October 10, 1865. J 



JOUBN'AL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



303 



Clematis lancoinosa (Leiahton 1?.)- — Thoio ia n Inrgo Invondcr- 

 colourud floWL'i'iiij; Clematis, blooming iu aummur, umler that name, and 

 It ia onu of thu vi'vy boat. Thoro in n variety with paler flowera, and even 

 larger in aize, whieh may bo the aamo aa your kind with grey llowurs. 

 The name o( tho spceioa is Clomatia lanuginoaii, and its variety ia Clo- 

 matia lanntfinoaa iiallida. Both are of the nwst easy eulture, re(|Uiring a 

 rich well ilrained soil, and a trcUia against a wall ; or, in warm siluationa, 

 the trunks of trees may bo covered with them. They arc also flno pluuts 

 for the rt>n{ of a eool greenhouse or conservatory. 



SowiNii Vioi.KT Skeds (7(i.'m).— Tho seeds of Vinleta are best sown in 

 tho open ground, and immediatelytboy arc ripe, in light sandy soil, cover- 

 lug them lightlv. and watering if dry weather ensue. When autHeiently 

 large to handle juiek the seedlings otf'a inches apart in good light soil, ivith 

 which a liberal d^,■^,illg of leaf-soil has been worked in. Water after 

 planting, and sul'>t<iuently during dry Aveather. Tlieynuxy bo sown next 

 March in pans of light soil, or iu .\pril in the open ground; in the former 

 case place the pans iu a cold frame, and, when the seedlings aro largo 

 enough, prick them ofl'and finally plant out iu autumn. 



PaMVAS (iuASS NOT FLOWEKINd— PUOTECTINGIN WINTER (.4 .Slt^scriftcr). 



—It is remarkable that tho plant which you have had for ten years has 

 never tl.twercd. Surely tho soil is very poor, and very light aud dry in 

 summer, and tho situation bleak anil exposed, ao much exposed indeed 

 as to cause the foli.igo to be cut oil" to the gi"i>und every winter. We 

 should ailvise transplanting next April, taking up the plant with a good 

 ball, which is easily done, for it is ditbcult to remove the soil from tho 

 closoly matted roots ; then take the ball and plant cleau out. Tho open- 

 ing should bo 1 foot wider than the ball all roimd, and if there ia a piece 

 of naturally strong giMund, wet, but not stagnant, that is the situation 

 for it. Fill'iu aromul the ball with the richest compost that can be made, 

 say oquiil quiintities of loam from rotted turves and manure wellrcduccd, 

 and give a good soaking of water. It will drink up thirty gallons per 

 week of liquid manure during dry weather throughout tho summer. 

 From the miserablo specimens of this Grass we have met with it 

 .scorns as if the aim was to starve theui into flower. There is not a plant 

 in the country above four years old that would not be better taken 

 up next April aud served iu tho above manner. You may protect the 

 plant in winter bv tviug tho long grass up straight, and covering with 

 straw as iu thatei'iiu'g, iuid thou fasten with hay bands to keep tho straw 

 from being displaced and blown about. 



YouNo Ct!C0.AlnERS Tdrnino Yellow (.4 Younn Gardener).— This arises 

 from a defleieucy of bottom heat aud a moist stagnant atmosphere, with 

 a deflcieui^y of heat hy day aud too much by night. These are conditious 

 inimical to free growth. 'An unhealthy state of tho roots is indicated by 

 the leaves turning yellow, and the blotching is produced by an excess of 

 moisture and tho siiu shining on the leaves whilst wet from the deposi- 

 tion of moisture on them during the night, air not being given suffi- 

 ciently early to dry it up. .S. brisk heat of 70' by day without sun, and of 

 from 55' to 60 " at uight, with a littlo air, may be given, and with more sun 

 more heat by day, a greater ainouut of air be'ing ofTorded. Soil sufficiently 

 moist for healthy growth, but not wet, and a moderately moist atmo- 

 sphere, are the essentials at this season. For want of details we cannot 

 do more than conjecture the treatment from simil.ar cases. 



Strikixg Begonia Leaves (Ii/cm).— This may be done at any time. If 

 the leaves chosen are not too old, if the atmosphere is moist, aud the 

 heat brisk, they root freely. Spring, however, is the best time. 



TKICH0H.1NES RENiFORME CoLTURE (F. E. H.).— If the plant is healthy, 

 and seems to have been potted some time, though against all rules for 

 Trichomanes, it would be well to leave it alone. You will, by this time, 

 be a_bl<?to see whether it promises to do well, if not repot it. It is a very 

 distinct creeping species, with nearly round, undivided, deep gi-een, 

 beautifully veineil fronds, heart-shaped at the base, aud 4 or 5 inches 

 broad, on tall wiry stalks. It is a native of New Zealand. It requires to 

 be kept very humid, but rather airy. A temperature of from 40'^ to 50^ iu 

 winter, and of 70 in summer, suits it well. 



Brugmansia Leaves Discolocred (Wem).— The leaf appears healthy, 

 and the discoloration so slight indeed as to quite puzzle us to observe 

 any on the part of leaf sent. One side of the leaf is quite gone, and that 

 appears to have been scorched by the sun shining on it whilst wet. A 

 little air all night and early in the morning will, to a gi'eat extent, obviate 

 this. The white specks are caused by the punctm'es of some insect ; but 

 not by thrips nor red spider. 



CoNSTRrCTiSG GROUND ViNERY {Clerieus). — You will find the directions 

 and a drawing in •• The Vine Manual." Y'ou can have it free by post from 

 our oflice for thirty-two postage stamps. 



Ice-hocse {A Man o/ &i!f).— Enclose tour postage stamps with yonr 

 address, and order No. 173 (New Series) of our Journal to be sent. It 

 contains a drawing and full directions for constructing an ice-house. 



PoixciANA REGiA (-£f.O.BiTio;a!orf).— A coloured plate is in the " Botani- 

 cal Magazine" t. ;is.s4. This gorgeous tree bus hitherto been found 

 only in Madagascar. It belongs to Nat. Ord. Lcguminos:e. Linn.,Dode- 

 candria Monogynia. Unarmed; leaves abruptly bipinnate; eleven to 

 eighteen^ p,aii-s of pinnse, which are 4 inches long ; horizontally patent ; 

 petals crimson, orbicuhir, erenate at the margin,"iuvolute at base. It is 

 called Tanahou in Madagascar. 



Roval Horticultural Society's Kensington Garden (G. Elliott). — 

 A plan of this was given in No. 607 (Old Series), which yon can have post 

 free by sending your direction and four postage stamps. No doubt some 

 of the Loudon seedsmen could procure seeds of the variety you name. 



Packing Grapes for Exhibition (An Exhibitor). — Yours is a some- 

 what difficult question to answer, for various modes are adopted with 

 varying success according to the distance which the Grapes have to 

 travel, the mode of conveyance, and the usage which they receive on the 

 way. The plan which, judging from what we have seen, seems to be 

 attended with most success is attaching the bunches iirmiy to the stand 

 on Avhich they are exhibited, and so that they cannot sh.ike about, and 

 then to pack the stand immoveably in a box in which they are to be con- 

 veyed to their destination. This box must be kept in a horizontal 

 position throughout the jom-ney, otherwise the Grapes wUl be more or 

 less damaged. If you have been iu the habit of attending shows you 

 will doubtless have heard from your brother exhibitors of the anxieties 

 which they have experienced oii this point, even when accompanying 

 their fruit, and few of them trust to the mercies of railway porters. You 

 will Icam much by observing the modes which other exhibitors adopt. 



Plants for a Passage (t. P.).— Tho greatest drawbacks to your grow- 

 ing i)Iants in tho passage will bo tho deflcioncy of light aud tho proba- 

 bility of draughts, combined with extreme dryness. If tho air la never 

 violently agitated by a through draught, the passage would lie a tolerably 

 good place for such Cyclauuus aa coum, Alkinsi, and persicum whilst in 

 lluwcr, also for Primulas aud Camellias; and some of the hardier kinds 

 of greimhouso Ferns, aa well as hardy ones, may roiuain there perma- 

 nently, or for a lengthened period, introducing among th.Mii llowermg 

 plants of tho above, and forced Doutzias, Dielytras, Ilya.-iutha, lulips. 

 Crocus, Ac., to be afterwards replaced by Cinerarias, Calce.ilariaa, and 

 Pelargoniums. It is one of those situations in which plants may be 

 placed whilst in flower, but which aro of very littlo use tor their growth, 

 for tho air will always be too dry. You wiU, therefore, see that what you 

 can spare from your greenhouse will do in your glazed passage until tho 

 flowering is past, when they must bo placed in an atmosphere more 

 favourable to their growth. In tho same way tho Ferns should bo I)lacoa 

 iu tho gr.cnhouse to make a good growth, and when the fronds are fully 

 dcvi'loped it they are removed to tho passage they will retain their beauty 

 for a long time. 



TroI'.eolum 3PECI0SUM CuLTCRE (.7. i.).— It is bcst grown in a com- 

 post of one-half turfy light loam, and one-half peat and well reduced 

 leaf-mould in equal parts, with a free admixture of sand. The plant s not 

 growing more than a few inches may be attributed to dryness of aituation, 

 or tcj an unsuitable soil, and cold exposed situation. Planted in light 

 soil, or gravel enriched by a liberal application of loaf-mould, it gi'owa 

 freely, and if trained on a trellis against a wall with a south or south- 

 west napect it will attain from 5 to 8 feet in height in a season, but tho 

 plants must be established for a year or two before this gi-owth can bo 

 expected. Treat it as a perennial, covering the surface of tho soil over 

 the roots with 3 inches of loaves or short drj- litter. In order to make it 

 succeed w oU outside it is necessary to plant out strong plants, giving 

 them a rich well-drained soil, copious supplies of water, and a warm 

 sheltered situation. It does best in a porous soil on a diy subsoil. 



Altering and Improving a Garden (£. .S'., ilfi(c)iam).— Y'our proposed 

 alterations seem to be good, and your objection to a high or steep bank 

 for Roses is also well founded, for your soil being dry such a bank would 

 only make it still drier. Laurustinus not being the hardiest of shrubs 

 will be much battered and injured by cutting winds, and will suSfar 

 during severe weather. Laurels would be more suitable, and any objec- 

 tion which you may have to their growing higher than is required to 

 screen tho kitchen, or so spreading as to interfere with tlio Roses, may bo 

 obviated by cutting them into the desired hei'.;lit and width every year in 

 August, after the year's growth is made, or in .April before this commences. 

 The Roses would do well on their own roots on such a dry soil, or, if 

 on a stock at all, it must be the Manetti, as tho Dog Rose would give 

 numerous suckers on yom' soil. No evergreen will succeed well under 

 Y'ew trees, and, as these have no pretensions to ornament and render the 

 grass very shabby, we would cut off the branches that overhang the 

 gi-ass, and if the trees aro not wanted higher than tho wall, to screen the 

 view of the house from windows on the opposite side of the road, cut 

 them off equally all round, taking otf the tops, and thus convert them into 

 cones and pyramids of deep green foliage. Y'on need not fear that the trees 

 will not push afresh from the branches left, for they will do so as freely 

 from the trunks as from the shoots of the previous year. This cutting-in 

 may probably expose the wall, which you no doubt would wish to hitle. 

 The wall in that case might have strong Ivy planted against it, and the 

 Ivy, if Uberally treated to fresh rich soil, good-sized openings being made 

 for the reception of tho plants, would cover it in a few years. The Yews 

 being cut-in, grass might be laid to within a short distance of them, and 

 the iawn so gained would be available for flower-beds, especially as it 13 

 in front of the drawing-room windows. Culess you cut do\vu the lew 

 trees, or reduce them considerablv. it would be of no use to plant any- 

 thing in the border uiidcr them, unless the branches are at some distance 

 from tho ground, when the latter might be surfaced with Periwinldo and 

 Ivy. Were they cut-in you might plant Aucubas, Berberis aquifolium 

 andiDarwiuii, and Laurustinus with a fair prospect of success. 



Twelve Exhibition Stove Plants to Bloom in -August and Septem- 

 EER OV. H. IF.).— Plants for exhibition punroses are not always shown at 

 their proper period of blooming, but are retarded or foi-warded should 

 they not be likely to flower by a certain date. For these and other 

 reasons, whieh you will leam by a little experience, you w-ill find that 

 blooming a collection of twelve plants in a stove at a given time is 

 difficult to aecompUsh by growing that number only. More than this, 

 schedules are seldom it ever framed for the exhibition of twelve stove 

 plants, but for twelve stove and greenhouse plants. However, twelve 

 stove plants: Kondeletia speciosa major, Schubertia gi-aveolens, Ixora 

 javaniea aurantia, I. alba, Echites splendens, E.crassinoda, E.magniflca, 

 Cyrtoceras reflexum, Clerodendron Thomsonte, ^schynanthus splendens, 

 -Allamanda Sehottii, aud A. gi-andiflora. Those you have seen— viz., Aphe- 

 landra cristata, Stephanotis floribunda, Ixora eoceinea superba, Clero- 

 deudi-on fallax, and C. K;empf eri are also good. k\\ may be cultivated by 

 an amateur; but though of easy culture fine specimens are not to be 

 had without extra pains being taken, neither are they so easily gi'own as 

 many in the hst of stove plants. 



.Artificial Manuees [H. B. B.).—Yon neither mention the nature of 

 the soil of your garden nor whether you require the manure for flo'J'ei's 

 or kitchen vegetables. Y'ou can have free by post the manual entitled 

 •■ Manures, or'Mnck for the Many," if yon send four postage stamps to our 

 office with your .Urectiou. Read that, and then write again to us if you 

 need further information. 



Common S.alt as a Manure (T. L. i)f.).— The best reply we can give you 

 is the following extract from the little manual " Maniu-e, or Muck for the 

 Many"- you can have it free by post from our office for four postage 

 stamps— " Common salt, applied in the spring at the rate of twenty 

 bushels per acre, has been found very bcnetieial to Asparagus, Broad 

 Beans, Lettuces, Onions, Can-ots, Parsnips, Potatoes, and Beets. Indeed, 

 its properties are so generally useful, not only as promoting fertiUty, but 

 as destroying slugs. cStc, that it is a good plan to so\v the whole giirdcn 

 every March with this manure, at the rate above spoeifled. The flower 

 garden is included in this recommendation ; for some of the best prac- 

 tical gardeners recommend it for the Stock, Hyacinth, Amaryllis, Ixia, 

 .Anemone, Colchicum, Narcissus, Uauuncnlus, &c. ; and in the friut 

 g.ardcu it has been found beneflcial to almost every one of its tenants, 

 especially the CheiTy and Apple, On lawns and walks it helps to di-ive 

 away worms, and to deairoy moss." 



