490 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 1871. 



T, P. — The best early-forcing Peaches are Stirling Castle, Violette Hative, and 

 Koyal George. These can be ripened by the middle of April. Walburton's Late 

 Admirable and Barringtou are two good late sorts. We have gathered the Admir- 

 able under glass as late as October 24th in East Lothian. 



Allamandas. — "Will some of your correspondents kindly give us a chapter on 

 AUamandas, especially the Allamanda cathartica, as we have plants here, both old 

 and young, but neither flower as I think they ought ? — E. W. 



[Will any of our correspondents favour us with their experience ? — Ed,] 

 Pine-Apple. — Smooth Cayenne and Charlotte Eothschild are two of the best 

 winter Pines, and can be kept for weeks after they are quite ripe. White Provi- 

 dence is not worth growing unless it be a very few plants where room is no object. 



P. A. — Any respectable nursery firm can supply you. We never recommend 

 tradesmen. 



W. E. B. — The best trees for standing the sea-breeze, and otherwise best for 

 your purpose, are Pinus austriaca and P. maritima. Sea Buckthorn is the best 

 of all seaside plants, but not so appropriate for an avenue. The only herbs suit- 

 able for a cold frame in winter are the ordinary culinary herbs, such as Thyme, 

 Sage, Savory, &c. Sow Parsley in April, and plant in frames in June or July for 

 winter supply. Hardy evergreen plants fit for table decoration are email plants 

 of Thuja aurea, Cupressus of sorts, especially Lawsoniana, berried Aucubas, Skim- 

 mia japonica, Yucca recurva pendula, Myrtles. 



Rev. H. E. — It is generally considered that the blue flowers of the Hydrangea 

 are caused by the presence of oxide of iron in the soil, and peat impregnated with 

 this mineral causes the blueness regularly. Your best way is to test several 

 samples of soil. 



T. F. — The best way to propagate Golden pyrethrum is from seed. It is much 

 more disposed to bloom from cuttings, and does not make such fine foliage. This 

 is a fine plant for decorative purposes, but it is much too lavishly used in many 

 instances. 



A Subscriber. — Cut the tops of your Drtecenas and insert them in small pots 

 in light sandy soil, and plunge the pots in a bottom-heat of 80°. Keep moderately 

 moist and shade from sun. The old plants will break with several young shoots, 

 which can be rooted in like manner. Propagation is also eff'ected by taking the 

 thick knobs formed by the roots and putting them in sandy soil in bottom-heat. 

 Keep the temperature for the plants you name at 65° at night throughout autumn 

 and winter. 



J. Gayton. — Shanking in Grapes is caused by several conditions. See our 

 reply to another correspondent on the same subject. It is not easy for us to 

 say what in your case is producing it, unless we are furnished with more particu- 

 lars than you state. 



A Young Hoeti. — Must let us have your name and address before your com- 

 munication can be noticed. 



H. PiGGOT. — I shall be obliged if you could find room in 'Gardener' for full in- 

 structions to enable amateur to grow Anthurium Scherzerianum, including the time 

 when it should be dormant, when it should be growing, and when it should 

 flower, the quantity of watering, and the temperature of houses and of water, &c. 



[Will any of our correspondents oblige us with a paper on the culture of this 

 Anthurium 1— Ed. ] 



A. T. Thomson. — Plant your Carnations out at the end of March or beginning 

 of April. 



