342 THE GARDENER. [July 1879. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should he 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. 



J. M. — From an examination of the leaves of your Vines we cannot discover 

 symptoms to account for their coming so suddenly to a standstill and ripening 

 their wood so very prematurely as you describe. Evidently, however, they 

 must have got some sudden check, and the Hamburgs — being less robust in 

 constitution than Alicante — have suffered most. Did you introduce any Vines 

 among the old ones when you replanted ? The roots and border being in such 

 good condition would indicate that the cause was not there. But seeing the 

 bad state you found them in, and considering the judicious course you have 

 taken with them, they may ripen their crop and do better next year. 



Alfred Low. — We have tried Speed's insect annihilator, and find its effects 

 on mealy-bug, scale, and thrips, &c, to be exactly what is claimed for it. It 

 is, moreover, so thoroughly safe an application, that to inexperienced amateurs 

 especially it must prove invaluable ; for it does not injure the tenderest plant 

 when applied according to directions. The same we can also say of Speed's 

 remedy for mildew, and its effects are instantaneous. 



Maude. — The following Violas are all excellent for bedding purposes :— Pur- 

 p^s, or Purplish Blues — Tory, Holyrood, Alpha. Yellows — Perpetual Yellow, 

 Gem. Whites— Purity, White Perfection. We never recommend tradesmen 

 in these pages. Apply to your ordinary or local nurseryman, who, if he has 

 not got them, can easily procure them for you. 



J. Wills. — Owing to a press of matter we cannot make room for Eeport of 

 the Proceedings at Albert Hall Meeting, &c. 



A Reader. — The greenhouse plant is Abutilon Thomsonii. The shrub was 

 in so battered a state — in a dry wooden box, without any packing to keep it 

 fresh — that all we can make out concerning it is that it belongs to the Cru- 

 ciferse. Send fresh specimen, properly packed. 



N. C. — It is not mealy-bug, but a small silvery-winged fly, that infests 

 your Vine leaves. Tobacco-smoke destroys it ; but be careful not to fumigate 

 too strongly, or the softer-leaved sorts of Vines may suffer. 



Several communications on heating by hot water must be held over till next 

 month for want of space. 



ERRATA. 



In our report of the " Scottish Horticultural Association " in our May issue, 

 Pilea muscosa nana is represented as having been exhibited by Mr Forman, 

 florist, Dalkeith ; the plant was however exhibited by Messrs Ballantyne & 

 Sou, Dalkeith. 



