MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 119 



pared Ink which has been advertised with the prepared Labels. I have used 

 unprepared Zinc Labels with, and without the prepared Ink, but I have 

 found myself frequently disappointed by the complete obliteration of the 

 names, which has proved very inconvenient to me, particularly in the naming 

 of my Dahlias. Since my adoption (which has been for some years) of the 

 use of the prepared Ink with the prepared Labels I have not met with a dis- 

 appointment. A Constant Reader. 



REMARKS. 



The Horticultural Society's Garden. — We recently called at the 

 before mentioned garden, and were not less surprised than delighted, when 

 shown the foundation part of which was then completed, being the com- 

 mencement of an erection which will give credit to that wealthy and Hon- 

 ourable Society. In the February number of the ' Botanical Register,' Dr. 

 Lindley thus speaks of it, " all who are interested in the cultivation of exotic 

 plants, will be glad to learn the Horticultural Society of London, are about 

 to erect a most extensive conservatory in their garden at Chiswick. The 

 range will be nearly 600 feet long, running east and west, with a front both 

 to the north and south- The roof will be constructed entirely of iron, glazed 

 with patent sheet glass, and will have the form of a gothic arch. The west 

 wing rather more than 180 feet long, and 27 feet high, has been contracted 

 for by Messrs. D. & E. Bailey, of Holborn, and will probably be completed 

 by the middle of May. The whole range when executed, will be one of the 

 most extensive in the world." The Doctor proceeds to observe, " It is now to 

 be expected that greenhouse and stove plants, especially the former, will be- 

 come a great object of attention with the Society ; the effect of which will 

 doubtless be, to improve the ornamental character of tender plants, in the 

 same degree as that of hardy collections." 



On the Plantain. — At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on 

 Tuesday evening, Professor Johnson is reported to have made the assertion 

 that the Plantain, (as in the remarkable instance of corn,) "has never been 

 met with in a wild state, but only within the precincts of cultivation," and 

 immediately afterwards, we are carried away from its native land to the e%. 

 tremities of the habitable earth, in search of the uses to which it is applied. 

 The wild Plantain, called by some Mnsa sylvatica, found over the whole 

 range of Ghauts, extending nearly from Surat to Cape Comorin, and in the 

 ■vicinity of Bombay, is one of the most common of jungle plants; whether 

 this is the true and original Musa paradisiuxa or not, remains to be proved, 

 I believe it so to be ; the difference between the wild and cultivated variety, 

 (if such it may be termed,) being, that the former springs up in June, the 

 commencement of the rains, and dies down at the end of the year, even in 

 spite of irrigation, which is not the case with the latter; and that in the 

 former the whole contents of the fruit consists of seeds nearly as large as a 

 sweet-pea, but of which in the latter scarcely a trace is discernable. 



March, 28th, 1839. Cives Mundi. 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR MAY. 



Punt Stove. — Very little fire-heat will now be required, only applying it 

 in cold weather. The plants will progressively require an increase of air and 

 water. If any want an increase of pot-room, it should be attended to as early 

 as possible ; otherwise, if not watered frequently, the foliage or flowers will 

 be liable to suffer, turn brown, or fall off the plant. Keep the plants free 

 from decayed leaves, moss, &c. Frequently stir the surface of the soil. 

 When any casual irregularities in form occur, prune or tie the shoots as 

 required. It is a good time for propagating by cuttings, suckers, seeds, &c, 

 placing them in moist heat. 



