68 TIIK FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [March, 



rapid upward extension of tlie plant, to wliich for a time its energies are now 

 principally directed. As it increases in size, the regularity of the fine symme- 

 trical form which it generally assumes in its young state is broken ; the result 

 is one of the finest gems we possess as a really ornamental tree." — T, Mooee. 



GARDEN LITERATURE. 



N Mr. D. Thomson's book on Fruit Culture under Glass*, those who are 

 ^j$^ interested in this branch of horticulture, will find trustworthy instructions 

 g^J) for the culture of all our more important tender fruit crops, including pines, 

 ^^ gi-apes, peaches, nectarines, figs, naelons, strawberries, and cucumbers. 

 The object of the work is to supply a deficiency in our garden literature. Before 

 it appeared, there was no book of moderate size in which the forcing and general 

 culture of these fruits collectively, was discussed. No one was more competent 

 than the author to supply this deficiency ; and in adding that he has produced 

 a book extremely convenient as to size and arrangement, and no less clear as to 

 its directions, and sound as to the advice it offers, we intend no matter-of-course 

 compliment. The instructions given will enable amateur cultivators to gain an 

 insight into the practical details of culture necessary to arrive at success ; and 

 they will be even more useful to young gardeners who are really desirous of 

 mastering their profession, since they may here find materials to lay a broad and 

 solid foundation upon which to heap up the results of their own patient and 

 persevering observations. Considerable space is devoted to calendarial directions, 

 indicating the principal monthly attentions required in the case of each of the 

 fruits above named. It is a standard book of its class. — T. M. 



GARDEN GOSSIP. 



'HE parasitical Loranthus europcpus, a European relation of our common 

 Mistleto, has been established on the Oak in the Glasnevin Botatoic Garden. 

 Dr. Moore, to whom the credit of this horticultural feat is due, after repeated 

 trials and failures when the seeds were placed in contact with the old bark and 



tho alburnous "wood, at last adopted with success the following modus operandi : — The soft bud of 

 a young shoot of the previous year was gently bruised and the seed of the parasite inserted in 

 tho centre of the partially bruised bud. Two seeds thus planted grew, one on the Common 

 Oak, the other on the Turkey <}ak. This occurred in January and February of 1870, and 

 though the progress of the j^lants has been slow, about a dozen leaves were formed last year 

 by each of the plants. The success of the experiment is therefore assured. 



Another Chinese Cucumber, named Toong Qwa, and supposed to be a 



form of Benincasa cerifera^ has been introduced to our gardens by Mr. Temple, 

 from Foo Chow, where it is largely used as an article of food. 



^N example of the handsome winter-blooming Clematis indivisa lobata 



was exhibited recently by Messrs. Standish and Co., and attracted much attention. 

 The specimen was trained to an oval wire frame, and was thickly covered with 

 clusters of largish creamy- white flowers with coloured centres. It appeared likely to make a 



* ffandy-Book of Fruit Culture under Glass. By David Thomson. Edinburgh and London: William 

 Blackwood & Sons. 



