294 THE GARDENER. [July 



the fall of rain round the metropolis was somewhat scant, though 

 highly refreshing. 



Such a season as this shows the value of all artificial appliances 

 for the purposes of irrigation. It points to the necessity for the con- 

 struction of tanks for securing all the fall of rain-water on buildings, 

 &c, during the rainy season; for the husbanding of all waste water 

 used for domestic purposes, the which can also be secured in tanks, 

 and pumped up for use as required. All cleansing processes can be 

 gone through, but there should be no waste; and the experience of the 

 last three years goes to indicate the possibility of dry summers being 

 the heritage of a good portion of England. Such a season brings to 

 our notice the almost inestimable value of mulching, and the necessity 

 for husbanding and employing all materials available for the purpose. 

 True it is that nature serves man, and that all things are in decay that 

 he may be strengthened and supported thereby ; but in this very ser- 

 vice, nature, that is never wasteful of power, and always beneficent in 

 action, sometimes appears to fight against man, to the peril of his wel- 

 fare. It is then that man must parry these seeming attacks, and turn 

 nature against herself, so that his work be not retarded. When so 

 confronting him, he must subjugate her ; and in his brain — that maga- 

 zine of divine forces — he must seek for his weapons. A man of obser- 

 vation and intelligence is rarely wanting in resources ; and if ever the 

 gardener had to fall back on this armoury, it is now, when suffering 

 under the influences of a long- continued drought. 



An invention, likely to be very useful to exhibitors of cut flowers, is 

 found in " Chapman's Multum in Parvo Packing-Case." We have had 

 an opportunity of inspecting it, and think highly of its merits. The 

 case, when opened in the front, discloses two stands, one above the 

 other, on which can be exhibited Roses, Dahlias, Verbenas, Holly- 

 hocks, &c. ; and when the exhibition-tent is reached, these can be 

 drawn out and placed in position. These stands are securely fixed 

 in grooves, and yet slide backwards and forwards easily when the 

 lid is opened : when it is closed, it is practically imposible for them 

 to shift or move about. There are receptacles in the stands for 

 receiving the flowers, with a tube for them to rest upon ; but one 

 peculiarity is, that when the stems of the flowers are placed in the 

 water, they are firmly gripped by a circular piece of some flexible 

 material like galvanised india-rubber ; and so closely does this hold 

 the flowers, without at the same time injuring the stems in any way 

 by the force of the pressure, that were the box turned topsy-turvy, 

 not only would the tubes not be loosened, but not a drop of water 

 could escape, so securely is it confined. Those who have had actual 

 experience of the insecurity of, and the danger of injury attending, 



