can be raised from seed. The raiser of strains of such subjects would not have to concern himself so much about the "form" of the flowers, a point which has so much hampered the older school of florists, as their colour, free flowering disposition, and habit of growth, which are the main considerations in flowers planted for effect either in the " dressed " or wild garden. Past experience has shown that a few years' selection is sufficient to " fix " the character of any particular strain, and mostly all cultivators know well that seedlings are prefer- able to cuttings for several reasons, not the least being their superior constitution, EooT PRUNING. — This is a work that will be demanding the consideration of gardeners soon. It should be performed as soon as the wood of fruit trees is fairly hardened and the leaves matured. It cannot be too well understood, however, that much pruning of the tops and pruning of the roots are quite inimical to each other. Cutting off the roots means cutting off the supplies, and cutting off the branches means reducing the demand on the supplies. Conse- quently a tree that has its roots and branches curtailed at the same time is in almost the same condition as it was before — like a man who has his income and expenditure reduced simultaneously. And j'et simultaneous root and branch pruning is the rule, and hence root pruning is a work that enters largely into the restrictive trainer's practice without much visible advantage. Those who have very large or vigorous, but barren, orchard trees should use the knife at the roots and let the tops alone. It is futile attempting to put fertility into an over-luxuriant tree by re- ducing the number or extent of the branches. * Fruit trees in pots. — The plan of grow- ing Apples and Pears in pots, from which so much was expected at one time, seems to be going out of fashion. It is certain the pot sys- tem is not extending, and many of those who have tried it for years and found it to be un- worthy of the trouble have given it up. Why should we grow fruit trees in pots either indoors or outdoors? That is the question that has never yet been answered. It is fraught with far more trouble, inconvenience, and uncertainty than any other plan of growing fruit. If t lie trees must be grown under glass, why not plant them out like other fruits that are grown under protection, and substitute occasional root pruning or root confinement instead of annual potting, plung- ing, top-dressing, &c., saving at the same time so much watering, and avoiding those frequent chances of failure which the system entails? The only real successful orchard house culti- vators we know of are those who plant out their trees, be they bush or trained. Their crops of some kinds of fruits, and particularly the finer dessert Plums, are simply marvellous, and this in the hands not of professional gar- dener.?, but amateurs who do not keep a regular gardener. The contrast between two orchard houses which we saw once, both belonging to clergymen, one containing about fifty plants in pots, and the other less than half th.at number planted out, was instructive. In the first case we bad poor, sm.all, scraggy trees with precarious crops, and in the other luxuriance and fine crops. Since we saw the pot specimens they have been disposedof by auction and the orchard house given up. * Time in fruit culture. — One of your con- temporaries says that " slow and sure" should be the motto of those who wish to grow and mature Grapes well, and it speaks truly, and might extend the motto to other fruits as well as Grapes. If we want heavy and solid Pines and Peaches, &c., we must give time. Practice proves this. It is better to start Black Hamburghs, for example, a month or six weeks earlier and give them a longer time to grow. It comes to the same thing in the end as regards cost of fuel and labour and the results are better and more certain. This has been reiterated in The Garden a good many times. High rates of speed, says your contemporary, are dangerous both at the start and finish, and it would correct such practices by depression of temperature at night, which " is one of Nature's most powerful means of com- pleting maturity." We would commend this advice to Grape growers, for it is not the case, we are afraid, that many practise it. It does not follow that the leader writer and calendar writer on Vines have any connection or sympathy with each other in such matters, but it is certain they do not agree. Peregrine. SEASONABLE WORK. FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN THE HOUSE. G. J., SURREY. No flower decoration is more delightful in a I'oom than a large china bowl full of Roses, but without some support for the flowers it is not easy to arrange. A good plan is to place inside the bowl three common flower-pots of graduated sizes, the outside of the largest being about IJ in. within the rim of the bowl ; a few crocks at the bottom of the largest pot will bring the next-sized one to the right height, and some more crocks in the second will block up the third to the same level. The best eifects may be got by keeping the re- lated colourings together, such as the scarlet and black-shaded flowers in one bowl, pale and full pink in another, and so on. A bold mass of Chinese Preonies, blush, rosy-pink, and white tinged with sulpher, cut 2 ft. long, have an im- posing effect in a large bine and white porcelain vase. Kalmias, in flower and bud, are in a silver punch-bowl ; cut in the bud state they will last for a fortnight: their own leathery golden-green foliage is the best possible accompaniment. A blue jar full of Syringa (Philadelphus) is almost too strongly scented for a sitting-room, but does well for a hall or entrance. White Water Lilies are in a wide shallow glass bowl, with a few of their own leaves. FLOWER GARDEN. W. WILDSMITH, HECKPIELD. Tobacco plants. — Of all annuals suitable for flower borders, and for grouping in masses in the sub-tropical garden, the Tobaccos or Nico- tianas are probaby the most rapid growers and the most easily raised. They have also the additional merit of being comparatively hardy, and can be planted out earlier than any of the other kinds of plants usually classed as sub-tropi- cal. Seeds sown on a slight hotbed in March, and the young plants potted off singly as soon as they can be handled, and given ordinary frame culture, will be large to plant out in 5Iay. The best varieties are Tabacum and its variegated variety and wigandioides. In good soil all three kinds attain a height of 8 ft., and have broad massive foliage and long spikes of pink blossoms. They flower so freely, that, to prevent premature exhaustion, it is necessary to reduce the flower- spikes to about a couple on each plant, as well as to prevent them fi-om seeding, by frequently pick- ing off the bad flowers. Under this simple culture they will retain their effectiveness till very late in autumn. If planted in groups, each plant should not be allowed a less space than 3 ft. Bedding plants. — The diipping cold weather of the last three weeks has made the tender sec- tion of these look very wretched, so much so, that one almost regrets that there are such plants as Coleus and Alternanthtra'; but having used them, and that with grand effect, when the seasons were warmer, it is difficult now to make up one's mind to exclude them, but sooner or later it must come to that ; meanwhile we must be on the look out for hardy substitutes ; at present the only avail- able hardy kinds are the bronze Ajuga and Oxalis corniculata rubra, both a long distance in the rear as regards brightness of colour, but moderately effective when planted in dense masses. Though it is yet early to form an opinion as to whether or not such tender plants as the Coleus and Alter- nantbera will fill out their allotted space, the moment there is a doubt in the matter will be the time to set to work to cover the ground ; dwarf Sedums, dibbled in amongst them, quickly do tbis, the mixture so formed being infinitely I preferable to bare plots of earth. In the case of July 1, 1882.] THE GARDEN. succulent arrangements, keep the flowers picked off Echeverias and other ground-work plants associated with them, such as Sedums and Saxi- frages, but the small flowers of Mesembryanthe- mum cordifolium variegatum harmonise so well with succulents that they should be left. It will, however, be necessaiy to occasionally pick off the seed-pods in order to keep the plants in free growth. The most pleasing bed we have at the present time is an arrangement of large succu- lents, consisting of Yuccas, Agaves, and large growing Echeverias and Sempervivums, the whole being in a setting of the large, mauve-flowered Mesembryanthemum conspicuum, and the only attention it has ever had or needed since planting lias been the keeping of the Jlesembryanthemum pegged under the taller plants. In rain or sun- shine, in fact in all weathers, these succulent arrangements are equally pleasing, and worthy of adoption on that ground alone, not to mention their desirability on the score of variety. Keep the undergrowths of sub-tropical plants neatly pegged down, and in cases in which such under- growths have been deemed unnecessary the beds should be kept mulched with Cocoa fibre or leaf- soil. For the present the flowers should be kept picked off Cannas, Castor-oils, and the like, and all that need tying and staking should receive that attention before any injury accrues from its neglect. General ■work. — During showery weather the weeding and rolling of walks will well repay all ^the labour that can be afforded in that direction. Shrubberies and mixed flower borders will also require more than ordinary attention anent the destruction of weeds, and the mowing necessary to ensure a close, velvety turf is just now incessant. Koses need washing for the destruction of blight ; bad flowers should be picked off once a week, and the growths of any that have done flowering should be shortened. Daisies, Pansies, Primroses, Polyanthuses, Violas, Pinks, and other spring flowers may now be propagated by division, cut- tings, or seeds ; they all do best in partial shade ; a border having a north or east aspect is in every way suitable. Any strong plants there may be to spare will do good autumn service in the mixed borders amongst Koses. be put on the glass in the middle of the day when the weather is bright. INDOOR PLANTS. T. BAINES, SOUTHGATE. Double Primulas.— The advantages which these possess over the single kinds where flowers for bouquets are much in demand are their greater duration when so used and their continuous habit of blooming, especially the white and dis- tinct pink kinds, such as Gilbert's seedlings, that deserve to be grown extensively; not only are their flowers individually much larger than those of the old sorts, but the habit of the plants is more vigorous. Every attention should now be given thom in the way of pot room and plenty of light, with no more shade than is required to break the sun's rays and prevent the foliage from assuming a sickly hue. If seeds of the single varieties were sown at intervals of about two months, there will be a good prospect of a continuous succession from autumn up to spring, and to have the stock in such order as will enable it to produce a full crop of flowers there must be no want of atten- tion, especially in giving more root room as re- quired. Plants of the last sowing should be en- couraged to make growth, so as to admit of their being got into their blooming pots before the season is too far advanced to allow them to attain size enough to flower well. On no account allow the stock of either double or single kinds to stand too close together from the first, for where this occurs the leaf-stalks get drawn out weakly, a defect that cannot afterwards be remedied. The best place for Primulas in summer is in ordinary frames facing northwards at the north side of a low north wall with their heads close up to the gla.ss. Thus situated they will get plenty of light, but not under the full force of the sun. The lights should be well tilted up back and front in the day-time, and a piece of garden netting .should Heliotropes.— These must be kept close to the glass when subjected to the warmth requisite to bring them into flower during autumn and winter ; consequently, where they will have to be brought on in low pits, small plants such as can be grown up from spring-struck cuttings occupying 6-iu. or 8-in. pots should at once be placed in such, regularly pinching off the flowers as they appear. This is necessary in order to direct all their strength to the formation of growth. Large old Heliotropes are most useful where there are means of giving them the requi- site room, as where these exist, if encouraged with a little warmth after the weather gets cold, they will go on blooming for months. With large examples of this description it is not so necessary to keep all the flowers nipj^ed ofl: now as in the case of small ones, but means must be taken to keep them growing freely by the aid of sufiicient pot room and frequent applications of manure water. Perpetual flowering Carnations.— The later flowering stock of these will now be in fine bloom, and should be assisted with manure water once a week, which will induce them to push up strong shoots from the bottom that will flower later on. Plants that have been forced early should have their old flowering shoots well shortened back, so as to encourage the young- shoots, which in free-growing varieties are alway^ making their appearance ; they should then be turned out of the pots without disturbing the balls of roots more than what occurs in removing the drainage, and be planted out in prepared soil, not too light, but with sand enough in it to admit of their being taken up and potted in the autumn without much breakage of their roots ; they must have an open situation fully exposed to the sun, and not be allowed to suffer through want of water. If well managed they will produce many more flowers than younger plants, and will not be so leggy or unsightly as where the old stems are allowed to grow up without cutting back. Young plants struck fi'om cuttings in the winter or spring must have all the attention which they re- quire, or it is useless to expect more than a meagre production of flowers. Move them as soon as necessary out of the small pots they occupy to others a couple of sizes larger, using good strong new loam, to which has been added a little leaf- mould with some sand, but not so much as is re- quired by most soft-wooded plants, as if the soil is too light they will not be unlikely to refuse to move altogether. ORCHIDS. DOUGLAS, LOXFORD HALL. East India house — We find Odontoglos- sum Roezli to succeed best in this house, but in the coolest end, there being a difference of at least 5° between the two ends ; our plants of it are placed very near the glass, and when making growth are as freely supplied with water as the cool house species. They have just passed through the flowering period and are again starting to grow. Some of them were repotted about mid- winter and have done well ; these will not be disturbed now, but all that were repotted at this time last year will be potted again ; the roots should not be disturbed more than what may happen in removing the decayed and sour com- post. For these we fill the pots with drainage up to within 3 in. of the rim. They should be cleared from thrips before repotting. Some of the Cattleyas grown in this house will now be push- ing up their flowers from the recently formed pseudo-bulbs amongst these we place C. gigas, which flowers best when placed very near the glass in the coolest end of this house. Cattleya Dowiana requires very similar treatment. It does well with the pots placed inside a basket. C. superba is gi-own in quite the warmest end, but this should be on a block, or, what is better, fastened to a bit of the stem of a Tree Fern. We find Cattleya Warneri to succeed better in this house than in a cooler temperature. Our best plant of it has been grown here for many years and always flowers well. Any Dendrobiums starting into growth, as many of them do at this time, should be repotted as they require it ; give them plenty of heat and moisture, and occasionally syringe them overhead. The smaller-growing species should be placed near the glass ; those that are taller will do in the centre or on the side stages. Saccolabiums are now beginning to make fresh roots ; if any of them require robust setting or repotting it ought to be done at once. These Orchids dislike being disturbed, and if the potting material has become decayed, it may be best to carefully pick it out from amongst the roots and substitute fresh material. They do not require any peat amongst the Sphagnum, but crocks and char- coal are necessary to keep it open. I find it answers well to have dried Sphagnum that has been well washed previous to drying to work in amongst the roots, finishing off with live material chopped fine and that has been mixed with a little pounded charcoal as well as the lumpy portions of it. We always wash the leaves with soapy water before potting. Cattleya house.— If any Cattleyas really require repotting, it should be done now, but I am of opinion that January is the best time for per- forming the operation. Most of ours are being left until that time. Recently imported plants are dealt with diflierently. Some pot the plants at once in tlie usual compost, and as a rule roots are very soon emitted from the base of the last formed pseudo-bulbs. The best way, I think, of treating all such plants, including Liclias, is to pot them in clean crocks, and as soon as the roots have be- gun to push, remove some of the crocks and re- place them with the usual compost ; the roots run into it at once, and before it becomes tainted by repeated waterings. Many new and notable addi- tions are constantly being made to Cattleyas, and as there is always much pleasure in watching the development of new forms, it ought not to be forgotten that as a rule flowering sheaths are most likely to be formed when the plants are placed near the glass. We bad six plants of C. gigas in one house placed on the stage ; they were not more than 3 ft. from the glass, but not a flowering growth was formed upon one of them until they were all suspended from the roof close to the glass ; now they are all forming flowering sheaths. Odontoglossum hastilabium, an inmate of this house, is usually much punished by the long time during which its flowers remain on it. We have had single spikes last for t'u-ee months and longer ; one even lasted six months. Carefully attend to the plants in the way of giving water at the roots, and maintain a moist growing atmo- sphere. They are now making new growths and pushing out young roots. Cool house. — The instructions given in the last calendar as to the general treatment of this house will do for the next two months. We have not had very hot weather, consequently no extra precautions have been necessary ; indeed, the rather cool, moist atmosphere has suited the occuijants of this house well. We would rather not repot many of the Masdevallias and Odontoglossums at this season, but it may be necessary to do so; in that case we are careful to disturb the roots as little as possible, and are also ver\' careful not to let them suffer from want of water afterwards. Cool house Orchids are rapidly in- creasing in numbers and interest, and the house need not be altogether filled with Odontoglossums and Masdevallias ; a few of the finest Dendrobes may find ahome there. D.Jamesianum and the nearly allied D. infundibulum make the best growths in the warmest end of the cool house ; in potting and watering deal with them much the same as is done with Odontoglossums ; they like to be near the glass. Besides Onoidum macranthum alluded to in last calendar, another really pretty species does best in this house, at least during the sum- mer months, viz., C. cheirophorum ; it is best grown in i^ots, but the pots may be placed in baskets and suspended from the roof. Amongst Cattleyas the 10 THE GARDEN. [Jdly 1, 1882. lovely C. citrina succeeds well here on blocks, or, as I saw it flowering freely at Messrs. Veitch's, in shallow pans. In either case it is best suspended from the roof. La3lia majalis and L. autumnalis are good subjects for this house. They will do very well if they can be placed in a corner where they can get a few hours' sun each day, as they will not form flowering gi-owths if they are too closely shaded. Cultivators know that certain plants must be placed in the lightest part, others near the ventilators, and others again at a distance from both. To grow Orchids well in any depart- ment it is necessary that their habits and the con- ditions under which they are found in their native habitat should be known, and if possible adhered to when under cultivation. FRUIT. W. COLEMAN, BASTNOE CASTLE. Peaches. — When all the fruit has been taken from the early house, go over the trees and remove the shoots which have performed their office and can now be spared with advantage to the young growths intended for next year's fruiting. Tie in and regulate the latter, allowing plenty of room for free development of foliage and the free admission of light and air. Syringe regularly with pure water where the foliage is clean, and add soft soap or Gishurst compound on dull evenings to keep it clear of spider. Keep the inside borders regu- larly supplied with water, and renovate the mulching where the trees show signs of weakness or exhaustion from heavy cropping, but carefully guard against forcing them into a vigorous growth when they should be going to rest. The ventilators may now be left open by night and day, and when the buds are well made up, the roof lights, if possible, may be taken off, painted, and stored away ready for use early in the autumn. Suceeesion houses. — If time is an object the trees in succession houses may now be sub- jected to a higher temperature than would have been sate before the fruit commenced its last swelling, but it must be borne in mind that nothing in the way of quality is gained by it, increased size, colour, and flavour being the true tests of merit. I prefer a temperature ranging from 60° at night to 7.5° by day, with plenty of air and full exposure by drawing the lights off when the weather is very fine after the end of ,Iune. Where good soft water can be obtained the trees may be syringed every morning imtil the fruit has at- tained its full size and shows signs of changing for ripening, but on no account should the after- noon .syringing be performed when there is danger of the foliage remaining wet after nightfall. If the roots are confined to internal borders, and the latter are well drained, liberal supplies of water at the mean temperature of the house will be needful in this and later houses ; but where they run outside, the heavy rains we have lately had, combined with good mulching, will keep them in a satisf.ictory state until the earth becomes much warmer than it is at the present time. Late houses. — See that the wood is thinly and evenly laid in in late housesand wall-cases, par- ticularly where no heating ai:iparatus has been provided for ripening it up in the autumn ; pinch the points out of gross shoots where they are likely to rob the fruit or weaker parts of the trees, and elevate all that can be raised to the influence of sun and light as the work proceeds. Syringe well twice a day, leave the ventilators constantly opeu.and mulch the roots with some non-conduct- ing material to counteract the drying influence of constant currents of air ; but guard against the use of over-rich manure, which will force the trees into vigorous growth late in the season. Figs under glass.— Our early forced trees are now swelling up the second crop of fruit, and a few of the most forward Figs are beginning to ripen. The fruit has been well thinned to insure good size, and the roots have been liberally sup- plied with warm liquid to keep the trees in growth. From the first week in June stopping is discontinued, as it is from the young growths now being made that nest year's first crop will be obtained. When all the best fruit has been gathered the lights will be taken off the roof, the shoots will be well cleansed if insects are present, and the trees will be allowed to go gradually to rest. In our best house a large tree of Browu Turkey is ripening hundreds of fine Figs. This tree is planted out against a rough stone wall forming the north side of a span-roofed pit. The shoots are trained upwards to the ndge, thence downwards to the south front. The winter prun- ing consists in cutting away barren shoots which have reached the extremity of the trellis to make room for suiumer growths, and as these are never stopped, a successional growth of wood and fruit is secured until the time arrives for withholding stimulants. The shade produced by the foliage having caused the stems of eighteen years' growth to throw a complete network of roots over the surface of the old limestone wall, we keep them packed Orchid fashion in the pieces of turf, from the floor line I ft. upwards, and feed copiously with warm liquid, which is poured on at the top every other morning, or as often as the turf roots, and projecting stones show signs of becoming dry. I ouglit to say the wood never becomes so gross, neither does the fruit drop at the usual critical period of its growth, two striking proofs that this heat and moisture-loving tree is most decidedly at home when planted where rich, stimu- lating food can pass quickly away and the air is not excluded from the roots. KITCHEN GARDEN. E. GILBERT, BUEGHLEY. Keep the hoe constantly going among growing crops, and prick out Broccoli, Savoys, and winter greens. If ground for them is not likely to be early at liberty I always sow as late as possible, so that the plants do not get drawn while they stand in the seed beds. Early Potatoes now occupy the ground where I intend to plant my spring Broccoli ; therefore witli me pricking out the plants will be a necessity, otherwise I prefer planting from the seed bed. Keep Tomatoes well nailed to the walls. Encourage them to become strong healthy plants, so that their fruit may be a sure and profitable crop. On Globe Artichokes recent winters have left their mark, but last winter being a mild one has helped them wonderfully. I am well watering my stock of these, and will not forget to duly protect them next winter. All Celery for late spring use should now be pricked out. Keep early Celery in the trenches growing by giving it daily a slight damping. It should be kept constantly growing. ITOTES Of THE WEEK. INIiMULUs GRANDiFLOKUS. — It should havs been stated in last week's Gaedbn when speak- of this Mimulus, a fine variety of luteus, that it was sent to us by Messrs. Carter & Co., of High Ilolborn. Rheum acuminatum. — One of the most vivid effects we have ever seen even in the American woods was afforded by this plant as the declin- ing sun shone through its inflorescence on last Sunday afternoon. The plant grows in the small rock garden at Kew. Allium pedemontanum. — This plant, which we figured in The Ctarden some time ,ago, and the quality of wliich has been doubted by several who have tried it, comes again to us from Messrs. Backhouse, and, we are pleased to say, in a very pretty state. It seems the best of its race ; the colour reminds one a little of some forms of Sparaxis pulcherrima. Epilobium obcordatitm in flower in the rock garden at Kew is a charming little plant, by far the best of the Willow Herbs for a rock garden, as it is so dwarf and spreading. The flowers, about 1 in. across, are of a bright rose : hence very showy. It grows well in any good soil in a well-drained part of the rock garden. It is not half so common as it deserves to be. Lilium giganteum. — You were good enough to figure my Lilium giganteum, with nine flowers, in 1874. To my surprise, a fine columnar stem has shot up, in the same round Rhododen- dron bed, but 4 ft. from where the parent bloomed, and is now putting forth six flower- buds. I imagine it may be from a seed that has germinated ; can hardly think a bulb has budded off and travelled so far from the original one that flowered. — Richard Owen, Skeeii Lodge, liichmond Parh. BiLLBEEGiA MCSAiCA, as We lately s.aw it in flower in Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery, at Upper Holloway, is really a handsome and, at the same time, a singularly interesting plant. The leathery foliage, arranged in a vasiform tuft, is beautifully marked as with mosaic characters on a bronzy green ground. The flower-spike is erect, furnished with a dense cluster of flowers coloured orange-red and white, colours though in strange harmony highly attractive. Col. Stuaet Wobtley sends us an admir- able photograph of some of the fine Lilies of the Valley grown by ISIessrs. Hawkins & Bennett, of Twickenham. Tlie same Lilies were drawn and engraved for The Garden life size and in a very careful way, otherwise we should be tempted to reproduce this photograph, which strikes us very much by its force of colour and effect. We wish Col. Wortley had more of our fine hardy flowers to experiment with. Ieis l^vigata, now in flower at Kew, shows well what the original type of I. Kmmpferi is, and it is still one of the loveliest of the vast number of varieties now in gardens. The flowers are large (4 in. across), the sepals all uniform in size and flat, and the colour the richest deep purple, with a conspicuoms yellow blotch at the base of each sepal. The plant in question is growing in a pot half submerged in the aquatic tank, and its health and vigour fully indicate that it is a moisture-loving subject. Capsicum Little Gem is one of the neatest and prettiest of the various varieties of CJapsi- cum grown for ornament, at least so we thought when we lately saw it so finely in fruit in the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway, from whence we believe it was lately distributed. The plants are dwarf, bushy, and spreading, and each twig is laden with small bright red fruits the size of Hazel nuts. For decorative purposes before the main crop of the commoner kinds come in it is invaluable, and ought to be welcomed. Beschorneria yuccoides. — I send you a spray of the bloom of this curious Amaryllida- ceous plant. The loose branched panicle from which it was taken is about .5 ft. high and .3 ft. across. It was planted on the side of a shel- tered dell, where it has flourished unharmed many years, though I believe it can only be regarded as hardy in the more favoured spots in Britain. — J. M., Charmouth, Dorset. [A graceful and interesting plant, and valuable if hardy.] C'atalogue of Roses. — We have received a catalogue of exhibition Roses prepared by the committee of the National Rose Society. To any Rose grower it will be useful, inasmuch as it gives the name of the Rose in the first column, date of introduction in the second, the form of the flower in the third, the colour in the fourth, the habit of growth in the fifth, while the sixth is taken up with a few concise remarks. The list seems exhaustive, accurate, and simple, and, we believe, meets a want. The frontispiece is a woodcut illustration Df the principal types of exhibition Roses. Jui.Y 1, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 11 NiEREMBERGiA FRUTESCENS. — We lately saw this pliiut growing in the open border in a gar- den at Weybridge, and thought at the time that we had rarely met with a plant combining so much elegauc-e and beauty. To those who know it Hot it may be likened to a perennial Flax, as it resembles one in growth, being very twiggy, but compact and neat, the flowers about 1 in. across and white pencilled beautifully towards the centre with violet-purple. The great value of this plant is its hardiness, for we were assured that It had withstood the severe winters we had a year or so ago. Surely such a fine plant as this ought to become better known. Paen'assia nubicola. — This new species is now flowering well in the artificial bog sur- rounding the hardy aquatic tank at Kew. It is, we consider, the finest of all the kinds in culti- vation, its flowers being larger and more attractive. They are borne on stems some 6 in. high, and are about 1 in. across ; the petals are pui'e white, the leaves are like those of the Plantain (Plantago mediaj, and form a dense tuft. Like all the other Parnassias, it is a moisture-loving plant, and thrives well with the pot half submerged in water. It is a native of North India, where it is found at elevations of about 12,000 ft. The training of Pelargoniums. — We were pleased to notice at South Kensington the other day a way in which Mr. Wiggins trains his Pelargoniums of the scarlet race. Instea i of the very stiff and distorted plan of tying them all, shoots and stems, down to a flat and false ideal shape, he allows the plants to grow more natural, staking them sutKciently, but not dis- torting their form or habit. The flowers are even allowed to grow at different heights, as is their natural habit, and this is an improvement. Flower above flower is a constant habit of many lovely plants, and any interference with this is a vice. We trust Mr. Wiggins may advance in this direction, grow plants as fine and as large as he knows how, but cheerfully accepting the natural habit of the plant, and encouraging rather than repressing it. We feel sure he will find his reward, not only in the praise of the general and educated public, who are always re- pelled and even pained by the distortion above alluded to, but in that of his fellows, who will see how much better the natural form is when fairly developed. LiLiuM dalmaticum. — Those who would like to see what a very handsome Lily the Dal- matian variety of the Martagon really is cannot do better than pay a visit to the Ilale Farm Nursery, Tottenham, during the next fortnight. There it may be seen more numerously and pro- bably finer than anywhere else, for particular attention has been paid to collecting together the finest bulbs of it. The plants are in large masses, and every one has produced a tall flower- stem, bearing from six to a dozen and even eighteen blossoms of that rich shining claret colour seen in no other Lily. In our opinion it is one of the finest of all Lilies in cultivation, and now that it has been brought among us in such quantities there is no reason why it should continue to be so seldom seen. Though con- sidered to be but a variety of our indigenous Martagon, it is so distinct that it merits specific distinction in a far greater degree than many other Lilies so honoured. From what we can see of the expanding buds there is every promise of there being a white L. dalmaticum in the im- portation, and if it be a true white it will be even of greater value than the white Martagon. Our Belgian visitors made their first ex- cursion on Monday last. Taking train to Swanley, they first visited Slessrs.Cannell & Son's nursery, where they spent some considerable time, there being much to admire and a good deal to interest them. Afterwards the principal fruit gardens in the neighbourhood were visited, and the Strawberry grounds being in full bearing, the visitors were nuich interested in the modes of culture and the varieties grown both in the case of Strawberries and other objects of culture. A drive of some seven or eight miles through the chief fruit growing districts took them to Mr. Philip Ladd's market growing establishments at Bexley Heath, where a few hours were spent in going through the multitude of houses filled to overflowing with various classes of things for the market. On Tuesday the visitors were at the South Kensing- ton show, and were entertained by the council of the Royal Horticultural and Pelargonium Societies, and subsequently visited the nurseries at Chelsea. Wednesday was occupied in visiting Mr. Turner's nursery at Slough, the Royal Gar- dens at I'^rogmore, and Cliveden, and Dropmore. The following two days were devoted to visiting the chief market gardens in Middlesex and the principal nurseries about London. BiLLBEBGiA PoRTEANA, recently flowered at Kew, is one of the most gorgeous of the genus, and, in fact, of the whole family of Bromeliads. In foliage and habit it. is very similar to the better kuown B. zebrina, the leaves being rigid, from 2 ft. to -'i ft. high, handsomely mottled, and arranged in a vasiform tuft. F'rom the cen- tre of this tuft arises the pendulous flower-spike, which overhangs the side of the foliage about 1 ft. The spike is furnished at the upper part with about a dozen large membranous bracts, some ■i in. or 4 in. in length, of a rosy carmine hue, and extremely showy. The flowers, which are loosely arranged below the bracts, are about 3 in. long ; they have pea-green perianths and deep blue stamens, which, combined with the mealy whiteness of the spike, form a strange admixture of colours. The stately and at the same time graceful habit of the plant, and the bright colours of its inflorescence, make it a very striking object, and its culture, like th.at of the majority of Bromeliads, is comparatively simple. Among other attractive Bromeliads in flower at Kew in the stove is Pitcairnia bromelieefolia, bearing on the end of a long slender stem a dense cluster of orange-scarlet blossoms, the plant itself forming a dense tuft of narrow and elegant foliage. Trop.doldm speciosum. — I send you some pieces of Kalmia latifolia almost past bloom overrun in the most profuse manner possible by this Tropseolum. It is an exceptional .specimen I consider for the time of the year. Owing to the mildness of the past winter the growth of last year was not killed, as it usually is, and instead of breaking up from the ground our plants here have burst into growth at once 0 ft. or 8 ft. high amongst the shrubs over which they climb, viz.. Rhododendrons, Kalmias, &c. The specimen sent is taken from the top of one of the latter about 8 ft. high and the same through. Some of the leaves sent are o in. across; one is '-i in. by 3| in. I planted this Tropfeolum about three years ago. In propagating, when they break from the ground in the spring I take up the young growths very carefully ; I follow out the underground stems, divide them and place them in a shallow pan in good soil, and put them in a frame. They soon start into growth, when they are potted off, and when well established they are finally planted among the shrubs. They produce seeds freely, and they are very beautiful on the plant, being of a fine shining purple colour, but soon fall off. Visitors who have seen the plants growing here are charmed with them. — John Garland, EUertim, Exeter. *.* A most interesting and brilliant specimen of the Flame Xasturtium, garlanding and fleck- ing with a thousand blossoms one of the shrubs that it loves to live amongst. We begin to be interested in Mr. Garland's gardening for other things than fruit. Camp.vxula puli.a. — A spreading mass of this charming little Bellflower, such as may now be seen in the herb.aceous ground at Kew, is alone worth a long journey to see, and the sight of it is enough to bestir enthusiasm in those even who do not care for hardy plants generally. We have never before seen this Campanula so fine, and the mass, consist- ing, as it does, of liundreds of drooping bells of the richest deep purple, looks as if it had been suddenly uplifted from its breezy home on th^ sunny slopes of the European Alps and drop down where it now is. The circumstance of its being in such fine condition is all the more remarkable, inasmuch as not a few experience some little difficulty in establishing this species, as, indeed, was the case at Kew until within the last few years. Five years ago it was a tiny tuft from a nursery ; the place selected for it, and evidently the right one, was a corner of the Campanula bed, close beneath a tall Cypress, which kept the ground rather dry beneath it, but the plant was well exposed to sun and light on all sides except on the north. A deep bed of peaty soil was prepared, and in it was planted the little tuft, and from the first it has gradually gained size and strength till it has reached its present proportions— about a yard square. Everyone who grows hardy flowers should possess this Campanula, and in order to ensure success, such a position as that at Kew should be selected for it. ^ SOCIETIES. liOYAL HORTICULTURAL. June 27. Tun plants submitted to the floral committee on this occasion were fewer tlian usual, though the council room contained some choice groups of otlier plants. First-class certificates were awarded to — Reseda odoratapyramidalis grandiplora a long name for an uncommonly fine Mignonette remarkable for the large size of its dense spikes and their pyramidal shape. It is one of the finest varieties that has yet come under our notice. Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co., Paris. Ceotox Princess Waldeck.— A handsome, erect-gi-owiiig variety, the leaves of which are broadly lance- shaped, about G in. long, and of a bright clear yellow, broadly margined with deep green. Mr. B. S. Williams. Gaillardia picta Lohexziana.— a variety of a popular old hardy plant, remarkable for the florets of the head being tubular and coloured orange and red. The flowers are some 2 in. or 3 in. across, semi-globose, and dense ; therefore very showy. It is a valuable and beautiful addition to hardy border flowers. Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn. Lycaste Deppei punctatissima.— a remark- ably handsome variety of this well-known Orchid, and one which difiEers considerably from the type, inasmuch as the flowers are much more copiously spotted, and thelabellum not of such a deep yel- low colour. A valuable addition to Mexican Orchids. Mr. B. S. Williams. Gloxinia Mrs. Atkinson.— A marvellously fine variety belonging to the erect flowered section. The wide-mouthed tubular corolla measures fully 3J in. across ; the throat is profusely spotted, and the rim rich plum colour, while the margin about J in. wide, is pure white, copiously speckled with purple. The habit of growth is good, and the plant apparently very floriferous. One of the finest sorts that has been exhibited. Mr. Hudson, Gunnersbury House, Acton. Paphinia rugosA. — A singularly interesting and attractive Orchid. It is a small growing 12 THE GARDEN. [JlTLY 1, 1882. species, with curiously shaped flowers of a wax- like texture. The ground colour is creamy yellow, barred and spotted with deep vinous purple. Mr. B. S. Williams. Pescatoeea Dayana. — A very handsome Or- chid belonging to a numerous class in which there iii a strong family likeness. The flowers are large and waxy in texture, the colours pure white, the petals conspicuously tipped with rich claret, and the labellum wholly of the same colour. The plant shown was a fine example of skilful culture, being in the best of health, and bearmg eight fine flowers. Mr. J. Salter, gardener to Mr. Bouthgate, Selborne, Streatham. EosE Lady Maey Fitzwilliam. — One of the new pedigree hybrid Hoses, raised by Mr. H. Bennett, now of Shepperton. It is large and full, the petals being of good substance ; the colour is a delicate pale pink, uniformly suffused over the whole bloom. Pelargonium Lady Brooke. — A second- class certificate was awarded to this new variety, which belongs to what is now called the decora- tive class, so largely grown for market. The colour is a rich purple pencilled and streaked with a deeper hue. Mr. W. Stacey, Dunmow. In addition to the above there was a choice group of plants from Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery. It contained a new Croton named Duke of Albanj*, with long, narrow, bronzy-green leaves, variegated, with the brightest crimson and yellow ; Amaryllis Mrs. Garfield, the new hybrid variety alluded to in our columns last week ; Ai'alia Kegina, a very elegant plant, with spreading, narrow foliage ; Cypripedium Spicerianum, a very handsome new Lady's Slipper ; Odontoglossum citrosmum grandi- florum, the finest variety we have yet seen of this lovely Orchid ; Scuticaria Hadweni, a singular Orchid, not often seen, having terete foliage and large blossoms ; and Promena^a macroptera, a curious little species, not showy, but interesting. A few uncommonly fine Orchids were shown by Mr. G. N. Wyatt's gardener (Mr. Simcoe) at Lake House, Cheltenham ; among them was a plant of Aerides Lobbi, with a broad branching spike, for which a cultural commendation was awarded, and likewise for a plant of Bolliea ccelestis (the best variety), which bore six fine flowers. Saleandra Devoniana was shown with six flowers on one spike and with two on another ; Cattleya superba splendens (a beautiful variety) with ten flowers ; Sobralia macrantha, a fine plant with eighteen flowers, and a big .specimen of Imantophyllum miniatum superbum, with a dozen fine trusses of highly coloured flowers. Mr. H. James, Castle Nursery, Norwood, showed a fine plant of Odontoglossum cordatum aureum, a variety very distinct from the type ; Masdevallia Harryana splendens, a truly splendid variety, and the plant shown bore quite a sheaf of large blooms ; Trichopilia picta, a pretty species with a deal of oiange yellow in the labellum, and much spotted; and Masdevallia vespertilio, one of the rarest, and also one of the most singular of the chimeroid section of the genus. The fiowers are rather small, but beautifully spotted and mottled, and the tiny slipper-like labellum is piu-e white. Besides the plant certificated, Mr. Southgate's gardener (Mr. Salter) showed cut blooms of Oncidium macranthum and the variety of it called hastiferum. The latter is superior to the type, inasmuch as the flowers are larger, the sepals broader, and the two lateral sepals are dis- tinctly mottled with a dark colour on a yellow gixiund. It was satisfactory to see so plainly the distinguishing character of this much-talked-of variety, and to be able to speak of its merits. One of the greatest attractions in the room was a large group of cut hardy flowers, chiefly Lilies, from Mr. T. K. Ware's nursery at Tottenham. In it were some fine tall spikes of the black Martagon Lily (L. dalmaticum), one of the handsomest of all European Lilies. A huge stem of L.giganteum, furnislied with a fine cluster of its large white fiowers, was conspicuous ; also L. pardalinum and a dwarf and distinct variety of it called pumilum. L. parvum, columbianum, the new L. Parryi, L. philadelphicum, Washingtonianum, Szovitzianum were beautifully shown. The rest of the group in- cluded English Irises in fine variety, Papaver nudicaule, yellow and brick-red, Ornithogalum arabicum, Saxifraga longifolia, Calochortus venustus and pulchellus. Orchis foliosa, several fine Carnations, Spirteas, Geums, and single Dahlias, the whole making a most attractive and interesting display, and well merited the medal awarded to the exhibitor. A new hybrid Lily, named Scott Wilson, was the object of much interest on account of its be- ing very handsome, and precisely intermediate between its parents, which were L. Washingtonia- num and L. superbum. In the character of the foliage it partakes strongly of the first, but the flowers have more of the last parent, being turban- shaped and of a pale orange-red colour copiously spotted. It was shown by the raiser, Mr. G. F. Wilson, of Heatherbank, Weybridge. Mr. Dean, of Ealing, showed a collection of Canterbury Bells in perfection, the flowers being uncommonly large, and represented blue, purple, rose, and in various shades as well as pure white. Most of them were of the Calycanthema section, ha\ing the corolla duplicated. The same exhibitor also showed a new scarlet Clove, called Royal JIarine, the flowers of which are large and full, and of the brightest scarlet-like colour imagin- able. A collection of cut spikes of Foxgloves was shown by Mr. Green, from Sir George Macleay's garden, at Bletchingley. They were very fine, mostly of the Gloxiniflora type, highly coloured and beautifully spotted, and showed well what a fine flower the Foxglove is when well grown. Some of the spikes had the flowers arranged all round the stem instead of being all on one side. Mr. Green also showed a ponderous fruiting spike of Gunnera scabra, by far the largest we have seen ; also a flowering spray of Beleperome elon- gata, one of the beautiful old Acanthaceous stove plants that are now-a-days relegated to the care of the botanical cultivator, though most unjusti- flably. Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn, exhibited in a fine condition a basketful of the dark crimson double Sweet William ; also a new dwarf Nastur- tium called Ladybird, having large flowers of a bright orange-red beautifully spotted with crim- son. The old Clivia Aitoni was shown well by the same exhibitors. Several new hybrid Roses were shown by Mr. Bennett, Shepperton. Besides the one certificated one called Earl of Pembroke was very fine, being of a very deep (Srimson ; likewise another named Henrich Schulfheis, a large and full flower of a deep rose. Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross, showed among others their new Rose, Queen of Queens, which promises well for being of high merit ; also a new seedling of great promise, and one called Charles Lamb, also very fine. About a dozen Gloxinias from the R. H. S. Gar- dens at Chiswick were a great attraction, several of them being exceptionally fine, particularly those named Lucy Violet, Mad. Hewlett, Delicate, Mrs. Barron, Boule de Feu, Nellie, Oriflamme (very brilliant). Major Mason, and Chiswick Rose. Fruit. — Mr. C. Herrin, Chalfont Park, sent fine samples of Stamfordian Tomatoes, large, even, and well ripened, for which he obtained a vote of thanks. Mr. J. Hardy, Stour Valley Seed Grounds, Bures, Suffolk, a new Pea named Signal, a very prolific variety. Recommended to be tried at Chiswick. Messrs. John Hamlin & Co., Wood Green, sent samples of Mushroom spawn and some good Mushrooms. Mr. G. Phillips, The Deodars, Meopham, sent a dish of a new Pea, said to be a cro.^* between Stratagem and Tele- phone, the pods being large and well filled ; it is of medium height and prolific ; also to be tried at Chiswick. Scientific committee. — Sir J. D. Hooker in the chair. — Hollj'hock fruits attacked by fungi. — Mr. W. G. Smith exhibited fruits and an enlarged drawing, showing them to be often badly attacked by Puccinia malvacearum and Clado- sporium, which would probably account for the presence of the Uredo noticed by Mr. Berkeley on the germinating plants at the last meeting. Hybrid Lily. — Mr. G. F. Wilson exhibited a very interesting hybrid between L. Washingtonianum and L, superbum, which accidentally appeared ; it had the foliage of the former, but he had not examined, the bulb, that of the former species being remarkable for its rhizomatous character. Syn- inthic flowers of Campanula. — Mr. G. S. Boulger exhibited a flower received from Mr. Gibbs, of Chelmsford, who believes that he has succeeded in forming a race of Synanthic plants by fertilis- ing a common form with the pollen of a Synan- thic flower. Of 200 plants raised many had Synanthic flowers, but none with a calacoroUa, likethe parent (female) which he had used for being fertilised. Ciesalpinia pods. — He also exhibited some pods of unknown sp. used for tanning pur- poses ; they were referred to Kew for identifica- tion. Diseased Orange leaves.— Dr. M. T. Masters brought some leaves of plants grown in pots in- doors, otherwise healthy, but with pale green and dead spots on the foliage. It was suggested by Sir J. D. Hooker that it might be due to sun- stroke. Eetinospora sport. — Dr. Masters also exhibited a specimen of Retinospora squarrosa which had assumed the form of R. pisifera. It was received from Mr. Meehan, of Philadelphia. He also exhibited a remarkably golden spray of Spruce Fir, and some virescent flowers of Auri- cula. Monstrous form of Wallflower. — The Rev. G. Henslow exhibited a branch of Wallflower covered with minute thread-like leaves or bracts. Proliferous Begonia. — Mr. Laing exhibited a double rose-coloured Begonia in which the female blossoms were in some cases single, while others formed compact double blossoms with white petals in the centre. The male blossoms consisted of a terminal mass of petals on a stalk, surrounded at the base by several axillary blossoms, all more or less double, forming a cylindrical truss, of from 2 in. to 3 in. in length. A fine fruiting spike of Gunnera scabra was shown by Mr. C. Green, gardener to Sir G. Macleay. PELARGONIUM SOCIETY. June 27. This society, instituted some eight years ago with the object of promoting the improvement of the various classes of Pelargoniums and intro- ducing new varieties, held its annual show at South Kensington on Tuesday last, when the dis- play of all kinds was so extensive as to fill quite two-thirds of the long tent. Almost every class, about forty in number, was represented, and in many of them there was a keen competition; indeed, throughout the whole of the exhibition there could scarcely be found an infe- rior plant. One conspicuous feature of the show was the want of real novelty. There were varieties in abundance which the expert in Pelargoniums would call new, but no new departure was visi- ble ; probably, however, this is the work of time. There was one very noteworthy improvement, and that was among the fringed and spotted varieties called the decorative class. These were shown numerously in grandcondition and in great variety, clearly showing what a useful as well as beautiful class of plants they are, valuable for the market grower as well as for the general cultivator. As usual, the large-flowered or show class was aug- mented by several new sorts, very perfect and re- fined in form and bright and clear in colour. There was a marked improvement, too, in the other classes, particularly amongst Ivy-leaved kinds, now brought to such a high state of perfec- tion, chiefly, however, by Continental hybridists. Varieties not in commerce.— There were ten classes, two sections in each, provided for new varieties not yet in commerce, but several of the classes were unrepresented, and in none were there more than two or three exhibitors. Mr. E. B. Foster, the well known raiser of show Pelar- goniums, was the only exhibitor in the class for three new show kinds. He had three beautiful varieties perfect in eveiy point named Royal Jlly 1, 1882.J THE GARDEN. 13 Review, Veteran, aad Zealot, the last very bright and attractive. A variety named Cromwell was showu by Mr, Turner in the single class. Three beautiful varieties were also shown by Mr. Tur- ner in the fancy class, those named Klorrie Thomp- son and Irene being prettier than any other varieties we know. The other, Indian Chief, is a dark flower similar to some others, but of high quality in other respects. New decorative sorts were shown well by Jlr, H, Little, who had in the class for three. Rose Superb, Brilliant, and Au- rora, all splendid sorts, the last being very bright. Among 3Ir. George's new three single zonals was one called Emperor, a brilliant scarlet, perfect in form, size, and other points. Mr. Little's one sin- gle zonal variety was a pretty deep pink, named Emily Little. The only award among the double zonals was one called Charles Barnard, shown by Mr. J. King, of Rowsham, Aylesbury. It has a fine truss, and is of clear, rich scarlet colour. The following were awarded certificates of merit : — Large- FLOWERED show varieties. — Diadem, orange, salmon, and carmine lower petals veined with dark, large white throat, rich glossy dark top petals, large and of extra hne for (C. Turner) ; Royal Review, orange-salmon lower petals, veined with crimson, large dark blotch on top petals, fine bold pip and truss (C. Turner) ; and Morning, orange-crimson lower petals, veined with dark, rich dark top petals, very fine and rich coloured, flowers of the best form and substance (C. Turner) ; Brilliant, Statesman, and about a dozen other new varieties were showu by Mr. Turner. DeOORATIVE LARGE-FLOWERED VARIETIES SEC- TION.— Princess of Wales, a semi-double variety, pale ground, veined and blotched with rosy pink, a somewhat coarse-looking variety, and rough in the truss (H. Little) ; Poiteau, purple, with dark spots, large and finely formed flowers, very dis- tinct (H. Little) ; Comtesse de Choiseul, pale blush white, with slight rosy purple blotch on the top petals, very fine, free and distinct (H. Little and C. Turner) ; Madame Marie Kneckt, pure white, with very slight lilac-rose spot on the top petals, very fine, free and good (G. Turner) ; Vesuvius, very bright crimson-scarlet, orange-crimson top petals, large bold truss, excellent comiDact habit (W. Brown) ; Little Pet, pale orange-carmine, dark top petals, a small flowered fringed variety, very free (H, Little), Fancy varieties, — Irene, blush lower petals, with slight bright rose spots, pink upper petals, with rosy blotch, pretty, delicate, and very pleas- ing (C, Turner) ; Florrie Thompson, rosy pink, changing to pale pink on the edges of the petals, conspicuous white throat, very novel and distinct (C, Turner), Double zonals. — Lovely (Denny), pale ground flushed with salmon, large well-formed flowers, distinct and fine (H, Little) ;Gambetta(Lemoine), fine glossy rosy scarlet, large and fine (H, Little) ; Grand Chancellor Faidherbe, dark crimson, large and full, fine form and noble truss (H, Little) ; Urania, rosy pink, large finely formed pip, bold truss, good habit, and very free (Pearson & Son); Aglaia, crimson, shaded with purple, large and full flowers, fine truss (Pearson & Son) ; and Duchess of Albany, soft fancy pink, large bold flowers, fine truss and excellent habit (J. George). Single Zonals.— White Clipper Improved, a very fine pure white, large well formed pip, good truss and habit, very free (H. Cannell & Son) ; Lynette (Denny), delicate pink, large well- formed pip, distinct, very fine, good habit. Edith Little, soft delicate pink, very beautiful, fine form, compact truss, good habit (Pearson and Son). Mrs. Gordon, clear bright orange-scarlet, white eye, fine form, large bold truss, very fine, good habit (Pearson and Son), Single Nosegay varieties. — Miss Blanche pink, fine pip and truss, which is verj' large, good habit (J. George), and to Ivy-leaf, Comtesse Horace de Choiseul (Lemoine), soft pinkish rose, largo semi-double flowers, somewhat loose, good habit, though more resembling that of an ordinary nosegay than that of a variety of the true Ivy-leaf section. Many other new varieties were staged, especially in the single zonal and decorative large flowered section ; and some of the former of Messrs, Pearson and Son's raising were much admired, but it was considered they were not in good con- dition to admit of certificates being given to them. Doubtless the flowers had suffered through the long journey from Nottingham, It may be stated that the certificated flowers were selected from the whole of the classes, and were not confined to any particular division. Specimen plants. — These necessarily made the most attractive display, and certainly on the whole they were very fine. The show and fancy varieties, though shown finely, were not superior to those exhibited a month previously at the summer show. As usual, Mr. Little and Mr. Turner con- tested keenly in the classes for show and fancy and decoratives varieties. Mr. Little was first with six plants, having huge specimens of Claribel, Setting Sun, 'Victory, Prince Leopold, Illuminator, and Sultana. Mr, Turner's half-a-dozen contained some of the above besides Modesty and jVmethyst, a beautiful distinct dark amethyst flower. In the class for eighteen, Mr, Turner showed a beautiful and thoroughly representative collection, among which the most conspicuous were Illuminator, Eayon d'Or, Fortitude, Martial, Ritualist, Ruth, Invincible, The Baron, Florence, Chivalrous, and Joe — all excellent sorts, as were also those shown by Mr, Little, which, though taller and rather bigger, where not so neat and compact in growth. The varieties Formosa, Faust, Daunt- less, Valiant, and Hermit were very prominent. The one class for six fancy varieties was com- peted in by the same two exhibitors, the Slough collection being the best and most uniform, some of the others being rather thinly flowered. The most noteworthy varieties were Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Hart, Electric Light, Lady Carington (very fine), Mrs. Pottle, Princess Teck, Lucy, Pilgrimage, and Mrs. Graham. The decorative varieties made a fine class, and the collection of six specimens was mncommonly good, particularly' the first two, which contained Robinia, Duchesse de Morny, Harle- quin, Duche.ss of Edinburgh, Mdme. Tliibaut (shown very fine), Venus, Digby Grand, Duchess of Bedford (a beautiful light sort). Prince of Wales, and Triomphe de St. Mande. Smaller, but admirably grown and flowered, plants were shown by Mr Brown for the third place, and among them those named Fascination, Attraction, Eclipse, and Mr. Dodd were very conspicuous. The same exhibitors in the previous class competed in the next for eighteen plants, Mr. Little being again first, a selection from his beautiful col- lection including Reamie, Lady Isabel, Defiance, Volenti Nationale, Bracelet, Mad. Tliibaut, Im- proved Triomphe de St. Mande, Blushing Bride, Comtesse de Choiseul (very fine), and Poiteau. Mr. Turner's group included several beautiful kinds, such as Mad. Favart, Nellie Hayes, Mr. Ashby, Delicata, Dr. Masters, and Rosy Morn, all of which should be ranked amongst the best. A smaller, but good, well-bloomed plant came from Mr. Brown. Zonal varieties made a large display, there being two classes, one for six, the other for eighteen plants, in both the single and double- flowered varieties. Mr. Catlin, as usual, was there with his huge- trained specimens and took the first place for six plants. His plant of Rev. Atkin- son was fully 6 ft. across, and not much inferior were those of Fanny Catlin, Ouida, Cymbeline, Alice Barton, and Fanny Thorpe, which made up the number. The second prize went to Mr, Little for a group of six plants, all perfect models of good culture, but not trained, the huge trusses only being supported. The varieties were Gathorne Hardy, Ivanhoe, Olive C'arr, Hetty, Mrs, Patchett, Atala, all superb sorts. We were pleased to see the judges place this collection before trained plants, which were third, as they are not only finer examples of good culture, but most people like thcoi better, not being contorted so badly. There were several groups of eighteen o£ the single zonal class, but those from Mr, Little were much ahead of the others. In his collection was the beautiful pure white Prima Donna, North Star, Mars, Aphrodite, Polly King, Romeo, Ever- ing Star, Guinea, and many other excellent sorts. The double zonals were shown on similarly huge trellises as the singles, the six from Mr. Catlin being the lest. M. Thibaut, Gorgeous Devotion, and Dauntless were very fine in his half-a-dozen plants. Collections of eighieen double zonals were shown by several, and again Mr. Little was first. His collection contained mostly first- rate sorts, such as Gambetta, Henri Cannell, Aglaia, Jules Simon, Dr, Jacoby,Eoides Violettes, Paul Bert, Hero, F. V, Raspail, and Urania. The plants were not very large, but, like the singles, were vigorous and profusely flowered. Ivy-leaved varieties were shown well, particularly by Mr. Little, who was first with nine varieties, showing Mons, Crousse, Mrs. H, Cannell, Sarah Bernhardt, Gloire d'Orleans, Anna Pfitzer, M. Emilie Baltet, A. F. Barron, and Jean Woulers, In the next best, from Messrs. Cannell, were smaller but profusely-flowered plants of Rosa plena, Eurydice, Galilee, Comtesse Horace de Choiseul, besides several of those previously mentioned. Other good groups were shown, particularly that from Mr, Duflield. Special Prizes. Vegetables.— The collections of vegetables shown in the various classes were of exceptional merit, proving that the season so far has promoted growth and excellence. The chief competition was for the valuable prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading, for twelve dishes of vegetables, not less than twelve fine collections being staged. Mr. Miles, of Wycombe Abbey Gardens, who is always to the fore in these competitions, was first with a grand lot, the only weak feature being found in his Cos Lettuces. He had splendid Nantes Carrots, flat Tripoli Onions, Snowball Turnips, Telegxaph Peas, good Jlodel Cucumbers, Leviathan Longpod Beans, Ashleaf Potatoes, Pine-apple Beet, Canadian Wonder French Beans, Walcheren Cauliflowers, and two kinds of Lettuces. Mr. Haines, of Coleshill House, who came second, had some fine Kingsholm Cos Lettuce, Tender and True Cucumbers, Woodstock Kidney Po- tatoes, and other kinds of vegetables already named of great excellence. Mr. E. Beckett, of Sandown House, a young exhibitor, had a collec- tion of superior quality, and, indeed, the prize collections were very superior. There were no fewer than thirteen lots of six kinds staged in the competition for the prizes offered by Messrs. Webb & Sons, of Wordsley, Mr. Miles again taking the first place here with Walcheren Cauliflowers, Ashleaf Potatoes, Strata- gem Peas, White Turnips, Nantes Carrots, and white Naples Onions. Curiously enough, Mr. Haines again came second, Mr. Phillips, Meopham, and Mr. Waite, of Esher, haxing very fine, clean examples. There was a strong competition for the prizes offered by Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co., High Holborn, for dishes of their fine Peas, Telegraph, Telephone, Stratagem, and Pride of the Market, nine lots being put up. Some of the samples were of extraordinary size though not in all cases well filled, but those placed first and which came from Mr. Richanhon, of Boston, were remarkable samples. Mr. Phillips, who came second, had perhaps the finest pods, and Mr. Miles's had the best colour. Some ten dishes of Laxton's Earliest of all Peas were staged for the prizes offered by IMessrs. Hooper & Co., Covent Garden, for the best twenty-five pods of that very early variety, and it needed very nice discrimination to ascertain which were the best. Having regard to the splendid samples shown close by of such kinds as Telcgr.aph and Stratagem, it would seem as if prizes for first early Peas should be competed for not later than the middle of June. Fruit packing.— The valuable jirizes offered by Messrs. Webber .vc Co., of Covent Garden, and 14 THE GARDEN. [July 1 1882. which were competed for at South Kensington, on Tuesday last, though bringing but four competi- tors, served admirably to show that improved notions as to fruit packing are beginning to pre- vail. Tlie iMessrs. Webber naturally wish that the fruit which come to them in the ordinary course of business should come in sound and saleable condition, for although superb fruit may be sent on its journey over the rail for perhaps fifty or more miles in the most perfect condition, "yet, through imperfect packing, it may reach the sales- man in a miserable state, and periiaps in transit have been depreciated to the extent of one-half its value. Then senders complain bitterly as to the small returns, wlien they and their careless pack- ing are alone to blame. Messrs. Webber strongly advocate the employment of fresh-dug, well- cleaned Moss, as softer and very preferable to wadding. It is also cool and non-absorbent. In the competition, Mr. Coleman, of Eastnor Castle, who was placed first, had a good box of black Grapes in capital condition when opened, fine Peaches, wrapped in soft paper, and packed solely in Moss, and a good box of Strawberries. The finest, and certainly a perfect lot of the latter fruit, came from Mr. Waterman, I'reston Hall Gardens. These had a bottom of Moss, and top of the same, and a leaf between each fruit. His Grapes were good, but had between each bunch paper and wadding, an undesirable arrangement, whilst his Peaches were packed in wadding. There were four com- petitors. Cut flowers, as is generally the case, were sliown splendidly in every class, though we think the arrangement of the various boxes is open to a little modification. The miscellaneous exhibits were extensive, and added much to the attractive- ness of the tent. Mr. B. S. Williams sent a large group of plants, including several of his huge specimen stove and greenhouse plants. A large coUeotiou of this year's seedlings of tuberous Begonias come from Messrs. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, and, as may be imagined, were superb in every respect. Messrs. Cannell & Sons, of Swan- ley, made a great display with chiefly consisting of zonal Pelargoniums, single and double, and Violas in numerous variety. An extensive collec- tion of Koses in pots came from Messrs. Paul, of Cheshunt, and a very fine collection of cut blooms from Messrs. Paul, of Waltham Cross, and all these, combined with the fine displays Mr. Barron sent from Chiswick, made a fine show. A full list of awards will be found in our advertising columns. TDRNHAM GREEN AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL. The second annual exhibition of this Society was held on Thursday, June 22, in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick. Its most attractive features were the " Groups," the best of which was that furnished by Messrs. Hooper, of Covent Garden. Though somewhat too uniform it contained good decorative plants. Messrs Fromow, of Turnham Green, were second with a lighter arrangement, and Mr. Brown of Richmond third. Several other good arrangements were also shown. For Ferns, Mr. Stevens, of St. John's Nursery, Putney, was placed first, having in his collection two Davallias not often seen in such good order, viz., D. pyxidata and dissecta. Messrs. Hooper were first with fine foliaged plants, having a well-grown example of Phyllotainium Lindeni and a healthy plant of Thrinax argentea. In the specimen class a Clerodendron Balfouri, shown by Mr. C. Bown, Endsleigh, Gunnersbury, was finely deve- loped as regards colour. Several competitors entered for the prizes offered for table decorations and bouquets. Mr. Brown, of Richmond, was placed first in both classes. In the foruier class he had flowers of the white Water Lily and Passi- flora quadrangularis. These looked well ; but on the next tier were pink Begonias and the bracts of Bougainvillea glabra, the effect of which was too much sameness. Mrs. A. P. Barron showed some excellent arrangements, not for competition, espe- cially some consisting wholly of hardy flowers. A group of new and rare plants, shown by Mr. B. S. Williams, contained some choice things. Messrs. Lee & Son also showed an interesting collection of hardy plants, chiefly such as are remarkable for their ornamental foliage ; among them were also some well-grown pots of dwarf Roses. Cut Rose blooms came from Mr. C. Turner, of Slough. Gold and silver tricolor Pelargoniums, shown by Mr. Pestridge, of Brentford, were well grown and very attractive. A well-arranged group of attractive plants was shown bj' Mr. Roberts, of Gunnersbury Park, not for competition. In a circular tent were staged an instructive collection of the so-called kinds of Mignonette, excellent plants, but many of them closely resembled each other ; Hemsle}''s white and the odorata grandiflora of Messrs. Vilmorin and Barr & Sugden, were among the most distinct. These were all shown from the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens by Mr. Barron. For the prizes offered for wild flowers, collected by the children attending the Board schools of the district, sixty-five collections, arranged in bouquets, were staged, showing that the children in this case had evidently entered into the spirit of competition with commendable zeal. A group of hardy plants in flower, shown by Messrs. Osborn, of Fulham, scarcely got the attention which they merited. Among them were Campanula Scheuchzeri, a narrow-leaved, erect- foliaged form, with deep violet flowers of the C. rotundifolia type, but much larger and finer in every respect, very attractive ; C. persicifolia alba plena, fine and striking; Geranium platy- petala, blue-purple, large trusses of showy flowers, fine and distinct ; Erigeron speciosum, deep mauve, with a conspicuous yellow centre ; E. philadelphum,clearpink, v/ith yellow centre, .small flowered, but veryfree ; E. glabellum, pale mauve, with golden centre ; Silene alpestris opens slightly flesh-coloured, but changes to pure white, very free, makes an excellent plant for a pan ; Tradescantia virginica azurea, a very rich blue- purple form with large flowers of striking charac- ter ; and a Potentilla, a large kind with double, golden-yellow and very full flowers. With these was a basket of small plants of Hedera Helix madeirensis variegata, the leaves deeply and handsomely edged with pure white. If this pure variegation will but stand in positions where the plants are exposed fully to the sun, it will be a great acquisition. Fruits and vegetables were also shown in this tent, but amongst them there was nothing remarkable except a very fine lot of Peas, shown by Mr. Richardson, of Boston, Lin- colnshire, in competition for Messrs. Carters' prizes. The sorts were Telephone, Telegraph, Stratagem, and Pride of the Market. These closely resembled each other in the pod, though their habit of growth may be different. Had all the pods been packed indiscriminately together it would have puzzled an expert in Peas to have separated them again. J. H. OBITUARY. Odontoglossum vexillarium. — Two beautif\d varieties of this lovely Orchid reach us from Mr. Peacock's collection, at Sudbury House, Hammersmith. They admirably show what a wealth of variety there is in this Orchid alone, which assumes so many colours. These two varie- ties are named sudburyense and violaceum. Their foliage has a uniform purplish tinge, without even a tiace of green. Cattleya gigas. — From Dr. Paterson's gar- den at the Bridge of Allan comes a gorgeous bloom of this Cattleya, one of the finest and richest coloured we have seen. He also sends a magnificent bloom of Cattleya Mendelli, known as Boyd's fine variety, for which such a high price was given last year. The doctor evidently knows how to grow Orchids well to be able to produce such flowers as these. Rating nurserymen's glasshouses.— Is it legal for the parochial .assessors to le^-y a rate upon glasshouses erecteii by nurserymen for growing plants and flowers for market and the trade over and above the ground rental of the land ? The experience of some of your readers on this point will be considered a favouj'. — M. J. Mr. R. A. OSBOHN.— It is with great regret that we have to announce the death of the last male representative of the long established and much respected house of Osbom, of Fulham. Mr. Robert Arthur Osborn died last Sunday night at eight o'clock of consumption, at the age of twenty- eight years. It is but a few years since his uncle and his father (the late Mr. Thomas Osborn repre- sented the house) were in health and intellect — all one could desire. When they died — too soon — the management of the business fell on this young man, who unfortunately has been cut off far too early. He leaves several sisters, one of whom is married to Mr. Ewing, of Norwich. It must be a matter of regret to all interested in our older and finer nurseries that death should have been so busy among a family that has done so much to keep up the high character of the nursery trade. Me. John Sheeratt, of .Spring Grove, Bid- dulph, died on the 20th ult., aged 53. He was for some 3'ears gardener to Mr. James Bateman, at Knypersley, and was occasionally an exhibitor of rare plants and fruits at South Kensington. Rust in Iron pipes (J. n.).~\l the pipes are kept alw.iys full I do not think you will be troubled with rust This can be done with a small cistern in the same way as hot-water pipes are kept full. — B. ■Worms fn manure (F. i/'.J.— Spread the manure thinly on a flat smfat-e, when the birds will soon destroy all insects that may be in it. A poultry run would be a good place, and further enrich the manure.— B. Churchyard gardens.— Through the kindness of Lord and Lady Brabazon, the churchyard of St. Mary'si Ilaggerston, has been converted into a recreation ground for that tliickly populated parish. The ground has been tastefully laid out by Mr. Holmes, of the Frampton Park Nurseries. Christchurch (New Zealand) Exhibition.— -Messrs. J. B. Brown y those who have seen them ; in fact, no unfavourable opinion has as yet been expressed respecting them. KUlcrton, Exeter. John GARLAND. INDOOR GARDEN. WINTER FLOWERING PLANTS. CuETSANTHEMUMS are perhaps the most use- ful of early winter flowers, as they only need the protection of a glass roof in order to have a good display up to Christmas. Where early struck cutting have been carefully attended to, they will now be bushy little plants in 7-in. or 8-in. pots fit for transferring into their flowering pots. Good specimens maybegrowninlO-in.orll-in.pots. The compost we use is turf from an old pasture, cut about 4 in. thick, pulled in pieces, and mixed with dry cow or old hotbed manure and sand. The plants must not be over-watered until they have become well rooted, when they can hardly have too much. We set them on a bed of coal ashes, kept damp by syringing after hot days. Small plants for decora- tion may yet be secured by using the tops of old plants for cuttings ; if half-a-dozen are put in a 4-in. pot they make useful little plants, more especially the small flowered or Pomponevarieties. Zonal Pelargoniums are undoubtedly des- tined to be more valued for winter than for summer flowering. The brilliant scarlets, crim- sons, salmons, pinks, whites, &c., are really charm- ing in mid-winter. No time should now be lost in getting them into their flowering pots, as they must be well rooted. Old plants cut back are the most floriferous, but young spring-struck cuttings produce the finest trusses of bloom, and it is well to have abundance of them in small pots for all kinds of indoor decorations. But a few years ago scarlet Pelargoniums in bloom at Christmas were looked upon as novelties ; now they are indispens- able. Keep them in an open, sunny position in order to get the growth well matured, and pick off all blooms as they appear. Any free flowering variety of the Vesuvius type may be utilised for winter decoration. Cold pits are the best summer quarters for them, keeping them exposed except to heavy rains, when the lights should be put over them, but tilted up at the back ; towards autumn when the nights get cold they will be more in request. In September the plants must be removed to a light, well ventilated house, and allowed to perfect their flower-spikes. Primulas of the single Chinese class will now need shifting into their flowering pots ; a light rich compost and plenty of drainage are the chief essentials as regards successful culture. Be care- ful not to pot too deeply ; rather steady the plants by means of wooden pegs put in all round the stem, and be very careful as regards shading and watering. Pinch out all flower-spikes as they appear, and never let the soil get dry, or the rays of bright sunshine to reach the plant. A cold pit or frame set on coal ashes will form good summer quarters for them. The double varieties succeed those raised from seed, and come in well for cut- ting. The later sowings for spring will now need pricking off into 2i-iu. pots, and another batch should be sown for the latest supply. Violets planted out in beds in April will now need fi'equent attention in the way of cleaning ; stir the surface, and cut off all runners with a pair of Grape scissors. Water freely in dry weather, and syringe overhead after hot days. Red spider is the very worst of enemies so far as Violets are concerned, and no pains should be spared to keep it in subjection. The Neapolitan, JIarie Louise, and Czar are amongst the most use- ful sorts. Sericograpiiis Ghiesbreghti is a very valu- able winter-flowering plant. Cuttings of it or old plants cut back and treated like Poinsettias will be found to be equally useful, the colour being bright and the sprays light and feathery. Either on the plant or in a cut state they have a fine appearance. Celosia ptramidalis is another excellent winter- flowering plant. The produce of seed sown in March will now be nice stocky plants, which must always be shifted before the pots get very full of roots so as to keep them growing freely. Pinch out the flowers as they appear. A compost similar to that given to Primulas suits them per- fectly. Keep them in a moist, close temperature ; that of a pit partially filled with tan or leaves (to plunge in) suits them well. Salvias, such as S. splendens, S. Heeri, and others, will now do out-of-doors, or in cold pits from which the lights can be removed on all favourable occasions. Keep them well supplied with water at the root, and syringe after iDright days. Pinch out the points of the shoots in order to induce a bushy habit, and do not let the plants become starved, or the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop. Where roots are abundant liquid manure may be freely given. Tree Carnations bloom well in winter i where cuttings of them were put in early they will now be fit for potting off singly into 3-in. pots. I find that young plants struck annually in spring yield the best results, but old plants grown on will continue to yield a succession of flowers for nearly the entire season. Be careful to secure good drainage, as anything like stagnant moisture about the root soon proves fatal to them. Fibry loam, or turf, a little peat, leaf-mould, and sand suits Carnations well. They must be tied up to single stalks as growth progresses. Cold pits suit them best in summer, keeping the lights quite off them on all favourable occasions, but putting them on on the occurrence of heavy rains or storms. The small flowered varieties, of which Miss Joliffe is the type, are the best. BouyARDiAS have of late years become ex- tremely popular, and at no time are they more valuable than in winter. Old plants cut back and repotted will now be making rapid growth, and must be pinched to induce a dense, bushy growth, as every shoot formed now produces flower-heads. Cuttings recently put in must be grown on for late flowering, keeping them in warm, moist quarters, but old plants should soon be gradually hardened off, so that in August they may be benefited by full exposure to the open air. Where cut flowers are in much request, especially for bouquets, Bouvardias are indispensable, especially the white varieties. Euphorbia jACQUiNiiEFLORA. — The long, arching spikes of brilliant scarlet flowers of this plant are very beautiful, and when these are cut early a succession of small flowering sprays is pro- duced. This Euphorbia is very useful as a pot plant from its habit of running up tall and slender, enabling cultivators to get tall flowering plants in vtry small pots. In order to induce branching out old plants must be pinched early, and in the case of young plants we put from four to six cuttings in a pot, and grow them on without stopping. Gesneeas when well grown are especially valuable for indoor decoration. They enjoy a sub- dued light in all stages of growth, and, therefore, last longer in good condition in rooms than most plants. If their roots were started in boxes in March they will now need shifting into their flowering pots. We find 5-in. and 6-in. pots suffi- ciently large for good specimens, and they fit nicely into ordinary vases. A compost consisting of peat, decayed turf, leaf soil, and sand suits them well, and they should have stove tempera- ture and careful shading from bright sunshine. Keep them moist at the root, and the atmosphere should also be moist, but do not wet the foliage. We find Gesnera zebrina, G. z. splendens, and G. cinnabarina to be the most useful sorts for winter decoration. Mignonette must not be forgotten, for al- though not showy, its perfume at all times is de- lightful. If not already done, sow at once in 4-in. pots and set them in a cold frame. Small pots are most useful for flower-stands. If larger specimens are desired the seed must be sown early, and the plants potted on to ensure rapid growth, picking out the flower-heads as often as they form. The older kind of Mignonette is, however, likely to be superseded for pot culture by the new double flowered white that does not produce seed, and which 4G THE GAKDEN. [July 15, 1882. is a most continuous flowerer and very fragrant and beautiful. Orchids of certain kinds, such as Calantlie vestita, C. Veitchi, the Cypripediums, or Lady's Slippers, and many others, are real gardeners' friends for supplying quantities of flowers at the right time, and are of such easj- culture that anyone having a stove temperature can hardly fail in growing them. For making button-hole and other bouquets the Calanthes are especially well adapted. James Groom. IVY-LEAVED PELARGONIUMS. The recent exhibition of the Pelargonium Society served at least one useful purpose ; it brought prominently before the public the value of the Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums as subjects for pot cul- ture, for conservatory decoration, and also for ex- hibition purposes. The specimens shown by Mr. Henry Little, from Hillingdon, were particularly good ; indeed, they were some of the best ever seen. It is, however, also due to Mr. Barron to state that for a few years past he has annually grown specimens of the newer Ivy-leaved Pelar- goniums at Chiswick and exhibited them in pub- lic. There is always a good collection of these at Chiswick, and they well repay inspection. Whether the kind of irregular cone-shaped form in which the specimen Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums are generally grown for show purposes is the best or otherwise is a matter for discussion, but it may be stated in recommendation of it that it is a method of training that serves to show oil the trusses of blcom to the best advantage. The Ivy leaved Pelargoniums must be subjected to some training, and the method adopted by Mr. H. Little is perhaps one of the best that can be employed under the circumstances. To make good decorative and exhibition specimens, one-year-old plants must be employed as a foundation. By this I mean plants obtained from cuttings in the spring of this year, and then hardened off during the summer and kept in small pots with well ripened wood through the coming summer to make specimens for 1883. When visiting Mr. Little's place at Hillingdon a few days ago I saw standing in a sunny position in the open air a number oE young plants, the wood of which was being well ripened and matured for next year's work. The kind of wood wanted is plump vigorous shoots of this year that will break freely into growth in the early part of next year. Older wood is unreliable, and will not break into growth, but dies away, and leaves awkward gaps in the plants. If anyone were desirous of Ixying themse'-ves outforgro wing specimen Ivj'-leaved Pelargoniums, I would recommend them to ol tainat once a dozen orsoof youngplants raised from .spring-struck cut- tings and place them in a position where they could have plenty of sun and air, but on no account be allowed to suffer for want of water. As some of the newer varieties seen at the recent I'elargonium show are not yet in commerce, they cannot of course be had now, but the following list of obtainable varieties will be found to comprise sorts well adapted for pot purposes : Double-flowered — Anna Pfitzer, bright rosy-pink and lilac, very fine and good in habit. Gloire d'Orleans, bright deep magenta, small, but very double flowers that are finely borne on attractive trusses, a variety with a com- pact, but very free blooming habit, and one of the best in cultivation. Madame Crousse, delicate rose with slight dark spots on the upper petals, large in size, not so fully double as some but very good. Mdlle. Jeanne Wouters, clear soft rose, with carmine veins on the upper petals ; very pretty indeed. Mon. Dubus, deep reddish pink, very distinct and pleasing, habit a little struggling. Rosa plena, light lavender flushed with a slightly deeper shade, large, well-formed, fully double flowers. A. F. Barron, lilac-rose, flowers large and full, compact habit, very free, a most useful and attractive variety. Viscountess Cranbrook, pale satiny rose, a very pretty shade of colour, dwarf and compact habit, very free, a beautiful and pleasing variety. Madame E. Galle, very delicate flesh, large full flowers, very good. Candeur, pure white, apparently a really good pure white Ivy-leaf, with well formed double flowers ; Sarah Bernhardt, white, the top petals slightly tinted with carmine-crimson, very pretty and dis- tinct ; Konig Albert, lilac-mauve, tinted with a deeper shade, good habit and very free ; and Vice- President Jolly, clear pink, large and full double flowers, good form, and extra fine. This makes a list of a dozen double-flowered varieties. A few of the best of the single varieties will be found in Mon. de Boriage, bright rose, not so good in shape as miglit be desired, large trusses, very fine, and showy ; Le Vesuve, orange-rose, clear and bright, good form, and veryfree ; Mrs. H. Cannell, clear mauve-purple, flowers of medium size, excellent shape, very fine, a capital variety ; Jlr. George, deep rose shaded with purple, a very fine and distinct variety ; Diadem, deep rosy violet, very good, fine bold trusses of bloom ; Gem, blush white, with crimson spots on the upper petals ; and Nemesis, rosy crimson, dwarf habit, very free. In the collection Mr. Barron is growing at the Chiswick gardens there are some very pretty and pleasing new varieties ; and Mr. J. GeDrge had some very good new types at the Pelargonium show, but as they are not yet announced for sale, they are not included in the foregoing list. Assuming, then, that the cultivator has plants of these, and is maturing their wood as recommended above, it may be remarked that the plants can be wintered in an ordinary greenhouse, and en- couraged to break freely into growth in early spring, and then shaken out of the old soil and repotted in a good light free soil in5-in.pots. As soon as this is done the plants should have gentle warmth, and as the side shoots make growth, they should be tied out to neat stakes to lay the foundation of well shaped plants. When thoroughly well es- tablished a further shift should be given into 8-in. pots, and as soon as this is done, the plants need to be kept close till the roots begin to work in their new quarters : then they should have a little warmth till the leading shoots can be trained into a good specimen, and then placed in an ordinary greenhouse to flower where plenty of light and air can be given. The plants must be kept scrupu- lously clean in all their stages of growth. R. Dean. SHORT NOTES— INDOOR. Conservatory climbers.— My house has a north- west aspect, but sheltered from winds, and I want to plant in it a variety of the prettiest climbers I can get. What should they be '? and what s:)il do they require ?— C. M. U. Gloxinia (Ruth). — Malformation such as that shown Ity the Gloxmia you send is not uncommon. A familiar illustration of it is the Hose-in-Hose Polyanthus, and Fox- gloves are sometimes found in the same condition. Amaryllis reticulata.— I have flowered this very freely by withholding water .and giving it a period of rest in the winter after it has matured its growth. I seldom shift it, as I find that it does not like its roots interfered with.— James King, Itowsham. Semi-double Lapagerla.— I scud a semi-double flower of Lapageria rosea cut from a plant cultivated here for tifteen years. It is the first semi-double flower that has appeared on it, the rest being all single. Is it a common occurrence for Lapagerias to have doul)le flowers ?— J. Osborne, Witton House, Southampton. ISerai-doublc flowers are not uncommon, but the bloom you send is rather more double than usual.] A Phyllocactus.— I send a bloom of a Phyllocaclus not much known. I believe it to be P. aurantiacus albi- florus, accordmg to Salm Dyck's description. It is a free growing kind. 'What is your opinion of it?— H. BoLLER, Harrow Road. [Came withered up. Plants sent by Lon- doners might be sent fresh by hand within half-an-hour of being cut.] Souvenir de la Malmaison.- 1 am surprised to see by The Gakden (p. 6) that Mr. Douglas has no great opinion of this Carnation. I must confess that my opinion is quite different from his. I have several plants of the pink variety. They are large, it is true, but comp.act enough for any flower, and have not required any str.aps whatever. I should be very pleased to exchange my pink kind for a plant of the red variety.— Geo. Carpenter, Rigden, Walton- on-Thai>ies. GARDEN FLORA. PLATE CCCXLV. NEW ENGLAND MAYFLOWER. (EPIGvEA REPENS.) One of the most charming plants amongst the hosts that have been introduced to our gardens from North America is this little trailing shrub, which, though it has been amongst us for many years, is scarcely known except by those who make hardy plants a .speciality. That it really is a pretty plant will be seen by the annexed illus- tration. It is evergreen, trails along the sur- face of the ground, and in spring and early summer is furnished with hand.some green foliage, lit up by a profusion of rosy pink blos- soms, which emit a delightfully spicy fragrance. Like many other hardy plants, it beats the reputation of being difficult to cultivate, but the fault in many cases doubtless arises from the fact that at the outset it is not placed under favourable conditions. It is ofien grown as a bog plant, treatment which it abhors; sometimes it is placed on a rockery firlly exposed to sun and air, and but seldom do we find it situated as it grows naturally. Its nativehabitat is in the shady Pine woods of North America, from Canada to Carolina, mostly in soil of a sandy character, but often in rocky soil. As itisin- variably found in shady, and consequently sheltered, places, it is not surprising that when fully exposed in this country it should succumb in the course of a year or so. Mr. G. F. Wilson grows it in perfection in his wild garden at Oakwood, W'isley, whence he kindly sent us material for our plate. We cannot do better, therefore, than give his experience of it in his own words. lie says, " I think that the secret of our suacess with the Mayflower (Epigsea repens) is that the old black soil and shade of the wood suit it, and the fallen Oak leaves in winter shelter it to some extent as the snow does in its own country ; creeping along the ground, it roots as it grows. We grew it for years successfully in Weybridge cottage garden, but when it bad grown up some height from the ground the severe wiu-ers cut it hard. We have a couple of plants in this garden which I ex- pect will go the same way. At Oakwood, Wisley, it grows quite differently." The effect when in flower of these large spreading masses is extremely pretty, but in order to see the flowers to the best advantage they should be gathered and placed in water, a condition in which they remain along time in perfection. W. G. A SUB-ALPINE RAMBLE AT THE ANTIPODES. With the double object of collecting seeds for a friend in Austria and informing myself of the botany of a sub-alpine region hitherto unknown to me, I lately spent a couple of Easter holidays in exploring a neighbouring height called Maungatua, which had been recommended to me by a botanist friend as one of the best sub-alpine grounds he had ever examined. Al- though in the course of a two days' ramble I have been able to do not more than a third of the hill, having left a rich two-thirds for a future opportunity, I have more than verified my friend's assertion as to the richness of the field ; and I propo.se to give those of your readers interested in alpine botany some idea of what a holiday sub-alpine ramble on our side of the world is like. Before going further, how- ever, it may be as well to state that whatever 1 found on my walk I looked at more with the eye of the horticulturist than that of the scientist, keeping a keen look-out for what might increase the beauty of my garden, or July 15, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 47 form an interestinut further than what has been stated, nothing in such plants could justify the assumption of their being hybrids. P. Grieve. Bury St. Edmunds. foliage of this Grass is pure and constant, never under any circumstances assuming a sickly hue. — J. C. P.. SOLOMONS SEAL. Tuis lovely native plant is not made so much of in gardens as it deserves, ^^'e often see it forced, but not so often doing duty as a graceful group between a few evergreen shrubs. It is in Britain native in woods over a considerable tract of of a plant growing in a garden shrubbery in the suburbs of London. HARDY PLANTS. 7 Gardener's Garter Grass.— Large plants of this placed amongst evergreen shrubs have a bright and cheerful appearance, doing much to relieve the monotony apt to prevail where a large extent of shrubberies exists. The white of the Tu/t qf Solomons Seal in shrubbery. country, but never, as far as we have seen, a very common plant. It is very hardy and easily grown, so easily, indeed, that it is neglected even where its presence is desired. In grace nothing surpasses it. It should not be allowed to str\iggle with bushes or other plants, though it will fight these as well as most tilings. But the best w.iy is to allow it to have its own way in an opening between shrubs, evergreen or deciduous, or spreading under a low tree with a naked stem, or worked as a standard as many flowering trees are worked ; then its grace and fine form may be seen to advantage. Still, there need he little doubt that it will grow alrnost anywhere it is planted, and may be naturalised in woods, cop.ses, or hedgerows with the greatest ease. Our little sketch ig a reproduc- tion from a pen-and-ink drawing by Mr. Moon Perennial Larkspurs are flowering well this year, some of the taller kinds having sent up spikes to a height of 6 ft. and more. The best situalion for these tall Delphiniums is in the foreground of shrubs, as with the dark foliage to back them up, their stately habit tells, andthey produce a very striking effect. When grown in such positions it is necessary to have them sufficiently- far away from the evergreens to be clear of their roots, otherwise the evergreens rob and im- poverish the soil about the Delphiniums to such an extent as to starve and spoil them, as tlie3' not only require rich, deep land, but plenty of moisture. Among the medium growing sorts of the better kinds of Larkspurs, D. Belladonna is the finest and best. The flowers of this are of a lovely pale blue, and masses of them seen in the distance look like a beautiful cloud. In size and habit it resembles that popular favourite D. formosum, which still holds its own, and is more than likely to do so for a long time to come. Campanulas. — Next in point of merit are the Campanulas, the biennial species being gor- geous just now ; they form quite large bushes and are crowded with blossoms. The most showy are C. Medium and calycanthema, which have large coloured calices and are very remarkable looking. A packet of seed of these yields plants that afford an infinite variety of colour, and if the seeds are sown now, the plants will be quite early enough for flowering next year. C. pyramidalis is a stately- species, growing to the height of 3 ft. or i ft., branching freely, and clothing itself with blooms from base to summit. Another perennial species of great value is C. coronata, v;hich bears tall spikes of pendulous pure white blossoms. C. persicifolia is also a very desirable kind, and so is C. Van Houttei, which has large blue blooms upwards of 2 in. in length. In C. tur- binata the order of things is reversed, as that has erect cup-like flowers in- stead of the drooping bell, and, though only of lowly growth, is a distinct and very fine kind. Antirrhinums have seldom been seen in the condition they are this year, the mild -n'inter having just suited them, as they kept gi-owing and became remarkably strong, and are, therefore, flowering in the greatest profusion. The same may be said of Pentstemons, which are usually late in blooming, but this year are as showy and good as they generally are in the autumn. The way to get plenty of variety among these is to sow seed. Pentstemons have been so much im- proved that they are not only very large in blossom, but splendid in shading and colour. Lilies are opening fast, the Tiger kinds being even now in full beauty ; but the one I like best of all, old and common though it be, is L. candi- dum, which for ch.asteness .and refinement of finish is unrivalled by any. Funkias, such as F. Sieboldi, are simply magnificent ; not only have they very ornamental foliage, but they are almost equal to Lilies in the style and size of their blossoms. The best for cutting from are the different kinds of ovata, which .are not so large as the above-named, but for striking leafage F. Sieboldi and F. Sieboldi variegata are quite unsurpassed. To see them at their best they require shade and plenty of moisture, and when so accom- modated they assume quite a glaucous metallic hue distinct from anything else. Alstrcemerias are gorgeous in their many coloured hues, and the wonder is that they are not more largely grown, as all they need is light, well-drained, deep soil and a warm situation. Our beds are on a south border on each side of a walk where the plants have been for the last twenty years, and all the attention they receive is a mulching of half- July 15, 1882. J THE GARDEN. 51 rotten leaves just before winter sets in. As their roots are deep from being so long established this keeps them safe from frost, and they come up thickly every spring and produce great heads of flowers. To start with them the ground should be trenched and made light and open with sand and leaf-mould, wdien seed may be sown or plants planted deeply, and if the latter, the best time to turn them out is very early in spring. The Geraniums have been particularly fine, the most striking among them being G. platy- petalum, which has light blue flowers nearly as large as a live-shilling-piece. G. ibericum is also a striking-looking kind, having flowers of a deep violet hue, and among the pink varieties G. Endressi is one of the best. These and other Geraniums of a like character are well adapted for rockwork, and may be raised and increased readily from seed, which they set freely, or by di- Wsion, the proper time for effecting which is just when the plants are starting to grow. Another capital plant for rockwork is Vittadenia triloba, which bears Daisy-like flowers and will flourish anywhere, however dry or hot the situation may be. With us it is growing out of the old joints in walls, where it has established itself and looks quite at home. The rich glow of the Helianthemums when the sun is on them is somethingremarkable, especially when seen in masses where they carpet the ground. A good way of growing and using these rock Roses is along the sides of sunny walks that have ugly dead hedges to hide, which the Helianthemums will do effectually, and clothe them with beauty. For striking effect in large, wide borders nothing can equal The herbaceous Paeonies, the full, mas- sive flow^ers of which are gorgeous and grand. A few years ago there were not many represen- tatives of thisclass of Paiouies, but now, thanks to hybridists who have exercised their skill on them, we have a great number of varieties, ranging from the various shades of deep crimson down to pure whice, while the petals of others are marked with stripes or tipped in the way of Carnations. Not only are the herbaceous Pseonies large and splen- did in colour, but many of them are sweet .scented, and when cut and placed in water perfume a large room. To grow the plants well, they require deep rich land, and should be planted clear from the roots of trees or shrubs, which rob and star-ve them, and quite spoil their beauty. The mode of increase is by division, which should be carried out in spring, a", then the cut parts heal rapidly over, and there is no fear of rot. The Flag or common Irises have vied with the Pa^onies and have made a fine show, but have now ceased flowering, and are followed by the .Spanish and English varieties, both of which are almost equal to some of the choicest Orchids, so unique are the flowers in their form, and so lovely in colour and rich markings. The Flag or evergreen species will grow and flourish almost anywhere, but they do best where they can get a little shade and plenty of moisture, under which conditions they spread and bloom with the greatest of freedom. Both the Spanish and English kinds require a light and somewhat dn,', sandy soil, as, being bulbous rooted and more tender, they are apt to die off in the winter. In planting the latter sorts it is a good plan to drop a handful of sand over the bulbs, which prevents wet lying about them in winter and saves them from rot. Some cultivators take them up, but that is unnecessary, and if planted as indicated above, they are far better left alone in the ground. Too much cannot be said in praise of The double Pyrethrums, which have been most brilliant, and should be more largely planted than they are now ; they lower very early, are remarkably showy, and are of great value for cutting. The newer and finer kinds are a great im- provement on the old, as they are so full and well formed as to be equal to Chrysanthemums, to the flowers of which they bear a good deal of re- semblance. The most desirable kinds are Boule de Neige, pure white ; Candidum plenum, pure white ; Lady Blanche, delicate rose ; Brilliant, rich rosy purple ; Fulgens plenissiraum, purplish carmine ; Imbricatum plenum, purplish carmine ; Mons. Barral, magenta-crimson ; Prince Teck, brilliant crimson ; Koseum magnificum, shaded rose; Solfa- terre, sulphurand white ; Luteum plenum, salmon- rose ; Rev. J. Dix, (carmine ; Striatum, rosy pink ; Mrs. Dix, delicate blush. These double Pyrethrums succeed best on rather stiff land, and are fond of plenty of moisture. The situation for which tliey are most adapted is near the fronts of borders, and seedlings or single kinds shouhl be planted ex- tensively in semi-wild places, where they soon become naturalised and look quite at home. Another fine plant for this piirpose is the old Dictamnus Fraxinella, the coloured variety of which grows very strong, and forms quite a bush, sending up numerous long spikes of peculiar shaped blossoms. The white kind is not so strong, but both are highly scented, and well adapted for the backs of large, wide borders, or growing in the foreground of shrubs. Spiraja palmata is a real gem, and should be in every herbaceous border, as it is the most showy and by far the best of the species. Like all the Hpirajas, it delights in a wet soil, and does best where it can also have a little .shade, and when so favoured it grows strong, flowers freely, and lasts a long time in perfection. S. japonica, so largely used for forcing, and H. Filipendula florc-pk-no, planted around it, make a fine group, and the distinction of colour shows up the first-named to the greatest advan- tage. The Hemerocallis,orday Lilies, arenow just at their best, at least H. Kwansoand ll.fulvaare.but H. luteaisnearly over. This latteris a valuable plant, sending up, as it does, such a profusion of large rich yellow Lily-like blossoms. The habit of H. lutca being less strong, and the plant altogether a smaller and more compact grower, it is better adapted for borders than the two above mentioned, and is useful for potting for forcing, aswith gentle heat it soon comes in and makes a fine show in a greenhouse. H. fulva and H. Kwanso are noble looking objects by the sides of woodland walks or near the margins of ponds, positions for which they arewell adapted, and whenin bloom have a striking effect. Aquilegias, too, are just the plants for shrubbery borders, and if the hardy kinds of vul- garis are sown and planted there, they seed them- selves and soon spread about over the place. In the borders special attention should be given to A. chrysantha and A. cojrulea, which, with their long spur-like appendages, are very ornamental and beautiful. Both require light soil and a sheltered situation, as they make their growth early and are apt to get cut about in the spring. S. D. PROPAGATING HARDY PLANTS. Prepare a bed of sandy loam and leaf-mould some 5 in. or 6 in. in depth in a shady corner, place a frame over it to ensure a close atmosphere, and take the cuttings as they can be obtained, com- mencing with Antirrhinums, Pentstemons, Phloxes — in short, anything that has green shoots just hardening a little will strike freely. Many hardy border plants can also be increased rapidly by division in autumn or spring, and therefore in a bu.sy season like this perhaps one would not trouble to take cuttings, but there are always many things which one would like to increase in order to have plants for use and to spare if need be. Carnations, Picotees, and Pinks will strike very well in a shady frame. I have propagated them in that way for years. Time is thus saved, and I always think the plants are better than raised in any other way. Layering is the old plan, and cultivators are very conservative, but there is certainly nothing gained by preferring layers to cuttings. I have often seen cottagers take up their old white Pinks, pull them to pieces, and plant the pieces in autumn, and the same with the old Clove Carnations. I think that for ordinary decorative purposes the directions for piping Pinks and layering Carnations in books on gardening are needlessly complicated. Experience is the best teacher, and anyone who doubts what I am saying may satisfy himself by experiments on an old plant or two. All the spring bedding plants will strike now, such as Aubrietia, Arabis, &c. This is a good time to sow seeds of perennials and biennials, such as Foxgloves, Hollyhocks, Canterbury Bells, and things of that character. Sow in pans and place them in a cool, close frame ; keep them fresh, moist, and let them be shadeil in the hottest part of the day. Pots or pans containing seeds if they stand in full sunshine dry up so fast and re- quire so much water, that it sours the soil and makes it unhealthy before the seeds have a chance to germinate. This is one reason why many seeds fail to grow, or if they do grow the plants come up weakly, and are a long time in acquiring strength. In sowing Hollyhocks or Foxgloves where only limited numbers are required, some pains should be taken in preparing the bed, and covering the seeds with light, sandy soil that will not become hard. E. II. NOTES FROM NEWRY. Iris aueea, a very fine species with rich, golden yellow blossoms, carried aloft on slender green wands over B ft. high, is a striking plant, and one which makes itself seen a long way off. A good feature belonging to it is that its flowers last good for several days. Iris violascens major comes near to the Kicmpferi group, but grows taller, and has large, handsome, rich purple flowers, rather fugitive, however. I should imagine that this species has played a part in producing some at least of the fine varieties of Ka:;mpfcri. Orchis foliosa is now very fine, one esta- blished clump having no fewer than twenty-five heads of flower; this is growing on a point close to aid only 9 in. or so above the water, and is partly enveloped, or rather veiled, by a fine tuft of the common Ru.sh and a colony of Ragged Robin. Cypkipedium spbctabile is grand, many stems being furnished with two flowers. This is planted in a well-prepared bed in quantity associated with Liliura superbum, canadense, carolinianum,and pardalinum; Lobelia syphilitica, purpurea, ignea; Primula sikkimensis, Spira;a pal- mata, and Irisaurea. A few shrubs are introduced just to give firmness and shelter, such as Myrica Gale, Fothergilla alnifolia, and one or two plants of Cornus. Towards the front a few Sarracenias, such as purpurea, Drummondi, flava, and psitta- cina, are planted, and quite happy they look, but not quite so vigorous, I think, as where fully ex- posed. The whole is carpeted with Andromeda tetra- gona, Nertera depressa, Gaultheria procumbens, Equisetum scorpioides, Linaria pallida, &c. The re- quisite shade is obtained by placing on the sunny side such things as Crataegus Pyracantha, grafted standard high, their broad horizontal heads being most suitable for such a purpose, and a few other things. This Cypripedium bed is greatly admired. Primula sikkimensis has been grand this season. The strongest stem was 2 ft. 7 in. high. If in. girth in the stoutest part, and bore fifty-seven flowers. The plant was grown in a pot for two years before being planted out ; therefore Mr. Wolley Dod's dictum that pot culture is inimical to strong growth — unless, indeed, he can beat the above — is upset. P. speciosa is now in flower ; the blossoms very much resemble those of P. luteola, but the plant is very distinct. P. luteola has done wonderfully well here this season ; the strongest clump bore ten flower-spikes, and is now one of the finest objects as a fine-foliaged plant on the rockery, being no less than 2 ft. across by 1 ft. high, a beautiful green, healthy mass. Rooeesia podophylla is one of the mo.st dis- tinct and handsome of hardy fine-foliaged plants ; roughly described, it looks like a mass of huge Horse Chestnut leaves stuck in the ground, but when first unfolded they are of a beautiful bronzy colour, and which never entirely disappears. For a shady nook, springing from a carpet of some green Saxifrage, such as S. decipiens, it is very striking. TROPiEOLUM POLTPHTLLUM, associated with the bright flowered Helianthemum venustum, '62 THE GARDEN. [July 15, 1882. hanging over a rooky ledge, is most attractive, and the two together highly interesting. Ekyngium glacialb is a little beauty. It has steel-blue, spiny heads just 6 in. high, and bears a marked contrast to its big brother, E. giganteum, just assuming its proper colour hard by. COLUTEA FEUTESCENS is a beautiful shrub, and one which endures our ordinary winters on tlie open wall. Its bright scarlet, Clianthus-like blos- soms borne, as they are, in abundance render it a most desirable shrub to grow even in localities where it would be necessary to house it in winter. Tkichinium Manglesi is very fine here this season ; our best specimen of it has more than forty heads of flower on it. Why is this most distinct plant not oftener met with than it is ? Planted out on the open rockwork, it is coming nicely into flower, young plants bearing from two to five heads. SiDALCEA CANDIDA is One of those plants that one gets to like better as we become acquainted with it. It continues to throw up its charming spikes of pure white flowers all through the season, and during winter is a shining mass of finely cut leaves, good even at a time when greens are valuable. Hypericum repens makes a lovely green carpet, and is just beginning to be dotted over with its bright yellow flowers, each about the size of a shilling. Hypericum Scoulehi, a dense habited, though slender branched species, will be in flower in a few days, but now very charming, being a mass of red buds. Saxifraga aquatilis, the finest I know of the mossy group, with its 1 -ft. long panicles of large milk-white flowers, is very distinct and tell- ing, especially when associated as it is with such things as Elodes virginica, Meconopsis, Lobelia sessilifolia, Primulas, Parnassias,Sarracenias, &c., all growing into each other. Rose White Pet is a pretty plant enough in a pot, but planted out much better. One put out last summer amongst stones on the rockwork is now a dense mass 2 ft. high and 3 ft. over, and bears considerably over 500 buds in various stages of development. Not the worst feature of this plant is that it is never, so far as I know, attacked by aphides or any other of the ills that Roses are heir to. Is this the same as Paquerette ? Gazaniopsis stenopiiylla resembles in some respects our old friends the Gazanias, but difEerent, inasmuch as the narrow leaves are from 9 in. to 12 in. long, and the flower, produced on a long and rather .slender stem, is pure yellow with a pallid dot at the base of each petal. It only opens during the hottest sunshine, and thrives much better planted out in a warm spot than it does in pots. Phlox amcena. a real gem, is now fully in flower for the second time. In habit it is much like P. verna ; the flowers are, however, warmer in colour, and the plant is not quite such a run- about ; it is, in short, a species of rather a better type, and one which, I think, will have to become permanently attached to our gardens. Meconopsis AVallichi, towering far above most others things, commands the attention and admiration of all who see it. Its pale blue blos- soms shaking in tlie wind look in the distance like huge butterflies, but of a colour difEerent from that of any butterfly which I have ever seen. Salvia istereupta has pretty flowers— blue, becoming paler in the throat. The habit of the plant, however, is quite distinct, a dense mass of robust leaves resting on the ground, out of which shoot in all directions the sparsely clad flower- spikes, the whole forming a specimen 5 ft. or 6 ft. wide. It is a very distinct species. LiNARiAS are now very pretty — aurea reticu- lata, with its beautiful gold and crimson flowers ; multimaculata, dwarf in habit, yellow, with a row of tiny black dots down each side of the throat : tristis, buff with a bee in the centre ; Perezi, erect in habit, with small flowers, in dense heads of a soft yellow colour ; cfespitosa, creeping in habit, with bright yellow flowers, very suitable for associating with alpina, which in habit it much resembles ; maroccana, of which there are nume- rous beautiful forms varying in colour from rose and white to lilac and white, and on to deep pur- ple. These are all well worth attention though only of annual duration, but, unlike most annuals, continue to throw up flower shoots all through the season, and usually sow themselves ; and, lastly, i^allida, so hardy, so free in growth, and such a persistent bloomer, is quite indispensable where carpets are required. Lychnis Haageana.— This plant, I think, should be placed in the coldest position we can find for it. It begins growth so early, that it is always cut off by cold windsand late frosts. Some plants here that escaped are now bright and beau- tiful. Perhaps a good plan would be to keep some in pots and put them out when the frosts are gone. The plant is dwarf and the flowers so large, and the colours so bright, that if we could have them unblemished they would be quite desir- able. Gaillardia grandiplora, in variety, is a glorious border plant. The best result is obtained by treating it as a biennial ; thus one gets much stronger plants, which bloom on through the whole summer. Here they vary from pure yellow to yellovr with crimson centres, and produce flowers tliat are nearly all crimson, and in height from 1 ft. to 3 ft., and with flowers from 2 in. to 4 in. across. Chrtsobaotron Hookeri improves very much on acquaintance ; some very strong spikes this season have been fully 2j ft. high, li ft.of which was the flowering portion ; the flowers, too, were very closely packed, and continued to open for over two months, the efEect being similar to that of robust plants of Kniphofia Macowani. Papaver apulum is a pretty cut-leaved annual species, slender in habit and with ochre- red flowers stained with purple at the base. Rather high up it has a singular appearance, and as few of the flowers are ever perfect, a group of it looks like a flight of battered butterflies. T. Smith. Jaborosa integrifolia. — This curious little white flower I had from Mr. Ware in the autumn. I should judge the bloom to be a small and starved one, as the plants have scarcely got hold of the ground yet, and the foliage has that stunted and puckered look which leaves take when growing in a climate too cold for them. Perhaps Mr. 'Ware will send you better flowers. It seems likely to be a useful plant for large gardens, spreading, by means of creeping underground stems, like Couch Grass, and send- ing up tufts of leathery leaves after the manner of Lily of the Valley. From the thickness of the rootlets, I should think a medium loam would suit it. — J. D. [Of botanical interest mainly. — Ed.] Pentstemon Jeffryanus.— This is a bril- liant and graceful plant, and one that should oftener be seen in gardens than it now is. It is one of tliose so-called hardj' flowers, which are only so in favoirred localities ; hence the frequent dis- appointments w-liich attend its culture. In cold districts, especially where the soil is of a moisture- holding character, it is apt in inclement winters either to perish, or to become so enfeebled that the following summer it does not grow witli any- thing like the vigour natural to it. The remedy for tliis is to take off a few cuttings anj' time dm-ing the months of July or August, strike them in a cold frame, and winter them there, planting out in fine, fairlv enriched soil about the middle of March.— J. C. B. Naturalising Primroses. — For some years past a lady in this neighbourhood has amused her- self by gathering the seed of the common Primrose when ripe, and scattering it about in the woods and in semi-wild places adjoining the pleasure grounds, with the result that colonies of thriving plants are now established where, only some two or three years ago, not one was to be found. Just scattering the seed without further care involves no trouble, and there could scarcely be a more delightful occupation than fm-nishing with bright flowers hitherto barren spots in this manner. Those who have not the Primrose growing wild in their neighbourhood might make arrangements with friends more favourably circumstanced for a good supply of fxesh seed, and when once a colony is formed, the work of naturalising i.s an easy matter, and niny proceed at a rapid rate. — J. C. B. Red Spiraea.— The best plants of Spir^a palmata (the species, I suppose, to which " Warwick," p. -131, alludes) I ever saw were grown in an artificial bog with a retentive sub-soil ; indeed, so retentive was it, that at times, and especially during winter, the lower jjarts were submerged. I need hardly say the soil was en- tirely peat and sand. In" this bog I have seen Spiraia palmata in very flue condition, quite i ft.; and another equally beautiful species, S. venusta, with pink flowers and pinnate leaves instead of palmate, I have seen between 7 ft. and 8 ft. high. These Spir^as will grow in almost any soil, but a bog is their proper place. — T. D. H. If" Warwick's "plants are in pots, turn them out under a north wall till October ; then pot them in pots that will easily hold the roots in two parts loam, one peat, half manure, and sand according to the quality of the loam. Plunge them in ashes as Hyacinths and other roots are done till February ; bring them into a glasshouse from which frost is excluded, and afterwards treat them like Spiraja japonica, giving them plenty of water when started into vigorous growth. I have found it a good plan to leave the soil 1^ in. from the top of the pot and fill up with Cocoa-nut fibre. When the plants appear above this in the spring remove it, and fill up with 1 in. of compost. I have two large and fine plants of this Spiraa (S. palmata) which flower and improve in every way every season. — B. Sweet Peas in succession, — These are invaluable where cut flowers are in great demand, and the closer you pick the blooms, the more they produce. Having such long footstalks, it is not necessary to pluck any of the haulm with them, and by gathering closely no seed-pods are left to exhaust the plants. In order to get them in bloom in May and June, the best plan is to sow in November. They are quite hardy, but well repay a little attention in the way of producing them with evergreen branches from cutting winds. I lately saw some very fine masses of them that had been sown last autumn around the stems of old Apple and other fruit trees, and supported with a string as they progressed in height. They were literally covered with bloom at the end of May. Other sowings should be made in February, March, and April ; there will then be no lack of Sweet Peas from which to pick all the season, as the late ones keep on blooming as long as any flowers are procurable out-of-doors. The Sweet Pea will grow in almost any soil, but to flower it well the ground must be deeply cultivated and well enriched with manure. It must also be mulched for at least a yard around the roots, and well watered with liquid manure. The quantity of bloom depends entirely on the soluble food within reach of the roots, feeding freely in that way in sunny weather, but withholding all liquids when wet or cloudy periods occur. Sweet Peas are now sold in distinct colours, in which way they are most suitable for cutting, but the majority of cultivators like them mixed. Beware of slugs; if plentiful, sow the seed in 3-in. pots, and plant out the young seedlings when large enough. — J. Groom, Lintoti- Klng of Yellows Pansy.— A handsome golden yellow with a rich Mack eye. Our Scotch friends have such constellations of beauty in Pansies, that it is dangerou to malie comparisons, but this from Messrs. Rodger, MClel laud, (fc Co., of Xe^ny, seems one of tlie finest of tlie race Sidalcea Candida.— A Malvad with white trans- parent flowers and a brush of pale red stamens. It seems an interesting plant, though perhaps not sliowy. The wiiite Musli Mallow somewhat resembles it. From Mersrs. Rodger, M'Clelland, & Co., of Newry. July 15, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 53 NOTES AND EEADINGS. Peacites indoohs and outdoors. — A friend writes to me that lie is " curious about the outdoor culture of the Peaeli in favoured districts " in England, and contemplates making some experi- ments in that way someday. What can be accom- plished outdoorsby a more careful and metho- dical system of culture than is practised gene- rally gardeners have perhaps yet to learn, and it is very desirable to try. But the opinion is fast gaining ground that where good and remu- nerative crops and quick returns are the object, culture under glass is by far and away the best. Outdoors on the open wall cultivators must always be at the mercy of the weather, more or less, and those who have had much to do with the system know what that means as regards crops "and the health of the trees. It must not be forgotten that a good substantial wall is necessary for Peaches outdoors, and much care is required by the trees which are three or four times longer in growing than they are inside on the new and popular extension plan, which, under glass, may and should have unlimited scope either on the standard or trained system. Where in England out-of-doors could one have dozens of fruit from a tree eighteen months after it was planted a maiden with one shoot and scores of fruit the second year ? The expense of a thin, but strong glass screen to a wall is not worth speaking about considering the immense advantage it gives the grower ; and if hot-water pipes are even needed to exclude frost or ripen the wood, their use should never be hesitated about. It is not so much a question of fruit as healthy trees and well ripened wood ; these secured — and glass will secure them anywhere in these islands only mismanagement can prevent success. * The Potato di.sease. — Mr. Jensen's pam- phlet on this subject, of which an outline is given in another column, will interest culti- vators, for the author deals with what he con- siders the practicable prevention of the disease. He asserts that in repeated experiments on his plan he succeeded in preventing the disease, while plantations of the same kind near and treated in the. ordinary way were badly affected. His theory is, that the spores of the fungus do not penetrate the tubers through the haulm, but are washed down through the soil on to the surface of the tubers, and so infect them through the skin, and his preventive measures consist in earthing up the stems principally on one side, so as to cause them to lie over the furrow instead of the ridge, thus preventing the spores from falling on the ridges and being washed down to the roots. It was known be- fore that keeping the rain off the [plants pre- vented the disease, and its absence under such circumstances might be accounted for in Mr. Jensen's theory. The drought was supposed to be the preventive cause in this case, but the Jensen method of earthing does not exclude the rain. The results as furnished by Mr. Jensen are cer- tainly striliing. * Making up specimen Orchids. — With the advent of the shows this is a subject sure to come to the front, and one wonders to see the prominence given it. Those interested in the matter are probably a trifle more nume- rous than one can count on the fingers of both hands, while there are thousands who grow Orchids for other purposes than exhibition that do not care a straw about it. It is plain that those who discuss the matter are principally in- fluenced by their own circumstances, and look at it from their own point of view alone. The man who possesses large, single, bond-fide plants, or who can and does buy such specimens ready made, thinks such onlyshould be awarded prizes; and the man who cannot wait, but puts bis specimens together at once by bits, thinks otherwise. So far as the influence of a long purse is concerned, the pair are about evenly matched. The simple truth is that some Orchids are so long in forming plants of a size fit for ex- hibition purposes, being unlike stove and green- house plants in that respect, that cultivators have given up waiting in these days of " express" culture, and, encouraged by the facilities which cheap and plentifully imported plants present for overcoming the difliculty, have adopted the massing practice. It suits exhibitors, especially beginners, and it suits the shows, and there is really not so much to choose after all between a single specimen ten years old and one two years old made up on the new principle. Both may be equally effective, and societies could arrange suitable prizes for both if they were so minded, and thus get over the discontent. Those who are crying out about the massed specimens now did not at one time object to huge subjects of such things as Eucharis, Vallota, and other bulbous stove and greenhouse subjects that were put together on the same principle. « Very extraordinary !— One would like to hear more of Mr. Kynaston's plan, in North Wales, of securing crops of Apples and Pears, &c., which is so certain and so successful, " that fruit to almost any extent is always to be found in his garden. The result is said to be such an abundant produce, that a quarter only of the fruit grown by him would amply have repaid him for his time, labour, and experi- ments," to quote the words of a correspondent of the new agricultural paper — Farm and Home. As Mr. Kynaston root-prunes every second year or so, manures highly, and as three- quarters of the crop is always clear gain, culti- vators would no doubt like to know more about it, and Mr. Kynaston has, it appears, published a book on the subject in which his practice is detailed. Periodical root-pruning and top-dress- ing is good practice if accompanied by intelli- gent branch treatment, but it has never been claimed for it before that blight " never once affected " trees so treated when such scourges " destroyed the fruit prospects of the neighbour- hood and the country at large," and one is not surprised to learn that this fact "surprised people more even than the unprecedented yield of fruit." * Mr. Thistleton Dyer and the electric light. — Recent communications on this subject by Mr. W. T. Thistleton Dyer, written, it would appear, in its defence after recent failures at Paris, does not encourage anyone to try it or believe in it. "The theoretical possibility of imitating by artificial means the effects of solar radiation on plant life has,'' says Mr. Dyer, " been demonstrated again and again," and " he sees no reason why Cucumbers should not be grown with the electric light alone . . . The only question is whether the result will justify the expenditure." Can Mr. Dyer be aware that market gardeners grow Cucumbers in abund- ance, and contract with the greengrocers to provide an unfailing supply from April till November with present appliances, and that those who choose to provide pits for the pur- pose can have as many or more Cucumbers than they can use for the remaining months of the year without the aid of the electric light, which would be a positive encumbrance and dead loss ? If these are not good " reasons why " the electric liaht would be useless either alone or as an aid to solar radiation, I am unable to furnish any other. At the above season ordinary market prices run from half-a-crown to four or five shillings a dozen Cucumbers — what profit will Dr. Siemen's steam engines, lamps, and appli- ances add to it ? Peregrine. SEASONABLE WORK. FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN THE HOUSE. G. J., SURREY. Now that there is a wealth of Roses, the best ways of combining them should be carefully con- sidered. A great bowl of mixed Roses, even if put together without thought, is a beautiful thing, but they are much more beautiful if the colours are carefully chosen and the flowers well grouped. The .scarlet and darkest shades go grandly to- gether, and a number of the best pink Roses, such as La France, Marie Finger, Eugenie Verdier, and Captain Christy, of slightly varied and yet nearly related colouring, carefully placed in a wide bowl of jjalest blue oriental china, form a picture of Rose beauty such as can hardly be ex- celled. A fine efEect is given by a tureen of blue Deltt filled with orange-coloured Eschscholtzias cut long and short. A tall glass holds white Lilies, with the rosy Spirsea palmata and Funkia leaves ; another large glass has a mass of Canterbury Bells, white and pink. A few blooms of pure white Iris Kajmpferi stand alone in a slender Venetian glass ; orange Lilies are in a blue china jar seen against an ebony cabinet. A large bunch of variously-coloured Alstrcemerias, cut 2 ft. long, are arranged with foliage of Bocconia cordata. The yellow juice of freshly-cut Bocconia stains the water ; it is therefore desirable to stand it aside in water for a time before it is wanted for use. FLOWER GARDEN. w. wildsmith, heckpield. Ricinus or Castor-oil plants.— To those who are in search of sub-tropical effect in the sum- mer garden, and yet lack the conveniences for housing and wintering large growing sub-tropical plants, the varieties of Ricinus will, indeed, prove a boon. Their rapid and stately growth, large foliage, and the ease with which they are raised, all tend to enhance their value for the purpose just named. The varieties armatus, Obermanni, viridis, and macrophyllus, when sown in March and grown on without check, attain a height of 8 ft. by August. The seeds should be sown singly in 3-in. pots ; they quickly germinate in a tempera- ture of 65°, and should be given this heat till they need potting into larger pots, then a temperature of 00° will be ample. By the beginning of May they will be ready to pot into 8-in. pots, and at the end of that month may safely be planted out in their summer quarters. Deep tilth and well rotted manure are necessary to ensure vigorous growth. The deep bronze foliaged and red stem- med variety Gibsoni is not so strong a grower as the kinds just named, a circumstance which makes it all the more valuable for use as an outer line to beds of the strong green foliaged sorts. This kind also bears pinching well, and may, therefore, be grown in the form of a bush. General work. — At present there is but little to be done that calls for special remark, the prin- cipal requirements being the preservation of neat- ness by regularly mowing lawns, clipping edgings, and weeding and rolling walks. Bedding plants will now be in their full dress, and in order that they may continue so, keep them well supplied with water, removing all useless flowers at least once a week. Trailing kinds will require the same periodical attention as to regulating their growth, either by pegging down or training to sticks, as the case may be. Single Dahlias and other tall growers planted as " sentinels '' amongst lower growing plants may need a portion of their growth curtailed, both to preserve symmetry and to prevent them from encroaching too much on dwarfer plants. Keep carpet beds trim. Herniaria glabra rarely needs clipping, and this merit renders it the best of all plants for forming a green 54 THE GARDEN. [July 15, 1882. groundwork, edgings, and intersecting lines in this class of bedding. The dwarf Sedunis and Saxifrages only require the flowers to be kept off them and to be pressed down with the hand to make them spread evenly. On herbaceous borders old fiowers of Pyrethrums, Mallows, Delphiniums, Spir^as, and many others need cutting off ; sticks also should be taken away, and the ground about such plants should be " pointed " over. Koses are in full bloom, and almost daily now there are numbers of decaying flowers that for the benefit of the plants would be better off; shorten also vigorous shoots, keep the plants well watered and washed, and then expect a good autumn bloom. PROPAGATING. Hard-wooded plants, such as Heaths, Epacrises, C'horozemas, Boronias, and similar sub- jects, may, in most cases, be struck from cuttings during the summer months, although among them are to be found some that require great care in order to ensure success. The best cuttings are the young shoots that push forth after flowering, es- pecially if the plants have been cut back ; but even then it is better to take shoots of weak growth than stout succulent ones, which are very liable to decay. As it is absolutely necessary to keep them perfectly air-tight, bell-glasses should be used for that purpose, and the size of the pots will, of course, depend upon that of the glasses employed. In preparing the pots, invert a small one over the hole in the bottom, then fill up with broken crocks till within I in. of the top. The crocks should be clean, and gradually diminish in size from the bottom to the uppermost layer, to facilitate which a good practice is to pass them through sieves of different sizes, and keep each lot separate. The top portion should be those that pass readily through a sieve with J-in. mesh, but as the dust must be extracted from them, one still finer must be employed. A space of i in. or 1 in., according to the size of the cuttings, must be left for the soil, which should consist of two- thirds peat and one-third sand, the whole finely sifted. The pots being firmly filled with the above to within a little of the top, a thin layer of sand should be added and the whole slightly watered, using for this {purpose a fine-rosed pot. In taking the cuttings, where not too long, all that is necessary is to strip them off and remove the bottom leaves to the extent necessary for insertion, but if too long to be treated in this way the top only must be cut off at the length required. In removing the leaves a sharp-pointed pair of scissors must in some cases be used, or in others let the top part of the cut- ting be held firmly, but gently in the left hand, and let the leaves be stripped off one by one with the right hand. This effects a saving of time, but should only be used when the leaves come clean away from the bark without tearing or injuring it in any way ; if thej' hart the bark, of course the scissors must be used to remove them. Before putting in the cuttings press the bell-glass slightly in its place ; the imprint in the sand will serve as a guide in inserting them, otherwise they may be put in too near the edge, and thus get pressed down by the glass. Put them in rows at a sufficient distance to stand clear of their neigh- bours, and take care that they are made thoroughly firm, especially at the base. When a potful has been put in, a thorough watering must be given to cause the sand to form a smooth, unbroken sur- face. This watering may either be done with a fine-rosed watering-pot, or if the cuttings are so small and slender that the weight of the water alone would cause them to overbalance, the better way is to set the pot when completed in a pan of water, not of sufficient depth to float over the surface, but still enough to enter by the bottom and give the soil a good soaking. After watering leave the glasses off for a little time to dry the foliage, then put them in securely and shade from sunshine. Where there is not a propagating house for this class of plants, the next best place is a cold frame ; one or two lights of which may be partitioned off for that purpose, and treated ac^ cordingly. The bell-glasses must be wiped and removed for a little while each morning, and a strict watch must be kept for the least symptoms of decay, on the approach of which a little more air may be given, but not more than is necessarj', as the soil soon dries and frequent waterings are hurtful. If attended to in this way a fair mea- sure of success may be reasonably anticipated, but of course constant care in the matter of shading, watering when required, and drying up superfluous moisture will be necessary till they are rooted. When that happens, give air by degrees and gradually harden them off ; then pot in small pots and grow on, taking care to stop them when necessary, as the foundation of a good plant is formed when in a young state. T. INDOOR PLANTS. T. BAINES, SOITTHGATE. Conservatory. — Now when the whole of the spring flowering, hard as well as most soft-wooded, plants that bloom during the earlier part of the season have done flowering, stove plants in bloom will come in most usefully to take their places, as if associated with the hardier kinds of Palms, Tree Ferns, Cycads, and other fine-leaved plants, and tastefully arranged, they have a very fine appearance, and will make a display equal to that which existed in spring. Where many of the occupants of conservatories are permanently planted out, such a re-arrangement as is here recommended can only be partially effected. At this time of year when insects increase very fast corresponding attention must be paid to destroy- ing them, or it will be impossible to keep the stock in a healthy condition. [Sponging by hand is a slow process and seldom more than partially effec- tive. It is much better where it can be done to take the plants out of the houses and .syringe them freely with insecticide, as if the work is well done all the interstices in the leaves and bark where the eggs and lars-a; are hid are reached. Care shouldbe taken to keep roof plants as free as can be from such insects as brown or white scale or mealy bug, for where these exist to any extent on climbers overhead they are certain to be com- municated to every plant underneath them on which they will live. It is well as far as possilile to select climbers for roof decoration that do not afford acceptable food to these pests, for although there are but few plants on which some or other of the numerous insects existant will not live, yet there is much difference in this respect. Lilies. — Where a good stock of these are grown in pots they are most useful in conservatories ; plants of L. eximium that have done flowering must be well supplied with water so long as the foliage remains green ; they may then be planted out in well prepared soil, as they are not likely to bloom much a second time where at all forced until they have had a season or two to recruit their strength. L. auratum and other species re- quire to be similarly attended to in the matter of water, also to be kept free from aphides, as on the retention of the leaves until the bulb growth is fully completed depends their well-being in future, L. giganteum, though mostly planted out in the opengi'ound, will, if well managed, attain a larger size and produce more flowers in a pot ; but it does not usually increase so well in this way by the production of suckers. Where this fine Lily is grown in pots, I have found it best to turn it out of them immediately the blooming is over, giving plenty of water if dry weather ensues. Plants of the different varieties of L. speciosum should have the stems supported with sticks before they get too far advanced, and in carrying out this operation with Lilies, care ought to be taken not to injure the bulbs ; through want of caution in this much mischief is often done. Abutilons. — A sufficient stock of these should always be kept up. Independent of their decorative value as pot plants, their continuous habit of flowering is not surpassed by many things which are as easily grown. Their ability to flower through the winter if accommodated with a little extra warmth is astill further recommendation. The white variety Boule de Neige is so useful for cut- ting, that it deserves a place everywhere where winter flowers are in demand. It blooms in a very small state ; plants of all the varieties struck from cuttings put in now and wintered in small pots will make useful blooming stock next summer. Genistas. — Small or medium-sized examples of these are much more useful than large speci- mens ; their easy propagation and the little diffi- culty involved in their after treatment is such as to make them deserving of much more general cultivation than they receive. Presuming that the plants are now out-of-doors, any shoots that show a disposition to outgrow the rest should be cut back, but no attempt ought to be made to keep them too formal by pinching in the whole of the branches, as is sometimes done, which gives them an over-stiff appearance. In the case of young, thriv- ing examples of these Genistas, where the pots are small and have got full of roots, they should be frequently supplied with dressings of light ma- nure or manure water, and as they are liable to the attacks of red spider they ought to be syringed over every evening in dry weather. Ferns. — Where there are large structures de- voted to Ferns, and a portion of the larger species are planted out, attention from time to time should be given in keeping the larger growing kinds from encroaching too much upon the weaker habited sorts. This is especially needful where many of the stronger sorts with creeping rhizomes exist. These if strong and not checked soon extend in all directions ; this can be corrected by cutting the fronds, which so far reduces strength as to prevent their spreading too fast. The rhizomes or creeping stems may also be shortened, which will cause them to lireak back and induce a closer, more compact condition. One of the mistakes com- mitted in the cultivation of the tree species of Ferns is giving them too much root room, either when planted outorwhengrowninpotsor boxes; in both cases when accompanied by more artificial heat than requisite it invariably induces a greater extension of the fronds than is admissible within the limits of a plant house, unless where it is much larger than usual, the result being that the strong growers smother the weaker ones, and the interest attached to the collection is reduced by the smaller number of kinds grown. But where plants of these large growing kinds have had their roots confined within a limited space for any con- siderable length of time they should have frequent soakings with manure water during the growing season ; when sufficiently supplied in this way they can be kept for years in a satisfactory con- dition. Liquid manure, or moderate dressings of some of the light manures now so much in use for applying to the surface of pot plants answer well for most of the small growing kinds of Ferns, such as the Adiantums, Pteris, Davallias, and others of a like character. In Fern culture no more artificial heat should ever be used than abso- lutely necessary, for it not only makes the fronds unduly tender, but also renders them much more susceptible to thrips. Where these are present it is best to dip or syringe with tobacco water, as when fumigation is resorted to strong enough to kill the thrips it usually is more than the plants can bear. FRUIT. W. COLEMAX, EASTNOR CASTLE. Cherries. — If any of the trees require pot- ting let them be well cleansed and shifted as soon as they are clear of fruit. Use good friable loam and lime rubble in a rather dry state ; ram it very firm, leaving plenty of room for water and mulching when all is finished, and return them to the house for a week or two. If the balls are thoroughly moist at the time they are potted one good watering to settle the soil, followed by daily syringing, will most likely suffice for the time they are kept under glass ; but while guarding against getting the new soil too wet equal care must be exercised in preventing the roots or foliage from suffering. If large trees of late kinds are still Jltly 15, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 55 carrpng fruit which it is desirable to keep for any special purpose, some kind of shading will be needed for the front of the case, and a good covering of rotten manure, while keeping the roots cool, will be ready for washing in as soon as the crop is gathered. Plums.— When the early kinds in pots show signs of changing for ripening discontinue syring- ing, but keep them well suppUed with water, and, if conrenient, separate them from others which are less forward. Keep all the pots well mulched with good rotten manure, and supply the roots with diluted liquid at every watering. Use pure soft water for syringing, as Plums show every spot of matter left by the sediment from that which contains lime. Ventilate freely, as Plums do not make rapid progress in a high temperature, and the free admission of air adds greatly to the beauty of the bloom on the fruit. See that established trees of Jefferson, Golden Drop, and others are thoroughly mulched and supplied with water. Keep the foliage free from aphis by fumi- gation, and syringe twice a day in fine weather. Late Peaches.— Where it is thought desir- able to retard the ripening of fruit in the latest houses until September or October, all the venti- lators should be set open by night and by day until the flowers begin to open, and again after the fruit is set in order to delay the stoning process. It is hardly necessary to say that the houses from which this late fruit is obtained should have hot-water pipes running round the sides for keep- ing out frost when the trees are in blossom, and again for supplying dry heat after the crop is gathered, otherwise such excellent kinds as Wal- burtonLate Admirable, Barrington,Sea Eagle, and Prince of Wales Peaches, Stanwick Elruge Nec- tarine, which never cracks, Victoria, which few can ripen on open walls, and Albert Victor, can- not be expected to ripen their wood and perfect their buds before the winter sets in. Some years ago when I had a number of large trees in pots and tubs I used to make it a practice to place suitable kinds out-of-doors in a sunny, sheltered situation about the end of June, but fresh ar- r.mgements now enable me to gather quite as late from vigorous young extension trees trained under the roof of a house in which I winter standard Bays and Aloes. The latter are taken out for the summer before syringing, never a heavy item in cold houses, affects their growth. The dry fire- heat after they go back to their winter quarters seems to suit all round alike, and the constant watchfulness so essential to success in pot culture is avoided. Many people are impressed with the idea that the planted trees give the finest fruit, but I have not found it so, particularly during the time the planted trees are extending; indeed. Peaches, Nectarines, and Pears of the largest size may be grown upon pot trees when they are kept under glass, and constant feeding of the highest quality is judiciously given to them. Melons. — Plants in pits and frames swelling off fruit will now take an abundance of water at the roots. In cold wet seasons like the present it is not advisable to water overhead in these structures, where the plants are more subject to canker than when grown in houses, and spider does not make so much headway ; but advantage may be taken of a fine afternoon for flooding the bed with water at a temperature of 85° to 90° without wetting the foliage, and closing about half-past three, when the atmospheric moisture will produce conditions highly favourable to the rapid development of the fruit. Pay particular attention to the preservation of the old leaves, as they cannot be interfered with without producing a check, and give them full exposure to sun and light by cutting away all lateral growths and keeping the glass clean. Elevate the fruit on in- verted pots on a level with, but not above, the foliage, as some kinds are liable to become dis- coloured when they change for ripening if night airing is neglected. Attend well to the linings by turning and renovating with fresh manure before the heat in the bed shows signs of declining, cover with good dry mats, and give a chink of night air to prevent an accumulation of rank steam and condensation of moisture on the fruit. Refer to previous calendars for directions as to the management of Melons in house.s and heated pits. Get out young plants before they become pot- bound, and make a good sowing of some quick fruiting kind for coming in in October. Meantime prepare a light, well-ventilated, efliciently heated pit for the reception of the plants. It bottom heat pipes are provided, the fruiting pots should be plunged within their influence when extra warmth is required for setting and ripening the fruit, but until the nights become longer fermenting material will produceamoist heat, in which Melons will revel through the early stages of their growth. Cucumbers.— If a heated compartment, per- haps now filled with Melons, will be at libertj- in about three weeks, the present time will be favour- able for sowing a few seeds of Telegraph or some other favourite kind for autumn frmting. Be careful to thoroughly cleanse the house, as Melons invariably leave an unwelcome legacy behind them. Also prepare the necessary fermenting material for giving bottom heat. Have it well worked before it is taken in, and defer plunging the fruit- ing pots or making the ridges until all danger of burning the soil has passed away. Make frequent additions of light, rich turf to the roots of plants which have been in bearing for some time, feed copiously with clear liquid, and water occasionally with warm clarified lime water to keep the hills free from worms. In ordinary seasons fire heat is not required in July, but up to the present time cold nights and wet, sunless days have been so unfavourable, that gentle firing has been absolutely necessary to the maintenance of minimum tempe- ratures. Frames. — The plants in these now in full bearing will require unremitting attention if they are to be kept in good order for any length of time. Dress them over three times a week and earth up with lumps of rich turf and old lime rubble as the roots find their way to the surface. Attend to the linings, as want of bottom heat is often the forerunner of canker and mildew in frames where the plants have been started well and afterwards neglected. When the oldest plants show signs of exliaustion, take one or two lights in hand, cut out all the fruit and old leaves, peg the vines down on the hills, pack the joints with pieces of fresh turf, and keep the frame close, moist, and shaded until new growth sets in. KITCHEN GAKDEN. R. GILBERT, BUEGHLEX. Disease in the early section of Potatoes is spreading fast. Cutting ofE the tops underneath the surface is a better way of saving the tubers than lifting at this busy season ; therefore, lose no time in doing this, as delays are dangerous, and no Potatoes are more likely to be affected than Myatfs. Champions and other late sorts are as yet all right. We are now busy gathering fruit, and so far as bush fruits and Strawberries go the crops are very heavy. When the weather is damp we fill up every available inch with spring and autumn Broccoli, leaving the Kales till later on. Our first lot of Brussels Sprouts are 1 ft. high and growing strongly. Keep the ground free from weeds among all crops, hoeing or using the culti- vator as the case maj' be. Among Peas, Standard, Marie, and John Bull are now in full bearing ; the last is a trifle longer in the pod than the others, and the quality good If one has these three and Omega for use in August and September few others will be needed. If Endive is not yet sown it may be put in now ; nothing is gained by sow- ing very early, as the young plants generally run to seed. Shallots are ripening fast ; ours are planted in drills filled with burnt refuse, and in this no grubs or other vermin ever attack them, not even mildew, and the result is a clean, healthy crop. NOTES Of THE WEEK. APPOINTMENTS. July 18.— Leek Rose Show. 19.— Sutton CoUmclcl Annual Show. Darlington, Show of National Rose Society. 20.— Helensbiu'gh Rose Show. Aberdeen Summer Show. Arnebla echioides beuau flowering with me a second time this 3»(i80u about Julie 20, — A. C. B. American Apples.— The reports which we have received from Messrs. J. W. Draper & Son, Covent Garden, the principal London agents for the sale of these fruits, indicate that the crop is most prolific tliis season. From personal observation we gather that in England the crop is comparatively a failure; in France a poor half crop is calculated upon ; in Germany one- third crop only ; in Holland only half a crop and in Belgium not half a crop— thus the pros- pects were never more favourable for shipments from America to England than they are this year. The American Apple trade, formerly monopolised by Liverpool, has during the last few years (in consequence of direct steam com- munication) been gradually diverted to London, the markets of which now compete favourably with those of Liverpool. The fruit crops, we learn, have beengreatly damag.=d by the late excessively wet weather, particularly Strawberries and bush fruits. In the Kentish fruit gardens, which have to supply the enormous demands of preserve manufac- turers, the loss has been severe. Carnation and Picotee Society.— We hear from various sources that the forthcoming annual show of this society is likely to be very good this year, provided the present wet weather, which is liable to injure the buds, does not con- tinue. It takes place at South Kensington on the 25th inst. The w-ilb flowers at the last Royal Botanic Societ/s show were not one of its least attractive features. In a few of the collections there were large numbers of the rarer species, particularly of Orchids, such as Orchis ustulata and others. One collection could not have numbered less than a couple of hundred plants all collected within a radius of five miles. The best collection was from the weald of Sussex, a locality rich in wild flowers. The special exhibition of Begonias which Messrs. Laing & Co. have on view at their Stanstead Nurseries, Forest Hill, is this year very fine, there being several thousand plants in bloom, and to accommodate the largest speci- mens a capacious structure has been specially erected for them. The show will continue for several weeks to come, and, therefore, those who wish to see tuberous Begonias in every shape and form cannot do better than pay these nur- series a visit. Lachenalias and Daffodils. — The col- lections of these belonging to the late Mr. Nelson, of Aldborough, have passed into the hands of Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, who are prepared to distribute them. Tlie Lachenalias consist of the following species and varieties, viz. : Nelsoni, aurea, quadricolor, superba, tricolor, luteola, maculata, pendula kermesina, p. amrena, gigaulea, versicolor, fragrans, rosea, and tigrina. Of Daffodils, Mr. Nelson selected only the finest types, discarding all others. White Musk Mallow.— Why is it that nur- serymen charge such a high price for this free and hardy native plant '■! It grows like a weed with me. I have self-sown plants of it in any quantity, and as for seed, I shall be very glad to send a pinch to any of your readers who may desire it later in the season. Its delicate scent 56 THE GARDEN. [July 15, 1882. and pure white satiny flowers make it a most use- ful plant for cutting from. — A. Kingsmill, East- cott, Pinner. Royal Ageicultukal Society. — Though some thirty classes were set apart for fruits and vegetables at the society's show at Reading, the exhibits were not only very few, but poor, and in several of the classes there were no entries. It is to be regretted such was the case, as it is the first time the Royal Agricultural Society has thus offered prizes for market garden pro- duce. The coNSEavATORY at Kew is particularly attractive just now, being filled to overflowing with a great variety of plants in bloom, but the most noteworthy are the various twiners and climbers that adorn the roof ; we have never seen these so fine before, especiallv the Fuchsias, which seem to flourish uncommonly well, the house being very light and airy. F. virgata, a well-known species, with small scarlet flowers, is one of the prettiest plants imaginable when planted out in good free soil and allowed to ramble at will. Besides the common type of greenhouse climbers there are in flower such things as Berberidopsis corallina, Mandevilla suayeolens, BougainviUea glabra, various Tac- sonias, and Begonias. Mb. James Geoom. — We hear that Mr. J. Groom, of The Gardens, Linton Park, Maid- stone, intends going into business as a nursery- man at Gosport, where he has found a suit- able plaoa. He proposes, in addition to other branches, to take largely under his care hardy plants, of which he has had great experience at Henham, Linton, and elsewhere. One of our oldest and most esteemed contributors to The Gaeden, we know from personal experience that he is well fitted for this work, and trust that his nurseries may be a new home for many of the interesting subjects grouped under the general term hardy plants. We feel sure he will have the good wishesof many of our readers. The more active young nurseries carried on by men of intelligence we have the better for horticul- ture. Royal Hobticultueal Society.— In their circular to the Fellows, of the 27th March last, the council stated they were endeavouring to enter into negotiations with the commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 with the object of effecting an arrangement which would be in strict accordance with the trusts upon which the commissioners hold their property, mutually ad- vantageous to the commissioners and the Society and beneficial to the public. With this view the council proposed that a joint committee of the two corporations should be formed to consider their future relations. This proposal was ac- cepted by the commissioners, but the committee which had been appointed to give effect to it has not yet met, as it was found necessary, before such a meeting could be usefully held, to settle terms between the Society and the executive committee of the Great International Fisheries Exhibition, 1883, to whom the commissioners had granted the use of part of the South Ken- sington Gardens for the purposes of their exhi- bition, reserving for themselves that part known as the ante-garden, of which they intend to resume possession. The council report that the friendly spirit in which the executive committee met them has enabled them to make a satis- factory working agreement with the Fisheries, which, whether the ulterior negotiations with the commissioners are successful or not, secures to the Society, subject to the user required by the Fisheries, the ornamental part of the Gardens which lies to the north of the circular basins until the end of 1883. The council are not in a position to anticipate the result of these negotiations, but they believe the commissioners wish to act liberally towards the Society, and they have no reason to anticipate that its con- nection with South Kensington will cease after 1883. Exhibiting habdy flowebs.— It is satisfac- tory to see that at last hardy plants are beginning to be shown in public in a creditable manner. The extensive display that Mr. Ware made last Tuesday at South Kensington was admitted by everyone to be an extremely attractive and in- teresting one. His exhibition certainly was a very fine one, and contained but few if any weedy plants, which, as a rule, detract so much from the appearance of hardy flowers. Another noteworthy point was the admirable way in which all the exhibits were arranged by Mr. Perry ; they were not formal and dressy, but each subject, as it were, told its own tale, and possessed a certain amount of individuality. The colours, too, were harmoniously blended, a point often overlooked in arranging plants at exhibitions. The London paeks are now beginning to put OH a presentable appearance ; the work of bedding out is really finished at last. It was somewhat amusing to see men busily engaged at work in the first week in July planting out tender plants which cannot possibly attain full growth until the autumn, when the labour of storing for the winter will have to be gone through. When will those in charge of our great public parks become fully alive to the wealth of gay flowers that exist among hardy plants, which render many gardens bright, attractive, and enjoyable from the early days in winter until the dull days of November ? That a favour- able comparison may he drawn between tender and hardy plants as regards showiness may be proved by all who care to visit the great hardy flower nurseries about London. Strawbeeeies and theie flavoue. — Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley, has been endeavouring to prove to us that other Strawberries besides the British Queen are worth eating. He has not quite^'succeeded, though his President is very good and his Frogmore Late Pine makes one difficult to please afterwards with the flavour of a Strawberry. When the p.assion for bigness and redness is fully satisfied we shall doubtless have a healthy revolution in favour of what is the only really important thing in either a Strawberry or in anything else we eat, and that is its flavour. Not only is the flavour of many Strawberries bad, hut they are positively the most unwholesome things that one can eat ; they are so full of an acid of the wrong kind. Whether we can ever modify this by raising seedlings is not so clear, hut it is worth trying for, and we believe it may be done. The per- fect British Queen has certainly effects different from some very popular, but very sour Straw- berries, and the sooner they disappear from cul- tivation the better. Still, we shall, we fear, be a long time under the reign of those who grow fruit and vegetables for other reasons than their quality. Mr. Gilbert's favourite Strawberries, which are admirably grown, are Sir C. Napier, Frogmore Late Pine, President, and Foreman's Excelsior. We hear that Mr. John Woodbridge has been appointed steward to the Duke of Northumber- land, at Syon House. Veitch v. THE Grand Junction Canal. — This was a motion to restrain the canal company from allowing water to percolate through the bed of a new branch canal so as to injure the seed beds at Messrs. Veitch's seed grounds at Langley. The Canal Company gave an undertaking not to put any water into the section of the canal which passes through Messrs. Veitch's grounds, except for experimental purpose, until the canal is pro- perly puddled. SOCIETIES. ALEXANDRA PALACE ROSE SHOW. July 8. The unpropitious state of the weather of last week no doubt militated in a great degree against the success of the Alexandra Palace Rose show, usually one of the best about London. On this occasion the competitive classes were scantily represented, though this falling off was amply compensated for by the tine collections of blooms from the Waltham Cross and Clieshunt Nurseries, from both of which came thousands of Roses, ar- ranged by Mr, Johnson, not in straight lines, but in bold masses on sloping platforms ; some of the blooms were in round baskets, but the greater number were in small jars. The general appear- ance of the show so arranged in one of the large halls was pretty and different from the majority of Rose shows, there being noble Tree Ferns, Palms, and other iine-leaved plants so interspersed throughout the hall as to take off the monotonous flat aspect which Rose shows generally possess. As to the blooms, some were remarkably tine, and some wretchedly bad, the latter beingshown by amateurs, who in'many cases appeared to have had a great deal of difficulty in scraping together what few they showed. Nurserymen's classes. — The finest blooms exhibited in the show were those from Mr. B. R. Cant, of Colchester, whose collection of six dozen single trusses was superb in every re- spect. Amongst them was a grand bloom of Sou- venir d'Elise, which, though not so fine as that which took the silver medal at the National So- ciety's show, was a splendid flower, large and ex- quisite in form. Other excellent blooms were Mrs. Baker, Caroline Kuster, J. S. Mill, the old Gene- ral Jacqueminot, Madame Gabriel Luizet, and Duke of Connaught, which latter was shown as fine as we have seen it this season. Of varieties not often met with, Mr. Cant had Madame Crape- let, lord Herbert, Madame Alphonse LavallSe, Nardy Fr^res, Souvenir de Mons. Boll, Emilie Hausberg, Comte de Paris, Madame Marie Coin- tet, and Ville de Lyon, all of which struck us as being uncommonly fine sorts, which ought to be seen more of. As a representative collection this was a very fine one, containing as it did but a small proportion of flowers below average quality. The other two collections were from the Hereford and Cheshunt Nurseries, both of which contained superb blooms. From these two nurseries came the only two collections of four dozen treble trusses. The best, from Messrs. Cranston, was a good one, containing very fine blooms of their new variety Mrs. Jowitt, which has, no doubt, a bright future before it, as an exhibition Rose, being good in colour (a bright, glowing crimson) and fine in form. In this collection Reynolds Hole was in perfection, and showed what a splendid dark Rose it was. Other noteworthy blooms were those of Abel Carriere, Marie Van Houtte, A. K. Wil- liams, Mad. Charles Wood, Constantin Fretiakoff, Horace Vernet, all of which were shown in their finest character. In Messrs. Paul's collection was a grand truss of Duchesse de Morny, one of the most beautiful of all the light Roses, and very distinct in colour. Comte Raimbaud, Niphetos, Henri Ledechaux (a good Rose), Countess of Rose- bery, Duke of Teck, E. Y. Teas, and Marie Bau- mann were also among the finest varieties re- presented in the collection. Of two dozen treble trusses of Hybrid Perpetuals, Mr. B. Cant again took the lead of the three lots shown ; in his collection we noted Mad. George Paul (a beautiful variety), Pitord, Ville de Lyon, Roses not often shown, as well as splendid examples of the well- known kinds. Excellent collections came from Messrs. Cranston and Mr. Turner, and among the flowers from the latter we saw the new Mrs. Harry Turner in perfection. Twenty-four single July 15, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 57 trusses wereshownby seven exhibitors, Mr. F, Cant being the first with a fine display, and we never remember seeing a better flower of the dark maroon-crimson Xavier Olibo. When shown so finely it is a very telling Kose. Other good blooms were Avocat Duvivier, the Dukes of Teck and Wellington, JIad. J. Schwartz (a good variety). Sir G. Wolseley, and Captain Christy. Good col- lections were shown for the next two prizes ; in- deed, the class throughout was well represented. Tea and Noisette varieties were shown well by three exhibitors. The best dozen from Mr. Cant included fine blooms of Mad. Bravy, Innocente Pirola, Mad. Lambard, Rubens, Marie Van Houtte, Catherine Mermet, Niphetos, and Caro- line Kuster, all among the cream of the varieties. .In the other collections were > A »r Double Buttercups. valuable plant, particularly useful in a cut state. It Ls one of the kinds shown in the annexed engra v- ing. Of double Crowfoots there are three others, the types of which are R. bulbosus, acris, and repens. All these are very pretty, having bright yellow, compact, rosette-like flowers, as perfect in form as that of some of the finest sorts of the Asiatic or Persian Ranunculus of the florists. Both the double R. acris and repens are profuse flowerers, but R. bulbosus is not so ; it, however, bears much larger flowers than either of the others, and on this account is named R. speciosus. These four plants are indispensable, yielding, as they do, flowers in such abundance and in such long succession. In order to enable them to sliould have precisely the same estimate of this flower. The Ranunculus has for me a strange fascination ; it takes me back to the days of boyhood, of freedom from thought and care. A young man whose father had just purchased a country residence near me, and who was fond of flowers, exhibited three or four dozen Ranuncu- luses to tbeMassachusetts Horticultural Society in 18.31. Oh, how lovely ! Whoever saw the like ? And yet they were only the common mixtures sold among Dutch bulbs at auctions. I went to see his ted. What a grand sight ! More than fifty years Lave come and gone, and yet that display seems just as vivid as at that time. I had never cultivated the Ranunculus. I had beds of Tulips, Hyacinths, &c., and resolved to try some of the dry-louking roots bought at auctions. They grew and flowered, and this only increased my delermination to have some of the superb varieties figured by Sweet. But how to get them. Luckily, Mr. Tyso had a relative living near Boston, and seeing that he had done so much for this flower, at my request he sent an order for 100 named kinds at £-3 — a large price, but I would have them. They came in due time, and after reading every treatise that 1 could procure upon their culture, I went to work in earnest. The bed was prepared upon scientific principles, and a frame placed over it to keep out the frost, whicli would otherwise penetrate too deep. We might not be able to plant till May, and then our hot, dry weather would overtake and ruin them. They were duly planted, and the result was the most en- chanting display of flowers I have ever seen from that day to this. To some of my friends I showed the bed with more pride than if it had been the Koh-i-noor diamond, and their apprecia- tion of it endeared them to me, and rekindled my enthusiasm for all flowers. But the labour of keeping up 100 distinct kinds was too great ; after one more year's trial they were mixed to- gether. Additions were made of the common kinds, and for three or four years their culture continued ; but increasing sources of care were too much to allow me to grow them well, and they were given up, never since renewed to this day. The palmy days of florists' flowers have gone by, but 1 do hope somebody will con- tinue the cultivation of a flower never surpassed in the superior colour and make-up of .a perfect blossom. I only wish I had time to grow them a 'ain. 0. M. Hovey. THE EOCK GARDEN AT HOOLE HOUSE, NEAR CHESTER, Is of large dimensions, and many plants in it ex- hibit great luxuriance. Arenaria balearica ram- bles carelessly over every ledge of rock, climbing its sides and tightly fastening itself in its on- ward course till it covers a considerable area with a dense carpet of miniature leaves, from which arise numerous starry white flowers. Erinus al- pinus and its variety albus grow here in abund- ance ; the seeds of these, together with E. hispanicus, are allowed annually to fall where they like, except perhaps when it may be deemed expedient to collect a small portion to scatter broadcast on another part of the rock where this species is less plentiful. The al- pine Snapdragon (Linaria alpina) has the same privilege allowed it ; this is one of the most charming of alpine annuals. It is of dense procum- bent habit, and has glaucous leaves and flowers of a bluish-violet tint, with rich orange palate. The great variety of alpine and other plants to be found in this garden have made a fine display during the past two months, and week by week some fresh charm presents itself. Primulas, con- sisting of such kinds as rosea, oashmeriana, denti- culata, acaulis and its varieties, Sieboldi and its varieties, and many others, have played their part well. Phloxes of the alpine section have also been remarkably fine in masses and on raised mounds of rock. P. frondosa, setaoea, and setacea atro- purpurea, together with some of the newer kinds, such as Vivid, compacta, The Bride, Model, and others, have all flowered well. P. reptans has also flowered freely, as has also P. Nelsoni. Iberis gibraltarica was finely in flower in a sunny fissure of the rock, its massive heads of bloom pro- ducing a striking effect. A rich collection of Saxi- frages isalsocultivated here. S.Tiurserianamaywell be styled the queen of spriuLT flowering Saxifrages. CaUha parnassifolia and C. palustris minor fl.-pl. were each gay with golden blossom. Androsace sar- mentosa was just beginning to flower, as was also, in a damp nook, Ourisia coccinea, a plant not al- ways to be found in good condition, .\nthyllis montana, some 2 ft. or more across, and bearing 68 THE GAEDEN. [July 22, 1882. about 200 flower-spikes, was a sight worth seeing. Tliis is raised some 2 ft. above the ordinary level, and is allowed to ramble at will. Planted en masse on the higher portions of the rock are Aubrietias, Myosotis, and Alyssum. Some large circular beds on the lawn are filled with hardy perennials, amongst which were Lilium auratum growing very strongly. In short, in very few gardens have I seen a better collection of hardy plants than is to be found here. E. Jenkins. JUDGING HARDY PLANTS AT SHOWS. In the ordinary course of judging it is customary, after passing to and fro before the exhibits, to fall back a pace or two, and, after deliberation, award the first prize to the showiest group ; this may be right in a certain sense, but if set down as the rule, our collections of hardy plants at exhibi- tions will soon consist of little else than that of which every cottage garden has its complement. Where, however, as is the case at Manchester, com- petitive groups of hardy subjects include both alpine and herbaceous plants, mere display should have but small weight with the judges compared with the rarity and value of many an alpine gem. Several of the specimens which Mr. Brockbank showed are undoubtedly rare, especially Phyteuma comosum, which is to befound only in the choicest collections, and one of those plants seldom seen at exhibitions ; unless, however, judges are well acquainted with the objects placed before them, such plants as this, Ramondia pyrenaica, Saxif raga lantoscana, and Onosma tauricum areapt to receive simply a passing glance. To obviate disappointment in future, a revision of the schedule in this particular class of plants is ab- solutely necessary. There should be two classes instead of one, as heretofore, say, for instance, thirty-six or even fifty hardy perennials in flower to be arranged for effect, and a like number of alpines in or out of flower, .special attention being paid to the rarity of the individual species ; it may also be expedient to confine the alpines to pots or pans not exceeding 8 in. in diameter, thus avoid- in" a huge pan of this against a small, but still rarer plant of that. Hardy perennials grown for exhibition purposes should be potted early in autumn, so as to give them an opportunity of making new roots before winter sets in. When plunged to the rim, they are prepared to withstand severe frosts with impunity. If a little backward in coming into flower, they may be introduced into slight warmth ; and being well established in their pots, no injury is sustained. All plants, how- ever, which may be introduced into heated struc- tures should be placed out-of-doors in full sun upon all favourable occasions, in order to infuse into the flowers their normal colour. E. Jenkins. INDOOR GARDEN. RIVINA LiEVIS. The brilliant little scarlet berries of this plant render it when well grown one of the prettiest of ornaments for the hothouse, conservatory, or even for a warm room. It is quite easily managed, stray seeds of it even growing where they fall, and making handsome specimens. For indoor decora- tion few subjects are more interesting, and a few plants may be so managed as to have them in fruit in succession all the year round. Any kind of soil will answer for this Rivina. Cuttings of it strike freely, but it is easiest obtained from seeds. Either one planter three may occupy a 6-in. pot, and that is the best size for table decoration. Usually it is best to raise a few plants every year Francoa ramosa. — In " Brockhurst's " in- teresting notes on herbaceous plants his mention of this plant puzzles me, for he speaksof it as pink, and as if in flower now. The plant which I have known by that name has white flowers and does not flower until much later. I have grown it most in the greenhouse, as its Ions white sprays of bloom are very useful for cutting for vases. Have I wrongly named the plant 1 or how is the difficulty to be solved 1 — Delta. Weeds on ■walks. — Some dislike using salt to destroy weeds on walks ; they think it acts as a manure, and that it increases rather than diminishes the weeds, but I do not find it to do so, I have employed salt for years on long lengths of walks and have found it to not only effectually kill the weeds, but to give the gravel a bright, clean face unobtainable in any other way. The great secret lies in putting it on in fine weather. When the barometer indicates a period of dry weather, that is the time to salt : there is then a prospect of its lying on the surface and dissolving gradually, and that is when it will do the most good. Thus applied, the result will be safe and sure, and the expense small compared with that of hand weeding. — J. C. C. Rivina Iwvis. and discard the old stock, but some may be re- tained for growing into large specimens. These should be cut back before they are started into growth. The berries yield a fine, but fugitive red colour. Miller says that he made experiments with the juice for colouring flowers, and succeeded ex- tremely well, thus making the Tuberose and the double white Narcissus variegated in one night. Of tliis species there is a variety with yellow berries which are not quite so handsome as the red, though very attractive. R. humilis differs from Isevis in having hairy leaves, those of las^ds being quite smooth. It also differs in the duller red colour of tlie berries, Ifevis being much the prettier. Both are natives of the West Indies. R. I. L. TUBEROUS-ROOTED TROPJSOLUMS. Of Tropasolums some are annuals, including the well known T. aduncum, or the Canary flower ; others are of dwarf habit, and nearly all of them form very ornamental and free flowering decora- tive plants for open air culture in this country during the summer months. T. Lobbianum is a fine winter flowering plant. Among the tuberous- rooted perennial species one or two are quite hardy, and succeed well in the open air, such as T. tuberosum, a kind which forms an exceedingly ornamental object when trained on a wire trellis or arches of any kind in the flower garden or elsewhere. Being of a free habit of growth as well as a profuse bloomer, it continues in such situations in the greatest beauty throughout the entire season, at the end of which the tubers may either be taken up and stored away in sand or dry soil, or they may be allowed to remain where they grow during the winter, and separated the follow- ing spring. Most of the other tuberous species, however, are best suited to the front part of a greenhouse or some similar situation under glass. When well grown they produce a remarkably pretty effect in spring, trained to wire trellises of any desired form, or over the top of a young Larch tree, a grotesque branch of a Thorn or other plant, which should of course be securely fixed to the pot containing the tuber, or, if desired, the shoots may be trained to wires or strings, stretching along the front of the house, extending under the rafters or otherwise. In whatever form they are trained, few plants are capable of producing a better effect during the early months of spring than the tuberous Tropaeolums. Among the best varieties for greenhouse culture are T. speciosum, T. tricolorum grandiflorum, T. Jarratti, and T. azureum. The flowers of the latter are of a light blue colour, and produced in profusion, and when well grown it is altogether a charming plant. About the middle of October is possibly the best time to start the bulbs or tubers, unless they start into growth of their own accord before that time, which they sometimes do, when they should be at once potted. The tubers may be started in small pits, from which, as soon as the plants have made some progress, they should be carefully transferred to their flowering pots, which need not exceed 8 in. in diameter. Most growers prefer to place the tuber in its flowering pot at once, which is possibly the best plan, and if this is done it is necessary that the pots used should be perfectly clean, inside as well as outside, as well as care- fully drained, wliich is, perhaps, best accomplished by inverting a small, or 2.i-in. pot over the hole, filling all round it with clean pieces of potsherd, or charcoal to the height of the small pot ; over all place a thin layer of Sphagnum Moss, which will effectually prevent the soil from mixing with the drainage. In order to grow these plants to the greatest possible perfection a somewhat rich compost is necessary, which may be formed of nearly equal parts of well decomposed hot-bed or stable-yard manure and rich turfy loam, with possibly a portion of silver sand added if the loam is in- clined to be heavy, and in addition to this a handful of i-in. bones may with advantage be scattered over the Moss which covers the drainage. Where this or a similar practice is pursued, it is found that when the roots of the plants lay hold of the same a freedom of growth as well as a pro- fusion of bloom is generally the result. When the tubers are planted at once in their flowering pots they should be placed in the centre of the pots ; they should not be planted deeply, but should be merely covered with the soil, which should be pressed somewhat firmly around them, and to settle all down properly a slight watering with a fine rosed watering-pot may be given. No more water will then be required for some considerable time, as the plants will not for some time root into the soil — at least not until considerable progress has been made in the development of the young shoots. In order to prevent the soil becoming too dry, the surface of the pots should be covered with Moss or some other mulching material, which will tend to check evaporation, and the pots should for a time be placed in a pit or frame. When the plants have made some growth, they may be placed where they are intended to flower, and a commencement may be made in training or regulating the shoots in order to induce them to cover the wires or trellises intended for them. Water should at first be given sparingly, or until the pots are well filled with roots, when an abundant supply will be required, and if the pots are small compared with the dimensions of the plants, weak manure water may with advantage be given to them occasionally. But if soil and pots of the size re- commended are used, this will seldom be necessary. As the flowering season draws towards a close, the supply of water should be gradually dimin- ished, and ultimately the tubers should be shaken from the soil, and may be stored in sand or dry earth until the time "for planting again arrives. Under favourable conditions the tubers of most sorts mil be found to have more or less increased, and the largest of them should be selected for flowering the following season ; while the smaller ones may be planted in pots or seed-pans, and will, under proper treatment, generally be found large enough for this purpose the second season. P. Grieve. July 'il 1882.] THE GARDEN. 69 CULTURE OF ALLAJIANDAS. The bright weather which we experienced in the spring favoured Allamandas, as we were able to give them abundance of air, which induced the formation of short, stout growth, in every waj' likely to produce plenty of flowers. Although they will withstand a large amount of sunshine, they are much benefited when in flower by slight shad- ing during the hottest part of the day. Allaman- das are, as is well known, useful both in pots and as roof climbers in conservatories during the latter part of the summer. Thus used, if well grown, they produce a fine effect. For this purpose they should be treated liberally, and if healthy and vigorous will keep in flower at least eight months out of the twelve ; they are easy to grow and do not require so long a season of rest as many people suppose ; eight or nine weeks' rest will be quite sufficient. They will succeed without bottom-heat, but are much benefited by it when making their growth. I like large pots better than planting out, as in that case water can be given and withheld at any time, and the soil can be partially removed and renewed when required. In propagating use cuttings made of the young shoots taken off close to the wood of the previous year. They should be inserted in small pots singly, and placed in the propagating house or pit, and shaded from bright sunshine. In their early stage Allamandas are not particular as to soil. We employ light turfy loam, with a small portion of sand in the centre of the pot for the base of the cuttings to rest on, and then place them in a bottom-heat from 80° to 85° with bell-glasses over them. I should add that A. grandiflora does best grafted on some of the stronger species, such as A. Schotti or A. Wardiana. In grafting it is important that the wood be ripe enough both as regards stock and scion. Allamandas may also be inarched similar to Vines. Let us suppose that the stock, in the case of plants to be grafted, is in a 4-in. or 5-in. pot ; it should be shortened back to within 3 in. or 4 in. of the soil. The scion should contain three or four buds, and after carefully fitting the two together, as in Rose or fruit tree grafting, they must be made secure with matting where the union is to take place, and be then well rubbed over with grafting wax. This done, they must be placed in a propagating pit, where they can be carefully attended to until growth has commenced and the union has become completed. When root action is getting vigorous, they should be shifted into large pots. A. grandiflora grows much weaker than any of the others, but its flowers are produced very freely. A. nobilis and A. Schotti are both worth growing where a collec- tion is the object, but A. grandiflora and A. Wardiana are the two best. The latter will pro- duce double the amount of flowers that Schotti will, and the flowers are equally large, and even larger in size, equally good in substance, and with more prominent markings in the throat or tube. The treatment that applies to the one will also suit the other, but grandiflora requires more care- ful cultivation. A. Wardiana should be propagated early, and the young plants must be grown on rapidly, but not so rapidly as to cause weak growth. To guard against this the wood must have light, sunshine, and air to ripen it. Another important point is firm potting; the plants will then rest, and when cut back and again started in January or February, will grow freely, while, on the other hand, if not potted firmly and the wood is not ripe, the shoots often die back when pruned. On plants in 16-in. pots, and treated as has just been recommended, we have had thou- sands of fully expanded blossoms and buds. Young plants when well rooted in 3-in. pots should be transferred to 7-in. ones, using this time loam, sand, and a sixth part of sheep manure which will assist them to start freely into growth. After this the compost which we fiind most suit- able is rich fibiy loam and one-third sheep manure. In this the young plants grow rapidly, and should be moved into 12-in. pots the first season. The leading shoots when about 1 ft. in length should have their points ni^jped out, and two shoots should be allowed to grow instead of one. No better place to train them can be found than under the roof of a stove in an upright posi- tion. By the end of the season the two shoots will be well ripened and should receive a good rest. Our mode of resting is to withhold water when the wood is ripe until the foliage flags, and very little is given afterwards— only just sufficient to keep the wood plump. The pruning before starting into growth must be in accordance with the condition of the wood and the distance the shoots can be laid to the right and left of the pot ; if thoroughly matured, a yard on each side may be left. The ball of earth, if very- dry, should be partly shaken out and steeped in tepid water. After being thoroughly soaked and the water well drained from the soil, the plant can be placed in a pot the same size or a little larger than that it was in, using the compost recommended, which must be rammed firmly into the pots. As soon as pruned back the plants may be potted, but I prefer leaving them for a time for rest after the final pruning, but the plants should not be allowed to break into growth before they are potted. Very little water is needed at the loots until root action and leaf growth have well commenced. If at the pruning time the wood was well ripened, blooms will be produced when the young shoots are about 18 in. in length. The second season a good quantity of blooms will be secured, and the plants will continue branching and flowering until late in the season, when they should be allowed to rest. With two batches of plants, one started early and the other later, Allamanda blooms may be had all the year round. If it is desired to extend the plants, two shoots, one on each side, should again be left at pruning time a yard or more long, and trained horizontally as before ; the other shoots should be pruned back to one or two eyes like Vines on the spur system. Plants thus managed may be ex. tended until they fill the whole side of a house. Syringing will be necessary if the small yellow thrips makes its appearance on the points of the shoots, for, if allowed to remain, it soon does much damage ; nothing is better than syringing to keep down this insect. It dislikes water. How- ever,with plenty of moisture in the atmosphere and the plants growing rapidly, little fear need be en- tertained of its attack. Under our mode of treat- ment the syringe is seldom used— never after the first flowers make their appearance. Allamandas while growing rapidly require liberal applications of water three or four times daily, and are much benefited by applications of liquid manure when the pots are full of roots. It is wonderful what a large amount of growth these plants can sup- port with but limited root room, provided they are liberally supplied with water, and their wants in other respects are attended to. D. D. Kash Court, Farersham, Kent. CULTURE OF SHRUBBY CLERODENDRONS. Few warm house plants are more effective than these when well grown. C. fallax and C. Kaimp- feri, two exceedingly showy species, bear panicles of bright red flowers, set off to advantage by broad, handsome green foliage, so characteristic of well-developed specimens. These shrubby Clero- dendrons are usually increased by means of cut- tings, free young growing shoots striking readily when inserted in silver sand, and placed under a handlight in a temperature of 70° ; when rooted pot them oflE in sandy peat. The first year they will not be very strong, but if well matured when growth is finished, they will be in good order for growing into flowering plants the following year, and will make effective specimens, carrying gene- rally larger flower-heads than older plants. Seed may also be sown early in the year, growing the young plants along freely, and getting them into •>h-in. pots by the middle of July, so that they have time to become well established before winter. Shrubby Clerodendrons are generally wintered in a stove temperature, but they do not require so high an average warmth at that season as such things as Marantas, Crotons, &c., being benefited by bringing them into a more complete state of rest than is generally practised in the case of such heat-loving subjects. If, when growth is completed late in the summer, they are gradually inured to a free circulation of air, they will acquire sufficient hardiness of constitution to winter safely in an average temperature of 50°. When thus wintered they will need but little water— only just enough to keep the roots from perishing and the wood from shrivelling. By the beginning of March they should be shifted into larger pots, but the first shift should not be a large one, giving only just enough fresh soil to encourage the pro- duction of new feeders and stimulate growth. Two-thirds loam, if fibrous, and one-third leaf- mould with plenty of silver sand w;ll suit them at this early stage of growth, adding, however, a little fibrous peat should the loam be deficient in this respect. When once in full growth they will make rapid progress, and will be fit for 8-in. pots, giving good drainage, and employing this time some thoroughly rotted manure, or a little of some artificial fertiliser. Be careful not to sour the soil by over-watering, and the foliage will develop with great luxuriance. Old specimens. — These, having been win- tered as ailvised for young plants, should be pruned about the beginning of February, and when they start into growth they should have as much of the old soil shaken from them as can be done without injuring the roots, first allowing the soil to become nearly dry. Replace them in the same sized pot, or in a size smaller, .shifting on as required. Although kinds such as C. fallax may be flowered well year after year, they do not pro- duce such large panicles of bloom, nor does the foliage attain such handsome proportions as that of younger plants. During the spring months the day" warmth should never range lower than 65°, rising on fine days some 10° or 15°. Although these shrubby kinds, like the rest of the genus, delight in heat and moisture whilst making their growth, they need more light and air than most stove plants do, and it often happens that, through lacking these essentials, they fail to attain the size and substance of foliage indispensable to the formation of fully developed flower-heads. Where a graduated stage occupies the centre of the house, a suitable place for Clerodendrons will be found on the topmost portion of it, where they will be fully exposed to the light, and get the amount of air necessary to render them sturdy and vigorous. Where no such position is available, they should be placed on inverted pots, so as to raise them a little above their neighbours. A little shade, just to break off the fiercest rays of the sun, will be necessary ; but I have never seen them in perfect condition where the house was perpetually shaded during summer, except, perhaps, in large, roomy structures, where a greater volume of light neces- sarily exists than can be the case in small or moderate-sized houses. It follows, therefore, that the smaller the structure, the nearer to the glass should the plants be placed. Insect paste.— These consist mainly of green fly, mealy bug, and red spider. Of these, fumigat- ing will destroy the first, and so will Tobacco- dust promptly applied. Mealy bug may be kept down in the usual manner, taking care that it does not get established upon the flower-heads as they form ; whilst red spider is easily kept under by syringing the under-surface of the leaves in fine weather. If, however, the atmospheric mois- ture is well kept up, this pest will not be trouble- some John Coknhill. "WTiite-flowered Lobelias. — I saw at the Huntingdon Nurseries the other day quite an interesting collection of white Lobelias. Messrs. Wood & Ingram have been successful in raising a very good variety, for which they recently ob- tained a certificate at South Kensington. Before exhibiting their seedling they procured all the white Lobelias they could get in the trade for the purpose of comparison, and Lobelia pumila In- grami, the kind in question, is certainly the best, and quite distinct. It will, I think, prove a de- THE GAEDEN. rJuLT 22, 1882. sirable plant for bedding purposes. It appears to be a cross between the puniila and speciosa sec- tions, with a very decided leaning towards pu- mila. It has an erect, rather dense liabit, and carries a profusion of pure white (lowers without any trace of blue in theui, which forms the weak point in so manj- of our white Lobelias. — E. Hop- DAY. Tuberous Begonias as basket plants. — There are numerous collections of these in this locality both for indoor decoration and for bed- ding purposes, one of the finest being that at Annerville, near this town. Here a large conserva- tory is almost wholly devoted to them, and won- drously varied they are. There are single, semi- doubles, and doubles, erect and drooping, flowers v.'ith petals almost transparent, and petals as tliick and fleshy as a healthy Camellia, with colours v.irying from scarlet, orange-scarlet, pink, and rosy pink, salmon, andyellow, with the numberless shades of these colours, to pure white. If ISegonias continue to grow varied in this v,'ay from year to year — and so far I have not referred to the ever- varying foliage— and to improve at the rate they have progressed for the last few years, hou.ses anil gi'ouuds in the future may be made very showy with tuberous Begonias alone. At present, how- ever, I meant principally to direct attention to certain varieties for basket and suspension pur- poses, I noticed baskets filled with Calypso (Le- moine), a dwarf drooping rosy pink variety, a per- fect mass of bloom, and that, I was assured, had been blooming two months, and will for several yet to come. The plants were started in the wire baskets, in soil and green Moss, and grown on. — W. J. M., Clonmcl. Thunbergias.— These beautiful tender an- nuals are by no means so extensively cultivated as tlieir merits for decorative purposes would lead one to expect ; for, in addition to their graceful drooping habit, they produce abundance of bright flowers of quite distinct shades of colour, and when freely used in drawing-room stands, or drooping over the edges of st.ages or wherever plants are arranged for effect, they give to the whole a finished aspect such as plants of a stiff or erect habitof growth are unable to impart, however well put together. We usually make several sow- ings during March, April, and May, so as to always have plants coming on in succession, for, like most other annuals that are easily raised after the first flush of flower is over, it is better to grow on young plants than to try any remedial mea- sures in the case of old ones. Sow the seed in pots or pans of light soil, and pot off singly as soon as the young plants are large enough to han- dle ; pinch out the points, and shift into 3-in. pots ; grow them on stages or kerbs where the shoots can fall down in a graceful manner, and they will soon be covered with beautiful blossoms. A moist warm atmosphere is the main thing to ensure success. They grow- freely in any mixture of light rich soil. We sometimes peg the first shoots down on the surface of the pot, an opera- tion which induces more lateral shoots to push out. Thunbergia alata, yellow, with nearly black centre, is an excellent kind, also T. alba, white, with dark eye, and T. aurantiaca, orange, with dark eye. Packets of seeds consisting of mixed varieties may be bought cheaply, and in addition to their value as pot plants they have a very lovely effect in hanging baskets in conservatories — J. G. Brugmansia suaveolens.— I saw at the Bagsliot Sliow tlie utlier day iu a group arranged for effect a tine specimen of this Brugmansia, a most useful phant for indoor decoration. Its scent is very powerful, and .altogether it is a plant that deserves to he much more extensively grown f.ian it is.— J. CuooK, Fa,-nhoroii,jh Grange. Seedling Carnation.— ^Vlnt is your opinion respect- ing the Carnation flowers which I send ? They are from a seeJling tree or perpetual Carnation, which I have grown for four or Ave years. It is a very free hlouraer ; I had this spring as many as tliirty flowers open at one time on plants in 6-in. or 7-in. pots.-GEORGB Kemp, Edgeley Home, Stockport. [A very handsome smootli rose-coloured flower, wliich, if vigorous and free blooming, as you say should be valuable.] Scutellaria Mocciniana.— This beautiful flower, that may be liad at almost any time of the year, is especially welcome about midsummer, when the blaze of early flowers is over for a time. Its colour is a peculiarly rich orange, and the blooms are arranged something like those of the Bottle Brush. I find it most serviceable in a small state in from 3-in. to 6-in. pots ; it keeps sending up fresh suckers or ground stems that soon flower, and a plant in a 4-in. pot, with half a dozen good flower-heads on it, looks extremely well in any drawing-room stand or vase. It strikes readily from cuttings, and grows well in a mixture of peat, loam, leaf-soil, and sand ; plenty of moisture is essential to its well-being in hot weather, or it will f.all a prey to red spider. It grows freely in an ordinary stove temperature, but will keep in good condition for a longtime in the conservatory or intermediate house. — .J. Groom. Pelargoniums in the midland coun- ties.—Some of the finest specimen Pelargoniums I have ever seen were exhibited at Leeds a few- days ago. The largest of them were in lO-in. pots ; many of the plants measured 5 ft. and G ft. through, and were finely furnished. Not a stalk and scarcely a leaf could be seen, so w-ell bloomed were they. They were certainly far in advance of anything the Pelargonium Society brought out at South Kensington. At Leetls, prizes of J12, £6, and £r, were offered for twelve plants, while at South Kensington the society in question only gave £h, £i, and £\ 10s. for eighteen plants. At Leeds, Messrs. Lazenby & Sons, York, stood high among the prize-takers. Tiieir best plants con- sisted chiefly iif the following : Digby Grand, Sul- tana, Mary Hoyle, Salmonda, Duchesse de Morny, Madame llallin. Duchess of Edinburgh, Aughton Favourite, Queen Bess ; and in another section Amarantha, Lord Derby, Mrs. AV'm. Paul, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Lowe, and Francois de Boil. — CAMBKfAN. Cordyline indivisa.— Whatis the best way of growing and propagating this plant ? I have a large specimen of it in a 12-in. pot, and it is sending up young plants to such an extent as to weaken the main stem. These young plants I have on several occasions taken carefully off with a little piece of peel attached to them and tried to root them, but I have never sitcceeded, although I have tried them in both stove and greenhouse tinder a bell glass. — P. G. E. The species here alluded to is probably C. australis, which in gardens is generally met with under the name of C. indivisa, but the true C. indivi.sa is much less vigorous and far more difficult to cultivate successfully. The soil best suited for C. australis in a young state is loam, with a little leaf mould and sand added, and when large good turfy loam alone, unless it be some- what adhesive, in wliich case some sand must be added. A large specimen may be grown in a comparatively small pot, and 'as "P. G. K.'s" plant is already in a 12-in. one, it probably does not want a larger one. The best way will be to turn it out of the pot and examine the roots ; if in good condition it may be slipped into a size larger, but if not remove as much of the old soil as possible and repot. The suckers of young plants will undoubtedly weaken the main stem, and should be removed. I cannot understand why they do not root. Jly practice is to put them in small pots of sandy soil, and place them in a close case, the temperature of which is slightly above that in which they have been grown. I keep them moderately moist, but on no account do I overwater tliem, and air is given every morn- ing. In this way scarcely any fail to root, and I can only attribute "P. G. K.'s" want of success to tlieir being either overwatered, or kept too close, or the tw-o combined. A good way will be to remove the soil around the young slioots for a little distance below the surface; if no roots are to be seen, make an incision on each side of the stem, and replace the soil, putting some sand around the cut portion. The check thus sustained will soon induce the formation of roots, when the young plants may be cut off with safety and potted in small pots. C. australis only requires a greenhouse tempera- ture and may be placed out of doors in summer, but it soon goes yellow if allowed to become dry, while on the other hand it must not be over watered. Of course when the pot is crammed full of roots there is not much likelihood of the latter taking place, and when in that condition a little stimulating manure applied now and then will keep it in health. — H. P. GARDEN FLORA. PLATE CCCXLVI. CATTLEYA TRIAN.E.* The great beauty, endless variety, and easy cul- ture of this plant should recomniend it not only to Orchid growers, but to all lovers of showy and durable flowers. In days gone by, when the number of specimens of it in the" country was but limited, most of the distinct varieties, and many of those which differed but slightly from the type received distinctive names, but now when, through the enterprise of Orchid col- lectors, considerable quantities of it have been imported, newly introduced varieties have superseded the old ones, and the buyer of imported plants now-a-days is not satisfied un- less the majority of them are better than those which used to be held in such high repute. As it is, most Orchid growers have their pet varie- ties of this Cattleyji, all when in flower truly lovely, but they now seldom receive distinctive names unless they vvell deserve them. One of the finest varieties ever introduced is the C. Trianffi Backhousei, represented on the right- hand side of the annexed plate ; for size of flower and distinctness of marking this stands unrivalled, the bright coloured feather so difii- cult to show properly in a drawing giving the flowers a very charming appearance. The other coloured variety represents a bloom of the ordi- nary type, and the lovely white one a very fine form of C. Trianaj alba, flowered by Mr. Craw-shay. It is one of the loveliest and most attractive varieties we have ever seen. No one need be afraid of having too many plants of Cattleya Triana;; a buyer of a score or two ■will on blooming them pronounce them all to be beautiful, and -nill find it difiicult to discover two exactly alike. This, together with their flowering in winter and spring, makes them very desiriible. . The culture of C. Trianfe is very simple ; it does best in proportionately small pots in crocks and charcoal, with a tliin layer of fibry peat on the top for the roots to run into. Thus potted, the plants may be frequently watered (almost every day) when growiijg- and rooting freely without fear of their becoming sodden, as they too often are when much peat and Sphagnum is used. In winter a temperature of from 55^ to 6-5° is all that is necessary, and in summer the temperature of an ordinary inter- mediate house, but at all times there must be pure air and plenty of light. A very thin shading is all that is necessary for Cattleyas, even in the brightest weather; they make harder growth, and bloom more profusely when the sun is allow-ed to shine on them to a reason- able extent than when too much shaded. nan-W«f is the most unaccountable. Mr.Tem- ple, it will be remembered, less than two years ago sent an essay to the Scottish Horticultural Associa- tion on fibry roots, in which it appeared that from long experience in different parts of the country he had come to the conclusion that a rich soil was the very best thing for encouraging the pro- duction of roots. The famous crops of fruit in southern orchards, he assured his readers, were due July 22, 1882. J THE GARDEN. 79 to the roots " growing in a strong, tenacious soil ; the roots had strucli out into the sweet and whole- some upper stratum of earth, and at every inch of root-growth bunches of fibres were formed." The result of this experience on Mr. Temple's part was that he recommended a particularly rich compost to induce tibrous roots. " He recommended," we are told, " the application of calcareous matter to the soil and top dressings of rotted manure to in- duce the roots to form fibres near the surface." Calcareous matter and pure rotted manure is about the richest compost that could be devised for a top-dressing, the first " supplying carbonic acid and ammonia, as well as potash and soda," by decomposition, and the manure food in a still more concentrated form. This was Mr. Temple's formula for the production of fibrous roots in 1880. Now we findhim making the incredible state- ment " that in no case had he ever found '' a rich soil to be as productive of roots as a poor one, but the reverse. " Trees growing in a poor, sandy soil were matted with roots,'' he now tells us, " but it was not so with those which were in a rich soil ; " and he quotes examples of fruit and other trees, including 'Vines, to prove that the advantages were all on the side of the poor soil, " which was crammed with fibry roots," and vice versa. Notwith- standing his Edinburgh essay that recommended a rich soil instead of a poor one to produce fibrous roots, it is now " a notable fact," in his own experience, that he has not found it to do any- thing of the kind ! Comment on the value of Mr. Temple's testimony in reference to this subject would be superfluous. Mr. Temple's article in the FlurUt has doubtless been suggested by what has been written on this subject lately. Although I did not agree with all Mr. Temple stated in his essay at Edinburgh, still I was pleased to see him endorse my views so conclusively on the subject of fibrous roots, and pleased also to read that the members of the association who heard it " strongly en- dorsed the soundness " of the essayist's views, but I am now probably as much staggered as they will be to read his recantation in the Florist. J. S. W. [The roots in the case in question were cer- tainly plentiful enough in the rich compost, while .\n the poor soil there were hardly any. — Ed.] BOTES Of THE WEEK. APPOIXIMENTS. July •- t.— .\gricultural Hall, Islington, Horticultural Es hibition and Market open3. 25. -South Kensington, Meeting of Fruit and Floral Committees. South Kensington, Show of National Carnation and Picotee Society (Southern division). 26.— Newcastle-on-Tyne, Summer Show. Glasgow, show of West of Scotland Pansy Society. Exhibition op Roses. — At the Royal Bo- tanic Society's Garden at Regent's Park, the Cranston Nursery and Seed Company, Hereford, have an extensive exhibition of Roses, which remain on view until the 2.5th. - Some of our corhespondenis who generously offer seeds of their plants are, we regret to le?ru, in receipt of requests from persons who do not send stamped and addressed envelopes. We need hardly point out that those who give to all who ask should not be expected to furnish .stamps and stationery in addition, and be put to the trouble of writing addresses. Ameeican Apples. — The reports which we have received from Messrs. J. "W. Draper & Son, Covent Garden, the principal London agents for the sale of these fruits, indicate that the crop is most prolific this season. From personal observation we gather that in England the crop is comparatively a failure; in France a poor half crop is calculated upon ; in Germany one- third crop only ; in Holland only half a crop and in Belgium not half a crop— thus the pros- pects were never more favourable for sliipments from America to England than they are this year. The American Apple trade, formerly monopolised by Liverpool, has during the last few years (in consequence of direct steam com- munication) been gradually diverted to London, which market now competes favourably with that of Liverpool. Gilbert's new vegetable, Cnou de BuBGHLSY.— We have received a circular thus headed from Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley, in which there are many testimonials, all from good sources, speaking highly of this new winter vegetable, the Cabbage Broccoli, as it has been called. We have ourselves tried it, and found it to be in every way excellent. Prizes for Peas.— In our report of the last meeting at South Kensington we omitted to mention that on that occasion competition was invited for four prizes (amounting to £4 4s.) offered by ^Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, for half-a-peck each of their new President Gar- field and Reading Giant Peas. There was but one exhibitor, Mr. White, gardener at Glen- hurst, Esher, who had good examples of these two fine new varieties. IIart's-tongue Fern disease. — To the long list of diseases to which plants are subject in this coutftry must now be added another which attacks the common IIart's-tongue Fern (Scolopendriumvulgare). It occurs on both sides of the frond, and grows over the ruptured masses of spore-cases, and even amongst the free spores. It is called Didymium effusum. Specimens of it were placed before the last meeting of the scientific committee at Kensington. The Hollyhock disease. — The destructive fungus to which the Hollyhock is subject seems to be rife again this year. Nor does it confine itself to the Hollyhock alone ; on the contrary, it attacks other plants of the Mallow family. At the last meeting of the scientific committee at South Kt-nsington, Mr. W. G. Smith exhibited fruits of the common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) attacked by it. They were sent by Mr. Phillips, who gathered them near Shrewsbury. These fruits confirmed the correctness of Mr. Smith's observations, that the fungus-infected fruit or seeds of the Malvaceai fall to the ground, and are then capable of producing seedlings diseased without an'intervening ^^icidium condition. An enormous slug. — Mr. Albert Killick bring^i to our oftice from his garden a very re- markable slug. We hope, for the sake of vegeta- tion in the home counties, that there are not manv of the species in existence. We really — not\vithstanding so many sad experiences of slugs— had no idea they attained such dimen- sions in this country. Mr. Killick informs us that he made a rockwoik out of tree roots and stumps quite near to which last Sunday evening the monster was found. Measured at its full length, it was S^ in. long, and thicker by a good deal than we have before seen a slug. It is a very fine specimen of the cellar slug (Limax cinereus). M. Henri Vilmohix. — We learn with much pleasure that this gentleman, so well known to many of our readers, ha? received the decoration of the Legion of Honour on the occasion of the National Fete on .July 14. Coming of a family well known for its honourable conduct of one of the largest houses in Europe, and one second to none in trustworthiness, Henri Vilmorin, unlike many young men who have " all the chances," early betook himself to the earnest and active study of various questions of agricultural and horticultural importance. He was an early tudent of the coniferie, but the many experi- ments and reports on crops of various kinds, plants, and cultivated vegetables have hitherto been the themes of most of his published works. Recently a noble book for agriculturists was published in Paris, a history of the Wheats, each variety being illustrated in colour and life size. The matter of this book, apart from the illustrations, is of much interest and value. The most important work from his pen, however, is about to appear in Paris, and that is a book on cultivated vegetables, to the appearance of which we look forward with interest. It will be of great value to horticulturists. M. Vilmorin is one of the judges of the Trihun.al of Commerce in Paris. At his own home near Paris (Verrieres) are cultivated many species of plants of the hardy race, and also numerous bulbs and annuals. He has lately acquired a property in the south of France, at Antibes, which we hope will be no less interesting with vegetation of a different character. Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institu- tion.— The simultaneous collection in aid of the Pension Augmentation Fund made last year having proved a great success, it has been resolved that it be repeated annually, and Monday, the .'■,1st inst., lias been fixed upon for the day of collection this year. The object of this move- ment is ro increase the pensions £4 yearly. "The aiount collected last year was £.jOO I's. M., clear of all deductions. Bifore the committee can recommend that the pensions be increased, it is imperative that the reserve fund be £20,000. The amount of the reserve fund ia £1.5,3-50, thus leaving the sum of £46-50 to be secured. Taking the large number of horticul- tural establishments into account, and the in- creasing interest everywhere taken in gardening, there should be no great difficulty in procuring this amount, provided the work of collection is heartily entered into. .\s an incentive to in- creased exertions it has been determined " That upon any collector obtaining the sum of £10 lOs. he he qualified by such collection as a life sub- scriber, with all" its piivileges, from the dat on which the sum of £10 10s. was completed. During the time the society has been in exist- ence, about forty-four years, it has relieved 298 persons, at a cost of upwards of £2.'!!,12", and it has now upon its funds ninety-three pensioners. AIX-LES-BAINS, SAVOIE. Two or three months ago I put a query in The Garden respecting the flora of this now very favourite watering-place, but elicited no reply. Since then I have spent nearly three week there, and I have, as our American cousins say, been " around " a good deal ; so perhaps a few notes as to its floral characteristics may be of interest to the readers of The Garden. Aix-les-Bains is situated nearly due south of Geneva, in a valley running nearly north and south, the basin of which is occupied by the Lake of Bourget, a sheet of water some twelve miles in length by two in breadth. The village lies on the eastern shore about a mile and a half from the water, just at the base of the slope which culminates in the Uevard and Nivolet, a ridge rising to about .5.'-.00 ft. above sea level; on the opposite side of the lake is the Dent du Chat, of about the same elevation. The rock is a white limestone, weathering into deep and tortuous fissures. There is a prettv little pMblic park, abounding with Tamarix gallica, which early in May formed sheets of blossoms. There are^ also numerous nice specimens of Conifers, Cercis, purple Hazel, and several large trees, apparently of a leguminous nature, but which were not in flower. Close to the park on the limestone rocks grew Globularias of two 80 THE GARDEN. [July 22, 1882. •pecies, Colutea, Amelanehier vulgaris, resem- bling a small Pear, Polypodium Robertianum, Helleborus fcetidus, &c. ; while in gardens and Ledges more or less wild occurred the beautiful Cjdonia vulgaris, with myriads of its lovely pink and white buds and flowers. Perhaps the most noteworthy point respecting the flora of Aix is the number and variety of Orchids. I collected within a small area twelve or thirteen species in flower, including three species of Ophrys, Cephalanthera ensifolia, Orchis ustulata, O. purpurea, &c. The latter is fine and very showy in form, white spotted with rich purple, and having a large deeply cleft lip. Truly alpine plants are comparatively rare, and are represented by Draba aizoides. Primula Auricula, Saxifraga Aizoon,and one or two more, while Dryas, Androsaces, Primula farinosa, Sempervivums, Soldanellas, &c., are conspicuous by their absence. On the Dent du Chat, which rises abruptly over Bordeau, a village opposite Aix, I collected Aquilegia vulgaris in great abund- ance and very variable in tint; Asplenium viride, A.fontanum, yellow Auriculas, Draba (the last two also on the Revard), Calamintha grandiflora, while on the slopes a thousand feet or so above the lake, Lily of the Valley (sic) grew in abund- ance, as well as both species of Polygonatum. These forms of Solomon's Seal were plentiful throughout the district, as was Lilium Martagon. On the slopes of the Revard, both near the sum- mit and also as near as the hamlet of Mouxy, a couple of miles from Aix, Genfiana verna grew in abundance, and in the woods higher up, Den- taria digitata, both white and mauve, mixed with Paris quadrifolia and the beautiful golden Anemone ranuuculoides, a lovely companion to our wood Anemone. High up in glades in the Fir woods the sod was carpeted with small Cro- cuses (C. vernus) of various shades, from purple to white. Along with these grew Primula elatior, and lower down Trollius europsus. In the vine- yards Ornithogalum umbellatum and a curious dingy Muscari, probably O. neglectum, met one at every turn ; while the meadows swarmed with Colchicum autumnale,of course not then in flower, and on the Tresserve Hill, Hops, Convolvulus, and Clematis contended for the mastery in the climbing section with red and black Bryony, wild Roses, &c. The foregoing includes but a very few of the plants to be met with in and about Aii in the month of May. It would have been easy to make the list much longer, and no doubt many more interesting forms would have been found had my ramble included the moun- tains of Annery, the Semnoz, &c. Still, I think that I have shown that anyone interested in plants will find abundant employment during a visit to Aix in the spring season; the autumn, too, would doubtless have its own flora, but probably not so abundant or interesting as that of spring and early summer. Geebnwood Pim, M.A., F.L.S. Horological flowers.— I believe it is a fact that certain tlowers open at a particular hour during the whole of the day of twelve hours, and even several also open in the night. Will some- one kindly supply me with the names of them 1 or if not, tell me where I might be likely to get Ihe desired information 1 I may observe that I am going to have the face of a clock painted, and instead of the ordinary numerals, to have a flower, the one that opens at that particular hour. — A. R. La Semaine Prancaiee, a Weekly News- paper and Eeview in French for the United Kingdom. — Politics, Literature, Science, Art, Society, Varieties, Notes ; for general and family reading. " Will be highly valued in households where French is cultivated." — Qiuen. Price 3d., at Newsagents and Bookstalls ; copy by post 3.id., in stamps.— 37, Southampton St., Covent Garden, London, W.C. BOOKS. HOT-WATER HEATING.* We have received a copy of Mr. Fawkes' small treatise on this subject. He says if has been produced because of " many applications from country ijentlemen, clergymen, churchwardens, engineers, gardeners, and others.'' It certainly contains some useful information, but the ab- struse calculations and formulae given in the opening pages are enough to deter most of the class of inquirers just referred to from proceeding further ; what, too, is the use of first ascertaining " the number of cubic feet of air to be warmed per minute " if " the value of all these calcula- tions from a practical point of view is contested " (p. 26) 1 Of more utility is the table of piping required for various purposes, though there is a dis- crepancy between 35 ft. of pipe (per 1000 cubic ft. of air) to keejj out frost (or say 35°) and 45 ft. to maintain a temperature of 60°, and 55 ft. for 65°. The advice given as to its being better to have a larger amount of heating pipes at a low tempera- ture than to have a small quantitj^ at a great heat is good, and likewise that which asserts that radiating heating should never be worked from a kitcnen range. The following is also true as to stoking : " A boiler," he says, " may be the best for the purpose, the boiler-setting every- thing that is desired, the pipes be properly fixed and have the correct quantity of heating surface, yet it frequently remains with the person who has charge of the apparatus whether success or failure attend its working.'' As boilers play a prominent part in heating, it might be expected that much would be said of the various forms, so as to guide people in select- ing one, the four forms referred to not being the only ones by any means. Some must be better than others for heating 200 ft. and 2000 ft. of piping respectively, and some are suitable for one position, some for another. Some indication might have been given of the real or supposed gain or waste of brick-setting outside boilers, while gas need not have been so severely con- demned as it is considering the improvements as regards its safe and economical use in small places introduced of late years. A lean-to vinery, heated as is shown in fig. 31, would h.ave a mass of hot air in the back and upper half of the house, while two-thirds of the Vine in front would be in a temperature many degrees lower. On the whole we fear tliis little treatise— though it does not claim to be exhaustive — will, from its omissions, be disappointing to people seeking for practical guidance in regard to heating ; there is little in it that is new, and much that is doubtful and disputed is brought forward without any qualifying remarks. Such are the references to relative eflfective heating surfaces of a boiler ; the abandonment of water-jacketting for fire-brick settings ; and the value of water-way fire-bars set down as nothing at all, though the author says they are provided with bis boiler, and the one firm that uses them most largely says they are equal to 25 per cent, extra power. Facts, too, disprove and two 'out of three persons will dis- pute Mr. Fawkes's conclusions as to the best make of boiler — " that cast-iron is better than wrought ; tubular boilers better than saddle ; and boilers with horizontal tubes better than those with vertical." BOOKS RECEIVED. Dictionary of Ecoiwmic Plants. By John Smith. Mac- millan & Co. Elementary Botany. By Henry Edmonds. Longmans, Green & Co. Transactions of Iowa Horticultural Society. Vol. xvi., 1S81. Reports of the Montreal Horticultural Society. CATALOGUES RECEIVED. T. W. Robinson's (Stourbridge) illustrated catalogue of boilers and other hot-water apparatus fittings and gratings. M. Godefroy Lebeuf's (Argenteuil) special list of Orchids. • "Hot-water Heating." By F. A. Fawkes, F.R.E.S. London : B. T. Batsford. HORTICULTURAL IMPOSTEES.'* The life-time experience of any man is not too short to be imposed upon by many of the hundreds of old varieties of fruits, flowers, or vegetables that are sent out annually under new names. Any well-posted nurseryman ean easily detect when a Bartlett Pear or a Baldwin Apple appears under a new name ; or a florist, making a specialty of Roses, knows as, for example, when, some years ago, the old Solfaterre was sent out under the name of Augusta — claiming it to be hardy in every State of the Union, and sold as a great bar- gain at S5.00 a piece— that the vendors thereof were either swindlers or ignorant of the business they had embarked in ; or when the confiding market gardener is induced to buy a new and superior Cabbage or Tomato seed, at S5.00 an ounce, and finds them identical with varieties that he can buy at half that price per pound, he has good reason to come to the conclusion that the man from whom he purchased was either a swindler, or else unfitted, from his ignorance, to engage in the business of a seedsman. But, unfortunately, from the varied nature of these impostures, it is exceedingly difficult to mete out justice to those who, knowingly or other- wise, place such swindles on the horticultural community. For the man who grows fruit trees is as likely to know as little about Roses as the man who grows Roses is to know about fruit trees, and either is less likely to be posted on the merits of vegetables. So, then, if the partly experienced horticulturist may be imposed upon in such a way, how safe is the field when the swindler tries his tricks on the general public. The sharp man of the city falls as quickly into the trap of the horticul- tural swindler as the veriest rustic, because his city experience of impostures in other matters helps him nothing in this. He may not be much troubled when he sees a bootblack fall off the dock into the river, particularly if his companion plays off the heroic role, and plunges in after him to the rescue ; he understands it all, for both can swim like ducks, and there was no more danger for the first than for the second, and none for either. A well-stuffed pocket-book snatched from under his feet is an incident that does not in the least arouse his cupidity, for he has long been con- versant with the trick of the pocket-book dropper . The mock auctioneer may scream himself hoarse, offering gold watches at $5.00 apiece and it hardly elicits a smile of derision. The tears of the benighted orphan in search of his uncle does not bring a dime from his pocket, for he understands it all, together with a score more of the tricks of the great city. But in the spring-time when his gar- den instincts begin to bud, and he sees in some window in Broadway flaming representations of fruits and flowers, he falls into the trap and is ready for the spoiler. Some years ago I had occasion to act as an amateur detective in one of these horticultural swindling shops, the owners of which are now known in New York as the " Blue Rose Men." When I arrived, there were at least a dozen ladies and gentlemen engaged in buying seeds, bulbs, and plants, the flowers and fruits of which were represented by the pictures on the walls : for ex- ample. Asparagus was shown as having shoots as thick as a broom-handle, the seeds of which were selling rapidly at one cent a piece, warranted to producea crop in three montlis from time of sowing; an old lady had just become the possessor of S5.00 worth, and seemed delighted with her bargain. One of the most attractive pictures on the wall was an immense coloured engraving, showing a tree on which Strawberries were growing, and as big as Oranges. My gaze was attracted to a hand- some plate of Blue Moss Roses, and I modestly asked the price of the plants. The polite French- man (who was doing the principal selling for the concern) whisked out from beneath the table three plants, representing them to be Moss Roses (which, by the way, were all alike, and were all • Essay, read by Mr. Peter Henderson, at a late anmial meeting of the National Association of Nurserymen and Florists, Chicago. July 22, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 81 our commou Prairie Rose), and said, " This one he bloom only once ; I tell you the truth, so I sell him for two dollar. This one, he be the Remon- tant, he bloom twice— just twice— I sell him for three dollar; but this one, he be the everblooming, perpetual Blue Moss Rose, he bloom all the time, he cheap at S5.00." I quietly remarked, if it bloomed all the time, why was it not blooming now ? He loolsed at me pityingly, and said, " My dear sir, you expect too much ; these Moss Rose just come over in the ship from Paris. You take him home and plant him, and he bloom riglit away, and ho keep on blooming." I did not take him home, but I took the story something in the shape in which it is now told, and had it pub- lished, and in less than a week the " Blue Rose Men " had pulled up stakes, but, no doubt, to pitch their camp somewhere else, and set their traps for fresh victims. These swindlers in horticulture have their comi- cal side. The other year, in passing St. Paul's Church (Broadway), New York, an old negro had squatted on the pavement witli a great bundle of plants carefully mossed up, lying alongside of him, On inquiring what they were, he said they were Rose bushes — Rose bushes having all the attri- butes wanted in a Rose, fragrance, hardiness, and everblooming, and the price but 50 cents a piece. He had got them, he said, from the boss, and was selling them on commission. The poor darkey was only an innocent agent. He no doubt believed he ■was selling Rose bushes, but the boss, whoever he might be, undoubtedly knew better, for the plants were not Roses at all, but the common Cat Brier (Smilax sarsaparilla) one of the worst pests of our hedgerows, but the plant of which is near enough in appearance to a Rose to deceive the ordinary city merchant. The bulb peddlers, a class of itinerant swindlers, deserve brief attention. They have always some wonderful novelty in bulbs ; and their mode of operating, to the uninitiated, has a semblance of fairness, as they are liberal fellows, and frankly offer to take one half cash on deli- very, and if the goods do not come up to the representation the other half need not be paid. For example, when the Gold-banded Japan Lily was first introduced, bulbs the size of Hickory nuts sold at 250 dels, per 100. About that time one of these worthies came along with samples of a Lily of fine size and appearance, with which, he said, he had Just arrived from Japam There was no doubt of its genuineness, for he had seen it in flower. He had a large stock, and would sell at 100 dols. per 100, but he was willing to take half that amount down, and the other half when it flowered and had proved correct. It did not prove correct, and he never called. The bulb he sold was the common white Lily (Lilium candidum) which is sold everywhere at 5 dols. and 6 dols. per 100. These same scamps flood the rural districts every year with blue Gladioli, scarlet Tuberoses, and other absurdities in bulbs and seeds, usually on the same terms, of one halt cash down, the other half when the rara avis has feathered out. It is needless to say that they never try it twice on the same victim, but avail themselves of our broad continent to seek out new fields for their operations. One of the most successful swindlers of this type was Comanche George, whose fame became national. George made his advent in New York in 1876. He was, he said, a Texas scout, and for years his rifle, revolver, and bowie-knife had been the terror of the red men, but one day in his ram- bles on the lone Texas prairies his eye was ar rested by a flower, whose wonderful colouring eclipsed the rainbow, and whose delicate perfume was wafted over the Brazos for leagues ; in short, never before had eye of mortal rested on such a flower. The man of war was subdued. He be- took himself to the peaceful task of gathering seed, and turned his steps to the haunts of civi- lised man to distribute it. We first heard of him in Washington, where he wished to place it in the hands of the Government, and accordingly of- ferred it to Mr. William Smith, superintendent of the Botanic Gardens there, but the Government, so Smith said, was not just then in a position to buy, and with his advice George trimmed his sails for New York and a market. His success in Baltimore and Philadelphia was so great (where he st.arted the sale of the seeds at two cents a piece) that it in- duced him, when he struck New York, to advance the price to five cents a seed. He put up at one of the best hotels, and claimed that for a month his sales of the seed of the Cockatelle — the beautiful Texas flower — reached 50 dols. a day. But his success threw him off his balance ; he took to fire- water, and in an unguarded moment fell into the hands of a newspaper man, who extracted from him all the facts connected with the enterprise. George never was a scout, had never been in Texas, but he had been a good customer to the various seedsmen of the different cities, where his purchases of Okra or Gumbo seed, at about 50 cents a pound, had made nearly a dearth of the article. His victims (whose names he gave by the score, and wliich were duly clironicled in the newspaper article referred to) were from all classes : the enterprising florist, who secretly went into it in a wholesale way, with a view to outwit his less fortunate fellows ; the grandee of Fifth Avenue, who anticipated a blaze of beauty on his lawn— the hotel man whose window boxes were to perfume the air— all had fallen easy vic- tims to the wiles of Comanche George. George disappeared from New York, though there is but little doubt that his business had been too success- ful for him to abandon it. A newspaper para- graph, cut from a paper the other day, which reads as follows, looks as if it might be the Texas scout in a somewhat different role : — " The prepossessing appearance, gentlemanly demeanour, and foreign accent of the man who called himself Carlo Corella, botanist to the Court of Brazil, convinced a number of wealthy San Francisco ladies that he was truthful. He said to each that the failure of a remittance compelled him to sell some rare bulbs of Brazilian Lilies which he had intended to present to Mrs. R. B. Hayes. ' The flower,' says the paragrapli in ques- tion, ' was to be a great scarlet bell, with ecru ruchings on the petals, a solferino frill around the pistil, and a whole bottle of perfumery in each stamen.' He sold about fifty almost worthless bulbs at 4 dols. each." The nurserymen present are no doubt better posted in the swindles practised in their particular department than I am ; but operators engage in different lines in different parts of the country ; for example, we have never yet seen in the Eastern States anyone trying to sell an Apple tree bearing blue Apples as big as Melons, as we were told at our meeting at Cleveland last year had been suc- cessfully done in Ohio and Illinois. Still we have men of fair ability in the nursery swindling line, one of whom last winter succeeded in disposing of hundreds of winter-bearing Grapes by carry- ing with him a few good bunches of the white Malaga of the shops. One great detriment, not only to the flor- ist, but to the purchaser, is begotten of these swindles in horticulture. The purchaser of flowers in our markets must have his plants in bloom because he has been at times so swindled that he must now see what he buys. In New York the amateur rarely buys from the grower, but from the agent or middleman who sells in the market stands or street corners. These, whether men or women, are generally entirely ignorant of the nature of the plants, and most of them have no responsibility, and they rarely fail to make their wares accord to the wants of the purchaser; nearly every plant is hardy, ever-blooming, and has ail the qualities desired by the buyer. Now and then these swindles become a serious matter to the victim. Some years ago, a typical Englishman, who had been a greengrocer in Covent Garden Market, found his way to New York. He at once discovered an almost entire absence of Cauliflowers in our markets, and what few there were were sold at prices four times those of London. He soon made up his mind to make his fortune, and at the same time show th« Yankees something they did not know. He duly sele ted and prepared the ground for an acre, and one day in May he sallied into the mar- ket to procure his Cauliflower plants. This he found no difliculty in doing, for at Dutch Peggy's —in those days the headquarters for all kinds of herbs, plants, and seeds — they were to be seen by the waggonload. 10,000 were procured,the quantity for his acre, and, duly planted, they began to grow apace. He had planted the 1st of May. If it had been in England, his Cauliflower heads would have been ready about the 1st of July ; but something was evidently wrong in the Yankee climate. His Cauliflowers grew through June, through July into August, only to develop into fine specimens of Drumhead Cabbage, then of hardly the value he had paid for them as Cauliflower plants. He got out of the business thoroughly disgusted, and in telling his sorrow- ful tale to me a year afterwards he related that when he went to expostulate with old Peggy about having blasted his prospects, before he could get a word said she recognised him as a customer, and demanded to know if he did not again want some more early Cauliflower plants. I have said old Peggy was also a vendor of seeds. It is now something over thirty years ago that a young florist presented himself before her and purchased an ounce of Mignonette. Ever alive to business, Peggy asked him if he had tried the new red Mignonette. He protested there was no such thing, but Peggy's candid manner persuaded him, and 50 cents were invested. The seed looked familiar, and when it sprouted it looked more familiar ; when it bloomed it was far too fami- liar, for it was Red Clover. Peggy has long since been gathered to her fathers, and I have entirely forgiven her for selling me the red Mignonette. Perhaps there is no swindling that is more ex- tensively practised, and which so cruelly injures the operators of the soil, as that of adultera- tion in fertilisers. The great mass of our far- mers and gardeners are poor men, who can ill afford even to pay for the pure fertilisers ne- cessary to grow their crops, and to pay money and high freights on adulterations worse than useless is hard indeed. The ignorance of those dealing in such wares does much to spread the evil. A fellow came into my office last surn- mer with samples of a fertiliser, nicely put up in cans, which he claimed could be sold in immense quantities by the seedsmen, as it had not only the wonderful properties of invigorating and stimulating all planted crops, but that it at the same time would kill all noxious weeds. I need not say that he had waked up the wrong passenger, and that he made a rapid movement towards the door. Yet, notwithstanding the absurdity of such a claim, the scamp was enabled to prowl around the vicinity of New York for weeks, and un- doubtedly sold to hundreds. If he had said he had a cannon from which, when grape-shot was fired into a crowd, it killed only enemies— never friends— the one claim would have been as reason- able as the other. The Atkins-water softening process.— The important question of the softening and puri- fying of hard water in bulk h.as received a satis- factory solution in the Atkins process, which pro- mises to be of great public service in these re- spects. This process is a modification of, and an improvement upon, the old Clark system of soften- ing water, which consisted in adding lime to the water to be softened, and allowing the mix- ture to stand for 24 hours in large reservoirs or precipitating tanks before it could be used. In the Atkins process, however, the precipitating tanks are dispensed -with and the water can be used as it is softened, the process being continuous and no time being required for it to stand and settle. The process essentially consists in chemically purify- ing the water instead of mechanically, as in ordin- ary filtration. In practice a small jet of lime water is introduced into a portion of the water to be softened, and the two arc blended in a mixer, whence they flow into a softening tank into which the bulk of the water is conducted. From this 82 THE GARDEN. rjuLY 22, 1882, tank the water with the lime in suspension flows into Atkins rotary disc filters, in which the solid particles are all arrested by an ingenious system of cloth-covered discs placed within a tank, and which present a very large area for filtration within a very small compass. The purified and softened water is conducted from the filters to storeage reservoirs ready for use. The effect of the lime water is not only to purify and soften the water in bulk, but to cause any clayey matters that may be held in suspension to coagulate, tlius facilitating their removal. The water passes from the outside to the inside of the filters through the cloth-covered discs, the surfaces of which become in time coated with a deposit, consisting of car- bonate of lime and impurities. These surfaces are quickly cleaned by means of a series of brushes which are brought into contact with the discs. The brushes, which are fixed on a spindle, are rapidly revolved, as are also the discs, but in oppo- site directions, the result being that in a few minutes the filters are cleansed and ready for work again. The system has been successfully applied to private water supplies in several in- stances, notably at the residence of the Duke of Richmond at Goodwood, and at that of Mr. W. H. Smith, M.P,, near Henley. The first application of the system to a public water supply is that of the Henley-on-Thames Water Works, which were recently opened. It was introduced there by the engineer to the water company, Jlr. Church, in consequence of the extreme hardness of the water, which is obtained from the chalk, and is normally of about 19° of hardness. After treatment, how- ever, by the Atkins process the hardness is reduced to nearly 4°, which means a beautifully soft water. The apparatus is calculated to soften and parifj' rather more than 100,000 gallons of water per working day of 10 hours. SOCIETIES. KINGSTON (JAMAICA) FLOWER SHOW. The second show of this kind was held at King- ston on the 7th and 8th of June. The exhibits either as regards quality or quantity were not to be compared with those of the Manchester or London shows, but for Jamaica they were most creditable, and as regards a horticultural show it was, for the second, a decided success. Nothwithstanding a severe and protracted drought and exceeding heat, accompanied by blustering winds which then pre- vailed, it was surprising to see so many well culti- vated plants from the small gardens in and around Kingston massed together. These consisted chiefly of Crotons, Caladiums, Begonias, Pelargoniums, Roses, Pinks, Palms, Ferns, &c. The fine foliaged plants especially were in strong muster, and many of them most creditably grown. Fruits (of a tropical character) and vegetables were also well represented, and the tent in which they were pitched was, owing to them, by no means the least attractive on the ground. Pines in several varie- ties, such as Ripley Queen, Sugerloaf, Black Jamaica, &c., made a fine display ; the best variety for home consumption is the Ripley Queen, whilethe Jamaica, owing to its firm texture, travels better than any other, and is of the highest value in the markets of the United States. There were present also from the higher cultivated lands (5000 ft. or so above sea level) good samples of Irish Potatoes, and even Apples as sour as need be. European residents, and the wealthier Creoles who have travelled, evince a strong hankering after European fruits and fiowers. The majority of them know of no good reason why deciduous trees, such as Pears, Plums, and tlie like, also Violets, Daisies, Polyanthuses, &c., should not grow, bear fruit, and charm them here as at home. For years they have been importing these, trying and tail- ing, and still they persist. Hundreds of pounds sterling are annually spent by our people in im- porting new Hybrid Perpetual Roses, eight-tenths of the varieties of which never give them a flower, at least in the warmer districts. Teas and Noisettes, on the contrary, do admirably, flower continually, but their fiowers are not large enough — are not what have made England Rose-famous. The first question asked by the great majority of visitors to the Botanical Gardens here is, " Have you any nice Rose plants ? '' Jamaica people are nearly all, like the Rev. Reynolds Hole, Rose-crazy. To the majority of them pretty and attractive fiowers like Bougainvillea glabra. Plumbago capensis, and many of the finer flowered creepers are neither pretty nor attractive. If I dare venture to excuse them it would be by stating that their apparent disregard for such is probably due to the fact that these and similar plants grow freely in the open garden, and when once planted require no further attention ; they are not sufficiently troublesome, not so delicate as to require special nursing ; the brain is not taxed to keep them alive, and so they cannot be made pets of. But, on the contrary, they cannot bestow too much pains on an ungrateful Hybrid Perpetual Rose. A friend of mine living in Kingston has over 300 varieties of Roses in his small garden, nearly all of which are cultivated in bushel-sized red clay pots. It is a glorious display of potterj'ware ! He divides something like £30 annually between Messrs. Wm, Paul & Son and Messrs. Cranston & Co., and one or two French nurserymen, and for tliis he is satisfied when from each plant he ob- tains a single blossom in the course of a year. This grower carries his hobby further, I think, than even the Rev. Reynolds Hole would do. There is in the city a firm of haberdasliers who have a running order from him for all the moth-eaten sun- shades (parasols) that they can produce at so much per head, and these, as he gets them, are erected over his sacred Rose plants, that the floweis may not be scorched in the bud, and that he may delight in their unfolding. Just think of a garden of parasols, thickly placed, of all the primary colours and their shades, designedly calculated to tickle the highly assthetic tastes of the negro race. It is indeed a glorious sight. But my friend seeth it not — he only looks for his Rose blooms. With such a love for flowers, and it is by no means uncommon among our people, there is every prospect that the present standard of the Kingston (Jamaica) Floral and Horticultural Show will be annually kept up. Ciisthton. George Syme. Muir, Jeannie Grieve, Miss Meikle, Miss Baird, Jeannie Johnstone, white grounds ; and seven un- named seedlings. Fancies — J as. Lillie, Mrs. Scott Plummer, Mrs. Birkmyre, W. Mcintosh, J. A. Martin, Thalia, A. Stephen , Jessie Budd, Sir P. K. Murray, Adonis, Edward Caird, I,. V. Heath- cote, Catherine Agnes, Mrs. Russell, R. Cowan, Mrs. W. O. McCormick, Mrs. J . Watt, Iilrs. Robinson, and six unnamed seedlings. 2nd, Mr. J.Sutherland, Victoria Nursery, Leniie, whose collection inchided tine blooms of the following, show: Rev. J. Mor- rison, Mrs. Cadzow, M. Pollock, W. Robin, Mauve Queen, R. Burns, Mrs. Arthur, Jessie Foote, Gol- den Circle, and Mrs. Dobbie ; fancies : Catherine Agnes, Mrs. Jamieson, Livadia, Mrs. J. Stewart, Countess of Home, R. Goodwin, Duchess of Edin- burgh , W. Cuthbertson, Earl Beaconsfield, Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. Taylor, and L. V. Heathcote. 3rd, Mr. W. Dickson, Paisley. Best 12 show and 12 fancy blooms. — Silver medal awarded Mr. W. Storrie, Lenzie, with grand flowers of A. Watt, Marquis of Lome, J. P. Barbour, Rev. J. Morri- son, W. Robin, Lizzie Balloch, Dr. George Robert- son, Mrs. Cadzow, Mrs. Dobbie, W. Crockart, Mrs. Arthur, and Mrs. Ritchie, show ; Jas. Grieve, Mrs. Forrester, Mrs. Barrie, Angus McLeod, Luck's All, Mrs. E. H. Wood, Wm. Storrie, Bob Montgomery, Mrs. Ogilvie, Mrs. Main, Catherine Agnes, and William Dickson, fancies. 2nd, Robert Millar, Paisley ; 3rd, A. Irvine. Pinks. — Best 12 blooms, silver medal awarded Messrs. Paul & Son, Paisley, who staged large double flowers, perfect in lacing, of the following : Wm. Paul, Modesty, Egeria, Adela, W. Watson, Wm. Bruce, Vanessa, Oimara, Dr. Masters, Mary Auberton, Lady Golightly, and Ada Louise ; 2nd, W. Dickson, Paisley; 3rd, John Love, Rothesay. Mr. Dickson, Belfast, and Mr. Smith, Stranraer, exhibited several stands of lovely Roses ; and Messrs. Dobbie, & Co., Rothesay, had a good col- lection of cut Phloxes, Pansies, and others. OBITUARY. NATIONAL FLORAL SHOW AT ROTHESAY. A GRAND exhibition of Roses, Pansies, Pinks, &c., was held in the new Public Hall, Rothesay (the Brighton of Scotland) on July 14 and 15. The various blooms staged were of excellent quality. Subjoined are the principal prizes. Roses. — Best24 blooms. — Goldmedal awarded to Mr. H. Dickson, Belmont Nursery, Belfast, with very fine blooms of Duchess of Bedford, La France, Madame C. Wood, Jules Finger, Countess of Rosebery, Pride of Waltham, Madame Verdier, Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Sheftield, A.K.Williams, Alfred Colomb, Horace Vernet, Auguste Buchner, Marguerite de St. Amand,Rosieriste Jacobs, Bright- ness of Cheshunt, Baroness Rothschild, Mrs. Harry Turner, Captain Christy, Mons. E. Y. Teas, Mrs. Jewitt, Duke of Teck, Madame Marie Verdier, and Comtesse de Camonda. 2nd, Mr. Thos. Smith, Stranraer, whose blooms included La France, Captain Christy, Marquis of Salisbury, Marquise de Castellane, Harrison Weir, Alfred Colomb, Baroness Rothschild, C. Lefebvre, Duchess of Bedford, Madame Montet, Madame J. Peirifere, and Camille Bernardin. Best 12 blooms. —Silver medal awarded to Mr. Wm. Parlane, Gardener Row, in whose stand were beautiful blooms of La France, Marechal Niel, General Jacqueminot, Baroness Rothschild, Jean Liabaud, Senateur Vaisse, Horace Vernet, and Mdlle. E. Verdier. 2nd, Mr. Mclntyre, Blairmore. Pansies.— Best 24 show and fancy blooms.— Gold medal awarded to Mr. William Paul & Son, Crossflat Nurseries, Paisley, who staged magnifi- cient flowers of show— Peter Lyle, A. Watt, J. P. Barbour, W. L. Thomson, dark selfs ; Mrs. Gallo- way, white self ; R. Pollock, Dr. Livingstone, Wm. Robin, Baillie Cochran, D. Dalglish, A. Cameron, R. Williamson, yellow grounds ; Mrs. Mr. Moggeidge, who was well known to many of our readers, died last week at South Kensing- ton on the eve of his 79th I irthday. He was the father of the gentleman who wrote that interest- ing work, "The Flora of Nice."' Died on the 18th inst., at his residence, 7, Dover Terrace, Old Trafford, Mr. Matthew Brown, aged 58, yaars, of the firm Dickson, Brown, & Tait, seed merchants, 43 and 45, Corporation Street, Manchester. Mrs. Robert Parker. — On tlie 15th inst., Winifred Mary, the wife of Mr. Robert Parker, E.'cotic Nursery, Tooting, in her 59th year. Names oi plants-— Cy""''7/ Gentletnan.—^To\xm5 oumniutatus ; not recommended for permanent pasture. J/tfc— Tlie Campanula is apparently C. rhomboidea ; the other is Asperula odorata (Woodruff). //. 2/.— Khua Cotinus (a Sumach). W, II. Jarrold.—Aevides crispum var.. Caudwetl, ICan.'.frarf.— .SnapdriVgon, .Sweet Wil Hams. 31. II. H'.— If you will send us a flower or two we will name the plant for you. Mrs. N. (Balbraih).—\, Escallonia macrantha; 2, E. rubra ; 2, species of Rud- beckia. 1)'. H'.— Oxalis Valdiviana. .t?ion.— Abutilon ve.\illariuni, Oncidium priEtextum. T. II'.— 1, Oncidium ongipes : 2, ilaranta zebrina ; 3, Alucasia zebrina; 4, Centaurea Cyanus. Youmj Gardener. — 1, Phlebodium uureiun ; 2, Asplenium bulbiferum ; 3, Adiantum trapezi- forme ; 4, Asplenivmi priEmorsum. Books (J. F. L.).— Sowerby's " Fernsof Great Britain, ' Bohn, York .Street, Covent Garden ; Bentham's " Hand- book ot the British Flora," with illustrations, Lovell, Reeve, & Co.; or Hooker's "Student's Flora," which includes Grasses, JIacmillan & Co.; Hobday's "Cottage Garden- ing," Garden OflJce. CO.MMUNICATIONS RECEIVED. H. T~T. F.— J. G.— J. M.— G. S.— .T. C. S —J. C. & Co. — W. J. T.— A. F. B.— G. S. S.— J. E. W.— C. M.— .T. C. C. — E. H.— J. R. P. & Co.— S. F.— W. J.— D. T. T.— R. P. B. —.1. K.— H. M.— J. S.— G. J.— C. P. -J. R. H.-J. S. W.— H. H. C— J. C— J. M.— D. R. & Co.— T.— H. P.-K. & Co. B.— H. H.— W. W.— Mac— G. B.— A. D.— J. F. L.— 7 Jruit reports.- J. F. McK.— L. K.— A. J. R.— J. O'B.- F. S.— M 1'.— W. W.— J. R. J.— A. T.— G. S. S.— 20 fruit reports. — 12 fruit crops. —W.—C. Co.— N. P. Co.— N. S.— J. S. & Sons.— Alpha.— M. H. -W.— A. G. THE GARDEN. Ho. BBS. SA1URDAY, JULY 29. 1882. Yol XXI. "Thiais an Art Wliich does mend Nature : change it rather : but TuE ART ITSELF IS !\ ATURS."— Shakespeare. TWO USEFUL FOREST TREES. The black Walnut.— I am informed by a London timber merchant that this tree has strong claims on the planter of forest trees, on account of its rapid growth and valu- able timber, and he thinks it ought to be brought into prominent notice, so as to encour- age its more extensive propagation and distribu- tion. He says, " I am goino; to entreat you to grow largely a tree which I am certain jou will tind admirably adapted to the Longleat lower woods — I mean the American black Walnut. There is a magnificent tree of this species grow- ing in the Puke of Northumberland's grounds at Syon House, opposite Kew. This tree has a trunk 2^> ft. long by 24 in. quarter girth, is about fifty years old, and would realise, if put on the London market, ■%. per foot (£-•")), besides the limbs, which are proportionately valuable. Singularly enough, I bought one as an Elm out of a garden not .'iOO yds. from my sawmill, so 1 am fortunately able to send you a specimen of the English grown wood; it was about l-'j ft. long by 20 in. quarter girth, and had forty annual rinss. You will note that the wood has obtained from our English soil the very character American wood is so deficient in, viz., hardness and weight, approaching in this respect the character of Italian Walnut, or what is repre- sented by the words good quality. I am now making from this tree a sideboard, which will, I think, be a beautiful specimen of work. If I can induce people to try the experiment of plant- ing the black Walnut in considerable quantities, I feel sure it will repay thtm. There is no pos- sible doubt that it has taken a place in the world of art furniture which is not likely to be altered by time or fashion, owing to its great advan- tages of size, colour, and easiness of working." From my own somewhat limited knowledge .and experience in the converting of the black Walnut, I was under the impression that it was not what may be called valuable or high-priced timber, as it has simply a plain straight grain, quite free from the mottled and figured grains found in the Black Sea and Italian Walnut wood ; but of course the bulk of black Walnut timber converted in this country is of American growth, and the argument of the timber mer- chant in question is that it is inferior in quality to timber grown in English soil. If British grown black Walnut will fetch -Ss. per foot in the London and provincial markets, I think the fact cannot be too widely made known amongst landowners and nurserymen. What a valuable tree in a commercial point of view in the future it may prove if planted in quantity in good soils and favourable situations. It is of un- doubted hardiness, never suffering in the least from early or late frosts, and may be said to be quite free from the attacks of insect pests. As an ornamental object to adorn the land- scape, it well deserves a place on account of its striking appearance when associated with other park trees ; the light green foliage shows up conspicuously and pleasingly in contrast with the darker hues of the majority of summer leafing trees. When allowed plenty of room it has a wide spreading, massive head, but at the same time it is by no means a heavy dense clump- headed tree : its branches are so disposed as to admit of abundance of light and shade amongst the leafy branchlets that hang in graceful tufts. The largest specimen of this tree at Longleat is growing in the orchard adjoining the kitchen n-arden; the circumference of its stem at 3 ft. up fs about Ts ft.; the stem is only 7 ft. long; it has evidently been neglected when young in the way of pruning, or the butt would have been much longer and finer ; at 7 ft. up it divides into several large upright branches, which together form a lofty wide-spreading head of attractive appearancewhen viewed from a distance. If any of your readers have had experience in the con- version or sale of home-grown black Walnut it would be interesting to get their opinion on the subject. London Planes.— The timber merchant just alluded to, in answer to some inquiries of mine relative to the London Plane, says — " At the present time it is without exception the most prominent and valuable tree we have in Lon- don, from the simple fact that there is hardly a spot where it will not grow, and even flourish. No matter how vitiated with smoke or worse gaseous products the atmosphere may be, the Plane tree puts forth the most vigorous foliage. The fact of the bark shedding annually doubt- less has a great deal to do with the wonderful power of vitality which it possesses amidst poi- sonous air. The Plane tree you allude to, from Lambeth Palace grounds, was a magnificent tree— the finest I ever saw ; I had it in my yard to convert. The wood is used almost exclu- sively by first-class coachbuilders and pianoforte makers. No wood takes the paint and stands so well for the sides of large wagonettes as this. In the case of pianofortes it is used exclu- sively for bridges, the toughness and hardness enabling the pins to be most securely held. Last year there was a large importation of American Plane tree, splendid tiinber to look at, but of very inferior quality compared with that of English growth ; soft and tender, it absorbs the paint and varnish, and is rapidly affected by damp and will not stand nailing. There being a scarcity of Engli.sh-grown wood, I thought to supply its place with American, but I have had to take it all back rather than lose my customers. The grai'i is almost similar to that of the English, but smaller in the seed-like appearance and less bright in colour. It is strange, but nevertheless a fact, that all kinds of American timber, while far before ours in magnificence of growth, is far inferior in quality, and this almost invariably arises from the slow- ness of the growth, not, as would be supposed, from its rapidity. In all kinds you will r.arely find the annual rings of growth of greater thick- ness than an eight of an inch ; of course it makes up in height, so that bulk for bulk, or growth of so many years, America produces far the larger quantity. My experience has always been that the fastest grown timber (that is on the best soil), with annual rings from g in. to | in., gives the very best quality wood, i.e., for toughness and weight, an argument this for planting on good land like the soil whereon your grand plantations of first class timber have been pro- duced. I am myself thoroughly convinced that for the man who can wait, or at any rate plant for his heirs, a far larger return may be obtained from judicious arboriculture tlian from agricul- ture." George Bebry. Limffleaf. asolidmassof tibry roots, that when forced out and dried resembled a sponge having the exact shape of the pipe. As we could not do without drains, and the trees amongst which they were made could not be cut down, the nest best course was to use glazed socket pipes, the ends of which were tilled up with cement. Keeping roots out of drams is merely a question of expense, and my impref- sion is that the majority of people are too well cor- vinced of the benefits arising from planting trees iu towns and by the sides of highways to let sue h improvement drop rather than make the drains so as to exclude roots,— J. Gkoom. American Walnut.— No American tree is more profitable than Walnut, and when worked up the value is very great The Cincinnati t'om- mercUil tells the following story of a large Walnut tree : In 1865 an Indiana man, as the story runs, bought the tree for -Is., and he suUsequently sold it for i'l.S. The buyer sold it to a Cincinnati lumber dealer for i'llO. The Cincinnati dealer sold it to a Mew Yorker for i'-lOO, and he cut it up into veneering, which he sold for ^5 100. Eucalypti.— I shall be much obliged if you would allow me to state that the Eucal,\-ptus, seedlings, of which I offered through your columns, is not coccifera, but some species unknown to Messrs. Veitch. As the seeds came direct from the head of the Government Garden at Hobait Town, I thought they were certain to be correctly named. I am afraid some who have sent for tie seedlings will be disappointed.— A. Babtholc- MEW, Park Uouse, Heading. Tree roots in drains. — Although an admirer of trees and shrubs in suitable places, I must con- fess that the note (p. 74), respecting the way in which roots fill up drains is quite correct. Last winter we had to take up all the drain pipes leading from the meadows to the lake, as the water, instead of flowing through them, forced its way up through the soil and flowed on the surface. When taken up the pipes were found to be filled with A WILDERNESS GARDEN. Herodotus, who was not only the father of history, but also a wise moralist, has somewhere expressed this rather paradoxical sentiment. He says that if those who think that they are most unhappy in their circumstances, and have most, need of the sympathy of others, could only lock into their neighbour's" private troubles, they would generally be too glad to go home again and ketp their own lot, and that very few would wish to change places. I have often wondered whethtr this is true of gardening, in which all of us ha^e troubles and difficulties to contend against ; hi t if it is, I have much reason to be sorry for n y neighbours. I have just returned home after fi\e weeks' absence in North Wales ; the hay has been about for nearly a month of unpropitioi s weather, and the gardener, being also headfaim man, has wanted every available hand to save u. The storms of wind and rain have laid many things prostrate, or doubled over those that weie tied up, so that their flowers are on the ground, to the delight of lazy slugs, which are saved the trouble of climbing b ft. to get at the petals. A new plague of short-tailed field mice, offended by the mowing of their native meadows, have again invaded tke garden, and are eating down the alpines on the rockeries, especially the choicest Campanulas. Lilies, owing to the un- genial weather and cold spring, are suffering earlier than usual from spot, and many L. canadense and L. Ilumboldti have rotted a way in bud. The whole garden is an overgrown wilder- ness, and though it is a flowery wilderness, tl e colour of many of the flowers is poor and washy, so different from the colour of the same flowers which I have lately never been tired of looking at in the neat villa gardens at Colwyn Bay and Llanfairfechan, or round the cottages about Conway and Bangor, where the gardens are always made brighter and gayer than mine by the most commonplace materials. But then the sea air has such a wonderful effect on the colour and habit of flowers. How I wish I could have taken all my flowers to Llandudno for a month, as I did my grandchildren ; perhaps it would have improved their colour as mucli ; and how well they would have filled the empty garden of that empty house which the Dean of Christ- church buQt many years ago on the shore oppo- 84 THE GARDEN, [Jur.Y 29, 1882. site Conway, and which always looks as if it were in perpetual Chancery. Choice of plants. — While my spirit was disturbed by the above mentioned causes I read the suggestive letter of "J. C. L.," which appears in last week's Oabden, and began to consider how much of the untidiness of my garden is caused by herbaceous rubbish. I had already come to the determination to enlarge my flower- beds no more ; and had already announced to my gardener that I intended to take a new de- parture and adopt a policy of extermination, and that in future every new-comer must be planted over the grave of some older inhabitant. The question for consideration is where to begin. 1 am neither a botanist nor a florist, but since I commenced hardy flowergardeningin earnest — about fouryears ago — I have been collecting and raising from seed hardy plants of all kinds. I have wished to have a garden where anyone who came could see a great variety of hardy flowers growing, and learn what to select and what to avoid. Of many plants one year's acquaintance has proved sufficient ; but there are many doubtful subjects which I have seen ornamental in other gardens, and of which I from time to time change the soil and aspect, hoping they may improve their ways. Others, which I have raised in large quantities from seed, or which spread fast like the white Japa- nese Anemone, are so beautiful that it requires to be very hard-hearted to treat them as weeds, and it is difficult to know how to limit them. Indeed, after the gathering together of every kind, which requires no discrimination, it is the sorcing and arranging which is difficult. In the planless garden of this shapeless old house, where you cannot define what is meant for flower gar- den, what for kitchen garden, what for orchard or shrubbery, a large proportion of the orna- rnenfal plants are in square or oblong extempo- rised beds, put wherever there was room to spare. There they are huddled together, a riidis indiyestaque moles, or chaos of roots and leaves and flowers without any attempt at arrange- ment or effect. Many visitors tell me that this suits the house and place— perhaps a somewhat doubtful compliment; but anyhow it saves a great deal of trouble and disappointment. The old bedding-out and ribbon border .system, which I never disparage, though I should not care to have it in my own garden, had this advantage, it ensured your having flowers of a certain colour in a certain place at a certain time, but you cannot do that with liardy^ herbaceous plants ; many of them are capricious in their time and manner of flowerino-; a white flower comes in just as a blue or scarlet one, which it was intended to set off, goes out. Nothing looks more untidy than Delphinium formosura or the light blue hybrid Larkspurs or Lupinus polyphyllus when beginning to go out of flower. If there is laboui' enough at com- jnand to keep them properly trimmed it is better; but injudicious cutting down after flower- ing is ruinou-; to many herbaceous plants. I often read the plans for herbaceous borders re- commended by writers in the gardening journals, but seldom find one upon which I could depend to produce the efifect intended. The most effective herbaceous borders I have seen have been planted by no rule, whilst attempts at special arrangements of colour have generally been failures. After gomg round the garden to condemn rubbish, I really hardly know where to begin. Only yesterday I ordered the de- .struction of the double white Meadow Sweet. It is so coarse and so liable to mildew, and inferior to the double Dropwort, which it resembles, but I came upon oneplant of itso handsome andeffective that 1 had to save it. Then Bocconia cordata i9too coarse even for the back row of a flower border, though it has its admirers. Campanula grandisand persicifolia, which are beautiful in North Wales, are here weedy and untidy and poor in colour, but may be better if we ever have a dry sum- mer. As for C. latifolia and rapunculoides, they are the oldest inhabitants of the garden here, and assert a tenant-right in every spare corner in such a way that I dare not get rid of them if 1 wished ; but I do not wish, for there is a good deal of sentiment about gardening, and many weedy plants are cherished for the memories they recall. Hieracium aurantiacum, for instance, grew in a favourite corner of my grandfather's garden, and we used to see Silene nutans growing out of the old mortar in Not- tingham Castle walls soon after the castle was burnt by the rioters in 1S31. Corydalis lutea, too, and the quaint Astrantia major, and several others are protected plants here for some similar reason. After all, a great part of the untidi- ness of the garden is due to the fact that leaves must be allowed to wane and die after plants have flowered if we wish them to flower again in increased beauty. The long rows of coarse Colchicum leaves have at last disappeared, and when the beautiful flowers of the double au- tumn Crocus and of C. speciosum appear, they will more than compensate for past appearances. .'Vgain, I am not sure that "J. C. L.'' is quite right in what he says about flowers being super- seded by larger and more showy successors in the same style. The Greek proverb, " Grace waits on the small," is often true of flowers. Veronica longifolia subsessilis is a grand plant both in colour and habit, and grows 4 ft. high, but, be- sides many good earlier flowering kinds, there are five or six gradations in size of the same class of Veronica, nearly equally good in colour, down to the native spicata, only 4 in. high. So with white Daisies. I have now in flower six grada- tions in size, from Chrysanthemum atratum (so called from the whiteness of its flowers on the lucus a 71071 lucendo principle), with flowers 4 in. across, which isthe maximu.s,downtoPyrethrum Willemotti, with flowers half that diameter, which is the sextus and the best of all. Amongst many worthless Michaelmas Daisies there are a few really good, but no Michaelmas Daisy .should be admitted in a limited collection unless it has been seen in flower. Even if you get a species true to name, it does not follow that it is a good variety ; and such a variable species as Aster Novi-Belgii, for instance, includes some of the best as well as some of the worst Michaelmas Daisies in cultivation. I am never tired of asking my friends to send me their best ^Michaelmas Daisies, or of looking for them over the hedge of cottage gardens, and in this way am constantly improving my selection, having about a hundred varieties now under probation. Yellow com- posites form a large subject, too large to treat of fully at the end of this long dissertation ; but I may say that the selection of them must depend, even more than th.at of other plants, upon con- ditions of soil and climate. The best of the lot in Cheshire, both for cutting and ornament, is the wild Corn Marigold, which I was glad to see lately exhibited amongst twenty-four hardy flowers as the representative of the class, in two or three collections besides my own at a local flower show. Its cultivation should be studied. It will flower in the open air in ten of the twelve months, and if judiciously cut down will spread at the root like a perennial. One plant now in my kitchen garden is producing .so many flowers that I shall imitate the caution of a Greek historian, who, in speaking of the soldiers killed in a certain battle, said," Though I know the number, I shall not tell it, because I am sure I should not be believed." Of Sun- flowers 10 ft. high, Helianthits giganteus is good ; H. orgyalis rubbish ; from this height yellow composites range down to C in. Of Leopard's-banes, Doronicum Clusi is far the best, having the largest flowers and continuing to produce them from early spring to late autumn. Amongst comparatively new acquaint- ances in this class I may mention Helenium grandiflorum, IS in. high, very good indeed if true, but H. autumnale is generally sent for it; H. pumilum, 12 in. high, a very dwarf form of H. autumnale, also good ; Bahia lanata, 1 ft. high, hardiness here only proved in one mild winter ; Grindelia hirsuta, fine large regular flowers and about the same height. But it ia not easy to beat Coreopsis lanceolata, which I have received under at least six different names in forms differing little, if at all. Etidbeckia speciosa, wrongly called Newmani, just now opening, is of course an indispensable plant known to every gardener. In conclusion, I may advise those who are forming collections of hardy herbaceous plants to do their best to visit the nurseries at the time when what they intend to buy is in flower ; and if they are offended with the appearance of any of the plants they have seen recommended not to btiy those plants, but at the same time not to condemn the judgment of those who have recommended them unless they are sure that what has been praised is the' same as what they see before them. 0. Wollby Dod. JirtV/e Hall, Malpas. ORCHIDS. ORCHIDS AT BOOKING PLACE, BRAINTREE The small, but increasing collection here is well worthy of notice on account of the remarkably good health which the greater part of the plants exhibit and the cleanliness, neatness, and order which everywhere prevail. The houses, which are all new, were built according to Mr. Sydney Cour- tauUl's own plan, and they possess many unusually good features as regards Orchid growing. The ventilation is specially good ; ample means are furnished for giving airnearthe ground, and below, or on a level with the hot-water pipes, and perfect top ventilation is secured by having narrow venti- lators at intervals on both sides of the house. These narrow ventilators extend from the gutter to the ridge and are worked by levers. By this means, when a little air is put on stagnant air cannot exist in the house, as the openings extend the whole width, and a perfect circulation is the result. In the Odontoglossum house are represen- tatives of most of the showy, cool Orchids, some of the plants of Odontoglossum I'escatorei and O. Alexandrai being particularlj' sturdy and well bloomed. Here also are some fine plants of Oncidium macranthum with many fine flowers ; also 0. citro.-mum, 0. hastila- bium, Mcsospinidium vulcanicum, and many JIasdevallias. Tlie C'attleyas show that they like the light airy houses and the treatment given. Mr. Courtauld is a great advocate for sunlight and air, and less shading is given at Eocking Place than in most gardens. The Cattleyas, Lielias, and Brazilian plants generally are therefore very sound and strong. With these phants heavy shading pro- duces the most disastrous results, such as thin, weak gTowth, spot, and absence of flower. Very thin shading only should be used, and the culti- v.ator should bear in mind that that is only to be employed to keep the plants from being scorclied, and not to keep them dark. If the ventilation and damping down be well attended to, Cattleyas, La3lias,and most of the hard-skinned Epidendrums and Oncidiums will do better without any shading than with that usually employed. A very fine variety of the Amazon Cattleya superba splendens, some good C. gigas, C. Jlendelli. C. Mossia;, &c., are nicely in bloom. In the intermediate house some interesting things are in bloom, such as July 29, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 85 Palumbina Candida, Trichopilia hymenanthera, Oolax viridis, Arundina bambusa;folia, Oncidium Lanceauum, and many other showy plants, all of which seem thriving and s.atisfactory enough to induce their owner to still further increase his stock. The Nepenthes house contains the greatest number of varieties I ever saw brought together in a private place. N. llajah, N. Masters!, N. san- guinea, N. madagascariensis, N. Lawrenciana, N. Veitchi, N. albo-marginata, as well as almost all the other varieties in culti\ation being here in the shape of sturdy plants— altogether a most inte- resting collection. The whole garden indoors and out is a credit to llr. Gunn. At the time of my visit the rosery and covered walk of Roses was in itself worth a visit, immense clusters of these lovely flowers scenting the air on every side. The Peach and Nectarine houses also were heavily laden with fruit. James O'Beien. Hamm'-on - thi'-Si II. ORCHIDS IN SEASON. true Cypripedium C'hantini, one of the varieties about which so much has been written lately : Aerides crassifolium, one of the finest of all the Aerides ; Brassavola Digbj'ana, Cattleya Wag- neriaua, a variety with pure white flowers, except a large blotch of yellow in the labcllum ; Den- drobium bigibbum album, a pretty albino of a well-known Australian species. W. G. Differences among Oattleyas.— I bave been much interested in the illustrations that have appeared lately in The Garden of several lieautiful Cattleyas ; yet, even with the aid of these it is diflicult to distingui.'ih readily allied kinds, more especially as there exists such a variety of colour in each of the difierent forms. Will any one tell me in a few words the marked distinctions, excepting that of colour, between such kinds as C. labiata, Mossije, Jlendelli, gigas, Warneri, and Trianai? — E. C. In Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery, Upper Holloway, the following are among the more noteworthy of the Orchids in flower, viz , Trichopilia hymenan- thera, a species of dwarf growth, with long, fleshy, deeply-channelled leaves and racemes of flowers of delicate transparency, the large labellum being spotted copionsly with carmine on a white ground ; the sepals also are white. Paphinia rugosa, a very singular species, likewise with large trans- parent blossoms, curiously marked with choco- late-red spots and streaks; the flowers are produced from the base of the foliage. Coelogyne Massan- geana, an extremely handsome Orchid, with broad foliage, springing from large pseudo-bulbs, from the bases of which are developed long- pendulous racemes of white blossoms, having the labellums marked with brownish clio- colate and orange. A fine specimen in a suspended basket bears two long spikes, each of which bears over a score of flowers. Burlingtonia Candida is a charming Orchid when grown and flowered so finely as it is here ; a plant in a hang- ing basket bears two or three long pendu- lous racemes of delicate white blossoms blotched with yellow. Vanda Batemani, one of the noblest of the genus, is bearing a huge spike of blossoms, which are large, of a thick texture, and beauti- fully coloured with violet-purple and chocolate mottlings. In the Cattleya house there is still an attractive array of bloom, to which the beautiful La?lia elegans and its varieties contribute in no small degree. In the same house there is a fine display of Thunia alba, which is grown largely here in suspended baskets near the roof, and this treat- ment induces a prolific crop of Ijloora. It isa grace- ful and attractive Orchid when well grown, and very useful for cutting purposes. The JIasde\'alUa house is particularly gay with flowers produced in abundance, and besides the varieties of Harryana, Veitchi, ignea, Lindeni, and others, we noted the rare M. Normani, which, however, is more curious than attractive. In Mr. Bull's collection at Chelsea there is still a bright display of bloom ; we noted the follow- ing as being out of the ordinary run, viz. : Phalaa- nopsis tetraspis, a dwarf species, witli pretty white wax-like blossoms ; Grammatophyllum EUisi, a good specimen of a very handsome Orchid ; Masdevallia trochilus, the Humming Bird Orchid, both curious and handsome ; M. Normani, Cypri- pedium Mastersianum, the very handsome Lady's Slipper previously described ; Epidendrum rani- ferum, the Frog Orchid, and a handsome and in- teresting species not often seen ; Cattleya gigas Normani, a magnificent variety, one of the finest forms of the species ; and C. Leopoldi, Oncidium macranthum hastiterum, a much finer Orchid than the type. These, together witli some remarkably handsome varieties of 0. vesillarium, make up an interesting list. Besides the hybrid Lady's Slippers mentioned last week there are in Messrs. Veitch's collec- tion several other Orchids of more than ordinarv- interest, viz., Cattleya Chamberlaini, a very fine hybrid between C. Leopoldi; and C. Dowiana ; tlie PLANTS IN FLOWER. Antierhinums are best from cuttings. Salect your sorts amongst the seedlings, then increase as just mentioned. Each kind planted in groups of ifrom five to seven amongst other things pro- duces a much better effect than mixed groups do. T. S., Newry. Lysimachia bhachystacuys is a very pretty plant for a moist place. Its spikes of white flowers are curious, inasmuch as the flowering portion assumes from the first a horizontal posi- tion, which is gradually shifted up as the flowers open. T. S., Newry. AcuiLLEA ptarmica pl.-pl. — We find this most useful for touquets. Oxalis floribunda rosea has been very eft'ective on the rockery for several weeks. — Dicksons, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. [The Achillea seems fresher and better in Scot- land than here, though a good plant every- where.] The French Willow.— This plant is very effective, now in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, its graceful spikes telling well in the distance. A dangerous weed, it must bo planted with caution, and best in a clump without the garden proper, where it may ramble without doing harm. The YELLOW Camomile. — Anthemistiuctoria, though a hardy native plant, seems to be almost unknown, at least in its cultivated form, and as a showy summer and autumn floweiing border or exhibition plant it would be diflicult to find anything to surpass it. From Messrs. Dicksons, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. Indigofera floribunda. — Against one of the; walls in the Royal Exotic Nursery with a western aspect this pretty shrub has for some time been very attractive, being covered with its racemes of bright, rosy purple blossoms, which, intermingled with the elegant pinnate foliage, produce a charming effect. It is one of the be.st shrubs to plant against a wall witli a warm exposure, as it is a rapid grower, soon covering a bare space, and rarely fails to pro- duce a good crop of bloom. Clemati.s Pitchehi. — This Clematis, about which a good deal was written at the time when C. coccinea became prominent, is now in flower in the Dell at Kew amongst many other kinds, and it may safely be said that it is tlie least handsome of the whole. The flowers are only about h in. long, pendulous, and bell-sh.aped ; in colour "they are inside of a dull brownisli purple, and outside covered with short hairs. It is cer- tainly not suiliciently showy for general culti- vation.— H. Carnation Miss Jolifff,.— One of the most delicately coloured of all border Carnations ; has bold handsome flowers of a pale sliade of salmon pink, a colour that associates '(5ijapmingly with foliage in vases, for which purpose 'it should be grown in every garden. As a pot plant it is like- wise beautiful, a fact of which we had evidence the other day in the Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway, where it is largely grown in pots for decorative purposes and for cutting. AcT.'EA SPICATA IN BKRRY, from Mr. Ware's nursery at Tottenliam, is very ornamental, the berries, about the size of small Hazel nuts, being like bright red sealing-wax and even more glossy. In the border the plant is very effective asso- ciated with other things, and as it grows at Tottenham about 2 ft. high, it is seen to advan- tage. There is a white as well as red-berried variety, but the latter is the most ornamental. Both bear spikes of wliite flowers in .spring._ It is quite hardy, and thrives in any ordinary soil. Sollya LINEARIS.— This Australian climbing plant is one of the prettiest for adorning a pillar or rafter in a greenhouse. The branches are of slender growth, and each tiny twig is furnished with a profusion of little bell-shaped blossoms about i in. across of the most beautiful blue imaginable. As a pot plant, too, it is very pretty ; it is well grown in this way in Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery, Upper Holloway, where examples of it may now be seen beautifully m flower. It is one of those plants that require again to be made popular, being valuable for cutting as well as for other purposes. Aster albescens.— Blue of any shade is not very common among flowering shrubs, although largely represented by plants of a herbaceous character; therefore this A.ster, which is more ligneous than is usual in the genus, being in fact classed at Kew among shrubby members of the composite family, is well worthy of culdvation for the sake of variety. The individual blossoms are small, but arranged in dense heads of 4 in. or 5 in. in diameter, and being now in perfection are earlier in opening than those of most of their class. In colour they are of a pale bluish tint.— P. Lagerstrojmia iNDicA.— Of this beautiful shrub there is now a fine large bush laden with blcssoma in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Parle, where it is grown in one of the hot, moist stoves in pots, treatment that seems to suit it admirably, for it rarely fails to produce a fine crop of bloom annually since this treatment has been adopted. There are few plants that combine so much elegance and beauty in tlieir flowers as this ; each branch is terminated by a huge panicle of blossoms of a lovely rose-pink colour, and exquisitely fringed and criinpled at the margins. AVe also noticed some small plants of it, not more than 1 ft. high, in pots and well furnished with bloom. Olbaria Haasti.— This New Zealand shrub having proved itself to be thoroughly hardy in many places during the recent severe winters, is, from its remarkable free flowering properties, a very desirable one. It assumes the shape of a dense dwarf bu.sh, each shoot being terminated by a comparatively large head of small white star-like flowers borne in such profusion as to completely cover the plant. Its value is further enhanced by the great length of time during which the flowers remain in perfection after being cut and placed in water. It is now in flower at Kew. Ltlium Harrisi.— a good deal has been said about this Lily, which is a variety of L. longi- florum. It is stated to be extremely floriferous, and to continually develop flower-stems. Some plants of it now in flower in Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery. Upper Holloway, certainly seem to favour the statement. The main stems bear a flower similar to that of the variety eximium, 8G THE GARDEN. [July 29, 1882. and besides the main stem the bulb develops several others, varying from an inch or two in height to those nearly the height of tlie stem bearing the expanded bloom. Some of the sseondary stems bear a flower-bud which will expand about the time the present flower is past, 80 that there will be a succession of flowers on each plant. Of course it is somewhat premature to speak of the merits of the variety, but no doubt we shall see it often in future. DiPLADENiA BOLiviENSis is One of the most charming- occupants of the stove just now, as it is bearing its delicate blossoms of snowy white- ness, with only a blotch of warm yellow to mar its purity. Surely this somewhat old intro- duction is not much grown, or it would be more often seen, for it is not only a graceful plant for adorning the roof of a stove, but it is admirably adapted for cutting, for which pur- nose there are few prettier flowers. In the Victoria Nursery, Upper IloUoway, it is now beautifully in flower, in the company of its gayer relatives, such as D. profusa, amabilis, amoena, which we noted some time ago. It apparently thrives well under the same con- ditions of treatment, which is a warm, moist stove. The Bolivian Dipladenia is grown well at Syon House, in one of the small stoves where it is found to be a most useful plant. Hardy Heaths. — A very interesting series of the different varieties of the common Ling or Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is now either in flower or approaching that stage in some small beds of Ericaceae near King William's Temple at Kew. There is amongst them great diversity in habit, in colour both of fl«wers and foliage, and in the time of flowering. The plants are mostly young and vigorous, from 1 ft. to '2 ft. in diameter; some are dense green cushions but a few inches high, while others are of an erect form of growth. Alba minor and rigida are two good white kinds, the former slight and up- right in habit, the latter more spreading, but both very beautiful and distinct. A very slight, graceful, reddish flowered variety (tenuis) is in flower, being one of the earliest"; and among others mention may be made of pumila, which is more like a dense Moss than a Heath. A urea and dumosa aurea — both bear golden foliage and form bright yellow masses. In variegata the ordinary foliage is interspersed with leaves of a white hue. Pubes- cens is also very distinct, from the leaves being densely covered with hairs; other varieties are Searli, Alporti, decumbens, &c. With so much variety to choose from for carpeting, exposed parts of the American garden need not be bare, but,on the contrary, made most interesting spots. The season in Ireland. — After a long ces- sation I again send you a few flowers. During the twenty-four days of .Inly which have now passed we have only had two'days without rain, viz., 2nd and 4tb. The effect on some plants has been very remarkable. Herbaceous plants, as a rule, have grown very rank and given very little fljwer. Roses are a failure, and many ann^uals have rotted away. On the other hand, some plants seem to enjoy the excess of moisture, and are flowering better than they generally do. Amongst these the most conspicuous are the Lilies and Alstroimerias. L. auratum, L. chalce- donicum, L. testaceum, and L. Martagon are far beyond the average. L. giganteum also flowered well, but L. puberuUim and L. parda- linum are failures. The finest of them all is L. Martagon Catanife. This plant is a very strong grower, and when well established carries a head of from twenty to forty flowers of a rich blackish purple, which is most effective. The head of flowers I send is comparatively small, and you will notice how two or three flowers spring from the same spot. The Alstrcemerias sent are A. aurantiaca, A. bicolor varieties, and A. Pelegrina. I also send Betonica alopecuroides. — F. MoOEE, Glasnevin. Aristolochia ornithocephala. — The huge speciuien of this singular plant that occupies a large space under the roof of the aquatic bouse in the Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, is now producing a profusion of blossom ; indeed, we have never before seen this plant flower so freely, a circumstance doubtless attributable to the intense heat and abundant atmospheric moisture which it derives from its position. The large, curiously coloured, and still more singularly formed flowers hang on every little branch, and the odour which they emit (not of a pleasant kindj is overpowering. The rare A. Goldieana is likewise thriving with unnsual vigour in the same house, which evidently suits it. Dw.YRF Pinks. — We send you eight varieties of the little dwarf Pinks which require no stak- ing, their height from the ground to the top of the flowers being only from 6 in. to i) in. For several weeks they have been in full flower, and will continue for a long time yet, although we have cut them hard in for pipings. Pinks and border Carnations are so easily grown, that al- most the only cau,se of failure is their being occasionally planted when in flower instead of in autumn or .spring. — Dickson.S, Waterloo Place, Edinhuryh. [We like these varieties without wishing the mistaken aim for dwarfing to have more sway than at present. Can any- thing be more unwise than dwarfing such a plant as the Snapdragon ? Such efforts should be counteracted by raising tall and vigorous kinds, without which no good gardening is pos- sible. In the case of the Pinks we gain some- thing by the avoidance of staking, always a nuisance, and seldom rightly done.] RouPELLiA GRATA is a very handsome stove plant, related to the Allamandas and Dipla- denias, and a native of Sierra Leone. It is a Laurel-like climbing shrub, with shining dark green foliage, the petiole of which is purple. The flowers are borne in terminal cymes or heads, clustered rather closely together, each flower measuring about '2\ in. across. The colour is creamy white, the corona, which stands well up above the petals, being rose coloured. These flowers last for some time after opening, be- coming a deeper yellow with age. Their delicious fragrance is alone sufficient to entitle the plant to a place in stove collections, where for cover- ing pillars, trellises, or training on the roof it is well adapted. It is seldom met with, though there are fine specimens of it at Kew, where in one of the stoves one is nicely in flower. This plant has been named Cream fruit by some botanists, by whom it was supposed to be the plant from which the sweetmeat of that name was procured in Sierra Leone. It is stated, how- ever, that Dr. Thomson, who saw the fruit of this Roupellia in the Calcutta Botanical Garden, was of opinion that the Cream fruit must be the produce of some other plant. — B. Seedling Pent.stemons. — I enclose sprays of a batch of seedlings, the produce from one collection of seeds sown in March last year in a cold frame, and planted out in a border as a background to mixed hardy flowers. For this purpose I find they are being largely used; even where the front lines are composed of bedding plants, the back part is filled up with Fuchsias, Abutilons, Pentstemous, Antirrhinums, Lobelia cardinalis, Heliotropes, and similar plants, being a kind of compromise between the old mixed border and the ribbon border of later days ; and when well carried out there are some good points about the arrangement. As regards the | Pentstemons, they received no attention beyond keeping them free from weeds last summer, and the winter being favourable, they continued to grow a way freely , and became covered wit h flower- spikes quite early in spring. We have cut great quantities for furnishing vases, &c., as they are well liked for that purpose, and, being in good rich soil, they look as if they would continue flowering for months. The Pentstemon is hardy enough to stand ordinary winters, but if any extra good sorts are grown it is safest to strike cuttings of them now, and keep them in cold frames during the winter. The seed should be sown in pans or boxes in February or March, and the seedlings should be planted out in April or May in nursery lines, 0 in. apart, when they will soon be fit for final planting. Any good sorts may be readily increased by means of cuttings put in under bell-glasses, in a shady position, using fine sandy soil, and keeping them moist until well rooted. — James Groom. [In every way excellent.] KITCHEN GARDEN. LARGE CAULIFLOWERS. These are not things to be encouraged. The best Cauliflowers for table use are those which are solid, white, and clean, and about 6 in. across. Again, I fail to see why it should be thought desirable to grow Broccoli that turns in so late as the end of June and the begin- ning of July. Broccoli is so long on thegroundat any time that the patience of growers is often unduly tried, and all late sorts come off so late that not only is the soil very much exhausted, but it becomes vacant long after it should have been producing a successional crop. Besides, late Broccoli is always somewhat strong-flavoured, and cannot for a moment compare with sweet, tender young Cauliflowers, and if these latter can be had in plenty in the months of June and July the growing of such exceptionally late Broccoli seems preposterous. I sow the Snowball under glass without heat in Feb- ruary, prick the young plants out into frames, and at the end of April plant out with balls of soil attached into the open ground. These f urnisli an ample supply of delicious solid white heads during June and the early part of July, and in their growth give only about live months of trouble. Broccoli, to turn in at the same time, must have been sown some nine months earlier. Three or four sowings of the Snowball at monthly intervals give an ample supply all through the summer till Autumn Giant is ready, and then Broc- coli continues the supply till the following spring. If it is thought desirable to plant out autumn- sown Cauliflowers early in the winter, the best for that purpose is a good strain of the Early London, such as is grown by our leading marketgardeners. Messrs. Poupart,Pocock, and other famous growers in West Middlesex have a very fine strain, so firm, white, and solid, as to excel considerably any of the strains ordinarily met with in private gardens. Mr. William Poupart, of Twickenham, who grows Cauliflowers very largely, employs several hun- dred bell-glasses or cloches for the autumn pl.anted stock, putting out five plants under each glass, and of these only the best four are left in the early spring. Got out at the end of October, these give fine heads from the end of May onwards, and plants from the same sowing wintered and well hardened in frames put out in the spring continue the cutting till the spring-sown plants are suffi- ciently forward to come in to carry the supply through the summer. Mr. Poupart, in common with nearly all the large market growers, saves his own seed, a score or two of the plants producing the handsomest and most solid heads being set aside for that pur- pose. An ample supply of moisture from the ad- joining sewage pumping station enables this grower to keep his summer plants in the most robust and healthy condition. Mr. Poupart July 29, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 87 thinks 'the cloche preferable to the old hand- light, and in the end cheaper. Of course if a cloche should unfortunately get broken there is an end of it, but handlights get broken also, and the cost of repairing and painting where hundreds are used forms a heavy item. The earlier forms of the cloche were of the true bell-shape, the base of the glass projecting outwards. This form was pro- vocative of breakage, but now that vertical-sided glasses are made the breakage relatively is very much less. In using these over the Cauliflower plants through the winter it is not the rule to give air, for none seems to be needed. Because of this tliere is little need to be handling the cloches, and still less reason for them to be injured. In the spring these glasses are invalu- able for protecting early put-out Cucumber and Marrow plants, and for many purposes they may be profitably employed. It seems strange that cloches are not more largely found in private gardens, for a score or two of them would prove of great service in many ways, and not least for the protection of Cauliflowers, Lettuces, kc, during the winter, and for raising seeds, propa- gating plants, and otlieruses during the summer. Cauliflowers merit as much as any member of the Brassica family careful culture, and far more liberal growth than is usually bestowed. What with sucli very precocious kinds as the Snowball, such substantial late kinds as the Autumn Hiant, and with good strains of the Early London to stand through the winter, tliere is no reason why in any good garden Cauliflowers should not be had all through the summer half of the year, rendering as regards the vegetable supply the greatest service to the gardem r. A. D. LoDgsTVord French Bean.— This is one of the earliest and most prolific dwarf Beans in cul- tivation, equally suitable for forcing, or for out- of-doors. I grew it tills season for forcing, sowing at the same time two more varieties of what I con- sidered to be the earliest sorts. Under the same treatment the Longsword produced Beans fit for use twelve days before the other two sorts were fit to pick from. The plants of Longsword bore a heavy crop of fine Beans, averaging from 5 in. to Tin. in length, thick and flesl y, and when cooked of first-rate quality. I have grown this variety side by side with Newington Wonder, Sir Joseph Paxton, Canadian Wonder, and Early Six Weelis, the seeds of all these kinds being sown on the same day upon a south border under the same treatment. Longsword was ready for use nine days before the others, producing Beans of first-rate quality and in abundance, each plant often bear- ing from thirty-five to forty pods. Plants of it grow stout and throw out numerous side branches, which keep flowering and producing quantities of Beans. It resembles Canadian Wonder in growth, but is dwarfer and more stocky. The other varie- ties came into bearing as follows : Early Six Week, Newington Wonder, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Canadian Wonder. The last is one of the very best of Beans, and one which produces pods of great length and perfect in form. It is, moreover, one of the best for a general crop either in garden or field. — William Christison, Uromlcy Common. SHORT NOTES.— KITCHEN GARDEN. Seedling Potatoes. —I send you samples of seedling Potatoes, kidneys and rounds. What is your opinion of them ? [The kidney Potatoes were very nice in flavour and good in form ; the roundish Potato not so good.) Six g-ood Peas producing licavy crops of excellent quality arc, William I., Telephone, Champion of England, Ne Plus Ultra, Veitch's Perfection and Omega. These come in in succession somewhat in the order named, from .lime to October inclusive.— John Roberts, Tan-ij-Bivh-h. The Mummy Pea. - 1 send you a sample of Peas named The Mummy, a few of which were given to my em- ployer some years ago. It is a very prolific kind— indeed the best Pea we grow here, especially as regards flavour. It grows about 6 ft. in height in good soil, and is a very pro- fitable Pea. It is quite a favourite here, although I grow a good many other varieties.— GE'.). C'arpe.vtek, Rydens, Walton-on-Thamc?. SIZE V. FLAVOUK. We would urge all who have to do with gardens, gardeners, and seedsmen to fight against the distortion of some of our best things, and the mis- chievous changes effected in them, by the mania for size, which is acting injuriously on many of our vegetables. Although the fl.avour of vege- tables may be far more subtle than that of fruit, it is none the less the most essential thing belong- ing to them. A change in size, by adding to the watery tissue and fibry framework of the plant, may entirely destroy the flavour for which we admire it. A certain degree of openness to sun and air may be the very essentials which govern the flavour ; these maj' be replaced by doubling or trebling the size of the article itself, which has indeed been done in the case of the Brussels Sprout. This is, unfortunately, often no longer the true little rosette of green, but really a coarse and wholly distinct large Cabbage sprout. This, however, is a case of deliberate deviation from a favourite and established type. Less absurd, perhaps, but equally bad, is the raising of new varieties whicli may be lacking in flavour, and abolishing really good old kinds, from sup- posed deficiency in size. There has been, for example, for the last few years, a French Bean observable in our markets very large and symme- trical,but without any of the delicate flavour of the small French Bean. However, its huge mawkish pod, " bulking up " well for *he market gardener, and cutting up tender, has become essential to him. Now here is a delicate vegetable, the merit of which depends entirely on its flavour ; and whether we get quantity in the shape of six Beans or one Bean, it matters nothing to the consumer if the very object of growing tlie vegetable is lost sight of. So again in Peas. What is the good to the public of any new Pea if it has not a good flavour ? The Pea is by no means a desirable vegetable if the flavour is not what we want. Mere size, or filling of a pod well, is a low quality in a Pea, from any point but that of the market grower, who wants his baskets to bulk up well. VVhethcr from the excessive use of manure, or the selection of some coarse, vigorous, strongly-ribbed kinds, nothing is more difficult than getting in the London market a Cabbage with the natural or good flavour. Sometimes a flavour may be made too rich, which is also a mistake ; and thus we find many cooks in London prefer the little long Turnip of the Paris market, which has a truer Turnip flavour than some of the others. We hope we have said enough to prove that people may lose much of what makes a garden worth having by not efiiciently controlling the thoughtless and harmful mania for mere size unless accompanied b}' other more desirable qualities. — Field. NOTES or THE WEEK. Aug. APPOINTMENTS. O.xford .Summer .Show. Weston-super-llare and East Somerset Annual Show. 3.— South Kensington, British Bee-keepers' Exhibi- tion at Royal Horticultural Gardens opens. 5 and 7.— South.ampton Summer Show. Liverpool Summer Show. Thk reports on the FRUIT CROP gathered together from all parts of the country and published elsewhere in to-day's Garden will doubtless be read with interest. After so favourable a winter and spring it was hoped that in this season at least we should have plenty of Apples ; such, however, is not the case. Mr. (-!oleman, writing from Ledbury, Herefordshire, says, " Orchards, of which we have tliousands of acres in this county, are a complete failure," and the same account, with few exceptions, reaches us from all quarters. Pears, too, are nearly as bad. The cause is said to be the low temperature which occurred at setting time and the gale which swept over the country on the I 29th April, and which nearly stripped the trees of both flowers and leaves, the work of de- struction being completed by swarms of insect pests which have been unusually troublesome this year. Amongst Apple trees which are bearing any crop at all are the different kinds of Codlins, Lord Suffield, Ilawthornden, King- of the Pippins, Cellini, Dutcli Mignonne, Kerry Pippin, Blenheim Orange, Wellington, French Crab, Stone's Apple, Tower of Glamis, Red Quarrenden, Graham's llusset, and a few others which bear well in most seasons ; but crops on these even vary according to the amount of shelter which they receive ; shelter, indeed, seems to be more than ever important. It is not enough to put the hardier kinds outside, and those that are more tender in the middle. Belts of ordinary trees and shrubs must be planted to sift and break the force of cold winds on the most exposed quarters, and until that is done orchard crops will always be more or less in danger. With the e.\ception of Apples, Pears, and perhaps Plums, which blooming later encountered a stormy time, other fruit crops have been fairly good. Bush fruits and Straw- berries, indeed, have borne unusually heavy crops; even Peaches and Nectarines in most places have been good and especially Apricots, the weather having been favourable while they were sitting. The Cleveland district of Yorkshire was at one time famous or its Apricots; they used to pay the rent of many cottages, but owing to the value of fruith aving been lowered through importations from Ham- burgh and Rotterdam and elsewhere, the trees have been allowed to wear out. " On the walls of tlie workhouse at Stokesley," says a corre- spondent, " the Apricot crop used to realise from £10 to £15 a year; but now the trees are reduced to a few stumps." " This year," adds the same correspondent, " I have only seen one tree bearing anything like a crop, and that is on the wall of a house with an overhanging roof," clearly indicating what a little shelter in that way can do. Damsons are not a heavy crop generally ; but in sheltered hollows in some parts of Kent there are good crops of that ex- cellent sort the Farleigh or Crittenden Damson. Of Shepherd's Bullace many thousands of bushels are annually produced in Kent and manufactured into a cheap jam hardly distinguishable when well made from Green Gage. Amongst Cherries the best crop is to be found on ^lorellos which are also large and fine in quality ; even on bushes they are good, a graceful way of growirg this useful Cherry, and one which is worth adopting even in some districts where it is now wholly confined to walls. Nuts are a fair crop, but Walnuts are in most places scarce. Figs will be good this year, i.e., if we get a little warm sunshine to ripen them properly. We may add that almost everywhere the Potato disease has set in, ,and is spreading with unusual speed. Even so-called disease-resisting kinds are becom- ing badly diseased. Special prizes. — On Thur.sday next, in the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Kensing- ton, the prizes offered by Messrs. Sutton, Read- ing, and Messrs. Carter, High Holborn, will be competed for. IMessrs. Sutton's prizes (five if number, amounting to IH guineas) are for two kinds of Melons, two fruits of each, to include their new Hero of Lockinge, and two braces of two varieties of Cucumber, to include their Duke of Connaught variety. Messrs. Carter's prizes (four in number, amounting to C^ guineas) are offered for six pots of Tomatoes, selected from the varieties Green Gage, Holborn Ruby, Golden Drop, Dedhani F.avourite, Grapeshot, Red Currant (all Mes.srs. Carter's varieties), and President Garfield and Vick's Criterion. Millionaire iiorticitlture. — Mr. Jay Gould's hobby is horticulture ; and he has a 88 THE GAEDEN. [July 29, 1882. grand conservatory 400 ft. lon^, having many ■wings 80 ft. long, all divided into sixteen sections, the temperature in each being regulated independently. In the grounds, which are about 500 acres in extent, a section is devoted to 400 varieties of Roses and Palms ; Pitcher plants and Crotons are also very numerous. The flower garden comprises three acres ; the vegetable garden four. On two acres Vines are cultivated, and a large orchard has 400 Apple and 500 Pear trees. Mr. Gould threw open these grounds to the public on the Fourth of July at his country home, Irvington, on the Hudson. The council of the Society op Arts have presented a memorial to the Secretary of State for India in CouncU, calling his attention to the great and growing demand in India and the colonies for the services of persons skilled in forest cultivation. The memorialists believe that no suitable provision exists at any of our great centres of instruction for the teaching of natural science in special reference to forestry, and they express an earnest hope that steps may be taken by the Indian Council to establish a department for such teaching in the Royal Engineering College at Cooper's Hill. Peas ANDTHEiB QUALITY. — Peas .are Wretched iu Covent Garden this season, though the weather is not unfavourable ; but the winds and the way they are allowed to grow spoil all. It is curious to note, too, that some who send us Peas to be tested for flavour send them as full and nearly as hard as marbles. We have good reason to believe that too Lttle attention is paid to securing vegetables in the best state for eating. Electric lighting. — The premises of Messrs. Sutton, at Reading, have been lighted externally with two Bru.sh arc lights, and an exhibition of Maxim incandescent lights supplied by the Electric Light and Power Generator Company, has been opened by Messrs. Ileelas, of that town. The Phylloxbra. — Considerable conster- nation has been caused by the appearance of the Phylloxera at several points in the canton of Neuohatel and Geneva. DIFFICULTIES OF HARDY FRUIT CULTURE. Before embarking iu any venture it is always well to gauge the chances " and difficulties likely to beset it, and provide accordingly. Fruit grow- ing, one might say, is a venture in this country, the results of which are by no means certain, for success or failure depends very much on situation and soil. It is perfectly futile to give directions of a general nature for application everywhere or anywhere in these islands. In the favoured dis- tricts in the south of England crops of Apples and Pears are secured with far less trouble than in the north ; and there are favoured districts even in the north where crops are far more constant and better than in others. What strikes one, too, is that among fruit growers of the south fruit culture is by no means such an anxious business as in the north. Pruning, root-pruning, and training, &c., are not things which give south- ern growers much uneasiness" In the north it is otherwise. Numbers of varieties of fruits that do well in the south rarely ripen well in the north, except on walls; and numbers of Apples and Pears, given as hardy kinds suitable for northern or cold districts, are nothing of the kind. I do not think any authority on fruit culture could, at the present time, make out a trustworthy list of Apples and Pears that would do well generally, even from the Tweed to the Severn, conBning themselves alone to popular varieties ; the thing would be out of the question with all the varieties enumerated in catalogues. Yet the most confi- dent selections are made bv both writers and! nurserymen ; and, as many planters rely entirely upon such selections, multitudes of trees have been planted that are hardly of any use whatever. The selection of sorts, however, is scarcely of so much importance as soil, climate, and culture. To begin with, soil ; most people know that it cliifers everywhere in depth and quality, condi- tions that affect the production of fruit immensely. In some parts of Yorkshire, for example, where the soil is comparatively thin, but good, the trees make moderate growth, and produce good crops without much trouble, while in other parts where the soil is also good, but deep, healthy trees make shoots like withies, 5 ft. long in a season, which never thoroughly ripen, and which are conse- quently barren. The attempt to grow dwarf trees under such circumstances has proved a failure, unless much root-pruning is practised. It is on those deep, moist and strong soils, in a northern climate, or in cold upland situations, th.atthe cul- tivator has the hardest task, which is mainly one of ripening the wood. Could he only make sure of that, crops of all kinds would be a comparative certainty. Thorough maturity of growth is the thing above all others which the fruit grower has to aim at, and much can be done to secure that under the circumstances named, by more atten- tion as regards soil and the preparatioii of bor- ders. I do not advocate expensive borders, nor believe in them. Almost any ordinary good soil will produce fruit well ; but if it happens to be either very rich or deep, it is sure to hinder the ripening of the annual shoots and the production of fruit buds. Borders are often 3 ft. and 4 ft. deep, and perhaps consist of strong loam. What, therefore, can anyone expect but that growth will be late in pushing in spring and late in ripening in autumn, it it ever ripens ; and that the bloom on such trees will be scarce, as well as incapable of resisting frost so well as that on thoroughly ripened shoots ? This is commonly admitted, but not acted upon. Borders are almpst invariablj' made deep if they are " made " at all, and one avowed object of making them deep is to prevent the trees suffering from drought, which neither Apples nor stone fruits endure well ; but drought can easily be prevented by mulching in dry sea- sons, and, at the worst, drought is better than too much moisture at the root. Another point is the temperature of the soil. In this country the temperature ranges from about 65°, or a little higher on the average, 1 ft. under the surface, to 60° 3 ft. and 4 ft. deep. Consequently, the roots of trees that lie 18 in. or 1 ft. from the surface experience the highest temperature by a considerable number of degrees, and .as a few de- grees of difference in the mean temperature make a great difference to vegetation, it may be guessed of how much importance the depth of the border is in fruit culture out-of-doors. Nobody disputes that the main cause of the superiority of the Pears and Apples from Jersey and other favour- able parts is the climate or the higher temperatm-e ; and no one need doubt, either, that a proportion- ate difference can be made in this country by practical attention to the points under considera- tion. A fruit tree in a pot shows how much the character of the tree is effected by temperature. Growth does not push very much earlier than in trees planted out, nor is it desirable it should do so, for early growth increases the risk of a check by frost ; but when growth does fairly begin it makes better progi-ess, and is of a different stamp from that produced by trees which have their roots in a deep and cold soil. The wood is shorter- jointed, the leaves less luxuriant, the fruit ripens much earlier in autumn, and the leaves are shed sooner— all for the simple reason that Nature has fulfilled its functions, and within a .shorter spiace of time. Root restriction has some share in accom- plishing this, no doubt ; but the higher tem- perature at the root is the main reason, be- cause the small body of soil in the pot is benefited by the heat of the atmosphere almost as soon as the branches. It is quite practicable to make borders that will be as warm as the soil in a pot without any of the drawbacks attending pot culture, viz., by giving the roots lateral space, and making the borders shallow. Sand, or light and naturally warm soils, might be 18 in. deep perhaps ; but in heavy tenacious soils and in wet climates 1 ft. would be quite sufficient, and less probably would do for Peaches out-of-doors. The character of the growth of a Peach tree grown in a shallow and not too rich soil is so different from that produced on deep borders as to strike the most inexperienced. Peach trees will make wand- like shoots 4 ft. long in a season in deep borders, and these never ripen, but remain green to the end of the season, and are sure to perish by frost ; and should they survive they will be barren. Trees in shallow gritty borders, on the other hand, make slender, short-jointed shoots, well furnished with fruit buds, and although they may not ripen quite to their points, no great length will need to be cut from them at pruning time on that account. Trees with their roots in deep borders continue to send up sap till late in the year, the soil being warmer about the roots than the air is about the branches, and when November is mild, it is quite a common thing to see Peach trees growing, and when they should be leafless as green as they were at midsummer. One great advantage of shallow borders is that they soon cool as winter sets in, and growth is arrested in good time. Cli- mate we cannot alter, but we can adapt our prac- tice to it, and, shortly, this consists in cold cli- mates in exposing the branches of the trees to all the light possible, training thinly, and taking ad- vantage of the sunshine in all ways, choosing the hardiest and earliest varieties, and planting in the warmest situations. Shallow borders are, of course, also of much advantage in a cold climate. Planting. — ^The border must first be prepared, and here a difficulty presents itself in forming the borders shallowenough where the subsoil is softand permeable. Concretingor flagging the bottom of the border is expensive, but much may be done by ram- ming the bottom or foundation with heavj' wooden rammers until it is smooth and hard, and if plenty of lime scraps and stones are beaten into the sur- face at the same time, all the better. Roots do not readily penetrate a very liard soil if they can find suitable pasturage elsewhere. An excellent plan which I have seen adopted in a cold locality consisted in placing several good large rough flags under the trees at planting time. One large flag was placed under the bole of the tree, and others were arranged round it, being overlapped like the slates upon a roof, thus preventing the roots from penetrating between the joints and giving them a lateral direction, where they most likely would have penetrated straight down at once. In root- pruning a number of old trees that had been planted in this way, the advantage of the flags was apparent, for it was not found necessary to go nearer to the trunk than the outer ring of flags, no roots having gone down into the deep sub- soil till they had grown over the edge of these. It is always a matter some importance to know where the roots are in such cases. The most tender fruits of course, like the Peach and Fig, are most bene- fited by being kept up near the surface at the root. If drought is anticipated, it is easily pre- vented by mulching the surface thickly with any loose vegetable matter at band ; but such mulch- ing should be removed early in autumn, to allow the sun to reach the soil itself, and so assist in the ripening of the wood. Shallow borders on con- crete or rammed bottoms should have a rather sharp slope to the side, where a good drain must be provided in order to carry the water quickly away from the roots. As to the treatment of the branches, it is important to nail the shoots of wall trees early to the wall without crowding, as those shoots wliich are soonest tied in ripen soonest. Pinching all gross slioots early, and keeping them pinched to the end of the season, helps also to check over-luxuriance. No good is done by per- mitting growth, and after July judicious pinch- ing of all laterals and green points should be attended to. Standard trees are much more depen- dent on the weather and climate than wall trees, of course, but the same rules apply to them as to the others, and in an even greater degree. July 29, 1882.] THE GARDEN, S9 Koot pruaiug: will be needed periodically in all strong soils, but shallow borders will obviate its necessity in a large measure ; but the practice of planting the trees at the outset on a circle of rough flags, as before suggested, or any other im- pervious bottom that may be found convenient, will greatly facilitate root-pruning oiierations, with "the best check to the trees, as the fringe of roots can at any time be curtailed as they extend beyond the stones. J. S. \V. EDITOK'S TABLE. Alstrckmeria.s. — Very handsome, from Glas- nevin, where they grow freely, as, indeed, they do in most light or warm soils. Perhaps the best and most useful of all is A. aurea, but A. pulchella is good, and A. psittacina is quaint. The black mabtagon. — Admirable, from Glasnevin. It is a picturesque addition to our hardy, useful Lilies. What Mr. Moore says of its growth this wet season may be seen in hi« note published elsewhere this week. LiLIUM LONGIFLOBDM TAKESIMA. — A Lily not 90 much known or grown as it should be. The flowers are of fine substance. These had a heavy thunderstorm on them when in bloom, but it has made little difference to them. From the New Plant Company, at Colchester, and admirably grown, one plant being within 1 in. of 3 ft. high. Podophyllum emodi in rnrix. — Very hand- some, with its deep coral fruit as large as an egg. The foliage is ample and fine in form. When the plant becomes more common and is well grown, as such a hardy plant may well be in rich, cool soil, the great hanging berries and fine foliage will be of use in bold decoration. From Mr. Ware. FnAGnANCE. — Lavender, Rosemary, Balm of GUead, Sweet Verbena. Mignonette, Sweet Brier, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Musk Mallow — these from a friend's garden, some without flowers, are more fragrant and welcome than we can say. How poor a garden is without most of them ! The Balm of Gilead is hardy on light soils we find, though it invariably perished on the clay with us. Gladiolu-s colvillei. — The white form of this does what we all ought to do — get purer and better as we get older. Spikes in a room are as they open at the top more beautiful than when they came, five days ago. Cut some and watch it. Sprays of the common white Jas- mine go well with three spikes of tlie Gladiolus in a simple glass. Saxifhaga diveesifolia. — One of the hand- somest and most distinct plants we have seen in its singularly rich family. The leaf is like a Parnassia ; the flowers bold gold cups dotted minutely with orange. Grown in a healthy mass together it would be effective, and it is very pretty closely examined. Mr. T. Smith, writing from Newry, says, "It is now, blooming for first time. It bears at first sight more resemblance to Gentianaeeae than Saxifragacese. Tried in various positions, it is found to succeed best in a damp, peaty soil in a shady place." La Semaine Prancaise, a Weekly News- p.iper and Review in French for the United Kingdom. — Politics, Literature, Science, Art, Societj', Varieties, Notes ; for general and family reading. " Will be highly valued in households where French is cultivated. " — Queen. Price 3d., at New.sagents and Bookstalls ; copy by post 3Jd., in stamps. — 37, Southampton St„ Covent Garden, London, W.C. INDOOR GARDEN. BEGONIAS AT FOKEST HILL. The now prevalent custom among nurserymen of making special exhibitions of particular classes of plants is a commendable one, and we are glad to see it extending. Exhibitions of this character enable one to make a leisurely survey, which cannot be done at an ordinary flower show, and, moreover, as a rule, the collections are very full, so that one has the whole array of vai-ieties at hand for comparison. As others have done in the case of Orchids, Khodo- dendrons, Koses, Amaryllis, Chrysanthemums, &c., so Messrs. Laing & Co. are doing in that of the tuberous Begonia, a flower peculiarly well adapted for exhibition, as its flowering season is long and continuous ; fully two months have elapsed since the plants began to flower, and they will last in beauty for several weeks yet to come. At their Stanstead Park Nursery Messrs. Laing have unquestionably the finest display of tuberous Begonias that has yet been made, for, fine as their shows have hitherto been, they are surpassed by that this season chiefly on account of special provision having been made for such a display. In order to show the plants off to tlie best advantage a capacious span- roofed house, some 100 ft. long by 2.5 ft. wide, has been erected, and this is filled principally with specimen exhibition plants. This house has been constructed specially for the Begonias ; a broad stage runs down the centre, so as to allow of plenty of head room, while around the sides is a similar stage ; this space affords room for an enormous number of plants. Ample provision is made for heating, and particular attention has been paid to venti- lating and shading, two conditions on which the good preservation of flowering Begonias de- pends. Ventilators are placed along the whole length of the roof on either side of the ridges and along the sides on a level with the plant, the sashes are arranged so as to admit of abund- ance of air. The contents of this house at the present time reveals the wealth of beauty existing among these Begonias ; they not only possess the most brilliant of colours, but they combine with them an elegance of' growth equalled by few other plants, a character strik- ingly illustrated by the plants in su.spended baskets under the ridge of the house. The long drooping branches of these basket plants, pro- fusely laden "with brilliant blossoms, produce a fine effect, and it is a plan of growing the tuberous Begonia that well merits being oftener practised than it is. The specimen plants on the stages are marvels of skilful culture, the majority being in 0-in. and 12-in. pots, with the branches so dense as to form perfect bushes copiously furnished with bloom. The collection embraces an immense number of varieties; even the named kinds amount to upwards of 200, while unnamed seedlings are proportionately numerous. Every year there is a steady increase in the number of named varie- ties, though the annual number is considerably less than formerly ; improvement has been so rapid, that a seedling now must possess excep- tional qualities before it receives a distinctive name. Hence, it may be inferred that new varie- ties now named are very fine ones, as the varieties have become so numerous it has been found necessary, at least in this nursery, to lay down a certain number of points so as to form a standard of excellence to which seedlings must conform before they are considered worthy of naming. The habit of growth must be robust and compact, and the plants must be free flowering. The flowers must be large, as near circular as possible, the petals rounded and of firm texture, and he iiower-stBlk not too long, and sufficiently stout to show the flower to advantage. As to colour, an all important point, none are con- sidered worth naming imless they are different in shade from older varieties, but any new de- parture is eagerly sought for, fixed, and worked upon. The most prevalent colours are scarlets, vermilions, crimsons, pinks, and roses. Excel- lent white and yellow kinds have akso been obtained, and it may not be long before we hear of a purple, now the aim of hybridists. Single vakieties. — Various fine additions have been made to these, some of which repre- sent quite a new break in the way of colour. In Mrs. Dr. Duke we have one of the finest tingle varieties we have ever seen, its habit of giowlh being exceptionally fine, while the flowers, which are large and good in form and substance, possess a brilliant purple-cerise tint quite dis- tinct from that of any other kind. Another remarkable for colour is Arthur G. Soanies; the flowers of this are large, and, like the last, pro- duced in great abundance, and the colour is deep velvety crimson, the deepest yet obtained. Madame Stella is a very fine new variety re- markable for the profusion of its long, bright rose-pink blossoms which hang gracefully on half drooping shoots. J. T. Boscawen and Exonieusis are likewise two beautiful varieties, which, with Madame Stella, have worthily been awarded certificates this year. Exoniensis is par- ticularly fine, iaasmuch as the habit of growth is dwarf and it is very free flowering, while the large, finely-shaped blossoms are of a vivid orange-scarlet. A very pleasing and beautiful sort is named Mrs. Robert Wbyte, the flowers of which are unusually large and of a lovely rose-pink. Other excellent novelties are Caplain Lambert and Mrs. G. Freeman. From the general collection we should select the following as comprising every variation, viz., Hon. Mrs. Brassey, Annie Laing (very fine), Leila, Lady Hume Campbell, J. H. Laing, Stan- stead Rival, Trocadero, Paul Masurel, Mas- sange de Louvrex, Maude Churchill, Countess of Kingston, Cieneral Roberts, J. "V^^ Fer- rand, and J. Aubrey Clarke. The finest white that exists at present is Mrs. Laing, an ex- tremely beautiful kind, though probably it may soon have a rival, judging by what we hear. The other whites are beautiful. Alba floribunda, Reine Blanche, Queen of Whites, and all of which are shown to perfection here. To pure yellows there is a fine addition in a new one called Chromatella, which combined with a pro- fusion of clear yellow flowers has a beautiful compact growth, and rich green velvety foliage. Empress of India, Savllle's Yellow, and Sulphur Queen are also very fine. A novelty In the pretty Davisi type is one called Scarlet Gem, which has larger flowers than typical Davisi, and of an intensely deep scarlet. All the varieties of this race are extremely beautiful, and should be represented by one or two at least in every selection of tuberous Begonias. Double vabieties. — Among these there is a marked improvement, and some of the new kinds are far ahead of the older ones. One of the most beautiful doubles we have yet seen Is one appropriately named Queen of Doubles of which we give an illustration. The flower of this variety is simply perfection, being quite a rosette, and the half-expanded buds bear astronger resemblance to Tea Rose buds than anything we have seen. The colour is a rich glowing crin).son, so clear and brilliant as to be dazzling to look upon ; the habit of growth is good, and it is a copiousflowerer. In short it is a .splendid variety, and one that must inevitably become popular. Other beautiful new kindsare Glory of Stanstead with large rosette-like flowers of a deep rose colour shaded with white in the centre, and of a graceful drooping habit of growth ; Mad. 90 THE GARDEN. [July 29, 1882 Oomasse, ■with huge blossoms very double and of a bright rose; William Bealby, very large and of an orange-red colour ; Dr. l)uke is a fine bright salmon-red; and Campaniflora, with semi- double ■white flo'wers overlaid •with a creamy shade. Mrs. Captain Thompson is said to be a fine one, but -we did not find it in flower. One of the finest double ■whites yet raised is called Blanche Jeanpierre, the flo^wers of ■which are perfect rosettes and of a soft yello^wish ■white. An exquisite variety is Fulgurant; it has a drooping growth, dark foliage, and perfectly double tlo^wers of a rich deep crimson. Ibis is, ■we think, among the most beautiful of all the doubles, and is particularly suitable for growing in suspended baskets. Among older varieties in flower wereDavisi fl.-pl.superba, the splendid variety which gained so much admiration last year; also the lutea form, which by the way is not yellow, but rather orange-red. A represen- tative collection of other double kinds would include Clovis, Dinah Felix, Marie Boucbet, President Burelle, PKoniaeflora, Mad. Keteleer, Gaston Malet, Esther, Comtesse II.de Choiseul, Balsaminrettora, and Marie Limbert, the latter a beautiful drooping variety. The above are a few of the best of the named varieties, but many of the unnamed seedlings, of which there is an enormous quantity, are even finer. A list of the kinds grown here in baskets may be useful to our readers. They include Louis ]?ouchet, Mrs. Wills, Sedeni, Campaniflora, Magenta Queen, Royal Standard, Emperor, Vesuvius, and Duchesse de Cambaceres — the last a double-flowered variety. All the pre- ceding are well adapted for baskets or pedestals on account of their drooping habit of growth and profuseness of flowering, most of them being derived from the boliviensis type. Outdoor culture is carried out extensively as a necessity, for the plants abound so numerously that no room can be found for them under glass, several houses as well as numerous capacious pits being crowded with plants counted only by the thousand. To give an idea of the enormous quantity planted in the open ground it need only be mentioned that on one breadth alone there are no fewer than 10,000 plants, chiefly seedlings, all of which have to be proven before being distributed, and exceptionally fine varieties continually crop up. The effect pro duced by such a vast assemblage of plants, for the most part of brilliant colour, is very fine and the brightness will be intensified later in the season when the plants gain vigour. The named varieties are planted out in breadths according to their colours ; for instance, the ■whites, yellows, orange-yellows, red-scarlets, and so on are grouped by themselves which constitutes homogenous masses of colour. There is one spacious bed of specimen plants particu- larly interesting as the plants have remained out for two or three yeaw, and this year they are stronger than ever, developing hugestems and carrying a great crop of blossoms, which seem to gain brilliancy by the full exposure of the plants. The varieties in this bed comprise most of the finest, and they show their true character under the conditions. The excessive wet weather we have lately experienced seems to favour the tuberous Begonia, for the beauty of the plants is in no way impaired thereby, and on this account the Be- gonia has a great ad\antage over the Pelar- gonium, which suffers so much in wet seasons. There is, doubtless, a bright future for the Be- gonia in the open-air garden, and one of the special aims of Messrs. Laing has been to obtain a race of varieties well adapted for bedding out, and they have succeeded, but they intend to improve the race still further, which, no doubt, they will in due time manage eventually to do. W. G. Eiehornea azurea.— Last jear this plant proved a great success in the out-of-door tank at Oxford Botanic Garden, Mr. Baxter finding that the leaves were retained longer, and the whole plant looked much healthier when grown cool than it ever does in a warm tank. A plant is growing in the hardy aquatic tank at Kew, and although the weather has hitherto been all against anything of this kind, yet this plant has made several leaves, and looks like thriving. In the \'ictoria house, where the temperature of the water is from 80° to 85°, this Eiehornea is not quite at home, although it grows very rapidly and flowers freely. Doesanyoneevei flower the old I'on- tederia crassipes ? I have met with the plant in many gardens, but have never yet seen it in flower. It grows freely enougli anywhere almost, and is a very quaint-looking plant.— B. Rivina ISS'viS. — " E. J. L."s" remarks (p. 68) on this plant, though well directed, fail to do it full justice. It is undoubtedly the prettiest and most graceful and useful of all our berry-bearing plants. With us it is never out of flower or with- out berries, and the latter are produced in such beautiful little racemes, and so bright in colour, that they attract the attention of everybody. It succeeds well in an intermediate temperature, and grows freely in almost any kind of soil. Some berry-bearing plants are only interesting about Christmas time and in winter, but of this one never tires, and it should be grown as an all-the- year-round plant by everyone fond of beautiful objects in their glasshouses and rooms. It is easily raised from seeds, wliich often fall on the surface of the soil in the pot and germinate. We have also bad many young plants spring up lately on the deal shelves where the plants were stand- ing.— J. MuiR, Morgam. FLOWER GARDEN. MECONOrSIS, OR INDIAN TOPW. Two varieties of this handsome and interesting plant are now in bloom in my garden, M. Wallichi and JI. simplicifolia, but of the two plants now in flower of the first named, one has flowers of the pale Nemophila blue, as figured in The Gakdex while the other has larger flowers of a pale purple shade ; and I hear that the}' sometimes come also of a pale rose colour. They are essentiallj- fine weather plants, as their delicate and rather flimsy petals are soon knocked off by heavy rains, such as we have had in such abundance lately. M. simplicifolia is unlike any other variety of this family known to me, and is well figured in Cath- cart & Hooker's " Himalayan Plants." I think it would be more correctly and appropriately de scribed as M. uniflora, as instead of producing its flowers in small bunches from the axils of the leaves up a tall stem, it only produces a single large purple flower on the top of a comparatively tall stem, varying in height according to the strength and vigour of the plant. When well grown, it must be an exceedingly handsome plant. These plants only flower once and then die, so they must be continually reproduced from seed, which ripens freely in fine dry summers, and should be sown immediately on being saved, as it loses its vitality if kept even for a month, and then will not come up at all. W. E Gumbleton. Prancoa ramosa. — I have sent " Delta " side sprays from two out-door plants to show that my description was correct, the flowers being pale pink, ■with deeper pink centres. I find the original plant came from Miss Owen, so I have good authority for its name. We have now in bloom another plant which exactly agrees with " Delta's " description, the flowers being pure white. It came to us from an excellent florist, the late Henry Jackson, of Bowdon, imder the name of Francoa ramosa alba. We have other plants from Mr. Wolley Dod, marked Francoa rupestris, with similar leaves, but these have not yet bloomed. Ware's catalogue gives F. ramosa as pure white, and so does Dickson's catalogue, which also has F. appendiculata (purple), and F. appendiculata rupestris (white and rose), which agree exactly with the colours of my plants as above described, but I think the names we have them under are correct. — Beockhuest, Bldsburij. Perhaps the flower to which " Delta " re- fers (p. 08) is the same which I now enclose. It was given to me by Mr. Harpur Crewe four years ago, and the original plant has been growing on my rockery ever since, and is now in full flower. Mr, H. Crewe called it F. rupestris ; it may be a sub-species of F. ramosa or F. appendiculata. Two years ago I raised a large quantity of plants from seed ripened in my garden, most of ■which plants I distributed amongst my gardening friends, and the remainder I planted in all parts of my garden, where they are now flowering, not being particular about situation or weather, and being of course perfectly hardy. I wonder it is not more often grown as a border or rock plant. The flower-stalks are branched, and grow more than 2 ft. high, and continue in flower for some weeks. — C. WOLLEY Dod. " Delta " has at all events the books on his side, as Francoa ramosa is figured in Bot. Mag., vol. Ixvii., rab. 3824, and also in second volume of Sweet's " Flower Garden,' tab. 22,3, as having pure white flowers ; while F. sonchifolia is figured in But. Jlag.. vol. Ixi., tab. 3309, as having tinted pink Howers, with a darker spot on the centre of each petal. The name of appendiculata seems also to be a synonym common to both these varieties. I believe them both to be perfectly hardy border plants. — W. E. Gumbleton. Pansy Magpie.— When I began to read Mr- Cbristison's note upon this Pansy, I was in hope^ that he would tell us how to keep it in character all the summer, but I suppose its degeneration is not to be prevented after the close of the spring months. I wish there were means of keeping it true for it is one of the loveliest varieties we have, and transient though its season of beauty is, I would place it amongst the premier dozen of border kinds. There is a combination of colours in tliis Heartsease that one rarely finds in any hardj', or, for the matter of that, tender flower. Petals, rich velvety purple, each blotched at the outer edge with mauve, and to heighten the contrast there is a clear golden j-ellow eye. Such is JIagpie in the first flush of its beauty. — J. COENllILL. Campanula Scheuzeri.— The Uttle Blue- bell with duplex corolla, which I enclose, was sent me by this name from an eminent Swiss firm. A good botani^t at Kew tells me, as I thought, that it is nothing but a chance shoot of a typical C. rotun. difolia. So casual is the doubling of the corolla, that you will observe that the looser flower-stalk, which is from the same plant, has grown out of it. I think the variety has been sold by English nur- serymen as Soldanellieflora. The larger flowers of Bluebell are from my rockery, the root having been brought last year from North Wales. It flowers a month earlier than the other Bluebells of the C. rotundifolia class on the rockery ; the early flowers were much larger. Hypericum empetrifoliura is one of the best rockery species of this very rich genus if quite hardy.— C. W. Dod. SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER. ■Verbascum Blattarla album. -My gardener tells me lie has seen it stated in TUE Garden tliat this fine Verlias- cura does not come true from seed, but our new crop of flowering pKonts are all true, the seed having been sown immediately when ripe from our own plants. — Brock- Hl'RST. Fairy Queen Stock.— Here tliis .Stock is growing and flowering most profusely in two large beds. It is a real gem, and cannot fail to become a favourite. It may be termed a continuous summer bloomer, the incessant downpours of rain which we are having being unable to dim its beauty. Every plant of it, too, comes true.- J. Clarke, Bnjn- kinalt. July 29. 1885.] THE GAEDEN. 91 ^•^ ■' V\ILn GAKDENIXG. Many persons devoted to gardening, and especi- ally that branch of it that seeks to make waste, wild corners beautiful bj- the introduction of hardy plants which, when once planted, will take care of themselves, and yearly spring up with i-e- newed vigour, are met at the outset with the ditE- culty of not knowing what to plant. They cannot resort to the parks and public gardens for ex- amples as tliey do for their carpet beds, for they are more closely shaven and shorn than even private gardens, where, in many nooks and cor- ners, we still find old favourites safely lo- cated free from fork or spade, hoe or rake. l''or exam]ile, wo liave a shelter lielt of trees and shrubs, some- what thinly planted, which acts as a screen for a kitchen garden. Between the shrubs the following plants have been plantcil from time to I ime, and they spring up, looking none the less beautiful from being carpeted with herbage. The only at- tention they get is digging up any coarse-growing Net- tles, Docks, or This- tles ; but when the surface is not dis- turbed it is surpris- ing how few weeds come up compared with ground under cultivation, every digging bringing ap- parently fresh crops to the surface. I may mention that the trees, mostly Scotch Kir, have had Honey- suckles of various kinds planted at their base, and now they encircle their stems and throw out wreaths of fragrant flowers : quantities of old pillar Roses, Cle- matises, Jasmines, Aristolochias, and other climbers have alsobeen planted and .".Uowed to scramble over the adjoining bushes, and now they have a very pretty effect. In selecting a suit- able place for this branch of gardening, one is often greatly assisted by a con- uecting belt of trees and shrubs, more or less freely interspersed by hardy native plants--such as where the dressed grounds end, and the wood- land or game covert begins, and through which grassy giades or shady paths form deliglitful summer resorts, and afford convenient access to the woods. In such positions the formation of a wild garden is an easy matter. Any trees, how- ever old, must be carefully preserved, for even old dead stumps may be converted into beautiful objects by covering them with Honeysuckles, Cle- matises, Vines, Ivy, Wistarias, Roses, &c. These only need training until the shoots get well entwined in tho brandies of the tree, after which thev look best left undisturljcd. Shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous, flowering, and berry-bearing, may be freely introduced, and should be planted in groups, so as to make striking effects. Above all, avoid straight lines, or dotting things down at regular intervals ; and, as the stately tree helps to show off to advantage the beauty of climbing or trailing plants, so may many shrubs be made to help the Fine foliagod plants belonging to the hardy section, as, for example, the hardy I'alm, placed in sheltered nooks, look extremely well in the wild garden. \\'o have one now bearing five great drooping tufts of yellow flowers. Then there are tlie Yuccas, from the stately Y. gloriosa and graceful V. recurva to tho haml.'ler forms, such as Y. filamentosa. To these may be added the bcauti- flowering plants — for instance, Liliums of various I f al Aralia Sielioldi, the graceful ISamboos, and the Acantliuses, with their finely arched foliage, that require to be in large groups to be seen to advan- tage. A. spinosus, A, latifolius, and A. mollis are all very hardy and well suited for the purpose. There are also the gigantic Cow Parsnip, a noble plant. Ferula gigan- tea, and Cannas of various sorts, all of which ma3' be grown to perfection if a co- veriugof fallen leaves be put over the roots on the approach of winter. Hosts of dwarf plants are available for carpet- ing, not the least valuable of which arc the Vincas, or Peri- winkles, the Ribbon Grasses, Ferns in great variety, varie- gated Mint, and Fun- kias, with their beau- tiful foliage. The last require to be left un- disturbed for a few years before one sees tlieir full beautJ^ The above is only a selec- tion of sorts tliat I have grown myself for years in positions similar to those just named. Hardy fiowering plants, suitable for permanent planting, are innumerable, and by a little care in selection may be made to yield a con- tinuous succession of flowers from early spring until winter's chilly blast brings outdoor flowers to an end. Beginning with Aconites and Snowdrops, we fol- low on with Violets, Daffodils, Jonquils, 'I'ulips (single and double), Snowflake, Myosotis, Lily of the Valley, Honesty, Dielytra spectabilis, Solomon's Seal, Primroses (single and double). Poly- anthuses, Spira\i I^lipendula and japouica, her- baceous Phlo.xes, Orcliises, Iiog's-tooth Violets, herbaceous Paionies with their gorgeous flowers, Lilium candidum and L. tigrinum, and others ; Foxgloves, Canterbury Bells, Sweet Williams, Monkshood, Campanulas, St. John's Wort, Irises with gorgeous Orchid-like flowers and noble reed- like foliage. Pampas Grass, Arundos, hardy Fuch- sias, Tritoma Uvaria, Gladioli, Bocconia cordata, and others ; in fact, the varieties of hardy plants suited for this kind of gardening are only limited by the space at disposal. With materials such as these, and good strong plants to start with, fail- liiijnnia Qiietii of Doubles (Lainij). sorts look well sheltered by Rhododendrons, and Foxgloves, pushing up their spikes through the lower branches of sucli evergreens and other shrubs, form eft'ective combinations. Shrubs most suitable for this purjiose are Ribes sanguineum. Rhododendrons, deciduous Azaleas, Weigela rosea, Laburnums, Guelder Roses, Syringas, Lilacs, Jas- mines, Daphnes (both evergreen and deciduous), tree Pieonies (that require some shelter when just starting into growth), Hydrangeas, Berberis, and Aucubas, the latter in groups and mixed here and there with male plants, so as to enable them to fruit freely. 92 THE GARDEN. [July 29, 1882. ure is impossible ; but there will soon be a desire for more. A wild garden should not be a ne- glected garde- ' ^ the contrary, it is capable of yielding as ini'. uleasure as the orthodox flower garden, if not i -_ re, and therefore deserves some attention. J- G. SOWING ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS. In reply to Colonel Stuart Wortley"s enquiry as to the proper dates on which to sow annuals and biennials, allow to state that we should not aim at having a blaze of colour from a given number of plants all in full bloom at the same time, except for some special occasion. In the case of those who live at home the year round a succession of flowers is of far more importance ; therefore, in selecting annuals and biennials worthy of culture, I must explain that what are usually true annuals, viz., plants that f_,n'ow up, flower, ripen seed, and die within the .ear if sown in spring become biennials if ^own late in autumn, and this is the case with tin: majority of plants raised from seed for ordinarj' spring bedding, of wliich Silene pen- dula or Saponaria calabrica are good examples ; these flower profusely in April and May, and are cleared away in time for ordinary summer bedders, but let us not discard or overlook the beautiful plants that flower in June, July, and August ; surely a place can be found for them, and for bedding plants, too. The following I can strongly recommend, having grown them in large q lan- tities for ordinary spring bedding on a large scale, but with even better efliect in mi.xed beds or borders, where each could finish its full period of blooming, as it is heartless work to lift plan's in full beauty simply because others are ready to take their places : — Alyssum maeitimum is a beautiful early flowering, sweet - scented plant if sown in August and transplanted as soon as the beds are ready for it ; it is dwarf and good for edging, purposes. Altssum saxatile may be readily increased from seed ; sown in June, as soon as it is ripe, it makes nice plants by the autumn, and will last for several yeirs ; it is one of the most beautiful of yellow border flowers, but comes in rather late for ordinary spring gardening. Anemones, or Windflowers, are lovely flowers, their colours being brilliant in the extreme. Sow as soon a^ the seed is ripe in April or May in light, sandy soil, and transplant to their final position in September. Before sowing mix some dry sand with the seeds to part them evenly, or they will hang together in bunches. Seeds of single varieties and also roots of double ones may now be bought very cheaply. Baetonia aueba, a pretty Californian yellow flowered plant that grows about 1 J ft. high. It does best in light, sand}', or peaty soil ; sow in August, or in pots in September in cold districts, and winter in a cold frame. Calandkinia speciosa and C. umbellafa, the formei rose coloured the latter crimson, are very useful plants. They should be sown in August, and tlien they will make a fine display early in spring or early summer. Candytuft, in various colours — white, lilac, crimson, &c. — is one of the best and easiest grown of all true annuals, and being very hardy may be relied on to stand the winter. Sow them on rather poor soil in August and transplant in Sep- tember to nursery beds 6 in. apart, and plant out as soon as tl\e beds or borders -are clear for their reception. Clakkia pulchella and alba. — Very beauti- ful, but not very hardy annuals. Sow in the end of August and protect with a few evergreen branches in case of severe frost. COLLINSIA BicoLOK, purple and white, alba, pure white, and verna, blue and white, are really lovely annuals, growing about 1 ft. liigh, and making lovelj' beds or masses in borders, where their spikes of softly blended colours are particu- larly pleasing when seen in quantity. Sow in the end of August or early in September either for transplanting, or in patches where they are to re- main, or if in severe localities sow in 3-in. pots and winter in cold frame, planting out in February. Erysimum Peeofskianum, orange, and E. arkansanum, yellow, each about 2 ft. high, make showy groups for shrubbery borders, being very distinct in colour. Sow in the middle of August where they are to remain, or transplant them from the reserve garden. LlMNANTHES DOUGLASI is a very pretty straw- coloured dwarf annual, Uke a Nemophila, but hardier. It should be sown the first week in Sep- tember, and will flower in April and May. Myosotis (Forget-me-not) is too well known to need description. The lovely M. dissitiflora makes a fine spring garden plant. It should be sown as soon as the seed is ripe in order to get good plants fit to flower early. Seedlings are less liable to go off in severe winters than old plants, but in dry places this Forget-me-not will stand many years. The common Myosotis sylvatica is almost an aquatic, and never docs so well as where there is abundant moisture. ESCHSCHOLTZIA CALIFORKICA, yellow, E. CrO- cea, orange, and E. alba, white, are showy flowers, usually called Californian Poppies. They grow from about 1 ft. to li ft. high, and are readily reproduced from seed sown in J uly, and if the young plants are transplanted into nursery beds G in. apart, they will make fine material for planting out in October. GiLIA TRICOLOR, white, lilac, and purple, G. alba, white, and G. rosea splendens, rose, all beautiful annuals, well adapted for sowing in the middle of August. I find it to be a good plan to pinch out the growing points. When very dwarf they are better able to stand severe weather than when allowed to grow undisturbed. GODETIAS of various sorts are beautiful at any season, but, treated as just directed, they make beautiful spring and summer blooming plants. G. Lady Albemarle and G. The Bride are com- paratively recent and excellent additions to this popular plant. Nemophilas are very beautiful, dwarf, and floriferous, and the well-known N. insignis is still one of the best of them. Sow about the end of August or first week in September, according to locality, and transplant in October. Sweet Peas should be sown in the autumn as well as in sprirg in order to get a long flowering period. Sow in November and shelter when up with Fir branches. Sapokaeia CALABEicA is One of the most beautiful of all the plants I have ever tried for early flowering ; 8. rosea, a lovclj' rosy pink, and S. aiba, white, form dense carpets of tiny flowers. Sow in August, selecting a dry, well-drained posi- tion for them, and transplant in October. Silene pendula (pink), S. ruberrima (rose), S. pendula alba (white), and S. a compacta (dwarf) are perhaps the best of all dwarf-grow- ing plants for spring flower gardening. Being very hardy, they scarcely ever fail. The end of August is soon enough to sow them, for if over- grown before winter they are liable to suffer, while smaller plants escape. Vieginian Stocks, red and white, are espe- cially well adapted for edgings to beds and bor- ders, being of a continuous flowering habit. Sow in August where they are to remain if possible, or in small pots to transplant, as they do not like root disturbance. Stocks of the intermediate type in distinct colours are not only beautiful,butagreeably scented. Sown in July and August and pricked out into beds 6 in. apart, they make excellent bed or pot plants; if placed where they can have the shelter of a wall they will usually pass safely through the winter. Wallflowers are frequently sown in autumn as soon as the seed is ripe, but they do not get large enough to flower well the following season. The best way is to let them stand in the seed bed until the following spring, and then plant them out in single lines, pinching the points out to induce a dwarf, bushy habit of growth. Thus treated, they will be full of flower buds when transplanted to the beds, and if the weather be mild will commencs to flower very early. The sorts which I grow are Harbinger, dark red ; and Belvoir Castle, a beautiful dwarf yellow. Whitlavia grandiflora and W. ALBA, very pretty annuals, violet and white. They grow about 1 ft. high ; when sown in August and trans- planted in October they form with the preceding a nice variety. The above list by no means exhausts the many beautiful plants that can be raised from seed, it merely furnishes a selection of reliable kinds that can be depended on for sowing at the com- ing seed time. It is a good plan to plant in the beds dwarf shrubs to obviate their bare aspect, and they also give a good deal of shelter to young seedlings. James Geoom. Linion. Wintering Antirrhinums. — A correspon- dent says (p. 50) that Antirrhinums are blooming unusually well this season, thanks to the previous mild winter. Here it is scarcely possible to pre- serve old plants through even mild winters, as they seem alwaj'S to suffer more from wet than from frost, our soil being close and retentive. I have, however, just now a brilliant show of Antin-hinums in the shape of plants, the seed of which was sown under glass early in the winter. When large enough the seedlings were dibbled out into a frame, and were planted out into the open ground at the end of April. From this bed I shall get an abundant supply of bloom quite late into the autumn, for if the Antirrhinum be in good soil it blooms most profusely, and probably longer than any other biennial. In any case if a fresh sowing of seed be made in March, the successional plants will be sure to give a fine autumn display of flowers. Although there are in commerce named varieties, yet we have long out-grown them in the matter of seed strains ; seedlings give not only size and fine form, but a marvellous variety of colours. The tall kinds, or rather those that are of robust habit, give more bloom and are much more enduring than are the pretty, but somewhat squat, Tom Thumb kind, and all who may desire a fine strain for the production of exhibition spikes must grow only a strong growing one. The striped and flaked forms seem lo be the greatest favour- ites, and they are indeed both varied and beau- tiful. I could, I believe, gather fifty distinct and perhaps as many of self or dark coloured Dowers, thus showing that a good strain of seed will give all that can be desired in the matter of variety. I should much like tosee Antirrhinumsencouraged at exhibitions as pot plants. To get a good simultaneous head of bloom it is only necessary to pinch out the centre spike, and all the side shoots will flower at once. — A. D. SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER. Malformed Fuchsia (P. P.).— Singular, but. not un- common. Fuchsias, indeed, are more liable than most plants to assume peculiar forms. Erigeron grandlflorum album.— A plant is in commerce under tills name, and has just been in bloom here. It is precisely identical witli Aster alpinua albus, wliich was out at the same time. I could detect no diffe- rence -B-hatever.— H. Hakpur Ckewe. Camellia in fruit.— On one of my Camellias I have a fruit sometliing Uke a Nectarine. Do you know anything about the fruit of the Camellia ?-U. A. [The Camellia has a fleshy fruit about the size of a Walnut in the husk, and may be likened to a small NectarUie. It is .sometimea pro- duced and even ripened in this country.l Small double white Pink —Some four or five years ago I used to cultivate under the name of Dianthus pungens fl -pi. a most bca\itiful, tiny, double wlUte Pink I believe I had it from tlie late Mr. Williams, of Ormskirk ; it produced but little grass and was hard to strike, and I lost it Can anyone tell me where I can pro- cure this pretty little plant again ?-H. Harpur Crewk. July 29, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 93 THE SOY BEAN. (SOJA HISPIDA.) A GOOD deal of attention has lately been directed to this plant in consequence of the enormous ex- tent to which it is cultivated in China for the sake of the small seeds which it produces, ard which are known as Soy Beans. These vary con- siderably in size, shape, and colour, according to the variety of the plant which produces them. They are for the most part about the size and shape of an ordinary field Pea, and, like the Pea, Tht So;/ Benn (Sfji hispiila). are of a yellow colour; some, however, are of a greenish tint. These seeds contain a large quantity of oil, -which is expressed from them in China and used for a variety of purposes. The residue is moulded with a considerable amount of pressure into large circular cakes, 2 ft. or more across, and Gin. or 8 in. thick. This cake is used either for feeding cattle or for manuring the land ; in- deed, a very large trade is done in China with Bean cake (as it is always called) for these pur- poses. The well-known sauce called soy is also prepared from seeds of this Bean. The plant generally known as Soja hi.spida is by modern botanists referred to Glycine Soja. It is an erect, hairy, herbaceous plant. The leaves are three- parted and tbe papilionaceous flowers are borne in axillary racemes. It is too tender for outdoor cultivation in this country, but has been recom- mended for extended growth in our colonies as a commercial plant. The plants are readily raised from seed. .T. R. F. ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. The energy with which steps have been and are being taken to make Kew as attractive from a horticultural point of view as from a botanical one deserves a word of commendation. To any- one acquainted with Kew some five years ago, the improvements made in many of the departments since that time must be evident. The enlarge- ment of the museums and rearrangement of the .specimens therein has resulted in placing the col- lection far above anything of the kind elsewhere ; while the judicious thinning of the shrubs and re- moval of bedswhichinterferedwith the views from different quarters, together with the rearrange- ment of the collections of trees and shrubs in sucha manner as to make their study comparatively easy, are but a few of the alterations which have been made of late years in the riglit direction. For a long time much dissatisfaction was felt at the deplorable condition in which many of the herbaceous and alpine plants were to be seen ow- ing to the absence of suitable positions for them ; but the late IMr. Joad's plants having been left by him for the enrichment of the Kew collection, the authorities rightly felt that proper prepara- tions must be made for their reception. Steps therefore were at once taken to provide for them what has been so long a desideratum at Kew, viz., a good rock garden, and this is now rapidly advancing towards completion. So much for what has been accomplished, but there yet remains much to be done. Nowhere, perhaps, is there a larger or more complete col- lection of Ferns than at Kew, and nowhere is their condition less satisfactory. There are certainly some exceptions, some plants being in good health ; but speaking generally the col- lection is by no means in as good a state as it is desirable it should be. True, at Kew the houses are very unsuitable for Fems. They are lofty, have dry stages, dry stone paths, the pipes in the worst possible position, and the light transmitted through green glass — all condi- tions exactly what Ferns cannot endure. I would suggest that the stages be pulled down and rebuilt in such a way as to permit of more water being kept about the plants. Open tanks might be placed underneath or some other means of supplying the necessary atmospheric moisture employed. Many of the species, too. are in much too high a temperature. Take, for instance, the Filmy Ferns. I feel certain that a much lower temperature than that in which the Kew collection is placed would have a magical effect in removing the brown and sickly appearance presented l>y many of the species. Turning to Orchids, we find a collection much below what one would expect in an establishment on which is spent some i'23,000 annually. True, we find there a vast array of names, a large collection of plants, but how many of them are species of interest or beauty ? comparatively few; while the poor and insignificant kinds occupy the greater portion of the space. Now, although I by no means depreciate species of merely botanical interest, yet where space is limited (as it certainly is, even at Kew), it should certainly be devoted to the more showy kinds, the less attractive sorts being relegated to the herbarium. I have been informed that steps are being taken to improve the collection in this re- spect, both by purchase and exchange ; so there may soon be seen an alteration for the better in this department. In the.se pages attention has been already drawn to the unfitness for Orchid culture of the two houses in which Orchids are grown at Kew, and until better accommodation has been provided, success with these plants is impossible. Any one acquainted with Orchid culture will be surprised to hear that at Kew one high house is the only one available for Cattleyas, cool and warm Odontoglossums, Coelogyncs, Masdevallias, many Dendrobiums, &c., each of which requires almost ahouse for itself. Alterations such as these would cost but little, and if made, would, I feel sure, give general satisfaction. P. K. E. ROSE ^ARDEN. . ROSES IN TOWN GARDENS. When I first came to this house, in 187-1, I found that the garden had been left pretty much to it- self, but among the plants in the borders I found the following Roses : A Maiden's Blush, an old Damask, a Rose de Meaux, and an Aimee Vibert. The Maiden's Blush was on a wall facing north- east, and though it bloomed profusely eveiy year, it was much affected by aphides, and the blooms were often imperfect in consequence. I accord- ingly removed the old plant, and planted in its stead a sturdy young sucker from it. This has grown fairly well since, and this year showed bloom for the first time. The old Damask was in a border facing south-west, and has annually jiro- duced abundance of large and handsome blooms. The Rose de Meaux also flowers every year, but not so freely as the Damask. The most successful of the four, however, has been the Aimee Vibert. This is planted against a wall facing south-west, and, no matter what the season may be, it always sends up strong new wood, which about this time produces clusters of most charming white and fragrant Roses. My plant has never failed, and it is undoubtedly the Rose for London gardens, and the Damask is almost as good, while with good culture 1 believe the old Maiden's Blush and the Rose do Meaux will also do well, I have tried Felicite Perp6tu(5e and Gloire de Dijon, but they have not proved to be satisfactory. A Boursault has in some seasons done extremely well, but this year it was so blighted in the spring, that it failed to bloom. W. J. T. Brixton . Geranium armenum is, I think, one of the most beautiful hardy plants which vre possess. It is very vigorous, and bears large, deep purplish rose-coloured flowers. I have plants of it from 3 ft. to i ft. across which have been one mass of bloom for several weeks. The following sorts are also very beautiful, although not equal to armenum, viz., Endressi, ibericum, pratense plenum, sanguineum, striatum, lancastriense, and subcaulescens. G. argenteum and cinereum are also interesting alpine species, but scarcely adapted for the open border. They do best on the rockery. — J.Whit- taker, Cren-e. TOWN AND OTHER ROSES. " J. D.'s" remarks (p. 43) and those on climbing Hoses on the next page raise anew this subject. A few fortunate rosarians like "Sylvestris" may not be troubled with Roses that will not grow ; and no doubt there are gardens here and there in which all Roses and other plants take to the soil and thrive in it by a sort of instinctive vital force. But this is very far from being the case everj-- where, and I have yet to learn that the statement of difliculties and how to avoid them is likely to discourage or damp the zeal of true rosarians. On the pages above referred to we ha^■e a good start made of Roses that grow well in towns. The old alba most of us know well as a good grower, but the Damask is often stunted and poor alike in town and country. Climbing Roses, how- ever, hold their own in most places, and the Gar- land, Felicite Perpetu6e, Madame d'Arblay, Dundee Rambler, Williams' Evergreen, Annie Vibert, Cbenedole, and Blaiii No. 2 are a few of those that generally succeed -n'ell. The following pink Roses also succeed in most situations in town and country, viz. : Cbenedole, Charles Lawson, Coupe de Hebe, Madame Berard, and Jules Mar- gottin. The old Baronne Prfivost holds its ground in many positions where many others fail. Homere, again, among Teas, promises to run abreast, or even ahead, of Gloire de Dijon. The pink Gloire de Dijon or Glory of Bordeaux, again, if not so good as its golden-hued relative, is an equally strong grower and even a better flowererif possi- ble. But my object now is not to give an exhaus- tive list of Roses that will grow or live in town or country, but inquire of the reailers of The Gar- den how many useful Roses have lived in their gardens for, say, 10 or 12 years; also to be good enough to say whether they live in town or in the country. One reason whystandard Roses die so soon or gr'ow so slowly arises, I believe, from the bare- ness of the ground. The tops at first are too meagre to afford either shelter or shadow, and before the struggling tops have made sufficient progress to provide either the one or the other, the roots have succvimbed to sunstroke or frost- bite. There is nothing in Nature analogous to our standard Roses mounted on stilted stems borrowed of the wild Brier, and set on a smooth, even surface exposed to all sorts of meteorological and other sudden and severe changes of tempera- 94 THE GAEDE^. July 20, lSt2. ture and physical conditions. No, it won't do ; even the growth of weeds that cover the surface is not in vain. The safety and longevily of our Eoses demand either that we grow them in bush form, or that we sub-crop tlie soil under our struggling standards to conserve its moisture, preserve its sticngth, and protect the roots from the evils of extremes of temperature and of .aridit3'. Where these are impossible, adead mulch of litter, manure, or loose soil is the next best means at our command for promoting the strength and prolonging the life of our Eoses. The Eoses of olden times in mixed shrubberies or crowded flower beds had at least one thing that their modern competitors lack — shade and shelter for their roots — and hence, partly at least, their greater longevity and better health. D. T. Fisii. been the destruction of a wliite Moss, by a severe westerly gale. — A. G., MUl-Hcotlaiul. rOT ROSES FROM UNDER GLASS OE FEOM THE OPEN? " IxiON '' (p. 44) raises this imjiortant question. Much, almost all, depends on previous culture and treatment. Plants well managed under glass will yield the earlier and the larger amount of blooms. "iJut if the plants have been drawn up weakly or allowed to become the victims of aphides or other insects, the results will prove disappointing. Insuch cases strong, clean material from the open will prove far more satisfactory than plants at double the price that may have been grown under glass for a year or more previously. The late Mr. Thomas Elvers, of Sawbridgeworth, who was one of the first and most successful cultivators of Eoses in pots, grew most of his stock in the open air throughout the summer. The pots were plunged to the rims in Cocoa-nut fibre refuse or the earth, and the surface mulched over with rough manure or other slow conductors. I have seldom seen a finer stock of pot Tea and other Roses than those treated in this way. " Txion " will thus learn that either mode may be best ac- cording to circumstances. The one thing of really vital moment is less how or where the plants had been grown, but their condition at the time of purchase. See that they are strong, clean, and healthy, and then purchase as best suits your purse and area. The results obtained will thus afford a fair measure of the skill brought to bear on the culture of the plant. To purchase sm.all plants and grow them in the greenhouse j'ourself implies th,at amateurs are more skilful cultivators than growers for sale, an assumption by no means warranted by observation or experience. n. T. Fisii. Coupe de Hebe on a north ■wrall The reason "J. S. I'.'s" Rose does not liower lies in a nutshell, viz., tlic nortli wall. Planted on an cast, south, or w^est wall, or in the open, this beautiful Hose mostly blooms freely enough, but the north is too shady and cold for it. Nor must Coupe de Hebe be over- fed ; it is on rich soils a gross grower, and may at times m.ake more shoots than flowers : but on soils of moderate quality and in fairly open positions it flowers freely enough, though not with such profuse prodigality as, say, Charles, Lawson.— D. T. FiSH. Roses in Scotland— Perhap> Mr. Fish and other lovers of Roses may be interested in learning how Scotland has tared this j'ear as regards the " queen of flowers " — very indifferently [ am told by my friends. Here, we have been very pros- perous, and, with the exception of a little mildew, .and several trees being liable to yield flowers with green hearts, in short what are termed dis- torted, we have escaped troubles. We have had no green lly, no maggot, and a Rose beetle is here unknown. Moss, single and double-yellow, Scotch, and the good old hundred-leaved Eoses have been abundant and beautifal. La France, Marie P>au- mann, Charles Letebvre, Louis Van Houtte, Duke of Edinburgh, Baroness Rothschild, and many others have developed full and gradually ex- panded blooms, with abundance of foliage, so truly lovely, in fact, that they appear rather the productions of " The better land ' than those of cold Scotland. The casualty of the season has GARDEN FLORA. PLATE CCCXLVII. FREESIAS. I iiAii the pleasure of seeing the blooms of Freesia (grown, I believe, by Mr. C. Smith, of Guernsey) represented in the accompanying plate, and I can fairly say that the figure is no exaggeration. It is not given to everyone to grow these flowers as Mr. 8miih does; but even those who fall short of his success will, I fancy, be inclined to admit that of all the ordinary Cape bulbs the Freesias are, talie them all in all, the best. Tbey cannot vie in brilliancy of colour with some forms of Sparaxis, Ixia, &c. ; but tbey possess a peculiar grace of form, and their fragr.ance is to my senses, at all events, the most delightful. Besides, they last, compared with many other ( 'ape bulbs, a long time in bloom, and their endurance as cut flowers is really remarkable. Moreover, with care, by potting at the proper time, a succession of blooms may be obtained over a long period ; at least I can say that I had blooms at Christmas, and have had the flowers on and ofl ever since. Both under the name of Freesia refracta, odorata, xanthospila, &c., and under the older titles of Gladiolus refractus, G. Sparmauni and G. xan- thospilus, Tritonia refracta and T. odorata, and Sparaxis .louberti. tbe.se plants have been known for a long time, but have more recently achieved a sudden popularity. In bis monograph on Irids, Mr. Baker makes two species, F. refracta and F. Leichtlini ; but he has since withdrawn the latter, and now con- siders all the forms as mere varieties of one species. In the large collection of dried Freesias in the heibarium at Kew are a great number of specimens differing in the form, colour, and size of the flowers, in the height and breadth of tlie foliage, and in the general size of the plant : and these varieties run so completely into each other as to fully justify Mr. Baker's conclusion. Indeed, I am very much inclined to think that the same conclusion will hold good even when the living plants are studied, provided that a sufficient supply of material be taken in hand. As far as I have gone at present, I have met as living- plants -with some four or five varieties. The most common, and, perhaps, the best, is that known as F. refracta alba, a large specimen of which is represented in the plate. This is characterised not only by its pure white colour, marked occasionally with a few violet lines (-ometiines, as indicated in the figure, with a violet blush over the unopened lul), and with orange patches on the lower segments of the corolla (though the.se may be sometimes all but entirely absent), but especially by the long funnel of theperianth(/r«rf««i'/(/ narrowingdown into the tube below. This feature is very well shown in the plate. At the same time the throat of the perianth funnel issomewhat narrow, the segments of the perianth spread horizontally and the fragrance is peculiar. Another form is that which is generally called F Leichtlini. In this the funnel narrows siid- dfii/i/ into the tube, the throat is more open, witli the segments spreading less horizon- tally, and tlie colour is yellow, sometimes pale, so as to be almost of a cream colour, some- times deeper ; the orange blotch on the lower segments of the petals is also mucli more con- spicuous. This orange blotch, by the way, seems a signal for insects, and corresponds to the similar marking in other Irids. A third form is that which has been named F. aurea. I liave not as yet been able to learn the authority for the name. In this the flower is smaller than in either of the preceding, with the throat less open and the colour of a deeper yellow ; the funnel of the perianth narrows sud- denly, like F. Leichtlini. Curiously enough, T'. aurea corresponds much more closely than docs F. Leichtlini itself to the figure which Klatt gives in " Gartenflora '' of F. Leichtlini which he there first described; but Mr. Max Leichtlin tells me that the form described by Klatt wa.* really the form (coming originally, it I remem- ber, from the Botanic Garden at I'adua) which be distributed, and which is known here as i\ Leichtlini. A fourth form which I have flowered resembles aurea in form, but is extensively marked with purple or violet blotches and streaks ; this variety answers very closely to the older figures of Freesia refracta in Sweet and elsewhere. These four forms might, from the character& I have given, be regarded as four distinct varie- ties at least, deserving for gardening purposes at all events distinct names ; and at first sight the characteristic form of F. refracta alba seems almost to deserve recognition as indicating a specific difference. But there are intermediate forms. The second flower figured on the plate is a flower which may be considered as a mix- ture of F. refracta alba and F. Leichtlini, being nearly half-way between the two. It appeared, I understand, in a batch of seedlings, and is supposed by Mr. Smith, who raised it, to be a hybrid between the two above-mentioned forms. It may be so, but I have met with an almost exactly similar plant, though not so fine, in a batch of bulbs which came, 1 believe, direct from the Cape. This does not, of course, preclude its being a hybrid ; but, remembering the interme- diate dried forms at Kew, I am inclined to think that an adequate supply of bulbs from the Cape would give a whole series of forms, running ¥. refracta alba completely into F. Leichtlini. Forms similarly intermediate between F. Leicht- lini and the other two forms I have mentioned also 1 believe exist, and I have already seen some. The depth of the yellow tint, the openness of the throat, and the amount of purple vary a good deal ; and I do not believe that any dependence for purposes of separation can be placed on the h.igbt or breadth of the foliage, on which Klatt insists a good deal. In short, I believe with Mr. Baker that all specific names, such as Leichtlini, odorata, xanthospila, &c., should be discarded, and that we should call them all F. refracta var. alba. Leichtlini, &c., though it may perhaps remain yet .an open question whether F. refracta alba is not naturally specifically distinct from the rest. With regard to culture, the great thing, as with other Cape bulbs, is to roast them well as soon as their leaves begin to die down, and to avoid keeping them out of the soil. They do well in pots, and this is perhaps the most con- venient way of growing them. Pot them in loam, with nearly an equal part of peat or leaf-mould and a good supply of sand, and then plunge them in Cocoa-nut, sheltered from rain, till they start. While they are growing keep them in" a cold frame or in a cool green- house, where tliey may be protected from frost, but not hurried by untimely heat, and do not let them lack water. For the due enjoyment of their fragrance, bring fhem, if they are flowering in winter, into a warm chamber when they are in bloom, and after flowering, as soon as the leaves begin to wither, stop all watering, put them on a shelf in the greenhouse exposed to as much sun as possible, and there let them dry up, keeping them in their pots till the time comes to pot again. If there are not too many in the pot they will flower all the better for being kept a second year in the same pot with LFREESIA REFRACTA ALBA. 2, F. LEICHTLINTI MAJOR. July 29, 1882] THE GARDEN. 95 a little top dressing. If they are thus kept always in the soil, they will start readily ; but if they are taken up and exposed to the air they become dormant, and may go to sleep a whole year or more, refusing to start. "When inoculated they seed freely, the seed germinates readily, and the young plants grow quickly and flower early. I had flowers in early spring from seed sown last summer, and this year I have (now in July) plants 2 in. high from seed sown in May, and I have some hopes of seeing their flowers by Christmas, if not before. F. FRUIT^ROPS. METKOrOLITAX AND SOUTH-EASTEliX DIVISION. Syon House, Brentford. — In the gardens here and in the immediate neighbourhood bush fruits of all kinds are a very heavy crop. Apples on the earlier varieties are good, but on the later sorts poor. I'ears much under aveiago; Peaches, slightly sheltered during the spring months, set a good crop, but have since been much retarded by the fly, which has been unusually prevalent. Apri- cots are a fair crop, as are also Chenies. Plums, are almost a failure. The soil here is moderately light and tlie subsoil gravel. — JOHN Woodbridge. "West Middlesex. — With thesingieesception of Morello Cherries, tree fruit crops throughout the whole of this district are exceedingly light — ■ perhaps it would not be incorrect to say a com- parative f.-vilure. Of Ai^ples there are just sprink- lings of Keswick and JIanks Codlins, a very few King Pippins and Cox's Orange, and even fewer still of Wellingtons. I have seen literally thou- sands of trees recently, and not one is carrying a fair crop; by far the larger number have on them only few fruit, if any. The best crops are on trees that are well sheltered by others, and these are chiefly early Codlins. Of course nearly all the market orchards are planted with standard trees that get little shelter in such a flat district as this is ; but the Codlins are of dwarfer habit of growth than most other kinds, and therefore get more pro- tection. They always bud and bloom densely, .and therefore the greater probability that out of so much bloom some may be productive. Pears seem to be in even a worse plight than Apples. In the orchards there are, indeed, but few fruit to be seen, except upon the hardy and prolific, but very indifferent. Hazels. I have just a sprinklins this year on Alexandre Lambre and the Old Swan's Egg, botli free bearing kinds, and I have seen mere sprinklings upon the largely grown Beurre Capiaumont, but there the matter ends. There are few, indeed, very few. Plums ; the best crops are on Victorias and Green Gages, but they are thin ones. Nearly all have been badly infested with aphides ; and, indeed, soon after the too well remembered April wind storm the trees were literally stripped in many places of every green leaf through the attacks of the insects. Eecent heavy rains have not only washed these oft, but have assisted the roots to promote a renewed growth, and although great imi^rove- ment has been effected, yet it is doubtful whether wood so late developed will ripen suffi- ciently to become productive next year. Wliilst Morello Cherries as standards ha%'e, as they always do, fruited well, sweet Cherries have not been an abundant crop ; indeed we may say that they have been about one-half a fair crop. Here and there well situated trees have been laden, but that was the exception. This district, however, is not favour- able to Cherries, as the trees dislike our deep cold clay sub-soil. Having regard to the fine bloom shown on all standard fruit trees in the spring, and also the comp.arative absence of keen frosts just then, it is difficult to account for the general failure of the crops. That the fierce winds of April 29 did great damage there could be little doubt, but many growers have declared that they find more fruit on the windward side of their trees than on the leeward side. Jlr. Francis Dancer, whose opinion on these matters is worthy of the highest respect, attributes the lack of fertility in the bloom to the long-continued low temperature at night when the flowers were expanded. And al- though, perhaps, the thermometer did not fall lower than 'Si", yet that following night after night was sufficient to destroy fertility in the flowers. Of bush fruits, the produce has been marvellous. Gooseberries, and especially the most favoured market kind, Lancashire Lad, have been very productive, the branches being literally borne down with the weight of fruit. AH Currants have carried heavy crops, and in most cases the berries were unusually fine. Raspberries are not only a large crop, but, owing to the moisture in the soil, a long holding one. Sunshine has been much needed to colour and sweeten the fruit. Straw- berries have been very fine and abundant, but marketing has been much hindered by the frequent heavy rains. The most favoured market kinds are Sir J. I'axton and Sir C. Napier. Our stiff clay soil seems to suit all bush fruits and Strawberries re- markably well. — A. D. The Rookery, Bromley. — Fruit trees here- abouts are mostly standards, planted at good dis- tances apart, bush fruits being grown in the open spaces between the rows of trees, and jften Straw- berries. There has been a most abundant crop of bush fruits, especially of Ked Currants ; Black Currants have been about an aveiage crop; Rasp- berries have fruited abundantly ; Strawberries are over an average crop both in size and number : .Apples in some of the market gardens are scarce Cherries an average crojj : Damsons below the average. The Apple crop in the garden here is under the average, espaliers being better than pyramids. On the following there is a fair sprink- ling, viz., Keswick Codlin, London Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Hawthornden, Norfolk Beefing, Cellini, Dutch Mignonne, Golden Knob, Warner's King, and Lemon Pippin. Apricots are abundant, Moor- park and Royal Orange producing the heaviest crops. The trees were protected wlien in flower witli old herring nets. Cherries upon walls are an average crop ; on espaliers and pyramids below the average. The most prolific sorts are Bigar- reau, Adam's Crown, Elton, Bigarreau Napoleon, Black Eagle, May Duke, and Reine Hortense. the last one of the best of Cherries, and one which hangs long after it is ripe. Morellos are over the average, and the fruit is unusually large. Laing's Mammoth Red Currant produces larger bunches and berries than any other kind. On White Currants the fruit has been very much dis- coloured through blight. White Marseilles Figs upon walls are an average crop. Outdoor Grapes on south walls are below the average. Medlars and Mulberries are average crops ; Nuts and Fil- berts abundant. Of Nectarines the heaviest crops outdoors consist of Elruge, Hardwicke, Rivers' Orange, and Violette Hiitive. The trees when in flower were protected with tiffany, stretched upon poles leaning against the wall. Peaches are an average crop. They were protected with nets when in flower, which I find better than any other pro- tecting material which I u*e. The following varieties have produced the greatest number of fruit — viz., Walburton Admirable, Barrington, Bellegarde, Crawford's Late (one of the most abundant bearers). Noblesse, Royal George, Royal Kensington, and Stirling Castle. Pears upon walls are an average crop i Jargonelle, Marie Louise, Williams' P.on Chretien, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Marie Louise, and Passe Colmar are all bearing heavy crops, wliile on espaliers and pyramids there are fair crops of Alexandre Lambre, Baronne de Melo, Autumn Bergamot, Easter Bergamot, Es- peren Bergamot, Beurre d'Aremberg, Beurre Bosc, Brown Beurre, Beurre Diel, Beurre Giffard, Beurre Ranee, Doyenne d'Ete, Duchesse d'Heri, Forelle, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Autumn Nelis, Saint Lezin, Seckle, and Vicar of Winkfield. Other sorts have only a few fruits on each tree. Of Plums there is a plentiful crop on most trees, but the foliage has suffered a good deal from blight. It is, however, recovering since we had the late heavy rains. The following sorts are bearing the heaviest crops — viz., Belgian Purple, a sure bearer even in the worst of seasons. Green Gages very few, although blossoms were abundant in the spring and protected with nets. Coes Golden Drop and late Gage average crops. These sorts are upon walls. On espaliers and pyramids most kinds are producing good crops, such as Jefferson's Red Magnum Bonum, Victoria, and Washington. Amongst Raspberries Dr. McLean and Carter's Prolific are the two heaviest cropping varieties. Strawberries ha\ e been a very heavy crop. The fol- lowing ripened in the order in which their names occur — viz.. Keen's Seedling, President, Sir Joseph Paxton, Sir Charles Napier, and Elton Pine. The soil here is a rich loam resting upon heavy clay. — W. ClIRISTISOX. Claremont, Esher. — Taken as a whole, out- of-door fruits here may be described as an average crop. Of new varieties we have verj' few in any class; the majority of wall trees, especially Peaches, Nectarines, and Pears, must have filled their present quarters many years. Plums, dessert Cherries, and Raspberries are so poorly repre- sented, that they must stand out of the list„ Apples in orchard (on an eminence in the parkV are verj- thin, as are also standard Pears. The trees suffered severely in the gale of April last, and will hardly recover during the present season. In an old kitchen ganlen (well sheltered on all sides) table Apples are a fair crop, and kitchen sorts a good crop. Bush fruits of all kinds and berries are a very heavy crop, individual bunches of lied and White Currants being exceptionally fine. Apricots (all young trees), a fair crop. Cherries (Morello) on W.N.W. wall a good crop. Medlars a good, and Mulberries a heavy crop. Peaches and Nectarines (aspect S.E. by E.) are ii. very good croj). The stems of many of these old trees are as gnarled and twisted as a stick long entwined in Honeysuckle. They are bearing good crops, and the young growth is short, firm, and sturdy. The only protection we were able to give in the springwas some ordinary 1-in. mesh garden netting, doubled. All these trees escaped unscathed the April gales. Our Pears, with the exception of a few standards in the orchard, are on walls, the majority west-north-west. Indirect opposition to - the Peaches, at the highest point of the garden level, the Pears must have a very moist sub-soil,, being little higher than the level of a neighbour- ing pond- The}- are bearing fair crops and the trees are healthy, the growth being by no means so rank as their position and comparatively scanty crop might indicate. Strawberries, all in old garden, were very poor. The only exception is President from last year's plants on new soil, which is very good. X large number of well-rooted plants in 3-in. pots will be planted immediately in the new garden lately trenched, and I trust they will enable me to furnish a more satisfactory report concerning this delicious fruit another season. — E. BURRELL. Deepdene. Dorking. — \\'e have fair crops of all kinds of fruit except Apples, which are almost a failure. There are a few in sheltered! situations which escaped the great storm in the end of April. Apricots are an abundant crop, and we are now beginning to gather them. Peaches and Nectarines are fair crops. Early Beatrice was ready on the 18th inst. ; Early Rivers is swelling fast, a very fine Peach. Plums, all on walls, are very abundant. Cherries plentiful, Morellos being very fine. Strawberries, now about over, have been very good. All bush fruits, except Black Currants, have been plentiful. Raspberries have been unusually full of maggots. Pears both on walls and ijyramids are a fine crop, and the fruit free from speck or blemish. Figs are a good crop. Outdoor Grapes are thin. Cobnuts and Filberts good ; also Walnuts. The Potato disease is very prevalent on the clay lands in the neighbourhood, but on the sand we- have not yet found any. J. Burnett. Highclere Castle. — Apples .and Pears are very light crops hereabouts ; blossom was plenti- ful, Imt the cold weather and severe storms at setting time injured the bloom. The Apples that are bearing best are Hawthornden, Blenheim Orange, King of the Pippins, Manks Codlin, and Golden Drop. Of Pears, Passe Colmar, Bcurn' 96 THE GAEDEN. [Jdly 29, 1882. Diel, Hessle, and Williams' Bon Chretien are the best here this season. Plums are plentiful, Den- yer's Victoria and Early Prolific being good bearing sorts. Of Figs we have a good crop. Cherries, moderate ; Peaches, very few. Most of the trees here were destroyed by frost in the winter of 1880-81. Of Apricots we have a fair crop; Hems- kirke and Large Early are the best. Strawberries have been a fine crop; President, Sir Joseph Paxton, and Vicomtesse H^ricart de Thury are good reliable sorts. Red Currants are a moderate crop ; Black Currants, Gooseben'ies, and Rasp- berries heavy crops. — 8. Ross. Holly Lodge, Highgate. — Apples this season are very partial, some trees having a good many on them, while others are quite bare of fruit. No doubt the time of flowering had much to do with this, the weather being then very changeable. Most of the Highgate district being strong clay, and especially so here, trees in the open produce best in the shape of standards, and are liable to suffer from wet and wind when in bloom. The sorts mo.st productive for kitchen use are Keswick Codlin, Hawthornden, Beauty of Kent, Wellington, Dutch Mignonne, and French Crab, the last for late use. Blenheim Orange for the last few years, for some reason, has not done well. Warner's King amongst the newer sorts succeeds with us. Dessert Apples — King of Pippins affords the best supply ; Cox's Orange Pippin does well and some others. Taken as a whale, in the immediate neighbourhood there is nearly an average crop. Pears are almost a failure ; those we have found to do best are Bon Chretien (W.), Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Beurre Capiaumont, Beurre Diel, and Ne Plus Meuris, with a few others. Plums and Damsons may be said to be a failure here this season. Morello Cherries are a good crop. Peaches and Nectarines on outside walls an average crop, and I may say the same of bush fruit generally, especially Currants. Being on strong clay soil, much growth is made which requires a fine autumn to ripen, and Pears, taken on the whole, do not keep well, ripening long before their season.— J. WlLLAltD. Langley, Maidstone.— Speaking broadly, it may be said that standard fruit is a compara- tive failure, and bush fruit a good crop. There was a good prospect of most kinds in the spring, with the exception of Apples, but the severe gale in April did an immense amount of damage. This was followed by an attack of aphides, necessi- tating in many cases washing. Where this was not done the leaves of Plums and Damsons curled up, leaving the trees very bare. Cherries would have been a fair crop, but the unsuitable weather has prevented them ripening properly ; the Bigar- reau has been the best, with the exception of the Morello, but this is only grown on walls in this neighbourhood. As reganls Pears, the Williams will not grow here ; the Hessle is the most pro- lific ; but this is not a Pear district. Amongst Plums, the 'Victoria, as usual, is bearing well ; this is the most prolific Plum we grow ; The Czar, Rivers' be.st early Plum, is also doing well. The bush Plum, not much known out of Kent, is also bearing a fair crop, but taking the crop as a whole it will be very short. Damsons as a rule will be scarce, and have especially suffered from vermin. Apples will be very scarce, and in many orchards there will only be bushels grown where there were hundreds of bushels last year. The Codlins are bearing in some parts, as also Devon- shire Quarrenden, Tower of Glamis, Stone's Apple, Summer Golden Pippin (Yellow Ingestrie), King of the Pippins, Duchess of Oldenburg, and Early Julien. The Worcester Pearmain is doing especially well, and from its clean habit of growth will, I think, become a favourite here. Both Black and Red Currants have borne fair crops, but do not command a ready sale, the excessive rainfall having made them very watery. Raspberries and Strawberries are not largely grown, but I believe have yielded well. Gooseberries are good in some districts, and Cobnuts, if the wet weather does not cause them to run, will be a large crop. To summarise briefly it may be said that this is not a good f rait year : those varieties that have yielded a fair crop have not ripened properly, and at the present time the earlier varieties of Plums are commencing to crack. — Lewis A. Killick. Heckfield, Hants.— Apples excepted, the present year's fruit crop in this district is better than any there has been since 1878. Owing to the gale on April 29, when Apples were in full blossom, the Apple crop is all but a 'total failure. There is perhaps halt a crop on dwarf bush trees in well sheltered positions. Pears being more advanced at that date suffered but little, and we have a very full crop of all kinds both on walls and in the open garden. Plums are also a good crop, but the trees have been very blighty, but are now out- growing it. Morello Cherries are a full crop, others thin, being virulently attacked with black- fly when in flower. Peaches and Apricots are extra good — the best crop for years past — and the trees are making first-rate growth. Ours were well protected with scrim canvas fixed like ordi- nary window-blinds, and therefore can be let down or drawn up at pleasure. Strawberries have been a very heavy crop and extra fine, but the rain spoiled a large percentage of them before they could be gathered. Raspberries, Gooseberries, and Currants, all kinds, have been very heavy crops, and Nuts enormous. Early in the season out-door Grapes gave promise of once more ripening, but the cold nights — there being several sharp frosts in June — soon dispelled our hopes in this respect, and they are now not a bit more advanced in growth than they were at this date last year. — W. WiLDSMITH. Panshanger, Herts.— Fruit crops here and in the surrounding district are generally good, with the exception of Apples, which in most places are an entire failure through the ravages of caterpillars, I had seldom seen a better pro- mise of a good Apple crop till the trees were just opening into flower when myriads of cater- pillars soon destroyed the crop and greatly in- jured the trees. Although we have any amount of small birds when the fruit is ripening, they render us little assistance in destroying the cater- pillars. Pears on walls are an average crop, on standards and ]iyramids thin ; Apricots abun- dant and good ; Peaches and Nectarines an average crop ; Plums and Cherries heavy crops, trees much blighted. Strawberries have been most abundant, but the fruit has been spoiled by heavy rains. Gooseberries and other bush fruit abundant and good. The soil in this district is generally thin on a subsoil of the poorest gravel ; we have not suffered from excess of rain, but greatly need an increase of temperature and more sunshine, — RicnABD Rdpfett, Royal Gardens, Frogmore —Apricots here are an abundant crop, and should we have fine weather the fruit will be large and good. Twelve dozen were gathered on the 17fh inst. Of Apples we have very few. When in bloom they were much injured by the severe gale which oc- curred on Saturday, April 29. Pears also suffered so much on the same occasion that the young growth after the storm was perfectly black, but the trees have now recovered. Plums outside very thin, but indoors there are good crops on the fol- lowing, VIZ., Green Gage, Kirke's, Victoria, Goliath, and Reine Claude de Bavay. Strawberries have been fine and the fruit very large, but deficient in flavour in consequence of the long-continued rains. The plants promise well for next year. Cherries are plentiful and fine individually, but muchinjured by rains, especially late crops. Some trees are badly infested \vith aphis. Of Peaches and Necta- rines we have very heavy crops, and the trees are clean and healthy. Early Beatrice Peaches were gathered from outside walls on the 10th inst.. Early Rivers on the lith, but the stones of the latter are all split. Of small fruits the crop is abundant, but inferior in quality, owing to the rain. Filberts are an average crop. Walnuts moderate ; on some trees there are good crops, on others none. Fruit trees generally out of doors are much cleaned and freer from blight than usual on our cold, damp, clay soil, but that is no doubt owing to the heavy rains and thunder storms which we have had. From June 1 to July 18 in- clusive (forty-eight days) rain or hail has fallen on no less than thirty-five day.", making a total of 5-21 in., prevailing winds from south and south- west. Potatoes are an excellent crop and good in quality, but in later crops the haulm is much diseased. — T. Jones. Easthampstead Park, "Wokingham,— The rejHnt from tliis district is more cheering than that of last year. Bush fruits are very abun- dant and good. Raspberries better than they have been for many years. Strawberries also are a great crop, but very much damaged by the incessant rains. Pears and Plums on walls are very good, but in exposed places thin. Peaches on walls much damaged by blighty winds and frost, but under glass excellent. Of Strawberries, Keen's Seedling, Dr. Hogg, Garibaldi, James Veitch, President, British Queen, and Sir Joseph Paxton are our favourite soits, and they do well here. Apples are a very thin crop. The storms, when in blossom, destroyed all prospects of even an average crop, but where sheltered some trees are well loaded. The situation of our garden is bad, the subsoil a tenacious clay, working up to the surface when trenching is not constantly followed up, involving more labour than can be afforded. Apricots that were carefully protected with canvas are good. Cherries a very heavy crop, especially Morellos. Among Pears, Williams' Bon Chretien, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Beurre Ranee, and Catillac are the best sorts. Of Plums, Rivers' Early Prolific, Green Gage, Coe's Golden Drop, Jefferson, Prince of Wales, Magnum Bonum, and Victoria are our best sorts. The Potato disease has shown itself in a serious way already. We find where the haulm has been cut off and light and air given to the ground that the progress of the disease has been checked, —Neil Sinclair. Ide-worth, Horndean, — Apples are almost a total failure, and the trees have suffered much from blight. Pears, with one or two exceptions, are in the same predicament ; Knight's Monarch. Duchesse d'Angouleme, Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Williams' Bon Chretien are among the best ; on several other kinds there is a slight sprinkling. Morello Cherries are a good crop, other kinds thin ; the trees have been very much infested with black fly. Plums are a very thin crop ; the sorts doing best are Green Gage, Coe's Golden Drop, and Jefferson. Outdoor Figs promise very well at present, though I hear com- plaints of the fruit dropping. Gooseberries and Red, White, and Black Currants are heavy crops ; likewise Raspberries, the fruit of which is very fine. Strawberries generally have been a good crop. With few exceptions Peaches and Nectarines, not much grown outside here, but we have a sprinkling of fruit. Apricots are not grown in this localit}'. Damsons are only a moderate crop. Walnuts thin. Filberts promise well at present. We give no protection whatever, but the garden is well sheltered by surrounding plantations. The great storm of April 29 was felt here in all its severity (being only 6 miles from the sea at an elevation of ,300 ft,), and it was followed by hordes of caterpillars, &c. ; still the trees, shrubs, &c., have wonderfully recovered from the effects of both, and, with a fine autumn, we must hope for a better return next season, — N. F. Fuller. Leigh Park, Havant— Fruit crops in this district are on the whole under the average, with the exception of small fruits, which in sheltered situations are fairly good. Apples on small trees lifted two years ago promise to produce a fair crop, but on large standard trees they are very thin. Peaches look as if they would be a good crop, notwithstanding the severe lashing they re- ceived from wind in the spring. Pears are under the average ; Plums a fair crop ; Apricots in some places good ; hnd Morello Cherries are also very good. — C. Penford. Bridge Castle, Tunbridge "Wells. —Apri- cots have been scarce. Peaches plentiful. Figs abundant, Apples half a crop, and the same n^ay be said of Pears. Cherries a full crop. Plums average. July 29, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 97 strawberries abundant and good, Currants and Gooseberries most excellent, and Raspberries are both plentiful and good. With the exception of Apples and Pears the fruit crop is an average one, and these two exceptions are chiefly the result of the storm of wind which passed over this ijart of the country early in May. Our garden is 400 ft. above the sea level, and consequently escapes spring frosts. — J. KUBT. Goodwood, Chichester.— Crops here this season are exceptionally good. Figs are very pro- mising, and with sun and warm weather will be a very good crop. Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and Morello Cherries are excellent. We commenced to gather Peaches from open walls about the 12th"inst., the sorts being Amsden Peach, Early Crawford, and Princess Louise. Amsden is a fine new American variety, large and well coloured, and excellent in flavour. It is the .best early outdoor variety that has come under my notice, and cannot fail to become a general favourite when better known. Early Crawford is another useful variety. These will supersede Prin- cess Louise, which is small and deficient in flavour. Lord Napier and Pine-apple Nectarines are ex- cellent kinds both for outdoor and indoor purposes. Gooseberries are an excellent crop ; also Currants, Black, White, and Red ; and Raspberries are very good indeed. Strawberries have been an excellent crop and unusually large, some of James Veitch and Eliza Rivers weighing 2^ oz. each. Pears are •■i good crop. Nuts moderate. The Apple crop gene- rally in Sussex, I believe, is a failure. With the exception of a few trees, I have very few ; other- wise our fruit crop is very satisfactory. I attribute our success to our sheltering plantations, which protected us so much fi-om the storm on ihe 29th April, that made sad havoc in so many gardens this season. Potatoes, both early and late, are badly diseased. — F. Rutland. Leonardslee, Horsham. — Apples arenearly a total failure all through this district. Pears are about a fourth of a crop. Of Plums we have a few- in places throughout this district. Peaches and Nectarines on open walls are a failure, but indoors good. Cherries are about half a crop ; Morellos very fine and a good crop Figs on bushes out-of- doors half a crop. Gooseberries good. Red and White Currants good, also Black. Strawberries have been a fine crop, but they suffered from the late salt -svinds. Raspberries are very good, but wanting in flavour. Filberts and Cobnuts good, if tliey ripen. Walnuts a total failure, as are also Melons and Quinces. The Potato blight showed itself in this district three weeks sooner than in previous years. 1 have just been round the cottage gardens on this estate, and have found it in all of them. The tubers go wrong even after they are taken up and stored : with me out of nearly a hundred kinds there is not one variety that has not its top injured. Hence I have cut the' haulm all oil, and shall take them np as soon as the weather gets drier. Up to this date (19th July) I have registered 275 in. of rain- fall. We are badly in want of fine, dry weather here in the south. — S. Ford. Preston Hall, Aylesford.— The market growers hereabout, I am afraid, will hardly cover the expenses incurred in cultivation this year ; top fruits are nearly a failure, owing to the gale in April that destroyed the blossom and early formed fruit. The trees looked as if they were scorched for a long time, and are now far from healthy. There are but few Apples— about one- fifth of a crop ; here and there, however, a tree may be found bearing a fair crop. The most plentiful sorts are Keswick Codlin, Lord Suffield, Oiliu Pippin, Hawthornden (new and old), and Sturmer Pippin. Pears are a little better, especially with me, say about one-third of a crop. Duchesse d'Angoulfimo, Williams' Bon Chretien, Marie Louise, Pifmaston Duchess, Broom Park, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Chaumontel, Beurrfe d'ALmanlis, and Winter Nelis are noticeable as bearing better than others. Many of these are on walls. Plums are thin and poor on account of the fly that attacked them early in the season ; they may be about a third of a crop. Cherries are a fair crop in some orchards— the late varieties arc better than the early ones. Of Gooseberries, Currants, Rasp- berries, and Nuts there are good crops. Goose- berries especially so, the trees being borne down with the weight of the fruit. In open orchards crops are not so plentiful. It is owing to the shelter and drainage that we are more favoured than others. We are on the Kentish rag and gravel, and the soil is a sandy loam ; Peaches and Nectarines here are a full crop, due, I think, to my trees being on the east side of the walls where they escaped the cutting winds in April that came from the south-west.— A. WATERMAN. Linton Park, Maidstone.— Fruit crops in this part of Kent are not good. First of all it should be remembered that last season was a most fruitful one. Apples in particular being over- cropped, and the hurricane which we had early in October not only did immense damage to the crop still hanging on many trees, but by tearing ofi the green, immature foliage indirectly' injured this year's crop. Although Apple blossoms were sufli- ciently plentiful in most orchards this spring, those who took the trouble to examine them care- fully were convinced that but few could produce fruits, even if our fickle climate proved propitious. Spring frosts were remarkably few and slight, but a continuous succession of wind prevailed for a very long period, not exceptionally cold, but dry and parching, culminating in the end of April in a gale that left its marks visible till after midsum- mer. Thanks however, to the genial rains which we have had, the trees are fast making growth, and the foliage now looks healthy. On large orchard trees Apples are a very poor crop : in fact, only on Keswick Codlin, Stone's Apple, Graham's Russet, Red Quarrenden, Summer Golden Pippin, Irish Peach, and a few others are there any fruit. In gardens miniature trees or bushes, especially tliose on the Paradise stock, are much better cropped ; these low bushes, planted about 10 ft. apart, escaped to a great extent the eft'ects of the wind. Pears are the best crop of the year, com- mon orchard kinds being generally well covered with fruit, that lield on bravely through the storms, even where the foliage surrounding it was lace- rated so much as to turn quite black on the wind- ward side of the tree. Our best crops are on Sweetwater, a small early Pear ; Green Chisel, Red Lammas, very prettyi but only keeps sound when ripe for a few days; Williams' Bon Chretien, probably the best market Pear in cultivation ; Windsor, a useful sort ; Swan's Egg, Bergamot, Ashdown Park, and last, but not least, a new sort called Fertility (Rivers), an exceprionally prolific sort. On dwarf pyramids we have good crops of really good sorts "of large Pears, and in sheltered spots I believe this mode of culture would pay well, especially in the case of keeping sorts. Nearly all our orchard kinds require to be eaten as soon as gathered, and, above all, the flavour of many kinds of Pear, of which I may mention the well-known Marie Louise, is richerfrom a standard or bush than from a wall ; a good coating of rus- set is a good guide as to flavour. Cherries are a very variable crop. In some orchards they are very good and fine, but the continuous rains have caused the white varieties to split and rot very considerably ; on cottage walls the Morello is again a very heavy crop, just now ripening, and the fi-uit is large and fine, the heavy rains supplying what wall trees mo.st want, viz., plenty of moisture at the root. I may mention that in this locality CheiTies do not succeed in low-lying, rich alluvial soils, but keep hetlthy and prolific for many years on the high ground where the soil is poor and strong. The best examples of Morellos I have ever seen are grown on cottage walls, built on what is called heath land that only a few years ago was quite barren. Plums, like Cherries.are very variable, but generally much below the average. The best this year, as in most other years, is Denyer's Vic- toria, or what is called, perliaps, more properly Royal Dauphin, a mfist useful variety for orchards or, indeed, for walls. The next best are Rivers' Early Purple, Early and Late Orleans, Diamond, De-la-Sue, Pond's Seedling, a very fine variety. Cox's Emperor, and Autumn Compote. Damsons and BuUaces are very thin as a rule, but in sheltered hollows there are heavy crops of that ex- cellent sort, the Farleigh or Crittenden Damson, the branches of which are beset with masses of fruit. Bullaces are grown well here, especially Shepherd's, a variety which, under good culture, reaches a large size ; they come in very late, and are useful for tarts or preserving. Many thousands of bushels are made into cheap Plum jam, and are hardly distinguishable from Green Gages. Goose- beiries are thin where the foliage was destroyed last year by caterpillar, but good in gardens where vigorous measures for the destruction of that pest were adoptee ; all are protected with glass. Apples are about an average crop. Peaches and Nectarines nearly an average crop, and the trees are and have been healthy and free from insects. They were protected with netting. Pears are almost a failure. Of Plums we have scarcely any. The trees, both on walls and as pyramids, have been badly attacked with aphides. Cherries are much under an .average crop. Goose- JuLT 29, 1882.] THE GAEDEN. 99 berries and Currants are bearing good crops, but both trees and fruit are much injured by aphides. Of Raspberries we have a good crop, and the canes are healthy. Filberts very scanty, and the trees are much infested with a yellow aphis. Straw- berries have been an average crop.— EiCHABD Cake. Thoresby Park, Ollerton.— Early in spring ■we thought we would have an abundant fruit crop, as every'trce ai»d bush was literally covered with bloom, but Mav brought cold, wet, sunless days with a very low" night temperature, and the result ■was blight and swarms of insects on most things, especially Currants, Cherries, and Plums. Apiicots are a good crop. They are under a L'-tt. wide glass coping, with thin scrim cloth hung from it to the ground. This was kept on until all danger from frost was over. Apples are a fair average crop. Keswick Codlin, Aitken's No. 2, Stirling Castle, Nelson's Glory, Blenheim, Duchesse d'Oldenburg are bearing the best crops. Tears and Mums are all but a failure both on walls and standaids. Cherries are an average crop, and what we have are good. Gooseberries, Strawberries, and Currants are abundant and fine. In the fruit districts around here there are plenty of small fruits, but there are loud complaints concerning Plums, which are said to be all but a failure. Pears are much the same ; while Apples are iu some places a fair average, but not generally a good crop. — A. Hen- DEESON. Kingston Hall, South Notts. — Small fruits are abundant w.t'i us, particularly Straw- berries. Lucas has proved to be our best kind this season. The other varieties are Black Prince, Vicomtesse H^ricart de Thury, Sir C. Napier, and Elton Pine. Black and lied Currants are heavy crops ; they -n-ere rather troubled with blight in the fir^t part of the season, but the heavy rains of June and July have completely cleaned the fruit. Raspberries are a fair crop. Our soil being rather heavy, the hot July of last year rather hindered the growth of the young wood ; otherwise we should have had a good crop. Gooseberries are excellent, and the bushes clean and free from caterpillar. Apples are a fair average crop, Keswick Codlin, Lord Suffield, and Northern Greening being heavily laden. Pears are not a heavy crop; Winter Nelis, Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Glou Morceau are our surest croppers. Of Plums we have afairsprinkling; Peaches on walls are an average crop, and the same may be said of Apricots. Both are very much crip- pled through the severity of the last few winters. Figs are only just recovering from their effects, and from them we will not have any fruit. — J. W. Bayne. Belvoir Castle, Grantham.— An illustra- tion has again been affornd early in flowering. Floribundum is tall, 4 ft. and more, and its flowers are nearly four weeks later. This being so, Harrisi is of special value to florists who grow for market. Both Lilies came originally from Bermuda. Harrisi is propagated from one bulb, and runs uniform and true. The stock of floribundum is from a collection of sundry bulbs, and cannot as such run uniform. Ne/f Yorli. WiNIPKED KOLKEH. [The foregoing statement, handed to us by Messrs. Watkins and Simpson, is intended to clear up a misconception that has got abroad re- garding these two Lilies.] HAUDY GERANIUMS. These include some of our choicest alpine and border plants. A non-structural difEerence between tliem aud Pelargoniums, and consequently an un- reliable one, is, that with one exception (P. Endli- cherianum) Pelargoniums are all greenhouse plants, whereas Geraniums are hardy. There is a very considerable tendency on the part of the alpine si^ecies of Geraniums to form but one root- stock, and on this account their propagation is comparatively difficult. Cuttings cannot be in- duced to strike, because what few branches do spring up are wliolly flowering stems. I have tried sowing seeds (which, by the way, are not easily procurable) in the usual way, that is, gathering and storing them until the following .spring, but have been successful only in the case of G. subcau- lescens. I have also parted the root-stock, but in every case, except that of G. sanguineum (a British species), they have refused to grow. I once lost a very fine specimen of G. argenteum by trying the root-dividing process. The way in which a stock was kept up of G. cinereum and the silvery G. argenteum was quite accidental, and this was by self-sown seedlings coming up in the autumn of the summer in which the seed ripened. This only confirms the expediency of sowing seeds of hardy plants, especially alpines, as soon as thej- are ripe, for very often seeds carefully kept until spring never come up. G. argenteum (silvery), G. cinereum (grey), and G. subcaulescens are all much alike, baring stalked, orbicular more or less divided leaves, and few flowered umbels of rosy flowers. All enjoy a dry, calcareous loam in a sunny position. G. sanguineum is very distinct in habit, and one of the choicest and most beautiful. It roots yevy deeplj- in loamy soil in sunny aspects, and forms yearly a few woody underground stems, from which are emitted prostrate herbaceous flowering shoots, bearing short-stalked, much-divided leaves, with slender, one-flowered, axillary stems. The flowers are individually large, bowl-shaped, and rich rosy purple in colour, finely veined. This veining is shown very prominently in a dwarf, pale flowered variety, named G. sanguineum var. lancastriense. Amongst border species are some not less beauti- ful. They differ from the alpine kinds in being distinctly herbaceous. G. armenum is a very showy species, being quite distinct from any other with which I am acquainted. When in good form it has a bold, handsome habit, grows upwards of 3 ft. in height, and has well stalked, neatly divided, orbicular leaves. Its flowers, which are borne on branched umbels, are very similar to those of G. sanguineum, being purple veined with black. It succeeds well in good rich loam, and is well adapted for a shrubbery border. It is not easily increased, and requires very careful division, as seeds of it seldom ripen in this country. G. Endressi is another very showy kind, with soft hairy stems and leaves. It grows about 2 ft. in height, and is very floriferous, flowering for upwards of six months out of the twelve, and the flowers are a beautiful rosy self, on branching umbels. The secondary flowering stems carefully taken off are very useful for bouquet work. It is very easily increased by seed or division. G. nodosum bears some resemblance to Endressi in general ap- pearance, but the leaves are not hairy , and the flowers are rosy purple. Its specific title is derived from its nodose or swollen roots. It is easily increased by division. G. striatum is a very old Italian species, long grown in gardens, in which it sows itself freely. It grows about 2 ft. in height, and bears abundantly pretty pale rosy flowers, beauti- fully striped with dark purple. G. ibericum, a Levantine species, has long been introduced to English gardens. I once recognised it in a pro- vincial market where it was offered as a blue Geranium. It is a somewhat hairy plant, with orbicular, slightly divided leaves. It forms a neatly rounded top of foliage, through which appear short-stalked, umbellate cymes of clear blue flowers. G. eriostemon is a near ally, but is woolly. G. pratense, a British species, is an abundant bloomer, producing good-sized blue, white, or striped flowers according to the variety. Its leaves are pedate, being deeply lobed and cut. Its flowers are produced on umbellate cymes, rising consider- ably above the foliage as the season advances. All these Geraniums flower from May and June till September. T. D. H. TUBEROUS BEGONIAS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. The more varied the experience with these Begonias as bedding plants the greater tlie claims on us they seem to have. It is hardly possible for any tender plants to pass through a more trying season than the present and still live. The earth is saturated with moisture ; the nights are, for the most part, icy cold ; and the days are stormy and dull with only a gleam of sunshine at long in- tervals. Pelargonium flowers are washedinto a black mass. The soil between the plants of Calceolarias is strewed with blooms knocked off by heavy rain. The Coleuses and Alternantheras are much smaller than they were when planted, and look very un- happy, and all other bedding plants, except these Begonias, are in about the same condition. But the Begonias are excellent in spite of the continuous storms, cold nights, and sunless days which we have had. They still grow and flower in the most profuse manner. We jolanted out nearly 20,000 bedding plants of various kinds, and up to this time the Begonias are the only ones that are really satisfactoiy ; they are the only bit of bright colour we have in the garden. We treat our Begonias for bedding in the most common-place manner. We sow the seed in August as soon as it is ripe, growing the plants on in jDans in a warm house until the end of the year. The pans are then placed on the floor of a cool house where they remain until April or May following, when they are brought up to the light and the soil kept moist. In June we make a bed of soil in a cold frame and in this plant the young plants and let them remain there until they die down in autumn. The winter treatment of the young tubers, as well as those that have been bedded out in the flower garden, is just the same; on the first ap- proach of frost they are taken up, all the earth is shaken from the roots, and then they are laid on the floor of a plant house to which fire heat is only applied to keep out frost. As the tubers lie on the floor"! beneath the stage, they take but little room. In April, when they begin to show signs of starting into growth, a cold frame is pre- pared for them. The frame is placed in a sunny position in the frame ground, a depth of 6 in. or 8 in. of soil is placed in the bottom, and in this the tubers are planted 6 in. apart each way ; as they advance in growth the air is increased until thelights are left off altogether during the day. From this bed of soil the plants are lifted, placed on a hand-barrow, and carried to where they are wanted. It has been recommended that tubers for bedding should be started in heat on beds .specially prepared. Such treatment may do for the warmest parts of Ireland, but it will not do for England, ^ not even the favoured county of Somerset. I can get them quite as large as it is necessary to have them under the treatment just described, without the aid of artificial heat. Our plants begin to flower directly they are bedded out at the end of May, and to have them more forward would be to run great risk of losing them altogether. Some tubers left in the ground all the winter have come up very strongly, and have commenced to flower. " J. C. C. WHEN TO SOW HARDY ANNUALS. Several remarks have appeared lately in The Garden upon this subject ; to my mind the ad- vice to sow all hardy annuals in the autumn is the worst that could be given. There may be cases in which autumn-sown annuals would be re- quired— that is where s pring bedding is carried out ; then Silenes, Saponaria, Virginian Stock, Nemophilas, Limnanthes Douglasi, and some others are indispensable ; but in the case of ordi- nary well stocked gardens there should be such a wealth of hardy spring-blooming perennials, bulbs, kc, that annuals at that season would not be re- quired. Again.the ordinary succession of these things would continue far into tlie summer ; therefore annuals are not really required until the summer is well spent. I think that instead of sowing in autumn, annuals as a rule are even sown too early in the spring. When sown late they last much longer than when sown early. Annuals that bloom in June and July are quickly hurried to seed, and are sown over ; whereas when they do not come into flower before August, and this is the time when the ordinary herbacemis borders begin to look tame, the longer and cooler nights and diminished sun-heat enable thfrm to hold on until in fact the frost comes and stops them. Thus treated, annuals are valuable, but in their case, as in many others, the more naturally they are treated the more pleasing they are. I saw last year a garden made very gay entirelj' with annuals. It was newly laid out, and the shrubbery beds and borders looked bare. To fill all with perennial plants was out of the question, so annuals were chosen ; the ground was well manured and dug, the seed was sown in the end of May, and the selection confined to a dozen sorts — viz., Calliopsis bicolor, Centaurea Cyanus, Eschscholtzias, Lark- spurs (tall and dwarf), Linum grandiflorum, Godetia Lady Albemarle, Lupines, Nemophilas, Malope grandiflora. Poppies, Leptosiphons, and dwarf Nasturtiums. They were not sown in any formal manner, but strewn about in the most irregular way. The surface was soon green with young plants ; by-and-by a flower here and there appeared, then other flowers, and thus the evolu- tion went on continuously until the whole place was a gorgeous medley of flowers, which continued until a severe storm of rain and wind one October night smashed them all up. Now, my contention is that had these seeds been sown in March — the usual time— the whole disjilay would have been over by the end of August, and the winter waste lengthened by two months and more. Had they been sowti in autumn, they would have been all over by the end of June or early in July. Nen-ry. T." SMITH. Herbaceous rubbish —I am very glad that there is some prospect of our being advised what to avoid as well as what to get. Might I suggest that all readers of The Garden who grow her- baceous and alpine plants should, from their own experience, send in a simple list of plants they do not advise their brethren to grow ? and if these were collected together, they might in the end form an excellent " index expurgatorius," which would be of use to future purchasers. Catalogues cannot be depended upon, whether it be that growers for sale do not take the trouble, or are so enthusiastic, that provided a thing is herbaceous and hardy that is enough ; but the fact remains, and too often when plants are sent to compensate for carriage they are some easily grown and propagated plants of which a year's experience is enough ; there are some families which are hope- Aug. 5, 1882.] THE GARDEN. 109 lessly bad ; there are others which contain some highly respectable members : while others are thought good for cutting. Take the Groundsels; highly valuable as Senecio pulcher is, I have two now in flower which are not half as good as the common Ragwort of our fields and lanes, and which must make way for something better. I have Campanulas which are a pest to the bor- ders, and Anemones which are the bane of the rockery ; and had such a list been in existence, one would have been saved a deal of trouble. — Delta. Meconopsis 'Wallichi has been fine here, bearing from twenty to thirty flowers every morn- ing on plants over 6 ft. high. As a Poppy the genus is singular in liking a moist soil and par- tially shaded position. In all its phases of leafage and flower it is a lovely plant, as is also the yellow M. nepalensis, which, however, flowers much earlier and seems hardier. — B. Root-work. — In the town paradise which Mr. Albert Cirant tried to make at Kensington, and which is now as strange a piece of weediness as one could find, one of the features is perfectly rotten banks made of tree roots. It is only a few years since tlie garden was made, and j-et these always ugly objects have already gone to powder. All lovers of plants, and particularly alpine plants, should beware of tree stumps! — V. Old-fashioned plants. — Can anyone tell me the modern name for a plant described by Gerard as Sweet St. John ! Also has anyone ever met with the double form of Lychnis Flos- cuouli, called by Gerard Double Crow-flower or Wild William '1 In an old-fashioned garden the other day 1 saw a double Geranium pratense, and another very handsome plant, that looked like a gigantic form of Lotus corniculatus. Has anyone ever heard of a climbing Meadow Sweet ? — S. S.J. Senecio epeciosus. — This is a good plant for the mixed border in places W"here cut flowers are in demand. It lasts long in water, and keeps blooming continuously through the summer. The winter being so mild, I cannot speak as to its hardiness. I grew it in pots last year, but found it unsuitable for that purpose, the spikes growing so long and straggling. Planted out in the open border, it does not grow so tall. It has bloomed since Hay, young plants carrying from twelve to twenty spikes at a time. I have one fault to find with it, however, and that is, its not being quite telling enough in colour, being more lilac than purple — at least so it is with me. — R. Stevens, Paston. Saxifraga diversifolia.— This interesting and pretty plant sent to me by a nurseryman some eighteen months ago under the name of Hypericum species from the Hiraalaj-as is now nicely in bloom in a shady border at the end of my garden, and quite deserves all you s.iy in its praise in your last issue (p. 87). It is well figured in the January number of the Botanical Magazine for this year, and is more than usually well sup- plied with names, as it has been described by various botanical authorities under the names of S. parnassifolia, S. Jloorcroftiana, and S. lysima- chioides. It is found in the range of the Himalayas from Cashmere to Bhotan at elevations varying from 9000 ft. to 17,000 ft. above the sea level.— W. E. GUJIBLETON. Prancoa ramosa.— The discussion about the plant which should rightly bear this name proves how mi.xed are our plant names and how little of meaning there is iu them. " Delta " sends me a private note to say that my pink variety is F. sonchifolia — the white variety being F. ramcsa. I find on tracing out the meanings that Francoa means that the plant was named after Franco, a Spaniard, and ramosa means branched, a feature common to both the white and the pink. Then son- chifolia means Sow Thistle-leaved, and again both have leaves like the Sow Thistle, as has also the F. rupestris sent me by Jlr. AVoUey Dod, who had it thus named by Mr. Harpur Crewe, and which again appears to be identical with the white- flowered plant of " Delta." Lastly, Mr. Gumbletun finds the term appendiculata to be a synonym common to all. But what is the appendage which gives this distinction to the plant I cannot dis- cover. At any rate all the plants appear to be alike in leaves, stalks, and flowers, excepting only in the colour. I therefore think the names will do very well, viz., F. ramosa for the pink, and F. ramosa alba for the white variety. At any rate, do not let us have F. sonchifolia as the name for so lovely a plant.— Beockhurst, Didsbimj. Francoa ramosa is, I have no hesitation in saying, always white. Moreover, it is not hardy, and requires the protection of a greenhouse in winter. Francoa rupestris I raised from seeds sent me by Mr. Thompson, of Ipswich. It may very possibly be a very bright-coloured variety of F. sonchifolia. It is, however, of a much more robust constitution and stands any amount of cold. I have lost F. ramosa and sonchifolia. — H. H. Crewe. With us this plant agrees with " Delta's '' description ; the flowers are pure white, and the spikes grow over 2 ft. in height. There being such differences of opinion respecting this plant, I can- not say whether ours is true to name or not ; it was received from the gardens at Milne Graden, and this is the name. we had with it. The flower- spikes are not branched, as Mr. Wolley Dod says they should be ; however, they may come so occa- sionally. It will not be in flower with us for a month yet.— E. Stevens, Paston. It is evident from the notes on this subject that the nomenclature of these plants has got somewhat mixed, and it would be well that it should be cleared up. It is quite clear, I think, that " Brockhurst's " plant is not ramosa, but that it is the species or variety named in Ware's list sonchifolia. I sent a piece of that which I have to " Brockhurst '' who seems to have it as ramosa alba. Then the other day I met one in a garden in Staffordshire which was called appendiculata; this was white with purplish spots on it, but I found appendiculata described in the " Cottage Gardeners Dictionary" as purple. I have asked that a flower and leaf of this should be sent to Mr. Baker, of Kew, and I am sending him a piece of mine with a request that he will kindly give us his judgment on the matter ; and if any of the growers of herbaceous plants who may possess any of the Francoas would do the same we might get at the bottom of it. — Delta. Loose gra'^el on ■walks, — Where there is loose gravel or shingle lying about on the surface of walks it is evident that the material is not a binding one, and that if the shingle be swept off, the evil will soon become as bad as ever. The best remedy would be pouring over the surface some boiled tar, but then the colour might prove objectionable. The next best thing, therefore, will be to get in the winter some very finely screened sandy clay -rather more of clay than sand. Spread it thinly over the surface, and apply the roller whilst it is raining hard, so that the material may become not only like mortar, but will not adhere to the roller. If not done during rain, then the watering-pot should be freely used. Whenever the gravel is by rolling worked into a soft mortar- like condition, and is so left to get solid and dry, a firm, hard path is almost invariably the result. —A. D. SHOPT NOTES.— FLOWER. Bronzy Tropseolum \(J. D. N.y—The nower you send represents .1 eoloiu- liy no me.iiis common— a beautiful soft, satiny, Wiillllower tint, well wortli perpetnating. Double Carnations becoming single.— last year we planted in a Rood border some fifty plants of double Carnations, named varieties. Tliey all flowered well ; this ye.ar, however, the flowers are all single. Can anyone oblige me with an e.vplanation of this occurrence? — J. W. Bevrare of Bindweed.— I he power of this pl.int to destroy vegetation was probably never better illustrated than in the garden at Kensington House, which, neglected only for a short time, has now its beds of Khododendrons ami other choice shrubB completely hidden hy this pest. Hardy plants and the season.— Al- though we have had many cool, wet summers, yet have I never seen hardy plants thri\ing and look- ing so green and vigorous as they do now. Especially is this the case with Primroses and Polyanthuses, all of which are not only continuing to make vigorous growth and to bef ull of rich green leafage,but actually are, in many instances, bloom- ing freely. I have but just now gathered quite a charming bunch of many coloured Primroses, a most unwonted thing to do in the month of July, for as a rule here in all summers the plants have been by thrips and heat denuded of their leaves. It IS not merely one or two plants that are bloom- ing, but many, and the circumstance is indeed so strange at this time of year that I feel it merits more than passing notice. Then all kinds of Violas and Pansies are blooming singularly well, and are standing the season beyond all precedent. Usually many spring-planted plants die during the sum- mer, but this year not only is this a rarity, but the plants flower most profusel)', and where the self- coloured sorts are in masses they are making most effective displays. The Old Blue King and Blue Beard Pansies are really beautiful ; so also are the mauve lilacina, the yellow Sovereign, the purple Mulberry, and the white Vesta, and for the prc- duction of masses of bloom these seem to be ur.- rivalled. But all kinds of perenials, whether spring, summer, or autumn bloomers, are thriving won- derfully, much more satisfactorily than are many tender things which need sunshine and heat. Tie alternations of rain and sunshine seem to have suited the hardy plants better than too much cloud and rain, for although Primroses always the first plants to tell of heat in the open, are so full of leafage, yet the soil is comparatively dry. _ A cool, moist atmosphere is often more beneficial than abundant rains. — A. D. EDITOR'S TABLE. Platycodongeandiflokum.— Thehandsomest perhaps of the Hairbell race of plants, and always very fine and showy in very warm soils, but slov/ in some. Good specimens come to us from Coombe Wood. * Diplopappus chrysophtlltjs. — A shrub which seems hardy, with small leaves and shoots dusted over with gold like golden Ferns. It seems to flower freely at Coombe Wood. An interesting subject for a low wall or dry bank. * SriEiEACAI.LOSA PUMILA ALBA ANDSIBIEICA. —These plants come to us most plentifully early in the summer, and it is no less pleasant to sec them fresh and good now. The above two from Coombe Wood in very good condition. * BehbeeidOPSIS CORALLINA.— This excellent and distinct .shrub is sent to us by Messrs. Veitch fiUl of red berries. It has been too long a botanical curiosity, and really is a valuable thing to train up a wall or round a window on the sunny side of a house. Veronica angustifoha. — One of the New Zealand Speedwells, slender in leaf, and with long graceful racemes of delicate blossoms. Where they grow well these New Zealand Veronicas deserve a good place and to be well grown. Admirable in all moist genial and hilly districts, and if taste- fully associated with Fuchsias and other autumn blooming plants, help to make a pleasant autumn garden. * Blue Japan Hydrangea.— This is a distinct bush with large flowers round the ray only, but with the little perfect flowers in the middle blue also. Sent from Coombe Wood, and likely to be an 110 THE GAEDEN. [Aug. 5, 1882. excellent shrub. Vi'e suppose it to be a wild form of the garden Hydrangea, but it is said to come regularly of a good blue in the open air. « SiDALCEA CANDIDA. — A little Hollyhock with cream-white flowers, very good in form, and one that, like the Musk Mallow, would, we think, prove a good cutting plant for those who care for the less showy flowers. For general work the white Musk Mallow is the best. * CALOPoeoM PULCHELLUS is a Very delicate spiky American Orchid, of a bright, though pale, magenta colour, and is most refreshing to see at this time of year, when showy flowers are mostly those that remain to us. It must be a charming plant in its native bogs in North America. From Mr. Ware. * Wallflowers in August.— While the last suspicion of spring and early summer flowers has faded from tlie hot and dusty streets. Col. Stuart Wortley surprises us with a nice, fresh bunch of Wallflowers from spring-sown seed. Also blooms of a large seedling buff-yellow Carnation, which, if vigorous and free, should be increased as a good border flower. » The Fkancoas.— These have been neglected We have not generally known the way to treat them, though the plants have been long known. Mr. Ware sends us several forms of the pinky one (F. appendiculata) and the elegant white one (F. ramosa). This year they do very well out-of-doors, but they are also very useful for cold frames or window culture, and even as greenhouse plants. * Haepalium eigidum and Helenium autum- nale are two really good and handsome yellow flowers, now well known, and worth dozens of the ragged composites which we so often find in the "own selections" of the hardy plant nurseryman, and v/hich go to form the rich stores of "herb.a- ceous rubbish " which occupy the space that ought to be given to distinct and good plants that repay for the space and care given them. * Calochoetus maceocaepus. — The first flower we have seen of this rare Californian is from Mr. Ware. It is somewhat similar to the better known S. venustus, but differs from it in being quite erect, the stout stem bearing a large cup-like flower, some 2 in. across, and of a beautiful light purple, traversed by numerous pencillings and veinings of a deeper hue. It is certainly a veiy important new plant, and one we hope that will take the place of less handsome species. The name C. macrocarpus occurs in many gardens, but we doubt if the true plant is represented. * A Japanese Hydeangea, from Mr. Henry Stevens' garden at Addlestone, is one of the most beautiful we have seen, and, moreover, the most distinct. It is one of those species having small, incon.spicuous fertile flowers in the centre of the cluster, and large showy sterile blossoms in the ray. The colour of these ray flowers, which measure If in. across, is a lovely deep carmine, mottled and speckled with white. The toothed edges of these sterile flowers add much to their beauty. AVith it comes a variety with pure white ray flowers, a most beautiful contrast to the other. In a cut state such Hydrangeas as these are very effective, and they continue in beauty a long tim«. Chetsanthemums.— I send you a little box of flowers of the very pretty border plant, Chry- santliemum inodorum plenissimum. I find it very useful for cutting from, as it will last nearly a fortnight in water; it is also invaluable for making wreaths, &c. I find it described in the catalogues as an annual. The flowers in question were cut from a plant that withstood the last two winters without any protection whatever ; it is now a plant 3 ft. across and 18 in. high, and a mass of lovely white flowers. — J. B. Field., Stati7ei/ Hall, Bridgnorth. [Very pure, very double, and very large. The best we have seen of the flowers of this plant, of which we h.ave never thought much on account of its weedy look.] KITCHEN GARDEN. MODEL CUCUMBEE. Aftee growing this variety for two seasons I find it to be one of the handsomest and most prolific kinds in cultivation. It produces Cucumbers aver- aging from 18 in. to 22 in. in length, of perfect outline, and with scarcely any neck or handle, as it is sometimes termed. Their colour is a very dark green, and they carry a beautiful bloom. The plants make strong, short-jointed shoots, and pro- duce several fruits at each joint. They continue bearing for a long time, if properly cared for with regard to keeping the shoots tied out regularly, and cutting out the old leaves. After being in bearing a time, they require feeding with liquid manure. If grown in pits or frames the shoots must be kept tliin, cutting out the old leaves as soon as they begin to shade the young, growing shoots, or young crop. By no means use shading over the glass at any time ; if the plants are in good healtli and growing freely shading is not required, even at midsummer when we have bright sunshine. In the Cucumber house keep the shoots well pinched back to induce them to form plenty of fruiting wood. Our house is .span-roofed, divided into two divisions with a bed on each side, and a p.ath down the centre. The soil in which the Cucumbers are planted rests upon wooden planks, bottom -heat being fur- nished by means of hot-water pipes under the beds. The brickwork being close, no heat is lost, and we are enabled to hai-e a steady bottom-heat. The pipes are a good di.stance (.SJ ft.) from the soil, which is better than when they are close to it, for, when too close, they dry it, and often destroy the crop if not well attended to with water. Top-heat is furnished by means of 3-in. hot-w'.ater pipes distributed over the house, which is better than having them all round the sides of the walls. I have pipes round the sides of the house and down both sides of the path, and in this way I obtain a regular heat all over the house. The soil consists of good turfy loam, to which are added rotten manure and some lime rubbish to keep the whole open. Small hills are made for plants, which is planted when the soil gets warm ; the plants then soon make a start and reach the wires upon which they are trained. I pinch out tops of the shoots as soon as they have made four eyes beyond the first wire. Even with the very largest squares of glass, shading is not needed. The width of the squares in our house is 18 in., and we use no shading, but give the plants plenty of water at their roots, and abundance of moisture in the paths. Model began fruiting in February, and now at the present time, the 1st of August, it is still growing and fruiting as freely as in March and April. This Cucumber delights in rather a higher temperature than most varieties, but it will grow and fruit freely in a cold frame during the sum- mer months. I always plant my first crops of Melons and Cucumbers on the same day, and in the same house, planting the Melons on one side and the Cucumbers on the other. Tims they both grow and fruit freely side by side. The hills of soil are made the same both for Melons and Cucumbers, but for the former it is made a little stiffer, adding more in both cases as the roots grow. Under this treatment both fruit freely. Wm. Christison. Brondeij. SOWING CABBAGE PLANTS. Common as this operation may be considered to be, it must now receive attention, and every gar- dener knows what an important matter the suc- cessful management of the Cabbage crop is. Choose a border for the beds, say after Potatoes or early Peas, as poor and dry as possible, but well exposed to the winter sun. Dig it over on the evening of a very hot day. Few are aware of the advantage gained by thus economising twelve hours of sun heat In order to obtain nice, stocky little jilants, avoid giving manure of any kind. After digging tread the piece of ground, and, marking out the beds, sow the seeds and name them carefully; give a fair soaking of water, and sow soot over the beds, which serves a three-fold purpose. The seeds being, as it were, imbedded in soot are quite safe from the ravages of birds, and it also prevents the plants from "clubbing," and last, but not least, it fertilises the soil. Then spread a few spadefuls of well-broken soil over the beds, and finish them up according to taste. I always prefer sowing Cauliflower seeds in lines, but otherwise I give them the same treatment as Cabbage seed. As soon as the young plants can be handled they should be "drawn," in order to thin the beds, and laid deeply in rich, light soil, in lines 6 in. apart and 2 in. between the plants. Thus treated thej- will pass a comparatively hard winter in safety, and be found in spring well-rooted, bushy little plants. W. D, THE PEA CROP. Peas, speaking broadly, are not a good crop here- about ; they grow fast and tall enough, in fact too tall, and they bloom sufliciently well, but the pods form badly, and do not fill well, many having only two or three Peas in a pod, and some none at all. Huntingdonian, Little Wonder, and G. F. Wilson are amongst the worse, and Sharp's Invincible, Fortyfold, Advancer, and Wellington are the best. These are of the marrow type ; some kinds are only in bloom, so cannot say how they will be as yet, but we do not expect them to be better than the rest unless we get a good deal more sunshine than we have as yet had. It is not because our soil is damp and cold, or shaded in any way, nor because we cultivate badly. We trench two spits deep, working in manure in the bottom spit, and we sow thinly 15 ft. apart, planting Ashtop Potatoes between them 30 in. apart, and Brussels Sprouts between each row of Potatoes in the early part of June, as we want to make the most of the ground. Bj' planting the Peas in this way they get plenty of air and light — two important points in Pea cultivation. All kinds of Peas are this year growing from 1 ft. to 3 ft. over their average height, and they do not possess that dark green colour which one likes to see, clearlj- showing that they want warmth ; for although they consume large quantities of water, as the dry soil when the crop is cleared off indicates, yet they like warmth. We usually mulch ours, but this is not needed as yet this season. Mildew is now begin- ning to make its appearance. As regards new Peas, are we advancing in any way be3"ond size ? Is there yet any better dwarf early Pea than McLean's Little Gem, or Advancer, or Kentish Invicta '/ or is there any better late Pea than Ne Plus Ultra or Veitch's Perfection, all points con- sidered ? It is not size, but flavour we want ; height, too, is of little importance, except the whole of the haulm produces Peas. It is no un- frequeut thing to see Peas produced only on one half, and sometimes not that of the whole height. The main thing is to get the largest amount of good flavoured Peas we can on a given space ; but Aug. 5, 1882.] THE GARDEN. Ill flavour should be the first point. Is there not some danger that, owing to so many kinds being grown by seed growers, there may be some difficulty in obtaining ninny of our good old types true to name ? The old Essex Kival does not appear to be grown now, at least it is not in many seed lists. We have far too many names and too little real variety. J. C. F. Diseased Potatoes.— We have a fine crop of Totatocs in the garden here, each variety being better th.an usual, large and first rate in quality. Disease has, however, set in amongst the early and niid-carly varieties. Several of the sorts, such as Karlv Rose, Schoolmaster, Grampian, Early Shaw, Bread-fruit, and Early Vernon, are nearly all diseased. Late varieties still, however, looli promising, no appearance of disease in their haulm being as yet visible.— Wll. C'JIKISTISOX, Bromley. Exhibition Potatoes.- A correspondent inquires how he is to prepare Potatoes for exhibi- tion. In the first place, they must be well grown. When the tubers turn out clean, shapely, and handsome, then the grower has but to select the best and most even-sized ones, preserve them in dry sawdust to the day or so before the show ; then get them out, wash and wipe them dry, re- select the handsomest, after being washed paper them up, and pack carefully for travelling. There can be no difficulty in selecting rounds from kidneys, because the forms of the tubers are so diverse and the sorts so distinct. When we are lifting roots we select as we lift any specially good-looking tubers, and lay them on one side. After the sort or row is lifted, these selected tubers are gathered up separately, and if, on a second look, any seem imperfect they are rejected. Show tubers should be free from scab or rust. They should have no disease about them or worm holes, or be in any way disfigured. Very large tubers sliould also be rejected, as these are rarely -shapely. A dish should be always of even size. We prefer setting them up in plates as fol- lows : If nine tubers are shown, place six of the smallest tubers for a base, and then put the other three on the top to the best advantage. In the case of a collection good setting up is of consider- able importance. — A. D. Tomatoes under glass. — Unless Tomato plants in houses can have almost unlimited space to cover, the roots are best in'pots. Tomatoes will find food almost anywhere ; they literally eat up the soil with their enormous mass of root fibres, but at the same time top growth is made in such abundance that the knife must be ever in request to keep it within bounds. Wliat is needed, how ever, is not leafage and shoots, but fruit, and thi? can only be got by keeping the roots confined. Ten-in. pots are, perhaps, the best for single plants, and if set on a soil bed so that the roots may, to a limited extent, find their way into it, the plants ■will hold on all the better. It is important to give them plenty of room, and in order to secure this each plant should be placed quite 4 ft. from the other, and each one should be trained either to a movable or fixed flat trellis ; indeed, it is doubt- ful whether any plan of training is better for Tomatoes than that usually applied to Peach trees in span houses, because then the plants get all the light and air possible. Thin the fruit, pinch out needless shoots, and give an ample supply of water. Liquid manure m.ay be given freely after the plants have become strong and fruit is being formed. — A. D. Potato prospects. — It was very distressing to read in connection with the reports of the con- dition of the fruit crops furnished from so many sources to find statements adverse to the Potato crop so general. From the north, where the season is always later, we learn that the Potato plants yet look fresh and vigorous ; but from the west, where perhaps growth is a month earlier, the reports announce great disease, the tops especially being nearly all destroyed. Throughout this district the fungus appeared in the haulm early ; indeed it was seen in some first early kinds before the month of June was out, and since then it has been progressing fast ; indeed there is hardly a green leaf left upon early and second early kinds, but such late sorts as Magnum Bonum, Reading Hero, Champion, &c., are still green, though the fungus is fast decimating the leaves. It is most probable should showers or occasional misty nights continue that we shall have to report the total disappear, ance of green leaves on the Potato by the middle of the month. It is yet difficult to forecast the nature of the crop and of the amount of the disease that will prevail. It is most improbable that we shall save all the crop ; indeed if we can lift two-thirds sound it will be well. I have got up Ashleaf Kidney, of which only about one- twentieth were diseased, but the soil was fairly dry and far from rich. It is in the highly manured rich soils where the greatest amount of mischief is evident, thus showing that either the stems being more succulent are the more easily destroyed by the fungus in its downward course to the tubers, or else that the skins and flesh of tubers erown in rich soil are the more tender and less able to resist the atfacksof the fungus spores in the soil. I think pulling up the tops a waste of labour, and the lifting early of all kinds that are not ripe and have firm stems to be injudicious. With a month of fairly dry weather the tubers will cer- tainly keep better in the soil than if lifted. — A. D. NOTES OP THE WEEK. APPOINTMENTS. Aug. 5 .1U(1 7.- Southamptou Summer Show. 7.— Manchester Gooseberry and Flower Show. 8.— South Kensington Meeting of Fruit and Floral Committees. Imported fhuits. — Mr. Draper informs us that the sales in Covent Garden Market of im- ported fruit were last Friday the largest ever known. This and m.any other things may, we hope, w.ake up our home-growers to make a greater effort, and above all things lead to such changes in other matters as will make it possible for a man cultivating some land to plant trees and wait for the result. We in fact want many small freeholders who are not above hard work. MuSA viTTATA. — Since the appearance of my note on the flowering of this Musa at Kew I have learned that under the name M. sapientum var. vittata an excellent figure is to be found in the " Botanical Magazine," drawn from a Kew-flowered specimen. I am told that some years ago this Musa was well cultivated at Kew, many fine speci- mens of it being in the Palm house, where they were quite at home. It is also stated that in some of the colonies in which this variety is grown the fruit has proved in every way superior to that of the other kinds. Like .the foliage, the fruit is variegated. OSBORS's NURSERIES. — All who know these nurseries and their interesting contents will re- gret to know that they are to be brought to the hammer in October, and that " Osborn's, of Ful- ham,'' henceforward disappears from famous London nurseries. It was one of the best, con- ducted by trustworthy men, loving their work and understanding it. Nurseries where so many fine and rare trees and shrubs were grown are far too rare, and we regret much that this should dis- appear, as Loddiges', Rollisson's, and others have disappeared. Let us hope young firms and young men will come forward and carry on the work no less worthily than those who have passed away. The Filmy Fern house in the Pine-apple Nursery, Maida Vale, filled with fine specimens of Todea superba, is at all times a refreshing sight, but more particularly at this season when heads of new fronds are developed. The effect of such a large assemblage of this lovely Fern is beautiful in the extreme. This Todea is above all others the great feature among Filmy Ferns; it is grown to perfection in a lean-to house with a north aspect, and with no means of heating it artificially ; consequently the plants become frozen in winter, but even that does not injure them, for each recurring summer they wear even a healthier appearance than in the preceding sea- son. We remember seeing tie plants two years ago with every frond covered with icicles. During the summer, pools of water are constantly kept beneath the stages on the cemented floor, so as to m.aintain the requisite amount of atmospheric moisture, and tlie house is shaded from direct sunlight. Those who are interested in the cul- ture of this exquisite Filmy Fern would do well to see this fine collection. LicuALA (Pritchardia) geandis.— We are informed that the fine specimen of this rare Palm, lately the property of Mr. Wills, has been recently added to the rich collection of Palms in the Royal Gardens, Kew, where it may now be seen in No. 1 (ihe Aroid) house. Until within the last two years this specimen was the only one known to be in cultivation in Europe, but within that time quantities of young plants and seeds of it have been imported. The Kew specimen stands about 10 ft. high, with about 2 ft. of bare stem at the base, the rest being clothed with largo dark green fan-shaped leaves, quite distinct in appearance from those of any other cultivated Palm. Last year Mr. Wills was so fortunate as to flower this plant, when it proved to be a Licuala, to which genus it had already been referred by Mr. Wendland. In Batteesea Park the finest feature just now is a hedge composed of Clematis Jackmani, Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius), Canary Creeper (Tropa;olum aduncum). and Eccremocar- pus scaber, all of which are flowering profusely, and their colours harmonise with each other in a beautiful manner. The Clematis preponderates, and forms a dense mass of the richest purple im- aginable, while the others intertwine with it in a charming manner. This bright floral fence is in the sub-tropical garden, just atthepoint wheretwo walks diverge which encircle the inner lake. The hedge or trellis fits into a sheltered nook, and, being above the pathway, is seen to good advantage. For several years past this has been a great attrac- tion, but it is better this year than hitherto. Colours of flowees.— To last week's Nature Mr. Grant Allen communicates an interesting paper on " The Colours of Flowers as illustrated by the British Flora," of which the following is an extract : " The different hues assumed by petals are all, as it were, laid up beforehand in the tissues of the plant, ready to be brought out at a moment's notice. And all flowers, as we know, easily sport a little in colour. But the question is, do their changes tend to follow any regular and definite order ? Is there any reason to believe that the modification runs from any one colour towards any other ? Apparently, there is. All flowers, it would seem, were in their earliest form yellow ; then some of them became white; after that a few of them grew to be red or purple ; and, finally a comparatively small number acquired various shades of lilac, mauve, violet, or b'ue. Some hints of a progressive law in the direction of a colour change from yellow to blue are sometimes afforded us even by the successive stages of a single flower. For example, one of our common little English Forget-me-nots, Myosotis versicolor. 112 THE GAEDEN. [Aug. 5, 1882. is pale yellow when it first opens ; but as it grows older it becomes faintly pinkish, and ends by being blue like the others of its race. Now this sort of colour change is by no means uncommon, and in almost all known cases it is always in the same direction, from yellow or white, through pink, orange, or red, to purple or blue. Thus, one of the AVallflowcrs, Cheirauthus chama;leo, has at first a whitish flower, then a citron-yellow, end finally emerges into red or violet. The petals of Stylidium fruticosum are pale j-ellow to begin with, and afterwards become light rose-coloured. An evening Primrose, CEnothera tetraptera, has white flowers in its first stage and red ones at a later period of development. Cobiea scaudens goes from white to violet ; Hibiscus mutabilis from white, through flesh-cniUnm-in-parro, as it contains such a great variety of subjects, all in the rudest luxuriance. They comprise numerous fine specimens of Tree Ferns, chiefly Dicksonias, a great variety of other Ferns, including some grand specimens of Adiau- tum farleyense, Crotons, Dracaenas, Ficuses, Anthuriums, and Orchids, which latter are quite as much at home as other plants, and quite refute tlie idea that thev onnnot be grown well with Aug. 5, 1882,] THE GAEDEN. 113 other plants. Here they are placed in various positions — some in pots anrl baskets, others in sus- pended pans and blocks. The arrangement, more- over, is by no means convent ional, for the plants are intermingled, so as to set each other off as it were The walls covered with the spontaneous growth of myriads of Ferns add a gi-eat charm to the house, and the stems of the Tree Ferns and even the pots form a foothold for colonies of sporling Ferns, which in many instances have attained maturity and dispersed spores for another gene- ration. Such ahouse as this isiustructive.inasmuch as it shows what may be doue with little labour, for Mr. Stevens sees to it all himself : indeed, he is his own head gardener, and has planted everj'- thing about the place. One of the gi-eatest aids he possesses is a good supply of water, with which, by means of a hose, he waters the house thoroughly as often as required, so as to keep it constantly moist, and it not only keeps the plants in health, but keeps them clean, for the absence of insect pests is conspicuous. A curious incident has lately occurred in this house. A wren built her nest among the bulbs of a plant of Cattleya attached to a suspended block of cork, and in it she has brought up a brood of young ones, not- withstanding that the usual operations of watering and ventilating have been going on as usual. She built her nest of the Sphagnum gathered from the Orchid pots in the house, and of course took a considerable quantity. A singular fact is that neither the mother nor young took theleastnotice of the persons in the house or the swaying to and fro of the hanging block. This circumstance is almost as remarkable as that of the wren which built its nest in the body of a dead crow, which hss been exhibited in the window of the Field oiHce.— W. G. PLANTS IN FLOWER. The VlCTOliiA iiegia has rarely been finer at Kew than it is this year. Its huge leaves turn up their rims boldly, a sure indication of luxuriance, and blofsoms succeed each other so quickly that the plant is rarely flowerless. Carnations in London. — We notice these thriring very well indeed and flowering abun- dantly in the Botanic Garden, Eegenfs Park, proof enough that they are among the flowers which can be grown very well in London if anyone takes the trouble ; not, however, in the shade of walls or trees. PONTEDERIA AZUREA. — This plant is now in flower in the Eegenfs Park, and we have sel- dom seen anything more beautiful. The strange azure spike with the orange dots and the fine form of the flowers are very charming. One of the men in charge told us that he had seen as many as sixty spikes at a time, these spikes varying much in size and shape. It is almost worth while hav- ing a tank for this plant alone. We are proud of having figured it in The Garden, the first plate, we believe, issued of it White African Lilv.— Of the host of plants that adorn the capacious conservatory at the Pine- apple Nursery, Maida Vale, none arc more attrac- tive than this, the Agapanthus umbellatus albus. It is not only an attractive plant under pot cul- ture, but most valuable for cutting from at this season, the individual flowers being particularly well adapted for bridal bouquets, wreaths, &o The plant differs in no way from the typical blue' African Lily, except in colour. Numerous speci- mens of it are now in flower, and, grouped with the blue kind and various fine-foliaged plants, they are most effective. The Rosy Jasmine.— This beautiful plant, named JIascarenhaisia Curnowiana, is now finely in flower at the Clapton Nursery. Jlessrs. Low, who first introduced this plant from Madagascar, have been particularly successful in its propaga- tion, but, however quickly it may be propagated, we doubt if the supply will be equal to the demand when the beauty and value of the plant become known. A good coloured figure of the Rosy Jasmine was given in The Garden at the beginning of this year. Olearia Haasti.— This pretty New Zealand shrub may now be considered to be thoroughly hardy, for it has withstood full exposure in the neiglibourhood of London for several seasons past. It is now finely in flower in Jlessrs. Henderson's nursery, Jlaida" Yale, both against walls and in the open, and in all cases it is covered with clus- ters of small white blossoms. It is a densely branched shrub about 3 tt. high, forming a com- pact rounded bush with evergreen foliage like that of some varieties of Box. It thrives well in ordinary garden soil, and is particularly well adapted for the rook garden. Clematis Jackmani supebba. — Judging from specimens sent to us by Messrs. Veitch from their Coombe Wood Nursery, this variety differs considerably from the ordinary form both in size and colour. The petals are broader, and in most of the flowers number five instead of four, and the colour is a very deep, velvety purple, while that of the ordinary Jackmani is bluer in tint. Like the type, it is a most valuable open-air plant, and poorly off indeed in that garden which does not possess at this season a flower-smothered bush of Jackman's Clematis. Clethra aeborea. — It is much to be regretted that this extremely pretty shrub is not quite hardy in our climate, for it produces its graceful clusters of blossoms just at a season when there is a paucity of other shrubs in flower. A large .specimen of it just now in full flower in the temperate house at Kew arrests everybody's at- tention. The flowers, which are pure white and Lily of the Yalley-like, are produced in large spreading clusters, terminating the branches. It is onh' suitable for a large conservatory, in which it can show itself off to advantage. It is a native of Madeira. DiSA GRANDIPLORA.— A beautiful display of this showy Cape Orchid is now in perfection in ilessrs. Henderson s nursery, Maida Vale. Among such a number of flowering plants there are neces- sarily numerous varieties, but it is not diflicult to single out the very fine kind usually called superba, which is characterised by the intensity and richness of its scarlet colour ; indeed, the variation between the poorest and the finest forms is remarkably wide. The plants are grown in pots in a spongy compost, consisting chiefly of Sphag- num perpetually kept in a saturated state, and this treatment, and the plants being in a con- genial atmosphere and well exposed to light, accoimts for the success which has attended their cultivation. The house in which these Disas are grown is one recently constructed specially for cool Orchids, and special attention has beenpaid to ven- tilation and the means for maintaining moisture in the atmosphere. Beneath the central stages is a capacious tank, which always contains a good depth of water, and likewise beneath the side stages water is held by means of shallow cemented troughs, so that fi'om these, as well as from the tank, moisture is being continually given off. The house is ventilated both in the roof and around the sides, and the heating arrangements are seemingly perfect. The house to all appear- ance suits the class of plants which it contains admirably, judging by the hundreds of healthy Masdevallias, Odontoglossums, and other cool- house Orchids which it holds. RUBUS 'phcenicolasius. — This Japanese Bramble when profusely laden with fruits, as a bush of it in the temperate house at Kew now is, is a highly ornamental object. This specimen has entwined itself around an upright support, and is some 12 ft. or 11 ft. high. The branches, which are slender, are terminated by dense clus- ters of fruits like those of an ordinary Raspberry, but of various shades of orange-red, and s o abun- dant are they that their weight gracefully bends down the shoots on all sides of the plant. For a large greenhouse or conservator}- it makes a hand- some and uncommon object, and in the warmer parts of the country it would probably succeed out-of-doors. Finely plowehed Liliuji auratum. — I send you a photograph of a Lilium auratum, an im- ported bulb eighteen months ago, which has flowered beautifully with us. Last year it produced one spike with five^blooms, and this year it has two spikes 5 ft. 6 in. high, with twent3--two blooms. This is undoubtedly one of the most beau- tiful of Lilies, perfuming the whole conservatory from the commencement of its opening. — F. W. E. [The spike shown seems a massive and very hand- some one, and if, as we suppose, a pot specimen, good ; but such specimens as those at Weybridge (Mr. Mcintosh's) surpass all potted ones. Few people would believe without seeing them how fine they are.] Amphicome Emodi. — This beautiful Hima- layan plant is now one of the most attractive objects in the house No. 6 at Kew. It is a Big- noniaceous plant, of dwarf growth, being not more than 1 ft. high : the foliage is pinnate, and the flowers are produced in terminal clusters. They are tubular, much resembling in form those of some species of the Bignonia. The colour is a delicate deep rose, with which the deep orange blotch in the interior forms a beautiful contrast. It is remarkable that such a showy and easily- gi'own plant should not have foimd its way into general cultivation, for it is many years since it was first introduced. It is showier than A. arguta. Hyacinthus candicans, or as it is now called Galtonia candicans, is grown well, and used very effectively by Mr. Burnett at The Deepdene, Dork- ing. In a long border, skirting the principal walk to the kitchen garden from the pleasure grounds, there is a fine row of it placed a yard or more apart and interspersed with hardy herbaceous and other plants, above which the tall spires of the Galtonia, gracefully furnished with pure white bell-like blossoms assert themselves boldly, and will be the main feature of the border for some time. We are glad to see such gardeners as Mr. Burnett growing this plant so finely and using it so well, as it induces others to introduce it into their mixed borders, which too often wear a rub- bishy appearance rather than abounding in attrac- tive plants. 114 THE GARDEN. [Aug. 5, 1882. The best Ceanothuses for the shrubbery are undoubtedly those that have sprung from the hardy and beautiful C. azureus, and of these there are now several excellent kinds in flower against one of the walls in the I'ine-apple Nursery, Maida Tale. These coruprise one called Gloire de Ver- sailles, a very fine plant with large spreading panicles of delicate azure blue flowers, which look like clusters of feathers. In habit it is bushy, and the leaves are larger than those of most other species. There are other named varieties of C. azureus represented in this nursery, but through them all runs a great family likeness. Such beauti- ful shrubs as these should certainly embellish every ornamental shrubbery, at least in the south, where they have been proved to be quite hardy. Two Campanulas. — I send herewith two sprays of Campanulas which may interest you. The lesser one is the rare alpine C. Zoysi referred to in my notes last week. You will see how singu- larly it differs in form from all other Campanulas, the opening of the bell being closed in to an apes, giving the front view of the flower a starlike out- line. It is flowering here most plentifully. The other is a flower of a double variety of C. Trache- lium I recently found in an old garden, and which is, I think, an exceedingly pretty Campanula. 1 suppose it has assumed the double form by long- cultivation in rich soil; and, oddly enough, al- though there were a great many double flowers of this Campanula in the garden, I could not find any single ones. The gardener was unacquainted with its origin ; in fact, he had never noticed that it was anything unusual. I take it to be C. Tra- chelium fl.-pl.— Wm. Beockbank. New hardy C'binum (C. Powelli).— A new hybrid Crinum, wliich is likely to be the fore- runner of a distinct race of hardy varieties, may now be seen in bloom in Messrs. Henderson's nursery, Maida Vale, where for the last few seasons some scores of plants of it have flourished in the open air without protection. It is the re- sult of a cross between C. capense, the com- mon hardy species, and C. ornatum, usually cul- tivated in stoves. The progeny is strikingly inter- mediate in character between the parents. The leaves are long, deeply channelled, and glaucous. The flowers, borne in terminal clusters on stout stems, rising well above the foliage, are nearly as large as in typical or C. ornatum. The colour varies from pure white to a delicate rose pink, and the varieties difl'ering in colour will no doubt receive distinctive names. The value of this new race of bulbous plants cannot be overrated as it is so totally distinct from any other hardy plant we have, and infinitely superior to the older varieties of C. capense. As there are several scores of plants still to flower in the open-air bed, there will be a continuous succession of bloom of C. Powelli in the Pine-apple Nursery for some time to come. ground, have experienced the same mishap. I therefore believe it to be somewhat tender, and to need planting in a very sheltered spot, or in a cold frame and in mellow soil. What is the opinion of some of the readers of The Garden in reference to this Iris ? — E. IT. Iris susiana in Germany.— In the au- tumn, 1880, I got from an English firm about two dozen of this Iris. They were potted at once, and wintered in a brick pit, in which they flowered well the following spring. The flowers of tliis Iris being much in demand at this place, we planted the plants out, and left them outdoors during last winter, which very much resembled an ordinary English winter. But instead of flowering freely, as other Irises do in Germany, they did not yield a single bloom. I obtained another lot of this Iris last autumn, kept them in pots like my first im- portation, but got no flower from them. Others hereabouts, who planted this Iris in the open NOTES AND KEADINGS. OliCHiD descbiptioks. — Apropos of this sub- ject I have just been reading Williams' " Orchid Album," first volume, and have been struck by the difference between the plate of Pescatorea Klabochorum there given and that of the same plant published in The Garden of July 8. No one would recognise them to be the same plant. The flowers, foliage, and mode of flowering are all quite different in the two plates, and totally unlike. The Gaeden plate is the typical one, and it answers to the description given in the Album much better than the plate furnished there with the letterpress. The way in which the plant throws up its flower-spikes is also shown to be quite different in the two plants. * " Ot.'E OWN SELECTION." — That serviceable article of the writer from " Wormwood Scrubs," in The Gaeden (p. 59) suggests this paragraph. " Our own selection," which, with growers for sale, extends to anything that happens to become popular among fruits, flowers, or vegetables, now includes herbaceous plants, and provides an excel- lent channel for the dissemination of rubbish of the kind described by " J. C. L." Our advice is " don't " meddle with such selection of herba- ceous plants and alpines, or anything else, we were going to say, if you do not want to be en- cumbered with things you would rather not have and will have to pay for. Hardy plants, like Orchids, should be selected when they are in flower or growing, and if gardeners and amateurs would ohly observe this rule, there would soon be a weeding out, and nurserymen would not be called upon to keep in stock many subjects in anticipation of orders from people who do not know what they are buying, but are led awaj' by the glomng descriptions of others. Your enthusiastic alpine or herbaceous man is sel- dom a safe guide for the general cultivator, and if he be a " botanist " as well, and carries a pocket lens, give him a wide berth. To ninety-nine people in every hundred pretty and interesting flowers are things of first sight, and we must consider this in gardening more almost than in anything else. " Rubbish " is not by any means confined to herbaceous plants. We have rubbish in many classes of plants, rubbishy Koses far more than good ones, rubbishy shrubs and other plants, rubbishy Apples and Pears and other fruits, and rubbishy vegetables. Over all the broad lists of plants and novelties submitted to the cultivator every year or oftener there is not a page on which the word might not be written, and it is sad to think that it is so, and that culti- vators are almost helpless in the matter, « Worthless vegetables.- -A ^vriter in the Field is pungent on the subject of big vegetables that as regards flavour and other desirable quali- ties are worthless. It would seem as if some of the raisers of new vegetables had entirely mis- taken their vocation, and were wholly ignorant of the proper uses of those vegetables which they have undertaken to " improve." A skillet! cook. for example, recognises the value of a good Scarlet Runner in its proper place, but a big coarse French Bean he discards at once. He likes to make a distinction between the two, and if he prefers the first large and pulpy, he prefers the second of fine qualitj' and moderate size. Why any one should spend their energies in trying to pro- duce a Kidney Bean that will rival a Scarlet Run- ner is one of those enigmas nobody may ever hope to comprehend. The same may be said of the Brussels Sprout, the value of which originally consisted in its being a "sprout'' as hard as a Fil- bert and not much larger ; but now the chief aim of some raisers appears to be to restore it to its original Cabbage proportions by a backward pro- cess of selection which they only understand. The monstrous Brussels Sprouts are now out of favour, but the Aigburth variety tends in that direction. These remarks applyalso to Onions, Potatoes, Pea=, and many other things. A prolific and vigorous habit, a sound constitution, and good flavour are quali- ties much to bedesiredinmanyvegetables. Instead of winter Broccoli of prodigious size we want varie- ties that will be as hardy as the Brussels Sprouts or greens — a thing not impossible. Instead of Onions of monstrous size we want varieties that will come true to description and that will not in most cases run into " neck.'' We have only one variety at present that is not liable to do that — • the Yellow Danvers, a grand type of an Onion. Instead of Broad Beans whose qualities are measured by the length of the pod, we want pro- lific early sorts of the Broad Windsor type, in which the flavour is superior and the size of the Bean good, &c. ; in short, instead of grossness generally in vegetables we want quality just as we do in fruit, where far more importance is placed upon flavour than upon size, unless in the production of sensational examples, which, how- ever, are mostly only advocated on their own merits in that respect. * Doubtful teaching. — In an article on her- baceous plants and their use in another paper I read that " the interest excited by individual plants may be set aside as of comparatively small moment, the real point of interest to many being the decorative effect of the whole." This is exactly thekindof teaching that led to the general banish- ment of herbaceous plants and variety a score of years ago or more, and produced all those bane- ful results which the advocates of a better state of things have so much deplored. The " real point of interest " got so narrowed down by flower gar- deners that it became in the end a thing of Pelargoniums and Calceolarias principally, and will do so again probably should it get possession of gardeners' minds. The tendency to revert to the original state of things is curiously exemplified in this way every now and then. For example, no sooner have we got the simple, beautiful, single Dahlia than we have raisers trying to bring it to the double form again. We heard a gardener congra- tulating himself the other day that from a packet of seed he raised several plants that produced flowers with a double row of petals ! It would be a humiliating confession, if true, that the interest excited by individual plants was of little moment ; but fortunately it is not true, as the pages of the horticultural papers testify. If we want to destroy the individuality of any plant, use it to produce " a decorative effect on the whole.'' That will do it effectively; but isolated, it becomes an object of interest in itself. Pekegeine. Aaj. 5, 1882.1 THE GARDEN. 115 TREES AND SHRUBS. FllEJIONTIA CALIFORNICA. The Fremontia is one of the handsomest among the many introductions that have been made to rigour of our climate unprotected, though under the shelter of a wall it attains almost full size in a comparatively short space of time. For clothing warm, sunny walls indeed there are few finer shrubs in cultivation ; in e.arly summer its long, slender Flviceriivj branch of Freinnntia call/ornica. Drau-n at. Coombc IToorf in Ju our gardens from the wealthy flora of California. Though several years have elapsed since Mr. Wil- liam Lobb first sent it borne when collecting for Messrs Veitch, it is only in botanic or in the best of private gardens that it is to be found. The chief reason of this is no doubt owing to its not being suflioiently hardy to withstand the full branches are completely wreathed with largo cup- like blossoms of the richest yellow, and these remain in perfection a long time, the numerous buds opening along the branch in quick succession. The specimen from which our drawing was made was sent us a few weeks ago by Messrs. Yeitoh & Sons, in whose nurserv at Coombe Wood this shrub thrives admirably, planted against a waim south wall, where it flowers profuse!}* every year. In such a position it is quite hardy without further protection ; it should in all cases be placed in a sunny aspect, for it seldom does well otherwise. Till within a few years ago there was a fine speci- men of it against one of the walls at Kew, but, the aspect being almost due north, the wood never thoroughly ripened ; consequently but few flowers were produced, and during the winter two years ago it succumbed. A warm aspect is indispensable, and this, with a light, thoroughly drained, but rich loamy soil, is all that it needs. It is a difficult plant to propagate, and it is only lately that Messrs. Veitch 's propagator has been successful with it, hence another cause of its rarity. It will, however, now become more common, as plants of it are being propagated more numerously than they hitherto have been. In its native country the Fremontia attains 10 ft. and often 20 ft. in height, and sometimes its stem is as much as 1 ft. in diameter at the base. It inhabits the dry hills from Pit Uiver to San Diego, but is most abun- dant in the footliills in the Sierra Nevada, where it was first discovered by Colonel Fremont during one of his Californiau expeditions, and in com- pliment to whom the genus, which is monofypic, has been named. The conditions, therefore, under which it is found natur.ally give a clue to the treatment which it should receive in cultivation ; in no case must it be subjected to e.xcessi%'e or stagnant moisture. W. G. SEQUOI.V GIG.\XTE.V AT HOME AND AlUiOAD. It was stated in The Garden some time ago that this Sequoia, or Wellingtonia, ■will not suc- ceed in this country, the specimens here being but poor compared with those in their native haunts. It is only natural that a tree should do best in its native habitat, but that does not prevent such trees from flourishing in an alien land. I have seen some beautiful specimensof this Sequoia both in England and on the Continent. There were a few years ago in Dr. Woodman s nurseries at Exeter two beautiful Sequoias 40 ft. high (speaking from memory), and I dare sav many readers of The Garden" have seen the two trees of this kind in front of the Beau rtivage Hotel at Oucby. They look .50 ft. high, pictures of health and clothed down to thy ground with luxuriant branches. I have a fine, but small, one in my garden in an exposed placo that has withstood the winters of the last ten years and has not a dead twig on it. I have seen these huge Sequoias in California. Tliey are rightly called "Big Trees," but when you have said that, you have said all you can say in their praise ; they are neither liealthy- looking nor handsome unless one can call a tree with a bare trunk I'OO ft. or more in height surmounted by a scraggy head handsome. I did not see one tree in California in as good health as those at Ouchy or Exeter. We cannot e.^pect to get a tree in England in 40 years as large as those in California that are said to be 4000 years of age. But I maintain that the Sequoia does do well in this country, and re- pays one for the trouble and expense of planting it. There are 14>10 of these giants of the forest in one spot in California. I metsured one, and found it to be 97 ft. in girth near the ground. I had seen what I thought were big trees in Gipps Land, Australia, but none such as these, although some say that Gum trees in Australia are larger than the big trees of California. If such is the case I could not find them, and I travelled som) hundreds of miles in search of them. I do U)t 116 THE GARDEN. [Arc. 5, 1882. say tliey do not exist, but if tbey do I am sorry I did not see tbem. Tbe Calaveras grove of "Big Trees" is, I believe, 4000 ft. above sea level ; wben I visited it in April there were six feet of snow on the ground on parts of tbe route. Some idea may be gleaned of tbe size of tbese buge Sequoias wben I say that I bave riddel: tbrougb tbe stem of one of tbem on tbe top of a coach and six, and there was plenty of room. Tbe principal trees of the ( 'alaveras group are the Mother of tbe Forest, tbe bark of which taken off in sections to alieight of 110 ft. was until recently shown in the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. This tree still .stands, but of course is dead. The Father of the Forest is a fallen monarch, inside whose trunk hundreds bave ridden on horseback, fire having burned out the heart for about 200 ft. in length. And as to tbe original Big Tree, cut down sume years since, five men worked 2.) days in felling it. Tbe stump of this tree has been smoothed off, and now easily accommodates 32 dancers. The South Park Grove, six miles from Cala- veras, contains several hundred trees of immense proportions. There is one tree in this grove in whose base a room baa been excavated by means of fire large enough to contain 10 men on horse- back at one time. I am told the temperature never reaches much over 70' in tbe summer at the Calaveras grove. I do not for a moment sup- pose anyone believes that Sequoias will ever reach such buge dimensions here as tbey have in California. If tbey do, it is quite certain tbe present generation will never see them. But that tbey will flouri.sb and form fine trees in a short space of time I am convinced. Milton, Camhs. G. A. Pas.singiiam. *^* [This tree has been greatly overrated as suit- able for our country generally ; tlie greater num- ber of specimens one sees in the midland and home counties are in a poor state, and nearly always ugly. Tbe good soil and good position tiie tree generally is favoured with carry it through its early years, but when grown above the cosy surroundings and the roots well into the natural soil of the place, we soon see its value if we take note of specimens in various positions. There are favoured spots where it will thrive, but even in these we never saw the same wonderful strength of growth which young trees show in Its native land. Apart from actual results it is not likely that a tree inhabiting one of the most delicious hill regions in the world (where nearly every Pine becomes a giant), and with ample opportunities of spreading into cooler re- gions near, would be suited for cool northern climates. No opinion of the value of this tree based on what it does in a few places can be of general utility. For years now there has been an enormous waste of means and ground in jDlanting trees like this of no proved value for our own woods or lawns. The best soil and all tbe care and expense usually go to tbe production of wretched sticks and singed pyramids, while ver}- often no attention at all is paid to trees that we know are hardy, and which, well planted and well placed, would attain their full natural stature and dignity, and pass into picturesque old age many generations after being planted. — Ed.] Yew trees.— Where ni-e the largest Yews in England ? .intl what is the extreme diameter of the spread of their branches? I want to plant and give room in order that I may have the finest specimen tliat can be grown.— V. H. Rare Rliododendrons.— Can anyone rive any infor- mation as to wliere the Himalayan ilhododeudi-on Wii;liti «u* the Siberian Rhododendron chrysanthuni can be got true? I have been sent several plants under tlie name Wighti from v.arions nurseries, lint not one gcniiine.— Hesry IIcdson, Glemilh; Fenmij. I'LANTING TREES ON EOADSIDES. With regard to the objection made to this prac- tice by the Tottenham Local Board on the ground of the roots tending to choke up the culverts and prevent tbe storm waters from being carried away, as recorded in The Garden (p. 74), I must say that although no one could possibly wish to see anything like a great diminution of the fine trees which go so far to adorn and beautify our English landscapes, still it can hardly be denied that road- side or hedgerow planting is in some respects objectionable, or at all events capable of con- siderable improvement. In the first place, the best trees for tbe purpose are not always selected, and in the second place, however judiciously tbey may be chosen, the planting of them in rows or lines at equal distances apart presents an aspect of formality not always pleasing. Their shade is doubtless acceptable during hot sunshine ; still that shade in summer and tbe drip from their boughs in winter tend to keep the roads under them in a damp and uncomfortable condition, to say nothing of their roots obstructing drains. JIany years ago Mr. Barron, of Borrowash, showed in " The British Winter Garden " that hedgerow timber, or at all events too much of it, was objectionable, tending, as it does, to retard tlie development of eificient hedges, inflicting serious injury upon crops of all kinds, more par- ticularly when such trees as the Ash and tbe Elm are used, which they too fi'equently are, and as far as tbe beauty of tbe landscape is concerned he considered that it would be greatly enlianced rather than otherwise by the entire removal of hedgerow timber. He recommends in its place the planting of small groups or clumps of ever- green or coniferous trees at tbe corners of fields. These, he says, would afford shade and shelter to all kinds of stock at all seasons, during winter as well as in summer, and as the corners of several fields or enclosures necessarily abut upon eacli other, groups of trees of considerable size would frequently be formed, and painful formality wouldbe avoided. He recommends also the gradual substitution of the common green Holly as a hedge plant, instead of the white Thorn or Quick of whichbedgesin thiscoxmtry are mostly formed, and which, although interesting and pretty enough in spring and summer is neither ornamental nor useful as shelter in winter, when the latter is most required. In some parts of the country, where soil and climate appear to be conducive to the rapid development of tbe Holly, it certain]}- proves itself to be an excellent hedge plant, as may be witnessed in some parts of North Norfolk or in the neighbourhood of Cromer and elsewhere, where it appears to be extensively used for this purpose, and for which it proves itself to be greatly supe- rior to the White Thorn. There may, however, be diversity of opinions regarding the merits of this plant and that of the time-honoured Quick for forming hedges, as well as with regard to the substitution of coniferous trees for our many fine deciduous park trees. But at tbe same time there can be little doubt that the promiscuous planting of too many trees in hedgerows is a great evil, as all know who happen to crop land in the vicinity of huge specimens of wide-spreading Ash, Elm, or even Oak tiees. P. GRIEVE. Burij St. JCihiivnds. of watering. They will still bave sufficient time- to become established in tbe fresh soil before very severe weather sets in, which it seldom does before Christmas, and root action does not by any means cease simultaneously with the com- pletion of tbe annual top growth. If, how- ever, the transplanting of evergreens cannot be accomplished early in autumn, it is doubtless advisable to defer it until April, which many ex- perienced planters consider to be the best of all seasons for transplanting evergreens of all kinds " J. C, C." says, " That a shrub or tree only recently removed is not in so good a condition to with- stand the severity of a long winter as one that had not been disturbed. That may be the case, but an evergreen shrub or tree can hardly be in a worse condition to resist tbe effects of an extra severe winter than wben its only partially ripened shoots are full of crude sap, as was the case during- tbe terrible winter of 18tjO-Cl, when tbe preced- ing summer had been cold and ungenial with a minimum amount of sunsliine and a rainfall greatly in excess of the average. I know a garden establishment where the only evergreens which escaped being killed down to the sartaee of the- soil by tbe intense frost were a few which had been transplanted during the previous October. The sorts killed, or at least cut down to the ground, consisted of the usual kinds of evergreen Oaks of considerable dimensions, tbe common and Portugal Laurels, and green and variegated Hollies, &c. The recently-moved plants to which I have alluded j^robably owed their escape to the check given to tbem by removal, which may have- I withdrawn from their tissues a portion of the s crudc'indigested sap which the undisturbed plants ' retained. It is possible that a certain amount of root-prnning, or even the raising of a portion of tbe roots of such plants towards the end of tbe summer, might have communicated a check that would have been beneficial rather than otherwise. or might have gone far to have saved many ot them from tbe wholesale destruction which over- took them. P. Grieve. PLANTING EVEEGEEENS IN SUMMER. While agreeing with " J. C. C'."' (p. 42) as to the advantage of the previous preparation of large plants intended for removal and as to the pro- bable advantage of effecting the removal at the time -nben such plants have finished their first growth and are about to commence the second, still I am inclined to think that .Inly will gene- rally be found to be a rather inconvenient month in which to perform extensive operations of this kind, and which might with equal success be per- formed as soon as the plants have finished their annual growth, say, the end of September or early in Octobei', when the routine operations of the garden will be less pressing than in July, and when less attention will be necessary in the way Goats and trees. — The destruction ol" trees and shrubs, and consequently bare, bleak, dry, unproductive and unhealthy present con- dition of the islands and districts of Greece and the regions around, once famous for their charms of shade, verdure, fertility and populousness, is charged to the browsing of goats. The new Government of Cyprus is considering how these animals can best be reduced or confined. Gnats -n'ere introduced into another English island — St. Helena — within a century, and the trees and shrubberies suddenly and rapidly died off as soon as they began to be numerous. The same obstaclo- in|a different and less degree is a rock of stumbling in our many attempts at forestry. A chief item of expense in many situations is that of fencing in the ground planted until the trees attain a size unattackable by cattle. For best results, close- planting and entire exclusion of animals are preferable. Magnolia macrophylla — To those who may have seen this tree growing in conditions favourable to its well-being it will be a matter of great regret that our climate should, in a general way, not meet its requirements. More than once when on the Contiuent I have had the pleasure of seeing this Magnolia in perfect condition, and it would be difficult to imagine anything more beau- tiful, cither as regards leafage or bloom. I well remember we used to employ the flowering shoots for room decoration, and with noble effect ; but it was never without a twinge of remorse that 1 applied the knife to it, as to mutilate such a fine tree appeared to me little .short of Vandalism. Tlie largest and healthiest specimen I ever saw was in a garden in Normand}', where the natural soil was light loam on chalk. The situation was open ti> the south ; but there was abundant and perfect shelter on tbe east and north, so that, whilst no cutting -n'inds could injure the young growth in spring, the wood attained great solidity throngb full exposure to the sun during the summer Aug. 1882] THE GARDEN. 117 months. It would be interesting- to Ic.arn tlie cir- cumstances under which this Mngnolia fiourislies in this country ami the dimensions of the best specimens ; it is really one of the finest of ilower- ing trees, but 1 expect that cold summers, often- times followed by severe winters, are the main causes for its non-tlourishing condition with us. These obstacles we cannot o\'ercome, but they might in a great degree be minimised, either by planting where natural advantages exist, or by creating them. Shelter, a light soil, and a sunny position are apparently tlie needful conditions. Bljficft. ' J. f'ORNIIILL. THE FLOWErJNG A8H. (ORsrs.) The flowering Ash is by some placed under Fraxinus, while others regard it as belonging to a separate genus. Its inflorescence differs so greatly from that of the true Ashes, that from a garden point of view it is at least -• •\* « ▲ ^ ( ' '•'■ i ^^ « ■ - '' Sit*. ; »f*'' :. 1 \ Jk^ -i^^^ .«.*? ^ W V^^HrBi /^ ::i> ^ ^ ^^B ...■&r 4JK^ Aug. 1882] THE GAllDEN. 119 c. VAE. chacillima.— Dark trrcen leaves of V. amabilis ; Honers P. grandiUora-like, very smsll, on a slender scape. 2. P. amabilis.— Leaves oblong, blunt at their apices, lyi a dark green colonr suffused vs-lth purple beneath ; lateral lobes of the lip streaked with purple. u. VAR. ERUBESCENS.— Central lobe of the lip much suffused or pencilled witli purplish brown at the base. *. VAR. AMBIGUA.— Leaves light green, like those of P. granditlora, with the flowers of P. amabilis. flower-spike perennial; flowers persistent when fertilised, changing to a herbaceous colour and texture. 3. P. intermedia (Lobbi).— Sepals and petals white, dotted at the base with rose; lip magenta-purple, shading into orange-re