1870.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 235 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



The Gardener's Magazine for April, in which we notice that the editor is 

 giving some capital papers on "Garden Ivies; or, A study of Hedera," which, 

 in addition to being ably written, are also well illustrated. 



Also the Food Journal for April, a valuable magazine, treating of social and 

 sanitary economy, and which is also a monthly record of food and public health. 

 In the pages of this magazine, all adulterations are mercilessly exposed with much 

 vigour and courage ; and the several papers are of a very interesting character. 



Also parts 7 and 8 of vol. xi. of the Journal of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society, with extracts from the proceedings of the same, and miscellaneous 

 matter. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



[We have again to regret the postponement of several communications. — Eds.] 



Seedling Trop^eolums (M. Porter). — Your seedling Tropseolums, of the Lob- 

 bianum section, are very pretty indeed, and show a marked advance, both in 

 the depth of colour and size and form of the flowers, usually seen in this class. 

 By all means bed them out, and let us see them when they are in full bloom. 

 You cannot do better than get T. Lobbianum, Crystal Palace, Perfection, and 

 Eclipse, to test your seedlings by, or any other good bedding kind. What we 

 want is a real advance, not a mere supposititious one. Flower - gardeners are 

 hardly aware of the value of the Tropseolum as a bedding plant, or they would 

 be seen much more frequently. 



Diseased Pelargonium Leaves. — Will you kindly inform me what is the 

 cause of, and how to remedy, a misfortune that happens to my Pelargoniums — 

 Fancies and others? The lower leaves of the plants wither around the edges and 

 become spotted like the enclosed. The greenhouse has a sheltered position, fac- 

 ing the south-west, 22 feet by 12, and is heated by a flue. If any of your corres- 

 pondents would kindly communicate with me by post upon the matter, I should 

 be glad to pay expenses, and should feel much indebted. This is going on rapidly 

 now — my show plants are suffering most severely. — Yours faithfully, 



Rev. G. Sydenham. 



The Hall Court Grammar-School, 

 Cannock. 



[We submitted the diseased leaf sent to an eminent authority in such matters, 

 and he has thus reported on it : — " The affection on your Pelargonium leaves is very 

 common on a variety of plants. I believe it arises, under certain conditions, from 

 drops of water resting on plants when weak. The effect of drops of water on the 

 petals of Pelargoniums, in destroying the delicate tissues, may be seen in our con- 

 servatories almost every day." Possibly our correspondent will be ready to in- 

 quire, " But if so, would all the plants in a house be so affected ? " Certainly a 

 pertinent question. An affection similar to that complained of appears to be very, 

 we might almost say unusually, prevalent this season. A day or two ago, we 

 pointed out to a successful and honoured cultivator of the Pelargonium the 

 evidences of this affection, and asked if he could recommend a cure. He stated 

 in reply that the best and most effectual cure was to throw the plants under the 

 potting-bench. We do not grudge our correspondent what crumbs of comfort he 



