6 



THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 



[ January, 



them in the condition of the most delicious sweetmeat. But to have Figs worth. 

 eating, we must have — as in every other kind of fruit — sorts worth growing, and 

 among these there is one brought to our notice by Mr. Fleming, of Cliveden, 

 which is one of the most remarkable in size, quality, and fertility, it has been 

 our fortune to meet with. The following figure and description from Hogg's 

 Gardeners Year-Book will convey to our readers an idea of this superb fruit : — 



" This is a noble-looking Fig, and one of high merit. The fruit is of the largest size, 

 oblong obovate or pyriforru. Skin jet black, marked with longitudinal ribs extending the 

 •whole length of the fruit. Eye open, and generally with a globule of syrup dropping from 

 it when quite ripe. Stalk Bhort. Flesh pale red, very tender and juicy, with a rich, thick, 



and highly-flavoured juice. When highly ripened, the flesh and skin together become quite 

 melting, and form a most delicious sweetmeat. This variety is in the possession of Mr. 

 Fleming, of Cliveden, who exhibited the fruit at a meeting of the Fruit Committee last 

 autumn. In a communication from Mr. Fleming he says, ' Out of twenty sorts from the 

 Spanish frontier, this is the only one that has fruited. The habit is good, and for growing in 

 pots it is unequalled by any other Fig I know. The plant from which the fruit was gathered 

 was grown in an 8^-inch pot, and brought to perfection three dozen fruit weighing from three 

 to four ounces each.' " H. 



DENDROBIUM NOBILE FOR WINTER BLOOMING. 



./iLTONSIDEEIrTG that nearly every gardener in Great Britain and Ireland is 

 $$$) expected to supply cut flowers and flowering plants for decorative pur- 

 vey poses, it is surprising that such plants as Dendrobium nobile and its 

 \9° varieties should not be more frequently grown, especially for the supply 

 of winter and spring flowers. Even when there is no plant stove proper, 

 these Dendrobes may be grown and flowered every season in profusion, if such 

 houses as vineries are at command. 



The early spring, when the plants commence to grow, is the proper time to 



