1870.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 435 



kind of contrast — one end of the stand, perhaps, with nearly all dark and the 

 other light, or otherwise the effect spoiled by a bad disposition of the flowers. 



Name of Plant (Iago Clark). — What you forwarded was not a plant, as you 

 supposed, but simply the fine fibrous roots of some plant — probably a grass — that 

 had penetrated through one of the joints of the drain-pipes, and being constantly 

 satured with water made excessive fine thread-like growth. We once saw a well 

 opened near to which a Lombardy Poplar was growing, and one of the roots had 

 penetrated into the well, and there formed an extraordinary mass of fine fibrous 

 roots, of a similar character to the instance sent by you. 



If Mr James M'Millan will oblige a subscriber with the address of the house 

 from which the woollen netting referred to in page 349 of your Journal can be 

 obtained, and add such particulars as will enable him to order the exact descrip- 

 tion, he will confer a great boon. — C. Z. 



Mildew on Vines (A Constant Reader). — When mildew makes its appear- 

 ance in a vinery it spreads with great rapidity, unless checked at once by the 

 application of flowers of sulphur to the affected parts, whether fruit or foliage. 

 This done, keep in house dry, and increase the fire-heat, giving plenty of air at 

 the same time. This parasite thrives best in a damp stagnant atmosphere, there- 

 fore give it a dry one, with plenty of circulation. 



Vegetables for Exhibition (A Subscriber, Stirling Castle). — The best vege- 

 tables are of course the following : Potatoes, Peas, Cauliflowers, Artichokes, Scar- 

 let Runner, and dwarf French Beans, Celery, Vegetable Marrows, Tomatoes, 

 Leeks, Cabbage, Carrots, and Onions ; and from these you may be able to fur- 

 nish a good collection. Quality, and therefore fitness for table, is a great point 

 with good judges — not mere size. "A basket or box of vegetables cotaining ten 

 varieties' 1 could include two or more varieties of Onions, or Peas, or Potatoes, in 

 making up the sum of ten varieties, but it is always best to have ten distinct 

 kinds, all of the very best quality. Add to quality cleanliness and a nice 

 arrangement, showing you have judgment in selecting and taste in making the 

 best possible display, and you will have done a good deal towards getting the first 

 prize. 



Cultivation of the Cucumber (Alma). — 'Moore on the Cucumber,' 'Ayres 

 on the Cucumber,' ' Mills on the Cucumber,' and ' Cuthill on the Cucumber,' are 

 all very useful manuals, published in a cheap pamphlet form. Probably the two 

 former are out of print, but the two last can be obtained through any bookseller. 

 The price of each would be about Is. or Is. 6d. For the cultivation of " Winter 

 Cucumbers," see the volume of the ' Gardener' for 1868, page 385. 



Bridal Bouquet (Ulster). — The prevailing colour of a bride's bouquet should be 

 white, with just a pale shade of violet or blue, or a light shade of pink sparingly 

 distributed over the surface. A little scarlet can be used in a bridesmaid's 

 bouquet, but not enough to make it glaring. As a general rule, far too much of 

 scarlet is placed in bouquets during the bright summer months ; there appears to 

 be such a prevailing affection for scarlet, that our flower-gardens and bouquets are 

 often rendered unsightly by such a glare of it. In winter-time, when the skies 

 are dull and leaden, some scarlet should be used by way of giving life by contrast; 

 in hot bright sunny weather the colours should be dark, sombre, and soft. 



Royal Vineyard Grape (Ulster). — Just as the fruit is ripening off, com- 

 mence to keep the border and the atmosphere of the house as dry as possible, 

 and admit plenty of air to the house, at the same time giving no water to the 

 roots. 



