July 30, 1874. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



C7 



taineil by frequent eupplies of water, to prevent the plant 

 sufii'rint;. These frequent, and at times immoderate waterings, 

 tend both to wash the strength out of the soil, and to create too 

 Buccaleut a growth. The second reason bears upon the waste 

 from severe evaporation ; but both evils very much depend 

 upon the nature of the material in which the pots are plunged 

 — should that be sand the evil is the greater; while loaf mould, 

 or any other material containing organic matter that is con- 

 stantly undergoing decomposition, balances the waste by the 

 amount it throws into the atmosphere, and what penetrates by 

 the pores in the sides and bottoms of the pots. 



When the potting is accomplished, replace them as they 

 were, and attend to them in a similar way as before. The 

 habit of the plant will by this time commence to exhibit itself 

 by laterals appearing, in some cases regularly disposed on the 

 upright growth. 



Those plants whose appearance proclaims them to bo dwarf 

 and inclined to branch freely must not be pinched, but ratlier 

 endeavour to get them into height ; others which indicate a 

 contrary tendency should be checked by piuching-out the 

 •extreme point. Those varieties that are shy growers may be 

 thrown to the rubbish heap. There are plenty with good 

 Sowers, and other desirabln properties, without them. 



Continue thus to nurse the young plants by supplying larger 

 shifts of pots when each succeeding size is filled with roots ; 

 afford fresh air by ventilation when the weather outside is 

 mild enough to allow of airing. Shower water over the floors 

 •on sunny days to prevent aridity in the atmosphere, which is 

 favourable to red spider, and withering in its effects on the 

 ■tender leaves of the plants ; and farther, to maintain humidity, 

 syringe their foliage in the evening after hot sunshine. Thus 

 tended until the end of May, fine plants will repay the at- 

 tention, and they will now be in a condition to be transferred 

 to a situation less heated, there to harden their wood so that 

 flowers are formed. 



The greatest success, as regards the amount of flowers pro- 

 duced, occurring with the writer, was accomplished by this 

 means : After having managed the plants up to the latter end 

 ■of May as described, they were then stationed in a deep frame, 

 and stood on boards to prevent worms from getting into the 

 pots. The entire frame was next raised on pots 12 inches above 

 .ground, which at the time was done to raise the sashes above 

 the tops of the plants, with great fear and regret that we were 

 obliged to do so, not supposing that it would turn out to tho 

 benefit of the plants ; but it did. I have never had such a 

 profusion of flowers on any occasion when this plan was not 

 ■carried out. After having arranged the plants in the frame, 

 the sashes were put over them close down, and the remaining 

 attention they had from our hand was water when necessary, 

 adding to the water manure as soon as they had rallied from 

 tho temporary shock occasioned by the rather extreme change 

 •of quarters ; and in the hot days of June the sashes were 

 raised, so tliat the air was allowed to float amongst the plants 

 at will. Early in July these plants were staged, where they 

 soon op5ned their flowers, and an nniuterrupted supply was 

 sustained on the plants up to Martinmas. We have had 

 larger plants produced, and with gi-eater preteBaions to finish 

 in form in the same time it took to grow them, hot Tiever had 

 better flowers or more of them. 



Having thus shown that ahundanee of air united to the un- 

 shaded sun's rays is the effectual means towards tho end 

 required, let us conclude by hinting that staking tho plants as 

 soon as they incline to droop from their own weight must be 

 seen to, and that the leading or main growth should be con- 

 stantly tied as they progress, and any unruly straggling shoots 

 cut back before the plant is hurt by their rankness of growth, 

 as is sometimes tho case. Finally, as the plants get worn-out 

 and advance to ripeness, gradually withdraw the supply of 

 water, and ultimately withhold it to what is merely sufficient 

 to keep the plants fresh, and store them in a corner of a cool 

 iouso where frost is kept out. Now they are safe to show 

 returning signs of action in February or Mirch following, at 

 ■which period they require to be sh<iken out and their roots 

 pruned back, and repotted in fresh sod, to prepare them for a 

 new season's duty. 



SELECTIONS OP VABIETIES. 

 Pabks. — Avalanche ; this has a most handsome habit of 

 gi'owth, and requires no pinching; flowers double, rich car- 

 mine, red tube and sepals, corolla dark velvety. Champion of 

 the World should be grown for its immense well-proportioned 

 flowers, but its habit is no recommendation ; double. Henry 



Williams cannot be surpassed as a dark double Fuchsia, either 

 for habit or quidity, m its blossoms. Exquisite, another 

 double, whose qualities quite sustain its name ; tu'oe and sepals 

 shining deep crimson, corolla purple, streaked red. Gipsy 

 Queen is an exceedingly telling dark double, every way deserv- 

 ing a place. Marksman, a dark double of great merit, both in 

 flower and as a grower. Beacon, tube and sepals shining rose, 

 with rich carmine corolla; fine single. Crown Prince of 

 Prussia, habit dwarf, vigorous, flowers dark glossy, of extra 

 form and substance ; a single of the foremost merit. Enoch 

 Arden still ranks in the van, and is distinct from its peculiar 

 violet corolla. Generous, this is a worthy variety, very dis- 

 tinct ; its sepals, tube, and corolla are all about one shade of 

 rose, inclined to pink ; its corolla is of the lightest hue. 

 Killiecrankie cannot be dispensed with, its beautiful almost 

 black satin corolla gives it first distinction. Roderick Dhu 

 is another that will stand criticism, and is hkely to live in 

 favour; its sepals are salmon-marked and tinted red, and its 

 corolla of light blue is, to say the least, striking to look on. 

 Weeping Beauty is a modest flower, drooping in habit, but of 

 excellent buUd ; sepals coral red, corolla bluish purple, of 

 extra expansion. 



Whites. — Arabella, tube and sepals white, corolla rose. 

 Elegantissima, old, but not likely to be rejected for some time 

 to come; its neat habit, and delicate flowers provided in such 

 profusion, make it proof. Enchantress has a double white 

 corolla, and is quite a beauty. Rose of Castille, fine. Fairest 

 of the Fair, white tube and sepals. Leah has very large drops, 

 tube and sepals glossy white, corolla purple crimson. Heather 

 Bell, a neat flower; tube and sepals white, corolla rose-tinted 

 lake. Minnie Banks, a lady which is too good to be forgotter. 



Singles with White Coholl.\s. — Delight, this is one of 

 last year's, and is not easily surpassed ; sepals coral red, broad , 

 waxy, and well reflexed ; corolla expansive, deep, regular, and 

 of pure white; habit neat, of moderate vigour. Conspicna is 

 conspicuous for its vigorous growth, good habit, as well as the 

 multitude of pretty flowers it produces ; sepals deep red, corolla 

 white. Mrs. Ballautiue is a flower of great beauty, produces 

 flowers almost continually all the summer and autumn months, 

 but the habit is weak, though in form no complaints must be 

 uttered against that. Lurline has its white corolla tinted 

 violet; good. Picturata is also good ; so is Princess of Wales, 

 but its white corolla is double, like Empereur des Fuchsias. 



Variegated Sorts. — Cloth of Gold ; a lovely variegation of 

 golden yellow divides the leaf of this variety ; it is rather 

 difiicult to grow. Pillar of Gold is more vigorous and compact 

 in habit, though not so bright in its variegation. But the 

 cream, as a variegated sort, is Siinray; it may be called a 

 tricolor, having as many distinct shades, which are white, 

 russet, crimson, and bronze ; habit splendid. — A. Kehk (in The 

 Gardener). 



NOVELTIES IN THE EOTAL GAEDENS, KEW 

 The flowers are opening on the magnificent panicle of Agave 

 americana that made its first appearance four months ago in 

 the Succulent house. It is now high above the roof on the 

 outside, and is a conspicuous object from the surrounding 

 lawns. From the base of the plant to the apex of the panicle 

 measures 22 feet, and from the lowest branch 9 feet i inches. 

 Its diameter is 4i feet. The leaves that once spread 12 feet 

 from tip to tip are now shrunk and hang down, the sap having 

 gone to the inflorescence. Its exact age is not known ; it is, 

 perhaps, between seventy and one hundred years old. It is a 

 slight deviation from the usual form of A. americana. A most 

 important beverage is obtained from this species in Mexico. 

 The inner leaves are cut out just when the flower-stem is 

 ready to rise. The juice thus obtained is fermented, and 

 called pulque. It is agreeably sour, and those who can over- 

 come its disagreeable smell of putrid meat are said to prefer 

 this to all other liquors. From it is manufactured a very in- 

 toxicating brandy. Another important product is the fibre 

 obtained from the leaves. In the Museum are various articles 

 manufactured from this material. It is very tough, and is 

 used for making twine, ropes, and paper. Humboldt mentions 

 a bridge in Quito of more than 130 feet span, of which the 

 main ropes, more than 4 inches in diameter, are made from the 

 Agave fibre. The roots are diuretic and antisyphUitic, and are 

 even brought to Europe mixed with sarsaparilla. The juice of 

 the leaves evaporated to a thick consistence, is said to be an 

 excellent substitute for soap. I'edilanthus tithymaloidea var. 

 yariegata is a new plant, and though of stifi' erect habit, may 



