516 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



border at its extreme front, and 6 inches below the lowest level of the 

 concrete. In order to make sure of the most perfect drainage, lay 

 tile-drains at right angles with this main drain, up to the back of the 

 vinery, at every 8 feet. Over the whole surface of the concrete, and 

 covering the tile-drains, spread a layer of broken bricks, road-metal, or 

 round gravel with all sand sifted out of it, to the depth of 8 inches. 

 Finish off with a sprinkling of smaller gravel, and a turf, grassy side 

 downwards, over the whole surface. The site is thus ready for the 

 border. The slope of the site, and soil, drains, &c., can be seen at a 

 glance in fig. 18. 



On what may be termed healthy gravelly subsoils in dry localities, 

 where water neither stands nor rises, such extra care in drainage is not 

 absolutely necessary. Eut where there is the least chance of there not 

 being a ready and immediate escape for water, no hesitation should 

 ever be allowed as to the necessity of draining as has been directed. 

 I have never seen Vines do well in wet, and as a consequence cold 

 borders, and know of instances where wet and unproductive borders 

 have been rendered fruitful by perfect drainage. Although the A^ine 

 in a growing state requires much moisture, it will not put up with 

 stagnant water at any season. 



CALCEOIiAIlIAS. 



Could you or any of your numerous correspondents assign the cause 

 of our Calceolarias going off since being planted out ? Aurantia 

 multiflora was planted out with balls four inches square, and well 

 watered before the holes were finally filled in, and to all appearance 

 plants could not have been more healthy ; but in a few days after 

 being planted, they commenced to drop off in twos and threes, and still 

 are going, and if they continue going at the same rate, there won't be 

 one left before the end of the season. Upon minute examination no 

 trace of any insect can be found. The disease seems to affect the plants 

 first at the junction with the roots and the stem, and then spreads 

 both ways in a white mouldy decay. 



The first appearance of the decay is seen in the plants flagging, and 

 in a few days after they die right out. Full-grown plants drop off 

 daily in this way. 



Last season we lost all Prince of Orange, and a few Aurantia multi- 

 flora. Most of the dark varieties have suffered severely too. 



The disease (if it can be called such) has swept some of our neigh- 

 bouring places nearly clean of Calceolarias. A. Kemp. 



Keithock. 



[YeUow Gem is less subject to die in this way than any other we know. — Ed.] 



