1869. ] WHITE CALVILLE APPLE. ATACCIA CRISTATA. / / 



in the world, though to realize the full effect one might have to wait a couple of 

 generations — a mere bagatelle ! M. 



WHITE CALVILLE APPLE. 



HIS is a fine Apple, and the trees are of vigorous habit, both on "paradise" 

 and "free" stocks, but why it should have been so much cried up of late 

 years completely puzzles me. It is good in flavour ! Yes ! I don't 

 object to that. It is delicate in texture ! Yes ! I will admit that. It 

 is peculiar in shape ! Yes ! this is another of its recommendations, and not the 

 least commendable in these times, when appearances are accepted for so much ; 

 but it bears no comparison with Bleinheim Orange or Ribstone Pippin, with 

 Cockle Pippin and Gooseberry Pippin, or with a hundred more excellent English 

 and American Apples which keep sound and retain their flavour and appearance 

 to the last, without becoming discoloured, spotted, and rotten at the core. White 

 Calville Apples at Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d. each, are too dear. The same price per 

 dozen is more equitable, according to my notions of comparative merit. 



Jersey. 0. B. S. 



ATACCIA CRISTATA. 



'OMETLMES I am asked why I have such a fancy for growing curious- 

 looking things. My answer is, that the wonderful and singular forms of 

 the Vegetable Kingdom are equally deserving of attention with those that 

 % are clothed in the most attractive and beautiful colours, — even more so, 

 for they possess a beauty of their own, and always command the attention of 

 even the least observant. There is probably no plant in the whole vegetable 

 kingdom that produces more singular flowers than Ataccia cristata. It is not 

 easy to describe it, and the other members of its family, to those who are 

 unacquainted with botany, since they differ essentially from all other plants. 

 When not too much shaded, and grown near the glass, the whole flower 

 (except the drooping sterile peduncles, which are white) is purple, of different 

 shades, the erect portion of the involucre much paler than the other parts, and 

 wonderfully transparent. The inflorescence altogether has a most singular 

 appearance. 



This Ataccia is a native of the Malay Islands, and is found in swampy 

 places. Hence it requires a strong heat, and a constant and abundant supply 

 of water — though it must never be too much drenched, or its roots will rot 

 even in the most porous soil — accompanied by efficient drainage. The best 

 fibrous peat should be used for it, with sufficient sand and broken crocks in the 

 soil to let the water drain off freely. I find it is impatient of too much pot- 

 room : an 8-in. or 10-in. pot will be sufficient for a large plant. It will stand as 

 much heat in summer as any plant in cultivation, — not that it absolutely requires 



