March 26, 1874. ] 



JOUKNAL OF HORTIOaLTUBB AND COTTAGE GARDJENEB. 



263 



Green's Wnour.itT-iRON 'Boiler f ).— 'VV© must decline inserting 



more on the subject except in our advertisement columns. 



Back Numheiis {Summcri'iUc), — You can have the two numbers you name 

 if you encloHO seven postage stamps with your full adclrOBS, and repeat the 

 dates of the numbers. 



Labour Required IW. L.). — To keep in "decent order" the extent of 

 lawn, Hbrubbery, and kitchen garden, with glass named by you, would require 

 a head working gardener, an under-gardoner, and garden labourer. 



DiSA Herscitellii (TF, S. C). — We laiow of no record of the introduction 

 of this species prior to some time in 1873. It has become very rare, and we 

 think ha.4 never bloomed in England. Its season of flowering should be 

 towards the end of summer. 



pHOLinoTA iNsiOMs {Idcm). — With this species we are unacquainted, 

 although the genus ia vei-y familiar, and we question if there in a described 

 BpecioB under that name. There is none of the genus worth growing in 

 small collections. Their flowers are produced in pendant racemes, and have 

 the appearance of small shells upon a string. The colour of all tlie species 

 known to us is wliite, or dull greenish white, whilst the pncudobulbs and 

 Jeaves somewhat resemble those of Che genus Coslogyne. They are natives 

 of the East Indies. 



SnRuns FOR a Mtld Climate (Novice),— In such a favourable climate aa 

 yours, where " Fuchsias grow into trees, and Hydrangeas most luxuriantly," 

 we should plant Myrtles, a choice selection of Veronicas, such iis the fine old 

 Hendcrsoni and variegata, with IJoyal Purple, Imperial R-jd, the pretty pink 

 Gloiro do Lyon, Madame Claudo Williams, the graceful Liudlcyana rubra, 

 Madame Joubert., Rosea compacta, the very distinct and compact Pecuanata 

 Devoniana, Intermedia, salicifolia, and salicifniia rubra. Camellias, too, 

 would flourish and expand their flowers in favourable seasons. Rubens is a 

 good red kind; of others try Fimbriaca, Ochroleuca, Conspicna, Alba plena, 

 Elegans, Storyi, and Valtcvaredo. The pretty yellow Coronilla glauca grows 

 to a large size in the open air at Torquay ; it has been in fine llower at that 

 place lately, ynn will therefore probably find it succeed well. Oranges will 

 not answer. Nothing can be better than the Myrtles and Roses armind the 

 dog's grave; with them mingle the blue Veronica Hendersoni, the deep 

 crimson Rhododendron John AVaterer, the pure white kind Mrs. John Clutton, 

 the deep red Rihps snneuineum, the bright rich yellow Berbcris Barwinii, 

 and the pretty white Spirrra ariaifolia, with the deep rich purple Clematis 

 Jackmauni trailing over the grave. Do not let the shrubs in the border blend 

 with these, but ciiuje them to describe a gentle semicii'cle behind. For the 

 arrangement of the lawn see a previous page. 



Nepenthes (Inquirer). — The seed is produced by flowers quite distinct 

 from the pitchers. 



White Dwarf Bftidtxg Dahlias {T. TF.).— Alba floiibunda nana ia 

 2 feet high. Mademoisello Charles Lefobvro is 3 feet high, and White 

 Bedder 2 feet. They may be had of 5Ii% Turner or any of the other florists 

 who advertise in our columns. 



Geranicji Leaves Spotted (T. H.). — The spots on the leaves arise from 

 the punctures of a species of tlirips, for which we do not know of any remedy 

 but to sliut-up the house on a calm evening when the foliage of the plants is 

 dry but the floor wet, and fill it with tobacco smoke. Repeat the fumigation 

 in three or four days. Aflord the plants rather more heat and a moderately 

 moist atmosphere, watering only sparingly at the roots until the growth is 

 more free. 



Apricot Blossoms is Orchard House not Setting (A Prrfrrt Ig)w- 

 ramus). — The blossoms sent are abortive, very weak, and have anthers but no 

 styles or female organs. It is due to the previous year's treatment, and may 

 have been occasioned by want of air, and insuflicient heat and drj'ness for the 

 ripening of the buds. We presume you have the trees potted or planted in a 

 ctJcareous soil. If not, add to some rather light loam a fourth part of chalk in 

 pieces as lai'go as peas and walnuts, repotting early in autumn, just before 

 the leaves fall. Remove a good portion of the old soil by reducing the ball, 

 and pot very firmly with the fresh soil. 



Heating Propagating Case {H. A.). — You may have a small oil lamp 

 placed in a chamber beneath thetank, fixing the lamp at such a dii^tance from 

 the tank that half the height of the tlame will bo taken by the bottom of the 

 tank. The sides of the combustion chamber will need to be formed of per- 

 forated zinc ; or have a row of small holes mado about an inch below the 

 flame to admit air for combustion, and from tho chamber at its highest iiart 

 should be a chimney to carry off the vitiated air, which need only be taken 

 clear of the chamber. A vei-y small lamp will suffice, and it will need to be 

 regulated to give a flame that will heat the water so as to afford the required 

 temperature. A little practice will soon enable you to regulate it to a nit;ety. 

 Pyrethrcm Golden Feather Culture (F. I.). —To do well this golden- 

 leaved bedding plant rcquu-es a moderately ricli soil, enriched with leaf soil 

 or other vegetable matter. Soil of a light nature is more suitable for this 

 plant than a strong and wet one. Tho best plants are those raised from 

 seeds, which should be sown in February or early in March in gentle heat, be 

 kept near the glass, and when the young plants are large enough to handle 

 they should be pricked-out about an inch apart in pans or boxes in light rich 

 soil, returned to heat, and grown in a frame, hardening well off before plant- 

 ing-out, watering well then and afterwards until established. 



Clematis Jackmanni for Bedding — Blue Lobelia (Irfcm).— The shoots 

 of this Clematis ought not to be stopped, bat should be disposed equally over 

 the surface of the bed aa they gi-ow, they being tied to pegs at about 3 inches 

 from the soil, but highest in the centre of the bed. For general bedding pur- 

 poses use a good strain of Lobelia specioaa, which can now be had true from 

 seed of most of our principal seedsmen. We raise all our plants from seed. 



Error. — At p. 166, column 1, line 43 from the top, for "stone" road 

 *' stove." 



Heating Greenhouse (flosc).— Though you give us the length of your 

 houee, the width and height are omitted, the last two not exceeding 10 feet. 

 The house, a lean-to, would be heated so as to exclude frost and damp by a 

 flow and retnm 3 inch pipe along the front and one end. As you propose to 

 erect a stove, we should arrange to heat both houses from one fire and boiler. 

 A small boiler only would be required. Send a ground plan of your houses, 

 with particulars of what you require, to some of the hot-water apparatus 

 manufacturers advertising in our columns, asking for an estimate. We 

 should have for the stove a foimdation of brick or stonework, about 2 feet 

 6 inches or 3 feet high, then 2 to 3 feet upright pide sashes, and a span roof at 

 an angle of 45 , the half of a quadrant, and the ventilation in the roof, on the 

 most sunny side of the house — short lights to move the whole length of the 

 house; they need not be more than 18 inches wide, and should be raised or 



lowered by means of cranks and a lever. To give the height required, tho 

 sides will need only to be clear of the ground aa regards tbu masonry, hut 

 wo should have it as before stated. You will need to have four rows of 3-inch 

 pipes, and the same for bottom heat if you have a bed on each side of the 

 house — viz., two 3 inch pipes for each bed, and by having the walk in tho 

 centre you can fix shelves over it, which will be very useful for small plants, 

 or such as require to bo near tho glass. Bottom heat is not, however, abso- 

 lutely necessary, and may, if you do not require it, be dispensed with. Re- 

 specting the tenant's fixture, tho best way is to arrange with your landlord 

 before building. The woodwork may rest on a foundation, but must not be 

 fixed to it or to walls, nor let iuto the soil. Your builder is the best authority 

 to consult, because he will know tho details. 



Scarlet Geraniums to Flower in August (Inquirer).— Coniinne the 

 stopping of the shoots up to the second or third week in May, and remove 

 the trusses of bloom as they show up to tho middle of June, konping tho 

 shoots properly tied down and out so as to form good specimens. The plants 

 ought to be shifted into larger pots in May, and when they fill with routs 

 weak liquid manure may be given at every alternate watering'. They would 

 be bettor grown in a cold pit or framo after May, tho lights drawn off at 

 night, hut replaced by day with abundance of air and slight sliado from 

 bright sun, protecting from heavy rains both night and day, but at such times 

 affording them abundance of air by tilting the lights. 



CiNEUARiA [Idnn). — Pips fine, but colours not uncommon. No further 

 opinion can be given without knowing tho plant's habit. 



Geranivms for Beddino (E. a. G.).— The plants in the cutting-pots 

 should be placed nt once singly in 3 or 4-inch pots in good rich light soil, and 

 removed to a pit, frame, or house, keeping rather close, shaded fruoi bright 

 sun for a time, and watering only moderately until the plants are rooting in 

 the fresh soil, then water more freely. 



Greenhouse Plants (An Ivuth Subscriber). — We presume you have Ca- 

 mellias, Azaleas, Epacrises, and Ericas— at least a dozen kinds of each and 

 good plants— if not, they should bo added as (hey aro iudispensable for a 

 display of bloom in the late winter and spring months. To these add Acacia 

 armata,l()ngitioramagnifica,oIeifolia elegans, pulcbella; Acrophyllumvenosum, 

 Apbelexis macrantha purpurea, A. rnpestris grandiflora, A. Woodsii, Boronia 

 Drummondi, Cassia corymbosa, Chorozema cordatum S[dendons, C. varium 

 Chandleri, Corrcas Brilliant, magnifica, speciosa major, Crowea saligua major, 

 Cytisus Atleeanus, C. racemosus elegaus, Diosma capitata, Dracophyllum 

 gracile,Eriostemonbuxifuliam,E.linearifoIium,Erythrinafloribunda, Eutaxia 

 floribuuda, Genetyllis fuchsioides, G. tulipifera, Habrolharanus iasciculatus, 

 Imantopbyllura miniatum, Kalosanthes coccinca superba, K. miniata grandi- 

 flora, Loscbenaultia formosa coccinea, L. biloba grandiflora, Libonia flori- 

 bunda, Liuum trii^'Tnum, Mitraria coccinea. Neriura rubruni plenum, Pha^no- 

 coma prolifera Banip'^ii, Pimelea decussata, P. spectobilis rosea, Pleroma 

 elegans, Polygala Palraaisiana, Statice Holfordi, Thibaudia macrantha, Tre- 

 mandra verticillata, and Witsenia corymbosa. You will find a groat many 

 others in " Greenhouses," which may be had from our office, free by poet, 

 for lOd. 



Canna Culture (X). — The roots should be potted singly in pots that will 

 hold them without cramping, in a raixturo of two parts sandy loara, and one 

 part leaf soil, covering the roots about an inch deep, and placing thora in a 

 house or frame where there is a gentle heat. Water carefully until they arc 

 growing freely, increase the supply as growth advances. They should bo well 

 hardeoed-off before planting-out at the end of Jlay or early in June. If 

 inconvenient to place them in pots you may, during mild weather, plant where 

 they are to remain, covering them with about 3 inches of light soil, and place 

 over it a mulching of partially decayed leaves or abort litter about an inch, 

 deep. 



Manetti Rose Stock (O. E. T.) — It is a free-growing kind, coming up in 

 strong shoots from the root or base of the plant, attaining a considerable 

 length in a season; the shoot covered with small hairy spines of alight brown 

 colour, tho wood brownish red, and leafstalk of the same colour; the leaflets 

 tinged with rose whDst young. It is dissimilar to most kinds of Roses, and 

 once known is readily distinguished. It seldom flowers, even when the plauL 

 is strong. 



SuproRTiNG Sweet Peas (Biceps). — Nothing is more cheap or durable 

 than fralvanised iron netting, wide-meshed. You can have it of any height 

 or width, and painted green it is ornamental. 



Floweb-red Arrangements (C L), — The arrangement of plants for the 

 two circular beds, each 6 feet in diameter, is tolerably correct as to colouring. 

 We suggest one or two desirable alterations. In No. 1 you have Echeveria 

 secunda glauca planted on a ramp as an edging, enclosing a ring of the golden 

 variegated Abutilon megapotaniciim pegged djwn, then another circle of 

 Lobelia pumila grandiflora, enclosing a central ma'^s of golden bronze Gera- 

 nium Beauty of Ribblesdale. The weak point here is the Geranium. Replace 

 it with Laing's B'ack Douglas, which is of the same section, but with much 

 bolder leaf-coloration. The arrangement might also be agreeably transposed 

 by causing the Abutilon and Lobelia to change places, and substituting a pink 

 Geranium, such as Amaranth, for the golden bronze. No. 2 has an edging of 

 Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variogatum, then a band of Lobelia pumila 

 grandiflora, with another of Dactylis glomerata variegata, enclosing a central 

 clump of Sophia Dumaresque. The foliage of the grass and Geraniums would 

 clash ; discard both, substituting a ring of the beautiful golden- tricolor Gera- 

 nium Lady Cullum for the Dactylis, and filling the centre with tho elegant 

 grey-leaved Centaurea Clementei. 



Heating a Small Greenhouse (Cirencester).—!. The flue, or rather the 

 pipes, in my small greenhouse are taken round the entire house and brought 

 out into a chimney close by the furnace, so that the heated air is dispersed 

 entirely over the house. 2. The furnace is below the level of the house, and 

 80, indeed, is the first part of the flue, but when it reaches the (J feet which, 

 as I have said, constitutes the only part that is made of brickwork, it is then 

 on a level with the floor, and the pipes must, of course, gradually ascend so 

 as to give a draught. 3. I always in bad weather — i.e., when at 3 p.m. the 

 thermometer is below 4(}'~ — light the fire. I do not bank-up at all, but about 

 10 o'clock put on the last supply of coke, and this bums well and the fire is 

 frequently aUght in the morning. 4. I have to take out one or two of the 

 pipes, which is easily done, and run a flue brush in when I want to clean out 

 the soot, and this I do perhaps twice in the season. I have only to repeat 

 that having used this mode of heating for yeai-s, I have not only found it to 

 answer but I prefer it to all other methods for a house of the dimensions of 

 mine. — D., Deal. 



Vines not Breaking Regularly (Try Again).--Yon say the Vines were 

 kept veij dry at the roots last summer, which in itself is sufficient to account 

 for a bad start this year. Give tho inside border a good soaking of water at 



