MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 71 



mon jiit, with a flue along the middle, on which is a reservoir of water, the steam 

 from which passes through the bed of charcoal which is placed above it. Upon 

 the charcoal small glass frames of the commonest kind are placed to exclude 

 the air from the cuttings in their ear!y age. It may he suggested, and indeed 

 would immediately strike any one who examines the apparatus, that the success 

 may he owing to the moist heat in which the cuttings are constantly kept. No 

 question it is so in pait, but I am quite satisfied the extraordinary results I wit- 

 nessed are quite as much owing to the menstruum of propagation as to the de- 

 cided advantage above stated ; and I doubt whether peat and sand, under any 

 circumstances, would cause the quantity of roots to be produced which I saw 

 there at the end of three weeks' insertion in the bed. It is necessary that the 

 charcoal should be fine, but not in dust, which will consolidate and prevent the 

 fibres penetrating in every direction, as they do when it is of the proper size. 

 In some part of the process fine peat is mixed with the charcoal ; but I think 

 litis is rather in the rooting afterwards, and that the first process of striking, in 

 most species, succeeds best in the pure material. From what has been stated it 

 is clear the necessary apparatus in simple of application, and of little cost; a 

 part of any fiued pit, or one heated by hot water, would answer every purpose ; 

 though in any nursery or even gentleman's establishment, the making one on 

 purpose would be of tiifiing expense compared to the results, as, owing to the 

 rapidity of the operation, a veiy small bed would suffice. With respect to the 

 viitues of the charcoal itself producing the results we are considering, I have 

 little doubt that they consist principally in the porous and perfectly permeable 

 nature of it. The heat and moisture are constantly present and passing through, 

 without any saturation or stagnation, or induration taking place. There may 

 be something in the vegetative powers of it, but I imagine this to be the true 

 cause of the superiority over any other material as yet known for propagation. 

 Many of the plants on which it succeeded are known to be the most difficult to 

 strike. There is another valuable article (see 'Gardener's Mag. of June') from 

 Mr. Lukas, on the raising seeds in snow. I have no doubt that this is a grand 

 secret or marvel gained on nature, by the discovery of one of her own modes of 

 operation. It is exactly analogous to the methods followed by nature in the 

 High Alps; and there is no doubt the Gentians and other seeds of difficult 

 growth might easily be made to germinate by it. Mr. Lukas recommends 

 sand to cover the young plants on their first appearance ; but it is doubtful 

 whether fine tan would not answer a better purpose." — (S. E, fV. t Car/ton. — Gar- 

 dener's Chi oniclc) 



FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR MARCH. 



Anemones. — Should now be planted as early in the month as can be done. 



Amaryllises, and other liliaceous bulbous plants which have been kept dor- 

 mant, may now be repotted, and put into an increased temperature. 



Annuals, Hardy. — Some of the most hardy kinds, to bloom early in the 

 summer, may now be sown in warm parts of the country, or situations well pro- 

 tected, but in cold places not until the end of the month. The best method of 

 sowing the small seeds in patches is, to have a quantity of finely sifted soil; 

 s; read a portion where desired, after scattering the seeds, sprinkle a little more 

 soil over them, and then press it closely upon the seeds, which will assist them 

 in vegetating properly. 



Annuals, Tender. — Such as have been sown and may be up, should have all 

 possible air given to prevent their being drawn up weakly. Iu watering those in 

 pots they must not be watered over the tops, or many of the sorts will be rotted by 

 it. The best method is to flood over the surface of each pot, always using water 

 that is new, mitk warm. Those annuals sown in frames must be watered (when 

 requisite) with a very fine syringe, or pan rose to sprinkle with ; but the best 

 plan is to take advantage of gentle rains. 



