256 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COirAGE GARDEtjER. 



[ AprU 1, 1S15. 



of Authurium Seberzeriauum, aud a boat of the same yala- 

 able variety in small youug stock. The newer white form of 

 this is also opening its spathes, which bid fair to be larger 

 in size than previously. Tillaudsia Lindeni major is ex- 

 tremely beautiful, and the stock of this lovely flower is being 

 increased rapidly. Abutilon Selowianum marmoratum is very 

 fine, and Ficus ParcaUi is particularly clear in its markings. 

 Pandanuses are numerous and in first-rate form, and Dracajnas 

 are represented in splendid condition and id fine variety. 

 Phyllotajnium Lindeni is very attractive, and a nice stock is 

 being raised of Antherioam variegatum. This is a new plant 

 not yet, we believe, sent out, and is admirably adapted for 

 table decorative purposes. It is a Pandanus-like plant, yet 

 with soft graoefuUy-arched green foliage clearly striped with 

 ■white. It is evidently of quick and easy growth, and is likely 

 to become popular. Amongst the collection we noted a good 

 stock of Sarraoeuias, and the best of the Platyccriums were 

 growing freely. 



But we must stop to conclude somewhere, and it may well 

 be in the house first entered — the entrance conservatory. 



Here the towering Ferns, the arched Palms, the rigid Aloes, 

 and the stately Dracajnas combine to each set off the charms of 

 the other. The Cyatheas dealbata, Cunuinghami, princeps, and 

 Smithii are splendid specimens, with fine trunks and expansive 

 heads, aud the Dick^onias are equally large. A fine plant of 

 the good greenhouse Palm, Sabal umbraculitera, is noticeable, 

 aud there is a good specimen of the hardy Palai Chamrerops 

 Fortune!. Dracsena lineata aud Cordyline indivisa are worth 

 attention, and a grand plant of ImatophyUum miniatum is 

 throwing up its gay flowers. 



In the packing-shed are immense Aloes and fine standard 

 Bays in tubs for outdoor decoration in summer. Packing of 

 plants was being proceeded with for exportation, something 

 like twenty thousand being in course of transit from the nur- 

 sery. Mr. Burton continues to superintend with his proved 

 ability and uniform courtesy to all. 



WHITE AND CLUSTER EOSES. 



As the shows for the cDming summer are now being arranged, 

 I would, with all diffidence, put in a plea for white and cluster 

 Roses. 



It is very seldom one can find the former well represented 

 at shows, owing, I presume, to exhibitors not caring to cripple 

 their stands with the smaller blooms of the white kinds. 



In schedules, for instance, where they have usually a class 

 for twenty-four blooms of any one kind, might not that with 

 advantage bo substituted by one for the best twelve, or any 

 other number of white Roses in distinct varieties ? I think if 

 such a class were introduced wherever possible it would prove 

 an attraction, aud also encourage what might well be fostered 

 — the improvement of our white Roses. 



Cluster Roses, again. Cannot something be done that Rose- 

 lovers may see them at the shows ? Many kinds are little 

 known to most people ; they are very lovely, and if exhibited 

 in full cluster, would agreeably relieve the somewhat flat same- 

 ness of the present orthodox mode of showing separate blooms. 



— CoKNUBIA. 



P.S.— In my notes published on page 230, " Perfoolion do 

 Lyon " should be " Perlo de Lyon." 



FLOWEE MISSION AMONG THE SIOK-POOE 

 IN EAST LONDON. 



Depots are now opened at the Home of Industry, Commer- 

 cial Street, Spitalfields, E., and Conference Hall, Mildmay 

 Park, N., for the supply of the hospitals and missions nearest 

 them. Flowers and fruits of all kinds would be most thank- 

 fully welcomed if sent addressed to the Secretary of the Flower 

 Mission at either of the above depots before 11a.m. on Tuesday 

 and Thursday mornings throftghout the season. 



The following extract from a letter of thanks for flowers 

 will show how greatly they are needed and appreciated ;— 



"From the Discliarr/ed Female Prisoners' Aid Sooieiy. 

 "Nine Elms House, Vauxhall. 



"When the DufEodils arrived they really made quite a sen- 

 sation in the wash-house, that a kind lady thought of them in 

 the Isle of Wight! Then the beauty of the flowers! Every 

 woman aud girl got a bunch. We have about tweuty-6ix girls 

 in our school here, and they were so pleased to have them to 

 lend for the Sunday evening mission service, to put on the 

 Itthle to show to and please our other congregation of waifs that 



comes in then. It was really very touching ; aud a week later 

 when I was at the class the remains of some were carefully 

 treasured and put before me. So think of us occasionally again. 



I visit in the cancer ward at the Hospital occasionally. 



What a boon your flowers would be there ! At present they 

 have a few artificial ones — very pretty to look at — on the table, 

 but that is all. The air of the ward would be all the better for 

 them, for though the ward is very clean and neat, the disease 

 necessarily causes malaria." 



THE NEW HOETICULTURAL CLUB. 

 As Secretary of the new Club I write to state that the difli- 

 culties which existed as to obtaining suitable accommodation 

 have been, I hope, removed, and that our Committee have 

 every prospect of, within the next fortnight, concluding an 

 arrangement for a place in every way desirable, situated within 

 three minutes' walk of Charing Cross, and overlooking the 

 Thames Embankment. It will comprise reading room, draw- 

 ing, dining, smoking and billiard rooms, and all the adjuncts 

 of a west-end club, and on terms exceedingly favourable, in- 

 volving no risk or responsibility. It is earnestly hoped that 

 it will afford & point d'appui for all who are interested in the 

 pursuit we love so well. It will, we trust, be especially valu- 

 able to our country members, for whose accommodation a 

 number of bedrooms will be provided. The subseriptiou will 

 he two guineas, with two guineas entrance fee. — H. Honevivood 



DOMBRAIN, Sec. 



THE BANANA. 



There are several varieties of this fruit cultivated iu the 

 Island of Jamaica. Of these the Martinique, as named there, but 

 called here the Jamaica, is considered the best, as being hardier 

 in growth, easier to cultivate, not easily blown or broken down, 

 and the nicest for eating. They bear in one year after plant- 

 ing. The bunches are very large. We have seen some that a 

 man could not lift. The fruit is long, and is of a rich yellow 

 colour. They are often brought here from Nassau. Once 

 planted they require no care, but will continue growing, sucker- 

 ing-out, and bearing in the high woods. They will grow in 

 any soil, but prefer gullies or damp places close to a river or 

 spring. All other sorts of Bananas have been cast aside since 

 these were introduced into the island. 



Another long Banana called the Tiger, from the skin of the 

 fruit being striped with black, is grown in some places, but the 

 fruit is not considered sogood. 



The Otaheite is another of the same class of the long 

 Bananas. The fruit must be very ripe before flt to eat. The 

 flesh is of a rich strawberry colour. They are seldom grown, 

 as they root-up very easily and cannot bear the weight of the 

 bunch. They are not a profitable kind to grow. 



Of short Bananas, first is the Dsvarf or Chinese, not growing 

 more than i or 5 feet high, with a strong stout body. They 

 bear largo bunches of fruit hanging nearly to the ground, and 

 stand firm, but the fruit is of no account, and is usually used 

 as a vegetable, the same as a Plantaiu. 



Second, the Redskin. This is a strong-growing plant, bear- 

 ing large bunches of handsome-looking fruit, and is most 

 saleable in this country, but not considered equal to the Mar- 

 tinique in Jamaica. 



Third, the Apple. This is not a profitable Banana to grow. 

 The bunches are medium size, and the fruit about the length 

 of a person's finger and very delicious, but the stalks root-up 

 easily, aud they require more cultivating. 



Fourth, the triangular Banana, usually grown here, is the 

 meanest of all the Bananas. The bunches are of medium size, 

 but the fruit is not a nice one, being too slimy. They should 

 be baked before eating. 



There are some other varieties grown, but those we have 

 mentioned are the only kinds that are commonly mot with in 

 the West Indies. 



Every negro hut has Bananas growing around it. They are 

 manured with ashes from the kitchen. As the bunches are fit 

 they are cut off' and taken into the house to ripen, for Bananas 

 that ripen on the stalks are not near so nice, as they contain 

 a strong alkaline juice, which exudes from the stalk when cut 

 off. The fruit should be allowed to fill out and bo fully grown ; 

 the bunch is then cut off and hung upside down to ripen in 

 the house. The green fruit can be used as a vegetable by 

 peeling off the skin, washed and boiled, aud mashed up with 

 butter and lard, and pepper sprinkled over it. A favourite 

 way in the \\'est Indies is to boil them with salt beef or pork, 



