102 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 1879. 



Ilotkcs to (torespon&Mte. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should be addressed to 

 the Publishers, and communications for insertion in • The Gardener ' to David 

 Thomson, Drumlanrig Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. It will further 

 oblige if all matter intended for publication, and questions to be replied to, 

 be received by the 14th of the month, and written on one side of the paper 

 only. It is also requested that writers forward their name and address, not for 

 publication unless they wish it, but for the sake of that mutual confidence 

 which should exist between the Editor and those who address him. We decline 

 noticing any communication which is not accompanied with name and address 

 of writer. 



We have to thank several correspondents for their valued papers, unavoidably 

 postponed for want of space. 



Gardener. — Rasps ought to do well with you on a north border — much 

 better thau in the garden quarter, where you say the soil is loose and light. 

 Manure and work the ground well, and afterwards never dig, but spread the 

 manure on the surface and merely fork the surface, mixing in the manure with 

 the surface soil, but never disturbing the roots. 



E. St A. — Divide your Christmas Ptoses either in autumn or immediately 

 they are done flowering — the latter time is probably the best. A loamy soil 

 of medium character as to stiffness suits them best, and they do well in slightly 

 shaded positions, but are not particular in the latter respect. 



J. H. — A paper on Violets in our next issue. 



Correspondent, Portree. — The saddle is considered one of the very best 

 forms of boilers, and certainly we do not advise you to take it out. There must 

 be something connected with the arrangement of the pipes, or the flues round 

 the boiler, but what the fault is we cannot say unless you send us a correct 

 plan of the pipes and boiler, or describe them. A very small saddle-boiler 

 would heat four times 120 feet of pipes. 



C. B. A. — No. 1, Elreagnus japonica aurea ; No. 2, Andromeda floribun da ; 

 No. 3, Without flowers cannot determine ; No. 4, Hedera Helix tricolor. 



R. H. — Try paraffine at the rate of six dram-glasses to four gallons of water. 

 Keep it well mixed when applying it for the ants. We are presuming that 

 there are no roots in the way. Also lay down flat pieces of soft glazier's putty, 

 to which they will go in thousands, and can there be destroyed. 



Vera. — We cannot say what is the cause of your Crocuses coming up as you 

 describe. They will probably come right by-and-by. 



R. E. S., Laurencekirk. — The following are 24 Gladiolus, all for exhibition 

 varieties: — Grace Darling, Marshal Bazaine, Lycoris, Octavie, Ossian, Rosa 

 Bonheur, Sir J. Paxton, Dr Hogg, Duchess of Edinburgh, Le Vesuve, Scopas, 

 Sir G. Nares, Horace Vernet, A. Verschaffelt, Rev. J. Berkeley, Queen Mary, 

 Hercules, Astree, Virginalis, Eurydice, Princess Mary, Michel Ange, Shakes- 

 peare, Sappho. 



Amateur will find the following 12 early and 12 late Phloxes well worthy 

 of his attention : — 



12 early-flowering : Forerunner, Lady Musgrave, Mrs James Young, Mr 

 Archibald Fowler, Mauve Queen, Beauty, Gem, Mrs Hunter, Dowager-Duchess 

 of Athole, Luna, Magnum Bonum, Swan. 



12 late-flowering : Alexander Shearer, George Smith, Uncle Andrew, John 

 Anderson, Thomas Peacock, Vesuvius, Chanzy, Coccinea, Madam Maissoneaux, 

 Mrs Aberdeen, Kesplendens, Oscar Beyer. 



