314 THE GARDENER. [Julv 



IMANTOPHYLLUM MINIATUM. 



This is a grand spring plant, and not so much grown as it ought to be. 

 When grown in G and 8 inch pots, they are found most useful for 

 decorative purposes when in bloom. 



After flowering in early spring, if the plants are getting large, break 

 them up, putting them into pots the sizes mentioned, using good 

 fibry loam, leaf-mould, a little silver sand, with a few pieces of char- 

 coal. The pots should be clean and well drained, as when in active 

 growth liberal supplies of water must be given. "When potted, let all 

 be placed in a temperature about 60°, shading from bright sun until 

 taken to the fresh shift, when daily attention in watering and syrin- 

 ging throughout the season will be required. They will soon start into 

 growth, and make nice plants if not kept too close nor shaded. Those 

 that are intended for larger plants ought to be shifted on into larger 

 pots whenever the roots have all reached the sides of the pots, as they 

 should never be allowed to get matted. Place them in the same house, 

 and give them the same treatment. Those that have not been shifted 

 should be assisted with weak manure-waterings. As the autumn 

 advances, water to a certain extent should be withheld, at the same 

 time reducing the temperature gradually to about from 40^ to 45*^ ; in 

 this they will stand all through the depth of winter, requiring little 

 attention, except an occasional watering, as they must not be allowed 

 to get too dry. In spring a few might be placed in a warm house to 

 induce them to throw up their flowers a little earlier than the general 

 stock. When allowed to flower in a cool house the flowers are richer 

 in colour, and last much longer than those that have been forced. It 

 is also a most useful thing to cut from, and, like the Gladiolus, opens 

 its blooms after being cut and placed in water. 



SOME REMARKS ON THE POTATO IN HEALTH 

 AND DISEASE. 



It will be remembered by those gardeners who read the ' Horticultural Trans- 

 actions ' of 1828, that the President astonished the ordinary plodders in the 

 cidture of this tuber by his siiperior culture of the plant, and its extraordinary 

 I)roductiveness under liis directions. A strong kind which he obtained from 

 the Society, called Lankman's, he cultivated, and the produce was at the rate 

 of 539 bushels, of 82 lb. to the bushel, per acre ; and from the Old Ashleaved 

 Kidney, he obtained at the rate of 695 Inishels per acre, of 82 lb, to the 

 bushel. 



" No one " would believe JMr Knight's statement. Mr Loudon wrote against 

 it ; but I believed it, as I had assisted to take up a crop of Potatoes in the north 

 of England which was at the rate of 18 tons per acre. This was done long be- 

 fore the ' Gardeners' ^Magazine ' started, and at a place where the great philo- 



