DDaDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDaDnDDDDDDDDDa '^tiisf* UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY r- U iV'E S TY IF IV1ASC^:^IUSETTS AMHErtSl«, JuLT 6, 1889.] -. [The Gardbn. The GiiiDEN ] [July 0, 1889 ^t li'^^S'S^ JOHX BAIN. JlLY 6, 1889.] TThe Garden. ^\^ ix,i^U3ti^at£;d w£;£;kj^y jout^Kax^ HORTICULTURE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. FOUNDED BY W. Bobinsmi, Author of" The Wild Garden," "English Flotver Garden," .J'c. " You see, sweet maid, we marry A gentler scion to the wildest stock ; And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler race : This is an art ^V^lich does mend nature, — change it rather : but The art itself is nature." Shakespeare. VOL. XXXV. -MIDSUMMER, 1889. LONDON: OFFICE: 37, S 0 U T II A M 1' TON STREET, CO YE NT GARDEN, W.C. The Gabdbn.j July 6, 1889. j TO JOHN BAIN, For over fifty years of the college botanic gardens, DUBLIN, THE THIRTY-FIFTH VOLUME OF "THE GARDEN" |s t)«bicat.eJ). c -per W. E., June 26, 1889. •s/. 35" July 6, 1889. J THE GARDEN INDEX insrr)EX. to "VOLTrnynE xx^lat. (Illustrations in Italics.) A. A place irliere nothing icoald groic, 331 Abies Albertinna, 614 ; canadensis, 74 ; cana- densis pendula, 541 ; Engelmanni glauca, 13 ; hybrid, a, 308; numidica, 2o7 ; orien- talls. '^01 ; Pattoniana, 74 ; Smithiana, 20 ; Smiaiana, 5ity Abutilun tirefly, 320 ; Mme. J. Laing, 462 ; vitifolium album, 499 Abutilous, 449 ; propagating, 24ii Acacia arm. ta, 378 ; dealbita, 125 Acacias in Guernsey, 255 Acalyphas, prop*gating, 5S9 AcanCliofhippnims, 531 Acer rubrum, 'JA'i Aceras Ion gi brae teata, 338 Achillea mongolica, 547 Acineta Humboldci, 250 Aciphylla squirrosa, 524, r-30 Aconites, wiuter, lb4 AcUniopteris radiata australis, 103 Adiantum Capitlus- veneris in a hanging bas- l-et, 438 ; dolabriforme, 329 ; pedatuni, 105 ; palatum, lOo ; WUliamsi, a fane, 439 Adiantunis for hinging l^skets, 438 Adonis pyreudica, 428 J:;::hmea Marite fulijeDS, 463 Aerides Hughi, 500 ; japonicum, 390 ; Law- renciie, 4S4 ; Lobbi, 56j ; vandarum, 227 JEsculub rubicunda, 3S3 Agapanthus umbeilatus, 437 Agapetes buxifolia, 30S Ageracums in pois, 463 Albuca NcUoDi, 499 Alder, Witch, American, 504 Alders in Beddington Park, 362 Aldingbmrne Uuuse, 427 Aldiiu/tiournc //"ti'f, 427 AUamanda neriitolia, 365, 552 Allium neapolitanum, 213, 437 Almond, dwarf, the, 425 ; large-fruited, the, 3(J0 Alum root, scarlet, 522 Alyssum pyrenaicum, 91 ; saxatile, 529 ; ser- pyllifolium, 524 Amaryllis Acquisitim, 249 ; bvilbs, grubs in, 133; Dark Beauty, 29S ; John Ruskin, 219 ; Master C. Welford, 347 ; Sea Nympli, 394 : Tarentian, 298 ; the, 193, 235, 347 Amaryllises at Chelsei, 228, 281 Amasonia punicea, 002 Anurica, Chri/nanthemuia groicing in, 359 ; North, Chrysanthemums in, 359 American notes, 27 Amherstia nobilis, 156,181 Amo-phophalluscampanulatus, 425 ; Rivieri, 255 ; virosus, 420 Amphidesmium blechnoidcB, 32S Amy^dalus nanus, 425 Antc:ochilus Lowi, 532 Amt'ctojhili, 99, 270 Anchistea vifginica, 105 Andromeda fa^tigiata, 517 ; floribunda, 287 Anemone, Apeunin', 405 ; blanda, 87, 210, 250 ; corouaria, 515 ; fulgens gneca, 420 ; King of The Sea lets, 500 ; palmata aibi, 562; Tivuliris, 613; Roblnaoniaua, 426; 6ul phurea, 563 Anemones, dwarf, 408 Anglia, Eist, weather in, 301 AngTEBcum caudatum, 72 ; citratum, 284 ; Sandeiianum, 227, 338, 364; sesquipecale, 8, 72 Angnecums, 337 Anguloa Kuckeri sanguinea, 611 AucUjIs, Califomian, 550 Anthericum Hookeri, 503 Anthropodium cirrhatum, 478 Anthurium ferriereuse, 414; Rothschildia- num, 59 ; Scherzerianum, 403 Anthuriiims, 30O Anti rhinums, 36S Aotus gra-illima, 310 Apht-laiidra niteus, 180 Apple. Blenheim Orange, 262, 310 ; Blen- heim Oraniie seedling, 313; bloom. 4S7 ; Corniah GiUiflower, 102: gruwiog at Pow- derham, 3 ; L rd Derby, 476 ; Lord Huifitld, fru'Uiwj branch of. 553 ; Mere de Menage, 200; Newtown Pippin, 404; Newtown Pippin at home, 690 ; Keinette Gnse, 206 ; RioHton Pippin, 243; Royal Jubilee, Gra- ham's, 242 ; thoot", insects on, 229 , stocks and colour, 49, 102 ; Wellington, fruiting branch of, 442 Apples, catalogue of, 262 ; early, 553 ; February, 198 ; for use and ornament, 488; in north of Ireland, 243; keepirg, 3SS ; late, 442 ; Madresficld, the, 149, 198, 245; notable, soni-*, 34; propagating by cuttings, 21; standarJ, for Britain, 4; storing 104, 222; striking from cuttings, 48 ; well kept, 440 Aquiiegia sibirica alba, 4'J9 ; Stuarti, 499 Aquilegias. 516; seedling, from Chimside, 61 2 Arabia albida, 408; arenosa, 4.6 ; blepharo- phylla. 421 ; procurrens, 45 Ar^lla Kerchoveana, 279; leptoph\lla, pro- pagating, 279 ; Sieboldi in Rothesay, 13 ; Veitchi, propagating, 279 Aralias, propagating, 279 Arancaria imbricata in, fruit, S7 Arctotis acaulis, 4 ?5 Arctostaphylos califomicus, 600 Arifaimas, 425 Aristolochia elegans, 450 ; upon a Labur- num. 580 Arnebia echioides, 502 Atbutus Unedo, 68 Arpoi^hyllum gigauteum, 417 Ar angement, a pretty, 43, 235, 477 Artichoke, Paris, lar;/'-- green, 322 Artichokes, Globe, 322 Artor'trpus inttgrilolia , 465 Anuxdti Cattle, from the meadotr, 25 Arundel Castle, 25 Ash, the, 257 ; the Manna, 5S6 Ash tree, nt'f, on the llu-enden Ball Estate, Ten- ttrden, 257 Abh tree, larpe, 276 Aspa-agus, common, 378; and Rosea, 370, 398, 518 ; beds, talt for, 537, 599 ; cul- ture of. 323; culture, expensive, 295 ; cut- ting. 458; decumbens, 19, 24, SO ; from old beds, 470 ; plumosus, durability of, 209 ; plumosu" nanus, 279, 34', 499 ; tcnu- issimu , 195, 340, 499 ; tenuissimus, propa- gating, 24 > A-ploninm Adiantum - nigrum grandicep", 280; Fllix-foemina Frizellia^, 280; Fiiix- ftemina multi&dura, 2S0 : Filix fieoaina Victoria, 180 Aster Amellus bessarabicus. 173 ; diploste- phioides, 253 ; gramiuif-jlius, 517 Atragene sibirici, 408 Atraj^ihasi* sjjimsa, 13, 75 Atr plex Halimus, 91 Aubrietia Hendernoni, 375; Leichtlini, 394, 420, 449, 475, 502 ; violacea, 420 Aubrieiias, 529, 503 Aucuba japoQica. 91 ; japonica variegata as a lawn plant, 309 Auricula, doub'e the. 329 ; the, 316. 576 Auriculas, 81, 271, 430. '*19 ; dlptne, 4yl, 565 ; alpine, at Bioxbonrne, 375 « olour in, 4t)5 ; edged, 216 ; from seed, 333 ; in the north. 445; laced, 144; sei-dliug, 271; yel- low self, 315, 405 Azalra amoena, 528 ; amtena Caldwelli, 479; amoena Colvilli. 228; calyciflora, 211 ; Deutsche Pe^le, 59, 602 ; indica hlba in Devon, 547; lineaiifolia, 153. 320 mollis, 320; mollis in the »ptn air, 504; Princess of Wale*, 300 ; iofii«flora, 16, 61 Azalea', hardy, 502 ; Indian, 364 Baccharis halimifolia, 91 Bamboo, a climbing, 256 ; Heavenly, the, 200 Bamboos, hardy, 302 Bambuea Me'ake, S44 Barberry, purp'e-leaved, 586 Barberries, 2t)4 ; flowering, 541 Bark.r, Mr A., •^13 Barking season, the, 472 Bauera rubinides. 475, 482 Beam and Service tree, the, 58 Bean Ne Plus Ultra, 493 ; Negro Lougpod, 356 Bean«, Haricot, 433 ; Runner, 247, 403 Bearberry, Cbbfcrnian, 6(9 Beaufortia tplendens, , 600 Bedding plants, propagating, 98 Beddington Park, Alders in, 362 Bed^, permanent, SI Beech as a shelter tree. 416 ; for large hedges, 246; the Weeping. tOO Bees as fruit fertilisers, 441 Beeston, flowers from, 420 Beet, 67 Begonia, a useful, 84 ; corallina, 156, 464 ; Duchess of Teck, 470 ; incarnata, propa- gating, 200; Mrs. Chamberlain, 507; octo- petala. 212 ; octopetala Lemoinei, 125 ; (ctopetala L- inoinei, 125 ; Rex, propagating, 206; Bchartfiana, 235; socotrartd, fhoicinrj habit of plarf, 218 ; sor trani, shoicnuj ^tioicers and leaf, 219; SUmstead Gem\ 470; tub'^roiis, 574 Begonias, dividing, 268, 304 ; socotrana, the, 2i8 ; tvibi;)0U8, at hwanley, 550 ; winter- flowering, propa.ating, 328 Bellrt'iwors. two beautiful, 571 Benthamii frag^fera, 58, 87, 572 Berberi-* Daiwini, 436, 501 ; japonica, 460; stenophylla, 504 Berkeley Gaslle, Gloucester, 625 B'.rkdey Castle, Gloucestir, 5-5 Biriicd plautp in the s'ove, 181 Berrj' bearing plant-, 57 BetuU n-ua, 350, 490 Bindweeds, greater, the, 215 Bii-ch, BlacE, the, 49b; Marsh, the, 350; Silver, the, 544 ; the, at Holwood Park, 481 Biit»r Swe t. the, 91 Bladder Sennaf, the, 58 Biechnum Si-iiant pul,\dactylon, £80 Bletia byacmthina. 363, 406, 4j4 Bloodfto t 375 Blutb l.s and P- et'e Narcissi, 516 Blue Gum Tree, the, 383 Bog, pl-uts in a, 517 Bolbopbyl'um birljigerum, 610; lemni*ca- tum, 010; lanniscatam, OlO ; Lobbi, 53Z ; panimentatum, 61U ; rhizophone, 610 Books — " Cactus Culture for Amattur^," 168 '* Cruiee cf ihe Murchtsa," 451 " Les Cypripedi^es," &G "Manual on Oicuidaceous Plants," 61 "M>,dern Cremation," 371 "Practice of Forestry," 2O "Report on Insects Injurious to Crops," 321, 555 " Kos&riau'a Year-Book," 63 "The English Huwer Garden,' 300 " The Origin of Floral Stiuctures," 01 "The Rose Garren,' 13r. "The Tomato," 411 Boor tree, the, 224 Boruniaheterophylla, 255 ; megasligma, 127, 213, 235; tetraui.ia, 235 Bosnia, Plum cul ure in, 353 Bossieea linophjlla, 360, 4n.4 Bouvardia sports. 347, 380 Bouvardias, S88, 378; uroup of, a, 289; pic- pagaiing, 116 ; resting, 213 ; teedling, 438 Box, the, 91 Boxwood edgiogs, 295 Brahta niiidn, 28* ; choiring tlotrtrs, £84 ; shotcing habit of ijroicth, 286 Brassavola Digbyana, 500 Bridges, climber-ctad, 497, 545 Bi isiol, a note f lom, 593 Broccoli, a good new, 493; culture of tte, 510; hardy, 321, 350; protecting, 290; Purple Sprouting, 583 Brodiayi cougesta, 571 ; Leichtlini, 111 Bromtliads in bloom, 124 Broom, Butcher's, in shade, 240 ; Spanish, dwarf, 499 Broughtonia lilaciua, 251 Buckthorn, Sea, the, 57, 91 Bud-formation, premature, 332 Buds, fruit tree. 80 Bufflchora-wood, 258 Bulboccdium vernum, 164, 228 Bulbous flowers in 1889, SttS, 373 Bulb grounds, Bwrr's, at Tooling, 112 Bulbs, eirly, and bulb soils, 166; at Kcw, 42f^ ; flowering of the, 834 ; uld, dctticy- ing, 4v0 : paucity of bloom on, 467 ; tpniig, in 18S9, 398 Bulla.-e, tho. 21. 50 Burbidgc. Mr. F. W., 613 Burchellm capansis, 25S Burlington'a fragrace, 32, 434 VI THE GARDEN INDEX [JtLY G, 1889. Burning Butth, the, 459 Buttercup, white, the, 425 Cabbage, Christmas, 296 ; early, a stimulant for, 297 ; Enfield Market, East Ham, or FiiUum, 543 ; Savoy, 35G Ciladiiims at Forest HIH, 525 Calautha Darblayana, 228; Sandhurstiana, <>2 ; veratrifulia, 502; vestita oculata gi- gantea, 229 ; Williamn, 300 r;iliQthe3, late-floweriDfr, 137 Calceolaria amplcxicaulis. 522, 580 Ca'ceolaiiia, her>^aceDU3, 573 ; in the flower f arden, 42tt ; yellow, 272 Californiaa garden, a, 4SS Californian U'ative irecs, growth of, 5f*S Callas, plaiting out, 574 Callistemon rigidus, 575 Caltha palufctris monstrosa plena, 408 ; showy, u, 4 US Calypso borcalis. 5G5 Coli/nt'Cfla {/ramlijlorii, 215 ; sylvat'tra, 215 Camellia de la I'\rce, 229; Mathotiana slba, 377 ; nt.cultta, 3 0 Cimellias, 320, 479 ; after blooming, 499 ; 071 trellises, 84 ; smut on, 4t>4 Campanula alpina, 406 ; glomerati dahurica, 294; pulla. 565 I Canini iridiflora Shemanni, 197 ; Paul Bert, 499 Cannas, dwarf -flowered, 551 ; Gladiolus- flowered, 196 Cannep, a flower show at 2S0 ; a garden at, 9 Canterbury Belle, 613 Capsicums, 511 Cardoon, Arilchol-e-leaved, 381 ; PricUv Tours, 380 ; siiiootk solid, 381 Cardoone, 380 ; cooking, 15 Carlyle on tree plautitjg, 203 Carnation Andalusia, 305; disease, the, 215 ; Mikado, 305; M-s. Lie well jn, 180, 192; Paul Rnerleheait, 52 ; pestp, 579 ; Souven.r de la Malmaison, 547 ; Surl's Queen, fi Carnations, 428. 491, 52H, 564, 603 ; and Pico- tecs, 407 ; dying, H ; florists', 3i)S, 576 ; for beds and borders, 392, 407; in pnts, 268, 319; in 1SS8, 130; open air, In January, 19; purple self, 330 ; self, 294 ; soot as a manure for, 579; sporting, 92, 142, 273, 297 ; Tree, 320 ; Tree, propagating, 146 ; winter- ing, 465 ; winter-flowering, 365 ; yellow ground, 317 ; yellow self, 52 Carpenteria californica, 573 Carpinus Betulu-*, 530 Carrot, Improved Intermediate, 542 Cassandra calyeulata, 343 Cassebeera, 147 Cassia uorymboEa, propagating, 264 Ca'alo^uea, 304 Cata'-etum barbatum pp..boscideum, 348 ; longifolium 8 Catchfly, alpine, 5S0 Cdtcbflies, Chinese, £0S Caterpillars, 572, 583 ; a plague of, 5G8 Cattleyablculor Measuresiana, 72; Blunti,394, 587; Bowringtana, 138; Bjymuriana, 566; cahimoata, 71 ; Dowiana, 313 ; Eldorado, 99, 122; Hirrisona;, 313; Henisiana, 137 ; labiata vera, 8 ; Liwrtnceana, 338, 434 ; leaves diseastd, 100 ; Ma'42 ; treat- ment of, 512 ; treatment of, after cutting down, 575 ; treatment of after potting, 449; Venus family, 147 ; wliite, late, 112 Chry-obactron Hookeri, 561 Church decorati >n. Orchid flowers for, 426 Chusqueaabibtifolia, 256 Cineraria cruenta, 354 Cinerarias, 155; white-flowered, 377 Cissui discolor, propagating, 475 Cistus, 91; formosus, 565; laurifoliua, 571 Cistuses, 524 Citrus, tbe, 378; /ri../tra, 311 Clare, a note from, 164 Clarkia 2>ulcftella, 557 Clay land, planting, 88 Clematis indivisa, 85, 414 ; indivita lobata, 181, 234 ; Mme. Furtado Heine, 3i7 ; pani- cijla*a, 295 ; propagating, 424 ; the New Z aland, 85 Clerodendron nutans, 17 Clethra alnifo'ia, 500; arborea, proragating, 522 Clianthus Dampieri, propagating, 145 ; mag- nificus, 329 ; puniceus, 375 Climberclal bridges, 497 Clint .nla Andrewsiana, 572 Clivia John Laing, 298 ; Lady Wolverton, 249 Clivias, 255. 329 ; at Forest Hill, 378 ; at the Victoria Nurserie'^. 390 Clove Pink, old, 294 Coal, anthracite, 17, 63, 9I» Coba?a, wliite-flowered, a, 335 Crca plant, the, 144 Cocoa-nut fibre rofuso, 246 Coelogyne, a wtll (lowered, 354; couferta, H4; c irrugata, 122; cribtata, 122,256; luutlginosa, 72, 159 ; ochracea, 5C6 ; tumeu- tnsa, 434 Coffeabengalensis, 449 Coffee tree, Kentucky, 225 Colchicum crociflorum, 330; lutoum, 228 Colons Eureki, 394 Columbine, a good. 572 Columbine^, 216 ; from Lelghim Court, 571 Colutea arborescens, 91 Colut'aa, the, 58 Combination, pleasing, a, 500 Combretum purpureuni, 574 ; propagating, 414, 479. 526,550 Comparettia faUata, 72 Coniferte, graftfd, 209 C*^'nife s, a few of the less known, 114 ; from Eastnor, 228 ; fr.'m seed, 11 ; misused, 257 ; planting tender. 224 Conophallus Titanum 301, 572 ; at Kew, 547 Coprosma Baueriana variegata, 366 ; propa- gating. 246 Corbularias, 229 Coreopsis lanceolata, 5H Cork, flowe's from, 112; ihrubs in flower at, 426 Cornflower. 218 Corouilla glauca, 468 Correas, 60 Corsican Fine for timber, the. 88 Corydalie lutea, 87 ; nobilis, 5«2; solida, (04 Cotooeaster frigida, 87 ; integerrima, 540 ; Simonsi, 87 Cotoneaster^, 58 ; larger, the, 258 Cotton wool nuisance, the, 19, 185, 209, 253, 303, 373 Covent Garden sales, 63, 133 Cowf-lip, Virginian, 376 Crab, Chinefee, the, 504 Crassula jasminea, 438 Crassulas, propagating, 552 Crataegus affinis. 3s ; Carrieti, 586; caccinea, 145 ; oxyacantha semperfloreus, 585 ; Pyra- cantlia. 92 Crinum amabile, 671 ; Hildtbrandti, 194, 228 ; K^rki, 470 Crocus alatavicuB, 164 ; Balansa^, 251 ; bi- florus,'^159, 251 ; Chil an. the, .306 ; luiperuti, 87, 92 ; l^vigatus, 46 ; nivalis, 87 ; old Cloth of Gold, the, 207 ; .susianus, 207 Crocuses, 250 ; from Dublin, 164 ; spring, 293 ; yellow, 336 Crops, arrangement of, 139 ; profitable, for small gardens, 247 Cross andra undulasfolia, 478 Crotons, notes on, 212 Croydcn Lodge, Orchids at, 12i Cuckfield Place, 354 Vackjieid Place, Sussex, 355 Cucumber Prescot Wonder, 248 ; Rollisson's Telegraph, 536 Cucumbers, 659 ; exhibition, 536 ; ridge, 511 Cultui'e, deep, one advantpge o', 325 Cunonia capensis, 4~0 Cupre«BU8 mscrocaipi, 226 Cuproleue, 445 Cuirant, the, 117; golden -leaved, the, 3j0; ichite, fruitiT.g branctiof, 117 Cu' rants, Flowering, 383 Cutlery, baf^, 156 Cuttings, shading, 169; watering, 54 Cyclamen Atkinsi, 294 ; bulbs, tld, 526 ; eouin and C. Aikinbi, 206; Faust, 298; persicum, vjgarfeaof, 158 ; Princeof Wales btraln, 249 ; striatum Empress of India, 29S Cyclamens, hardy, 250; on rcckories, 294; Persian, 255 Cydonia japonica, 342 ; Maule's, 57 ; forced, 195 Cymliidium afhne, 8 ; Devoniauum, 417 ; eburncum, 232, 284 ; ehunicinn, 389 ; ebur- neo-Lowianum. 249 : Lowianum, 2;i2, 300, 461 ; pendulum atro-purpurtum, 2S2 Cymbidiums, 383 Cfiperus alfcrni/oliits, 673 Cyprcsp, deciduous, the, 308 Cypriped'um acaule, ICO ; a new, 62 ; barba- tum, 425, 611 ; bellatulum, 364, 425, 547 ; Boxalli, 8 ; Boxalli, the Studley House variety. 337; Buchanianum, 8; Calcoolu^ 100, 417; candidum, 100; Curtis*, 461; ElUottiauum, .228 ; birsutissiniuro, 2S2 ; Hornianum, 314 ; insigno in summer, 589 ; Lowi, atChfcl8et,3:(8;macrantliniii,lt)0, 138, 19t'«;margaritaccum,31; Mufetersianum, 434 ; nitidiesimum, 394; parvilliiium, 100; pu- bescens, 100. 417 ; RotliscliUdi^num, 249 ; Ro'bsch'ld anuniend C. fill ottianum, 269 ; Sallieri, 31 ; Sanderianum, 5N9 ; Sedeni can- didulum. 283 ; epectabilo, 100, 547, 579 ; Stonei, 587 ; tonsum, 315 ; villosum, 8, 100, 22/; villosum auitum, 228; Winnianum, 282 Cjpripediums, 301; at Clapton, 364; from The WoodUnds, 227 ; in winter, 32 Cjrtanthus lutoBcena 59 Cy tomium falcatuni, 105 Cyrtui-ddiums, 336 Cytisus lanlger, 482; ramosus, propagaUng, 246 DafTodll, Cyclamen-flowered. 228 ; liieh King, 46 ; now, n, 305 ; rot, the, 336 ; Str Watkia, 875 ; To'iby, the, 92, 20^ ; winter, 161 Daffodils, 250, 272 ; at Epsom, 335 ; at Ham, 393 ; double, 339 ; double, seedling, £06, 335 ; flowering of, 214 ; for forcing, 127, 168, 214 ; in England, 427 ; in Ireland, 391, 431 ; in pots. 45 ; Lew, two good, 306 ; • white, 333, 428 Dahlia, the, 216, 467 ; centcBary of the, 500 Dahhas. single. 334. 406 Daisy, Bush, the, 571 ; frlmsm, a. 354 Ddisies. double, 6; Hima'ajan, 240; Pali?, 500 ; and ma-^gots, 5'/2 Daieth'mpia Roezliana, 285 Danny Park, 1S9 Daphne Blagayana, 540, 562, 604 ; Btcgayai a. udl-growv, a, 540 ; L'neornm, 476, 529, 66H ; indica, propagating. 4S5 ; indlca rubro, 16 ; Laureola, 483 ; Laureola purpurea, 13 ; Mezereum 268, 3ti2; Me ereum alba, 436 Daphnes, 309 ; for lockwork, 517 ; i-i bloom. 362 Datura sanguines, r05, 366; suaveolens in Ihe flower garden, 128 ; awxriolns in the rtoi'-er i/arden, 128 Davallia," a beautiful, 2S0 ; fljietsis p'umosa; 329 ; gibberosa, 16j ; Giiffiihlara, 147 Deal, white, 568 Decoration, foliage for, 279 Decorations, dinner-table, plants for, 154 Delphinium nudicaule, 548; Zili', 191, 492 Delphiniums, 563 Denfirobe, Old Man, the, B38 Dendrobium albo-Kinguineuro. 269; amre- num, 162 ; barbatvdum, 137. Mto ; Bensmie. 501 ; bigibbum, 270 ; Cambridgemnni, 282 ; carintferum. 337 ; ehrysotoxum, 461 ; Co k- Bonianum, 73, 2i7 ; ciassinode, 300 : crassi- node album, 250, 298; c assinode Barbfri- anum, 45; cra^sinode WardJanuro, 418; crepidatum, 313 ; Dalhous>ianuQ3, 391, 461 : Dearei, 434 ; Devoniauum. 164, 502 : dixan- thuiD, 417, 434; Domiuianum, 270; dia- conie, 566; euosmum leucopterum, 347; Falconeri, 476; Farmeri, 337; Faimeri albiflorum, 461 ; Fytchianum roseum, 137; Goldiei, 6i ; Griffithianum, 461 ; Hdli, 162 ; Jamesianum. 283; Kingianum album. 99 , lasioglossum. 137 ; lituifl' rum, 417 ; Loddi- gesi, 195 ; luteolum, 122 ; MacCarthia?. 500 ; macrophyllum Riehardi, 283, 337 ; melanodiacus. ^99; meeuchlorum, 256 ; ml- cans, 299 ; mutab le, 566 ; nobiie, 232, 589 ; nobilc. a curious growth on, 524; nobiie var. Hcathfieldianum, 390; nobiie, highly cd- oured, 270 ; nobiie. pruning, 228 ; P^^rishl, 5fi6; Pierardi. 501; Pirardi, 501; P0I3 - phlebium. 666 ; primulinum giganteuro. 283 ; senile, 338 ; bpeciosum. 162 ; splendi- di.ssimum, 72; Stratiotes, 587; Strebloceras. 589 ; superblens. SO ; superbum, 5t6 ; transparfus, 434 ; Waltoni, 314. 3'.'0 ; Wardiauum, 30, 206, 232, 420; Wardianum candidum, 196 Dendrobiums at CheUea, 228, 417; at 1' r. Bull's, 338 ; beautiful, 301 ; from Chelltu- ham, 313 ; in the Clapton Nurseries, 433 Denne Park. 401; Dmne Paik; Jiortham, Sussex, 401 Dentaria. 421 Desmodium gi,Tanp, 181 Deutzia crenata fl.-pl., 435 ; doublc-ftowoied, the, 435 Deutzias after forcing, 459 Dianella Cierulea, 526 Dianthus alpinusbarbatu», 401; AtkinEuni, 517. 604; cruentus, 580; Fitchcri, t2i; Grievei, 571 ; neglectus, 571 Dianthuses, 606 Dicenti-a canadensis, 375 Dictamnus Fraxinella, 459; Fraxinella, 605; in Geneva, 523 Dictyoxiphium pauamense, 589 Didcot, notes from, 497 Dielytra oximia, 603 ; tpoctabillB, 229, 47."» the white, 425 DimorphanthuB mandfchuricus, 308, 3;0, 34:1. 360, 362, 383 D.placus glutinosns, iropaga^ing, 214 Dipladcnia amabilis, 87, 277 ; amabilis, 377 Dipping plants, 2'9 Dii>teris, 104 Diica palustiis, SCO Disa Kiccmoea, 532 Dittany of Crete. 112 Doronicutiiplantagineura escelsuni, 421, 565 Doronicuiiis in pots, 29i , Draba Lotica, 15S I Dracn'na australifl in Sussex, 329 ; Doucetti, i 470 ; Lindoni, 250 I Droaura cistitlnra, ::05 I DrOBcras, 463 i DrCMophylluni hit- itanicum, 61 Dryas lauata, 517 Dublin, a note from. 476 Dutcli bulb waste, Cn;. Dutch garden, lluwtrs from a, 251, 421, 450, 524 Dutchman's PipOj the, \ipou a Labuinum, 580 Farwigs, destruction of, 208; in gftricn, 256 E.8 I7 la'lsfiud, 70 July 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN INDEX vu EJg; Hal!, floweri from, 449 Edgiiig8, Tlirlft, 612 Eli^c carpus cyaneus, 527 Elieodendrou orienjale, 419 Elder tree, the, 224; bs a nurse free, 520; scarlet-berried. 25S Efiu, Eogliah, at Holwood Park, 435 ; Rock, Amtrican, 252; Scotch, 490; Scotch or mountiin, at Hnlwood Pjrk, 436 ; Wych, 496 Embothrium coceineum, 476 Fpacris miniata spfcmiens, floicerino shoot oi, IgO Epacrises at Guonersbury Paik, 38; notes OD, 180 ; useful, 250 Epideudrum araabile, 99 ; atro-p'irpureum i-QSeum, 33S ; biuornulum, 417, 687; uiyrian- thum. 337 ; paytense, 566 ; purum, i&Z ; radicans, 391 ; Raudi, 532 ; sccptrum, 102 ; Stamfordianum, 417 Fpilobium augustifollum album, 613 Epimediums, 206 Epiphyllum Maknyauum, 375, 394 ; truuca- tum as a basket, plant, 86 Epiphyllums, propagatiug, 419 Eppliig Forest, 64 Equisetum taaximum, 421 Eranthemum ciDnabarinum, 345; puIlIieI- lutn, 61, 127; puk-hellum, propagating, 169 Bremurus Olga^, 369 ; robiistus, 369 Erica cimea, 309 ; herbacea, 370; luterineilia, fioicering shoot o/, IDS ; melautheru, 127, 153 ; ,ventricosa corcinea minor, 193; ICi/- luoreana. jhtcerivg shoot of, 93 Ericas and' Azaleas. 462 ; of the ventricosa section, 192 ; ui^eful, 256 Erigeron aurantiacum. 449 Eriopborum angubtifolium, 523 Brytbronium amerieanum, 406 ; dens-canis, 306 ; grindiflorum, 4H Erytbroniume, seedling. 562 Erythrotis Beddomei, 194 Escallonia macrantha, 540 Eseallonias, 91 Eucalyptus camigerua, 114 ; globulus, 343, 3S3 ; globulus in bloom, 460 Eucbaria amazoiiica, 86, 94. 104 ; amazonica at Sboreham Place, ISl ; balbs diseased of, 298; mite, the, 365 Eucomifi punctata, ISl Ealophia megistophi/lla, 02 Eulopbias, 62 Euonymus, Japinese, 107 ; japonicus aureo- marginatum, 430; radicans, 158; radicans variegatus, 202 Eupatoriuni atro-rubens, 195 Eupatoriums, propagating, 305 Euphorbia capitata, 517 ; ja^minitflor.-, propagating, 240 ; pilosa, 517 Eurya latifolia variegata 321 Euryangium tambul, 369 Eurybia Gunni, 571 ; stellulata, 565 Exacum affioe, 305 Exeter, flowers from, 426 Fair Maids of France, 577 Fair Maids of France, 577 Fareham, a note from, 572 Fendlera rupicola, 2b7 Fernery, the, 29, 105 Fern, Maiih a hair, American, 105; New /i3a- land, 147 Ferns at Edmonton, 462; hardy, 505; ex- otic, bardy. 105 ; for a window, 280; for market, 589; iosects amongst, 508; propa- gating, 240 ; Tree, Japanese, 7 Ferula eambul, 369 Ferula?, 604 Ficaria, white, a, 428 FlcuB elastica, propagating, 110 ; macrcca^pa, 360; Parcelli, 124; Parcelli, propagitiiit?, 596 ; repens, 280 ; rcpens, propagating, 475 Fig, training tbo, 3 Fi< trees, old, enclosing in wall cases, 33 Ffgs, bush and pyramidal, in temperate house?, 485 ; pruning on walls, 290 ; work amongst, 292 Fir, Scotch, as a timber tree, 276, 302; suc- cessive cropping wirh. 110 ; Silver, bracted, 12 ; Spruce, as a htdge plant, 202 Firj, hardy, in the west of England, 361 Fire Bush, the, 470 Fl-gs. Water, 579 Fleabiue, Georgian, 571 ; orange, 449 Flor de Jesus, 138 Florists' floweis. hardy, notes on, 90, 576, 603; improvements i •, 52 Flower garden notes, 7. 26, 53, 82, 128, 144, 16^, 192, 217, 2:i9, 273, 295, 317, 334, 370, 407, 430, 405. 491, 5.6, 564, 580 Flower girden, the, 238 Fbwtr girdeulng. hardy, a gain io, 129 Flower market, Paria, a, 370 Flower show at (^innes, 280 Flowering pUnts, btove and greenhouse, 94 Flowers, baautiiul, 217; and plants for the London poor, 548 ; cut, packing, 277, 330 ; for house and room decoiation, 65; from Wantage, 522 ; hardy, in Paris, 500 ; spring, in "My Garden," 329 ; spring, in the garden of Canon Bridges, 328 ; two brilliant, 563 I'oam Flower, the, 420 Fogs, damage done to plants by, 87 Foliage, 480; for decoration, 2?9; plants, noteworthy, 39 | Footway, public, nuisance, 422 | Footways in private i laces, 396 I Forcing houBcs, work in, 175.291 Forestry, 64, 372, 446, 592 ;in HSmpbhite, 134 ; in Scotland, 42 ; lectures on, 42 ; sch' ol of, 252, 276 ; the teaching of, 326 Forests, Scotch Fir, thinning, 350 , Forget me-not, Antarctic, 450 ; the Wa'.er, as a garden plant, 605 i Forsythla viridissima, 309 j Fonythias under glats, 286 Fota Island, notes f/om, 500 ; shrubs at, 572 i Fothrrgilla alnifolia, 504 Fo.rglcre, a fine type of, 293 Foxgloves, '217, 292, 369 Frames, cold, 109 France, a gardtn in thi: .^outk Oj, 9 ; notes | from, 606 ; wild flow.rs in, 576 Francoa appendiculata, 40S Fraxiuella, 458 ; emitting inflammable gas, 489, 517, 531,603, 013 j Fraxinus excelsior, 257 ; ornus, 586 Free&ias at Kew, 45 ; in bio m, 1*^7 Fremontia ealtforoica, 572 Fritillaria kamtechatcensis, 143; /^amtschaf- i-cisis, |143 ; Meleagiis, 406 ; pallldiflora, 562 ; yellow, 3d3 Frcst and the vegetables, 112, 159 Fruit in 1S8S, 2 ; blossomp, protecting, 242 ; crop, the, 243 ; crops, Jailure of the, j 554; cullivation in Jersey, 132; culture | for profit, 17, 597 ; culture in England, 300 ; deseert and kitchen, 387 ; fantastic profits | in, 157; fertilisers, bees as, 441 ; growing, I 36, 49, 102 ; notes, 35, 50, SO, 103 119, 150, j 175, 199, 439, 442 ; packing, wool for, 519 ; prospe'ts, 262, 386, 441 ; supply, regulating j the, 402 Fruit garden, hardy, the, 4, 102, 120, 245, 290 Fruit growing revival : practice v. theory, 243 Fruit houses, vent* latlng, during the night, 452 ; work in, 222, 244, 311, 353,387,606, 554, 581, 597 Fruit tree blossomp, protecting, 342 ; season, the, 220 ; stems, protecting, 48, 101 Fruit tre^s, aphides on, 261 ; and veg tables, 150 ; in pots, 78 ; maiden, 340 ; manures for, 148; mulching, 441 ; proitcting, 197; pruning, 50, 198; raising at Madreefield Court, 79; roadside, 79; tbinting the heads of, 243; young, head ng back, 341, 386, 486 Fruits, choice, thinning and colouring, 161 ; foiced, 263,443 ; growing our own sugar in our own, 453 : hardy, 311, 103,151, 222 263, 303, 312, 352, 405, 456, 50^, 535, 555, 582 ; new, rare and desirable, 43 ; uiCer gliss, 199, 311, 404, 455, 487,534 Fuchsia ampliata, 16; Dorothy Fry, 567 ; splendens, 55 ' ; tie, 39 Fuchsias at Kew, 547 ; coloured leaved, 413 F. mitory, yellow, 87 Fi'itlia i:ieboldi, 466 Funkias. 4ti; Furze, the, in Ijloorn, 436 (ialanthus caucasicas, 206, 300; corcyrensis, ;00; Elwesi, 300 ; Imperati Atkinsi, 309 ; nivalis Atkinti, 309 ; rivalis poculi- formis. 335 ; octobrensis, 25i», 253, 256 ; Olgffl Regina^, 300 ; prtecox, 300 Galax aphylla. 114, 329, 572 Game covert, 184 Garden, a New Zfaland, notes from, 593 ; insects in, 371; pests, 511; produce, low price for, 509 Gardeners' Orphan Fund, the, 421 Gardeners* Royal Benevolent Institution, 46, 164. 228. 591 Gardeners, ladies as, 549 Gardening, an elective p'ece of, 612 ; at the I'ari^ Exhibition. 424 ; wild, at Kew, 305 ; in Sweden, 109 Gardens, public, refreshment liooths in, 548 Garrya elliptica, 92, 159 Gaultheria Shalbn. 308 Genista Andreaoa, 571 ;pi-i«cox, 475 ;radiata, 004 Gcntiana acaulis pallida, 406 ; vcrna, 82, 466 Geonoma H-rbsti, 463 Geranium Henry Jacoby f< r flowering in winter, 336; platypetalum. 547 Geranixmis, scented-leaved, 280 Gesnera cardinalis, 236 Gladioli, early-flowering, 524 ; in 1888, S3 ; notes on, 238 Gleichenia Cunninghami, 147 Globe Flowers, 450 Glury of the Snow, 336 Gloiy Tree, drooi)ing, 17 Gloucester, a note from, 303, 425 (.llow-worm beacons, luminous, 419 Gloxinia virginalis, 464 Gloxinia?, oyster shells for, SO ; propagating, 117 Goniopteris, 163 Gooseberry, golden-flowered, as a hedge pUnt, 503 Goosebsrries, 175 Gorse, double-flowered, 91 Gourds, 511 Grafting, 111, 173, 174 ; and pe s'mi&m, 251 ; evils of, 74, 240, 273, 290, 310, 3b5, 402, 454, 486 ; tvih of, 607 ; is it useful to man ? 240 ; is it wrong? 152, 220 Grape Hyacinths in pote, 3.9 Grape, Black Alicante, 542 Grapes, aids to setting, 340, 387, 442 ; late, Etarting, 101 ; late, thinning, 5,:;3 ; setting, with the syringe, 494, 440 ; thinring, 219 Grass, Cotton, 523 Grass rides, repairing, 422 Greenhouse plants, grubs in, 371 Grevillea, a grafted, that dies, 186 ; robus'a, 463 Grevilleas in bloom, 403 Ground, neglected, treatment of, 140 Groundsel Tree, the, 91 Guelder Rose, the. 5S7 Gunnera manicata at Trelissick, 522 Gunnersbury House, Acton, 613 Gunnerabury Park, 556 (iunton, notes from, 85 Ciymnogramma gloriosa, 329 Habeuaria albida, 137 ; bifolia, 137, £23 ; psycoides, 137 ; viridis, 138 Habenarias, 183, 270 Habrothamnus elegaus, 125 Halesia tetraptera, 309, 436, 561 Halimodendron argenteum, 91 Hamamelis arborca, 224, 309 ; Zuccariniana, 309 Hampshire, forestry in, 134 Hampstead Heath, tr.;es on, 384; the future of, 473 Hardenbergia Comptoniana, 211 Hardy flower, a useful and profitable, 330 Hardy flower gardening, a gain in, 190 Ha'dy flowers at exhibitions, 476 ; at Kew, 421 ; at the Paris Exhibition, 500 Hardy fruits for profit, our future method of growing, 77 ; work among, 593 Hardy plants, forced, 168; for beds, 106 ; nrble-leaved, 577; notes on, 82, 91, 428, 503, t04 Hawtiborn hedges, 160 Ilizel, the, and its uses, 203; Witth, the, 224 Heaths, foft-wooded, 93; spring, for the greenhouse, 347 Uebecltniumatrorubens, 320 ;ianthinum, 320 Hechtiaarg ntei, 574 Hedcra Ra?gneiiana for covering tree stumps. 436 Hedges, Hawthorn, 160; Quick, early clip- ping of, 561 ; Spruce for, 88 ; Sweet Brier, 116; Willow for, 302 Helichryaums in pots, 360 Heliotrope President Garfield, 425 ; and Daffodil, Garlic, 379 ; winter, 46 Hellebore species, 42S Hellebores at Salisbury. 164 ; from Uevou- shire, 301 ; hybrid, 3l8 ; seedling, 329 Helleborus fa'tidus, 273 Hemlock, the Carolina, 614 IfemlocL- Fir.'!, the, 73 Htpatica, double white 577 Hepaticas, American, 392, 523 ; the, 206, 369, 429 Heracleums, G'\j UerbacL-ous plants, notes on, 369 Heruiaria glabra aurea. 604 Hesperochiron pumilum, 428 Heuchcra ribifolia, 191, 604; Ricbardsuui, 505; sanguines, 3-0. 522. toj; aanguinea and Lily of the Valley, 255 Hibbertia strict i, 319 Hibiscus Denuifeoui, 01 ; Trionnra, 45 Higbgate, spring flowers at, 361 Hippeastrum, the, l"! Ilippeastrums in America, 38 Hippopha) rhamnoitles, 57, 91 Ilnliy, the, I3;Ht Holwood Park. 430; Japin, dwarf, 145; Minorca, 91 ; varieties of the, 114 HotlJcs from Handsworth, 207 HollvhoL-k, the, 5 Holwood Park, tiee notes from, 435 Hop Hornbeams, the, 58 Hop plant, the, 541 I Hornbeam, the, 496, 539 I Horse Chestnut, red - flowered, the, 383; I Ecarlct-Ieaved, the, 5S-> I Horsetail, giant, the, 421 I Hotbeds, makhig, 267 House, flowers for, 65 ; unbeatcd plants in ' 60 Humea elegaus, 466 Hyacinth Yellow Bammtr, 299 Hyacinths, exhibii ion of, at Haarlem, 375 ; floweiing round London, 112; Grjpe, in pots, 319; on Grass 430; pink and white, 408 ; wood, 517 Uyacinthus azureus, 4!j, £06, 255 Hybrid, an interest rg, 375 Hydrangea hoitentia. 91 ; volubil s, 482 I Hylobius abietis, 134 I Hypericum auicum, 503 I. Iberia gibraltarica, 475 Ilex crenata, 145 Impatiens Ilawkcri, 256 Indian notes, 64'' Indian scenes, pho'ographs of, tOO Insect powder, 371 Insects and thuLderttoima, 610; in cellars, 513 ; in garden, 371 Inula glanduloea, ^71 Iponia'a Horsfallife, 574; Horf.falli:»\ propa- gating, 479, 526, 550 ; paniculata, 5i2 Ipbwiuh, flowers from, 523 Ireland, flowers from, 271 Lis, a good white, 612; Algeiian, 354; Cbamasiris, 475; charming, a, 475; fim- briata, 94 ; Gatesi, 523; geimanica atro- purpurea, 499; germanica var. Fontarabie, ^47 ; laevigata, 6; Mmc. Chereau, 571; Mcnnieri, 613; Mountain of Fnow, 012; orientalis, 547 ; persica, 229 ; precox, 406 ; reticulata, 250, 315 ; reticulata from Gunton Park, 45 ; reticulata major, 104, i.07 ; retic ulata and its varieties, 144 ; reliculata var. sophonensis, 19, 168 ; Rosenbachiana, 249, 250, 253, 250 ; Siberian and its varieties, 505; stylosa alba, 256; tcctoium, U35 ; tbe, 578 ; the German, 606 ; the white English, 612; tingitana, 475 Irises, a few good, 580; at ChiMnck, 4.5, English, 612 ; from Hc-kfield. 5, 1 Ible of Wight, note from the, 547 laolomahirsuta, 213 Iv;es, a note on, 113 ; two good, 146 Ivy, clipping, 309 ; G3ld Cloud, 586 ; scarle.- fiuited, 13 l>iacrateroides 612 Ixiaa from Holland, 547; in flower, 509 Ixora javanica n&ta, 449 Jack Fruit Tree, 456 Jamesia ameiican ■, 500 Jasminum nudiflorum, 144, 309, 530 Jessamine, uaked-Qowtrtd, 309 June flowers, some, iu Surrey, 565 Juniper, Chinefo, 860; Swedish. 300 Junii)erus communis sueeica, 306 Justicia speciosa. propagating, 304 Kfempfeiia rotunda, 378 Kalanchoe carnca, 19 Kalmia glauL-a, 483 Kamlschalica, Klii<'h'/sf.ay(t Vod'ano, 451 Kenntdyarubictnida, 438 Kt^alio Canttr''Hrv"na,3\s\ Fo«(< nar.tt, 319 Kcntias as buvise plants, 318 Kerria, white, 561 Keteleeria Fortunei, 17ti ; thorixg concf, l.« Kew, hardy flowers at, 421 ; plantain flower at, J06. 420; K so walk at, 571; Kojftl Girdens, the, 523 Kitchen Uixniiu notes, 14, 23, £0, 67. 9b, IIG, 140, 179. 204, 226, 243. 260. 2J0, 32». 344. 3.'.7, 382, 410. 432. 4^8. 511, 538, bit Kciiphofia nalalenti"* 57 I Ktelrenteiia p,nii:ulal •, 177 Label, a new, 2-9 Laburnum, Nepiul. 503 Laceltja/ Plant. 127 Lachcnalia Nelsoni, 45 ;pendula, 2i0 ; tr.color, 305 • Lachenaliis in IjoFkets, 345 Ladies as gardcnerp, 549 Vlll THE GAEDEN INDEX [JcLY 6, 1889. Lady'8 Slipper, downy, 100 ; English, 100 ; Siberian, 100 : small yellow, 100 ; stemless, 100 ; the white, 100 Lmlia acumiData, 13S ; albida, 314 ; a'bida Milphurea, 8; anceps, 24; anceps alba, 72, 100,314,417; cinnabarina, 227 ; Digbyana, oOO ; Digbyana Mossiie, 4t>9 ; elegane, 434 ; elegans Blenheim ensis, 02 ; flammea, 433 ; flava, 269 ; furfuracea, 8 ; grandie. till ; pumila, 566 ; purpurata, 013 ; euperbiuus, 138; the yellow, 269 Land, drainage of, 64 Lainscape gdrdcuera' plans, 41'.» Landscape gardeniug, 7 Lirch, the, as a lawn tree, 25S ; Weeping, 245; n'teping, 245 LarLc europaapcndula, 245; europiea pendula, 245 Lastrei Filix-mas BoUindi^e, 280; Sieboldi, 1'5; Squamaria, 429 Lathr^ea claudestiua, 310, 329, 407, 577 Lathyrus rotundifolius, 572 Laurel, the Spurge, 288, 483 Laurels and their uses, 202 Liuru8tinus, the, 91, 2SS Lavatera arborea varlegata, 294, 336 Lawns and bowling greens, 325 ; hints about, 182 Lebanon Cedar duiability of the wood of, 614 Leeks, large, 583 Leiophyllum buxifolium, 504 Leptospcrmum bullatum, 479 ; scoparium, 258 Le^chenaultia foriuoaa, l.J3 Lettuce, culture of, 558 ; Paris market, 203 Lettuces, cutting, 609; dying off, 381 Leucojum vernum. 205 Libertia formosa, 499 ; ixioides, 580 Ligustrum Qmhoui, 177 Lihc Charles X., V58 ; forcing, 364; Marie Lemoine, 300, 347 Lilies, 369 ; Arum, in Trelissickj 19, 523 ; Arum, plmting out, 493 ; Bermuda, 575 ; Indian, 54 ; in bloom, 604 ; Peruvian, at Glasnevin, 671; Water, C03 Lilium auratum, imported, 12ii ; aura'um ia A'ictoria, Australia, 571; giganteum, 165, 613 ; giganteum seed, 6 ; girjanteum, root of, shoirin'j the q^t^stts, 165; giganteum hardy in Roxburgh, s; ; granditiorum rubium, 571 ; Harrisi, 530 ; longitlorum Harrisi, 235 ; neilgherrense, 17, 301; polyphyllum, 45; pyrenaicum, 530 ; renuifuhum, 547, 607 ; Thomaonianum, 425; umbellatum, 517, 571 Lily, black, the, 143; hfac/,; 143 ;1 f/iant. i-'iot of, shoicivg flji'sets, 165 ; jacobsean, 345 ; Rock wood, 500, 526 ; Scarborough, 211, 365 ; ajiiie, 211 ; wood, a fine, 476 Lily of the V 11 v. grub3 on, 183 ; in the open ground, 4Jl ; Victoria, 530 Lily of the Valley Tree, 287 Limouia trifoliata, 539 Liuaria alpina, 91 Liridfield, Old Place, 281; (;W Ptace, Lindjidd, 281 Liudssea guianensia, 147 ; Lessoni, £8 ; tricho- inanoidcs, 26 Lindsseas, 28 Linum perenne, 571 Lissochilus Krebsi, 589 Lithospermum graminifolium, 548, 571 Lit jbrochias, 3u4 Littonia modesta, 523, 579 LobcHa?, white 603 Lomaria chilensis, 105; dii^color, 329 London poor, flowers and plants for the, 648 London Pride, 52 Lonicera sempervirens, 377 Lorlnecria areolata, 105 Lotus peliorrhynchus, 449, 479 Love-in-a-mist, 218 f.i"utia oratiasima, 58; Pinceana, 59 Lyca'te ar-mitici, 6U ; Barringtoniic, -15; fulvosceofi, 338 ; Jamesiana, 502 ; la-io- glossa, 227 ; macrobulba, 227; Measuresiana, H14 ; Schilloriana, 300 348; Skinneri, 270, 315 ; Skinneri xanthoglosfa, 250 Lychnis, double, 580 ; viscaria rubra-plcna, 580 Lyciiim barbatum, 91 Lycojjodiums, hirdy, 46 Lygodium scandenp, 280 Lyre Flower, the, 475 M. AI.i-TroBfifld, raiding fruit trees at, 79 .M idwort, I'yreneau, 91 Magnolia consplcvia, 420 ; fuscatfl, 378, 504 ; Hallcana, 224 ; stcllata, 209 ; Yulan, 420 Magnolias, 559 ; early-flowering, 459 MahoiilaAnullolium, 202, 809; Holly-leaved, *, 02 Ma'anthernum blfolium, 420 MnUf w, Venice, 32, 45 Mulva eimi)aniiUta, 571 Manctti» cordifolia and M. micans, 181 Manor House, Gunnersbury, Orchids at, 228 I Manuring, 15 : Mvtplc, the Red, 343 Maples, Ja]'anese, 527 March, rainfall of, 342 Market gardenipg in West Cornwall, 494 Market garden notes, 24 156, 205, 325, 494 Market gardens, out in the, 267 Market plants, 297 ; and flowers, 188 Marrows, Vegetable, 409, 457, 5 0, 511 Masdevallia Chestertoni, 299 ; Shuttle w or thi, 417 ; triangularis, 299 Masdevallias, 501 ; at The Woodlands, 461 Maxillaria luteo-alba, 2S3 ; Sanderiana, 338, 417 Meadow Saffron, spring, 164, 228 Megasea Progress, 449 Melon culture on manure beds, 262 Melons, frame, 339 ; judging from appear- ance, 311, 351, 403, 453 Menziesia empetriformis, 406 Mertcnsia eibirica, 563 ; virginica, 376, 563 Mespilus gi'anditlur.i, 561 ; snowy, 561 Mezereon, autumn-Mowered, 5S, 145 ; white- flowered, 436 Jficrolepia platyphylla, 329 Mignonette, 218 ; Caraway's double white, 394 Mildew in vineries, 309 Milla uniflora, 251 Miltonia cuneata. 417; Phalcenojisis, 269 ; spec- tabilis Moreliana, 232 ; vexillaria, 475 ; vexitlaria, 26S ; vexillaria purpurea, 317 ; Warscewiczi, 196 Miltonias, 269 Mimulus grandis, 470 Mimuluses, 464, 515 Mistletoe, a red-berried, 229 Mocas=on Flower, the, 100, 547 Mock Oratige, Mexican 613 Monochietum Lemoinianum, 180 Moth, winter, capture of, 92; protection against, 543 Moving Plant, the, 181 Mulching, 373 Mullein, Olympian, 522 ; Rosette, 523, 580 Muntham Court, 139 ; Muntham Court, St'ssc- 139 Muscari atlanticum, 406; azureum, 250; bo- tryoides carneum, 329 ; botryoides and Lily of the Valley, 207 ; Heldreichi, 330 Mushroom house, the, 56, 63 Mushrooms, 457 ; in hot weather, 558 ; in old pasture, 325 Myosotidium nobile, 450 Myosotis diesitiflora Perfection, ^91 ; palus- tris semperfloiens, 431 ; Reehsteineri, 420 Myraiphyllum aeparagoides, 279 Myrtle, Sand, Box-leaved, 504 N. Name waited, 63 Names, cocfusion of, 164, 207; old fiiends with new, 306 Nandina domeatica, 206 Nantes, flowers at, 167 Narcissi at Dublin, 476 ; for forcing, 85, 168 ; hybrid, 528 ; in Co. Cork, 207 : in I889' 425 ; old, 397 Narcissus c^'mmittce, 371 Narcissus Bernnrdi, 447, 499; biflorus, 491; J. G. Baker, 376 ; Corbularia, 82 ; cycla- mineus, 206, 251, 256 ; Emperor in pots, 255 ; Johnstoni, 294 ; maximue, 255 ; mini- mus, 206, 216; uobilie, 317; nobilis and N. variformis, 277; obvalJaris, 206; Paper- ickite, 272; Paper-white, 272; poeticiis grandlflorue,420 ; Sabinei aLd Backhousei, 426; Sabioei, what is? 407; Santa Maria, 376; Tazelta var. Grand Emperor. 190, 392; unicolor grjndiflorus, 406; Walttr Kendal, 394 Nasturtiums, garden, 218 Natural beauty, 117 Nectarine tree changing into a Peach tree, a, 152 ' Nectarines on a Peach tree, 198 Nepenthes Dicksoniana, 250 Nejihrodium euspiriatum, 163 Neriume, propagating, 522 Ncwry, notes from, 406, 450 Nowtown Pippins, fine, 77 Nicdtiana atthu«, 21S ; dicurnus, 604 NigcUa damascena, 218 Nurdmannia cordifolia, 82 Normandy, in, 423 Notes fluwer gardfn, Of r. ; kitchen garden, 609 ; marktt gaidoK, f94 NutH, small, 261 Nuttalliacorasiformis, 843 Oak, Bog, 472 ; Burr, 422 ; Evergreen, 520 ; peculiarities of the, 276 ; plantations, 472 ; stools, layerhg, 472; tapering, 326; the. Oaks, Kvorgroon, 146; seedling, raising, 88 Obituary — Barker. A., 591 Eversley, Viscount, 19 Howe, C, 19 Jac-ksoD, D., 691 McKenzie, J. A.. 349 Murray, Mr., 275 Peacock J. T., 163 R?i-henbich. Piof., 471 Riffout J., 349 eouthgate, J.,1C9 Wlmseti J. W.. 543 Wood Rev. J. G.. 529 Odontoglossum Alexandras guttatum, 32 ; Andersoniauum, 72, 364; aspersum, 62; baphicinthum, 270 ; blandum, 283 ; Cer- vantesl, 364 ; Cervantesi Morada, 232 ; cirr- hosum, 137, 338; citrosmum, 4,S3, 434; citrosmum ro.soum, 449 ; crispum flaveo- leas, 228; Edwardi, 227, 337; egregrum, 469; Halli, 364; hebraicum, 92, 100; leo- pardinum,92 ; Londinense, 532 ; madrense, 8 ; naevium, 4S4 ; na^vium majus, 99 ; ne- huloBum, 461; nevadense, 417; CErstedi, 434; Pescatorei Thomsonianum 394 ; poly- xanthum. 483; ramosissimum, 300, 484; Roezli, 283, 391; roseum, 416; Ruckeri- anum, 72 ; Schillerianum, 314, 532 ; tri- umphans, 415, 475 Odontoglossums, 305 ; at Perrlvelle, High- bury Park, 99 ; at Studley House, 390 Old-fashioned flowers, a mixture of, 425 Old friends with new names, 306 Old Place, Lindfield, 281 ; Old Place, Lindfield, 2S1 Olearia, 571 ; Gunni, 41, 586 ; macrodonti, 600 Oncidium bifulium, 347 ; cartliagineuse, 5S7 ; concolor, 364, 375 ; Crce^us, 580 ; cucuUa- tum, 282,330 ; hasmatochilum, 587 ; Jonesi- anum fla^eus, 100 ; lamelligerum, 2-S2 ; Marshall ian urn, 417 ; nigratum, 587 ; obry- zatum, 313; Phalaenopsis, 72; sarcodes, 305; splendidum, 71; supcrbiens, 299, 314 ; Wentworthianum, 364 Onions, 323, 537 ; soot for, 356 Oooclea sensibilis, 105 Onopordon arabicum, 431 ; arabicum, 431 Onohma taurica, 530 Onychium auratum, 329 ; japonicum, 105 Orange Flower, Mexican, 476, 522 Orange trees, age and size of, 310 Orchaid, old, treatment nf, SO Orchard pbntiug at Farnham Royal, 77 Orchid, Butterfly, 137 ; chief, an, 589 ; flowers, 164 ; flowers from Bath, 314 ; flowers, durability of, when cut, 270 ; house, a vrdt - arranged, 416 ; houses, arrangement of, 416; Lizard, 270 ; new, a marvellous, 92 ; notes, 138, 206, 282 ; photo- graphs, 522; purple-fringed, 137 Orchids and llae fogs, 45 ; at Epsom, 338 ; at Kenwood, America, 196; at Lowfields, 31 ; at Manor House, Gunnersbury, 228; at Mr. Bull's, 19, 566 ; at Rosebank, Cincinnati, 207 ; at Stonehouse Court, 72 ; Cheltenham, 588 ; from Warrington, 425 ; from Weston Grove, fiouthampton, 270 ; from S ffolk mead >ws, 611 ; from Bexley, 547 ; hardy 32, 100, 137, 363, 390; in flower at St. Albans, 588 ; influence of fogs on, 32 ; insects among, 298 ; new hybrid, 71 ; cf the Cape Peninsula, tbc, 483 ; ol 1888, 30; on cork, 71, 99. 122, 162, 228, 283; white, at the Temple show, 532; white- flowered, two, 303 Orchis, Butterfly, 523 ; foliosa, 425. 547 ; F/og, 138 ; hircina, 270 ; longib acteata. 354 ; longlcornu, 354; maculata dying off, 566; Mai'sb, 571 ; iu9scu'a, wbite-flowered. 461 ■ Morio from a Suescx pasture, 476 : pallens 354; Robertiana, 2:J3, 338; undidatifolia! 416, 420 Origanum Dictamnus, 112 OrnitliogaUim nutans, 425 Orobus vernus. 375 Orphan Fund, Gardeners', the, 18, 109 207 255, 275, 299, 325, 349, 421, 522, 567 : F6te' 495 Osier culture, 302 Osmanthus ilicifolius, 112 Osmunda cinuamomea, 105 ; interrupta, 105" palusttis, 3i9 * ' Oso-borry, the, 343 Othonna cra^sifoUa, 652 Ouvira- dr.i fonestralls, 60 Oxaliscernua, 376,420 Oxera pulchella, '.13 Oyster pIk'Hs for Gloxinias, 86 0/othamnu? rusmariulfolius, 572 612 P. Pieonics from Heckfield, 571; herbacoous, 524 ; Moutan, in pots, 854 ; single, from Tooting. 475 ; Tree, otst. Gormalns, Paris, 600 ; Tree, under glass, 87? Palm seeds, 206 Pandanua Veitchi, propagating, 206 Pansy Golden Crown, 470; Golden Queen, 375 ; the, 490; Violetta, 612 Paneies, 239, 530 ; from Rothesay, 476 ; from Scotland, 613; in Yorkstire, 571; tufted, 499 ; white tufted, 613 Papaver Itevigatum, 164 ; pyrenaicum, 565 Parhani Park, Sussex, 477 Paris Exhibition, gardening at the, 424 Park, St. James's, 92 Parks, London, 543 ; refreshment booths in, 548 ; Tulips in. 450 Partridge Rerrv in Philadelphia, U.S., 329 Paesifloia Pfordti, 572 Pdssion Flowers, 207 Poxhiil, lindfidd, 549 PdxhlllPaik, 549 Peach, a, from an Almond, 222 ; border, in- sects in, 371 ; culture in the tpen air, 440 ; curl and bhster, 553 ; Mignonette, 261 ; Mifinoncite, 261 ; red-leaved, 258 ; trees, fly on, 342 ; trees in the Jardin des Plantes, 425 ; wood dying back. 441 Peach-s, disbudding and thinning, 241 ; double-floweied, 425 ; indoors, grafted, 212; pnming and training in the, 260; unsuitable stocks for, 222 ; 100 years ago, 150 Pea guards, 297 Pea, a late, 557 ; a pretty Everlasting, 613 ; a valuable, 248 ; Champion of England, 612; Sweet, forced. 354 Peas, early, 60S ; late, 510, 009 ; preserved, 203, 324 ; Sweet, 217 Pear Beurr6 d'Amanlis, 50> ; Brockworth Park, 159 ; Brockworth Park in flower, 111; Chaumontel. 158; Duchesse d'Angou- leme, 2. 533 ; grafting on the White Thorn, 404; Jargonelle, 47, 103; Jargonelle, 47; Josephine de Malines, 47, 103 ; Melon, the. 255 ; Ne Plus Meuris, 159 ; Nouvelle Fulvie, 158 ; trees, cordon, 220 ; renovating old, 174 Poars, ^85 ; catalogue of, 262 ; cooking, 48 ; early, 48 ; in flower in February, 158 ; gathering and ripening late, 118; in north of Ireland, 243; late, 34, 78; late, ripening of, SO; M. Charles Baltet on, 103; on Quince stock, 220; ornamental, 411; perry, 48; standbrd, for Britain, 34, 48, 103 ; 100 years ago, 150 Peat Moss, woodlicein, 587 Pedicularis, 167 Pelargonium album multijioriim, 154 ; Duchtse of Teck, 602; earh/ jioweriiig, a tmeful, 154; flowers from Swanley, 228; Gloire Lyon- nalse, 526 Henry Jacoby, 379; Jubilee, 475; Swanley Double White, 268; Venus, 2C8 Pelargoniums, early - flowering, 154 ; Ivy- leaved, new, 286; propagating, 552 ; thrte good, 552 PentatemondiffuBus, 571 ; glaber, 60G ; Scou- leri, 475 Pentstemons, 143 Peristropho speciosa, propagatifg, 304 Ternettyamucronata, 586 Pernettyas, the, 58. 224 ; on the clay, 587 Pessimism and grafting, 251 Petrrea volubilis, 213 Pet' nias, .seedling, 316 Phajus, 461 ; Bernayai, 227 ; Manni, 449, 502 ; Wallichi, H'O Phaltenopwds, 255 ; hybrid, 45 Phalanojms amabilis, 362 ; Brush-lipped, 415; gloriosa, 362; inttrmedia Portei, 19; Manni, 337, 3.54; Sanderiana, 417; Schil- leriana. 255, 337, 417; Schiilcriana, 303; Stuartiaua, 251 ; sumatrana, 502 Philadelphus mexicanus, 613 Philesia buxifoha, 572, 586 Phill>T"ea Vilmoiiniana, 426 Phlox Drummondi, fimbriated, 333; stellaris, 562 Phloxea, herbaceous, increasing, 273; i)ro- cumbont, 529 Phanix canariensis, 'M6 ; rupicola, Sf6 Phyllanthus nivotus, propagating, 590 Ph>lIocactus Ackermanni, -199; crenalus, 626 Phyteumas, the, 548 Picoa bracteata, 12,58; bracteata. dieputid hardinc s of, 76 ; lasiocarpa, 201 ; (agio- carpa, 201 ; IMncapo unhealthy. 38 ; pun- gens, 160; spectabilis, 113; Wobbiana, 113 ; Webbiatia, covt' of, 113 Picotocs and Carnations, 407 Pinielca dotussata in Iho open air, 612 ; dioftnia'folia 575 ; ligustrlna, 476 Pine beetle, the, 88 I'iijo beetles, dosttoying. 422 pine, Cluster, at Hclwood, 27t"' ; C-t. i, 236, 207, 285, 320, 366, 379, 414. 437, 463, 478, 49S, 526, 551, 574, 601 Plantations, filling up, 544 Planting, lailures in, 5si2 ; in exposed situa- tions, 568 Plants, flowering, for winter, 4S0 ; herba- ceous, for the seaside, 91, 127 ; herbaceous, notes, on, 562 ; newly-received, dying, 579; raising, too early, i65 ; winter, 6li9 PUtanus orieutalis, 4i phityclinis uncata, 45 Platylobium formosum, 211 Pleasure gi-ound. the, 288 Pleurothallts gelida, 532 Plumbago cipensis, propagating, 169; rosia, propagating, 169 Plum culture iu Bosnia, 353 ; Kelsey, the, 150; Kelsey's Japan, in Calif'^rnia, 533; Kdsei/,fruiUng branch of, 150 ; Kclstt/, shoic- ind fruit, natural size, 151; Myrobalan, the, 383 ; the, as a pot plant, 260 ; the, under glass, 5C5 Plums from layers, 31 Poiosettia pulcherrima, 19 ; as a wall plant, 16 Polnsettias planted out, 126 ; propagating, 286, 328, 347 Polemonium Richardsoni, 44'.', 571 Polyanthus, Jack-in-the-green, 315 Polyanthuses, 316.; border, 130 Polygonum sachalinense, 612 ; sphiwru- staohyum, 54S Polypodium bifido-cristatum, 280 Polystichumangulare acroc'a-ion, 280 ; angu- lare grandiceps, 280 ; coniifolium, 329 PoDthieva maculata, 313 Poplar, Black Italian, 544 ; Carolina, 246; Carolina, at Danny Park, Nasser, 189 ;Grey, at Holwood F^rk, 436; Lombirdy, 446; White, the, at Holwood Park, 436 Poplars, the, for timber, 134 Poppies, 21S ; annual, 516 ; Iceland, 547 Poppy. Chinese Cyclamen-leaved, 76 ; new, a, 571 Fopulus alba at Holwood Park, 436; canescens, 436 ; grandidentata. 270 ; mooi- lifcra, 246; monilij'era at Danny Park-, Sussex, 189 Portlandia pteroppernia, 481 Posoqueria lattfolia, 150 "Potato," derivation of the word, 29; tree, 571 Potatoes, 204, 248, 296 ; early planting, 67 ; for all soils, 225 ; for exhibition, 178 PrimroBe, blue, the, 161, 191, 218, 250 ; Blue Gem, 249; Cace, the, 479; common, freak of, 329, 392 ; destruction. 4SS ; double, a, 5\5, 524; double wild, 450 ; G. F. Wilson, 394; Hose-iuhose, 420; Japan, 500; Mi- kado, 299; Quakeress, 394 ; snowy, the, 305 ; True Blue, 158 Primroses, 52, 92 ; Bedfont, the. 408 ; border, 130 ; colour in, 332, 406, 429 ; coloured, 425 ; double- flowered, 429, 449 ; early, 112 ; from Devonshire, 36 1 ; hardy, 418 ; Himalayan, 450 ; in December, 19 ; in pots, 27, 82 ; in winter, 27 ; on Grass, 375 Primula Beauty, 41 ; calycina, 306 ; cortu- md(x a)tio:no., 335 ; denticulata, 250, 255, 529 ; denticulata alba, 305; Eclipse, 41; Emperor Improved, 41 ; floribunda, 45 ; hybrid 430 ; Imperial White, 249 ; japonica, 500, 604 ; marginata, 306 ; nivea. 305, 330, 407 ; obconica, 45 ; obconica poisonous, 368 ; obtu'»ifoIia, 407 ; Palinuri, 375 ; petiolaris, 249,253,255, 330, 376; Princess of Wales, 478 ; prolifera, 450 ; pubepccns, 375 ; Heidi, 375, 517 ; rosea, 375, 468 ; rose* splendent, 406; Uusbyi, 450, 517; Sieboldi, 335, 420, 429, 449,467, 476 ; Sieboldi General Gordon, 394; Sieboldi Miss Nellie Barnard 394; Sieboldi Mrs. Ryder, 394 ; Sieboldi Queen of the Whites, 394 ; species of, 431 ; euffru- teaccns, 517, 572 ; viseosi splendens, 394 Primulas, 369, 515 ; alpine, 375 ; blue, 92 ; Chhiese, 59, 125 ; Chinese, from Chelsea, 92 ; Chinese, a fine strain of, 229 Private plares, footways in, 396 Profits, fantistic, in fruit, 157 PromQDi«a UoUissuni, 8 Propagating, 76, 116, 328, 419 Propagating house, 54, 264 ; temperature of the, 419 Prospects, fruit, 699 Protea nana, 375 Prumnopityselegana, 309 Pruuintf fruit trees, 50 Prunns Piss^rdi in Wales, 3j4 ; triloba, 436 Psomiocarpaapiifolia, 508 Psychotria j.Lsmlniflorft, 258 Ptelea trifoliata, 541 Pterib cretic* nobilis, 439 Puccoon, 375 Pulmonaria arvernenalB, 562 Purslane Tree, the, 91 Puya Whytei, 572 Pyr.'la rotundifolia, 42S Pyrus Malvis floribunda, 259 ; speotabili?, 504 Q- Quercus macrocarpa, 422 Quince, Japanese, the, 342 Radishes, too many, 164 Railway rates, the new, 594 Rainfall of March, 342 ; in 18SS, 325 Rains and the Roses, 447 BamoT dia, the, 547 ; pyrenaica, 523, 5S0 ; py- ren-iica alba, 606 Kan a ii cuius aconitifolms d.-pl , 577 ; am- plexicaulis, 426 ;"anemonoide', 228, 406; Lval i, 143, 500, 526 ; rutpefolius, 143 ; Thora. 143 Raspberries, 596 Reeds, Paper. 573 Refreshment booths in public parks and gar- dens, 548 Reichenbach, Professor, successor to, 566 ; will of, 543 Reidia glaucescers, propagating, 589 Rtiiidjia p(dinicii.hita,fruHiny branch of, 343 Renanthera bilinguis, 610 Retinospora plumosa aurea, 100 Rhododendron arboreum, 22S ; Auckland!, 523 ; Aucklandi hybridum, 475 ; b:il8amaj- florum album, S50 ; barbatum, 305, 343; cxia2xinulation, 413; Canadian, 436; Cha- m^cistus, 420 ; Championi, 479 ; Colletti- auum, 420; Countess of Haddington, 346; Countess of Haddington, 206, 346, 380 ; dauriciim atrovirens, 301, 362 ; Daviesi, 479; eximium, 300; Fa'coneri at Water- ford. 3S ; ferrugineum, 2S7, 539 ; fragran- tissimum, 354 ; glaucum, 409 ; Her Ma- jesty, 394 ; Kei/si, 412 ; multiflorum, 195 : Nobleanum, 258 ; Nobleamim in jloicer, 200 ; Nuttalli. 425 ; Roylei, 425 ; Veitchi, 354 ; yeitchi,2BT Rhododendrons, early-flowering, 200 ; from Lancashire, 420 ; from Scotland, 92 ; green- house, 40 ; Ilimilayan, 412, 482 ; in flower, 95 ; two dwHrf 547 ; white flowered, 237 Rhodora canadensis, 436 Rhndotypos kerrioides, 561 Rbubarb, H a wke's Champagne, 441 Rhus typhiua, 113 Ribes, 460 ; nigrum aureum, 585 Rivie a, a note fr^ m the, 112 R aeiscrapings, 197 Rock Cress, 45; rosy-flowered, 421; white, 40S Rock plants, hardy, 368, 562 Rock Rose, 91 Rock Roses, 571 Rockets, 279 Rockwork, plants for, 529 Rodgersiapoduphjlla, 522 Rogiera gratistima, 95 Room decoration, flowers for, 65 Root-grafting c, budding, 60S Rootwork. 53 Roots of plants, washing the. 447, 527 Rosa gigantea, 375 ; humilis. 186 ; Regeliana 22 ; rugosa hybrida, 398 ; rugosa, the white, 613 Rose Abbe Thomaeson, 43 ; Adele de Bel- labre, 43 ; Anna Ollivier, 594 ; Austrian Brier, 546, 570 ; Baronne Henriette de ■Lcew, 43 ; beautiful, a, 255 ; bedding, Mare- chal Niel as a, 371 ; best gulden, the, 569 ; Blanche Rubatel, 6{j. 255, 521; blooms, cxbibltion, 186 ; Bunnert Fridolin, 43 ; button-hole, useful, a, 448; Carmen, 43; Catherine Mermet, 594 ; Charles de The- zillat, 43; Cbeshunt Scarlet, 66; Chinese or Bengal, as a climber, 593 ; Climbing De- voniensis, 424, 448 ; Climbing Niphetos, 43. 521; l laire Jacquier, 394 ; Clothildo Soupcrt, 66 ; Cloth of Gold, 66 ; Comte Henri Kig- non, 44 ; Comtesse Bertiand de Blaoas, G6 ; Comtesse Eranicka, 66 ; Comtesse d'En, 60 ; Comtesse dcFrigiicuse, 22 ; Com- tesse dc Roquette-Boision, 66; conference, Chiswick, 171,570; Due d'Orleans, 66; Comtesse Julie Hunyadi, 43; Comtesse Julie de Schulemburg, 6(i ; (.'omteose O'Gorman, 6ij', cuttings after the frost, 22 ; De Meaux, 172, 210; Dr. Reymont, 06; Ducher, 18 ;Edmond9abUyrolles,43 ; Emile VltKburgh, 43 ; Ernest Metz, 43, 521 ; Esme- ralda, 44; Eugene Pertier, 66; Felix Ribeyrc, 06 ; Ferdinand Jamain, iiO ; Flt)ra, • tt ; Fran- cesco Ingegnoli, ti6; Franclsci Pries, 43; Francis'^ue Morel, 43; Qenenil Jacquemi- not, 305; G. Nrtbonnand, 4^; Gloire de Dijon, 518, 593 ; Gloire do Dijon, a noble, 569 Rose Gloire de Dijon in the open air, 522; Gloiro de Margottin, 347 ; Gloire de Poly- antba, 255; Herodiade, 44; Hom&re, 594; James Brownlow, 66 ; John D. Pawle, 66; Joseph Metral, 43; Jules Desponds, 66; Kai«erin Friedrich, 474; Kobold, 44 ; Lady Arthur Hill, 66 ; Louise Guillaud, 43 ; Mme. Alegaiiere, 66,278 ; Mme. Bravy, 594; Mme. Roeguer, 66; Mme. Chevrier, 6>; Mme. Etnest Calvat, 66 ; Mme. Gabriel Luizet, 232, 254, 278, 305, 474 ; Mme. Georges Bruant, 521; Mme. Hoste, 44, 05, 210; Mme. Jules Cambon, 43 ; Mme. Lam- bard, 107, 131, 135, 172, 185. 231, 278; Mme. Magonette, 43 ; Mme. Mantin, 66 ; Mme. Pitrr« Guillot, 43 ; Marchioness of Lome, Gd ; Marech*l Niel dying, 398 ; Mare- chal Niel out of doors, 474, 518, 521, 545, 547, 570, 593, 594 ; Marechal Niel, stock for, in the open air, 569 ; Marga-et Haywood, 66 ; Marguerite Boudet, 66 ; Marie Metia!, CO; Marie Pavie, 43, Go ; Mario Roussin, 43 ; Marquise de Castel- Jane, 3L'5 ; Marquise de Salisbury, 66 ; JIarquisede Vivens, 146; Mons. Desir, 43 ; Monsieur Tricvoz, 60 ; Moser, G6 ; Mr.^ James Wilson, 43 ; Mrs Jas. Wilson, 475 ; Narcisse, 521 ; Niphetos, 594 ; notes, 424, 569 ; (EiUet Panache, 66 ; of the Alps, the, 287 ; Oscar II., m ; Persian Yellow, 570, 593 ; President Dutailly, 66 ; Prince Cretinertinsky, 44 ; Prince de Beira, Gd ; Princess Beatrice, 329 ; Princesse Marie de Lusignan, 44 ; Princesse Marguerite d'Orleans, 66 ; P. Riffaut, 43;Piofesor Jolibois, 66 ; pros- pects for 1889, 423. 569 ; Rock, Laurel- leaved, 571 ; Rose Romarin, 43 ; Sappho, 43; Secntai c Pec, 43; shows, arrange- ment of, 185 ; Silver Queen, 470 ; Souvenir d'Espague, 43 ; Souvenir de Gabrielle Drevet, 594 ; Souvenir dc Joseph Pemet, 66 ; Souvenir dc S. A. Prince 44, 507, 613 ; Souvenir de Victor Gautreau, GG ; Souvenir du Biron de Rjchetaille, GG; Therese Des- champs, 44 ; trees, insects on, 448 ; trees killed by lightning, 593; variegated, 570; Victor Lemoine. GG; Vierge de Clery, 66; walk, the, at Kew, 571 ; White Lady, 6G; White Perle. 136, 521 ; William Allen Richardson, 279, 570. 593 Rose.-^ after flowering, 474 ; and Asparagus. 278, 370, 398, 518 ; and Musk, 594 ; and so-called dew, 171 ; and the rains, 417 ; ants destroying, 474, 518 : arranging at exhibitions, 277 ; bending down the shoots of, 231 ; Bengal, 327 ; China, IS, 327 ; cut, artistic grouping of, at exhibitions, 370; deep planting of, 180; early planting of, 398 ; English and French raised, of reccit years, 107 ; Egyptian, 44 ; forcing in America, 65 ; hardiness of, 43, 185, 254, 279, 327, 398 ; in high altitudes, 171 ; in March, 255 ; in Scotland, 109 ; iu South Caro- lina, 136 : in winter, 228, 255, 278 ; judging, 186, 327, 397; late, 18; Lenten, 159, 376 ; manure water for, 522. 570 ; Mar-ichal Niel, 135, 546 ; Marechal Niel, as bedders, 279 ; Marechal Niel, in pots, GG ; Marechal Niel, two, 448 ; miniature, 209 ; new, 43, 60, 103, 521 ; new, notes on, 131 ; on multiflora stocks, 135 ; on trees, 593 ; own-root, 612 ; Polyantha, 278 ; propagat- ing, 468 ; pruning, 327, 371 ; Scotch Brier, 56>; seedling, 108; selected, 107, 232; single, 570; standard, in pots, 370, 398; Tea, 232 ; Tea-6cented,_ at Taunton, 594 ; too close to the glass, 474. 522 Rvibus del'ciosup, 604 ; nutkanus, 524 ; spec- tabilis, 459 Ruins, sham, 284 SaccoIaMum bellinum, 228, 282, 434 ; coaleste, 283 ; Harrisonianum, 8 ; Pechei, 532 St. Joseph's WanrJ, 138 Sal*?8, Covcnt Garden, 63 Salix vitcUina, 110, 3(U Sal]>ichroma rhombjideum, 367 ; i7(0);i- lioiili'um. 367 Salpigl" ssis, 218 Salvia gesnerajflora, 499 ; Heen, \K\, 300 Sambicus niger, 224 ; racemoius, 258 Sanguinuria canadensis, 375 Saponaria ocymoides, 563 Sarraccnia purpviroa, hardinesi of, 580 Sirracenias, 462; In the open air iu England, 498, 529 Satyriums, the, 363 Savin, tbe, and its varieties, 74 Savoys, 659 Saxi'raga aizoides, 3f8 ; Alzoon, 368 ; Allloni, 368 ; aretioides. 368 ; aretioides precox, 305; aspera, r68 ; bryoido?, 368; Burseri- ana, 229, 868; Burner! ma praecox. 158; cajsia, 368 ; Camposi, 392, 431 ; Camposi, 892 Saxifraga ceratophylla. 368 ; Churchill, 604 ; crustata, 368 ; cuneifolia, 368 ; elegans, 368; erosa, 368; Fortunei, 294; Kolena^ tiana, 449 ; ligulata, 127 ; louglfolia, 428, 547 ; luteo-purpurea, 251 ; Malyl, 299 ; oppositifolia alba, 250 pyramidalis, 604 ; pyramidalis in pots, 510 ; pyramidal's, propagating, 522 ; Rocheliana coriophyl'a, 4 a ; sarmeutosa tricolor, 464; Btracheyi, 354 ; umbrosa, 52 ; Wallace!, 420, 490 Saxifrage, pyramidal, the, 523 Saxifrages, 271 ; hardy, 300; in flower, 435 ; large-leaved, 306; lecture on, 250; Mr. Baker on, 158 Scab'osa caiicadca, shoiciivj detached flowers, 121 Scibious, Caucasian. 120, 167, 216, 2.3, 316, 563 Schizanthus retusus, 437 Schomburgkia tibicinie, 434 Schubertiagrandifloia, 552 Schubertias. 234, 365 Scientific Committee, the, 45 "Scientists' and others, 45 Scilla bifolia, 229, 273 ; bifolia rosea, 305 ; c.mpanulata slba, 449; nutans carnea, 449 ; sibirica, 195 Scolopendrium crispum, 2S0 ; Kelwayi, 280 ; multifidum. 280 Sco'ch Fir fortsts, thinning, 360 Scotch Fir, the, asatimber tree, 160,230, 276 Scotch Fir timber, quality of, 472 Scotland, flowers from, 425 Screens, evergreen. 482 Scutellaria Mocciniana. propagating, 304 Siakale for next winter's forcing, 266 ; Lily White, 432 Seed hsts. 56 . Seed sowing, S9, 116 ; under difhciUties, 203 Seeds, germination of, 382 ; Palm, 206 ; sow- ing, too early, 297; vegetable, covering for, 203 Scmpervivum dorame, 575 Senecio Ghiesbreghti, 125 Senna, Bladder, the, 9l Serapias, 363 Seric?graphis Ghiesbregh tiana, propagating. 304 Shelter and shade, 88 bhoitia galacifolia, 253, 29 (, 298, 330 Shruba and trees, Japanese and evergreen Shrubs at Cork, 426 ; b rried, in Scotland, 92 ; deciduous, 57 ; deciduous in winter, 107 : for the seaside, 91 ; hardy, for cutting, 504 ; hardy, propagating, 11 ; in flower at Fota Island, 572 ; new, 1C6 ; planting, 114 ; seaside, 202 : summer propagation of, 601 ; wall, useful, 539 ; winter-flowering, 106, 2SS, 309 Siberia, flowers of, 429 Sidalcea Candida, 571 Side-saddle Plants, 463 SUene alpestria, 680 ; Pumilio, 604 Skimrnia naorans, 480 ; jiponica, 57 \japonica of gardens, 4S0 ; oblata and S. fragrans, 106 Skimmia-*. 480 ; are they diceclous, 13 ; sex of, 38, 74, 109 Slugs, 495 ; habits of, 325 Smyrna, notiS from, 473 .''nake'sbeard in pits, 321 Snapdragons, 100, 129 Snowbtrry, the, 57 Snow covering, the, 170 Snowdrop, common, the, 316 ; the first, 161 Snowdrop tree, the, 436. 5iil Snowdrops, 147. 161, 209: ard Primrofe^', 159 ; at Southampton, 87 ; diseased, 183 ; double-flowered. 367; from N. rthumber- land, 250 ; from Scotland, 92 ; hybrid, 200 ; In flower, 112 Snowtlake, Vernal, the, 206 Societies and Exbibitiuns— Crystal Palace, 298, 469; Rose show, 612 National Auricula. 395 . ,oo National Chrysanthemum, IS, 41, 80, 133, 183, 229, 266 Royal Botanic, 349, 470, 590 ; spring show of, 274 Royal Horticultui-al, 1, 44, 63,68. 87, 02, 112, 157. M3, 249, 298, 347, 394, 409, 5t.7, 611 ; annual meeting of, 157; sciemific com- mittee of, 45 ; Temple show, 518. 522 United Horticultural Benefit and Provi- dent, 13i, 158 Soils, clayey, treatment of, 14 Solandra graudiflora, 38 Soltrniuit aVndum Poortmani, 81 ; capfciii«s- trum, propagating, 140 ; crifpum, 671 ; DulcaTiiara, 91; jas>uinoidcs, 59, 125,233, 25(t, 320, 346, 366, 379 Si)lanuitii, propagating, 99 SjI iaiir'Ias, H7 S(.llya line iris, 550 Sophniiiilts (jrandlri ua, 31 Sp'iniird, Wild, the, 524, 530 Sparuiannia afiicana, 60, 151, 181 SparrowN. 643 Spathoglottie, 281 Spindle trees, ben-y- bearing, 67 Splriea aetilboides, 329, 616 ; astilboldes as a pot p'aut, 17i ; callo^a, 459 ; confusi, 436 ; splendens, 60O ; Thunbergi, 436 THE GARDEN INDEX [JoLY 6, 1889. Splrjeas. shrubby, management of, 4S1 ;eome good fchrubby. 75 Spleenwort, scaly, of Teneriffe, 2S0 Sprekelia formofiiesima, 345 Spring of lSSf>, 476 Spring flewera at Highgate, 301 ; afc Vienna, 420; from a Dutch garc'eu, 201.306,354; hardy, 230 ; .some pretty combinations of, 330 Spnice for large hedges, 246 ; Himalayan, 20 ; Norway, value of the, 3'26 ; Weecing Hemlock, 541 Spruces hardy in the west of England, 361 Squill, Siberian, 195 Squirrel Corn, 375 Squirrels as pests, 508 Sta7i7ner Park, 595 Staphylea colchica, 347 Starflower, spring, 164 Btarworts, Italian, 172 Statice, propagating, 468 Stauntonia latifolia, 195 Steam, heating by, 03 Stenorrhynchus fei>ecio8us, 72 Stephanotis house [in Messrs. Hawkins and Buunetts nursery at Twickenham, 551 Stephanotis ripening fruit, 286 Sternbergia lutea, 164 Storm, severe, 500 Straffan, flowers from, 476 Strawberries, 443, 500, 507 ; assisting to ) ipen, bbZ ; feeding, 554 ; forcing, 223 ; in pots, 595 ; notes on, 49V ; pot, feeding, 596 Strawberry gardeu. the, 5S1 Strawberry plantations, Uttering down, 455 Strawberry Noble, 613 ; Vlcomtease II. de Thury, 402 Strawberry seaFon, the, 613 Stieptocarpus, 479 ; Watsoni, 207 Streptocarpuses at Kew, 524 Strobilantbes isophyllus, 153 Struthiopteria germanica, 105 ; pennoylva- nica, 105 Subtropical plants, propagating, 99 Sumach, Stag's-horn, 113 Sundews, 463 Sunflowers, double perennial, 89, 167 Sweden, gardening In. 109 Syniphiand»a Wanneri, 500 Symphiandras, the, 523 Symphoricarpus racemosus 57 yyringaamurcn.sis, (iOO ; -villosa, 58 Tabemaemontana coronaria flore-pleno, 479 ; planted out, 602 Tacsonia Van Volxemi, blue, a, 228 Taxodium distichuiu, 308 Tazu&baccoJaadpressa,Z't\ barcata Docaitoni, 37 ; baccata fruclu luteo, 37 ; baccata. hi- bet-nka, 36; buci:a'o. varif(jata (nirea, 37 Tecoma capensis, propagating, 264 TecophylEea cyanocrocua, 306 ; in Holland, 425 Teneriffe, Scaly Spleenwort of, 280 Testacella Maugei, 159, 229 Tetratheca verticillata, 613 Thibaudia acuminata, 125 Thorn, Box, the, 58, 91 ; Fiery, the, 92 ; scar- let-fruited, 145 Thonis, double, in pots, 347, 415 Thrift edgings, 547 ; at Kew, 522 ThynacanthuB rutilans, 319 ; propagating, Taunia alba, 461 Tickseed, lance-leaved, 516 Timber, dry rot in, 350 ; felling, time for, 88 ; homegrown, 252, 302, 350, 422 ; home grown, prices of, 1S4 ; preserving, 20 ; selling, growing and felled, 950, 446 ; Spruce Fir, SS ; standing, valuing, 372 ; thinning, results of neglected, 396 ; trade and estate supplies, 208, 230 Toadflax, alpine, the, 91 Tubacco culture discontinued, 331 ; sweet- Bcented, 218 Todea intermedia, 328 Tomato culture, profitable, 344 ; Earliest of All, 15 ; Oreevf/af/e, 97 ; Gilbert's Surpasse, 97 ; growing in the future, 115, 179 ; Hors- ford"s Prelu'Je, 559 ; seed, sowing too early, 323; Ytllow Plum, 97 Tomatoes, 432; against sunny oralis, 511; Am-rican, 248; American n- tes on, 205, 248; a reduction of soil for, 324 ; ea»ly,205; in cool houses, 432 ; in pnting houses, 457 ; in the open air, 410, 493, 5U ; malformed, 203 ; new and old, 97 ; one stem to, 324 ; select, 156 ; sowing early, 358 Toothwort, the, 421, 42i Tournefo tia cordifolia, 223 ; cordifo/ia, 223 Toxicuphlsei spectabilis, 59, 125, 2*^9, 352 Transvaal, gardening in the, 471 Tree guards, 252 Tree notes from Holwood Park, 435, 481 Tree planting, Carlyle on, 208 Tree seeds, collecting, 230 Tree, the Knowdrup, 303 Trees, acclimation of, .'.44, 56S ; deciduous, 57 ; d clduoua, in winter, 107 ; eft'ects of bad seasons on, 375 ; fdliDg by electricity, 614 ; for planting, agg of, 422 ; neglected, 412 ; new, 106 ; newly planted, ttaking, 114 ; notes on, 585 ; planting, 114 ; planting, near houses, 372 ; planting, ou mounds, 110 ; planting, for shelter, 177 ; roadside, 42 ; soil for, 614 ; staking, 446 ; street, planting, 20, 411 ; young, cutting back, 443 Tremandra verticillati, 268 Trichoglottis fat-ciata, 337 Trichomanes crispum, 163; pennatum, 163; reniforme, 163 Trichonema bulbocodioides, 406 Trillium grandifloram, 376, 476 ; virginicum, 476 Tri'eleia uniflora, 164 Tritoma caulescens, 405 ; precox, 166 Tropieolum azureum, 475; Comet, 380; tri- color corms, vitality of, 365 Tropteolums, climbing, 213 Tulipa acuminata, 449; Glusiana, 46 5 ; cor- nuta, 449 ; Greigi, 375 ; KolEakowekiaoa, 454; LeichtUci, 374, 304; persica, 475; atellata, 466 ; eylveatris, 449 ; sylvestris major, 405 TuUp, a black, 82, 89 ; Crimson King, 329 ; early, the, for massing in spring, 516 ; florist's, the, 142, 531 ; flowers, damage to, 5"5 ; Turkish, the, 449 Tulip garden at the Castle, Dingwal', N.B., 489 Tali}) garden at the Castle, Dingwall, N.B., 489 Tulip tree, Chinese, 504 Tulips, 420 ; at Kew, 426 ; early and late, 003 ; florists' at the Temple show, 578 ; from Holland, 426, 449 ; in the London parks, 450 ; old garden, 167 ; other tlian show varieties, 514; Parrot, 552; Parrot, on Grass, 491 : Parrot, origin of^ 515 Turnip, Milan, the, 203 Ulex europtea fl.-pl., 91 Ulmus niontana, 496 ; montana at Holwood Park, 436 Underwood, 184 Utricularia Endresi, 547 ; montana £47 Vaccinium, 482 Valerian, g.ilden, 250, 317 Valeriana Phu aurea, 250, 458 Vallota pupurea, 211 ; purjmra magnijica, 211 Vanda Amesiana, 62, 92, 417 ; Bensoul, 434 cjtjruleacens Boxalli, 566 ; concolor, 228 Denisoniana. 338 ; Parish! and its varieties, 121; Roxburghi, 30, 73 ; Sanderiani, 8 Buavis, 72, 433 ; teres, 333 ; tricolor, 433 tricolor Dodgsoni, 415 Vandas, 162 ; at Norwood, 461 ; temperjiture for, 122, 162 Vanilla, the, 45 ; Humbloti, 338 ; trade of, at Bordeaux, 33 Vases, outdoor, plants for, 397 Vegetable conference at Chiswick, 357 \'egetable season, a late, 432 Vegetables and the frost, 112; green, 15; ideal, 115; market value of, 22 ; seedling, pricking out, 323, 3^6; simple metboda of forwarding, 178 ; watering, 608 ; winter, cooking, 23 Vegetation, influence of strong light on, 593 Veitch Memorial Fund, 87 Verbascum olymjiicum, 522, 547, 567, 605 Verbenas, 130 Veronica Hulkeana, 481 ; prostrata, 600 Veronicas, 91 ; New iiealand, 158 Vetch, Pyrenean, the, 500 ; Spring Bitter, the, 375 Viburnum Opulus, 587; plicatum, 541 ; Tinus, 288 Vicia pyrenaica, 500 \illa Valetta, the, 9 Villa Valttla, Cannes, 9 Vine borders, 149 ; roots, confined or uncon- fined, 48 Vines, insects on, 349 ; Muscat, extraordi- nary growth of, 150. 199 ; Muscat, un- healthy, 445 ; propagation of, 104 ; red spider on, 556 ; spring planting of, 487 ; syringing, in bloom. 351, 441 Vinery, combined, and plant house, 499 Vineries, mildew in, 309, 5 7 Violet Blandyana, 375 ; Dog's-tooth, the, 306 Violets, 165 ; single, 27 Viscum cruciatuni, 229 Vitis heterophylla, propagating, 475 \'ittadenia triloba, 529 Vriesia brachystachys, 366 w. Wales, South, the weather in, 228 Wakehurst Place, 233 M'akchur.H Place, .S«w.v, 233 Waldsteinia trifolia, 4.0 Wallflower, Brdfont Yellow, 420. double, Ewbiuk 8, 375; old double yellow, the, 376 Wallflowers, 490 ; from seed, 466 Walnut, the, 520 ; Black, the, 592 ; cut-leav.d, the, 4S2 Walls, ustful plants for, 400 Warscewiczella Wendlandi discolor, 8 Water Fairy Flower, the, 190, 392 Water Lily house at Kew, 471 Water Lily Tree, ( hinese, 426 Water margins, planting, 110 Watsonia?, 572 Weather, th^, 136 ; in Ireland, the, 229 Weeds, dettructiou of, 400 Weigela, varietiss of, 430, 460 Weigelas, some new, 3;9 Wellingtonia gigjntea, 520 Whortleberiy, 4^2 Wild flowers in Kent, 528 ; in South-west France, 576 Willow, Cardinal, the, 4\ 76, 114, 159 : for hedges, 302; Gulden, th ■, 110, 361; th , as a timber tree, 326 Willow Herb, tlie white-flowered 613 Wilts, the Str trade, the non-horticultural members of the council have made two very important disco- veries. They have discovered that fashion will not follow them ; and further, tli.it the country, horticultural to the backbone, is ready to sub- scribe thousands of guineas and half-guineas annually, jinivided they seek rest for the soles of their feet on that remaining strip of ground at Chiswick. A great number of gentlemen and ladies, and not a few gardeners, have recently become subscribers, and more are waitmg to follow suit, so soon as a respectable room is secured for the weekly West-end meetings, and j the restoration of Chiswick for the larger shows, I horticultural trials, and training is decided upon. Here we have signs of an awakening ; let us hrjpe, then, that the society, like fruit growers for the million, will prove equal to the great work expected from it, and that a brighter era for each will start from the year we have just left behind us. Yet one more look into the past. What are private individuals doing for the horticultural world ? Well, some are teaching us to annihilate canker in fruit trees, by giving them proper food in proper quantities, by draining, and by keeping their roots warm and healthy. Ento- mologists are making the masses acquainted with the ways and doings of insects which prej' upon our plants and fruits ; and actually, in the year of grace 1888, we heard of farmers applying ligatures of brown paper, smeared with grease and tar, to the stems of their Apple trees to prevent the ascent of the wingless female moths, whose brood so recently literally stripped half the orchards throughout the kingdom. Hybridists have added nothing striking to our hothouse or hanly fruits, and this perhaps is well, for uutil they can give us something better than the varieties we already have, they may be better employed in assisting us in the reduction of fat lists which bewilder the private grower and do more harm than good to the trade. A sign of the work commenced by The Garden was plainly visible at Chiswick in October when choice selections of Apj^les and Pears took the place of collections and the nomenclature had greatly improved. This weeding out must be closely followed up, as there exists not a shadow of doubt that we might add greatly to our wealth, credit, and enjoyment by discarding the inferior and increasing the superior varieties of every species of fruit grown in our gardens and hothouses. Last, but not least, the good house- wife will mark the past as a red-letter year by the introduction to all country towns of bottled fruits, if not entirely innocent of foreign saccha- rine matter, certainly suthciently free to enable their being taken in tarts and puddings without fear of acidity or indigestion. Common fruits, including Goosebei-ries, Currants, Raspberries, Plums, and Cherries, can now be jireserved with about one-sixth of tlieir weight of sugar; con- sequently, whilst relieving growers of gluts, enterprising meii are now giving the most humble housekeeper the materials for making clieap wholesome dishes, reminding ime of freshly gathered fruit througluuit the winter. Visitors to the early international exhibitions in;ule note of the tempting bottled fruits fnuii America and the Continent, but until within the past year these articles of luinie growth liave not aiipeared in small country .shop windows. We might go on to still greater length, but surely these notes will brighten our hopes as we turn round to face tlu^ future, and although all may not be gold that glitters, we may reason- ably trnst that we are now entering upon a still brightta" and more prosperous year. Duchesse d'AngoulemePeir.— Mr. Bunyard .■mil iMr. Wildsiiiitli bolli speak of this Pear as ""■rittv," Init include it iu tlicir selections I This shows llie enoiu'iMis way in wliicli lists of Pears are made up for Kngl:ind. in Western I'laiice it is llie best of autumn I'ears, but it should not be iucluiled Jan. 5, 1889.] THE GARDEN. among English Pears at all. This muddling up of Pears that are A 1 in warmer countries and no good in England is one of the causes of our empty fruit rooms. Can anyone say where the Duchcsse attains its fine delicate qiiality in England? It not, why retain it ? — R. APPLE GROWING AT POWDERHAM. In the kitchen gardens at Powderham Castle, near E.xeter, there is to be seen a remarkably well grown lot of pyramid Apple trees. Out of the .300 trees grown, not more than six are imperfect .speci- mens, and with very few exceptions all have at- tained a profitable size. Each tree has been allowed plenty of space, and crowding of the branches is also carefully avoided. Altogether there is a col- lection of 100 varieties, and as these arc all distri- buted alongside the principal walks, a much better opportunity is afforded for making a limited selec- tion than any number of fruit shows could possibly present. Mr. D. C. Powell, the gardener at this place, is an enthusiast in Apple culture, and is so thoroughly conversant with all the good and bad qualities of Apples and various other hardy fruits, that his experience is worth recording. Were he to plant a similar number of trees with the aim of growing principally for sale, fewer varieties would be selected, but he is by no means in favour of going to the other extreme and making a too limited selection. Nor does he believe in growing Apples on the dwarfing or Paradise stock, but prefers to plant fewer trees, the majority of which are on the more vigorous Crab stock. These certainly, in some instances, need to be root-pruned now and again in order to induce fruitfulness, but those on the dwarfing stock require the most labour ex- pended on tliem in the long run. and do not pro- duce more tlian a tenth part of the weight of fruit obtained from finer, healthier trees. I was much struck with the quality of the crops at Powderham, as well as the fine foliage and general fruitful character of the trees, and this satisfactory state of affairs was said to be largely due to the free use of decaying vegetable matter by way of top-dress- ings. Every autumn and winter a very large heap of leaves, sweepings, road trimmings, and any rub- bish that will decay quickly is formed, and this being well mixed and built up squarely and evenly is first utilised for growing a quantity of Vegetable Marrows. During the following winter the whole of this heap is applied as a top-dressing to the fruit trees, and probably nothing better could be used. A mulching of such material appears to keep the roots near the surface where they form abundance of fibre, and when trees are in this condition below ground they invariably form sturdy, fruitful top- growth. Such mulchings have been found more beneficial to A'ine and Peach borders both under glass and in the open, nothing more quickly attract- ing the roots to the surface. It should be added that the soil at Powderham is a red gr.avelly loam and well drained. The favourite and most profitable dessert Apples are Mr. Gladstone, this being rather small, showy, and early; Irish Peach, which forms a handsome, fruitful pyramid, early, and good in quality ; Red Astrachan, early and richly coloured ; Worcester Pearmain, one of the most showy Apples in cultiva- tion, and of fairly good quality in October, does well on the Crab, but colours better on the Paradise stock; King of tlie Pippins, tree li;mdsome and very prolific, quality of fruit good during October and November; Margil, good bearer, keeps well, and is of gooil (juality ; Fearn's Pippin, very handsome fruit of meiiium size, and keeps good till February ; Gravenstein forms a beautiful tree, a good bearer, the fruit being very pretty, and keeping good from October till the end of November; Cox's Orange Pippin, a general favourite, probably the most popular variety in cultivation ; Adams' Pearmain, a sure bearer, fruit large, handsome, and good from November to the end of January; Claygatc Pear- main, moderately vigorous and a sure bearer, fruit of medium size, and of excellent quality during No- vember, keeping well ; Ribston Pip])in, an old ^vourite, does not canlcer at Powderham, this also being attributed to the mulchings given; Court Pendu Plat, of stiff growth, not very prolific, but handsome and good, keeping from December to April ; Cornish Aromatic, one of the best varieties during October and to the end of the year ; Bau- mann's Red Reinette, heavy cropper, very hand- some and good, in season from November to the spring ; Ross Nonpareil, good in every respect, ripe during November, and keeps well ; Braddick's Nonpareil, rather slender growth, sure bearer, fruit medium size, and of excellent quality from No- vember to April; Cockle Pippin, one of the be.st late varieties, in season from January to April in- clusive ; Rosemary Russet, not often met with, but considered by Mr. Powell to be one of the best dessert Apples grown, quality very good, the season extending from November to Februar)- ; Lord Burghley, also exceptionally good and deserving of more general culture, a heavy cropper, of attractive appearance, quality first-class, and is available from December to the end of April; and Sturmer Pippin, a good bearer, and of fairly good quality as late as June. The foregoing are essentially dessert Apples, but there are a considerable number cultivated at Powderham that are available for either dessert or cooking. The best of these are Duchess of Olden- burg, a sure bearer, very handsome, but somewhat acid, ripe in August and September; Golden Ducat, of stiff growth and very fruitful, in season during November and the early part of December ; Emperor Alexander, a good cropper, fruit hand- some and fairly good in quality, ripe in October and keeps to December ; Blenheim Pippin, stiff^ growth, young trees shy bearing, fruit large, hand- some, and of first-class quality, ripe in November and keeps to the end of January ; Peasgood's Non- such forms a good pyramid, very prolific, fruit frequently extra large, handsome and good in quality, ripe in November or earlier, and keeps till late in the year ; London Pippin, a good cropper, fruit of good quality and in season from November to April ; Annie Elizabeth, a sure bearer, and of fairly good quality till late in the spring; Lemon Pippin, a good cropper, and in season from November to March ; Lady Henniker does not form a good tree, but crops well, and is fit for use during November and keeps to Februarj'; and Dredge's Fame, a heavy cropper and of good quality from November to April. Among cooking varieties the most generally re- liable are Keswick Codlin, a well-known early and most profitable Apple ; Lord Suffield, a sure bearer and may be described as an extra fine form of the preceding ; Stirling Castle, a good early variety ; Jolly Beggar, very heavy cropper and fairly good in quality during September and October ; Golden Noble, a handsome and good Apple, in season from October to December ; Waltham Abbey Seedling, very prolific and keeps good to December; Lord Grosvenor rarely fails, fruit large, and keeps to November; Cellini — tliis fails completely on the Paradise stock, but on the Crab is fairly robust, is a sure bearer, fruit handsome and in season during October ; Hawthornden, very fruitful, no canker apparent, in season during October and to the end of November, or it can be used much earlier ; Ecklinville, of free growth, very pro- ductive, and in season from October to January; Beauty of Kent, growth vigorous and fruitful, fruit large, liandsome, and good from October to tlie end nf January, an exceptionally good variety: ('ox's Pomona, habit good, productive, fruit handsome, and availalile during October and the early part of November; Kentish Pippin, a free bearer, and in season from October to January ; Loddington. an exceptionally free-bearing variety, and of slow growth in consequence, fruit of good size, and lit for use from October to January; Merc de Manage. in season at the same time as tlie last named, highly coloured and serviceable; Tom Putt, an old favourite, very prolific, of most attractive appear- ance, and should be largely grown for tlie nuirkets, in season from October to the end of December Lane's Prince Albert, of moderate growth, extra free-bearing, and may be used from Oclolier to February, strongly recommended for ordiard as well as garden culture; Small's Admirable, a sure bearer, fruit of large size, and good in November, keeping to January ; Warner's King forms a hand- some tree, a good cropper, fruit large and well formed, and good till miple, Lucombe's l*ine-ai>ple, Sam Young, Lodgenioro Nonpareil. Bri(?htly-coloured Apples-— Incoini«irable, Ilanwell Sournig, C'ox'b Pomona, Braliant Bolletleur, Baumali's Ked Relnette, Ityiiier, Red llollaudljury, Alexiuider, Hoary Morning, Tom Putt, Tyler's Kerne'. Striped Beauiin, Kcirn's Pippin, Cumberland FlUbasket, Duchess of Gloucester, Worcester Pearmain, Cellini, Adams' Pearmain, Scarlet Nonpareil, Red Astraehan, Norfolk Beau&u. Frontignan Grape.— The (Jrape I grjw under Ifiie name is, I teol sure, the true Frontignan, as it is id«nMcul both iu tltnver anl appcirauco with tliu kii:d commonly grown in French girJens under that name. As Mr. Sheppard is aware, the Frontignan is a Frencii Grape r,u3ed many years ago, and it is as much grown in the north of France, on open walls, as the Sweetwater is, or wag, in this country ; whereas Josling's St. Albans, so far as I am aware, is not cultivated there. I have been in many gardens in Normandy where the Frontignan was grown on open walls, and rarely eaw it free from cracking. — J. C. B. WORK IN THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. The Ja-st quarter of the past year having been un- usually mild and wet, open-air operations upon our heavy soil liave been carried on under great diffi- culties. Indeed, so detrimental to the future work- ing of the fruit tree borders is incessant trampling, that we have allowed bush-pruning to fall into arrear and have kept all hands employed against tlie walls. Delays which upset the usual routine, no doubt, are tantalising, but still, mindful of the serious effect of the drought of 1887. we can but look upon the steady downpour which is closing tlie montli as a godsend, for which by-and-by we may feel truly thankful. Fortunately, in gardens, large or small, employment for industrious hands can always be found, for when it is too wet for nailing or tying, shreds can be cut, sticks and stakes trimmed and pointed, hook-pegs for the (lower garden and Strawberry layering can be formed out of Birch, and new brooms prepared for summer use. Days, again, baring been so danger- ously mild, we could send men to the north Morello and Plum walls without the slightest compunction, and there the training is pretty well finished, but our home-made soapsuds, with which we wash out old nail-holes and faulty joints, is kept in reserve for application when dry weather favours the dry- ing o£ the glutinous alkalies upon the branches. Rain in due time, of course, washes the trees and walls, but not until this excellent manurial insecti- cide has done its work, as we find that trees which at one time produced an annual crop of black fly, and walls verdant with Lichen and Moss are not only free from these parasites, but the first shoots escape the damaging attacks which so often bring tlie trees to grief. Another important advantage derived from the annual use of soapsuds, especially amongst bush fruits and Apples, is immunity from caterpillar and grub, and, thanks to the soda, com- plete freedom from canker. Our soil being calcare- ous and freely dressed with charred refuse early in the spring, the most tender sorts make bright downy shoots well furnished with dark green leaves, while kindred varieties in poor Grass orchards are eaten up with canker and produce, comparatively speaking, third-rate fruit. Taking tlic calentlar, if a running commentary can be called a calendar, alphabetically, the first tree which claims our attention is the precocious Apricot, wliich upon south walls is swelling its tlowcr-buds alarmingly fast. Tlie rainfall, it is true, has jmt matters riglit below the surface of the soil, and there is no longer any fear of dropping from drought, but severe frost, unless it comes quickly, may produce a clieck wliich will maim many tiranches, it it does not cause the most prominent Imds to fall. For this there is no help, as prema- ture iirotection is worse tlian useless, esjiecially if tlu^ weather contimies moist and mild. If the trees h.'ive not been pruned and nailed in, the borders sluuild be well covered with long litter to prevent treading them into a pasty mass and the work should be proceeded with, but few. 1 imagine, who take their trees nietluMlically will now be in arrear, especially where the old spurs reciuire thin- ning. When these oi>eratiiuis are biuught to a eli)S(\ the next question will be the modt; of pro- tecting the flowers when they begin to exp.'Uid. A few fortunate indivilo whcD been wllti tho tjpical plant. I'ho tlowcra are hw^c, tho sepals and petals being deep .'^ulpliur-yellow, and the lip manve. An exeelhnt form ot this variety in now tloworing in the Stnd- loy House collection at Shepherd's IJush. where numerous forms of tlds species a]»puar to be jterfectly h:ippy. Fromensea Roliissonl.— lids is a boautlfvrl small- growlng vhint which I'lio does not olten find now-adays, bvit wliich 1 was fortunate to find in bloom recently In tiir Trovor l.awroiico's garden; the sepals and petals aro pulo yellow, lip white, with a few trimsoii dots. It was named to commemorate ono of tho earliest firms of nurserymen to pros-'cuto tho Imp jrUltlon of orchidaceous plants, *aiid was figured in tho BotainaU Rtffisttr fifty years ago.— W. 11. G. Jax. 1S89.J THE GARDEN 9 A GAEDEN AT CANNES. THK VILLA VALETTA. A NOBLE conservatory scattered over a rolling lawn ! That is the quickest and best " im- pression " we can give of one of the noblest gardens of sub-tropical plants we have ever seen. The interest of this garden for English readers is not so great as if we could grow the same plants in the open air in our own country; but to the general plant amateur, the Palms, succulent, and sub-tropical plants generally are most interesting, nobly grown, and in not a few cases remarkable for their rarity or the out, that anyone walking through them would imagine they were more than double tliat area. We extract the following jjarticulars from a recent notice in the Revue Horficole : — In the cotirse of a ramble tlirougli the grounds one is struck with the constant recur- rence of exquisite eftect.s from the groupings of fine-foliaged exotics, tlie pleasing arrangement of the glades, the selection of the trees and shrubs, and the beauty and rareness of the specimens. All this is enhanced by the cleverly designed vistas leading to interesting points of view in the far distance ; on the west and south towards the Esterel, the town of Cannes, La Croisette, and the island of Sainte-Marguerite ; Mediterranean coast. Turning sharply, a totally new scene presents itself, ;vs tlie walk passes through a portion of the grounds planted on each side with specimens of the strange- looking, yet ornamental Cactus family. These are succeeded by a great variety of Palm trees, amongst which are some enormous specimens of Phcenix canarieusis. Near the dwelling-house a very striking scene is presented by a great variety of large Cocoa Palms from South Brazil, which are grouped on a sward running down to the piece of ornamen- ; tal water, the margins of which are fringed with rockwork appropriately embellished with plants. The brook which feeds the piece of water runs amongst taU Chinese and Japanese Bamboos, Azaleas, CamelUas, and a variety of Heaths, and the visitor, following its course, arrives at a point where groups of Conifers, Palm trees, and especially huge Agaves, come into view. When we add that the turf of the lawns is verdant and close, the plants in the most healthy condition, and tliat the production of rare flowers or fruits is contmuous throughout the year, some idea may be conveyed of the attractions of this charming place for a lover of gardens. The illusion as regards the dimensions of the grounds is in great part due to the winding arrangement of the walks, added to the very variable level of the surface at difi'erent pomta. The Villa Valetta and its exquisite surround- ings will soon be offered for sale, and it is to be hoped that the property will fall into the hands of someone wlio will be able to appreciate, preserve, and add to the number of the beautiful plants which adorn it, and who will also be as liberal as the late owner, the deceased M. Doguin, was in permitting visitors to enjoy the rare scenery of this delightful retreat. A garden in the south of France ; The Villa Valetta, Cannes. size of the specimens. A friend who knows the garden well writes to us: — Tliis magnificent place is to be sold by auction within a few da3-s. If one of your great amateurs would buy it and keep the present gardener, he would have the most beautiful and best kept garden on the whole Riviera ! Visitors to Cannes have an opportunity of seeing one of the most admirable speci- mens of landscape gardening in the beautiful pleasure grounds of the Villa Valetta, which is situated on the Chemin de la Cali- fornie. The grounds here, although not quite 5 acres in extent, have been so skilfully laid on the south-east towards Cape Antibes, and far away in the northeast the snowy summits of the Alps. After passing the entrance gate, the road leads towards the dwelling house between groups of Chamserops excelsa fringed with Laurels ; then turning to the right one strikes into a charming walk around a lawn on which are seen some large specimens uf Arau- caria excelsa and groups of Washiugtonia fili- fera. An-iving at a part which is shaded by large trees of Magnolia grandiflora, a collection of tall Tree Ferns, Kentias in shelter, Cycads, BromeUaceous and various other plants is seen which shows what judicious management can effect in the case of plants which are seldom seen thriving in the open air on this part of the Chrysanthemums. E. MOLYNEUX. PRINCESS OF WALES FAMILY. With the addition of two new varieties this season and a promise of another for the next, this family promises to become very important, as it embraces varieties now which are admittedly second to none in the natural formation of their flowers. The Princess of Wales family is alto- gether an exhibitor's family. The tyjie has long been regarded as the perfection of an incurved bloom where the form of flower is considered to be the leading feature. There is no variety which will produce blooms of the same high quaUty without any aid from the dresser as will the Princess of Wales, provided, of course, that the plants receive the necessary treatment during then- growth, and I know of no variety which will resent careless attention more than this. If I were asked to name one variety in the in- curved section of Chrysauthenumis which pro- duces the smallest number of high-class blooms in proportion to the number of plants grown, I should have no hesitation in nannng the Princess. This, in some measure, accounts for the low position occupied by this variety in the selected list of incurved sorts in the National Society's catalogue, for out of thirty-six varieties that are placed in eight lots, owing to so many of them receiving the same number of votes, we find the Princess in the sixth batch, and only two from the bottom of the list — even behind such va- rieties as White Venus and Prince of Wales. I think that the position it occupies in the list is mainly owing to the fact that it is not gene- rally well cultivated, and it must be grown well if its true characters of form and colour arc re- 10 THE GARDEN. [Jan 5, 1889. quired. When in good condition it is invalu- able to the exhibitor. To have it in the best condition it requires a long .season of growth. Thi.s is at times difficult to obtain, for the reason that cuttings are protluced so sparingly from the base of the old stools that valuable time is lost in waiting for them. If means are taken to procure a sufficient stock of strong cuttings in December, a much better chance exi.sts for the production of the finest blooms. If the cuttings are late they often get neglected, and such weakly ones often show a strong persistency to form iiower-buds instead of growth shoots. This is a serious drawback, and must be overcome by careful attention. It is often caused by the cuttings being taken from the stem of the last season's growth and not at some distance from the base of the old stool, as they should be if obtainable. When a good start has been obtained with tlie young plants they should be kept growing freely, the same treatment required by the general collection sufficing for this family. Pots 9 inche.s in diameter are large enough for the final shift. The best blooms are jiroduced n])on plants that are grown with one stem from the cutting until they naturally break into additional shoots during May, when three of the strongest shoots are selected. Upon the appearance of the first buds upon the selected shoots, which form from about the 15th of August to the 25th of the same month, flowers developed from these buds are almost certain to produce blooms of high quality, all other things considered. While the flower- buds are swelling the peduncle for a part of the time remains thin and weak, and it should be pi'otected by means of a small stake. When the buds attain their full size, and just before the petals commence to unfold, the peduncles gain strength, some of them so mucli so that support is not required, but those with weak jjeduncles should be supported fen- fear of acci- dent. For ordinary decoration grown in bn.sh form the Princess family is not a desirable type to cultivate on a large scale. The blooms under this method of culture are thin, and have a de- cided tendency to produce an ''eye" which de- tracts greatly from the beauty of all incurved varieties. Under good treatment the varieties of the Princess family are good growers, carrying a lot of foliage which assumes faint autumnal tints. PBrNOESS OP Wales is the original variety, having been introduced during the year 1864. Its colour is blush, tinted with rose, and when the bloom is in good condition the tint is very pronounced, making the flower very attractive ; tlie petals are pointed and thoroughly incurved. Sometimes pale-coloure:l flowers are to be had upon plants which also pro- duce properly coloured blooms. This is caused mainly through the too early bud selection. So jjale in colour are some of the blooms produced that it is possilile to cut from tlie one plant flowers wliicli will pass tor bnlh the natural kiuil and Mrs. Huale also. Wlien such blooms as those last named ,-iie staged as Princess of Wales and adjudicated upon by competent judges, they lose weight owing to their want of colour ; therefore, little is gained by this manner of stiiging the variety out of charactei-. Mus. Heale is a sport from the original variety, and exactly resembles its prototyi)c in tiie forma- tion of the flower and shape of the petals. It must also bo classed as of tall growth. The colour is a creamy white, and it is a variety nuich sought after by exhibitors. ViOLKT ToMUN AND Miss M. A. Haogas are two valuable additions that have been made to tliis family during the present season. The former is a violet-coloured sport froui Princess of Wales, which it resembles in all particulars, excepirig colour. Possibly this variety will iill a gap when lteful(,'cnce is not available. It promises to be larger even Ihari its parent. Miss M. A. Ilaggas is a -sport from Mrs. Heale, and although it originated two years ago. it has been seen in better condition during the past season. The colour is golden yellow, and it will take the place of Jardin des P'lantes as a yellow variety when that kind is not available. But Miss M. A. Haggas mil at all times render good .service in the middle row of a stand of twenty- four flowers. During the latter part of the present season I saw blooms of another sport from the Princess of Wales, which is of a colour between its parent and Yiolet Tomlin. Should the fixing of this variety be accomplished successfully, another desirable gain will be the result, as we cannot well have too many' varieties from such a good stock as the Princess of Wales, especially wlien the progeny is characterised by thorough dis- tinctness in colour. Chrysanthemums, new varieties. — As showing how few good varieties are produced annually from the large number which are sent out every year, I purpose to take into consideration the set of flfteen varieties sent out by Mr. Canncll in the spring of the present year as being something new in their respective sections and forms. All, of course, are described as being thoroughly distinct, and many of them superior to any sorts hitherto announced, that one was led to expect a decided imjirovement, but I fear many disappointments have been found. It is a pity descriptions of new kinds are not curtailed somewhat. I, for one, fail to see the necessity of describing them in such an elaborate manner, when a more simple style would suffice and be less misleading. Having had oppor- tunities of seeing most of the sorts wdiich 1 will name, I am able to speak with authority. Siinflon-er has been named in The Garden as being one of the best yellow varieties in cultivation, and so it is when grown as Mr. Beckett grows it. The blooms staged by him at Sheffield showed the quality of this variety to perfection. Smanley W/iite is a capital variety, being large and full, and well worthy of extended cultivation. Mrs. Douglas, as grown here, is identical with Swanley White. £food Tidings and Eclijjse .are both mixtm-cs of yellow and red and of moderate quality. Yokohama Beauty. — A mi.xture of bronze and yellow, the florets deeply serrated, but much too sliort to make an effective flower. Favoxtrite. — A flat bloom with Ijroad rcflexed florets, the colour silvery blush, habit of growth dwarf and sturdy. Onward and Sunlir/ht. — The former white, faintly tinted rose; the latter creamy white, tinted lilac. The Intended is, as regards shape, similar to Balmoreau, but of a brighter colour. Albert Victor. — A pretty combina- tion of colours, white, shaded rosy mauve, the florets narrow and rcflexed; much too small for exhibition use. Mrs. Goldring. — A combination of orange- yellow and red. Mary.— Exquisitely formed flowers, tlie points recurving gracefully; the colour creamy white, outer petals pink, deepening to rose .at the points. It will be seen from the descriptions given of the blooms as grown, that there are only two kinds which come up to exhibition standard at present, although another season's growth might develop some of them more fidly. — S. rative work. Cut in long sprays, with foliage attaohed, there is nothing better for specioien vases. A minimum of trouble only is required to produce blooma of this variety, as it gro\v3 freely in small pots. Chrysanthemum Buttercup (syn., Alice Bird) is one of the prettiest varieties of Chrysanthe- mum we have in the way of colour, which is an in- tensely bright buttercup-yellow. It belongs to the ■ Japanese retlexed section, but being small, I fear it will not find favour with growers for exhibition. Aa a decorative variety where colour of this description is needed it has no equal. Its habit of growth is also all that can be desired, being dwarf and of a robust character. — M. Chrysanthemum Pelican. — This variety is again ihis season asserting its right to be classed as one of the best of the .lapanese section for the pro- duction of late blooms where late Chrysanthemums are desirable. A good batch of this sort should receive attention during the summer months, by pinching the points out of the shoots two or three times, com- mencing when the plants are but 0 inches high. Plants are thus obtained which carry several branches, from which all side growths should be removed as the leaders progress. What is known as the crown bud should be selected for the flowers. In this way good blooms may be had which show this variety in its true form — incurved florets, pure white, with a faint tinge of pink around the base as the blooms fade. This variety has deep green foliage, which i»well retiined late in the season. — E. M. Garden Flora. SnOIlT NOTES.— Clin YSANTHEMl 'MS. Chrysanthemum Miss Annie Ijowe is ji welcome addition to the Anemone class, iia it provides a colour not hitherto obtained in that section. Tt is a sport from Lady Margaret, which i.s well known fm- its good form, having a full centred disc, which cannot bo said of all other varieties. This quality is tlie leading point to be aimed at in obtaining new varieties. — E. M. Chrysanthemum Moonlight.— lias any render of Thk (iAHDEN found a diiliculty in HuecessfuIIy flowerim^ this vanety P Witli mo it grows well and produces one or two good flowers, but the majority of the Imda are either abortive or dcfornied. It is not the result of the i):i.st Heasoii, as it luis been the case for sevei'al years in succession. — II. SANitwirii. Pompon Chrysanthemum Snowdrop. — This pure white variety, as its name implies, is now very useful where white tlowers are in request for but- ton-hole bouquets, sprays, or any otlier kind of deco- PLATE 6 8 2. ALPINE WINDFLDWERS. (with a coloured plate of a. Sl'LPHUREA.*) The enthusiasm displayed by visitors to the Rivier.a at tlie grand blaze of brilliantl}' coloured WiudHowers that star the grouiul in early spring is very natural, and he must lie strangely biassed who caunot enjoy the quiet beauty of the alpine section of this charming class of plants. Some indeed of the earliest of our spring flowers are to be found amongst these alpine Anemones, and when robust and doing well they form some of the loveliest pictures we have ever seen, more e.specially when the surroundings har- monise with their dwarf sturdj' habit. With onlj' a few exceptions, they may lie successfully cultivated by anyone having a little knowledge of the recjuirements of alpines generally, and it must always be borne in mind that the choice of position is half the battle. How many of our choicer alpines are lost or disfigured by the careless habit of planting tliem anywhere with- out any thought as to the habit of the plants in their near vicinity. \\'ith the majority of the alpine Windflowers their wants as far as soil is concerned are simple. Peat or leaf-soil, loam, and lime refuse with plenty of grit form the cliief ingredients, an'd these in proportion or separately, as experience and the nature of the subsoil will soon show, enable the lover of tliese choice alpines to obtain good residts. The next question of importance is that of obtaining specimens of tlie ditlcrent species. Tliesi^ are often imjiorti'd and sohl direct to tlie grower from tiieir native luibit.ats, aiul have l.'irge, thick tpp roots attached to them. On acco\uit of those tap roots it is , 1S88, by 11. O. Moon. Lithographed and printed by GuUlaumo Sovoroyns. -cl-^^Q,; Jan. 5, 1889.] THE GARDEN. ^ -^A^ most difficult of the kinds to gfow have been thoroiiglily established in this way, and all of them are now quite at home. This question of seed ivrsus jjlants need not, of course, be con- fined to Ajiemones, as most plants of similar habit are usually unsatisfactory when the plants are old and the habitats rocky, and even if they live it takes .them a long time to entirely re- cover, but from seed a young stock coidd be raised which would also be far more interesting a;)d cause less anxiety. Small collected speci- mens of such species as A. vernalis, prateusis, Halleri, &c. , take some years to attain a moderate size, so slow are they of increase, but when raised from seed and the young plants kept in the cold pit for a year or two, then planted out say a dozen together, they soon form an attrac- tive patch, and apparently flower with greater vigour. In good seasons, if artificial fertilisation be attended to, seeds of most of them may be obtained, and these simply sown ronnd the plants and covered with ordinary garden soil, gave in our case a very good result, some speci- mens flowering the second, others the third year. The Edelweiss is a case in point. Tons of tliis plant in bulk at least are sent home annually by tourists with imperfect or no roots at all. The death of such sjieciniens is a fore- gone conclusion ; wliereas if a pinch of seed had been collected, sent home in a letter with in- structions to sow at once, a great amount of tlisappointment woidd have been saved. A. VEENALIS, like the Soldanellas in our gardens, requires special care when producing its annual growth, and we have found that a daily bath of rain water has a desirable effect, and the flowers, though few, are very large and richly coloured. A. Halleri, however, is, to our mind, the most beautiful, and perhaps the largest of this group ; the huge cup-.sbaped flowers are deep lilac, the base filled with a large bunch of handsome golden yellow anthers, which contrast well witli the otlier parts. It begins to flower towards the latter end of March and begiiming of April, and, unlike tlie Kiviera kinds, is impervious to our cold spring weather. A. PRATESSis and A. montana are very similar to each other, although kept distinct in all Conti- nental floras. A. montana has the larger flowers of the two, drooping, and of a fine deep violet or wine purple colour. The meadow Pasque Flower (A. pratensis) affects dry meadows, and should be grown on exposed positions. The flowers in some of the forms are very deep purple, approaching to almost black. The Pasque Flower (A. Pulsatilla) is a native plant, and a charming subject for spring beds, &c. It requires chalky soil on rather dry positions. A. PATENS and the variety Nuttalliana, figured in the Bota?t.ical Magazhie as ochroleuca, are both charming plants for the rockery, producing large, dull blue or purple flowers, which may be seen in the bud state all through the early spring. The type varies to a wlntish yellow colour. A. Hackeli, though considered a form of A. Halleri, seems sufficiently distinct to want a name, the flower divisions being broader and larger, the stems more woolly, and the leaves not so finely cut. A very useful plant tor bleak exposed positions. The subject of our colotired plate, thougli rather taller than any of the abo\'e-mentioned species, will, together witli A. aljiina, bo found very useful for low beds or borders near the rockery, the liandsome foliage and the unusually large and lieautiful silky heads being objects of admiration all througli the summer and autumn months. Tliey both seem variable, and these slight variations have been taken into accomit, and named by De CandoUe in his " Vegetabilis Systema," and also in the " Prodromus." We liave never seen them named in cultivation in this country ; and indeed the difierences are really so slight, tliat they are not worth it, being chiefly based on the size of the flowers. The varietal names given are major, millefoliata, micrantlia, flavescens, nivalis, intermedia, and sulpluirea. We cannot help thinking that the subject of our plate is entitled to a specific place, and refuse, at present at least, to believe that it is the white form, jiossessing a yellow tint tlirough growing on granitic soils. The wliite A. alpina is a fine, robust plant, and with us produces an abtuidance of flowers. We grow it in a deep, rich leafy soil, with a liberal mixture of lime rubbish. A. sulphurea we grow in ex- actly the same position and soil ; its robust health speaks for itself, and we find both easily raised from seed if sown as soon as harvested. At the present time, however, when almost everything in the alpine way is resting, tlie Winter Windflower (A. blanda) gave us a plea- sant surprise the other day. It is be.ginning to open its charming flowers, and if tlie weather continues open we expect a fine show about the new year. It is a near ally of A. apennina, with larger and deeper-tinged flowers and narrower rays. It is as hardy as any plant in cultivation, and continues in fiower from now until late spring, when A. apennina opens. Others worth noting are A. baldensis, ranunculoides, palmata (yellow and white), trifoHa, f its kind in the wor!d, and I may say that the culture pursued with the Hippeasirums in the Chelsea nursery is the same as we pursue here, and is what I have recommtudcd in this journal for the last ten years. The object of thoroughly clearing away any loose roattridl from the crown of the bulb ia to get rir shmilil be made ratber firm, and liquid manure can be given to increase the ai/,0 of the hoaja. — K, II, Daphne indica rubra. — Tbie deliciously fra- grimt subject ia just now an object of groat interest in tlu" Rose bouse at (iunnorsbury Park, wliorc it is planted out iu a ra'aed bod with Camellias, Ac, and Jan. 5, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 17 where it liis growu into a, large bash. Tliia position appears to suit it, for it flowers abuadantly and dif- fuses sach a sweet fragrance as to completely till the house. Pruning is not at all n9C3ssary ; the growth is regulated by the constant cutting to -which the plant is subjected. It is probably owing to the freedom the plant enjoyi at the roots that it is in such a vigor- ous condition and blooms so finely. The form n ow under notice is one of the most fragrant of winter- flowering plants. — E. D. Drooping Glory Tree (Clerodendron nutans). —This stove shrub, of which a coloured plate was given in The Garden for May 5, 1888, and which attracted a good deal of attention when exhibited by Mr. Head at one of the Royal Horticultural Society's meetings a little more than a year ago, is very easily increased by meats of cuttings put in daring the early spring months, and so free-bloom- ing is it, that a dozen plants which I struck last spring, and some of which are still very small, have flowered this antumn. It is indeed a remarkably pretty species of Clerodendion, and is so easily in- creased that the fact of its being lost to this country after having been in cultivation here is rather sur- prising, and we are certainly indebted to Mr. Head for its re-introduction. The fact of the Drooping Glory Tree producing it3 blossoms during the autumn months is a great point in its favour. — H. P. Lilium neilgherrense. — This Lily has been noted in several horticultural journals as being very finely in flower at Kew, and in an article on the subject, p. 550, it is stated to require only ordinary care. Now this is undoubtedly quite correct, as far as its first season is concerned, for I find that imported bulbs require only to be potted and given the general treatment of greenhouse plants to ensure a good crop of blossoms, provided always, of course, that the bulbs are sufficiently strong. My experience of this Lily is, however, that the second season's crop of bloom will fall very far short of the first, and that each year will see a diminution in the floral display. I cannot find that others are more suocessful with it than myself, though many have tried, as it is such a beautiful autumn or winter-flowering Lily. It dislikes pot culture, for the fl^war-stem will frequently, after leaving the bulb, proceed in a horizontal direction for some distance, so that when in a pot it oltan travels completely round the ball of earth, and finally makes its appearance at the side of the pot. I obtained some imported bulbs nearly two years since, and they flowered beautifully last year, white this season most of them have bloomed again. While in the case the majority of them pushed up the flower-stem. This was especially noticeable in re- gard to two, one of which bore the finest flower of any, on a stem not more than 6 inches high, the re- mainder of the stem being wound round the ball of eartb, while in the case of the other the flower- stem did not come to the surfacs, but made its way through the hole in the bottom of the pot, after which it took an upright direction and then flowered. Tnis habit is also common to L. neilgherrense in a state of nature, for I have had imported bulbs the buried portion of whose flower-stem measured a yard in length.— H. P. Anthracite coal. — In reply to " B." in The Gabden (p. 5G7) about the value of the above coal against good coke, I have been using i: for the past three months, and so far have not found it answer the purpose so well as coke. It burns very fairly and is very lasting, but does not give out heat enough for my purpose, neither is it quick in heat- ing, like coke. It appears to be best suited for mild heating or where a regular and gentle heat is needed, but during a severe frost I should be sorry to have to rely upon it. The late frosty nights have proved coke to be the most reliable. I have two saddle boilers side by side ; in one of them I used all coal, and the other coke, for the purpose of trial. With coke the heat needed checking long before the ether had reached the proper state for com- parison, though both boilers were allotted as near as could be tbe same amount of piping to heat. To get up a bright fire anthracite needs a much sharper draught than oke; even then it does not give sufll- cient heat in time to be so reliable as coke ageiinst a sadden frost. Again, anthracite requires more frequent attention in feeding the fire. It needs it a little at the time and often in order to get the fullest amount of burning or heating power out of it. I remember many years ago, when living at a place in Kent, we had a small cylindrical boiler to every house in which Welsh ccal (very similar to anthracite, if not the same under another name) was used, and answered very well, but when the arrangement was altered to the one-boiler system it had to be given up, because we could not get sufiicient heat. With regard to "B.'s" second ques- tion, it is not so clean as coke, and there is more fine or dust coal than is desirable made principally in the breaking up for use. This need not be wasted, as by being made wet before putting on it does well for banking up, which operation, if pro- perly done, will ensure a good fire in the morning. Anthracite has one advantage over coke, in that it makes no clinkers and very few ashes, so that everything can be burnt up. I have no information to offer "B." in his third question, beyond stating that one bairowful of coal will last out four of coke, but then there is a great difference in the price. — T. R. F. In answer to " B.'s" inquiries in The Gar- den (p. 5G7), having given this a fair trial with several classes of boilers, I have found that the ad- vantage is all in favour of coke. Anthracite may answer when there is a great draught, but if such is not the case the anthracite coal lies dead and re- fuses to burn. It also requires frequent attention, as if too much be put on at once the fire goes out entirely. Some few years ago in one of the leading establishments in the neighbourhood of London there was a house where a fire was only lighted when there were signs of a severe frost, and this having suddenly come on, anthracite coal was used to get up the heat and entirely failed, the frost having got into the house. Next night was equally severe, and recourse was had to coke, with which there was not the slightest diSiculty in maintaining a sufiicient heat. I have also tried it in saddle boilers with the same result. I have found a mix- ture of anthracite coal and coke answer well, the coke preventing the coal from "caking" and so checking the draught. I should certainly adv:se " B ," unless he can obtain sufiicient draught, not to trust entirely to anthracite. I understand that anthracite is largely used by some of our London market growers, and it would be well to have their opinion of it. The only advantage I could find in anthracite over coke was that there were no clinkers nor ashes, but in a boiler kept clean and well stoked, all the refuse of coke, with the exception of the clinkers, may be burnt up. The anthracite coal, as supplied above, costs 163. per ton, delivered at Brentford Station. — X. FRUIT CULTURE FOR PROFIT IN THE OPEN AIR IN ENGLAND* I THINK I miy safely assume that a much larger quantity of English fruit would meet with a ready sale if put before the public in a tempting state. I think I may also assume that there are thousands of acres of land in Great Britain at present bringing little or no profit to owners or occupiers which, if planted with fruit trees, might be made to return a good profit to both. Not that I think large fortunes are to be made by the venture, but a fair remuneration for the outlay of capital, and the application of in- dustry and skill. To give these opinions a practical application, I propose to say a few words on the subject under the following heads : — 1. Climate. 2 Soils. 3. Holdings. 4. Sorts. 1. Climate. — A mild equable climate free from sudden changes of temperature and storms of wind or rain should be taken in preference. 1 do not be- lieve in planting Apples, Pears, Cherries, and Plums in the bottom of valleys. This is often done on account cf the quality of the soil. Bat it is of little benefit to the grower to realise a good growth and * A paper rtad by Mr. William Taul, F.L.S., at the Apple and I'eu: Confereuco, Chlswick, October 17, ISSi. abundant flowering if his crop is destroyed in a flowering state by the spring frosts. Over the last few years there has been a wonderful show of blossom on the fruit trees in the valley of the Lea, but little fruit has followed, owing to the destruc- tion of the embryo by the severity of the spring frosts in this low situation. This is the one point in climate that would seem to render it unsuitable for culture for profit, as it can be but partially amended by shelter or any other means. It seems to me that many important points de- sirable to secure success, which are well known to those who are thoroughly versed in these matters, have not yet taken hold of the general mind, and they cannot be too often repeated till they do this. Only a few years ago I was surprised to meet with an orchard newly planted in the bottom of a moist vaUey, the climate of which in spring was trying in the extreme for early buds and blossoms. The sorts, too, were indifferently chosen. Nevertheles p, the planter persevered with their culture, until he found that for three or four years in suscession he got plenty of blossom, but little or no fruit. He has recently destroyed them and cropped the ground with vegetables. But what a waste of time and money, and what a source of vexation and dis- appointment. I believe in planting on slopes or uplands, where the spring frosts are less destructive, with distant shelter to be provided, if not already existing. If cheap, quick-growing trees are planted for shelter within a few yards of the boundaries of the planta- tions at the time young fiuit trees are planted, the former will afford the necessary shelter by the time the fruit trees come into bearing. On a farm of 200 acres there may be a difference of climate that would render fruit culture profit- able or unprofitable, according to the position in which the trees are planted. In the valley of the Lea I find that in some years the crop is mainly or wholly on the bottom, and in others on the top of the trees. This I attribute to the frost being more severe in the one case near the ground, and in the other at a greater elevation during the period of floweiing. 2. Soils. — Alight or medium Icamof good depth and well drained is generally accepted as the most favourable for the production of an abundance of good fruit. It matters not it it be poor, provided manure can be obtained at an easy distance or at a cheap rate. A bad soil in a good climate often yields the grower more profitable results than a good soil in a bad climate. If the ground be wet, thorough and deep drainage is an essential condi- tion of land to be employed in fruit culture, for it improves the climate as well as the soil. Chalk or gravel would seem to be a better subsoil than clay, as the latter, especially if wet, favours the develop- ment of canker. As to soils for the different fruits, I would prefi r for Apples a medium loam ; for Plums, Pears, and Cherries a light warm loam. For Strawberries a light rich loam, cool and moist, with ready access to water. For Raspberries a deep, light loam, also cool and moist. For Gooseberries and Currants a deep, strong loam. But I would not convey the impression that these soils are necessary; in well- drained soils cultivation may be safely extended even to strong or clayey loams. Of course, the working of the soil is, or should be, much more costly than in ordinary farm operations, and the cultivation of the trees, by pruning and keeping free from insects, is also an item of cost in labour which must not be lost sight of. In esti- mates of profits lately put forward it appears to me that these facts in connection with the culti- vation of trees and soil have not been suflioiently allowed for. :i. Holdings.— It is often said one should not plant fruit trees for profit except on his own land. But this would unnecessarily limit the number of growers. A long lease, however, is indispensable. According to calculations I have made, but with which I need not trouble yon, thirty years is the shortest lease I should advise anyone to plant under. If tbe lease be for a shorter pericd, I think the 18 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 5, 1889. tenant should expect from the landlord either a renewal at the same rent as before, or that his trees be taken at a valuation. It may be thought by some that this is asking too much from the owner of the soil, but I do not think it is more than it is his interest to concede. By such cooccsjiicn he may secure a good tenant and a good rent, and there is ample security for his rent in the value of the trees on the soil. I will read a brief extract from a recent number of the Sussex Adrertiser in reference to land tenure in Kent, and without cffering any opinion on the course taken by the tenant, as I know nothing of the oiee beyond what is here stated, I thick jou will all agree with me that Buch a state of things is to be deplored : — " Lasd tenuke in Kent.— One of the results ot the unsatisfactory system of land tenure now prevailing in this country is to be seen at Knockholt, Kent. The lease held by Mr. Edwin Bith, of Curry Farm, in that parish, expires at Michaelmas, and he is not allowed to renew his tenancy, nor can he recover compensation from his landlord for a valuable plantation of 30 acres of Raspberries on the farm. Conse- quently, the extraordinary spectacle may now be seen of a reaping machine cutting down, and a steam plough following it rooting up this plantation, which has cost a very large expenditure cf time and money to produce. When it is considered that the produce of the plantation in question realised in the present year upwards of £liiflO, and that the planta- tion was vigorous and in full bearing, some idea may be formed of the sacrifice of property in- volved." Further : It has often struck me that the manner in which the charges on land are levied is not equit- able, and is calculated to discourage rather than encourage the planting of fruit trees for profit. A few words will, I think, make this plain. A man plants fruit trees, not looking for any quantity of fruit for four years. Duting that period he receives nothing, or next to nothing in the shape of produce, although rent charges on land and expenses of cul- tivation are going on and have to be met. Then when hU crop brings him a larger return than ordi- nary farm produce would bring, the charges on the land are raised I Now it would seem only fair, if the charges on land are calculated according to the value of the annual crop, the planter of fruit trees should pay nothing the first four years. 4. Sorts. — Of large fruits grown for profit, Apples would seem to stand first. Plums next, then Pears, then Cherries. Of small fraitp. Strawberries, Rasp- berries, Currants, and Gooseberries are the most important; Filberts may also be planted to give a profitable crop in odd sheltered spots where other fruits would not grow well Bat these different fruits do not all require precisely the same climate and soil. The Apple is perhaps the least particular in these respects, seme vaiieties of which will thrive and produce large crops of good frnit in almost any well-drained soil when grafted or budde d on the Crab or Apple stock— the Paradise stcck I have found next to useless nnder field culture on the clayey soils ot Sussex. There aie fifteen sorts of Apples which I should plant in prefererce to others in my own county (Hertfordshire), laving an eye to the disposal of the crop as well as to its pro- duction. They are: Blenheim Orarge, Cox's Orange Pippin, Cox's Pomona, Devorsbire Qaarrenden, Ecklinville, Duchess of Oldenborg, liish Peach, Keswick. King of tfce Pippinp, Lord ScfBeld Small's Admirable. Stirlirg Castle, StuimcrPippin.Warner's K'ng, and Wellington. I ran speak favourably cf (he Ecklinville from expeiiments made both in Heits and Scsstx. I planted in Sussex four years ago 200 Ecklinville Apples that lad teen cut back as maidens to 2^ feet. The soil (i qnaiter of an acre) was good, and bad been subscileri IS inches deep a few jesrs pre- vionsly. They grew well. The Ihiid year they produced .I bushels, the fourth jcar 17 bushels, which sold on the ground at fip. per bushel. They were planted about (J feet by C feet, but strong growers might be planted II feet by !) feet, and mall fmits or vegetables might be grown between the trees for a few years. I estimate the expenses ot planting and cultivating these 200 Ecklinville Apple trees on a quarter of an acre of ground in 1884 as follows:— Cost of trees, SOO at Ma. per 100 .. £5 0 0 Planting and digging 0 15 0 Four years' cultivation, at 16s. per year 3 0 0 Rent, rates, &o , at lOs. per year 2 0 0 £10 15 0 Rfcturns in 1S88 : 22 busheh of Apples sold on the ground at 5s. perbuhel 5 10 0 £5 5 0 Next year I expect to get the outlay back, and look to the future for profit. In exposed situations pyramid or bush trees are preferable to standards, because the fruit is not so liable to be blown down, and in large orchards, it the trees have stems 2^ feet to 3 feet, sheep could run under them to feed, and thus help the returns. Plums.— The Early Prolific, Early Orleans, The Czar, Belgian, and the Victoria are good ones. Purple and Pershore Damsons also, of which the Farleigh is well to the front, are usually a profitable crop. Pears want a belter climate and a warmer, richer, and deeper soil than Apples, and are not usually to profitable a crop as Apples. They do well as a rule on a subsoil of chalk. Ot Pears, Aston Town, Eye- wood, Hessle, Williams' Bon Chietien, Beurrfi de Capiaumont, and Beurifi d'Amanlis are the most profitable sorts to grow in Hertfordshire; Louise Bonne of Jersey, where it will grow, and Marie Louise, where it will bear freely, are also good varieties. Chebbies like a lighter ard deeper soil than Apples. The May Duke, Bigarrean, Napoleon, and Kentish are good. Strawbeeeies.— AMcomtesse Hfiricart de Thury, Sir Joseph Paxton, Elton Pine, President, Sir Charles Napier. Raspbebbies.— Carter's Prolific, Fastolf. Cdrbants.— Black Naples, Lee's Prolific, Red Dutch. GoosEBEBEiES. — Whitesmith.Warrington.Crcwu Bob, Lancashire Lad. In selecting sorts of fruits it should not be lost sight of that some sorts flower later than others, and the blossoms of some sorts are more frost-proof than others, and thus the crop is often saved by late-flowering or frost resisting blossoms. If I were about to plant fruit trees for profit, I should look closely to these matters in the selection of sorts. I would also examine all the fruit trees, and talk to all the practical gardeners in the neighbourhood whom I could persuade to listen to me to ascertain which sorts produced the best and most certain crops in the district. In conclusion, let me say that the grower's work is only partly done when he gathers his crops. He has to sell them. Like other men of business, he must besufficiently intelligent, indn8trionp,and ener- getic to find the best maiket for them, and to pack them propeily, if packing is needed, or he misses the reward ot his skill and labour. Sllum NOTES.— ROSES. China Roses. — I am much obliged to " U. D." for his note (p. 5'J4) about the (-■iimriion wliite China lloNe. I have, I think, dipcoverud its wlionubouts, and hope shortly to ob- tain it, but I have only been able to find it niontloncd in one solitary Hose catalogue in this country. — T. W. O. Kose Ducher.— Ah for this Rose, if "li. D." will be so good as to tell wo where there is an cfTcctivo bed of It in bloom in sunuiier, I should bo very happy to ro and see it, anil to rejoice in somf one else's succesB with a Uoso that with IOC has proved fo complete a failure. — T. W. (.illini.s^STnsF:. Late Roses —b'ndcr this heading, ".T. C. C." in Tuk {iAUi>i<;N, Dec. 8 (p. .^^:^), speaks very highly of the old monthly China Bof^es as being continuous bloomers. I agree with all he Ins Kald in thiir f.ivour. Tliey have flowered liero unremittingly for the past eight months, ar.d show every sign of continvdng if the wtather keeps mild. I am glad to s(e that the old favo\irite Oloirodo Dijon comes in for a word of pniise. I may mention two others which aro very free autumn bloomers, viz., Choshunt Hybrid and Btarie Van Houtte.— II. Louth, Favfrnha^i, Ki-nl. Societies. THE GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND. The usual monthly meeting of the committee took Iilace at the Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi, W.C, on Friday, the 28th ult., Mr. George Deal presiding, there being a full attendance of the members. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, a communication was submitted from Mr. S. Knight, announcing the death of Mr. C. Howe, of the Gardens, Benhara Park, Newbury, a member of the committee and hon. local .secretary for that di.strict. The balance at the bank in favour of the fund is £346 18s. 9d.. and it is the intention of the committee to fund another sum of £500 at the earliest possible moment. A letter was read from Mr. 0. Thomas, the Gardens, Chatsworth, enclosing the sum ot £31 as the proceeds of the entertain- j nient recently given at Chesterfield by the gardeners I of the district on behalf of the fund, and request- ■ ing that it might appear in the subscription list as a i.-inthomunis," by Mr. Kipling; and "Sports." by "Mr. N. Davis. Each paper will be followed by discussion ;us far iis time |icrmils. All iiuiubirs and visitors to the show will be .admitted to the conference, and the room Jan. 5, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 19 or hall in which it will be held will be annotmced on the morning of the show. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Chrysanthemum Guernsey Nugget.— This is a good old kind indispensable to those who growplants for a quantity of fair-sized flowers. It was the moat conspicuous and most beautiful kind at Christmas in the conservatory at Betteshanger Rectory. Chrysanthemum Georges Sand.— Whilst many of the new kimls are useless for the open garden the above-named appears most useful, and is very beautiful in a mild season such as tliis. It is an Anemone-flowered variety with niedium- .sized flowers of a bronzy hue. During Christmas week we noted this variety in full flower in several East Kent cottage gardens, especially beautiful being some plants in a little front garden in the town of Deal. Asparagus decumbens is now very beautiful in Mr. T. Bimyard's Ashford Nursery. It is trained up a pillar, which is nearly hidden by graceful spray, which also bears a profuse crop of berries. 'In size and shape these may be likened to those of Fuchsia procumbens. In colour the berries are white, as are also the miniature Lily of the Valley- like flowers which precede them. This is a de- ciduous species, which dies down in summer, but when it commences to grow it will soon wreathe a pillar in a garlaiul of elegant spray, pretty flowers, and distinct effective berries. Ealanchoe carnea.— A spray of this compara- tively new and sweet-smelling flower comes from Messrs. J. Vcitch & Sons, of Chelsea, who truly ob- serve " it is a beautiful winter-flowering plant." and when it is known that it will thrive in a greenhouse it should become common. Its native country is doubtful, but it is allied to the scarlet Kalosanthes, to which it bears some resemblance in the character of the flowers and the way they are produced, as they are in dense flatfish corymbs of the faintest pink, and with a fragrance of Hawthorn or of Luculia gratissima. It blooms during the first two months of the year. Primroses in December. — In the garden at Betteshanger Rectory the Primroses are flowering so abundantly as to suggest spring rather than the last days of December. The tufts of the single lilac variety are full of flower, and the old double crimson, of which a plate was some time ago given in The Garden, is also in bloom. Moreover, whilst in some seasons Primroses for Easter decorations have been difficult to obtain, they were sufficiently plentiful to be used for church decoration at Betteshanger this Christmas, where we saw Prim- roses and Christmas Roses displaying their charms in association. Iris reticulata var. sophonensis. — This seems to be the first to bloom of this pretty family, as a bulb of it sent up its flower without any foliage around it (although the leaves usually precede the appear.ance of the flower by a week or more) on December 23, and opened it next day. The flower is decidedly inferior in beauty to that of the type, being destitute of the beautiful clear golden centre to the lower petal which forms such an exquisite and conspicuous contrast to the deep purple of the rest of the flower. The midrib of the lower petal of this variety is curiously raised, and is of a dull greenish yellow shade, with distinct green markings on either side of it. — W. E. G. Open-air Carnations in January.— Early in November "H., Sandwich," sent us some Carnation blooms gathered in the open air, and in the accom- panying note said that there were hundreds of buds then unexpanded. I'nharmed by wet and frosts sufficiently hard to kill Pelargoniums, these Carna- tions have contiiuied flowering, and a few days ago we saw a magnificent gathering of blooms and buds. This kind is a yellow self, and as the yellows are generally somewhat tender, the characteristic hardiness and profuse flowering qualities of this variety should lead to its extended cultivation. In the previous note it was said that the shoots were pulled off and put in like Gooseberry cuttings. A Carnation such as this has two of the most desir- able qualities for a garden Carnation, namely, hardiness and a free and prolonged season of blooming. These late flowers are produced upon the current year's growth, and are the outcome of exceptional vigour. This tendency, moreover, is exhibited by other vigorous selfs of the French strain, and to such an extent as to favour the possi- bility of our being able to obtain a new race of garden Carnations that will materially prolong the outdoor season of this beautiful flower. The garden in which the Carnations are still blooming is that of the Rev. J. Jacquet, at Tilmanstone, near Sand- wich, Kent. Orchids at Mr. Bull's.— A list of the Orchids flowering in Mr. Bull's nursery at Chelsea has been sent to us, and from this we observe that many rare kinds besides innumerable commoner species and varieties are in full beauty, comprising several genera from Ada to Vanda." Cattleya chocoensis, the variable Percivaliana, Trianse delicata, and the beautiful virginalis are in bloom, and also the exquisite Lslia albida bella and the white form of anceps. Lycaste Skinneri alba is also flowering, and Mr. Bull has an excellent stock of this lovely Orchid. When a good form is obtained it is abso- lutely pure white, as large as the ordinary type, and just as massive. Cypripediums, of course, are well represented. So also are the Odontoglossums, especially the neglected cirrhosum and its variety Hrubyanum ; Insleayi leopardinum, a richly col- oured form of this showy Orchid; hebraicum, grande and Rossi majus, the "next useful form, perhaps, to the common O. crispum. Oncidium varicosum, cheirophornm. the pretty cucullatum, and the hand- some tigrinum are also in bloom, The great evil to Orchids in the winter is the fogs, which quickly affect delicate flowers as these, and at Chelsea they are, perhaps, as dense and stifling as in any part, of the metropolis. Arum Lilies in Trelissick.- Of the numerous accounts published of late anent the mildness of the season, I doulit if any of them present greater evidence of the abnormally mild winter we are in the midst of than could be found in this place on last New Year's Day, 1889. We have here a car- riage drive over an embankment 120 yards long, crossing the head of a sheltered, sunny creek, with the sea on one side and a fresh-water pond on the other. On the salt-water side there is an unbroken line of Tamarisk, clothing the embankment with a mass of feathei-y, green foliage from the top to the beach below, aiid on very high tides it is covered by the sea to a depth of 2 feet to 3 feet, and seems to enjoy the briny element. On the fresh-water side, and growing in the water from 2 feet to 3 feet deep, are from tliirty to forty luxuriant clumps of Arum Lilies, many of them immense masses from 10 feet to 12 feet across. There are only two fully opened flowers, but scores of spathes are showing above the foliage, and although for three nights in succession we have had 3", 4°, and 5" of frost, these South African beauties have not suffered in the least. — W. S.\Nt;wiN, Trelissick. Poinsettia pulcherrima. — This lovely Euphor- biaceous plant has been seen to great advantage during the festive season of Christmastide, the mild weather allowing of its being used much more freely than if we had had cold frosty weather. Nothing could exceed the brilliancy of the display made in all the florists' shops, the Poinsettias in all cases being the most conspicuous. It is a great, pity that this useful plant cannot be used freely except in mild weather. In sharp frosty weather it is impos- sible to make such a display as has been seen this season, for as soon as exposed to cold the bracts and leaves droop down, and it is impossible to revive them again. Although no amount of hardening off will make these beautiful plants stand at a temperature approaching to freezing point, yet, if carefully har- dened off, they will stand much better than if taken from the high temperature neces.sary for the full development of the beautiful bracts and at once exposed to a much lower temperature. As soon as the bracts are fully developed, the plants should be removed and gradually exposed ; they will then last much longer, and will not suffer unless the thermo- meter falls somewhat below 40" Fahr. — A. Fhalsenopsis intermedia Portei. — There is now to be seen in Mrs. Perrins's collection, Daven- ham Bank, Malvern, one of the grandest specimens of this Orchid that it has ever been my good for- tune to witness, a single spike bearing more than fifty of its most lovely blooms. The whole of this large and varied collection is most promising and healthy. Phalaenopsids here are grown under a double' glazed roofs — evidently the most suitable way, judging liy results. — M. Covent Garden sales. — Will some reader be good enough to tell me how to proceed in the fol- lowing case ? I obtained from an October issue of The Garden the address of a fruit dealer in Covent Garden Market, and liaving a surjalus stock of Apples on liand, wrote and arranged with bim as to the disposal of same. Subsequently I forwarded a large hamper of choice Apples which he acknow- ledged, and placed an insignificant sum to my credit, which sum I have since asked him repeatedly to remit, with the empty hamper, but he has taken no notice of either of my applications. — CoBKWAiL. Death of "Viscount Eversley. — That charm- ing Hanipsliire garden, Heckfield Place, has at last lost its aged and esteemed owner, and our corre- spondent, Mr. Wildsmith, a kind and generous em- ployer in the person of Lord Eversley, who died on "the 28th ult. If he had lived till February next he would have been ninety-five years of age. Natural good health and bodily strength have doubtless helped that end, but we can hardly doubt but that the deep love for gardening in general he possessed, and for his own garden in particular, in which, when at Heckfield, he fairly luxuriated, helped materially to promote that lon- gevity, allied as it was to a kindly temper and suavity of disposition. Lord Eversley did not merely enjoy his garden, but he took the deepest interest in its welfare, and every alteration or improvement in it, however trifling, was with him the subject of keen attention. When in London for the season, Heck- field and all associated with it were pre-eminently in his thoughts. Lord Eversley was from 1839 to 1857 Speaker of the House of Commons, filling that posi- tion with remarkable dignity, and, as a reward, re- ceiving a peerage and pension, which he enjoyed for over thirty years. The title is already extinct, there being no male issue to continue it, but Heckfield will be occupied by a daughter, Miss Shaw Lefevre, for her life, and it is hoped that not only will Mr. Wildsmith continue his long and honourable con- nection with the gardens, but that under the new regime the old glories of the place wiU suffer no diminution. Death of Charles Howe. — A gardener of marked ability in liis jirofcssion and a man who made many friends by his kindness of disposition has passed away in Mr. Charles Howe, who died on Christmas Day, at Benham Park, Newbury, Bucks, the seat of Sir R. F. Sutton, Bart., whom he faith- fully served for many years. BOOKS RECEIVED. " The Englisli in Canary Isles." By S. Frances Latimer. Simptin, MarsliiU and Co. *' Notes of Tr.ivel in tlie Islands of Teneriffe and Grand Canary." By Is;iac Latimer. Simpkin, Marsliali and Co. ITames of plants. — fr. M"ntin. — 1, Dendmbium infun- dibuium ; 2, Epidcndrum ; 3, Lycaste Skinneri ; 4, Oncidium Krameri ; r*, IJendrobium; 6, Wanda suavis. J. M.—l, Cyprfpedium Harrisianum, good type : 2, Cypripedium l>ar. batum, good form ; 3, Cata, true, very good form. John Bennelt. — Good form of Dendrofjium nobile. A, E. F. — Your Fern lias been injured by frost "The Garden" Monthly Parts.— ?"*;.« jma-nn! i< ■puhllsht'l in madi/ b-nnul Monthly Partx. In this J'oiini tht coloufed 2>li'hs nrt: htt^l pir.ids and the exhaustion of the storage sap before the callus is formed at the base. The Selection of cuttings for tlie did'erent modes of propagation should be made so soon as the wood is ripe early in the autumn, but before proceeding to detacli them, the borders for the open-air batch should be broken up to the depth of 18 inches, treated to a layer of rubble* for ilrainage, and raised somewhat higher than the original level with free sandy loam made very firm to exclude air, and, at the same time, to prevent its holding too much water in suspen- sion. The best situ.ition for the open-air and cap-glass batches is a warm, but shady border protected by a hedge or wall and facing west — a position in which the natural rainfall will keep them quite moist enough certainly through the winter, if not up to the time of rooting, which w'ill not take place until after midsummer. Open-air cuttings will not require shading at first, but a few Yew or Spruce branches stuck amongst them in March and changed occasion- ally may be of service, whilst large Rhubarb leaves or sheets of paper cast over the south sides of the cap-glasses will keep the heads of the cuttings moist and cool. Next, as to the sort of w-ood most likely to callus and form roots ; short, stubby pieces 9 inches to 12 inches iu length and w^ell ripened to the points should lie preferred, and each cutting should be slipped ofi' with a heel, or, better still, detached by a cleair cut with a sharp knife with about half an inch of two year-old wood adhering to its base. If not more than a foot in leugtli the cutting will be made, otherwise it may be shortened to that length for the sake of uniformity when in- serted in the soU ; indeed, the jjropagator who would succeed with Apples must proceed pre- cisely as he woidd in the selection of Rose cut- tings by eschewing gross sappy shoots and adhering to the hard intermediate, well-ripened growths generally so iilentiful upon spur-pruned fruit bearing trees. Having made a selection of cuttings of a given sort, disbud each cutting from the base upward, leaving three or four, in- cluding the terminal bud, at the top, and dis- pose of them by dibbling in 4 inches apart and a foot from row to row. If the soil naturally is sandy, the cuttings will take care of themselves; that is, provided they are made very firm and well watered home ; the soil, on the other hand, being of an unctuous or clayey nature, good sharp grit or washed road sand should be placed under and around each cutting and pressed very firm to preserve it through the winter, and, at the same time, to facili- tate the emission of roots. Where cap-glasses or portable propagating frames are at command and home-grown cuttings are plentiful, the latter might be put in closer than I have advised for open-air cuttings ; also they might be much smaller, provided they were quite ripe, whilst the facilities thus offered for keeping them moist and close would favour detachment before the leaves fall or the cutting bed has hist its summer warmth, as there is no gainsaying the fact tliat a warm heel and a cool head are favourable to the rooting of all hardy deciduous cuttings. Treated in this way, the lights should be kept quite close until the stem-buds connnence push- ing in the spring, when air must be given to prevent the tops from exhausting the store of sap before roots are formed. When rooted — a condition which no experienced person can mis- take— gradual e.xposm-e liy tilting, and eventu- ally by the entire removal of the glass, will ensure a short-jointed, healthy growth, which must be supported by occasional overhead water- ings in dry, hot weather. Early in November a jiiece of light, rich ground should be prepared for the reception of the rooted cuttings, which again must be disbiuldcd, as in tlu! case of Currants or Gooseberries, to ensure clean sucker- less stems, whilst those which have formed the callus only may be re-inserted under the cap- glasses. W. C. Leicester, replying to a note of ours says, " The Bullace is seldom wanted. I generally Work six or eight when budding my Plum stocks just for local demand, but which I sell at the same price as Plums ; but I have no idea where you could buy 100, or even twenty." The Bullace grows in the hedgerows in many parts of England, and the best way to raise a stock would be to sow halt a bushel or so o£ it.s fruits in nursery lines. It is not uncommon in old orchards, but I suppose the Damson supplanted it in most jilaces, just as the Apple and the Pear did the Service Tree. The Sloe is confined to Europe, but tlie Bullace extends to (or from) the Himalayas and North Africa. I should think the Slirabelle race or the Cherr\' Plums are cultivated descendants of the Bullace.— B. The Bullace.— Will any reader kindly say if this is to be l;ad in nurseries? Mr. Warner, of Chrysanthemums. E. MOLYNEUX. MRS. GEORGE RUNDLE FAMILY. If there is one family or type of incurved Chrysanthonnims which is more fitted for ordi- nary decoration for both large and small growers, it is what is commonly known as the Rundle family. The prevailing rage for size in cut blooms lias ousted these small -flowered varie- ties from the exhibition table, for although blooms of any one of this type are generally voted pretty little flowers, it is found by exhibi- tors that something more than mere beauty is needed to win prizes. Ten years since any one of this family was considered quite sufficient for a stand ; now it is only when any other variety cannot be obtained that blooms of the Rundle type are admitted into competition. The blooms of this family are all of good form, and for ge- neral usefulness there is no type sujjerior to the one now under consideration. Some so- cieties, notably the Portsmouth Chrysanthemum Society at their last exhiliition, with a view to encourage these varieties for cut blooms, offer as much as £4 for the first prize for thirty-six lilooms of the three varieties, Mrs. G. Rundle, George Glenny, and Mrs. Dixon combined. It cannot be said that this class was a success, as only three jiersons competed. The smallness of the blooms left too much bare space on the boards, and beside their larger neighbours they faded in interest. If these varieties are wished to be seen in a cut state on the exhibition table, why not stage them in bunches of three blooms each .' In this manner they wmdd impart a change to the show tables, and everybody's favourites would find a place. To )irod«ce the finest blooms in point of size, form, and lireadth of petal and richness of colour in the two coloiu'ed varieties, the ])lants must have good cultivaticm. The plants grow tall, oftentimes 7 feet and 8 feet high. Pots 8 inches in diameter are large enough to grow the finest blooms in, or two plants in a 10-inch pot will suc- ceed e([ually well. From three to si.x stems to each plant will suffice. Crown buds must be selected to develop the best blooms. Plants of this family are highly jirizcd for growing into specimens of all ftirms. For producing cut blooms in quantity the plants of this family are very useful, while for market or bouquet work they have no equals in the incurved section. Strike the cuttings during January or the early |iartof February, top the shoot at a height of 4 inches, re])eating this operation several times in some cases as growth lU'occeds ; in others once or twice is sufhcient, so as to get a succession iif bloom. Good blooms, and a nundier of them, may be had with a minimum of trouble by striking tic cuttings at the time named, after- wauls i)lanting them out on an open space of ground, where they will crniphtc their sum- 22 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 12, 1889. mer's growth. During the mouth of September, according to circumstauce.s, tlie plants may be lifted with a good ball of soil attached and laid on the bed of a Cucumber liouse, or other convenient structure, where they will flower abundantly, and .succeed those grown in pots. Mrs. G. Kundle has been in existence twenty years. Tlie flowers are especially well formed, be- ing globular, the petals thoroughly incurving to- wards the centre. The flowers are of the purest ■white, hut with age become tinged with pink at 'the base. Mrs. George Paenell is considered by some to be distinct from the alxive. but the only difference I can detect is that the petals are broader in Mrs. Tamell than in Mrs. G. Bundle. This is possibly only the result of cultivation. Mrs. Naish is distinct from the original in the formation of the petals, which are more erect and square at the poirrts, not incurving nearlv so perfectly as those of the tj'pe. . Me. George Glenny is a soft primrose, the exact counterpart of its parent in form. Mrs. Dixon, of an orange-yellow colour, is very -effective. Chrysanthemum Lilian B. Bird.— This va- riety was reci-'i\eil hxnn Japan with the now famous Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. It is a flower of the largest pze, with a fuU, iiigh centre when at its best. Although it resembles somewhat in form the old Gloire Rayonnante, it is very distinct in colour, being tliroughout of that clear and soft shade of pink^ commonly called "shrimp pink," a tint quite ■new to the Chrysanthemum. The florets are all tubular, or quilled, long and slender, with the ends scarcely expanded and slightly curved inwards. The unique colour, large size, and vigorous habit make thisjone of the most valuable of recent introductions. -—Arthur H. Fewkes. ' Chrysanthemum lacustre.— When authori- ties disagree, who is to decide ? Mr. W. E. Gumble- ton states that the late-flowering Giant Daisy, .which we know as C. maximum, is not maximum at all, but C. lacustre or latifolium. Now, there resides at Smithy Bridge, near Rochdale, a Mr. D. Percival, who is acknowledged to be an accom- plished botanist and possesses an extraordinary knowledge of hardy plants. I sent him what Mr. Gumbleton regards as C. lacustre under that name, and Mr. Percival informed me that I was in error, and that he had sent me the true form of C. lacustre. This I planted and it has made a strong clump, and in habit of growth and character of flower it greatly Resembles C. Leucanthemum, but is later in bloom- ing, though this latter peculiarity might have been caused by removal. I confess that between two such authorities I am in a state of considerable perplexity. Messrs. Vilmorin & Co., in their " Les rieurs de Pleine Terre," appear to coincide with Mr. Gumbleton, and against Mr. Percival. What " A. D." grows as C. maximum I got originally under the namo of ('. lanustre.— R. D. New Chrysanthemums . - According to a con- temporary, there are ah-eady 241 Chrysanthemums announced ;is new for the year 1889, and it is more than probable that tliis number will be considerably augmented. Now, if tlicre is anyone thing tha't cm detract from tlu' ]io|:iularity of these beauti- fjl autumn ans- ing of manure is then spre.-id over the groiuiil and left rough until spring, when it is uiked over and the soil trodden firmly around the crowns. Hotbeds are being made up for forcing, and seeds of Cuciimbers, Tomatoes, and other early crops are being sown. Seakale and Rhubarb are being forced in quantity, and a number of pits and frames have been planted with early Potatoes. These get a little bottom-heat to warm the soil and give them a start into active growth. The old Ashleaf Kidney and Myatt's Prolific are still grown largely for the main early crop. A new variety called Sharpe's A'ictor is now being tried as a rivjd to these old favourites. Light, rich soil about 1 foot deep is employed for the Potatoes, and a thin crop of long Radishes is taken off the surface, as they are pulled up before the haulm of the Potatoes needs the space. Seed Potatoes for planting out- side are being laid out in single layers to sprout, so as to keep the first shoots from getting drawn up weakly. Mint roots are being taken up for forcing, as there is a large demand for green Mint about Easter, and if roots are put on a gentle hotbed they come up strong and yield a quantity of tops for cutting. Lettuce and Cauliflower plants in frames are well covered when frosts prevail, but freely ventilated on mild days. J. GliOOJl. Gosport. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Lselia anceps.— Mr. F. Bedford, Straffan House, Co. Kildare, writes, " Laelia anceps has been nice, but the flowers are nearly over. One specimen in a 12-indi pan had sixty flowers on twenty spikes. Flowers in bloom at Cork.— Mr. Hartland, of Temple Hill, Cork, sends the following note: •' All the plants mentioned are blooming here out of' doors : Double red Hepatica, Narcissus corbularia citiinus, N. minimus, Gentiana acaulis, Christmas Roses in great variety, double and single Primroses, and Polyanthuses and Oxlips of sorts. In a cold house Narcissus Ard-Righ and the white Hoop- petticoat Narciss (N. corbularia albus) are flowering." Asparagus decumbens. — How curiouB to read of this being trained up a pillar (The Ga«DEN, Jan. 5, p. 19). 1 have seen it frequently very beautifully grown, but always in a hanging basket, and when the plant is strong, its decumbent stems hang down to the length of 6 feet or 8 feet, flower- ing and fruiting freely. I remember once seeing two such plants, one on each side of the doorway of one of the glasshouses at Straffan, and which formed quite a frame of soft green drapery. — T. SMITH. Winter scenery.— Few transformation scenes could equal the one seen in the park at Hull on the morning of Sunday,the 6th. The registering ther- mometer told us of 11° of frost. The air was per- fectly still, not a breath to ruffle the scene. The fairy-like forms of the trees and shrubs, both ever- green and deciduous, seemed as if vicing with one another in beauty of outline. Form and symmetry were never more conspicuously seen than in their wintry livery— the work of a single night. The fringing, indeed, of stem and branch was simply fairy-like, and the eye could recognise through it all, so clear was the delineation against a blue and sunny sky, the rich tracery of each individual tree. The Weeping Willow was at once conspicuous from its long pendent twigs. The Birch was not far behind, the drooping of the catkins adding ma- terially to the light and shade. The various Hollies each had a pattern to admire, the .spines exhibiting their serraturcs to jierfection in rich contrast to the Mahonias that were of lowlier growth. The Coni- fers, especially the Pines, had a beauty peculiarly their own, the needle tufts exhibiting their bosses of leaves and showing how silently the frost-work had fringed them. The Wych Elms, beautiful as they are in their summer ilrcss, were more so, to my fancy, in their winter one. the apparent stiff- ness of form ttuiing (h)wn under their lleet^v ci»ver- ing of snow. The white ;nid yellow Brooms never lookeil more beaut iful. not even when festooned in wreaths of bloom in the merry month of May. The licuub.-u'dy Poplars threw up their shafts of pyra- mid.-d growth in contrast with the lovely Landscape. II would be useless to try to tell all. and 1 heard it rcuiaiked that very .seldom had Nature's winter ]>anorama been seen to such effect as on this Sunday morning. Peter Inchbald, F.L.S., Belgrave Ter- race, lliill. - Jan. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEI^. 25 ARUNDEL CASTLE. The visitor to Arundel obtains a fine view of the castle when approaching the town by rail. It stands out conspicuously, crowning a bold escarpment of the Downs, beneath which nestles the little town. Arundel Castle has an ancient history extending back beyond authentic record, although it was known as a Saxon stronghold in the year 800, our forefathers readily availing themselves of a position natu- rally strong, for, unlike the usual easy slopes of this great Down formation, the ground here falls away suddenly, so that the castle seems to stand on the edge of a precipice. Time and war, for the castle has been thrice besieged, have long ago left their marks and partly dis- mantled the original structure, so that much of the present building is of modern erection, but the early style has been still kept up and the very fine Tulip trees are here, one on either side of the walk, and then we come to a group of trees planted by notable visitors. A Cryptomeria japonica planted by the Duchess of Kent in 1848 has made a handsome specimen nearly 50 feet high. Two Oaks are next seen, one planted by the Queen and the other by Prince Albert, when on a visit to the place in December, 184G. Curiously enough, although both were planted on the same day, the one planted by the Q ueen is nearly twice the size and girth of the other. Close by, a large Deodar is labelled as having been planted in December, 1830. It has made a wonderful growth in the time, ana instead of keeping to one main stem has branched out close to the ground, and these branches are now like the great limbs of some ancient Oak. A fine Manna Ash, 60 feet high, that had flowered freely, showed what a distinct acuminata is a large tree 80 feet high, but the best Magnolias we have ever seen are in what is known as the dairy garden . Magnolia grandi- flora, Soulangeana and purpurea have grown into trees. Of these there are a dozen, one of grandiflora having branches covering a piece of ground 10 yards in diameter, the stem of the tree girthing nearly 5 feet. Some Camel- lias planted out also promise to grow vigo- rously. Two very fine Minorca Box demand special mention. Near these is a Loquat, the finest probably in the country and growing fuUy in the open. It was planted some years ago by Lord Edward Howard and is now 25 feet high, the branches coming down to the ground. Mr. Burbury said it flowered pro- fusely in November, 1887, but the flowers were not so pretty as those of the common Medlar. For noble-looking foliage the Loquat AruuJul Castle, from the meadow. EngraveJ for The Garden from a photograph by Messrs. Poulton. castle is quite as imposing. The now Ivy- mantled keep is probably the remains of the Saxon fort. It is a fine example of massive , masonry, with walls from 10 feet to 15 feet thick, . reared upon a mound quite 100 feet above the fosse beneath. Notwithstanding the great undu- lations of surface, necessit:iting artificial means of access, the natural gradation of the ground has been preserved in its entirety, and the re- sult is charming. In the more level portions of the grounds the walks are margined with broad grassy verges of turf with groups and isolated specimens of beautiful trees. One walk was bordered with Pine trees, among which were noticed fine specimens of Pinus Strobus, P. Laricio, P. Cembra, and a very fine P. insignis in the best of health and from 80 feet to '.10 feet high. Here also was noticed a noble tree of Abi«s Morinda fully GO feet high. Two and beautiful tree this ia. Kcelreiiteria panicu- lata has grown into a great tree nearly 50 feet high, and last year flowered most profusely. Close by and fruiting freely, whilst of still larger dimensions, wa? a noble tree of the Hickory Nut. The great tree of Ailantus justifies the supposition that it was one of the earliest planted ones. It had some mag- nificent leaves with twenty pairs of leaflets, and the tree also flowers freely. The Kentucky Cuffee Tree (Gymnocladus canadensis) was a grand specimen from 70 feet to 8(1 feet hio;h. Some fine old Medlars were very beautiful and showed how in our search for novelty we have neglected them and overlooked their capa- bility for making in many places distinct and pretty effects. We noted a fine old tree of the Catalpa and an old Judas tree that has been supported with iron bands. Magnolia ia distinct, so also was a great tree of the Japan Sophora that stood near. In some parts were deep shady dells between great banks of chalk, and here the natural vegetation was sufficient in itself. Along these glades, shaded by large Beeches, Wych Elms, and Yews, was one of the most beautiful aspects of native vegetation we have seen. The chalky banks were but sparsely clothed with Ivy and Grass, above which the Hart'a-tongue Fern grew in abundance. There were immense broad sheets and isolated tufts that sent up fronds nearly a yard long. Ferns generally do not like chalk, but the Ilart'a-tongue revels in it. This shady walk emerging from between steep banks leads along the side of another steep slope and again down to where the chalk rises up like a straight wall. The Polypodium m;iy l>e seen, high on the trees. It is not uncommon to see it groTi- 26 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 12, 1889. ing around a tree stem or clustering in the hedgerow, but to see it growing lOU feet up on the branches of a tree ia certainly unusual. "We now reach the higher ground, passing into the flower garden, environed with a flint wall. In this enclosure is the great pattern flower garden, but it was indeed a surprise to find it without a bedding plant, yet gay with flowers. Mr. Burbury said that the late Duchess of Nor- folk did not like the incongruous efi'ect produced by introducing modern flower gardening in proximity to the keep and ancient castle walla. The bedding out was done away with, hardy flowers, annuals or any of the simple old-fashioned flowers being alone p^^rmitted. Though the hardy flowers were pretty, they did not look perfectly at home in a f rmal garden with pattern beds. It is something we are quite unaccustomed to to find a garden without bedding plant.", and this garden was the most interesting and prettiest we have seen for a long time. There was plenty of flower and abundance of colour. The beds of Alstrce- merias, especially the variable coloured A. chili- ensis, were moat beautiful. In this garden, too, were Pyrethrums, Aquileg'as, Pinks, Car- nations, Phloxes, Clematisep, great bushes of hardy Fuchsias, summer-flowering and annual Chrysanihemums, t-'alvia", Day L'-lies, Hya- ointhus candicang, Liiies of difl'erent kinds, Pentstemons, and btds of choice annuals. It was not the usual indiscriminate mixture of hardy flowers, as usually seen, but each bed had its distinct kind, provided its own mass of colour toned down by its own foliage ; some plants were tal), others short ; each showed its own individuality, and the picture was one of simple, quiet beauly, and a striking contrast to the commonly seen " bedding out." The park is iudced an ideil English park, 6 miles round and some 1100 aces in extent. It ia really a great enclosure of the South Downs, and although there are great masses of wood- land and Fir-crowned knolls, the trees are not of extraordinary s'za by reason of the poor s )il in which thoy grow. There are some fiae groups of aged and gnarled Hawthorns and siunted Maples, and the scenery it of the grandest description. We crossed the park to view the landscape, and in doing so came to one of those deep natural glades of which the "Devil's Dyke" is a good example. From a plateau the ground tuddenly slopes down, steep, yet smooth, as though graded by the hand of man, and carpeted with turf, sloping down and terminating in a flat, smooth bottom, which looks almost like an ancient river bed. A herd of deer, numbering about 1000, were in the distance. This is essentially a deer park of sufficient extent to keep the deer with- out showiug so much of the hideous fencing which mars the landscape of many an otherwise pretty park. Looking southwards, the scene is very pretty; the park suddenly slopes down to a level plane, through which the little river Arun meanders, pa.s.sing clo.se beside the park walls, past the town, and away to Littlehamp- ton, which is seen upon the sea-coast some milfs away. A good view is obtained of the sea and the We of Wight; in fact, all the ele- ments y a steep Beech-clad slope, making a great bank of foliage which comes down to the water's edge. At one end of the lake it a narrow stiip of level ground backed by chalk walls festooned with Traveller's i Joy. Fringing the water is a Privet rarely seen (Liguatrum lucidum floribundum), and which has here grown into a tree 40 feet high. Mr. Burbury says it is as pretty in October as a large bush of white Lilac is in May. In the glasshouse department the great crops of Grapes and Pines merit a passing word, and Melons ara admirably grown. Three batches of Melons had been grown in the Melon house last season. To keep up this successional cropping Mr. Burbury grows the Melon plants on into 6-inch pots, and when one crop has been matured the old bed is cleared away, a new one made, and a few days having elapsed for the soil of the newly-made bed to become warm, the plants are put out and soon commence fruiting. Flower Garden. FL0\\T1;R GARDEN NOTES. Border v.\bieties of Carnations and Picotees. — The ground is so wet by reason of the abnormal amount of rain that fell last month, that the present spell of frosty weather makes us anxious as to the safety of these plants. The plants made compara- tively little growth during last summer, and that was late, so that layering could not be done at tlie ])roper time ; consequently very few were well rooted at the time for severing them from the parent plants. We decided, therefore, to let all of them remain as they were till spring. This will explain the anxiety for their safety, all our stock being, as it were, at the mercy of the weather. Cocoa fibre has been applied for root-protection, and a light straw covering for the tops. It is only two years since that these plants were first made a speciality of here, but they liave in that time done so well as to gain, it not quite, almost the first position amongst border flowers generally, and espe- cially have they been prized for use as cut flowers and for button-hole and bouquet making. The fol- lowing are some of the most favourite varieties of Cloves : The Old Red, known to everybody, if not so refined a flower as many, is still the sweetest scented. Also good are Amethyst, another scarlet; Ducliess of Westminster, white ; Improvement, purple ; Mrs. Teigner, rose ; Mary Morris, deep rose ; Prince Imperial, purplish crimson ; Royal Purple and W. P. Milner, pure white, a good gi'ower and early. The freest growing border Carnations and Picotees are Comet, Endymion, Guiding Star, Mirabel, Queen Victoria, Warrior, Priile of Penshurst, and Sir Beauchamp Seymour. Hardy flowering plants of easy propaga- tion AND CULTURE.— Since increased interest has been given to hardy flowers, I have occasionally talked with persons who, whilst expressing them- selves as being piirtial to hardy flowers, yet fought shy of their cultivation on the ground of expense and the time it would take to get up a collection. One — a lady fond of a garden, yet of limited means — even went so far .as to tell me she despaired of ever getting up a collection worth looking at, be- cause she had recently sent for the liighest priced collection named in the catalogue of a firm tliat made sucli plants a specialty, and they had sent lier the most insignificant bits of plants tliat would t;ike years (she thought) to grow into good pieces. I had a good deal of symp;ithy witli licr, as more tlian once I have been a similar victim, I tliink un- intentionally though, small pieces h.aving been .sent simply because tlie demand Ii.ad been so great. Tlic remedy for sucli .a state of things is, 1 tliink, mainly in our own hands, and that is to grow ]ilaiits for ourselves. Exerybody having the most ordinary i;ai'den ap])liances can do iiiurli in this diroction. cither l>y niishig fro]u seeds, or by division ul' roots of any of the foUowint;, all of tliem being aiiu'iKiblc to the simplest mode of jiropagation and cultivation. I name them alphabet ically: — Antirrhinums (or Sn;ipdragons). — Seeds of these plants sown now in pans and placed in an ordinary Cucumber frame, where the tempera- ture ranges between 45° and 65°, will quickly ger- minate and grow away so freely, as to be ready to plant out by end of April and flower profusely by midsummer and throughout the summer and autumn. Cuttings strike readily under the same conditions, and when it is wished to retain a fa- vourite variety this is the only mode of propagation that should be attempted. Though Snapdragons are proverbially sun-loving plants, yet throughout the " wet -winter" summer of last year few hardy flowers continued so gay as these. Aquilegias (or Columbines). — The varieties of these are now immense and from a shilling packet of seed scores of plants may be raised. Sow the seed in pans of light vegetable soil, press down firmly, cover the pans with glass, and place them in a cold frame. The seedlings come up much stronger and grow away better than when raised in warmth. If sown now a few will flower to- wards the end of the summer, and the second season they will be equal to the finest plants that can be bought at any nursery. The best Aquilegias, I think, are cienile.a, chrysantha, and glandulosa, but amateurs may prefer to have a mixture of all the kinds, and this can be obtained of any respectable seedsman. Delphiniums (perennial Larkspurs). — These are amongst the first to make a good show in the herbaceous department of a garden, and as they continue for a very long time in a gay condition and are also invaluable for cutting, I class them very nearly at the top of the list of herbaceous perennials. Seeds never fail to germinate well, and the best way to raise them is to sow in pans and place them in warmth— say about 55" — till the seed- lings appear, then transfer them to a cold frame there to grow on until ready to plant out in the open borders. It is very rarely the plants flower before the second season, but after that they grow away at a great pace, after which division of roots is, perhaps, the best way of getting up a stock quickly, as it certainly is of increasing good varie- ties. Seedlings vary, and cannot always be relied on to turn out well. Propagation by division may be done any time between November and February. I note that old stools are throwing up new growths already, and no time should therefore be lost in taking ofl'sets or of transplanting any that are intended to be moved. CEnotheeas (Evening Primroses). — This isa class of hardy perenni.al plants that continues flowering for a, longer period than any other I can call to mind, and in addition to this free-flowering pro- jjcnsity, all the varieties have beautiful foliage, mostly of a bronzy coloured green, and the colour of the flowers ranges from what I shall call a white - sulphur colour through all the various shades of yellow to deep orange. Seeds are of easy germination if treated in the manner named for raising Delphiniums, and division 'of plants is also just as readily performed. For getting up a large stock quickly, seed-sowing is best, and, con- trary to the general rule, the varieties come very true from seed, or, in other words, rejiroducc them- selves. The varieties I prefer arc acaulis. Lamarcki- ana, Fraseri and macrocarp.a. All the varieties are not only first-rate border flowers, but the growth being half trailing in character, they are well suited tor planting on rockwork or other positions where a pendent liabit is desirable. PlILOX, perennial. — Perennial Phloxes were last year the best of the border flowers. They began to tlower in May and till the severe frost of October 2 there was no waniiii; in their beauty. Add to this free and continuous flowering, the great range in colour of the long- busting flowers, and their use when cut, and an apiu'oximate estimate of their value will be obtained. They can also be obtained from seeds, but I have never known the seed to germinati' well, and do not therefore advise this plan. Cuttings taken any time during the summer and inserted in liandlights on a shailed border strike freely. They should as soon as struck be ]ilanted H inches or 4 inches •apart on a warm border and be allowed to winter there, and permanently iilanted in the borders in Jan. 12, 1889.J THE GARDEN. 27 spring. Division of roots is also a successful way of increasing stock, but plants so obtained, I always fancy, produce inferior flowers to those propagated by cuttings. RuDBECKiAS.— There are no hardy autumn-flower- ing perennials that better withstand all the vicissi- tudes of weather without injury than do the several varieties of Rudbeckias, and few that make a better show and none that stand for a longer time when cut. To those who do not know the plants, tlie flowers may be described as large Marguerites, having deep yellow petals and jet-black "centres, with long stout stems most suitable for vase decora- tion. They are free-growing, and stock can be rapidly increased by splitting up old plants, as the merest particle soon grows into a good plant. The plants bear removal at any time, but early spring- time is best. I have never attempted rai-sing any from seeds; consequently cannot say whether or not they come true, nor yet advise as to the way of raising the seedlings. The best variety is Newmani, but californica and maxima are also good. General work.— To push along with shrub- pruning and clipping hedges so long as the weather continues dry. Dig and sift gravel for repairing walks and coach roads. Wheel soil and manure to stations that are to be prepared for tree planting as soon as frost has ended. Indoors, to look over the roots of Dahlias and put in warmth kinds that are to be propagated in quantity, and see that all other flower roots and tubers are securelv protected from frost. " W. W. SINGLE VIOLETS. There is probably more money in good single Violet flowers now than there is in any other ordi- narily grown market flower. That is saying a good deal in face of the fact that Chrysanthemums, Roses, and many other flowers are grown in large quantities. But what better flower is there of which we can gather great quantities from the open ground through the montli of December, or indeed at any time during the winter if the weather is for a few days open and mild ? Then, let fashion in flowers be what it may, the taste for Sweet Violets never varies, the popularity of these humble flowers never wanes. As long as Violets have sweet perfume, so long will the fancy for them last. We have been having Violet flowers in great profusion this winter; indeed, we have rarely had a better time for them. This abundance of flowers is most chiefly due to the cool moist summer, which preserved the foliage and kept the plants growing, anil it is to some extent also due to tlie better knowledge possessed by planters of treating Violets so as to induce them "to bloom during the autumn and winter. Ordinarily, old plants are broken up and the side pieces taken off and dibbled out in the spring as soon as the bloom is over. Tliat method answers very well when the summer is cool and rains are abundant, but should the summer prove bot and dry, growth is slow, many pieces die, the plants generally suffer from thrips and spider, and the resulting crowns in the autumn lack strength. Now, some growers have taken to breaking up old clumps in the autumn, and filling up the ground after Potatoes and otiier sum- mer vegetable crops are off. All such plantings do well ; they soon make root, grow all the winter, and are too strongly rooted to suffer from the summer heat. They then bloom early in tlie autumn, and more or less all through the winter. It is very easy to have Violets in abundant bloom in the spring; ordinarily.the end of March and beginning of April are the Violet months, when every plant will flower in great profusion. But just then, because the market is glutted, the flowers bring but a poor re- turn, and should the Frencli flowers be good, sale at any price is often difficult. Growers, there- fore, do not care to have all their plants blooming in the spring, neither also do the women pickers. In all cases, if the gatherings be at all considerable, the pickers are paid at tlie rate of Id. per dozen bunches, and in a good season a smart hand will gather from forty to sixty iitting should be very firm. Water freely, and do not allow the soil to become like; a bog, liard potting being the best way to jireveiit this. I have nieeived these plants from thi'ir native homes in a calcareous, clayey marl, but have n, had been in tlu^ hauils of the grower for u]>wards of four years, being one of the fir.st .specimens of C. Gode- froyix! which were sold, and cert.-iiuly long before C. bellatulum was even known to exist. It is true that all varieties of C. Godefroyae are not of the same iiuaiity ; far from it ; but the same variations exist in regard to the new-comer. We have in Ly(':iste Skimieri var. Inqierator one of the best known forms of this pojiular species, with bold flowers measuring from 5 inches to ti inches from tip to tip of the sepals. Its broad jietals are of an intensely deep velvety crimson colour, the lip, of the same colour, being oniaiiiented by white mottlings; the sepals, which are of a light lilush tint, form a beautil'id background to the flower. Dendrobiuni Cooksoni is a very interesting jilant of tlie nobile type, wliieli it ri'si'uibles in general ap|ieaiaiice, but the lower half of each of the broad petals is of a rich purplish crimson shade, Jan. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 31 the expanded portion white, with the tip mafrenta ; the sepals are rnse-raa^enta at the apex and suf- fused with a similar tint. Several handsome forms of the deservedly popular Odontoglossum crispum have also made their appearance, the two prin- cipal ones being 0. crispum pardalinum and the Charlesworth variety. Both forms belong to the section with heavily blotched flowers ; in the latter one, indeed, the flowers, which are well formed, show scarcely any traces of white, ex- cept at the margins of the petals, which are very broad and slightly fringed. The whole of the flower is of a rosy-crimson hue and heavily blotched with reddish-brown. The flowers, disposed on a long raceme, are about 20 inches long. The variety pardalinum is undoubtedly one of the most striking of the numerous forms known, and is characterised by the bold spots and bars with which the petals and sepals are ornamented. They are of a deep brownish-crimson colour on a naturally white ground. The beauty of the flower, which is of medium size only, is further enhanced by the bright yellow colour of the crest. Poe's variety of Odonto- glossum Pescatorei must, however, not be omitted, for it is a striking variety of a species which is not much given to variation. The flowers are of ex- ceptionally handsome form and excellent outline, the sepals and petals being of firm texture and marked with rich spottings of the deepest purple- crimson imaginable. The lip is pure white and ornamented with a bright yellow crest. S. Cjrpripedium Sallieri.— My note upon this plant in The Garden of December 22 (p. 587), in which I noted the fact of an imported seedling Cypripedium, flowering in Mr. Shuttleworth's nur- sery at Clapham, being exactly like a good form of C. fSallieri, thus tending to prove that if not a species it is a natural hybrid, has brought the fol- lowing note from M. Sallier fils. He says — For the sake of truth I must say we never made the supposed cros3. Twenty years ago, at a time when Orchids, and especially Cypripediums, were not ao buu'ed for, we had many large plants of 0 insigne; amongst them two plants were noticed and labelled as good varieties, and these years, after we named C. Sallieri, so that this statement would lead one to suppose the above were imported plants, and the appear- ance of Mr. Shuttleworth's seedling confirms the supposition that if is a hybrid form, it is of natural origin. This, however, does not in the least detract from its beauty. M. Sallier fils says further that The two original plants were not al ke, find that probibly the variety now called Hyeauum is from one of tlie-e plants. This, however, I cannot agree with, as it is so very distinct, and we have two forms bearing the name of Sallieri besides it in our gardens. For the means of clearing up the origin of this species or variety called Sallieri, I have to thank M. Sallier fils, who thus prevents the supposition of its garden origin from being spread erroneously. — W. H. G. Cypripedium margaritaceum. — This is a re- markable species, figured in the December number of M. Godefroy-Lebeufs " L'Orcbidophile." It has not yet been introduced to Europe in a living state, but I have little doubt but that this ardent horti- culturist will spare no pains to introduce it to his establishment at Argenteuil. I observe in a con- temporary a notice of this plant in which it is said " it is reported to grow on trees." This is, how- ever, incorrect, as M. Franchet, in describing the plant in " L'Orcbidophile," says : " This curious plant grows under large trees in a soil of debris and leaves." It is thus plainly seen that it belongs to the terrestrial section, but of such a distinct type as to induce M. Franchet to form a new sec- tion, which he calls Trigonopedi.a. It is curious to observe that C. japonicum from Japan and this Chinese plant both differ from eacli other, and also from the \orth American and European terrestrial kinds to which they are allied. C. japonicum was grown in quantity in the nunseries of the late Messrs. Ilollisson at Tooting with the North Ameri- can .species, but I have not seen it lately. I hope it is not lost, or if so, that it will soon again be im- ported, whilst this Chinese species introduced to our notice by M. Godefroy-Lebeuf will be anxiously looked for by our Cypripedium-loving amateurs. Judging by the plate, it is a very handsome flower ; the leaves are profusely spotted with dull reddish purple on a light green ground. The flower is represented to be 3 inches across, and the sepals and petals of a reddish violet hue, ornamented with dark purple spots arranged in lines between the veins; the lip is reddish black, dotted all over with black wart-like spots, whilst its form is very curious. In shape it is said to resemble a boat, but to me it appears to more resemble the frame of a guitar, and it has the same circular opening with a frilled edge. It is figured in the Chinese En- cyclopaedia under the name of Lau-houa-Chouang, which name, however, will certainly never become popular in England for this beautiful and distinct species of Lady's Slipper, which we sincerely trust M. Godefroy-Lebeuf will soon introduce to us in a living state.— W. H. G. ORCHIDS AT LOWFIELDS. Mr. Dougla.s alluded, recently, to the homely contrivance used here for avoiding high heating of the jiipes in Orcliid Iiouses, on frosty nights, by sheets of sacking drawn over the glass out- side. The idea is not so brilliant but that it may have occurred to more experienced growers than myself ; though, as Mr. Douglas believes, it may not be usual to let Orchids sleep under both panes and counterpanes. I am, liowever, sure that there is a kindlier and less exciting warmth obtained iiy checking loss of heat through r.adiatiou than is jMssible by keeping up the temperature with pipes alone under the naked glass. The difference is jserceptible, if difficult to describe, between one and the same temperature maintained under bare or covered glass. The nature of the heat, in the former case, feels liard and forced and feverish ; in the other it seems of a softer, gentler, and more restful character. The one is dry and wakeful, and of less equal distribution, while the otlier has a dewiness, mildness, and equability that make it feel the cooler, and that is something. There are few nights thronghout the year on which 1 do not make a round througli all the liouses ; and I noticed how the sharp frosts or biting winds of winter nights so chilled the bare glas.s of the heated hou.ses, that faint njists of condensed moisture w(juI<1 ste.-d tihnily along the wet glass inside, and wreathe themselves rcnnid any plants suspended near the light Now these ghostly vapours lay no clammy touch u]ion the foliage, and the plants have been fatter and glossier for being no longer haunted by such sap-curdling apparitions. 1 think the atmospheric moisture in the Orchid quarters here might be considered high for winter, though distinctly below that main- tained in summer. However, there is no stag- nation of air or water, and no nnscliief comes. In a much mixed collection a number of species will be growing through the winter, and 1 cannot keep these to themselves; but 1 find if those at rest are kept dry in jiot or block or basket, they do not dislike, but rather enjoy an atmosphere congenial to growing plants. Thunias, Cycnoches, Mormodes, Catasetums, some Dendi'obes and others of like habits that resent dampness when at rest are dry enough on shelves over the pipes and near the glass. I think a well mixed collection is the nicist enjoyable form of Orchid culture — the most interesting, the most changeful, and the most educational. Over the Orchid house door might be written for a motto: "Ne quid nimis — Too much of nothing !" I rejoice in having no flagged or tile-])attemed floors nor any surfaces (except one length of shelf for dry rest) that may quickly dry and re- quire to be suddenly "damped down." AVith the exception of a hardened pathway, the floors are. of the native earth, slightly covered with bright coke siftnigs, and almost uniformly moist. Here, again, there is a kindlier and mcire fragrant moistness given oft' than that which is produced by periodic splashiugs upon hard, unsjunpa- thetic flooring. Non-ten-estrial as so many Orchids arc, they yet all seem so far to love and look to mother earth as to delight in the sweetness that earth gives off. One valuable result of a soft, rich, equable moisture is that I have had no trouble with red spider. Even those two Dendrobes ( jf so suscejitible leaf, D. Falconeri and D. Devonia- luini, to which a red spider will resort if he can ex- ist at all, are not visited by one. With this free- dom gained, 1 have iio difficulty withthem,thougli Falcnneri is worth any further care. A practical old fellow, who grew it siilcndidly, said that in summer-time he tossed it into the water-tank before breakfast and picked it out when he came back. It does well with frequent baths in dry summer weather, and 1 keep it close to the glass (roof and side) at the brightest end in an inter- mediate terajjerature. In this way it forms nodes that swell and ripen well. Narrow little knots, with feeble foliage soon shed, cannot bloom. I do not dry it oB' as long as it chooses to grow freely. Young growths retain their foliage and some growth through the winter, but the fat little ripened nodes lose theirs when matured, only a few bright leaves remaining at the end for continuations. The ueedle-like stems, on which the buds are carried, are easily rubbed off when young, and hence the plants should not be exactly " tosEcd ' into the tank at that stage. Mr. Douglas will know I did not mean to be vague when I said of Cattlcya citrina that I did not know what 1 did particularly with it. All, however, I can say is, that I do not grow it so cool, or so bare, or so dry as I have seen it in collections where it certainly does not thrive. In a sense not evil, it is a very restless plant with me, and I let it have its own way. It starts into fresh growth not long after the bloom is over, and always will grow vigomusly through the winter. It seems to Tause awhile just after the tips of the flower-spikes .apjiear, which are showing on some of the plants now. It is kept as close to the glass as the blocks will go. 1 have the most of it of any Orchid. None are more pro- gi'essive or more vigorous ; it was in bloom in four successive months last season, and there is no credit in growing it. It remains in a full Cattleya temperature. The bulbs retain their foliage till the third year, and the young growths are liable to spot or damp oft" if, after being dipped, any pearly drop of water is left lodged in them. The whole habit of the plant is well adapted for throwing olf water. Natvirally thatched, so to say, by its downward growth, the leave.s also have a surface that turns rain as readily as those of the Nasturtium. But the leaves, that are jroof against any natural rainfall, are not arranged to meet the adventi- tious deluge of a dippuig, and may UHjiiire help- There is a largo pod on one C. citrina which 1 fertilised with a line form of C Mossia^, and a still larger one from the reverse cross. I do ho] e that some seed may germinate ; for, to s;iy nothing of a joy so distant as that of seeing a hybrid seedling bloom, great would bo the reward, along the way, of seeing what arrange- ments of their own the seedlings would adopt between parents of one family so ditierent in habit as the.se two Cattleyas. One thinks the more of such wayside jileasure because it may be all that we m.iy live to see. Yet, let not the 32 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 12, 1889. thought, tliat oftentimes "another reapeth," deter the hand tliat can sow. Bwion-in- Lonsdale. F. D. Horkee. HARDY ORCHIDS. The •wavy-leaved Orchid (Orchis undulatifolia) succeeds admirably as an outdoor plant ; indeed, next to 0. foliosa, I consider it one of the most valuable for gardening purposes. I have grown it for many j-ears and found it to be perfectly hardy, of very free growth when suitably placed, and a most ornamental and desirable species. There is a beautiful form of this Orchid having mottled leaves, but it is extremely scarce, and in which the flowers are individually larger, of far brighter colours, and of better substance, lasting nearly half as long again as those of the normal green-leaved plant. It flowers at the same time, but so distinct and superior is it to the typical form, that I have frequently been tempted to describe it as a distinct species. I have succeeded best with the wavy- leaved Orchid when planted in limy loam and in a partially sheltered position, but I do not think that it is at all a mifty plant to deal with, for I flowered for four or five years a clump of half-a-dozen plants that, for want of space elsewhere, were planted out beneath a big Corsican Pine. The plants start into growth in late winter, so one would naturally con- clude that they would suffer in consequence ; but not so, for nearly ten years' experience of them has proved that they are quite hardy. A top-dressing of good leaf-mould and sharp sand is highly benefi- cial, and it is quite interesting to watch the thickish rootlets strike directly upwards to the freshly- applied compost. In planting I always surround the tubers with rough sand. 0. GLOBOSA I consider an easily managed and highly ornamental plant. It grew well with me in ordinary red loam, mixed with about one-third of its bulk of rough boggy earth— not good peat. The flower-head is globular in shape, about 2 inches long, and of a most attractive shade of red, while the flowers are of great substance and last well. It has pea-green, stiff foliage, and with me attained to fully 18 inches in height. A clump of three or four plants when in full flower has a distinct appear- ance, and from their bright shade of red and peculiar spherical shape they are sure to attract attention. Rarely have I seen this species under cultivation, and the " more's the pity," for it would charm any flower lover when seen in good form during early June. Both this and the latter species increased with me under outdoor cultivation, which speaks much in their favour. The Beown Man Oechid (0. fusca) is one of our handsomest native species, and one that is by no means difficult to manage if well-rooted plants or sound, uninjured tubers are at first procured. It is di.stressing to see the poor, dwindling, cut- rooted specimens of Orchids that are sent out to fulfil orders ; indeed, it is not the first time that I have thrown on the rubbish heap a tenth of the plants that have been sent me and for which I paid dearly. Let everyone remember that there is per- haps no tribe of bulbous plants that so keenly re- sents maltreatment as terrestrial Orchids, for, cod- dle them as you will, you cannot resuscitate their im- paired faculties. We must not, however, be too hard on Orchid collectors, a truth that was forcibly brought liome to me the other day when striving to lift a few plants of Cephalantliera grandiflora. Silky loam of the very best quality, not too deep planting, and a fair supply of moisture are about the main requirements (jf Orchis fu.sca. For its quaintly sh.-ipeil and richly marked flowers, every- one who can command a specimen should en- deavour to grow this pretty native Orchid. I do not know if there are now any plants of it really wild in England. I hope so, but I have not met with one in the Orchid county of Britain — Kent. TiiK.siiovvYOEC'iiin(0. spcctabilis) I have grown well from plants kindly sujiplied me on more th:m one occasion by Mr. Ellw.-iiiger, of Hochoster, N.Y. He alw.-iys speaks liif;hly of it as ;m ornamental jilaiit, and of how well it does on liis rockwork. It de- lights in loam and leaf-mould, but the latter should be in greatest quantity and freely intermixed with clean sand. The flowers are almost a bright pink, occasionally purplish pink, and borne in rich pro- fusion. In its native Canadian wilds it is found growing beneath Beech and other trees, but it will succeed perfectly well in the open. In growth and habit it is remarkably stiff-set and stout of scape, with green leaves and a neat habit. The Elder-scented Oechid (0. sambucina) does fairly well in the open border, but it wants a sunny, dry summer to perfect the yellow blooms. It is a sweet little plant of robust growth, and puts one somewhat in mind of a flower of the Butterfly Orchid (Haberaria bifolia) placed on the stem of Orchis ustulata. The flower-head is big in propor- tion to the plant's height, compact, and unusually gay when fully developed. I grew it weU in very sandy leaf -mould and where partially screened from the mid-day sun and hard-blowing winds. That it is a very satisfactory outdoor Orchid I will not say from my own experience ; at least, it cannot in this respect compare with any of the fore-mentioned species. 0. sulphurea or pallens, 0. Stabiana, 0. pauciflora— a most ornamental Italian species— and 0. Robertiana I have repeatedly tried, but they bloom well enough for two or three years, but are then worked out, and I defy all the coddling and best of management to bring them up to their original vigour. To anyone who can afford to buy an annual supply of these four species, I would say by all means do so, as their flowers are pretty and of distinctive character. Amongst our native species, as well as 0. fusca already spoken of, there are several that are very satisfactory subjects for the outdoor garden, fore- most amongst which the early purple Orchid (0. mascula) and the spotted-leaved (0. maculata) are conspicuous. They are easily managed when good, uninjured plants are at first obtained, of very free growth if planted in a rational and common- sense way, and remarkably handsome wlien clumped in good broad masses, as they always should be for effect. Some years ago a friend in Edinburgh asked me for a few tubers of 0. maculata ; I sent them, and on visiting the friend some years after- wards was shown such clumps of the Orchid in full flower as quite surprised me. No extra care had been expended on planting ; they had been put in holes without any addition to the ordinary garden soil, which was a peaty loam. The roots of O. mas- cula are readily enough raised, but when we come to the palmate section, and of which O. maculata is an excellent type, then the trouble begins, for the wandering rootlets get nipped and broken. The Maesh Orchid (O. latifoUa) I never could manage, but perhaps I had not the swampy bed that it so delights to send out its stringy rootlets into. It is a lovely plant, the well-packed head of deep port-wine flowers being particularly attractive. For several years a friend of mine has flowered it well as a pot plant, the soil being almost wholly a roughish peat. The pot is occasionally stood in the slate cistern where the Cape Pondweed and white Water Lily are grown. A. D. Webster. destruction wrought by this unmerciful fiend, and during the last days of December and the first few days of January the destruction done has been something sad to contemplate. I cannot help thinking but if some efforts were made to exclude the murky fumes fromenteringthe planthouses, that it might be done, and no doubt the double roofs, which were tried some few years back and found unsuitable for the growth of Orchids might avert the damage wrought by the fog. These, however, are now not available, and I think the next best thing would be some sackcloth to fit close down to the glass and close the laps. I know from experience that plants in flower set on the floor under the stage remain comparatively unharmed, and I think for those in the neighbourhood of London and other large cities something might be done to avert the calamity. What effect does the the fog in country places have upon the blooms of Orchids 1 As far as I have seen, very little damage accrues, but in London it is not Orchid flowers alone that suffer, but eveiy plant under glass is more or less affected. The question should be token in hand, as the benefit to be obtained is so immense, that the expense necessary would be well laid out if some antidote could be found. — W. H. G. SB OUT NOTES.— ORCHIDS. Odontoglossum Alexandras guttatum.— A plant uf ttji.s variety in nnw iu tlower in Mr. Jacumb's gardou at Obe.im Faik. It in a vtry lieavily spotted fonn, and tlie spots of choculate are very rielily coloured. The blooms will last several weeks iu water. Sophronitis grandiflora.— I recently noted the finest variety of tliis plant which it hag boon my good fortune tn nhserve fJowcring with Mr. lionny in his nursery at ili^xtable, Swanley. The flowers measured fully 3 inches across, the petals being very broad, whilst the colour was a. brilliant scarlet. — W. Cypripediums in winter.— These plants are excellent winter bloomers, and whore a fair collection is maintained, flowers will never be wantingat any time in tlio whole season, I noted some eighteen kinds iu matiy oxamjili's llowei'Ini,' in Mr. Wifliams' nursery at Holloway during tho Christmas week. — G. The Fog: Demon.— This is mw. of tho most aniioyin;; cxiicriciiiTs fur London Orchid growers, nothing yet having been discovered to avert tlic Garden Flora. PLATE 683. VENICE MALLOW. (with a coloitked plate of hibiscus trionum.*) When seen at its best, few annuals are more admired or more worthy of careful cultivation than that represented in the accompanying coloured plate. Those of our readers who are well acquainted with the typical H. Trionuin as commonly found in old-established mixed borders, beds, itc, and rarely absent from good collections, will at once see the immense im- provement in our present plant. H. Trionum appears to be an extremely vari.able species, aiul little wonder, seeing the length of time it has been cultivated in gardens, and also the fact of its being so widely dispersed over all the warm regions of the Old World. It is usually described as a common sub-tropical weed, found plentifully in cultivated fields in Afghanistan. Specimens of it, which, however, were \ery small- flowered — indeed, not so large as what we look upon as those of the iyps iu gardens — were col- lected near Khorasan by Dr. Aitchison, of tlie Afghan Delimitation Commission. It is found in several places iu Cliina, and is a very couimon weed in waste garden ground and rich damp soil throughout the Capo Colony. It lias given rise to almost innumerable varieties, a few of which are so distinct as to have at one time been considered species. In Harvey and Sonder's "Flora Capensis,'' however, they are all placed as varieties of H. Trionum, and seeing it is a polymorphous species, this is doubtless the most sensible conclusion. Tlie order iu which the above authors give them is as follows : II. Trionum, t\'pe, var. hispidiis, lower leaves deeply three-lobeil, upper three to five ]iarted, incised ; var. 2, ternatus, leaves mostly trijijir- tite ; var. 3, cordifolius, lower leaves roundish cordate, upper tripartite ; var. 4, hast:efoIius, loaves hastate, throe-lobed, the middle lobe very long ; var. 5, cordatus, all tho leaves roundish cordate, obtuse, dentate ; var. (>, lau- cecilat us, all the leaves ovate-lauceolato, serrate. The above varieties of course include nume- rous synonyms which need not be dotaileil hero, with tho exceptions of vesicariiis and .•ifricaniis, both of which names are frequently used for thu common H. Trionum. " Drawn for Tue Garden in tho Itoyul Gardens, Kow, by H. O. Moon, September 4, 1S88. Lithogrspbed and printed by GulUaumo Sovcreyus. ^HE GARDEN VENICE MALLOW (HIBISCUS TRIONUM.) Jax. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 33 The present plant was introduced by the Royal Gardens, Kew, seeds having been re- ceived last year from tlie Orange Free State and Zululand, but chiefly from the Spitzkop Moun- tain, 11,000 feet high, and Drakeusberg, 8000 feet high. It is probably a cultivated form, as none of the dried specimens from any other part of the Cape quite agree with it in size of flowers, &c. The great objection to the type (figured in the B(jtanical Marjaziiie, tab. 200) is the short-lived flowers, which Gerard says open at eight in the morning and close at nme, and which supposed fact gave rise to the cui-ious appellations, "Flower of an hour," "Goodnight at noon," or " Good night at nine." The popular name of Venice Mallow is the one commonly used in gardens, with the addition of Bladder Hibiscus by Alton. The time given above is hardly correct in the case of the type as we know it ; the flowers do not quite close, and, from above, anyone can see the beautiful effect caused by the rich purple ring against the creamy-yel- low petals. In the plant figured, however, this objection is quite done away with, the flowers opening in the morning, and, on bright days, remaining so until late in the afternoon. Indi- vidual flowers do not last very long, but there is such a succession on a well-gro^vn plant as to always ensure plenty of blooms open at one time, and these are so large and beautiful as to entitle the plant to a place in the greenhouse, its effectiveness in pots having been already proved. It is for open-air culture we would, however, most strongly recommend the above variety. It is quite as hardy as the one usually grown, seeds as freely, and withal is so much more striking and beautiful, the effect of large clumps of which would certainly not fail to attract admirers. Like other hardy annuals, it needs no care in sowing in spring — the seeds simply scattered in the open on the spots where they are intended to gi'ow, thinning, where too close together, to 6 inches or 1 foot apart, and leavmg the sun, &c. , to do all the rest. It will even sow itself, the seeds coming up in plenty the following spring if the winter has not been un- usually severe, but sowings should be made at ditterent periods to ensure bloom all through the summer and autumn. There are, we believe, several annual species of Hibiscus found at the Cape, but the above is the only one to our know- ledge in cultivation, although the others are said to be equally beautiful. D. K. The Vanilla trade of Bordeaux. — The United States Consul at Bordeaux in a recent report states that one of the most interesting and delicate articles of trade in the Bordeaux market is Vanilla, which is imported from the coast of Vera Cruz, the west slopes of the Cordilleras, Java, Mauritius, Tahiti, the West Indies, and other places. Vanilla belongs to the Orchid family, and is a sarnientose plant, furnished with thick, oblong, glauoous-gi-een leaves. The vine sometimes attains aheiglit of 45 feet. It begins to bear the third year after planting, and continues bearing thirty years. Each vine annually produces from forty to fifty-five capsules or seed- pods, which are gathered before reaching complete maturity bet%veen April and June. For one method of preparation they are gathered after they have lost their green tint, and are then exposed to the sun in woollen sheets which have previously been tho- roughly heated. Theyarethenputinto bo.xes covered with a cloth, and are again heated in the sun, twelve to fifteen hours, after which they should assume a coffee colour. If this is not obtained they must again be covered and again exposed, the whole process lasting about two mouths, after which they are packed securely, fifty each, in tin bo.xes. By the second method about a thousand jiods are tieil together and plunged into boiling water to bleach them, after which they are exposed to the sun, and tlien coated with oil or wrapped in oiled cotton to prevent them from bursting. During the drying process the pods exude a sticky liquid, which is expedited by gentle pressure two or three times a day. By this process the pod loses about a quarter of" its original size. The best quality pods are 7 inches to 9 inches in length, and large in pro- portion, and possess in greater abundance the characteristic and agreeable perfume which gives Vanilla its value. The vine is sometimes covered with a silvery efiiorescence, producing an essential salt similar to that found in the pod, and this is diffused on the outside of the capsule. It is called Vanilla rime, and is in great demand in the Bor- deaux market. Vanilla is used in perfumery and in flavouring confectionery and cordials. It is supposed to possess powers similar to Valerian, while it is much more grateful. Its production in R(5union has increased in the past forty years from a few pounds to nearly half a million, and that colony is now the principal rival and competitor of Mexico. The total import into France rose from about 200.000 pounds in 1880 to about 2(10,000 in 1886, but the annual import fluctuates considerably. Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAH. ENCLOSING OLD FIG TREES IN WALL CASES. A SHORT time ago, when walking through one of the finest walled gardens in the west mid- lands, I was told by the able superintendent that the noble owner contemplated enclosing with glass a wall some 70 yards in length and 10 feet in height, already furnished with Fig trees, from which catch crops are gathered late in the autumn. Having had some experience in turning very old trees to profitable account, with or without fire heat, I strongly urged him to lose no time in getting to work, as these use- ful structures springing up in many gardens are now forming missing links where this wholesome and delicious fruit is appreciated from the end of April to the end of October. There are, I have no doubt, hundreds of old Fig trees un- pruned and almost uncared for, occupying shel- tered walls and lofty buildings in various parts of the country, which yield heavy crops of fruit almost every year ; but then, on the other hand, a still greater number do not pay for pruning and training, and yet very few con- servative owners care to destroy semi-barren trees, which carry them back to their boyhood. But why allow trees to remain unproductive when cheap glass and timber will convert them into full bearing in a year or two ? and the inex- pensive wall cases .are worth all they cost iis winter storehouses for half-hardy plants, choice .salads and vegetables. Where large old trees of the prolific Brown Turkey, the Black, White, or Brown Ischias, White" Marseilles, or the large, but less luscious Brunswick, which improve with age, are enclosed with glass, the first cultui-al operation will be the re-arrangement of the drainage, if it exists, root pruning and renovation with fresh com- post. Autumn is the proper season for this work, gre.at care being exercised in the selec- tion of compost free from animal manure — in fact, poor rather than rich, otherwise the gi-owtlis will run gross, and the fruit, without the aid of fire-heat, will be late in ripening. The heads of the trees placed in a climate ecpial to that of Penzance and the limited root-run made satisfactory, the ne.xt important point will be the dislodgment of insects from their old- established colonies in the hoary stumps and the mouldering walls. Winter, when the sap is down, is the best time for this ; therefore, when all danger of continuous frcjst has p.assed aw,-iy, detacli the branches from the walls, sc.ild, point, and limewash the latter, run stout wires along every third or fourth course, the closer to the joint the better, anil see that the studs are strong enough to bear the strain that the old branches will place upon them. Leave well alone until the spring ; tlien towards the end of March cut out all the superfluous inferior wood, retaining, as a matter of course, the short, weak, spur-like pieces which look most like carryiug fruit and producing an even spread of foliage. If the preceding season has been good enough to ripen the shoots, the young points will be fur- nished with embryo Figs, which must not be injured, as they will be the first, if not the only, fruit to ripen in the following August. Any- thing, however, larger than a small Pea may be rubbed off, as figlets which commence swelling in the autumn rarely survive the winter check and hang to ripen. When the trees are pruned and well washed, tie in the main branches oMiquely or horizontally, still further reducing superfluous shoots by cutting back to a single eye for close-at-home breaks, which, if they do not ripen fruit in September, will most certainly produce the main crop the following season. Trees upon open walls and in cold houses do not, it is true, produce more than one crop in a season, but, considering that the examples under treatment have been checked by root-lifting and rather severe branch-pruning, moreover, that they can now be treated to tropical heat and moisture by the early closing of their new glass house, it is by no means improbable that a large percentage of the spring shoots will form a valuable autumn succession. This class of trees, again, rarely requires summer pinching, but, assuming that naked parts require filling up, why, then, fruit-bearing shoots may be pinched at the fifth or sixth leaf to increase the size of the swelling Figs and at the same time to secure short, stubby spur- wood. Once the skeletonised trees are laid in, the next question will be the future mode of training ; if on the thin, but let-alone principle, the short spurs must be allowed to grow out at right angles from the wall ; if on the long shoot extension jjrinciple, then they must be tied in to the wires, great care being observed that no part of the wall is crowded with or destitute of foliage. Stakting the trees into growth is a matter which must be governed by the absence or presence of hot-water pipes. If the former, ven- tilate very freely to prevent them from break- ing early, but if possible make the case useful for a thousand occupants in winter by the in- troduction of pipes from an existing boiler, or a slow combustion apparatus which can be let into the thickness of a 14-inch back wall. To those who h.ave not tried these little boilers, which require no setting, I can safely say their quick action and power are truly astonishing, whilst the fuel they consume may be summed up in a few barrowloads of small coal and cinders. For argument's sake I will assume that this provi- sion for getting the most out of the glass case has been made ; and, further, that a good broad shelf ne.ar the front has been provided. Fill the latter with Strawberries in pots, back them with a row of Tomatoes in pots, and commence gentle coaxing forward early in April. The Figs after the severe ordeal they have passed through will be weak at first, biit rest through the night and early closing with sun heat by day will soon show how they hixvnlato in a slight ap- proach to their natural climate. Mulch the roots and give them liberal supplies of teiiid water ; also, if space admits, introduce a few heaps, or a ridge of warm loaves, which will render .syringing on dull days i|uite unneces.sary. Otherwise, defer syringing "until the point-buds begin to break, then give them the warm bath pretty early in the day. As days increase in 34 THE GARDEN. Jan. 12, 1889. length and brightness, fires may be gradually discontinued, and more air may be given to prevent the young slioots from becoming drawn, but, never forgetting that the Fig delights in light and heat, do not neglect early closing, as elongation of the joints, not only of Figs, but of ail forced fruit trees, is due to a high night temperature and insufficient ventilation before the sun reaches meridian. If all goes on well, the trees by the end of May will be in full leaf, and the fruit upon the points of the past year's shoots will be swelling freely. Blanks, too, in some parts will most likely be conspicuous by the absence of foliage, but seeing that old shoots can be notched to induce the breaking of dormant buds and young ones can be trained in any direction, these spaces can be completely filled up by the end of the first season. When the inciijient buds have started and midsummer is nigh, red spider which may have been lurking in ambush may be expected to attack the foliage, but this enemy can always be kept in check by copious syringing up to the changing period and liberal watering, a most important matter, as half the losses from dropping are due to checks from partial drought when the leaves are perspiring freely. From this time forward the trees may be forced in the ordinary way, or they may be treated as first-class wall trees to meet the period when the fruit is most likely to be wanted ; always, be it understood, that a high dry temperature and plenty of fresh air are essential to colour and good flavour. When the main crop is gathered, rub ofl" all half-swelled fruits at once, cleanse the trees of spider by syringing, of scale by the use of a hard stumpy ]iaiut-brush, and give a little dry fire heat in dull weather to ripen up the young wood. Continue this treatment until the foliage shows signs of ripening, and when the leaves begin to fall naturally, not by hand picking, withhold water and check the roots by digging a narroiv trench a given distance away from the stems. Shorten all thong-like roots, refill the trench, ramming it firndy with poor calcareous soil, and mulch well for the winter. STANDARD PEAKS FOR BRITAIN. Under this heading a list of Pears mo.st suit- able for Britain has several times appeared in The Gaudem. While fully admitting the high quality of most of them, the order in which they are named is objectionable, as it not tliat of their order of ripening after No. 4 is reached, as then comes Josephine de Malines, which is one of the very latest ; and then follows Emile d'Heyst, an Octo- ber Pear; after whicli Glou Morceau is mentioned ; then Thompson's, Berganiotte d'Esperen, Alexandre Lambre, Nouvelle Fulvie, Olivier de Serres, and last, Comte de Lamy, which is an early autumn kind. To be of real use to buyers and planters of trees, the sorts should, I think, be classed, as their growers in a small way, who do not want, or cannot fniil room for all, would be able to pick such as will give a supply through a long season. The list referred to, as it stand.s, contains too many varieties that come in during October, and one of them, Eraile d'Heyst, may well Ik; dispensed with, as, good though it is, it is too quickly in and over by going wrong at the core. But Marie Louise and Doyeniifi du Cornice are quite indis))ensable, and when they are ripe there are none others that will bear any comparison with them for (l.-ivonr. Not only is this so with regard to these two Pears, bvit both have size and fine appearance to reconnnend them; and Doyennfi du Cornice remains sound anlrs Bcrg.'uiiotto d'Esperen in size and .shape, but the colour is Jan. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 35 quite fliflereut, tlie latter being greeu, while the tiirmer variety is nissety brown. Althougli of somewhat recent introduction, this Pear has become widely distributed, owing to its good flavour and being late in ripening. The tiesh is white, melting, and excellent. It ripens in February and JIarch, succeeding well and bear- ing very freely upon the Quince. The above three Pears, if grown in snflicient quantity, may be relied upon to give a supply during the first tliree months of the year, when Pears arc so much appreciated. They must, liowever, be well grown, by giving them tlie best positions in the garden, and attending to watering, mulching, itc. ; if not, they will lack size and substance, and consequently fail to ripen pro- perly in their season. Much space is often occupied upon walls with varieties which would grow well without such protection. I refer to those that ripen in the autumn, such as Doyenne du Cornice, Marie Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey, ifec. ; these, and many others ripening at the same season, can be successfully grown as bushes, pyramids, and cordons in many parts of the countiy. Whilst the walls should be ojcupied with late kinds, at least one half of the wall space at our disposal should be devoted to really late varieties if we wish ti.i improve our supply ; whereas now they are planted in the same proportion as others, that is, one ortwo trees of a sort. For instance, where one or two trees of Doyenne du Cnniice would yield an ample supply, four trees of Bergamot would not be too many, because other good kinds would be ripe with the f irmer, when the latter variety perhaps would lie the only one in use at the time. The advan- tage of following this manner of selection when planting woidd soon become evident in the in- crease of quantity and quality of our late Pears. It is not so much the lack of late varieties which is at fault as their sparse representation in our gardens and comjiarative neglect in cul- tivation, for late kinds require better treatment than mid-season varieties do, and the}' will well repay for it when their season of ripening comes round. A liberal sujiply of water with the ad- dition of manure, either in the !orm of nuilch- ings or in a liquid state, will make all the di'- ference between dry, hard fruit, which refuses to rijien and shrivels instead, and sound, pro- perly developed exunple-i which will not fail to come to perfection. True, they are not so large and handsome as many of the mid-season kinds, this, jierhajis, having the effect of keeping them, to a certain extent, in the background. Too luuch importance, however, must not be at- tached to appearance by those whose object is to obtain a continu'us suppl_y for as long a season as possible. The date of gathering has much to do with the future behaviour of late Pears ; many a fine cr(q5 is injured, and often spoiled, by gathering it too soon. The end of Octolier is quite early enough ; fro.sts severe enough to injure the fruit whilst hanging upon the trees do not occur during this nnmth, and if there are any signs of dropping or danger from rough winds, a thick layer of hay placed at the foot of the trees, or the net g.ithered up at the bottom will catch the fruit before it reaches the ground and pre- serve it from injury. The skin being thick and the Pears hard, they are not readily bruised if a soft substance is provided for them to fall upon, and they will ripen as well as those gathered from the tree, that is, if fully de- veloped. When dropping connnences, which is a characteristic of some varieties, it does not follow that all the fruit on a tree showing this tendency should be gathered forthwith. After a certain portion has dropped, the remainder will often stay upon the tree for some time. and be improved by being left. Although the above three varieties may be considered the best, there are a few others worth growing where room can be found for them. Easier Beurre is generally represented in most collec- tions ; very seldom, however, is it worth eating when ripe, too frequently being dry and mealy ; this is attributed to not catching it at the right time, but I have never yet been able to discover a time when it is juicy and melting ; its period of ripening, however, makes it useful. Duijeiiiie d'Alciifon, sometimes confused with the aljove, I have found a more reliable kind ; it is smaller and rounder, with a rough skin ; the flesh is melting, juicy, and fairly good flavoured; it grows well upon the Quince. I have some horizontal cordons which generally produce a nice crop every year. Victoria (Huyshe's) in some seasons is good in January, but December seems to be its proper season ; it is a Pear of great excellence. Monarch is a valuable late kind where it .succeeds ; but so frequently is its propensity for dropping its fruit developed, tliat many have discarded it after giving it a trial. Marie BcnviM is a large Pear of good flavour, ripening in February and March. When more widely known, I think it will find a place in all late selections. It is a very dist'nct fruit, de- serving a good position to bring out its good qualities. Bcurre Sterckmans is a late Pear of more than ordinary merit ; the flesh is very tender and melting ; it is, moreover, a hand- some fruit, and grows well upon both Pear and Quince. The above are the best late kinds I am acquainted with. All are not equally good every season, but they may be taken as reliable kinds where attention is paid to their cultiva- tion. A. Barkek. FRUIT NOTES. Pines. Private growers who wish to keep up a continuous supply of fruit from a limited stock of plants will now be busily engaged in their preparations for a fresh start. Where bottom-heat is obtained from tan or leaves and the bed in the fruiting house is in good condition, say 80° to 85°, the addition of fresh material may be deferred until after tlie plants are plunged and the result of increased fire-heat and moisture becomes apparent. If, on the other hand, the bottom-heat does not touch 80°, why, then, some well-worked material must be added, and when the house has been thoroughly cleansed, a few of the most promising Queens may be selected and plunged without delay. A quick succession to winter fruiters being the main object, the young beginner must not be carried away by the idea that a mean of 85° may be exceeded with impunity or advantage, as a slight mistake in this respect may prove f.atal to the delicate roots now close to the sides of the pots and thickly matted in the lower parts of tlie balls. Growers, on the other hand, who have bottom-heat pipes lying in rubble or chambers, with about 18inches of plunging material above them, have nothing to fear, as the opening or shutting of a valve will regulate the temperature of the bed to a nicety, and by these means, which every man who is expected to have ripe Pines in June should demand, the labour, the anxiety, and the uncertainty attending the fluctuating bed may be avoided. From these remarks the inexperienced will gather that a brisk, steady bottom-heat is the pivot upon which success or failure turns. Now for the selecti(m of the plants most likely to respond to the application of warmth and moisture at tliis dead season of the year. Pines, as a rule, make a grow-th before they throw up their fruit, but this small batch, if possible, must be prevented from doing this — first, by a good three months' rest ; and .secondly, liy fixing upon those with tlie thickest stems or collars and the greatest number of sm.all sharp-pointed leaves clustering in their centres. A few of these, it is probable, will start into growth, but the majm-ity of them will throw up at once, when those which miss will form a most acceptable succession in July and August. As each plant is drawn from the resting bed, it must be divested of a few of the bottom leaves and loose surface soil preparatory to top-dressing with good fresh loam, which cannot be pressed too firmly round the collar, for the twofold advantage of keeping it steady and preventing the stem roots from receiving too much water when overhead syringing becomes necessarj'. Plunge the plants deeper shallow, according to the condition of the bed, allowing not less than 2 feet from centre to centre. Keep those with stout, stubliy leaves in the back now nearest the path, the tallest in the second row; then graduate to the smallest near the front, and run a string round to prevent leaf breakage where path space is limited. When plunging is finished, water them with guano water or clear diluted liquid 80° to 85°, giving sufficient to moisten the whole of the ball, but not to saturate the bed immediately beneath the pot. Let the temperature range from 65° at night to 70° by day when dull, and 80° when bright ; give a little air at 76°, if only for half an hour, close at S0°, and maintain a moist -growing atmosphere by damping the paths and walls two or three times a day. Succession houses. — The general stock from which the preceding have been drawn may now be regu- lated by partial re-plunging, but without the addi- tion of" fresh material, as they have yet another month for rest. The preparation, nevertheless, of fermenting material m.ay be proceeded with, as it is hardly possible to overwork fresh tan and leaves. Compost, crocks, and clean pots, too, may be pre- pared and placed where they will become dry and warm by the time they are wanted for the general sliift in "February. No change as yet need be made in the night heats, but a rise of a few degrees on bright, sunny days after the middle of the month will do no harm, whilst plants in small pots imme- diately over the hot-water pipes must be watched and carefully supplied with water. Melons. Where compact, efficiently-heated pits will soon be ready for the reception of plants, a few seeds of good early varieties may now be sown singly or in pairs in small pots or cubes of turf, and placed where thev can have a bottom-heat of 80° with the fullest exposure to light. When the young plants have developed the seed-leaves pull up the weakest of the two, protect those retained from midnight marauders, and push forward preparations for their final destination. A good start with everything fresh, sweet and clean being more than half the battle, scald the pits, cleanse the glass and wood- work, get in a good body of well-worked ferment- ing leaves or tan for aiding in the production of a sharp bottom-heat and moist atmosphere. Make up the compost and place it where it will become thoroughly warm by the time it is wanted. If the plants are to be grown and fruited in 14-inch pots, plunge thera where they are to remain, or, better still, set them on iiiverte"d pots to prevent sinking and strangling the vines when tied to the trellis, .and place the fermenting material round them. Crock well ; fill the lower half of each pot with the roughest of the compost, consisting of heavy loam, old lime rubble, and a dash of bone-dust ; ram it firmly, and upon this foundation form small cones of finer soil with their crowns on a level with the rims. When thoroughly warmed through and the young plants require a shift, transfer them direct "to the cones, slightly disent.anghng the roots to set them free; press the soil rather firmly, but carefully .avoid bruising the stems ; place a slight stick to each, and, unless the compost is very dry, defer watering for a day or two. Where very nar- row pits or troughs are at command, and jilanting out is preferred, the same compost placed upon sods of turf. Grass side downwards and raised up in the form of a shiirp longituchnal ridge, will answer ccpially well, but unless the hot-water )ii]ips are equal to the m.aintcnance of a bottom-heat of 80°, the pot pl.auts will be the first to ripen their fruit. Wlien tboroughlv establi.>;hed, pl.ace a stouter stick to each plant. t"ie it to the trellis, train upwards, pinching out all biteials without injuring the main 36 THE GARDEN [Jan. 12, 1889. leaves, and defer stopping the vine until two-thirds of the wires are covered. Keep a stock of compost on hand, use it little and often as the roots pro- trude until the pots or pits are full, when very firm ramming will be necessary. Maintain 66" to 70" through the night, 75'' to 80° by day, allowing a run of 10" from sun heat, and secure a moist growing atmosphere by frequent sprinkling, but avoid wetting the foliage, and then only on bright days, until the plants commence covering the trellis. Figs. As these heat-loving trees will stand and thrive under Muscat treatment, we always make the same code of temperature serve for the two houses. The Fig, moreover, being so subject to spider, fresh fermenting material plays a prominent part, not only in keeping up the heat, but also in maintain- ing a continuous stream of atmospheric moisture when the weather is unfavourable to copious S3Tinging. The syringe, nevertheless, must be very freely used from the time the point buds burst into leaf, especially for damping the walls and washing out all dry, suspicious comers. If the trees are in pots and plunged in bottom-heat, a mean of 75° must be maintained by frequent turning and reno- vation from the reserve, and the roots must not feel the want of clear diluted liquid at a tempera- ture of 80°. As growth proceeds, pinch the shoots at the fifth or sixth leaf for the benefit of the fruit and to secure a second crop for succession ; remove all useless spray and tie out or down to the wires where absolutely necessary. Figs do not, however, rejoice in laboured training, neither do bush nor pjTamid trees in pots require it. Trees started in November will now stand G0° to 65° on mild nights with a chink of fresh air, 70' to 75° by day, and 10° higher after closing with gleams of sun, say about 1 p.m., when the warm bath will prove most advantageous. If the second house contain- ing trellis trained trees is still open, it may now bo closed, the borders top-dressed and watered with water at 80° and regularly syringed. Keep late houses cool by abundant ventilation, unless the weather is very severe, and avoid the introduction of plants which necessitate the constant applica- tion of fire-heat when a few degrees of frost threaten danger. Introduce young pot plants to temperate warmth, shake out or reduce and repot when the buds commence swelling. Crock well, use light, rich loamy compost, and plunge in bottom- heat to secure a quick growth, which will be quite ripe by the end of August. Short stout pieces of wood with good point buds may now be put in as cuttings. Disbud the lower parts to prevent sucker- ing, and plunge the pots in bottom-heat. HARDY FRUITS. Apple.s. I stated last week that a little delay in pruning was preferable to treading the ground into a pasty mass. A change for the better with a rising barometer now favours pushing on the work, and forthwith, so soon as the Peach trees are detached from the walls, all our garden Apple trees will be pruned, or, strictly speaking, thinned, as I do not believe in cutting away in winter the external shoots which have been made during the past sum- mer. Where slioots are wanted, they are allowed to extend where they start, but where not wanted, thej pre checked by summer pinching, an opera- tion which checks an exuberant flow of sap and at the same time exposes the fruit to the influence of sun-heat, light, .and fresh air. When the trees are jiruned, tliose touched by American or woolly aphis receive 'a good scrubbing with soapsuds as a pre- liminary to painting willi an emulsion of Gishurst compound and ];araffin; wliilst others, wliose worst enemy is Moss or Licl]cn, are well syringed with soapsuds and dusted witli quicklime. GoosKnuituiKS. Tlie olil si'liiiiil gardener .-ilrnost invariably de- ferred pruning liis Gooseberries until the bull- finches had finislied their dainty rep.ast on the buds, and then, to Iiis annoyance, found they had re- warded his lilieralily liy taking those lie mo.st wished to preserve. Modern growers now prune early, and trust to an occasional dash with thin limewash strained through a sieve and plied with an old syringe. The result is not, however, alto- gether satisfactory, as the finches seem to have dis- covered the fact that calcareous matter is not fatal to life. This wash, toned down with a little soot, answered well here for some years, but finding a thoroughly deterrent wash sometimes injurious to the buds, I now run a length of 3-foot aviary wire round the blocks of bushes and cover the whole of the quarter with square-meshed tanned netting. The side netting attached to stout stakes is a fix- ture, but the string netting, put on when the buds commence swelling, is removed as soon as the fruit is set and out of danger. Insect-eating birds then have full play, and caterpillar rarely [jiuts in an appearance. In pruning Gooseberries, the centres of the trees should be made sutficiently thin to let in light and air and to admit the hand, first, by the removal of any old branches past their best ; and, second, by spurring those best placed to two eyes. Another important matter is the reten- tion of a few clean, straight, well-ripened young shoots where space admits, as these not only main- tain the vigour of the bushes, but they also give very fine fruit. When all the trees are pruned, the loose soil near the stems should be drawn out with a rake and burned to ensure the destruction of lurking enemies ; a dusting with quicklime will then settle the account with any larvie left behind, and a good top-dressing with rotten manure or fresh soil will add greatly to the quality of the crop. Deep digging amongst bush fruits is neither necessary nor advantageous, but shallow forking between the rows, whilst burying weeds and pre- serving the richness of the manure, gives the final finish to a section of the fruit garden but too often proverbial for its untidy appearance. If cuttings have not been put in, suitable pieces of wood should be selected, disbudded from the base upwards to within four eyes of the top .and dibbled firmly into light rich garden soil free from stagnant moisture. The Oechard. If not already done, no time should be lost in giving aU standard trees the annual thinning and cleansing, in grubbing up old stagers of which we have some thousands of useless examples in the country, and making preparations for spring plant- ing. When the prunings have been cleared away and reduced to ashes for future use, advantage should be taken of the first frost for carting out the m.aterials collected from various sources for top- dressing. Poverty, unfortunately, is the prevailing malady in this part of the country, and good rotten manure, it is hardly necessary to say, is the best remedy, but, lacking this, anything fresh and stimu- lating will tell in the future. Let young thriving trees be thinned and allowed to extend upwards and outwards, and on no account overlook the stakes and ligatures in i"ecently planted orcliards. Wind-waving is bad enough, but when faulty or useless ligatures favour the chafing of the stems, time and money in a short period are wasted. Suit- able wood of the best sorts may now be selected for grafts, and trees intended for grafting must shortly be beheaded. W. C. your correspcndence this moniitiB (Jan. .1) it is stated that £120 (Mr. BernarJl, tiO (Mr. S. Morgan), £90 (Jlr. H. Clari), £05 (Mr. A. Fuller) can be secured per Ecre by fiuit growint:. Are not these figures £omf-.- what misleading ? Have any deductious been made on account of rent, rates, taxes, labour, replacement of trees, charges involved in sentlirg to market, &c.? Woidd it not )ie more helpful to the general publin for the advocates of fruit culture to give the actual profit realised on pn average, say, of five years? — ElciIAiiD MiLNEIi, Slocl: Oaylardllcctorii, Slierhorite. Trees and Shrubs. THE VARIETIES OF THE COMMON YEW. The varieties of the common Yew (Taxus bac- cata, Lin.) are numerous, and half a dozen of them at least are popular favourites, namely, T. b. adpressa, which was erroneously considered a species ; T. b. bibernica, which has a majestic columnar habit ; T. b. Dovastoni, which has its branches staged in pendent whorls ; T. b. varie- gata aurea, which has the leaves variegated with yellow ; T. b. v. argentea, leaves variegated with white ; and T. b. fruclu-luteo, of which the fruit is yellow. The other forms, many of which are handsome or interesting, are more larely met with in cultivation ; still a pretty considerable number of them might be enumerated. Loudon described six. M. Carriere reckons up twenty- six, of which he gives descriptions and synonyms. The catalogue of M. A. Lavallee mentioned eighteen, and in some collections several varie- ties are to be found which are not included in any of the works cited. Now the question arises. Can a selection be made from amongst the numerous ornamental varieties of the old Yew of cur mountaics .' Undoubtedly it can ; Wall tree branches too close. — I notice in a great many gardens that the brandies of the wall trees are much too close; some of them are not more tlian 6 inches or 8 inclies apart. When lliese are clothed with foliage hardly any of the wall can bo seen. Much of the fruit is shaded under the leaves .and it has no oi>i)ortuiuly of gaining its characteristic size, colour, or flavour. It is only near the extremities of these branches that good fruits are secured, and if half or every other one of the branches were cut out .■iltogelber tlie trees would soon become more I'obust and tlie fruit of a very superior type. This api>lics in jiarti- cular to Pe.-irs, Plums and Apricots, and in some cases to Peaches. The present is :ii good time lu undertake the remcdysuggostcd,a-nd tlie advantages would be experienced lieforo (be end of aiiollier year.— .1. Mrii!, Marijam Parli, A', ^^'alcs. Fruit growing.— The following puragraph rela- tive to this subject we take from tlio Times : "In The Irish Yew (Taxus bacoata Ijibernici;. all of tliem have not an equal claim to our favour. In addition to those wliich I have just mentioned as being most geiurally pl.anted, and which deserve a place in every garden, the following varieties may bo recommended with C(mlidence ; T. b. crecta (pyrainidalis or stricta), which has an elegant, fastigiate, closo-braiiclied habit, slender, erect branches, and straight, slender, deep green, and pliortpointed leaves. T. b. cheshuntinsis, which originated at Cheshuiit, has a close-branched habit, but the branches are not fastigiate. The leaves are Jan. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 37 dark green on the upper surface, glaucescent underneath, slightly curved and long-pointed. Over and above their more or leas elegant habit, these Yews possess another source of ornament in theix fruit. Everyone knows the pretty red berries which adorn these trees in autumn, and which continue to do so until the frosts come on. Some particular trees are sometimes profusely laden with them ; others seldom or never bear any, which is chiefly the case with the cultivated varieties, and this is not surprising when one remembers that the tree is dioecious, besides the fact that certain forms which have been established by means of graft- ing or budding are only capable of being pro- duced with male plauts. Towards the end of last autumn I observed in several parts of France that the Yews were bearing an unusually great abundance of fruit In the nurseries of BI. Louis Leroy at Angers, this abundant fructification was observable even on the youngest plants, which were growing in beds, and most of these if they had been potted would have formed charming ornamental sub- jects for the drawing-room or the dinner-table. It occurred to me to gather a few branches and closely examine them. At first the forms and colours appeared identical, with the single ex- The yellow.f raited Tew (Tuxus baccita fractu-luteo). ceplion cf the pretty ycllow-fiuited variety ; but I was soon struck with diilerences of cha- racters which at tirat sight I had not noticed. These differences were not confined to the fleshy cup which forms the coloured and pulpy part of the fruit, but also extended in a remark- able manner to the nucule or seed itself. The fruit gathered from difl'trent plants exhibited fixed charac'ers, and I thought it might be use- ful if I described them more minutely than any- one had previously done. In order to show these fixed diversities plainly I had the accom- panying illustrations drawn, and they will give a very clear idea of the differences of characters, especially as regards the uucu'esor secdj, which are represented as of double the natural size. These illustrations and descriptions may prove useful to anyone who undertakes a monograph of the genus, and also may assist growers in identifying forms which are difficult to dis- tinguish fc m others. I intend to continue them next year in the case of any othor varieties that 1 may find bearing fruit. Taxus baccata (type). — EaiUy distinguished by its spreading habit, horizontal branches, linear sub- distichons leaves, which are more or less carved and terminate in a sharp or slightly blunted point. The golden Yew (Taxus baccata variegata aurea). Frnit cherry- red, cap pitcher-shaped, with a rounded oiifioe and enveloping the greater part of the seed, which is ovoid in thape, brown or msset-colonred on two-thirds of the upper part, reddish on the lowcr part, blunt at the apex, with slight ribs, and finely dotted on the surface. T. B. VARIEGATA ADREA (see figure) —Habit ard foliage similar to those of the type, sometimes more compact. Leaves more or lefs margined with 3 el- Dovaston'a Tew (Taxus baccata Dovastoni). low. Scales at the base of the cup imbricated, blunt, of a straw. yellow colour tinged with violet. Cup like that of the type. Nncule or seed oval roundish, slightly or not at all angular, pointed at the apex and wit'a a triangular or quadrangular scar or h lam. The silver-variegated variety (T. b. v, argentea), which is very distinct, by its white markings, from the preceding variety, is easily mistaken for it in autumn, when the silvery variegation takes on a yel- lowish tint. T. B. FEUCTU-LUTEO (see figure) — Habit erect; branches more or less divaricated ; leaves short, linear, short-pointed, deep green on the upper sur- face, pale underneath, and slightly carved. Scales obtuse, lemon-yellow in colour, tinged with violet at the top. Cup oblong, of a fine golden-yellow colour, very much hollowed out in the inteiior, with an oval or slightly angular orifice and completely enveloping the seed, which is seated at the bottom of the cup. Seed oval, compressed, of an olive- green colour, and having a large oval hilum, the circumference of which is finely plaited ; apex of the seed obscurely keeled, depressed, and with a blunt point. This variety is in some collections erroneously grown under the name of T. cuspidata, a Japanese variety which some authors consider a species. T. B. Dovastoni (see figure).— Habit pyramidal ; branches sub-verticiilate, spreading, reflexed at the extremities. Leaves large, distichous-scattered, very much curved, cuspidate, dark green on the upper surface, pale underneath. Scales obtuse, of a straw The ehort-leavtd Ytw (Taxas biccata adpreisa). yellow colour, edged with violet. Cap oblong, rather short, of a lively cherry. red colour, and with a square orifice. Seed very deeply sunk in the cup, of an oval, compressed shape, and having an oval hilum with a plaited circumference ; top of the seed bluntly square, scarcely pointed; surface of the seed rough. T. B. ADPRESSA (ece figure) —Habit spread- ing, sub-horizontal; branches short. Leaves dis- tichous, short, linear-obtuse, very short-pointed, deep green on the uppsr surface, pale underneath. Scales obtuse, of a straw-yellow colour, tinged with violet at the top. Cup vermilior-red, very broadly shaped, not covering the seed, which is ovoid, de- pressed, terminating very abruptly in small points at the top, which is twice or thrice keeled, and has a depressed centre with a projecting point; Lilum heart-shaped. This variety was considered a species by some authors, and ha\ also been described as a Cephalotaxos (C. tardiva), but it has frequently been clearly proved that it is a spc rt from T baccata. At the present time, in the paik of Megaudais (Majenne), which belongs to Count G. de Crony, a Yew may te seen, ssveral large branches of which exhibit the characteristics both of the type and of T. b. adpressa very clearly together, and this is probably not the only exisiing case which might be instanced. T. n. HiBKHNicA (-eo figure)— This is the pyra- midal Iri?h Y'ew, whi;h bears the same relation to 38 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 12, 18S9. the common Yew which the spiry Cypress of the South does to Capressns sempervirens. Habit fas- tigiate; branches short, stout, close growing, erect; leaves stout and long, linear, aciculate, more or less straight or curved, deep green on both sides. Scales obtuse or slightly acute, of a straw.yellow colour tinged with violet. Cup of a lively cherry- red colour, slightly oblong in shape, with an angular orifice and half-covering the seed. Seed oblong and ovoid ; hilum sunken, triangular or quadran- gular, margined with furrows and folds ; apex of seed mncronate. The variegated form of the same variety (T. b. h. variegata) has the same habit, with leaves more or less margined with yellow. — Eerue Uorticole. *^ It is very well to possess the^e varieties and interesting to study them, but the common Yew is far more valuable than any of them. — Ed. Crataegus affinis. — The most striking berry- bearing shrub that I have seen during the present winter is the one above-named. It occupies a prominent position on a sloping bank in Dr. Pryor's garden at Halse House, near Taunton. The plant in question is growing in the form of a bush, about 7 feet high, with a proportionate spread of branches, and a beautiful sight it was at the end of December, for every branch and twig was ter- minated with a large bunch of coral-red berries. From the appearance of this plant I should say it is quite hardy, but if it is not quite reliable iii all places it is well worthy of a wall to protect it. —J. C. C. Rhododendron Falconeri at Waterford.— I enclose a photograph of a Rliododendron which I have gi-owing in my garden in the south of Ireland. It is a specimen of Rhododendron Falconeri, and it is planted out in the open ground, where it has been for the last twenty years or more. I do not know the exact age of the plant, but it was quite a large shrub when it was brought here, over twenty years ago. For the first few years it was protected by glass and did not bloom, but for the last four or five years all the glass has been removed, and it stands totally unprotected. It blooms splendidly every second year. This summer I counted over 130 blooms out on it at once, and now it is ripening seed. It measures 12 feet high, 44 feet round, and 13 feet tlirough. I fancy this is an unusually good specimen.— J. M. P. M. *,* Yes; certainly a very fine specimen of this Rhododendron. — Ed. The sex of Skimmia.— In reply to "A. c' (p. 13), it may be said that a dicccious habit may be confined to particular species, and need not extend through a whole genus. Skimmia japonica is certainly monoecious. Skimmia oblata, however, is dioecious, the plant sold by nurserymen under that name producing only female flowers. It is said that the male plant of it is the shrub known in nurseries as Skimmia fragrans, and that the so-called " hybrid" Skimmia, lately certificated by the Royal Horticultural Society, and said to be S. oblata x S. fragi-ans, is nothing but a seedling from a male and female of the .same species. Bentham and Hooker, in "Genera Plantarum," limit the genus to four species, but in nursery catalogues we have about a dozen with specific botanical names. If "A. C." has S. oblata, he shoulrl buy a plant of S. fragrans to plant near it ; he will tlien get berries on oblata. ^C. WOLLEY DOD. Picea Pinsapo unhealthy.— I enclose pieces of Pic-ea Piii.s.-q«i in the lii.pe tli.at you may be able to explain tlic cause of decay wliiu'li you will see is setting in. You will see from enclosed that the outer shoots are first attacked, the decay then spreading down the branches to tlu; trunk, Thc^ tree in question looked jjcrfcctly lieaKliy until a few months ago, when first one shoot and then another began to die ofT on the .same side of the tree, which is about twenty years old, and planted on a liank with gnod drainage and in alight soil. I may add that I have already lost one Pin.-iapo in the same way, lail have not found any otiier silver or other Fir attacked in the same way. If you can tell me the cause of decay and suggest any remedy you will greatly oblige.— A. W. N., Fort William. *,* In reply to the above, I have examined your shoots of P. Pinsapo very carefully under the microscope and cannot find any traces of insects inside or out, nor can I see any signs of fungus. Were the young shoots caught by any late frosts or very cold winds ? It is quite possible that though there are no insects on them now, there may have been earlier in the year. Keep a sharp look-out in the spring and early summer, and see if there are any insects on the young shoots.— G. S. S. Stove and Greenhouse. HJPPEASTRUMS IN AMERICA. The article on p. 489 of The Garden on autumn- floweriiig Amaryllids is very interesting. Mr. James Douglas i.s doubtless correct when he says that a race of autumn-flowering Amaryllids Las been in existence for six or eight years. I had no opportunity to see Messrs. Veitcli's hybrids of this race, but Mr. Williams' are very beautiful ; so far as I am acquainted with tliem. Mes. Garfield (not President Garfield) is the re- sult of a cross between Hippeastram reticulatum and the garden form, A. DeSanoe. The leaves are very finely variegated, with a white stripe, and are very robust, 12 inches to 18 inches lorg by 2 inches to 3 inches in breadth ; flower-scape about 2 feet high ; groundcolour rosv pink, veined with darker red, white stripe through the centre of each petal; flowers fl inches in diameter. This hybrid was figured beauti- fully in The Garden, April 7, 1883. Mrs. William Lee is similar in growth, but the flowers are larger and richer in colour. CoMTE DE Gekminy is a strong-growing, very bfan- tiful kind. Although resembling in growth tlie two foreg' ing hybrids, tl'.e ground colour is a rich ropy carmine, shaded with crimson and veined darker, with a white band running through eaeli petal. G. FiRTU is a cross between Mrs. Lee and Crimson King. Flowers are 5 inches across ; sepals cherry -red with a faint white stripe down the centre ; petals dark crims'in, suffused with brown at the base. All these hybrids have very fine evergreen, strong leaves, strijied with wliite, and arc also vei-y ornamontal when not in flower. They usually flower in October and November. There are otlier evergreen Amaryllids, espe cially Hippcastrum aulicum and its varieties, that flower profusely in autumn and early win tor. The variety A. aulicum robustum (also known as Amaryllis Tettani and A. Rougieri) is indee TO' and falls to tiO°, and even 50°, in the night. When at rest the plants are placed on shelves in a very warm room, but they receive no water until they show signs of growth. Thrips and mealy bug never attack them ; whereas Fuchsias, Pliyllocacti, Epijihyl- hims, and .several other plants are very difficult to koe]) clean. In the same window where the Amaryllids grow I have a tine specimen of Hy- menocallis speiiosa, H. macrostcphana, and Urceolina pendula in flower. Imantophyllum (Olivia) miniatuin, cyrtanthiflorum, and Lindeni also flowered finely. I find that the Amaryllids raised by Mr. Williams and Messrs. Veitch are the finest in exist- ence. Souchet'shybrids of Hippcastrum vittatuni, such as Perle, As] asie, Baffin, Etoile, Phoebe, Atalante, are not hardier and not so beautiful as Empress of India, Mrs. Burludge, Dr. Masters, Mrs. Garfield, Triumphant, and others. All Hippeastrums are true tropical American plants, H. vittatum included. None of them are found in a wild state in any other tropical country. The true Amaryllis, of which A. Belladonna is the type, grows wild in South Africa. Hippcastrum vittatum is found in the Andes of I'eru, where also grow H. pardinum, Leopoldi, miniatum, &c. Others of the genus, for instance, H. solandriflorum, aulicum and vars. , organense, proceruni, calyptratuui, eques- tro, reticulatum, stylosum, rutilum and vars., are more delicate, being found in abundance only in the more level regions of Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela, Columbia, wards of forty years. Blume and Dr. Horsfield both found it before Mr. Thomas Lobb sent it to Messrs. A' eitch and Sons. It was found at an ele- vation of 4000 feet above the sea, on a volcanic range of mountains. It is well figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 433G, and is there described as "one of the finest things ever introduced into our gardens." The handsome orange - coloured flowers are very distinct in character, and the plant itself is of vigorous growth, flowering freely nearly all the year round. Two or three years later R. jasminiflorum ap- peared in cultivation, having been sent to Messrs. Veitch by Lobb, who found it on Mount Opliir. The flowers themselves, were the foliage absent, might at fir.st sight be mistaken for those of some s])ccies of Jasmine. It is also figured in the Bofan'wal Maf/azinc, t. 4524, where it is stated that it was ex- hibited for the first time. " At the first and truly s]ilendid exhiliition of flowers at the Chiswiok Gardens of the present year (1850), few plants ex- cited greater attention among the visitors most dislingui.shed for taste and judgment." No one could at that time have dreamt of the revolution presently to be (tarried out in this genus of plants by tlie introduction of these two remarkalilc! and distinct .spoeies. They were found to be of easy culture from the first, and well adajited for warm greenhouse cult ure. Messrs. Veif cli also introduced another distinct species through Mr. Lobb. It was named R. Lobbi, the flowers being of a bril- liant crimson colour. It was more trojiical in character than tli(> others, and seems fo have gone out of cultiv.-ition, as it is not mentioned in Messrs. Yeitch's catalogue for the present year. I fancy it never was a very vigorous growing species, but it was the parent of several garden varieties much more vigorous in constitution than itself. The work of hybridising these fine plants was begun by Mr. Taylor, one of the foremen in Messrs. Yeitch's nursery, and the first garden hybrids were placed in commerce by the firm in 1877, and it may be worth while to record the fact that the species "used l)y Mr. Taylor were R. javanicum, R. Lobbi, R. Brookianum, and R. Princess Royal, the last-named itself a hybrid. The varieties sent out in that year were Duchess of Edinburgh and Taylori. The first- named, in its brilliant crimson-scarlet flowers, shows unmistakably its descent from R. Lobbi. It must not be supposed that all the yellow varieties are from R. javanicum, because, amongst other plants introduced from Borneo, R. Brookianum flavum had clear yellow flowers paler than those of R. javani- cum ; but, like the other Bornean species, it succeeds best in a hothouse temperature. I have found that in practice all of them make the most satisfactory growth in a warm house, and they may be placed in the greenhouse while they are in flower, and under such conditions the flowers last a long time in beauty. In 1879 R. Duchess of Teck and R. Prince Leopold were sent out, and it was then stated that R. jasmini- florum was used as a species to hybridise with. Duchess of Teck is a very beautiful variety, light buff, shaded with orange-scarlet. Prince Leopold is buff-yellow, faintly tinged with rose. In 1883 Duchess of Connaught was introduced, and it is of the same type as Duchess of Edinburgh, the flowers being of a rich deep vermillion colour. Queen Vic- toria was sent out in 1884 ; the flowers are pale yellow, tinged with a soft rose colour, and the stamens purple. With it were also sent out Maiden's Blush and Princess Frederica. In 1886 two hand- some varieties were introduced, viz.. Favourite, pleasing rose, tube white ; and Lord Wolseley, pale buff-yellow, the flowers forming a large handsome truss. In 1887 two of the handsome double-flower- ing varieties were sent out, viz., R. balsaminsflorum var. album and aureum. The rose-coloured form, carneum, was sent out in the spring of the present year. President, a very fine variety with buff-coloured flowers, was sent out in 1887. In 1888, R. jasmini- florum carminatum, R. La Belle, and R. Princess Christian were sent out. The above selection com- prises all that have been introduced up to the present time. In looking over the large collection in Messrs. Veitch's nursery the other day I noticed in flower, besides the above, Ophelia, rosy salmon, flowers of good form and large hand- some truss; Thetis, j'ellow, reddisli centre, very fine variety ; Empress, salmon - red and rose ; Gloria Mundi, reddish salmon, produced twenty flowers on a truss ; Aphrodite, pinkish blush, deeper coloured stamens ; Excelsior, salmon-buff, large flowers of good form; Indian Yellow, a very fine variety with beautiful cup-shaped flowers ; Bril liant, rich scarlet ; R. Teysmani, yellow reflexed petals ; and R. Curtisi, small crimson-scarlet flowers, dis- tinct liabit. The last -mentioned two species are those that have been recently introduced. As the name of Mr. Taylor has been mentioned as having begun the hybridising of these Rhododendrons, it is only fair fo add that all the recent introductions have been raised by the present foreman, Mr. John Heal, who has had charge of this department for many 3'ears. The more recently introduced varie- ties are quite as vigorous as the varieties of the ciunmon ponticum. They seem to grow best during winter in a temperature of 55° to tiO", and they are also so easily propagated from cuttings, that small branches inserted in pots of sandy peat form roots freely plunged in the Cocoa fibre refuse over wliich tli(^ plants are jilaced. Their after culture is simple enough ; I find they like a little fibrous yellow loam in the turfy ]>c'at, about a fourth part of jieat to one of loam. They grow very freely indeed in this compost and need no manure, as the decaying organic matter afl'ords sufficient nutriment for the plants. The best time fo repot them is when they are about to start into growth. Most of these iilants when they have been exhilpited in Londim for flic first time have had tall naked stems with few or no lateral growths, hut this is not really the natural habit of the plants, nor that which they assume Jan. 12, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 41 under good cultivation ; the tall habit has been in- duced by crowding the plants together in their seedling state and not stopping the leading growth, so that they might come into flower as soon as possible. It is only right to add that the species grown as E. Curtisi has been 6gured in the liotanical Maga- zine as R. multicolor, and has been found of two colours, yellow and bright deep red {liotanical Magazme, tab. 6769). R.Teysmani is also ^^xe(\ii\t\\c Boianiral Maga- zine, t.ab. 6850, .ir.--l. Ornitliidium coccineum; L'.CaLtnlho vestita luteo-oculata : :i, Vanda lamcUata Bosalli. T. ^f. — 1, Oelogyno I'andurata, quite out of scison ; •_'. a very jiale form of I.a'lia anceps ; 3. Dcudrobiuni biglbbuni ; 4, Mlltonla UusaelliiDa Ai'nie,—\, Odoutoylc.ssniu Ilalli ; '_', (). Ruckeriaiuini ; 3, O. (Kretcdi m-jus ; 4, O. Curadliici ; 5, ( ). aspersum. — '/. />. (slt'ithlJ) — Yovir flower ia the true Cypripcdmm Maulei, and all your a-guiug will not make it anylhiDg else. £xccU,o>\ — 1, Cypiipeiium Lcc.inuiu, a nice form, but we koow of plenty bitter ; 2. 0. nit na ; j our tecdliug appears to lo C. cardinale ; 3, C. BoxalU. 4^ THE GARDEN. [Jan. 12, 1889. WOODS & FORESTS. THE PLANE TREE. (I'LATANU.S OEIEXT.VIJS.) In many parts of tlin country this fine tree is confounded witli the common Sycamore, but the resemblance is so unlike in many important points, that it is not easy to understand how the two could be mistaken. The genus contains two species, namely, the Eastern and Western Plane, botli tif wliicli are cultivated in this country, principally as ornamental trees. The Eastern species, P. orientajis, is indigenous to the east of Europe anl other parts, where it is said to attain a large size, and is found in the greatest perfection on deep alluvial soil on the banks tif rivers and small streams. Although it has been cultivated in this country for many years, yet it has never been planted to any great extent a.s a timber tree for profit, and this arises in a great measure from the fact that in many parts of the country, more especially on high exposed elevations, it is found to be deficient in hardiness. When planted, how- ever, in deep rich soil and under favourable conditions, it makes rapid progress, attains a large size, and occupies a high standard as an ornamental tree. When fully developed the branches are wide-spreading and well clothed with large five-lobed leaves of a glossy light green colour. Under favouralile cfinditions the tree occasionally matures its seeds in this country. The seeds ai'e contained in small globular balls which hang from the branches or twigs like ornamental tassels, and as they are enveloped in a soft cottony sub- stance they should be e.xtracted and sown broadcast on well worked sandy soil. After the seed is committed to the soil, should a spell of di-y weather set in, 1 have found it to be an ;idvantago to moisten the surface of the Sfied-bed. In good soil and inider favourable conditions the plants should be removed from the seed-bed wjien one year old and ]ilanted into nursery lines, about 24 inches asunder and aVjout 8 inches from each ()ther in the rows. lii early life the tree is of rapid growth, and in cases where strong specimens are wanted the plants had better be moved a second time, or even oftener as circumstances may direct. When the tree is cut down it produces suckers from the root left in the ground, and as these are capable of being used as layers it is also a f.peedy and successful w'ay of jiropagating the tree. The timber of the Plane being of a hard firm texture when fully matured, is used for similar purjioses to that of the Sycamore, and when clean grown and of average size brings equally as good a price as that species. Few trees are better adapted for planting as speci- mens upon the lawn or elsewhere when the site is moderately sheltered. It delights in a deep rich soil, ni< derately danjp, lint free from stag- nant water. When planted under such ecjtidi- tions the Plane soon establishes itself, and from the large size of its foliage and wide-sjireading liabit it foims a very attractive and highly orna- mental specimen. It is a capital subject for planting in smoky districts about large towns, and from its spreading habit crf growth aS'ords an agreeable amount of shade and shelter along tin? sides of streets and public roads. When planting it in such places particular care should be taken to have the ground properly prepared by removing any stiff plastic clay or poor, hard, inorganic matter where it occurs and substitut- ing good rich loamy soil in its place. Trees in- tended for standards should always be prepared and trained as such during their nursery career by frequent transplanting, removing the side branches to a distance of about one-third the height of the tree, cutting ofi' rival leaders at the top, and pruning back any rambling branches The Western Plane (P. oocidentalis) is in-jiress logs felled liy General Jackson's army in 1S12, and used at the time for closing the Manchac River. Mr. Burt says tlie bark and sap have rotted off from the logs, but that the heart wood is as good as ever, and the finest quality of lumber is obtained from these logs. The St Louis Lumberman has on exhibition at its office a Cypress picket top from Baton Rouge. La., which was" exposed to the weather sixty-three years without showing marked signs of decay. Lectures on forestry.— We understand that during the Lent term Professor Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S., will deliver at the City of London College, Wliite Street, Moorfields. E.C., a course of ten lectures on forestry on Friday evenings, com- mencing January 11, at 8 o'clock. Practical de- monstrations in the country will be given during the spring. Text be ok a recommended: Hough's "Elements of Forestry," Crosby, Lockwocd ; Brown's "Forester," Blackwood and Son ; Baprneris' " Elements of Sylvi- culture" (Ttanslated by Fernandez and Smythies), W. Kider and Sons. Sijllahux : Climate and Tteep, Land Suitable for Arboriculture. The Draining .and other Preparation of the Land, Nurseries and their Management, Planting Operations, Thinning and Maintenance, Felling and Barking, Timber Measure- ment, Management of Coppice, The Distinctive Cha- racters of the varioua British Timber Trees. Roadside trees — In answer to J. L. Mansell in Tub G.\ht>en, Dee. L'2 (p. B1I2), slunild there be a prospect of the trees attaiuiuj; aiiytbir>g like a tuir size, 15 feet apart, I think, would bo rather close. The trf es should be planted at :i distauoe apait of IS feet, which will all( w a space of li feet for eueh tree tn de- velop its side briiiiclu'.', and thus foim tine well-fur- nisbed specimens for ornament, shelter, and utility. I hive sometimes pluntid tuch tieis at n. distance apart, of 20 feet, ard in cases where tl e soil was of a rich texture the results in everyway proved highly satis- fdctorv.— J. B. WKnsTER. "The Garden" Monthly Parts- rAi.» >io>in( is pt'UUJ.td in mutbi boinnt Muttfilif l'uit.<. In thu J'oinil tkt colound pltilcs are tnt pifsiriitl. iind il i« viost suitable /or reffry.ssinia, but a cultivated form intro- duced at a very remote period. So faras Jl. Crepin knows, tlierc is no form of R. gallica now known which corresponds exai^ly with tlie Rosa, .sancta. As to the Roses found in th(> Egyjiti.-in tombs, M. Cr6pin thinks tlicy may have been derived from plants cultivated in Lower Egypt, perhaps near tlic place where their remains were discovered. Tlie Egyptians are known to have grown Roses, and even to have supplied them to Rome. No Rose grows wild in Egypt, and the Rose found in the tombs was, in JI. Cr^pin's opinion, no more wild than the Aljyssiniau Rosa sancta, but was probal.ily THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Having recently retired from official coiiuection with the Royal Horticultural Society and taking an interest in its welfare, I give you my views of its position and prospects. There is a good deal of truth in the recent comments you have published, but I believe it will require more decided action than any yet suggested to put the society into a permanently sound financial position, if such a consummation be possible. If ever a corporation or society required management on the one - man principle, the Royal Horticultural requires it. King Solomon's maxim, that ' ' in the multitude of counsellors there is safety," certainly does not apply in the case of the Royal Horticultural Society. If the Royal Horticultural Society were under the firm guidance of one able man who would insist on having a free hand and no trifling, and who could upset the 'ptcaewi regime oi "red tape,'' there would be great hope for its future, espe- cially at the present moment, and in view of the past year's successful financial result — a result mainly obtained by the accession of nearly 700 new Fellows, whereby an equilibrium for the first time for many years has been established on the year's working. I should think that in tlie halcyon days of the society when the Prince Consort was president, ihe present ile faeto managers of tlie Royal Horticultural Society and those who most loudly assert themselves in connection with it woidd have played a very small part in its aft'airs. The Fellows of the society have hitherto been much too supine ; they have allowed their aft'airs to be mismanaged. It may possibly be diffi- cult to obtain gentlemen interested in horticul- ture to take a practical interest in the society and serve on its committees, but more endeavour should be made to obtain them and more en- couragement given to them. The present disproportion on their committees between nurserymen and gardeners as distinct from gentlemen, properly so called, is very marked. At present the meetings of the Royal Horti- cultural Society's committees are more used as mediums for big advertising than for any other purjjose ; it is tiuite certain that this was not the original aim or raisoii d'etre of these meetings, but as there is hardly any inducement for any jiersoiis liut nurserymen to send their flowers, A'c. , amateurs have practically ceased doing so, tho notable exceptions being Orchid growers. Some people are now endeavouring to get up a siiuriouH excitement about tho society's greatest incubus -Chiswick, and to indulge to tlie fullest extent tliis liobl)y, tliey would de- prive the London Fellows of any advantages in the way of floral meetings unless they were pro- pared forsooth to go to Chiswick - a most in- convenient and melancholy locality -where it is proposed to concentriito all the society's work ! A meeting of tlie Fellows was specially called lor the considei'.'ition of tlie Chiswick ([uestion and gave no uncertain decision. The move- ment in consequtnce has been for the present "scotched," not killed, the party interested being a noi.sy and persistent, if not an influential, one. If the point be eventually carried, it will inevitably result in a large secession of Fellows. There is no doubt that Chiswick requires to be treated, and promptly, in a much more liberal manner, otherwise the sooner it is handed over to the tender mercies of Kew the better. At present it is in a pitiable state, decay and dilapidation being on all sides too visible, not by any fault of its weU-known superintendent, who does his utmost with the limited means placed at his disi}osal, which means, however, as they already represent an annual dead loss to the society of about £1000 per annum, cannot well be much increased, the society being still in too precarious a position to indulge in much beyond actual necessaries. In regard to this question of expense, an impor- tant decision was arrived at by the Fellows this year which maybe of serious import in the future. It was decided to admit Fellows to most of the privileges on payment of one guinea, and this reduction, although it has so far brought an accession of new members, will also be the cause of future loss, as many of the existing Fellows have illiberally taken advantage of the new bye-lav/s to reduce their subscriptions. Now, bearing in mind that it is proposed again to incur the expense of issuing the Journal, and that other proposals, all of which mean ex- l>ense, are in view, it may be found that this payment of one guinea will barely cover the ex- pense per head of all these scliemes and addi- tional advantages, so that there will in all probability be no surplus from guinea Fellows to meet other outgoings, which are considerable, and tlie consequent result must be a gradual return to the financial position of 1887. What will have to be done then '. Chiswick will have to be dropped, as it is the "privilege" of the society which gives the least satisfaction to tho general body of Follows for the heavy expenses associated witli it. Finally, what the society at present is most urgently in need of is a spirit of enterprise in its management. It requires to be judiciously advertised. Splendid meetings, such as that held last year, and which, probably, will beheld annually in the future at the Inner Temple Gardens, are of more value in keeping the Roy.al Horticultural Society before tlie world than dozens of meetings at the Drill Hall, where the greatest uncertainty at all times exists as to whether there will be any dis- play of flowers -worth a visit. More practical men, and of high business as well as social standing, should be on the council — men whose constant aim would bo the advance- ment of the society and the interests of horti-. culture, not the ventilation of [ict hobbies. The (piestion to bo solved is not " what can we save?" ,as that-, is neither the (nd nor aim of either life or of the Roy.al Horticultural Society, but, " How can we attract attention to our society, and thereby, gcttiug a large accession of Fellows, make money, and thus be enabled to benefit horticultural interests .'" These (lues- tions would be more easily, rapidly, and satis- factorily answered and results acconqilished by one man in control- as at Manchester, wliero Mr. Itruce Findlay lias sliown the llojal Horti- cultural Society an excellent example - than by a system of management sucli as the present and past has been ; and this tho Fellows and council will probably discover in tinu', but possibly too late to bo of any practical u.se.— C. .1. (iRAHAME. There is no doulrt whatever that this society has of late years been a failure, and its only chance Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 45 of success is for us to go back to first principles, and, while welcoming the trader and the botanist, the management must be vested in the hands of gentle- men and their gardeners, as was originally the case. The idea of granting medals and other awards to nurserymen for attending to their own business is a wrong one altogether. The very modern practice of allowing tradesmen to solicit orders and to annoy visitors with their lists and catalogues at our floral exhibitions is a disgrace to any horticultural society, and should not be for a moment tolerated by the Royal Horticultural Society of England. If the Horticultural Society cannot hold its own as representative of the gentlemen of England and their gardeners, it can do nothing. H it cannot lift up and refine the gardener, its functions are past. Its true mission is with garden owners and gar- deners first and always, and if it can do these any true service, the traders may safely be left to take care of themselves. — A Gardener. The Scientific Committee. — Kindly allow nie to sa.v, in response to Mr. Henslow, that ray former note had no reference to science generally, but only to the " scientific " committee of South Ken.sington, although it is not a bad move on Mr. Henslow's part to attempt to identify his com- mittee with the achievements of science and then defend it from that point. The committee clearly did not know the common fact that under certain ch-cumstances of age and situation Oak timber gets disintegrated, as it were, in its tissues, and becomes unfit for purposes where strength and elasticity are wanted, and Professor Wai'd was in the same fix, although he was getting near it, but the " granular " appearance so common in sawn-up old Oak and other timber appeared to be new, even to him. — S.iWMILL M.\N. "Scientists" and others. — It is all very well for Mr. Henslow to claim the art of hybridising on the part of the scientists (Grew, 1628—1711), but the Arabs knew it centuries before, and it was their usual practice to cut the male spadices of the Date Palm and carry them long distances to their groves of fruit-bearing (female) trees. The " scien- tific " botanists actually opposed hybridising, and even in our own time, too, an Exeter surgeon, Mr. Harris, put Dominy up to the method only thirty or forty years ago. Even then many botanists threw cold water on the practice, affect- ing to be afraid of the confusion that would ensue. Scientists, as a class, oppose all truth and light unless they come through windows of their own contriving. No science, no philosophy, no human understanding can have any real aim beyond the one great question of what is right and what is wrong, i.e., between truth and untruth. — CuR.iTOE. NOTES OF THE WEEK. A pretty arrangement is pink Hyacinths and Lilies of the Valley. Such an eifect may be seen in the greenhouse at Kew. Laehenalia Nelsoni.— Flowers of this beau- tiful Lachenalia come from Mr. Allan, of Gunton. The colour is a clear golden yellow. It is the finest of its class. Irish King Daffodil comes from Mr. Hartland, (f Cork. He has it flowering both under glass and out of doors. It is a trumpet variety with a rich yellow chalice, paler segments, and sweet fragrance. Dendrobium crassinode Barberianum is a well-marked form of the type, over which it has great advantages. Its flowers are largt r, more massive, and the stems stouter. The colour ia also richer. We have few more beautiful DendroVen than crassinode and its progeny. The type and Barberi- aanra are in bloom at Kew. Freesias at Kew. — A'i'iitors to Kew should n^t miss feeing the group of F. refracta alha and P. Leichtlini in the greenhouse at Kew. The plants are well grown, and produce a mass of flowers that set nfc the house. We should like to see more of the easily grown Freesias in private gardens. A cohtured plate of them was given in The G.vrhen for July 29, 1882. Orchids and the fog. — A curious efieot of the re- ceot fogs is seen on a large spike of Phala;nops;a Schil- leriana at Kew. The fog came when the flowers were in bud, and just caught the sepals. These are all pale brownish in colour, and have a singular appearance against the unharmed petals and lip. The damage to Orchids by fogs this season has been enormous. Daffodils in pots. — We are reminded of the beauty of Daffodils when grown in pots by a small collection now flowering in the alpine house at Kew. The varieties comprise the early pallidus prfficox, incomparabilis, aurantius plenus, double Golden Phoenix, obvallaris (Tenby Daffodil), Leedsi, Campernelle Jonquil, N. gloriosus, and the lovely white Hoop - petticoat Narcissus (N. corbularia monophyllus). Platyclinis uncata is one of the finest of its genus. Dcndrochilum uncatum is perhaps the name under which gardeners will know it best. It re- minds one of P. filiformis, and has a decided grace, especially when the plant is well furnished with the numerous slender greenish yellow pendent ra- cemes. It is in bloom at Kew, and is one of the introductions of the Messrs. Low, who found it in the Malaj-an Archipelago and Philippine Islands. Iris reticulata from Gunton Park. — Mr. Allan, of Gunton Park Gardens, Norfolk, sends a few blooms of the A'iolet-scented I. reticulata, gathered from plants grown in pots with little or no forcing. The colour was far richer and the fragrance more powerful than in those flowers from the open. At Gunton the netted Iris is also planted largely in the grounds, and found proof against rabbits. Why do not more use it in the wild garden ? It is the most beautiful of all early Irises. Lycaste Barringtoniae is a species introduced from Jamaica as far back as 1790, and figured in the B. R., 120(j, under the name of Maxillaria ciliata. It resembles L. lanipes, and is one of those handsome Orchids that have become as rare as if only recently introdviced. A plant now in bloom at Kew has large deep green pseudo-bulbs, at the base of which rise the flowers on a single stem. They are about as large as those of lanipes, greenish yellow in colour, with broad sepals and less con- spicuous petals and lip. It is worth growing, and is stated in some books to flower in spring. The Vanilla is fruiting well at Syon House, Brentford. In a house devoted largely to Bananas there is a specimen that has covered the glass par- tition between the compartments. One plant that is less shaded than the others fruits most freely, although the Vanilla does not as a rule bear well, and it is essential to artificially fertilise the flowers. Several bunches of the long Bean- like pods have been recently gathered for flavour- ing. This Orchid reminds us of the late Mr. John Woodbridge, who knew well how to manage it. This cannot be said of everyone who has at- tempted its cultivation. Chrysanthemums at the National Chrysan- themum Society's mid-winter exhibition on Wednes- day and Thursday week were not, as may be seen from our report, of much account ; but nobody expected any other results, as the fogs and cold have done their work of destruction. There was a marked absence of incurved flowers, and this was surprising, as Princess Teck is exceptionally late, nor were there many flowers of such varieties as Fulton and others we know. There was a pre- ponderance of Gloriosum and the ugly W. and G. Drover. Considering what the plants have had to undergo the last few weeks, it is astonishing that an exhibition of so large an extent could have been got together. The coming year promises to be as interesting to the Chrysanthemum grower as the past has been, and the centenary of the flower to be celebrated in Is'.lO ought to be a great event in the history of horticulture. Hybrid Phalsenopsids are now five in number, and not the least beautiful is P. Rothschildiana that was shown last Tuesday at Westminster. We have to thank Mr. Scden, of the firm of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, for this and the remain- ing four. It is a hybrid between P. Schillorian.i and P. aphrodite (amabilis, Lindl.), and shows the character of its first-named parent in the lip, and the amabilis type in the white sepals and petals. The first to appear was P. Harrietae, then Roth- schildiana, intermedia, F. L. Ames, John Sedcn, and, lastly, Leda. One of the most beautiful of all is Harriets;, a cross between grandiflora and viola- cea, two distinct parents, more so than in the case of Rothschildiana. The flowers of P. Harrieta;, though small, have retained the exceptional beauty of violacea, and we hope to have similar crosses that will produce distinct results. Hybrid Phalfenopsids so far are few in number, but we prize what there are, and anticipate still richer treasures from the Chelsea nursery now that the early crosses are commencing to bloom. Rock Cress (Arabis procurrens). — Both the green and variegated forms of this are extremely useful winter plants for the rockery. I find them quite indispensable, the green one for flowers, and the other for the bright little patches of colour. The common green-leaved form is certainly a remark- able plant. I never remember seeing it without flowers, and though these may be rather insigni- ficant, still 'they are produced in such quantities as to attract attention. The other we grow chiefly for its foliage, which is very handsome. We never allow it to flower, as this seems to affect the varie- gation, and the plants sometimes become grefu altogether. It creeps over the stones, &c., making fine silvery drapery, which is always welcome in dull weather. — K. The Venice Mallow (Hibiscus Trionum). — This very beautiful plant seems widely distributed or naturalised everywliere in tropical and subtropicf.1 lands. I saw it in great beauty growing on the hot shingly reaches and on old river beds in Bormo some years ago, and its beauty, as seen under a blazing sun, could not well be described. Celosia argentea now and then bore it company, and I have no doubt but that the seeds of both were washed about by the floods which occur during the rainy season, especially in the vicinity of the great moun- tains. I also saw it growing with a species of Datura on rubbish heaps near the Dusan villages, and with it Rubus rosajfolius fruiting luxuriantly — the single-flowered type, not the double form now often met with in greenhouses, and even in the open air in Ireland near the sea.— F. W. BuRBIDGE. liilium polyphyllum. — In July, 1887, you printed a note from me on this Lily then bloom- ing in our Wisley garden with thirteen flowers and buds on a stem 5 feet 5 inches high. I asked for information from any reader who had seen the Lily flowering at home in" India. Several of your readers were good enough to give their experience. 1 have just received some additional information on a card from Mr. Grifiith, of Kotagiri, Nilgiris, who says : " You mention having thirteen blossoms of L. poly- phyllum on one stem. I have never here had more than three, but another correspondent to whom I sent bulbs tells me he has had nine fine blooms on a stem. L. polyphyllum likes to be covered with snow for two or three months in the year, and here it only blooms, as it wore, under protest, though it grows well if protected from sun. Mr. Huftelen, of New York, tells me also one of my L. polyphyllum bulbs gave him nine blooms on a stem.'"— George F. Wilson. Primula obconica and floribunda.— When these plants wltc first introduced, it was thought that they might prove hardy in the open air, willi or even without a glass co\ering. After two years' trial, however, it is a waste of labour and a certain method of getting rid of the plants to try them at least within the area of the London fogs. P. obconica is much hardier than floribunda, and weie the atmosphere in winter not so damp and stagnant it might survive, but, so far. it has been quite a failure. The very least of their requirements is a_dry house, such as suits Cape plants, with just suflicient hii.t to keep frost at bay. We also tried them in a cold frame, and these vvere. if anything, in a worse con- dition than those in the open, owing, doubtless, to the closer atmosphere: the flowers, as w(dl as the leaves, get covered with nuudd, and damp off in great numbers. — K. Hyacinthus azureus.— This fine bulb, though of only recent introductiiui, has got fairly well spread" through gardens, but v.'ill probablyl^hardly 46 THE GARDEN [Jan. 19, 1889. be appreciated as it truly deserves until it can be had in quantity. It is just now beginning to throw up its lovely spikes of azure flowers— a welcome sight out of doors just now when most things seem dormant. It forms a connecting link between the Hyacinth proper and the Grape Hyacinth, and is known in some few gardens still under the name of Muscari lingulatum. The flower-stem is about the same length as the broad, strap-shaped, reflexed leaves; the head dense and conical, the individual flowers large, and of a very pleasing tint. Bulbs of this plant were first introduced by Kotschy to the Vienna Botanic Garden about 1856, and from thence found their way to our own gardens. It increases quickly, and as it seeds freely, there can be no reason why this charming addition to our early spring flowers should not be as common as the Squills. Hardy Iiycopodiums. — In summer these plants are usually overlooked, so common-place do they appear among their gaily dressed neighbours, but just now they are not only full of interest, but are really beautiful as they carpet the ground with their snake-like branches. These Mosses are easily grown on peat beds amongst the dwarfer Rhodo- dendrons, Kalmias, &c., and in such positions one finds them wild, nestling close up to stems of low bushes, and in the case of L. alpinum, L. clavatum, and others, we have found the strongest always in the very hearts of dense Heather bushes. These plants are both beautiful and interesting now, and are very much enhanced at flowering and fruiting time by their cones of golden pollen. The cardinal "Willow.— One of the brightest bits of colour we have ever seen during winter was lately observed in the nursery of Mr. Slocock at Woking. In a low-lying and wet portion of the nur- sery a large breadth of the cardinal Willow is grown for the supply of shoots for tying. The bark of this Willow exceeds in brightness that of our native Dogwood, and the effect of a mass is very telling. From all parts of the nursery, and from the hills above, quite half a mile away, the cardinal Willow was conspicuous. Apart from its use, this Willow should certainly be largely planted for ornament. It should be planted wherever there is a lake, and for fringing a small stream it would be equally as useful. Probably it would not be so effective in a large state, but even if planted for ornament the shoots could be cut annually, as they would prove very useful for tying. Crocus ISBvigatus. — A pretty species near to C. Tourneforti, but abundantly distinct in the flowers, which vary from white to lilac, variously and distinctly feathered with purple markings. It usually flowers with us from about the end of October to near Christmas, but just now, with the present open weather, it is as gay as ever, and will last some time yet. This is a very hardy species, and well worth planting in quantity, as with every spell of open weather the fresh blooms shoot up like Mushrooms, and give no end of pleasure even in midwinter. Near to this is the rare C. Cambes- sedesi, a smaller plant, but so free-flowering as to warrant its being grown in qviantity if corms can be had. It flowers usually from October to No- vember, but those ]jlanls play all kinds of freaks under cultivation, and we are now just having the first of the Cambessedesi flowers. C. Korolkowi has also made a mistake. It usually flowers about the middle of February, but this year the flowers opened about Christmas, and are now in full beauty. — K. . Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution. — Tlie liftieth annual general meeting was held on Wednesday last jit Simpson's, Strand, for the elec- tion of otfiecrs for tlio present year and to receive th(! report of the committee. The report and balance sheet were read by Mr. Cutler, the seci'etary, and both show that this institution is in a healthy con- dition. Fourteen pensioners more will now benefit by the fiinds, five l)eing placed on by ri'ason of their having subserilied from seventeen lo forty year.^. They were Mr. John Allen, of Comiitoii Bas.sctt; Mrs. E. K. Amos, of Widmore, Bromley; Mr. W. Binder, of Kugeley ; Mr. .7. Harris, of Lich- field; and Mr. J. Milcliinson. cjf Truro. Tlie eleeted candiilates were .John Slowe, W. llolah, Helen W. Lessells, Margaret Malcolm, George Head, C. Robin- son, Elizabeth Kcmber, Sarah Naylor, and Charlotte Newell. Winter Heliotrope. — This fragrant flower is almost the only thing in the garden that one can gather for the house, if we except a few straggling Christmas Roses or a bloom or two of the blue winter Windflower that the mild weather of the last two or three days has tempted out. Petasites fragrans is an excellent plant for naturalising in the wild garden, as it is too coarse for the border and increases rapidly to the injury of other subjects of a less vigorous constitution. The purplish white flowers are delightfully fragrant, more so than those of the plant from which it takes its popular name. It is the best plant now in the Royal Horti- cultural Gardens at Chiswick, where it has been establi.shed for many years. Chrysanthemums. E. MOLYNEUX. CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. Cuttings that were inserted during last month and are intended to be grown for the production of large blooms or otherwise will now, for the most part, be struck. Attention should now be given them to prevent them becoming drav\m up weakly, as this is most injurious to their future welfare. Weakly grown, attenuated plants cannot make such strong specimens as those well attended to in the earlier stages of growth. The results, if caused by inattention at this stage of the plant's growth, cannot afterwards possibly be satisfactory. It is at this time that careful attention reaps its own reward. Cuttings have not struck so readily this season as in the past one, owing to their weak state in many instances when severance from the jilant took place. In many instances they present a sickly appearance far from healthy ; the dull, sun- less weather, too, is all against their rapid recovery. Therefore any attention that can be given them now will be time well spent. The cuttings where inserted singly in small pots and placed under hand-lights or a propagating case in a cool house should be turned carefully out of the pot, and if the roots are visible around the side of the ball of soil they should be stood in a light by themselves to receive more air. Those in which the roots are not visible should be placed by themselves, that they may be kept close for a few days longer until roots are more freely formed. The lights should be taken off these latter every morning for an hour to dispel condensed moisture, again wiping the glass dry in the evening ; this treatment preserves a sweet atmosphere and prevents to a great extent d.'imping of the points of the shoots and leaves. Those cuttings placed together in a separate light to receive air daily should be watered carefully, suiBcien t only being given to keep the soil moist. The frame should be tilted a little, increasing the air daily if the leaves of the plants do not flag until the lights can be removed altogether. Allow sufficient space between each jjlant that the leaves of one do not overlap those of the other. Some growers strike the <'uttings in a. cold frame pricked out in sandy soil over a layer of dccomi^osed leaves, first filling the frame nearly full of leaves to bring the cuttings near to the glass. This is a capital plan where provision can be made to exclude frost and when a suitable place in a cool house is not available or h;md-lights are otherwise engaged. This method of striking the cuttings may b(^ pnietised more largely in the .south of England than in the northern parts, as usually the frosts .at this season of the year arc neither so keen nor so long con- tinued. As the cuttings show signs of growth air should be gradually given them until the lights can be entirely removed feu- a short time in the middle of ,a fine day. Where the cuttings are struck lliree or four together in a ])iit — this jiracUice, Jiowevi'r, I do nnl recommend — they, as soon as well rooted, should be sejiarated .and ])olted singly into small pots and kept close fiU' a few days until the roots commence to run into the new soil. I notice I hat a goodly number of cuttings this season look a.s if they would soon develop a flower-bud, and where this occurs the point of the cutting should be removed at once, giving an opportunity for new growth to spring from the eyes below. When the cuttings develop this early bud formation it is much better to discard such if others of the same sorts are .avail.able, as there is a likelihood of such forming better plants than those which form buds so early. This early bud formation is often caused by taking the cuttings direct from the stem of the old plants. Provision will shortly be needed for the plants near to the glass directly they will stand the lights being taken off entirely without flagging. No better place can be found for them than on a shelf suspended from the rafters of the house from which the frost is excluded. In this way, the plants being nearer the top of the house, more air is able to play about them than if they were stand- ing on the stages, .and consequently some distance from the glass. In such a house as that described they are much better than in one where much heat is employed, growth being more steady and solid. If the house is not provided with shelves, temporary ones can easily be put up by suspending them from the rafters by means of stout galvanised wire and screws or nails. The shelves may be about 9 inches wide, according to circumstances, and on each side there should be a groove to run the water off to one end. Any plants standing underneath the Chrysan- themums are not then splashed by the water given to those overhead. On the shelves the plants should not be crowded, as it is far better, instead of growing so many that overcrowding has to be resorted to, to confine the number to a reasonable limit. A daily examination of each pot should be m,ade to ascer- tain if water is needed ; the pots being small and the plants receiving more air, they become dry sooner than when standing in the handlights; therefore extra attention is needed to supply them with water as required. Chrysanthemum gloriosum has proved the best late variety this season, and occurred more often at the recent National Chrysanthemum Society's show at Westminster than any other. It was first shown by Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, Nov. 9, 1886, and certificated. It is a flower of true Japanese character, average size, and with long, slightly twisted florets of a clear yellow colour. Everyone who grows late Chrysanthemums should h.ave a, few plants of gloriosum. Chrysanthemum Moonlight.— I am afraid " H., Sandwich " (p. 10), is by no means alone in his experience with this variety. At one time I fully expected it would prove to be a very service- able late variety, lasting, say, for .another month or two. At Christmas we cut several fine blooms fit for exhibition, and these were much admired, both in wreaths and on the dinner-table, but all the late buds are either "abortive or deformed," and the plants wall be cut down accordingly. It is very doubtful if Moonlight will ever be nuich grown either for exhibition or for conserv.atory decoration, and certainly not for marketing pvirposes. — I. Chrysanthemum Jersey Nugget. — An idea seems to have gained currency that Jersey Nugget and Temple of Solomon are one and the same va- riety. Such, however, is not the ease, as they are dislinct both in colour and also in tlie form of the flowers. Jersey Nugget is ,a fine, full, regularly recurved Japanese variety, but Tenqile of Solonwn, as I have alw.ays seen it and also grown it, is an ordinary refle.xeil variety, with tlu^ jietals in the eentreot the liloom, and very erect when the flower is fully grown. Another distinction, and one that m.akes Jersey Nugget a decided gain, is that it is a grand late variety, for when subjected to similar treatment it is quite five weeks later than Temple of Solomon .and keeps in good condition well into the new year. -HuilBEUT I'.\RKEU, La Ilmufite Jiot'K, St.. John's, Jersey. Chrysanthemum M. A. Le Moult. — I am not ill a po.sitioii t*) say if this variety numoJ on p. ."lill (Vol. XX.XIV.) is the same as that scut here in 1885. i'oaeibly it may bo. The present is the first season that it has uome imdor notice in a manner worthy to be claieel amongst the new varieties. — E. M. Jan. 19, 1889. J THE GARDEN 47 Fruit Garden. PEAK JARGONELLE. We give an illustration of a Pear that is uni- versally admitted to be one of the most agreeably flavoured of all the early varieties. It is in- cluded in our list of "Early Pears,'' and ample evidence of its value will be found in The Garden of 1888, Vol. XXXIII,, where growers from Scotland, Ireland, and England write of its merits. Mr. Barker, Hindlip Gar- dens, Worcester, says: "No other variety can be compared with Jargonelle in its season. Some take exception to it on account of its tendency to decaj- at the core before ripening. No early Pear is exempt from this fault, and the Jai-gonelle is not a greater delinquent in this respect than many other August and Sep- tember varieties. We have a large tree of Jar- gonelle on a south wall, and in some seasons I have noticed this disposition to decay before ripening. The Jargonelle succeeds best when trained to the side of a house, or on the gable end of a building where there is ample room 1600, and without doubt before, it bore this name at Orleans, as may be seen from the catalogue that was publislied in 1628 by the Procurcur du Roi, Le Lectier, of the trees of its remarkable orchard, established towards the end of the sixteenth cen- tury at Orleans. At page 4 of this small treatise may be found, classed among the fruits ripening during July or at the beginning of August, the Pear " d'Espargue." But even before 1600 one can prove the existence of this Pear in another part of France, at the port of Dieppe. The following passage taken from an article, inserted in 1842 in the second volume of the Bulletin dc la Socicte d' Horticulture de Itouen, shows that it had been already propa- gated there in 1580 : — " There exists in the garden of M. Mengnot, at PoUet, outside thetown of Dieppe (Seine- Inferieure), an espalier Pear tree, the oldest and largest that probably can be found in Eurojie. This is a tree of the Pear Cueillette or Epargne, grafted on the free stock ; it is planted against a wall 8 metres high and in a clayey soil. The stem is 1 metre in thickness ; each lateral branch is 70 centimetres in diameter ; it is 30 metres in width, and is in a southern exposure. Its growth is vigorous, and the tree bears each year from 3000 to 4000 Pears. Its date of planting, written on a stone placed in the corruption of Poire d'Espagne (vol. xi., p. 142). This opinion has recently influenced one of our pomolo- gists, w-ho, adopting it, has supposed that this Pear came originally from the north of Spain. To us these two opinions are inadmissible. The Pear that since 1628 Le Lectier called 'Espargne'— a word then synonymous with treasure — must be of French origin, and have come either from Orleans or Normandy, its common name in the last men- tioned province being Cueillette. Our idea is also that of M. Jahn, one of the most competent Ger- man authors on the same subject (see ' Illustrirtes Handbuch der Obstkunde,' 1860, vol. xi., p. 195, No. 86). No Pear tree better deserved than this such flattering names which in our day it still fully justifies, since in 1858 M. Decaisne wrote in the first volume of his -Jardin Fruitier du Museum,' ' L'Epargne is very abundant in the Paris markets, where choice fruits of it are generally sold at 25 francs the hundred ; ' and in 1866 M. Mas, pub- lisher of the ' Orchard,' said, in describing it, ' I have known a tree of this variety the crop of which often realised as much as 120 francs.' " Let us add, in conclusion, that among the other names of this Pear, Grosse Cuisse-Madame is one of them. We have described the name Grosse Cuisse- Madame among the synonyms of Epargne, this I'ear Jargonelle. Eugraved for The Garden, from fruit sent by Mr. Barker, Hindlip Oardons. for extension, for, being a strong gi'ower, it is impatient of the knife, and not until the tree has covered considerable space and the spurs have become ohl will good crops result. By far the finest samples of this variety which I have seen were from two very old trees in a Sufl'olk garden. I have assisted in gathering bushels of tine Pears from these grand old trees. This kind when grown in difl'erent aspects will pro- duce a good succession. Only once have I seen it growing as a standard, and in this instance the tree was carrying a good crop. We have two bush trees here which bear freel}', but the fruit is smaller thau from those grown against the walls. Our trees are all on the Pear stock. Judging from the number of dishes of Jargo- nelle exhibited at the horticultural .shows in this locality, it is deservedly popular." The follow- ing particulars from Leroy's " Dictionnaire de Pomologic" may be interesting to many : — This Pear has good right to be considered one of the oldest in the French pomology. Our gardeners have cultivated it for about four centuries. Its first name appears to be that under which it is still known in France to-day — Poire d'Epargne. Since wall, was 15S0, in the reign of Henry III. The property whore it was found planted was formerly a hospital. This venerable tree is taken care of by the owners, so that even now a long life is assured it." Evidently we have here the origin of the Pear Epargne, and also jjrobably one of the first fruit trees that has been grown as an espalier. At the same time it is believed that if it was really planted in 1580 on the wall on which it now grows, it was only towards 1600 that it was trained in the form of a true esp.alier, of which the origin in our country goes back only to the beginning of the seventeenth century; thus it appears in the lists given in our first volume, p. 57, of the history of the Pear. Tliis tree was found exactly in the province where the espalier was well known, since the Abb^ le Gcndre, Cur^ of Henonville, near Rouen, was, as we have stated elsewhere (vol. i., pp. 57, 58), the oldest and most celebrated advocate of this method of tree culture. Poiteau, w-ho died in 1854, said in his "Cours d'Horticulture," edition of 1853: — "After having looked for a long time for a reason- able meaning for the word Epargne in the ' Poire d'Epargne,' I have thought that this word was a Pear having borne it for a long time and in diffe- rent countries ; but here we ought to inform the reader that in 1600 there was cultivated at Orleans, according to Le Lectier (catalogue of 1628, p. 17), a Pear tree originally of Moulins, and called Ccr- teau-Madame, or Grosse Cuisse-Madame. Nevei- theless, as its fruits ripen in December, said this author, it was proved that it was entirely different from Epargne ; our efforts to find it again have been futile. Let us also remember that for a number of years L'Epargne has been grown in Aujou as La Cuisse-Mad.-uue, and we refer those who wish for more detailed explanations on this subject to pp. 606, 608 of vol. i., where this last- mentioned variety is described. Pear Josephine de Malines. — I do not think there is any late keeping Pear that is more deserving of extended cultivation than this, for it is one of the hardiest trees that we have, and grows, if any- thing, too freely in poor soil, where many other sm-ts make but I'ittlc progress. Although it prows freely it does not make coarse wood, but of the light size for making fruit buds, and what is of the utmost importance is that it succeeds just as well as an open bush or pyramid as on a wall, 48 THE GARDEN [Jan. 19, 1889. which is more than can be said of many other late kinds. In fact, we get the best flavoured fruit from our bush trees. There is yet another reason why we prize the kind highly, as the fruits hang so tightly on the trees, that even our October gales do not dislodge them, and as they must be left on the tree as late as possible, this is a great advan- tage. If the frosts keep off we leave this kind out until November, and a slight frost will not harm the fruits, as the trees are remarkable for their full leafage, and on bushes they are well covered. In pruning we leave a good many of the small twig-like shoots, for tliey form bunches of flowers at the ends, and generally set clusters of fruits that need thinning to allow them to swell up to a full size. It is not a large Pear, but of fair medium size, and when fully ripe is of delicious flavour. The great point is to get tliem fully ripe, as they turn yellow and look ripe weeks before they are fit for the table. If the fruit room is very cold at this time of year, put a few in a box and set them in a warm house to finish off. — J. G. H. STANDARD PEAKS FOR BRITAIN. 1. BEURRE SUPERFIN. 2. MARIE LOUISE. 3. DOYENNE DU COMICE. 4. WINTER NELIS. 5. JOSEPHINE DE MALINES. 6. EMILE D'HEYST. 7. GLOU MORCEAU. 8. THOMPSON'S. 9. BERGAMOTTE D'ESPEREN. 10. ALEXANDRE LAMBRE. 11. NOUVELLE FULVIE. 12. OLIVIER DE SERRES. 13. COMTE DE LAMY. Early Pears.— Citron des Cannes, Doyenn^ d'Ete, Wil- liams' Bon Cliretien, Beurr6 Giffard, Jargonelle, Seckel. Oookin? Pears. — Catillac, Uvedalc'a St. Germain, Gilogil, Bcllissime d'Hiver. Perry Pears.— Taynton Squasti, Thorn Pear, Barland, Yellow Huffcap, Moorcroft, Longlands, Chiseley Green, Aylton Red, Red Pear, Rock Pear, Dymoek Red, Oldfleld Butt, Holmer, Red Fear, Rock, Bosberry Bcarlet, Lumber- Bkulls Marden. PROTECTING FRUIT TREE STEMS. Wherbvbe hares and rabbits abound and have access to orchards or plantations of young fruit trees, it is necessary to in some way protect their stems from the injury which is almost sure to be inflicted upon them by these animals as soon as severe or wintry weather sets in. Although hares and rabbits are now much less numerous in most localities than was formerly the case, still one hare gaining access to an orchard of young Apple and Pear trees will in a single night manage to re- move the bark from the stems of a large portion of the trees. It is not an unusual practice to paint or smear the stems of such trees with some noxious mixture of various ingredients which may for a time afford the necessary protection to the bark of the stems, but this in tlie course of time wears or gets washed otf liy the rain, and the stems are con- sequently left exposed. The stems of the trees are also often smeared with gas tar, but this, as may be .supposed, inflicts serious injury upon the trees, and may be regarded as a cure little, if at all, better than the disease. A plan I have found to be very effective, and whicli will last for several years, is that of sur- rounding tlie steins witli a thin covering of reeds or carefully drawn wheat or rye straw, this being secured to the stems to the necessary height and fastened in several places by strong string, which together with the reeds or straw simuld be well smeared with tar, taking care that tliis laecd ;it a dis- count, and growth, tluuigh weak for some little time to ce fresh, sound, ,-uul healthy. Last, but not least imjiortant, the boat from the pipes and bed combined should range .'SU° about the roots, (It)" to 7t)° by night, 75° to 80° through the day, and the liighest figure that can be touched when the sun is shining. Spring Cucumbers. — AVhere winter plants have gone wrong or are not grown, an early start with stout young plants is of great importance. The experienced grower, wliose iiraefiee exteni's back Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GARDEN 51 to the time when fermenting material formed the sheet anchor, about Christmas-time makes up a good hotbed, a yard or so square, in a snug corner of his hot-water pit. When raised to within a foot of the glass he covers it with old tan or leaf- mould, introduces a few large bell-glasses, a dozen or two of small pots or cubes of turf, a little light rich compost, and when the heat has permeated one and all he goes to work by sowing a few seeds of his fa- vourite varieties. When up in full seed-leaf he takes the glasses off by day, but returns them at night, especially where crickets and cockroaches abound, and in this way and most likely upon this small bed he r.aises a good stock of Cucumber and Melon plants, pending the cleansing of the house and the preparation of the fruiting pots, ridges or hills. The Cucumber delights in a compost of rich turfy loam, a little leaf-mould and rough lime rubble, good drainage, as it must have an abundance of water, and a bottom-heat of 80°. It does well in lints plunged in a fermenting bed, but. heat being satisfactoiy, it gives the best return .and lasts longest when turned out upon ridges of good compost somewhat heavier than that recommended for use through the winter. I never use manure in the compost or for mulching, as it only encourages worms and does not maintain the steady growth secured from constant supplies of warm diluted liquid, soot and guano water. If the different pre- liminary operations are well timed, the fruiting pots or hills will be warmed through by the day on which the first rough leaves become perceptible; there- fore, as root-bound seedlings are of little use, plant- ing should not be delayed by a single hour. Treating of young Melons, I stated that the cones or ridges should be on a level with the rims of the pots, ;is these plants resent earthing, but Cucumbers, on the contrary, may be earthed to any height up the stems. Therefore, in the preparation of fruiting pots the latter need not be made more than half full, whilst hills at the outset may be of the smallest dimensions. If the pots are deep and the ferment- ing material is likely to sink, the pots or hills should be placed on a solid foundation of inverted pots, drain-pipes on end, or bricks ; othermse when secured to the trellis, dragging and strangling are sure to follow. Having placed a straight stout leading stick from the compost to the trellis, and seen that the tiny balls are thoroughly moist, turn them out, liberate the roots, avoid the slightest pressure on the stems, cover lightly with fine warm soil, and at once water home. The Vineries. As early Vines will now be found in various stages, from bursting their buds to elongating their bunches, tlie multifarious operations, next to being performed well, must be carried out at the proper time. If confined to well-drained inside borders, another good watering, in the case of very old Vines with warm diluted liquid, and in that of young ones with pure water, will help the development of the bunches, and most likely carry tliem on until the Grapes arc set. Syi"inging. too, wlien all the buds liave started may be discontinued, but the walls, floors, and borders must be moistened two or three times a day, and some portion of the fermenting material must be turned over every morning. As growth proceeds, disbudding and tying down will require daily attention, and in due course each shoot must be pinched at the second or third joint beyond the bunch. In tying down the young shoots, the afternoon when they are slightly limp will be found the best time, and then, being so liable to snap, the pressure should not extend beyond keep- ing the points clear of the glass. As the bunches become priuuinent, all save one, and tliat the most comp.act, even in the Mustcat liouse, should be pinched out, and then enough aiul to spare will be left for the crop. When in free growth, the tem- l^erature may range from 5G° to 110° at night, or a little h igher when mild, 70° to 75° by d.ay. and 80° after shutting off the chink of air from sun and fire-heat combined. Succession and early Muscat houses, started to- gether about the end of the year, must be well syringed twice a day, when the temperature from the hot leaves ami a gentfe circulation on the pipes may range 60° to 65°, according to the state of the weather, and during a continuance of fog and frost quite 10° lower through the night. If any of the young canes have been pruned extra long and an even break is doubtful, the points should be drawn down until they form anarch immediately over the fermenting material, where the warm, but invisible vapour constantly rising will prove more effectual than the most careful syringing. If grafting or inarching any of the Vines in the suc- cession or mixed house is contemplated, the scions or young pot Vines should now be placed in a tem- perate house to set the sap in motion. Bottle grafts are often attached when in a dormant state, but slight excitement facilitates the union, which, by the way, may be made at any convenient place near the base of the Vine or upon a strong- side shoot which does not start from a spur. The best time to attach bottle grafts is when the Vine is in full leaf and numerous channels are open to the first flush of sap, which otherwise might flood and choke the scion. When the scions have started into growth and made a few leaves, the stock Vines should be kept closely pinched and eventually cut down, not bodily, but piecemeal as the young canes progress and are able to take the extra sap thus diverted into the new channels. Those who h.ave not been very successful in bottle-grafting and are afraid of failure m.ay succeed by adopting Mr. Barker's plan, namely, that of cutting down dor- mant Vines and inarching the green wood of a pot A'ine upon that of the stock when the latter has started into free growth in the spring. Late houses.— It all the Grapes have not been cut no time should be lost in getting them transferred to the store room, otherwise there will be some danger of the Vines bleeding ; indeed, under any circumstances all Vines pruned in January should be carefully dressed with styptic, if not at once, certainly before the inside roots receive their first supply of water. When pruned and cleansed, the house may be kept dry and cold until the first week in March, and outside borders protected by a good layer of fresh stable litter may have full ex- posure to the elements. As few Vines, not even the early forced ones, work so hard as those from which the Grapes are cut iu December or January, two months' perfect rest is of paramount import- ance ; hence the advantage of throwing open all ventilators and setting one's face rigidly against the introduction of a single plant that will not stand this bracing treatment. Bedding plants for many years were the forcing gardener's bane, but, fortu- nately, improved taste now prevails, as many of our most pleasing flower gardens are now furnished with hardy subjects. Tlie Grape room. — If each bunch of Grapes was carefully relieved of every faulty berry as it was cut from the Vine, and the room, previously heated to expel stagnant moisture, has been judiciously ventilated, the scissors as yet will hardly be wanted. Each bottle, on the other hand, must be carefully examined and filled up with soft water, as the quantity of this element taken up by the wood and bunches within the first fortnight is really astonisli- ing. Once their thirst is slaked and all the cells are filled up, bunches borne upon ratherlongpieces of wood will take care of themselves for many weeks, but those attached to shorter lengths should be ex- amined and filled up at short intervals. To facili- tate this w-ork and to avoid mishaps it is a good plan to place all bunches attached to extra short pieces of wood close together, say in tlio lowest tier, where drip from the most careful hand when filling up will not disfigure or ailect those above them. Tliese short-stemmed bunches, it is liardly necessary for me to say, no matter how plump and promising they look, should be first taken for consumption. The Grape room in damp, foggy, or frosty weather, of whicli alrcaily we have had a taste even in the salubrious co\nitry, should bo kept close, dark and dry enough to prevent incnild, .and the less fire-heat to maintain 40° to 45° the better for clusters intended to hang till April. There prevails an opinion that Muscats require a somewhat higlier figure, but mine tliis year, never abovs 40°, are quite as fresh, sound and plump as when cut from the Vines early in December. White Gros Colman and Mrs. Pearson are keeping to my entire satisfaction. The latter should have a jilace in every late vinery. Cherries. These pi'ecocious trees down to the end of the past year had a most jubilant time for swelling their budsj and we began to fear that the dark, but un- seasonably mild weather might have a prejudicial effect upon the flowers. These forebodings have been summarily dismissed by sharp frosts and dense fogs which have so completely shut out the sun and lowered the external temperature, that fire- heat to maintain a mean of 40° has become abso- lutely necessary. How long this is to last it is quite impossible to surmise, but one thing is cer- tain: the Cherry forcer who wishes to have ripe fruit early in May must exercise patience for the present and push forward when solar heat favours steady forcing. Vfhen the buds begin to swell the mean temperature may range 40° to 45° at night and 50° to 55° by day, always with a little fresh air and atmospheric moisture in proportion to ex- ternal conditions. As days increase in length and, let us hope, in brightness, more air, top and front, must be given, especially when the pipes are warm, but the heat for the present must be shut off at night unless the mercury falls below 40°. By working upon the give-and-take principle and mak- ing hay when the sun shines, the very early sorts will make good progress, and so most likely will insects to which these trees are subject. Green and black fly, no matter how carefully the trees are cleansed, generally put in an appearance, but these easily succumb to two or three mild smokings with tobacco paper, the last of which should always pre- cede the opening of the first flower. As Cherries do so well when planted out in nar- row inside borders, the majority of growers con- fine themselves to two or three of the best sorts which ripen in succession, but this catering for a sure supply does not prevent the amateur who de- lights in a selection from growing a dozen or a score varieties, when pot culture, or planting out and lifting annually, will best answer his purpose. Well-managed pot trees on the Mahaleb stock last a great number of years, increasing slowly in size, but improving in fertility as they grow, that is, pro- vided they are not allowed to exhaust themselves by overcropping. To prevent this self-destruction it is a good plan to thin the spurs and blossoms pretty freely every year, and, considering that the CheiTy is inipatient of fire heat, a body of mild fer- menting leaves placed amongst the pots, whilst forming the main factor in forcing through the early stages, will render direct syringing a secondary consideration. When the trees come into flower, dry steady fire heat, with plenty of air to raise the temperature to 65° or 75° with the aid of the sun, will not only ensure a good set of fruit, but the most fragrant and enchanting mass of inflorescence seldom met with in any garden. Plums. Although forced Plums lag behind Cherries at the finish, the two start kindly together and run .abreast until some time after the fruit is set and swelling. This being the case, their treatment as regards fresh air, a low temperature, and great patience, is in every way identical. In the selec- tion of Plums for forcing, none but the very best dessert sorts should ho chosen, and these, for my own use, I prefer having in pots, as they can be turned out of doors as soon ,as the cropisg.athered. When the house can be used for other purposes, the plants can be moved to a cool fruit room when the crop is approaching ripeness, but one thing they can- not be coaxed or coerced into, and that is the double quick m.arcb .-it the finish. In this respect they are very stubborn, but, like all other .stone fruits, they respond cheerfully and satisfactorily when started early and carried quickly tlirough the different stages of their growth. W. C. Plums from layers.— I have long been under the im- proeslou that Btone fniits were difficult to root from cuttings or laycis. but on visiting a cottager's garden a few days ago I was ehown [ome excellent jouug plants of Victoria Plums 52 THE GAUDEN. [Jan. 19, 1889 which the owner had raised by bringing down the points of the lowest shoots of a wall tree and layering them like Carna- tions. It was not a new pastime with the owner, for he had got trees up to full fruiting size by this means.— J. G., Hants. Flower Garden. IMPROVEMENT IN FLORISTS' FLOWERS. It is interesting to observe the vast improvement which has taken place in various families of plants during the last halt century, and this improve- ment is due to the careful perseverance of culti- vators, as well as to the energy of plant collectors. It is said to be now one hundred years since the first Fuchsia was introduced into this country, when botanists of that period named the plant Fuchsia coccinea, and this was doubtless regarded as a valuable addition to the somewhat limited list of ornamental species of plants at that time cul- tivated in this country. Few other species appear to have been introduced until about the years 1823 and 1824, when numerous species were introduced from the mountain regions of tropical America and elsewhere. But it was not until cultivators began to hybridise, and so raise plants from seed, that great improvement became apparent, and as few species of plants submit more readily to fertilisa- tion than the Fuchsia, the advance became some- what rapid, and many greatly improved varieties were secured. Some growers of these plants may yet remember the raising of varieties possessing the pure white corolla, double as well as single ; these flowers created great enthusiasm at that period. The varieties of this beautiful plant are now very numerous, and most, if not all, of them may justly be considered as improvements upon the early introduced .species. The well-known Dahlia is another plant which was introduced to this country from Mexico, about the same time as the Fuchsia. The early introduced varieties were of tall and straggling growth, while the flowers were single, or, at the most, only show- ing a slight tendency to become double, but they were of very little merit. Attempts were, however, made to improve the character of the flowers, and these attempts were ultimately rewarded with suc- cess, and large flowers of nearly all shades of colour, blue excepted, and of the most perfect form, were the result. Not content with this, however, culti- vators from time to time induced further de- Ijartures, such as that of the Bouquet or Pompon section, and these proved a very valuable class of plants, distinguished by a profusion of miniature flowers of various shades, form and size. Anotlier type or section of these plants is known as the Cactus varieties, from the blooms bearing a striking resemblance to the flowers of some species of Cac- tus, while a greatly improved strain of varieties producing single flowers has also more recently been secured. The plants of this section are more dwarf and compact in habit of growth, and produce flowers in great abundance. The Ciiuysanthemum was introduced to this country from China as early as the year 17(J4, and according to Loudon's " Hortus Britannicus " (2nd edition), published in 1832, there were at that time upwards of forty distinct varieties grown in the gardens and greenhouses of this country. Chry- santhemum societies now exist all over the country, and the plants are grown in almost every garden. These beautiful plants are divided into various sections, and the different varieties in each .section have been Ijroiight to a high degree of perfection by skilful cro.'is-hreeding and selection. The Pom- pon .section consists of plants of ample leafage and small, but beautifully formed blooms, wliich usually appear earlier than on those plants forming the larger-flowered sections. The Pklauoonium is another family of plants which has of late years been vastly iin]iroved. It is divided into various .sections, but nearly all are indigenous to the C.'ipe of Good Hope, and have been introducee found, but there would be every aspect of light aiul shade around the bases, and there appears to me to be no limit to the accommodation that could be provided in a well-arranged rootery, and if made with substantial materials it would last a good many years.— T. Smith. FLO"VO;R GARDEN NOTES. Vaeiety in gaedbns. — I fear that I may find it difficult to express all I mean by this term, because of the many directions my thoughts take when I begin to study the subject. Everyone knows that for continued" interest to be maintained with regard to gardens and gardening generally, there must be something fresh, something new to look at. In my case, such desire grows keener every year, and one phase of it (and the origin of this note) was forcibly brought to my mind whilst superintending the clearing out of Brambles and coarse Grass from a large plot of Heather that covers a bank in a semi- wild part of the pleasure grounds -the planting of the bank having had its origin in the desire to practice what previously had only been a theory, namely, that in every part of a large garden there ought to be some distinctive phase of gardening, or, in other words, in no two parts of the same pleasure grounds should there be the same manner of grouping the plants, nor yet even a repetition of the same kinds of plants whenever it is possible to avoid it. This bank of Heather, consisting of several varieties, was formed by digging out the roots of Bracken, which of itself was very beautiful, espe- cially in winter, but which, what remains of it now, is still more beautiful by contrast with the dark green of the Heather, not to mention the additional interest created by the two sections of plants and colour over that of Bracken only. A short distance away from this plot of Heather, the soil being of the same peaty nature, a group of Irish Heaths (Menziesia) was formed, and as these grow taller, are a much brighter green, and have larger foliage, the two plots, in colour and habit, are as different as any grouping could well be with plants requiring the same description of soil. With reference to Menziesias, they cannot surely be well known, as it is very seldom that one meets with them. It may be that their fondness for peaty soil hinders their general culture, but this should not be a drawback in all places, because, though peat is their natural soil, they do very well in a dry or well-drained loam ; in fact, in any soil except clay, chalk, and lime. But going back to the question of variety in gardens, I may instance that of thegrouping together of a large number and variety of Japanese shrubs, principally Retinosporas, which have now grown into fair-sized trees, and which, when seen for the first time by strangers, call forth great admiration. One friend was .so pleased with the way in which they had been arranged, or, as he called it, the " careless way in which they were thrown about," and vet made a distinctive garden, that he suggested we should call the spot the Japanese garden, and this would be by no means an inappropriate name. At present, however, it goes by the more pretentious name of "sub-tropical garden," andthegrouping of the shrubs was done with a view to winter furnishing the spot, which they effectually do, the bare sub-tropical beds being but "little noticed because the shrubs at- tract attention far more so than they do in the sum- mer, as then the surrounding deciduous trees are in full leaf. I hope 1 have now made clear from the f ore- goinginstanceswhat I mean by varietyin gardens. It really consists in grouping together various sections of plants. Of course, I do not mean to the exclu- sion of a mixed manner of planting, as that must continue to be the way of arranging shrubs and trees in gardens of small extent, for the obvious reason that there is no room for the formation of groups of distinctive kinds of plants, but where unlimited space is at comnuvnd. Then, in addition to mixed planting, there also should be the forming of groups— distinct gardens, in fact, of the same .species or genera of sln'ubs. Azaleas, Hollies, Rhododendrons, Pernettyas, &c., all make grand groups of themselves. Nor need the practice be confined to shrubs and trees. It is, in a more (U- less degree, equally well suited to other pl.-ints, as, for instance, what looks more beautiful than larce masses of Snowdrops, Daffodils, wood ,\ne- 54 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 19, 1889. mones, Primroses, or wild Hyacinths? and just now we have a grand colony of the winter Aconite, and another of Christmas Roses that well illustrate how, in a smaller degree than that of shrubs, we can have distinctive features of any given species of plants in various parts of pleasure grounds and gardens. Haedt flowbhs. — If the question be asked, What constitutes hardiness in a plant ? I answer, any flower that at the end of the first eight days of this new year, with the mercury almost continu- ously at freezing point, and on several nights as low as 18" or 14° of frost, is unharmed. Such flowers and plants must assuredly be entitled to be classed as hardy. Of these, now that the thaw is complete. Wallflowers must be given the first place, their blossoms being as bright as if there had been no frost. Winter Aconites and Christmas Roses are almost as fresh ; of the latter, some had the protection of hand-lights, but the flowers of those that were unprotected are just as good. Limnanthes Douglasi is flowering as freely as if there had been no frost, and on some large plants of Snapdragons that are sheltered by overhanging branches of fruit trees are flowers as good as they usually are in September. Violets and Violas, or tufted Pansies, are always more or less in flower, but the first make such a poor show in the open border, and the latter at this season only throw up a few flowers here and there, that I must not be understood as recommending them to be planted for winter flowering, and I only name them now to show how hardy the flowers are. That the plants are, is well known. Daisies, Polyanthuses, Prim- roses, Myosotis, Silene, Nemophila, in fact, all autumn - planted hardy, spring -flowering plants would be the better for being well pressed down ; Hyacinths, Tulips and Narcissi, too, for I note, which is rather unusual, that the late frosts have heaved them up as well as the preceding, this, I expect, being due to the unusually advanced state of growth of the bulbs, by reason of the wet and mild weather that continued to the end of the old year. Sweet Peas being special favourites, we strive to have flowers as early and as late as possible. Our first sowing in the open was made to-day (Jan. 10), and a sowing in pots will follow, these to be planted out on a warm border when 8 inclies or 9 inches high, and by afllording good shelter, more especially from cold winds, we shall hope to gather flowers quite a month before we do from those sown in the open air. I have tried more than once to grow Sweet Peas indoors in a cool Peach house, but utter failure was the result. There was plenty of growth, but it was weak, and though abundance of flower-stems showed, not a flower ever opened, but turned yellow and dropped or withered on the stem. I should be glad to learn from anyone who may have succeeded in forcing this flower of his mode of culture. W. WiLDSMITH. Propagating. The peopagating house. —This may be con- sidered the mainspring of the plant department. I am afraid that, in many cases, the importance of propagating young stock annually is not fully recog- nised, and consequently suitable provision is not made for successfully keeping up or increasing the stock of many of the most useful and beautiful pot jjlants. It is not necessary to go to a great ex- pense to jirovide a suitable place for propagating the most difficult subjects ; indeed, with a little contrivance, a good propagating case m.-iy be fitted up in any establishment, from the smallest to the largest. I have seen various contriv.ancos where in two divisions, should be about 10 feet wide, of whatever length may be considered necessary, and just high enough to walk through comfortably. One side should be fitted with close cases, subject to a good brisk bottom-heat, say four 4-inch pipes running through the first division next to the boiler and two in the second division. On the other side the same quantity of piping should be used, but not closed in. The stage on this side should be covered with some material that will retain moisture for standing or plunging the pots in. A structure somewhat after tlie above will be found a most useful adjunct to any establishment both for propagating and rear- ing any tender subjects which may require a little extra care. It is also advisable to have suSicient room for the accommodation of stock plants of such subjects as are benefited by being placed in a little extra warmth for a short time previous to the cuttings being required. It must be borne in mind that the most complete structural arrangements will be of little avail unless careful and regular attention is paid to everything connected with this department, for success de- pends more on the regular attention to the various requirements of the inmates of the propagating house than to the most perfect accommodation. As this will be the commencement of the busy season, the first thing that should be seen to is that everything is thoroughly clean and sweet. All old plunging material should be removed and rejilaced with new Cocoa-nut fibre refuse, but before doing so, all the walls should bo whitewashed, using fresh lime and adding a little sulphur ; the glass and woodwork should also be washed. Another matter of importance is that the compost used for propa- gating purposes should be perfectly free from worms and other insects ; also, that it should not contain anything favourable to the growth of fun- goid matter. Pots, drainage, and, in fact, every- thing connected with propagating should be clean and fresh. Careful attention to all these minor details goes a great way towards success. Ventila- tion and watering are also points of importance. The cases should be opened every morning, and only remain open long enough to sweeten the atmosphere, or rather not long enough for the cut- tings to flag. Watering. — While it is of the greatest import- ance that cuttings should not be allowed to suflier for want of water, the other extreme must also be avoided. It is my belief, however, that cuttings more often suffer from want of water than from over-watering, for the reason that after being a little too dry they get withered, and when water is given they cannot absorb it, and consequently what is called damping sets in. Damping when once it commences will soon destroy a batch of cuttings. While the cases are open in the morn- ing all the occupants .should be examined, and any signs of decay carefully removed. It requires a sharp eye to detect the first appearance of damp- ing, especially when it is caused by a fine thread- like fungus, which is often very destructive. The progress of this deadly enemy may be checked if taken in time. On its first appearance the pots of cuttings should be removed, some hot ashes stirred into the plunging material, and some hot sand shaken over the surface of the pots after the cut- tings affected have been removed. If this form of damping shoidd be very troublesome, it is advis- able to clear the case, thorouglily cleanse it, and use fresh plunging material. With good manage- ment a prop.agating house maybe kept filled fairly well throughout the year. By good managonuMif , I mean that care must be taken to always keep a little in advance rather than to get beliind with any work ccumected with this department, and to attend, whenever the room can be best spared, to the first appearance of damping, or to check it after it has been discovered. Another point of im- portance is to take care to remove the cuttings from the close case as soon as sufficiently rooted, and gradually harden them off until it is quite safe to expose them. Although it may seem a little tedious to attend to all these minor details, yet I believe in the long run it will be found to be of great advantage, and will save a great deal of vexa- tion and disappointment. A. Garden Flora. proper accommodation had not been provided, such, for instance, as a box i)laced on the pipes clo.sc to i those subjects which may be i)ropag;ite(l at any the boiler, and covered with a sheet of glass, with season of the year. The busiest time will be from just sufficient Cocoa-nut filu-e refuse in the bottom , the beginning" of l'"ebru,ary to the end of May, aiul of the box to plunge the cutting pots in, and under ' as it is during this ])eriod that the most feiulor such and similar conditions the most difficult .subjects have to lie dealt with, it is necessary to subjects have been propagated Here, however, I i work with caution. No advanf.-ige will be gained intend to deal with the propagating house as it by overcrowding; on the contrary, this is f re- should be in every establishment of any pre- [ qucntly a source of evil, as when cuttings arc put lensions. My idea is that the propagating house, in too' closely togetlicr, it is impossible to detect PLATE 684. INDIAN LILIES. (with a coloured plate of lilium kepalekse.*) Few plants during the past year attracted so much attention at any meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society as did this rare Himalay.an Lily when exhibited by Messrs. Low and Co. on September 11. The reason of this was, in the first place, because it had never before flowered in England, but more particularly from the fact of its being quite difi'erent from any other in cultivation. With respect to this being the first time of its flowering, I may mention that there is a record in the Ganleiicm' Clironicle of the blooming of L. nepalense iu 1855, but the description of it would lead one to suppose that some mistake was made, and that L.polyphyllum was the species intended. Again, Mr. Elwes, who in his "Monograph of Lilies" was so careful whenever possible to illustrate living specimens, was in the case of this species obliged to fall back on the specimen in WaUich's herbarium. The flower as tliere shown is difl'e- rent from that of IMessrs. Low, for in the mono- graph in question the flower resembles that of a partly-opened L. Szovitzianum, being of a yellowish colour, with the centre stained red. Again, Mr. Baker gives L. nepalense as a white flower, sufl'used more or less with purple on the outside towards the base. AVith such conflicting opinions concerning tliis Lily, it is not to be wondered at that when really exhibited, and proved to be so distinct and beautiful, it sliould attract a very large amount of attention, for it must certainly be put down as one of the finest introductions of the year. Tlie general appear- ance of L. nepalense is w-ell shown in the accom- panying plate. The bulbs of Messrs. Low's plants are somewhat globular iu shape, and composed of rather large scales of a deep, almost blackish purjile. They are not unlike verj' dark- tinted bulbs of L. neilgherrense, and tliere is also a good deal of resemblance between the two in the lower part of tlie flower-stem (just as it leaves the bulb), which is of a linn, almost woody texture. Concerning the cultural reciuiremcnts of L. nepalense little can be said, but it will undoubtedly prove to be rather a ditKcult Lily to cultivate. Messrs. Low's plants were }iotted in a compost consisting of a large proportion of fibrcuis peat, and grown, 1 believe, in a cool greenhouse. That treatment such as this suited them was shown by the success they met with ; still, 1 question if it will ke jiossible to keep tlieni in health and flower them year after year in this country. The Nepaul Lily seems to nie a good deal like L. neilghcrrenso, which flowers freely enougli from imiiorted bulbs the first season, but after that the floral displa)' will be inucli less. About half-a dozen j-ears ago 1 liad :i few bulbs of L. neii.-ilense sent me fnuii Nepaiil, and not being large enough to flower when re- ceived, I tried hard to induce tlium to grow, but iu vain. They pushed up weak stems freely ' Drawn for TiiK (! vrpfn by U. (i. Moon, from fpeclmocs HLiiit hy McKHra. nii>,'li Low unci Co.. Septcmbor 11, 1SS8. LlifcogrHphcd and inintcd by Liuilltuunc >?cvcrojns. THE GARDEN NEPAULESE LILY (LILIUM NEPALENSE.) Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 55 enough the first season and promised to do well, but the bulbs did not gain in strength and gra- diuiUy dwindled away. L. nepalense is, by Mr. Baker, placed in the sub-genus Euliriun, or funnel-flowered Lilies, but from the .specimen exhibited, its place therein would, I think, have to be reconsidered. The Lilies that are natives of the Himalayan region are very limited in number, there being, besides L. nepalense, L. Walliehianum, L. neilgherreuse, L. poljiihyllum, and the distinct L. giganteum. Of these, L. Wallichianum was also awarded a certificate by the Royal Horticul- tural Society a fortnight later than L. nepalense. The blooms of this are pure white, very long and narrow, opening somewhat abruptly at the mouth, while the segments usually retiex in a marked manner. The bulb of Lilium WalUchi- anum is very compactlj' built, being composed of a large number of rather long and pointed scales, closely adpressed together, so as to form a firm, solid, and somewhat pointed bulb, the colour of which is generally whitish. The flower-stem, which is usually about a yard high, is slender, and clothed with long narrow leaves of a rather light green tint. This is essentially a greenhouse Lilj'. Ij. NElLGHERr.ENSE may also be grown in a greenhouse. A coloured plate of it was given in The Garden, August 18, 1.S85. This is the best known of the Himalayan Lilies, for a considerable quantity of it is often imported during the early months of the year, and it is then possible to obtain good bulbs at a very moderate price, that is to say, when compared with the price of a few years since, but still, of course, much higher than that of such Lilies as auratum and longiflorum, which are imported in great numbers. The Neilgherry Lily varies considerably in many particulars, Ijut a thriving specimen usually reaches a height of '1 feet to 4 feet, and is clothed with scattered dark green leaves of a stout, firm texture, of, generally speaking, a length of 3 inches to 4 inches, but often somewh.at shorter. The blooms are very massive, and from the time at which they expand last in perfection longer than those of the species which flower during the summer months. Where a number are grown together many points of difference may be observed in the flowers, some being much longer than others ; in some the tube gradually widens from its base to the mouth of the flower, while in others the tube remains about the same length, and expands abruptly at the end. In these last the segments usually reflex more than tliey do in the shorter and broader flowers. The colour, too, ranges from almost white to deep prinn'ose, and I have had plants with the exterior of the bloom and the edges of the petals suffused with purple, which gave a very unconmion appear- ance. This character, however, I find, is not con- stant, as some that I flowered and which showed this peculiarity in a marked manner quite lost it the following year. L. POLYniYLLUM is much hardier than any of tlie preceding, and forms a very pretty and distinct Lily. It belongs to quite a different class, being by Jlr. Baker placed in the sub-genus Martagon, and having as its nearest relatives L. monadclphum and L. carniolicum. In the first place, the bulb is peculiarly long and pointed, reminding one some- what of that of the little bright-coloured Siberian L. tcnuifolium, while the prettily reflexed and drooping blossoms are usually of a pale greenish yellow shade, sometimes almost white, and dotted more or less profusely with purple. 'When planting this Lily thorough drainage is very essential, for if too moist during the winter the bulbs are liable to decay just at the base, and while the scales con- tinue fresh the whole bulb will drop to pieces when moved. Of this Lily a coloured plate was issued with THK Gaede.n for February 12, 18SL The finest example of Ij. polyphyllum that has come under my oliservation was from Mr. 'Wilson at Oak- wood, who succeeds so marvellously witli many members of the Lily family. According to a note from Mr. Wilson, the stem reached a height of 5 feet 5 inches, and bore thirteen flowers. L. gigaxteum, the last of the Indian Lilies to be here mentioned, is very distinct from any other kind, unless it is the small-growing Japanese L. cordifolium. The leaves of L. giganteum are large, heart-shaped, and of a beautiful glossy green colour, especially when first expanded. This Lily may be either grown in large pots for the decoration of the conservatory or planted out where somewhat sheltered, such, for instance, as in a Rhododendron bed. It gradually increases in size till the flower- ing stage is reached, when the stately flower-spike starts direct from the centre of the bulb and com- pletely exhausts it. After flowering, a few offsets are generally produced, which take three years or more to become strong enough to bloom. A good specimen of this Lily will push up a spike from 7 feet to 10 feet high, and, when terminated by ten or a dozen of its long tubular-shaped blossoms, it is truly a grand Lily. The individual blooms are about (! inches long, white, tinged with purple on the inside and with green on the outside. L. gigan- teum, which is hardy only in the southern counties of England, will well repay greenhouse culture in the colder districts. It was introduced into this country in 1852, but is by no means a common plant in gardens. H. P. Kitchen Garden. SEED LISTS. By this time nearly everyone owning or in charge of a garden, one acre or upwards in size, will have received a considerable number of seed catalogues from various sources, and fe\y will venture to disagree with me when I assert that both the nursery trade and the gardening profession have good reason to be proud of the excellent manner in which these are prepared. Having at different times criticised the contents of these catalogues, more especially as to the bewildering and fast increasing number of va- rieties of nearly every kind of vegetable included, it is only right that I should take an early opporttinity of giving praise where it is due. It seems to me they have nearly reached perfec- tion ; at any rate, only the most ingenious or the most enterprising firms will be able to much improve either the interior or the attractive exterior of the catalogues distributed. At one time there was a growing tendency to exagge- rate, this being most apparent in the illustrations given of growing or newly-lifted crop.s — notably in the way of Peas and Potatoes. Whether the ridicule cast upon these has, or has not, been the cause of the withdrawal of some of them is im- material, the fact remaining that this season they are less frecjuent than usual. A few there are to be seen, and most glaruig exaggerations, too, and these, for the credit of the firms re- sponsible, I hope will not be repeated. Truthful illustrations of growing crops, such as may be given by photographs, are most instructive and acceptable ; but those representations of mar- vellously enlarged crops of Potatoes that closely cover a great breadth of groitnd, those rows of Peas with a dense surfacing of pods, and those wonderful crops of Tomatoes and Cu- cumbers are, to say the least, most mis- leading, and in the end do more harm than good. If they lead to numerous (uders for seeds or roots, it not unfrequently hapjiens that those who purch.ase and give these novelties a trial fail to discover any great merit in them. A feeling akin to disgust is thereby engendered, this being followed by a resolution to "fight shy" of all subsequent introductions till it is found they are nearly or quite all that those responsible state them to be. There is really no necessity to exaggerate the merits of any new- variety or improved form that is honestly con- sidered valuable. If superior, the}- are not long in gaining popularity, as there are always plenty of gardeners able and willing to testify to their merits. As far as the woodcuts of single specimens or small groups of fully grown vegetables are concerned, I am of opinion that the majority of them are truthful and good. This apjilies to the catalogues of both metropolitan and i^ro- vincial seedsmen, who in many instances oVitain their "electros" from much the same .source. Even quite local seedsmen have adopted tho pLan, probably from compulsion, of issuing lists with showy wrappers, and the engravings are also numerous and fairly truthful. They have also tliought it wise or necessary to follow another very common practice in vogue among numerous leading provincial seedsmen, as well as a few near London. I allude to the custom of prefixing the name of the firm to one or more varieties in each section. At the present time I have before me fuUj- a score of catalogues distributed by what I may, without any dis- paragement, term second-rate seedsmen, and in nearly every instance this reprehensible practice has been largely adopted. Sometimes this is apparently an excuse for charging rather higher prices for the seeds ; in others, most ] robably it is due to a resolve not to be outdone. This cheap method of gaining a little notoriety may answer well at first, but the time will come when the least experienced will discover that Blank's Giant Prize Cos Lettuce is only another name for Paris White, the only diffe- rence being the former costs sixpence per packet, which probably will weigh a quarter of an ounce, w-hile the latter can be bought from the same seedsman at just half that price. Mr. Blank not unfrequently gives an illustration of some of his novelties, but, unfortunately for his reputation for veracity, the same engravings are to be seen in other catalogues with quite a diffe- rent prefix. Some may argue there is no great harm in these proceedings, but if we ]iut the morality of the questi' n on one side, the fact 3-et remains there is little or no sense nor wisdom in these shallow attempts to mislead. By all means make the catalogues as attracti\-e and serviceable as possible, but let them be so framed that criticism may be defied. Especially should exaggerations be avoided, .-.s these vex amateurs, w-ho cannot succeed in producing simi- larly marvellous crops and are injurious to professional gardeners, w-ho have to give some explanation of a similar failure to their em- ployers. It may be a fancy of mine, but I cannot help thinking there is a tendency on the ]>art of compilers of catalngues to curtail the lists of varieties in many instances, and this I hold to be a step in the right direction. W'e are some- tiuu'S told that many v.arieties, new and old, are retained on the seed.smen's lists siinjily because they are asked for and appreciated by some of their customers, and in this case there is Eonie- thing to be said in favour of the practice. If there are some \vho prefer the old Essex Rival Pea to the much superior Telephone, Laxton's Supreme Pea to Stratagem, Walchertn Broccoli to Veitch's Autumn Protecting, tho Aigbuith Brussels Sprouts to Ne Plus Ultra, Battetsca Cabbage to Ellam's Early, James's Internujdiate to the New Intermediate or Jlatchhss Carrot, IMarquis .dit to be discontinued when it is milder. We rarely take any notic(M)f the tlier- mometers, and if failure to m.-iintain a constant sujiply ever occurs it is principally due to an in- sufficiency of material for making successional beds. Icn Hk.M's. A short spell of frosty weather has, doulitless, in very many instances lasted quite long enough for the ice house to be nearly or quite filled with good ice. This is an important matter, and those responsible are always glad when it is completed. Not a few experienced gardeners consider it advisable to supplement this supply with an additional heap formed on the surface of the ground, this keeping surprisingly well, and ob- riating the necessity of early visits, with their attendant waste, to the ice house proper. In some instances these heaps have been found to keep even better than the ice stored in the more orthodox manner ; in fact the experience gained plainly indicates that there is now no real necessity to construct the old-fashioned sunk egg-.shaped wells for storing ice, these, in addition to being very expensive, not answering so well as those formed above ground. I do not propose to discuss the best forms and methods of constructing the above- ground ice houses, but wish rather to point out plainly how ice may be cheaply stored, and in such a manner as to quite dispense with the necessity for any great outlay at the present time. Many who possess an ice house do not, now that a com- paratively cheap supply can be had from the nearest fish merchant, go to the expense of GDing it, especially when the extensive carting has to be paid for. In very many instances the ice house is located conveniently near the dwelling house rather than the source of the supply, but an ice- heap may usually be formed at a short distance from the water. What is needed is a well drained, shady position, nothing being better than a clear space among trees on a northern slope. The first proceeding should be to mark out a clear breadth of ground say 20 feet by 10 feet. This should be enclosed by stout stakes or posts and rather closely fitting rough slabs, such as may be procured from many private sawmills or pits, to a height of about 5 feet, the most convenient end only being left open. The enclosure may be either roughly paved or covered with faggots, this both keeping the ice clean and facilitating the egress of the water or dissolved ice. The next proceeding sliould be to fix movable boards all round at not less than 18 inches from the sides, this space being filled in with fine sawdust according as the ice is thrown in. It is advisable to break up the ice before throwing it in, and this can be most quickly done with the aid of mallets and a temporary pavement formed close to the enclosure. According as the fine ice is levelled over the interior and rises to near tlie top of the movable boards, these must be drawn upwards, taking care, however, to fill up the space outside of them as firmly as possible with sawdust. The open end also must be gradually boarded up, and after the ice is level with the top of the enclosure, it should be gradually narrowed off in much the same manner as a liay-rick is formed, a slight sprinkling of salt serving to run the exposed surface together into a solid mass. A thickness of about 18 inches of fine sawdust should cover this ridge, over this being placed a thatch of straw or Bracken, this or some such contrivance being necessary for keeping the sawdust together, and also assisting in exclud- ing warmth. A heap thus constructed during the next sharp frost experienced, if not opened too often or in a reckless manner, should be a%ailable for fully twelve months. If only a temporary supply is needed, to last say to midsummer, an enclosure may be dispensed witli, and it is po.s.siblc to do without stakes or boanls. A cool, shady, and well- drained site is, however, very essential. A .space IL' feet by li feet, or considerably larger, according to circumstances, may lie staked out and a wall all round formed with squarely cut blocks of ice, the interior being filled in at the same time with crushed ice. Without the temporary assistance of lioards, some skill will be needed in building the sides especially, but the mass is soon glued to- },'ether. The heap, when 4 feet or u]iwards in height, nuist bi; gradually narrowed off, a sharj) ridge being necessary, this being duly smootlud over preparatory to the mass being enveloped in a thickness of 12 inches or more of line sawdust. It is a good practice to cover the sawdust with about 18 inches of fresh leaves, but as these are scarce and very wet this season, ,a similar thickness of strawy litter or Bracken is the best substitute. Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 57 Unless a good thickness of some of these non-con- ducting materials is banked over the heaps and roughly thatched, the ice fails to keep, everything depending upon the exclusion of warm air and rain. Each time the heaps are uncovered at one end for the purpose of removing some of the ice, the cover- ings ought to be quickly and carefully returned to their old position. W. I. Trees and Shrubs. DECIDUOUS TREES AND SHRUBS. While all trees and shrubs of a deciduous character have a very different appearance in winter to what they have during the summer mouths, yet there are some kinds which, when devoid of foliage, stand out in a marked manner from all their associates, either by reason of their liabit being more pronounced when leaf- less, through their bright coloured bark, or .some other noticeable feature. Of deciduous trees, the Birches are very conspicuous throughout the winter months, and of these the common Birch is, 1 think, if possible, more beautiful in winter than in summer. Just now, where associated with other trees, the shining white trunks of the Birch are conspicuous for a very long distance, and closer inspection reveals the elegantly drooping spray, so different in outline from tliat of the Oaks, Elms, Beeches, and other forest trees. Birches olten differ from each other considerably, either in the colour of the bark, arrangement of the principal branches, or pendulous character of the shoots. Of the many varieties of the ctmimon Birch now in cultiva- tion may be selected two. The first, fastigiata, may often be met with as upright as the Lom- bartly Poplar, while the Weeping Youngi, with its long, thong-like branclilets, is a striking tree at all seasons. Another distinct species is the black Birch of the United States (Betula nigra), which is very distinct from its European con- gener, but is at the same time equally as note- worthy. This American representative forms a free, bold, but somewhat slow-growing tree, often divided into several branches at but a little height from the ground. The small spray does not show the drooping cha- racter so much as that of the common Birch. The bark of the black Birch is most marked in winter. It peels off" and hangs in flakes from the main stem and principal branches, thus giving to a tree of this species a wild and picturesque appeai'ance. In this the bark is reddish, and for this reason it is often called the red Birch. Of Elms, the most conspicuous when devoid of foliage is the Winged Ehn (Ul- mus alata). This derives its name from the peculiar corky excrescence with which either side of the branches is furnished, and as this character is common even to the minor twigs, the whole of them appear to be of unusual stoutness, wliich is owing to the corkj* ridges of the bark. This tree is a native of North America, but the cirk-barked variety of our English Elm, especially that kno^^ni as the Dutch, is most singular. The weeping variety (jf Ulmus muntana is very distinct even when leaQess. Among the many varieties of the com- mon Ash the golden-barked kind stands out conspicuously from all the others. In this the yellow-coloured bark is, of course, more notice- able in the winter than at any other time. There is a form of this as pendulous as the ordi- nary Weeping Ash. In another variety (jas- ]ii(lea) the bark is striped instead of being of a uniform clear yellow. The cork-barked Elm has its counterpart in the Ash, a variety of which (verrucosa) hivs the bark as rugged as that of the Elm. An Ash more curious than ornamental is cristata, a dwarf variety with fasciated Cockscomb-like branches. There are many species and innumerable varieties of Oaks, but none so grand and picturesque when devoid of foliage as a fine old speci- men of our English Oak. The fornrdable spines with which the branches of the North American Gleditschia triacanthos are studded give it a very unconunon appearance, which is heightened by the rather rugged character of the specimen. Another tree whose bark is especially noteworthy is the striped Maple (Acer striatum, or pennsylvanicum, as it is often called). This forms a good- sized tree, with usually a somewhat regular shaped head, and the bark, even from the trunk to the minor branclilets, is greenish, clearly striperescnt. There is no excuse, for h,'i])]iily tlu: in.'ijcir )Mirti(Ui of tlu'.^e plants are such as will exist and tlirive as well in the shade as the s\mshine. are inexpensive, readily cultivated, and of great, almost una]ipreciable, value for Christmas and new vear deccu'ation of churches, houses, and halls. Tllli COMMON HoLLY.as well indeed as the \arie- g.'itcd forms, are just now particularly attractive, they being, in most instances, thickly studded with their ruddy berries. In the yellow fruited form we have a most dis- tirujt and handsome plant, particularly when in full fruit, and I cannot help wondering why so ornamental and useful a shrub is not more com- monly cultivated. If anything, the foliage in this variety is even of a more intense and lustrous hue than that of the normal plant, while it is equally fruitful, quite as easily grown, and of great value for the contrast it afiords. The Sea Buckthobn (Hippopha; rhamnoides), as . indeed, are all the other varieties, among whieli may be mentioned that usually met with in ninseries under tlu; Tiiiincs of rubra, atro-rubra. or purpurea, whieli lias Dowers of darker colour than those of the ordinary fcu-ni ; alba, in which the blosscuns are pure white; •■ind fiore-pleno, a double-flowered fcu'ni of the last. The berries, that are Ijorne in considerable luimliers, are as showy as the blossoms and remain on for a con- siderable period. In the white-flowered variety the fruits are yellow, and thus afl'nrd ;i jileasing change from those of the ordinary kind. Daphne Meze- reum and all its varieties will not thrive in liot, .sandy soils ; indeed, so situated they will scarcely exist, but they all delight in a cool, moist, but well- drained spot. A good, open, loamy soil suits them perfectly, and when once establi.shed they are very impatient of being disturbed. Should it be intended, however, to transplant any of these LUCULIA GRATISSIMA. I RECENTLY Saw a very fine specimen of this plant flowering profusely on a wall, its large trusse.s of fJesh-coloured flowers filling the house with a delicate and pleasing odour. This plant has now been an inmate of our plant houses upwards of sixty years, and yet one rarely sees it. What can our gardeners be thinking about to let all these fine old plants slip through their liands ; the plant I here allude to was planted by myself some five or six years ago, so that instead of a dirty bare wall there is all the year round an abundance of rich green leaves, and through the autumn and winter a profusion of deliciously sweet-scented flowers, which may be cut and used in glas.ses in the dwelling house, or kept upon the plant in the greenhouse. When a truss or trusses of bloom are cut the Luculia gratieeima. stem should be cut long enough to include some of its fine leaves, wliich contribute largely to the ert'ect i)roduced b}' the flowers. Moreover, this is a plant whieli a lady may cut as she likes without injury to Die plant, as ladies usually act sensibly and ctit their Cowers witli long stalks so that they produce a tasteful efl'ect wlien arranged in a va.se. This system, liow- ever, must be avoided in hard-wooded grcen- Iiduse plants, for with them tlie obt:.ining of a long stem would in many instances necessitate tlie destruction tjf one or two jears' growth, and therefore destroy the plant ; such kinds, how- ever, should not be used for cutting flowers from. Of the Luculia I have seen plants ranging from 1 foot to 18 inelies liigli grown in pots, and bearing on the top a large truss of blooms. How are these obtained ? I imagine they are struck or layered after the flowers arc set. I do not think they are grown from yiuing cuttings. Tho iilant, howm-er, is not satisfactory when grown in pots, but thrives well in a greenhouso wlien planted out against a wall or in the centre of a lumso and treated as a shrub. Another kind which is an excellent companion to the Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 59 above is named Piuceana, after a celebrated grower of greenhouse plants who livetl at Exeter ; its flowers are jjure white. When planted in the open border, neither of these plants requires much warmth in winter, and I would strongly recommend anyone having a blank wall in a cool house to plant against it one or both of these varieties. The border should be amply drained and filled with a mixture of fibrous peat and turfy loam mixed with s(mie sharp sand. W. H. G. CHINESE PRIMULAS. The superb collection of Chinese Primulas which Mr. Cannell exhibited at the Westminster Aquarium last week evidenced that we have in these beauti- ful winter flowers reached quality added to size and robustness which admits of no gainsaying. They were j'earling plants in about 6-inch pots, showing very varied forms and hues of foliage, and .all won- derfully robust and healthy. Were it not that the flowers carried on the plants were so superbly col- oured and so very fine, it might have been thought that the foliage showed almost too gross a culture. Perhaps the plants had been well fed, or it may be that the soil was only fairly good and that the strong growth formed came as much from ample pushing trom seedling to flowering as to any other cause. It must not be imagined that Chinese Primulas need ex- ceptional pot room. Few similar plants perhaps have fewer roots and are so e.xceedingly fine in texture proportioned to the luxuriance of the leafage which Chinese Primroses have; hence they do not so much need ample pot room as fitting soil and quick growth. The very fineness of the plant's roots proves often a reason why plants apparently looking so robust yet bloom so poorly. The roots have become parched with heat and drought at some moment of inatten- tion.'orhave with even greater probability been too heavily saturated with water, and have damped. Perhaps they have become too old or set and fail to act as feeders. In any case many Chinese Primroses sadly fail to bloom well when the season comes, and growers are wondering why such should be the case. There can be no doubt whatever that one of the great secrets of Mr. Cannell's success in Primula culture is found in the rapid growth of the plants from the seed- ling state, and whilst giving only just enough of pot space also furnishes the best of soil. And here we find that, assuming it to be free from fnngus or insects, there is no soil so good for Chinese Prirm-oses as is well-decayed silky loam. A stiflE clayey loam is, on the one hand, just as obnoxious as is a compost of all porous mixture, such as peat and leaf-soil. If a proportion of about two-thirds of this sweet, silky, turfy loam be pro- vided, with the other third of good, clean, old hot- bed manure, well rubbed through a sieve, unci a good proportion of sharp silver sand, a suitable mixture is obtained in which the plants cannot but thrive. The plants do well with about three pottings — first into 3-inch pots, then into 4J-inch pots, and finally into ti-inch pots. If some plants show exceptional strength or have been sown very early, they may get a further shift into 8 J-inch pots, in which size plants might well become from 18 inches to 20 inches across, and carry huge heads of bloom. To what size plants must ulti- mately develop into chiefly depends upon the time of sowing, but from the 1st of March till the end of May is found suitable, according to the space at disposal and the requirements of the grower. Mr. Cannell is breaking some new colours in flushed or shaded forms ; these pale towards the eye. deepening outwards. One flower of a rosy hue was especially beautiful. Delicate tints are terribly killed under the hon-id yellow light of the Aquarium gelatine roof, but rich blood-reds are very effective. These Mr. Cannell has finely developed, indeed they are almost perfect. The lovely salmon, car- mine, magenta, and scarlet forms, also flaked, mar- gined, and speckled flowers, show how varied and beautiful is the Swanley strain. All this visitors to the Aquarium could judge of for themselves. The exhibiting of this grand lot of Primulas happily served to save the midwinter exhibition from com- parative failure. A. D. Anthurium Bothschildianum. — Whatever may have been the opinion of some growers of plants respecting this variety, I cannot but express my unqualified approval of it, the more so since seeing a very handsome form of the plant flowering in Messrs. Seegar and Tropp's nursery at Dulwich. This plant is well figured in TiiE Garden, Nov. 13, 188G (p. 454).-W. H. G. Toxicophlaea spectabilis. — This beautiful memljer of tlie Di>g-I)ane family was introduced some few years ago by Mr. Williams, of Holloway. I have frequently seen it flowering, but never in such a superb manner as I saw it recently, thus proving how much one loses who discards such plants. It is a compact, much-branched shrub of somewhat slow growth, and the flowers, w-hich .are pure white and delicately fragrant, .are borne in .a terminal corymb, and also in the axils of the leaves for some 9 inches or a foot down. These flowers may be cut for placing in glasses in the dwelling house, and the trusses of bloom may be used with much effect as sprays if mi.xed with fronds of Maiden-hair Fern. When used as a coat flower, Luculia Pinceana. however, I prefer its own deep green leaves. — W. II. G. Cyrtanthus lutescens.— This seems to be as free-flowering as its better-known relative Cyrtan- thus McKeni, and I do not know of two plants more likely to please the amateur who possesses only a greenhouse than these two Cape bulbs. C. McKeni forms a bulb about the size of that of a large Snowdrop, and produces long. Grass-like evergreen leaves, while the flower-spike reaches a height of 9 inches to 1 foot and is terminated by a cluster of blossoms. The individual blooms, which are tube- shaped, about 2 inches long, and of a curved out- line, are of an ivory-white tint and agreeably scented. From its shallow rooting properties this bulb does better in rather deep pans than in pots, and no doubt the same treatment would suitC. lutes- cens, but of that I have had but a limited experience. This l.Tst-named seems to be deciduous, while C. McKeni is evergreen and should never be sub- jected to any drying-oft' process. — T. Azalea Deutsche Perle.— Like most of the Indi.-m Az.aleas, this is of continental origin, but when first put into commerce I am unable to say. At all events it is a very beautiful variety and there is a great demand for it. The flowers are pure white .and the petals very massive, the whole bloom reminding one of that of a Gardenia. It can be readily forced, and will no doubt l>efore long supersede many of the older varieties. Tlic growth is free, which is a great advantage when required for cut flowers, as a good length of stem can be taken with the blossoms. Like other Azaleas that are forced annually, this will gradually flower earlier than at first, as the growth is completed sooner, and consequently the buds are ready to start earlier in the season than those that have not been forced. A coloured plate of this Azalea was given in The Garden for May 19, 1888.— H. P. SOLANUM JASMINIFLORUM. There is one objection common to many of the plants that can be used as greenhouse climbers, which is in their being naturally so vigorous that when the root room neoessaiy to keep them in health i.s given, they make so much growth, as to seriously interfere with the plants that are grown in the body of the house bcneat h them. This difficulty might, no doubt, be got over by devoting houses principally to subjects of twining and climbing habit, confining the things grown under them to some of the coarser growing Ferns, with a few of the hardier species of Palm and other fine-leaved plants that can keep up a struggling existence with little light. An arrangement of this sort is occasionally met with. Amongst the climbing plants that will do with ordinary greenliouse warmth there are few, if any, that interfere so little with whatever is grown under them as Solanum jasminifloruni. It has comparatively small leaves, and its spare rambling shoots extend far, and though it makes suflBcient growth to take oft" the bare- ness of the rafters to which it is trained, it is not dense enough to do much mischief to any- thing that is grown beneath it. The flowers are (if the purest white, and are produced in loose Inmches for a long period during the summer. They are not too large for using in the smallest arrangements of cut flowers, such .as s]u-ays, nor in the small stands now so much in fashion, that liold a spray or two of bloom and a bit of greenery. For choice bouquets they afl'ord a relief from things like Stephanotis, Bouvardias, and a few others, which, however beautifid in their wa}-, are so much used that a change to some- thing diflerent is at times desirable. The plant can be groivn in a large pot or tub, or it may be planted out in a border. Where there is the means of giving the roots room in the latter way, it will make more growth and produce pro- portionately more bloom, and as there is no disposition to over-luxuriance in the plant, it is best planted out. It can be propagated by cuttings made (if the shoots. These should consist of young growths such as arc produced from the eyes immediately below where a branch has been cut back, and which are generally obtainable in spring after the plant has made some growth subsecjuent to its having had the branches shortened. This shortening is necessary more or less during the latter part of winter, as from its spare habit, if not cut in, it gets bare and devoid of young growth for a considerable length almve the base. 'I'd keej) the plant furnished with young flower- ing wood, it is best to shorten the branches at diflerent lengths from the collar. Jf the cut- tings are taken ott' with a heel, there will be little difticidty in getting them to root; whereas if severed at a joint when more length of growth has been made, they are liable to decay instead of rooting. Put them singly into small ]iots, witli a few bits of crock in the bottom and a little Sphagnum or other fibrous matter over the (.Irainage ; half till the pots with a mixture of sifted peat and sand, the top all sand. Confine them in a striking frame or under propagating glasses; keep moist, and give no more air than necessary to prevent the cuttings damping. A temperature of 75" will be sufficient ; in tliis 60 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 19, 1889. roots will be formed in a few weeks, after which give more air, increasing it gradually until the little plants will bear full exposure to the air of the house ; stand them in a light position, and encourage growth by a temperature approaching that in which they have been struck. With a mixture of peat in the bottoms of the pots in the way recommended, there will be no necessity to give a shift until the pots are njoderately full of roots and some top growtli has been made. In the case of things of this character that do not like to be disturbed till they have made some progress in both top and root growth, it is better to give the cuttings sijmetliing that will sustain them for a time better than sand aloue. When, as already said, the pots are fairly full of roots, move into others two or three sizes larger ; now give them good turfy peat with some rotten manure, both of which should be broken finely by hand ; add enough sand to keep the material porous. Where good fibrous peat is not available, turfy loam may be used instead, but I have found that this Solauum grows more freely in peat when it can be had of good quality. When the top growth has ex- tended 15 inches or 18 inches, pinch out the points of the shoots to induce them to break back ; this, if necessary, must be repeated so as to secure three or four branches before too much length of growth has been made. A stick or two must be put to each plant for support. As the sun's power increases, shade will be re- quired during bright weather ; syringe overhead in the afternoons, and gradually reduce the tem- perature to that of a greenhouse as the summer comes on. But if there is the means, the plants shouldbekept in a moister, closer atmosphere dur- ing the first season than established greenhouse stock requires. In tliis way more growth will be secured, and as the object will be to get the plants up to a flowering state without delay, it is better to push them on. During the summer another shift will be required ; give this as early as the condition of the roots will warrant, so that the plants may get well hold of the soil before the end of the growing season. Long slender sticks will now be needed to support the tops, or the shoots may be trained to strings run up under the roof. As autumn comes on give more air and less water, reducing the latter .still more as winter ajjproaches. A warm greeidiouse temperature, say of from 40° to 45° in the night, will be better for the plants than cooler quarters. As soon as a little growth has been made, move into pots two or three sizes larger than those tliey occupy if the root progress is such as to warrant this ; if not, a less shift will suffice. Treat as during the previous summer, except that more air and less moisture in the atmo- sphere will now answer. The plant is a free flowerer, and may be expected to bloom for a long time througliout the summer. Strings or wires under the rafters will now be required to train the shoots to ; if necessary, one plant may be made to furnish two or three rafters. Syringe overhead freely in tlie afternoons, with a view to help the growth and keep the foliage clean and free from insects. Water must be given liberally to tlie roots, never allowing the soil to get too diy wliilst active growtli is going on. As autumn advances give more air and reduce the water supply as liefore, giving still less through the winter. In sjiring, additional pot room must be given, unless tin; |>lants .are to be turned out in a bed, in which case the space occupied need not be so large as would be necessary flf of the house, and so spreading to the plants. Plants in a state of inaction will go for a long time without water, Imt as soon as they besiii to show signs of suffering by the fl.aggiug of the leaves or shrinking of the wood, tlu-n water should be f,nven, taking care to soak tlie ball of soil tlionnif,dily. To ensure this licing done, it is well to stand the pot in a ves.sel of water until the .soil is quite saturated with moisture. If water is administered to the plants in the house, let it be done on the Jan. 19, 1889.] THE GARDEN 61 morning of a day that promises to be a drying one, so that any moisture on the shelf or floor of the house may dry up as quickly as possible. Damp soon shows itself upon the leaves of a plant, and any so afiEected should be picked off as soon as discovered. The surface soil should be occasionally stirred so that damp should not gather there ; the outsicie o£ the pots also should be kept as clean and dry as possible. These are simple precautions, but they have a great deal to do with the safe keeping of plants through the winter. On all occasions of mild sunny days, when the wind is in the south or west, let air be given. Sunny, genial days occur up to the beginning of De- cember, and if they are few and far between during that month and January, they occur again in the middle of February and onwards. But it is always well to close the house as soon as the sun begins to shine, thus consening the warm air as much as possible. By means of such precautions many plants of a tender character can be brought in safety through a trying winter. Anyone making pets of plants will not find it irksome to give the small attentions suggested, and they may fairly look forward to bringing many in safety through the winter. R. D. Hibiscus Dennisoni. — This is an elegant member of a family of plants all of which have been much neglected. The plant in question, how- ever, is not showy as far as colour goes, as its flowers, which are large and freely produced, are of a soft creamy white, and contrast admirably with the leathery, cordate, dark green leaves. Judging by examples which I recently noted, it is well suited for pot culture, and produces quantities of flowers which continue to make a display for a long time. This plant is a native of the Pacific Islands, and thrives in an ordinary stove. It should be potted in a mixture of loam, peat, and leaf-mould, with a little sharp sand added. Drain the pots well, give plenty of water to the roots, and syringe the leaves frequently, before the flowers appear, to keep away the red spider. — W. H. G. Eranthemum pulch.ellum.— This is an easily grown, free-flowering plant for the stove during the winter months, and is among the most ornamental of the genus to which it belongs, the flowers being of a beautiful shade of rich bright blue, and borne in the greatest profusion. The plant is of very easy culture, all that is needed to obtain good flowering specimens being to strike the cuttings either in the spring or early summer, and grow them on somewhat cool during the hot weather, and when autumn sets in remove them to the stove. By this means good healthy foliage is maintained, as if kept too close during the summer the leaves are very liable to become infested with red spider, which soon destroys the beauty of the plant. The individual flowers do not last in perfection very long, but a succession is kept up for a considerable period. When the pots are full of roots an occa- sion.al stimulant will be of service in lengthening the flowering season. — T. Azalea rosseflora.— I was both pleased and interested on reading " H. P.'s" remarks on the above Azalea. There are, however, one or two points in addition which I venture to make re- specting the plant: (1) its perfect hardiness ; (2) its h.abit ; (3) positions best suited for its full de- velopment. This Azalea has been grown in a shady position on the rockwork at York for several years without protection and without injury, and there- fore may safely be said to be hardy. To see the many plants, both large and small, of this Azalea in the York Nurseries one would scarcely speak of them as "globular," but rather as irregular, strag- gling bushes from G inches to 2 feet or more high (not grafted plants). Now a word about the posi- tions in which it evidently thrives the best. This was brought to my notice in the following manner : At the Saltaire Exhibition nearly two years ago Messrs. Backhouse exhibited some very fine speci- mens, one plant especially being fully a yard in diameter. This was left there the grc ater part of the summer and I quite expected to see weak, puny growths, owing to it being in a sunless and dark place. This, however, was not the case, for the plant made far better and stronger growth than those which had been nursed, syringed, and cared for in the usual way at Y'ork. To all intend- ing cultivators I would say. Grow it in shade. Treated in this way, and with proper material at the roots, it will not be found so slow as heretofore. It would be most interesting to know more of the history of this plant, its native habitats, and n hether there is a single form of it. or one of any other colour besides that of the type. What a treasure a white variety would be !— K. Potter. Drosophyllum lusitanicum. — This novel member of the carnivorous .section of plants I re- cently noted in excellent health in the garden of Sir Trevor Lawrence at Dorking. It is a native of the sandy shores and dry rocks by the seaside in Spain and Portugal, and differs from our own Sun- dews (Droseras) in having ten stamens to its flowers ; and we are also told that in the manner of developing its leaves it is different to any other plant, inasmuch as they are rolled in a revolute manner. It forms a soft, but woody stem several inches high, and the leaves on the summit are some 6 inches or 8 inches long, quite narrow, and taper- ing to a point. The base of the leaf immediately joining the stem is smooth, but every other part of the plant, except the surface of the petals, is covered with reddish purj^le viscid glands, which are stalked, and under a microscope somewhat resemble button Mushrooms in shape. The flowers, of a soft bright yellow, are borne in a somewhat lax corymb. Sundews receive a considerable amount of attention at Burford Lodge, where numerous plants are to be found which are, unfortunately, neglected by the majority of plantsmen. — W. H. G. Books. MANUAL OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.* We h.ave before us part 4 of this work, which deals exclusive!}' with Cypripediums, and its issue at the present time is all the more welcome on account of the light which it throws on plants belonging to this ju.stly popular genus, which has of late at- tracted a great amount of attention. It is only right to st.ate here th.at the greatest credit is due to Messrs. Veitch and Sons for t.aking in hand and making perfectly clear and comprehensive a sub- ject so exceedingly intricate as that relating to the various positions of species, varieties, and sub- varieties of the plants composing the genus C}-pri- pedium. The authors, fully aware of the arduous task before them, candidly state (p. 9) that — The variability in the size and colour of the flowers brought about by cultivation has been the moat fruit- ful source of the existing sub-varieties, whose number is becoming practically unlimited The consetiuence of this has been the creation of an overwhelming Cy- pripedium nomenclature, often so confused and per- plexing that it is found impossible to deal with it in its entirety within the limits of the present work. Notwithstanding the above statement, it m.ay be safely said that no other work has done so much to simplify the genus as the new part just issued. All the known species and varieties are described, each .accompanied with an historical note in which the origin, as far as it could possibly be ascertained, is given, together with the date of introduction and the name of the discoverer. In the compilation of this p.art, the same order as followed in the parts previously published has been preserved. After pointing out the superficial differences between the Cyjiripediums proper and the group originally called Selenipedium by Professor Reichcnbacli, who, however, afterwards abandoned that name in his subsequent articles in the Gardeners' C'/iro7iicle. and expressing an opinion shared by inmierous speci.ali.sts thrinc>j>/e.i ronMitute Xbc. most important, in accordance n-ith irhich Xa- ture lias hrovglit about the infinite diversity which exists in the floral world. There are minor disfific- tiotis hereafter to be considered, such as colours, scents, &c. ; but they are of less importance in in- vestig.ating the causes at work which h.ave evolved specific and generic differences amongst flowering plants." This sentence, in which we have placed italics, appears to indicate that the author m,akes • " Tlie Origin of Floral .Structures throiicli In»cct nnd other Agencies." By the licv. Ocorge Henslow, Professor of Botii-y, Queen's College. 34t» pages, and numerous illus- tiatloQS. 1). Appleton and Co., New York. 1888. 62 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 19, 1889. no clear discrimination betwoen a principle and a distinction, since the lirst is said simply to be more important than the latter. In other words, he em- ploys the term principle to express distinctive character or distinction, and yet having appro- priated it for this purpose, as he perhaps had a perfect right to do, makes it do double duty as a law or mode of action '• in accordance with which Nature has brought about the infinite diversity which exists in the vegetable world." The author has probably not felt that any ambiguity can arise from such use of terms, but the casual reader and the careful student alike, who take up the book for the first time, will be liable to entertain a distrust which is not wholly warranted. The book ought to do good service in stimulating observation and in exciting intelligent inquiry even among those who are not botanists. — Garden and Forest. *f* From the above it will be seen that even the sympathetic editor of Garden and Forest is struck with the loose use of words of some of our self- styled " scientific " men. — Ed. Orchids. W. H. GOWER. EULOPHIAS. This very extensive genus is widely distributed, chiefly in India and Africa. It is a family which lias not gained much favour witli Orcliid growers, chiefly perhaps because the dull- coloured, small-fiowered species have been the first ones introduced. E. GUINEEN'SIS and its variety purpurata, how- ever, take rank with the most showy of tropical Orchids, the variety differing only in colour from the typical plant. It is a somewhat strong grower, with oblong or pyriform pseudo-bulbs, which are stout and some 2 inches high, bearing a pair of broad and strongly ribbed dark green leaves. The flower-scape rises from the base of the bulb, and attains a height of from 2 feet to 3 feet, bearing from one dozen to three dozen flowers, which indi- vidually are upwards of 2 inches across. The sepals and petals, nearly equal, standing togetlicr, and erect, are purplish green ; lip large and spread- ing, white, with a crimson blotch at the base, from which proceed numerous radiating lines of the same colour. In the variety PuEPUEATA the sepals and petals are deep rosy purple, whilst the large lip is rich magenta with a crimson stain, from which radiate numerous deep crimson veins. It is one of the most .showy Orchids known, and is a native of Western Africa. E. MACROSTACHYA is an Indian species, found on the Madras Hills and also in Ceylon. It has a rich yellow lip, streaked with purple, and is well de- serving attention, although far less showy than the previously named kind. E. ENGLOSSA and Saundersi are two West Afri- can plants, similar in growth, but diflfering very much in tlieir flowers. Both, however, are hand- some, and deserve more extended cultivation. All the above require a warm, nioLst atnio- .sphere. The following notes on Eulophia megisto- ]>hylla, of which an illustration is given, are from the licrue IIuHkulc: — This new plant, which was introduced from the Comoro Islands, in 1885, by M. Humblot, appears to attain large dimensions, judging from the shape and length of the pseudo-lndbs. II lias recently flowered in a warm house at the Museum in Paris, under the care of M. Loury. The following is a brief description of it : A plant of a very vigorous growth. Pseudo-bulbs very much elongated, almost caulescent in shape, not much swollen, and termi- nating in leaves which resemble those of a Phaius, the limb being leatliery, strongly nerved, ;ind at- tenuated for some distance at both ends. Inflores- cence stiff, erect, 'A feet or more higli, branching, with alternate ramifications, wliich stand closely erect. Flowers numerous, slightly fragrant, closely set on ovarian peduncles, which are alternate, hori- zontal, between 1 inch and 2 inches in length; lip spreading, internal divisions more or less united, forming a hood, the deeply-lobed base of which bears on its lower part a short spur. All the parts of the flower are of a greenish yellow colour, strongly marked with brownish red lines. Without being what may be termed a handsome plant, Eulophia megistophylla (Rchb. fils) is not devoid of merit, as, mdependent of its fine leaves, the plant is free- flowering, and produces a succession of bloom for three or four months. The genus Eulophia (Robert Brown) was placed by Liiidley in the Vandfe section of the Eulophia megistopbylla, Orcliidaceae. Tlie species under notice requires the temperature of a warm house. LBBlia elegans Blenheimensis.— This is the provisional name given by Mr. Sander, of St. Albans, to a superb new form, imported by him, and which I recently saw in flower. It is truly a grand v.-iriety, tlui flowers being very large, of a superb rich colour, and pi'csenting a more massive appearance than those of any other variety known to me. The sepals and petals are broad and spreading, very deep rose- coloured ; li]) exceptionally broad (for L. elegan.s): middle lolje frilled round tlie edge ami wliolly deep rosy purple. It is one of the best of the dark forms of elegans which Mr. Sander has been so fortunate in introducing of late. — G. Calanthe Sandhurstiana.— This is a beautiful hybrid, somewhat stronger in growth and deeper in colour than tlio grand C. Veitchi. It has al.>io a dark spot on the lip. Besides its rich colour and length of spike, it appears to withstand the ravages of a London fog better than other forms of this , genus, which is a decided gain. We recently noted ! this plant in Mr. Williams' collection at Holloway flowering in great perfection. Odontoglossutn aspersum. — A somewhat curious form of tliis phmt was recently flowering in ; the nurseries of Messrs. Seegar and Tropp, Lordship Lane, Dulwich. The flowers were of good size ; the sepals and petals of a rich creamy yellow, the former mottled all o%-er with cinnamon-brown; the petals much the broadest, and wholly of a rich creamy yel- low, saving a few marks of cinnamon-brown at the base. In the normal form the large spreading lip ' is creamy yellow, but in the variety now noted the lip is of the purest white. Such a form we have not previously observed. Dendrobium Goldiei.— If X mistake not. this beautiful plant was introduced by Jlr. Williams, of Holloway, from the neighbourhood of Torres Straits. It is by no means a common plant, and I was much pleased to see it recently flowering with Mr. Measures at Camberwell. 'it appears to have a close relationship to D. superbiens, yet the flowers are quite distinct both in form and colour from those of that species, being of a rich claret colour. Coming from such a warm district, it naturally requires considerable heat to maintain it in good condition. A figure of this rare plant appeared in Vol. XIV. of The Garden (p. 244, t. 145). — W. II. G. Vanda Amesiana. — This superb new plant, introduced recently by Messrs. Low, of Clapton, is now flowering in the Wilton House collection at Southampton. It is a beautiful species and thoroughly distinct from any other Orchid in cultivation. It also appears to be a profuse bloomer, but not a strong grower, the plant having more the appearance of an Aerides than a A'anda, to which genus it has been assigned by Prof. Reichenbach, whose knowledge of this order of plants cannot be questioned. Its leaves are distichous, ligulate, rounded beneath and channelled on the upi^er side, and gradually taper to a fine point. They are thick and leathery in texture and very deep green. The spike is erect, upwards of a foot high, and bears from six to twelve flowers, which are ,^ very agreeably scented. The sepals and V\ Jietals are pure white, with a faint tinge of " -^ flesh colour, whilst the lip is rich rosy- magenta. This is another of those beautiful small -growing Vandas which deserve the attention of all growers of Orchids. We cannot say from what part of the East this species has come, as the eager competit ion in trade necessitates the withholding of the name of its habitat, but it appears to thrive well with" our other kinds. It is the first plant we have seen flowering in a private establishment. Cattleya Trianse. — Numerous fine va- rieties of this plant were recently flowering in Messrs. Seegar and Tropp's establishment at Dulwich, where there is a laige quantity of this species. Many flowers have been cut off by the fog, but should we be favoured with clear weather, there will be a gi-and display in this nursery shortly. A new Cypripedium.— This is a new hybrid, which I recently niiled ill the establishment of Messrs. Seogar and Tropp, and is, I believe, from the same batch of seedlings from which they re- c. ntly rai.sed C. Seegariaiium and C. Savageaiumi. Tlir plant in question is the result of a cross be- tween C. Ilarrisianum and C. Spiccrianuiii, and the habit of the plant partakes of the first-named parent , wliieli guarantees it to be a free grower. The leaves are light green, tessellated with a deeper shade of the same colom-. The flowers, however, are more like those of C. Spicerianum ; the dorsal sepal is white veined with red, and the whole of the surface between the veins is sulTused witli bright reddi.sh violet ; petals somewhat short, bronzy-green, profusely spotted with dots of claret colour; lip large, same colour as the petals without I Jan. 19, 1889. J THE GARDEN. 63 the spots. A charming and thoroughly distinct form and a vahiable addition to a genus wliich, I am assured by numerous growers of Orcliids, is the most satisfactory of all, especially for growers in London or in any of the large towns. — W. H. G. Societies and Exhibitions. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. Jaxuaby 15. The' first meeting of the year was held last Tuesday in the Drill Hall, Westminster. The following were the best things shown: — First-class certificates were awarded to the follow- ing plants : — Vanda Amesiana. — There have been several notes upon this beautiful Vanda in The Garden from time to time, but we believe this is the first time on which it has been exhibited. It is one of the introductions of Messrs. Low, of Clapton, from the East Indies, and is a small-growing evergreen species of undoubted distinctness and beauty. The grooved leaves are narrow, leathery, and deep green ; the flower-spikes erect, and carrying very delicately-coloured fragrant flowers, the sepals and petals of which are of equal size, white suffused with blush, the lip being deep rosy-magenta, a rich contrast to the paler tint of the sepals and petals. It is stated in one work to bloom in May and June. One specimen sent home to Messrs. Low, but which unfortunately did not survive the journey, was said by the collector to have borne 1.S5 flowers. This seems to show that this Vanda has the great merit of free blooming, in addition to the intrinsic and delightful beauty of the flowers themselves. From Mr. Hill, gardener to Lord Rothschild, Tring Park, Tring. Chinese Pkimula Swaxley Mauve (single). — Those who like a rich mauve colour will find a gem in this new variety of Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley. The flower is about 2\ inches across, of great substance, and of a wholly mauve colour except the greenish yellow eye. The constitution of the plant is apparently most robust. Awards of merit, to be a kind of substitute for the second-class certificate, were given to Chinese Primulas Miss Inez, double white, from Mr. John Knight, The Oaks, Epsom, and P. Princess Mary, delicate rose, from Messrs. H. Cannell. Beyond the above there were few other things of any note. An interesting exhibit was the hybrid Phatenopsis named P. Rothschildiana, from Mr. Hill, Tring Park Gardens. It is a hybrid between P. Schilleriana and P. Aphrodite, the accepted name for P. amabiUs (Lindl.). It is intermediate between the two, and has the sepals and petals pure white, the lip being dotted with crimson. A note will be found respecting this in "Notes of the Week" of the present number. Mr. Pollett, Fernsidc, Bickley, showed Odontoglossum crispum rubro-maculatum and O. Bickleyense. The former is a strik- ingly marked variety, and carried a spike of nine flowers which are snow white, except that the sepals and lip have large blotches of deep chocolate- maroon. The other was far more robust, the flowers large, creamy white, blotched boldly with brown. The specimen of it showed wonderful growth. A well - grown specimen of Eucharis amazonica came from Mr. A. Newell, gardener to Sir E. Saunders, Fairlawn, Wimbledon Com- mon. Cypripedium Savagcanum, a hybrid re- cently described in The Gaedex, was shown by Me.'srs. Secger & Tropp. of Dulwich. The best of the Swanley Primulas besiiles those named were Her Majesty, white, and Punctata carminata ele- gans, rose. Messrs. Cannell also sent the double- flowered Bouvardia flavescens, a yellow variety, apparently very free blooming. An interesting I exhibit was Billbergia decora from Mr. F. Ross, ! of Pendell Court Gardens, Bletchingley. It is a very free winter-flowering Bromeliad from the Amazon valley, and has pale scarlet bracts. Eng- lish growers have never seemed to take to the bromeliaceous class of plants, though the Bel- gians consider them in almost the same light as we do Orchids here. In Kew Gardens there is a fine collection, but in very few other places. Mr. Ballantine, gardener to Baron Schrceder, The Dell, Egham, sent four kinds of Laslia. They were La^lia anceps Dawsoniana, petals broad and with the sepals white, lip lined inside with deep crimson, front portion deep magenta ; Sanderiana, very beautiful, pure white, lip deep magenta, large, and of great substance; Percivaliana, blush, lip ma genta; and Stella, a grand form, with narrow petals and broad sepals, white, and with a stain of yellow on the centre of the lip, but beyond this no other colour. Fbuit comprised samples of Doyenn^ d'Alen^on Pear from the Rev. W. Wilks, Croydon ; Grape Mrs. Pearson, in excellent condition for January, from Mr. Allan, Gunton Park Gardens ; and Apple Boden- ham from Mr. J. Davies, gardener to Rev. H. Arkwright, Bodenham. It is something like Bra- bant Bellefleur, but we cannot speak of its quality. The Rev. W. Wilks, before the business com- menced, made a few remarks with respect to some alterations the council had made in the arrange- ments of 1889. The principal alteration was that the votes for and against certificates should be counted, recorded, and published; the other, that an award should be given to plants or fruits that were not sufficiently new or distinct for a first-class certificate, this to be called an "Award of Merit." The opinion was much divided as to the value of this award, but the majority of those present con- sidered it an advantage. The Chrysanthemum conference. — This part of the National Chrysanthemum Society's mid- winter e.xhibition should have proved to have been a complete success. The authorities of the Aqua- rium had, however, provided no better place for the gathering than one end of an open gallery, where the light was bad, the seating accommodation limited, and the noise going on in the building se- riously interfered with readers and hearers. The acoustic properties of the place were so bad, that many of the some 200 growers present, num- bers of whom had to stand through the whole time, could hardly hear. For that reason a general wish was expressed that the very admirable papers read should be published. It is very evident that the National Chrysanthemum Society will be simply a shuttlecock so long as it holds its gatherings at the Royal Aquarium. Mr. Holmes, the secre- tary, in the absence, through illness, of the veteran president, occupied the chair. Mr. Molyneux read the first paper, handling with much ability the subject prescribed to him, " Chrysanthemum Manures," and Mr. Gibson, of Mordcn Park, gave a capital jiaper on " The Damping of Blooms." Dis- cussion was taken on these two papers. In relation to manures, one grower preferred bone dust to bone meal or dissolved bones for stiff soil, as also did Mr. E. Beckett, but Mr. Molyneux preferred tlie bone meal. With regard to the latter paper, Mr. Gibson was asked to define scalding as distinct from damping, which he did as clearly as possible. Mr. Kipling, of Knebworth, then read a meritorious paper on "Late Winter C'hry.santhemums," which practically admitted of little discussion, as none resulted, and Jlr. N. Davis, of Camberwell, con- cluded the series with a somewhat speculati\e paper on " Chrysanthemum Sports." Mr. G. Gordon re- ferred to the value of sports on the show table. Cordial votes of thanks were given to the readers of papers and to the chairman. Name wanted. — Your correspondent J. H. Reeve (p. oil, latt volume) wishes to know what Puelcy is. A few extracts from the Departinpnt of Agriculture report for 188" will give about all the facts requisite : " Purslano or Pusloy, a low prostrate animal with thick fleshy leaves." Prof. Gray states it is a native of Europe. Cobbet say.s it is a vile wescl, anJ only (it for pigs and Fronchmen. I have seen it cultivated for salad in Kngland. To cont'nue the report, it states that it is troublosorr-e from its prolificacy and early maturity, and from the fact that it will retain its vitality and mature its seeds after being detached from the soil. The amount cf seed borne, and under favourable circumstances will grow, may be judged from the fact that 250,000 have been counted on a single plant. I forgot to mention the botanical name (Portulaca oleracea). It ia fortunate that Pusley is not included among English weeds, for if so, in a moist summer it would want hoeing up every day. — Jas. Taplin, Mayicood, N.J., U.S.A. Anthracite coal. — With reference to anthra- cite coal, perhaps our experience of it will be more encouraging to "B." than that of " T. R. F." and " X." We have used it last winter and this. We have a No. 3 tubular boiler, which has to heat about 400 feet of 4-inch piping. My man says he finds that anthracite coal raises the heat more quickly than coke, and that it gives a greater heat. The other day, when there were from 18° to 20° of frost he found the coal reliable, and did not use quite a bushel in the twenty-four hours. He mixes the ashes, cinders, &c., from the dusthole. He gives hardly any draught at all even to get the fire up when fresh lighted. He makes the fire up at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and that, with the addition of a shovelful of coal next morning, lasts till five that day. Mixed with ashes, the coal does not cake. On the coldest night the coolest part of the conservatory (which is 80 feet long, the rest of the piping being laid on to the house) was not below 38°, and the fire was not made up to its fullest extent. — N. W. *,* The anthracite coal may answer in your case, where it only seems necessary to keep up a moderate temperature. You do not say whether any forcing has to be done, or whether you have a stove wherein a high temperature must be kept up.— Ed. Covent Garden sales.— Seeing in The Gab- DEX of January 5 "Cornwall's" experience of Covent Garden dealers, I feel it is only fair to warn others not to send either flowers or fruit to any of these people w'ithout very good security for the cash. My case was this : In the early part of De- cember I saw that a certain man advertised in The Garden for good flowers and fruit, and as I had a great many Chrysanthemums, WTote and asked what be would give per dozen. In his answer which I have before me he says, " I can offer you from Is. to Is. (id. per dozen." I happened to be going to town that week, so I went and saw him. He seemed most anxious I should send him a good supply up at once, and I brought down with me five empty boxes. Not feeling inclined to send up a large quantity the first time, I packed nine dozen good blooms, size from 2^ inches to 5 inches or 6 inches across, sent them ofl" and paid the carriage. For days I heard nothing, and 1 had to wTite several times before I could get an invoice, which had on it simply, "one box of Chrysanthemums, 3s. Bd., "but I can get no explanation from the man as to the very small return ; neither can I get the 3s. 6d. I know that week that blooms such as I sent him were selling from Id. to 2d. each, as I bought some on purpose to see the price. 1 cannot help thinking that " Cornwall" and I have been cheated by the same man. — Gloucester. Heatinp by steam.— I propose erecting a set of g'ass houses about loO feet loDg. Can any of your eorrespondents give me their experience in heating with steam from a ver- t'eal boiler which would run a dynamo for the dwelling house?— Oak.s. Mushroom house- — T propose building a Mushn'om house about SOfett by 10 feet, 6 feet by s feet in height, walls to be of brick, roof cf matctboards thatched over, and thall be glad to know what thickness of biick is necessaTy, whether ventilation ia wanted, north or south feite preferable, hot-water boiler and pipes indispeneable. &c. There being plenty of thick etoce walling, with a north or south aspect at baud, could I make a lean-to house?— G. Li. HOOK RECEIVED. " Rosarian's Year-llook " for I.SSO. Published by Eemroso and Sons, 23, Old Ilailey, London. Ifames of plants.— ^'if«"o».— Maxillaria ]>icta. /, /'.— I, Cypripedium cardinale ; 2, C. venaixium ; 3, C bellatuJum. C M. M'.— 1, Erantbenmm pYilchehum ; 2, Aphelandra faseinhtor ; 3, Erica brunaides ; 4, E. elegans. yi'il/i' ni. — \. Adiantum fulvum ; 2 Lomaria tluviatilis ; 3, Doodia caudata ; 4, Aspleuium bulbifeium ; 0, Doryopterls palniata; 0, Selligu'iacaudifonuis. (,'. Zf-/'.— 1, Ilypolepla oiataoa ; 2, Peilaja hastata ; 3, Platyloma Browni ; 4', Adian- tum Wileslanum. F. //.—I, Odontoglosaum hebraicvim ; 2. Catlleya Trianas var. ; 3, Cymbidium Lowianum ; 4, L.'clia autumnalis. — /. yo/il, "Farm aid Home" Monthly Parts. — Mi» Jouriniil is jnililialm/ in n atlf/ bonjiti Mo'tfily Forts, in irAiVA /oi-iit it is most suittihte for Trj\reiire I'Verious to the issue 0/ the yrarlij vol lines. Price tid : post free, 7d. '* Hardy FlovfGTS-^^— f'it'infi itescriptiong 0/ uptrixnts of t/iirtten humlral of the most ornamental speries, rcitk direclions for their iirninittmtnt, eiilture, ttc. Fourth and Po^iutar Edition, Is. ; post free. ' s. 3ti. London. 37, Southa-fr.flon Street, SIretnd, W.C. THE GARDEN. 65 No. 897. SATURDAY, Jan. 26, 1889, Vol. XXXV. " This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but The Art itself is Nature." — Shal-espeare, \ FLOWERS FOR HOUSE AND ROOM DECORATION. Flowers now form such an important addition to the decorations of the house, and are, more- over, used in such profusion, that the gardener's resources are often taxed to the utmost to meet the still increasing demand. Not only are flowers in request for the dinner table, boudou" and sitting-room, but entrance halls, landings, and bedrooms are all enlivened by their presence. Notwithstanding the fact that flowers lend a charm to all apartments of the house when judiciously used, there is, I think, a danger of overdoing it in tlie present system of using flowers. A few glasses or jars placed in advantageous positions, and naturally and gracefull}' furnished, are, I consider, far more pleasing to the eye than a large number placed upon almost every available table, ledge, or cabinet top. Crowding is invariably the evil to be guarded against in all our floral arrangements. When large vases and epergnes of mixed flowers were in vogue, four times the requisite quantity of material was used in filling them, and now that the mixed vases are happily being superseded by simple glasses tilled with flowers and consisting only of one or two kinds, there arises a similar danger of too greatly multiplying the bowls and glasses until they become a confused mass, ex- hibiting neither form nor beauty. One certainly has the idea and feeling of being surrounded by a host of flowers, and to some people this is all they desire, but to others — and I would fain think they constitute the majority— there are evidently a want of tas'te and a total absence of any definite idea in such lavish use of flowers. Unless when entering into any forma! arrange- ment for a particular room, dinner table, &c., when they are often requued of one form or colour, flowers, where vised in rooms for the pleasure and enjoyment of those who frequent them, are more pleasing and attractive when simply, though artistically set up, and when the idea of the artist is apparent. Much also depends upon the selection of glasses, which should be of diflereut sizes and shapes, but always of plain or simple pattern, . clear glass being the best. Jars and bowls are . suitable for some things. Whatever description of receptacle is used, it should be chosen with a . view to show the flower in its proper character. Roses, Dahlias, Chrysanthemums are not suit- able flowers for small flat glasses, as their stems have to be so much shortened as to be scarcely visible. They should have glasses tliat will accommodate from 4 inches to 6 inches of stem, otherwise they are shorn of much natural beauty. Small glasses are better suited for I'rijiiroses, Snowdrops, Violets, and Squills. Open-mouthed glasses somewhat like a tall tumbler are well adapted for arranging such flowers as Carnations, Tea Roses — especially those that bloom in clusters — Dattbdila, and Sweet Peas. Orchids should always be displayed to the greatest advantage, ■ and as near to their natural position when growing as possible. Lilies, Amaryllids, Nerines, and similar things also deserve special attention, for no flowers are more valuable and lieautiful ■ for rooms than these are. Flowering shrubs of all kinds look well in jars and bowls, as also some of the larger hardy perennials. As much, if not more, depends upon the thought and judgment exercised in cutting the flowers as the taste displayed in arranging them when gathered. Flowers indiscriminately col- lected cannot be well set up ; therefore, the decorator should carry in his mmd, when col- lecting his material, the purposes for which he requires it, the size and shape of the glasses and jars he intends filling, thereby greatly reducing his labour, as he knows where each handful of flowers is to go, and waste through cutting too many is avoided — no small consideration at some seasons of the year. To find a suitable com- panion in the form of foliage when their own is not available is often a difiicult matter. More range, however, is desirable in this respect. Many fear to go outside Ferns and Asparagus stems when numbers of beautiful things may be found in the shrubbery. Amongst the Bar- berries are found several useful forms. Ivies, too, there are without number admirably adapted for mixing with flowers, besides many Conifers and others. Hardy perennials furnish us with much valuable material. Acanthuses, Aqui- legias, Spirseas, &c., are most suitable ; then there are the Bamboos and Grasses. All these things have long lain out of the beaten track of the flower gatherer ; however, when once their value is discovered, they will not long remain so, but become indispensable. In warm weather the best time for gathering is in the early morning, the stems, leaves, and petals at that time being charged with moisture, and when placed in water soon after being cut, remain in a fresh condition much longer than when picked in the daytime and allowed to droop before they can be arranged in the glasses. Flowers that stand well are always most in favour with those who require them largely for cutting, for however beautiful some kinds may be, if they do not possess in addition lasting powers, tlieir value is considerably diminished. Nor is this to be wondered at, seeing the time and care which are bestowed upon them. Where the means for producing them are limited and the demand at the same time great, the gardener is compelled to select only those possessing this long-lasting quality. More par- ticularly is this selection necessary with those grown for prodiicing a supply during the winter months, when the blossoms unfold so slowly. It requires a considerable amount of forethought to be able to maintain a continuous supply of flowers during the winter season in private establishments where the other and various departments all claim attention, and where, perhaps, the houses are not particularly well adapted for the production of cut bloom. When the Chrysanthemums are done, there is a considerable falling off, and the value of really late-flowering varieties of this flower should be borne in mind when propagating a stock for another year. Amongst those I have found to be good late kintls are, Boule de Neige, Princess Teck, Hero of Stoke Newington.Mrs. N. Davis, Ceres, Mons. Lemoine, Meg Merrilies,. Boule d'Or, Mrs. Charles Carey, and two single varie- ties, one called America, and the other Master Charlie. Calanthes are valuable for winter cutting, and are easily grown by those possess- ing a stove. Azaleas are good things for forc- ing. Tea Roses yield quantities of bloom if the plants have been well cared for in the summer and the roots are in good condition ; whilst besides Marguerites, Callas, zonal Pelargo- niums, Primulas, and Cyclamens, there are many other things not fo well known, but which should be grown to give variety. Among these are Habrothamnus Newelli, Crassula lactea. Primula obconica, Freesia refracta all-a, not to mention the many Dutch bulbs which are now so cheap and so well adapted for cutting. A. Bakkpr. Rose Garden. FORCING TEA ROSES IN AMERICA. Thinking our method of forcing Tea Roses in this country would be of benefit to English growers, I will endeavour to give a few leading points. The plants are propagated the second week in February, potted into 2- inch pots and kept growing, a shift into other pots being given as they require it. By the first week in July they are good plants in 4-inch or 5-inch pots, from which they are planted into the benches in the houses, the benches being made to hold 5 inches to 6 inches' depth of soil, which is com- posed of good turfy loam and about one-fourth part of thoroughly decayed manure. The plants require all the air that can possibly be given them while at rest in the summer and frequent syringing to keep them clean and healthy. During the autumn they receive the same treat- ment, only they are more closely watched, as cold winds are sometimes very destructive and should not be allowed to blow in upon them. I am greatly in favour of ample ventilation to let the warm close air escape. Great care is needed in watering during the dark days of November and December, as it the soil once gets soaked with water the plants are injured. They should be kept at a day temperature of 60° to 65' and a night temperature of 50° to 55°. Painting the pipes here and there with a paste made of sulphur and lime is a good way to eradicate mildew. To keep green-fly down a good syringing is preferable to fumigating, as the tobacco smoke is sometimes veiy destruc- tive to the buds, depriving them of their colour as well as deforming them. The plants should not be given a top-dressing of rotten manure till spring, as it excludes the air from the roots at the very time it is most needed. If they want a little nourishment before that time, some bone- meal worked into the soil will be found veiy useful. The varieties we grow are Lady Catherine Mermet, The Bride, Perle des Jardins, Papa Gontier, Bon Silene, and Niphetos. They are all excellent Roses, the last three being very free, whilst Lady Catherine Mermet and The Bride are the two most lovely Roses in cultiva- tion, being of superb form and great purity of colour. A vase filled with some three or four dozen flowers of the two last-named varieties arranged loosely and artistically is exceptionally beautiful. The plants are propagated from a single eye. Good solid wood, such as that from which a bloom has been cut, is the best. The cuttings are struck in clean sharp sand in an open bench in the propagating house, with a top heat of 50° and a bottom-heat of 65° ; they root in about four weeks and are potted when the roots are about an inch long. R. H. C. Baird. Eoclicster,N.Y., U.S.A. Tea Kose Kadame Hoste.— InTiiE Gahden, January 1!) (p. 44), tliere is some account of this Hose which 1 think desirable should not pass un- challenged; I allude particularly to tlie .statement (copied from the (larden and Foral) that within the past few days flowers have developed in America wbich rival the largest and most perfect Mar^chal Niels. Madame Hoste is undoubtedly a cliarming Itose, and one tliat will rival many of the most pro- minent favourites. I am growing it largely, but buyers must not expect it to be either in colour or .■^ize 'a rival to Marfchal Niel. It is a yellowish 66 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 26, 1889. white, base of petals deeper yellow, large, fuU, and perfect form, a good grower, and abundant bloomer. In the bud state, when half expanded and fully developed, it maintains its beauty to the finish. — Benjamin R. Cant. NEW ROSES OF 1888-9. In continuation of this list, which was last week suspended after the Hybrid Teas, we come to the Bourbons, which constitute a well- recognised link between the more obvious and direct pro- geny of the Tea-scented Roses and the univer- sally accepted Hybrid Perpetuals. The additions made to the Bourbon class are not now-a-days very numerous, but this year Madame Schwartz .-lunounces a sport — Mme. Ernest Calvat — from that hardy, free, and rampant variety, Mme. Isaac Pereire, and if the sport combines the good qualities of its parent with a distinct and more pleasing shade of colour, it will be watched with great interest. M. Allegatiere also con- tinues his work with the myriad-flowered Roses, and appears this year to have obtained a fresh break, which it may be hoped will prove valuable. Bourbons. Mme. Chbveier (Vigneron).— Flower of fair size, erect, colour flesh-rose ; extremely free-bloom- ing. Mme. Ernest Calvat (Veuve Schwartz). — A sport from Mme. Isaac Pereire, which it differs from only in having flowers of a transparent china rose colour, base of petals yellowish. MULTIPLORA. Francesco Ingegnoli (Bernaix). — Vigorous climber, flowers small, round, semi - double, in large trusses, colour bright red, white tip; not perpetual. Polyantha Roses. Blanche Rebatel (Bernaix). — Dwarf plant producing immense trusses of miniature flowers of a bright red colour. Flora (Veuve Schwartz). — Dwarf plant, with large trusses of flowers, cream colour, passing to pure white ; fragrant. Marie Pavi^ (A116gatifere).— Dwarf plant, flowers large for the type, the colour of Souvenir de la Malmaison. Hybrid Polyantha. Clothilde Soupebt (Soupert and Notting). — Raised from a cross between Mignonette and Mme. Daraaizin (T.). Vigorous plant, from 15 inches to 18 inches in height; flower large, very full, imbri- cated ; outer petals pearly white, centre deep rose. Very free and fragrant. Dr. Reymont (Allegatiere). — Raised from a cross between General .lacqueminot and Polyantha. Very perpetual, flower of fair size, colour crimson. Madame Allegatiere (Allegatifere). — Raised from a cross between Jules Margottin and Poly- antha. Plant ever-blooming, flower bright rose, of moderate size, and lasting well. Provence. President Dutailly (Dubreuil).— A perpetual variety, with erect velvety crimson flowers, cup- shaped, and very fragrant. VlERGE DK Clery (Baron— Veillard). — Flowers large, pure white, very fine, but not peri>etual. Moss. ffiiLLET PanaciiiJ (C. Vcrdier).— Flowers of me- dium size, full, well formed ; calyx well mossed ; Ijetals rosy-white ground, flaked and striped with bright red. Hybrid Perpetuals. Cheshunt Scarlet (George Paul).— A most vivid scarlet-crimson flower, semi-double only, but beautiful in the bud. First-class certificate Royal Horticultural Society as a decorative Rose. Co.MTESSE Bertrand db Blacah (E. Verdior). — ^'Flowers globular or cupped, bright rose; fragrant. CoMTESSE Branicka (Lfiveque). — Flower large, silvery satin rose. COMTESSE DE ROQUETTE-BUISSON (Leveque).— Clear rose, shaded deeper. CoMTESSE d'Eu (E. Verdier).— Flower globular, bright cherry-rose colour, shaded vivid red. CoMTESSE Julie de Schulenburg (Soupert and Notting). — Crimson-purple, shaded velvety maroon. Comtesse O'Gorman (L6veque).— Bright red, shaded poppy-red and purple. Due d'Obleans (E. Verdier).— Brilliant red' lighted with shades of brighter red and carmine. Shape of Annie Wood. Edouard Michel (E. Verdier).— Bright carmine sliaded with currant-red ; margins of petals reflexed. Eugene Pereier (Perrier). — Seedling from Geant des Batailles. Flower solitary, erect ; colour carmine, reverse of petals nearly white ; fragrant, free, perpetual. Felix Ribeyee (E. Verdier). — Deep rose, bor- dered silvery rose. Ferdinand Jamain (Lfiveque). — Colour the brightest red, very free. James Brownlow (Alex. Dickson). — Raised from a cross between Marquise de Castellane and Paul Neron. Flowers very large and fragrant, with very smooth petals of great substance, colour bril- liant carmine ; plant very vigorous, free, and per- petal. John D. Pawle (George Paul). — Velvety crim- son, shaded maroon, cupped ; very perpetual and distinct. Jules Desponds (Liabaud). — Flower globular, scarlet-red, shaded purple. Lady Arthur Hill (Alex. Dickson).— A seed- ling from Beauty of Waltham, producing very distinct flowers of a rosy lilac colour. The plant is vigorous, very free blooming, and has most hand- some foli.age. Mme. Ecegneb (Vigneron). — Flower erect, bright red, fragrant. Mme. Mantin (Vigneron).^Petals bright sal- mon-rose, with silvery margins ; very perpetual. Marchioness op Lorne (Wm. Paul).— Flowers cupped and very fragrant, colour full rose, shaded with carmine ; habit very perpetual. Margaret Haywood (Haywood). — A bright rosy pink sport from Madame Clemence Joigneaux. Marguerite Boudet (Guillot).— Plant fairly vigorous, flower large, erect ; colour tender rose and lilac, shaded with silvery white, very fragrant. M.4-RIE Metral (Liabaud).— Flower salmon-rose colour ; habit of General Jacqueminot. Marquise de Salisbury (Leveque).— Rosy flesh colour, deeper centre, very large and well formed. Monsieur Trievoz (Veuve Schwartz).— Bright rose, shaded carmine, very perpetual. An improved Victor Verdier. MoSBB (Lfiveque). —Flower blackish purple, lighted with scarlet and crimson. Oscar II. (Soupert and Netting).— Colour bril- liant carmine, with silvery reflex ; verj' fragrant. Prince dk Beira (E. Verdier). — Flowers bright rose, shaded with red. Princesse Marguerite d'Orleans (E. Ver- dier).—Soft rose sliaded deeper, m;irgincd almost with white. I'ltdi'ESSEUR JoLinois (E. Verdier).— Flowers cupped, deep red, shnded with carmine. Souvenir de Joseph Pebnet (I'ornet pfere).— Flower amaranth-red, margined with blackish crimson and purple ; very perpetual. Souvenir de Victor Gautreau (Gautreau). — Flowers of medium size, deep red, shaded with velvety carmine. Souvenir du Baron de RocnETAiLLiiE (Lia- baud).— Flowers globular, colour cinnabar-red. Victor Le.moine (LfivCquc).- Dark red shaded with purple and brown. White Lady (Wm. Paul).— A creamy white sport from Lady Mary FitzwilUam, less full than the type, but with immense petals. T. W. G. MARECHAL NIEL ROSES IN POTS. When looking through a moderately sized garden the other day I was somewhat surprised to see a number of plants of Marechal Niel Koses in 7-inch pots. Some had just been placed in an early vinery that had been started, but the majority of them were at the time mentioned in a cool house. The plants were of only one year's growth ; indeed, the gardener made an annual practice of growing plants in 7-inch and 8-inch pots for the purpose of forcing into bloom during the months of February and March. They are usually struck from cuttings of young wood taken from an old plant in March. Six or seven are inserted in pots filled with a sandy compost. As a rule, the cuttings rooted best when placed close to the outside ; indeed, in the case mentioned no cuttings were inserted in the centre of the pot. This, however, is, in my opinion, a matter of no importance, provided other points are judiciously managed. The cuttings inserted and well watered with tepid water, the pots are then plunged into a brisk bottom-heat, say .about 85° or M0°, and covered with a bell-glass. Treated thus they will root in the comparatively short space of three weeks or a month, when they are potted into small pots and encouraged to grow as much as possible by being placed in a warm house and kept well syringed. When necessary they are repotted into the flowering pots, this usually taking place about the beginning of June. For the final potting a rough compost of fibry loam, Mushroom manure, and half -inch bones is usually used, and special care is taken to make the soil very firm, the cultivator referred to being under the impression that the Marechal Niel, especially when on its own roots, as in this case, does best in firm soil. As soon as the final potting is done, every encouragement is given the plants to make growth. They are generally placed between the Vines in a warm vinery, and the gfrowths tied to the wires up the roof of the house, and running parallel with the Vine rods. No stopping is done, so most of the plants are in reality one long stem, similar to a young Vine rod, though it frequently occurs that at about 18 inches or so from the base a natural break takes place ; if so, all the growths are encouraged to grow. When well established in their flowering pots and growing vigorously, the plants are watered with liquid manure three or four times a week, and by this attention and keeping the growths free from green fly by a free use of the syringe, the}' not unfre- quently make growths 10 feet and 12 feet in length and as thick as a child's finger by the end of August. At this period they are generally removed to a south wall, against which the shoots are temporarily tied, in order that they may become thoroughly well ripened, this being considered the chief point in their culture. Towards the end of Sep- tember or early in October the plants are re- moved to a cool house, usuall.v .a Peach house or vinery. Three or four stakes are i)Ut in each pot, and the stem twisted around them. The surface of the old soil is scraped off and a top-dressing of loam and horse manure given, after which the plants need no further attention until they are placed in heat to bloom. Plants of this description would produce an inmiensc (juantity of bloom, and at the same tinu^ form neat specimens for em- licllishing the conservatory or room. C. Rose Cloth of Gold.— My nephew, wlio Is travulling in Ceylon, writta mo as follows : '■ Vou hnvo no idea at humo of how UoscB grow hero. \t a ftieiid's estate close by there are two Cloth of Gold biishts. the stems of which arc each IS Inches and "J-l iiiclics in cirtvniifcri'nco. I always heard at homo that this Kuse wjia a shy bloomer. Tlieso bushes have hundreds of lovely blooms on them. They are 9 feet in height. "—C. J. O. " The English Flower Garden." — Replying to various corresjiondents wlio have been unable to obtain copies of this book — long now out of print — we beg to say that it is luiw, after m.any changes and additions, being reprinted, and that it w'ill be ready about one month hence. Jan. 26, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 67 Kitchen Garden. KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. Cauliflowers. Where plants have bolted owing to their being raised too early or if they are scarce from any other cause, it is advisable to sow seed now of both early and successional varieties. The Extra Early Forcing is the quickest to heart in, and this being of neat habit, renders it one of the best for culture in frames, rough pits, or handlights. Either Dwarf Erfurt, Mammoth, Mont Blanc, or Early London may be sown at the same time, these being a week or ten days later than the Early Forcing, while Magnum Bonum and Pearl are still later. The seed should be sown thinly in pans or boxes of fine soil and be set near the glass in gentle heat. Overhead syring- ing must be avoided, this breaking down the very brittle seedlings, which ought to be either given plenty of air when the weather permits, or be trans- ferred to a warm greenhouse or other shelves for a few days prior to their either being pricked off thinly into boxes of good soil or in pairs into 4-inch pots. They ought never to be placed far from the glass, nor be allowed to become dry at the roots, this invariably ending in premature hearting in. Being duly hardened off, they ought to be finally planted before they become drawn or much root-bound. These early-raised plants are suitable for planting under glass,andalso at the base of sunny walls and on warm borders. In the latter case they must be roughly protected with either mats or branches of Spruce Fir or other Evergreens. It is yet too early to interfere with those plants wintered with the aid of glass or other protection, but those under hand- lights especially ought to be thinned out early in order that the reserved portion may be forwarded somewhat. The plants should be given abundance of air in order to keep them dwarf and hardy, and unless frosts prevail, the thinning out and transplanting may be done during the second or third week in February. FoRCisG Lettuces. Up to the present time very little harm has re- sulted to late-raised unprotected Lettuce plants, but even if these escape later frosts, they will not heart in so quickly as will January-raised plants of the Early Paris Market gi-own in frames. Tliis variety, in addition to being of very quick growth, is also of excellent quality. To have it at its best, however, it should be gently forced. The seed ought to be sown at once thinly in pans of fine soil, and either set on a gentle hotbed or on a shelf in a forcing house. While the seedlings are growing, a slight hotbed ought to be prepared for their recep- tion. On this set a two-light or larger frame, and if this is deep, partially fill it with some of the shortest forcing material, on this placing about .S inches of fairly rich loamy soil, finishing off with a thin surfacing of fine light soil. If there is no likelihood of the bed becoming too hot, prick out the seedlings direct from the seed-pan and before they become drawn. The plants may be disposed 5 inches apart each way, the aim being to cut half the plants for early use and when not more than half grown : the remainder are left to grow to their full size. If preferred, they may be put out K inches apart each way, and none cut before they have formed hearts. Gentle forcing only should be resorted to, air being given whenever the weather is mild. The plants should bo kept well supplied with tepid water,and the frames be matted over or otherwise protected every night. A good supply of this Lettuce may also be had from boxes of rich soil set near the fronts of gently-forced vineries and Peach houses. The earliest Lettuces grown in the open air are usually rather tough, but our forced plants are so tender as to require very careful handling and packing. Potatoes in Pits and Frames. Gentle hotbeds formed of leaves, or leaves and manure, are of the greatest as.sistance in forcing Potatoes, and where deep heated pits are available their culture is much simplified. Where only one or two frames, or two or three lights in a pit can be devoted to the early crops, it is not, as a rule, ad- visable to commence forcing yet, most employers expecting a constant rather than a fitful supply. We find deep heated pits admirable for forcing Potatoes, these being cleared off early or before Easter, and either kidney Beans or Potatoes planted in close succession. The successional supplies of Potatoes, some of which are started now or early in February, are also followed by Beans, &c. Leaves are scarce this season, and many that we have col- lected are already half decayed; consequently we and all others similarly situated wall have to depend principally upon stable manure for the hotbeds. This must be well prepared by frequent turnings, a violent or rank heat proving destructive to the Potatoes. Sufficient must be introduced into a pit to bring the soil up to within 6 inches of the glass, while for the frames the beds may be about 42 inches high at the back with a gentle slope to the front. If the manure is rather hot, delay soiling for a few days, otherwise it may be done at once. First face over the bed with a layer of short ma- nure, on this placing not less than 9 inches of fresh loamy soil, such as old Melon and Mushroom beds, to which is added some sandy mould obtained by sifting over old potting-bench refuse. A 6-inch potful of superphosphate to every light, this being well mixed with the soil, will benefit both the Potatoes and succeeding crops. The sets, which ought not to have lost their first strong sprout, should be set closely and uprightly in boxes or trays and placed in gentle heat to commence active growth. All side shoots ought to be rubbed oS, and when the central or reserved sprout is about 2 inches long the tubers ought to be planted. This is found a much better plan than planting direct from the storing place. The drills for them, which may well be opened with the hand, should be about !> inches deep and from 12 inches to 15 inches apart, according to the width of the lights. Dispose the sets not less than 6 inches apart, and carefully mould over with the hand. Radishes are frequently sown over the surface of the beds, but unless very thinly grown they do not attain a serviceable size in heated pits, but succeed in unheated frames or where the Potatoes grow more slowly. The frames require to be closely covered every night with mats and also litter in severe weather, and all should re- ceive a little air during the warmest part of the day, this being increased as the days lengthen and the haulm advances. Very little water is needed at the outset, unless given for the benefit of the Radishes, but when growing strongly, the Potatoes must not be allowed to become dry at the roots. No subsequent moulding up is necessary or advisable. Old Ashleaf, Mona's' Pride, Veitch's Improved Ash- leaf, Victor, Early Border, and Eclipse are all suit- able varieties of Potatoes for forcing, the two first-named, if obtained true to name, being the best. Onions for Exhibition. Before the secret leaked out, many skilful gar- deners could not understand why they failed to produce such fine specimens of the white Spanish type' as were shown by a limited number of compe- titors at the leading shows. In some few instances these were really the result of sowing seed in the autumn, but it soon became an open secret that the finest and best-shaped bulbs were obtained by sowing seed in heat early in January, the plants thus obtained being far ahead of any raised later in the open. This practice is now largely followed by numerous exhibitors, and it is startling to some and amusing to others to see fine bulbs, 5 inches and upwards, staged early in August as "spring sown." The morality of this proceeding is of a doubtful nature, but as they are not disqualified, others must adopt the same system if they wish to equal or surpass their more enterprising rivals. Rousham Park Hero, Anglo White Spanish, and Banbury Improved are all fine for exhibition, the first-named, perhaps, being the best. Sow a pinch of seed in a pan of fine soil, well pressing it in prior to covering, and set it on a gentle hot- bed or on a warm shelf till the seedlings appear. They must not be dr.awn up in heat, sturdy, not spindly plants being needed : but if first set on a greenhouse shelf and gradually hardened off, they will be ready for dibbling out some time in March or early in April where they are to mature. Onions thus raised may be transplanted readily, and if given heavily-manured, deeply-dug, yet firm ground and otherwise liberally treated, growth is rapid, and fine, well-ripened bulbs will be obtained for the August shows. W. I. POTATOES, EARLY PLANTING. The soil is so thoroughly soaked with heavy rains, and the frost has rendered it so soft and retentive, that it will be needful to think twice before com- mencing to plant early Potatoes in the open ground. There are many non-piractical gardeners who rush hastily to the conclusion that with the incoming of the new j-ear come also the sowing and planting seasons. It would be far wiser in most cases, and especially so with the soil in its present sodden, cold condition, were March to be regarded as the beginning of the season, and all sowing and plant- ing of tender or semi-tender crops deferred till then. Seeds generally will be of doubtful quality this year, for we had last season one of the worst seed-producing seasons ever experienced ; there- fore, it is most evident that early sowing, so far from being helpful to growth, may but serve to prevent it. In many cases seeds which ordinarily are sown in March would be safer if not sown un- til April. Indeed, under any circumstances it is doubtful whether the seasons do not more and more favour deferred sowing. Growth, if begun late, wiD be all the more likely good and rapid, because the solar heat is greater, and there is far more of daylight than is the case a month sooner. Then we always find that plants from seed once checked or stunted by frost or excessive rain rarely recover and become -so robust as plants from a later sowing and which have not been checked. Pro- bably all seedsmen will this year very specially advise cautious late sowing of seeds, both because the soil is wet and cold, and samples are of indif- ferent quality. Potatoes come into a diverse cate- gory from seeds, but then if the tubers are sound and" fully matured, they will break as strongly as during previous years. Very possibly some of the disease which so terribly devastates our Potato breadths is occasionally assisted by our method of planting the Potato so early, and thus in treating it as a hardy plant we only weaken its constitution and its power to resist the disease. Soil in a cold, wet condition, as it is now, is about as bad a bed in which to place Potato tubers as can well be found. The sets would be far better off on the shelf, and may then be kept and planted safely in proper seasons, with the certainty that a good crop will result in due course. Grubs and slugs do early planted Potatoes great injury in wet soils. Not only do these pests prey upon the tubers, but they devour the young shoots also. Later, when the soil is both drier and warmer, growth is more rapid, whilst insects have other food or are less active. It is easy to get Potato tubers for seed so advanced in growth, that some two or three weeks may be gained if the sets be started in a moderately mild temperature a month before being planted. It is better to get this sprouting done and an inch or so of stout growth put on to all the sets in good time, so that the tubers may be in a cooler temperature, and be partially hardened off before the sets are placed in the soil. Everybody knows how to effect the sproiiting, but it is a pity so few take the trouble to bring it about. The method will this spring specially repay for the little labour involved in getting several pecks of early tiibers duly sprouted as advised. A. D. Beet. — It presents an admirable example of the comparative mildness of the winter so far that Beet roots stand out in the open ground not only quite unharmed, but fresh and vigorous in leafage. That is seen in no specially sheltered place, but in rather cold soil. Beets are, without doubt, by far the best flavoured when left in the ground as long as possible, as none of the juices of the roots are then lost. Even when lifted for the winter, I have always found storing by laying the roots in thickly beneath overhanging trees and throwing a few 68 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 26, 1889. leaves amongst and over the roots to give all needful protection, whilst the roots may be taken from the soil so sheltered in the hardest of weather and are quite plump and fresh. Carrots and Par- snips also keep well in the same way. A gardener at Mettisfont Abbey some years ago kept all his roots in this way beneath his nut trees during the winter. Whilst Dell's Crimson, or any of the selec- tions from Dell's, such as Elcombe's, Pragnell's, and others, seem to be the favourite Beets for ex- hibition, not a few growers and market gardeners who like good-sized roots as well as rich colour and soft, pleasant flavoured flesh, prefer the Pine- apple or the Selected Covent Garden. This latter is a fine robust Beet, and the foliage is more erect than is that of the old and favourite Pine-apple. Beyond these, perhaps the most popular is the red Turnip-rooted kind, a variety happily of which so far it has not been easy to make synonyms, for the Turnip-rooted Beet remains what it is, let the selection be ever so carefully made. Those who have to meet a demand for early Beets find this kind a welcome aid. It is not without its value in the market for early work also, but the tapering- rooted kinds will always retain their position in popular esteem, because the flesh gives when pro- perly prepared such delicate salading. — A. D. THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY- I HAVE read a letter in your last issue from Mr. C. J. Grahame on the affairs of the above society in which my name is mentioned, and it is on this account that I venture to send a few lines, and at the outset I liave to say that we have no " one-man-rule " here. It is my good fortune to serve a council who take a lively in- terest in the proceedings of the society. Take an illustration. A few years ago we wanted to raise a considerable .sum of money for the erec- tion of new glasshouses. The present chairman of our council (Mr. Joseph Broome) made a proposal for securing the needful. The council met, resolutions were adopted, and circulars is- sued, but had the matter rested here the result would have been practically nil. On several days in the week, for several months, Mr. Broome left his warehouse and called upon gen- tlemen in the city pleading the cause of (our then) poor society, and I believe that the result exceeded his expectations. On these occasions it was my good fortune to accompany liini, and the training I received has, I venture to think, been of some service to our society since. We have issued tliousands of circulars during the last few years setting forth the principles of membership to our society, but it has been in the main owing to the personal call which has brought about a better state of things. Whether the Royal Horticultural Society can adopt a similar plan I know not, but I think that the council might give the i>ro])Osal a trial. There is one officer in connection with institutions which I have no hesitation in saying does much more harm than good, namely, that of hon. secretary. If the paid secretary is a man of energy and fertile in resource, he will very often bo bringing some proposal under the notice of tho governing ijody ; but it m.ay happen, and very often does liajipen, that the proposal lants up near the glass in a house in which Cypri)iediums are grown. During the winter they get no water, but the moisture in the house is suflicient to keep the short slender bulbs from shrivelling'. This is specially neces.sary. During the period of g-rowth, freqiu'nt aiijilicitions of water arc necessary with a free circulatinn of air. The ]ihint in question is the result of a cro.ss between C. Aclandia; and C. intennedia, and. naturally enough, there are some variations in the jilants, the one under notice being one of the finest forms. In habit calumnata resembles Aclandiiv, the short liulbs being even more slender than those of its parent. The flower retains the shape somewhat of th.-it of Aclandia?. Its other jiarent would appear to h.ave produced the white sepals and petals, and also to have increased the size of the side lobes of the lip. The flower is upwards of 4 inches across, the sepals and petals nearly equal, white, tinged with flesh colour, and profusely spotted with magenta. The side lobes arc white, sulTused with jnirple; front lobe wholly rich [mrpli.sh-niagenta, and siuuewhat NEW HYBRID ORCHIDS. Besides a long list of seedling C'ypripediums, the only merit of many of which consists in their hav- ing been artificially produced, a good series of hybrid Orchids, due exclusively to the skill of the specialist, and all of the utmost interest, is also to be includeil among the novelties of 1888. Thus, for instance, there are the two .splendid Phala3nopsids, the pro- duction of which wo owe to the perseverance of Mr. Seden, who for years past has paid special attention to the intercrossing of various members of this most lovely genus. One of these two new forms, and indeed a gem amongst the numerous C'helsea productions, has most deservedly been dedicated to this skilful and patient raiser. Phalse- nopsis John Seden is not only very attractive, but it is idso the most distinct of the several hybrid Phala^nopsids artificially raised. It is the result of a cross between the popular P. gi-andiflora and the beautifully coloured P. Luddemanniana, and the characters of both parents are jjlainly shown in the offspring, whose leaves are plain gi'een, and whose flowers, about 2 inches in diameter, are white, but freely dotted all over with piu'ple, while the three-lobed lip is tinged with reddish-puqile. Phalse- nopsis F. C. Anie.s, although, perhaps, less showy than the one just described, is, nevertheless, a very interesting and valuable acquisition to the genus. It has been produced by the crossing of P. amabilis and P. intermedia Portei. Its foliage is uniformly green, and the flowers are of mediimi size and pure white, with the excejjtion of the throat of the lip, which is ornamented with a reddish tint. In Cypri- pediuui Tautziamun we have perhaps one of the most noteworthy of the many garden hybrids be- longing to the genus. As might have been antici- pated, this splendid novelty, being the result of a cross between C. niveum and C'. barbatum, is of particularly rich and distinct colour, which in the petals is shown by veins and spots of deep crimson on a white ground, the lower edge being uniformly white, and in the dorsal or upper sepal, which is equally white, veined with crimson. Besides the peculiar, yet very pleasing combination of its colour, the flower is rendered very attractive by its neat shape, the lip being in the way of that of C. niveum, white on the under surface, and of a bright rosy crimson tint on the upper part. Dendrobium chrysodiscus is a hybrid of undoubted merit : it ii]>]iears to be free-growing and free-fiowcring, mid is the result of a cross eft'ected between two strik- ing parents — D. Ain.sworthi and D. Findleyanuni. Though possessing to a certain degree the beauty of both parents, the Ainsworthi parentage predo- minates in the characters of the flowers, which are of the same size and delightfully coloured ; the greater portion is white, with a dense bronzy-red and yellowish blotch at the base. Anguloa inter- media, also raised at Chelsea, is the result of a cross between A. Clowesi and A. Ruckeri. and has flowers of moderate size and of the usual cup-shajied form, but entirely covered within with salmon-pink .spots, wliich harmonise well with the ]iale buff colour of the exterior. The Cattleya section is equally well re]ircscnted by new home-raised varieties. The one named C. Lamlicrhurst hybrid is undoulitedly one of the most interesting hybrid Orchids, and one which, although not a bigeneric production, can. however, be classed with such as Sophrocattleya and Zygocolax; for if the ]iarents in this case do not belong to separate genera, their mode of growth and also their w:iy of flowering are so very ditTcrent, that their intercross- ing had for many years juovcd very difficult. It is the result of a cross bct\v<'cii two wiilcly sejiarated spe- cies, (.'.intermedia and C.citrina. The pseudo-bulbs, intermediate between those of both jiarents, are rounder, like those of C. citrina. but more elon- gated; their growth is almost upright, but the flower-.spike has, nevertheless, a ])endulous habit very like that of C. citrina. The flowers resemble in shape those of C. citrina. and are very fragrant, but have lost all traces of the bright yellow colour 72 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 26, 1889. peculiar to that species; the sepals and pet.als are creamy white, faintly tinted with pink, while the lip is of a delicate rosy colour, with veins of the same shade extending into tlie throat. L^lia Amesiana is anotlier beautiful illustration of what can be XJroduced at home by careful crossing; its petals and sepals are of a blush colour, and the broad lip is beautifully fringed, the pure white lower half forming a nu)st striking contrast with tlie Aoep crimson colour of tlie terminal part. Tlie plant shown from The Dell on July the 24tli bore nine flowers on three spikes. "We have in C'attleya Harrisi a most interesting hybrid, resulting from a cross between C. Mcndeli and C. Leopoldi, and presenting a most happy combination of the cha- racters peculiar to both parents. The jiseudo-bulbs, like those of C. Sieboldi, are slenhowy, anlish crimson, behind which is a very deep crimson patch, which is Inu'dered with dee]) orange colour, the inner side lobes being also profusely veined with orange, the whole making up an exceed- ingly rich flower. From Mr. Bedford, gardener at Straffan House, Kildare, also comes a flower. '• The plant," he says, •• came to me as an imjiorted Mossia?, the growth lieing like that of Triana'. but the flower is not, neither will it fit into C. Percivaliana." In spite of this statement, however, it is a veritable form of Percivaliana; the petals are fairly broad, but the sepals are very narrow and of a blush colour throughout ; lip deep crimson, stained with orange behind, with a few (U'aiige veins on the side lobes, whilst the front portion of the lip is broadly m.argincd with blush. The other contributions of this species are all f.'iir exanqiles of this variable, but be.'iuliful plant, its Mowers being specially welccune at this uncongenial season of the vear, W. II. G. Cattleya Trianae Dayana.— This is one of the uio.st gorgeous of all the varieties of this siieeies 1 recently noted in Mr. Smei^'s charming garden at Carshalton, where, in sjiife of tlie terriiile fogs we have exiierienced, it has stood unharmed for a month, having expanded its flowers mi tlie20lh of December, a superb Christmas ornament. 'i'l'.e flower ill question is nearly 7 inches acro.-^s llie sep.'ds and iictals, lilac, flushed with rose ; the side lobes of the lip are bright rose, the margins of these and thi^ whole front lobe being of a very deep rich magenta-purph', and the Ihroat bright m-ange; the petals are very broad, measuring 2^ iiiclies Jan. iC, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 73 across. This most beautiful and variable species was namert by Professor Eeichenbach in compli- ment to Dr. Triana, a botanist in Columbia, and it is one of the most showy of the whole family. — W, H. G. VAXD.l EOXBURGHI AND OTHERS. I WAS pleased to read the account of this Vanda at page 30 by Mr. Gower. It is a very beautiful species, but not quite so easily grown as some others. I have always a kindly recollection of it, as it was the first Vanda I had under my care from imported plants, all of which did remarkably well in a rather lower winter temperature than that which Mr. Gower advises. He says, "A'andas do not require the amount of heat that is usually accorded them," and then proceeds to say that tiO^ is enough in winter. I fancy that most of the Vandas will do well in a winter temperature of 10° lower than this. Mr. W. Thomson grows Vandas well in his large establishment at Clovenfords, near Galashiels. When I saw his plants a good many years ago they were in excellent health, well furnished from base to summit, and I fancy this exuberant health was attributed by him to growing them in a winter tem- perature of 50°, and even lower sometimes. Our own plants were grown in a much higher tempera- ture at that time — 1)0° to 65°, and they were at once placed in a lower one. which would average about 50°: indeed, on very cold nights it would fall to 45>' in the early morning, but this not often, and the plants certainly did better. Some of the Indian Aerides, such as A. crispum and its varieties, A. Fieldingi, &c., and all of that group, succeed better in the lower temperature ; indeed, we have them in this lower temperature now, and several times during the present season the temperature has fallen below 50°. The Indian Vanda caerulea likes a restful temperature after flowering, and we place tlie plants in the very coolest part of the house, where they almost touch the upright glass end open to the cold, and at the point furthest removed from the boiler. In its native habitat it delights to grow in open positions, such as on the top branches of Oak trees, tossed by the winds and scorched by the sun, while it must not be forgotten that sometimes the nights are very cold and hoar-frosts are not un- known where A'anda csrulea grows. The first Vanda to flower in England, I believe, was V, Roxburghi, in the garden of Lady Banks at Spring Grove in Xovember, 1820. Tlie plant was grown in Sjjhagnum Moss in an ordinary wicker basket suspended from the roof of the stove house. There is a drawing of the plant in the Boianical Magazine for 1x21 (tab. 2245). It is also well figured in the " Orchid Album " (tab. 59), and this does not differ in its markings from the early speci- men. Mr. Gower omits to mention a veiy distinct variety of A'. Roxburghi named unicolor figured in the Botanical JIagaiine (tab. 341t;). The upper sides of the petals of this variety are of a uni- form glossy chestnut-brown colour, and the middle lobe of the lip is of the same colour. It flowered in the collection of Lord Fitzwilliam at AVentworth. I do not know whether the singular-looking X. teres was the next introduction, but it appears on tlie scene in 1844, and flowered in the spring of that year at Kew. It was discovered about the same time l>y Dr. Wallicli growing on trees in Sylhet, and by Mr. Griffitli in Burmah. It was figured by Lindley in the Bolanical Iteijisler (tab. 1S09), and by Hooker in the Botanical Magazijie H:\h. iWi). It is unlike any of tlie otlier A^anflas. and requires a totally different treatment from tliem. It grows very freely here. Close to the glass and exposed to the sun in the warmest bouse during summer in a steaming atmosphere it will grow 18 inches in a year. In winter it is again placed in the Cattleya house with Vanda ca?rulea. and receives no water for six weeks at a time. AVith this treat- ment it flowers freely in June and July. Next we have A'anda cristata, a very singular- looking species which was found by Dr. Walli<^h as early as 1818 in Nepaul. and which flowered in Messrs. Rollisson s nursery at Tooting in March, is 12. two years before A'anda teres flowered at Kew. It was described by Wallich as •' a flower of exquisite beauty," but, when compared with the beautiful Orchids now in cultivation, this description scarcely applies. In 1848 Messrs. James A'eitch and Sons, of Chelsea, flowered in their nursery in December of that year A', tricolor (the true Vanda insignis of Blume had been discovered earlier). This was found by Mr. Thos. Lobb in Java, and is well figured in the Botanical ^fagazi7le{t.a.h.i^'A•2). A'anda suavis was figured in the same publication in 18G0 (tab. 5174), but it is not stated who introduced it or where it flowered. In April of that year Messrs. A'eitch flowered A', gigantea for the first time in this country, and many truly handsome species have been introduced during the last quarter of a century. No less than forty-nine species and va- rieties are described in the '■ Orchid Grower's JIanual," the latest being the truly distinct and handsome A'. Sanderiana, which is well grown in some collections and not so well in others. Mr. Horner seems to have hit the right treatment for it in his little house at Lowfields. where it does not seem to have such warm treatment as it obtains in some houses. Perhaps Mr. Horner will let us know delicata. Those forme are extremely haudpome, but they cannot compare with alba for purity. Trees and Shrubs. THE HEMLOCK FIRS. Abies Albekti.\n.\ (Prince Albert's Fir). — This rapid growing tree, with a bole as straight as an arrow, and long pendulous branches well clothed with soft green foliage, stands in aliotit the same relation to tlie better-known Hemlock Spruce (Abies canadensis) as the Atlantic Cedar does to the Cedar of Lebanon. In a young state it so closely resembles this highly orna- mental, but too sparingly-planted Fir as to be often taken for it ; but when growing side by side they are quite distinct, as A. canadensis forms more of a round or flat-headed tree, whilst A. Albertiana sends up its leader and soon overtops it. Introduced b}' the Oregon Association of Edinburgh, through their col- lector, Mr. J. Jeffrey, in 18.51, and named in ConiBg branch of Albert's Spruce Fir (Abies Albertiana). Engraved for The Garden from specimen grown at Eastnor ('astle. what is the temperature of bis house, and how this plant is treated. It would be also interesting to know if any cultivators have been successful in growing the Indian A'andas in a temperature of 50°. J. Douglas. Dendrobium Cooksonianum.— This is a form of, or a sport from the old 1). nobile, dift'ering in having the petals marked at the base with a large doop velvety maroon blotch; indeed the petals maybe saidto be converted into lips, as thi>y are marked exactly in the same manner, and which has the effect of producing a gorgeous display. Although this variety has ap- peared in several collections in the country, it still re- mains rare. It roiiulres the same treatment as nobile. Cattleya Trianae alba. — .V very tine form of this plant is nnw flowering in Mr. Hranketon'.^ collec- tion at Blacklieath. This is perhaps the most beautiful of all the varieties of this diverse species; the flower is broad, compact, and pure white, sav- ing a faint stain of lemonl in the lip. Many plants are in cultivation under this name which, however, are not alba, being more or less sufi'used with flesh colour, which brings them cloee to the varietj named honour of the late Prince Consort, patron of the association, it forms one of a small section well known in this country as the Hemlock Firs, in Jap;in as tlie Tsug;e, and being perfectly hartly, all tlie five or six species, with the exception of one from the Himalayas, deserve extensive cul- ture, not so much for their timber, wliich is of little value, as for their remarkable habit and charming colour, when judiciously jjlanted, in contrast with the more sombre and golden spe- cies in the piin'tuni. Indeed, independently of the fact that the list of Hemlock Firs is neitlier too large nor free from the usual botanist's con- fusion, I know of no family of Conifers so ailmirably adapted for giving grace and softness wlien well handled by tlie landscape planter, or for forming unique .specimens in the fiiiallest villa garden. The tree from which tliebranchlet, the subject of the accom]ianyiiig engraving, was taken was planted in 1862, and is now a very beautiful 74 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 26, 1889. specinion, but the grouml beiiia rather too thiu the severe frost of 18GO-01, there leniaiiis one a:;d dry — for all Hemlock Firs like a Jeep, raoist more gem of the first water which 1 must re- soil — it is not (luite so robust as others growing commend, not only to the owner of the villa on lower levels only a few feet above the margin garden, but also to the landscape planter engaged of the lake at Eastnor. It has borne its dimi- in giving the finishing touch to the largest nutive pendent cones for some years, but never arboreal pictures. This is the true Abies Tsuga, so fi-eely as at the present lime, a circumstance the Japanese Hemlock Fir, introduced by the which may be put down to the hot, dry summer late Dr. Siebold in 1853. The enterprising firm of ]^ • .1 II- 1 ,T , , '■„. bouLihl it with the idea that it would bearfniil. Passing over the Himalayan Hemloek Fir | The f al,. parent .,f S. F,u-emani cam,, to m,- (Abies Brunoniana), planted here .-ind killed by un.ln- Ihr luune of oblata bendna, and cerlainlv in EVILS OF GRAFTING. We doubt if there is a greater nui.'iance in the whole practice of gardening than the art of grafting. It is very clever, it is very interesting, but it will be no great loss if it is abolished altogether. It is for the convenience of the nurseryman that it is done in nine cases out of ten, and in nearly all instances it is not only needless, but harmful. Grafting en- aliles the nurseryman to supply more quickly than he otherwise could do stock of a certain variety. It is not only detrimental to the tree itself, but the trouble occasioned by the continual removal of suckers is considerable. If we made the nursery- men give us things on their own roots, they would find some quick means of doing so. At first layers of some things are slow, but once started they make up in vigour. Then they are not confused, as the poor grafted sbrul> is, in struggling with an enemy below them, like the fjrafted Rhododendron, with the multitude of shoots that come up around it — a struggle which often ends in death. Not only are distinct species put on each other, but the most incongruous things, as the Medlar upon the Hawthorn, and the Pyracantha upon the Quince. While, no doubt, many things are ditflcult to propagate, it is ridiculous to suppose that such things as the common Medlar and Pyracantha, which afford seed in abundance, and which could be easily raised from seed, require to be grafted. We have seen many a Plum orchard, left to it- self for a time, become one forest of shoots of some common stock that sucks the life from the graft. We bouffht a lot of Jledlars for ornament, and were surprised to find thorns coming up from their roots. We had a lot of the ]U-ickly Pyracantha feu- fencing. The plants came, and we took some trotdile with them, but towards the end of last summer Quince shoots came up fnun each ! The Quince being vigcu-ous in moist soil, the Pyracantha, which is only an evergreen trailing shrub, has a poor chance. The nurseryman, whilst saving himself trouble, gives us something we do not want, and a lot of trouble into the bargain. The beautiful Hose Acacia we never see in its natural condition. It is often stunted and distorted, and in a strong wind the head is blown olf. Layer- ing would no (liuibt give miuv trouble to nursery- men I h;in the expeditious ]ivoccss of grafting, but then it is their liusiness to take trouble. Hoses are often sold sinqily to die. We bought a batch of plants of Catherine Mermet, and planted them in a rich loamy border, and altera time found they were on theManctti stock. After three years the plants had hardly grown at .all. It is greatly to lie re- gretleil that such .a stock as the Manetti sluuild be ri('(|ucntl\' used. I'lvils in fruit gardens from graft- ing are abundant. — Field. *,* We invite luir rc.-iders' opiniiuis on the above sulijret. While it is ahviiys assumed that gralting Jan. -26, 1SS9.] THE GARDEI^. 75 of sdinp sort is the only safe way with fruit trees, it will hardly be maintained that it is necessary for the inanv trees and shrubs for which it is used. — Ed. " Atraphaxis spinosa. — It you do not know the plant, yuu will be surprised (from its name) to see no spines. But the fact is it has none, but the tips of the branches are apt to die beyond the leaves and look spinose. It is perfectly liardy, and wlien in full flower is a pretty shrub. I grow it on the north side of rockwork, but I think it will grow anywhere and in any soil. It is a favourite in French gardens. I saw it first in a garden at Chartres, where it was almost a weed, and I think my plant came from the Paris Garden. — H. N. Ellaco.mbe, mtton. Winter scenery. — Mr. Inehbald (p. 24) strikes a good note here. Few persons fail to admire the beautiful manner in which hoar-frost variegates every twig and branch, and this effect ought to be taken into account by every gardener and owner of a garden. But I suppose that many years will elapse before the winter aspect of a garden comes to be considered as a thing of beauty. The regular practice of clearing away in the autumn every dead leaf, stem, and frond, and showing as much bare ground as possible, has, no doubt, had much to do in preventing the beautiful winter pictures a well furnished garden is capable of showing from being appreciated as they ought. Apart from hoar-frost, my contention is that every stem and leaf and frond should be left standing for the sake of the varied shades of brown and russet they present, and there is no reason why we should not admire these tints as much as we do the varied shades of green, &c., in summer. Leaves and stems not only mark the position of tlie plants during winter, but afford them protection, besides adding so much to the garden landscape. From an artistic point of view there is no sort of comparison between a garden so furnished and one reduced to a dreary waste of bare earth. Only the other day I heard a person, himself no mean judge of beauty, say, when stand- ing in front of a well-developed mass of Polygonum Sieboldi (dead stems), that he was not so sure that some of these things were not better dead than alive. In the case of this plant, not only are the beautiful curves of the stems and the fine spray seen to full advantage, but the purplish Plum-like bloom upon the stems is quite conspicuous. — T. Smith. Disputed hardiness of Picea bracteata. — Jlr. t'ulverwell (p. 5y), bearing testimony to the beauty of this Conifer, states that it was killed down to the snow-line in Yorkshire in 1860-1. That winter was remarkable, not only for its severity, but also for the cold wet svmimer which preceded it, and last, but not least fatal, for the moist mild weather wliich kept trees in active growth up to the eve of the frtist, when the thermometer with us marked 34° on Christmas morning. So severe, inrleed, was the frost, and so badly jirepared the trees, that of Pinus insignis we lost over 150, and of C'u|iressus macrocarpa over 100. not tiny trees, but fine specimens from 20 feet to 40 feet in height, consequently thoroagldy establislieil in tlie soil. How Picea bracteata would have fared I am. I must admit, unprcjianvl to assert with any degive of certainty, luit. con>idering that I .'ifterwards ]planted it above tlic death-line, and in close pro-\imity to three line .specimens of t'upressus Lambertiana whicli had escajied, I am inclined to believe it would not have been injured. Oaks and other indigenous trees were injured by thebur.sting of the cells literally full of flowing sap at the time, and yet I believe we have a right to say these monarchs of the forest are hardy, and so I believe, practically speaking, is Picea bracteata. Facts, of course, arc; stubborn things, and so is a reailing of the mercury 14° below zero. Then, ;igain, tlu^se readings may be rejieated, but unless the wood, as in IsCid. is unripe anme extent renders root-pruning unnecessary. After budding or grafting, as tlie case may be, the plants are not again transplanted till ready to send out, most of them at three years old and some few at four j'ears, according as the variety is a weak or strong gi'ower. Of course, at that age, even if the trees are not in request, they are transplanted, and move all the better the following year. Referring to stocks made Ironi cuttings, Mr. Crump observed that he had raised some iu this manner, but they lacked the vigour of seedlings, though he sometimes used them for Plums. ISIr. Crump, in reply to my question as to whether he gave preference to any variety of Apple or Pear pips over another for the raising ot stocks, remarked that the choicer varieties of Apples did not make good stocks, being liable to mildew and making very puny gi-owth — another of the many gar- dening puzzles that is difficult to solve, as naturally one expects the best trees from the best varieties of fi'uits. If clean, vigorous, healthy growth, not a pai-ticlc of canker, mildew, or American Vilight, is indicative of success, then Mr. Crump, by the aid of a generous employer, a kind soil, and his own exertions, has attained the very highest degree of it. All other departments of the gardens and grounds are well kept, the one antl only blot of the place being the over-planting, or what I call meaningless planting, of shrulis, which hide Ijeautiful views and prevent the many gland trees there are in the grlanti of (he leading kinds in some- what larger pots sliould now be placed in light pils, the closer to the glass the better, wliere, aided by a solid bed of fermenting leaves, tliev can be kept at a temperature of -1:)° to 50° on mild nights and a few degr<'es higher by day, but on no account must they be hurried; tlicrel'orc give lliem plenty of air whenever this clement can lie admitted with- out creating a cold or cutting draught. As early batches are moved forward, the most promising may be drawn to fill up the shelves or Strawberry house proper, and in this way the succession, be it large or small, will be maintained until the plants in cold pits begin to ripen their fruit. Should any of the earliest forced plants of Yicomtesse H§ricart de Thury or La Grosse Sucree miss fruiting, as not unfrequently happens after a cold, wet, sunless summer, they may be returned to a cold house or pit to bide their time for planting out on a warm sunny border in the open garden, where they will flower and bear freely in the autumn. These plants, I may say, should be protected from frost in severe weather; they should never feel the want of water or fresh air, and the balls should be thoroughly soaked before they are turned out in the spring. A thoroughly good mulch at the outset, an occa- sional soaking through the summer months, and the removal of runners and weeds will form the sum and substance of their management. THE HAEDYiFRTJIT GARDEN. The frost, which extended over a good working week, having favoured the wheeling or carting of rotten manure, advantage should be taken of dry weather for spreading it over the roots of fruit trees, either as a moisture-retaining mulch or for forking in so soon as the pruning is finished. As the roots of pyramids and bushes in well-cultivated fruit gardens are kept close to the surface, a good mulch spread over a radius equal to the spread of the branches and very slightly covered with a few spadefuls of fine soil answers much better than digging or forking in. The ground between the roots of trees, as a matter of course, must be deeply forked and left rough to pulverise, but before this finishing stroke is put upon the quarters, a good syringing with soapsuds and dusting with quick- lime, whilst destroying the larva"^ of insects, will free the branches from Moss and Lichen, often so troublesome in low damp localities. The pruning and nailing of all fruit trees. Figs and Peaches excepted, being now finished, the materials for protecting the blossoms should be got ready for use when actually wanted, but not before, as it is questionable if non-protection in many cases is not jjreferable to forcing the flowers or rendering them tender by premature shelter. In this garden, where spring and autumn frosts are ex- ceptionally severe, killing plants which a mile or two away escape altogether, we never hoist a thread until the flowers begin to open, and then our heaviest covering is a triple thickness of herring netting or a double piece of pilchard netting, secured to the coping board at the top, but 3 feet away from the base of the wall. A covering of this kind does not perceptibly raise the temperature, neither does it injuriously impede light, but placed at such a very sharp angle the threads of tanned twine filter the moisture out of the air. whilst the broad coping boards check the upward draught, with the natural result that the flowers nestling against the wall are kept dry and hardy, two conditions which render a few degrees of frost harmless. Our work against walls during the past week has been the detach- ment of Peach trees, the removal of all shreds and nails, careful washing with soap and water, and luakiug the branches and twigs secure from injury by wind or snow. The young wood jiroduced liv ageroduces for a long time in sumTiu,'r are not taki'U advantage of. Much could be said for it as .a hardy |)l,ant, as it will thrive almost .anywhere, and will certainly do well in the more ojien spaces of the shrulilicry, when^ in both winter .'mil suMimcr tlic large conl.'ilc foliage in big patches imparts a verdant ellect. It is dis- I AGREE with "R. D." th.at when Primroses are ex- hibited in pots it should be in a way that gives the small growers a chance of comjjcting successfully. This, of course, they cannot do if it is permitted to cram a number of plants taken up from the open ground into large pots, pans, or baskets. In this way it is evident that he who grows the largest number of plants has the best ch.ance. liut I do not see that '■ R. D.'s" proposal, that the plants should be grown in pots, is absolutely needful. Woulil it not be suflicient if exhibitors were restricted in the size of the pots? If it were required that say (j-inch or K-inch pots should be employed, the small grower would get as good a chance as it is possible to give him. It is true that the large grower would have the greater quantity of plants to pick from, but he would have a similar advan- tage if he choose were they gi-own in jiots. I hope that "R. D." will keep to his intention of show- ing how the double forms of the Primrose can be grown in pots, because under certain circum- st.ances it might b? advisable or necessary to keep them in pots all the year through, and I think that these charming hardy flowers .are not nearly enough employed fiu' indoor decoration. I shiuUd like to see them used more in windows, as there are frequently rooms with a cool aspect in which they would bloom aossibility, of a black Tulip is occasionally the theme of writers, I in.ay remark tli.-it the presence of black in the Tulip is not un- usual by any means. In the case of rectified bizarresand bybhcmens the edges of both are black, and especially so in the case of tlie latter. That beautiful feathered byblccnien, Mrs. tlackson. has an edge of shining black "Black as the raven's wing," says Mr. Samuel Barlow. But probably it is a self form in which the ide.-il lilack Tulip is to appear. There are some bizarre breeiler Tiiliiis that ;ire almost blai'k. I liave seen Sir J. Paxton breeders of a dull (lark mahogany colour that was almost black, and the colour is jierliaps more manifest in some seasons than in others. Whctlier we shall ever see .a Tulip with its petals c(unpletely sufi'useil witli the black-hbic or iUmosi black colour found in the b;isc of T. gesneriaua remains lo bo seen. If FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. SUEFACE-DEESSINC. SHRUBS AND TREES. — We have a large number of young trees and shrubs that were planted so that each should make the best speci- men of their respective kinds that it is possible for them to make in such a light, hungry, sandy soil as this. Although the best of preparation — deep trenching and manuring— is made for the plants when first put out, the first dressing becomes quite exhausted at the end of three or four years. If the plants are expected to continue in vigorous growth, new soil or manure or both must be given as top- dressing at least once in three years; two years would be better. This being so, and having visions of the perfection we should like the various trees to attain, an open winter is always welcomed, be- cause we can then make progress with such work without other departments of the garden being ne- glected. This winter thus far is therefore after our heart, there having been not more than one week when it has not been possible to continue open-air work: consequently favourite shrubs are having more than an average share of attention in the way of top-dressings of fresh soil, and in some instances of manure. The last-named is scarce with us, or most of the plants would have a supply. I am con- vinced that shrubs of all kinds relish manure, no matter what the nature of the soil may be. This was :ny expression to the workmen the other day on moving a moderate-sized plant of Thujopsis dolo- brata. The manure that was given when the plant was first put out had not been well broken up and mixed with the soil, but left in clods, these now being just a hard mass of roots, whilst in the soil - a peaty loam — the roots made were not nearly so numerous nor of such a vigorous character. I note exactly the same partiality for manure tliat we used mixed with soil as a top-dressing to a tree of Pice.a Pinsapo some three years since, and which we have again just renewed. I have mentioned these instances as showing the error that many fall into — myself once amongst the number — namely, that of supposing that to give manure to such kinds of trees is really a waste of material ; whereas the contrary is the fact. But then, as was just now observed, manure is scarce with us ; therefore the next best thing is to top-dress with such mate- rial as is available. The old soil from fruit tree borders, when these are renewed, is a first-class renovator for valuable deciduous trees, such as Maples, purple Beech. Thorns and scarlet Chestnuts. The chalk and lime that are generally present in such soil is not relished by any of the Fir tribe, ex- cept Yewsand common Spruce,and for these, instead of manure, we make use of decayed leaves mixed with loam, or, indeed, any refuse garden soil. Specimen ornamental trees and shrubs are generally and, I will add, unfortunately planted on turf, this being allowed for neatness sake on pleasure grounds to grow right up to the stems of the trees, and in park lands, worse than that, coarse Grasses being permitted to rob the trees of part of the nutriment of the soil, the whole of whicrfi shoulil be kept for them. In respect of specimens on the lawn, the evil is not so much tlic impoverishment of the ground by the turf, liut the part p:-evcntion of air, heat and moisture to the soil, and, of course, in some degree a less vigorous growth than would otherwise result. Turf covering biing inevitable, the next best thing is to top-dress the most highly valued .specimens as frequently as labour and material are available, and in relaying theturf only beat it down sullicieiitly hard to make it sniootli and even. We make it a rule that if the gnnnul tlial li.-is been top-dressed seems a* all dry, not to lay the turf till there has been a soaking r;iin sutfi- cieiit to have readied every root of the tree. With regard to small shrubs, such as Rhododendrons, Azale.-is, and Kahiiias, (liat seem in a jioor state of liciilth, the best way to renovate them is to take the plants entiri'ly u|i, add fresh soil and niaiuire and trench as deeply as till' nature of the suljsoil will admit of; then replant, working in and pressing Jan. 2G, 1889. J THE GARDEN. 83 the soil well about the roots. This pressing is of the utmost importance, because of the minute character of the roots, which must suffer if there is the slightest cavity between the balls— roots of the plants — and the soil of the bed. Wild gabdenixo.— It is due to the editor that our first attempts at this were made, and, I am bound to confess, failed, not wholly so. but largely, not from lack of will, but from lack of labour, as wild gardening w-ill not quite take care of itself — at least, it did not in our case, for the Bracken that we flattered ourselves had all been dug up, except plots that we wish to preserve, sprang up and smothered the Primroses, gi'eatly damaged the Daffodils, and spoiled the effect of the masses of Foxgloves by killing some and intercepting the view of all. Only Snowdrops and wild Hyacinths managed to hold their own, and this the Snowdrops did by stealth, or rather by flowering before the Bracken had begun to grow, and as the summer ad- vanced, Bracken, Brambles, and Thistles competed for the mastery. Thus ended our first attempt at wild gardening. Bracken is very well in isolated plots in the wild garden, but if allowed to ramble at will, it is destructive to all other vegetation. Recognising this fact by reason of this failure, a more successful attempt at eradication of Bracken and Brambles was made last year, and this season we are likely to be repaid for our pains, there being immense masses of Foxgloves (seeds sown broad- cast last spring), Primroses, and Cowslips collected from the woods. Snowdrops in huge masses, and Daffodils and wild Hyacinths just peeping through, and later there will be good masses of wood Ane- mones and Buttercups. Our variety of plants is very limited, yet ample for a start, and we hope to add to them, as time affords us for collecting from the meadows, such plants as common Scabious, wild Orchis, Ajuga reptans, Poppies, and Chrysanthemum segetum. Gexebal wobk. — The digging or trenching and manuring of vacant beds and borders, and also the forking over of beds containing herbaceous plants, and adding fresh soil to any plants, the roots of which are exposed to the atmosphere through the washings by heavy rains. Dig up Box edgings that have got too large or are otherwise in bad condition and relay, and next should follow the repair and re-gravelling of walks. As regards plants, propagation of scarce kinds should laegin forthwith, and slow-growing kinds that are to be raised from seeds should be sown now. I prefer to sow all in small pots, because they are handier to shift about. Besides, as a rule, a small jjot of seedlings is ample for all requirements. The weather for a long time past has been of the very worst description for the well-being of plants in frames, and as their safe preservation depends largely on the frequency of their being freed from damped-off leaves and abundant ventilation in suitable weather, no opportunity of using such precautionarj- measures should be lost. W. WiLDSMITH. GLADIOLI IN 1888. It is hardly possible to conceive two more opposite seasons than those of 1 887 and 1888. and on nothing in my own garden has tlie effect been more mani- fested than on the Gladioli, and thus one can arrive at a tolembly fair e.-itim.-ite as to the effect of dry and wet seasons on the plants and bulbs. As the hybrids of purpureo - auratus and the early- 1 flowering kinds have been recently noticed, a few notes on the more popular and numerous hybrids of gandavensis may not be out of place. I must pre- mise that my beds were in both years in precisely the same situation and that the soil was alike. I have a good-sized piece of ground at the bottom of my garden where the soil is somewhat stiff and cool, but well drained ; this is divided into four beds, and I use them in alternate years, giving them one change. I believe that this is nearly suliicient, especially as the beds which are not used for Gladioli are cropped with vegetables, and the bulb thus obtains a complete change. I think it is ne- cessary to mention these things because very frequently comparisons are made which arc mis- leading. I might, for instance, have planted my bulbs this year in a portion of my garden where the soil is totally different from that I used last year, and any comparison between the two seasons would have been valueless. I am quite aware that it would be better in every way if I could give my bulbs a more complete change, but one cannot do impossibilities. My judgment then with regard to the two sea- sons is that the dry one is more congenial to the flowers and better for the maturation of the bidbs, on which so nmch depends for their future well- doing; and, seeing this is what might be expected of natives of Natal, as were the progenitors of the ]5resent race, it is evident they liave somewhat re- tained (however highly cultivated and improvedthey may have become) a little of their native character, and so revel in the drier seasons. This view is, I think, confirmed Ijy the result of the culture at at Fontainebleaii and at Mr. Burrell's, in both of wliich a somewhat drier climate is found than that which ])revails in these parts, although all are drier thr.n other parts of England. The season of 188S will be remembered by all Gladioli growers as one of ,a verv disappointing character. The liulbs were put into the ground in good condition, and there were no heavy rains which would ma6e one anxious about their safety, but then came that long cold, cheerless, sunless time which we endeavoured to persuade ourselves was summer, with the terribly wet July, and it then became evident that we should have a late season ; still the plants looked beautifully green and healthy, but they pined for sun. I did not venture to mulch, for I felt that it would only tend to make matters worse, the ground being thoroughly soddened. The spikes were very slow in showing themselves, even the earliest sorts, and it was not until August 24 - nearly a month after its usual time— that Shakes- peare, which I h.ave always flowered by July 2ti .showed its colours; while of those what are marked in Vilmorin's catalogue with C. and D.— implying degrees of lateness - some never flowered at all ; they threw up flower-spikes, but'these never got be- yond the green state. I think that it is most pro- bable, had it not been for that nipping frost on October 3, many of these would have bloomed under the influence of the fine weather that afterwards supervened; but that one night destroyed all one's hopes. I did indeed cut some spikes after that, but they were not in character, and few would have recognised them by the names they reputedly bore. Tlie effect, too, on the bulbs was of course felt. It was very late before I could lift those of many of the varieties ; the plants kept on growing, and these could not be taken up; consequently there was so nmch of vital force taken away from the bulbs. The result of this was. that the bulbs were, in many instances, neither so large nor so heavy as in former years. Some of the later sorts were, as might have been expected, very small, as they had less time to mature their bulbs, and I have found greater difli- culty in the drying off this year than usual. I attri- bute this to the fact of the bulbs l)eing so saturated with moi-sture. that when this dried up. by the water passing away in some form or other,tlie bulbs shnmk accordingly. It cannot, of course, be seen until next year wliether this affected the permanent vigour and flowering qualities of the plant, just as there is in many minds some doubt as to what will be pro- ductive this year owing to the immaturity of the seed, so we may r<>gard our Gladioli roots with some degree of doubt . I was at the Crystal Palace show in September last introduced to an American lover and grower of these beautiful autumn flowers. M'e had an in- teresting talk about the flower, and I could gather from him that their very fine dry autumn is very favourable for maturing the bulbs. He pro- mised to send me a dozen bulbs of liis seedlings ; this promi.se he has .since fulfilled. They are ex- ceedingly fine and well ripened, but not finer tluin some I had last season myself and many that I have seen with Mr. Bun-ell, and it will be a matter of interest to see how they will compare at the flowering season with the best of the English and French \arieties. I have no sympathy with the complicated and troublesome ways of planting and storing which I have seen advocated. I have tried most of these and found them of very little use in warding off the losses which every grower of the bulb has experienced, for as I believe a malady for which there is neither prevention nor cure, and by neither potting in small pots before planting out or lifting them up with a large portion of soil attached to them, these plans, while very troublesome, are, as far as I can see, of very little use, except in very cold and backward peared almost simulta,neously, they are so totally diti'erent, that the one does not in the least interfere with the other. Messrs. Veitch's book, described in these columns last week, requires no further com- ment. The present publication is of an inter- national character, being in French and in English, besides retaining, whenever practicable, the original Latin description given by Reichenbach or ;uiy other .■luthority at the time of flic introduction of each kind. The scientific description in English, which is the work of Mr. N. E. Brown, of Kew, has been made as clear as possible, and in the main coincides in the description of the plants witli that of Messrs. A'oitch's work. We, however, notice an innovation in the new publication which consi.sts in the total suppression of the sub-genus Selenipediuni. for in it, SeliMii- pediuni caudatum lias liecome ]>lain ('ypri])i'clium Cimdatum, a classinc;ition whi<'h, we remark with s.'itisfaction, the authors intend ret.-uning through- out their wiu-k. The cultural directions attached to each species are prec(!ded by historical notes, in which the discovery, origin. Sic.., of (be plants are treated at gre.-it lenglli, and with all the accuracy possible under the circumstaiices. The principal attraction, however, of this new addition to Orchid literature undnubtedly consists in the lieauti- ful set of colo\ncd plati'S, in which the drt;iils not only of the flowers, but also of the foli- .'ige iind the habit of the plants !iro most carc- ^ "A History of the CyiiripudlunDH." IJy A. Godofroy- Lobtut and N. E. Bretwn. Frani'o : A. Godcfroy-Lobeuf. Argentoull. BoK'tand : James Veitch nnd Sons, Clielsca. fully worked out. Anyone acquainted with each species or variet}- cannot fail to recognise it at first sight. With a view to future classification, and so as to enable subscribers to this highly finished and most interesting work to ultimately arrange the illustrated and described species and varieties either in alphabetical order or by sections, as they may prefer, neither plates nor pages have been numbered. This mode of procedure is all the more necessary when it is mentioned that these plates can only be prepared as the plants flower. The idea of showing side views as well as front views of the flowers is excellent, and the interest in the work is further enhanced by the black illustrations representing the sectional divisions of each flower. Societies. NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. The meeting of the general committee called to consider the subject of the president's resignation was held on Monday, Jan. 14, at Anderton's Hotel. Jlr. E. C. Jukes was, in the absence of the president and vice-president, elected .as chairman for the evening's proceedings. The hon. sec, Mr. W. Holmes, stated he bad communicated the resolution passed on the previous occasion of their meeting to Mr. Sanderson, who had replied, regretting he could not alter his de- cision. It was thereupon moved that the office of president, subject to the approval of the annual January meeting, be offered to the vice-president, Mr. Ballantinc, who had for many years worked earnestly and well for the society's good, and in case of his refusal that a sub-committee, consisting of Mr. B. Wynne, Mr. E. C. Jukes, and Mr. Castle, be formed to" draw up a scheme revising the consti- tution of the society. Mr. Holmes reported that the provincial show committee recommended that he be empowered to accept the invitation of the Hull Society to hold the provincial show for 1889 in thtit to-rni, provided the under-mentioned terms can be arranged with them, viz. : That the N.C.S. provide a sum not exceeding £50, and that amount to be expended in prize- money in the open classes, the Hull Society to con- tribute a like sum. In the case of all the prizes not being awarded the amount not expended shall be equally deducted from the guarantee of each society. That the N.C.S. shall allow the Hull Society to fix all prizes in the local classes as they "may think best. The National to be en- titled to one-third of the profits on the whole year's working of the Hull Society, and a sum of £10 from the joint account to be allowed the N.C.S. for printing and other expenses in con- nection with the preparation of the schedule for the provincial show, Tlie show to be styled the Provincial Show of the National Chrysanthemum Society. The judges are to be ajipointed half by the National niid half by the Hull Societies, the judges to appoint their own umpire. All members of the National to be allowed to compete free of cliarge. and free admission to be allowed to its memliers. Prizes will be jiaid by the secretary of either .society as may bo found most convenient. Any further q\iestions to be referred to a joint com- mittee consistingof the secretaryand one memberof each society. In the case of the refu.sid of the con- ditions by the Hull Society it was moved that the offer be liiade to the society at York for considera- tion by them. Applications from the Devon and Exeter Butnni- cal and Natural History Society and the Lewes and District Chrysanthemum Society for affiliation were agreed to. Seven new members were elected, making the total now 648. With regard to the Dahlia classes at the Sc]it(in- ber show, it was resolved that in eonsequeiu'e of the wislies expressed by some of the competitoi-s for a re-arrangement of "the sehoilule, the matter be referred to the National Dahlia Society for adjust- ment. Lists of siu'cial prizes were read from Messrs. Webb and Son and Mr. Fidler, of Reading, Jan. 26, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 87 for vegetables. Mr. H. Cannell also gave notice that he would offer £5 for prizes open to amateurs in the Primula classes at the next January show. The appointment of judges for the November show was then considered, the following being the result : Messrs. Donald and Prickett for plants, Messrs. Douglas and Gordon for incurved blooms, Messrs. Molyncux and Beckett for Japanese, Messrs. Castle and Head for miscellaneous classes. Reserve Judges in each class were also elected. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Chrysanthemum Fleur de Marie, sometimes also called George Hock, althoogh geneially looked upon as an early rather than a late flowering variety, is now producing some lovely pare white blooma. Royal Horticultural Society. — We learn that the committees will recommend awards to be made to very superior seedlings or novelties, or to recently in- troduced, re-introduced, or very rare objects, or to highly decorative plante, according to their merits. Chrysanthemum Mens. Astorg is at the present time pure white and most useful in a cut state. Its flowers, with the graceful drooping habit of the petals, and yet having a full centre, are now vfry useful. This vaiiety is worthy of extended culti- vation where late blooms are desired and appreciated. SnoTvdrops at Southampton.— On Jan. 19 the first Snowdrops burst into bloom. The pa5t few days, which have been very mild, no doubt tended to pro- mote an early growth. Flowers of Galanthns Elwesi appeared here quite a fortnight ago in a sheltered nook on the rockery. — E. Moly.veix. Blue winter "Windflower (Anemone blanda). — This earliett of all alpines has been very beautiful during the past week, although some of the growths have been destroyed by birds io quest of food. A piece of wire netting would no doubt protect it, but it would also lessen the beauty of this charming deep blue Windflower. Crocus nivalis.— This is one of the best early blooming species and is now in full flower. It is of vigorous growth, in this resppct resembling C. vernus. The flowers, of a rosy lilac colour, are freely produced. It and C. Imperati now form bright patches of colour in the borders. Iris reticulata opened its first flowers on the 11th inst. — T. Smith. Chrysanthemum Bijou is one of the older varieties of the large-flowered Anemone section and very valuable for producing late flowers ; the colour when in its proper character is really rose-purple, but as late as the present date (.Tan. 19) it is much paler — in fact, a deep lilac; the flowers keep fresh a long time, and altogether it is one of the best late flowering Anemone varieties we have. Veitch Memorial Fund. — At a meeting of the trustees, held on AVednesday, the 16th inst.. Dr. Robert Hogg in the chair, it was resolved that three Veitch Memorial medals be awarded at the Temple Gardens show on May 30, 1889; that two medals be placed at the disposal of the Royal Cale- donian and the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Horticultural Societies, and one each to the Northampton, Tib- shelf, and Chiswick Horticultural Societies respec- tively. Dr. Maxwell Masters was elected a trustee, and Mr. A. H. Kent was elected secretary in place of the late Mr. Thomas Moore. All com- munications should be addressed to the secre- tary, 13, Kempson Road, Fulham, S.W. Benthamia fragifera. — With this note I send fruit and also a spray with flower-buds of the above- named shrub. The fruits will show how mild the season is, as the birds have not yet touched them, although we have tens of thousands of the feathered tribe around us, and which generally take most of the ornamental fruit before this time. Like many other fruit-bearing trees of last year, the crop on the Strawberry trees was very thin, and conse- quently they have not been so ornamental as usual, but the wet and cool season of 1888 was most favourable to their growth, as I never remember having seen them so healthy as now. I have seen this Benthamia growing in Cornwall and the Isle of Wight, but nowhere have I seen it half so flourishing as here, and yet it has no special care or culture. Locality, I am certain, plays a far more important part in the successful growth of plants generally, and especially edible fruit-bearing trees, such as Apples and Pears, than soil or any other thing.— W. H., Fata, Cork. Liliiim giganteum hardy in Roxburgh. — In your account of Indian Lilies in The Gakden (p. 54) it is mentioned "Lilium giganteum is hardy only in the southern counties of England." It may interest some of your readers to know that it is quite hardy in this county. It has for five or six years been growing in my open border, and I have seen it growing quite freely under similar con- ditions in another garden. I enclose a photograph I took last summer of this Lily as it flowered out of doors with me, the stem being 8 feet high and bearing eleven flowers. — RoxBUEGHSHIEE. Dipladenia amabilis. — I send you a photo, of a. specimen of Dipladenia amabilis which I exhi- bited last year at the Sevenoaks Horticultural Show, as I am sure you will appreciate it. My gar- dener, Mr. Gibson, tells me that the plant com- menced to bloom on May 9 last year, and on August 21,when it was exhibited, it had 147 trusses of bloom. Between May 9 and August 21 he had picked from it 5S2expandedblooms, and theplant still continued to bloom tiU October, when it was cut down to IS in. The plant is twelve years old, and is as vigorous as ever it was. During the whole twelve years it lias always been in continuous growth, never being allovred to rest. — T. F. Bubxaby-Atkins. *,* An excellent photograph of one of the finest of the Dipladeuias. We hope to present an en- graving of it at an early date. — Ed. Araucaria imbricata in fruit. — Mr. A. D. Webster sends fruiting branches of the Araucaria imbricata. a familiar tree in many gardens by reason of its striking character. It is not uncommon for it to bear cones in this country when it is favour- ably placed, and several instances have been recorded from time to time in The Gabden. When ^the tree is bearing heavily it has a tropical aspect, which cannot be said of the poor specimens that struggle for existence in many small suburban gardens. An aged specimen stands on the Grass turf near the greenhouse at Kew. It is one of the original seedlings brought home by Mr. A. Menzies. There is an interesting history attached to its intro- duction. Mr. Menzies was dining mth the Governor of Chili, when Araucaria seeds were brought in for dessert. Instead of eating the luxury, Menzies obtained permission to keep his portion. He sowed the seeds, five germinating on the voyage home, and one of these is the now historic plant at Kew. It is fast decaying and a positive eyesore, but its in- teresting associations prevent its destruction. This Araucaria forms immense forests on the slopes of the Cordilleras of Chili, and there the tree attains a height of 150 feet. Crocus Imperati. — This is one of the earliest spring-flowering siiecies and is a native of Italy, being perfectly hardy in the open air. It increases with more rapidity than most of the others, and may be left in the ground almost indefinitely. A few placed in iJOts in a cold frame in autumn are now in full flower, making a lovely picture on clear days, and something unusual at this time of year. The flowers are very variable in their markings, the outer surface of the three outer segments being of a rich buff, suffused with purple markings, the inside lilac. Theyare attractive whether open or half closed, as they usually are on dull days. A self- coloured white variety is said to occur near Kavello, but we have never seen it in cultivation. When used for the rockery, a sheltered position (especially from east and north) should be chosen, where it will bloom much earlier and with less chance of being hurt by the spring winds, which now become prevalent. Cotoneaster Simonsi and C. frigida.— These two charming ]>lants are very ornamental at the present season, as the berries have been un- touched by the birds ; whereas the greater portion of the Holly hemes were destroyed before Christ- mas. C. frigida makes a splendid standard or single specimen, and when well developed cannot but attract admiration. C. Simonsi .should be planted in a clump of shrubs, as it Ls a more straggling grower. The plants are now one mass of scarlet, and the small ill-placed shoots are very useful for cutting and filling large vases in the house, &c. — W. A. Cook. Damage to plants by fogs. — At a recent meeting of the Royal Botanic Society the secretary reported that the recent fogs had done much damage to the plants in the conservatories, causing many of them to shed both leaves and flower buds ; more especially had this been the case with Aus- tralian plants, which, from enjoying in their own country a large amount of sunlight, were found less capable than any others of contending against the ^cissitudcs of London weather. Mr. G. J. Symons, K.R.S., .said he believed that fogs were increasing, not only in London, but generally. Plants, how- ever, suffered not only from the absence of light, but from the pores of their leaves becoming filled up with the sulphurous, sooty matter contained in Lon a Tiianffl, which comes near to the variety figuied ucdcr Ihe name of splcndidissima J. Majir^U.—'[, agoodO. Fefcat'-Tci ; 2. Cymbidium Devoni- anum ; 3 Saccolabium bellintnn, pale coloured form ; 4, I endrobium cupreum. Constant i(i>i>/. >■.— The fruit is Psidinni ])omiferuni, one of the Guavas. It is a native of Tiopical America. Treat as for Oriinges. (>. W. II.— 1, Asplenium vivipaium; 2. Adiantum foimotum ; 3, A. Pacotti ; 4, A. decorum ; 5, A. concinniim ; (J, next week ; please send better spccimena of the others. fS. Mtinlin. 1. Epidendrum tp. ; V, possiljly a Masdevallia, but if y' ii wi'-h us to nam" Orch:d-» properly, you must tend fiesb, cjirefuby packed flowers, not dried .tcrsps. -88 THE GARDEN. [Jan. 26, 1889. WOODS & FORESTS. PLANTING CLAY LAND. When large plantations of newly-planted trees are thrown out of the ground and killed by the frost, one is naturally led to investigate the case in order as far as possible to point out a remedy. Clay land in its natural condition absorbs and holds water to a large extent and parts with it slowly, and as the rain water in many cases lodges upon the surface the ground cannot be easily drained, air is excluded, and the whole mass is naturally cold and waterlogged. The first step in preparing such ground for planting is to have it drained as well as the cir- . cumstances of the case will allow. In addition to the common drains I have found it of great advantage to cut small tracks a few inches deep, to run off the water from surface pools and hollow places into the principal drains. If this class of ground is planted during autumn or winter, as soon as a spell of frosty weather sets in the wet adhesive clay gradually swells, be- comes loose and pulverised, and when fresh weather sets in the roots of the newly inserted plants are apt to be left bare and exposed on the surface ; hence the great failures which we often see recorded in the formation of such planta- tions. In order to counteract this state of things the planter should be on the alert, and when the ground becomes soft and free of frost, he should send all hands that can be spared to set up the plants, draw a little fresh soil over the roots where necessary, and have it pressed firmly in order to keep the plant in its proper upright position. Young trees planted in this class of soil are never safe until the roots take to the ground. Young trees newly planted in nursery rows are frequently loosened in the ground by frost in the same way, and I have often found it neces- sary to make the ground firm .around the base of the stems as soon as fresh weather set in. When this is attended to at the proper time very few failures take place, and when mmibers of young trees are thrown out of the ground and killed by frost, I cannot help thinking that a good deal of blame is attached to the planter. Prevention is, however, better than cure, and for many years my practice, as far as possible, has been to plant this class of giound in spring after the severe weather is past, and thus the roots of the plants have time to take hold of the soil by the following winter, and the risk of damage by frost is lessened to a large extent Owing to the press of other spring work it some times occurs that the planting cannot be conve- niently put oH' till that time, but, at any rate, such should be the aim of the planter. Another advantage to be gained by planting clay land in spring is, that it can be prepared for the re- ception of the plants in a superior manner. No class of ground is so much benefited by the influ- ence of frost as heavy clay soils ; consequently the pits for the plants should be dug in autumn or winter, and the soil excavated left uijon the surface to be broken up and ameliorated by frost till spring, when it will then be in a better condition for the roots. Some planters have tried deep planting as a means ot keeping the plants in their position and from being brought to the surface by frost, but I have never seen the system turn out a success. I have always found the best results to follow by keeping the roots .-is ni^ar the surface as is con- sistent with the stal)ility of the plant, and in jilaco of deep jilanting 1 prefer having the ground at the spots where the trees are inserted a little above rather than below the general surface level. In order to do this the surface sod should be broken up and placed in the bottom of the pit, which will not only be the means of raising the ground a little higher, but likewise rendering the clay porous and adding to the fertility of the soil. Scotch Fir and Oak are very suitable trees for this class of ground, as both are hardy and attain a good profitable size. The plants used should be stout and stocky, free of bug, scale or the coccus insect, which sometimes appears on the leaves, branches, and stems in the shape ot small ticks of a whitish colour. Trees that have been once or twice transplanted are the best, as they are generally well furnished with fibrous roots, and if properly planted scarcely ever fail to prove satisfactory. In cases where the surface herbage is of a close, rank character, plants about 18 inches high should be used, but in ordinary cases they may be about a foot high. J. B. Webster. The Corsican Pine for timber.— I strongly recommend extensive planting of the Corsican Pine in woods and plantations with a view to profit, for, unquestionably, it is one of the most valuable of all the Conifene, and succeeds well where many others would fail. Near the sea-coast, for instance, it grows with a vigour equalled by few, but in such situations there should be plenty of other things planted with it to assist in breaking the force ot the winds, and, when thinning is done, it should be gradual, as those left get cut about through sudden exposure, and sometimes completely uprooted. It seems a pity that so much ground should be occu- pied throughout the country by the growth of so many trees that are quite worthless for their timber, and more particularly so as we are depen- dent, in a great measure, for our supplies from abroad. Somehow or other, Spruce appears to h.ave been the favourite vrith our foresters, but why this should have been so I am at a loss to conceive, as it has no special merit beyond its symmetrical shape ; while in other respects it is almost worth- less, except for fuel. — D. S. Time for timber felling. — Often the in- feriority of timber, such as its tendency to decay .and dry rot, is wholly due to the timber having been felled at improper seasons, and to its subse- quent injudicious treatment. To fell trees in March, April, and even in May, as is now often done, is absolute folly. Timber intended for builders, or for the use of coopers and wheelwrights, sliould never be cut except in December or January, when the circulation of the sap is arrested. No- vember, even, is too early, and February too late to ensure its durability. Its subsequent treatment, too, greatly influences the quality of the wood. The tree should be freed from all branches and shoots immediately it is cut down, and sawn into planks as soon as possible, so that these may at once be seasoned by exposure to the air. In this way alone can we obtain wood that will keep well, and every purchaser of timber should insist upon its being prepared in accordance with these direc- tions.— X. Raising seedling Oaks. — Acorns should be gathered as soon as ripe, whicli is determined by their hold on the tree. If readily sh.aken off, they must be collected at once, and placed in compara- tively dry sand, that is, with a very slight ;unount of moisture. They germinate more easily than thosi' of almost any of our native trees, especially in some instances, where I have noticed them sprouting while attached to the limb of the parent tree. When this is tlie case, the .'i<-orns nnist be cautiously dried somewhat before being placed in snnil. It docs not matter about the end of the yo\nig root becoming either .shrivelled or decayed, as the fibres will start out fresh from the base of the seed- leaves. In the spring prepare level beds, say about 4 feet wide, and after sowing tlie seed thinly over the surface, cover sliglilly with sand, when a few warm days will luing the young plants through. The plants should be left in these beds for (wo years and. the ground kept very clean. The first year they make but little top, but plenty of roots, and afterwards the top grows rapidly. The rare forms not propagated from seed may be increased by means of grafting, as the Oak is not difficult to work. Side-grafting is preferred close to the ground, and then the soil is drawn up and pressed around the whole, allowing only the top bud to be uncovered. — J. The Pine beetle.— Wlien it is desired to plant immediately after a crop of Scotch Fir is cut down and cleared away, it should be proved -whether the ground is in a foul state or not. This can be done by keeping a quantity of the branches when burn- ing up all the brush, and spreading them over the ground in spring, when it will soon be seen if Pine beetles are there, and if they are, they should be gathered and destroyed during the spring and autumn. — J. Spruce Fir timber.— The Norway Spruce will thrive and produce useful timber on boggy ground, where few other trees will succeed. In Scotland and in Ireland the thinnings of Spruce sell as readily as those ot Larch for fencing purposes and for pit props. For roofing: farm buildings. Spruce has long been used in Scotland. I need hardly spe.ak of the value of imported Spruce timber for scaffold poles, sp.ars, masts, &c. — C. Shelter and shade.— Shelter in winter and shade in summer are important points for considera- tion. Evergreen trees and such deciduous ones as retain their foliage until a late period of the year — the Hornbeam, Beech, and some varieties of the Oak — afford much greater shelter inwinter and the early spring, when it is most required, than those which lose their leaves early in autumn, and should be planted wherever shelter is desired. Shade is best aflordted by trees, such as the Oak, Beech, Chestnut and Elm, which rise with naked stems to a considerable height, and then send out a pro- fusion of branches, which can be readily trained by a little pruning, while their spreading branches and umbrageous foliage are greatly superior for this purpose to those of the Ash, Sycamore and Plane. — B. Spruce for hedges. — The common Spruce makes an excellent hedge. Tlic gracefulness of its habit may perhaps be doubted, but in brightness of colour and denseness it can hardly be surpassed. I liave seen it much used in France, Bavaria, and Austria for forming garden hedges, screens, and railway fences. To ensure the success of a Spruce hedge, care should be taken to select thriving plants, say 2 feet high, that have been several times transplanted, and have branches at the base of the stem. They should be planted in a double row on well-trenched soil. In the annual pruning or trim- ming of the young plants it is requis-ite that the top of the hedge be left narrower than the base for an even admission of light ; neglect of this particu- lar invariably checks and eventually destroys the under branch growth — an irremediable evil in the case of all evergreen Conifers. I should say that a period of five years is too short in which to expect the full growth and perfection of any Conifer hedge. — E. D. T. Pinus insignis. — Rich and beautifully green as is the colour of this Pine where it succeeds, it is in many places one of the most disappointing of Conifers, and sliould never be planted unless in sheltered situation.s, as, where the wind gets at it, or it is exposed to severe cold, its foliage gets veiy much browned and its growth stunted, a condition in which it is anything Imt ornamcnt.al. No doubt it will do well in the soutlicrn or south-western counties of Kn'rland.— S. "The Garden" Monthly Parts.— r*is journal is pnhlishfd in lutttlf/ hoinul Moiitlilj/ Paris. In tkis /orlll tits colnurcd plaits arc l"Sl preaerrnl, and it is most suitable for reft mice prcrinus to the issue oS the hal/-i/(arli/ volumes. Price Is. 6d. ; post free, is. M. " Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — This journal is piihlislud m nialli/ Imund .Mtmtltli/ Paris, in tc/iick form it is tnast sitilahirlnr rrurrnre prrrioits to the issue of the yeartt/ rolimcs. Pnrr't>d. ; posl/rre, 7d. ** Hardy Flowers."— ffii'iitp dfscHptim\s o/upwards 0/ thirteen humlred of the most ornamental species, tcilh directions for their arranntmcnl. culture, dc. Fourth and Popular BditUm, 1».,- post free, \s. 3d. London : 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C. THE GARDEN. 89 No. 898. SATURDAY, Feb. 2,1889. Vol. XXXV. "This is an Art Wliich does mend Nature ; change it rather ; The Art itseu is Nature."— SAoiespeare. Flower Garden. but THE TULIP— THE BLACK ONE ! I I wcixiiER lio\T ofteu I liave been asked whether I have got the black Tulip or not, as thoiigli it were an imperfection to be without it. It is, alas, hopeless to ask the rosarian and the Dahlia grower for a sight of their queen of flowers in blue ; and it is only in dreams and visions j'et that the Chrysantheniuniarian (I) sees a blue sport. But the black Tulip is expected of us, and the question about it is jiopularly supposed to be the proper "poser" to put to any professed Tulip grower. To him it is counted as certain discoraliture and abase- ment not to produce it ; and while he loses by the admission that he has it not, the inquirer feels exalted at what must appear a S3Tnptom of his own perfect knowledge of that which the Tulip in her most consummate loveliness should be — black ! Scarlet and white, crimson and gold, feathered and flamed, are well as far as they go, but wliere is your black Tulip ] It is refreshing to say that there is no black Tulip, and that even if there n-ere, it would not be worth a tig as a classical florist's flower. It woulil take but the rank of a fancj' thing, like the white or yellow selfs we sometimes raise among our seedling Tulijis, and that either never break at all, or only pass into some form of toy Tulip streakiness. Black, true and glossy, does occur in the florist's Tulip, but never as a ground colour. There is no black breeder — that is, no black self. When a breeder breaks or rectifies into the finished and permanent state, the breeder or mother colour in it is bound to go out ; and where the black would go to, and of what rectified colour black could be the breeder state, is past imagining. This wondrous breeder form is, so far as may be, the analogue of the larva stage in insect life. It must pass through it and beyond it. The seedling Tulip may do this in the bloomless years of its childhood (five to seven years), and so appear rectified at its maiden bloom, when we say it has no breeder, because we never shall have seen or shall ever see it. The breeder is truly the lar\-a (mask) condition in the Tuliij's life. By the ground colour, and that of the .base, we know to what class the perfected flower will belong, though we cannot foretell the new modification that will arise, for no two Tulip seedlings are alike, or the exact image of their jmrents. But such a floral black beetle as a black Tulip has not yet come within the range of practical floriculture. If it ever does, no doubt there will .-dso come the anxious inquirer again, asking to see it, while he has already a bloom of it in his button-hole I In the jierfected Tulip the ground colour is either of tlie ]>uresl white or tlie richest yellow ; and then our black, in feather or flame, in pen- cilling or beam, constitutes one of the higliest types of colouring upon that ground. " R. D.,' h(jwever, does not mention the darkest flowers we have in the lireeder state. Very much darker than Paxton is William Lea ; and several of Hepworth's seedling luzarres, known only by the late raiser's private num- bers, are darker than Paxton too. Neither have seasons anything to do with breeder colours, which are always the same tint, unless the flowers have been unduly shaded. Colours, however, are stronger in a good locality than in a bad one, but they do not change in any one locality, unless it first change for better or worse. The lovely lavender of Alice Gray, in her seedling form, is always the richer in a pure air and light. Breeders are not wanted except in their full natural colours, but in the rectified form I have seen one variety do duty in two distinct classes, and colourably in character for each. Li>rd Denman, in the natural light of day, is a flamed byblremen, but, under a flower-pot extinguisher, maybe produced as a rather clever "rose," espe- cially in a feathered strain. Mrs. Pickeril, in her youtlif ul days, has been shown as a feathered bizarre, and at another show, the same indivi- dual bloom, in her old age, has come forth as a feathered byblcemen — in the one case as a yellow ground, in the other as a wliite ground flower ! (_)f course, she was not very strong in either character. Such versatility is but weakness in the Tulip. I never saw the breeder form of this variety, but it can be a flower of no worth, having a base colour belonging to the bizarres, and a ground or body colour related to the bybloemens. This is an inadmissible combuiation, residting either in two ground colours in the rectified flower, with its markings in one of the two classes, or confused between them, or, as in the above variety, an ever-changing blend, from a thin bizarre yellow to a poor byblcemen white. Among bizarres true black occurs aa the feathering of Masterpiece (which breaks from a brimstone-and- treacle coloured breeder!), and also in Commander, William Lea, and William WUson. In the byblcemen class it appears in David Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, and in Talisman. I do not know whether black be lovelier on a golden or a lily-white ground, but it is rarer on the white ground bybkemens, and so the more prized. Colours are densest on the petal edges, and hence the wondrous beauty in the character of the purely feathered flower. — F. D. Horner, i Burion-in-LonsdaJe. The black Tulip which " R. D." in The Garden of Jan. 26 (p. 82) supposes will appear exists already in a great variety of forms in my new collection of breeder Tulips. These all belong to the byblcemen class, and vary from brownish black to bluish black, while some of them swamp up in blackness all that formerly was seen in Tulips, and of whicli can be said, " black as the r.aven's wing." These Tulips will flower about the second week in May, and can then be seen at my nur- sery. A certain number of these are also planted at the Trooadero Park of the Paris International Exhibition, and will be in flower there about the same time. The black in broken Tulips, even if it is very dark, does not always prove that the breeders from which they originated are equally dark. It seems a rule that a pale colour in breeders becomes much more intense in the broken variety, and darker in the same proportion as the pure white or yellow in the ground colour increases.— J. H. Krelaoe, Haarlem. Double perennial Sunflowers.- We appear to be threaleneil witli quite an inundation of these {ride the advertising colunms of various horti- (■ultnral journals). For some weeks ".a new jilant to English gardens, Helianthns inultitlorns grnmli- plenus (Hartland's double quilled)," lias been otTcnd. This, so far as the description goes, is no other than the old plant, pretty common it these parts, having some of the central florets quilled, of ,a deep yellow colour, and without guard petals. This week sees the advent of another "new plant to English gar- dens"— Hartland's golden quilled Sunflower, Soleil d'Or. This is illustrated by a woodcut, but, by a curious omission, the florets are not quilled at all.' There can be no doubt about this being a valuable and most interesting plant, inasmuch as its intro- ducer states that it has taken bim twenty years to work up a stock. A plant of such slow growth must be quite unique amongst the Sunflowers, as from a single specimen of any form I know in the same time a girdle might be planted round the earth, 'tt'bat treasures there are existing in Irish gardens, no one really knows ! — T. Smith, Nenry. SEED SOWING. Rai.sing flowers from seed has become such an important operation to tho gardener, and is, moreover, so generally adopted as the best and quickest means of obtaining a good stock of many tender and hardy plants, that perhaps a few hints relative to the mode of sowing and after treatment, so as to secure their successful germination, may be of service at the present time. By means of careful selection, combined with the persevering labours of the hybridist, many plants have been so greatly improved, both in the habit of the plant and the quality of the blooms, that seedlings may confidently be relied upon to yield a large percentage of good flowers of their respective kinds. Therefore, propagation by seed is almost entirely depended upon now, in the place of raising plants from cuttings, as seedlings invariably possess a more robust habit and constitution than the stock propagated by the older methods. Seed growing, too, is now quite a fine art, being so carefully carried out in all its details, that it is a rarity to find a bad or inferior sample sent out by our seedsmen. Notwithstanding, thousands of packets of seed are annuallj- sown from which not a single plant ever appears, the seedsmen being frequently blamed for their non-appearance. The soil may be carefully pre- pared, the pots or pans filled, and the seeds sown according to the instructions which usually accompany each packet, and yet the seeds fail to germinate. This lack of success often occurs through placing the pots in unsuitable positions, where the atmosphere is either too damp or too dry — usually the latter. Now, assuming the soU to be in a proper state as regards moisture when the seed is sown, the character and composition of the seeds are very soon entirely changed ; they commence swell- ing, and also undergo radical chemical changes. When in this stage, if the soil becomes dry, it is almost sure to prove fatal to the seeds. When failure results from too much moisture, it is often brought about through insufticient drainage, as the soil, having no roots to keep it in a sweet condition, soon becomes sour and brings about the decay of the seeds, more especially those of slow growth. Before sowing any seeds which are not well known or which have previously proved difticult to raise, a knowledge of the plant shoidd be iic(iuired, and the prob.able length of time that will elapse before germination takes place. Each kind of seed requires some special atten- tion to raise it successfully. It therefore fol- lows that, when tho practice, so often adopted, of sowing a quantity of dift'orent seeds at the same time .and treating them afterwards in like manner, many fail ; whereas, if a little thought were exercised in treating the difl'ereiit kinils according to their natural requirements and placing them in po-vitions best suited to their germination, a greater amount of success would follow. For the purposes of sowing, seeds may be divided into two classes, those tl\at succeed 90 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 2, 1889. best when sown upon the surface of tlie soil, great many other varieties of the genus. As an and those which require covering more or less , isolated plant on the lawn it would form a most accoi-diug to their size and shape. Surface sow- ing should be adopted for all very minute seeds, such as those of the Begonia, Lobelia, Gloxinia, ibc, also scale-like seeds as.Diauthuses andLilies ; in fact, many seeds which fail to germinate when covered can, if very carefully managed, be raised successfully when sown upon the sur- face of the soil. In preparing the pots for this mode of sowing, they should be nearly half filled with crocks, over which a layer of partially decayed leaves should be placed, the remaining space being then filled to within an inch of the top with fine sandy soil, which may consist of either light loam, leaf-mould, and sand, or peat and sand, according to the kind of seed to be sown. After making the surface level and smooth, give all a good soaking, either by dip- ping the pots into a tub of water or applying it through a fine rose water-can, immediately afterwards sowing the seeds thinly upon the wet surface. Whether the seeds be those of a hai-dy plant requiring cool treatment, or belonging to a tender subject of the stove, they are best placed in a position where the atmosphere can be kept moist, as germination depends more upon the moisture contained in the air than that in the soil. A sheet of glass placed over the pot is of great assistance — in fact, it is almost indispens- able. It is not, however, sufficient, unless the pots are placed in a moist atmosphere. For seeds that need covering, much the same preparation of pots and soil is necessary, only the latter need not be so fine ; sufficient covering only should be used to just bury the seeds under the surface, as numerous failures can be attri- buted to deep sowing. Watering in this case can follow sowing instead of preceding it ; if then the seeds are visible, a little more soil can be sprinkled over them. Darkness promotes germination, and it is well to shade the pots with brown paper for a time, which must be removed upon the first signs of life ; in fact, with seeds that appear in the course of a week or so, if daily attention cannot be given to them, they are better with- out it ; the sun, however, must not be allowed to shine upon the glass. Seeds that are known to remain a long time in the ground before germi- nation takes place are best placed by themselves in a jiosition naturally shaded it possible, where, if they happen to be overlooked at times, no harm will come to tliem, as, independently of the fact that age makes a gi-eat dift'erenee in the period of germination, many kinds are naturally of slow gi-owth. Never be in a hurry to throw seed- pots away, as patience will often, when least expected, be rewarded for retaining them. A. Barkjbe. beautiful and interesting object. Being a deciduous species, it should not, however, be planted in sight of windows, as the trellis on which it should climb would be bare in winter. We have planted several strong plants of it in our wilderness garden, and hope in time to have a grand pillar of it. We are doubtful though it it will do so well in our cold soil as it docs in the much lighter and warmer soil of the Garden of Plants. — J. Kipling, Kiiehiwrth. *,* We shall be glad to hear the result of your experiment. — E D. Asparagus decumbens.— The mention of this tr.-iiliug Asparagus in 'J'liu (jAnmoN, Jan. 5 (p. 1!)), recalls to my mind a collection of this family of plants which I saw in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, in the early part of last Jvmc. In the collection was th(! above variety trained on a low frame- work of wire, pillar fasliion, and very beautiful it looked. But as a pillar plant it paled into insig- nificance beside the more [robust (-'.aucasian variety (verticillatus), which completely covered a tripod framework of iron some 11 feet high, .and formed the mo.st beautiful pillar of gossamer-lil^e drapery it is possible to conceive. Its grac^eful and drooping fe.athery-like liranclilets glistened in tlie sunshine, and at a little distance .away appeared mori,' like the misty spray of w.-iter from a fountain than a pillar of living vegetation. Its beauty was, however, a good deal marred by being necessarily confined in the narrow strip-like liorders with a NOTES ON HARDY FLORISTS' FLOWERS. The flowers of the florist are that interesting class of hardy garden favourites which have been im- proved through many years of careful culture and selection from seeds. The treatment of the Auri- cula depends much upon the weather during the first and second months of the year. Those of us who have been attending to our plants year after year for a quarter of a century know for a fact that no dependence can be placed on the weather. It may be quite mild one day, and the next .a cold east wind, enough to destroy any new growths ex- posed to its influence. The Primula is one of the earliest of these favourite flowers to claim attention, and to obtain perfectly developed trusses it is neces- sary to ventilate carefully. It has been found al- most impossible to do this when the plants have been grown in unheated frames ; we therefore re- move our plants from frames not later than the first week in February into a house sufficiently heated to keep out frosts at least. The plants are quite close to the glass, and the lights are arranged so that they may be drawn quite ofl: if necessary. In mild calm weather, the plants are all the better for being freely exposed to light and air. They must also be fumigated at this time as a preven- tive. Some of the plants may have become unduly dry at the roots, and may require to be watered many times before the soil is sufficiently moist. It will be necessary to see that all the plants are uni- formly moist at the roots. Some growers have asked me when they ought to sow their seeds. I have sown the seeds at various periods, but per- haps it is best to sow them when the seeds ripen in July. Failing that, they may be sown in January or very early in Februaiy. Sow them in 5-inch pots or pans, using light sandy soil, and place them in a shady corner of the Auricula house, lay- ing a square of glass over each pot in order to pre- vent evaporation. The plants will appear in three or four weeks. If the flowering plants have to be grown in frames, it is not safe to leave them with- out the protection of mats over the glass at nights, and in severe frosts the mats should be double. We carefully look over the Carnations and Picotees in frames to remove decayed leaves and brush off green-fly. I have noticed that some gi'owers of considerable experience allow their pl.ants to become rather dry at the roots in winter; this, I think, is an error. I do not overburden the plants with water, but none of them are allowed to become dust-dry before water is applied to them. They are treated, as re- gards watering, much as Pelargoniums are. M'e are now getting the soil re:idy for potting them. This, conq30sed of good loam of a hohliiig cha- racter four parts, one of leaf-mould, one of decayed manure, and a good sprinkling of chum sand, is mixed up well together a month before being used. Plants out of doors require looking over after the alter]i:ile fro.sts and thaws we have had. Tlie .seedlings plantcul nut in June .and July have a firm bold of the ground, and cannot be moved by climatic in- fluences, but those planted in October become looseneil,and in .some cases are thrown quite out of the ground. Press the plants down firmly with the fingers, afterw.ards stirring the ground lightly with a Dutch hoe. It is better not to distufb the ground when very wet. I'inks require mucli the same treat- ment as Carnations, luid they are quite as liable to be at Lacked by what gardi'ners call the leatlier- ooated grub, becau.se of its tough skin. It eats voraciously, feeding on the leaves of I'inks and Car- nations by night and concealing itself by day under ground near the plants. Sparrows ha\e already attacked our plants, but we keep them at a dis- tance by stretching rows of crochet cotton over- head, 'this seldom fails to scare them completely. Some of the most successful growers of Pinks, Car- nations, and Picotees do not use any pots, but trust entirely to out-of-doors culture. I'nder those con- ditions it is difficult to avoid losing some of the more tender and often choice varieties by the in- clemency of the weather. In Durham there are some good cultivators amongst the working classes, and I find that they preser\e their more tender Carnations by placing a bell-glass over them. This, of course, involves considerable trouble, .and also expense. In the case of the above, and including Pansies, I plant one or two specimens of each va- riety in pots or boxes and shelter them in cold frames for the winter. The Pansy is one of the choicest of our favourite flowers, and the plants have up till now stood well out of doors ; even yet we may h.ave a decided change, as frosty winds do much mischief. Our collections of Pansies in boxes will be ]ilanted out about the end of March. The plants like a rich deep soil, and cow manure gives a rich depth of colour to both flowers and foliage. Those who have never planted a bed of Pansies raised from good seeds should try one. I once planted a bed (50 feet long and 6 feet wide ; all the classes of what are termed show and fancy vai'ieties were mixed up in it, and the display of flowers was gorgeous in the extreme. The seeds were sown in August, and the ground where they were planted was deep and rich. The Pansy, amongst all our favourite flowers, exhausts the soil most quickly in the immediate vicinity of the roots, and continues longest in vigorous condition where the ground is well en- riched with manure and worked up to the depth of IS inches. When the plants show signs of ex- haustion by the production of inferior flowers, place about 2 inches of a compost composed of half loam and half decayed manure over the surface. Peg the shoots into this and the stimulant will soon take effect by producing a better growth and finer flowers. The Polyanthus seems not to have had even a short period of inactivity this winter. The laced va- rieties are difficult subjects to deal with in the south of England. In Durham some of the best growers, at least the most successful conqictitors. grow two sets of plants, one set out of doors and another in pots, 'rhe object in planting them out of doors is to give them a chance to recover after hav- ing been grown for a season in pots. The old Pearson's Alexander succeeds well under this treatment in that county, while .after several trials I h.ave had to give up the attempt even to get it to live. Last year was cold and moist ; there- fore our plants did better than I had ever seen them do before. They are growing very vigorously in pots in a cold frame, and have been more or less in flower since October. I might aild hero that one of the most sticcessfid griiwiTs in the midlands is Jlr. Brockbank, ot Brockhurst, Didsbury, who, instead of jiotting iqi his Poly.-in- thuses, plants tluiu out in ]iifpared soil in a frame, or at least a sinqile arrangement hedra, Coronilla Emerus, the Dogwood, Rhani- nus, and many others. Amongst herbaceous )ilan1s that have been fcnmd to be well suited for planting within the influence of the sea, particular note may be made of the Phlox and Pink, Tree Piconies, Chrysanthemums. Polyanthuses, and Lobelias. Alyssum saxatiledoes unusually well along the coast, as does also Araliis albida. Saxifrages, and Sedums, and the Tlirift and Statices. Various species of Eryngium might also be mentioned, they being plants of stately proportions and of great beauty. In planting any of the above-naniid ]ilants or shrubs preferi'iu'e should lirst be giv*'n to such as are of a tough, wiry nature fur (ilacing in rlircct contact with the first brunt of the blast ; allir that tliere is .scarcely le to sut'stitule other and better, for the plants have quite sufficient to cope 92 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 2, 1889. against, particularly if the coast be bleak and cold, without being handicapped with poor, worn-out soil. A. D. Webster. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Vanda Amesiana.— This rare and beautiful species is now flowering in the Stndley House collec- tion, Shepherd's Bush. Khododendrons and Snowdrops from Scotland. — Dr. Paterson, Bridge of Allan, sends flowers of hardy Khododendrons and Snowdrops from the open to show the mildness of the season in Scot- land. Garrya elliptioa is blooming more freely this season than I ever remember having seen this useful ehrab. Sianding singly among JIahonias, Ketinos- poras, Boxes, and Laurels, kept dwarf, the Grarryahas a most pleasing appearance, and as an ornamental hedge plant it is striking, and being very hardy it can bo grown in any position. — Scot, Stirling. Flowrera at York. — Owing to the weather being so mild the spring flowers are already beginning to push forth. As an illustration of this we noticed a few days ago in the York Nurseries a number of blossoms of the pretty Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil fully ex- panded in the open nursery beds. This little Daffodil is a most welcome addition to our choice spring flowers. Odontoglossum leopardinum. — This is a very handsome form of O. crispum, which was recently flowering in Mr. Pollett's collection at Bickley. It is a large, well-formed flower, and profusely and heavily spotted. It is one of the many rich forms which have been first flowered in Mr. Pollett's collection. Odontoglossum hebraicum.— A very pretty form of this supposed natural hybrid comes from Mr. Buchan's garden at Southampton, where it is highly esteemed for its fragrance. This form was originally introduced by Mr. Bull, of Chelsea. The flowers are pale yellow, spotted and marked on the sepals and petals with reddish brown; lip bright yellow at the base, streaked with red. Royal Horticultural Society.— We under, stand that the fruit and floral committees will recom- mend awards to be made to very superior seedlings or novelties, or to recently introduced, re-introduced, or very rare objects, or to highly decorative plants ac- cording to their merits. In the case of plants commonly grown from seed every year, the award will be made to the strain and not to individual plants. Chrysanthemum striatum perfectum is a good late blooming variety. At this late season this Japanese kind is almost wholly white, with a few faint splashes here and there, just enough to show what a variation can be had in blooms of this variety under various methods of culture in different locilities. Vigorous side shoots produce neatly shaped blooms, which are extremely useful at this season of the year, even if they do not come up to exhibition size. Berried shrubs in Scotland.— Among the shrubs bearing bright berries, Cotoneaster Simonsi is fruiting very freely this winter. We have it doing well trained against old buildings and stand- ing singly in borders among other shrubs. It is not particular as to position, as behind a very high wall the shrubs are loaded with bright berries. Hollies are a dense mass of scarlet berries, and plants of them which have been cut well in, lifted and planted in rather poor soil, are pictures of bright scarlet. Tlie variegated Silver Holly is well adapted for this purpose, and does not fail to be admired when in full fruit.— ScOT, Siirllng. The Fiery Thorn (Cratajgus Pyracantha).— Some specimens of this Thorn growing against villa residences in Ibis district are laden with berries to such an extent that the foliage is (iiiitc hidden by them. Here we have a deep lied of fertile lo;im resting upon the gravel which iippears to suit this plant exactly, and it flowers and fruits very abundantly. The most striking specimens arc on a full south exposure. A south-east or south-west aspect will also suit it, but, as far as mv own ex- perience goes, the more norlh or east (he plant is placed the less probability is thiTe of fruil Tlie liirds do not apjiear to touch tlu' herriiw ; the result is that they hang on for a very long time. In this district tlie liirds cleared away the haws, Mountain Ash l)crries,an{ air, as this dries up all moisttire and prevents the attack of mil- dew. I have found mildew occa- sioned by want of air and drought at the root with a moist atmo- sphere more than from any other cause. This drought ari.ses from g.-irdeners being afraid of water- ing their plants in dull weather ; thus the plants suffer, and whilst they are in tliis tcmiiorary un- healthy condition the germs of (lie mildew find a suitable rest- ing place, and the mischief is i'loweriag shoot of Erica Wilmoreana. ^1""«- Soft- wooded Heaths were 94 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 2, 1889. not very frequently grown into large speci- mens, and at the present time I think cer- tainly less frequently is this the case, but if properly treated they make handsome bushes. In order to achieve this, the plants, after flowering, require hard pruning, and when this is not done they soon become lank)' and unsightly. Heaths are propagated by cuttings, but this is a difficult operation ; indeed, it is almost an art by itself, and I would not by any means advise gardeners to attempt it. Buy your plants as young as you like and grow them to suit your own fancy, but leave the striking business to those who are adepts in the art. The following kinds are amongst the easiest to grow, and produce handsome plants in small pots : — E. COLOKANS produces long spikes of tubular flowers, which are red and white ; late spring and summer. E. GBACILIS. — This and its variety autumnalis flower through the autumn, winter, and early spring months ; the foliage is deep green. It produces long dense spikes of small reddish purple flowers. E. HVEMALls. — One of the prettiest Heaths grown, producing long elegant spikes of tubular flowers ; the bell-shaped blooms are rosy pink at the base, white at the mouth. Within the last few years a pure white form of this plant has been obtained. At first I supposed, with others, that this would be a grand variety, but upon further acq\iaintance it has, however, somewhat decreased in favour with me. E. hyemalis usually flowers from about the end of the year up to the end of February. E. INTERMEDIA, as will be seen by our illustra- tion (p. 108), is a large-flowered and dense-spiked kind, the flowers being of the purest white, and produced through the early autumn months. E. PERSOLUTA. — A somewhat small-flowered variety, but what it lacks in size it makes up in quantity, for it producers spikes a foot or more in lenirth and densely covered with elegant little bell- shaped blooms of a deep blush. Another form of this plant, named alba, has snow-wliite flowers, and another, named rubra, has red flowers. All these forms flower through March and April. E. PBOPENDENS. — This plant is similar in habit to hyemalis, but it blooms at midsummer, its flowers being open, liell-shaped, and soft purple. E. PYEAMIDALIS is a lovely spring bloomer, its very long racemes being laden with long, bright To.sy pink flowers. I think this plant requires a little more warmth tluin the majority of Heaths. E. REGEBMINANS. — Somewhat similar to per- soluta, yet quite distinct, jiroducing long racemes of globular pale red flowers in tlie late spring months. E. SCABRIUSCULA. — A handsome free-growing plant and a profuse bloomer. The flowers are camjianulate and pure white, appearing during Ajjril and May. E. SCARIOSA is a summer-blooming pl.ant, pro- ducing its flowers in great abundance; these are pure wliitc, with the black stamens exserted. E. SULPHUIIEA. — This is rather a rare plant, but I cannot understand why it kept so when Heaths were pojiular. It is a free-frrowing plant, but 1 think ratlu;r shy in fl(}wering; it forms long racemes of flowers whicli are tubular and slightly curved, and of a clear sulphur-yellow. It blooms in scunmer. E. WfLMOHEANA. — A.s will be Seen from the accompanying cut, this is a noble jjlant, and when well grown with numerous spiUes, such as are here shown, it is extremely handsome ; the flowers, about half an inch long, rich p\ir]jle at tlie base, the iipjier half white, are produced rluring the early s[)ring months. W."H. O. Iris limbriata. — This Chinese species of Iris is a most l>c,-iutiful flowering plant bir the greenhouse at this .sc^ason of tlie year, yet it is quite rare, and one that might in vain be sought for in many trade establishments. It is essentially a greenhouse plant and evergreen in character. It succeeds best when grown in large masses, such as may be seen in the Cactus house at Kew, where it flowers finely every year. Tlie flowers, which are of a beautiful pale mauve colour, blotched with yellow, are about 4 inches across. The specific name fimbriata is derived from a kind of fringed crest, which forms a conspicuous feature of the flower. Its cultural requirements are simple, the principal considera- tion being in potting it to use only such soil as will stand for some time without renewing, as, like many similar things, such as the Agapantbus and the pretty New Zealand Arthropodium cirratum, it flowers best when pot-bound. — H. P. EUCHAEIS AMAZONICA. Though the Amazon Lily is more easily managed and gives the best results where it can have the advantage of stove culture or a fairly high tempe- rature all the year round, vet a good crop of flowers may be obtained from plants grown in ordinary vineries if early and late Grape-growing be carried out, and one house at least is kept warm enough in winter to caiTy tender bedding plants througli safely. In this case, however, the cultivator must not strive to emulate growers who have well-heated houses to work with, and who by judicious manage- ment can produce three crops of flowers a year from the same plants. He must content himself with one good crop, which will come in just when the dull days of November make them very valuable, and if there are about a dozen 10-ineh or 12-inch pots of bulbs, there will probably be some good flowers left to welcome Christmas or even new year's-tide. I will give a few of the most essen- tial points of management, attention to which will command success. As the plants go out of flower, or say from the middle to the end of December, remo\-e them to tlie warmest liouse at command, and put tliem on the pipes nearest the boiler, with just a thin plank or a few slates under the pots if the pipes are likely to get very hot at any time. Allow the ]>lants to become as dry as tliey can bear without injury, and let them remain here till the early vinery has a night temperature of from 58° to 60°, when they can safely be taken into it and started into growtli. Assist them with occasional doses of manure water to grow as strongly and rapidly as possible. They will take plentiful supplies of water wlien growing, and should not be stinted. When the Grapes begin to colour and the bouse is freely ventilated, remove the Euchariscs to a successional or late vinery — if a Muscat house, so much the better — selecting the least draughty position for them. About the middle of August reduce the supply of water somewhat to assist the ripening of tlie bulbs, when, if the pro- gress during the summer has been satisfactory, the earliest flower-spikes will soon sliow. When the first buds are about to open, the plants may, if de- sired, be taken to the conservatory, where they will be grateful for a little fire-heat on cold nights, and with careful treatment they will last in beauty for a long time. If the bouse gets too cold or the plants are stood in a draught, tliey will resent it by producing imdcrsized flowers, the crowns or ciijis of which will be pencilled with yellow instead of the lovely green markings seen in well-grown flowers. This comparatively cool treatment of the plants gives more trouble and necessity for care than the ordinary stove-grown .specimens need, but good Eucharis flowers are worth having, as there is no sulistitute for them. Willi regard to potting the bulbs, it is time enougli to think .■ibimt tliat wlien the plants show .signs of poverty, for tliey will do well in the same ))ots for several years, provided tliey get plenty of manure water in the growing season. If, however, the necessity arises for potting them, get at them soon after tliey have done flowering. Drain the pots well, use good soil, llie bulk of which should 1)0 good fibrous loam, with plenty of sand addi-d; put the bulbs in d(('|)ly, and do not be in too great a hurry to start them afterwards, but keep them going when they arc fairly on the move. Though I have grown Eucharises on this cool system for j"ears, I have never had an attack of the Eucharis mite — for the advent of which cool treat- ment has been often blamed — nor any other form of ill health ; on the contrary, the plants have always looked healthy, the leaves have been large, robust, and leathery, and the flower crops good. J. C. Tallack. STOVE AND GREENHOUSE FLOWERING PLANTS. The novelties of the past year, with very few ex- ceptions indeed, are almost exclusively due to the untiring exertions of the hybridiser. The enumera- tion of novelties in stove and greenhouse flowering plants will no doubt serve to stimulate the energies of all engaged or interested in their production. In the greenhouse Rhododendron class of the Javanese type, which has been treated extensively by Mr. J. Douglas in The Garden of January 12, we note some very important additions. These beau- tiful plants most deservedly increase in popularity every year, their comparatively easy culture and the beauty of their flowers being sufficient qualities to render them popular ; but when it is added that their flowering takes place naturally in the dullest season of the year, and also that the flowers are unharmed by fog, it is not surprising to find them grown on a larger scale every successive season. In the section with white flowers we have in R. Purity a most marked improvement on all the white-flowered kinds already known, as besides being of the purest white and not show-ing when fading away the least tinge of pink, the corolla is large and the lobes are rounded and substantial. It is also interesting on account of its parentage, since there can be no doubt of its being the result of a cross effected between a rosy-carmine variety, R. Taylori, and a yellow-coloured species, R. Teys- manni. The section with yellow flowers has also received several additions, the most valuable of which are R. Primrose, a beautiful variety with large, well-fonued flowers of a clear yellow colour, distinct from all other javanicum hybrids ; and R. Yellow Perfection, one of tlie best of all varieties artificially produced, and the result of a cross be- tween R. Teysmanni and R. Lord Wolseley. In this instance "the flowers, which are of a pure trans- parent yellow, deeper in the tube, measure nearly 3 inches across ; they are of great substance, and their lobes are particularly round and broad. Among many other novelties of various tints there arc also R. Imogene and R. Souvenir de J. Mangles, the latter of whicli has bold, brick- red flowers disposed in handsome and massive trusses; the tube is purplish, while the broad and rinmd lobes make up a flower as perfect in form as could be desired. The former is remarkable for the unusual dimensions of its bold flowers, of excellent shape and good substance, with the lobes of the corolla broad, rounded, and showing also a new departure in colour, which is of a lovely clear buff, on which the stamens, of a pinki.sh tint, are most conspicuously shown, and form a most agreeable contrast. But the most distinct of all the new Rho- dodendrons is undoubtedly the one called R. Ruby, a most appropriate name, since its flowers, tliough somewhat smaller than in most kinds, are of a very ricli crimson colour. In this case the character of R. multiilorum Curtisi has been substituted for that of the purely jasminillorum or j.-ivanicum types, and with the most encournj^ing results, for, besides the brilliancy of colour, the liabit of growth lia« been greatly improved. It promises will to bo the forerunner of a race of dwarf, bushy, and extremely free-flowering liliododendions into which various other colours will no doulit be infused by cross-fertilisation in course of time. Very bright-coloured forms of tlie popular Fla- mingo" Plant (Antburium Scherzerianum) have made their appearance under the resjicctive names of sanguineuiii and iitiosnnguineum, while in An- tliuriuni De Siuettianuni we have a new form in the wav of A. Andrcanuiu. in which the coniiiaratively siiiiill diiiiensions of tlie spathes arc compensated for by the very deep crimson colour. In the Azalea indica section we note particularly A. Louise Feb. 2, 1889.] THE GARDEK. 95 Vervaine, Theodore Reimer, Ami du Coeur, and especially Vervasneana, a very good habited, double- flowering variety, with substantial, well-formed petals striped and suffused with pink and spotted with crimson on the upper half, the ground being white. The Gloxinias Madame Bleu, Meteor, Rose, and Nabis, white spotted with purple, also form a small, but most welcome contribution to the list of new flowering plants of 1888. while in the [iroduction of the gorgeous Amaryllis we also note some marked improvements on the older forms and additional new ones, foremost among them being A. Conqueror, a variety of great beauty and which fully deserves its name. Its extremely handsome flowers, which, though measuring nearly 9 inches in diameter, are neither rough nor gaudy, are of perfect shape, the colour being of a bright uniform crimson, rendered more brilliant still by the greenish white centre with which it is ornamented. A. Finette is almost a white flower, with just a suspicious tint of green and some slight scarlet venations on the upper segments. These are undulated at the edges, and although the whole flower is not so open and spreading as in most of the finest t\-pes, it is, how- ever, sufficiently so to show its great beauty. In A. Rodney we have a bold, striking and part icularly well expanded flower of excellent form ;ind of a briglit crimson colour, whose broad petals are ornamented with a white band extending their whole length ; mottlings of the same colour are also elegantly dis- posed on each side. The variety Miss Roberts is thoroughly distinct and novel through the curious mottled colour of its large ojjen flowers, which are of excellent shape. These are white slightly tinged with green, deepening towards the centre and covered all over with a close network of rich scarlet veins ; wliile A. Emperor Frederick is a robust variety with scarlet flowers showing a broad white longitudinal band extending down the lower half of the segments. The hybridiser has also been busily at work lat- terly among Cannas, and his labours have resulted in the production of an entirely new race of plants deserving general cultivation on account of the beauty and brightness of the flowers. Cannas had hitherto been grown exclusively for the decorative qualities of their foliage when planted out of doors, but this new French race will undoubtedly prove most useful, as it contains plants with purple as well as with green foliage and with flowers of various colours, which are particularly bright in autumn, when specimens in pots are of service for the conservatory. Among the many varieties which have been sent out during the last two years, the following six are about the most handsome, as also the most distinct, and form in themselves a very effective group. C. Ulrich Brunner is a very handsome and beautiful variety, through the deep reddish tint of its foliage, and on account of the brilliant scarlet-crimson colour of its flowers which, like those of several others, are of large dimensions, and produced in finely developed spikes. which are produced in succession, the lateral branehlets gradually developing into fully grown flower-spikes. C. Capricieux is an exceedingly beautiful form with fine orange-scarlet flowers, with the edge of the petals bordered and fringed witli deep orange. In C. Francisque Morel tht^ dee]) crimson flowers are very effective ; those of C. Mine. Just are orange-yellow, of very large size, and pro- duced abundantly. The variety Admiral Courbet h.as handsome foliage and large spikes of bright yellow flowers with brownish markings, while the very large flowers of C. Geoffrey St. Hilaire are of a very deep rich scarlet. Among the few new flowering plants which we owe to the exertions of the collector, Oxer,a pulchella ranks first. This ]ilant, which is a native of New Caledonia and was recently figured in the Hotanical Magazhie (t. 6938), is closely re- lated to the Clerodcndron, and its naturally climbing habit, as well as the beauty of its CaiiiclUa-lIke fnlinge wouM be sufficient to ni;ike it a viilual>le plant. But it is essentially a winter- flowering suliject, as has been proved by the plant in Pendell Court Gardens, Bletcliingley, whicli flowered in December, 1880, and again in December, 1887. The flowers are of considerable substance and ivory-white. Individually, they are somewhat similarto thoseof aClerodendron, withabell-shaped, but deeply-cut corolla, and with stamens protrud- ing from the body of the flower. It requires the temperature of the intermediate house or warm greenhouse, and will be found a most valuable addition tc_i flowering plants. It may be grown with gi-eenhcuise Rhododendrons, Lasiandras, Monoch.t^- tons, Linum trigynum, &c., and will lie found most useful for covering unsightly rafters, pillars, &c., producing in abundance its white flowers .at a time when these are most needed. In Ardisia mamillata we have a stove plant introduced from Hong Kong, and belonging to a large genus of very widely distributed habitats, as representatives of it are found in America, on the islands of the Indian Ocean, and in India. Its deep green elliptical leaves, 4 inches to 5 inches long, by 2 inches to ii inches broad, are covered with stiff hairs. It is not, however, for its foliage that this pretty plant deserves cultivation, but on account of the clusters of deep red. Holly-like berries, which are produced in profusion and hang below the crowm of leaves, against the dark green colour of which they form a rich and most pleasing contrast. The list of the most meritorious of new flowering plants closes with a pretty little gem called Haberlea rhodo- pensis, a very interesting plant of dwarf and tufted habit, with pretty, Streptocarpus-like flowers, bright pui-ple outside, but slightly tinged with lilac on the lip. S. Rogiera gratissima. — As a cool house shrub to associate with Luculia gratissima. Daphne indica, and similar subjects, this Rogiera is well suited, and when in a healthy state it will flower throughout the winter, at which season its Laurustinus-like clusters of soft pink blossoms are especially welcome, not only for their attractive appearance when on the plant, but also for use in a cut state where flowers in this form are in request. It is a plant for whose welfare pure air is very necessary, as it suffers greatly around London from those dense fogs so prevalent during the winter months. Apart from a pure atmosphere, the other conditions necessary to its well-doing are thorough drainage, a good open soil (such as a mixture of fibrous loam, peat and sand), with, if possible, a good sprinkling of nodules of charcoal in the com- post. Besides this the plant must not be grown in a close structure, but rather in a light airy house. If the plants are kept too warm, thrips are very liable to effect a lodgment on the leaves, and when once established they are difficult to get rid of. — T. Chorozemas in bloom. — The Chorozemas stand forth among the most robust of New Hol- land plants, or rather, I should say, some of them do. for such kinds as C. caudatum and its variety splendens are of quite a vigorous habit of growth. This last is seen to great advantage when employed as a pillar plant trained up the end of a gi-een- house, or for a similar purpose. In any case they should not be stiffly tied, as if this is done one half of the beauty of the plant is lost. The same remarks apply with equal force to specimen plants, which are often spoilt by too rigid a mode of training. If medium-sized plants are trained around a few sticks, and after tliat .allowed to grow at will, the .slender branches arrange themselves in a loose and graceful manner, while a well-flowered specimen grown in this form is vastly more pleasing than one tied into a stiff and formal shape. The pretty little Chorozema Honchmanni, with its deep green Holly-like leaves and bright coloured blossoms, is more particular in its cultural requirements than are the others. For this, good sandy peat is a very suitable compost, while the others will do well with the addition of some fibrous loam. lake most of the hard-wooded class, they need to be potted firmly, given good drainage, and nmst not be allowed to become dry. If the atmosphere of the structure is too close and warm, the leaves are liable to bo attacked by red spider, which soon destroys their beauty. In addition to those above mentioned there ;ire others, viz., C. varium and its variety Chandler! and C. flavum. which differ from all the others in their blossoms being yellow. Besides their effective appearance wlien on the plant the blossoms of the Chorozemas are very useful where flowers are required in a cut state, as they can be employed for button-holes and similar purposes. — H. P. RHODODENDRONS IN FLOWER. The article on p. 4U by Mr. Douglas relating to the many beautiful hybrid Rhododendrons that flower at this season leaves little to be desired, unless it be to refer to a few additional words in favour of one of the parents from whence some of the earlier hybrids were obtained, viz., R. javanicum, which we have now flowering together with many of the better-known varieties, and even though all are beautiful, the original species certainly attracts the greatest share of attention. In this the leaves are of a rich glossy green hue, as much as 6 inches long, and about S'inches in width. The flowers, which are borne in clusters, are of a beautiful rich reddish orange colour, and in some blooms the entrance to the throat is heavily suffused with crimson, which imparts to the plant quite an additional feature. The individual blooms are almost 3 inches in diameter, so that even when sparingly produced they make a goodly show, and at this season of the year remain in beauty much longer than in the warmer weather. The specimen now in bloom was last May equally as free, and after the blossoms were over it started rapidly into growth, the shoots then produced being those now bearing flowers. That it is unnecessary to attain a large size before flowering is shown by a small plant struck from a cutting and now about a foot high, which has divided into three branches, each of which is termi- nated by a cluster of blossoms. A gi'eat merit possessed by these Rhododendrons is, that in the temperature of an intermediate house they will flower more or less throughout the year, some varieties, however, being in this respect more noticeable than others. The most prominent as far as I have obser\-ed are the oldest of these hybrids — Princess Royal, as well as Princess Alexandra, Maiden's Blush, Prince Leopold, and, above all. Duchess of Edinburgh. This last is generally one of the most unsatisfactory when growing on its own roots, and consequently the better way is to graft it on a more vigorous variety, a good kind for the purpose being the blush - coloured Princess Alex- andra, which, claiming as its parents R. jasmini- florum andPrincess Royal, is, singularly enough, more vigorous than either, besides which the long Willow- like foliage is very distinct. Next to this Princess Royal itself is a very good stock, or seedlings may 1)0 "raised and employed for the pui-pose. So freely do these Rliododendrons flower, that I have often had to pick off the buds in order to .save the life of the plant, and this is especially noticeable in the case of Prince Leopold and Duchess of Edin- burgh when on their own roots. It was this that led me to try the experiment of grafting them on to more vigorous stocks, and with perfectly satisfac- toiy results. Grafting may be done at almost any season provided stocks and scions are in a suitable condition for the purpose. The scions selected should be shoots of the cuiTent season when about three parts ripened, and the stocks must be establisheil in small pots and for bedding and window-box work, and wliicli is also a valuable plant for the conser\atory, may be pro- pag.ated freely under similar treatment to that adopted for Lobelias, but may have a little more heat for starting the stock plants. Cuttings of Marguerites, if now ju'opagatcd, will make good plants for bedding purposes. The cuttings root freely where there is a little Ixittom-hrat, and should be ke]it close, for if allnwcd to get rather withered they will be much longer in making a start. All the Pelargoniums of tlie zonal section may be increased at this season of file year, and will nuike good plants in time for planting out, though of course most of the slock will have been projiagatcd in the aulnnin. ('uttin};s shindd not lie allowed to get withered, for altli(iut,'h those taken in (he autumn will lie r.ather b(au'lileil th.an otherwise liy letting them become a little dried up, :it thi.s season of the year it is better to kee)i them quite fresh. It will be better not to water them dirc<'tly they are put in, but they should not be left long enough to wit her, and tlie .soil should lie kept fairlv moist until the cuttings are rooted. Thev will Feb. 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 99 strike best where there is a good brisk bottom-heat, but they should not be put into a close case. Al- though good varieties of both single and double Petunias may be obtained from seed, yet it is ad- visable to propagate some from cuttings, especially of the best double varieties, which are useful for the conservatory as well as for bedding. Petunias like a rather moist place, and will root best on a cool bottom, or .they may be transferred to where there is a moderate bottom-heat after they have stood on a cool bottom long enough for the cuttings to get well callused. Ageratums, Helio- tropes, Tropajulums, &c., should also be looked to, but if the stock plants are in good condition, there will be no need to increase the stock until later on, when most bedding plants may be propagated on hotbeds. It is rather early for hotbeds yet, as it will be difficult to give proper attention, especially if we get cold winds and frost, but the material for making them may be prepared. I like to use good stable manure and leaves in equal parts, shaking them well together and turning them over two or three times before the beds are made up. How- ever, leaves are not always to be had, and if the beds have to be made of all stable manure, care should be taken that it is not too new, or the heat will be too virulent. SuB-TEOPICAL PLANTS that are propagated from cuttings require early attention, as they should be grown on to a fair size before being planted out. Plants of Polyrania grandis should be placed in warmth, and as soon as they have made a little growth the tops or side shoots may be taken off. The cuttings, cut off quite close to the joint and none of the leaves taken off, should be put in singly in small pots ; the base of the cuttings should be only just below the surface, and each should have a stick to keep it firm. SoLANUMS. — Several species belonging to this genus are very desirable in the sub-tropical gar- den, and most of them may be obtained from seed, but such sorts as S. marginatum, S. macranthum, and other sorts of similar habit may be propagated from cuttings, which, if put in now, will make good plants. Cuttings from side shoots, taken off close to the old wood, will strike best. Light sandy soil should be used, and the cuttings must not be crowded or they will be liable to damp off. The cuttings from plants of Wigandia caracasana of moderate growth are better than those from plants that are growing vigorously, as they will not take up so much room and are not so likely to damp off. This beautiful foliage plant may also be pro- pagated from roots in the autumn when the plants are taken up from the ground. The above and other vigorous-growing subjects suitable for the same purpose generally require similar treatment, viz., the cuttings should be taken before the plants have made too much new growth. Short cuttings fairly firm at the base are tlie most desirable. When the cuttings are taken off, a little dry sand should be applied to the base to dry up tlie juicy sap. In most instances it is better to put the cuttings in singly in small pots, and in plunging theui in the propagating case the leaves should be kept free from the plunging material. Provided the cuttings have not been allowed to get withered during the operation, they may remain for a day or so without being watered, and thus they will not be so liable to rot off as when water is given directly they are put in. A. gardeners in my neighbourhood who make up tlie fire only once a day, and when they come home at night they put some coal on. They hardly have any refuse, and if it is coming on a cold night they give more draught underneath the fire. — Tnos. Christy, Sydenha/ni. My experience of this coal is that by the use of half coal and coke a good steady fire is maintained for a longer period than with coke alone, especially when the damper is partially closed. I have burned all coal with good results in some boilers. Hero we use with but little atten- tion coke and coal in equal proportions in the Trentham and Gold Medal boilers, these two to- gether or separately heating from 1800 feet to 2000 feet of -l-inch piping, including houses that require forcing temperature and others comparatively cool. A supply put on once after the men leave work is sufficient to keep the temperature right till 7.30 next morning. I think in many cases more de- pends upon the stoker than the fuel he has to burn, — W. A. Cook. Orchids. W. H. GOWER. EPIDENDRCM AMABILE. Anthracite coal. — When we come to the ques- tion of whether the same fire-stove that is used for burning coke in and where you can hardly have too slow a draught is the best fireplace for burning anthracite, I should then doubt the advisability of using it without making a wider space between the bars. Naturally if you have a high chimney with a good draught you can easily regulate the influx of cold air underneath the bars. Another point is that the less anthracite coal is stirred once it is put on the fire in a tliin layer the better; in fact, it wants no raking about at all. Your correspondents admit that they find no clinkers; then why is there any necessity for raking it about as inexperienced gardeners invariably do? I know of some amateur A L.4.RGE quantity of this plant has recently been sold by auction by Mr. Sander, of St. Albany.. The plants were in excellent condition, and appeared to me like those of E. dichronium amabile of Bateman, wliich was imported by the jMessrs. Low, of Clapton, somewhat ex- tensively about twenty-four years ago, and many beautiful varieties flowered from amongst that importation. Since then, liowever, ver}' little has been seen of the species, the fact being that this Orchid is one of the few which are difficult to manage. It has not been lost through keeping it too hot, for this plant requires a great deal of warmth. I have not ascertained from whence Mr. Sander's plants were obtained, but Lindley, in " Folio Orchidacea," p. 25, gives Pernambuco as the habitat of E. dichronium, whilst the Messrs. Low's plants of amabile and dichronium were derived from near Bahia, or at least they were sliipped from that port, the plants having lieen found growing low down on straggling bushes on the river banks. Their long roots bang down and jienotrate the sand beside the stream, and the tops of the plants are much exposed to the sun. It appears to grow well and flower freely in its native habitat, and I cannot but think, with a little care in its management, we ought to be successful with this last importation. Its pseudo-bulbs are some 3 inches or 4 inches long, in large examples about 0 inches, oblong, round and smooth, bear- ing upon the toji a pair, sometimes three ligulate leaves, which vary from 0 inches to 9 inches in lengtli. In the case of those received by Messrs. Low the spike is erect, some 3 feet high, and bearing a raceme of many flowers, these being 2 inclies across, and varied very much in colour. But all the varieties were exceed- ingly beautiful ; in some the sepals and petals were soft clear rose and others were pure wliite, whilst others again were rich deep rose, the form more particularly designated amaliile having a border of white to the dark rose, the large three-lobed lip being rich deep crini.son with a rose-coloured liorder, the side lobes white outside, the reflexed tips pale purple. From this it will be imagined it is a beatitiful species well deserving a permanent position in our collections. This plant retjuires very strong heat during the growing scasim, with full exposure to the sun, and an atmosplicre heavily charged with moisture. At the time I had jilants of this sp'jcies under my care they gi-cw well, but dowered sparingly, and when T left them the sj-stem was altered, and they soon died. My plants wei-e fastened upon a long piece of wood (resendiling what is now called a raft), the plant at one end and the other end inserted in a potful of drainage material, the latter being surfaced with living Sphagnum Moss, and tlie pot was placed in a saucer, the whole being hung up near the glass in the Ea.st India house, water being given twice during each day to the surface of the pot. This maintained the plants in a fresh condition, as they rooted well, and the roots jienetrated tho crocks beneath the Sphagnum, nearly tilling the pots. In winter the plants were removed to the Cattleya house, where the atmosphere was lower and drier, but the roots of the Epiden- drums were never allowed to become dry, although the saucer was kept empty. This wUl explain my system of treating the plant to those readers of The Garden who were pur- chasers the other day and inquired bow to manage it. Anaectochilus. — A small importation of these beaut if ul-lea\ed Orchids was sold by auction last week. This 1 look upon as a sign of the times. It is a long time ago since I saw any imported plants of this genus, but from inquiries I hear from time to time after these plants, I feel sure they would become popular again if there were means of satisfy- ing the present demand for them. This is a matter which concerns our Orchid importers. — W. H. G. Odontoglossums are very good in the garden at Perrivelle, Highbury Park. In the middle of January there was quite a show, which is a factworth recording, for although these plants are sometimes enveloped in fog when growing naturally, they are never visited with such an atmosphere as we experienced at the close of 1S.SS and the beginning of 1889. The kinds most notable were O. crispum in variety, O. cordatum, 0. Pescatorei in variety, the beautiful and useful O. Kossi majus, 0. grande and its near relative O. Insleayi, and O. gloriosum. Dendrobium King-ianum album. — A beauti- ful variety of tliis old Australian species first ap- peared, I believe, with Mr. Smee, in •• My Garden," some two years ago, and I recently noted it flower- ing in the fine collection at Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell. It produces much longer spikes than tlie typical plant, the raceme being upwards of 6 inches in length, dense, and the flowers are wholly pure white. The plant thrives well in the Cattleya house fully cxjiosed to the sun. — W. H. G. Orchids on cork. — These plants do not thrive well on this material, although I have tried it very many times for a number of years. The roots never become firm on it, and it harbours dirt and insects. 1 would strongly advise cork never to be used for any kind of Orchids, for although some Orchids are said to grow upon Oak trees in New Grenada, they do not appear to thrive upon the bark when it comes to us in the sli.'ipe of cork. — W. H. G. Cattleya Eldorado {II. M'aiMns). — A box of flowers comes from the above-named gentleman asking fur name. They are the flowers from some plants which a friend cullectud in the Rio Negro district of Brazil and sent home to him. They are a very nice lot of varieties; the white one is C. Wallisi, sometimes called virginalis. The flowers are late for the species, but we have seen them in January this season in several collections. When growing, this plant requires more warmtli than the majority of Cattleyas. It first flowered in this country about twenty years ago. Odontoglossum nsevium majus. — Although January is a very unusual montli lor this plant to flower, we recently noted a very nice exanqilc of it in bloom. Although found by M. Linden u]iwards of forty years ago in New Grenada, it is still one of the rarest Odontoglossums, the flowers coming nearest in shape and colour to those of O. cirrhosum, from whicli, however, it is very distinct. Tlie flowers are wliite. heavily spotted with rich purple. 100 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 2, 1889. It has frequently been said that this plant requires more heat than such kinds as 0. Alexandres, but we have seen them growing well together. More- over, as it grows naturall.y in New Grenada and Venezuela at between (5000 feet and 7000 feet ele- vation, it would not appear to require more heat in this country. HAEDY ORCHIDS. The Mocassin Flower (Cypripedium specta- bile) needs little description, for it is perhaps the most commonly cultivated of all hardy Orchids. A well - established mass when in full flower and suitably and conspicuously placed is truly a floral treat, for the great pinky pouch and grace- ful pose of flower are very unusual and strik- ing amongst our garden occupants. It likes a dampish situation, fully exposed if you like, and a soil largely composed of peat or decayed vegetable matter freely incorporated with sand or any gritty substance. During the flowering season the plants, I have foand, are much improved by allowing each clump a large canful of soft water each day, and this may best be applied in the evening or early morning. Amongst decayed or decaying leaf- mould largely incorporated with rotten wood and a fair application of rougli sand I have got this handsome Slipper Orchid to do best, but that it will succeed in free garden loam, though never, perhaps, attain to the same dimensions as in the other, I am quite convinced. Position has a good deal to do with its condition, and one thing should be remembered, and that is it cannot live in a wind-swept and dry situation. It must have constant moisture, and this in an ordinary garden is best brought about by planting tlie roots fairly low in the ground, and not filling the pit or hole up to the top or general ground level. By this means a sort of receptacle for moisture is allowed. A good deal of difference in the colouring of the flowers of this Cypripedium is noticeable, but there can be little doubt that the typical rose colour is the most showy and distinct of the many forms. For growing in pots this plant is extensively used. It forces well, although it is apt to get drawn up under greenhouse management, and the roots increase rapidly under such treatment. On a raised spot the Mocassin Flower looks best, such as that afforded by the sheltered and shady as well as damp side of a moderately raised rockwork. The small yellow Lady's Slippee (C. parvi- florum). — Next to C. spectabile, I have been most successful with the present plant, single crowms having increased to fully a dozen in half as many years. In one instance I obtained a well-rooted plant with two flowering stems, and in the fifth year after being planted out it bore no less than sixteen flowers. I do not know that tliis is unusual, for if properly planted strong roots multi- ply in a surprising manner. To obtain the be.st results, I would suggest planting the roots in a compost of half leaf-mould, half sand, and in a shady situation, where ample, but not stag- nant, moisture is afforded. The flower-stems are stout and wiry, rarely getting twisted or broken about even during rougli weather, and bear some- times two blooms each. Strikingly quaint and pretty are the flowers, the lip being bright yellow, and the chocolate-coloured sepals long and twisted. C. parviflorum is not unlike our native C. Calceolus, but of ranker growth and more easily managed. The flowers are also individually smaller, but of the same Calceolaria hue and with longer appen- dages. Less atch in December or early in January ; but then their pits and houses are specially prepared for the work, whilst jirivate gar- deners whose aim— often under great difliculties — is tlie produc'tion of good planting Vines succeed best liy deferring the start initil the middle of Feb- ruary. This being so, now is the time to commenc-e, first, by securing a steady bottom-heat of 80° in a close, hut light, propag.-iting pit; second, by tilling rather firmly tlu: requisite nunilxT of suudl pots with sandy loam dry enough to bear pressure with- out becoming pasty. The eyes may be prepared by a clean cut half an inch above and below the bud or by taking them out with a sharp knife, as the budder of fruit trees extracts his buds in August ; but so accommodating is the A'ine, that it matters little how the eyes are prepared provided the top and especially the bottom-heat are steady and lasting. The pots or cubes of turf and buds being ready, the ordinary method is to take out a little soil, replace it with silver sand, and press the bud firmly down until it is just level with the sur- face, when a slight sprinkling through a fine rose will be necessary to consolidate the sand and the bud. When dry, the eyes will be ready for plunging, not necessarily in strong heat at once, as some propagators prefer placing them in a close tem- perate house for ten days or a fortnight to favour the formation of the callus, when the roots and shoots start simultaneously into growth. When the young plants have exhausted the sap contained in the bud in the formation of the first one or two tiny leaves, very steady top and bottom heat will favour the formation of the first set of roots, and when they touch the sides of the pots, as will be indi- cated by the fresh healthy appearance of the foliage and the elongation of the shoots, the amateur's ordinary stumbling - block will have been left behind. From this time forward the sjTinge may be used rather more freely, but an excess of water in the tightly compressed soil being fatal, the lightest dewing over from the time the eyes are inserted until they are fit for the first shift into 5-inch pots should suftice. When the young plants are transferred to larger pots, the compost, consist- ing of sound loam, a little old brick rubbish, and a handful of bone-dust, should be thoroughly warmed before it is used, and, considering that they must be replunged in moist tan or fibre, the supply of water must be extremely limited. As days increase in length, and brightness and solar heat become more powerful, rapid growth will justify an occa- sional root-watering, and the spread of the young leaves wiU necessitate rearrangement, when very loose or half-plunging will form the first step towards getting them out of the bottom-heat, but not off the warm bed so long as the close pit affords head room. Hardy or outdoor Vines in wine-growing countries are increased by cuttings a foot or more in length, and being thoroughly ripe when put into the trenches where they are to remain, they strike as freely as Willows. In this country, on the contrary, imperfect maturation renders them extremely un- certain, hence the importance of selecting young wood from old Vines having a full south aspect. When wood of this kind can be procured, the cut- tings after being disbudded should be planted on warm sandy borders or against walls, and treated precisely as we treat Gooseberries and Currants. The result then, even, is uncertain, but unless a great number of young plants are wanted the diffi- culty can always be got over by inserting short bits of wood, 4 inches in length, in sandy soil, leaving a single bud exposed and covering them with cap glasses. Early autumn, immediately .after the fall of the leaf, is the best time to put in the cuttings. Layering Vines is the oldest mode of increase known in this country, .and being extremely simple, those who cannot command ripe cuttings m.ay readily obtain good canes in twelve months by pegging down suitable pieces of wood during the .autumn or winter. Indeed, so accommodating is the Vine that old rods of any length laid down flat and pegged into the surface of any good garden .soil will form a complete gridiron of roots, whilst shoots from each bud allowed to grow well form fruiting A'ines by the end of the summer. When flic wood is ri|ie, these old root-stocks may lie caif into as many piei'cs as there are rods, when the Latter may be lifted for potting or planting. This mode of increase, I m.ay say, is equally .ap- jjlic.able to Vines in hothou.ses, ;is we h.ave laid down old canes 15 feet to 20 feet in length within a few inches of the front w.all plate, wlien young rods f.aken up 3 feet ap.art have filled the house with superli fruit -bearing wood by the end of llie season. The inside borders, it is hardly necessary for me to say, should be made of new compost as for planting canes, and aonnection with the parent stool should be cut off when they are thoroughly establisheil. Mr. Miller, of Coombe Abbey, some years ago adopted a very simple and ingenious mode of manufacturing fruiting pot Vines by filling a number of pots of suitable size with good com- post; these he ranged in single file along the front of the house and placed a long strong rod over their centres. By means of stout hooked pegs this rod, with a good bud immediately over the centre of each pot, w,as made secure; roots in due course struck down into the compost; all growths from superfluous or intermediate buds were restricted or destroyed, whilst those which emanated from the special buds were trained and manipulated in the usu.al way. Nicking or notching layers is not abso- lutely necessaiy, as canes, young or old, pegged firmly into warm moist soil throw out a profusion of roots. W. C. Ferns. W. H. GOWER. DIPTERIS. Thih is a small family of beautiful plants ; in- deed, I do not think that more than three species are yet known. Two of these h.ave long been in my possession in a dried state, and for years I have been anxiously looking for their introduction alive, but up to the present time I liave not been rewarded. At tlie present time, however, when Ferns are again becoming popu- lar, there is a possibility of getting them, and as they are so entirely different from anytliing we have in the w.ay of Ferns, their introduc- tion woidd assuredly well repay the trouble. Dipteris belongs to the polypodiaceous Ferns, and is still by some retained in the genus Poly- podium, from which, however, in its restricted form it is totally distinct in its venation. Dip- teris comes vei-y near to the genua Diynaria, which indeed I look upon as its nearest relative, but this it difiers from in its manner of growth. From the rhizome, which is creeping, much branched, and woody in texture, rise slender stems, supporting large, leathery, fan -like fronds. D. HOBSFIELDI. — This is an exceedingly pretty plant, the stem being slender, and from 3 feet to 4 feet high. The fronds, v.arying from 1 foot to 3 feet in length .and as much in breadth, are fan- sh.aped and coriaceous in texture, with deep lobes and deeply toothed edges, the main veins very pro- minent, the sori small and very numerous. The upper side is deep green, beneath deeply glaucous, which lends an additional charm to the pl.ant. It .appears to be common in the South Sea Isliinds, and it is found in Fiji, from whence someone should send it. It is .also found in the M.alacca Islands. Will not some of our Orchid importers instruct their collectors to send this j)lant home? D. Wallicjii. — This is a very distiiu-t plant from the previously named one, and, judging from the specimens, it is not glaucous on the under side, consequently not so pretty. It is a nuieh stronger growing plant than Horsfieldi, and being a native of Northern India, it is curious that no collector has ever sent it home. The stem is stout, of a deep chestnut-brown when dry, 3 feet or nu>re high; the blade of tlu- fronil is ujnvards of 3 feet long, fan-.shaped, and from 3 feet to 4 feet broad; it is deeply lobed, the edges being ))lain; it isverythiek .and cori.aoeous in texture, the principal veins very ]ironnncnt, wliile the small sori are very numerous. The upper side is of an intense deep green, but underneath the colour is of a somewhat rusty brown. These two plants only require to be known to 1)0 highly aii]ir(eiated, and 1 think some of the numerous collectors who are now scoviring the eastern regions in search (pf new plants Feb. 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 105 should turn their attention to these two Ferns, which liave never yet appeared in this country in a living state. HARDY EXOTIC FERNS. A EEAHER, " G. J.," whose question on cool stove Ferns I answered a few weeks ago, also asks for information upon exotic hardy Ferns. This I will attempt to give, but at the same time I hope "G. J." wiU allow me to remind him that there are hosts of varieties of our British kinds which would afford him excellent variety without touclmig the foreign ones at all. I do not know if " G. J." is a botanist, but if lie is, in all probability he would scarcely think I shoidd take notice of these, for I know per- sonidly how some of the leading botanists of the day have passed them over as not fit to be grown. Though some of the varieties of our native Ferns are not beautiful, there are yet many hundreds, far more so than the acknowledged species, and many of them so distinct, that had they been found years ago, we should have had them described a.s much-admired species. How- ever, my mission is now to enlighten " G. J." on some of the most beautiful of the exotic hardy Ferns suitable for planting in a large fernery in the woods. This recalls my younger days when I had several ferneries so situated under my charge. My favourite Fern then, and has been for thirty years, is the American Maiden-hail', Adiantum pedatum (see illustration). — I do not tliink there is another Fern to equal it in beauty. The fronds grow from 1 foot to 2 feet in height, stems jet black, supporting a large broad frond, the pinnules being large andlight green. It is a deciduous plant, and in exposed situations I used to peg its own dead fronds over the crown in winter, but in ordinary situations I do not think this is necessary. It is at once the most charming of all hardy Ferns. LoMARiA CHiLENSis is another grand Fern for the open-air fernery, and I have had it with fronds a feet long. The fertile fronds are mucli contracted and die off in the autumn, but the sterile ones in ordinary winters remain green. It is a Chilian plant wliich is referred to L. procera, from whicli, however, it appears in cultivation to be distinct. Anchistea vibgixica is a very handsome Fern from Canada and the United States. The fronds, each from 2 feet to 3 feet high and about 9 inches broad, are of a pale green colour, the sori being copious and very attractive. It is a deciduous kind, its creeping rhizome requiring during winter a little protection, which can be afiforded by its fronds. Onoclea sensibilis.— This is another beautiful and distinct Canadian Fern, which is also widely distributed in North America. The fronds, each varying from 1 foot to 24 inches in height, are of two forms ; the sterile ones are deeply lobed, the segments broad and bright green, the "fertile ones contracted into berry-like segments. It is de- ciduous. OsMUN'DA cinnamomea is another deciduous Fern, which produces fronds of two kind-s, in which it differs from all the other Royal Ferns. The barren frond, which is from 1 foot to 2 feet in height and longer than the fruit-bearing one, is twice divided, arching at the top and liglit glaucous green. The fertile ones, which rise in the centre, are hairy, and of a deep reddish brown. It is a native of North America, &c. OsMUNDA interuupta, also known by the name of O. Claytoniana, is a most interesting.'handsome, and distinct kind. When well grown" it attains a height of some 3 feet ; the fronds are twice divided, broad, and deep green, some few of the middle pmna; being contracted and bearing the sori, by wliich character it mny be easilv recognised. It is plentiful iu Canada and the United States. STBUTHIOPTEEIS GERilANICA AND PENSSYL- ] VANICA, the Ostrich-feather Ferns, are noble hardy plants far too seldom seen in private collections ; their rhizomes creep under ground and spread rapidly, soon forming a dense grove, and upon that account they require a space set apart, for them. They produce fronds of two kinds ; the sterile ones are twice divided, some 2 feet or 3 feet high, plume- like, and deep green ; the fertile ones rise up in the centre of the barren ones, are much contracted and j erect, the American plant resembling the German I one, saving in its larger size and more erect habit. These two plants produce a very tropical effect in an open-air fernery. Cyetomiuii falcatuji. — This is a Japanese plant of great beauty, which thrives well in the hardy fernery, but it never attains the dimensions of the previously named kinds, and should be used iu the front rows. It grows from 1 foot to 2 feet high ; the fronds are pinnate, about 6 inches long, and dark shining green. It forms a large scaly crown, and I have usually given it the protection of some old Fern fronds in winter. Ontchium japonicum is another plant from Japan which I have found thrives well in the open be expected to produce any great display. There are many of these, however, which can be planted in suitable nooks after the main plant- ing is done, and this work should be pushed on now so that the plants may be removed before root action sets in, as I know from experience how much Ferns sufler from injury to the young roots. THE FERNERY. It is rather early yet to commence repotting esta- blished Ferns. Young plants or any that require shifting on into larger pots may be potted at any season of the year, provided they are grown in a temperature high enough to keep them in active growth. But where the plants are in a dormant state they should not be disturbed at the root dur- ing the winter months. Any plants that have got into an unhealthy condition and require to have the old soil shaken from the roots should not be disturbed until they begin to start into growth, and the same remark applies to those that are to be divided or are to have their roots reduced. A great deal may be done, however, in the way of pre- ^^ American Maiden-hair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). air, but I have always accorded it the protection of some dead fronds of the common Brake Fern. It is an elegant front row plant, producing fronds from 1 foot to IS inches high. Lastue.a Sieboldi, from Japan, is a plant with fronds from 1 foot to 2 feet high, and, therefore, suitable for a front place only ; the fronds are once divided, with very long and broad leathery pinna: of a light green. It is a charming distinct species. LoHlNSERlA aeeolata. — A handsome, bold- growing Fern which should iind a place in every large fernery. It grows some 18 inches or more high, producing fronds of two kinds ; the barren ones are once divided, the lobes being broadly lanceolate in shape, toothed at the edges, and bright green; whilst the fertile fronds are much contracted. It comes from North America. The above are some of tlie showiest hardy foreign Ferns, selected because of their distinct appearance from our native kinds. Of course there are a host of others suitable for the situa- tion you name, but many of them are similar in appearance to the English kinds to a casual observer, whilst the small-growing sorts cannot paring plants for what is to be done later on. In the first place, it is necessary to take care of any deUcate species, especially if they happen to be over-potted. Although I do not believe in drying Ferns off too much, yet it is necessary to water very sparingly those that have lost most of their fronds. Many Ferns which are considered evergreen lose a great many of their old fronds just before they start into fresh growth in the spring. It will be all the better to preser\-e the old fronds as much as possible, but all that are too far decayed should be removed, and dense growing sorts should be cleaned to prevent anything coming in contact with the young fronds an red colour, which ricli lint is also, to a certain degree, sliown in the b.aik. In its native country. Central and North Japan, this truly handsome .shrub attains it feet in height, .and is Feb. 2, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 107 therefore well suited for planting in shrubbery borilers, where it produces the most pleasing effect. In Eulalia japonica grr.acillinia we have an exceed- ingly graceful variety of the common Eulalia, with narrow, but elegantly arching green leaves averag- ing between 3 feet and 4 feet in height. Its nar- row, slender foliage bends like a reed, and it is best adapted for growing as an isolated specimen on tlie lawn, or by the side of a lake, where it forms a most beautiful object. Prunus domestica variegata is a brightly variegated form of the com- mon Phim, and in this instance the foliage is broadl}' margined with gold, in contrast to the bright green colour of the centre of each leaf. A new Lilac, which certainly is very handsome, is called Marie Lemoine. It is an exceedingly fine form with pure white flowers, each single pip measuring close upon 1 inch in diameter, and dis- posed in large and somewhat massive trusses. S. DECIDUOUS TREES AND SHRUBS IN WINTER. I WAS much pleased to notice " T.'s " admirable article on this subject on page 57. It is one that I have long held strong opinions upon, very similar to those so well expressed by j'our correspondent. Even in summer most landscapes are very heavy, unduly weighed down through a superabundance of evergreen trees and shrubs. The fashion for Pines and Spruces declined so much some twenty years since as to threaten to e.xtinguish most of the lightness and variety of our landscapes. Pine forests are magnificent in their density and black- ness, but they are hardly the proper setting for the enrichment and adornment of our homes. And winter-time is gloomy enough without en- shrouding it in a still more gloomy night-cap of Firs. These, doubtless, bring shelter and warmth as well as darkness and gloom, but the former is almost too dearly purchased by the latter. Tlie best antidote, however, to excessive shadow in landscape is tlie liberal use of Birch, Beech, Elm, Lime, Larch, Thorn, and other deciduous trees and shrubs such as those specified by your correspon- dent. The most telling of them all are, perhaps, the Birches, the Golden Osier and the Weeping Larch — the last a very telling form all too little employed in the formation and enrichment of landscapes. Laburnums, wild Cherries, or Geans, Bird Cherries, and some of the more fast and slower-growing Poplars have a light and graceful effect in winter, and introduce specially valuable elements of colour and form during the spring, summer, and autumnal months. The faster some of these trees gi'ow, the more graceful they become. For use on a large scale there are no two species of deciduous trees so readily available as the diflfe- rent varieties of Birch and the Wych and other sorts of semi-weeping Elms. When the hoar-frost veils all these over from summit to base is the time to take note of their transforming, uplifting charms on landscapes and to decide on how, where, and to what extent to plant them to ensure the richest and most graceful results. But for the stupid practice at one time so common of forming most landscapes of rare and choice trees to the exclusion of most or all of those grown for cover or timber, mainly Birches, Osiers, Elms, Beeches, Limes, Oaks, Thorns woulil liave formed a far larger percentage of the bulk and beauty of most of our modern landscapes. D. T. Fish. The Japanese Euonymus. — This is one of the most accommodating Evergreens that we possess, for in a general way it flourishes whatever may be the soil, situation, or atmospheric surround- ings. For instance, it vies with the Tamarisk in its power or love for the sea spray, as it may be often seen along the south coast growing vigorously with fine deep green foliage wliere but few slmibs could even exist. It is also a first-rate Evergreen for smoky towns, in proof of vvhicli tlie numliers that flourish in London uiuler very adverse conditions may be pointed out. Tlie ordinary green-leaved form is the best of all, as the variegated varieties, beautiful though they may lie where the air is pure, are in London soon disfigured by the smoke, and being less vigorous in constitution than the type they more often succumb. Besides this, cuttings of it root so easily that there is no difficulty in getting a large stock, and, what is more, the young plants grow away rapidly even during their earlier stages. — T. Rose Garden. T. W. GIRDLESTONE. SELECTED ROSES. Mad.«ie Lajibard. The demoralisation, so to speak, of the Christmas holidays has caused the admirable su<;gestion made by " M.," on p. 549 of Vol. XXXIV. in the issue of The Gakden for the l.")th of Decem- ber last, to remain too long unnoticed. It may be hoped, however, that "M.," who probably knows the press of work that is liable to arise at the end of a year, will believe that the delay has been entu-ely unavoidable, and not in any way owing to lack of interest in the proposal itself. " M." points out the objections to a Rose election, and these were felt when that sugges- tion was made, and they were the reasons for stating very precisely the basis upon which alone such au arrangement could be advantageously carried out. Moreover, a Rose election has been done before, not infrequently. A discussion or inquiry, however, on the lines suggested by "M." will have the charm of novelty, in addition to being of the greatest general interest. There are now a good many Roses wliich are almost universally regarded as indispensable in every Rose garden, and an expression of opinion on the part of practical growers as to the most important qualities of individual varieties, and as to the means by which in most cases the best results may be obtained, will be of the utmost value. Such a Rose is Madame Lambard, and it will be hardly possible to make better trial of "M.'s" suggestion than by asking for brief replies to the following inquiries respecting Lacharme's beautiful Tea : — 1. Wlial, in your opinion, are the distinctive excellences of this Rose both as a plant and as a flower ? 2. On the other hand, in what respects do you consider that it falls short of what a perfect Rose should be ' 3. As compared with others of its class, would you regard it as hardy, moderately hardy or tender ? 4. In what soil or situation would you prefer to grow it ? 5. What stock do you find suits it best, or docs it do better on its own roots 1 G. How should it be pruned to secure extra fine flowers, and how for general garden decoration ? 7. Is it well adapted for forcing or pot cultiu'e ? 8. What is its value as a market Rose ? The inquiries are purposely expressed in somewhat general terms in order that they may apply to any variety tliat may from time to time be selected for discussion ; and it has l)een thouglit well to add numbers 7 and 8, because, on tlie one hand, the cultivation of Roses under glass continues to extend immensely, and many gardeners seem to be under the mistaken iiu- pre.ssion that any Rose will do to force, while, on the other hand, tlie ridiculously small iniiii- ber of Rcses generally visible in the (lower markets, and the very poor quality of the ma- jority of those that are to be seen there, would seem to indicate that the qualities essential to the value (jf Roses in the cut-flower market are not fully appreciated by many growers, who thus waste time and space in producing varieties unsuited to the purpose. Perhaps on this point some hints from America may be forth- coming, and in any case it may be hoped that con-espondents, specialists, perhaps, will not be deterred from sending notes on particular points by any disinclination to answer all the inquiries. It is hoped that corresjiondents will sign their notes, adding also their address, as the character of many Roses varies so greatly in difl'erent localities that the consideration Of the behaviour of any particular variety, especially a Tea like Madame Lambard, in regard to its situation in various parts of tlie country, will be of the utmost importance. FRENCH AND ENGLISH ROSES OF RECENT YEARS. The dictionary defines ingratitude as " a want of a due sense of favours." Is it, then, possible that by becoming inured to tlie pricks of Rose thorns the rosarian may become callous to the prick of conscience .' For cultivators of the queen of flowers do not generally seem altogether possessed by imle-faced Fear; yet "conscience does make cowards of us ali," and that the in- gratitude of tlie rosarian is such that a properly equipped conscience should be able to make him afraid of his own shadow may be clearly demon- strated. It is notorious that every new Rose is perfect. There is never a novelty that is not the moat vigorous, the most Irce-bloomiug, the largest- flowered, the most brilliant, and the most dis- tinct variety raised jnsqn'a cf jmn: The colour is invariably j'((i'(S,«oif(', unique, the form sf(ptrhr, the size enonne ; and tlie raiser magnanimously tosses them to tlie Rose public for a paltry twenty-five francs apiece. This is a matter of daily experience. Everybody that knows a Rose from a Rosemary knows that this is so. And yet this Rose public, how it neglects its glorious — its annually glorious — opi:)ortunities of acquir- ing the perfection of all that is roseate. What can be thought of peojile who, when raisers, by unremitting toil, painstaking selection, and un- erring judgment, have been enabled to oflfer them perfect Roses — sometunes a liundred of them in a season — for a trifle of five-and-twenty francs apiece, display their lamentable " want of a due sense of favours,' ' by ignoring their chance of emancipation from the cultivation of old-world mediocrity ! Guilty of foolish, if not criminal, ingratitude must inevitably be the verdict, and no wonder can any longer exist that raisers should regard the amateur Rose grower as the absolute impersonation of the "marble-hearted fiend." From what other cause can it be tliat 90 per cent, of tlie new Roses annually ofl'ered are either consistently ignored, or else appear only to be acquired with a view to att'ordiug an inflammable basis to the autumnal rubbisli heap >. The suggestion that Hcccssitij is tlie reason for the retention of so few' of tliese absolutely per- fect Roses, in order that literature generally may not have to be suspeiiiled for lack of epithets, since otherwise the majority of the adjectives and the whole of the superlatives in the language would be appropriatetl by the Rose catalogues is, of Course, frivolous ; not less absurd wmild be the idea that any new Rose was less perfect tliaii alleged by the raiser ; and certainly no one would dream of I'aisiiig the questiim of expeii.so in the matter. Tlie true explanation must be sought for in 108 THE GARDEN [Feb. 2, 1889. the theoiy of rosariau iiigratitiule, and jierhaps some light may be thrown upon tlie mysterious phenomenon by tlie following table of varieties sent out during the last few years : — a a InlSS3-4- From the Contioent- In EDgland From Americi - InlS84-5- From the Contiaent- In England In 1885-6— From the ContineLt- In Englind From America • -, In 1&86-7— From the Continent-' In England From Americi - Total for 4 years— From the Continent-, In England • -| From America - 72 4 5 5 2 1 60 7 3 7 S2 18 5 5 2 — 77 14 8 1 — 291 43 21 17 5 1 76) 10 67) 10 as "■3 il 100) lOj-112 10 2) 91) 8 - 100 l) 334) 38 } 378 29 103 i!- 12 4) 2)' ^) 21, 18 UO 1 ' pick and choose and to be dainty, forsooth ! over the elegant bill of fare provided by La Belle France. For it naturally could not be supposed that greater judgment or more careful selection on the part of English raisers could have any- thing to do with it. No one can doubt that it is merely national prejudice that ])revents the universal cultivation of the new French Roses, and demands English- raised seedlings. But have English rosarians thoroughly considered the imminent risk and danger to which this From this it will be seen that of the large number of new Roses sent out during the four years, hardly more than a quarter are at all generally cultivated in this country, and scarcely more than 10 per cent, generally exhibited, or about 12 per cent., without reckoning the varie- ties sent out as garden Roses. And yet we know that they are all first-rate. We have it on the very best authority — that of the raisers themselves — for who should know a seedling better than the man who has nursed it from its earliest infancy ] Strange, is it not ? A hundred perfect Roses available each year, and only ten made use of ! 'Tig strange— but true ; for truth ii always strange ; Stranger than fiction. In examining the above table, the contribu- tions from America, although at least one of them, The Bride, will long occupy a pnjininent position wherever Roses are grown, may for the moment be neglected ; and a comparison shall be instituted between the record of novelties sent out on tlie Continent and that of tlie new Roses distributed in England. It will at once be seen that there is a gigantic discrepancy in the numbers in the third column (334 and 38), a very considerable riipprm-hement in the fourth column (08 and 36), and in the last column a close approximation (21 and 18). Thus, while from the Continent there were sent out nearly nine times as many new Roses as were distri- buted in Englana length of about G inches, or at any rate never exccoiling 9 inches, at the time when the seedlings are transpl.anted, in order to be heeled in out of reach of severe frosts and excessive wet until spring-time. They will then be drawing root (hiring most of the winter, and when planted out in showery weather in March or April will be able to take hold of the ground at once and start im- mediately into growth. All seedling Hoses th.at arc laid in in pits or frames will want careful looking over now during close or foggy we.ather to see that they .are not likely to damp off, a fate that may occasionally befall a few of the younger and least- ripened seedlings. All decaying leaves should bo removed from among the plants, so that they should not lie .at all unneces.s.-irily wet, and as long as the weather is really dry, the more the lights arc off the better.— T. W. GlUULESTONE. New Roses.— Mr. Girdlestone has given us a list of new Roses, the bulk of which are Teas, and by far the greater i)ort ion are of French origin. The oiily exceptions .are the climbing Kijibetos (which I hope, by-thc-by, will prove to be no liuke), Mr. Win. Paul's Sajipho. Mr. Prince's spiu'l from Souvenir d'un Ami, Sarah Prince, and the one Irish Rose Mrs. ,Ims. AVilsoii. 'I'he.se four are .so far pretty wi-U known, and may yet make good rejiutations. But out of the remainder, some thirty-four in number, and all French, it is worth asking bow' many are Feb. 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 109 there which will be heard of in English gardens or even on the exhibition table some two or three years hence ? Will Mr. Girdlestone kindly keep his eyes upon these novelties, which he has so obligingly catalogued, and report at the end of the season how many of the new Roses have proved to be worthy of introduction; in what respect they are improvements upon other kinds ; and also what sort of figures they cut on the exhibition table ? We may expect that even if amateurs cannot get plants of these new comers at present, the trade will be able to do so. Roses are rapidly increased and put into commerce ; hence it should be pos- sible equally soon to learn something of their respec- tive merits. Mr. Girdlestone intimates that the list of new kinds for the season is about as large as usual. If that be so, it may be possible to inform readers of The Garden as to the percentage of novelties of the two preceding seasons which have best borne out all the commendations of their raisers. I do not make these queries in a captious spirit, but feel curious to know what percentage of new Roses really turn out to have superb merits. — A. D. *,* " A. D." will find information as regards " New Roses " on page 108 of the present number. —Ed. Roses in Scotland. — The season of 1888-9 will long be remembered in northern counties for the abundance of flowers on hardy plants, and Roses especially have flowered very freely. Hybrid Per- petuals have opened their buds freely, and at the present time (end of January) many buds formed and half open may be seen. Gloire de Dijon may be considered as one of the most serviceable Roses known for northern gardens especially. In most seasons there are numbers of late blooms, but this season flowers of Gloire de Dijon have been very common outdoors, and the dwarf plants have flowered more freely than standards, or even those on walls. For archways this fine kind is verj' suit- able, as by removing yearly a few old shoots and training young growths in their place, the vigour of the plant is maintained. When archways are not wanted too high, they are very useful when furnished with vigorous Hybrid Perpetuals. These can be formed partly by spurring in the previous year's growths and allowing a number of young ones of the current season to remain. How the plants fail on archways is generally by allowing the roots to suffer from want of wholesome nourish- ment, or by cutting the young shoots too hard. An archway to have a good effect should stand singly, so that the individual Rose may hang down- wards and show its beauty. When the plants are entirely spread over the top of a wire screen and become a dense mass, the flowers get smothered and are not seen from below. Arcades of Roses seldom give satisfaction, because their beauty is hidden by the plants forming a canopy overhead. Single rods of galvanised iron or wood allow the growths to droop downwards and hang in graceful masses. Ordinary climbing Roses of robust growth often defeat the object by their being crowded, so that they cannot develop themselves. — M. T. Gardening in Sweden.— Prof. L. H. Bailey recently contributed to the American Garden some " Rural Notes from Scandinavia," from which we extract the following passages: "In ornamental gardening the traveller finds much to admire, par- ticularly in Sweden. There is not that richness of finish and variety of plants which one sees in Eng- land, but there is usually a most excellent and tasteful use of materials. The Slots Park at Christiania is an admirable example of the adapta- tion of common plants to ornamental gardening of a high character. The greater part of the plant- ings are Birches and Elms, trees which everywhere clothe the adjacent hill-sides. Perhaps the very contrast of this simple park with the ornate and burdened ones of England and other parts of Europe may heighten its charms in tiie mind of the traveller. Yet one nmst feel that the absence of effort and artifice and the repose which conves from the very simplicity of its design and details give this park an intrinsic merit. Parks arc usually burdened with accessories, mere display, a feature of gardening — if gardening it can be called — which is supported and often demanded by the popular desire for show and curiosities. One extreme in this direction now holds rule in America — the craze for carpet bedding, which is so generally and so unfortunately denominated landscape gardening. It is said that American carjiet bedding ' beats the world,' and my own observation thus far sustains the boast, much to the credit of other countries." COLD FRAMES. The uses of ordinary frames are so many, that only those accustomed to raise something of everything, or to utilise them for the wintering of plants ordi- narily kept in houses, can tell how varied are the pur- poses to which they may be put. Frames are of diverse forms, from the ordinary movable frame of wood to one of a substantial erection of brick. Many useful structures are composed of turf alone with a rough framework of wood laid over the top of the turf walls and secured to them. Some have frames of concrete, the walls of which, unless well faced, usually offer many crevices into which insects can winter or breed. Still a thick coat- ing of hot lime white will help materially to remedy that evil. Frames of rough slabs of wood are useful enough for hardy things, especi- ally if the joints be protected on the outside by leaves or litter. Perhaps the most useful of all forms is a frame of stout wood well put to- gether and removable to any place or position. 'These, however, if enduring, are, all the same, rather costly. Makeshift frames are usually formed of cheap materials because not required permanently, yet such things often present valuable aids to gar- deners in many ways. The market grower seems to prefer very low brick frames, the backs perhaps about 15 inches and the fronts about 6 inches from the ground. In these, the soil being always nearly close to the glass, large quantities of seeds are raised, such as early Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Celery, Brussels Sprouts, Wallflowers, various flowers of useful kinds, such as Stocks, Pansies, &c., the raising in frames facilitating germination as well as early growth. Cauhflowerssownin November will give strongplants to put out early in April, or Lettuces sown at the same time, or perhaps in October, will produce a quantity of plants for planting out early in the season. In the case of Lettuces raised from September sowings, the plants will ere now be thinned and dibbled out into other frames, and thus go out about the end of March exceptionally strong. Cold frames are useful for the raising of successional crops of early Potatoes, and very often a crop of breakfast Radishes may be pulled before the Potato tops are through. Early Horn Carrots may be got from frames through an early sowing. Parsley may be sown and raised early, and be ready for dibbling out into the open ground some time before the plants in the open ground have put on the rough leaves. Mustard and Cress, as also Radishes, may be raised in succession. Flower seeds, especially tender annuals, such as Stocks, Asters, Balsams, &c., are better raised in a cold frame than any- where else. Dahlia roots placed in the soil will break strong, and may be neatly divided before be- ing planted out. Marrow seeds sown in cold frames soon germinate, and if the seeds be sown in pots are thus readily transplanted to the open soil. Tender forms of Auriculas, Carnations, Picotee.s, &c., are all the safer if wintered in a cold frame, and cut- down Chrj'santhemums are best if stood thickly in a frame under glass until the needful stock of cuttings has lieen secured. Double Violets are far better wintered in a frame than exposed to frosts and heavy rains; in fact, the uses to which cold frames of every form and st3'le can be yiul in a garden are illimitable. A frame should during the winter never be empty. Its uses are then of the most important kind, and will increa.se in value as the spring advances. It is doubtful whether a cold frame should be idle at any time, for with a north aspect it is during hot weather the best [jossilile position for Chinese Primroses, Cinerarias, Cycla- mens, &c. Even if no other use is found durimr hot wetither, the frame may hold a Cucumber plant for the production of summer fruits. Amateur gardeners who have largely to depend upon cold frames for plant production, learn fully to under- stand their value in the garden economy. A. D. THE GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND. A LARGELY attended meeting of the committee took place at the Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi, on the 25th of January, Mr. George Deal in the chair. From the financial report made by the secretary, it would appear there is a balance of £391 12s. 7d. in favour of the fundat the bank, and contribution boxes and collecting cards are answering well, as Mr. J. Hughes sent from Birmingham £7 6s. lOd. taken from thirty boxes placed in different parts of the town. Mr. W. H. Divers sent £2 7s. 8d. from a box at Ketton Hall Gardens, obtained from visitors, and Mr. Rose, of Lockinge Gardens, sent 5 guineas, the proceeds of a concert given at Wantage on behalf of the fund. Mr. Fulbrook, Streatham Hill, sent £1 8s. 6d. ; Mr. Crawford, Coddington Hall, £1 12s., both sums collected by means of cards. A special donation of 5 guineas from Mr. A. K. Barron was announced, and one of £5 from Mr. Macmillan, the publisher. A further statement showed that during the first half of the present financial year which closed on December 31, the sum of £549 3s. 6d. had been received, which is decidedly in excess of that obtained during the corresponding period last year, while the expenses for the same period are rela- tively less. A further sum of £10 9s. lOd. was also announced from local secretaries. It was reported that entertainments in aid of the fund are increas- ing. Mr. Harris, manager to Miss Grace Hawthorne, lessee of the Princess's Theatre, will allow a dis- count of 50 per cent, upon all tickets sold by the members of the fund for admission to the per- formances on February 6, 7, 8, and 9, and these can be had from any members of the committee and secretary. It is"gratifying to know this came as an unsolicited offer. Miss Swanborough is also pur- posing to give a theatrical entertainment for the same purpose. Other offers of local entertainments were also announced. The committee wisely came to the conclusion that in no instance could they undertake to make up any deficiency arising from one of these entertainments. A petition to the City Companies, praying for a grant to the fund, has been approved and signed by the president. Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bart., M.P. It was also resolved to hold another floral fete in the WTiolesale Flower Market on behalf of the fund, and a memorial will be sent to the Duke of Bedford requesting that his permission may be granted. By way of showing how local horticultural societies can help the fund, it was stated that the Croydon Horticultural Society will hold their summer show on July 3, and a Rose fair and sale of Roses will take place for the benefit of the fund. Mr. Peter Barrhas, we learn, taken a nursery at Surbiton, where he proposes to grow the choicest hardy flowers. We heartily wish him every success. Sex of Skimmias.— With reference to the correspondence under the above heading, allow me to say that many years ago I planted a S. oblata in my garden at Nant-y-glyn, C'olwyn B.ay. This was a "female plant and never fruited, till after a few years (having seen it stated in Van Houtte's cata- logue that S. fragrans was the male plant) I planted one of the latter alongside of it, having bought it under the name of S. fragrans. This was a nude plant, and since it was planted S. oblat.-i has borne nearly every year fine crops of siarlet licrries, from which 1 have raised seedlings of both .se.xes. I have never had the slightest doulit of these two plants lieing nuTcly the two sexes of S. oblata, and thought that tliis hae))s the (ilants dwarf, and stiumlates the further iiroduction of plenty of young clean slioots. Cuttings of strong shoots, about 15 inches long, planted firmly in the ground, about two-thirds of their length, will soon nuike good pl.'uits, E. Planting trees on mounds. — It is somewhat reiniiik.iblc lli,-\t cNcn practical men of ex]ierience advocate tlu' planting of trees uii mounds, I main- tain that it is altogether unnecessary as far as success in planting is eoncerneil, altliough it may with advantage be carried out on a nuxlilied scaler on naturally wet, stiff, clay soils. On dry, light soils, mounds, especially abriqit, high ones, are wholly unnecessary and detrimental r.ather than othervvi.'ie by encouraging tin; ev.'ipor.-ition of mois- ture from (he roots, which, prob.'ilily, during an extremely dry, burning summer, woulil sulTer so much from drought that the trees would die out- right. There is no better plan of planting orna- mental trees and shrubs than turning the soil and subsoil to a depth of at least from 18 inches to 24 inches, and a yard or two more in diameter than is required for the roots when planting, clearing out stones, roots, or very bad subsoil, and replacing them by fresh soil or turf, well chopped up and stirred in with the original soil. On stiff clayey lands inclined to be wet, the trees should be planted on the surface, the roots covered with fresh soil, so that a slightly raised mound may be formed over the roots, and outside or beyond the latter, not less than a yard or so. The method of surface-dressing trees every few years with turf, leaf- mould, or other enriching material and gradually forming easy mounds is preferable to planting on mounds at the outset. — F. PLANTING WATER MARGINS. Trees and bushes .are indispensable embellish- ments to water. They are important for concealing its real extent, besides producing light and shade. In planting near water, however, we must not interrupt the best and most lengthened view of it, as seen from the house and the principal parts of the park; neither must we entirely shut out from view the whole of the ends or boundaries of the outward prominences, or some of those parts which project into the water. At the same time caution must be used not only to prevent the eye from catching the various bends of the outline of water from any one point of. view, but also to afford variety in the grouping of the trees and shrubs; indeed, the wliole plantin,g must be so effected as to leave the extent of the water undetected, and even unimagined, from any one position. The following may be named as suitable for planting in the neighbourhood of water. The Alder, kept low by occasional cuttin,?, makes a fine fringe, and forms a stron,? barrier for the margins of lakes where the current is liable to wash away the banks. The common Whitethorn, Bramble, Hedge Hose, Red Dogwood, Honeysuckle, and Blackthorn are also very useful for planting by the- sides of lakes, &c. Trees best adapted for positions nearest the water, where the ground is liable to be moist, must consi.st of the common Alder, various kinds of Willow (including the Weeping and Rose- mary - leaved forms). Alnus cordifolia. Norway Spruce, deciduous Cypress, and Hemlock Spruce. Such trees are also suitable for the islands; but in order that the roots may not lodge too mucli in the %vater, the parts of the island to be planted should be raised irregularly, or in a natural manner, with stones, root.s. sods, &c., mixed with suitable soil, and a few feet higher than the level of the water.- The five last-named kinds of trees are most apiuo- priate for beautifying water in well-kept grounds. Amongst the larger trees employed, not exactly for fringing the margin, but at a moderate distance from the water, the Wych Elm is the most eleg.ant, ■and should always be pl.'inted in extensive places, its elegant massive twigs and pendent branches entitling it, above ;ill other large trees, to this dis- tinction. Nevertheless, the English Elm, Einic, Beech, Weeping Birch, and Larch would be appro- priate. Every kind of Po])lar should be excluded,, except, indeed, the Lombardy. of which two or three may be planted so as to rise out of the midst of m.a.sscs of other trees. In planting, room should be allowed for walking near the water's edge, sometimes close to it, and at other times with a bush or group of shrubs intervening. W. "The Garden" Monthly Parts.— rAis jounm! i» pvbft-^/itil in iiiiilhi bi'inul Monthly Purls, /n this form th« colouixd jilutcs are Oisl prcstfiril, and it is most suitable far rff'rmiee previous to thf issue of the half-ynxrlt/ volumti. Price Is. 6d. ; post fret, 1». 'M, " Farm and Home " STonthly Farts. — This journal is pul'lishtil in niotly Imnnd Monthtit Ports, in ir/nVA form it is most suitalrtrfor rifornre prtrions to the issue of the yearli/ rolums. Prirc Inl. : post fne, 7d, *' Hardy Flov6TB."—0iving descriptions of upwards of thirticn hundred of tfit most ornamental Sfieeies, with directions for their arranfjnnrnt, culture, d:c. Fourth and Pojfular Edition, U.; post free, \s. 3d. I/mdon; 87, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C. THE GARDEN. Ill No. 899. SATURDAY, Feb. 9,1889. Vol. XXXV. " This Is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but The Art itself is Nature. "—SAaJ-esjjearc. GRAFTING. As the nurserymen are those most interested in the question raised, it devolves upon them to defend a position that is certainlj' not quite im- preunable. From the remarks jou quote, it is quite evident that you do not agree that grafting is an "art which doth mend Nature," and I am sure many jJanters could tell us of the numerous disappointments it has caused them if they would kindly do so. In the first place, grafting is unnatural ; it is, moreover, an awkward makeshift wliich should be employed only wlaen all other methods of propagation fail. Writing some ten or twelve years ago, I pointed out that grafting was tolerated, because we had not as yet learned the art of raising seedling fruit trees suitable for our variable soils and climate. It seems now pretty fully proven that "own-root Roses" are the best, and some of us would like to try own-root fruit trees, such as Apples, Pears, and Plums. Only the other day I read with surprise the statement of a nurseryman that he worked or grafted the common Bullace, a plant wild in many of our hedgerows, and readily raised from seeds (stones) by the thousand if necessary, and supposing any particular variety desirable, surely an old stump " hillock-layered " would give rooted suckers by the dozen. All own- root fruit trees are readily increa-sed by pollarding near the ground and covering up the young shoots with earth. As an instance of grafting flowering shrubs, I may say that years ago, seeing a plant of Prunus triloba (Amygdalopsis Lindleyana) in flower at Kew, I resolved to have the plant in my garden, and wrote for two dwarf plants. They came from the nursery on stems 5 feet high, looking like two demoralised mops, and when I com- plained I was told dwarf plants were "not in stock." The heads in botli cases died away the first year, and several similar failures took place until I at last obtained a dwarf plant, and by plunging it deeply in the soil and barking its shoots here and there before covering them uj), I at last have it growing well on its own roots. Apart from the dii-ect evils of grafting, there is the question of the enormous indirect in- fluence it has exerted against the raising of fruit trees from seeds. Of course I know that many of the seedlings would be wortldes?, but, on the other hand, gi'afting does not enable us to make any real advance on existing varieties; indeed, as often happens, it actually fails to enable us to hold our own. Even suii])Oting that grafting was all that the trade believe it to be, there is no reason why we should trust entirely to its aid for the replenishing of the orchard and fruit garden. Granted that some Pears when grafted on the Quince do better on some soils than when grafted on the Pear stock, we are yet left in uncertainty as to whether the Pear itself would not be better and more fertile on its own roots. The mere knack of setting one plant to do part of another plant's business is absurd on the face of it, unless the points to be gained are indisputable, which in the case of grafted fruit trees is by no means the case at the present time. Enhanced fertility, or rather precocity, may be in certain cases induced by grafting on dwarfing stocks, Ijut we have to pay the penalty by a shortened period of life and a much restricted area of fruition. In the long run, the best way of obtaining plants most suit- able for any particular soil or climate will be to rear seedlings of the best varieties already suc- cessful there, or from varieties which succeed in a worse soil and in a more severe or ungenial clime. Even the a b c of grafting ia very often mis- understood, the common idea of working a weakly scion on to a vigorous growing stock being idtogether wrong, and the reverse of this is by far the better plan. Nothing rejuvenates an old, decrepit fruit tree so quickly as grafting a few scions from a strong growing variety on to the extremities of its branches, as these act like the valves of a pump, and by exciting root action benefit the decaying tree. But although this is true, the upholders of grafting must not take it as an example on their side, because ten to one the reason that the tree was decrepit arose from its being originally a grafted one, and instead of renovating it by " a hair of the dog that had bitten it," &c. , the better plan would have been to grub it up and plant a tree or two of the same sort elsewhere on their own ro(5ts. That grafting is a convenient way of getting up a stock in a nursery or garden is admitted, but no one who really knows its effects and results can be so bold, I imagine, as to assert that graft- ing is the best way. — Scion. In The Garden, Jan. 26 (p. 74), you in- vite your readers to give their opinions on the sub- ject. I agree with the writer, and consider his assertions correct. Graftingis an impediment, and although at first a useful discovery, it is at present only suitable for nurserymen to propagate quickly. But now that it is generally admitted that all trees on their own roots are preferable, why should the nurserymen in all countries not follow the ex- ample of the Americans, who propagate their fruit trees by grafting on small pieces of roots, the con- sequence being that the graft after a short time throws out its own roots. I received per sample post from Pennsylvania in March last a parcel of twelve Apple trees grafted on roots. I potted them and put them in my greenhouse and they were grow- ing in April. By the end of October I shook them out, the grafts having their own roots. I took off the small pieces of roots on which the trees had been grafted and put the plants into larger pots until I could plant them out. They are now about 1 foot high. Besides, everyone must admit that all trees on their own roots maintain their natural form and beauty, which is not the case with grafted ones. — Jean Sisley, MmiplaUir, Lyons. I think that the correspondent whose ar- ticle you quoted has not given grafting a fair trial. How can he expect it to succeed when he does not carry out in its entirety everything connected with it? Why did he allow the shoots of the stock to come up around the graft \ A\Tiy did he not rub them off ; Indeed, he admits neglect, for he says that a Plum orchard left to itself will become one forest of shoots of some common stock. The fault, I maintain, rests with him in not carrying out in its entirety everything connected with grafting. Whether grafting be as necessary in the case of trees and shrubs as it is in the case of fruit trees, I hope to learn in future issues of The Garden. — II. Gielixg. *,* Mr. Girling forgets that people who plant on a large scale have something to do besides removing suckers from many plants and hardy trees, which should be as little in need of such attention as an Oak tree. Even those who plant Rhododendrons on a large scale have no wish to be troubled with a host of suckers — veiy difficult to deal with when the bushes get large.— Ed. Most of your readers will, I imagine, be inclined to sympathise with the writer whom you recently quoted, even if they are not quite pre- pared to accept his dictum that " it fgrafting) will be no great loss if it is .abolished altogether," The evils of .f^rafting arc everywhere apparent, there be- ing few gardens free from large crops of suckers of stocks far more vigorous than the scions which they rob, and rooting out such suckers only aggravates the difficulty. This is only one form of evil aris- ing from grafting, budding, &c. ; others are plentiful if less noticeable. Your query embraces a very wide sphere, and the number of replies, bearing on fruit trees, that may be depended on is unfortunately sure to be small, for no one could speak with authority and from practical experience, unless the trees, grafted or otherwise, have been under his immediate supervision for at least twenty years. Few, I suspect, have had a fairly wide experience with unworked trees for such a length of time, and the well-doing of two or three trees could not be accepted as conclusive evidence in favour of such a drastic measure as the abolition of grafting. It is a pity that some enterprising nurseryman does not come forward with an offer to supply clean-rooted cuttings of our best fruits, so that all who wish to try them could do so ; the next generation, at least, could then solve the problem. Something could be done at home by raising trees from burred branches, as recommended for Apples by "J. G. H." (p. 48), or even by striking small cuttings, but a thoroughly fair trial would demand a start with clean stock. If the demand for own-root trees was made, the trade would scarcely stand in its own light sufficiently to refuse the supply, especially if buyers were determined to get what they wanted. Progress would be slow for a time, but once the first batch was ready the rest would be easy, and the future of the departure from the orthodox method of production would be governed by results. Grafting has the strong point of usage in its favour, and if this system of pro- duction is to be broken down, it must be in con- sequence of the merits of trees on their own roots. Home grafting, unless special efforts are made, is apt, from scarcity or poorness of stocks and un- skilled workmanship, to be the worst of its kind, and would scarcely count in any discussion. The influence of stock on scion may be used to advantage in cases where a weakly, but otherwise good variety of fruit tree or other plant could scarcely be expected to do well on its own roots in certain soils and situations, but which succeeds well on another stock. Grapes often show this in- fluence in a marked degi'ce, and many other in- stances might be given where, in the case of delicate plants, grafting would seem to help us towards the desired end; but whether it is of general utility, or whether we could not do as well without such weakly things, is an open question. Undoubtedly grafting in its various forms has been abused and overdone as an illegitimate means of quick produc- tion, which has led in many cases to disaster. — John C. Tallack, Livermere. Brodisea Leichtlini is now very bright. It seems to be .a very scarce bulb, and although not particularly showy, it is worth growing on account of its early flowering, which usually takes place about the end of January. The flowers are as large as a shilling, white, with a permanent brownish line down the centre of each division, and have bright orange anthers. The flower-stalks are short, rising from the midst of a bunch of bright green leaves. Brockworth. Park Pear in flower. — When in Ledbury to-dny, Feb. 4, Mr, G, Piper, the well- known poniologist, invited me to examine two standard Pears growing in his garden. Every flower-bud bad pushed, a few blooms being open, and liad we not experienced a most decided change on the 2nd, the trees would have been in full flower by St. Valentine's Day, if not earlier. The variety is Brockworth Park, and the two trees stand side by side quite out in the open. This year's crop cer- tainly is lost, as I could not detect a dormant bud, and how trees, which have gone so completely wrong, will succeed in righting themselves is a matter for future observation. In the .=ame garden I noticed a remarkably fine standard Jargonelle, which together willi other varieties showed no sign of (;ctting out of order. The aee of this tree may be 1 50 years or more, as Mr. Piper told me it was 112 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889. as large sixty years ago as it is to-day. It bears freely whenever Pears in the locality are not a com- plete failure. The fruit Is of medium size, clean, bright, and all that can be desired in point of flavour. This makes the third standard tree which has been unearthed, and many more I have no doubt will be found by contributors to the pages of The Garden.— W. C. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. In reply to your correspondents on page 68, and partly to prevent misunderstanding, I beg to say that I did not infer, when writing of Mr. Findlay, that the secretary of the Manchester Botanic Society is an autocrat, but I did mean and do say that he and his council have shown a most praiseworthy and excellent example to all similar councils and societies. As far as regards Mr. Findlay's remarks on honorary secretaries, I have little doubt he is correct in principle, but most rules have exceptions which serve to accentuate their general correctness. As far as regards the Royal Horticultural Society, it at present possesses in the Rev. W, Wilks an admirable honorary secre- tary, and I can honestly say I never received any- thing but support from "him whenever I suggested anything which I considered would be advantageous for the society's welfare ; nor are his ideas warped by narrow considerations of finance or based on what I certainly would call " penny- wise-and-pound- foolish principles." Mr. Wilson has called attention to the number of Fellows he introduced " while he was justified in doing so." I ^can confirm Mr. Wilson's statement, and, moreover, am confident that, in allowing him to retire from the council, the society will suffer a loss the extent of which will only be fully appre- ciated at the end of the current year. In reply to "W. C," I deny absolutely and in toto that I am " Kensingtonian to the backbone," or even to the very smallest extent. I never believed in South Kensington, and knew it to be too far west for the convenience of most persons wishing to attend the society's meetings. I resigned my Fellowship partly for that reason in 1875. For similar reasons, inconvenience and unsuitability of locality, I disapprove of Chiswick for the fortnightly meetings. Surely " W. C." can hardly expect busy City men to go down to Chiswick, and fashion has long since deserted it ! " W. C." is entitled, as everyone is, to an opinion as to who are the best " whips " for the society's coach, but he naturally looks at the question with the bias of one belonging to the same business and having the same interests as the gentleman he refers to. I cannot say that the list " W. C." gives of the proposed flower work at Chiswick in 1889 is, to me, very imposing. Could not an attempt have been made to grow Roses in this year of the con- ference, and are Lilies quite unknown to the Chiswick management ? As regards another matter which affects the interest of the Fellows, there are at present supposed to be six vacancies on the council. This information was comparatively recently sent to the garden press ; but why was not the fact also then made known that by new Bye- law No. 82, unless on or before the 10th January there were nominated by the Fellows other fit per- sons for these vacant seats on the council, such nominations or suggestions would after that date be practically valueless? The effect of such want of knowledge by the Fellows is that the council again have nominated persons to fill the vacancies, and if tlie council liad nominated no successors, by Bye-law No. 89, the present holders of office could have remained in office till the next annual meeting in 1890. Where certain things happen to be every- body's business, they generally result in being no- body's business, and to that happy condition of affairs may be attributed wliat appears to be very grave neglect in regard to the rights of the Fellows. ° In regard to these new nominations to the council, the remarks on p. ,5-47 in the number for December 1.5 seem to have been lost on those wlm arrange such matters at the Rnval Horticvdtural Society. There is an old French proverb, Vajjpetit vient en mangeani, and the " traders " seem to have gained such confidence by success, that for the six vacancies three nominations have been arranged for representatives of the gardening and nursery trade interest; one gentleman (and a first-rate nomination this is) will represent the Covent Garden interest, and the remaining two are of country gentlemen ; at this rate of progress it will not take long for the Royal Horticultural Society to become, not almost, but entirely a trade society. Charles J. Grahame. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Flowers from Cork.— I send a gathering of flowers from the open air and two blooms of Ard-Righ Daffodils and some blooms of Christmas Rose (River- ston) from a houpe. Narcissus cyclamineus and N. minimus are beautiful on rockwork. The Christmas Roses are from seeds sown in 1887.— W. B. H., Temple Hill. Hyacinths flowering in London.— In proof of the unusual mildness of the past month, it may interest some of your readers to know that I have had Roman Hyacinths in full blossom for the last ten days. These I planted in the middle of September in a window box facing due east and they have not been in any way protected.— Cecu.ia Yorke, 103, Eaton Place. Early Primroses.- On Feb. 5 we received a bright variety of coloured English Primroses from Mr. G. F. Wilson, Weybridge. These varieties of our lovely native Primrose are at last beginning to take their due place in our gardens. Mr. Wilson has a simple and excellent way of having them on his table in the winter, and it will be found de- scribed in The Garden of Jan. 12, 1889 (p. 27). Osmanthua ilicifolius. — I saw a large plant of this in the grounds at Bradford Peverel, Dorset- shire. It was a bush many feet through and covered with berries. It was not placed in a fav- ourable position, or no doubt it would have given a better effect. Such useful shrubs as this and its varieties should be more planted, being far more valuable than many things equally as expensive and not half so useful.— J. C. F. Vegetables and the frost.— The last wet sun- less summer is showing its effects on green vege- tables already. I saw recently in the gardens at Elvetham, Hampshire, a large patch of green curled Borecole, or Scotch Kale, destroyed by the frost- in fact, killed to the ground, and many of the Broc- coli had suffered severely. I have seen in other gardens large ' patches of old Cabbage stumps almost killed. It is to be hoped th.at severe weather will not now come, or I fear there will be few green vegetables in spring, judging from the effect of the recent frost. — J. C. F. A note from the Riviera. — Mr. E. H. Woodall, writing from Nice, Jan. 25, says: "One or two days have been warm enough to enjoy picnicing in a lovely little bay near here where the ground under the green Aleppo Pines is pink with the lovely Erica mediterranea. 1 am delighted to see how much better Carnations are grown now-a-days, that charming Enfant de Nice, with its delicate rose flush on tlie white petal, and AUgatifere being most grown of all. This coast has lost almost all the charm it once had for me ; no country is now to be found; all is villa and nursery gardens or flower farms, and boulevards and new roads or quarries have destroyed most of one's favourite old haunts." Royal Horticultural Society. — If the weather should be mild it is anticipated that the next meeting of the Koyal Horticultural Society, on Tuesday, February i2, will be an interesting one, as a l.'irgc number of Fellows are expected to be in London to attend tlie annual meeting, and several persons lioth amateurs and imrserynien, have already signified their intention of sending exhibits. The fruit .and floral committees will meet in the Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Street, at 11 a.m., after which the hall will be open to all Fellows at 12, at which hour also the scientific committee will meet. At ;H ii.m. the annual meet- ing will be held in the library at 117, ^■ictoria Street, when the council will present their report for the past year, together with the balance sheet and revenue account of the society. The Fellows will then proceed to ballot for members of council and officers for the year 1889-90, and also to elect new Fellows. Any persons wishing to join the society should send in their names to the hon. sec, 117, Victoria Street, S.W., on or before Mon- day, February 11. Choisya ternata. — This beautiful white- flowering shrub appears to be quite at home at Bournemouth judging from a large bush I observed in a villa garden on the East CUff. This bush was from 4 feet to 5 feet high and almost as much through. I was told it was planted there about four years ago. Although the plant is not hardy in many places, it is a useful cold greenhouse shrub either for forcing or otherwise. Mr. Roberts, of Gurmersbury, used to use it with good effect in the spring mixed with other plants. — J. C. F. The Crete Dittany (Origanum Diotamnus) is a very useful plant for a cold house or cor- ridor. Although when in flower it is very curious and highly ornamental, it is at all times interesting, and just now, as the flower-stems are breaking away from the hoary, green and white-flaked oval leaves, it is particularly so. It may be grown easily in pots in sandy loam, with small pieces of sandstone round the neck to keep the branches from the soil. It stands out in the south, but we are afraid it would suffer in severe winters north of the Tweed. Snowdrops in flower. — It is always difficult to make selections of such groups as the Snowdrop, but for our own part we would begin with the Imperati group, which includes all the fine forms raised at Dunrobin Castle and which are known as Melvillei varieties. They are truly handsome forms, easier if anything to manage than G. Elwesi, G. globosus, or the curious forms of G. nivalis, such as virescens, lutescens, &c. G. poculiformis is a truly wonderful ^variety, and, we are glad to say, easily managed ; the inner segments, instead of taking the usual form of a tube or cup, are in this case produced to about the same length as the outer ones, making a nearly formal flower. It is not so plentiful as the others, but should be sought after. Barr's b\Ub grounds at Tooting are now very gay with spring flowers, the Crocus in parti- cular, of which a large number of species are grown. Amongst the most noticeable was E. reticulatus, a charming purple-striped species. C. Imperati, of course, was in great beauty, and C. chrysanthus, as well as the. varieties fusco-tinctus and fusco-line- atus. Perhaps the prettiest of all, however, was the well-kno%vn C. susianus, with its curious rctlex- irig habit, showing its richness in colour. A large break of Chionodoxa, Scilla bifolia, and Snowdrops was also very interesting, showing how much earlier foreign-ripened bulbs are to those grown in this country. A few Daffodils nearly allied to pallidus pra^cox were truly welcome. Late white Chrysanthemums. — Mrs. Charles Carey is a grand late bloomer. Early in February 1 saw a lot of this kind at Didlington Hall. The plants were grown in bush form, and judging from their appearance, there will be a supply of flowers well into March. These plants consisted of from six to twelve shoots, each bearing from three to four flowers. Another good kind is Princess Blanche, a late Japanese variety with |)ure white flowers. White Ceres is also a good lati' kind, and was well grown at Leiulesfearn, Bourncmoutli. I noticed, in addition to these, the following kinds: Dr. Masters, Golden Gem, Duchess of Albany, and Mrs. C. Carey. There was a large batch of these in a cold vinery. Hero of Stoke Newington appears lo be very late this .season. A batch of it was fine early in the year at Didlington H.all, Norfolk. I notici'er m the Himalayas, where the tree attains it forms immense forests at elevations of 10,000 ' ^^ feet to 90 feet m height and 5 feet to G feet feet to 12,000 feet. It persists in making an i tnrougu. i? of great economic value, being early growth in this country ; consequently, the ^ ^l*?' straight-gi-amed, and full of turpentine, young shoots, when an inch or more in length, '■'''^™ makes it very durable. The cones, too, are are liable to be cut oil by spring frosts. The : very valuable, yielding in a young state a most old wood, nevertheless, appears to be jjerfectly beautiful purple dye. As these qualities are hardy, trees at Eastnor having withstood 34° of , never likely to be of any use to us, planters in frost in 1860-Gl. Such being the fact, it is much to be regretted that it cannot be recommended for general planting in flat inland districts, and yet so stately a tree certainly should have a chance in aU maritime counties, especially in the south and west of England, as well aa in Ireland, where Pinus insignis grows so freely ; indeed, wherever this remarkable Pine succeeds, Picea, I sup- pose I ought to say Abies, Webbiaua should have a fair trial. The tree from which the annexed cone (considerably reduced in size) was taken is planted at an elevation of 380 feet above sea level, and, exclusive of the shelter .afforded by other Conifers, it is fully exposed to the north and east winds. The soU, a heavy calcareous loam, resting on shattered limestone, is cold and late, and it is to this, or rather to these re- tarding influences that I attribute our success, as the young growths have never once been caught by late spring frosts. The cones of aU kinds of Conifers, *eDm.ana, worked ground. Purchase only strong plants of tlie true the respective varieties, and these should be for an Cone of Pice.T, Webbiana. Engraved for The Garden from specimen grown at Eastnor Castle. ordinary garden the beautiful, rampant-growing Emerald Gem, or Green, as some call it, the better known canariensis, the large-leaved E.'cgneriana, and atro-purpurea, which in the winter has a very richly polished purple foliage. Marginata grandis is a good variegated variety, and madeirensis varie- gata is eclipsed by none if the soil is fairly light and the position not too exposed or cold; but it for a small garden it is better to keep to the strong- growing green types than the too frequently weak silvery Ivies. When the ground is prepared, plant, and this must be done thoroughly, not in the care- less manner that some seem to think suits the Ivy, but which it assuredly resents in a poor growth. It is better not to train the shoots at once, but rather peg them down in the soil in two or three places if they are long and straggling, so as to en- sure a plant of bushy, even growth. The young vigorous shoots that come from these peggcd-down joints cling quickly and tightly to the walls, and soon make an even covering. If it is found that a particular variety makes a weakly start, it is better to cut the stems to the ground and let stronger growth shoot up to take its place. — E. C. to be and those of a bad form of P. much hardier than those of STAG'S-HOEN SUMACH. (EHUS TYPHINA.) Though leafless during the winter, the Stag's-horn Sumach is by no means devoid of interest at that season, as a striking feature is furnished by the large rusty-looking masses of inflorescence with which many of the shoots are terminated. The rugged aspect of a specimen, when not more than 10 feet high, is also most marked. It forms also a highly ornamental shrub during the summer months, be- ing usually seen with a clear stem and a head of branches few in number, but furnished with large pinnate leaves that give to it quite a sub-tropical appearance. It flowers during the summer months, and is then very attractive, for the blossoms are borne in the shape of dense velvety-like spikes of a crimson colour, and being produced from the points of the shoots, they stand out very conspicuously above the noble pinnate foliage. Besides its orna- mental qualities, the bark of this Sumach is em- ployed in America for tanning. It has the ad- vantage of growing fairly well even on hot, sandy soils, and the bright tints which the leaves assume in autumn cause it then to stand out conspicuou.sly. Another species of Rhus is R. glabra, which is smaller than the last-named, but still very orna- mental, especially by reason of the bright shining green of its large pinnate leaves. The cut-leaved variety of this (laciniata) attracted a large share of attention when first introduced, and a very beauti- ful foliage plant it is, the leaflets being much divided, which give to the plant a light and elegant appearance. It is seen to great advantage when about a yard high and confined to a single stem, when it rivals any of the tropical fine-foli.iged plants. The Venetian Sumach (Rhus Cotinus) is a very old inhabitant of our gardens, but it still stands out as one of the most remarkable shrubs we have, and is especially v.aluable from the fact that its most attractive stage, viz., when in flower, occurs about the month of August, at which time there are few other shrubs in bloom. The inflorescence is in the shape of dense wig-like masses, which surmount the entire plant, so that, viewed from a little distance (especially if lit up by the mvs of the declining sun), the specimen appears to be en- veloped in a cloud of red. The leaves die off a very rich reddish yellow colour, and in another species (R. venenata, the Poison Sumach of the United States) they acquire a brilliant scarlet tint. This species is, however, in common with another North American kind (R. Toxicodendron), far ton poisonous to be recommended for ornamental plant- ing. The Japanese Rhus succedanca. a small- growing, pinnate-leaved species, is veri* brilliant in autumn, but I am not sure of its hardiness ; any- how it is worthy of being treated as a conservatory plant, where the bright-coloured leaves will remain on the plants for .a long time. The whole of the Sumachs can be propagated by root cuttings, which is the readiest method of increasing them, all that 114 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889 is necessary being to cut tlie roots up into lengths of from 3 inches to 5 inches and dibble them into some sandy soil, and if protected by a frame so much the better, as an excess of moisture can then be guarded against. T. A FEW OF THE LESS KXOWX CONIFERS. I THINK the charge of lack of variety often laid I o the account of planters of deciduous trees might, in many cases, be aptly applied to Conifers. True, there are establishments where the latter are to be seen in great variety, but in the majority of cases this is not the case, Wellingtonias, Arauoarias, one or two Spruces, and Lawson Cypress being largely in the ascendant. This is more to be deplored, as Wellingtoni,is are not, as a rule, good subjects for the landscape. As the planting season is at hand I may, perhaps, call attention to a few of the less known Conifers that are preferable for many sites to those above-named. (Jf the Silver Firs, Abies brachyphylla is, perhaps, one of the very best, and is, in fact, one of the coming Coni- fers. It lacks the stiffness and formality of the old Pinsapo or the newer polita, and yet forms a very shapely tree, and, given a favourable site (in our case a sheltered, low-lying spot), it grows at a great pace, its leader averaging an annual growth of more than 24 inches, whilst it is well furnished through- out. I cannot recommend the new polita so strongly as brachyphylla, as it is much slower in growth and very stiff and formal in habit. " However, it may be included in large collections, as it is a novel tree, and well merits its name of Tiger Spruce, for a thicket of young specimens would be almost as impenetrable as the well-known Wait-a-bit Thorns. Both these Firs, natives of Japan, are comparatively new to this country, and there are as yet no large specimens. The Himalayan Spruce (Abies Smithiana. or morinda) is. I consider, one of the handsomest of its class, and one of those trees that harmonise well with almost any surroundings. It is seen to great advantage on a slope, with its graceful feathery outline backed up by some large deciduous trees, and it is almost impossible when viewing it in such a position to realise its close affi- nity to such formal Spruces as nigra, pungens, and polita. Cedrus atlantica var. glauca is another tree not often met with, but it is a highly ornamental subject for the small lawn, and the silvery hue of its foliage is almost as bright as the underneath view of the Silver Firs. It is difficult to say to what dimensions this tree is likely to att.ain in Eng- land, as it was not introduced until 1843. The few specimens I have seen are of comjmratively slow growth. Sequoia sempervirens, although intro- duced about the same time as gigantea, never seems to have attained the popularity of the latter tree ; it is, however, a magnificent Conifer, and promises to rival in this country the dimensions of the largest Silver Firs. The best specimen in the grounds here was planted about l.SEiO, and is now over 80 feet high, and 12 feet in girth at 2 feet from the ground. I certainly think it might be planted more freqiiently as a specimen tree instead of gi- gantea, as it has not the stiff appearance of that variety. One of the few deciduous trees classed as a Conifer (Taxodiiim distichum) is not only an or- namental tree for the lawn, but a very useful one for decoration, its light feathery foliage being very accejitable for many purposes. It is rather tender in a young slate, a'nd is a long time in nuik- ing headway ; it is. however, with its delicate foliage quite a unique tree, .and should be included in .all good collections. E. BuitUELL. Clareviont. The cardinal Willow.— What is it? It is highly praised fortlic brilliancy of its red bark at p. 4(;, where it is stated to be specially grown at Woking for tying. Then "W. C." (p. 7<;) follows on also in its praise, but does not apjiear to have got hold of the right thing, as he states it is not so good as others for tying. For years a rerl-barked Willow lias been circulating under the name of Salix liasfonllana, of which there is a m;Ue and fema'c form, (liffering, as might be expected. from each other in vigour and colour. This is un- doubtedly S. vitellina var. rubra, and a brilliant and fine thing it is, and one of the best I know for tying purposes ; so good, in fact, that you may tie it into knots like a piece of string. However, this is not so much the point as its bright winter colour. I have lately procured a Continental variety under the name of S. Britzensis, evidently a form of S. vitellina, but brighter in colour than S. Basfordiana. The sunny skies of France may have something to do with this, and after a season's growth in this climate it may be no better than the other. How- ever, I should very much like to know what the cardinal Willow is. I have been told that it is of a brighter colour than what I grow as Basfordiana (S. V. rubra) ; if so, I should much like to possess it, and so, I am sure, would many more. My own im- pression so far is that there is only one red-barked Willow, viz., S. vitellina rubra, and that the cardinal Willow is merely a newlj- invented popular name for it. — T. Smith, Nerery. PL.VNTING TREES AND SHRUBS. That was excellent advice the late George Glenny gave gardeners when he advised them in the act of planting not to dig holes below the good soil on a clayey subsoil, for such holes only become recep- tacles for water, and he added to this the caution never to turn shrubs or plants of any description out of pots into the open border without previously breaking the ball of earth and roots and separating them somewhat and spreading them out in a natural position. As a great deal of planting is going on now, these .are seasonable remarks, and it may be added that, as a rule, the planting of raised spots or mounds should be avoided unless in exceptional cases, such as low, damp, swampy parts. There are cases where it is necessary to raise mounds and plant them for the purpose of shutting out from view unsightly objects, &c., and then clay should form a good part of the substratum so as to assist in keeping the surface cool and moist. Some of the finest and most striking specimens of the Golden Elder I ever saw were growing on a raised mound in the county of Herts. On the other hand, stony mounds through which rain can run as through a sieve cause tho death of a great many shrubs in a time of drought, for unless in very wet seasons very little of the rain will reach the roots if the surface has become hard or the sloping sides carry it away. All mounds so far as possible should be made level on the top, and if slightly concave so much the better. It is an advantage to scoop a kind of shallow basin round newly-planted trees. In this way the rain as it falls inclines in- wards and so benefits the roots. When a tree is planted on a lawn or any other grassy site the herbage should not be allowed to grow close up to the stem, though it is often allowed to do so. This, if it might be termed a precaution, is of more importance in the case of newly-planted than that of old-established subjects. One writer has remarked that, "as a rule, the roots of a tree extend as far as the extremities of the horizontal branches, and that should be, until a tree has grown Large, the measure of the circle that is to be bared of turf and left open to the beneficial Influences of the air, rain, and sun." It is a common practice with numy who grow standard Roses in forecourt gardens to ]iile the soil up in high mounds over the roots, which are kept aw.ay from these beneficial influences, and it is not to be wondered at that the plants become sickly and die. In thi^ case of trees ■and. shrubs plantccl in unturfed soil, an under- growth of tall and rank weeds is .allowed to grow, .■ind many a young pl.antatlon has been gre.atly injured In this way, as it monopolises the nutri- ment in the soil, ]ircvents the access of rain and sun-light, and actually chokes the foli.age of the lower branches of the trees. In the case of choice and dolictite trees and shrubs, .and generally those which .arc ll.able to injury from the cold of our climate. It is not wise to select, as some do, the lowest and most .sheltered spots to plant them In. and for this reason, that In valleys and enclosures they are likely to sutVer more from frosts than they would in more elevated posi- tions and open situations. The protection required by plants that are subject to injury from climatic conditions should rather be in the direction of screening them from our bitter and cutting north- east winds in spring than in excluding them from invigorating summer breezes. One invariable result of secluding them to some extent in nooks and dales is that they are stimulated Into growth early in spring and encouraged to make a late growth in autumn, and in both cases the tender shoots are unable to resist and are injured by frosts. In more open and exposed situ.ations the growth is shorter, but then the wood of the shoots is much better ripened. R. D. Hardiness of Eucalyptus umigera.— We have recently mentioned the hardiness of this spe- cies of Eucalyptus, and our remarks on this subject are corroborated by the following note from the Lyon Ilorticole : In the year 1878 M. Tabus, a nurseryman at Ahais (Gard), sowed in a pot some seeds of Euc.alyjitus urnigera, from which he raised one seedling, which was left neglected in the pot for five years in a comer of the garden. Ih the year 1883, when he planted this seedling out in the open ground, it was only about 5 feet high. Close by it were planted, under exactly the same condi- tions, some Euonymuses and Lauiaistinuses. The latter were all cut off by the frost of last winter, and .along with them some plants of Eucalyptus globulus, E. coriacea, and E. amygd.alina: while the plant of Eucalyptus urnigera was not injured in the least. This specimen now measures nearly 18 inches in circumference at SJ feet from the ground, and it has never needed a stake to keep it straight. — Heme Jlortirole. Varieties of the Holly. —While the common Holly stands forth .as one of the finest of .all h.ardy evergreen trees, there are among the vast number of v.arieties some very distinct and beautiful forms, but perhaps the best of the green-leaved varieties are the large, bold-habited kinds, represented by such as scotica, platyphylla, alt.aclarensis, and Shepherdi. They, especially the two last, are equally as vigorous as the common Holly, and under suitable conditions will form magnificent specimens if planted singly on the lawn or in any isolated position. So treated, the leading shoot will grow rapidly, and the plant naturally assume a somewhat pyramidal shape, the lower branches in most cases resting on the ground. Other varie- ties worthy of special mention are the weeping form of the common Holly, and that in which the berries instead of the normal hue are yellow. The variety known as Donningtonensis is a free, dense-growing form with leaves of various sh.apes, some being plainly lanceolate without spines, while others are more or less furnished with prickles. This belongs r.ather to those of medium vigour, with which must also be included BessonI, whose leaves are quite spineless ; crassifolia, an extremely curious, thick- leaved form ; and ov.ata, a v.ariety with rather small, flat, ov.ate leaves, .and the spines arranged thereon in .a very regul.ar manner. A great merit possessed by all the Hollies is the fact that where space is limited they can be readily kept within the bounds allotted to them, and that without the specimens having anything of a sheared-up look, for in cutting back, all th.at Is necessiiry is to shorten the princi- pal branches to the extent required, .and the only effect of this will be to Induce a denser liabit of growth.— H. P. SHORT NOTHS— TREES AND SHRUBS. Qalax aphylla. — The leives of (ialax aphylla at tills season are remiirkably beautiful, and they are now gathered in con-iJer.ilile ijuautlties on tho niouotains of Western North Carolina and Bent north to be used in winter decoration. I'lorlsta might make good use of them in certain arraiigemonts. 'I"he leavOB range in colour from a bright gloa-iy groen to deep crimson, maroon and dark liron/.e, and are often riuhly variegated. Staking newly planted trees.— It cinnot b.' too often incuKated that tho operation of staking newly-trauBplanted tvoes which have tall stems should be carried out immoJiately after each tree is planted. For this purpose, M. Km. Rodigas recommends in the Feb. 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 115 BidlcHn d' ArhoricuUure of Glienfc the use of stakes which will be only long enongli to have about 2 feet over-ifround after they are driven home in the soil. This short stake being firmly attached to the tree permits the upper part of the stem to yield freely to the wind, while the lower part, neck, and roots of the tree are not liable to sutler any appreciable disturb- ance.—ifsi-iie HortlcnJi'. Kitchen Garden. IDEAL VEGETABLES. Of late years many have tiimetl their attention to the improvement of vegetables, the result being a considerable addition to the lists, and in some instances decided advances have been made. I cannot help thinking, however, that too mucli importance has been attached to the production of forms and varieties most pleasing to the exhibitor or the lover of sensational vegetables and too little notice taken of the re- quirements of private establishments and tliose who want the best of everything on the dining table. It is the views of the latter I wish to advocate, and venture to think I have a groat majority on my side. What may be considered ideal vegetables and which bybridisers and others should strive to obtain I will endeavour to state, taking the various kinods being long, curved, thin, and closely packed with comparatively small, green and fairly sweet Peas. Unfortunately, it is not proof against either a wet or dry season. Surely it is possible to endow this variety with a more robust habit, or else to communicate some of its good qualities to the more reliable Princess Royal. Ne Plus Ultra is undoubtedly the most popular variety in cultivation, yet it is by no means perfect. It frequently attains a height of "feet and upwards, and, all things considered, is not particularly productive. In Criterion we have a somewhat dwarfer habit, but this is suitable only for second early and successional crops, and we want a later form possessing a better constitution than Omega, the dwarf Ne Plus Ultra. Chelsea Gem is a model early variety, and numerous owners of small gai'dens would welcome later forms of much the same type. Much that has been said of Peas is also applicable to runner Beans. The new varieties of these are fairly productive and the pods are very fine, but the good old common Scarlet is yet the best for the non-exhibitor and also the market grower. A good perpetual bearing kidney Bean, or one say that would climb to a height of about 3 feet, would be welcomed by many, none of those recently introduced of a somewhat similar character giving satisfaction. With such a number of good Potatoes to select from, all ought to be able to find what they want. I am afraid a reliable disease-resisting Potato with other than tall strong haulm will not be forthcoming. Nor shall we be favoured with a disease-resisting Tomato. It ought, however, to be possible to impart good flavour to some of the smaller-fruiteil varieties of the liitter, thus rendering them fit for dessert. W. looii.iiEN. TOMATO GROWING OF THE FUTURE. WHATE^•ER may be the future of Tomato growing, the experience of 18S.S as regards its cultivation cannot but be of great service to those who intend to embark in or extend the growing of it for market. It will be remembered that many cultivators failed altogether to secure a satisfactory crop even in well-constructed houses, while very few bad any ripe fruit at all from open walls. This failure w.is clue to too mucli rain and lack of sun. Those who failed with them under glass may draw a useful lesson from ];ist season's experience, because there is no doubt that they failed in supplying the requi- site amount of heat "to keep the plants healthy, .and also at the same time gave the roots more water than w.as good for them. In every successful case that I saw last season the ])lants had been assisted by (ire-heat up to the end of June, and the roots had l)epn kept too dry. In my own case, plants grown in pots ;md placed on a stage fully cxjiosed to all the sun with an aver.age night temperature of about .').'>'' supplied ripe fruit by the end of May in .abundance, and continued to do so all the summer. But the most productive plants I met with were 116 THE GARDEI^. [Feb. 9, 1889. grown in a rather large span-roofed house, with the plants occupying the centre bed and trained to straight sticks. The staple of the border was deci- dedly poor, and as it had but little water given it, the soil at the end of the summer was dry and hard. Further observations show clearly that, except in very hot and dry summers, the crop is more reliable on gravelly or sandy soil than where the staple i.s heavy and the lower stratum of earth of the same cha- racter when they are grown against walls. Further than this, my observations during the past season lead me to believe that in average seasons, when pre- paring the soil for open-air culture, it will be better to use coarse gravel or small stones than manure to mix in the border, in the same proportion as stimu- lants would be given. The result of my experience goes to prove that a dry, warm soil is better than a rich one. And I am quite sure that when they must be planted against walls, that it will be better to substitute some open material that will increase the warmth of the border rather than to attempt to grow them in a rich staple. I do not think that Tomato culture will decline ; on the contrary, there is every indication that it will extend, at least under glass. But to be successful, the cultivator must keep up the temperature by the aid of fire-lieat, even at midsummer if it is required. If a period of dull weather should occur, fire-heat will not be so necessary if the water supply is care- fully regulated according to the weather. J. C. C. KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. Seakale. Wheee a number of roots are lifted and forced every winter, fresh plantations, as a matter of course, have to be formed each spring. Seakale is Very easily raised from seed, but this is the least satisfactory, because the slowest method of propa- gating the requisite stock. Plants may be most readily raised from root cuttings, and these by good culture can be grown to a serviceable size, or quite strong enough for lifting and forcing in one season. With this end in view, all strong young thongs or roots that are broken off when the crowns are forked out of the ground should be preserved, and many more can be cut from the old stems after they have been forced. Those that form the best cuttings are quite young roots about the size of a man's little finger, and these should be cut into 3-inch lengtlis, a piece being sliced off the smallest end, or otherwise this, the wrong end, might be inserted uppermost. It is yet too early to trust these root cuttings in the open ground, as both slugs and frosts might injure them. For the present they may be buried in sand or fine mould and kept in a cool shed, a better plan, however, being to dibble the cuttings rather thickly in boxes of good soil and set them in frames till the early part of May. By that time they will have formed roots and buds, and wlien planted out in rich soil will be well in advance of those not started into growth before they were dibbled out. Up to the present time the weather has been most favourable to open-air forcing, those crowns early covered with pots and forcing material yielding extra fine succulent growth. It is a mistake to force a second supply of shoots from established roots, unless the latter are to be destroyed, and to avoid thus weakening them tlie manure and leaves ought to be early cleared away, enougli only being left over the chimps to protect them from frosts until tliey are sufficiently lianly to dispense with this covering. The forcing material with jicrhaps a sliglit addition of fresh manure, ought to be further utilised for forwarding later supplies. As a rule, the very finest produce is olitained without the aid of ma- nure, and pots may also be di.sjjcnsud with. A portion of tlie jilants, or say a single row, ought at once to be well mounded over with either leaf soil, decayed tan, or light mould to a depth of not less than it inches, over tliis being banked a good thick- ness of garden soil obtained from between the rows. More crowns may be similarly covered a fortnight hence, and the remainder before they commence active growth. In this manner a succession will be ensured, cold winds and frosts retarding those longest exposed. Rhubaeb. This also forces rapidly at tliis season and it ought to be plentiful in most gardens. It is still necessary to cover up more roots with boxes, tubs, or other contrivances, and to surround these with a bed of leaves or leaves and manure, taking care to guard against over-heating. A screen or i-ough covering formed witli the aid of stakes and strawy- litter will materially forward Rhubarb, a difference of a fortnight being a good gain, especially when the produce is marketed. Many market growers cover the bulk of their early Rhubarb with a rough mound of strawy litter only, and this being kept loosened does not decay rapidly, as it otherwise would, and with the aid of such protection a com- paratively early supply of rather short, but profit- able stalks results. Should the weather remain open and the gi'ound in good working order, nev? Rhubarb beds may with advantage be formed rather earlier than usual or before other matters require attention. Three important points or aids to success are a good selection of varieties, abundance of solid manure, and deeply dug ground. Royal Albert, Linnjeus, and Johnstone's St. Martin are all early and of excellent colour and quality, and for the later supplies Myatt's Victoria is the best. Good roots for planting can be purchased from most seedsmen, and those who have a few strong old clumps to spare may split them up into numerous offsets, each having one or more good crowns at- tached. Rhubarb may also be easily raised from seed, this being either sown in the open ground or in heat and eventually transplanted to good, well- prepared sites. Unfortunately, seedlings cannot be depended upon to come true to name. In all cases it is advisable to plant Rhubarb as much as possible in convenient quarters outside of the garden walls, or to where the heaps of forcing material may be readily carted and not prove an eyesore. The ground ought to be double dug to a depth of 2 feet, solid manure being freely mixed with each split. If this has already been done, so much the better, as unless it has settled considerably it wiU be ne- cessary to trample it down, a loose root-run being unfavourable to a quick strong growth. The divi- sions may be put out in threes, these groups being not less than 3 feet apart, a distance of 4 feet separating the rows, or strong single pieces may be planted 3 feet apart each waj'. In fact, they may be grouped in any form to suit the method of forcing adopted, but in every case loss rather than gain results from crowding. The old stems ought to be completely buried, only the buds or crowns showing just above ground, and some of the finest soil should be firmly disposed about them. A good mulching given now and renewed if need be next summer will complete the operation. Well-esta- blished clumps that give signs of failing vigour will be much improved if the soil is forked away from the uppermost roots, these being given a good dressing of solid or partially decayed manure prior to returning the soil. Jerusalem Aetichokes. These very often will succeed where other vege- tables fail, and as they are very serviceable, if only by way of variety, when the list is rather limited, a few or many, according to circumstances, may well be grown in every garden. If properly cooked and served, tlicse roots are by no means to be despised, and it is surprising tliat so few amateurs cultivate them. Although it is quite true that they succeed fairly well with but little trouble expended upon tliem, this is no excuse for leaving tliem to grow on the same ground year after year, merely lifting some of the I'oots and leaving the rest to i;row again. In reality tlioy pay for good culture and cliangc of soil, and this is accorded them in most well-managed gardens. They are much h;irdier than the Pot:ito, and should the weather and ground be favourable for the operation, there is no reason why the planting should not be com- pleted now. Owing lo the great heiglit the stalks attain and the shade they cause, we assign our Artichokes a place outside of the walls. They succeed best in deeply-dug, well-worked ground, or such as best suits Potatoes, very little manure being used, a rich root-run causing strong top- growth and the formation of coarse tubers of the poorest quality. Our usual plan is to open drills running from north to south, these being drawn 5 inches deep and fully 3 feet apart. The pre- ference is given to small whole sets with a sprout intact, but if these were scarce large tubers would be cut up, much as Potatoes are treated, every little piece gi'owing. They may be disposed 10 inches apart, and should be carefully moulded over, or otherwise the sprout might be snapped off. One good moulding up and occasional clean- ing is all that need further to be done to them. Turnips. Apparently these are very plentiful this winter, and hereabouts there will be an abundance as long as old roots are needed. Late-sown crops of Snowball and Red Globe have scarcely ceased to grow, and both these and Chirk Castle Black Stone will, most proijably, keep well. Where, however, there is a prospect of an early scarcity of roots, and seeing they are always in demand, it is advisable to at- tempt forcing a few, or any rate forwarding a small breadth on a warm border. A very slight hotbed is needed in the former case, on this being set a good-sized garden frame and partially filled with the shortest of the heating material, on this being placed about 9 inches of loamy soil. A firm root- run is desirable, as being best calculated to induce early bulbing, and the soil should therefore be trampled prior to being levelled over and the seed sown. Early Milan is the variety that should be sown, and if the seed is new it ought to be distri- buted broadcast and thinly and covered with a little fine soil. Cover closely till the seedlings ap- pear and protect every night subsequently. Air ought to be given in mild weather and freely when the plants have attained a good size. At the out- set a little thinning out may be necessary and this may be more completely done when the earliest bulbs are as large as good-sized Turnip Radishes, or as soon as they can be used. Sown very early on open borders and not protected they rarely suc- ceed, but if either covered with frames or mats capital crops may result. W. I. Propagating. BouVARDIAS. — To obtain good plants for autumn flowering, the cuttings should be propagated as early in the season as possible. Stock plants should be placed in a warm position and kept fre- quently syringed, but they will require very little water at the root. The cuttings may be taken as soon as the shoots are 2 inches or 3 inches long. It is not necessary to cut them close to a joint, as they will root freely from any part of the stem, provided they are taken from fresh, healthy growths, not hard or stunted wood. For propagat- ing Bouvardias I like to use 5-inch pots, filling tliem with a compost of loam, peat, and sand in equal parts. Give plent}' of drainage, and surface them over with sand. The cuttings should not be crowded, about twenty in a pot being quite thick enough. They should be kept quite fresh, and watered as soon as put in. The pots may be plunged in a close case where there is a good brisk bottom- heat. Bouvardias are rather liable to damp off if not carefully attended to. Ficus elastica. — The cuttings should be taken from well-ripened tops while they are in a dormant state, or from single eyes taken when the wood-bud begins to start. To prevent bleeding, dry s;ind should be apjilicd .'is soon as tliey arc cut off. The cuttings should be put in singly in small pots, and sandy loam used for soil. They sliould have the warmest part of the projiagating pit. A good bottom-heat is very essential. If put in a close case where the plunging material is moist, they may stand one day before water is given, but it is a mistake to allow them to get too dry. SowiNO SHEDS —The second wi'ok in February is a good time for sowing seeds of a few very useful subjects for keeping up a bright display during the summer months. There are various opinions ivs to Feb. 9, 1889.] THE garde:n^. 117 the best method of raising seedlings of various tender subjects. Light sandy soil, plenty of drain- age, and a shady position are too frequently recom- mended. With regard to soil, which is the first consideration, my experience is that a more reten- tive soil is preferable, and for seeds which germi- nate within a reasonable time it is not advisable to use mucli drainage, as by having a larger body of soil in the pots, when once properly watered suf- ficient moisture will be retained to keep the surface in a moist condition until the seeds begin to ger- minate. I am much in favour of using loam for seeds. Of course, it must be soft mellow loam, and not inclined to form a crust on the surface after it has been watered. A little well-prepared leaf- mould may be added, and also sand if the loam does already contain sufficient to Iceep it from be- coming too close. It will be all the better if the compost can be prepared some time before it is re- quired for use. If this is done, and it is spread out thinly and moistened, it will give a chance of any seeds of weeds germinating, and thus get rid of one great nuisance. It should also be properly cleansed f rem worm.-i. &c. In filling pots for small seeds the soil should be pressed moderately firm, and a little that has been sifted through a fine sieve spread evenly over the surface, but not pressed. After the seed has been sown the soil may be pressed lightly, and in case of very small seeds no extra covering will be necessary, but, in some instances, a slight sprinkling of fine soil may be shaken over the sur- face. In watering I like to give only a very slight surface watering, using a fine-rosed watering-pot. and then well soak the under soil by dipping the pots, taking care that they are not dipped deep enough for the water to flow over the surface. Select a light open position for the seed-pots at this season of the year. A shelf where the pots will be close to the glass is about the best position. A piece of glass should be laid over each pot during the day and removed at night, and although placed in such a position the seeds will require a little extra attention, and will not germinate quite so quickly, the seedlings will be much stronger, and not so liable to damp off as when they are raised in a close shady position. All seedlings should be pricked off as soon as large enough to handle. They will then require a little shade for a few days. Gloxinias. — Such good varieties may now be obtained from seed, that it is hardly worth keeping named sorts. If the seed is sown now, good plants may be obtained for flowering the same season, and these come into bloom in time to succeed those grown from corms saved from the previous season. It is, however, advisable to select a few of the best and most distinct varieties each year and propagate them from leaves, and by so doing a much healthier and better stock may be maintained than by propa- gating old named sorts year after year. Seedlings require very careful treatment while in a young state. They must be pricked off as soon as large enough to handle, and potted off singly before the roots have got too matted. After they are fairly established, they may be grown on with little trouble, and they do not require such a high temperature as is often given them. TuBEEOL's Begonias. — These also make good plants in one season. The seed should be sown not later than the second or third week in February. It may be sown and the young plants started in heat, but they should be removed to a cooler posi- tion before they become drawn ; and after they are well established, a cold pit will be most suit- able, as they do best where they can be kept up close to tlie glass and have plenty of air. A slight shading only is required during the hottest part of the day. TOEENIA FOUENIEEI AND T. Bailloni may also be sown now. These are both very pretty and useful plants for the conservatory during the summer. A. to our fellows, only oscusable because of ignorance, to tons find their Way to large towns where they mar that natural beauty which is the property of all have a ready sale at paying prices. Another very important point in favotir of the Red Currant men. — Morkis. Natural beauty.— There is one duty obvious to us all ; it is that we should set ourselves each one of us to doing our best to guard the natural beauty of the earth ; wc cught to look uf ou it as a criire, an injury Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAN. THE CrRRANT. If the Gooseberry is the king, the Currant cer- tainly is the queen of bush fruits ; indeed, taken comnpercially and for domestic purposes, I ques- tion if tlie C'urrrtnt is not the more valuable of is the certainty of the crop, for whilst we see Gooseberries cut off or sadly decimated by late spring frosts, it rarely liappens that the fruit of this species, which is later and perhaps better sheltered by the leaves, is even a light crop in fair average seasons. The Wliite Currant is less hardy and commer- cially less valuable than the red or black, whose colour gives them the ascendancy for cooking purposes, and yet the wliite variety, soft, sweet, and delicious, is invaluable for the dessert. In- the two. Currants embrace two species, the black and the red, whilst the white, the subject deed, next to' the Gooseberry, the White Cur of the accompanying engraving, is only a variety rant is pre-eminently popular with all levers of of the red. Indigenous to this country, it is fresh ripe bush fruits, who not unfrequently perfectly hardy, and being most accommodating retain more costly dishes of hothouse pro- duce for tlie gratification of another sense. The white variety, then, should be planted in all good gardens, notonlyas a bush or pyramid, b\it also as a single, double, or treble cf)rd(in against north and we.st walls, where, by means of brfiad copings and good nets ca])able of keepmg out wet and bii'ds, most delicious fruit may be preserved well into November. The Black Currant, of which we now liave several improved varieties, is grown more or less in private gardens for making jam, jelly, cheese, and bottling, and occasionally for cooking fresh from the tree. For eating fresh, the harsh and, to many, disagreeable ilavour is prohibitive, and yet wlien well boiled in a good beef-suet paste, or stewed with a few Raspberries, it forms a most wholesome and delicious dish for daily u.se. As a market fruit the Black Currant is more valuable, and possibly in greater demand than the red ; hence the immense quantities now grown by market gardeners and thrifty cottagers, not only near large towns, but far away in the country, where railways offer fair, but I am sorry to say the reverse of cheap, facilities for quick transit t(j ready purchasers. The market gardener who plants an orcliard frequently puts in intermediate rows of Black Currants, not only on account of their partiality for shade and a certain amount of moisture from well-drained, deejily tilled ground, but also to secure quick re- turns, as bearing trees are easily manufactured, transplant readily, and soon yield very fine fruit. Cottagers in this part of the country, equally alive to the great demand and good prices, plant rather extensively in proportion to their garden area, and not unfrequently a score or two of good buslies settle the account at rent day. Propagation. — The propagation of Currants being so very simple, it unfortunately happens that too many persons, penny-wise-and-pound- foolish. persist in taking cuttings from old varie- ties; whereas a few shillings expended in im- proved sorts, now plentifid and cheap, whilst as to soil and situation, there is not a parish in securing change of soil, would most unqucstion- the United Kingdom in which certainly the red ably prove a paying investment. In the selec- - - ■ tion of wood suitable for cuttings, ripe shoots, neither gross nor weak rind 12 inches to Is inches in length, are to bo preferred. If taken with a heel or half an incli of old wood early in the autumn, disbudded from the base to within Fruiting branch of White Curratit. and black, if not the white, are found growing and fruiting in every cottage and ducal garden. The Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) commer- cially is not quite so valuable as the Black (R. nigrum), but for all-round domestic purposes, a few inches of the point, and lirmly inserted one- especially amongst the middle and upper classes, third of their length in good friable soil, ninety — - per cent, will root and forma few small shoots by the end of the first season. Cuttings may bo put in as late as February; autumn, however, is the best time ; at least I have found it so, and liavinga liking for bushes on extra tall stems, my cuttings are lined in with a spade, 9 inches apart and 12 inches i'rom row to row. The leaders are stopped when they have made about 9 inches, and all buds that start within 1 foot of the ground are pinched it most certainly heads the list. Fit for use when fairly coloured, the first gatherings mixed with Raspberries, to which they give a i)iquant sharpness, are in daily demand for tarts and other dishes. Then, as they roach maturity, enormous quantities .are used for bottling, for jams and jellies, and for adding colour and brisknes.s to preserved Strawberries. Btiug gold travellers when picked dry, hundreds of ! and eventually removed. A little time is lost the 118 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889. first season, but it is more than repaid the second, when plenty of roots force from four to six shoots from each crown. These are trained to form the foundation of the ordinary bush or pyra- mid, whilst those most promising are allowed to grow into cordons. If aU goes well, the young plants may be lifted and lined out in the nursery at the end of the first year, but by giving a little extra room in the cutting bed this work is quite as well deferred until the end of the second, when all latent stem-buds will have started and suckering in the future will be less troublesome. Peemanent planting. — Although bush fruits, as I have observed, are very accommodating, the soils which suit tliem best and give the finest and brightest fruit are well-drained, deeply-tilled loams, rich enough to produce stout shoots without the aid of manure at the outset. Lacking this quality, good rotten manure, road-scrapings, burnt earth and refuse — anything fresh, may be added .and thoroughly incorporated as the work of preparation proceeds. In old gardens teeming with humus, moist, but not wet. the Currant is quite at home ; but in this case even I would use a little fresh soil, free from manure, for giving the roots a start. The situation, considering that fine bright Currants can be grown on north walls, to many may appear a matter of secondary importance, but the fact that there are Currants and Currants must not be over- looked ; therefore, if we would have them sweet as well as bright, we must plant where they can have full exposure to sun and light. The distance from bush to bush is a matter which must be governed, first, by the variety, as some of the large red grapes grow very strong, whilst the whites assume a neat and compact form ; secondly, the form of the plantation, which may consist of a series of rows, or a single row only near the margin of a walk. Upon the block system all Red Currants should be planted 6 feet apart, white ones 1 foot closer ; in single file, the first may run 4 feet, the second 1 foot closer — be it understood with liberty to grow upwards and outwards, as Currants, like all other fruit trees, rejoice in extension. Cordons against walls or fences may be planted 1 foot apart, but unless head-room is abundant, it is best to place them 4 feet from stem to stem, and carry four shoots equi-distant up from each. Pruning and tbaining being so closely con- nected, and my space limited, I must treat of the two under one head. Assuming that clean-stemmed bushes with four to six shoots each have been formed in the nursery, the knife the first spring after planting must be kept in the sheath, but the ordinary spreading bush or vase form being the ideal, the framework may be set by tying or pegging them out, and by pinching the points out of any unduly taking the lead. Early in the autumn the year after planting, the centre .shoots may require cutting back to within a foot of the collar, but those pegged out may not require shortening, especially if the young growths have been once pinched during the summer. Once the proper set is secured, each of the original shoots will send out another from near its base, and this in like manner must be pegged down to increase the size of the bush, but on no account must the centre become crowded with robbers, a condition which may be prevented by pinching all in-'iile growths through- out the summer. As Red anoratc, tlie berries will slirink, and the flavour will be very poor indeed. Pears are no exception to this law, I may say, of Nature ; therefore, those who would have late Pears worth eating must make jirogress whilst the sun shines, and not trust to gathering at any jiarticular date, as a king's fruit room can- not turn crude sap into saccharine matter. Rut, ■supposing that Rergamottc d'Esperen and Easter Beuriv have been well matured upon tlie trees, that the density of the saccliarine matter at gathering time is equal to tliat of fruits grown in Franco and .Jersey, how are they to be kept .' and under what treatment must their fullest flavour be develojied I Well, following Mr. Barker's advice (p. 'M), the grower should gather all the fruits that jiart on the touch or the slightest turn U|)wards, convey them caro- Feb. 9, 1889. J THE GARDEN 119 fuUy to a dry cool fruit room where the tem- peratui-e neither fluctuates nor varies much above or below 40°. If it does fluctuate, or the atmo.sphere is too dry, he may cover them with some light, inodorous, non-conducting material to prevent evaporation, or, better still, he may place themin singlelayers in close-fitting drawers, marking each gathering, as first in must be first out again. Extra fine fruit again may be folded in silver paper and stored away in shallow, close- lidded boxes, in large clean flowerpots, or pipkins with lids to them. \\Tien the time for use approaches, the grower, knowing his pro- bable consumption, must remove the first batch to a dry airy room in which the temperature ranges from 50" to temperate, but the fruit must not be unnecessarily disturbed nor handled. The length of time allowed for softening and bringing out the flavour wiU depend upon the condition of the Pears when the cool store is opened. If quite hard, very late friiit being now the cry, they may be left alone for some time longer. If showing signs of softening, ten days should put the flavour and aroma into them. When Grape rooms were kept warmer than they are now we placed a given quantity in this structure weekly, but 40° to 45°, the orthodox temperature in these daj's, is much too low for choice Pears which do not ripen until February. — W. C, Eabtnur. "A Learner" (p. 80) suggests that further and more particular information concerning the proper time for gathering, with the best methods of keeping and ripening late Pears, would be of service to many, and as he refers to a sentence in a recent article of mine, I will endeavour to render the operations relating to the above important points in Pear culture as clear as I can, and no doubt others of your correspondents will be in- duced to give the details of their practice. Gathering. — The time for this operation will, of course, vary in different localities, while the season as well as the positions in which the trees are growing will have to be considered. Generally speaking, for late varieties — that is, those which usually ripen after Christmas— from the middle of October to the end of that month is the period during which the Pears will arrive at the stage when they are ready for picking. The exact time, however, when a certain variety will be fit for gathering can only be determined upon the spot by examining the fruits. When quite ready for pick- ing they will part easily from the tree at the junc- tion of the stalk with the fruit spur. The fruits should be taken in the hand and gently raised iu an upward direction, when, if fit for gathering, they will, when raised to a horizontal position, part from the tree at the point above indicated without any further effort to detach them. The whole crop upon the tree may not always be ready at the same time, in which case those that appear at all firmly attached should be allowed to remain a week or so longer, and they will often in this short space of time improve perceptibly, as the tree being re- lieved iif the greater part of its load, concentrates its energies u]ion the remainder. Upon looking up my memoranda relating to the time of gathering the latest Pears. I find dates varying from the 2(lth of October to the beginning of November for such kinds as Josephine de Malines, Eergamotte d'Es- peren, Easter BeurrS, &c., thus showing that no definite time can be given for gathering any par- ticular kind even hi the same garden, but that the cultivator must use his own judgment in the matter. A fine day should if possible Ije chosen for the operation, tlie fruits being very carefully handled iu the process, placing them one at a time in the baskets, which must not be too large. The fruit should then be conveyed direct to the fruit room and placed upon the shelves with the same care. Storing. — This is a point of the greatest im- portance, for if the Pears are placed in a position exposed to currents of air, or where the atmo- sphere is very dry, all the juices are absorbed before the fruits arrive at maturity ; whiUt a super- abundance of moisture in the air causes insipidity The most elaborately constructed fruit rooms are not unfrequently ill adapted for preserving Pears in the best condition, and quantities of valuable fruit are spoiled through being exposed upon open shelves in these rooms to currents of air and a fluctuating temperature. A dry cellar or cool cupboard would often prove far more suitable. However, when a fruit room is a\-ailable one generally likes to make use of it, and much may be accomplished by judicious management in rectifying its defects. The e.ssentials to preserving the fruits satisfactorily are an equable temperature of about 40° during winter, darkness, and a rather dry atmosphere. Without at the present time entering into the construction of the fruit room, I may say that these conditions are best secured when the roof is thatched and the walls are con- structed hollow. Such a room, when closed and the doorway packed with straw or mats, is frost- proof, unless in exceptionally severe weather. If not so constructed, external coverings are preferable to artificial heat for excluding frost and regulating the temperature. The room should only be entered for the purpose of examining the. fruit and obtain- ing a su]:)i)ly for the table. Those selected for early use should be placed in a temperature of about 55° for a week, or longer if needful, before they are required. A dry atmosphere is better than a moist one, as this often impairs the flavour. The tempera- ture of a living room, which usually ranges, or ought to, between 55° and 60° during the winter, is most suitable for ripening Pears. More heat than this, however, may be used if desirable, but it is not wise to do so except in cases of emergency. Where the fruit room does not fulfil all the above needful conditions, I can strongly recommend the plan of storing in clean flowerpots; those 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter are useful sizes, and new ones are preferable. After having been gathered the Pears should be conveyed to the fruit room and placed upon the shelves for about a fortnight to allow them to part with some of their moisture. Then have some flower-pots ready with wooden covers, into which the fruits should be very carefully placed, taking care to put in only those that are quite sound. Wlien nearly full, place the covers on the pots, and arrange them upon the floor of the fruit room, or remove them to some other cool dry place. No further attention will be required until their season for ripening approaches, when a pottul at a time can be brought out into warmer quarters and the ripening process finished off. — A. Barker. FRUIT NOTES. Pines. If we except the Early Queens, placed in heat at the beginning of January, work in this department does not become pressing before the middle of the present month, and then even the state of the weather, as well as the condition of the plants, should be the guide, as it is much better to defer the potting of these succulents for a few weeks than to rush into a general disturbance of plants and beds should the elements prove unpropitious. Years ago all operations, from sowing Onions to potting Pines, were performed to date, but this horticultural red tape business, fortunately, has been given up, and no one can say that growers and consumers have not great reason for satisfaction. In those days renovation of the beds in the autumn, burning off "the roots during the winter, and making a fresh start with lanky plants in the spring with too many was a trieniiial affair, resulting in fruits which modem growers call " crabs." Inthe.se times they pot up large suckers, give them one shift, and cut Queens weighing 5 lbs. or 0 lbs.. Cayennes .and Rothschilds 2 lbs. or :! llis. heavier, if not in twenty months, certainly within the two years. This surely is a step in the right direction, but in what wav has the advance been made ? Why, simply by a careful selection of suckers, by eschew- ing dates, by giving the necessary aid at the right time, and growing the plants right on, not only to showing, but to the ripening of their fruit. Express speed it mav be, but then we have made consider- able strides in building, heating, and ventilating, and the gardener is not the man to lag behind the engineer. From these remarks the young beginner will gather that I do not set much value on dates or hard-and-fast lines as to temperature, but prefer giving rest in bad weather and making full speed when the sun shines brightly. Such being the case, we will now look in upon those early Queens introduced to extra heat and moisture more than a month ago. If well watered with weak guano water at a temperature of 80°, and the heats have ranged tl5° at night, 70° by day, with an extra run of 10° from sun, that about the roots being 80°, the opening of the centres of the plants will tell whether they were properly prepared and judiciously selected. If growth has set in it is all over with ripe fruit early in June. Otherwise, the most for- ward shows will be visible by the end of the month. AMien this stage is reached, a gradual rise of 5° by night and day, unless the weather is very bad, may be made, the bottom heat remaining about the same, say 80° to 85° from pipes and fermenting material combined. Direct syringing having been very light, a general examination of the soil in the pots also must be made, and if this is found on the dry side, watering with weak guano or clarified hquid will be advantageous. The evaporating pans must be regularly replenished with the same, the beds and walls 'moistened, but not one drop of water must pass into the hearts, as this element, if only a drip from condensed moisture, frequently mars the finest fruit or crown. Air should be given at 7.s° or 80° and shut off early, whilst a chink at night, be it never so small, will tend to the health and vigour of the plants. Night covering is a great help, not only in economising heat through the pipes, but also in maintaining a soft, moist, steady atmosphere. The second or general stock of fruiters still resting may be started about the end of this month, the treatment being precisely the same as that recommended for the earliest batch, and as some of these may start without making a growth they will follow close upon the heels of the others, or growers being too numerous in the early compartment, an exchange, not just yet, but later on, may be advantageous. Successions. — Former notes having been observed, well-worked fermenting material, pots, and com- post, the latter in a dry warm place, will now be ready for use when the plants are in a fit condition and "the weather is favourable. Assuming that September suckers have nicely filled their pots with white healthy roots, the sooner they are shifted the better; whilst those, on the other hand, which have not reached this stage must be allowed to stand over for a short time, as shifting a rootless plant is quite as fatal as leaving the general stock to become root -bound. As it is not wise to shift a dormant plant, especially if it is at all dry at the root, early in February the temperature of the pit should be slightly increased, the walls and dry corners regularly syringed, and the balls thoroughly moistened. As this predisposing to growth of roots and plants will extend over a fortnight at least, this period should be devoted to the preparation of the bed and the cleansing of the house. A steady bottom heat of 80° is quite high enough for a start, and if there is danger of exceeding 85°. the pots nmst be plunged lightly. The one-.shift system being the best form, all the strongest plants may go into 12-inch pots, the second size into pots an inch smaller. Firm potting in light, rich, turfy loam, enriched with bone-dust, but innocent of animal manure, is now the general practice, as rather tight ramming facilitates root action and ])revents water from hanging in suspension. As the plants come to hand they should be divested of a few of the short stem leaves, crocks, and loose soil, and .slightly pressed or picked with a pointed stick to set the" coiled roots at liberty. When transferred to the fruiting pots, the layer of rough compost resting upon the drainage should admit of the tops of the balls being at least 2 inches below the level of the rims, otherwise the latter will barely be covered, as one clear inch must be left for the reception of water. When all the best plants are shifted, if space admits, they should be plunged, 120 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889. light or otherwise, according to the bottom heat, not less than 2 feet apart, and kept close until the roots begin to work in the fresh compost. Suclier plants of second size, including any that may have been found too dry, too wet, or badly rooted, should be left on one side until last, and treated according to their requirements. The first, say in 6-inch pots, may be transferred to 9-inch pots, whilst the others will be the better for shaking out and repotting into pots of the size they have oc- cupied through the winter. When potted, they should be kept close and moist in a sharp bottom- heat of 80° to 85°, receiving no water until new roots have permeated the soil. If loss of roots is the only fault, sound fresh suckers which have been shaken out and put in light fibry compost should be fit for shifting on early in April, but unless they are thoroughly sound and satisfactory, the sooner they are destroyed the better. Melons. Although the winter on the whole has been mild, it has been dark and almost sunless ; consequently, forced growth is weak and deficient in colour. Young Melon plants, it is hardly necessary for me to say, are no exception, as they seem to feel the absence of sun more, perhaps, than any exotic fruit we grow. In such seasons, no matter how powerful the artificial heat or how suitable the house or pit, the plants persist in remaining weak-kneed or dis- appearing altogether, but seeds, fortunately, are plentiful enough. Therefore the best mode of meeting mishaps is by putting in a few every week, as it is better to throw away batch after batch of seedlings than to feel the want of them. Once young plants have taken to the soil and the bottom- heat is good, they improve as their heads approach the light, especially after they have turned the first wire of the trellis. Their 'wants through these early stages are small, but attention they need every hour, and this they must have ; otherwise, April Melons are best left alone. Their require- ments are a steady bottom-heat of 80°, and an air temperature ranging from 66° to 70° at night, 75° to 85° by day ; moisture moderate, a breath of sweet fresh air, and a house quite free from the impurities brought about by the presence of decay- ing matter. The compost, heavy calcareous loam, made pervious to the passage of water by old lime rubble or charcoal, should be given in very small quantities and made very firm as the roots require it ; and although the Melon under burning skies will stand daily flooding, in our winter hot- houses it requires very careful watering. The manipulation of what may be termed cordon Melons is as simple as is that of the Tomato. It consists in the removal of every stem lateral from the hill or seed leaf to the first wire of the trellis, and pinching at the first leaf, thence onward until the female shows are plentiful. Wiien these arc ready to open, the point is taken out of the vine, each fiower in due course is fertilised artificially, laterals bearing the young swelling fruits are stopped at tlie first joint in advance, and two or three of uniform size are selected for the crop. These are supported on small squares of board or cradles of wire netting ; every old leaf is carefully preserved from injury, and laterals are persistently pinched out to husban .and buds are moving freely. Young t rees I h.il were planted a year or more ago and left full length to recuper.ate do not come iiniler this trcatuu'nt. as their roots and the little growth they madeare ripe enough to stand deea|iitation. The pl.-inting of standards and liuslies in orchards will imw 'jn on well, especially where the ground has been trenched as all new ground should be, and the trees are ready to hand upon the premises. I have been accused of advising all private growers to establish a home nursery, and I plead guilty to the impeachment ; but those who have followed me closely will find that the young stock is to be obtained from the trade not only on the score of cheapness, but also on that of the fitness of the stocks and the clever work turned out by professioniils. Once on the pre- mises, the gardener can grow and train and trans- [ilant annually, and he can take advantage of a few fine days for transferring his trees from the home nursery to their permanent quarters. If, on the other hand, a fine time induces him to send an order to a distant nursery, his bundles of expensive trees may be overtaken by frost and snow, when the nurseryman's advice to defer packing may land him in very late spring planting. If still in arrear, the mulching of all newly-planted trees should now be brought to a close ; and the same remark applies to the manuring of old-established trees which show signs of weakness and require stimulants. Materials for the first need not be particularly rich, ton, nine years since. Owing to the weakness of its peduncles, this variety is not of much value for grow ing in bush form, as the blooms droop too much to be efl'ective. Novelty is blush in (•olour, the lower part of the flower, soon after the blooms are thoroughly developed, (piickly changing to pink. Alfred l.yues was sliown last season by Mr. Lynes, Wimbledon, with wliom it originated. In form of both (lower and petal it very nnich resembles the parent, the coh>ur being deep lilac. Gloue family. — This family is only repre- sented by two varieties, wliich are seldom seen now-a-days, being considered too coarse to take a leading position among the list of varieties usually seen at exhibit icuis. When in good condition, the jietals of the two varieties named lu-low are very large, being thick and nia.ssivo and lending to coarseness, as the petals do not incurve nicely, being much too erect in form. Feb. 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 123 White Globe is one of the old varieties thought highly of some years ago, the colour being pearl- white. Yellow (ilobe, a pale yellow sport from the above, introduced in 1886, has not been favourably received owing to the coarse, stiff habit of the petals. Prince of Wales family. — This family, also, is composed of only two varieties, neither of which are of much importance either to growers for exhibition or for home use. Good specimen plants of this variety might have been seen some few years since. Some few blooms of Prince of Wales are annually seen at the exhi- bitions, but they do not take a high rank, being too thin, and generally showing au objectionable eye. This variety takes much too high a posi- tion in the selected list of thirty-six varieties in the National Chrysanthemum Society's cata- logue. Prince of Wales was introduced as long ago as 1865. The colour is deep purple, the petals being broad and incuning neatly, but they are too few to make a good bloom. Mr. Cobay is a sport from the above, bronzy red in colour. This variety is seldom seen in cultiva- tion now, although it used to be well grown a few years since. Pkixce Alfred family. — To exhibitors of cut blooms this family is an important one, supplying them with what is an item toward success, viz., back row flowers, in some instances where the cultivator is situated so far south, that none but the latest blooms can be retarded sufficiently to be available on a given date, even in the early part of November. Everybody knows of wliat poor quality such flowers ai-e as compared with the first flowers when produced from crown buds. The advantage gained by northern cultivators with this family' is of much service to them over that of their southern brethren. Given reasonable treatment, no family that I am acquainted with is so certain of producing good blooms. Plenty of cuttings are, as a rule, available, strike readily, grow vigorously, and are certain to set eitlier crown or terminal buds freely. When the plants are allowed to grow naturally, this being the best form for the plants of this family, tall growth is the result. In some seasons, notably the last, the tallest plants measured from 8 feet tus growth, accompanied with fine foliage, being all in favour of small decorative plants. During the siuumer growth, plants of this family need, i)erhaps, rather more care than those of any other type to prevent the break- ing of the shoots by heavy rains or strong wind. The growth being succulent and the leaves heavy, and having a tendency to drocjp at the points, the shoots are more liable to break, than those of any other variety. Prince Alfred was introduced liy Mr. Davis during the j'ear 1863, but it is being gradually superseded by its spurt Lord Wiilseley, which jiossesses a firmer build, the blooms having more scdidity. Tlie coloiu* of the original is a peculiar one to describe. In the National Chrysanthemum Society's cata- logue it is given as a rose-carmine, shaded purple, but I think it has some bronze or chest- nut in it as well. Lord Wolseley during the year 1883 was noticed as a spt)rt in two widely separated places at the same time. Its habit and general characteristics are identical with those of its parent. The colour is bronzy red, assunung a paler hue with iige. The blooms possess more quality also, being larger in diameter, fuller in the centre, and deeper in build. The flowers of both varieties keep well. Immediately the buds are formed the peduncles should be sup- ported by sQiaU stakes fastened to the stem, to which the peduncles should be tied. CHRYSANTHEMUM COUNTESS OF LYTTON. Ix my notes on the blooms staged at the midwinter show in the Aquarium on January 0 and noted in The Garden, January 2fi, in referring to the above variety, which I stated was a sport from Ralph Brocklebank, of which I was assured by a person in whose company I then was, Mr. Kipling, Kneb- worth Gardens, writes me correcting this statement, and says " it is a sport from Meg Slerrilies, and originated with me in 1886." In this same year Ralph Brocklebank was introduced. Mr. Kipling says that Countess of Lytton is, when well grown, about three sb.ades lighter in colour than Ralph Brocklebank, and altogether a fuller and better formed flower. Mr. Kipling also states that he does not know how the sport originated, as it was not a sport from the stem in the usual way. All the blooms on the plants of Meg Merrilies showed not the least sign of departure from those of the normal type during the blooming period of 1885, yet three plants from the batch of that year's cut- tings and which flowered the next season (1886) sported so much that every bloom was distinct from those of the original type. Mr. Kipling thinks this variety therefore originated as a root sport. This fact, therefore, opens up the question of sports originating from the roots. According to Mr. Davis, in hispaper on " Sports " at the last conference, sports from the root never fix themselves. It would be interesting to know if Mr. Kipling has ever found flowers of Countess of Lytton revert back to those of the original Meg Merrilies. Mr. Kipling, in another part of his letter, says, '• Regarding sports generally, an interesting question seems to open up respecting the colour of the blooms, or rather the depth or density of the colouring matter arising from each kind of sport. Is it known whether a root sport, as a rule, gives the lighter shade of colour, and that from a branch the deeper shade !" He also says, " Countess of Lytton is much paler than Ralph Brocklebank, which is a branch sport, as I saw the plant of Meg Merrilies from which the above variety sported the year following which the sport appeared. Mr. Winkworth grew it on as a curiosity another season after the advent of the sport and its fixing to see if any more blooms of the sported variety would appear on any other branches of the same plant. As far as I have heanl there were not." If we could ascertain whether Golden Empress was a branch sport from Empress of India, and if Lord Alcester was a sport from the root of the same variety, we should arrive at a more definite conclusion. At pre.sent it is all supposition as to the origin of the various shades of colour. If the varieties referred to did sport in the manner named, the variation in the colour of each would be accounted for. At the present time we have here on trial a variety that showed .a remarkable de- parture in colouring in all the blooms upon the plant, while other plants produced entirely difl'erent flowers, though all were grown from cuttings coming from one plant the year previously. The curiosity, as I term it, was in the centre of the bloom ; there was a clear light purple-coloured ring covering quite half of the blooms, while the outer ring was pure white. The growth, leafage, and branches of this novelty in every way resembled those of the others, but the blooms on the other plants were dull white, with here and there a faint splash of colouring in the florets. To thoroughly test this variety plants are being cultivated in other localities besides this one; therefore. I hope to gain some information on root sports, which I believe this one to be, provided it retains, when it flowers this season, the same peculiarity. E. M. Chrysanthemum Ne Plus Ultra— I came across a plant lately which bore the above name. The blooms were of medium size, full and neatly incurved, the colour being orange-yellow, that around the outer florets being bronze, presumably from age. On the whole, the flowers were fresh for this late date (January 19). I fancy some mistake had occurred in naming. I cannot find an incurved variety under this name. The National Chrysan- themum Society's catalogue describes this variety as Japanese. Have any of the readers of The Garden seen a variety resembling the one de- scribed and of the same name 1 — E. M. MIDWINTER CHRYSANTHEMUMS.* So nmch has been said and written on the general cultivation of the Chrysanthemum by eminent ^Titers and growers, that it is not necessary for me to refer to it. There is. however, one phase of the culture of the flower which has received but little .attention, and is, consequently, the least understood by the majority of growers. I allude to what is now usually known as the cultivation of midwinter Chrysanthemums. A quickened and increasing in- terest is being taken in this branch of the cuUure of Chrysanthemums, and rightly so, considering that it" enables us to have the flowers in perfec- tion for at least two months longer than formerly, and at a time when there is a great scarcity of other flowers. By establishing the midwinter ex- hibition and the" very liberal prizes offered, the National Chrysanthemum Society has no doiibt done much to briug about and foster this new in- terest in late cultivation with the view to prolong- ing the season and decorative usefulness of this increasingly popular flower. Growers who essay the cultivation of midwinter Chrysanthemums will, by selecting the naturally late-flowering kinds, by l.-ite propagation, and by suitable treatment of the plants, find it a comparatively easy matter to pro- long the blooming season to a much later date than at one time was considered possible. They will no longer be satisfied to see, as in the past, the greater part of their Chrysanthemum blooms pass away with the dying year. They will find it is possible to prolong the se;u;on, and to have blooms in quan- tity up to the end of February, into March, or even into April. Indeed, the production of mid and late winter blooms is only in its infancy. We have, so to speak, only just crossed the threshold of knowledge as "to what can be accomplished in the direction indicated. Having been fairly suc- cessful in the cultivation of midwinter Chrysan- themums, I will, without troubling to give the minor details, describe the plan by which I have been en.abled to span the year with Chrysanthe- mum blooms. Referring first to the cuttings. I would state that they are taken mostly from jjlants that have bloomed "in November and December. After they have bloomed the stems are cut down, all weakly shoots removed, and the stools placed in a cold pit to keep them back. The cuttings are struck at three different times— namely, February, March, and April, in the last week of each month. Those struck in February are put underhand-lights in a cold pit, and those struck in March and April have the assistance of a slight hotbed. The cut- tings selected are the latest sucker or root growths, preference being given to those that are stout anil short-jointed. As soon as the cuttings are struck they are carefully hardened and placed in a franu^ with a north aspect. When sufficiently advanced the cuttings are ]>otted and returned to the frame, kept close till the roots begin to run freely, and then gradually exposed. As soon a.s the weather will allow, the jilants are stood out of doors on a bed of ashes, and before they liecouie rout-biiund they are shifted into G-inch pots and stood in a north as])ect. with a view to keeping them back. By the middle and end of July respectively most of the plants are ready to be transferred to their flowering pots. Those "intended for the supply of cut flowers are shifted into 9, 10, or 12-inch pots, three plants in each: and those intended for deco- ration are shifted into 7-inch or 8-ineh jiots. When all liave been potted they are ready to be placed in their summer quarters, to the proper selection of which I attach niueb inqiortauci'. as im this jioint * Read by Mr. J. KlpliDg, Knebworth Gardens, at the Chry santhemum conference, Royal .\qu.iTium, January P. 124 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889. will depend in no small degree the success in pro- curing very late blooms. It will be seen that my practice diiiers somewhat from the generally ac- cepted " full exposure to the sun " course of pro- cedure. In growing Chrysanthemums for late flowering it is necessary to defer to the latest date possible the formation of the crown bud. This can be done in two ways — first, by the constant pinching back of the shoots or cutting down the plants at a certain date, so as to produce late growths, and thus delay the production of the crown bud, which practice I find weakens the plant too much, and is the cause of poor blooms. The second method is to place the plants in such a position through the summer that the ripening of the wood is delayed, and the pinch- ing back of the shoots reduced. It is well known that Chrysanthemums which are placed where ex- posed to the sun's rays throughout the day have the maturing process of the wood begun and finished early, and in consequence of this the early for- mation of the crown bud takes place ; it follows then that if plants are placed in such a position as to have less direct sunlight on them through the day the ripening process will not begin so early, and will proceed more slowly. As a result the pro- duction of the crown bud is greatly retarded, which is exactly the result desired In growing them for late blooming. My plants are placed on the north- east side of a Laurel hedge, but are not over- shadowed by it. They have the benefit of the morning sun up to ten o'clock, when, through the intervening of some trees, it does not shine on them again till tliree o'clock in the afternoon. In this position they grow slowly, the wood ripens late, but sufficiently to ensure a good crop of flowers. I may here state that a partly shaded position might not be suitable in very late or northerly localities ; nor is it possible by this practice to have huge, or even very large blooms. But very large blooms are not wanted at the season of the year to which I am re- ferring ; smaller blooms, or trusses of blooms, are more serviceable for the various purposes of deco- ration, and also for personal adornment. They are certainly more appreciated by the majority of those who love the Chrysanthemum. In my case cut bloom is the principal requirement, and conse- quently but little attention is paid to the training of the plants, my object being to have good strong bu-hes with stout shoots, from nine to twelve on a plant, and containing plenty of stored-up reserved force. Shoots of this description will give a second crop of side flowers after the first or leading- blooms have been cut. The plants which are grown principally to cut from are stopped only once — namely, at the second potting, and those intended for pot or specimen plants are topped three times, the final topping taking place in the last week in July. Tlie plants are carefully attended to as regards watering, tying, &c., but very little liquid manure is given them. If satisfactory progress is made, the crown buds will begin to show at the end of September, but principally through October. These buds I retain on one-half of the plants, while on the other half they are rubbed out, an a succession of bloom. The ])lants arc loft outside to as late a date as is considered safe. They are then taken in and arranged in an unheatcd Peach house, from which the frost is excludeil l)y two paraffin stoves. In this house they continue their growth and swell their buds very slowly, the terminal buds appearing at the end of November and through Diiccmber. About the end of No- venilier I licgin to draft the plants as required to a very light and airy vinery, where, with the assist- ance of a little artificial heat and supplies of liquid manure the flowers gradually expand. As f;ust as the blooms are cut from each set, the flower-stems are slightly shortened, and the plants are encouraged to make side breaks or shoots, which some varieties do very freely, especially those with not over-rijiencd wood. Tlipse side growths give us a goodly sui)iily of small flowers through March and April. From the side and basal shoots of cut-back plants I cut a quantity of flowers on the 20th of April last. My notes show that the last blooms were cut on the 29th of May, and at that date I had blooming in pots, under glass, the early pompons, St. Mary, La Petite Marie and Nanum, of which varieties I usually pot a good stock in the early autumn to propagate from for a summer display. These pompons carried on the blooming period, and shook hands, as it were, with similar kinds which bloomed outdoors on June 20. Such w.'is the manner in which I was enaVjled to wreathe the year with Chrysanthemum blooms. With reference to the varieties which are best for growing for late blooming, I would say that there are sorts which naturally bloom late, and are in- valuable for the pui-pose. But there are a few of the mid-season varieties, which, as I have proved, can- not be excelled by any, especially for giving second crop flowers. They all, or mostly all, belong to the Japanese section. I have found very few of the incurved kinds worth the time and labour spent on them for giving late blooms. They are not free enough ; the blooms open indift'erently and do not keep well ; at least, such is my expereince of them. Of the Japanese varieties, I have found the follow- ing to be the best : Belle Paule, Ka;mpfer, Etoile du Midi, Ethel, Mrs. C. Carey, Ceres, Mile. Cabrol, Gloriosum, Cry Kang, Comtesse de Beauregard, Meg Merrilies, and its sports Ralph Brocklebank and Countess of Lytton, the last-named sport having originated with myself. M. D. B. Chapman and W. G. Drover are also proving very late, but not over-free in blooming. For pot specimens I find the best to be Pere Delaux, Virginale, Miss Margaret , Snowdrop, Golden Gem, and Boule de Neige. The two last named cannot^ be surpassed by any that I know for late pot work. There may be others quite as good for late blooming, and if there are, I hope those who have grown them will give us their names. Stove and Greenhouse. BROMELIADS IN BLOOM. It is. strange tliat bromeliaceous plants sliould be so popular througliout the Continent, while in this country they are almost ignored, and certainly from no lack of interesting forms to be found amongst them, nor from a dearth of blossoms, for they include among their number many wltose flowers are remarkably sliowy, and in most cases retained for a considerable period. One that usually flowers about the early part of December and remains in full beauty for three or four moutlis is Vriosia brachystachys, whose bright green leaves are arranged in a vasiforui- like manner, while the flower-scape reaches a height of about a foot, and stands well above the foliage. The blossoms are arranged in two opposite rows on the upper part of the stem, and eacli bloom is subtended by a large keel- shaped liract, wliich forms the most conspicuous feature of the flower. The bracts at tlie base are of an intensely bright crimson, sluvdcd more (,ir less with purple, which gradually merges into the orange colour of the u]iper part. The blossoms themselves do not renuiin li>ng in per- fection, and though of a j'ellow colour they are at no time very conspicuous, as they jirotrude but a short distance beyond the bracts. The beautiful Tillaiidsia Lindeiii vera in one respect resembles this last, ami that is in tlie floral bracts which retain their beauty huig after the blossoms are past. Still a succession of flowers is kejit up for some time, in proof of which 1 may mention that a plant here has been flowering for the l.-ist montli, and is not yet over, while tlie beautiful pink-tinted bracts (so wi that tlie leaves seem to be radical. These are broad, undulated, of a glossy gi-een, and with round hairy stalks. The plant bears six to eight erect hairy flower- stalks, which are large, 2 feet high or less, and each supporting from five to seven flowers. These individually attain the size of 3 inches or more across, and are composed of six to eight large oval petals, which have some- what the shape of those of Anemone japonica or Anemone fulgens. A great range of colours, from pure white t ) scarlet, with various shades of pink and carmine, is already to be found in this new class, which produces a beautiful sliow of blooms at a season when the brightness of the tuberous Begcjiiias is over. The photograph was taken on November 10, 1888, in my nursery from a variety with pink flowers ; they are one- sixth natural size." V. Lemoine. Nancy. Habrothamnus elegans.^This old plant has been very line all the winter in Mr. Clarke's garden at Croydon, where its long festoons of flowers still hang in the greatest profusion. It covers the back wall of a large greenhouse, and I would strongly recommend it to every- one having such a wall. It does not require much care, yields an abundance of lovely deep reddish purple blooms throughout the winter months, and succeeds much better when planted out than as a pot plant. The kind known as aurantiacus, with deep orange-yellow blos- soms, is an excellent companion, and affords a cheerful contrast when the two are in flower together. — G. Acacia dealbata. — Next in its season of blooming to the peculiarly flat-stemmed Acacia platyptera comes this, the Silver Wattle of Australia ; but as far as appearances go, they are very distinct from each other, for Acacia platyptera will flower freely in the shape of quite a small specimen, while the other is of tree-like habit, and needs a very large structure to be seen at its best. The temperate house at Kew affords ample scope for its full development, and there every year it blooms in the greatest profusion, and besides this, the beautiful silvery Fern-like foliage is scarcely less pleasing than the blossoms. A good deal may be done by continually propa- gating from cuttings to induce this Acacia to bloom in a smaller state than usual, but it is as a large specimen that its beauty is best seen. — H. P. Solanum jasminiflorum. — I was glad to note "T. B." in Tub G.\edex, Jan. 19 (p. 5!l), drawing attention to this old favourite. I take it for granted that it is the same variety as used to be grown under the name of S. jasmin- oides. It is not fragrant, rather the reverse, but the odour is not so strong as to prove offensive, and it is readily extinguished in a mixture of sweet Bouvardias, Stephanotis, Jasmines, Gardenias, kc. In fact, I once made hand and bosom button-holes for a lady who could hardly wear the more fragrant flowers unless toned down and also rendered more graceful by bunches or elegant fringes of this Potato-wort. We grew two large plants, one on the roof of a cool orangery, and the other on the roof of a Camellia house, .and between the two we were seldom witli- out a liberal supply of flowers for bouquets, vases, small b.askets, wre.aths, and dinner-table decora- tions. I can hardly, however, agree with Mr. Baines that the flowers are of the purest white ; they may be or they may not, according to circum- stances. In the open on a warm w.oll there is a large dash of blush-purple in them. This also not infrequently occurs in a very light house glazed with large sheets of clear glass. In a more shady position and especially in a higlier tempera- ture, the blooms of this Sol.anum will be pure white. It would be as impertinent as superfluous to attempt to add iinything to Mr. Baines's full and perfect instructions on propiigation. cultiv.ation.and general and special treatment. I m.ay, however, add that green .and bUck fly are especially parti.al to this 126 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 9, 1889. plant, anrl increase on its slender shoots with amazing rapidity. These pests soil .and so rain the flowers almost as soon as they appear, and hence they must be at once destroyed so soon as the first is seen if the flowers of this useful plant are to be had in quantity .and of the purest quality.— D. T. Fisil. IMPORTED LILIUII AURATL'M. Despite the report one sometimes hears of this beautiful Lily becoming naturalised, many of the Imported bulbs die every year ; in proof of which one h.as but to look at the notices of the various auction sales to see them sometimes offered by tens of thousands. Gener.ally speaking, they now arrive here in very good condition, th.anks to the way in which they are packed. E.ach bulb is hermetically enclosed in a ball of clay, which, of coursCj must be moistened sufficiently to allow of its being manipulated. The advantages of this mode of packing are, first, its .air-tight character, and secondly, the fact that each bulb is entirely isolated, so that should one be affected by decay it is not all liable to affect its neighbours, luiless too much moisture is present, as then the clay yields and the decay often spreads. In the case of bulbs just imported they should be put in soil as soon as possible after receipt, but an excess of moisture must be especially guarded against, as the bulbs are often somewhat exhausted, and if kept too wet they are apt to decay. While the treatment will, to a great extent, depend upon the conveniences at hand and the purposes for which the plants are required, it is a good plan to lay the bulbs in a frame out of the reacli of heavy rains, and just cover with some sandy soil for two or three weeks before potting or planting them. By this means the partially exhausted scales if there are any become gradually plump and firm ; whereas if planted in the open ground directly on receipt, much mischief might occur by very heavy rains just then. Besides this, two or three decayed scales will often infect the whole bulb, and when laid in for two or three weeks before planting in the manner above described, an opportunity is then afforded of removing any signs of decay that might not h.ave been noticed when first received. In potting or planting drainage is a very important consideration, and I find very good results from surrounding the bulb with sandy soil, as it prevents any great accumulation of moisture. Notwithstand- ing the many beautiful specimens of L. auratum that one sees, we have much to learn from the Japanese as to their successful culture, but most probably the climate has much to do witli it ; at all events the fact remains that the Dutch bulb growers, successful as they are with many Lilies, do not succeed with this. The golden-rayed Lily is by no means the only one imported from Japan as above described, for some varieties of it are also sent, prominent among them being platypliyllura, of which huge bulbs are sometimes met with at the auction sales, rubro-vittatum, pictum, and the charming spotless virginale. There are also other species now imported from Japan in considerable numbers, such as L. longiflorum, of which a very good variety is usually sent to this country; L. Batemaiiniic, whose bright apricot-coloured flowers make a goodly sliow in the open ground, but it will not succeed in pots. Besides these the white L. speciosum Knctzeri is sent in gi'eat numbers, .as well as a good dark variety, usually disposed of as L. speciosum rubrum. L. Kramcri, wliich also arrives in large quantities, is a ditticult Lily to cstiiblisli, and Ijesidcs all these there are ;i few usually imported in limited numbers, such as L. Leichtlini, the curious L. cordifolium, numerous varii:ties of (he Tiger Lily and of L. elegans or Thunbergianum, ring. Tliey started into growtli and soon came into Datura Buaveoleas in the flower garden. flower profusely in all seasons, the rage for them - amounted to a craze, and when this happens the reaction is sure to extend to the other extreme, and end in the denunciation of the entire family. That this stage has been reached in respect of single Dahlias, I had proof last year. Whilst admiring the grand array shown at the National Dahlia Society's show at the Crystal Palace, a friend said, " I have done with single Dahlias ; thoy take up too much time to keep them free of seed-pods, and they eati- not be left on, or they cease flowering directly." My ri'jily was, " Nonsense ; what bedding plant is there that does not rc(|uiic as much attention, either in picking oil bad flowers, pegging, or staking." An answer was attcinplcd, but it is needless to say that I did not accept it, simply because the bestowal of an hour's labour once a week will rid the Dahlias of all .seed-i]c>(ls in the largest bedded-out garden. This, .at any nite, is my experience. From the fore- going it will, I think, be seen tliat single D.aldias are .still in favour here, and that for the best of all from that operation quickly break into flower. There is no more telling way of arranging them than that of intcnnixing them in largo beds with other plants that grow about the same height, as do Abutilons, the strongest growing forms of Mar- guerites, the perennial forms of doul)Io Sunflowers, and others, the names of which will occur to readers. Where flower borders are bounded at the back by Evergreens, nothing better of a flowering description can be used, but an entire line of them oven in such a position .as that is objectionable, because of its furnialily, and, therefore, thoy should be altcrnaled with plants of less gaudiness. Plants of massive foliage, as ('a.-itor-oils, would be suitable, being of a totally dilTerent character. Colour h.as most to do with the question of what I call "quiet" or refined beauty. Of white, scarlet, and rose it is hardly possible to have too mueli, but yellow and liurple of every shade should be very sparingly used. Varieties .arc now so numerous that 1 think it best to mention colours only. The Cactus sec- Feb. 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 129 tion is very beautiful, but unfortunately the plants do not flower well till very late in the season, and are so susceptible to injury — damping oS— from rain, even before they are half open, that I have nearly given them up, as they are unworthy of being classed as bedding plants where plenty of flowers is a first consideration. In the hot, dry autumn of 1887 nothing could be finer, and last year nothing was worse in the garden. The flower-buds were a rotten mass ere the flowers were half open. They are, however, so beautiful in a good season that I shall continue to use them, but in reduced numbers, and only in such positions that if they should fail their loss would not be conspicuous. The bouquet or pompon varieties were at one time in great favour, and^ for large beds where colour and free- flowering were required they did very well as a change, but their stiffness was sufficient to make their popularity of short duration. The least ob- jectionable way of arranging them is that of dis- persing them in single file at irregular intervals over mixed flower borders, which they brighten up, and amongst such a mass of other totally different types of plants that their formality is not observable. For use as cut flowers they are valuable, and few flowers retain their freshness so long. The propa- gation of all the sections should now be commenced. They are something akin to Chrysanthemums in respect of young or newly-struck plants being superior to the old. Of course the latter (old tubers) will flower very well, but not produce the quality of flower that spring-struck plants do. A bottom-heat of 60° will cause the growths to push slowly, but strong. A bottom-heat of 75" or 80°, as often recommended, is fatal, because the growth being so rapid the shoots come weak, are longer in rooting, and consequently do not make the same rapid growth as do plants raised by the cool treat- ment. A'ABIEGATED EUONTMUSES FOB THE FLOWER GARDEN. — These look so beautiful in the beds planted for winter effect, that we intend to use them in the same way in the summer garden. The small-leaved white variegated Japanese variety, E. radicans variegatus, will, by a little manipulation, grow in any form desireil, that is prostrate, up- right, or spreading, according to the will of the operator. In the prostrate form it makes an ex- cellent undergrowth plant for Aralia Sieboldi and Grevillea robusta, and as small bushes it may be ap- propriately intermixed with scarlet or rose-colour- flowered tuberous Begonias. The broad glossy- leaved Japanese 'varieties, aureus marginatus, aureus variegatus, and latifolius variegatus, would be effective as standards among flowering plants of any kind. At the present time we have them planted as standards in blocks of Mahonia japonica, and nothing could be more beautiful for the winter season. As the variegation in the sum- mer is still more distinct, I feel sure that they will be just as beautiful and serve the same purpose as do variegated Abutilons. The half-ripened points or shoots of the small-leaved variety radicans strike in heat with the same freedom .as do ordinary bed- ding plants, but the others are more difficult and slow to strike. Cuttings of these should be taken in autumn and be inserted in cold frames or hand- lights. They will strike root in the following spring, and as soon as well rooted they may be transplanted to a sheltered border, or, better still, to cold fr.ames, for the sake of shelter the following winter. General work.— Propagation of bedding plants, potting of those in store pots and boxes and the sowing of such kinds of flower seeds as are of slow growth ; pinch out the tops of Calceolarias in frames to induce a branching habit, and if Violas and Pansies cannot yet be planted out, these may be served the same. Other plants in cold frames will need an occasional picking over to prevent decay through damp and mildew; this and surfacc-.stirring of soil, to prevent the growth of Moss, and the free use of sulphur will ensure safe preservation. Out of doors complete all new work and alterations that the final touch of neatness may be given to the walks — a fresh surfacing of new gravel. After this, roll as frequently as time affords, as a solidly I made gravel walk is inimical to weed growth and comfortable to walk on. W. Wildsmith. SNAPDRAGONS. The coloured plate of the homely Snapdragons which appeared in last week's Garden should do much to bring the fine self-coloured varieties for- ward. There are many named kinds of the common Antirrhinum majus, but an endless selection can be obtained from seed, especially if this is gathered from a well-assorted strain of flowers. It is sur- prising the apathy that still exists in regard to hardy flowers. The Snapdragon, or Rabbit's-mouth, as the children call it, is common, and therefore not fit to have a place in the garden ; so moralise those who see no beauty except in a flower that has cost them much to obtain. The Antirrhinums may be grown in many spots, reserving a few seeds for the old and crumbling wall where the plants can find a foothold and flower freely. These are the kind of places where seeds of many of our simple flowers can be scattered — the common I'umitory, for instance — and left to chance. I know an old wall where the yellow Fumitory, Snap- dragon, Toadflax, and other gems bloom with their wonted beauty and freedom. It does not occur to many, however, to try and obtain beautiful effects such as these, and that give a more lasting pleasure than all the geometric patterns, corkscrews, or paltry imitations of common objects that can be crammed into the garden. One thing the plate should teach — the superiority of the self varieties over the striped and bizarre kinds that seem to please some. There is a certain beauty in them, especially as grown in the north of Scotland ; but they should never be grown to the detriment of the selfs, as is the case with the Carnations. The crimsons of many shades, pure whites and yellows are clear and rich, and give a much finer effect in the garden than the too often exceed- ingly weak striped varieties that are usually ex- hibited at country shows. The great point is to secure a good strain — that is, a fine selection of colours, with the additional advantages of a robust bloom and a strong habit in the plant. When this is done a lasting show of flowers is obtained, espe- cially when the plants are two years old, as they are then in the full vigour of both leaf and flower. Unless seed is required, the flowers should be cut off after they have faded, as this encourages continuous blooming and the bushy plants that may be some- times seen in gardens. It is notoften the Antirrhinum is killed, but a severe winter sometimes proves too much for it, though unless killed outright the plants shoot up .again and seem to flower more freely from the trial they have undergone. It is the second- year plants that flower the strongest, and from which the largest crop of seed can be obtained, though older clumps will give unusual beauty. This is evident from the plant of the 'White Swan variety figured in The Garden of Sept. 20, 1888. This is shown in its third year and at its greatest height, and in its second year, according to the note upon it, it flowers densely when about a foot high. The engraving presented shows the Snapdragon in its truest and best character, growing apparently in an odd corner with an Ivy-covered wall as a background. It is smothered with its pure white spikes of flowers and full of leaf. Those who wish to see what Snapdragons will attain to when pro- perly grown should refer to this delightful engrav- ing of garden beauty untrammelled by inartistic and formal creations. The spring will soon be here, and many have already obtained their seeds ; then, if not already done, add a packet or two of the best Antirrhinum seed, and if sown in March, the plants will bloom the following autumn, and a sowing made in the open ground in July will give plants that will flower early in the following summer. A long list of named kinds will be found in the cata- logues, but unless strikingly distinct it will not be worth while to trouble about these, as from mixed seed a fine selection of colour is obtained. The Tom Thumb varieties are dwarf and compact, just the kind of plants to edge beds with, and the colours are decided. It is the selfs that we wish to bring more into cultivation. Avoid the liizarre and striped varieties, as every lover of hardy self Carnations would the flakes and similar types, as it is not from these that the greatest amount of rich beauty is derived. Personally, I would not have a striped kind in the garden. But, of course, every- one has not the same tastes or the same conceptions as to what constitutes beautiful colouring. T. 'W. A GAIN IN HARDY FLO'WER GARDENING. One distinct gain in hardy flower culture, which all interested should realise, is leaving the stems of plants all through the winter instead of cutting them down in the old and orthodox way. Every- body knows how gardeners used to treat the mixed borders, which are very, very poor representations of what hardy plants would do. The plants were snicked and cut down often early in autumn, and the borders left raw all the winter, with a conspicu- ous array of sticks and labels. When the finer things are selected and grown in quantity, but naturally grouped, it is a decided improvement to leave the stems of the plants all the winter, only to remove them when there are signs of fresh growth in spring. This is not only worth doing as an aid to culture and arrangement, but it is decidedly worth doing for the beauty and the colour of the plants. Anybody having an eye for good colour and form will enjoy the plants' brown and sere stems in win- ter. Some kinds of plants are very pretty when dead. In a garden in NewTy the other day, be- longing to Mr. Hoey, we were pleased to see groups of large and favourite tall herbaceous plants looking nut-brown, and more beautiful dead than alive. We mean such things as the Japan and Sachalien Knotweeds, the Michaelmas Daisies, Ferns, and hardy plants generally. A single stem or two in the mixed border would not be noticed, but when plants are put in good ground in picturesque groups, either alone or naturally mingled with others, and relieved by evergreen or other shrubs, groups in that way are telling and most delightful. 'They give quite a new aspect of vegetation, helping to make winter in the garden more interesting and beautiful. We should not remove the foliage from any hardy plant till early spring, however poor the foliage might be. Among the good hardy plants that occur as the most striking in winter are the Royal and other bold native and hardy Ferns, the great Knot- weeds above mentioned. Sea Hollies, the Starworts or Michaelmas Daisies, the bolder Grasses, of which there are not a few, and the larger composites, such as the Cow Parsnips, The p.aradox above mentioned is true of these last, as they really are in some cases more beautiful dead than alive, theirdelicate browns andgreys being so pretty. Hosts of other things might be men- tioned, but we leave out all things evergreen and enduring in winter, such as the Yuccas, Bamboos, and Pampas Grasses, referring only to summer- leafing plants. In addition to the pretty effect we gain, we have to count upon the great advantage of knowing ex- actly where the plants are in winter and spring, in case we want to move, exchange, or give away. The place is exactly marked, and there can be no mis- take made by anybody with the slightest knowledge of plants. A plant's whereabouts cannot be better indicated than by its own stems. Moreover, leaving the stems tends to destroy the old notion of annual digging in \\inter — a murderous and stupid practice, which should never be adopted. In really good hardy plant culture there ought to be not infrequent removals. Sc me things are better for being annually removed; groups arc constantly being changed and new ones made. We must never hesitate to remove, replant, or fill a vacant space at any time, but the more visible the plants arc during the dull time of the year the simpler the work becomes. It is easy to see where things are crowded ; when lifted, the plants are more conve- niently handled; and, after dividing, when replant- ing, the stems are a useful guide towards grouping naturally. When a plant is plentiful in the borders, a delightful thing to do is to make a group in good 130 THE GARDEIT. soil in the shrubbery. The plants may either be thinly placed in open spaces between newly-planted shrubs, or may occupy a little bay or recess in an older and denser plantation. In either case, during winter, the brown stems have a pretty effect, re- lieved by the Evergreens. In borders filled with hardy flowers in that way we get two forms of life, the evergreen and herbaceous, and by leaving the dead stems in winter, we have the delightful con- trast between their soft browns and greys and the verdure of the shrubs around. — Field. BORDER POLYANTHUSES AND PRIMROSES. We ought to have an unusually fine display of bloom on Polyanthuses this coming spring. I liave never seen the plants so robust nor throwing up such fine leafage. They have literally had no check since last winter, and the summer proved to be for them a time of unusual growth. Not only should there be a large show of flowers, but the bloom should be early. We have had a fairly good late autumn bloom, and it might have been thought that so much of flower at that season would have weakened the plants for a spring show ; but such is not the case. Not only are the last season's crowns crowded with embryo bloom heads, but the winter crowns are so robust, that the later flowers must be fine and abundant unless injured in any way by adverse weather in April. All flower stems thrown up in the autumn, even though all the buds have not yet opened, are best picked out, as any flowers from them would be imperfect. Did Polyanthuses bloom only from the previous year's crowns the blooming period would be a short one, though early. The finest and most characteristic show is usually found on the late or winter crowns, as then Poly- anthuses show what they really are, whilst the early or previous season's crowns usually give us in the first bloom very many Primrose flowers, thus exhibiting that form which has led to their being termed by some Polyanthuses or Primrose Polyan- thuses. Happih', just as the bulk of any good strain of Primroses still maintain their proper characteristic of producing Primrose flowers only, so also will any good strain of Polyanthuses adhere to the correct Polyanthus form, but in each case seed must be saved from the truest forms to keep the strains as perfect as possible. Putting aside all concern as to intercrossing of Polyanthuses with Primroses to produce this ten- dency to run out— and no doubt there is some of that intercrossing going on naturally — there can be no doubt but that constant cultivation of strains ab- solutely apart from each other, by raising them from seed, will tend to the same direction. The Prim- rose verges somewhat towards the Polyantlms habit, and the Polyanthus apes tlie manners of the Primrose. But whilst my own tastes run in favour of true strains of each form, many persons think that this variation of character tends to greater blooming power and more e.^tended flowering seasons. I cannot say that I have ever obtained from any Polyanthus strain a Primrose which I cared to seed from for own sowing, because, not so good, on the whole, as the best true Primrose forms always are. On the other hand, I have found some wonderfully fine Polyanthuses come from out of Primroses, the flowers or pijjs being of the largest kind. Still, these, as a rule, lack that sturdy stiffness of stem whicli is essential in any good Polyanthus. During tlie niontli of March, when Primroses are witli me, as a rule, at tlieir best— and should the season prove kindly they will be so this sea.son — nothing belong- iiig to the great Primula family seems capable of giving so much of bloom and beauty ; certainly at that particular time no other secticm can approach them in variety of colour and markings of flowers, in quantity, or in effectiveness. But a month later — for Ajiril is the usual time for Die liest showy Polyanthuses — then the mass of bloom tlirown up so well aljove the foli.-ige, giving even more variety of hue tlian tlie Primroses do, seems to be unequalled for beauty and attractiveness. Tlic Polyanthus gives to us now a we.-ilth of rich yellows, both single and duplex, tliese latter being because of theirtwin pips very effective in the mass ; wliilst the Primrose does not afford that hue readily, although some are [Feb. 9, 1889. content to regard washy sulphur hues as yellow. Buff, brown, and salmon tints do not ordinarily appear amongst Primroses, whilst in Polyanthuses we find many of these novel colours. But, then, we get in Primroses many pure mauves and almost blues, colours found less frequently in the Poly- anthus. The dominant hues in Primroses are white, sulphur, mauve, red, crimson, and purple, or varying shades, such as rose, magenta, and blue. The truest and best rose-coloured Primrose I have seen came last year in the form of Hose-and-hose, and, to my mind, a lovely tiling it is, and as I have numerous seedlings from it, I hope the form may be perpetuated. Seed saved from Primroses growing indiscriminately with each other give on the whole about 60 per cent, fairly true to colour. No doubt were plants grown in distinct blocks of colours remote from each other, fairly true re- turns from seedlings would result ; but still I think any such result would be a misfortune, as to me, at least, one of the charms of Primrose culture is found in watching the expanding flowers of seedling plants which are so varied, because the parent plants were grown in contiguity to others. Whilst the duplex form is common in the Polyanthus section, it very rarely presents it- self amongst true Primroses. The habit is a bad one in a seed-saving sense, as, like those oddities the Jacks-in-the-Green, the flowers have tubes from half to three-fourths of an inch long, and as the anthers are remote or the style is very low down, fertilisation is uneven, and often fails altogether. On the whole, duplex Polyanthuses do not produce more than one-fourth the quantity of seed which a similar number of ordinaiy Polyanthuses will. The wet season of last year proved to be exceedingly harmful to fertilisation amongst the duplex varie- ties. We get every colour in the duplex forms which the ordinary Polyanthus gives — white, sul- phur, yellow, orange, lilac, red, magenta, crimson, buff, brown, salmon, and purple, with all sorts of markings ; indeed, except in the case of whites and other light hues, it is difficult to find two alike. The old florist still thinks his gold-laced Polyanthuses the gems of the family. They are refined and pretty, but small, miffy as a rule, and afford little variety. A bed of them, however, finely flowered makes a poor show after all as compared with the fine flowers, large bold heads, and rich hues found in the border Polyanthuses, which also give an abundance of perfect thrum eyes and fine form in the pips. I find no plants of either Primroses or Polyanthuses to bloom more freely than do those which are raised from seed sown in boxes or pans, or in a frame — as soon as ripe, the seedling plants being, if strong, dibbled out into the open ground in the autumn, or, if not strong enough, kept in a frame through the winter and dibbled out in the following spring. Then during the second spring, if full of vigour, they bloom in rich profusion. A. D. VERBENAS. The absence of the Verbena from the flower gar- den is much to be regretted, for there is hardly a single flower amongst the list of bedding plants that accommodates itself to so many styles of planting. There is nothing that will present a more dense mass of colour if planted in bulk and kept closely pegged, or it will l'r ready for shifting liy the end of the month. The rooted cuttings should bo put into boxes, sufticient space being allowed for their development, and grown on quickly until they re- quire hardening off. By this time, if they hiive been pinched once or twice, they will be nice bushy plants, with quite a liost of good shoots that will rapidly furnish the beds when the plants are put out. This is, again, a special feature, for if the cuttings are put out without being shifted they are a long time in making headw.ay, and are not at their best much before the end"of the season. If the weather is at all dry at planting time,a mulch- ing of Cocoa fibre or leaf soil will be highly bene- ficial and tend greatly to the rapid growth of the plants. Of viirieties suitable for bedding, there is nothing in the way of scarlets to equal the Hamp- ton Court Scarlet," .as it combines in itself all the qualities essential in a good bedding Verbena. There is nothing, at least I know of nothing, among named varieties in the purple and white shades equal to this kind, but the colours can be obtained by sowing a pinch of seed each year and carefully selecting varieties of vigorous constitution, sturdy habit and decided colours. Stock plants of Verbenas that are kept through the winter are very suscep- tible to many garden enemies, and fall victims to mildew, red spider, and thrips unless carefully watched; an application of sulphur and keeping the plants on the dry side will, however, generally effect a cure in the case of mildew, and thrips will succumb to repeated fumigations. For spider a capital remedy is to dip the pLants in some of the many insecticides now recommended. This is, in fact, advisable under any circumstances before cut- tings are taken. E. Bl'REELl. Claremont. CARNATIONS IN 1888. We quote the following, by Mr. Rowan, from the report of the Carnation and Picotee Union for 1888:— "Another long winter, remarkable like its two predecessors for its length rather than for its actual severity, was followed by a season differing widely from either of them. Instead of the genial spring rains, so much needed after the long dry winter, to start the plants vigorously on their way, both the spring and the early summer were dry and harsh — • all but rainless, in fact — so that at the beginning of June growth was very backward and in many in- stances seriously checked. Towards the middle of June commenced a time of almost incessant rain, which, with its lack of sunshine and low prevailing temperature — which on one July d,ay gave us snow — might well be called a second winter. The July of 1888 will, in f.act, be remembered for the heaviest rainfall and lowest temperature for this month hitherto recorded. Wo had got well into August before we emerged from this miserable period. Such a succession of adverse influences seemed little promising for the production of fine flowers, but in the end the blooms, though fully a fortnight later than an average, were the finest seen in the south for many ye.ars. The flowers developed very slowly, coming, as a rule, in fine character, attaining .a greater size than usual, and showing a lasting power, whether on the plant or in the cut state, quite remarkable. This last quality it was, next after the lateness of the season itself, which enabled southern growers to show at Oxford on such a d.ate as the l-lth of August, fully three weeks beyond the time when, in a normal season, the flowers are at perfection. "Of the more rei'cnt introductions, Robert Houlgravc, S.li., more than held its own at Oxford, taking ]iremier there together with all the prizes in its class. Alis-monde, S.F., and Thalia, R.K., were ag.ain in fine form this .season, as was Amy Robsart, H.P.P., the heaviest purple edge, and perhaps the most effective flower in its class. Emma Lakin was the finest self and Maestro the best fancy of the year. Old favourites worthily iii.-iiiitaiiied their ])ositions. Tom Power, .S.B., and Muriel were premier C.-irnalion and Picotee in London; Mrs. Payne, premier Picotee at Oxford : Sportsman and Muriel taking the honours at M.anchestcr. New flowers cevlilii'.-ited this season were fi'W. Silvia, L.P.P. (Doiiglas\ John Ilanison, C.B. (Hewitt), Emma Lakin, White Self (Lakin), were the best, and all Feb. 9, 1889.J THE GARDEN. 131 were of high quality. Run flowers were with me much less numerous, and the bloom generally was purer in the ground and more refined in the mark- ings than during the hot season of 1887. Com- plaints, as might have been expected after so wet and cold a summer, have been general as to failure of the layers in rooting ; and another unpleasant feature has been the reappearance in force of the ' maggot,' which has again been very destructive, for the most part among plants in the borders, those in the pots being but little troubled with the pest. The fine autumn has done much to make amends for the unfavourable influence of the cold spring and summer on the growth of stock, the young plants, both since layering and potting up, having improved both in size and vigour to a degree which in many cases seemed at one time scarcely to be hoped for." Rose Garden. T. W. GIKDLESTONE. NOTES ON NEW TEA ROSES. The notes that have recently appeared in the columns of The Garden about the new Tea- scented Rose Mme. Hoste (Guillot, 1887) all tend to confirm the good opinions formed of it during the past season, although Mr. Benjamin Cant rightly enough demurs to its description as a rival to Marichal Niel. Nevertheless, that so good a judge as Mr. Cant should express his unqualihed approval of Mme. Hoste, as re- corded on jip. 65-0, will dispose many rosarians to make trial of Guillot's seedling. The blooms of it exhibited by Mr. William Paul, when a first-class certificate was awarded to it by the Royal Horticultural Society, were of great beauty, and the vigorous growth of the plants on which they were produced was also noted with satisfaction. Out of doors during the past season, in spite of the wet, some good blooms were produced on the young plants, especially late in the year, when several very beautiful examples managed to develop between tlie showers. That the variety has achieved a suc- cess in America is also satisfactory, as there the propagation of a promising Rose takes place on a scale sufficiently extensive quickly to find out the weak points in the character of a flower. The tendency of American growers seems to be not to grow a great number of varieties, but to grow an immense number of plants of a few good sorts, so that if a Rose is found to be worth propagating on a large scale over there, it must at any rate be a good forcing or pot Rose. The flower is well described on p. 66 by Mr. Benjamin Cant, except that he does not draw attention to two important qualities, viz., the great size and depth of the individual petals and the close pointed centre of the flower. The sustained beauty, however, of the lemon-tinted blossoms from the bud state until fully de- veloped has not been overlooked either by growers in this country or in America. Another of the half-dozen most conspicuous Teas of the past season is the last contribution of Lacharme, Henriette de Beau van. Tliis Rose is a climber, and therefore not likely to be valuable to cultivators " on the other side," where most of the Rose growing seems to be done under glass ; consequently reports about it from America will probabl}' not be fortlj- comiiig. But favourable opinions have already been expressed by good growers in this country, Mr. Cant among them, not only on its character as avignrous climber, which is obvious, but also as to tlie quality of its flowers, wliioli seem quite likely to prove useful for exhibition. Tlieir colour is almost that of Perle des Jardins, while the habit and entire appearance of the plant strongly recall Mme. Eugene Verdier (Levet, I 1882), though, unlike that very distinct variety, which is liable to be very considerably injured by frost, Henriette de Beauvau appears quite hardy, the plants having withstood the recent cold unharmed, while the shoots of Mme. Eugi'nc Verdier were, as usual, killed back for a considerable distance from the tips. There is need of a good yellow climbing Rose that shall be hardy. Marechal Niel is too susceptible of chills ; most of the Dijon Teas are two tawny in colour to be described as yellow ; while Cloth of Gold, in spite of " C. J. G.'s" note on p. 00 as to its beauty in Ceylon, may for aU practical purposes be ignored as a climber out of doors in this country. Of course, there is Mme. Barthelemy Levet, very beautiful in colour, but very small and by no means free ; and there is also Belle Lyonuaise, but the colour is very pale, the flower often quartered or malformed, while the plant is tender and generally loses its foliage early in autumn. So that if only Hen- riette de Beauvau's flowers are as freely and con- tinuously produced as they are well formed and clear in colour, the last seedling that Lacharme sent out will, like so many of its predecessors, supply a long-felt want. Another Tea whose handsome flowers have already won golden opinions is Lady Castle- reagh (Alex. Dickson, 1888). Here there is no question about the quality of the blooms, which are large, well formed, and of great substance, and which open freely. In colour they are of a soft yellow at the base, suffused externally with a rosy shade. Probably many rosarians, even if they have not yet grown the plant, have seen the flowers exhibited at various shows, at which they have already been awarded three first-class certificates ; but it may be of interest to add further that the plant proves to be a good sturdy grower, with exceptionally handsome foliage, which is very persistent, and the wood does not appear in the least damaged liy the frost. Some pretty flowers were developed in the autumn of Mme. Philemon Cochet (S. Cochet, 1887), which was figured in December in per- haps the best coloured plate ever published in the Journal dcs Eases. The flowers are of a delicate pale rose tint, full and freely produced, though ])ossibly with hardly sufficient depth to take first rank ; but their stems being .stiff and erect, they are displayed on the plant to the best advantage. The same good habit cha- racterises Princesse de Sagan (Dubreuil, 1887), which produces in the utmost abundance flowers of the brightest velvety-crimson colour. If these can only be obtained as good in size and fulness as they are in form, the raiser of Mar- quise de Vivens will have made a most striking addition to the Teas. Of the freedom and brilliancy of the novelty there is no doubt, every little plant blooming directly ; but the flowers, partly perhaps owing to their immediate production on diminutive plants, have been small, though well shaped. In colour, however, at any rate, Princesse de Sagan is not one of the conventional (and generally deservedly despised) red Teas, but is a genuine brilliant crimson. Tlie sixth of the new Teas w-hich has attracted immediate attention is Nabonnand's climbing L'Id6al (1887), which has been recommended as a bud Rose. The raiser, attempting to describe its shades of colour, declares them indefinistuan in this stage, there is no more beautiful Rose in the garden at that season tiian M.adamo I,aml)ard. — J. BunnKLL, Cambridge,. In reply to Mr. Girdlestonc's queries with regard to this Itoso in Tiiic Gauden, February 2 (p. 107), I give the following : — 1 and 2. 'J'he National Rose Society's catalogue calls Madame Lambnrd " The best and hardiest of the light red Teas." It is almost too daring after t hat. to depreciate, but such is hardly my experience. I have not Mr. Morley's list to reftr to, but should have thought Mme. Lambard was going off and not so much shown now. Roses seem to deteriorate. ^Vho ever now sees those wonderful boxes that used to be shown of twelve Baroness Rothschild and so forth ? It may be superseded, but I think it is not so good ; so for the last two or three years I have been disappointed in Madame Lambard. I seldom get an exhibition bloom, and I should put Jean Ducher before it in almost the same range of colour. Its principal charm is its extreme un- certainty. I doubt whether any Rose varies as much in colour. Changeful as the changing breeze. Sometimes friendly, somet'mes coy. Yet she never fails to i lease ! 3. Moderately hardy. 4. Strong soil, against a paling. 5. Seedling Brier. G. Prune hard for extra fine flowers; very moderately for general garden decoration. 7 and 8. On these two I am unable to give an opinion.— Alan ChbALES, Brockham Mcarage Surrey. 1. Its great freedom of bloom, good habit' fine foliage, and distinct and beautifully coloured flowers. 2. Rather deficient in size and substance. Some- times comes quartered. 3. Hardy. 4. South exposure on walls and raised beds. Soil, good turfy loam and plenty of manure. 5. Catting Brier. 6. Prune hard and thin out well for fine flowers. For general garden decoration, cut out all weakly shoots, and shorten tips of those that are well ripened. 7. Well adapted for forcing, and a first-rate pot Rose. 8. We have a great and growing demand for this variety in a cut state, and get many orders for bouquets and sprays to be entirely made up of this Rose.— James Cockeb & Sons, Mornmnfield Mose Nit/r series, Aberdeen. 1. Its beautiful colours and profusion of bloom. 2. It falls short in substance and form. It gene- rally comes with a double centre in my soil. 3. Quite hardy. 4. For exhibition it should be grown ingood strong Rose soil. In light soil it is very thin, and stands but a short time when cut. 5. I have only grown it on seedling Brier and Brier cutting, but believe it would do well on its own roots. 6. Severe pruning does not suit it, either for extra fine flowers or garden decoration, for which it is one of the best. My soil being light and situation sloping to the south, I never cut an exhibition bloom off it. — F. Page Robebts, Soole Jtectory, Norfolk. 1. In my opinion the Rose in question is excellent as a plant, from its free and vigorous habit and almost evergreen tendency. As pearance. You will, I think, agree with me that judicious )U'uning— (■ c. removing weak and super- fluous branches— woidd have the good elTects of im- proved appearance, more heallliy growth, and finer fruit. The general character of the growth is so vigorous as to render it unnecessary to prune the extremities of the shoots, except for the sake of • A paper re;iil at tlie Chiswlck Conference t>y C. B. I Haunders. Feb. 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN 133 shaping the trees and balancing the heads, but "thinning out" is the style of pruning requisite. The finer descriptions of Apples are grown in gardens sometimes against the walls, on espaliers, or on the long cordon system. The dwarf cordon is not much practised, nor is it desirable, inasmuch as the growth, in spite of the Paradise stock upon which the trees are usually worked, becomes so strong that it requires constant cutting back to keep it within the desired limits, and this constant repression of growth is not conducive to fruit- bearing. The finest Ribston Pippin Apples are grown upon south walls in sheltered gardens and trained upon the fan system, the strong radiating shoots being selected to form the frame of the trees, and the lateral and weaker branches being pinched and pruned off so as to get fruit spurs to form. It is an excellent system, barring the disadvantage of the early maturity of the fruit. Very few otlier sorts are thought worthy of wall culture. The dwarf bush, the open standard, the rider or tall standard trees are all acceptable forms of garden trees where the space is sufficient, and such varieties as Early Stibberd, Red Astrachan, Lord Suffield, Hawthorn- den, Red Quarrenden, Hooper's Seedling, Downton, King, Golden and Walton Pippins, Grand Alex- ander, Cox's Pomona and Orange Pippin, Court of Wick Pippin, English and Dutch Codlins, &c., are grown freely on Paradise as well as other stocks, and take but little space. It is not unusual to see crops of fruit considerably above the weight of the trees producing them. Planting Apple trees on Paradise stocks in rows 6 feet apart, and the trees at 3 feet apart in the rows, suggests a system of cul- ture which might be made remunerative, and were it not for the constant changing of tenants from one piece of land to another, might be advan- tageously practised. It is not so here ; most of the fine fruit is produced on accidental trees, either found in gardens on taking possession, or planted by incoming tenants. Taking into consideration the time necessary to get a stock of trees into a good bearing state, few tenants would care to adopt any system of planting or training from which they would not derive some immediate advantage. The cultivation of the Pear has been so very remunerative for years past, that it has been made a subject of more general study and system. Many of tlie old gardens, established half a century or more ago, offer evidence of the walks having pali- sades on both sides for the purpose of training Pear trees upon them, and in some cases the palisading has been double, so as to admit of trees being trained on both sides, 1 foot or less being the inter- vening space between the rows of palisades. Trees planted in this way are generally productive ; the main lateral branches being trained and supported horizontally, a regular and continuous supply of sap is provided during the growing season for tlie development of the fruit. The system has and does answer well, and as long as the trees continue healthy they bear good crops of fruit, the size of which much depends upon the amount of thinning practised. Against walls, both horizontal, fan, and cordon styles of training are practised, all of which answer well in the hands of careful atten- dants. Dwarf bush and pyramidal trees are also grown, many acres of ground being devoted to tlie cultivation of the celebrated Chaumontel Pear. The great number of excellent varieties grown, and tlieir exquisite, though varied flavours, make the Pear a fruit of general acceptance, though few va- rieties are much grown. Citron des Carmes, Jar- gonelle, Williams' Bon Chretien, Louise Bonne, Conseiller do la Cour, Beurr6 d'Amanlis and B. Diel, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Doyenn6 du Cornice, Chaumontel, Glou Morceau, and Easter Beurr6 are more often met with than other varieties ; ani'ar.ance oC the few .-stunted native trees tlwil withstand the blast. Plants of the most beautiful kinils are, how- ever, established almost on the seashore. On the margin of the shore the Sea Bucktborq, Furze, and Darwin's Barberry first meet the south-western gales and almost continual winds. A few paces behind these the first plants of Pinus insignis and the common evergreen Oak appear, and soon with the aid of these excellent shore trees almost any kind of evergreen planting may be carried out. The whole place is most instructive as regards planting near the sea. The contrast between the wind-swept surface of the island and the noble avenue of evergreen trees leading from the entrance lodge to the house is ver}* striking. — V. THE PINE WEEVIL. (hylobitjs abietis.) THiSinsect(CuroulioPini of some authors) appears to be often confounded with the Pine-destroying beetle (Hylurgns piniperda), but the two species are so unlike in size, colour, shape, and mode of attack, that one is at a loss to know how they could be mistaken by practical men. It is a well-known fact that the beetle and weevil are both winged in- sects, and I have had the leaders and branches of trees of considerable size destroyed by both insects. That the weevil delights to crawl about and conceal itself among surface herbage is certain, and I have found it of great advantage to keep the ground clear of surface weeds and rubbish around the plant. As the Hylurgus piniperda never attacks plants by eating the bark on the stems and branches, and as there appears to be considerable confusion regard- ing the habits and modes of attack of the Hylobius abietis and the former, 1 shall give a brief descrip- tion of the two species. The Hylurgus piniperda is of a jet-black colour, from two to two and a half lines in length, and feeds upon the pith of the terminal twigs and leaders of Pine trees. They generally pair about the beginning of April, and use for breeding pur- poses unhealthy Pines, recently felled trees and branches lying upon the ground, as well as fresh roots and stumps left in the ground. At first they bore a hole through the bark, and then form a sub- cortical tunnel some 8 inches or 9 inches in length, along both sides of which the female deposits an egg here and there as the work proceeds. The eggs are hatched in May, and the larva eats its way in an opposite direction from the original tunnel. In June it turns to the pupa state, and by the end of July or August it is generally completely formed, makes its escape, and attacks Pine trees in the way specified. The larva is of a whitish colour with a yellowish head, and as it requires a certain amount of sap to feed upon, I have never found it in trees or stumps that had become thoroughly dried up. The Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), on the other hand, is generally from seven to nine lines in length, dark brown in colour, with bright yellow lines across the back; legs, six in number, and very powerful. The female is rather smaller than the male. They pair in March and April, and select for depositing their eggs the roots of sickly Pines and the roots and stumps of recently felled Pine trees. 1 have likewise occasionally found their nests under the b.ark of recently felled trees lying on the grotlnd, liut never in the stems of trees before they were cut down. The insect goes through its different transfor- mations and attains a perfect state in August and September. The weevils lul:ernate in surface rubbish and the roots and stumps of coniferous trees of different species; hence the propriety of burning surface herbage in spring with the view of destroying them. As the weevil, however, deposits its eggs in the solid timber below the bark, this burning never affects the eggs. I have found that nothingsbortof aroasting fire of branches on the top of the stumps was capable of penetrating the spot and destroying the eggs. This fact appears not to be taken into account, or perhaps imperfectly understood by some planters, who tell us about burning surface herbage to destroy the eggs. In addition to eating the bark around the stems of young Pine trees, the weevil often attacks trees of considerable size of the Spruce tribe by eating the bark around the loaders and terminal points of twigs and branches, ai\d I have likewise known it to attack deciduous trees in a similar numncr. J. B. Webstkb. / THE GARDEN. 135 No. 900. SATURDAY, Feb. 16, 1889. Vol. XXXV. "This lean Art Which does mend Nature : change It rather ; but The Art itself is Nattre." — Shakespeare. Rose Garden. T. W. GIRDLESTONE. TEA ROSES ON MULTIFLORA STOCKS. By multiflora is not here meant the garden variety known by the name of De la Grefferaie, which is of no value as a stock for Roses ; only some of the Dijon Teas do at all well upon it, and these no better than upon Brier, while for moderate growers it is a complete failure. The species itself, however, Rosa multiflora, more generally known in this country by the name of Rosa polyantha, under which it was re- introduced from Japan by Siehold and Zuccarini, makes a most useful dwarf stock, particularly for the Tea-scented Roses and their hybrids. Its merits are that it strikes root as a cutting more quickly and more certainly than almost any other Rose, not even excepting the Ma- netti ; that it makes a mass of vigorous liealthy roots; that it will grow in any soil even of the sandiest description ; and that it is as easy as the Manetti to bud. Some people, when its employment as a stock was first suggested, prophesied that it would sucker so much that it would be of little value. This has not in any way proved to be the case. Among some 200 plants of Teas and hybrids of Victor Verdier race budded on multiflora which have now passed successfully through their fifth season, there have not been so many suckers as amongst an equal number of plants on dwarf Brier stocks. At the same time the plants are evtow7iards, Co. Down. 1. Vigorous constitution, free - flowering' good foliage; lovely variation of colour, ranging from cream to light vivid red. 2. In hot weather it opens prematurely, and is useless for exhibition. 3. Hardy. 4. On ordinary strong Rose soil suitable for Hybrid Perpetuals, and in the best available situa- tion exposed to the morning and shaded from the afternoon sun. !>. Seedling Brier. 6. Close pruning is most suitable. 7. Not especially. — E. B. Lindsell, Hitch'm, Herts. SHORT NOTES.— ROSES. Mr. Oeobuk Prim e, of Oxford, writes to pohit out that tho niiino of lits new whita Tea.ficented Rose Is "fSouvonir de 8. A Prince," not " Souvenir de Satuli Prince," as printed in t!ie list of new Teas on page 41. Hose White Perle.— One mnro now Tea lio o has been announced, since the compilation of tlie list on pages 43-4. by Messrs. Win Paul, of Walthaiii Cross, under the ranie of White Pcrlo. It is described as a wliito sport from Perle des .Tardins. Roses in South Carolina.— Mr. liorckmans, writing to US from Aognsti, Oeorijia, .Jan. '.;■.>, says : " My friends in Houth Carjlioa are llie most advanced in horticultural matters of any s'jction of th'i South. Their Rose sinews in April and their Clirysantheniunis In the winter are an evi- dence of most rapid progress in Ilorlculturo." Books. THE ROSE GARDEN.* A NEW EDITION— the ninth — of Mr. William Paul's " Rose Garden " proves, elaborate as were the pre- vious editions, to be even fuller, better arranged, and more complete than any of its eight prede- cessors. By the introduction of fresh matter, the com- plete revision of descriptions and selections of varieties, and the suppression of the least interest- ing of the earlier plates in favour of portraits of more recent favourites, this standard work has been brought up to date (even to the inclusion of a full list of the new Roses for the current season 1888-9), and now more worthily than ever fills the promi- nent position that has always by common consent been accorded to it in English Rose literature. In Division 1 the amateur will find, upon every point and process of importance in the successful cultivation of the Rose, the most minute and care- ful instructions, which may be almost unreservedly recommended, although, of course, here and there some matter of detail may call forth a difference of opinion. As, for instance, in the advice given as to the treatment of seedlings (p. 127), "Do not disturb any of the seedlings the first year," an in- junction condemned by the very next sentence, as well as by the description on the following page of the fate of many seedlings left in the open beds throughout the winter. For it is just because the germination of many seeds takes place so early in the second spring that it is desirable to remove the stronger seedlings late in October or during the November previous, according to the season, when the momentary disturbance of the soil of the seed- bed will do no harm, while the removal of the smaller and younger seedlings is essential to the prevention of their being drawn out of the ground by the frost, and so perishing during the winter. When the seedlings are all taken up in late autumn, the soil of the seed-bed can be at once pressed down firm again, so that still dormant seeds may germinate safely without risk of disturbance just at the critical time in March or April, and the seed- lings themselves can also be laid in safe out of reach of winter frost. It is, however, to the propositions laid down in his chapter on Tea-scented Roses (pp. 175-7) th.at Mr. Paul will find fewest adherents at the present time. That the Teas must be grown under glass to ensure the perfect development of their flowers is a contention which cannot, e.xcept in a phenomenal season like that of 1888, be maintained. Indeed, in the case of certain varieties the converse is more true, for the flowers of such Teas as Marie Van Houtte and Madame de Watteville, whose petals are margined with some shade quite distinct from the base, are rarely, if ever, seen in the most per- fect phase of their beauty — that is to say, with their characteristic two colours clearly defined — when grown under glass. The colours of such flowers become confused and indistinct when the plants are forced at all, and in the case of almost all varieties ,a certain paleness and uniformity of tint, very different from the rich glow and variety of blooms developed out of doors, is rarely dis- sociated from Roses expanded under glass early in the year. Again, the remark that " those who have a mild climate, dry soil, or sheltered situation may grow the Tea- scented Roses fairly well out of doors," sounds ,as though it might be just possible in the Isle of Wight or in Devon.shiro to keep Teas in existence during the winter; whereas it is notorious th.at there is hardly a county in the United King- dom, or at any rate us far nortli as Aberdeen, in ^ "The Rise fiardcn." In two divisions. Divleion 1. — • Embracing the history and poetry of tho ilose, tho forma- tion of the rosarium, and a detailed aecovnit of the various f)ractices adopted in the successful cultivation of this popu- ar flower ; illustrated with nximcrous engravings on wood. Division 2.— Uontainiug an arran^'oment, in natural groupa, of the most esteemed varieticH of Kosos recognised and cul- tivated in tile v.vrious iioso gardens, English and foreign, with full descriptions and remarks on tlieir origin and mode of culture. Ily William F'aul. I'M.S, .'ic. Ninth edition. Loudon: Kent and Co., 2:J, PaternoBtor Row. which Tea-scented Roses may not be, and are not, grown in the utmost beauty and perfection in the open. Mr. Paul concludes his chapter by saying, " If Tea Roses must be grown out of doors, bud i hem plentifully every year ... it is here the lover of Tea Roses should look for the chief supply of these flowers out of doors." Now it may safely be asserted that almost every rosarian who has made a special study of the culture of Tea-scented Roses would be prepared to contest this statement. When- ever any exceptionally fine Teas are seen, other Tea men may generally be heard remarking that the grower "must have some fine old-established plants to get such blooms," for it is a matter of common experience that the maiden blooms of Teas are liable to be small and lacking in character, and the plants are not infrequently less free in autumn than cut-backs of some standing. Among the most valuable additions to the present edition is the account of the growth and develop- ment of mildew and orange fungus, with admirable marginal illustrations by Mr. Worthington Smith, and Mr. Paul's remarks about stocks (p. 167) are also of great interest, his conclusion being that the native Brier or Dog Rose is the best stock, that the seedling Brier is the "best suited for light, dry soils," and that, though "the plants grow more vigorously on the Manetti ihe Jirsi year, their sub- sequent decline is also more rapid " (the italics are Mr. Paul's). There follow very full and careful selections of varieties of Roses specially adapted to particular purposes, in which it is only to be regretted that Mr. Paul should employ so many unnecessary and consequently confusing prefixes. For instance, why should there be printed " Madame S. Fropot " and " Mademoiselle T. Levet " instead of the customary and far more pleasing Sophie Fropot and Thferfese Levet ? Division 1 concludes with a useful calendar of operations in the Rose garden, and Division 2 con- sists of a descriptive list of the principal varieties of Roses in general cultivation, arranged in groups or families, but also displaying the same incon- veniences of nomenclature above noted. Of the plates, the best likeness in the book is, as it always has been, that of Baroness Rothschild — a plate on which the artist's name does not appear; .and Catherine Mermet is also good. Among the new additions, a somewhat ruddy presentment of Comtesse de Nadaillac gives a good idea of the character of the flower, and it may be hoped that the figuring of. clinophylla duplex and of the Copper Austrian Brier will be the means of obtain- ing for these two beautiful Roses a greater share of the general recognition that they so well deserve. The Duchess of Bedford's portrait, on the other hand, does not do .anything like justice to the most beautiful of .all Mr. Postan's seedlings, and the same may be said of the plates of Pride, Queen, and Star of W.altham ; while it must be candidly ad- mitted that the full-page wood engravings, of which the best is that of tho charming Polyantha Pcrle d'Or, are utterly unworthy of their position. The appendix contains two very valuable papers, one on the botany and one on the entomology of the Rose ; and also a useful and com]irelieusive list of works published during the last ninety years on the subject of Roses and Rose growing. T. W. G. The weather. — The sudden ch.ange from mild to severe, but pleasant weather withal, has not come a wliit too soon, as buds and spring flowers were getting rather forward. The gl.ass on Satur- d.ay night marked \T>° of frost, .and (1° on Sunday morning. About 11 a.m. snow commenced f.alling, and continued without intermission until about 5 p.m., when tho ground w.as covered to the depth of 10 inches. We had V^ of frost yesterday morning, 19° this (Tuesday") morning, and, judging from ap- pearance, llune is a lair pros]iect of its continuance. One of those intense fog frosts, which .sometimes chill the marrow, alter such a cold wet summer may prove fat.al to our fruit trees, by no means too Feb. 16, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 137 well ripened, but this sudden depression pervading the whole kingdom finds wood, foliage, and vege- tables perfectly dry, whilst the deep covering of snow and absence of cutting winds justify the assertion that this check is a blessing, for which gardeners should be thankful. — W. C, Eastnor Castle, Feb. 12. named nivalis, are all now just opening their flowers at HoUoway. Orchids. W. H. GOWEK. LATE-FLOWERING CALANTHES. In my early days among.st Orchids, Calanthes of the deciduous section were seldom seen ; in- deed, they were new and rare, for C. vestita was first exhibited in England in the year 1848, before I knew anything of Orchids. In 1850, the first year 1 worked amongst Orchids, LLma- todes rosea was introduced from the same country as the Calanthe, viz., Burmah. Some time after this, Mr. Dominy, by crossing Lima- todes rosea and Calanthe vestita, raised C. Veitchi, a beautiful hybrid now well known and largely grown in gardens, and which takes the highest rank as a mid- winter bloomer. Both it and C. vestita have produced many varieties which bloom together about Cliristmas time, making a rich display of colour in the houses. These plants in the collections round London, however, suffered severely from the fog this season, but in the country they escaped this, and now, in tlie second week in February, even these have passed their beauty. This being the case, I wish to call attention to a few kinds which are of more recent introduction, and which invariably open their flowers when the other varieties are over, thus serving to prolong the season of the display of this family. I think these varieties are not so generally known, or if known are neglected, through its not being generally understood that they bloom late. This fact, however, is fully exemplified by the grand lot of them which are now opening their flowers in Jlr. B. S. Williams' establishment, where this family in particular are held in the highest estimation, aod are especially well grown. The treatment for these late-flowering varieties is the same as that required for the earlier flower- ing kinds. In flower at the present time are — C. VESTITA WiLLI.lMSl, a plant, I believe, found in the Siamese or Cochin China territory, with bulbs resembling those of Limatodes rosea or Cal- anthe Veitchi in shape. This variety produces a spike 2 feet or more in length, and bears from fifteen to twenty-four flowers, which are of an entirely diffe- rent colour to those of any form yet in cultivation. The sepals and petals are spreading, some 2 inches across, white, more or less densely streaked with rosy-crimson ; lip in shape more resembling that of C. vestita than C. Veitchi ; the whole of it being of a deep, bright rosy-crimson, which is paler on the margin. C. TuBNEEl is another handsome form of the genus from Burmah, and though known for many years it has never been plentiful. Its colour is white, saving the eye and the base of the lip, which are suffused with deep rose. C. Regsieei. — Another kind from the Cochin China district, for the introduction of which we liave to thank the horticulturists across the Channel. I believe it flowered first in M. Regnier's establish- ment in Paris. In growth it resembles C. Tumeri, but the flowers are very different, being white with a distinct and beautiful blotch of bright rosy-pink in the eye. The above, and a form of C. Regnicri named fausta, with a very deep eye, C. Stevensi, which appears to be somewhat between Turneri and Kegnieri, and a pure white form of Turneri Dendroblum Fytchianum roseum. — This variety was discovered by Major-General Berkeley in Burmah some two or three years ago, and sent by him to Mr. B. S. Williams, in whose niu-sery we recently noted it flowering profusely. It is a slender plant, seldom growing more than a foot high. The racemes are dense, and the flowers are clear rose col- our, with the addition of a deep purple shade at the base of the lip. It is said to grow at a great distance from the typical plant, which occurs upon low trees overhanging water, and thus a supply of moisture is ensured all the year round. The typical plant, whose flowers are pure white, usually blooms some three months later. It should be grown in a similar manner to D. barbatulum, previously noted. Cattleya Henisiana. — I am at a loss to under- stand this plant, as it certainly has not proved itself to be according to description. It was intro- duced and sold publiclyabout twelve months agofor a yellow-flowered Cattleya. I have seen it several times with abortive flowers, from which one could scarcely obtain a fair impression of its beauty. From a plant, however, which I recently saw in Messrs. Seeger and Tropp's establishment at Dul- wich bearing a few flowers, a better idea could be obtained, but certainly there was not the faintest tinge of yeUow in them. The flowers are not large, measuring slightly under 3 inches across; the sepals and petals are spreading, the latter double the size of the former and pearly white ; lip rolled round the column at the base, the anterior lobe spreading and ovate in shape, beautiful soft reddish violet in colour. It is very distinct, and if it pro- duces a quantity of flowers on a spike, it will be- come a desirable plant, more especially if this should prove to be the correct season for it to bloom, although it has not fulfilled expectations as to its shade of colour. — H. Dendrobium barbatulum.'— This species, though an old inhabitant of our gardens, has appa- rently been much misunderstood, as two other nearly allied species, viz., D. Fytchianum and D chlorops, have at various times been figured under this name. The present plant, though seldom seen, I have recently noted in one or two collections, and its slender raceme of delicate flowers should endear it especially to lady growers of Orchids. The raceme varies from 5 inches to 10 inches in length ; the Bowers dense, each a little more than 1 inch across and pure white, saving a small tuft of green- ish yellow hairs at the base of the lip. A single raceme, backed -svith Maiden-hair Fern, forms an elegant spray without any stiffening or making up in any way. The flowers, which are freely pro- duced, last long in full beauty. This is a small- growing plant, seldom attaining more than a foot in height, and would appear to be common in Western India, where it is mostly found on small trees and fully exposed to the sun. When growing, I have found it thrive best on a block of wood with very little Moss upon it. It should be kept in a moist atmosphere, suspended near the roof-glass, and taken dovm frequently and dipped in water. After growth is finished, less water and a cooler tempera- ture should be given it. The spikes are produced from several joints simultaneously and produce a pretty effect, and as it blooms in the early part of the year, it becomes specially useful for the pur- poses noted above. — W. H. G. Dendrobium lasioglossum.— This plant first flowered in English ganlens some twenty years ago. It is a Veitchian production. This firm, I beheve, receiveied the margin. W.allflowers now t.ake the place of the Pelargonium, ami Tulips are thickly planted amongst the Anemones for spring flowering. In the Pentstemon we have an admirable hardy plant for beds, embracing .a gre.at variety of colour, graceful haliit, and free flowering properties. A good_ stniin of seed will produce v.arieties equ.al to named ones. It should be sown in 'the autumn, the seedlings being jiricked out, wintered in a frame, and planted the following spring. Aquilegias succeed undca' the same treat- ment, and many other ]ilants of similar character, if the custom of employing them in small patches is departed from, will not fail to give stitisf.action. A. Barkidb. Tritoma preecox. — This species, belonging to tlie group of T. Uv.aria.of which it in other respects Feb. 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 167 possesses the general characteristics, is particularly remarkable and distinct by reason of its flowering much earlier than the rest of this group. While T. Uvaria, T. Burchelli, and T. glauca seldom commence to bloom before August, T. pnecox flowers in the be- ginning of June, and produces a succession of bloom for some months ; last year it was finely in flower on the 10th of October. The plant forms strong tufts. The leaves are numerous, narrow, erect, triquetrous, not serrulated, green ; flower-stem at- taining a height of from 2 feet to over 2i feet, of a rusty reddish green colour; flower-spike "oval, com- paratively short ; flowers of a lively light orange-red colour. This species does not produce seeds — at least at Mirecourt (Yosges), where we have seen it in the grounds of M. Pagot, President of the Horti- cultural Society. As it flowers more than a month earlier than most of the other species, perhaps it could be crossed with some of the very early ones, especially with T. caulescens. It is perfectly hardy, and is cultivated and propagated in the same way as T. Uvaria, T. Burchelli, T. glauca, &c. We have not been able to ascertain how or whence it has been obtained. — lienie HoriicoJe. Old garden Tulips.— Will Mr. Burbidge give a few particulars of the cultivation of Tulips in English soil .' As I ride through some of the remote parts of the west of England, I find in old undis- turbed gardens very fine specimens of Tulips of the once rare and now popular kinds, and such as I am sure for perhaps the last twenty years had never been touched or cared for. — C. E. *,* The beautiful old-fashioned Tulips are often the glory of English cottage gardens in May, and are so hardy and enduring in all suitable soils.that they should find a place in all gardens large or small. A bed of Moss, monthly or other Roses pegged down and thespaces between the RosesplantedwithTulips makes a satisfactory arrangement. A deep, well- drained and rather sandy soil suits them best, and I have seen them for years very strong and happy in old Box edgings. Messrs. Krelage and Sons, of Haarlem, offer a remarkable collection of breeder Tulips, including some with petals " as black as a raven's wing." A very showy collection of these flowers may be obtained by purchasing 1000 (price 30s. to 40s.) of mixed byblcemens and bizarres. now offered every autumn in the bulb lists. Seed- lings are also easily raised and bloom in three to five years. They like good rich fresh soil and should not have any rank or crude manure near them, and they thrive best by themselves in beds or narrow borders. — F. W. B. Bouble perennial Sunflowers.— It is to be hoped that Mr. T. Smith, of Newry Nurseries, will take as much pains as I have done in convincing his English and Scotch trading friends of the identity of his plant with the one I designate Soleil d'Or. I am still convinced that double perennial Sunflowers of the multiflorus type may have variety as dissimilar in character as Dahlias or Chrysanthemums. I could not do more than go to the expense of giving illustrations of two exist- ing varieties, in the one of which I took no interest, and I do not think I would bother the London press or occupy their space so much by private notes or public advertisements if we had either a local horticultural journal or an exhibition where committees could settle matters of such interest. I believe the plant Soleil d'Or to be distinct. The authorities at Kew admit it, as I have presented the Royal Gardens with one. Chiswick shall have one. The English and Scotch tourists passing through Cork, seeing flowers in my show.house, admit it. The Ameri- cans landing at Queenstown on their way to Glen- gariffe and Killarney admit it. Travellers from the London and Scotch nurseries visiting Temple Hill admit it. My own judgment consents. I find the one I take no interest in, as I have no supply to work from, nearly as much asked for as the quilled flower.— W. B. H.\btl.ind, Temple Uill, Cork. Mr. W. Baylor Hartland, the well-known horticulturist, of Temple Hill, Cork, has asked me to send you a line in reply to Mr. Smith's (of Newry) rather unfair note in your issue of the 2nd inst. (page 89). Notwithstanding Mr. Smith's sarcastic humour, I can say something for what I believe to be a genuinely and distinctly new Helianthus. I have had this plant in my own small garden for some years, and can say confidently that it is invaluable to me and would be to others from its free-flowering character, erectness, and decorative qualities from July to November. I have never seen it shown at the Royal Horticul- tural Society's meetings, except by Mr. Hartland, nor have I seen it in any of the many gardens I have visited from time to time. Moreover, when Mr. Hartland sent flowers of this plant for a certificate I brought up some of my own to place beside his, and, notwithstanding that the Royal Horticultural Society's floral committee with- held a certificate, there were several persons of authority (notably Mr. Ware's representative) present who agreed with me that the flower was distinct and deserved a certificate.— Charles J. Gr.\hame. *,* The controversy must now cease until the flowers can be seen. — Ed. PEDICULARIS. We possess two very elegant native species of this genus, which really deserve more attention than they usually obtain. The vernacular name of Louse-wort is derived from a supposition that sheep which feed much upon these plants be- came infested, but their had condition would be more likely to arise from the boggy condition of the ground in which the Pedicularis grows, and the allusion to this fact will at once give the clue to the position these plants should occupy in the garden. Besides calling attention to our indi- genous plants, I would also remind those readers of The Garden, who may spend some of their time in the Swiss and Austrian mountains, that these districts contain numerous large growing plants, beautiful relatives of our own more humble species, which are well deserv- ing the attention of everyone possessing a bog garden or a cold frame. These plants should not be disturbed in their native habitats, as this would not only rob the locality of its beautiful ornament.'*, but in the hands of an amateur they are almost sure to die. The best plan for visitors to these countries would be to search for them and gather seeds when ripe ; the seed will not take much space, and it should be sown as soon after gathering as possible amongst some Sphagnum INIoss which has already been grown in some peat soil. These plants grow at con- siderable altitudes, and would perhaps be better for the protection of a frame for the first winter at least. I append brief descriptions of a few European species which are decidedly worth introducing, and which would become beautiful ornaments in the bog garden, large or small. P. INCABNATA is an Austrian plant, which grows from 9 inches to a foot or more in height. The leaves are delicately cut, somewhat resembling the fronds of a small-growing Asplenium, and the raceme of bright flesh-coloured flowers is 3 in. long. P. RECUTITA. — This is another erect-growing plant from the Austrian mountains, producing a stout stem and finely - divided Fern-like leaves. The flowers are large, dense, and woolly, of a purple hue ; the raceme is somewhat short, being about 2 inches long in the specimen before me and as much across. P. PROBOSCIDEA is a native of Switzerland, and grows to the height of x inches or 9 inches, the leaves being very elegant, resembling the fronds of Asplenium fontanum, whilst the flowers are yellow and deep purple, with a beak-like appendage, giving rise to the name. P. atro-rubens. — This is a beautiful bold-grow- ing plant, from 1 foot to 15 inches high ; the stem is stout, clothed for its whole length, as well as at the base, with elegant Fern-like leaves some 4 inches or 5 inches in length. The flowers are large, rich deep purple, and borne in a raceme some 3 inches long. It is found in Switzerland. P. ScEPTRUM Caeolinum (the Sceptre of King Charles) is a native of Sweden, and grows from 1 foot to 18 inches high ; it is said to grow taller ; the leaves remind one of the fronds of Ceterach ofEcinarum ; the stem is destitute of leaves, stout, and bears a long whorled raceme of large rich yellow flowers. P. FOLIOSA is a plant about 1 foot high, a native of the mountains of Austria ; as its name implies, it is very leafy, the leaves being very Fern-like and delicate. The flowers are yellow, but it does not appear to be such a profuse bloomer as those kinds previously named. P. ADSCENDENS grows about 8 inches high, the leaves being mostly radical, upwards of 3 inches long, finely divided, and resembling the fronds of Cystopteris fragilis; the bright red flowers are large and capitate. It is a native of Switzer- land. P. VEBSICOLOE is a more decumbent plant, but it attains to 6 inches or more in height; the stem is stout, producing on the apex a long raceme of yellow flowers. Switzerland. P. TUBEROSA is another yellow-flowered kind from Austria, growing from 6 inches to a foot high ; the leaves are slender and Fem-Uke, and the flowers bright yellow. P. VERTiciLLATA is an Austrian plant, some 6 inches or more high, bearing a dense, whorled ra- ceme of rose-coloured flowers. P. JACQUINI. — This is an exceedingly pretty and showy plant, with leaves resembling the finely- cut fronds of Asplenium viride, whilst the flowers are larger and rich purple. It is a native of the Austrian Tyrol. P. ASPLKXIFOLIA is a small-gTowing species from the same district as the last ; the leaves are small and Fern-like, the flowers large and rosy purple. The whole plant is some 3 inches or 4 inches high. The above are some of the beautiful members of this genus with which I am acquainted, but there are quite a number more. The above kinds are in flower during the months of June, July, and August, and seeds of these can be obtained in about a month from the time of flowering. I hope some of the more enthusiastic tourists this season will endeavour to enrich our gardens with some of these gems of the alpine flora. W. H. G. The Caucasian Scabious (Scabiosa caucasica). — Will "D. K." kindly tell me how to treat this plant so as to make it flower freely ! I have grown it for years in a sunny aspect and a deep, light, rich and somewhat dry soil, and although it appears healthy, I cannot induce it to give more than two or three blooms at a time, and not a dozen in the whole summer. The bed where this Scabious grows is admirably suited to most herbaceous plants, except the moisture-loving Irises and Spineas. Two florist friends tell me Scabiosa caucasica is a difficult subject to flower well. — J. H. W. Thomas, Belmmtf, Carlorc. Flowers at Nantes.— For many years past we have not had so mild a winter in Nantes, as, except- ing two or three sharp frosts in the beginning of October vegetation was not checked at all, and never were vegetables so plentiful and so cheap as at the end of December. The following list of plants that I noticed in bloom in the open ground on Christmas Day, 1888, may prove interesting: Ageratum mexicanum, tall and dwarf ; Anemone coronaria, single and double; Anemone fulgens, Aralia Sieboldi, Aubrietia dcltoidea, Bellis perennis fl.-pl.. Camellias of various kinds, Calluna vulgaris, Chrysanthemum, late sorts ; Chrysanthemum fra- tescens, white and yellow ; Corchorus japonicus, Coronilla glauca, Crocuses, Dapihne indica. Erica lusitanica. Erica mediterranea. Chelone barbata. Geraniums, Ivy-leaved ; Gaillardia Lorenziana fl.- pl., zonal Geraniums, single and double; Heartsease, Hyacinths, early white; Iris stylosa, Laurustinus, Marigold Meteor, Mignonette, Primula acaulis, all sorts; Pyrethrumparthcniumaureum.Pyrusjaponica, Tea Roses, Salvia patens. Salvia coccinea. Snow- drops, Sweet Sultan, white and purple ; Stocks, Ten- 168 THE GARDEN. [Per 23, 1889. week; Stocks, Brompton ; Sasifraga ligulata, Scilla sibirica, Tropa;olum majus, Heliotropium peruvi- anum, Veronica speciosa, Vinoa major and minor, Illex europaius, Violets, the leading varieties; "Wallflowers, Cliristmas Roses, Winter Aconites, Helleborus foetidus, Cyclamen europium, Cycla- men coum. As a rule, annuals and soft-wooded plants are out of bloom by the middle of November at the latest. Some of the many plants that will stand the winter out of doors in Nantes are de- stroyed in other localities. I should be glad to know of any other plants in bloom in the open ground at the above date in England.— D. Guihe- NBUi', Xanies. much to a feeling of contempt for them. This method of culture does the plants an injustice, and it is not possible to see what benefit horti- culture obtains from it. The forcing of really hardy plants for show is a practice which should be discarded. — A. D. DAFFODILS FOR FORCING. I AM very pleased indeed that Mr. Burbidge writes so hopefully of the Daffodil as it is cultivated m England. I have not seen Mr. Hartland's Daffodils at home, and perhaps not so many collections in England as I ought. I wrote of what I saw in Holland during the last blooming season, and the large breadths of such varieties as Horsfieldi, maximus, princeps, and, in smaller plots. Emperor, Empress, &c., were wonderful as regards vigour of plant and quality of bloom. I have not seen the collection so well grown by Mr. Walker in Surrey, but I hope to visit it next spring. I know the Dutch climate is quite as bad as our own, or perhaps worse. The varieties of Narcissus Tazetta were sadly crippled by the frosts in March last year, but the large-flowered varieties were in perfect con- dition. I must disagree with Mr. Burbidge when he says, " Of all the bulbs grown in Holland the Daffodil is the least satisfactory." I write only of what I have seen. It is not worth while quoting Miller in this connection. Miller said the Hyacinth could be as well grown in England as it could in Holland. Even his "worthy ingenious friend, Mr. James Justice, living near Edinburgh, succeeded so well in the management of these flowers, as to equal any of the Dutch florists, and he has raised great quantities of flowers from seeds of his own saving, from amongst which he has this year ob- tained a most extraordinary fine one, which he calls the Royal British Star. The height of its stem was 20 inches, upon which were twenty-three bells or flowers, placed in a pyramidal order, very large and very double, of an extraordinary white colour on the upper part of the petals, but the lower part or centre of the flower of a very deep violet colour." This variety was thought to exceed all the finest of the Dutch raised kinds. Since Miller's time it has been stated over and over again that Hyacinths and other Dutch bulbs can be°grown as well in England as in Holland, but the fact remains that it is not done. I fancy, too, Mr. Burbidge is in a minority when he says Crocuses are often stronger and healthier as grown in the British Islands. He is even reluctant to admit that Hyacinths and Tulips are better grown in Holland, and time will show whether or no I am right about the Daffodils. I would like to see all classes of bulbs and roots grown in our own country, but while they grow them better on the Continent, dealers will go there for them. J. Douglas. Forced hardy plants.— Some Hellebores, Saxifrages, Cyclamens, and other hardy plants shown at the Royal Horticultural meeting recently served to illustrate the ease with which really beautiful hardy flowers may be spoilt in coddling. It is a curious fact, but such is the case, that really hardy flowers almost always look poor and sickly when subjected to a little house culture, and espe- cially when given the assistance of heat; whilst out- doors the same things are striking and bcautifid in their proper season. Very few hardy plants come into bloom earlier in an unhealed house or frame than they ily the )>oor pot- grown specimens at tlic Drill Hall. I fear Ibis coddling up of really liardy things tends very FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. Pebpabation of bedding plants.- Though the disposition to lessen the work of bedding-out by a more free use of hardy flowering and foliage plants is becoming general, the change can only be ac- complished very slowly, because of the time re- quired to work up a sufficient stock of hardy flowers, and till this can be done, provision .should be made to continue the summer effectiveness of the bedded-out garden by timely preparation of the necessary plants. AVe are now in the midst of this work, and as our aim is the eventual exclusion of tender plants from the summer garden, Alternan- theras, Coleus, Iresine, and such like are only being propagated in small numbers, and thus cariy, so that we may have good plants to put out by the end of May. Alternantheras we propagate in manure frames, the cuttings being inserted in about 3 inches depth of light sandy soil and from 2 inches to 3 inches apart. This space admits of their making plants sufficiently large for removal from the pro- pagating bed direct to their permanent positions by the end of May. The lights are kept closed up till the cuttings are struck, but air is given after they are well rooted. Abundance of cuttings can be had in about three weeks time from those cuttings now being inserted, and once sufficient stock has been inserted the plants should have their points pinched out about every ten days so as to promote a bushy habit of growth. The only kinds that grow freely with us are paronychoides, paronychoides aurea, amabilis, latifolia and magnifica, and these there- fore are the only kinds we grow. Iresine WiUiam Coleman, a great improvement on the varieties Lindeni and Herbsti, is the only kind we have, and this we also like to propagate early in order to have large plants that will make a show as soon as put out. They strike well in manure frames also, after which we pot singly into 3-inch pots and grow on in any house having a temperature of 00°, and the points are occasionally pinched out to keep the plants bushy. Coleus we have discarded from the bcdding- out list, as they are the most tender of bedding plants. Pelargoniums are gradually being superseded by flowering plants that better withstand rain and storms, a few scarlet, pink, and rose-coloured flowering varieties being all that we now use, and the largest plants of these are being potted singly into 3-inch pots, and the smaller into 5-inch pots, three plants in each. Marguerites, Heliotropes, and Fuchsias are all potted singly, as being amongst the most valued of bedding plants. Tuberous and fibrous-rooted Begonias v/e plant out in frames on a slight hotbed made up entirely of leaves, and from which position they are transplanted direct to the beds. They virtually need no labour, a good water- ing once a"wcek, and air as weather permits, being all the attention required till they are planted in the beds. Verbenas are still favourites. They have never once failed us -a fact attributable to the preparation of the beds by deep trenching and manuring. Unlike most flowering plants that, as a rule, flower most freely in comparatively iioor soil, A'erbenas cannot well have too mui'h, and a good use of it is the only way to keep the plants free from mildew and in continuous flower till sharp frost cuts them down. Cuttings put in now will make fine plants fen- planting: in May. A manure fi-amc is the best yilace for raising plants from seed. Wo have raised each year a number of sceillings for planting in the mfxed flower borders, and few plants are more admired or continue for so long a time in full bloom. There is ample time to raise single Daldias from seed and have good plants by the time it is safe to put them out. I am bound to add, however, that it will not do to depend on seedlings only, because a large jiercentagc of them are sure to "be worthless. A single 1ri;d proved sufUcienl for me. 1 got plenty of pkmts and good ones, too, but when the flowers opened not one in ten was fit to be seen. Roots placed in any warm place, potted or planted out, will soon throw up cuttings that strike freely in a bottom-heat of 70°. These cuttings ought each to have a separate pot, so then when potting the roots do not get mutilated by division of the plants, as happens when they are entangled together. They should be grown on without check and without bottom-heat, and if it is desired to have them dwarf, the points may be pinched out when the plants have reached 1 foot in height. I know it is unorthodox to recommend such stopping, but I do so because having practised it and been successful, others may do the same. Eaely flowers. — Could we have foreseen the severe frosts-from 14° to l.s°— that followed on the heavy snowstorm of the 10th inst., instead of grumbling at the inconvenience it caused, we should have welcomed it because of the protection it afforded to early flowers, which for some time past have been so abundant, and, thanks to the snow, still are now that the thaw is complete. Snowdrops, Violets, Primroses, Winter Aconites, and Wall- flowers are as fresh and as beautiful as if there had been no break in the mild weather. The only re- gret that one feels in respect of them is, that they are not grown in larger quantities. It may safely be predicted that they will be as the cultivation of hardy flowers increases. At the present time they give colour to our mixed flower borders. Pansies and Violas.— Through neglect of pro- pagation our stock of these plants is this season very limited, and so we are obliged to eke out supplies by splitting up the old plants. The youngest growths are the portions selected for replanting, the long old shoots being cut clean off and thrown away. I have frequently known plants obtained in this manner do quite as well as those from autumn- struck cuttings, and I think that to early plant- ing must be attributed part of this success. Being impatient of drought, the plants have time to get well established in the soil before the drying harsh winds of March and April set in. The fancy Pansies make the finest display and are most robust ; in fact, this is the only section I care to grow for a floral display. Some of the tufted Pansies (Violas) are even more robust and free- flowering. They vary greatly, some kinds that succeed in our district doing badly in others ; hence it is desirable that each grower should learn for himself what kinds do best in the district. W. W. Early Narcissi for forcing.— Would Mr. Burbidge add additional value to his interesting .article on Daffodils for forcing by saying where the Italian, Spanish, and French D.affodil bulbs may be obtained ?— C. E. *,,* For Italian-grown Narcissi and other bulbs for forcing, " C. E." should apply to Messrs. Dammann and Co., San Giovanni ;l Teduccio, near Naples, and there may be other Italian growers of whom we should be glad to hear. We do not know the names of any bulb growers or dealers in Spain or Portugal, most of the bulbs of Narcissi sent from those countries during recent vc.ars having been discovered and privately distributed by Mr. A. W. Tait, of Oporto. For bulbs of Narcissi, &c., grown in Southern France try some of the leading French seedsmen. It is to be hoped that our own bulb dealers will specially import and offer bulbs of Nar- cissus, &c., for forcing grown in warmer and earlier localities than Holland is known to be. One of the most easily grown and earliest of "bunch Nar- cissi" {i.e., N. Tazetta) is the Chinese Grand Emperor, which develops splendidly in a warm sitting-room, and flowers in from three to six weeks after its great roots are immersed in a vessel of water and stones. This variety is grown and im- ported to America from China, but has not as yet been introduced by the English trade. No douM it could be obtained from Messrs. Knamer and Co.. of Yokohama, Jaiian, or direct from China.— F.A\ .B. Iris reticulata sophonensis.— In The Gar- den Jan. ,5 (p. 111). 'I'^'''' '^ •■' statement abiuit this Iris ' which is evidently made from incomplete material. The first bulbs of this plant were intro- duced about three years ago, .-uid their flowers were Feb. 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 169 similar to those which " W. E. G." describes. Last year, however, another consignment was received, and the flowers of these bulbs not only show various shades of colour in different individuals, but also in general a much brighter colouring. The claw especially is very beautiful, shading off from its mid-rib, where it is deep bright blue, to pale purple on the borders, this giving a strange lustre to the whole flower. I consider this variety quite as welcome as the type, its earliness also adding to its charms.—MAx Lkichtlin, Baden- Baden. Propagating. Shading. — It will now be necessary to use shad- ing for some subjects in the propagating house. I do not like to expose tender cuttings too much, yet, on the other hand, shading should be avoided as much as possible. Provided a moist, close at- mosphere is maintained, most cuttings will bear a fair amount of sunlight, and so long as they do not show any signs of suflEering from the effects of the sun, shading should be kept off altogether. As soon as it is necessary to begin shading, it should be put on before the sun gets too high. I like to put the shading on early in the day, and remove it before the sun is quite off the house, as by so doing, everything will keep fresh through the day. If the sun is bright enough to cause a few of the most tender subjects to wither a little v.-hen the shading is first taken off they will soon revive again as the sun goes off. As much daylight as possible is equally essential both for cuttings and young seedlings. Over-shading is a great evil not only in the propagating department, but in the after treat- ment as well. If plants, then, are treated from the commencement in a proper manner, they give less trouble afterwards, and may be exposed with greater safety. Plumbago capensis. — This pretty flowering plant, which is usually grown as a climber, may also be flowered well as a dwarf bush, and it also makes a very useful pot plant. The beautiful soft azure-blue flowers are always acceptable. Cuttings put in now will make nice plants for flowering the same season, and by placing an old cut-back plant in a little extra warmth good cuttings may soon be had. The soft young shoots will root freely if placed in a close case where there is a brisk bottom heat. The cuttings may be taken off close to the old wood, and should be put in light sandy soil at a sufficient depth to keep them firm. As soon as suf- ficiently rooted they should be potted off, and may then be grown on in a warm temperature. They will require stopping from time to time until they have formed good bushy plants. After the final stopping the plants should be grown in a light open position, and they may be flowered well in 5-inch pots. The pure white variety, P. capensis alba, is a good companion for the above, differing only in the colour of its flowers, and it therefore requires the same treatment. Plumbago rosea. — This distinct species is very useful for winter-flowering, and should be much more extensively grown than it is at the present time. During the summer it may be grown in the same temperature as P. capensis, but it requires a stove temperature to flower it well. It may be propagated by cuttings from side shoots, which should be rather firm before being taken off. They should be put in singly in small pots, and kept quite close in the warmest part of the propagating pit. A'ery little water should be given until the cuttings are callused, after which they may be kept fairly moist. The plants should be potted on as soon as well established, using a light and fairlv rich compost. Erantiibmum pulchkllum is another very pretty stove flowering plant for winter and early spring use, the dark green foliage and bright blue flowers being very effective. Cuttings put in now will make nice bushy plants for flowering dur- ing the following winter. It is a very easy subject to manage, cuttings from young shoots rooting freely in light sandy soil if placed in a close case where there is a moderate bottom-heat. In grow- ing the plants on, the chief point is to keep them close up to the glass, so as to secure a short-jointed growth. They also flower better when grown in a light open position. A. Chrysanthemums. CUT CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND FOLIAGE. The leaves of indoor Chrysanthemums are seldom satisfactoiy, contrasting unfavourably with those grown out of doors, whose foliage is always Iiealthy and of a deep green, or some rich bronzy colour. In arranging the cut fluwera one must therefore find a substitute. To ac- company tlie rich yellows, oranges, and reds, Chrysanthemums and foliage. there is notliing better than small branches of Berberis A(inifoliuni, but for white and pink kinds, sprays of Cineraria maritiuia, as shown in the engraving, are much to be recom- mouded. Chrysanthemum Countess of Lytton. — I am much obliged to Mr. Molyneux for liis correc- tion respecting the origin of the above-named Chry- santhemum sport in The Garden, Feb. '.) (p. 12H). Regarding bis query whether I liave ever found flowers of Counte.'-s of Lytton, &c., revert back to Meg Mcrrilics, I may say that up to the present it has remained steadfast, and at no time have I seen in any of the flowers the least sign of reverting back ; if anything, the colour has become a little deeper. An interesting fact concerning it is, that in the blooming season of 1887 it showed signs of sporting again, and this time from a branch, the colour of the flowers being a pale lilac. On one branch of a plant of that year were three blooms, all the petals of which were distinctly striped with a pale lilac colour. Unfortunately, in cutting the plant down, the man in charge cut by mistake the sporting branch, which had been marked for preserving for the purpose of propagat- ing cuttings from it, and we were thus deprived of the opportunity of trying to perpetuate and fix the sport. Although we saved the old stool and grew it on another year, not one of the flowers on it last season had the least tinge of lilac in them, thus showing that branch sports must be perpetuated from cuttings taken off the sporting branch, and cannot be reproduced by cuttings taken from the stool. According to Mr. N. Davis's paper on " Sports," a sport from a yellow ought to be to a ■golden colour, and not to a purple shade, as the Countess of Lytton sport was inclined to be. Lancashire and Herts are wide apart, yet it would appear that Meg Merrilies sported at the same time in these two places. It would be interesting to know if Mr. Bolas has seen any signs of his sport, Ralph Brocklebank, again sporting, and if so, to what colour. — J. Kipling, Knehn-orth. MANURES FOR CHRYSANTHEMUMS.* This is a subject of a very complex nature, as it is difficult, if not impossible, to lay down rules of guidance that will be equally applicable for all dis- tricts. The best manures to apply to produce the highest results in Chrysanthemum culture can only be obtained by a wide series of experiments con- ducted by growers in various parts of the country using the same kinds of manures each in the same manner, noting their effects at different stages of the growth of the plants, and reporting the actual results at the conclusion of the season. It would then be seen how far each kind of manure was suitable for the soil in the different localities, as much necessarily depends upon the natural soil in determining how best to increase its fertility by adding those constituents which it lacks. At the outset I may say that I do not mean to treat the subject of manures in a scientific manner, but to detail facts as they have come under my notice in my own experience, with the addition of the opinions of some of our leading growers as founded on their practice. Fortunately for Chrysanthemum growers, prepared manures are numerous and easily applied, while many are inexpensive. In conversation with diffe- rent cultivators of the Autumn Queen in various parts of the country, I have noted an almost entire absence of reserve in discussing this matter. The days of supposed "secrets" are over, and I am pleased to say that I have found men generally willing to assist each other by giving their opinions freely on the merits or demerits of any particular kind of manure that has been tried. Mr. Gamett makes a suggestion that might prove of much ser- vice to growers : That the National Chrysanthemum Society procure samples of wood from plants which have produced the best blooms in all the sections in, say, a dozen localities widely spread. By special analysis of each sample of the growth we shouM get at some basis as to the best manure to apjily to the soil to produce the best results in culture. Chrysanthemums, for whatever purpose they are cultivated, have such a short season of growth that they must have all the supjjort that can be usefully appropriated by them, and before the roots have exhausted the nutriment contained in the soil stimulants must be afforded, or a check will be re- ceived by the plants. What best to give and how best to apply it is what we all desire to know, ;Mid to that end we are searching for information. Manure for mixing with the soil is the fir.-^t con- sideration, as this is (^onnnencing at the fomidn- tion, ^o to speak ; tlic>iqn-rstniclure or full (leveloji- men( of the plant lo its utmost capacity is an after consideration, and perhaps the most inqxirtant. Ammoniacal manures promote quick growth, but their excessive use must be avoided, in a wet season especially. The chief of these arc sulphate • A paper road by Mr. E. Jlnlyneux, Swanmore Park Gardens, Bisliop'a W;iltlmni, at the National Chrysanthe- mum Soc'ety'8 confeicrvc. 170 THE GAEDEN. [Feb. 23, 1889. of ammonia and nitrate of soda. Phosphatic , manures (bones in different forms) contribute to firmness. Natural soil varies so much, that a know- ledge of its constitution is necessary to enable the cultivator to know what ingredient to add for the full development of the Chrysanthemum. Loam, as it is called, composed of the top spit of pasture, is considered to be the medium for the roots. The constitution of this is the all-important point to study. For instance, to soil that is of a light or sandy nature, additions should be made which will not be needed in soils of a heavier nature, and consequently containing less sand or other lighten- ing matter. Crushed oyster shells are considered by some beneficial to a light sandy soil, containing as they do carbonate of lime, this assisting in the maturation of the wood. Ground bones are bene- ficial to the plants when used with the soil in potting, especially in light soils, but in the case of soil of a close retentive nature they should not be used so freely, as they have a tendency to clog the soil and create pale, sickly-looking foliage, which is not the kind to be desired. This is especially noticeable in wet seasons. Soil of a heavy nature, in which the fibrous parts quickly decay, does not require so much manure mixed with it ; first, because it is not needed in the early stages, and, later, is apt to bind the parts more closely together. Soil of this nature is much worse to deal with than that lighter in character, as stimulants cannot be given nearly so freely as where the soil is more porous. Soil that is liable to " run together " when the fibre decays should have more lightening materials added, such as charcoal, wood ashes, and old mortar ; the two former are especially good for this purpose. Natural manures are no doubt of great service when used in a proper manner. The best for mix- ing with soil of any kind is horse droppings, as they contain ammonia. They should be prepared as if for a Mushroom bed ; in this manner the ma- nure is sweetened while much of the ammonia is retained. At the final potting horse manure should be used in the proportion of two parts to four of light soil, and one part to three of heavy loam. Cow manure is not good for mixing with the soil on account of its pasty nature when fresh, and when decayed the qualities have departed. Some use it fresh mixed with soil for top-dressing the plants, but where the loam is stiff I think cow manure too heavy also, and liable to keep the soil cold. Soot is a valuable manure in the growth of Chrysanthemums, cither for mixing with the soil or for using in a liquid state. When used with the soil in potting it should be done in a cautious manner, as too much is liable to injure the roots. A 6-inch potful to i bushels of soil is a safe quantity to mix with any kind of soil. Artificial manures are now largely used by Chrv santhemum growers, owing to the easy manner in which they can be applied ; the convenience with which they can be obtained by those persons %vlio have not the opportunities to obtain animal ma- nures; and lastly, for the reason tliat they are so efficacious. Thomson's Vine and plant manure is one deserving notice, po.ssessing qualities well suited to the growth of these plants. In jxjttiiig the plants to 1 peck of .soil we add one 4i-in('li potful of manure. For top-dressing the plants during August this mrmure is excellent, encourag- ing free root action on the surface of the soil. For stimulating during the summer, especially in wet weather wlien it is not possible to give liquid manure, this manure is good— one tc.-i- spoonful to a, 10-inch jmt. .say once a fortniglit. Mr. McKenzie, Mnton Park, "and Mr. Doughty speak very highly of this manure. Beeson's is another of tlic arlilieial iriauures !,-irgely em ployed in the growth of Chrys;inthenuims ; it creates good firm growth witliout Ijeing too gross, preserving a healthy tone to tlie foliage. Surface roots are freely made when the plants are top- dressed with it in the proportion of a rj.^-inchiiotful to 1 peck of soil. For mixing with the soil .at pot- ting we use 2 llis. of manure to 1 busliel of soil. In the nortli of England t his manure is largely used and highly spoken of )iy Mr. T. B. Morion, I)arlington, who is a successful grower. Standen's manure is highly valued ; some of the best blooms we have had were grown by the aid of this manure used at the rate of 1 lb. to 1 bushel of soil, also used afterwards at the rate of 1 teaspoonfulto a 9-inch pot once in ten days. Mr. Mease, who has cause to be satisfied with his successes, speaks highly of Standens. Ichthemic guano is favoured by many growers, and with good cause, as their productions testify. When this manure is used the plants retain a healthy colour without the growth being too gross, a sure sign that the manure agrees with them. For potting, to 5 bushels of soil add one-quarter j eck of guano; for use in a liquid state, give a 5j-inch potful to 36 gallons of water. Jensen's guano is highly approved by some growers, used at the rate of a 10-inch potful to 15 bushels of soil, also applying the guano in a liquid state once a week at the rate of 1 teaspoonful to 1 gallon of water. Clay's fertiliser is another manure used with good results, as Mr. J. Doughty can testify by the blooms staged by him at the recent show in the Aquarium, as they were some of the best seen during the season ; he sprinkles it on the surface occasion- ally to be watered in, commencing in August. There are other kinds of manure which need further trial for completing experiments before I can speak with accuracy as to their merits. Nitrate of soda is the quickest in action of any manure that I have tried. It is useful once or twice in a season should the plants not appear to be making free growth after their final potting ; in that manner nitrate of soda excites and prepares the plants for other food, which will tend to solidify the growth thus made. Should the season promise to be a wet one, nitrate of soda must not be used, as there would be a greater difficulty in ripening the growth. Half a teaspoonful to a 10-inch pot, crushing the soda finely, spreading it on the surface, and watering it in once or twice at the most, ac- cording to the season, will be beneficial, but on no account must it be used if the plants are not well supplied with active roots. Sulphate of ammonia, in careful hands, is an excellent manure, perhaps unequalled as a stimulant, but it must be used carefully. My experience of it is that it imparts colour to the leaves of the plant and richness to the blooms. The cultivator should be guided by the state of the weather at the time of applica- tion, and also by the state of the roots of the plants ; indeed, this is the all-important point to consider. Sulphate of ammonia should not be given to the plants until they are well furnished with roots. Used in safe quantities in a liquid form is the correct way to apply it. Some growers say that sulphate of ammonia tends to make the blooms (lamp, and I think they are right when it is used injudiciously ; for instance, too strong doses often kill the roots, not only on the surface, but half way down the soil in the pots; especially is this the case when the suljihate is put on the soil in a dry state and watered in. From experiments made during the past season I can say that plants of all the sections in our collection were supplied witli water which contained sulphate of anniumia CN'cry time the plants required water, from the time the buds were swelling frt-ely until the blooms were de- veloped, with tlie result that there was less daiup- ing of the blooms, including those of Empress of India, which is a notoriously bad "dauiiier," than upon other plants treated differently. Of course, the plants were in good condition fm- receiving so uuich sulphate of aninumia, the jiots and surface being full of roots, wliilt^ tlie growtli was not .sapjiy. This was an experiment purely to test tlu^ elFecf of this stiuudaiit on tlu: damping of the blooms, but I cannot say that the blooms wi're of the best quality; the flowers in the incurved sec- tion showed a. tenilency to coarseness and hollow- ness in the centre. The best way to apply suliihale of ;uiimouia is by dissolving .'i quarter of an ounce in 1 g.allon of weak liquid manure fnuu the farm- yard tank, commencing as soon as the llower-bucls ■are swelling freely, increasing the strength gr.-iilu- ;Uly until half an ounce is reached to each gallon of water; to be given once a week. Dissolved bones are perhaps lietter in some soils than ground bones, as they act more quickly. Especially are they preferable for heavy soils. Mixed with turfy loam, two parts to one of the bone-meal, and applied as a top-dressing early in August, the roots quickly find their way into it, while the continued water- ings wash the richness down among the roots. Animal manures used for making liquid food for the plants are much approci.atcd when they can be obtained. Sheep manure forms a capital liquid by placing it fresh from the fields into a bag to prevent the manure dissolving and mixing with the water, which renders it too thick. By placing the bag in a tub or tank of water, allowing it to soak for twelve hours, the water will be ready for use. Cow manure used in the same way is good. Drain- ings from manure heaps are also good. They should all be applied weak and often rather than strong and seldom, in the latter form the roots being more liable to be injured than in the other method of application. Having named the manures which have come under my notice, I will now state the time when I think they ought to be commenced and how applied. It is not intended that one person should use all those named. Experience only will teach accuratel}' those best suited to each locality. Some people consider the plants ought to be supplied with stimulants when they are in small pots pre- viously to being finally potted, but my experience does not lead me to adopt this plan. I think the proper time to commence the use of stimulants is when the roots have taken full possession of the soil, after the last potting. Some say that feeding should not commence until the flower-buds are formed. This I think a mistake, because in some cases they do not form until the middle of Sep- tember. From this time until the plants are in bloom is too short a space to allow them a chance of deriving much benefit from applied stimulants. The plants ought to be fed before they form their buds, so that they will be strong at the critical period. During the time the buds are forming the plants should not be excited by giving them stimulants, these being better reserved until after the buds are set and commencing swelling. The applications may be increased in strength as the buds swell satisfactorily. The character of the season must be considered as to the amount of stimulants the plants shall receive and the nature of the soil, be it heavy or light. In a wet season the manure given should be on a small scale compared to that needed in a dry one, as wet sum- mers are inimical to the maturation of the growth, and an excess of stimulantswould aggravatethis evil, and the plants fail to produce flowers of the finest quality. We commence with soot water first. One bushel of soot in a bag will be ample in a tank holding 100 gallons of water. We give this every tinu! the ])lants require water for a week, then withhold it for three weeks, when it is again used, this time with liquid i'nun the farmyard tanks, or from that made from sheep manure. After the first course of soot water we give clear water for a day or two, then an apjilication of liquid made from cow or sheep manure about the colour of brown In-atidy, varying the sort every second or third day, when "clear water is given, say once, returning then to the liqinds. After the buds ,-irc fonui'd .and swelling freely, stimulants should be given regu- larly, varying them constantly, as a change of food is desiralile. Whatever sort is >ised, it sluudd not lie continued beyond three or four days at a time. The weakest growing jilants should not have it so strong as those of a more vigorous habit. During a s]icll of wet weather, it is not jiossilile to use liquid made fnun animal manures : a small portion of .-iny ol' the arlilieial kinds should tlu'U be s])riiikled on the surface of the .soil. By this nu-ans the plants receive nourislnnent ; whereas if liquid manure were entirely depended upcui, tlu' plants would not be in a state to receive intervening waterings. Any of the artificial manures nami'd.when sprinkled on the soil and watered in acciu-iling to the instructions given, make a good change of food for the plants. The snow covering. — Rarely have we had a snowfall so light, so protecting, and so harmless to vegetation as was that of the 10th. Its dis- Fkb. 2.3, 1889,] THE GARDEN. 171 appearance under the inflaence of the cold yet thawing rain of the 13th was almost remarkable, for on the following morning the whole of the sur- face of the soil was clear and vegetation looked so fresh and bright that it seemed as if the snow had been but a nightmare. I have never seen plants after the departure of the snow looking prettier or less injured. Ordinarily we ba\e with snowfalls fierce cutting winds, and then as every leaf becomes exposed it is cut and withered in the blast. Then snowfalls leave behind unpleasant memories. I do not hold to the theory that snowfalls are Nature's protectors of plants. As a rule, they do plants more harm than good. The recent heavy snow has proved to be so friendly, that it merits a word of special praise. — A. D. Rose Garden. T. W. GIRDLESTONE. ROSES AND SO-CALLED DEW. In reply to the question, Whetlier Roses last Ijetter when cut in the early morning or when cut the previous evening / the advice lia.s been .so often given to cut in the early morning before the dew is oft' or the sun upon the flowers, as to amount almost to a commonplace. Tlie Dean of Rochester in his fascinating book about Roses suggests that the blooms should be cut in the morning "when they awake with the sun, refreshed with gracious dews." In the "Rose Garden," Mr. William Paul says : " In gathering the flowers, choose the morning for the purpose ere the sun has risen upon them ;" anil Mr. Cranston, in his " Cul- tural Directions for the Rose," counsels the amateur " when cutting blooms, to choose, if possible, the early part of the morning before the dew is ofl'." Yet, notwithstanding such distinguished au- thority, it has often been experienced tliat Roses cut over-uiglit have lasted lietter than similar blooms cut in the early morning, and there are a considerable number of practical rosarians who would support the statement that generally, in fine summer weather. Rose blooms cut be- tween five and six o'clock in the evening will have a better appearance at noon the next day than if their cutting had been deferred for twelve or even ten hours. That such should be the case always appeared somewhat incongruous, in consideration of the accepted convention of the refreshing dews of night ; but practice takes little note of senti- ment, and perhaps an explanation is to be found in Mr. Aitken's discovery, or rather defi- nite proof of what had been previously guessed at, that "all is not dew that glitters.'' Dr. Wells, Musschenbroek, and Dr. Mool seem to have suspected that plants exuded moisture through their leaves otherwise than by the evaporation i->f water through the stomata during the day, but it appears to have been re- served for Mr. Aitken to demonstrate clearly that the diamond drops, which in the eirly morning after a clear, still niglit bedeck the margins of growing leaves, giving them the a])pearance in the brightness of the rising sun of being set with the most dazzling jewels, are not really dewdrops at all, but are simply the natural juices exuded from the leaf itself, the true dew — the moisture deposited on bodies cold enough to cause the condensation of sur- rounding a(iueous vapour — being only the in- conspicuous humid film which co\ers the surface of the leaves. Mr. Aitken spared no pains to verify this con- clnsi(m, making innumerable experiments, of which one of the most interesting and convinc- the pressure of a column of water, the water having been previously coloured with anQine blue. A leaf so treated showed that the spark- ling globules of moisture were not deposited from without, but were exuded from the leaf's own inner tissues, by the fact that in this case the "diamond dewdrops," which were soon visible along the margin, appeared as pale as sapphires. Now is it not conceivable that a part of a plant which is liable to lose so much water be- tween sunset and sunrise will be likely to endure better when cut overnight than when the cut- ting is deferred till the morning .' The freshness of a plant or of a part of a plant cut oS' depends simply upon its turgidity, and after any considerable waste of the water contained in its tissues, it might reasonably be expected that a somewhat rapid loss of freshiess would ensue. It is true that the difference between the last- ing powers of Roses cut over night and Roses cut early the following morning is not constantly apparent ; but then it is ol.iservable that the amount of water exuded by any given plant is by no means invariable. For Dr. McPherson expressly points otit that, as in the case to a gi-eat extent of real dew, "the formation of drops on plants that exude moisture depends on the rate of supply, the humidity of the air, and the velocity of the wind " — all three factors which are constant only in their incessant vari- ability. It is also interesting to note that the amount of exuded moisture found upon plants in the early morning is a direct indication of their health and vitality, the marginal globules being less in proportion as the growth is less vigorous, while unhealthy, sickly leaves are found practically dry, but for possibly a moist film of real dew. Thus Mr. Aitken's discovery will induce a twofold interest of novel character in the close observation of what has so long been regarded as dew ; for every rosarian's first consideration is the health of his plants, and any additional means of estimating their condition is of value ; while the question of the lasting powers of cut Roses, whether intended for the hou.se, for ex- hibition, or for market, is one of the most general importance to all growers, and it may confidently be hoped that during the coming season means may be found for comparing the endurance of blooms cut at various times with direct reference to the amount of exuded moisture observable on the plants during the night subsequent or prior to the time of cutting. vite variations of these arrangements. Why should Roses, which have not to be judged either indi- vidually or collectively, be arranged at this con- ference in the stereotyped ugly boxes, giving lines as devoid of beauty or of effect as it is possible to conceive ? Who can doubt but that some new and charming method of staging cut Roses would not be welcomed by Rose societies and exhibitions henceforth. The show box for the finer flowers may still be tolerated, but classes for pleasing effect in arrangement would become very popular. —A. D. The Kose conference at Chiswick. — The Royal Horticultural Society has published a long list of names of high rosarian fame as being the general committee of the proposed July Rose con- ference. That the exhibition which will accompany the conference will be of a very diverse n.ature from those usually seen under the auspices of the National Rose Society there can be little doubt, as myriads of flowers may be looked for which are not acceptable in prize collections. Attempts to reform or vary our present methods of showing Roses seem so far to have failed as without doubt being difficult to .adopt at Rose exhibitions. But this Chiswick exhibition, in association with which there will be no prizes nor practically any competi- tion, seems to offer speci.-illyfavourable opportimity for the introduction of diverse methods of arrang- ing Roses for effect, .and it would have been I specially valuable had the promoters of tlie con- ference provided a, class for the most artistically arranged group of cut Roses. I am told that the conference is not an exhibition in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but for that very reason it ing was the substitution for root pressure of 'seems to offer the very opportunity desired to in- 1 ROSES IN HIGH ALTITUDES. The growing of Roses in the more favoured parts of the United Kingdom is a very different tiling to attempting it up here, between 900 ft. and 1000ft. above sea-level and in a very exposed position. Here the wind sweeps over the hills and charges through our Rose gardens like a squadron of cavalry. It is a bad case for any shoot which has happened to be left untied when one of our south-westerly gales bursts upon us. A bad job, too, for the opening blooms, full of promise and beauty, perhaps, some still summer evening just when the sun goes down. How many a time have I retired at night with the thought " How glorious the blooms will be to- morrow," and how many a time have I looked out the next morning on a scene of desolation, to see the trees and shrub.s bent nearly to the ground, to hear the wind whistling through the windows and doors, and to see the beautiful buds of the night before all liattored and beaten to pieces. Ill winter, too, the plants get sadly used. I have seen, after a cutting wind in mid-winter, the shoots dead as if burnt on the side next the wind, while the opposite portion of the branches remained alive and green. And yet we have our advantages, in one respect particularly, and that is in the matter of foliage. I think this ill the north is finer and cleaner than it generally is in the south, at least it seems si i to me. I do not think that dreaded pest orange fungus will ev'er make much progress here. I have noticed it occasionally on French seedling Briers, but it never makes any he;idw.ay, for which f.act I am extremely thankful. My exposed situation, too, gives me practically an immunity from mildew, anothergreatblessing, though I must confess that 1 have had some these last two seasons. I know a sure cure for this disease, but it is difficult to work it. It is to keep our plants always perfectly healthy ; if we can do this we shall have no mildew, but how to do it is the rub. Our seasons are veiy short ones, for our Roses are not really in bloom before the second week in July, and autumn follows so closely on the heels of summer in these parts that we rarely get a second crop of l)loom worth anything. However, by means of our cutbacks, whicli come into bloom first, ami our maidens, which follow iind keep up the supplies while sun heat and fine weather continue, wc man.age to get a pretty fair return for all our trouble. Our pruning is of the severest descrijition. We go down as far as we can with the scisstirs and get strong breaks from underground. In the books, by-the-bj-, one reads a great deal about pruning to a ]ir(Pinineiit bud and so on. Now if anyone will take the tremble to cut down his plants as low as he can, (juite irrespective of buds, prominent or otherwise, he will find in due time that from the collar will issue forth fine strong slioots, the points of which were before ipiitc undisceruible, and whidi, were it not for this hard cutting, would probably nevt-r li.ave grown out. Our pruning is a rough and ready system then, no searching for buds, but a simple cutting awaj' of everything. In the case of such growers as Charles Lefelvro, tliis system must 172 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 23, 1889. be somewhat modified ; here we leave a few inches above the ground. To return for a mo- ment to the close-cuttiug system, there is no knowing where a bud will start out. The plan may be well tested in the case of a standard, which being cut right back to a very stump, will push out a number of fine bold shoots. Were a miracle to happen, or, in other words, could anybody persuade or convince me that long pruning were the proper system to practise, I fear Dame Nature, to whom we must all give way, would step in with her frosts and snows and do the bulk of the pruning on her own account in many seasons. As a matter of fact, an extra severe winter, liy destroying every- thing down to the snow line, and in some cases — too many to l)e altogether pleasant— consider- ably below it, taught me my present system of pruning, for the return of spring brought up a grand show of strong shoots crowned with fine blooms. The stock we love is the Brier, and given that we do not care much if it be the seedling or the cutting. Here may I pause to remark upon the amount of claptrap talked about tap roots in connection with the former. The French growers, and some English, too, grow the seedling in a rough and ready way, by sow- ing the seed and budding the stocks when large enough as they stand ; result, a long straight root something like a whip-lash. This is not as it should be, for the Brier should be trans- planted and the tap root removed liefore being replanted in the place where it is to be budded. If this, the proper plan, be followed, there will be no tap root, but a fine lot of fibrous roots such as we see on a well-grown plant on the cutting Brier. We are compelled to use the Brier as a stock, for the simple reason that no other will do. To plant Roses on Manetti here would be near akin to madness. I have had a most disastrous experience of this stock, every spring showing a quantity of gaps and dead ones, which were most disheartening, and which almost drove me to giving up the attempt . to grow Roses al- together. But the Brier, or rather a trial of it, put new life and hope into me, and now I rarely have any losses, no matter how severe the winter may be. One so-called advantage claimed for the Manetti is that it commences to grow so early, but for this neighbourhood this is one of the principal reasons why it should not be used, because the late spring frosts are pretty sure to destroy the young growths. Our land being simply sand and stones, and our subsoil, if it may be in anyway termed soil, millstone grit full of clefts and cracks, we are compelled to make beds of the best soil we can prooire, and mix therewith a liberal allowance of good cow manure. Dressings of lime are also applied, and also clay, both being placed on the surface in autumn or winter, and dug in when pulverised. Our caterpillars are few and far between as a rule, but I must plead guilty to having a fair crop of them this season. Our earwigs, too, swarmed everywhere, and not content with the Roses, invaded the house, the rooms, the furni- ture, tlio beds even. Wo do not in ordinary seasons have any green-fly, but this year we liave had a goodly number. Wo enjoy abnost an imuniiiity from .-lU insect and fungoid posts in most seasons, and f ascribe this to our exposed position and ovir hard pruning. The latter consigns the bulk of the insect eggs and fungus germs to the rubbish heap with the brancbe? and shoots pruncil away, and the former allows the free access of the pelting rains to our plants to scour and wash away all impurities and drown out the young newly-hatched caterpillars. The fresh air and constant currents prevent the germs of mildew from lodging on the leaves. Our manuring is done annually in the winter ; we use cow manure. If it is rank, we let it lie on the surface for a short time, but it is always forked in tluring spring, generally when the pruning is completed, and the beds are made tidy for the beginning of the season. Our beds are arranged on a lawn, open to the south, sheltered by shrubs from the north and east. The sun shines on them all day. We make the beds 12 feet long and 3 feet wide, with 3 feet of Grass walks between. We plant only one variety in each bed. We began with a great many sorts, but gradually abolished a number of them, and now we have five or six or more beds together all containing one variety. La France, Baroness Rothschild, Charles Le- febvre, Fisher Holmes, B. Y. Teas, Senateur Vaisse, and others figure largely. Last and best comes Merveillo de Lyon, the best of all white Roses for beds on lawns, or for anywhere else. When some ten or twelve years ago I began to grow Roses here, my friends confi- dently predicted failure, and though possibly and probably my Roses are not so fine as those grown in the more favoured parts of the kingdom, I cannot say that I am disappointed with the result. One thing I have proved conclusivel)', that is, that if we have sunshine and pure air, no matter how cold the climate, no matter how bad the soil, we can, provided we plant them on the Brier stock, grow Roses anywhere. I hope the day will never come when I must cease to grow Roses, for each succeeding year, even in this bleak spot, finds me more " eager for the fray," and more and more in love with them. — Duncan Gilmoub, Jr., Shcjfidd, in " The Rosarian's Year-Book." 7. 1 have never grown it in pots or under glass. 8. I do not know anything about its market value. — A. Cheistv, Jliil Oreen Mouse, Stochbury, Sittinffiourne, Kent. Rose De Meaux. — It is very desirable that we sliould have it authoritatively stated what this really is. A'arious opinions exist upon the point. My first acquaintance with a Rose under this name was made many years ago, and occurred in a garden where Roses were largely grown, and which con- tained beds of BaronnePrevostandsimilarkinds.and all edged with dwarfer-growing sorts, amongst which was one called De Meaux, and which might be generally described as a dwarf Provence Rose. It only showed a tendency to grow 18 inches or so high, but, if I remember aright, was annually cut over with the shears. The foliage was small, other- wise similar, and the flowers medium or small-sized, of a rosy pink colour, opening to a flat outline, and sweetly perfumed as the old Provence is, and this 1 have all along looked upon as Rose De Meaux. An- other kind now doing duty under the name is much smaller in all its parts, of very deep bushy habit, with small and very pretty foliage and full double flowers which arenot more than 1 J inches or 2 inches across, and are of a sort of lilac-rose colour. This is also known as the Burgundy Rose. Of the latter I only know the one kind ; of the former there is a white form, a choice morsel, and one or two others differing slightly in colour and stature. Can any reader of The Gabden clear up this matter? — T. Smith. Garden Flora. ROSE MADAME LAMBARD. I HAVE found Madame Lambard a splendid — most splendid— exhibition flower now and then. I do not think that she should be pruned in a cruel fashion, but rather be fed very well and always be top- dressed. This alone, from my experience, is the secret of getting fine, well-formed blooms of what, about this district, next to Anna Olivier, is the most popular Tea Rose.— T. A. WILLIAMS, Alderminster, Stratfnrd-on-A von. As a pot Rose for early forcing this is the best of the bright red Teas. The early flowers arc usually much brighter than those produced later on. The plant being of a vigorous habit of growth, with foliage of good substance, it will force better and is not so liable to lose its leaves as are many ot the Teas when subjected to a slight change ot tempera- ture. 1 shoulil certainly class it as the best re MICHAELMAS c r^i ". T o T 5IES (lASTER AMELL^o. z.^.LiNiutiri. Feb, 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 173 are none to equal this. As an old English garden plant it is known by everybody, and we are told that there is every likelihood of its having been cultivated here since the time of Virgil. There can be little doubt of its having been known to Gerard, 159G, and Parkinson tells us that in his time it was known under the title of "Aster atticus italorum flore purpureo," which may in some measure account lor Ge- rard's name of Italian Starwort. However in- teresting this historical matter may be to the reader, the cultivation and improvement of such a truly handsome subject is certainly of more moment to the gardener, and the only way to look for improvement in Aster Amellus will doubtless be from seed. It is somewhat remarkable that a plant cultivated from the earliest times should show such a small range of variation as does Aster Amellus, but such a state of things could easily exist where the increase has been usually by division, cuttings, &c., instead of by seed. In warm, dry summers seeds ripen very freely on the plant, and the seedlings, if carefully raised and watched, would type, with leaves perhaps a little narrower ; indeed, the plant is not unlike one we recently saw under the name of Amellus amelloides, which gi-ows from 3 feet to 4 feet in height and flowers very freely, the flowers being of deeper colour and smaller than those of the type. The best variety, everyone will tell you, how- ever, is bessarabicus (see illustration), and two plants are found in gardens that answer to the name — one with a large semi-double flower, with broad rays and somewhat prominent disc. Mr. Baker in his notes on the cultivated Asters, gi ves bessarabicus, ibericus, tinctorius and pseudo • Amellus as synonyms ; this is no doubt in- tended in the broad sense, and means to the gardener that these names have been given to nearly allied plants. A. Amellus roseus is, in our opinion, the least desirable of all the forms of this plant. It differs from the type chiefly in its reddish purple flowers, and is certainly less pleasing as a border plant. A. A. c'AS.suBicu.s. — Under this name we some time since had a plant from Messrs. Smith, of Worcester, but we are unable to find the name anywhere except in their cata- logue. The flowers have a very broad bright golden disc, the ,, rays regular and deflexed, and ;\ /" ., rather larger than in the type. In the notes referred to above by Mr. Baker it is stated that pseudo- Amellus, a species from the Western Himalayas, diflers from Amellus mainly by its large outer bracts, which exceed the inner in length. It is pro- bably a variable species ; at any rate, seeds lately received by us from the Himalayas were sown, and the result is a dwarf plant, producing plenty of flower.=, it is true, but so small and of such a dingy purple withal, as to tempt us to mark it as a plant to bo avoided. D. K. Aster Amollas be:. Did they send to Japan for stocks which cost as much as the genuine kind ] Nothing of the sort ; for the first time I looked through the Coombe Wood Nursery, temperate houses were full of stools, and propagation was going on splendidly. In this one example lies the kernel of the whole afiiiir. Deprive the nurseryman of suitable stocks and he will make plants from roots, cuttings, seeds, or leaves. Decline his grafted stutt'. and leave him to find his own way out of the difliculty. So far good ; but will it be wise to set our faces against and condemn every- thing that is grafted >. Will it be just to en- courage inexperienced purchasers to decline all grafted plants or trees ofl'ered to them ; I think not ; othei'wise the consumer, as well as the producer of nursery stock, will suft'er for an idea. The ancient art of grafting must and will be continued, if only to get up stocks of choice plants or fruits, or to hasten the fruiting of some new seedling by attachment to a tree in full vigour. The conversion of our old cider orchards again must come to a dead stand if we throw away our grafting tools, and the strengtbening of weak-growing varieties by grafting on vigorous stocks, or rice rersa, will be at an end. This, I think, would be going beyond the bounds of wisdom or reason, and yet we must draw the line somewhere, it i.s quite certain. Why not invite all conscientious and thoroughly practical nurserymen to express their views upon this important matter, for really and truly it aft'eots them quite as much as it does their customers, and I think the extravagant mistake gardeners have fostered and encouraged may soon be rectified. Instances in which grafting has been a great gain to the country might bo cited, such, for example, as the magnificent specimens of Picea nobilis argentea or glauca at Castle Kennedy and Madrcsfield Court. Picea bracteata, again, of which we have but one batch of seedlings in the country, has lieen grafted most extensively, and whilst asserting that my trees worked on the common Silver Fir (P. pectinata argentea) equal the seedlings, I can bear out the late Mr. Fowler in his statement made a good many years ago, tliat the beautifully frosted P. n(il)ilis succeeds perfectly on this stock, whUst in Eonie places on its own roots it is a com- 174 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 23, 1889. parative failure. These trees, as a matter of course, can be grown from cuttings and layers, but well chosen stocks in tliese two instances have saved many years in giving thousands of perfect specimens to the country. This is a case in which grafting is of use to man, but it does not weaken my aversion to it when applied to soft cheap plants like the Rose and the Clematis. — W. Coleman. Having always taken a great interest in grafting, and having practised it in a variety of ways, I cannot agree with the notes that have lately appeared on this subject in The Garden. I have no doubt that, as grafting is a very ready means of manufacturing plants, it is more often made use of than is needed, and frequently to the subsequent detriment of the plant. But then, on tlie other hand, it cannot, T think, be gain- said that the use of a suitable foster parent has enabled the gardener to cultivate and bring to a greater degree of perfection many plants and fruits which he would otherwise have experi- enced great difficulty in growing, not to men- tion the numbers of flowers and fruits which through its agency have become common in our gardens. I therefore should consider the aboli- tion of grafting from our gardens as a calamity to horticulture. Many of the evils complained of are simply the results of bad work, such as a wrong selec- tion and careless preparright sun raises tlie tempera- ture to 70° or 80° and the atmo.sphcre is moderaloly charged with moisture. These, tlien, are the con- ditions, minus the ri?.ks from storms and frosts, we should endeavour to produce in our forcing houses; and although we cannot compel the sun to shine, we can maintain a brisk, buoyant tem)ieraturc by increasing the warmth in the pipes and the admission of plenty of fresh air. Late houses in which the best midseason, and perhaps one or two late varieties are allowed to come on very slowly must have an abundance of air whenever the weather is favourable, not only by day, but, also through the night. Water, too, must be plentifully supplied to the roots, especially where the whole of them are inside and the drainage is good. Tepid soft water, no doubt, is best, but lacking this, that from springs or under- ground pipes may be greatly ameliorated by passing through a good mulch of fresh short stable manure on its way down to the roots. As the buds approach the opening stage, a dash with the syringe on a fine bright day will do them no harm ; whilst smoking, still more important, must not on any account be neglected. These late houses in almost every garden have become crowded with plants of various kinds, including forced Roses and pot Strawberries, carry- ing about them a colony of green-fly wherever they go. Their presence, no doubt, is an unavoid- able evil ; but forewarned, forearmed, the grower may benefit the plants as well as the Peach trees by repeated fumigation. When retarding has lost its charm and the trees begin to expand their flowers, gentle fire-heat, equal to the maintenance of 45° to 50° by night and 60° to 65° by day, will facilitate the setting of the fruit. W. C. Trees and Shrubs. KETELEERIA FORTUNEI. Thi.s coniferous tree, a native of South-eastern China, has been by various botanists considered to be a species of Abies, a Picea, a Pinus, and a Pseudo-tsuga. Mous. E. A. Carriere, how- ever, finding that it possesses certain charac- teristics quite distinct from those of any other Conifer, considered these diflerences sufMcieutly great to call for the establishment of a new genus, which he has named Keteleeria, in honour of M. Jean-Baptiste Keteleer. In the lierue Horticolc he describes the tree as having the spreading habit of a Podocarpus, while the heavy branches resemble those of a Torreya grandis. Its cones also, although borne erect, like those of an Abies, have persistent scales and remain entire on the tree for several years. The largest specimen of Keteleeria at present existing in Europe is to be found in the nur- series of Messrs. Rovelli at Pallanza, by Lake Maggiore, in Italy. This was planted in 1859, and now measures nearly 40 feet in height and over 8 feet in circumference at the base. Tlie bark is very thick, furrowed, and corky, like that of Quercus suberosa. The spread of the branches is about 40 feet across. For some years past this tree has fruited, the cones and seeds attaining a normal development of size, but the latter, although very largo and appa- rently well formed, are destitute of kernels, and consequently incapable of germinating. Tho following precise description of this tree will show how far M. Carriere was justified in class- ing it as the representative of a new genus: — A tree of erect growth, forming a loosely spread- ing pyramid. Bark ashy grey, often split and fui- rowed, constantly increasing in thickness, at first soft and full of coarse fibres, afterwards becoming firm and corky in texture; bark of the young shoots of ;i rusty red colour and covered with short down. Branches in whorls, s(uiu'limes alternate or scat- tered in young plants r.vised from cuttings, layers or grafts, at first obliquely erect, afterwards spreading loosely, sometimes slightly divaricated and deflected like tlie branches of a Cedar of Leban(m. Leaves tliiek, flat or slightly convex, socm becouiing stilV and very hard, gi-ecn, some- times glaucesceiil on the under surface, especially in youngplants, acutely pointed, from 1 inch to 2 inches long and about one-sixtli of an inch broad. Young cones (see illustration) erect or nearly so, generally close together on the sides of the bnmches, more rarely solilaiy, having a stout foot-stalk and Feb. 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 177 short scales, ovoid in shape, abruptly obtuse or truncate at the apex, and attenuated towards the base, at first of a grass-green colour, soon changing to a reddish violet with a hoary glaucescence ; bracts somewhat prominent, especially towards the base of the cone, where they are refiexed, soon disappearing, or at least most of them, either from being pushed off or else covered over by the advanc- ing growth of the scales below them. Full grown cones (see illustration) about 3i inches long and 2 inches across, continuing for several years persistent on the tree with all their scales attached ; scales woody, thick, broadly roundish on the upper margin (which in old scales is sometimes split, these old scales being of a chestnut-red colour and often slightly hoary), stalked or clawed, varying in shape according to the position which they occupy on the cone, and having at the base a bract which is sometimes overgrown and covered by the scale immediately below it. Under each scale two seeds are produced ; these are about five-eighths of an Keteleeria differs entirely from any other Coni- fer of either the Fir or the Pine tree family. Ligustrum Q,uihoui. — This is a pretty and distinct species of Privet, forming a low, much- branched, but spreading bush, with small, deep green leaves and a great profusion of loose terminal panicles of white blossoms. It forms indeed a very pretty flowering shrub, and is especially notable from the fact that it is at its best after all the other Privets are over. Pretty though some of the Privets are when in bloom, notably this and the Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), they must not be planted in immediate proximity to dwelling houses, as the heavy odour of the blossoms is to most people very disagreeable. L. Quihoui is, I believe, a native of China, but it is at present a somewhat uncommon shrub. — T. Kcelreuteria paniculata.— This is a very ornamental, small-growing tree, well adapted for which grow as readily as those of the different kinds of Rhus. A notable feature in the case of the Kcelreuteria is that it grows well in a chalky soil, which cannot be said of many of our hardy trees.— T. PLANTING TREES FOR SHELTER. As regards planting trees for shelter, I am satisfied that more lasting satisfaction would be obtained" if, instead of selecting the fastest growing trees, which not unfrequently lose their lower branches after a few years, more attention were paid to those subjects which do not make such rapid progress, but which are hardier and closer growing. Quite recently I have been engaged in advising what to plant for shelter to a garden that is much exposed to the north and east. As it was necessary that the protection provided should be of a lasting character, I have had planted a double line of the Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex), and behind these Keteleeria Furtuiiei, showiug young ones. Keteleeria Fortunci, showing cono, natund size. inch long and about five-sixteenths of an inch broad ; wing persistent, more or less broadly rounded on the ventral side of the seed, to which it adlieres firmly, almost straight on the opposite side where it is attached near the end of the seed from whicli it is prolonged sometimes Ijeyond the margin of the scale, this characteristic being very variable both in the same cone and in different cones. A feature which distinguishes the Keteleeria ill a remarkable manner is the ditliculty, or rather tlie impossibility of propagating it by means of grafting. Sometimes scions took wlien grafted on Abies pectiiiata, chietty when the method of grafting by approach was employed, but none of them continued alive for any lengtli of time, so that besides raising plants from seed (when this is obtainable) the tree can only be multiplied by means of layering or cuttings, and even these are very slow in taking root. In this repugnance to " the art of grafting " the planting on a small lawn, or where there is a wide expanse of turf, half-a-dozen or so in a group forming a pleasing feature. The value of the Kcelreuteria in this respect is enhanced by the fact that it does not blossom till towards tlie end of the summer, at which time nearly all flowering trees are out of bloom. The Kcelreuteria, as a rule, grows witli a clear stem, not very straight, and a rather open head of branches, clothed somewhat thinly with very handsome pinnate foliage. The flowers are yellow and borne in large terminal panicles, at which time a specimen is very handsome. The blossoms are sometimes succeeded by rather curious inflated seed-pods, and when they are present in considerable numbers (which, by tlie way, does not always happen), they have a very uncommon ap- pearance. In autumn tlie decaying foliage assumes a rich yellow colour before it drops. Tlie Kiclreu- teria is a native of China, and though quite hardy in this country it is seldom planted. Propagation is readily effected by seeds, or by cuttings of the roots, another double row of Pinus Laricio (the Corsican Pine). I should mention that the Oaks are intended as a permanent shelter, the others to be removed at some subsequent date, or as soon as those which are intended to remain have grown of sutflcient height to give protection. The Oaks are planted in rows 0 feet apart and the same distance between the plants, the latter in the last row being put midway between the others. The Pinus is planted three rows deep at 3 feet apart each way. Of the ultimate success of this piece of planting I have not a doubt, providing the plants are well cared for and the Firs not allowed to encroacli on the others. Of the value of the Evergreen Oak to afford permanent shelter when it has attained to moderate height, no one can question who is con- versant with its hardy character and the density of its growth. Its slow growth tells against its general use. In the instance I have referred to it was not a question of waiting, because there was sufticient 178 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 23, 1889. space available to plant behind them a more fast growing tree to give the necessary protection until the others provided it. I know of a long line of trees that was evidently planted for the purpose of affording shelter that must be considerably more than a hundred years old, and the trees are now in perfect health. There is much less difficulty in planting for shelter when there is plenty of space beyond the boundary line. In the case I have referred to it did not exceed 35 feet. Where there is plenty of space I prefer to plant a fringe of Evergreen Oaks on the inner side, and to fill up the remainder with such fast-growing subjects as the Lombardy Poplar, Wyoh Elm, Horse Chestnut, and the Silver and Austrian Firs, planting them in equal proportions moderately close together in the first instance with a view of the subsequent removal of some as they become crowded. If I were confined to one form of deciduous tree to plant for shelter for the protection of fruit orchards, I should select the English Elm, and plant trees about 5 feet high. The.-^e I would plant in a line 4 feet apart, and allow them to grow their own way for five or si.ic years. If space is restricted I should shorten back the side branches so as to cause them to grow thicker, still leaving the leaders to extend until they had reached the desired height, when both the leading shoots and side branches may be annually cut back. Under this treatment this Elm will make one of the most reliable and lasting forms of shelter that anyone can desire. The great merit of this Elm is that it will thrive in almost any kind of soil, and will bear severe pruning. If annually pruned, the growth gets so thick that a single row of trees will atford good shelter whether they are in leaf or not. J. C. C. Kitchen Garden. SIMPLE METHODS OF FORWARDING VEGETABLES. Those who have abundance of heating material and numerous pits and frames at their disposal are in a position to force a good variety of vege- tables, and also to forward many plants for stocking the kitchen garden, but these are in a minority, a.s there are numerous gardeners in charge of small places and a considerable num- ber of amateurs who do not possess such facili- ties. These must perforce adopt some simple method of attaining the same end, or otlierwise fail to produce an early supply of much appre- ciated vegetables. Of the many contrivances adopted by persevering gardeners for forwarding vegetables, there are none which give better returns than a spring bed or slight open-air hot- bed formed late in February or early in March. Not only in it possible to raise a good supply of early Carrots, Radishes, and Mustard and Cress without the aid of glass, but with these also may be raised sufficient Lettuce, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, and Celery plants to stock a small garden. The value of strong early jilants of the dillcrent vegetables last named cannot well be over-estimated, these alone more than comi)ensating for tlie labour and expense entailed in tlieir preparation. All that is needed at the outset is a heap of lieating material, a few stout stakes and strong boards, and some kind of protecting material, such as mats, strong canvas, or even fish net- ting. The owners of or those in charge < if places where there are no staliles usually purchase the requisite supplies of manure, and there is no reason why a portion at least of this should not at first do duty as a hotbed. Two tons of nearly fresli stable manure, and wliicli ought to Ije delivered at no more than 5s. jier ton, would, with the addition of an equal bulk of loaves, sweepings, and other elecaying rubbish, be sufii- cient for a small, yot most serviceable spring bed. All should be well mixed and thrown into a heap to ferment (or a few days, and if the stable manure pi-eponderates, at least one turning and a further delay of four or five days would be necessary to properly sweeten the mass. A sheltered well-drained position ouglit ' to be selected I'or the bed, and the latter should be made not less than 2 feet in depth, flat, and rather firmly put together. What shall be the exact dimensions of a bed must be determined on the spot, but to be of good service it ought to be not less than (i feet by 4 feet, and )V)r these four common deal boards or some substitute 9 inches or more in depth are needed. These should be fixed inside of tall and fairly stout stakes driven into the sides of the bed, their purpose being to enclose the needful depth of soil, while the stakes, with perhaps a few cross pieces, will support the mats or other protecting material clear of the bed. Rather fine and sandy soil, such as may be obtained by sifting ovei- a heap of old potting-bench refuse, is the best, and of this or the lightest soil procurable there ought to be a depth of about 6 inches, the surface being made quite smooth. Unless nothing but stable or farmyard manure is used in forming the bed, there is little danger to be anticipated from over-heating, and in most instances the seeds may be so^vn at once, or, at any rate, as soon as the soil is warmed through. About one- half of the bed may be thinly sown down with either Scarlet Hi_ rn or Nantes Horn Carrot, and with the Carrot a thin sprinkling of Wood's Frame and Fi-ench Breakfast Radishes, or, if preferred, the early forcing Turnip-rooted va- rieties may be substituted. A patch 2 feet by 18 inches may be thinly sown with one or two varieties of Celery, a white sort being included if an early row is desired, otherwise the jjrefer- ence should be given to either Sulham Prize, Standard-bearer, Major Clarke's Solid Red, or some other good pink or red variety. With the Celery may be sown a pinch of Early Paris Market Cabbage Lettuce and Paiis White Cos Lettuce. A patch similar in size may be de- voted to raising Brussels Sprouts, an early antl late Cauliflower, Dwarf Erfurt and Autumn Giant being suitable, and, if particularly needed, a pinch of Cabbage seed may be sown with them, each vaiiety being kejit quite distinct. After the various seeds have been evenly and very lightly covered with fine soil, tlie Mustard and Cress may be sown, an end strip 18 inches wide being available for forcing this, one- half to be sown at once and the other in a week hence. These ouglit to be kept apart and sown very thickly, the seed almost hiding the soil. In this case no covering should be applied, but the seed should be evenly pressed into the surface and covered with stout brown paper. If small birds are numerous, it will be necessary to cover the bed with lish netting, and if this is doubled or trebled it will also aHord some protection from cold winds and late frosts. If mats or other heavy coverings are used, these may be left over the bod till the Radishes are showing above ground, after wliich they must be left on during the nights onlj-. Supposing the Radishes were sown thinly, no thinning out will be needed, and those will be, or ouglit to be, cleared ofl' the bed before the Carrots are far advanced. The latter, again, if the plants come up about 3 inches a]>art each way, should commence bulbing without any attention, the thinning out commencing directly they are about tlie size of small Walnuts. All the Lettuce jilants should be pricked out early on a warm border before they smotlicr the Celery plants, and it will lie also necessary to prick out the Caulidovvers and other plants before they spoil each other. The Mustard and Cress ought to be uncovered directly the seed is sprouted, and if a little extra shelter can be atlbrded the growth will be more rapid. When a space is cleared of it, cleanly shave ofl' the surface soil, replace with fresh, and re-sow. Should this heap of manure not be required for Celery and other late crops, it may be fur- ther utdised for the production of a crop of Vegetable Marrows. The plants of the latter may be raised iu pots under glass early in May and planted during the first week in June, or seeds may be sown where the plants are to grow. Three plants are sufficient for such a heap, and one of these may well be Pen-y-Bydd, the Long White being also a favourite variety. In dry, warm weather an occasional gentle watering may be necessary while the seedlings occupy the bed, and the Marrows should be attended to till they commence active growth, after which they are quite capable of taking care of themselves. W. I. M. POTATOES FOR EXHIBITION. Although less is heard now about the growing of Potatoes for exhibition, yet there seems to be no cessation of the production of new varieties. Only a few years ago the exhibition fever was credited with the introduction of so many varieties into commerce. Now that very little is heard about show Potatoes, the production of new varieties gees on just as rapidly as ever. Very possibly now a score of new ones are put into commerce eveiy year, it may be that very many more are offered, but their fame does not reach to the press, hence they are unknown outside their respective locali irs. However, it is enough to know not only that the production of new kinds goes on, but that the elimi- nation of inferior kinds from trade lists and fioni general cultivation goes on also. During the past five or six years trade lists of Potatoes have undergone a great change ; and as old kinds are unasked for, orare replaced by superior vaiieties, so do the formt r disappear as rapidly as the new varieties come I o the front. It is of no use to complain that we have too many varieties. All the complaints in tie world will not check production, whilst production of novelties, even it but a few out of the whole number prove to be worthy of permanent existence, is well justified with such a resulr. We tave now a finer lot of Potatoes in commerce tb; n we ever before possessed, but, unfortunately, very many of these fine kinds are unknown to the great ma^s of Potato growers, as each trade house has its own special selection, whilst the whole of the good varieties are heard of by very few. It is well, therefore, for opinions of novelties to be pronounced by those only who have had the privilege of grow- ing them. We miss very much now the inter- national Potato shows, because they did very largely indeed serve to educate people in Potato knowledge. Not only were samples of every good kind in commerce usually represented, but fair estimates of their respective merits could u.sually be gleaned also. It is not enough that a variety should be good in one place ; it should be found good in many places and soils. Especially is it most unfair to condemn a variety from an isolated trial. Not only do Potatoes differ very largely in quality and in cropping from year to year in tlie same soil, but nearly all dilTiT in v.-irious soils. No other vegetable is so variously afi'ccted ; therefore it is well to show wide charity before any variety is thoroughly condemned. A worse season for Potatoes generally, and for early ones in particular, than was last summer has hardly been known, wliilst the exceeding drought of the previous year in bringing growth to an •■ibrujit conclusion was almost equally adverse. We seldom gel an ideal Potato season; therefore in estimating the qualities of any variety it is well to allow a wide margin for diversities of seasons. In really good soils where Potatoes usually do well, such, for instance, as the soils about Banbury, from whence come the most beautiful exhibition tuliers seen for several years, almost any sort will give Feb. 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 179 handsome samples, but necessarily some kinds give beauty of form in greater proportion. Tlius, whilst every variety may be said to be a show sort, there are some kinds to which the term is more fitly ap- plied, because the tubers are more invariably even and handsome. It seems odd that beauty should be regarded by some as evidence of lack of quality, but the estimate is an absurd one. We find the Lapstone, one of the best flavoured of Potatoes, to turn out in suitable soil the very best of samples, and if not so often seen on exhibition tables, that absence is due to the indifferent constitution of the Lapstone, its common tendency to disease, and very moderate cropping qualities. Our worst exhibition varieties were found in the Americans, with which, when bad seasons prevailed for English varieties, our show classes were often crowded. These, however, are now fast disappearing. They did crop up again somewhat last year because we had sucli a bad season, but it was probably but a tem- porary appearance. No grower for exhibition will prefer the American as long as he can set up supe- rior home-raised varieties. It was remarkable that, adverse to the Potato as last season was, there should have been produced chiefly from the mid- lands some of the finest exhibition tubers ever seen ; but these were, nevertheless, exceptional, for over large areas good clean samples %vere rare in deed. Without doubt one of the secrets of secur- ing fine clean handsome tubers is found in quick growth. Potato breadths which are long about, are perhaps planted too early, or receive checks from cold or frost, rarely turn out the wonderfully bright samples produced under quick growth. Generally, therefore, it is wiser to plant in April than earlier, but planting must of course lie guided by general conditions of climate and position. Then the tubers planted are invariably carefully selected, and those of medium size and handsome, which have further been set up in shallow boxes and carefully sprouted, the eyes being reduced to but one or two. and before planting carefully hardened, always produce later on the handsomest and most even samples of tubers Sets well sprouted and hardened, jilanted at the end of April, in rich light deep soil, will accom plish wonders in the way of growth and tuber-pro duction.by the endof July. Of course sets planted specially to produce exhibition samples should have plenty of room. Growers too often grudge space, and yet the resulting crop invariably repays for the ample room afforded to both tops and tubers. In deep rich soils 4 feet between the rows is none too much, as the tops expand wonderfully if they have ample room to do so. Coarse fresh manures are not good for Potatoes under any circumstances. That from Mushroom or spent hotbeds or good rotten leaf soil is better than raw manure. Soil well dressed for Peas or Cauli- flowers as previous crops is quite good enougli for Potatoes, especially if some phosphatic artificial manure be added. Phosphates add to the starchy quality of the tubers and to the brightness of their skins. In the same way a sandy soil promotes bright- ness, because in the rapid swelling of the tubers there is active friction. The beautiful skins found in tubers lifted from the best sandy soils provoke bolli wonder and doubt in many minds, but they are real. All the rubbing and scrubbing in the world will fail to give to the tubers that bright polish which quick growth in good sharp soils produces. Some little care is needed in lifting the roots of Potatoes when specially fine clean samples are required. A careless workman will disfigure many fine tubers. With really enthusiastic growers for exhibition this lifting is almost a labour of love, and is done personally with all possible care. As each root is thrown out, the experienced eye detects at a glance which of the tubers are worth selection, and these are at once carefully set aside. Then when tlie entire row is up, the selected tubers, now quite dry, are carefully gathered up into a basket and re-selected, are placed into bo.xcs or bins in sawdust, or are well papered up and put away safely until needed. It is of the highest import- ance, for the preservation of freshness and purity of colour of the skins, that tlie tubers should be ex- cluded from light and air as soon as possible. Even if simply buried in sawdust, the covering should be a thick as well as a dry one. The fol- lowing present a good selection of twenty-four kinds, all as handsome as can be found, good croppers, and in quality the best perhaps of their respective sections. Most of those named are very familiar to exhibitors ; some few others are newer, and will find favour at exhibitions in the course of a year or two : — White rotmds. — London Hero, Schoolmaster, Satisfaction, Ab\indance, Prime Minister, and Prolific. Coloured rounds.— The Dean, Purple Perfection, Reading Russet, King of Russets, Conference, and Blue Eyes. W/iife kidiiei/s. — Snowdrop, Governor, Clian- cellor. Cosmopolitan, Magnum Bonum, and Reading Giant. Coloured kidneys. — Edgcote Purple, Mottled Beauty, Beauty of Hebron, Reading Ruby, Prize- taker, and Blue Beard. Of the coloured rounds, Conference is a seedling from Radstock Beauty, white blotched carmine, and is a very superior Potato. Blue Eyes is from the same parent, and has blue blotches on a white skin. Mottled Beauty resembles a Lapstone, but has stripes of purple on a white skin. Blue Beard is a light purple kidney, of great size and fine quality. Magnum Bonum and Reading Giant are somewhat alike in tuber, but are still distinct in growth and both fine croppers. A. D. TOMATO GROWING OF THE FUTURE. I QUITE agree with the remarks of " J. C. C." on this subject in so far as they will tend to temper enthusiasm with prudence and discretion. But we must not run into the opposite extreme, and come to the too sweeping conclusion that the culture of Tomatoes in the open air is doomed. For as one. or even a few swallows do not make a summer, neither does one season with hardly a summer in it make or fix a climate. Hence, it is likely enough that this year, 1889, will bring us back our normal, or, probably, even an excessive measure of sun heat, and witli it, of course, also our ability to grow Tomatoes in the open with equal success to any we have yet attained. Success will, however, be ren- dered more certain by the adoption of " J. C. C.'s " starving regimen, for there can hardly be a doubt that a semi-tropical plant like the Tomato may be fed into abnormal tenderness, as well as starved into unnatural hardiness, and the cultivator for profit should strive to steer such a middle course Ijetween these two extremes as shall ensure the most profitable return at the least risk of failure either from faults of climate or of culture. Some- thing may also be done to produce hardier varie- ties. In the eager pursuit after improved forms and more attractive colours and finish, it is to be feared that the primitive vigour and hardiness of the older varieties have suffered very considerably. Hence, no doubt, in part, the return of not a few growers to the old red, or improved forms of it. The yield from these has been heavier and the crops more certain than from many of the more modern and highly-finished forms. Possibly even these hardy and robust strains might be further improved in these most desirable qualities by careful selection or cros.sing. The de- mand for Tomatoes is so enormous and is growing so rapidly, that it seems hardly possible to supply it at such reasonable prices as shall not greatly check or choke it off unless it continues possible to grow large quantities of Tomatoes in the ojjen on walls and in unheated houses. Some of my earliest attempts at Tomato culture in the open wore by the use of warm banks, with a sharp pitch to the south, and on raised ridges, warmed by about a yard of hot manure and leaves in the same manner as for ridge Cucumbers, Marrows, i^c. Good crops were ripened thus ; but as the seasons improved or Tomatoes became hardier, capital results were ob- tained on walls, and so the main ridge methods of culture were generally abandoned. Tomatoes as standards in gardens and fields and as ground crops also began to be more or less common ; and though last summer gave a severe check to these venturesome modes of culture by dooming all such to absolute failure, it is more than probable that with the return of our normal climate, especially if accompanied with hardier strains, all these rough-and-ready modes of growing Tomatoes will not only be resumed, but greatly extended, while their culture under glass --heated as well as un- heated—may possibly equal, if not exceed, that^ of the Grape Vine itself. t^ ^ x' D. T. F. KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. Hotbeds for k.^isixo tl.^xts.— A frame or frames set on a mild hotbed will be found of the greatest service in raising a large or small number of plants as required for stocking the kitchen garden. When the seed is committed to the open border, any that is not quite sound or somewhat old will fail to germinate, wliile there are birds and numerous pests to prey on both the seeds and tiny plants. Moreover, those plants raised under glass will be a long way ahead of any reared in the open, and in many instances this is a great gain. We form a hotbed about 30 inches in depth of well-prepared leaves and manure, on this setting two or three frames. The latter are half filled with the heating material and faced over with about G inches of fine light soil. The latter is made quite smooth and watered if at all dry, the seed being then sown rather thinly in properly separated square patches and duly labelled, a light covering of fine soil completing the operation. The frames are kept closed tiU the seedlings appear, when air is given freely on mild days, and more sparingly when cold winds prevail. The seedlings must be protected from frost and also be kept as sturdy as possible, being eventually pricked out, with few exceptions, on a sheltered border prior to being transplanted to where they are to mature. The following may be sown now : — BEUS.SELS Speouts.— It is important that these be raised early, as they require a long season's growth. When the seed is sown under glass at the present time, and the plants duly pricked out, they are available for their final destination in June, or by the time breadths of early Potatoes are moulded up. Ne Plus Ultra is a good variety, for the more southern districts especially, but the more robust Exhibition, Perfection, and Matchless strains are hardier, and are the best for colder districts. Broccoli.— It is a mistake to sow much Broccoli seed now, as sufficient plants to form a close suc- cession to the Autumn Giant Caulifiower is all that is needed. We rely principally upon the Self-pro- tecting Autumn, a long succession being secured by raising more plants a month or sis weeks later in the open ground. Failing this variety, I would sow either Michaelmas White or Autumn White, these varieties hearting in from September to December. Cauliflower?. — If there is a scarcity of autumn-raised plants, either the Early Forcing, Erfurt Mammoth, or Mont Blanc may be raised under glass. As a rule, spring-raised plants of such varieties do not pay for the trouble taken with them, and we prefer to raise and grow the somewhat later, but much superior Pearl, King of the Cauliflowers and Magnum Bonum. In addition to one or more of the last-named, it is also advis- able to raise a few score plants of Eclipse and Autumn Giant, an unbroken succession being there- by secured. Cabbares.— There is not often much demand for late Cabbages or those obtained by sowing seed now, but if thev must be had, a pinch of either Ellam's Early, All Heart, or any other quick-growing variety may "be sown. If the plants are pricked out and even- tually transplanted to rich ground they will form good" hearts in succession to those that have been kept in the seed beds all the winter and put out this spring. Celery.- If very early Celery is needed, a good white variety ough"t to have been sown last month or eariv in February, and the pans set in a brisk heat. For seconil early and main crops, the pink or red-stalked varieties "are preferable, these, if they do not blanch so quicklv, usually being less liable to bolt prematurely, the quality also being superior. 1£0 THE GARDEN. [Feb. 23, 1889. Those who may wish to try a white variety should sow either White Gem, Superb White, or Sandring- ham Dwarf White, but the White Plume is worth- less. Good pink or red-stalked varieties are Major Clarke's Solid Red (Leicester Red being synony- mous), Sulham Prize, and Standard-bearer. The last is suitable for either the main or late crops, and is a good exhibition variety. If there is no frame room available for either Celery or the other kinds above mentioned, the seed ought to be sown in boxes and set in gentle heat. Lettuces.— A batch of plants raised early under glass is valuable for planting at the foot of sunny walls, on warm borders and in the open, these forming a clo.se succession to any raised in the autumn. Of Cabbage varieties, the earliest will be found in Early Paris Market, this hearting in quickly ; cither Golden Queen or Golden Ball, and All the Year Round will follow closely, and Perfect Gem is also good. There are no extra quick-grow- ing Cos varieties, and we are content to sow a good stock of Paris White. Onions, Shallots, and Gaelic. — We usually defer transplanting autumn-sown Tripoli Onions till the state of the ground admits of the summer crops being sown. Where the ground dries quickly the seed-beds may safely be thinned out earlier, the thinnings being replanted on good ground in shallow drills 1 foot apart, a distance of 9 inches dividing the plants ; any left in the seed-bed are usually available for early use. Those who still grow the Potato or underground Onion ought always to plant these early in the year. The bulbs may be put out on rich ground from 6 inches to 9 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, burying them about half way in the soil. Shallots and Garlic ought also to be planted early, or as soon as the ground can be got into good working order. Give the preference to quite sound dormant bulbs, the largest of these eventually splitting up into several smaller ones, while small bulbs swell to a good size. These do well on borders recently planted or only partially shaded with fruit trees. The ground should be moderately rich, well worked, and made lirm. The bulbs ought to be pressed into the soil, but not quite buried, 6 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart. All that is subsequently needed is to keep the ground free of weeds, and to well harvest the bulbs as soon as the tops die down. Parsley. — We have now abundance of Parsley, and all who are similarly situated have good reason to be thankful, as it is very certain a scarcity is vexa- tious to both the gardener and cook. Should there be a likelihood of a failure later on, it is advisable to lift a number of old roots, planting these rather thickly in frames set on a mild hotbed, or else in pots or boxes, placing these in a forcing house. A service- able crop of leaves soon results. If there are no old roots available, the next best plan is to sow the seed in a frame on a hotbed prepared as for Carrots. The seed may be either sown broadcast or in drills, and being duly thinned out, those re- served will yield a quantity of fine leaves long before any raised in the open air are fit to gather. In some gardens it is somewhat difficult to grow, the tiny seedlings being destroyed by grubs or pests of some kind. In this case especially it is advisable to sow seed in fine soil on a gentle hot- bed, with or without the protection of a frame. When the seedlings have formed two or more strong leaves they can be lifted and transplanted readily. Our best beds are invariably obtained in (liis num- ner, the seedlings being dibbled out (i inches apart midway between the rows of Shallots and Garlic. The latter crops mature and are cleared ofi" before the Parsley covers the ground, and a fine bed of the latter is obtained. This transplanting checks early running to seed, but we make another sowing in the open in May, the plants resulting proving hardier than those raised earlier. Those who ex- perience no dilliculty in growing Parsley where .sown, usually sow seed in February or as early in Marcli as the state of the ground [lermits. The rows ought to be quite 10 inches apart. W. 1. Stove and Greenhouse. NOTES ON EPACRISES. The different varieties of Epacris are at the present time among the showiest of flower- ing plants, and are especially valuable where a display has to be kept up at all seasons. The want of fragrance in the blossoms is an ad- vantage, for they can often be employed where such heavy smelling subjects as Hyacintli:, would be inadmissible. If the demand for hard-wooded plants of this class continues to increase as it has done for the last two or three years, we may expect to see Epacriaes take their proper place in most gardens, for they are among the least fastidious of hard-wooded plants, and will flower well even during winter in an ordinary greenhouse temperature. In common with their allies the Heaths, all the Epaorises dislike more fire-heat than is absolutely Flowering shoot of Epacris niiuiiita spleudens. necessary to keep them safe from frost, and at the same time air shoukl bo given whenever possible. If the long sprays are cut just as the flowers expand, they retain their freshness for a long time in water. Though the plants are not difficult to pro|iag;ite by cuttings, yet it is a delicate operation, and one that needs skilled hands to carry it out successfully. In com- mencing tlieir culturi^, tlie most satisfactory way is to purchase a few neat bushy plants in 5-incli pots. Messrs. Low's nursery lias been for years noted for its hard-wooded ijlants, and a visit there about the end of the siunmer will show the growing demand for tlie variotis kinds of Epacris. After the newly-purchased j>lants liave flowered, they should be cut down by shortening back the long shoots, and thus keeping the specimen dwarf and bushy. As soon as growth re-commences after this operation is the time to pot the plants, using for the purpose good sandy peat, and taking care that the pots are thoroughly drained and not too large. In this way the plants will grow freely, and during the latter half of the summer may be turned outdoors. A good bed of coal ashes should be prepared on which to stand the plants, and tliey must be carefully attended to in the matter of water, taking especial care that they are not allowed to be- come too dry, as, like their .allies the Azaleas, their delicate hair-like fibres are sadly injured if they once h.appen to get parched. There is a great number of varieties, a few good ones being Lady Panmure, white ; Eclipse, scarlet and white ; miuiata splendens, rosy red ; salmonea, light salmon ; alba odorata, white, sweet scented ; Fireball, bright red ; Vesta, white and pink ; Model, pink ; with the difJerent varieties of E. niiniata and E. hyacinthiflora. There is a very singular Epacris known as E. onosmaeflora or purpurascens, which is not particularly showy, but is remarkable from the fact that there is a pretty variety of it with double flowers. This has the upper part of the shoots wreathed with little rosette-like blossoms, which when first expanded are pure white, but become slightly tinged with pink before they die off. H. P. Monocheetum Lemonianum.— This is especi- .ally valuable from the fact th.at, given ordinary greenhouse treatment, it will flower throughout the winter and early spring months. A dry atmosphere is essential to its well-doing, n- fused mass which covers the ground to the left of the centre stem, and in an opposite direction to Two other trees upon the lawn worthy of note are a fine Tulip tree and a noble specimen of the deciduous Cypress, 70 feet to 80 feet liigli, with branches down to the ground. This tree is so distinct from all other Conifers in habit of growth, and especially in the light and fresh green tint of its elegant sprays of foliage, that it is surprising how sparingly it is planted. A little to the soutli-west of the house, but forming part of the ground.s, is a wood inter- sected by numerous walks. Here, again. Oak, Elm, and Chestnut are striking in tlu^ir magni- tude. Two of the walks .are especially beautiful. Tlicre are broad grassy glades, and one runs tlie whole length of the wood on the soutli sitle, comnianduig a view of a long range of the Downs ; the other intersects the wood and forma a cool retreat from summer heat. The glass department is not e.Ktensive, but 190 THE GARDEN. [March 2, 1889. Strawberries, Grapes, Peaches, and Tomatoes are largely and well grown. In winter tbese houses are filled with Chrysauthemums, of which many hundreds are grown, and in tlie most use- ful lorni as lar^e, bushy, dwarf plants, bearing a number of medium sized flowers, which do not require any neck-stretching or ladder-mounting in order to see them. The kitchen garden is of fair extent, and is surrounded by good walls devoted chiefly to Pears and Plums, as Peaches will not thrive. In spite of the walls, however, the south-westerly winds sweep along the Downs and cause much damage in the garden. Herein is seen tlie beneBt of the previously mentioned wood, which shelters the house from the line of prevailing winds. Doubtless this was the ob- ject its planters had in view, for even the most casual observermusthave noticed that everything done by our forefathers about these old places received the best consideration, was well carried out, and in realising as we do such pleasure from the successful results of their handiwork, we cannot but regard these old places and all about them as memorials of the forethought, skill, and ability employed. A. fl. Flower Garden. THE WATER FAIRY FLOWER. (narui.ssus tazetta vab. grand empbrok.) On the 28th of December I received a bulb of this plant which a friend in New Jersey had sent to me, and a very large rough-looking bulb it was, with several offsets standing out from the main one at all sorts of angles. As a bulb it was ugly enough to make a Dutch grower feel quite angiy, for it had not a single good feature about it from a bulb growers point of view. I was told that these bulbs are imported from China in little bamboo buckets, and that they are accompanied by cultural directions in the langviage of the Celestial empire. The donor also told me not to plant it in soil or earth in a ]iot, as is the rule with i\s in Eur<.ipe, but to place tlie bulb in a bowl, and to pile little stones on the top of it to prevent its floating, and then to fill the bowl wilh tepid water so as to cover it entirely, and then to place the bowl in a sunny window and await the results. Tliis I did, changing the water once in twenty-four hours, as I was also directed to do. When the bulb came to hand it was (juite soft and shrivelled outside, but after about a week's total immersion the bulb coats swelled out, and it began to feel quite ])lump and firm to the touch. In another week green points appeared and growtli became more rapid, the first flowers opening in aliout six weeks after the bulb was planted in the bowl. The tallest leaves and flower spikes are now 20 inches high. There are in all eight growths from the bull), five of which have yielded a sjiiko eacli, and eaci] spike bears from four to six tine flowers. The perianth segments are white and the cups briglit yellow, having an orange tint, an. It is caused, as Mr. Burbidge tells us, by a minute parasitic fungus (Peronospora ticaria;). Two other kinds of Peronospora are very destructive to certain crops; the one is P. infestans, the well- known Potato blight, the other P. Schleideriana, which in some countries destroys Onion crops. In the case of the Potato blight, the nature of the crop and the season at which it (the disease) appears make it hopeless to eft'ect any cure when it is once established. But concerning tlie Onion blight we have a most interesting memoir by Mr. Arthur Shipley, published in the Kew Bulletin of October, 1887. Remedies are there recommended which would probably be equally efficacious for the Hellebore blight, and they certainly should be tried. The first is to spray the diseased plants with a weak solution of sulphate of iron, the proportions being three- twentieths per cent., or about 1 oz. to 5 gallons of water. The second remedy is to mix powdered quicklime witli flowers of sulpliur and to dust the diseased plants with it. Another expert in plant diseases advised me to try a solution of sulphate of copper in the propor- tion of about 3 ozs. to a gallon of water and to spray the plants with it. This solu- tion seems very strong when compared with the small quantity recommended in the case of sulphate of iron, but I have tried repeated waterings with it without any bad efiects. At the same time I shall proceed cautiously with it. The Peronospora is more difticult to deal witli in the perennial Hellebore than in the annual Onion or Potato, as the spores no doubt fall in large numbers on to the herbaceous crown, and are carried up by tlie new leaves in spring to germinate and infect them, but the crown may be dressed with sulphur and quicklime, to wliich a little finely powdered sulphate of U'on may be added, for Mr. Shipley informs us that sul- phate of iron in the proportion of od lbs. to the acre makes an excellent top-dressing for a Potato crop, and may be expected to act as a preventive of the blight to which that crop is liable. Edije Hall, Malpus. C. Wolley Don. Heuchera riTjifolia. — This Alum root has handsome foliage and is always attractive. In the growing season the darker shades of the velvety leaves are toned down into the rich green, giving a beautiful harmony of qiiiet colours. In autumn these colours change to red, and remain so through- out the winter. A large group with the sun shining on it on a winter's day, seen with a side light and from a distance, looks very bright indeed, and rivals the brightest hues of the Mahonia. Such a group should not cover less than 2 yards of ground, or the effect is lost. Where room is plentiful, a large group should be grown in a raised position for winter effect, taking care to place it where it can be seen from east or west. This matter of position is important, as when seen from the south the effect is greatly lessened. It is a good thing when properly placed. -J.C. T. A blue Primrose.— "A. D." at page 161 refers to the blue Primrose exhibited before the recent meeting of the floral committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, and seems to suggest that everybody else saw its great merits, as the very bluest of blue varieties, except the responsible body before whom it was placed. I pass no opinion on it, as my object in writing is merely to give my experience with blue varieties flowered so early in the year as January and February. I flower annually hundreds, perhaps thousands of these coloured Primroses, some of them from seeds I have saved, and some from seeds sent by Mr. Dean, and amongst them blue varieties, or at least what is termed blue, for they are all purplish blue. I have found that the cold atmosphere and dark days of January cause the flowers to be of a deeper blue than they would be if they opened in April. In fact, I had a blue one last year which I thought would come in at the Auricula exhibition in April, but the later flowers changed so much that they became more red than blue. I would like to hear from Mr. Dean whether there is any ch.inge in colour of the flowers that open in April. I lifted the plant that I allude to and the flowers opened in a frame, but the lights were often drawn off. The frame culture might, however, to some extent have in- fluenced the colour.— J. Douglas. Whilst I regret that my appellation of True Blue to the hardy Primrose I exhibited at the Westminster Drill Hall last week did not meet with your approval, I am consoled by the reflection that you thought so novel and striking a colour in the Primrose merited a certificate. But with respect to the real colour of the flowers, some considerable allowance must be made for the very bad light of the Drill Hall, which invari.ably kills blue and converts it into a purplish shade. Even in the middle of summer I have seen blue Lobelia flowers turned to violet when the plants were stood in a tent. But out in the clearer atmosphere of the country blue flowers (and some other coloured ones also) look very much brighter than they do in London at any time. For that reason I think the appellation of True Blue to the Primrose was not such a grave impropriety after all. The flowers of this plant are the very bluest we have ever seen in the hardy single Primrose. I have great hope that by eventually securing some seed, this Primrose, despised by the floral committee as it w.as, may none the less prove to be the progenitor of one of the loveliest, because bluest, races of the Primrose. I fear were we to invite in floral colours a discussion on the proper tints of a true blue, we should find it would be interminable. All the same, blue covers a very wide range of tints, just as green does. To remove criticism, however, I will find a less em- phatic name for my blue Primrose. — A. D. Delphinium Zalil. — I observe that this plant (seed of which is offered in the catalogues of most of the hardy plant nurserymen) is invariably spoken of and offered as a hardy perennial. Is there the smallest reason or evidence for supposing this to be the case ; If I recollect right, there was a note about this plant in The Gaedbn some time last summer, in which its biennial character was spoken of as pretty well .Tscertained, and certainly from the growth and habit of the specimen that I saw Last year flowering in the .alpine house at Kew, I had and have no doubt myself that it is merely a biennial. A yellow perennial Larkspur with a good constitution would unquestionably be an acquisition to collectors of hardy plants in search of novelties. Even if the yellow, as is the case 11)2 THE GARDEN. [March 2, 1889. here, were not particularly good, but yet another yellow biennial is, to say the least, quite another thing. There is no class of plants which have to "show cause "for their permanent adruission into our already overcrowded gardens which have so much difficulty in getting the "rule made absolute " in their favour. — J. C. L. FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. Fine foliage c flowers. — It has long been a question with me as to whether or not in orna- mental gardening we do not over-rate the import- ance of flowers and not sufliciently value fine f oli.ige, whether in tree or shrub form, or in that of a dwarfer description, such as Phormiums, Yuccas, Grasses, Reeds, Bamboos, Funkias, and the like. As a matter of course, in the summer flower garden one expects a preponderance of flowers, but, taking into account the long series of bad seasons, wet, cold, and sunless summers — weather in which the hardiest flowers cut a very sorry figure — I think that a reduction of numbers might be made with advantage, certainly with a greater prospect of more permanent beauty, because foliage better withstands both rain and wind storms, and there is no labour of picking over flower beds to keep them trim. Then, again, there is the additional advan- tage of all-the-year-round beauty that is obtainable from many plants, as, for instance, the Yuccas, Phormiums, Japanese Honeysuckle, Bamboos, Arundos, and suitable graceful evergreen shrubs, and for the summer season in particular there is an immense wealth of good hardy foliage plants, as, in addition to the above, there are the grand foliage forms of Bocconia cordata, Meliantbus major. Acanthus (several varieties). Ferula com- munis and F. gigantea, and last, but not least, the many varieties of Funkias. Of the latter we have a large quantity of plants, some of which are being planted in the flower beds, and others in groups on the turf. Their only fault is that they begin to die away a little too early — a remark that applies to the Ferula also. Perennials. — I have just had a good look round the borders, and the one great regret is that they are so full of plants. The work of collection has occu- pied a long time, but in all my gardening experience nothing has given me so much pleasure. I have already visions of the grandeur of the flowers of, for instance, Pseonies that are now just throwing up their crimson shoots. The following are now to be planted: Gladioli in clumps of about seven corms each ; Hyacinthus candicans in clumps of three bulbs each ; Lilium auratum the s.ame ; giant French Anemones in groups of about nine corms ; Spanish Iris in groups of five, and at the backs of borders as space admits Sweet Peas will be sown. Did labour admit of our doing it, we would carpet the whole of the borders as soon as planting was fin- ished with Sedums and Saxifrages of various kinds. This, to my mind, completes the ideal of what a really beautiful herbaceous garden ought to be. As it is, we are compelled to be content with the planting of a few patches of these plants here and there near the front margins of borders. PlILO.XES AND PeNTSTEMONS FROM CUTTINGS. — I am aware this is not a new departure, but as propagation by cuttings is not so general, I would like to say a word in favour of making it more so. First as to Phloxes. The raising of plants from seeds is an expeditious one, but as the str.-iin can- not always be relied on, I prefer to jjropagate either by division or by cuttings. If the sorts be good, pro- pagation by division of the roots gives, perhaps, the least labour, but the innumerable small shoots that spring from the base of tlie plants militate against the shoots lliat gain the mastery, producing such fine flowers as do shoots that arc, so to speak, un- weighted by tliem, and for this reason alone I prefer prop.ig.'ition by cuttings that arc lakcn at the end of the summer, and inserted in handlights or cold frames, and tliere left to winter. We have numbers of such now ready to phant out, each of which during the coming summer will ]iroduce a line head or two of flower, .and next year will be in perfection and can be used to replace the positions vacated by the destruction of the old plants. In addition to the reason given for preferring to increase Phloxes from cuttings, there is, as regards Pentstemons, another reason, namely, that of less hardiness of plants, it being no uncommon occurrence for old plants to die even though the winter is not severe. Hence propagation by cuttings taken at the end of the summer, inserted and wintered in frames, makes us indifferent as to the loss of the old plants. Seeds saved from a good strain come fairly true, and by sowing now in warmth and pricking off as soon as ready and growing them on in frames, good plants may be had that will flower well from next August onwards through the autumn. The time and bother of labelling have long since caused me to eschew the growing of named varieties of either Phloxes or Pentstemons. There is in fact nothing to be gained by the practice, seedlings being so invariably good. Phlox Drtjmmondi.— By selection these annual Phloxes have been so much improved of late years, that perhaps it is not too much to say that of the m.any good species of annuals there is not one that excels Drummond's Phlox either for massing for colour effect, or, as regards the compact section, for edgings to taller flowering plants. The colours are simply marvellous, there being almost every con- ceivable shade between pure white and deep m.aroon, and great as has been the improvement as to the colour, form and size of flowers, the habit of growth has been also improved. The compact section r,arely exceeds G inches in height, and I have measured plants 10 inches across literally covered with flowers to the ground line. The larger-growing section are also much improved in habit of growth, and not be- ing quite so free-flowering as the other section is, I think, an advantage, as the green of the foliage helps to show off the beauty of the flowers. The various colours may if desired be bought separate, .and they come very true, but personally I prefer to see the colours intermixed, the separation as to colours partaking too much of the red, white and blue style of bedding out th.at was in vogue .a few years since. Seeds sown at once in pans and placed in gentle warmth till germinated, then taken out and afforded space in a cool, airy pit till ready for prick- ing out in a cold frame, will make large plants for planting out about the middle of May. The soil for these annu.al Phloxes should be deep .and highly manured ; in poor soil they will exist all the sea-son, but free growth and good and abundant flowering can only be had by high cultivation. W. WiLDSMITH. TREE CARNATION MRS. LLEWELLYN. I HAVE grown this variety since the year it w.as sent out from the Roviil Nurseries, Slough. The flowers are clear deep rose colour, freely produced, exceed- ingly pretty, andvery sweet. It is not of such adwarf habit as some varieties, but much dwarfer than the usual run of English raised sorts. I have never man- aged to obtain the very best results from plants set out in the open ground. If they can be planted out in a favourable position, they are likely to grow freely enough, but however carefully they are lifted, the plants receive a considerable check, from wliich they do not speedily recover. The result is that the flowers do not develop perfectly ; whereas if the plants are grown in pots all through the sea- son, and placed under glass about the end of Sep- tember or early in October, they are well esta- blished and re.ady to develop good flowers from the buds th.at have been formed out of doors. I find much depends upon the propagation and early cul- ture of tlic plants whether they will be of great excellence or the reverse. If they are neglected or badly managed in the early stages of jiotting .and inuring the plants to a cooler aljnosphere at first, the results are seldom satisf.actory. The small side growths are the best to select for cuttings, and they can re.adily be slipped out from the axils of the leaves with the finger.s, and should be taken when quite full of s.aji. Some things, such as Pe- largoniums, do best when the cuttings are taken from a jiliint that has been kept very dry at the roots for some days previously. Carnation cuttings do best when taken from a ]ilant that has been kept fairly moist. A dozen niiiy be inserted in a 5-incli pot in sandy soil, and if the pots arc plunged in bottom helnnt with closely .set leaves, arranged in a two-ranked fashicm, and im- bricating at the base. The leaves are upwards of an inch in length, somewhat lieart-sliaped, green, very hairy aliove, tip|ied with reddish purple, the under side bright red. The brilliant colour of the reverse side of the leaf renders (he plant a conspi- cuous ornament if jilanted above the eye or when treated as a basket plant. I am told, however, that the colour of the under side of the leaves is more intense in the summer months than during winter and spring. The flowers are small, red, the stamens tipped with blue. It is an exceedingly interesting member of the Commelynea;, and should be more grown. — W. H. G. WORK IN PLANT HOUSES. Stove. — Achimenes. — Where Achimenes are re- quired to flower for a length of time during the summer, it is better not to start all the stock at once, for even when the plants are well managed they will only retain a presentable appearance for a certain time. There are few things that are so efEective when grown in baskets. When hanging over the paths, alternately with Ferns, such as the freer growing species of Adiantums, Davallias, Pterises, and others of a like characteralso in baskets, the Achimenes have a very telling efl^ect. Where the intention is to have a succession of bloom up to the end of summer in the way mentioned, a portion of the tubers should now be started. They will do either in large pans or shallow boxes ; where the plants are grown in quantity boxes will be the most suitable. The tubers should have room enough, as if crowded, their delicate roots will suffer by removal when they have to be put in the baskets or pots in which they have to be grown. The soil in which they are started should be of a loose, open nature, such as a mixture of sifted loam, leaf -mould, and sand; the tubers ought to be put in about 2 inches apart, covered with an inch of the compost, and stood in a house or pit where a temperature oif 60° in the night is kept up. The soil must not be too wet, neither should much water be given until the growth has begun to move. When a few inches of top growth have been made, the plants should be put in the baskets or pots they are to occupy ; here, again, they should have plenty of room. If a second lot of tubers are put in about three weeks after these, and a third portion still a little later, a long season of bloom may be looked for. Gesneras. — The section of Gesneras that form solid tubers, of which the brilliant-coloured G. Cooperi and G. Donckelaari may be taken as ex- amples, are not now so much in favour with plant growers as they used to be ; and yet they are amongst the most beautiful of all stove-flowering subjects that are limited in size. These Gesneras are amongst the easiest of all plants to manage, so that with little attention the tubers will last for many years, increasing in size, and proportionately so in the quantities of flowers they are able to pro- duce. Roots that were started a few weeks ago by subjecting them to an ordinary stove tempera- ture, and moistening the soil in the pots in which they have been rested when 2 inches or H inches of top growth has been made, should be potted, giving larger pots if necessary according to the size the tubers have attained. Very large roots will do with pots 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter, for though nmch may be done to maintain the growth by the use of manure water, it is still a difficult matter to get a full head of bloom if the roots have not enough soil to support them. Good loam, mode- rately free in texture, with some leaf-mould, rotten manure, and sand, forms a suitable compo.st'for these Gesneras. In all cases it is well, when pot- ting plants cf this description during the cold season, to warm the soil before using it, and to see that it is not too wet. Through inattention to this or allowing the tubers to remain for a ens to be far from the light, as such contrivances often are, it must not be kept too close ; yet the cuttings must not bo allowed to flag in the Iciist. Keep the si\nd quite moist. A temperature of 70° will .-mswer, or if a little more no harm will follow. Shade from the sun when the weather is bright. Managed in this way, the cuttings will strike in about tliree weeks. When they are well rooted tilt the glasses, gradu- ally giving more air until they may be dispensed with altogether. Encourage growth w-ith.more heat as the days get warmer. This Eu]iborhiaMs naturally a spare, erect grower, and, if rcquired'to Ix' bushy, the jilants will lu'ed stopping; but where there is enough head-room it is better to let them run up with single stems. The roots do not like March 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 195 disturbing, and when the plants require shifting it is better to move them together just as they have been struck rather than separate them in the usual way. It forms fewer roots than many plants : 6-inch or 7-inch pots will be large enough. Later on, about the beginning of June will in most cases be the right time to repot. One shift is all that will be wanted. From the time that the little plants are well established they should be stood with their tops close to the glass, lowering them as they extend. When sufficient cuttings have been ob- tained, the old plants may be turned out of their pots, and have as much of the soil taken away as can be done vrithout much disturbance of the roots. The plants should then be put in pots a size or two larger, giving them new soil, and afterwards treating them in a similar manner to that recommended for the young stock. IxoRAS. — Early in spring is a good time to strike Ixoras, as then the plants have the whole season before them to gain strength. To grow them well they should never be allowed to stop growing, for if this occurs they never move freely afterwards. Needless to say, they do not make so much pro- gress in the winter as in summer, but they should always have enough heat to keep them moving; this is especially the case with I. coccinea, which for the size and colour of its flowers, their dura- bility, and the general appearance of the plant when it is well managed, is still by far the best kind. None of the other species or the numerous varieties that have been raised are equal to it. The tops of the stout shoots that have sprung direct from the collars of the plants make the best cut- tings. These should consist of about three joints ; remove the bottom pair of leaves, and trim the base so as to leave the joint entire. Put each cutting in a small pot filled with sand. If a bottom-heat of 80° or 85° can be given, with top heat of about 70° in the night and a proportionate increase by day, the cuttings will root in three weeks. The bottom- heat can be dispensed with, provided the tempera- ture of the house is kept at something like that named. When the cuttings are well rooted, move them into 4-inch pots, using good brown fibrous peat with enough sand added. Young plants struck last year should nov/ be moved. If they are strong and have plenty of roots a large shift may be given. If now in 7-inch or 8-inch pots, they can be put into others 12 inches or 13 inches in diameter. Give them the best peat, using it in .a lumpy state, with sand in proportion to the nature of the peat; drain well, and pot moderately firm. Keep the stock, both large and small, well up to the light. Syringe overhead each afternoon, and keep the plants free from insects. T. B. Eupatorium atrorubens. — This plant is better known under the name of Hebeclinium atro- rubens than that of Eupatorium atrorubens. The Eupatoriums and Hebecliniums are, from a garden point of view, quite distinct from each other. H. atrorubens bears large, widely-branched clusters of purplish-lilac flowers, the stalks and young shoots being also thickly covered with reddish hairs, that impart to them quite a velvety appearance. The otlier species, H. ianthinum, is in general appear- ance a good deal like the preceding, except that the shoots are wanting in the velvety character and the colour of the flowers is pale lavender. Both are easily grown, quickly attain a good size, and re- main in flower a considerable time. Treatment such as that given to Salvias and other winter and spring-flowering subjects will suit them perfectly. They are easily propagated by cuttings at any time of the year that young growing shoots are to be procured.— H, P. " Stauntonia latifolia. — This Himalayan climber is fairly hardy in the more favoured parts of England, but it is most at home when treated as a cool house plant, and being of strong and vigorous growth it is suited for large structures. Tlie dark green leatliery foliage renders it a liandsome plant at all ,season.s, while just now the flowers impart an additional feature. They are borne freely in loose clusters from the axils of the leaves, and though their colour (a kind of greenish-purple) does not render them in anyway conspicuous, their delicious fragrance will at once attract attention. There is another species, S. hexaphylla. which has orna- mental foliage, and the flowers are borne as freely as in S. latifolia, but they are not so agreeably scented. The blooms of this last are whitish-green. S. latifolia is also known as Holboellia latifolia.— T. Rhododendron multiflorum. — This is an ex- tremely useful Rhododendron for flowering in a small state, as little bushes not more than (> inches or 8 inches high are quite covered with blossoms, which are borne in comparatively large clusters. The colour of the flowers is a pleasing shade of blush and the edges of the petals being crisped give to it a somewhat uncommon appearance. There is another variety. Pixie Queen, which in appearance is very like multiflorum, except that the flowers are white. With very little forcing they may be had in bloom by February, and when subjected just to the ordinary temperature of the greenhouse, they will flower by the early part of March. E. multi- florum has been employed by the hybridist in con- junction with the large white-flowered Edgeworthi, the result being such valuable varieties as Countess of Sefton, Duchess of Sutherland, Mrs. James Shawe, and Ladv Skelraersdale. — H. P. Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica).- Subjected to the treatment usually given to Tulips to induce them to bloom early in the season, the Siberian SquiU may be had in flower by Christmas, but the blooms are not so fine as those borne by bulbs that have not been subjected to such severe forcing. To induce them to bloom, however, by the early part of February, little more than the protection of a frame is necessary, and at this season pots of the Scilla in full flower form a very conspicuous feature in the greenhouse, the colour of the blossoms being so generally admired. Scillas also remain in beauty a considerable time, and if planted after flowering in a sheltered spot, they will, unlike many bulbs, bloom again the following year. Chionodoxa Lucilia3 will also flower under similar conditions ; but though knowing that many readers of The Garden- are of a different opinion, I still prefer the Scilla to its newer rival. — H. P. Cydonia Maulei forced.— When forced into bloom thus early in the season Maule's Pyrns is ex- ceedingly pretty, and in colour very distinct from most shrubs employed for the purjjose. When plants are required for forcing they should be grown in a light position and well exposed to the sun, in order that the shoots may be thoroughly ripened. The lifting and potting should be done in the autumn just before the leaves fall, as the plant gets somewhat established before winter sets in. In common with aU other shrubs that are induced to bloom prematurely, the most satisfactory results are obtained when the forcing is carried on gently, as if the blooms open in a very high temperature they do not last nearly so long as when they expand under cooler treatment. A well-flowered specimen will have the slender shoots closely packed with its chstinct orange-red blossoms, while the tender green of the unfolding leaves supplies another very pleasing feature.— T. Asparagus tenuissimus. — This is a pretty kind, somewhat in the way of A. plumosus, but it is altogether lighter in texture — so light, indeed, that after syringing, when the moisture is hanging in countless little drops from all parts of the plant, it seems like a cloud of mist. It is an extremely pretty plant for furnishing the rafters of a small house, as it clothes them with its beautiful delicate masses of greenery, which from their slender cha- racter do not obstruct the light in any way. Like the other species, the sprays of this are very useful in a cut state, as they retain their freshness for a considerable time, and if a piece is cut otT, other shoots are rapidly pushed forth, so that a few plants will f\irnish a great number of cut sprays. One point in favour of A. tenuissimus is that it is less heavy than A. phimosus, and can be readily in- creased by cuttings, which the beautiful A. plu- mosus nanus cannot be. Small plants of the first- mentioned Asparagus, which are veiy useful for many purposes, can be obtained by putting about pot, when they soon root if kept close in a propa- gating case in the stove, and after being hardened off they may be shifted into pots a size larger, when they form globular-shaped masses of delicate bright green foliage. When growing strongly the plant will acquire a climbing cliaracter, but in small pots it retains the dwarf bushy habit for a very long time. It will grow very well in a greenhouse, but makes more rapid progress in a structure kept at an intermediate temperature. — T. Orchids. W. H. OOWER. DENDROBIUM LODDIGESI. This is a lovely little plant, introduced to this country upwards of fifty years ago by the then famous nurserymen at Hackney whose name it bears, and to whom it was dedicated in 1887 by Rolfe, of Kew. Tliis plant up to that time had been known in English gardens by the name of D. pulchellum, but now one seldom sees it at aU. I was, therefore, pleased to find last week in my rambles a plant just coming into flower and bearing as many as fifty-four blooms, which will all be open in a few days. This plant well bears out the name of D. pul- chellum, by which it is still generally known. Upwards of thirty years ago tliis plant was figured by Sir William Hooker under the name of pulchellum, but evidently under doubt, as he says : " This is the Dendrobium pulchellum of our gardens, and of Maund and Loddiges, there can be no manner of doubt, but 1 am by no means clear about it being the t>. pulchellum of Roxburgh andLindley." The plant has now been found not only to be distinct from Rox- burgh's plant, but not even a native of India, as it has been gathered in the Chinese island of Hainan by Mr. Ford, of Hong-Kong. The history of this plant having been cleared up by Mr. Rolfe, we now must know it as D. Loddi- gesi, and still live in hopes of seeing the true D. pulchellum introduced by someone from Northern India. Tlie particular plant in question filled a Teak- wood basket and has been grown in the Cattleya liouse for some years during the summer season, and rested in a cool house where zonal Geraniums were grown for winter blooming. There it ripens up its bulbs and sets its flowers, during wliich time it is kept without water at the roots, and the dry atmosphere of the Geranium house, which is kept at a temperature of from 45° to 50°, suits it admirably until its flowers begin to push up, when it is removed to a warmer house and water given carefully until the blooms are fully developed. This treatment appears to be quite congenial. This plant is, unfortunately, rare in collections, although some thirty 3'ears ago it was largely grown by several of the Loudon nurserj'uien, the Messrs. Jackson and Suns, of Kingston, especially holdirg a large stock. It is a small plant, bearing slender bulbs, which seldom exceed C inches in length ; these are clustered, nearly uniform throughout in size, striated, and leafy to the base ; leaves small, fleshy, and deep bright green. The majority of these fall away during tlie resting season. The flowers, which are produced singly from the joints, are some 2 inches across ; sepals and petals spreading, soft lilac, the petals being much broader than the sepals ; lip large, deep orange-yellow in the centre, which is narrowly bordered with white, the margin being bordered with purplish lilac. The edge of the lip is also beautifully fringed with long fine hairs. The above is a description of the plant now flower- ing, but years ago I used to have a variety in half-a-dozen cuttings around the edge of a ,3-inch which the sepals and petals and the marginal 196 THE GARDEN. [March 2, 1889. border of the lip were of a rich deep rosy purple. Biith forms, liowever, are very beautiful, and well deserve cultivation. Phajus Walliclii.— A fine spike of this useful old Orchid comes from " Inquirer, Manchester," who says he bought it for graudifolius, and asks if it is true. It is not true, and you reap the advan- tage by its not being so, as Wallichi is a much finer species. Both these kinds are extremely use- ful for winter blooming, and being terrestrial plants they are easily accommodated in an ordinary stove with other plants. Dendrobium Wardianum candidum. — A beautiful flower of this choice and rare variety comes from Mr. R. J. Measures, Ladymead, East Harting, Susse-^s. The flower measures 3 inches across, the sepals and petals being broad and flat and pure white ; the lip is also white in front, the base stained with orange, and bearing the customary two deep crimson eye-like spots. It is a great beauty, and was, we believe, introduced from Burmah by the Messrs. Low, of Clapton. Cattleya Trianse (Mr. Clarke's variety). — A flower of this grand form comes from Mr. Carr, the gardener at Croydon Lodge. It is a superb flower, the petals measuring upwards of 7 inches across, each petal being nearly 3 inches wide, and together with the sepals of a uniform rosy lilac; lip 3 inches long and 2 inches wide, rose colour, the anterior lobe bright crimson-magenta extending up to the throat, and there cut off in a straight hne by bright orange, which extends to the base of the throat, the margin beautifully frilled all round. This grand form is one imported by the late Messrs. RoUisson and Sons, of Tooting, who in the year 1876 received a consignment of this species, said to have been selected in their native country with great care. This one certainly verifies the statement. Cypripedium macranthum. — I am delighted to learn from "G. R." that this rare and lovely Slipper Orchid is readily managed out of doors, and that he has been so successful in its culture. Why it should not be so I cannot understand, but I much fear that my non-success as well as that of nearly a dozen other persons I could name, has been owing to miserable roots having been supplied. More than once I have purchased roots at a big figure, but they never did well, and I have this consolation at least that they were well and naturally planted. Home people confuse this Orchid witli the com- moner C. spectabile— it was shown as such at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society last year — but there are marked differences between the two. — A. D. Webster. Mr. Webster is the very last man I should think of disputing with upon the manage- ment of hardy Orchids, but I cannot help think- ing he has been somewhat strangely circum- stanced with this fine species. I used to grow it with other hardy kinds at the Tooting nur- series of Messrs. Rollisson and Sons, and never ex- perienced any trouble with it. I well recollect being astonished some years ago in Russia at see- ing it forced and flowering in the month of May, which was just at the time of the break up of the winter, so that I would advise Mr. Webster to give it another trial— W. II. G. Miltonia Warscewiczi.— This plant was, I beli(:ve, first sent to this country by Mr. O'Reilly about the year 18()8, and it obtained in gar- her2r, i8sH. Lit lingrapUeil and printed by Guilluunie Severeyns. THE GARDEN INDIAN SHOT (1. CANNA. LOUIS THIBAUT 2 C.VICTOR HUGO. March 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN". 197 character. The finest blooms are, as a rule, borne during the months of July, August, and September, but the plants will continue to flower long after that time ; indeed, right on into the winter months. Where intended for very late blooming a temperature above that of an ordi- nary greenhouse is essential to success, but we subject our.s to about the same treatment as a Fuchsia requires. No artificial heat is given them throughout the summer mouths, and they both grow and flower beautifully. When iu bloom they are greatly admired, presenting as they do features totally distinct from those of the other plants employed for the embellishment of the greenhouse. Cannas are, as is well known, gross feeding subjects, and consequently when grown in pots they need very liberal treatment to secure the best results. They are all easily increased by division, while seed, from which orange-red flowers. Madame Just, rich orange- yellow flowers. Paul Bert, very deep-coloured foliage, while the flowers are of a yellowish amber tint. Ulrich Brxmner, deep red foliage and scarlet- crimson-ooloured flowers. Revol Mas.iot, the first of this class that I s.aw in flower; this has green foliage and very bright glowing crimson-coloured flowers. This variety, as well as Geoffrey St. Hilaire and Capricieux, was sent out as long ago as 1885. Pictata is an exceedingly pretty variety, the flowers being yellow, thickly spotted with light crimson. , M. Crozy sent out twelve new sorts last spring, but they are not seen to the same advantage the first season after distribution as they are later on when stronger. There 13 also another section of Cannas re- markable for their beautiful blossoms, one of which has been already illustrated by a coloured plate in The Garden, Oct. 21, 1886. I allude to C. iridiflora Bhemanni, a bold, stately-growing Cannu iridiflora Ehemanni. young plants can be quickly raised, ripens readily enough iu this country. Tlie seeds grow much more rapidly if soaked for twenty- four hours before they are sown, as the outer Coating is so very hard. I find that seedlings raised from this large-flowered free-blooming class retain the peculiar characteristics of their parents. M. Crozy publishes a very long list of varieties, but it is certainly difficult to dis- tinguish the points of difference between some of them ; indeed, it is necessary ti> make a se- lection rather than grow a collection, though all are very beautiful. Some of the best varieties would include, besides those represented in the coloured plate, the following, viz. : — Admiral Courhet, handsome deep green foliage and bright yellow flowers, spotted with red. Ca- pricieux, flowers bright crimson, edged and flaked with yellow. Francisijiie Morel, t\c\\ green ioWaf^e, and flowers of a deep crimson hue. Genft'roy St. Hilaire has handsome dark foliiige and very large plant with drooping clusters of large deep car- mine-coloured flowers. It forms, indeed, a splendid object in a warm structure, but re- quires more heat tlian the class of Cannas pre- viously mentioned. I saw a splendid example of this at Pendell Court in the time of the late Mr. Green (see ilhistration). Tho plant there was growing on the margin of a large tank, planted on a mound of earth, in such a position that the roots had free access to the water, and these conditions seemed to suit this Canna. H. P. Road-scrapings. — In country districts these are generally obtained during the winter months, and for certain purposes are most valuable. In the case of old vegetable gardens and orchards a dress- ing of road-scrapings would very often do far more good than two or three applications of manure. For close moisture-holding soils, which are ditticult to work after rain, road-scrapings are excellent, as owing to their gritty character they render such soils more friable and porous. More valuable than the scrapings, however, are the parings, which consist of grassy particles, and therefore contain a con- siderable amount of organic matter. If these parings are liberally supplied to poor, light soils, they improve them in a wonderful manner. Gene- rally the scrapings and the parings can be bought at a cheap rate, and I would recommend all who intend using the former to obtain the first lot col- lected, as this contains a large amount of manurial matter, which during the summer months has been ground down into powder.— J. Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAK. PROTECTING FRUIT TREES. The pruning and trainuig of all fruits, the Peach and Fig excepted, having been brought to a close, the most pressing and important work in this department is the protection of the blossoms from spring frosts. Applied at the right time — that is, just before the flowers begin to unfold and light enough to admit fresh air, or upon a principle favourable to full exposure of the trees through the day — protection, no doubt, is of great use, especially in low, damp situations. Applied at the wrong time and hea\'y enough in bulk or texture to exclude light and air, protection not unfrequently does more harm than good, as keeping the young growths and flower buds close, warm, and in a state of semi-darkness renders the latter too weak and tender to set, no matter how mild and favoiu-able the season. When to apply protec- tion, then, is a question which each person must decide for himself ; how to apply it or what to use will depend upon the facilities and materials at the fruit grower's command and disposal. If gardeners of the present day could select the site for the fruit garden, nine out of ten would pitch their tents where concrete and drainage might be dispensed with, and their fruit trees would rebel against protection. But it unfor- tunately happens that nearly all the best old gardens lie below the line of frost and fog where fruit growing is carried on under the greatest difficulties ; hence the necessity for retarding the flowers in early spring and hastening the matu- rity of the wood iu the autumn. The man whose lot it is to labour in these death traps, unlike his more fortunate brother perched on the hillside, soon becomes master of the art of retarding, of thin training, of perbirming every operation at the right time, and although no one outside the craft gives him credit, he frequently comes off' victor in his many battles with the elements. One of his most important manceuNTes is keeping his trees not only late, but hardy by drawing the branches away from the walls, by deferring nailing in until the last moment, and last, but not least, by shading from bright sun until the flowers begin to open. When this stage is reached, as a matter of course they must have sun, light, and fresh air ; couse(iuently his tactics are changed, and he protects on bright frosty nights when frosts are pending. In many well-appointed gardens curtains formed of non- conducting materials working uputs. — Where a fair start with good plants was made about the 1st of January, the first batch will now be coming into flower, whilst possibly in a few places the fruit will be set. Taking the flowering stage first, I may say light fresh air and genial warmth are the main factors in securing a good set. The roots of the plants must never feel the want of water; at the same time it may be well to repeat precautions against saturation of the balls. A temperature ranging from 45° to 50° at night, and 50° to 60° by day, suits Strawberries when they are in flower, but a higher figure under bright sun will do no harm, provided they are ventilated accord- ingly. If trusses and flowers are very abundant, it is a good plan to pinch off a quantity of the weakest before they open ; then, as they expand and pollen becomes plentiful, a light brush about noon will ensure perfect fruit. When eight or ten of the best berries begin to swell, the others, naturally the poorest, may be pinched off ; the trusses, propped with forked sticks or bits of Birch, must then be well syringed with tepid water, and they will be ready for removal to a shelf in the hottest house at command to ripen. From this time forward they will stand good syringing and bountiful feeding with diluted liquid, but the moment the berries show signs of changing colour pure water must be substituted, and in due course this must be con- siderably reduced. Very early fruit is too often picked as soon as it is well coloured, but those who would have high flavour should remove the plants to a warm, dry house where they can be carefully ventilated until the dehcious aroma of the berries pervaresenta- tives of this section of Mahoiuas which are natives of the Himalayas are bold, stately-growing kimls, but all of them are more or less tender. Tlic hardiest Asiatic species is M. japonica, whose long LAURELS AND THEIR USES. This is a most useful class of Evergreens, which it would indeed be most difficult to plant in the wrong place, growing where many other plants will not thrive. A stock of plants can be quickly procured by almost anyone who has the smallest means. L. caucasica is fast taking the place of the common type. It is more handsome in appearance than any other sort that I am acquainted with in sm.all or large plants, and the foliage is of the deepest green. The leaves are about 7 inches long, 2i inches wide, the habit of growth being dense. It flowers freely, plants 3 feet in tUameter being smothered with flower-buds. By annual pruning, shortening the leading growths to a few inches where spreading bushes are required, large plants are quickly obtained. We have some from 4 feet to 5 feet high and as much as 10 feet across. These were planted in a small state half a dozen years since. Owing to the density of its growth and deep green colour of the foliage, this variety is the best for covering a large space quickly, such as a sloping bank. Rotundifolia is a splendid variety for almost any position, a single shapely bush in the shrubbery being not an unworthy subject to have, but it always does best when forming a hedge or covering sloping banks where not required to grow beyond 2 feet high. Its short-jointed habit of growth fits it well for the purposes named. It m.akes a particularly neat hedge, and does not re- quire nearly so nuich pruning as other sorts, as it is naturally of a dwarf habit of growth. Colchica has a more noble appearance than any of the family when growing freely. It makes vigorous shoots, the leaves of which are 10 inches long, 34 inches wide in the centre, tapering towards each end. This plant forms an excellent screen where quick tall growth is needed. The common variety is still one of the best for some purposes— for growing under almost any kind of trees, or for forming a screen quickly to shelter Rose beds, for instance, it is capital, as it grows fast, and can be pruned to suit any position or style of hedge. The great point with this variety and all others where thick growth is required is to commence to prune when the plants are first struck from cuttings. If they are allowed to grow tall at tirst without any prun- ing, it is difficult to induce them afterw^ards to form a thick base. Fairly well-grown plants of this kind produce leaves 7 inches long by 3 inches wide ; excepting where highly cultivated, the leaves dur- ing the winter assume a pale green colour, which detracts somewhat from their appearance. Laurels of the sorts named will grow well in almost any soil ; the only exceptions that I know is where only a thin covering of soil overlies chalk. Under such conditions the leaves quickly turn yellow, and eventually the plants die. Stagnant moisture about the roots of Laurels during the winter is not a con- dition they enjoy. A\'liere so planted and severe frosts occur the points of the leaves often die, which causes a disfigurement of the plants. Getting rid of the stagnant moisture by draining is the remedy in that case, or where this is not practic- able, the ground can be thrown into ridges, plant- ing the Laurels on the top of each. The furrows will .serve to drain off the water. A deeply trenclicd strong-holding soil is best for Laurels of all sorts, but it nmst not, however, be forgotten that although they will grow and flourish in almost any ground, a little extra attention at i)lanting time in the shajie ot manure mixed with the soil and a heavy mulch- ing afterwards pays for the trouble where the best results are required. Under timber trees, such as Cliostnut, Beech, Larch, or any otlier sort, it is dillioult to get evergreen slirubs to grow. Planting nuiy be done at .-uiy time from tlie beginning of Seji- tember until the end ol' Marcli under trees or other dry positions. If the first named date is selected, the plants should at planting time be well watered in and the soil trodden firmly about the roots. I prefer the month of October to any other when choice can be taken of dates for planting. AVhen late planting cannot be avoided, the plants often suffer from parching winds during April. All the varieties may be increased by cuttings inserted during the month of October under a north wall or hedge, choosing sturdy side shoots slipped out with a heel of old wood attached. The great point is to make the soil firm at the base of each cutting. S. Variegated Euonymus radicans. — This shrub is, as mentioned iu The Garden, Feb. lO (p. I'lS). a, very ornamental subject for clothing a wall, and when in this position it will often attach itself to the wall by roots from different parts of the stem after the manner of the Ivy. In this position the stem will sometimes thicken out after it has attained a height of 6 feet or 8 feet, and produce much larger leaves than are ever seen when the plant is in a dwarf state — in fact almost as large as those of the shrubby-growing variety latifolius albus. In addition to its value as an edging plant, the ordinary form of the variegated Euonymus radicans forms a pretty little bush, and is well suited as a rockwork shrub, while it is most useful for winter bedding. I have seen a very pretty effect produced by planting a bed entirely with this Euonymus, which soon formed a dense mass of bright and cheerful appearance, through which in the spring the flowers of Scilla sibirica pushed up in all directions. The Scillas were planted at the same time as the Euonymus, and especially towards the edge of the bed where the foliage is less dense they did well and increased quickly. This variegated form of Euonymus radicans is easily increased, for where there is an established bush or two they may be pulled up into as many pieces as there are roots attached to them, while cuttings put in a frame will root quickly at almost any season. — H. P. The Spruce Fir as a hedge plant. — As an ornamental tree the common Spruce is hardly worth planting unless as a nurse to afford shelter for a time to more valuable species. On deep boggy soils or in damp hollow situations, good specimens of the Spruce Fir may, it is true, sometimes be seen of good colour and retaining their lower branches, but on light soils, or soils with a gravelly, or, what is worse, a chalky sub soil, the Spruce generally be- comes unhealthy, and anything but ornamental by the time it has attained to the age of ten or fifteen years. Its timber is thin, of little value, being much inferior to that of the Larch of a similar age, which also grows more rapidly. One thing may, however, be said in favour of tlie Spruce, and that is, that it can be made to form a very good evergreen hedge, and for this purpose it has been found to succeed on land where even the common Wliite Thorn failed to grow, and where the Scotch Fir(l'inussylvestris) had been extensively tried, but faileil. The Spruce, on the contrary, submits to clipping or trimming much better tlian the Scotch Fir, this operation ap- pe;iriiig to have the effect of assisting tlie plants to retain their foliage as well as their lower branches. If strong, healthy, well-rooted plants are carefully planted at about 2 feet apart in rich soil which has been prepared by deep digging or trenching, and properly attended to in tlie matter of trimming, an effective and even oniamcutal fence will in a few years be formed. This fence at a sliort distance ii.is the appearance of a Yew hedge, and has the advant.age of the Yew in being less likely to be eaten by game or stock. Spruce liedges may bo made to assume any desired form. The clipping should bo performed once or, what is better, twice during tlie season, and if tills is attended to there will belittle danger of the plants losing tlieir lower branches. — P. G. Seaside shrubs. Among otlier slirubs I noted l;ist sunuiier as growing luxuriantly in uiiu'e than one spot along our southern coast, and fully exposed to the spray from the sea, were the remarkably free- flowering Ole.-iria Haasti and several different forms of the New Zealand Veronicas. All were flowering Makch 2, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 203 profusely, and the appearance of t lie foliage showed that they were in as robust health as they would be far inland. — T. THE HAZEL AND ITS USES. The wild form of the Hazel is indigenous to most parts of Southern and Middle Europe, and even extends along the Swedish shore of the Gulf of Bothnia to as far north as lat. 63°. It is also a native of the temperate regions of North-western and Central Asia. In our own islands it is found growing naturally from Land's End to John O'Groats, and from its abundance in some places has given its name to towns and villages, as Hazel- mere or Haselmere in Surrey, Hazelbury in Wilt- shire, Hazelinglield in Cambridgeshire, &c. It is said to be not now found in Shetland, but that it once existed there abundantly would seem to be proved from the fact of the nut shells being found in bogs, as they are also in places throughout Scotland. When left to itself the common Hazel forms a large straggling shrub or small very much branched tree, but it never attains a sufficient size to afford useful timber, though its wood, which is light both in colour and weight and of even grain, is used by turners and other manufacturers of small wares, toys, kc, and on account of its elasticity for the handles of blacksmiths' chisels. It is commonly grown in copses, and its young, extremely tough and flexible shoots are used for making crates, hurdles, hoops, whip-handles, and walking-sticks ; for this latter purpose there is at the present time a very large demand, the bark of some varieties when polished having a peculiar silvery appearance, so that it is known in commerce as the silver barked Hazel. The trunk of the ordinary form is covered with a grey or ash-coloured bark, whilst that of the branches is reddish brown, more or less marked with white blotches. The Hazel flowers in February and March before the appearance of its leaves, and the plant is rendered conspicuous by the numerous greenish yellow pendulous male catkins from Ih inches to 3 inches in length, hanging in clusters of two, three or more from the points of short side shoots and scattering an abundance of sulphur-yellow pollen. Tlie female flowers, on the contrarj', are inconspicuous, the scaly buds in which they are situated being distinguishable at first sight from leaf buds only by the crimson stigmas which pro- trude from them. Each of these buds produces a cluster of two, three or more nuts of a form vary- ing from roundish to egg-shaped, and each nut is enclosed in a bell-shaped, leafy, glandular husk about as long as itself, the upper part of which spreads out and is much jagged. A considerable number of varieties of the' Hazel, all differing more or less in the size and shape of their nuts and husks, have arisen in cultivation, and have been described from time to time under both Latin and English names. The principal value of the Hazel is, of course, for the nuts which it produces. The sorts which appear in our markets are known chiefly as Filberts and Cob Nuts grown in this country, and Barcelona, Spanish, and Turkish Nuts imported from foreign countries. The great Nut-producing county of England is Kent, the chief varieties being there carefully cul- tivated, particularly about Maidstone, where Nuts form an article of considerable trade. Barcelona Nuts, though so-called in the English market, are neither grown near nor exported through Barcelona, but are brought from places in the interior of the province of Catalonia, and are exported through Tarragona, the chief port of that province. Very large quantities of Nuts are pro- duced in Asiatic Turkey, and part of the.se are no doubt furnished by Corylus Colurna, but it is im- possible to say what proportion. This species, which is a native of Turkey and Asia Minor, grows to a much greater size than the common Hazel, and when left undisturbed in favourable situations forms a tree 50 feet or more high. The nuts are rounder than our Hazel nuts, hard shelled, and have their husks deeply cut into narrow curved segments. Though long since introduced into this country, the Turkey Hazel is not cultivated with us for its nuts. They are chiefly obtained in the vicinity of Trebizond and Kiervasond. They are exported via Trebizond, considerable quantities being sent to Russia, Great Britain, Constantinople, Smyrna, and Egypt, but from Smyrna they are re-exported to the United States and other countries. It will be seen that though the Hazel is a valuable plant for the sake of its strong elastic wood, by far its greatest importance is for the production of nuts, of which no accurate records can be obtained, but of which enormous quantities are both produced in this country and shipped from the Continent. John K. Jackson. Musemn, Iloijal Gardens, Ken-. Kitchen Garden. SEED SOWING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Last season was most unfavourable to the harvesting of vegetable seeds, and all that were grown in the open must necessarily be of a somewhat inferior quality. Even those saved on the Continent did not ripen so well as usual, and we may, therefore, safely conclude, with- out any disparagement to seedsmen generally, that tlie bulk of the seed distributed this year is either old, or not so scrund as could be wished. In tlie former case, vitality is impaired in a more or less degree, as it is very certain old seed never germinates so quickly and strongly as that which is sound and new, while badiy ripened seed is even worse to deal with. Warmth and a finely divided soil are most essential to the germination of seeds of doubtful quality, and these much-needed conditions are not gene- rally met with this season. On the whole, the winter has not been severe, sharp frosts being few and far between and of short duration. Nor have we had many drying days, but, on the contrary, the weather has been dull and the atmosphere moist without much snow or rain- fall to vary the monotony. Heavy or clayey land, as a consequence, is not sufficiently pul- verised to be easily got into free working order, and it will be very difficult to prepare for the reception of fine seeds. To commit the seed of choice Peas, Onions, Carrots, and other vege- tables to cold, wet, and badly prepared ground is simply so much labour and expense wasted. Better by far to delay seed-sowing in each in- stance at least a fortnight later than the ortho- dox date, and be a gainer thereby in the end. A few days may make a great difi'erence in the state of the ground, especially in March. In that month wind and sunshine combined soon dry the surface of the ground, and the latter can then be trampled on and otherwise well worked without becoming pasty. Should it lie- come too hard to cultivate, those in cliarge must either wait for rain, or small breadths may be watered, and then easily broken down with the aid of forks and rakes. There are some naturally heavy bad-working soils wliich by long cultiva- tion have been changed for tlie better, and in tliLs case it sometimes happens a delay of one day may render it necessary to wait a week or longer before they will again be fit to trample on. My advice to those responsible is to " strike while the iron is hot," or, in other words, to .sow the seed directly the soil is found to be in a tit state to receive it. The lighter gravelly or chalky soils may be worked at almost any time, or a day after a lieivy rainfall, and in such cases there ought to be no difficulty in securing good and even rows or beds of plants from seeds. The foregoing are trifling difficulties compared with what some gardeners have to encounter. Some of the most fertile soils in tlie country are also the most difiicult to cultivate, especially during the first few years after they are broken up. Not unfrequently frosts fail to have much effect on these stift" clayey soils, and nothing but a free use of two-tiued Canterbury hoes, or, failing these, heavy half mattocks will separate them sufficiently for either planting or seed- sowing. It is very certain that one-half of the gardeners in this country do not comprehend or make any allowance for the difficulties the other half have to contend with, nor do all eiiipli>yer3 fully realise the fact of some gardens requiring much more labour expended on them than do others of much the same extent. This season, in all probabUity, there are many instances wliere it will be impossible to break down tlie soil sufficiently to render it fit for the reception of seeds generally, and unless extra ti-ouble is taken, gappy seed-beds will be the consequence. Where this state of affairs prevails, I would strongly advise, first, the use of either forks or hoes for breaking down all the lumps of soil both on the surface and to a good depth below, and also a free use of fine light soil for surround- ing and covering the seeds. \\'heii rows of Peas, Beans, Onions, Parsnips, Carrots, and siicli like are to be sown, drills deeper than usual should be opened, in these being distri- buted a surfacing of sifted soil from the frame ground, more of this also being placed over the seeds. Lumpy gi-ound for small beds of seeds ought also to be similarly coated over and the seed covered with fine soil, and other conditions being favourable, a good phut should result. It has fallen to my lot to cultivate lantl that was too lumpy for Potatoes even, but by stirring a quantity of fine light soil obtained from various sources into the drills, I was able to lift good crops of tubers, many of which were exhibited. Inferior seeds and a bad seed-bed are not the only causes of failure, as there are numerous living enemies to contend with. Mice are espe- cially destructive among Peas and Beans, while small birds have a liking for the seed of Radislie'', Turnips, and the Brassica tribe gene- rail}'. Neither chopped (iorse nor immersion in petroleum will prevent mice from spoiling the rows of Peas and Beans, but if tlie seed of these is, prior to being sown, first damped and then rolled in powdered red lead till well coated, the mice soon cease to burrow after it. The smaller seeds may be rendered distasteful to birds in exactly the same way, this being a far simpler plan than covering the beds with fish- nets. We prefer to moisten small seeds in a damp cloth, as should tliey be much wetted they are liable to stick together in the red lead, and cannot, therefore, be jjroperly sown. W. loOULDEN. SHORT yOTES.-KIlt'IlEX. Preserved Peas.— Will any reader of The Gar- den say what the variety of Peas is which is generally iisi'd by the French firins who preserve Peas, and sell them iinder the t'tle nf PHiU I'oisi'—'M. Lettuce Paris Market.— This Lettuce is note- worthy un ace, mnl (if il.s beini; the curliest variety we have ever been able to secure. Jt is of tlie CabbaKO ty]ie, remarkably tiuiclc in growth, form.s tine heads, and is excellent in cinality. — J. Muiit, Maiyam. The Milan Turnip.— For some time the Purple- top .Munich was regarded as the earliest of all Turnips, but of late it lias been s. each. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business. BOOKS RECEIVED. " List of Seeds for Exchange, 1889." The Royal Bntauic Gardens, GlasneWu. " List of Seeds Available for Distribution, 1881>." The Botanic Gardeus, Cambridjfc. " Cactus Culture for Amateurs." By W. Wat.sou, Assistant Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kow. Up- cott Gill, 170, Strand, W.C. Names of plants. — G. 7?a/aT.— Cattleya Triause dt'licata. T. B. Parker. — Dondrobiuin Wardiauum (poor variety). 0. H. — Azalea is iiarcissiflora ; the Orchid, Zypopetalum Maekayi ; and the scarlet flower, yEschynauthus spooio.sus. T. Wonci. — Cattleya Triana), the flower richer in the lip than usual. This species varies considerably. J. W. li. Ba.rendale. — The Oak is Quercus ccrcis Lucombeana ; the Fern Onoclea sensibdis. 208 THE GARDEN. [March 2, 1889. WOODS & FORESTS. THE TIMBER TRADE AND ESTATE SUPPLIES. In a paper read by so many landed proprietors as The Garden, the exaggerated statements of Mr. A. D. Webster regarding the present prices of timber and prospects of trade should not be allowed to pass. It is not the case that prices are either going back or at a standstill, as he seeks to make out, but quite the reverse. The same writer asserted the same thing not long since in a contemporary in the face of the most cheering accounts of actual timber sales (in the same paper) that have appeared for years. The timber trade has during the past two years shared fully in the improved state of business. Oak bark last year rose from 2s. Cd. to 3s. 6d. per ton, the first sensible move for a good while. We disposed of 150 tons at that rise, and this year 1 fully expect 43. or 5s. more, while all sorts of timber, except Beech and Elm, have risen in price from 3d. to Gd. per foot according to quality, and in some cases more. At one representative sale near here lately. Oak — good sized trees — sold for 23. 6d. per foot in the ■wood, standing, against Is. 'M. and 2s. last year and is. 3d. and Is. 6d. the year before, and a lot of it went south about 100 miles and had to ba carted 4 miles to a .station at this end. Both in the trade journals and in the trade better prices are admitted all round. I know we have, ourselves, sent out considerably less timber for the same money these last two years. Small Oak poles are the worst to dispose of, but tliey now realise more money, and when old stocks are worked oif prices will still rise. For the first time for many years we have sold a whole fall of Oak of all sizes, perhaps 10,000 feet, to one coal and iron works. The great rise in freights for foreign timber and consequent rise in deli- veries of timber here have brought this about more than anything else. As to estates improving the timber trade by seasoning and using their own timber, the idea is quite fallacious, principally for the reason that we have not the kind of timber mainly in use for estate purposes, and to substitute Oak or Ash in its place would be simply suicidal, as can easily be shown. First of all, on all properly conducted estates, and at present more so than has ever been the case perhaps, a strict separate debtor and creditor's account is kept of what is generally called the " estate " idepartmeut, and of the farm, the woods, the stables, and the house. Those re sponsible for the expenses or income in any of those departments have natiirally an interest in giving as good an account of their stewardship as possible at the end of the year, and this is how it works. If the woods and the estate or the farm can work advantageously together, well and good, but when every transaction between them is a (juestion of £ s. d., this is out of the question. Take an actual example that I know of. An agent required fully 1000 feet of timber for .scaffold jkjIcs, jirops, and fencing [lurposes, &c., and inquired of the forester at what price ho could deliver the same at the saw-mill. Larch and small Oak were the only two kinds the forester could sujiply of the required dimen- sions, and these he offered to deliver at the lowest market price, viz., Is. 2d. and Is. 3d. per foot at the time. The agent declined the oiler, stating that lie coidd buy Norwegian poles, A'c, clieaper, and these he got, had them deli- vered (about half a boat load) and sent iidand seventy miles — saving .about i,'2() by the trans- action to his dejiartment — while the forester delivered liis L,arch elsewhere for another pur- pose. Next, take a colliery. I know estates where scores of thousands of cubic feet are used annually, and although the pits are in the pro- prietor's own hands, the whole of the pit props and much of the other timber are foreign, for the reason that he could not deliver his own Larch (of which he has plenty) at the same price as the foreign without loss. For finer joiner work, home carpenters assure me that they can neither, as a i-ule, deal so cheaply nor so con- veniently with the home timber as with what they can get ready sawn and seasoned for their purpose at the timber yard ; while, when any extensive alterations are gi'ing on about a man- sion, the work is probably let to a London firm, who, having their own stock already prepared, will not even entertain a forester's offers. And wherever care and economy are exercised on an f state from which an income has to be derived, the strictly commercial principle of conducting each department is by far the best and most reliable. The different heads of de- partments may fall out occasionally about over- chargfS, ropbctic. Each man's tree of industry will be, of a surety, his tree of liberty, and the sum of them, never doubt it, will be Ireland's. IJiihrood Pari; Kent. A. D. Wehsteu. The Garden" Monthly Parts.— r»ij journal it published in neatly bound MonOili/ Ports. In this form tJtt coloured plates are best preservat. and it is most suitable for refertnee previous to the issue o/ the half-r/earti/ volumes Price Is. Gd. ; post free, Is, 9d, " Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — Wu journal is pnibtished in ntatly bound Monthly Parts, in tchich form it is most suitable /or rij'erence previous to the issue of ths yearly volumes. Price bd. : post free, 7ti, " Hardy 'S'\eyv&C9."—(.iivintograph from which the They are of a rich purple colour. This Harden- 212 THE GARDEN. [March 9, 1889. bergia is by no means difficult to increase, for cuttings of the small short-jointed shoots strike fairly well, while under favourable conditions seeds are often produced, which germinate readily and grow away quickly afterwards. — T. *»* This pretty climber is flowering freely in the greenhouse at Kew, Its Pea-like flowers are rich violet- purple. It is far more suitable for a greenhouse thau the strong - growing Passion flowers, Habrothamnus, &c., that frequently crowd the roof to tho injury of the plants beneath. — Ed. NOTES ON CROTONS. When well grown and highly coloured, Crotons are undoubtedly the most beautiful of all fine-foliaged plants, but when in a semi-starved insect-infested plight, they are far from being worthy of the room they occupy and the heat wasted on them. In many instances plants are kept year after year that ought long since to have found their way to the rubbish-heap and their places taken by plants of greater value. Sometimes varieties are cultivated that ought now to be obsolete, especially as there are so many beautiful, though not necessarily new or expensive forms that really pay for good culture. I cannot claim to be well acquainted with the various novelties of recent introduction, and must, therefore, content myself with the remark that all I have seen are very beautiful, and appa- rently might well supersede many of the older varieties. Strong young growth invariably produces the most handsome foliage, and the earlier in the season this is made, the better prospect there is of its ma- turing and colouring properly. After the plants have done good service either at shows or for house decoration, for which they are available up to mid- winter or later, it need be, they ought to have a short rest. During January and the whole or greater part of February, or while they are resting, a high temperature ought not to be kept up, from 55° to 65° being quite hot enough, while enough water should be given to prevent the plants from flagging. Those who require their specimens for exhibition in August, and are in a position to maintain high temperatures during the coldest part of the year, rest their plants earlier and prune soon after mid- winter. In any case, it is advisable to use the knife freely, cutting back the growths formed in the season previous to a third of their length, more or less, according to the shape, or required shape, of the plants. With or without the aid of a brisk bottom heat and plenty of atmospheric moisture, a strong break is certain to result, and before the buds or shoots begin to run out repotting ought to be completed. This .should be done thoroughly, as in the case of large plants especially a second potting or shift will be unwise. All .should have their balls reduced to about one-halt their original size, and be then returned to the same sized pot in which they were previously growing. A suitable compost consists of three parts of good fibrous loam, roughly broken up, to one of brown fibrous peat, freely add- ing sharp sand and charcoal. If the loam available is of a heavy or clayey nature, a much smaller pro- portion of it ought to be used, but more peat and a part of good leaf soil substituted. Add no manure to the compost, as this can be more safely and effectively applied in a liquid state. It is almost needless to add that the compost should be warmed through with the aid of heated bricks buried in it, that clean, well-drained pots are necessary, and the work of repotting be carried out in the house where the plants arc grown. Repot firmly, being espe- cially careful not to damage the young shoots. 1 1' thrips, red spider, or mealy bug abound, carefully sponge the old leaves left on tho plant with soapy water, and hunt out any solitary bugs hiding on the old stems. A good start will be m.ade if the pots can be plunged in a moderately warm hotbed of leaves, or leaves and manure, and whether plunged or not, a brisk top-heat, or say from 65° to 70° by night to 80° and upwards in the daytime, is neces- sary. Very little water should bo given at the outset, but frequent overhead syringings are advis- able. Many of the cleanest and best of the tops re- moved from the old plants, if they have not com- menced active growth, may be quickly rooted, and will form very serviceable plants by the autumn. Cut to a length of 4 inches or thereabouts, trim oft the lower leaves, and place each separately in the centre of quite small pots. Plunge in a brisk bottom-heat and cover closely either with bell- glasses or hand-lights. In some instances it will be necessary to support the leaves with the aid of a short stake and matting, and if there is much steam in the heating material the glasses covering the cuttings ought to be wiped dry every morning, otherwise they may be kept quite close, shading from bright sunshine being needed in every case. These and. any other plants in small pots may dur- ing the summer be given one or more shifts, accord- ing to the habit and vigour of the varieties. As a rule, unstopped young Crotons are the most ornamental, those with one strong single stem forming fine bold foliage, the narrow-leaved varie- ties also branching freely. It is no uncommon thing to meet with in G-inch pots unstopped plants from 2 feet and upwards in height in perfect health and colour, and such are invaluable for grouping and house decoration. Crotons, whether large or small, ought never to be crowded, nor be kept far away from the glass. They should be shaded from bright sunshine, but cannot well have too much light and heat. Ours are grown in a house that is rarely opened, a little air only being given during the very hottest days of summer. When thus treated,' frequent overhead syringings must be given, the walls and floor of the house being moistened at the same time. After the pots are well filled with roots, plenty of water should be given, varied with supplies of soot water or other liquid manure, or light surfacings of some artifi- cial manure may be substituted for the latter. Over-potting and consequent sourness of soil are the most frequent causes of failure with Crotons, low temperatures also being most injurious. W. I. M. BEGONIA OCTOPETALA. In The Garden for Feb. 9 I see you have given an illustration from a photogragh of Lemoine's new hybrid form of Begonia octopetala, and from liaving made the same cross myself and grown tlie plant for several years, I feel much interested in it. I am glad it has now been tried again by such an e.xperiencod hybridist and raiser of many sterling novelties as M. Lemoine, who po.=isesses a special advantage over any grower of this variety in England, inasmucli as at Nancy he will have the opportunity of getting it to produce its seeds and ripen them in the open air. Our liability to frosts early in October has hitherto baffled me and caused me to lose all the plants I had successfully cultivated for several years with the object of getting a bed- ding Begonia hardier iu constitution tlian the ordinary tuberous one, and with larger flowers also well tlirown above the foliage, and no inclination to form stems. About ten or twelve years ago I crossed B. octopetala witli the best tuberous varieties then grown. I used the pollen both ways, but when octopetala was not tho seed-bearer, tho plants seemed to have no strength of coustitutiim and never grew kindly, so I soon discarded tliein. Tlieothers were exactly identical witli the form you illu.'-trated, and with the very miiuito and most accurate description you give, in Mnns. Lemoine's words, of the shape of tho blooms, foliage and tubers. I liope that he may be able to still further improve tliis variety, and that when it becomes better known both iu Knglaiul and France it may prove a lirstclass ornament to our gardens in autumn, anil bo all but hardy. I will now mention tho dilliculties 1 experi- enced witli it, and why at Nancy it is likely to succeed, wliilst I failed witli it in Kent. Octopetala, being the seed or feuialo pareut, gives its character to the foliage as well as to the tuber, though both are modified by the pollen of the male parent used. I found that the plants from the first cross were too coarse in the foliage, as the leaves, like those of octopetala, were big, and inclined to resemble those of Rhubarb, while at the same time the spikes were few. I tried a second cross, which pro- duced better shaped foliage with more substance in it, and at the same time a freer flowering habit, and the colours more decided. If, then, I had had the brighter colours and the better shaped flowers of the tuberous forms of the present day, I should, no doubt, have had deeper shatles. After a couple were crissed with the tuberous section, I should have tried these with the pollen of octopetala again to have secured some of its hardiness, which might have worn out after four crosses. Further ex- perience might have modified these ideas had I managed to retain my plants, but they inherited this peculiarity, that they were impatient of pot cultivation, and only grew strongly wlien bedded out. They also could not be made to start till they chose to grow themselves. Treated like other tuberous Begonias, the tuberous forms would be in bloom before the crossed plants appeared above ground. They certainly did then grow most rapidly, but if things only come up in the middle or end of July — it may be even in August — it is far on in September before you have the chance of bloom, and so it was that mine got cut down early in October before they could possibly make an eflective show, and once touched with frost there was no use in lilting them to try them in the greenhouse. After surviving two winters out of doors the plants became so weak, with having no time to renew their tubers, that I lost them. At Nancj', how- ever, they sliould get no check till the end of October, anil perhaps if kept rather dry in a cool frame they might be induced to start sooner, but this late habit is their drawback here, for they ought to bloom in August to show their true character and give them time to seed. Tnnbridge IFelh. C. B. Powell. WORK IN PLANT HOUSES. Haed-wooded greenhouse plants. — Young plants may now be potted, and it is better to defer the work until later in spring, when the weather is hotter and the air proportionately drier, as the dis- turbance of the roots that takes place then is more trying in its effects. With plants that have more or less delicate roots repotting is an operation that is always attended with some danger, and when the work is put off till the weather is liot the danger is increased. In the case of healthy vigorous plants that require more room the roots are invariably found in the greatest numbers down in the drain- age, amongst which they are so closely packed that it is impossible to remove the crocks without break- ing many. It is safer to repot whilst the weather is cool with a view to giving no more water than necessary, as the damaged roots arc always liable to decay if much water is applied until they have time to recover. With (ilants that have attained a size that makes their flowering during the present spring a matter of the first consideration, it will be best to defer the potting until they have bloomed. In all cases see that the roots are sufficiently moist before the plants are potted, so as to admit of their remaining as long as possible without water. With strong, vigorous-rooted plants like Chrysanthe- nuim.s, Veronicas, .Salvias, and others of a similar nature, watering immediately after tliey arc re- potted will do no harm, but with delicately rooted subjects it is a dangerous operation. In the case of all plants that require peat it should be of good quality. The brown-coloured peat that is full of tile roots of the CJrasses and Ferns that have been growing in it is the right material. The best jH'at lor the plants in question is of medium texture, neither too heavy nor too light ; if such as imswcrs March 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 213 this description is not obtainable, a mixture of a portion that is light and some that is a little close may be used. The brown peat in question has not usually much sand in it, but enough should always be added to keep the soil sufficiently porous, for with the species and varieties under notice there should be no attempt to shake them out with the object of repotting them in new material. In re- potting plants of all sizes it is necessary to make the new soil as solid in the pots as that of which the balls are composed. After potting, a little side air should be given for several weeks, except in very mild weather when there is not too much wind. The roof ventilators must be opened when the weather is bright to keep down the tempera- ture. Plenty of water should be thrown about the house, on the floor as well as under and upon the stages. All this tends to prevent the soil drying up, and correspondingly delays the necessity for giving water until, as already said, the broken roots have had time to heal. Heaths. — What has been said respecting hard- wooded New Holland plants applies to Heatlis. Where small stock, or medium-sized specimens require more room they should be moved at once, even in the case of those that are likely to flower. The advantage of the roots having new soil and more space early in the season will be apparent in the extra growth that will be made before the end of summer. The best peat for Heaths is of medium texture, neither too hard nor too spongy. The slowest growing varieties like it a little harder than the sorts that annually make more growth and that attain a larger size. In the matter of admit- ting air and of keeping the atmosphere of the house a little moist when the sun is bright, it is quite as necessary to be careful with newly potted Heaths as with other greenhouse plants. The sun is at times very powerful in the present month, when a thin shade will be of use for any hard-wooded stock, including Heaths, that have had a shift. Air-giving. — Mistakes are often made in March, and also during the March-like weather that we usually get more or less of in April, by opening the side lights too wide, through which a rush of cold cutting wind comes directly in contact with the plants. There are few plants that can bear cold currents at any time, and the harsh winds that so often occur in spring are much worse in their effects than those at any other time of the year. Even Heatlis, that are rightly supposed to require more air than other things, cannot stand these cold blasts. When exposed in this way, whether the plants have been newly potted or not, the older leaves, which should still retain their vitality for years, turn brown and fall off during the summer. It is much better to allow thetemperatureto rise higher than one likes during the sunny days when there is a cutting wind than to open the side lights at all. WlKTEB - FLOWERING HEATHS. — E. hyemaHs and other autumn and winter-blooming Heaths should now have their branches shortened well back. Most of the varieties that flower during the winter are erect growers, that if not cut in freely each year, soon get tall and naked at the bottom. E. hyemalis should ha%'e from one-half to two- thirds of the tops of the strong branches made last year removed, the smaller shoots being left un- touched. Before the cutting in, the soil should be allowed to get a little dry, and care must be taken not to over-water for five or si.x weeks subsequently so as to allow time for the new growth to begin moving. The freest-growing varieties of winter- flowering Heaths when procured from the usual source — those who cultivate them for sale— are difficult subjects to deal with. In most cases their growth has been developed as far as the plants would bear by the use of artificial stimulants, from the effects of which many are not able to recover in a way that admits of their surviving through the spring following. But it is worth while to try them ; if they go on, a more satisfactory course of treatment will enable them to do service for years to come. Camellias.— Plants that flowered in the latter months of the past year will now be pushing their young growth. They should be encouraged by .i moderate amount of fire-heat. It is best to give them a house to themselves where this can be done, failing which the plants may be stood in a vinery that is at work. Syringe overhead two or three times a day and see that the soil is kept sulh- ciently moist. To make sure of this they should be closely examined from time to time, as tlie re- peated syringing makes the surface of the balls moist, which is so far deceptive that lower down the soil is often too dry. No plants can long remain healthy that are in this state, especially Camellias, which, when growing, like their roots kept more moist th.an many things will bear. From the time growth begins to move well until the buds set is the time to give manure water or to apply surface dressings of concentrated manure that will be washed down to the roots in the ordinary course of watering. In all cases it is well to see that whatever is used is not given in a stronger state than the plants are able to bear. Except in the case of any plants that are so much under-potted, that it is evident the season's growth will be seriously affected unless more room is at once given, it is well to defer the potting until the buds are just beginning to form. In this Camellias differ from most things. It is almost impossible to repot them without injuring their roots. The young fibres are in a fully active state some time before the top-growth begins to move, and they are so exceedingly brittle, that it is not possible to remove the old drainage without breaking quan- tities of them. This naturally interferes with the current season's top-growth ; whereas if the potting is not done until the buds are just beginning to form, little harm will follow. Where, as already said, it is absolutely necessary to repot, no time should be lost in getting the work completed, as when the shoot buds are bursting any interference with the roots will cause more injury. Previous to the plants beginning to grow the whole stock should have an extra cleaning from scale. White scale is much more difficult to contendwith than the brown species; the former establishes itself in every crack, and clusters thickly about the buds when these are set, and sticks so closely that it cannot be moved so easily as the brown insect. A tooth-brush is the best implement to remove white scale with, being careful that if applied to the leaves it is used with caution, or they may be injured. After going over the plants with the brush, both wood and leaves should be well sponged with soapy water. T. B. SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND OREENHOUSE. Oxera pulchella. — An excellent coloured plate of this climber is given in V Illustration Horticole of Feb. 15, 1889. A coloured plate of it was also civ(?n in The Garden, June 2, 1888, from specimens sent from Pendell Court. Resting Bouvardias. — Bouvardias are much benefited by bein^r rested for six weeks or two mouths every winter. They may be dried off like Fuchsias, kept in a cool house or shed in that condition for a time, and re-started in a gentle heat and moist atmo- sphere. They should be allowed to make growths 1 inch or 2 inches in length before repotting. — J. MuiR. Isoloma hirsuta. — The subject of this note ap- pears to be liut little known or cultivated. I have never seen it cultivated witli such success as at Bourne- mouth. It was growing well in the gardens at Lindis- farne. It was in a narrow house in 6-inch and 82-ineli pots, and had spikes of flowers from 2 feet to 3 feet h)ng. A good grower, which cannot be said of all gesneraceous plants.— J. V. F. Allium neapolitanum. — This is one of the best of the Alliuiiiy,as the flowers are devoid of the dis- agreeable smell common to many of the Onions, (irown in pots it is well adapted for greenhouse decora- tion at this sea.s()u of the year, and is also very useful in a cut state, the flowers lasting a long time in water. Large quantities of the blossoms are sold in Covent Ciarden Market during the spring months. — H. P. Boronia megastigma.- This fragrant shrub is now in its flowering season, when a good, healthy spe- cimen will have its slender brandies thickly wreathed with blooms. These arc by no means jnirtieularly showy, being small, Kdl-shaped, and of a dull bi\>nzy exterior, while tlie inside is yellowish. Still, lliey are borue in such profusion , that a plant in full flower is very pretty. This Boronia is a native of Australia, and, consequently, requires ordinary greenhouse treat- ment. It is one of the few hard-wooded plants that are still grown in consideral'le numbers. — H. P. Climbing Tropseolums. — These present a very bright and cheerful appearance during the winter and spring months. Some years ago they were largely grown for Covent Garden Market, but the improve- ment effected in winter-flowering zonal Pelargiiuiums has caused the Tropaeolum blooms to be in less demand than formerly. They are good rafter plants for the greenhouse, one of the best for the purpose being Fire- liall. a brilliantly-eoLiured variety. — H. P. Petrsea volubilis. — This fine climbing plant was introduced to our gardens upwards of 150 years ago, having been found wild in A'era Cruz. There are, however, few gardens at the present time in which it can be found. In my early days it occu- pied a prominent position amongst other climbers, but for the last ten years I have not seen it in any garden. It is a most desirable and beautiful climb- ing plant, with opposite oblong-ovate leaves, which are deep green, and very dry and harsh to the touch. The raceme is long, dense, and particularly showy. The deep lavender calyx, which is con- siderably enlarged, five-cleft, and very conspicuous, is persistent, and stands out much beyond the corolla, which is deep violet-purple and somewhat fugacious, whilst the calyx remains, forming a beautiful effect for a long time. Independently of this, however, the plant will continue blooming for fully three months during the summer. It appears to have first flowered in this country some eighty- six years ago. It is well deserving the attention of those having bare rafters or pillars in the stove and who delight in beautiful blue-coloured flowers, a colour which, by the way, is less frequently to be seen than many other shades. The plant is easily managed, and is one of the few climbers which thrives well under pot cultivation. The pot should be well drained, as during the summer this plant requires a liberal supply of water to its roots, as well as overhead from the syringe. Loam and peat in about equal parts, with a fair proportion of sand added, suit its requirements. — W. H. G. ^VREATH-MAKING. An inquiry into the various methods of getting a livelihood in association with flowers found amongst the poorer classes in our large towns would doubt- less reveal much that is interesting, and perhaps a good deal that is unexpected. I met with a phase of this matter the other day when on seeing a decently clothed man carrying on his back a large basket filled with hardy green foliage, I inquired of him the purpose to which he was about to apply his load. He had, it seemed, purchased tho right to cut the leafage from a considerable breadth of Mahonia aquifolia growing near here, and com- plained somewhat that because the shrubs were old, very foul, and, of course, also very much starved, the foliage lacked the breadth, brightness, and value found in the foliage of younger and more robust bushes. Then, he said, " I am a wreath maker, though not a finisher. Keally I make the bases of the wreaths, chiefly used for funerals, at so much per dozen, and sell them to the florists, who com- plete them by dressing with flowers as ordered. We employ various things for frames, but the cheapest and best are the small wooden hoops from butter tubs. The price now p;dd for these wreaths is comparatively small, and it is needful to purchase all the material as cheaply as possible. The hoop frames are coated with Moss, which is secured with twine; then follows a dressing of foliage, and none suits better, because of its stout glossiness and hardness of texture, than that of the Mahonia. •Sometimes a good-natured gardener will give me a, barrow-load of trimmings of Laurel, Box, or other suitable evergreen shrubs, but generally I have to get ray foliage where I can. You would be surprised to see what broad wreaths we can make from a small hoop by setting the foliage outside. Still, the width or otherwise of a wreath is very much a question of price. Now I do not know what the tiorists get .as a, rule when the wreaths leave their hands, but, of course, the qu,ility of the flowers has 214 THE GARDEN. [March 9, 1889. much to do with the price. Some years ago I could get from 12s. to 18s. for a dozen of dressed frames. Now 4s. a dozen is thought to be a good price. We liave got to sweating even in our trade. Why, I met a man just now going up to London with a load of dressed frames in his baskets, which he makes by the woodside down in the country. He gets only 2s. 6d. per dozen for his, but he cuts lissom sticks from the woods, makes his own hoops, then covers them with Moss, Ivy leaves. Ferns, or anything whicli looks a bit fresh and green. You would be surprised to know how fashion changes in some things. Grasses are an instance ; why two or three years ago you could sell any green or dried Grasses, no matter how common, but now people will not look at them. I bought a lot of choice Grasses in the hope of making a good thing out of them ; but I lost by it, for hardly any of them sell now. I get a little work in the churches sometimes, and that helps a bit." This is almost a verbatim report of my informant's story. If we could get at the experiences of those who trade in Violets, Wall- flowers, Daffodils, in fact, in the myriads of cut flowers which get into our markets or of those traders who dabble in roots of the cheaper kind or deal in greenhouse plants, some very curious tales might be heard. It is well to remember that garden- ing can carry food as well as joy into millions of small homes. A. D. Flower Garden. CHRISTMAS ROSES. "P. W. B.'.s" article in The Garden, Feb. IG (p. 141), on the causes of tlie general scarcity of blossoms this season of this very popular winter flower, has a serious import for those who grow it in quantity, and who mainly depend on it to furnish white flowers during the dull months of the year. The Hellebore disease appears to have been more than usually rampant during the past year, and in some measure is the cause of the scarcity of bloom. The summer of 1888 was a very cold, wet, and sunless one, which may have in some degi'ee lielped the spreading of the disease among the jjlants, in the same way that a wet summer favours the Potato fungus ; but the latter disease is mostly rife among Potato crops when the weather i.s close and muggy, and not so mucli when it is cold and wet. From what I can gather from several of tlie gardeners in this neighbourhood, tlie Hellebore disease has not been generally prevalent in this district, and some of them assure me that they have never liad such a crop of Christmas Rose flowers as they have this season. This agrees with my own experience, for Barely have 1 seen plants so full of robust and liealthy leafage ; and for quantity of tine flowers, I cannot call to mind a season during the last twenty years in which the Christmas Rose flowers were so numer- ous. I commenced to gather them a fortnight before Christmas, and have gathered tliem in more or less qu.-uitities up to the present date, February 27. We grow only the two varieties, H. niger and H. niger major. Maximus wc have given up growing, as it was not appreciated on account of the petals being tinged with purple. Experienced cultivators of Christmas Roses will, no doubt, differ in their ojjinions as to the mo.st suitable position in which to grow the plants, some preferring a shaded position, and others will aver, like " F. W. \'.," that an open and sunny position agrees with tliein the best. My own experience and success in the growth of these Hellebores lead nie to prefer a shaded position for them ; but not a position whore the plants would bo shaded and overhung by troe.s or shrubs, and subjected to constant drip, and the ground below impoverished by the roots of the trees, but simply a position where the plants would be shaded from the sun's rays for the greater part of the day. Such a position is to be found at the foot of a north or north-west wall. It is by growing the plants in the shaded position indicated, and by the rich treatment, that I attribute their almost entire immunity from the Hellebore disease and the plentiful gatherings of flowers for the past ten years. At one time I grew the greater part of my plants in open borders fully exposed to the sun's rays throughout the day, and they rarely proved satisfactory, especially after very hot and dry summers, wlien they had been subjected day after day and week after week to the drj'ing influence of the sun's powerful rays, every leaf lying limp and flat on the ground. From a close and constant observation of the growth of the plants, 1 noticed that they invariably made a weaker leafage growth the season following a hot and dry one than they did following a wet one. I have, therefore, come to look ujion strong sunshine as one of the banes to the welfare of the Christmas Rose, and I should in a great measure rather attribute this season's failure of the plants in many places to the hot and dry summer of 1887 than to the cold and wet one of 1888. The hot and dry season of 1887 left the crown buds of the plants enfeebled, and as a consequence the leaf gi'owth of 1888 was much less vigorous, rendering the plants an ea.syprey to the disease. Another fertile cause of the failure to grow Hellebores satisfactorily is the too frequent disturbance of the plants. If a suitable position is chosen for them and the site pro- perly prepared and enriched, the plants — for be it understood that though the Christmas Rose will do fairly well in almost any kind of soil, it, like every other jjlant, resjjonds most quickly to and gives the best returns by generous treatment — should be left undisturbed, and they will give good and constant gatherings of flowers from the same position for at least eight to ten years if occasional doses of liquid manure are given the plants every season during their growth. For the purpose of keeping up a supply of flowers over as long a period as possible we gi'owour plants in beds of a size tosuit some rough frames and spare lights, and in three difl'erent positions. Those tliat are to furnish the earliest flowers are planted in a position with a southern exposure, but shaded from the afternoon sun. This set of plants always gives u.s the least satis- factory returns, and tliis we put down to too much exposure to sun. The other two sets of plants occupy positions at the foot of a north wall ; one lot in the northwest angle gets not a blink of sunshine on them, and the other lot in the north-east angle gets a little of the after- noon sun, but if it is very hot we shade the plants witli mats. The plants from these two positions always give us the best returns, and are most satisfactory in every way. We have this season cut from them over 2000 flowers, as many as 500 blooms at one cutting. There are twenty-four stools in all, each averaging about 18 inches in diameter, and they have been esta- blished from four to six years. Hellebores are deep-rooting jilants ; in some cases wo have found roots 18 inches long, .so that we take care in preparing new sites to give the plants a deep and rich root run, trenching the ground 2.v feet deep. Wo use spent Mushroom bod manure and plenty of charied refuse from a smother with a little I'resh loam ad(le Kew nii'kory the other day. At the time of our visit it was nlmost the only pliuit in flower. Narcissus minimus.— This small-flowond Daf. foilil w;is in full ll,>\vi'r a fow days ago on the roolicry at Ki'w ill a slu'ltiTcil recess away from cnttiiie winds and other harmful influences. Itia the first Daffndil of the year, anil enjnya shelter from cold wind.s, wliieli cripple the beautifully shaped aiul riili self-coloured flo^^•crs. EDGED AURICULAS. As every piece of evidence as to the date at which the edged forms of show Auriculas first appeared has its value to those who are interested in the question of their origin, I would mention, at the risk of re-stating a well-known authority, a work on botany in Latin and German, containing a series of copper-plate illustrations of sixty-two pips of garden Auriculas, hand - coloured, besides two pages of illustrations of trusses and leaves of Auriculas, published in the year 1737. The title runs : " Phytanthoza Iconographia, sive Conspectus aliquot millium plantarum a Joanne Guilielmo Weinmanno Dicasterii Ratisbonensis Assessore coUectarum, quorum denominationes explicantur a D. Joanne Georgio Nicolao Dieterico. — Ratisbonfe, MDCC.xxxvii." The Auriculas illustrated show selfs of yellow, crimson, and brown colours with well-deflned circu- lar white paste. Several of the pips are most irregular in outline and have angular pastes. A large number are brindled, that is to say, the body colour is variegated in a radial direction, in lines, spots and dashes, the colours being mixed of red, yellow, green, and white. Among these there is but one edged flower. This is a green-edged flower of large size. The edge is wide and clean, the body colour being crimson. There is no grey or white- edged flower among the whole sixty-two, although many of the selfs are shown to have the body colour thinly sprinkled with meal, chiefly about the inner edge. Apparently the white and grey-edged Auriculas were not known at this date in Bavaria, although so near to the probable original source of the garden Auricula. The book above mentioned is in four large folio volumes. The arrangement of the plants is alphabetical. There is also an interesting series of Pinks, wild and uncultivated. Philip J. Woksley. Engadine, February 19. The Caucasian Scabious. — In common with J. H. W. Thomas, I should also like to ask " D. K." how to grow it so as to make it flower freely. In fact, my difticulty is greater than Mr. Thomas's, for I can hardly keep my plants alive at all. I have had plants, two or three at a time, from different sources, and I have planted them in various aspects and in almost every conceivable variety of soil, but I can do no good with them. We are told it is a true perennial and grows into strong tufts. 1 doubt both of these statements. I have two friends, both above the average in their love for, and skill in growing, herbaceous plants. Neither of them can grow this Scabious with any success, though one of tliem is more fortunate than the other, treating it as a biennial. I have several other sorts of Scabious and they all do well with me, so I am inclined to think that neither I nor my soil is at fault. While writing about S. caucasica, may 1 ask why a yellow Scabious — which you in your book on hardy flowers call ochroleuca— is so little grown ? I can find it in no trade lists, and yet, to my mind, it is a lovely thing. The colour (very light .sulphur) is un- usual, though beautiful. The flowers are nearly as large as those of caucasica. The habit is good and robust. Is it uncommon? With me it does well and is always admired. — Walter Butt, Minety Mcarage. Columbines. — Many of the hyhrid Aquilegias are \eiy beauliful. ;iiid all seed freely. Aqiiilegia chrysanlha and A. cierulca are the best, and both may be obtained from seeds. They are well adapted for the rockery, or to grow on the slopes of any alpine mount where the soil is deep, and soon create a specially interesting feature. They are also good border jilants under like conditions as to soil. The seeds may either be sown as soon as ripe or in tlic spring, in the latter case, sow in jians and place in a gentle heat. If sown in autumn, place the pans in a cool frame kept close. They make beau- tiful pot )ilants for a cool house, and they will even bear a little forcing, but the night temperature should not exceed 50°. The flowers are nice for cut- ting, especially when produces patch. This was evident in the year 1887, when the trial of Nasturtiums took place in the Royal Horticultural Gardens at Chiswick. In that memorably hot and dry July the Nasturtiums were at their best, but after that month they quickly lost their former beauty. It is here that the zonal Pelargoniums have an advantage. They show no such ephemeral character as the annuals. A few years ago, when the gardens were worth seeing for the many in- teresting features of flower gardening, there used to be a long line of a Nasturtium named Bedfont Rival, a scarlet-flowered variety, and one of the freest we ever remember. The rich mass of flowers quite hid the abundant leafage. I cannot find its name in the one or two catalogues I have looked through, but it should not be dropped out. Unfortunately, it never came true from seed, and so cuttings were resorted to for perpetuating it. These struck very freely in a little warmth. Last year, of course, can be taken as no criterion of the value of the Nasturtiums. The plants made an extraordinary amount of leafage and produced very few flowers, thus showing what, of course, was well known be- fore, that the Nasturtium revels in sun and a dry soil. As many are now purchasing seeds, it may be useful to give the names of those varieties that proved the best of those on trial in the Chiswick Gardens. Nine sorts were selected, and these were Empress of India, very compact in growth, the flowers rich scarlet; Tom Thumb Peari, pale yellow; caeruleum roseum, reddish purple ; Tom Thumb Beauty, scarlet; Tom Thumb, crimson ; Tom Thumb, yellow; and Crystal Palace Gem, yellow, blotched with crimson. To amateurs who have no glass, the Nasturtiums, both dwarf and climbing kinds, are of immense value. They are as showy as bedding plants, and easily raised from seed. CoENPLoWEE (Centaurea cyanus).— The Corn- flower has been used in many beautiful arrange- ments in the flower garden. Its lovely blue flowers can be worked into the choicest wreaths, bouquets, or posies, and the plants can be easily raised from seed if this is sown in the open ground in April. If it is desired to have extra strong plants and early flowers, a sowing should be made at once under glass in heat and the seedlings potted on. Harden them well previous to planting out. The bright blue variety should be grown in preference to the rose, purple or striped kinds, but the white is indispens- able. A sowing should be made in an odd spot for the supply of flowers for decoration to prevent the plants in the flower garden being spoilt by con- tinual cutting. As we are mainly dealing with annual flowers, it is almost out of place to mention the perennial C. montana, but we do so to bring it into notice. It and its several varieties flowered magnificently last year. Mignonette should also be sown in quantify, as it is always in demand for tlie drawing-room. Reseda odorata pyramidalis, one of Messrs. A'il- morin's strains, is a splendid type, the spikes strong, bold, and the flowers very sweet. A bed of stan- dard Roses, where there is unfortunately any of these in the garden, may be made less ugly "by a carpet of Mignonette. Clumps in the border, 'by the margin of the shrubbery, or a bed wholly de- voted to itwill not be too much of a flower every- body loves. C^arkias, Candytufts, Night - scented Stock, Godetias, and Viscarias are a few more annuals that are of unusual beauty when grown properly, which, unfortunately, in many gardens is not tlie case. A row of the Night-.scented Stock near the windows of llie principal rooms will exhale a pleasant fragrant^' in the evening wlien the flowers arc fully open. ('. up those they have at home and let the committee accept no man's declaration, but judge for them- selves.— A. D. Garden Flora. PLATE 691. THE SOCOTRAN BEGONIAS. (with a coloukei) plate of b. .JOHN heal.*) When Begonia socotrana flowered for the first time in England in 1881, its probable useful- ness as a garden plant was at once perceived. Botanically, this species is interesting from it.s occurring in such an out of-the-way place as the island of Socotra, thousands of miles removed from the haimts of any other known Begonia. It also possesses characters of an exceptional kind in the form of its tubers, of its foliage, and the persistence of its flowers. In The Gabden, 1882 (Vol. XXI., p. 1G2), a coloured plate of B. socotrana was published, and it was then stated that, from the wide difference between the characters of this and the Andean species of Begonia, a cross between the two, however desirable, seemed at least doubt- ful of achievement. No cross had been eft'ected between the evergreen and tuberous kinds, nor yet between tlie latter and the South African tuberous species, of which B. cafl'ra is an example. The distinct B. Martiana (gracilis) has since thtn been crossed with one of the The blue Primrose.— Mr. Douglas cxhil.ils his customary generosity of spirit and large-heart cd- ncss in his recent reference to my blue Primrose. Nothing can be more unfair on the part of members of the floral coiiiniiftce than to declare they have quite as good at home as the subject exhibited be- fore them, and thus discount the greater honest v of other members who regard this, that, or the other a.s a distinct and beautiful novelty. As I shall ex- hibit the Primrose again at the meeting on llie 12lli inst., I invite Mr. Douglas or anyone else to bring Begonia 50i;uUiiria, .sLuwuig liabit cl plaut. Andean seedlings, notably by Mr. Cooper, gardener to the Ivight Hon. .Joseph Clianiber- lain, M.P. , in whose garden some distinct and pretty hybrid Begonias have been raised. How- over, nothing is so likely to liappen as tlie un- expected, and in tlie pretty Begonia figured in the accompanying plate we have the iir.st un- doubted hybrid raiscil from B. socotrana and one of the Andean seedlings. B. socotrana, illustrations of which we liero give, was discovered by I'rofessor Bayky Balfour in the island of Socotra in 1860, and he sent a few bulbils of it to Kew, along with other jilaiits collected in that island and at Aden. A batch of about twenty jilants of tho Begonia was raised. Tlie.se flowered in Hie winter of 1881, wlien a figure was prepared for the llntdniciil M(iiii;.\. Tlie plants then passed into the Lauds o{ tlio Messrs. Veitcli, who distill lilted thcui the year follow- ing. But B. sucotiiviia lias not become pojiuhir in gardens, notwitlistanding its many excellent * Ihiiwii forTHK Gahdex in Messis. Veitch's nur- sery by H. G. Moon, November 20, 1868. Lithe- grnphed and printed by Guillaume Severeyns. THE GARDEN BEGONIA" JOHN PiEAL. March 9, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 219 qualities as a winter- flowering plant. At Kew Adonis is more robust than B. John Heal, the foliage it has continued to be grown in quantity, and being larger, and the flowers, which are all male, during mid- winter its bright rosy flowers are ' are almost as large again, or 3 inches in diameter ; very attractive. It is easily grown, is dwarf, they are of a pleasing soft rose colour, paler towards the leaves are a healthy green, and it blossoms ''^"^ centre, and arranged on graceful arching pe- very freely, the flowers lasting several weeks ^uncles. This variety was certificated by the Royal Cut and placed in water they have been known Horticultural Society in 1887. to keep fresh more than a fortnight. T^ulike all other Begouias, this species retains its flowers even after tliuy liave withered, a character which cultivators of Begonias well know how to appreciate. The success of the Jlessrs. Veitch in plant- breeding has been most marked, not only amongst Orchids, but in almost all horticultural departments in wliich hybridisation has been efl'ected. Mr. John Heal, to whose skilful manipulation we owe many beautiful seedlings B. Winter Gem is the best of the trio, and is a most beautiful flowering plant, possessing all the attractions of the best of the Andean race, with the useful habit of flowering in winter. It was obtained by hybridising the flowers of B. socotrana with pollen from a crimson-flowered Andean variety. In habit it is not unlike the first-named parent, but it is more compact ; the peduncles are not so lax, and the flowers are large, of good substance, and of a deep carmine, almost crimson, colour. No doubt these three hybrids will form the nucleus of a race of Begonias which is certain to and hybrids, and to whom we are indebted for prove of the greatest possible value. The accom- the following particulars, fertilised the flowers ! plishment of this is now only a matter of time, of B. socotrana with pollen ^ !'■ ''''■'"' ' ' from a tuberous variety called Viscountess Doneraile, and obtained as a result one seed- ling. This flowered iu 1885, and was named John Heal. It was awarded a first-class certificate at South Kensing- ton in the same year. All the plants distributed under this name liave been raised from cuttings of this one plant, as, curiously enough, no female flowers have been produced by this hybrid, so that seed- lings of it have been impos- sible. Mr. Heal suggests that no doubt the absence of female flowers accounts for the length of 'time the male flowers re- main on the plants. He also states that after exhibiting the first plant at South Ken- sington he cut ofl" all the flowers and kept them in water till the next fortnightly meeting, when they were again exhibited and were quite fresh. This suggests the usefulness of the flowers in bouquet - making and for vases, &o. In habit B. John Heal is intermediate between its two parents, attaining a height of about 9 inches, branching naturally and freely, the leaves obliquely heart shaped (not peltate, as in B. soco- trana), and bright green. The flowers are borne loosely on graceful peduncles well above the foliage, every stem developing ' We have already several very distinct and useful flowers. Strong plants bear as many as twelve races of Begonia, viz., the Rex section, a glorious flowers on each peduncle ; they are aljout \\ race of ornamental-leaved plants now very much inches in diameter, elegant in structure, their neglected; the tuberous or Andean section ; the colour being bright rosy carmine. Each flower semperflorens section, a group which promises continues fresh about eighteen days and then to soon become valuable for the stove in winter Begonia socotraua, showing flowers and leaf. shrivels. No stakes are required fcir the sup- port of the plants, which is a relief to those who know what a disfigurement stakes often are iu the summer-flowering Begonias. The plants commenced to bloom in the second week of last September, and were gay with flowers till the middle of January. In gardens away fnun London some plants bloomed up till thi^ middle of Februai'y. B. Adonis was Mr. Heal's next success. This was the result of fertilising flowers of a large-flowered Andean variety with pollen from B. John Heal. B. —indeed, we have already several first-rate flowering plants in this section ; the octopetala section, the first of wliich was lately figured in The G.MiDEN (see p. 125); .-uid the Soccitran section. We are gradually tiiuling out tlie im- mense value (if many of the Begonias as garden plants. The culture of B. Joliii Heal and ils two allies is simple enough. The plants go to rest as soon as the flowers are over, and they remain dormant till July, when growth I'eeommenccs. The tubers are then shaken out of the old soil and repotted, 5-inch pots being used, and one tuber is placed in each pot. The soil should be the same as that used for ordinaiy Begonias. If a stock is wanted, the shoots, if removed and treated as cuttings as soon they get long enough, wiU soon root, and make nice flowering plants the same season. Even the smallest plants bloom when the flowering time arrives. A warm greenhouse or intermediate house suits them, and they should have all the light possible. W. Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAJT. THINNING GRAPES. Resuming my remarks (p. ICl) upon judicious thinning not only for quality of fruit, but also for the preservation of the health and vigour of the tree, I may say there is not under high culti- vation a single genus which does not require this attention. It is not a little amusing, when turning over the pages of an illustrated cata- logue, to find the chief recommendation of some particular fruit centred in its extreme fertQitj' ; in the tree's ability to set in one spring as much fruit as any sensible man would allow it to carry to maturity iu twenty years. Without going out of my way, I will take the Kelsey Plum, figured the other day in The Garden, as an ex- amijle. It may be a very good variety and worthy of extensive cultivation in this country, but its great fertility does not enhance its value, as we frequently see the Victoria, the Per.»hore, and other Plums quite as thickly studded, whilst some of the Damsons completely break down with the weight of fruit clustering upon their twigs and branches. Peaches, again, sometimes set two or three dozens of fruit on shoots 2 feet in length, and half a dozen on a single spur, but no good gardener thinks of accepting Nature's lavish gift; therefore, he reduces the crop to an extent that will ensure quality and maintain the vigour of the tree. This wonderful fertility is met with every year both under glass and in the open air, and as many people take this great wiDingness as an extra quality, a few seasonable hints may not be lost upon those given to over- cropping. The thinning of bush fruits is hardly ever practised, and yet we know (juite well that half the quantity would result in equal weight and finer quality, whilst over-cropping in old orchards has been of the greatest benefit to our colonial rivals. Grapes, again, now grown by thousands n trees al- most furnish the wall at once, and give also, perhaps, three or four or even more varieties. No wonder cordon trees have l>eeonie so popular. — A. D. The fruit tree season.— Very good business seems to liave been done by the nursery trade in trees this winter, favoured no doulit to some ex- tent by the comparatively open nature of tlie sea- son, and hi'lped .-ilso l)y tlu' enecuiragenient given by the thorough soaking with nioislure tlic ground has received. We need not fear drought again for a year or two at least, and ncwiy-plantod trees will almost certainly make good growth. It is interest- ing and pleasant also to learn that the chief trade has been done with old customers. That shows that the old growers have still ample faith in fruit culture. If new growers are few, it is better that they should come in slowly than in a rush. Fruit growing is not learnt in a year or two, and behind fruit growing there lies the not less difficult rock of selling fruit profitably; hence, it is best that new growers for market should be both slow and sure. — A. D. IS GRAFTING WRONG '. Is reply to this question, three correspondents (pp. 173, 17-1) are finite unanimous that it is at all events, if not always, at least very often wrong. This is after all a great gain. Mr. Coleman (p. 173) frankly acknowledges at the outset that grafting has " of late years been sadly abused." Again, Mr. Barker (p. 174) says "it is more often made use of than is needed, and frequently to the subsequent detriment of the plant ; '' while " H. P." (page 174) says "grafting is at the present day undoubtedly carried to a very great excess;" in a word, all condemn grafting to some extent, but we are not told how we are to improve. Let us frankly get rid of the notion that the magic of grafting has any ennobling or improving power, as the old authors pretended to believe. If this were really the case, as Mr. Barker states (p. 174), we, in order to be logical, should graft our Gooseberries and Currants just as we do our Plums and Pears. But there can be no proof of grafting adding to the flavour or abundance of fruits, unless own-root fruit trees are grown side by side with the engrafted ones for actual comparison. I have never said that grafting shoukl be totally abolished, but I firmly believe that if it were abolished to-morrow, other anil better methods of plant propagation and fruit tree culture would be the result. Of course I know that no custom, however bad it may be, can be sudelenly done away with without serious inconvenience and loss at the time, and after all those changes are best which come slowly, but it is something to have our eyes opened to the fact that grafting, if not altogether bad, is neither the best nor the only way. One point in Mr. Coleman's defence of grafting is more eloquent than all else beside. Of cour.se, if grafting is of any real "use to man" in the garilen it is in fruit culture, and yet Mr. Cole- man relies on its results as shown by a few merely ornamental coniferous trees — trees that are comparatively useless in our gardens. Looked at from the beautiful only point of view even, they are very poor beside our native Oaks or Scotch Firs, which really fit perfectly into our landscapes. After all, of what real " use to man " are a few ornamental Fir trees compared with the Apple crop of England or of America or Northern Europe f What a blessing it is that some at least of our be»st fruits, such as Grapes, Pine apples. Gooseberries, Currants, Rasjiberries, and Strawberries, are never, or need not ever be grafted ; and when we consider tropical fruits, scarcely any (except the Mango) are grafted, and yet their liixuriauee, profusion, and delicious flavour arc all there. In .Tam.iica and in many otiier tropical lands eastward as well as westward, the Mango sows itself, and | the result is an infinite variety. Is it not a ' blessing that sueli noble fruit trees as Date Palms, Cocoa-nuts, I'ine-apples, and Bananas cannot lie grafted ? Mr. Barker is evidently still a believer in the hardy or vigorous-rooted stock, foigetful of the f.act that a headed-otf stock, liowever naturally vigorous, is eiitirelj' over-ruled by the scion wiu-ked upon it (see p. lo'J), and that of the two evils the lesser one is produced by grafting a strong-growing scion on a stiick more dwarf March 9, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 221 growina; or finer textured than itself in habit. When he asserts that " many fruits, too, by the operation of grafting are improved in flavour and rendered more prolific by reason of the extra strength which is infused into them,'' he forgets that the reverse of all this is far more often the rule (see conclusions Nos. 3 and 4). How "extra strength infused into them" can improve the flavour of any fruit it is difficult to see, if, as he says further on, " the smallest and weakest seedlings invariably produce the best varieties." The vigour of a headed-oft' stock is almost, if not entirely, regulated by the leafage of the scion, and the notion that excellence of any kind is the result of weakness is one I do not believe, my own idea being that all weakly habited plants are better on the rubbish tire than causing trouble, expense, and ultimate loss in the garden. But granted that grafting is not all bad, where are we to draw the line, as Mr. Coleman says, and how are we to get the attendant evils of " bad work " and " unsuitable stocks," &c., remedied / I say by employing grafting as little as possible, and ultimately 1 believe it will rarely be employed at all. Here is an example of the manner in which stocks and grafting are upheld by the best authorities. We are told that, "An impoi-tant factor in the successful culture of the Pear, as gathered from the returns, is the use of the Quince stock, which from its surface-rooting character is more directly amenable to the attentions of the cultivator " (Pear Conference Report, p. 9). Of course it does not follow that the Quince stock is thus proved to be the best and only way to grow good Pears. Quite as good Pears are grown on free or Pear stocks as over were grown on Quince stocks, and the weak logic in the above extract is in attributing to the stock that which ought, of course, to have been credited to the other " attentions of the culti- vator.'' Reckless statements about stocks of this kind, or truisms like the following : "The best fruits are produced where the greatest care is bestowed " (Pear Conference Report, p. !t), are not calculated to advance or stimulate thought or inquiry. What can we expect if this is the best teaching as advanced by the Royal Horticultural Society of England .' If ever we are to improve and advance tlie garden practices of to-day, we must at least be logical, and not attribute effects to the wrong cause. When we come to Apple stocks, it is as yet quite an open question as to the best stock, i.e., whether "gribbles" (i.e., seedling Apples from pips), the Crab, or the Paradise or D.ouciu. And as in the case of both Apples and Pears, no one can say whether trees on their own roots would not be better than either. If, as Mr. Coleman says, we could deprive the nurserymen of their stocks for a few years they would soon give us trees on their o«-n roots, which might or might not, in some instances, be better than grafted trees, but at any rate we should really know the facts of the case, which at present we do not know. By all means let us use grafting in the best known way until some better way is discovered, but do not let us sit down and placidly accept grafting in any of its phases as the best and only way. I am inclined to think that of all the forms of grafting now practised in Europe and America, what is known as " root-grafting " will be ulti- mately recognised and found to be the best plan, as has been before suggested by M. .lean Sisley (p. Ill), and corroborated by " H. P." (p. 17-1). It has many advantages, and tlie main one is that it allows the scion the option of rooting and shifting for itself. In America it is, I believe, quite a common thing to splice-graft Apples on young and small seedling stocks cut off near the root. This is done at the fireside during winter, and after the grafts are tied on, they are buried in sand in a cellar until sprmg and then planted out, the top of the scion with a bud or two only appearing above the ground. Van Mons, who did so much for fruit culture on the Continent, long ago considered root- grafting the most complete of all methods, be- cause (1) the smallest quantity of the stock is used, (2) because the lower part of the scion being planted in the ground throws out fibres from that portion, and so at last is actually growing on its own roots 1 As a rearer of seed- ling Pears, Van IMons was well known fifty years ago or more, and it is recorded that Pear trees reared on his plan fruited the third year from seeds. After this one need not heed the silly old proverb that " He who plants Pears, plants for his heirs.' One of the good points of root grafting is that, as a surgical operation, it seldom fails. This is partly due to the burial of the grafted portion in the soO, where it is kept in a moist and genial state, and not so subject to alternations of heat and cold, or of drought and wet, as are scions grafted in the ordinarj' manner. Our position now is this : — 1. Grafting is very often badly done, unsuit- able stocks are frequently employed, and so far, at all events, grafting is wrong. 2. Of all form.s of grafting, root-grafting is most successful and the best, as it allows the scion ultimately to throw out roots of its own. 3. The old notion of grafting a weakly or delicate variety on to a more vigorous headed- off stock is wrong in principle, and very often leads to bad results in practice, for reasons above stated. 4. The least of two evils is to graft strong- growing scions on dwarf, closer grained, or sur- face-rooting stocks, as Pears on Quince stocks, Apple on Nonsuch, Paradise or Doucin, Cherry on Mahaleb, cfcc, such trees, however, requir- ing more constant cultural attention than the same varieties as worked on seedling Pears, Apples, or Gean stocks. 5. Granting that grafting is in some cases ex- pedient, yet it remains an unnatural makeshift or i-ham, and has led, and still leads, to an enormous loss of growth force or energy in our gardens. 6. In a word, while grafting is, so far as mere .stock raising is concerned, very convenient, it may also under its best conditions (viz., suitable stocks and root-grafting) be expedient and u.se- ful, yet at the present time it is by no means proven that in many cases own-root fruit trees would not equal or surpa.-), kindly allow me to point out that Thomas Andrew Knight, when presi- dent of the Horticultural Society of London in 1817, reared a now, soft, and melting Peach from the stone of a sweet Almond tree, the pollen of a HARDY FRUITS. Stbawbeeries. If established beds from which full crops of fruit are expected have not been cleared of weeds and latent runners, advantage must now be taken of dry days for hoeing and hand-weeding, but on no account must the fork or spade be introduced. In a preceding paper I advised the use of soot as a stimulant to the roots and a destroyer of snails ; also a liberal dressing of rich vine border soil or compost for catching the young roots formed annually and upon which the swelling of fine fruit mainly depends. If this work was performed a month ago the beds may be well trampled and raked down, when they will be ready for the fruit- preserving layer of litter as it is obtained fresh from the stable yard. Although we have had a mild open winter, it is reasonable to hope that we have done with protracted frost, and may now venture to tread firmly round the young plants put out last autumn. This of course may be delayed, but upon the good old principle of driving the work, no one should put off until to-morrow the most trifling operation that can be performed to- day. This, however, is not a simple operation, as the Strawberry delights in a solid resisting medium and seems to be much benefited by the consoli- dation of the soil. Plant'mff.—Gronuii that has been well manured and deeply trenched for spring planting, with strong runners put out into reserve beds in September, should now be levelled and drilled one way ready for their reception. Cross drilling, very shallow of course, is the proper mode, as the line .set longitu- dinally then forms the exact spot for each plant, whilst one or more rows of each sort can be p\it in in succession. Deep heavv- loam, plenty of room, and firm planting are essential points, and the more new soil placed about the roots the better the pro- gress. When beds are formed upon the block method, that is in consecutive rows, the plants should be placed quite 2 feet apart each way, whilst robust varieties like President and Paxton will not be the worse for an extra 6 inches between the rows_ RASPBERKIE8 left full length when staked and tied may now be shortened back to the orthodox height. From 3 feet to 4 feet on light warm soils is quite sufficient, as fruit a safe distance from the surface derives great benefit from moist exhalations from the mulching. Extra strong canes on cold, heavy loams may be left quite 5 feet and less numerous, as good ipiality depends upon the free admission of solar Ileal and fresh air. The Orchard. Pla7ifiiif/.— An open winter having been so favourable, the preparation of the ground for spring planting should now be in an advanced stage. Early autumn, no doubt, is the iiest time for )>utting in fruit trees, as th(^ roots lake to the soil at onee, and, provided tliey are well protected by a mulch of manure of good ordinary nmisture-rctaining power, they require very little attention in the spring, clearin, preparatory work has occupied the dead months, and planting necessarily has been postponed until the spring. December and January being con- sidered the worst months, a dry, mild February tempts a great number of planters into activity, but unless the newly disturbed soil is well pul- verised and in thorough working condition, I have found the early part of April, just when the buds are beginning to swell, but little, if at all less suit- able than October. Indeed, in planting deciduous or evergreen trees the dormant season, if possible, should be avoided. Shallow planting, especially on newly broken ground, is good practice, and securing to stakes, not only standards, but dwarfs anit- doors. for the frosts we have had during the month of February have not been sufficiently severe to injure the blooms, with which the still leafless branches are thickly covered. The individual flowers are very curious, being composed of a number of strangely twisted petals of a bright yellow tint, while the crimson - coloured calyx stands out very conspicuously. Though tree-like in habit, it does not appear likely to attain the dimensions of a tree. Young plants less than a yard high will flower freely. — T. The Elder or Boor tree (Sambucus nigra). — This is one of the hardiest and most accommodat- ing of our native plants, growing freely and luxu- riating even at high altitudes and in exposed situa- tions, where few other shrubs could exist. Few, indeed, are the positions in which it cannot live, be it on the wind-swept hill-side, or where almost constantly exposed to the saline blasts along our roughest shores. As a fence and screen plant for high-lying farms and farm-buildings, the Elder is of great value, as it grows in such elevated sites with the greatest freedom, and affords an amount of shelter that is quite surprising. On the wind- ward sides of the Welsh moimlain farms, at nearly 100(1 feet altitude, it grows stout and strong, and defies the hard-hitting storms to which it is almost constantly subjected. I'l.-mlcd at .'i feet apart in partially prepared ground, the plants be- ing .stout and stocky, and from IS inches to 2 feet in height, the Boor tree soon forms an excellent fence, but it requires an annual pruning and trim- ming to maintain that close and compact habit that is so desirable. l''or planting on the wind-swept sea-coast, the Boor tree is an invaluable shrub, as it grows in such a situation stout and rampant, and affords just the necessary shelter. Few are the uses to which the wood of the Boor tree may be applied, but for skewers it is much in request, and when fairly dry burns with a clear and steady flame, and sends out a strong heat. Around the Kentish coast this plant is in great request on account of the almost invaluable shelter it affords to more tenlay'K, at Corboil, is worth mentioning. Tliin fine plant, whoso white or jialo rose flowers, shaded with carmine in the centre, make it a valuable novelty, is the result of a cross lietween C. vestila liitia ami ('. Hef;ni.Ti.— II , Mabti.nkt. Cypripedium villosum aureum.— The best form of this plant wliielj has yet come nriiler my notice is jnst now flowerinj; in tin' Stmlley House collection ; the jilajit in its ;;rowlli is typical, hut the large flowers are wholly of a soft ami pleasing yellow hue. It is a very ilistirirt and desirable variety. — (i. Orchids on cork.— liefening to "On-hid Ama- teur's" not,, in 'I'liK (iAKDEN, Feb. 2:! (p. 1fi2). it woul.l be interestinglto know tlio names of the (Jrcliiils tiiat lia-vedono well with him on cork. As far as my limited experience goes as to its use, I find that out of about a dozen kinds blocked on that material only two have made themselves completely at home on it, these being ScuticariaSteeli and Cat tieyacitrina. — J.G.M.G. Odontoglossum crispum flaveolens. — This is a good yellow form of the species, but the flowers are not large. It accords with the plant named by Reicheubach, but it is destitute of the red spots on the lip. It is a pretty' distinct form, now flower- ing with Mr. 'I'antz. Vanda concolor (W. J. M.). — This, we beheve, is the name of the flower sent, and it is a kind very seldom seen.^ It is a welcome addition, being a winter bloomer, but its flowers are not particularly showy, the sepals and petals being of a uniform cinnaiiioTi-brown, without tessellations; side lobes of the lip dotted with rose on the inside; front lobe yellow, streaked with cinnamon. Lindley says it is a native of China. Pruning Dendrobium nobile. — Mr. Hudson makes a practice of cutting down the stems of D. nobile as soon as they cease flowering. Young strong shoots soon start again and bear larger, richer and stronger flowers than would h.ave been borne on the old stems. By this method very stout healthy plants are obtained. Mr. Hudson was once quite opposed to the practice of pruning Dendro- bium nobile. Dendrobiums'at Chelsea.— There are a num- ber of Dendrobes flowering now in the nursery of Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, and amongst them a large plant of D. Ainsworthi, a beautiful cross be- tween D. aureum and D. nobile. The sepals and petals are of the purest white, the large stain on the lip being magenta-purple. It is a lovely va- riety. Hard by the showy D. Cambridgeanum was in full bloom. It only wants a few specimens of this to make a house gay. The flowers are large and of the richest orange-yellow, save a blackish purple spot at the base of the lip. D. cariniferum, though not so handsome as the preceding, is an in- teresting variety, the flowers dull white and reddish at the entrance to the throat of the lip. D. Brymeri- anum, that has a lip like delicate lace ; D. Jamesoni, Wardianum, fimbriatum, the small-flowered, but very free and beautiful barbatulum ; D. nobile, D. n. nobilius, and D. crassinode album were also in bloom. The latter is a chaste variety of a beautiful Orchid, of which we might see more. D. Sybele is the result of a cross between nobile and Findley- anum, and has much of the nobile character. It is a beautiful flower. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Roses in ■winter.— Mr. Roberts, of Gunnersbury Park, regards Bouijuet d'Or and Cheshunt Hybrid as two of the finest indoor Roses. Amaryllises at Messrs. Veitch's Chelsea nursery are sliowing flower, and ivill bo in their fuUest beauty a fortnight hence. We anticipate rich treasures amongst the seedlings. Gardeners' Hoyal Benevolent Institution. — We learn that the late Mr. John Rylands, of Loiig- foi'd Hall, Manchester, has left a legacy of £'500 to this institution. Saccolabium bellinum is one of the prettiest of its genus. It is very dwarf, and has ricldy spotted flowers, which are borne in a compact cluster. We hope shortly to give a coloured plate of this gem. Azalea amoena Col'villi is a Ilose-in-hose va- riety of a. rich magenta -purple colour. A large plant of it in the nursery of Messrs. Veitt-h at C-helsea sliow-s its worth. The flowers are larger than in A. amauia. The -wreather in South "Wales.— All last week we had from !^' to I.'i' of frost nightly, and to-day, Mar(-li -1. snow has fallen in twehc hours to the dejitli of 13 inches. Until February the winter was remark- ably mild ; now it is the t)pposite. — J. Muiii, Marijam. Single Japanese Cherry.— Flowers of this come froTii Mi'ssrs. (lordon, of 'rwiek-enhairi. They are soft jjiidc in colour, and like the ojiening flowers of the Dog Rose. The Japanese Cherry is well worth growing under glass, as at this season there is a lack of variety in our greenhouses. Pelargonium flo'wers from Swranley. — Messrs. II. Cannell and .S{»ns, .Swanli-y. send us tlo\\ers of a few of their In-st kinds of Relargoniums. The flowers are very varied iu colour, large, and well formed. The Pelargoniums at Swanley are a mass uf biotjm through the winter. Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil.— Tlnre i-an hi- 110 question now- aliout the value of N. cyeliimineus as a garden plant. It has proved a decided acquisition ; we find it as hardy as any of the others, and earlier even than pallidus prascox. Its lovely flowers opened a. short time after those of N. minimus, and in spite of tlie severe frosts they do not seem to suffer in the least, Colchicum luteum is another channing spring bulb, perfectly hardy in the open, and adding nmch to the interest of the bulb garden. The leaves are from 4 inches to 12 inches long, bright green, and abtmt half an inch wide. The flowers, one to two to a ladb and of a fine pale yellow colour, are produced from DecendK-r to Jlay, and do not sutTer in tlie least from the cold. Azalea amoena. — In the conservatory this plant makes a charming picture just now, covered as it is with its bright purple-red flowers. It may not be generally known that this plant is perfectly hardy iu the south at least, and flowers towards the beginuiug of May as freely as it docs indoors. We have grown it in the open air for many years, and have never known it to Ije to\iched with frost. Eanunculus anemonoides is now in full flower in a cool frame. It is very early considering the late season, but the flowers are large and very fine not- withstanding. The blooms are rather over an inch in diameter, white, tinted with pink, and very attrac- tive. For the rockery it is amongst the most choice of alpines, and loves an exposed spot in rich loamy soil. The leaves are finely cut and glaucous. Native of the Styrian Alps. A blue Tacsonia Van Volxemi.— The world has waited long for the blue Rose, and may well be startled this week by the presentation of the brilliant Tacsonia ^'an "N'olxemi -with blue flowers and blue leaves ! The plate is issued in a garden- ing paper for the present week. The comic journals must not rest on their laurels if this sort of " col- oured illustration" is to become a "feature "of garden journalism. Conifers from Eastnor. — We had no idea of the beauty of Abies Smithian.a until we received a branch from Mr. Coleman, of Eastnor Castle. This branch was loaded with cones of a beautiful brown colour. It was the finest specimen we have ever seen. We also received a branch of Finns insignis from Mr. Coleman. It shows how well this Finns grows in some parts of England. There were also sent very fine coning branches of P. Jefl:'reyi, P. Edgeriana, and C'upressus Govaniana. Crinum Hildebrandti. — "W. H. G." was right (p. 194) in not fixing positively the name of the Crinum flowered by Mr. White at^Winchmore Hill as this species. It is a form of C. erubescens, wdiich is widely distributed over S. America, from whence Mr. White's plant came. C. Hildebrandti, however, belongs to the same section, but it is a Tropical African species. I>et us hope that the day is not far distant when these lovely bulbous plants will again return to the favour they once enjoyed in gardens.— James O'Brien, Uarroir-on-the-Hill. The Spring Meado'W Saffron (Bulbocodium vernum) is nearly at its best just now, making a very useful plant for the rockery or bulb border. Though not by any means fastidious, it thrives better and flowers more freely in a good sandy soil than in any other. It is amongst the earliest of the spring bulbs, and unique in its rosy-purple colour. It rarely exceeds a few inches in height, and on this account should never be planted where the blooms are likely to get spl.-ished with spring rains. We lately received the variety versicolor un- der the name of B. ruthciiicum. It docs not difl'er much from the type, but it is well worth a place in the border. Rhododendron arboreum. — Where accommo- dation can be spared in tlie conservatory even for .a limited number of these Himalayan Rhododendrons they form a very interesting feature all through the early spring months. R. arboreum is just now a picture, being covered with fine bunches of red or deep rose flowers which nestle amongst the foliage, giving a fine elTeet ; the leaves are laiice-shapcd, jiointed, bright green above, silvery underneath, li. iiilagiricum, from tbe'Neilgherrics, is also very fine and extremely free flowering. The flowers are produced in large bunches, deep rose in :i bud state, cluuiging as they become idder to pink or nearly white. The elVcct of the variously shaded flowers is most striking, and this is heightened by the March 9, 1889. J THE GAUDEN. 229 numerous deeper red spots on the inside of the flowers. Almost all these species flower in a com- paratively small state, and a selection could be easily accommodated in an ordinary greenhouse. The best results are always obtained by planting them out. The weather in Ireland.— Mr. Offler, writing from Newry this week, says, " A great many half- hardy plants have been damaged by frost this season ; even Rose Marechal Niel is killed with me to snow line, also Gloire de Dijon damaged to 6 inclips and 9 inches from buds. This is rather new in this locality." Dielytra spectabilis, now in full flower, is one of the most beautiful subjects to be met with. Although quite hardy, it is rarely seen in the open border in such fine condition as when grown in pots under glass and subjected to a little warmth. The plants referred to have been grown in a light open position, with just sufticient warmth to en- courage growth without drawing them up spindly. A fine strain of Chinese Primulas is that which Mr. Manning, gardener to Mr. Gledstanes, Manor House, Gunnersbury, has succeeded in raising. The flowers are of the Chiswick red type, deeper it anything in colour, larger, fuller, and of greater substance. All the seedlings are very much alike in merit. We advise Mr. Manning to preserve the purity of this selection of Chinese Primulas. Calanthe vestita oculata gigantea is along name for one of the most bsauiif ul of late-flowering Calanthes. It has the great advantage of blooming when most of the other Calanthes are quite over. Mr. Hudson, of Gunnersbury House Gardens, has an excellent specimen bearing four spikes of the large flowers, which are of the purest white save a crimson stain at the base of the lip. Jlr. Hudson finds it more inclined to be evergreen than the ordinary vestita oculata, which blooms in autumn. Winter Sweet (Toxicophlsea spectabilis) is well named. It has small flowers, but they are pure wliite, deliciously and powerfully fragrant, and crowded close together in compact corymbs. Some years ago it was cultivated in a few places, but was afterwards lost to cultivation, and was re-introduced by Mr. Williams, of Upper HoUoway, wlio exliibited finely flowered plants of it. This Toxicophlrea is well worth growing, as it comes into bloom when flowers are scarce. A coloured plate of it was given in The Garden, July 7, 1S77. A red-berried Mistletoe (Viscum cruciatum). — At the last fortnightly meeting of the Paris Hor- ticultural Society, the above-named interesting form of this well-known parasite was exhibited by Monsieur ^H. Luiseau, and attracted much at- tention. It is a native of Portugal, and is there usually found growing on the branches of the Olive tree. Its leaves are cuneiform in shape, and are smaller than those of the common Mistletoe (Viscum album), and it produces berries of a beau- tiful carmine-red. If this new MLstletoe should turn out to be as hardy as the common white-fruited variety, it should prove an interesting and valuable acquisition to our gardens. — W. E. G. Scilla bifolia. — Of all the varieties of the early Squill, none in our opinion equals the pretty form called taurica. The plant is more robust, and usually produces more than the usual two leaves, while tlie flowers are much larger than those of the type. Such varieties, however, as pallida, pnccox, rosea, Candida, and carnea are all well worth add- ing to the bulb collection. Scillas require little or no attention, and give a flne display in early spring. The Siberi.an Squill (S. sibirica) is also beginning to flower now. It is quite different in character from the above, and is a useful bulb for planting on the margins of shrubberies, &c. The Persian Iris (I. persica), by far the most attractive .and distinct of the early blooming kinds, is well deserving of a place in all good collections. It is perfectly hardy in the open, and m.ay be grown even in the most exposed positions. Its dw.arf habit is a fault with it, however, as the delicate p.ale lilue flowers are so liable to damage from the heavy rains splashing up the soil; a layer of Cocoa-nut fibre prevents this, and shows the flowers to better advantage. As a pot plant for the con- servatory it is unequ.alled at the present time. The pale blue-tinted flowers, blotched with velvety purple and emitting a sweet fragrance, are certainly unique in early M.arch. A native of Persia, requir- ing light sandy soil. Camellia de la Force is a single-flowered Camellia, quite white and exceptionally chaste. A plant was flowering a few days ago in the Chelsea Nursery of Messrs. Veitch. It is very much like the single white, of which a coloured plate was given in The Gauden, August 22, 1885, where also will be found much interesting information on this class. Corbularias. — In the open air Corbularia nivalis is the earliest of all the Bulbocodium group. The flowers, though small, are abundantly produced and of a fine deep orange-yeUow, with the style and stamens exserted. It is a native of the mountains of Central Spain and Asturias. It may be repro- duced true from seed, which takes about four years to make flowering bulbs. C. citrina is neither so early nor so hardy as the above, yet it is a most 1-ieautiful plant for the greenhouse. Corbularias stand a little heat very well, but are liable to be- come drawn and weakly, when much of their beauty is lost, although the size of the flowers is not inter- fered with. C. monophylla is by far the best, and has been in flower for the last month. Home-grown bulbs, doubtless owing to the wet season, did not flower so well as usual. Saxifraga Burseriana, as we now h.ave it in varieties such as major, macrantha, grandiflora, &c., is hardly equalled by any of the vernal species of this popular family. The first to flower is the va- riety major about the middle of February, and a succession will be kept up for perhaps a month. The variety macrantha, which we saw last year for the first time, is very charming in bud, the deep red stems and pure white medium-sized flowers being very attractive. We saw the other day just open- ing a form called S. B. var. Boydi. It hardly looks like a form of Burseriana, although said to have been raised from that species. It is, however, too early to j udge fairly. The variety grandiflora is very near to major, but rather later in flowering, while the blooms are somewhat larger. S. aretioides and its varieties pnecox and primulina are also beginning to flower. All these are extremely pretty and verit- able acquisitions to the alpine garden. A new label. — 1 enclose you samples of my patent plant labels. The label has been seen and tested, and I have been myself working for several years to get .a really indestructible label which shall be durable, easily used, and when put on the plant shall not be inartistic, as the ordinary white labels are. An ordinary pointed black lead pencil will indent on the surface of the label better than an agate style. The label is made of prepared copper, extremely thin and pliable and cut to suit- able form, with tag end or attachment of the same material and substance, the whole being one piece. — Alfred Chandler. *„* We have seen so many patent and clever labels, that we are rather suspicious of the family generally, but the above look promising, and they are not expensive, as so many labels are. — El>. National Chrysanthemum Society.— The adjourned annual general meeting ot the members of this society was held on Thursday, the 28th ult. Mr. E. C. Jukes occupied the chair. The object of the meeting, it will be remembered, was to elect a president and vice-presidents in accordance with the altered constitution of the society. Mr. Castle, after explaining the correspondence with Lord Brooke, M.P., proposed, and Mr. Wynne secondeil, that his lordship be president of the society. The motion was carried. The hon. sec, Mr. W. Holmes, then moved that the following noblemen and gentlemen be elected vice-presidents: The Earl of Lytton, Lord Ebury, Sir Guyer Hunter, Sir Edwin Saunders, Or. Hogg, and Mr. E. Sanderson, all of whom had signified their willingness to accept the position if elected. ,-ind Sir Louis IVlIy, Mr. Lco|m)Ic1 de Rothschild, and Mr. J. Wormald, subject to their approval. The election was carried unanimously. On the motion of the foreign corresponding secre- tary, Mr. J. N. Gerard, of New York, U.S.A., and Monsieur Pfatzer, of Roubaix, France, were elected foreign members of the society. The sum of two guineas was voted to the Royal Aquarium em- ployfo' annual dinner fund. Destroyers. Insects on Apple shoots. — I shall be obliged if you Can give me the name and cure for the black fungoid-looking growth which has attacked and appears to be killing the young shoots sent, —J. M. *j,* In reply to the above, " the black fungoid- looking growths " are the eggs of an insect, I think of one of the aphides, or green-flies. They are easily crushed. Rub the shoots with a stiflisb brush dipped in tobacco water and soft soap, or if your tree be too large for such a remedy to be used, syringe with the same mixture. Keep a sharp look out later on, and syringe the trees again on the first appearance of the hatching of the eggs.— G. S. S. ■Woodlice in plant-houses.— Can any reader of The Garden suggest effective means of get- ting rid of woodUce in plant-houses ? A friend of mine with a fine collection of Orchids stands a chance of having the greater part of them ruined by these nocturnal pests. It is a great mistake to suppose they prey upon decaying vegetable matter ; that is their habitat ; but their favourite food is tender shoots, buds, and seedlings just germinating, as many a gardener knows to his cost. My friend has tried every means he could think of, even going so far as to have plants. Orchids, &c., turned out of pots, whitewashing the house, and replacing the Derbyshire spar. Potato slices and handpicking are his last resources — very much like Mrs. Partington trying to mop out the Atlantic. — A Subscriber. Testacella Maugei. — " W. H. G." shall have some specimens of this interesting slug as soon as we are digging ground which it frequents. It is not common to all our soil, but only to a portion, al- though it is nearly all of a stiff clayey nature. I was much amused the other day when a labourer dig- ging a piece of ground in the Testacella quarter re- marked that he thought the " yaller uns had eaten all t'other slugs up." Probably the non-exist- ence of the common garden slug was due to the fact that there was little vegetable food for it to prey upon, and therefore had for the winter gone below and become torpid. The Testacella Maugei, on the other hand, being of a carnivorous nature, finds earthworms in plenty all through the winter. I have not asserted that I am unfamiliar with the habits of this peculiar slug, except as re- lates to the devouring of its own kind. On that point I sceptical. Earthworms, however, they devour greedily, and very likely also wireworms. If tliey do feed upon these latter pests readily, there should be found, by planting .a colony of Testacellas in a wireworm-inf ested garden or field, useful means of getting rid of one of the gardener's greatest insect enemies. I am not sure that any good is done in the destruction of e.arthworras, but if the carni- vorous slugs eat real pests, some more succulent food in the sh.ape of earthworms cannot be denied them. This particular slug is of a buff colour, and when crawling about quite 2 inches long, and beyond its colour may be recognised by having on the top of its tail end a tiny hard shell. — A. D. The death of the Rev. J. O. Wood, the jiiipular writL'r ttii Natural Uisti try. '^oourrod recently. Horticulturists will best rumomber him by his " Garden Friends and Foes." Snowdrops. — Will "R. 0. B.," who sent somo Siinw.ln.i.s to The Garden otfiee hist week, kiudly .^i.u.l liisa.I.lirss. Names of plants. — M. — Your Lycaste very nuicli rcsfiiilili's b, iiiacri ipliylla. J. N. — Uondnihiuiii lu-iiiiuliniiiii, Ouridiiini sarcodes. T, and ./. Rotjers. — I. Oncidiuiii O'Hrii'uianniii ; 2, Maxillaria sp. ; 3, Kpidoudrum virens ; *4 and .5, f(»rius of Cypripodium harbntum ; 6. Cattleya Trianse. 230 THE GARDEN. [March 9. 18=(9. WOODS & FORESTS. THE SCOTCH FIR AS A TIMBER TREE. The above is the heading of an article in The Gakden, Feb. 16 (p. ICO) by " Y." The writer wishes to see the merits and demerits of this tree discussed, and asks if any reader can furnish some useful particulars on this subject. The timber of the Scotch Fir when thoroughly ma- tured has long occupied a high position, but that the growth of the tree and quality of its timber are affected to a considerable extent by exposure, elevation, and the texture of the ground in which it is grown there can be no doubt. In illustration of this I shall give a few examples. Having been engaged for a series of years renovating natural Scotch Fir forests and cutting up the wood of the same for large and extensive building pxirposes in the Braemar Highlands, I had a good opportunity of com- jjaring the timber as found on different classes of soils and at various elevations. That the pure bracing mountain air, coupled with the inorganic nature of the soil in the locality, promotes the formation of hard, firm wood, I have abundant and conclusive proof. The best wood which I have ever cut in that district was produced upon thin blackish soil a few inches deep, and resting upon an open subsoil of sandy or gravelly clay, and naturally so dry that no draining was required. On sending a qiiantity of logs from this part of the forest to be cut up at the sawmill, the workmen could tell what part of the forest the wood was from as soon as their saws entered the logs, and I think this pretty con- clusive proof that the soil has a decided influence on the quality of the timber. Any difference in the texture of the wood produced here could be clearly traced to the difference in the age of the trees, and trees of the same age that had matured their growth were found to be of a uniform texture throughout. In another part of the forest, where the surface was of an un- dulating character, I found the hollow places to consist of rich black soU of various depths, resting ujion shingle and clay finely mixed, while the higher mounds and ridges were com- posed of the same class of soil, with this difference, that the surface soil along the top of the ridges was only a few inches deep. Now on felUng trees and cutting up the timber grown in this part of the forest I often found con- siderable difference in the quality of the wood even of trees of the same age, as ascertained by the number of concentric rings which they contained, and which was the only way I had of comparLag them in this respect. Trees grow- ing upon deep rich soil in hollow places were often found to be of a softer texture than sucli as were gi'own upon thin soil on the ridges, and this in a great measure explains the reason why trees growing within a few yards of each other have been found t(j be so dissimilar in quality that they have been pronounced by some people as belonging to a bad form. Now in this case the trees could not have degenerated, for the simple reason that they wore all the progeny of old specimens of tlio true Highland Pine gi'ow- iiig here and there in the forest and left there as mother trees to stock the ground with fresh plants by natural reproduction. I can well understand the plausibility of the argmnent that trees raised in a public nursery from seed of doubtful origin may turn out to hv. deticient in hardiness and quality of timber, but in the present case this was by no means tlio case. Throw a log of the hai'dest and best class of Scotch Fir timber down upon a hard road, and it innnodiately recoils and produces a sharji, metallic ring, bo that the experienced forester can tell to a certainty by this test alone if the wood is of the hardest and best quality. On the other hand, subject a log of the softest class of Pine timber to the same test, and it will be found to fall upon the ground with a dull, hea^-y sound, so that the difference can be ascertained in this way before the timber is cut up with the saw at all. As a general rule, soft, deep soils rich in organic matter produce a soft, inferior class of timber, while pure Moss ground produces the softest of any. In Grigor's "Arboriculture" (p. 166), the au- thor, speaking of the Scotch Fir, says ; — Of all soils common in waste lands, pure bog is most uncongenial to its growtli ; and although the plant sometimes lives in soil composed almost wholly of this vegetable substance, yet it requires a mixture of inorganic matter, in order that it may produce timber. This statement corroborates what I have said, and as I consider Grigor to be one of our best authorities on the native Pine, I at- tach the greater value to his remarks. Chalk and calcareous soils are likewise inimical to the growth and full development of the tree, except in cases where there is a considerable depth of soil on the top of the chalk, but in all cases where the latter is only covered with thin poor soil, the trees never reach a great size, and the wood is of a soft, in- ferior quality. Climate also influences very much the growth of the tree and the formation and quality of its tunber. When cutting up and manufacturing the timber of the Scotch Fir in some parts of Ireland, I found that where the trees were gi-own upon the class of soil most congenial to their growth and the formation of the best class of timber, the wood was of a fair texture, but certainly not equal to that of the same species of trees which I had formerly cut up in the natural forests of Braemar. Now in this case I attribute the difference in the texture and quality of the wood entirely to the influence of the climate and the difference in the elevation above sea-level. In Ireland the trees which I refer to were grown at an elevation of some- thing less than 100 feet, while the trees in the natural forests of the Highlands of Scotland were all produced upon ground upwards of 1000 feet above sea-level. The chief difference in the wood of the trees grown under such conditions is that the timber produced at the high elevation is harder, firmer in texture, and more thorougldy inqiregnated with resinous matter than that grown on a lower elevation. I may, however, state that trees grown upon soft mossy ground, althoughdeticientin hardness and firmness of texture, are generally of a tough pliable nature. I have extracted the surface roots of these and found them capable of being used for making baskets, creels, and hampers, and although not in use now, yet many years ago these roots were used in the Highlarids and inlands of Scotland for making ropes, Ac. J. B. Webstrr. cember. This, however, is not good practice, as the seeds have not been thoroughly ripened by frost. Nature never extracts the seeds from the cones till April and May. The alternate bursts of sun-heat and April showers are Nature's mode of extracting the seeds, and the nearer we can follow her un- erring laws, in like proportion will our efforts be crowned with success. The seed collector should be very careful to gather his cones from the finest and healthiest trees, otherwise the progeny will be of small size and weak constitution. — J. B. W. Collecting tree seeds. — The .spell of keen frosty weather which we experienced some time ago has been very lieneficial in retarding too early vegetation. In many cases the buds of trees and Inislies ot different species had begun to expand, and if tliis liad gone on for any Icngtli of time, the probability is that later on they would liave been cut up by cold, frosty weather. The cones of Larch, Scotch Kir, and otlicr coniferous trees are now thoroughly matured by frost, and may be (M)llccted at any time during dry weather. Some fifty or sixty years ago nurserymen generally collected their cones in February and March, V)Ht this rule seems not to be very strictly allended to in this respect, as I have seen large quantities ot Larch seeds in nurserymen's eBtablishmeots in De- TIMBER TRADE AND HOME SUPPLIES. Permit me to supplement my last week's note on this subject with a few more remarks I had not then time to send. The proposal to " boycott " foreign timber on gentlemen's estates would have scarcely a perceptible effect on the trade, so little timber comparatively goes in that direction, while it would without doubt send the supply into the open market, where English timber growers as well as foreigners have to dispose of their main stock, and the result would be a corresponding deprecia- tion of prices all round. It would be " cutting off the nose to spite the face." So long as we have to deal with free imports, let trade take its natural course. You may as well tell farmers to kill their own beef and mutton, but they do not do it. In- deed, plenty of farmers who have a good few men and servants to keep buy imported meats and American fresh meat for home consumption while selling their own. Where there are quarries or mines on an estate, as suggested by Mr. A. D. AVeb- ster, a clause could be inserted by the proprietor enforcing the use of home-grown timber, but the lessee would take it off the rent, for having to com- pete with others not so bound he could not get any better price for his produce. The whole idea is a narrow one and quite impracticable. As to the stress laid upon the necessity of seasoning timber and making extensive provision for that purpose on estates, it may surprise some to know that not above a fractional portion ot the English timber disposed of is ever seasoned in any way. One ot the biggest firms in the midlands has 2000 wagons on the road, and builds as many at its own yards as it can. Within eighteen months I supplied about 20,000 feet of Oak for this purpose mainly, every foot of which was converted as fast as it came out of the wood from which it was supplied as the saw- mill could take it. 1 once said to the manager, " Seasoning does not appear to be of any conse- quence to you," and his reply was, "Oh no; the timber only shrinks a little sideways, never length- ways, and the wagon frames are so constructed that we can screw them up when they shrink." For almost all colliery, railway, &c., purposes the prac- tice is the same, and dealers in Ash fell it at any season of the year and convert it into shafts and for a great variety of purposes. As to prices, accounts to hand are more cheering than ever, both in the home and foreign timber. The following slip, from among numerous references to the sub- ject, expresses the position of affairs. It is from the Thnhcr Trades Journal, but I know it to be true, as at almost every sale 1 have heard of or been at the attendance has been much better, bidding brisker, and prices higher: — III the homo tinilKT tnulo tlio only item worth ro- oordinp: is tho incvoiisod iiuiiilior of lota of stundiug tiiulior lioiup put into the niarkot. Luiullords liiivo oonioti) the coiicliisiiiii tliiit this Is tlioir tiino to take iid- v;iiit;iKe of the iniprovod position tlio trade has as- suTiioil, and iiiiito an almndniit supply for tho yoiir's wants is now in prospect. YORKSniREMAN. "The Garden" Monthly Parts.— r*i> journal ij pnhlished in ludtli/ bound Monthly Parts. In this form tht coloured plati'S are t»st }>rt\^ericd, and it is most suitable for reference previous to the issue oj the halt-yearly volumes Price Is. 6d. ; po.'d free, \s. '.t^^ " Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — This journal is jniblished in matly bound Monthly Parts, in 7ehich form it is most suitable for reference ^reviov.s to the issue of tht yearly volumes. Price 6ti. ; jtostj'ree. Id. " Hardy Y\ovr&Tn.^*—Qiving descHpticms o^f upxcards o/ thirteen hun^lred of tht most omamtntal species, vtth directions for their ai-ran(;cnicnt, culture, d-c. Fourth and Popular Sdition, It.; post free, \s. id. London: 3T, Sovthamiiton Street, Strand, W.C. THE GARDEN. 231 No. 904. SATURDAY, March 16,1889. Vol. XXXV. " This is an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but The Art itself is Natdre." — Shalcspeaj-e. Rose Garden. T. W. GIRDLESTONB. ROSE MADAME LAMBARD. Several points of interest have been brought out by the recent discussion on Lacharme's beau- tiful red Tea. Notes have been contributed from vai'ious parts of the country, beginning as far south as Rochester — from the metropolis of Roses I had almost written ; the Metropolitan, perhaps, would be nearer the mark — and Surrey ; coming from as far east as Norfolk, as far west as Herefordshire, as far north as Aberdeen, and coming also from the north of Ireland. There is considerable unanimity as to the chief merits of the plant, everybody testifying to its vigour and freedom, as well as to the beauty of the glossy foliage, retained so late as often to render the plant practically evergreen ; but only Mr. Grant draws attention to the valu- able quality of erectness, which is so e.ssential to tlie efl'ectiveness of any Rose in the garden, and which so usefully distinguishes Mme. Lambard. The attractiveness also of the innumerable vari- coloured flowers, whose shades of rose and yellow are so fancifully mingled and rarely twice ill exactly the same way, is incontestable ; and Mr. Biu'rell justly lays stress upon the special beauty of the blooms in autumn or in a cool .season. Indeed, it would seem that it is just in such a sunless season as that of 1888 that Mme. Lambard is seen at her best, to judge from the evidence given with his usual admir- able precision of facts and tigures by Mr. Mawley in his genial article on p. 185. The difl'erence between 2 flowers staged in the heat of 1887 and 51 in the cold of 1888 aflbrds an unmistakable indication of the kind of simimer in which fine blooms of this Rose are to be looked for, particularly when so able an exhibitor of Roses of all sorts as Mr. Grant states further that he alone exhiliited it during 1888 in upwards of thirty winning stands. It is, consequently, perhaps only to be ex- pected that the defects most generally insisted upon in this flower in an ordinarily hot summer are lack of size and fulness, and it is to be feared that these are defects which no grower will con- scientiously be able to do otherwise than endorse. Personally, I ha\e not experienced to any noticeable extent the lack of symmetry in the flowers of Mme. Lambard that is complained of by some of the most able growers. Want of depth and substance has been a constant trouble, but the "quartered" or double-centred flowers have not been very conspicuous on my own plants. On the other hand, I tliink Mr. Prince puts his finger on a weak place when he points out that the flower is liable to lose colour after it has been cut. It might be tliought that this is a peculiarity of the variety at Oxford, where we have reason to know that some Tea blooms lose their colour even before they are cut, but that it is also referred to by "Delta" and Mr. Mawley, and is, unfortunately, too common an experience. There can be little doubt that this dulness of colour is attributable to the shades of red in the petals, which are constantly under- going subtle changes until the whole colour of the flower becomes confused and presents a "dirty"' appearance. Red seems a singularly unstable colour in Roses, compared, for instance, with yellow. Hardly any red Rose, or Rose with red La it, remains exactly the same colour for many hours in succession ; and in the case of Tea- scented varieties that have red shades in them the change is rarely for the better, such Roses as .lules Finger, at times very beautiful, becoming under unfavourable circumstances almost livid in luie. Everybody appears to find Mme. Lambard one of the hardiest of the Teas, and this im- portant quality contributes to render the variety one of the most valuable of all garden Roses. There is also a general unanimity in favour of the Brier as the best stock, the seedling Brier being most commended, but owing to its gi-eat vigour and freedom, Mme. Lambard makes a handsome standard, and succeeds well gromi in this form. It is perhaps natural that in the far north of Aberdeen the Brier cutting should be preferred as a stock, as its roots keep nearer the surface than those of the seedling, and it may be a matter of importance in a cool climate to keep the roots as much within reach of the in- fluence of the sun as possible. As to the best soil and situation in which to grow Mme. Lambard and how to prune it, the correspondence aflbrds an answer which might be summed up almost in a "Thro'-the-Looking- Glass" kind of phrase, "Any, anywhere, no- how, contrariwise !" While no doubt it is desirable, wherever possible, to grow Roses in good rich loam, I am quite convinced that the Teas in general, and Mme. Lambard in particular, are far less aftected by the consistency of the soil than by the supply of manure. Mme. Lambard will grow and flower freely in any soil or situation in which Roses maybe grown at all, but my experience does not tend to support Mr. Page-Roberts' theory that the flowers come thin because the soil is light. I have grown the Rose on very strong clay, and there the tendency to run to wood and leaf com- plained of by Mr. Mawley was conspicuously apparent ; but the flowers have always been as thin and undersized as any in the garden, more so than those on plants growing in what is literally nothing but sharp sand ; and Captain Christy expressly states that growing it in poor light soil and also in good loam, he has found it to do well in both. Mr. Cocker lays stress on the supply of manure, and Mr. J. A. Williams, I believe, gives the soundest advice in recom- mending that Mme. Lambard be fed well, and be always top-dressed, (.^wing to the too great rapidity with which the flowers open in the sun, a situation considerably sheltered from its rays would seem likely to aflbrd the best chance of obtaining fine flowers, and, consequently, it is a little surprising to find that the Dean of Rochester gives a south wall as the situation on which he would prefer to grow Mme. Lam- bard—a choice in which he is followed by several other growers. In the hope of preventing the too rapid and premature expansion of thoflowcrs, complained of by Mr. Lindsell.I have even gone so far this autumn as to plant Mme. Lambard on a north wall, having found the other aspect mentioned by the Dean of Rochester, namely, east, to be too hot in an ordinary season, al- though probably the best that could be selected in a season like that oi 1888. The question of aspect, however, is only of importance where exceptionally fine flowers are required, since as a garden Rose Mme. Lambard will grow, as has been said above, practically anywhere. The question of pruning is probably a far more important factor in obtaining fine blooms of this Rose than either soil or situation, and on this point there is a direct conflict of opinion —a very unequal conflict as far as numbers go, the proportion being something like six to one. Nevertheless, my own experience leads me with- out hesitation to join the minority. Nearly all the contributors to the discussion say that they would prune hard to obtain tine blooms, yet it does not appear that by this means they attain their end, for they almost without exception refer to the flowers as generally "uncertain," "lacking in size," "disappointing," "unreli- able," or in some such doubtful terms. On the other hand, Mr. Page-Roberts says boldly, "severe pruning does not suit it, either for extra fine flowers or garden decoration," and Mr. J. A. Williams expresses a similar opinion, which I firmly believe to be the correct one. Mr. Mawley tells us that he has always pruned his plants pretty hard, but without obtaining particularly good flowers, and this has been exactly my own experience. Finding that hard pruning answered so well with the majority of the Teas, I continued for several years to prune Mme. Lambard severely, thinking that the in- dift'erent flowers were probably the result of .some accident of the season. At last, however, I got tired of growing magnificent plants that alone of all my Teas never gave me a creditable flower, and I began to jn-une them less, with the result that the flowers improved, though, of course, the hot seasons of 18SU and 1887 were much against so thin a Rose. Last spring I cut half the plants hard back, as formerly, and left the rest entirely unpruned, with the result that from the unpruned plants I obtained the best blooms that I have ever grown of the variety. Of course I shall be told it was the season, but I do not think that would be suflicient to account for the fact that the flowers on the severely pruned plants wore as indifl'erent and under sized as ever, although the plants were splendid At any rate, my own conviction that hard prun ing is not a certain means of securing excep- tionally fine flowers is such that I intend this year to leave all my plants of Mme. Lambard entirely unpruned and await the result, follow- ing Mr. J. A. Williams' plan of manuring heavOy and mulching during the summer. The evidence in Mme. Lambard's favour as a pot Rose seems to indicate that it makes an excellent plant and blooms most ireely under glass, but that when forced the colour of the flowers is liable to be unsatisfactory, as is the case with all Teas that contain two or more distinct shades, such as Mme. de Watteville and others in addition to the variety in question. The two colours in the flower are not distinct and clear as when grown out of doors, but, as it were, run together, which gives the bloom a very muddled, not to say muddy appearance. This, of course, would be against its value in the cut-flower market, although it is interesting to note that Messrs. Cocker, of Aberdeen, re- cord a great and growing demand for cut blooms of the variety. Nevertheless, it is probable that the chief value of Mme. Lambard to the grower for market will iirove to be as a hardy Tea that may be profitably grown in the open ground for the supply of beautifully coloured buds and blossoms late in the season, when Roses good enough for bouquet-work are more scarce than at almost any other time of the year. It is to be hoped that contributors and Rose growers generally may be able to note the be- haviour of their plants in reference to the way in which they are pruned during the coming season, with a view to seeing wliat prospect there may be of establislung the system of pruning by which the best results m.ay be obtained Irom the beautiful Mme. Lambard. Bending down thie shoots of Roses. — I have for several \ears pvactijcd i-ucccfslully the plan of bending down long and strong shoots of 232 THE GARDEN. [March 1G, 1889. Koses for the purpose of inducing them to flower more freely. In the majority of cases the plan answers admirably. My first attempt in this direc- tion was with a vigorous plant of Climbing De- voniensis, which if left alone woidd only have flowered at the points of the shoots, but by bring- ing down the ends to a horizont.al direction a fair proportion of the lower buds break, and if once they start into growtli they are sure to flower. There is a great difference in the behaviour of some Boses with regard to their flowering all along the shoot. The Marechal Niel, as a rule, will do so without any attention, but Gloire de Dijon does not, although it generally flowers so freely that most people are satisfied with it. In the case of a very vigorous plant, however, that has made long, strong growth, the number of blooms may be increased quite one-third by bending down these long shoots in a horizontal direction until the buds are started, when they may be taken up to their j'proper place. Some people cut back these long shoots for the pur- pose of making them flower lower down, but bend- ing down is preferable. Heine Marie Henriette is another Rose that flowers cliiefly on the points of the strongest shoots, especially late in the summer, but if the shoots are trained in the way suggested, there will be blossoms at nearly every bud along the shoot instead of a large bunch of them at the end.—J. C. C. favourites in spring and early summer is to grow them in pots. I cut a number of very beautiful buds and half-opened flowers on February 1-1 this year. We will from two dozen plants continue to cut Roses up to the time they come in out of doors. Their culture is very simple, but they must not be neglected, more especially just as they have finished flowering. Wlien the bloom is gone the plants are very often pushed aside, to make room for some- thing else that is in flower, either on to a back stage away from light and air, or out of doors where they lose nearly all their leaves and require half the season to recover themselves. Tea Roses in pots are better if they are never placed out of doors, b\it if this is necessary, they ought not to go out until the end of May. When under glass the plants ought to be in a light, airy place, and be kept quite free from insect pests and mildew. — J. Douglas. SELECTED ROSES. MADAME GABRIEL LUIZET. It is proposed to ask for the experience of readers of The Gaeden and of Rose growers generally in the cultivation of Madame Gabriel Luizet (Liabaud, 1877), a very beautiful Rose, in dealing with which several somewhat perplexing points not infre- quently arise. The questions to which answers are requested having been slightly altered in one or two details, it is thought better to print them again at length, to save confusion and the trouble of referring back to the issue for the 2nd of February ; they now stand as follows: — 1. What have you found to be the distinctive excel- lences of this Rose both as a plant and as a flower ? 2. On the other hand, what do you' find" to be its defects ? ■ . , ,'',.' 3. As compared with others of its class, have you found it hardy, moderately hiirdy, or tender ? 4. In what soil or situation have you grown it witli most success ? . , . 5. What stock do you find suits it best, or does it do better on its own roots ? . ■ 6. By means of what system of pruning have you succeeded in obtaining (1) exceptionally fine flowers, (2) the most effective general display in the garden ? 7. Have you found it to grow well in pots, and may it he forced easily ? 8. Have you observed any peculiarity of character in this Rose, or any alteration in character as an autumnal since it was first distrihufod ? It is hoped that the substitution in No. 8 for the former question may be tlie means of obtaining some valuable information as to the position as a Perpetual that is now occupied by Madame Gabriel Luizet. Tea Roses.— The Tea Rose has been brought into very prominent notice in the pages of The Garden, and at p.nge 1 85 it is stated that tliis beautiful class of looses is not perfectly hardy in the Vale of Taunton. In our Essex gardens we had considerable difnculty in growing the Tea Roses satisfactorily out of doors. I mentioned this to Mr. G. Paul, of the firm of Messrs. Paul and Sons, Cheshunt, and lie .advised planting tliem on raised beds, the sides of which are formed liy a sloping bank of green turf. This was done and the result has been most satisfactory. We now have abundance of beautiful Roses in summer, and also quite late in the autumn, but, as "J. C. C," suggests, we cannot protect them from east winds in M.-iri'li and April in that way, but I fancy (lie jilantsdo not suffer so much on the raised beds as they do on tlie flat ones. The only way, however, to have a supply of our Orchids. W. H. OOWER. DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM. This beautiful plant is now very fine in many gardens round London, but more especially in country gardens. The fogs in the metropolis this season have so destroyed its flowers, that very few good blooms opened in London before the last week in February, and these I saw with Mr. Cowley, gardener to Mr. Tautz, at Shep- herd's Bush, where numerous examples may be seen heavily laden with large flower.s measuring more than 4 inches across, and with Mr. Laing at Forest Hill the show of this species is superb. This plant flowered with myself for the first time in Europe in the month of March thirty years ago, and passed into the Ruckorian col- lection. It was figured in the Botanical Magazine in the same year as Dendrobium Falconeri var. sepaUs petalisquo obtusiaribus. This abominable name drove the Orchid growers of that time nearly frantic, and deep were the vows made that so fine a plaut should not be so designated. Some few years afterwards a plant from the same imported batch flowered with Dr. Ward, of Southampton; and another from the same importation, which afterwards flowered in Mr. Day's collection at Tottenham, was figured and dedicated to Dr. Ward, and thus was obtained a name for this — one of the most beautiful of all the Dendrobes. D. Wardianum remained a rare plant in gardens for a long time, but about fourteen years ago it was again imported, and this time from Burmah, by the Messrs. Low, of Clapton ; and only a few days ago I noted a grand lot of this species just to hand from the same district in Messrs. Low's establish- ment. This form of the plant is a robust and free grower, flowering in abundance, the blooms in many instances being large and massive, one before me at the present time measuring nearly 5 inches across, the sepals and petals being stout, broad, and waxy white, broadly tipped with amethyst- purple ; lip large, tipped with the same colour as the petals, with a broad blotch of soft yellow at the base, where there are two large oyo-liko spots of rich velvety maroon. This is now the most popular and showy plant, and certainly takes the load of the Assam plant, whicli is mucli nifrre slender in its growth, and, as a rulo, produces smaller flowers, whicli, liowover, .still maintain their reputation for brilliancy of colour. This .species should bo grown by every- one having a warm hcnise, from which, liowever, it requires to bo moved to a lower t^'uiperaturo wlien growth is completed. Itslnmld be fully ex- l)osed to the sun and ke]>t dry, in order to ripen its growth, f(ir it must be boriio in iniml that D. Wardianum flowers upon the ouo-yearolil growtli. Notwitlistauding tlio strong habit of the Burmese form of this plant, I have had several proofs that to compel the plant to grow . erect is wrong, not that it does not produce fine bulbs, because in this respect I see no difference, but in flowering I obsers-e that in every instance the plants when grown in baskets and their pseudo-bulbs allowed to hang down in a natural manner produce fully two-thirds more flowers than those plants with their stems tied up straight. This is a fact well deserving the atten- tion of growers, whether it be those who grow for a display only at home, or those who grow for profit, whilst at the same time the plant when grown in a natural manner invariably produces the finest display. D. Wardianum does not appear to have been very successfully used by the hybridiser, one kind only, D. micans, being recorded as the result of a cross between it and D. lituiflorum. In the form named crassinode Wardianum, a supposed natural hy- brid, said to be well attested, 1 am an utter un- believer, that is if the flower given me from Mr. Tautz's collection is true. In this plant the growth more resembles the Assam form of Wardianum ; the flower now before me does not show the slightest affinity with that of crassi- node. In shape it is exactly like tliat of Wardi- anum ; the sepals and petals and the lip are tipped with amethyst, the base of the lip is light yellow, and the .'ame two maroon-purple blotches ornament the base of the lip. I can- not but think Mr. Tautz's plant is not true, but if it is, I should like to know from whence the inference is drawn that this is a hybrid between the two forms named, my opinion being that it is simply a poor form of Wardi- anum. If any grower has a flower which con- firms the hybrid origin of the plaut, and can spare it, I would be very thankful if he wiU send it to me. SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS. Burlingtonia fragrans is an old BraziHan species, which is remarkable for the powerful odour of its white flowers, which are staiued on the lip with vellow. The perfume resembles that of the White Thorn. Cymbidium ebumeum.— This beautiful large- flowered species still retains its position as the finest of all the white-fiowcred section, and since the more sensible treatment of keeping it cool it has flowered very freely, and in such condition I recently noted it in Mr. Laing's nursery at Forest Hill. — W. Miltonia epectabilis Moreliana is a well- known Brazilian Orchid. The sepals and petals are iutense deep purple, the very large broadly obovate lip being rich deep rose. It is an extremely beautifm plant, and easily cultivated with ordinary stove plants. .'V coloiired plate of this variety was given in The Garden, April 23, 1887 (p. 37'1). OdontogloBBum Cervantesi Morada. — Amongst ninncrous I'xamplcs of this beautiful plant now flowering in Mr. Ta\itz's garilen at Sheplierd's Bush this variety is conspicuous, the whole flower being of a rose colour instead of white, otherwise the markings are .similar to those of the tj'pe. It is ii beautiful varii'ly, aiul is a worthy compauion to O. Rossi majus ami ntluT ciiol house plants. Cymbidium Lowianum.— A bold and hand- some Orchid, wliicli is grown well in Mr. James's nursery at West Norwood under quite cool treat- ment. Large plants are llowcring well, and many plants of Messrs. Low's last importation have grown well and are also pushing up spikes. It produces enormous racemes of showy flowers which continue for many months in full beauty. Dendrobium nobile. — Very fine forms of this plant are now flowering in the Devonshire House collection at Sliiniford Hill. I believe the.se are from recently imported plants, and the intense rich colour of some varieties proves that there are many superb forms yet to come from fresh localities. This old sjiecies still stands high in publii^ estimation, and 1 doubt if any other species could be named in tliis large genus which is so generally useful. — H. March IG, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 233 WAKEHURST PLACE. During the time of Queeu Elizabeth Sussex became faii'ly studded with manorial residences, many of which remain to this day as beautiful and substantial as ever, though hoary and grey with age. Such a house is Wakehurst, the residence of the Dowager Marchioness of Down- shire. It was formerly the seat of a family of the name of Wakehurst, passing from them into the hands of the Culjiepers, by one of whom the present house was erected in 1590. Each age has its distinguishing characteristics, especially in architecture. The prominent features of Elizabethan erections in Sussex are picturesque- ness of outline, many-gabled ends, and general irregularity of form. The materials used were always the best, the natural sandstone for the walls and the thinner layers upon the roof composing the buildings. Tlie walls and roof are covered over with the growth of many Lichens, j'et as storm-resisting, element-defying erections, they are quite fresh and substantial, and will probably outlast the harsh-looking red brick and tile mansions which are springing up upon the fair Sussex landscapes. Wakehurst is in the Hayward's Heath dis- trict, and situated upon a sandstone ridge of exceptional beauty. The whole country round is one vast series of hill and dale, meadow and wood, stream and river. The scenery very much resembles that around Tunbridge Wells, and the comparison is a true one, for here, as there, occasionally huge masses of sandstone rock emerge from the ground and rise up like walls or lie scattered in large masses. Everything tends to show that the whole of this district was at one time a great expanse of forest. The flat hill crests have been partly cleared, the houses erected and surrounded witli many acres of greensward, which is diversified to such an ex- tent that in some parts level ground is a thing unattainable. At Wakehurst the park falls away into deep masses of wood, principally of Oak. Along the sides of the wooded vales, the rocks, overshadowed by hanging masses of trees and always kept moist by the trickling water oozing from countless little springs, are draped with Hymenophyllum tunbridgense. Safe from the hands of the ruthless Fern collector grows this transparent and most elegant gem of BritLsh plant life, while on the sandy surface of the ground large masses of Blechnum are con- spicuous. From the house, which stands in an open, airy situation facing south, a fine view across the park is obtained. The engraving is from a view taken in the pleasure grounds on the offside of a small piece of water, in which Typha latifolia luxuriates. This oblique view conveys the impression that the beaiitiful specimen of Cuprejsus macrocarpa and other masses of shrubs interrupt the fore- ground scene from the house, but in reality they do not, for, as before said, the front view is due south and extends across the park. There are a I'ew creepers on the house, but the softness of these old walls harmonises so well with the surrounding vegetation that they need no screen, and, moreover, it would be a pity to effectually conceal their lichened beauty. A beautiful Garrya ellii)tica clusters against one of the windows, while a Myrtle nestles beneath another. A Wistaria, Escallonia, Banksian Rose, and an Ivy (Riegneriana) conclude the list of things upon the front wall. There is more Ivy on the walls of the carriage front, whilst the porch itself is ^vreathed in a cluster Rose. To the east of the lawn are masses of trees and shrubs, with a quiet walk between. This walk is bordered with Grass verges, and on these are now flourishing young specimens of the best and choicer kinds of coniferous trees. Ivy is used for clothing the stems of dead trees, and surely there is no better way of utilising some of our best Ivies, provided it is done in moderation. Occasionally surprise nooks occur between the trees. One noted had a centre arbour of Hops and some simple beds filled with annuals, such as Love-in-a-mist and Godetias. Another surface is lost, and choice Pears predominate. Pears do remarkably well, and among the best are Doyenne du Comice, Marie Louise, and Louise Bonne of Jersey. The glass erections are not numerous, but suflicient to supply the needs of the place. Grapes and Peaches are well gi'own, one vinery being especially noteworthy. It contained Black Hamburgh in one half and Madresfield Court in the other. The Madresfield Court surprise is aborder in which the old and beautiful ' Vines had an enormous crop of fair-sized, nicely plants, unknown to many modern gardens, find a home, and which, whilst giving little trouble, as each season comes round spring up and flower. finished bunches without cracked berries. The border is an outside one and the treatment the same as for the Hamburghs. Late Grapes were Wula'liurst Place, Sussex. Eiigravoil for Tin-: Gakhen fruni ;i pliotogr.ipli by Messrs. W. and S. Fry, Bri;.,'lit.)ii. Upon a wa'l near this border Jasmine, Ceano- well finished, and chiefly comprised Lady thus, Pyrus, and the Sweet Verbena display Downe's and Black Alicante. In a stove tilled their charms, the Jasmine being a special with useful decorative plants Cypripedium in- favourite, and deservedly so. Choisya ternata signe and Coelogyne cristata were represented is splendid on one of the walls, against which by large pieces grown chiefly for cut flowers. On it clusters. Its gi-owth is not restricted and it the rafter of the greenhouse was a Marechal flowers freely in spring and in autumn when the season is favourable. There was a fine lot of rooted oittings of this desirable shrub under a handlight in the open border of the kitchen garden . Another and almost general accompani- ment of these old residences is a good, well- waUed-in kitchen garden. That .at W-akehurst Niel, which, planted out in 1887, made a shoot 29 feet long. This shoot was only shortened by G feet, and in 1888 the laterals )iut forth flowered so freely, that as manyas five (kzen blooms were cut at one time. It is worked (m the Brier, but own- root Marechals are a'so being tried. Violets are well grown in frames, the kinds found most 13 no exec ption. Not an inch of sp.ace upon its ' s'litab'.o being Marie Loui e, Ncapr-litan, and ^34 THE GARDEN. [March 1G, 1889, Swanley White. In the cool coiiservatoiy the old Vallota purpurea was flowering freely. A. H. Stove and Greenhouse. SCHUBERTIAS. Though these plants were introduced more than lialt a century ago, they are seldom met with. The genus is a very limited one, only two species being in cultivation — S. granditlora and S. graveoleus. Both come from Brazil ; consequently, they require stove heat to grow them. Schubertias may be grown in the form of a busli, or as climbers trained to a pillar or rafter, for which latter purpose their natural twining habit renders them suitable, and in which they are most advantageously seen. The leaves are opposite, the flowers being produced in umbels, and they are fleshy in texture. Those of S. grandiflora are white, whilst in S. graveo- lens they are pale yellow or creamy white. The time of flowering varies according to the manner the plants are treated in the matter of heat. In a warm stove, where enough lieat is kept up through the early months of the year to start them into growth early, the flowers usually appear in the latter part of summer. Where less heat is used they come in during autumn, at which time in most cases they will be found tlie most iiseful, as flowers are leas plentiful then than earlier in the season. Both the species are less rampant in their growth than the majority of stove cliaibers. In small or medium-sized structures, it is a common occurrence to meet with such plants as Allamaudas, P.-i.ssifloras, Thunbergias and Bougainvilleas, that naturally require a good deal of room ; whereas, if kinds that require less room, like Combretum pur- jjureum, Clerodendron splendens, IpomseaHors- fallise, some of the Hoyas, or the Schubertias under notice, were used, they could easily be kept within the space allotted. Schubertias are easily struck from cuttings, but with them, as with many other plants tliat have an abundance of milk-like sap, some dis- crimination is required in the selection of the cuttings. Those that are the most certain of rooting readily consist of young shoots that have been produced from eyes immediately below where a branch has been cut back. If these, when from 4 inches to G inches long, are taken off with a heel, tliey rarely fail to strike. Cuttings of this description can generally be had in spring, sooner or later according to the time the plants have been started into growtli. As in the case of other stove species, it is an advantage to get the plants struck early, for it gives them a longer time in which to gain strengtli. The ciittings should be put singly in small pots in .sand. Stand them in a pi'opa- gating frame or under propagating glasses with bottom lieat, if this is available ; if not, they will do without it. An ordinary stove temperature will suffice, say from 70° to 80°. Shade closely from the sun, and keep the sand quite moist. Tn^ated in this way tliey ought to strike in about six wiicks. As soon as they are fairly rooted expose them to the full air of tlio liouse, .and wlien tlie pots are moderately filled with roots move the plants into others from 4 inches to 0 inches in diameter. The soil that answers best is brown jieat of good (|uality with plenty of fibrous matter in it, sand being added in projiortion to that whicli it contains. For the first potting tliu ]ieat should be ]>assed through a fine-meshed sieve, or broken small by the hand. Keep tin; plants in a similar tem- perature to that in which tliey were struck. Oontinue to shade with thiu material when the weather is bright during the summer. Stand where they will get a fair amount of light, and give air in similar quantity to that wliich an- swers for the generality of stove subjects, be- ing guided by the state of the weather, but never admitting it in such a quantity as to dry the aimosphere too much. Whilst the plants are small they should be stood on a moist bot- tom, under which condition they will make much more progress than if on dry shelves or stages. In all cases shut the air off early in the afternoons, so as to run the temperature up high, and syringe overhead at tlie same time ; the accumulation of sun heat obtained by tlius closing the house early, combined witli the humid atmosphere, produces more growth dur- ing the time that intervenes before darkness comes on than is made during the rest of the twenty-four hours. When the plants have made 8 inches or 10 inches of growbh, pinch out the points of the shoots, for it is better that they should consist of several branches than be confined to a single stem. About July give pots 2 inches larger ; u.se soil of a similar description to that in which the plants were first placed, but not broken quite so fine. As the autumn comes on cease shading, admit more air, and use less atmospheric moisture, by which means the growth will be discouraged and the wood will attain its wonted soliflity. During the winter a temperature such as is usually kept up for stove 23lants that require medium heat will suf- fice. If in February a few degrees more heat is given, it will help them to get an early start, and in this way time wUl be saved, as the ob- ject is to get them up to a size large enough to fill the space they are to occupy without delay, and by securing an early .start they will make proportionately more progress before autumn. But where stove plants are pushed on in heat early in the manner advised, it is necessary that the house in which they are grown should be so constructed as to admit all the lioht that is available, and that they be kept well up to the glass, otherwise the growth will be weak. Where the stove happens to be deficient in light, from whatever cause, it is better not to start the plants until March. As soon as the roots and the top growth are fairly in motion, move the plants to pots 3 inches or 4 inches larger, according to the size they have already attained and the con- dition of their roots. Now use the soil in a little more lumpy state than before, being careful to see that the peat is of a lasting character, for the plants under notice should not be shaken out nor have the soil taken away, so as to interfere with their roots, for years, being treated in this respect much in the way that Stephanotis usually is. The plants .should now be placed so that their shoots can be trained in the space they are to occupy. Though they may be planted out in a bed or boi-der, pot culture is better adapted for them. The treatment in respect to air, water and shade will require to be similar to that which was re- commended for the )ircviou3 season. If all goes well, the plants will flower nicely during the summer, after wliich the shoots maybe shortened more or less according to the space they have to fill. Treat through the winter as bef(U-e. Early in Sfiring, give pots a size or two larger ; when the roots liave got well hold of the new soil, manure water may be given once a week. This season tliey may be expected to flower well. The management rei[uired afterwards is of a routine nature, such as already advised. A little more root room may be given as it seems neces- sary, but much may bo done to keep up the requisite vigour by manure water alone, or by surface dressings of concentrated manure that gets washed down to the roots in watering. Sometimes the plants are discarded after flower- ing once or twice, young stock being grown on to take their place. When these Schubertias are required to be gr(jwn in the form of a bush, it is necessary to resort to frequent stopping during the early stages of growth, and to secure the shoots to sticks inserted in the soil. In this way they will flower nicely, but are not seen to such advan- tage as when trained as climbers. T. B. CHOROZEMAS. These plants, I hope, will again come into favour as greenhouse ornaments, and I, for one, shall be extremely glad to welcome them ; but I think "H. P.," in The Garden, Feb. 2 (p. 93), has fallen into some error in his remarks upon these New Holland beauties. I do not object by any means to his praise of these plants, as he has by no means over-rated tlieir merits, for they are exceedingly beautiful and cheerful in the greenhouse at the present time, while their flowers are well adapted for cutting, their elegant sprays enlivening other things in a glass or vase upon the table. These sprays can in most instances be cut full length without injury to the plants. I object to "H. P." describing C. Henchmanni as a plant with deep green Holly-like leaves. This species always was the rarest of the genus, and I have not seen it, now tor several years, but I always found it to require more care and attention than any other kind, and, moreover, it was the only Chorozeraa that gave me trouble with mildew through the dull days of winter. Nevertheless, I used to have in the old times some handsome specimens of this species, and the C. Henchmanni of those days used to be a plant witli alternate, entire, needle-shaped, or very narrow leaves, more or less downy, which gave the plant a somewhat hoary appearance. This cer- tainly does not correspond with the description of the plant given by " H. P.," but perhaps he has confounded some other plant with it, or perhaps in tlie new arrangement of Australian plants it has been re-christened ; but it it has, I shall always con- tinue to call my old pet by the name under which I knew it so well and for so long a time. I find that "H. P." maintains the popular idea that peat only should be used for growing Chorozem.as, but I can assure him and others of my readers that some of the finest plants which have ever been grown in this country had fully one-fourth of fibrous light loam mixed with the peat. I recently noted several kinds of Chorozemas flowering with Mr. Laing ,at Forest Hill, and also with Mr. Williams at Hollo- way. W. H. G. Clematis indivisa lobata. — I do not think half our gardening friends are aware what a beau- tiful cool greenhouse climber we have in Clematis indivisa lobata. Having received a pressing invita- tion, I called upon the gardener at Norwood Park, the beautiful residence of JIv. fj.K.SIavkey.tosee his splendid plant of the above in full flower. The plant is only three years old with shoots 5 feet long, and covered from etui to end with sprays of beautiful starry flowers. On several sprays 1 counted twenty- four blooms. I consider this iilant one of the best of ourgreenhoH.'ie climbers, for at this time of the year I never h.ave seen a more lieautifiil sight . 1 have also seen it used with good elTect for decoration, the pl.ant h.aving been grown in a (i-inch pot, and the shoots twisted round stakes or wires. Great care must be taken to have the wood thoroughly ripened. For cut flowers it is inv.ahiable, as it can be used to great advantage where a light spray of white llowers is required.— llKNUV MlsiUiYWEATUISlt, The .Xiirscrlfs, Sinilli well. Few know the beauties of this New Zea- land climber, or we should more frequently find il in our gardens. A large plant in a pot, covering a large part of the roof of a green- house in Mr. Laings nursery, is now bearing Mabch 16, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 235 thousands of its pure white starry flowers. It con- tinues in full beauty for a great length of time. Even plants in small pots are covered with flowers. Tliis plant would thrive well in an amateur's un- healed house, and to such I would strongly recom- mend it.— W. H. G. THE AMARYLLIS. I DO not know any reason why "Gantois" should have dragged my name into his article on Ama- ryllis. The information I have always furnished to these pages and to the Gardeners' Chroiiich'., from which he quotes, has been founded on practical ex- perience, and tlie result of my work can be seen in the garden where I have held the oflice of chief for upwards of a quarter of a century. I have also exhibited my plants at the London exhibitions against those of all comers, and I fancy the plants grown by me have not often been beaten in competi- tion ; nor do I ever write under a nom will i-r(|uire to be ke'pt in a close, rather moist situation for a time. In raising Ferns from spores a great point is to save all that make an appearance, and not de- stroy the seed pots until it is evident that the right sort has been obtained, or that there is no further chance of getting it. Surface water- ing should be avoided as much a.s possible until the seedlings are well established ; if standing on a moist bottom and kept well shadeel they will require very little watering. If well watered, once in three or four days will be often enough. It is better to water thoroughly tliaii to be continually sprinkling the surface. DivLsiONs. — Some of the Adiantums, the Davallias, Nephrolepises, Polypoeliums, and a few of the Pterises may be readily increaseel by dividing old plants. It is sometimes recom- mended that this should be done wliile the plants are in a dormant state, but I have gene- rally found it best to divide the plants after they have started into active growth. If done carefully the young fronels will not sufter, and the plants start again much better than wheti disturbed while they were inactive. A great point is to prepare the plants beforehand. Those that have been standuig long and have become pot-bounel should have the surface soil removed and some good fresh soil aelded. If this is elone, some new roots will be maele on the surface, which will be a great help in giving the divisions a start. Another important point is that when the elivisions are made, care should be taken that it is done where the plants are not exposed to colel draughts. Everything should be in readi- ness, so that no delay occurs. They should be potted, watered, anel placeel in a close shady position as quickly as pos.sible, A. Garden Flora. PLATE 692. HIMALAYAN DAISIES. (WITU A COLOURED PLATE OF ASTER STR.VCHEVI.*) It is only within the last few years that any of tho Himalayan species of this popular genus have been cultivated in our gardens, and al- though not more than half of the varieties have yet been introduced, they form an extremely interesting gremp, and are certainly a decided acquisition to those we already have. The dwarf habit of thefe Himalayan Daisies makers them valuable for the rock garden, whore they fit iu so harmoniously witli the alpines anel other dwarf plants. They are all found in the temperate regions of the Himalayas, a few at very high elevations, and all have jiroved as hardy as our native plants. Over their new American allies they have a dceideel advantage, and that is their habit of flowering early. This takes place during tho summer and early autumn, tho best of the flowers being p.ast long before there is any fear of autumn frosts. To the ardent lover of hardy flowers it is, to say the least, tantalising to get all his flowers de- stroyed iu a single night and almost before ho has hael any return whatever for labour, i*ic. , ho lias bestowed upon them. These late Ameii- can species can only bo grown successfully in nice sheltered spots, where the chances are all in their favour, instead of in the bh'ak beirder, where tho first frost leaves them a total wreck. The Indian kinds certainly have an advantage. They are just as easily managed anel increaseel from division or seeds as Their American con- geners. A. niPLosTEPiiioiDES. — As a show ]>lanl for tlic (lower border or rockery, this species is by far the * Diiiwii tor TlIK (Iari)KN by 11. G. Moon in the linyal (liinlc'iis, Ki'w,.lum' I, If^MS. Lithnjjviijihe'd auel priiil'"! I'V (liiilhiuni'.' Se've'ro.viis. w a < C/] Pd W 00 < O < CO o < 02 March 10, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 241 most beautiful of the Indian section. It was recently introduced into cultivation by Mr. H. J. Elwes, and since then by various collectors, so that at present it is fairly plentiful. In a shady border in rich peaty soil, and when well established, it has a noble appearance, more attractive even, if possible, than the charminfj Amellus varieties. The stems are erect, from 6 inche.s to 2 feet in height, leafy ; the leaves sessile, broad, lance-shaped, and entire. The flower-heads are solitary, from 2 inches to 4 inches in diameter, and rich bright lilac, with a golden disc. Alpine Himalayas, 112,000 feet elevation, and flowering throughout the summer. A. PsEUDAMELLUS.— This is Said to be a most beautiful species, resembling A. Amellus of gardens, but the forms we have seen so far have been very poor, and not to be compared with the above popular species. It is of bushy habit, from 6 inches to 18 inches in height, the stems bearing numerous corymbose heads of medium-sized bluish purple flowers, from 1 inch to IJ inches in diameter; leaves oblong, blunt, and obscurely toothed. It differs from Amellus chiefly in its smaller flowers and leafy bracts. Western Himalayas, 13,000 feet elevation, and flowering August and September. A. Stbaciieti. — This pretty little species is of very recent introduction, the seeds having been re- ceived at the Royal Gardens, Kew, from the Saha- runpore Botanic Garden, about four or five years ago. It is as yet a rare plant in the trade ; at any- rate we have not met with it outside the gardens at Kew, although a veritable gem for cre\-ices on the rockery. It is certainly one, if not the most remark- able of the whole Aster tribe, and, as may be seen from the accompanying characteristic illustration, is of a rambling ilisposition, and plentifully sup- plied with Strawberry-like runners. The majority of the Asters, as cultivators well know who have them in cramped borders, have underground stolons or ruimers which are always a source of trouble. The corresponding stolons or runners in the above species, however, proceed from the rambling or branching rootstock, exactly in the same way as Strawberry runners, and form independent plants at the point of contact with the soil. An established plant, owing to these stolons having crossed and recrossed each other, presents a curious intricate network of brown stems, more especially noticeable in winter, when the leaves have died off. After a short time these stolons may be cut from the parent, and the young plants, if carefully lifted, will make strong flowering specimens for the fol- lowing year. It is a ready means of increase, and disposes of the objectionable, yet often necessary and disastrous, method of tearing a plant to pieces to get a small piece for a friend. The whole plant is more or less hairy, and rarely more than 1 inch to 3 inches or 4 inches in height, the lower leaves oval, spathulate, with a few distinct teeth on their margins. The flowers, produced in the greatest abundance from estaVilished plants, are about the average size of those of the Michaelmas Daisy, the involucre Ijracts few, scarcely overlapping, all about one length, and usually narrow and pointed. Native of the Western Alpine Himalayas, Kumaon, &c., 13,000 feet elevation, flowering with us in early summer. It is perfectly hardy in the open air, and forms a charming rockery subject where it thrives best in semi-shady spots. A. Thomsosi is pretty common in the temperate regions of the Himalayas, and is a charming plant either for the rockery or the mixed border. It was first, we believe, known in the trade as a Calimeris, until identified as something new to cultivation by the Rev. W. Dod, who obtained the above name from the Kew herbarium. It is one of the most distinct and interesting species from those regions, and may be distinguished chiefly by its broadly oval, coarsely toothed foliage and neat dwarf habit. The stems are herbaceous, 1 foot to 2 feet in height. We apparently have the dwarf form in cultivation, as some forms attain 3 feet in their native habitat. The leaves are of medium size, thin in texture, and cla.sping the stem, oral, with coarsely serrated margins, the lower leaves 3 inches to 4 inches long, and half as broad ; flower-heads few, in some forms in a lax corymb, but usually solitary, from 1 inch to 2 inches in diameter ; ligules broadish, bifid, lilac, disc yeUow; involucre leafy, hardly overlapping, narrow, and pointed. The whole plant is more or less hairy, giving it a whitish green appearance. It flowers from July to the be- ginning of October, and may be increased by divi- sion or seeds. A. teicephalus is also a comparatively new species, resembling in habit A. pyrenrcus and sibiri- cus, but a more useful species for the flower border. It is most nearly allied to A. himalaicus, a curious species, which we only once had the pleasure of seeing; indeed, A. tricephalus was at flrst con- sidered merely a more developed form of A. hima- laicus, but this view is not held by the author of the name. We learn that it has been in the collec- tion at Kew for some years, and although very beautiful, it is also very troublesome in a restricted area. The stems from the creeping rootstock, varying from I foot to 3 feet in height, are leafy, and bear one to four large showy flowers. The ligules, varying from forty to fifty, are of a rich purple-blue, and the flowers are produced freely from the beginning of July to the end of August; leaves oval, spathulate, usually hairy, with entire margins. Sikkim Himalaya, 14,000 feet elevation, and quite hardy in the open border. A. TBiNERVins. — This is an old friend under a new name (it having been known under all the following : A. scaberrimus, Benthami, asperriraus, Galatella asperrima, and Diplopappus laxus). It is a near .ally of the well-known A. sikkimensis, and a much more desirable plant for the flower border, as the habit is neater, the flowers larger, and more numerous. The stems vary from 2^ feet to 4 feet in height, and bear large, loose, corymbose heads of white or pale bluish purple flowers over an inch in diameter; leaves about 3 inches or 4 inches long, lance-shaped, the margins coarsely toothed. Native of the Central and Western Himalayas, Sikkim, &c., at 7000 feet; the Khasya Mountains at 0000 feet elevation; and also Japan and China. The name is apt to be confounded with that of another species known as A. trinervis, belonging also to the Galatellas ; the plants, fortunately, are totally dis- tinct. Flowers from the end of August to October. D. K. Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAN. DISBUDDING AND THINNING PEACHES. When experience has taught us that Peaches often set as thickly as Blackberries, and fruit- bearing shoots produce as many buds .as leaves, we at once realise the importance of relieving the trees, not only of tlieir superfluous fruits, but also of tliree-fourths of tlieir young growths. Thinning and disbudding are operations which demand our attention early in the spring, and falling so closely together, tliey are carried on conjointly and piecemeal until every fruit re- tained can swell to maturity, and each shoot left will have ample room for the full development of its foliage. Although fruit equal to the finest in the world is grow in tliis country, our uncer- tain climate compels us to p.ay most careful attention to every trifling detaU, but time and labour would bo thrown aw.ay were we to neg- lect the two I have tacked together as the heatl- ing to this jiaper. It has been proved over and over again that the plain simple system of fan training is the best, that perpendicular leaders are out of place in Peach trees ; also that the fr.auiework of the young tree can only be formed by most careful and judicious disbudding. Un- like all other trained stone fruit trees, the crop from Peach spurs cannot be relied upon ; conse- quently, no matter how large or old the tree may be, it is still necessary to keep it evenly furnished with young shoots fur succession. As m.any of these are cut out immediately after tlie croj) is gathereil, the cultivator is const^vntly engaged in the management of two distinct sets of slioots, and a3 crowding would prevent their develop- ment and proper ripening, his most important annual operation is timely disbudding. The next point to be considered is the time to disbud, the conditions which should be our guide, .and the mode of procedure when the tree is suffi- ciently advanced. If, from overcropping or root-pruning, it breaks weak and the growths do not start away freely, disbudding should be de- ferred until the roots and slossoms and leaves tiiey often cause during strong winds. A. Baekbr. Apple Ribston Pippin. — This fine old dessert Apple appears, from a recent correspondence in tlie Gardeners' ClirimicU to have been originally raised from seeds imported from Normandy about the year IIJS.S or ITOO, according to good authority. The old tree was seen in August, 17.87, by Har- greaves, who, in his " History of Kn.'iresborougli," says that tlie tree was evidently on the decline in vigour, although it bore a fair crop of fruit As a seedling tree it was never grafted, and to that fact is due the corollary that a sucker from the original seedling is alive to-day. Hence, if our facts are correct, we have to-day alive in an English gar- den a seedling Apple tree two centuries old. This is in itself not at all a bad argument against the eternal propensity for splicing every plant on some- thing else as a stock, wliich has now become a sort of innocent, but not harmless mania. No doubt there are old seedling Pears near old religious foundations equally old or even older but where shall we look for grafted fruit trees two centuries old like the Ribston Pippin Apple ?— F. W. B. "THE FRUIT GROWING REVIVAL. PRACTICE V. THEORY. As the cultivation of fruit is at present engaging the attention of growers for market, the following from the South Eastern Gazette may be of interest to our readers : — " I notice that in a recent issue of your journal you have, under the above title, a leader in which refer- ence is made to a recent article on the subject in the Nineteenth Century, and you rightly express your doubts as to the profits named therein. " It is a pity that such misleading statements are published, as many may be induced to invest their money in hope of getting good profits, only to lose it if they are inexperienced in fruit growing. In the article referred to, Mr. Morgan makes the extra- ordinary statement tliat Apple trees in the third year from planting will yield 4s. a tree, or £lJO an acre, if planted 300 to the acre, which is too thick for trees to remain. Now out of over thirty sorts which I have tested, and which include the prin- cipal varieties, and also include three out of the four sorts he names (the one not included being Blenheim Orange, because it is notoriously unfruit- ful when young), out of these sorts not one pro- duced on an average quite 2d. per tree the second or third years, and this was the gross price, out of which had to be deducted cartage and railway carriage, commission, manure, rent, taxes, picking, and labour cultivation. Certainly, prices were low, as they frequently are, and they are never very high, for foreign competition prevents this even in un- favourable seasons, when there is scarcely any crop. This year prices were better, and trees of the sorts he named, and which are now some six and seven years planted, made as follows : Cox's Orange Pippin, 8d. per tree (this is the best dessert Apple) ; Warner's King about 2d. per tree, and Stirling Castle 5d. per tree. I have sorts which pay better, and I have grubbed up and replaced Stirling Castle, because it bears so much that it will not grow into a large tree, the Apples on it being like ropes of Onions most years. It is suitable for small gardens where a dwarf tree is desired. Small trees mean small profits. My figures are reliable, for every year I add up the amount received for each variety of fruit and divide it by the number of trees that I have of each sort, and so I know exactly how much each variety produces. By this method, though troublesome to attend to in the busy season of the year, I know just which varieties are the most profitable to plant. I do not know any other market grower who does this. Tlie prices are taken from market returns, and not from fancy prices. It is easy to make these things appear very profitable on paper. " Of the four sorts of Pears that Mr. Jlorgan names, Louise Bonne and Marie Louise canker too much on most soils to be profitable. Williams off standard trees in England, although of a very fine flavour, do not come large and clear, and in compe- tition with heavy arrivals from France they fetch low prices, and this sort must be discarded in favour of improved varieties. Of the remaining variety, Pitmaston Duchess, a large Covent Garden sales- man informed me a few days ago that he had seen half sieves of large and fine English Pitmastons sold at very low prices. Pears have sold very badly this last season, but all these things have to be taken into account, and fruit when grown has to be sold even if it is at a loss. I may add tliat tlic soil of my fruit farm is very suitable for fruit growing, and that it is well manured and cultivated. It is a matter for regret that those who take upon themselves the office of being 'teachers of babes and instructors of the public' should make such wild and unguarded statements as have been made during this winter, and the remark that you make, ' We are afraid that many who plant under these conditions wiU be rather disappointed,' is quite true. There is not much prospect of improvement in the profits of fruit growing until agriculture, as a whole, is more profitable, for directly any one fruit pays at all well, even for a single year, immense quantities of that sort are immediately planted by farmers in this district, who are anxiously looking out for some- thing that is profitable to grow, and in a few years the supply is so large that prices fall. A few years ago it was Black Currants that were planted, and prices have fallen to about half what they were. Last winter it was Cob Nuts. This, it is large Apples and Gooseberries. Apples sold very well at the commencement of the season, but now have fallen very low. I believe I read in the South Eastern Gazette that Mr. Bunyard said that £110 per acre was made by Apple growing. I should be very glad to have proof that anything like that sum has been made on an average during the last seven years, even by a single acre. If it is true, I wonder Mr. B. does not plant his many acres with Apple trees. I suppose raising trees for sale is more profitable." Yen- Tree Farm, Leeds. Waltbk Keusb. The fruit crop. — It is rather early to say much respecting the prospects of a crop of fruit. Apples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries promise well, but I can- not say the same for Peaches and Nectarines, the buds on which on open walls look very small and pinched, showing clearly that last season was too cold and wet for the trees. Not only are the buds unsatisfactory, but the wood is green, and should the flowers be perfect when they open, of which I am very doubtful, it is to be feared that they will not set. Bush fruits look all right, and Straw- berries have good crowns — that is, those that were planted in 1887; but young ones of last year are not strong, neither are those in pots, as they made little headway till the autumn. Our stock, both for indoors and out, consists almost entirely of British Queen. We only have Keen's Seedling and Vicomtesse for early work, and Waterloo and Elton for late use. — S. D. Apples and Pears in north, of Ireland.— I, with many others no doubt, am much interested in yourremarks relative to the best sorts of Apples to grow. I think your list is a very good one and ought to satisfy any reasonable grower. But now-a-days the catalogues are so nicely got up, and contain so many new names with plausible de.scriptions, that the new hand cannot refrain from adding to his list of varieties. The only sensible way to plant an orchard that may turn out satisfactory is to find out the Apples or Pears that do best in the neigh- bourhood in which the new plantation is to be made, choose as few sorts as possible and stick to them. Surely, it is better to have a dozen trees of one good bearing kind than to have a dozen difiierent ones that bear only moderately, or not at all. Reinette du Canada grows well wilh me, and bears most plentifully every year (and this in the cold climate of the north of Ireland), yet I hardly ever see it mentioned. It is a pretty Apple, of very good size, keeps well, eats and bakes well, and in my case is a most abundant cropper. I planted the tree a few years since, and it never misses. I got some Golden Pippin grafts sent to me from America last year ; they are growing well, and I believe will fruit this year ; but if, as some of your correspon- dents aver, this sort does not come true from a graft, I shall be disappoiutcil. Still I have the best three sorts in the world — the Irish Peach, Cox's Orange Pippin, and the Blenheim Orange Pippin. One follows the other to perfection. — Richard Nivek, I'hrome JliU, Lhlnini, in Field. Thinning the heads of fruit trees. — " E. H." in Thk Garden, JIarch 2 (p. IWs), says: — If i\w in'unini; of orchard trot-s \\'oro dono upon poinmfm-si'u.so principli'S, tliori' wuuld nm'iT hi-' any fairots to tie up from tlu> iiruiiiuix.'j, and tlio iroos would not suffer from the currt'iit nf cold air wliich always liajipcns when a severe tliinning lias taken ]»laci'. T look upnii it as absolute cruelty to tliiu severely any iieplected fruit tree us is sometimes done. The eold wind rushes in and the tree is injured for 244 THE GARDEN. [Mauch 10, 1889. years. The true remctly fur neglect is to spread the work over several years, to miuimise the check. I do not believe that any such terrible results as are pictured would happen. Nay, I am sure they would not. And so far from advising persons who have dense-headed fruit trees to be careful in thinning, I should advise hard thinning whilst about it rather than doing the work by halves. I ha\e done plenty of hard thinning, and have seen plenty of it done, but never found other than good to result. A tree which by reason of its shock- headedness has become stunted in growth needs a vigorous restorer, and none is better than a hard thinning. The encouragement given to make new growth helps to develop now root action. The tree will rarely bear appreciably the first year after such drastic treatment, but the second year usually sees a good crop of fine fruit, and very moderate thin- ning will suffice henceforth. — A. D. WORK IN FRUIT HOUSES. Pines. Assuming that all the early Queens which have not started into growth are now throwing up their fruit, and the soil, hitherto kept on the dry side, has been carefully, but not elaborately watered, it will be necessary to help them forward by daily attention to the most trifling matters of detail. March and the early part of April being so changeable, no fixed day and night temperatures can yet be decided upon, but, provided the weather is fairly good, the minimum should range about 70°, not less, unless nights are very cold, and the temperature by day from 80° to 85° when sun heat favours ventilation. As some of the most forward fruits will now be in flower, a little air should be put on early in the morning and shut off early in the afternoon, whilst atmospheric moisture from damping the walls, floors, and surface of the bed must be regularly, but moderately produced, as these succulents do not set kindly when the air is charged to satura- tion. Once tlie flowering stage is passed the roots will take more frecjuent supplies of tepid liquid guano or soot water, and light dewing overhead with pure soft water about 2.30 on fine afternoons niay be practised. If the sun is bright and the pipes are moderately warm, this syringing should be preceded by quick closing in time to run up to 90° for an hour or two, and as this is the period of progress the evaporating pans should be filled with clear liquid, not too strong, or guano water, and a little of the same, still further reduced, may be syringed into the axils of the lower leaves in which stem roots are now working. These figures, of course, apply to fine, genial days and mild nights, when growth may be accelerated without drawing the leaves or crowns, but during spells of less favourable weather, the temperature all round should range a few degrees lower. As the young fruits swell, it may be necessary to keep them up- right by means of sticks carefully inserted into the soil, as nothing looks worse than a ripe Pine with its crown out of the perpendicular; gills, too, must be removed, and if more than two suckers appear on each or any of the plants, they must be reduced to this number, those left naturally the strongest and best. Dry fire-heat being baneful to the roots, foliage, and fruit, the last, but not least import-ant point to which I must draw attention is the fer- menting niat(!rial used as a plunging medium. The heat from tliis should range about 85° at the base of thcpols,but not unmindful of the fiict tliat hot-water pipes lying in rubble have a drying tendency, I would suggest close examination by lifting a pot here and tljere, and if it is found that the leaves or tan have Ijeen robbed of their sweet, invigorating moisture, it should be restored, not by turniiig tlie bed, but by the aiijilication of tepid water or dilntcd liquid at short intervals until the lowest stratum is as moist as the soil in the pots. Surres.i!imjrui/i:rs from which the first batch of fruiting jilants were selected, quickened by in- creased bott om heat and moisture early in February, will now be on the move, and although the m.ajority of them will make a growth before they throw up, they may be treated precisely the same as the early Queens. Days having increased in length and brightness, it is just possible the plants may re- quire more water at the roots, and atmospheric moisture in proportion to solar heat must be in- creased. If any of the plants start without making a growth, and a corresponding number in the early compartment have missed, now is the time to make an exchange, that is, where this step is thought desirable. Otherwise there is no reason why they should not remain, as these non-growers form a sort of connecting link between the two batches, a very important matter where a constant supply is im- perative. Strong successions transferred to fruiting pots last month having been kept rather close and moist, will now be taking to the new soil, a condition easily perceptible to the practised eye. If the bottom heat from moist tan or leaves has ranged about 85° and atmospheric moisture moderate, they will hardly yet require water, but they must be examined, and if found dry a few inches below the surface, a little pure water at a temperature of 80° will do them no harm. Growth of root being of more importance than that of the leaves, at least for the present, the air temperature should range 60° to G5° at night, 75° to S0° on fine days, and 85° for a short time after closing, when atmospheric moisture will be found preferable to overhead syringing. Air may be given with a rising glass at 70° and gradually increased up to 80°, when it should be diminished and shut oflE altogether in time for the rise on fine afternoons. Melons. If all has gone well, the earliest plants, divested of their leading points, will now be showing fruit at every lateral. Of these, not more than two, or at most three, will be allowed to swell to maturity, but knowing how important is an e\'en start, all should be fertilised in order to secure the choice of the requisite number that will run evenly through the early stages. If plants in 12-lnch pots are lounged close together, space for laterals will be extremely limited ; consequently very close pinch- ing will be necessary. We sometimes pinch each lateral close home to the tiny fruit the moment it can be seen, and in this way prevent crowding, as so often happens when this operation is deferred until the Melons are set and swelling. To the un- initiated this sharp practice may appear fatal, but really it is not, as another lateral is found growing from the base of the fruit by the time it is ready for fertilising. This lateral later on is pinched at the first joint, all succeeding spray is removed, and in this way the true cordon form is retained, as we have but two primary leaves attached to each fruit- bearing side shoot; whilst those from which super- fluous fruits have been removed are kept pinched to the first joint from the main stem. Where space is abundant and each plant has plenty of room, we allow all the laterals to grow until the fruit is set, and tlien shorten to one joint in advance; but taking into account the check and waste of force, the gain in size is imperceptible. These remarks apply to plants from which very early fruit is the leading object, but are altogether out of place where Melons are grown upon the extension prin- ciple. When Melons commence opening their flowers the heat should be slightly increaseil to 70° at night and 80° by day ; no w.ater should touch the plants, but atmospheric moisture should be regularly sup- plied when bright sun favours ventilation. A sharp bottom-heat also is an important factor ; hence the advisability of renovating the fermenting m.atcrial some time in advance of the flowering stage, when the olil-fashioned method of drying tlii^ roots and ushering in red .spider is quite unnecessary. When tlic fruit Is swelling ireely, each Melon should be sujiiiorled on a small [jiece of lattice wire or board fastened to tlie trellis ; heat and moisture may be given ad lib, ; toi)-dre.s.sings of stifT loam and bonc- ilust must be .applied in thin solid layers, and warm diluted liquid, soot, and guano water, without wetting the stems, must be given freely and alter- nately. Successions from later sowings may be jiut out in pots or upon ridges for keeping up the supply as often as compartments become vacant. Good tropi- cal heat top and bottom, plenty of moisture and an abundance of light are the main points ; but these will not suffice unless the house is kept free from filth and insects and proper attention is paid to ventilation. Manipulation under the different methods of culture is always the same, but the soil as the season advances may be heavier than that recommended for early plants put out in January. A stiff calcareous loam enriched with bone dust, old mortar, burnt refuse, or charcoal used in a dry state and made very fine answers best for pots or hills ; but lighter soils may be made useful by the addition of marl and a little very old cow manure free from worms or the larva3 of insects. If the presence of any of these pests is suspected, the manure may be baked or well dusted with soot before it is added to the compost. Manure beds lor pits and frames. — If the beds made up last month are still very hot, and the plants in the nursing frame are quite fit for turning out, a few 4-lnch or 6-inch drain pipes laid across the centre and left open at each end will prevent the scalding or burning of the soil forming the lower parts of the ridges, which, by the way, can- not be made too narrow at the base at the outset. When these pipes are laid and the whole of the surf ate has been faced with 2-inch sods or turves to keep down steam, the plants may be put out as soon as the soil is warm enough. As frame Melons do not require one-fourth of the soil frequently given to them. It is a good plan to fix two rough boards a foot or more in width on their edges, and about 18 inches apart, before the roots require soiling. The drain pipes, by this time having served their pur- pose, may be buried, but the sods must remain to prevent an influx of steam when the linings are renovated. Good covering with dry mats every night Is imperative. Cherbies. If the trees in the earliest house are not already in flower and setting they will soon be approaching that stage, when direct syringing must be dis- continued, but the house being light, airy, well ventilated, and properly heated, the floors and walls may be moderately moistened early in the morn- ing and again about three p.m. on fine days. The roots, too, must be examined, and if at all on the dry side a nice watering with clear water quite equal to the maximum temperature of the house will put this matter right until after the fruit Is set. Another preliminaiy operation is fumigation, no matter whether green-fly is perceptible or not, as no amount of attention to fertilisation and other details can prevent a serious check where a single aphis is in ambush when the first flower opens. As all stone fruits, the impatient Cherry included, set best under a slightly increased maximum tempera- ture, that by day may range about G0°, with gentle warmth in the pipes and a free circulation of air. On bright sunny days it may run a little higher, but the fixed figure 45° should be touched through the night. It is not a good plan to commence artificial fertilisation too early, but when the trees are in full flower and pollen is plentiful the brush may be advantageously used about noon on fine days. When the fruit is set the trees may be syringed twice a day, the first time when the tem- perature is rising and touches 50°, and again about three p.m., when the ventilators are closed. If the trees are of full age, and a good set has been secured, the borders may be well uuilched with rotten manure or the remains of an old Mushroom lied, which must be copiously washed in with tepid water, diluted liquid, whilst the manure is fresh, being reserved for the evaporating jians and floors. Young trees will hardly re(|uiro stinuilants until •after the fruit is stoned, l)ut once tliis trying stage is got over, weak liquid soot or guano water passed througli a moisture-retaining covering of fresh stable litter will tell f.-ivourably \ipon the quality of the fruit. Disbudding and thinning in due covirso will require attention, and conjointly with these operations a sharp eye must be directed to the detection of grub. All insecticides being lost upon these destructive crcatmes, the oidy mode of IMARcn 16, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 245 saving tlie crop is catching and killing or piiicliing the closely folded leaves. THE HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. The buds upon Peach trees being somewhat later and, I am sorry to have to say, less prominent and plentiful than usual, we have not forced forward the nailing in, but this work is now nearly finished, and we are hoping almost against hope for a full set of fruit. Trees of mature age, which bear well and are root-pruned every year, are carrying an abundance of flower-buds, but young ones, which annual lifting barely restrains, held leaves on their points till Christmas, and now look more like making wood than fruit. So far there is no sign of bud-dropping, a fact which goes far towards proving that immaturity is not the invariable cause of this distressing defect in Peach houses. A very clever old Scotch gardener, with whom I once lived, often told me dropping was caused by over- ripening the wood, and this theory to a certain ex- tent was right, but it would not have been had the trees under glass been abundantly supplied with water. When trees get too high a temperature, too little air, and not enough water, the buds, as in 1888, ripen before they are properly formed, when dropping in due course follows. Buds, on the other hand, which have not had sufficient heat to perfect them, favoured with a kind winter like the past and a good spring, not unfrequently set fairly well, but they must not be hurried ; hence the import- ance of retarding until danger from sudden checks is left behind. The spring so far is in our favour, and, provided this calm, dry, seasonable weather continues a little longer, I see no reason why fair crops of fruit may not be secured from well- managed trees in all fairly good gardens. The main factor now undoubtedly is time for steady development, and this to some extent may be pro- longed by light shading on bright sunny days, but once the flowers begin to open, the walls must be allowed to absorb all the sun heat possible, for the two-fold purpose of ripening and setting the pollen at liberty and repelling frost through the night. Protection from wet and the prevention of radia- tion being powerful aids, the copings of glass or wood, i.e., broad boards, this year should be fixed with the greatest possible care. General work.— The protection of trees of various kinds, from the noble Royal George Peach on the south wall to the humble bush on the open quarter, will of course require daily attention, and materials of the rudest kind calculated to prevent radiation will be brought into play, but beyond these matters work for the next few weeks will be comparatively light. Planting, staking, and mulch- ing of course must be brought to a close, and the preparation of sticks, st.akes, and shreds for summer use will give employment on wet days. Straw- berries may still be planted when the ground is dry and friable, and rather long stable manure as it can be obtained may be placed amongst old plants for the twofold purpose of keeping in moisture and protecting the ripe fruit from grit. If well charged with ammonia, so much the better for the plants, as there is ample time for washing and bleaching, when this less valuable material becomes quite as sweet as new straw. If the jiruning of Filberts has been deferred, it may now be taken in hand, care being observecl in the retention of a fair sprinkling of male catkins for fertilising purposes. Last, but not least important, is the weekly collecting of soapsuds from the laundry for syringing over the various kinds of fruit trees whose flower buds are compar.atively dormant. Here this che.ap manurial wash has been used for a great number of years, and we find it most effective in the destruction of Moss, Liclien, and the larva: of insects, whilst the soda carried down to the roots supplies a want much felt in fruit- sick soils. The grafting of young stocks of Apples and Pears must now be pushed forward, but ageii trees need not be taken in hand before April. The heads of these, as a matter of course, were cut back some weeks ago, and suitable wood for scions has been laid in on a cool shady border. Some people graft Cherries and Plums, but budding in August answers best, and forms the neatest union. Whichever plan is adopted with these or kernel fruits, the young stocks should be worked close to if not below the surface of the soil. W. C. finest varieties, Including the far-famed Ribston Pippin.— W. C. The Madresfield Apples.— Having read Mr. Crump's interesting and instraotive remarks (p. 198) upon his mode of selecting pips or kernels as well as the manipulation of his stocks, I lose no time in thanking him for his courtesy. Whether soil, situation, stocks, or their preparation sepai'ately or collectively, produce the satisfactory result, I must say brighter, finer or kinder young trees cannot be met with in any trade nursery in the kingdom. To Mr. Crump's guiding hand an) asserts that I am wrong in describing Mikado and Turner Hybrid as two dis- tinct varieties, but is ho quite sure uf his facts? They evidently originated from the same cross, but I am under the impres.sion the true Mikado is a pale pink variety, wlierea4* Turner Hybrid is of a deep red colour, and, as far as appearance goes, must be considered the best. According to information received from American correspondents, Turner Hybrid wjis selected from Mikado by Mr. Burpee in 1881, the original packet containing the two forms having been received from Mr. J. W. Turner, Iowa. The selection was sent out during the following year. If this should prove March 16, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 249 to be incorrect, the question arises, which form is to be considered the true Mikado, synonym Turner Hybrid? In this country the pale pinlc form is known as Mikado, but I received my stock from New Jersey and Ontario. Among the plants grown in 1887, I found one with fruit of a deep rich red colour, the foliage not differing from that of the type. This I have fixed, and propose sending plants for trial to Chiswick this season. Shall I be justified in attaching what name I please to the undoubtedly valu.able selection, or must a new name be found for the pale pink form ? This (the pink form) grown in the open air in a favourable season produces very heavy crops of exceptionally large fruit which good judges pro- nounce of very superior quality. My selection is equally prolific in the open, does well under glass where Mikado fails, while the fruits are of better form and nearly as fine in size and quality. — W. I. Societies and Exhibitions. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. Maech 12. The meeting at the Drill Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last, was thoroughly spring-like and worthy of the month of March. Halt the pleasure of such an interesting and beautiful exhibition is thrown away by the gloom and coldness of the hall. It was a positive discomfort to remain long in it on Tuesday, although there was much to see. First-cla^s certificates went to the following: — Peimeose Blue Gem. — In our report of the last meeting we expressed an opinion that this Primrose ought to have received a certificate. This was given to it on the present occasion. Since then its name has been wisely changed from True Blue to Blue Gem. It is not true blue, if we take a Nemophila as typical of this colour, but it is the very bluest we have ever seen. It is more of an ultramarine-blue, with a distinct shade of violet, made richer and more striking by the orange centre and very thin margin of white to the whole flower. Scott Wilson is a pretty variety, but not so decided in its shade of blue as this beautiful novelty of Mr. R. Dean, the exhibitor. It is free, hardy, and apparently very robust. Am.^etllis John Ruskix. — A noble variety, with a flower almost as perfect, if not quite, as that of the variety Nonpareil. It has the breadth and firmness of petal, strength of habit, and free- dom of the finest types of the florist's Amaryllis. The colour is of a scarlet shade. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea. CyjIBIDIUlI EBURNEO-LOWIANUM.— This is the awkward name of a garden hybrid, a cross, we pre- sume, between C. eburneum and Lowianum. The result is a flower about the size of that of eburneum and of a 'soft buff colour, brighter and more pleasing than the somewhat dreary olive-brown of Lowianum, the rich colouring in the lip of which is in part retained in the variety. The tip of the column and the front of the labellum are both of a dull crimson.'and two rich yellow ridges run into the throat of the lip. The spike bore three blooms, and a well-flowered specimen should be unusually showy. The growth is similar to that of eburneum. From Messrs. Veitch and Sons. CliviaLadyWolverton. — This strikingly hand- some variety should prove a valuable stove plant. The specimen shown had two immense umbels con- taining a number of well-shaped, spreading and light scarlet flowers, each of which was unusually large. From Mr. Davidson, Iwerne Minster House Gardens, Salisbury. Chinese Peimula Impeeial White.— An ex- cellent variety of the Chinese Primula, as far as can be judged from two or three plants, and more useful even than the old double white. It is just as free, has large flowers, which are pure white save a suspicion of blush, and of perfect sh.ape. The growth is robust, though not at the expense of flowers. .': From Mr. Owen, of Maidenhead. Cypril'EdiumRothschildianum. — This magni- ficent Lady's Slipper is finer than the more recently introduced EUiottianum, to which it may be com- pared, though the flowers are much larger and hand- somer. It first flowered, we believe, last year in the nursery of Mr. Sander, who imported it. A descriptive note'was given in The Garden of March 17, 1888. The plant shown has leathery, deep green leaves and an erect scape bearing bold showy flowers, in which the dorsal sepal is fully 2 inches across, broader than in EUiottianum, and banded with comparatively wide lines of rich chocolate from base to apex on an almost transparent greenish- yellow ground. The lower sepal is similar in colour, but smaller. The petals stand out rigidly, almost at right angles, and are broad at the base, but taper gradually to a point. They are yellowish in the centre, passing to pale lilac at the margin, which is sparsely edged with hairs. The deep crimson lip is like that of C. Stonei, but the [most pecu- liar portion of the flower is the staminode, which is like a bird's beak and quite bent down, being bifid at the apex and covered over with a fur of bluish-grey. It is a striking companion to C. EUiottianum. From Mr. Hill, gardener to Lord Rothschild, Tring Park. Iris Rosenbachiana. — A coloured plate of this and three other spring-blooming Irises was given in The Garden of June 1(5, 18S8. Albert Von Kegel found the beautiful bulbous I. Rosenbachiana one or two years ago in Turkestan, where it grows on the mountains at an elevation of 6000 feet to 7000 feet. There are two varieties of it, we believe, one having blue and the other violet flowers. The lip is very rich in colour. From Mr. J. Douglas and Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden. Awards of merit went to the under-mentioned: — Primula petiolaeis. — A beautiful Himalayan Primula, of which several synonyms and varieties are given in Mr. Dewar's carefully compiled synony- mic list of Primulas. It is a rare gem, quite dwarf, and has large rose-pink flowers of a delightful shade. From Prof. Michael Foster, F.R.S., Shel- ford, Cambridge. Amaeyllis Acquisition. — A showy variety, scarlet, with a central band of white down each of the segments. From Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons. Cyclamen Prince of Wales strain. — This we have before described as one of the finest strains of Cyclamen in the trade. The flowers are large, robust, and freely produced. Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons sent a group of Ne- penthes, mostly hybrids, such as Chelsoni, the rich- coloured Mastersiana, and the new Dicksoniana, a hybrid between Veitchi and Raftlesiana, the pitchers large, freely spotted and mottled with red. Dendrobium Schneiderianum is a beautiful cross between aureum and Findleyanum. The sepals and petals are tipped and shaded with rose-magenta, the upper portion of the lip orange, the front mar- gin magenta. We have several beautiful hybrids in which aureum is one of the parents. The Amaryllids from Messrs. Veitch promise well for the season, the two best shown receiving awards. A silver medal was awarded for the Nepenthes. C!ypripedium EUiottianum was exhibited by Mr. Whillans, gardener to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim. Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria Nur- series, Upper HoUoway, had an interesting group, comprising the white form of Lycaste Skinneri, double-flowered variety of Sparman- nia africana, Lielia albida bella, Cypripedium Measuresianum, and C. hirsutissimum. There were also exhibited Odontoglossum baphicanthum. yellow, spotted with chocolate ; O. Huraeanum, O. facetum, the white Coelogyne cristata alba, and Ochna multiflora. The best thing was the lovely Azalea Princess of Wales, a double-flowered variety with large, full flowers of great substance, and white, with just a tint of rose. Mr. Williams also showed a fine pan of the perpetual flowering Pri- mula floribunda. Japanese Camellia blooms and Azaleas came from Mr. Gordon, of Twickenham. The variously coloiircd flowers of the Camellias are exceedingly quaint and showy. A large specimen of Dendrobium nobile Wallichi, a brightly coloured form of the type, was exhibited by Mr. C. Beckett, gardener to Mr. T. B. Bryant, Juniper Hill, Dorking. It was a mass of bloom and i feet across. The flowers are brighter than those of the t3rpe. A silver medal was given. A well-grown i)lant of Odontoglossum luteo-purpureum cristatum, a rather poor form of the type, came from Messrs. Heath and Son, of Cheltenham, who also showed a hybrid JIasdevallia. Mr. Ross brought from the PendeU Court Gardens flowers of the pretty Harden- bergia Comptoniana, Mutisia Clematis, and Canarina campanula, a greenhouse perennial, with yellowish ]iuri>le or orange flowers, veined inside with red. It is from the Canary Islands, and introduced as far back as 1696. Mr. Ross also showed flowers of the Brazilian Calliandra Tweediana, which has beautiful bunches of long, silky, rich crimson anthers. It is a beautiful warm house plant. A stem of Aralia Veitchi, to show the advantages of planting out and a cool temperature, was interesting. It is evident that this graceful plant is spoilt by stove heat. Hardy flowers, principally Daffodils, were shown plentifully. A most interesting group came from Messrs. Paul and Son, The Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. It comprised the early-flowering Saxifrages in several varieties, Chionodoxa sardensis, the tiny Androsace Laggeri, Ranunculus anemonoides, and Saxifraga Frederici-Augusti. Messrs. Paul also showed Roses The Bride, Puritan, Colonel Felix Breton, and Lady Alice. There were several varie- ties of the charming Polyantha Roses and standard specimens of such delightful and well-known kinds as Paquerette and Mignonette. A silver medal was awarded. Messrs. Barr and Son, of Covent Garden, had a number of Daft'odils in pots, principaUy of the trumpet kinds, and pans of Crocuses, the kinds comprising such gems as biflorus, Weldeni alba (pure white), Imperati, aureus, Olivieri (orange), bannaticus (deep purple), and Sieberi (lilac) (bronze medal). Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, had an excellent collection of Daffodils and Anemone fulgens ; N. Horsfieldi, maximus, spurius, Ard- Righ, Leedsi, Golden Spur, and triandrusalbus were exceptionally fine. A silver medal was awarded. Polyanthuses in baskets were shown by Mr. May, Edmonton ; the plants were strong, well flowered, and rich in colour. Mr. Owen, of Maidenhead, had flowers of Pelargonium (Ivy-leaved) Victorious, a rich salmon-rose single variety; Genista Oweni- ana, very rich yellow; and Chrysanthemum Mrs. J. N. Gerard, an American variety. If it flowers now, it is not wanted. The beautiful Hyacinthus azureus came from Mr. Douglas ; it is quite a gem. Mr. Manning showed plants of his fine strain of Chinese Primula, to which we referred in " Notes of the Week" of March 2. Two or three boxes of Violet flowers were shown by Mr. W. C. Leach, Albury Park Gardens, Guildford. There were the true Parma, a very sweet double Violet of rich lilac colour; Neapolitan, paler in colour; Marie Louise, deep violet, very fine; and Swanley White, white. Mr. Hay, gardener to Mr. J. Nicholay, Iver, Bucks, showed a seedling Cineraria of bright colour. Mr. E. Coleman, Dorking, had a sport from the old double white Primula, but we could not discover the distinction. Mr. R. Dean showed, besides Primrose Blue Gem, a rich lake-crimson-coloured self named Cardinal, the eye deep yellow ; and Lady Pandhurst, a purplish magenta variety. Saxifrag.i Burseriana came from the Royal Horti- cultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick. Mr. Fore- man, Eskbank Nursery, Dalkeith, showed a plant in bud of Skimmia macrophylla. A bronze medal was awarded to the St. George's Nursery Company for their group of Cyclamens. The finest feature of the show was the boxes of Camellia blooms from Messrs. Wm. Paul and Sons, of W.nltham Cross. The collection of this firm is unique, and one can judge from it of the splendour of some of the Italian kinds, and the two Ameri- can varieties C. H. Hovey and C. M. Hovey, while Mr. Chandler's seedlings well hold their own. Augustine superba, rose-pink ; centifolia alba, pure white; elegans, fine carmine ; candidissima, one of the finest of the whites ; conspicua, scarlet ; imbri- cata, rich crimson ; II Commandatore Betti, fine !i:dmon, one of the best of the Italian Camellias ; tlie single Donckelaari, Marchioness of Exeter, and Adelina Benvenuti are exceptionally beautiful. A silver medal w;is awarded. Mr. A. J. Manda, Barry Ro.ad, East Dulwich, agent to the I'nited States 250 THE GARDEN. [March 10, 1889. Nurseries, showed a coloured drawing of the new Chrysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. We must see flowers before we give a delinite opinion regard- ing this apparently surprising novelty. There was little fruit. Mr. Blair, of the Trent- ham Gardens, showed fruits of Apple Calville Blanche, and a small collection also came from Mr. Diver.s, Maidstone. Ribston Pippin, Winter Haw- thornden, and Stone Pippin were in excellent con- dition for the season. Lecture on Saxifrages.— In the course of the afternoon Mr. J. G. Baker, of Kew, read a paper on Saxifrages, followed by cultural hints on the family by Mr. George Paul, of Cheshunt. A paper, written by Mr. Reuthe, was taken as read. A large number of visitors were present to hear Mr. Baker's re- marks. NOTES OF THE WEEK. Muscari aziireum.— A very pretty and curiou.s blue spL'fics, hroufflit by Mr. Douglas; in rtower thi.s week. Iris Roaenbaehiana.— A delicately pretty early Iris from Mr. Dougla.s, grown in a pot in a cool house. It is a llardylriud. Croevi ses, comprising the finest of the species with many of their varieties, were a mass of bloom in the opsn in Messrs. Barr and Son's Tooting Nur.sery a few days ago. Golden Valerian (Valeriana Phu aurea) has bright yellow foliage when young, but it gradually deepens to a normal green colour. It is very showy in January, and useful for giving colour to the garden in winter. Centaurea Clementei, though not in flower, is yet worth a note for its strikingly silvery foliage, quite Thistle-like in character, and covered with a soft down. A few clumps in the garden would look very rich and bright during the winter. Dendrobium crassinode album.— The white form of D. crassinode i,s a plant seldom met with. I recently had cni oj,]„,if unity of seeing it in flower at lercy Lodge, Winchninre Hill. An imported plant was blooming for tlie first time.— Ja.mes Bkown. Snowdrops from Northumberland.— Here- with I enclose you a gathering of double Snowdrops. I think them very large. —R. Elliott, Harbottle Castle, Rothhury, Northiimherland. *»* Very plump, and large, and pretty. — Ed. Blue "Winter Windflower (Anemone blanda) 18 a gi'ui amongst WijidHowcr.s. A patch in the Toot- ing Xnrsery the other day was delightful. Clumps of this iu the garden would make a" thoroughly spring picture. The flowers vary much in density of colour ; the deepest of all are the best. Lycaete Skinneri xanthoglossa.— Tliis is a novelty wliicli we recentlynoted in bloimi ; the flower is of fair size; the sepals and petals are pure white, Imt the tongue-like lip is nuite yellow in tlie front. It affords a charming varioty among the pure wliite and highly coloured forms which are now very gay. Aeineta Humboldtl.— This plant was in flower recently r^it Percy Lodgi', Winclimore Hill, its pen- dulous flower-seaijc hearing a dozen tine flowers, whicli are, unfortunately, very sliort-Iived. Jlr. Craig, the gardener, tells me he has had tliirteen on a .scape on the same plant. Cattleya Tria.na? \va.s well reju'esented, as was also Dendrobium nobile and I). Wardianuni — .lA.ME.s Bkown. Galanthus octobrensis.— In one of his valued letters the liev. Mr. ilarpur Crewe stated that Galan- thus octobrensis was an accidental sport, and search at the place where it was collected was in vain. No more could he obtained. On the oth.T hanil. 1 have the decided assiTtion of an excellent authority that this variety is iilentical with (I. Olgjc He 'i'„iu of Orphaiiidis.— JIax Lekiitlin-, ISaJen-Badnt" Nepenthes Diehsoalana.— One of the most handsome examples of the tropical Pitcher Plants is this recent aciiuisititui. It is a hyhriil raised liy Mr. Lind.say in the Kdinburch Botanic Garden bc'lwr'Vii N. Voitchi and N. Ralllesiana. The iiitchers are the largest of any a1 jn-csent to be seen in Messrs. Veileh's nursery at Chelsea. They are also of handsome form, beautifully spotted and mottled with deep red.— J. I). Primula denticulata.— This has flowered earlier with us this ycnr thnn we hnve ever known it. The plant in question was in the open air, although in a somewhat sheltered spot, but even where the plants are ftilly exposed their coming into bloom is only a question of a week's good weather, as already the flo\ver-stems are 2 inches above ground. The white variety of this species is a great novelty, and although we do not like it so well as the type it is a decided gain to our early sjiring-flowering Primulas.— K. Lachenalia pendula. — A number of panfuls of this old favourite just coming into flower is a feature at Gunnersbury House. The bulbs are kept in frames through the winter and brought into a cool house to flower. Those who want cut flowers of a lasting character will find this Lachenalia useful. Hepatica triloba and its several varieties were very beautiful on Wednesday last in Messrs. Barr and Son's Tooting Nursery. They are planted under a hedge and in large masses. It is a delightful surprise to come suddenly upon a mass of this blue flower. The larger H. angulosa was also very fine. They are generally too much "cultivated" in gar- dens to grow well. A specimen Dracaena Lindeni. — One of the largest plants we know of this noble Dracasna is in the conservatory at Manor House, Gunnersbury. It stands fully 6 feet high, is of excellent proportions, and has plenty of fine healthy leaves, which are yellowish green, except down the centre, where the colour is more pronounced. Small plants are also exceedingly handsome. Hardy Cyclamens are very beautiful just now in the nursery of Messrs. Barr and Son at Tooting. C. Atkinsi and its forms roseum and rubrum are very rich in colour against the mottled leaves. One form has very dark-coloured flowers. C. coum is also in bloom. This has plain green foliage. Hardy Cyclamens are lovely flowers for naturalising, and especially should the autumn-blooming kinds be made a note of. Chionodoxas are amongst the best features of interest in Messrs. Barr and Son's Tooting Nursery. There are five beds of the deeply-coloured C. sar- densis and three of Luciliiv, each 100 feet long and about i feet wide. At a distance this shimmering mass of blue is like a breadth of Bluebells, espe- cially when lit up by the sun. C. Luciliai varies much in its flowers, some being larger than others and a few white. Though a white variety may be considered rare, it is weak. Both C. Luciliie and sardensis are equally as hardy and free, the former perhaps the most vigorous. C. gigantea is also in bloom, but there are only a few flowers on not well- established plants, so it is unfair to judge yet. Hard by w.as also the new C. Timolusi, a native of Mount Timolusis, in Asia Minor. Both are de- scribed in glowing terms in the catalogues, but they will have to be surprisingly good to eclipse C. Luciliie and sardensis. Chionodoxas, like the earlier flowering Scill.a bifolia and other early bul- bous flowers, might well be planted in masses in the London parks. Early spring flowers. — Those who lay out part of their garden for early .spring flowers are well rewarded for doing so. At Oakwood we have a number of beautiful flowers in bloom notwith- standing the late very trying weather. Early Cy- clamens have been in great beauty, but are past their best. I am now sure that they thrive best in full sun. Narcissus minimus has been out for more than ,a month; a large Hoo|i-petlicoat, I believe Corbularia sulphure.a, is in fine (lower, and also a smaller pretty one. Hybrid Hellebores of many shades of colour ;iie finer th.an we ever had them before; these have .a rough shelter in hard frost and in very rough weather. Some Hcllcborus nigcr I had from Bath, and jdanted late, continue to throw up good flowers. Scill.as are beginning to bloom ; also Chionodoxas. Some species of Snowdrops are out; Galanthus plicatus, G. Imi>erati, G. Redoutei, G. Elwesi, and some others. Some varieties I had given me before I knew the best places to grow thcin in are lost. Many of the species of Crocus are most beautiful ; one .a ]iurple, much richer in colour than any of the garden varieties I know. Hep.'iticas are coming out well ; some of our best are on a uio.s.sy bank, which adds to their beauty ; the single pink and blue have endless shades of colour. Primroses of all shades have been beautiful: many of the descendants of "Scott Wilson " have beautiful shades of plum, blue, and blue-purple, and some are of a pale greyish blue, more like the colour of the old blue Primrose. Iris reticulata cairulea, agem, is nearly over, but the type is in beauty. A few hardy Heaths, both pink and white, are out, and large plants of Andromeda floribunda. Petasites have not much beauty, but look well in a mass. Snowflakes also are especially beautiful in large clumps. Anemone buds are slow in coming out. I have enumerated all the flowers I remember, but not writing on the spot some may have been left out. — Gkobge F. Wilson, Heather- ianli, Weyhridge. TJseful Epacrises. — The Epacrises were finely in flower the otlicr d.ay at Gunnersbury Park, and it would be difficult to find now-a-days such a collection as is to be seen here. Alba odorata, the flowers white, with narrow tubes, and very sweet ; Impressa, rich rose-red, compact in growth ; Lady Panmure, white; and Devoniana, rich scar- let, were a few of the handsomest of the many kinds. Rhododendron balsamasflorum album is a double-flowered greenhouse Rhododendron with white blooms, which in shape resemble those of a Balsam or Gardenia. From the same pod of seed as produced this also came double yellow, rose, salmon, and flesh-coloured varieties. The double white is very free-blooming and ought to be gene- rally grown, especially for cut flowers. It is in bloom at Messrs. Veitch's, being one of Mr. Heal's raising. Daffodils show the mildness of the season not only in Ireland, but in England, by flowering freely at the present time in the open air. The fairy N. minimus, N. Bulbocodium and its variety citrinus, N. cyclamineus, pallidus priecox, Johnstoni, Ard- Righ, Golden Plover, nobilis and minor are in full bloom in the open. Messrs. Barr and Son have had Narcis.si in flower for the past six weeks in their Tooting Nursery, which is exposed and on a cold soil. Such miniature Daffodils as N. cycla- mineus and minimus should have, however, a little shelter if possible. Iris reticulata. — This charming early-flower- ing variety is now in bloom in the open air with Crocuses, Hepaticas, and Squills. Anyone having a warm sunny nook under his windows should plant a few bulbs of this Iris and allow them to re- main permanently in the ground. They soon in- crease to good-sized clumps, and when in bloom at this early date they give an interest to the garden that few other pl.ants can do. Three years igo I put in a few bulbs in . Is it distinct from C. Lucilise ? Is there such a place as Mount Timolusis ! I doubt all three statements, and I expect it is a name given by a trade collector in order to sell C. Lucilise, which is abundant on the Bozdagh, above Sardis, of which the ancient name was Mons Tmolus. It is just this sort of loose, unscientific use of Latin names which gives rise to confusion and disappointment, and I should not advise their use in any trade catalogue until the plants are properly described by a competent authority. According to Boissier (" Flora Orien- talis," vol. v., p. 311), there are but two or per- haps three species of Chionodoxa, namely, C. Lucilise, of which sardensis, Forbesi, cretica, and gigantea are, I believe, inconstant varieties or synonyms ; and C. nana, from Crete, which I introduced and lost, but which was at Kew when I last looked for it. Shortia oalacifolia, from the Alleghany Mountains, is now flowering with me for the first time in Europe, I think. I can strongly re- commend it as a very distinct and pretty plant for a cold frame. H. J. Elwes. Preston, Cirfncesfer. THE COTTON WOOL NUISANCE. The editor of The Garden has done well in open- ing its pages to a discussion as to the merits of various packing materials and the different methods of packing in vogue, as this cannot fail to be most instructive to numerous readers. It is not my in- tention to condemn the use of cotton woo], as I consider it is the abuse and not an intelligent use of this material that needs correcting. One of the greatest secrets of success in packing either flowers or fruit to travel either by post or rail to any part of the United Kingdom lies, not so much in the choice of packing materials as in the absolute necessity for firm fixing of the contents, so that rough usage, which they are certain to experience, will not unduly shake them about. It is also equally important that the boxes be suificiently strong to withstand pressure, and yet not too heavy, or the cost of transit will be materially and un- necessarily increased. The use of boxes much larger than is needed is also another blunder often committed. In this case either not nearly enough packing material is used, or else if sufiicient is em- ployed to well fill the box, it unduly presses against the delicate contents. Horticultural sundriesmen supply light yet strong paper boxes in various sizes, these being the be.d that the water was never stagnant about the roots. The situation was, further, too exposed to the north, and the railway embankment made the wind pour down as through a funnel. Stlil March 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 255 Gabriel Luizet grew vigorously and gave good show blooms. 5. With me it does equally well as a dwarf or a standard on Brier. 6. As a rule I prune hard. 7. I grow no Koses in pots. 8. I have observed no alteration in its character as an autumnal since I first possessed Mme. Gabriel Luizet. My Roses were all moved in the autumn of 1887 to my present rosery, part of an old nursery garden. The ground was trenched ;! feet deep, yellow loamy clay, turfy loam and manure by cartloads being also added. The plants being now well esta- blished, I hope to have better blooms this summer than ever. — F. H. Gale, Hitchui, Herts. I send you the following brief answers to the queries put relative to this Rose : — 1. As a plant, it is here decidedly free grow- ing ; as a flower, a good blooming Rose, and one hardly ever absent from the exhibition box. 2. It is particularly subject to mildew, more so than any Rose in my collection. 3. It is very hardy. I have'never lost a plant. 5. I have always grown it on the seedling Brier, (i. My rule is to prune it hard back. 8. It is not here a good autumn bloomer, chiefly on account of mildew. — C. Fuller, The Viearage, BexUy, Kent. In reply to the questions about the Rose Mme. Gabriel Luizet, I beg to state — 1. Its splendid colour, fine form, and easy culti- vation. 2. Subject to mildew. 3. One of the most hardy. 4. I grow it in rather heavy soil on a very open high situation. 5. It grows well on both the Manetti and Brier cutting stocks. t). By severe pruning I obtain the finest flowers. 7. I have not found it a good variety to force. 8. The first two years I had this Rose I did not find it bloom a second time, but since that time it lias produced an abundance of autumn flowers. — F. N. Flight, Comstiles, Twyford,7u'ar Winchester. 1. Mme. Gabriel Luizet here is one of the " always-good-alike " Roses. As a plant it is hardy, with great vigour and very free-flowering, while the flower at its best is of magnificent globular shape, with high centre and very sweetly scented. The colour is a distinct shade of silvery pink. 2. Its great defect is its liability to mildew in all seasons, while it is essentially a summer Rose. 3. It is perfectly hardy. 4. It has done equally well in garden soil and broken up meadow, in south and east borders, and in the open. 5. Seedling Brier is requisite here as a stock to get bloom from maiden plants. 6. It is so free-flowering that, notwithstanding the vigorous growth, very close pruning should be resorted to for exhibition purposes. For garden decoration light pruning and thinning out as for a pillar Rose would be preferable. 8. By a careful selection of buds from the top of flower-bearing shoots, this Rose will now flower as a maiden on seedling Brier, but all efforts have failed to induce it to bloom in the autumn. It is a magnificent summer Rose, but nothing more, and the more favoured, or probably more skilful, growers who can con\ert Gabriel Luizot into an autumnal bloomer are much to be envied. — E. B. LiNDSELL, Bearton, HitcMn. character of the flowers does not increase their beauty. It is Olio of Messrs. Paul and Son's new acquiBitions in this section. Gloire de Polyantlia is one of the best of the Polyautha Roses. Its flowers are of a delightful shade, similar to those of Mignonette, double, and produced freely. In any selection of Polyautha Koses we should include this, though some might regard it as too close in tint to the charming Mignonette. It has been well exhibited this season by Messrs. Paul and Son, of Cheshunt. Roses in March. — A delightful exhibit at the March meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society was the Roses from Messrs. Paul & Son, of Ches- hunt. The soft coloured flowers of The Bride and the purer white of The Puritan were fresh and welcome. Colonel Felix Breton is a strikingly handsome Rose, the colour velvety red, while the variety Lady Alice, Mr. Paul's sport "from Lady Mary Fitzwilli.am, was well shown. The beautiful Paul's Single White, 1!. rugosa and its white variety, the tiny Golden Fairy Roses, and such lovely Polyantha kinds as Gloire de Polyantha, Marie de Montravel, pure white, very free, and beautiful; Paquerette, double white, very lovely ; and Mignonette, a perfect rosette, small, pretty, and of a delightful shade of soft rose, made a beautiful gathering for March. NOTES OF THE WEEK. SHORT NOTES.— ROSES. A beautiful Rose wlien furced is Sultan of Zan- zibar. It preserves its splendid colour and sweet fra- grance well wlicn subjected to heat. Roses in winter.— Two of the best Roses for the winter are Cheshunt Hybrid and Bouquet d'Or. Mr. Roberts, Gunnersbury Park, finds these two very use- ful for winter work. Rose Blanche Rebatel is a new Polyantha variety of quite a distinct purple-crimeon shade, al- most as deep a« in the H.P. iSultan of Zanzibar. It is very free, sweet, and showy, but the scnii-doubie Gardeners' Orphan fund.— Mr. Ban-on in- forms us that from the coucert recently held at Ed- monton under the direction of H. B. May and his brother florists, a sum of .1'.51 Os. 6d. has beeu handed over to the Gardeners' Orphan Fund. Narcissus maximus is exceptionally fine this season. The flowers are large, rich in colour, and robust. This and bicolor Horsfieldi are two of the best Daffodils for early flowering, and there is always a good show of them in the market. Heuchera sanguinea and Lily of the Valley.— T'hesc make a rich di.^play in the greenhouse at Kew, the scarlet flowers of the Heuchera contrast- ing well with the pure white bells of the Lily of the Valley. In the greenhouse many such arrangements may be made at this season. Phalsenopsis Schilleriana.— This is prover- bially a very tree-flowering Phalaiuopsid. A plant in a basket at Messrs. J. Veitch and Sous' Chelsea nursery was bearing a panicle of 180 flowers, and one spike accidentally broken off had forty-two flowers. This is a very respectable number of flowers for one plant. DSTarcissus Emperor in pots. — This is now particularly tine in llie grecnliouse at Kew, and well shows its adaptability fur flowering in puts. The pots, which contain three bulbs each, bear flowers of rich colour and large size. The foliage is remarkably healthy, whicli is not always the case with forced bulbs. Acacias in Guernsey. — I am sending you a spray of Acacia asparagoides in flower. It is now in full bloom, but has had flowers on it since the begin- ning of February in the open air. With it are some sprays of Heath.— J. A. S.\UMAKEZ, Guernsey. *,'* The Acacia is very beautiful. Two pretty kinds of tall Heatli and ether flowers also came. — Ed. Primula denticulata is very showy, flowering profusely, unaS"ccted apparently by the past wet season. The heads are large, well formed, and the flowers bright and clean. We saw the other day a fine speci- men of the white variety, which, we believe, is a rare plant as yet. Large bunches of snowy white flowers in March will certainly be an acquisition, especially if borne in the same profusion as the purple ones are. The Melon Pear. — Thinking a fruit of the Melon Pear would lir of . leaves are spatlmlate, the margins being shai-ply and irregularly serrated. It is said to he one of the most variable of the Himalayan species. "I'he seed, we believe, was sent to this country by Mr. Elwes. Hyacinthus azureus.— This lovely early spring bulb"is now at its best, and a more beautiful sight we have rarelv seen in the border in early March The heads are "larger than those of the Muscari, which they very much resemble, but the individual flowers, instead of being contracted at the mouth, are open, as seen in the ordinary Hyacinth. The heads are bright azure blue, tinged violet-purple as they get old, making a charming picture. This is the first of this class of bulb to bloom outsiile, and it is perfectly hardy. Phalsenopsids.— These plants appearto be ex- ceedingly well done at Hutton Park, Brentwood, the residence of Mr. G. H. Baxter. One plant of P. Schilleriana in particular was exceptionally beauti- ful. It had four large and massive leaves, and bore two spikes, which together carried 140 blossoms of large size and beautifully coloured. The plant in question bore out my previous assertions that very little soil or Moss is necessary, as it was growing in a small basket, and had quite a mass of roots on the outside. When seen in such condition this species is at once a lovely and marvellous object and well deserves notice. — H. Boronia heterophylla. — A batch of this beautiful plant was in full flower the other day in Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons' Chelsea Nursery. It is very easily grown, and is smothered with rich purple bells, that are produced in twos, even from the very lowest shoots. The plants do better in the country, as the flowers frequently open very badly in a London atmosphere ; B. tetrandra and the graceful megastigma are also beautiful, but heterophylla is vastly superior. It does not require many plants in a house to make a show. A coloured plate appeared in TuE Gaedes of November 12, 1887. Persian Cyclamens have been very fine this season, but there is a strong tendency to infuse a kind of ashy grey, or what, perhaps, some would caU a shade of purple into the flower. It is no improvement, the flowers looking as if singed by fire. We have a similar instance in the self Auri- cufa. Those flowers that are of one decided colour, or some beautiful shade, are far more showy in the greenhouse than dusky tints as grey, or something akin to it. The Persian Cyclamen has, however, undergone great changes. We have now strong sturdy flowers, of handsome shape, excellent colours, and a robust, free-blooming plant, quali- ties of no mean value in a florist's flower. Amorphophallus Rivieri was shown at the recent show of the Royal Botanic Society by Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea. It is an interesting Aroid with a scape about a yard in height, and a large spathe and spadix, the latter projecting several inches. It bears a resemblance to Arum Dracunculus, especially in the colour of the spathe and spadix. The scape appears before the leaves, and a few small Ferns grown in the pot help to hide its bareness. The outside of the spathe is blotched with green on a greyish white ground. The decompound leaves are about 4 feet across. It is synonymous with Proteino- phallus Rivieri. A truly giant Amorphophallus is A. Rivieri. It is a remarkable plant, and its huge stem a perfect study in colouring. It is the same as Conophallus Titanum. Olivias, or Imantophyllums as they used to be called, are now in full flower, and it would bi! difli- cult to find handsomer stove plants. C. miniata used to be grown exceptionally well in the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chi.swick, and at the present time there is a great display both in the nurseries of Mr. B. S. Williams, of Hol- loway, and Messrs. J. A'eitcb and Sons, Chelsea. There arc many named varieties, but it only creates unnecessary confusion to name every kind that shows a variation from the type. Many we see now under varietal names are simply the tyjic well grown, or with flowers with a little more colour in them than usual. Two good varieties in bloom at Chelsea are Mme. Van Houtte, which has a large truss of bright flowers, and Excelsior, another fine type. Mr. Williams had excellent specimens of splendens, one ot the best of the varieties of C, "256 THE GARDEN. [March 23, 1889. miniata. It is not only for the huge trusses of .flowers that the plants are invaluable, but also for the abundance of foliage, which is as handsome as • that of Agapanthus umbellatus. TTseful Ericas. — There are a few Ericas of great use for the greenhouse in the spring months, and these are E. ventricosa coccinea minor, a dwarf, bushy variety, with rosy flowers ; v. per- spicua, which has tall, slender stems wreathed with flowers ; and perspicua nana, a dwarf form, the flowers pinkish white. E. Cavendishiana is also very liandsome as a pot plant. Coelogyne cristata.— A grand display of this fine Orchid (most of the plants being of the large- flowered section) has adorned the Orchid houses of Mr. Crawley at Waddon House, Croydon, nearly 800 spikes of bloom being open at one time. This Orchid is well grown by Mr. King, as the numerous spikes of bloom upon plants in small pots amply testify. It is a charming plant, and it is not to be wondered that it is so highly appreciated.— G. Impatiens Hookeri. — A large plant of this Impatiens is in flower at Manor House, Gunners- bury. Although its flowers are both large and rich in colour they are less freely borne, and the plant is also of more straggling habit than the beautiful I. Sultani. If we had to choose between the two, our choice would be Sultani. We believe the floral committee of the Royal Horticultural Society refused to certificate this now popular plant until the fourth time it was shown before them. Dendrobium mesochlorum. — From Mr. Bonny, of the Hextable Nursery, Swanley, comes flowers of a plant under this name. They do not well accord with the description of tlie Messrs. Veitch, as the flowers are pure white, except the disc of the lip, which is pale green, but they possess the pleasant fragrance of Violets peculiar to the typical plant. The plant was originally discovered by Thomas Lobb some forty years ago, but has not been in cultivation until lately. It very much re- sembles D. monilitorme (japonicum) in general ap- pearance. Late Clirysantheniunis. — I send you six Chry- santhemum blooms, similar to what we are at pre- sent cutting here. Will you kindly give me your opinion of them? I am decidedly of opinion myself that they are well worth a little extra care even for spring use, when other flowers are more jjlentiful than in the winter months. Here they are at all times appreciated.— James Jbffbey, The Garde^is, Cyfwrthfa Castle. *t* Very fresh and beautiful, but scarcely wanted now,— Ed. Narcissus cyclamineus. — Last year I noticed that there were two distinct strains in N. cycla- mineus, and this season I have a dozen each of the Portuguese and Spanish roots planted in a box, and the difference between the two lots is very marked. The former are much larger and stronger in growth, besides possessing the distinct form of trumpet noticed by Mr. Poe. One of the Spanish roots has given me a very peculiar flower, the trumpet being only three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The Portuguese variety seems to be as hardy as the common form, and defies frost, snow, and wind, but my present impression is that the Spanish form is somewhat delicate and will be useless for outdoor purposes. Seedlings may perhaps develop a hardier constitution. One great recommenda- tion of the Portuguese variety is that it is quite as early as N. minimus, which heretofore lias been our first Daffodil to flower. — Jay Ave. Galanthus octobrensis.— I tliink my old friend Herr Max Leichtlin must liave somewhat misunderstood the late Kev. Harpur Crewe's ac- count of the way in wliich G. octol)rensis came into his pos.se.ssion. In December, 1.^80, at my request, Mr. Harpur Crewe wrote to Lord Walsing- ham asking for full particulars as to the spot where the bulb was found, and he very kindly sent me his lordship's reply, whicli was as follows : " I am glad that my in-signifioant contributions to ynur garden have by accident included something of value. It must have been in March that I gathered the bulbs, not in October, and in taking up things which showed some leaves or flowers I may have taken up several which did not. The bulbs, as far as I re- member, came from Scrofitza and Conchi, in Al- bania, from 40 to 60 miles north of Corfu, one day's march inland. I cannot give e.xact localities, but they are from the first high range of mountains near the Albanian coast north-east of Corfu. I fear the country is scarcely safe for botanists any longer. I will try to get more if possible." (De- cember 30, 1880.) Besides this, we have record of another autumnal Snowdrop found on Mount Taygetos by Orphanides (G. Olga; Regina?), which is, unfortunately, lost, and yet another found on Mount Hymettus by Dr. Mahaffy, of Trinity Col- lege, Dublin. Through the kindness of a friend I am the fortunate possessor of a root of this. In the first and last cases only single bulbs were found, and these quite by accident. I do not know whether it was the same with G. Reginre Olga;. Whether these three findings belong to the same variety or not I cannot say. One thing is pretty evident, and that is that in the mountains of Greece and the neighbouring countries there are to be found early flowering Snowdrops. G. corcyrensis, flowering in December, comes from Corfu. All these autumnal Galanthi seem to be somewhat delicate in constitution.— James Allen, Park House, S/iej)to}i Mallet. Solanum jasminoides. — In The Gaeden, March 16 (p 23.')), "J. C. C." writes on the thriving and flourishing character of this beautiful climber in Devon, and he says that it is not very particular about soil, if only the climate be suflSciently warm. He, and probably others, may be interested to learn that on the old walls at Kew, some years ago, there were two splendid examples, which did as well as any in Devon or elsewhere. They were killed one severe winter, but were of good size and full de- velopment when I first knew them, and they must have passed a number of winters with the moderate protection that was afforded them. It is thus clear that it does thrive near London, and is well worth planting. A mat over the top, with some ashes over the roots, will carry it safely through all but the most severe winters. — R. Irwin Lynch. Iris stylosa alba is a most charming plant, and a great rarity in the open air at this time of year. The flowers are as large as those of the type, pure white, with a small yellow blotch on the fall, and were it not for their fugacious nature would doubtless be in request as subjects for cut flowers. There seems to be something antagonistic in the London climate to this species, as one rarely sees eitlier the type or variety flowering as they do else- where. It is a really desirable hardy plant, and should be tried in every conceivable way until success 1)6 obtained. We have seen it in several gardens in a south aspect growing very well, and although flowers were rather scarce, the luxuriance of foliage in a measure compensated for this. Iris Bosenbacbiana. — This appears to be ex- tremely variable, and in the hands of one of our florists may turn out as charming a plant as the old favourite I. reticulata. The variety with the dark lilac falls and the bright purple blotch was the most admired ; while the other was of a very pale washy lilac, ami not by any means beautiful. I. reticulata varieties are about played out, if we are to look in future for descendants from that dingy, ugly variety called purpurea shown at the Drill Hall last Tuesday. It is a pity that such a form should be allowed to exist, especially when we have such beautiful kinds as Krelagei, cyanea, sophonensis, &c., all emitting the fragrance of Violets, and charming as cool greenhouse or out-of-door bulbs. — D. A climbing' Bamboo (Chusquoa abietifolia). — Healthy exaMii>lcs of this interesting plant arc in the Kew collection, having been introduced from Jamaica, where it is confined to the mountains, climbing the loftiest trees, upon whicli its penilu- lous branches form feathery masses of great beauty. The .stems are very thin, wiry, much-branched; tlie branchlcts clustered, from 4 inches to 8 inches long, drooping, and clothed with small pale-green leaves, scarcely an inch long and about one-twelfth of an inch wide. The grace and elegance of the branches are certain to win favour for this species as an appropriate plant for covering pillars, &c., in large conservatories. It will thrive in an ordinary green- house almost as well as in a stove. Its only draw- back is, that like many of the Bamboo family, it dies after flowering ; still, as this does not occur until the plant is many years old, this character has not much significance. A plant of it flowered at Kew in 1884 ; the flowers are very small, in racemes, yellowish, with purple bracts. National Chrysanthemum Society. — On Monday evening last a meeting of the general committee of this society was held at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, under the presidency of Mr. R. Ballantine. After the usual opening formalities, the hon. sec. announced that Sir Louis Pelly had consented to act as a vice-president of the society. It having been arranged that special prominence be given to exhibits of horticultural sundries, and that a certain number of the society's medals be granted to meritorious articles coming under that head, Mr. Herbst was elected judge for the purpose. With regard to the suggested co-operation of the National Chrysanthemum Society with the Royal Horticultural Society on the occasion of the con- ference at Chiswick in November next, a letter was read from Mr. Veitch expressing regret at the de- cision arrived at by the National Chrysanthemum Society not to entertain the proposal. Mr. Holmes informed the meeting that a conference would be held at the society's provincial show at Hull. A few new members having been elected, applications were then received from the Derby Chrysanthemum Association and the Green Street District Cottage Gardeners' Association for affiliation, both of whicli were acceded to. The schedule sub-committee .sub- mitted their report to the meeting, which, after much discussion on several points, was passed. The Hull schedule, which will be incorporated in that of the National Chrysanthemum Society, was also laid before the members. Resolutions were passed as to conferences to be held at the society's exhibitions in September and January next. The question of issuing a supplement to the official catalogue, thus bringing that work up to date, was considered, but as some little difference of opinion existed, the hon. sec. moved that the matter be left to the discretion of the catalogue committee. With regard to the proposed centenary show and conference to be held in 1890 by the National Chrysanthemum Society, the hon. sec. proposed that a sub-committee be elected to arrange a scheme and submit the same to the next general committee meeting. Mr. Holmes was requested to make the necessary arrangements for the annual summer outing of the members. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Owen for a pretty collection of Primulas, and also to Mr. Kipling for an ex- cellent display of late-flowering Chrysanthemums, which were clean, bright, and very attractive Destroying 'WOOdlice. — In nnsnor to "A Sub- scriber" (Garden, March !», p. 22!)), I have used phosphorus paste ^vitll the prcatost success for dostroy- iiiR wooJlicc. I have ii small pit, which was built for the iiuri)oso of supplying Cucunihors Jiirinp; the winter, hut they completely failed this sca.'iou owinc; to the.w pi'sts. After trying every means 1 could think or read of, I tried the plioaplinrns pastces of Potato, and have cxteriuiuatoJ the woodlice. — W. (J. Earwigs in garden. — My small garden in Liver- pool was lu.st year entirely ruined by earwigs, which literally ate up everything. I destroyed them as much as I coiild, hut tincl "tliis spring, on digging it over, that tlie soil is perfectly swarming with their young. Can yon tell me what to do to get rid of them 'i' It is jierfectly hopeless endeavouring to have any flowers whore tjieae pests exist in siieli numbers. It has been suggested to me that diluted paratlin, if poured over the ground with a ro.se, would kill tliem; but it seems tliat in any event this would take an immense amount of i)arnftiTi,and also only kill those on tlie very surface. ( In digging they are to he found at a depth of up to a foot hi'low the "surface. 1 have very few perennials, — lioKPEK. March 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 257 Trees and Shrubs. THE ASH. (feaxint's excelsior.) Whether as regards its form or the emerald green of its ample foliage, the common Ash can well hold its own with any other of our forest trees ; indeed, when all its merits are justly weighed, I question much whether any other, excepting perhaps the Oak, is of greater value. It is a tree of very rapid growth, one that succeeds on a great diversity of soils and at varying elevations, a valuable timber-producer, and when suitably placed imparts during the summer a richness and beauty to the sylvan scene such as no other tree can if we except the Walnut and one or two others. Usually the Ash attains to giant proportions, specimens of fully 20 feet in girth and coutaining upwards of 200 feet of timber being not at all uncommon. The accompanying illustration shows well the huge size to which this tree attains, and like- wise clearly points out the spreading nature of the massive limbs, the well-rounded, slightly fluted trunk, and gracefully pendent branches. It is growing on the Herenden Hall estate, Tenterden, and is certainly a conspicuous and noble object, the well-rounded stem girthing at the smallest part exactly 18 feet, while the branches cover a spread of 105 feet in diameter. Many other trees of equal and a few of larger dimensions might be pointed out, notably one that was felled at Aber, not far from the old castle, which was once the residence of Prince Llewellyn. This ti-ee girthed at 3 feet and 5 feet, 10 feet 0 inches and 15 feet 5 inches, and its stem contained a little over 200 feet of timber. Contrary to what is usually expected in the Ash, the stem of this line tree was clean and straight, while the head at a considerable dis- tance from the ground ramified to a great ex- tent, although destitute of what might be de- scribed as heavy or unwieldy limbs. Another Ash on the same property as the former (Pen- rhyn Castle) is 20 feet in girth at 3 feet up, but the stem is short, and at no great distance from the ground is divided into several large limbs, thiis forming a head of unusual size and singular beauty. In Scotland, at Darnaway Castle, there was until lately a specimen whose dimensions almost equalled that of the one here figured. If we except the Oak, perhaps no other of our British forest trees attains to so large propor- tions as the Ash, while for the value of the timber it produces it is certainly second to none. Amongst forms of the Ash that are well worth looking after I would mention angustifolia, with very narrow leaves, which give to well-developed specimens a very distinct and pleasing appear- ance. F. heterophylla laciniata has the leaves beautifully cut up and is a most interesting and desirable variety ; while in F. heterophylla varie- gata the major portion of the leaflets are united so as to form one large leaf. Who does not know the Weeping Ash (F. excelsior pendula) / When suitably placed it is an object of general admi- ration, but how often do we find this the case t There is a curious, though not very ornamental form called cristata, with fasciated or Cocks- comb-like branches ; but it does not usually attain to large proportions, although a tree near Saltburn, in Yorkshire, is of goodly size, and seems to attract considerable attention. Then there are golden and irregularly variegated forms, some of which, particularly luteo and aureo-variegata, can ill be spared from our list of handsome specimen trees. Invariably amongst giants we find dwarfs, and such is the case with the Ash, to wit. that curiously depauperate shrub dimorpha, and the prettier, but equally low-growing weeping form of F. lentiscifolia that has been sent to us from Asia Minor. A. D. Webster. Abies numidica. — This Algerian form of the Silver Fir will succeed in a light gravelly soil better than most of its class, and it does not start into growth till all danger from spring frosts is over. It is a bold, free-growing species, generally pushing up a vigorous leader, and when allowed space for its full development, it usually forms a broadish pyramid of rather a dense character. The leaves are about an inch long and of a rich deep green varying charm of light and shade which add much to the beauty of gardens generally. A group of Lawson's Cypress, judiciously placed, is one of the prettiest features to be found iu a garden; but when we see them and a few others only slightly different in habit scattered over the lawn, fringing the walks and roads, and dwarf forms filling huge beds, the result is a poor one. The collection may be interesting and comprehensive, but to furnish a garden with this class of tree only shows a disre- giird for natural beauty. A careful use of such trees as these near the house improves the winter aspect, and seems to add warmth and shelter to the garden; but to use them exclusively, paying no re- gard to summer leafing trees, is to deprive our gar- An old Ash tree on the Herenden Hall Estate, Tenterden. Reproduced for The Garden from a photograph by F. Skinner, Tenterden. colour. Though, as above noted, it will succeed in a gravelly soil better than most of its class, a good well-drained loam is, of course, more conducive to success in its culture. The tree, said to reach a height of 45 feet to 60 feet, w.is first intro- duced into France in 1SG4, but it is not much culti- vated in this country. It is also known under the name of Abies baborensis. — H. P. Conifers misused.— Among the Conifers arc some striking and beautiful trees, but their use in the adornment of the garden and pleasure gnmnds needs some careful consideration. There are pl.ices quite overdone with trees of this kind. All the grounds are dark and sombre, and have none of the dens of one of their greatest charms— the changes of the seasons, as seen in the budding and falling of the leaves. I recall to mind a nice house in a pretty country where Oak woods abound, and the landscape is beautiful. The drive leading to the house is between an avenue of Wellingtonias whose branches interlace. The trees .are unchanging the whole year through. Beyond tlie drive the grounds are studded witli groujis and specimens of other Conifers, which, whilst themselves monotonous, conceal the true beauty. Such a mistake as this arises simply from want of consideration as to after elTect. Another way in whieli Ccmifers are fre- ijuently misused is to dot them .along the roads or walks fringing the natural woods. In such posi- 258 THE GARDEN. [Maech 23, 1889. tions the efEect cannot be otherwise but bad. They impart a foreign aspect which belongs more to the mountains than to our richly wooded plains. Where Oaks and Elms abound, there can be no ob- jection to grouping near by some of the best new or improved kinds of Conifers now to be had. To put Wellingtonias in such a position is a sure way to spoil natural beauty. Meadows and parks are also disfigured by the unwise dotting about of Conifers. The marked contrast between their dense spiral habit and the free branching forms of native trees is too great. The whole system of dotting trees in pastures is wrong, but the bad results arising from it increase with the use of coniferous trees. — The Field. Psych.otria jasminiflora. — This is a beauti- ful flowering shrub that blooms during the winter and early spring months, but it is quite a rare plant in gardens, doubtless owing to the fact that it is more particular in its requirements than many other stove plants. It forms a neat-growing evergreen bush, while the flowers, which are borne in clusters, greatly resemble those of a very pure white-flowered Bouvardia. The plant blooms very freely, and lasts in beauty for a considerable time. It is also known under the name of Glonera jasminiflora. The most successful way of inducing it to flower is to encou- rage the plant to grow freely during the season, then after that allow it to rest a little. — T. Scarlet-berried Elder (Sambucus racemosus). — This differs from our common Elder (Sambucus nigra), especially in the colour of the berries, which instead of the purplish black colour of our British species are scarlet, and consequently make a goodly show when a specimen is laden with them, as may be seen throughout a considerable district of the Alps, of which it is a native. In this country it rarely produces its fruit in quantity. Conditions most favourable to fruiting are a cool, rather moist soil and a sunny position, as where the soil is at all dry and sandy, berries may be sought for in vain. In general appearance it resembles the common Elder, differing, however, besides its ber- ries in the flowers being borne in a more racemose manner, in the bark being smoother, and the leaflets more serrated. There is a variety of this (lacini- ata) in which the leaflets are quite jagged. — H. P. Buffleh.orn-wood (Barchellia capensis). — This South African shrub is by no means a novelty ; in- deed it was at one time more cultivated than it is at the present day, when it is but rarely met with, though its merits as a flowering shrub are superior to many subjects for which a place is found in most gardens. Its general habit is that of a freely branching bush, clothed with oblong leathery leaves of a dark green hue. The flowers, which are borne in clusters on the ends of the branches, are about an inch long, urn-shaped, and bright scarlet in colour. They are fleshy in texture, reminding one to a- certain extent of those of some of the Vacci- niums. It is a plant of easy culture, succeeding well in a mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and sand, but it is by no means a vigorous rooting subject. The cool end of the stove or the temperature of an intermediate house will suit it perfectly, and it flowers best when encouraged to grow freely, and then induced to rest somewhat when the growth is maturing. — H. P. The Larch as a lawn tree. — Taking the whole season tlirough, I doubt if there is a more interesting or beautiful tree in the whole family of those which bear cones. It is not evergreen, other- wise we should lose one of its greatest charms. Few trees are so beautiful as this when budding, and the f/esh grecm leaves are quickly followed by numerous rosy red cones, which kust in beauty for some time. . The graceful form, liowever, is the greatest recom- mendation of this tree. The stem shoots up straight and clear, and tlie branches grow out horizontally and slightly depend. Although a wood of Larch is beautiful, a single well-developed tree is much more so. A grove of noble specimens somewhere near the pleasure grounds would be a most delight- ful feature. It is tlie fate of the most usefid fruit- ._ bearing or timber trees to be overlooked when planting for ornament alone is under consideration ; but because the Larch grows into a marketable tree, or the Apple produces a crop of most useful fruits, that is no reason why each should not have due attention as ornamental trees in the truest sense. There are two distinct kinds of Larch, known respectively as the common and the Tyrolese. The Tyrolese is claimed to be hardier, but it is certainly more graceful, as all the twigs bang from the under side of the branches, appearing in a full- grown tree as a tangled cluster a yard in length, suspended in the air. When the Larch is bare in winter, those who love beauty of form will find in this tree something to study, and the pretty colour of the wood is then most noticeable. — Field. THE LARGER COTONEASTERS. Nearly all the Cotoneasters are natives of the Himalayan region, and while the low-growing C. microphylla and its numerous forms are strictly evergreen, the larger species are either deciduous or under very favourable conditions sub-evergreen. The most ornamental of the whole are undoubtedly the two allied kinds, C. frigida and C. affinis, whose large cluster.? of bright-coloured fruits form such a conspicuous feature during the winter. None of them are at all fastidious as to soil or situation ; in fact, they will thrive in sandy spots better than many other shrubs, and will also grow well in soil largely composed of clay. Thougli some of them attain the dimensions of a medium-sized tree they are seldom confined to a single stem, and the habit of the plant is therefore that of a large slirub rather than a tree. The principal larger- growing Cotoneasters are C. frigida, wliich forms a vigorous growing, much-branched specimen, reaching a height of about 20 feet. The habit of the plant is rather loose and open, while the smaller branches are pushed out nearly at right angles with the stem, tluis forming two marked points of difference between it and C. affinis, with which it is often confounded. There is a considerable variation in the shape of the leaves, but those of C. frigida are generally smaller than those of the other, and conse- quently more numerous. Its most showy stage is when laden with fruit, but still its flowers are not withont merit, for about the early part of May when laden with panicles of small white blossoms it is certainly very ornamental. The flowers are succeeded by berries which ripen in the autumn, and when in this state they are of a bright crimson colour. Sometimes the birds quickly rob this of its berries. According to Loudon, this Cotoneaster was introduced in 1824. C. affiiiis is so called from its affinity to the last-named, but it forms altogether a more sturdy specimen, with fewer branches, and is more tree-like in habit. The leaves are also larger, but the flowers and fruit are much the same as in C. frigida. As in the last, the birds sometimes take a great fancy to its berries ; in- deed it has been recommended for extensive planting in game preserves, pheasants, it is sup- posed, being fond of its fruits. C. acuminata is very ditlereut from either of the preceding, being more like an enlarged form of the well- known C. Simonsi, and, as in that kind, the berries are of a bright orange-red colour. This species assumes the character of a stifle, upright growing shrub, which readies a height of about a dozen feet. The leaves are, as its name implies, sharp-pointed. This s(>ecies re- tains its foliage till late in the year, but it becomes then totally deciduous. C. bacillaris has berries dull in colour compared with those of any of the preceding. This sjiecies ia w bold, free-growing kiml, generally pushing up several slems from the base, which .at first have a somewhat erect teiulency, but after a time the upper part of the i)lant assumes an open cliarao- ter. The flowers of this kind are of a whitish hue, and though individually by no means showy, they are borne in such profusion that the whole specimen appears to be a mas3 of blossom. It is just as free, too, in the produc- tion of berries, which are rather small and brown in colour, but the whole tree is frequently so densely laden with them, as at a little dis- tance to appear entii-ely of a brown hue. The leaves are ovate in shape, while those of C. num- nmlaria are almost round. The merits of this last as a flowering or fruiting specimen do not rank high, for the blooms are not large, nor par- ticularly numerous, while the berries are when ripe almost black. This species forms a large bush of an open spreading habit of growth, the long slender arching twigs being, when clothed with foliage, very light and frond-like in appearance, as the leaves, Which are from 1 inch to IJ inches in diameter, are alternately arranged on either sides of the stem at regular distances from each otlier. It is easily distinguished from all the others by its more spreading habit and smaller almost round leaves. A part of the foliage of this is retained occasionally throughout the winter. While this completes the Mst of large- growing Cotoneasters, the small evergreen onej form a very interesting and highly ornamental class. They consist of C. buxifolia, C. micro- phylla, C. rotundifolia, with C. thymifolia and its variety congesta, as well as other less clearly defined forms. The European C. vulgaris is not often seen ; indeed it is less desirable than any of tlie preceding. T. The red-leaved Peach. — Within the last few years Prunus Pissardi has monopolised nearly all the attention bestowed upon purple-leaved shrubs, and very beautiful it is, but the season when its distinctive features are most strongly marked is towards the end of the summer, as the leaves when first expanded are by no means purple. On the other hand, the Peach is seen at its best when the leaves are young. The Peach is a free, vigorous grower, and on the strong bold shoots the leaves are richer in colour than on the weaker ones. This particular variety originated in America, where it is said to have been found wild on, or near the battlefleld of Fort Donelson, in Kentucky. It is propagated either by means of budding or from cuttings, this last being the best, though the other is usually practised. — T. Lilac Charles X. — The list of Lilacs offered in difllerent catalogues is a long one, but this old variety is still one of the best, either for forcing into bloom or for growing as a garden shrub. When forced early in the season the blooms are pure white, but out of doors it is among the darkest tinted varieties, and is remarkable for the dense massive appearance of its clusters of blossoms. It is largely grown for supplying neat little plants for forcing, as dwarf bushes not more than 2 feet high will flower freely. To obtain these dwarf plants they may be potted and plunged outside during the summer, or if planted in the open ground (which is far less trouble), a sunny spot must be chosen for the purpose and plenty of room allowed between the plants, otherwise they will grow up tall. In the shrubbery border, Charles X. is as vigorous as any of the Lilacs.— II. P. SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS. Rhododendron Nobleanum. — The one grout ilruwlsick tu lliisi oarly-HowiTiiiK KluHlodendnm out of doors JH that it in si) lial)le to bo out off by frost. A luiyo buwh of it in our iiardon was oovv'rod with flowers duriii); tlio last wook in .lunuary. 'i'Iu> flowors wore !i8 frosli and good ns it oj>t'ii('d in May, luit tlio sovore woatluT in flio oarly part of Fobniary di'stroyi'il ovory flower, and al«o a few unoponod buds. The safest way with small plants is to pot them aiul.put tliem uuder oovor. — K. U. L. Leptospermum scoparium. — The Leptosper- mums are members of the great Australian Myrtle family, to which the Gum trees (Eucalyptus) also Mahoh 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 259 belong. A coloured plate of Leptospermum lani- genim was given in The Gaeden, January 8, 18S1, and between this kind and the species under notice there exists a general resemblance, both being of a much-branched, twiggy habit of growth, and both bear their small white flowers in the greatest pro- fusion. L. scoparium is also known as Captain Cook's Tea plant, the leaves of this being sometimes used for making tea. It flowers very freely even in the shape of small bushes, and forms a very pretty object in the greenhouse just now. It is, however, along our southern and western coasts that the Leptospermums are seen to the greatest advantage, as being there quite hardy they form large bashes. — T. Pyrus Malus floribunda. — This is a shrub that bears forcing well, for when thus treated the shoots are simply long wreaths of blossoms, which when fully expanded are almost white, but coral- tinted when in the bud. It is very distinct from most subjects employed for greenhouse or conservatory decoration, and retains its beauty a considerable time if gently forced. It is, however, as a hardy shrub that it is seen at its best, for where room is allowed for its full development this Pyrus forms a most beautiful and graceful specimen, the smaller branches having all a drooping tendency. In the open ground the flowers, both when expanded and in the bud state, are very much deeper in colour than in the case of specimens flowered under glass. This Pyrus can be increased by cuttings of the roots, but, besides this, it is readily propagated by cuttings of the ripened shoots put firmly into the open ground during the autumn or early winter months. — T. Chrysanthemums. B. MOLYNEDX. NOTES ON CULTrRE. PoilPON, Anemone Pompon, and single varie- ties, the cuttings of which were inserted singly at the end of January or early in February, will now be rooted and ready for potting off. Let the operation be performed as carefully as possible. The object in not disturbing the cut- tings more than is absolutely necessary is to en- courage a quick, Ijut firm growth at this time of the year. It is not wise to repot the plants into larger pots than need be. Those whicli will accommodate the roots comfortably are the best, for the reason that were a larger size used, the soil would not be entirely tilled with roots. It often liappens at this time of the year that cuttings of the ki]ids named are struck in vineries which have just been started. In this position tlie cuttings obtain some warmth, and consequently grow more quicklj-. After the plants are potted they should be returned to the same position as previously held, giving them as m\ich light as possible, but on no account should they be allowed to remain in heat longer than is requisite for the formation of new roots. After this the plants must have cooler quarters, which will prevent tlieir be- coming drawn up weakly and otherwise crippled. Plants like those in question need more care when removed to frames or cool houses from heat than do those which have been growing under cool treatment aU through their existence, as j they are more liable to receive checks which i would render the growtli of a stunted charac- ■ ter ; therefore avoid draughts of cold air blow- ing over the plants. When the plants have grown 4 inches or 5 inches high, which may be before they were placed in single pots or after- wards, is the time to determine the method they shall be grown under, whether it be for the production of large individual blooms or for the quantity each plant shall develop. It is only in the case of being required for exhi- bition that the first-named method should be adopted. Certainly the two objects are widely different. Even with Pompons and single varieties it is useless to expect to compete with blooms which have been procured from plants grown with the object of supplying cut blooms in quantity against those which are had from plants specially grown for exhibition. Cultivators have the remedy in their own hands, viz. , either to grow tlie plants with a full inten- tion of being successful or give up the idea iif exhibiting. WTiere jilants for exhibition are in- tended, two plants of each variety will be ample to provide blooms sufficient for the largest re- quirements in that direction, especially where a goodly number of sorts are cultivated. These plants should be grown on without stopping, restricting them to the single stem which they had as cuttings until the plants break iuto ad- ditional growth, which they do when forming their first flower-bud. It is at that stage when the number of blooms each plant is intended to carry must be determined, because then the energy of the plant should be restricted to the number of shoots retained. It is proposed to treat the whole three sections in the same man- ner, as the same details of culture are applicable to one and all. The most useful way to culti- vate these sections of Chrysanthemums is as bushes, keeping them as dwarf as possible, as in this manner they are so much more useful for conservatory decoration. The plants for this purpose should be stopped by pinching out the point of each at the height previously named. When the shoots have grown another 4 inches long, they should be again topped to produce more growths if large plants are wished for. Tlie flowers of single varieties are increasing in favour, so useful are they in a cut state for fiOing vases. For producing late flowers the single-flowered varieties are especially valuable, as the plants throw out side growths very freely after the blooms from the points have been cut. At the end of January I saw neat blooms of Mrs. Langtrj', one of the best of the single varieties. At that late date the blooms were, of course, highly prized. In the northern counties of England these sections of Chrysanthemums are not nearly so much cultivated as they are about the metro- polis and the more southern parts, the attention of the cultivators being more centred upon the incurved and Japanese sections. We have just completed the potting of the rooted plants which were struck in cold frames. Owing to the weakly cuttings of some sorts and the ab- sence of sun since their insertion, roots have been but slowly made, the foliage, too, for the same reason being pale in colour. The plants have been returned to the cold frame, which will be kept rather close for a time until the roots liave taken possession of tlie new soil. Cuttings of Sieur Melanie may now be put in. These, if flowered in 7-inch pots, form a capital edging to groups of the larger kinds, or for the production of suitable plants for room decoration. Indeed, in any form this variety is appreciated. With nothing but t>rdinary treatment, the foliage is at all times good, while the flowers are of the purest white, rendering it one of the most useful varieties for decoration that we have. In some parts the early-flowering varieties, such as Mnie. Desgrange and its yellow sport (G. Wermig), nanum, Mignon, Mme. Jolivart, ic, are much appreciated for bedding, either by themselves or mixing with other plants, such as Lobelia cardinalis or Aster Amellus bessara- bicus. With both these jilants the fii'st-namod Chrysanthemum gives a capital eft'ect. Now is a good time to insert cuttings for the purpose named. It is necessary, even in this case, to grow the plants well before planting them out. Stout cuttings should be inserted in sandy soil three or four together for convenience, placing the pots under handlights in a cool house, or in a partly spent hotbed will do. Directly they are well rooted, pot them off singly, re- turning them to the frame to obtain a stout growth, and when 4 inches high top them to in- duce strong bushy plants available for planting out in May. In some places beds are entirely occupied with these early types of Chrysanthemums year after year. To produce yearly a good effect the plants need some support, which is best given by annual replanting. Now is a good time to set about this work. Commence by taking up the old roots, removing nearly all the soil from them and trenching the bed to a depth of 2 feet, adtling plenty of spent Mushroom lied manure as the work goes on. If the plants show any signs of weakness in the centre they had better be divided before being replanted. A thin mulching of manure may be laid on the bed with advantage. Manures for Chrysanthemums. — I notice that Mr. Molyneux, in a paper on "Manures for Chrysanthemums," published in The Gaeden for Feb. 25, recommends that Standen's manure should be used at the rate of 1 lb. to 1 bushel of soil. Surely this must be a misprint for 1 oz., and even then the dose would be excessive. A concentrated artificial manure, to produce the best results, is never applied to land by agriculturists who have bad the greatest experience in the use of such ma- nures in larger proportions than 10 cwts. to the acre, and such a large dose is rarely given. Assum- ing a bushel of soil to be equal to a square foot of surface, 1 lb. per foot would represent more than 19 tons to the acre. We must suppose, from its high price, that Standen's manure is as concen- trated as any manure used by agriculturists; there- tore the application of a dressing more than thirty-eight times the strength of that which experience has shown to produce the best results must, considering the energetic action of artificial manures, be destructive to .^n}- jjlant to which it was applied. Then as to the economy of the use of Standen's manures in such proportions, consider- ing the retail price is 42s. per cwt., but assuming it would be sold for much less per ton, say £30, then a dressing of 10 tons to the acre would cost £570. — Edmund Tonks, PaoJiivood. *f* We submitted the above to Mr. Molyneux, and in answer to it he says that there is no misprint ; and he .also informs us that the blooms of Chrysan- themum E. Molyneux, shown by him at the Aquarium, were grown in the mixture in which 1 lb. of Standen's manure to 1 bushel of soil was used. — Ed. Chrysanthemum sports. — The subject of Chrysanthemums sporting must always be an in- teresting one, and as the variety Ralph Brocklebank (noted m The G-^^kden, pp. 128-1G7) originated here, a word or two from me will, I trust, be per- mitted. The plant of Meg Merrilies on which it showed was one of three. It was allowed to carry three blooms — two were of the normal colour and one yellow. This was in the blooming season of 1885. I propagated aU the cuttings 1 could get both from the sported branch and from the others, as well as from the base, but w.as careful to label each one, as I was anxious to see whether any other part of the plant was affected. When the flowering season of issd came round, I found that all the cuttings taken from the sported stem produced yellow flowers, while all from the other parts were of exactly the same colour as those of Meg Jlerrilies. When taking the cuttings from the old plant, I took care to leave some breaks on all the three branches, as well as some on the single stem (for I may s,ay that the three branches sprung from a single stem about 2 feet from the pot). I kept the plant two years longer — that is, until it had flowered in 1S87, but as the sported branch was the only 2G0 THE GARDEN. [March 23, 1889. part affected, and as the old tree-like stems were getting weak and feeble, I discarded it. Mr. Kipling wishes to know (Gaeden, Feb. 23, p. ICSl) whether the variety Ralph Brocklebank has .sported again. I am glad to tell him it did'so in 1887, this time to a bright golden yellow, which I have named Mr.s. B. Edwards, and which I hope to distribute next season. It was not on the old plant of which I have written that the sport appeared, but on one of about twenty plants, which were growing in t)-inch and 7-inch pots, each jjlant being only allowed to carry one flower. A.s all were propa- gated from our own stock of Ralph Brocklebank, I cannot say whether it was a root cutting or one from a stem. If from a stem, it must have been from one which did not flower in 1SS6, or I should have noticed the flower, as I quite expected that sooner or later the primrose-yellow bloom would develop into a golden colour, Mr. Bunn and Golden George Glenny being examples of deeper develop- ments of colour from Golden Beverley and Mr. G. Glenny respectively. With respect to flowers re- verting to their original colour, 1 may say that not a single instance has come under my notice of Ralph Brocklebank doing so, and up to date the same remark applies to its new departure, Mrs. Bevan Edwards. — Tho.mas Winkwoeth, ChUdtcall Hall, Liverpool. Fruit Garden. W. COLEMAN. THE PLUM AS A POT PLANT. When well grown and carefully finished, that is, with perfect bloom, the Plum, like the Cherry, forms a much appreciated addi- tion to the dessert. Like its companion — for fruit forcers generally run the two together — it requires very little forcing ; indeed, as compared with Grapes and Figs, it succeeds best where incessant attention is devoted to preventing it from becoming too warm. Early in flower, even in the open air, all that is needed in the Plum liouse is a temperature ranging a few degi'ees above freezing as a minimum and temperate, 60'^ as a maximum from the time the trees are introduced until the fruit is stoned. The owner of every orchard house for the last thirty or forty years has cultivated pot Plums most suc- cessfully, and a few gardeners have forced them ; but, barring these two classes of fruit growers, hardly anyone has thouglit of introducing these cheap fertile trees which only recjuire shelter from extremes of lieat and cold, and accommo- date themselves to any light, airy glass struc- ture, always provided they are allowed to breathe freely. For planting out in corridors and lobbies, wherever a cubic foot of earth can be given to them. Plums are deliciously fragrant, ornamental, and useful ; for greenhouse or conservatory decoration, as dwarf bushes or pyramids, but more especially as standards established in pots and tubs for filling space first with bloom, then with fruit, they are equal to Deutzias and other deciduous shrubs now forced by the thousand ; and last, but not least important, for supplying the dessert-table with delicious bags of juice known as fJolden Drops when otlier stone fruits have passed away. The grand Engli.sh seedling which has immortalised the name of Coe should be gi'owu by the houseful. This and Goes Late Ked, which is not HO good, Rivers' Late, a good Plum, and Ickwortli Inijiuratrice require a summer above the average to give tliem the true finish on open w;i11h, but established in jjots, tubs, or narrow borders in well-ventilated glass liouses they fruit profusely and furnish perfect sweetmeats. These, aided by 21 uy.. glass, do not really require fire-heat, as they have the whole of the summer in wliich to perform tlieir work ; but there are two periods over which the grower should have command of dry hot-water pipes, not necessarily to raise the temperature, but to prevent an accumulation of stagnant moisture. The first of tliese is the flowering stage, naturally early, when raw fogs and morning frost.s pre- vail and the low temperature condenses moisture on the thin petals of the flowers, and, unchecked by gentle fire heat, reduces the pollen to a pasty mass quite unfit for the performance of its delicate office. A spell of bright, genial weather during the time the trees are in flower renders fire heat a superfluity, but north of London the flow and return pipe attached to a small boiler should be provided for use when absolutely ne- cessary. When this fertilising period is bridged over ordinary solar heat will carry the fruit on to maturity. Then, like late Grapes, the Plums will require a modicum of dry fire heat, not always, but under certain climatal conditions from the beginning of September until the end of their season. Selection. — In the selection of trees for forc- ing early or coming in late, none but the very best sorts should be chosen, such, for instance, as theGages, .Jefterson, Kirke's, Huling'sSuperb, Denniston's Superb, and the October varieties mentioned above. Trees established in pots can be bought ready for fruiting, or root-pruned pyramids, bushes, and standards studded with blossom-buds may be selected, potted at home, and plunged the first year in the open ground or a cold house, where most likely they will set plenty of fruit the first season. Duplicates of these to any extent may bo grown, but those who would establish a Plum house divided into early and late sections might safely select the following score of dessert sorts for following each other in their order of ripening. ] , Early Green Gage ; 2, July Green Gage ; 3, Eivers' Early Prolific, or Early Apricot ; 4, De Mont- fort ; 5, Oullin's Golden Gage ; 6, Denniston's Superb ; 7, Mommelonne ; 8, Old Green Gage ; 9, Huling's Superb ; 10, McLaughlin's ; 11, Transjiarent Gage ; 12, Jefferson ; 13, Kirke's ; 14, Angelina Burdett ; 15, Washington ; 16, Coe's Golden Drop ; 17, Coe's Late Red ; 18, Reine Claude de Bavay ; 19, Ickworth Impera- trice ; 20, Late Rivers. Culture. — A good start being important, the trees and pots should be well washed, the first with soap and warm water, before they are in- troduced. Each pot, placed upon two bricks on the raised centre bed or floor, must tlien be well top-dressed with rich compost and properly watered with pure tepid water from the internal tank. The earliest trees in the forcing section must be kept at 45° on cold nights, oO^ when mild, and 50° to (>5^ by day, with gentle warmth on the pipes and a free circulation of air. Under tliese temperatures, aided by steady syringing with warm water, the flower-buds will swell very fast, and when they begin to show the colour of their petals, the time will have arrived for fumigation to ensure freeize, a fresh young fruit of Telegraph 15 inches long with bloom attached being more useful and valuable than older fruits more or less seedy. Plants in pits and frames now growing freely nmst be earthed little and often as the roots pro- trude. The compost for these may be somewhat heavier than that used in the formation of the original hills or ridges, but Cucumbers in all stages like an intermediate fibry loam, not too fine, whilst old lime rubble is a host in itself, not only for keep- ing the compost open, but also as a top-dressing for fruit-bearing plants. If fermenting material is the only source of heat, the linings (back and front) should be renovated every week. The alternate .■system answers best, as fluctuations of heat and sudden depressions by this means are avoided. Covering at night throughout the season is an ad- vantage, and for the next two months is imperative. Oiled canvas, which throws off rain and snow and can be secured by means of strings pa.ssed through eyelet holes, is excellent for pits and frames, but it is not so warm as dry mats, an older, rather littery, but withal invaluable non-conducting cover- ing. As the plants grow away from the centre of each light they must be regularly pinched and trained, not too thickly, as crowding in these close places fosters canker, damping off, and the produc- tion of crooked fruit. If possible, the heat of the bed should be maintained at 80°, and the air tem- perature of the frame from 68° to 70° at night, 80° by day. and as much higher as it will go after clos- ing with sun heat and moisture, not later than 3 p.m. on the brightest afternoons. When the London market gardeners adopted this mode of culture the glass lights only could be seen, every particle of woodwork being buried in fermenting manure. Each light was tilted through the early part of the day, but by 3 o'clock the plants were shut up in a hot vapour bath, and by 5 o'clock they were tucked up under comfortable dry mats for the night, where the temperature would range quite 75° the following morning. Pot Vines. If the old and new Grapes are to shake hands, the latter will now be safely through the stoning and taking the last swelling, if not actually colour- !• g, and proving by the size and density of the berries how grateful they can be for moderate cropping. The best test of this in permanent vineries, as I recently stated, is the persistent pro- duction of laterals, but with pot Vines whose roots are confined to a cubic foot of soil this growth may be very weak, and yet the foliage being healthy, they may finish well. It is now too late to do much good by cutting off superfluous bunches ; not so to go over them with a pair of finely pointed scissors with the view to giving relief where the berries show signs of binding. As every new leaf assists the roots and black Grapes colour best under the shade of healthy foliage, laterals should still be allowed to grow so long as space can be found for tying them down to the wires. The top-dressing for some time to come must be regularly supplied and well washed in with warm diluted liquid guano and soot water alternately, but when the Grapes get further advanced these stimulants must give place to pure water, atmospheric moisture must be reduced and fresh air increased whenever the ele- ments favour free ventilation. When perfectly coloured and approaching ripeness water may he given less frequently, but on no account must the foliage be allowed to suffer, and the temperature must gradually be lowered by an increased circula- tion of dry, warm air. If Madresfield Court Mus- cats are amongst these pot Vines and cracking is dreaded, the attendant must guard against allowing the roots to feel the want of water before the berries have attained their full size, as a check from drought followed by a flush is almost sure to result in the loss of some of the finest Grapes. Cut-hachs which were shaken out and placed in fi-inch or 8-inch pots last month should now be 2 feet in height, and fit for tlie final shift into others about 12 inches in diameter. As the roots they will make must remain sound and licalthy until the Grapes are ripe, too much care cannot be devoted to the performance of every operation forming part and parcel of the transfer. Pots and ' 204/ THE GARDEN. [Mabch 23, 1889. ^ -crocks, for instance, should be quite clean and ,."■■ thoroughly dry, and the latter, placed convex-side ^'-upwards and covered with finely crushed bones or broken oyster shells, whilst allowing water to escape freely, should be impervious to the entry of worms. Tlie compost— good rough turfy loam of a fibry and slightly sandy nature, crushed bones and rough charcoal or old lime rubble — also should be dry, as it will require firm ramming with the potting stick, and if mixed a fortnight in advance of use so much 1 16 better. No animal manure should be used, as it encourages, if it does not breed, worms, and in due course under constant watering becomes sour and objectionable to the roots. Bone meal, on the other hand, rather freely used will improve the compost, as it dissolves and is absorbed by the lumps of turf through which the roots will force their way and remain sound when liquid stimulants are administered. When this compost has been thoroughly warmed through by artificial heat, if not by natural fermentation, the young Vines should be carefuUy watered to ensure moist balls at the time of repotting, otherwise no amount of after- watering, whilst washing the virtue out of the com- post, will restore them to a healthy growing con- dition. As each Vine is turned out of its pot, the whole of the compost being new, care must be taken that the ball, only a few weeks old, does not fall to pieces, but all roots visible must be liberated with a pointed stick and it will be ready for its final position, which should be just deep enough for the base of the young cane to be covered with soil when repotting is finished. If a close warm potting shed is not available, this work should be performed in the pit, and the Vines should be at once plunged in bottom-heat to give them a good start. But little water will be needed at first, especially if the plunging bed is moist and the young canes are lightly syringed once or twice a day. Shading, if possible, should be avoided, cer- tainly after the roots have taken to the new soil, the main points being a short-jointed quick growth and firm leathery leaves on short foot-stalks. The trade train their pot Vines in an upright position, but the best plan with private gardeners is plung- ing near the front of the house and training to the wires of the trellis precisely as they train young rods in ordinary vineries. As growth proceeds, each lateral must be pinched at the first joint, but on no account must the main leaf be injured, and when the canes are 6 feet to 8 feet in length, they will require stopping to throw strength into the lower parts and plump up the buds. The Vines, once the roots touch the sides of the pots, will take liberal supplies of weak, clear liquid guano and soot water, and the latter may be used once or twice a week for syringing purposes. At other times pure warm water must be pretty freely used about the walls and floors in the morning, and overhead when the house is shut up warm in the afternoon. When the pots are well filled with roots and the canes are formed, renovation of the plunging material may be discontinued, and that which has done good service may be drawn away by degrees from the sides of the pots. yearli7t!/s.— Single eyes put into small pots or squares of turf early in February and plunged in bottom-heat in a close compact pit should now be fit for a shift into ° to 85° is not too high, especially wliere good plants are wanted for turning out into new borders in May and June, but the prime factor in Mic [iropagaling pit, and th(^ one in which private g,-irdeners most frei|uently fall .short, is a steady bottom-heal of 7.'j° to 80°. When the eyes for planting are struck in thin sods of turf resting on the top of a sharp bottom-heat, they are best kept out of pots until the border is ready for them. For growing into good stores either for cutting down or planting the following spring 7-inch pots are quite large enough. The soil for these, like that recommended for fruiters, should be rather dry and thoroughly warm, and the pots should be plunged to the rims in bottom- heat to give the Vines a good start. Once this is secured and the roots begin to coil, they may be drawn out of the bed and placed thinly on the sur- face. W. C. Propagating. The phopagating house.— As the sun gets more powerful, it is necessary to be careful that a moist atmosphere is maintained, especially while the cases remain open. On all favourable occasions a little ventilation should be given early in the morning, and if the top ventilators are opened only for a short time it will sweeten the atmosphere and be generally beneficial. Of course, cold winds and draughts must be avoided. In giving ventilation, &c., a great deal will depend upon circumstances. I like to avoid all extremes and to keep everything as clean and sweet as possible, more depending on this than is at first apparent. Another important point connected with propagating is that in pro- pagating such things as are liable to suflfer if allowed to get withered, the cuttings should be taken early in the morning while the plants are fresh and full of sap. In most cases it is much better to keep cuttings fresh, and avoid using water directly the cuttings are made. Tecoma capensis. — This may be used as a climber or it will form a neat compact pot plant, and the terminal racemes of bright orange-scarlet flowers are very showy. This species, though not often met with in really good condition, deserves to be extensively cultivated, and when properly treated it is one of the most attractive plants that can be grown for the cool conservatory during the autumn. Cuttings from young shoots taken off close to the older wood will root freely in a cool part of the propagating house. To "form dwarf compact pot plants they must be grown on in a cool open position, but if subjected to a dry atmo sphere red spider will be troublesome. DiPLACus GLUTINOSUS.— This is a very desirable plant for greenhouse culture. Although now in eluded in the genus Mimulus, it is very distinct in appearance from the ordinary Mimulus of gar- dens, being of a shrubby habit with narrow leaves. The flowers are of a peculiar bronzy yellow or buff shade of colour. When well cared for, it forms a very pretty pot plant, and in a light sunny position flowers freely. It may be readily propagated from the young shoots in the spring. Cuttings will succeed best if taken off before they have made too much new growth. As soon as well rooted the cuttings may be potted off singly or grown three in a pot, and if stopped once or twice they will make nice plants for flowering late in the summer. CnoiSYA ternata. — This very pretty Mexican evergreen flowering shrub is a very desirable plant for the cool conservatory, or in sheltered positions it succeeds well out of doors and produces its pure white blossoms in great abundance, these being shown off to great advantage by the pretty bright green foliage. Cuttings from young shoots fairly firm at the base will strike freely in the ordinary propagating pit. The cuttings should be selected from shoots that are not too vigorous and put in sandy peat. The plants may be grown on in good mellow loam, to which may be added a little peat and .sand, or some leaf-mould may 1)C used. The plants should l)e grown on in a cool position and where the atmosphere is not too dry. Cassia cobymbosa. — This pretty flowering shrub is a useful subject for the cool conservatory. It may also be used in tlie flower garden during the summer, and succeeds well if planted in a warm sunny position, the bright green foliage and pretty yellow flowers being very attractive. It may be propagated from cuttings during the spring. The cuttings should be taken after the plants have made a little new growtli, selecting those that are not too vigorous. The plants should be potted in good loamy soil, and may be grown on in an intermediate temperature, but to flower them well they should have a light, airy position. When properly treated, bushy flowering plants may be obtained which will be found very useful for various purposes. A. Garden Flora. PLATE 693. THE BARBERRIES. (with a coloured plate of berberis A.SPEK.M.i.*) In scarcely any other genus of garden plants is there such complete confusion in nomenclature as in Berberis. A large number of so-called species have been described — doubtless from in- dSviduals — and apparently without their authors having taken the trouble to study the genus as a whole. The natural variability lias not been taken into account, neither has the aptitude of the plants for liybridisation been considered. Under these ciixumstances it will not be found strange that catalogues and books are crowded with a host of useless names. Even after study- ing the original type specimens of Schrader's monograph, and also living plants received direct from the GiJttingen Garden, the late Karl Koch in his " Dendrologie " states that it would have been better had the monograph in ques- tion never been printed, and that he, for his part, considers it well to ignore the work alto- gether. According to some books, there are upwards of 100 species of Berberis, but in all probability there are less than fifty whicli have good claims to specific rank. The genus is distributed throughout all north temperate regions and ex- tends to sub- tropical Asia and almost tlie whole length of the Andes. Indeed, no less than thirty species are enumerated in the " Cata- logus Plantarum Vascularum ChOensium " by PhUippi, whose name is familiar to English gardeners through the handsome and free- flowering Escallonia Philippiana, figured and described some years ago in these columns. As the space available is insuflicient to enable me to give an account of all the Barberi'ies, the evergreen ones (of wliicli B. Darwini may be taken as a representative) and the pinnate- leaved ones (Mahonias) are omitted. This paper is therefore confined to B. vulgaris and its numerous forms, together witli a few nearly allied members of that group. Many of the [ilants mentioned in these notes are amongst the most handsome of hardy orna- mental shrubs, and are worth a place in the shrubbery or pleasure ground for the beauty of their flowers. What splendid objects some are when laden with fruit, a glauco at the accom- panying coloured plate will sulliciently prove. B. vulgaris makes an excellent hedge, but, says Loudon, "there exists a prejudice against it among .agriculturiets, from its supposed iiillucnee in producing blight or mildew on the corn ad- joining it. This oi^inioii is of unknown anti- quity, but it is now considered to bo an erro- neous prejudice." Duhamel in his fine work expresses himself in a similar strain. " We very unjustly accuse it of licing the cause of that nicltc funtstc which infects cereal crops. Wo do not allow it in hedges by ono of those prejudices which a study of Nature Wi)uhl easily dissipate." Similar statements could bo quoted to an .almost indetinite extent, but in spite of all, tlio farmers who maiiitaineil the connection * Drawn for Thk (iAKDKN by 11. G. Moou, October 12, 1888, from spt'cinions si'ut by Mr.-i. Rohh, Lii)hook. Lithographed and printed by (luilltuuno Sevoreyne. THE GARDEN "NTEO IK BELCltv \ BERBci^o ASPERiViA. Mabch 23, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 265 between the Barberry Cluster Cups — the bright red spots so frequent on the leaves, stalks, and fruits of the Barbeny in the spring and summer months— and the Corn mildew wliich attacked their Corn crops in autumn, and ruthlessly de- stroyed the Barberry bushes in the hedges sur- rounding their cornlields in consequence of that belief, are now admitted by the best authorities to have been thoroughly right. The Cluster Cups are merely the spring condition of the dreaded mildew ; the life history of the fungus and figures of its various stages are given in Bennett and Murray's recently published " Handbook of Cryptogamio Botany." B. VULGARIS. — This species, our native Barberry, is too well known to need description. It is found in a wild state throughout Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, and varies very materially in aspect in different countries. The readiest mode of propagation is by seeds, but those forms which do not come true when increased by this method can be readily grown from cuttings or layers. Loudon states in his " Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs" that the common Barberry will live for two or three centuries without increasing much in size. The wood is hard and brittle, of a yellow colour, and but little used except for dyeing. The rate of growth when the plant is young is rapid, and in consequence in five or six years it will attain the height of 7 feet or 8 feet, but it grows slowly afterwards unless the suckers are removed from it as they are produced. It is seldom seen above 10 feet high, but there are examples of trees of it 30 feet high probably of thirty years' growth. The leaves are agreeably acid, and, according to Gerard, were used in his time to season meat with and in- stead of a salad like Sorrel. The berries are so acid that birds seldom touch them. They are not eaten raw, but are excellent when preserved with sugar in syrup or candied. They are also made into jelly and rob, both of which are not only delicious to the taste, but extremely wholesome, and they are pickled in vinegar, when green, as a substitute for capers. The following names represent forms which are not worth characterising, and which, in- deed, cannot be distinguished from the type : B. globularis, B. sangumolenta, B. arborescens, B. declinata, B. laxidora, B. actinacantha (the true plant of this name is a Chilian species with evergreen leaves, somewhat like B. DarwLni), B. lucida, B. elougata, B. crenulata, B. macro- carpa, B. chrysantha, B. angulizaus, B. chi- nensis, &c. B. V. ASPEKMA, which is represented by the coloured plate, is one of the most desirable forms. It has long been known in cultivation, and although common enough a century or more ago, does not now appear to be so much grown as its merits en- title it to be. It is mentioned by Philip Miller, and Duhamel gives the following account of it : " In a wild state it occurs in the neighbourhood of Rouen and in many other places in Northern France. When, however, a bush is transplanted into gar- den ground, it develops strong shoots and bears fine fruit, but each berry contains two seeds. In a few years it grows less vigorously, and then each berry contains but a single seed. When the bush is old the berries become seedless, as they were be- fore the plant was removed from its wild habitat." The delicious preserve, conjitures d'epine rinette, for which Rouen was celebrated in Dubamel's time, was, according to that author, made from the fruit of B. vulgaris asperma. B. V. ruRi'URBA. — The leaves of this form are a deep purple, and the berries are also purple. When planted in a mass, allowed to establish itself, and cut down annually, strong shoots are developed, which when young are a fine rich red-purple. Under such conditions there is no better deciduous shrub for beautiful foliage effects. In gardens this is also known under the names of B. sanguinea, B. atro- purpurca, and B. violacea. B. V. ALBA. — The only real difference between this variety and the ordinary red-fruited type is in the white fruit, which, however, is not produced very freely; consequently the white-fruited Bar- berry is only worth growing as a curiosity. The same remarks apply to B. v. lutea, a form with yellow berries. Of neither of these have I been able to ascertain the history or origin. B. V. DULC'LS. — The first account of this form I have met with is in vol. iv. of the " Transactions of the Hortioultmal Society," February 8, 1 820. " In a letter received this day from Baron Jacquin, of Vienna, addressed to the secretary, information is communicated of a variety of the common Bar- berry, which may become an agreeable addition to the table fruits. It was discovered wild on a mountain bordering on the Austrian Alps by the late Mr. Henry Schott, gardener to the Emperor of Austria. Its fruit is perfectly sweet and of a pleasant flavour. A plant of it is now alive in the garden of an eminent nurseryman at Vienna, but he has not yet succeeded in propagating it." The synonyms of this form are B. mitis, B. eduiis, B. esculenta. I am not aware whether this interesting plant is now in cultivation in this country. The plants I have met with under the names quoted had fruits just as acid as the common Barberry, but they were probably raised from seeds, and Loudon tells us that the seedlings raised from the original plant had acid fruits. B. V. VABIEGATA. — This has roundish yeUow- margined leaves otherwise similar to the type. B. V. AMURENSis. — The very large, somewhat papery leaves and less branched habit are the only points of difference by which to characterise this Barberry. A native of Amurland ; somewhat recently introduced to this country from Russia. B. V. -iSTNENSis. — The berries of this variety .ire oblong, bluish black when ripe. The bush is dwarf, much branched, and the zig-zag twigs are clothed with stout spines, from three to five in a cluster, as long as, or longer, than the leaves. The flowers are in very shortly-stalked, few-flowered racemes hardly longer than the leaves. In a wild state B. :etnensis occurs from South Europe to the Hima- layas. B. CANADENSIS. — The American Barberry is a native of the Alleghany Mountains from ^'irginia southward, but according to Dr. Asa Gray is not found in Canada, as would naturally be concluded from its name, nor is it mentioned by Professor Macoun in his recently finished " Catalogue of Canadian Plants." The teeth of the leaves are less bristly pointed, the racemes bear fewer flowers, with notched petals, and the berries are oval; in other respects the American Barberry is like our common European species. Now and then met with under the name of B. caroliniana. B. Lyoium. — This is a very handsome Himalayan plant with sub-persistent leaves. Even when out of flower it is readily recognised by its narrow, generally quite entire, leathery leaves, pale green above and glaucous beneath ; the erect rigid branches, too, are clothed with whitish liark. I'he golden-yellow flowers are borne in drooping, simple or compound racemes longer than the leaves, and the flowering period is later than that of all the numerous forms of the common Barberry. The berries are violet in colour. The only drawback to this beautiful shrub is the fact that in a young state it appears to be a very shy flowerer. An old bush, (i feet or 8 feet high, is a grand sight when ladeu with its deep yellow flowers, and in this state is more showy than any other member of the B. vul- garis group. It is, moreover, perfectly hardy. Several garden plants must be referred here, among them B. elegans, B. aurahuacensis (the true plant of this name is a Mexican species introduced long ago to the Horticultural Society's gardens, but per- haps now lost), B. glaucescens, and B. aristata. The last - mentioned name rightly represents a varialile Himalayan plant very different from li. Lycium, a figure of which will ere long be publislied in the Botanteal Maijazine. B. SINENSIS was found in Northern China during Lord Macartney's embassy to China, and was intro- duced into England in 1800. The true plant seems to be not so frequently cultivated as it ought to be. by far the larger number of plants grown under the name being simply B. vulgaris. Tliere is, however, no mistaking the distinctness of B. sinensis when once seen. The flowers— smaller than those of any of the Barberries hitherto mentioned in these notes — are borne on slender, long-stalked pendulous racemes ; the somewhat small berries are bright red. The species is well figured in the Botanical Maga- zine (tab. 6573), and in the accompanying letter- press Sir Joseph Hooker says "this is the most graceful of all the numerous species of Barberry cultivated at Kew, the branchlets from the base to the crown of the plants weeping and being loaded with blossoms in the spring." In some gardens this is grown under the name of B. monosperma. Kciv. Geo. Nicholson. Kitchen Garden. RAISING PLANTS TOO EARLY. When jilanta of various kinds of vegetables are raised long before they can be finally put out, a very bad start has been made. This is discovered sooner or later by all observant gar- deners, whether professional or amateur. In order that the inexperienced may not have to pay too dearly for their learning, I will endea- vour to point out some errors that may be avoided. It is no uncommon practice to sow the seed of Tomatoes intended for fruiting in the open or against sunny walls and fences durmg the early part of March ; the consequence is the seedlings are either left much too long in the seed-pans or pots and become drawn and weakly, or else when duly potted oflf they have to remain so long in the pots prior to the weather being fit for transplanting them to their fruiting quarters, that they become leggy and starved, much valu- able time being lost before they partially recover from this severe check. The first week in April is early enough to sow seed, the plants by ordi- narUy good culture growing to a good size by the end of May, or by the time it is safe to put them out. Not being raised too early, they soon recover from the temporary check given them when planted out, and the first strong bunch of bloom being preserved, there is eveiy prospect of ripe fruit being gathered early in July. Vegetable Marrows and ridge Cucumbers ought never to be raised long before their summer quarters are ready for their reception. In some catalogues and calendars it is advised that the seed be sown in March ; in others early in April ; the plants to be grown on till the end of May. These early raised and "grown on" plants prove very unsatisfactory when finally put out, and not unfrequently are eventually surpassed by others raised from seed sown on the beds early in May. If handlights or frames are available for giving Marrows a good start, then sow about the middle of April, and transfer the plants to the beds as soon as the pots are well tilled with roots. When nothing but a temporary covering of some kind of protecting material can be atlbrded, be content to sow the seeds about the tirst week in May. They germi- nate quickly, the plants are soon of a good size, and if not badly starved will not be long in arriving at a bearing state. Very many failures with Celery may be traced to early raising. If a row or rows are needed extra early, or say during August and Septem- ber, then the jilants must be raised early in the year in a ratlier strong heat ; but such early- raised Celery is often not tit to eat, and not till October is it nearer perfection. As a rule, the tirst week in March is quite soon enough to sow a pinch of seed of a white Celery, and plants raised thus early in heat require to be pricked 266 THE GARDEN. [Makch 23, 1889. out into frames or coddled somewhat. The bulk of the plants ought not to be subjected to much heat at any time, aud it is far better to raise the required number on gentle hotbeds with or without a frame covering, sowing the seed late in March or during the first week in April. Without much trouble a sturdy lot of plants may be prepared for the trenches, and which will do well from the first, these also being the least likely to run to seed prema- turely. Poor weakly plants raised early and thicldy in pans or boxes are generally the most difficult to deal with, and are usually the least satisfactory in the end. Late in March or early in April large quanti- ties of Broccoli, Borecole, Chou de Burghley, and Savoy seeds are sown in the open borders, some of the plants thus raised being intended to succeed any that may have been raised earlier in heat. Where there is a possibility of the former being put out as soon as ready not much harm is done ; indeed a longer period of growth might be a gain. But, as a rule, the plants are raised early only to remain crowded until the ground can be cleared of other crops or be pre- pared for them. By all means raise a good early batch of Brussels Sprouts, Eclip.se and Autumn Giant Cauliflowers, Autumn Protecting and Michaelmas White Broccoli, and, if much needed, some Cabbage, but these must not be neglected in any way, or early sowing will be detrimental rather than advantageous. In late or very cold districts it may be advisable to sow seed of mid-season and late Broccoli, Borecole, Savoys, and Chou de Burghley during the first week in April, but in warmer localities from the middle to the end of the month is quite soon enough, and we not infrequently defer sowing till the first week in May. Sown at these dates the seed germinates and the plants grow quickly. Market growers who raise many thousands of plants in the open fields and on poor ground may always safely sow the seed earlier than private gardeners, as there is little or no danger of their stock becoming prema- turely tall and weakly. If the seed of Salsafy and Scorzonera is sown much before the end of AprU the plants are liable to run to seed prematurely, while early raised Beet is apt to attain the size of Mangold Wurtzel. The best Carrots for storing are usually obtained by sowing seed late in April. Comparatively late sowing of any of tlie fore- going is usually attended with a more even ger- mination of the seeds. W. Iggulden. SEAKALE FOR NEXT WINTER'S FORCING. Seakale in its requirements differs from all other plants. If by good summer culture a strong crown has been formed at the top of the long under- ground stem, forcing this crown to make suitable growth is only a question of proper treatment in a dark house or frame. In gardens where there is a Mushroom Iiouse one or more of the bays are usually reserved for Seakale, relays of prepared crowns being planted therein somewhat closely together at suitable intervals to produce a regular succession. But though in large gardens the Mushroom house is commonly utilised for forcing Seakale in winter, any other dark place with a genial temperature and an atmosphere free from all taint of ammonia from the fermentation of manure will do. When the crowns are lifted for forcing in November or December, as the case may be, the roots are trimmed in pretty closely, the crowns, with about 8 inches of main-root stem attached, being laid in thickly together on the north side of a hedge or fence to be in readiness when required, and the pieces trimmed off, or thongs, as they are sometimes called, .-ire sorted .-md the strongest and best are cut to about 4 inches in length by the removal of the thin end. They are then laid in damp sand till March or April, when they are planted with a dibble on land that is in good heart in rows 15 inches apart, and about the same distance, or a little less, from each other in the rows. This I have found to give ample room for the production of good strong crowns. If the thongs are laid in damp sand in Novem- ber or early in December, buds will probably be shooting from the thick ends in March, and when the roots .ire planted, these little crowns should be placed just level with the top of the soil, or, at any rate, only a little fine soil should be crumbled down over them. If they are covered tliey will work their way through. The one thing remark- able about Seakale is the impunity with which one may cut away its roots without injuring produc- tion. I do not trim so closely as some, but all roots are trimmed in within a couple of inches of the main stem, and thus give us a good su]iply of thongs for selecting cuttings from for raising a stock of roots for the following season's forcing. Seakale is a maritime plant, and a top-dressing of salt applied to the land before planting or imme- diately after will be beneficial. All flower-stems must be cut away, and if more than one crown forms on a root, all but the strongest should lie taken away, as one strong crown is better than two weakly ones. Where root cuttings in sufficient quantities cannot be had, seeds may be sown towards the end of March or beginning of April in drills 2 inches deep and 15 inches apart, the plants to be thinned when large enough. The best way of sowing the seeds is to drop say three seeds at intervals of a f.ot or so. As the seeds are somewhat expensive, this prevents all waste, and yet gives a good opportunity for selection, which it is very desirable to have. Slugs and snails are very fond of the young plants, and when they first appear through the soil a dusting of soot and lime should be given occasionally for a week or two till the plants get strong. E. H. KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. Potatoes. A CHANGE from winterly weather to warmth 'and sunshine has tempted many to commence planting Potatoes extensively, but it is possible to be too hasty in the matter. In low-lying districts, and which are most liable to be troubled with severe late frosts, it is unwise to do much of the planting in March, nearer the middle or end of April being a more suitable time. Very much ought in all cases to depend upon the state of the ground. Pota- toes should not be puddled in, and if the ground will not work freely when tested, it is advisable to delay planting till it can be done properly. The surface may be well pulverised and dry and yet immediately below, the soil be cold and wet, and this is certainly not a favourable state of aflairs for planting. Where a con.siderable space of ground is annually cropped with Potatoes, it is frequently necessary to commence planting in March, and if the latest varieties are first got in, then the second earlies, and finally the bulk of the Ashleafs and other early sorts, not much haulm will be above the surface till it may reasonably be considered out of danger from severe frosts. We prefer to plant medium-sized sets, each cleared of all but one strong sprout, but if scarce, large tubers of all but the Ashleaf and Lapstone types may safely be out into three or four pieces, each with one or more good eyes or sprouts attached. It is advisable to snip off the smallest ends of the Ashleaf Kidneys to ensure an early decay of the tubers, as when planted uncut these are apt to turn up sound when the crops are raised. All cut sets should have the wounds dipped in slaked lime, or otherwise grubs and in- .sects may feed on them before tliey have done their work. When it is desirable to ra|)idly increase the stock of any scarce variety, the tubers may bo jilai^cd in pans or boxes, and after being lightly covered with fine mould be placcnl in gentle heat to sjiroul. Every .sound eye will ]iush out one or more sprouts, and these when about 2 inches long may be pulled off the tuber, divided if need be, and placed singly into 3-inch pots filled with light loamy soil. Being already furnished with roots, these shoots, if kept on a shelf in gentle heat, will soon recommence active growth and develop into strong plants. The old tubers ought to be returned to their previous ijuarters and covered again, a second, and if re- quired a third crop of sprouts being thus obtained. It is really astonishing what a number of plants may be obtained in this manner from 1 pound of tubers, and if all are transferred early to cool houses or pits to harden o£E prior to being planted out on good ground, each, it duly protected for a time, will produce nearly or quite as heavy a crop as those sets put out in the usual manner. The days for fancy prices, however, are past, and there is now less need than formerly for this method of propagation. Methods of Planting Potatoes. When the ground is at all lumpy, it ought to be well stirred to a depth of about 9 inches and the lumps separated, this being done either by the aid of forks or two-tined hoes. In many districts the practice of digging in the Potatoes finds favour as being the quickest, and if the work is not " scamped " it answers well. Unfortunately, la- bourers are much given to study the surface of the ground rather than the state of the soil about the sets. When the drills are opened with a spade, the soil is apt to be made too close and impenetrable to the delicate tuber-bearing roots. The latter ought not to be much obstructed, the best crops being obtained from finely-divided, well-worked ground. If, therefore, the met hod of opening drills is followed, this should be done with forks. It is done in this way: A drill is opened across one end, the sets at once put in and carefully covered with the next spit of soil, a space of ground according to the distance to divide the rows being next dug. Then with the aid of a line stretched across, another drill is opened and planted, this being repeated till the whole breadth is finished — all the ground will be thus left in a loose condition. Drawing the drills with the aid of heavy half-mattock hoes is the surest method of well breaking up the soil that is to surround the sets, and this plan answers well when exhibition tubers are needed. The previously sprouted sets may first be carefully covered with fine light soil, brought, if necessary, from the frame ground, and the rest of the soil drawn over the rows with hoes. This is the most laborious method of all, as, in addition to the extra trouble of covering the sets, the spaces between the rows also require loosening with forks or hoes. Potatoes may be most expe- ditiously planted with the aid of a broad dibber, but this is recommended for light, free-working soils only. With the dibber and a line stretched across the ground, holes may be made as fast as sets can be dropped into them, these being closed again with a hoe. On medium and light soils the sets may well be buried to a depth of (5 inches, but on he.avy land it is advisable to plant very much nearer the surface, the crops resulting in this case being heavier and the quality very much better than is obtained by deep planting. This holds good with all varieties, but no general rule can so easily be given as to the distances apart to arrange the rows and sets. As a rule, the strong growers, which are principally late disease-resisting sorts, ought to be not less than ii feet .apart, another (i inches being allowed on extra good, well-manured land; while the sets maybe disposed from Id inches to 12 inches apart. Modcnitely strong growers, among these being included the greater portion of second early and main crop varieties, may be planted from 2 feet to 30 inches apart, a distance of 9 inches dividing the sets in the rows. The rows of Ashleaf and other comparatively short-lop]ied varieties, grown on good open ground for jiroducing succes- sional supplies, ought not to be less than 2 feet apart; but on warm borders whore they arc usually ]il;uited early the rows may be 18 inches ajiart and the sets 8 inches asunder. If any kind of artificial manure is used in .addition to a liberal dressing of half-rotten farmyard or st.ablc manure didy dug in rather deeply, this should be a]i])lied in moderation, or more harm than good will result. It may be sown in the drills, and ;igain among the rows, prior to hoeing or loosening the ground about these Maech 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 267 the first time after the sprouts are through the surface. Potatoes and Double Chopping. Where a system o£ close cropping is adopted Potatoes play an important part in various economic arrangements. In the more favoured southern dis- tricts especially the earliest crops can be cleared off the ground in time to be succeeded by autumn Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Strawberries, winter Spinach, Tripoli Onions, late Carrots, and winter salading. Some of the foregoing are not unfrequently grovra in succession to the second earlies, and also late Turnips and spring Cabbage. Very few attempt to plant anything in close succession to late ma- turing Potatoes, nor do I much approve of the practice of planting between these, as unless the rows are very widely arranged, indeed, the haulm is liable to overrun the intermediate crops. There is much to be said in favour of planting between the varieties of moderate growth, and also for growing quick maturing varieties between the rows of runner Beans, late Peas, or other crops that do not unduly shade the ground till July or August. In the latter case the Potatoes ought to be planted somewhat early, a good space at proper intervals beingallowed fortherows of BeansorothertaU-grow- ing vegetables to be sown or planted. Supposing, for instance, the rows of Beans or Peas are 6 feet apart, at least two rows of early Potatoes may be grown between them, extra good crops resulting. Winter Broccoli grown between rows of Potatoes is rarely hardy enough to be of any value, but there is no reason why all the Brussels Sprouts and Borecole, as well as autumn Cauliflowers and Broccoli, should not be planted in these positions. When it is intended to plant these crops between the Potatoes, the rows of Ashleaf or other short- topped varieties of the latter must be not less than 3 feet apart, and the rather stronger growers should receive from 6 inches to 12 inches more space, according to the strength of the ground and the known habit of the variety. After the Potatoes are finally moulded up, the other crops may be put out as soon as ready, these in their turn having soil drawn up to them after the Potatoes are cleared off the ground. Land thus closely cropped ought to be well manured prior to being dug, and any special manure sown wUl benefit all alike. W.I. Out in the market gardens. — The big areas of land now devoted to the cultivation of vegetables for the London market are rapidly assuming a barren aspect. Breadths of Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, Kales, Coleworts, &c., have either been all sent to market or, as in many cases, have furnished food for sheep or, perhaps, where fruit trees abound, have been chopped up and ploughed in as manure. Potatoes, chiefly Early Rose and Beauty of Hebron, are now rapidly being got in, although the soil is yet cold and in places wet. But where so much has to be done practically by the end of April an early start must be made. The earliest sowings of Peas are well tlirough, but growth is very slow and not much seems to have been gained by such early sowing. The soil has, of course, in most cases run together somewhat closely, and plenty of surface stirring will be needed later on. Nearly everywhere seeds of winter stuffs have been sown, the breadths of these in tlie beds cover- ing a large area. Spring Onions also have been sown. Spinach has proved to be one of the most profitable crops of the season and still yields leaf- age, but not equal to the demand. It is a vegetable which ordinarily sells well. Much of the Cabbage type of green stuff has been absolutely unsaleable at times, not because it was indifferent, but because the market was glutted, and yet in the suburbs of the metropolis greens of all kinds have been as dear as ever. Beds of autumn-sown Onions look very fresh and green. On the warmer soils large areas have been sown with Radish seed, the beds being protected from birds by clean litter. Greater warmth is now sadly needed to assist seeds in ger- minating.— A. D. Large v. small Celery. — I am greatly in favour of small Celery. It is all very well having huge sticks a yard or more in length and half that in circumference, but when it is remembered how very Kttlc of this is really fit to use either for the table or for salads, the great waste connected with large Celery becomes apparent. In a stick weighing 61hs. , 2 lbs. might probably be used and 4 Ihs. thrown away ; whereas in a small head, such as is typical of Wliite Gem, of 3 lbs. 2 lbs. at least would be usable and not more than 1 lb. superfluous. The latter can be grown in less space, with less attention in earthing, &c. Heads of small Celery are also less disposed to become pithy or soft in the stems than those of large ones, and being compact they suffer less in muter, while nothing can be said iu favour of the large ones, excepting that they appear to afford an abundance which is not necessary. — J. MniR, Margam Park, South Wales. MAKING HOTBEDS. The old-fashioned hotbed, where the materials for its construction can be easily obtained, still holds its own as a forcing medium. The warmth from fermenting substances is so genial, and, when the beds are rightly constructed, so regular in its action, that aU plants grow vigorously in the hotbed. In large gardens the hotbed comes into use early in winter for forcing Asparagus, early Potatoes, Carrots, Radishes, Seakale, &c. Formerly, the hot- bed was in many gardens the only means employed for raising the early Cucumbers, but in those days Cucumbers were not required much before Easter, and it was considered very good work to cut Cucumbers in March. Now, Cucumbers are re- quired all the year round, and in this instance, so far as regards the winter supply, hot water has the field all to itself. But to supply Cucumbers from the end of March on through the summer the liot- hed is a most economical institution. The fuel costs nothing where trees abound and horses are kept, and the worn-out hotbed forms a valuable compost for the garden or for potting purposes. The best materials are tree leaves and stable manure in something like equal parts. Later in the season, almost anything having a vegetable basis will do to mix in the heap to make hotbeds. Grass from the lawns, weeds, spent Hops from a brewery, or, in short, any kind of waste matter which ferments when laid in a heap may be usefully employed, but for the early hotbeds "the best materials only should be used, and these are tree leaves, prefer- ably from the Oak, and fresh stable manure. Mix the two together in a large heap, for the hotbed at this season must not be stinted in material ; shake out aD the flaky pieces, so that all may thoroughly blend together. In less than a week the heap will be getting warm, and if the leaves and manure are in sometliing like equal quantities the beds may be made up at once. If the manure largely predomi- nates, the heap should be turned over and shaken up again, to drive off some of the rankness which is present when much fresh stable manure is used ; but the leaves, if used freely, neutralise this tendency to violent heat and absorb any noxious gases which are evolved from the manure. Set out the bed by driving down a stake at each corner. The size should be 2 feet longer and wider than the frames, so that when the frames are placed on the bed there will Ije a margin a foot wide all round. For Cucumbers at this season, the bed at back should not be less than 4-^ feet to 5 feet high, and 3J feet to i feet at front.' In building it up, place the materials in layers 1 foot or so thick, giving the requisite pressure by treading as the work proceeds. This treading or pressing together is the key to the whole business. As regards temperature, if a bed is put loosely togetlier, the fermentation is rapid and soon spends itself, and the bed becomes cool before it has finished its allotted work. On the other hand, if the bed is trampled too much, the air, which is the main source of fermentation, is forced out, the heat rises slowly, and perhaps never can be made to no useful work. I grant it is not often a bed is trampled down so much as this. Still, it the materials are damp when put together it may be done; at any rate it is possible to do it, but tlic medium way is best. Give just enough pressure to prevent rapid and unequal settlement after the bed gets fairly into work, and whether used for Cucumbers or Melons, or for propagating plants for their flowers, much useful work may be done. The sides of the bed should be built up straight and true. Inside the frame is placed or thrust a watch stick in the centre of the light, and when the heat has become steady, at about 85° to 90°, the soil, or the plunging material, may be placed inside and the plants set out, or the cuttings or seeds placed therein, as the case may be. When the drops of water which have condensed on the inside of the frame are perfectly colourless, it may be taken as a sign that the bed is perfectly safe for tender cuttings or plants to be placed therein. E. H. Stove and Greenhouse. WORK IN PLANT HOUSES. Lilies. — Where there is a large greenhouse or con- servatory that has to be kept attractive all the year round. Lilies should form an important feature during the spring or summer months. Where a sufficient number of plants of L. Harrisi are grown they will now be in bloom. L. eximium will come on to keep up the succession, whilst the common L. candidum will follow. Though this kind will bear bringing on in the same heat, it is not well to hurry it ; consequently, it is better to be content with having it in bloom after the other two sorts men- tioned are over. If snflicient stock of I-. candidum is grown it may be had in flower until the first of the auratums are in bloom. With judgment in timing the blooming of this Lily, it will give a succession from the end of May until the close of summer. When the bulbs are well established they will bear gentle forcing, and some of the innumer- able forms in which it appears naturally flower late in summer when kept cool. To make the most of this useful decorative Lily, the different forms, early, mid-season, and late, should be labelled to guide the grower as to the way they require to be dealt with so as to have them in bloom in a continuous succes- sion. The imported bulbs that come to hand now do not succeed so well as those which came first. Possibly the low price which it fetches now has the effect of making both importers and growers more careless in its treatment than they used to be. L. speciosum will bear considerable bad usage and still thrive after a fashion, but this kind well repays for being well treated. The plants must not be kept during their early stages near other things of any kind that are at all affected with aphides ; the insects are sure to get on the Lilies and destroy the bloom, and it is almost impossible to kill the aphides by fumigating, as they are down in the newly- formed fiowers and hidden by the young leaves, where the smoke cannot reach them. I find nothing so effectual as dipping the tops in tobacco water and letting them remain for a moment or two in it. Through inattention to this matter I have known tlie flowers of some thousands of plants of L. can- didum completely ruined. L. speciosum and other sorts that are now about breaking through the soil should be placed close to the glass in a pit or frame, where they can have air in the daytime and the frost be kept from them when the nights are sharp. If ever the growth of these or other Lilies is at all drawn, the leaves are sure to be so far wanting in substance as to be unable to retain their vitality until the plants have done flowering. Early fouced Lilies. — Plants of the different kinds of Lilies that have been forced should, when done flowering, be at once moved to a cold house or pit, where air and water can be regularly given, and where also care in keeping them free from aphides can be taken. Where this is done the plants will again do good service. When neglected it is useless to expect them to be of much further use. Stove.^Alocasias. — The different species of Alocasias, such as A. metallica, A. Veitchi, A. Lowi, and others of like ciiaracter, should be repotted annually. The best time to do tliis is in spring wlien the plants are about to make active growth. Strong examples push up their flowers about this time; it is advisable to remove them as soon as they can be got hoUl of, as it is a loss of strength to the pi I nts and of time if they are allowed to come to maturity. These Alocasias require a good deal of 268 THE GARDEN. [Marcu 23, 1889. water during the growing season. This naturally causes the material in which they are potted to decompose quickly, and necessitates its being re- newed yearly. Where this is not done it is liable to get sour. The different species named do best in a compost consisting of the best fibrous peat such as answers for Orchids, chopped Sphagnum, sand and broken crocks or charcoal. If some dry flaky manure, such as has been used for mulching a Vine border, is added it will help them. Into this the roots will push apace, and the top growth ex- tend proportionately. Most of the old soil should be taken away. Alocasias are surface rooters and do best when the pots have a greater depth of drainage in them than is used for most things. The Alocasias in question, when strong, produce tubers underground from which they can be propagated. At the time of potting these should be taken off and either grown on singly in small pots or several together in larger ones, giving them similar material to that advised for the general stock. In potting press the soil moderately firm and at once give some water. From this time onward through the summer the plants should have a warm stove temperature, and be carefully shaded from the sun. They ought to be well syringed once a day. If this is done tho- roughly it will keep the foliage free from insects, such as thrips and red spider, both of which are liable to be troublesome. These Alocasias bear dividing, and in most oases moderate-sized examples will be found more serviceable than large specimens. When well grown the distinct forms and colours of the leaves, and their metallic lustre, render them effective amongst other plants. A. MACEOUBHIZA VAKIEGATA is one of the most noble and distinct of all variegated-leaved sub- jects. It is a quick grower, and suckers taken off last summer and that have since been growing in a warm stove will make full-sized specimens during the present season. This species does best in loam with a large quantity of dry shaly manure added ; if this is used to the extent of one-third it will not be too much. A good sprinkling of sand should be mixed with the compost. In other respects the treatment recommended for the others will answer for A. macrorrhiza variegata. Anthueiums, fine-leaved. — The ornamental foliaged section of the Anthuriums, such as A. crystallinum, A. magnificum, and A.Warocqueanum, rank amongst the finest and most distinct of the plants that are grown for their leaves. When well managed they form a leading feature in a collec- tion of stove plants. They thrive in peat that is light and that contains plenty of fibre ; some sand and broken crocks should be mixed with it. These also ought to be repotted each spring about this time. All the old soil that is found to be much decomposed should be removed. These Anthuriums are best for ordinary decorative use when confined to one or two crowns. Being free growers, they re- quire a good deal of root room ; the pots should be one-third filled with drainage, as the roots mostly keep near the surface. Give a plentiful supply of water as soon as growth begins to move freely, and S3rringe overhead once a day. To preserve the silky gloss natural to the leaves, the plants must be kept shaded in bright weather. Crotons. — These plants may be propagated at almost any time of the year when suitable shoots to make cuttings of are obtainable. But if struck now they will have time to make nice decorative stock before autumn. In choosing the cuttings, strong shoots that are deficient in colour must be avoided. They are best put singly into small pots half filled with a mixture of sand and loam, the surface all sand. If they can have a temperature of 75° or 80° in a propagating frame they will root in tliree weeks, after which gradually expose them to the air of the house. As soon as llie pots are moderately full of roots move them into others about 0 inches in diameter. Good yellow loam with some sand added is the best soil for Crotons, as the foli;ige usually comes better coloured in it than in peat. In the case of large specimens that require their branches shortening, this should always be done early in autumn. By this means they have time to break and the young growth to make some progress before spring, which gives a better chance of the shoots attaining the desired colour early in summer. When Crotons are cut in hard a considerable portion of the leaves that are first formed afterwards come too green, so that when the cutting in is delayed until spring, much of the summer passes before the foliage gets of the right colour. Most of the species come from the South Sea Islands; this points to the high tempera- ture they like. To do justice to them, they should have a night temperature through the winter of not less than 65°. If 70° can be kept up all the better. They require no shade at any time, unless the glass is found to burn the leaves. The plants should also be stood well up to the roof. During the time they are growing freely they should have manure water ; this likewise helps to put more yellow colour into the leaves, though at first sight stimulants of this kind might be supposed to have a contrary effect. Plants that require more room should now be repotted. To keep Crotons free from the small white thrips with which they are often so much troubled, they should be well syringed daily. Drac^nas. — However well these plants are treated, in time they get bare of leaves at the bottom in which condition they do not look well. Tremandra verticillata. — This is a remark- ably pretty hard-wooded plant. It is also known as Platytheca galioides, and is a very ornamental plant for the greenhouse, forming as it does rather a free-growing, many-branched specimen. The shoots, which are long and slender, are clothed with small narrow leaves, and thickly studded with delicately poised, drooping blossoms, about the size of a shilling and of a pleasing reddish-violet colour. A succession of bloom is kept up for a considerable period, and this, combined with the fact that it is not a difficult plant to cultivate, are all points in its favour. — H. P. Carnations in pots. — Last year I potted a few plants, but have not been successful with them. I potted them according to the instructions of an au- thority on the subject, but still I did not succeed so well as I should like to have done. I think I have discovered one point at least where my instructions were at fault. I was advised to pot them very firmly. The plants all through the summer showed there was insufticient root action, and on turning the plants out of the pots after blooming I found the roots had not taken full possession of the soil. My potting compost consisted of four parts fibrous loam, one manure, and one leaf-soil, with a little sand and crushed charcoal. I used 8-inoh pots. My Miltonia vexiUaria Where in this state the present is a good time for heading them down, as when the work is done at this season the stools have all the summer in which to form new heads, and the young stock also that is propagated from the tops will make nice plants before the end of the season. Let the roots get a little drier than is usual before heading down. The heads should be severed about G inches above the collar; the hard portion of the stems may be cut into bits 2 inches or 3 inches long, divesting them of their leaves. Put the cuttings 2 inches apart in pots filled with sand. The tops, consisting of three or four leaves, should be put singly in 3-inch or 4-inch pots and treated in the way that answers for onlinary cuttings ; these will soon form roots, and will make nice young plants before the end of the year. Tlie cuttings made; from the harder wood will take longer to root and to push their buds. When two or three small leaves have been formed the plants .should be moved .singly into pots and encouraged to make growth in a brisk stove heat. Shade when the sun is powerful. Syringe freely so as to kcc]! the foliage quite free from red sjiider, thrips, or aphides. When the old plants have started, turn them out of the jiota and remove the stout ter- minal root, which if treated as a cvitting will soon make a plant; repot in peat with some sand in it. T. li. opinion is that where the loam is inclined to be hea\'y (as mine is) the compost should have more lighter material added and not be rammed so firmly. Any information on the subject will be very accept- able ; also, would the plants do better in larger or smaller pots? — Yorkshire. SHORT NOTES.— STOYE AND QREENHOUSE. Pelargonium Venus. — This is a jiuro white variety tif tlii.' ilccoral i\i' .^t'l-ti^m vtf Pelar^<>!uiims, antl it is hir^rcly ^r()\vn l>y Mchhts. IFi-nry Caimcll ami Suns at Swanli'y tor t-uttiiiLT. 'I'ho habit of ^'i-uwtli is dwarf and cunipact, and tlnwcring hrant-lios burst out m every direction ; the tlowors are whitt', with a ylit^ht carmin(> blotch on tlio upper petals. It is n line variety for every pnriiosi', and especiully for tlowerinn at mid-winter. — H. I). Dividing tubei'ous Begonias. — It i.s a ^ood way of inereasini^ tutierons liei^onias, especially for flowi'r beds, to cut tile \\\v^v tmlbs into tVnir or iivo pieces and nndie a, plant of each. 'I'lio t)uil) should ho cut uj) with a shoot attached to each as soon as this can be seen, and the divisions may at'ti-rwarvls lie potted sin^dy into small pots, or planted a few inches apart in shallow boxes and allowed to rennun in those until planted i>nt.—.l. Meiu, iUn;jinn. I Double Pelargonium Swanley Double White. — Of all the double white zonal IVIarRoniums this appears to me to be much the best. It has the March 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 269 peculiarity of beino: always in flower. It was fouiid in Paris and eventually came into the hands of the Messrs. Cannell. Mr. Cannell calls it a perpetual bloomer, and I do not think he is far wrong. The flowers are pure wbit^ ; they are persistent, and there- fore last some time. It can be strongly recommended for cutting from at mid-winter, and indeed at that season of the year it can be seen at its best. This variety appears to be also known iinder the name of Comtesse S. Disermer. — 11. D. The durability of Asparagus plumosus when cut. — In November last 1 gave a lady frioii So far as we can judge, it will require an immense amount of time and patience, which can ill be spared by the busy men in the trade, who are doubless best able to do it. Whoever takes it up will perform a great work, to the lasting benefit of his fellow men. Mr. Maw's work on the Crocus and that of Mr. Elwes on LiUes, the Narcissus by Burbidge, and numerous other works well illustrate this. The hybrids, of which there are fewer than one would suppose in a genus so largely cultivated as the Saxi- frages, are mostly natural, being found in a wild state usually growing in close proximity to their parents. Those for the most part have been taken uj^, named, and described by Dr. Kerner in Oest. Bot. Zeit., 1870, and although doctors differ a little in the matter of their parentage, it matters little to the grower. We have the plants and all are agreed about their specific names. Very few cases of garden hybrids in this remarkable genus are known, and I think the only really authentic one is the Megasea raised by Mr. Smith, of Newry. S. Macnabiana, we are told, is a cross between Cotyledon and some form of .A_izoon, said to have been raised by the late Mr. Macnab, of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. I do not doubt Mr. Macnab having raised it, but I question its being a hybrid, and consider it merely a garden form of S. Hosti, and anyone taking the trouble to compare and examine for himself will see an exact counter- part of S. Hosti, with the exception of the larger, deeper-coloured spots on the petals, and which is demonstrated every day b^ selectifm. Another case is that of S. Camposi. This plant was said to have been raised (from a cross or otherwise we do not remember) by Mr. Wallace, of the Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, and was sent out under the name of S. Wallacei. Tt has been proved beyond doubt, however, to be none other than S. Camposi of Boissier, a species we have been told that has been in cultivation at Kew and elsewliere for many years. These instances will suffice to show how easily mistakes are made and perpetuated, and also in a measure show the nature of the difficulties to be sur- mounted before we get everything into apple- ine order. On'y last year a plant was certifi- cated under the name of Frederici - Augusti, having been sent over as such by a Continental nursei-yman. This, we are told, is none other than our old friend luteo-purpurea, and which is a hybrid between aretioides and media (caly- ciflora). Then, again, seeds were distributed by Dr. Aitchison of what was supposed to be S. afghanica. This new species is allied to S. Kotschyi, an ally of the aretioides group. The seedlings turn out to be S. ligulata, and althougli this fact has been often pointed out, the plant is still being sold as S. afghanica. These are only a few examples of the troubles that are con- tinually annoying the cultivator, who, naturally, is ever on the alert for additions, and until he finds out from hard experience, supposes every new name to be such. If nurserymen ami others would first submit a plant for the correct name previous to asking for a certificate, this crying evil would be to a very large extent modified, and might possibly be altogether averted. D. Flowers from the open air in Ireland. — The other day I received a gathering of Daffodils from Mr. Hartland, of Cork. They were a great surprise even to us so far south as London, and show most clearly how much more congenial the Irish climate is than ours, and how suitable it is for bulbs of this class. The blooms were large ; indeed, a few of the sorts were larger and more highly coloured than I had ever seen them before. Mr. Hartland tells me they were all gathered from the open air. The names are as follows : N. maxi- mus, Tenby Daffodil, Golden Plover, variiformis, minimus, cyclamineus, in bloom since the middle of January; cernuus, very fine white, the segments almost as long as the trumpet ; nobilis, apparently a large form of variiformis, and presumably not the nobilis of Redoute, which, we believe, has not yet been found ; scoticus, pallidus-pnccox, very fine ; Hartland's Leda, apparently mid-way between Bishop Mann and cernuus, a fine trumpet, the segments twisted, as in Bishop Mann, and the edges reflexed, not flat, as in cernuus ; princeps, Henry Irving, Bishop Mann, the flowers of which have much the habit of cernuus, more dog-eared, flowers larger, and the trumpet open ; Rip Van Winkle, and nanus. What was most surprising, however, was a form of N. poeticus, almost as fine as ornatus, and near angustifolius ; the bulbs, we are told, were received from Italy four years ago, and have been out of doors ever since ; the leaves are now 14 inches high. This promises to be an acquisition if it retains its early flowering habit. — K. ■ AURICULAS. In answer to an inquiry, I gave in The Gaeden, Nov. 24, 1888 (p. 487), a list of stage seLfs which I said were good varieties and could be had at com- paratively low prices ; and added the remark that it was useless to give such lists as Mr. Douglas had given, as the varieties could not be got except at very high prices, and some of them not at all. In The Garden, Deo. 29, 1888 (p. 605), Mr. Douglas disapproves of both my selection and my remarks. In doing so, he says he, would rather have two he names — Mrs. Potts and Heroine— than all the dozen I named. Now, I did not condemn these varieties ; I said they were scarce and dear as yet, and this is true. In connection with this, Mr. Douglas said Stadtholder he had not seen for years. I did not mention Stadtholder as one of the dozen just because it was so scarce ; I mentioned it be- cause of its colour — the only good yellow. I did not then know that there were other two yellows in the market. One of them. Sunshine, Mr. Douglas says he has had more than once too much stock of. I have made inquiries with the view of purchasing tliis variety, and find that Mr. Douglas himself has not any of it, or at least none of it to spare, and no one else has any. As to the other variety. Buttercup, I find there are only two plants of it in existence, and they are not to be bought. True, Mr. Douglas did not put these two in his list ; but, notwith- standing what he says, most in his list are scarce and dear as yet. Another point I would like to notice in Mr. Douglas's remarks. He says he would " take two good varieties and raise seedlings from them, and so be abreast of the times." Towards the end of his remarks (p. 60ii) the following sentence occurs about seedlings, and it is true : " It is necessary to raise an immense number of plants before any good varieties can be .'^elected. But a prize may be found in a hundred, while a thousand plants may be searched in vain for one." Now I am far from advising growers from raising seedlings, just the opposite, but to advise a beginner who wishes to grow Auriculas to get two good varieties, and under these circumstances to raise seedlings to stock his frames or houses, appears to me absurd in the ex- treme. It would take him ten years to get a hun- dred presentable plants. It would be interesting to know whether the inquirer will in this follow Mr. D.'s advice or that of " W. S. B." and go into the market and buy good varieties at moderate jirices. Perhaps when he thorougldy knows the points of the flower he may thirst after and pur- chase the newer, though not always belter varieties. W. S. B. Seedling Auriculas. — I always make a point of sowing some seed of Auricula directly it is ripe, and some again in early spring. The pots are well drained, some rough soil is laid upon the crocks, and the pots are filled up to within three- quarters of an inch with a fine sandy compost. The seeds are then sown very thinly, and a very slight sprinkling of silver sand placed over them. Then the pota are stood on a shelf in the greenhouse, 272 THE GARDEN. [March 23, 1889. kept well shaded from the sun, a piece of glass be- ing placed over each, and a newspaper over this for shade. Directly signs of germination appear, the pots are stood in earthenware pans of water which are about 1 J inches in depth, and shade is dispensed with. The pans are kept full of water until frost sets in, and then the water is poured away. The seedlings are now nearly ready to prick off into store pots. I should do it at once had I a -little bottom heat in which to place the store pots ; fail- ing this, I have to wait till line weather. A good many of the seedlings will flower in the autumn of the present year. — R. D. Daffodils. — The short discussion between " V. W. B." and myself on the Narcissus may do good, and cannot do any harm. I merely wrote of what I saw in Holland, and the discussion may be the means of stimulating our home growers. I have no bias one way or the other. Mr. Murphy's remarks also at page 214 may require explanation. His trial was not a fair one. He planted six bulbs of N. cernuus grown in Holland on October 3, one words on this subject might fancy that I had given some preference to the Dutch growers over the ■English in this respect. Moreover, "F. W. B.," un- consciously no doubt, says much the same as I did, but he puts it in another way. He says : "We — that is, Irish and English growers— want a little of the Continental confidence and enterprise." As a buyer of bulbs myself and not a seller, I purchase from the English trade firms, and leave it to them to obtain for me the bulbs from where they think best. It is to their interest to supply their customers with a good article, and I fancy that in this respect they are not behind the Dutch in confidence or enterprise. — J. Douglas. PAPER-WHITE NARCISSUS. What a misfortune it is that English bulb growers have not, so far, been able to check their Continental friends in the importation of the Tazettas'in general, and sucli kinds as the Paper- white in particular, of which there are hundreds the adjacent fields, IjuHxs of this species continued to live and increase during all the seven years of my resi- dence there, with no protection but the dead leaves thrown over them in autumn. This proves that it can he grown in our island, and I have no doubt in many situations, by covering the bulbs with lontr straw during winter, advantageously for the market ; it would pro- bably require no protection whatever close to the sea. A deep sandy loam, rather moist than dry, and free from all manure whatever, is tlie soil I should recom- mend tor it. South of London we liave seen this Narcissus do well and flower freely against an east wall with no other protection, and if this can be done with Paper-white the difficulty is much lessened in the case of the other Tazettas. N. T. aureus, lacticolor, patulus, Staten-General, and many others we grow annually as border plants, and find them as .satisfactory as the other classes of this genus. N. papyraceus, or Paper-white (see cut), is certainly by far the most useful and lieautiful of the early-floweriDg Tazettinoaj, en- Karuissus Paper-white in the centre of a 6-inch pot. It would have been better for the bulbs if he had planted three or even six bulbs of N. cernuus in a 6-inch pot. Mr. Murphy must be aware that these bulbs were three months out of the ground. Then he goes on the same day in the month to a "sunny south border" and digs uj) another half dozen of N. cernuus and pots them at once. Surely he does not call this a fair trial 1 The Irish buU)S had three months' start of the Dutch ones ; nor do the Dutch growers plant their NarcLssi on sunny borders. I take it they were all potted in the same way, one bulb in the centre of a 6-inch pot. Our Irish friends must not be illogical. A trial of Irish, Dutch, and Eng- lish bulbs, to test their value as forcing plants, if conducted fairly, might be of some value, but I would .avoid the evil of over-potting if the best re- sults are expected. In my fir.st note on this sub- ject I said not a word on the raising of Daffodils from seeds. " F. W. B." has introduced this on his own account. Ilcaders wlio missed njy first few of thousands brought annually to this country. In the case of the Paper-white, Scilly White, and a few others, the diflicult-ies are doubtless very great, but many of the Ta/.ettinca; grow with remarkable freedom in the southern dis- tricts, and there seems no reason why such varieties as Staton-Genoral, Oloriosa, tkc, , should not be sui>plied from the home market. There are ni.any otlier bulbs, such as Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocuses, Scillas, Ak^ , that could be grown at home in sullicient quantities to supply the do- j mand of the Pritish market, it having been proved beyond doubt that,08]iecially in tlio case of Tulijis, home-grown bulbs arc far siiperinr to those annually imported from the Continent. Mr. Salisbury, writing in tlio Trans.actidns of the Hort. Soc, vol. i., says of PaiJer-whito : — At Mill Hill, under the shelter of a Laurel on the I terrace, where the soil was deep Inani thrown n]i from hanced by the fact of its being had so early in flower as Christmas, even in an ordinary green- house. We are told that tons of these flowers in a bunched state are sent to Covont Garden Market annually chiefly from the Continent. There are several forms, all of which are desir- able for the greenhouse in early spring. K. Yellow Calceolarias.— Those useful plants will now need nuuv sp;u'i', as they will be growing freely, and unless one gcl.s them finally pl.nnted out early in the season tlicre is great danger of con- siderable losses if hot ami dry weather sets in be- fore they get well established. The way we treat them is to spread about (1 inches of good soil .such as would come from old hotbeds, or rotten tnrf and manure well mixed together on to a firm bottom of co.al ashes, and in this the plants are put out about C inches apart and co\crcil with spare liglils for a week or two, and then nets or tiffany arc sullicient. March 23, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 273 Calceolarias when they get well inured to the air will stand a few degrees of frost without injury, and by the end of April they may be safely planted out. The points should be pinched out to induce a well-branched head of shoots, and in planting out we cut down right through the soil to the ashes, and each plant can then be lifted with a good ball of earth. If replanted at once and one good soaking of water given to settle the soil, no farther watering will be necessary for several weeks. If the soil is shallow and liable to dry quickly, a coating of short manure or Cocoa iibre on the sur- face will help to keep the roots free from drought and keep them safe from going off suddenly, as they are liable to, just when the.v are in full bloom, and thereby make unsightly gaps in the flower garden. After trying many sorts, I do not think there is any to surpass Golden Gem either for habit or freedom of flowering. — J. G. H. FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. Hardy spring flowers. — The cold sleet, rain, and sharp frost that continued for three weeks have been succeeded by real spring-like weather, and, consequently, hardy flowers are beginning to bloom most profusely. Primroses — hybrid seedlings— that before the cold weather set in had been in flower more or less the whole of the winter are now in splendid blossom, the old plants especially. Young strong plants — seedlings of last year — produce the finest flowers, but for making a display the large tufts three and four years old are best. Our main batch are planted on a narrow border having a northern aspect, and, consequently, get little sun- shine throughout the summer, and, as a matter of course, never get so dry that growth is checked. To this fact I attribute their early and free habit of flowering. The seedling plants of the last few years that we have saved have all been self-sown, and it appears to me that they come just as good as if much labour was expended on seed-saving and sowing. For spring bedding it is necessary that they should be planted in the autumn as soon as summer-bedding plants are taken up. They then flower superbly by the middle of April, but if planted later than the date in question they will most likely be in their best form about the time that they ought to be removed to make room for summer- bedding plants. I have planted many of these hybrid varieties in the woods amongst common Primroses, and already there are a great number of coloured flowered self-sown seedlings amongst the common Primrose, but none that can be called good, a dingy brick-red being the prevailing tint. Crocuses are in their best form now. We have a number of clumps under old fruit trees in the kitchen garden that have occupied the same spot without being disturbed for many years, and they are grand in the extreme. Why should not our orchards be garnished with Crocuses .' They are just as good for that purpose as Daffodils, Snowdrops, Cowslips, and Primroses. I certainly give preference to planting them in clump fashion in orchards, or in front of shrubs on the lawn and on rockwork, rather than in straight lines, the form in which they are most generally used. On some rough rockwork at this place, mainly planted with hardy Ferns, and which for the most part are now frondless, we have a few clumps of Crocuses, supplemented witli clumps of the winter Aconite (just out of flower). Snowdrops, Scilla sibirica. Primroses, Daffodils, wild Hyacinths and a few other plants that carry on the display till the Ferns again fill out the space. But amongst them all none are more beautiful than the Crocuses in small clumps of various colours. On the rock- work proper, Aubrietias, Iberises, and the prostrate Phloxes will very shortly make a fine show, and we have recently been adding to this section of early flowers the white variety of Viola cornuta. The yellow and blue we had previously, and also a few tufts of white Viola Mrs. Grey and Cliveden Purple Pansy. We have no beds that are wholly devoted tg spring flowers. Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissi we plant in mixtures amongst Roses, and these all being dwarf and now pruned, protection to the flowers on frosty nights can readily be applied by stretching tiffany over the Roses. The frost had loosened the soil from about most of the plants, so that it was necessary to press it firmly about them again, and this having been done, a fresh mulching of Cocoa-nut fibre was applied, and now all looks neat and trim. The extra layer of fibre will, it is hoped, prove sufficiently protective, so that the pressing operation will not again be required. Flowering shrubs. — There will shortly be a number of species and varieties of these in flower, but at present I mean to note only three that for some time have been flowering most freely, and therefore, though common and well known, are deserving of greater attention, especially by those who have to produce flowers of some kind or other all the year round at as cheap a rate as possible. The first is Laurustinus (Viburnum Tinus). Our trees are now literally clothed with blossom, and have been more or less in flower all the winter through. The plants that are sheltered from north and east are much the best ; the flowers, being large and pure white, are found invaluable for cutting. If cut with a good length of stem and foliage attached they make a good foundation for a large vase or basin on which to thinly ari-ange red Camellias, and for small upright specimen glasses nothing can look more chaste than a single spray and a red Carnation or a small double-flowered pink Geranium. Andromeda floribunda is flowering in perfection. It is a very slow-growing shrub and sometimes shy of flowering, more especially if at all overshadowed by other trees and shrubs. An open, even an exposed position appears to suit it best. It is a most suitable plant for Heath beds ; three or four well-flowered bushes planted here and there in a large mass of Erica herbacea purpurea — now in full flower — would be a grand sight. I think it is deserving of as conspicuous a position amongst flowering evergreen shrubs as Kalmias or Rhododendrons, and not the least of its merits is early flowering. Yellow-flowered Jasmine (Jasmi- nium nudiflorum). — We have a north wall, trellised, which is completely clothed with this plant, and except during the sharpest frosty weather we have been gathering flowers almost daily, for weeks past, and it is still a sheet of yellow. I know no early flowering plant that is so well suited for clothing a north or east wall. The best variegated Ivies are perhaps better all-the-year-round plants for that purpose, but those who have a preference for flowers should grow this Jasmine. Our plants were planted at least a dozen years since, when the soil was specially prepared for their reception by heavy manuring and deep trenching, since which time not a particle of fresh soil or manure has been given ; in fact, the border is turfed over. It will be seen by this that the plant does not require much atten- tion as regards cultivation and in respect of training or pruning ; the trellis having for years been well filled, the first is not necessary, and pruning is ex- peditiously performed by clipping with hedge shears to within about 6 inches of the trellis as soon as the flowering season is over. W. Wildsmith. SHOR T NO TES.—FL 0 WER. SciUa bifolia was very fine early in March in Messrs. Barr and Son's nur.sory at Tooting. It is ono of the most beautiful of early spring flowers, coming in just before the hlue-flowereJ Chionodoxas, C. sardeusis and C. Lucilise. Helleborus fcetidus. — The strong spikes of greenish flowers of this Hellebore are not very orna- mental, but it is worth gromng for its large masses of deep green foliage. A few clumps of it- were very striking the other day in the Touting Nursery. Increasing herbaceous Phloxes. — Esta- blished plants of these are already active, and if it is desired to increase them by division no time should he Inst in doing so. Tlie whole clumps may be dug up. divided hiU> two, three, four or more pieces, and re- l)lant<;d, or part of each may be taken away and the other allowed to remain undisturbed. In replanting abundance of manure should be givi'U at the roots, as fiiie Pldoxes are never obtained from poor soil. — J. MuiK. Carnations sporting. — Allow me to express my thanks to M. Rowan and K. Deal for their answers to my nueries on the Carnatiou sporting. I have not had a long experience in the cultivation of these flowers, hut they are my special favourites, and a few hints from some of your correspondents respecting their culture are very helpfiU. The purple bizarre is the class in this district that sports more than any other. I do not know whether this class is generally more disposed to .sporting than the others. — Yorkshire. The Caucasian Scabious.— Referring to the remarks of Mr. Butt in reference to this plant on p. 21(j, there is no doubt that on some soils, perhaps not on heavy or wet clay lands, this plant is a true perennial. My garden is a light decomposed granite soil, not far from the rock, about 300 feet above sea level, in the County Armagh, and quite exposed to aU the winds that blow. I raised this Scabious from seed, obtained, if I remember aright, from Thomp- son, of Ipswich, the year it was sent out as a novelty, and now the plants which I retained have grown into strong clumps, which give a large number of flowers every summer and are highly esteemed for cutting. I heard some two or three years ago of a variously coloured strain of this plant which had been raised in the south of Ireland, but have failed to learn anything further about it.— W. J. W EVILS OF GRAFTING. " Scion," speaking on this subject (Garden, March 9, p. 221), says : " By all means let us use grafting in the best known way until some better way is discovered, but do not let us sit down and placidly accept grafting in any of its phases as the best and only way." Certainly ; when a better way is proved to cultivators, rest assured they will not be slow in adopting it; but, as yet, it is not proven, viewing the question as a whole. " Scion," at the commencement of his article (page 220), quotes from three recent papers passages, which, he says, " all condemn grafting to some extent." To some extent, yes, when the best way is not followed. The advice in the original article which gave rise to this discussion, however, was the total abolition of grafting. I cannot conceive of a practice which is so radically wrong, as "Scion" and "F. W. B." would have us believe grafting to be, gaining such universal favour and maintaining its hold so long. The wonder is, if such is the case, that it has not long ago been consigned to oblivion. Gardeners must, indeed, be very slow of comprehension. I would not write a word in support of grafting did I not believe that in every garden greater proofs of its utility exist than can be advanced to the con- trary. Surely if own-root fruit trees are so much superior to grafted ones, one orchard or plantation could be found in support of the assertion. As it is. Damsons are the only fruit at present cultivated to any extent in this way. '• Scion " says : " I am evidently still a believer in the hardy or vigorous stock, forgetful of the fact that a headed-ofi stock is entirely overruled by the scion worked upon it"; and by referring me to page 152, seems to infer, after what is there ad- vanced, that I should not have hinted at such a result. I am fully alive to the fact that the scion exercises a great influence over the stock, having frequently observed it. I did not, however, confine grafting to working a weakly scion on to a strong- growing stock, but only spoke of it as one of its phases. Still, I cannot accept the theory that the scion thoroughly dominates the stock; if so, how is it that dwarfing stocks produce miniature trees and the Quince adapts the Pear to cold, heavy soils by rooting upon the surface, and thus avoiding the cold subsoil J I must, therefore, still adhere to the opinion that it is the hardy and vigorous character of the roofs possessed by the stock which benefits the scion, when we graft with th.-it object in view. I do not say the stock will so change the character of tlie scion as to convert a Hybrid Perpetual Ro.se into a rambling wildling like the Dog Rose it is worked upon ; neither do we desire such a result, but only endeavour to utilise its hardy roots. The act of digging up a Brier from the shelter of its native hedge and sticking it in the middle of an exposed garden and there grafting if is, I admit, one of the abuses of grafting; but this does not prove that the Brier cannot be advantageously used 274 THE GARDEN. [March 23, 1889. as a stock for Roses ; on the contrary, abundant evidence can be adduced in its favour. It is, I think, beside the mark to introduce Mangoes, Bananas, &c., into this discussion in sup- port of the method of raising fruits from seed. I cannot help thinking that " F. W. B " (p. 152) draws an ideal picture when he speaks of raising Peaches from stones, and selecting the strongest seedlings for cultivation. I very much fear it would bo the strongest which would prove worth- less, and that they, and not the weak ones, would find their way to the fire. Nature's plan may answer very well in a climate where the Peach grows naturally, but I think those who have had experience of its culture in this country will agree with me that it is totally unsuitable for us. When we compare the thousands of seedlings which have been raised in this country and in Europe to the small number of really good va- rieties in cultivation at the present time, some idea can be formed of the unreliable character of the seedling Peach. Messrs. Rivers, better per- haps than anyone in this country, are aware of the very large percentage of inferior and worth- less kinds in a batch of seedlings, and although this firm has raised and introduced into cultiva- tion several Nectarines equal, if not superior, to the then existing kinds, they would, I have no doubt, be the last to admit the superiority of their Peaches over Royal George, Bellegarde, and Grosse Mignonne. A grafted Peach tree will yield a crop of fruit the third year from the graft or bud, and if properly cared for will last a lifetime. What more do we want ? — A. Baekek. "Scion " (Garden, March 9, p. 221) may be interested to learn that the practice of root-grafting for fruit trees is not new in this country. I used to see it practised by an old gardener more than twenty years ago, near to Southampton. He would sit by the fire in the winter evenings with his basket of roots on one side and his bundle of scions on the other. After grafting, tying securely, and making the plants into bundles, he planted them next day. I saw bushes, for they never became trees, which were thus produced, and I am not sur- prised that the practice of root-grafting was never utilised here by the nursery trade. Had we been tied during the past hundred years to root-produced trees or to own-rooted branches, we should indeed have been in a miserable position as to stocks of fruit trees, whilst the trusting to the production of trees from seed would have been quite a failure. All this hubbub about the evils of grafting arises from the fact that here and there some graft or bud unions, for it comes to the same thing, have turned out badly. In budding and grafting the percentage of mishaps is very small, whilst no stress is laid by pessimistic -ivriters upon the enormous majority of successes which have resulted from the practice of grafting. If some few Conifers have turned out badly, and it would not have mattered if myriads of Conifers had never been raised in any shape, there are to be seen vast quan- tities of deciduous trees. Thorns, Ash, especially the weeping forms, as well as all other weeping trees, variegated trees, flowering trees of many beautiful kinds. Rhododendrons; indeed, myriads of trees and shrubs have done wonderfully well, and have thus grafted been cheaply and abun- dantly multiplied. But "Scion" (Gakden, March 9, p. 221) is for limiting the range of the discussion to fruit trees at present, and submits certain pro- positions which he evidently regards as unassail- able positions. 1. " Grafting is often badly done. Unsuitable stocks are frequently emjiloyed, and so far at all events grafting is wrong." Now that is absurd argument. Because grafting is sometimes badly done the fault does not lie with the system, but with the operation. On the other hand, grafting is in ninety cases out of the hundred well done, and I challenge " Scion " to prove such is not the case. If unsuitalile stocks are employed tlie fault lies witli the stock, not with the graft. The term " un- suitable," admitted in the proposition, practically admits the whole thing. 2. " Root-grafting is best, as it allows the scion to throw down roots." Now, I want proof, and con- clusive proof also, that scions when thus root-grafted do throw down own roots. It is a familiar phrase in the mouths of rosarians that Roses budded low down on the Manetti will cast down own roots. Is that satisfactorily proved ? and even if so, is it also satisfactorily shown that such plants are better or stronger than are those not so rooted ? However, "Scion" limits us to fruit trees ; from whence, then, are illustrations of the theory put forth to be drawn ? The proposition has no value until it can be proved. 3. "The plan of grafting weak growers upon strong-growing stocks is wrong," &c. Suppose it is, and it is only asserted, does that show that grafting on stocks which have aflinity of habit is wrong ? Take the dwarf Apple trees at Chiswick, for in- stance; how wonderfully have we seen Cox's Orange Pippin, Stirling Castle, and other Apples, the names of which I cannot now recall, producing crops from year to year, because worked on Paradise and Doucin stocks, with which the sorts have affinity. Again, note how many millions of examples we have in the country of strong - growing Apples worked on strong-growing Crab stocks, and which have developed into grand trees, and now form the backbone of our fruit crop. In this neighbourhood I can in a day's run find 10,000 Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry trees all grafted or budded, and all sterling successes. Is not such grand proofs as to success worth a thousand bare assertions ? 4. In this proposition we find the full principle of grafting recognised with small qualifications. Our nurserymen are so alive to the needs for supplying the most satisfactory stock for everything they send out, that every care is shown in the selection. 5. This proposition requires proof. How it can be shown that grafting has led to a waste of force in gardens, remembering all the enormous benefits we have derived from the practice, I can- not perceive. Absolutely and fully I decline to admit any one item in this proposition. Its sugges- tions have no foundation in fact. G. Is a mild sort of climbing down from previous propositions. "Scion" is alarmed at the structure he has erected, because he finds the foundation is so insecure. It is a terribly involved proposition, and seems to mean anything. What is meant by this: " It is by no means proved that in many ca.ses own-root fruit trees would not equal or surpass grafted ones in fertility or durability." Just so ; it is not proven, nor do I see from whence the material is to come to afford the proof . But "Scion" does not mean that by any means. He thinks proof can be furnished, yet words his phrases so mysteri- ously as to show that he knows the proofs would fail.-A. D. Having spoken a few weeks ago of the nume- rous evils arising from this practice, we thought we should perhaps succeed in getting some common things in France which had not come under the baneful sway of the rapid propagator. But so far we have not succeeded. Here are a few words from the proprietor of one of the most extensive and in- teresting nurseries in France : — It is here nearly as in England. Many eliruba are grown In the nurseries grafted, becjiuse they can be raised more cheaply In that wiiy, and people do not know enough to appreciate the plants on their own roota, and be willing to p.iy more for them. We could not supply Prunus triloba and Medlars otherwise than grafted. We really are in the clutches of an enemy to progress. 'I'hc beauty of many of our fine shrubs is marred by this distorting if convenient practice. But we doubt very much that it is anything but an apparent gain to the nurserymen, because, although the vigorous common stocks they use may at first pu.sh growth, in the end it cannot be so vigorous, we think, as on the roots of the things themselves. Certainly it cannot be so natural, and it is no ad- vantage to h.-ivc a plant distorted into a more vigorous growth than it would naturally sliow. We feel this particularly when such pretty little shrubs as the double Chinese Plum are grafted on the common wild Plum. The nur.scryrncn will not even take the trouble to give us good liealthy plants of Roses on their own roots. We failed to get them from the best Rose nurseries. People would begin to counteract this evil themselves by getting their gardeners to layer plants in the old-fashioned way, and also strike cuttings, so as to really judge of the difference of plants on their own roots and those grafted in the usual way. Our houses are not made for the convenience of the housemaid, nor are our gardens to be sacrificed to the supposed convenience of the propagator. The interests of the public are the true interests of the trade. The people who practise this method are always ready to say that the other will not answer. For instance, we tried several nurserymen to get a plant of the Ribston Pippin on its own roots. To a man they said it would not do ; but being asked if they had ever seen the Ribston on its own roots, they said they had not. — Field. Had anyone asked me. could own-root Medlars have been got, I should have replied right off, yes ; but on receipt of your note to-day I turned up several lists in which I quite expected to have met with them, but was disappointed and surprised. It seems that in this case grafting on thorn has been followed so long, that no one has thought of doing anything else — not even sowing seeds ! However, I fail to see what advantage an own-root tree in this case would have over a grafted one. I am pretty well acquainted all round, and generally know where to lay my hand on any special thing required, but this is a puzzle. Curious thing if there is not an own-root Medlar in Rivers' nursery, if they would only look! — T. Smith. Societies and Exhibitions. ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. A SHOW of spring flowers has a freshness and beauty essentially its own. It can be made the most enjoyable of the season when encouragement is given to hardy and alpine flowers, Hyacinths, Tulips, and Orchids, and thus at the exhibi- tion in the Royal Botanic Society's gardens on Wednesday last there were many really good plants to be seen. There were certain ex- hibits that would be better removed. The pots crammed with Crocuses were undeniably vulgar, and had not a single redeeming feature to re- recommend them, except it may be the block of colour they made. Such eyesores should be done away with. The Hyacinths, Tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs were scarcely so good as last year, although the exhibition, taken as a whole, was infinitely better. This is evidently not a bulb year, and from various quarters we have heard complaints that the Hyacinths and Tulips are not up to the average. There were so many certificates given, that we cannot give a detailed account of each plant so honoured. We should heartOy approve of a reform in this direction. The Orchids from Messrs. Sander and Co., St. Albans, were choice and well grown. There were several beautiful varieties of Cattleya Triana;, one of the best being the very delicately coloured ampliata, the lip of which is very large and of the softest pink imaginable, set off by the shading of orange in the throat. Splendens is also finely coloured, the broad petals and sepals just touched with pink ; the lip very large, purple in front and yellow in the throat. Grandis and excel- lens are also well-marked forms. Oncidium bifolium majus has a large liii of rich yellow, the plants very free flowering. Besides these were such Orchids as the almost perpetu.al flower- ing Odontoglossum Rossi majus, the beautiful Cattleya Loddigesi, the orange-scarlet Lailia cin- nabarina, the pure white form of Lycaste Skinneri alba, Bnassia picturata, Odontoglo.ssum Edwardi, Dendrobium Brymerianuni, 1). tliyrsiflorum, D. nobilesplendidissinunu.and Ncottiacorallina (silver mcd;U). Mr. Douglas, llford, slunvod a wcU- fiowercd plant of the deep violet-iiurple-cohnired Odontoglossum Edwardi ami also of the excep- tionally free .and useful pure white Angiiocum S.anderianum, an Orchid th.-it has fulfilled the bright promises expected of it. Messrs. J. A'eitch and Sons, Chelsea, showed an interesting group, of which the Amaryllis formed the best part. Mabch 23, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 275 One named Optima is the finest variety that has come from the Chelsea nursery. The flowers are f ally 9 inches across, rich scarlet, massive and even ; Finette, a light-coloured variety feathered with scarlet ; Mirabella, very neat, white, feathered and veined with scarlet ; Julius, scarlet ; Scipio, white, feathered and veined with scarlet ; and Lustrous, scarlet, a very even flower, completed a rich series of the florist's Amaryllis. Messrs. Veitch also showed the curious Amorphophallus Rivieri, described in _" Notes of the Week ;" Azalea obtusa alba, a white-flowered variety from Japan ; greenhouse Rhododendron Princess Beatrice, the flowers buff- yellow ; the new Nepenthes Dicksoniana ; and Cal- anthe vestita oculata gigantea, a noble late-flowering Calanthe, described in "Notes of the Week," (p. 229) ; Dendrobium endocharis. a hybrid between aureum and japonicum, a deciduous variety, the narrow sepals and petals white, with a fur of dull crimson, surrounded by a cloud of greenish yellow in the throat of the lip ; D. splendidissimum gran- diflorum scarcely justifies its high-sounding name — it is a cross between aureum and nobile, and has more of the nobile character in it ; and D. Sohneideria- num, which was described in our report of the March meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society. There was also exhibited plants of the beautiful Boronia heterophylla. One of the best plants in the ex- hibition was the splendidly-flowered Rhododendron Veitchi, from Mr. Banks, gardener to Mr. E. Gotto, . Hampstead ; it well deserved the cultural certificate given it. A coloured plate of this Rhododendron was given in The Garden, September 18, 1880; and an illustration of it was also given in the number for March 16, 1889 (p. 237). There were the usual exhibits as in previous years. Mr. Douglas's twelve Hyacinths were excellent, strong, well grown, and not rough. Such self colours as King of the Blues, Souvenir de J. H. ■Veen, and La Grandesse are much more efl'ective than the pale tints. He was first, and Mr. H. Eason, gardener to Mr. B. Noakes, Hope Cottage, Highgate, who exhibited well, second. The twelve Hyacinths from Messrs. H. Williams, Fortis Green, Finchley, were also worth noting. This firm were first, and also in the trade class for Tulips. Mr. Eason had the best twelve Tulips, and in all the classes the richly-coloured Kaiser Kroon, Vermilion Brilliant, and the pure white Pottebakker showed their im- mense value at this season for the greenhouse. Messrs. H. Williams & Sons had the best twelve pots of Narcissus Polyanthus. It would be well if amateurs grew more of such varieties as Her Majesty, Princess of Wales, Jaune Supreme, Bazelman major, Sir Isaac Newton and Gloriosa. We may dismiss the pots of Crocuses by condemning the style adopted of exhibiting these spring flowers. A very interesting exhibit was for twelve bulbous plants, and a beautiful group of remarkably well-grown plants was put up by Messrs. Paul and Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. We have seldom seen the spring Snowflake, Iris reticulata, Bulbocodium vernum, anil Chionodosa LuciUse finer. Mr. T. S. Ware, of Tottenham, was second. A fine pan of the white Scilla bifolia alba was shown, and a plant of the beautiful Iris Rosen- bachiana. It is strange more interest is not centred in the Freesias. There was no exhibit in the class for them. They are amongst the easiest grown, most fragrant, and beautiful of spring flowers. Mr. H. Eason had the finest specimens of Deutzia, and Mr. Douglas came first for twelve Amarylli.s, with good varieties, Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, being second. The latter had a variety named Dark Beauty, the colour very rich. The best twelve Cyclamens were shown by Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, who was first in both amateur and open classes. The pots of Lily of the VaUey ex- hibited by Messrs. H. Williams and Sons were full of flower, and the same remark applies to the six plants of Chinese Primula from Messrs. H. Cannell and Sons, of Swanley. The cultivation of greenhouse Azaleas in speci- men form has almost run its course. No first prize was awarded in the trade class, though there was an improvement in the class for amateurs. Mr. H. Eason showed six excellent specimens, the principa varieties being Model, bright rose ; Roi d'HoUande, rich scarlet; and the well-known ApoUon. Two very interesting classes were for hardy Pri- mulas and hardy herbaceous plants. Mr. T. S. Ware was first in the last-mentioned class. The group contained fine plants of the noble Lilium longiflorum Harrisi, Narcissus Empress, N. maxi- mus (the finest we have seen this season), llors- fieldi, and Dielytra spectabilis. . Messrs. Paul and Son were second for a very choice series of hardy flowers. Androsaoe Laggeri, Saxifraga luteo-pur- purea, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum album, Hepaticas, and Narcissus lobularis were well flowered. Mr. J. Douglas had a good assortment of hardy Primulas in the class for these. There were such kinds as the snowy white \-iscosa, pubesoens, and cash- meriana, besides a self variety named Marcus Aurehus, deep purple, with white paste. Messrs. Paul and Son were first for six plants of forced Roses. There were several miscellaneous groups. Messrs- W. Cutbush and Son, Highgate, had a bank of Hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs em- bedded in Moss, so as to hide the pots. A silver medal was given. The group of Roses from Messrs. Paul and Son was fresh and beautiful. Such stan- dard kinds as Violette Bouyer, Celine Forestier, Alphonse Soupert, and Innocente Pirola were excellent, and the lovely series of Polyantha kinds with the single-flowered, though showy ber- beridifolia Hardyi were exceptionally welcome (bronze medal). Mr. R. Scott, gardener to Jliss Foster, The Holme, Regent's Park, showed ex- cellent specimens of Imantophyllum miniatum, and the group of Lily of the Valley from Mr. T. Jannock, Dersingham, Norfolk, is worth a note for its uncon- ventional, pyramidal style of showing it, a vast improvement on the usual method adopted (bronze medal in both cases). Messrs. H. Williams and Sons had double Daffodils. Tulips, Azaleas, and a crowd of other spring flowers, for which a silver medal was granted. The group from Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria Nurseries, Upper HoUoway, contained splendidly flowered specimens of Imantophyllum (see "Notes of the Week " of the present number), giant strain of Cyclamen, Chinese Primulas, Amaryllis, and the old, but beautiful Camellia reticulata (silver medal). Cyclamens were shown by Mr. Hibburt, gardener to Mr. W. Clay, Kingston, and Chinese Primulas in several varieties, together with Cineraria blooms representing their fine strain by Messrs. Carter and Co., High Holborn (bronze medal). A very fine group of Cyclamens was that from the St. George's Nursery Company, Hanwell. The plants were strong and full of flower (bronze medal). Such remarks may also be made with respect to that from Mr. John Odell, Goulds Green, Hilling- don. A variety named striatum was certificated. It was of a novel colour, but we object to striped flowers of this kind; they are weak and not decided in colour (bronze medal). Mr. J. James, Woodside, Famham Royal, had a display of his superb Cinerarias, to criticise which is needless. Advance, white, with a magenta margin, and Sybil, blue, white centre, are of good colour. The same exhibitor showed Cyclamen Faust, a dark- coloured variety (bronze medal). Mr. Phillips had Cyclamen Avalanche, white, and Princess Teck, rose, purple base— two promising types. A Cine- raria named Emperor Frederick, the petals fluted, and forming a handsome di.stinct flower of rich purple-crimson colour, came from Messrs. J. Carter and Co., of Holborn. It is quite a break away from the ordinary type. Messrs. Wm. Paul and Son, Waltham Cross, ex- hibited six boxes of cut Camellias, representing many beautiful varieties (large bronze medal). Messrs. II. Cannell and Sons, Swanley, showed flowers of their Ijeautiful strain of Cinerarias and Chinese Primula, rich crimson. A delightful dis- play of Daffodils was made by Mr. T. S. Ware, and an exceedingly interesting group, consisting of Crocuses, Hepaticas, Chionodoxas, and Colchicums in rich variety, also Iris Rosenbachiana and the compact and pretty Puschkinialibanotica compacta, was shown by Messrs. Barr and Son, Covent Garden (bronze medal in both cases). THE GARDENERS' ORPHAN FUND. The committee of the above fund called a meeting of growers and stand - holders of the wholesale flower market to confer with them in reference to the proposal to hold a second Covent Garden fete in aid of the fund, and the gathering took place at the Hummums Hotel, Covent Garden, on the 8th inst., at 8 o'clock, Jlr. George Deal pre- siding, there being a large attendance both of growers and committee. After an opening address by the chairman, in which he set forth the points of the programme the committee were desirous of carrying out with the consent of the growers, the following resolutions were unanimously passed : " That this meeting, consisting mainly of growers and stand-holders of the wholesale flower market, Covent Garden, cordially agrees with the proposal to hold a second evening floral fete in aid of the Gardeners' Orphan Fund, and having heard with pleasure that his Grace the Duke of Bedford has kindly granted the free use of the market for this purpose, hereby pledges itself to render the best assistance in its power to successfully carry out the same, and to co-operate in general with the execu- tive committee of the fund." Proposed by Mr. Messer, of Edmonton, seconded by Mr. Hawkins, of Twickenham. "That the following gentlemen be appointed as a committee to represent the growers and stand-holders for the purpose of co-operating with the officials of the Gardeners' Orphan Fund in organising and assisting to carry out the necessary arrangements of the fete." Proposed by Jlr. Assbee, of Covent Garden, seconded by Mr. Stroud, Leyton. It being arranged that ten representatives of the growers should form this committee, thirteen of their body were nominated for the purpose, and the election being taken by a show of hands, the fol- lowing were declared duly elected : Messrs. Messer, Lewington, Hawkins, H. B. May, E. Rochford, T. A. Dickson, Geo. May, J. W. Baker, Cattaneo, and G. Poulton. " That a special badge be granted to each stand- holder or his representative admitting him to the market, and that a ticket be also given admitting a friend." Proposed by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Mr. Lewington. Some discussion then took place as to the most suitable date ; eventually it was decided by a large majority that the fete should take place on Wed- nesday, May 8. The chairman read a letter from the president of the fund. Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bt., who stated that he is happy to hear his suggestion as to a charge for admission is approved. It was suggested that the tickets of admission should be limited to 2000, but that is a point to be further considered. Death of Mr. Murray.— We regret to hoar of the tloatli of Mr. Murray, whioh oocurrod at Froj;- nioro, Windsor. He workoj iu tlie Royal Garileiis for many years, aud had lately beeu peusioued by Her Majesty. He was 70 years of age. Names of plants.— .(4jaa;.—l, Lomaria Spicaiit; 2, Ceterach otKcinarum ; 3, a Lastrea. specimen iu- sutiicient; 4, Asplenium mariuum ; n. Poly.stichum an- nulare ; 6, Asplenium Trichomaues. T. F. W. — 1, Cieloityiie cristata Leniiuiiana; 2, C. flaccida; 3, An- gr;ecuin Samlerlaimni ; 4. IMialajiiojisis Esmeralda. il/i)»i ;(,•!.— l,Neckera erispa; 2, Polytrichum commune; 3, Grimmia pulviiiata ; 4, Splaehnum ainpullaceum ; 5, Trichostomum piilyphylluiii ; (i, Tortula subulatu j 7, Dieranum glaueuni; ,S, Bryum rostratum; !», liartraniia, an-uata. T. B. — 1, Coeloijyue barhata ; 2. \'anda cuTulesceus. Co)i(/o. — Aunnecum subulatum. T. H. A. if. — Lastroa rccurva. 3[arl'. — 1, Cypri- pediuiu tonsum, more spotted than usual; 2, C. par- diniiiii— two flowers on a spike was the style of the orii.'inal plant; 3, C. Sedeni candiduhiin {Veitch's furin). C. W., Ri'i:j(tte.—l. Cadogync llaecida ; 2, C. lenti.einosa. 11'. W. W. — 1, Adiantum peruvi- annni ; 2, Nothocldiena rufa ; 3, Pt^ris filosma ; 4, liitoViroebia vespertilionis. TUmouiie, — 1, .Aeaeia Iilatypliylla; 2, Boronia totraphylla; 3, Kriea barbata; 4, K. seabriuscula. Fritz. — Your specimen ajipears to be Triehonianes pyxidifcrum, but being witliout fruit, cannot say more. 276 THE GARDEN. [Maech 23, 1889. WOODS & Forests. THE SCOTCH FIR AS A TIMBER TREE. In a furmer paper upon tliis subject I briefly glanced at a lew facts in connection with the quality of the wood of the Scotch Fir as found on different classes of soil as well as at diflerent elevations above sea level. I will now show- that the wood of the tree when properly ma- tured, cut up into scantlings, and seasoned is capable of being used by builders for all the purposes for which the best class of foreign Pine timber is used in this country. When supplying this class of timber for large and extensive building purposes in the Highlands of Scotland, the contractor was bound to use the best of foreign Pine timber for the making of doors, windows, flooring, Arc, but in course of time it was clearly shown that the timber supplied by me from the natural forest was equal and in some cases better than a great deal of the foreign stufl' used for various purposes. AVhen the Scotch Fir is thoroughly matured and seasoned before being used it is all that can be desired even for the finer sorts of work in con- nection with house-building. Acting upon a suggestion of the late Prmce Consort'.s, the whole of the wood required for building one of the new cottage houses upon his property was supplied from the natural forest, and as I took particular pains to have the wood thoroughly seasoned before being used, the work proved in every way to be highly satisfactory. This was a step in the right direction, and if proprietors would copy and follow the example as here set forth, I have no hesitation in saying that it would be to their advantage in more ways than one. ■ I could give further examples where the wood of the Scotch Fir has been successfully used for house-building, but this, I think, is unnecessary, seeing that the character of the wood for dura- bility is admitted by the majority of people to be of a high standard. In cases where this is denied, any defect that has been found may be traced either to the texture of the soil in which the trees have been grown, the locality, using the wood before the trees were matured, or want of proper precaution in having the wood well seasoned before being used. There are a great many purposes in house -building where the timber can be used without being seasoned, but in all cases where the wood is used for the finer class of work, thorougli seasoning becomes indis- pensable. In order to show how durable the wood of the native Scotch Fir has proved to be, I may state that in course of repairing roads and bridges where the wood of this tree had been used for the construction of the latter, I found the beams and the principal timbers as fresh and resinous as when placed in position. Further, I have actually had some of these old beams carted to the sawnuU and cut up for other purposes. I regret that I am vmable to give the exact number of years during which tliis old wood had been in use at the bridge, but I take it for granted that it mast have covered a considerable space of time, from the fact that none of the in- habitants of the place could give me any reliable information ujjon this head. In the course of carrying out estate ira])rovemeuts both in this country and in Ireland, I have occasion- ally had to pull down and remove old dilapi- dated houses, and in idl cases whore the roof consisted of Scotch Fir timber it was generally found to be of a hard firm texture, and although in many cases it had bcxome of a black or brownish colour through age, yet it retained its freshness. Now if wo contrast the cuiality and durability of its matured timber with the hardi- ness of the tree and its capability of growing and attaining a useful size on bleak, exposed situations, upon inferior soils, and shelving rocks in mountainous districts of the country, it is evident that the Scotch Fir occupies a high standard of perfection for ornament, shelter and general utility. There can be no doubt that locality, independent of elevation above sea level, and soil are patent factors in promoting the formation and quality of its timber ; and in dis- cussing the merits and demerits of the tree this is a point which in a great measure has been overlooked by many writers upon the subject. Although this tree when planted in many parts of the south of Scotland and in England upon congenial soil suitable for its healthy growth and full development, often attains a large size, yet as a general rule the produce even of fully matured trees in these parts is inferior to such as is produced in the far north. This difl'e- rence in the quality of the wood I attribute altogether to locality and not to soil, and this is borne out in a great measure by the trees them- selves, for had the soil been unsuitable for their growth many fine specimens to be found here and there in the south could never have attained the size which they now present. Even in the north of Scotland, which may be said to be the natural home of the Scotch Fir, we tiad that not only are the growth and healthy develop- ment of the tree influenced by locality, but like- wise the quality and texture of the wood produced. In many cases where the mixed system of planting has been carried out on the sea-coast, from the fact of the climate or locality being unsuitable, the Scotch Fir has never been profitable, yet Larch and Spruce Fir in the same plantation have attained a fair average size, thus showing that the Highland Pine is not adapted for planting in all localities alike. Examples of this may be seen along many of the sea-board pai'ishes in the north, but in cases where the face of the country is of a hilly un- dulating character better results are obtained. In flat districts the influence of the sea air is apparent on the trees at a distance of some ten miles from the shore, while in hilly parts a few miles inland the Scotch Fir often attains the size of a profitable timber tree. J. B. Webster. The Cluster Pine at Holwood.— Rarely, indeed, have I seen either so many or so large specimens of the Cluster Pine (Pinus Pinaster) as are to be found in the woods at Holwood. In one of the plantations, of perhaps seventy or eighty years' growth, it would almost seem as if this Pine was intended for the permanent crop, so many specimens occur at stated intervals. Giant speci- mens, too, they are, for not one, but the majority have clean straight boles rising without a branch to fully 50 feet in height, andoontaining on an average 711 feet of timber. Generally one sees the Cluster Pine planted as a lawn tree, and then the stem is rough, crooked and uneven, and usually well clothed with branches, but when grown as a forest tree and in close contiguity to other fast-growing sub- jects, the appearance, as in the specimens just quoted, is quite different, the trunk being tall and straight and with smoother bark, and usually but a tuft of branches crowns the head. Valueless commercially though the f Uuster Pine is, yet for sea- side pl.anting and using in sandy .soil where few other trees could eke "out an existence, it is of great value, and has been largely used for this pur- pose both on the Continent and at hoiuc. The timber is of little value save for very ordinary pur- poses, such as the making of packing boxes and for firewood ; indeed, for the latter use it may only be termed .as second or third-r.ate. Some of the finest specimens of the Cluster Pine to be found in this country are growing in deep sandy or gravelly soil, or at least where a large percentage of such is pre- sent, and I do not think that it is a tree that is at all tender, for it may frequently be seen growing stout and strong and throwing out its largest branches right into the teeth of the blast. — A. D. Webster. Peculiarities of the Oak. — We have no tree in England more sensitive of exposure to wind than the Oak, and the best and fastest growing woods are those in sheltered positions, well inland. There is a tract of country in the south-east of Sussex, lying between Battle and Hailsham, the soil of which is well adapted to the gi'owth of Oak, but which, from its nearness to the sea — about 10 miles as the crow iiies - fails to produce, except in some places, other than short stumpy trees with bushy boughs, evidently thrown out as a protection against the south-west wind. These trees, I observe, pro- duce knotty and unsaleable timber. About thirty or thirty-five years ago the planting in St. Leonard's Forest was begun with Larch and Oak, the propor- tion being about five of Larch to one of Oak. After the Larch trees were seven or eight years old they were gradually thinned out, and, though in no case have they thoroughly disappeared, the land is fairly planted with straight-grown silver-rinded Tellars, which bid fair in due time to become a fine Oak forest. This land is ordinary forest land. My ex- perience is that Oak will grow in almost any de- scription of clay, from the poorest and stiffest to a good deep loam. As the Oak, in its earlier stages of growth, has a long tap-root, a deep soil, free to a certain depth from rock, is necessary to its rapid development. Oak will grow with considerable luxuriance in a gravelly soil, but, on arriving at a size fit to be called timber, it becomes what is termed shaky, and it will be found when felled to be little more than a bundle of laths, and quite unsuitable for the uses to which Oak timber is generally put. — R. W. C. Populus grandidentata. — Loudon justly con* sidered the "Large-toothed Aspen" the most orna- mental of all the Poplars, on account of the deep purplish red colour of the young leaves as they un- fold in spring. The foliage is not unlike that of the British Aspen, but the teeth are much larger and more irregular than in that species. As a rule P. grandidentata forms a medium-sized tree, but it sometimes attains a height of 70 feet or 80 feet, with a trunk 20 inches to 30 [inches in diameter. Whether it will attain such a size in this country or not I am not able to state definitely, but it is perfectly hardy, and grows freely enough wherever I have seen it planted. The wood is white, very soft and light. According to Professor Sargent's catalogue, large quantities have of late years been ground into pulp in Northern New England and Michigan, and used as a substitute for rags in the manufacture of paper. — N. A school of forestry. — One of the writers to The Garden of Jlarch IG hiu-iiig urged the advantages of a sc'liool of forestry in an article which escaped the iiiitice of the editor, he thinks it well now to express his own view in this matter — that is, that any school of the kind would he a mistake, us schools of iigriculture arc a mistiike. These things, no doubt , tiiul places for ntticials and prufes.surs, but they are not the places to learn either forestry or agriculture. Large Ash trees. — In this parish, on Sir F. L. Kubiiisoii's property, stands au Ash tree considerably larger than any at present named. 1 hud it mea- sured to-day by a professional carpenter and timber merchant, who made it : At the base, 28 foet ; .") feet friun the ground, 22 feet ; 11 feet from the grouiul, 24 feet 4 inches; height, f)8 feet. The tree innlains a little over GOO feet {cubic) of timber. — Wvur.KV P. HiRCH, C ran ford , near Kftterimj. .Vni/Zi. ants, in Field. ^ " The Garden " Monthly Parts.— r*i.' journal u pvblUlml in neath/ Ifound MmUhly Parts. In this form tht C'llourcd jilates itr'e Inst preserved, and i( is most suitable for reference prerious to the issue of the halt-yearly volumes. Price Is. Crf. ; post free, Is, '.hi, " Farm and Home " Monthly Parts. — ThU journal is published in neatly bound Monthly Parts, in which form it is most suitable/or reference previous to the itiui o/ tA< yearly volumes. PHce bd. ; post free, Id. ** Hardy Flowers." — Giving dfs(riptuyt\s of upwards o' thirteen hundred of thi most ornamental species, with directions for their an-angement, culture, d;c. Fourth and PopxUat SditUm, 1>. ,■ post free, Is. ad. London: 37, Southampton Street, Strand, W.C. THE GARDEN. 277 Ho. 906. SATURDAY, March 30, 1889. Vol.XXXY. " This Ib an Art Which does mend Nature : change it rather ; but The Art itself is Natdre."— Sftateprare. WHAT ARE N. NOBILIS AND N. VARIFORMIS i Perhaps hardly any of the English nurserymen who sell Daffodils by these names could tell us more about them than that " they are collected for them in the Pyrenees." The Pyi-enees are very wide hunting grounds, and the Daffodils found there are very various, and the two names are used very loosely. No line is drawn be- tween them, and though one name is indefinite enough, the other ought to be applied to a very definite variety, as there is only one portrait of its type. Both names are presumed to belong to Pyrenean Daffodils. The name nobilis was adopted by De CandoUe as a varietal name of a form of Narcissus pseudo-Narcissus, which Redouto selected to figure in his "Liliaceie," published about the beginning of this century. De Candolle gives no description of the variety. The description which accompanies the plate refers, I think, to N. pseudo-Narcissus as a species, and I am not sure that he tells us where this particular variety was found. If this is so, we might find it in some other part of France. For instance, five Daffodils not yet in- troduced to our gardens are found in the moun- tains of Auvergne. I received flowers gathered there on July 8 at an elevation of 7000 feet, but when they reached me they were too much dried up to recognise their characters. Mr. Barr often tells me he has never yet seen a nobilis after Redoute's type. Amongst the many Pyrenean forms which pass under the name, some may come sufficiently near to it to justify their being classed with it ; but how are we to sepaiate these from the mixed crowd of varieties at present included in the name variformis I Some of these, though difiering widely from Redoute's nobilis, have large and elegant flowers. I have nearly matched both Horsfieldi and volutus— a beautiful citron self — from amongst them, but as sure as I extract a selected form from a mixed bed, it disappears before the next year. Parkinson is the firot authority for the name variformis, which he intends to mean "of various form," so perhaps it ought to be written variiformis, but I spell it as its author has done. He tells us that in some parts of the Pyrenees bastard Daffodils grow, amongst which hardly any two are alike. He then enumerates the different characters of the varieties. Before considering what these were, let us briefly re- view the known forms of Daflbdils in the Pyrenees. First there is N. muticus (Gay), perhaps the most widely spread of any, and reaching the greatest altitude, though found also at moderate elevations. In some extensive districts it pre- vails abundantly, to the exclusion of all other Trumpet Dattbdila. For instance, in the Valley of Gavarnie, where it grows in profusion over several square miles, no other Daflbdil is found. Its characters are well defined. Its leaves erect, thick, and broad, with bluntly rounded tips ; its flowers, with a narrow cylindrical crown, never deeply lobed or much reflexed, with a perianth large and heavy, but flabby in substance, flowering late. It varies much in difi"eront spots. Haworth enumerates and describes six species, though he had never seen one. In cultivation it ranges from nearly the size s)i the Emperor to that of the typical English wOd Daffodil, biit variable as is the variety, it varies within well defined limits. I feel no doubt that this is the original wild type of all our garden bicolor class, including Horsfieldi, Emperor, itc, though we may still find some wild development of mu- ticus nearer to our cultivated forms. Next to this we have the Daflbdils which Mi-. Barr classes together as pallidus pr;ecox. The variations of these are great, even where they are most uniform ; but there are several moun- tain forms, accidentally similar to them in colour, which are quite distinct in habit and other cha- racters, and have no right to be classed with them at all. Of the third class, the white moschatus, I will not say much here. I believe they have as yet been found only on the Spanish side of the lidge of the Pyrenees in several places. The collectors who dig them up sort them for the market into major and minor, guided by notliing but the size of the bulbs, for I am assured that both grow mixed together, I can find no difl'erence except that major dies out in my garden rather more rapidly than minor. All Pyrenean DaffodOs which do not come under one of these three names Mr. Barr calls indiscrimin.ately variformis. But this name should only be applied to Daffodils of various forms which grow mixed together in a native habitat. I found and made selections from such a mixture a few miles from Luchon. The upper slope of the mountain was occupied by N. muticus (true), the lower part by another constant form of Pyrenean pseudo-NarcLssus ; the intermediate variform flowers seemed to me obviously the result of cross upon cross between the upper and lower extremes, and answered in every way to Parkinson's description of vari- formis. We must observe, however, that there are in the Pyrenees many Dafibdils diS'ering on one mountain from those on another, but really uniform amongst themselves. I have collected from several such constant forms, and planted them separately for comparison, and I am every year trying to get new forms from new places. I got two or three novelties last autumn, one of them from near Lourdes, perhaps as much like Redoute's portrait of nobilis as any I have seen, but I cannot judge them till next year. This year they flowered precociously, as Daffodils fresh from the South are siire to do if dug up before they are ripe. These constant Daffodils have no right to be classed amongst variformis, as they have hitherto been classed. To conclude, I may say, in illustration of the natural history of variformis, that I had flowering this year a bed of 300 or 400 seedlings raised from seed of Horsfieldi saved in my own garden. They are mostly a disappointing and shabby lot of mon- grels, hardly any of them bearing any resem- blance to the seed parent, and giving me little encouragement to repeat the experiment of growing from home-saved seed. Ediir Hall, Malpus. C. Wolley Dod. Packing cut flowers. — The excellent remarks of "W. I. M."j^(p. 253) on the packing of flowers induce me to add one more by way of supplement to them. I send away many boxes of flowers, and I believe they travel successfully. I think the main secret is to pack them firmly, and yet to le.ave some elasticity in tlie packing. My proceed- ing is this : I first lay a slight substratum of Moss, with a mere suspicion of dampness in it ; then on the top of this a piece of waxed paper, on which the flowers are carefully placed and packed. The box being quite full, I place another piece of waxed paper, and over this (here is my secret) a piece of the corrugated brown paper so much in use now for sending bottles by Parcel Post. It is very elastic and very cheap, keeps everything snug with the least possible pressure. I have found nothing to beat this, and I have the authority of one of our first nurserymen for saying it is the best packing he ever saw. In the case of such flowers as Gladioli, Narcissi, and such like, I find it is better to put neither Moss, nor woo], nor any other pack- ing, but I send them in shallow boxes, and lay them in layers at the bottom; take a strip of strong paper or ribbon, draw it tightly over the stalks and tack it to the bottom of the box ; they are immov- able. It may be said, all this is troublesome and tedious, but if flowers are worth sending at all they are worth sending well. Above all, avoid using the Letter Post for flowers; always send by Parcel Post. Boxes by the former come "a caution to look at." — A, R.. Windermere. Rose Garden. T. W. GIEDLESTONE. ARRANGING ROSES AT EXHIBITIONS. The suggestion made in the columns of The Garden some time since, that the great Inter- national Rose Conference to be held next July in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Chiswick should be made the occasion of an attempt to introduce fresh and more artistic methods of arranging the cut Roses exhibited, is a good one, and has almost ever since the pub- lication of the schedule of the conference been a subject of consideration by several probable exhibitors. Perhaps a better expression to use in this comiection than " more artistic methods '' would be " more natural methods." No doubt, both should mean the same thing, but conven- tion has brought it about that to many people's minds the two words convey very different ideas. To a natural arrangement of the flowsrs in many classes the wording of the conference schedule tends directly in asking for " Roses in bunches'' not to exceed a maximum size of " six trusses in each bunch,'' a limit which it may be hoped will preclude too great " bunohi- ness,' the common failing when flowers are asked for in bunches at exhibitions ; and it may also be hoped that the bunches will be staged sufficiently long-stemmed. This, of course, involves that the boxes in which the flowers travel to the show should be provided with lids aft'ording considerable head-room, and it is to be feared that the consequent increase of bulk will materially augment the inconvenieuce of trans- porting the boxes to the exhibition. No doubt, a slight difficulty of this kind will not weigh much with exhibitors who are in earnest to make the conference not only the event of the Rose year, but also one whose record shall be worthy of the united efforts of the Royal Horticultural Society and of the National Rose Society in the first season under its Royal patroness, her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales ; nevertheless, it mutt be borne in mind that the conference takes place at the height of the Rose-showing seasim, the brevity of which involves the crowding together of exhibitions on to almost consecutive days for about three weeks, so that exhibitors who can- not command an extensive "plant" may not be able to aflbrd time or material to liave boxes altered or made for a single show. For it is to be feared that "J. B. 's" protest against the " stereotyped boxes " — not always or necessarily "ugly," by the way — will be unavail- ing, for the simple reason that in view of the distances to which Roses have to be conveyed, of the hot weather which ought to prevail at the time of the shows, and of the cost of transit, practicability and simplicity must always be the chief cousideration of the exhibitor. 278 THE GARDEN. [Mabch 30, 1889. It is very easy to find fault witli existing ar- rangements, but to do so witliout suggesting any alternative is not of much use. It is essential that cut Roses should be exhibited in water, or their beauty would be gone before the show opened ; but if the conventional Moss-covered boxes that mask the convenient zinc tubes of water are to be dispensed with, wherewith are they to be re- placed ! There must be vessels of some kind ; should they be bottles, jars, vases .' If so, the cost and difficulty of conveying without break- age a sufficient number to stage a collection of 200 or 300 blooms would effectually exclude most exhibitors. It is obvious that the present system of exhi- biting cut Roses, which has gradually developed during a long series of years, has been adopted because it has been found in practice to work best, and the practical difficulties of effecting any radical alteration are admitted by "A. D." in The Garden, Feb. 23 (p. 171). His point, however, that the unique nature of the ex- hibition anticipated at the conference should afford an opportunity for a trial of effective methods of staging Roses deserves, as it will doubtless obtain, the consideration of exhi- bitors, and there is little question that many of the so-called garden Roses, including Roses that bloom in clusters, single Roses, climbers, and others, will be boldly grouped with great effect. Unless, however, without stopping to enquire whether Nature is the converse of Art (pace, the Shakespearian motto which heads the page on which his note appears), " J. B." has a practical plan to propose, but little alteration can be expected in the arrangement of ordinary Rose shows, in regard to which all the difficulties incident to competition, transport, space and time, both in staging and judging, must be taken into account. Kose Madame Lambard. — Too much cannot be written in praise of this lovely Tea Rose. For supplying button-hole flowers at this time of the year it is almost unequalled. In a small state when the petals are just showing colour it is charm- ing, whilst in a half expanded state when the real beauty of its colouring is exposed, it is a great favourite. I find it has one fault, viz., the foliage is somewhat liable to be early affected with mildew, which disfigures the leaves slightly. Cuttings strike freely on a slight bottom-beat and quickly grow into nice plants. — E. M., Hants. T. W. Girdlestone's last remarks about this Tea Rose tempt me to add my little quota to the mass of observations. 1. This Rose is certainly one of the hardiest Tea Itoses. 2. If anything, it pre- fers a strong soil, when dry and well drained, to a more sandy one. 3. As is the case with most Tea Roses with us, it is best not to jirune at all, generally speaking, but after a very severe winter, or if the trees have got very straggling, a severe pruning back to old wood is advisable ; this should not be done more frequently than once in three years. 4. Not being an exhibitor, I prefer this Rose on a south wall for the sake of its beautiful early and late blooms. In a hot year the blooms are so dull and muddy in colour when in the open that I should think other Roses better worth growing. G. In a very exposed and cold situation on the north- east coast, the only Tea Rose that is decidedly hardier and more vigorous, is Anna Ollivier, a Rose which has not lieen mentioned, though it is, to my nund, the best Tea Rose for general cultivation. — E. H. W. Polyantha Roses. — The note in The Gauden of March 'l'.\ Cji. 2rir)) rosiiecting Ihc Polyantha Roses cxliibited by Messrs. P;inl and Hon .should be the means of popularisinf; these beaiitilul fairy-like sorts. Tliey are so well suited for pot culture and can be brought into llower so readily liy gentle forcing, that the wonder is that they have so long been unrecognised, ^ selection of the principal varieties of these miniature Roses came into my hands a few years ago. It was in the month of March, and they were in 6-inch pots and bristling with yount,' growth. Not liking to risk them in the open air, I placed them in a fairly warm green- house. The result was that in about a month they were in full flower, and were so much admired that instead of transferring them to the open ground I had to cultivate them in pots. With the aid of a little forcing I had no difficulty in having them in flower early in March.— J. C. C. ROSE MADAME GABRIEL LUIZET. The distinctive excellences of this Rose are: — 1. As a plant, its free growth both as a maiden and cut-back ; as a flower, the clear soft colour and perfect form, always pleasing and acceptable as an exhibition bloom or specimen for room decoration. 2. The greatest defect with me is that as a maiden plant it grows too strong to bloom freely, often making shoots 4 feet to 5 feet in length. :!. Hardy. 4. Have found it do well on both light and heavy soil, but it flowers more freely when growing on the former. .5. Cutting Brier or Manetti. Have not tried own- root plants. I). Hard pruning for fine flowers, but by leaving the shoots longer and bending them down, a large quan- tity of smaller, but very pretty blooms are produced. 7. As a pot Rose I have found it far and away the best Hybrid Perpetual Rose of the colour. It will force more easily than any other Hybrid Perpetual I know, and it makes a splendid specimen plant. 8. Although classed as a Hybrid Perpetual, it can hardly, to my mind, be called perpetual, as I never remember seeing a second growth or bloom as a maiden plant, and only very occasionally late blooms on old plants. — S. G. RuMSEr, Rose Farm, Wrotham, Kent. 1. Robust grower, free-flowering, and beau- tiful colour. 2. No defects with me, except that it sometimes buttons in the centre. 3. Hardy. 4. Heavy soil ; due south. 5. Manetti, 6. (1) Moderate pruning ; (2) long pruning. 7. Very weU and easily forced. 8. I seldom cut a bloom in autumn, and when I do it is nearly always without colour. — S. P. BuDD, 8, (fay Street, Bath. 1. I find it a very good grower and a free bloom ?r. 2. The blooms are sometimes rather thin. 3. Hardy. 4. In the open, on stiff loam. 5. Brier cutting or seedling Brier. G. Hard pruning. 7. I have never grown the Rose in pots. 8. I have not noticed any alteration in character since first distributed ; it has never bloomed in the autumn with me. — Robebt N. G. Bakek, Heavi- tree, Devon. 1. This Rose grows freely and makes a neat bush. The blooms, of a bright clear colour, as a rule are well formed and produced singly on an upright stem. 2. It is very subject to mildew and seldom blooms in autumn. ' 3. Hardy. 4. Loam ; but will grow and thrive anywhere. .'). Seedling Brier ; also does well as standard. II. Hard pruning for show blooms ; light pruning for garden decoration. 7. No experience. 8. No.— ,T. T. Stu.vnoe, Aldermaston, Berks. SnORT NOTES.— ROSES. Rose Madame AUegatiere. — McHsrsi. I'aul ami Sim, of Clu'Hliunt, I,i(ully Hi'liil us a truss of Madame .■Vllt'patii^rt', (iin- of flu- ii(>w Hybrid I'ltlyantilas raised by Alleifatii^p' fnim .hiK's Marj;(ittiii. fortilist'il liy i{»iHn Pulyanfha. Tho plant appears of vifforous Kniwth with thorny wood, but tlio inflorGscouco has tnuoli of tho character of the Polyauthii Roses, the round buds being produced in a considerable corymb. The flowers ore of medium size, bright rose in colour, and very fragrant. Roses and Asparagus.— Hoses, for want of space elsewhere and also for shelter, are frequently grown in kitchen gardens, and they generally do re- markably well. Some of the vegetables are not very appropriate associates for them, hut Aspar.igus is an exception, as when this is planted between the rows of Roses the rich ground suitable for them suits it, and the graceful growths of the Asparagus have a very pretty effect in combination with the Koses when they are in blossom. All who have seen this arrangement have been struck with it, and some have been induced to try the Asparagus with their Koses outside the kitchen garden. — J. MuiR. ROSES IN THE PAST WINTER. The winter, though long and, on the whole, cold, has [not been one of exceptional severity, the frost in East Anglia seldom exceeding 16°, though in several localities lying low and close to water I have heard of exceptional readings of from 20° to 25°. Such readings, if true, will doubtless have left deep scars among the Roses. Practically, the majority of Hybrid Perpetuals and our hardier Tea Roses are safe against U)° or 15° of frost. Beyond that the majority begin to show signs of distress, the signs multiplying in number and growing in in- tensity in the direct ratio of the degree of cold. On the whole, however, the Roses seem to have wintered so far (March 7) tolerably well. This is the more satisfactory, as they were in very indif- ferent condition, for, notwithstanding any extra severities of temperature, seldom was Rose wood later or more immature than during the autumn of 1888. Few plants suffer more from lack or normal measures of sunshine than Roses, and neither bloom nor wood were up to an average last year. Hence we find, in pruning the hardier Roses, a great excess of pith and a lack of hardness in the wood, and should the temperature at the latter end of March, as not unfrequently happens, run down to anything like zero, such a depression would doubtless play sad havoc among the more soft and sappy Roses. While, therefore, hoping for the best, it is as yet quite premature to write of the safe wintering of our favourites : for bitter expe- rience teaches us that while all the months of winter may slay their thousands of Roses, March slays its tens of thousands. This probably arises from the fact that the sap is more active in March than in any or all the other preceding months be- tween March and October. As the sap becomes more active and excitable the plants become more tender and susceptible to cold, or, in other words, more easily injured, and hence the potency of March weather to injure or destroy our Roses. There is yet another reason for this, and that is, the biting force and penetrating power of March winds. Still [frosts are, as a rule, less vigorous than what are termed black or wind frosts. This state- ment, however, must be accepted with certain limi- tations. In lowdying valleys, where a series of hills form the sides of natural basins that cabin and confine the air with something like absolute still- ness, the destructive force of cold is frequently felt the most. A mere fracture or break in the sides of the basin suflicient to agit.ate the air would baulk the energy of radiation, and so save many Rose and other plants from destruction. But such mild agitation of the stillness of the air is about as different as can well be from the cooling power of March winds, cooled almost to freezing point on the iced steppes of North-eastern Europe. In writing, too, of the comparative warmth of still air, the heat-husb;mding jiower of hoar-frost nmst not be overlooked. This is very much greater than is generally supposed, and is mostly wholly absent during the month of March. Doubtless it is to this fact mainly, as well as to the greater activity of the sap, that so many Roses and other semi- tender plants are crippled and destroyed during this hardest and bleakest month of the twelve. The winter now happily drawing to a close bears powerful testimony in favour ot own-root Roses. While not a few budded and worked Tea and other Boses have perished, it is pleasing to fmd March 30, 1889.] THE GARBEiT. 279 that Roses on their own roots are safe. In the case of dwarf Teas, earth up more or less freely. Even a good early bloom is still not only possible, but almost within sight. So far, the Roses, as well as fruit trees and all other vegetation, are abnormally late this season. D. T. F. Hardiness of Tea Roses. — Mr. J. Burrell, of Cambridge, writing on the hardiness of Tea Roses says : " Anyone interested in this question should take a turn round the Rose nurseries, and see the Teas in the open fields. We have not pro- tected a single dwarf Tea during the winter, and do not think we have lost half a dozen plants, though all are right in the open field."' Kose William Allen Richardson for pot culture.— Recently Mr. Douglas referred to the value of having a nice selection of Tea-scented Roses in pots for the purpose of furnishing flowers for catting. Few will be prepared to differ from him, and if he has not already done so, I would advise him to add to his stock William Allen Richardson. A specimen in a pot 12 inches or 14 inches in diameter will give a large number of flowers both in spring and autumn. When flowered under glass in the spring in a gentle warmth the colour is a pleasing amber, quite distinct from that of other Roses. My practice in dealing with speci- mens in pots has been to allow the growth to have its own way all the summer, and then shoots from 3 feet to i feet long will be produced. To make room for these shoots some of the old wood is cut out and the young tied in the whole length. Treated in this way, most of the prominent eyes along the shoots will start into growth in the spring and pro- duce one or more flowers. — J. C, C. Marechal Niel as a bedding Rose.— One of the most surprising phases of Rose culture that I ever met with is to be seen in Mr. Fowler's garden at Claremont, near Taunton, in which there is a large bed in the open air filled with plants of Mare- chal Niel. I never saw nor remember reading of a similar successful instance of growing this Rose in an open bed. The instance referred to is the more remarkable owing to the extraordinary growth the plants have made. The bed is large enough to hold two dozen plants at about 2 feet 6 inches apart. The centre of the bed is raised about 3 feet high, gradually sloping down to 1 foot, and tlie soil is supported by a stout Ivy border or edging. The plants were planted in the autumn of 1887, and are on their own roots. A few flowers were pro- duced last year, but the weather was not very fav- ourable for them. The length and substance of the growth which the plants made last year, and which I saw to-day (Jlarch 25), surpass any I have seen in the open air away from a wall. The whole surface of the bed is quite a thicket of strong shoots, many of them thicker than a man's thumb, .and from ij feet to 7 feet long. To a great extent the plants have been .allowed to grow their own way during the past year. Before they commenced to make new grovrth last spring many of the strongest shoots were pegged down on the surface, and they now seem to have formed roots. A more promising lot of growth no one could desire. The wood is evidently getting somewhat hard, so that some good Roses may be expected from it. I shall watch with much interest the behaviour of this unique bed of Roses in the coming se.ason, .and I hope its present healthy condition may justify the results expected of it.— J. C. C. Rockets.— In an old magazine, published in 1H51, I find a Mr. S. P. Rushmere writing that in a trip to France at a garden at Fontenay-aux-Roses he saw seven kinds of Rockets, viz. : — White Giant, growing 5 feet to G feet high, with immense spikes of flowers: white, medium si/.o, 2 feet, the Eughsh variety; purple, 2 feet high, a?i alpuudant bloomer, very double and showy; crimson. 2 feet high, rieh and attractive, hut spikes not so large us the purple; rose or peacli, same as in Englisli gardens ; yellow, very double and compact in form. IS iiiclies. The yellow was, no doubt, barbarea. Arc the six other kinds in existence in England, and where can they be procured? — H. S. Newill. Propagating. Aralias. — This genus includes several of the most elegant foliage plants for stove and greenhouse culture, and as plants for the table and general decoration they are invaluable. Pl.ants for such purposes must not exceed a certain size ; therefore fresh stock must be obtained periodically. Some of the species may be propagated from cuttings and young plants obtained with little trouble, but in some cases it is necessary to resort to grafting, which, according to some writers, is an objection- table practice. I believe, however, that, after all that can be adduced against it, the practice will still continue, and it is undoubtedly the best, the safest, and perhaps the only way of perpetuating many of our most valuable plants. My opinion on the question is, that seedlings or cuttings are generally preferable, but grafting, when skilfully done and suitable stocks used, is a practice which should not be condemned. It is only when graft- ing is clumsily performed, or unsuitable stocks used, that it becomes objectionable. Aealia Veitchi. — This beautiful species, which is one of the most desirable of the genus, is one which cannot be successfully propagated except by grafting. It succeeds best when grafted on A. reticulata. A. Guilfoylei may also be used as a stock, but the former is preferable, young plants of which may be obtained from cuttings, which will root freely in the ordinary stove propagating pit. The stocks should be well established before being used for grafting. They will be all the better if grown in an intermediate temperature, where the wood gets well hardened. The plants intended for scions will also be better if grown in such a position as will be favourable to the plants making firm short-jointed wood. Plants that have grown too tall to be serviceable may be selected for graft- ing, the tops being taken off to where the wood is fairly firm. The other portion of the stems may be cut up in short lengths and used as scions. The grafts should be put on the stocks as close to the surface as possible. After the operation they should be kept quite close until well callused, but should not be placed where there is much bottom- heat, or the stocks will be liable to die off. If placed in a close case where there is little or no bottom-heat they will not require any water for the first few days, by which time they will have begun to callus. After they are properly callused they may be removed to a warmer position to promote growth. The slender-growing variety A. Veitchi gracillima, of course, requires similar treat- ment, as does also A. elegantissima, which is, per- haps, rather more delicate than Veitchi, but when well managed it makes a most elegant plant. The most suitable compost for growing the above sorts in is loam, leaf-mould, and peat in equal parts, with a liberal addition of s.and. The plants should be limited to moderate-sized pots. If treated too liberally they make vigorous growth and lose their light graceful habit. This Is especially the case with A. Veitchi, which, although usually grown in the stove, will do etpially well in a greenhouse temperature. At Pendell Court there is a specimen planted out in the cool greenhouse which has made such robust growth as to be hardly identified with those plants grown in pots. A. LEPTOPHYLLA. — This is a free-growing species, and one of the most effective for table decoration, and .also for the conservatory, especially when grown on freely to good sized specimens. This species may be propagated either from cuttings or by grafting; if good stocks are at hand, the latter is the quickest method of obtaining good plants. They should be treated in the same way as recom- mended for A. A'eitchi. Cuttings from plants that are not too vigorous will succeed best, the tops from plants with short-jointed firm wood making the best cuttings. They should be put in singly into small pots, using sandy peat. The base of the cut- tings should only go just below the surface of the soil, and each should have a stick to keep it firm. The cuttings should be placed in the warmest part of the propagating pit and kept close, but very little water should be given until they are callused. Cuttings are rather slow in forming roots, and care must be taken that they are not exposed too soon. A. Kebchoveasa. — This is another distinct and elegant species. It has bright green foliage and a symmetrical habit of growth. The best way to propag.ate this species is from cuttings, which may be treated in the same manner as recommended for A. leptophylla, but must be grown on in a stove temperature. If exposed to a low temperature it is liable to lose its foliage. All the Aralias require regular attention, espe- cially while they are making growth. If allowed to receive a check in any way the foliage will be imperfectly developed. The plants should be potted on before they get too much pot-bound; but over-potting is a great evil, as is also an excess of moisture at the roots. A regular temperature and careful attention to watering, &c., will ensure symmetrical, well-formed plants, but a little neglect will disfigure the plants permanently. A. FOLIAGE FOR DECORATION. Now that flowers for cutting are in such request, any plant which yields them in quantity and suit- able for the purpose is not slow in receiving notice; more particularly is this the case with good winter- blooming plants. Foliage does not, however, al- ways receive the attention due to it, and only those who have occasion to frequently want in quantity greenery of a suitable description for dinner-table decoration and other similar purposes can fully appreciate the value of a plant which will yield what is required all the year round in sufficient quantity. I do not overlook the fact that Ferns supply the needs of the majority, and that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find anything more suitable than Fern fronds for the greater part of the decora- tor's work, but as nothing injures Ferns so much as continual cutting of the fronds, where the collec- tion of these plants is limited, considerable care must be exercised in cutting from them. ASPAEAGUS PLUMOSUS NANUS stands first, in my opinion, as a plant to cut from. It would indeed be difticult to find a subject more amenable to different modes of culture, and, at the same time, furnishing such an abundance of material for cutting as this plant. When planted out in a warm house it soon assumes a scandent habit, and fills a large space in the course of a few months with its long branch- ing shoots, which can be used in a great variety of ways. No fear need be entertained .as to cutting it, for" wherever it is cut, fresh shoots break forth and quickly replace those which have been removed. When grown in pots and kept bushy by pinching out the points of any shoots showing signs of climb- ing, it forms a most eleg.ant plant for house decora- tion, and one, moreover, that will stand a consider- able amount of hard us.age. The best and only means, as far as 1 know, of increasing it is by division. I have never observed .any seed upon the plant, and stem cuttings have not succeeded with us, but by dividing the plants a good stock is soon secured. Light loam, leaf-mould, and sand seem to suit it best. I have tried it in pe.at, but the growth is not so free nor is the colour of the foliage so good as when the plant is grown in loam. The popular name of " Asparagus Fern " which this plant has acquired, though far from correct, is one that I fancy it will retain. I have often found great diffi- culty in convincing people that it is not a Fern. Fern Asparagus would, I think, be much better for a garden name. Myrsiphyllum asparagoides.— Although not adapted to such a variety of purposes as the pre- ceding, this is, nevertheless, a most valuable and useful plant when treated liberally, ample room being allowed its long slender shoots. Planted out in a greenhouse in a narrow border and supplied with plenty of water its growth is very free. It required for cutting, constant lattention is needed 280 THE GARDEN. [March 30, 1889. to prevent the shoots becoming too much entwined together. This is an easy matter, as the shoots can either be trained separately to fine twine, and when cut the twine severed with them, or when loosely caught to the front of a wire trellis plenty of long sprays, than which few things are more light and elegant, will always be available for use. I prefer to raise the plants from seed, although it is easy to divide the plants. Seedlings, however, are the best for pot culture when required for hanging over the front of plant stages, for which purpose this plant is well adapted. Ltgodium BCANDEN8 13 a useful plant to the decorator, but on account, no doubt, of its some- what dull green colour it does not find such favour as the two plants previously noticed; still it should be grown where room can be found for it, that is, where it can be planted out and given space to ex- tend. It will then quickly cover the back wall of a warm house or a trellis in any convenient spot, and furnish an abundance of long graceful shoots for cutting. Ficrs EEPEN.S is a well-known inmate of our houses, and for clothing bare wall spaces it has few equals on account of its habit of clinging so closely to the wall. A few years ago I was sur- prised at the hardiness of this plant; some shoots found their way outside between the wall and the woodwork of the hou.se, and soon covered a large space on the wall outside. After a rather severe winter I was surprised to fin an' crested at the ends, and the top bears a large and dense flat crest. 12. BliKCHNUM SriCANT POLVDACTYLON. — This plant I do not think an improved form of the species, the crested end of tin- frond giving it a somewhat unnatural appearance. Vi. ASPI.KNIUM I'lLI.X-FCKMINA MULTIFIDUM is a handsome and extremely ornamental variety, the pinnie being somewhat reduced and narrow, bearing on the tips a small crest, whilst the top of the frond is largely tasselled. N\'. H. G. Makch 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 281 OLD PLAiCE, LINDFIELD. Pbetiy houses and quaint relics of Elizabethan times abound in the quiet village of Liudtield, and among these the house of IMr. Kemp, and the beautiful garden with which he has sur- rounded it, give us a true picture. Much of Old Place, however, is of nenr creation, for the house consists of large additions to a pre-existing quaint cottage ; but the same simple style of architecture has been followed throughout, and the result is a charming house. The house and garden are both well shown in the annexed engraving. The style of garden- ing, the simplest that could be carried out, is natural and beautiful. The beds are large and of simple shapes ; they skirt the outer margins of the Grass and are near to the walks. The plants receive that attention which would be bestowed upon bedding plants ; in fact, they are the bedding plants, but with this difl'erence, that the first frost does not blast the labours of a season in one night. The occupants of these beds are frequently transplanted, as fresh ground increases the size, quality, and quantity of the flowers. There is scarcely a limit to the making of beautiful beds with hardy flowers. A noble bed could be made with members of one family alone or by grouping several distinct things. The beds need not be entirely tilled with hardy plants. At Old Place vacant spaces that remain in spring owing to removals are sown with annuals, among which there are pretty things that never enter into the average flower gardener's arrange- ments, and when sown in some out-of-the-way wooded vales of this pretty part of the weald of Sussex. A. H. Orchids. W. H. OOWER. SPATHOGLOTTIS. There are at present but few species of this Asiatic genus of Orchids in cultivation ; the reason why they have been neglected I cannot say, but that it is not for lack of beauty, I can certainly vouch. I have had one or two varie- ties under my charge at various times, and found them easily managed ; and I do hope to see more kinds introduced, as we are told there are plenty of sorts to be found in the Malayan Peninsula, and which possess great beauty. I Old Place, Liudtield. Engraved for The Gaeden from a photograiih ))y Mr. S. ^'onuan, Burgess Hill. which till the beds give throughout the season flowers varied, infinite, and lovely. Plants gathered together from temperate and northern lands combine to make the garden here what a garden shouhl be— a museum of lovely things which change with the seasons, each day seeing the birth of some new charm. To mention the numerous things which come between Gentians and Lilies would be almost compiling a catalogue, and no one garden can display them all in their full beauty. Flower gardening upon such broad and sensible lines as at Old Place might be initiated in hundreds of places. The hardy plants which fill these beds are not planted and left to impoverish the ground and starve, as they frequently were in the old mixed borders of our gardens. They border fifty plants are frequently starving where one would thrive. Similarly, if so desired, a few summer plants might be used in such posi- tions, and one might coi\tinue to make hun- dreds of suggestions, all of them quite different. In working with those materials, many beauti- ful gardens could be made, all dissimilar. In a garden like Mr. Kemp's the lover of flowers finds plenty to interest, and in carrying out his ideal he has made a step in the right direction, entirely redeeming his place from the charge which lies against many, that of formality and monotony. A few umbrella- shaped Portugal Laurels standing upon the lawn seemed a little out of place in comparison with the flowers around. Beyond the flower beds is an open sunny lawn commanding fine views of the was much impressed recently with theSfe plants, having seen three kinds in llower in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden at Boxhill, and this has in- duced me to bring them under the notice of the readers of The Garhen. The plants in question belong to the tribe Epidendra;, and are nearly allied to Bletia and belong to the section Blotiaea-, but they difi'er principally from that genus in the jieculiar formation of the lip. The species are all terrestrial plants, and for the most part have subterranean corms or tubers ; but not an all of them, as in some few species these are formed upon the surface, being sheltered only by a little mossy surface growth. The pots for their reception should bo well drained, and the soil they thrive well in is a mixture of good fibry loam and peat, which, 282 THE GAEDEN. [Maboh 30, 1889. however, should not be of great depth. I have found from experience that a thin layer of soil suits them by far the best. Spatlioglottis enjoy strong heat and moisture when growing, but after this is finished they shoukl be removed to a lower temperature, exposed to the sunshine, and kept entirely without water. This treat- ment enables the corms to become well ripened, the want of this ripening being, no doubt, the reason why complaints are made of these plants not living long under cultivation. The leaves of Spathoglottis are sword- shaped, strongly ribbed, and deciduous, whilst the flowers of most of the species which have yet been introduced are of some shade of yellow. S. KiMBALLiANA. — This plant was, I believe, in- troduced by Mes.srs. Sander, of St. Albans, and by some authorities it has been merged with S. aurea. Be this right or wrong, however, I cannot decide, but anyway it does not detract from the beauty of the plant, which I recently noted in superb con- dition in Sir Trevor Lawrence's collection. It pro- daces a long scape, bearing a large clustered raceme of flowers at the top. The flowers, which are somewhat similar in shape to those of a Phalajnop- sis, measure nearly 3 inches across, the petals being broader than the sepals. They are thiols and fleshy in texture and obovate in form. The colour of the sepals and petals on the inside is full clear yellow, the outer surface of the sepals alone having a central streak of crimson, and the whole surface is more or less flushed with the same colour ; lip small, three-lobed, the side lobes hatchet-shaped, clear yellow, plain on the outside, but within streaked with short lines of reddish crimson on the basal halt; anterior lobe deeper yellow than the outer portion of the flower, spotted along the surface with reddish crimson. On the disc is a pair of large erect, obtuse, diverging plates, which are also yellow, speckled all over with crimson. It lasts long in beauty, and is a native of the Malayan Peninsula. S. ANGUSTORUM. — This plant somewhat resem- bles Phajus bicolor in growth. The flowers, nearly 2 inches across, are borne on an erect spike, and somewhat resemble at first siglit those of Phalie- nopsis Lowi. The sepals and petals are white, flushed with mauve ; lip mauve-coloured, bearing at the base a raised fleshy protuberance, which is pale yellow freckled with crimson, side lobes erect, hatchet-shaped and pale purjjle. It remains in flower a very long time. Native of the Eastern Archipelago. S. LoBBl. — This is a small-growing plant, which was introduced some years ago by the late Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, and its corms appear to thrive best when their upper surface is level with the soil and slightly shaded with growing Moss. Its spike is slender and erect, bearing from three to seven or more flowers, each of whicli is upwards of IJ inches across and of a uniform clear yellow ; lip similar in general shape to that of the otliers, but broader at the point of the central lobe, which is deeper yellow, the lateral lobes having the veins more or less streaked with reddish crimson. There is a somewhat similar kind known as S. Fortune!, which is said to come from Hong-Kong. S. Lobbi was figured in TllE GARDEN, August, 1882 (p. 188). S. Pbtki. — This plant, I believe, was introduced from the Pacific Islands by the Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea. It has the tubers or ])seudo-bulbs above ground, and its llowers are about the size of those of S. hobbi. The sepals and petals are jiale lilac ; lip three-lobed, the lateral ones oblong, incurved ; without tliey are rosy mauve, but within they are purple, anterior lobe ro.sy lilac, bearing on tlie disc a small yellow callus, which is slightly hairy ami heart-shaped. This species I have not seen in flower for several years, and am not aware if it is still alive in the country, but the three first-named kinds are now flowering in the collection at Burford Lodge, Dorking. Hooded Oncid (Oncidium cucullatum). — This species was fiuwuring freely the other day in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea. It is a beautiful Oncid, variable, and somewhat diflScult to grow. The plants thrive well enough for the first two years, but are apt to die off afterwards, though it is worth some trouble to keep them in flowering condition. They should never be dried off, but kept moderately moist always. The spikes are erect and few-flowered, but ;each flower, if a good variety is obtained, is exceedingly rich, espe- cially in the lip, which is washed with a purplish tint, overlaid with bold and showy spots. It varies considerably, as in the case of most Orchids. It is a native of Peru and New Grenada. Cypripedium "Winnianum. — This is a very pretty and interesting cross between C. villosum and C. Druryi, and is, I believe, one of Mr. Seden's raising in Messrs. Veitch's establishment at Chelsea. The dorsal sepal is ovate, very light green, bor- dered with white, and bearing in the centre a broad stripe of rich chocolate, the sides in addition being flaked with a lighter brown ; lower sepal greeni.'sh- white ; petals slightly incurved, bearing along the centre a broad line of deep purplish chocolate ; the upper half deep brownish-yellow, the lower half much paler. Lip similar in shape to that of villo- sum and soft yellowish-brown in colour. The whole flower has the same freshly-varnished appearance as that of C. viUosum. This charming plant is now flowering in The Woodlands collection at Streatham.— W. H. G. Cypripedium hirsutissimum. — This species, which has been a shy-flowering kind, would appear to be improving, or the treatment it is receiving suits it better. A remarkable example of this is now conspicuous in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden, where a large specimen is bearing numerous scapes, all bearing twin flowers. The blooms are large and the petals very highly coloured. I believe the specimen in question is one of the recently imported batch of the Messrs. Low, of Clapton. This kind flowered first with me in the nursery of the Messrs. Jackson, of Kingston, but the first recorded example of its having bloomed was with Messrs. Parker, by whom it was exhibited, and I well remember Dr. Lindley naming this plant in the Regent Street rooms of the Horticultural Society in 1857. This example was a portion of the same batch which flowered with me some two months previously. The plants of this importation, however, never produced either so large or such highly-coloured flowers as those of the Messrs. Low's importation of last season. — H. Cymbidium pendulum atro-purpureum. — It is now a long time since I saw such a fine specimen of this old variety as I recently noted in the establishment of Messrs. Sander at St. Albans, and the plant was bearing numerous spikes of its beautiful flowers. The racemes are pendulous, about 1 yard long, and the blooms are exceedingly rich in colour and very fragrant. Sepals and petals intense deep purple, the side lobes rosy-crimson, the front lobe white, blotched at the tip with crim- son, and having two spotted lines of the same colour extending to the base, whilst on the disc are two raised yellow ridges. It is a beautiful form, which lasts long in full beauty. Frequently have I observed this variety treated in the same manner as the typical plant, which is a native of Northern India, and thrives under cool treatment. Under such treatment the variety is usually a shy flowercr, but when grown in a warmer temperature, whii-h it naturally requires, being a native of Borneo and some of the Philippine Islands, it grows and flowers freely.— 'W. II. G. Oncidium lamelligerum. — This is a hand- some kind of the O, macranthum type now flowering with Mr. Measures at Streatham. It produces long, scandent, much - branched spikes bearing many large flowers. In this section the beauty is confined to the sepals and petals, the lip being reduced to small proportions. The ujipor sejial, which is large, is rich brown with a narrow border of yellow ; tlie lateral sepals are narrower, but of nearly the same colour, all being undulated on the edges. The large petals are beautifully crisj) on the edges, rich brown at the base, the upper half yellow, whilst the lip is inconspicuous, somewhat resembling that of 0. macranthum. It thrives best under the very coolest treatment. It is wild in Ecuador, and by some it is thought to be a natural hybrid. ORCHID NOTES. In response to Mr. Gower, concerning a natural hybrid between Dendrobium Wardianum and D. crassinode, I would gladly send htm a flower (if I may know where to) from a plant that came to me with that description. But I will add, if lie thinks it worth his whUe to see it, for I have no legal evidence of its parentage, and the name with it was not D. crassinode 'Wardianum, but D. 'Waltoni. If I had to guess at it, I should call this a veiy mild form of D. Wardianum, with the Assam habit of- growth. At least, I do not see the united, or even divided .splendours of a superb parentage in it. But all the plants I have in bloom of D. Wardianum are D. Wardi- anum Lowi, and of T). crassinode, D. crassinode Burberianum, and, compared with my reputed hybrid, they seem "much above that sort of thing." In place of the large, dark crimson eyes of Lowi, it has a few narrow red lines and dots ; whUe the deep pink, so massive on the tips of Barberianum petals, is here watered down to a pale tint. Neither is the yellow on the lip quite so rich as in either D. Wardianum Lowi or D. crassinode Barberianum. Would that life were of longer span, or Orchid seed of surer, quicker growth ; then how might we revel in Dendrobium crosses 1 Very lovely here, in peach bloom and primrose tints, are the flowers of D. Findleyanum ; and past turn- ing from, without a lover's sigh, the glittering Buttercup-gold bloom of D. Brymeriantmi on the long, lanky, tapering stems of the genuine variety. The bright green column head is a very emerald set within a fringe of gold, and above the long gold filigree of the lip, which is exqui- site beyond compare. I can the more appreciate the true, from having been affiicted with the rubbishy sort that used to set all its own pi>ds and die in the bud. This ought to be lianded down to posterity, if ever it gets so far, by some still more "abominable" name than the six words and twenty over syllables that composed the maiden name of D. "NVardianum. Among pods, I have one nearly ripe on D. Dalhousianum X D. thyrsiflorum, but have not succeeded so far in getting any from crosses between such Dendrobes as are many-flowered on long spikes and those that have a few on pedicels springing more immediately from the nodes. Perhaps, however, there is nothing in this except my failure. F. D. Hoknkk. Burton-in- Lonsdale. Saccolabium bellinum.— An exceedingly hand- some form of this rare dwarf-growing plant is now flowering in the Studley House collection, the spot- ting and markings on the lip being of a deep crim- son-maroon, whilst the yellow is of an intense orange shade. It is one of the most excjuisite gems in cultivation. It is a Burmese jilant, and should bo grown in a small liasket, and treat oil to the boat of the East Indian house, with an aliundance of mois- ture in the air. Dendrobium Cambridgeanum. — This is a hanilsome, small-growing species, which produces its blooms on the young growth just before ma- turity, so that the flowers have the advantage of the rich green leaves. The stems are from G inches to !» inc^hes long, stout and leafy, while the flowers, produced mostly in pairs, are between 2 inches and 3 inches across, and wholly deep golden March 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 283 yellow, with a heavy blotch of purplish black at the base of the lip. It is perhaps more correctly named D. ochreatum. This species is now flower- ing with the Messrs. Laing at Forest Hill. The plant is a native of Northern India at some 4000 feet elevation, and I have found it succeed best nnder cool treatment, but with good exposure to the light.— G. Cattleya Massaiana. — This is a gorgeous Cattleya, a supposed natural hybrid between C.gigas and C. Dowiana aurea ; the colour of the sepals and petals is that of C. gigas, while the lip is of the same colour as that of C. Dowiana aurea, with the two large, orange-coloured, eye-like spots of C. gigas. It diS'ers from C. Hardyana (another sup- posed natural hybrid) in having the golden net- work of aurea confined entirely to the throat, thus leaving the rich magenta-crimson of the fore part quite clear. It is very fragrant. Dendrobium macropliyllum Richardi. — This is a very distinct form ot this species, and was, I think, introduced by M. Linden, of Brussels, and although it does not approach the variety Yeitchi- anum either in size or beauty, it is a most desirable plant. In growth it somewhat resembles Veitch's variety. The sepals and petals are spreading, the former much the larger and greenish yellow ; the latter are decidedly yellow. The flower is very sweet-scented. It is now blooming in the Studley House collection. — W. G. Saccolabium cceleste, from Siam, is one of the most charming of its genus. It belongs to the section which bears erect racemes of bloom, of which S. Hendersonianum, S. ampuUaceum, and S. curvifolium are famiUar examples ; the scape is erect, some 9 inches high, bearing a dense raceme of flowers, which are white tipped with deep blue. We have seen examples of this plant in which the flowers were tipped with light azure-blue, and we find it difficult to determine which of the forms is the most exquisite. It requires strong heat and moisture. Dendrobium primulinum gig-anteum. — Although now introduced to this country some thirty years, this plant has never become common, and I was much pleased recently to note several good forms flowering with Messrs. Laing and Sons. It belongs to the Pierardi section, but differs from that plant in its shorter, stouter bulbs, and by its very much larger lip. The sepals and petals are deep lilac, the lip being large, convo- lute at the base, thick and fleshy in texture, soft creamy yellow, streaked more or less with lilac-rose. It has a fragrance somewhat resembling that of the wild Primrose. Odontoglossum Roezli. — This fine plant un- doubtedly enjoys plenty ot heat, and of course moisture, for if this is not well supplied to the roots, and the atmosphere also kept well charged, thrips soon work sad havoc amongst the plants. I recently noted a nice lot of this species in vigorous health in Mr. Darnell's garden, where the plants are kept in the East India house. The plants are of an intense deep green, and are just beginning to flower profusely. It is a superb Orchid when well grown and cared for, as these are, but where the atmo- sphere is not kept well charged with moisture, the plants soon die. I have never seen this plant thrive when kept in a cool house, although it is a native of Colombia. Many growers find that it does well in the Cattleya house, but I think that the dry air in this structure during the winter months is unsuited to the requirements of this species, and therefore I think Mr. Elliott's plan of keeping it in winter with his Cypripediums and such like plants is a step in the right direction. — II. Orchids on cork.— In reply to " J. G. M. G.'' in The GARI)E^f, March 9 (p. 228), the plants I have so growing are Dendrobium Parishi, heterocarpum, aggregatum, pulchellum, and suavissimum, Odonto- glossum Rossi, Londesboroughianum, Oncidium splendidum, Marshallianum, Papilio, and varicosum, Cattleya citrina and HarrisoniiC. I am trying a number of others, but they have not been in position long enough to write with any certainty about them. Some of these are doing better than similar plants in pots and baskets in the same house. I must say that perhaps my system of damping may have something to do with the re- sults. I am able to regulate the density of the atmosphere to any degree I like without syringing or throwing water about the stages or paths, and am able, in fact, to obtain the dew point at any time of the day or night I like. I keep a hygro- meter in each house, and am very much surprised they are not more generally used, not only in Orchid houses, but in stoves, early vineries, and Cucumber houses, as I do not think anything would so soon give warning that red spider would pay you a visit. — Orchid Amateur. Cattleya TriansB Tirginalis.— Amongst the numerous very fine forms of this Cattleya now flowering with Mr. Sander at St. Albans this is conspicuous and beautiful, the flowers being large and well formed. The sepals and petals are large and broad and of the purest white; the prettily frilled Up is also white with just a faint tinge of mauve in front of the yellow in the throat. It is almost equal in purity to the true alba, but the slight flush of colour at once distinguishes it from that chaste form. Odontoglossum blandum.— This is a beauti- ful dwarf-growing Odontoglossum, and it is hard to account for its comparative neglect, as it has become rare even though introduced about twenty years ago. O. cirrhosum is another species that had until recently almost dropped out of cultivation, though why it is hard to say. O. blandum, several specimens of which were in bloom in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons at Chelsea last week, was discovered by Blunt, we believe, close to Ocana, in New Grenada, where it grows naturally at an elevation of over 6000 feet. The flowers remind one of those of nsvium majus, and are closely packed on a short raceme. The sepals and petals are about the same size, narrow, and white spotted with crimson-brown. It is a gem amongst its class, and no collection of Orchids is complete without it. Maxillaria luteo-alba. — This is a genus which, like Epidendrum, is not popular with many Orchid growers. I suppose this has arisen through the introduction of so many species with insignificant and dull-coloured flowers, because they were plen- tiful and easily obtained. These species, I hope, however, still find a home in the garden of some genuine lover of plants. The gardens of Burford Lodge, the residence of Sir Trevor Lawrence, are an exception as far as Orchids are concerned, for there many small-flowered kinds are to be found which do not exist at the present time in any other garden in England. The plant now under consideration has unworthily been under a cloud for some years, but if the best Orchid growers of the present day could see it as I saw it a short time since, bearing upwards of forty flowers, I feel sure it would be restored to popularity as well as M. Sanderi (which, however, is the finest species of the genus yet in- troduced to cultivation). M. luteo-alba is a cool house plant, thriving well with Odontoglossum Alexandra; ; the pseudo-bulbs are some 2 inches or more high, deep green, and bear a single deep green leaf ; the flowers solitary on the peduncle, which is about 6 inches high ; the sepals are 3 inches long, tawny yellow, the lateral ones soft white at the base, twisted ; petals smaller, erect, creamy white at the base, streaked with purplish brown in the centre, and broadly tipped with tawny yellow ; lip small, the middle lobe recurved, yellow, bordered with white ; side lobes erect, yellowish, and streakeil with deep brownish purple. The flowers last long in beauty when cut. — W. H. G. Dendrobium Jamesianum. — " An Inquirer from the County Armagh " asks for information respecting the management of this plant, and this brings to my mind that a few years ago my statement, that this plant and D. infundibulum would succeed under cool treatment, was called in question. What is the case to-day ? Where do we see these plants thriving and flowering best .' Why in the warm end of the Odontoglossum house, or in a temperature slightly warmer than that and below that of the usual Cattleya house. D. infundibulum, also known by the name of Moulmeinense, and D. Jamesianum, which was named in honour of Mr. James Veitch, are both alpine plants, growing naturally on the mountains in Burmah up to 5000 feet elevation. D. Jamesianum should be grown in a pot, as under this system its beautiful flowers are displayed to the best advantage ; but special care must be taken that the drainage is ample, whilst a very small quantity of peat and Sphagnum Moss will be necessary on the surface. " Inquirer" asks, "When is the time to rest it?" Aftergrowth is finished the supply of water must be reduced, but never at any time should this plant be subjected to a thorough rest. Until flowers or a new growth make their appearance, the water supply should be just sufficient to keep the plant or plants in a moist and genial condition. In answer to a query respect- ing its flowering season, I may remark that I saw this week a batch of plants full of flower, and these same plants were flowering equally as freely about midsummer last year ; in fact, their owner told me that he never experiences any trouble with them. He keeps them heavily supplied with moisture when growing, taking particular care that nothing stagnant remains near them, and he regularly has two batches of flowers every season. From these statements and my own observations, I would say that this plant requires exceptionally good drainage, a heavy supply of water during the grow- ing season, good exposure to light, and a cool moist atmosphere. D. infundibulum will succeed under the same conditions, but not so D. formosum giganteum, another of the same black -haired section. — H. Orchis Robertiana. — Tantalising it is to receive a fine example of some particular flower that one has long striven in vain to successfully cultivate. Such I felt to be the case to-day, for that grand spike of Orchis Robertiana that you forwarded recalls to mind many an unsuccessful trial that I have had to grow this pretty plant out of doors. Failure has invariably crowned my best efforts, for the largest flower-spike pro- duced could bear no comparison with the one you sent. What a handsome spike, and how pretty the flowers look in the bud state or just before they expand with their deep purplish pink labellum I Sixty-five flowers closely packed on a stout and succulent stem of fully half an inch diameter, and set in foliage of the brightest and freshest of green, is a treat that one does not enjoy every day, but particularly in the Orchid line. Some forms of our native 0. fusca that I have grown remind me much of O. Robertiana, but of course the individual flowers are not much more than half as large, though in colour they are muoh alike. The sepals and petals are brownish green externally, spotted with pink within, while the lip is large, four-cleft, and of a bright purplish red. Judging from how seldom we see a note about O. Robertiana in The Garden, it must be a some- what rare species, or perhaps the culture of this curious Continental plant is not well known. A note from someone who " does " it well would be acceptable to perhaps other readers as well as myself. — A. D. Webster. , Cypripedium Sedeni candidulum.— Noticing in TiiK Gakiien, March 9 (p. 227), that you speak of Drewett's variety of this being the better form, I cannot help calling this statement in question, with all due respect to Mr. Drewett, with whom 1 am unacquainted, but whom I feel sure will accept my criticism without offence. I liave the two forms now before me from undoubtedly true examples, so that there can be no mistake. In Veitch's plant, which must be accepted as the type, the sepals and petals are soft ivory-white, the dorsal sepal faintly- veined with light green ; lower sepal large, similarly coloured; petals also ivory-white, with a faint tinge of flesh colour at the tips ; li[) large, white beneath, the remaining portion pale pink, tlie infolded margin ivory-white, slightly spotted with pale pink, whilst through the open part can be seen larger spots of pale rose at the back. This is the description o'f the true candidulum from a flower now in mv hand. 284 THE GARDEN. [Marcs 30, 1889. A flower of Drewett's variety taken from an equally strong plant as that from which the previous flower was obtained is scarcely half the size ; the dorsal sepal is light, flushed with rosy red ; the petals on the outside are heavily flushed with the same colour throughout their entire length, and bordered with a fainter hue in front ; while the lip, which is more pointed than in Veitch's plant, is wholly rosy red, saving the incurved margin, which is ivory-white, freely dotted with pink. — W. H. G. Angreecum citratum. — This charming Mada- gascar Orchid is doing well at Devonshire House, Stamford Hill. The plants, which are growing in a fairly warm house, are vigorous, and bear numer- ous spikes of bloom fully 18 inches long. The lovely shell-like flowers, densely set, white suffused with a tinge of citron-yellow, render the plant very attrac- tive ; moreover, the blooms last long in beauty. This species, though brought into commerce by the Messrs. Veitch some years ago, should not be over- looked by Orchid growers, as it holds its own with any of the newer kinds of the same genus. Cymbidium eburneum. — This plant is well grown at The Woodlands, Streatham, where I re- cently noted upwards of thirty of its large snow- white flowers open. It is truly a grand plant and a striking example of the results of cool treatment. In the olden times C. eburneum used to be grown at the warmest end of the East India house and rarely flowered, but in the early part of 187B, when I imported a fine lot of this plant, the collector said : " The leaves are all broken down in the cold season. The plants get snow upon them, but they break up again like Willows and flower like great white Tulips." From this time forth Cymbidium eburneum has been improving in health and popu- larity until now it must be reckoned amongst the most showy and beautiful of our white-flowered Orchids.— G. is to embody a lie It is almost needless to say that, whatever may be the effort after truth in the matters of detail, it is the lie which makes itself most clearly felt in the result. — Garden and Forest. Sliam ruins. — The great public parks in Ger- man cities are undoubtedly the most artistic, in scheme and execution, which have been laid out in recent years. It is a double surprise, therefore, to find from time to time in German horticultural journals signs of bad taste exhibiting themselves in directions which have no parallel, we believe, in other countries. For example, one of the chief horticultural journals of Germany has recently devoted many pages to the praise of artificially constructed ruins, and has given illustrations to show how they may best be constructed. Of course, ruins which are essentially picturesque objects, and speak as strongly to sentiment as to the eye, are peculiarly beloved in the sentimental Father- land ; and artificial ruins are found there at almost ezery step — in the parks of wealthy land-owners, in the gardens of poets, on tops of pretty hills that are laid out as public promenades, and in the depths of rooky ravines. Now they serve as studies or garden shelters, now as booths for the sale of refreshments, and again as outlooks affording a picturesque prospect. And, it must be confessed, they are usually placed in exactly those spots where, if they were only genuine, they would have the best possible effect. But the fact that they are not genuine so degrades them in the eye of sensible folk, that they excite laughter or con- tempt rather than the poetic sentiment they are intended to serve. Most travellers believe, we fancy, that these artificial ruins are creations of the earlier years of our century, when senti- mentalism ran riot in Germany, and expressed itself in a thousand other ludicrous ways. But it seems, from the evidence of the articles to which we refer, that the taste for them is not yet extinct ; and it is either amusing or distressing, according to one's turn of mind, to read a serious discussion with regard to the best ways of placing them, of utilising them for one practical purpose or another, and, especially, of making thorn " genuine.'' Truth, we are told, should always be considered in their for- mation— ^they should be well built, of dignified materials, and a strict regard sliould be paid to the dictates of style as revealed in the genuine ancient constructions. And all this effort after truth is to be expended in undertakings, the object of which Stove and Greenhouse. BRAHEA NITIDA. The pleasure grounds attached to the Villa Valetta at Cannes contain a .splendid collection of well-grown .specimens of rare species of Palm trees. In these grounds liardly a year passes by in which some new kind of flower or fruit does not make its appearance. At one time the superb Cocos flexuosa and C. RomanzofEaua will be laden with heavy clusters of fruit, for which the seed merchants of France and Ger- many pay high prices. At another time the large specimen of Areca sapida ripens its pretty Braliea nitida; showing flowers. orange-coloured berries, the seeds of which vegetate very readily. The year before last the large Brahea nitida fruited abundantly. This specimen, which is unequalled in France for size and beauty, was purchased some years ago at Golfe Juan by M. Dognin. Independent of its great value as an orna- niental subject, this Palm is one of the hardiest grown on the Mediterranean coast, where its foliage docs not siiiler either from high winds or from cold, which is more than can be said of the Ooryplias, Livislcjiias, and other like Palms which are grown there. Perhaps the most re- markable thing ahiiut Brahea nitida is the length of time it takes to ripen its seeds. In the present case, at least, it has taken tlireo full years to do so. This fact should be borne in mind by cultivators, to prevent disapiiointmont in an anticipated gatliering of rijie seed. By some botanists Brahea nitida is considered to be only a cultivated variety of B. dulcis, but there is a great difference between the two plants. In B. dulcis the leaf-stalks, flower- stalks, and even the flowers are covered with a whitish down, which is absent in those parts of B. nitida. Moreover, the berries of B. dulcis are as large as Cherries, and are of a yellow colour and edible ; w'hile those of B. nitida are black and not larger than Peas. As regards the native country of B. nitida we cannot speak with certainty, but, like other species of the genus Brahea, it probably comes from Mexico. — liCfKf Hortifolc, AMARYLLISES AT CHELSEA. Tub Amaryllis in its present aspect represents an unexampled type of the perseverance of the hybridist, who through a series of years has been working, by crossing and careful selection, to bring this flower to perfection. Mr. Heal, who has charge of the Amaryl- lises in Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons' nursery at Chelsea, has accomplished much, but still there is more to do if the great ideal of what a perfect Amaryllis flower should be is to be reached. There are at the present time in the Chelsea nursery about 1800 spikes of flowers, the bulbs being arranged in the centre bed of the span-roofed house as in former years, and allowed to flower there. There is no artistic grouping, but simply a mass of flowers that gives the critical observer plenty of scope for making comparisons and noting distinct advances. As to the formality of the Amaryllis flower, its hardiness, want of foliage when flowering, and other points, we have nothing to do with now. We look at the flower as it is, and can find nothing but praise to bestow. There is still the greenish tint, but it is becoming obliterated. There is also an absence of a self white variety, but there is a greater number of lighter varieties, which are a relief from the self scarlet, crimson and shades of the same which dominated until recently. To obtain a perfectly symmetrical flower is one wish of the hybridiser, and that he is attaining his object the variety Improvement is sufficient evi- dence. Optima is a surprise to us, as the flower, rich scarlet in colour, is almost 10 inches across, flat, each segment of almost the same size except the lower one. It is a cross between Niobe and Colonel Burnaby. Such a variety as this throws to the winds all the "talk" as to the Amaryllis having attained its largest phase, but whether we want flowers of this enormous size is a matter of opinion. Another Amaryllis in the same line of colour is John Ruskin ; it is a noble flower, th.at is almost as perfect in symmetry as the now old, but still beautiful kind. Dr. Masters. We might enu- merate many fineVarieties, but the list can never be made complete, because every day sees the opening of some seedling flower that often eclipses its pre- decessors. Acquisition, which is scarlet with a central band of white down each of the massive segments; Julius, scarlet; Lustrous; The Champion, a noble variety, but scarcely justifying its name ; Cicero, Ariel, Conquest, Coreggio, Florentine, Gran- deur, Trophy, and Princess Ida, very dwarf, all re- present various shades of scarlet. The last-men- tioned of this series is dwarf in growth, ;uid it would be an undoubted advantage if the Amaryllises were reduced in height to bring them to a better level and promote a stronger, slraighter spike, but every improvement that it is seen might be made cannot be accomplished at once. It is the light- llowered Amaryllises that are undoubtedly catching the public taste, and we can well understand that such undenial'ly beautiful llowcrs as Scipio, Mira- bella, Finotte, Her Majesty, and Felieio are in re- cjucst. All are not of the s:une degree of bright- ness, some showing a more profuse feathering and veining of scarlet than others, occasionally only laid upon the upper segments, and in some instances distributed evenly over the whole flower. If the collection at Chelsea is watched c.-u-cfully, it will be seen that a few of the flowers are quite iniuiccnt of any green colouring, and that even among.st hun- dreds of seedlings there are comijaratively few in- March 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 285 ferior or badly shaped blooms, though there may be few brilliant prizes as Optima or John Ruskin. Although this has not proved a good season for Amaryllises, owing to the absence of sun until lately, the plants at Chelsea show no effects of any hard- ships. They seem sturdier than usual, and should continue for many days in beauty, as the individual flowers last for a considerable time if kept free from damp. It is urged sometimes that the Amaryllis is ^ difficult to grow, but this is by no means the case, and it is perhaps this unfounded rumour that ac- counts for their frequent absence in gardens in which we might expect a good display. Very little fire-heat is necessary, only just enough to dispel damp and prevent mischief from frosts. The time selected for potting the bulbs is about the middle of January, and they are placed about half their depth in a soil made up of turfy loam of the best So much has been written respecting Messrs. Veitch's Amaryllises that it is telling an old story to go over the same ground. The exhibition has be- come an annual event. Each year offers some new surprises, some new departure in shape, colour, or style of growth, all testifying to the energy of the raiser and the public demand for new treasures. Since the above notes were written, the follow- , ing varieties have opened : Vandyke, very rich scarlet, one of the darkest we have seen ; Sapateo, scarlet, magenta shaded, and with a distinct white band in the centre of the segments; Favourite, rich purplish scarlet, dotted and splashed with white, and with a distinct white central band on the segments; and Improvement, which is purj^lish scarlet ; the distinctive character of this is not so much the colour as the marked advance in shape. I It is quite a novelty as regards form. We may add Briihea uitida ; showing Imbit of growth. kind, well decayed cow manure, and silver sand. The pots are then plunged in tan, and in this we see them now at Chelsea. Between the plunging and the flowering season very little trouble is ex- perienced, the main thing being the proper supply of water, and at the end of February a little bottom- heat, with a temperature in the house of 55°. After the flowering season has passed it is necessary not to neglect the plants, but to keep them growing and give an abundance of air through the summer and autumn months, at the same time shading from fierce sunshine. One point of prime importance is, of course, the ripening of the bulbs. The bulbs now flowering did not receive any water from the middle of last August until the end of February of the present year. that those who wish to see the Amaryllises should do so at once, as the earlier flowers are always the best. in beauty to the ordinary form. It is in full beauty at this season. — H. P. Dalechampia Roezliana. — About twenty years ago, when this euphorbiaceous plant was first introduced, a great future was anticipated for it ; but this has not been realised, for though of easy propagation and culture and very pretty, it is rarely seen now-a-days. The prominent features of the inflorescence are not the flowers themselves, but the large rosy-pink bracts and the curious tuft of thread-like filaments in the centre. I find that self-sown seedlings of this plant often come up in considerable numbers. There is a variety in which the floral bracts are white, but it is much inferior WORK IN PLANT HOUSES. Epacrises. — Amongst the different kinds of hard- wooded greenhouse plants that can be had in flower during the winter months there are none that make a more effective display than Epacrises. Where a suflicient number of plants are grown and the right varieties are selected, there is no difficulty in having them in flower from November to the end of May. Another recommendation worth taking into account is that they require no heat to induce them to bloom in winter further than is necessary to keep them out of the reach of frost. Plants that began to flower in autumn, and that after the blooming was over had their shoots shortened back, will now have started into growth and be in a con- dition for repotting. No time should be lost in getting this done, so that the roots may have a chance of taking hold of the new soil before the hot weather comes on. In determining the in- creased size of pots that are given, it is necessary to be guided by the size of the specimens and the condition of their roots. In the case of small stock to be grown on without unnecessary delay, a larger shift will be advisable than with plants that have already attained considerable size. It is necessary to bear in mind that Epacrises require less root room than most hard-wooded subjects, es- pecially the erect growing varieties that bloom the earliest. These are much smaller growers than the busby habited sorts. Fibrous peat, somewhat closer and heavier than required by most kinds of hard-wooded plants, is best for Epacrises. Mix enough sand with it to keep the soil sufficiently porous for an indefinite time, as there must be no attempt to remove any of it, however long the plants live. Do not interfere with the roots in any way, further than to remove the drainage from the bottoms of the balls. Pot firmly, and give no more water after the work is completed than is abso- lutely necessary. Shade for several weeks when the weather is sunny, and give less side air than at ordinary times, so that the atmosphere may not be dried too much. Primulas, single varieties. — Where plants are wanted to flower during the latter months of the year, a little seed should now be sown, for though it is better to defer the raising of the prin- cipal stock that are to bloom during winter and spring until May, to have the earliest batch strong enough to flower well at the season they are wanted, no time should be lost in getting them in. It is immaterial whether the seed is sown in the ordinary pans or in shallow boxes, provided it is not put in too thickly, as when this occurs tlie plants get drawn up weakly through being crowded too closely together. Press the soil quite smooth before sowing and cover very lightly. A tempera- ture of 50° is enough for the seed to vegetate in but it should not be lower than this, or (here is a danger of it decaying. As soon as the plants ap- pear, stand them where they will get plenty of light. Without this they will be wanting in vigour. Semi-dotjble Primulas. — This section of Pri- mulas is likely to be grown much more extensively than it has hitherto been, especially when the flowers are required for cutting. The white va- rieties are the most in request for using as cut flowers. Care should be taken that the seed of these semi-double kinds is obtained from a reliable source. So much improvement has been effected in these half-double sorts, that they are equally as free growers as the single varieties. EriPHTLLUM TKUNCATUM. — As the plants go out of flower they should be stood where they can have a cool stove temperature so as to induce them to make the requisite growth. These Epiphyllums require less pot room than most things, but when they get large and old they must not have their roots unduly confined. Any that want repotting should be attended to now, as during the time that top growth is in progress the roots will be similarly active. Whether grafted on the Pereskia stock or grown frorn cuttings, these plants are spare rooters 286 THE GAEDEN. [March 30, 1889. their roots are also delicate, and will not bear soil that is in any way sour and adhesive. One part of sand to five of loam, with some broken potsherds, will answer. Drain the pots well. The only object in grafting these Epiphyllums is, that from their naturally drooping habit of growth the plants hang down over the pots too much when on their own roots; consequently when grafted on stems 12 inches or 15 inches high the flowers are better seen. Where any increase in this way is required the grafting may be done now. If the work is put off later there is less time for the shoots to unite and get established. Cuttings of the Pereskia strike readily, but they must not be confined closely under propagating glasses or in a frame in the ordinary manner, as if kept too close they will rot. The cuttings should consist of pieces of the shoots put singly in small pots filled with a mixture of loam and sand ; stand them in a moderate stove temperature, and do not give more water than necessary to prevent them shrivelling and to keep the material in a condition that will help the for- mation of roots. When struck, the stocks should be grown on with a single stem until they have reached the desired height. Where these Epi- phyllums are to be grown on theirown roots, cuttings, consisting of pieces of the shoots from 4 inches to 6 inches long, may be used. Pat them singly in small pots fiUed with sifted loam and sand in about equal proportions. They will strike without being confined in any way, and it is not necessary to keep the soil so moist as for many things. They will do in an ordinary stove temperature. Plants on their own roots are better adapted for growing in hang- ing baskets than such as are grafted. There is no way that they are seen to better advantage than when suspended in this manner. Azalea mollis. — These Azaleas, like many other plants that are forced, often meet with in- different treatment afterwards, so that they get into a condition which prevents their being of much use again. If, in place of being turned out of doors or crowded together in pits or frames where little notice is taken of them, they are grown on in a little warmth, such as answers for Deutzia gracilis, they will make growth and set flower-buds in lirger numbers than were on them when taken up from the open ground. During the time the growth is going on weak manure water will be an assist- ance. These and other hardy shrubs, including Rhododendrons, Andromedas, Lilacs, and Ghent Azaleas, that after being forced are to be again transferred to the open ground, should, as they go out of bloom, be put in a cold house or pit. Here they can remain until next month, when they should be planted in beds of prepared soil in an open posi- tion, where with enough room and attention, and water if the summer happens to be dry, they will recover, so that after a second season's growth they will be larger and better for again being forced than hitherto. Kalosanthes.— Plants that have been properly prepared for flowering through the coming'summer will now be growing and must have more water than it was advisable to give them in the winter. They should have a position well up to the roof in a light airy house. Some weak manure water once a fortnight will be an assistance to them. Kalosanthes, STEiKiNG cuttings.— This is a good time to strike cuttings, either with the object of growing them into large specimens, or for flower- ing in O-inch or 7-inch pots. Cuttings that are put in now and grown on with proper attention through the summer will flower the summer following. They should consist of strong or medium-sized shoots from i inches to (i inches long. They may be put singly or half a dozen together in 3-inch or 6-inch pots filled with sand or a mixture of sand and loam. Strip the leaves ofl: the bottom of the cuttings so far as they have to be inserted in the soil. The material must be kept much drier than would do for cuttings of the majority of plants or they will rot. They mu.st not be confined under propat,'.ating glasses or in a striking frame, as tlds would also bring about their decay. A temperature of about !)Ci° is enough to strike tliem in. PiOLAUCiONIUM.S, 'STRIKINC, CUTTINGS.- July is the month in which the large-flowered and the fancy varieties of Pelargoniums are mostly propa- gated, but when the cuttings are put in at this time the plants get much larger and stronger before autumn than when the work is deferred later. This applies still more to the early-flowering varie- ties of the large-bloomed section, as when they are required to flower in less than a year from the present time, they necessarily have a shorter period to acquire the desired size. Cuttings of medium strength, consisting of three or four joints, should be chosen. Avoid the weak shoots from the centres of the plants, as these take a long [time to gain strength, and will never, even with the best atten- tion, make plants equal to those that are produced from stouter shoots. It is best to put the cuttings singly in small pots, as when the time comes for potting them on their roots will be less disturbed. A temperature of 55° or 60° will be enough to strike them in, and they must not be confined in the ordinary way that cuttings which are liable to flag if exposed to the air of the house require to be. As soon as the plants are well rooted and have made some top growth, take out the points of the shoots so as to get them to break low down and be bushy at the base. Zonal Pelargoniums. — Plants that are in- tended to be grown on into large specimens will now require moving to the pots in which they are to remain during the summer. Room proportionate to the size the plants have attained and to that which they are ultimately to be grown to should be given. For flowering in large conservatories small examples do not give much effect ; consequently it is better to have a limited number of good-sized specimens. They will be most useful towards autumn, when flowering subjects are less plentiful than earlier in the season. When not required before the time named, it will be well to pinch out the flowers during the spring and early part of summer, as it is no use letting the plants expend their strength before the bloom is wanted. The shoots should only be stopped so far as necessary to keep the specimens close and bushy. T. B. SHORT NOTES.— STOVE AND OREENHOUSE. Stephanotis ripening fruit. — lu The Garden, Feb. 19 (p. 17f^). yu stato that you do not remember haWug lieard of a 8tephauotis ripening fruit in this country. I cut a pcTt'ectly ripened fruit of Stephanotis last October. Tliis was sot in June, 1887. The plant is growing in a small box and trained on the roof of a stove, and iiowers most profusely. — W. G. New^ Ivy-Ieav^ed Pelargoniums. — Mr. Owen, of Castle Hill Nurseries, Maidenhead, has some tine seedhng Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums of great beauty. One, a double form, is named Edith Owen; it is a seedling from Souvenir de Charges Turner, and has large and very symmetrical double flowers of a bright rosy-scarlet colour flushed with crimson ; the other, a single variety named Victorious, also very fine in form, and having deep rosy-crimson blossoms. While so line in form, stout in texture, and brilliant in colour, the habit of growth in each ease is all that could be desired. — K. D. Propagating Poinsettias.— The old plants sliould lie l)i'niiglit into heat alinut this time to induce them to form little shoots, whieli they very soon vy\\\ do, and wdien these are 3 inches or 4 inches in length tliey slionld be drawn from the old stem with a lieel attacln.'d and inserted singly in the smallest sized puts tn root, l^i I'oinsettia ^vtiod is cut it does not l-oot reatlily, ])ut liy taking the shoots off as suggested with- out using the knife, the tender growtli is never injured and roots are formed with tlio greatest certainty, especially if tlie slioots are inserted in sandy soil and plunged in a, liottoni-lieat of 85°.— J. MuiK. Forsythias under glass. — Of the two species of For.'-.v I h i;i tli:it we possess, F. suspen.sa is a re- markably action of water, and the production of moist vapour in brii^ht sunny weather. In this position air must be freely admitted in mild weather, but unless the elements are decidedly unfavoural)le fire-heat will not be needed until the plants come into flower. Gentle warmth from the hot-water pijies will then be essential to the maintenance of a free circulatiim of fresli air, the ripening of the pollen, and the expulsion of stagnant moisture so baneful in cold pits and houses where Strawberries 292 THE GARDEN. [March 30, 1889. are in flower. Once the fruit is set, the heat here, as in the late Plum and Cherry houses, may be dis- pensed with ; the trusses must be well thinned and propped up with twigs of Birch, but on no account must the pots be disturbed, as much benefit may be derived from the crock roots which escape through the apertures. Early morning is the best time to water and feed, but the syringe will hardly be needed, as early closing with solar heat will keep the pit if anything too full of atmospheric moisture. Early forced jilants intended for autumn fruiting should be cleared of fruit-stalks and a few of the oldest leaves, well soaked, if dry, and dipped in sul- phur water or soapsuds to free them from mildew and spider. When quite clean and properly mois- tened they should be transferred to cold pits for a time, and when all danger of sharp frosts has passed away they may be plunged out in the open air, well mulched, and watered freely through the summer. We sometimes take plants of La Grosse Sucrfie and Hericart out of the pots, remove the crocks, reduce the balls, plant out for the summer, lift and re-pot early in September. Whichever plan is adopted, the plants should be kept within reach of the hose, as dry balls are fatal to autumn fruiting. Vines. Late Vines, this year later than usual, should now be helped forward by moderate fire-heat, early closing, and good syringing at least twice a-day with tepid water. Years ago spring firing was con- sidered quite unnecessary, as the Grapes have the whole summer in which to set, swell, and ripen their fruit ; but this trusting to fickle seasons has gone by, and if anyone doubts the gain, he has only to compare the quality of Lady Downe's and Gros Colman with that obtained twenty years ago. This improved keeping and eating quality is not, how- ever, the only advantage, as long experience proves that better results follow the consumption of half a ton of fuel in March and April than double the quan- tity in September and October. Another great help to late Vines wherever inside border space remains unoccupied by compost is fermenting material, including a little fresh stable manure and a good body of hardwood leaves. In houses, for instance, where the lifting and relaying of the roots in re- duced borders are performed just as the buds are beginning to swell, a few loads of hot leaves placed against the retaining turf walls soon raise the tem- perature of the new compost, and set the roots in action long before the Vines feel the strain of the crop. Where all border space has been filled up, a thorough mulch of fresh, rather short stable manure from which the droppings have not been taken for Mushrooms is a powerful aid, not only as a root stimulant, but also as a never-failing source of at- mospheric moisture. As late Grapes stand and enjoy a Muscat temperature, a range of 56° on cold nights, 65° to 70° by day, and 75° after closing, with sun-heat and the afternoon bath, will not be found too high from the time the buds begin to push until the bunches are prominent. From this stage forward another 5° may be laid on at night, and still more by day, whilst 65° may be the minimum when the Vines come into fiower. Succession houses, in which the Vines are in various stages from breaking to setting their fruit, will now require incessant attention, as nothing pays better than the performance of every operation at the right time. Disbudding is a piecemeal ope- ration, but once the work is finished the shoots push on apace, and in a few days the most forward are fit for divesting of superfluous bunches, stop- ping, and tying down. The best time to tie down is after the turn of a bright day, when the young shoots are a little limp, and then the principal care should be the prevention of their touching the glass. Some Vines are more tractable than others, but in all cases the pressure the first time over hhoulii be very slight, as it is better to allow them to settle by degrees than to create gaps by undue haste. Pinching, on the other liarid, must not be put off for a single day, as every leaf made lieyond the second or third joint in advance of the buncli represents wasted force. I am not a believer in re- strictive training, but I like to throw strength into the buncli by taking the point out of each shoot with the finger and thumb, as all vacant spaces can be covered by tying down the leading laterals. Here, again, some judgment is needful, as it is very easy to allow the premier lateral to run too far be- fore it is pinched, when the knife must be employed. Bleeding and the removal of apronfuls of succulent wood and leaves more than counteract all that has been gained by timely pinching. Having so recently touched upon thinning, a most tedious operation, all I have to say is this: remove all superfluous bunches, if not before, certainly immediately after they are set; introduce the scissors early, trim the bunches into shape, and endeavour to get rid of all stoneless berries the first time over. Early houses. — When the Grapes in early houses have finished stoning, run the scissors through the bunches for the last time, see that all ties are sound and not too tight, and keep a sharp eye on the foliage in dry corners. If spider puts in an appearance, sponging with warm soap-water may be tried, but the best preventive is good inside mulching, copious feeding with warm diluted liquid, filling the evaporating pans with the same, and syringing with pure soft water wherever the foliage can be reached without spraying the berries. If laterals, the best proof of moderate cropping, con- tinue growing freely, all the weakest may have full play, but the strongest must be pinched before they reach the glass, otherwise their retention of condensed moisture and their prevention of a free circulation of air may result in the scalding of the main foliage. A little night air is an excellent preventive of scalding, but it should be shut off early in the morning, for the twofold purpose of economising fire and favouring the early re-open- ing of the ventilators for the day. WOBK AMONGST FIGS. Early house. — Pot trees placed upon pedestals and surrounded to the rims with fermenting leaves will now be forcing their white fleshy roots over the sides in search of fresh food and moisture, of which the decaying vegetable matter affords a never-failing supply. All other fruits we prefer keeping at home, but Figs in pots seem so thoroughly happy when granted a roving com- mission, whilst every fruit swells to maturity, that we always foster this tendency by spreading large sods of turf partly upon the rims and well over the sides as conductors to their new pasture. As this auxiliary food does not justify neglect of the matted balls within the pots, extra warm diluted liquid is copiously administered, whilst the turf and plunging material are kept constantly moist. The syringe, too, plays a very important part, not only during the flowering stage, but also through the last swell- ing for ripening, when atmospheric moisture is substituted and ventilation, with steady fire-heat, is increased. Exposure to sun and light being so essential to colour and flavour, all gross shoots are kept pinched, and weak or crowded growths are removed as they appear. By these means, and allowing the temperature to range (10° to (>5'' at night with a little air, and 70° to S0° on bright fine days, the first crop fruits attain their fullest size, ripen quickly, and young shoots laden with small figlets get well advanced for the succession. Trained trees in succession houses will now require constant attention to thinning out, sto]iping for spurs, and tying down where there is room for the leading shoots to extend. Extension training where space admits is the simplest of all modes of growing good Figs, but in order to carry il out properly, old branches wliich have readied the extremities of the trellis must be well thinned out at the winter pruning, and feeding must be on a liberal scale. Tlie roots of such trees, as a matter of course, are kept within bounds liy means of turf or brick walls, and surface feeders are encouraged by mulching with light rich manure and watering with weak liquid soot or gu.-ino water alternately. Fire-heat as yet cannot be disiicnsed with, but it should be shut off pretty early on bright promising mornings. Air should be given at 70°, gradually rising to HO", the closing batli following about .'i p.m., or earlier, should the teniiieraturc slunv .signs of a decline. The latest houses containing trees from which one crop only, and that a good one, is expected must be kept cool, dry, and well ventilated until the point buds begin to push into growth. If fire-heat is at command in cases of emergency, there will no longer exist the necessity for delay, as warmth can be supplied on frosty or very cold nights, but lack- ing this important aid, early growth should be kept as hardy and backward as possible until all danger from the elements has passed away. We train our late trees — Brown Turkey — up the back walls of lean-to houses, and when the branches reach the top they are turned over, thence down the trellis to the front wall plate. They are never pinched or stopped, but having an abundance of room, each shoot is allowed to grow, making as many fruits as leaves, which ripen in succession throughout August and the early part of September. The later shows might be induced to prolong the season, but all the smallest are rubbed off as they appear, otherwise the debt incurred late in the autumn must be paid with interest the following year. The roots of these trees are confined to a very limited root-run — that is, below the surface of the back path ; but in order to make up for scarcity of food when the full crop is swelling, we pack pieces of fibry turf and Moss about the branches 2 feet or 3 feet up the walls immediately after the trees are cleansed ; encourage roots by means of constant syringing with pure water, and when these have taken full possession of the turf, warm, diluted liquid two or three times a week is dashed fully into it. Cold, stagnant water is fatal to crops of Figs, but by treating the trees like Orchids, it is simply impossible for any novice to over-water, as the aerial roots take all they require on its passage from the highest point down into the underground drainage. Young trees struck from cuttings in bottom-heat should have a shift before they become pot-bound. If intended for forcing in pots, they should be pinched when 1 foot in height to induce the for- mation of side shoots. The pyramidal form being best, the leaders should be trained to sticks, and again pinched as often as they require it. It is not necessary to keep them in bottom-heat, but, like young Vines, they may be raised by degrees to the surface of the bed in a warm, well-ventilated pit where heat and light are plentiful. W. C. Flower Garden. FOXGLOVES. If it were necessary to bring forward any evi- dence of the improvement in the Foxglove, we could point to the accompanying illustration of what is a splendid type of this fiower. This variety has three strong recommendations — freedom of flowering, robust growtli, ami indi- vidual blossoms of bold form and beautiful colour. They are pure white, with sjiots of purple on the lower portion of the bell — just that kind of flower that is always ailmired, whether on the plant or the table. Wliilc we had only the common Digitalis purpurea, there was not suflicient variety of colour to justify exten- sive planting, but through a long period of care- ful culture and selection we have now a lino race of handsome flowers, some spotted, otiiers self- coloured, and a portion of each we can have for tho beautifying of tlio woodland walk, the gar- don border, and tho shrubbery, bold handsome clumps giving infinitely more pleasure than straggling lines or a single plant here and there. Wo have to thank tlie French nurserymen for the present beauty of tho Foxglove. The coloured plate of tlio spotted variety given in TuK G.MUiK.N, Nov. 24, 1888, w.is drawn from a plant in the grounds of IMessrs. Vilmorin at Vorrieres-le-l?uissoii, but our own nurserymen have also good str.-iins, in which tho colours are bright, varied, and oxeoptionally inire. Jn the Koyal Horticultural Society's Gardens at Ohis- wick some few years ago there were noble Maboh 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. ^93 clumps of spotted Foxgloves of Messrs. Vil- mcrin's strain. No plants in the summer months gave more pleasure than these peren- nials, though they ought to have been as well known as the better types of Mignonette or any other annual or biennial Hower. There never need be a lack of Foxgloves, as the seeds come up freely, the great point being to keep the young plants free from weeds. If a start is to be made, sow early in June in a sheltered corner of the garden, prick out the seedlings when they be- come too crowded, and plant out the following autumn in their permanent positions. It is not a plant that wants cultivating ; it is essentially an English flower, of which, through the energies of the cultivator, we have a beautiful progeny. Every large garden should have its Foxgloves, and if there is a wild garden — which there should be in every place of sufficient size for such a feature— then plant Foxgloves freely to bring some of the beauty of English wood- land scenery nearer home. The Ranunculus. — We have planted out the Ranunculuses this week, being a month later than the old florists used to recommend. I fancy we followed their dictum too long, and found that the earliest planted ones did not do so well as those planted later. For the last two seasons, at least, we have planted them out after the middle of March, and they came up more evenly than they did in previous years. When any of these small tuberous or bulbous plants come up evenly, it is a sure sign that they are likely to do well. Our soil is rather heavy, and seems to suit the Ranunculus better than lighter material. There is always some diiBculty with the soil ; even in March it is too wet for working ; it was this year, and also last, but our plan is to use some old potting soil. That saved from the Carnation pots suits best ; we simply spread 2 inches of it (when it has been sifted) over the surface of the beds, and in this the tubers are planted. Having plenty this year, they were set out much more thickly, 3 inches apart in rows 6 inches .asunder. They are also planted 2 inches deep. — J. Douglas. Galanthus nivalis poculiformis. — Mr. D. Melville tells us (The Garden, p. 20'J) that this Snowdrop, he believes, originated at Dunrobin Castle. Now I think this is an error, for I have found it apparently wild on at least two occasions, there being in one of the instances at least 100 bulbs or rather flowers. It is very improbable, but not impossible, that these came originally from Dunrobin. In the same wood grows the pink form, which three years ago I sent to the editor of The Garden. My own opinion is that wherever our native Snowdrop grows in qu.antity there will forms be found, and occasionally, too, in plenty, particularly if the soil is inclined to peat. I had at one time no less than five distinct forms of our Snowdrop, and they were all collected in the same wood, there being at least half a dozen bulbs of each. There is a very distinct unnamed form that blooms long after the typical plant, and which has short narrow leaves and remarkably small flowers. Could Mr. Melville give us any idea of when poculi- formis was first noticed at Dunrobin ? If so, a solution of the problem whether it originated there or not might be worked out, for I have not yet heard of its being found wild save by Mr. Melville and myself. — A. D. Webster. Dwarf Nasturtiums. — In an interesting paper on " Beautiful Flowers " (page 217), " C." refers to Bedfont Riv.al dwarf Nasturtium as never coming true from seed. In that respect he was misinformed, as so far from that being the case, having grown it for many years annually from seed, I can aver that it comes wonderfully true from seed. " C." was perhaps led to believe what he has written because plants of this very effective kind produced by cuttings seed very sparingly; indeed, sometimes not at all, and in such case it is essential that the stock should be increased by cuttings, happily very easy to anyone who has a few p: ants. But for tho very rea- son given I raise stock of Bedfont Rival each spring from seed, because I want the plants to produce seed, and I find any break from the true form to be very rare. There are several forms of this compac- A hue type of Foxglove. turn type, but the best are the scarlet one named and a wonderfully effective massing variety. Lustrous, rich crimson-scarlet, and Golden Gem, yeUow with red spots. Each comes very true from seed, and has the same free-blooming and constant habit of sending flowers well above the foliage right up until the autumn frost intervenes. As 1 wish the plants to begin blooming early I sow seeds in a cold frame early in April and dibble out into other frames when the seedlings are strong enough to handle, and finally transplant into rows 18 inches apart in the open ground towards the end of May. Flowers come immediately and very soon the plants are full of bloom. The plants will expand into 18 inches in diameter diuring the summer. — A. D. SPRING CROCUSES. The wealth of spring Crocuses is lost to our gardens either tlirough a lack of appreciation of their rich and beautiful colouring or through ignorance of the vast number of species at our command. Crocuses we have in many gardens — almost a surfeit sometimes, but they are the usual yellow and purple florists' varieties, in themselves extremely beautiful, but monotonous from their constant repetition. The price of the species of Crocus naturally debars the would-be purchaser from buying largely, but with an in- creasing demand would come a decreasing ex- pense, and once a clump of bulbs becomes esta- bhshed it spreads freely ; there is no perennial cost, as in the case of many things. One way to popularise them is by showing them taste- fully in shallow pans, as adopted by Messrs. Barr and Son, of Covent Garden, at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society. Each flower had sufficient space to show its own individual beauty, not massed together to make a block of colour. The showiest, but the most unnatural feature at many spring exhibitions is the pots of Crocuses. It is strange that societies should stiU persist in offering prizes for this kind of exhibit, which is unfair to the flower itself and essentially vulgar. What idea would a 5-inch pot crammetl with Bluebells give of the film}' cloud of blue made by this flower in an English wood ? It is just as unreasonable to ex- hibit Crocuses in the routine haphazard method adopted. Neither show us the beauty of the flowers nor their charm when seen grouped under spreading trees, on Grass turf, or on the rockery. There are sixty-seven species of Crocus de- scribed by Blr. Maw in his remarkable mono- graph of the genus, so it is necessary to use a Uttle discrimination in pointing out a few that might be used in gardens. If we could induce those who can to grow such spring flowers as these it would be a great gain. There are many spots now bare where either the Snow- drop in one or more of its many phases, the early SquiU, or the Crocus could be planted. It is not an abundance of one colour or of one flower that constitutes the charm of our gardens, but the variety of things planted. I was struck with the rich beauty of the species of Crocuses and their varieties in Messrs. Barr and Sou's Tooting Nursery the other d.ay, and a few notes may assist readers of The Gakdex. Crocus Sieberi is a species found high up on the mountains of Greece and the Isles of the Grecian Archipel.ago. It is clear lilac, the anthers orange, and the stigma rich orange-scarlet. A mats of it was very delicate and beautiful, also of the variety versicolor, which is found in Crete and the Grecian Archipelago, the flowers pure white, but v.orying, and with the outer segments of the perianth feathered with purple. C. AUREUS is a native of the south-east of Europe, and is one of the showiest of the yellow-flowered Crocuses ; its flowers are rich orange. This species is interesting, as it was one of the first introduced to cultivation and is the parent of the yellow Crocus of gardens. It makes bright patches, and clumps here and there in the garden would make a rich contrast, but not in company with the distinct and 294 THE GARDEN. [Mabch 30, 1889. very dwarf Olivieri, a native of the same country as the beautiful Sieberi, and found at high elevations. C. Olivieri lias smaller flowers than C. aureus, glo- bular in outline, and of a self-yellow shade. The leaves are broad, appearing with, but not hiding, the flowers. Another yellow Crocus, more curious perhaps than beautiful, is C. susianus, the old Cloth of Gold Crocus, and one of the earliest of all to bloom, appearing in the month of February. Its reflexed segments are very distinctive, and though a showy species there are many more in its line of colour far finer — Olivieri, for instance. Its home is the Crimea. C. Korolkowi is another interesting yeUow Crocus, the inside segments of a deep shade, the three outer ones coloured with brown on the exterior. It is a comparatively new species from Central Asia. The lovely C. Balanse is also a yel- low-flowered species, and was the subject of an interesting note in The Garden of last week, p. 251. C. chry.santhus is a handsome yellow species which is found in Greece, Roumelia, &c., and varies considerably in colour, but in this respect it does not differ materially from many of the Crocuses. The variety fusco-lineatus, found on the mountains of Smyrna, is very pretty when seen with its yellow flowers clustering amongst the leaves. C. stellaris is of unknown origin ; it has flowers of a fine orange colour, the exterior of the outer segments being feathered with purplish- chocolate. C. VERSICOLOR is a familiar species to all in- terested in Crocuses, as it is not uncommon and was amongst the first Introduced. The flowers are very variable in colour — hence the name— display- ing many beautiful shades of purple. The variety obscura was blooming freely at Tooting on March 13 ; the inside segments are deep purple, the outer ring paler in colour ; picturatus is white with a feathering of purple outside ; striatus is finely striped with deep purple on a paler ground, very showy. It is, of course, questionable whether we should mark any varieties when the species is so variable in colour itself. C. BANATicus is one of the finest of Crocuses in flower now, and is a native of Hungary and Tran- sylvania. It varies in the colour of its flowers, the normal form being of a very rich deep purple, the anthers deep orange. A patch of it in the Grass is very striking. C. biflorus is described in a note in The Garden of last week, and C. vernus is suffi- ciently well known to need no description ; it is a beautiful spring Crocus, very variable, and has be- come naturalised in some parts of England. C. dalmaticus is a fine lilac-coloured species, and found plentifully on the mountains of Dalmatia ; it is of a lilac colour. The beautiful Imperati and several of its varieties were in fullest beauty. It is a very early species, and found plentifully in South Italy. The outer segments are beautifully feathered from base to apex on the outside, the inner ring purple, but it varies in its markings ; albus is pure white, with a bright orange stigma that is very striking against the pearly whiteness of the seg- ments. Other Crocuses in flower at the same time were the pale lavender coloured Tommasianus, a Dalmatian and Servian species ; reticulatus, the sweet-scented suaveolens, corsicus, and carpetanus lavendulaceus, which is of a lovely lavender shade. Two beautiful kinds are leucostigma, bluish lilac, with a white stigma, and Weldeni, given by Mr. Maw as a form of biflorus. Its variety albus is exceedingly pretty, white, with flush of purple on the outside of the segments. It may be gathered from these few notes that the family of Crocuses is large, and contains species and varieties of varied colouring. The majority of them are not slow of increase, and even on the stiff, unkindly soil at Tooting tliey spread with freedom. There are not many flowers that open in early March, but there need be no lack of Crocuses of a few kinds. C. Narcissus. It is a native of the Pyrenees, and a good idea of the character of the flowers may be had from the engraving given of it in The Garden, July 21, 1S8« (p. 55). The flowers are pendent, or rather nodding, very neat, and the chalice or cup delicate sulphur in colour, the segments a trifle deeper. It may be well included amongst the choicest of early Daffodils, this, with pallidus pnecox and cyclamineus, making a beautiful trio. CYCLAMEN ATKINSI. This is a charming kind, and will probably in time become very popular. It varies in colour from pure white to bright pink, its blooming season ap- pearing to be identical with that of the Persian Cyclamen. Seeing how wonderful is the difference between the old forms of the Persian Cyclamen and those in cultivation at the present time, it does not seem too much to expect that we shall one day possess a strain of Cyclamen Atkinsi, the flowers of which may be as large and varied in colour as those of its tender relation. There are few hardy flowers that it would be more desirable to improve than this, for it blooms in the dead of winter, and for that reason, though hardy enough, must have the shelter of a frame or cool house. It would there- fore be no slight gain to our gardens if we could get a show of bloom equal to that obtainable from its more tender relations, and it would enable the numerous class of flower growers who cannot command a heated glasshouse in winter to have a good show of bloom with the air of merely an ordinary frame. Hardy Cyclamens are too much neglected. They are so dainty in form that they ought to find a place in most gardens, and we have nothing quite like them in the way of hardy flowers. They are not quite so easily grown as many hardy things, but the amount of soil they require and the space they occupy individually is so very moderate, that it is not difficult to give them just what they need, both as regards soil and position. It is for plants of such a nature that a rootery is so useful. The shade, shelter, and good drainage that such lovely hardy flowers find amongst rootwork are just what they like. Whatever may be the demerits of rootwork, it is certain that a great many hardy flowers, in the culture of which there is an element of difficulty, thrive better there than in almost any other position. J. C. B. Narcissus Johnstoni. — This beautiful Daffo- dil llciwers a little later than the sulphur-coloured pallidus pnccox, and was blooming freely a short time back in Messrs. Barr and Son's Toot ing Nur- sery. It is given in Mr. J. G. Baker's "Handbook of the Amaryllideic," p. 3, as a variety of pseudo- Saxifraga Fortunei. — Notwithstanding that this beautiful Rockfoil has been introduced many years, it is not cultivated on so large a scale as might be expected. It is certainly one of the best of the genus, although it blooms late in the summer, so late, in fact, that the early frosts are apt to in- jure it in some localities. A well-known enthusiast in Saxifrages told me the other day that he invari- ably found it suffer severely during winter if grown in the open, so that to do it well he grew it in pots in a cold frame or unhealed greenhouse. Here in a gritty soil it grew luxuriantly, forming quite a feature with its bright green foliage and racemes of pure white flowers. In favourable localities or in sheltered nooks it may, howexer, be assigned a place out-of-doors without any severe damage ac- cruing from frost. It is by no means fastidious as to soil, thriving well in ordinary garden staple, and it is easily propagated by division. — C. C. Old pink Clove.— 1 do not know how long the old pink or blush Clove Carnation has been in cul- tivation, but I think tliat it is far from being common, and many do not seem to be aware that such a kind exists. I doubt if there exists a llowcr more deliciously scented than this, a few blooms of it filling a room with their grateful fragrance. The foliage much resembles that of the comnuui Pink, only on a larger scale and it enjoys a complete immunity from disease, which of itself is enough to recommend it to the attention of Carnation growers. Grown by the side of the old crimson Clove, which is badly afi'ectcd, not a leaf of it lias been touched. Neither do hard winters hurt it, as is the case with Clove Carnations generally. Left alone, it grows into large masses, which, retaining their pristine freshness no matter what the weather I Established plants flower freely, may be, have a very pleasing appearance through the winter. This pink Clove, like the common Pink, would make a good edging plant. — J. C. B. Self Carnations. — As some may now be pur- chasing Carnations, it is well not to be misled by the bizarre and flaked varieties. They are useful in their proper place, but to the amateur who wishes for plenty of flowers of good colour, nothing can be better than the self kinds. In small gardens the florist's Carnations are very often dismal failures. Campanula glomerata dahurica. — This is a Bellflower every amateur and owner of a small garden should have. It is comparatively common, but it is not seen so much as it might be in suburban gardens. 'Where there is only space to grow a few really good things, tliis Campanula is just the plant to grow ; it is of vigorous growth, very hardy, increases rapidly by division of the roots, and blooms profusely. The bell-shaped flowers are borne in close heads and terminate the shoots. It is one of the richest coloured of all the Campanulas ; the flowers deep lustrous blue of a beautiful shade. For cutting it is invaluable. Lavatera arborea variegata. — Some fine plants of this in the open air have this winter been quite destroyed. They were charming up to late in the autumn, the leaves handsomely variegated, and while comparatively unhurt by the frost which destroyed so many things in October last, yet went dov^n rapidly before the winter attack. Not long since I saw quite a plantation of it in Mr. Cannell's nursery at Swanley that had been similarly destroyed. When used for summer decoration, the plants should be lifted and placed in a greenhouse for protection when the winter sets in.— R. D. Doronicums in pots. — One gets so accustomed to the ordinary spring-flowering greenhouse plants, that anything out of the common comes as a relief. This perhaps may be found in the Doronicums. Strictly speaking, hardy plants, and their proper place the border, where they never fail to produce their beautiful golden flowers in spring, it seems almost unnatural to utilise them for pot culture, and yet for this they are admirably adapted. Pass- ing through a garden recently I noticed fine plants of them in full bloom, and arranged in the con- servatory they were very effective. D. plantagineum excelsum is one of the best varieties for pot culture. It has large golden flowers upwards of 3 inches in diameter. Tlie other varieties may also be used for the same purpose. Plants should be lifted from the border in autumn, potted in a loamy soil, and kept in cold frames during winter. Placed in a gentle heat in February, or even earlier, they will come into bloom and prove useful for decoration. — C. C. Hardy Cyclamens on rockeries.— Despite the oft -repeated references made to this charming class of plants, many have as yet failed to see their beauty. That is to say, they are by no means so universally cultivated as their merits deserve. True, owing to their dwarfness, there is a tendency— as there is in most dwarf hardy subjects, especially those that bloom in early spring- -to ignore them, on the ground that they are not showy enough. More than once 1 have heard them rejected for that reason. To overcome this, however, they should be planted on rockeries and other elevated, yet shel- tered spots. On a rockery, in a garden in North London, 1 saw several plants in full bloom as early as the second week in March. This, too, was im- mediately after a spell of frost anil snow. The plants, w"hich were of the couin and Atkinsi types, were planted under the shelter of rocks, where they grew luxuriantly and produced their beautiful flowers in spite of cutting winds and frosts. They pay for liberal treatment, and do liest if i.lanled in a mixture of decayed vegetable matter, lime rubble, and light soil.-C. C. Shortia galacifolia.— This interesting plant has proved perfectly hardy in New Jersey. When it has the protection of a cool house in winter it thrives better, howe%'er. The flowers are ]iroduced earlier, and last several weeks in good condition. We have one in March 30, 1889.] THE GAEDEN. 295 a 4-inch pot with twenty-four buds, some of which are already expanded. Those who wish to culti- vate this plant should, if possible, get established plants; collected ones are uncertain. Shortia galacifolia succeeds well in a soil composed of two parts peat and one of loam. It requires plenty of moisture at all times. We have also found that a half shady spot, such as a cool frame, is best suited to the plant in summer, as the sunlight is apt to scorch the young foliage. — Garden and JBorest. *,♦ This plant is now in flower with Mr. Elwes at Preston House, Cirencester. See Garden, March 23 (p. 253).— Ed. FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. Planting out Violas, &c. — Having transferred to the reserve garden the shrubs used for the winter decoration of the flower beds that are set apart for summer bedding, progress with this work is being made as expeditiously as possible, so that the frames now occupied with half hardy plants, such as Violas, Calceolarias, and Verbenas, may be avail- able for more tender plants as soon as they require to be moved out of the heat of the propagating pit. This is one reason for beginning the work early, other and perhaps more important reasons being the getting the work out of hand before the busy time hinders, due thought being paid to the ar- rangement of plants, and of their being planted so carefully that they may start into growth at once. It is full early to plant out Calceolarias and Ver- benas, except in most favoured localities or where shelter can be readily afforded, but they may quite safely be transplanted into sheltered places, such as turf pits, over which in bad weather straw hurdles may be placed. This extra transplanting causes the plants to move with a less amount of check at the planting-out season. Violas are, of cour.se, sufficiently hardy to be planted out at once, and where dwarf bedding plants are required in large numbers, I strongly recommend these and the fancy section of Pansies for a foremost position. They are not grown nearly so extensively as they would be but for the delusion that in dry weather they are sure to fail. The rainfall of this district is nearly the lowest in England, and yet in the driest and hottest of seasons these plants have not failed; but, of course, there is a reason why this has not happened, and that is, that the preparation of the soil for the several species of plants has always the first consideration. As regards the plants in question, it is hardly possible to use too much manure, and, as a matter of course, a good depth of soil. This preparation and a surface mulching have as yet never failed to maintain these plants in excellent flower the season through. Planting edgings and geoundwoek plants. — The soil of flower beds, if raised from 3 inches to 4 inches above the turf so as to admit of plant- ing the upright edge with suitable dwarf plants, forming, in fact, a sort of frame for the picture, imparts such a boldness of effect to the entire arrangement, that on no account would I discontinue the practice. The edgings are made up to the de- sired height before the beds are trenched and the planting is done whilst the soil is still moist, and readily pressed firmly to the plants, or rather par- ticles of plants, by means of a pointed stick. Her- niaria glabra is our favourite plant for the purpose, but those who prefer grey to green may use Sedum glaucum, but must plant thicker, as it does not so quickly spread as Herniaria, 1 inch apart for the iSedum and 2 inches for Herniaria being about the distance at which to plant. Any that, through lack of labour or plants, are disinclined to treat the edgings of beds in this way may yet make progress with this kind of work by using hardy plants in the ordinary manner— that is, by planting on the same level as the turf. Variegated Thyme is an excellent plant for the purpose, and bears clipping so well that a perfectly square edge of any height may be made with it. A^eronica incana (white foliage) and Leptinella scariosa (green) are also excellent plants for edgings of this kind. As soon as the edgings are planted no time should be lost in marking out the designs, that all hardy plants that it is intended | to use in the arrangements may be got in. It is important that all ornamental shrubs that are in- tended for use as central or standard plants be got in early, as they are not like ordinary bedding plants that may be moved at any time with impunity. Hardy groundwork and marginal line plants should also be got in as early as they can be. In all arrangements of dwarf foliage plants our invariable rule is to have all the bands or outlines of design worked out with hardy plants. This, as regards labour-saving at the busy season of bedding out, is a great gain, as by the time that season comes round the greater half of the work will have been done. Filling up gaps in herbaceous borders.— Now that the growth of all kinds of plants is visible (Lilies, Tigridias, and Gladioli excepted, and when these were planted sticks or labels were put to each, so that all vacant plots are seen), we shall take an early opportunity of filling out all except a few places that are intended for Dahlias, Hollyhocks, Sunflowers, Castor-oils, &c., a few of which we always use amongst perennials to give the borders a somewhat refined appearance during summer. Plants for the other vacancies will be taken from the larger clumps now in the borders. Phloxes there are in any quantity, and pieces of these can be cut off with a sharp edging iron without the slightest damage to the parent plants. Delphiniums are equally amenable to this treatment. Japanese Anemones, of which we have some large plots, are bad to transplant, and if the pieces cut off are expected to do well, balls of earth must accompany each ; therefore only small offsets should be taken. Epimediums divide well, and are fine for the front of borders. Funkias are no trouble, as they always lift with plenty of soil. All the Starworts do the same, the varieties Aster Nov!E-Anglia% Amellus, Reevsi, and Shorti being first-rate kinds, free growers, and free flowering. They are excellent for the back parts of wide borders. English Irises divide well at this late season. Three years ago we cut up some large clumps late in March, planted carefully, and well watered them, and they flowered quite as freely as if they had never been moved. Thalictrum minus is naturally a very spreading plant, and some clumps of it are encroaching on other species and must be curtailed. It is the perfection of a plant for the front part of borders, and is also an appro- priate edging plant for an isolated bed of peren- nials. Hemerocallis Hava (yellow Day Lily) is another excellent plant for filling up gaps at this season, because soil adheres well to its roots, and species not possessing this merit ought never to be tran.splanted later than January. There are numbers of other species that may safely be divided and transplanted at this season, but I have named only those that we are now about to divide ourselves. In borders that underwent a general overhauling as to rearrangement of plants in the autumn, there will, of course, be none to divide now, and any vacant places there are may remain, to be eventually filled with Stocks, Asters, Zinnias, Mignonette, or, in fact, with any spare bedding plants. W. WiLDSMITH. Boxwood edgings. — Nothing equals Box- wood, when well kept, as a good and neat edging in the kitchen garden and some other positions. It is frequentlyallowedto beoometoo high and bushy, and before the season advances further all overgrown edgings of it should be rooted up and replanted thinly. A thick row will afford pieces with a root attached to each and that will extend three or four times the length it previously occupied, and the relaying will be a great improvement in every way- Very often, when Box edgings have been relaid, they are allowed (o grow on for several years without being trimmed. They become so high as to sliade little plants near them, while they afford a splendid shelter for grubs, &c. All Box edgings sho\dd be cut down to 3 inches or 1 inches at most from the ground.— J. MuiR. Clematis paniculata. — The question is often asked, " What is a good white Clematis to plant as a companion to C. Jackmanni ? " To this may be replied, C. paniculata. This Japanese species is of vigorous habit, hardy, and, above all, long-lived. Young plants with us last summer grew 10 feet high and flowered from the ground to the ends of the shoots. In general appearance, C. paniculata somewhat resembles C. flammula, but the foliage is large and leathery, and the flowers are produced in panicles often 2 feet in length, of a pleasing ivory- white colour. They may be seen at their best about the second week in September, at which time the foliage is hidden by the flowers, which are followed by awned seeds with a reddish tint, and which last until severe frost sets in. Although introduced in 1796, C. paniculata is by no means common in this country, owing to the difiiculty of obtaining good seed, it being usually killed by frost before it is suSiciently matured to germinate. — Garden and Forest. Kitchen Garden. INEXPENSIVE ASPARAGUS CULTURE. As a choice vegetable Asparagus has no equal, nor, all things considered, can a much more profitable open-air vegetable be grown. Neither is it, a.s a rule, very difficult to cultivate, nor need there be any serious outlay in preparing ground for its reception. There may be, must be in fact, a delay of two or three years before the produce is cut for use, but when once a bed has commenced to be productive it can, with very little trouble or expense, be kept in a profitable state for many years, in this respect comparing most favourably witli any other vegetable that may be named. Occasionally good beds are to be found in small gardens or where a professional gardener is not constantly employed, but according to my experience these are few and far between. What, tlieu, is the reason amateurs either fail to appreciate the merits of Asparagus, or are unable to grow it satisfactorily 'I In some instances it is a mis- taken notion of the expensive nature of the crop, but in more cases that have come under my notice the absence of good Asparagus is due to an inability to grow it properly. Failure is due, not to any notions of economy or pains wanting in the preparation of the site, but, on the contrary, tlie outlay in this direction is too elaborate, though not wisely directed. A great depth of much enriched heavy ground is not what is wanted, many of the roots perishing in this at the outset, and more are lost during a wet winter. In addition to tliis the more anxious cultivators commence salting the surface of the beds almost from the first, and thus complete the destructive process. An even more frequent cause of failure can be traced to obtaining tlie roots for planting from a distance. These are sure to be crippled in lifting, and no matter how carefully the plants are packed, all, or nearly all, the delicate root fibres perish before tliey are finally replanted, the consequence beinw many failures. A few liours', or oven minutes', exposure to cold, drying winds proves fatal to the young root fibres wliicli commence to form justasthe shoots are pushing tliroughthc ground, and which, let nie add, is the best time to transplant. A medium, free-working, loamy soil properly drained will usually, without any more i)re]>ara- tion than is needed for Potatoes and various other vegetables, answer well for Asparagus. There is no necessity to ilig this to a great depth, but in many instances it will bo improved by double digging two spits deep. By this method of trenching very little of tlie poor subsoil is brought to tlie surface, and it strawy manure ia freely mixed with the bottom spit and a light dressing forked into the surface, very little otlier preparation is needeil. Veiy light shallow 296 THE GARDEN. [March 3u, 1889. soils should, if possible, be increased to a depth of about 18 inches by the addition of any kind of decaying rubbish, road trimmings, and the best soil procurable. In the case of cold clayey soils, more judgment must be exercised, both in their preparation and the method of planting adopted. A wet and cold root-run is fatal to Asparagus, and if it is not possible to excavate and wheel out a clay subsoil, the surface cul- tivation must be of a character to keep the roots from penetrating downwards. Double digging and the free addition of various soluble and in- soluble materials to the bottom spit are supposed to be sure methods of rendering a clay subsoil fertile and congenial to the roots of vegetables generally, but a single process never yet effected this cure, and it must be repeated several times before the ground can be said to be fit for the reception of Asparagus roots. In forming a bed over a clay subsoil, I would prefer to leave the latter untouched, and, if procurable, would cover it with a good layer of rough mortar rub- bish, or even clinkers, on this returning the sur- face soil. In order to increase the depth and otherwise improve the ground, as well as to raise it above the ordinary level of the garden, a variety of substances may well be mixed with the surface soil. For this purpose leaf-mould, spent tan and hops, peat, trimmings of turf edges, sand, charred garden refuse, fine mortar rubbish, and well decayed manure are all suit- able, these being added and well forked in when the ground is dry. Whether Asparagus should be planted on raised beds, on the level, or rather deeply, depends upon circumstances. In France im- mense quantities are grown between the Vines in the vineyards, the plants being put out singly wherever there is room, and in time fine clumps are formed. I have not seen the French Asparagus grounds, but in this country I have seen many acres of Aspar.agus planted out in the breaks between the rows of young orchard trees, much as fruit bushes are often grown, and very profitable crops are cut from them every season. On the fertile soils round Cheltenham, for instance. Asparagus is very simply and well grown, the produce, if more pains were taken in blanching it, being equal to that obtained from France. Near London, notably in Essex, a row of Asparagus is frequently planted between the fruit bushes, and of the two crops proves the most profitable. I mention these facts in order to suggest to amateurs aud others where they, too, may grow this valuable vege- table without encroaching on their limited garden ground. It is almost useless to plant Asparagus in old fruit quarters, where it would not have fair play, but supposing young bushes are put out, or have not long been planted, 4 feet apart in rows 5 feet apart, single plants might well be put midway between the bushes, and a row between the lines of bushes or trees, as tlie case may be. These may remain undisturbed for many years, and if duly ma- nured from the surface will never fail to be re- munerative. When a good open piece of ground can be given up to Asparagus, this, if of a medium or liglit character, need not be formed into beds, the Asparagus being planted on the level, or if blanched slioots are preferred (and they are the best), from 0 inches to 10 inches below the level. Supposing the rows are arranged from .'3 feet to 4 feet apart, this latter distance being most favoured by experienced cultivators, the intervening spaces can bo utilised for the production of early Potatoes or other quick-growing crops without detriment to Mie Asparagus. It will thus be seen that there will be little waste of garden ground, even during the first three years that ought to be allowed the Asparagus to get strong and well established. Raised beds always yield the earliest Asparagus, and one or more might with advantage be formed in addition to any there may be on the level. In the case of heavy soils or low-lying positions raised beds are absolutely necessary. The narrowest, or those 3 feet wide, and which hold two rows of plants, are the first to be pro- ductive, the principal crop, however, being taken from beds 5 feet wide, in which three rows of plants are usually grown. W. Icciiluen. Protecting Broccoli. — When writing on this subject some months ago, I pointed out, according to my experience, the absurdity of going to such unnecessary trouble as some gardeners do in pro- tecting Broccoli during winter. Despite the fact, too, that many lose the greater portion of their crops, I get more firmly convinced in my opinion every year that protection is unnecessary labour. Only last week I passed through a field of Broccoli, not many miles from London, and probably not 3 per cent, of vacancies existed in the whole batch, which was several acres in extent. The plants were dwarf, sturdy, and looked so thoroughly hardened, that were the thermometer to fall below zero— a very unlikely thing — they could stand it with impunity. True, the past winter has not been one of the severest, although no doubt it has been quite severe enough to injure the Broccoli crops of those who advocate the coddling system. That we have hardy Broccoli and in plenty has been proved over and over again, and this being the case, it certainly seems absurd to protect that which is hardy. The chief point is to promote a dwarf, sturdy habit, commencing from the present time, until growth is completed. — C. C. Potatoes. — In answer to " A. D." (p. 248), everyone resident in England is likely to know the effect of the season of 1888 on the Potato, and I naturally thought the selection of a few varieties that came best through it in this particular soil might be a guide to future operations. I have neither the time, space, nor inclination to grow sixty varieties for trial in the one season, ten or twelve being all I can manage. But to enumerate all for the several years would exhaust the reader's patience and touch on personalities, which, to my thinking, it is better to avoid. To ask me to specify old varieties and disease-resisters is, to say the least of it, rather superfluous, as they may be found in any catalogue, and doubtless "A. D." is sufficiently versed in Potato lore to classify them for himself. I simply say that Early Puritan, Sutton's Seedling, and the old Redskin Flourball were respectively our three best last year. I do not say llcdskin Flourball is the best flavoured Potato in cultivation, but 1 m.aintain that for combined flavour and pro- ductiveness it is one of the best, and much better than many newer varieties that are fit for use at the same time. Its quality is not a question of any personal taste ; it is apparent to all who have tried it. 'A few seasons ago, when I wanted a quantity of seed for a main crop and did not care to g\\e fancy prices for new varieties, the firm to whom I applied said, " Why not give the old Redskin Flour- ball a trial ; it is highly recommended from some localities." It had its trial, stood the test, and I sh.ill not dispense with its services just yet. — E. BURBELL, Claremont. Christmas Cabbage. — A few years ago I saw in March a bed of this Cabbage. I was struck by its line healthy appearance, every head being hard, firm, and not ojien or decayed. The farmer told me it had no name. He had grown it for about twelve years, but would not give any seed on any account. I sent the housekeeper to buy half a dozen for cooking; she brought heads and roots. The (Jabbagc's were jilanted out and I harvested a sm.all quMiitily (it seed. The description is as follows : Medium size (although I have bad beads weighing Ifi jioiinds), outer leaves few, dark slate- green, head round, very hard and firm, the; top leaves only getting a purplish tinge in severe weather. It is one of the sweetest and best flavoured Cabbages I have ever tasted. It must be sown from May 15 to June 15, and if seedlings are transplanted in succession as soon as ready, the crop will be fit for use from November until the end of April. Severe winters do not hurt this Cabbage. When full grown it can stay three months out of doors in winter without being broken or decayed. In the terrible winter of 1879-80 the heads were not injured, and the farmer sold from an acre Cabbages to the value of £200, all other sorts having been destroyed. For many years many new varieties of Cabbage have been offered, but they are nearly all extra early. It is of little advantage to grow a Cabbage which will be a few days earlier than another sort, as the earlier a Cabbage is the smaller is the head. Christmas Cabbage should be welcomed by market gardeners and private gardeners, as it will ensure a full crop during the winter. — D. Guihexeof, Nantes. *,* A very fine, firm head of Cabbage of the Drumhead type. 'VVe have had the above cooked and find it of remarkably fine flavour. Could you not send a pinch of seed to Mr. Barron, Royal Horticultural Society's Gardens, Chiswick, so that its suitability for Engkand might be proved ? — Ed. KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. Asparagus. Those who contemplate forming new plantations and making good any blanks that are among those plants put out last season, ought now to attend to the matter. Where the soil is of a light, free- working character, the first week in April is a good time to plant Asparagus, but on heavier soils plant- ing may well be deferred to the middle or end of the month. However carefully the roots are lifted, some of them are certain to be broken, and if these are at once buried in cold, heavy ground, many losses will occur. One-year-old plants, as a rule, move with the least injury to the roots, the excep- tions being when roots one or two years older have been lifted and replanted each year. In the latter case the older roots are to be preferred, as they more quickly prove profitable, but, failing these, I would prefer strong one-year-old plants, and if home-grown, so much the better. Any bought in and which will have suffered by long exposure, and it may be rather rough usage, will well repay for a little extra trouble in recovering them somewhat prior to finally planting them out. The plan I favour is to set the roots flatly and closely in a cold frame or pit, or even on a sunny border, covering them with a little fine soil. If the soil is not allowed to become dry, top-growth will soon com- mence and root fibres be plentifully formed, and it a favourable time be chosen for carefuUy planting out, there will be few failures. Planting Asparagus. On no account should the roots be puddled in. It the ground is not fit to work, that is to say, is not sufficiently dry, early in April, then wait till it is, even if this means delaying planting till May. There are some who prefer to pl.-mt after strong shoots have formed, but I would rather antici- pate this if other conditions are favourable. The surface soil cannot well be too finely divided, and rather th.an plant on lumpy ground I would prefer to put out Asparagus in an undug qiiarter. Those who cannot avoid having a rough surface should do their best to break this down with hoes, and also prepare a large heap of line light conqmst for sur- rounding the roots. If, owing to the heavy character of the soil or the lowness of the position, it is de- cided to plant on raised beds, first mark out these with .stout and permanent corner stakes. The ortho- dox widths are from 3 feet to 1 feet for narrow early beds, and from 5 feet to 0 feet for the rest, alleys 2 feet wide being allowed between them in each instance. They may run in any direction or nuich as the rows of various other vegetables are arranged. The next proceeding should ho to shovel out the best portion of the soil in the alleys, or say about (! inches, this being evcidy distributed over the beds. Two rows of plants ;uc all that ought to be grown on the narrow beds, these being arranged about 12 inches from the edges, while in the case of the' Maeoh 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 297 broader beds three rows are ample, the outer lines being about 15 inches from the edges. A space of from 1.") inches to 18 inches is a suitable distance to place the plants apart in the rows. Where the nature of the ground and the position are favourable to growing Asparagus on the level, this proves the surest method of obtaining the finest produce. Put out on a free working soil and given plenty of room, extra strong plants result in the course of a few years, and such may be most readily moulded up when it is desirable to blanch the produce. As there are no alleys be- tween, more space must be given the plants, and, as far as my experience goes, the rows succeed best when not less than il feet apart, while more room than that is considered necessary by some growers. The plants should be 2 feet apart in the rows. When the plants are put out rather thickly or as advised for the beds, wide drills may be opened for them with a spade, and on heavy soils not more than 5 inches deep. A little hillock should be formed for each plant and the roots evenly spread out, these being covered with about 2 inches of the finest soil, and a liandful of bone meal to each will not be wasted. For those on the level, either a trench or holes 1 foot square may be opened, the rest of the process being much as just advised. If extra fine blanched shoots are needed, the trenches should be opened not less than 10 inches deep, and the roots only covered at first with 2 inches of soil. Each spring the roots ought to be partially bared, a little good manure given and the soil returned, more being drawn in each time from the ridges, till at the end of five or six years the roots are covered with a depth of about 10 inches of light mould. This depth of surfacing ensures the re- quired length of blanched shoot, and does not, in the case of light sandy loams especially, injure the plants. Preparing Aspaeagus for Forcing. Since the more general adoption of planting Asparagus on the level, gardeners have developed a still greater aversion to breaking up profitable Asparagus beds for the purpose of procuring roots for forcing. As the latter must be had, some method of preparing plants specially for that pur- pose will in time become more general than at pre- sent. Seakale roots are prepared especially and largely for forcing, and why not Asparagus ? The former, it is true, can be most quickly got to a serviceable size, but Asparagus is the most valuable, and well repays for any trouble taken with it. Want of garden room cannot well be pleaded as an excuse for not trying the plan I am about to suggest, as the older or alternative practice of breaking up an old bed and planting a fresh one each year is quite as expensive, as far as space is concerned, as the young plantations must not be cut from for three seasons, while plants intended for forcing can be prepared in two years. Those who have abundance of seedlings raised last year should plant several hundreds of these on mode- rately good, well-worked ground (not necessarily inside the garden walls) 12 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart, and if these are duly mulched and watered if need be in dry weather, the tops being lightly staked up, strong growth will result. Very good shoots would be obtained by forcing these in the following winter, but naturally they would be very much stronger if left for a, second season's growth. Seed, if sown at once thinly in boxes or singly in small pots and placed in heat, would soon germinate. The plants being eventually hardened off and carefully transplanted to well-prepared ground would grow to a good size the same season, another summer's growth fitting the roots for lifting. Sowing Asparagus Seed. Tlic method of quickly raising plants above briefly detailed is also to be recommended where a number are required for permanent beds, these sur- passing any raised during the same season in the open, and it is possible to raise a stock in heat this spring to overtake any raised last year in the open garden. With some gardeners the practice of sow- ing seed in drills where the plants are to remain finds favour, and it answers well. More, however, prefer to sow the seed on a well-prepared strip of ground, in drills drawn 1 inch deep and from 12 inches to 15 inches apart. The seedlings being lightly thinned out form strong roots, and may be transplanted readily in the following spring. Early in April is a good time to sow the seed, the best varieties being Early and Late Giant Argenteuil, and the Giant, or Battersea. Cabbage. In many instances where the plants put out in August or early in September were not checked, they made too much progress and are cut badly, or else are running to seed prematurely. If the lower leaves of the former are sound the damaged hearts may be cut out, and good successional heads will result. Those plants that have bolted should be drawn up and used, their places being tilled, and any other blanks made good, with plants wintered in the seed beds. Many beds are more weedy than usual, and these ought to be hoed over and the weeds raked off and burnt or rotted. A free use of the flat hoe among the Cabbage beds generally is most beneficial, and if a liberal dressing of soot, mixed with some kind of special manure, is stirred in during showery weather, this will have a good effect upon the advancing crops. Red or pickling Cabbage (autumn raised) ought to be planted out on well-manured ground and given plenty of room. A pinch of seed may yet be sown in heat, and if the plants are got out in good time useful heads will be obtained in the autumn. Celehiac. Celeriac, or Turnip-rooted Celery, is not so wel' known as it deserves to be. Well-grown roots are excellent, either for flavouring soups or served as a vegetable, and are much appreciated in some es- tablishments. Few English seedsmen ofi'er seeds of more than the common Turnip-rooted, but in France Celeriac is more appreciated, and as a con- sequence more varieties are grown and novelties are being introduced. In Messrs. Vilmorin's cata- logue four distinct varieties are offered, viz., com- mon. Large Early Erfurt, Large Smooth Paris, and Apple-shaped, the two last being new. The seed ought to be sown at once in a pan of fine soil and placed in gentle heat, the plants being eventually hardened off and pricked out, and otherwise treated similarly to the common Celery. Instead, however, of planting in trenches, Celeriac should be put out on the surface of well-manured ground, where, without much further trouble, fine bulbs will be formed, these only being used. W. I. M. cular but one, and that, unfortunately, is as regards his favourite vegetable, the Tomato. I have at the present time 200 plants of Surpasse which, now in 3-inch pots, will be shifted on into 6-inch pots, and grown on until they reach a height of from :! feet to 3^ feet. The plants are then ]iut into a cool house, properly hardened off, and planted out the first week in June. This system I have practised now for seven years with the very best results every year excepting last, when, like most other people, I had a perfect failure. — R. Gilbert. BurghUy. MARKET PLANTS. SHORT NOTES.- KIT CHEN. A stimulant for early Cabbage.— All who have spring Cabbage ready for the table by Easter are well to the fore, but in many eases they will be con- siderably beliiud this year, and as it is desirable that they should be ready as soon as possible, a little nitrate of soda will be found the best of all stimulants for them. This should be given at once by shaking about an egg- cupful round the stem of each plant, and drawing a little soil up to tlie stems on both sides immediately afterwards.— J. JIiIiR. Pea guards.— Here wears a good deal troubled about this time of the year with pheasants and other intruders picking the Peas out of the rows before the young plants appear above ground, but I have lately discovered a cheap and efficient guard for them. It is this: Apiece of wire netting is un- rolled over the top of the row; one side is pegged down first, and the other is pushed in a little until the netting forms an arch, and it is pegged in this form. When up, tliis netting resembles manu- factured Pea yuards, but it is much cheaper and far more useful, as when the Peas arc safe the netting' can be removed, rolled into its usual form, and used for other purposes. The mesh m:iy be 1 inch, li inches, or 2 inches, as )nay be thought fit, and the netting may lie from 2 feet to :i feet in width. Rolls of 50 or 100 yards would protect all the Peas in the garden, as it may be removed from one row- to another as may be required.— J. M., South \VaIi:i. Sowing seeds too early. — Mr. Iggulden never wrote a more truthful or common-sense article than that which appeared in The Garden, March 2:i (p. 265), and I quite agree with him in every parti- Onb of the branches of market gardening that has of late made great progress is the cultivation of plants in pots, boxes, and in open-air beds. This is quite a distinct branch to that of the florists, for it is carried on mainly by growers who have not tlie means of retailing their productions direct to the public, but who are obliged to sell to florists or to hawkers who dispose of tliem from house to house. At this season of the year the houses are crowded to their utmost capacity eitlier with plants in bloom or approaching that stage, while the number of young plants coming on makes one wonder where the purchasers are to come from. The fact is, that the majority of these plants have but a very brief existence, for during the time they are being prepared for market they receive the best attention that skill can devise. Close to the glass in low span-roofed houses they make dwarf stocky growth, while the best of soil and an unlimited supply of tepid water, kept inside the house so as not to chill the roots, and stimulants to cause both flowers and foliage to be of the highest order, combine to make the perfect models of plants one finds in these establishments. Look at them, however, only a week after tliey leave this fostering care, and the majority of them will be dust dry, and probably set in the dry arid ■air of a dwelling-room. The only water they get is drawn direct from the water main, and probably at the coldest part of the day the windows are thrown wide open while the rooms are being cleaned. This soon settles the fate of these plants, and they dis- appear, and fresh ones take tlieir place. At no season of tlie year is there so great a variety to select from as in the spring and early summer months. Looking through the ranges of houses in one of tliese establishments a few days ago, 1 was struck with the high standard of excellence attained in everything that is made a speciality of, for, unlike the ordinary nurseryman, who wants a little of everything, these growers go in for large quantities of particular kinds, while some only cater for par- ticular seasons, as they clear out most of their stock of pot plants in time to utilise a good deal of the space for Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and other summer crops. Amongst the principal plants that are raised from seed. Cyclamens, Primulas, and Cinerarias are the most noticeable, the colour and size of the blooms being remarkable. Bulbs .and roots also figure largely, as they are bought in at a cheap rate by the thousand and sold in full bloom in pots at a price at which the roots alone could not have been procured a few years .ago. Spinca japonica. Hyacinths, Tulips, and Lily of the Valley ■appear tlie favourites in this class, while Geraniums, Pelargoniums, Cytisuses and Ferns are extremely well done. Tlie bedding plant craze has evidently seen its best days, for hardy plant roots are taking tlieir place, .and D.aisies, Pansies. Myosotis, Wall- flowers, and the hosts of other things that are now utilised for filling beds .and borders are in great re- quest. Tlie work of improving such flowers as the Pansy, Viola, &c., is now being carried out in e.arnest. and in place of the weedy varieties sold a few years ago, pl.ants with blooms equal to exhibi- tion ones are grown by the thousand for market. J. G. H. Carnations sporting. — Referring to remarks on Carnations sporting (p. 273), I cannot say that I have touiul the pink and purple hizarrcs as a class niuro dis- )iosed to sport than others, though there are some loinarkable examples of this tendency among them. lu 298 THE GARDEN. [March 30, 1889. my own experience, I have found the scarlet iiakes tlis moet prone to sporting, and the rose flakes the most constant among the various classes. — M. Rowan. Destroyers. DESTRUCTION OF EARWIGS. In answer to "Border" (Garden, March 23. p. 2.56), the simplest and surest method of destroying ear- wigs is to drown them out. If all empty spaces could be scalded, tlie process of destruction would be hastened; but the farmer's remedy for his pant- ing Mangolds — turn a river over them — will speedily annihilate all earwigs, or render their garden quarters so uncomfortable that they will voluntarily depart. Not a few small gardens in such populous towns a.-i Liverpool are placed on a sort of gridiron formed of water, sewage, gas-pipes, and drains for storm water. The earth laid over these gets dust-dry, and earwigs or woodlice finding such comfortable quarters increase and devour growing produce to such an extent, that barely a green thing is left. Turn the water over tlie gardens and repeat the floodings at intervals until the entire area is satu- rated through. The whole of the earwigs, young and old, will either perish in the floods or decamp to drier quarters. If once thus completely de- stroyed or promptly driven out they seldom return to the same ground. Should they, however, show any symptoms of doing so. give yet another flooding. In large towns honeycombed with water, gas, and sewage pipes, such floodings, it managed with ordinary sense and skill, always do good in most gardens. Where the soil is poor a dose of guano water, or rather pungent sewage, in the last water- ing facilitates the destruction or voluntary removal of the earwigs. A wet bed or home is distasteful or destructive enough, but a nauseous or pungent one to boot is more than even a humble earwig will i^ut up with, and hence the extra potency of guano water for the last dressing. Scalding hot dressings will facilitate the work of clearance ; but, of course, these cost money, and destroy every living plant they touch as vvell as the troublesome insect pests. Much risk also attends the application of paraffin or other mineral oils. ^ Unless strong enough to endanger vegetable life, it is hardly likely to prove very efficient in the destruction of earwigs, as it glides rapidly off their smooth varnished backs ; wliereas drowning out with pure or manure water is at once cheap and safe, and in most gardens affected by such pests highly beneficial to the plants as well, for the pre.sence of the insects shows that already the soil is too dry for the well-doing of vegetable life, and hence the flooding proves at once a welcome stimulant to the roots as well as a speedy clearance of all devouring earwigs. Qubrcus. Insects among Orchids.— Would you kindly give the name of enclosed insect and if injurious to Orchids, among which it was found ? — Rose. *«• In reply to above, the insect you sent is an im- juature specimen of a foreign species of cockroach. It is, no doubt, injurious to tlie roots of Orchids. Trap them in the usual manner and sprinkle some insect powder in their haunts if they have taken up their position ill any cracks in the walls, Ac— G. S. S. Bulbs of Eucharis unhealthy.— I have sent you some Eucharis liulljs, and shall be glad to know if they are infested with the mite.— J. II. F. *,* I am sorry to tell you that your bulbs are attacked by the Eucharis mite. Though various methods have been tried from time to time with more or less success to destroy the mites, I doulit if any would prove u.seful if they, as they often do, have worked some distance down between the scales of the bulbs, as the insecticide would not then reach them. Washing the bulbs well in paraflin oil and water, or wasliing or soaking them in 1 lb. of sulphide of potassium dissolved in a pailful of water, ajjpear to be the most effectual remedies, and are no doubt succe.s.sful if they can be made to reach the mites. 1 believe that soak- ing the bulbs for a quarter of an hour in water of a temperature of 110° or 1 1 5° Fahr. will prove the best remedy; it will kill the mites, and I do not think it will injure the bulbs, but of this I am uncertain. — G. S. S. Eucharis bulbs diseased.— I have forwarded some bulbs of Eucharis amazonica affected, as I suppose, with the mite. Would you kindly say whether they .are so affected and what is the cure, if any ? I understand that the roots were washed with paraffin and water and repotted last spring. Is there any danger of the disease attacking Pan- cratiums ?— J. Winder. *,* In reply to the above, your Eucharis bulbs have all the appearance of being attacked by the Eucharis mite, but though I examined the bulbs very carefully, I could not find any specimens. I expect they would attack Pancratiums, but I have never seen them on them. If the bulbs are badly attacked, I do not believe that there is any cure for them, as the mites work down between the scales for some distance where no insecticide can reach them. If they have not worked down far, washing with paraffin and water or 1 lb. of sulphide of potassium dissolved in a pailful of water would kill them.— G. S. S. Societies and Exhibitions. CRYSTAL PALACE SPRING SHOW. March 2'.i. The show at the Crystal Palace on Saturday last was small, but interesting, as in the majority of cases the plants were well flowered, especially the Cinerarias. It would not have been easy to find twelve better specimens than those of Mr. J. Ford, gardener to Sir Charles Pigott, Bart., Wexham Park, Slough, the flowers having a rich variety of colouring. Mr. A. Carter, gardener to Alderman Evans, Ewell Grove, Surrey, showed the finest twelve in the amateurs' class for these. Cyclamens are always in plenty at spring shows, and the thirty-six plants from Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, Slough, were of the finest type. In this particular flower Mr. Phillips seems at the head of all amateurs, as he was first for twelve specimens. Mr. John Odell, Gould's Green, Hillingdon, was second. The Tulips were fresh and well grown, but not up to the high standard we have seen them in previous seasons. Messrs. H. Williams and Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley, had the finest thirty-six plants, the varieties including such excellent types as Joost "\'an Vondel, Ophir d'Or, golden yellow ; Rose Luisant, and the white Joost ■\''an Yondel. We admire the feathered kinds, as Monument. The twelve pots from Mr. W. Monk, gardener to Mr. G. R. Higgins, Eastlands, Dulwich, were also worthy of note ; likewise the second prize collec- tion from Mr. H. Shoesmith, gardener to Mr. Hodgson, Shirley Cottage, Croydon. Messrs. Wil- liams and Sons were first for thirty-six Hyacinths, the spikes strong and compact. We can scarcely have too many of such beautiful kinds as I>a Gran- desse. Princess Amalie, Lord Derby, and King of the Blues. In the class for twelve, Mr. J. Rod- bourn, gardener to Baroness Heath, Coombe House, near Croydon, was the most successful. There was the usual class for Polyanthi Narcissi. In that for twelve plants, Mr. Monk was at the top, and in the trade section Messrs. H.Williams had the finest. Mr. D. Phillips showed eighteen pots of excellently grown Mignonette; the plants were compact, strong, and full of llower— a set-off against the -specimens of Tree Mignonette shown by Mr. J. R. Bird, gar- dener to Mr. J. A. Causton, Lodgemore, Alleyn Park. They were as hard and form.al as it is possible to make a flower. The Lilies of the "V'alley from Messrs. J. Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, call for a note; as also those from Mr. Penfold, gardener to the Rev. Canon Bridges, Beddington House, Bed- dington. The classes for greenhouse Azaleas were well filled. Messrs. Paul .and Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, were first for Amaryllises, which this season seem esj>ecially strong and well flowered. The groups were exceedingly fine. Messrs. John Laing and Sons, Forest Hill, had a varied arrange- ment, in which were choice varieties of Cattleya Trianas, Dendrobium Wardianum. of which there is quite a show in the Forest Hill Nurseries, and Clivias. Mr. Henry James, Castle Nursery, Nor- wood, was second. There were several miscellaneous exhibits. Mr. J. James, Woodside, Famham Royal, had plants of C'inerarias, for which he has done much, and Cy- clamen Faust, a dark crimson-coloured variety. Several boxes of Camellia blooms came from Messrs. Wm. Paul and Sons, of Waltham Cross — a rich variety of Italian kinds as well as English. Daffodils, principally of the Trumpet class, were shown by Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. An excellent group of Cyclamens came from Jlr. W. Hibburt, gardener to Mr. W. Clay, Grove Road, Kingston. The group of Iman- tophyllums, Amaryllises, Primulas, and Cyclamens from Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria Nurseries, Upper HoUoway, was one of the best things in the show. Such varieties of Imantophyllum, or Clivia. as Martha Keimers, splendens. Prince of Orange, Meteor are improvements on the type. The St. George's Nursery Company, Hanwell, had a bank of Cyclamens of strong growth, and Mr. John Odell also exhibited Cyclamens. A varied and interesting group was that put up by Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt. There were various kinds of Roses, and many pretty alpine flowers in a rich series of Hepaticas, hardy Cyclamens, the compact free-flowering Puschkinia libanotica compacta, and Saxifraga oppositifolia in its several phases. We prefer the major variety. Mr. J. Rodboum had a group of Primula obconica, a most useful winter- flowering Primrose, and Lachenalia pendula in baskets. First-class certificates went to the following: — Amaryllis Dark Beauty. — A very dark- coloured variety, with flowers of medium size anhint, but experience soon jiroved that it was better in a cool house, and m,ay indeed be classcil amongst those that succeed in a green- house. In a cool temperature the flowers come brighter, stronger, and the foliage greener and healthier than when the plants are placed in muih heat. They are used largely on the Continent for the drawing-room, a use to which they might be put in England. The Clivia has also the advantage of withstanding a London atmosphere, as the robust specimens in Mr. Williams' nursery show. Those who have not yet a good selection will find no diflSculty in obtaining one, as we have many beautiful varieties of various shades of scarlet. A pure white Clivia would be a prize, or any distinct variation from the shades of scarlet. Lycaste Schilleriana is a beautiful Central American species, and very seldom seen. It was in bloom recently in Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery at Upper HoUoway. The flowers stand up well, as in Skinneri, and show the beauty of their exceedingly delicate colouring. It is of free growth, and has leaves and pseudo-buUis similar to those of L. Skinneri, with flowers in the way of those of L. plana. The spreading sepals, which are between 3 inches and 4 inches long, are cinnamon-brown with a shade of green, the petals much smaller and of the purest possible white — a beautiful con- trast; the base of the column is crimson, but this is scarcely seen. Hardy Saxifrages. — Mr. Baker's paper on Saxifrages would seem to have done much good, for never before can I remember seeing so many and distinct kinds exhibited at the Royal Horti- cultural Society's meeting as there were on Tues- day last. Charming indeed were several jiots of that pretty form of S. oppositifolia, named major, plunged to the rim in a large pan. each specimen containing a large number of perfectly developed flowers. That this is a distinct and superior form, so far at least as size of flowers is concerned, everyone must admit, but I feel sure that I have seen particular plants amongst the hundreds that adorn the Eidwyll cliffs in Carnarvonshire with quite as large blooms as were some of those exhibited. S. Burseriana Boydi is a gem with creamy or yellow flowers placed on short foot- stalks. The foliage, too, is interesting, as being of a pleasing shade of green suffused with a silvery tint. As pot plants hardy Saxifrages are of great value, their neat habit of growth, beautiful grass- green foliage, and abundantly produced flowers rendeVing them favourites with one and all.— A. D. Webster. The Chionodoxas. — In reference to the note on these at p. 253, there are two Chionodoxas, viz., C. gigantea and C. Timolusi, both described by the collector as being distinct plants. The bulbs are, unfortunately, small, and are not flowering suffi- ciently well to enable me to fairly judge of them. Gigantea is in flower, one or two blooms upon a plant, but these flowers are considerably larger than those of C. Luoilire, and I imagine when fully established the plants will answer the description of the collector, who states that the flowers are fully double the size of those of C. Lucilia;, spikes longer, and the plant a more robust grower. C. Timolusi appears to be a rather late one. It is just coming up through the ground. If there should be any flowers 1 will be glad to send them to you. 1 have this morning found three flowers of Chionodoxa Timolusi, which 1 have sent you for your inspection. The bulbs Tare remarkably small, and the flowers consequently very weak, so that it is impossible to form any idea of their real beauty. I have also sent flowers of C. gigantea from very small bulbs. I think gigantea is very distinct, and that it will make a first-class plant when we can get good established roots. I have also sent flowers of cretensis and cretensis albiflora nana.— T. S', W.\UE, Toitcniiam. *^* The flowers of ('. Timolusi .ire too weak to judge from properly. It is evidently .-i form of Luciliie. ('. gigantea is a lovely Chionodox.a, quite distinct in appearance, the tlowers large, robu.st, blue tipped lilac. It is apparently a very distinct kind. —El). I do not know on what authority Chionodoxa Timolusi is named. It is, no doubt, a variety of Chionodoxa Luciliic, but as distinct from C. Luciliic as C. sardensis is from C. Luciliic. It difl'ers from C. Luciliio in its long narrow segments, which are March 30, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 301 of a beautiful light blue with pure white centre. It appears to be the latest in bloom of all the Chionodoxas. Chionodoxa gif,'antea I consider still more distinct, and when stronger bulbs flower I thinlc it will be the best and most distinct of this genus.— G. Reuthe. Hellebores from Devonshire. — In this box you will receive flowers of some of my seedling Hellebores, the result of many years' selection. Perhaps the three or four to which 1 have attached names are tlie most improved, as also the most recent, viz., Eve, Unique, guttatus (A), Contour. — T. H. Archer-Hind, South Devon. *,* They are most delicate in colour, with pretty intermediate hues, many - spotted. In a good climate in the west they are charming for this time of the year. London and home county climate does not give them much chance. There- fore all the greater need for those who have the opportunity to grow them plentifully. We thinli some of those unnamed are finer than the named kinds. — Ed. Beautiful Dendrobiums.— There were several exceptionally handsome Dendrobes in flower re- cently in Mr. Williams' nursery at HoUoway, and comprised the following : D. macrophyUum gigan- teum, strongly scented of Turkey Rhubarb, has a large rosy mauve flower, and is a showy handsome form. There was also one of the purest forms of the beautiful D. Ainsworthi it has been our pleasure to see ; the variety named roseum is very similar to the type, but the petals are flushed towards the apex with rose. Of course the old D. nobile was flowering freely, and one form was exceptionally highly coloured, almost as rich as in D. nobile nobilius, of which a coloured plate was given in The Garden, September 8, 1883. D. crassinode was in fuU bloom, also the now well-lmown Wardi- anum and the golden-coloured D. Cambridgeanum. Conophallus Titanum. — In the note on Amor- phophallus Rivieri published last week (p. 255) it is stated that "it is the same as Conophallus Titanum." The two plants are widely different. The last-named has a leaf 10 feet high, the stalk a foot in diameter at the base, and the blade 45 feet in circumference. The scape is 1 foot 7 inches high, the spathe 3 feet in diameter, and the spadix (i feet long. These data are from the description given by Dr. Beccari, who discovered the plant in Sumatra about ten years ago. The large plant known in cultivation is that at Kew, which last year had a tuber 18 inches across, like a huge Pumpkin, and a leaf 8 feet high by 8 inches in diameter at the base. This plant is now at rest. It has not yet flowered, but hopes are entertained of its doing so this year. Amorphophallus Rivieri is a Japanese plant, which is almost hardy in Eng- land. Its size will not, of course, bear comparison with that of the Conophallus. The inflorescence borne by the plant of the former, which was exhi- bited by the Messrs. Veitch at Regent's Park last week, was an unusually fine one. — W. The weather in East Anglia.— With winter closely hugging us all through March in East Anglia, and even the earliest Primroses hesitating to follow the lead of the Snowdrops, still in full bloom on this the 26th day of March, one reads with peculiar pleasure not untingcil with envy the inte- resting note of Mr. J. A. Saumarcz (p. 255) on Heaths and the beautiful old Acacia asparagoides in full bloom in Guernsey. These are not only very beautiful in themselves, but it is easy to imagine the perfect galaxy of spring beauty that accompanies them under the fostering and genial conditions of that enviable climate ; while here the north-east wiud is master of the situation, ami though dethroned for a few hours by a rush of genial air, it returns to us with its ruthless vigour, as if it had obtained a fresh commis.sion to do its worst among the venturesome spring flowers. Al- ready it has done more injury than usual, for not only have such plants as Myosotis dis.sitiflora 'oeen destroyed by thousands, but the best of all double Violets, Comte de Brazza, JIarie Louise, and the three singles, Victoria, Czar, and odoratissima, have almost been stripjied bare of their leaves. The double white and Victoria have suffered the most, scores of the latter being quite destroyed, whilst a number of plants of Comte de Brazza left under a wall to succeed those in frames look as if the leaves had been scalded. In fact, I do not remember any win- ter that has laid a heavier, colder hand on Violets and some other plants, notablv parsley, than the one that must surely be drawf_iif to a close. But my object was not so much to find fault with our colli and cutting climate as to urge the claims of our older plants, such as several of the Acacias for greenhouse or conservatory walls, as there are few plants more graceful or even more beautiful than these. They used to be seen in almost every glass structure, and now have become almost rare. They are mostly of very easy culture, their chief foe being white scale. But surely this pest can prove no serious obstacle to their growth in an age when cures for insects are as plentiful as Blackberries. — D. T. Fish. Lilium neilgherrense. — I saw a little while ago an inquiry by Mr. G. F. Wilson, of Heather- bank, Weybridge Heath, as to how many blooms are borne by Lilium neilgherrense in its native habitat. Allow me to reply that young bulbs pro- duce usually only one blossom, but older and stronger ones have frequently three to five. Very strong bulbs ha^•e, I am told, been known to have eight flowers on one stem. I have for some years grown this Lily, and have, out of about 2000 plants, an average of perhaps fifty yielding six and ten giving seven blossoms. I have never seen more. Mr. Wilson mentioned some time ago, I think in a letter to me, that one of his plants of Lilium poly- phyllum had produced thirteen flowers on one stalk. This is most unusual, and shows that he well understands how to treat this beautiful and hardy little Lily. I |have never known more than nine flowers on one stem of this variety. Will Mr. Wilson kindly give us the same information with regard to Ij. Wallichianum ? I think visitors to Mr. Wm. Bull's establishment in Chelsea will this summer have an opportunity of seeing many speci- mens of Lilium neilgherrense bearing from five to seven blooms. — F. Griffith, Kotagiri, Nilgiris, India, March 4, 1889. Rhododendron dauricum atrovirens. — Amongst the few hardy shrubs flowering in March there is none perhaps more beautiful and attrac- tive than this old-fashioned Rhododendron. Plants of it G feet high and as much in diameter, smothered with their rich bright purple flowers, produce a very striking effect in the shrubbery at this season. It is rather odd that fine examples of it should be so seldom met with, as it does not appear to me to be at all fastidious either as to soil or situation. It is perhaps as well to give it a warm, sheltered spot where it is possible to do so, owing to its flowering very early. It is of very slow growth, and presents a very stunted, twiggy appearance when not in flower, owing to its sparse covering of foliage, which detracts to a certain extent from its ornate character. This is, however, more noticeable in aged specimens. The flowers of it have an agree- able resinous perfume, and with an outline resem- bling very much some of the small-flowered Azaleas. The typical plant R. dauricum was, I believe, in- troduced from Siberia towards the close of the last century. It is a very much dwarfer growing kind with paler coloured flowers than the one under notice. Both are worthy of a place in every collec- tion of hardy shrubs.— J. G. M. G., Milne Graden, Coldstream, N.JI. Spring flowers at Highgate. — There is a beautiful show of spring flowers of various kinds in the nurseries of Messrs. Cutbush and Son, High- gate, and the arrangement is made exceedingly tasteful by embedding the plants in green Moss so as to quite hide the unsightly pots. From a large mass of flowering bulbs as here, we can judge something of the condition of the bulbs this season, and the weakest and most inferior seem the Hya- cinths, the splendid dark blue-coloured King of the Blues being the best ; another fine single variety is Macaulay. Such well-tried favourites .as La Gran- desse still hold their own. The Tulips are finer | than the Hyacinths, especially such beautiful types as Ophir d'Or, Roi Pippin, white, feathered with scarlet, and Pottebakker, white. Messrs. Cutbush also have in their display masses of the best kinds of florists' Crocuses, Lilies of the Valley, which seem unusually fine this season, Polyanthi Nar- cissi, the beautiful Lyre Flower (Dielytra specta- bilis), Daffodils, and an excellent strain of Cyclamen known as giganteum, the flowers large, robust, and finely coloured, the whites especially pure. One variety of Mignonette worth noting was Machet, the plant very dwarf, robust, and having large strong sjiikes of powerfully scented flowers. A mass of Primula obconica, Clivias, Rhododen- drons, Azalea mollis, a dwarf strain of Amaryllis, and Staphylea colchica, with pure white and sweetly scented blooms, were also in this excellent display of forced flowers. Cypripediums of many kinds are flowering now in Mr. B. S. Williams' nursery at Upper Hollo- way, where will be found a rare and rich collection of the finest species and varieties. One strong re- commendation the Lady's Slippers have is their long season of blooming and the length of time the individual flowers remain in condition. C. Mea- suresianum has been in beauty for the past three months, and a plant was still in flower. This is one of the most beautiful of its genus, and another fine type is C. Sallieri aureum, which has more yellow in it than the ordinary form, and is a light-coloured flower, with a line dorsal sepal beautified by a broad margin of white, the other portion yellow, spotted \vith chocolate. C. Williamsi, one of Mr. Warner's seedlings, and of doubtful parentage, but with evidently the venustum blood in it, has a dor- sal sepal veined with green, the lip and petals suf- fused with brown ; C. ciliolare, a lovely Cypripede ; C. eallosum, which has a dorsal sepal about 3 inches across, white, with longitudinal bands of crimson ; lo grandis, a better marked flower than the type; Sedeni candidulum, C. barbatuni Warneri, and C. grande, a very fine form, were also in full bloom. We must not omit that gem of Lady's Slippers, C. cenanthum superbum, a highly polished flower of exquisite colouring, nor C. Amesianum, of which the dorsal sepal is polished green, the sepals and lip suffused with light brown. Two beautiful kinds are C. vexillarium superbum and C. tonsum ; the first of the two is of very rich appearance, and the other is a pale coloured flower, very light greenish brown, with a few spots of chocolate on the petals, and a fine white margin to the dorsal sepal. Cypri- pedium Gardinianum was just opening; it is de- scribed as in the way of Godefroya>, but with smaller spots. C. Harrisianum superbum completes the series of a few of the best in flower; it is a noble variety, finer than the type, and with the rich varnished character of cenanthum superbum. BOOKS RECEIVED. "Tho Pausy, and how to grow it." With coloured plates and numerous woodcuts. By [James Simkins, King's Norton. Birmingham: Cornish Bms., 37. New Street. London ; Simpkin, Marshall A- Co. " The Tomato : its Culture and Uses." By W. Iggulden, Marston Gardens, Frome. " A Naturalist's Voyage. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries visited during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Beagle' round tho World." By Charles Darwin. Loudon: John Murray, Albemarle Street. Ifames of plants.— rbi*s.—l, Calanthe Veitchi, tine colour; 2, Cattleyn Triana'. poor form ; 3, MiUido- vallia ignoa; 4, M. Chiiniera. T. Worliinan. — 1, Dendrobium Devonianum; 2, I), tljyrsiflorum; 3, Lselia flava; 4, Dendrochihnn gluniaceum. 0. Dnnford, Did^bury, — A very fine sample of Cyclamen, but we cannot name these; neither is it desirable. E. L. S. — 1 and 2, forms of Selagiiu'Ua Kraussiana; 3, S. ca;sia; 4, please send belter specimen; 5, S. Martensi; 0, S. jl. variegata. J. Bennett, Ravenscrnft. — The Calanthe is C. Regnieri ; the Dondrobiuni , D. primu- linuni. The flowers of D. Wardianuni are very good. H. D. — 1 and 3, forms uf Helloborus oricntalis; 2, form of H. guttatus. A. Chapman. — 1 and 2, Euo- nymus radicans variegatus; 3, Gaultheria Shallou. — — l{. Elliott. — Tho iSnowdrop has no varietal name; a slight form of (i. nivalis. .1. Lee. — Hletia Shopherdi. W. kelson. — llardenbergiamouophylla. /. T. Stran(je. — Send better specimen. J. F. D. — Please send fertile frond. F. li. T.— Pinus Peuce. 302 THE GARDEN. [March 30, 1889. WOODS & FORESTS. HOME-GROWN TIMBER. Mil. J. Sheppard, in The Garden, March IC (p. 252), says :— Your various correspondents find fault with the non-use of home-grown timber, but in doing this they do not specify what kind, and by their remarks leave it to be inferred that it is that from Fir trees, and if so, it is no wonder that there is little or no demand for it, as everyone knows how much superior foreign deals are to any that are grown here, and builders are not so fooUsh as to use timber that will cost them as much as fine foreign wood that is seasoned and ready for use. Mr. Sheppard should know that it is not necessarily reqtiisite that all timbers used for building purposes be thoroughly seasoned ; at any rate I have supplied large quantities of rafters, joists, dividing ]>03ts, lath, sarlcing, &c. , direct from the saw-mill after having been cut up, and I never heard the inspector of works object to their use when the wood was tho- roughly matured in growth and of a close firm texture. The seasoning of wood for particu- lar purposes is only a question of time, and there is nothing to prevent the forester in this (jountry having his wood as well seasoned as the foreigner. With regard to foreign timber being so much superior to that of home growth, tliis statement is not borne out by actual experience and observation. There can be no doubt but that soil, elevation, and locality exercise a great influence on the growth of trees and the quality of the wood which they produce. I have cut up as good Pine, Oak, Ash, and Sycamore as any that I have ever seen of foreign growth, and which was allowed to be so by competent judges. This may be exceptional, and granting that it is so to a certain extent, yet 1 have no hesitation in saying that timber of home growth when thoroughly matured and properly selected and prepared might be used with advantage in many cases where it has hitherto been all but neglected. Mr. Sheppard also says : — What value, I would ask, are Spruce and Silver Kirs that are only too common on most estates? If Abies Douglasi were planted, we may by-and-by liave timber that will successfully compete with that brought from abroad. We all expect that A. Douglasi will have a great future, but to say that it will be superior to the common Spruce and Silver Fir is ques- tionable. The Spruce and Silver Firs are botli tried trees in this country, and we know all about them, and although Abies Douglasi has proved a success in some localities, yet in other parts it proved a failure unless sheltered by other hardy trees such as the common Spruce and Silver Fir. Although the Silver Fir is liable to bo cut down by late spring frosts during the early stages of its growth, yet when thoroughly established it is proof against the inclemency of the weather and attains a larger si/.i) than any of its associates of the Fir tribe within the same time, and as its wood is of good average quality, it is therefore not to bo despised as a useful timber tree. Under such conditions it is doubtful whether the Douglas Spruce will ever attain a higher stan- dard of perfection in this country for utility and jirofit. .Sonic time ago I inspected a forest where a niunber of the Douglas Spruce had been planted at .-in elevation of aljout 1118 feet above sea level, and tlie plants appeared to be in per- fect, health, and Ironi the site of the plaiitatiim, which is sheltered by high hills in the vicinity, I have every re;i8on to believe that the trees will attain a useful size. If Abies Douglasi, however, were planted on a wind-swept hillside at the same elevation, failure would certainly result, so that locality is often a point of greater importance than mere elevation. In places where the tree thrives, its prospective value as a timber-producer is immense, but as it is un- suitable for planting on exposed heather moor and hilly ground, its value for general utility is lessened to a large extent, and it has yet to be proved whether it will be such an acquisition as some writers would have us suppose. Much has been said for and against the common Spruce (Abies excelsa) as a timber tree, but the large extent to which its timber is being used for house-building, &c., shows its usefulness for such purposes. In addition to this, it has proved perfectly hardy and well suited for the climate of this country, and as it is easily propagated from seed and capable of being removed to the forest in the early stages of its growth, and inserted in the ground by the notch system of planting out at a cost of about 30s. per acre, and sometimes less, it can be highly recommended. In Ire- land and elsewhere I have found it to be an ex- cellent tree for planting on peat, bog, and mossy ground ; in fact, it seems to be quite at home on this class of soil, and attains a good useful size in places where many other trees only reach the size of inferior scrub. In speak- ing of this tree Loudon says : — The finest Spruce forests which I have seen were between Memel and Konigsberg, growing in peaty soil resting on sand, and liable to inundation dur- ing a great part of winter. Therefore in view of the vast area of this class of ground in Great Britain and Ireland that is unsuitable for tillage purposes, this tree might be planted with a reasonable prospect of success and profit to the owners of such lands, and as the wood is elastic, although perhaps less resinous than that of the Scotch Pine, yet it is found to be durable and capable of being used at all stages of its growth for a great variety of purposes. On the whole, the common Spruce is by no means such an inferior tree for general utility as some writers would seem to imply. To grow the tree to the best advantage it should be planted in blocks by itself, and at such a distance aiiart that the side branches lose their vitality through confinement and fall to the ground, by which means the stems present fine clean shafts of a pretty uniform thickness throughout. J. B. Weh.ster. The Scotch Fir as a timber trea.— 1 .juite apree with J. B. Webster in all he says (p. 27(3) respeetin^ tlio value of the timber of this tree. Tlie treeKi*'>\vs well ill this part of the eouiitry, and here it is useil daily and almost exclusively in repairing and eri'i'tiiig all kinds of farm buildings, cottages, &c., and its adapta- )»ilityand duraljility are undeniable. — J. Mliu, Jl/f(jY/aiu 7'orA-, S. Wales. Willow for hedges. — By sub.stituting Willow for Thorn, hedges can be made profitable ; they are, it is said, more elTective as a shelter, (juito as .strong, reared in a much shorter time, and at less than half the cost. The Willow has long been reconinicndcd for hedges, and the only way in which the neglect of such advice can be accounted for is simply tliat the matter has never been brought sufiieicntly under notice. A Willow hedge, 200 yards long, riirmcd of cuttings 12 inches long and planted I'l inches ajiart — requiring 1200 cuttings, value about 2r)s. — became in two years a good strong fence, c.'ipablc of resisting any pressure an ordinary hedge would be subject to. The Willows being crossed diagonally, rendered it almost imiiossiblc for anything to break through. The dressings or spray of the first two years were co.arso and worth- less, but in the three succeeding ycar.s the rACTLr;NTA. — This is an elog.-mt. species, which delights in shade. It grows from 1 fo— The first of tliese varieties originated in the garden of the recently deceased English vicar whose name it bears, and was pronounced by perhaps the most eminent authority on Daffodils now living, when first ho saw it, to be the most beautiful ami perfect form he had ever seen. It is remarkable for its .short and well opened tube, wliich is Ijcautifully frilled at its cilj,'e, and for the perfectly erect manner in wliiclj tlie segments of the perianth stand uj) behind it in the form of a corona. It is undoubtedly one of the most distinct and beautiful of the bicolor section, Init still, un- fortunately, extremely scarce and iliflicidt to obtain, especially as the main stock remaining in the hands of the raiser was on his death neglected and allowed to be trampled down by cows. lone much resembles the variety Vicar of Lulworth in its general characteristics, but is, if possible, still more beautiful, having a distinctly broader tube, of a clear, pure golden shade of yellow, most exquisitely fringed at the edge. The segments of the perianth also, instead of standing erect, as in Vicar of Lul- worth, lean forward round the stout, short tube, which barely exceeds them in length. It came as a chance unit amongst some 80,000 imported bulbs from the Pyrenees. — W. E. Gumbleton. The Swedish Jtiniper (Juniperus communis suecica;). — This is at the present time one of the principal ornaments of the outdoor garden, and better deserves attention than many Conifers that are more highly prized. Just now it is covered with bloom, and it is curious to note how in the middle of the day, when the air is rather brisk, the pollen is dispersed in little clouds. The objections often made to the planting of many Conifers do not apply to this juniper, for it is in my opinion one of the most reliable we have, as hardy as the Juniper of our own country, growing with consider- able vigour, and preserving its attractive appearance when so many Evergreens suffer. — J. C. B. Primula calycina is now flowering freely, and either for pots or for the open rockery it is very useful. It is perhaps more easily managed in pots, and may be grown without any protection unless from rain during the winter season. It is often confounded with Wulfeniana, which is a totally different plant, and we have also received it a few times as P. spectabilis, the resemblance to which is about as near as the Primrose to the Polyanthus. The only difficulty with P. calycina is that it must be planted in such a position as to receive a good roasting in summer, and this may be managed on most rockeries. The leaves always present a half- withered green appearance, oval, lance-shaped, the margins rough and wavy. The flowers are produced several in a bunch, of a pretty clear lilac, usually over an inch in diameter. It is also known as P. glaucescens, the latter being the name under which it is always known on the Continent. A native of the Southern Alps. — K. Old friends with new names. — The old Im- patiens flaccida, which was introduced from Ceylon about thirty years ago, has been re-introduced twice since then, and has been re-named both times. Ten years ago it was distributed as I. platypetala. Now it comes as I. Rodigasi, under which name it is figured in L' Illustration SorticoU, t. 78. Any- one who knows I. flaccida will at once recognise it in the figure quoted. Is there not a good deal too much carelessness shown in the matter of names 3 No man ought to rush to give a plant a new name until he ha.s made certain that it has not a name already. Therejhave been several glaring instances lately in the above journal, i.e., Brunsvigia Massaiana and B. magnifica, both of which are well-known Cri- nums ; Zamia tonkinensis, which is a Cycas, and now this Impatiens. We have too many names already. For my part I decline to recognise any name which does not come from competent autho- rity.—W. W. Spring flowers from a Dutch garden. — Among spriiig-llowering bulbs the following choice species are now in bloom here, specimens of which 1 enclose. A violet-blue I. llosenbachiana is bloom- ing now, whilst another very pretty and distinct- looking reddish brown coloured variety flowered exactly between the one first mentioned and the ordinary variety sent to you about three weeks ago. This Iris is a very variable one. Some specimens here produced wonderfully large and brightly coloured blooms, whilst a few are of an ugly, pale lilac tinge, with narrow, flimsy-looking flowers. There cannot be any doubt as to its being perfectly hardy, and if Mr. Elwes, wlio mentioned ins non-success ingrow- ing this bulb in your paper for March 23, happens to come over to Holland tliis spring, I shall be much pleased to show him my lot planted outside and witliout any protection whatever. Tropicolum rhomboideuni, a tidwering .spray of which I enclose, is said to Ijo a hybrid between T. tricolor and brachyceras; the spur is peculiar to tricolor, tlie golden-yellow that of brachyceras. Tliese Tro- pteolumslook exceedingly pretty when trained along some trellis against the back part of an ordinary cool frame. It is quite astonishing how very strongly they grow, and how profusely they flower when cultivated in this way. Tecophyla;as are now at their best. I enclose for your inspection three distinct varieties of these, viz., cyanocrocus, Leicht- lini, and violacea, a number of which I have in flower. They are planted in square pans and stand in a cool greenhouse, the air of which is delicately perfumed by their powerful sweet Violet-like fra- grance, the large, wonderfully brightly coloured flowers when they open in the sunshine completely hiding the foliage and the pot. Chionodoxa cre- tensis albiflora is a fairly good substitute for the pure white-flowered variety, which is and will likely remain a very scarce bulb. Of Fritillaries, the pretty white bucharica and the golden - yellow armena are conspicuous. F. bucharica is not so widely known, I think, as F. armena.— C. C. VAN Tubergbn, Jr., Haarlem. Seedling double Daffodils. — I send you blooms of two hybrid seedling double Daffodils. They are from the same cross, but, as you will perceive, they differ somewhat not only in form and colour, but in the disposition of the blooms, one of which faces upwards and gives it a bold and rather striking appearance. A group of this ought to have a good effect. A curious point in connection with these Daffodils is the shape of the flower-buds, which resemble those of an Onion — i.e., very thick at the base and very pointed at the top. I do not know of any Daffodil that has such curiously- shaped flower-buds. It has more than once been asserted in The Garden that there is no recorded instance of a new Daffodil having been raised from seed. The blooms sent are distinct enough to be called new, and are as double as those of any Daf- fodil in cultivation. I have other bulbs coming into bloom, the flowers of one of which promise to be larger and even more double than those sent. — J. CORNHILL. Primula marginata in its many forms is one of the most beautiful and useful of all the early-flowering Primulas. It is characteristically called the silvery edge, from the abundance of meal which covers the serratures of the leaves, and which gives it a highly interesting appearance at all times. Its winter appearance has been likened to that of a miniature Stone Pine. This year all the varieties are flowering better than we have ever seen them, the numerous bunches of clear lilac and deep blue flowers being very attractive, and forming at the pre- sent time one of the features in the alpine houf e at Kew. The varieties are ca?rulea grandiflora, densiflora, &c., all of which are worth noting and growing where room can be spared. This species is one of the easiest to manage on the rockery, and, given plenty of loose lime rubble, good loam, and sand, the plants, if fairly strong, will take care of themselves. It is amongst the oldest of Euro- pean Primiilas in cultivation, having been intro- duced in 1781 by the Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith. It is a native of the Alps of Dauphiny, and may be increased by cuttings. Large-leaved Saxifrages. — These plants, wliich add so much to the beauty of the garden in the early spring months, are now beginning to show flower in quantity, and our enjoyment of the large masses of pink flowers will, of course, much depend on the weather. For the last few years our largest and best plants have been caught just when making their best effort, and by midday, un- fortunately, were a total wreck. This is, however, tlie gloomy side, as we have often seen and enjoyed their beauty until the flowers have faded in the ordinary course of things. We grow our largest masses on sheltered banks, and the large leaves are always attractive during the summer months, so lieautiful and attractive are they in colour. S. Stracheyi is one of the earliest, but the leaves are deciduous in winter, which is a little against its use in the rock garden. The s;niu> may be said of S. ciliata. The best for all purjioses are ligulata, crassifolia, cordifolia, Milcsi, pur[)urascens, Jv:c. S. purpurascens prefers a bog in a shady situation, and is really a most charming jilant. April 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 307 Chrysanthemums. A NEW CHRYSANTHEMUM. (mrs. alphetis haruy.) A YEAR or two ago a Japanese student, entered at the Harvard University, received some ordi- nary social favours from Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, of Boston, and when lie returned to Japan he sent her, as a slight memento of her kindness, a collection of about thirty varieties of Chry- santhemums from that country, and amongst them was the distinct and remarkable variety shown in the engraving. The first notice of the variety was accompanied by a figure in the told, "had its florets edged very beautifully with a hair-like fringe. " Whether or not this lost variety of Mr. Fortune's was the one named after Mrs. Alpheus Hardy to-day does not mat- ter, although it is by no means improbable that other distinct varieties of this now popular flower may yet e.\ist unknown to us in the gardens of Japan or of China. The form of this variety, as will be seen by our engraving, is boldly in- curved, the florets being broad, of good sub- stance, and of the purest white. So far it only resembles other .Japanese sorts recently intro- duced ; but it dift'ers from these and all other known forms in having the backs or outer surface of its waxy florets rather thickly set with short white hairs or downy outgrowths, admirably much interest for home-grown flowers of it next November. F. W. Burbidge. Clirysanthemum Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. Engraved for The Garden from a photograph of a flower gi'own in America. Garden and Forest for February 29, 1888 (p. 5), and this was after the plant had been exhibited for the first time at the Boston Chrysanthemum show held in the month of December, 1887. It was exhibited on the first occasion by Messrs. Edwin Fewkes and Son, of Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, but very soon afterwards the stock passed into the hands of Messrs. Pitcher and Manda, of Short Hills, New Jersey, and London, by whom it is likely to be distributed during the present year. As an incurved Japa- nese flower it is quite distinct from anything else 1 have ever seen, and, 1 was about to add, ever heard of; but it is recorded that "one Japanese kind, which the late Mr. Bobert For- tune tried to bring home in ]8(>2 was unfortu- nately lost on the way,'' and this, wo are further and truthfully represented in our figure. A microscopic examination of these hairs was made at Wellesley College by Miss Cooley, who found them formed by a glandular outgrowth of cellular tissue, and curved like the sound-holes in a violin, thtir lips or apices bearing a drop of yellow resin, but almost too small to be seen without a lens. The result of these hairy ap- pendages, from a florist's jioint of view, is to impart an indescribable ftather-like ."-oftntss to the globular apex of the blooms, ar,d we think so distinct an innovation is sure to be welcomed and grown with tlie utmost care and interest by most of the now numerous amateurs interested in the "Queen of Autumn." I am informed that the jilant is very robiist in habit and of vigorous grov. th, ai d, witli n-any others, ] shall Inok with JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Baronne he Frailly family. — This family of Japanese Chrysanthemums comprises two sorts, both of first-class quality. They are both good growers and sure bloomers, and perhaps are more valuable to the exhibitor of cut blooms than to the grower of either specimen plants or bushes for decoration. Tlie type is a capital sort for growing in small pots about 3 inches or 4 inches across, one stem, say, J foot high carrying one large bloom. The variety in ques- tion is a vigorous-habited kind, the peduncles stout, supporting the flower-head with- out any assistance in the way of stakes, and the form of the flower is of a semi- drooping character, which is just the kind for the purpose required. The original variety of this family was in- troduced by Mr. Salter during the year 1808 ; therefore it is one of the oldest of the leading varieties in the Japanese section, and as showing how its quali- ties are still appreciated by exhibitors of cut blooms, it is only necessary to quote from an audit of Chrysan- themums published last year, where we find that Baronue de Prailly was staged thirty-four times in first-prize stands at the leading shows, occupy- ing a position tenth from the top of a list of 114 varieties staged during the exhibition season of 1888. The variety is of tall growth under liberal treatment, which is the best way to develop flowers of proper character. Flowers of this variety vary very much in colour, some being rich, others of a pale lilac hue. The difference in the colouring is owing to the time the blooms develop from certain formed buds, those of the latter, which are set early, say before the 10th of August, being almost sure to develop blooms pale in colour, while the florets are narrow. In this manner Baronne de Prailly does not seem to be, by a person not knowing it thoroughly, a desirable kind to cultivate. When the bloom-buds form about the 2(Jth of August onwards to the 10th of Sep- tember, then the true colour and form of the florets are developed. The colour is best described as pale rose, varying in tint ; the florets are broad , flat, and of a semi- drooping character. If the plants are not well cultivated the blooms show a tendency to thin- ness. Comtesse de Beauregard is a variety which is often confoundedwith the above sort. Whether there is any relationship between these two varieties 1 do not know, but my impression is that Baronne de Prailly is often grown under the name of Comtesse de Beauregard. In many in- stances I have seen blooms staged which, in my opinion, were one and the same sort ; the only difl'erence to be there found was in colour, the form being exactly alike. One was of a rich hue and the other pale, tliis variation being caused by a diffi^rcnce in the bud selection, as it is a well-known fact that two blooms difl'erent in colour can be cut from tlie same plant at the same time in the case of this variety, as can also be dipne with some other sorts. ^\ hat 1 coii.'-idtr to be the true variety of Comtesse de Beauiegard is one which has exactly the same habit of growth, but the 308 THE GARDEN. [April 6, 1889. form of the florets is quite distinct, all of them being toothed at the point ; neither are they so long, the bloom altogether not being so large as that of Baroune de Frailly. The colo jr is lilac, with faint rose stripes, and when the two sorts are seen together, they are vastly different. I do not consider Comtesse de Beauregard so worthy of culture as Baronne de Frailly. Carew Underwood is a sport from the original of this family, which was brought into public notice in 1880 by Mr. Beckett, who has proved himself a skilful cultivator of Japanese varieties. Although of so recent introduction, I find it figured twenty-three times in winning stands during the year 1838 — a fact which speaks well for its future. Early developed blooms betray a too pale appearance, like that of its parent. This sort is a capital keeper. It is the exact counter- part of its parent in form, the colour being bronze, sometimes tinged with rose, or shading to yellow at other times. The foliage of these two varieties is apt to become pale during the summer if the soil is heavy and the pots too large. To avoid this unsightly appearance, the pots in no case should be more tlum 9 inches across. E. Molyneux. Trees and Shrubs. THE DECIDUOUS CYPRESS. (taxodium distichum.) The deciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is one of the very few Conifers that loses its leaves during the winter months, for with the excep- tion of this, its near ally, Glyptostrobus hetero- phyllus, the Larches, and the beautiful and dis- tinct Maiden-hair Tree (Salisburia adiantifolia), the whole of that extensive family are evergreen in character. The deciduous Cypress isvery orna- mental, and during the season it passes through distinct phases, as in the spring the freshly ex- panded foliage is of a beautiful soft green tint which deepens somewhat as the season advances, then in the autumn the leaves die oti' tinged with reddish brown and gold, while the bark of the young shoots, which is conspicuous during winter when devoid of foliage, i^ of a pleasing brown hue. The deciduous Cypress is, when young, gene- rally of a pyramidal habit of growth, witli slender .spreading branches, but after a time the liead of the specimen becomes of a more open character. Taxodium distichum is one of the best of all trees for planting in swampy spots ; indeed, it is almost, if not quite the only Conifer that will exist therein, yet strange to say it will grow in well-drained gravelly soils, though the rate of progress therein is of course much slower than where lilierally supplied with mois- ture at t)ie roots. \Vhen the specimen attains a large size singular looking conical-shaped pro- tuberances are borne in considerable numbers on the roots. They mostly vaiy from a few inches to a couple of feet high, and when the ground is thickly studded with them they present a very peculiar appearance. Tliis character is only met with where the soil is moist, as I have never seen these excrescences in dry spots. They are known as Cypress knees, and being hollow are, according to Loudon, used in the southern part of the United States as bee-hives. This Cypress is a native of a large tract of country in North America, being found in considerable numbers in the swamps of (ieorgia .'lud Florida, where in many cases some of the roots are always under water. In its native country its wood is nuich valued, but its rate of i)T()gress here is not rapid enough to give it a very liigh place among timber trees, so that its merits from an ornamental point of view are the prin- cipal consideration. It is a grand tree for a damp part of the lawn or park, and one well suited for growing as an isolated specimen. Again, a group on the edge of water shows it under very happy conditions, being, as it is, so different from the Alders, Willows, and such plants usually met with there. Though the young foliage is when first expanded very ten- der in appearance, it is not injured by spring frosts ; indeed, it is rather late in expanding, and consequently the mo5t severe frosts are over. From the fine specimens occasionally met with it would appear that the deciduous Cypress was planted more frequently formerly than at the present day, when its merits as an ornamental tree seem to be so generally over- looked. The usual means of increasing the Taxo- dium is by seeds, which should be sown in a cool moistspot. Mice are very fond of all Conifer seeds, and care must be especially taken to guard against them, for I have had (when different Conifer seeds were protected by a frame) great numbers destroyed in a single night. I have seen several pans of seeds in which the soil had been so turned over that every seed was rooted up, and on investigating the matter it was seen that in the case of these last the percentage of good seeds was very small, and they had all been re- moved. There is a second species of Taxodium, and according to some authorities a third, for the Chinese Glyptostrobus is often included in this genus. Neither, however, are of any value to the British tree planter, as the first — Taxo- dium mexicanum— is too tender for the climate of England, and the Glyptostrobus is not only rather tender, but its value, from an ornamental point of view, is by no means high, while the beautiful deciduous Cypress requires no cod- dling, and passes with impunity through our most severe winters. T. Ag'apetes buxifolia.— It is strange that this beautiful little Himalayan shrub, wliich each spring forms such an attractive object in the temperate house at Kew, should be so much neglected. It is nearly allied to the Vacoiniums, and forms a compact- growing, much-branched busb, with glossy, ever- green leaves and red, wax-like, tubular flowers each about an inch in length. Tiie flowers are borne very freely, and also last a long time in per- fection. This Agapetes succeeds with the treatment given to the great number of Rhododendrons from the same region, viz., a soil composed of fibrous peat and sand, thorough drainage, and a good supply of water tliroughout the summer months. It can be increased from cuttings of half ripened shoots taken during the growing season and dibbled into pots of very sandy peat. If they are stood in a close propagating case in a structure at an inter- mediate house temperature they will strike root before winter, and may then either be potted oft at once or iu tlie spring. — H. I*. Dimorphanthus mandschuricus. — The flowering of a goodly - sized specimen of this certainly rare tree in a secluded spot in tlie grounds at Holwood last autumn caused me to make a note for use later on regarding the procuring of a nmn- ber ot plants of it tor using here and there over the estate. Truly, there is not much beauty about tlie tree itself, for it is but a his spiny stake, witli no branches and but a tuft ot Palm-lilje foliage .at tlie top. The flowers are, however, both large and con- spicuous, and imii.-irt to the tree an nppe.'iriince tlial is as novel as it is interesting. The llowors are of a creamy Inie, small, but produced in long um- Ijellate racemes, and when fully developed, from tlieir being arranged in long spikes, liang to one side, this being aided by their terminal and up- right formation. Usually the stem ot tlic f)itnnr- Iilumtlius is sjiiny. of irregular size tliroughout its length, and with' Horse Chestnu(-like bark. Tlie terminal bud from its large size, as it all the energy ot the plant was developed or concentrated in the tip, imparts a curious and somewhat ungainly ap- pearance to the tree. Being of Chinese origin, I much doubt if the Dimorphanthus would prove hardy very tar north in Britain ; indeed, unless in the Southern English counties, it is rarely seen grow- ing out of doors. The plants at Holwood have frequently been subjected to fully )u° of frost without apparent injury, and one at least flowers freely from year to year. The soil is a good rich loam, rendered somewhat warm by an underground chalky formation, but I fancy that this tree is not at all difficult to suit in that way. Wherever it will grow out of doors its peculiar tropical appear- ance should find for it a select spot amongst other ornamental trees and shrubs. —A. D. Webster. A HYBRID ABIES. The subject of this notice is the result of an J experiment made by Jlons. H. Vilmorin for the | purpose ot ascertaining the degree of affinity (it any) which might subsist between Abies Pinsapo and A. cephalonica. With this object in view, in the year lSt>7 Mons. Vilmorin fertilised a female catkin of the former with pollen from the latter species. This catkin developed in the usual way into a cone, which, however, contained only one fertile seed. The seed, sown in the autumn of the same year, germinated, and the seedling was planted out in the following year (1.S68). The tree, accord- ingly, is now twenty-one years old, and last year bore cones for the first time. It resembles A. cephalonica more than A. Pinsapo in its habit and general appearance, and in the length, sub-distichous arrangement, and silvery tint of its leaves. Its cones also are more like those of A. cephalonica, being fusiform, brown, very stout, and showing distinctly the points of the bracts, un- like the cones of A. Pinsapo, which are the most pointless of any of the true Abies. In this it appears to follow the rule which prevails amongst hybrids of the animal kingdom, namely, that the general configuration of a mixed progeny more distinctly resembles or takes after that of the male parent. On the other hand, in the great number, length, and sloping direction of the branches the tree more closely resembles A. Pinsapo. The hybrid, as mentioned above, coned last year, but all the seeds were found to be sterile ; conse- quently, Mons. Vilmorin is still unable to solve the question of affinity, as, although mule plants are as barren as mule animal.s the sterility ot the seed in question may have been due to the circum- stance tfiat the first season's cones of Conifers hardfy ever contain any fertile seeds. It may be added that the experiment ot Mons. A'ilmoiin, interesting and valuable from a botanical point of view, has not resulted in the production ot a tree possessing any strilcing value as an ornamental subject for the pleasure ground. — Heme Jlortivole. Gaultheria Shallon. - To anyone who can spare a space ot a couple ot yards square, I cannot do better than recommend them to plant half a dozen specimens ot Gaultheria Shalton. (Jt no particular value as a flowering shrub, there is, however, much to admire in the neat evergreen leaves and wild straggling habit of the Gaultheria. Not long ago I .saw a large oval-shaped bed tilled with this plant, and a most interesting and unusual sight it presented, the bright, healthy-looking foliage and pretty h.alt-hiilden while flowers ren- dering it a cons]iicuous feature on the well-kept lawn on wliicli it was placed. As a seaside plant it is jiarticularly valuable, thriving as it does perfectly well down to within a tew yards of the water. The purplish edible fruits arc also very attractive.— A. 1). W. Pinus contorta.--.\niong tlie smaller-growirg Firs that do not as a rule attain sufficient size for their timber to be ot any value, .-md therefore need [ only to be considered from .an ornamental stand- point, must be placed this species, which forms a very h.andsome specimen, and the spread of whose branches is soliniilcil (compared with many othersb jlliat it ni;iy be planted where the larger kinds 'would outgrow the liounds allotted to them. C. April 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 309 contorta belongs to the two-leaved section of Pines, that is, those with two leaves in a sheath, which include within their number many of the European kinds, among others being our own native Scotch Fir. The leaves are rather short, but arranged thickly on the branches, and are of a deep bright green colour. The specific name (contorta) refers to the peculiarly twisted or contorted branches, which, though as long as many others, do not spread so far from the trunk. A specimen from 12 feet to 2(1 feet high usually forms a dense tree of a narrow pyramidal habit and of a deep shade of green. It is a native of the western part of North America, and is quite hardy in England. — T. WINTER-FLOWERIXG SHRUBS. Mahonia aquifolia is another dwarf-growing and favourite shrub that well merits attention, not only on account of its flowering most freely when outdoor blooms are scarce, but for its handsome and beautifully tinted foliage. Just now many of our plants are almost in full flower, more particu- larly where they are growing in warm and sheltered corners of the lawn and grounds. Occasionally we find during the dull winter months a few blooming sprays of Darwin's Barberry, although the usual flowering season of the plant is not till much later in the season. Lately I noticed a large and beauti- fully shaped specimen of this Barberry with fully a dozen of the topmost twigs thickly studded with perfectly developed flowers, but then it is well to mention that the plant was trained against a wall and in a fairly sheltered, but by no means warm position. FoRSYTHiA viEiDissiMA when in full flower is a most attractive shrub, and one that merits a greater share of attention than it usually receives. Perhaps the straggling habit of the plant is against its too frequent use in our gardens and shrubberies, but as it bears hard cutting with impunity, the long and supple branches may readily be cut back as desired. The flowers can hardly be said to be ornamental, the greenish yellow of the petals being somewhat unattractive, unless when these are pro- duced, as usually they are, in great abundance, and so as to cover the leafless twigs. We have found no difficulty in its cultivation, the plants succeeding well even in open situations and where the soil could hardly be said to be of the best quality. Erica cornea, although a shrub of small pre- tensions, is, nevertheless, one of the brightest ornaments of our rockworks and gardens. For planting along the margin of a shrubbery or wood- land walk this pretty and easily-managed shrub has, perhaps, hardly an equal, its compact and by no means stiff habit and free-blooming nature rendering it of particular value. Coming into bloom as it does in the cold and dreary winter- time, and when few flowers are to be met with, it can be used for a variety of useful purposes, and being quite hardy and unharmed by the severest frost, still further adds to its value and usefulness. Peaty soil is not, as is erroneously supposed, necessary for the perfect development of this Heath ; indeed, I have found it do quite as well in free sandy loam. Hamamblis aeborea and H. Zuccaeiniana must on no account be omitted from a list of winter- flowering shrubs, for both are plants of great beauty, and also somewhat uncommon. H. arborea has curiou.sly marked and very conspicuous flowers, these being of a light yellow with a deep claret centre, and are of large size — at least large in com- parison with those of H. Zuccariniana, which are of an almost canary-yellow. At present the latter plant is in full flower, while Hamamelis arborea was in full bloom nearly a month ago. Both are shrubs that are well worth adding to any collection, for they are tolerably hardy, of free growth, easily suited with soil, and very free-flowering, although occasionally they skip a year, but bloom with the greatest profusion during the following. Chimonaxthus fraguans grandiflobds is far more ornamental than the typical plant, the blooms being larger, of greater substance, and con- sequently more ornamental. The flowers are of a warmer and more enticing hue than are those of C. fragrans, being of a decided golden colour, with a claret-coloured centre. It is a rather uncommon plant ; at least it is rarely found even in well- arranged collections, and this is to be regretted, for it certainly well deserves a choice spot. Towards the end of December the flowers are almost at their best, but during the whole of January, and occa- sionally well into February, the blooms are thickly produced. The naked flowered Jessamine (Jasminum nudiflorum) produces its showy yellow flowers from early November right through the winter, and is a favourite of one and all. My object in bringing these winter-flowering shrubs into notice is that they may be more com- monly cultivated than at present, and likewise assigned conspicuous positions, where their pretty flowers will be brought to the front when our shrubberies look cold and bare. A. D. Webster. Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles. — M. Boisselot, writing of this Ceanothus in the Revue Horlicoln, describes it as a most charming shrub, of which the owners of pleasure grounds would do well to avail themselves, as it possesses the de- sirable qualities of hardiness and vigorous growth, and produces an uninterrupted succession of hand- some sky-blue flowers from spring to November. He recommends, as the most eflfeotive mode of planting it, that it should be surrounded by dwarf, dense-foliaged shrubs, so as to conceal the lower part of the Ceanothus, which is rather thin. The plant is cut down every winter, more or less close to the ground, in the same way as Osiers are cut down, and in the ensuing spring numerous shoots are produced from the stool. These shoots, as they extend, rest upon the dwarf shrubs which surround them, and if the season is moist are continuously laden with flowers until hard frosts set in. In a dry season the plant requires to be plentifully watered once a week. Prumnopitys elegans. — This graceful little tree or shrub of recent introduction has proved to be quite hardy in this country and in Ireland, where I have grown it with perfect success as a covert plant. It makes a very compact little speci- men, the contour of which is not unlike that of the common Yew, and as it thrives on a great variety of soils if thoroughly drained and broken up at the time of planting, and does well in smoky districts about large towns, amateurs should use it for their small gardens and Grass plots, where it forms an attractive specimen all the year round. It is easily propagated by cuttings, and as it bears pruning almost with impunity, amateurs can thereby keep it within bounds and of a suitable size and shape. This of itself is a matter of importance in all cases where the grounds are of limited extent. It is a native of A'aldivia, in South America, where it was discovered by Mr. Pearce at an elevation above sea level of from 5000 feet to GOOO feet. Its discoverer describes it as a broad, bushy shrub a few feet high, but my experience of the plant in this country is, that it forms a dense, sharply conical specimen, well furnished with small branches and twigs, which are clothed with small leaves of a bright glossy green colour. Under favourable circumstances it appears to improve both in size and shape in this country. As far as 1 am aware this is the only representative of the genus that has been intro- duced into Britain. — J. B. W. SHORT NOTES.— TREES AND SHRUBS. covering when exposed to light, sun, and rain. Tha growth of the leaf-stems is much shorter where clipping, is done every year. All kinds of vermin are more easily got rid of, and the new growth is of a much closer character than where cutting is only done every other year. It must be understood that I am referring to l\j which has been clipped for some years, as that, newly planted does not need such close clipping for a year or two. — S. Fruit Garden. The Snowdrop Tree (llalosia tetraptora).— licfnrc the planting season is at a dose. I would ask lovers ot hardy, free-flowering shrubs to give" the above a trial, for it is undoubtedly one of the handsomest and most free-tlowering of North American plants.— A. I). W. Clipping Ivy. — Now is the best time of the whole year to give the annual clipping to Ivy on walls, as the new growth will quickly he on the move. In tliis manner the shortest possible time is allowed for tlie walls to look bare, as the new growth quickly makes a MILBEW IN VINERIES. AllONG.ST the many pests requiring the watchful eye of the Grape grower mildew is one of the most insidious. The germs of this destructive disease seem ahvays to be lurking near at hand, and ready to develop so soon as tlie conditions favourable to their growth present themselves. The best security against its attack is, no doubt, good cultivation, for Vines in good health, re- ceiving careful and at the same time liberal treatment, very rarely manifest any signs of mildew. Nevertheless, so varied are the struc- tures in which Grapes are cultivated, and .so frequently does their management in many cases change hands, that it is not surprising to find this dreaded enemy rampant where least expected. Where once a bad attack has pre- vailed, its recurrence is only prevented by care- ful management of the house, and by adopting measures of precaution such as are well known to counteract it. Prevention of this disease is often an easy matter ; not so, however, is the cure when it becomes established, which takes place in a few days' time ; at least its traces can- not be effaced during the same season when it attacks the berries. In most of the cases of mildew in vineries which have come under my notice, the footstalks of the berries have been the first to show signs of the disease ; from thence it has spread to the berries. White kinds ap- pear more susceptible to it than black, although- it quickly spreads to them if not checked. Amongst the causes which directly contribute to the development of mLldew,careless ventilation is one of the most dangerous. I always con- sider that admitting air by the front ventilators during the early stages of growth is fraualit with considerable danger, more especially when this way of giving air is resorted to as a means' of lowering the temperature. It is much better to endure a high temperature for an hour or two than to lower it by admitting a volume of air at the front. Then, again, 1 have found assistants continue this practice as a matter of routine during the most unsuitable weather. If front ventilation is employed, it should bo given by means of small sliding shutters m the front wall, and then these apertures should have a permanent covering of perforated zinc. If, however, the ventilators at the top of the house are properly regulated, front ventilation can to a great extent be dispensed with till the Grapes are near the stoning period, and thus a fruitful cause of mildew be avoided. The reason why mildew is generally more prevalent in late vineries is often due, I think, to the absence of fire-heat. I am no advocate for artificial heat when that derived from n.atural sources is sufficient for the purpose, but un- hapijily in this v.-iriable clim.ite the periods when we can safely turn off all heat from the pipes in our vineries are very short. So sudden, indeed, are the changes from bright warm weather to that which is quite the reverse even in the midst of summer, th.at enough heat for warming the pipes should always be available. If not, the temperature in late vineries is apt to 310 THE GARDEN. [April 6, 1880. fall too low at a time when, with the dense shade of tht! Vines during a few days of cold, damp weather, the atmosphere will be in the best condition to develop mildew before one is aware of it. If the pipes are just kept warm, I enough heat will be generated to keep the atmosphere active and sweet and counteract the sudden change in the outside air. Mildew is often communicated to the Vines from plants growing in the same house. Roses are espe- cially dangerous on this account, owing to their susceptibility to this disease. I once had it comnumicated to the Vines in a late vinery in this manner, and had some difficulty in getting rid of it, and then not before considerable damage had been done. Now, however, by the constant use of weak soft soap and water upon the Roses, we are able to admit them into the vineries without danger, but no mUdew-affected subject should be al'.owed to remain where it is likely to impart the disease to the Vines. As a means of prevention as well as cure, sulphur in some form or other is well known to be infallible. Wherever this specific is brought into contact with the mildew its destruction is sure. It is the neglect to use so simple and inexpensive a preventive which so often entails upon us the extra labour and anxiety of battling with the pest in its active state. Where mildew has once occurred, sulphur should enter largely into the composition of any winter dressing for the Vines ; or where such dressings are not in favour, sulphur alone can be used, and will be found to adhere fairly well it mixed with strong soap water. It should also be introduced into the whitewash with which the walla are annually coated. As an extra precaution, some of the hot-water pipes should be coated with sulphur mixed with milk. Where a cure has to be effected, it is often a matter of some doubt as to the best means of applying the sulphur without spoiling the Grapes. Dusting, to be efl'ectual, must be thoroughly done, and however carefully the sulphur is washed off, some traces of the operation are sure to remain. Clear boiled sulphur water syringed on is very efficacious, but it invariably leaves some deposit upon the berries. The best mode of applying it with which I am acquainted is to the hot-water pipes, but to be effectual no half measures will suffice. Until I had occasion to deal with a bad attack of mildew, I was always fearful of tlie effect of a very strong application of sulphur in this manner, but having tried two or three mode- rately strong doses in this instance without any apparent effect, I determined to follow Mr. Taylor's advice (then of Longleat) and heat the pipes as hot as jiossible before coating them with the sulphur. With this object we turned the heat off both top and bottom everywhere except the house to be sulphured. Keeping plenty of air on this house until the time arrived for the operation — about 8 o'clock in the evening— when the ventilators were closed and the sul- phur applied to the pipes as (juickly as possible, the house was soon tilled with a bhiish vapour. In an hour's time we again opened the ventila- tors and left them open all niglit. Although I must confess I felt rather uncomfcirtable as to the result, as far as I could see not a leaf nor a berry was injured, but the mildew haotted in February and March having the benefit of increasing light and solar heat, will now require more air and atmospheric moisture : also, most likely, a supply of tepid water to the roots. The beds, too, must be carefully watched, as sun-heat sometimes causes a sudden rise, notably after watering. Should this happen, each plant must be carefully lifted or rocked to let out the heat, otherwise the soft tender roots now touching the sides of the pots may receive a check from .which they will never recover. A bottom heat of 80° to 85° in a moist fermenting bed is quite strong enough for these plants, and an air temperature of 65° at banking time, (i0° at daylight, and 80° through the day, whilst keeping them progressing, will not force the foliage in advance of the roots. Sttclters like the preceding which have not received any water since they were potted must ■now be examined and well moistened if the soil is inclining to the dry side. Plants in small pots plunged over hot-water pipes are most likely to suffer from drought, but conditions which suit them best are a sharp moist bottom-heat from fer- menting Oak leaves or tan, and an atmosjihere Tendered moist by external linings consisting of equal parts of good leaves and well-worked stable manure. If ammonia from this material can be admitted or excluded at pleasure, the slides should not be opened until a candle will burn freely in the hot-air chambers or cavities formed along the back and front of the frame or pit. Snug night covering is a great help, not only to suckers, but to plants in all stages of growth, including those now swelling off fruit. Sliading. on the other hand, should be very sparingly used, as Pines never scald where air is admitterl early and the beds maintain a constant stream of moisture. Orchard Houses. Peaches and Nectarines in the early compart- ment will now be stoning, if they have not already passed this trying ordeal, and the fruit to outward appearance will be making very little progress. Good work, however, will be goint;' on within, and once the stcincs ;ire perfect the final tliinniiig must bs made, as no excuse can be found for filching from the crop by the retention of more fruits than can swell to maturity. It is impossible to say how many Peaches a pot tree will ripen up to full ave- rage weight, but of two evils it is better to crop liglitly fur fine fruit and strong wood than to handi- cap with a number of stones sparsely clothed with pulp of inferior flavour. ' Dlshuddhifj having been carried on conjointly with tliinning, superfiunus shoots should now be few and f.ir between, but where they are likely to crowd eacli otlier, tlio.se intermediate between the one nearest the base and the leader slioukl be shortencil back and eventually removed. Vigorous trees will require constant attention to the pincli- ing of first shoots and laterals, commencing at the top and working gradually downwards, the first factor being the maiiilenanco of perfect jiyramids and bushes well set with triple bails for another year. We.ik or heavily cropped trees will not require this incessant attention, as many of the medium growths will not make more than two wood buds, one at the base, the other at the point, the removal of which will render the shoot useless as a fruit-producer next year. By way of throwing strength into these, others inclined to take an un- due share of the sap, as a matter of course, must be pinched when about 10 inches in length, laterals and sub-laterals at the first or second leaf. By adopting this give-and-take method and cropping lightly, one set of pot trees may be forced success- fully for a great number of years, that is, provided other details, such as potting, watering, and feeding, receive most careful attention. Top-dressing, one of the mainsprings of success, is commenced as soon as the fruit is set, and is continued as often as the roots appear on the surface until the Peaches are nearly ripe. Various substances of a highly stimu- lating nature are mixed and blended together, and thrown into a dry corner to ferment and dissolve for use throughout the season, but composts of this kind require careful application, as one overdose may spoil the crop and the tree into the bargain. Old night soil, cow manure, spent Hops, kiln dust, bone dust, and rich calcareous loam are recom- mended, but loam, manure, andbone dust supply all that the wood, foliage, and fruit require, whilst weak manure water, guano and soot water are invaluable for washing this mixture down to the roots, damping down, and charging the evaporating pans. Whatever is used, little and often should be the motto, and water in abundance should be used, as dry balls are fatal to fruit trees. For syri/igi7ig purposes, pure soft water, or water free from lime, answers best, as it does not leave a deposit on the fruit. Twice a day is not too often to syringe; the first time when the temperature be- gins to rise ; the second, when the house is closed with sun-heat to swell the fruit. A bag containing a peck of soot immersed in the tank improves the water, as it stimulates the foliage, produces a dark healthy colour, and keeps aphides and red spider in check. The temperature after the fruit is stoned may be raised a few degrees, but 60° at night, 70° to 75° by day, and 80° after closing, with bright sun-heat, will be found quite high encmgh, no matter how mild and genial the weather. Melons. Although the weather has not been severe, the absence of sun has rendered incessant firing abso- lutely necessary, especially where fermenting ma- terial has not played an important part in the maintenance of bottom-heat and atmospheric mois- ture, the best of all preventives of the advent of red spider. In dry pits the syringe can and must be freely used, but the conditions most favourable to the growth of early Melons are always found where the atmosphere is moist enough to enable the cultivator to dispense with its direct aid, and nothing, in my opinion, answers so well as Oak leaves in a state of fermentation and gradual decay. Assuming, then, that the bottom-heat stands S0° to 85°, and the female flowers are beginning to open, the syringe may be laid aside for the present, and fire-heat must be equal to the maintenance of a free circulation of air until the fruit is set. Under such conditions are free varieties set without arti- ficial aid, but the operation of fertilising each flower about noon on fine days being so brief and simple, no one having a desire to take advantage of every minor detail should neglect it. When the Melons have attained the size of pigeon's eggs the final earthing should be performed in time for the roots to take hold before the plants feel the strain of the crop, and then the quantity of compost should not be excessive, as the best of culture will not counteract its efl:'ect when packed round the stems. Where former directions as to planting upon cones have been carried out, this need not happen, but having been neglected, rough pieces of charcoal or lumjis of old lime rubble should be Laid round the collars before the com|)Ost, oon.sisting of strong calcareous loam and line bone-dust, is ajiplied to the roots. Feeding from this stage forward to the attainment of full size must be on a lib(;ral se.ale, and the more frequent the change from tepid liquid to guano and soot water, the better t lie jiro- gress and the liner the fruit. The heat by night should range about 70°, that bv day from so° to 85°, and 90° to 95° after shutting up'with sun-heat and a thorough syringing. Manipulation after the fruits are thinned and supported is extremely simple, and may be summed up as follows : Pre- serve every premier leaf from the crown of the pot or hill to the highest point, remove all useless spray, and pinch laterals at the first joint in ad- vance of the fruit. Successio7is in various stages of growth, with one exception, come under the details given in former papers, and that is the degree of heat which may be considerably increased, especially on bright sunny days when air can be admitted. The minimum temperature should never fall below 70°, and then slight covering, if only to prevent the escape of moisture, will be found a great help. Indeed, considering the sudden changes and in- clement weather we experience quite up to mid- summer, I question if we are more short-sighted upon any subject than that of night covering. If the introduction of a profusion of hot- water pipes produced conditions most favourable to healthy growth, fuel would form the main factor, but quite the reverse is the case, as we rarely see plants flourishing in a high dry temperature from which the external air some 20° to ()0° degrees colder is abstracting every particle of moisture. Water colder than the mean of the house dashed about at random aggravates the evil ; a bed of fermenting material to a certain extent corrects it, as vapour is constantly rising, but this, like the heat, is soon gone where the glass remains uncovered. When in free growth the plants will take liberal supplies of pure tepid water, stimulants being reserved for the swelling of the fruit, and strong pure loam pre- viously warmed must be added as the roots creep through to the surface. Frames. — Where Melons succeed forced vege- tables and bedding plants in frames, seeds of free hardy sorts should be sown at short intervals to secure extra strong plants for turning out early in May. Melon plants are not improved by remain- ing a long time on hand, the greatest evils being colonies of red spider and a pot-bound condition. As neither of these contribute to success, they should be avoided by liberal shifts into larger pots, by generous watering and syringing, and the main- tenance of top and bottoni heat from fermenting materials. Plants put out some time ago and now growing freely must be well sustained by good external linings, by the addition of more soil little and often, and beaten very firm as the roots require it ; also by very early closing with sun-heat and a gentle dewing overhead with pure water. Cover well with mats at night, pinch (he points out of the vines when within a foot of the extremities; also all spray and useless laterals at the first leaf, as all the space will be wanted for the premier foliage. Fly does not often get into frames, but if it does, smoke lightly with Bloxham's fumigator. HAKDY FRtriTS. Peaks. In my remarks last week I purposely omitted Pears, not that they are less valuable than Peaches, but simply because I was dissatisfied with the quantity and quality of the fiower-buds. When these are long, pointed, soft to the touch, and dis- play undue haste in opening, the prospect of a good crop of fruit is far from satisfactory. Some of our trees on south walls even which bore full crops last year are very sparsely budded, a condition which puts them beyond anxiety as regards the fruit ; not so the set of blossom buds for another year. Simie trees of Josephine do Malines, Winter Nelis, and Marie Louise, which cropped heavily and required a great deal of thinning, are very shy indeed. .Jargonelle and I'itmaston Duchess are thin, whilst kindred varieties I rained upon iron trel- lises are fairly full of bloom, but far from promis- ing. Haifa loaf being better tli:ui no bread, a thin blossom which almost invarial>ly sets well, that is, provided the flowers are perl'eet, is worth protect- ing from the elements, the ways and means depend- ing entirely upon the materials at command. Having already expressed my views upon what may be termed tlie rough-.and-ready or makeshift method, 1 may just repeat my faith in broad coiiing boards for throwing oil sleet and wet and double or treble fishing nets for catching lioar-frost. Through this the April 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 313 sun on fine days penetrates and is absorbed by the bricks, and althougli barely perceptible to the hand, this dry warmth often saves the crop when trees minus the coping are seriously injured. Existing flower-buds of course claim our first atten- tion, but assuming that a portion of the trees are barren, they should not be left to take care of them- selves, as the protection of the early tender leaves is an important factor in the production of future flower-buds. Some varieties of Pears which throw out shoots (i inches or more in length with a flower- bud at the end should be allowed to retain all these solitary growths until after the fruit is set, and then, provided any or all of them fail, they may be cut back to within two or three eyes of the base to form spurs close to the wall. This mode of spring shortening may be practised more or less in the most fruitful years, but the season now before us being the reverse of promising, thinning and work- ing out weak and straggling pieces of spur wood should receive special attention. Peaches, Nectaeines and Apricots, later tlian they have been for a great number of years, should now be examined every day, and if perfectly clean and free from aphis they may be left alone until the fruit commences swelling. If, on the other hand, curled leaves indicate fly or blister, those leaves, or possibly the whole shoots, .should be removed, as it is better to sacrifice some fruit than to allow insects to spread. As it is yet too early to commence the application of liquid in- secticides, all faulty leaves as they are pinched off should be dropped into the apron, carried away, and burned, when tobacco powder dredged into the parts afl^ected will "scotch" further progress until the syringe can be used. If it be true that an adult green-fly becomes a grandfather in twenty- four hours, and a promising young shoot which falls a prey to a family attack hardly ever ripens properly, the force of my remark respecting daily picking and dredging should set the most careless on the alert. Curl and blister years ago were more prevalent than they are now, and mildew often de- stroyed large trees in a single season. The cause was assigned to unpropitious weather, but our springs and summers have not improved, and yet these diseases are on the wane. To what change in our management, then, must we attribute our escape— nay, more, our jirogress .' for no one can deny the fact that open-air Peach culture has made rapid strides. Frost, wet, and cutting draughts aggravated these diseases, but the prime cause lay beneath the surface, and this, by annual root-lifting and relaying within the influence of solar heat and air in fresh compost, by thin extension training and thorough cleansing not only of the trees, but also the walls, has been removed or weakened to an extent which leaves frost at flowerirg time our greatest enemy. Here, again, thorough drainage, borders 2 feet in depth where formerly they were 3 feet, copious watering and quick growth, which in ordinary seasons ripens well — one and all tell, as perfect flowers upon ripe wood withstand with im- punity frosts which annihilate weak and imperfect ones. We do not often fertilise wall Peaches, espe- cially when the flowering period is late, and in?ects, which perform the work so well, are plentifid. as most likely they will be by the time the flowers open in April. Noblesse, Walburton Late Ad- mirable, and other large-flowered varieties gene- rally considered more tender and less fertile in pollen, are, nevertheless, improved by an occasional brush over with pollen from the old standard sorts, including Royal George Peach and Elruge Nec- tarine. If insects go before and follow after no harm can result, as we always find thoroughly fer- tilised fruits swelling to their fullest size, whilst those subject to stone-splitting when nearly ripe and dropping when forming kernels are more or less improved out of these bad habits by careful fertilisation with foreign pollen. W. C. Seedling Blenheim Orange.— Raising the Blenheim Orange Apple from pips is not pr.actised in this neighbourhood that I am aware of, nor have I ever heard of trees being raised in this manner in the western counties. SI ill there may be cases, and it would be interesting to learn from those who have raised and fruited them in this way how long it takes from the time the pips are sown until say a bushel of Apples can be gathered from a tree. It is not surprising with such a fine Apple as Blenheim Orange that cottagers, amateurs, and children should sow the pips from an extra fine .specimen. I have done the same thing when alad, and have seen the seedlings come up, but whether they ever fruited I cannot say. There is no doubt, how- ever, that some of the fine specimens of this Apple to be met with at exhibitions, in fruiterers' shops, &c., are from seedUng trees, although soil and locality have a great influence in this respect. With those who have leisure time and ground to spare, the raising of Apples and Pears from pips is to be commended, not that more varieties are wanted, but with the view of still further improving our best kinds. — A. Babkeb, Worcester. Orchids. W. H. GOWBK. FONTHIEVA MACULATA. Tuis is a member of a small gentis, which in in these days of large flowers one seldom meets with, and to me it marks a red-letter day to fuid this specie.s in two collections in one week, viz., in the garden of Sir Trevor Lawrence at Bur- ford Lodge, and in that of Mr. Tautz at Shep- herd's Bush, where it was flowering. The only time I have seen it previously was in the collec- tion in Altona, when Consul Schiller's plants were under the charge of Herr Stanger. It is a member of a terrestrial genus nearly allied to Goody era, Listera and Neottia, and it was named in honour of a M. de Ponthieu, who was inter- ested in tliese plants in the days of Sir Joseph Banks. The plant in question is a small growing species with strongly ribbed leaves, wliicli are somewhat hairy — in fact, it looks much like a Neottia. The spike is erect, many-flowered, the flowers being long-stalked and rather loosely set upon the raceme. On the one beforeme, however, there are twelve blooms, so that in a well- flowered plant the display is one of no mean pre- tensions, although altogether the flowers would not make as much show as a single Cattleya bloom of the Trianfe or Mendeli type. The blooms of P. maculata are solely dependent upon their lower sepals for ornamentation, and tliese are white, like frost, and over their surface are scattered ntunerous somewhat regular spots of brownish green. The dorsal sepal is small, erect, reddish green, streaked with deeper lines ot dull red, the petals being small, connate, stand- ing erect at the back of the column. This plant is very ornamental, and deserves to be more widely grown. The cultivationis very easy. The tubers should be planted in a mixture of loam, leaf-mould and peat made sandy. Drain the pots well and dur- ing the growing season water may be given liberally. The plant requires the heat of the Cattleya house, but after the plants have cast their leaves the pots must then be removed to the Odoutoglossum house, and at this season water must be very sparingly given. It is at tliis season that mischief is done to these and many other deciduous plants by roasting them, an idea which seems to pervade the minds of so many. The cool Orchid house will bo found to keep them quiet, and a little water occasimi- ally will keep the tubers from shrivelling. How much roasting, I would ask, do our own British kinds receive throughout the winter months I Dendrobium crepidatum. — Although this plant has been introduced to our gardens for some forty years, it is seldom met with in flower. This is much to be regretted, as it flowers about the middle of Febiuary, and proves very useful during the most dreary months of the year. I recently saw it in the Burford Lodge collection. The growths vary from a foot to 18 inches in length, and the flowers, borne on the pendent stems two and three together, are white, suffused with a lilac tinge towards the extremities; lip deep yel- low with a white tip. It is a native of Northern India.— W. Cattleya Dowiana. — The end of the month of March is a curious time to find this species in flower, yet amongst the quantity of Cattleyas now blooming, in the St. Albans Nursery a very fine variety of this beautiful plant is now in bloom, afl'ording, with its bright nankeen-yellow sepals and its deep crimson-purple lip streaked with gold, a lovely contrast to the immense quantity of C. Tiianse which still maintain their beauty. The Cattleyas in this establishment are very strong, and the manner in which they root is simply marvellous. Oncidium obryzatum.— A cool house species from Peru, which some years ago was to be found plentifully in collections, but of late it has not been so frequently to be found in bloom. I, how- ever, recently noted it flowering in the St. Albans collection in great beauty, its very fragrant bright- coloured blooms rendering it worthy the attention of all growers of cool Orchids. The spike is much- branched and profusely laden with blooms of a very bright yellow, the long narrow sepals and petals being blotched at the base with bright brown. On the claw and beneath the crest is a broad blotch of bright brown, and about the crest and on the side lobes are numerous spots and dots of the same colour. — W. H. G. Cattleya Harrisonise. — Fine examples of this plant are now producing their flowers in Mr. Sander's collection at St. Albans, and although we have now many species of this genus which far exceed it in size and in the richness of colour, this old plant is by no means unworthy of a place in the choicest collection. It is one of the very first Cattleyas introduced to cultivation, having ap- peared in our gardens upwards of fifty years ago. The sepals and petals are rosy purple, unspotted, and the lip is of the same colour, wrinkled on the surface, stained with yellow in the centre, and prettily frilled round the edge. The flowers are some 4 inches or more across, thick and fleshy in texture, and last long in full beauty. The flowers are borne three to five on a scape, and the plant when growing vigorously blooms twice in the season, for after the next growth is made flowers will be produced from it in the beginning of autumn. The ease with which this plant may be managed and its free-blooming qualities are special recommendations for it to amateurs, more particularly those just beginning the culture of Orchids. — W. H. G. Dendrobium s from Cheltenham. — From Mr. J. Cypher, of the Queen's Road Nursery, comes a magnificent lot of forms of Dendrobium nobile. Amongst them are D. n. pulchenimum; the large mass of this is truly charming ; the sepals and petals are nearly pure white, faintly tipped with m.auve ; lip white, saving the large dark blotch at the base, and with just the faintest tinge of mauve on the recurved tip. This beautiful form was origi- nally introduced to cultivation by the late Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting. D. n. giganteum. — This Mr. Cypher says is the strongest grower of all the no- bile section. The flowers are large; the sepals and petals are long, heavily sufTused with rich rosy- purple, which becomes pale towards the base; lip long and pointed, the edge in front being boldly margined wilh rosy-pur]ile and stained at the ba.se with deep maroon-purple. D. n. pendulum. — This is an old and very distinct growing kind, and its flowers are large, well coloured, broad and distinct, the upper half of the seiials and petals being heavily marked with brilliant rose-purple, which passes into white towards the base; lip large, broad and recurved at the edge, the deep purple-maroon blotch coming well forward. D. n. superbum has larger flowers than the last and the colours aie more distinct, the upper half of the sepals and petals being heavily tipped wilh rich rose-purple. 314 THE GARDEN. [April 6, 1889. the basal half white ; lip large, the blotch at the base very dark, leaving a broad border of pure white, the recurved tip being heavily marked with bright rose-purple. With the above also comes a beautiful bunch of D.Ainsworthi, which looks charmingbeside the rich colours of the last-mentioned kind. In this form the sepals and petals are pure white ; the lip is creamy-white in front, the base being heavily blotched and streaked with amethyst-red. These Dendrobes are extremely useful plants ; they make a brilliant display for a very long time, while for cutting from they are extremely valuable. Oncidium superbiens. — This is another of the 0. maoranthum section, well deserving the attention of growers of cool house Orchids, although it at present appears to be confined to the best collections. The spike grows several feet in length, branched, and many-flowered ; the blooms, although smaller than those of macranthum, measure between 2 inches and 3 inches across ; the sepals are all of a rich deep brown hue, the dorsal much the largest, petals yellow, the basal portion blotched and streaked with bright brown ; the lip, as in all this section, small and of a deep rich purple. It comes from New Grenada and thrives in the coolest house. It was recently very fine in Sir Trevor Lawrence's garden. Lycaste Measuresiana is just now exception- ally tine in The Woodlands collection at Streatham. Here likewise I find the richest-coloured forms of this plant, and it undoubtedly is the finest variation of the fine old L. plana. The sepals are of a red- dish bronze with green points ; the petals project forward and are white, this almost covered with bright rosy-purple dots, which are arranged in lines, but do not extend to the edge, and thus leave a marginal border of pure white. The lip is smaller than the petals, but similarly coloured. In the worst forms the spotting is less dense, but all are beautiful. The great number of flowers borne by a single bulb renders it a very gay and ornamental plant. It thrives best under cool treatment. — W. G. Cypripedium Hornianum.— This seedling, which was raised by and named in honour of the gardener to Baron N. de Rothschild, I recently noted flowering in Mr. Measures' collection at Streatham. It is a hybrid between C. Spioerianum and C. superbiens, with leaves faintly tessellated in the way of the last-named plant; the flowers are medium-sized, and in this respect will, no doubt, improve, as the plant was a very small one ; the dorsal sepal is white, with a very deep central band of blackish purple, and tinged with green ; the petals, freckled with purple on a light green ground, are flushed with lilac towards the edges ; the lip is of a dull lilac-purple, the incurved portion lilac, freckled with black ; staminode lilac, with a white border. This plant will, no doubt, improve by another season, and I look forward to seeing it in- troduce a fresh shade of colour to the family. — H. Cattleya Trianee Measuresiana. — This is perhaps one of the very finest forms of this species which has yet been flowered, and certainly it is the very finest coloured variety which I have seen. The bulbs are short, and, like the leaves, are deep green, the peculiar style of the plant rendering it distinct; the flower is upwards of 7 inches across, whilst the petals themselves are 3 inches in diameter. The colour is rosy lilac; lip large, beautifully frilled round the edge ; the colour on the outside of the side lobes is rosy purple, tlie front of the middle lobe being briglit clear brilliant purple, with two orange spots inside the throat, somewhat resembling a C. gigas, although, of cour.se, distinct from that plant; the rich purple mark- ings are continued along the throat to the base of the lip. Tliis unique gem is now flowering in The Woodlands collection at Streatham. — H. G. Odontoglossum Schillerianum. — By its name being associated with the Mr. Schiller, whose celebrated collection of Orchids was in existence until a few years ago, one would imagine this to be an old plant, but it was not until about six years ago that it became an inmate of our gardens, having been introduced by the Messrs. Sander, of St. Albans. It first flowered, I believe, in the Burford Lodge collection, but the finest form which I think I have yet seen was flowering a short time since with Mr. Sander. The flowers are upwards of 2 inches across ; the sepals and petals are yellow, blotched irregularly with bright brown; lip large for the flower, bright brown, with the front portion yellow. This very pretty species was discovered in Venezuela upwards of thirty years ago. — W. II. ORCHID FLOWERS FROM BATH. Fbom Mrs. Studd, 4, Royal Crescent, Bath, comes a beautiful assortment of blooms, which from their size and brilliancy of colours at once disclose the purity of the atmosphere and the condition of the plants. Amongst this group are many fine forms, to wit a grand bloom of Cymbidium Lowianum from a plant bearing ninety-eight flowers, a superb form of Odontoglossum maculatum, the plant bear- ing four spikes ; the flowers are large, measuring nearly 3 inches across, the sepals rich chocolate- brown, the petals and lip rich yellow. The lower half of the lip is transversely blotched with choco- late, marked round the edge with flaky streaks of the same colour, and spotted on the disc with reddish chocolate. I have often wondered why this beautiful plant is so sparsely grown. The gathering also includes an immense bloom of Den- drobium Wardianum measuring upwards of 4 inches across, the petals very broad, and the lip very large, deep rich orange in the centre, with the two usual spots of maroon-purple at the base — this is truly called giganteum; excellent forms of Odontoglossum triumphans and 0. Wilckeanum, the latter from a plant with thirty blooms ; a grand 0. Halli, and also of 0. luteo-purpureum, from a spike of eighteen flowers ; a magnificent flower of a dark Dendrobium nobile, almost as good as the variety called Sanderianum; numerous flowers of the beautiful hybrid D. Ainsworthi from a plant bearing upwards of 100 blooms, and which must have been a magnificent sight; an excellent variety of D. Brymerianum, its flowers large, rich yellow and the lip very heavily fringed with its mossy appendage ; and the beautiful yellow-flowered D. Cambridge- anum with a very heavy stain of crimson-maroon. A spike of bloom of the old D. fimbriatum oculatum, from a plant bearing upwards of a hundred such, is noteworthy. The spike in question bears ten of its rich orange-yellow flowers, which are heavily blotched in the lip with crimson-maroon and fringed, showing well that old plants must not be despised. Cypripediums are also well represented Ijy C. Sedeni superbum, an extremely rich-coloured form of this excellent hybrid ; C. hirsutissimum, a grand flower, large, and very highly coloured, and with a very broad dorsal sepal. If the lip of this beautiful kind was as bright as its petals it would be the finest of its race. The size of the bloom and its broad dorsal sepal lead me to suppose this is from the last importation of the Messrs. Low and Co. A very highly coloured and heavily spotted form of C. Argus and a beautiful form of the French 0. Regnieri, which is pure white, heavily spotted with bright carmine, complete the set of the Slipper Orchids. Amongst other things in this superb gathering are good Cattleya Trianie, one or two forms of Lycaste Skinneri, Dendrobium nobile splendens, Phalasnopsis amabilis, a grand Masde- vallia Veitchiana grandifiora, &c. — a truly grand box of blooms, but giving only a small idea of the beauty of the whole collection. W. H. G. SHORT NOTES.— ORCHIDS. Coelogyne eonferta.— Tlii.t tlie li]) iire streaked witii oranpe; the front of the li]) is yellow, narrowly bordored with orange, loiiviiij? n broad wliito front portion which is recurved at the tip. It is a veritable (fcui. — (J. The white Laelia anceps. — Plants of this in Sir Trevor Lawrence's collection are growing vigor- ously, and have, I believe, flowered fairly well this spring. The secret appears to be that a greater amount of heat is given these varieties than to the ordinary forms. It has occurred to me for a long time that this was required by these delicate forms, and I again beg to draw the attention of those growers of them who have not yet succeeded with them in a satisfactory manner. — W. H. G. Dendrobium Waltoni. — I have to thank the Rev. F. D. Horner, of Kirkby Lonsdale, for a flower bearing the above name, and which he says he re- ceived as a supposed natural hybrid between D. crassinode and D. Wardianum. It is not the same form referred to by me (Gabdbn, March 23, p. 232), and I cannot but think that both Mr. Horner's and Mr. Tautz's forms are but poor varieties of the superb D. Wardianum. I am quite unable to say if Mr. Horner's flower is correctly named, as I have never before seen one under that name. — W. H. G. Garden Flora. PLATE 695. L^LIA ALBIDA.* This is one of the Mexican Lselias which,baving been introduced to this country upwards of fifty years ago, has become well known to all growers of Orchids, although it is only within this last year or two that any of our gardeners have ob- tained a mastery over this species, and have been able to flower the same plant for three or four years in succession. This difficulty in cul- tivation undoubtedly arose from a want of knowledge of the climatic conditions under which the Mexican Lselias grow in a state of Nature. Now, however, we are told that these jilauts are subjected to a severe change during the year, and that there is something like 100° of difference in the temperature between the growing and the resting season. This will bring my practice and advice nearly right with these and most other kinds of Orchids, for I have long ago proved that Orchids rest in a far better manner and with better results if they are subjected to a reduction of temperature in- stead of in a dry, hot atmosphere. To the im- provement in the management of the Mexican Lailias I think horticulturists are indebted to the Messrs. Backhouse, of York, who have im- ported great quantities of these plants, and who struck out a system of treatment as nearly in accordance with their natural surroundings as could be obtained in tliis country, and their labours have been crowned with marked suc- cess. As, however, in the majority of gardens these plants are not grown in sufficient quanti- ties for large houses to be devoted entirely to them, the next best results I liave found in the following treatment: In tlie house devoted to the growth of these plants from Mexico tlie temperature should be kept at about (i.^'^ by day and 58° at night by artificial heat. In the sum- mer montlis air sliould be freely admitted, and the plants should be subjected to the full in- fluence of sunshine and light, and during this time they will re(|uiro syringing two or three times in the course of the day. .After growtli is finished the water supply must bo giiulually re- duced until at last it is stopped altogether, wlien the plants may liave a total rest for a time. Do not carry tliis drying system to the extent of shrivelling the bulbs, for in this matter, I think, lies the secret of success witli these Mexican Ladiaa, but at the same time care sliould be exercised to avoid a premature awakening. During this resting seasun the tom- peraturo by firehoat must be considerablj' re- duced, the" huat of tlio Odontoglossum hcuiso being ample, but tlie sun should bo allowed to • Drawn for TiiK (iAKUEN at Jlr. Sander's, St. Allians, January, IHS", by It. G. Moon. Lithograplied and printed by Guillaumo Sovereyns. THE GARDEN .PB.NTED i% BtuO'UM i / ^V^ i f %i "■KSS'^*:^:?/^; - L.^LIA ALBIDA. April 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 315 shine upon them at eveiy possible occasion. Lselia albida should be grown upon a raft or in a shallow basket, and these must be well drained; the plant or plants should be firmly fixed, and a small quantity of rough peat fibre and Si^hagnum Moss placed about the roots, but do not commit the too common error of overloading the roots with soil. L. ALBIDA is found growing in the neighbour- hood of Oaxaca, at an elevation of from 7000 feet to 8000 feet. It is a somewhat small-growing species, with roundish-clustered pseudo-bulbs ; these are smooth when young, becoming ribbed with age, and bearing one or a pair of leaves, which are leathery in texture and deep green. The scape is borne at the top of the bulb, and bears from five to eight flowers, which are arranged in a two-ranked fashion and are delicately fragrant with the odour of Prim- roses, and last long in beauty. Sepals and petals pure waxy-white, the latter slightly recurved at the tips ; lip obovate, being of a soft, pleasing rosy hue, and streaked with yellow in the centre, whilst the inside of the lateral lobes is veined with reddish- pink. There are several coloured varieties of this species now in cultivation, of which the following are worthy of note : — L. ALBIDA 8ULPHUKEA. — The best form of this variety which I have seen is somewhat stronger in its grovrth than the tyjjical plant, and the flowers are also larger, but in shape they are identical ; the colour of the sepals and petals is deep sulphur- yellow ; the lip is also sulphur-yellow, with a nar- row border of rose, and the disc streaked with orange-yellow raised lines, whilst the interior of the side lobes is transversely streaked with rose. L. ALBIDA BELLA. — This variety produces some- what larger flowers than the type, but they, like all the albida section, yield a delightful odour of the Chinese Primrose. The sepals and petals are creamy-white, faintly bordered with lilac; lip white, the intermediate lobe broadly bordered with deep bright rose, and bearing on the disc three ridges of rich yellow. L. ALBIDA Marianne is a form in which the sepals and petals are flesh colour on first opening, but change with age to delicate salmon colour; the lip is lilac - mauve, the side lobes streaked with yellowish buff. L. ALBIDA and all its varieties produce their flowers during the autumn and winter months, thus rendering the blooms especially valuable, and as the type is imported in large masses it has become plentiful, and thus comes within the reach of all Orchid growers. A more beautiful little gem it is scarcely possible to grow. W. H. G. the Messrs. Veitch's importations, having acci- dentally been collected and sent home from Sumatra.— H. Lyeaste Skinneri. — From a number of readers of The Garden I have received flowers of this species for an opinion, but although there has not appeared a bad one from amongst the whole con- signment, and every flower has been different, there really has been nothing to call for extra notice. It is a most beautiful species, extremely variable, and in collections which have been established suffi- ciently long the plants are found to produce an immense quantity of blooms, which last some two months in perfection. This, combined with the fact that it blooms during the winter months and grows best in the cool house, should commend it to every grower of this order of plants. — H. Cypripedium tonsum. — This species, which is not at present common, is usually notable for its want of colour, and I believe in former notices of this plant I have expressed the opinion that the absence of this detracted from its beauty. I re- cently, however, noted a departure in this direction in a plant distinguished as Jules Heyes' variety. The plant in question had the upper part of the dorsal sepal pure white, the lower portion being streaked with deep brownish purple and flushed with rose, while tlie petals were more heavily spotted with black than in the type. It is one of Flower Garden. AURICULAS— YELLOW SELFS. With reference to " W. S. B.'s " allusion to the above, Sunshine is a seedling of mine which 1 raised some years ago and gave away, and so also was Hetty Dean. Buttercup, of which I have nine plants, is a seedling of 1887. It is such a beauty, and so far ahead in yellows, that 1 re- solved to keep it, and if it is in bloom fur the London show, 1 will bring it with me. Stadt- holder 1 have grown for many years, but the more I grew of it, the more yellow sells kept ap- pearing among my seedlings, an d at last 1 gave aU my plants of it away. 1 do not know where it may be found now ; Ml'. H. Wilson, of Halifax, had the plants 1 last saw of it. Stadtholder has beautiful snowy foliage, and the flowers are of a Buttercup complexion, but of a lemon-gold. By that complexion 1 mean that the petal surfaces are not velvety, but hard and glittering. The tube is a rich gold, but beyond that, Stadtholder as a florist's flower has no good points. The paste is miserably thin and scattered, and narrow to downright meanness. It would hardly pass Standard 1. in the Auricula National School. The petals also are deeply notched aiitl have a ribby uneven surface. It is a most handsome plant in flower, making literally a golden ball of bloom erect above its snow-white leaves. 1 gave it the liberty of a wild species, and allowed it to carry all the bloom it liked to make. Yellow selfs appear to be diSicult to obtain with any- thing like the smoothness, softness, roundness of other selfs, and particularly with anything ap- proaching their dense white paste. That is why I kept Buttercup as being the only good self in yellow that I have raised. Even Buttercup is reminded of its undue influence as a parent among selfs and edges, and is removed from among them to flower. Why does " W. S. B.," with the very page before him, so carelessly misquote Mr. Douglas >. Mr. Douglas is right, aud " W. S. B.'s" dislo- cated version is wrong. As poor Artemus Ward would have said, " Why this thusnesa f Mr. Douglas (p. 005) never said that a new all- round collection could best be raised from a couple of the best Auriculas to be had. But, speaking of the self class only, he does say (and 1 agree with him) that he Would rather liave Mrs. Potts and Heroine than tlie whole dozen selfs named by " W. S. B." I would raise seedlings from thorn , and soon ho abreast of tlu^ times — In selfs, of course ! So in green edges, with two of the best green edges accessible, aud so all round the classes. I do not see how "W. S. B." could mi.ss that inference. It is simply his own misconstruction which ap- pears to him "absurd in the extreme," which we will innocently allow ! Now, give me two of the best Auriculas in each of the classes, and from my experience with the Auricula, I will say the flower would contradict " W. S. B.'s" assertion that it "would take ten years to get 100 presentable plants." Long within that time, and with oidy the old sorts to work from, 1 had many seedlings equal to the second and tliird- rates of the day. But I said nothing about them, because 1 would not turn more of such into the world, my aim with the flower being to lead it ou to the higher attainments, only to be reached from seed. But I can say that every single seedling has rei)aid the cost of raising it, not so often in complete satisfaction in classical honours, but in beauty, variety, oddity, and in- ventiveness of habit, always. Burto)\^in-Loiisdale. F. D. Horner. JACKS-IN-THE-GREEN. Probably the introduction of rich and many coloured border Polyanthuses into gardens has served to check the cultivation of these old- fashioned forms known as Jacks-in-the-green and Jackanapes. Relatively there is little difference between these assumed forms, because from seed saved from one form will come both, assuming, as is usually the case, that Jacks-in-the-green have large leaf-like sheaths surrounding the flowers, whilst with the Jackanapes, sometimes also termed Galligaskins, the sheath or calyx is much split and presents a very odd appearance. Certainly in earlier days the flowers produced by all these erratic Polyanthus forms were poor and almost inconspicuous. They were regarded as curious if not attractive, and having regard to the average quality found in garden Polyanthus flowers, were not so much out of the running. But in gardens now, the Jack-in-the-green is a great rarity. Very likely few people know that even these oddities have not escaped from the improving hand of the florist, and that in some cases seedling plants will produce flowers of fine form and rich colouring set in a huge collar of green leafage. One of the very best of this type— Crimson Beauty — certificated a few years since at South Kensington, has flowers of the best form and of a deep crimson colour, and is, indeed, in relation to the particular section of spring flowers to which it belongs, a perfect gem. It is true that, owing to the length of flower tube, as is the case with the Hose-in-hose forms, fertilisation is not free and seed is scarce, as compared with its production by the ordinary forms of the Polyanthus. I have found true Jacks-in-the- green now and then to come from the border Poly- anthus, but still rarely. On the other hand, the Jack- in-the-green will usually produce some 60 to 70 per cent, of flowers with the inordinate calyx, and some few come as ordinary Polyanthuses, The develop- ment of the green sheath or calyx into a huge green leafy ruff or collar for the flower is as odd an element in plant development as is the change found in the Hose-and-hose flowers, wherein the sheath becomes a lower floral pip. If one tithe of the attention given by some amateur gardeners to show flowers were bestowed upon these interesting spring flowers, it is impossible to indicate what charming forms may not be produced. The Hose-in-hose Polyanthuses seem to be somewhat less set in character than are the Jacks-in-the-green, for the former vary a good deal in the production of both single and twin flowers. That, however, may be to some extent due to the contiguity of large quan- tities of ordinary Polyanthuses. The plant physio- logist might find matter for an instructive paper in dealing with the three peculiar developments from ordinary form found in the Polyanthus, viz., abnormal sheath, or calyx ; the production of twin flowers, as in the Hose-and-hose ; and doubling, as found rather rarely in these plants, but more so in the Primrose. Doubling of the Polyanthus so far has been an uninteresting feature, whilst oddly enough in such allied plants as hardy Primroses, alpine Auriculas, and Chinese Primroses, we have many beautiful forms. But then these three kinds very rarely if ever indeed give those quaint forms of floral development found in Jacks-in-the-green and Hose-in-ho.se flowers. Generally the Jack-in- the-green types are robust growers, and witli ordinary care may be fairly rapi, Mr. Mel- ville, of Dunrobin Castle Gardens, mentions two acres of this in full bloom under the old trees. As this appears in The Garden of March ft it was probably written in February, or very early in March. Writing from East Anglia on March 20, this same Snowdrop is barely as yet in full bloom under trees. This seems to confirm an idea that I have formerly ventilated in The Garden, viz., that the Snowdrop is earlier in Scotland than in certain parts of England— Suft'olk, to wit. I should like also to ask Mr. Melville whether the single Snowdrop doubles at all at Dunrobin Castle. My recollection of the Snowdrop in a state of Nature in Scotch woods is that it was always single. In East Anglia in a state of Nature it is nearly always double. More singular still, here the double multi- plies fast, the single slowly, or not at all. Can any reasonable explanation be offered by botanists or others of these curious facts ? To me a Snowdrop doubled is more than half spoilt. Can it be that the single Crimean has caught a weak taint from its single sister nivalis? So much is certain, that this fine Snowdrop grew like a weed here for many years, but this last two or three it has become mifl'y, and this season we resolved to replant a number of small bullis in fresh soil. We had difficulty in find- ing a sufficiency of bulbs from tlic old beds from which we could have dug a bushel or two of bulbs a few years hence. BuUis and leaves alike also ap- pear punv, in indifferent hcaltli,and of inferior size. — D. T. F. Lathreea clandestina. — Last June I sent you fiowers of the above for naming, in doing which you remarked that this is "an extremely rare plant, probably the only established jjiece in England." Tliis being so, yon may be pleased to hear that tlu! plant is now throwing up several strong growths, and covering a space more than three times as big as was covered by it last year, for then only one piece about 4 inches across was found, and now there arc several crowns spread over about a square foot of ground, the habit it has of apiiearing at some distance awny from the original place appa- rently accounting for the name. Tliis increase is the nunc remarkable, as 1 believe the original liit was planted several years ago, but it could not have in- creased much in size till this year. Some of the readers of TnK Garden maybe interested to know the conditions under which it is growing. It was jilanted about 2 feet above the water level at the April 6, 1889.] THE GARDEN. 317 foot of a deciduous Cypress, which is growing almost at the bottom of a slope and within 6 feet of the edge of a pond. The ground about here can never be very dry, as the pond has always a good depth of water and gets the natural drainings from a garden near. The slope is covered with Grass and Moss ; the Lathniia nestles amongst this and is completely hidden till sought for, except at tlowering time. The only attention I have given it has been to pull away the Twitch Grass, which seemed likely to strangle the growths, leaving the finer Grass and the Moss. The whole growth is very curious at present, being of a creamy white with just a little purple head — the coming flowers — at the axils of what may be called the leaves. In shape it reminds me most of the tip of an open Spruce cone. The flowers are very much like those of a rosy purple Crocus in shape, height, and general appearance. They come in bunches, and might easily be mistaken for a clump of Crocus if not caretally looked at. All the new growths are made farther away from the tree and nearer the water than that of last year, a significant fact that may well be remembered by anyone trying to establish this very curious and remarkable plant. — J. C. Tal- LACK, Livermere Park. Clematis Madame Furtado Heine. — A new variety of Clematis, which promises to prove an important acquisition to the hybridist, is announced in the Revue Horiicoh'. Hitherto the only Clematises which bloomed more or less continuously until stopped by the early frosts were the various coloured varieties of C. lanuginosa, but the new Clematis, Mme. Furtado Heine, raised by M. Christen, nurseryman, at Versailles, will doubtless be the means of intro- ducing adistinct race of large-flowered continuously- blooming forms of this genus of plants. The new- comer is the ofEspring of an improved form of C. lanuginosa crossed with C. Viticella rubra grandi- fiora, the latter being the pollen-parent. It pro- duces very large symmetrical flowers of a vinous red colour with crimson reflections. The plant is of vigorous growth and remarkably free flowering, and is well adapted for embellishing walls and arbours, especially when planted in soil that is of good staple, sandy, moist, and half-shaded from the sun from ten a.m. to four p.m. It is propagated from cuttings or by grafting. The cuttings are taken from young wood of the current year, placed in heath soil under a cloche and rooted in a pro- pagating house without artificial heat. When grafting is employed the scions are side-grafted or cleft-grafted on pieces of root, which are then planted close together in the open ground, or they may be planted in pots and placed under cloches, where a union of the graft soon takes place. Clematis Madame Furtado Heine will be sent out by M. Christen in the course of next May. Yellow ground Carnations. — I am pleased to see that at the annual exhibition of the Carna- tion and Picotee Union, which is to take place as usual in Mr. E. S. Dodwell's garden, Stanley Road, Oxford, on Tuesday, August (J, prizes are to be offered specially for yellow ground Carnations. Three new classes have been added, one for six blooms of Mr. Gye's Kilraurry yellow ground seed- lings, for which nine prizes are given out of a special prize fund, not less than three blooms to be dissimilar ; also a class for six blooms, any raiser's flowers, these to be dissimilar ; and nine prizes are also offered, and eight prizes are awarded for one bloom only. These prizes should bring a thorough representation of a beautiful class that is rapidly increasing in the number of varieties. A note ap- pended to these classes states that the judges are instructed to award these prizes to the best and most effective flowers, whether selfs or with mark- ings, and whether the markings be longitudinal or curvilinear, or of mixed charater. This wide range should secure a thorough representation of the yellow varieties, and as the demand for the Kil- murry seedlings has been large — should the season prove favourable — a large number of flowers will be certain to be staged in competition. There is one great advantage in having the exhibition in Mr. Dodwell's garden ; his large collection is in bloom at the same time, and visitors have the opportunity of inspecting the habit of growth of any particular variety they may fancy. Generally, it may be saiil of the newer yellow ground varieties that they are of robust growth, and therefore of comparatively easy culture. Germania, Will Threlfall, Amber, Jlrs. Reynolds Hole, Almira, Annie Douglas, Agnes Chambers, Colonial Beauty, Dorothy, Miss Proc- tor, and the Kilmurry seedlings among others come under this description, so that there is no lack of vigorous growing varieties. At the meeting of the Oxford Union, for the first time the premier yellow ground flower will be selected, and the selection will he made from all classes of yellow grounds. — E. D. FLOWER GARDEN NOTES. Pyeethrl'MS. — There are few hardy perennials that do so well as Pyrethrums under the most ordi- nary conditions both of soil and situation. As regards the former, we have them planted in light sandy loam, that may be described as poor and dry. as well as in a low-lying, damp position, and, ex- cept that in the flowering season those in the light soil require an occasional watering, there is really little difference either in the growth or flowering of the plants. Those in the damp soil are somewhat more vigorous and the flowers continue longer in perfection, so that of the two the moist, heavier soil is to be preferred. As to varieties, they are so numerous and many of them so nearly alike, that I long since gave up the preservation of names. Of a large collection of named kinds, bought some five or six years ago, the names have all been allowed to disappear, and with that disappearance the bother and labour of labelling without any diminution of beauty. The variety of colour is great, ranging as it does from pure white to the deepest maroon. The double - flowered forms are most generally grown, and are, I think, the most telling border flowers. The single varieties are very good, and for use as cut flowers are more telling than the double forms, which being weighty do not show themselves in the vases as do the lighter single flowers. More- over, the single-flowered forms grow so freely that plenty of greenery (their own foliage) can always be cut to arrange with the blooms, and the foliage being light and Fern-like, it should be used in pre- ference to any other green. The finely-cut foliage and dense tufty growth of all the kinds, even when not in flower, render them excellent subjects for herbaceous borders. As to increase of stock, nothing is more easy, as a moderate-sized tuft will make half-a-dozen nice plants. The best way of doing this is to lift the plants entire, and with a sharp knife cut up the tufts. Replant firmly at once, water well, and the plants will at once start into growth. Some clumps that we have just done we expect to flower by the end of June and onwards. Most excellent kinds can be had from seed sown now in the open border or in handlights. If the seedlings are pricked out on a warm border and planted out finally in the autumn, abundance of flowers may be had next year. Ibis. — The several sections of Iris are so puzzling to all but experts in hardy flowering plants generally, that it would be well could a plan be devised for giving to the various sections a dis- tinctive name by which the nature, habit, and flowering season of the various groups could be understood. I know for a fact that many other- wise good gardeners are only able to recognise as Irises the germanica section (Flag Iris). The bulbous sections, English and Spanish, are by many unknown, though now that the revival of hardy flowering plants has made it profitable to insert these in bulb catalogues they may in future be expected to become popular. Irises of the ger- manica section are, 1 think, the most useful both as border plants and for cutting, and the ready manner of their increase, together with their doing well in all descriptions of soil, make them accept- able plants for every garden. The thick fleshy foliage and roots betoken their moisture-loving propensity, and therefore if there be one part of the hardy plant borders more moist than another, there should the German Flag be planted. The varie- ties of the recently introduced Ksempferi section are veritable gems and are as amenable to division of the roots and adaptability for any sort of garden soil as those of the first-named section. A sunny aspect and abundant moisture are necessary to the perfect development of the plants and especially of their flowers. I have had many of the flowers 9 inches across and the foliage fully a yard in length. Of the Siberian dwarf early-flowering sections, my experience does not warrant mewriting, but my impression is tliat they are too small, and in bad weather so liable to prove a failure that they are never hkely to become popular spring-flowering plants. They are, however, so beautiful as to be worthy of any amount of pains by those who have time to attend to them. We have lately been taking offsets from those of the germanica and Ka;mpferi section to plant in the Hardy feexery in places where the Ferns do not as yet furnish the ground. The moisture will be ample to the well-doing of the plants, but, un- fortunately, sunshine will be at a discount and flowers poor; but at any rate the plants will be growing larger and enable us to increase our stock of plants, which will in due time be wanted. The DorBLE season— if I may call it so — that we get out of our small hardy fernery would, did labour admit, be largely extended — I mean as to space. For the most part the Ferns are deciduous, and from time to time plants and bulbs have been planted amongst the Ferns, so that from February till new Fern fronds push there is constant gaiety. We began with Snowdrops and shall end with wild Hyacinths and Forget-me-nots. Winter Aconites, Daffodils, Primroses, Crocuses, Arabis, wood Ane- mones, Violets, kc, all help to heighten the gaiety. I ought to add that the green and variegated Peri- winkles, a few Retinosporas and Euonymuses add materially to the effect of the flowers. Some few of the Ferns where the rain has washed away the soil would be all the better for a dressing of fresh material, but circumstances hinder its application, and they must wait another season. General work. — A well-kept lawn is the first requisite to the enjoyment of a flower garden ; coarse Grass, weedy, or Moss-grown walks, uncut edgings, and weedy borders spoil the enjoyment of the rarest flowers, and rather than that such a state of matters should prevail it would be better to curtail gardens within limits that means can be afforded to keep in perfection, and let the re- mainder go. The enjoyment of the little, done well, would be infinitely more than would that of the whole in an untidy state. Too large gardens are by no means the least of the troubles that practical gardeners have at present to contend with. It is now safe to sow annual flowers in the open borders, and here the same remark applies : a few well done will give greater satisfaction than numbers of varie- ties that lack of labour hinders due attention being paid them. Sweet Peas, Mignonette, Candytufts, Eschscholtzias, Silenes. Nemophilas, Larkspurs, Lupines. Poppies, Scabious, and Salpiglossis are about all we attempt, and these we strive to have good. The manner of sowing is all-important. The soil should be made fine and the seeds sown evenly in drills an inch deep, then filled in with light, finely sifted soil and pressed firmly. Slugs are the only foe to this mode of raising seed- lings, and they object to cross rough sawdust and cinder ashes, either of which should surround the little plots, then success is assured. Bedding plants pot off as struck and seedling subtropical plants should from the first be brought up sturdily by being given plenty of room and a place as near the glass as possible. W. Wildsmitii. SHORT NOTES.— FLOWER. Narcissus nobilia.— In my n"ti>s ou this variety, iiM page 2rr. I appear to say that " five " new Daffo- iWU are to he found in the Auvergne. I meant to write " tine " Dafl'odils, the specimens sent, only one or two hi number, being of large size. I'lease allow this eorreetion t