MAY. 149 



butts of water, so that it is impossible for the frost to come through at the top. 

 The room is eutered by a trap-hatch, which is shut down air-tight. The room 

 is fitted all round with shelves, and I never use anything but old newspapers to 

 lay the fruit on. 



" A stoke-hole and boiler for Vinery are fitted up under the room, and by 

 opening the trap-door of the Apple room, and shutting the door of the stoke- 

 hole, the frost can be kept out, and the room at what temperature it may be 

 desired." 



Mr. Divers sent a collection of 20 dishes of Apples, all kept in a fruit 

 room on wooden shelves, covered with paper, and generally in good 

 condition. 



Of Grapes, Mr. Cooper, the Palace, Armagh, Ireland, sent two 

 bunches of a black variety, very plump, fresh, and good flavoured, but 

 without name. It was considered very closely to resemble Lady 

 Downs' Seedling, but was thicker-skinned, and more oval in berry. 



FUCHSIAS FROM SEED. 



The majority of Fuchsias ripen seed freely ; but, unless they are 

 hybridised, it is almost waste of time to sow it, for the flowers so 

 produced are seldom equal, and more frequently inferior, to the parent 

 plant. The operation of fertilising is easily performed on the Fuchsia, 

 the pistil being prominent, and the pollen plentiful. In selecting plants 

 for hybridising, it is necessary to bear in mind that those bearing the 

 seed will communicate their habit to the seedlings, although the plants 

 from which the pollen is taken may be of indifferent habits, provided 

 the flowers have good properties. Having selected the flowers intended 

 to be fertilised, cut out their stamens as soon as they open, and, when 

 they are fully expanded, apply the pollen from their flowers, the 

 properties of which you wish to impart : tie something round them to 

 distinguish them from the others, and, when they are ripe, the seeds 

 may be separated from the pulp by washing them out in clear water ; 

 the good seed will sink to the bottom. 



The seed may be sown in spring, in a pot of light soil, and placed in 

 a greenhouse ; they do not require much heat to vegetate them ; at 

 least I have found them come up quite as well, if not better, without 

 it, and the plants so produced are much stronger than those raised in a 

 higher temperature. As soon as they are of size to handle nicely, pot 

 them singly in small pots, and place them in a light airy situation ; if 

 they are grown in a close atmosphere, it tends to draw them out weak 

 and lanky, so that the true habit of the plant is not seen ; shift them 

 into larger pots when necessary ; a 4 or 6- inch pot will be large enough, 

 as large shifts only tend to keep them growing, and retard their 

 flowering ; they should never be topped or pruned until they flower. 

 The principal object is to mature their growth quickly, so that the 

 flowers may be seen as soon as possible. Many of them will bloom the 

 same season ; after they have done growing, and the foliage drops off, 

 they should be sparingly watered, and be kept almost dry all winter. 

 The following spring, water them freely, and, when they show signs of 



