* UMASS/AMHERST * 312066 0333 3036 0 'ii LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL m m :tt [.IlLY 3, U>C. JOHN UOYSTOX PEARSOX. IX,I^a3TI\ATi;I3 WE£^KI^Y JOUI^KAJh OP HORTICULTURE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, FOUNDED BY W. RohinsoJi, Author of ''The Wild Garden^'' ^'Eiif/llsh Floiver Garden^'' <^'c. " You see, sweet maid, we marry A gentle scion to the wildest stock And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler race : This is an art Which does mend nature: change it rather. The art itself is nature " — Shakespeare, VOL. XXIX. -MIDSUMMER, 1886. LOXDOX: OFFICE: 37, SOUTHA.AIPTON STKEET, COYEXT GARDEN, W.C. [.IiLV 3, 18S6. TO THE MEMORV OK JOHN ROYSTON PEARSON, OF CHILWELL, NOTTS, THIS TWENTY-NINTH VOLUME OF 'THE GARDEN IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. C fr. /i'., Jul;/ 3, 1886. 1S86 y.al July 3, 188G.] THE GARDEN INDEX insriDIEX TO "VOLTJnVIIE XXI2^. (Illustrations in Italics.) A'jies Albert! ua, 58 ; cainoltnsiii, 214 ; Doug- lisi, 61'0; Eugtlinauiii, 67; ixcclsa, 57; J-'o.(a ti. loO, 'ilb; grundis, 18; iMeuziesi, S j ; numidira, VJ'J : Nuidmauiiiau i, 57 ; uo- bilis, 5S; orieuUilis, 57, li4; pectiiiita, 57, ti3 ; Piusapo, 2, 42, 5S ; Smltliiaua, 67 Abutilon inaigiie, 4S Acdlypha nia'-gii ata, 18S Acacallis cyani-a, 13*2 AcacU lineata, 34; llni/olia, 317; False, varieties of, Si' I Acer tataricum, 570 Ackela do„ifx/im, 1113 Achimjnea in baskets. 1S7 Auineta Uiimbul iti at liirdLill, 182 A'Uun'i y":-l/t uiliotc'.i; 10 Adenocarpus decur loans, 465 Adiantum farlevense, llli Adonis V jrnalisi 3 15 ; nnmlis, iij; pyronaica, 458 Aerides Sauderianvim, 16 .K .cbynanthus puldier, 317 Agonis, speeies of, 214 A'^ehia qaiiiala, 325, 348, 442 Alder, the. 438 AUamanda Henderson!, 400 ; varieties of, 593 Allara indas Jilantcd out, 367, 556 Almond, Bruaut, 82 ; blossom, 237 ; leaves, dtseased, 61i AlpititSj tiro rfmire, 371 Alps, plants of the, 32it AlHt itiu-rian, hrfhri'l, 304 Althit-a, the variegated, 570 Alyssum aliKstre, 52;i ; montanum, 530; re- pens, 530 Amarjdlis Belladonna in pots, 31 Amaryllises, hybrid, 320; Princess of Wales and Crown Princess of Uermany, 360 ; King of Crimsons, 410 Amarantus tricolor .splcndens, 114 America, fruit culture in, 22 American Apples and Pears, 54 American exhibition, the, 62 American trade, novelties for, 147 Amelanchier Butryapium, 533 Ampelopsis bipinnata, 2 ; striata, 2 ; tricus- pid.ata, 2 ; Veitchi, 2 Andromeda japonica forced, 2li0 Androsace carnea, 442; sarmentosi, 529 Anemone apenniua, 284 ; coronaria, 343 ; dichotoma, 573 ; fulgens grajoa, 387 ; fungus, 401 ; nomorosa rosea, 460 ; nomorota, 530 ; palmata, 540 ; i-anunculoidos, 443 ; stellata alba, 200 ; siUphurea, 530 ; vernalis, 529 ; 549 ; white Jujian, 274 ; white Jaimn, 300 Anemones, choice, 492 ; Crown, 584 ; double, 412 ; axed colours in, 505 ; wood, 444 Anji-jjcum citratmn, 182 ; sesquipedale at Waddesdon, 06 Angiiloas, the best, 416 Annuals, garden of, 66 ; in large beds, 327 Ants in Peach houses, 200 Antirrhinums, 140 Anthurhua Aadreanum, 301 ; Archiduc Jo- seph, 29 ; Devausayanum, 360 ; Leodiense, 3u ; Hothschildianum, 510 Anthuriums, seedling, 342 ; Uuyc-leaecJ, 433 ; two new hybrid, 2i) Aphides and Copper Beeches, 174 Apple, the Forge, 93 ; seeds, 82 ; Jacqum, S3 ; Allen s Everlasting, 110 ; Keinette Urise de Fermes, 117; selection, 232 ; Adam's Ever- lasting, 231; a good late, 353; nultu c, new phiiit' ni\ 433 ; raising, 494 ; planting, 675 ; orchards, 276, 389, 447, 467 Apple trees, an-angement of, 575 ; cankered, 83, 91 ; decorative, 469 ; soil for, 675 Apples and Apple orchai-ds, 574, 595 Apples, American, 54 ; American Xonpareil, , 233 ; American, in Scotland, 186, 258 ; Aus- ] traliau, 460 ; attacked by Erysipho com- munis, 610 ; at South Ivcusingtou, 387 ; from Australia, 417 ; as ornamental trees, 4114 ; in market gardens, 433 ; late, 184, 21 1 , 448 ; neglected, 160, 234, 251, 277 ; on the Paradise stock, 138 ; spotted, 93 Apricot, the, 7 Apricot trees, protoctiu.;,', when in bloom, 8; standard, 8; treatment of young, 7 .\pri.:ot<, treatment of, 15 ; varieties of, 8 ' Aiiuarium, the Westminster, 200 Auuatics at Kew, 593 At]uilcgia, Ur. Stewarts, 549 ; glaudulosa, 550 I Aralia Sicboldi, CO, 3 (i, 550 Araucaria imbricata, 58 Arbor-vita:, 58 ; Chinese, 50 Arboriculture, lessons in, 328 I Arches, plants for covering, U I Arenaria bilcarica, 50 ; purpunvscons, 549 Arisrema tripbyllum, 443 Aristo^ocUias, t/n, 576 Artichokes, Globe, 278 Anmi palajstinum, 151 Lilies, 368 Asarum eiu-opieum, or tlic old Asarab.icca, 549 Ash, uses of, 461 ; as an isolated tree, 689 ; limber for eoaeh-buiklers, 437 Ashton Court, notes from, 567 Asparagus at Chrtstmas, 69 ; forcing, 68 ; forcing old, 121 ; forcing, hotbed system of, iS^^ ; notes on, 470 ; plumosus nanus, 164 ; plants, raising young, 69 Asx'asia epidendroidcs, 37 Asphodels, 518 Asters, China, 343 ; elegans, 265 ; Reinc des Halles, 112 AuOrittia Oclloidea, 482 Auricula, 411 ; Society, National, 459 ; tic floiisfs, 407 ; straw-coloured, 417 Auriculas, 547 ; alpine, 4S1 ; border, 372 ; new, 420 ; seedling, 465 Australian Acacias, 411 Australian fruits, 02 Australian Firs, 563 Autumn leaves, 4 Avens, the creeping, 470 Avenue of Draca'naif, i'i Avenues, Conifers for, SJ Azalea, Feilder's White, 141 ; new hybrid, 342 ; rosiKliora, 5S7 Azalea mollis, 292, 566 ; mollis and Ps varieties, 31, 402; mollis for forcing, 368; Californian, 591 Azaleas after blooming, 491, 621 ; ha-dtj, 550 ; hardy, 514 ; three good greenhouse, 252 Baden-U-aden, notes from, 412 B.ilsanis planted out, 528 liauil' tos, Japanese, 191 lliiiil.usa Mctake, 414 liarbjn-ics, tlie best, 83 Barberry for covert, 590 ; purple-'c .ved, 4J I Barlcria flava, lOS Basket plants, 5S2 Battersea Park, lake in, 110 Bauhinia variegata. 108 Bean, Carters Leviathan, 98, 115 Beans, Broad, 14, 28, 69, 205, 239 ; culture of runner, 4:4, 58l ; forcing French, in frames, 168 Beaumonlia grandiflora, 342, 410, 412 Bedding plants, fine-foliaged, 371 Beech, Copper, hedge of, 60 ; for hedges, 50 ; hedges. Copper, 105 ; the, in Gloucester- shire, 590 Beeches, Copper, and aphides, 174 Beet, for .salads, 354 ; Turnip-rooted, 329 Beetles, 316; Draoie-a, 62 Befaria gUuea, 412 Begonii flmbristipu'a, 465; gigantta rosea, 247 ; Lynchiana, 206 ; new hybrid, 302 Begonias, tuberous, 562 Belvoir at Eastertide, 418 Ufrbcrm Jiiidtolium, ilowennff spray of 14i ; bellstonieiisis, 127 ; Darwi-i for hedges, 50 ; stenopl ylla, 571 Berries and bi'ds, 237 B> schovneria yuccoides, 21 Bignonia atro-eanguineJ, 566 ; speciosa, 2o2 liUt'nriiki. Mmiut.xum, 93; nutans, 2t3 ; v.uicgata, 566 Biot', 59 Bird i.o:'g, 545 Bird Cherry, the, 404 , „ „ , - Birds and b;rries, 237 ; .and Holly be: rics, 191, 221, 246 ; and Gooseberry buds, 83 Bitches in winter, 313 Birmingham Botanic Garden, 604 Blackberry, culture of, 394 Bl.ickberries, 260, 448, 4C9 Blandfordia marginata, 47 Blaudfordias, notes on, 47 ; propagation of, 47 ; species and varieties of, 47 Bloodroot, the Canadian, 345 Bluebells at Glendalough House, 511 ; wild, 445 Bog garden, making of a, 483 Boiler contest at Liverpool, 486 Bomarea frondea, 108; Shuttlewoithi, 50ii Bomareas, 417 ; speeies of, *.;(iO Books, old, 545; old gardening, 300; "Hants of the Hiviera," 2.13 Borders for climbers, 369 IJoronias, sweet-scented, 323 BMoii Hat'X, Bnntl'md, 6 Botany, garden, 374 Bottom-heat in plant stoves, 30 VI THE GARDEN INDEX [July 3, 1886. Bougainvillea sjicciosa, 314, 460; spcctabilis, 347, 30!t, 412, 4:i5, 405, 490, 556 Bougainvilleas, the, 458, 478, 521 Bouquots, button-hole, 67, 87 ; Snowdrops for bridal. LSI Bouvardias, double, 340; winter flowcrint,', 241 Bowncsa, weather at, 330 Bracken in woods, 563 Brambles and their culture, 5SS Briers, Scotch, 448 Broccoli, culture of, 145; hardy, 278; late, 316 ; succession, 330 Brownea grandiceps, SS ; princepa, 5f 3 Brussels Sprouts, 28, 74, 425 ; and their varie- ties, 380 ; early, 121 ; when to sow, 320 Brynmeirig, tree notes from, 12i) Bnckland Yew, the, 59 Buckthorn, Sea, 304 Buddlcia globosa, 312, 350, 306, 457 Bulbous jilants in flower, 163 Bulbs and Hoses, 321 Bulbs, Cape, 117; Cape, statistics of, 77; south temperate, flowering season of, 78 Burchellia capensis, 252 Butcher's Broom, 109, 222; hardy, 150 Burtonias and Johnsonias, 142 Butterworts, 440, 504 Buttun-hole bouquets, 67 Button-holes for evening wear, 67 Cabbage, Chou de Burghley, 180 Cabbages, spring, 120 Cactus, night- flowering, 566 Cfesalp'nia pulcherrima, 30 Caladium esculentum, 262; new type of, 328 Calanthe Veitchi, 62 Calanthes, watering, 9 Calceolaria Burbidgei, 5S2 ; Kellyana, 541; Madame Lemaitre, 491; rugosa hybrida, 115 Calceolarias, 486 Calendvda sicula, 310 Calli njthiopiea, 218; crimson, 66, 94 Callirhoe lineariloba, 114 Caltha leptosepala, 443; palustris, 493 Camelli.i leticulatii variegata, 206 Camellias, effect of frost on, 176 ; single, 105, 109, 117, 176; sweet-scented, 435, 486 Campanula dichotomi, 114 ; isophylli alba, 482 ; pyrimidalis, 310 Canarina Campanula, 48 Canker, cure o', 211 ; in Apple trees, 91 : in fruit trees, 117. 210, 260, 277 ; in fruit trees, cause of, 160 Canna Ehemanni, 566 Cannasand tuberovis Begonias, 403 ; new, 442 Cantiia dependens, 510 Cape bulbs, 117 Capo of Good Hope, physical geography and climate of, 78 Caper blossom, 285 Ciprifolium Lonicera, 493 Carnation leaves diseased, 235 Carnation, Pride of Penshurst, 342 ; seedling, 36i ; tree cuttings, 302 Carnations and Plcutees, 391,547; at Tring Park, 203 ; perpetual or tree. 175, 228, 254, 291. :;10 ; ccedlinj, 873; yellow, 558 Carolina, trees and shrubs in, 591 Carpnit'i-in c. rli/nrnica, 312 Carriage of timber, 438 Carrots, early, in frames, 121 ; early, in the open ; 204 ; forwarding early, 278 ; sowing main crop of, 270 Ca'-siope tetragona, 339 Castor-oil plants, 372 Catalpa, new hardy, 17 ; speciosa, 17 Cats, garden, 562 Cattleya, a new, 16 ; choeoensis, 181 ; houses in winter, 73 ; Lawreneiana, 205, 247, 292, 337, 341 ; Mendeli leucoglossa, 588 ; Mossise, 460, 486 ; speeiosissifiia var. Fairfax, 559 ; Trianje, 181, 205 ; Trianfe Backhousiana, 181 ; Trianee Eriiesti, 151 ; Trianre hoolen- sis, 314 ; Trianee Schroederiana, 151 Cauliflower, Autumn Giant, 381 Cauliflowe s in trenches, 502 ; autumn raised, 278 ; sown in heat, 99 Cedar, Jnecnse, 58 ; red, 59 ; timber, 226 Ce'^ars, 58 ; at A'-jw, 67 Cedrus Deodara, 58 Celery and Peas together, 5S0 Ccler>-, culture of, 08; eaily raising, 144; late, 440, 554 ; White Plume, 69, 88, 105 Celosia pyramidalis, 242 Celsia Arcturus, 274 Cemetci y gardening, 548 Centaurea inon'ana, 528 Cepiialotaxus pedunculati fastigiata, 359 Cercis Siliquastrum, 359, 44i Cereus glgan'eus, 54, 55 ; Mallisoni, 274 ; pro- cumbena, 30 Certificates, first-class, 392, 415, 445. 566, 592 Cherry, Bird, 533 ; blossom, 393 ; house, the, 77; Plum for stocks, 335; trees, prun- ing and training, 15; Molmanne Duke, 82 Cherries at (iunnersbuiy, 597 ; Morcl'-O, 15 (Cheshire, year 1885 in, 60 Chimonanthus fragrans, 395 China Asters, 343 Chinese Plum, double white, 544 Chionodoxa Luciliie, 263, 420 ; Lucilise alba, 289; Lucilife variety, 252 ; sardensis, 284 Choisva ternata, 296. 359, 465, 544 Chou de Burghley, 49, 98 Christmas flowers, 5 Christmas Rose, 80. 180; large-flowered, 372; "St. Brigid'a,"79 Christmas Roses, 32, 43 ; at Bath, 10 ; in Fifeshire, 182 ; the best of, 117 ; varieties of, 7S Chrysanthemum, Boule de Neige, 188 ; La l^etite Marie, 373 ; Mdlle. Lacroix, 72 Chi-ysanthcmum Society, National, 37, 127, 133, 200, 362 Chrysanthemums, 373, 548 ; at Easter, 416 ; late, 31, 48, 72, 108, 127, 176, 342 ; notes on, 4IJ2 ; old, 519 ; prizes for, 176 ; pruning, 553 Circsea lutetiana with stipules, 560 Cistuses, effect of frost on, 162 Clapham Common, garden at, 392 ; Orchids at, 484 Clay soil, management of, 307 Clays, poor, planting on, 178 Clematis indivisa, 165 Clematises, 2, 344 ; and Roses for walls, 204 Clianthus Dampieri, grafting, 316 Climate, effect of trees on, 63 ; cf Cornwall, 61 Climber, conservatory, 291 Climbers, borders for, 369 ; for a cool con- servatory, 264 Climbing plants for walls, 558 Clintonia Andrewsiana, 109, 133 Coach-builders, a<*h timber for, 437 C'oal-mines, timber for, 462 Coltnuts and Filberts, 457 Coburghia incamata, 541 Cocoa-nut fibre and fungus, 459 Ccelngyiiecorymbo=a, 466 ; arista'aalba, 182; Schilleriana, 593 Coelogynes, remarks on, 95 Cofifea bengalensis, 296 Cofl"ee Tree, the Kentucky, 84, 104 Colehic Laurel, 544 Colchieum luteum, 176 Columbines, Feather, 573; seedling, 480 Comaropsis trifoliata, 530 Conference, Pear, 63 Conifers, bronze-tinted, 3 ; economical, 172; for avenues, 83 ; garden economy in, 109 ; impoverished, 570 ; management of, 3 ; pigmy, 357 ; planting tender, 103 ; prun- ing, 84 ; pyramidal, 338 ; specimen, S3 ; the be%t, 57, 104 Consei-vatory climber, 291 Conservatory, climbers for a c:ol, 264 Convolvuluses, 381 CooiiibchurM , Kinq»ton HiU, 320 Cooperia pedunculata, 417 Copper Beech hedge, 60 Coppice, Oak, 59 Coprosma Baueriana variegata, 47 Corbularia monophylla, 140, 163 Coi-copsis, Rj-x^des of\ 498 Cork, Daffodils from, 296 Cornus florida, 150, 337 Cornjpall, climate o"*, 61 Coronilla glauea, 370 Corsican F.rs, 563; Pine at Kew, 104, 125 Cortusa pubens, 442 Coryanthes micuUta punctata, 328 Corydalis Caseana, 114 Corylus Colurna, 199 Covert, BarbeiTy for, 590 ; undergrowth for, 317 Coverts, planting, 86 ; small, on farms. 437 ; Leycesteria for. 202 ; Hollies in, 130; Privet as, 462 Cowania raexicana, 114 Crassula lactea, 37 Cratcegus Oxiiacavtha sfiii.perU runs, 431 ; par- vifolia, 313; pinnatifida, 397 Crataeguses, remarks on, 544 Crkk-Uy cnvimon, 193 Crinum latifolium, 514 Crocus, garden, 284; retieulatus, 442 Crocuses, cutting foliage of, 528; early, 162, 166; in the Grdss, 338 Cropping, economical, 555 ; kitchen garden, 354 Crops, gathering at their best, 24; green, scarcity of, 581 ; thinning vegetable, 554 Crosses and wrca'hs, floral, 492 Crovca saligna, 47 Ctowean, the, 46, 47 Cryptomeria elegans for hedges 50 Crystal Palace School of Art, 339 Cucumber frame ground, 52 Cucumbers, diseased, 84; failure of, in Corn- wall, 248 ; French, 554, 601 ; spring, 52 ; tieatment of, 52 Cunninghamia sinensis, 173, 197, 199 Currant", best flowering, 396 Cupressus Lawsoniana, 58 ; Lawsoniana and its varieties, 502 ; Lawsoniana erecta viri- dis, 58 ; Lawsoniana filifura, 84 ; Law- soniana for liedges, 50 ; Lawsoniana lutea, 58; macro arjia, 35; mncrocarpu, cones o/, i 36 ; nutkaensis, 5S, 464 Cyclamen ibencum, 37 ; irersicnm, 520 Cyclamens, frame* for, 217; specifi of", 503; spring-flowering, 244 ; winter-flowering, | 241 I Cydonia japonica, 359, 503 ] Cymbidiums, notes on, 141 Cypress, Japanese, 58 ; Monterey, 35 ; Mon- terey, cones of, 36 ; the Nootka Sound, 464 Cypresses, 5 * Cypripedium Barteti, 549 ; concolor Regnieri- anura, 291, 366 ; Godefroyse, 593 ; Hyeanum, 410; insigne, 55 73, 108; Schlimi, 62; spcetabile, 142, 174, 274; Wallisi, 360 Cypripediums, 546 Cyrtopodium Saintlegerianum, 247 Cystopteris fragilis, 193 Cytisus Ardoiui, 530 ; filipes. 180 B. Daddy-longlegs on lawns, 483 Daffodil, ihe, 421 ; big Irish spurius, 101; Rip Van Winkle, 608 ; Sir Watkin, 12, 409 ; the last, 566 ; Yellow King, 194 Daffodils, classifying the, 473 ; culture of, 342 ; doubling of, 372 ; early, tiiy, 252 ; Essex, 339 ; forcing, 254 ; from Cork, 296 ; in flower, 284 ; in June, 546 ; Irish, 139, 176 , Italian, 296, 480, 528 ; late flowering, 440 ; names of, 166; naming and classifying, 442; naming wild, 194; open-air, 206 ; re- flexed. 237 ; Scilly Island, 339 ; small, in pots, 108 ; the time nf, 237 ; transplanting, 342 ; white, 299 ; wild, 327 Dahlia show, grand national, 260 Dahlias, 547 Daisies, garden, 162 Damsons and Plums, 479 Damsons, varieties of, 186 Daphne Blagayana, 342 ; indica, 253 Daphnes, the 602 ; scarcity of, 156 ; varicti s Of, 602, f.03 Decoration, dinner-table, 4 Dril, The, Egham, 516, 521 Delphinium decorum, 115 ItLiidiMl.u 486 Dt 111 hubi I un aureum, 182 ; Brymerianum, 342 ; Dalhousianum, 416 ; Harveyanum, 181 ; Leechianum, 292 ; luteolum, 314 ; Pierardi, 416 ; sulcatum, 314 ; Wardianum, 16 ; Wardianum album, 296 ; Wardianum crassinode, 292 Dendrochilum glumaceum, 191 Deodar, the, 58 Deutzia gracilis, 459; gracilis with blind flowers, 560 Dianthus alpino-barbatus, 588 Diet reform, 23 Dimorphotheca graminifolia, 296 DinniT tabic decoration, 4 iJisiKiiuni, 515 Dijiliidcnia boliviensis, 140 Dipladenias under diSiculties, 477 Dire I. palustris, 397 Di'^a, a new, 366 ; grandiflora, 270 Dodecatheons, 482 Dogwood, 178, 359 Duudia Epip'Ctis, 216 Dracfena beetles, 62 Dracaenas, avenue of, 43 Dracontium Carderi, 515 Draining tor plantations, 249 Dublin Field Club excursion, 492 E. Earth fixers, loose, 24 Ealing, Rose-covered porch at, 20 Echinocactus texensis, 71 Eddwcss, the, 529; in gardens, 16 Edgings for walks, 316 ; in gardens, 321 Edinburgh rock garden, 44 Edraianthus serpylUfolius var. atropur- pureus, 541 Elivaguus longipes, 464 ' Him, the best, for hills, 589 Elms, how propagated, 318 ; pjUard, in avenues, 539 Encephalartos villosus, 109 Endive culture, 555 ; sawing, 524 j Epacrises, 88 ; varieties of, 187 Epidendrum brassavolse, 10 ; enemidopho- rura, 9; Coopcrianum, 10 ; dichromum, 10; nemorale, 10 ; paiiiculatum. l6 ; path, the, 519 Girdeningand science, 492; cemetery, 548; for ladies, 315 ; in poor soil, 523 ; royal roads to, :i66; window, 517 Gardenia citriodora, 206 ; radicans, 368 ; Stanleyana, 541 Gardenias. 369 ; affected, 84 ; diseased, 351 ; lor button-holes, 67 Gates for plantations, 2''0 Gaultheria nummularioidcs, 12 Gazauia lingiscapa, 443 Genista precox, 510 Geatiana acaulis, 442, 474, 549 ; vema, 549 Gentians, because of the, 522 Geum reptans, 479 , , . . Ghent Azaleas, 322 ; Horticultural Society, 5<6 Giant Arbnr-i-ita: and trhite Cedar, 266 Gladiolus by^.antinus, 473 ; w.atsonioides, 566 Gladioli, 547; forced, 393; Guernsey, 614; spring culture of, 207 Glass, coverings for, 216 Globe Hoieergj 195, 472 Gloxinia gesneroides, 114, 403, 435 ; Ormonde, 559 Gloxiuiiis, the, .ol4 ; Ixias, and Tuberoses, 520 ; winter, 70 Gooseberry buds and birds, 83 ; bug, 223 ; Whinham's Industry, 82 Gooseberries, green, 541 ; treatment of, 15 Grafting Cliauthuses, 219 ; Euonymus, 104 Grampians, a valley in the, 570 Grape, Bowood Mus at, 73 ; Fox, 1 ; Gros Gti.iKanme, bunek <\r\ 82 ; room, 122 Grapes and flowers "together, 107, 161, 391 ; diseased. 436 ; large bunches of, 82 ; set- ting, 435, 448, 495 ; the most useful, 567 ; thinning, 335, 494 Grape Vine, common, 1 ; remarkable, 234 Grape Vines, variegated, 81 Grass, Crocuses in the, 338 Grass Gum trees, 583 Grasses, ornamental, 235, 34t Greenhouse, small, heating, 218 Greens, winter, 12, 399 Grubbing v. sawing trees, 563 Guards, tree. 359 Gum trees, Grass, 583 Gunnersbury, Cherries at, 597 Gymnocladus canadensis, 84 Gymnogranima Pearcei, 2 H. Halierlea rhodopensis, 252, 549; carminatus 1 uber, 453 ; elegans, 47, 370 ; planted out, 302 Habi othamnuses, winter-fl'^wering, 241 HaiUtoi-m, severe, in Cirnwall. 338 Hamauielis .aiborea, 199 Hardy flowers for forcing, 300 Hardy plants, notes on, 442 Hawth ru for helges, 49; shoot from root, 560 ; the Azarole, 572 Hawthorn, pink and white, 531 Hazel, the i.onst.antinoile, 19J Hearting Borecle, 410 Heaths in flower, hardy, 533 Heating, 218; hot-wattr r. steam, 192, 206, 254 ; material for, 242 Hebeclinium atrorubens, 349 Heckfield, subtropical plants at, 443 Hedet a amurensis, 127 He-fge, Copper Beech, 60 ; plant, Frunus Myrobalana as a, 245 Hedges, Copper Beech, 105 ; garden, 49, 148, 197 ; planting Whitethorn, 357 ; plants for, 281 Hedgerows in mid-winter, IS ; Pears in, 299 Hcdyehium Gardnerianuni, 143 ; Gardner!- anum in fruit, 115 Helcniuni, notes on, 209 11,1 e„ii' III', g/ndestif, 190 Hclianthemums, 530 Helichrysums, 373 ; dev.bte, 309 Heliotrope White Lady, 37 ; winter, 101 Hellebores, 100; as cut flowers, 60; my work among, 138 ; sports of, 17ii ; the bjst, 117 Helleborus, large-flowered, 372 ; niger, 80 ; niger altifolius, 78 ; niger and varieties, lis, 143; n'ger (Brockhurst variety), 79; n'ger (De Graaff's variety), 79; niger Madame Fourcade, 79 : niger major (Bath variety), 79; niger (Riverston variety), 79 ; niger ruber, 79 ; niger scoticu«, 7^ ; nigar var., 32; niger var. Juvernis. 79; niger var. minor, 80 ; niger, varieties of, 78 Hemcrocallis Kwanso foliis variegatis, 410 /;. mIriL-l: .Syfi-iiiT, 58, 244 Hepatica-s after flowering, 505 Herbertia pulchella, 114 Herb garden, 279 Herbs, cultui-e of, 330 Hibbertia dentata, 47 Him.antophyllum, 188 Hiniantophvllums, new, 296 Holland, Hyacinths in, 297 Holly beiTies and birds, 191, 222, 246; for budges, 49 Hollies in coverts, 130 ; select, 2 Hollyhock as an .annual, 585 Holmes, Mr. Willi.am, testimonial to, 410 Honeysuckle, the Trumpet, 493 Hoop-making, Willows for, 153 Hornbeam for hedges, 50 Horticultural Benefit Society, the United, 133; notes, 215 Hovea Celsi, untrained, 107 Hoj-a bella, 541 Humulus japonicus, 114 Hutchinsia petnea, 442 Hyacinth, large white wood, 465 Hyacinths and Tulips, 420; in Holland, 29 1 ; new, 292 Hybrid Dendrobiums, '291 Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, 610 Hydrangeas as lawn shrubs, 36; old flov;ers on, 83 ("-"■- Hymenophylhim tunhridgense, 394 HjTiericuni chinensis, .592 Hypoxis stellata, 274 Iberisgibraltarica, 573; peti-isa, 481 ; semper- florens, 406 Imantophyllunis (see Himantophyllums) Impatiens Hookeri, 48; Sultani, 31, 2i)2 Incense Cedar, the, 58 Inga pulcherrima, 176 Insects and flowers, 573; by post, 387; Pear, 448, 483 ; Vine, 452, 533 ; wood-boring 418 Jponma liuibata, 32, 33 ; Quamoclil, 32, 33 Ipomeeas, annual, 32, 33 Iris, a red, 134 ; blue netted, 66 ; Fl,ig, 572 ; florentina, 518 ; orientalis, 542 ; reticulata, 108, 192, 217 ; reticulata at Christmas, 48 ; reticuUata cvimea, 35, 151, 199; Robiuson- iana, 486, 5io ; stylosa, 322 ; susiana, 465 ; tuberosa, 387 ; Victorine, 559 Irises, German, 586 ; the time of, 473 ; Kater- gide, 101 Irish gardens, old, 519; Ivy, for covering walls, 343 Ivesia Gordoni, 115 Ivy, a cure for damp walls, 163 ; garden, 192 ; on walls, 614 Ivies and frost, 459 Ixias and Sparaxis, 547; culture of, 4S2 ; Tuberoses and Gloxinias, 520 Jasmine, the Cape, 368 Jasmines in pots, 556 Jasminum gracillinium, 37, 48, 370 Jensen s Potato culture, 13 Judas tree, 359, 445 Juniper, Chinese, 59 ; fungus, 459 ; Western, 59 Junipers, the, 59 Juniperus, 59 ; chinensis, 59 ; occidentalis, 59 ; prostrata, 59 ; recurva, 149 ; rigida, 59, 570 ; virginiana, 59 Land, planting waste, 129 Lapagerias in clay and stones, 555 ; in pots .and planted out, 188 Larch crops, rotation of, 535 ; durability oj, 130, 226 ; in Peeblesshire, 17 ; on red siind- stone, 202 ; plantations, 364 ; rot in, 664 ; llie polden, 397 ; tree insects, 363; varieties of the, 18 Larkspurs and branching Rocket, 3i3 Laurel, the Colchic, 544 Laurels for hedges, 50 Law — „ ., Andrews f. Great Eastern Railway Comxiany, 510 Lawn grubs, 483 ; mowers, adjusting Wales of, 608 ; shrubs, 569 Lawns, fruit tree on, 569 Lawrie Park, Orchids at, 291 Layers, propagation by, 474 Leaves and flowers, 519 ; autumn, 4 ; brmzy, 346 ; fragrant, 262 ; green, 428 Leeks, best, 12 Lcith, C ombe IVa-ren, 68 Lemon wine, 380 /,eO)t(opo(iii(n!«(/imi(m, 529 Lettuces, best Cabbage, 12 ; best Cos, 12 ; forcing, 99 ; spring and summer, 329 le'icoj'.imvel'nii'n in open border, 007 Leycesteria for covert, 202 Libertia grandiflora, 572 Libocedrus ehilensis, 58 Lightning, effect of, on trees, 128 Lilium canadense, 426; grandijtorum, 2oi ; Hansoni, 287 ; Harrisi,405; jtp->mcum avt Brovn', 350; pardalinum, 525; odorum, 417 Lily, the Panther, 524 Lilies, bridal, .547; Lent, in water, 100, Water, 112 ; Water, in New Jersey, 2o3 Lily of the Valley, 88, 94, 108, 163, 188, 2d4 293, 650 ; forced, 134, 218 ; forcing, 291, 302' 349 ; open air, 528 ; out of doors, 504 ; home grown v. imported, 541 Lime, the, 614 ; as a timber preserver, 63 ; for hedges, 50 _ itiwiria a?piJirt, 371 „„. Linum .arboreum, 282; eampanWatum, ai , g'andillor».,n, 283; pereiine, 2S2; sibiricml, 283; (Wwnitiii, 279 Linums, account of, 310 ; species of, 232 Literiiture, woods and forests, 461 Liverpool, great show .at, 252; show, pro- gramme of , 613 , Loasa vulcauica, 199; volcamci, 161 Lochmaben, Orchids from, 507 London garJens, 22; parks, 514 Longleat, Eucharises at, 29 ..=,„_= Lonicera fragrantissima, 396; sempervircns, 504 Loose earth fixers, 24 Lotus peliorhynchus, 16 ; Indian, 161 Luculia, propagating the, 48 Lvcaste Skinneri, 314; Skinneri gloiiosa, "SliO , ■ ,;^n Lychnis alpina var. lapponica, 649 Kalinia myrti/tilia, 379 Kennedya coccinea, 215 ; MaiTyatti, 16 Kentucky Coffee Tree, the, 84 Kew, aquatics at, 593 ; Gardens, view in, 66, 67; new Bromeliads for, 515; Orchids at, 269 ; outdoor flowers at, 252 ; Royal Gardens .at, 339, 515 King Cups, 493 Kitchen garden cropping, 354 ; notes, 425 Kitchen gardens, sites for, 601 Koelreuleria paniculata, 125, 104 Labels, zinc, 223, 235 Laburnum and frost, 459 ; forcing of, 242 ; sports, 562 Lachenalia Cami, 486; Xelsoni, 199 ; quadn- color superba, 108 Lacheualias in baskets, 263 Lrelia alUida, varieties of, 181 ; aneeps and its varieties, 73, 96 ; aneeps Hilliana, 9 ; aneeps Stella, 62 ; pruned, 96, 119 ; pruned and the floral eommiltee, 74 ; purpurata bella, 486 ; winter treatment of, 73 lalre in Ball-r.va Pari; 110 Macrozamia Denisoni, 61 Maiden, the Pale, 493 Mamraillarias, 466 JIammoth trees, 318 Manchester, plants at, 607 Manettias, 541 . v *,.„;fc Manure, liquid, 433; liqmd for bvsh fnuts, 93 Manures, how to apply, 239 Manuring Orchids, 454 Maple, the Tartarian, 570 M.aples, Japanese, 123, 216; Japanese, hardi- ness of, 457 M'trcgraavia parad 'j:a, 290 Margutrite grubs, 387 Market garden notes, 105, 270, 432, 4o0, 4,9; prices, 70 Markets, the best, 41 ; vegetable, 23 Masdevallia Chimajra and allies 246, Lrossi, 62; racemosa Crossi, 360; the white, 9, tovarensis, 9 Masdevallias, small-flowered, 593 JIats, stnaw, 303 Maw, presentation to Mr., olO Jfayflower, 417 May, the month of, 444 Mealy bug on Vines, 60 Medinilla amabilis, 542; magnifica 392 Megasca ciliata, 442; crassifolia, 321; new hybrid, 460 ; speciosa, 342 litegaseas, the, 481 „ .. , Melon culture, notes on, 539; Monstreux de Maron, 328 , . , -i oni . i„ Melons, frame, 377; m brick pits, 391, in pots, 567 : planting out, 51 ; pot compost for 52 ; pot culture of, 51 ; treatment ot, ol Metropolitan Public Gardens Association. 21 via Miruiii atliiunituiiciim, 443 Ak'zurudU in bloom, USS Mit.e in wuods, .'>(j4 Mich'.Klii\'is D((ii>U'8, !/i'o;ij>in(/ oj\ 202 Mii^imiiitto, giiint rud, 12 ]\lildcw (in Ko>.c trccH, lis, 114, 17(1; on Vines, Mil!;i liitlji-jv, 505; biflura and I-Vcesia.s, 11, Miniulns cuprous, 5411 Mimuluscs, 510; spotted, lil3,530 Mitiaria eoccinca, 4T.S :Mixcd planting, evil of, 23 Afocai»iiijlfnptv, 174 Mock Oran^'c, goldou-Icavcd, 457 ; the golden, 503 Moles, 31(1, 320, 55!'; destroying:, 2(i2; in gar- dens, .SS7, 533; in seed beds, 44)3; or worms in the garden, 350 Mouocluijtuni Lenininiaiiuni, '252 Monthoroif, of (hi Villa, 4!H, 495; iV'a'c, iittnlina (it, 4i;u, 471 ; ///c i'illa, 543 Mur nodes, notes on, 313 Mould in timber, 3S Mulberry, llic, 5 Miiilifiity hamhome, 'J96 "Mums," 10 Muscari lingulatum, 209 Mushrooms, gi*owiug, on a new jjlan, 2S; in sheds, 12, -204, 354, 3Si Myosotidium nobile, 338, 3(50 Myosotis, 11; dissitiflora splcndcns, 550 Myrob'jUa for covert, 17S THE GARDEN INDEX [Julys, 1886. N. X:iiiics of j.lants, o03; jioimlar plant, 273 NaiviHsi, clioice, 373; Duchoss of Westmiu- ^ ster and C. J. Backhouse, 410 ; in potiS, 238 Narcissus Harri couspicuus, 360; Bnlboco- diiim citriniis,' lO'.l, 247; Bulbocodium nivalis, 112; calalltinus, 21S, 33S, 344, 40li; citrinus, 144; committee, 133, 200, 252, 330, 361, 4U ; Henry Irving, 410, 418; major, what is, 406, 418, 504; Minnie Warren, 10s; i Nolsoni anrautius, 410 ; jKillidus ].rn;cox, 37; poeticus, 102, 604; Ri]. Van Winkle, 293; «ir Watkin, 4S1 ; the I'oot .-, 4'.i::, 010 ; triau- i drus, lill; triandrus, hyliiid, SOS N.arras plant, 302 Nectarine, the Lambton, 447; Victoria, at Lambton, 3SI0, 435, 404 Nectarines, early, 567 Nelumbium luteuro, 3, SO ; white, 4 Nelumbiums, 19; Indian, 161 Nemophilas, 327 Nerine Miinselli, 66 ; new l,te, 6{i Nerincs, Chinese, 164 ; in Guernsey, 93 Nice, gardens around, 542 Nicotiaua affinis in the shade, 556 Nile, Lotus of the, 2IS Nomenclature, Orchid, 414 ; jilant, 156, 255 ; tree and shrub, 3S7 Normandy, in, 427 Norway Spruce, counnon, 57 Notes, talking, 547 Nursery work, 64 Nut tl-adc, the, 470 N\mpha;as, notes on, 3 Oldenlnudia Doppcana, 48 Oniphalodes longifolia, bSS Oncidium liruiilcesianum. 175 ; I^ncoamnn, 328; Marshalliauum, 41(> ; I'halicnopsis, 270 ; undulatmn, 410 Onion i)lant, the, 517 Dni ns and Parsley grown together, 188; nutunm sown, 204 ; liest, 13 ; culture of, 190, 238; manuring spring-sown, 205 llnosma tauricum, 443, 4S1, 489,504, 529 Orange flower, McKican, 465 ; trees, Orchids on, 341 Oranges, 5 ; good, 300 Orchard, the, 103 ; house, forcing. 51 ; houses, late and general, 51 ; the best site for, 574 Orchards, A]iple, 275, 389 ; shelter f. r, 364 Ore' id, a Ligh-piiccd, 341 ; a Japanese, 262 ; exbibilion, 410; names, 444; nomencla- ture, 411 ; show at Birmingham, 460, 484 ; society, an, 19, 56, 73, 119 ; proiiosed, 95, 314 11.. Orchids (Acineta Humboldti) at Birdliill, 1S2 ; at ChcLsea, 337, 534 ; at Chislehurst, 410; at Clapham. -184; at Holloway. 507 ; at Kew, 269 : at ^South Kensington, "458 ; at ■ Sydenham, ,'06 ; at The Firs, Sydenham, 65 ; at The W odi.ands, Streatham, 335 ; at York, 506 ; collections of, 74; exhibition of, 436 ; from Lochniaben. 507 ; from Ponty- pool, 181 ; h.ardy, 506 ; hybri ', of 1885, 26 ; in flower, 314 ; in mid-winter, 55 ; in Scot- land, 337 ; manuring, 454 ; Mr. Philbrick's, lOS ; new book r u, 557 ; ( n Orange trees, 341; on Tree Feins, 365; outdior, ::61 ; Pereival collection of, 62; pruned, 119; pruning, 96, 143 ; sale of, 460 ; show of, 541 ; spring notes on, 269 ; .syringing, 119 ; terrestrial, 341 ; winter-flowering, 9; winter treatment of, 73, 95 OrcliL'es, white, 541 Onfiiianax Ei>rni)csn-fia/itiin, 354 Ornithngalum nutans, 374 O.xalis luteola, 100 Oxalises in winter, 16 O.ilips, Fcentcd, 530 fMf.; Amtrlcan Lin', 532 ; bark, 613 ; cojJliiee, 59 ; for park fences, 203 ; UmilMajif, 1 xpret t.t', 191 : timber, age for felling, 462 ; timber, .sale of, 438 ; woods on stony .soils, 689 ; woods, thinning, 271 Qak.s, diseased, 64 : failure of, 202 ; for sh 1- ter, evergreen, 636 ; sowing i-. planting, (i3 Obituary-^ Forster. Cooper, 248 Ker, Robeit Preston, 248 McDonald, Charles, 84 Jlorren, Edouard, 224 Newton, Mrs., 460 Uobson, John, 127 Scott, John, 127 Simoiite, John, 316 Tumbull, Andrew, 412 Od-'Utoglossum adspcrsvuu, 37; Alexandra;, 410; cirrho.sum Klabiehianum, 314 ; cor- ditum Kienastianum, 341 ; erispum, 594; crispum a])iatum, 410 ; high-priced, \'y\\) ; Jenningsianum, 175 ; lurco-purpureinnleu- coglossum, 410 ; mulus Coui-tauldi.annm, 360 ; nel.iilnsum pardinum, 366 ; new, 182; Pes. .d ii.J, :vo, .534 ; Pe.sc.atorci Veivacti- aniuii, _".'_'; I'liihenopsis, 96; ramosissimum, 314 ; till uJi.ins superb\mi. (U ; triumiihanf, 96 Packing phauts for sea voy.ages, 558 ; Stnaw- berries, 575 Pffionia eorallina, 492 ; (Moutan) Peine Eliza- beth, 458 ; (tree) lilaciua and Purity, 559 Piconios at Tooting, 1O6 ; lierbaecous, 428 ; tree, 445 Pajony Kclaire, 659 ; leaves, 346 ; single white, 66'j Palms, flowering, 215 Pampas Grass, 87 ; plumes. 67 ranicum viv^iatum, 235 Pansy, seedling, 486 Pansios, 548; and Violas, 518; basket of, 24, 25 ; curious, 459 ; fly on, 527 Papaver bracteatum, 548 Paphinia Sjinderiaua, 182 Paris exhibition, 485 ; flowci-s in, 428 ; Horti- cultural Show and Congress, 485 ; in the Salon at, 4'.;6 ; vegetables in, 444 rark- Hill, Slrmtlani, 5f8 Parks, fruit trees in, 298 ; London, 514 Parsley and Onions grown together, 188 ; culture of, 121 Par.snips, beat, 13 P.aths and road-', wood-paved, 177 '^•K* *^71 317 . . . - . Pavia macrcstaehya, 644 Pavonia Makoyana, 274 Peach, Desse T,ardive, 160 ; Elberta, S2 ; house, early, 35; houses, ants in, 300; houses, late, 35 ; houses, succession, 36 ; Konigen Olga, 82 ; forcing, 8 ; leaves, 4lO ; loaves mildewed. 698 ; Waterloo, 83 Peach trees, m.aiden, 378 ; on open walls, 6 ; pruning, 160 ; unnailing, 138, 232 : winter dressing. 64, 92 ; wrongly pnmed, 8, 53 Peaehrs, disbudding, 390; early, 123, 567- maiden, 435 ; treatment of. 15 ' Pea culture on ridges, 524 ; Uuke of Albany 279, 330 ; White Everi.asting, 373 Pear, American, culture, 212 ; Baronne de Melo, 251 ; Beun-ri.a, 548; Pan-yi, 115 Phaiu-s niacnlatus, 366 Phalipnopsis amabilis, 291 ; grandiflora, 37 ; Sehilleriana 88 l;-.2; Stuartiann, isl Phal-j-nopsids at Henham, 270 Philadelphus coronariiis .aureus, .603 Phlox d vaiicata, 530; Urummcndi, 327; Dmmmondi eoccinca semi-fl.-pl., 116 Phloxes, spring treatment of, 236 Pha;ni.c hybrida, 458 Piceas, 67 Picotee seedling, 562 Picotees and Carnations, 391, 647 Pictures, garden, 215 P't'n-eX'Onl, Farnfian', 238 Pillar plants, old-fashioned, 164 Pine, Austrian, 67; Bhotau, 57; Chili. 58; Corsiciin, 39. 57 ; Coniam at A't ir, 104 ; 1 .ai c- bark, 57 ; Scotch, 67 ; Swiss, 57 ; Swiss Stone, 172; Weymouth, 57 Pines, the, 67 : for pr. fit.able planting, 589 ; succession, 77 ; treatment of, 76 Pinus austriaca, 57 ; Bungeaua, 57 ; Cembra, 57, 172; Corsica, 104; Corsica at Kew, 126; excelsa. 57; insignis, 57; insignis, wood of, 633 ; Larieio. 39 ; mont'cola, 39, 57 ; muri- eita, 359; Piunilio for poor gi-ound. IS Strobus, 67; flylvestris, 57; sylvestris, gol- f'en. i-'i Pink Mrs. Siukin.s, 490 Pinks, note on, 11 ; white, 545 Pipt.anthus ncpalensis, 465 Pitcairnia eor.allina, SS Plane, remarkable, 632; tree " buttons," 3 Plant, a b autiful .alpine, 541 ; names, 143, 156, 256, 303, 322 Plants, acclimatising, 197; alpine, 2SS; at Manchester, 607; British, preservation of rare, 306; climbing, forwalls, 558; cool green- house, of 1885, 27 ; cultivated, 321 ; cuttings of hardy, 443; effective, in our climate, 317; effect of frost on, .303, 346, 380; fine- foliaged bedding, 371; flowering stove, of 1885, 20; for covering arches, 11; for cover ng walls, 208 ; 'or gi-eenhou.se decora- tion, 326; for hanging baskets, 682; for room decoration, 132 ; for town gardening, 606 ; from cuttings. 134 ; fumigating, 683 ; greenhouse, w.all, 522 ; ffroup ofsub-tropicnl, 134; hardy herlxaceou-s, of 1885, 27; hady, notes on, 11, 481, 649, 609; hothouse, effect of cold water on, 325; hothouse, watering with cold water, 370, 403, 435, 454, 478; improved cultivated, 427 ; in houses, fine foli.agcd, 490; In rock g.arden at Edinburgh, list of, 44; names of, 692; new, for 1S85, I 25; new, notes on, 116; new, of 1885, 25' ' of the Alps, 329 ; of the Riviera, 245 ; old- f.ashioned pillar, 164; packing for sea voyages, 658 ; rare Briti.sh, 252 ; rabbit- proof, 320; 1 ilvery-leaved, 5.50; stove, of 1885, 26; sub-trooimi, at /leckjithl, 443; sub-tra/ncal, at W,/(f, on trcts, 594, 595 ; diseased, 558 ; effect of cold weather on, 203 ; festoon, 20 ; fur early forcing, 203 ; for forcing, 341 ; for the rockery, 113 ; fragrant -leaved, 138 ; from cuttings, 114 ; in pots, 311 ; in The Wilder- ness ; 203, Lenten, keeping fresh in waler, 132 ; Mar(*chal Niel, under glass, 179 ; mildew en, 114, 170 ; mildew-resist ng, OS ; miniahn-e, 594 ; old, 557 ; on their own roo's, 489 ; ornamcntai, 505 ; own-root, 3S1, 513; pillar, 20; planted out under glass, 513 ; preserving, 634 ; pruning, vT3, 341 ; pruning Bauksian, 399; red rust on, 500 ; rockerj' for, 155 ; scentei -leaved, 155, 410, 489 ; Scotch, in England, 404 ; single and semi-double, 28 ; staying power <>f 403 ; Tea. in winter, 310 ; Tea, on walls, 381 ; Tea, winter treatment of, 323 ; with scented leaves, 341, 397, 410 ; yellow Scotch, 592 Rot-proof scrim, 274 Royal Academy, flower painting at the, 44ii ; Botanic Society fixtures, 10 ; Horticultural Society, 02, 00 Roydsia suavcolens, 100 Rubus Chamajmorus, 443 ; del'dosua, 330, 492 ; nutkanus, 312, 540 Rudgea macrophylla, 338 Ruscus aculcatus, 199 ; androgynus, 70 Rusbin on weeds, 237 S. Sagittaria montcvidensis, 115 Safad messes, 420 ; vegetables, 399 Sala'lin^, 497 ; summer, 300 Salads, roinposition of, 471 ; " D.T.F.' on, 524 Sail 111 at I'lris, 420 S;il|'i'4li''-^i^ sinuata, 100 Salvia boliviana, 218 ; himalaica, 115; Hor- minum violacea, 209 ; lantaniefolia, 218 Salvias, wintcr-tloweriug, 241 Sandertonia aumntiaca, 592 Sandwort, the Majorca, 50 Sarracenias as flowering plants, 475 Saxifraga cordifolia, 200 ; flagellaris, 12 ; floru- lenta, 443 ; granulata, double-flowered, 549; niiUata, 409 ; oppositifolia pyrcnaica su- perba, :i39 ; speciosa, 442 ; Straeheyi, 274 ; tenclla, 630 Saxifrage and Wallflower, 428 ; the mountain, 301 Saxifrages, mossy, 473 Schixostylis coccinea, 70 Science and gardening, 492 Scilla campanulata, 445 ; sib'rica, 302 Scotch Kir, golden, 84 Screens, garden, 148, 197, 227 Scats arul steps m rot:^- gardain, 419, 42X Seakale, blanching, 330 ; culture of, 279 ; forcing, 49, 189; open grcimd, forcing of, 49 ; raising crowns fur forcing, 524 ; raising from seed, 49, 355 ; to grow very good, 49 Seed raising, II, 444 ; sowing, notes on, 238; sowing tree, 402 ; time, 345 ; Trade Associa* tion. 127 Seedling Picotoo, 502 Senecio Ghic-breghti, 200 ; pyraniidatus, 502 ; spathiilifulius, 5i0 Sequoia, 58 Sf.rrice tne, true, 633 Sei-vice trees, 223 Shad'' tri'ift, ttouiP tji'ioi, 460 Shamrock, the Irish, 672 Shefiield, new park for, 417 Showery days, 445 Shrubbery, laying out a, 126 Shi'ubi and trees in flower, 427; and tree, smoke-resisting, 532 ; deciduous, smoke- proof, 457 ; for lawns, 509 ; in March, beau- tiful, 215 ; in Carolina, 591 ; manuring, 17 ; names of, 387 ; new, of 1885, 28 ; over- prown, cutting down, i~ ; spring-flowering, 531 ; Bummer-blooniing, 543 ; wall, 373 ; iralf, a f'ciD good, 208 ; water-side, 69 Sifene Elizabttha', 371 Silphiura albiflorum, 115 Silver Fir, common, 67 Silver Firs, the, 67, 03 Slug pest, the, 559, 593 Smoke-proof shrubs, def^iduous, 457 S.noke-resisting trees and shrubs, 532 Suowdroi>, Imperati's, 202; October, 112; twin-flowered, 373 Snowdrops the, 74 ; bridal. 144 ; double, 207 ; double and single, 230; doubling, 194; dying off, 102, 20*; failure of, 274; for bridal bouquets, 181; notes on, 102; on Gi-ass, 237 ; single and double, 140, 160, 257 ; the times of flowering of, 10.' ; varie- ties of. 110 Snoiri^ahf, Kprinti, 007 Snow flakes, spring, 21 r. Snowstorm, etfec-ts of the, 40 Sobralia sessilis, 19 Society, an Orchid, 19, 50, 73 ; National, Rose medals, 290 Societies, Crystal Palace, 315, 507 ; National Chrysanthenunn, 01 ; Royal Aquarium, Westminster, 315; Ro^al Botanic, 200, 293, 302; Royal Horticultural, 01, 161 17ti, 200, 247, 292, 45S, 608, Oil ; Livei-pool Ex- hibition, 394 Soil, gardening in poor, 523 ; temperature of, 134, 100 Soils benefited by wood ashe", 60G Solanums, berried, 241 Solomon's Seal, 393, 530 ; fragrant, 680 ; scented, 549 Sophi.roJi at Kc»r, 222 Sophronitis violacea, 182 Sowing in wet weather, 120 Space in wmids, economy of, 260 Spar.ixis gianiliflora, 592 SpannunniiL afrieana, double -flowered, 348 ; double-flowered, 284 Sparrows and Crocuses, 301 Sphreralcea rivularis, 116 Spindk- treu, the, 83 Spira-iL npiilifi.lia aurea, 628 ; prunifolia, 400 ; ThunltLirgi, 358 Spira;as, shrubby, 84 Spring, a late, 202 ; first days of, 284 ; show, Edinburgh, 338 Spruce, the, 604 ; common Norway, 67 ; Firs, the, 57 ; future of, 413 ; Mcnzies', 85 ; value of, 401, 488, 512, 530, 603 Spniees, Hemlock, 58 Squill, Siberian, 302 Squirrels and trees, 690 Staphylea coldiirH furt-ed, 218 Statistics of (Vipc hullis, 77 Stejiit and .iif '.^ m rork >iw, 07 Sup rbus, major, 449 Sweet Peas, 008 Sweet-scented Camellia, 403 Sycamore for exposed sites. 013 Sydenham, Orchids at, 55, 5C0 T. Tagetes, yellow, 310 Taxus adprcss', 149, 174, 197, 221 ; brcvifulia, 208 ; fastigiata, 59 Tccophybiia cyanocrocus Lcichtlini, 37 Tellima grandiflora, 340 Temperature of soil, 134 Thalictrum aucmonoides, 443 Thinning and felling, 04 ; and j-nuiing, 39 ; Grapes, 494 Thorn, the Cockspur, 6 4 Thorns, propagating, 544 Thuja, 58 ; gigantea, 282 ; occidentalis for hedges, 50 ; Standishi, 545 Thujopsis dolobrata, 58 ; Hatchet-leaved, 58 Tiarella cordifolia, 482 Tigridia Pavoniu, 2SS Tillandsia Lindeni, 200 Timber, Cedar, 220 ; carriage of, 388, 438, 402 ; carriage, difficulties of, 303 ; dispoang of, 220; felling, economy in, 487, 512 ; for coal-mines, 402; for sale classifying, 635 ; growth, 38, 03 ; harvesting, 488 ; home- grown )■. foreign, 39, 03, 85, 100, 153, 177 ; in ravines, 201, 220 ; marking, for sale, 38; measuring, 153 ; merchants v. foresters, 512 ; mould in, 38 ; preserver, lime as a, 03 ; prices and carriage of, 413 ; removing, 690 ; trade, the, 38, 03, 340, 388 ; trees in i-avines, 100, 250 ; use of home grown, 40 ; who are the users of, 17 Tobacco, culture of, 411, 499 Tomatoes, culture of, 144 ; early, 278 ; from cuttings, 278; in pits pnd frames. 553; in pots, 440; on back walls, 90; remarks on, 105 ; forwarding early, 278 Tooting, Pifionies at, 000 Tree Fern stems, shortening, 72 Tree Ferns, Orchids on. 306 Tree group, 603 ; growth in Yorkshire, 100 ; growth, measuring rate of, 38 ; guards, 340 ; planting of the past, 38 ; planting, ornamental, 544 ; protectors, 359 ; seeds, sowing, 402 ; shelter for farms, 202, 225 Trees and shnibs in flower, 427 ; and shrubs, smoke resisting, 582 ; and squin*els, 690 ; Apples as ornamental, 494 ; Canadian forest, 100; deciduous, in February, 148; eaily leafing. X03 ; effect of lightning on, 128 ; effect of, on climate, 03 ; effect of wind on 223 : evils of potting, 570 ; exotic, 530; felling, 04; fine, 373; for exposed ground, 014; for felling, 530; for seaside plantations, 538 ; grouping and thinning, 318; grubbing v. sawing, 535, 014; in March. 293; in Carolina, 591; in straths and ravines, 177 ; manuring, 17 ; names of, 337; new of 1885, 28; new, varieties of, 644 ; planting, 04; planting for utility and ornament, 604 ; planting streets with, 80 ; planting, thin r. thick, SO ; preservation of, 64 ; pruning, 39 ; raising fallen, 80, 223, 208; renovating, 437 ; »ome good shade, 450 ; striking, 178 ; staking and protecting, 201 ; simimer blooming, 543 ; tall v. short, 38 ; tliinning, 39, 04; walking-stick, 203, 281 ; waterside, 58, 59 Trellises, garden, 472 T ing Park, Carnations at, 200 Tristania conferta, 522 Iritonia squalida, 442 Trollius europajus, 472 ; nnt- rallml, 195 Trop^eolum azureum, 37 ; Deckerianum, 37 Tropseolums, climbing, 310 Tuberoses after flowering, 112 ; fl'iwcrlng, 290 ; Ixias, and Gloxinias, 520 Tulip, a beautiful. 342 ; new, 417 Tulips, 648 ; and Hyacinths, 420 ; at Ha:u'Ieni, exhibitif 11 of, 405 ; beautiful, 202 ; old- fashioned, 105; old florists', 473; Pairot, 518 Turner Memorial Fund, 02, 133 Tui nip-rooted B ct, 329 Turiiii>s, early, 99 ; succcssionil, 399 TT. United Horticultural BLuefit and Provident Scciety, 84 M Undergniwth for covert, 317 Underwood, value of, 178 VuLxiiiiums, two good, 418 Valley in the Grampians, 570 Vanda Sanderiana, ti2; teres, the wliite, 314 Variegated Elaiagnnses, 149 Vegetable crops, forwarding, 278 ; crops, tliinning, 554 ; gai-deu, the, 74 ; markets, •23 ; Marrows, 306 Vego ables and fruit, 411, 509 ; earlj-, 41, 27'J ; tor salads, S9S) ; Gilbert's new, 239 ; good hardy, 522 ; in Paris, 444 ; large, mania fur, 24 ; names of, confvision in, 24 ; notes on, 12; planting in hot weatlier, 5bO ; scarcity of, 224, 277 ; short notes on, 425 ; size r, quality in, 69, 120 ; the bust, 107, 189 ; young, thinning, 498 Vegetation, waterside, 101 Veilch Memorial prize fund, 105 ; Memorial prizes, 400 Verbascum olympicum, 547 Veronica Hulkeana, MC, 508 ; salicornioidcs, 443 ; Ville de Hycres, 37 Vetch, the spring, 332 Viburnum Lantana, 502; Sieboldi, 174 Victoria Anemone, 5 2 Village greens, planting of, 304 Villa Montboron, limes irt, 595 Vine, Amur, 1 ; borders, 34 ; borders, ox- tenial, 34 ; Hop-leaved, 1 ; insects, 452, 533 ; Japanese, 1 ; leaf excrescences, 44S ; rods, tying, 118 ; wild, 333 Vineries, late, 34 Vine' y, early, 34 Vines, cool house, 53 ; early, 122 ; ulTect of frost on growing, 3,il, 434, 418, 497 ; for stocks, 540 ; grafted, 258 ; heading back, 275 ; late started, best, 389 ; management of, after potting, 81 ; mealy bug on, 60 ; mildew on, 49() ; mildewed, 447 ; old, 215 ; open-air, disbudding, 490 ; orr.amintal, 1, 30, 42 ; outdoor, 81 ; planting, when in leaf, 378 ; pot, SO, 122 ; pot, forcing, SO ; pot, top-dressing, 81; pot, training, SO; pot, ventilation for, 80 ; potting. 81 ; pro- pagating, 81; pruning on outdoor, 23- ripening, 81 ; setting and swelling fruit 80 ; syringing, 34 ; treatment of, 34 . Violas and Tans es, 518 ' Violet, Marie Louise, 242, 320 ; Neapolitan, 218 , i Violets, 387 ; double, 342 ; double, in pots, I 453 ; failing to colour, 31 ; in frames, 348 ; j Neaiolitan, 199, 302, 348 ; the best, 291 ; varieties of, 344 ; white, 310 Vitis amurensis, 1 ; hcterophylla variegata, ' 1 ; humuUefolia, 1 ; Labrusca, 1 ; Thunbergi, 1 ; vinifera, 1 Voles in woods, 504 W. Wwlilm Housf, ,!'■ rnery at, 300 Walliiug-stick trees, 203, 281 Walks, edgings for, 2113 ; shady, in gardens, 300 Wallflower and Saxifrage, 428 ; the double yellow, 505 Wallflowers, doub'e yellow, 210 j Wall plants, 40 ; plants, greenhouse, 522 ; shrubs, 373 ; stone, as a fence, 5iS» Wallr, a ft If goo I ihruhs .for, 208; Fern-| covered,' S9 ; Irish Ivy for covering, 343 ; Ivy aciu-e for damp, 103 ; of fruit houses,! back, 89 ; ornamental, 507 ; plants for ' covering, 308; Tea Roses on, 381 ; utilifa-' til .n of back, 89 ; utilisation of, in stoves, 327 ; watering trees on, 447 Walnuts in sand, 83 ; planting, 488 M'ater, effect of cold, on hothouse plants, 325 Water Lily culture, 74 ; i ink, hardy, 593 Water Lilies, 112 ; in Now Jersey, 255 W'atering with cold water, 010 ; indoor plants with cold water, 2S9 l\'cUenule li-ees, 68, 59 ; vegetation, 101 Weather at Bowness, 339 ; effects o', in end of March, 321 ; in Hmits, 203 ; in South W.ales, 223 ; in the midlands, 289 ; planting in hot, 580 Weeds, Ruskin on, 237 Weedy corners, 518 Weeping Willows in Anierica, 645 THE GARDEN INDEX WuL'vil on Orcliid hiilhfi, SOI A\ I ij^^ula rosea and its vjiriegated variety, f^-14 \\'tiK'-'l:is. :ind how to grow them, 571 Wrilin^'tnnia gigimtea, 5S WV'stciiliirt. IMi; fiew in tlw aanten af, ITifl Wllill iVlM-L'S, IS Wilder, Marshall P., 411 Willows, for hoop-making, 15o; in wintur, Witiilow trardening, 517 WiiR-, Lenidn, 380 iV',' It )■/,..,» nil', mckicork at, 5S4 Winter greens, 12 Wistaria sinensis, 464 ; the Chir.esc, 51S Wi.starias, 545 Wood Anemones, 444 Wood-l»uring insects, 41S Wood furc-ster, the, 80 W-ind, lasting qualities of, 013 Woodland lielts, value of, 304; ridos, liying out, 414 M'dodlaiids, 42S Woodmen in Ireland and England, 53S ; shelters for, 3.S8 Woodpeckers, the, .'»00 Woodruff, f?wect, 5S8 Woods and forests, Her Majesty's, 17 ; and forests literature, 4(>1 ; damage from thinning, 511 ; outlines of, 364 ; Plum trees in, 379 Work, costly, 512 M'orms or moles in the garden, 350 Wreaths and crosses, floral, 4^2 ; 5 18 ; funeral, 54S Wych Elms by streams, S63 floral, Xanthosoma robusta, 83 Xeranthemvim annuum, superliis?inium, 79 annuum var. [July 3, 1886. Y. Year 1885 in Cheshire, 60 Yew, Huekland, 6H ; desirable. 103 ; for liodges, 50 ; Irish, 59 Yews, the, 5P York, Orchids at, 506 Yucca filorlosa in flower, 10 ; glorio&a in a cemetery, 504 ; red-flowered, 21, 267 Z. Zinc labels, 235 Zygopetalums, culture of, 174 July 3, 1886.] THE GARDEN INDEX XI COLOURED PLATES. AG ox IS FLEXU03A ALL AMANDA HEXDERSOXI ALSTRCEMERIAS, HYBRID AREXARIA BALEARICA AKISTOLOCHFA ELEGAXS AZALEAS, XEW HYBRID BO.MAREA OCULATA ... BRIERS, SCOTCH BURTONIAS AND JOHXSONIAS COREOPSIS ATKINSONI AND DRUMMOXDI DAPHNE MEZEREUM VARS EREMURU3 BUXGEI EREMURUS ROBUSTUS FLAX, TREE FREMOXTIA CALIFORXICA GALANTHU3, NEW KIXDS OF 214 400 304 50 576 550 260 448 142 493 602 236 96 282 8 74 HELEXIUM AUTUMNALE PUMILUM JOHXSOXIAS AND BVRTUXIAS . KENXEDYA COCCINEA LILRTM CANADEXSE VARS LILIU.M JAPOXICUM LILIUM PARDALINUM VAK, WAREI LINUM ARBOREUM OXCIDIUM LANCEANUiM ROSE WiL ALLEN RICHARDSON . . ROSE 5 MIGNONETTE AND PAQUERETTE ROSES, NESV SINGLE AND SEMI-DOUBLE SALPIGL03SIS, A GROUP OF SANDWORT, THE MAJORCA ... SCOTCH BRIERS SNOWDROPS, EIGHT KIND.:! OK STREPTOCARPUS, VARIETIES OF 190 142 214 426 350 524 282 323 374 lU 2! lOi 5 44 7 47 XIl THE GAIIDEN INDEX. [July 3, 1886. JOHN ROYSTON PEARSON, The late Mr. Jdlin riDystmi Pearson was l)ani at Cliihvi'll (Ui January 29, 1819, and died in the Imuse in Avliich he was born on August 11, 1876. He was an enthusiastic horticulturist and full of enterprise, wliicli was only suhdued in afterJife by the insidious advances of a complaint, whicli eventually ended in his death, lie was a florist of considerable note, and had at one time in his nursery at Chilwell one of the best collections of Tulips in the country. He took great pride in Polyanthuses and Picotees, and was the raiser of Pearson's Alexander, a very fine gold-laced Polyanthus, now, it is supposed, extinct. He also raised Pearson's Plate Apple and Pearson's Prolifie Nut. He took great interest in fruit culture, and adopted warmly the suliject of orchard houses, erecting some very fine ones at Chilwell, and orchard house trees and Vines were well grown by him. In the raising of seedling Grapes he was very successful. His happiest hit in this direction was the crossing of the Roy.al Muscadine with the American Strawberry Grape. ,a cross which resulted in the introduc- tion of that charming variety, Perdinand de Lesseps, which gained, on account of iU good flavour, a first-class certificate in 1870. In 1871 he fruited for the first time an excellent black Grape, which he named the Chilwell Alicante, a seedling from the Black Alicante or Tokay. In 1871 he also exhibited and receivol a first-class certificate for Dr. Hogg, a seedling from the Duchess of Buccleuch. This is described in the " Fruit ilanual" as " the finest of the white Frontignan Grapes, ecpialling Chasselas Musque in flavour, but much superior to it in size of both bunches and berries." Golden (:^)ueen was his next now Grape. It was stated to be the; result of a cross between Ferdinand de Lesseps and Black Alicante. Of all his new Grapes this has perhaps liecome th(.' most poiuilar. It is a bright, golden-coloure.l Crape, both bunch and berry partaking of the character of the Madresfield Court. A variety name'rown in the tank here last summer, and certainly we expect to find them as capable of germination as we have hitherto. Nymplia3a anuuonica and N. anipla were raised from seeds received ill a packet from Demerara last year; the plants ol N. pvgniiea (tetragona) which flowered all last sumurer in the tank here were raised from seed also received in a packet by post Irom Hong-Kong. N. gigantea was raise.l only a lew weeks ago from seeds sent dry from Australia. On the other hand, a collection or Nymphajas h.as been established in the Uemcraia Botanic Gardens from seeds supplied by Kew, and these I know, were all sent in an ordinary seed packet. I could give other proofs of the salety of the dry method, but the above are, no doubt suliicieiit. ^^'e keep Eurvale dry ; indeed, it kept in water the seeds of this plant germinate at once. Nelumbiunis and Trapas are quite safe, as Mr. Miles knows, when kept dry, and I am this year keeping a number of the seeds of Victoria "regia in total dryness with a view to testing their vital powers after being thus treated. I aiu not aware that this point in connection with \ ictoria seeds has ever been tested, and yet there seenis to be no reason why they should not retain then- vitality when kept dry as well as the Nelum- biunis, Euryale, and the Nvmpluneas. A woril respecting N. alba var. rubra, sometimes called N. sph^rocarpa and N. Caspary; Mr. Miles is wrong in his belief that the Kew plants elicit in their" infancy, as the plant which is figured in the Botanical MagcKine, t. G73R, was m fine health and flowered freely last summer m the tank for har.ly aipiatics, and this is the plant which was first flowered at Kew in 1878, as noted under the above figure by Sir Joseph Hooker. This plant will not thrive in warm water— at least such has been the result of an attempt to "VOW it along with the tropical kinds here, ancl where N. odorata and N. candidissima grow and bloom most satisfactorily. AV. Watsox. Kew. NELUMBIUM LUTEUM. In his interesting account of his work among the Water Lilies (p. 652, 188.5), Mr. Miles is unfortunately mistaken in supposing that the plants which'l flowered were his seedlings. Those were originally received as tubers from the O.xtord Botanic Garde"n. I should have been delighted if I had flowered his seedlings, because 1 have never yet known seedlings to live over the first year, though I have raised young plants many times, as others have done, with the saine result. The seeils are very easily raised, and the young plants grow well, but the tubers, without which the plants cannot exist in winter, are not lormed. The plants in autumn cease to grow, a.nd the parts which perish naturally of course die, but when this has taken place there is nothing left The difficulty is no doubt this, that we have not a summer iJng enough or a summer with days allVirdin.' light enough to enable the plants to perforuaheir f.mctions so well as to niake tubers Why we cannot grow this Nelumbium out ot doors is easily stated. It is because we have not that hot bright summer of America, whicli alone an enable it to grow satisfactorily and to pre- pare for winter. That indeed might be a great deal colder than it is with us, and the plant would still be perfectlv happy. Kelumbuun seeds it may be worth 'remarking, germinate m a tew days if the testa— impervious to moisture lu a dry state-is cut through. Without this atten- tion the seeds, having not fallen at once into mud or water, and having tlieretore becoiiie un- naturally dry, will lie indefinitely without grow- ing. This 'is only an extreme case of what lumpens with many other seeds. Wheti seeds would not grow, I have olten got them to ste t immediately by cutting a tmy piece out ot the testa A. number of har.l-seeded Legummosa; that'lie long in the soil will grow very otten directly they are cut. But to return to Nelum- biums, I should like to say, as the Cambridge flowers have been referred to as not large, or as uale or poor in crdour, that the proper size and colour of these flowers have not been seen away from Cambridge. I have been ab e onlj to exhibit flowers that were too young to be fully coloured, or have otherwise not been as one could hive wished. At the same time, ot course, the best flowers have not been nearly so large oi;^^" deep in colour as they are described to be n a wiia state. Nelumbium seeds, I have been told I believe by Mi. Baxter, of Oxford, are perfectly THE GARDEN. Rood even wlioii fdrty yrars old, .iiul liave been P'liwn after luivin.i,' lii'eii kept for that length of f'""^'- R. Irwin Lvnch. Tiie white Nelumbium.— Fearing that Mr. Hdvcy's supposition (vide The Garden, page Blfi) about my double white Nelumbium at Wemyss Castle may mislead lovers of this genus as to where the one in question came from, I write to tell you that it was sent to me straight from a temple in Japan as a great rarity. I cannot at this moment lay my hands on the correspondence concerning it, but will kiok up the notes and communicate them to you in full in a short time, with further particulars about it. — Dorothy E. Wemyss. Garden in the House. DINNER-TABLE DECORATION. An important item in househohl arrangements just now is tlie effective decoration of tlie dinner- table— for decoration there mnst be, and that in many instances on a rather extensive .scale. What form these decorations .shall take must, as a rule, depend largely upon the kind of materials available ; if the following .suggestions cannot l>e fully acted upon, they may yet afford some sort of a guide to the inexperienced in such matters. Ladies frequently display great taste in floral arrangements, but there is too much labour inci- dental to table decoration on a large scale for them to carry it out, ami it is usually lei't to other hands. Sometimes instructions are given as to how the table is to be treated, but oftener the decorator must rely on his own resources. March stands, or whatever they may be termed that win prizes at flower shows, rarely no\v find their way to a dinner-table, especially 'at this time of year, for the simple reason that 'they are much too tall to be eftective. It must be remembered that there are very few gas-lighted dining-rooms, lamps being used in some cases, but' oftener candles, those on the table being placed in branch- ing candlesticks, with a tiny coloured shade over each to throw a subdued light on to the cloth and its decorations, anything approaching a glare of light being thus carefully avoided. It follows that neither tall plants nor tall vases would be effective, these being either in a line with or above the shades, and therefore lost. It is also equally undesirable to place either heavy vases of flowers or plants on the table, these serving to obstruct the view and prevent the flow of cheer- ful conversation that ought to accompany every festive occasion. It is tlie comparatively inoderii innovation of decorating "on the cloth" that finds most favour, and I propose now to discuss this as fully as space will permit. AuTDMN LEAVES and berries when grouped in baskets or vases are singularly beautiful, ami fur small tables tliey can be effectively employed, the colours lighting up very prettily ; but when we decorate a large table, laid, say, lor twent\- guests, we prefer a combination of coloured leaves and bright flowers. We consider a good su]iply of fresh Moss indispensable, this being dried sufli- ciently to admit of the soil being well beaten out of it. AVith this we form a groundwork or bed fijr the leaves and flowers, thus giving them a more imposing appearance than when they are laid flat on the cloth. What form the design or style adopted shall take with us usually depends upon the number of candlesticks and the number of dessert di.shes, as well as their form ; but in most instances one or more central plants are employed, these being sometimes placed in silver cups, but more often not, and disposed midway between the candlesticks. Eor this purpose the preference is given to elegant plants in 5-inch pots of Pandanus Veitchi, probably the best! [Jan. 2, 1886. talile plant that can be mentioned ; Dracivnas, such as Frederica, Bausei, vivicans, ignea, ternii- nalis, Cooperi, auraTitia(\i, and Princess Margaret; small Palms, including (Jeonoma gracilis and in- termedia ; Cocos Weddelliana and Ari'ca Verschaf- felti and the Kentias ; (jroton angustifoliuni, in- terruptum, aureuni, Johannis, Weismanni, pictu- ratum, and nobile, and Aralia Veitchi and gracillima. AVe have occasionally used Ferns, as well as Begonias, doulde Primula.s, and other flowering plants; but, as a rule, they are too formal and heavy to be pleasing, and when we have plenty of suitable fine-foliaged plants, they now invariably receive the preference. Pairs are much preferred to odd plants, unless it lie for the centre, and if any are in pots larger than the 5-inch size, these liave to be turned out, or they stand to(j high for our purpose. Before they are placed on the table, either a circular piece of lirown paper about 12 inches in diameter, or a flat, .shallow zinc circular trougli is placed on the cloth, in order to keep this clean. Tlie next proceeding is to mound over the liall of soil and roots with Moss, this, if not quite green, being faced over with sprays of Cupressus, a thin surfacing of flowers and a wide elegant fringe of Cupressus sprays completing the bank. If green- foliaged plants are used, the flowers best suited to these are doulde and single Primulas, Christmas Roses, Azaleas, Pelargoniums, Chrysanthemums, and other white flowers, with a ring of coloured flowers to divide them from the cloth. "V'ellow flowers, including ChrysanthemumsandJasminum nuditlorum, are most effective in contrast with briglitly-coloured Draca;nas ; while with the Crotons, pink, crimson, and scarlet double and single zonal Pelargoniums, Julie Lagra\-ere, Henri Jacotot, Salteri, and otiier richly-coloured Chrysanthemum.s, Poinsettias, red Primulas, and a great variety of hybrid and other Rhodo- dendrons may be eft'ectively employed. As these lianks of flowers present in most cases a rather too neat appearance, this may easily be obviated by having a few fronds of Maiden-hair Fern lightly draped over them. No joints being carved on the table allows plenty of room for decoration other than on the middle, and we always endeavour to have a good numljer of dessert dishes on the table, which serve to brighten it up and harmonise well with the design. Sometimes tiny plants, either of Coleus, Croton, Gesnera, Dracaena — and, failing these, tops of such plants cut and placed in small "fish- globes " filled with water — are .set lietween each dish, the pots in this case also being mounded nyer with JIoss, greenery, and flowers, these and the central plants being found ample decoration for the night — and rarely failing to please ; in fact, it is surprising how fresh the cut llowers are sometimes found in the morning, ami they not nnfrequently remain on the table till alter luncheon lime, when they are ])laced in water, and are available for another night or more in the week. Something fresh has frequently to be at- tempted every night, but, by giving a turn to the kaleidoscope, as it were, quite a novel eft'ect may be created with nearly the same materials. For instance, the pilants may be placed in silver cups or china vases, but preferably the forme]-, only the surface of the soil and the part exposed to view being covered with green Moss or Selaginella. Round the base of each cup, as well as the candle- sticks, a ring of Moss can be placed, next a facing of Cupressus, if necessary, and on this is disposed a numljer of either Cideus or Iresine tops, richly coloured leaves of JIabonia or Berberis, sprays of variegated Holly, Euonymus, Cineraria mari- tima, Panicum variegatum, and any other sliowy foliage. This alone wouhl not be bright euouL'b. facing of showy flower.s, thougli not in mixture; and for this jjurpose the small trus.ses of bloom freely produced by the beilding zonal Pelargo- niums are very eifective, as also are small (-'hrysantbemum blooms, sprays of Cinerarias, Primulas, .Snowdrops, .lasminum iiudilloruni, .'ind other flowers of which there niav. be an abund- ance. Sprays of berried ]jlants, iiichiding Holly, may also be used, especially at this time of yea'r. On one occasion we liad 'a plentiful supjily of Iresine Herbsti and Mesembryanthemum ou'di- folium variegatum tops, and these neatly inter- mingled had a most pleasing eft'ect. So also have the richly coloured Mahonia leaves, with a .spray of Jasminum nudillorum laid in each. If it is necessary to mix the flow^ers, not more than two colours should be used, either pink and yellow, red and wliite, or red and yellow, the latter, usually appearing nearly white by candlelight, l)eing allowable. A fringe of Fern fronds, such as Gymnogrammas, Adiantums, or Cupressus, ]ioints outwards, say about 5 inches wide, should surround these circles, or they will present a somewhat formal a]ipearance. Then, supposing there are ten dishes of 'arden, and at the present rate of things we may expect before long that the country will derive its supplv from the metropolis, just as the sea- si.k^ towns do their fish. The wor.st of it is that ,,ne"s cockney cousins do not altogether reahse the changed" state of things, and seem to look ui.on one's store as being nearly as interminable as that of the ba.sket of a " flower brigade girl. Tlie L.mdoner who writes to his friends abroad to send liini the blooms of the sunny south does not seem to know that he can get exactly the same iu-t outside his street-door, and, in fact, he pays all ait 30 per cent, less for them than his iriends would have to do in the Riviera. Tlie decora- tions for churches at Christmas time have not vet taken an economical turn, and a good deal ot Ixiiense is often incurred in order to procuie them Whether the money thus spent would not be better applied in furthering the true work ot the church must seem to some people a <|uestioii which may justly be raised. The Mulberry (p. 640).- 1 suppose the reason that people seem to think so little of this Iruitis that they so .stddom get the chance of eating it m l-eifection; but many a one who came across Mulberries on a hot, thirsty day, such as there u-dly was more than once last summer, must liave been glad of the opportunity of showing that he did not altogether despise them. A " mash" of really ripe fruit with sugar and cream is about as good and refreshing as an unripe Alulberrv is nastv and disappointing. The happv posse.'^sofs of well -bearing trees are often envied their treasures; but the enviers often seeiu to Inr-et that tbev can plant trees for themselves, winch, wiih or,iinary good luck, will give some return before the w.uld gets into the next century. V\'e will hope the days are past when the •■•ardeiur could be cap.able, as he once was, ot cuttTn" dnwn a IMulberiy tree because it over- shadowed the Cabbages, or of digging up its little Crass carpet in order to make room icir Lrusseis Sprouts ! Or.vnge.s (p. 647).— Atone time the "orangery was part and parcel of all the largest gardens, and though it mav still exist in some places, m others It has gone "through a sort of diss(dving view Hrrangenient, and has turned into something else Could we get a race of hardv Oranges in England we should not regret the change, and the favour with which such a stock would be sure to be received ought to do something for Citrus trifo- liata. A small Orange, well deserving cultivation, is inyrtitblia, but why the varieties usually "rowii should not be edible ones is one of those curicnis phenomena for which no one seems accountable. AVhen an Orange tree gets to a certuin size it has the amiable peculiarity oi never seeming to get any bigger; but it does IMPORTED FRUITS. Around the Monument there is centred what is termed the " green" fruit trade. In INlonument Buildings a joint sale room, unexampled, says the Tekfiravh, for its conveniences, has been erected, and here every morning auctions are held, the several fruit brokers having the right to occupvthe rostrum for two hours each m turn. The buver.s are many an.l various. Pudding Lane concerns itself with imported fresh fruits, as dis- tinct from dried, which, in the mam, consist ot Oranges, Lemons, Spanish and Portuguese Grapes, American Apples, Pines, and all kinds of Nuts. Oranges are classified as " sweet,' to which the ohl term "China" is still applied and " sour, which is the technical word for bitter, bweet Oranges are for talile, and sour are used m the manufacture of marmalade. Last .season there were brought to Loudon 80o,000 cases of eating Oranges, and in the year before the number was even larger. To this t«tal bt. Michael, in the Azores, contributed ^0,000; Spain, 626,000 ; Portugal, 58,000 ; and Sici y and other parts, 41,000. Portugal and bicily were much below their average. The Orange which is approved above all others is uii- doubte.Uv the St. INIichael, but the island on which it'isproduced appears to be doomed to tlie same ruin which has destr.iyed Orange cultiva- tion in St. Mary's ami other islands of the same cvroup. Spain, on the other han.l, is developing die industry. Other Oranges besides St. Michael's now in the market are Lisbon and Seville, Malaga, and Denia, the last mentioned comprising a 'large district. The largest inipor- tati.'ns are, however, from Valencia and these are of very fine quality. The Sicily Oranges come from Palermo and Messina. Last year a new trade was opened up, which promises to le a very large one, in Jafla Oranges Iroiii the ,listric4 of Jerusalem. These are tran.shipped either at ISIarseiUes or Port Said, very fow coming direct. They are pale in colour, egg-sl|^ped, lar-e, sweet, and of excellent flavour. Boxes of Oranges range in weight from three-tiuarters cwt to'licwt.', and their sizes difter according to the country from which they are d_eriveil. An ordinary Valencia case will contain ,14 Oianges, whereas the flat box from Jal a has but 68. From Malta are obtained blood Oranges egg Oranges, and Mandarins, which are m Spam called Tmigierines, for there is no real diflerence between these small scented fruits. ^ one comes from Tangiers. Some few reach us from Florida and the West Indies, but the fruit grown on the Northern African coast is so very delicate, tliat it never arrives in the London market in good condition. Large quantities of Lemons ai-e also nsed in this country, particularly m the manu- facture of candied peek Grapes, packed in ground cork, and of the kind retailed in the streets at 6d. per pound, are known as Almerias, taking their name n-m he port of consignment. In twenty years^he trade has f-i-own from 20,000 barrels to 160,000, in addition to immense supplies from Denia and M^'^ij!^ j'"'^ from Lisbon. An attempt to pace Australian Grapes on the market in fair condition has so lai 1 ,eeii unsuccessf uL Melons in great numbers are imported. The best-usua ly t''.l'e had September- are from San Lucar, m the Cadiz district, and are of a rich golden olive, Imt the varieties in season just now are the green or white, .shipped from Denia and Valencia. Pine.», excellent and cheap, grown under glass at St. Michael, have been freely imported, to the almost entire displacement of English Pines. Quite two-thirds of the American Ajqile trade is done in Pudding Lane, and the varieties are many, a hi'dily-recommended kind being the Spitzbergen, a I'ed-oooking Apple. To well-known sorts are given singular and unrecognisable names, such as " Seeks"— a contraction of "Seek-no-Further "— and "Northern Spy," the hitter a_ co(jkmg_ Apple, red in colour and somewhat striped.^ Ot Nuts the consumption is enormous. No fewer than ten millions of Cocoa-nuts are disposed of in one year. Spanish Nuts which come to hand at this 'season are conveyed loose in the holds of small vessels from the north-west coast of Spain, the cargoes ranging from 1800 to 6000 bushels. ChestniTts in bags from the north of France and Bordeaux district. AValnuts from France, and Barcelonas shipped from Tarragona, go to make up the Nut trade ; and the imports from Brazil, a trade almost wholly done in Liverp 1, must be added to the general consumption ; also the Black Sea Nuts from Trebizonde, transhipped at Marseilles. , ,. t i Altogether distinct from Pudding Lane, and dealing" principally with the " softer " fruits, is Covent Garden Market. In summer business commences at about four a.m., and the wholesale tralaiit houses and a capital kitchen garden, one of the old-fashioned type with a great extent of high walls all covered with fruit trees. Mr. Jeft'eries, the gardener, recognises the importance of a reserve border for affording cut flowers, and in addition to these there is a good extent devoted to the best hardy perennials. W. G. Fruit Garden. PEACH TREES ON OPEN WALLS. A WRITER upon Peach walls recently deprecated the building of very high walls on the ground that ere trees planted at the base could reach the top their bottoms were becoming thin and decay- ing. This writer seems to have overlooked the fact that standard and half-standard trees, commonly called " riders," are grown specially to meet such contingencies, and that liy employing these alter- nately with dwarf trees a wall 14 feet in height may be covered as quickly as one 8 feet in height planted witli base trees only. But is it not ratlier unusual to find walls so high as that which has been mentioned? As a rule 10 feet is the accepted height — sometimes a foot less sometimes a foot higher, but in no case can it be said that 10 feet presents an undue height where walls are erected to afl'ord shelter, security, and desirable aspects for fruit tree culture. With a wall 10 feet in height I have seen half-standard trees used with the best results. At the Duchess of Buc- cleuch's place, Ditton Park, Slough, Mi'. Lindsay can show a Peach wall covered witii trees, and invariably in the proper season with fruit, such as cannot be excelled elsewhere in the kingdom. It is by no means a common occur- rence to see 75 yards' run of 10-foot wall covered with fine robust trees so admirably and, more- over, so literally, that hardly room can be found to place the hand upon the wall in any part without touching growth. In a year or two some Pears on the other part of the wall will be grubbed out and replanted with Peach, Necta- rine, and Apricot trees ; a 100 yards' length of wall will tlien be filled from end to end, and a better demoDstration of the possibility of growing tender stone fruits on out-door walls in this country will hardly be found elsewhere. Mr. Lindsay favours the emjjhjyment of half-standard trees in jilanting a wall of this heigiit because he is thereby enaliled to distribute the growth over a wider area. Thus the bottom branches can be turned downwards and induced thereby to fill the void below whilst the vertical branches are doing good work above. The diversion of much of the saji in the tree from lateral or vertical growths serves to check coarse, soft growth, i'erha.ps something is due, too, at Ditton to culti- vation, for great care is taken in planting to give ample drainage, although the soil is far from being natui'ally moist. The border in front of the trees is cropped as usual with the exception of some 4 feet in width next the wall, which space is in summer protected by a mulching of long manure. These trees range from five to twenty years old and are all in the fullest health. I have seen them in the autumn tor several j-ears and have always found on them heavy crojis of fine fruit. In spring but little protection is given to the bloom. A. D. Jax. 2, 1886.1 THE GARDEN. HARDY FRUITS. The Ai'RicoT. — Anioiii,'st hanly fruits 1liis, in many jiarilcus, i^; decidedly the most ditiicult to sucii-sslully cultivate, and as a cunfequence its cidture lias been discontinued liy many who Mi>uM haveheen j^lad to j,'ro\v it, if only with par- tial success. As a dessert fi-uit many prefer the Apricot to any other kind of .stone fruit, while Apricot jireserves rank among the best made. Apricots seldom succeed under the same conili- tions a.-- Plums, Pears, and even Peaches. This in many instances is simi)ly owing to their being jilanted in too strong soil, or in heavy soil insui- ticientlv drained. In my case I have to deal with a strung clayey loam, re.sting on an almost solid clay sulisoil, and without e.xtia ]iains in preparing sites for Apricot trees they would not thrive, or at any rate would not be profitable. As it is, thanks to the skill of my predecessor, we have drained, but in spite of this it has been found necessary to remove 6 inches of the clayey .subsoil of the border intended for Apricots and Peaches, anil replace it with a good layer of rough stones. The border formed on the top of this consists of ei(ual piirtions of garden soil and fresh I turfy loam, tlie depth at the back is aliout 2 feet, ! and there is a fall of (i inches to the front. This I brings it well above the ordinary level and insures a comparatively ilry and warm root-run. About twenty years ago this was done and the trees have done well ever since. Whenever a tree has to be re]ilac.ed, and this we have had to do owing to failures with trees of Moorpark, a liberal addition of turly loam and a little short manure is added to the border in order to give the fresh trees a gocjd start. These raised borders, again, are apt to become rather too dry, especially where glas-i copings are tixed over a portion of merely liave resulted in several strong breaks on the U]iper portion.s, while much of the remainder wonld have been blind, pei haps, for the rest of the tree's life. On the other hand, by leaving the shoots full length, short fruiting spurs naturally I'orm at m.iny of the joints, and by summer ]iinih- ing any of the others not nvjuireil for fuinishing the tree, this may also lead to the formation of more, fruiting s]jurs. This treatment of young shoots, if jiersisted in till snch time as the wall space is occupied, tends to materially check undue grossness, but when the points of fairly long shouts are weakly, the leading break is also sure to be weakly; and in preference to winter pruning, in ordei' to secure a stronger Iireak, I prefer t(j disbud the ujiper jiortion.s, thereby .securing a stronger back growth, which can be laid in as a leader. Very weakly .shoots, or those under the size of a slate pencil, are best cut back freelj-, and ^onle of llie finest trees in the country, aiK they randy tail to pirodnce good crops Several fine old tiees occupy a wall-spaci of 24 feet by 12 feet, and others that I ]ilanted in the spring of 18S1 are 12 high and l.''i feet wiile. By far the best cro_ are obtained from trees planted again>t a wall facing south-south-east, while another wall with a .south-west aspect, and wholly occupied with Apricot trees, is far from lieing so remunerative as it ought to be. Ni>r is the fruit of the best (|nalily from this wall, and it is all preserved. I have two good e.xplanatious to ofl'er for this ]ia)tial failure, and in all prnbability the .sune reasons may be given for innumerable failures in various jiarts of tlie country. The .south-west wall is situated in a low- lying jiortion of the garden, where the trees get more moisture at the roots than is good fur them, and on account of the site natur.dly hindering them from getting so much sunshine as they require the wood does not ripen properly, ami rarely flowers satisfactorily. All the trees, old and young alike in this position, grow strongly — too strongly, in fact ; but although we checkeing, as heretofore. Tre.\t.m1';nt of young tree.s. — I have never tried what eould be done with what are called maidens, having always dealt with trained trees, and these invarialily grow quite as strong, as is desiralile. All the sound well-ripened, shoots on the.se are laid in full length, and this is the first .ste]i towards checking grossness as well as inducing early bearing; trees thus treated emleavour to form growths at nearly evei'V jouit throughout the whole length of the unpruned shoots. To take out the points of the shoots when first planted, as my wall man always insisted was the proper thing to do, would this will generally be followed by one of stronger growth. Any very gross shoots are best removed directly they are observed; but if they cannnt be spared, they may be materially checked by an early removal of many of the leaves. The prin- cipal main bi'anches Ijeing already formed before the trees have left the nursery, and these being trained in the direction originally given them, it becomes a simple matter to lay in other permanent branches according as the continuing .sjiicad gives more intervening space requiring to be furni,shed. Young wood laid in in the same manner' as Peach wood ^^■ill fi'equently fruit the following season, this being especially the case with well-ripened growth of the Moorpark variety; but, as a rule, it is advisable to fruit them on the short-spur system, or in the same manner as Plum.s, young shoots onl}- being laid in to replace any that have been prenuiturel}' lost by gumming or to 8 THE GARDEN. [Jan- 2, 1886. furnish blank spacos. As a rule, young shoots are constantly luMnf; thrown U]) frc.ini the base of liealthy trees, ami a few of these that are well jilaced should bo laid in oceasiimally, in order to keep the tree well furnished with healthy t^rowth in preference to much that is nearly or quite useless. Too often loni,', Uf,'ly spurs are encouraged on Apricot trees, and these never ]iroduce flue fruit. At the summer pinchin<;, which should be done early with the fin[;er and thumb, it is necessary to leave rather long spurs, say about 3 inches in length, in order to prevent strong wood growths instead of fruiting spurs forming at the base; but at the winter pruning all these should be sliortened to within four joints of their starting point. This being done annually, no long, ngly spurs will form, and better crops of fruit ought to result. Nor shouhl the spurs be crowded, and this is best obviated by the com- plete removal of many of the badly placed or crowded lateral growths early in the summer. Standard Apricots. — Several writers, in- cluding Mr. Mcintosh, recommend two or three varieties as being suitable for forming standards, but I have not met with anyone who has seen a standard Apricot tree tliat was ever known to perfect a good crop of fruit. 1 have had the management of large standards, all fine healtliy trees, in Kent, Susse.v, and Essex, but they were altogether unprotitalile. What fruits they ever lU'oduced were not fit for eating, and made pre- serve much inferior to that made irom almost any sort of Plum. There may be districts in wliich standard Apricot trees are successfully grown, notably in the Isle of Wight, but I think 1 may safely advise the niajoiity of the readers of Thk" Garden not to attempt this method of culture, unless it be in a large span-roofed orchard house. PROTECTINa THE TREES WHEN IN BLOOM is an important matter as regards the successful culture of Apricots, a.s, owing to their habit of blooming early, the very delicate blossoms are much injured, if n(jl totally destroyed, by even a moderately severe spring frost. There are various methods of aft'ording protection, such as wide stone wall copings, wide board copings, ant their practice to the exigencies of the case, and there is no better way of doing so than to get the trees into bearing in a short period of time on the lines which I suggested in the article referred to. If ''E. B. L." can suggest a better, by all means let him do no. Jf he cannot do that, perhaps he will tell us how to make our Peach trees live for fifty years and remain healthy and fruitful at the same time. — ?. Garden Flora. PLATE 525. FKEMONTIA CALIFORXICA.* This beautiful Californian shrub was first intro- duced to this country more than thirty years ago. A single plant was raised in the gardens of the Horticultural Society from seed .sent by ilr. Roliert Wrench ; this llowered for the first time in April, 1854. For several years this specimen remained unique, as all attempts to propagate it failed. According to the litciie Horticole, it was sold to Mr. Henderson for £40. Afterwards seeds were sent to Messrs. Veitch by their collector, Mr. William Lobb, to whom English gardeners owe a debt of gratitude for introducing a host of beautiful garden plants. Fremipiitia lielongs to the Natural Order Sterculiaceie, a family which contributes a large number of highly ornamental genera and species for indoor decoration, but perhaps none — except the subject of these notes — which can fairly be called liardy. Fremiiutia californica, the only species, is a native of dry hills from Pit River to San Diego, and is most abundant in the foothills of the Southern Sierra Nevada. It is a branching deciiluous shrub from 10 feet to 20 feet in height, with a trunk sometimes as much as a foot in diameter at the base. The wood is hard and the bark wth in spring until the fl(^wers fade. Wliich plan is best I do not know ; I just refer to it here to show that both systems are practised by different growers with about apparently the same results. Not in many places are Calanthes better gro\\Ti than at Bel- mont, Taunton. I have seen them there retaining their leaves until the first flowers were open, and that they could not do under'the drj-ing-off process. There appears to be about as much diversity regarding rest- ing Calanthes as in watering them. One culti\ator will rest them in a shed just secure from frost, while others bake them in a stove .temperature. Surely Calanthes are a patient and long-suffering class of plants. Is there no one conversant with the condi- tions under which they grow naturally who can ex- plain how they can withstand such diverse treatment, and yet give no cause for complaint ? — J. C. C. liSelia anceps Hilliana. — Herewith I send you a bloom of the true Ltelia anceps Hilliana which, in the face of L. anceps Dawsoni having bloomed from the 1S85 importations of the white anceps, may, perhaps, make me ask, " Why has Dawsoni not blcpomed before then if this is now coming out at the same time?" But this plant came out of the 1S81 imports. With its pure white sepals and petals and faint rose-tinted lobes to the lip, and deep yellow keels, and faint purple nerves on the throat, I think it a most chaste variety. I hope that now the new imports of the white anceps have commenced to bloom, that all who possess flowers will send them to you to be noted, so that those who are away from the centres of attraction can see what they may expect, and if the various growers will state the conditions of "rowth, they will confer a favour on some whom I have heard say they found these new anceps to require a different treatment' from what they were giving the old forms. Our experience at Rosefield has been this, that the dozen or so plants of it which we were sure of blooming now have not done so, and I have heaps of plants not blooming that were expected to do so. (Has Mr. Douglas got any spikes?) We always grow L. anceps in the Cattleya house exactly over the spot where the pipes enter the house ; better and finer growth no one can want (we have had five flowers on a two-years established plant with bulbs double the size of its imported ones), but the new white anceps, though it has done well there, has not done as the old dark ones do. We intend trying them ia other places for next season. Mr. Measures once published some remarks in reference to these plants ; would he kindly do so again, and also any one else ? — De B. C'kawshat. NOTES ON EPIDENDRUMS. Ay inspection of some of the different collectinth or two. In the ca.se of plants of doulitful hardiness, I have always had least trouble with the naturally grown seedlings. It seems reason- able that the difference there must l)e in the earlier tissue formations in stoved and open-air seedlings is likely in some, perhaps many, plants to alter the tone of their constitution for iife ; if it is so, the fact is an important one. It may seem a crotchetty view, but it is entirely suggested by practice and observation. Pinks, and especi;illy the alpine sorts, are apt to dwindleawayin winterinsome gardens. Tliatthey like lime is generally understood, but because we can have many of them in capital form with- out lime we somewdiat overlook what it would be better should always be done, and tliat is, give a little lime to all. I find that the natural limestone broken small 'and applied as a top dressing in the autumn is a great lielp, the best proof being that the foliage soon assumes a better and brighter colour. Nothing in the Pink family gives more trouble here than D. neglectus ; but the lime given to a batch a montli ago has certainly improved their appear- ance, though, in the ordinary course of things, they might have lieen worse from the advanced season. These desirable alpines seem to require more " bone," and perhaps a more liberal use of limestone "nuts" mixed with the soil might serve to supply it, coupled with good drainage and plenty of sunshine. Ranunculus speciosus or tuberosus in the double form is, perhaps, one of the first yellow flowers we have in early summer or, for that matter, all summer long, as it is a continuous bloomer; it closely resembles the double Marsh Marigold in the flower, but it is larger and ninre evenly developed in the way of the French Ranunculu.ses. How such a desirable variety and vigorous grower could have become lost to some districts, as this evidently had, is puzzling. It certainly ought to be in all flower gardens, fur it has none of the creeping or bounding haliit peculiar to the varieties of acris or repens, tliougli belonging to the same section. It is vastly improved by generous culture ; this con- sists merely in timely root-divisions and imme- diate replanting of the woody tubers ; these are of rapid increase, and in three years or so they become wedged together and deteriorate ; the tough roots serve also to liold tliem compacted. The present is a good time to operate on clump i ; the thumli-shaped tubers may be set singly wi*li all the roofs intact, and they will flower mu, Uick's Hardy White, large and crisp, and stands long, good in winter; (J, Kingsliolm, very large, crisp, and delicate in flavour, a good summer Lettuce ; • 7, Northern King, does not fohl in well, useless; 8, Reading ilammoth, the largest of all, and one which takes a long time to grow, excellent both Jan. 2, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 13 for exhibition and general use, a grand summer Lettuce. Onions. — 1, Bedfordshire Champion, not over large, very sound, keeps well, always grown fur winter aiid spring use ; 2, Blood Red, medium sized, strong in flavour and keeps well ; 3, Giant Zittau, very handsome, large, straw coloured, dries not keep well, l:>ut good for exhibition in summer and autumn ; 4, Rousham Park Hero, very like the preceding, fine in form and ([uick in growth, tender and mild; 5, James' Keeping, iuedium sized, firm, and hardy, the best for long keeping, a very useful Onion ; G, Reading, good in shape, large, and excellent for autumn use; 7, Silver Skinned, only good for pickling; 8, Trebons, a grand showy Onion, conical, very large, ami keeps well, one of the best ; 9, Oporto, much like Trebons, but better in colour, a fine Onion, but scarce ; 10, Excelsior, almost too much like Trebons to be distinct ; 11, The Queen, white, very quick in growth, the best for a first crop, mild ; 12, White Spanish, quick in growth, large and useful in autumn; 1.3, Strasburg Yellow, hardy and useful; 14, Giant Rocca, good for autunm sowiuc,', and useful in Jlay, June, and July — its only fault is that it grows'so flat as to be liable to sidi't ; 15, White Naples, mild, quick in growth ; l(i, Tripoli Globe, good in shape and very useful; 17, Elephant, very large, but deficient in fiuality, and apt to split prematurely ; 18, Leviathan, ui the Elephant type ; 19, Improved Banbury, one of the best for main crops, a fast grower, large and handsome ; 20, Sandav's Prize, well selected, true and handsome; 21, AValker's Exhibition, too much like the Rowsham ; 22, Tennis Ball, small, but a size often in request, hardy and a good keeper; 23, Gohlen Queen, a little model, about ■2 inches across, fine in shape, and hardy, keeps well, the best anKingst miniature .Onions ; i^4, Xasoliy Mammoth, a well selected form of the white Spanish type, quick in growth, handsome and mild. PARSNirs.— 1, The Student, medium sized- excellent in cpialitv, and the best for main crops ; 2, Hidlow Crown,'large, deep rooting, and there- fore must have a deep soil, gocxl ; 3, Maltese, large, excellent in quality, fine in form, and good for' exhibition; 4, Elcomb's Improved, not dis- tinct from last named; .5, Turnip-rooted, shape(l ke a Turnip, the best for shallow soils, and good I flavour; (i. Improved Jersey, another name for the holl<3W crowned variety. Margam. J. MuiR. JENSEN'S POTATO CULTURE. The f.dlowing summary of results of experiments made at Chiswick in 1884 and 1885, for the purjiose of testing the etticacy of the system ol "earthing-up" advocated by Mr. Jensen, was read by i)r. Masters, on behalf of the sub-com- mittee' appointed to carry out the experiments, at the last meeting of the scientific committee of the Royal Horticultural Society on the 8th December : — The experiments made at Chiswick for the ]mrpose of testing the value of the Jensenian plan of moulding Potatoes as a preventive of the Pcjtato disease were carried out in the present year in essentially the same manner as in the preceding year. A few slight modifications were adopted to facilitate the making of the record, and the tubers were placei-l at rather wider distances, the rows being now 4 feet apart, but these changes did not in any way interfere with the fair comparison of the results of the two vears, the numljer of plants in each row being the same. The chief difi'erence in 1885 consisted ill the Icjnger time the Potatoes were left in the ground. Thus in 1885 the longest duration of moulding was 118 days on section i. of each row, as ccuitrasted with 83 days in 1884. The shortest moulding period in 1885 on section v. was (;2 days as compared with 27 days in 1884. The Potatoes were examined on Jlarch 31 by the committee previous to planting, and all diseased and "suspicious" tubers eliminated. During growth they were inspected at stated intervals, and their condition noted. The season was for the most part wai'm and unusually dry, and no appearance of disease was noticed at any time on the haulms. On the 10th of October, the weather for some days previiiusly having been wet, the tubers were lifted and carefully examined by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, Dr. Master.s, and Mr. Barron. Two unmistakeably diseased tuliers were noted during the uplifting on row 3 (Adirondack), and three on row 2 (Recorder). Others that appeared suspicious were sent to Mr. George Murray, who, after adopting appropriate methods of cultivating the fungus, reports that only one was really diseased. It should be re- marked that the peculiar red spots in the sub- stance of some of the tubers noted the previous year were not observed at all, though carefully looked for. As the immediate oliject of the experiments has again failed in its i'ulfilment, owing to the slight development of the fungus, a detailed report seems unnecessary, though the documents are at hand for preparing it if thought desirable. A few gener^'l remarks, based on the results of the two years taken together, may be of interest. 1. The amount ot produce under the varied conditions of the experiment. 2. The effects of long or short periods of earth- ing-up, and of not earthing-up at all. 3. The consequences of bonding the haulms in the manner recommended l.iy Mr. Jensen. 4. The results obtained from planting whole tubers and cut sets. 1. The aggregate produce from all the rows of Recorder in 1884 was 257 lb. ; in 1885, 254 lb. 8 oz. ; showing a decrease of 2 lb. 8 oz. in 1885, and a total amount for the two years of 512 lb. 8 oz. The corresponding figures in the case of Adirondack are 455 lb. 9 oz. in 1884, 434 lb. 12 oz. in 1885, showing a decrease of 201b. 13 oz. in 1885, and a total amount for the two years of 890 lb. 5 oz. Thus the actual pro- duceof all the rows of each variety was so nearly alike in the two years as to be all but practically identical. On the whole, there was a decrease in 1885, in spite of the tubers having been alloweil to remain longer in the ground than in 1884. This decrease may, yierhaps, be accounted fiir by the yirolonged drought, but the close approximation in the amounts of produce in the two years respectively seems to afford an indication of the success of the method employed in carrying out the experiments. 2. Effect op earthing-dp ox the amount OF PRODUCE. — When the results of the two years are combined it conies out clearly (in the case of Recorder), under all conditions of growth, tliat the greatest weight of produce (irrespective of (piality) was obtained from those section.s which were earthed-up for the shortest time. Some of the largest tubers were met with in these sections, but mixed with a large number of smaller tubers, wliile their general quality was uneven and rela- tively bad. The same general remarks do not, however, apply to Adirondack, which shows more variation in tliis respect, and in which the largest, as well as the best and most even, tuliers were frequently found in those sections which had been earthed-up for the longest time. It may be suggested that the results obtained show the probability that the process of earthing-up differs in its effects mate- rially in the ease of different varieties of different habit of growth, texture, ifec. At any rate, it may be u.seful to call attention to this subject with a view to future experiments, the more so as little or nothing is known of the relative effect of earthing-up on dilferent varieties. Potatoes grown without earthing-dp. — In both years four "control rows" were planted, two of each variety, the object being to alford a comparison between the Jensenian sy.stem of moulding and the natural condition of growth, in which no "moulding" at all occurs.* The total produce, for the two years, on row 5 (Recorder, whole), amounted to 100 lb. 4 oz., an amount considerably in excess of the yield from any of the moulded rows of this variety (row 2, 48 lb. 6 oz. ; row 8, 91 lb. 13 oz.). On row 11, where cut tubers were planted, the yield for the corresponding period was 87 lb. — also somewhat in excess of the crops on the corre- sponding two rows subjected to moulding (row 1, 68 lb. 1 oz., and row 7 80 lb.). The tubers on row 5 and row 11 were noted as much mixeil in size, some of those on row 5 being much coarser and larger than on the other rows of the same variety, while many others found lying on the surface were green and small. They had also been the subject of insect attack and injury Ijy slugs and millipedes to a much greater extent than the tubers in the other rows. Of Adirondack left to itself the total produce of the whole tubers (row 6) for the two years was ISO lb.— an amount greatly above the quantity on the corresponding moulded rows (row 4, 129 lb. ; row 10, 150 lb. i4 oz.). In the case of the cut sets (row 12), the total amount (for the two years) was about the same, viz., 182 lb. 14 oz., and also largely in excess of the corresponding moulded rows (row 3, 113 lb. 5 oz. ; and row 9, 128 lb. 6 oz.). The same remarks as to quality apply to the unmoulded rows of Adirondack as to those of Recorder. It is clear, then, that under all circumstances, the actual produce was greater in the unmouhled rows, but that, wdiile some excellent tubers nuiy be grown in this way, the general bulk is much mixed, comprising numerous tubers unfit for cou- sumption, but wliich might possibly have some advantage (so far as the'plant is concerned) iu point of'physical health over those moulded-up. The small "green tubers, for instance (if not afl'ected by disease), might furnish stronger plants than those grown beneath the surface, wdiile their noxious flavour might repel rather than attract predatory insects, &c. 3. The effect of bending the haulms or otherwise. — In each year two rows of each variety were allowed to grow without interference, while in other two rows of each variety the haulms were at regular intervals of time bcut downwards. There was no opportunity att'orded in either year of testing the value of this practice as a preventive of disease, but the average amount of produce in the two years from the erect and the lient tops respectively shows the eftect of the check to growth occasioned by the bending. The average produce of the two years on rows 7 and 8 (Recorder, erect tops) was 81 lb. 6 oz., on rows 1 and 2 (bent tops) 7(5 lb. 2 oz. The corresponding figures in the case of Adirondack are 139 lb. 10 oz. for the unbent * It may hero be noted that no special rows of Recorder or Adirondack were sot apart and moulded in tlie ordin.ary wiy, ijecause, for the immediate object of these experiments .such a course was unnecessary, the experimental row.s being contiguous to a Large area devoted to the cultivation of numerous liinds of Potatoes in the usual w.ay. so that had tlie disease appeared, ample means of testing the eSects ot the ordinary, aa compared to the Jensenian, system would have been afforded. 14 THE OAIIDEN. [Jan. 2, 188f) haulms (rows 0 aiilied 148 lb. 1 oz., = 80 lb. from the erect, and 68 lb. 1 oz. from the bent tops. The whole tubers of Adirondack produced a yield of 279 lb. in the two years, of which 150 lb. 14 oz. were yiehled by the erect, and 129 lb. by the bent haulms. The cut tubers of the same variety yielded during two j'ears a total of 241 II1. 9 oz., viz., 128 II). 6 oz. from erect, and 113 lb. 3 oz. from bent haulms. In general terms it; ma}' be stated, as a resiilt of these experiments, that (1) earthing up pro- dvices a crop of more uniform and of superior quality, though le.ss in actual quantity. (2) That bending the haulms occasions a diminished yield. (3) That a larger aggregate produce is deri\-ed from planting whole tubers than from the employ- ment of cut sets. I find Peas, dwarf Beans, and Runners greatly preferred. Perhaps if tin' method of .serving Proad Beans up, to which I have referred, were more generally ailopted, their culture would be greater. We are very nnich dependent upon cO(jks alter all for the popularity or otherwise of many vegetables. A. D. WORK DONE IN WEEK ENDING DEC. 29. December 23. A slight frost, but not sufficient to hinder our BROAD BEANS. I OBSERVE in the long list of Broad Beans which Mr. Muir includes in his "Notes on Vegetables" he seems to admit, or rather assume, that those long-podded kinds. Leviathan, Aquadulce, and Neville Long Pod, are distinct. Having grown them all two successive seasons, I must say that I find absolutely no difference in them either in height, character of plant, length of pod, or pro- ductiveness. Were it not that the kind produces such long pods, it would never be esteemed pi'o- litic, as, wuen compared with some other kinds, the proportion of pods produced is remarkaljly few. Thus, I found a good stock of Johnson's Wonderful to produce more than double the number of pods, and being shorter were far more saleable ; in fact, those long pods which the Spanish forms produce are more fancied for exhibition than they merit, whilst they are far less marketable than are shorter ones. Probably many gardeners who grow Broad Beans for house . consumption find the latter preferred in the kitchen, lu some good families the AVindsor Broad Bean is preferred to any other, and gathered only when the ej'es of tlie Beans are black. The Beans when shelled and cooked are peeled, or rather] have the husks of the Beans removed before being served up. When so di.shed these Broad Beans are very good, and if thus oftener treated would no doubt be oftener con- sumed on private tallies, where at present there is some prejudice against these Beans because their husks are so objectionable, and stain so freely. I very much doubt whether gardeners who put up these Giant Long Pods in their exhi- bition collections of vegetables grow any consider- able quantity of them for domestic consumption work of walk-renovation, such as cutting of verges and turning of gravel in discoloured places ; also continued shrul) planting. We hare so much of this work on h.and, that we cannot .afford to be over-nice about the character of the weather in which to do it, so long as it is not actually freezing ; we shall continue at the work and cover the roots thickly with long litter or Bracken soon as the plants are in. Nailing Plums and Cherries, and soon as that work is done the walls as well as trees will have a thorough drenching with soap-suds, this insect- destroying agency being made the more destructive by dissolving a couple of pounds weight of Gishur.^t compound in every thirty gallons of soap-suds. Peach trees have been unnailed from the walls, and the branches bunched together that the walls may be cleaned and reprinted. Looked over Pines ; in respect of water- ino^,''none of them require much now, as all are best kept on the dry side till the days, or rather daylight, is longer. The maximum temperature now ought not to -xceed 66°. In very cold weather, when hard firing is a necessity, we sprinkle the leaves of the plunging beds, and close to the pipes where the leaves get driest we give them a real watering once a week. Such a procedure is also requisite with Gardenias that are growing, as ours are, in a plunging bed of leaves, and these we syringe ov^rhead once a day except in sharp frosty weather. The plants are full of bud, and we are able to cut a few flowers on most days. We renew a few of our plants by pro- pagation every year, as joung plants always flower the best and none are ever kept longer than three years. December 24. Another slight frost, but otherwise fine for outdoor work, and the same jobs as yesterday were eontinvied to-day to the extent that the extra work of church decoration allotted to us would admit of. A'ery fortunately we are so situate in respect of materials — Everr'reens, Holly, and Moss — that work of this kind has no terrors. The window-ledges we have wreathed with Holly, and tlje sloping part of sills have a groundwork of Moss, on which simple designs are worked out in flowers, Christmas Koses, red and white Camellias, and the sulphur-coloured Chrysan- themum, Meg Merrilies, being the flowers used. Plan's, Palms principally, are used at the east end, small plants for the windows, and larger for the floor and steps leadins; from nave to chancel, and the pillars are wreathed with very thin wreaths of Holly Ivy, and Yew. As a rule, such decoration is over- done, every nook, ledge, chandelier or gas standard bein*' covered, as if hulkniess meant effectiveness, whilst in reality it is the very opposite. In this, as in most other decorative arts, simplicity is the truest form of beauty. Preparing for a commencement of propagation by cleaning out the propagating pit, washing glass and woodwork, and lime-washing walls; the tiles over the hot-water tank have also been renewed and the drainage put in good order. Potted off Tomatoes and placed on shelves close to glass in Pine stove. Melons we sow in pots, singly, and the first batch have had small bits of turf placed against the stems to keep them upright, and in which — the turf being kept moist — roots will soon form. Sowed Cucumbers, Telegraph, Chervil, Mustard and Cress, and Radishes between the rows of Potatoes in frames. December 26. With the exception of a little fog, this has been a grand day for open-air work. Planting Rhododen- drons, trenching for shrub planting, grubbing up Hazel stems, and walk renovation still constitute the bulk of our Labours, and is likely to do for some time to come. We shall, however, occasionally steal away to the garden i)roper — as we did to-day — to sow Peas on a 8r)uth border and a row of Broad Beans next a new pl.antation of Raspberries, the ground for which was extra well done, together with the con- tiguous plot, which is intended for the earliest spring planting of Cauliflowers and Cabbage. We have several fine clumps of Chri-tmas Roses full of flower in the open borders, and have put handlights over them to keep them from injury by frost ; a few hybrid Primroses we served the same, and if we had lights to spare Violets would be done the same, as every little bit of flower from the open air is so much taved to the houses, and this will bs scanty enough now that the Chrysanthemum sea"on is nearly over. Turned over leaf bed on floor in early vinery, and put on it a few more Spirseas and Deutzias to start them into growth. Other plant-i that were thus started have been moved into the early Peach house for flowering, and so have Marguerites and Abutilons that were lifted from the flower garden, potted, and placed in str(jng heat, and which are now flowering well, and are most useful as cut flowers. That fine new white Pink, Mrs. Sinkins, forces as well as does the old common white ; but as we have not stock enough of the former, plants of both varieties have to-day been put in a heated pit for forcing. Marie Louise Violet and Mrs. Sinkins Pink being two of the mo^t highly prized flowers we grow, we therefore strive to get them early and in (|uantity. Thoroughly cle.aned up all the houses, making the most of every bit of flower by placing the flowering plants in tbe most couspii.uous positions. December 28. The present is a winter of sudden change?; to-dny the lowest reading of the thermometer was 43°, and yesterday the higliest was 35°. There has been .an attempt at raining, but not sufficient to interfere « ith the work arranged for the day, which has been nearly the counterpart of Saturday's. Rolled walks and roads with horse-roller ; after frost this is necessary if the ro.ads are required to be kept in firm condition. Nailing and dressing walls and fruit trees with soap- suds and Gishurst, and beg.an to prune Currants ; the red and white kinds we spur quite in, much in the same way as are Apples and Pears. Any ext^a strong young shoots that spring from near the base of the plants are preserved, to take the place of old branches with gn ailed or long spurs, tliese being cut clean aw.ay, and thus the branches of the trees are gr.idually renewed. Black Curr.ants we prune in a different manner; all the new well-ripened growth that there is space for is left, the tops being short- ened ; and it is on shoots of this descrijjtion that the finest fruit is produced, though the largest quantity of fruit is produced by the small spurs of last year. The fruit from spurs of a greater age than two years is so small as to be almost worthless, and, therefore, what I term the long-shoot style of pruning is best for Black Currants. Put in a few more cuttings of Chrysanthemums; we strike thtm under handlights in a cool house. Of course they aie longer in rooting th.an if they were in warmth, but by this manner of striking a sturdy growth of plant is assured from the commencement, a condition that is worth waiting for. Cleaned glass and washed wood- work of late Muscat vinery, and began to free the Vines of loose bark and paint them with insect pre- ventive solution. The Grapes which were cut ami put in Grape room some time ago keep far better than they did on the Vines, and, indeed, better than we ever kept Muscats in Grape room before, and I know of no reason why they should keep better unless it be th.at they were dead ripe and had begmi to shrivel. The berries are more plump since they have been in the bottles. December 29. Another sudden change to sharp frost, which is the best of weather for our trenching, grubbing, and gravel digging operations that we have been at to- day; also wheeling manure and leaf soil to some few Conifers that are to be top-dressed at first oppor- tunity. I note such a difference in the vigour of trees that have been thus helped and those that have not, as to cause the regret that time and materials will not admit of all being served .alike, and, what is still more unf.air, the trees that are doing best get best served, an idea th.at it is almost useless to strive Jan. 2, 188G.] THE GARDEN. 15 against, for, however one-sided it may seem, and indeed is, one always feels most disposed to favour trees that have well repaid previous assistance. Picea I'in^apo, Pinus insignis, Picea nobilis, Abies cepha- lonica, A. Uouglasi, A. lasiocarpa, A. grandis, and Cryptomeria viridis are a few of the better kinds of Conifers that deserve all the help in the way of surface dressings of fresh soil that can be afforded. Cleaned late Muscat vinery and watered inside border, covering it with a little straw litter on which to arrange bedding Pelargoniums that are still in store puts and boxes, and that have now to be removed from another vinery that has been closed for forcing. (_)ur first lot of Strawberries — which are on shelves in earliest vinery — are fast coming into flower and syrinii-inf of them is now discontinued. The variety is Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, a sure setter, but to make certain of a good set at this dull time of year we go over the flowers lightly with a camel's- hair pencil each day when the air of the house is driest. Got in soil for earliest lot of Jlelims ; mode- rately stiflf turf, a small percentage of pieces of cliarcoal, and a few handfuls of crushed bones con- stitute our mi.\ture, and which is beaten down rather firmly. H.\nts. HAKDY FRUITS. Once more we are on the threshold of another year, and a few weeks hence the swelling of the Ijuds on many of our early fruit trees will remind us tliat the season for cleansing, dressing, and painting with strong insecticides can no longer be carried on with safety. So far, the season has been favourable for out-door work ; we have not had any snow, and the frost has been barely sufficient to admit of getting the annual dressing of manure wheeled out upon the ijuarters; and yet the sliortest day has passed and we are looking forward to brighter and busier times. Let those who are still behind with their work look well into the matter, and try tlieir very best to do fidl justice to every negl-cted tree during the coming month, by not putting off till to-morrow wliat there is a possibility of getting through to-day. If Plums, Cherries, and Pears have lieen pruned, nailed, and well washed witli a cheap and efficacious insecticide, and good soapsuds are still to be had for fetching from the laundry, no harm will be done by a repe- tition of the dressing. Green and black fly were unusually troublesome last season, and m.any trees were seriously injured by the loss of young wood and foliage. Tlie winter, so far, is favourable to these insects, on old walls especially; a mild early spi ing will Inisband their strength, while the checks which may be expected from late frosts will once more place the trees at their mercy. Soapsuds, which in many places finds its into the drains, is not only a good and safe insecticide, but is also an excellent manure. When used it should be driven with great force against the trees .and w.alls, which it will cleanse and free from the larv;e of insects, while its manurial properties will stimulate the roots on its way downwards through the b irders. ArKicOTS. The earl'est and perhaps the most disappointing trees we have to de.al with will also well repiiy a good washing, provided the engine or syringe can be brouglit to bear upon them before the buds begin to swell. If pruning and nailing is finished, a thorough examination of the borders should at once be made, not merely on the surface, but quite down to the drainage, before the mulching is applied, and if tlie least symptom of dryness is discovered, no time should be lost in apjilying the manure and Laying on the hose until every part of the border is properly moistened. If the borders are rich enough and manure is not needed, the surface soil should be well loosened with a fork and drawn into ridges before the water is ap- plied, and when the lowest roots have been reached it may be levelled down again, made firm, and well top- dressed with old lime rubble. When old Apricot trees have stood undisturbed for a great number of years, and tlie roots have become deeply imbedded in the dry subsoil, mildew often becomes troublesome, many of the flower-buds drop sliortly after they begin to swell, and those left do not set and swell kindly Sulphur, the usual antidote, is applied, and it cheeky the mildew for a time ; but the crop is a pjirtial or complete failure, .and the loss of fruit and foliage is gener.aUy set down to ungenial weather. The trees, already weakened by disease and drought, are in due course attacked by the grub, paralysis of the branches follows, and many fine trees become unsightly and practically useless. Kepeated .applications of w.ater to the roots very often correct or prevent this unsatis- factory condition ; but the jiroper mode of treatment, as I have often pointed out, is root-lifting and relaying in fresh compost. Pk.\ches. As nothing can be gained by allowing the branches and young shoots to remain tied or nailed to the walls, advantage should be taken of favourable weather for having them detached and fied out to supports where the buds will be safe from the forcing influence of the sun dining the mouths of January and February. Although scale and spider may have been kept in check by good management, all cuts imperfectly m.ade at the autumn pruning should now be smoothed off, and every bit of wood carefully washed with soap and w.ater as the trees are liber.ated. Some Peach growers jiaint their trees with insecticides before they are tied in, and I used to adopt this practice ; but by washing the branches and young growths twice over with soap and water scale never m.akes headway, and we avoid the risk of injury to the buds by using the dressing too strong or applying it after they have commenced swelling. Pruning and washing having been finished by the middle of .January, our walls being old and full of nail holes, they are well syringed with soap-suds as a pr-eliniinary to the annual painting with the usual mixture of quicklime, sulphur, and linseed oil. These are mixed together in an old iron furnace or copper, soot and Venetian red being added to tone it down to an old brick-red colour when dry. A 6ne dry day is selected for applying it to the walls with a half worn whitewash brush, care being taken that it is well dabbed into the faulty joints and nail holes, and the trees are left to take care of themselves until the advancing state of the flowers renders it necessary to commence nailing and protecting. As many fortunate i>wners of good sound brick walls may oliject to the use of a wash that will discolour the briclni;MAS. .".442.— The purple Gerardia in America-— Will any kind Aniericjin reader send us some of the seed of the beautiful jjurple Gerardia which charmed us in the Eastern States of America in autumn V We wish to try it in our wild garden, sowing the seeds, as we suppose tlicre is no other chance of establishing it, the plant growing on the roots of other thingti, wc believe. — R. .044."..— Self-supporting- gardens.— I shall be grateful for any bints nr sut^'tjcstions as to how to make my garden pay its own expenses. It consists of about two acres r)f good soil. Wc have four gardeners, ihree large Grape houses, two Peach hovLses, Tomato and Melon houses, and a large conservatory and stove. The great drawback is we are fiir from any station ; everything, therefore, must be packed and sent to London.— Lincuen, A'./f. .0444.— Caesalpinia pulcherrima.— This has bright orange-red, four-petilled, Clarkia-like flowers, distinellv margined with yellow, and issuing from the centre is j.ii erect, trumpetdike crest similarly coloured, and a bunch of long, rose-coloured stamens tipped with pale green. It is a .stove plant ; might I ask where it can be obtained ? I think it is one of those subjects tliat ought to be rescued from the oblivion into which it has undoubtedly fallen.- -R. D. .0445. — Heating. — I do not remember ever having seen in The Garden any particulars as regards the quantity of coke required for hothouses given -so many hundred feet of piping. Can any of your coiTcsiJon dents tell me what would be a fair amount of coke to use per week for every hundred feet of piping with a saddle-lx)iler ? I should really feel much obliged. The heat dm^ng the winter is kept at So". — Cromwell. 544(5.— Cucumber pit.— I am now about having a Cu- cumber pit built about 30 feet longby 10 feet wide. The back wall is to be 7 feet hij.Th, and there will be a path inside next to it and a 4i-inch wall inside to form a st;ige the length of the pit. What, next to front wall, would be the best way of heating it? 1 was thinking of having a slow combustion boiler placed in a shed at one end of the pit, and leading a 2-inch flow and return pipe from it into the pit, and dien running the water in troughs formed with brickwork and cement the length of the bed. I have seen Cucumber pits so con- structed which seemed to do well and maintain a large amount of damp heat which is not the case where hot-water pipes are used. If some readers of The Garden will kindlj' favour me with a little advice on the subject I shall be very much obliged. — C. C, Sudburi/. LATE NOTES. Land under fruits-- In my paper last week on " Nuts " I stated that we have in Herefordshiie 40.000 acres devoted to the ctdtivation of fruit. On reference to the "Herefordshire Pomona," I find that the acreage three years ago was 27,000 acres. — W. Colem.\n, East nor Castle, Ud- b u rif. Edelweiss in gardens.— Wc have been amused from time to time by jiaragiai'lis in the daily papers which state tills to be an cxtrcniL-ly rare plant in "this country, and an extremely diflficidt one to grow ; the fact is, it is quite easily grown in any ordinary garden soil in any part of the covnitry. Though we have known this for many years, how- ever, we did not know how beaiitiful and distinct the plant is when grown in a bold picturesque group. It has a most cliarming effect, and grows perfectly on a low fully-exposed ruck garden or open border. Root excrescences (7*. /.).- The excrescences on the roots of your liriers are singular. They may have been caused somewhat in this way : Rrier roots often develop Ijuds from which suckers are thrown up. I imagine one would have been produced at the point where this excres- cence was foimd, but that from some unknown cause its growth was impeded and a woody lump formed instead. It is not in any way of the nature of agall, and I can find no trace of insect action; but the injury to the root might have been oiiginally caused by an insect.— G. S. S. Names of plants.- i. Llnn.—l, apparently Davallia canariensi-^ ; 2, Adiantum setulosinn ; 3, Polystichum angu- larc ; 4, Pteris cretica albo-lineata. B. Chod. — 1, Polyg;da curdifolia ; 2, Coprosma Baueriana variegata ; 3, Begonia nietallica ; 4, B. nitida. // M. U'lutf. — The two specimens are but slightlj' different ; therefore we think that one is a mere form of the other. Naming fmit.—Headei's who desire our help in namititj fruit icitt tlndli/ bear in mind that several specivuns of different stages of colour and size of the same hind (freatly assist in its dctei'iiiination . Local varieties shoxdd he named by local (/roicers, aiid are often only hiaicn to them. We can only undertal-e to name four varieties at a time, a7ui these only irhen the above condition is observed. Unpaid parcels not recetced. Names of fruit.— -4. K.— l, Golden Noble; 2, Golden Russet ; y, not recognised. S. — Brown Bem-re. Jax. 2, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 17 WOODS & FORESTS. LARCH IX PEEBLESSHIRE. "Scot's" article on the Larch in Feelilesshire is both interestin;..; and instructive. In the lirst plaje, it illustrates clearly that there are soils and Jocalitie-i in tlie country that are e.\ceptionably favourable to the growth and healthy develop- ment of that tree in a reniarkaljle degree, and this has been noticed by others as well as myself, and it would not be too much to say that Pee- blesshire— or, at an}' rate, a great part of that county — occupies a high rank in that respect. Tlie county is not a large one — being tstiniated at 35G S(pmre miles — but a great deal of the soil npon tile hills and well-watered valleys in the vicinity of the Tweed is of a loose, open, kindh' texture, and as such is favourable to the growth of the Larch the trees themselves give ample testimony. In the second place, from the sad havoc made in plaiitati(jns by the wind during a storm, the lesson taught is of deep imiioit.ince to the cultivator, as it cannot be too much inipre.ssed upon the mind of the planter the urgent ncces- .-ity of spreading out the roots of his trees at the time of planting, although at the same time we Ijy no means attirin that this would in all cases jirevent trees Irom being occasionally toppled over by the wind ; but in view of such a wide- spread calamity, we do say that the jdanter should use every rational means in his power fur the stability of his trees and the prospective value of his ] plantations. In the formation of plantations npon exposed hilly ground, the trees iei|uire tiehe(picr in the last financial year out of the revenue arising from thi WHO ARE THE USERS OF TIMBER ? In opposition to the often expressed view that our British timber could be much more used on the spot where it grows than is now the ease, it has been said that the pi'oportion of wood used for what we are in the habit cd' denominating estate purposes is really very small. That this is true in substance and in fact is more than donbtlul. If it is true that no great ipiantity of wood is used in inland rural districts, what becomes of the balance of importeil wood that is not consumed in tlie great centres where none can lie grown on the spot? From a pretty extensive knowledge of the Irafiic of country railway stations, and also of the canals, I am able to form a fairly correct idea of wliat propor- tion of foreign wood comes in Jrom the jiorts, and also what home-grown is sent away, and it is no mere theoiy, but to me a well liiiown i'act that much of what is sent away would answer tlie purpose orpially as well where it is grown as niucli of what is lirought in. In a paper upon home-grown v. foreign Fir, I see it has recently been demonstrateil tliat so far as regards cost the balmce is considerably in favour of the home- grown wood, and what is Irue of the Fir is lelatively so of most other woods ; therefore, in face of tlie ever present problem of how liinlier growing can be made more profitable, it is little short of the marvellous that such apathy should exist about the emphiyment of the liome-jiro- duced article where of all places it should be used. To shift the enquiry by saying that the quantity of wood useil to that ordinarily grown on a place is almost inhnitessiln.^], I cannot accept as being satisfactory. If the conditions finan- cially were against its rise, no mere sentimental notions in favour of our own produce could have any real weiglit, but as it has never been dis- proved that much of the British grown wood is in every respect equal to what is imported, and can in rural districts, where, of course, the bulk is grown, taking the market prices into account, be prepared cheapei' than the J'oreign, I am bound to reiterate that there is sometliing in our present system which needs looking into. Much stress has lately been laid npon the necessity of establishing schools of forestry in order that a better knowledge should be dis.seminated with respect to timber jireservation and production, but however important this branch of the subject may be, that of its utilisation is infinitely greater, and with this we are quite as much aheld as with the other. D. J. Yeo. Forests and rainfall. — The fact that forests have an effect mi the rainfall of a cuiintiy has Idiig been established, but the way in wliich they incruast; it lias not been made so clear. It is certainly inure easy to note results than to ascertain the manner in which they have been produced ; still, natural phe- nomena are generally accounted for more or less satisfactorily, and the study is interesting and profit- able. With reference to this question of rainfall opinions may still be divided, but the foil owing theory, which was evuked tlmmgh a discussion on forest enii- s;rvancy in the Uecean, has many points about it which it would be difficult to controvert or replace by bstter reasons. In the first place, the fact that the mean annual temperature of the whole earth is practically constant is dwelt upon, as this appears to prove that the quantity of heat annually received frcim the sun is balanced by an equivalent luss of heat through radiation into space. Aecording, however, to calculation this is not so, as only about three- eighths are dissipated in this w.ay, and the remaining five-eighths have to be accounted for. This is done by the assumption that this balance of solar energy is converted into another form of energy, viz., vegetable and animal life. In support of this it is pointed out that the growth of vegeta'iion is accompanied by a disappearance of heat, as it is a chemical fact that in the resolution of a conipoiind into its constituents the temperature is reduced. The leaves of the forest under the influence of the sun separate the elements of which the atmosphere is composed, and this chemical decomposition is accompanied by a fall of tempura- ture. Therefore, in addition to the physical ce size, witli long items and spreading tops with the limbs rather scattered. We know of no Caialpa answering to this description in this country in point of size, but the scattered habit of iis branches is undoubtedly a cliaracteristic. In the summer season, with its broad and abundant foliage, this looseness of growth rather adds to its appearance, but in the winter when div, sted of its leaves the same cannot be Siiid, as it gives the tree rather ;in ungainly look. We know that many who write upon the Catalpa, as is nii- hirtunately often the case with fresh intro- duction.s, dilate upon it as being everything the planter could desire, both for oriiinient and lor timber, but while considering it to have a good claim for many reasons, we can- not endor.se all that has been .said. F..r would-be planters to hope to reproduce this in ,: at all in accordance with the descriptions wliieli have been given of it as found in its home will only lead to disappoiiitment, but to such as are content with a moderate sized tree, iimuna- mental when bare, but very elfeclive when WiU furnished, we commend the hardy Cataljia. In liis list of trees for reatibresting Ireland, M. llowitz says : " This tree pirefers a deep and good soil, in a sheltered position. It is easily reared from seed, wdiich requires tweh'e hours steeping in warm water before sowing, and covered with a quarter of an inch to lialf an incli of light soil. Transplant when two years old. It should be lilanted very close or in a mixture with other quickly growing deciduous trees." From this it would appear that although denominated hardy 18 THE GARDEN. [.Ian-. 2, 1886. ill distinction to the more wi.Jfily, known liiilf- liardy species, it would be a mislulvc to look upon it as beini; suited to exposed or otherwise un- favouraliie situations. In regard to the places in which it grows V)est,the Catalpa has something in common' with tlie Acacia, ancl although its wood is dissimilar in character, it is very like it in the ju-operty it has of early putting on heart- wood, aiid also in that of durahility. In the species of which we are now speaking the flowers are much larger than those of C. bigncjnioides, and the colour of the corolla is whiter, the inside markings being more . (152 of la'^t year's volume of The Garden) lualcL's a vigorous attack uiiou the present fasliiou in bouquets, and with good re;ison, ior not only are very large '•mushroom" bouquets still fashionable, but it is now con- sidered the " right thing" to have most elaborate bidders — not paper one^, but cjuite works of art, constructed of card-board, satin, lace, and ribljons. So very showy are these, that unless the bouquet is of imposing size the holder quite overshadows the flowers. Ball-room bouquets, ranging from 12 inches to 15 inches across, must necessarily be of considerable weight and fatiguing to bear." It is an old saying that "pride feels no pain," and it may be that many would not admit that they became lired of their bouquets ; but I have observed that they either give them in charge of friends or lay them down prior to engagiiig in a dancr', and do not always take possession of tlieni again. I have good grounds for asserting that many would much prefer smaller liouquels, but unfortunately they have not the courage to reliel against the inexorable laws of fashion. If fashion rules that large and ex|iensive bouquets are most proper, I am afraid that plenty will lie found weak enough to conform to it. ' Who "sets the fashion" in regard to floral arrange- ments '—that's the ipiestion. It is certain that artists have no voice in the matter. Xo ; nor loyalty citlier. Bouquets of which H. R.H. the Princess of Wales has spoken approvingly have )ieen, I happen t(j know, very light and simply constructe 1 : in one case her bouquet ciinsisted irf one central Rose, a few wdiite Azaleas, and a few spikes of white Roman Hyacinth, while on another occasion a few ilarie Louise Violets and Heliotrope were introduced, Eucharis amazonica au 1 Lil}- of the Valley being other flowers highly valued. One central bloom and two iiuter rings of flowers, witli a few raised spikes of Id.ioiiis and a little Maiden-hair Fern, ought redly to lie sutiicient lor any bouquet; great mixtures ought always to be avoided. "Lex" sagg. sts ihe idea of a "simple stalk or sprav" bdng borne by each lady at an assemblage, ami tlie idea, if carried out, would be nrist jileasing, nothing perhaps being more cou'lucive to the rapid spread of a real love for Howeis, the life-historv of each thus naturally attracting attention. Then instead of large sums being sjient with florists, who, I fancy, are really most to be blamed for the [iresent objectionable styles, many more choice and beautiful plants would Knd their way into private gardens. Thus florists might suft'er, but nui'serymen would be gainers. Floral muft's (l.teraily) are now liecoming fashionable, both n itural and artificial flowers being employed in l\w'i- construction. They apjiear to lind most fivour with matrons who attend fashionable as- semblages— niitably weddings. Chrysanthemums Lave been the favouiite flower, both in a natural ;ind ar.iticial state, tliose either white or reddish lirown in colour being preferred ; bunches of these arc grouped either with coloured or green Ivy leaves. Autumn foliage and berries inter- mingled are sometimes effectively grouped in tlie centre of the muft' ; while of natural flowers the most ph-asing arrangement consists of forced white Lilac, » ere I fr. m seed in on3 season or i ot, I shall be glad to do tiie bist I can to promote the end in view. I may say that I succeeded in fluweiing Nymphfea zanzibarensis as early as July last year from diy purchased seed sown in March. — Owen Thom.vs, Chatsvor.h. In Mr. Frank Jliles's " Work Among the Water Lilies'' (p. 0"i2, 1SS5) mention is m.ade if his experience with seeds of the Japanese Xebimbium nuciferum. In the autuuni of 1884, .Sir George Macleay received from Japan a parcel of seeds of this Nelumbium, which were said to have been saved from the best double garden varieties. At the time of their arrival we were i-hown a series of coloured plates, executed by native artists, and said to be faithful representations of the flowers of those Xelum- biums. The colours ranged from pure white to dark red, ami all of them showed a good double form. Be that as it may, hov/ever, we sowed a portion of the seeds, which we had previously prepared by what to some may possibly seem to be a rough-and-ready method. We simply took them to an ordinary grind- ing stone, and wdiilst one turned it another held on the seeds, one at a time ; they were thus easilv and speedily divested of pait of their hard testa. Thus prepared, they germinated in a few days, and in due time were planted out. Thtymade very little pro- gress during the winter, Vint as .summer came round they pushed up and cjinpleted a fairly vigorous growth, such as might reason.ably be expected to flower next season, which if they do I shall be pleased to make the fact known. In the meantime, as we have a small parcel of the seeds still in hand, we would be glad to distribute them to anyone who may feel interested enough to make application for them. We intend to try some of them outdoors this year, in order to test the reputed b.ardiuess of these Japanese Nelumbiums. — Fe.\nk Ros'^, Penddl Court. Sternbergiao. — Mr. Ewhank has forwarded to us a letter from M. Dammann of which the following is an extract : "As far as we can ascertain all tie Sternbergias, i.e., sicula and setnensis, in cultivation have been in the first instance sent out by us, and, therefore, in all prob.abibty Mr. Ware's also can:e from us. You cannot, therefore, refer very well to Mr. Ware's as being truer to name than ours. AVe acknowledge readily to having made mistakes with regard to nomenclature, but the fact is, we got the first bulbs under wrong names, and sent them out accordingly. Afterwards, on comparing the different variel ies with the dt scriptious given of them by botanists, we found that the names did not answer. THE GARDEN. [Jan. 9, 188G. aii'i, tliLTefoi-L', after bestowing on tliem considei-able ;ittr;ilion wu succeeded in luoperly naniin" them ; the deseriirtion given by us in The Gaudkn is there- fore correct. If it does not suit the plants you have it proves that you have not tlie right varieties under their right names. We may add tliat we liave often received varieties wrongly named even from good firms. We iiave therefore decided not to send out any bulbj in future of Sternbergi.as until they have been IM-ned by us to be correctly named." As Mr. Ewbank was an e irly piu-ehaser, it is easy from this letter to see how the confusion in his case has arisen. It is not at all likely to occur again. Rose Garden. A ROSE-COVERED PORCH. Among the many beauties of Eni,'lish landscape detail, one of especial charm is iound in the way- eirle garden.s of cottages and other nKjdest Iiomes, where simple flowers seem to luxuriate, and are often seen to greater advantage than in gardens of greater pretensions. In the village of Fashing, in West Surrey, well known to artists for the beauty of its fine old stone bridge and river scenery, the effect of a cluster Rose, early in July, on the porcli of Sirs. Sweetapple's house was so good, that we hail it photcjgraphed for reproduc- tion in The Garden. Tlii?.se little gardens earn the gratitude of all lovers of flowersj lor whereas those of richer people are hidden away for the enjoyment of the few, the little wayside gardens display their beauty to every passer-by, to the delight of all who can appreciate, and to the infinite adornment of the public ways of England. CLIMBING ROSES. ana Paul. "The Rcsarian's Year Book" for 1886 has jiist reached us. It contains a photogra]ih of Mr. B. R. Cant; a Symposium on MiLlew, illustrated, by Messr-s. W. G. Smith, D. T. Fish, E. R. Whit- well, and E. W. Badger ; Winning Roses, by Mr. T. B. Hall ; the Rose, and National Ro.-e Society in 1885, by the Editor; some Single Roses as Decorative Plants, by Mr. T. W. Girdle- stone ; the Fortunate Isles and their Roses, by Mr. A. Hill Gray ; Dew of the Ever-living Rose, by the Editor ; Folkard's Plant Lore ; the Rose Weather of 18&5, by Jlr. E. Mawley Cliinbing and Pillar Roses, by Mr. Geo, This last runs as follows : — An early sunny morning in June, at Lyons, a pleasant walk beside, and by the ferry, across the swift bright Rhone, and walking in" his garden of seedling Roses with M. Lacharme, he drew my attention to the difference (jf habit amongst some seedling clind^iiig Roses, springing from, I think, the R. ]iolyantha or R. nu\ltitlora. Some might be called creeping Roses, lying flat almost along the ground, and most vigorous in their extension, and he suggested, if I recollect aright, that some of these might develop a race clinging like Ivy to the walls. The idea has often recurred to me, the Rose being a freely rooting plant, when' accident, such as a shoot burying iiself, favours, but 1 have never yet seen a kind enutting roots wdien in ju.xtaposilion to a damp wall. Others had the vigorous uprising .shoots such as most of the evergreen Roses already in our collections liave. But none had, as far as I noticed, the erect zigzag growth wdiich tlie accidental climbing sports of the Hybrid Perpetuals lm\-e assumed" This leads up to the fact thai in climbing Roses we have a great variety of growth and habit as well as of flowers, and well it is that it is so, for the Rose garden has room for other than' ex- hibition Roses and Roses grown for exhibition onl}', as the National Society has recognised in its latest catal-gue. Only in this respect the catalogue is not inclusive enough ; by not in- cluding the singles, for example, it omits some of our best arch Rose.?, such as R. Brunoni and H. sinica (the Rose Camellia of tl'e Riviera), two of the best for the purpose. Rose arches are amongst the most picturestpie features of the modern garden, and it is astonish- ing how few sorts make perfect all-wire-covering growths. It is mostly amongst the evergreen Hoses we find this habit of long vigorous shoots veiT freely produced, and bearing, wdien bent, flowers in great profusion along the length of the shoe ts ; the finest is Felicite Perpetue, creamy white, perfectly evergreen, and making the best arch we have. Leopoldine d'Orleans, a flower lighth- tipped crimson, has a slender, less furnish- ing growtli, but is good. Flora and Prince.ss Marie (pink.s) are of like small and more .sleniler habit, but make either .singly or together a pirefty jiink arch ; all these ai'e very hardy, and make also good coverings for north walls. Of the single Rose.s, R. sinica, with large single white flowers, if it proves quite hardy here, will make one of our best arches ; it has the foliage of the Banksians, evergreen and shining, but it \vill need warm summers and being left uupruued to make it flower. R. Brunoni, blooming in numer- ous clusters, and with glaucous bluish foliage, will be the Rose for very large arches, say one over a carriage drive", producing 20-feet long shoots, and these in great profusion. Of Hybrid Chinas, vivid, dark carmine, Madame Plautier, ])ure white, and Fulgens, crimson, are first- class arch Roses, free, and the shoots well co\ered all the winter with evergreen foliage. None of the Teas seem tome to be perfect arch Rosa=. Tlie Dijon race show too much stick for too little flower. Marie Van Houtte would be the perfection of an arch Rose where climate permits. The Hybrid Teas have the fault of the Dijon Teas, if we except the two semi-double evergreen Hybrid Teas from Nabonnand — ^which are good additions to Roses for arches — Madame Alplionse Lavallee, pink, and Reine Olga de Wurtemburg, both with grand leaves. Of Noisettes, the only one I can recognise as a fiKt-rate arch Rose is the glossy foliaged evergreen Celine Forestier, a'ld perhaps the climbing form of Aiinee Vibert. So much for arch Roses. The sorts recom- mended are few, but arches are not plentiful in gardens, and the list is probably sufficiently long. Festoon Roses. — For want of a clearer name I should call such sorts a.s lend themselves to being led up to the top of a post, and then giving shoots to extend on chains or swinging wire from post to post ; there are very few that lend them- selves well to this. Nearly all the Ayrshire Roses do. Bennett's Seedling and Countess of Lieven as whites, Dundee Rambler and sjilen- dens, with pink-edged white flowers, and Oiieen, purple. Ruga, pink, all blooming in clusters, and with their long-extending leafyshoots.are the best. Of Hybrid Chinas, Fulgens, a crimson, and Blairii No. 2, light-tinted wdiite, are both long-shooted sorts, which we know from experience make effective chains. Gracilis among.st the double alpine or Boursault Roses is the only one having shoots long and .slender enough. Of the ever- green Roses, Flora and Leopoldine d'Orleans are the two best. Of the " species " Roses, anemoueflora plena and the Musk Roses in the warmer climes lend themselves to this culture ; whilst the Noisettes, Reve d'Or and Wui. Allen Richardson, should also succeed. Covered chains are certainly worthy of mucli Ireer u.se. In the old Broxbouriiebury Rose garden of Mrs. Bosan- quet they are one of the prettiest features. Climbing Roses. — Then there comes the larger subject of Roses for walls and fence.s, and fji use wherever it is possible, by affording support and shelter to make Ro.ses 6ucceed and flower, which do not do so under the ordinary bed treatment. Not an inch of wall, N. S. E. or W. be the aspect, neid be left without its decking of fragrant Rose flowers and leaves. To tiike the Dijon Teas, Gloire may well occupy a .space on each of these as|)ects. The flowers may be followed round with tiie season — first it gives its flower on the south wall in Apiil and May, foHowing oil the east in May and June, and on the west in later June, finally giving even a show bloom or two from the north wall in July. All of its slightly varying coloured family and successors— Bouquet d'Or, Beaute de 1' Europe, Gloire de Bordeaux, and May Paul (the two best pinks), Madame Barthelemy Level, Madame Trifle, and Melaiiie Soujiert, a rather dwarfer form, ai-e all equally hardy, and succeed in all aspects. Belle Lyonnaise and Madame Berard, the other Dijon Tea Roses, are more tender, and need a southern or western wall ; all, as will be noted further on, make fairly good pillar Roses. Then, for south aspect alone, comes climbing Devoniensis, needing the wai-ni sun to make its wood ripe enough to stand the fir^t winter; and one never forgets the glorious facing of Marie Van Houtte I'eas which the Bakeriau garden at Heavitree used to boast. Most of the Noisettes, for example, Marechal Niel and Lamarque, need to look south, and Celine Forestier bh.ioms more freely from the wood ripened by such an aspect. Will. Allen Richardson and Reve d'Or are fairly hardy all round, bar the north. The two Hybrid Teas, reds as they are, and so much needed, Reine Marie Heiuiette and Cheshunt Hybriil, seem to accomnnjdate themselves to all sites. For purely northern aspects, after the Dijon Teas we must again revert to the Evergreen, Ayrshire, and Hybrid Chinas, and some of the stronger Hybrid Perpetuals. The reds, such as Monsieur Boncenne, Marechal Vaillant, and Glories of Che-shunt and Wallham doing better, even in such a position, than with a southern exposure— the flowers open more slowly. Pillar Roses. — My paper has grown too long so I will .spare the reader how I have .selected the following, but he may rely on the choice. The Ijest are : — /u'/.t (iinl Criiiisong. li.P. Auuie Wood. H.P. Cainille Bern.ardiii. H.T. Chcsbimt Hybrid. H.C. ClifU^doIe. •H.P. Duke of Edinburgh. ♦HP. Dvike of Teck. H.P. Ur. Hogg. •H.P. Cliiubiug M.id. Victor Verdier. MI P. Glory of Cheshunt. •H.P. Mad.ime de Trotter. H.P. Madame Isaac Perriere. H.P. .Marechal Vaillant. H.P. Mons. Boncenne. H.P. Ulrich Brunner. *H.T. Heine Olga do Wur- teniberg. H.C. Vivid. "H.T. Reine Marie Henriette. H.P.ClimoingCapt. Christy. H.P. .luhn Hopper. H.P.Madame Marie Lavallee. H.P. JladameClemonce Jo'g- neaux and its salmon form, William Warden. W/.itif ,1,1,1 r,llairx. X. Ainitfc Vibert scandens. H.P. Climbing Bessie John- son. T. Gloire de Dijon. •K.Cl. TheGarliud. •H.P. .M.adame Plantier. *T. Madame Berard. H.P. Princess L. Victoria. H.P. Paul's Single White. S. Rosa sinica. Jiofi' ('(tfoitrii. H.P. Anna Alcxiefl. ♦H.C. Coupe d'H^bi*. H.P. Climbing Jules Mar- gottin. *H. P. Climbing Edoward Morrtn. ♦H.P. Climbing Victor A'er- dier. *H.C. Charles Lawson. H.P. Paul Ncr..n. H.P. Princess Jlarj- of Ca-n- bridge. H.C. Itussclliana. There is care needed in planting them to ensure good covered pillars and long life to them. See that the soil is good and rich, get your post or iron pillar firmly fixed and as permanent as possible. Choose good, vigorous plants if worked with a sound union with stock. In pruning leave the .shoots long. Try what M. Jean Sisley has phade 1 for the extension system, and let Natuie have nearly its sway. What pruning you do, let it be in tliinning and guiding, not iii shoiteuing. Feed the roots freely to support the vigorous top. The result will be a glorious show of bloom. Jan. 9, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 21 NOTES FROM QUEENSLAND. Leaving Brisbane by rail for tlie Darling Downs, tlie line runs thront,'li some pretty subiirlis, and, crossini,' the river twenty-four miles from the capital, we entered a larj^e ap'icultural district, and soon reached the now important town of Ipswich. Here liegins the ascent of the ranges, and .soon the steep gradients are indicated by'the slackened .speed; curve.s and tunnels are nu- inerous ; on one side is a perpendicular wall of broken rocks, and on the othei', at various in- tervals apart, are .*onu' frightful precijiiees. Far down below, hovering over a forest df huge (luni trees, was a flock of l.dack cockatoo, a rare bird. Soon the summit of the main range was passed, and with more speeil Toowoomba was reached. This is one of the largest inland towns of the colony; the soil hereabouts is red volcanic, rich in plant food, and Cjuite difl'erent I'rom that of the coast country. Tlie afniijsphei'e, too, owing to the altitude, is much colder than that of the coast, being clear and bracing and free from malaria. Tlie chief products at present are JL-iize and English Potatoes, but amongst the exports of the future fruit is destined to jilav a ]irominent part. This is the home ot the Orange in the cohmy. In tlie coast country Oranges are infested with scale and other in- sects, but here such pests are not common. They will onlvdo ^\ell, however, in light soil. The Botanic Gardens here are on the western slope of the range, overlooking tlie town. Neartheir centre is a large square tilled with Apple, Pear, Medlar, Peach, Plum, and other fruit trees of new or rare varieties. They were planted to tesl their .several qualities bv the late Mr. Way, who was for many years cura'toi' of this gar- den, and through who.se untiring zeal niany valuable fruits and plants have been acclimatised. For walk edgings Gazania splendens is much used. Pelargoniums, Zinnias, Pinks, Carnations, Roses, Lilies, Verbenas, Petunias, Dahlia-s, Viola.s, Gladioli, &c., made quite a display in the borders. I also noticed many ornamental and shelter trees and shrubs planted in gixiujjs here and there. The Lilac, Laurustinus, and Viljurnum (Snowball) seemed to be quite at h'.ime. About four miles from the town, and situated on the range, is the nursery of Mr. Carl H. Hartmann, a plodiling tierman of twenty years' re.-idence on the Downs. Much of his "selection" is still uncleared ; but on entering the gate the handiwork of the landscape ganlener is con- spicuous. There is a broad a\"enuc skirted by 20 feet or so of grass, on which at regular intei'vals are some noble specimens of the follow- ing Conifers, viz.. Allies Smithiaua, Cedrus Deodara, C'r^-|3tonieria japonica, Cupressus hori- zontalis, C. Lawsoniana, C. sempervirens, Thu- jopsis dolobrata, Wellingtonias, &c. I found Mr. Hartmann and his daughter busy glazing a new pi'opagating house. It was span-roofed and them were the China Date Plum, China Quince, Granadilla, Brazilian Cherry, several .sorls of Guava, American Blackberries, Mullieirie.s, Figs, Almonds, Pomegranates, Loquats, and American Grapes. The latter he makes into wine. Of Apjdes, Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Cherries, &c., only those best suited to the district are grown, itr. Hartmann is a great hyljridiser, and many e.vcellent seedling fruits have been raised by liim. The Orange neria yuccoides is so far perfectly unhurt, ,ind in evidently hardy in sheltered situations. Such a briglit red-flowered Yucca is an acquisition.— Eoward H. WoODALL, Scarhumuff/i. Public Gardens. convinced Downs are well suit Rose, too, is one of past twelve months the a.ssocia- to a successful issue fortv-six L(jRi) Brahazox writes to the Tiini'.i as follows ^.^,.,.inl »ft .,f; , ■' n ■ » --"-.-- — •." J '^on Candolle, in his " Geographe Botanique Raisounee," .says that the Romans in the time of Pliny already cultivated a great number of varieties of Pears. These great conquerors and coloni-if.rs no doubt were the means of distributing the Pear and Apple throughout Germany, France, and Britain, but the fruits they introduced were proliably small, hard, and inferior to what we at present possess. The fine .sorts of melting Ptars do not date back to very remote times ; it is in times of peace and prosperity that the greatest advances are made in matters that belong to the art of gardening. Not only is Mr. Hovey's record of his labours in the improvement in this special fruit interest- ing, but it is eminently instructive, and his success should stimulate Pear growers in this country tn follow an example .so full of beneficial resull.s. It shows what power is in the hands of intelligent and energetic cultivators in originating fruits of snpeiior excellence and adapted to a country, as well as prolific and hardy sorts suited to the special requirements of the local consumer. What have we done in this country to compare with the experimental operations in raising seedling fruits which have lieen carried on in America ? One English Pear, raised by our great horticulturist, Knight, called ^Monarch, should alone encourage us to per.^evere in the attempt to laise new Pears. Although not large, and favour- ing the Ap]de rather than the Pear in .shape, and peculiar in its habit of producing fruit in clusters, wdieii fully ripe we have no fruit that more nearly a]iproaclics the Pine-apple in (quality, and it ripens with fortunate iriegularity, so that it may be eaten from December until JIarch. There are two " expurgated" Pears mentioned by Mr. Jlovey which we cannot yet alford to lose, both on account of cpuility and keeping properties. The leathery skins of these Pears seem to contribute to that desirable result ; these are Beurre Ranee Jan. 9, 1886.1 THE GARDEN. 23 and Crassano. Just as some aiiiiiials, nay, ev<'ii Slime raci s of the yenus homo, remain insensible to all ameliorating influences, so it appears that a certain nunil.ier of old-workl Pears continne ob- durate, ajid will not be tempted by the bright sunshine of America to an enlargement, or to wear any other aspect than that of a jealous green. Beurre d'Anianlis is cited as an instance, a Pear I have seen assume, even in England, a rich russet brcjwn on the sunny side, and showing through- out a yellowish-green tint, whicli made it very presentable. I canniit accept the dictum, for this district at least, that Seckel is one of our best October Peais. It is strongly perfumed and highly coloured, but it passes away too rapidly, often tinning soft before ripening. Therefore I am doulitfnl as to the correctness of the assumption that Ijecause this Pear i.s good in some parts of the country, American Pears may be successfully grown. I have fruited Dana's Hovey, but it has never ripened, grown on a pyramid, in this part of England, which is two degrees north of London. Bdroir. Wm. Inc;ram. Pruning outdoor Vines. — These, as a rule, are sadly neglected, especially in regard to pruning. To produce anything more than leaves and unripened fruit sun heat must get to the v.-all. Winter )iruning, inste.ad of being simply coniineil to removing the summer growth, ought to be a thorough pruning oiit of all exhausted wood and the retention of the best ripened canes of the current year for replacing those cut out. The present is a good time to get such work done. If mild weather prevails with the lengthening days, the tap gets excited and bleeding follows, thus weakening the Vines considerably. The best course to adopt is always to prune as soon after the fall of the leaf as possible. The best mode of training out-door Vines is to lead a main shoot right and left about 1 foot from the ground, and from this to train up young shoots about 2 feet apart for Ije.aring; this will allow space for the fruiting shoots to lie close to the wall, which will, moreover, not be so densely covered with foliage as to prevent the sun's rays from waruung the bricks — Hants. Books. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.* This may be considered from a utilitarian point of view the l.iest book on gardening puldished in England for many years. A sound knowledge of garden vegetables is very rare, and only to be accpiireil Ijy persons possessing the high cpialih- cations and peculiar opportunities of the authors of this hook. AVhatever foreign countries may do for us, it is not likely that they can .supply us with vegetables, wliich deteriorate even when brought from our own gardens to our markets. The elinuite of Britain is admirabl}- suited for vegetable culture, and is, perhaps, on the whole, unequalled by that of any other country in Europe. The tastes of the people encourage an abundant use of vegetables, and the greatly- growing demand in our large cilies and towns "is likely to make the work of the vegetable grower for market more importaut in the future tlian it has ever been. Tliis being so, the value of a work such as this, which directs attention to many little-known kinds, and, of course, deals as well with all those in ordinary use, can hardly be over-estimated. Innumerable treatises on the cultivation of vegetables have been written, but "The Vegetable Garden" is the first work in any language in which are classified, described, and * " The Vegetable Garden ; Illustrations, Descriptions, and Culture of the Garden Vegetables of Cold and Temperate Climates." By MM. Vilmoriu-Andrieux, of Paria. English edition. Published under the direction of W. Robinson, editor of The Garden. London : John Murray, Albemarle Street. illustrated what are the most important of all jjlants to the human race. It is the production of men wlio in their work for many years past ha\-e had good opportunities of thoroughly stiulying the .subject. No e.xcuse is needed for "making English" .such a book — for the benefit, not only of our own horticulture (increasing in interest and importance every yeai), but also for that of America, and of Australia, and our other colonies, in which, happily, the plants herein described may be grown. It will be an aid in enabling us to realise the wonderful variety of light, pleasant, and excellent I'ood now within our reach, and in making many a good vegetable more widely known. That it may widen our views in this respect will be acknowledged bv' ever^youe who, with the usual limited ideas as to French Beans, for example, takes notes of the many excellent kinds described in this woi'k. Diet Reform. The relation of the plants this book deals with to the movement towards diet reform and the greater use of the vegetable world for human food calls for a word at the present time. A generation ago this question was the theme of a very few writers ; now the nujveinent has taken shape in actual pi'actice, and there are restaurants in Lcjudon to-day where o\-er a thousand dinners daily are served, wholly com].)osed of cereals, vegetables, and fruits. Leaving out of view any exclusive tendency of this kind, all agree that the greater use of the best of these in our food would be a decided improvement. So far as we have yet seen, the rcstanranis devoted to this class of food show a limited knowledge of cookery and of the garden stores from which they might draw. It is a pity it is so, for the neglect or poor cookery of such things, both in private houses and hotels, is a serious loss. The true reason why the more delicate and wholesome foods are neglected is that the cooks of Europe have served an apprenticeship of a thousand years on the carcases of ox, pig, sheep, deer, goose, hare, and other airimals. We are meat-eaters because our fathers had little else to eat. The plains and green hills of the cold north were dotted with wild grazing animals, as an English park is now dotted with tleer, or a Western prairie with antelope and bison. Men killed ami cooked ; there was little else worth eating. A few generations only have passed since our now commonest vegetables came from the Continent. We are adding to their number every day, and Ijy the aid of culti\'ation we are winning Ijack our way to a sim]>ler, healthier food, and one more like that which niau enjoyed in tlie tropical or sub-tropical regions whence he originally came. But the cducatiim of the cook bars the way to progress. Even when he gi\-es us French Beans, tliey swim in butter. The French cooks, supposed to be the best, systematicallj' make tlie natural flavours of the many delicate vegetal.iles of their markets secondary to that of fnitter — now, alas! often mere gi'ease or hardened oil. In our hotels the best fish and meat in the world are often procurable; the vegetable kingdom is usually represented by a mas.s cjf ill-smelling Cabbage and a sodden Potato. We ouf;bt to grow more kinds of vegetables than we do, but we need still more a radical change in our modes of cookery, in the direction of cooking and serving for their own sakcs (and in most cases without animal substance) the more delicate green vegetables and fruits that are and may be grown. Old or inferior vegetables require the coarser devices of the cook, and must be saturated with grease and spices to make them edilde. The true cookery is to deal only with the best and tenderest of every kindj and jealously pre- serve its flavtiur ; this art is, in any general sense, as yet un]iractised. In ten years more every district in London will have restaurants wholly supplied without the aid of the butcher. At the same time, those who share no such views as to food are equally desirous to imjirove and enlarge our garden sujiplies ; so it is clear that there will be a greatly increased demand for all such pro- duce. This is a hojieful sign in the present day, when all seems so dark for our agricuUure. Garden vegetables deteriorate enormou.sly, even (jurs on the way to onr own markets, so that clearly we cannot have I'ivals here from the Anti- podes or across the Atlantic in them, unless, indeed, we grossly neglect our opportunities. And, apart from the important factor of distance, the climate of Britain has few ef^uals for the growth of green vegetables. Vegetable Markets. In L(jndon the chaotic struggle and obstiuction in Covent Garden tend much to deprive people of the good qualities of the garden produce grown so well in the suburl.ian fields. One simple way to improvement would be the adoption of district markets i'or local supplies. T(j bring the vege- tables grown at Chiswick to Covent Garden and cart them back to Hammersmith is a needless waste of force. For these markets it is by no means necessary that permanent structures should be built ; a wide road, or square, or river embank- ment would suffice. As wholesale dealings of this kind are u.sually done in the morning hours, it is easy to make gooil use of open spaces for this purpose. Some of the useful little district markets of Paris are held in puldic squares and on the boulevards, and an hour after they are over, tents, stand.s, refu.se, and all other signs of the market are so completely removed, that one pass- ing by does not suspect that the spot has served an important use before the general public is afiroad. Regular all-day markets, wdiere the householder could select, fire also wanted. Some of our English towns and Paiis have admirable examples of these. But while such must be waited for till public taste or enterprise creates them, the wholesale district markets could be established without cost or delay. Evil of Mixed Planting. One point deserves the serious consideration of every owner of a garden, and that is the " muddle " method of planting the kitchen garden with fruit trees and bushes, and so cutting up the surface with walks, edgings, &c., that the very aim of the garden is missed. It is quite a mistake to grow fruit trees over the kitchen gai'den surface. We cannot grow vegetables well under them, and in attempting to do so we destroy the roots of the tiees. This induces canker and other troubles, and is the main cause of our poor g,irden fiuit culture. One-fouith of the space entirely given to vegetaljles, divested of walks, large hedges, old frame ground.s, old walls, rubbish, and other impediments, would gi\"e a far better snppjly. Such a spot well cultivated would be a pleasure to see. It is not merely the ugliness and the loss of the mixed garden which we have to deplore, but the troubles of the unfortunate gardener who has to look after such a garden, in addition t(j other work. How is he to succeed witli the many things so hopelessly mixed up ? Heie a decaying Plum, there on one side a ragged patch of Black Currants, backed by a rank Privet hedge ; and so on through the sorry catalogue. In fact, if the whole cost of the garden were doubled, and all expended on some of the kitchen gardens of this sort that we see, it would still be impossible to get a good result from this method. Put the fruit trees in one part — the higher ground, if 24 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 9, 1886. any— ami the renuuuing part devote to vegetables, cultivating the ground iu the Ijest way, and having it always a fertile, green vegetable garden. The vegetable's, too, would be more wholesome from continual good liglit and air ; lor shade from ragged and jirofitless trees and bu>hes and hedges fs one of tlie evils of this hopeless kind of garden. The brolien crop^, too (tor the most part sickly patches), are not such as one can Ije proud of. Separation of the two things, comiilete and final, is the true remedy. Tliere should not be the root of a fruit tree in the w.iy of the vegetable growe". The M.\xia for L.vhge Veuetables. All -who have to do with gardeners and seeds- men should fight against the deterioraiion of some of our best vegetables through iheir mania for size. Although the tlavourof vegetables may be more subtle tliau that of fruit, it is none the less their essential (piality. A change in size, by adding to the watery ti-sues and tiljrous frame- work of the plant, may entirely destroy the quality we enjoy in it. A certain degree of openness to sun and air may govern the flavour; tliis may be made impossdjle by doidiling or trebling' the size of the article it'self, which lias been dime in the ca.se of the Brussels Sprout. This is often no longer the true little rosette of green, but a coarse Cabbage sprout. This is a case of deliberate distortion of a favourite type. J.,ess absurd, perhaps, but equally bad, is the raising of new vai'ieties lacking in good flavour, and abolishing old kinds, from supposed deficiency in size. It generally means that the new ones are coar.se ; it sometimes means that they are use- less. There has been, for examl^le, for the last few years a French Beau observable in our markets, very large and symmetrical, but with- out any of the good flavour of the smaller kinds. However, its huge niawki,sh pod has liecome popular with the market gardener. Here is a tielicate vegetable, the value of which depends entirely upon its flavour, and whether we get (piantiiy in the shape of six Beans or one Bean matters little to the consumer if the object of growing the vegetalde is lost sight of. So again in Peas. Wliere is the good in a new Pea if it has not a good flavour? Mere size, or filling of a pod well, is a low quality from any jioint of view but that of the maiket grower, who wants his "stuff'' to bidk up weU. Somctimesa llavour may be made too rich; many good cooks in J.,ondon jirelc r the little long Tui'nip of the Paris market, which lias a tiuer Turnip flavour than some of the sweet kinds. We n.ay lo e much of what makes a garden worth having by not ellicieiitly controlling the thoughtless and harm- ful mania for mere .size, unless accompanied by other more desirable qualities. The striving among gardeners to increase the size of vege- taiiles leads often to (issil_ife tn arrange flo\\'ers tastefully without jilenty uf foliage, and this want is, of course, more felt iu winter than in summer, as then we can j^^et it in afjundance out of doors. But even now, in tfie open air, there are sprays of Cypress, especially the -Japanese fonns, wtiich are fight and efegant, and Jumpers, wfiich, though sombre looking, yet make a good Ijase to receive the stalks of flowers, lighter coloured foliage being added afterwards. Sprays of Bo.x do well for the arrangement of Chrysanthemums, and for lighter effect there are the Lavender, Thyme, Kosemary, and Periwinkle, especially the variegated form. In broader, more massive foli.ige, we have the HoUy- leaved Barberry, which is glossy and pleasant to look upon, and sprays of the small-leaved wood Ivy are always serviceable. Under glass are many suitable [ilauts for supplying foli.nge for cutting. Grevillea roliusta., wh- n the plants have arrived at a large size, furnishes graceful Fern-like leaves, which are very lasting, and I am very fond of the old-fashioned scented-leaved Pelargoniums for this purpose. I have one plant of the Uak leaved S[.ccies trained on the back wall of a vinery, a large space of which i'. has covered ; it is valuable for suppljang sprays or single leaves, and the flowerin,' sprays in summer are very sweet. Uf course. Ferns of nil kinds are available, but when taken from a waim house in winter they .are nut very lasting. It is best to have a supply of Maiden-hairs in a greenhou-e temperature in a light position, as this gives strength and tirniness to the fronds. Myrtles are very desirable for some purposes, and are easily grown. — E. HoBIi.vv. Loose earth, fixers. — The best plant at present known for eonsolidating, hy the interlacing of its roots, the loose soil of a newly-made embankment is, according to M. Cambier (of the French Kailway Service), the double Popjiy. While tlie usual (ira-sses and Cloveis need several months for the development of their comparatively feeble mots, the double Poppy germinates in a few ihiys, and in two weeks grows enough to give some protection to the slope, while at the end or three or four months the roots, which are Jan. 9, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 25 10 inches or 12 inches long, are found to have inter- laced SI") as to i-etain the earth far more firmly than those of any (Jra'^s or grain. Though the plant is an annua], it si)\vs itself aftfrr the first year, and witli a little care the bank is ahv.ays in good condition. NEW PLANTS OF 1885. In dealini,' with these, we will lie.yiu with the j;ruii]j which is nuuierieally the str(m.i.;est, and that is the Orchids, iif which more than .sixty received dinini.^ the past year liist-cla.ss certi- ticales. Passinji over such plants as C'atlleya Mendeli carniinata, Mendeli striata, Bliinti, \Vaj;cneri, Hardyana, and Massanfjeana, Den- droliiiim crassinode allniui, crystalliniim allmni, Falccjneri delicatiiiii, hcterocarpuni album, noliile noliilius, and insi^ne, besiiles nuniy otheis which, .Tltliciu.^h handsome, are simply accidental forms of well known species, we note among imported Orchids in the first place the charming ( 'attleya IJowring- iana. This plant, which is most valuable on account of its flowering at the dullest season of tlie year, at tirst sight somewhat resembles the popular C. Skinucri, but besides the latter being es- sentially a summer flower- ing .species, this new-comer pissessescharactei-s by which it is easily distinguished ; its pseudo-ljulbs, which are altogether more robu-t than those of C. Skinneri, aie enlarged and flattenecl at the base and covered with sheaths of a very peculiar texture ; its leaves are also of a glaucous and entirely difl'erent lint from those ol tliat well-known species. Its flowers, whiidi aie produced during October and Novem- bei-, are arrange 1 in bunches, each consisting of from six to nine flowers, even in the case of i)lants of recent im- portation ; their sejials and petals are of a niauve-tinte 1 rose, while the lip is clark rich crimson and the throat is ornamenteil wiili a yellow stain. This new species is destined to become rapidly jiopular. Among other Cat- tleyas, C. Schofleldiana, it not the most attractive, is ju-obably one of the mo inches to 8 inches in diameter; tliose of the former are white suffused with pink, while the ground colour of those of Tliomas .Speed is a rich rosy crimson with a ray of blush ^vhite in the centre, and margins (jf the same coloui'. The eye, too, is golden, flaked with red. Amongst other flowering stove plants Eucharis Mastersi is one of the best. It is liH'erent from all other known Encharise.«, but comes nearest to E. Sanderiana ; its blossoms, which are of snowy whiteness and produced in clusters, consisting of from six to eight on each stem, are about of the same size as those of E. Candida. Epiphyllum Russelliauum Gajrtneri has very little in common witli the many varieties already in culti- vation ; not only are its flowers ditferently shaped, but their colour is of a particularly vivid red similar to that of the linest Phyllocacti. In Billbergia nobilis we have one of the most lieauti- ful of Bnjmeliaceous plants. Several other meritorious plants also deserve notice, such as the new Crinum Samlirianuni from Sierra Leone, the curious Arisajuia fimbriatum from the Philip- pine Islands, Ixora eminens and I. Gemma and ImanUqdiyllura Distinction. Of Gloxinias the two best are undoubtedly Flambeau and Mar- chioness of Abergavenny ; the latter lias beauti- fully formed, large, erect flowers with a white ground copiously spotted with purple. The flowers of the former, if not superior in size or shape to older kinds, are, to say the least of them, mostattrac- tive. Among Amaryllises, Lady Howard deWalden is a distinct and chastelyjjeautiful variety, with large flowers of good substance and of the purest white imaginable. Paragon, too, is a grand variety, strikingly difterent from the one just named ; its flowers are brilliant scarlet. Rhododendrons of the .lavanese section, which now occupy a prominent position amongst winter flowering plants, are well represented. Pearl jiroduces large trusses of wax-like white flowers, ilelicately tinged with rose ; the flowers of Apollo are of a peculiar soft orange-cerise colour ; while cardinale produces large trusses of blossoms of the richest scarlet-crimson, and Militare some of n brilliant and highly attractive orange-red. The prettiest, however, of all is perhaps Minerva, which bears massive trusses of large, well-formed flowers of a delicate apricot c(jlour. Ferns. To stove and greenhouse Ferns there has been ae whole Potatoes, frijm 9 inches to a foot apart, and aljout C inches from the wall, cover them about 4 inclies with flne soil from tlie alley, thus forming a border 1^ inches wide ior Potatoes. They will come up early, being close to the bricks. When up, they should have a little fine soil thr(j\vn over them, and if they should come up through tlmt, before all danger from frost is over procure some light material and cover them wilh it in case of frost. Dry litter or dry Bracken put over Ihenx at nights will answer the purpose. By means of careful attention this crop will precede the earliest out- door ones by three weeks. The earliest vaiieties of Potato should be planted, such as the Wal- nut-leaved, a Well known and prolific sort, and one which grows to a fair size. Early Aslileaf is also a good kind for early planting.' Myatt's Ashltaf is one of the best early varieties, and one which succeeds well in almost any soil. Let the seed Potatoes be of fair size, earth them up as growth increases until a good sized ridge has been formed. If the soil gets very dry, give a good soaking of water in hot weather. Next to a wall select tlie south side of a bank, and next to that the south side of a wooden fence; but nothing will be found to be so good as planting near a wall. W. Christison. Brussels Sprout?.— I cannot allow Mr. Muir to knock tile Burghlcy Bnissels Sprout on the head with- out a protest. He describes Mateliless as a very fine sort of the type of Reading Exhibition, wWch he deacribee as a tine large-sprouted variety. Now, it just happens that Mr. Muir has made a mistake. The true Burghley Brussels Sprout is just about half as large as Matchless, more compact, and much firmer. I have selected this variety for fourteen years past, and the stock this year is pure. I send you one stem of Burifhley Brussels Sprouts, and also one of Match- less. At the same time, I jiut in a stem of the Bnrghley Butti>n Sprout, which I recently sent you, so that you will be able to see the three varieties together. — R. GlLUKUT. *,* We need only say that the Burghley Sprouts were excellent in every way ; they are of a medium size and firm, while Matchless has open and loo.se sprouts. —Ed. Broad Beans. — In discussing the merits of those allow me to put iu a plea for an excellent early dwarf variety too much neglected in the present day, namely, Beck's Dwarf (Jreen Gem. This is a sport from the old Dwarf Fan. It originated .it Shipston- on-Stour, I think in the nursery of Mr. .lennings, about 1858, or perhaps a little earlier, and the stocks passed into the hands of the late firm of Messrs. Beck, Henderson, and Child for distribution. It possesses the merit of being early, dwarf, a good cropper, and of excellent flavour. I suppose it is always a scarce variety, for in the wholesale lists it is jiriced much higher t^an any other. Cultivators should grow this for early crops ; it does well on a warm early bo der, and if generously cultivated will be found protitaVile. Perhaps its use is circumscribed to some extent from the fact that it is a green Bean, and, notwithstanding that by many the green Beans are thought to be much more highly flavoured than the white ones, there does appear to be a prejudice against the former. I presume that the Green Windsor is a sport, from the white one, and similarly so the Green Long- pod. I have known persons who would grow nothing else but the (Jreen Windsor for their own eating. — R. D. According to my experience, Leviathan and Aquadulce are synonymous, but Seville Longpod each time I grew it alongside of Leviathan and one or two other presumably distinct and won- drously long-podded sorts, proved rather earlier than the kinds just named and the pods were a trifle shorter. "A. D.," however, has formed a correct estim.ate of their respective values, as they are altogether unprofitable, unless it be for exhibition. Veitcli's Improved Longpod is by far the most pro- ductive early sort in general cultivation, and this proves to be exactly similar to a sort that has long been cultivated by Mr. Thomson at Druml.anrig. There are several other so-called " imja-oved " Broad Beans to be had, but none of them merit the term, and when I asked for Veitch's, it was not expected that it would turn out to be so profitable a sort as it is. It is as early as the old Early Longpod, and produces a heavy crop of fine pods, each containing aljout five Beans of good quality. Its habit is sturdy, and the lower pods (piite touch the ground. Green Windsor is the only snccessional sort which we grow, and this is fairly prolific and very good in iiuality. At one time I was under the irnpression that very few Broad Beans found thtir way to the tables of the wealthier classes, but I have had to modify this opinion somewhat, and in all probability many more of them are eaten than "A. D." is aware of. As he rightly observes, if they were properly cooked they would be much more popular. Here, for instance, the husks are invariably removed before they are served up, and as they are much appreciated in this state, we have to maintain as long and continuous a supply as we can. Some prefer to have them sent in before they are half developed, but in this small state they are not nearly so good as when older, and a great number of pods must be gathered to make a dish.— W. I. Mushroom growing' on a new plan. — Some years ago I eaw a system of Mushroom culture whi^-h was said to be very successful. The man who adopted the plan liad been seeking a simple way of securing Mushrooms all tlie year round, with the least possible trouble, and liis efforts had resulted in his finding that for which he had sought. The method was as follows : He obtained a good-sized crate, strong, ami with a good bottom, such as hai'dware is sent by rail in. The staves at one end were all cut out. simply leaving the top rim to keep the thing together, for without that the crate could not have supported the bed laid upon it. The crate was turned upside down, and the bed prepared and spawned in the usual way, so far as the outer crust of it w^s concerned. But there was not nearly no much manure used as in the ordinary hot bed, for the heat was obtained in another way. When the lied was made, the inside of the crate was hollow; but the •iN'. 9, 1880.] THE GARDEN. 29 wood), siiiotliereil with its variously -ccilnuird fiowei's, eitliei- as tawny Ijiids, or, more fully uxpauiled, siinie ueaily wliitu ami some aluiost orange. Or, u,i,'aiM, t-.ike Desprez ;\ lleurs jauues, almiisl, as laulpaut in f,'ro\vtli as an Ayrshire, making shouU of an inereiliMe leii;,'ih in a sini,'le seisMii, IViim wliich an armful (^f huff and yellow- ccilouivd lliiwer.s may he gathered to make a feast of fia.L;ruui-e hard to he' surpassed. Ophirie is another Kose that looks upon every form of fenciuj;, pillar, or post only a.s a pe^ en which to hang its innumerahle clusiers of unique copper- cohaued flowers- at onee the delight and the desp.iir of fliiwer-paintei's — until frost and snow en foree the needed rest. These are semi-ilouble Hoses, it i.s true, but they cannot be matched aninng the more formal court Ijeauties for fra- grance and profusion coml.iined. There is another serai-double Rose of recent introiluction which is an improvement upon the type in two valuable characteristics, namely, C'lliiurand tlie jierpetuity (jf flowering. Though lather overwlielmed by the name of Comte d'Espremenil, its lluwers are darker than those of its well-known ]),ireiit, li. rugosa, ami arfi of a deep rich purjile-cri arson coliair, appearing both early in the season and freely again in the a\itumn. It may be hoped, therefore, that a sunilar ]ierpetnal form may soon be obtained of the ten(ler pink R. coruscans, the most beauti- fully coloured of the rugosa group. For outside the whites and yellows, colour is perhaps the weakest point of the single Roses. This remark does not apply, however, to Paul's single crinisun Perpetual, a Rose whose brilliant crimson flowers, advantageously set oif by gay yellow stamens, are freely ]iroduced throughout the summer — an e-timablc habit enually characteristic of Paul's single white jerpetual (see plate), a variety cjf even more vigorous growth, and wliiidi may be ctfectively employed as a climber. Even during the momh of August, when hardly any Roses are to be ha 1, these two varieties will be founil eovereil with blossoms, a fact which by itself is sutiicient to make them favourites. This jierpe- tuitv of flowering is also a great recommendation in favour of the varieties of the species R. indica, whose single lilo.ssoms arc produced in unending ju'ofusion, besides being pos.se«sed of the mo.st delicious airl powerful fragrance. So late as last November, a plant of one of these single Tea- scented Roses out of doors bore trusses of hum four to five dozen buds and flowers, good enough to be considereil worth sketching. Where great spaces of wall have to be covered there are some single Roses especially to be recommended, notably R. sinica, a plant whose abundance of Camellia-like foliage alone renders it conspicuous and worthy of general cultivation ; but when this dark tirmament of foliage is studded all over with floral stars gleaming out in their dazzling whiteness, there is nothing in tlie Rose garden to eclipse the efl'ect produced. R. polyantha again will cover an immense area in a short time, and produces larger trussess of bloom perhaps than any other Rose ; the flowers are small, but their number is almost infinite, and they are very fragrant ; while the early ilate at whic h they are produced (the end of May and the beginning of .lune) makes them additionally welcome, ami a joy to the bees as well a.s to the workers in (Jueen Rosa's forces. It is curious that this giant of the Rose family .should he the parent of"soine of the dwarfest R'oses in cultiva- tion—the little polyantlia hybrids INIiguonette, Perle d'Or, ami the like, supposenionymous with an Knglish lubrid named A. Veitchi flore-ruliro, and only differs from the first-named in Ihe colour of its spadix, which is altogether white, shaded slightly with yellow. Its foliage is also longer and more pointed, almost identical with that of one of its p,areuts, A. Veitchi. In lx>th these beautiful hybrids the deep pitting which is such a conspicuous feature in the spathes of A. Andreanum is altogether aljsent. A. Leodiense is well figured in the first part of Revae de V Horticulture Belje for 1S86.— W. E. G. BOTTOM HEAT IN PLANT STOVES. A BELIEF in the necessity for plunging stove plants in bottom heat wasn't one time so accepted by plant-growers, that little success was e.xpected M-here sucli means were not provided. The jiartiality whicli a few plants show for Ijottom- lieat, coupled with the sudden rush of t(ip growth that most quick growing plants make when their roots are suddenly subjected to a high tempera- ture, was considered sufficient e\-idence that tlie practice was advantageous to all plants that rei]uire a more or less high temperature. So indispensable were tlie means of giving con- tinuous bottom-heat looked upon, that when a house for the cultivation of stove plants was built tlie item for putting hot-water pipes under the lied in wliich the plants were to be plunged usually formed a considerable portion of the cost ot heating the whole structure. ITulearning is a difficult process, and it takes a good deal ol time to shake oft' ideas once accepted. Yet those were not wanting who noticed that the quantitv of bloom produced by plants that had their roots thus unduly excited was less in proportion to the aniount of growth than that produced by plants without bottom-heat, and that the ilowurs were also less enduring. As might be e.xpected, the increased demand that has sprung up for cut flowers has tended to sharpen people's wits as to the necessity i'or producing them in a condition that enables them to last as long as possible after they are removed i'rom tlie plants. Flowers that .stand well are not only more satisfactory whilst they last, but, owing to their lasting longer, fewer arerequiied. It would be a difficult matter now to find a market grower who uses bottom heat for any of the plants which he cultivates, exce|it sucli thui"s as small Palms, Lily of the Yallev, Euchari.s, and Tuberoses ; and in not a few cases these are grown wholly without it— in fact, the greater ]>ortioii of the market men do not use bottom heat for any- thing but for striking cuttings. With the chaii'-e in practice that has thus come about, it often liappens that the bed of fermenting matter has also disappeared. In not a lew cases the brick- pit originally constructed to hold tan or leaves has been converted into a water-tank, as I saw some time since had been done by one of our leading London nurserymen, who for a lone lieiiod has been amongst the first of the ex° hibitors of flowering stove and greenhouse plants. Tins I look upon as a mistake, for, although there IS ample proof that the greater portion of the stove plants in cultivation can be better grown without bottom heat than with it, still the bed of fermenting matter, when composed either of tan or leaves, has such an influence in promoting healthy vigour through the exhalations whicli it gives oft", and the genial condition of the atmo- [Jan, 9, 1886. sjihore which it promotes, that, speaking fiom exiierieuce, I feel convinced there is nothing that can be done that will answer as well. 1 have used ammonia applied directly to the atmosphere by putting a little in a pure state in the evajio- rating troughs, and guano similarly treated ; but by neither of these methods is the atmosphere kept in the even condition that is best suited to the re(|uirements of the plants, and which a good bed of tan or leaves effects. The larger the bed the better. In a house 50 feet long by 20 feet wide I have had a bed 4J feet deep by 7 feet wide, all the lengtli except the width of the paths at eich end filled witli new tan, which, needless to say, got very hot, exhaling proportionately more than a smaller amount of material would do wdiere the heat was lesa, yet as shown by the state of the plants the atmosphere just suited them. A fermenting bed of this description lias many advantages; it acts as a preventive of red spider, and, moreover, the amount of heat given off by a substantial ma.ss of fermenting matter that will keeji at a temperature of from 80" to 90° for three or four months through the winter has an influence in maintaining the lerpiisite wr.rmth with less con- sumption of fuel than would otherwise be re- quired, and in this way a saving is effected that more than covers tlie cost of construction of the pit and the expense of yearly renewing the material. There is no way of arranging the centre portion of a stove so as to provide stand- ing room for the plants tliat is so efficient, or that costs less than the erection of a pit to hold fer- menting matter; nothing is required beyond a 9-iiicli brick •wall for the lower ]iortion, and the ujiper half 42-inch work ; if the two top courses are hud in cement, no wall plate will be required. The best time for getting in new tan or leaves is about the beginning of December, as then the heat gets well up by the close of the year when cold weatlier may be looked for. As to putting hot-water pipes in the bottom of the Ijed in the way that used to be done, and still is in some cases, it is just so much expense thrown away; whilst as often as otherwise the pipes thus buried, and all but useless, might with advantage have been employed to give more heat to tlie bod V of the house. T. B. 5444. — Csesalpinia pulcherrima. — " R. D.," who inquires .about this fine stove shrub in your last issue, would, I think, be more likely to find it if he called it by its better-known synonym of Poinciana. I find it well figured in the fourth volume of "Maund's Botanist," plate 151, and better still in the twenty- fifth vol. of the Butaniral Mayazine, plate 995. I have no doubt that its present scarcen ss is owng to many growei-s having discontinued its culture from bein" unable to get it to produce its beautiful flowtrs in this country till it gi'ew too big for any but the largest stoves. The secret of getting it to bloom in a com- pi.aratively small state seems to be to feed it freely with bone dust from its first plotting, and to never allow the plant to get pot-bound, but give it more root room as soon as ever it requires it. llie plant figured in the "Botanist" was grown in a compost of peat and sandy loam, with one-sixth part of bone dust, in the gardens of Mr. J. Jarret, C'amerton Court, Somersetshire, and flowered when only nine months old ; the seeds having been sown on a moderate hot- bed in .January, reached a height of S feet, .and flowered freely in the following September and (Jctober. It is a native of Barbadoes, whence seed sliould be easy to obtain, and if treated in the above mentioned manner should be well worth the attention of any lover of handsome stove shrubs. — W. E. G. Cereus procumbens.— ' B." (p. 613) asks how to bloom this brilliant little Cactus. I have grown and flowered it for years and without a bit of trouble. In winter I grew it in pots near the glass iu a green- house facing the south, and iu a temperature of about 45°. In summer I planted — sonietitnes plunged - it out of doors with many other Cactuses iu a warm, sunny bed. I gave it scarcely .any water in winter, a little now .and then in spiing, and not a drop in summer; of course in summer it got the rain, but no other watering. In potting, keep the plants well .above tlie pots as you would an Orchid, so that no water can lod^'e about them .and rot them, and when yon (ilant them out see that no p.irt of the st-ms is buried in the ground. Never wet it overhead. If at lifting time in autumn the little mat has grown too wiile feu- the pot you wish to put it in, don't cramp it lip in the least, but let it spread over the pot like a Melaginella ; and if you desire vigour and lilossoms in spring phuige the pot in a layer of clean sharp gravelly sand on the bench; tlie little stems will soon find tne sand out, send foith roots, and make themselves at home. And you can keep this sand bed moist without hurting the Cactus. I med to treat Cereus Berlandieri and all the other little spreading Cereuses of that type in the s.ame manner, and they used to flower most gorgeously every year. Damp, foggy weather is detrim ntal to these and tdl other Cactuses. — W. F., Neio York. FREESIAS AND THEIR CULTURE. During the last three years the several forms of Freesia refracta, known in gardens under various names, i.e., refract i alba, odorata, Leichtlini, &c., have become popular favourites for green- houses and conservatories. At first, before the lianly nature of Freesias was properly under- stood, growers were wont to treat them as warm- house plants, ia consequence of which they grew weak and spindly, and the flowers were few and unsatisfactory. Now, however, thanks mainly to the Guernsey growers of these and other bulbous ]3lants, we understand fully the rationak of Freesia culture, and we in England are able to produce in February ami INlarch spikes quite 2 feet high, freely branched, and clothed with dozens of delightful flowers. The treatment that brings about this result is as follows : In August or the beginning of September the small Onion- shaped bulbs are potted in a mixture of loum, sand, and thoroughly decomposed manure in equal parts. About a dozen bulbs are ijlanteil in a (i-inch pot, or if the ordinary 4i-inch pot is used six or eight Ijulbs are sufficient for each. If bulbs are plentiful, relays at intervals of a fortnight may be potted. During the first two months or so after potting, little water should be given ; indeed, it is safest to water them once immo- iliately after potting, and then withhold water till the leaves push up through the soil. After this, all risk of injury through excessive watering is over, and the soil may be kept unifjrmly moist. Place the pots containing the bulbs in an unhealed frame or house in as light a position as possible. As growth proceeds, dressings of Clay's Ferti- liser or any other good nianure may be given with advantage, or weak liquid manure once a week will answer just as well. Artificial heat is still unnecessary for the plants, but of course they must be protected by a covering of mats in frosty weather. The nearer the glass and the more direct sunliglit they obtain at this stage, the stronger and healthier the foliage will be, and in due time the spikes will be equally satisfactory. In mild weather the lights may be altogether removed if the plants are in a frame; if in a house, abundance ol air should be given. Bottom heat is said to be advantageous to the develop- ment aiul vigour of the spikes ; hut, so far as my experience goes, it may be dispensed with — in- deed, it lias proved injurious to Freesias in some collections with which I am acquainted. If an early vinery is available, a light position in it would answer very well for Freesias after they have started to grow and till the flowers begin to develop ; then the plants should be removed to a Jan. 9, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 31 jlrier atmos]jhere. To force them into flower, a temperature of 60° may be used. When ex- paudeil, the flowers will remain in good con- dition for several weeks, and they may be taken indoors and placed in a window in the sun if p is-iible, where the sweet odour of their blooms in:xy be enj(jyed. I consider these easily-grown Viullious phvnts to be at least rivals of tlie fragrant TtilxTose both in beauty and sweetness ; whilst in the ease with which they can be managed tliey are even superior to the Tuberose. Alter flowering, the bulbs .should Ije left in the pots, and stood in a dry, sunny position out of doors till the return of the potting season, when they may be shaken out and sorted, potting the strongest together, and placing the smallest, or " spawn," in pans or boxes. Out of doors the cultivation of Freesias in England is not possible, as they make their growth and flower during our winter. They ripen seeds freely ; these should be sown as soon as ripe, and, if properly treated, will develop into flowering plants in eighteen months. B. Violets failing to colour. — Having, like Mr. Miiir, found tlie l:ilo(>in.s of Marie Louise .and Xea- P-ilitan Violets planted in two cold frames becoming quite p.ile in the end of October, I had them taken up and potted into sandy loam, with which was mixed a small qu.-vntity of well-decayed leaf-soil. They were afterwards placed in a light position close to the glass in a small house, partly fitted with winter- blooming Carnations. They immediately beian to improve, and at the present time they are covered with bloom, large and well coloured. There can tlisi-efore, I think, ba no doubt thit the paleness was, as Mr. Muir supposed, due to want of lin-ht and hsat.— W. C. T. Pritaula floribunda.— Despite the darkness and coldness of the weather, this charming spfcies keeps oa flowerin?, and, to all appearance, should the weather be favourable, will continue to do so all win- ter. It is in a cold house, and, therefore, subject to di-advantages in consequence. During the summer I grew my plants on a shelf in a greenhouse, in an airy position, but, by means of blinds, they were shaded from SUQ by day. Plenty of water was given, but then there was good drainage ; and, in addition to drainage, lumjjs of charcoal and crocks were mixed with the soil, and ])ieces of stone were laid on the surface. I think this is a moisture loving plant; at the same time there must be free drainage. It has seeded pretty freely, but the seeds are very minute, and should be sown thinly. — R. D. Impatiens Sultani.— If ever a plant deserved the name of being a perpetual bloomer, it is this Zanzibar Balsam ; plants of it raised from seed com- mence to blossom when only 2 inches high, and if after that they get the treatment which they like, they are never without flowers, either winter or summer. By the time they get into 8-inch pots they are IS inches high and 2 feet" through, and when they get larger than that we have to throw them away, as they are too large for our [lurpose. ?v^ot only,' too, are they always in flower, but they produce their blossoms so freely as to be always presentable : no other plant, therefore, is so much in demand for dinner-table decoration and for other important household uses. There is a degree of freshness about its growth, and its flowers are always so bright, that whether large or small it is always attractive. In some cases it has been rendered useless through being grown in too high a temperature and given an in° sufficient supply of fresh air. During the winter montlis it ought to be exposed to no greater heat than ozi". If grown in a liigher temperature than that, the growth gets drawn and the flowers fewer in number and smaller in size. As regards soil, it is not at all particular. A compost that suits Fuchsias or Pelargoniums suits this Balsam admirably. When grown under favourable conditions, it is surprising what rapid progress it makes. A small seedling will develop into specimens of large size in nine months. I do not know what the experience of others may be, but with me seedling plants make much the hand somest specimens. Cuttings strike freely enough' but they are longer legged, and consequently ni>t so symmetrical in growth as seedlings. Our plants of it stand on a bed of ashes on which the seed falls and quickly vegetates. Thei'efore, at all times we have a supiilj'of young plants without any trouble. I can do nc^thing whatever with the white variety of this plant, i.e., under the conditions just described. It simply refuses to grow. Perhaps it requires a higher or a drier temper.ature than the red-flowered kind.— J. G. C. AMARYLLIS BELLADONNA IX POTS. It is stated in old books that the easiest way of flowering this Amaryllis iu this climate is to keep it in pots, which may be placed nnder a close glass frame in August till it flowers; after that it should be plunged iu the open border, or the pots may be kept in an airy greenhouse dur- ing winter and placed in a stove without water at midsummer. This agrees with the practice followed many years ago by an old gardener of my acquaintance. He obtained imported Dutch roots as soon as they could be had — about the early part of September, and then potted them singly in 4i-inch pots, using a compost made nji of loam, sand, and niMnure, in equal parts. Freshly imported Inilbs will be certain to flower, and when they have done blooming they com- mence to grow ; they were then shifted into good sized pots, using such a compost as that just named. Then a few short stakes were placed round the pots and matting tied round them to keep the leaves from injury ; then they were placed in any suitable spot where plenty of light fell on them, and watered when rer^uired. In such a place the bulbs renuiined until spring, when more space was att'orded them, and they were treated to plenty of light, water, and heat. As soon as the foliage began to decline water was discontinued, but extra heat was given and as much light as possible, and so until the leaves had decayed, when the pots were removed to a dry shed and there allowed to remain until the blooming season came round again. As soon as coming activity manifested itself, the bulbs were placed in the stove, and every one of them blos- sinned. To have extra fine specimens he would sometimes place six or eight bulbs in a large pot, and found that they flowered well and were highly effective. I have heard nuxuy complaints that this charming Belladonna Lily is very shy of liLiom, but this is surely a misconception, and must result from unsuitable treatment. At Gunnersbury Park, Ealing, it succeeds admirably planted out in a narn.iw border on the south side of an intermediate house. This Ijorder was very carefully planted some years ago by Mr. Roberts, anil e^■ery year he has a r ire crop of fine flowers. A special Ijorder was made and the bulbs plauteil rather deeply, and they are well cared for when such care is necessary. I know there are many who are successful in flowering this charming subject, but there are many more who are not. It is for the benefit of these that the foregoing renuu'ks ai'e made. R. D. Azalea mollis and its varieties are won- derfully useful plants to tlmse who require showy flowers with but little trouble. They may not be quite hardy enough ti> endure the climate of the north of England, but in all the south and western counties they may be grown in the r.pen border if rested one year and forced the next, and this is the plan which gives the least trouble ; but they will even repay the cultivator if they have to be grown altogether in pots. Amongst the different varieties may be found crimson, orange, lemon-yellow, and creamj'-white flowers, all of which are very attractive, and they may with gentle forcing be had from the middle of I'ebruary onwards. Azalea amoena is another most serviceable plant for those who have to provide flowers in quantity, as it can be had in bloom easily now if desired. We gene- rally aim at having the first lot of it in flower at the beginning of the new year, and another lot a month later, thus furnishing plenty of flowers up to the end of JIarch. Our plants being large, we can cut from them without injuring them, and the quantity of flowers which a single plant yields is surprising. Our stock of this Azalea has been grown in pots for many years; in fact, we treat it precisely as we do the Indian species. Our plants always make their growth imder glass, and are not placed out of doors until the flower-buds are quite prominent ; but after the middle of August I like to turn them out of doors, in order to give them a few weeks' quiet rest. Our plants are too large to be repotted ; therefore we can only annually top-dress them with some fresh peat as soon as they go out of flower; but we keep them in vigorous health with constant supplies of liquid manure; in fact, they scarcely get a drop of clear water all the simimer. To get them into flower early in January, I find that they require a temperature of 60' during the last fortnight of the time. — J. C C. LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Those who have a few late Chrysanthemums now coming into bloom will find them perhaps more useful than at any other time, flowers, par- ticularly white ones, being so much appreciated about tliis time of year. In the extreme south of England it is not so easy to have Chrysanthe- mums late as farther north. The seasons are much earlier in the south ; consequently, Chry- .santhemums come sooner into bloom. Much ma}', however, be done in furtherance of this object Iiy selecting varieties whicli are naturally late in blooming and by special treatment. Kinds suitaljle for this purpose are Fair Maid of tiuernsey, ilrs. C. Gary, Ethel, Meg Merr/lies, and Geres, the last a varietj' with long, strap- shaped florets, gracefully arranged. It is robust in growth and a free flowerer. These are all white kinds, and belong to the Japanese section. Nothing would be gained by naming more va- rieties, these being quite the best ; and it is better to grow more plants of one kind which is good than many sorts merely for the sake of variety. Grandittoruni and Thunberg are two of the best yellow Japanese kinds, while amongst rosy lilacs Mme. C. Audiguier is one of the best; Julie Lagravere and Pere Delaux are two of the best with brightly coloured flowers. Amongst in- curved flowers. Princess Teck, blush white, and Hero of Stoke Newington, ros^- pink, are the best. I have a white sport from the former, which will probably prove useful. The three last- named kinds are dwarf and good in habit. Miss Margaret.pure white,and ot the ordinary Anemone type, is one of the most useful varieties with which I am acquainted ; it is dwarf in habit, a free llowerer, and, what is more, lasts a long time iu bloom. Cuttings of kinds intended to bloom late should not be struck till February, and should be jjinched three or four times, to induce a dwarf habit and increase the number of flower- stems. The last stopping or pinching should take place not later than the first week in July. Wlien bloom buds make their appearance in the end of September disbud to one bloom on each .shoot, and at this stage su]iply them liberally with weak liquid manure, occasionally watering with soot water or any other of the various stimulants now in use. If they can be protected from light frosts, keep them out of doors as long as possible, in preference to taking tlienr inside, as keeping them out assists in retarding them. A thin covering of canvas stretched on poles at night will ward olf a sharp frost. After removal inside, admit air night and day freely when the weather is at all favourable. When developing their blooms, if at aU wet or foggy, keep the 32 THE GARDEN. [.Tax. 9, 188G. atiiiii.-pliere ilry by uiiplying a little fire heat. 1'liu i'.dwei's last much hmgcr in a dry atinosphfic than ill onii I'harj^'ed with iiioistiu-L'. .Siritnmore I'aric, Hants. E. Molyneux. Flower Garden. CilRTSTMAS ROSEiS. (HELLEIHIRI'S xioer var.) SuXNiNd iiiicsi'U' ill thi' mild warmth of this tu>t day of the year ISMG, ihi Ihiwer in the 02:ien bur- (U'r elaims more attention than the white- flowered Helleliore that we call Cliristmas Rose; .and to no one are we more indebted than to the editor of The Garden for bvini^ing forward the charms and claims of haidy flo«ers sncli as these which };reet us before the i.ew year is fairly awake! What the future m>iy do for us who can say? Perhaps another generation ma}' have 'their gardens as full of flowers in January as our fathers had in .June, but if so, what a future for the Christmas Rose and its many cousins! But one thing at least may Ije said, that it will be very dil^cult to combine such beauty with perfect hardiness in any other flower. And yet we often hear complaints such as " I cannot grow Christ- mas Roses in my garden; they dwiiulle away, or the flowers are so short-stallied, misshapen, dis- ci doured and eaten, that there is no l^eauty in them." There must be some reason for this, and 1 am not at all sure that it is gardening or any such thing that is at fault. Those wdio have travelled among the Italian lakes in winter or early spring, and more especially those wdio have jienetrated into tlie Austrian Tyrol thus early, tell us of wlnde fields of these lovely white Hellebores in full flower .at the head of some mountain tarn or on some moist hillside; and, wliat is more to our ]ioiiit, tliosu who .are obser- \aiit tell us that the variation in size, sh.ape, purity of colouring, earlims-^ or lateness of bloom is most remarkaljle. To us who ai'C accustomed to divide our Hellebores, and never think of seed as a means of increase, this is most instructive; l(ir it is evident tliat in Nature, seed is the only means of prop.igation of these Hellebores, or such vari.ations in a small area would not occur. It is also to be observed that the Eastern or Austrian forms are the largest, and the Italian forms the smallest. Is there not here a clue to some of our com- jdaiiits? From my own experience I can affirm with certainty, yes. Like too many ignorami, a Christniixs Rose was then to me a Christmas Rose and nothing else, but from the days, now fifteen years ago, wdien through the kindness of a Scotch friend I became po.ssessed of the giant and early form we now call niaxinuis, I l.iegau to i-ealise wdiat a wide difi'erence there was among Christmas Roses, and am now convinced that if good varieties be obtained it is hardly possil)le to avoid having an abundance of beautiful Christmas Roses. In their culture the one thing necessary is to obtain and preserve fine foliage, and the rest will iV)lliiw of itself. The most general cause of failure is drought in summer, which kills the leaves ; and it should be remembered that the Christinas Rose grows naturally in meadows bordering on lakes where in the driest year there must be moistuie both in Foil ami atmo.-phere. In a few gardens, no doubt, slugs are fatal to both flower and leaf, and care must be taken to keep them oil', when young leaves are soft ami succulent and Ijudding Howeis fresh and fair, but when that is said, and a good mulch of manure or leaf mould applied in spring to keep the grounil moist during summer, what more is needed than "judicious neglect," Which does Aot seek to disturb and lireak the long Idack roots that dive down so deeply in search of the moisture they leipiire ? First in the chain of beauty comes the Austrian form we call maximus, which opens its I'ose- tiiited buds by the 1st of Novemlier, .and is always conspicuous by its large serrated leaves and purple-stained stalks ; this is a most desir- able and vigorous form, but very soon loses the purity of its pink and wdiite tints ; still it is most welcome, as coming first, and as a foliage plant alone it is fit for a iirominent place. By the time that Christmas is upon us the second early forms will be opening; tliisyear they liave been smnevvhat earlier, liaving been stimu- lated Ijy the autumn rains which they fully a|jpre- ciafe. There are two varieties specially lieautiful — one wdiich Mr. Barr calls .Tuvernis, with large, rouml-petalled and somewliat cupped blooms, on very strong stalks, and the other known in the north as the Manchester variety, with singu- larly pale green leaves and smooth edges, and with fine pure %\diite flowers that open flatter and more Eucharis like than any other sort, and with the true petals and stamens in the centre more golden in tone than I have noticed generally. This, if I am not mistaken, is the variety Mr. Brockbank grows and .so justly praises. Next come two varieties, one which greatly resembles maximus in its large, coarsely serrated leaves and Indd growth; this flowers a fortnight later than those just mentioned, and is very pure in its white tones, but does not seem to flower quite so freely as most kinds, but is a good thing. Flowering with it and now just in its first tiudi of beauty comes the Bath variety, wdiich is above all others abundant in bloom, and repre- sents to me the type of the Chiistmas Rose in perfection. Its flower-buds are sometimes tinged with ]>iiik, but the flowers are pure wdiife, and, when oiienin;;, more funnel-shaped than any variety mentioned as yet. Thi.s, however, is considered by some as being too good to lie called the type. In many Yorkshire gardens may now be seen large clumps with very narrow foliage and plenty of pinkish Inids in the centre of the clump. This is a most inferior variety with small and dirty-coloured flowers, that never is .satisfactory, and there is even more often a form with leaves that rather curl back, as if stunted, and wifli the spreading rhizomes that mark inferior vai'ie- ties. This, also, is very disappiointing, for the flowers are small, short-stalked, and compara- tively scanty, but of a fair white, and useful sometimes, as being so late that it fills a gap on occasion. In this part of the woild these two very inferior forms of Christmas Ro.se are decidedly the commonest, and account for the di.sapiioint- ment experienced .so often, and it may well be such is the case elsewhere. Mr. Barr's variety, H. niger scoticus, is a fine broad-petalled and pure white form, difl'eiing somewhat in size and in the leaf from the Bath variety, and is, perhap.s, a little the largest ; so it would appear as if Scot- land is richer in good forms than we are in England, for did not the giant maximus find a lioine for many years near Alierdeen ! whence Miss Hope, of Wardie Lodge, first obtained it and brnui,dif it into notice, and there is also a good late form, small in growth ami flower, that is well known in the north. The otiier Helle- liores, sometimes called Lenten Roses, are this year remarkably early, and one pnr(ile-flowered variety is already open, and H. olympiciis and H. C. Benary are fast pushing up their tall Howwr-stalks with an abundant promise of bloom to fidlow shortly ; if some kind friend can tell how they may be made to live when cut and jilaced in wafer, they will be all the more wel- come. With the white Hcdlebore there is no diliiculty in keeping it fresh in wafer, so this failure is the more aiiiKpying. Ere closing these notes I would ask if anyone has tried to hybridise the yellow Hellebore (wdiich we call yellow Aconite) with any other Hellebore / It would be a real aildition lo have a clear yellow Christmas Rfise that wouhl replace the cheerful Chrysanlheiiiuni that rarely lasts beyond Christmas Day. Edward H. Woodai.i.. ANNUAL IPOM.EAS. A PACKET of the popular Cimv(pl villus major forms part of the annual seeil order of almo.st everybody who has a seed order at all, and there are few annuals either indoors or out wliidi give a more satisfactory return for a little expenditure in jience and time than this jilant. Various colours, from pure wdiite to red, pnrjile, and almost blue, are represented in the flowers of the plants thus olitained, this wide variation no doubt having originated through cultivation. In .lapan, this species y a slight touch over with a cauiel's-hair pencil. The plants do not as yet require much water, but we examine them ilaily in resp-jct of w^atering, and always take care that it is of the same temperature as the liouse or pit. A chill at the roots is just as injurious as a chill from 3 cold cut-rent of air on the tender Howtrs, and this we know is a frequent cause of non-setting of fruit. Peaches, toi, are just opening flower, and the temperature will now be kept from sudden fluctua- tions of temperature and as near 55° as possible. With sun-heat, of course, we shall not niind if the temperature rises as Idgh as 65". We liave to-day closed up Fig house for forcing, the bonier having previously had a good watering with tepid water and the trejs syringed ; and the syringing will b^ c ntinue I once a day, except in very sharp weather. The present temperature will be 45^ to 50" by night, and will range from 50° to 58° by day. Picked over liedding ji'ants in frames. Heliotropes, Petunias, Marguerites, and Ageratinos rr^quired'niore warmth, and these we have arranged on inside l)order of early Muscat viiiery. Tlw propagating pit being rea-^iy. a fiist lot of cuttings has been put in, consist- ing of Abutilons, Petunijs, variegated Koniga, and Sa\ifraga Cooperi ; the latter is one of our best flowering succulents, and is invaluable for planting on a groundwork of any of the evergreen Sedums or Saxifrages. Outdoor work lias been nnich the same as for a week or two past. We are still Inisy repair- ing walks and re gravelling those tliat need it; also trenching in kitchen gariieu, and in new part of grounds for planting shrubs and Conifers; one or two of the latter has tU'te. If, as is sometimes the case, the soil about the roots of the tree be dry, the turf ia left off till rain has fallen in suHicient quantity to moisten the whole of the roots. Should the soil he moist, thui tlie turf is put down immediately the new soil has been applied. DKrEMItER 31. Mild and \ery fine. Owing to alteratirms and new work, our garden work proper has nectssarily for some tune past bee'i very limited, but t^> day we determined on having all hands in tliu garilru tliat we might yet at least part of the fmic- tries planted thit ought t I Iiave been hnished weeks ago. Planted a few more cordon Pears in place of old horizoDtally trained trees that had got too aged to Jiear finw fruit, though in a general way thty bore abundaully. The old trees thaf. liave been grubbed were Passe l!olmar, Marie Louise, Ne Plus Meuris, Beurrti Diel, and Winter Nelis, all of which sorts have again been planted as cordcms, together with Doyenne i.Iu Coniice, Louise Bownes Grapes and put in Grape room; all of tiiem wdl be housed as soon as bottles are vacant. The Vines are now pruned as the Grapes are cut, and the house kept as cool as the welbbeing of the fruit admits of. Potted a few Gloxinias and tubei'ous Begonias, the tubers that showed signs of starting being selected ; the others are packed closely together in boxes, c coa fibre being used in lieu uf soil, to keep the tubers from shrivelling. Caladiums are of little use to us till beginning of August, and to keep the roots from starting we also turn these out of pots and pack in boxes, and give them the coldest frost-pro'tf place we can find, whicli is a loft in an airy shed, where they keep well by our taking the precaution to give a little extra covering with mats when severe frost sets in. Potted up a few more Spiripas, a few Primroses, and some good clumps of Korget-me-nots- — white and blue — which come in well for button hole and bouquet-making. They force well in a tempera- ture of fiO". and the flower-stalks grow longer than they do in the open air, which enhances their value as forced cut flowers for bouquet making. .Tamahy L The new year has opened with a couple of hours' bright sunshine and an ut. usually mild temperattire, which if continued will make forci g an easy matter; but f-uch niildne s may jn'ove disastrous to wall fruit, ;ind, personally, we should prefer to usd a little addi- tional fuel ia f(»rcing to the risking of injury to Apricots, Peaches, ami otlier wall fruits. However, we have no choice in the matter, and must, tberefote, work and hope for the best. Api'icot flowers are already swelling up and almost ready to open, and the wall coverings being out of repair, a start has been made to mend them by ordering new canvas screens, and a carpenter engaged to repair and fix the wood- work. Our Peaches, Nectarines, and Ajiricols are all ])roteeted witli c;ii,vas, fixed the same as window- blinds, and that can be rolled up or d by the trade, and it now generally happens that Vines under either name are supplied from one stock, as they no longer think it necess.ary to keep them separate. Now is the time to put in "eyes," and planters for early work should lose no time in propa- gating a good stock of the Bowood from a reliable source, and the same of the old Muscat for supplying fruit through the winter. It matters little to the cultivator of Muscats whether the Bowood (ir.ape is distinct or only a seedling; his end will be best secured by growing it for fruiting in pots or for planting in early houses. I said it was high time the Vines were pruned. Many people prune as late as the end of January, but the Vines in question and the Gr.apes were quite ripe in September; the outside border has been covered up and the inside roots require water. It is not good practice to water any more than it is to start the Vines immediately after they are pruned, and as pruning must precede watering, they will be pruned and dressed with styptic forthwith. A week or ten days will be allowed for the cuts to heal; the inside borders will then be watered, the external covering will be removed and replaced with short stable manure, and the Vines will be kept cool until the buds show signs of swelling. Late houses. — Immediately after the Lady Downes .and other late hanging and keeping Gr.apes have been cut and removed to the Grape room, the Vines may be pruned, cleansed, and treated precisely the same as the late Muscats. The house can then be thrown open to give them the benefit of a thorough rest before they are again started. JIany Grape growers at one time allowed their late Vines to break naturally, gave tlum very little fire heat through the spring, and trusted to a good or b.ad season as the case might be for growing and ripening the fruit and wood. Bad seasons, imfortunately, have been more prevalent than good ones, and it has been proved over and over again that late Grapes so treated never attain their best flavour, neither do they keep fresh and plump after tlie leaves fall. If an equivalent in economy of fuel could be secured, this system might still be pursued ; but such is not the case, as every pound saved in the spring is expended in the autumn, when the Gr.apes ought to be sufficiently advanced to .admit of their Iting thoroughly ripe by the middle of .September. Assuming, then, that the house is now clear and its use as a plant store can be a\oided, ten weeks' rest should he allowed, and when the buds begin to swell then will be the time to help them through the early stages with Muscat treatment. If the season proves bi-ight and hot, so much the better for the fuel bills and the Grapes. If it is cold and sunless, time having been taken by the forelock, there will be a ch.ance of securing a crop of really good Gnapes that will pay for bottling and keeping. Earlii rincri/. — Vines from which ripe Grapes are expected to be rt.ady by the time the Lady Downes are finished will now be on the move ; in some few places they will be ready for disbudding. Nothing is, however, gained by commencing this operation in early houses until the buds are well advanced and the most promising shows can be decided upon. Then, guided by the mode of pruning and the spaces left between the rods, the shoots must be reduced to one or two from each spur for tying down to the wires. If space is abundant, two shoots can often be left — one to carry the bunch, the other to aid in furnishing the trellis with foliage and to jirodnce the pruning bud for another year. But where the rods are rather close and hard pruning is practised, one shoot from each spur is f[uite sufficient, as there is always a pro- fusion of good bunches to choose from where early Vines are vigorous and well ripened. As days will soon begin to increase in length and the fr addi- tional as?istano3. 'I his can best be given by the removal y Lambert in 18:58, and the young plants, proving difl'erent from any other known Cypress, received the popular or garden name of C. Lanibertiana without the fact, so it is said, receiving due puljlicity. Hartw-eg in 1846, or eight years later tlian Lambert's discovery, when writing an account of his Californian mission in search of plants, mentions finding liis C. macrocarpa at Carmel Bay, and describes it as "attaining the height of CO feet, with a stem of 9 feet in circumference, with far-spreading branches, flat at the top like a full-grown Cedar of Lebanon, which it closely resembles at a distance." That the two trees are specifically one and the same, few will feel inclined to deny, but why the name Lanibertiana, which has several j-ears' priority of right, should give place to macrocarpa does not, to me at least, appear eitlier just or right. The tree bearing Lambert's name is the horizontal or spreading one, and Hartweg's the upright growing form, and yet in the change of nomenclature, macrocarpa (the name bestowed by Hartweg on his find) is given to the spreading tree, or Lambert's introduction, while the upright form (or^ Hartweg's tree) is recorded as but a mere variety under the name of C. macrocarpa fastigiata. Why, if the honour of naming this Cypress was wanted lor Hartweg, not have called his introduction, or the upright form, macrocarpa, and given a varietal name to Lambert's, instead 36 THE GARDEN. [Jan. D, 188<',. of doinj,' away with the loiig-staiuliiij,' iiami' of Lainljcrtiana, ;-;iving the pl?nt known as svicli that oC iiiaciocarpa, and hestowiii^ lait a varietal iiatni' on Haitwe^''s tree? Here, at Penrliyn Castle, where both forms have attained large dimensions, there is certainly a niarkeil ditference in their general aspect, one (still bearing the well-known name of Lam- bertiana) having a flat, horizontd. Cedar oi Lelianon-like appearance, while the other is of tall, npriglit growth, the branches further apart, and the tree usually a more rapid tim1ier-]iro- ducer. I have, however, notii'<'d, at least such is the case willi the trees here, that old specimens of the upright, or fastigate form (that now known as C. mai'rocarpa fastigiata), after perhaps thirty years' growth, gradually put on the flat-t(]|iiied appearaiu'e that is so characteristic of the lowe half of our Lambertiana, thus giving them a rathe unusual a]ipearaiice from the lower branches being sliorter than ihnse fuitlier up. Cjncs of Cupr.ssus macros irpa (uatuiul size). Our first specimen of the Land^ertiana type is, in truth, a lovely tree, and one that, judging from its large size, must have been planted .shortly after the introduction of the tree in 1838. It occupies rather an e.xpo.sed site on the lawn at Brynnieirig, near the Penrhyn slate quarry, the soil being jieaty loam resting at but a short depth on shale rock. The broad, hmizontal branches, covering a diameter of 24 feet, that is so charac- teristic of Lumbert's tree, isin this specimen shown off lo perfection, ample room having at all times been provided for full develojmient of both root and branch. At a yard nj) tlie trunk is (i.^j feet in circund'erence, V)Ut, as is usual with this tree, it soon branches into numerous limbs, several of these being little short, in point of .size, of the main stem. The heavy, massive Ijranches, of an unchanging bright green colour, give to it an air of stately grandeur that contrasts favourably with the lighter and more weeping foliage of tlie Deodar and other Conifers growing in close environ and renders (be tree oni' of the most distinct and beautiful of (■rnaniental Evergreens. C. macrocarpa, tlie, u]iright gmwing form, is al.so well repre.sente. Wehstek. Fiemontia californica. — The writer of this article has fori^ittteii U> tell us of its most character- istic habit —that i>f (lyiiiLT when it looks must healthy. I liave lust it again and again, and I belie\e the beautiful plant at Kew and another at Cnonitje Wood are both dead. If from wet, why dnes it suddenly die ^\lnle ajijiaiently in the most robust health ? — 1''b.\xk Mii.p:s, Si/inii/hiif, Shirchampton , Bristul. Ornamental Vines. — "H. 1'." has given an iutercbtiug account of these Vines, but he makes no mention of iiwe wliich I much want to meet with - 1 mean the variegateil Vine, not V. heteinphylla variej^ata, liut the \';irleL,'ated Grapa Vine. 1 saw it once at Mr. Cooke's when he lived at The Kerii.s ut it turns out that C. spee'osa is not more hanly than the older specits. " Tne Bulletin No. 7 of the Agricul- tural College of Michigan" says: "The two Catalpas, C. speciosa and C. bignonioides, are about equally hardy. Both suffer considerably, and appear to he unreliable. As C'. speciosa has not been recognised as distinct from the older species until quite recently, the leading distinction between the two may he giien. C. speciosa — tree tall, a straight grower; leaves sofily downy, inodorous; flowers 2 inches across, nearly white, the lower lobe notched ; pods stout and long {li inches in circumferenceV C. big- nonioides— tree lower, diffuse in growth; lea\es smooth, or nearly so, giving a disagreeable otiour when touched ; tiower< smaller, dingy, the lower lip entire; pods more slender. Teas' Japan Hybrid Catalpa is not hanly." Anl of its climate it says: "The climate of Lansing appears to be uncommonly severe for this latitude (43" nearly) in Michigan. Last winter the mercury sank 32°, and many times in quick succession it was below minus twenty. That, however, was an unusually rigorous winter. More- ovtr, tile college grounds lie in an open and exposed country, and the winter winds are very destructive. It is only the hardiest plants which can endure long." Gardeners 3fo/Ith/y. Hydrangeas as lawn shrubs. — The Hydran- gea pilanted out may not be altogether a scarce plant in gardens, but it is scarcer than it should be, for few flowering shrubs last so long in bloom or are so effec- tive when in that condition. It may not jierhaps be suitaVile for exposed posii ions in the northern counties, as it cannot be said to hi (piite hardy; but, seeing tliat it lives for many years in sheltered corners in the neighbourhood of London, it is clear that it is hardier than many imag'ne. Here in Somerset it has endured 26° of frost in a position fully exposed to the north-fast wind, and has not been seriously injured. We have plants of it struck from cuttings Bfteen years .ago th.at are now 12 yards in circum- ference, and during the autumn they had hundreds of heads of flowers U2:)on them, and many of the'heads so large that they would not go i to a gallon measure. I should add, however, that our soil seems to suit them better than some others nia^' do. It is a sandy loam and moderately deep, resting on the red sand- stone. Tile plants to which 1 allude are standing on gra=s, and have plenty of room on ixll sides in which to develop themselves. They commence to flower in August, and invariably last in good condition until the end of November. In one pirt of the pleasure grounds the flowers come (piite blue, while the others retain their normal pink colour. Our pl.ants give us no trouble in the way of cultivation. The old flower heads are cut off as st^on as they fade, which is all the attention they require. I may add that the flower-heads are larger in a moderately damp smnnier .Tax. 9, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 37 than in a dry one, like the past. This shows that the roots lilce a fair amount of moisture while in active growth, and those who may wish to have specimeiis of Hydrangeas in the best condition may make a note of thi.s fact. — J. C. C, Taunton, Cutting down overgrown sh.rubs. — For the most part these are best attended to in March, es- pecially all tender or partially tender ones, such as Laurels, Laurustimis, and Bajs. But very hardy kinds, such as common Yew, Bo.x, and Rhododendrons, may be cut back now without injury, though I should not advise the work to be done iu frosty weather. I do not know any plant or tree which submils to having its branches cut at any and all seasons so well as the common Yew. Some years ago, in m.aking some alterations, it v as necessary to make a new path wliere the overhanging branches of some Yew trees were much in the way. The branches were sawn off — in fact, some of them were cut quite back to the stump — and the next season the old stumps were covered with young growth ; and now, unless one looks closely into them one cannot see that any am- putations have ever taken place, so dense is the gi'owth. I mention this to show that old straggling trees and shrubs may b3 cut b.ack without any fear of their Dot breaking and making handsomer trees than they were before. Lilacs and all deciduous trees and shrubs that may need such attention may be cut back now. When such work is delayed till spring, often iu the pressure of other matters, it is imperfectly done or still further delayed. — E. Hobday. NOTES OF THE WEEK. National Chrysanthemum Society. — This Society proposes to hold a show of late Chrysanthe- mums at the Westminster Aquarium next Wedues day. Prizes are otfered for incurved Japanese varieties and collections of others. It will be interesting to sea which are the best late sorts. Narcissus pallidus praecox. — I herewith send you my tirst lilofin of N. pallitlus prsecox. I have a great j>romi«e of bloom this spring; a week hence I shall ha\'e hosts of it. The Irish N. spuriu.s is neck and neck with X. pallidus prjecox. The bloom sent is from the open air. Snowdrops and Primroses are well in flower here. — W. B. Haktland, Cork. Aspisia epidendroides. — This is not a very showy Orchid, but desii-able on account of the flowers being sweetly scented. It differs somewhat from A. lunata, but tlie flowers are about the same size as those of that species. The sepals are whitish and the lip white and purplish-violet. It is a BraziUan plant, and is now in bloom in Mr. Measures' garden at Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell. Veronica Villa d'Hyeres. — I send you a flow-ering spray of the only crimson Veronica Ville d'Hyeres that has stood 9^ of frost without injury to the flowers. Other varieties have ceased to flower in consequence, b>it this, though paler in colour, is still useful to mix with other hardy flowers, such as Christmas Koses. Crocus Imperati today ha.s burst its first flower-sheath, and with another day's sun- shine will be open — the first flower of the new year. — Edwaiui H. WdoD.vLL, Scarborourjh. Jasminum gracillimum. — I send you some spraj's of Jasaiinum gracillimum in the endeavour to show you, however faintly, the beauty of this winter- flowering stove Jessamine. If only the flowers did not drop so readily, it would be the " ne plus ultra " of stove climbers, for it is hardly ever a month without bloom, and all winter is one mass of white. — E. H. WOOIIALL. Phalsenopsis grandiflora. — Fhnvers of a wonderfully tine variety of this li>vely Orchid have been sent to us by Mr. Eden from Lord Stradbroke's garden at Henham Hall. They measure just 4 inches across, and the lateral sepals are no less than IJ inches broad ; they therefore meet the outer sepals and form a bloom of unusual compactness. Thtre is a great difference in the size of the blooms in the various forms <;if this Orchid, b:it we have never seen a finer variety than this is. Mr. Eden also sends a curious flower of Eucharis auiaznni'-a, two blooms being ajiparently fused into one. Odontoglossum adspersum. — There is a quiet beauty about this new species that renders it ex- tremely pleasing, especially when seen in company with its biighter-hued relative, O. llotsi ; then the soft canary colour of its side petals and the snowy whiteness of its heart-shaped labellum are made more conspicuous. There seems to be no doubt that 0. adspersum is a cross between O. Rossi majus and O. maculatum ; it partakes of the colour of one and the growth of the other. A fine specimen of it, together with some fine forms of 0. Rossi majus, have been sent to us by Mr. Measures, of Camberwell. He also sends a bloom of the true 0. maculatum Donnianum, which may be at once recognised from the type by its larger flowers, and particularly by the lateral sepals, which are much broader than usual. The lip is much paler, being but sparsely spotted with chocolate on a canary-yellow ground. Tecophylsea cyanocrocus Leichtlini. — On the 1st of J.anuary this e.xcpiisite little flower with such an unwieldy name opened its first blooms. Three are now fully expanded ; the darkest is of quite as dark and glowing a blue as Gentiana verna, only a great deal more of it. The palest of the three is almost white in the centre, and shades through sky blue into a bright full blue at the edge ; and the third is midway between them, a full blue in the centre shading into deep Gentian blue at the edge. There are other blooms to follow. There is not a sign or symptom of mauve or red iu the colour, but a true pure blue. The bulbs were planted in rich, but gritty soil, and have been kept in a cold frame until the frost came, when they were moved into an unheated greenhouse and kept rather dry. A pot of it containing eight or ten blooms stood between two pots of Triteleia uniflora would be a sight worth going far to see. — W. Wilks, HhirUy Vicaroye. Cyclamen ibericum, known in gardens as C. vernum and C. Couni var. vernum, is floweiing before its usual time this year, but it is none tlic less welcome, as it is almos-t the only spring flower that we have in tlie garden at present, except Christmas Roses. It is nearly allied to C. Coum, from whicli it is readily distinguished by its small o\al-orbicu)ar leaves being distinctly marbled with white, and also by its bright red flowers having a purple blotch at the base of each petal. It is a little gem as seen at present, with its charming flowers peeping through the foliage as if afraid of being seen. This seems to have been the plant taken in hand and hybridised by the late Mr. Atkins, of Painswick, the result of which we see in the many fine varieties raised and distributed by him, Atkinsi especially being particu- larly handsome. This last has large pure white flowers, with a bright purple blotch or spot at the base. None of the spring Cyclamens are at all diffi- cult to manage. We grow them in a partly shady, well- sheltered spot, and, with the exception of an autumn top-dressing, they are never disturbed. Crassula lactea. — Flowering in mid -winter in a warm greenhouse after having been grown in an airy unshaded house all summer, this comparatively un- known plant proves itself useful, and is worth grow- ing largely, not only for the decoration of the conservatory, but also to supply cut flowers. It forms a compact tuft of about a score branches, all under 6 inches in height, and clothed with closely arranged, fleshy, boat-shaped leaves, 1\ inches long by three-quarters of an inch wide. Each branch bears in winter an erect branching panicle of snow-whiteflowers, like little stars, placed thickly together, so as to present a pyramidal bunch 4 inches or 6 inches high and about 3 inches wide. The purity of the flowers, their lasting qualities, and their graceful arrangement on the stalks are such as should render them of great value for Christmas decorations, and we feel certain that very few gardeners would pass as unworthy attention the handsome little specimen of this plant now to be seen in flower in the succulent house at Kew. It will be seen from the description of this species that it differs widely from C. jasminea, another pure white-flowered kind, and from such well-known useful species as C. coccinea, C. falcata, &c. The genus is a large and very variable cuic, a fine CLillection of representative kinds, many of tliem exceedingly curious, being CTiltivated at Kew. Perhaps the two most remarkable kinds tliere are C. nult'iplex and C. pyramidalis. Strobilanthes coloratue. — This is a new addi- tion to garden Acanthads, and one of the most grace- ful of the cultivated kinds of Strobilanthes. It forms a little herbaceous shrub about \h feet higi), copiously branched, the branches nearly ecpial in length and clothed with large ovate opposite leaves, some of them 6 inches long by 4 inches wide; the margins toothed, the upper surface shining olive-green and smooth, the under side a deep claret colour. The flowers are in terminal racemes, the stalks of which are graceful and hair-like, and bear numerous flowers of a pale violet colour. In form these flowers are funnel- shaped, 1 .i inches long, three-quarters of an inch wide at the mouth, and the inside beautifully barred with red. The species in gardens nearest to this is S. Sabini- anus, which, however, is not nearly so graceful in habit nor so fine in foliage. Both these species are now in flower at Kew, the fonner being an introduc- tion from Assam. The genus is common in India, where many of the si>ecies are plentiful enough to be called weeds. Some of the kinds have the strange habit of growing into large shrubs before flowering, after which they die. At Kew there are several of these now grown into handsome little bushes, and their flower- ing is looked forward to with much interest. Is it generally known that S. isophylla is one of the most acconunodating of stove plants, forming a globe-shaped Willow-like bush, and flowering freely every year under the most ordinar}' treatment? Heliotrope 'White Lady. — This I take to be the best light-coloured Heliotrope in cultivation, especially for winter blooming, for iu a warm house at this sea- son it flowers most profusel}', and its blossoms are very fragrant. The individual heads of bloom are large, but not white, as the name would lead one to suppose ; on the contrary, they are rather a kind of pale mauve. For supplying cut flowers Heliotropes are by no means so much grown as they should be. If planted out they yield a large supply of blooms throughout the year, and most people are fond of their perfume. Apliides are about the only insects that trouble them, and they are easily kept down by occasional fumigation. At the same time it must be borne in mind that the jomig foliage of the Helio- trope is easily scorched, for which reason funngation must not be too severe. A good companicni to the Heliotrope just named is President Garfield, a kind with dark-coloured flowers, these two being all that are needed for supplying cut bloom. — Alph.v. QUESTION h. 5447.— The Buckland "yew.— Can you or any of your readers inform me if the celebrated Buckland Yew, trans- planted some five or six years ago by Mr. Barron, has taken kindly to its new home ? — Taxus. 6448.— Cool-house 'Vines. — I am erecting a vinery about 30 feet li'ug. 1 du ni>t projjoso using beat, .as it is iu a very warm position. Will .sume Vine grower kindly tell me the' best .sorts of Vines to plant, and how many I should put in?— R. T. S. LATE NOTES. Freesias.— In the pamgniph about these (p. 11 there is a clerical oiTor wbicb had better be coirected. It is the substitution of "wasting" for "roasting." I am afraid my writing was in fault.— A. Rawson. Tropeeolum Deckerianum and T. azureum.— If "A. D." will read my iH'te on tlie litter iu cunueetiun with tho article to which it referred in a recent is.sue of The Gardes, he will find that I did not refer to T. Deckerianum, but to a I>lant not mentioned by name which wa.s described as a btuc- rtowercd Tropjenlum, and refciTcd to incidentally with other species. The two kinds are mutually very distinct. — R. Irwin Lynch. Names of plants— it. i:.— Ruscus hypophyUus. • ir. .N'. — 1, Adiantum cnncinnum : 2, Selaginella Mertensi ; 3, \diantiuu macroplivUum ; 4, Adiantum hispidulum. S. CV/jii/if the leafage, and tlie secret tile forester has to learn is the best way to utdise tliat force fur the production of good tiniler. If actual bulk of contents in timber was the only ol.ject, irrespective of qualitv and shaj.e, then the best way to grow a timber tree would be to plant it in the open field, where it had room to spread on all sides, as large-topped park trees invariably produce the largest luilk of timber, thick and small; but to have the tree straight and shapely, with the bulk of the timber in its tiunk, the top must be sacrificed to a ceitain extent, and the loss of timber caused thereby found by gi'owing more trees to the sjiace. For example, perhaps twenty straight and t:dl Beeches or Ashes might be grown on the sjiace one large-topped tree would occupy. Tree planting of the past.— It is probable, as -'T. B." states, that I am " unable to grasp this malt, r;'' but I am under no misapprehension as regards his words which referred to such "gland old trees" as those at Hatfield, where the grand trees are Oaks that, as history tells us were ancient in Queen Elizabeth's time, and which aflbrd no indication of the character of tree planting in the past whatever, while m jilaces where straight lines and other formal methods (if plaining do indicate the hand of man, iho evidence simply goes to show a beginning of the art. It api)ears that I " con- fiised " "T. B.'s'' remarks on tree ]ilanting with " forestry,'' and the onlv replv I have to make is that "T. B." in his first paj.crr left the reader in doubt as to whether his " planting in the past" referred to utility, or ornanient, or both; but the general imjire^sion he conveyed was that he deemed the planters of the ancient Oaks at Hat- field and elsewhere a thousand years ago par- ticularly wise foresters, and that lie grouped these ancients and planters of Loudon's periocl all under one heail. He says his words obviously meant trees "that show in a way that cannot be mis- taken that they have been ]danted." Granted, will he then specify the remarkable examples of skill and taste which he leaves us to infer lie saw at Hatfield that belonged to the distant past; As I indicated before, no evidence, either written or practical, exists showing that tree planting was understood in this country in the distant past. When planting did liegin, there appears to have Ijeen a rush at it among landowners, but, judging from the e\-idence seen everywhere, it looks as i? it had often been done at random. YORKSHIRESIAX. Mould in timbe-.— In cutting up trees in damp warm weather, small black inl^y spots make their appearance here and there on the deals after a shower of rain or even a close heavy in-'st, and as these spots increase in size with great rapidity if means are not taken to dry the wood and expel the sap, the timber will soon become unfit for purposes wlure strength, durability, and efficiency are rerpiirtd. Tins shows the necessity of felling timber during winter, and Pine timber that is not cut up at once should have the bark removed in order to lessen tlie risk of insects and fungi finding a lodgment in it. In order to season timber properly, after being cut up, and lessen pernicious fungus attacks it should be kept dry, so that it is necessary to have a shed for that purpose in connection with sawmills. Such a shed sliould be open at the sides to admit a free current of air to t'ry the wood, and roofed over the top to keep it dry from above. By this means the drying process will not only be facilitated, but the woiid lias a bettir colour, .ind free of spot or blemish of any kind; consequently it is increased in value. This is a point in forestry and wood management wliich, I think, has been by far too much neglected or overlooked. As a "eneral rule, timber when cut up is placed outside to (fry and season without any covering whatever, and "bein" occasionally wui and dry alternately, it is thus a suitable place for fungi spores to lodge and lay the foundation for decay. — .T. 15. W. Measuring rate of tree growth.— A variety of methods liave from time to time been devised for testing the rate of growth of trees in jilantations. Some advocate the setting aside a plot in scane part of the area, the trees being marked and numbered, so that the measurements may be periodically taken at exactly the same height. This, so far as it goes, is very good, but to be of any real value I take it that the selection of a plot of laud in any part of the plantation should not be adopted. In the tame enclosure the soil, situa- tion, and consecpiently rate of growth, will so vary, that fixing upon any particular- spot, however well chosen, will more or less vitiate the result. Whether measurements taken in this waj', be tirey arranged as carefully a,t is possible, are ever entirely satisfactory, is somewhat doubtful ; but to gain figures giving the nearest approach to truth it would be infinitely more reasonable to select and mark a few trees here and there and under as diver.^e conditions as can be noted. It nmst not, however, be overlooked that even when data is collected in this way it must not be .slavishly followed, as if the ciifftrences appear to be abnormal, the causes must be carefully sought after. For fixing the exact spot at which the annual or biennial mea surtments have to be taken there is probably nothing better than paint ; but the pl.an of daubing rings of white pa-ut round trees, esjiecially where' they are likely to take the eye, is an excessively ugly one, and one for which tliere is no necessity. If a colour web used very nuicli nearer that of the I ark of the tree, but sufficiently distinct to lie seen wht-'U it was closely approached, every purpose wtjuld be au^weIed, and it may either be made a narrow ling, or a series of marks with intervals between. 'J he wny in which the trees are numbered will in some measure depend upem their character, or rather th.at of their outer bark. Where this is smooth, small letters or figures in j)aint will answer tie purpose, alwai s, of course, on the side most hidden from ger,eral view ; but when the bark is rough — as, for instance, with the Larch —this jilan will not answer well without removing the Ijarlc, and here, on account of its re.-inons natnr'-, a elifticulty presents itself to m.irking on the wood or the inner I ark. In the case of tree-^ like the Elm, I ha\"e known where a portion of the bark has been remo\eel by choppirg, and pencil marks which have been made on the bare space have remained legible for years. With resinous trees this would not follow, and some other means of recognition must be adojited. For this purpose it has been advised that a superficial incision something of the nature of a dovetail should be made in the tree, and a small hoard nr laljel inserted. This is not a bad arrangement, but it is e[Utstionable whether a small plug of t)ak or some other hard wooei wenild not fix the label equally well. In either ca.se the amount of labour would be much t! e same. — D. J. Y. MARKING TIMBER FOR .SALE. The bu.siness of selecting and marking timber when a fall has been determined on is a re- sponsible one, as not only has the question of wliich trees are reae used for making doors, windows, tJooring, &e. Lathing', however, may lie cut up and used immediately without seasoiiinj;, and may even he prepared from young trees lliat have not matured their timber, as it is I'ound that the lime plaster keeps the wood safe and sound for an indefinite period of time. A great deal has been saiil and written aj^'ainst the quality of Fir timber of home growth as com- ]iared to that of foreign Ljrowth, and this arises in a great measure from the fact that the timber of home growth has in many cases been used before the latter was thoroughly matured ; hence, one of the princi|ial prejudices against its use ; but in all cases where the trees used have been ]iroperly niatuied and the wood thoroughly SI asoned, T have found the merits of the Scotch Fir to be of a high order indeed, and capable of being used ei[ually as well as the best foreign Pine in all cases where strength and durability is requisite. Such being the case, the former arguments are mere groundless assumptions, and cannot be supported in any case where the timber used has been equally well matured and seasoned. J. B. Webmer. THE USE OF HOME-GROWN TIMBER. The abuse of home-grown timber in its applica- tion to farm buildings having led the Enclosure Commissioners of England and Wales to state in their memorandum of instructions to peisons using the powers of the Improvement Acts, that "in all cases where Fir timber is used, that obtained from Memel or Norway, and flattens fronr Dram, St. Petersburg, or other Norway or Baltic ports, is to be preferred," the importance ol their recent decision with respect to home- grown lindjer, after it has been prepared by being steeped in a solution of lime, cannot be overrated ; inasmuch as, not only may the cost of farm buildings be reduced by its' judicious employment, but the growth of suitafde timber on soils which might otherwise remain unpro- ductive will be encouraged. Thus, two branches of estate improvement greatly affecting the in- terests of landowners may be advantageously promoted. In the month of March, 1867 (says a writer in the Royal Agricultural Society's journal), Mr. Buiton Borough, of C'hetwynd Park, near New- port, Salop, ajiplied to the General Land Drainage and Improvement Comjiany for the use of the powers of their Act in tlie erection of certain [aim buildings and carrying out certain other improvements, at the same time expressing his intention of using the Fir timber grown "upon his estate where it could be profitably applied, and desiring an investigation into the "system he was then adopting of steeping the timber he used, after it had been sawn by steam machinery to the proper .scantlings, in a solution of lime. An investigation of the jirocess satisfied my fatlier, acting on behalf of the company, that the oliject was not only desirable in this particular instance, but that it might be found advan- t.-igeous in the majority of cases where suitable timber was growing on estates. For many years the proce.ss of soaking Fir timber of mature growth in a solution of lime had been adopted I lU the C'hetwynd e.state, and specimens of timbers useil in the roofs of buildings upwards of a ipiarter of a century ago, exhibiting an absence of all decay from fungoid action or animal de- struction, having been laid before the Enclosure Commissioners, they intimated their disposition to accept with equal- readiness home-grown timber so prepared, or foreign limber as ordi- narily used, if the trees selec"ted for the purpose appeared suitable and of sutlicient age to their nspector, Mr. C. Selby Bigge. We have long Ijeen in want of a cheap and generally ajijilicalile mode of rendering timber more duralile, either by expelling the saj) and tilling up the pores of the wood with sub.stances of a less changeable and destructive nature, or liy so neutralising the effect of the sap and altering its character as to produce the same result. Sap, it is well known, is the first and most powerful cause of decay in timber, tince the fermentation of its alliuminous comiiounds is the cause of the production of cryptoganiic or fungoid vegetation and the deposit of the eggs of zylophagous insects. Sa|), also, is the primary cause of dry rot, for it is the putrefactive fermentation of sap which alfects in the first instance the woody fibre, and, inducing osi- tion, and the bituminous oils entering the whole of the cajiillary tubes encase the woody fibre as with a shield, and close up the whole of the pores so as to entirely exclude lioth water and air. These bituminous oils, being insoluble in water and unafl'ected by air, render the process uni- versally applicable." I quote these words because they fitly describe the effect aimed at by the process of injection, viz., the ]ireservation of wood when exposed to the inffuence of the weather. The immer.sion of wood in a solution of lime renders it, \>y the cheap and simple process of absorption, equally durable when used above ground and under shelter, and will be found worth equal attention. That timber, when im- mersed for a .short time in a solution of lime, undergoes much the same chemical changes as when subjected to the action of metallic agents or to the process of creo.sotiug. Lime, like corrosive sublimate, precipitates albu[uinous matters, and renders them inactive Hence it is laigidy imploycd by sugar-boilers for the purpose of removing such matters from the juice of sugar-cane. For the same leason it ajipears to me well adapted to neutralise and render inactive the soluble alliuminous matters in timber, and thereby to juotect it against decay. 1 may mention further that wood im- mersed for .some days in lime-water takes up lime in the shape of a perfect solution, as caustic lime. On subsequent exposuie of the wood to the air, the excess of lime which remains in the wood alter the prccijiitation of the albuminous compounds gradually absorbs caibonic acid, and the woody fibre throughout the wdiole mass of the wood liecomes coated with insoluble carbon- ate of lime. To some extent the interstices of the timber become filled with carbonate of lime, and tlie wood to some extent is mineralised, wliich strikes me is an additional recommenda- tion of the lime process of protecting timber against decay. Such is the chendcal view of the question. Pits or ponds may be constnicted, varying in size and position with the locality in which they are maile and the quantity of timlier to be soaked. The simpler their character the more profitable their use. A common pond, from which cattle can be excluded, is perhaps the best soaking tank that can be adopted. All that is essential is to have depth and size sufficient to steep and hold timber of all characters and dimensions that may be required upon the estate, and it is unnece.s.sary to say that a little outlay in the first instance to make the tank sufiiciently commodious may be a means of saving in the end. Having secured a good suiqdy of water in the tank, the next point is to immer.se in it a sulficient quantity of lime to salisfj' the water, that is, to feed it with all it is capable of absorb- ing and retaining — thus, in fact, impregnating the water completely with lime. To render this intelligilile, we will assume that it is intended to make it a steeping tank or pond 50 feet long and 20 feet wide ; this, if filled with water 6 feet deep, will contain 37,.500 gallons. As it recpiires only 88 grains of chalk or stone lime to impregnate 1 gallon of water, 46 lbs. of lime will satisfy this quantity of water if equally distributed through its bulk ; but as it is better to make sure of uni- form effect, such a quantity should be used as will cover the bottom of the pond. It will not require many bushels to do this, and the mixture should be renewed at discretion as the pond receives fresh water. It is needless to observe that it is not advi.sable to use young Iree.^ even though llity may have grown rapidly and attained a size beyond their age. Forty years would probalily be found to be the earliest period of growth at which Fir timber would be serviceable for use. Mr. Selby in his book of •'British Forest Trees," p. 408, thus speaks of wood of the Coniferse tribe : " It has also been used for roofing and other building purposes with success, and found durable after having undergone the process of steeping in lime-water; this mode of protecting the fibre of Scotch Fir sap-wood was first practised by Sir J. Menteath, Bart., oi Closeburn, Dumfriesshire, some fifty yeais ago, and he finds that sap-wood which unprotected would not hiive lasted thirty years, alter having been subjected to this treat- ment, shows not the slightest .symptoms of decay after having lieen put up more than forty years. The solution is made by dissolving a small quan- tity of quicklime in the water in wdiich the wood is steeped, and in which it ought to remain for ten days or a fortuiglit. Kyanising, or the solu- tion of corrosive sublimate, would douljtless bo equally, if not more, eH'eetive than the lime, but more costly in itsiipplication." THE GARDEN. 41 Ho. 739. SATURDAY, Jan. 16, 1886. Vol. XXIX. " This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather : but The Art itself is Nature. "—S/ica-MjietiK. SELF-SUPPORTING GARDENS. OwiXd to the prevailinf? depression, owners of i;arileiis in many instances timl it necessary to curtail expenses, at least until affairs begin to wear a brighter aspect, and therefore all of us must study our employers' interests in this re- spect, and, under the circumstances, do the Ijest we can. After all, I think it will be found that many gardens are really self-supporting, or, at any rate, not profitless luxuries, that being easily proved by keeping a strict account of all that is produced" in the shape of flowers, fruits, and vegetables for one year. Then, if due allowance is made for the amount of work done in the pleasure grounds and various other duties wliich fall to the lot of gardeners to a much greater extent than many are aware of, it will perhaps Ije found that the balance will be in fa\'0UT of the garden. Where, however, several men from large places, and one or more from smaller ones, are discharged without also a propoi'tionate re- duction in the requirements, notalily in the form of a complete change in the present style of planting the flower garden, then I say that great hardships will be inflicted on the gardener, and unless he is allowed to charge the proper value for every plant put out, he cannot possildy make the garden self-supporting. Very few employers are aware of the amount of work attending the furnishing of large flower gardens, or it is doubtful if some at least would think the "flame worth the candle." During the \vhole of the winter and spring months tlie greater poi'tion of the room in various houses, pits, and frames is fully occupied with plants that are to till the flower garden beds for about four montlis, and which many emplo3'er3 not unfrequently do not see till they are past their liest. At least half the flower beds in the country might safely be turfed over, or else filled with plants that do not recjuire much attention prejiaratory to planting time. Then, instead of so much wasted time and sjiace being devoted to, comparatively speaking, worth- less bedding plants, proper attenlion could be paid to the cultivation of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, many of which, if need be, would usually find read}' markets. The BE.ST MARKETS. — Having had some rather unexpected and undesired experience in making the garden self-supporting, I am in a position to point out what private gai'deners will find most profitable to cultivate both for home use and for sale, and my remarks ought also to meet tlie cii.se of " Lincheu" (p. IG), who solicits infor- mation on the subject. As a rule it is not a Ivisable to study the reciuirements of the liondon markets, as these are well and fully sup- plied with nearly all kinds of fruit, flowers, and \egetables. At any rate salesmen do not care to ri'ceive such driblets as most private growers are obliged to send, and it does not pay to send them any great distance. At tiuies it is advisable to send up boxes of choice flowers, i.e., when these are usually scarce, and those who may have a good surplus of choice fruit either very early or very late in the season will also do well to try Covent Garden. On the wdiole, however, the grower should rather endeavour to find markets nearer home, notalily in such towns a.s Man- (hester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Noltingham, Preston, Leeds, Bristol, or even much smaller ]daces, and when once the connection is esta- blished and their wants ascertained, maintain as far as possible a regular and even supply. Cut fi.dwers. — It will be found that it is not a few very choice flowers that will pay, few of these ever realising half their actual value ; what is wanted are large quantities of flowers that ti'avel and keep well and which are serviceable f(jr sprays, button-hole and hand bouquets. Tea Boses are nearly always in demand, and as they are perpetual flowering— a point always to be considered when growing for market— they are very profitable. So, also, are perpetual Carna- tions, these being flowered more or less through- out the winter and spring months under glass and subsequently in the open, while beds of seedling border s'orts yield very large quantities of bloom. Semi-douVile zonal Pelargoniums may be had in flower during the dullest quarters of the year and sell well, while Bouvardias, including the double-flowering sorts, are simply indispensable. The old double white Primula is one of the best of plants for supplying unlimited supplies of cut blooms from November till May, but the seedling semi-double.s, as well as the single sorts, are of little real service. Cinerarias, notably the double sorts and which may also be raised from seed, sell well, and so also ilo Cyclamen persicum, strong plants of these yielding many dozens of blo(jms. There is sometimes a demand for Poinsettia heads with a good length of stem and foliage. Old jdants in 8-in. pots yield three or more good heads and young ones in 5-inch pots one extra fine head, and only require house room for a short period of the year. Eucharises are always acceptable, and it is hardly possible to grow too many of them, and the same may be said of the more cheaply grown Arum Lilies, the latter being in good demand for church decoration. Steplianotis sells readily early in the year and may be grown over the Eucharise.'i, while Allamanda Idooms also find favour, and are availal)le from May till February. A few Gardenias may be grown with advantage, and white Ca- mellias also sell well at times. Semi-double Indian Azaleas being the best travellers are pre- ferred, but a few strong old plants of the old white, for Easter time especially, are valuable. It does not pay to buy Lilacs and other plants for forcing, but if a few plants are available these may be forced, l.)ut Lilacs are in most respects in- ferior to the Staphylea colchica for forcing. Spirpea japonica lifted in large batches fnim the open ground and forced is profitable, and so also is Lily of the Valley, but as a rule it does not pay to purchase either roots of these or Roman Hvacinths, Narcissi, or other Dutch bulbs unless they can be had exceptionally cheap. In the open ground Christmas Roses are very profitable, these requiring glass protection only wdien in bloom. Czar Violets in the open ground and Marie Louise and Conite de Brazza m cold frames and pits yield innumerable bunches of blooms, which always "go oft'"' well. Roses, Stocks, Asters, Dahlia.?, especially white Pom- lions, Pinks, including Mrs. Sinkins and Migno- nette, are all profitable at times, and some of the earliest flowering Chrysanthemums are useful. During some winters, including the present. Chrysanthemums of all kinds are in demand, but as a rule I'arly and late white varieties are the most profitable. AVhere there is a large con- servatory this should also be utilised, as it is quite possible to cut many baskets of flowers in such ]jlaces without any apparent disfigurement. The best plants for walls and pillars are Camellias, Heliotropes, semi-double zonal Pelargoniuins, Cytisus racomosus, Abutilon Boule de Neige, Marechal Niel, and other climbing Roses, white and red Lapageria^, Bougainvillea glabra. Cle- matis indivisa, and Plumbago capensis; whih' bushy plants of the first fivi? named, either in pots or planted out, are serviceable and ornamen- tal in the body of the structure. Large ipuintities of Chrysanthemums may either be flowered in pots or lifted from the open ground and planted in the conservatory borders. Fine-foliaged plants must inevitably suft'er where gardens »re to be self-supporting, and, much as it nu'y grieve culti- \'ators, it may prove the best plan to at once clear nut a considerable number of them, accord- ing as the space is required for the more profitable flowering plants. Thk most profitable fruits. — It will be seen that the majority of the plants just recom- meniled will recpiire house room during the late autumn, winter, and early spring months, and this liberates, especially if lew or no bedding plants are required, the houses for the purposes of fruit and early vegetable culture. Tomatoes a short time ago were the most profitable amongst " catch crops,'' and though at the present time these are much more extensively cultivated than hitherto, there is yet sufficient demand to en- couiage, still more to market them. Conse- quently, a house may well be devoted to them, or good crops may with a little contrivance be grown in the various forcing houses. Cucumbers, again, are not so profitahle as they were, but a certain number may be grown with advantage, summer crops in pits frequently proving very remunerative, and the same remarks apply to Melons. Really good Peaches and Nectarines realise the best prices in London, as also do Figs, and the two former especially may safely be termed profitalile, tlie houses in wdiich they are grown being also available for Chrysanthemums in autumn. Grapes are frequently unsaleable, especiallv during August ; those, therefore, who study the markets as well as their employer's table, should strive to have the earliest sorts ripe during May or June, and the late sorts, which ought to preponderate, in good condition during November, December, and later if possible. Muscat of Alexandria, if well grown, realises the best prices, but these have not paid nearly so well this winter as usual. Forced Strawberries ripe, say, early in April and onwards, the latest pickings jjeing from plants in sunny pits and frames, jilanted out if possilde, usually prove remunerative. Pine-apples are unprofitable now-a-days, at least that is my experience, and I hear of several growers who are clearing out their plants. The houses in which they have been grown are to be devoted in some instances to the cultivation of other choice fruits for the market It is middle-class buyers who have to be studied principally, and they do not pay fancy prices for anything. Soft hardy fruits, or those that travel badly, should be sold near home, but selected Peai-s, Apples, Plums, Apricots, and Peaches usually realise good prices. Pears have been the most profitable hardy fruit during the past season, a friend of mine having got £(iO for his surplus fruit. Early vegetables. — These frequently pay as well as anything I have grown. We force kidney Beans extensiA-ely, but I should not do so if they were not required for my employer's table, as the surplus does not fetch good prices ; later crops of them, however, in pits and on sunny liorders are fairly remunerative. The same remarks apply to Potatoes, and with these great (Quantities of Wood's Frame and French Breakfast Radishes are grown, the latter selling readily. Early Carrots and Radishes are profitable crops for frames, and so also are early Turnips. Turnips are very scarce this winter, ami we shall feel safe in sowing either Early Jlilan or Early Munich under glass more extensively than usual. Two 42 THE GARDEN. [.Ian. 10, 188G. or three frames of Early Paris Market Lettuce frec^uently f,'ive tjood return:^, ami now is tlie tiinf to sow a pinch of seed. Earlj' Peas under glass are not profitable, and I am not sure tliat they pay for coddling on south liorders. Wil- liam I. sown in the open, and closely followed by several rows of Telegrapli or Telephone, yield satisfactorily, and when the produce can l)e carted to a neigliliotiring town, as in our case, tliey paj' fairly well. Jlain-croji and late Peas are not ]iroti table, liut Scarlet Runners are. A good lireadtli of Early Nantes Horn Carrot on a south border, and Eaily Jlilan and Snowliall Turnips on an east border, are paying crops, and good beds of Asparagus still more so. Caulitiowers are rather uncertain, but early Broccoli fre- '[uently sells readily, wliile Brussels Sprouts are always remunerative. Eaily Ashleaf Potatoes oidy shoidd be sold from private gar. Erudiuiii uiaL-radcuum Vorunica Hulkeana Helianthemum Yellow Standard Xanthoxylou sp. (Japan) Bianthus alpinus bar- batus Kempervivum Brauni Houstonia serpyllifolia Leptinella scariosa " Linai'ia pallida Veronica Pona^ geutianoides 10. Oxytropis uralensis Carux frigida Lychnis V'iscaria pur- pui-ea Xepeta longiflora Haxifniga pent^dactylis Centrauthus ruber Diphylleia cymosa Lychnis Viscaria spleu- dens fl.-pl. rodophylhun peltiitum .iVranaria casspitosa Hieraciuni pilosella- furme Linaria t'ymbalariasilba 11. Erigeron aurantiacum Mimuhis maculosus Corydalia glauca rosei Heliaathemum The Bride Libertia graudiflora ixiotdes Foteutilla uevadensis Vaccinium Mortinia Anemone Hudsouiana Globularia trichosantba 12. Arisaima triphyllum Calochurtus ca^ruleus Allium cjeruleum Hypoxis erecta Arenai'ia stricta montana Tofieldia palustris Dianthus hybrid Orchis ma(_-iilata Helianyienmm vulgare variegatum Dielytra speciusa Saxifraga longifolia tenella Delphinium nudicaule l.imiiea burealis Potentilla trid^ntata ytellaria aurea tjaxif raga squarrosa Portai nouita Petrocoptis Lagascie Euphorbia amygda- loides variegata Astragalus leontinus Oxalis tropajoloides Dianthus Tyi^plirestus Acaina adscendens Vancouveria hexaudra Cocculus japonicus Eriophorum alpinum I'iantlius fragrans A iuilegia trinityensis Dactylisglomerata aurea Bempervivuui flagelli- foruio Veronica verbenacea Dianthus caucasicus Rhodotypos kerrioides Horminum pyrenaicum Anthyllis Vulneraria rubra Hypericum liuiuifusum 13. FruilUma cirrhosa PotentiUa peduncularia Dianthus caisius Aiitennaria dioica hy- perborea Carex atrata j fciaxifraga sibirica i Toheldia americana Chrysobactron Hnokeri Cerastium grandiflorum i Gaultheria Shallon acu- tifolia I Vorbascum olympicuni j Delphinium ca;hmuri- i aniun Galium saxatile yedum oreganum var. 14 — 15. Dianthus ulpinus Hilene alj^estns Saxifraga aepera Aster glabeUus Scabiosa alpina JlUiO 14—15. Phlox Carolina Globularia Wilkommi Helonias asphodeloides Orchis rnaculatixsupcrba Veronica saUireifolia Helianthemum Curio- sity Polemonium CEeruIeum (fasciated var.) Vei'onica Hiiasti Linna^a borealis ameri- cana Rosa pyrenaica Veronica diosm*folia Diaathiis eximeus Aquilegia formoea Potent ilia nivea Ihanthus calocephalus Helianthemum canum Cistus corboriensis 10. Veronica carnosiila Oxytropiis laetea Collomia coccinea Campanula caruica Veronica Cataracta; 17. Geranium armenum PotentiUa Louis van Hotitte Ulrs. Salter Calceolaria Kellyana Aster alpinus Campanula coUina Jasione montana Liudelufia spectabilis Allium atrosanguineum IS. Dianthus Simsi Sempervivum arachnoi- deum Dianthus neglectus var. Celmisia spectabilis Tofieldia carinthiaca Vicia villosa Erigeron purpureum Achillea herba-rota Delphinium Belladonna 10. Eriogonuni umbellatum Ranunculus gerauioides Astragalus vaginatus PotentiUa floribuuda Escallonia macrantha Mulgediuni alpinum Primula capitata Silene ciliata PotentiUa variabilis Ajuga alpina Echium rubrum HemerocallisDumortieri 20. Papaver orientale Dianthus superbus Smilacina borealis PotentiUa aurantiaca Campanula turbinata Santolina alpina Sedum anglicum Thymus Marshallianus Geranium Endressi Linaria Cymbalaria maxima Campanula thyrsoidea Plantago media variety Ajuga reptans variegata 21 — 22. Hedysarum obscu- rum Genista sagitt^dis Dianthus neglectus Gaillardia maxima Digitalis purpurea alba Melissa grandiflora PotentiUa Mrs. Rouiland Erodium caruifolium Phlox hybrid a compacta Lonicera tomcutella Astragalus hypoglottis albu.s Cotoneaster thymifo- lium 23. Erigeron eriocephalum Campanula G. F. « ilson Fettes Mount Pink Spin«a Ai-uncus plumosa Catheartia villosa Campanula Porten- schlagiaua tenella Crucianella stylosa coc- cinea Haplocai-pha Leichtlini Liliuni carniolicum PotentiUa Cameleon Bilene muscipula 24. Dianthus Fischeri Lotus corniculatus fl.-pl. Coronilla iberica Aristolochia Clematitis Primula elliptica Peliosanthes sp. 2o. Sedum pallens Gazania variegata Veronica chathamica Sedum kamtschaticum Thymus Serpylluui liir- tum June 25. Iris pallida Saxifraga mutata Allium McNabiauuia Dianthus pulchcUus Papaver alpinum Lin- neanum 26. Sedum obtusatum Oinothera odorata 27. Cistus formosus Vicia crana Campanula punctata Aristolochia rotuudata PotentiUa Dr. Andr6 Campanula glomerata dahurica Dianthus Mrs. Sinkins Phlumis fruticosa Iris cuprea Pratia angulata 2S — 20. Gentiana lutea Iris xiphioides Thalictrum formosmu Oenothera margiuata IMalva sylvestris (.)rchis foliosa Campanula pulchella Aster alpinus alhus Scutellaria alpina PotentiUa purpui'eo- lutea Campanula gracilis gracilis alba Plantago maritima var. (dwarf form) Veronica Candida Wahlenbergia saxicola Anchusa sikkimeusis Allium pedernoutamnu Diantlius superbus Hceltzeri Erigeron mucronatus PotentiUa Alfred Salter 30. Aiyssum argtnteum Armeria alpina PotentiUa Vase d'(.)r Lathyrus tingitauus Phyteuma Scheuchzeri Senecio adonidifolius minor Dianthu.s prostratus AnagaUis tenella Lilium umbellatum croceum colchicum Erigeron glabellum Sedum oreganum Pentstemon gentian- oides Thymus Serpyllum albus Scutellaria altaica July 1 Thymus acinos Cistus florentiuus Astragalus purpureuo Broditea congesta Scutellaria galericulata Campanula rotundifolia maxima garganica hirsuta Calochortus albus Mimulns cardinalis Erica ciuerca liii-olor Gludinlu.s < olviUei PotentiUa marginata Campanula glomerata Cypripedium spectabile Sedum elegans turgid um Gentiana ciuciata Ttiteleia Murrayana PotentiUa valderia Lupinus arboreus Jasione perennis Saxifraga Hausmanni Sedum asiatieum Herniaria ciliata Crucianella stylosa Erica cinerea Stenactls speciosa Pnmella pjTenaica Sedum farinosum hirsutum spuriiun spurium album Sempervivum califomi- cum fimbriatum atlanticum Vicia onobrychioides HTipleurum ranuncu- loides PotentiUa insignis Anchusa incamata Mieromeria Douglasi ]\Ientha Requieni Aquilegia The Borderer Veronica australis Sempervivum Pittoni (Enothera glauca Acantholimon gluma- cexnu jJuly I 3. Geranium sauguineum Agrostemma Flos-Jovis Actiuella scaposa 4. Michauxia campanu- latus Veronica perfoliata Oxyeoccus macrocarpus Lithospermum petrituni Sedum sexangulare cruciatum Selskianum pinnatum Epilobium longipes Rheum officinale 0 — (3. Verbascum coUiniuii Silene Eli?abcthte Brodi?ea coccinea Morina longifolia Betonica orientalis Acjena microphylla variety Genista tinetoria Hypericum pulchruui Campanula garganica Lychnis Haageana Veronica Traversi Kniphofia Uvuria Leontopodium alpinum Rose Paquerette Paronychia serpylli- folia Galium erectum taxi'raga grrenlandica Phyteuma orbicuiare Genista aspalathoides Dianthus Little Gem 2ygadcnus elegans Chrysanthemum Leu- canthemum var. Pyrethrum Willmotti Centaurea stricta Polemonium Richard- son i ". Bupleurum CandoUei Dianthus barbatus pu- milus tl.-pl. Thymus lanuglnosus Salvia Horminuni Dioscorea villosa Delphinium Madame de Bihan S. Cistus creticus Asteriscus maritimus Urospermum Dale- champi Dianthus Marie Pere Epilobium latifolium Anthyllis Vulneraria Biiphthalmum salicifo- lium Santolina iucana Digitalis nevadensis PotentiUa sericea hidalcea Candida Gillenia trifoliata Fuchsia mageUanica Allium species Sedum hispanicum monregaloDse Spiriea discolor 0. Geranium Lauiberti Thymus micans Agrostemma eoronaria alba Centaurea montana Chelone barbata Torreyi 10. Lilium Krameri Latbyrus latifoliua albus Tradescantia virginica Dianthus .itrr>-rubens 11. Mazus Puuiilii.) Lilium canudense PotentiUa alcheuiil- loides 12. Funkia marginata Saxifraga odontophylla !'•'>. Lathyrus latifolius Thymus alpinus Campanula nitida alba PotentiUa nepalensis Lilium davuricum Lychnis vespertinafl. -pi . Veronica Dabneyi Geranium Wallii hianum Orobanche rubra Rumex sanguisorbfe- folia 14. Calliprora flava Coronilla varia Erica tetralix I.aw- soniaua 15. CEnothcra taraxacifolia Sedum dasyphyllum Aizoon virescens 10. Carajjanula azurea Silene chlorEefolia swer- tisefolia Helianthemum Tuber- aria Scabiosa Webbiana July lij. MccoiKipsis WalUchi fusco- purpurea Astilbe japonita Spir;i,-a astilboiiles Diauthiis Atkin:'^uni 17. Ilclcnium Bolaiideri Veronica Andersoiii rubra Rosa viridiflora Campanula SoldancUa fl.-pl. Gentiana septemlida cordifolia Inula ensifolia var. Teucrium pyi-enaicum Dianthus crucntus Sedum ca^nUeum i niulticeps ; neglectum virescens major maximum is. Calochortus venustus roseua Anthemis tinetoria dis- : coidea * Milla longipes 10-31. Campanula Wald- bteiniana Delphinium vekitinum Veronica maritima alba Hyptricum elegans Agatha^a cjelestis Gentiana Burseriana Polygonum vaccini- folium Calluna vulgaris tomen- tofca Mieromeria PipereUa Cyananthus linai-ias- foLus Campanula Tymonsl Oxytropis deHexa Eryngium asperifolium Polygonum Brunonis Heleuium pumilum Gentiana Wallichi ('■mvolvulus lineatus <.>nopordon Acanthium Helleborusniger gi-andi- florus Calceolaria scabio.sai folia Inula ensifolia Veronica corymbosa variegata Phlox ovata Centaurea procunibens Dracocephalum argu- nense Epilobium Fleischeri Spirte I palmata alba <»nonis arvensis Eiythnva diffusa (Jineraria maritima Linum monogymum Campanula iswphylla alba haylodgensis Geranium polyanthes Hypericum reptans verticillatum Statice Dodarti Erica ramulosa Cassinia f ulvida Linaria genistsefolia i Calandrmia umbellata ' Hesperoscordon lacteum Adenophora lilifolia Rose White Pet i Coreopsis laneeolata ! Linai'ia vulgaris Peloria Alstrcemeria aurea j Campanula elegans Phlox glaberrima Silene Schafta Spiraea palmata Linum luteum Pratia littotalis Campanula Hendersoni ' Lysmiaehia thyrsifloia vcrticiUata Lilium d a 1 m a ti c u m Leichtlini auratum CEnothera fruticosa Auomatheca truenta feodum populifolium stellatum roseuni Dracocephalum strami- neum IMnnarda didyma Veronica incisa Lavandula Spica Stobaiia purpurea Gaillardia grandiflora Anemone rivularis August 3. Calochortus pulchellus Marrubiiun vulgare Pterocephalus Parnassi Gentiana adscendens Calluna vulgaris fl.-pl. 15 10- AugUKt 4. Clematis Jackmanni Calluna vulgaris Scarlii V. alba-Spica-braivis 7. Campanula Hosti JS. Ophelia sp. Gentiana Bigelowi Geum reptan.s Campanula pyraniida!is macrantha alba Scabiosa speciosa PotentiUa reptans fl.-pl. Veronica salicifolia 10. (. ampanula .sannatica Polygonum capitatum Gentiana tibetica Dianthus chincnsia Heddewigi Spiraea Bumalda; Ihlox coccinea 12. Hj pericum glaucum 13. Siixifraga flagellaris Campanula isopbylla Sedum cyaneum Geranium aconitifolium I)elphinium eardinale Calluna vulgaris j yg- maia Lobelia syphilitica Polygonum eutiddatum Veronica maritiuia -17. Montbretia Pottsi Franena rupestris Lilium pardalinum su- per bunr Malva moschata Campanula floribunda nitida 18. Ballotii spino.sa Veronica spicata hixu Echinops Ritro Gentiana ornata Aster sikkimeusis Seseli gummiferum Scabiosa Gramuntia 10. Sedum maximum jjur- pureum Colchicum autumnale album Hypericum patulum Salvia inteiTupta 20, Senecio speciosus Helianthemum amabile 22. Cyclamen hedera^folium yucca filamentosa 24. Anemone japonica alba Colchicum autumnale vcrum Erica vagans alba minor Veronica longifolia sub- sessilis 25. Origanum Tounieforti Cyclamen europajum Linaria vulgaris Colchicum variegatum Platycodon pimiUum Colcnicum speciosum rubrum Onopordon horridum Ballota acetabulosa 20. Sedum spectabile Monarda didyma alba 31. Sedum dasyphyllum oblong itolium Dracocephalum virgini- cum September 1. Gentiana asclepiadea alba 3. Lilium tigrinum Calluna vulgaris Alporti 5. Lobelia lutea Sedum multiceps 7. Gladiolus Saundersi var. Helianthus multiflorus Saponaria officinalis fl. pi. Palmerelia debihs S. Colchicum autumnale plenum 9. SehizostyUs coccinea Veronica spicat i 11. Colchicum maximum 13. Mutisia decurrens 14. Montbretia crocosmae- floia Crocus speciosus 15. Coreopsis teuuifolia Campanula primulajfolia Colchicum rubrum 17. Svalvia argentca Kudbeckia Newmanni IS. Colchicum autumnale album fl.-pl. 21. Veronica glaueo-cajrulea Crocus nudiflorus 24. Gladiolus purpureo-au- Kxtus Linaria purpurea 25. Crocus pulcheUus Tricyrtis australis 2S. Allium Sanborini glaucum 46 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 16, 1886. October December 7. Crocus nicdius 15. llelleboruR torquatun 19. Shrundri niger angustifolius byzantinus lij. niger CEnothera acaulis 22. purpiirascens 27. Polygala Chanifebuxus uriGUtaliB purpurea 25. Pondift Kpipactis Hepatica triloba alba 28. Hepatica triloba November 4. Croc\is hadriaticu.s Table Showin-g thi: Number of Spkcies Coming into Bloom Each Month. iSpecies. Species. January, 1885 ... 8 August .... 71 February . . . 2."1 September . . .an March .... (54 October . . . . (1 April . . .171 November . . . 1 May . . . .178 December ... 7 June . . . .349 July . . . .233 1141 R. Lindsay. Srinuses. — After many failures with these, we ha\"e come to the conclusion that, away from the west of England and the Isle of Wight, they are not to be depended on as perennials, except in cold frames. At Munstead notably, and also at otlier places, we have seen E. alpinus covering an old wall and flowering profusely. We did not notice, how- ever, any old plants, and those in flower were mostly the previous year's seedlings, with hundreds coming up ready to flower the following summer. Instead of leaving the old plants, we pull them up and throw them away as soon as they have all shed their seed. We find that, even in pots, these plants are not by any means long-lived. At the second or third year branches get black and die off ; other signs of decay likewise show themselves, and the best way is to replace them with younger and more robust plants. They are easily increased from cuttings, and as they seed freely, there can never be any ditiicidty in keep- ing up the supply. — Q. Potentilla nitida. — This grows well, one might almttst say luxuriantly, on the ordinary rockery, but it rarely, if ever, flowers, and even then not at all in proportion to the size and strength of the plant. It grows well in pots also, but here again the same difficulty arises. In desperation we wedged a piece of it in an old brick wall, using enough soil only to co'^er the roots and to our surprise it was successful ; last year it bloomed more profusely than we had ever seen it before, the flowers being large and of a hand- some soft pink cohmr. Although the summer was dry and the plant got little or no water, the roots were apparently, in the old soft mortar, far out of reach of the sun's influence. In the latter position, too, it retains that beautifnl silvery appearanca which one generally admires in the case of imported plants of this Potentilla, but which in ordinary soil they lose in common with most other alpine plants, notably Achillea holi>sericea, many of the crusted Saxifrages, and glaucous Sedums. — K. ■Wall plants. — Though there are numbers of plants suitable for this purpose, but few of them adhere to walls without some assistance. Among deciduous subjects, the place of honour must be awarded to Veitch's Arapelopsis, which will adhere closely to woodwork, whether painted or not, as well as to bricks or stone. In good soil it is of quick growth, and an additional recommendation is that large plants of it can be moved without injury— at least, such is my experience. Two years back, wishing to cover a space of wall as quickly as possible, I stripped some large plants of this climber from another portion of wall and removed them where required. The roots were long and rambling, with but few fibres, so that I was rather fearful of the consequences ; but, being planted in good soil and kept well watered, all succeeded. The principal branches were secured in their new position by means of nails and shreds, and as soon as growth began in earnest, the new shoots took hold of the wall in all directions, and now, after two seasons' growth, it is clothed in a perfect manner without any traces of so recent a removal. This is indeed a gr.and wall plant, for, though lacking the vigour of the older variety, it needs no attention, while the former nuist be secured in position. Teconia radicans will clutch the wall fairly well if the surface is not too smooth, but, in order to flower it success fully, a good sunny position should be chosen where the wood can be well ripened. Among evergreen climbers, the different Ivies take prominent positions ; most planters, however, seem to overlook the fact that there exists among them great diversity of form. Of this I was forcibly struck tlie other daj' by a stretch of wall on which there was a large collection, each variety having a certain space allotted to it. — Alpha. EFFECTS OF THE SNOWSTORM. Twelve inches of snow fell in tliis district in the cour.se of four hours on tlie morning of tlie (3th inst.; it is hardly necessary, therefore, to say that shrubs, Conifers, and ornamental trees generally liave been seriously iojuied Ijy the great weight so (juickly forced into their centres. A tew degrees of frost on the previous night prepared every branch and twig for holding this mass of snow, which came from the east and took the trees, as it were, the wrong way, our prevailing winds coming from the opposite direction, and manv .slender growers were found at daylight with their heads lient to the ground. Others less pliant, notalily the Arljutns, evergreen Oaks, and even the common Yew, have lost great numbers of branches; but the full extent of the damage cannot yet be ascertainens plants to flower at Christmas is being made, this Iris should not be forgotten. It needs but little in the way of forcing to have it in bloom by the latter part of December. A frame or greenhouse in which there is a little heat is all that is needed ; whereas Tulips, Hyacinths, Narcissi, and other bulbs of that sort require a good deal more. Imported bulbs of this Iris flower well, and half-a-dozen of them in a .')-inch pot are, when in bloom, highly attractive. From the time the buds show themselves till the flf>wers expand they should be so situated as to get all the light possible, otherwise the blooms will be pale and thin. After flowering they may be hardened off and planted iii a suit.able spot to recoup themselves. Another bulbou-i phant rarely .seen in flower at Christmas, yet easy to obtain at that time, is Rcilla sibirica, which, like the Iris, needs all the light pos- sible in order to bring out its beautiful blue tints. This requires more forcing than the Iris in order to have it in bloom at the same time — indeed about as much as a Due Van Thol Tulip. With reaard to forcing bulbs, it is a singular fact that the Snowdrop can be advanced but little by forcing; indeed, very little heat suffices to cause all its blooms to go what is termed blind. — H. P. Propagating the Luculia.~-()f all sweet- scented flowei-ing plants grown for the decoration of the conservatory, there is probably not one at this time of year which attracts so much attention as this lovely shrub. Although an old plant, having been imported fnun Xepaul as far back as 1 823, good bushes of it are seldom seen ; and yet there is nothing difficult about its cultivation, if we except its propa- gation. Even snuiU plants of it, such as one meets now in nur.series, flower well, although, when kept wlir)lly in pots, they generally form Ijut poor speci- mens. It is only when planted out in a house, with a temperature ranging from 50° to 65", and in a border consisting of good fibrous loam and leaf mould in equal parts, with the addition of a good sprinkling of .sdver sand, that it shows itself in its true character, bearing at the extremity of each of its shoots noble heads of Hydrangea-like flowers. When grown in that manner, the plants, directly after flowering, sliould be cut back so close as to leave only one or two eyes on the young wood ; from these a vigorous growth will be produced in the spring, and if not stopped later than the beginning of June will cover itself with flowers during the following months. The difliculties attending its prop.agation are, after all, more imaginary than real, (-nttings of it do not, it is true, -strike root so freely as those of soft-wooded plants ; but the inuuense quantities of it annu.ally supplied to the trade by .an Edinburgh firm ought to lie sufficient proof of the readiness w-ith whicti it niay l)e increased by means of cuttings, if jjroperly and skilfully treated. (_'uttings of it will not root easily if kept exclusively under cool treatment, anfl they will fail if put in iieat directly at the start; l)ut if allowed to get callused before they are subjected to he.at, little difficulty will be found in getting them rorited. They should be put into an ordinary greeniionse, covered with a bell-glass, shaded, and the soil shi>uld be kept moderately moist until they have formed a callus, which will occiipy say about a month ; they should then be ])laced in a mode- rate bottom heat, and kept close and shaded to keep them from flagging. Cuttings in a suitable condition to strike may be procured soon after the plants have done flfiwering. Thus it will be seen that no insur- monntalile difficulty attends this part of its culture ; but it should be borne in mind that at all times this handsome plant requires, and well deserves, a little more than ordinary care to bring it to perfection. Checks arising from cold draughts often destroy the blooms in their course of formation, and to that cause alone may reasonably be attributed many lamentable failures in the case of this plant. — S. LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. I QUITE agree with all that Mr. Molyneux says (p. 31) respecting the value of late Ohrvsantbe- iniiius both as pot plants and i'uv supplying cut flower.^, hi fact, lor the latter purpose, 1 con- sider tbeni without an equal from the fact of their lasting .so long in good condition. I have some at the present time that have been cut (|uite three weeks, and that have had the water changed and fresh foliage added several tinie.s, and they are still quite fresh-looking, while flowers of any kind that are forced into bloom liy niean.s of a high temperature are but short lived at the best. The means of getting a good sup]ily of forced bloom at Christmas and the new year are not so universal, even in gardens of con- siderable e.vtent, as is the demand made on them, anil I feel .sure it will pro\'e luie of the greatest Ijoons to an over-taxed class of men to be able to get a full supply of bloom from cold houses. These late ( 'Iny.santhemums only need keeping free from being actually frozen, and they will go on expanding blooms until the lengthening days bring so many other flowers into bloom that they are really no longer required. We have at pre- sent a large orcluird hou.se fnun whicli hundreds of flowers were cut at Christmas, and it i.s .still gay with lilooms that look as if they would last until tlie end of Keliruary, and as we are within sight of the Isle of Wight, there need be no fear a.s to the possibility of retarding the Chrysanthe- mum in any jiart of the kingt and lime ; a top-dre.ssing of .«alt will lie beneficial in June if the sea.son should jirove dry. Pinch away all indications of flowers and kill all weeds when small. As soon as tlie leaves drop away from the crowns in autumn fcjrcing may begin, and fiefore cold weather sets in all the ro(-its intended lor forcing during the jiresent year should be lifted carefully, be trimmed in at the roots, and then be lieeled in close together in a cool nortli border near to the forcing ground. This lifting and laying in liy the heels in a cool site will tend to ripen them, and they will always be on the spot no matter what the weather may be. ' These cultural details refer only to Seakale taken up to be forced. Open ground forcing. — In many places the old-fashioned plan of forcing in the open ground under pots is still adopted, and very good Kale can be grown in that way, as T have proved over and over again ; but there isagood deal of trouble attached to kcejiing up the beds to the requfsite teiiijierature, especially in severe weather, and under all po.s,siblf care there is at times some uncertainty as to its succeeding ; whereas, when forcing it in a Mushroom house, or a close frame or pit, there is no difficulty in maintaining a regular, steady, genial temperature just suitable for it. Seakale ditiers from Asparagus in this respect: it must not be exposed to light. To have it in prime condition, light must be totally excluded, and the atmosphere surrounding it when growing must be free from all impurities, as if grown under the gases of rank, fermenting manure it will frequently acquire a bad taste. Forcing in the open ground is carried on beneath pots, and to meet this the plants are set out in clusters of three 6 inches apart, so that the ]iots will cover them easily. These clumps or clusters of crowns are sometimes planted in buds, two rows in a bed, the clusters of plants being about 2 feet or 2.V feet apart. The beds are intersected by alleys 3 feet wide for the convenience of taking on manure and gathering the produce. The beds are covered in succession, lieginniiig as .■^oiui as the leaves drop away, .and continuing till the last bed is finished, about April. Of course the last bed will need no forcing ; only blanching materials need be used ; ashes or .sand will do very well, and the crowns may be covered with jiots in the 'usual way, and the space between the pots filled in with a covering of leaves. In country places tree leaves play a very important part in forcing operations, the warmth whiidi they generate being so sweet and genial. There need be no fear of any vegetable growth aciiuiring an earthy taste where leaves form one-half of the forcing beds. I have seen excellent Seakale, Rhubarb, and Mushrooms pro- duced in a large underground cellar, the warmth arising from gentle fermentation, sufficient heat being thus obtained to carry on the forcing without fire heat; indeed, in such cases fire heat would be cpiite unnecessarj' as well as in- jurious. Very good Seakale may be grown in an ordinary hotlied, such as is commonly used for forcing Potatoes, Asparagus, &c. ; only the lights must be covered thickly to keep out the light. Small quantities may be easily brought forward by planting five roots in a 10-inch pot, filling as many pots at a time as may be required. The pots may be set under the stage in a greenhouse or in a forcing house, each pot of plants to be covered with an empty inverted pot of the same size, and the whole to be still further darkened by a covering of mats or sacks, so that the growth may be perfectly blanched. Seakale may be forced in deep boxes, with close-iitting lids on the top, to totally exclude light. A gentle temperature anywhere between StT-' and 60" will do, but the less heat the slower the growth comes on. E. Hobday. Chou de Burghley. — " W. I. M." does not speak too favour.ably of Chou de Burghley. the kind wliich I had and which I said at the time appeared to be identical with Mr. Gilbert s now well-known vegetable, though it was not of that stock. '* \V. I. M." ' asserts that it requires as long a season of growth as Broccoli, but that cannot be the case, as in its Cabbage foriii, anil that is the form to which I have made reference, it is fit to cut at Christmas, some three months or even more before Broccoli is fit to cut. This vegetable, wliatever it may be, is robust and stands drought well, while Savoys suffer more and make less rapid growth. In that respect alone it is valuable as a market field vegetable, and merits attention. As to quality, my experience differs from that of " W. I. M.," but then tastes differ. I, how- ever, prefer the tender sweetne s and pleasant flavour of Chou de Burghley to that of loarse, white Cabbages and I)rumhead Savoys, but I think ihat it has its ei[uai in the pleasant, soft, early Ulm Savoy; still, we don't want to be tied to one kind of C'abbage, and tlie cultivator who can put upon the table a vegetable that lias the pleasant texture and flavour of the Chou de Burghley as a variation from the normal course of Brussels Sprouts, Savoy, or Colewort Cabbage merits praise rather than blame. However, the (piestion raised was whether, in a season of comparative scarcity of green crops, a big piece of Chou de Burghley, thriving well in the drought and in an oper field, as it has done with me, would not have proved a profit- alile cro]i to a market gardener, and I am still of opinifin that it would. Field crops of these vegetables are, if less coarse, also perhaps more richly flavoured than are those grown in gardens fed with much rank manure. — A. D. GARDEN HEDtJES. Hawthorn or Quick hedges are largely used as houndaiy lines for out-of-the-way kitchen gardens, reserve grounds, and similar ]ilace.i. They are, indeed, everywhere in demand, and worthily so, as nothing excels them in rapiility of growtli, durability, or effectiveness; but wdiere ornament is required as well as utility, as, for instance, in ]iarts of the pleasure garden that are often fre- quented, they are objectioiialile, particularly in winter when leafless. In some localities it is believed that they mu^t be planterl in double rows to make a hedge sufficiently strong to stand the wear and tear brought to bear on it, but that is a mistake, as a single row of Quicks will grow thick enougli to make a thoroughly good fence. Very often one sees banks of soil raised and the liedge planted on the top. Except in wet localities, that is also a mistake ; young Quicks especially often suffer in a dry summer when thus planted, but where the land is naturally wet the site should be raised somewhat above the ordinary level. Before planting a hedge on the level, thoroughly trench the ground, and the plants will succeed all the better if some minure can be added to it during the operation of digging. Procure clean, well-grown plants, about the thickness of an ordinary wood pencil, jdant them 4 inches apart, treading the .soil firmly as the work proceeds. Out them down within 4 inches of the .soil ; this induces them to break inta growth right from the bottom. When allowed to grow without cutting down the bottom of the hedge is apt to get Ijare, a circum- stance to be avoided, as no after treatment will induce a supply of fresh branches; even if not cut right down or neaily so the shoots will not grow \'ery long the first season, but they must be to]qied and the side shoots cut in, so as not to allow tlieui to extend far at first. During the second season the shoots .sliould lie clipped three times; this constant clipping induces a branching habit, wiii( h is the all-important point aimed at in a young hedge. There are various methods of cutting Thorn hedges, but I think the wedge- sliaped the best. Little room is thus taken up and the hedge looks always neat and trim. The ground for at least a foot wide on each side should be kept clear of Grass or other weeds ; if allowed to grow, they soon injure the bottom liranches. In allowing the points of the shoots to extend the side branches must lie taken into consideration. If they show a tendency to grow strongly, then the leaders may be allowed to extend "faster than would otherwise be the case till the necessary height is reached ; but if the bottom growths are weak, then keep the tiq) down in proportion. Holly is the best kind of plant for making a evergreen hedge where shelter and strength are required. Its deep green foliage in winter, too, is very pleasant to look upon, particularly when plentifully covered with berrie.s. Hollies will grow ill almost any soil. When plentifully sup- plied with manure at planting time they grow- fast, and assume a deep green colour, especially when the soil is strong and impregnated with chalk. In such soils they can Vie transplanted with certainty of success at almost any season, except when in full growth in summer. In strong soils the roots do not ramble far, and in consequence in moving more soil adheres to them than in soil of a lighlier character. As 1 have .said. Hollies may be planted at almost any lime, but the best lime is early in October. If the soil at that time happens to be dry, they should be well puddled in, which is done liy pouring water on the soil during the ojieration of planting and treading the mould firmly about the roots. Afterwards give a good mulching of manure, which encour- ao-es surface-rooting and retains the moisture, 50 THE GARDEN. [J AX. 16, 1886. thus reduciii}^ the necessity of watering su iniu'h the i'ollowint;; season ; even if Wiiter is applied to the roots dining summer, the mulcliini,' is an advantafje. If pknting is deferred till, say, February or Marcli, and the plants have t(] lie conveyed some distance, no matter how packed, some of the mols will be sure to get dry, and if exposed when ]iliinted to strong winds, which we often have from the east in March and Ajiril, they will lie sure to suffer somewhat; therefore, for this reason I consider the time already named tlie liest. I have tried botli autumn and spring planting, and I have found sjiring to be much the worst time to select. Plants moved then do not die outright, but they often die down to tlie ground line, thus causing breaks in the hedge, wliich take years to mend. Tlie plants best adapted for planting are those about 2 feet high ; having previously trenched and manured the ground, they should be planted about 1 foot (J inches apart— two in every yard. Holly hedges do not require cutting more than once a year. Upright sides with a flat top is a very good form for such hedges, or they may be wedge- shaped, according to taste. Ilex Aquifolium, or common Holly, is the best variety for hedges. Yew, next to Holly, makes the most useful evergreen hedge. It will grow in almost any soil, and will bear clipping into any shape re- ( ju ired. It affords capital shelter for Rose gardens, or for anything else requiring protection from east winds in spring. The best style in which to clip Yew hedges is perpendicular sides with a Hat top— .say about 1 foot to 15 feet in width. The plants best suited for hedges are those about 2 feet high ; they should be planted 1 foot 6 inches apart, in thoroughly prepared soil, trenched and freely manured. Early in October is the best time to plant, but, where circumstances do not admit of its done at that time, February or March will do, as Yews do not sutler from easterly winds to the extent which Hollies do. The common Yew makes the best hedge, and after being planted it should receive the usual amount of mulching. Cdpressus Lawsoniana forms one of the best of hedges where ornament is the chief attraction, its deep glaucous-green foliage rendering it very effective in winter. Upright sides with flat top is the best style in which to train it. It clips into shape easily, grows fast, and will stand any kind of weather or hardship. The best time to plant is early in autumn, and the plants should stand about IJ feet apart, Thcja occidextahs is a fast-growing shrub, ■which, with the necessary clipping to induce a branching habit, quickly forms a thick hedge; its only objection is the rusty lirown colour wlucli it assumes in winter. It is'very hardv, and will grow in almost any kind of soil and situation. It succeeds well planted at the same time as the Lawson Cypress, and the jilants should be about the same size. Cryptomeria ELEGAN.S.— Where a thick screen is required in a sheltered position open to the sun, this Cryptomeria answers remarkably well. The deep russetty tinge which it puts ' on in autumn renders it attractive. It is easily propa- gated by means of cuttings taken ofl' when half ripe in September, and inserted in a cold frame close to a north wall. They should be in sandy soil, and ke]it close till they have callused. They should be allowed to remain in this position till the following April, when thev will be well rooted, and should then be jdanted on a border which previously had been well manured. They may be allowed two seasons' growth ; then they will be well suited for planting in their perma- nent positions. If the summer is dry, they should, while growing, have plenty of water. Berberi.s Darwini, when intermixed with Hollies of the common ty]ie, makes a neat and ornamental hedge. Hollies afford it protection in very severe winters, which the Berberis will not stand unharmed. In autumn and spring each year, if cli]iped at the proper time, it pro- duces in piofiision its bright orange-coloured flowers, ■\\-hich are set ofl' to advantage by the deep green of its own foliage, and also that of the Holly. As it grows rapidly, one plant every 2 feet apart will be enough, with a Holly about every .3 feet apart. L.\uREi,s make capital thick hedges or screens ; no plants stand easterly wiiuls better, and there- fore they make good lioundary fences for Rose gardens, or for anything that wants protection ; they grfiw, if need be, to a good height, or tliey can he kept dwarf as maj' be required, narrow or wide, so amenable are they to the pruning- knife. Of course, the more they are cut the thicker they grow. They should always be pruned with the knife or pruning-shears ; when cut with ordinary hedge-shears they look too stirt' and smooth, and take some time to recover their natural appearance. The common variety is the best where a strong, high, or thick hedge is re- quired ; where a medium fence is needed, the Caucasian kind is very eft'ective on account of its neat growth and dark green foliage, but where a dwarfer, neater hedge is wanted, the round- leaved variety (P. rotundifolius) is the best. When pruned its breaks again freely, and is dwarfer than the others. The deeper the colour of the foliage in this, and indeed in all the kinds used, the handsomer they look. This can alwaj's be effected by using manure at planting time and mulching afterwards, or by giving occasional doses of liquid manure dui'ing the time when the summer growth is being made. Laurels are not particular as to soil ; they grow in almost any kind, from the strongest clay to mere sand, provided the former is not too wet. If this is the case, the leaves turn yellow at points in winter each year, particularly when first planted ; the site, there- fore, should be drained and thoroughly trenched, and when planting, some manure and soil of a lighter sort should be added. Sandy soil will need more manure as a mulching in summer to prevent evaporation wlien just planted than soil that is more retentive. Laurels are all easily propagated from cuttings put in in October; they should lie taken off from 6 inches to 10 inches long with a heel, and inserted in rows 1 foot apart, and the plants should be 6 inches asunder on a north border. They will be ready for removal the following spring twelvemonth to an open quarter, in which they should be set at wider distances apart until the following autumn, when they may be transferred to their permanent position, keeping them W(dl cut back to form a thick base. The Portugal kind answers ailmir- ably for the same purpose, exce])t that it does not grow so fast as the common Laurel, nor is it so easily increased, but where a neat screen of any shape is required it is extremely useful. The Oval-leaved Privet is another plant well adapted for hedges, being evergreen and ea.sily clipped into shape and of quick growth. Where a hedge is required not wholly for strength it answers well, but if .solidity combined with ornament is needed, plant a few Quicks here and there among the Privets. They should be clipped with the hedge-shears twice a year. This Privet is not at all particular as to kind of soil, but of course the better it is the more progress ^^•ill the growth make. Pyrus japonica makes a good low hedge, and its bright scarlet blossoms, so freely produced early in the spring, enhances its value for this purpose. When closely spurred in, as is the case when planteil freelv. Ige, it blooms Hornmeam, Heech, and Limes make capital heilges where much strength is requireil and shelter necessary. They are very eft'ective in apjiearance al.so in summer ; they are fre(iueutly used as divisions for quarters in nui>eries much exjiosed to south-west and easterly winds, and for such a purpose they are very valualilc. Swanmoye I'ai-k. E. Moi.vneux. Garden Flora. PLATE 627. THE MAJORCA SANDWORT. Since this little plant has been introduced to this country it has added interest and beauty to many a rock garden. No other plant can ornamentthe facesof the hardest rockwithsueh delicate tracery as this Arenaria can. Although its home is in the warm islands of the Medi- terranean— Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Isles — it is, singularly enough, perfectly hardy with us, even surviving the excessive damp and cold of our worst winters. True, it gets killed in the least favourable spots in the rock garden, but then it is such a rapid grower, that it soon spreads over a large aren. it thrives in either shade or sun.shine, but grows most rapidly and densely in shade, though it does not flower .so frecl}'. On exposed rocks it flowers abundantly, just as represented by the annexed plate, which was drawn at Munstead in early summer. The tiny white starry flowers with their thread- like stalks are exceedingly pretty for weeks together, and it never looks so well when in flower as when it is doing its best to cover a rock, for then its growtli juts out liere and tliere so as, in spot.s, to show the stone. Tliough it seems must at home in the com- pany of rocks, it grows anywhere, and it may be made to form a carjiet in borders for bulbs and other plants, and extremely pretty effects can be made by planting hardy bulbs such as Iris reticulata, Scilla sibirica, and Narcissi and others iii a carpet of this little Sandwort. There are other creeping Arenarias, but none so pretty as this one. The best of the other Sandworts are Arenaria graminifolia, which has (irass-like leaves and white flowers; A. laricifolia, also a dwarf evergreen perennial with white flowers; A. niontana, a hand.some spreading plant, producing white flowers in early summer; and A. verna, which flowers in spring; all these tiirive in the rock garden in ordinary soil. Mealy bug on Vines. — When I came here some three yeais .ngo I fdund several houses infested with mealy bug, some badly. One house contained old Vines, with spurs from 9 in. to 12 in. in length, thus affording scope for insect depredations. It may therefore be imagined what they were like. The Grapes liad sometimes to be -syringed before they were presentable, and, of course, were destitute of bloom. As far as I can ascertain, our houses have never been free from mealy bug for some fifteen or twenty years. Eradicating it was therefore not the work of one year. Although we had the houses painted and all plants cleaned the first winter, it appear d again in spring; L HiL, t^AKJJJiJN ARENARIA BALEARIC A .Tax. 16, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 51 we continued mir cleaning tlirough the summer, but not imtil the return of the winter could we do it tho- rouj;hly. After tlie second winter cleanim^' we saw very little of the hwj;. Paraffin oil we found to be most effective in destroying this insect, but it should be used with care and perseverance. — W. Forkestee, Becch- wood, Rodidale, WORK DONE IN WEEK ENDING JAN. 12. .Tanu.\uy 6 TO 12. Thoioh daily memoranda of work done has been made as usual, there is such a sameness about the entire week's work, that for once we give a general risiinie in preference to the daily repetition of the same. Such a heavy snowstorm as set in during the early hours of Wednesday, the 6th, is in this part of the country of so unusual occurrence, that it found us somewhat unprepared in the matter of covering up of pits and the housing of supplies of vegetables for use whilst the storm lasted ; consequently we have had much difficulty and far from pleasant work to gather green vegetables and to dig up Parsnips, Horseradish, and Celery. Advantage was taken of the partial thaw of Friday, the Sth, to get up supplies, which we hope may last to the end of the storm. The Broccoli that was heeled in under the walls, with a view of both retarding and protecting the heads from frost, has pro\'ed of immense service during the dilemma of which the heavy snowfall was the cause. As regards the protection of bedding plants, Strawberry plants, Roses, bulbs, and forcing shrubs that are in cold frames, the snow was left on, and over it we placed a thick layer of long stable litter, so that we have no anticipati<->n of injury from frost. The whole of our outside work can be summed up in a very few words. It has been grubbing up old tree stumps, and burning them with other brushwood, Brambles, Couch Grass, and the rakings up of leaves and sticks in the plantation that is being grubbed. All our wood-ashes and charcoal for manurial purposes are manufactured in this way. Manure heaps have been turned over, that most decayed being separated from the other, and will be used first, the longest being left till it is more decomposed. Snow-shovelling, and wheeling it out of the walks most used, constitute the whole of our out-door work. I may add that our snowfall register amounted to 0"72 inches, and the depth on the ground to Si inches ; our greatest amount of frost was 16°, on the morning of the 7th. This day — 12th — it is thaw- ing rapidly, and the snow has nearly all disappeared. The work in the houses has been cleaning of plants, pruning and tying climbers in orangery, and Camel- lias to trellis on back wall, the sponging of the leaves of the Oranges, and the painting of the stems with a strong solution of Gishurst to kill, or at any rate check, the spread of the small white scale that abounds on the stems. Potted a few of the scarcer varieties of single Dahlias to start into growth for propagation. Put in cuttings of Lobelias (being short of stock), and also cutlings of Iresine, for the very same reason. Examined roots of Cannas, cut off all rotten stems, potted part of the weaker roots, and placed them in Peach house to start them into growth. Potted up Fuchsias, that when lifted from flower garden were packed closely together in a cool shed. They are now potted in the smallest pots that the roots could be pressed into, and pruned into shape — pyramidal form — for use in flower beds and vases in the coming summer, and for the present are given space in a vinery at rest. The various varieties of Abutilons we use rather freely in the summer flower garden, and usually manage to propagate a sufficient quantity in the autumn, the best time, but from some cause or other they were forgotten last year, and as young plants are much to be preferred to old ones, a quantity of cuttings taken from the old plants that were lifted at the end of October has just been put in. The old plants come in very well for the centres of large flower beds, or to mi.x witli by way of eking out short supplies of subtropical plants. During the prevalence of such cold sunless weather, the tempera- ture of forcing houses we allow to fall in proportion CO the outside air, a rule that, having followed for years, we can safely recommend as being at once the mo.st rational and most successful, whilst the gain in time of maturity of fruit is really very little, but the permanent injury of Vines, Peach trees, and other fruits frits are thoroughly cleansed quite down to the drainage and a fresh start is made with new fermenting materi.al and compost, it is surprising how ipiickly they can be grown into a fruiting state either in pots or planted on hills. Moreover, compartments so treated always offer facilities for growing a few surplus plants up to the fruiting stage, ready for trans- ferring to 01 her quarters as circumstances admit, when the system can be repeated until every house is refurnished without materially diminishing the supply of fruit. 7'/ie frame grotind. — Where Cucumber houses are limited and an early supply' from manure pits or pits partially heated with hot water is imperative, the materials should now be got together and well worked preparatory to their introduction for giving bottom heat. In days gone by I have known phulding growers who have cut fruit from McPhail frames on the llth of March. No one will deny that the light was hardly worth the candle ; but hot- water apparatus were then few and far between. Now, we have every facility for sirpplying our piiis with warmth from hot water aiul fermenting material combined, and owners who study their own interests will see that a flow and- return is provided, if roduced over 4i cwt. of fruit in a sea.son. Few kinds attain the size of tree tliat this does, and, needless to say, the fruit produced by standards is mostly smaller than that boi'ne by trees restricted in growth, especially in the case of sirch varieties as reach the size of the tree in.stanced, consequent on which the produce of standards usually fetches a nruch lower price than that from trees confined to a limited size ; though, so far as my own experience goes, the quality of the fruit of either standards or the big bush Pears is quite equal to, and in some cases better than that from wall ami espalier-trained trees. That which holds good irr Pear grow- ing in private gardens is equally applicable in the case of those who grow for sale ; and if I was about to embai'k in the latter I should go in for the medium sized trees I have described, keeping the ground amongst them occupied by Goo-e- berries and Currants, and not pinched for manure, the presence of which in the early stages of the young Pear trees' existence soon brings them up to a useful bearing size, and when they have arrived at this the heavier crops they carry the more manure they will stand, as a matter of course legidating the amouirt given by the nature of the land. From what I have experienced in the cultivation of Pears, I am .satisfied that the fruit produced Ijy trees that are well sustained is far superior in quality, and also in appearance, to that foi'thcoming fronr trees growing on land that is sliort ol manure. FoRsi OP TREE. — There is one important mat- ter coirnected with Pear growing as there is with Apples ; in the selection it often happens that enough consideration is not given to the suita- Ijility of tlie varieties for the form of tree requii ed. Snrall growing sorts, like Seckel, for example, even when on the Pear stock, w'ill liear all the encouragemeirt that can be given them to attain size, either ■^vhen in bush fornr or trained on a wall or espalier, in either of which cases the space to be covered requires to be much less than with strong growers tliat natui'ally attain a large size, sirch as Marie Louise and others of similar vigorous habit, which any attempt to confine to dwarf size is a mistake, against which they rebel liy a continuous struggle to grow out of it, al- though they do welt when allowed to reach medium dimensions. T. B.\in"es. Wrongly pruned Peaches. — In his note on this subject (p. S) "S." says: "It must, howevei, be understood that I do not cnudemn tlie system of (hard) pruning." If so, why does he head his article " Wrongly primed Peaches "? And how does he ac- count for the following statement; ''The sjsteui adopted by our forefathers of hard pruning young trei-s for the purpose of filling up the bottom of the wall with young wood was altogether wrong." Surely this looks like condemning the system. Climatic change?, Ac, are now ciiUed upon to answer for the short life of onr Peach trees. 'I'hey may have some- thing to answer fi;)r, but they have no^, I should think, reduced the life of our Peach trees Viy three- fourths during these last thirty- five years. I am aware that "S." said nothing about the form of tree which did not last more than fourteen years. I suppo-e he would not have us believe that such trees as he recom- mends would l.nst much longer, .although he confesse.s th;it pruning lias nothing to do with matters connected with short-lived trees. If pruning has nothing to do with the matter — and I'each trees, as a rule, are not supposed to 1 ist more than fourteen years — upon wliat ground woidd " .S." claim a longer life for the tre'-'S which lie reconmiends ? I must decline to ac /ept the cool houses to which " S." allude-i as b:ring a proof that our climate has become so much less favourable for Peach growing out of d »ors than it used to be. Such liotrses may be a necessity in the north, but in the midland and southern counties they often only give us fruit when we can get it from opeu walls at much less expen.«e. I do not happen to have charge of any hfty-year-old trees, nor do I believe that many ever existed. I think the lifetime of a Peach tree lies between these two extremes — fourteen and fifty. I know of l*each trees twenty-five years of age and still healthy. Although treated on the hard-pruuing system, we have trees here thirty years old which still produce good crops of excellent fruit. Perhaps some of the premature decay in trees which *' S." is inclined to put down to climatic changes might bo more properly put down to early and persistent over- cropping or some other form of bad management. — E. B. L. Protecting the stems of fruit trees. — Piabljit-i and sheep often kill young trees by eating the bark off their stems. The protectors, if not con- stantly watched, are rubbed off by the animals rubbing against tbem or displaced in some other way. There are many ways of affording protection to newly plnnted trees, but the best with which I am aci|uainted is as follows : Select a number of stout 4-foot laths and two pieces of flexible galv.anised wire. Take up a lath and t> inches from the bottom, ]iass round it one piece of wire, bringing it round and g ving it a twist once or twice. Another piece of wire is passed round the upper end of the lath in the s.tme manner. Commence with the centre of the wires, so that the two ends may ba of equal length for working round other laths, which should be joined on to the first one till a collar of laths has been formed, loose and flexible, and of sufficient size to fit tile stem of the tree loosely, leaving plenty of room for the tree to grow. These collars look neat. They do not take long to make and they are lasting and not liable to become loose or displaced. For large park trees where cattle or deer exist stout roofing laths should be used, and they may be 7 feet or S feet long and the wires used should be of greater thickness and strength than those just named. — E. HoBD.W. Cool hous o Vines.— In reply to " K. T. S.'s" ques- tion (p. 37) allow me to s.xy that the Black Hamburgh is the best black Grape and Foster's Seedling the best white for an unhealed vinery. I have also succeeded well with Buckland Sweetwater and Mad- resfield Court; but in the case of the two last-named, the border should be shallow and well drained. I should [ilant eight Vines in a house of the dimensions given, and if one or two show any marked superiority- over the others (which sometimes happens), permit them to extend, .and remove the least flourishing in order to give them room. In growing (Jrapes without fire-h^at a good deal may be done by utili-ing to the fulle.st extent the heat of the sun. .and to this end the house should be so constructed as to afford the maximum amount of light; .and from the beginning of April till the Crapes begin to colour, the house should be as carefully managed as regards ventilation as if the Vines were being forced, which in reality the}' are. The reason why people fail with sudi ti rapes as the Bl.ack Hamburgh without artificial he.at is, they .are careless about ventilation, and do not get so much warmth from the sun as they might i m ^ uuny after- noons. Closins early, and thus keeping in the sun's heat, on tine afternoons effects a double object : it not only pushes on the Grapes, giving size to bunch and 54 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 16, 1886. berry, but it adds strength to the wnod, and foliage, and buds, and so lays up a store of strength for the next year's work. Unless the soil is on a warm lime- stone bottom, or the site is naturally well drained, the border should not exceed '2 feet in depth, and summer mulchings should be employed to keep the roots near the surface. — E. Hobday. "K. T. S." (p. 37) should plant ten Black Ham- burgh Vines, and as sufficient room nmst be allowed to admit plenty ears old. When young the stem is globose, afterwards becoming club- shaped or cylindrical. It flowers at the height of 1:2 feet, but grows up to four or five times that- height, when it develops lateral branches, which curve upwards and present the appearance of an immense candelabrum the base of the stem being as thick as a man's body. The flower, of which a figure is given here, is about 5 inches long and wide, the petals cream coloured, the sepals greenish white. Large clusters of flowers are developed together near the top of the stem. A richly coloured edible fruit like a large Fig succeeds each flower, and this is gathered by the natives and used as food under the name of saguarro. A specimen of this Cactus 3 feet high may be seen in the succulent house at Kew. B. Pelarg-onium Uadame Charles Koenig'.— This is one of the best of whitc-tldWered Pelargunuilns for winter Jan. 16, 1886.1 THE GARDEN. 55 blooming; its trusses, too, are neat and compact, and look well in a cut state. The blossoms arc pure white, except here and there a few faint pencillings in the throat. There arc several other varieties, much in the s.ame way, but" for winter (lowering this, as I have said, is the best.— H. P. Orchids. ORCHIDS IX MID-WINTER. The sudden ttuctuatiuns of outdoor temperature just now experienced are very trying to the occupants of our Orchid houses. It is difficult to know liow to leave the fires at night, as there may be 18"^ of frost at shutting-up time and nunc at all in the morning. Notwithstanding the changealjleness of tlie weathei', however, our Orchids are looking fairly comfortable. The cool house will get not a blink of sunshine until March ; its position does not admit of it. Still, Masdevallias and Odonto- glossunis are opening their flower.s (piite freely. M. ignea superba is supcriiir in colour to M. Veitchiana. M. tova- rensis is laden with delicate white blos- soms, while in most collections M. poly- '^ sticta is now opening its clusters (jf ~ small flowers spotted likeOdontoglos.-um naivium niajus. How active seems the small slugs at this season ; we feed them on Carrots, but, nevertheless, they seem to prefer the juicy stems of une.xpanded bloums in preference. The Odonto- '•' glossums seem to grow as freely now as at midsummer. Some plants are in full flower, others have passed that stage, and are growing ([uite freely. Odontoglos- sum Edwardi and Oncidium niacran- thum seem to like a low temperature ; it is pleasant to see the young roots pushing out from the yet unf^ormeil pseudo-bulb.s, through the live Sphag- num on the sui'face, ami over the sides of the pots, instead of into the compost, of fibrous peat, Sphagnum, and charcoal provided for them. The roots are as brittle as glas=, and must not be touched. AVe have to watch diligently for slugs, as they will leave the .young spikes pushing up between the leaves and pseud(j-ljulb3 for these juicy I'oots. Someone wrote of i). Edwardi as being difficult to establish. I bought si.\jilant< y the slugs. O. cirrhosum is now pushing its spikes vigorously, but not in this house ; I found that it did not get light or heat enough; it was therefore placed along with the Cattleyas, but at the coolest end ; indeed the treatment given to O. vexilla- rium is that in which this beautiful species delights. Those, like our.selves, who find it diflicult to keep pace with work during the late spring and early summer months will now begin to pot their plants, or, at least, such plants as really need repotting. Small or medium-sized plants of O. crispum that have well hlled their pots with roots .should lie repotted if stai-ting to grow. Those that ilo not seem to be suffering from want of pot-room may as well be let alone for the present. All our small plants are .suspended in pans or baskets near the glass — I mean by that small growing species of Orchids, not small plants of O. crispum, which take their chance on the stages. Odontoglossum Kossi, 0. adspersum, and O. Cervantesi seem to do best almost touching the glass. Indeed, some growers do not succeed with these three dwarf growing species in the cool hous", but have been successful with them in the Cattleya house. Our plants, so far, do well in the cool house ; they are gi-own in ]K)ts ; the pots are placed in teak baskets, and as they are quite close to the glass they get all the light that is available. Tlie variety O. adspersum is correctly Cypripediuni. Perhaps Mr. Muir or some other correspondent will give us this information. — G. .J. Wakren, Balcomhe Place, Sussex. Flower uf Cereus gigauteus. described in The G.\rden (p. 37). There is, however, another form cultivated in some collec- tions much resembling it, viz., 0. Humeanum, said to be a natural liybrid between O. Rossi and O. cordatum. To my mind neither of these hybrids are, however, as beautiful as O. Rossi or the pretty O. Cervantesi, although thi-y might cost teu times as much money, owing to their being so unfrequently met with. J. Douglas. Cypripedium insigne. — I agree with Mr. Muir that this is a very useful and ea-iily grown Lady's Slipper. 1 have a plant I'f it which measures 3 feet 6 inches across now bearing ninety flowers (m some cases twin flowers) ; they have been open for a month, and have every appearance of remaining s(i for another month. It would be interesting to know wliat number of flowers has been borne on .any one plant of this ORCHIDS AT THE FIRS, SYDENHAM. Mr. Dorman has here a grand collection of Orchids, in which he takes a keen interest, especially as regards their culture. He is not Content to implicitly follow rule-of-thumb practice, but carries out experiments in order to test for himself the soundness of any particular point of ordinary practice. He finds out for himself the particular periods at which his plants need re.st, either by subjecting them to a warm and dry atmosphere or a cool temperature, and thus, by intently ob.serving results, he has accu- mulated a vast amount of Orchid knowledge during the many years in which he has grown Orchid.s. This is the kind of knowledge that is reipiired by pi'ofessional Orchid growers, who, as a rule, are apt to run too much in a set groove, and care little to launch out in a different direction from that in which they have steered ever since they first acquired the ele- ments of Orchid culture. Each chiss of Orchids is grown at The Firs to perfec- tion, but the glory of the collection aie the Cattlej-as and Odontoglossums, than which one cinild n(jt possibly see plants in more perfect state. The houses are built with an eye to the particular re- quirements of the various sections ; none of them too large, and skilful con- trivances have been jirovided for adjust- ing the conditions of heat or coolness, moisture or dryness, sunshine or shade. Mr. Dorman seems to set his face against excessively high temperatures, except for certain kinds at particular periods of their growth. Therefore, at any season one may find in his houses a comfortable atmosphere, and the luxuriance of his plants affords sufficient evidence that a high temperature is not only not in- dispensable, but is jirejudicial to the healtli of even East Indian Orchids, which one generally finds stewing in a reeking hothouse. The health and vigour (jf the Cattleyas and Liidias, the special favourites of Mr. Dorman, may be attributed to the close attention they receive, and more particularly as re- gards the management of their growing and resting periods, wdierein lies with- out i(uestion the wdiole success of good Cattleya culture. This is no simple matter, sedng that all do not require the same treatment. One of the chief points which JMr. Dorman aims at in his Cattleya treatment is in producing as strong growths as possible, thorouglily ripening them, and, above all, preventing them from forming second growths, which, as a rule, are weak. To finely adjust the conditions of treatment so as to bring about these results is not, of course, a simple matter, but then it is worth carrying out, for the difi'erence between a well- managed Cattleya, such as one sees here, and one grown in a hap-hazard way is great. The production of sound roots, plenty of them, and the maintenance of strong and plump pseudo-bulbs are the points aimed at here, and are successfully attained. Tlie same principles liold good in every section, and even experienced Orchid growers are astonished at the growths which Mr. Dorman is able to show. In the large CUttleya house may be seen quantities of C. gigas Samleriana at rest ; tliese plants are kept perfectly dry, and will be so until 56 THE GARDEK [Jan. 16, 1886. the end of February when they are again phiced in their f,'rowiny jmsition in a rather warmer house and supjilied witli water onee a week. Tlu-re are j,'reat masses of L.elia purpurata, fine speci- mens of ('. exoniensis, laliiata, and the new liybi'id ealumnata, several liij,' plants of the finest variety of Lrelia elegans alba, and endless other Cattleyas and LaOias. Flowering among them are fine \arieties of C'attleya Percivaliaua ami two beauti- fid forms of C. cliocoeiisis, the one a ]iure white vai'iety with yellow throat, and the other having a deep crimson blotch on the lip. What a fine anil chaste C'attleya this is ! Why so much despised liy some amateurs we cannot understand, for ailhongh tlie flowers are somewhat tubc-shajied the roundness and perfectiou of form in petals and lip is most striking. In another house, solely devoted to Cattleyas, C. Meiideli, Percivaliaua, and Triaiue have made up Ijig bulbs and sheaths, and in anotlier fort- night a grand display may be looked for ; C. Walkeriaua ami the pretty luteola were in bloom, also several fine Ibrms of Trianie. An adjoining house is solely devoted to Dendrobes, and although lew were in bloom, the pleasure in look- ing at the stout healthy growths was as great as almost the largest supply of flowers could have },dveM ns. Mr. Dorman holds perhaps the largest stock of Dendrobium C'ooksoni and nobile no- bilius; some fifty or si.xty plants of Ainsworthi and roseum are suspended in baskets from the roof. Like almost all other Orchids grown here, tlie \ arieties of the various species have Ijeen chosen with care. In the first Odontoglossum honse a bank of large plants of 0. vexillarium is seen lirst, and fine they are ; it is impossible to see a better and healthier lot anywhere. The opposite stage is filled mainly with 0. Pescatorei, three very fine varieties being in bloom, one very round and large flowered, pure white, with a broad lip, another being rose-coloured with a heavily blotched lip, and the third having only oUH deep crimson large blotch iu the centre of lip. The second honse adjoining is almost entirely devoted to O. Alexandras and their hybrids; deep green, short foliage and stont bulbs are seen in eveiy plant ; for many years past the very finest vaiieties have been gathered together and foi'ni now a uniform batch of excellent Odontoglossums. U. tripudians Dormannianum is in bloom, and the finest tripudians yet .seen, sepals and petals very large and liroad, of a deep copper-brown colour lipped with golden yellow, lip exceedingly broad, purple with light rose edge. Another fine thing in Hower here is 0. triumphans splendens, with large brilliantl}' C(jloured flowers. O. Dorman- nianum, probably a natural hybrid between lUEvium and crocidipterum, is a most lovely species; the floweis are pure white with deep purple tipoXti all over sepals and petals. Some fine varieties of 0. Alexandr;c, among them a very large round-flowered variety with one big crimson blotch in the lip. The Masdevallia house 2>roinises to furnish a fine show presently, many plants throwing up their spikes. Another house is devoted to miscellaneous Orchids, and in it we noticed Lielia anceps Daw- soni, Sanderiana, alba, Percivaliana, and otliers ; Zygopetalum !Mackayi grandiHorum, Odonto- glo.-sum jiulchellum, the genuine O. odoratum in several fine varieties. How dift'erent the true odoratum is from gloriosum ; the flowers are gohlen-yellow covered with crimson spots. Al- though called odoratum, this Odontoglossum has no scent, and its spiikes are much larger than gloriosum. O. ramosissimnm and the rare O. un- dulatum are also in bloom, sevei-al fine loims ot O. adspersum, O. Eossi majus and rubescens, !Maxillaria Sanderiana, and many others. In the Phalaenopsis house a group of Angraecum se.squipedale is at its best just now; the many long-tailed blooms hanging down from the massive looking plants form a group not easily forg(jtten. Phsikeno]isis Schilleriana, grandillora, and San- deriana are iinely flowered. In this house the best Cypripedium hybrids have their ([Uarters, and are well grown and healthy looking. Paphi nia grandis is also well cultivated here. Several fine specimens have continued to flourish for some years. As soon as the plants have ftnished bhmm- iiig they are shifted into a cool house, and kept perfectly dry until the bulbs shrivel, after wliiidi iliey are again placed in .strong heat and mois- ture. Among the many other fine things in bloom just now at The Firs should be mentioned Odontoglossum blandum, Masdevallia nielanox- antha, Cypripedium Leeanum superbum, C(elo- gyue Massangeana, Odontoglossum crispum Leh- manni, and the chastely beautiful Lycaste Skinueri alba. At any season one may find some Orchids out of the ordinary run in this collection, and even during the dullest time of year a true Orchid lover would derive enjoyment in seeing such excellent culture so well carried out. AN ORCHID SOCIETY. Its' a society of this kind sutticiently broad, prac- tical, and comprehensive could be formed, it Would without a doubt largely increase the culture of these most interesting plants, and at the same time lead to their being even more univer.sally admired than i.s now the case. At present our real knowledge of these plants — I mean life-hhstory and native associations — is very meagre, and one point to which a society might well devote some attention is the .file- history and habits of these plants in their native wilds, as well as to the legends and traditions which the natives of the countries where they luxuriate possess conceining them. I was in a well-filled Orchid house the other day, and amongst others present was a modern Lady Corisande. " Oli ! " she said, " I quite grant you that the loveliness of these plants when in bloom is superb, but they lack the associations and deep human interest which so many of my favourite hardy flowers pos.ses.s.'' No doubt these plants, at least some of them, have really pretty native names and quite a wealth of poetry and legend, if our collectors were able to grasp and collect these for us, as well as the plants themselves In civilised countries, east and west alike, Oiidiiil thiwers are largely used by the natives in their temples, as well as for personal adornment, and I remember one beautiful orchidaic simile used by Maisilen iu his translation of the Malayan story of " Indra Taksana." Indra is leaving his wile to go forth to battle, and asks, in case he falls in fighting, whether she will take the flowers from her hair and thi-ow them on his grave. The princess (wife of Indra) upon this wept the more abundantly, and her arm embraced the neck of her husband as the Musk-scented Epideiidrum entwines the Angsuka tree. I simply mention our lack of folk-lore in connection with Orchids, first, because it is a weak point with us, and our collections would gain immensely in interest if this want was supplied. Special societies are sometimes apt to be started too narrowly ; a dozen or two of specialists form a society, which might fietter be desciibed as a "corner " or a "ring." Now, if an "Orchid so- ciety" is to become an accompli.shed fact, it must be both deep and broad. That all amateur orchidists and their efficient aides-de-camp, the practical Orchid cultivators, should be invited to join is a foregone conclusion. The leading spirits of both the amateur and the commercial growers must be invited to join the initial committee. A president, one to six vice-presidents, treasurer. and secretary would be elected by this com- niiltee, and then the extent and .scope of the wcji'k of the .society could be settled in the usual way. The secretaryship would be practically a most important point, and jierhaps two might be elected — one an amateur and one to represent the trade. The amount of work any society can efl'ect is to a certain extent governed by the funds at its disi)osal, and my own plan would be to make such a society numerically strong — in other words, thoroughly representative in all ways, regulating the subscriptions according to the status (]f the members, the donations or special contributions, of coiir.se, being left to the gene- rosity of the wealthier amateurs who cared to join. The Royal Horticultural Society might or might not Vie able to do much in the way of aiding an " Orchid society ;" but it seems dear that a broadly organised institution of this kind could ell'ect much .i,'ood by ottering special prizes for plants difficult of cultivation, cut flowers of rare (.)rchids, essays on special subjects, original drawings, or iu other approved ways, and, further, that such a society, without in any way risking its capital by holding expensive exhilntions of its own in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, or elsewhere, might nevertheless strengthen the hands of any metropolitan or local horticultural society with which it might work for the time being." Such a society should grow naturally, rather than be "formed," in the onlinary accepta- tion of the word, and I should say from bOO to 1000 members and subscribers could be olitained. Even if large money prizes were not offered, the medals and certificates of such an important body would prove laurels worth the winning, and these could lie ofl'ered under special conditions in any locality, just as the medals of other .societies and memorial bequests are now awarded. It will thus become evident that, without in the least way interfering or competing with any existing institution, such a society as has been proposed would be able to assist any other society with which it could be temporarily associated from time to time. This is an important point, and iu this manner a thoroughly representative society would become efficient for good from the first day of its formation. No exhibition grounds or expensive officers or offices will be required — at least, such is my own idea. Apart from tlie orchidists pure and simjile, the scientific eleinent should be warmly welcimied, and its .services utilised " to the utmost of our power." The botanist can teach us much in many ways, and the same is true of all scientific men. Geologists, entomologists, fungologists, microscopists, bio- logical and physiological professors should be asked to join, especially if such men can possibly be found with a love" for the Orchids already. In this way the committee or its secretary could refer any particular question or specimens to the specialist best fitted to deal with the subject. Wlien we really think for a luomeut of the hundreds— I might say thousands, no doubt — of the isolated observers, amateur and practical growers, and gardeners scattered thi-oughout the country districts, it seems a pity that there is no common centre worthy of their sufl'rage, and_ to which their notes of practice and oliservatioii could naturally flow. It seems most desirable to concentrate the Orchid interest into an associa- tion able and willing to cope with the difficulties of culture and nomenclature in a far broader and more enlightened way than is possible to any one individual.- If any real want in this direction exists, no doubt this question will meet with all the attention and ventilation it deserves ; on the other hand, if those most interested feel that such a society is unnecessary, the project will, for the time being, fall' 'to the ground. Personally, believing that such a want really doe:* Jan. 16, 1886.] THE GARDEN. ■57 exist amongst us, I shall do all I can to promote such a society as that herein proposed. An Orchid Grower. Trees and Shrubs. THE 13EST CONIFERS. In regard to tlie kinds of evergreen trees that it is advisalde to select for most parts of this country a good deal of discrimination is needed, for out of the large nuniher now in cultivation it is not too much to say that, except in the comparatively few places that are more tlian ordinarily adapted to their growth, there are as man}' tluit it is lietter to r^-ject than to include in a selecti(ju that is required to produce the best ett'ect col- lectively, or that will look the Ijest iLdividually ; fnf allhough ill planting for what may be termed ilccurative purposes it is well to secure as much \ ariety as possible, still it is better to confine tlie kinds to such as may be relied on to grow in a way that will make them pleasing objects to look upon, not onlv for a lime whilst the trees are in a comparatively y-ouiig state, but that will continue to keep on in a healtliy, thriving condition. Tiie maintenance of health is an essential condition to observe, for if there is one thing more than another that the experience of the la.st thirty iir forty years has shown, it is that a large nnm- ber of the evergreen trees introduced williiii that period grow satisfactorily for a time, but afterwards fall off in a way such as to make them more of an eyesore than otherwise. Proof of this is ati'orded liy the condition of not a few of the kinds of evergreen tree^ as they now exist in many parts of the kingdom where enough care lias not been used in their selection. Resjiecting evergreen trees, they so far differ from deciduous kinds, that some possess that which may be set down as the first essential to their succeeding in this country — sufficient hardi- ness to enable them to liear our winters — never- theless fail to continue to keep in a thriving con- dition ; whereas the deciduous trees that have been inti'oduced, when they turn out hardy enough to bear the climate, usually go on grow- ing in a way that leaves little to be desired. Needless to say that it is the Conifers that have caused the most disappointment, through theii' having been so largely planted in recent times, and generally in tlie most prominent positions in the grounds to which they have been introduced, where consequently the failures that ensued have Ijeen the more conspicuous. When new trees are introduced, those who take an interest in such matters naturally are disposed to possess tliem, and it is well that their abilitv to succeed should be as widely tested as possible. But until tliis is fairly proved it is a mistake to ]dace them, as often done, in po.sitions where they can least be spared. Amimgst eoni'erous trees The Pines are the most important in planting for effect, as they are f(jr the production of timber. Their merits generally are toi.> well known to require much being here said about them furtlier than pointing to a few that may Ije relied on as able to thrive and look well in any soil and situation fairly adapted to the growth of trees. In planting for effect, P. AUSTBIACA (the Austrian Pine) holds the first place ; it is as hardy as the Scotch Pine, a free- grower, even in the most exposed situations, and is not surpasseJ, if even equalled, by any tree in exist- ence for use wiiere a thick peimanent s.reen is required, such as t(j shut out anything that is objec- tionable til the view, as when it is allowed enough room from the first, it assumes a dense spreading babit, producing strong side branches from the base that keep on increasing in size proportionate to the growth of the trunk, not getting bare at the bottom, like most evergreen trees ultimately do. Its dark colour makes it a striking object in the landscape, especially wlien grouped in large masses near trees with lighter coloured foliage. P. Ckmbha (the Swiss Pine) is a distinct and vory effective species; its habit is just the reverse of the Austrian Pine, as the side branches are both light and short, giving the tree a partially cylindrical appearance ; its foliage is much paler coloured than V. austriaca ; it is hardy and free, but not a rapid grower, not attaining more than half the size that some of the genus do. It is best suited ft:»r planting in small groups, or single specimens, at a moderate distance from a dwelling where the largest growers would get too big. P. EXCELS A (the Bhotan Pine) is another fine kind that grows freely almost anywhere where not too much exposed. Where it lias plenty of room its lower branches spread moderately ; its pale, drooping, glaucous foliage contrasts well with that of the darker kinds. P. STnoBU.s (the Weymouth Pine). — In some re- spects this tree is not unlike the last-named in appear- ance ; it is suitable for planting in wetter soil than many of the genus, as it may generally be seen doing- better where the land is moist than in dry situations. Its leaves are pale green aud silvery. P. Laricio (tlie Corsican Pine). — In addition to being one of the best of the Conifers as a timber tree, this species is equally deserving of planting for decora- tive use, especially where the grounds ard extensive and a position can be given it at a distance from the dwelling. It is not over-particular as to soil or situation, providing the land is not very wet or very poor. It is the quickest grower of all Pines in this country. • P. SYLVESTRl.s (the Scotch Pine). — This, although too common for those disposed to give preference to uncertain novelties rather than well proved kinds, succeeds almost anywhere where trees of the hardiest description can thrive fairly. Still, there is a vast difference in its appearance when growing where soil and climate are such as to afford all that it requires as compared with where the conditions are the opposite of these. .Seen, as it may be, in places innumerable, it is one of the most effective of all trees, and should never be left out where there is enough room to admit of its being massed at some distance away from the principal poin s of view. P. MONTicOLiV has an erect habit, the side branches, like those of the Corsican Pine, not attaining so much length as those of most other Pines. The bark is paler coloured and smoother than that of most of the species. It is a fine tiardy kind, that deserves to be more used in deciprative planting. P. Bc.voEAN'A (the Lace bark Pine) is a remarkable and very distinct kind. Its leaves are of a pale green colour. It has not been long enough in the country to show what its appearance will be when it has at tained anything approaching its full size, but in its native country (Northern China) it is said to branch out near the base, forming a number of strong limbs, like P. austriaca and P. insignis. but the side branches assume a more erect position than in either of tlie last-named species. It differs from other Pines in the way that the outer bark, which is of a whitish colour, peels off in broad flakes like that of the Silver Birch, hence the name it often gets. There is little d'iubt of its being quite hardy,and a very desirable tree for ornamental planting. P. IN.SIGNIS is one of the most beautiful of all known Pines, as well for its habit of growth as for its effective colour. Unfortunately, it will not stand 'our severest winters everywhere; but in those places where it is found capable of resisting the low temperature we sometimes get it should never be left out. In the west of England, especially on the Devc.inshire coast, it is one of the most beautiful trees imaginable. It also escapes injury from severe frost on much of the western seaboard, and the southern counties generally, when the land is of a character that favours a hard, well-ripened condition of the foliage and young* wood, such as where the subsoil consists of rock or gravel, with a fair depth of good soil above. These may seem too few out of the large number of Pines now at the disposal of the planter but for general effect they will answer all purposes as Well as if the whole of the known kinds were used whilst their appearance individually leaves nothing to b^- desired. The Spruce Firs (Abies). These afford the decorative planter some of th-; most elegant forms existent in tree life to choose from. A. EXCEI.SA (the common Norway Spruce) is too old and well known to require any description. In fact, the usage it oftener than otherwise gets now at the hands ot planters would seem as if it was looked on as tio old to be worth allowing an iqiportunity to show the all but matchle.ss elegance of growth which it possesses when let to have a fair chance. Without .any of the care and pampering often uselessly be- stowed on trees newly introduced, the common Spruce will appear in a condition not surpassed by any tree in cultivation. When seen in good form, 50 feet or fJO feet high, with all its plume-like branches perfect down to t:ie ground, it is not easy to ini.-igine a more beautiful oljject, and all that is necessary to secure this is to give it enough room, a position not too much exposed, and a soil of fair quality, not water-Id'^ed, nor yet too dry. A good many forms of this Sjiruce exist, but at their best I have not seen any of them equal to the common kind. A. ORIENTALIS. — This beautiful tree, although dis- tinct in many ways from others of the genus, would not unlikely be set down by anyone unacquainted with trees as a less vigorous growing variety of A. excelsa; but it is moredensj in growth, the branches thinner, not so feathery, and do not droop so much as in the commoii Spruce. The foliage is of a glossy bright green colour. The contrast between the golden coloured young growth in spring, when the tree is standing near any of the dark-leaved Pines, is very effective. It is quite harJy, a good, but not very fast grower, and is suitable for p jsitions where the common .Spruce would get too large. A. Smithiana. — No one can look upon this tree when seen in its be^t condition without feeling sorry that it does not thrive e\erywhere, for when in its best form it stands unequalled for the peculiar ele- gance of its long pendulous shoots. I have never seen it injured through the cold in winter, but its disposition to push growth too early in the season causes it to suffer through the late frosts in localities subject to visitations of this kind late in the se.ason. Where it does well it is one of the most graceful trets existent, on which account it deserves a place where it is found to succeed. A. Engelm ANNi is a distinct tree, so far as can be seen, but it has not been long enough in the country to show fully what influence change of . cjimate and soil may have on it. It seems to be quite hardy, which at all events is the first consideration. The glaucous form, A. Engelmanni glauife, is also well worth giving a trial in any part of England where coni- ferous trees generally tliri\e. The same may be said, of A. polita, a Jaiianese sjiecies introduced about the same time as the last named. It is one of the most distinct in appearance of all the Spruces; the leaves are remarkably strong and almost as sharp at the. points as pins. The shoots are strong and erect, similar to the leaves. So far the tree seems not to suffer ill the least by the keenest frosts that have occurred since it came into the countr3", now over twenty years ag<.). The Silver Firs (Picea). These beautiful trees must ever be held in hicdi estimation by those engaged in planting for effect. A. pectinata (the common Silver Fir) is one of the most stately tall-growing trees we possess ; it thrives satisfactorily over a wide range of the kingdom pro- viding it is sufficiently sheltered and tee soil is suitable. After it has attained suHicient age to show' its true character, it forms a straight, massive trunk, but the branches generally get somewhat thin of foliage. A. NouDMANNIANA. — This, which ranks as one of the finest of all the Silver Firs, is nearly allied to A. pectinata, yet it has so far shown no disposition to become thin of foUage, but quite the reverse, aa it 5S THE GARDEN. [Jan. 1G, 188C. retains its dense covering of leaves in a way that, ' addition to the evergreen species. From its unviaiially ] gets into in most places, have made it far from a combined with the deep green, healthy colour, renders short side branches it recjuires much less room than | satisfactory tree for general uae. But in tlie localities it one of the most telling evergreen trees ever brought any tree that I recollect. This, combined with its where it does best its distinct into the country. not attaining a height near equal to many of the i deserving (jf a jJace A. NOBiLis. — Sufficient time has elapsed since the Conifers, befits it for planting where trees of more ntroduction of this grand Fir to prove its being hatdy spreading habit would be inarlmissible. In addition, n nu'St parts of England ; the stout shoots are | its general appearance is such that it foruis a good densely clothed with its mucli curved leaves, which are retained so as to keep the tree fully furnished. A. GRANDI9. — A mugniticent tree in its native country, and which has proved to be one of the finest of the Silver Firs in this country ; its habit is not to dense as that of some others of the newer kinds of Silver Firs, to which in this respect it forms a contrast. A. PiNSAi'O. — In general appearance tliis difftrs considerably from the other species; the foliage is short and closely set on the shoots, which are contrast to other sjiecies. It is not so hardy as some of the kinds described ; consequently it is better not to plant it in localities where the winters are e.xcep- tioially trying. SEyLOM ( VVellingtonia gigantea). — There can be little doubt that the wonderful accounts given of tlie immense t-ize this tree attains within tile limited area in tlie Kew World, where alone it seems to havefound conditions congenial to its existence, liave been the cause of its being planted in this country indi-crimi- nat ly, with apparently little thouglit about its appearance makes it J'rom the much better condi- tion it continues in and the larger size it attains in the moister climate of tlie westei-n coimties, this Araucaria evidt-ntly requires more rn(jt-moi-ture than it gets in tiie south-eastern parts of England. CVPKESSK.S. — Comparatively few of the \arioU8 kinds of Cupressus long continue to thrive well in tliis country, except in the mildest localitifs ; yet there are two species imt surpassed for iheir singu- larly beautiful spiral Iia' it of growth by any of the occujiants of British gjirdens — C. Lawsoniana (the Lawson Cypress) and C. nutkatensis (Thujopsis borealis). Of tlie last named there is several forms, whilst the former is represented by a over a dozen varieties. But for general purposes the type species numerous as to give the tree an extremely dense thriving. Tlie fact of the tree confining itself to such of each may be looked on as the best. appearance. It is a slower grower than most of the | a limited tract of country might have caused doubts ' C. L.\w>iONIAN.\ is one of the hardiest evergreen allied kinds, and does not get near so high, foliage suffers from severe frost in some parts of England so as to injure the appearance of the tree for a time, but in localities where it is nut thus affected it is a beautiful kind for a single specimen on a lawn. The Hemlock Spruces. Of these there are several that should not be omitted, particularly as their appearance differs considerably from that of other trees. A. Albebtiana is a comparatively slender- ''■rfjwing tree that c^tntrasts well with the stronger-wooded species ; it has a pretty ap- pearance when backed up by any of the closer- rn owing, more densely-furnished kinds. A. CANADKNSis, — This well-known species does not attain near the size of most of the trees already named; the branches are thin and drooping, and it is more inclined to spread than to tower up in the w-ay that many of the species grow. It is one of the hardiest of coni- ferous trees. A. UotiGi/ASi seems to be more influenced by soil and locality than most evergreen kinds; i 1 its native country it attains an immense height, iind in serine places here its slender stem mounts upwards almost as fast as any of t le quickest growing Poplars, the leaves having a green, healthy hue, whilst in others it looks yellow and sickly without any apparent cause for the difference. It is a tree that is not likely to be seen in its best form in this country ex- cept where the conditions are more than ordi- narily favourable, such as in a valley where there is plenty of depth of soil free from stag- nant water, and where its head will be well sheltered. Cedars. Of the many fine trees that have been in- troduced to this country there are none that f.jrm such a distinct feature in the landscape as a well-grown example of the Lebanon Cedar. Where the situation is suitable and enough r )oni from its infancy has been allowed, so that its wile-spreading branches have had room to extend, it The as to its succeeding Fngl.and. It is not likely Conifers ever introduced ; the severest winters do not seem to affect it in the least ; it is a good grower, thriving in almost any kind of soil, and in any locality where Evergreens do fairly. C. Lawsoniana ebecta vikidis, the most distinct in habit of all the varieties of the species under notice, can be used with good effect in positions where a small densely clothed columnar growing p^vergreen is required. C. Lawsoniana iitea. — Of the many va- rieties of variegated and yellow-leaved Conifers that have appeared little can be said in favour of the greater portion except on the score of novelty, but this golden form of the Lawson Cypress is an exception, being a good grower and retaining its decided yellow colour all the year round unaffected by the weather. C. NUTKATEN.sis is in no way behind C. Law- soniana, and superior to it in some respects, as it will grow in the poorest clayey soil where no other Conifer that I have met with can do more than exist. Not that the tree is indif- ferent to good soil, as the better the land the better it grows. In the earlier stages it is remarkable for its close, even growth ; as it goes on and throws off its infantile garb the branches come further apart and not so dense, but it is even more elegant in this state, the head presenting quite a contrast to the base of the tree, which long retains its fresh, healthy appearance. Retinospohas (Japanese Cypress). — Beau- tiful as the two distinct-looking kinds of Reti- nospora with their many varieties are vi'hilst quite young, in most cases their beauty is short-lived, for as seen in the majority of places after being planted only a few years they get so thin and ragged in appearance as to reflect little of what they first promised to he. It is a pity that these trees, so distinct and beautiful when in their best form, and so far apparently quite hardy, should fail to realise what their early appearance led planters to expect. There cannot be much doubt tliat the land in most parts of England is too dry for them; in different places where I have seen them in to be much planted in future. S. sempervireiis is deep peaty soil their ajipearance left little to be evidently a Letter tree in this country than its big desired, notably in the Knap Hill Nursery, where becomes one of the most beautiful of trees; to its brother, S. gigantea; in deep valleys where there is an there is one of the largest examples I have met with other good properties must be added its free-grow ing abundance of good soil and shelter it is an interesting in faultless condition, not showing a trace of the fall- and hardy n.ature. C. atlantica, although not so I tree that grows at a great rate, so long as its head | ing off that is so general. markedly distinct in appearance from other trees as ' does not get so high as to be exposed to the vdnd, Thdja (Arbor-vitfe). — The Chinese, most of the which, so far as I have seen, invariably stops its > American, and other Arbor-vities are amongst the further extension — a fact which in itself is sufficient commonest and best-known Evergreens, useful enough to indicate the places to which its planting should be for many purposes, but in general appearance they confined. do not compare vWtli T. gigantea (Lobbi), which is a Akaix'aria IMBRICATA (the Chili Pine). — Differing , remarkably free growing tree that seems as if it so much in appearance as this ti ee does from all others ' would attain a large size in this country ; its growth that will liveoutofdoorswith us, itwilldoubtlessalways is spiral, the branches short, thin, and close for some be a favourite ; but the great difference in the con- distance upwards, but getting more straggling as the Watcfsii'.e trocs. the Lebanon Cedar, is also deserving of being grown wherever the soil is of fair quality and the situation not too much exposed. The Deodar (C. Deodara).— Since the introduc- tion of this tree it has had a marked preference shown it by most planters over either of the first named species, to both of which it is much inferior in all except its appearance whilst young. In place of being planted in the numbers it has almost everywhere, it is a tree that should be introduced with caution, and not put in the most prominent positions, as it ofteiier than otherwise stops growing after a time and gets into a stunted condition. ditions of its existence in this country, even in those tree increases in height. situations that suit it best, as compared with those Thujopsis dolobrata (the Hatchet-leaved Thu- which it exists under in the high, moist mountain jopsis). — This distinct-looking tree seems as if it slopes of its native home is such, that we can never would turn out a real acquisition, as it so far thrives expect to see it attain anything like the proportions satisfactorily under varied conditions of both soil and to which it glows naturally. Its inability to with- climate ; the natural disposition of the lower branches LiBocEDRlis CHlLENsis (the Incense Cedjir). — This I stand the exceptionally severe winters we now and to spread out to an extent that gives the base a tree has several properties th.-it make it an acceptable i then have, and the stunted, unhealthy state it soon I diameter almost equ.alling its height adapts it for Jax. 10, 188C.] THE GARDEN. 59 planting in many positions where taller trees are un- suitable. The Junipers (Juniperus) are widely distributed over both the western and the eastern hemispheres, and are found in several parts of Europe, inchidinj; the United Kingdom, consequent on which, as might be expected, they present a marked difference in their appearance from J. ehinensis, which, where the con- ditions are favourable, reaches to a height of 15 feet or 18 feet or more to the little alpine species that scarcely rises more than 12 inches or 15 inches from the ground. The most useful kinds are too well known to require much being said about them. J. CHIXEN.SIS (the Chinese Juniper) is one of the most useful Evergreens ; its hardy constitution enables it to thrive where tender subjects are useless. For its many good properties it is likely to hold its own against many newer introductions. J. occiDEXTALis (the Western Juniper) differs .sufficiently in appearance from J. ehinensis to make it a desirable tree, as hitherto it is deserving of the planter's notice. J. RIGIDA. — Thi^ is quite distinct in appearance from most of the allied species through tile shades of yellow and glaucous colour in the leaves in their various stages of development. J. viR()i.\HN-A (the red Cedar).— Of this well-known representative of the genus there are several varieties differing more or less from the type and from each other ; in addition to the common sort, .T. virginiana glauca is worth growing amongst other things for its distinct metallic colour. J. PRO.sTRATA.— Where a low spreading plant that keeps close to the ground in the way of the common Cotoneaster is required, this Juniper can be used with advantage. ,T. communis nana is also a useful plant for employing in the same way. Biota (Chinese Arbor-vits). — Nothing in its way is more remarkable than a good sized example of the dwarf, bushy-headed variety of B. orientali', B. orientalis aurea, often seen in shrubberies, or standing singly on a la«-n. A well-grown plant which has reached a height of 6 feet or 7 feet, and as much in diameter, presents a contrast to other trees and shrubs : but in choosing a site for it a place should be selected at the corner of a clump of t)ther shrubs, or some place where it will be quite free from the encroachment of everything else, and also out of the reach of cutting winds, for, unless its branches are perfect from bottom to top, its appearance is destroyed. The Yews. — Few trees are more deservedly popular than the common Yew (Taxus baccata), although devoid of the lofty statm-e and elegance in form present in many evergreen trees that hail from other lands. Still, taking all its properties into account, this tree has few equals. It will grow exposed to the wind, but is more symmetrical when moderately sheltered ; it also vies with the Holly in its ability to thrive under the shade of other trees. The common green kind is much the best for ordinary purposes, but one or two of the golden varieties that have sprung from it are deservedly prized for their colour. Of these T. Barroni fceminais a beautiful plant, a good grower, with the yellow colour in the leaves brighter than the old golden Yew, which latter is a very effective plant. T. PASTIOIATA (the Irish Yew), so generally known for its rigid, erect growth, used sparingly in associa- tion with trees of low-spreading habit, is seen to the best advantage. The gold and the silver forms of this Yew are alike effective when rightly placed amongst other trees with green foli.age, or, like the golden varieties of the common kind, massed together in clumps where the grounds afford room enough for this style of planting. The Japanese T. adpres.sa differs from any of tlie foregoing, inasmuch that it forms a low, flat-headed bush, on which account it can be used in positions where a taller growing plant would not be so admissible. T. Baines. small female branch, and that was full of flue berries ; twigs of both the male and female portions I took to Kew. — William Barhon, Borroimsh, Derhi/. The Buckland Yew.— In reply to "Taxus," allow me to say that I paid a visit to Buckland last September, after an absence of three years, and had the satisfaction of seeing this grand old Yew in much more vigour than before its removal. There is one WATERSIDE TREES AND SHRUBS. UxLE.ss soils are .at least fairly drained few trees or slirubs will tlii'ive in it, the choice of such lieing principally liiniteil to Willows, Alders, ami Poplars, but in a positicju that, though damp, can- not be termed water-loggeil, the choice is much more extensive, as many even among our com- moner trees and slirubs will thrive well in such a spot. In making a selection of the most suitable for this purpose the following may be included in the list. Alders are recognised as being among the best trees for wet soils, and are ornamental as well. The best are tlie common Alnus glutinosa and its varieties, laciniata and aurea. The latter (the golden Alder) lias beautifully coloured foliage when planted in a sunny spot. A. cordifolia is a handsome quick-growing kind, as also are Alnus ineana and rubro-nervia. Of Willows there is a large number to clioose from, and the following are worthy of especial mention. The white Willow (Salix alba) forms a quick-growing tree of a very pictures(pie appearance when old. S. baby- lonica is the well-known Weeping Willow, and as a curiosity may be added its ring-leaved variety annularis. Tlie' Duke of Bedford's Willow (S. Russelliana) is another handsome tree, and one of tlie prettiest "pussy "-liearing kinds is the Goat ^\'illow (S. caprea). S. pentandra, with its large, glossy leaves, is desirable, and so is the liright, golilen-barked S. vitellina, as it is a most con- spicuous object during the winter, when devoid of foliage. All the Poplars are handsome, quick-growing trees, many of which are grown for the sake of their timber. Of the.-^e there are Populus nigra, fastigiata, alba, monilifera, tremula, balsamifera, tremuloides, with canadensis and its golden- leaved variety, which latter is to be seen at its best in a sunny spot. The small tree-like Jlag- nolia glauca is well suiteil, as a lawn plant, in a wet soil, and the Uucumber tree (M. acuminata) will thrive in a damper spot than the others. In the list must be included the dift'erent kinds of Ashes, English and American, .and especially the Flo wering A.sh (Fraxinus Ornus,or Oriius europa>a), which forms a hands(uue tree in dampish .soil. Liquidamliar styracitlua will grow well in such a spot, but the foli.age in autumn is not so bright as where the soil is drier. Other trees are Birches, Planes, some Oaks, notably Quercus rubra, ]ialus- tris, and Phellos, and the Tupelo tree, Ny.ssa multiflora. Among slirubs lietter fitted than others for damp .spots are Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Andro- niedas, and Kalmias, all of which do better where the soil is fairly moist than otherwise, as indeed do ni.any other of the Erieaceas, especially the Vacciniunis (whose leaves are .among the brightest tinted of any during the autumn), Per- nettyas, Gaultberias, and above all the Clethras, which are never seen to advantage unless in a dampish spot, for if dry the foliage assumes a rusty hue before the end of the summer, at which time the flowers open. Most of the Spirieas are moisture-loving subjects, and in a jiositioii that though in full sunshine the roots are ne\'er dry they flower quite as freely, and the Idossoms are much finer than where less moisture exists. There are great numbers of Spirasas now that prefer a damp soil. A few of these are — S. salieifolia, with upright spikes of whitish flowers ; S. ariffifolia, with light feathery clusters of creamy white lilossoms ; S. Douglasi, with deep rose-coloured flowers, borne in dense terminal spikes; S. liypericifolia forms a large bush with long slender .arching shoots that are studded throughout their length with pure white blos.soms, and when a good form is olitained (for individuals vary greath') it is one of the hand- somest of flowering shrubs. To the above Spirajas must be added the pinnate-leaved S. .sorbifoli.a, that flowers about July, and the large-growing S. Lindleyaii.a, whose plume-like p.anicles of blo.ssoms .stamp it as one of the finest late summer or early autumn-flowering slirub.s. S. callo.sa produces large flattened corymbs of deep rosy red blossoms, besides which the young shoots are suffused with crimson. S. opulifolia and its golden-leaved variety are both good ilistinct kinds. Mahonia repens an bi; cut over smonlhly, so as not to lojge water, and close to tlie ground, in order that tlie slioots for future branelies may i>roeeed at once from the roots, and not at some distance over them, in which case they would be liable to be blown off. In iin FATSIA (ARALIA) SIEBOLDI. Ft is surprising how mucli effiict and how much liU'iisuiv may" be iditained from very slender liiatcrials, if only they escape being eonimou- place, and it is some compensation for many Iruitless struggles to win succefs when one realises that a garden with a market characteristic may be more satisfactory than mere variety, many parts of the kingdom there is such emharras ('f.s rirhcsses, that the very fact of there being so great a mixture somewhat confuses the eHect, and so we hise the thing we scmght for. Some years ago, when riding by the sea in .Japan, not far from Yokohama, I noticed how well this Aralia, or, as is perhaps more correct, Fatsia Sielioldi, gre-\v under the shade of trees when so e.xposerl to the sea winds that they themselves were much cut liy storms. As a window plant that will endure' much hardship, we all appre- ciate its value in Englaml, but as an outdoor ])lant it has not as yet its proper value, fir it is generallv planted in some sunny and sheltered situation where it will not thrive. On returning to England I took the fust opportunity i>f plant- ing any old stumps that had been exhausted Viy ill-usage indoors under the shade of trees, and, spite of the intensely severe winters of 1879, 1880, and 18S1, I was pleased to see that they pu.shed out healthy new leaves that withstood both winter storms'and nipping frosts that they had to endure. In a garden where Hollies not unfrequently drop most of their leaves after severe gales, and refuse to live under trees where fully exjiosed to the salt blast, where no Conifer, Laurel, or Yew will even exist through two winters, is just the place where this leathery-leaved shiub should be planted. It enjoys a strong and moist soil, and dislikes the full" exposure to sun and frost as much as the most delicate lady could do ; but planted in shade more or less deep, the vigour of its handsome. Fig-like leaves is quite striking, and it is most welcome, as being the only satisfactory alternative to the too ubicjuitous Aucuba, also a native of that quarter of the glolie. It is much to be regretted that, owing to this Fatsia soon suffering both from sun and frost, it has not been con.sidered suthciently hardy for general sea- side planting, and no one who gives it a fair trial will repent his experiment. Iris ftetidissima, a native evergreen Iris that grows abundantly on the south coast, and is well known there for its handsome capsules full of bright orange berries that glow in the winter sunshine, thrives and fruits just as freely under cultivation on the north-east coast, and nuikes a very pretty edging to a bed or plot of Aralias. Used as a hedge to keep off salt winds from low- growing plants, it is especially welcome as being ornamental as well as useful. There is a variety with clear silver variegation running all down the leaves, which is very pretty, particularly in the shade, and as it never berries like the wild form, one loses nothing by jdanting it in such situations. This variety is useful also for winter bedding, and looks extremely well with some dark shrub behind it and "lilac Primroses in front. better iu the open than it does, but it is not so healthy in di'ep shade, so that there is a place for bnlh. Ccpiubinations of these materials with shrubby Vercmicas and ycdlow wiuter-liowering Jasmine are exceedingly bright and pretty in mild seasons, and give a winter ell'ect quite as jdeasing in character as more extentkd _plant tions could accomplish. E. H. W. Copper Beech hedge.— There is growing at Ashwelthorpe Hall, Norfolk (the seat of the Baroness Berners), a hedge of Clipper Beech. It is about 70 yards long, 7 feet high, and from 3 feet to 4 feet thick. It divides tlie kitchen garden from the jjleasure grounds, and is both useful and ornamental. It, reiiuires but little labour to keep it in order, as it only needs triunning once a year. It was planted fifty-two years ago, and to all appearance will last another half-century.— T. B. Field. Fremontia (p. 3i5).— Others besides Mr. Franlt Miles hive lieen puzzled at the sudden death of Frcraontias. I believe the explanation to be tliat it is iiaturallj' a short-lived shrub. Plants, like ourselves, have their allotted time of life. But perhaps some one who knows the plant in California could tell us something.— H. N. Ellacomce, Dittuii. THE YEAR 1S85 IN CHESHIRE. There is also a very handsomely variegated form of the Fatsia, with creamy w^hite blotches and irregular eilgings, which is larger .and more massive in foliage than the type, and stands The year just closed was comparatively dry, but very chanyeaVile. The rainfall of the first seven months was rather less than that «hich fell during the same period of the preceding year, but it came at a time when it was more likely to benefit growing crops ; therefore, although we had less rain, vegetation did not suffer to such an extent from want of water as it did in that year. The total amount which fell during the year was below the average and in excess of that which fell in 1883, one of the diiest years on record. The dry weather which occurred early in the year greatly "assisted the fertilisation of the flowers of both wild and cultivated fruits. The crop of fruit in some instances that resulted where not thinned or properly secured was so great as to break ofi the branches. In consequence of its having set so abun- dantly, it has generally been undersized. Holly and Yew trees have been literally covered with their bright red berries. January was bright and sea- sonable, with sharp frosts and comparatively little rain. The principal out-door flower of the month was Helleborus angustifolius. The early part of February was very mild for the season, and without the ea>t winds which we ooca^ionally experience at that time of year. On the 16th there was, however, a sudden change, and we had a week of cold, stormy weather. The thermometer on the 19th regi- stered 17" of frost, which was the lowest temperature reached during the winter. Snowdrops, Crocuses, Scillas, and Saxifraga Burseriana and oppositifolia were in flower. March was very changeable ; frost occurred on seventeen nights ; the lowest temperature recorded was 20° on the 13th. We had only three or four really fine day.i during that month ; vegetation, therefore, was very much retarded, being quite three weeks later than usual. Saxifraga cordifolia and various kinds of Narcissi were in flower. The first half of April was cold for tlie season, the prevailing winds being easterly. Vegetation made but little progress from the middle of February to the 17th of this ni' nth, when we had the first really fine day of the year. Frost occurred on nine occasions, the most severe being 11", on the 4th. The highest tempera- ture registered was 69°, on the 17th. Rhododendrons and several kinds of fruit trees were in flower. May was very changeable. The highest temperature reoistered was 77" and the lowest 26°, accompanied by north-east winds. Frost occurred on six uights, and on one occasion was followed by severe snow storms. The Plum crop in this neighbourhood was ruined on the 14th by 5" of frost, both flowers and embryo fruit being saturated with water. June was very favourable for the growth of vegetation. The rain- f.all was nearlyupto the average. The highest tempera- ture of the year w-as reached on the 4th, and this was the only month during the year in wtiich we had no frost. Duiiug .fuly tlie weather was very dry and the varia- tionsof temperature extreme ; the highest recorded was 84" and the lowest 36", on the 4th, when, although the thermometer did not register any frost, there were unmistakable indications of it from the injury sus- tained by tender plants. August was somewhat similar to July, viz., the rainf.all of each was much below the average and the variations of temperatuie extreme. The highest recorded was 83" and the lowest 32", on the 1 fith. This was 4° lower than was reached in the preceding month, yet it did not cause BO much injury bi tender plants, owing to their tissue having become hardened by exposure. Sep- tember was an exceptionally wet month. Rain fell on twenty-three days, the total being above the average. Frost occurred on four nights. The highest temperature registered was 11". on the 13th, and the hnvest 27°, on the 2.sth. In October we bad the heaviest rainfall of any month during the year. 1 he highest temperature registered was al°, on the 16tb, and the lowest 2.5", on the 30th. Frost occurred on four occasions during the month. The weather during the greater portion of November was bright and dry, with an almost total .absence of fogs. An excellent opportunity was thus afforded for taking up and storing root crops. The highest temperature recorded was 57", on the 2nd and 12th, and the lowest 20°, on the Itith. Frost occurred on nine nights. December was characterised by an unusual number of dense fogs. Frost occurred on fourteen nights, and on lakes and meres the ice was sufficiently strong for skating. The highest temperature regis- tered'was 47", on the 14th, and the lowest 15", on the .sth. Total laiufall for the year, 29-50 inches; average amount for the last five years, 33-41 inches. Wijthcnshawe. W. Neild. Hellebores as cut flowers.— uiost dsappointing to many besides (p. 32) It has been Mr. Woodall to" And tliat while the Christmas Hoses, or the H. niger section of Helleborus, endure fresh and fair for weeks when ctit and placed in vases of water, those of the H. oiientalis and viridis groups dioop and are quite flaccid an hour or two, perhaps sooner, after they are cut from the plants. I have not examined the sepals and flower-stalks of these plants under a magnifier, but should expect to find that iu the H. oritntalis group there is an increase in the size and number of the stomata, or transpira- tion pores, in the outer skin (epiderni) of the sepals and stalks. Be this as it may, if their cut blooms be placed in vases as soon as cut, and a glass shade is then dropped over them on to a plate half full of water, so as to prevent evaporation, they endure .[uite fresh, and the young buds continue to open. The only drawback to the glass shade is this, some admiring friend may tell you "how natural" the flowers are, thinking them to be wax models. — IjEX. Rose cuttings.— I have recently been engaged in dibbling in cuttings of Hoses on a south border and iu light soil. The plan is simple enough, and, as I have previously proved, quite as efficient .as if more trouble were taken with them. Growers in a tmall way often bestow on their gardening work far more pains than is needful, and with no better success than attends those who do the same thing in a large way and with comparatively little trouble. In a small garden, for instance, the greatest amount of care is lavished upon the putting in of a couple of hundred cuttings of Gooseberries or Currants. A grower of these for sale digs, or perhaps only ploughs, a piece of land deeply, h.as it harrowed down neatly, and then has perhaps 20,000 cuttings dibbled in with the help of a long line, and if a good open spring follows he finds that 90 per cent, of them will grow. In the m.atter of these, (Joosebeiry, and similar cuttings, far more depends upon the character of the wood than on anything else; it should be firm and well matured. Something .also dejiends on how the cuttings .are made. Moreover, a good deal of the after success when rooting is accomplished depends upon the nature of the soil, which should be not only deeply worked, but should have some short manure buried iu it to promote quick early growth. The future of the plants depends very much upon getting a good start, for whilst weak growth the first year seldom develops robust gimvth later, on the other hand, the first year's wood may be too strong, and thus fail *',r 16, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 61 to ripen finnly. This latter result, however, seldom happens ; good grow'th as cuttings soon makes good established plants. — A. D. Societies. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. .J.VNl'AKy 12. There was Itut a small number of exhibits at this meeting, owing no doubt to the cold weather, but there were more Orchid flowers than we expected, and among these there were some of exceptional interest. For instance. Baron Schroeder sent from his garden at Egham a whole series of varieties of Laelia anceps, numbering seven of the finest and most distinct. Thei-e were the superb l)awsoni, which is un^piestionably the queenll of the series: Barkeri, the large-flowered variety, with intensely deep coloured flowers : the ^rue alba, the flowers of which are pure white, except a yellow crest on the labellum ; Wil- li,amsi, like alba, but having dark pencillings on the side lobes of the lip ; rosea, with the flowers vi a delicate rose-pink ; Hilliana, paler than rosea, the sepals being almost white ; and the new Sanderiana, which excited more interest than all, inasmuch as this was the first time it had been seen in bloom. It is most comparable with Dawsoni. It differs in having broader flowers, but with rather narrower lateral sepals, all pure white and with the lip not so heavily blotched with colour. It is a superb variety, and those who are the possessors of large masses are fortunate. All the spikes shown by Mr. Ballantine from the baron's collection w'ere grand specimens of good culture, and a cultural commendation was accorded to him. Mr. De B. Crawshay :dso sent some varieties of L. anceps, including Williamsi, Stella, with white flowers pencilled on the tip, and blanda, a lovely form with rosy-flushed sepals and a deep coloured lip. From Kosefield, Sevenoaks, Mr. Crawshay also sent flowers of the new 1 1. Craw- shayana, which is supposed to be a natural hybrid between Ij. anceps and another. The flowers are smaller than those of ancejis, somewhat different in shape, and highly coloured, the lip tints being ex- tremely brilliant. Mr. Crawshay has besides a fine white form of Odontoglossiun ciispum called Stella and another name! aureuni, which latter, however, did not seem to be sufficiently developed to show its true character. Mr. Dorman sent from The I'irs, Syden- ham, several choice Orchids, including Odontoglossum Insleayi splendens, several tine varieties of O. trium- phans, the pretty little Promensea stapeloides, Cj-pri- pediufn insigne Dormannianum, a handsome form with the lateral sepals more profusely spotted than usual, but not nearly so distinct as the variety Wallacei, which Mr. Dorman also possesses. A fine specimen of I,:tlia anceps, alleged to have been subjected to the pruning system for the last seven years, was shown by Mr. Blandford, gardener at Haselfoot, Moor Hill, Southampton. It was indeed a fine plant, carrying about a dozen flower-spikes and crowded with strong, healthy bulbs, each bearing a spotless leaf of that luxuriant green which indicates rude health. There was but one leafless bidb ; the others had been cut away as soon as the leaf decayed. As to whether the health of this plant could be attributed to pruning or not we cannot risk an opinion, but as an example of good culture it was imusual, and the committee acted wisely in according to Mr. Bland- ford a cultural commendation. Another remarkable Orchid shown was a splendid variety of Odonto- glossum crispura named Bonnyanum. This came from Baron fcchroeder, and is remarkable for the fine form of the flowers and their rich markings, which consist of a heavy blotch of cinnamon-red on each sepal. A first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Dorman for OnoNTOOLOSSIJl THIPIDI.INS SlTKRBl-JI, which, with- oiit doubt, is the finest variety of this species that has yet been exhibited. The flowers are as large as those of O. triumphans, with the sepals much the same in colour. The lip is remarkably broad, and is coloured with plum-purple and purple, hence is very attractive. A few other things of interest were shown, but none more remarkable tlian the cut blooms of the new American Tea Rose Sunset, which Messrs. Paul, of Cheshunt, exhibited. This Rose is superior to others of its colour, which is similar to that of Madame Falcot. Tlie perfume is delightful, and the foliage of that beautiful coppery hue which harmonises with the flowers so well. The half-exjjanded buds are borne plentifully on long slender shoots, which renders them so well adapted for cutting. Messrs. Paul give this new-comer imqualified praise as a winter Rose. A bronze medal was awarded to Messrs. Veitch for a large group of C-binese Primulas, including a choice selection of single sorts, among the best being The • I'ueen, Ghiswick, and the so-called Improved Blue, which will persist in remaining a slaty purple. Messrs. Cannell showed samples of their munerous beautiful sorts of Chinese Primulas, and Mr. Walker, of TliaTue, sent a few cut blooms of Chrysanthemums. Fruit. — The committee for fruit and vegetables devoted their attention chiefly to a large collection of stewing Pears which Mr, Barron had brought up from the Society's gardens at Ghiswick. The collec- tion included not only those sorts which are generally known as stewers, but a large number of others which few ever heard of in this country, some bearing un- pronounceable foreign names; there were some fine fruits of such as Catillac, ITvedale's St. Germain, and we noticed a dish of weighty fruits of the rather new Directeur Alphand. We believe the conn)iittee in- tend to still further enquire into the merits of these cooking Pears. It is quite evident that some shown are but ill adapted for the kitchen, and it would be well to know what sorts could be advantageously added to the list of standard sorts now gro^\ni for the cook. Mr. Allan, of Gunton Park, sent samples of a seedling Apple, which he proposes to call Lady Suf- field. It is a good-looking sort, of medium size and pleasant to look at, but we have tasted better Apples at this season. It is said to be an abundant and sure bearer. It deserves to be brought into notice, no doubt, if a good gardener like Mr. Allan thinks so highly of it. Mr. Walker, of Thame, sent a sample of his fine strain of Exhibition Onions, and these were the only exhibits among vegetables. Scientific committee. — Among the stibjects oi general interest discussed were the following ; — Ut/hrid Potatoes. — Mr. W. G. Smith forwarded specimens of hybrid Potatoes obtained by the method of introducing plugs with eyes of one sort into other sorts. Dr. iMasters observed that both botanists and gardeners had questioned its possibility, but that his own experiments, as well as Mr. Smith's, had completely disproved the assertion. Mr. Henslow remarked that a gentleman in Warwickshire twenty- five years ago had tried it by binding together two halves of a red and white Potato, and that the resulting produce was intermediate in colour. Mr. O'Brien said that theattemjjts to unite bulbs of Lilies had as yet completely failed. TIte climate of Cornwall. — The Rev. Geo. Henslow drew attention to a communication from the Hon. and Rev. .J. T. Boscawen in which he alluded to the great variations of temperature and the corresponding differences in the effect upon vegetation in his garden at Lamorran. Mr. Henslow observed that the peculiarities could be at least partly explained by a study of the distribution of cold in England, ilr. Boscawen compared that of Lamorran with the tem- peratures of Kent, Sussex, and Liverpool. It will be found that isotherms of 30° or 20°, as the case may be, often ran closely parallel with the coast line ; or else, running parallel from Cornwall to nearly the meridian of 0", it then turns abruptly northwards, cutting the east coast at Newcastle. Hence it not unfrequently happens that Kent and Sussex are just without the isotherm which includes Cornwall. Similarly, following the isotherm round the west coast, an indentation occurs around Liverpool in con- sequence of its being on the great western plain (continuous with the Severn valley). The next point to be observed is that the internal distribution of areas of low temperatures ccjrrespond with the more elevated tracts, showing that the lowering of the temperature is due to radiation. One of these local centres always occurs over the elevated region of Cornwall and Devonshire. As the Cornish tableland extends far down towards the Land's End, the effects of this cold area are doubtless felt at Lamorran. On the other hand, the S.W. coast reaps the benefit of the Gulf Stream, so that in ordinary winters Fuchsias, h^scallonias, Hydrangeas, &c., are not cut at all. Lastly, individual causes of influence, such as depressed spots, where temperatures will be lower than cm adjacent heights, expo-sure to W. or E., as the case may be, &c., as well as differences of soil, in addition to the character of the subjacent rock, which may be a good of bad conductor of heat. Taking all the above facts into consideration, Mr. Henslow suggested they were amply sufficient to account for the anomalous features of Lamorran. Mr. Bosca%ven forwarded shoots and leaves >aiiou3 shrubs. Camellia, Hydrangea, Ac, more or less blackened by the late frost at Lamorran. Macrozamla Dniisoni. — A fine male cime of this Australian plant (about 2 feet high and 8 inches in diameter at the base) was sent by Mr. H. JanieH as the first instance of its fltjwering in this country. NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM. Jamtarv 1-3. It was a bold experiment on the part of this society to hold a show of Chrysanthemums so late in the season as the second week of January, but the dis- play which was made at the Royal Aquarium, West- minster, on Wednesday last fully justified the proceeding. The show was in every way excellent, liaWng regard to the circumstances, the promoters themselves seemed much surprised at their success. They have done good without doubt ; they have shown that the Chrysanthenunn flowering season is not of such short duration as many imagine, and, what is most important of all, they have endeavoured to bring into prominence late-flowering varieties which are not to be had in first rate condition at the time when the Chrysanthemum shows are held in the middle of November. Seeing that December and January are the dullest months in the whole year for the conservator}', the importance of encoru'aging late- flowering Chrysanthemums cannot be over-rated, and if raisers would concentrate their efforts upon the production of late sorts, they lla^■e an open field, the har\'est from which would yield bountifully. This is the more desirable now that v/e have such a plethora of sorts which flower in November. The present show was never expected to be large, and only six classes were scheduled. These were for twelve incurved blooms, six incurved blooms, twelve Japanese blooms, six Japanese blooms, twelve blooms of any sort, and collections of cut blooms. Exhibitors came from far and near, and one sent all the way from Peeblesshire a gathering of Elaine and Lady Margaret, which were considered to he the liest bloom in the show. The Elaines were so pure, th,at snow would have darkened their florets. Why such fine blooms of this variety, which is among the earliest to bloom of all, could be sent in such perfect condition could only be answered by the grower, but no doubt it was a good deal owing to its being so far north. In fact, the best blooms in the show came from the north, not about London. For inst.ance, the first prizes, both for twelve Japanese sorts and twelve of any sort, came from Mr. Falconer Jameson, of Hessle, near Hull. These blooms were indeed ex- cellent, and some would have done credit to prize stands in mid-November. The twelve Japanese blooms which Mr. Jameson showed consisted of Triomphe de la Rue du Chatelet (4), Sceptre de Tcndouse (yellow), Mdlle. Augustine Gautheut, Bond Or, Mcms. Comte (2), violet-purple, Japonaise (3'ellow), Boule d'Ctr (2). Mr. Lister, Lord Brooke's gardener at Easton Lodge, Dunmow, was second with Triomphe de la Rue du Chatelet, Gr.andiflorum (2), Comtesse de Beauregard, Thunberg (2), Meg Merri- lies (2), Mad. C. Audiguier (pale), Fanny Boucharlet (2), all fairly good blooms. Mr. Bettesworth, gardener at Burton (irange, Cheshunt, w\as third with C'eres (four good blooms), Meg Merrilies (four good blooms), Fanny Boucharlet, Mad. Cabrol. An extra prize was taken by Mr. Sullivan, gardener at Downshire House, Roehampton, for a collection which included good flowers of Mdlle. L. de Reydellet and Baron de Frailly. The class for twelve incurved blooms was not so 62 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 16, 188G. gnntl, tlicre buing but one cullectioii, and this was iinly awarded tlie secniid pi-ize ; this was shciwn liy Mr. Bette.s\viirth, who liiid ciglit bluiims of Miss Mart^chaiix, \\'hite with niiter surfaces flushed witli pink, and four medium sized blooms of Princess of 'I'eck. The best six blooms of Japanese sorts were shown by Mr. Sullivan, who had Mad. Auguste Tezier, Ceres, Meg Merrilies, Mdlle. L. de Reydellet ; and Mr. J. Walker was second with Elaine, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Peter the Great, Ethel, and White Venus. In the tliird set, from Mr. Bettesworth,were three good blooms of Sunflower, a yellow, large Anemone, Fanny Boucharlet, Miss Marechaux, Ducliess of Edinburgh. An extra prize went to Mr. J. Walker, who also had a pretty collection of cut blooms set up with foliage. Mr. G. Bolas, gardener at Hopton Hall, Wirksworth, was second, witli a capital dozen blooms prettily set up with foliage — L'Incomparable, Elaine, M. K. Larios, Oracle, Golden Empres, Lady Buller, Mad. C. Audiguier, Hrcmze Jardin des Plantes, .James S.alter, Mons, C. Huliert, Fleur de Marie, and Source d'Or. There was a good display in the class for twelve blooms of any variety. Mr. Falconer Jameson showed the best dozen. He had three good blooms of Golden Christine, Souvenir de I'Ardenne, Marquis of Lome, Triomphe de la Rue du Cliatelet, Jeanne d'Arc (pink tinged), Pink Christine, Mad. Cabrol, Mons. Comte, Mad. B. Peniny, and Roseum superbum. Among the collections of any sorts, Mr. Bolas showed Source d'Or, Pink Pe.arl (small, refiexed white, pink tinged), Elaine, Oracle, Mons. C. Hubert, James Salter, Mad. C. Audiguier, Marquis of Lome, M. R, Lai-ios, Fleur de Marie. Mr. (i. Sinclair, East Linton, Peeblessliire, had the best blooms of Elaine in the show. Mr. Storrocks, Withington, Manchester, sent three good blooms of Boule d'Or ; and Messrs. W. & <;. Urover, Fareham, showed Syringa, a white Japanese, whicli will no doubt become prominent. The non-competing class was as important as tire competition exhibits, and indeed the finest blooms Were shown in it. A large and attractive display of well grown blooms was shown by Mr. J. Lowe, who had three dozen line blooms i>f Princess Teck, also of Lowe's Late Bronze, a beautiful new bronze-red Japanese in the way of Mons. Lemoine, and Grandi- Horum (three dozen). Mr. Lowe also had a collection of other sorts, the most prominent among them being Lady Margaret, Elaine. Jlr. Owen, Floral Nursery, Maidenhead, also had a good collection, consisting chiefly of Boule de Ncige, the pretty new white sort recently certificated at South Kensington — a large number of this sort was shown ; Belle Pauline, Beaute des Jardins, Ethel, Sarnia, Mdme. Deveille, Etoile Fleuri, Colibri (deep red), Nuit d'Automne, L'In- comparable, Mrs. Mahood. Fair Maid of (Juernsey, M. Di?laux, (Jolden Queen (good yellow), and Fanny Boucharlet. Mr, E. Beckett, gardener at Alderney Park, F^lstree, had a capital collection, including some extraordinary fine blooms of Japanese sorts, parti- cularly of Ceres, Agi\'meiits de la Nature, Ville de Tcpidouse, Mons. Astorg, Triomphe de la Rne du I Mi:ltelet, Mrs. Mahorjd, and The Daimio. Mad. Eugenie Langelet, a neat little Anemone-flowered sort of a bright yellow, and Perle Margaret, a purple and white centred Anemone, were also shown by this exhibitor. The following are the sorts among the whole of the exhibits which seemed to us to be the most desirable for late flcjwering, that is they looked fresh and seasonable ; whereas, many of the others had the appearance of having been retarded too much. The best of the white incurved sorts was Miss Mare'chaux, which, though similar to Princess Teck, is much superior, the white florets tinged with rose being very pretty, (iolden Empress was well shown, but it does not look like a true, late sort. Among the Japanese sorts the best were Grandifloruni, Lowe's Bronze l^ueen, Ceres, Triomphe de la Rue du Chatelet, Thun- berg, Elaine, Mons. Astorg, Golden Dragon, and Meg Merrilies. The best large Anemone-flowered sorts were Fleur de Marie,' Sunflower, and 'Virginale ; the latter was surprisingly fine. Among the Anemone jMimpons, none were so fresh as the golden yellow Mad. Langelet. Messrs. Cannell, of Swanley, had an attractive group, consisting chiefly of Chinese Primulas, all o which were the perfection of first-class culture. A choice selection of the best sorts were shown, among them Iieing the lovely Swanley Improved White, which is unquestionably the finest of all the pure single white sorts. There were also the strange-look- ing Swanley Bhie, the glowing erims(m Dr. Denny's Improved, 'The ('ueen, Delicata, a mo.st hively pink, and Princess Beatrice and Swanley (Jiant, the largest of all the red-purples. A dozen pigmy Orange trees, also in the Swanley exhibit, attracted a good deal of attention. NOTES OFJTHE WEEK. The Turner Memorial fund. — A meeting of the committee connected with this movement was held at South Kensington cm Tuesday last, but was adjourned owing to the fund at present obtained being insufficient for the intended purpose. A sum of £162 has been subscribed, but it is considered that a^. least £2110 will be required. The Percival Orchid collection. — We learn that the rich collection of Orchids formed by the late Mr. R. P. Percival, of Birkdale, Sftuthport, will be offered for sale shortly by the Liverpool Horticultural Company. The plants are being removed to the nurseries of the company, where they may be in- spected about the 20th and 21st inst. It is intended not to sell them by auction. The American Exhibition. — It is announced that this exhibition, which was to have been held in London this year, is ])ostponed until next year, when it will be opened on May 2. This course has been adopted in order to avoid the American exhibition clashing with the Colonial .and Indian exhibition to be held this year at South Kensington. Lectures on forestry. — A series of ten lectures on ftu'estry will be given by Mr. G. S. Boulger, at the City of London College, White Street, Moorfields, E.C., on Wednesday evenings, from (i to 7 p.m., commencing January 13. The subjects treated on will include : Climate and Trees — Land suitable for Arboricidture — The draining and other preparation of the Land — Nurseries and their Management — Planting Operations — Thinning and Maintenance — Felling and Barking — Timber Measurement — Exploi- tation and Management of Coppice — The distinctive characters of the various British Timber Trees. Practical demonstrations in the country will be given during the spring. Lselia anceps Stella.— The first flower of this white anceps has just opened with Mr. Ingram, Elstead, Godalming, and it is a beautiful variety, the sepals and petals of which are pure white, the lip being of the same colour, with a deep yellow crest, and the side lacinia; are finely pencilled with deep purple. It is near Williamsianum, the lower half of lip, however, not so broad. It is gratifying to notice that both Lajlia anceps Sanderiana, now in bloom with Baron Schroeder, and Stella are fully up to the expectations formed by purchasers when sold by auction. The difference between Sanderiana and Dav.-soni is that in the latter the throat pencillings are far more numerous than in the former, and the side laciniae is finely spotted, this falling quite away in Sanderiana ; the petals of Dawsoni are also by far the broadest and roimdest of the two. Forced Rhododendrons.— I send you trusses of R. Watereri cut from plants that were brought into bloom for Christmas. Several of these plants bear from four to five dozen trusses of blooms equal to those sent. We have forced Rhododendrons into bloom for the Christmas season every year for these last eight years, .and they inijirove annually. I need scarcely say how beautiful they are, and Watereri is a sort I would strongly recommend to .all who are in need of winter flowers. It takes scarcely any forcintr when well managed to get it in bloom .at this season. What a v.aluable class of plants the .lav.anese section is, ]iarticularly such sorts as Taylori, Duchesses of Counaught and Edinburgh, Prince Leopold, Maiden's Blush, Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra. Everyone who values good flowers should grow these greenhouse Rhododendrons : they are not only beauti- fid, but continue so long in bloom. — J. Crook. Masdevallia Crossi. All the praise that was bestowed u[ion this new Orchid when it was first in- troduced a year or two ago was nttt in the least ex- aggerated, HA the plant has j^roved itself to he quite a gem, even in the beautifid genus Masdevallia. Some jilants of it are now flowering in Messrs. Sliuttleworth and Carder's nursery at Clapham, where it flourishes admirably in the cool Odonto- glossum houses. The coloui of the flowers excels that of the brightest forms of M. ignea, and though not so large as the flowers of that species, they are borne several together on a spike. The dried specimens in the possessi(»n of Mr. Shuttlewoi'th bear as many .as twenty flowers on one spike ! They vary in colour from a bright orange to a glowing scarlet, and in all the sepals are lined with deeper streaks, as in M. ignea. When the plants become sufficiently established to bear even a dozen flowers on a spike, it will be one of the prettiest Orchids in English gardens, and this we m- tliu date tixed fur the diiiHcr of the Royal Horticultural t^ncicty at the " Albion," Aldersgatc Mtrcet. Calanthe Veitchi (J'. CmoKX—An excellent variety, line of the deepest coloui ed we have seen. Von are, no doubt, aware that pure country air and light influence the colour of this Orchid greatly. Flowers of the same Orchid grown about London have been pale geneially this year ou account of tlie dull weather. Vanda Sanderiana (//. I>. U.). We consider the flower you send au excellent variety as regards the form, colour, and markings— one of the best, in fact, we have seen, but in point of size it may improve as the plant becomes better established. Your plant must be a very fine specimen from your description. The Odontoglossum nebvdosum tlower represents what is known as the variety candidulum, a very rare and extremely beautiful form. Dracaena beetles (/. .S. Stirling).— Th^ beetle which eats the leaves of your i>raca?na is the black Vine weevil (OtiorhjTichus sulcatus), a most destnictivc pest, both in the grub and beetle state. The former eats the fleshy roots of various plants, Primulas, Cyclamens, &c. The beetles destroy the foliage of Vines, Draoenas, and many other plants ; they hide themselves during the day and come ont ait«r dark to feed. The best means of catching them is to place white cloths or .sheets u»der the plants, and then when it is dark enter the house quickly with a bright light, which will generally cause the insects, who feign death when disturbed, to fall ; if it does not, tap the plants sharply, and, as a last precaution, search the latter well over. — G. S. S. INames of plants. — /. Crook: — Salvia Heeri. R. G, (i. A""/.— 1, Panicum miliaceum ; 2, P. Crux-Galli. jB". Taixtz. — Dendrobium W'ardianum. E. L. Broxm, — Tho fl.iwer sent does not represent an unusual variety, certainly not distinct enough to merit a varietal name. The mon- ptrosity is curious, and we do nt-t remember having seen it I before. Jan. 1G, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 63 Woods & forests. NOTES. The timber tr.\db. — If, as " Yorksbireman " says, Oak poles and saplings are delivered in Manchester at 2Cs. per ton of 40 feet, the price is so small, that scarcely anything can be left to the grower. Has ncjt his informant made the error (if naming 40 feet to the ton instead of actual weight; If this was so, the figures would be more explicable. There is another point, too, I cannot understand, and that is where the circum- stance of tind-ier growing almost at the pit's mouth being rejected in favour of foreign is referred to. If there is anything in this, it must be because the wood grown on the spot is unsuit- able. I know it is a fact that now the facDities for iilitaining foreign wood are so great, owners are mcire particular in selecting what home-grown timber they buy than was the case when it was practically what home-grown was to be bad, or none at all ; but when really suitable stutt' is ottered, I have found no diiticulty in obtaining an outlet. The real truth about this alleged prefei'- ence for foreign wood may be in the fact that the exporters of the material study tlie wants of the colliery owners, and what is unfit is left at home in the forest, whilst here the bad and good, or very likely the bad after the good has gone, is oft'ered to this class of consumer. There are obviously two sides to this, as to everything else, and a little juilgment and care should be exercised that a market is not spoilt in trying to pass off what is really unfit for the work. Timber growth. — Without for the moment entering into the theory of this interesting sub- ject, I tliink that " Vorkshireman " will concede that the greatest amount of timber can be pro- duced on a given area when there is only a small amount of leaf surface, or, in other words, when the trees are growing thickly. In fact, his closing remarks imply as nniuh ; therefore, between these opposite " truths" where are we to draw the line? Perhaps it is that science would lead us to grow wood in the shape of branches, which when pro- duced wiuild Ije of little value, whilst experience teaches us that to I'aise the greatest quantity of marketable timber trees should be grown as closely as is consistent with their thriving pro- perly. Home-i;rowx v. foreI(;x timber. — I am more and more convinced that the more extensive use of the home product, i.e., in something like the proportion its qualities deserve that it should be, is one of the most important things in practical forestry, and one which cannot l.ie too frequently reiterated. I am quite aware that it may Ije objected by some that this is a question wliich lies outside of what ought to be considered as forestry, Ijutwith this I cannot agree. If timber growers and timl.ier users were two different sets of individuals, there would be some weight in the argument, but in this country it is not so, as, taken as a rule, the grower is also the consumer, although under existing conditions he grows tlie timber to have no profitalile sale for it, and buys material not more suitable or duiable from abroad. This is "boycotting" himself with a vengeance. Lime .\.s a timber preserver. — The interest- ing particulars with reference to the use of a .solutiiin of lime for preserving home-grown wood given on p. 4(J are opportune, and as the process IS simple and cheap, it is at least worthy of a trial. It is for the classes of work contemplated by Mr. Borough that the bulk of the foreign wood pur- chased for estates is used, and if there is any difference in durability, imaginary or real, in fax'our of foreign Fir, this tre:itmeut of home- grown wood seems calculated to overcome it. As I understand the description given, il is un- seasi.ined wood which it is purposed to treat in this way. If so, and the treatment is successful, the drawback of waiting a considerable length of time for seasoning is removed. D. J. Veo. Lijufhuii, U'llU. THE SILVER FIR. The common Silver Fir (Abies pectinata) is, I believe, up to the present time the loftiest-grow- ing C(inifer which we have in Britain. It is a majestic tree either singly or in a clump, and when planted sutticiently apart to allow its brandies full development, it becomes feathered to the ground. Its haljit is .symmetrical, pyia- midal, and very formal, particularly when young; when old it presents a greater variety of form ani)sitions, where in actual quantity the rain- fall may be sullicient under normal conditions, it does not work out so, as where trees are absent it disappears almost as rapidly as it comes, as there is no agency to retain it. So great is this difference in the matter of evaporation, that it has been demonstrated that where in the open field a hundred p;irts of water evaporate, where trees exist only thirty-eight parts on uncovered soil are lost in the same time, and where the soil is covered by leaves. Moss, ifec., only fifteen parts eva- Jiorate. This proportion would, of course, be on lands entirely covered by trees, and where field or hedgerow trees only gravi the difference would be smaller, as indeed it is essential they should be. It is, however, clear that the property of retaining moisture, to say notliing of collecting it, is incomparably greater where such agents as trees are present, and that to argue that trees, because they occupy space, are worse than useless, does not say much for the judgment of those who ess.ay to do so. Animal or vegetable life cannot exist without moisture, and this, too, is tlie great cause of the air retaining a portion of the warmth of the sun's rays. In deserts, where the atmosphere is .almost devoid of moisture, the days are scorchingly hot, whilst at night it often falls below the freezing point. The destruction of trees greatly tends to bring about these undesirable conditions, and this the •advocates of their extinction must reckon with. — Wooii.VAN. Effect of trees on climate.— In a recent dis- cussion on field and hedgerow trees it was argued by one class of writers that, because their roots required a certain amount of nourishment and their branches shaded the ground, this riice a' trees should be got rid of. Such views are very narrow and short-sighted, as they make no allowance for the great advantages gained by the presence of trees. As a mere question of profit in the shape of hard cash there is little doubt that fairly good land in this country may be better occupied than by growing timber ; but this is only part of the facts of the case, as in the views of the best authorities the presence of timber is absolutely neces- sary in the sense of amelioration of climate. Further than this, these views are not merely matters of opi- nion, but of experience and fact. What has followed in the wake of forest destruction in many countries is well known to most who have studied the subject, and the corresponding return to the normal condition of affairs, when re-atforestation has been carried out, has been repeatedly demonstrated. That in these islands rivers, for instance, will be affected in the way they have been in many other places, from the physical features of country, is perhaps unlikely ; but if in a less marked way, the retention or destruction of trees will have its effect upon the soil. Beyond the broad principles from which conclusions have been drawn, actual experiments show that the presence or absence of trees produces a great difference in temperature both at the ground level and below it ; and whilst this is not so great in summer where shaded as in the open field, it is more favourable in winter, and therefore on SOWING V. PLANTING OAKS. Whether Oak plants or Acorns ought to be used in forming Oak ])lantations is a question respecting the answer to which planters are not fully agreed, though, upon the whole, we belie\-e plants are preferred. A doubt, it is probable, would never have been raised on the sufiject, had it not been found that, under ordinary circumstances, the Oak suffers more by trans- planting than the Elm, the Ash, the Beech, and other similar trees; which is partly owing to its natural delicacy, and partly to its ilejiending, when young, cliielly on its tap-rout, and from its not producing for some years many lateral roots, unless forced to do so by art. When, however, the Oak lias been two or three times trans- planted in the nursery before its final removal, it will produce a sufficient nuniljer of lateral roots to insure its growth if carefully removed ; and for this reason, we should, in alinnst every case, prefer using strong transplanted plants to Acorns. AVe have already remarked that Oaks, after they have attained a certain size, are more successfully transplanted than seedlings of one or two years, a fact which will be founil to hold good with all trees whatever which have tap-roofs of extraordinary dimensions when young. One reason which some give for preferring Acorns is, tlie alleged injury which Oak plants sustain by the loss of the tap-root, which, it is said, tliey never regain. This opinion, however, is weil known to be erroneous, it being as natural, in the case of seedling Oaks, for that part of the pilant which is under ground to repniduce a leading or tap-root when that has been cut ott' as it is for the part above ground to re]>roduce a leailing shoot after that has been removed. It is also equally well known that the tap-root is only found in Oak and other trees wdien in a young state; and that no Oak or other tree when cut down was ever found to have anything like a perpendicularly descending main root in anv 64 THE GARDEN. [Jan. Ifi, 1886. way comparable to the perpendicularly ai^ceiid- iiif^ trunk of the tree above ground. The con- sei|Ucnc(' of sowing an Acorn where it is to remain, and not cutting tlirough the tap-root, i.i that it remains a longer jiei-icjd before ]iutting (iut any lateral mot.';; but wliether these lateral roots are jiut out sooner or later can have very little influence on the growth of tlie tree nndei' ordinary circumstances, and certainly none on the value of the timber which it produces. It is easy to conceive that if the surface soil on which an Acorn is planted is much richer than the subsoil, something in rapidity of growth will be gained by cutting off the tap-root, so as to force the plant to .send out lateral roots sooner than it wcjuld otherwise do; but, though some- thing is gained by this, something also will be lost, because the supply of water, so essential to all plants which have naturally ta|)-roots in a verv young state, will be considerably diminished. In warm climates, therefore, and in all cases where a saving of first cost is an object, we sliouKl ju'efer Acorns to plants; but in toleralily moist climates, and in deep alluvial or marly soils, or where the sui-face soil is rich, and where the object is to produce Oak trees as soon as jiossible, we shouhl recommend strong plants. Oak trees diseased. — I was staying lately at a place in Kent celebrated for its beautiful ( )ak trees, and was grieved to see that a number of thein were being killed, apparently by some insect, which seemed to be gradually eating its w.ay through several of them. In some I could see the mischief just com- niencing ; the bark being eaten away in many, the liole had reached the timber, and in others there was a cavity right through the trunk. Can you say what is the cause of this sad mischief, and if there is any remedy for it ? — Horsmonden. *^* I can hardly say what insect is attacking the Oak trees in Kent mentioned by " Horsmonden " without seeing the trees or portions of them. If the trees are in Horsmonden parisli, I will try and find them out, as I shall l)e in the immediate neighbour- hood of that village for a day or two at the end of this week. — G. S. S. Draining' old plantations. — In draining old plantations over thirty years old, containing hardwood trees, says ilr. Lewis Bayne, in an essay he wrote on the subject, great care must be taken in selecting the more open parts, and laying out of the drains to a\'oid cutting the roots cf the trees as far as possible, even should the drains not be equi-distant or in altogether straight lines. Again, in cases of extreme wetness it is advisable to drain the ground moderately at first, and to deepen the drains at different times afterwards until the desired effect is attained, as it will be found that, after the trees have been growing a length of time in extreme wetness, a sudden change in the moisture and temperature of the soil, caused by draining off all the water at once, would injuriously affect them. The difference between drained and imdrained land is very remarkable during very wet seasons, when even the best made drains are taxed to the utmost, and well-drained land is not too firm or dry, while undrained land inclined to be wet becomes a regular marsh. When trees are planted on undrained wet hind they soon become sickly and covered with I,ichens ; the Fir and evergreen kinds become yellowish green, stunted in their growth, and covered with cones — sure signs of premature decay and disease, sooner or later followed by the death of the plant. Preservation of trees. — One of the most desir- able things to be done for the welfare of a country is to disseminate everywiiere information in regard to trees and tlieir uses, so that the people shall come to regard them somewhat according to their real value, to look upon them, not as something to be got out of the way wlienever personal interest or personal feeling may so dictate, but to be cherished as friends ; not to be recklessly destroyed, but to be held in trust for future benefit and for those who are to come after us. The words of Baron Von Mueller deserve to he borne in mind as expressing the true view of this subject. He says : " I regard the forest as an heritage given us by Nature, not for spoil or to dev.astate, but to be wisely userests as a i,dft. intrusted to any of us only for transient care during a short space of time, to be surrendered to ])Osterity again as an uiumpaired proiierty, with increased riches and axigmeuted blessings, to pass as a sacred patrinmny from {jeneration to generation." SEASONABLE WORK. Planting.— Take advantage of mild, open weather to push forward planting operations as vigorously as is consistent with the proper exe- cution cjf the work. All dry, warm soils should be planted in autumn, but stiff' clayey land and deep jjeat bog which retains an excess of mois- ture had lietter not be planted till .s))ring. On such situations Black Italian Poplar, Ooat Wil- low, Huntingdon Willow, Bedford Willow, Alder, and Birch may be planted with success, and as there is always a demand for this class of timber, it soon turns into money. Such being the case, proprietors of waste bogs that produce nothing but Heather and Bog Myrtle should have them drained and planted at once, and in doing so they wouhl only be consulting their own interest and that of tlieir family. As the different pdots of ground are cleared of young trees, lo.se no time in having the ground dug into rough ridges, which will not only keep it dry, liut also expose it to the influence of frost, which will renovate and prepare it for the next crop. In places wliere the soil is of a poor, thin nature, take advantage of frosty weather to cart and apply a dressing of good loam, in order to impiove it. Turn over compost and manure heaps, so that they may be ready when wanted. Thinning and felling. — The cutting of underwood, if not already done, should be hnished as soon as possible, after which thinning the timber must be proceeded with, care being taken to mark all the inferior, unhealthy, or badly shaped trees that are likely to interfere with the full development of the better ones that are intended to stand permanently. In cutting young plantations for the ffrst time, great care should be taken to use only good cutting tools, and to finish off' the work well. In thinning screen jilantatious, the workman must, to a great extent, be guided by the depth or thickness of the belt. When it is narrow the removal of any considerable number of trees would mar its effect ; but when its extent will permit of such treat- ment, the best way to secure a permanent screen is to keep the front trees well thinned out from the commencement, so as to allow them to branch low. By such means also a gradual increase in the height of the trees from the front line to the centre is secured, as those in the interior, from being more crowded, are the more i'a]iidly di'awn up. In felling heavy timber, which .should be one of the principal occupations of this month when liands can be spared, the cross-cut saw should be used in preference to the hatchet, which will not only prevent unnecessary waste of timlier, but also give the timber a better ami more market- able appearance when put up for sale. General work. — Cutting and cleaving cord wood and grubbing hedges or levelling banks are operations that can be done wlien the ground is covered with snow. Young plantations and ornamental trees and .shrubs should be gone over to see that no injury is done liy ground game, and any plants that have been nibbled or l.iarked •should be " bushed ■' liy tying Heath, Birch spray, or Fir boughs round the necks of the plants ; this will be found a safeguard against further injury for two or three years. Even if the planta- tions or specimen plants are ]irotected by means of wire netting they will recpiire attenlioii to see th.-it rabliits have not made inroads, as they fre- i|Uently do during frost .-ind snow, by .scratching holes underneath the fence, and wlieii pushed liy hunger they frerpiently bite holes through wire netting. Nursery woi'k, lifting and jilanting trees and shrubs, making and jihinting cuttings, digging ground that has been cleared of a crop, shouhl now have attention. Now is a gooil time to scour out all open ditches in plantations, and to distribute the .soil evenly among the young tree.s, as by this means the fallen leaves are at once fixed, so that they decay on the spot, instead of drifting and tilling up the watercourses, or choking piinnocks or culverts. New ditches should also be cut where required. Though great attention is paid to letting off water from young plantations, the ditches are often allowed to fill up as the wood gets older, Ijut as the roots of trees penetrate deeper into the soil the necessity for removing stagnant water increases, and instead of the watercour.ses being allowed to fill up, they shouhl be gradually deepened. This is more especially the ease with plantations of Larch and Sjianish Chestnut. Unsoundness of timber is freipiently caused by the presence of too much water- in the soil in which it grows. As the buds of the Hawthorn expand at an early time of the year, no time should lie lost in finishing the formation of new Quick hedges, and filling up blanks where necessary, before the buds begin to swell. Finish ]danting ornamental hedges as soon as possible ; any of the billowing list of plants are suitable for such a purpose, and may be used according to taste : Holly, Yew, Berberis Darwini, Cotoneaster buxifoliii. Ever- green Privet, Portugal Laurel, common Laurel, Lauru.stinus, common Box, Arbor-vita:', Sweet Bay, and Sweet Biier. Nursery. — When the weather is dry and open, seeds of most liardwood trees may be sown in the nursery, choosing a piece of well-worked pul- veri.seci soil for the purpose. Young seedlings of Elm, Oak, A.sli, Sycamore, &c., may be trans- planted from the seedling lieds into nursery lines, ani cuttings of all deciduous trees should now be put in. Oather cones of the Larch and Pine tribe, which as a rule are generally ripe at this season. The cones of some Pines, such as Scotch, Austrian, and Corsican, are improved by being subjected to hard frosts before gathering. The seeds may be extracted from the cones during weather that is unsuitable for outdoor work, and kept in a dry place till wanted in spring. In collecting Larch cones it is a matter of import- ance to gather only such as are produced by fine, well-developed, healthy trees, and any small Cones le.ss than medium size should be rejected, as the seeds of sucli are small and produce inferior plants. In the case of newly-planted trees, protection .should be provided in a time of hard frost ; a few branches stuck in round the plants will often prove invaluable in severe weather. Fencing' against rabbits.— Some suggest laying a piece of wire fiat on the ground in erecting wire fences against rabbits. This is a good plan, but it is better to bend a piece of the upright sheet if wire out than to put down a separate piece, as holes are apt to be made at the junction. Such a fence is better than a stone wall. Eabbits are sometimes very troublesome in orchards during severe winters, gnaw- ing the bark off the stems of the trees and kUling them. In such cases, when the trees are not over numerous, wrapping the stems round with paper, just a little higher than the rabbits can reach by standing on their hind legs, will be found an excellent and perfectly effectual preventive. The paper should be tied on pretty securely, otherwise the winds and rains will tear it off. — D. THE GARDEN. Go No. 740. SATURDAY, Jan. 23,1886. Vol. XXIX. " This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather : but Tuii Art itself is Nature." — Skakesjicare. THE TEAR CONFERENCE. Since tlic publiciitiou of my remarks on this subject (p. 625) I have read Mr. Barrou'.s exceHent report (p. (524, 18S5), and I am teuipteil to make a lew additional notes, .suj^gested after reading that report, because, as I have already stated, I am quite surprised to find the name of but one American variety (Clapp's Favourite) in the three lists. The old Seckel i.s not even named. Mr. Barron first gives a list of the thirty-six Pears exliibited tlie greatest number of times, beginning witli tlie Ijeurro Diel, 1!)4 dishes, and ending witli the Baronne de Melo, fifty dishes ; the larger ]iart of tlie Pears in this list are among our best an 1 most popular varieties. The kinds among them whiidi we have found comparatively worth- le-.s, on acount of some deficiency, either as to size, vigour, productiveness, or excellence, are as follows : f'asse Colmar, wants extra care ; Beuri'e Ruice, the same; Beiirro Capiaumont, too small; Chauiuontcl, wants extra care ; Comte de Lamy, too small : Knight's Monarch, never ripens well ; Ne Plus Meuris, too small ; Van Mons Leon Le- clerc, tree cankers or cracks. The Seckel, as I have said, does not appear in the list, anil, to our astonishment, the Williams' Bon Clirctien, the best known, the most extensively cultivated, and the most in demand of all Pears in this country, is not na'i;ed. Next we have a list of sixty of the most pro- minent varieties of Pears v xhibited at the con- ference. All these have been fruited by me, exhibited, and nearly all described in the Ma/a- ziiie of Hortkulture. Tlie larger part are, as Mr. Barron s lys, amongst the most prominent varieties grown by our cultivators ; the excaptions I have previously noted. Of the modern Pears though not new, the committee made a selection of fifteen varieties, but among them L'lnconnue (Van Mons), Duidiess of Bordeaux, and Pa^se Crassaneare hardly considered worth growing here. Among.st the five varieties recommended by the committee for growing for market purposes appeir to l)e two local varieties I do not see in catah igues and which are unknown here, viz., Beaton ami Fertility ; Souvenir du Congies is too coarse and ill shaped ; Marie Louise d'Uccle goes too quickly at the core ; De Tongres has not so far proved a profitable market Pear, thougli it is hindsome and first-rate in quality. It does not keep well. But Mr. Barron's remark, that "the cultivation of good Pears is not confined to any particular climate or district of country," is the most important infor- mation in the whole report, and worthy of the attention of every fruit grower. We have recently heard so much said about particular fruits being only adapted to particular soils and climates, that it is refreshing to hear one so well able to give an opinion as Mr. Bar. on refute this modern idea, from the best of all evidence — the specimens before him. It is singular how such notions become prevalent in the face of all facts. Tlie Red Astrachau and Gravenstein Apples grow in the same perfection in Russia, England, and America, covering with us an extent of 25° of latituile, and 58° of longitude in a climate where i'rost is unknown, and in another where it is often from 1U-' to 25° below z-ro, and from the sea level to 8000 feet above it. The Black Tartarian and Elton Cherries grow to perfection in the same countries, and so do the Williams' Bon Chretien and the Seckel Pear.s. I have never seen finer Seckels than those sent me frijm New Orleans in July. The Red Dutch Currant and the Fastolf Rasiiberry are at home in the same places. Even Hale's Early ami the famous Grosse Miguonne Peaches are just as good in England as America. Keen's Seedling Straw- berry is just as fine around Bo.ston as at the place of its origin, arouml London ; and Iloyey's Seedling is the same in Louisiana as it is in Canada. The Greengage Plum is still the same unsurpassed and luscious fruit here as it is in England and France. That there are a few varieties which seem to re(|uire greater or less heat than some loca'ities att'ord is possibly true ; but the number is too limited to be taken into account, and we have not sufficient evidence that they have ever been skilfully cultivated to lay the lault to the variety rather than to proper treatment or soil. Certainly, says Mr. Barron, " nothing contributed so much to these successful results as good and careful cultivation," notwithstanding, he say.s, "the magnificent examplts from M. Cornu, of Jersey. As the result of good and careful cultiva- tiou we have their equals, produced by Mr. Haycock and by Mr. Thomas in Kent, and closely followed by Mr. Wildsmith, in Hampshire, and Mr. Breeze in Sussex." Even those froiii cold Scotland " were probably the most meri- torious of all." Is any more evidence n.^eded ? Why, California, with its wonderful climate and long summer, cannot produce a Bartlett Pear nearly eipial to the cultivators around Boston ; but it has produced the graml old Easter Beurrc far better. Yet few or no attempts have Ijeen nui de to my knowledge liy our Eastern men to bring out the superb qualities of this Pear. That it does like a long season there is no doubt, and I know one cultivator who has accomplislied this by a little extra labour, and the results were quite up to the Califoriiiau standard. To sum up, I again quote Mr. Barron : " As a general rule the Ijest fruits are produced where the greatest care is liestowed." As not inapplicable to this question of intelli- gent culture f may instance the Concord Grape rais'd by Mr. Bull, and introduced by mo in 1854. Previous to that time we really had no good Grape which wouhl surely ripen in our cool north-east climate. Everybody planted an Isabella, then a popular variety, sometimes in clay, sometimes in a swampy place, sometimes in good soil, and sometimes in sand, just where there happened to be some vacant spot. If the fruit did not mature it was of no great consecpieuce, as its vigorous growth and ample foliage, scrambling over the piazza or arbour, gave a grateful shade from our tropical sun, and its blossoms exhaled their delicious odour. With no pruning and no care a few bunches on tlie sunny side would acquire sweetness enough to be palat- able, but the rest would do for jellies or jam and other culinary purposes. Such was hardy Grape culture at that period, and is so still in thousands of gardens. Consequently, when the Concord was planted and treattd iii the same way it was only a little lietter, that is, it was a fortnight or more earlier than the Lsabella, and a pretty fair crop of (irapes was always obtained, though not sutticiently good to reileem the Gra]ie from' the odium of prejudiced and too often ignorant cultivators, so that for a time it was pronounced unworthy of culture — fit only for jellies. Even so recently as this very year editorial cultivators have publicly stated in their columns that they should " cut them down." But soon alter its' introduction one or two very intelligent men who recogni.sed the great merits of this variety in their northern clime set about its culture in the way a Grape .should be grown ; and what, has been the result i Four of these cultivators sent to Boston inarkid the last autumn (1885) (JO to 100 tons of Concord Grapes, and not only last year, but every year. Oil' of these cultivator.s', residing as far north as New Hamp- .sliire (60 miles north of Ijoston), wrote me under date of December 16 last : " I have made the Concord Grape a specialty on my pilace. I have raised from 10 to 30 tons annually for sixteen years past." This certainly shows that we should first know how to cultivate a fruit before we ccjndemn it, and that we should not give any currency to the absurd notion that every town, and every city, and every state must have a fruit made on purpose for each locality. Take, for instance, our best Apples, natives of New England, viz., the Baldwin, the Roxbury Russet, the Ilulibardston Nonsuch, and Rhode Island Green- ing, which are shipped in .such (juantities for the supply of the London market. In the wiile extent of country from Maine to California, and from Canada to Virginia, they are equally fine ; larger, coarser, and more watery from the warmer clime, and not keeping so well ; solid and crisp from the colder one, and keeping up to the coming summer. The good results of the late Pear conference are yet to be seen ; that it may awaken the attention of lovers of fine fruit, lead to better modes of cultivation, and benefit the wliole people is my sincere wish, and I have no doubt that will be the outcome of such a display of the bounteous products of the cultivator's skill. The general detailed report will be looked for by us with great interest. C. M. HovEY. Boston, Mass. NOTES ON RECENT NUMBERS. Rose Queen Olga or Wurtemburg (p. 28). — When M. Narbonnaud gave me a plant of this Rose he praised it so highly that I expected great things ot it, and until it began to show its special characteristics it looked as if it would prove most disappointing. It must be allowed to grow great strong shoot^, 8 feet or 10 feet high, in a .spot where it will have room, and then flowers may be expected. The young buds are very lovely, and the rich clear colour of the open flowers stands out well from the handsome foliage. I hail a plant last summer which remained iresh and green in spite of all the aphis and all the drought, when scarcely any other Rose in the place could boast a decent bit of green, and even now, after all the cold and frost, the leaves are fit to gather to bring into any room ; and I remember that last year it was practically evergreen, and did not shed its old foliage till late in the spring. Let e\-eryone who cares for Roses, otlier than as an exhibitor, learn by heart the last'paragraph of " T. W. G.'s" article. Misuse of flowers (p. 42). — It is to be hoped that there are many wlio share " G.'s " contempt at the misuse of our favourites, but it is to be re- gretted that we cannot all explain our contempt with the same common sense and forcible lan- guage that " G." does ; still, there are many wlio can learn a lesson, though they cannot teach it, and they will assuredly appreciate such clear speaking. The next worse thing to misusing or misapplying plants ami flowers is the neglect, when you have them, to use or apply them at all ; one potful in a position where it is of deco- rative value is worth a whole row side by side on a greenhouse shelf, like a set of teacups in a housekeeper's cupboard ! One may bed out, as it were, one greenhouse with Cyclamens, one with Cinerarias, one with Amaryllises, &c., and though they may be a wonderful sight when in full bloom 66 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 23, 1886. and of a certain interest tn the florist proper, the 1,'encral effect is disappointing coinpured witli tlie mixed borderof aconservatory 'or well placed speci- mens in a house. It is not always an easy matter in a room to find the position whicli will best suit the l^lant, whatever it may be, and where it will best suit its surroundings, but when once established the amount of pleasure to be derived therefrom is great. Perhaps it is not to be wondered at that many private gardens strike one as resem- bling to a great extent a well-kept nursery, when one C(3nsiders that the gardeners have often had nothing else but a trade establishment from which to develop ideas, where from the very necessities of the case the use to be made of the plants is, to say the least, limited. In a private garden a flower has something else to do besides grow, bloom, and die ; it has or ought to be useful, and, of course, the same may be said of cut lilooms and foliage plants. It is not to be supposed that anyone would grow a whole stove- fui of Eucliaris merely lor the sight that they would lie all together in full flower; the pleasure derived from seeing them thus would be antici- pation of the use to be made of them in one way or anotlier, and so it should be of many other things. The truth is that every ])lant ought to be grown for a definite purpose, other than that of sale, with a certain object in its life for it to fulfil. 0. R. S. D. Sussex. NOTES OF THE WEEK. The Blue Netted Iris.— A flower of the blue- tinted variety of Iris reticulata has been sent to us by Mr. AVare, of Tottenham, where it began to bloom before Clu'istmas. It differs from the tyjiie only in colour, which is a clear sky-Wue ; it is named cj-anea. Angrsecum sesquipedale atWaddesdon.— There are at the present moment some fine examples of this ([uaint and showy species in flower at Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild's garden .at Waddesdon Manor. One plant particularly is very grand, braring sixteen of its gorgeous flowers on five spikes, the plant itself not being higher than 20 inches. Mr. Bradshaw rests his Angrsecums after flowering in the same house in which they grow, as, indeed, should be the case with .all East Indian Orchids, and after some eight weeks of rather dry treatment he again pushes them into growth. Early Daffodils.— The fir.st Daffodil blooms we have received this season, with the exception of pal- lidus prajcox, are from Mr. Hartland, of Cork, who sends fine blooms of two large, deep yellow sorts, called 'respectively spurius and " Big Irish " spurius. Both seem to be forms of spurius, and that named Big Irish (not a good name) is identical, we believe, with one Messrs. Barr have growing in their grounds under another name. Mr. Hartland thinks highly of it, as it is so fine in size and colour and so early, being earlier than the Tenby Daffodil, potted at the same time — the first week in October. Messrs. Collins and Gabriel .also send us flowers of the pretty sulphur- yellow N. Bulbococlium Gra;llsi and N. triandrus. Eoyal Horticultural Society.— The annual meeting of the Koyal Horticultural Society will be lield .at South Kensington on February 9. The bu-iiness to be transacted will comprise the reading of the annual report, the appointment of officers for the year, and the election of gentlemen to fill vacancies on the council. The following are nominated as officers: President, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. ; treasmer, William Houghton ; secretary, William Lee ( Le.atherhead) ; auditors, .John Lee, James F. West, .and W. Richards. The vacating members of the covnicil are G. T. Clark, F. Du Ciiue Godman, F.R.S., and Sir P. Cunliffe Owen. The following are recom- mended to fill the vacancies on the council for the en- suing year : Sydney Courtauld, A. B. Mitford, C.B., and Baron Schroder. A crimson Calla.— Mr. Peter Henderson gives the following account of a crimson Calla in the A me- r!can Florist: "Of this Calla (Arum patestinum) I became the fortunate possess^ir a few years ago. A lady called on Jlessrs. Young & Klliott, seedsmen, of New Yorli, and stated thtit she had a crimson Calla in bloom, and she wanted to sell it to them for £20. Mr. FIHott suggested that she bring it down to one of his auction sales and let it be sold there. This sliu agreed to do, .and down it came in full bloom, crimson sure enough. Mr. Elliott ex- pended a wonderful deal of eloquence in trying to get someone to bid £20 for it, but was obliged to take my first bid of 4s , which was gradually run up to £2, and I became the possessor of the crimson Calla. I then secured all the remaining stock from tlie lady, consisting of about a dozen small plants, and grew it till I obtained over a hundred plants, but in some way by running against the grain I lost the whole stock of it. I do not know to-day if there is a plant of the crimson Calla in the coimtry, although if it could be grown easily it would be a most interesting plant. It is of a rich crimson-mf many annuals that are scarcely suited for either purpose ; therefore there are number.sof this family of plants seldom seen in gardens. It would be a misfortune, however, both for the annuals and for the intending cultivator were he to enter into their growth decoratively in other than a spirit of love and f uU^ of anxious desire to make them aftbrd as much of jileasure and beauty as possible. It is happily the case that the larger portion of annuals can be raised from seed sown in the open ground; hence, if a plot of land be set apart and jn-operly prepared, a large portion of the work incidental to the furnishing of the annual garden may Ije performed in the month of A]iril by the simph' process of .sowing seeds. But then the 'pie.stion is, how shall they be sovni? If the garden, for instance, consisted of a couple of brnad borders with a path running through the middle, ]ierhaps the first impulse of the cultivator wouhl be to make a liack row on each 8iwci-i>f IliisC^irnatinn be kind ciimigli to give me a few hints on growing it so as to get blooms :> inches and ti inches across? I shonld also like to know what arti- ficial manure is best, and when it should be applied. — F. 13. N. Jan. 23, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 67 BUTTON-HOLE BOUQUETS. Great divergence of taste i? displayed by those whose duty it is to make, and in a lesser degree by those who delight in adorning themselves with these little bouquets. Some there are who seem to know exactly what is wanted, and what is ecjually as much to the puipose are able to tix the materials together to the best advantage. One thing, however, should always be kept in \'iew, and that is they cannot well be too simple. Hundreds during the Rose .season daily enter the city of London bearing one or more Roses in their button-holes — not buds, but blooms equal to many that are exhibited. They are con- spicuous, it is true, but after all not incongruou.s, as there are no unnatural mixtures. But what suits these city men will not please others, who, jn.stead of a nearly full- blown Hybrid Perpetual Ro.se, generally prefer a partially-expanded bud of some kind of Tea Rose, such asSafrano, DevoniensiSjW. A. Richardson, Amazone, Sunset, Grace Darling, or Niphetos ; this may be ac- companied by a tiny liud of the same variety just showing colour, and asmall, but matured, Rose leaf at the back. A rather stiff wire ought to be passed through the fleshy tube of both l)loom and liud, and they should be neatly fast- ened together with binding wire. The latter, or wires of any size, can always be procured from the nearest florist, and on no account should button-hole bou- quets be fastened with matting of any kind, this being much too conspicu- ous. Gardenias are great fa- vourites with most people, and one of these wired and backed with about three of its own glos.sy green leaves is simply perfection. We separate ours from the plants mthout any foliage or wood growth attached, and mount them on neat sprays of Escallonia ma- crantha, which affords an excellent substitute for Gardenia leaves. Tube- roses are by some preferred to Gardenias, and three blooms, with a neat frond of Maiden-hair Fern or, better still, Adiantum mundulum, are neat and eft'ective. If .'iome colour must be added, a become a great small piece of either Forget-me-not, pink Erica, makers and wearer the Tuberoses, but a whole truss of bloom is too nmch for a bouquet. Carnations do not mix well with other flowers ; in fact, one good-sized bloom ought to be sutlicient for a button-hole. Pink Miss Joliffe is a favourite sort with some, and so is Souvenir de la Malmaison. Many prefer sucli white sorts as Purity, AVhite Swan, Em]ieror of Germany, and La Belle — Belle Rose, A. Alegatiere and Lucifer being good coloured sorts. The new yellow Pride of Pen.shurst makes a charming Ijutton-hole, and Andalusia is also useful. A small Ijunch of Violets makes an acceptable button-hole. The Czar is now com- pletely eclipsed by the Neapolitan and Marie Louise, the colour of the latter being very bright and the scent agreeable. The newer Comte de Brazza, pure while and free blooming, ought to buds partially opened, a bunch of late Chrysan- themum bloom.s, three spikes of white Roman Hyacinth, a bunch of Lilacs or Staphylca colchica. Carnations, semi-double zonal Pelargonium^, forced Azaleas, Roses, four or five Allamanda blooms, and three Eucharises, all accompanied with appropriate greenery. Button-hole bouquets should, however, be principally white flowers, of which there are usually plenty to select from. No heavy greenery, such as zonal Pelargonium and Chinese Primula leaves, should be used, but a spike of Mignonette and a single leaf of scented Pelargonium are always welcome. Rather more than the required number should be made, and all are best sent to the di'awing-room for selection. In some instances it is the duty of a daughter of the house to hand round the bouquets, and, it may be, to a.ssist in fixing them, this being a great improvement on the old plan of jilacing them either in .specimen glasses or nap- kins. W. I. M. Yt. ung Atlas Cedars and uld Cedar of Lebanon arouud the Sun Temple at Kew. Basket Ferns. — Among the btst Ferns for baskets are the Adiantiinis, notably assimile, cordatuni, lunula- tum, !Moorei, and farlejense, and even the tuft-pointed A. cuneatum grandiceps does well thus treated. Most of the Davallias may be advan- tageously treated in this way, as well as many kinds of Pteris, of which special men- tion must be made of P. ser- rulata I)ixoni, a crested form of the common P. serrulata, in which the fronds droop to a very great length. The New Zealand P. scaberula is also seen to the best advan- tage when suspended in baskets. The delicate Gym- nograinma schizophyllaneeda to be raised up to see it at its best, and large bold kinds suitable for this purpose are the Goniophlebiuins, espe- cially subauriculatum, Wood- wardia radicans, and the stronger Nephrolepis. Of these latter, davallioides fur- cans forms a handsome spe- cimen, and the new N.Bausei will be a decided acquisition. For furnishing the lower parts of baskets in cases where Ferns are not effectual several of the Selaginellas may be used, especially creep- ing kinds, such as Kraus- siana, serpens, and concinata, or cjesia, as it is commonly called in gardens. — G. favourite with button-hole or Oncidium flexuosum might be mixed with the Tuberoses if the latter are small, but if large, one bloom, neatly backed with some of the above, or pips of pink semi-double zonal Pelar- ■ goniums or Bouvardias, pink or red, will answer the purpose. Bouvardias are among the best Button-holes fob evening weak' are gene- rally in great demand, it being customary «dien- ever " company" is entertained to furnish each gue.st with a bouquet. The old-fashioned plan of placing these in the artistically folded dinner napkins still exists in many places, but the sooner flowers for liouquet-making, a single truss of the ', it is changed for a more rational plan the better double white Afre/n. Rose Garden. ROSES FROM CUTTINGS. .Whether or not Roses on their own roots are best is a question into which I do not intend to enter at present. Suffice it to say that I have found some varieties raised from cuttings to answer remarkably well in our soil, which is strong and retentive, resting on clay and stones with an under stratum of chalk. On this, with the necessary manuring and mulching, Roses grow strongly and bloom jirofusely. Baroness Rothschihl, La France, Magna Charta, Duke of Edinljuigh, Charles Lefebvre, Victor Verdier, John Hojqjer, Marquise de Castellane, Prince Camille de Rohan, Paul Neron, and Captain Christy succeed well grown from cuttings. Weak- growing .sorts, such as Elie Morel, Emilie Haus- burg, and a few others, do not thrive so well as stronger growing kinds. Cuttings may be struck in various ways. The quickest way is to take them from plants that have been forced in Feb- ruary and Slarch. By April the wood of these will be partly ripe ; it should be taken off in lengths of about 4 inches and inserted in 3-inch pots, piitting about five cuttings in each pot. The soil used shouhl be loam and leaf-moukl, in about equal proportions, with a free admixture of silver sand. Plunge them in a gentle hotbed or propagating case, shade carefully, so as to prevent them from flagging, and they will soon emit roots. When this takes place, pot them off singly in small pots, and replace them on bottom heat for a short time until they commence to grow, when they should be gradually hardened off in cooler quarters. They may then be at once transferred to their pernuuient quarters in beds or borders wherever required, or if potted on they will bloom freely the following spring. This, when such cuttings as those described can be had, I consider the .speediest wa}' of getting up a stock of plants. Striking cuttings in a cold frame is another excellent mode of increasing one's stock of Roses. Early in August select shoots from outside ])lants that have bloomed in June and July, the wood of which will have become firm. Cut them into lengths of from 4 inches to 6 inches, preserving to eacli a piece of heel. Insert them firmly in sandy soil in the frame, give a good watering, shade, and keep them close until tliey have callused ; then gradually give air, increasing it as the plants commence to make growth. By March or April the following year they will be well furnished with roots ready for planting where required iaid if a little good soil can be given them a, planting time so much the better. During tht same summer most of them will produce some good blooms. Such cuttings may also be struck in a north border. Early in October procure the best ripened shoots of the summer's growth ; cut them into lengths of G inches, insert them firmly in rows !) inches apart and 4 inches asunder, using a small quantity of sand to assist the rooting ]]riicess. The great point is to tread the soil firmly about them so as to prevent wind- waving. E. MoLYNEUX. Swanmore Park, Bishop's Wcdiham. MILDEW ON ROSES. The destruction committed by this pest mi.ght, I think, be somewhat alleviated if we ceased to grow such Roses as are most liable to its attacks. It is pretty well known that it infests some Roses nrore than others, and therefore by abstaining from planting those ascertained to be a prey to it, we might save ourselves much disappointment, especially in places known to favour the growth of the disease. All gardens much enclosed are more troubled with nnldew than such as are more exposed. If I were asked to name half a dozen Hybrid Pei-petuals that are more subject to mildew than the rest, I should say they were Madame Lacharme, Duchesse de Vallombrosa, John Hopper, Mrs. Baker, Violette Bouyer, and Marie Finger. Amongst climbing Roses I find that Cheshunt Hybrid and Reine Marie Henriette are particularly liable to be attackeil, but no doubt soil and position have much to answer for with regard to mildew. A poor, dry soil will so weaken the plants, that they become an easy prey to not only it, but other diseases. As regards positions, the worst is where cold currents of air pass over the plants ; every year where the north wind sweeps over some climbing Roses througli ventilators that cannot be closed, these Roses are attacked with mildew, or rather I should say the two climljing varieties just nanu-d, and no ajiplications of any kind will prevent its spreading. What is, how- ever, noteworthy in connection with this subject is the fact that there are plants of Gloire de Dijon and Duchess of Edinburgh growing under exactly the same conditions, and these are never attacked with mildew to any appreciable extent. Mildew- RESISTING Roses.— The power of some varieties to resist the attacks of mildew is remaikable. So far as my observation goes, I find that kinds with shiny leaves are seldom attacked. It matters little, therefore, whether any particular variety is hardy or not, inasumcli as its power to resist mildew seems to lie the leaves ; but, taking a wide view of the suli ject, I am inclined to believe that extremes of tempera- ture constitute one cause of mildew attacking Roses in the open air, and the attack will be lessened or aggravated in vigour awording to the degree of moisture there may be in tlie soil, for even in a widely fluctuating temperature the disease will not get a strong hold of the plants if the roots get all the moisture they want. The most favourable climatic conditions for the spread of mildew are a dry soil, a low night tempera- ture, and hot, bright sunshine during the day. Under such circumstances mildew spreads at a rapid rate, and the only remedy is activity in growth by supplying the roots with the needful moisture, and if it contains an active stimulant the sooner it will arrest the progress of the mildew. It has occurred to me on many occa- sions that it is quite possible to drain our Rose beds too much, as when that is the case the plants suft'er from want of root-moisture in times of drought. I do not consider that positions for Roses .of any kind or form of growth require to be drained, unless the subsoil is clay, and even in that case there should be a depth of 2 feet of good soil above the drain, for if we would avoid mildew, our Roses must have not only a mode- rately rich soil, but a deep one. All mildewed leave.s, Mr. Worthington Smith, in "The Rosarian's Year Book," fays, should be destroyed. " It is obvious," he adds, "that the fungus is preserved during winter on decaying Rose foliage, and that for every infected leaf of autumn that is burnt, some hundreds of living spores or seeds will be destroyed at the same time. It is, no doubt, impossible to destroy or deeply bury all infected leaves; but, never- theless, the more decaying material that is either burnt or deeply buried, the le.9S spores there will be to invade the Roses of the fdlowing summer. Rose mildew can never be prevented whilst in- fected autumn leaves exist. It can lie destroyed ou the leaves in its early or oidium state by syringing with water, soft soap, and sulphur. The mixture .should consist of five gallons of cold water, half-a-pound of the liest solt soap, and a handful or_ two of flowers of sulphur, the whole to lie left 'for a few hours for the soap to tho- roughly dissolve. Two dressings of this will generally remove all traces of the fungus. Pure water to be afterwards used. Ro;;es in houses can lie easily reached by si'lphurous fumes. Simple soap-suds have been recommended; also, soft soap dissolved in water, a jiiecu the size of a hen's egg to three gallons of water, or two ounces of soft soap to one gallon of water, and, whilst the leaves are still wet, dusting the affected parts with powdered sulphur. Some use the following : One pound flowers of sulphui', one pound ]iow- dered quicklime, and sufficient water to form a paste; add a gallon of cold water, put the wdiole into an iron vessel and boil for 20 minutes ; when cool and settled, pour off the clear liquid, store in bottles, and use it at the rate of a half- pint to six gallons of water. Jean Van Vidxem has recommended a two-thousandth part of cor- rosive sublimate, deuto-chloride of mercury, in water. The best way to prepare this is, he says, to have the corrosive sublimate in a strong alcoholic graduated tincture, and to dilute it with the necessary amount of water when wanted for use. Fir-tree oil is also reconnuended. A copious supply of liquid manure to the roots is often beneficial. During the last few months a weak solution of sulphide of jiotassium has been strongly recommended by Mr. Edward Tonks as a I'emedy against mildew. The material is made by dis- solving half-an-ounce of sulphide of pota.ssiuni in a gallon of water — the solution to be applied with a syringe, spray-disperser, or immersion.'' Kitchen Garden. FORCING ASPARAGUS. I HAVE cut Asparagus from forced roots as early as the middleof November, but in order to obtain good Asparagus thus early the roots and crowns must be very strong. The best plants for early forcing are those which have been grown on from seeds unchecked and uncut till they have reached such an age and strength as will render forcing profitable. Sometimes the permanent beds are forced and new beds made annually to take their places, but the best plan is to keep such mattei'3 separate ; if we want a given number, of roots for forcing, raise that number anniurlly, as young plants force better than old ones. In order to obtain very early Asparagus the tops sliouhl be cut down by the middle of September ; the growth will not be ripe by that time, but it will Lie finished, and as the roots will be thrown away when the crop has been gathered, the future need not concern us. Theforcingbed, if fermenting material be used, should be made up early Jan. 2S, 1886.1 THE GARDEN. 6D 1 ,in October, and as soon as the ri^lit temperature lias been reached the roots shoukl be lifted care- fully, packeil in thickly, and covered 3 inches deeji with lifjht rich soil. Then ^dve the whole a f^ood soaking with tepid manure water. If blanched Asparagus is wanted, a greater depth of soil is necessary. The hotbed system, where plenty of con- venience exists, is an excellent one, and relays of beds can lie brought on every two, three, or four weeks, as required. If the means are ample, the supply may he practically nnlimited. The only disadvantage which the hotbed system has is, in winter, if the weather is bad, there is a difficulty in giving the ]iroduce snfBcient light and air to flavour it, and witliont this light and air for a week or two alter the heads are through the soil the prcjduce will be deficient in flavour. Anyone can make up a hotbed that will produce Aspara- gus, but the flavouring requires care. After the roots are in, the frames in which they are placed may be nuitted up till growth is forcing itself through the soil; then light must be admitted gradually, and a little air given at the back, both air and light to be dady increased if the weather is favourable till the heads are fit to cut. The temperature of the bed shoiflil be about 7.5" in order to enable this to be done without checking growth. If any check takes place, the Asparagus will l:ie less succulent than it should be. To obtain AsPABAGUs AT CiiRi.STMAS, the tops need not be cut down till they ripen in the usual way. The hotbed should be made up in the second week in November, and as tree leaves are at that season plentiful, leaves to the extent of one-half, i.e., if the manure is fresh, will be an advantage. As soon as the bed has been got into a genial condition put in 2 inches of soil, then the roots ; water and mat up till the young stems are seen to be ]iushiiig through the soil, when careful ventilation will be necessary. If the weather should be .very mild and the Asparagus come too soon, a little more ventilation will improve its i(Uality and check its growth a little at the same lime. There are many ways of forcing Asparagus. Sometimes the plants are planted in permanent brick pits, - fitted with a hot-water apparatus. 'This system answers very well for forcing after Christmas, and the plants need not be annually destroyed, as is inevitable when they are lifted and forced in hotbeds. Permanent beds are sometimes forced by means of linings of manure placed between them, the beds being covered with movable glazed frames. In short, Aspa- ragus may be forced anywhere, provided the requisite temperature can be maintained. It will force very quickly in flat baskets, such as are used by nurserymen to pack plants in, and such baskets are easily moved from place to place. If young plants having strong and numerous crowns are employed, a Viasket 4 feet over will hold a good number. Place 6 inches of old Mushroom manure in the bottom ; on this pack the roots as close together as possible, and cover 3 inches or 4 inches thick with light, rich, sandy soil. The baskets may stand in the Mush- riiom house till growth is moving; then take them to a light house, such as a forcing vinery or Peach house, or any house in which forcing is going on. This is a makeshift way of forcing, liut there is little labour or trouble connected with it ; and where only small dishes are re(|nired this is an excellent way of raising Asparagus. It will succeed very well in boxes a foot deep ; those 3 feet long and 1 foot wide are as large as can be conveniently shifted about. Asparagus may also be forced in pots, and if not required for cutting it may be left to ornament the con- servatory. As a background plant and as a foil to bright flowers it is certainly not without its uses. Raising young plants. — I like to sow the seeds in drills thinly in March, the drills to be 3 feet apart, and the plants to be singled out on the principle of allowing the strongest to .survive till they stand 12 inches apart in the rows. If the treatment is liberal, in three year.-j' time the plants will be strong enough to force, though they will be better to remain unforced till four years old if very fine heads are required. A situation sheltered frcmi severe winds is best, as the wind has great power over the clcnfe growth, and will do much damage if unsheltered and unsupported. Sometimes the strongest .stems are .supported by stakes, but where much is grown this takes a good deal of time. Plants rai.sed frcnn .seeds and rot transplanted seem to get a firmer hold of the ground, and sutt'er less from strong winds than transplanted plants do. K Hobday. ■White Plume Celeiy. — I seem to have been less fortunatK than must of your cnrrespondents with this Cek'i'Y, for having given it a fair and rather extensive trial, "l must confess that I am utterly disappointed with it. Altliough sati>factory as regards RTowth, I am well within the mark in saying that not above one in a score came with me white. A'aluable acquisitions to those who have to grow Celery for early use are such varieties as White Gem and Ivory White ; these, on account of the small sp.ice which they occupy, the little earthing up re (uired, and early maturity, are well worth attention. — J. E. Sprouting: Potato sets. — I like to get Potato sets which are to be forced in pits or frames sprouted before planting. It is a decided gain to do so, as if the Fets are planted in boxes of soil, and placed in a heated house, they are making progress whde the hotbeds for them are being made up. By the time the sets are sprouted the beds are ready, and thc-n the plants get the full benefit of all the heat ; but if the sets are not sprouted, it will take them a fort- night before they get as far advanced as sprouted sets usually are at planting time. I therefore reckon that sprouted sets get a fortnight's longer heat th.in the others, and that is no little advantage in the month of January, when the he-it from fermenting materials quickly declines. Where there are pits heated with hot water it may not be so necessary to have the sets sprouted before planting. — J. C. C. Broad Beans. — When"A. D."(p.l4) tried Levia- th.in, Aquadulce and Seville Long|_iod Broad Beans, and found "absolutely no difference in them," he could not have had the right sorts. I have invariably found Seville Longpod to be ten or twelve days earlier than Leviathan; the pods, too, are some inches shorter and narrower than those of Leviathan, and in this respect the two are most distinct. Levia- than is also more robust in growth ; in short, they bear no resemblance to each other. The Aquadulce of which I spoke so favourably (p. 637, Vol. XXVIII.) is a stock which has been selected for half a dozen yeax-s or more here, but the original type of this with us, although more prolific than Leviathan, was not so long or uiiiform in size of pod, and Aquadulce is a weaktr grower. The Aquadulce here begins podding so near the ground that many of the first pods push their points into the soil before they are anything like full grown, and although Leviathan produces a pen- dent pod, it is borne further up the stem. Altogether, I have never considered them the same, and evidently others are of my opinion, as in some scores of seed lists I have just been looking over, I find the three varieties offered under different descriptions and at different prices. — J. MuiK, Margam. Early Eadislies. — New Radishes in February and March are very acceptable, and from a market garden point of view profitable. They are the easiest and quickest forced of all vegetable productions. Sometimes in making up Potato beds a few Eadish seeds are sown amongst the Potatoes, and some of them which germinate bulb, but many more are only forced to make a leafy top and no root worth looking at. This is the objection to mixing Radishes up with other things in early hotbeds; they ought to have, and deserve, a bed to themselves. A bed sufficiently large to hold a one-light or a two-light frame will produce a grand lot of Radishes, and they will come in in such a long succession, that their owners will soon conclude that Radishes form one of their most satisfactory spring crops. The forcing of them may begin at once. Make a good, firm bed of fermenting material nle of hands have been started to cut out some of the branches of Apples in an ordinary orchard, the trees of which are getting very crowded. 1 heir instructions are to cut out all branches that intercept and chafe each other, and particularly all cankered boughs, of which there are a quantity, and, I think, caused by the ground having become impoverished, and as the trees are planted on grass it is not easy to apply a remedy, though, if time and means hold our, our present is to mulch the entire orchard, and there being a good deal of Lichen on some of the trees, these we intend to splash over with a wash of soap-suds, soot, and freshly slaked lime. Sowed seeds of Pyrethriim Gold n Feather, also a small pan of Celery, and made other sowings of Mustard, t'ress, and Lettuces in handlight-', the old rtfuse soil from the potiing- shed being sifted £nd used for this purpose. Cauliflower, Lettuce, and even Caljbage plants are showing signs of suffering from such a change- able winter, and I fear most of them will succumb, and therefore, to be on the safe side, we i-hall make additional sowings of each in heat, and soon as favourable a warm border will be utilised for open- air sowings, and for pricking out under handlights in the same position, the plants now being raised in heat. Fumigated second Peach house ; our invariable rule is to fumigate just before the blossom expands, then we rarely liave occasion to repeat it till it is quite safe to do so without risk of injury to either fruit or foli- age. Potting the scarcer kinds of Dahlia roots and put in heat for propagation ; also put in a few cuttings of Crotons and Gardenias. Prinmlas, Cinerarias, Carna- tions, Cyclamens, and double-flowered zonal Pelargo- niums fill our Strawi)erry house, and look so well, that niakesliift jiits are being prepared for tiie Strawljeny plants by tilling them with Oak leaves, on wliich the plants will be stood — not plunged, and as they come into flower they will be shifted to shelves in vineries. Melon, and Peach houses. Tied up early Muscat Vines and watered the inside border, the water being at a tem- perature of 80°. The night temperature now ranges from 60° to 6S° by night, according to the external temperature, and by day 72° is never exceeded, except when the house is closed up with sun Leat. January 16. 'Very "fine; sunshine for several hours, but the ground is still tt>o wet to recommence fruit tree training and pruning. Orchard and shrub-pruning continued, and other hands have cleaned up lawn and walks and rolled the latter. Cut off the boughs that the snow Lroke down of Cedars of Lebanon, Abies cephalonica, Abies Kordmanniana, and Picea grandis ; all these have flat boughf, and therefore hold the snow; none others were damaged, and, provided the snow had fallen in the daytime, this dam.age would, to some extent, have been prevented, for v>ith long poles the men would have shaken the snow off — the lower boughs at any rate — before they had got overweighted. Deciduous trees, by the weight of snow and hurricane combined, have been freed of a large amount of dead wood, and though the work of clearing it away has been great, it is so much the less to be done after the next gale that blows. Cleared out fruit rooms ; A jjples never kept better, nor Pears either, for though the late kinds seem to be ripening very early, they do not decay, as at one time I feiired they might. We aim at keeping both Apple and Pear rooms dry as possible ; neither are heated, but both are built with hollow walls and are thatched with straw under the slates, and I have never known the temperature lower than 36°, however severe the frost has been outside In damp weather we keep them closely shut up, but ventilate freely when the outside air is dry and not frosty. The Grape room is built after the same style, but is heated with a hot-water pipe, but is never used except to drive out damp after a thaw or continued rains, which is foon done by setting the door and roof ventilator wide open and turning on the heat. We have not yet space to bottle all the Lady Downes Grapes, but the house is kept as cool and dry as it is possible to keep it in such changeable weather, and as Grapes from the room are used others are cut, and the Vines pruned as the fruit is cleared. All the houses have had the usual weekly scrub, shifting, and re-arranging of plants, and fresh relays of Hyacinths, Tulips, and Lily of Valley have been put in to force. The re- mainder of Bouvardias and part of Calanthes that had done flowering have been arranged together at back of stove, as plants to be kept on the dry side to rest them. The shelves of stove are now being made use of to start into growth for cuttings, stock plants of Alternantheras, Coleus, Heliotropes, and the weakest roots of single Dahlias. .T.VNUARY IS. Snow yesterday, but rain clear( d it away during the night, and to-day has been fine, with sunshine. Groundwork is still out of the question, and we have again been busy with shrub-trimming, trenching up underwood stumps, burning up rubbisli, and gravel and manure carting. Made up a hotbed for Potatoes and Asparagus witli leaves and long stable litter, and put fre-h linings to other frames. Having got our entire stock of Chrysanthemum cuttings, the old p'ants have all been taken out of houses, and such as are required for- planting out have been stood closely together in a cold pit, and the remainder thrown away. All plants, soon as struck, are taken out of the handlights and arranged on a shelf in a cool \ inery, as near to the glass as possible, to keep the plants stocky. Began to divide and repot stove Ferns ; also to repot Palms, Dractenas, Maranta", in fact, all the kinds of stove plants that we grow, which is but a limited collect on, but sufficiently large for our de- mands, as they are only required for dinner-table and boudoir decoration. Our aim is to get the largest plants in the smallest, pots, and we lay the foundation for such a structure by using the best turfy peat and loan], and with it use small pieces of charcoal and bone dus% draining the pots well, and pot firmly. Put more Potatoes in boxes of leaf-soil to sprout, in readiness for frame planting. Got in soil for second batch of Melons. As it was ratlier wet not much pounding was done, but it will be pressed down more when it has got heated tlirough and is drier. A thin sprinkle of halt-inch bones and small pieces of char, coal was put Ijetween each layer of loam, these being the only ingredients mixed with the loam. J.\SUAKY 19. Yet another change. Very fine ; but thermometer at freezing point all day long. Continued the same out-door jobs as yesterday, also clipped a Yew, and Cupressus Lawsoniana hedge. . For years now we have clipped such hedges and trimmed shrubs of all kinds in frosty weather without any perceptible injury to the plants, a fact that deserves to be better known, that such kinds of jc^bs may be done now ; thus time that would otherwise be spent on such work in milder weather may probably be the means of some other job having more attention than has hitherto been the case. Indoors work hns been potting Ferns and stove plants. Sowed .seeds of Gloxinia, tuberous. Begonias, and Cyclamens ; a few more tubers of the first-named haie been shaken out of the old soil and repotted. Put in cuttings of Lobelias and other kinds of soft-wooded bedding plants, of which the stock is short. Hants. FEtriTS UNDER GLASS. Pines. Although English Pines are not nearly so exten- sively grown as they were twenty years ago, there is one old favourite which foreign cultivators have not yet succeeded in putting down. Smooth Cayennes still glut our winter markets, but good t^ueens for the London season are still grown in England, and, not- withstanding the fact that the money value of Pint s is mueh lower than it used to be, the same may be said of all other choice gai'den produce; and it is just a question whether enterprising growers may not yet. find good Queens in May and J true quite as profitable as Gra| es at the prices which they now realise. In my last paper on Pines I stated that a few of the most promi-ing plants shtnrld be selected and placed in bottom lieat for giving the earliest supply of fruit. This having been done, it will now be necessary to see that they receive the requisite anrount of heat and moisture to insure their throwing up clean, healthy, fruit. If kept too dry and in a low temperature through the resting period the roots are apt to suffer, and the plants make a feeble response to the applica- tion of heat when it is applied in .January or perhaps earlier; but by keeping them well plunged in a mo- derately meiist medium that has not parched and robbed the roots, and transferring them to a steady bottom heat of '80°, nearly every plant will throw up well, and the most arrxious period of their culture will have been surmounted. To such plants a mini- mum temperature of 70°, with a rise of 10° from fire heat, may now be applied in moderate weather, and it may be allowed to range from 80° to y0° for a short time after the house is closed, with sun heat and at- mospheric moisture. It will be necessary to watch newly-formed beds as the sun gains power and more fire hea' and water find the'r way into the plunging material, as these elements sometimes produce a sud- den flush, which must be corrected should the heat about the now active roots exceed 90°. It is not well to disturb the plants after they are firrally plunged, but of two e\ils it is better to choose the lesser, by lifting or rocking the pots on the approach of danger. Examine the pots at regular intervals, and while guarding against getting the roots too wet, see that every plant is efficiently supplied with diluted liqrrid as often as it actually recjuires it. Give a little air at' the apex of the horrse when the rising glass indicates ■78", close for the day when it again touches 80°, and Jan. 23, 1886.J THE GARDEN. 77 damp the surface of tbe bed on bright afternoons, but avoid overhead syringing until the fruits are out of flower and swelling. Successional fruiters. — If the main batch of fruiting plants are still resting, lose no time in getting a good body of well-worked fermenting material placed in the pits and made very firm ready for their reception. If the pits are deep enough to hold a sufficient body of fermenting Oak leaves, hot-water pipe.-^, resting in chambers or rubble, miy well be dispensed with, as is the case at Frogmore, where such magnificent Cayennes are grown and finished on those best of all heat-giving substances. As some of these [)lants will make a growth before they show fruit, see that the rfiots are kept sufficiently moist to favour early mot- action, and while supplementing the genial moisture which will rise from the newly formed bjds by damping all available surfaces, guard against diip from the roof and overhead syringing — two of the most common causes of black hearts and malformed crowns in early pineries. Successions. — Gradually rais; the temperature in this department until it touches 60°to 65° at niglit and 70° to 75" by day, with a rise of 5" more when th3 weather is bright and mild. Damp the walls and surface of the bed with tepid water when the pit is closed about one p.m., and give water to the roots to induce fresh root-action, and restore the soil to a hejlthy growing condition before the plants are transferred to larger pots in February. Have clean pots and crocks dry and warm ready for use, and prepare compost for use next month, as a bu.sy time i-< approaching, and comp(>sts always work and answer best when made up and thoroughly warmed some time before they are wanted for use. The Cherry House. The buds on trees that were started early in January, and have, been regularly syringed with tepid water, will now be swelling fast, but no change from 40^^ to 45° at night must ba made until they burst into flower, when a m'nimum temperature of 45° to 50°, with a cii-culation of air, will favour the process of S:;tti[ig. If the hrst-named figures can be main- tained without the aid of fire-heat so much the better ; but, in order to steal a march on time, no matt'-r how mild the weather may be, the pipes sliould be warmed every morning, if only to fa\'oar the free admission of air and the escape of stagnant moisture. Trees that have been established, either in borders or pots, and have been forced for a mmiber of years, require very little forcing, a^ we often find the buds pushing on open walls early in February ; but our climate being so fickle and uncertain, the gain at the outset is very often checked and destroyed by the end of March. Thesa ULcertainties a well- ventilated and moderately heate 1 house enables us to ward otf, and trees, although kept in a low tenapera- ture, make stea ly progress until the fruit is set and we can depend upon early closing with solar beat to ripen it off. The great secret, then, is a low, steady temperature, libend supplies of water, and plenty of air. Cherries, like all other stone fruit trees, are liable to be attacked by aphis, and as these pests soon m.ake short work of tlie crop if allowed to go on unchecked, two smokings with tobacco piper should be the standing rule within ten da^'s of t'le opening of the first flower. Few sights are more delightful than an early Cherry house when in full bloom, and it is often matter for surprise that these trees are not more fieijuently cultivated in pots for the baauty of their flowers. Light and air being the main essentials, niany a greenhouse might hi made cheerful, if not prontable, by the intro.luction of compact pyramids of JMay iJuke or other choice kinds; but, aided by the camel's-hair brush when they are in fljwer and bird-proof netting later on, there i-j nothing to prevent these easily-managed trees from producing excellent crops of fruit for years in succession. Plu.ms. The fact that Plums and Cherries are frequently potted, pruned, and grown together through the early stages is a fair proof that their requirements as to heat and ventilation are identical. fiut there comes a time when the treatment accorded to the Plums would prove fatal to the precocious Cherries, and for this reason they should be divid^-d, if only by a glass screen, when moisture, so essential to the swelling of the first, would destroy the ripening crop of Cherries. Assuming that a batch of trees was introduced early in the present month, and a dry, buoyant atmosphere can be secured from gentle fire-heat wlien they are in fiower, the night temperature should not exceed 40° to 45° on cold nights, with a rise of 5° to 10° by day, wlien, with or without fire heat, air shoidd b; admitted. As days increase in length and iha sun gains power more air can be given and the day temperature can bd raised with safety, but no change should be made through the n'ght until after the fruit is set and swelling. Wlien thoroughly established in pots or restricted borders, Plums make very little jjrowih and in course of time bectime overloaded with spur wood. This, it is needless to say, has a weakening effect, and as Plums, like all other forced trees, resent over-cropping the spurs should be well thinned with a sharp knife b.fore they are started. Then, again, the Plum family oflters su,-h an endless list of varieties, and as all of them are not alike good, none but the choicest shoulil hi selected for forcing. Lists of the best sorts having been so often given in the pages of The G.vRt)EM, they need not be repeated. Stkawderr'es in Pots. When plants that were started with early Peaches and Vines show signs of opening their first flowers fumigate the house to free them from green fly during the time they are setting their fruit. It is just pos- sible these pests may not be numerous ; indeed, a single fly may not have been observed, but so certain is an attack, and so fatal is the result, that nothmg short of downright neglect can be advanced as a plea for the omission of this simple operation. When Strawbeiries and Vines are brought on together, it is a good jilan to remove the Strawberries to another structure to undergo the smoldng process, if not to s;t their fruit, as few gardeners care to run the risk of injuring their tender Vine leaves by fumigating tie hou-e, even if this were the only objection to their retention. Buc this is not the only one, as Strawberry plants are als ) subject to red spider, and for this rea on alone they should be removed to other quarters when smoking and copious syringing become impracticable. Fruit forcers, who have every convenience for growing all kinds of fruit separately i-r together, do not have to forego the risk of spoiling their crops of Grapes and Peaches by the dissemina- tion of spider at the ou'. set; but tliere are hundreds of gardeners who are expected to perform horticultural miracles with limited means, and it is only right that employers should be made acquainted with the dis- advantages under which they labjur. If forced Strawberries nmst be f-irthcoming from a given time (inwards, their production is simple enough; but in these days of cheap materials and fuel, suitable structures should be provided for tfieir culture. As- suming, then, that a light airj' h use is devoted to Strawberries, and the first ba ch i< coming into flower, draw all the most forward to tlae warmest end, press down the leaves to keep them clear of the blooms, throw st-ength into the latter by pinching off a few of the we dcest, and, aided by gentle fire- heat and liberal ventilation, secure a good set by artificial fertilisation. When properly set, thin down to a given number, according to the strength of the plants, prop the tru-ses to keep the fru't up to the light, and remove them to a shelf in the hottest struc- ture to swell otf. In order to facilitate this process and to secure fine fruit, syringe copicusly with warm soft water and feed well with dduted liquid; but avoid the use of saucers, for much as the Strawberiy plant enjoys moisture and suffers when it is withheld, the quality of the fruit is greatly dtteiiorated when the crock roots are kept constantly standing at this early season in stagnant, if not putrid, water. \\ hen the fruit has attained full size and begins to colour, remove the plants to a light, airy shelf in a dry, %varm structure, cleanse the shelf in the stove, and fill up with another batch for succession. By constantly moving the flowering plants for« ard, relays can be got in and a st ady supply, in^ proportion to the' con- venience, can be kept, uji until the eqd <)f. the season. If the Strawberry house proper is too small for the demand, the supply can be greatly augmented by filling a sharp-pitched Jlelon pit with fermenting leaves and fixing narrow shelves, some 16 in. or 18 in. from the glass, for the reception of plants from the general stock for succession. First earlies, such as Vicointesse Hericart de Thury, a general favourite, and La (irosse Sucree, shoidd occupy a prirtii>n of this pit ; the remainder can be filleil up with President, Faxton, Xapier, where it dnei wcdl, and other good niidseas»m varieties. British t^ueen, the finest of all .Strawberries when grown as Mr. Douglas grows it, ii is not one of the best for early forcing; but when broirght on steadily and ripened in a high and rather ilry temperature, its quality is exquisite. Many growers on light, dry srrils exjrerience great difficulty in securing early runners, but by planting on fre-h ground annually and mulching heavily, strong runners can generally be obtained in quantity. These should be pegged down at once on the fruiting pots, in pre- ference to 3-in. ones, for the twofold purpose of saving time and labour. When a sufficient numbar for forcing have been secured, say early in .July, the next best can be rooted in small pots for planting out in August. W. Coleman. Eastnor Cttstle, Ledbury. Flower Garden. STATISTICS OF CAPE BULBS.* I HAVE not, like in}' predecessors (Dr. Masters and Prof. Michael Fo.stcr), had any experience vvortli taking into account in practical ganleiiing, but I hold strongly to the opinion that botanists and ganleiiers should work together hand in band and continually consult one anijtlier, ami that if tliey do not ilo this, the A'ork of both will be so mucli the worse for it. For in-stance, in these plants we are now considering, a descrip- tion drawn from dried sper^iinens alone is always more or less iiic'oinplete aurl iitisatisfactory, and in the Aloinere to draw up any reasonably satisfactory description from dried specimens h altogether out of the question. Of all the members of tlie rich Cape flora, which includes the garden Heatlis, Pelargoniums, and Mesembryantheiuuiiis, these bulbs are th'.. [dants whicli po.-se.ss tlie greatest horticultural interest, ami are at tl)e present time e.'vciting the, grer^test sliare of attention. One of the most interesting facts in botanical geography is the way in which the three btilb- bearing Natural Orders, Iridaceaa, Amary lliilacere, and Liliacete, are concentrated at the southern extremity of the African continent. All that I can attempt to do in the time lU command is t j lay before you the Ijroad general facts of the case. In Iridacese there are in the whole world 57. genera and 700 species. Of tliese, 32 genera and 374 species, or more than half the total number, belong to the Cape. Of the genera, 20 are en- demic, 9 found also in Tropical Africa, and only 3 wideh' dispersed. The large genera, taking them in the order of size, are Gladiolus, Mirrsea, Geissorhizi, Tritonia, Babiana, Hesperantha, Ixia, Romulea, and Lapeyrousia. In Amarvllidaceai there are in the whole world 6-i genera and 650 species, and of these 21 genera anrl 154 species ' belong to the Cape — one-third of the genera and a quarter of the species. Of the genera, 13 are' en lemic, 3 also fjund in Tropical Africi, and 5 widely dispersed. The large Cape genera are' Hypoxis, Hiemanthus, and Cyrtanthus. In Liliacea; there are in the workl 187 genera anrl 2100 species. Of these there are at the Cape 49 geiiera and 62(.) species. Of the 49 genera, 18 are endemic, 15 found also in Tropical Africa,' and 16 widely dispersed. The large Cape genera ■ * Read at a meeting of the Horticultural Clulj by J. G. Baker, F.B.S.; Jiiu. 12,-18S0. 78 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 23, 1886. are Haworthin, Aloe, Gasteria, Aspnra^;us, Orni- tliogaluiu, Scilla, Anthericum, Laclienalia, Erios- permum, BulbiDe, and Kniphofia. The area of Africa south of the Trojiics is about a million square miles. The total area of Cape C'olcjiij' proper is al>out a quarter of a million square miles, or abo\it one two-humlreJth part of the \vhi>le land area of the world. In the wli(de world there are in these three orders 308 t^enera and 34.')0 species, and of these 102 genera and 1148 species, or about one-third of the whole number of genera ami species, belong to the Cape. Nearly all the Ca]ie species are endemic, and of the 102 genera, .51, or just one half, are endemic, 27 represented also in Tropical Africa, and 24 are widely dispersed. Physical geography and climate.— In cli- mate one correlates the idea of bulbs with variability in heat or moisture, or usually in both, a high degree of heat in summer, and the need of protection from long periods of drought. Of these 1 100 Cape types about 200 (Bulbine and the four genera of Aloinese) are succulents, the Asparagacese, Anthericacese, and non-bulbous Iri- dacese (such as Aristea, Witsenia, and Bobartia) are about 150 species, leaving a balance of 800 sjiecie.s in which the rootstock is either a bulb, corm, or tuber. Turning to the encyclopaedia nearest at hand, 1 find the physical geography summed up as fol- lows : " The general character of the scenery is rocky and arid mountains, naked and unculti- vated stony valleys without a tree ; a prevailing monotony ; absence of shade and verdure and water." For the whole region the coldest months are June and July ; the warmest, December and January. For Cape Town the annual mean tem- perature is 62° Fahr., the minimum in the shade being 34°, and the maximum about 100°. All along the south coast there is very little variation in temperature. On Table Mountain, which is nearly 4000 feet above the sea level, snow lies sometimes for two or three days. At Cape Town the annual rainfall is 24 inches. In the province of Worcester, which lies in the interior north-east of Capetown, the annual rainfall sinks to 12 inches. Along the south coast it increases as we travel east, and reaches 33 inches at Graham's Town. Parallel with the south coast the land rises in three successive terraces. The highest of these, the Great Karoo, has an elevation of 3000 feet, a length from east to west of 300 miles, and of 80 miles from north to south. For nine months of the year the soil is quite bare, and even in the rainy season the vegetation is very scanty. The highest peak of the Graaf Reinet Mountains, the Sniewbergen, is above 10,000 feet above sea level, and here the snow lies for three or four months. The highest peak of the eastern range of hills, the Winterberg, is 7000 feet above sea level. Relation of Cape flora to that of Tropical Africa. — I should like to say a word about the I'elationship (pf the Cape flora to that of Tropical Africa. It would seem that, just as in Europe, there was a glacial epoch, and when a warmer climate set in, the cold-loving plants were pushed out to the north and mountain tops ; .so in Africa there has been since the present vegetable genera were differentiated an era of universal cold, and the plants that then flowered over the whole con- tinent have lieen pushed out to the Cape and up to the mountain summits of the intertropical zone. As I previously pointed out, 51 genera out of 102 are confined to the Cape ; liut of characte- ristically Cape genera in these three orders alone, outlying representatives of 27 are found high up amongst the intertropical mountains. Flowering season op south temperate yPES.-^In conclusion, as a subject for discussion this evening, what I want tcj ask you as an a.«.-le-givcii tint also. I thought at one time that these two forms might prove to be identical, but as seen growing side by side here and elsewhere there are evident ilifl'ereiices from a cultivator's point of view. It would be interesting to know how this variety became so abaudant near Manchester, and escaped the notice of the Loudon nursery- men until within the last two or three years. It is also a curious coincidence that the discovery of " St. Brigid's " variety in Ireland .should have led to this Brockhurst variety bee miing pojjular in England, just as the finding of H. wger a'ti- ffdius about Aberdeen led to the finding of the same noble form to be quite plentiful in Devon- shire gardens. A woodcut illustration of this Brockhurst variety was given in Ihe (tardenerx GItrovklf, January 19, ls84, p. 8.i, but the leaflets are drawn much too narrow and are represented as bring more like tlie lea\cs of Hi-lleborns fietidus th.in of H. niger. Tin; llo.v us are, how- ever, well shown, and are thoroughly character- istic of this fine variet}'. 6. H. NIGER MAJOR (Bath variety).— A free- growing form, larger than the type, with more erect and darker green leaves, and beuing a profusion of white blossoms borne well up among the foliage. It is largely grown near Bath, whence its varietal name. The flowers if sheltered are snow white and well expanded. The Bath variety of major is the best I have seen among many in gardens, where it has long been the practice to tack on the word major to any form whatever so that it is a little larger or taller than the typical H. niger. 7. H. NIGER Madame FonRCADE.^It would be very interesting to know the origin of this free- growing and profuse-blooming kind. Tt re- sembles the last in habit, but the foliage is more spieading. The flowers are also distinctly cup- shaped, the closely imbricated sepaline segments being blunt at their tips, so that the flowers possess quite a distinct character of their own, and are at once distinguishalde from those of any other f(.)riii known to me. For a good supply of firm and shapely blooms I consider it one of the best of the major forms. The flowers of this variety are so finely modelled and it is so profuse in its flower yielding, even under ordinary "rough and tumlile" cultivation, that I can strongly recommend it to the attention of that now rather large body of amateurs wdio per- sistently practise cross-fertilisation in their gardens. It would be interesting if some one would cross H. niger altifolius with H. niger "St. Brigid's" or with the Brockhurst variety, which, if successful, ought to yield good results in all ways. 8. H. NIGER RUBER. — This is one of the most distinct in colour of all the Christmas Roses, being of a clear, pale rosy or Apple blossom colour, fo that it attbrds a pretty contrast to the ordinary white varieties. Mr. Walter Ware, of Bath, sent me cut flowers a year ago, and it is now throwing up its pink buds ami rosy tinted flowers along with Mine. Fourcade and H. niger major. Both thisform an 1 that last merilioned have pink tipped styles. It would be most interesting to rai.se seedlings from this deep tinted form, or to cross it with pollen e ^lad to know that his wish for a yellow Christmas Rose has so far been anticipated by the production of the above prim- rose-tinted variety. 10. H. Nl(";ER(the common Christmas Rose). — Tliis is a variable plant of dwarf, spreading haliit, but quite unworthy of cultivation if stock can be iilitaiued of any of the kinds above referred to. as tlie (lowers are small; there is a stunted look aliout the plant, and very often the sepals are contorted and misshapen. Even wheie the plant does well, i.e., whei'e soil and situation are most lavourable, it cannot compete with iU taller and fidrer "sisters, cou.sins, and aunts." This is im- ported 'by hundreds of thousands every year from ' Aui^ria for forcing purposes, and Ijy picking over a 'large consignment carefully scjou after their arrival, «'e have some selected forms far above the average, indeed, approaching scoticus and major in size and form. The typical plant is tigiired in the Botatiic'al Ma(jar.me, vol. i., t. t*. I tinil this typical plant seeds more freely than most of the other varieties. There is a form (H. niger variegatus) of this plant having the leaves siilashed and margined with white and silvery grey, the flowers being small, but of snowy whiteness. 11. H. NIGER v.\R. MINOR. — A curious dwarf form with pale, sparsely dotted stalks, and well imbiicated shapely flowers, not much larger than a shilling. Mr. T. S. Ware in his catalogue makes this dwarf, small-flowered form synony- mous with H. n. angustifoliu.s, but on wdiose authority I do not know. The true angusti- fiiliup, or latifolius vaiieties of Sweetand Don, are quite unknown to-day. Mr. McNab's name of angustifolius was applied to what Mr. Barr now calls H. niger scoticus (No. 2 of this juiper) or the H. niger intermedins of other.s. I have written to Mr. Barr on this point, and hope that as an authority on Christmas and Lenten Roses he may enlig hten us on some of the questions raised in this paper. So, also, I wish Mr. Hook, Mr. WoUey Dod, Mr. T. H. Archer-Hind, and others would give us the re.sidts of their experience as applied to the now numerous and beautiful varie- ties of the flower of winter, long ago yclejjt the CUiristnias Flower, or Rose. I have five or six other forms now under trial here, and also some unbloomed seedlings of promise, as to which I shall be glar06pect8 been brighter than now. Apples, PearSi Plums, Cherries, and indeed all h.ardy fiuit trees are wonderfully well furnished with perfectly formed buds. No dciiibt the lung dri)UL,'ht last suininer favoured their fnrniation, for not in many cases did fruit trees make such vigorous growth as they did last year. — J. C. C. Buuch of Gros Guillaume Griijie^ grown .it the Chief Secretary '.s Lodge, Plicenix Tark, I)ublin. Weiglit. 20 lbs. with a sprinkling of half-inch bones. The cane on which the bunch was borne was cut down to within 8 inches of the soil. It made about 18 feet of good wood that season, and was cut back at next pruning time to about 8 feet. Next ture how it is that the largest fruits should have ; year we took twcj very gooel bunches off it, each no mole pips than small ones. If we have learned measuring 14 inches long, and last year it showed nothing more by this experiment, we have at ' fourteen bunches, averaging in length from 18 least learned that the fertilisation of the Ajipl blossom is not so perfect as one would imagine it oiight to be to produce such laige fruit. The fact that the largest fruits have frequently as few seeds as small ones clearly shows that ferti- lisation must have been imperfectly performed, and yet it seems to have had no effect on the inches to ^7 inches, the one under notice being 27 inches by 26 inches. RoBT. McKenna. Fruit prospects.— If a plentiful show of buds is any guide this year ought to be remarkable for its - - - crops of hardy fruits, for at no time previous have | early Peaches. It was raised at the Pomological LITTLE-KNOWN HARDY FRUITS. MoLMANNE DuKE Cheruy. — A late fruiting kind, berries large, very fine in appearance, and of tolerably good quality. Very fertile anf canker to the attacks of this fungus, and recommend cutting away the affected parts and painting the wounds left with warm coal-tar. We liclieve the fungus to be an after result, and not a cause of canker. ■ — w. G. S. NOTES ON THE^ FRUIT GARDEN. Birds and Gooseberry buds-— Many experience much dilheulty in keeping- liiids ..If the buds of Gooseberries. The way in whieli wei.r.ittrt "urs is to syringe lime-wash over the bushes. This not only protects tlio buds, but frees the bark from Moss and Lichen, and loaves it clean and healthy for the rest of the year.— S. . Huyshe's Princess of Wales Pear. -Tliis I con- sider to be one of the best of Xoveml^er and December Pears, It is larger than Marie Louise, and keeps longer. Its flesli is juicy, melting, and sugary. Its parents, I believe, were Marie Louise and Gansel's Bcrgamot, the latter, to be really good, requiring a south-east wall. — W. Walnuts in sand.— This plan of keeping Walnuts answers very well. We place a layer of sand nearly dry at CONIFERS FOR AVENUES. Whilst I thor(mghly deprecate the indiscrimi- nate introduction of C(niifers in every nook and corner — and they are very frequently stuck in places which would lie infinitely better left open — and otherwise scattered abhrubbery and some are useful for culture. Tlie following are a few of the commoner kinds easily grown. All they require after being once established is timely attention to pruning the shoots, which, if at all neglected, they soon get out of due proportion. S. callosa is one of the most useful kinds, produces its bright pink lilossoms in -July on the current year's growth ; it can be grown into a large bush or it can be kept dwaif by cutting down to within a bud or two above the ground line. It breaks into growth freely when treated in this way, and will grow from 2 feet to -1 feet high in one season, according to soil, position, and season. S. arinifolii pr.jduces in pro- fusion its creamy white bunches of flowers in a waving habit in July. It grows with rapidity, and is moie appropriate for the background of tlie mixedshrubbery, as it is not so amendable to pruning as the former kind; if cut in too hard it does not produce flowers so freely as when allowed more extension, as when cut down to llie ground it rarely ever flowers on the THE KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE. (gymnoc'ladds canadensis.) TilKKE seems to be some difference of opinion as to the hardiness of this tree in this country, and as to the soils and situations in which it will thrive. Loudon speaks of it as being very hardv, and that it flowers freely in the neigh- bourhood of London, but does not produce seed. Other writers also s|ieak of it as being peifeclly hardv and growing in exposed situations and on a cold soil. Later writers, however, seem to diiubt this, and remark that it will not withstand the cold and exposure. The truth most likely is that it reipiircs a good soil, and this is not often found in very ex]iosed places. In sonis respects this tree is like the Acacia, and places suited to the latter would also suit the Coft'ee Tree. For ornamental purposes it is rather a wonder it is not oftener met with. That its remarkable ap- pearauce in winter is the cause of this, one can hardly believe, as the peculiarity of its branching rendeis it rather an acquisition than otherwise. In its native forests it reaches a height of some 60 feet, and in this country it has been known to approach this very closely. It is easily projiagated by seed, which, however, must be obtained by import-dion, as it I'arely if ever bears seed here, although it ilowers abun- dantly. It may also be grown from root cuttings. Its wood is hard .and of a rose colour, and it is a tree which puts on heartwood very quickly. It is not, however, so much for these reasons that it is worthy of being grown as on account of its s])lendid foliage. This is particuhiily grand when tlie tree is young and vigorous. Cupressus Lawsoniana filifera.— This is a very distinct variety of L-iwsou's Cypress, with long undivided brauchlets that are of a strictly pendulous character. From the points of these branchlets (juite a cluster of young shoots are pushed out during the second season, which, in their turn, acquire the long thread-like character. Curiously enough, this Cu- pressus closely mimics one of the Retino.-poras (tili- ftra), and it needs a close inspection to detect the difference. Though resembling each other so closely, there is, however, one point upon ■which the)' differ greatly, and it is that cuttings of the Retinospora may be struck much more readily than those of the Cupressus. This latter is in general appearance as far removed from the upright variety of Lawson's Cypress (erecta viridis) as if they belonged to totally different genera. — H. P. Obituary. Mil. Ciiaki.es MeDoN;iLD died on the 16th iust. at (iarden House, Stokesley, Yorkshire. He was for many years at Dunrobin Castle, arid at Woodstock Park, the charming residence of Lady Louisa Tighe, nearlnis'ioge, Kilkenny. He wasafterwards appointed badiff at Phrcnix Park, where he remained some seven y. ars, and on leaving thit he took a small nursery at Stokesley. He was an excellent gardener and greatly respected by ttU who knew him. I;0OK^^ RECEIVED. " studies from Nntiire of British Foliage." By Tom Kelly. London, .John Heywood, Paternoster Buildings. Series Nn. 1 {folio) t'lintains Lareti tassels, Cut-le.ived Maple, Oak Apples, Filliert aod Spiucc Fii'." "Vine Ciiltiii'e under Glass." By J, R. Pcarsou. Fiftli edition, revised and edited by C. E. Pearson. Forman and Sous, Nottingham. (iAKDFXEGS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. At the annnal general meeting of this institution, which took pbace o. J. S. Law, L'sq. 100 U 0 Au;4'incntation Fund Accuunt . . s. 5.J0 0 0 i'.)S7 4 0 Stock, ^21,100, Three per Cent. Con^old. Cu. ^ By Pcusions .. .. .. .. .. .. liJi*-"* Secrctiiry's a.dary I'lO rriiiting . . . . . . 1 17 Furniture for office . . . . . . . . 40 Hire of committee room . . , . . . . 5 ^ tatioiicry . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Books of cheques . . . . - . . . . . -^ Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . <• Expense ut Annual LUniKr . . . . . . '^ Bostage-i, triivelling cxpeust.:;, and sundry petty exptnises . , . . . . . . . - !?4 Soiicitor's bill 2 Purchase of .t jIoO, £3 per cent. CousjIs Amount jilaccd on d« pjs t d. I 4 0 C 4 ;: IJ. dances, viz.: — \i ifh Treasurer at bankers' With Secretary . . Audited January 11, 1&;0. £ 4W12 1100 2171 s. d. 13 0 0 0 00112 3 1 9 371 l.j 111 n 11 0 .0 9 ' ' £sii.'.l 2 7 JlllIV LEE. ,)(1SEPH Mi-:sTox JESSE WILLARU. LATE NOTES. Gardenias-—/. B.—l have carefully examined your Gardenia k'aves, and cann't find any insects on or iti tlicm. The leaves appear to me as if tbey had been attacked by thrips. Your applications mus>t have had mo.c cftect than yuu imagined. No insecticide will make the leaves look as if tlioy had not been iujm-ed. — G. S. S. DiseasedCucumbers-— TJ'. /.jl/. — Your Cucumber roots are attacked by small white riematode worms, wliieli cause the excrescences on the routs within which they live; they arc qiutc microscopic, and bcLing to the genus Tylenehus. They are very nearly allied to the worms wliich cause the ear cockle or purples in wheat, and tlie vinegar eels. The only known cflectud cure is to clear out all the soil in which the affei.ted phmt was growing and burn it.— G. S. S. United Horticultural Benefit and Provident Society.— //(W».v— The seeretiiry of this S'a'iety is Mr. J. !•'. McElroy, The Gardens, Moray Lodge, (^'auqiden Hill, Ken- sington. We lielieve there is a gardeners' .^incicty of this character at Leeds, but we are unable to give the name < f the secretary or supply any particulars. There is in cxi-stoucc a society called the Ancient Order of Gardeneis, but we hive no inform itio - as to the privileges on winch such an oitlcr is founded There is an Ancient Society of I'Torisis ut Yor'c, but it is nut a sncicty for benefit purposes. It exists s luly for holding exhibitions. Names of plants.- E. Beveridrje — Oocidium fuscitum. Cmall, Wyken Pix^piu ; 3, not recognised. Jan-. 2:5, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 85 Woods & forests. MENZIES' SPRUCE. (ABIES MENZIESI.) The many good qualities possessed by this Conifer, its strong, liardy nature and its valuable timber, renders it jire-eminent amonfj its tribe. Its symmetrical outline and vivid bluish green foliage are the peculiar characteristics of this Spruce, and when in a 3'oung state it is one of the liandsoniest of evergreen trees. Discovered and sent home from Northern California by Douglas in 18:'1, this magnificent species has already received a fair amount of attention from planters in this country, its free and rapid growth auguring well as to its suitability for our climate and soil. The name Menziesi was given to it In' Douglas in compliment to Mr. Archibald Menzie.s. In its native country, the western side of North America, Abies Menziesi has an extensive range of cnast line, occurring, as it does, from about mo miles north of San Francisco far into Alaska. It attains largest dimensions wherever .soil and climate are most congenial to it, such as in Vancouvei's Islaml and near the mouths of the Columbia and Eel Rivers, the latter place con- taining no doubt the finest grove of this Spruce in existence, many of the individual trees measuring from 6 feet to 8 feet in diameter of trunk, and rising to nearly 200 feet in height. In the Rocky Mountains, at altitudes ranging from (iOOO feet to 9000 feet, it seldom," however, exceeds 100 feet in height, and is rarely found in what could be described as large qiwutities, but usually in straggling belts along the banks of streams and in damp ground generally. Already there aie many large specimens of 5Ienzies' Spruce in this country — trees of from 50 feet to over 80 feet in height — and which, when we consider that the tree was only introduced about fifty-three years ago, speaks highly in its favour as a rapid timber-producer. It is undoubtedly hardy, not in the least liable to injury from storms, for I cannot remember even a leader being liroken, and for seaside lilauting can favourably compete wilh many trees tliat have already received their due meed of praise as maritime subjects. In cool, damp loam, and where partial shelter from prevailing winds is secured, this Spruce does bett, but it will not bear cramping or crowd- ing ; the thick spreading branches clearly point ouiwards, so that in order to have well-grown luxuriant specimens ample room on all sides must be provided. Where the soil is light and diy the foliage i.s, if \ve may use the term for an Evergreen, semi- deciduous and meagre, and the whole tree stunted in appearance; indeed, .so changed in general a>]iect does it become under these circumstances, that it is with difficulty recognised. The branches are somewhat stiff and rather irregularly disposed, the points inclining upwards, and thickly be.set with remarkably stout, sharp-pointed leaves that readily distinguish the tree from any other Spruce. "" silvery lines mark the under side of the forgotten. The male catkins are pendulous, and usuall}' produced in abundance about March or April. On the upjjcr portions of the tree the bark is of a conspicuous yellowish Ijrown, while lower down it has a sooty dye, somewhat rough, and witli numerous receptacles containing a clear, fragrant resin. Two foliage, while above it is of a pleasing IJuish grey tint, this latter being most noticeable in young, thriving specimens, and usually le.ss so in those of older growtli. Tlie cones, when ripe, are of a jileasing rus.sety brown, cylindiical, 3 in. in length, by about 1 inch in" diameter, and usually bent or curved. In my opinion this is the most distinct and pretty cone produced by any of the trilie, and to see in September or October a well-balanced tree with its russety cones swaying in the breeze, and intensified by the bluish grey or green foliage, is not rcadilv Judging from the specimens here at Penrhyn, the rate of growth is from 2 feet to .3 feet annually and remarkably strong, much, however, depend- ing on the soil in which the trees are growing, those on deep, damp loam making the longest and most luxuriant shoots, those of the present season usually exceeding 1 inch in diameter. The colour of the foliage also varies consideraljly in diH:'erent plants, some being of a lighter and others a darker green, approaching to blue, this latter colour being by far the most ornamental, and, in my opinion, only attained by such trees as are favourably placed and more fully developed in the younger stages of the plant's existence. There is a large specimen close on 80 feet high, and with a trunk of 4i feet girth at a yard up, growing on the lawn southward from the castle, but, owing to the rather dry, shallow soil, its appearance is not nearly so he.dthy or striking as others planted in damp luam ahiugside the carriage drive leading to the grand entrance, one of which in particidar is so thickly covered with its dense, glaucous foliage that it is almost impossible to get a sight of the bole without ]mlling aside the liranches — a feat which, frcim their .sharp, prickly nature, ft-w will attempt a second time. This is, howi'ver, it is but fair to state, a much 3'ounger tree, of perhaps not more than twenty years' growth, i n I not exceeding 50 feet in height, which, as I have before stated, may have some little to do with the healthy a]ipearance as well as density of the foliage. Ample room has also been assign(!il to this specimen, which can hardly be saiil of tlie other, for a Corsiean Fir of almost unparalleled dimensions (I mean in this country) stands at no great distance to the southward, while a wide- spreading Cedar and round-headed Stone Pine shut out to some extent the free access of sun and wind, both of which seem potent factors in liroducing nice, well-balanced trees of tlie Abies Menziesi. Another tree of still smaller growth than that just referred to, and growing in a clump of hybrid Rhododendrons of rather stately pro- portions, was found on examination to have all the lower Ijranches either dead or dying by the encroaching nature of its neighbour, thus showing, in combination with the cases already given, tliat Menzies' Spruce to appear in good form must have amjile room for ilevelojiment, enclosed spaces and coddling being detestable to its nature. Young frees of this Spruce present rather a liare and naked appearance for the U]:iper half, owing to the leading shoots of the past two seasons being almost destitute of liranchlets. The present leader does not throw out twigs until the follow- ing spring, ;ind as these rarely attain to a greater length in one season than G inches, the upper half of the tree always wears a somewhat naked apjiearauce, and is disproportionate to the lower half; as tlie stem, for thejiast four years' growth, has been thickly beset with leave.s, the monotony of bare wood is, however, to some extent relieved. The cones become ripe in September or the beginning of October, and, if wanted for sowing, should tjien be collected, as almost immediately after that date the scales open, and the seeds, being remarkably light, are wafted away and lost. When we state that an ounce weight of Al:)ies Menziesi seeds contains no less than 28,333 seed.s, or neatly 2h times more than any other coniferous tree of my acquaintance, tlieir light, airy nature will at once be apparent. In the nursery management of Abies Menziesi, a more tlian ordinary amount of care is neces.sary not only in the sowing of the seed.s, but after- uiauagement of the young stock as well. Although, for many reasons, we are no advocates of raising forest plants under glass, still in some cases this method of procedure has its advantages, and I must own that for my own part I have a sort of sneakish regard for its adoption with some half a dozen Conifers — Menzie.s' Spruce amongst the others— and the following is the method of procedure: Half fill an ordinary irame, or any wooden enclosure of a similar sha]ie, with a mixture of leaf mould, loam and sand; level the surface and make it fairly solid with the back of a spade; after which (April or May is the best time for sowing) sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover with a very light coating of sandy leaf mould through a fine- meshed riddle. Put on the light and ky this latter mode each would be abh' to thin his own wood to his liking; and this is of greater consequence in a stri]i than in almost any other form of jilantation, and in strips is almost always neglected. Mac. THIN 1'. THICK PLANTING. No greater error can be committed than planting trees too thickly, and unless one is ])re|>ared to cut down or lian.splant everj' alternate tree, it should never be done. It, however, often hap- ]iens in carrying out the thinning that the liest trees are removed ; wdiile if trees be planted at the distances just mentioned, should one or more fail, it is an easy matter to leplace them aX once with others that would match those already planted. As a rule, Chestnuts, Limes, Sycamores, .\cacias, and a few other varieties may be planted with advantage from 25 feet to 30 feet apart, and where variety is a con.sideration, the fir.=t three mentioned may be mixecl with very good effect. I would under no consideration associate Planes and Black Italian Po]dars with them, nor would I plant Planes and Poplars together, unless it was positively understood that the Poplars would be removed before the Phxiies were injured. Where rapid growth and dense foliag(t are re- quired, nothing is more suitalile than the Black Italian Poplar. The Plane, however, although slower in growth, is I'ar more lasting as a tree, evidence of wdiicli may be seen in many parts of London. The foliage of both remains in excellent condition until very late in autumn, and this cannot be said of many trees, as, for instance, the Lime, Chestnut, and Sycamore. Ix STREET I'LANTiNc it is important that really good, stout, and straight trees be procured. It is painful to see the miserable material under the name of trees that is .sometimes planted ; and when the cost of guards, stakes, c^c, is ccmsidered, it will be seen that a few shillings more than is usually paid per tree would really be a great gain. It is surely false economy to put a guard costing £1 to a tree costing but 2s. It cannot lie too widely known that, to ensure success, the plant- ing should be done by athoroughly practical man, as it often happens that after e^■el■y jireparation has been made in the best po.ssible manner, the work is a failure, through a want of knowledge of the simidest rules of planting. The hole .should in all cases be sufficiently large to allow the roots to lie in it in a natural ]iosition. The bottom of the hole should be well loosened, and all broken or otherwise damaged roots should be cut away. Some of the finest soil should then be introduced and the tree placed upon it in the centre, slightly below wliere it is intended to remain, in order that it may be raised to its ])laee when some of the best soil has lieen placed upon its roots. This ojieratioii allows the soil to pass freely among the roots, and disposes of them in a natural manner. ' A tree shouhl never be planted deeper than it has been when growing in tlie nursery, or wherever it may come from. Deep jdanting is the cause of many trees dying ; whereas the loss does not cxceeil 1 per cent, when the jdanling is carried out as has just been stated. When the tree is in its proper place the soil should be made toler.ably firm by treading, but great care must be taken not to tread too near the stem, as it often occurs that the stem and some of the best roots are injured thereliy. It is much better to make the soil firm I'ound the outer part of the hole than close to the tree. Planter. Raisiug" fallen trees.— C;in any reader tell inc liuw to prufced in laisiiig several larj^^e Spniecs wliicli tave Ijeeii blown over? Tlicy .arc not daui:luit:cspmre. PRUNING TO PROMOTE VIGOUR. At present, opinion on the subject of pruning may with truth, I think, be said to be in a trari.sitiou state, tor it is impossible that the two dtU'erent .^j'stems now practised can ever be reconciled. One is wroni,' and one is right, and the rinciple. Plauted-out trees should be gradually and tlioroughly moistened with waim water before any attempt is made to excite them ; they should then be liberally assisted through the early stages with fermenting material jdaced in the divisions as well as on the surface of the bcu'ders, and the syringe must be freely pliei-1 to the stems and walls when jiaicliing file heat becomes necessary. When fairly started a tem- perature suitable to early Muscat Vines will suit the trees, that is 50° to 56° by night and (iO° to Go" through the day with a rise to 70" alter the liou.se is closed with sun heat. No hard and fast line must, however, be drawn, as there are times when a few hours' bright sun will run tlie huute up to 80" without the aid of fire heat, while at Jan. 30, 1886.] THE CxARDEN. 91 others — tlie jiresent to wit — with tlie external temperature standing; at 25° the minimum heats liere i,'iven will be quite high enougli. Mid-season and late houises from which frost ciiii he excluded must now be pruned and tieil in, if this work has hitherto Ijeen put off i'or other matters more pressing. The Fig under glass being so subject to scale, spider, and bug, let every tree he well washed with strong' soap water, lime-wash the walls and paint the trellis and wood-woi'k. . Tliese measures will generally destroy the fir^it and second, but bug, which is quite as troublesome in the Fig house as it is amongst Vines, must lie nrore carefully dealt with. Tlie best remedy for this is the tar mi.\ture, half a pint to a gallon of finely sifted earth tlioroughly mixeil and reduced to tlie consistency of i)aint with warm water. Tliis mixture may still be applied to the old wood ; but it is now getting rather late to naint the younu; shoots on which the embryo Figs are already liecoming jirominent. As powerful insecticides cannot be applied to trees when the sap is moving, it may be well to warn the inexperienced and to .suggest washing the young wood twice over in preference to painting. Trees in cold houses and wall cases must be kept dry and as far away from the glass as pos- sible. The .seasons since 1881 having been un- usually mild, the principal precaution has been abundant ventilation to keep the trees in check, but the return to frfist and snow may yet render protection of some kind necessary. Trees against back walls can easily be covered with dry Fern or straw, which may remain until the usual period of great severity is over. Others planted against the front lights and trained under the roof should be unfastened and drawn down as near to the lloor as possible, where for better security dry Bracken or frigi-domo can be placed over the branches. Propagation op the Fig. — The propagation of the Fig, like that of the Vine, is extremely simple, and, like that accommodating plant or tree, fruit-bearing bushes can lie grown in one season. Where the old-fashioned many-stemmed trees exist against walls a few rooted suckers are often deticht-d and potted, or grown on against walls until they come into bearing ; but the best and surest mode of propagation is from single eyes or well ripened cuttings. If a quantity of choice varieties are wanted and stock is scarce, eyes should be made, inserted in small pots and plunged in bottom heat, where they can lie grown on under pot Vine treatment. If, on the other hand, stock is plentiful and only a few ]ilants are required, well ripened cuttings will perhaps best answer the grower's purpose. Firm, short-jointed ]>ieces of wood witli a good terminal liud and a lieel,oran inch of the two-year-old wood attached, may now be put in, although three weeks earlier would have been ji^eferable. Like the Goose- berry and Currant, all buds near the base of each cutting should lie removed to prevent the growth of suckers, as a clean single stem is now im)ierative. The cuttings will then be reaily for inserting singlv in 4-inch pots and plunging in bottom heat.' The latter should range from 75° to 8.5°, and in order to prevent the terminal bud from bursting and exhausting the cutting before young roots are formed, they shouhl be kept close to the glass in a mean temperature of 60°. When well rooted, rai-e the heat of the pit to 60° or 65° by night, 70° to 80° by day, and make prepara- tions for repotting. The Fig being a gross feeder, pots from 7 inches to 8 inches in diameter will not be too large for the first shift, provided the compost is warm and the plants are at once re- turned to the bottom heat. As soon as they have filled these pots with roots and the young growths require more head room, lower the bed by the removal of some of the plunging material, and ]Hnch the points to induce the formation of side shoots. Ply the .syringe twice a day, keep the roots well supplied with warm diluted liquid, and shut up early with sun heat. As soon as the side slioots, which start from what was the terminal bud, have grown a few inches, press them down with the hand to give a horizontal inclination, and, provided the roots are not matted, get as much growth as possible before they are again shifted. If pyramids, the best of all forms, are wanted, place a stick to each plant and train u[) the fresh lireak from the central shoot until it in its turn is high enough for stopping. Wliile this growth, which should not exceed 12 indies, is in process keep an eye to the first set of side .shoots, and pinch any that are taking too strong a lead to the detriment of the others. When under high culture the framework of the pyramids is properly formed, shift into 10-incli pots and re-plunge, but gradually raise tlie pots to the surface when the roots have taken to the new compost. By constantly pinching and feeding, good-sized trees can be made in one season ; but it is not wise to pinch after the beginning of July, otherwise tliere may be blind points, and tliis is the reverse of what is wanted, as every shoot should be furnished with a good terminal bud when the trees, under cooler treatment, go to rest for the winter. Bush trees, always useful for filling up the front rows near the glass, can be made in pre- cisely the same way, only there is no necessity for a trained leader. It' four to six shoots of equal strength can be secured, they may either be allowed to ripen their terminal buds the first season, or by keeping them in heat they may be pinched once and ripened off when the second set of shoots have formed good terminals. Al- though the Fig is a most accommodating tree, and can he kept growing for a long time, late pinching should be avoided, as it is better to have a moderate-sized bush with good buds than one that is larger and will require shortening back before it is again started. Compost. — Notwithstanding the fact that the Fig can get its own living out of anything, from a liank of rich loam to a crumbling limestone wall, provided the roots are not immersed in stagnant water or parched up with thirst, there exists no doubt that some soils suit it better than others. AVhere rather light calcareous or sandy loam exists, turf cut from an old sheep pasture or roadside, and stacked for a time to mellow, will be found the best material for forming the main staple of the compost for potting or plant- ing out over good drainage. Materials for cor- recting or enriching soil that is too heavy or too ])Oor will be lound in old lime rubble, burnt clay, pounded bricks and bone dust, and uiuisu- ally poor soils may be enriched with finely biMken dry cow manure, or the remains of an old Jlushroom bed. Manures are not, however, recommended, as they encourage worms and be- come sour, if they do not cause young trees to grow too fast at the outset. The compost should lie mixed some time before it is wanted, and it laid where it can be kept dry and warm, the lione will gradually dissolve, and it will always be ready for use. Clean pots and drainage are, of course, always used liy good growers, and the latter should be freely used, as pot trees take an aliundance of water, which should pass away (juickly, and never remain stagnant about the roots. W. Coleman. Eastnor Castle, Ledbury. Our crop of Pears was a light one last s«asnn, but it is several years since I knew so few vagaries amouKst them. We commenced in the case of autumn sorts with Willi.anis' Bon Cliretien ; then followed Brockworth Park in excellent order. Louise Bonne of Jersey came next, and Doyenne du Comice followed quickly after, the fruit of this being very fine and clear. The next to ripen was Althorp Crassane, a sm.all green fruit with a white melting flesh, (if fairly good flavour, and the tree is a regular and proliKc bearer. Comte de Paris only gave us a few fruits ; this Pear is not much grown, but its quality is excellent. At the beginning of November Marie Louise came into use in fine condition. Next to be fit for table was Beurri5 I'iel, very fine in appear- ance, and for our strong soil fairly good in flavour. Winter Nelis followed ([uickly, which, though small in size, was equal to any in flavour. .Tosephine de Malines is just now ready for table, and this will close the season with us earlier than usual, as the trees of Beurr^ Ranee and Ne Plus Jleuris failed to produce any fruit. Beurrd Superfin and Huyshe's Victoria also failed completely. The crop was, as has been stated, a thin one, yet, considering how few fruits each tree bore, the supply has been kept up without a break. This is unusual, for Pears, as a rule, are so irregular ia ripening, that after the beainning of November one cannot rely upon any sort becoming ripe at its proper season. — J. C C. CANKERED APPLE TREES. I HAVE read " AV. G. S.'s " remarks on this suljject (p. 83), and believe that he is quite right in stating "fungus to be an after result, and not the cause of canker." This is a subject of very great importance to all growers of hardy fruits ; and, moreover, it is one on which much difi'erence of opinion still exists. Even careful observers have come to the conclusion that insects are the cause of canker. That they may be found on cankered portions is quite possible ; they congregate plen- tifully where there is space between the decaying bark and wood, but after careful investigation I have come to the conclusion that canker on the old wood is cau.sed by the roots getting down into unsuitable subsoil. Canker in the young wood is probably caused by circumstances in some cases beyond the control of the cultivator. The wood may be badly ripened, owing to a cold summer and autumn, and when this is followed by late frosts the following season the sap vessels become ruptured, and canker is generally the result. On the other hand, the young wood may be badly ripened from causes quite under control. Badly drained or undrained soil is a fertile cause of un- ripened wood. The cure of canker is usually not difficult; I have frequently cured it. Mr. Reid, gardener at Balcarras, in Fifeshire, fifty years ago, found that in a canl^ered orchard the roots of the trees had entered tlie earth to the depth of 3 feet, and from experiments he ascertained that during the summer months the average heat of the soil at 6 inches below the surface was 61°, at 9 inches, 57°; at 18 inches, 50° ; and at 3 feet, 44°. He, therefore, took measures to confine the roots to the surface soil, and the consequence was the disappearance of canker and the ripening of the fruit. Perhaps no gardener studied this subject more than the late Mr. Robert Thomjjson, of Chiswick, and the following is a summary of his experience as to the cause of canker : " Sudden "hecks to the tree, especially in spring and early in summer, derangements of the flow of sap from vicissitudes of heat and cold as well as moisture and dryness, unskilful and severe pruning, and vitiation of the sap by deleterious substances in the soil or subsoil.'' The prevention of canker ia far more im- portant than its cure, and that it can be prevented to a large extent I am quite certain. In the first place, the soil ought to be well prepared for tlie trees by draining and trenching. The drains should be cut 3 feet deep, and the trenching 2 feet or even 2 feet 6 inches, if the nature of the 92 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 30, 188G. soil well admits of it. In planting the trees keep tlie roots u]) near the surface, and muloh round the stems with decayed manure to encourage them to remain there. In two years I would again trench the ground, lifting the trees as the work progresses. Young trees thus treated will grow amd fruit well for twenty years, and show little or no traces of canker. If the ground has become partly exhausted by old trees, some fresh loam sliould be added round the roots at each time of planting. .Some trees are more liabile to lie attacked than others, the Ribston Pippin, for instance, and, if attacked by canker, root- pruning will cause the disease to disappear. By root-pruning, I mean digging a deep trench round the trees and working under the bole 18 inches or 2 feet under ground, cutting through all roots that run into the subsoil. Jas. Douglas. job to go over and pick out the rotten fruit, and remove them in a wheelbarrow, little or none being given away and as little sold sometimes, because no good market was near. The rubbish- heap was the tinal destination of much of the fruit from the finely trained trees that so much time and money were spent on annually. Now- a-days, gardeners are mwre alive to tlieir em- ployers' interests, but in the extravagant days of old this description of the state ot things had a pretty general a|iplication. Every year the supply of Apples and Pears from abroad becomes more abundant and clieaper, and the more ditticult will the private gardener find it to compete wiih the market unless he alters his plans and his practice, estimates accurately his wants, and provides Chef. COST OF FRUIT PRODUCTION. This is a subject connected intimately with the cost of gardens, as written about by " W. I." The fruits which it pays to grow in a garden are Grapes when done fairly well. Melons, Peaches under glass. Strawberries, forced and in the open air, and other small fruits. It pays also to grow Apples, Pears, and Plums on the old orchard system, provided the sorts are well selected and a market can be found for the spare fruit ; but it does not pay to produce these in orchard houses, or on trees cultivated and trained in a manner that re- quires much labour. Grapes and other select fruits are not usually grown on a larger scale than they can be taken caie of and used, but it is otherwise with Apples, Pears, &c. I have in my possession the correct account of the Apples, Pears, Filberts, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Bananas, (fee, supplied to the establishment of a nobleman who entertains about the average number of visitors at the shooting and sporting seasons and other times, and provides daily a first-class dessert on an abundant scale. None but the best picked foreign Pears and Apples have been used during nine^months of the past year, the three months being deducted for the London season. The dessert fruit is supplied liy a fruiterer as wan'ed, in small quantities at a time, just as the fish- monger supplies the fish, so as to have no looses by having any of it left on hand when the pro- prietor pays return visits to his friends, and the amount paid for the last year ibr the fruits named above is about £.30 ; last year it was a little more, but under £W. Of course, abundance of good Grapes is supplied nearly all the year from the home garden, as also Peaches, Nectarines, Melons, Figs, Plums, Strawberries, &c. Really only a small quantity of any one kind of fruit is eaten at one time at dessert, when there is a good variety of fruit set up. Thus, when there were perhaps twenty-four people dining, a good full dish of each kind of fruit would have to be set up the first night, but much less after- wards, as only the quantity had to be replaced daily that had been consumed the day before. The' establishment to which I refer is no excep- tion. In others, larger and smaller, the actual consumption is just m proportion, and dispro- portionately small to the extent of the fruit •'arden. My opinion is that gardeners have hitherto, as a rule, taken far too little note of such matters as these, and in consequence paid far more for the production of Apples and Pears than there was any occasion for. in good seasons at least too much fiuit is produced and wasted. In two large ducal gardens, wliere the writer once was, not a tithe of the Apples and Pears went to the mansion, but to the rubbish heap or the pigs. Large and expensive i'ruit rooms were provided where the Iruit was stored, and from the day it was put in till it was all gone it was a weekly AVINTER DRESSING PEACH TREES. In The Garden (p. 54) " J. C. G," writing on this subject, .strongly advocates the desirability of securing thoroughly ripened wood. There can be no doubt of the importance of this point, especially in respect to nutdoor cultivation. It is, in fact, the one point of all others mo.st essential to en- sure success. With well ripened wood to com- mence with, a good or a fair crop of fruit may I* obtained, even if other conditions should prove unlavourable ; but with nnripeneil wood to start with failure must ensue, let all other circum- stances be ever so propitious. " That nothing does more towards securing well ripened wood than unnailing the branches and letting them hang loosely Irom the wall" is, however, an assertion which sliould not, 1 think, be allowed to pass unnoticed. Unnailing the branches may assist in a slight degree towards this end, but that it is so important an operation as here rejuesented, or that it is at all i.(pial in this respect to some other details of cultivation, may, I think, be fairly questioned. To be of any service at all, it should, I think, be done in the autumn, and not deferred till JanuaiT, as lecommended, for the simple reason that wood not ripened before the latter dale is not then likely to be improved by either this or any other proceeding. And as to the liability of injury from frost, if the young wood is in that stage of ripeness by November which is necessary, and if the roots are well cared for scarcely any amount of frost will injure them, whether against or away from the wall. Wind does, no doubt, act a necessary part in the ripen- ing piroccss, but its influence is chietty, if not wholly, exerted while the foliage is yet green and active in the late summer and autumn months. Loosening the branches of Peach trees, however, whether in leaf or leafless, is in breezy situations very risky, and fiequently results in more harm than good, from injuries received by being blown against the wall. They could, of course, be secured by stakes, but then the influence of the wind would, to a great extent, be neutralised. Also, when away from the wall, they are not ex- posed to so high a temperature as when in contact with it, which, after all, is as potent a factor as wind in the ripening proces.s. In respect to winter dressing Peach trees, '-J. C. C' advocates the disuse of it altogether, at lea?t on outdoor trees, the reason assigned being the fear of sup- posed injury to the trees. This appears to me to be an insuflicient reason lor discontinuing this preventive operation, and is, I venture to think, calculated to mislead the inexperienced. That winter dressings do destroy innumerable hosts of insects there cannot be a doubt in the mind of anyone who leaves his trees undressed for a few succes-ive years, during which time scale, one of tlie Peach tree's worst enemies, will be increased to a fearful extent. That it can be more easily destroyed at this season than when the trees are in active growth is also certain, and if the .sn)i|K,sed or anticipated injury accruing from winter dressings he placed in the one balance, and the well-known injury committed by this in-sect alone be placed in the other, the coiiqiarison will, 1 think, be sullicient to justify the continuance of the practice in some form or other. Almost every gardener has his own pet recipe and method, and that some of them aie absurd and jirobalily injuiious to some extent is no good reason why the practice, in a better form, should be abandoned altogether, and so long as the trees are not ajipreciably injured thereby, and insects are thus kept in check, by all means let iis continue the^e winter dressings. The method I have adopted since paraffin was found such an excellent insecticide is simply to mix 2 ozs. to a gallon of water, and syringe over every portion of the trees, as well as the wall, taking care to see that the oil is well mixed wiih the water in syringing. This method is coni- paiatively cheap, it is cpiickly done, the insects are as quickly done by it, and, as far as I have been able to discover, it is in no way detrimental to the trees. W. C. T. AUSTEALIAN FRUITS. As.ittention has lately been directed towhat American cultivators have accomplished in way of improvement of hardy fruits, it may interest your readers to know that in some of our Australian colonies efforts are al-o being made in the same direction, with appa- rently graiifyiug results. I few years ago I sent a parcel of grafts of British Apphs and Pears to Mr. Geo. Neilson, secretary of the Horticultural Society of Victoria, and, notwithstanding the long voyage and the difference between the incidence of the seasons in Brit.ain and Australia, a number of the varieties sent retained their vitality, and were successfully propa- gated on their arrival there. As a return favour, Mr. Neilson sent me a parcel of scions of hardy fruits raised in Australia, comprising ten varieties of Apples, twelve Pears, two Plums, tliree Cherries, and four Crabs. Unfortunately, the consignment failed to reach me, so that I have not had an opportunity of testing their adaptability to our climate, but the fol- lowing extracts from Mr. Neilson s letter will give an idea of the progress that had at that linie been made in produeiug a race of fruits suited to the cbmatc: ot Victoria. Of the Apples tent, the following four va- rieties were particularly recommended by Mr. Neilson, viz. : Bunco, a kind raised by the late Dr. Bunco, of Geelong. It is of the type of Adam's Pearmain, but a great improvement on that variety. Prince Bis- m.arck, described as one of the largest Apples known. It is of the type of Emperor Alexander, but much larger and handsomer. It is an early and free bearer, and a good keeper. (Is this the Prince Bismarck shown in one of ihe English collections at the recent Edinburgh Congress ?) Shepherd's Perfection, a handsome, free-bearing dessert Apple, and a good keeper. Fruits of this were sent by Mr. Neilson to the last Paris Exhibition, and the same fruits were afterwards sent to London in good condition. Piince'fl Pippin, one of the handsomest dessert Apples in Vic- toria, and of excellent quality. The following varieties of Pears had all been raised by Mr. Cole, of the Yarraberg Nurseries, and had oljtained numerous prizes and certificates, viz. ; Beurr(5 Cole, April Bergamot, Beymont, and Cole's Seedling, raised from seed of the Winter Nelis. Calebasse Cole is a cross between Winter Nelis and Beurre Bosc. Jessie Bonne, a seedling Irom Louise Bonne of .Jersey. Madame Cole, laiseil fn.m \\ inter Nelis, crossed with Beurre Clairgeau. " You will find it," saj's Mr. Neilson, "unrivalled by any Pear in Europe, that is, if your climate does not change its Victorian character." T. C. Cole, ra'sed from Winter Nelis cio-sed with Marie Louise. Autumn Peauty, raised from Flemi.-h Heauty. Blanche, raised from Williams' Bon Chri5tien. Mother, a variety of great excellence, raised from Williams' Bon Clu'etien. And Cole's No. 2, raised from Winter Nelis crossed with Flemish Beauty. Jax. 30, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 93 The four Crabs, named respectively Bowen, Barkley, Da'lin?, and La Trobe, had been ra's-d from the Siberian Crab, and were described by Mr. Neilson a'^ the handsomest fruits grown in Victoria. Among Cherries, Twyeford (Bigarreau), also raised by Mr. Co'e, was said to be unequalled by any Clierry in the Bigarreiu clan's. Mr. Cole evidently bids fair to become to Australia what Van Mons, Esperen, Diel, Knight, and Rivers were to Europe, and what he has done show.s what cm be accomplished by a single indivi- dual, in a few years, when actuated by an enthusiasm for iuiprovement Jamis Grieve. PUi'ig PctTk; Edinbur/h. THE FORGE APPLE. This Apple was f;rowii in almost every orclianl and garden in Surrey when I was a bny, and when [ went to reside in Sussex 1 found it quite as extensively grown there, and so it is about some of the Kentish villages bordering on Susse.K. It is, however, doubtless a Sussex Apple. I alwaj's thought so highly of this Apple, that I introduced it into So- merset some few years ago, liut I regret to say it does not take kindh- either to the soil or the climate. Although the trees make good growth they do not bear w-ell, and the lew fi'uits which they produce run small and are badly formed, but such as we have will keep sound nntil the be- ginning of March. Tlie only fault which this Apple has is its size ; it does not grow large enough to make a good marketable sort, but those who know its merits as a culinary fruit overlook that defect. It is the most delicately flavoured kind in its season ; it possesses just enough acidity to make it pleasant. I do not quite agree with the statement that the tn e requiies but little pruning. Wlien grown as a standard the head gets overcrowded with weak spray, and,. is a consequence, the fruit is smaller than when the growth is I'l'Dperly thinned out. It forms a naturally low-spreading tree when grown as a standard, and unless the head is kept moderately thin it bears fruit so freely that it quite exhausts itself, and reijuires the next year to recoup its strength. This is the reason why cottagers who grow it say that it only bears every other — year. The fact is the tree is such a good cropper, and generally so over-birrdened with fruit-bearing branches, that it cannot bear regu- larly ; but when the bearing surface is reduced according to the strength of the roots, it bears as regularly as any other Apple. I have also seen some very good espalier trees of this sort, and with me it makes hanilsome pyramids. It is said to have originated near East Grinstead. J. c. c. frosty wenther in winter, and when mowing commences in spring a. layer of Gras^ from tlic lawn is placed between the trees. This keeps the ground moi"t during summer, and also assists in keeping down wbeds. - E. B. L. Indoor Garden. BILLBERGIA BREAUTEANA. HoRTicuLTUR.iLi.y, the genus Billbergia is the most important of theBroineliad Order, on account of its containing a large number of noble flower- ing plants, most of which are also ornamental in the form and colours of their foliage. There are, of course, other Bromeliads besides the Billber- gias which possess powerful claims to popularity as handsome flowering or foliage plants, many of the Pitcairnias, some of the Tillandsias and Vriesias, most of the Caraguatas being noteworthy in this respect. As winter flowering stove plants many of the members of this family are excep- tionally valuable, although they have not as yet forced themseh-es into prominent notice with NOTES ON THE FRUIT GARDEN. Spotted Apples(/^-) — Thesm.illdarlc-coloured rings or circular blotches uu the Newtown Pippin Apple which you li:ive sent Ui are caused bv a fungus which grows beneath the membrane uf the fiuit The name is Cladospormm d- ndriticum ; the variety which causes the di^tiuctly circular s: ot< is termed orbiculatum. All circular spots, dark rings, and blotclies ou .\pples aie not, however, necessarily caused by this fuugus. — W. G. y. Liquid manure for busli fruits —In no instance have v.'c found li'pud manure to Ije mine beneficial than in the cjise of an old Gooseberry and Currant quaiter, which has had no other manure for the past f. ur years Nevertheless, during that time the trees have yielded excellent crops. They receive a thorough drenching of the liipiid duiang dry Billbergia Broauteana. English horticulturists, notwithstanding their popularity in many Continental gardens. This latter fact is abundantly testified to by the many new species that are introduced annually into Belgian and French gardens, and by 1;he promi- nent place they are awarded in the illustrated gardening and botanical periodicals of those countries, where, in fact, the taste for Bromeliads, the competition for the possession of the choicer, rarer kiuds is almost, if not quite, on a par with the keen interest displayed m this country for Orchids. Tastes dift'er, no doubt, but that fact does not explain the wide ditt'erence ob- servable between English and foreign gardeners in their admiration for Bromeliads. In ^ the accompanying illustration we have one of the most striking of the Billbergias, which has been obtained by M. Ed. Andre by crossing two of the finest species, viz.,B. pallescens and B. vittata. Both parents are first-rate blooming plants, and in their oft'spring all their best characters are conibineil. The habit of the plant is shown in the woodcut, but the brilliancy of colour and the large size of the inflorescence are almost beyond description. The flower-stalks are drooping and are of a rich indigo colour ; the lower half bears large boat-shaped bracts, :5 inches long by U inches wide, and coloured a light scarlet; above the br.icts are the tassel-like bunches of long flowers, which have blue petals, rosy sepals, and bright orange anthers. The whole spike measures nearly 2 feet in length, and almost the whole of it is clothed with bracts and flowers. It is usual for the Billbergias to develop only one, rarely two spikes together, but in this hybrid as many as five have been produced from one tuft. The flowers are developed in the winter months, and remain in perfection about a week. B. W. NERINES IN GUERNSEY. N. FoTHERGiLLi MAJOR flowers with U3 in Sep- tember. It pushes up tall, nearly round flower- stems, surmounted by large heads of bright scarlet flowers. It possesses when in bloom more foliage than some varieties ; it is long, broad, and dark green. This variety, which is one of the best, does not produce seed with us. N. SARNiENSis, the Guernsey Lily, has, as is well known, deep rose-coloured flowers, which are produced before the foliage makes its appear- ance. The latter is long, narrow, and of a bright green colour. N. ATRo-SASGUiNEA is a hybrid between N. Planti and N. flexuosa. Its charming flowers, which are blood-red, are produced on rather short, thick stems before the leaves appear. The latter are short and of a light green colour. N. UNDULATA.— This has small pale pink flowers, which form a rather thin umbel ; their segments are narrow, recurved, and undulated, and the foliage is long and grassy. N. ELEGANS c^RULEA (O'Brieni).— A hybrid raised between N. pudica and N. Planti. It produces heads of fine large crimson flowers, with a tinge of blue in them, and set on tall stems, which appear before the foliage. The latter is long, narrow, and pale green. N. Planti.— This is one of the best of Nerines. It has fine heads of cherry-crimson blooms borne on tall, erect stems. The leaves, which are long and narrow, resemble those of N. sarniensis. N. PUDICA. — The flowers of this are white, tinged or »lri])ed in the middle of each petal with deep rose. The stem is small and rather weak. The leaves, too, are small and narrow— a very pretty kind, but rather delicate. N. CORUSCA MAJOR.— The heads of this, which are large, are bright orange-scarlet, and produced on stout, erect, rather flat stems before the foliage appears. The latter is short, broad, and pale green. Seeds in the case of this kind are pro- duced freely. It is certainly one of the best of Nerines. It blooms freely in October, and some- times cimtinues till the end of November. Some say this variety is the same as N. Fothergilli major, but I find them to be quite difl'erent in se\-eral respects, particularly as to time of flower- ing, foliage, ancl seeding. N. FLEXUOSA. — This has pretty heads of pale piuk flowers, with a stripe of deeper colour run- ning through each segment. The imlividual flowers are not erect, as in most of the Nerines; on the contrary, they are rather drooping, while the segments are all turned uiiwards, leaving the stamens protruding. The flower-stems, which are rather short, do not appear till the leaves are neaily full grown. The latter are long, arched or curved, and bright green in colour. 94 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 30, 1886. N. Manselli. — This variety we have had now iipwards of five years and we consider it one of the best, if not the best, of all the Nerines. It begins to bloom towards the end of November and continues till the beginiiiiig of January. Its bulbs are large and strong, and it is free in tlower- ing. The pot which we liave of it contains six bulbs, all of which have bloomed this season. The largest bulb, I may state, has done so four years in succession ; the second in size two years. Its flower-heads, which are large, each contain from ten to eighteen flowers, which are of a beautiful clear rose colour, and are borne on strong stems about 2 feet in height. Its flower-spikes begin to show themselves when the leaves are aVjout 6 inches long. The latter, which are slightly glaucous, are long, broad, and abundant. I am of opinion that this variety is a hybrid between flexuosa and corusca major. With the varieties just enumerated we have had Nerines in bloom from the middle of September till the new year set in ; their names are placed in the order in which they bloomed with us this season. We have also the following varieties, but they have not yet bloomed with us, namely, N. pulchella, rosea,^ yenusta, curvifolia, huniilis, angustifolia, amabilis, japonica. Fairy, elegans, and elegans carminata. As to cultivation, as soon as the bulbs have done flowering we place them on the front shelf of a warm greenhouse to get as much sun and light as possible, giving them plenty of water till their growth is matured. When the leaves begin to turn yellow we gradually withhold water, till when the bull's get ripe we discontinue it alto- getlier, but we expose them still to sun and light. In July we repot those which require it ; as a rule, however, we do not repot till the pots be- come filled with bulbs (unless we wish to increase our stock), but only top-dress with good loam, well rotted manure, and a little sand. When potted or top-dressed we give a little water, and gradually increase it as the bulbs make growth. They are placed in a cool greenhouse after they are potted, and plenty of air is given till they come into bloom, when they are removed to the conservatory. E. Peters. The Gardens, Somerset Terrace, Guernsey. EUPHORBIA JACQUINI.EFLORA. This Euphorbia blooms in winter, when flowers are most in demand, and its flowers are amongst the best that can be used in a cut state. More- over, the plant, even in its most vigorous con- dition, does not grow to an inconvenient size. It looks well trained round a pillar, and will succeed on a back wall ; but when occupying sucli a position the house, if a lean-to one, should not be loft}', or the lower portion of tlie plant will not get light enough to keep it in a healthy con- dition, or the flowers sutticient to give them that brilliant colour for which they are so much prized. On the contrary, if the house happens to be low with a hip-roof it will suit in eve'ry way, especially during the blooming season, as this form of roof will give the light required. Against the end of a house of any form, particularly if there is a portion of it glass, this Euphorbia will be equally at home. I feel the necessity of speak- ing fully about the position aftbrding light enough fn- the guidance of those who have not had much to do with the cultivation of this plant, or who may not have tried it otherwise than in the ordinary way of cultivation in small pots.^ Plants of it intended to occupy any of the positions noticed should be strong and vigorous, such as have been flowered one or two seasons in pots. Small newly-struck examples are not likely to succeed, as the tops, to begin with, will be too far from the glass to admit of their getting suflicient light to promote the right kind of growth which is recpiired from the commence- ment. In fact, the bigger they are the more likely are they to succeed. This Euphorbia, even in its strongest form, makes but few roots ; conse- quently when planted out the space allotted to it nuist be much smaller than that which would be required by most jilants. The bottom must have plenty of ilrainage material, with means for the water to get away after it has passed through the soil. Good fibrous loam suits it, mixed with sand enough to keep it open. The best time to plant is just as it breaks into growth, after the flowering points of the shoots have been removed when the bloom is over. The loose soil of the old ball should be got away, but not to an extent to injure the roots, which ought to be loosened out so far as can be done without much disturbance, as from their shy nature they are slow in making good any injury they receive. No more water unist be given than is needed to prevent the sod getting too dry for the roots to act in it until the plants have got fairly into growth, and even when shoot extension is going on freely it must never be applied with an incautious hand. During the summer syringing overhead in the afternoon will be beneficial. By midsummer if all goes well the plants will be in full growth, and will be benefited by the frequent use of manure water. The growth furthcoming should be greatly in excess of that which the plants make when grown in pots, both in the stiength and number of the shoots, which should be allowed to project from the wall, and not kept tied in any more than may be necessary to furnish the available space and keep the plants in position. Towards the end of summer, when the growths cease to lengthen, give less water, keeping tlie soil somewhat drier than required by most stove subjects, anil main- tain this condition through the winter, during which time every shoot will produce a dense spray of the vivid scarlet flowers for which this Euphorbia is so remarkable. After the points of the shoots have bloomed fresh growth will break lower down on the current season's wood, yield- ing a second crop of flowering sprays much more numerous, but not so large individually as the first. As these begin to go off, allow the soil to get nearly drj-, giving no more water than need- ful to keep the leaves from flagging ; then shorten the shoots as far as necessary; they may be re- duced to the extent of from one-half to two-thirds of the length made the preceding sunnuer. Keep the soil in what may be termed a half-dry stale until the plants have broken fairly into growth, when more water may be given, but it is neces- sary to still have the soil in a somewhat drier state than most stove plants require until the shoots have made considerable progi-ess. It is between the time of the completion of the flower- ing and the plants getting fairly into growth again tliat they usually go ufl'. As much of the sui-face soil as can be removed without disturbing the roots should be taken away each spring, re- placing it with new. It will ha necessary to apply manure water more freely after the first summer, so as to maintain the fertility of the bed ; con- centrated manure sprinkled on the surface at intervals through the growing season will answer the same purpose, as it will get washed down to the roots in the operation of watering. Plants of this Euphorbia treated as advised will last for a number of years, after which all that is necessary is to replant, at the same time clear- ing out the bed and re-making it with new soil. Pillars maybe covered bjr plants in pots, care j being taken not to give too much root-room until the plants are strong enough to bear it. I have never found that tliis Euphorbia is in any way difficult to manage, excejit that it will not bear the soil being kept so moist as most other stove subjects, excejit during the season of active growth. Anything in the way of serve-all-alike treatment with the water-pot, from the time that the flowering is nearly over until the spring after the plants have again got fairly into growth, is almost sure to end in their destruction. Few high-coloured flowers eqiurl this for cutting in winter; associated with white Camellias, Eucharis, or anything similar in character, its brilliant sprays of bloom have a charming effect; whilst growing on the plant their appearance is e<|Ually beautifid. In these times of poverty in plant houses, when, with the exception of Orchids, it seems that the more fine things there are within the reach of cultivators the fewer they grow, the re-appearance of this old plant in the con- dition it can be had in would do one's eyes good. T. B. Fuchsia procumbens. — We have grown this plant for several seasons for standing on brackets and tor suspending from cross-rods in the conservatory, a purpose for which it is admirably .adiipted. 'i'lris It'uchsia, though not generally known in private gaidens, is well worth gromng for this purpose. It is quite distinct from the majority of Fuchsias both in liabit of growth and flower. In fact, so much is this 30, that few people would at a lirst glance take it to be a Fuchsia. The flowers are very diminutive and of a greenish yellow colour, but it is when in fruit that the plant is most effective, bearing, as it does, a number of large cerise-coloured seed pods covered with a delicate bloom. Uur plants are in 5-inch and tj-iuch pots, and carry from tour to six dozen pods each, wliicli keep in perfection for several mouths. The plant is of easy cultivation, and may be increased either ly means of seed or cuttings. \V'e repot early in spring, and place our plants in a house a little warmer than the conservatory for a few weeks. After that they will, if carefully supplied with water, be suitable for tlie conservatory during the rest of the year. — K. B. L. Eucharis mite (S.).— The Eucharis plant which you forwarded is attacked hy one of the bulb mites ^■ihizoglyphus ecliinopus). This pest is apparently on the increase, and should be dealt witu at once when discovered. Usually the mites confine themselves to the bulbs, but in this case they have worked their way up the tiower-stem tu a point ti inches above the bultj. These mites are very small, and much resemble grains of sand ; but, if examined under a stioug magnifying glass, they will be found to be rounded and smooth instead of angular like the sand. Numbers may often be found hu idled together. If tlie bulbs be very badly attacked they had better be burnt, together with all the earth in the pot. If they are not past recovery, cut off all the diseased parts, wash them thoroughly with water, and then with sulphide of potassium aquarter of an ouncedissolved in 1 gallon of water, or Fir tree oil half a gill mixed with 1 gallon of water. AVater at a temperature of 110° I'alir. wUl kill them. If the bulbs would bear it, slaud them ill water at llo'^ Fahr. for an hour ; this would no doubt kill the mites. — li. S. S. NOTES ON THE INDOOR GARDEN. A crimson Calla (p. i»'0- — Whiit is the American idea of ■■ criuisuiiV " 1 Liinuut imderat;iud Arum palestinum being so dcbcribcd. It is thu mosc intensely bliicb flower known. It is figured in Botanical Magazuu, 500!>, and was described by Mr. iJrowu, of Kew, as having "velvety black inflorescences" "as black as anyone could wish fur." It certainly is su here. — IIicnuv X, Ellacomue, litttoa Vicarage. Forcing- Lilies of th.e Valley.— A friend who grows these extensively for uiuikct has just sent nje a bo.^ of them to shoAf how well iniforted roots ilower with him. He says : " The flowers aie frum imported roots, and the leaves w^hich accomj^any thcui from English grown roots." He adds, "1 force the roots for the sake of their flowers, but 1 cannot get Jan. 30, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 95 them to produce both flowers and leaves at the same time, I therefore force along with them for tlie sake of their Iciives roots uf our own raisiag, because the leaves are almost of as much value as the flowers."— J. C. C. Orchids. REMARKS ON C(ELOGYNES. This genus of Orchids owes much of its import- ance to the fact that such a useful flowering plant as C. cristata belongs to it. Its charming white flowers blotched on the lip with yellow would be valuable at any season of the year on account of their exquisite purity and the freedom with wliich they are produced, but, coming as they do during the earlj' spring m«nths, they are doubly welcome. C. cristata was introduced from Nepaul in 1837, and the first recorded instance of its being exhibited was in 1841 by Mr. George Barker, of Birminghanj, who sent a small specimen of it bearing a three-flowered spike to one of the meetings of the Royal Horti- cultural Society, then held in Regent Street. This was so highly valued, that a Knightian medal was awarded it. There are now-a-days few gardens of any pretentions in which this species is not grown. It is one of those Orchids tliat can be maintained in good health, and can readily be propagated by division for an indefinite period. It seems to succeed best in the Cattleya house, or in what is usually termed a cool stove. It may be repotted once in three years when it has acquired a large size, and when plants of it become unwieldy tliey may be separated with the fingers and placed in smaller pots. A good time to do this is when the flowering period is over. When the plants are in full growth in summer they require a plentiful supply of water at the roots, but lliis has to be lessened when the bulbs are formed, and during winter they re(iuire but little ^vater. Of this species there are several varieties, ami amongst these C. cristata Lemoniana is even mure beautiful than the type. It flowers rather later than cristata, even when grown under the same cultural conditions, and the blotch on tlie lip is lemon instead of deep yellow, as in cristata. C. ciistata alba has pure white flowers in wliich there is no trace of colour. This variety is at ])resent scarce. C. coRRUGAT.i.. — This, one of the prettie.-t of the Cadogynes, was introduced from the Neil- glierries in JSU.'J. It succeeds best cultivated near tlie glass in the Cattleya house, potted in ]ieat and Sphagnum. The flower-spikes appear simultaneously with the young growths, and the flowers are expanded before the pseudo-bulbs are formed. It is easily known by the peculiar wrinkled appearance of the bulbs. C. ocELLATA, also a pretty species, was intro- duced by the Messrs. Loddiges. It is figured in the Botanical llaijarAne liom a plant which flowered in 1H3S) in the collection of Mr. John Allcard, Stratford Green. It also flowered with Messrs. Loddiges in the same year. It has flowered frequently since, and should be grown in eveiy collection of Orchids. C. BARBATA. — This has been freely introduced recently, and is now grown in many gardens; but, although one of the easiest to import, it does not lake kindly to artificial trealment. Some say all it requires is plenty of water and cool house treatment. We have tried to grow it in that Way, and in other ways also ; but after six years' trial, have not yet flowered it. Its blossoms, and also the manner in which they are produced, aie distinct from any other Ccelogyne. It has the pure white seiials and petals of the genus to which it belongs ; but the labellum is stained as it were with soot, and thickly bordered with brownish hairs. It is possible that some varieties of this species are more easily tlowereil than others; and those wlio purchase such plants by the dozen may h.ive had better success than I have had, but I cannot recommend this Ccelogyne as a plant of easy culture like C. cristata and its varieties. C. PANDDRATA. — This remarkable species is not to be recommended perhaps for general culti- vation, but it is one that should be represented in every good collection of Orcliids. Excel- lent specimens of it were imported and sohl at Stevens' some four or five years ago. It ])ushes out large pseuilo-bulbs, from which stout spikes are produced as the bulbs are being formed. The flowers, which are Large in size, have yellowish green sepals and petals, and a labellum also of that colour, with a black blotch at its ba^e, the upper portion being marked with lines and spots of the same tint. It is a native of Borneo, and was first inijiorted by Messrs. Low, of Clapton, and it flowered in Messrs. Loddiges' colle(/tion in December, 1853. I have not yet had an opportunity of growing it, nor have I seen it as yet in wliat I would call vigorous health. It was exhiliited at the Crystal Palace in May last, Ijy Mr. Southgate, carrying two spikes from one bulb. It has also been recently flowered in the garden of Baron Schroeder, near Staines. C. M ASSANGEANA. — This remarkable and easily grown species has been introduced during the last few years. It is usually grown in teak baskets, in which it pi-oduces its long pendulous spikes of yellowish butf flowers in profusion. I have seen several examples of this species associated with a plant or two of C. Dayana, also a pendulous- flowered kind ; and from about six plants oC the two species, some of them are always either in flower or showing spikes in process of develop- ment. Plants of Massangeana increase rapidly ill size, and should be placed in fresh baskets a-; soon as these are required. It succeeds well in the Cattleya house. J. Dodglas. Proposed Orchid society. — If a new society is to be formed for the purpose of advancing the culture of Orchids, let us liope that it will also enforce a more correct method of dealing in regard to them. It is a source of constant irritation to all to continu- ally find that what they have purchased as a certain choice variety, after months of care, time, and money spent, frequently turns out to be something inferior to that which it ou Potts Mirtle. ■2 Great Baies. 4 Amomuin, Hlinj''a. I Hony plant. FflOWERS in mv G.4RDEN, OCTOBER, Auriculas. 3 Dr. Eeles. 0 Blinds Pain'ed Lady. 4 Amarant, striped. 4 Mr. Andrews, tine and striped. 7 Ffine striped b.indle. II Monument. 12 Olive, strijied. 1 Blind's brindle. 9 Double stripe OcroBER, 1697 0 Potts flos cardinalis. 55 Auricula potts. 2 Sp. Jessamin. 1 Persian Jessamin. 15 Orange trees. 12 Stocks, Orange. AuriciUas. 2 Striped purple. 14 Scarlet and white. 15 Great striped brindle. 16 Large ruffled blacic. 17 Small brindle, Edwards'. 18 Mr. Borfet's purple. 19 Double darlc red. 20 Painted Lady. 21 Ffine Painted Lady, new. 17 Potts double Likenea." — w. s. Self-supporting gardens.— Few are more com- petent to deal with this subject than " W. I." (p, 41), for he has had many opjjortunities of ascertaining what to grow in cirder to pi-oduce the best returns, but, as I understand the i|Uestion, he has not answered it in th'j way in which the querist desired. When- ever the suliject has crop^ied up, and it has done so several times of late years, I always understood that the querist wished to know how to make a o-ar- lien Self-supporting and at the same time to supply the proprietor with alt that he wants. Now, with all " W. I.'s " experience he is obliged to confess that he cannot show how this can be done, and I question if there is anyone else wlio can do s). The fact is, there are so many unprofitable departments in a gar- 102 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 30, 1886. den, principally in order to make it enjoyable, tliat the 'cultivator lias no chance whatever to maku it pay. ]f, liowcver, as " W. I." snggests, the garden was .accredited with the Labour devoted to the pre- paration of bedding plants and other decorative work, the biilaiice would doubtless be on the right .side.— J. c. c. Narcissus poeticus.— Beautiful in form as UK.st of tlie Narcissi are, N. poeticus, according to my idea, riv.als tlieni .all ; it is .simply exquisite, and onfiht to be grown largely for >ise in a cut st.ate, as it is very effective in vases, and lasts fresh in water almost as long as on the plant. The double-flowered variety is even more valuable for this purpose than the siriflc kind ; it is better than a Gardenia, inas- much a's it is less stiff, while the flowers are quite .as swettly scented. Last year they were quite lovely in their fulness, the rain having come just in time to hel|i them out, while in dry weather and under a hot sun they seem to have a diffkndty in opening. The soil in which they appear to do best is a light one, as our clumps increase in it cpiickly, and are always full of blonm in the spring. The time to lift and repl.ant the bulbs is after the tops die down ; but, unless for the purpose of singling them out and making other patches, they are best left undisturbed in the ground where they grow. — S. WOllK DONE IN WEEK ENDING .JAN. 26. .Tanuauy 20. A CLE.VR frosty day, and the barometer registers as low as 28-90°, which, it is to be feared, me.ans more snow, and we have made our arrangements aceord- inoly' by getting in supplies of green veget.ables. Parsley, I'arsnips, and Celery, and have tliiekly covered up all cold frames, and covered over with straw Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Lettuce plants that are pricked out on the wall-sheltered borders. Our other out^ide work has been the same as for some time past, namely, grubbing and trenching new ground, cutting down large overgrown Pnrtug.al and common Laurel's, Hollies, Yews, and EhodoJendrons and thinning out the branches of old Ap|>le trees in orchard. Began to turn over vegetable or leaf-soil heaps, a slight spiinkle of sidt being given as the work pro- ceeds : this kills slugs and worms, and for our light soil salt is a most excellent manure. We have never ventured to apply salt to the heaps reserved for potting purposes, but soot is piven instead. Put a little .ailditional covering on outside Vine borders, .and covered the early border with tarpaulin to throv/ off rain and snow, for, on ex.aniination, we find it com- pletely sodden, notwithstanding than there is .abund- ance of drainage. 'J hough I have no frtith in arti- ficially warm borders, either by pipes or manure, I like to keep the border as full of natural warnith as possiVile, first, by covering up the border early in the autinun with leaves and Bracken or strawy litter, and next by preventing the soil getting so wet as ours has before the discovery of the evil. The covering will now be kept constantly on till there is a pr spect of continued dry weather. Partially disbudded the early Vines where the "shows" were prominent; .all shoots but two at each spur have been taken off; in other cases only the very weakest were rubbed off, the others being left till it can be seen which are likely to be the best bunches. During this cold weatber tlie night temp-rature is kept at CtO", but soon as mildei-, we sh.
eiishable fruit which our British orchards and hothouses pro- duce, permit me to direct the writer to Covent (Jarden Market, where at all hours he will see arriving from every station between the Land's End and John o' Groats fruit of every kind packed as none, save British growers, know how to pack. I have often pointed out to owners and occupiers the great im- portance of putting our old English orchards in better order. Well managed modern orchards are a credit to their owners, as our recent conferences have testi- fied, and it no^ remains to be seen when British enterprise, alrea-ly heavily handicapped by the superior American climate, Cin overcome the difficulties by which wc are beset, not the least of which is a strong prejudice on the part of the Brit'sh public in favour of highly coloured, but indifferently flavoured, foreign produce. W. CoLEMA.S*. Kastnor Castle, Ltdbury. Trees and Shrubs. PLAXTIXG TENDER CONIFERS. Those coniferous trees that axe. injiireil l>y frosts in this country may be divided into two cliis'cs. There are those that are constitutionally tender, and, therefore, either killed outri^lit or •;reatly disfigured durinj^ severe winters ; and then there are those that, thtrnj^h perfectly hardy a.s far as the winter frosts aloue are concerned, start into growth so early in the spring that the young shoots are frc in order to retard growth. T. A desirable Yew (Taxus adpiessa). — This forms a low dense-growing shrub, witii sjjrtading l)ranches and mucli stiorter leaves than in the comuiou Yt;w. Its rate of growth is s-low, and it is well suited as an isolated specimen on Grass wfipre any- tliing of rapid trrowth is undesirable. Whea so situat d tliat it is not interfered with in anyway, this Vew forujs a bush of regular outline, tlie upper portion being generally mUL-h Hattened ou account of the horizontal arrangement of the branches. It is of a very dark green colour, even deeper than the common Yew. This Yew is gene ally re^ar^ed as a native of Japan, hut in the " JIanual of Coniferie" this assertion is questioned. Tbe probahility is suggested of its having originated in a once famous nursery in North-east London. There is a variety of the above in which the branches, instead of spreading, are arranged in an upright manner, thus stamping it as very distinct from the type. Another came for this Yew, and one that it is frequently found under, is T. tardiva. — Alpha. 104 THE GARDEN. [Jak. 30, 1886. THE BEST CONIFERS. Pretty tlirmgli Liboceilrus cliilensis (p. 58) may be it is to,, tender to be recoimiiended lor orna- mental planting unless in espeeially favoured localities, while L. decurrens, winch is quite hardy and withal a beautiful ti-ee, was not men- tioned on p. .'■>8 in the notice of the best Conifers L decurrens is a native of the northern parts ot California and Oregon, where it is said to iorm the largest of trees, reaching at times a height of 120 feet to 140 feet, with a trunk 6 feet to 7 feet in diameter at tlie base, and free of branches for 70 feet to 80 feet of its height. It was introduced into this country in 1853 and appears to be of rather slow growth ; consequently no very large specimens are to be met with. As seen here it is of a dense columnar iiabit, very suitable for planting where but a limited space exists, as ihere is no fear of its encroaching on neigh- bouring walks or buildings. The colour of the foliage is of a deep yet bright green, which is retained during the" whole of the year. It is certainly one of the most ornamental of medium sized ConiferiE, and must on no ac- count be omitted from any selection, however choice. Though this Libo- cedrus is not fastidious as to soil or situation, it is seen to the greatest ad- vantage in a good, well-drained, yet fairly moist loam. Tlirough some error it was distributed as Thuja gigantea, under which name it is even now often found, but the Thuja just mentioned is correctly a synonym of T. Lobbi. L. chilensis inhabitselevations in South America, where it reaches a height of 50 feet to (iO feet, and is valued as a timber-producing tree. In this coun- try it IS of a pyramidal habit, with glaucous green f.diage, partially silvery underneitli. It is ot rather dense growth, anil when about a dozen feet high, provided it has escaped injury frciin frosts, is a beautiful object; but, unfortunately, it generally suffers a good deal before it reaches that height. Differing as these two kinds of Libo- cedrus do in all prominent features, there is yet another point 1o be noted, and this is the fact that the Chilian species will strike at least fairly well from cuttings, while L. decurrens is among the most difficult of Conifers to root in that way. When cuttings are put in, many of them form a large callus, and then remain in that stage without any attempt to push forth roots. When this occurs the cuttings should be taken out of their pots, and a few of the excrescences cut off from the tuber-like mass, after which they can be put in again as before, and many will then strike. There are a couple more s),ecies of Libocedrus in this country, but they both require the protection of a greenhouse, and are by no means common. The most fieqnently met with of the two is L. Doniana, a native of New Zealand, where it reaches the dimensions of a large tree. In its young state it forms a narrow pyrumiil of a beautiful bright green colour. The brandies are frond-like in character, and arranged rathi r closely together, so as to form, generally speaking, a dense-habited specimen. When from ti IVet to 8 feet high, it is a most beautiful object for the greenhouse or conservatory, but mostly after that time the lower branches get thinner, pro- bably from the want of such a free circulation of air as they would get if }ilanted in the o\m\ ground. The same treatment as to soil, temjieniture, &c., required liy the greenhouse Araucarias will suit tills Libocedrus. L. tetragona, the last to mention, forms a loose growing bush, with no verv strong claims to beauty. It is, however. The Great Corsicivn Pi.m at Kew, tl.e largest tree r.f the ='-.<=^,if =* j" «>'" ':°''"S- Jf^"^ height, 88 ft. ; girth at 4 ft. up the stem, 8 ft. 10 in. ; girth at base of tiimk, 1- ft. said to be grea'.ly timber tree. valued bv the Chilians as Ali'HA. Koelreuteria paniculata.— To anyone requir- iir,'a small growing lawn tree lliat will bloom towards the end ot the summer this can be recommended, especi.ally if the soil be light and .sandy. It is also spoken of as a good tree for chalky soils, but of this I have had no experience. The habit of this tree re- minds one to a certain extent of some of the larger kinds of Rhus. It has a clear stem, as a rule not very straight, and large pinnate foliage, rather thinly arr.anged on the branches. The flowers are yellow and Ijorne towards tlie end of the summer in terminal panicles, at wliieh time the plant is very handsonip, but even' from a foliage point of view alone it la highly ornamental. The Ka-lrenteria is more often planted on tlie Continent tlian with us, for though iutroduced into this country from Cliina somewhere about 100 years ago, it is still but rarely H'et witli. The rich yellow of the decaying foliage and the curious inflated capsules (when they are present) tend to form an attractive autumn feature. It is perfectly hardy in this country, and, tailing seeds, can be propagated by cut- tings either of the roots or branches, but the first named is the method generally used, as root cuttings grow away very freely. — Alpha. The Kentucky Coffee tree.— We lia\e two very good examples of this tree (Gymnocladus canadensis) mentioned in The G.uujes (p. 84). They are growing beside a good Deodar, and are just about .''lo feet in heiglit, and girth respectively, at 3 feet from the ground, G feet 6 inches and 6 feet 10 inches. They were well sheltered on all sides until they attained a height of 12 feet, but are now thoroughly exposed. The situation is low and moist at the bottom of a slope, and the soil is a sandy loam. The re- mirlvs made last week as to the free flowering and the non-production of seed are fully borne out in the case of these two trees. One other characteristic I may notice, and that is they are the latest of all our deciduous trees, both native and exotic, in developing their foliage in spring —K. BuRHKLL, Clare- moiit. Grafting Euonymus.— The com- mon Kuonymus is often used as a stock on which to graft the various evergreen Japanese kinds, and, strange as it may appear, the deeiduous character of the stock does not seem to affect the scion in the least— at all events so far as my experience extends, .and I have some hundreds treated in this way as well as on their own roots. The grafted plants certainly grow the faster, .and suckers or shoots "from the base of the plant do not seem likely to be any trouble. One thing with regard to grafted plants is that°by employing strong vigorous young seedlings as stocks, standards can be formed if desired, for the Euonymus is by no means difficult to graft. _ They had better be kept under glass till the union is complete. In this way I have seen the creeping E. radicans in quite a new character, viz., grafted on a branch- ins head of the Spindle tree, about 5 feet high. As several grafts were put on closely together, a dense head of foliage was formed, whence the Ions, flexible shoots hung dowm for some distance. — Alpha. The Fremontia as a standard. — In some parts of the country this shrub succeeds perfectly as a standard. In the Tooting Nursery, in Mr. Parker's time, it used to grow and flower welt in the open, and in Mr. A. O. Walker's garden ;it Nant-y-Glyn, Col- wyn Bay, a bush of it grows in the centre of a lawn. It measures 7 feet hij,di and about 8 feet in diameter. It has iath?r long, flexuous branches, covered along the greater pait ot their length with large yellow flowers and buds. It was planted, Mr. Walkej tells us in November, IS/S, and previous to lS,fl bad much the liabit of a pjramid Tear, but, we resret to say, the severe winter of that yiar quite killed the leading shoots. Jan. .jO, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 105 THE GREAT CORSICAN PINE AT KEAV. We have before alludoil to this tree as the finest spoi'iiiitu of its kiiul in this country and it is probably among the liist planteil. It is a hanil- sonie tree, ilisphiyiiig the style of ,t,'rowth peculiar to the species. Tiie trunk is as straii,'ht as a shi|i's masl, and, ju(l,nini;by tlie look of it, is as thorouj^hly sound. This would he the kind of tree to enable one to .judi;e of the quality of the timber, about the .superior quality of which so much has been written, for no doubt this tree is ju.st iu its prime as ri-;.,'arils its tindjer. Louilon in his " Arboretum" (1854) states that this Kew iree was then between 80 feet and 90 feet high. If enco it has either not L;ro\vn much since then, or it lias lost its top at some time. There is, we bolieve, no reconl as to when this tree vas plauleil, but presumalily it was planted about the latter end of the hist centui-v. • Copper Beech, hedges.— I observe a notice of a tinu Copper Beech iiedgi; in Norfolk by "T. B." ([>. (JO). I should be fxad to he.ai- from him or the gardener of Ashwelthurpe Hall wliether it is subject lo the attacks of apliiJes, that render heilges of green Beech so objectionable aud unsightly in some locali- ties. So far as I have observed, the purple Beech is free fn.m the plague of aphides. If fo, it would prove a highly oniamtntal and useful hedge plant. The purple Gilbert is also ornament:d and protit.able as a Hedge plant.— D. T. V. MARKET GARDEX NOTES. The variability of our climate and its results upon oiit-iloor crops were never more strikingly e.Keniplitied than during the year just closed. "lii early summer all kinds of green crops, and Cabbages in particular, were so abundant, that they did not ji.iy to take them to market. AVau'on- h.iads of the finest Cabbages were sold in"the .streets retail at ;!d. ]jcr dozen, and many growers led olf their crops with sheep, so little'did they otherwise realise. Then w^e had a severe and protracted drought, which lasted for many weeks, and although the ohl sayiiiL', that drought never yet brought dearth, mav still hold good as regards cereal cro[.s, I quctiim if it can' be applied to nioistnre-hjving vegetable.s. When the drought broke up in August, cold cheerle.ss weather ''set in ; the autumn was not fine, and late sown and planted crops made but little progres.s. The soil was cold and sodden ; fro.sty nights set in earlj^ anil have prevailed up to the present time. Long belore winter .set in the prices for vegetables had gone up to mure than double wdiat they were in summer. Cabbages, Savoys, or good Broccoli have been really not procurable iu auytliiiig like the per- lectiou in which we usuaH'y get 'them, and the consequence has been that "prices for anything that was of fair quality have been high. A ready sale has ahso been ell'ecled for goods that in the early part of the year would not have been worth sending to market. Even good sized Cabbage plants are now being tied in bunches and the land jirepared for other crops; it will therefore ha some time before we get our markets glutted again, at least with home-grown produce. Turnips are perhaps more ea>ily affected by drought than any crops culti\'atea for market, and gijod ones have not been procurable for a ' Jiig time; all old Turnips that would pass muster at all have been pulled up and tied in bunches about half the usual size, and realise better prices tliau good edib.e ones usually do. S\yede Turnips, that in the south are seldom utilised for culinary purposes, are now in great request, and are proportionally high in prices. Potatoes are plentiful, but they are not nearly I border of good soil, and they "are kept to singl so good as they w'ere last year at this time. We, however, gett'liem so dicajdy, both from Scotland and the Continent, that there is little likelihood of prices for them varying so much as is the case with crops that must bo grown near the place of' consumption. Nevertheless, a good crop of Potatoes is i'ar more jirofitable than Corn, and large breadths of land are being ploughed and prepared for planting, the usual jilan iieing to jiut the manure in the furrows and lay the .sets on it. Digging AND rLOUGHmu are now being pushed on wdierever the soil is in workable condition. In this locality it soon dries, lieing on a gravell}' sulisoil, aud for that reason the manure is bist applied in spring, for if very heavy rains follow its application, agooil deal of its nuiritive qualities are \vashed away l.)eyond the reach of (he roots. It is therefore stacked in heaps on the surface until required for putting in with the crop, and by burying it in prett}' close contact witli tlie roots good crcips are grown on very shallow soil. Sowing ok planting is confined to very small areas at present. The chief crops now being put in are Broad Beans and Cabbages, but directly drier weather prevails. Parsnips, Unions, and Radishe.s, together with early Potatoes, will claim attention. ApPLE.s AND Pears of home growth have been so abundant, that there is less demand than usual for foreign goods. Pears are now confined to Easter Beurio and a few very late sorts, and amongst culinaiy Pears Calillac comes iu j^^t when fruits are at their lowest ebb ; Ajqales such as Wellington, Northern Greening, and French Crab, are now at their best. The winter pruning and dressing of trees and bushes lia\'e been jiushed on during the late severe weather, .seeing that they (irovided work wdiile little el.se could be done. The old idea of frosty weather not suiting pruning docs not prevail amongst market culti\ ators, who have to get over their work at the least e.\pense. I, too, prefer frosty weather for the operation, as I never saw evil results from it, and when the soil is firm on the surface the treading does not render it so liard afterwards as when it is sloppy with rain. ^Ioreovel•, where birds are troublesome to the buds, the presence of workmen amongst the trees helps to keep them olf. Forced produce consists mainly of Rhubarb, Seakale, aud Radishes that have of late been [deutifnl aud sell fairly well, owing to the scarcity of good outdoor vegetable.s. Rhubarb is mostly forced where it grows by means of pots or tubs covered with fermenting material ; but Seakale for early crops is lifted and forced either on hot- beds or in some heated structure. Pits and frames are now being cleared out, the lights washed, and woodwork painted, and the brick- work washed with lime, and manure is being got together in readiness for filling the pits with as .soon as the pdants are ready. Some of the pits are utilised at once I'or early Potiutoes and Kailishes, and when these come off Cucumbers take their jilace. Tomatoes have come to be most e.xtensively cultivated, and they nearly always realise good prices; some grow them the whole year round, but the majority start afresh with young plants raised as early in the new year as jiossible. They are sown in pans iu January in a brisk heat, aud grown on close to the glass so as to have good plants by IMarch, when they are planted in houses or pits, and under good culture they yield heavy crops. As a rule, the houses in which they are grown are narrow and span-roofed, and on each side is a row of plants in a shallow stems. I have, however, seen fine crops of Tomatoes in lofty houses, in which the plants were trained on the extension .system like Vines. The plants were, as far as I could judge, two or three years old, and were maintained in health by frequent top-dressings of rich soil. Gosport. Jambs Gboom. Marechal Niel Rose. -In .^ lenito house we have a trellis 20 feet by 10 feet well furnished with Marechal Niel. On a trellis on the b,ack wall is a Xectarine tree. I shut the house up on the lirst week in November. On New Year's IJay we cut our first Rose blooms and we have slid many hundreds to cut. The Nect.arine has set a fine crop of fruit. Underneath the Hose trellis are fine large specimen plants of ImantophyUum miniatum which are throwing up strong spikes just bursting into bloom, and on the front stage is a good selection of the old-fashioned sweet-scented Geraniums, now much in demand. — IviCH.VRD NlsBKr, AswarOi/ Park. Rose Her Majesty.— This new Hybrid Periie- tual is, we understand, to lie sent out in March ne.Nt by Messrs. William Paul & Son. This Rose, whicli is a cross between Mabel Morrison and the Tea- scented kind called Canary, is remarkable for its large size and fine delicate rose-pink colour. Veitch Memorial Prize Fund.— The trustees of this fund have allotted a A'eitch memorial medal and a prize of iTi for competition at E.\eter in 1886, the competition to be confined to the county of Devon. The committee of the Devon and Exeter Horticultural Society have resolved that the medal and prize shall be given for a collection of vegetables, to be com- peted for at their summer show ("iOth August). Schedules and fuither particulars can be obtained of the hon. secretary, Mr. C. T. K. Roberts, 15, Gaudy Street, E.xeter, or of Messrs. Robert Veitch and Sol', Exeter. LATE NOTES. Seedling: Hellebore (,II'. //. Frru i n'lliiim).— Evidently a good form ut' tlie etjiulaon C'liristnias Rose. Tlie flower seems better shaped th;in usual, aud the foliage robust and good. Pitcher plants (C. /".)— The ritclcrs of Nepenthes Ratflesiana whieh you have sent are unusually laixc and well coloured —wonderfully fine, indeed, for a iilaut two years old. Single Camellias (C. R. S. i).).— Singularly beautiful — much more so according to our w.iy of thinking than the double kinds, though, of course, we must have them too. The white kinds, especially those striped with red, are charming, as so, too, are the reds, though at one time thought to be only tit for stocks on wiiich to graft tlie doulalo kinds. wnite Plume Celery. -Whatever may be the merits of this Celeiy as a vc.{eni))le, it promises t ) be very useful for cut foliage in winter, many of its leaves having no gi'eeu whatever. They .are waxy lookim^, especially by lamp-light, and last well iu water. When nrrauged with brown Chry- santhemums, or some other deep-coloured flowers, or briglit berries, tliey arc peculiarly effective. — C. M. O. Gros Quillaume Grape.— Will Mr. 51'Kcnna kindly siy wlictllcr or not the whole fourteen bundles were left on his Vine of this vai iety to ripen ? or did the Vine carry only the one large bunch illustrated in The Garpen (p. 82)?" If so, what advant.igc is there in growing one Large bunch and .sacrificing the others ? Gros Guilluume, if tre.tted liberally, will show as many surplus bunches as the m.ajority of other Vc-irieticsin cultivation. — G. S. Nam.es of plants, ir. J. 2, A. cunoLXtum grandieeps ; 3, .Tjtliiopicum. Naming' fruit- — Headers uho dcalre ourhiipiti ndming fn'il. irill /.iiiilli/ bear in mind that sertreU .•*i>erimens a/ er trade is sntttciently corroborative of my statements. ^ The coal I spoke of belon;^'3 to the owner of the timber, but the colliery, whicli is an example of others, is let to a company who cannot be dictated to as to where they are to procure their plant and materials. They ]iay the landloid the maximum royalty for the coal," perhjps, and having to take all ri.-'ks connected with prices and strikes, &c., as a matter of course they please themselves where they will get their timber. Your corre- spondent, Mr. Webster, does not seem to realise that it is not so much a matter of agreement between the tenant and his landlord as a que-tion of values. Probably, if tlie landlord was to en- gage to pick liis Larch and Oak for the purpose, anil deliver it at a price that would enable the colliery pr.'prietors to ]:irepare it for their purpose cheape'r than foreign timber, a bargain might be struck, but this is ju^t what the landlord cannot atibrd to do, unless be parts with his timber at about cost price or less. I am informed that foreign pit props and other timbers are now being delivered at these pits at 8d. per foot, all cut to the (lesired size awl ready for use. Colliery owners do with the timber dealers as they them- selves have to do with the gas companies and other consumers of coal -they have their limber provi'ied by contract by the year, or for a .shorter period. Mr. Webster wrdes, "No one need be surprise 1 that the miner will not make a pur- chase wdien he can get foreign stuif of a pr.jper size at a cheap rate." Exactly, that is where the shoe pinches, and quite knocks on the head Mr. Welister's counter proposal for the miner to " give his landlord a fair price for his timber." If Mr. Webster knows anything whatever of the miner s wants and the i|uaiitv of forei.gn timber, he must know UmI no EnglUh timber merchant could supply pit jn-ops (which represents the biilk^ of cidliery timber) of the uniform size of the ibreign stuff, nnle'S the woodman was to cut one or two out of every Larch or Fir he felled, and have the fragments left on bis hands. Short of doing this we'do all we can to accommodate customers. I have contracted to supply so many feet of Larch bound by the condition that the trees are to average 10 feet, and all to be as near that size as possible. The price offered is not high, and the big trees are left ior whoever will take them. I olfered the latter also at a price tliat would have enabled the miner to halve or quarter them for prop', as is sometimes done, but could not deal, the round props being better and more convenient. At these collieries foreign Oak and other woods are supplied in higs and planks of a work- able size and cheap, and tliat is where the English timber is cut out. The cutting up of English limber is an expensive department at collieries where it is used, and that is one of the main objections to its use, otherwise it is generally acknowledged to be superior to the foreign in March, inclusrve, the hares will take the dyke at any part when they wish access, but the young ones are not able to do it. The pens are useful also for young partridges and pheasants pas.sing to and from the cover. Scot. Timber trees in ravines. — Some of your correspondents appear to have missed the point in supposing that the reason why timber trees aie taller in ravines than elsewhere is that the ro"ts are usually in a richer soil in such places. Mr. Webster g.jes quite into the geology of this sub- jea. The soil, as a matter of fact, has nothing to do with it. Trees in the bottoms of ravines are taller than th-se at the sides and tops because they aro "drawn up" exactly like plants ma seed-bed, or where the li.ght has access to their tops only. The tallest are always in the centre, as anyone may notice who will examine the first bed of Cabbages they come across. We set out a fall of Ash and Oak lately in a deep ravine, RATE OF TREE GROWTH IN A YORKSHIRE PLANTATION. The following details concerning the rate of tree growth on an e.-tate in mid- Yorkshire may be of niterest to some of v , . , Cerasus virgiu'ana, ten years from the seed : heigtit, 14.^ feet; diameter of the trunk 1 foot from the ground, ih inch- s ; diameter of the space c ivered by the brancnts, 9 feet. Liquid,.mb..r styraciflua, ten years from the seed : height, 11 feet; diamettr of the trunk 1 foot from the ground, 2i inches. Ju-lans nigra, ten years from seed : height, 17 feet; diameter of the trunk 1 foot, from the ground, S.V inches to 4 inches; diameter of the spacj covered by the Lraiiches, (5 feet to U feet. J. Di'.;ra, eight years from the seed: he'ght, 14 feet; diameter'of the trunk 1 foot from the ground, 4 inches ; space covered by the branches, 7 feet Carya aUia, ten years fiom the seed: htight, 10 feet; diameter of the trunk 1 foot from the giouud, 3 inches; s|iaco c ivered by the branches, 5 feet. Lirijdendron Tulipifera, ten years fr.im the seed : height, from 14 feet to Uh feet; diameter of the trunk 1 foot from the gr..und, from 2.\ inches t> 4 inches ; diameter of the space covered by the branches, 5 feet. F...binia Pseudacacia, ten years from the seed; height, from 26 feet to 2-J feet; diameter ot the trunk 1 foot from the gr.juud, from 6 inches to 8 inches; diameter of the space covered by the branches, 14 feet. Another tree, eight years frum the seed, is 23 feet high; diameter of the trunk 1 foot from the ground, 4 inches t» 5 inches ; diameter of the space coveied by the branches, 10 feet. The foregoing measurements are taken of average-size'l trees among the seedlings that were planted out to reniaiu permanently. These lacts show what may be done in tree-raising even in a brief intLTval <''i ten ye.rrs. J. 0. Canadian forestry. -Tlic High Commissioner f..r Cm 1,1 1 int. inns us that he lius iceeived ;i number ot ibiiu- piikts lol.iting t,. the forests ef that colony, and states tliat ho will be pleased to send :<. copy to any reader of \Nooi>s ANO FoEE-sTS who uiay forwaid his name and address.- s', Victoria Chambai, Loiuton, S- ir. THE GARDEN. 10^ No. 742. SATURDAY, Feb. 6,1886. Vo XXIX. " This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather : but The Art itself is Nature."— SAatopeare. GRAPES AND FLOWERS TOGETHER. I HAVE, ill former communications, endea- voured to show what may be done by a pro- fessional man at a small expense in growing Grapes and flowers in the same houses for home and (ither uses. It may interest some of your reailer.s to give the results of the past autunm and winter. First, as to Grapes, all from outside borders and with moderate heat. In my tirst house I had a grand crop of a small highly- ilavoured Black Muscat of a kind now gone out of cultivation, very early Black Hamburghs, aneautiful.— R. Gilbeht B,tanic Gaiden a spike of a most beautiful IIe ns yiel ling the condiment known as Capers, which are simply the flower-buds preserved in salt and vine- gar. Koydsia suaveolens belongs to the fragrant flowered plants of this Order; it has smooth, shining gr.3en, Laurel like leaves, which are arranged alter- nately .a'ong th-i branches, and from their axils on the ends of the youn» ripened shoots the flowers, arranged like Bottle-brushes on stalks \ inches long, are developed during autumn and winter. They have no petals, but from a roun I, leathery-louking caly.x spring the stamens in a spreading cluster. .So far we have said nothing that would commend the plant to a girdener, but its charm resides in, or r.ather comes out of the flowers, the fragrance they emit being both p iwerful and delicious, a mixture of Orange blossom, l.ila:', Violets, and Narcissus heing the description given rtf it by a keen-scented friend. A large plant of this In'lian climber may now be seen in the Palm house at Kew. where it is planted in a bed and trained along the roof of the house, close by the side of the Bauhinia variegata. Eaosphalartos villosus. — It is not generally known that the cone frui's of some of the Cycads are exceedingly ornamental, thus adding to the garden value of these plants, which are usually looked upon as being attractive only as regards their pinnate foliage. The handsomest fiuited among the Cyc ids Iq cultivat'on with us is the above-namtd Eneepha- lartos, a tine specimen of which bore a beautiful o me in Mr. Bull's nursery about two years ago, and an equally beautiful fruit may be seen at the present time on a plant in the P.tim house at Kew. w four, namely, E. robustus, E. specta- bdis, E. Burgei, and E. himalaicus. — W. E. GuM- Bi-ETON, Dd'jrovc^ Qi'ccnstown, Ireland. Clintonia Andrewsiana. — In that interesting list of plants flowered during the year 1S85 in the Edinburgh Kook Garden, published a week or two ago, I observed the name of Clintonia .\ndrewsiana, a plant on which I, and possibly other amateur t'ardeners, shoidd be gl.ad to get a little inform.atiou. These North American plants (barring always the yellow Composites and Alichaelmas Daisies) are not the least beautiful, while they are perhaps the most interesting subjects \\\ \\ which we have to deal, and of these the peat-Irving species (especially liliacea) are the very fiuintessence. I should be grateful, therefore, if any of your readers who have succeeded with this Clintonia can tell us a little about soil and situation (whether, for instance, an absolute bog is iiecessary), and especially w'hat is the bt st time to plant it out. My experience is that itnest.ablished plants are apt to damp off or rot through the influence of sudden cold and thaw. Will it stand an ordinary English winter, such as the present? The New Plant and Bulb Co. in their catalogue, quoting some anonymo"s authority, mention it as "said to be the finest hardy plant in cultivation." Does it, in the opinion of anyone who has flowered it in England, justify this encomium? and has it been figured, and if so, where? I do not know that I can claim to have noted the list in question very carefully or accurately, and I no longer have it by me for reference, but it struck me at the time that for so long and good a floral bill of fare, the percentage of Gentian-flowered plants was somewhat small — as to which I may some day, perhaps, revive an old con- trover-sy and have something to say. Other rare alpines, too, e.'j., Lithospermum Gastoni, were absent, unless I am mistaken. I noticed, however, among other choice things two plants that I must confess I had always hitherto regarded as belonging to the liorticultural " spirit world," i.e., as ghosts which I had not indeed seen myself, or kno\\Ti personally any- one who professed to have seen or grown them, but which, nevertheless, I had heard of in a misty and legend.ary way. I refer to Vinca m.ajor fl.-pl. and Vinca major alba. Can anyone tell us whether these plants are fairly robust and floriferous? and if so, where can they be procured ? I do not remember to have seen either of them in the catalogues of any of the principal hardy plant nurserymen, though there is an Italian Periwinkle that may perhaps be identical with the latter. — J. C. L. GARDEN ECONOMY AND CONIFERS. The reiii.arks made lately by "W. I. M." and " J. S." on economy in the garden are very likely to brinr; into prominent notice the desira- bility of the more extensive planting of Conifers in the immediate neighbourhood of mansions, in lieu of .so many deciduous trees. An immense amount of labour is entailed where the latter arrangement exists ; indeed, if deciduous trees are planted in great variety anywhere near large stretches of lawn, the broom is constantly at work i'rom early autumn until after Christmas, swelling to considerable proportions the weekly pay-sheet. I cannot help thinking that if the question of unreiuuiterative labour is likely to bo strongly opposed in all garden matters in the future, we cannot better serve the interest of posterity than by curtailing as far as possihle pleasure ground expense, and this cannot be more .surely etl'ected (where constant neatness is an ab- solute necessity) than by using a large proportion of Conifers in all planting operations, as much, at any rate, as may be practicable with the neces- sities of the case ; and tliere are now so many types of beauty among the many members of this family, that there should be little difficulty in selecting varieties to meet all cases. I do not for one moment wish to disparage our deciduou-s trees, but let them find a place as much as pos- .sible where they do not entail so much labour, and wliere it is necessary to use them let those vaiieties be groupeil together which are nearly alike in the time of their leaf-shedding; for it is an undeniable fact that lawns covered with trees whose seasons are as wide apart as the Lime and the Oak, with all intervening leaf-shedders, are responsible for a large share of garden labour. Distinct varieties of trees are not always the only oti'enders, for one of our most objectionable lawns (from a lab(uir point of view) is devoted to Oaks 111 variety ; from the scarlet, which has its season with the Lime and Horse Chestnut, which, despite the severe weather, has hardly lost a leaf, and which in fact always retains its sere and yellow foliage until the young growth is bursting out. "J. a." (p. 83) was no doubt perfectly justified ia removing his extinguisher Conifers if they were objectionable to him, but I fail to see that it was altogethei' necessary to record the fact, especially when accompanied by such sweeping condemna- tion of the \Vellingtouia. If the tree in question is somewhat formal in growth, is it necessarily ugly .' On the contrary, 1 inaintam there are few olijects more worthy of admiration in the no THE GARDEN. [Feb. G, 1886. pleasure ground than specimens of this particular tree from 20 feet upwards in height and well feathered to the ground ; and although mistakes were doubtless made in its early planting, there are sites in the majority of gardens to which it is admirably suited, in common with many other Conifers of stiff and formal habit. If everything approaching an extinguisher in shape is to be banished from our gardens, where are we likely to stop? Abies Piusapo and Cedrus atlantica (to my thinking, two of the handsomest Conifers) cer- tainly come under this head, so in many cases does Abies cc])halonica, Nordmanniana, and many others, not to mention such as Cryptomeria, Cupressus, and Taxodium sempervirens, which, however feathery tliey may be in actual growth, present to the eye as specimens very sharply de- lined branches either etiuilateral or isoseles. To the true lover of trees nothiug in the shape of tree life is absolutely ugly, and he is not at all likely to condemn anything simply on account of its formality ; given only a proper site and free healthy growth, and there is not a Conifer under the sun that will not find jdenty of admirer?. In conclusion, I must protest both from an orna- mental and an economical standpoint agaiost the condemnation of Conifers. To those who, like " J. S.," contemplate their removal, I would say, think twice before using the saw or axe. E. B. THE PRIMULA CONFERENCE. The following is a provisional programme of the ex hibition which is announced to take place on April 20 and 21 next : — Clasi 1. Will include the Auricula. 2. The Pi-imrose and Pulyanthus. 3. Varieties of Primula Sieboldi. 4. Varieties of Primula sinensis. 5. European species, varieties and hybrids of the genus Primula. 6. Himalayan and other Asiatic species. 7. Chinese and Japanese species. 8. American species. 9. Plants allied to the genus Primula, such as Cyclamen, Dodecatheon, Androsace, Cortusa, i:c. (of these species only, not garden varieties, will be ad- mitted) 10. Primulaceous plants grown to illustrate special modes of culture, &c. H. Specimens, models, and drawings, illustrative of the structure and mode of growth of primulaceous plants. The conference will be held on April 21, when the following programme will be carried out : — Introductory paper by Mr. Shirley Hibberd on the origin and history of the florists' Auricula. Introductory paper by Mr. Samuel Barlow, on the direction in which efforts should be made with the view of improving the florists' flowers belonging to the genus Primula. Introductory paper by Mr. J. G. Baker on the nomenclature of alpine Primulas. Introductory paper by Dr. M. T. Masters on root structure and mode of growth as affording indications of the probable best mode of culture. In order to assist in the arrangement of the Euro- pean Primulas at the exhibition, Mr. J. G. Baker has drawn up for the committee the following provisional list of European Primulas, classified in three groups, viz. : — 1 . Well-marked species distinguished from one another by broad clear characters. 2. Sub-species or varieties distinguished from the types under which they are placed by slight characters. 3. Probable hybrid types wh'.ch have received names as if they were species. The list may serve as a preliminary basis for the discussion at the conference. Meanwhile the com- mittee suggest that exhibitors, in giving names to the plants which they exhibit, should follow, as far as they feel able to do so, the nomenclature and arrange- ment thus suggested by Mr. Baker. The names which are printed in italics are synon}Tns, Section 1. Pbimdlastea. — Young leaves revolute, not mealy beneath, calyx strongly ribbed. 1. Vulgaris, /Im/s.; frrai}i/(florn, Lam.; afanlis, Jacq.; Sib- thorpi, Riich.; nmana, Hort. 2. Elatior, Jacq.; Pallasi, l.chm.: Perreiniana, Ftncjge ; carpathica. Fu^n. S. Officinalis, Scop, reris, Linn.; macrocalyx, Bunpc; suaveoleUH, JinH. ; ColumniB, Ten. ; Tommagini, G. >ilt of exposure, and require all the following winter ami spring to recruit, their strength previous to being subjected to similar treatment the next season. Of course, much depends on the season and the amount of shelter available, which, it need scarcely be said, should be as much as possible. The group of fine-foliaged plants to which attention is here more particularly directed is a somewhat exten- sive one, and includes many of a free-growing and extremely ornamental cha- racter. It is those which, as has been stated, may be annually raised from seed or, if preferred, a few stock plants may be lifted and preserved through the win- ter in a mode- rately warm house with a view to their pro- viding cuttings from the stems and in some cases from the roots. Acacia loph- ANTHA may first be noted ; it is well known and largely culti- vated. If sown now and the young seedlings are gi'own on strong plants may be obtained by bedding-out time that will soon rapidly develop if favourably situated. Cannas are readily raised from seed, but division is a much cpiicker metlmd where there is already a stock. Nearly all of the numerous varieties are worthy of culture, the dark and the glaucous- leaved kinds being especially noteworthy and attractive. Some of the Centaureas which are of dwarf stature are invaluable on account of their silvery foliage; for an edging to, or for inter- mixing with, plants having foliage of a darker hue. C. ragu-iina, its variety coinpacta, and G. Cineraria (candidissima) are most generally useful. If raised from seed much better plants may be obtained by sowing in early autumn and growing the plants on in a cool or moderately warm house through the winter. Sometimes small plants are preferable ibr edgings ; tliese may be raised easily from seed sown in pots any time from now up till the beginning of March and placed on a mild hotbed. Young leaves of these Centaureas are always whiter than older ones ; consequently j'oung plants have the advantage in this respect. Two species of Chamaqieuce, commonly called Herring-bone Thistles, are most useful for margins or Ibr associating with other dwarf sulj- tropical plants ; of the two C. diacantha is the most attractive on account of the ivory-white spines with which the leaves are armed ; C'. ' Casabona; has smaller leaves beset with yellowish spines. Both are readily raised from seed, which sliould lie sown in heat, the seedlings being after- wards potted utf singly so soon as tiiey are large enough to handle. One of the most distinct and elfective of fine-foliaged plants is Meliaiithus innjor, the Iea\cs of which are large, pinnate, and of a deep glaucous hue. It is nearly hardy in some localities, especially if the roots are protected, and on rich deep soils forms a bush of about 3 feet in height. Raising liom seed is the most sati>factory method of increasing it. Grevillea robusta has ex- j tremely elegant foliage and is also best raised from seed, which, however, is I not always certain to ger- minate satisfactorily. The plants usually require The Lalce in Biittcr.sea r.irl^. growing in pots until the second year before they are of sufficient size to be of use in sub- tro))ical befls. They may, however, be used with good effect the first season for greenhouse decoration, and if plunged instead of planted they may often be returned again in autumn almost or quite uninjured. An additional quantity of India-rubber plants (Ficus elastica) may be raised from cuttings inserted now. Tliese may be of any procurable size ; points of branches on ]dants that have become leggy soon root and form useful decorative subjects. It is a good plan with these to cut the branches only halt through and bind some Moss round at that point. If this is kept moist and the plant in heat, roots will form where the incision has been made and the new plant may be eventually detached with- out as a rule losing any of its leaves. India- rubber plants gradually hardened off will prove I effective in sub-tropical beds from June until j autumn. They may be either plunged or planted out in a warm position. Among Soi.anm'.ms there arc several worthy of note on account of their easy cultuie and attractive- ness as fine-foliaged plants. They may be readily increased from cuttings, supposing a stock is at command, or seedlings may be raised that will prove equally or perhaps more eft'ective than cut- tings. S. marainatum has deep green leaves, covered beneath with silvery tomentum, which becomes thick enough to form a white edge. Its flowers are somewhat i'reely produced, and are also white. A strong-growing and very di.stinct kind is S. robustum. It is provided with strong .spines on each side of the large, irregularly lobed leaves, and even seedlinns raised early in the season form fine specimen plants towards autumn . The leaves are of a distinct brown or russety colour on the ujiper surface, particularly near the top of the plant. In reference to other Solanums worthy of note S. Warscewiczi must be placed in a foremost position ; S. gi- ganteum and S. p.yr.icanthumare also attractive. Amongst the most noble of s u b - 1 r 0 p i c a 1 plants few, if any, surpass Monta- noabipinnatifida (Polymnia gran- dis). Root-cut- tings of this strike readily in autumn, and stem-cuttings in spring. If good sized plants can be piepared for placing outside early in June, symmetrical .spe- cimens, from 6 feet to 8 feet high, may, under good culture, be ob- tained. The leaves are oppo- site, large, and distinctly lobed. A large group oi this plant has a very imposing eftect. The Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) demands a reference as being one of the most distinct plants on ac- count of its glaucous foliage. Seeds for this season's display sliould be sown at once if plants are not already bn-ing grown on. Fm- securing good specimens 8 feet or more in height the first summer the seed should be sown in .Tulv or August, llie ]>lants being kept growing slowl'v all winter and until June, when if they are planted out they will gi'ow on rapidly. Of Musas, the mo.st suitable for subtropical work are M. Eiisete and iM. superba. The former has enormous pale green leaves, and on that account requires a position sheltered from wind, which proves so destructive to plants of this description. Unless a suitable place can be pro- vided for Musas they should not be placed out- side, as torn and injured leaves are invariably the result of exposure to high winds. They ai'e propagated from seeds sown in heat, also in many cases from suckers. Another very tall-growing 112 THE GARDEN. [Feu. G, 1886. subject of easy culture is Ferdiuancla emiiiens. This may readily be propagated from cuttings either of the roots or young stem-shoots, and when once established the young plants grow very fast. It may also be raised from seed. In a good soil and suitable position, strong specimens of this plant sometimes attaina heightof 10 feet. Amongst Wigandias that may be raised from seed, or, better, from root cuttings, W. caracasaiia must be accorded a prominent position, as it form«, under good cultivation, a remarkably hamlsome object. Specimens with single .stems Ipok best, and they are hardy enougli to make a lu.\uriant growth in favourable localities outside. \V. Vigieri, where it succeeds, is even more vigorous than the last named; it is partly distinguished by the stem and petioles being more hairy, but it is not so generally well known or cultivated. Another indispensable class of plants for suVj-tropical gardening are varieties or forms of Ricinus com- munis. These are well known under the popu- lar name of Castor-oil plants, and there are few varieties unwortliy of cultivation. Some have green or glaucous foliage ; others, again, have pur- plish stems and bronzy, or, in some cases, almost blood-red leaves. E. Gibsoni is one of the best dark-leaved kinds ; it should be included where ever any of the Castor-oils are grown. Seeds should be sown about the end of March and placed in heat. They soon germinate, and require attention almost at once as regards potting. It is an excellent plan where space is available to place a couple of seeds each in small pots, and if both grow, destroy the weakest. Tliis admits of potting the other plant on without materially injuring its roots. Variegated Maize (Zea Mays variegata) is one of the easiest grown sub-tropical subjects raised from seed in spring. It has nar- row leaves conspicuously striped with white lines, and good clumps of it are very attractive amongst other sub- tropical plants with foliage of a different shape and colour. A pretty and useful ornamen- tal Grass of perennial duration is Eulalia japoniea variegata. It may be raised from seed, and if the seedlings are grown on afterwards in an in- termediate temperature, they will grow much faster and soon be availalile for use, either in the summer beds or in pots for greenhouse decora- tion. The common Hemp is a strong growing annual, effective and useful in some positions, but rather too coarse for a prominent place in the sub-tropical garden. J. G. K. 3 inches in height. N. Bvilbocodium citrinus minor, collected liy the late Mr. llarpur Crewo years ago, is also in bloom, its flowers being pale lemon or sulphur colour. — F. W. BURBIDOE. Tuberoses after flowering. — These sometimes bloom fairly well if planted out at the foot of a south wall in a dry border of sandy loam mixed with leaf mould. The bulbs will live and thrive in such a posi- tion for years, and not seldom throw up a few flower- spikes almost equal to imported ones. By carefully preserving the scant foliage after blooming, growing on till it dies down naturally, potting in fresh soil and growing a second year, ten or fifteen per cent, of the old bulbs may bloom again under favourable treatment ; but, as a rule, they are hardly worth the candle. To succeed in this, all suckers or oflfsuts should be carefully rubbed off or picked out before starting. In any case this is advisable, and adds considerably to the strength of the flower-stems and -the number and size of the individual flowers. Has anyone specially noted the effect of small rcisus large pots on ihe blooming of Tuberoses, and the relative efifects of 4-iuch, 6 inch, and 8-iiich pots? Our ex- perience is all in favour of small pots. — D. T. I'". SHOUT NOTE.— FLOWER. Narcissus Bulbocodium nivalis. — Tliis little Hooped-petticoat Datfodil is a gcin, and, so far as 1 kuow, the smallest of its race. It is now in flower in a pot in the greenhouse, and was the kind gift of Mr. Octavius Carder, who collected it last year on the Geioz, near Oporto, in , Portugal. The loaves arc like those of N. monophyllus, but 'ahorter, and the tiny golden flower is borne ou a acape only WATER LILIES. I WAS pleased to read my friend Mr. Miles' paper on " Water Lilies," because it will awaken atten- tion to a beautiful class of plants, heretofore greatlyneglected. It is now someten or more years since I commenced their cultivation. I began in earnest with Nymphxa cairulea in the green- house and N. odorata rosea in the open air, and now I have all the kinds worth growing, viz., N. dentata, dentata major, rubra, devoniensis, scuti- folia gigantea, Daubenyana, Lotus, stellata, versi- color, ccerulea, and zanzibarensis; and of tlie hardv sorts, N. odorata, odorata rosea, alba rosea or ruhra, and flava. Mr. Miles sent me alba candidissima, but from some neglect I lost it; he also sent me Nuphar lutea, which I cultivated easily, and my friends were amused to see me growing the common Nuphar adveua, which fills almost every little ditch in our neighbourliood, tlie only difference in the two being a black spot in the centre of the flower. But what a little sur- prised me was Mr. Miles' account of our loveliest of all Lilies, N. odorata ro.sea. Four years ago I sent him a very strong flowering root of it ; but he writes as follows : " Mr. Sturtevant, who sent over here the plants of odorata rosea, got it from a lake in Newfoundland, near Cape Cod, on private property." The idea that Newfoundland is near Cape Cod is amusing. But let me now give you the origin of this superb Water Lily. It was found manj' years ago growing in a small private pond or lake near Barnstable, on Cape Cod, 60 miles from Boston. It had attracted the attention of botanists, and in the Cambridge Botanic Garden, fT.S.A., ]ilants of it were grow- ing years ago. But it did not attract much attention until recently, wlien a grower of it, in an adjoining town, who had a tine Cranberry bog with a stream of running water tlirough it, thouglit he woiild procure some of the roots, whicli are rather scarce, ami plant them in a small pond he dug out in his bog. Here they seemed at home, grew luxuriantly, flowered in great perfection, and the beautiful specimens of it which he sent to his friends began to attract ranch notice. It was aljout this period wlien he had his pond, 10 feet or 20 feet square, filled witli roots that I visited him in August to see his Lilies, and lovely indeed they were. I at once purchased some of the roots and planted them out in tubs, where they flowered finely. I then liegan to propagate them, and now have a pond which was covered last summer with hundreds of blooms. Cape Cod is the only ]dace where it has been found, and it was fiom the place I have named that I, at that period, procured the plant I sent Mr. ]Miles, as my own wer.; then small, and I wished Mr. JMiles to have a strong flowering root. The lady who told Mr. Miles she saw (piantities of the flowers when staying in the locality and " was disappointed in lujt seeing the lake itself" neeil not Ije so. She wouhl probably have seen nothing ; there are but few roots in the lake, and these are very scattered, mixed with the white, and it is only occasionally that the red flowers are seen, when they are carefully guarded to prexent depredations. Mr. Jliles has certainly been unfurtunate in his experience. I have found no dirticulty in raising seedlings from perfectly dry seeds, and as my plants seed in abundance, I immediately put them into a paper bag, as I do othei' seeds. How long they will keep in this way I do not know, or if any longer than one year. A lady fi-iend gave me seeds gathered in the Botmic Gardens of Rio Janeiro, and I raised a flue batch, which proved to be N. gigantea. I have plenty of seedlings of odorata rosea, alba rubra or rosea, zanzibarensis, and ca;rulea, and as I gathered seeds of gigantea the last autumn from my pond in the open ground, I could not help thinking how correct Plin}' was in his description of the Lotus of the Nile. " They have heads," he says, " like those of the Poppy, within which are seeds, resembling Millet, of which the inhabitants make bread." One of my pods was so large, it con- tained nearly a spoonful of seeds ; cserulea seeds naturally in such abundance, that the pans 1.5 inches in diameter are completely covered with young plants every year, which we throw away. Again, Mr. Jliles says, " The growth of the white Lily has always seemed singulaily slow." If he means odorata, he is certainly mi.s- taken, for one or two plants will soon fill a small pond. I trust we may have other contilbutions to Lily culture from some of your correspondents. Boston, Mass. C. M. Hovey. THE OCTOBER SNOWDROP. I AM SO glad to find that after all my first "white dove that won my heart in youth to Nature " and horticultui'e is no myth. My earliest memories cluster round a patch of Snowdrops that bloomed beneath an old-fashi"ned parlour window towards the end of October and tlirough November. But though several pilgrimages have been made to the .shrine, the October Snow- drops had vanished root and stem, and I had almost begun to think them a myth of memory. But Mr. Allen has brought light out of the darkne.ss, and re-embodied that first symbol of hope and promise of a somewhat distant boy- hood. It seem.s, however, almost beyond belief that the rare Albanian novelty should be the same as the patch in Scotland of many years agn. Or could it have been G. praicox only ] I distinctly remember that the flowers came well in advance of the leaves, a silvery patch standing up boldly when the tips of green only carpeted the ground. I earnestly trust Mi-. Allen or Mr. Peter Barr will be able to multiply these early sti-ains so as to introduce them to general cultivation. It is pleasing to find Mr. Allen's love for nivalis, and especially the single variety of tlie same, bearing the test of such severe competition as that ajiplied through his choice selection. I wish some remedy could be found for the doubling of nivalis. In some loc;ilities single strains, even in a wild or semi-wild state, are becoming almost extinct. Pigmies of the common species are also far more rare than giants, as well as more charming. Permit me also to endorse Mr. Allen's views on the great variability of G. plicatus. In some cases they seem positively to revert to the nivalis form. Nor does this S2:)ecies thrive equally well in all soils and situations, though with us it is even more robust and increases more rapidly than the common species ; the leaves with us vary more than the flowers, and I have not noticed an earlier flowering strain among our plicatiLS. The lateness of the latter is one of its greatest merits, and with October, November, and December blooming varieties added to our list, we may yet have a feast of Snowdrops h)r six months out of the twelve. D. T. F. Aster Reine des Halles. — According to the MoiiUcur cV //ortirnJturf this is an old variet}^ which for s.ime years has been brought in (|uaniity to the Paris markets, but the stock of wliicli has liitherto remained exclusively in the hands of a family of market growers who make a speciality of Asters. As regards growth and quality of flower, it is all that can be desired, but its great and exceptional value Feb. 6, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 113 consists in the fact that it blooms quite a month earlier than any other kind, coming into flower at the commencement of June. This renders it of special value for market purposes. — J. C. B. HELLEBORUS NIGER AND VARIETIES. Mr. Burbidge has always something pleasant and interestinc; to say on the subject of Helle- bores, and it clieers the " winter of our discon- tent " to find in your issue of January 23 another contribution from him on the subject. I think lie has given an exhaustive list of all the varieties of H. niger in which any perceptible diHerence can be discovered, and very full desci'iptions whereby they may be identified. For this he is deserving of the thanks of all lovers of the flower. It is further very satisfectory to find Jlr. Bur- bidge declaring that " all the varieties referred to in his paper are simply seminal or geographical variations of the one species, H. niger." I have long felt that the species mongers who loved to seize on minute differences and magnify them into specific characters belonged to those who " darken counsel by words without knowledge." I trust that Mr. Burbidge will feel that it is in no carping spirit, but in the interests of floricul- ture, that I Venture on the following remaiks. In the first place, I would ask, Is it well to describe so many forms of H. niger as "the variety of So and So ?" I am not aware that any one of the individuals whose names are so asso- ciated with a variety claim to have raised it, to have discovered it, or to have had the exclusive possession of it. Where, then, is the need or the propriety of so describing a plant ? It is dis- tinctly misleading. In the second place, such proprietarial descrip- tion, if I may so call it, is cumbrous to the already well-taxed memory of florists, and is contrary to the nomenclature of analogous cases in the varie- ties of other species of garden plants. In the third place, svrcli a mode of describing the varieties of H. niger is totally at variance with that adopted with such satisfaction in the case of the caulescent section of Hellebores. Here, if a man wants Commissioner Benary, or Willie Schmidt, or Irene Heinemann, or .so forth, he knows exactly what to order, and a nursery- man knows exacth' what to send. I am positive that neither the public nor the trade have any- thing iiKji'e tluin a haphazard conception of any variety ol H. niger under the exi-itiiig nomen- clature. There is one exception — H. n. Madame Fourgade — of wdiich, by the way, I am as much enamoured as Mr. Burbidge. I would, then, suggest that the varieties of H. niger should be named as florists' flower.s, and the caulescent Hellebores are named, and as Madame Fourgade, among tlie niger family. And if it is thought well, as I think it is, to do honour to an amateur who has preserved or brought into notice some variety, let that variety bear such amateur's name. Thus, H. n. Miss Hope, H. n. J. T. Foe, H. n. St. Brigid, &c., would be com- plimentary, distinctive, simple, in conformity with the usage in similar cases, and would not be misleading. This .should be done by a consensus of the leading growers of Hellebores. I cannot suf- ficiently deprecate any individual, amateur or nurseryman, taking on himself to give a name or change the name of a variety long known and widely distributed. Thu.s, the plant abundantly grown in Lancashire, Cheshire, and many parts of Ireland as H. n. angustifolius is now sought to be called H. n. Brockhurst va- riety. Angustifolius is a very good descriptive name, as it is the most narrow-leaved of the niger group, and it is not suggestive of something that is not the fact. I should rejoice if Mr. Burbidge would take coinisel with the leading amateurs and nursery- men wdio grow Helleljores, with a view to putting the nomenclature of the varieties of H. niger on a fixed, simple, and not misleading footing. Frederick Tymons. Rose Garden. ROSES FOR THE ROCKERY. ALTHOtJQH the genus Rosa is distributed very generally in all those parts of the world from which collections of so-called alpine plants are most largely recruited, and representatives are f lund throughout the highlands of the Alps and Pyrenees, it is not often that any members of the Rose family are found included among the ilenizens even of extensive rock gardens. Perhaps the unsuitabilitv of the most obviously " alpine " Roses (R. al]iina and pyrenaica) for any but very large rockeries may have conduced to this result, for the myriads of suckers sent up by these Roses in all directions make them very bad neighbours in a limited space, as they are always encroach- ing; and as they will grow in any soil wdiatever, they are difliicult to keep within bounds. At one time it occurred to me that, being practically thornless, R. alpina would make very comfortable stocks to bud on, and with this end in view I put in al)0ut a couple of hundred cuttings. Out of this number, however, only about fifteen callused, and all these succumbed before the summer. It seems that Roses are difficult to strike as cuttings just in proportion to the facility with which they throw up suckers ; and I have never succeeded in raising a plant of R. alpina (which suckers more than any other Rose I know) from a cutting. There are, however, several Rose species more beautiful than alpina, and which are not afflicted with this ungovernable land-hunger. R. berberidifolia, though not itself sufficiently tract- able in our climate, has given us an intermediate form whose greater vigour enaliles it to produce freely its yellow purple-eyed flowers when planted on a sunny part of the rockery. This hybrid, R. berberidifolia Hardii, has not "the characteristic simple leaves of the type, but soon grows into a Ijushy plant about 18 inches high, and C(.)nsisting of .slender, much-liranching stems, at the ends of ndiich the flowers are produced at intervals during the summer. At the base of each of the clear yellow petals there isamaroon or purple blotch, giving the flower the appear- ance of having a dark eye, by which it is easily distin- guished from all other Roses. This plant succeeds very well budded on Brier cuttings, and during the recent hot sum- mer flowered most freely in a very sunny position on light soil. The rock- ery has been often suggested before as the situation in which there is most chance of flowering the beauti- ful, but difficult, R. hemisphiErica(sulphurea),and there is no doubt that this Eastern beauty requires all the heat and sunshine that it can get to ripen its wood and expand its pretty yellow blossoms in England. Rosa sulphurea. Pulverulenta is a name about which there is some confusion ; it has been itsed for one of our native .species, to which, however, it is not now applied. Redoutc gives a realistic plate of the species from the East for which the name is now retained in lieu of the synonym of glutino.sa, and which has rosy red flowers. This form I have not grown, but there is a white-flowered variety which makes a distinct and very attractive rockery plant. It is of .sturdy, compact habit, with smooth stems generally of a deep red-brown colour, and leaves composed of seven leaflets much rounded at the apex ; the flowers, which are freely produced, are thrown well above the foliage, and are less fugitive than those of some single Roses, owing to the creamy white petals being of considerable substance. A readiness in conforming to external circum- stances seems to be as characteristic of the Roses of North America as of its citizen.s, for two of the most typical species vary very considerably in form of growth and appearance according to their immediate surroundings, and it has been not unreasonably suggested that these numerous intermediate forms are mere seedling variations of one or two original species. Thus there are several forms which have been at times raised to the rank of distinct .sjiecies, but which appear referable to R. Carolina; while R. nitida is at least nearly related to R. lucida, whose variations are considerable. R. NITIDA is a slender growing plant which is very attractive at all periods of its growth. The red stems of the young shoots are at first entirely clothed with ruddy spines ; these are, however, deciduous, falling off as the wood hardens and leaving the stems smooth and bright. The shining leaves, consisting of from five to eleven narrow pointed lea- flets, are a noticeable feature of these North Americans, and this glossy tex- ture of fdiage indicates a characteristic which may possibly some day prove of value in raising mildew-resisting hybrids. R. LUCIDA is a robuster-looking plant, though with a certain family likeness to the foregoing, aud it may be fairly described as sub-evergreen, a fact which adds greatly to the eff'ec- tive appearance of the brilliant turnip- shaped scarlet hips which succeed the clusters of rosy- coloured flowers. A pretty garden va- riety called Rose Button, which pro- duces bunches of pretty little round, double, pink flowers, has been sent out by Messrs. Veitch, and is a charming addition to the group. The same firm have also distributed one of the very fewRoses with variegated foliage, a.species fol. var. Veitchi, which is quite worthy of a place among quaintly pretty things, as it makes a pleasing little plant, the variegation being bright and clear. That R. spinosissima presumes to be a native plant is no doubt sufficient to account for it3 Rosa nitida. Rosa lucida. 114 THE GARDEN. [Feb. C, 188G. rigorous exclusion from the garden, and yet it has butter recommendations as a rocliery plant than many an uupicturesque, albeit petted, foreigner. What care I how fair sho be, If she'H not from o'er tlio sua, might do for the motto of a certain type of horticulturist who, like a would-be art critic looking for the signature to know it he is sate in abusing a picture, only troubles to learn that a plant is indigenous in order that it may be ignored. R. spinosissima is a dwarf grower, very hardy, and a most jirofuse bloomer, while the pure wliite single flowers of the species are far more attractive than many of the dingy- coloured double va- rieties which one sometimes sees in gardens. The time when a variety is considered an im- provement from the mere fact of having double flowers irre- spective of other qualities, naturally passes with the mul- tiplication of douljle forms ; and we could well afford now to suppress many of the dull lilac or muild)'- coloured varieties of the so-called Scotch Roses to the great improvement of our chance of raising brighter coloured seedlings ; and if, by using the single-flowered species as a seed parent, some really bright distinct-coloured single varieties should be olitained, the fauiily group on the rockery would gain additional attraction. The presumably allied form, R. Beggeriana nigrescens, is not quite so dwarf-growing a plant, but is very attractive, both from the glaucous blue colour of its graceful foliage, and ior its abundance of snowy flowers, whicli, though rather smaller, are more transparent and fragile- looking than those of R. spinosissima. A place should lie found for one or two of the single varieties of R. indica, not only for pro- fusion and fragrance, but also as a means of maintaining a bit of flower outside until the advent of November frosts ; and the plants are especially .tractalde in a small space, since no method oi pruning affects the freedom with which they bloom. A good-sized irregular patch also of the sub- species, R. Lawrenceana (minima), makes a very pretty feature, especially in some low situation where it is looked down upon from above, as it will make a complete carpet, and insures, at any rate, that there shall be something in flower in the rock garden throughout the season. T. W. G. Rosa spinosissima. Mildew on Roses. — In "J. C. C.'s " interesting notes on Rose mildew (p. C8) the following sentence occurs : " Roses in houses can be easily reached by sulphurous fumes." This is dangerously indefinite, as these fumes are not seldom most disfiguring and destructive to the plants. Will "J. C. C." explain how he applies them so as to clear Roses of mildew without injury to the plants? — D. T. F. Roses from cuttings. — I h*ve read with much interest the remarks on growing Roses from cuttings in The Garden (p. 68). As we do not force Roses during winter or spring, we ha>e to depend for cuttings on the wood from out-of-dnor plauts that bloomed in June or .July. Soon after the Howers have faded we thin out the branches that are too thick, and the shoots tlms removed are cut into lengths containing from two to three eyes, preserving to each piece a heel, and care is taken to preserve the leaves in as healthy a state as possible. To a spent hotbed used for early forcing we .add a fresh lining of fer- menting material, so as to produce a slight bottom heat. A layer of leaf mould several inches deep is put on the manure, and finally on the leaf mould we place coarse silver sand about 'J inches deep. The cuttings are inserted as thickly and firmly as possible ; the frame is kept close, Ijut not shaded, and we syringe so often that the foliatje is never allowed to get dry. The heat iu the fr.ame often rises over 100^ Fahr. Treated in this way, in about three or four wneks most of the cuttings will have taken root. They are tlien potted otf in small pots and placed in frames in which there is a slight bottom heat, kept close and shaded for a time until they make a little top growth and new roots. Air is then given gradually, and ultimately the lights are wholly removed. By about September these youn;; plants will have become (piite estabhsbed. — Louis Kaor.vrscH, Laicnbunj. NEW PLANTS FOR 18S6. Amarantds tricolor splendexs. — The old Ama- rantus tricolor in its best forms is a highly attractive tender annual, but unfortunately it is variable in its characters, and many of the seedlings raised lack the biilliant hues which are exhibited in others. The new form is introduced by a French firm, and is said to be a taller and more elegant plant than the original type. It is 01 vigorous firowth, attaining 4 feet or even more in height, and at a very early stage the leaves assume their delicate golden yellow, red, dark green, and brown markings, and when fully developed the plant is crowned with numerous lovely bright red plumes. Its early habit of growth and stately appear- ance make it very valuable as a decorative plant. Callirhoe lineariloba. — The well-known C. in volucrata, though cultivated for many years past, is still highly popular. This fine species agrees with it very closely in its general habit of growth, but differs in the colour of its flowers and in the character of its foliage. The latter is notably larger than in the allied species, and is deeply five-parted, the divisions beins; deeply lobed and the lobes themselves more or less incised. The foliage has therefore an ele- gantly dissected appearance, and forms around the crown of the tuberous root a handsome regularly arranged tuft, very distinct in its effect from that of the C. involucrata. The flowers are pro- duced from the axils of the trailing stems on long footstalks, and are from li inches to 1| inches across, the five broad petals being of a deep Idao- purple in the middle, shading to white at the sides, thus producing a sort of stripe, which has a very pleasing efitect. They are produced for many weeks in succession, till destroyed by frost. Tlie plant is a perfectly hardy perennial, and, like the C. involucrata, blooms first year from seed if sown early. It is a native of Texas. Campanula dichotoma. — Although the number of cultivated Campanulas is comparatively large, they still form but a small minority of the totality known to the botanist. This species has probably been in cultiva- tion, but seems to have disappeared for many years past. It belongs to the Medium section of the Henus, which has intermediate reflexed segments to the calyx. It grows nearly a foot high, is of erect branching habit, well furnished with ovate, acute, soiiiewhat crenitely toothed foliage, and is covered with a multitude of rather large purplish blue flowers somewhat tubular in form, but with spreading limb, produced singly in the forks of the numerous branches. The flowers are erect during daylight, but droop as night comes on. Though apparently a perennial, it blooms readily the first year, and needs only to be sown thinly where it should bloom. The species is a native of the Mediterranean shores. The C. dichotoma alba is a charming pure white variety of this species, and is described by its introducers as being the pret- tiest of all the white-flowered Campanulas. CoKVDALLS C.^SEANA. — The genus Corydalis fur- nishes several highly interesting plants to gardens, of which the C. nobilis, a yellow-flowered siiecies which shoidd be found in every spring border, is perhaps the most striking. This new introduction from California is very distinct from any species hitherto cultivated, attaining the height of 3 feet undtr favourable condi- tions of partial shade and moisture. Its erect ylaueoua stems are of branching habit, bearing foliage which is twice or thrice pinnate, the leaflets being ovate or oblong and nearly sessile. The flowers are borne in dense, erect, terminal, many-flowered racemes, :i inches to 0 inches in length, delicate white, the blossoms being about an inch long, of which moie than one half forms a straii^ht obtuse spur. The tip of the co- hering petals is tinged with pale blue. As this preity species is found growing in mtu'st and shady ravines, a similar position must be afforded it if possible. '1 he seed vegetates more readily than that of some other perennial species of this genus. CowANiA MEXIC'ANA. — There is good reason for believing that this interesting dwarf shrub will prove perfectly hardy in this country, and as it scarcely exists in English gardens, though long known to botanists, a brief description of it may be welcome to many amateurs. It will prcbaldy flower when less than 2 feet high, but sometimes attains tj feet. It is a much liranched plant with a light-coloured shreddy bark, and bears small wedge-shaped pinnately-lobed leaves, the lobes three to seven in number, dark green above, tomentose beneath, and the margin S(miewhat revolute. The numerous showy yellow flowers are terminal on the branches, about an inch across, and bear some resemblance to those of a Potentilla, but have the persistent turbinate calj'x of a Rose. The included carpels are densely villous, and terminate when mature in an eloni.ated feathery stjde 2 inch'-s or more in length. It was first detected in Northern Mexico, wdience the specific name, but it occurs also in California and other Western States, where it is known as the Cliff Rose. Seeds of it will probably require the treatment usually given to half-hardy subjects, and young plants may need niu-ting in a frame tdl a j'ear old. Gloxinia gesneroides. — The close rela'i msliip existing between the two genera, Gloxinia and Ges- nera, afforded strong a jii of the genu.s. Like D. trolUfolinm, it is an early bloomer, and grows to about the same height as that species, i.e., 14 feet to 2 feet. There the resemblance termi- nates, however, the foliage being smaller and very glandular, with an entire absence of glabrousness. * For this illustration we are indebted to Messrs. Haage and Schmi'jt, JJrfurt.— Ed. The flowers are in closer racemes, and are of a purple- violet, a distinct shade of colour rarely met with in the genus. It is perfectly hardy, and easily raised from fresh seed. The latter is remarkably distinct in form and colour, being almost white, and resembling a minute pouch or sac, having one end introverted. Under this head, attenti(jn may appropriately be drawn to the new white variety of D. cashmeriannm, introduced by a Paris firm, which is described as being -a highly recommendable perennial. Phacelia Parri'i. — It may be worth while to ex- plain that with the original species of Phacelia, of which the well-known P. tanacetifolia may be taken as the type, botanists have agreed to unite those plants hitherto distributed among the genera Cosmanthus, Eutoca, Microgenetes. .and Whitlavia. Thus Cos- manthus grandiflorus becomes by this change Phacelia grandiflora : E'ltoca viscida will be known as P. viscida; and Whitlavia grandiflora as P. Whitlavia. This will account for the appearance under this head, notwithstanding its evident close relationship to the familiar Whitlavia, of the handsome Phacelia campa- nularia, introduced by me last season, as well as of the pretty species now under consideration, which would also have been ranged under Whitlavia, though differing considerably in the form of its corolla from the older plant. The Phacelia Parryi, in spite of its smaller flowers, appears likely to prove a valuable introduction, as it blooms abundantly and the colour of the corolla is very rich. It grows from 6 inches to 9 inches high, bearing ovate foliage more or less deeply lobecf and doubly toothed, and numerous erect branched stems which, as well as the entire plant, are clothed with glandular hairs. The flowers are pro- duced in loose terminal curled racemes on spreading pedicels, each blossom being about half an inch in diameter, and resembling in form that of the P. (Eutoca) viscida, and are of a deep violet colour, with five white oblong spots at the base of the five lobes. It requires only the treatment of the hardiest species of the genus, and may be sown in the open ground where it is to bloom from March onwards, and will flower in about ten weeks from the period of sowing. As it will not transplant well, it should be so%vn very thinly. It is a native of Southern California, occurring in the same districts as P. campanularia. Platycodon granciflorum nanum. — The plant formerly known as Ciimpamda grandiflora, and classed by some botani^ts under Wahlenbergia, but more generally cultivated under the above designation, has always been a favourite in gardens, and is included in every list of the most desirable hardy perennials. Its stout, glaucous stems and foliage and balloon-like flowers (before expansion) place it apart from any other Bellwort. The present variety appears to differ from the type chiefly in its dwarfer habit ; its height is said not to exceed 10 inches to 12 inches, that of the species being usually about 2 feet. A similar form was recently introduced from Japan by Messrs. Veitch, but seed of that plant does not appear to have been yet publicly distributed. Calceolaria rugosa hvbrid.v. — The shrubby Calceolarias, formerly so much employed for bedding purposes, and still used to a limited extent, valuable as they undoubtedly are, have the defect of offering but a very limited range of colours. The " happy thought " has occurred to some unknown florist of blending the more varied colours of the herbaceous section of the genus with the shrubby habit of the rugosa strain. Doubtless this marriage has been effected previously, but with less striking results than in the present instance. Seeds of this are said to have been saved from a cross between the variety of C. rufosa known as Gloire de Versailles and one of the bast strains of the herbaceous class. It combines the narrow wrinkled foliage, the vigour and good habit of the former with the larger flowers and rich and varied colours of the latter. The plants wiU therefore be found equally suitable for the green- house, or for bedding. W. Thompson-. Ipsifkh. Hedychium Gardnerianum in fruit.— We all know the lemon-coloured fragrant flowers of this nearly hardy Gingerwort, but it is only rarely that these are succeeded by handsome fruits. There was some correspondence in The Garden, about a year 116 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 6, 1886. ago relative to the treatment required to make this plant fruit, but those in whose gardens fruit had been produced stated that nothing extraordinary had been done to obtain this result. However this may be, the fact remains that few growers of the Hedychium succeed in fruiting it, and we suspect that the expla- nation of this is to be found in what has happened at Kew this year. In the winter garden, and also in the conservatory, at Kew there are large clumps of this Hedychium wliicli flower profusely every year but never fruit, although the stigmas have been care- fully pollenised. But in the tropical Nymphiea house an unnamed Hedycliium raised from seeds, brought from the Himalayas by Mr. Elwes, flowered last summer for the first time, and proved to be the common H. Gardnerianum. The plant was left in the house to finish its flowers, and as these opened the stigmas were dusted with pollen. The result of this may now be seen in the Palm house, where this pl.ant is bearing several spikes of fruit. The length of these spikes is 10 inches, and each is clothed with green folding bracts U inches long. At the base of some of these is the three-valved fruit, each valve being roughly triangular, 1 inch long, fleshy, and a brilliant scarlet colour. In the centre of these valves is an erect axis with the three clusters of seeds arranged against it, and these are held together by a fibry arillus, this and the seeds being coloured a bright crimson. It may be gathered from this imperfect description that the fruit of this Hedychium is more ornamental and much more interesting than its flowers even. — B. Ferns. ADIANTUM FARLEYENSK The way in which this noble Fern ha.s fallen out of cultivation is unaccountable. True, in the hands of some it seems difficult to manage, but the difficulty is more imaginary than real. Heat and moisture are what it likes, and it will not succeed where these are deficient, though it may be wintered in a temperature as low as 60". In houses in which this temperature caunot be maintained in winter the plants do not die off altogether, but they suffer so severely that .several months of careful nursing are required in order to restore them to tlieir former strength. As re- gards soil, this Adiantuni is not at all difficult to please. I have seen specimens equally good grown in totally different materials. Two parts good fibrous peat and one of libry loam and coarse silver sand form a compost in which it will succeed; but plants in no way inferior have been grown entirely in pure light fibrous loam, commonly known as "yellow loam." On the Continent where such loam as that which is used in this country is not procurable, plants of this Fern in every respect equal to ours may be seen in pure sandy peat. The main point, besides heat and moisture, in order to ensure success in the culture of this Fern is undoubtedly thoroughly well-drained porous material, which, as soon as it becomes close, is unfit for the nourishment of such brittle and slender roots as those of this plant, and on that account it is sometimes found advisable, if the only soil procurable has a natural tendency to heaviness, to add to it a small quantity of chopped Sphagnum. This greatly helps to keep it open, and prevents its clogging around the tender roots. Watering does not necessitate any particular .skill, it being tlie same as that for ail other Slaiden-hair Ferns. Its roots must not get either dry or very wet. Like nearly all other Adiantums, it particularly dislikes syringing or watering overhead. The'fact that its cultivation is not beset with insuperable difficulties is suffi- ciently demonstrated by the quantities of large specimens which formerly were to be met with in all parts of the country. What, then, can be the cause of its scarcity n^w ? Why, in my opinion, it is wholly and simply its inability to stand in dwelling rooms, whei'e the disastrous effects of a permanently dry atmosphere soon manifest them- selves in regard to this particidar plant. We know that plants of it of snuill size are grown in great quantities by some of our market gardeners for the purpose of supplying the florists' shops with fro7ids which, we are assured, are eagerly sought after, and last good a tolerably long time. It is a fact, however, that plants of this beautiful Fern — for years the ornament of our stoves — will not keep long in good condition in rooms. S. FERNS FOR A COLD HOUSE. The quantity of exotic Ferns which may be grown with success in a perfectly cold house or pit is really surprising. All that is wanted for their growth is a structure facing any aspect with the exception of due south. Where hot-water pipes e.xist they are often used too freely, and therefore the plants start early into growth, and are thereby injured, inasmuch as they must have moisture ; if, on the other hand, the moisture necessary under such circumstances is with- held to enforce rest, they become liable to the attacks of various insect pests. If a house or pit can be built in a naturally, or even in an artificially sheltered spot, all the better, as it enables one to have its sides made of glass almost to the level of the ground, an arrangement which will prove of great value during the winter time, when the plants need all the light which they can get. But if such a. spot caunot be found, and the house must be built in an exposed situation, the roof and part of the sidesonly should be made of glass, thus forming eithera lean-to, or a sort of half-span-roofed hou-e. If so constructed no particular heat wUl be needed. On the contrary, during the winter nights a covering of mats will be all that, is necessary, but in exceptionally severe weather the introduction of a colza (il lamp is also found to be useful. The following hardy exotic Ferns will grow well unde.- such conditions ; the strongest are marked thus a : — Lomiiria crenulata. Lygodium palmatum. Niphotjolus Lingua. L. curynibifcra. Onychium japonicum. Platyloma atro-purpureum. falcatum. rotundifolium. Polypodium Billardieri. pustidatuni. Polysticlium acj-ostichoides. a capense. a raunitum. a setoauni. Pteris serrulat,a and va- rieties, cretica. c. albo-lineata. a Ouvrardi. Se'aginella lielvetica. Todea arborea. a Vroomi, a Woodwardia radicans. a cristata. a orientiilis. Acroi'borus lii-spidus. Adiaiitiim assimile. venustum. Asplenium consimile. ebeneum. « lucidum. aOalantiuni Culeita. oCyathea dealbata. aOyrtomium anomopliyllum. a falcatum. a P'ortunei. Davallia canarien.'^is. tenuifolia siricta. aDicksonia antarctiea. Dictyogramma japonicum. Lastrea aristata. a. viiriegat.a. a atrata. a erytlirosora. fragi-ans. Opaca. prolifica. a yieboldi. a Standislii. varia. Lomaria alpina. I have seen a collection containing various kinds of Ferns grown in perfection in w-hat may be termed a London backyard glassed over. There were no means of heating the place, and yet the plants, from November to April, looked as fresh and green as they naturally do in summer. Under such circumstances were found, besides numerous varieties of Polystichums and Sco- lopendriums, various interesting forms of Polypo- dium vulgare, such as cambricum, cristatum, elegan- tissimum, omnilaceratum and ramosum; and by the side of these comparatively strong growing kinds the most noticeable were the more delicate forms of Asplenium Trichomanes, cristatum, Maulei, incisum, itc, also the pretty dwarf A. fontatum, lanceolatum, Ruta-muraria, viride, and marinum, the extremely curious Ceterach officinarum, varieties of Blechnum Spicant, such ascristatum, imbrieatum, crispum, lineare, projectum, and many others. These, it is true, are all British, but the same treatment is equally applicable to all the North American, many of the New Ze.aland, and nearly all the Japanese kinds, which only require -lass protection, g. NOTE.S. New plants. — The world has been pretty well ransacked by the adventurous plant collector, but there are yet remaining a few odd corners sacred to blossoms as yet unknown. The following ac- count of the flowers of New Guinea is as indelinite as it is interesting, and is from the pen of a recent traveller in that island : "The multitude and the beauty of the flowers I cannot describe. At every step we crushed them down, so close to- gether were they ; and this continued until we had reached an elevation of 400(.) feet ; and even at the extreme summit of the mountain several species were represented by an odd member or two, although it was 11,000 feet above the level of the sea. Lilies of three different kinds — red, white, and yellow — were very abundant ; but I did not notice them at a greater height than 1.500 feet or 2000 feet. Daisies similar to those that grow in our English meadows, but as large as Sunflowers, were very numeror.s. They were crimson-tipped, but not very modest, seeing they lifted their heads to a height of 18 inches. But by far the most beautiful flower I saw here was one borne by a bulbous plant. It was the shape of a Narcissus, 9 inches in diameter, and of a lily- white colour, spotted with deep crimson. It gave forth a delightful odour, which was so powerful, that one's hands would retain the perfume of it an hour after the plant had been handled." Snowdrops. — Galanthus Elwe.si and G. Ini- perati are both in bloom togetlier, and in point of beauty it is diflicult to judge between them. G. Melvillei is a great favourite of mine and one of the finest of all, but it is later than the above, another seedling of Jlr. Melville's, G. serotinus, being a week or two later than G. nivalis. Mr. Allen does not mention the double variety of G. nivalis, which, even if less beautiful than the single kind, is a robust grower and adds variety to the gentis. Are there varieties of this last] I have sometimes thought there are. G. lati- folius is more olten known as G. Redoutei and is a distinct little gem in its way. G. virescens has white outer segments, the inner ones being wholly green except the white margin. 1 should like to .see flowers of the true G. nivalis reflexus as grown by Mr. Harpur Crewe. Perhaps Mr. Loder has this at Floore. In the " Dictionary of Gardening," under "Galanthus," pp. 40—41, the figures of G. virescens and G. Elwesi major are transposed. The figure of G. nivalis var. Imperati is in reality that of G. j'licatus major, and the figure named (on p. 40) G. nivalis reflexus (Crimean Snowdrop) is G. ])licatus in its reflexed state, an occurrence it assumes during hot spring days just before the flowers fade away. It facilitates the intelligent study of Snowdrops if we remember that all the forms are referable to the two typical species, G. nivalis (narrow- leaved) and G. plicatus (or plaited broad-leaved groups). G. Shaylocki has not, in the strict sense of the word, two spathes, but its one sjiathe is split in two to the base, while, as shown in The Garden plate, the other forms have the spathe split at the apex only. The arrangement of the spathe in the early uprising bud stage is very beautiful; the bud is erect (like a spear-head) on its peduncle and is tipped and buckramed by the closely enfolding spathe, so that it pierces snow or clod uninjured, and the floweret escapes from its embrace only when above the ground and beyond injur}'. Flowers in season. — Fancy having Daffodils (N. spurius and N. obvallaris) and Chrysanthe- mums (C. Thunberg and roseum snperbum) on one's table at the same time, a thing one never dreamed of as being possible a few years ago. The careful indoor culture of hardy flowers is as yet but in its infancy, and doubtless has many Feb. 6, 1886.J THE GARDEN. 117 other pleasant surprises in store for us. I hope the nurserymen of sunny Italy -will grow all our good Daffixlils by the thousand and send them over here for gentle forcing at a reasonable rate. Grown in Italy these bulbs would flower at least a month or six weeks before bulbs of the same kind grown in Holland or Belgium ; so also the bulbs of Iris reticulata and its forms, which would be lovely in pots, along with tliat sweetest of early flowers, the white Roman Hyacinth and forced Lily of the Valley. Our earliest Daffodil outside this year is King Humbert I., now showing colour. It is consider- ably in advance of N. pallidus precox and the early Bayonne forms, kindly sent to us by the Rev. C. Wolley Dod. N. nanus is in bud, but will not be expanded for some time. The be.st of Christmas Roses. — The Bath variety of Helleborus niger is a very fine one, liut Madame Fourfade is far more florif'erous here with us, and the most generally satisfactory of all the varieties is H. niger altifolius. I am inclined to think that these varieties of Helle- liorus are like Pears ; that is to say, any one ■I'ariety may be the best in one garden and the worst in another locality ! Just as I write a very fine form has been sent to me which 1 never saw before. It has verj- broad obovate leaflets, slightly concave, of great substance, and of a glossy green, reminding one of some Holly leaves in colour, form, and texture. The breadth of the leaflets is quite a feature, and the flowers are as large and closely resemble those of H. alti- folius, rosy tinted behind, but having green stigmas instead of pink ones. The sepals are very broad and of a perfect, rounded shajie ; the flower-stem is dotted with red ; the leaf-stalks also, but more sjiariugly. I am told this bold and beautiful form was imported from the Con- tinent, and further of it than that I cannot at [iresent say anything. Those who are fond of these flowers of winter shotdd keep a sharp look- out for good forms in gardens and elsewheie. No doubt when the natural habitats of these flowers are thnronghly explored we shall get a sliding scale of forms showing that Nature abhors the "missing links," which enable the botanist to formulate distinctions. Single Camellias. — How beautiful these flowers really are, and yet how rarely seen, even in botanical gardens where one naturally expects to find them. In the water colour gallery of the S(]Utli Kensington Museuui is a picture by V. Bartholomew, in which single and semi-double Camellias, both white and rosy red, are beauti- fully represented. It is pleasant to think that even at a time when the heavy double forms were in the heyday of their glory that one quiet eye could eee the beauty of tlie single kinds, and tliat Bartholomew bequeathed us such a glimpse of them as long ago as 1840 will interest the growers of these single kinds to-daj'. One regrets that the old Camellia reticulata is now so rarely seen, but still nmre uncommon are the dainty little varieties of C Sasanqua, with their delicate coral-tipped buds and fairy Roses like blossoms set so prettily in amongst the small and shining leaves. One of the curiosities of the AS'hampoa garden at Singapore was a Tea tree which had been inarched on a branch of some kind of Catuellia — I think C. Sasanqua, and which, of course, w;is pointed out as a great curiosity to visitors. Veronica. Ia.f "leafless bulbs," and ac- matters connected with their cultivation , cording to Mr. Douglas this description applies accu- imparted the requisite solidity to them that rately to the Laslia in question. The contention of the enabled them to bear water being applied in opponentsofpruidngwasthatthebulbswerestorehou-ses the way most natural fur it to reach the "^ nourishment, no matter if tliey were leafless or how plants. The chief essentials that gave this °''^ '■'^'^y ■'^'"''^' ''"d that so long as they were alive were sufficient air and an abundance of liolit by ' tI','*^ f,'""';^ ^l^ '."rf' "° *he plant. In the case of Mr. keeping the plants sufficiently near the glass in light hduses. At a time when the majority of Orchid growers kept their houses shaded with close material that ailmitted of little more li^ht i SYRINGING ORCHIDS. Orchids from their nature are more dependent on moisture overhead than oilier cultivated plants. And the question arises, is it best to give it con- jointly by the use of the syringe and by the presence of a moderate amount of vapour in the air of the house, or wholly by moisture in the atmo- sphere. The advocates of the latter mode of giving the requisite supply urge that if the syringe is used, the water gets into the par- tially open leaves and de- stroys tlie young growths ; this more particularly applies to Cattleyas and their near relatives the Loelias, the bulb-sheaths and young leaves of which boll water more than those of most Orchids. On the other hand, those who believe in syringing over- head maintain that if the treatment of the plants in other matters is what it should be the water thus given will have no inju- rious effect, even iu the case of such kinds as by their formation are most susceptible of injury in this way. A good many 3'ears back 1 gave the non- syringing treatment a trial; for two years no water was given overhead by the .syringe except to a few IJendrobiums, such as l3. Falconeri, D. Devonianum, and I), san- guineum. In every other respect the manage- ment was the same with the exception that pro- portiiuiately more atmo.splierio moisture was kept up alike with the occupants of the East Indian house and with the Cattleyas and others that need less heat, but the results were not such as to cause the .syringe to be kept longer idle. No excess of atmospheric moisture was allowed, only | reaching the plants th;in would pass through an as much being given as was necessary to make up I ordinary blanket I used gauze canvas, which for the absence of any by means of the .<*yriiige, yet broke the suu's rays, but interfered little with ihe leaves had less of tlie hard subslaiice iu them ; the light ; in ad'lition to which there was an j why, what else is"the Royal Horti'-nltural Society but that is a certjiii sign of robust health and ability [ absence of the stifling, over-moist atmosphere i ^° Orchid society?" and according to your corre- to last, in addition to which without a good deal i that has brought about the destruction of more i spondent "A. D." (p. 95) he was quite right. In Flowers of Ros.i polyantha. other Blandford's La-lia pruning appears to have the effect of causing (he bulbs left to retain their leaves longer than usual. Has Mr. Douglas a La^lia of his own culture with bu|h.s bearing "healthy leaves seven years old" .' — .S. W. An Orchid society.— When I mentioned to a friend my idea regarding an Orchid society, a few weeks ago, his reply was this : " An Orchid society ! of labour, that was not necessary when the syrin was used, there was more than I liked h> see of the mischievous work of die troublesome little yellow thrips, that left its mark on the foliage of such things as Vandas, Aerides and Phalsenopsids amongst the warmer section, and of Cattleyas and Odontoglossums in the cooler department. The xox-syringisg cour.se of treatment Orchids than those wliohave had to do with them would care to think about. For about an hour after the houses were closed in the afternoons was the only time that there was more moisture in the atmosphere than would suffice to keep the roots that were exposed fairly moving. Watering overhead. — As an evidence of the best possible results that follow the application word, both myself and others agree that the Riyal Horticnltural .S(jciety has done ample justice to Orchids, and it is to prevent any of those restricted views of which " A. D." complains (and to which he says orchidists are peculiarly liable) from effecting harm to the Society's work in general that an Orchid society, pure and simple, is proposed. I do not agree with "A. D." when he says, " Orchidists are apt to be orchidmen, and not much else." The facts are 120 THE GARDEN. [Fku. G, 1886. quite as often the other way. Take Baron Schroeiler's garden as an example. I don't remember seeing another garden of its extent wlierein everything was so well d(tne ; and so at Sir Trevor L.awrence's, where the fine Onvirandra fenestralis .'^tnick me as the best specimen I ever snw. If "A. I)." w ould go tn Chelsea, or Holloway, or Claptun, he wonld find that Messrs. Veitch, or Williams, or Low, all orchidists of the first cIrss, have aho a wide .sympathy for all other beautiful plants. No ; if I want to find restricted views or limited sjiiipathies, I fiml it among my friends of tlie " Potato Club " or amongst the amiable fraternity who delight in putling "paper collars " on their favourite flowers. The desire to establish a special society for Orchids in no sense reflects on the activity and general usefulness of the Royal Horti- cultural Societj'. In fact, it is believed the proposed society would prove of infinite service rather than of injury to tlie mother society, just as do other special societies one need not name. The trade growers might object to an Orchid society (as I know some of them do) because they prefer to deal with isolated individuals. At the annual meetim,' of the Nursery and Seed Trade Association the other day there was some attempt made to effect a trades union, after which the nursery trade can scarcely coni]iIain if amateurs also wis-h to combine for mutual protection. In proposing an Orchid society I have no personal interest whatever. I should certainly subscrilie to it, but there are many reasons why I could take no active or personal part in its control. I am glad that " A. D." has imported a little healthy opposition into this question, such opinions being infinitely more conducive to progress than any amount of luke-warm sympathy. — F. W. B. Kitchen Garden. SIZE V. QUALITY IN VEGETABLES. " T. B." is doing good service by returning to this subject. The pursuit of size is a growing evil. I\iore and worse still, size and beauty have eanied nearly all before tliem at exhibitions ol garden produce, and tlie standard of excellence ado]ileil at these is sure sooner or later to be adopled more or less generally in private gardens. The result is, that not a few jiroducts are grown to please tlie eye more than to gratify the palate or nourish the body ; in a word, the wrong sense is a])pealed to and catered lor with the most dis- appointing lesults. Nor is a remedy for thi.-> fast giowiug evil very easy to find. Even "T. li." atlirms that horticultural exhibitions have an in- lluence in promoting a taste for gardening that nothing else can. Exactly; and to render them attractive to the uttermost, big vegetables and Potatoes, perfect in lorni and bright" witli colour, contribute their fair quota. Neveitheless, three points should be awarded for quality, to one to each or all others. But how is ([uality to be tested ? There seems only two possible ways — either by cooking and eating samples on the spot, or securing judges of such wide experience as could pronounce a true verdict on the quality of tlie products adjudicated upon. Either mode is surrounded witli difficulties. It has passed into a proverlj, tliat too many coolis spoil the broth. But almost any cultivator is equally certain that almost every cook ruins the vegetables, and anecdotes are rife of first-rate gardeners having to cook, as well as grow, Potatoes for their employers' tables as the only means of providing them with any worth eating. Still, to cook and taste vegetables would afford a safer test of quality than the mere judging of them from their size and general appearance. Again, there are not a few jurors who have grown vegetables all their life and tested their qualities for themselves sufficiently often to have arrived at a correct estimate of their merits. They have mentally, if not actually, scheduled them at their exact worth. And though changes of soil and variations of culture largely disturb qtudity, yet, on the whole, educated experience is seldom much at fault in the matter. Unfortunately, at too many exhibitions, \Tge- table, and not seldom even fruit, judging is handed over to the youngest and most inex- perienced, while all the talents are devoted to plants and cut flowers in whicli there is often little or no competition. Or, even when it is otherwise, scarcely ever is there anything like the ripe special knowledge and experience needed to adjudicate between two or more competing collections of plants as to award the relative degrees of merit between a dozen or more com- peting collections of fruit or vegetables. Only men possessed of true judicial faculties, and of the richest and most \'aried experience, should be employed in these most difficult departments of our great exhibitions. And yet it is an open secret that the most valuable prizes for such products are not seldom carried off by the mere rush of attractive setting — size, symmetry, colour, balance, evenness, variety, &c., all exerting equal, perhaps more, force in the winningof the prizes than (piality, of which tlie j nrors not seldom seem to know little and the societies to care less. A very general im- pression seems to prevail that vegetables add little to the popularity or paying property of shows ; they are thrown in as a mere sop to old-fashioned utilitarian.?. That is about all ; and hence largely their judgment by false standards and their rele- gation to places of very secondary importance. While agreeing thoroughly with "T. B." in his main contention in regard to the super- lative importance of quality in all edible products, I can hardly go with hini in his remarks on the little importance of the cooking properties of Potatoes. On the contrary, the latter are of vital moment, and, unfortunately, there are Regents that it is well nigh impos.sible to boil, and which are strong when steamed, and such, however mealy, will ever remain unpopular. Good Mag- num Bonums are also preferred by not a lew to Regenls, and while they have sufficient adhesive properties to keep them together when boiling, they are sweet as a nut, without any excess of flouriness afterwards. Then the lilack spots in Regents in the sjjriug are decidedly objectionable, though eaten in due season there is nothing to e(pial Regents, on the whole, to lovers of floury Potatoes. Those, however, who prefer waxy ones will look in other directions for their favourites. Foi'tunately, Potatoes differ so widely in quality, that varieties may be found in abundance to gratify all legitimate tastes witliout being led away by mere size, or allured by form or colour. D. T. F. KITCHEN GAKDEN NOTES. Spring Cabb.\oes. — These will be the first vege- tables ready for use in many gardens, and we all know how valuable they are from the beginning of April onwards. Amongst the earliest of the early, EUum's Emperor and Heading All Heart are consi^icuous, and those who possess good autumn jilants of these will stand a capital chance of having a valuable lot of very early heads. As a rule, there are sure to be some blanks early in spring in autumn plantations, and these should be at once filled up. Earthing up should also be attended to, as this keeps the plants steady ami firm when they begin to be » little heavy in the top. Plants which may be regarded as early, or almost too early, seeing that there is a chance ()f their bolting in March instead of hearting in April, should be left alone, but any which might be benefited by a little stimulant should have a handful of guano shaken round each plant. Nitrate of soda is a better stimulant, but it is too early to apply it. Guano forces them on gently and increases their size wonder- fully. Old Cabbage roots left to produce sprouts after the first heads were cut may look very shabby now, but if the ground in which they are growing is not really rei|uired, it wotdd be advisable to leave them, as they will still produce many sprouts, which are very good indeed when i)roperly cooked. We never clear off our old CaV)bages until Ajiril, and then they are immediately fuUowed by late Potatoes. Sowing in the wet. — Beginners in vegetable culture who are anxious to surpass everybody else with early produce are generally tempted to sow in January or February, whether the soil is in good condition or not, but those who have tried this a few times soon learn that there is nothing to be gained by too early sowing, especially if the soil is wet and cold which it certainly is just now. We have sovra Carrots in the open the first week in Feltruary and more aliout the middle of March, and by the 1st of June the March-sown ones were the finest roots. In the case of Onions, we have found those sown the last week in January more stunted in growth and backward by the beginning of July than others sown six weeks later. Very early sown plants almost invariably receive a severe check before March is out, and it is this which tells against them the whole season. Late-sowu plants which grow on freely from the first always produce the finest crops, and, as a rule, nothing is gained, but a great deal lost, by early sowing. Seed Potatoes. — These should always be treated differently from tubers for use. The latter must be kept in the dark, and it does no harm if a large quantity is stored on the tup of each oth^ r. but seed Pot:itoes when kept in the ciark are induced to pro- duce long spindly growths of a pale colour, which never make good sprouts for planting along with the tuber. It is a great advantage to have all tubers sprouted before planting, but the sprouts cannot be too dwarf and dark green, and it is only when the lubeis are spread out in a single layer and in full light that shoots of this stamp are foithcoming. All early Potatoes are now on the move, and should re- ceive immediate attention. They shoidd not be put into any place artificially heated, as this would at once cause the growths to become tender and long, but any place such as shelves or a floor from v\ hich Ap|iles have recently been lifted and used suits thtm admirably. They must be kept in the light, and on a good day air may be admitted freely to them. As the early varieties are planted out, their place should be KUed up with later sorts, and in this way every Potato that is planted may have two or more growths on it from 1 inch to 2 inches in length. Tubers in- tended for frames or anywhere untler glass may Ijc placed in boxes and put into an intermediate tempi ra- ture, a^ they will not experience any chtck in being planted, but those intended for tlie opru air must liave no artificial start. Tubers whicli have been l-ept in a large heap and in a mild dark place since last autumn will now have produced many shoots, and some of these ma}' he broken tiff in moving them, but it is just as well to do this, as growths produced under these conditions never hecouie really good ones for planting, and the best way is to break the longest of them off and allow the very small ones to gain strength in the light and air. Generally speaking, Potatoes which are planted with proper sjirouts will mature their crop a fortnight sooner than those planted with dormant eyes, but in districts where spring frosts occur the latter may escape best and prove most re- munerative. Forcing Rhubarb in small (iAKi)EN.s. — I have often wondered how it is that Rhubarb is not forced in small gardens. Jn large gardens where glasshouses and forcing accommodation exist, its production throughout the winter is a matter of no trouble, but in small gardens where roots are often plentiful and the produce really wanted, forcing is seldom attempted. When it comes in naturally theie is far more than is wanted, and a few roots might be forced in most gardens every spring without interfering with the main crop. Beginning now would add very much to the length of the supply, and both for sale and home use the pruduce would prove valuable, the expense of forcing being little or nothing. The cheapest way, and an excellent plan, is to get a few old casks and turn them upside down over the crowns ; then pro- cure a few cartloads of stable manure ; mix it with leaves of old vegetable refuse if there is any to be Feb. G, 1886.1 THE GARDEN. 121 had, and make a hotbed up round the casks. The latter should have neither tops nor bottoms, but a board should be laid loosely over the top to allow the steam to escape and anyone to look inside to see bow the produce is comino: forward. First-rate Rhubarb may be produced in this way, and if the prgtection is kept on and light a'lmitted, by-and-by the crowns will be gradually hardened otf and may be retained and forced ag -in in the spring of ISSS. PAB.SLKY. — 1SS5 was generally a favourable year for this, but .althimgh it might be plentiful until the Severe weather checked it, there is a possibility that it may be scarce in March and on imtil new plants are ready ; but so long as the old roots are sound, abund.ince of leaves may soon be gathered from them. The ^\hole of tlie old aecayed leaves should be ctit away, a little guano and soot should be thrown down around the phants and between the rows, and then this should be forked slightly in. As soon as the weather becomes in the least way favourable young growths will appear, and much u>*eful produce may be gathered from the plants before the}' run to seed in May or June. Earlt Brussels Sprouts. — In some districts the seasons are so unfavourable, that to produce Brussels Sprouts of good quality the seed should be sown under glass early in spring ; the plants should be grown on slowly untd April and then planted out. Our plan for early sprouts is to sow in autumn, winter the plants with the young Cauliflowers, and jilant in March or April; but as this hint is useless for this season, I can only recommend that a cool fianie or a few handlights be given lip to the sprouts for the next two months. Kich soil to the depth of B inches or 6 inches should be placed at the bottom ; then sow the seed thinly and cover over lightly. As the plants become large enough to handle a few of them may be drawn out to give the others more room, and those taken out may be dibbled into some sheltered corner to succeed the earliest plants, which will be those in the frame. Old forced boots. — Asparagus roots lifted from the ground and placed in some artificial position for forcing are never of any further service, and although some may try to make them useful again, success is very doubtful ; it wou'd be more profitable to keep up the stock of roots by raising young ones from seed annually. Rhubarb roots also deteriorate in forcing, especially if lifted, and we do not recommend their being retained ; but Seakale bears lifting admirably and after forcing the roots are as valuable as ever. * When all the produce has been cut from them they should be taken from thtir forcing quarters and placed in a cool position exposed to light, but secure from frost, and here the crowns will assume a deep hardy purple or green colour and emit young growths from the side of the cut pait. These form good plants for fresh plantations, and where the stock is deficient they must be cut up into lengths of 3 inches or 4 inches, when every piece will grow. In putting in some strong crowns to force early last December some of the smallest of the rootlets were broken off ; these were packed closely together on their ends in a box of leaf soil, and now I see almost every one of them has formed a growing cro^vn, although only standing in a cold frame. Ralsing Peas under glass. — Peas sown in pots, boxes, spouts, or on turves and raised under glass in spring will soon surpass any open-air ones in height, but there is always danger that what is gained under glass ill February and Marcli may be lost in April, as it is when the under-gla-s-raised Peas are planted out the dangerous period of their culture arrives. It is, no doubt, gratifying to see Peas from 6 inches to 1 foot in height by the end of February, but, as a rule, their a])pearance is not so pleasing after they have been out a fortnight or so ; indeed, it often happens that open-air-sown Peas pod before those from indoors ; by sowing early, however, and allow- ing them to remain in a culd frame with the simple protection of glass and a mat on a cold night. Peas raised under glass may be grown to surpass all open- air crops in earliness, and I would strongly advise all who wish to succeed in raising early Peas to con- fine them to the frame and never ttiink of starting them in a forcing house. Early Carrots in frames. — Few vegetables are more delicious in April and May than young Carrots about the thickness of one's thumb. It is impossible to have thenr of this size so early in the open air, but there is no difficulty in securing them if the hot- bed system of culture is resorted to. Here we have some de-p frames filled well up with fermenting material which is made very firm ; then soil to the depth of 8 inches or 10 inches is put on the top and the seed is sown on the surface. The soil, good friable material, is mixed liberally with sea or river sand, and a little well decayed manure and soot are added. Clean roots are thus obtained, and worms never trouble them. The seed is sown thinly bro.ad- cast, and covered over with a Layer of sand about h.alf an inch in thickness. The lights are put on from the first, and air is admitted on fine da^s as soon a.^ the young plants can be seen. The early Frenili Horn is the best of all for the first crop. ilari/am, Glamorganshire. J. Muir. HYBRID POTATOES. I AM pleased to see that the scientific committee of the Royal Horticultural Society has brought this interesting subject under discussion. I here- with send you three samples of the result of what may be termed tuber grafting. In each case the parent Potatoes, i.e., half of each sort, were liound togetlier as mentioned in The Garden (p. Gl). Plugging I have found to be less likely to pro- duce any good result, the tubers belonging to the plug being after their own kind, and those of tlie wonld-be foster parent also after their own kind. In this district it is generally known that new Potatoes can be raised in this way ; but as regards permanency or how far this way of hybridising may improve the Potato, I am not now able definitely to show. I am keeping what I have for seed, but a few which we eat proved to be excellent, the produce partaking evenly of the characteristics of each parent and free from disease. No disease whatever was traceable in the hybrid between the Skerry or Cruffle, though the latter is very liable to it ; the former is a well known and e.xcellent keeper. No disease was apparent in any of the three sorts under experi- ment, but how long they will continue to be disease-proof I should not like to say. I am inclined to think, however, that they \vill not have such a good cliauce of resisting it as a seed- ling. Moreover, how long will they keep good ? Some three years old with me seem to maintain their liybridistn. Loth bol;inists and gardeners question the possibility of such crosses; yet upon considera- tion it is easy to see a certain amount of analogy between this and budding or grafting. When tlie cut sides of the Potatoes are closely and firmly bound together, the juices of the two varieties seemingly pass freely from one to the other, and the stem and tubers necessarily become inter- mediate between the two. It is a fact, too, that the same parents always produce the same crosses. If futuie experiments prove satisfactory, we shall thus have a ready meams of infusing fresli stamina into any Potato that may be given to degeneracy, to which I believe all are liable. Castle Upton. S. Kevan. *:/.* The hybrids to which Mr. Kevan refers are the result of crossing the Skerry and Irish W'hite, tlie Skerry and C'rulfle, and the Skerry and Champion. The produce m all three cases is very much alike — deep-eyed, round, medium- sized tubers, white, flaked with blush-red, with a patch of the same colour on each crown. — Ed. variety for autumn. Snow's Broccoli, of which I am a large grower, comes in in December and January. My stock I always find true and most useful ; in fact, I don't know its equal for the mouths just named. This Broccoli pleased me so well last year that I have a selected stock from it. I may here note that Snow's Broccoli is generally sown too early. If sown under glass in March it grows from 3 feet to 3^ feet high, heads most irregularly and small, but if sown the first week in May outside, it is quite a dif- ferent thing altogether, the plants being from 18 inches to '20 inches, short and stubby. — R. Gilbert. WOltK DONE IN WEEK ENDING FEB. 2. Jandarv 27 AND 28. The thaw has continued these two days and the Broccoli. — I am surprised that Mr. Muir has dis- carded Snow's Winter White Broccoli. Last season I had two fine quarters of Veitch's Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli, which I look upon as a unique snow has quite disappeared, and we have therefore been able to find full employment, mending weak parts of coach roads, cutting Laurels, clipping hedges — Privet and Cupressus — and tying compactly to- gether with tar cord Irish Yews, Juniperus macro- carpa, and Thuja aurea. The heavy snuwfall had bent down the branches, but. fortunately, not broken them, as was the case with one or two Cedars, Doug- las Fiis, and Abies Nordmanniana; .such boughs hive been cut off and the wounds painted over. Pruning orchard trees, got out all roots of D.ahlias that we require to propagate from, planted them in boxes of lightcompost and placed themin warmth. The old roots that ai-e to be planted as such are left as they were, namely, packed closely together in cocoa fibre, on the loft in a north shed, from which frost is excluded. Cannas, Marvel of Peru, and tuberous Begonias that are requu-ed for flower garden purposes occupy space in the same shed, and are heeled in just the same way, and are covered over with mats when the weather is \ery sharp; at present they are in perfect condition, and, therefore, will remain as they are till the beginning of April, when they will be potted and started into growth. Rul>bed a few more shoots off early Vines, and tied them up to trellis ; being a little milder, we shall slightly increase the temperature, not lower than 60*^ or more than 65° by i.ight, with a proportionate rise by day, par- ticularly during sunshine, of which, by the way, we get but little, hence forcing of every description is terribly slow work; but we are content to have it so rather than court partial failures of crops by forcing against time. Tbe safest rule is to wait for longer and brighter days, when a spurt may be put on without risk ot injury. Put in cuttings of Kleiuia repens and variegated Mesembryanthemums ; they strike very well in shallow boxes of sandy soil if stood on bricks over hot- water pipes in any of the forcing houses or pits. January 29 and 30. Much milder, but showers at intervals on both dates, and consequently the only attempt at outside work has been a little more Laurel cutting and levelling of gravel on coach roads. Our time has been made out by working at the usual description of inside jobs — Pea sticks pointed, other sticks cut in lengths for herbaceous plant - tying. We are favoured in having plenty of Hazel to cut at, than which no sticks are better or neater. A pro- fitable job was also afforded in the placing of seed Potatoes in single layers on the floor and shelves of Potato cellar, and in such as had lain too thickly together and had sprouted, the growths were rubbed off', there being plenty of time for the produc- tion of other sprouts before planting time. A quantity of Myatt's Ashleaf was taken out and laid on leaf soil in warmth, and soon as roots have been formed in the leaf soil and the weather is favourable, they will be planted in deep drills on a south border, where if needs be they can readily be protected from frost and cutting winds. There being plenty of spare time, fruit rooms have had a thorough look over and sweep up. Grape room included ; only those bottles containing bunches that were recently cut needed to be replenished with water. It would seem that once the wood (and fruit too, I supipose) gets well satu- rated, there is but little further absorption, as some of the bottles don't require additional water for weeks together. As to deterioration of flavour when bottled, it is only reasonable to expect that such would happen, 122 THE GARDEN. [Feb. C, 1886. but it is so little as to be scarcely appreciable till May, when the weather gets warmer and shrivelling be- gins, and even then they are sometimes ])referred to new Grapes — a circumstance eunfirmed by let- ters in my possef>sion, a passage from one reading thus : "I do not wi'*h to detract from the ex- cellence of the new Hamburgh Grapes you ha\e sent us, but we all (meaning the family) like the old Grapes (Lady Downes) best." I give this re- ference for the benefit of doubting compeers, that they may with confidence house their Grapes. Put in heat other forcing plants, such as Spiraeas, Lily of Valley, Hyacinths, Callas, and Roses, and those in full flower we have arranged in latest Peach house to retard the flowers, in order to keep up regular supplies of cut flowers, which are required twice, and some- times thrice, a week, all through the Londou season. Potted more roots of Solomon's Seal, Primroses, and Forget-me-nots. Watered second Peach house (in- side) border ; the flowers are just opening, and from now syringing will be discontinued till the fniit has set. Many of the strongest Queen Pines are show- ing fruit, and these have been well soaked. From others that ought to be showing, but are not, water is being withheld ; the bottom heat is only 70", and we should like 5" or 10° more for fruiters, and with this intent the first dry, mild day additional ferment- ing material (leaves and litter) will be added to the present bed. The main batch of plants we shall keep on the quiet side of growth till we get twelve clear hours of daylight. Took lights quite off L.idy Downes vinery ; by this means the inside borders are, as it were, turned outside. Should there be indica- tion of severe frost, the lights will be replaced till it has ended. Gave all houses a thorough swill out. Febhuabt 1. Very dry, and for the greater part of the day brilliant sunshine, which will, no doubt, have been of great service to early Vines, Peaches, and Straw- berries, and personally we tried to make the most of it by closing the houses up at one o'clock, thus boxing in the heat and saving some firing. At noon the pollen of Strawberries and Peaches in flower being dry, the Peach trellis was shaken to disperse it, and the blossoms of Strawberries lightly stroked over with the hand, as also were Tomatoes that are now in flower, and which at this dull season some- times fail to set satisfactorily witliout artificial aid. Top-dressed inside border of eaily Muscat Vines with fresh loam, to which was added a small per- centage of wood ashes, old mortar scraps, and half- inch bones. The old mulching and loose top soil were taken off to a depth of about 3 inches, when masses of roots were found ; the compost was well pressed down over the roots— about 6 inches depth being put on — and over this a light mulching of long stable litter to keep the soil moist, a good watering being afterwards given to well settle the soil about the roots. Planted out another lot of Melons ; gfjod stiff loam, with a bit of charcoal and a few half-inch bones mixed with it, ami very little root run, a narrow border 18 inches wide, and including drainage the same depth, is our provision for Melon growing, and which has never once failed us. From now onwards through the summer we grow Cucumbers in frames, as the house is required for Melons ; a hot- bed is being got ready for this purpose, and mean- while the plants are being brought forward on the Pine shelves, and have been potted into 5-ineh pots to-day. The frost having upheaved the gravel on walks, and being in the very best state for rolling — neither too wet nor too dry — all have been rolled. Pruned orchard trees, and finished nailing Plums and Morello Cherries on nortli walls. Febhuart 2. Another drying, bright day, but the ground is still too wet to work nicelj', and we have therefore con- tinued our shrub-pruning operations and mixed up leaves and litter for renewal of Pine beds. Cut turf on connnon for forming verges to walk on newly- enclosed ground. The main plot will be sown with Grass seeds after planting is finished, there being a few coniferous trees yet to plant soon as the ground is in a fit state. Divided herbaceous Lobelias, and planted them in shallow boxes and placed them in a cold pit. Potted more Seakale, and put other batches in to force. The first flowing o Pyrethrum Gold Feather has come very badly, and therefore another sowing, and sown thicker, has been made. Also sowed more Chauuepeuce and the first lot of Ricinus Gibsoni. The last-named we sow singly in small pots, as they suffer greatly by division when sown in ])ans or boxes. This variety makes a capital bush plant, to form which the point of the leading shoot should be pinched out when the plant is from 18 in. to 21 in. in height, and as side shoots attain a length of a foot, their points should also be pinched ont. Potted a few more roots of Mint, Tar- ragon, and Chervil, the last that will be required, as by the time these are over the open-air supplies will be ready. Hants. FRUITS UNDER GLASS. Early Vines. Proceed with the stopping, tying, and regulating of the young growths, and remove all superfluous bunches from free-setting kinds like the Hamburgh as soon as those best placed for the crop can be de- cided upon. Shy varieties, including Buckland Sweet- water and all the Muscat section, which swell and ripen well under H.amburgh treatment, but do not always set so freely, should have a few surplus bunches left on every cane to allow for mishaps should the present severe weather still prevail when they are in flower. Direct syringing will, of course, be discon- tinued as soon as the bunches begin to draw out, par- ticularly if they show a tendency to run to tendril, no uncommon occurrence where early Vines lose their leaves before the buds are properly matured. Atmo- spheric moisture will, however, still be necessary, and as this can always be secured from water syringed on the walls and floors, aided by fermenting leaves, to which a little fresh horse droppings charged with ammonia may now be added, pay particular atten- tion to the first when the weather is fine, and turn the latter regtUarly in all weathers to set the gases and vapour at liberty. Let the stopping of laterals be regulated by the space which the sub-laterals have to fill, always bearing in mind that an abundance of broad, healthy foliage fully exposed to sun and light is favourable to the swelling and perfect ripening of the fruit, while a crowded state of the roof, particu- larly near the a])ex, by checking the free circulation of air and keeping in vitiated moisture, is, on the other hand, decidedly injurious. It is always neces- sary to stop every shoot save the leaders at the second or third joint beyond the best show to throw strength into the bunch ; but afterwards the semi-exten'ion of the sub-laterals must be governed by the vacant space at command. Many growers pinch and repineh all the laterals at the first joint, and Vines having an extra long run of rafter do fairly well under this re- strictive treatment ; but where, as is frequently the case in early houses, the rafters do not exceed 12 feet or 14 feet in length, longevity of Vine and quality of fruit are best secured by taking up several rods from each stem and covering every inch of trellis with good foliage. Houses containing Hamburghs only do not require any special care during the time the Vines are in flower, as this invaluable Grape alw.ays sets well ; but withers containing varieties to which I have just directed attention should be raised to Go" at night, and 75° to 80° by day, with a circulation of fresh warm air to facilitate the ripening and disper- sion of the pollen. The Values may still further be assisted by turning the points of the bunches of the shy setters up to the sun, and fertilising daily with pollen from the Hamburghs. If these heats with a slight increase from solar influence are maintained through this critical stage until the most delicate kinds begin to swell away freely, the crop may be considered safe, and the night temperature may .again with advantage be gradually lowered to 00°. From this time forwarel keep the floors and borders well moistened with diluted liquid and syringe bare stems and other available parts of the Vines, but avoid wet- ting the main foliage and bunches. Give a little air when the temperature touches 70", gradually raise it with an increase of air until on bright days it reaches 80°, and close early. Succession Iwuses, containing Gros Coluian, Gros Maroc, and Black Morocco, which not only reepiire a long season, but are greatly improved by hanging a long time after they are ripe, should now be started and worked steadily along lUJtil the flowering st.age is reached, when, owing to the adv.ance of the season, a temperature a little higher than that just recom- mended for early hipuses may be adv.antageously in- dulged ■ in. If fermenting material is plentiful, economise fire-heat by its application to the internal borders as soon as they are efficiently watered, and ply the syringe more freely and frequmtly to strong young rods that have been arched down to favour the breaking of the back buds should they prove obstinate. External borders need not be covered with fermenting material, but a good layer of dry Oak leaves, covereel with shutters to keep out snow and cold rain, will be found highly beneficial. All external covering thouhl be allowed to remain on the borders until the mean summer temperature is reached, when it may be gra- dually reduced to let in solar heat, but sufficient nuist then be left to form a good mulch for the surface roots which have found their way into it. Late houses. — If not wanted, as is unfortunately too often the case, for the protection of greenhouse or bedding plants, keep these structures well ventilated until the buds begin to swell; then shut them up and subject the Vines to Muscat treatment. If the inside borders were well watered within a fortnight after the Vines were pruned and they liave since been top- dressed, repeat the watering with pure water if young and vigorous, with diluted liciuid if old and feeble, at a temperature of 80°, and see that every paiticle of soil is properly moistened before the house is started. Should the external borders recjuire being taken out and re-made or renovated, defer tliis work until the buds are on the move ; then, with steel forlis, out with the old and in with the new as quickly as possible. Meantime have fresh drainage if needed, fresh turf for retaining walls, and new compost prepared and conveniently placed where it can be protected from the elements ready for use when it is wanted. Young beginners, anxious to get this late border work over before other matters become pressing, sometimes com- mence operations as soon as the Grapes are cut; but this undue haste is a mistake, as the mutilated roots must either lie a long time in a cold, dormant state, or, to avoid this evil, the application of fermenting material induces the formation of fresh spongioles at the expense of the stored-up sap contained in the Vines. Vines so treated generally break weak, when, if carefully examined, many of the best roots are found paralysed, if they have not perished. If, on the other h.and, lifting and relaying in fresh fermenting compost is performed when the sap is on the move, every root injmediately responds to the genial warmth ; roots and buds start together, the one helps the other, and the Vines quickly recover. Pot Vines. Young Vines that have been cut back and kept in a cold house may now be placed in heat if they are intended for growing into iruiting canes. Shake out and repot when they have made freim 2 inches to 'i inches of growth, and plunge in bottom heat near the glass. If two shoots start from the base, let both of them grow until after the Vines have taken to the new soil ; then rub off the weakest and manage the other under directions given in The Garden (p. SO). If eyes that were put into small pots in January are still standing in a tempeiate frame, these also must now be plunged in a close compact pit where they can have bottom heat and receive proper treat- ment, which will he found in detail in the same article on the propagation of the Vine. Grape Room. The past month has been a trying time for in- differently ripened Grapes, neit so nmch on account of the general lowness of the temperature as on other conditions, as Grapes do not require much heat, provided they can be ke])t in a dry, well-ventilated room not subject to fluctuatiiuis, anel, as a matter of cotirse, not absolutely needing fire heat every day. Lady Downes, now the principal kind in stock, Grt-s Colman, and Mrs. Pince ha\e kept unusually well with me during the past month in a temperature which has ranged from 40° to 45° on the average. Sometimes it has been a little below 40°, but it bas rarely touched 45°, and I never saw the Grapes look- ing so fresh and plump, and certainly I never ex- Feb. 6, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 123 perienced so little loss from decaying berries. This room, as I have many times stated, is built hollow, and is efficiently heated by hot-water pipes from a slow combustion boiler j)laced in the men's me^s house below. This appiratns i«, however, seldom used, unless the weather is extremely severe, as we find the men's wood fire everyday at noon keepa the ceiled Hi»or dry and free from damp without materially affecting the temperature or taking too much moisture out of the atmospliere. Knowing that some Grape growers are still afraid of cutting and bottling, and others spend mi>re money than is really necessary on building and fitting up store rooms which are not always a success, I once more venture these remarks, in the hope that they may be useful in showing that a dry, even temperature, if possible without the aid of tire, is that which should be secured in a well- managed Grape room. E.iRLY PEACHE3. Trees that were in flower during any part of the month of .January have not had a good time for setting their fruit, as we have had very little sun and the outdoor temperature has frequently ranged below the freezing point, two cou- ditions which have necessitated constant recourse to fire heat, while the introduction of fresh air has been extremely limited. The lilossoms in our own Peach house have, notwithstanding, been un- usu.ally fine, and, judging froni the way in which they hold their petals and pistils, there exists but little doubt that an abundance of fruit will in due course have to be thmned off the trees. The way in which this house has been managed has not varied from the general rulei contained in The G.\RDEV Calend,ar, viz., a night temperature of 4.')° to start with, 50° during the time the trees are in flower, a rise of 10° by day al- ways with a chink of air, and gentle fire heat whenever the ven- tilators are open. Being sur- rounded by lofty hills and trees, which shut oiit much light and keep the atmosphere moist, our trees when in flower are kept on the dry side, but the floors and walls are regularly syringed on fine days, and we have the benefit of fermenting material. Every house is fumigated twice before the trees come into flower, again immediately after the fruit is set, and the flowers are regularly fer- tilised with mixed pollen. J^s hundreds of Peach houses have not yet reached the flowering stage, the above remarks may be useful. Houses in which all the trees \ixvti passed the flowering process must now be ►yringed with tepid water at least once a day to free them from the decaying b'ooms and favour the development of the young fruit. Should we have a clnnge to the bright days which we may now look for, the trees in bright exposed houses may often be syringed a second time ; but one good sj'ringing every morning will be found quite sufficient for the present imless the moisture from the Sicond is thoroughly absjrbsd before night- fall. Visbuddinrj will now require attention, but tins is not a heavy operation, as it is best ptjrformed little and oftrn on the piecemeal principle to shield the trees from sudden checks at this early season. As a rule, the extremities of the strong shoots and branches are ready for disbudding first : and as these generally produce gross foreright slioots which soon rob the weaker part-^, those in a horizontal position near the base especially, no time should be lost in getting them removed. By adopting this plan a portion of each tree may be disbudded every day, and, con- jointly with the operation, all triples may be thinned to one, and the worst placed single fruits removed to throw strength into those on the upper sides of the shoots. But why give preference to Peaches whose I points f,ace the sun ? Simply because they are in the best position for swelling and colouring, two points strongly suggestiveoffirst-cl.ass culture and high flavour. As days increase in length and the weather improves, a little more heat can with advantage be secured by shutting up early on fine afternoons, but quality being the highest test of skill, the night heats should not for the present greatly exceed 50°. A few degrees more at times will do no harm, but no set figures nmst be adhered to through all weathers, as herein rests one of the great secrets of successful forcing. Watering. — It is not a good plan to slush the internal borders before the fruit is well on the move, neither is it necessary where they were well watered through the early stages, but so soon as the trees show sisns of free, healthy growth tepid water may again be liberally administered. Old trees that that can be taken by drawing the finger down the j lower sides of the shoots before they open. Fertilise with mixed or foreign pollen when the latter is quite \ ripe, and facilitate the process by turning on extra fire heat when the ventilators are opened every morning. Last, but not least, let no apparent immu- nity from green fly lead to the neglect of fumigation, as few mistakes or mishaps are more annoying than the sudden appe.arance of these certain destroyers at a time when the h.and3 are tied, and owing to the delicate nature fif the flowers it is impossible to apply a remedy. W. CoLEMA.V. JiiiMiinr Castle, Ledhurij. Leaves uf Acer polymoriilium dissectum. produce heavy crops amually and make hut little or decidedly weak wood may at once receive supplies fif diluted liquid, but young ones should be debarred stimulanfs imtil after the fruit is stoned, as rich food forces gross growth, which often robs the existing crop and not unfrequentiy leads to failure. Sucrtssi >n houses started early in the new yeir will readily respond to the influence of genial warmth and moisture, which may be more freely supplied, as the advancing season is now with instead of .against Nature. Syringe the trees well backwards and for- wards every fine nu)rning and damp the fl>ors. but ' avoid a sloppy condition of the house, particularly j after the sun his withd awn its influence, as many of th-; flower-buds are often injured by an excess of moisture hanging about them after nightfall. Always ' force with a circulation of air, no matter how small, as bold, perfect flowers cannot be expected where this life-giving element is excluded. Jf the trees are j heavily sjt with swelling blossom-buds, remove all Trees and Shrubs. JAPANESE MAPLES. Although nearly thirty years liave elap.sed since the J[es,sM. Veitch introduced their first batch of Acer jinlynioriihum, it i.s to be regretted that they have not been .so extensively planted as they deserve to be, as they undoubtedly form one of the most beautiful and in- teresting adJition.s to our hardy deciduous trees ever introduced into tliis (•c>unti-y. For a long time there prevailed an impres- sion that these lovely Japanese Maple.s were too tender for our climate, and, judging from the paucity of specimens as yet mtt with in good gardens, 'it may bo a.ssumed that this erroneous opinion has not been overcome. Messr.s. Veitch liave proved over and over again that all the varieties, especially those of A. p. palmatum.are perfectly hardy in the climate of London, and having myself planted a tiee of A. p. atro-sanguineuni in the open ground in 1863, where it has on two occasions \vithstood 36" of frost, I can with the greatest confidence recommend them. The Japanese Maples are lov.--growing, round-headed trees, \yith more or les3 spread- ing brandies den.sely clothed wilh foliage that i.s developed in a greater variety of form and colour, from rich orange to brilliant crimson, than is met ■with in any other species of de- ciduous trees known. Their growth being comparatively slow in this country — ourEast- nor tree is no^y 14 i'eet high and 17 feet tlirough — they are well adapted for planting in small gardens where the stronger growing deciduous trees with coloured foliage would soon become too large. They are also admirably suited for the erabelli-sh- nient of ornamental shrubberies and borders, where, in company with the Golden Yews or backed up by Evergreens, they form a most striking and pleasing contrast. They are by no means fastidious as to soil, provided it is rich, well drained, and sufficiently deep to insure a continuous supply of moisture during long periods of drought similar to that we experienced last summer. Although perfectly frost-proof and capable of withstanding our colde.st M'inters, sti-nng winds are apt to tell upon them when fully exposed to the north and east; therefore in order to preserve their symmetry as well as the tender l'olia'.;e in tlie spring, shelter from tlie.se quarters should, if possible, be secured at the time of planting. 124 THE GARDEN. [Feb. G, 1886. Propagation.— The simple fact that so few private individuals have stock to propaf^ate from renders a description of the usual modes practised by the trade unnecessary. One or two remarks on this head may, however, be interesting.^ For a long time the most expert propagators did not make much headway, as cuttings positively re- fused to grow, and the late Mr. W. Osborn told me there was only one variety, also Japanese, suitable for grafting upon. As this was as scarce, if not as expensive, as the coloured varieties themselves, layering was the only sure, if slow, mode of propagation. The Messrs. Veitch soon overcame the difficulty by planting strong im- ported trees in raised pits in their span-roofed houses at Coomlje Wood, and in this way secuted stools from which they now raise large quantities annually. Greatly interested in the Eastnor tree and its fellow traveller from Japan which the late Mr. James Veitch planted out at Coombe Wood, it occurred to me that I might gratil'y a wish often expressed l)y my late employer by ayering the lower shoots of our own tree after it had become thoroughly established in the open cround. A number of 4-inch pots were, in the month of August, sunk to their rims, when well- grown shoots, with a knife slit at the union with the preceding year's wood, were iiriiily pegged into them. The surface was then well mulclied to reduce the necessity for frequent watering, but water was given to the pots occasionally during dry weather. Each layer was secured to a stick to shield it from accident, and at the end of two years I was rewarded with thirty-six strong young trees on their own roots of the best variety, for I had by that time discovered that our tree was A. p. atro-sanguineum, a brighter and better variety than A. p. atro-purpureum. Several of these trees were given awa^' to par- ticular friends ; the others were planted out on a rather stilf calcareous soil, and now with the parent, form perhaps as fine a colony as is to be found in this country. The Japanese Maples now getting more numerous may be divided into two classes, the dwarf, in some cases pendulous growing varieties with finely divided leaves, of which A. p. dissectum may be taken as the type, and A. p. atro-purpureimi, of which palnuitumis the normal form. A. p. dissectum and A. p. palmatifidum, owing to their moderate rate of growth, their truly Oriental habit which stamps them at once as Japanese, the elegant Fern-like appearance and brilliant colouring of their foliage, are admirably adapted for pot culture for conserva- tory decoration in the spring; they are also suitable for forming unique specimens on the tiniest of lawns, for planting out in tlie centres of flower beds, where A. p. dissectum spreads out from its clean grey stem like a mandarin's umbrella, or, kept in pots, they group well with succulents, the dwarf growing gulden Cnnifers, or their near relative the silvery Negundo. In fact, so quaint, so lovely, and so strilving are these IMaples which, unlike the giants from the west, imfold their delicate crimson foliage in the spring, retain their brilliant colouring through the sunmier, and outrival the Liquidand:)ar itself in the autumn, that they cannot be too extensively used wher- ever shelter from cutting north and east winds can be secured for them. The other section, of which A. polymorphum is the normal form, has bright green foliage, which dies off a brilliant crimson in the autumn, wlien the great number of five-lobed leaves pro- duce a most charming effect. This variety, according to Messrs. Veitch, was introduced many years ago from the central mountains of Nippon under the name of A. palmatum, and was the forerunner of the many beautiful varieties or sports which the Japanese have so admiralily succeeded in peipetuating. Tliis tree has been rather extensively ]}lanted here, and several of the specimens are now 10 feet to 12 feet high. It does not show the slightest disposition to grow into a pyramid, but having been planted in front of Evergreens for producing brilliant colour in autumn, its irregular style of growth increases its value in the eye of the lover of natural Ijeauty. The leaves of this variety are smaller than those of A. p. atro-purpureum and atro-sanguineum, the first crimson or purple sorts sent home by Mr. John Veitch, but it is as hardy as an English Oak ; and although soft green in summer, it is distinct from all either coloured trees in the autumn. A strong, dry, calcareous soil suits it well. With A. p. atro-purpureum which I thought I had secured from the Chelsea stock, a variety which afterwards became known as A. p. atro-san- guineum was apparently unwittingly sent home. The foliage of this variety is broader and bolder than that of the type, and much brighter than that of A. p. atro-purpureum, but the style of growth is the same — a tendency to lireak into two stems or leaders of equal strength, an effect which may perhaps be put down to the propaga- tion of the young trees from layers. Our oldest tree now produces an abundance of seeds, some- times called keys, every year. This past season they appeared to be sound and good, and in the event of their growing, I hope shortly to prove whether the coloured leaves will be reprotluced or whether the seeillings will revert to the normal fnrm, with solt green leaves. Many travellers have told me ours is the largest tree in Europe, but I have not heard anyone saj' seeds or seed- lings have been raised in or out of Japan. Per- haps Messrs. Veitch or others now so well ac- ([uainted with the habits and doings of the Japanese can throw some light upon tlie subject ; if so, lovers of these trees, myself included, would receive every scrap of information with interest. From the preceding notes, readers of The Garden will gatlier that A. p. atro-sanguineum and A. p. atro-purpureum are well adapted for planting out in the pleasure ground, while A. p. dissectum and A. p. palmatifidum are most suit- able for conservatory and flcjwer-garden decora- tion ; but they must not imagine that these names exhaust the list of varieties which these extra- ordinary orientals seem to manufacture to order. Amongst varieties of recent introduction liy the Chelsea firm we have A. p. ampelopsiloliam, with foliage showing varied tints from its develop- ment in the spring to its fall in the autumn, like those of the Viiginian Creeper. The leaves are about 3 inches long, with from five to seven lobes which are elegantly cut at the edges, and ter- minating in a long point, produce an efi'ect both distinct and new to British gardens. Then we have Acer crat:T>gifolinm, a slender tree of sc imewhat variable haliit, attaining a height of from 12 feet to 15 feet in its native moun- tains. Having been so recently introduced, it is as yet impossible to say what character it will assume in this country ; but, judging i'rom its habitat, there exists no doubt as to its hardiness. And it is easy to imagine a tree resembling a miniature Loraliardy Poplar with reddish bark, twigs and leaf-stalks, and unequally lobed leaves, which are deeply notched like those of the well- known Hawthorn. For planting on the smallest (if lawns for grouping, or breaking up the same- ness of dwarf Evergreens a Thorn-leaved Maple with the usual brilliant autunmMl tints is an acquisition which should not be lost sight of. Acer p. latifolium atro-pdrpureum is a very fine variety, with broad leaves three times the size of those of A. p. atro-sanguineum, and is one of the nu)st richly coloured Maples yet imported. The young shoots as well as the leaves are of a deep blood-red colour, not only in the autumn, liut tliroughout the summer, a characteristic wliich cannot be overrated, as small trees even with the sun shining through them lead to the inference that every leaf is richly nurtured on the brightest claret. The foregoing varieties are well adapted for planting in the largest as well as the smallest gardens, where, as they become better known, they will add I'ichness of form and colouring which no other family of hardy deciduous trees can give. But, apparently alive to our increasing requirements, thanks to the indomitable Chelsea collectors, our park scenery has not been over- looked, as we have in Acer rufinerve a beautiful tree of rapid growth with the liabit of the well- known Sycamore. The young shoots are covered with a bluish grey glaucescence so frequently met with in llie Japanese Maples, and the leaves, fully ;3 inches in length with five lobes which are deeply toothed, render the tree more graceful than the common Sycamore. It was introduced from the central moimtains of Nippon, where it is found grijwing up to an elevation of 4000 feet, a fact which justifies us in saying it will prove as harily as any tree usually met with in British park'scenery. W. Coleman. Eastnor Castle, Ledbury. ABIES ORIENTALIS. Mr. Web.ster's account of this Oriental Spruce interested nie exceedingly, for I supposed it was mucli more planted in England than he intimates. But, refreshing my memory somewhat, I do not now recollect seeing it among the hundreds of fine Cryptomerias, Douglas Firs, Hemlocks, c*tc., in Adiiiiral Egerton's beautiful park at Wey- bridge, which J visited with our good friend Mr. Wilson. It is a very uncommon tree in this country, and I do not know of any specimens comparable with my own, which are .30 feet high and tliickly feathered to the ground, surpassing in gracefulness and elegance the superb A. Nord- manniana, which stands immediately beside it, quite 40 feet high. It not only grows as freely in the same soil and side by side with the Nor- way, Nordmann's, our native species (A. alba), the Larix Ka:'uipl'eri and other coniferous trees, but is even hardier than A. Nordmanniana, which had the edges of the leaves browned one or two years ago in a blizzard, as we call these sudden changes with high N.-W. winds and zero temperature, one of which has just passed us (12th to 18th of January), the thermometer throughout the New England States falling from 12° below zero at Boston to 38° below in the country; out West the mercury froze. In Flfirida it was 21° to 24° for several days, and all the Oranges on the trees were frozen stiff, and the trees undoubtedly severely injured. We have not had such a general low temperature from Maine to Florida since December, 1835, just fifty years. It is irearly such weather that the Oriental Spruce has had every three or four years for twenty years ; but no harm was ever done, not a twig injured, Its growth is, as Mr. AVebster says, slow, but after the trees attain the height of 15 feet they grow away more rapidly. i can emphasise all Mr. Webster says of its beauty and value as an ornamental tree, and standing, as I have just stated, in a group of the very finest species, all within a space of 50 feet square, there could be no better chance to com- pare their relative beauty, size, comparative growth, and general characteristics of each. To me the Oriental Spruce, in its loose, semi-drooping, thickly-set branches, fre.sh summer green tint, and free and easy habit, has a charm which is Feb. 6, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 125 ever -n-anting in the stateliness of form aud silvery-liued foliage of Nordmann's Fir. Mr. "Webster asks, "why this valuable Spruce is so seldoui met with," i'or he says it is ottered at the low price of 9d. each, and he suggests it is because its valuable qualities for ornamental planting especially are but little known. My impression, liowever, is, that its scarcity arises from the fact that seeds are not as readily pro- cureil as the Norway, and that its slow growth while young makes it an unprofitable tree to nurserymen who wish to turn a quick penny, for 10,000 Norways of a year or two's growth at 30s. pays far better than" 10,000 Orientals the same size at quailruple the price. I need only add that Oriental Spruces selling at 8s. to 12s. each are about the same size as Norway Spruce for 2s. I will try and send j'ou a photograjili some (lay of my specimens of A. orientalis, A. Nordmanniana, A. alba, and A. excelsa nana, each from twenty to thirty years old, all in one group. [Please do.— Ed.] C. M. Hovey. Boston, Mass. LAYING OUT A SHRUBBERY. A HEALTHIER taste in garden matters is growing np among us. There will he no more cutting down of trees and grubbing np of shrubberies to make sites for geometrical figures, for Pelar- goniums and Calceolarias; choice hardy shrubs calculated to give character and infuse" variety are likely to be sought after by the planter. Flowers, of course, there must always be, but special positions for Roses, Lilies, .spring flowers, bulbs, the fernery, rockery, &c., may be selected informally, as it were, amid pleasant sheltered glades and nooks formed by trees and shrubs. In laying out a shrubbery, a person of taste and skill who has grasped the'ueeds of the place will, with a long wagon ro]ie trailing beliind him and a couple of men and a plentiful supply of stumps, soon map out the main features of' the design. Variety of surface is always charming, and in the trenching and digging and in the niakiu'.,' of walks many opportunities will occur of giving elevation to une position and deprefssion to another, and so increasing the picturesqueness of the general plan. In planting new places, very often the most is not made of good thiu'^s froin want of attention after the planter and designer have left. The planter, of course, in the hrst instance should know what each plant is capable of doing, otlierwise the arrangement will partake somewhat of a haphazard character, and those things which are intended to be permanent should be distinguished from those intended to be cut away. A Holly, for instance, or a Slagnolia should be on a diCft-rent footing from a common Laurel or a Privet. The Holly and the Magnolia may i'orm very hand.some speci- mens, increasing year by year in the pleasure they give and the interest they inspire. The Araucaria at Dropmore must have been once a tiny plant. The famous Holly hed^'e at Keele must at one time have been only a row of young plants, such as any of us could plant." The handsome specimens of Rhododendrons at Purt- nal Park, and all the trees and shrubs which by reason of their handsome proportions have Ije- cume famous, were once as insignificant as those ■we obtain from tlie nursery to-day or to-morrow. Therefore, to the tree and shrub planter all thin"s are possible. The Laurel and the Privet are, it may be said, well enough in their places as undergrowth or as occasional nurses or shelters to better things, but they are not good enough for prominent posi- tions. The judicious planter will arrange his main features first. The Hollies, Thorn.s, Labur- nums, Evergreen Oaks, Silver Maples, Cedars of Lebanon, Cypresse=, purple Beeches, and other pictorial trees will have their sites marked out tirst, ami the planter will see in his mind the picture he is tryinj,' to create as it will appear at the end of forty, fifty, or more years, and he will liear this in mind in allotting each its work to do ; and the farthest-seeing planter can do no more tlian thi.s. Several years ago I was visiting a place not a great many miles from where I am now writing, and among the group of three or lour who wei-e standing under the shade of a very handsome Cedar of Lebanon was the man whose hand had planted it sixty years before. But only a very few can hope to live long enough to direct and encourage the growth of the things they plant, or to impress their mark upon the permanent features of a place. Some people seem to act as if they had an idea that when the plant- ing is done all tliat is necessary afterwards is to keei> down weeds ; whereas constant attention is required for many years ; in fact, I may say always, to keep all things right and prevent one ]ilant from robbing another, to keep ihem from forming dual leaders, and to aid each in main- taining its true character and symmetry. Tlie pruning knii'e cannot be done wiilnnit, though it should only be permitted to be in skilful hands. The choice slow-growing things will not require much pruning — perhaps a stray shoot shorten- ing, it nuiy be, or an attempt to develop a second leader needs checking and frustrating. But such little attentions as the.se ma_v be given without leaWng any conspicuous knife marks. Even common things, such as Laurels, should not be hacked about so as to present a ragged appearance. In their ycmth all things which have force or vigour in them need a little help from the knife ; even the Oak will be benefited by a little attention in the fir.st ten or twelve years of its life. Some of the handsomest woods of young Oaks I am acquainted with have had this atten- tion ; and though 1 .shall not be alive to see them, I know in fifiy years hence they will show the advantage of the careful training they received in their youth, but I have a horror of cutting otf large branches. In the tree's youth the wound made bj- the knife quickly heals and does no per- manent injury. Malformations may then, for the most part, be cured, and tlie crooked be made straight. In pi^aniisg new surl-bderies the laud should be well ])repared by trenching, for never at an v future time will such an opportunity occur, anil neglect now cannot be remedied. This is the time to arrange for and work out any sjjecial features reijuiring an elevated or a bolder out- line. For the first few years the spaces between theshrubs should be cultivated with f.irkand hoe for the purpose of keeping down weeds and other intruding growths ; but as soon as the roots begin to fairly occupy the soil and the branches spi ead over the intervening spaces, no cultivation be- yond what neatness and order require need be given, and all round the margins let the turf grow up round the stems. The margins of the shrubbery require special treatment to bring out the beauty of every individual plant, and this is what we should aim at. E. Hobday. Eucalyptus globulus- —I have a plant of this that has stood the winter so far planted out in the open air. It is a fine specimen about 1.0 feet high, and I may mention ihat it has entirely rnn out of it3 ordinary form. The leaves now are long and tapering, some of them measuring from 12 inches to 1.5 inches long. The scent is powerfully aro- matic. Jlr. House, of Peterborough, has had leaves of the plant whereby he has been enabled to cure several bad cases of dysentery, he having learnt the use of them for that purw pose in Australia.— W. A. Cook, I/oImicoo/, fUcborouyh. SHOUT XOTL:?.— TREES AND SHRUBS. Koelreuteria paniculata. — I agree with "Alpha" (p. 104) that tile Kuilreuteria is a desirable tree to plant, either singly L.r in a mass of say six or so together. Indepeuden of flowers its tinely-cut foliiKC is very effective, especially when tinted in autvnun. It grows wcUinchalky soil. — E. M. The CorsicinPineatKew(p. 104)— It may be inte- resting to know that tliis Pin was introduced by" the cele- brated botanist, Kicliard Anthony Salisbury, who, iu 1S-J5, informed me that he brought it. then a small plant, from the south of Europe. When he told me this it was about 20 feet high, and to attain its present height it must have gi-own abouta foot yearly.- J. Smith, Ex-Vitratov. THE B.\LM OF GILE.\D. (POPULUS CAJJDICANS.) Where this Poplar grows naturally in the Eastern United States it makes a handsome tree from 60 feet to 70 feet in height in the most favourable spots, such as the margins of rivers, and even where the .soil is poor and dry it grows over 50 feet in lieigiit. It is, like all the Poplars, a rapid grower, and being inditt'erent as to soil it frequently thrives when other trees fail. It has long been a favourite tree in this country, having been introduced over a hundred years ago. It was named by Aiton, who includes it In his " Hortus Kewensis." He gave the name candicans 3Iale and female catkins of Populus candicans. presumahly because of the hoary look the tree has when the whitish under-surfacesof the leaves are upturned by the wind. This Poplar is nearly related to the common B.dsam Poplar or Tacamahac (P. balsamifera), of which,'indee 1, it may be (jnly a variety botanically. From a plan- Leaves of Populus candicans. ter's point of view it is, however, abundantly dis- tinct, and may be at a glance distinguished by its very broad leaves, which are heart-shaped at the base, deep green above and whitish beneath. The habit of growth is somewhat pyramidal and cannot be called handsome until the tree has reached a large size, when the irre- gular branches and spreading head render it picturesque. A number of young and old trees planted together make a handsome group, for then the broad masses of light on the large foli'ace has a 126 THE GARDEN. [Feb. C, 1886. strikinr; effect. Thebark nf the trunk has that same pecnlini' greyish hue wliich renders the commnn Abele (P. aU«i) so picturestiue. It isaninvahi- able tree for plantiuj,' iti phices wliere anj' buihl- iny.s or unsiglitly objects require to be screened, and it is even better for this purpose than the smaller-leaved Poplarj^. It is also a capital tree to plant as a nurse for choicer kinds, the only drawback being th.it when they are cut down the suckers wljich spring from the old stool are apt to be troublesome, for they are not easily eradicated. It grows most rapidly in moist, rich soils, and no better trees could be planted by the margins of hikes or on islets. It is a most desirable tree to plant near houses on account of the balsamic fragrance of the re-sinous buds which perfume the air in spring, as does also the Balsam Poplar ; the tassi-ls of red stamens, too, have a pretty efi'ect in Apiil just before ihe I leaf-buds burst. Another beautiful phase of this Poplar is the peculiar delicate yellowish hue of the new foliage, and which, in harmony with the tender greens of other trees, has a charming effect. Like the Balsam Poplar, it is apt to be injured by the wind if planted in very exposed positions, on account of its heavy and somewhat brittle branches. This tree is commonly called in nurseries the Ontario Poplar (P. ontariensis), and there is a form'ijf i t with variegated leaves, which, however, is not remarkable for beauty or distinctness. growth too early in spring, the greatest evil to which it is susceptiVile in tliis country, are all well fitted for the successful cultivation of this, one (if the handsomest of the Silver Firs. Close by, and vieing with the latter in height and grandeur, as well as healthy appearance generally, is a fine example of A. Pinsapo, the light, silvery apjiearance of which contrasts strangely with the deej), sombre green of a unique specimen of the Doughas Fir (Pseudotsuga Douglasi) growing in close environs. Of Juni- jierus recurva there are some half-dozen unusually tine plants, on which the greyish green, beauti- fully drooping foliage is shown off to advantage. Several to whom these have been pointed out consider them without rivals in this country, they having attained heights ranging from S feet to 15 fVet, the latter size being larely attained even on tlie hillsides of Noithern India. Tlie .secret TREE NOTES FROM BRYNMEIRIG. Situated on a rocky eminence above the quaint little village of Bethesda, with the Ogwen Kiver meandering lazily at its feet, and distantly surrounded, on three sides at least, by peak al'ter peak of the great Snowdoiiian range of hills, wdiicli jut out as it were from the well-wooded surround- ings, is Brynmeirig, the residence of Dr. ■Williams, one of the loveliest spots on the whole Peurhyn estate. To the good taste and judgment of the late Dr. Hamilton Roberts, however, this place, it is but fair to state, owes much of its present beauty, for it is quite evident that neither expense nor pains were spared by him in bringing it up to the present high state of perfection, he being an enthusiastic admirer, as well as an ardent cultivator, of plants generally, but more particularly the new and rarer Conifers, as numbers of these latter planted out over the lawn, fields, and adjacent grounds, as well as alongside the drive, but too clearly testify. Several of these, notably the Jlonterey Cypress (Cu]iressus macro- carpa or C. Lambertiana), the Spanish Silver Fir (Allies Pinsapo), Captain Welili's Fir of their growth is, however, not far to look for, (A. Webbiana), the Weejiing Spruce (A. Mo- '. the humid peaty loam, resting on slate rock, and rinda), and that distinct and beautiful plant, I shady situation being the chief requirements of the Weeping Indian .Juniper jJuniperus recurva), this beautiful, but seldom-seen shrub. They pro- judging from their (ireseiit si/.es must have been duce berries in abundance, but being dioecious planted at an early date after their introduction, and no male plant in close contiguity, the seeds and when they were both choice and expensive, are useless for the purpose of reproduction. Other The fir.st of these, Cupressus macrocarpa, has species of .Juniper that size will not jiermit our now attained to a goodly height, with wide- ' passing unnoticed are the Red Cedar (.funiperus spreading branches and a large well-balanced virginiana), with its sharply conical habit of trunk, and is a striking object on the green- growth; the tall Juniper (J. excelsa), and that sward immediately in Iront of the house. As lovely and distinct winter-Howering species (J. a tree for exposed and maritime situations it chinensis) — a shrub or small tree, f.ir it rarely has few equals. Abies Webbiana is, perhaps, exceeds .30 feet in height — that is well worthy of one of the finest trees of its kind in this country extensive culture as an ornamental park or lawn with a clean, well-branched bole, the luxuriant, | subject. silvery -green foliage of which at once points out | Several well-furnished plants of the flat-leaved that the rocky (/eJim, fine loamy jieat, and high I or creeping Yew (Taxus adpressa) put one in elevation, where it is not induced to commence I mind of how well this shrub is adapted for plant- The B.ilm of Gilcad tree (Populus cindicaws). ing under the shade and drip of our larger growing woodland trees and where accommoda- tion is somewhat limited. It is a very desirable and distinct form, with numerous branchlets tliickly clothed witli stout, flat, dark green leaves. T. baccata, as well as its golden and silver varie- gated vaiieties, are well represented ; while of tliat rare .Japanese fortn , T. cuspidata, with its distichous or two-rowed arraTigement of leaves, renders it at once both distinct and interesting, and more so. as it is an extremely rare jilant in any but the best collections. The yellow-berried form of oiu' common Yew (T. baccata fructo-luteo) i.s another excellent plant for contrast, and of which there are several large plants, these differ- ing in no way. however, from the normal species save in the colour of its iruit, which is of a briglit golden yellow. Speaking of yellow-fruited shrubs reminds me of a 12 feet high specimen of the yellow- berried Holly (Ilex Aquifolium fructo- luteo) which graces a well-cho.sen spot on the lawn near the house. This is in truth a lovely shrub tliat, at the time I write, is literallv smothered with its bunches of the brightest golden berries ; indeed, as regards fruit-bearing qualities it is even superior to the normal form, and that is saying a good deal. Cypresses are fairly well represented, the most conspicuous and distinct being the Funeral Cypress (Cupressus funebris), of Chinese origin, and which so nearly resembles C. torulosa, that any well- marked difference is certainly hard to detect. Amongst the Cedars the Atlantic species (Cedrus atlantica), as well as C. Deodarafrom India, and the well-known, far-spreading Lebanon tree (C. Libani) are all doing well, the latter in particular extending its flat, table-shaped branches to an extent far surpassing the tree's height, and otTering a like contrast to the horizontal or slightly weeping form of a fine LTlmus campestris pendula growing in close proximity. A Weeping Ash alongside the drive is another tree curio- sity like the latter that is, perhaps fortu- nately, but rarely met with. Two species of Spruce alone attract attention, one being the weeping form, Abies Morinda, of which there are several fine trees, notably one along the wood edge at the Ogwen River; the other, a tall-growing and very distinct variety (from appear- ance I should say so, for 1 know not its name, and have not before seen it in cul- tivation) of the common Spruce with darker, glos.sy leaves and smaller, bluntly oval cones, intermediate between those of A. Menziesi and A. orientalis, but larger than either. Pine tribe show here signs of distress, the lanky weather-beaten appearance of Pinus Cembra and Lord Weymouth's tree (P. Strobus) indicating that something is wrong, the high- lying situation and cold mountain blasts being perchance the principal causes of their unhealthy appearance. Pinus muricata, or the Prickly- coned Pine, grew well on the rocky ledges abo\'e the hou-e, but was, unfortunately, blown over during the .severe "Tay Bridge gale." The popu- lar name Prickly-coned is certainly well bestowed, as I found it no easy task to remove some of ] these as a memento of the departed tree, which I was the only one of its kind on the estate. ' Hard by where this Pine stood and on gently rising ground is one of the finest banks of Rho- dodendrons— not ponticum, but all the finest and I choicest varieties — that it has ever been my good I fortune to behold, and which during the season The Feb. 6, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 127 is a blaze of varied colours, to match which one would in vain find an equal, wdiile scattered about in irregular profusion, but occupying the more sheltered and warm corners, are some of the less hardy Indian kinds with large shining leaves, downy beneath — Azaleas, Pemettyas, and Heaths. The rocky ground and fine loamy peat suit these latter to perfection, and during summer the lireadths of variously coloured— pink, carmine, and the purest of white — blooms entices one to "stop and look." Pernettya mucronata — there are none of the variously coloured fruited forms, for the}' were not then in vogue — rambles at will, and as seen here in the most luxuriant condition anil when in full fruit can, methinks, compare favourably with most of the Hillsborough kinds whicli are thought so highly of. The Rhododendron bed above referred to serves a ilouble purpose, for tlie sight of that rare and distinct Lily, Lilium giganteum, flourishing in the wihlest luxuriance is a treat seldom seen, and well worthy of a ten miles' walk to view. A single specimen of this Lily in full blow is con- sidered worthy of note in The Garden, but to see it here, as I h;ive done by the half dozen, and lising from amongst the Rhododendrons to a height of fully !) feet, would make some of the Lily-growing fraternity look aghast with astonish- ment. The peaty loam and shelter aftbrded by the Rhododendrons seems to suit this Lily well, but it must also be remembered that they have been established for many years, the progeny of the oldest having been distributed amongst the doctor's friends in no mean quantity. Near the entrance gate is a curious floral effect produced by several varieties or species of Prunus being engrafted on a 4-fi)0t standard of the common Cherry, and which during the flowering season is as curious as it is beautiful. Leycesteriatormosa, with its conspicuous berries and foliaceous bracts of a deep, clnll jjurple, is at once striking and ett'ective, while the short racemes of orange-red flowers produced by Berberis ilicifolia are orna- mental in a high degree, and, combined with the deeply serrated evergreen foliage, make this shrub a favourite with all who have seen it. Escallonia rubra, with its deep shining foliage and pretty pinky flowers, seems here quite as much at home, soramliling over some broken rock, as it is usually seen when carefully trained ami annually pruned as a wall plant, while climbing in and around both it and the daik, glossy-leaved Hollies are numerous plants of the Dogwood, the pinky purplish shoots of which are shown oif to advantage, and ofl'er an unusual, though prettj', combination. Along the outskirts of the adjoining woodlands I have more than once come across the Medlar (Mespilus germanica) in full fruit, but, although a British plant, I by no means wish to assert that it is so here ; indeed, it would be rash for me to do so, knowing the late doctor's love for the collecting and cultivating of our native plants. Hosts of other trees, but which space will not permit our mentioning, such as the Araucaria imbricata,Cryptomeria japonica, Thujopsis borea- lis, Wellingtonia gigantea. Sequoia sempervirens, and Lawson's Cypress; while of shrubs Weigela rosea. Lilacs of sorts, tlie Suowberry and Vincas, with Maples and the pur|>le-leaved Beech, all combine to swell the rank and render this c(jllec- tion, when space is taken into consideration, one of the most complete and certainly by far the healthiest that it has been our good fortune for some time past to inspect. A. D. Webster. note, as combining all these several characteristics. The leaves are tri-lobed in shape, unusually stout in texture, and of a deep green hue. It does not appear to be very common, but is occasionally met with in nurserymen's catalogues. — H. P. NATIONAL CRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. The annual general meeting of this Society was held on the SSth ult. The president, Mr. E. San- derson, in the chair. The secretary having read the report and balance-sheet for the past year, the same were received and adopted. The next, and one of the principal objects of the meeting, was the election of officers for the ensuing year, which was then proceeded ^\'ith, as was also the election of new members. It was then resolved that the general committee should consist of thirty-six members, exclusive of the repre- sentatives from affiliated societies. A suggestion that one-third of the members comprising this committee should retire annually was referred to the October general meeting. The Lewisham and District Floral Society was admitted as one of the affiliated societies. It was also resolved that the election of judges, together with the floral and exhibition committees, be decided at the first meeting of the new general committee. Upon the motion of Mr. Stevens, all members paying a subscription of £1 Is. per annum and upwards are to be entitled Fellows of the Society, a proposition which was carried by a small majority. Various letters were read by the secretary, with suggestions from absent members, all of which were directed to be laid before the general committee to be considered. The Nursery and Seed Trade Association held its ninth annual meeting on the 25th ult., Mr. N. N. Sherwood, president, in the chair. From the report, which was read and adopted, it appeared that in 1S84 it was proposed to wind up the AssocLation, as the principal members had withdrawn their support in consequence of want of energy on the part of the executive, but as several members were of opinion that an association of this kind was a necessity, it was decided to resuscitate it. Since then all seems to have gone on satisfactorily. Its utility consists in members being able to give mutual information to each other through the secretary concerning the stability of persons with whom they have business transactions, and thereby get reliable information which could not be obtained through the channels of ordinary trade protection societies. The report also showed that the secretary and silicitor had recovered and paid over to the membi rs debts to the amount of £1276 6s. lOd. which they had treated as bad. The balance sheet, which was read, showed that a balance of £48 7s. 5d. had been carried forward to the present year. Hedera amurensis.— The history of this Ivy is unknown to me, but to anyone needing a fine bold large-leaved variety of rapid growth it is worthy of EAINFALL AT BOWNES.S, WINDERMERE. Possibly it may interest some of the readers of The Garden to see the report of rainfall for 1885 in a different quarter of England from those mentioned in last week's issue (p. 97). It will be seen that we are pretty " wet" up here. The report is as follows : — January . February March . . . April . . . . M.ay June .. . . July Augiast . . Sept October., Nov Dec Total .... Total depth. Inches. 0-3-2 8-36 li-30 4-30 3-11 2-39 4-31 2 S3 8-51 7 04 5-05 3 1.5 Greatest fall in 24 hours. Depth. 108 1-72 1-32 1-28 •71 •82 1-49 •66 1 07 1-61 1-31 60-67 Date. 9 23 4 24 20 IS 10 12 29 Number of days on which '01 or more tell. l.i 24 18 11 21 10 11 10 L'3 22 13 14 Obituary. Mb. John Scott, of Merriott, the well-known pomologist. died on the 22nd ult., aged 79, after a short attack of inflammation of the lungs. His start in life as a gardener was made under the direction of his cousin, the late Charles Mcintosh, from whom he received some sound instruction in regard to fruits and fruit culture. Plants he studied in Paris in the Jardin des Plantes; but his favourite study was pomology, and in his knowledge of fruits, especially Apples, he had few equals, a fact amply confirmed by his "OrchardLst," a most useful work, the result of long and patient labour. His collection of fruit trees at ]\Ierriott was second to none in the country, and proving, naming, and cataloguing them was his greatest pleasure. He was a frequent contributor to The Garden, and his articles, founded on long practical experience, '^vere alwaj's most interesting and instructive. To his emplnyls he was kind and considerate, and his loss will be felt by a wide circle of friends. We have also to record the death of Mr. John KoBsoN, late of Linton Park, Maidstone, where he was gardener for many years. On his retirement from Linton in 1876, Lady Holmesdale allowed him a pension until her death. He \vrote a good deal in the gardening papers, among them being The Garden, tlie pages of which contain some of his latest con- tributions. That he was esteemed in the neighbour- hood of Maidstone is evident from the fact of his having received while there two handsome testimonials — one from his friends at Linton, the other from the Maidstone Gardeners' Society. QUESTlOyS. .'jI.'iC— "F ed Roses. — What bright red Roses are recom- mended for indoor cvdture to flower through the winter in a house which is kept warm, but not hot? — H. B. .54.51. — London Finks. — C.iu anyone tell me the correct name of the pretty mauve-coloured Pinks which were selling in quantities in the streets in London last season ?— R. C. fi4o2. — Measuring* timber. — • Will some practical forester explain the best method of measuring glowing aua felled timber?— R. P. .54.5.3. — Nerine aurea.— 1 have seen Nerine aurea men- tioned two or three times this season in The G.\hden. Can anyone tell me what this is and where it is to be obtained? — E. Peters. 54.54. — Cesse Tardive Peach- — I have read that this is a first-rate Peach. It is said to be later even than Walburton Admirable, ripening as late as the last week in Ortnlicr, and, moreover, lasts a good while in the fruit room in good condition. Now this seems to be just the kind of Peach that is wanted. Can any reader give his experience of it? Is it a good looking fruit, and what is its flavour? — G. Palmer. .5455.- Willo-ws for hoop making-.— Many plots of land in Sun-e.v are planted witli Willow, Hazel, &c., as under- growth, the Willow being used for the pui-pose of making hoo])s. It .appears that there is one varietj^ of Willow mucli better adapted than others for this use, as 'oeing less brittle and having smaller pith. Could anyone having the manage- ment of such pLintations kindly give the botanical name of this variety, the local name by which it is known at the nurseries, and also mention any characteristics by which when young it can be distinguished from others ? — E. R. LATE NOTES. 194 -A. Rawson. Berberis bellstoniensis, a v.ariety of the common Barlicrry, .sccnis ;i1sm tu I'f a u.st-ful shrub, from its red shoots when young .iiid I'nm.snu f'lliage in autumn. — C. M. O. Late Chrysanthem-ums- — It may be interesting to know wo have still a few fair blooms of Talford Salter, Mad. C. Audiguicr, and i-Ioseum pictum. Tliey are on plants that were kcpc in a north house till Christmas. — W. Harechal Niel Hose. — I have one inside the roof of a conservatory ; it has had blooms on it, more or less, since last March, and now there are two full blown ones and many buds. The roots are outside, and have no protection ; the tree was planted eight years ago. and has been dressed only with Thompson-s Vine manure. — H. J. G. Old yellQ-w Provence. — I am most anxious to procure a couple of plants of this Rose (Rosa sulphurea). I have written to several well-knowii Rose nurseries, but without success. If any of your readers could help me by informing me where I could buy them, I should feel greatly obliged. — r. w. Y. Ifames of plants.— 5i/''5fr.6'r. — 1, Cydonia japonica; 2, Rubus australis ; Kerria japonica. R. C. — Next week. //. Vanghan. — 1, Juniperus drupacea ; 2, Abies cepha- lonica ; 3, A. Menziesi. J. D. iV. — Helleborus atro-rubens ; quite a distinct species from H. niger. Fern is Polypodium peltatum. 128 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 6, 1886. Woods & forests. THE FUTURE OF THE POPLAR. A FEW weeks a^o the claims of this tree were dwelt upon at .some length in these columns, but as the que.stiun deserves more than cursory atten- tion it may nut he out of place to again look into it a little. The producer of home timber, not withstanding the long-delayed, but apparently ever-imniineiit, famine, is at his wit's end to di.S' cover the way in which some retnrn may be reasonably hoped for on his outlay in planting. It is fortunate lor users of timber that there are other reasons in favour of growing it beyond the mere thought of profit, or there would be vastly more bare acres than now exist. With what are regarded as the staple timber trees common to these islands — 1 now speak of deciduous, or rather hardwood trees — it is practically impossible that any return can come to the planter in his life- time ; and if he is " aye stickin' in a tree" and has the satisfaction of providing for coming genera- tions, the invei-tment, though without doubt .safe, will hardly ever be a profitable one. The crying want is at once a tree which can be cheaply raised and quick in growth, and which, when grown, will fetch something in the market. These condi- tions, I take it, were the matter properly weighed, •woukl be found to e.xist in the Poplar. There is scarcely a tree more easily propagated or quicker in its growth, and even in the existing state of things it will in many places fetch a price within a measureable distance of the Elm, and certainly more than the Scotch Fir. It is not, however, 60 much to its existing position that I would now look as to the place it may have in the future. Poplar wood for buildings. — Generations ago, when buildings were constructed in a manner which may reasonably have been expected to do duty for posterity as well as for the im- mediate requirements of the designers, the shoddy wood of which there is now such a flood would not have found an inlet. It is no doubt true that with tlie increase of popu- lation the wants ha\'e increased, and it is none the less true that the order of the present day is making shift for the time being and letting the future take care of itself If this is not so, how is it to be accounted for that so much material — and notably wood — is used in what should be permanent work — material which at the best can- not long outlast tlie generation by whom it is used ; To this existing state of things, to compete with it successfully we must contbrm ourselves, and if tindier growers of this country hope to stand in the same rank as those who make it their business to draw from the supplies existing in native forests abroad, they must as nearly as may be imitate the conditions which allow of timber cutting us out on our own ground. Natural forests here, where every acre is appro- priated, is of course out of the question, and planting is the only means by which a timber supply can be produced and maintained. To attempt to copy from the natural forests to the extent of raising the same species of tree where climate and soil differs would only be to court failure. The only chance, therefore, is for the home-grower to produce an equally suitable wood at a less, or at any rate the same cost as is incurreil in getting the imported wood from the native forests to this market. AVhere, in spite of depre^sed value, land is incomparably higher in price than in the countries from which the bulk of our supply comes, the owner naturally hesi- tates before he moves. When he does move, as somebody must, it is essential to move on the right lines. These, as I have indicated, must be cheap planting and quick growth, and, what is further, the turning to account of land which is nut adapted to agriculture. The latter pait of the question, however, is one which requires careful consideration, a.s, notwithstanding what is said to the contrary, timber will not always thrive on .soils which are alwolutely vvcirthless for every other purpose. The matter, it cannot be denied, is complex, and even ex]ierience is often at fault, yet the wide .statements which from time to time gain currency must be received with caution. The Poplar, it is well known, will succeed on a great variety of soils and in diverse situa- tions, yet not in every place. A very general notion seems to exist that for this tree it does not matter how wet the site, providing it is not too liigh and dry, Ijut this, to say the least, is a fallacy Poplars, it is certain, delight in moist situation,', but not such as are marshy or where the water is stagmrnt. A similar impression is often formed with regard to the Willow, but it is one which is equally incorrect. By the sides of rivers and running streams, and on land exposed to occa- sional tlood.s, it is generally seen at its best, although even on high and thin soils it is not uncommon to find it growing to a considerable size. The land by the side of watercourses in perhaps nine cases out ten, however, turns out to be too valuable for timber growing at all beyond a mere fringe ; and although if even this was carried out, the quantity now growing would lie appreciably increased, such positions as this being fully occupied cannot be regarded as having much effect on the general supply. In woods it often happens that this tree has been planted as a nurse, and then from the failure of the intended crop or for some other reason, the Poplar which was designed to serve a temporary jiurpose has been left to grow to maturity and reach a large size; and although it is mostly thought of as a field tree, observation leads one to believe that the moisture which is generally an accompaniment of wooded lands, makes them the very places for the growth of the Poplar. It is very common to find wooils within which a numlier of springs occur on the hillside where the quantity of timber growing is very small compared to their area, and the underwood is very bushy and of small value. Woodland, however, it is, and it is \'irtually out of the question to clear it and make it fit for any other use. Foi' such places the Poplar has an especial value, and should be much more largely planted than is the case. To my own knowledge within the fences of a small number of woods thei'C is room for the production of thousands ol Poplars, and the total of what has come under my observation or remains in my memory i.=, of cour.se, as nothing to the number of instances existing over the country. So much, then, for the way in which the tiinlier may be produced, cheaper both m respect to outlay anti time in growing than almost any other wood. To educate the users of wood into the know- ledge that good Poplar is equal, if not superior, to the commoner kinds of deal imported, is not so easy a matter, as both apathy and piejudice have to be fought against, and perhaps the former is greater than the latter. For .some unaccount- able reason the fact that trees in this country do not grow into scantlings, planks, and boards of the required size, seems too much for the ordinary mind. If Poplar was cut up and .sold at the pnrts as an iinporled wood, the chances are greatly in I'.ivour of its lieing well received ; but because it is merely Poplar and grows at home, it must of necessity be at a discount. Leaving, however, these hypothetical points, we will look a little into the purposes for which it could be used — purposes for wl^icll the foreign wood now "rules the roast.'' Of these I do not hesitate to say that liouse-building of many kinds is one of the most imiiortant — not merely dwell- ing-houses, but the thousaml and one accessories to them. As was pointed out in the article which gave lise 1o the>e rt marks, if the wood is nbjected to because it will not resist damp, there are many purpoH'S in house-building where the property of resisting damp is not required, and, what is more to the point, I believe that its peri.shable nature is over-rated. Be this as it may, there can be no question in this respect as to its fitness for floors, especially for the upper stories. For packing-case making, the absence of any objectionable property which could injure the contents renders it especially valuable. For packing pianos and other musical instruments, lor instance, wdiat could be more suitalde than J this clean, tough, and light wood ? This cla.ss ^ of case would not of cour.se consume a large bulk of wool, but I particularise this as showing the direction of future possible extension. For boarding underneath iron roofing, or for the matter of that under tiles, the Poplar is a very suitable wood. In many cases it is now used for the purpose. In public iron buildings it is the very thing for the wood linings, which are always necessary, and its non-intlammable nature is an especial recommendation. On estates its principal uses will naturally be for buildings of one kinil or another, but even for fences it may occasionally be used to advantage where it is more or less of a temporary nature. It may look like straining a point to advocate its employment for such a tiling, but I have again and again seen it used for this work, never, of course, for posts, but in close boarding or upright paling where it does not come in contact with the soil, and is covered with some protecting substance. It wouhl be possible to lengthen in- definitely the list of instances where this wood has favouralily stood tests which one would have naturally considered too severe ; but enough has iieen said for the present to show that the Poplar, so far from being looked upon almost as a "weed," has an undoubted right to be regaixled as one of our most useful timber trees. What it.s future is to be must lie with growers and us-ers ; b\it if it does not come to be lietter thought of, the fault is not in the wood itself. D. J. Yeo. Lyiiclutiii, If'iltx. Lightning and trees. — It is a very cnmnionly expressed idea that there is less danger to individuals whii happen to be overtaken in a thunder storm if it is accompanied by a down]50ur of rain than would b^ the case if the rain was absent. From the obser- vation of the effects of the electi-ic fluid upon tree>-, thtre seems to be ground for such a belief, as it would appear that where a considerable amount of moisture is present the lightning is abs-irbed and conducted away without causing any rupture in the medium through which it passes. The state of know- ledge, however, with regard to the way in w hieh the fluid acts upon trees is in ratlur an elementary con- dition, although there are few things more worthy of the notice of foresters wlio are at all scientifically incliued. So far as ob.servatioiis have gone, as already intimated, it seems pretty ule:ir that not only does the amount of moi.-ture in a tree produce an effect, but also the character of the tree itself and the season when it is stniek. As an example of the way in which moisture comlucts electricity, the case of an electrified tropical forest has been cited, where h- avy r.aius had fallen and so.aked the trees, which the i became charge I with electricity. Subsecjuently, a thimder storm passed over the electiitied tiees, which were thus induced to part with their store of the fluid into the cloud ahove in such a manner that the phenomenon was visible to the eye. As each flash from the cloud passed, the points of the trees gradually 9 became aglow, until another flash relieved them of Feb. 6, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 129 thtir superabundant charge. To bring us to what more commonly occurs in this country, the investiga- tions which were made some j'ears ago by Professor CoUadon, and reported in the Times, may be of in- terest. This gentleman made a minute examination of a tall Poplar which h:urpose ol pievenliug the ingre-ss of intruders. With .some it is the rule to reneiv this description of fence periodically, but, unless in exceptional instances, it .seems to entail an amount of unnecessary labour, as other fences could be made of a more permanent character. Where, however, under wood of sufficient size to provide the stakes, and also fit for the wattling, is abumlant, there is the one great advantage that no skilled labour need be employed. A hedging-bill and an iron bar for forming the holes for inserting the stakes are about all the tools recjuired. Besides the Wiltle, there is another kind of mound wdiicli niav be erected without the aid of the saw or skilled labour in any form. This, though, is of a very dirterenl character, and may be termed The single-hail unsawn fence. — As this difi'eis in character from the last, the purpose it is intended to serve is of course very different, and the way in which it is erected may be varied so that the material availalile may be used to the best advantage. A plan sometimes adopted when the fence is only wanted to exclude large animals is to select posts from the larger branches of any kind of trees which may happen to be felled on or near the spot, and to chcote the rails from the longer and straighter limbs of the same character. The posts, some 4 inches to 6 inches in diameter and about G feet long, are set 2 feet in the ground at distances suitable to take the rails which will be irregular in length. These, when the posts are properly chosen, and cut out with a fork at the top— and this can easily enough l)e done, providing it is understood as the lopping of the tree gots on — will not be required to be hastened or morticed into the po.st, as the weight of the rough unsawn rail resting in the fork at the top of the post will be suHicient to retain it in its position and to sustain a considerable knock or push. The single-rail sawn fence. — This is some- times a very useful .style of fence on the top ot a high mounil wheie a young live fence is about to be established. It is generally of a less heiglit than the last named knd and consumes niiich less material. From it* name it is obvious that the saw will be rBfjuired to prepare it, and this will be the case wiih most of the others which will claim our notice. When a .saw-mill is on the estate little ditficulty will be found in the woik, and wdiere much tencing has to be done tlie saw-bench is an indispensable adjunct. For the single-rail sawn fence the posts will not require to be longer than 5 feet, as 3 feet or even less above ground will generally be ample. The size and stieiigth of these and the rails will have to be regulated by tlie demands likely to be made upon it. For the lighter descriptions of this I'eiije it « ill not always be founcl necessary to mortice the posts as long stout nails may lie used to fasten the raiR When morticing is required the holes for the moitice may be bortd Viy the auger or by the bit, wdiich is sometimes aitacheil to the .spindle of the saw-bench. Fur working out the ere of the mortice wdiere no great nicety is e.s.sential a small axe will often be found quite as eflfcctive as a m diet and chisel. The two to five-rail sawn fence. — Sawn rail fences, as the positions where they have to be erected and the uses they have to seive vary, are made -with Ironi two to five rails, ami as the way ill w liich they are prepared is very similar, they may be very well included in the same clas-'. There is, in fact, no marked dirt'erence between this class and tlie one-rail fence, excejit that the po.-ts are longer and heavier, and the rails generally .stouter. The posts are mostly prepared by a central cut being made down round logs from G inches to 9 inches in diameter, and the mortice worked tlirough from the flat sur- face, or vice versa. The trellis fence. — A very good mound is sometimes formed from short and otherwise waste material by driving in stakes in opposite directions at a sufficient angle to form a trellis with diamond-shaped openings. The height of this, as of other fences, cau be varied to suit re- quireineu's; but it is unusual to find this kind of fence made of any great height, as from the rough and irregular nature of the material thnre would be a difliculty in making a good fini.sh. The general mode of pre])aration is to run a centre cut down the poles or other wood wdticli has t) be used and point them with an axe. The smooth surfaces are then, in driving, pdaced together and fastened by stout nails. Of rail fences there are all kinds of modifications, and among.-t these is The wood and wire fence. — When wires alone are u.sed in place of rails, the posts are simply sawn with a smooth surface and not morticed, the wire being fixed by means of staples. Sometimes, however, it is desirable that the lower 130 THE GARDEN. [Feb. C, 1886. portion should be composed of wooden rails, and occasionally dose boarded. When this is done the number of rails to be u.seil, and their distances, must be determined when preparin;^ the posts, and mortices sutticient and at. proper intervals lie orraed. The boarding may then be fixed by means of nailing, as may be deemed best. The cleft fence. — Tliis should perhaps have been enniiierated earlier, as it is a kind of fence whei'e the saw is not required, but if the quality and straighlness of the timber required for cleav- ing are taken into account, it occupies the right place, as it would lie useless to think of trying to construct a clelt fence of rough or knotty wood. Although no machinery is necessary to prepare it, some judgment is required in the cleaving; as to the workman, the business of cleaving is rela- tivel}' a more ditttcult one than sawing. So far as the fence it.self is concerned, there is no differ- ence, e.\cept that the line of cleavage does not present such an even surface as would be pro- duced by the saw, and that it may gain a little in strength from being worked in the direction of the grain. The clo.se-boarded fexce. — This is found in an almost infinite variety of forms, from the substantial and extensive pai-k or villa fence to the slight and cheap fence in more unpretentious positions. Although differing in detail, the framework of this class of mound is materially the .same as that of the .sawn-rail fence, the principal difference being that the rails are not lixed so closely together, and the boards are nailed either vertically or diagonally to them. The paled fence. — Practically the construc- tion of this is the same as the close-boarded fence to which reference lias just been made, tlie pales being simply narrow boards with spaces left between them instead of their being placed closely side liy side. With respect to material, the paled fence does not, of course, consume any- thing like the proportion that the close-boarded description does. We have now locked a little at some of the principal classes of fences commonly found in this country, but nothing has yet been said of fencing woods. It may be said that almost every kind of wood growing in this country is more or less fit for these uses, but thougli this is true, it must be admitted that the various kinds have very different values in this respect. As for most other constructive purposes, The Oak must head the list of fencing woods, and is a material which is used in all the grades, from the most expensive to the cheapest. Used to some extent for rails, the chief value of the Oak is for posts. Indeed, it is to this purpose that the greater portion of an Oak tree above the bole is generally turned, the larger limbs going for gate and other squared-up posts, and the smaller sizes for unsquared fence posts. Where these are large enough, as has been remarked with regard to preparing posts, they are simply sawn down the centre, and where they are not of sufficient size for this they are merely chopped to one or two smooth surfaces by means of the axe or adze and used whole. The principal drawback to using very small dimensions in this way is the large amount of sapwood in propor- tion to the heartwood in the extreme tops of the trees. It is not always, however, that posts are made from the tops of Oak trees, as it is not unusual to use small trees and saplings for the purpose. In selecting these, care should be taken that when cleft posts or rails have to be prepared that the clean grained trees should be set aside, and the sawn part cut from the more knotty ones. The Elm does not take a high rank as a fencing wood, yet in some instances it is found to be very useful for the purpose, especially when a supply is on the place and no other wood is readily to lie got at. The single-rail unsawn fence which has been spoken of is sometimes made from Elm limbs, and, notwithstanding this wood not lieing considered good for posts, when rough logs are set in the ground with the bark on they will often last for several years, and when the longest and straightest limbs are used for the rails and simply placed in the forks of the posts the cost is a mere nothing ; and if it is required to remove the fence before the wood is decayed it will Ije just as useful for any other purpose as it would had it not Ijeen used for a fence at all. Elm can also be used for fencing in the shape of sawn rails of the ordinary' size, say 3 inches to 4 inches deep and 2 inches thick, cut into about 10-feet lengths and used with Oak posts, and with a stud in the centre of the bars a very good fence is made. In some cases, too, Elm is a suitable wood for a paled or close boarded fence. The Ash should never be used for posts, and good timber of this sort will generally be too valuable to use up in work of this kind, where it would only last for a limited time. In some instances, however, for rails Ash poles used in the round answer very well. If material had to be bought they would be scarcely the thing to invest in for fencing, but when they grow on the estate and at hand they may be used to advantage to a reasonable extent. Be- yond this there is not much hardwood used for fencing ]>urposes, and, as has been mentioned, the use of the two last is restricted. Of the common hardwoods Oak is undoubtedly par excellence the wood for fencing. As the Oak stands among the hardwoods, so The Larch stands among the Fir tribe, and as to the amount used it no doubt exceeds that of the Oak, as from its general habit of growth as well as from its lasting qualities it seems par- ticularly fitted to work up for fencing without waste. It would be interesting to know the proportion of this wood used for fencing com- pared with all other uses it is put to— from its youngest growth, when it serves to merely stop a "gap in a live hedge, to its mature size, when it cuts up at the saw-mill into posts and squared rails ; by-the-by, however, although the larger the better for squaring into rails, the most; profit- able size for converting into posts is poles or trees of 6 inches to 8 inches in diameter, as these by a single cut down the centre turn out a couple of good posts without waste. This would be for the ordinary four or five-rail fence ; when a heavier mound is wanted the sizes must, of course, be proportionately larger. The best finish for the top of post is a band of hoo]i iron nailed round within an inch or two of the end. The Scotch Fir, for purposes under review, follows the Larch, but is better adapted for nils than for posts. Wliether this is so in its native forests we are not prepared to say, liut here in the south it hardly holds a superior position to the Spruce in this respect. Wien, however, it is used on the ground a very good trellis fence is formed by this or the Larch" being split down the centre and driven into the ground, as described in the remarks on the trellis fence. The bark being left on gives a very good effect. Small hanging gates are very often constructed from this wood, and answer" the purpose well. The hanging style is made of a length of round pole, and the head also from a length of a smaller size — the rails and dia- gonal brace of half-round lengths and the pales of the same kind and form. In each case the bark is retained on the wood, the poles being placed either upright or diagonally. The posts, too, if desired, may be of round pieces of Fir, with the bark upon them. When this is done, if merely to give an opening in a hedge, it has a very good appearance ; and when part of a fence formed diagonally in the same direction (which, of course, would require rails;, or in trellis fashion, a gate like this adds to the lout ensemble. The Si'ruce Fir, fcjr fencing, is often spoken rather rdightingly of, but i>rovided it is only used for rails or jioles, or, in fact, in any position in i which it does not come in contact with the ground, I it is a very useful wood. It is cheap to buy, or ' if it is on the place, what amounts to the same thing, it will not fetch much to sell. It is easily ■sawn up and will stand railing fairly well, and is light to handle. For temporary fence.s, where, for instance, Quick lias been planted, good Spruce lails will generally last until the hedge has be- come well established, and this is long enough. The posts may be of Scutch Fir, or preferably of Larch or Oak, but Spruce rails, in nine cases out of ten, will answer every puip.i.se. For pales, too, or even for close boarding, the Spruce may often be used with considerable success. Where 110 great amount of labour is entailed, and an erection is only wanted to last for a few years, the value of the Spruce is not, as a rule, fairly estimated. In touching upon fences andfencingwoods little has been said upim g.ites, but, in a general way, the same kinds Vpf wooil would be suitable for these as foi' the fences themselves, but preferably Oak and Larch. Elm in some cases is used for rails, but is hardly to be recommended. The larger branches of Oak, when of the right bend, are sometimes used for what is here known as " Yorkshire '' stiles. These are fixed some 2 feet in the ground, and are constructed of two posts, which at the ground level are placed about 1 foot apait, and there joined by two short pieces placed transversely. These posts bend outwards, and at the height of some 4 feet, which is about the limit to which they reach, they open out to some 2 feet, allowing sufficient room for any but the very corpulent to pass through comfortably, and without the exertion of climbing a stile made of rails in the ordinary wav*. There are of course many other kinds of fencing, and some other woods may be used, but not to any great extent, in what may fairly be termed timber fences. D. J. Yeo. The Holly in coverts. — At this season when woodlands are for the most part bare we appreciate the Holly more than at any time of the year. It is also a favourite resort of different kinds of game. The sportsman may often beat clumps of Bays, Laurel.s, and Rhododendrons without raising a single bird, but it is seldom he beats a clump of Hollies without being rewarded for his trouble. The Holly is not only one of the handsomest Evergreen plants we have, but also one of the hardiest whether as regards soil, elevation and exposure. I have planted it with success on all classes of soil — from deep peat bog at a low elevation, as well as in the recesses of rocky bluffs where there was little soil of any description, and at an elevation of upwards of 1000 feet above sea level, and I think it a pity that it is not used on a more extensive scale, seeing that its merits are of so high an order. It is easily propagated, and the i forester can have no great difficulty in raising plants for such purposes at small expense, and by a little care and painstaking the plants can be removed with success at all stages of their growth, and whether planted in masses, single specimens, or below the drip of large trees, it is perfectly at home. — J. B. Webster. SHORT NOTE.— WOODS AND FORESTS. Durability of Larch.— The house I live in was built 100 years ago. I have just had a skylight put in the roof. The joiner brought me parts of two spans he had cut away ; he said they were so hard, he had difficulty in cutting them. They were of Larch and quite sound. The wood was growu In Blidworth Parish, Notts.— H. J. G. I THE GARDEN. 131 No. 743, SA TURD A Y, Feb. 13, 1886. Vol. XXIX. *' This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather : but The Art itself is Nature." — IShakespeare. Garden in the House. ENDUKANCE OF CUT FLOWERS. Cut flowers are a perennial care and interest wiLli all ui ns, and it observant readers will send nutes during the next few weeks of kinds which last long in water, or open in water, or improve when so opened, the result will be uselul, and will save much anxiety and waste of lime and ll iwers, caused so often by the indiscriminating use of such as fade as soon as cut. My observa- tion exteuds ouly over the last twelve mouths, and was aroused Hrst b)' leceiving in January last j-ear a dozen Christmas Roses, in tight bud stage, packed in a cigarette box barely capable of containing a single fud-blovvn flower. SecoiuUy, Irom Jliircli onwari-1 I hail occasion my^elf to send a weekly despatch of (lowers to Lonclon, and studied that they should be such and so received that they wouhl not excite the sad sensation ot ruined beauty, but might live to cause interest and pleasure for some days in a London draw ing- room. In tcs ing flowers here in countr}' air, some las;ed So long that 1 conclude it is possible by cuttiug some twenty chosen kinds of hard} flowers on twenty days to have excellent decora- tive flowers iu perfection throughout at least the nine months ot autumn, ■winter, and spring. In really hot summer weather and in gas-heated room-j few flowers can la^t long. The dozen Christmas Uoses (Helleborus niger) reached me, as jtwt stated, in tight bud, and so short m stem that when 1 ranged them round a tumbler ol ■warm water alter their journey, they hung tlieii necks over the rim and held on by their chins, ■without anyone being able to set foot on the botiom of the glass. There for some daj'S they l.ioked like little white swans asleep, but opened one by one until at the end of a week all were out. The stalks lengthened until some of them stood an inch or more above the glass, and at the end of three weeks all were perfect flowers. Jasmiiuun nudifljiuni cut in bud three weeks ago is still perfect. Snowdrops next will grow larger blooms and longer stalks iu water, and List three weeks well. Daflbdils (best of all flowers to pack and carry perfectly in smallest compass) may be cut long before they come out. It is to be regretted they are not imported in this way, as, opening in water they are larger in size, liiglier in colour, and more delicate, too, than if opened outside; they will last a mouth, cany ing us to the full tide of spring when no one netd want lloweis in town or country. Tulips, notably double ones, and Anemones (coronaria and ful- gen.-') pack and last well. St. Bruno's Lily (An- ihericum) and Ir.ses of many kinds do excellently, every bloss(un opening if cut when the fir^t shows colour. Of wild flower.-!, which many like, but regartl as useless because they faile so soon, it will be found that if cut in bud many last well, and arrange in a manner in which they will not do when gathered in bloom, anil allowed to get limp and faded before they can be put in water. The pretty white field Saxifrage (S. granulata), which whitens whole fields here, lasts a month in water with successively opening blooms, provided he large seed-pods be weekly snipped ofTwith cisaors. The King Cup (Callha p.dustris), the Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum), and the Corn Marigold (C. scgetuni) last each a month, and grow something like half as large again in water as they do when left on their roots. Wild Roses in all their beautiful shades are seldom thought worth cutting, as they fall in a day, but, cut in bud and loosely arranged, it will astonish anyone if a vase of tliese little pink and white points be arranged on a dewy evening and reproduced at breakfast the next sunny morning. Every blossom will be open and gay as a butter- fly, with a natural poise that no hand could give in arranging the full-blown flowers, and opened thus they "last three days or more. Foxgloves will continue to open flowers indefinitely to the tops of their tall spires, and look excellently well in large pitchers of terra-cotta in shado-\vy farts on the floor of a room, with the long-lasting Sun- flower, Tropa3olums, Thistles, Docks, Teasels, and Lilies, which latter again open better in water than out of doors. Dwarf Tropasolums sown thickly and left crowded form capital cut- ting material if the small plants be gathered when some three to five buda are swelling. Trimmed of all hut a leaf or two, they last several weeks. There is no end to the use of the trailing sorts where flowers are used on wall brackets, as ends cut off w^ill open every bud and continue to grow .some feet in length afl through autumn to Christmas time. Asphodelus ramo- sus is extremely beautiful, and opens consecutive blooms up its long spike. The Paris Daisy (Chrysanthemum frutescens) is peculiar, as inas- mnch as the ternunal bud wdiich opens Hrst has usually .some side buds which intercept tlie flow nf sap, and cause quick fading of the open hlooui; Ijut if the side buds be removed, single blossoms will last long and attain a large size in water. Gladioli are well known to open from base to pinnacle in ■\vater, and require only the attention nf plucking away each bloom as it fades. Che- lone barbata, Lobelia cardinalis, and Pyrethrum uliginosum cut at an early stage last long, and improve iu water and are most useful. Aster Amellus lasts two months, improves in col ur when kept some time in water, and is an excf 1- lent decorative flower. A white Clematis (lanu- ginosa type), which will not open out of doors here, I cut in October wdien the long buds are quite green, and it expands in an interesting way, until a foitnight after gathering the peta- loid sepals lie flat open, white like depo.sited silver, and after a month or six weeks of growing perfection it fades away iu a beautiful shade of blue. The Jackmanni type will not open in wati r. My most lasting friend of all, however, has been lielenium autumnale, a littlS known, but interet-ting and beautiful Daisy-shaped flower, peculiar as it opens for the curved finger-like claws of the ray florets as they lie within the large expanded calyx. The ray florets are set wide apart at the base, which, with their slight twisting and irregularity, together with the fact that they are broader at the tips than at their base^, give the lemon-yellow blossoms a unique ajipearance. Root action of this and other plants ceased this year before the blooms were out, and, observing this, I cut all the heads off the Heleniuni, as I have said, early in October, and, with those op"n when cut and the litth' hard green buds which opened successively, I wa^ well off for perfect blooms of this flower until after Christmas Day. Most flowers which will open in water produce larger blooms, are of better colour, and last longer than they would do on the plant. The variation in shades of colour, of which the TropEeolums give extra- ordinary example, is iftost interesting to ■".vatch. By retaining lasting flowers as a nucleus and adding to them any fleeting ones which are available from day to day, much can be learned as to ■ivhat flowers harmonise and arrange well with each other. Most flowers which last long in water vi'M open in water, and a reason for the long duration of inflorescence is doubtless to be found in the interruption to some of its vital functions, caused by severance from the stem, and removal from the influences of sun, air and insects, which prevents the perfecting of pistils, and stamens, and completion of fertilisation. This is easily observable in Daisy-like flowers. For insUxnce, the ray florets of Pyrethrum uliginosum gathered in half-open bud form will be observed to dwell sometimes several days without apparent jirogress, when, on the eve of opening, suddenly they fully expand, and the reason will be found in the opening of the outer row of the disc florets ; so that tire ray florets .have waited upon those of the disc, wiiich contain the organs of reproduction. The disc florets continue for a month to open in concentric rings, and the rays continue their subservience to them by retaining good condition until the last central florets open, when the lays, having served their attractive purpose, imme- diately lose their colour and die. If other correspondents will add notes in this direction, I think interesting and useful results will be recorded, and probalily the reason for Helleborus niger la.sting so long can be ex- plained, and also the rapid fading of H. orientalis, to which Mr. Woodall, "Lex," and Mr. Archer- Hind allude in recent numbers, but do not explain. Mr. Archer-Hind confuses the Lent Lily with the Lenten Rose, but this is probably a lapsus calami. D. Docker. King's Norton, Worcestershire. THE MLSUSE OF FLOWERS. The remarks on this subject that have .appeared in The Garpkn rize was awarded to an arrangement in which Ferns were the t^nly plants used, these being grouped jungle fashion. The second prize grouji, however, was a revelation to many of us, nothing but white flowering pilants and Ferns being employed. Anything more beautiful it would be difficult to im.agine, and the arrangement was rightly placed before grand mixtures of innumer.able choice Howering and fine-foliaged plants, such, perhaps, .as would have gladdened the heart of '■!). T. F." as well as " C. K. S. D." Very frequently since then I have grouped white flowering and foliaged plants with Ferns in conservatories, entrance halls, churches and dining-rooms, and they never fail to please. Then, as bearing upon the sub- ject of grouping species, I ask, who would wish to break up the immense groups of Foxgloves to be met with on some of the Welsh hills, or would wish to disturb the beautiful masses of wild Orchises and other British Orchids to be met with hereabouts ? Mixed in borders, they are comparatively insignificant, but in masses they are grand and beautiful, and gardeners are not so far wrong in grouping their respective kinds of plants either under glass or in the open. Masses of flowers may be out of place on a dining-table, .and very few decorators, I should ima- gine, would think of thus wasting them. It is true there are very queer fashions in vogue ; one of these, and of which " D. T. F." takes cognisance, is to lay down some figure or set design on the cloth in which masses of showy flowers play an important part Sometimes an animal is delineated, but such figures are simply ridiculous. There is no doubt about this being a misuse of flowers, and a clean table cloth ni.ay well be preferred. It is equally or even more unadvisable to place heavy banks of plants of Eucharis, Ijilies, Orchids, trained Poinsettias, or any other ]ilants in such a manner as to obstruct the view, but there the oljjectiou ceases, always provided the pro- jirietor affi>rfls the means of preparing the various Jilants and flowers re(|uired, and allows a sufficient lunnber of hands to do the work. On ordinary occa- sions very little decorating is recpiired, but even this should be good, as it not unfrequently happens that a gardener gains more credit for the fruit and flowers put on the table than for .all the rest of his labours. W. I. M. .are narrow and whitish, the petals broad, almost round, and of a clear, light blue, while the lip is bluish-purple and pencilled in ]iarts. It is extremely attractive, as the blue is so pure and tlie colour is so unusual among Orchids. It is a Brazilian plant, and very rarely seen in bloom. Among other interesting Orchids blooming in this nursery may be mentioned Peristeria pendula, a handsome little plant, quite a contrast to the Dove plant, P. elata, in point of stature. It bears short drooping spikes from the base of the bulbs. The flowers are thickly set, globose, pale pink spotted with a deeper tint. There are also several flowering plants of the lovely and much-sought-after Cielogyne Lemoniana, the lemon-crested variety of C. cristata. Acacallis cyanea.— This rare little Orchid, which is also known under the name of Aganisia cyanea, is now flowering in Mr. J. Bonny 's nursery in Downs I'ark Eoad, Hackney. It is a distinct- looking plant with creeping rhizomes, and small ovate bulbs, and long broarlish leav.-s. The flowers, borne in sjiikcs, are about 1.^ inches across ; the sep.als NOTES ON RECENT NUMBERS. PH.iL.-ENOPSlS SC1IILLEBI.\NA (p. 88). — I have had the pleasure of seeing the plants iiniler Mr. Eden's care at Heuliani Hall, though not at a time when they were in hloom, hut I am jjretty sui-e that they wouhl nuike some of tlie swell Orcliid growers open their eyes a hit at any time of the year. The chief thing I wish to call attentitm to concerning them is that they are not plants which have hoen imported during the last few years, but that they have been in this country for some time, and are certainly none the worse for that. There seems to he a growing tendency to treat Orchidssomewhatlike Roman Hyacinths now that they can he obtained so easily. They are bought cheaply at a sale, flowered for a year or two, and are then lieard of no more ; in fact, it is some- times questioned whether some of them will live more than a brief life in a cultivated state. Such an idea is likely to do harm to the cause of Orchid growing, and is sullicient to frighten amateurs from an attempt at a mastery of their recpiire- ments, besides disgusting those whose purses are not so bulky as they tt.sed to be. It is by ren- dering a plant amenable to his culture, and his culture beneficial to the plant, that the skill of a good gardener is shown ; the Roman Hyacinth style of business, like ready-prepared needlework, does not give proof of much original cleverness in the hands of its completer, the success or failure being more largely the result of the pre- paration of the materials. In Orchid growing it must in reality he a much greater pleasure to infuse year by year strength and beauty into each individual specimen than merely to extract from it what has been stored uj) by climatic or other natural iniluences. Of course, new kinds of Orchids keep descending upon us, in favour of which some of the older ones are discarded, but if only, say, one <|uarter of the plants were still alive which have been imported during the last decade, what a flowery country we should be living in, almost sufficient to rival the fields of the Hesperides. Perhaps OrchiiLs, together with Lilium auratum, have .some "happy growing ground" somewhere which we have not yet realised. KEEriNG Lenten Roses fresh in w.^ter (p. 100). — There is a good deal to be leanit as to when to cut flowers to ])ut in water and how to keep them fresh. Datibdils, we know, should be seized just before they hurst; Orchids, on the other hand, not until they have been opened Some time, after which they will often remain longer in beauty oft' than they would have done on the plants, especially if growth has com- menced. Can anyone give us a hint as to Dog's- tooth Violets, which are most provoking in the way they "go flabby," for they would otherwise he useful things at their special time of year for "indoor work." Some flowers want drink before ajourney;some, like the common wood Anemone, if allowed to "booze" for twenty-four hours, will do without anything further for a considerable time. There are nuiuy recipes for keeping Maiden-hair fronds fresh, from lioiling water to liulling it nj) by the roots; but there are a niiniber cjf plants, and "greens'' too, whiih turn sulky and pay you out for having interfered with them. There niu.st surely be some way of treat- ing these, which shall represent to a certain ex- tent what they have been accustomed to have. Who shall say what it may be I I'^iassex. C. B. S. D. PLANTS FOR ROOM DECORATION. Now is a gooy which means the foliage will be kept clean. When the pots are well tilled with roots give occasional doses of liquid Peb. 13, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 133 manure, whioli preserves the linttoni leaves lonf;er in goml condition tlian they otherwise would lie. As to kinds, those which drooj) are best ; they should lie .L;rown wlien in a small state with one stem, and when lartjer allow them to lireak of their own accord, as they make more praceful-lookinj; plants than when the points are jiinched out. The best drooping; kinds for tal)le decoration or even for v.ases are angustifolius, .Tdhannis, majesticus, Countess, Prince of Wales, Warreni, Weismanni, picturatus, Switizinianus. The best erect-Rrowiufj varieties most suitable for boxes, at the bottoms of minors or trays, on fi'ont hall tables, or anywhere necessary for the decoration of rooms are Hawkeri, Morti, Han- Iniryanus, (Jueen Victoria, Williamsi, Disraeli, Vei'tchi, and Earl of Derby. What is much belter than Moss for coverinf,' the tops of the iiots ■when in vases is Lycopodium denticulatum, and a few plants of Panicnm varie<,'aturn dibbled in amoiii^'st the f^reen Lycopodium coverinj^ to droop over the sides make (piite a charminj:; combination. Sedum iilaucum and small seed- ling,' Ferns are also elfective growing in this • way. Drac.emas constitute another class of plants well adapted for house decoration, the rich cidours of some kinds contrasting well with tlie various green shades of others. Both large and small growing kinds are numerous, Init the narrow-leaved sorts are the best for dinner-table decoration, wdiile the larger-leaved kinds are very effective in other positions. Some are particu- larly well adapted for this kind of work, inas- much as, being nearly hardy, they liear exposure to draughts better than more delicate plants. They are easily grown, renuiring about the same treatment as Crotons, e.\cept that they need more shade in summer. Good jdants of them can lie ([uickly .secured by ringing the tops of those wdiich have lost their bottom leaves in the same way as the Crotons. In order to increase the stock cut the stems, which have got bare of leaves, into lengths of about 2 inches ; lay them in some sandy .soil in a seed-p.an, cover them over, and place them in a gentle heat, when they will soon emit roots. At the bottom of each will be found stem-like pieces growing down- wards ; these, if taken otf when about 2 inches long, potted and phinged in bottom heat soon make thrilty little plants. The best narrow- leaved kinds are gracilis, indivisa, congesta, nigra, and Cuilfoylei. The liest larger sorts are tcrminalis, Coo]ieri, ansli-alis, Mooreana, Weis- manni, Ooldieana, and Hendersoni. Other plants u.seful for indoor decoration are Eeedia glauccscens ; this when grown with a single stem and furnished with foliage to tlie bottom is an effective jdant when in bloom, its peculiar looking flowers lieiug freely produced on the under .sides of the leaves. It can be grown a long time in small pots when regularly attended to with water. It should never be allowed to become dry at the roots. The tops strike freely if ]daced in single pots and ]ilunged in bottom heat in a propagating frame. It grows well under stove ti'eatment in a compost similar to that emjdoyed for Crot(jns. Jacaranda mimosad'olia in another stove ]dant well adapted for table decoration, lieing very light and hand- some when gri iwn with a single stem. It is easily jiropagated and requires the same treatment as Eeedia glaucescens. Acalypha tricolor, either in a small state or in the shape of bushes, from 1 foot to 2 feet in height, obtained by frecpiently pinching the points off the shoots, makes a good indoor plant. If allowed to grow long without stopping it soon gets leggy. It is easily increased by means of cuttings put in in the usuid way and plungeiiimittee of this society took place at the Old Four Swans, Bishopsgate Street, on Monday, the 8th inst., Mr. E. Sanderson, president, in the chair. The hon. secretary, Mr. Holmes, reported that MM. Simon Del.aux & Co., of Tt what the shape of the trees are; the main point is to have well ripened annual shoots, and as many of them as possible, pro- vided they can expose their leaves to the light. A REij Iris. — What variety of the Japane.^e Iris is it that is painted on those beautiful Japanese screens now so frequently offered for sale by furnish- ing houses ? I saw one the other day with a faith- fully portrayed Iris of a pleasing rosy red colour, and unless the artist h.ad been drawing on his own or someone else's imagination, he must have had his copy from Nature. What beautiful works of art of a novel kind these screens are ! Pruninq to promote vifiouR.— The reason I did not tell "D. D." how " to grow fine Roses to cut" was, that Rose culture was not my subject at the time, and, besides, there is no lack of information on that point. " V. D.'s" confession that he would " turn in sorrowful disgust " from an unpruned Rose tree with its mass of leaves and flowers may be put down as an example of the effects of long-continued iteration of certain rule-of-thumb practices on some individuals. Why a vigorous Rose bush should be- come the prey of " foul grubs '' more than any other is one of those things which such writers as " D. D." never explain, and never can. It was not I who compared the nipping of bushes by animals with "scientific pruning," as " D. D." puts it, but Mr. Wm. Paul, who sets out with the browsing idea of the ancients as his text. Moreover, unpruned Rose trees do not degenerate till they " become unrecog- nisable," nor anything like it, but if "D. D." prefers two or three blooms of the florist's pattern to hun- dreds of flowers very little inftrir>r, and a stunted bush to a tree, no one will find fault, I daresay. Lily OF THE Valley forced — I regard Mr.Hender- son's account of his fine Lilies of the Valley as in- teresting, because they were produced from home grown roots, which, except under more careful culture than is usually bestowed, do not succeed as well as imported roots. Imported Lily of the Valley roots diHer from home grown ones in being much better ripened, and in having tine flower buds ready to buist. These are the kind of roots, it appears, which Mr. Elphinstone forces, and I nuist say that a gardener who cannot succeed with these in producing good flowers and leaves as late as February must mis- manage them in some way. The difficulty with most growers, I always understood, was not the production of leaves, but flowers. If the very best samples of imported loots are potted and started in a too high temperature, they will, I am sure, produce leaves, and little else besides. In early forcing this is the evil to be guarded against, but as the season advances, leaves and flowers come in due proportion in a moderate temperature. Good flowers in January, like those of Mr. Henderson's, from homegrown routs are, however, by no means common. S. W. PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS. In early spring, when all plants are feeling the effects of the increasing warmth and light, cut- tings put in under glass strike freely and rapidly when the right conditions are present. Pelargo- niums of all kinds will strike now witli tlie greatest certainty in a light, warm liouse without any shading. 'The tricolors and variegated kinds strike best on a shelf near the glass at the back of a forcing house in the full liglit. We u.se 3-inch pots, well drained and filled with light sandy soil with a quarter of an inch of sand on tlie sur- face, the whole pressed in linnly and watered before the cuttings are inserted. Half-a-dozen cuttings are placed in each pot, and they are never permitted to become quite dry. Witlli the soil in an e(piable condition as regarils moisture cuttings thus treated root quickly. Tlie scarlet section of Pelargoniums strilie anywhere in a tem- perature of GO", but they succeed best on a board or stage over the hot-water pipes, a diy heat j list suiting tlieni. Plants of bedding Pelargoniums rooted now, potteil into single pot.s, and grown on in heat will be equal in many respects to autumn-struck cuttings. Pelargoniums last year, though very bright and full of Mowers, did not make so much growtli as they do general!}', and in some cases cuttings in sufficient numbers could not be obtained. But by lifting a stock of old plants when the beds were cleared in autumn plenty of cuttings could then be hail. Cuttings ol the common bedding Pclargoniiinis will root freely in boxes, and those who are sliort of room at tliis season may use boxes, and then the cut- tings need not be potted off. But as soon as they are rooted they sliould be moved to a cool liouse, and early in April be placed under temporary shelter in tlie open air. Verbenas and soft plants generally strike witli great vigour and freedom in tlie old-fashioned hotbed of just sucli a temperature as would suit CJucumbors. Si.\ inches of sawdust on the top furnishes a good medium for plunging the pots in, keeping the soil moi.st and tlie leiiiperature steady. A liotlied also is very useful for raising choice seeds recpiiring a steady warnitli fcjr their germination. Jlost of the foliage plants commonly used for summer decoration will strike in moist, warm sawdust over a bed of leaves. Crotons, Dracainas, and Ficua elastica strike very freely in such a medium, but they must be taken out and potted as soon as the roots are Ibrined, and before they are more than I inch long ; and after the heat declines in April, when most of the soft-wooded plants are out, Tea and other Roses stiike freely inserted thickly in the bed. 1 always find cuttings of firm wood strike best and make the best plants. The cuttings may be inserted very thickly in the sawdust, pressing it firmly about them, shading when bright, but giving little or no water bej'ond a very light dewing over the cuttings on liright days, put- ting up the ])laiits as soon as roots are formed, and plunging the pots in the bed till the plants are well estaljlished. E. Hobday. GROUPING SUB-TROPICAL PLANTS. Although the fashion of embellishing our open- air gardens in summer with fine-leaved plants of a tender nature has become so geneial, it is seldom indeed that one sees them arranged in a pleasing way. As a rule they are either dottetl about singly in a meaningless way or placed at regular distances like trees in an Apple orchard, with ap- parently no regard to grouping the plants so a? to harmonise or contrast with each other with respect to habit of growth or outline. One need only go through the puljlic paiks of London in summer to see how glaring this fault is. In not one of them is artistic grouping of tropical and subtropical plants carried out well ; the best attempt we ha\e seeii was in Hyile Park last year in the part known as The Dell at the head of the Serpentine. The artificial ravine there is admirably suited for ar- ranging fine-foliaged plants in an effective way,and the masses of Musas, Palms, and Cordylines haite growth in autumn. — E. HOBD.VY. Apples on the Paradise stock. — A recent writer in The Garden has good words for these fruitful shrubs. There is much to say in their favour, and the wonder is that more of them are not planted. They will fruit the second year, and bear an anmial crop afterwards, and the fruit is usually very fair and fine, often surpassing that grown upon standard trees for colour and quality. Each little twig realises th.at it has to produce its share of Apples, and it is this unanimous self-imposed responsibility which so fre- quently results in the surprising load of fine fruit one sees upon these little trees. They are the only form of Apple trees that should ever be planted in a small cultivated garden. Where space is important they may be placed even & feet asunder, care being taken that the planting is not deep enough to induce roots above the stock. Very little pruning is required, and as the roots are near the surface, digging near the trees should be avoided. Of course few would think of planting these for profit or market, and yet an acre of them in full bearing would give a fine product. But it takes years to get a standard Apple tree in bearing, and then it wants a vast amount of room to spread itself, more than it usually gets, in fact, for it is wide- spreading. .All this time the little Paradise tree has been dropping its ruddy fnnts in your lap, and you have been admiring its beauty in your garden or lawn, for it really U a very pretty little thinf, and wortli growing as an ornament merely. Then, too, see how m.any varieties can be grown on a small plot, and how soon one can see wliat a new Apple is like by placing Paradise roots under it and getting the fruit right away. There is only a single trouble with me, and that may perhaps be prevented by extra vigilance. The borer is specially fond of this stock, and will soon cut off your trees at the ground unless rooted on the start. But my advice is by all means plant Paradise Apple trees. — H. Hendricks, Kingstuii, JV. )'. ■Onnailing' Peach trees. — I perceive that " W. C. T." (p. '.I'J) considers it safe to unnail Peach trees earlier than the end of January. Perhaps he has not been so imfortunate as to have the wood of his Peach trees killed by severe frost, and therefore he cannot understand how it can cjccur in less favour- able positions. I can assure him, howe\er, that I have had some painful experience of the power of frost to injure the young wood of Peach trees. When writing the remarks to which "W. C. T." alludes, my memory carried me back to the severe winter of 1.SH0, and .again to 1S66. In the first-named year I had all my Peach trees unnailed at the end of No- vember ; the severe frost that occurred before the end of December killed more than half of the wood on some trees and terribly disfigured others. In the year 186G I saw scmie Peach trees in a large garden not far from Watford which had also suffered terribly from the effects of frost. Therefore, ever since then I have been very cautious in dealing with Peach trees during winter, and in recommending others how to treat them ; but it is only right to say that in both the cases to which I have referred the position of the gardens was low, and therefore liable to feel severely the efliects of intense frost. I therefore know from actual experience that the advice which I gave was sound, and that it was best to err on the safe side. After such experience I could not recommend the unnailing of Peach trees earlier in the winter in all sorts of positions, although it may be safe to do so in many gardens where the position is high and the soil naturally dry. With reference to the wdnter dressing of Peach trees, " W. C. T." coidd not have read my remarks very atten- tively, or he would have understood that I was not opposed to such a course as he advocates of syringing the trees with diluted paraffin ; the practice to which 1 object is that of painting the branches with a eom- ]iound of clay, soot, and other obnoxious materials, which, I am persuaded, do more h.irm than good. For myself, I tacIes in the way to prevent the cros.sing of the Sweet Brier with our Roses. Assuredly it forms a rather indifferent .stocli, but that affords no proof against its intercrossing. Neither do I think it would prove a step backward, but a long one forward, could we furnish our modern Roses with Sweet Brier leaves, even tliough our flowers lost size and a good many of them became single or semi-double' in the process. Neither might such a reversion to single types take place, Ibr we have one or more double Ssveet Briers ; and no doubt a greater variety of Briers would be forthcoming were a demand to arise for them for cross-breeding or other purposes. The following varieties of the Sweet Brier and probably others are already in cultivation, in addition to great variation in colour and character of the common Sweet Brier, or Rosa rubiginosa : Double white, double scarlet, scarlet or deep red ; Spleudid, light crim.son ; Celestial, semi-double, blush ; Rose Aigle, lilac-ro.se ; Superb, red. In the last sort the flowers, if not the leaves, seem nmre fragrant than in any other variety. Several ot these varieties vary a good deal in size, and even form, of flower. The range of colour is also very wide and varied ; and could a yellow Sweet Brier he obtained by crossing with Hairisoni (Austrian Brier) or the old yellow Cabbage (Rosa sulphurea), or by any other means^ we would liave sweet-foliaged Briers of nearly all possible shades of colour. The odour of the Sweet Brier is so universally pojuilar, that the attempt to impart it to our Tea, Perpetual, and other Roses is worth almost any eflbrl. Possibly, too, by reverting to such primitive tj-pes as our Sweet and other Briers a,nd single or semi-double species of Roses, new forms and mixed types would be jnoduced of special liotanical interest and deooiative value. It is hardly likely the success would 1)6 so great as to result in producing bo.xes of show Roses with Sweet Brier leaves, but a multiplication of tlie numlier and enlargement of the size of such Briers would be a decided gain to our all too scanty list of fragrant-leaved plants ; while should the crosses take freely, entire new races (d' fragrant-leaved Roses would greatly enrich as well as sweeten our future gardens and land- scapes. Roses are not so easily crossed as many other flowers, and as a nu-ans of obtaining chance hybrids, as well as of adding greatly to the interest and enjoyment of mo.-t beds and gardens of Roses, it wiiuld be well to surround or entwine them with hedges or plants of the common Sweet Brier and as many of its varieties as cuuld be obtained. Most of these seed l're(dy, ami inider such conditimis ami in closi! proximity to so many varieties of Hose, tlie probability is that a good many chance flowers Would be fertilised with strange pollen. Tliere are, however, difficulties in the way (.f this happening, unless the Roses bloom simultane- ously with the Sweet Briers. Even such semi- douiile Roses as some of the Mo.ss, Provence, Albas, Chinese, and the old Damask Rose de R(]i would l)e more likely to cross with the Briers than the fatter bloom's of Teas and Ifybri.l Perpetuals. The autumnal bh)oms of the latter yield the most ]iollen and set and swell seeds llje most freely; and as we have not as \et an autumnal strain of Sweet Briers, it will be desirable to husband a good stock of pollen to use at that season when the doulde llowers have become le.ss double, and fertilisation becomes in consequence at once more easy and more sure. Will Mr. Bennett, wliose skill and genius is about to enrich our gardens with Her Majesty, turn his attenticui to the passing of the fiagrance of the Sweet Brier into the leaves of our Roses, and thus make us all more deeply his debtors? By the way, if Her Majesty is a cross between Jlabel Morrison and Canary, it would be interesting to know which was the seed-bearing parent. Her Majesty may also be accepted as a proof that in cross-breeding it is often the unexpected that occurs, for here we have a soft veUow semi-double Tea, and little better than a semi-double Perpetual, witli the faintest dash of white, producing between them a larger double rose-iiink Rose than La France having, according to all reports and illustrations, little in common with either of its parents ; hence we do not desjiair of having Her Majesty and La France vet further enriched with Sweet Brier leaves. 1). T. F. Flower Garden. MY WORK AMONG HELLEBORES. For a gi'eat many years I have been growing Hellebores from seed and endeavouring to rai:-e new varieties. 1 have also collected nujst of the well-known varieties. Unfortunately, the Dutch growers are apt to send varieties untrue to name, and I have i-eceived from one great firm at Haarlem, under the names of H. niger ruber and H. niger de Graaff, a comnuni red H. atro- rubens and a common niger. Who will help to put down this unfair custom 1 Division. — To separate Hellebores the lie.st way is to lift them early in autumn and ]iut the roots under a strong jet'of water. Tlien, when all the Soil is washed out, cut with a very sliarp knife the different divisicms of the rootstock as required. Then put the whole mass into a pail of water and pull the cut portions apart. In doing this under water not a root will be injured. This is the best way to divide rare Tiitonias. Aspect. — The liest aspect is facing west, as nothing does the young plants so much harm in early S[iiing as the sun coming on their leaves when hard frozen. Though they like plenty of water, they ought to go very deep for it, and never have it sfay near their crowais ; so in recom- mending the soil to be moist, as most treatises do, there is great danger of producing those curious deformed buds wdiich so often appear in Feb. 13, 1886. THE GARDEN. 139 sprinj;, and are not the result of slugs, but of ilel'ective root action. Every Helleliore ol^server will coutirm my remarks. They will do well umler tree.s if the tree's roots are not plentiful, and (jne well-kuowngrowerplantsherHellebore.-in sawdust which has previously beenprepared by exposure to the weather. The soil at Biiigliam was a most unfortunate one for Hellebores — very deep black clay, which became very wet in spring and baked hard in summer. I should most of all prefer a soil on the new red or old red saudstone, or any alluvial deposit of any kind. Rapid drainage, partial shade, and moisture in summer and dryness in winter are what is most wanted. A little loose Moss on the soil will keep the bloonu free of splashed mud. In some soils, stich as in Mr. Wolley Dod's garden at Edge, Maljjas, H. niger seems to absolutely refuse to grow in any situation, or in any compost. Under Gooseberry or Currant bushes and low fruit trees. Hellebores grow well. And I rememlier a bed of tine plants of niger also planted in full suu. Only those grew that were partly under some dwai'f Pear trees. Pkopagation by seed. — I always found my nigers at Bingham seed freelj-, though I have never seen a seed on luaximu.s, or could ever olitain one in any way. Directly the seed was ready to drop, before it had ({uite opened itsseed capsules, it was put on sandy soil in wooden boxes and a slate pressed firmly down on it, theslate absolutely lying on the seed. These boxes were placed in the shade. In October they were movetl into a frame to be more carefully guarded from slugs. About December, if the slates are lilted, every seed is found to be coiiucg up strongly. Nearly all the Helleliores at Sunnyhill were thus raised from seed, Ijut they have not shown much variety and have been very much injured by being improperlj' planted while I was away in London. I liave nearly all the well- known varieties of Hellebores, and a great many seedlings of the Lenten Rose kind, differing not much from known varieties, though they were all the result of cai'eful crosses by hand. There is a good Ijatch of my seedlings at the Ajiothe- caries' Ganleu at Chelsea. One of the best and most striking of all the tall-growing kinds 1 know of is the Continental 11. luteus grandi- llorus, which makes a gieat contrast to the dark red colchicus. The finest plants I ever saw of giganteus (maximus, altifolius) are at Mr. Wolley Dod's garden, where a glass is jjlaced over them in the autumn. The flowers are enormous and in great profusion ; indeed, there is no plant, hardy or tropical, so splendid as this great white Hellebore when properly grown. Htbridlsation. — Mr. Biirbidge has asked if anyone has crossed niger with atrorubens and the taller-growing kinds. The first experiment I made of this sort was crossing niger on to i'tetidus, the great creamy-green English wild plant. This was done under a large handglass raised over the plant, and every bloom of fcetidus depoUenised before itquite opened. The pollen of niger, nicely dry from a cool-house ttower, was applied. Most of the flowers set seed. The seedlings wex'e not quite so tall as fcEtidus, and showed no alteration in their colour or size. This was an interesting, but disheartening, experiment. Then I got niger into pots, and with great care crossed it with atrorubens. These crosses are now at Mr. Barr's nurseiy at Tooting. There is no appearance in the leaf of any cro.ss, and yet no possible dust even of pollen of their own kind could have approached the flower. I raised also a quantit}' of niger crossed with maximus, and of these seedlings a considerable number are also at Tooting, and I have hopes may give us .some- thing good. These experiments being failures should not debar other people from trying, as they showusthatniger when carefully depoUenised vieids seed to the pollen of Hellebores widely distinct from itself. Frank Mile.s. Sunnyhill, Shirchamjjton, Brisful. SINGLE AND DOUBLE POPPIES. Almost as long as one can remember, annual Poppies in some form or other have been grown in gardens, but until recently we had no such bright colours as are now to be found in Papaver umlirosum, P. Danebrog, and P. Hookeri. Those grown previous to the introduction of these were confined to the Opium Poppy group (P. somni- ferum), and in any cottage garden might have been seen a dozen or more kinds all dift'erent in colour and varying from single to double. Some Poppies unfortunately, and Rhasas in particular, do not keep long wlien cut, although scarcely as bad as Burns asserts them to be, when he says : But pleasures are like Poppies spre.id ; You seize the flower ; its bloom is shed. On the contrary, all the double forms keep for days in water, and even the intense scarlet flowers of the Oriental single Poppy, if cut when the buds are just opening, will unfold its great petals Double and single Papiivcr Hookeri. and keep together for a considerable time in a cool shady room. From the great and ever-in- creasing numbers now in cultivation, select kinds that are bright in colour, and a change of posi- tion may sometimes be needful. This may be done by simply carrying a pod or two of seed and sowing wherever it may be desired. They will germinate in favourable seasons almost as soon as sown, and become sturdy plants by spring, and ready on the first approach of summer wea- ther to burst into flower. P. Hookeri, repre- sented in this illustration, was, we believe, sent to Kew amongst a miscellaneous collection of seeds fi'om Cashmere about two years ago, and altliough no double forms of it appeared m the lied the first year, we now find them in gardens as doulile as a Hollyhock, and varying in colour from the most vivid scarlet to pure unspotted white. The native country of this plant seems to be xmknown ; it is saiil to have been long cul- tivated and is now faiily common in gardens in India, so that one can only guess at its origin. Its nearest affinity seems to be Rhasas. It is in- deed not improbable that that species may have Ijeen introduced to India, and under altei'ed cir- cumstances assumed its present form. It may be briefly described as having the leaves and flowers of a Rha?as, while the capisule more nearly re- sembles that of P. sornniferum. It is an excellent garden plant, and one Mliich should lie in eveiy collection. We must not overlook the Munstead Poppies ; though not annuals, properly speaking, they do well under almost the same conditions as tluise here described, i.e., sowing this year for next year's supply of bloom ; we are indeed not certain that the produce of annual sowings is not larger and better coloured than that of old plants — they are certainly more nvamerous. P. Hookeri likes a very rich, light soil, plenty of sunshine and plenty of water. Hooker's double Poppy has been introduced to cultivation by Messrs. Haage and Schmidt, of Erfurt. K. IRISH DAFFODILS. The climate of Ireland, with the direct influence of the (iulf Stream on its shores, is both mild and humid. We have therefore many cultural advan- tages which England does not possess. If, fur in- stance, we had a rich c.ipital in Dublin and a better spirit existing among all parties, we, in South Cork, would be induced to make another Cornwall of the south-western portion of that county for the supply of early flowers, fruits and vegetables. As it is, with direct rail communication from Bantry via Dub- lin and Holyhead, I don't see why, with some en- couragement in the way of State purchases of land put out in allotments for enterprising market growers, we could not be in a few years able to compete, cer- tainly in early produce, with Cornwall. For instance, all round Glengariffe Bay, scarlet Pelargoniums, blue LobeUas, and "yellow Calceolarias live out of doors during many of our winters ; and just this time twelvemonth I tested the matter by getting cut blooms of beautiful wild double Daffodils from near Whiddy Island, while I failed at the same time in procuring any from the southern portion of England. Sonje m.ay say, what has this to do with the big early Irisli Daffodil ? I answer, nothing more than merely to reiterate all that the Rev. Wolley Dod has said in its praise and earliness under climatic advantages. I have two varieties now in flower the one larger than the other, but both equally early. The larger I pur- pose calling in Irish " Ard-Righ " or Irish King, in order to give it " a local habitation and a name ;" the other, the King's Son — in Irish, "Tanist or Roy- damna." I hope to have no opposition in this matter at »South Kensington, though I believe the biilb is already catalogued as "Yellow King," but not certified. I .am obliged to the Rev. Wolley Dod for his notes in The Garden (p. 101). Ireland being isolated from the influence of South Kensington, one (like Mr. Krelage, with his General Gordon) incurs some danger by giving names to Daffodils. It is but two years since we had our Daffodil conference, and it is a wonder to me after wh.at the Rev. Wolley Dod says how this Irish King Daffodil, so full of promise and with so good a character, should not have been thought of until now, as it appears he has been growing it for seven years. I certainly would have written or said something of the giant, but could not until I first saw what others had by way of contrast. I potted all the following the first week in October and they came into bloom in the order here given, viz. : — Name. Firat bloom. Pallidus praecox Native grown Dec. 25, 1885. One year Irisli " giown Jan. 25, 1886. Ard-Righ, or Irish King Native giown Jan. 10 ,, The Tanist, or King's Son Native grown Jan. 18 „ Italian pseudo-Narcissus, or prtecox Irish grown Jan. IS ,, Obvallaris Tenby bulbs Jan. 20 „ Lobvilaris Dutch bulbs Jan. 24 ,, Golden princeps var. Telamon- Native bulbs Jan. 26 ,, ius, a fine D.affodil Minnie Warren, smallest while Native bulbs Jan. 27 „ known Trumpet maximus Native bulbs Jan. 29 ,, Dutch forms of spurius Dutch bulbs Jan. 29 ,, Iii.niniiaraliilis Stella Irish gi-own Jan. 30 ,, Irish jtiiiicups Native bulbs Jan. 30 ,, Proiiiuquus Dutch Viultis Feb. (J ,, Trumpet major Irish bulbs Not yet in bloom. The above list puts the Irish King and his son in good places, and I purpose potting them in August of this year, it spared, and sending to The Garden cut blooms in November and December. I made another experiment in connection with the Irish giants with six sorts grown in England, aU 140 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. forms of spurius. I potted them in the first week in November, and cut the first blooms last week, while the English sorts are only just above the jfot's rim ; the varieties out of doors will all bloom tliis month (February). Wm. Batlor Hartland. Temple Hill, Corl: Corbularia monopliylla I have now in flower in the open air. After repeated failures, from planting in places where the conditions were unfavour- able, it is pleasant to be able to report success. These are growing within a few inches of the foot of a wall facing west, in the spaces between the roots of some Vines that are trained to cover the wall. The foliage of the Vines keeps the ground close to the wall very dry all the summer, and gives the bulbs the thorough ripening and drying they require. The soil id very liglit anil s.andy. 'I'hey had a covering of snow for a week till withia a few days of the present date (Jan. 29), but are none the worse. Some flowers are ex- panded, and the crop of plump buds promises a liberal show of bloom shortly. Corbularia citrina, its rather hardier sister, rejoices in the same position. Indeed, it would doubtless suit all the tenderer of the Hoop- petticoat Daffodils. From the appearance of the buds it would appear that C. citrina will follow C. mono- phylla at about a fortnight's interval. — G. J., West Surrei/, in Field. Snowdrops, single and double. — In Mr. Allen's admirable article in The Garden (p. 75) he says of Galanthus nivalis, "it will grow anywhere, everywhere"; and on p. 112, " 1). T. F." says, "I wish some remedy could be found for the doubling of nivalis ; in some places singles are becoming almost extinct," from which I infer that in his experience single nivalis turns into double. This is not my experience in either case. My sad lot i-i that I am compelled to insert a little negative in Mr. Allen's sentence and say of single nivalis " it will ' not ' grow anywhere," and here I am at one with " D. T. F.," for in my borders, on my lawn, in my wood single nivalis is practically extinct, but I have never noticed it turn into double, although I have watched it most carefully. During the last five years I have purchased about 5000 single nivalis; they have been planted in clumps and carefully marked ; they bloom well the first year, poorly the second, hardly at all the third, and then only a label remains to show where they should be ! Plants of double nivalis, on the other hand, flourish and increase very rapidly, but in no case has one appeared in the place of the true clumps of single. I donot say "D.T.F." is wrong ; but though I have carefully watched, I have never detected conversion, and, as a fact, my clumps of singles have disappeared and my clumps of doubles have increased. May it not be that "D. T. F.'s " clumps of single had a few stray doubles when they were planted, and these flourished amid the ruins of their far lovelier companions r or that the seed of some of the singles have produced doubles, which have grown up amid the decaying fibres of their parents ? I am not yet convinced that the theory of the conversion of true single-flowering bulbs of .any kind into true doubles is not due to seeding or to inexact observation and marking. — W. Wilks, SJdrlcj Vicaraye. Antirrhinums. — It is worthy of notice that old plants of these in a large mass have stood the winter remarkably well, and now look green and vigorous. I have s en very often similar breidths totally destroyed when the winters have been milder, but perhaps rather wetter than the present one so far has been. It is difficult to account for tuch diverse results, but it njay to some extent be due to the pre- valence of some fungus at certain seasons. Although I usually treat the Antirrhinum as an annual, yet it is pleasant to get the plants which first bloomed the preceding year to stand well through the winter, as then only can the real character of the Sn.apdragon be seen. From the base of the phants come up stout stems, and these produce grand spikes of bloom such as the best annual plants cannot give. Next to having a quantity of w inter plants to bloom early in the summer, there is the advantage of securing a nmch more lengthened season of bloom, as ere these have finished blooming the spring-sown plants come in and continue the succession of flowers till late in the autumn. Snapdragons are quite as great favourites in the garden with most people as Sweet Williams are, but with this advantage th-at they will bloom freely the same season if seed be sown early. Whilst the dwarf strains are so pretty when employed for bedding purposes, the finer or toller kinds give the best general eff"ects and much the finest spikes and blooms. Kich and various coloured selfs, beautiful stripes and flakes, singular and mos-t pleasing Ijicolors art; all found in any good large flower strain. The larger spikes are not adapted for cutting, but when the side f-hoots break out later these give quite a wealth of material for cutting. Seed may be sown at once in a frame or greenhouse, and p'ants will be ready to dibble out early in the month of May. — A. D. Indoor Garden. DIPLADENIA BOLIVIENSIS. Amongst twiniiif; plants there are few th-it pos- sess so many desirable properties as the dill'erent Dipladenias. Like many other cultivated plants, some of the varieties raised from seed surpass the species from which they have sprung in floral beauty, and in tlie case of some of the seedlings flowers are produced with even greater freedom than by the species themselves. When Dipla- denias are in good condition they give a continu- ous succession of bloom for six or seven months, but they are somewhat difficult to manage, and, therefore, many are deterred from attempting their cultivation. The cause of failure when it occurs, in nine cases out of ten arises through over-watering; if the soil is kept as wet, even in the height of the growing season, as most ]ilants require to have it, the feeding fibres will be almost sure to perish, leaving the tuher-like roots witli nothing to support them. In this way the plants frequently linger on for a time, making next to no top growth and ultimately dying off altogether. Through this natural ten- derness of the roots Dipladenias are not so well adapted for planting out as some kinds of plants are. There is more likelihood of the soil getting too wet than wlien in pots, and there is not the same chance afforded of renewing it annually. The Bolivian species is, however, an exception, in so far that it is much less impatient of water in the soil than any of the others, either species or varieties. Indeed, in order to see it attain the strength and size of which it is capable it re- quires to be planted out. Although a somewhat slow grower it ultimately attains a size and strength much in excess of all the others. Another important mattei; in its favour is that it will succeed with less heat than any of the other kinds. It will even thrive in an intermediate house, though it.s season of flowering when thus grown is, as a matter of course, much shorter than where more heat is given ; so treated, it does not begin to bloom so soon in spring, nor does it keep on so late in autumn. In a house where there is room it will cover a large space- as much in fact as that generally allowed for a Stephauotis, and it should be trained to the roof in the same way. The size op the bed that it occupies should nece.s.sarily be ruled by the size to which the head of the plant is to be allowed to grow ; where there is plenty of head room tlie roots will fill a bed 2 yards si|uare. In preparing this, 3 inches or 4 inches of drainage nuiterial should be put in the bottom, and over that a layer of pieces of turfy peat ; the soil ought to consist of the best fibrous peat, chopped or brokeit into pieces the size of liens' eggs, keeping all the finer earthy matter out, as the object is to make a bed that will last for some years. With a view to still further secitre this, there should, in addition to the usual quantity of sand, be a good sprinkling of broken crocks mixed with the soil. The bed should be about 9 inches or 10 inches deep ; it will be better the first year to make up only half the space that is ultimately to lie occupied, as this will give tlie roots a better chance of taking nosses.sion of the soil before it has any tendency to get too wet, for it is well to bear in mind that the soil of which a bere warmth the quicker the seed will germinate, but there is time enough starting about the middle of February without undue forcing, which takes away that robustntss of grov\tli so essential to quality. As soon as the seedlings appear thin out to half an inch apait, removing the weakly plants. If we sow a liundred seeds of any given species of plant, a small pruportiou of tliem will be more robust than the utheis, and by removing the weakly plants we give the strong plants a better chance of fulKUing their destiny, viz , the survival of the fittest. In the course of a short time afttr the plants have been thinned more room will be required, and to meet this demand prick them out 3 inches or 4 inches apart into boxes or a bed of rich soil, making a further selection of the plants, discarding any which show signs of being less Feb. 13, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 145 robust than the rest. During the time of growth they must never be allowed to become dry, as a check of any kind will be likely to injure them and may possibly cause premature bolting. Harden off and plant out in well-prepared trenches in May ; shade and water as required. If true, the Sandring- ham White is an excellent early kind, and Carter's Incomparable Crimson is one of the best reds. But something depends upon how the seeds are gro\ra and saved, and in a matter where so little is required it is always wise to go to the very best source for supply. — E. HOBD.W. Peas, new and old —It is pleasiug to find such a good authnrity as " A. D." standing up boUUy for quality in preference to size. But I confess that I was somewhat disappointed when he, who knows Peas and other vegetables so well, concluded without naming for the guidance of amateurs, who are now .all anxiety .about the best Peas to so"-, say half a dozen of the best to grow this year. I was aUo under the impression that it was no longer necessary to grow such comparatively flavourless Peas asSangster's No. 1, which "A. U." still cites as the earliest, if not the best e.arly Pea. His suggestion of showing varieties of Peas in pots or boxes to illustrate their stature, habit, general character, and f>-rtility is one th.at it is hoped may be acted upon in all ca^ei where valuable special prizes are offered for Peas — D. T. F. Broccoli. — Snow's Broccoli has never done so well here as it seems to do at Burghley. It was cul- tivated for half a dozen years or more in succession, and the result was always the same. It never became fit for use at its specified time, and, therefore, it was discarded, nor do I regret its loss, as there are others equally good and more certain. Of late, Veitch's Self -protecting has been succeeded by Sutton's Winter Mammoth, Osborn's and Backhouse's varieties, and unless the weather is very severe these keep up a constant supply — so constant indeed that I would never trouble myself further respecting the growth of Snow's. In my opinion the first week in May would be altogether too late to sow winter Broccoli, hut the kinds named above are perfectly satisfactory if sown in the open during the last week in March or the first week in April. I once tried a pinch of Snow's from Burghley with no better results than from other sources, but that was before Mr. Gilbert had made his selection. — J. MuiR. Carter's Xieviatlian Bean. — ^lessrs. Carter in The Gardem (p. 98) ask to be allowed to "assist in the discussion " on the vexed question of the distinct- ness or the identity of the Leviathan, Aqu,adulce and Seville Longpod Beans. They state that they " in- troduced Leviathan in 1879," and that, .as far .as they can trace, " the first reference to Aquadulce in any Engli^sb retail catalogue appears in that of Messrs. Sutton for 18S2. so that Leviathan had been before the public .at least four years before Aquiidu'ce was heard of." As a matter of fact, Aquadulce was offered to the English trade in Messrs. A'il- morin's wholesale catalogue for 1878-79, being there described as " Aquadulce, extra long-podded (new)." The appearance of Leviathan (which is so like Aquadulce as to be practically sj-nonymous with it) in 1879 was therefore a singular coincidence. Messrs. Carter are incorrect as to the date of its appearance in English retail catalogues, for in the retail spring catalogue for 1881 of Mr. Robert Veitch, of Exeter, it is there offered and described as "Aqua- dulce, a new Continental v.ariety, surpassing in the length and size of pod the famous Seville Longpod. Invaluable for exhibition." I have not an earlier edition of Le Bon Jardinier than that of 1882, but it is there referred to as follows : " The most remark- able among the long-podded Beans are the Seville and, above all, the Aquadulce, of which the pods attain to 0m.30 to Om.35 (say, from 12 inches to 14 inches) in length, and generally contain eight or nine seeds." — A. Hope, Exeier. I am obliged to Messrs. Carter for their offer to Send me Seville Longpod and Leviathian Beans, but my stocks of Aquadulce and Seville Longpod were in bulk from a first-class foreign house .and the Leviathan from an English house. As in all cases the seed came from thoroughly impartial sources, I don't therefore see that anythin." is to be gained by any further trial. Certainly, I had last year plenty of pods as long and clean as any I have seen exhi- bited at .any time, and these from all the kinds alike. The qu-stion of identity or otherwise, however, is of much less moment than that of general cropping qu,alitif s and aver.age usefulness. If we have a good thing, it does not so much matter under what designa- tionWe have it, although it is but natural we should like to have it correctly named. Now, last year it so happened that amongst the Seville breadth was one " rogue " only, and that one proved to be of much stouter and more erect habit than the true kind. The average number of pols produced of the Seville strain was five or six ptr plant, which sehbun exceeded two stems. This rogue had three stout stems and no less than thirteen good pods, and on a breadtli of equal pro|)ortion would have beaten the Seville by double the bulk of produce. Certainly the pods were shorter, but they were also more erect. None the less when shelled the produce of seerl was twice that of the Seville, so that for all ordinary domestic or market purposes the "rogue" w.as a long Wiiy the best. I admit, however, tluat the Seville strain is a week or so earlier. — A. D. WOKK DONE IN WEEK ENDING FEB. 9. Febru.\bt 3. Fog and sleet the day through and work outside quite at a standstill, all hands being employed with the usual description of inclement weather jobs, and which of late have been so frequently aUuded to, that it is unnecessary again to refer to them. In the houses plant cleaning and pot washing have been to the fore. Picke 1 loose bark off Vines in two latest houses, and painted them over with a solution of Gishurst and .soft soap. 'I'he walls will now be lime- washed .and the borders top-dressed soon as the soil is sufficiently dry to be worked about withoiit getting p.asty. Put in cuttings of varieg .ted P.anicum. Six cuttings are inserted in a 3-inch pot, and .are never potted off, but are grown on in that form, being occa- .-ionally pinched to make them branch out. We find them most useful for furnishing baskets in room'', as they make a desir.able outer line or fringe to dro^p over the vases and baskets. Impatiens Sultani is also .another excelhnt, easdy raised .and grown v.asc pLant for border decoration, .and is liest when in a young state. Cuttings of this we have also jiut in to-day, and sown seeds of Ferdinandia eminens and Ferula communis for sub-tropical bedding. February 4 and 5. Bnth days have been fine, with sunshine for a couple of hours each day. Earliest Vines and Peaches have made jierceptible progress, which, in part, is no doubt due to our unfailing rule of closing up all through the earliest forcing st,ages whilst the sun is at its meiidian, one hour of sunshine beiug of greater help than very many hours of artificial firing in cloudy weather. Did final disbudding to early Vines; the spurs are not very regular, i.e., as to distance im the rods, so that two and in some cases three shoots are left to each spur, according to the space there i-* to cover on trellis ; of course, when the spurs are close together only one shoot is left. Then, again, with rcT^ard to stopping or pinching out the p.tints of shoots, we have no hard and fast line, but stop a the second, third, or fourth joint beyond the bunch, according as there is likely to be room for the full exposure to light of the foliage, and of this the more the better — at least, such is my experience, though I have heard it asserted, but never saw an instance of it, that good fruit can be had with puny foliage and wood. Partially disbudded early Peaches. I also like to see good leaves on these as well as Vines ; the quality of fruit is then certain to be of the first order ; overcrowding of wood gives plenty of foliage, but of a flabby texture, that soon becomes a prey to insects or scorching; therefore, we disbud freely and early. The latter is necess.ary to prevent unnecessary exhaus- tion of sap as well as injury to shoots by strii ping off pieces of bark with the shoots. Though the first fruit seems safe, we shall not syringe much till there is an end to the cold, frosty nights and mornings ; the merest dewing over when closing up is all the syring- ing that will" be done for the present. Potted off a few more Chrysanthemums. These may soon be called all-the-year-round flowers ; we began with them in the open border at the end of August, and we have still a few plants in good flower. Outside work has again been shrub and hedge cutting ; finished pruning at orchard. Renewed linings to manure frames and turned over leaves and manure that is intended for renewal of heat in Pine beds. Dug up Asparagus for forcing in manure frames ; blanching is objected to, and therefore, we merely just cover the roots with light, vegetable mould, and give a soaking with warm water to settle the soil well about the roots. February 6. Eight degrees of frost this morning — a cold north- east wind, but otherwise a splendid day, with a good amount of sunshine, which v.-e made the most of by closing up .all forcing houses by one o'clock. The pollen of Strawljcrry blossom'', on the slightest touch, dispel sed in all directions — a t.ap on the shelf was quite sufficient to its distribution ; but second house of Peaches not being so advanced, the earliest opened blossoms were touched over with a camel's-hair pencil. Thinned Strawljerries that were set to from four to five fruits on a plant, and put thein into greater heat. Our first batch is just on the turn for col.uring, and ventilation will therefore be increased to aid quality, widch so early in the season can only be expected to be second raie at the best, but their production is in our cas-; a neces-iity, an 1, therefore, quality has to take its chance. Figs, being nicely on the move, and the walled in inside border crammed with hungry roots, a rich top-dressing has been applied to-day, consisting of well decayed droppings, half inch bones, wood .ashes, and loam, the whole being mulched with cow manure and soaked with water at a temperature of iiO°. The house is now kept at SU" by night and tJO" by day, and the trees are well syringed at mid-day. Putting in fresh re- lays of forcing plants and cleaning up heing thd only other inside work done today. As the family is now, for a time, non-resident and the work somewhat in arrear, by reason of "extras" and bad weather, the usual Saturd,ay"s clean up has been shirked, and for the first time this year we have had all hands in kitchen garden. Dug up Parsnips, so that manure can be got on and the ground trenched in readi- ness for main crop of Peas. Celery, too, has been dug up with all the soil possible left on the roots, and has been thickly lieeledin on a north border, and the ground will now be deeply dug for Potatoes ; pro- vided we had plenty of ground, neither of these crops would yet have been lifted, as both would have been best in the ground for some weeks to come. Parsnips, however, keep fairly well in sand, and Celery in tbe way mentioned ; and there is this advantage in re- spect of Celery, seeding is effectually checked, and the s.ame is true of Leeks, wdiich are also doomed to be lifted in the sair]e way soon as we .are ready to trench the groiuid for another crop. Our August- sown Ouions are a wretched lot by reason of last summer's drought, and ttie best ot them we have transplanted, giving them placi on a warm border, and the ground they should have covered will be dug over, and planttd with early Cauliflowers; no manure will be needed, as it had a good supply and was deeply trenched for the Onions. Sowed another long row of Peas, and .also of Broad Beans, with a first sowing of summer Spinach between the rows ot Peas. Win- ter Spinach is another of our failures ; hence the reason for sowing Spinach so early. February 8. Ten degrees of frost this morning, but nothing is forw.ard enough to be injured. Apricot trees at CUiristmas seemed more nearly in flower than they do now, a circumstance that shows the severity of the weather since that time. All kinds of fruit trees Seem stationery, and betoken a late spring, which, as a ceneral rule, proves a safe one for fruit croos, which°hereabouts promise to be good as last year, as all kinds of fruit trees fairly bristle with fruit buds, thanks to the heat and drought of July, August and September last. As the sun shone out to-day I made an examination of plants reputed to be of doubtful hardiness. Large bunches of Phormium tenax, tenax variegata, .and of P. Colensoi are quite un- injured ; the Blue Gum (Eucalyptus) is, I fear, killed, but the red is not a bit damaged ; Australian 146 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. Dracoenas are all but killed. Chusan Palms (Chainie- rops Fortunei) ai'e fresh as ever ; Echeverias, many of them killed; Veronica Hendersoiii, and also the variegated variety, not hurt, neither are Hydrangeas. The only Conifer that seems to have suffered is Picea lasiocarpa, or Lov^i, and the foliage of this is only a bit discoloured. Our outside hands have again been employed in kitclien garden with same jobs as on Saturday, and also with nuilehing Goose- berry and Currant ijuarters witli wi-U decayed manure. Di^'ging .amongst fruit trees is a praeiice we never resort to except to clear the ground of Couch or other troublesome weeds, or for the pur- pose of root-pruning, ,and of course this is never needed by small fruits, such as Currants and Goose- berries. We simply point up the surface of the soil, and give the best surface dressing of manure we can afford. This way of applying the manure has also the additional adv.ant.ages of making it cleanly for getting about amongst the trees and keeping the ground cool and moist in summer. Work in the houses is much the same from day to day. Propa- gating and seed sowing for summer flower gardening, potting Ferns, also potting on Tomatoes, Melons and Cucumbers being some of the jobs in hand ta-d.ay. FEBKU.iRT 9. Another splendid day, with a repetition of the frost of yesterday mijrning. Trenching in kitchen garden ; the ground lately occupied with Parsnips has been well mjinured, but the Celery plot is being trenched without adding manure, as plenty is turned up from the old Celery trenches, and this is dis- tributed over the whole plot as trenching proceeds. Pruned and put fresh stakes to young bush and pyramidal-formed Apple and Pear trees. The Pears are on the Ciuince, and the Apples on the Paradise stock, and .all ai-e very full t>f fniit buds. These dwarfing stocks are invaluable for positions in narrow borders in the vegetable garden (as ours are), as growth is never rampant, and fruit-bearing is a certainty, of course, damage from spring frosts alw.ays excepted. Put Asparagus roots in manure frame to force. The heat of the bed ranges from 80° to !iO", but as the plants are laid on a good thickness of half decayed leaf soil and covered very lightly indeed with the same material, such a great heat is not likely to do any harm to the roots, but as a safe- guard, vent holes have been made with a dibber all over the bed. A constant supply of Seak.ale is kept up by putting in heat three or four large pots weekly. Potting off Chrysanthemums and the first striking of winter flowering Carnations. Put in more cuttings of Dahlias, also cuttings of Ageratums, Heliotropes, Lantanas, ard double Petunias. H.VNTS. FRUITS UNDER GLASS. JIelons. If not already transferred to the fruiting pots the best of the plants raised in January sliould now be ready for turning out. The weather has, however, been very bad, hardly a ray of sunshine throughout the past month, and it is more than probable the first sowing will have produced a set of weak spindly plants which will never become satisfactory. The experienced Melon grower, fully alive to the numerous mishaps by which he is beset, provides for these emergencies by making fresh sowings every fortnight, and throwing away these earlier weaklings until his jierseverance is rewarded by a set of well rooted, stocky plants that will start away freely, and most likely produce earlier and better fruit, as they can be grown on from the seed pot to the tinisli without undergoing a check. But, assuming that the young plants have gone on well and the large pots intended for their reception have been plunged up to their rims in a bottom heat ranging from 80° to 'JO", fill the latter with suitable compost, and allow it to get tliorouglily warm before it is jiressed or made firm \\ith the rannner. Then, having selected and watered the plants, turn them out, and plant one on a ciuie formed in tlie centre of each of the fruiting jiots, keeping the seed leaves well up above the level of the rims, as earthing up the stems is objectionable. Make the soil firm, and give a little warm water to settle if very dry, not otherwise, as .atmospheric moisture will keep them going until after fresh root action has set in. Having secured the plants to sticks, train to, thence up the trellis, and allow the leaders to grow until they have made souje :i feet or 4 feet, and are strtmg enough for stopping. This check will result in the jroduction of a immber of side shoots furnished with female flowers, and as these first shows must be fertilised, male blossoms hitherto rubbed off may now be allowed to glow freely. Impregnate every female flower as it opens, and when two or three evenly balanced Melons on each plant can be seen swelling away together, lemove all snpeifluous shows, pinch the hiterals at the first leaf beyond the fruit, and cut aw.ay all use- less spray, also at the first leaf from the main stems. Fjom this time forward more water may lie given, but not too freely at first, as ,a flush of water before theyoung Melons have attained the size of large Walnuts sometimes produces a check from which they never recover, but turn yellow and die. Plants intended for pits and frames shouM have their points pinched out at the third or fourth rough leaf to induce the formation of side breaks. If two plants are to be turned out in each light, twobreaks from each will be sufficient ; if only one is thought sufficient, then fom- breaks will be needed. In order to save time aud have strong plants ready ftr turning oui as soon as the bed has toned down to suitable planting condition, they should be allowed to break .again before they are removed from the nursing pit; it, on the other hand, the plants are in advance of the bed they may be shifted on into larger pots and be kept growing close to the glass until the bed is in good condition, as turning out matted Melons is worse than useless. Shifting or retarding should, however, if I)ossible be avoided, as young plants that are kept constantly growing are less susceptible to att.acks frcun red spider, they are less liable to lose their Itiwer stem leaves, the preservation of which is a very im- portant point in good culture, and they invariably produce the finest and best flavoured fruit. To ob- viate the necessity for making use of imsatisfactory plants, sowings should be made at short intervals and early jilanting in small hills free from the danger of burning should be strictly adhered to. CUCDMBEES. Plants that have p.assed through the winter in a satisfactory condition and are now growing freely must be brought gradually into a liberal course of summer treatment. Others that have not wintered well and have become infested with spider, mildew, and other enemies may be removed with as little de- lay as possible, as fresh healthy plants that so readily respond to high pressure treatment can, after this period, be grown into a fruit-bearing condition in much less time than would be frittered away in cleansing .and restoring the old ones. If the first set of plants now in full bearing have not already been divested of a few of the oldest leaves to make room for young growths, their gradual removal may now be taken in hand; the plunging material must also be turneil and renovated, as it is of no use trying to grow fresh, sweet-flavoured Cucumbers without plenty of bottom heat. Kough flaky pieces of light, rich turf laid on and partially over the rims of the pots will induce the formation and escape into the bed of fresh surface roots. As days increase in length and we have more sun, gradually increase the supply of diluted liquid, not only to "the roots, but over every part of the Vjed, and ply the syringe more freely when the house is closed about 1 p.m. on bright days. Tie in the young growths regularly, and pinch the points out of the strongest to maintani an even balance of Vine and foliage over every part of the trellis, but carefully avoid overcrowding by cutting out all useless spray. Crop lightly, anel always cut the fruit under rather than over the size to whicli later on it may be grown. Keep a sharp look out for aphis, .spider, and mildew, and .apl)ly the usual remedies should they appear. When these pests are troublesome it is a good jilan to keep a tub filled with sulphur water and another with soot water for syringing purposes, as prevention is .always better tlian cm e, and the smoking of Cucumbers and Melons for aphis should, if possible, be dispensed with. Last, but not least, observe cleanliness not only in the house, but outside also. Insects, parasites, and dis- eases always make rapid headway where sanitary matters are neglected, and for this reason cleanliness both in regard to the removal of dirt from the glass, limewasliing tin- walls, and scrubbing the floors should be strictly attended to. Houses that have been a long time in bearing may be greatly improved — that is, if they can be dispensed with f(pr a short time — by a general cutting over as a preliiiiiiuiry to a new start. Let every fruit, large and small, be cut off, remove as much old Vine and foliage as can be spared, tie in and regulate the young growths, top-dress the pots, and renovate the plunging material. Water sparingly at first, but do not let the roots suffer, as drought at any time is fatiil, .and treat the p ants to plenty of atmospheric moi^tuie. T/ic frame ijronnd. — Pay particular attention to the preparatifjn of fermenting materials f<)r pits and frames, and when in suitable condition make up the l)eds for the latter on a dry, well-drained spot fully open to the south and sheltered friun cutting winds. When the heat begins to subside, firm and level the bed, place sods, grass side downwards, across the centre and introduce as much compost as will form neat hills or ridges. When the soil is thoroughly warmed through, cover the remainder of the manure with a layer ol: dry soil to keep down steam and turn out the plants before they become potbound. Many people do not now go to the trouble of making up early Cucumber beds, and fortunate are they who can do without them, but, notwithstanding the trouble which they entail, they are not an unmixed evil, as they enable Dur less fortunate friends to propagate cuttings and raise many plants which they could not have were they deprived of the moist genial heat which fer- menting materials give. Cucumbers, like Melons, do best when grown away from the seed to the fruit without a check. The frame answers admirably for this purpose, as we can sow a few seeds once a fortnight or as often as the requirements of the place may necessitate. We can shift on from small to larger pots with.h my orchard house forced ; all I want is a crop of fruit late in the season." Just so ; then why withhold fire heat, as it is a well-known fact that retarded trees absolutely require artificial warmth after the fruit is gathereel to ripen up the wood ? This important point seciu'ed, the trees may stand out of doors all the winter, and it is possible a bright genial spring may favour a Feb. 13, 1886.] THE GAiiDEN. 147 good set of fruit without its aid ; but how often do we find our blossoms pushed forward by mild weather in Fubruarj', and enveloped in dense black vapour when thi-y are expanding. Tlien conies the pinch ; tlie temperature may never descend to tlic freezing- point, but the petals of the Howers perish, the delicate organs of fi'\ictiHoation .are paralysed, and the crop is lost for the want of three weeks' fire heat, whieli might he obtained from a few barrow-loads of slack or cinders. The furciivi nrchanl !iousc. — The amateur who started his first house early has had a bad time of it, as we have liad severe weather .and very little sun ; but, aided by gentle tire heat and a good stock of patience, .all m.ay yet go well. Although Peaehfs invariably set best in a brisk temperature with plenty of fresh, w.arni air moving through the house, it does not follow th.at anything more serious than delay is occasioned liy .allowing the thermometer to range as low as 40'^, i)rovided the blossoms are kept dry, and moisture is not condensed during the hours of dark- ness. The better to avoid these unfavourable condi- tions, let all watering be performed early in the day, and give the trees tlie beneht of gentle fire heat, with as much air as itwill be safe to admit without creating a cutting drauglit. When superfluous moisture has l.)eeu e.xpelled, gradually reduce the fire-heat and air, and, if absolutely necessary, close the ventilators to the smallest chink along the front until the following morning. Although some fruit growers pooh-pooh the process of artitieial fertilisation, prudent cultivators, anxious to leave no stone unturned, generally apply the camel's-hair brush on fine days during the time the trees are in flower. JIany trees, doubtless, would set their fruit quite as well without this aid ; but others, notably varieties that have made strong wood and are not over well ripened, are often saved from complete failure by the performance of this simple process. When the latest trees have set it will be necessary t< ply the syi-inge freely on tine days to liberate the fruit from the decaying floweis, as well as to produce a moist, genial atmosphere, with clo-ied ventilators, favourable to rapid de- velopment and a brisk circulation of the sap. If Hirawherries occupy the shelves they must be well looked to, both with the syringe and w.ater, as they are gene- rally, if not alw.ays, leaders of the van in the dissemination f>f green fly and spider. The first can eiisily be destroyed by fumigation, but the second is a ter- rible pest, and can only be kept under by copious syringing and generous treat- ment. Tims, the trees, when the fruit begins to swell, will be in a fit state to receive good mulching and liljeral supplies of warm, diluted liquid; the latter should not, however, be ajiplie-f too often at first unless they are decidedly weak, as over-feeding may be carried to an extent that is positively injurious. When this stage has been reached, disbudding will require attention, and trees that have set an abund.ance of fruit must he carefully thinned, .ns nothing is gained by leaving more than a fair percentage of the b st placed fruits aliive the number Ihey are intended to carry to maturity. W. CoLEilAN. Bastnur Castle, Ledhury. NOVELTIES FOR THE AMERICAN TRADE. We have been somewhat amused in reading some of the English circulars offering novelties to the American trade. No people are better pleased than our own to purchase real novelties in trees, fruits, and plants, and many ;ire <|uite as well pleased if they jirove to be the greatest of deceptions, provided the}* are sold at a high price. To have the best thing offered cheap would at once stop all sale. Here we have a Tear called the Kieffer, the same as the old Chinese Sha-lea, iiitrod\iced by the Royal Horticultur.al So- ciety si.vty years ago, and selling at £1 each, as worthless as the nios'. worthless Pear cultivated in England. This only shows that the people will have novelties, good or bad. The late Mrs. Morgan, of New York, had a collection of Orchids which cost 200,000 dollars. They were sold by auction for as many cents. Among the novelties now offered in the cireuLar referreil to is the once famous Dioscorea Batat.as (or Chinese Yam), which the writer asks as innocently as a lunib, " Has any American grower ever yet tried this?" We are not quite yet antediluvian, but the Dioscoreas planted in my g.arden thirty years ago keep constantly popping up, though we have dug down B feet to find the roots. Old cultivators used to say that it went through the earth and climbed to obviate this. What will the old Gooseberry men of Lancashire, whose rooms are ornamented with trophies for big specimens of Crown Bi>bs, &c., say to this ? Every cultivator feels indebted to the men whose perseverance and skill have re-ulted in the pi-oduction of new fruits or flowers, and is thankful to the men whose enterprise place them within their reach. Our American people are e-pecially indebted to the skill of English, French, and Belgian culti- vators for many .superb novelties; but then, to t.alk of Chinese Y.anjs, Black Currants, and seeiUing ( Joo.se- berries as ni>velties of value to Americans betrays such a woful ignorance of our horticultural intelli- gence, that we must protest against it. H. Bomneya Coulteri.— Mr. Miles is quite right in his supposition that Romneya Coulteii likes to°be kept dry in winter. At Glasnevin it is cultivated agamst a south wall, where an old tower keeps off much rain, and in such a position it flourishes and flowers abundantly. Last summer over seventy flowers were ojien ac the same time. On the approach of winter the loese shoots are fastened close to the wall, and a barrowful of peat is put round the crown. During very severe weather a mat is nailed ovc-r the plant, otherwise the shoots above ground are liable to be killed, and then it does not flower so profusely next season. In spring a good dressing of manure is substituted for the peat. — F. JIooKE. Flowering spr.xy of Berberis (Mahonia) AquifoUum. on the other side in China ! Again, " as a change from the American .Sweet Potato itwill be much appre- chated." Whew! And then we are told how to cook it, and when the mode is " once hit upon the Yam is delicately white, mealy, and of a most agree- able flavour." Perljaps this is a matter of t°aste. The Mexicans like pulque, but the Englishman pre- fers champ.agne. Somebody ought to read our horti- cultural literature of thirty years .ago. When these Yams were introduced here they were stated to be of such value, that the Potiito would disappear for ever from cultivation, and they were sold at high prices. They were planted, tried, eaten, and all dug up as f.ar as it was possible to do so. More than one cultivator has told me that he could extirpate Horse- radish, Artichokes .and Dock-root, but the CninefC Yam mastered him. Nothing short of 10 feet in I he hardest ground would accomplish the job. 'i'hen we have the valuable informati(m that "Black Currants will not grow in America." and to obviate this sad fact, the writer inquires. "Have our American friends tried the effect of raising from seed?" by which means there might "arise a variety th:it wid prove itself adaptable to the dry, hot American summer," and prove a "^maU fortune" to the r.aiser. Exactly ! " Many Gooseberry plants," the circular says, "are annually imported into America," but as all this " must therefore necessarily mean much trouble and expense," seeds are ofiered of a "magnificent strain ' Trees and Shrubs. THE HOLLY-LEAVED BARBERRY. (berberis (mahonia) aquifolium.) The pinnate species of Berberis form sucli ,a dis- tinct oi'oup from tlie rest of the Barberries, that they were nrioiiially and with good reason jjlaceil iu a distinct genus — Malioniti, a name under wliicli tliey are slili generally known in gardens and nurseries. There are aliout a dozen of these pinnate - leaved Barberries (or Ash Barberries, as Loudou called them). Of these there are about fotir North American species, all of which are undoubtedly hardy in this ccjuntry; wheieas there is always some doubt about the hardiness of the other Jlahonias from Japan, China, the Himalayas and Mexico. These four American species are all liandsome evergreen shrubs extremely valuable if not wholly indispensable in a well- planted English gHi-dcn, and commou as line of them, B. Ai|uifolium, has become, it is, like the Holly, a shrub of which one never tii'es. ^;«(5^ li. Acpiifolitim, ur HuUy-leaved Bar- ^ beny, was introduced into British gardens about fifty years ago, and so highly was it esteemed at that time that plants of it are said to have been sold in the nurseries for ten guineas a-piece ; whereas one can now Imy a ilccent specimen of it for tenpence. Liudley was not far wrong when he pronounced it to be "perhaps the hand- .-omest Evergreen we yet possess," That was .said of it soon after its introduction, but to-day we .see it in perfection, for it has become quite acclimatised witli us — we might almost say naturalised— in a good many places. People are apt to esteem things lightly when once they become common, and this is the ca.se with this shrub ; were it still sold for a guinea a plant, we should perhaps ^■ahle it more than we now do. First, tliere is its rich deep green leaves shining as if varnished, and chang- ing in autumn to a bronzy red, lendering them so precious to those who like to mix foliage with llowers, and no other foliage Lasts so hiiig in water. Then in April and Jlay the plant is adorned with a profusion of yellow flowers, and the.se are succeeded in autumn by a crop of jilum- pm-ple berries, grey with glaucous bloom. As this Barljerry is now so common there is no need to describe it further, and there is equally little need to advocate its planting, as it forms part of the "regular stock" of every nursery, large or small. It is an accommodating plant "and not at all capricious in its requiiements, but, like a "ood many other shrubs, it is often planted without^'due regtird to its adaptability to the spot in which it is placed. In its native haunts it is s.aid to grow- in rich vegetable soil among rocks or in woods, making a dense undergrowth. It is certainly very partial to shade even if it be dense ; hence it 148 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. is one of tlie fuw plants tliat oni; i-:ui reckon ii|ion BUcceediuL,' umli-r trees, ami that is why it makes such capital covert. It is snu^' ami warm for game, ami yet, unlike such thinj^s as Rhododen- drons, it is not too dense. Thou,i;h it likes shade it does not refuse to grow and even thrive on dry, e.\posed banks, but in such places the toliage rarely acquires that luxuriant deep green whicli it does under shade. As to soil, as far as our experience goes, it delights most in a deep moist loam, as, indeed, do all the Barberries. It even thrives in wet places and also in clay. Its use as an ornamental shrub is varied. Nothing, as before remarked, is better I'or planting under trees, and even under Beeches where the shade is densest it may be planted if the soil is stifflsh. What it does not like is being crowded in the ordinary huddle- muddle shrubbery, for it is a plant that likes plenty of room to spread and send out its runners, and that is why it is such a capital shrub tor planting just on the margin of a shrubbery, so as to allow its branches to arrange them.selves on the turf Th. re are some adnuraljle examples of this Barberry as a lawn shrub in the London parks, particularly at Battersea, where there are some as much as 10 feet through and 5 feet or 6 feet high. This shrub having been so much in request and is propagated rather slowly otherwise than by seed, large quantities of seedlings have been raised, with the natural result that a good many seminal varieties have sprung up. There are alwut a dozen of the most distinct of these •which have been named. They all differ more or less widely from the type. Perhaps the finest of these forms is one called rotundifolia, an appropriate name, inasmuch as the leaflets are quite rounded in outline and not toothed nearly so much as the original. The leaves, moreover, are thicker in texture, and it is even more flori- ferous than the type. Other named varieties are erecta, of more upright growth than the type. Another named stricta is iirobably identi- cal. The variety gracilis is of more slender growth, and in anemonsefolia the leaflets are more deeply d.vided, while crassifolia is of thicker textui'e in the foliage and more like rotundifolia. None of these varieties are common, and one may look through a dozen tree nursery catalogues and not see one of them mentioned. This Barberry is found wild in Oregon and northwards, where, according to the " Californian Flora,'' it is known as the Oregon Grape. It is the hardi' st of all the American Mahonias on account of its northern haunts. The other species are B. repens, B. pinnata, B. fascicularis, and B. nervosa or glumacea, as it is called. These are all handsome and valuable for ornamental planting and worthy of the best attention. Our common Barberry (B. vulgar!.-) inhabits the Eastern United States, and there is one species in Canada, B. canadensis. The Barberries of Mexico and Texas and tlie Southern States are of doubtful value in this country on account of their tenderness. Flowering Ribes speciosum early. — The Fuchsia-fiowered Kibes wliich is so justly Vulued as an ornamental flowering shrub, will, under glass, anticipate its usual season of blooming by a long time, and produce both its bfautiful crimson Fuchsia- like blossoms and attractive glossy foliage by the beginning of M.ach. at which time a bush of it forms a conspicuous feature in the conservatory. To forcing, as applied to Deutzias, Lilacs, and such thin"s, it is nut amenable, but with the assistance and protection of a light glass structure, with little, if any, fire heat, it may, as stated, be had in bloom at a time when under ordinary conditions it would be si ill dormant. Tliis Ribes is a most beautiful sbrub, but like the gohlen-flowered species (K. aureum) it is rarely seen, while the ordinary flowering Currant (K, sanguiueuni) and its many varieties is met with in nearly every garden. True, this latter will often grow, and even thrive, where the conditions are very unfavourable, while H. speciosum is more jarticular iu its reipurements ; but where at all favou-aljly situated it forms a handsome hush, and if the scjil is moderately good, a most vigorous one. — T. GARDEN HEDGES AND SCREENS. I WAS surprised to find that Mr. Molyneux made no mention of Thuja Lobbi for this pur|iose. For foruung a thick hedge or screen quickly there is no Evergreen equal to it ; it beats the Arbor- vitfe both in lapidity of growth and inappeai'ance, as it does not lose colour in winter, but of the two takes on a deeper tint. For forming boundary hedges b,etween the vegetable and kitchen garden and the pleasure ground, or for similar situations it i.s, on account of its unilonnly handsome ap- pearance, very suitable ; if thrifty young two-year- old plants are set out into good deeply stirred soil they will form a screen r> ft. high or mure in lour years. In order to obtain a hedge well lurnislied to the bottom it is important to secure phmtsthat have never been crowded, and fortius reason 1 advise the use of cpiite young ones. Sometimes, with a view of obtaining a ience quickly older specimens are employed, but they are sure to have become more or less leggy, and a hedge never gels thick at the bottom when such plants are u;ed for its formation. Too litlle thought is generall)' given to the foundation and too much to the top, which is bound to come right if llie proper kind of plants are used and the planting is properly done. The same renuirk a]'plies to Holly, by far the best of all hedge plants, and which will grow almcst as rapidly as Quick if the ground is well prepared for it. The little extra expense involved in the outlay on Holly is well repaid by its impenetrability and handsome appeaiance at all times of the year. Fin- Holly tlie ground should be trenched 2 ft. deep, and plenty of good manure should be worked into the full depth. If this is done, in the thinl year from planting the pbints will make from IS in. to 2 ft. of growth; whereas if the ground is poor and not well stirred they may remain for years before th>-y make a start. It is a common ]dan to plant Holly on a bank; but where the soil is fairly liglit or well drained the extra labour tlius entailed is by no means necessary; in fact, Holly is by no means so difficult to please in the matter of sail as many imagine. Where primary cost is an object and there is a large amount of fences to nuike, a Holly hedge may be eventually obtained by planting three Onicks to one Holly, as in time the laltergets the mastery. Sometimes Quick hedg' s become throngh neglect bare at the botlom, and when this is the case I know of no better remedj' than planting strong bushy Hollies iu the thin places. They should be iilanted in the autumn, as they then get roothold by winter, and are not so likely to sutler from drought the following summer. As the soil at the base of a Quick hedge is sure to become very dry, it is well to give it a good watering now and then. The great point is to ensure their making fair growth the first year; the following one tliey will take care of themselves. Privet may be used in the same way, is more easily e.stabli.-Iied, and grows quicker; but it forms such a mass of roots near the surface as in time to quite spoil the soil for several feet from the hedge. Nothing so com- pletely ruins a hedge as to allow weeds to grow amongst the young plants ; their growth is thereby stopped, and the lowermost shoots die away in time. Another important point, espe- cially in the case of Quick and Privet, is to fre- quently clip the sides. If clipping is deferred until July the wood has become so far ripened that it does not break again ; whereas, by clipping the soft shoots early in June, they start away again almost immediately, thus causing the hedge to tliicken. J. C. B. DECIDUOUS TREES I^I FEBRUARY. NoTwrnisTANDiNO the ungenial weather which has lately been experienced, most of our common deciduous tiees, though bare, and to the cursory oliserver showing few if any signs of life, will, on closer examination, be found to present the most unmistakable evidence that the dormant .season is rapidly passing, and that spring is within a measurable distance. The Oaks hereabouts, whicli is rather a high and expo.sed position, have already jiut forth an afiundaucc of buds, and although another couple of montlis, or perhaps nujre, have to pass away before these buds develop, and the leaves emerge and cloihe the branches in a mantle of green, there cannot be the .slightest doubt that the trees show unimpaired vitality. The common, small-leaved Elm is a tree which now looks more bare than the Oak, and besides the variation in its genenl conformation, in the size and character of its buds its difference from the last named tree is very marked. Though thfse, however, are less conspicuous, the indica- tions that Nature is again at work are readily enough seen. The Ash, with its dark brown excrescences, which contain the germ of what will in a few weeks burst into growth and deck the now sombre branches, is a tree which at the present moment can hardly fail to arrest attention. Leaving, for a moment, the hard-wooded deciduous trees, the Poplars will stand a little looking into. Amongst these the buds of the common Grey or White Pojjlar are sufficiently far advanced to need only the higher temperature of the coming months to start away into full growth. With respect to the Willows, which are nearly akin to this family, its numerous .species and varieties seem to keeji pace with the other trees. The one which will be first remarked is the Goat Willow (Salix caprea), as for some weeks past the buds of this species have been slowly swelling, and, in spite of the loH'tiess of the temperature, and their fre(iuently being covered with snow, are now bursting, and the ciikins appearing. The Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) is also showing a quantity of buds, and will be one of the first to make leaf. A tree of this species grows in a slight depression below my house, and in the spring- time is remarkable for the tender green of its foliage, whilst many other trees are still naked. Returning to the hard-woods, the Field Maple does not show any great signs of the latent forces which are nevertheless at work, still it shows enough to prove that it is particip.iting in the general movement which is at hand. The cat- kins of the Hazel are very abundant, and its buds are slowly developing, and more iiumerous ai'e tho.se of the Hawthorn. The Wild Service occur- ring here and there has large green buds, though they are, from its habit of growtli, not distributed very thickly. Another species of Pyrus, the White Beam, is also .showing signs of the lengthen- ing days. So far as present appearance tells, the Elder and the Wayfarer's Tree will be early in sending out their leaves, and the common Lilac, seems to be already anticipating the warmth and sunshine in store. Indeed, though difl'ering in form and in the degree of development at this early date, though iu no way abnormal, the coming growth of our common deciduous trees and shrubs may be easily enough distinguished, and to watch this gradual development caused by the action of the Feb. 13, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 149 now hidden forces of Nature i*, to say tbe least extremely interesting and instructive. What should encourage many to do this is the fact that no great inroads upon the time are necessary, and no expensive apparatus has to be piifchase-hes should be buried, leavin,' but the upper 3 inclies exposed. In selecting the cuttings the soft iinm.ature point-! of the shoots should be re jected, as they only .vlirivel up and perish during the dry, harsh winds t;enera'ly e.xperienced in March. A good sharp knife is essential, in order that tlie base of the cutting may be formed by a clean cut, and if too long, or the up, er part is immature, the soft portion should be cut off in tlie same clear manner. In in- serting the cuttings care m ist be taken that they .are put io firuily ; the bt;st way to ensure this is to form a trench by inserting the spade in a perpend iculir manner .and drawing the soil towards the operator, till a sutHcient depth is obtained ; then place the cut- tings in an upright position again-t the undisturbed portion of the s.iil, and fill it in with that taken out, treading it down firmly. In this way a plot of ground caa be filled by workin,' row after row till the space at command is exhausted. For striking cut- tings such as those named above (at this se.ason especially), the most satisfactory results will be ob- tained if a fr.ame can be a'lcorded them, and if such can be spared the cuttings need not be so long or so firm in texture .as if fully exposed; but still, even then well matured shoots are bjst. Some of the shrubi above mentione 1 are by no means among the easie-it of siibjtcti to strike from cuttings at any time, especially in the open ground. Amongst these may be named the Holly, which is propajated by seeds, and in the case of the varieties by grafting or buddin" on seedling stocks. Cuttings can be struck, but they take a long time, and failures are frequent. The Yew and the different Junipers are also tardy in the production of roots unless put under glass, while the common Laurel roots freely in this way. The ever- green shrulis most likely to succeed at this season in the open (and they, too, would bj bitter in a frame) are Aucubas, Euonyums, connnon Bjx, Privets, and Laurustinus. — T. THE WEEPING INDIAN JUNIPER. (jUNIPEttUS RECURVA.) Thi.s Juniper is one of the most distinct, beauti- ful, and valuable ever introduced into Britain. True, although perfectly hardy, it is somewhat fastidious and difficult to manage, .and, like many another of its Chinese relatives, lias its likes and dislikes both as regards soil and situa- ticjn, but these being favourable no more easily cultivated tree or shrub will be found in the whide category of Coniferre. Planted in cool, moist, shady situation.s, it soon forms an elegant and distinct specimen with recurved, feathery foliage, which is of an unusual, though desii'able, greenish grey colour and abundantly produced ; while the contrast of tbe light green of the young ai;d the rusty brown ot the older foliage is strikingly remarkable, and renders the tree .as uncommon as it is beautiful. As a straggling bush of from 6 feet to 12 feet iu height, it may be fniud inhabiting the rocky crags of the Himalayas, from Ijhotan to Ca.shmere, but in the v.alleys it is s.ud by Sir .Jo.sepli Hooker to attain a height of 3(> feet, dimensions that have never been attained in this country, although siiecimens that I have seen growing under remarkably favourable circumstances had re.ached half that size. On this estate, growing in tine loamy peat that rests at no great depth on shale rock, and in a sheltereil, slnidy situation, are some usually fine plants of the Weeping Juniper, the bright, healthy foliage of which at once points out that they are quite at home, and also clearly proves that, with a little attention to its lujw well-known requirements, this handsome shruli is well adapted for culture in this country, ami may be as successfully grown as our ctunmon native species. The plants just referred to, it in.ay be well to jinint out, are growing iu what may best be descrilied as a .semi-shady situation, where tall, stem-pruned Oaks prevent at all times direct sunshine from .striking on their Ibliage, this latter being much in favour of the successiul cultivation of sever.al species of Juniper, but none more so than the one in question. Gordon, in his " Pinetuni,'' made the rather unfortunate mistake of describing Juniperns re- curva as dicecious, an error into which subse- ([uent writers ("Senilis" in his " Pinacea;," and Veitch iu his "Manual of Gonifcroe") h.ave either fallen or followed. That the tree is monrecious I have now ascertained beyond doubt, as both male and female flowers have been produced on several trees at Penrhyn, and good, well-filled seeds obtained. What has heretofore been known and sent out by nurserymen as the nurle or pollen- bearing form of Juniperus recurva is, judging from specimens here, nothing more than J. deusa in an unfruitful condition. Unfortunately, this latter has als(5 become cijnfused in nomenclature with J. squaiuata, but from which it is readily enough distinguished liy the yellowish green, rather sickly-looking foliage, much taller, erect habit, and by its never spreading to such a wide extent as is a marked characteristic of that species. The dark purple, oval-shaped berrie.s of J. recurva are borne in great profusion on the trees at Peniliyn, and impart to them during the winter and spring uuinths an appearance that is as uirusual as it is pretty. Each berry contains but one seed, which is ripe in .January or Feb- ruary, and .should, if wanted for propagating jmrposes, be then collected and placed in fine sand or sown in light, sandy peat, after removing the outer fleshy coating. Cuttings are readily struck in a cool frame — iiuleeil, this is our usual method of reproduction — but the plants produced in this way are not altogether s.atisfactory, they usually assuming a Hat, spreading haljit, with little or no incliiuvtioii to fiirm a leading shoot. My c ire and attention in the way of pruning an Uiiright tendency may, luiwever, be in luce 1, lutt I have always noticed that plants raised from cuttings seldom put on the upright growth tluvt is noticeable in the parent plants, but this is, perhaps, the ca^e with most Conifers — a goodly nuuiber whatever. Any moist, not over-rich soil and a shady situation will be found sufficient for the wants of this plant, and when used as a single speci- men on the lawn or in close contiguity to other trees, few of our ornamental shrubs ate more in- teresting, distinct, or attractive. A. V. Weis.ster. TAXUS ADPRESSA. As far as the adaptability of this shrub as an isoLated specimen I quite .agree with "Alpha," for it is one of the most distiact of Yews, but as to its origin I differ. As a matter of fact, it was raised from seed in the nurseries of .Messrs. Dickson, of Chester, more than half a century ago, and was considered to be a hybrid. In Gordon's "Pinetum," p. '287, it is erroneously stated to be a native of Japan, seldom growing more than li feet to 8 feet high ; whereas I have recently seen specimens growing in the Newton Nurseries, Chester, of the following dimensions: — No. 1, height, 13,i feet; circumference, 43 feet N... 2, „ lOi „ „ 4-2* „ No. 3, „ lOi ,. „ 44} „ proving, if necessary, that the information on the suliject in the w.irk referred to is not to be relied upon. At the same time it will be interesting to know if the plant Gordon referred to in .Japan is similar to, or nearly ,appro.aching, this distinct hybrid, but I an in- clined to think it is not. It w.as originally n.amed T. brevifoUa, and sent out by the raisers under that name. The name T. adpressa was given to it, I bidieve, by a London nurseryman, Mr. Kni.ht. ]5ut hereon hangs a tal-, for it seems Mr. Knight, when looking through .\Ie .srs. Dickson's nurseri s in the absence of the t^roprietorn and their responsib e fore- man, noticed the young plants, and bouijht them at the ordinary common \ ew price and took t em away with him, the attendant accompanying lim beiuj; ignorant of its value, or, indeed, that it was a new plant ; and Messrs. Dickson, on learning the case, at once wrote explaining the error, and asking for the plants to be returned, as they were not for sale. This most reasonalile recpiest was refused. Then came a race as to which firm could put the plant into the market first — eventually Messrs. Uickson.who had the original plant to work from, doing so imder the name of T. brevifolia, Mr. Knight distributing it under the name of I", adpressa, possiUy as good a name, but not the one it at first bore. These facts may be interesting to tho.se who admire this really good Yew. The uprii^ht variety, T. adpressa striata, is also well wt^rth havinfj, and is said to be a seedling raised by the late Mr. .St,andish. It will be interesting to know if such be the case, or if it is a sport fixed by grafting. G. G. M. Variegated Elaeagnuses.— The v.ariegated forms of the Japanese ilkeagnus are all handsome slu'ubs, and, unless iu the case of very severe winters, their beauty is not marred by frost ; indeed, during the dull months of the year the variegation appears to be (probably from contrast with the surroundings) even brighter than it is in the summer. They are of g lod free growth, holding their own even on light sandy soils ; but as a matter of course the best resiilta are obtained where more favourably situated, as then the green portion of the leaf .acquires a deep tint, which tends to show off tlie variegated part. 'I'he little scales that clothe the young shoots and leaves are characteristic of most kinds of El^agnus. — H. P. 150 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. THE AMERICAN DOGWOOD. (CORNUS FLORIDA.) This ]ircttv Howorins slii'ub or trc-e is l)ep;iniiiiijT; to attr.ict a Iar.;(.'r sliaro of attontidii tlian roniierly, anil I lliiiik dc.'^frveilly so. It lias Ion.; ]n<(_,-n mw of the ino.=it attractive olijei'ts in tlie margins of our spring wooiUands ami sniniy o]K'iiiii!.,'s all through the Atlantic States, in Southern ^linnesota, anil other We.stern States. It is a precocious iviklling, coming into hloom freely in May and be- fore the leaf liucls are fully expanded. It seems to delight in the edge of a wood where it may laugh at the sunshine and toy with the shade, and still re- main under the pro- tecting arms of some lofty Oak or other de- ciduous neighbour, flinging out its broad and sweeping racemes a little farther into the open field and sunlight than anything else. As though cognisant of its beauty, and desiring to hang out its share in the floral banner of s]iringtime, its roots will usually lie found imbedded in a moist, peaty soil. The flowers, with their large white bracts, often measure over 3 inches in diameter, and thus the tree is very showy, attracting the eye at a long distance. The Dogwood blooms along the shores of Hudson River; in May forms a brilliant and attractive feature in the varied landscape of that famous stream. For nearly two weeks ihe flowers remain in good condition ; then follow the thick, glossy, oval leaves and the fruit, which is a bright red berry. These often I'emainon the tree during the winter ; then early in autumn the leaves change to a deep red, adhering to the liianch a long time, and thus for the second time in one season the tree becomes one of the most glowing and conspicuous objects in the wood- land. But the Dogwood leaf is not well adapted for preservation ; it is thick and fleshy, and will not retain the brilliant colouring after pressing like a Maple leaf. The flowers of this species come into idoom just as the Magnolia begins to fade, and they form a pleasing succession to that charming genus. This .species of Dogwood often attains con- siderable size and height when left undisturbed in its chosen location. It is a rapid grower, and trees .30 ffet and 40 feet high have been found. Near Roslyn, L. I., is a beautiful spiecinien of this tree. It rises with a round and symmetrical head to a height of over 30 feet, havinv: a similar spread. The trunk is straight, measuiing about 10 inches across at the base. To one who has never SKen such a specimen when in full bloom a just conception of its beauty is scarcely po.ssible. Another tine large tree maybe feen at Orange, N. .1., not far from New Yoi-k citv. (Occasionally this species is found with a decided suffusion of liink in the invoLucres instead of the usual white. Friend Carman, of the Rural A'cjc Yorker, was, I think, the fiist to make this discovery, and he called Httention to it in his paper about five years ago. Since then others have found similar specimen.s, and propagators have not lost their opjjortunity. Among others, Messrs. Parsons and Sons have lately been offering a variety having ' deep led flowers, which they call Coiiius florida fl. -rubra. While such as these are novel, pretty, and valuable accpiisitions, they can never be as attractive and stiiking in a mass as the white-flowered specimens, by rea- ' son of the lesser contrast presented with the leaves. In an economic ]ioiiit of view the woorl fjf C. florida jiossesses many valn.able qualities, and for this alone it would be well worth growing. It is, in fact, a beautiful wood in grain and texture. It is hard, tough, tine-grained and hcav}', specific gravity being 0'8153. In colour it is nearly white, slightly red- dish at the heart. It has a beautiful satiny appearance, and takes a high polish readily. The medullary rays are numerous and conspicuous. It is an excel- lent wood for turning. As an amateur I have frecpiently used it in the lathe, and always with the gre.atest satisfaction. I know of nothing superior to it for this pur]iose in our American woods. I have often wondered that it was not used by engravers to a greater extent than it is, although I am told it is already employed for woodcuts cjuite largely. It seems well adapted for machinery bearings, and I shr.uld think it Wfiuld make excellent wagon- hubs. For tool anil all manner of handles and mallets it has no sujierior. There is a tendency' toward checking during the pro- cess of seasoning, however, especi- ally in large blocks, which needs some care to overlook or prevent. But this is very apt to be the ca.se with all hard, close-grained woods. The bark, in addition to being very jjretty in its out- ward appearance by reason of its fine even net-work, is also of economic value, especially the bark of the root. It is said to have bitter tonic properties,similar in some respects to Peruvian bark, and it is used successfully in fevers and malarial eases. By some this bark is accorded a very high place among the vegetable medicinal products of North America. As an ornamental tree it has not been planted to the extent its ^""^ "' ""= ^"' merits would seem to warrant. It may occasionally be found upon the grounds of those having a just appreciation of trees and ]ilauts In accordance with their individual merits, irrespective of their habitat and native frerjuency; but I'arely or never elsewhere in this country, and because this flowering Dogwood grows so commonly in our American woodlands istlie very reason it is so seldom jilanted in our lawns. Tlii.s senseless craze for exotic plants, without regard to features of adajitation, use, or beauty, has long bcn'ii the bane of American gardens, and many a fiiKt place has been brought to riiin by such im- moderate and foolish indulgence. Our woods and waysides abound with interesting plant.s, half the beauties of which have never yet been told, or even discovered. Why shall we continue to reach out, over these, to foreign lands for bo- tanical treasures, often at large expense, and without knowledge of their requisites, or faci- lities to supply them? As a matter of fact, this species of Dogwood makes a beautiful tree which Would bean orna- ment to any lawn where properly planted, either at its Season of flower- ing, when in full foli- age merely, or in its brilliantgarb ofautumn decline, and even 'mid the snows of winter, with its clean branche.s red with fruit. Messrs. EUwanger and Barry, the veteran gardeners of Kochester, New York, regard it as among the most valuable trees for ornamental planting we have, placing it next to the Jlagnolia AVhile its situation should be partialh' shelteied, the loliage needs to rollick in the sunshine to se- cure ample bloom. A continuous supply' of moisture at the roots is necessary to keep up its rapid and vigorous growth. In planting, it is not well to select too large a plant. Proper attentioiitothe.se points will usually secure suc- cess with this species. H. Hendricks. Kingston, New York. Hardy Butcher's Brooms. — The only dwarf evergreen shrubby plants which will grow toleralilywell, even under the dense sh.ide and ob- jectionable leaf-deposits of the Yew, is the Box Holly, or Butcher's Broom ; and as it suc- ceeds well in such a situa- tion, it is not too much to say it is well adapted for all very shady places, though it berries better, certainly, when grown in more exposed sunny places. The Butcher's Broom (R. aculeatus) is an indigenous plant still to be met with as a dwarf under - shrub in Epping Forest and elsewhere, though not so plentiful as it might be, owing to the fact that the fresh green growths are cut down, as often as is sufficient to be found, and carried away for sale to herbalists, tobacco manufacturers, CIiuw Fir(.\bics Fortunei). Feb. 13, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 151 &c., in the metropolip, each growth, I am in- formed, producing to the itinerant vendors one ptnny ; indeed, where tlie plant is known to exist in piivate gardens it is not safe from such individuals. The name Butcher's Broom was given to the native species because formerly butchers used branches of the plant for sweeping down their blocks. It is a shrubby pl.int of the average height of 2 feet. The greenish white flowers are produced during the nioi.ths of April and M.ay, and the bright .scarlet beriies, which .are very ornameiital, and about the size of small wild Cherries, ripen about the month of October. A far more interesting species is Ruscus Hypoglossum, a low evergreen shrub foimd in Italy, Hungary, and Afiica, and said to be abundant around Algiers. That it is a more pretentious shrub need not be said when it is stated its average height grown in this country is 6 feet or 8 feet, that its leaves are larger, its habit more branching, which, together with the peculiar gloss upon its leaves, give a pleasing effect. A small leaf grows out of the midrib of the piimary leaf, and between the two parts of such compound leaves, the flowers, and ultimately the berries, form, adding greatly to the interest of the plant. I have fcpund it growing perfectly under the dense shade (near to the b.ase) of a very large vigorous Rhododendron pouticum, than which a drier place duriug summer it is ditticuU to imagine. Ruscus racemosus, or the Alexandi ian I..aurel, is also an e'egant plant deserving of cultiva- tJ'-'D. — \V. E.\nLEY. THE FOO-CIIOW FIR. (.\BIES FORTnNEI.) In 1850 Lindley described in Paxton's "Flower Garden" a Cunil'er which a few years previous had been sent to this country by Fortune from Cliina or Japan to Messrs. Standish, who raised seedlings and distributed tliem. Tliis description was accompanied by the illustration of a cone here- with given, and it wa? said to be "a magnificent evergreen tree probably perfectly hardy." Lindley named the tree Abies jezoensis, presumably bo- cause it was alleged to have been a native of the i-l;ind of ye^so, Northern Japan. This, however, appears to have been incorrect, as the tree has since proved to be a native of South-eastern China, where, according to Veitch's " Jlanual," it grows abundantly on the Foo-Chow Mountains. This tree is said to be remarkable in several ways. Its growth is peculiar, being of the aspect of the Cedar in the .adult stage, and possessing the foliage of the Silver Fir. It is, moreover, .singular botaui- cally, and one botanist (Cai-rioie) has even gone so tar as to place it in distinct genus— Keteleeria Fortuuei. It would be interesting to know if any of Stand ish's seedlings still exist in the couutry, and where. Perhaps some of our readers may know of specimens in some of the older pine- tums. Being a Chinese tree, it is doubtful if it is a suitable tree for this country, and there is little hope indeed that it will fulfil Lindley 's predic- ti(ju of being a magnificent evergreen tree. It is tolerably clear, however, that it is a remarkable tree, possessing quite the characteristic Chinese aspect, and it is to be regretted, if it is a fact, that it is wholly unsuitable for even the warmer jiarts of these islands. With regard to thetrue Yesso Fir (A. jezoensis), confusion exists among botanists, judg- ing by the long list of synonyms given in some of the standard works on Coniferte. Koch considers it synonymous with A. sitchensis, ajauensis, and Meuziesi. Carriere evidently considers it dis- tinct, as he describes both A. sitchensis and jezoensis .separately. In Veitch's " Manual," it is regarded as a distinct species, and is placed between A. excclsa and JIenzie.si. In this work it is stated that the Yesso Fir was introduced in 1870 froni Yesso by Mr. Maries when travelling for Messrs. Veitoli. It is evident that there is a group of Abies that are very closely allied, pro- bably too nearly related, for critical botanists, though perhaps distinct enough from a garden point of view. In this category may be placed A. Menziesi, ajanensis, sitchensis, jezoensis, and others which aie sometimes regarded as synony- mous and sometimes distinct. They are pro- bably geographical forms of a widely-distributed species. Societies. ROYAL H0RTICULTUR.4.L. FiCBRU-Mn' 9. CoNTRAKY to what was generally expected, there was a really interesting and attractive exhibition in the South Kensington consei-viitory last Tuesday. Foiced h.ardy flowers were particularly numerous, and, not- withstanding the hard frost, there was a fair show of Orchids, which included a splendid series of varieties of Cattleya Triana-, which is now in full season. First-class certificates were awarded to the follow- ing plants ; — Catti,kt.\ Tkian.e Sohuoederiana. — A magni- ficent variety livalling the famous Loeana in size and Bonnyana in form and colour. The side sepals are unusually broad, of oval outline, and of a pale lilac tint. The enormous lip h.as a long shelving lobe, which is exquisitely fiilled at the margin. The colour is an intensely rich carmine-miagenta, running off into a heavy blotch of orange-yellow in the throat. This extraordinary variety must be classed with such varieties as Leeana, Russelliana, Back- houseana, Bonnyana, and others of the select few. A strong specimen was shown by Mr. B.allantine from Baron Schrteder's garden at The Uell, Egham. Cattleya Tbian.e Ernesti. — A remarkable va; iety as regards the colour, which is in the w.ay of that of Backhouseana, characterised by having heavy blotches of deep colour on the lateral sepals. In this variety the fepals are very p;de, almost white in fact, and the blotches of magenta-crimson occur at the tips ; the lip also is highly and richly coloured. The flower is smallish, but the form is admirable, the sepals standing almost erect. This wa-i shown by Mr. R. J. Measures, of Cambridge Lodge, Camberwcll. Arum pal.'estinum. — This is the red Palestine Arum Lily about which some American notes have appeared in TuEtilARnEN lately. A jilant was shown by Messrs. Heath, of Cheltenham, having a large, well- developed flower. It is a handsome plant, but the spathe cannot really be termed red or crimson in colour. It is more of a crimson-black, ex.actly .-iinilar to the colour of the so-called Black Dahlia (D. Ziinapani). The surface of the spathe shines like satin, and the spadix is a dull jet black. The leaves are heart-shaped and pointed, about 8 inches in length, and lined with pale veins. It is not a sliowy plan% but interesting, particularly on account of its being a native of the Holy Land. It is not new, having been introduced long ago to this country. Ikis reticulata cr.vNEA. — A. variety of the netted Iris, having the flowers of a bluish purple instead of true purple ; then fore it is quite different from the ordinaiy form, and many would think it a brighter .and prettier plant. A potful i;>f bulbs in bloom was shown by Mr. Ware, from his nursery at Tottenham^ Primula vloribunda. — This charming little Indian Primrose was shown by Mr. Warj in good bloom, considering the season. The profusion of the small rich yellow flowers and its continuous flowering season render it a most valuable plant for a cool greenhouse. Primula Improveme.mt. — A single flowered Chinese variety, perfect in every point as regards habit of growth and flowers. The colour is a splendid crimson magenta. Exhibited by Messrs. Cannell, Swanley. Galanthus Elwesi. — Although this, the finest of all the Snowdrops, has been shown many times previously, it appears that no certificate has been awarded to it before the present occasion, when good plants of it were shown by Messrs. Barr and Son and Mr. Ware. Orchids. — The chief among these were the varieties of Cattleya Trianse, shown by various exhibitor.", among them being Bar.m Schrccder, who sent a magniliceut plant of the Russelliana variety, carrying no fewer than thirteen flowers onfour spikes, one bearing four flowers. This superb variety is acknowledged to have few, if any, equals as regards the colour and size of the flowei s, and no plant of it is finer than that shown, A splendid form of C. TrianEe was shown by- Mr. Haywood, of Reigate, and another large flower with a wonderfully fine labellum was exhibited by Mr. PoUett, of Blckley. Ur. Uuke, of Lewisham, showed a vai iety of Triame named L)ukeana, remarkable for large size, rich colour, and admirable form. Dr. Uuke also sent a plaut of C. Lawrencean.a, which is the first time it has been exhibited. The specimen was not of course established ; therefore it could not be expected to give an adequate idea of the plant's true ch.araeter. The flower is small, with a round lobed lip of deep purplish inageut.a, with white in the throat, while the sepals aie almost as deep in coLiur. The only Cattleya with which it is comparable is the rare hybrid C. triopth.alma. With this it seems almost identical judging by Dr. l>uke's speci- men, and this liybrid has likewise several flowers on a spike. It would be obviously unfair to pronounce an opiiiion upon the species from an imperfect speci- men, as this Wds. Mr. Bull showed a number of beautiful varieties of C. Triana; telected and named from his collection. The most remarkable of them were those n.amed .Juno, with a splendid lip; Phyllis, Sepals beautifully veined and blotched ; picta, very pale, alnijst white ; bellina, small, but of a beautiful colour ; notabilis, with an uncimrmonly rich lip like that of C. Percivaliana ; and the white virgiualis. Mr. G. F. Wilson, of Heatherbank, Weybridge, showed a spike of the magnificent new Phaius tuber- culosus, an Orchid which has baffled the efltorts of the most skilful Orchid growers to coax into vigorous growth. But Mr. Wi'son has evidently finind out the secret of its requirements, for he showed a spike carrying eleven flowers, and he left one on the plant bearing twelve flowers. Mr. PoUett showed a large plant oi the new Cattleya Measuresiana, a plant a good deal like the old bicolor. Mr. PoUett also showed a flue spike of Odontog*o,-sum Schdleriana, which may be best described as a rich golden form of O. gloriosum spotted and blotched with chestnut brown. Mr. Douglas, of Ore it Gearie.s, Ilford, showed a tine branching spike of O. cirrhosum, cut from a plant bearing five others equally large. The frosty weather h.ad a peculiar eflfejt upon the flowers. Jt m.ade the colours of the spots run as if the flowers had been open a long time. Hardy flowers made an attractive display, an 1 particularly a large group of forced Daffodils from Messrs. Collins and (iabriel, of the Waterloo Road. It was a happy thought of this firm to exhibit Nar- cissi so early, but of course they had to force the bulbs slightly. Everybody admired them, so welcome were they after such a flowerless season. There were about two dozen sorts shown, representing all the sections, even the late poeticus forms. Among the choicest were N. Bulbocodium citrinus GrasUsi and mouophyllus, pseudo-Narcissus pallidus prjecox, mos- chatus, cernuus, spurius, maximii-i, an 1 others, all of whith admir.iljly exemp'dfled that Narcissi forcing can be carried outmost successfully. A silver Bank- sian medal was deservedly awarded to tht exhibitor.s. Mr. Ware, of Tottenham, sent a large group of various hardy flowers, which hal apparently been induced to open their flower-buds imd ^r the protec- tion of frames. There was a large show of hardy Cyclamens, the specimens being in pans 1 foot across. The sorts were Atkinsi and varieties, album and roseum, and Coum and its varieties — all extremely pretty. Besides these there were various .Snowdrops, including the late-floweriug G. latifolius, Iris stylosa, Leucojum vernum. Iris reticiiLiti, Hyacmthus aziu-ea — a new species of not much garden value, being like an inferior Muscari. Mr. Ware also received a silver medal for his group. A series of varieties of Hellebores an 1 other hardy flowers were shown by Messrs. Barr. Among the Hellebores were such fine sorts as abschasicus, col- chicus, both with deep red -purple flowers, and 152 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. another called Mrs. Tyennan, one nf the guttatuB hybrids with copiously spotted sepals. Messrs. Barr's Galantlius Elwesi specimens were uncommonly fine. Cyclamens were shown admir.ably by the St. George's Nursery Comiiany, ICaliiig. The group com- prised a great variety of colours, and the committee deservedly awarded to the exhilntors a filver medal. Mr. Turner, of Slough, also received a bronze medal for a very fine group of white Cyclamens, large plants, well grown and flowered. Messrs. Cannell, of .Sw.anley, exhibited a choice selection of their single .and double Chinese Prinnilas, both plants and cut blooms, the former being perfect examples of good culture, large plants, a foot or more through, carrying great heads of bloom. The best of the singles were White Perfection, unquestionably the best white, Swanley Giant, Swanley Red, Piincess of Wales, and The Queen. Among the doubles the select sorts were Annie Hillier, Princess Beatrice, ICarl of Beaconsfield, Eva Pish, and M.ar- chioness of Exeter. Mr. Barron sent from the society's g.arden a group of well-grown double I'rimulas ; and Mr. James, of Farnham lioyal, showed a new single white, called Purity, also two very fine I inerarias — Paragon and Triumph. Mr. Woolford, of East Thorpe, Heading, showed a remarkably fine single Primul.a, called Mrs. Palmer — ipiite beyond the average sorts. From Coolhurst Mr. Scrase-Dickins sent a large giithering of his seedling single and semi-double Ca- mellias. These were tastefully arranged in bowls and on Moss, and the colours being intermixed the group was most effective. This series included all those which Mr. Scrase-Dickins recently sent to us, besides a few which have opened since. Among th» se there was a lovely single pink flower, aptly named Pink Pearl, which is one of the most beautiful we have seen, the colour being so delicate. There was also a tiny white sort, another with large striped jietals, and several others we had not previously seen. This grouj) proved a great attraction, being an unusual sight at an exiiibition, and the visitors seemed to be unaware that single Camellias wtre so beautifuL Messrs. Heath showed a very fine group of Odonto- glossum Koezli, all adnurably grown plants, for which they received a bronze medal. They also showed a species of Ficu.s said to be new. It is smaller than F. elastica and makes a handsome specimen. A fine specimen of a noble Bromeliaceous plant, Bromelia niacrodosa, was shown by Mr. Poss, from Pendell Court, Bletchingley. It is a spreading-habited plant having pendulous flower-spikes enveloped in pink bracts. Fruit. — There were but few exhibits jihaced before the committee, the chief being sanjples of Cooper's Black Grape, from Mr. Wills, of Fern Hill, Windsor Forest, in order to show how well tliey had kept. The berries were remark.ablo for their fine bloom, and it certainly is a good looking Grape. From the same garden also came two dishes of Catillac Pear — one, high coloured finite from trees grown on sand ; the other, quite green from trees on clay. The com- mittee wished to know wh.at kind of stocks the trees were grafted on. Samples of Draper's Seaham H.all Kale were shown, and wliiih the committee recom- mended to be put under trial at Chiswick. The great attraction in the fiuit way were three large collections of Apples, shown respectively by Messrs. Bunyard, of M.aidstone, who had 100 dishes of high- class fiuits; by Messis. Cheal, of Crawley, whose collection numbered 75; and by Messrs. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, who showed no fewer than 150 dishes. The fruits in all the collections were remark- able for their plumpness — a fact no doubt attributable to the sunny ripening season last year. The sorts which stood out most prominent were Cox's Orange Pippin (shown grandly Ijy Messrs. Bunyard), Margil, New Hawthornden, Stone's or Loddington, G.as- coigne's Seedling, Lane's Prince Albert (in fine con- dition). The Queen, Hoary Morning, Echlinville, Worcester Pearmain, Lord Derby, Winter Peach (a first rate sort not well known). Mere de Menace Peasgood's Nonsuch, Annie Elizabeth, Lady Henniker, Alfriston, Norfolk Beaufin, Blenheim Orange, and Eeinette du Canada. These were a few anion" those which apijeared to be the soundest, and consequently the best keepers. The committee awarded a silver medal to each of the three exhibitors. Annual Gener.m. Meetinr. This was held in the Albert Hall on Tuesday, Sir Trevor Lawrence, the president, being in the chair. Most of the meni'oers of the council were present, and there w!is a fair attendance of Fellow.s. The annual rc])ort was adopted. The report, amonf,' other matters, states that the council had under consideration the liracticability of holding a great international hoiticul- tural exhibition and conference in 18>7. After two meetings, largely .attended by pronunent horticultu- rists, they entered into communication with the IJoyal Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851. They regret to state that the encouragement the Comnns- sioners felt able to hold out to them was not sufficient to justify them in imdertaking so large a responsi- bility, especially in view of the very serious financial (^blig.ations such an exhibition woidd necessarily entail. The council are unanimously of opinion that the time has come for such an international exhibi- tion, wduch wi uld, they have rea.son to believe, be supjiorted by .amateur and professional horticulturists in all p.arts of llie kingdiuii, and they are anxious that the s>djject should not be lo.st sight of by the Ki>yal Horticidtural Society. The council propose to resume the provincial shows which have, in past years, been of use in stimrdating local interest in horticulture in s^-veral important centres of jiopulation. They hope shortly to conclude arrangements for holding a show in the summer at Liverpool. The Primula Conference, to be held on the 2(ith and 21st April, has alre.ady attracted the attention of Pri- mula throwers abroad and at home, and will form an interesting feature in the Society's work this year. The trials at Chiswick by the several committees have given good results. Those of the fi'uit ct)m- mittee comprisetl Potatoes, 200 varieties; Peas, 72 varieties; Cardiflowers and Strawberries ; in each of which classes several certificates were awarded. Those of the floral committee embraced Fuchsias, 180 varie- ties ; new Pel.argoniums, single Dahlias, Begonias, Carnations and Picotees (of which the Society posscf^ses a large collection), and Ivies, of which SO varieties are now planted against the walls of the gardens. Exjieriments have been instituted at Chis- wick by the Narcissus committee on the doubling of common Narcissus pseudo-Narcissus, and for the purpose of determining points of nomenclature. It is propt>sed during the present season to continue tri.als by the fruit and vegetable committee of the newer varieties of Peas, Potatoes, Cabbages and Strawberries; and by the tior.al committee of Fuchsias, Ivy-leaved and zonal Pelargoniums, Carna- tions and hardy anmrals. The making of a complete collection of the different varieties of Holly is under consideration. At the request of various colonial governments the society has received and taken charge of large con- signments of Tree Ferns and other plants from Vic- toria, South Australia, New Zealand, Cieylon and the West Indies, intended to be shown .at the forth- coming exhibition. These plants occupy a consider- able space in the Chiswick gardens, and have necessi- tated the heating of the large Rose house for their accommodation. As many of them m.ay not be suffi- ciently established to be exhibited, Fellows of the society who may have large spare plants representa- tive of the flora of any of these countries are invited to jilace them at the disposal of the society. The auditors' re])ort shows tliat there is a deficiency in the revenue of the society of £120. The following Fellows were elected to fill v.acancies on the council: Baron Schra>dci. Mr. Mitford, C.B. and Mr. Courtauid. Sir Trevor Lawrence i-emains the president, Mr. Haughtiur the treasurer, and Mr. I,ee (of Leatheiheiid) was elected secretary in place of Major Mason, who retired. The president in the course of his address stated that it was with regret that he had to announce that tlie Fellows would be depiived of certain privileges in relation to the transfer of their tickets, the Commis- sioners of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition having decided that the tickets of the Fellows of the society shall not be transferable dining the ensuing year. The chairman then alluded to the chief events that took place in conpection with the socjety during the past year, and commpnted upon the prospects of other siu'ces!-fid gatlierin;:;s tr) be Indd this year, jtartieularly the Primida confei'ence in April, and the lai-ge provincial show which the society has been invited to hold at Liverpool. In conclusion, the pre- sident said it was imjiossible for the Royal Horti- cultur.al Society to continue in its present position any loiiger in relation to the Royal Commissioners. '1 he scries of f xbibitions which have been held in the g.ai'dens would, he b(;lieved, absolutely terminate with the Colonial and Indian Exhibition this year. So far as he knew there was no definite idea as to the disposal of the gardens, but vn rloubt, as they were being encroached ujion by buihling.s, they would soon have roads cut through them. It was ncjt consistent with the fliiinity of the society to remain in their present position. The Annual Dinneu of the society was held at the t'riterion on Tuesday night. Sir 'J'revor Lawrence l>resided, and a large gathering of horticulturist.s assembled. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr. Thiselton Dyer proposf d "Prosperity to the Roy.al Horticultural Society." He alluded to the deep interest he felt in the welfare of the society, which lie regarded as the representative society of horticulture in this country. There was, he said, no country where he had ob- served better workmanship and more artistic cultiva- tion in the horticultural art than in Eneland, and he wanted them to realise how dignified a thing English horticulture was. He might say that some new things were in store for the public, and that some better liusiness would lie done in connection with the societ}' in the future. They had had a dignified jiast, and he hoped that the impulse with which they started the work of the new year would carry them to such a position .as would enable them to place the society before the world as the oflicial representative of .a gi-eat and splenditi national industry. Mr. Mitford jiroposed the toast " Success of horti- culture," and in the course of his remarks alluded to the change in the directorate at. Ivew, which was regarded with great satisfaction in this country and abro.ad. Mr. Harvey, of Liverpool, in responding, ex- pressed the hope that the .'-ociety's operations would in the future be of a national character. He also ex- pressed his opiniim that aspecial Orchid society was not needed. Dr. Foster gave the toast of the " Visitors," and remarked that the society would benefit greatly by getting away from Ir-outh Kensington and esta- blishing a fresh habitation. The society wanted room for their meetings and a location for the Lindley Library. Mr. Baker, of Kew, alluded to the necessity of botanists and horticulturists working hand in hand, and said he should like to see the Royal Horticultural Sttciety fill the intermediate position between bota- nists and gardeners. It was his opinion that the reduction of plant names was a necessity, but the tendency now-a-days was t(i increase them unduly. In reply to the toast of his health, proposed by Mr. Bateman, the president remarked that they had in tliis country a puldic interested in horticulture and willing to snppoit their society as the representative of the art. What they wanted was to establish them- selves in a place where they could hold their fort- nightly shows under satisfactory circumstances. That difficulty he thoueht li.ad now been overcome. He agreed with Mr. Harvey tli.at an Orchid society was not needed, and that the work could be done by the Royal Horticultural Society. LATE NOTES. Rosa sulphurea fl.-pl. (p. 127) tan V.o Imd from Messrs. Soujiert Ar Nottiii^^ Uuse growers at Luxembourg. — M.^x Li:lrin'l,lN, BmUii'JId'h n. Rockplantsat Edinburgh.— lam oljliscd to "J C.L.' (p. 1(1!') for liaviiig ilireetud attention to an unfortunate error wliiu-li occuiTed in the list of plants wliieii flowered in the rock garden, Boyal liotanic Garden, Edinburgh (p. 44), viz., A'inea major fl.-pl. and Vinca major alba should have read V. minor tl.-pl. and V. niiiior alba. — R. Linosav. Names of plants.— C. (7ow)7.— Eriorcphahis scriccns, a pretty Cape comixisitc, not unlike E afririoins in /lntui>i<;d Mn'jdzi/n; tab. 1S05. The genus is rarely met with in Knglaiid. A. C. — Cannot possibly name the Urcliid. It may liu a Phal:enopsis. IF. W. E. — 1, Aloe varicgata ; 2, Gasteria verrucosa ; other specimens insufficient. \Vc cannot iiamo the Pear, or tell you the cause of tlic disease. II. C. — 1, Blccliuum occidentale ; 2, Goniophlcbium appcndiculatuiu 3, Asplouium Colcnsoi. Feb. 13, 1886.] THE GARDEN. 153 WOODS & FORESTS. HOME 1'. FOREIGN TIMBER. Although " Yorkshireman " (p. 106) does not L,nve a direct answer to the question, whetlier or not the tiniher growing above the coal pits is ol a projier size and scantling for the use of the miner, yet one can gather from his article that it is not, and this is exactly what otliers as well as myself suspected ; consequently, the miner cannot he blamed for not making a purchase from his laiidlm-il, more especially when he can get a sup- jilv of proper stuff for his requirements from Cithers at a reasonable price. This state of things, liuwever, strongly illustrates the truth of what I have formerly written upon this subject, namely, that it is a matter of great importance in the \m)\vi- management of estates to plant and grow to a large extent the kinds of timber which is sure to be wanted in the neighbourhood. The writer says, " It is all very well for Mr. Webster to talk of growing the kinds of timber likely to be wanted.' I presume that is what landlords have tried to do in the past, and what . . . we have to do now is to dispose of it jmifitably as it stands." But if landlords have tried to do so in the past, it is a pity their commendable eifiu-ts were not crowned with better success ; otherwise, what has become of their mining timber when the foreigner can bring his timber and cut him out of the market on his own property! I can well understand the reason that some prefer foreign timlier of some kinds for particular pur- poses, but mining timber. Larch, Scotch Fir, and Spruce, that can be grown to a proper size for such purposes on heather moor ground, wind- swept hillside, and deep peat bog — all of which may not be capable of producing heavy timber, yet cajiable of producing excellent mining timber if jilanted and properly reared for that purpose. In view, then, of such" facilities in the shape of l)arren grounil and cheap labour, I think it is not very creditable to timber growers generally, that things are in .so deplorable a condition that the foreigner can grow and bring his timber such a distance and cut us out of our own market by fair competition. The past, however, is pregnant as a lesson for (he future, and if we are to compete with the lureigner for this class of timber with any reason- able "prospect of success, we must plant or thin out the trees to a distance of some 5 feet (jr G feet apart, and grow them in masses by themselves for that purpose. One of the best blocks of this class of timber I ever saw cut was grown at such a distance apart that a person could traverse the ground without any great difficulty by treading on the stumps of the roots left in the ground. I recently saw a block of natural Scotch Fir grow- ing upon this principle which I thinned about thirty years ago, and although the ground is of a poor, tiiin texture, at an elevation of about 1000 feet, yet the present crop of poles is really excel- lent; in fact, I never saw better under similar circumstances. It is admitted that British grown prcq) timber is superior to that supplied Ijy the i'lireigner'; likewise, that round timber is jireferred, as it is eivsily handled and requires no labour or expense cutting it into halves or quarters, as the case may be when a heavier class of timber is used ; and this ought to be a strong inducement to the cultivator in this country to try and pro- iluce the article as near the required size of scant- ling as possible, and this can be best accomplished I13' growing the trees rather thickly upon the ground in order to encourage a uniform cylindri- cal shape. J. B. Webster. .'■iir>5.— Willows for hoop-making'.— The Wil- l.iw to wliich " E. E." refers is probably Salix viminalis, as, according to Ijoudon, this is more gene- rally cultivated for l»sket-worl{ and hoops than any other. It is readily distinguished from the other species of tlie section by the satiny under surface of tlie leaves. A variety, it is added, called the Dutcli Willow, with brown bark, is preferred wliere hoops are the object. In cnld, wet seasons S. virainalis has tlie disadvantage cjf not ripening the points of its shoots. S. Forbyana is better in this respect. S. Helix, S. vitellina, and S. purpurea are suitably where small tough rods are required. — D. FOREST ROADS. least perplexing thinr; in the manage- NuT th. ,.-,-- „ •■ . 1 T ment of woodbind is the questum ot roads, in most cases these are mere tracks cleared of the trees and undergrowth, with no attempt made towards metalling in any form. This of course is a great drawback to the removal of tlie jieriodical fellings, and entails a considerable amount ot wasted strength when teams have to draw loads upon the more or less soft surface. From the nature of the case, however, it is hard to see how the conditions could be materially altered, as from the infrequency of use of such roads as this, it is very seldom that it wouhl answer to expend a large sum in metalling. Much, notwithstanding this, may be d(me in regu- lating the way in which they are u.sed to prevent their becoming, as often happens, practically im- passaljle. In the first place, when a forest road is in its normal condition, care should be taken that it is u.sed as little as possible when the soil is very wet. To forbid its use altogether at such times would be hardly practicable, as it is often at such seasons that horses and men are avail- able, and the timber or underwood, as the case may be, is required. The evil of loads passing over the track may be lessened by insisting, in the removal of underwood, that the wheels be of good width at the tyre, and that little more than single horseloads be carted at one time. ^Vith tin'iber the case is somewhat diR'erent, as the weight cannot so well be accommodated to the circumstances. To overcome this, wheels in any shajie should be as little used as possible, as it is really the ruts caused by the passage of these that breaks up the road and forms channels and sloughs for water to accumulate in. Where, therefore, the timber is of moderate size, and the distance to a metalled road is not too great, horses only should be employed, and the trees flrawn along on the surface until the hard road is reached, where 'they may be loaded upon the vehicle intended for their final removal. The propriety of this method will of course be more or less apparent, according to the nature of the soil and sulisoil, and where the soil is thin and lying upon a firm subsoil, it may turn out that the wheels will do less damage than the plan of snagging the trees along on the surface ; but where the subsoil is clay the reverse is true, as although the dragging of the trees disturbs the surface, when care is taken that as the work pro- ceeds the dragging is pretty evenly distributed over the surface of the road, it will be found that less damage will be caused than when the wheels are used which continually pass over the same spot. When, however, from any cause the road has been considerably disturbed and broken up into deep ruts and bog holes, if possible the soil should be filled in directly the work is finished and the surface again made even. It will some- times be found necessary to do some little re- I)airing in this way as the work goes on, and for very bad spots, when it is at hand, bundles of rough brushwood, which is of very little use for anything else, may be filled in and intermixed with the soil, or the soil be placed upon it._ This is certainly a very rudimentary method of road- making, but it is nevertheless a very useful one. and one which often saves a very consideralde amount of wear and tear to horseflesh. Another way in which damage to fiire.st roads may be miiiimised or inevented is to take the precaution that they are in all cases llankeil by suitable ditches to carry off the superfluous water, as it is this which really causes the most of the trouble. Where the ditches are required to cross the roadway, short logs from the Icjppings of the trees may be placed closely together athwart them, and so make an effective covered drain. At intervals along the roadside openings into the boily of the wood or plantation may be formed by placing a couple of short logs across the ditch, and then laying some more logs trans- versely across these, and covering the whole with soil. Forest road-making will never become a fine art, as it will not aclmit of enough money being spent upon it ; still, a little care and fore- thought will, to a great extent, remove the forester's troubles in this direction. W1LT.SHIRE Forester. MEASURING TIMBER. The question ot measuring timber, upon which " R. P." asks for enlightenment, has from time to time been referred to in these columns, but^ as it is a subject of general interest, and one which is not too' well uiiderstood, some further informa- tion as to the most common methods may be accejitalile. In minor details practice no doubt varies in different districts, but as a whole the following remarks are of general application. The system op mexsurement. — In selling unhewn or unsawn timber off an estate the .system known as quarter-girth string measure- ment is almost always adopted. By some the tape is used in place of the string, but even when this is done the terms are virtually synoymous, asthe system is denominated quarter- girth string mea-suie in contradistinction to calliper measure. There are certain objections to the use of the tape in olitaining the girth, which will be presently referred to ; luit for taking the measure of standing timlier the string is not suitalile. The esseiitial features of this method are ascertaining the length of tree in lineal feet and its circumference in inches. Before, how- ever, entering upon this it will be well to say a word as to the equipment required by the measurer. The measurer's implements are few, Init the following are indispensable. For measuiing standing timber a rod and leather strap. The rod may consist of a single length of light tough wood, some 13 feet long, or may be made longer bv means of joints, in which case the individual 'lengths would not be so long, to admit of more easy carriage. The strap may consist of a piece of leather some C or more feet in length, according to the size of the timber to be measured, and be 'somewhat of the character of an ordinary carriage rein. As it is difficult to get straps of this kind marked ready for use, the measurer will do well to prepare it himself. To one end of the strap a ring of from an inch to an inch ami a quarter in diameter should be attached, and from this ring spaces of four inches should be plainly set off along the whole length of the strap. Within each of these spaces four other si)aces of 1 inch each must be marked. As will be presently seen, each of these 4-iuch spaces represent an inch of quarter girth, and each of the inch spaces within these the fractions of an inch in quarters. It will therefore be necessary that at the first 4-inch division from the ring the figure 1 be marked in, at the second 4 inches a figure 2, and so on at each 4- inch division along the whole length of the strap. 154 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 13, 1886. For MEAsomxo fkllkd timber ii GG-foot tape (which, however, will reijuiic the presence of an as.sistiint) or a 5-1'uot loil may be usimI to aseertain the lenfjth of the tree. The tajie will, cif course, be marked in feet and inches, but if the feet and half-feet are marked on the rod, which may be made of deal, it will bo enough. As has been said, the tape is sometimes used to get the cir- cumfereuce to obtain the quarter-girth, but as it takes ill excrescences on the tree and otherwise does not lie so closely on the bark as the string, it is not j;enerally employed. Tlie .string itself merely consists of a sutticient length of whipcord fasteneil into a loop a couple of inches long at each of its ends. A knot should be tied a few inches from each loop, that when it has been jiassed under the tree the point in its length where it meets may be known. For marking the trees either paint or a tiinljer scribe is used. When the trees are stand- ing, the numbers cannot be readily made clear by the marking instrument, so paint is generally used, and the trees numbered consecutively in the ordinary rotation. When, however, they are felled and the figures can be inscribed on the wood itself— in most cases on the butt — the tim- ber scribe is more often adopted. To most who liave to do with timber this instrument is familiar; and as in practice it will be found diffi- cult to form curved lines u|ion the hard butt of a tree endwise of the grain, the lloman notation is often called into use, as the letters composing it mostly consist of straight lines. The dimension nooK. — Th's may consist of any rule I book of a convenient size for the ]iocket, and must be ruled into four vertical c ilunins. The Hrst of these will be for the num- ber of the tree ; the second, for its length in feet; the third, for its cpiai ter giith in inches and fractions of an inch ; and the fourth, for its contents in cubic feet and inches. The book of tables by which the cimtents are fouml will be spoken of later on, as it is not necessarily a part of the equipment in wood or field. What has been mentiuned hitherto the surveyor must carry with him in his work, but, as will be seen, the tool-! will be .slightly different accnrding to whether the timber is standing or felled. To MEASURE STAXDIXG TIMBEK. — Either the 13 feet or the jointed rod, .ind tlie leather strap will be neces.siry. When the nundjer h:is been alBxe 1 to the tree, the first business will be a-* nearly as may be to ascertain its height in feet, and to do this, if the f.3-foot rod be used, as an ordinary man reaches about 7 feet, 20 IVet of its height is at once fixed. If the trees are not very large or tall, the distance ol measurable timbei above this can be readily estimated after a little practice and entered in the dimension book on the same horizontal line as the number and in the column next to it, viz., the second. If, however, the trees are very high, it may be well to use the longer jointed rod, as to judge the length of a tree when this is the case requires a good deal of experience. When the height has been satis- factorily fixed and entered, the next business will be to ascertain the quarter-girth, and t^ do this correctly is a more difficult thing than to estimate the length. In measuring tiudier, whe- ther standing or felled, the object of the measurer is to ascertain the circumference, and from this the quaiter-girth, of the tree at a point equidis- tant from each end. When it is lying on the ground this is obviously easy enough, but when it is standing it is a different matter. If the leather strap which is used for this purpose could be passed round the tree at half its timber height the dimensions w'ould be found very nearly ; but as this would necessitate the use of a ladder at each tree, which is a very tedious process, the plan generally adopted is to take the measure- ment about breast high, and estimate from this what the size is at half the height. To do this requires some discretion, and if a ladder is avail- able it is a very good plan to occasionally test the judgment, as an inch or two error in girth is more important than a foot of length. The allowance for bark would be the same whether standing or felled, and will be treated of in its [iroper place. I have hero assumed that the trees are of irregular growth, such as are comnKjidy fuund in fields or hedgerows, and are dealt witli indiviihially ; but as trees growing in woods and plantations, especially Larch, Scotch, and Spruce, are tolerably uniform in height and size, in many cases the avt-rage of the trees can be struck and only a few measured, tlie bulk being estimated from these. The MEA.SUREJIENT OF FELLED TIMBER IS, of course, much moie accurate. As has been said, the length of a felled tree can Ije ascertained by the tape if an attendant is at hand, or if not, by means of tl e 5-foot rod w hich can be manipulated l)y the measurer himself. When the tree has been numlieied, this is set down in (he dimension book as with the standing tree, and the quarter- girtli when found, as should have been stated above, entered in the third column on the same horizontal line. To find the quarter-girth of a felled tree the string is pas ed underneath it at half Its length, and when wdthdrawn foldeil twice so that the ipiarter of it circumference may be rea I otf on the rules and entered as described. It must, however, be clearly understood that to take the entire timber lenglli of a tree and its quart, r-girth in the middle does not necessarily give its cubic contents. If the tive tapers gradu- ally from end to end this would be the case, Init if it suddenly drops off in size at two or three points in its length wdiere a large branch has g own out, another plan of measurement must be used, viz., to take Its length in sections, say from the butt to where the first large branch occurs, from there to the next sudden fall in size, and so on. Each of these lengths must be treatel as though it were a separate tree, and girthed accordingly. Sometimes on making sales tlie larger portions of a tiee will go at a higher price, and ihe smaller at; a lower. This, of course, makes no diB'erence in the niiuner of measurement, but the entries must be keiit distinct. To CALCULATE CONTENTS. — Wlieu the length and quarter-girth of a quantity of timber have Ijeen taken the cubic contents have to be worked out, and as to calculate every separate item would entail a large amount of labour, a set of tables is almost always referred to. These are contained in " Hoppus's Bleasurer,'' a book wdiicli costs about 2s. lu this book there are various sets of tables, but the one which affects us now is that given as solid measure. In this the quarter giith in inches ami fractions of an inch IS given at the top of the page, and the lengths in feet in the first vertical column. If, for iii'^tmce, a tree was 25 feet long by 12 inch quarter-girth, tlie 12 inches will be found at tlie ti.p of tlie page, and as each foot in length in this case represents a cubic foot, the measure- ment opposite the 25 will lie found to be 25 feet. To find this by calculation, square the quarter girth, iniilti|dy tiy the b'ngtli in feet, and divide bv 144. Thus 12 X 12 = 144 x 25 -^ 144 =-- 25 ftet. Allowance for bark. — In measuring all timber, with the exception of Oak, which is generally stripped of its bark, an allowance has to be made for this. When the bark is thick, as in the case of the Elm, Poplar, &c., a larger allowance should be made, but wdien thinner, as with the Larch, Ash, Beech, &c., so much ia uot required. The way in wdiich the allowance is made may be left pretty much to the 1a.ste of tlie measurer. With some it is the practice to allow an inch to a foc;t of ijuarter girth, and ihis almost irrespective of what kind of timber, taking one with the other. When this is done the alh'wance is made of each dimension as the work proceeds, a 12-inch ipiarter-girth on tlr; bark being .set down as 11 inches. Another and ]icrhaiis a better idaii is to ( nter down the gross tigure.s as the work proceeds, and then at the close strike olf a percentage ranging from 10 to 15 according to the kind of timber and the thicknes.s. Allowanxes for dkfect.s. — This is a thing which should be muuially agreed upon between the buyer and the seller as each tree is come to. Wlien timber is sold standing the buyer generally takes the lisk of unsound wood. When a defect can be seen an allowance f)f course is made, but as very frequently a tree will turn out unsound when there is no external appearance of anything of the sort, standing timber is not, as a rule, esti- mated to the extreme limit. Defects of cour.se occur ill a variety of waj-s, but the most common aie shakes and deail knots. AVhen a tree is ab- solutely hollow it is almost always better to agree with the merchant lor a lump sum than to attempt to measure it. When it is un.souud lor apparently a sh rt distance only, it is usual to take the dimension at or .so much shorter lenglli r-s will allow for tlie defect. A certain amount of experience is requisite to fix a proper quantity to be allowed. When a i ree is unsound at the butt, and there is no indication of unsoundness where the branches have been cut off, or at the top, it may almost be taken for granted that it will again become sound at a foot or so above the dis- tance to wliich a rule or rod can be inserted ; but, if the defect appears where tlie branch is severed and at the top as well as the butt, it may be taken that there is very little good wood in the tree. In cases of decay wdiich has set in at the top or branches of the tree and it has become hollow, there is always more doubt as to how far the fault goes, and a larger allowance will be necessary to cover the risk the buyer has to run. QrARTER-aiBTH AND TRUE CONTENTS. — If a little thought is given to the subject it will be seen that tire quarter-girth does not give the true intents of a tree, as if it was hewn sipiare the side would theoretically bo the same and the contents the same, after all the convex portion of each side had been removed. The difference between the quarter-giith and the true contents is some 25 to 27 per cent., and at first sight this appears like giving an undue advantage to the buyer. In reality it is not so, as it is only suffi- cient to cover the loss of chips and slabs in cnlting lip. As a matter of fact, other systems of calculation have been tried, but although theoretically incorrect, the 144 division has stood its ground, and will probably do so for a long time to come, as if another was adopted giving a greater content the prices would be correspondingly lowered, and all the alteration would effect would be to rob Peter to pay Paul. The wdiole thing, however, is one of the most important in practical fiu'estry, as it is exceed- ingly easy from an imperfect knondedge of how to measure lo lose years of growth in a full of timber. This must be accepted as my reaso'i for occupying so much space wntli my remarks upon it. Even now there are many things upon which I have been unable to dwvU fully, but I hope I have made the general principles clear. If there is any point v.diich has not been suffi- ciently explained, I shall be glad to endeavour to make it cloaxer if desired. D. J. Yeo. THE GARDEN. 155 No. 744. SA TURD A Y, Feb. 20, 1886. Vol. XXIX. " This is an Art Which does mond Nature : change it rather : but TuE AiiT ITSELF 18 Natdre."— SAoiespeare. Rose Garden. SCENTED-LEAVED EOSES. ArRoros of " D. T. F.'s" sii^^j^'estioii to try ami raise Eosiis liaviiii,' frat^rant foliage, it may be of interest to look at the Sweet Briers already iu ex- istence wliich would be availalile lor the imrpose, I'or thei'c! is no reason for supposing the feat to be inijiossible, and improved varieties whieli liad the additional attraction of sweet-smelling leaves would undoubtedlj be popular. The dilliculty of the Sweet Ijriei's being liable to bloom earlier than the majority of the autumnal Hoses would have to be considered, but would be easily sur- mounted ; while the employment of 1{. rubigi- nosa or any of its variations as a seed-paivut should ensure abundance of seed, since this Rose and its hylirids are always smothered in autumn with their gay heps, which bedeck ths plants afresh in lieu of second bloom. There are several jiretty garden varieties besides those mentioned by "D. T. F.," of which the double marbled Sweet I'rier is one of the best. This Rose has semi-double flowers, whose petals, though occa- sionally variable or mottled, are of a charming full fresh ])ink cidour, and the plant, in addition to being very vigorous and free-tlowering, is clothed with delicious real Sweet Brier foliage. The so-called red seedling Svs'eet Brier is also an attractive variety, though surjiassed by the double scarlet, which ]iroduces an abundance of very double rosette-like ilowers of a deep rose colour, and which, though not so vigorous as soiue kmds, makes a strong bushy plant. The most beautiful of the hybrid Sweet Briers is callcil Helie's Lip, and may perhaps have ori- ginateil from tlie crossing of a Sweet Brier with one of the albas. Its flowers are single, but the substance of their large white petals, each of which is coqnettislily tijiped with purple, renders them less fleeting than many semi-double forms, and in their class their reflnement of form and colour is nnsurjiassed. The double margined hep is another hybriil form, whose jiietty little double blush flowers are freely produced. But here the characteristic fragrance of the Sweet Brier foliage has only survived to a slight extent. The heantiful yellow Sweet Briers, R. lutea and its variations, are among the most attractive of all Roses, although seemingly intractable in the matter of hybridisation ; for while several of the varieties have doulde flowers, there are no inter- mediate forms having any general characteristics different from the type to indicate the successful achievement of intercrossing it with otlier species — an operation which, nevertheless, is known to have been frequently essayed by means of arti- flcial fertilisation. These Austrian Briers, though very similar in habit to each other, are very dis- tinct from all other Roses ; and while it is not very easy when the plants are out of flower, and especially when without leaves, to distinguish the different varieties, there is no difhculty in deciding whether a plant is an Austrian Brier or not. Their dark colfee-colonred stems and dis- tinct foliage give them an individuality which they seem loth to merge in any hybrid form of more general ajipearance. However, this is no leason for not making further elforts in the direction of inducing R. lutea and its varieties to impart some of their characteristics to other Roses ; and if these yellow Sweet Briers do not ripen their seed sufficiently well in this climate, they may at any rate be used as p(dlen parents to ])roduce hybrids with otlier species as seed bearers. Of the double forms, Persian Yellow and Ilarrisoni are no doubt tlie best, and ai'e very beautiful ; liut they do not surpass in beauty the single-flowered species, lutea, and its sub- species, R. punicea, the misnamed co]iper Aus- trian Brier, which is not copper coloured at all, Init orange-scarlet, of a brilliant shade. Tlie flowers of this Rose are like the edges of the leaves of certain books — gold when closed, hut when open red, though with still a suggestion of gold about the margins. It is worth noting that the Austrian Briers do not generally thrive when budded on Manetti. Brier stocks seem to suit them, but the most satisfactory way to grow them is on their own roots. To do this, suckers or layers must he obtained from an established jdant or stool, for it is practically impossible to root them from cuttings. There is one other member of the group of rubigiuosa which might prove useful in this con- nection. This is R. pulverulenta (glutimisa), a good seed-bearer, whose glandular leaves and red- brown stems come nearer to R. lutea than most other species ; and if there be really any advan- tage in hybridising at first allied rather than widely divergent forms, this pretty species would .seem to offer a possibility of combining with its own advantages of substantial (though single) Ilowers and sturdy, branching habit of growth the brilliant colouring of R. lutea. As " D. T. F." suggests, it is improbable that eft'orts made to endow Roses with fragrant foliage should imme- diately I'esult in the appearance of a race with Ilowers as perfect as those of La France and ^vith the leaves of Eglantine to boot, hut there is no doubt that in hybridisation a definite object con- sistently pursued may be ultimately attained. Growers raised seedling Roses by the thousand for many years before General Jacqueminot put in an apjiearance, yet the result was lield to repay the labour; and the fact that hardly any of our exhibition Hybrid Perpetual Roses are much more than thirty years old, while such varieties as Her Majesty', Grace Darling, and Mrs. John Laing are, as it were, the Roses of yesterday, ought to induce a conviction of the possibility of ultimate success, firm enough to stand the shock of a few initial failures which generally fi.>rm a preliminary to the acconijjlishmeiit of any similar undertaking. T. W. G. A ROCKERY FOR EOSES. "T. W. G.'s" most instructive article ("Roses for the Rockery," pp. 113-14) has suggested to me the desirability of having rockeries wholly devoted to Roses. Why not? We began build- ing rockeries lor Ferns, the majority of which do not grow on rocks; we then advanced anl formed rockeries for alpine plants, which perhaps was more appropriate. And it is no uncommon thing to find artificial rockeries furnished with all sorts of native or e.xotic plants that will endure what is called naturalisation, that is, being broadly intei'preted, once fairly prepared for and properly planted, can take care of themselves, and hold their own in any struggle relating to the survival of the fittest to which they may be exposed. Not that the cultivatoi' is to forsake them after planting ; far from it ; but the less his hand can be seen in the future career of naturaliseil plants the better. Heaths and peat plants have also had rockeries made for them, wdiich have not only aided theil' culture, but added to theii' beauty. If these and other plants have had rockeries devoted to their picturescpie setting and special culture, wdiy not Roses i The fomily is equally large, varied, and horti- culturally more important. Amongst the gi'eat Rose family we ha\'e almost every possible variety of stature, form, size, and colour, and the widest possible diversities of stifl'ness and flexi- bility, sjiineness and smoothness; giants to clothe the boldest rocks and dwarfs to adoni the tiniest nooks and corners ; scentless Roses, to dazzle with their brilliant colours, and others full of fragrance to allure from afar with their matchless sweetness ; once, twice, and ever blooming Roses ; also Roses with leaves of all sizes and many varying degrees of sweetness, from those of the spineless and odourless Bourbons to the Sweet Brier, so full of its ever welcome fragrance. Double Roses of all sizes and colours, and single ones ranging from something like Poppies to tiny Buttercups and Daisies. Rocks and Roses have also much more in common than the first letter of their names. No more congruous support could be found than rocks for scrambling Roses, nor more effective backgrounds for their many coloured flowers than rocks of different colours and shapes. " T. AV. G." makes a good start with suitable varieties, and his slmrt list might be largely added to and greatly enriched. The shelter of rocks would prove most useful for the protection of tender Roses from cutting winds as weU as for the concentration of sunshine in warm nooks and corners for the fostering of the more tender species and varieties. Possibly no better site could be found for the successful growth and free flowering of that most coy-ljlooming yellow Rose, sulphurea, than the southern front of an upiising mass of rock on a sloping bank. By the way, if " T. W. G." will send me his address, I will send some suckers or a plant of the Rose which he inquires about in The Gaeden (p. 127). Similar positions would prove admirable sites for the more delicate Teas, while Marechal Niel would be magnificent weeping down or climbing up the warm sides of rockeries. But Rose ma- terial is so rich and varied, that it may almost be said to be inexhaustible. Another great charm iu growing Roses on rockeries would lie that each species and each plant, from the wildling Brier or Scotch Rose to the latest sort among Teas or Perpetuals, would be left iiractically to ramble or grow, or not grow, according to its character and habit, and thus much special information be obtained concerning the natural character and habit of not a few Roses of which we are at present comparatively ignorant. Groups of dif- ferent species and classes might also be placed together and selections made to suit the tastes and means of all lovers of Eoses. It might also be well to exclude most or all of the very fat or large Ilylnid Perpetual Roses from the rockery. The thinner pointed buds and flowers of what- ever section would prove more in harmony with their I'ocky base and more suggestive of Nature than of art. Doubtless, too, the formation of rocky bases for Roses would give a great impetus to the col- lection of as many species as could be readily obtained, and also to the raising of single and semi-double varieties of, for exampile, the Gloire des Rosomanes t^q^e. The more of these and the more pure whites, brilliant crimsons, bright scarlets, glowing pinks, and orange and yellows among them the better; for I quite agree with your corres] II indent's remarks in condemnation of dingy coloured Roses (p. 114). Fresh foliaged, bri.ght coloured, and small rather than large- flowered varieties are those best adapted for the effective clothing of rockeries. D. T. F. 156 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 20, 1886. PLANT NAMES. Mr. Baker, speaking at the Royal Horticultural Society's dinner the other evening, .said : " lle- garding plant names, he observed that while botanists were trying to reduce them, horticul- turists, and particularly specialists, rushed along in their own way manufacturing names without any systematic classification. If there were twenty Daffodils, for instance, there appeared to be a disposition to magnify them into five hun