212 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



PART III. 

 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



QUERIES. 



On Carnations and Picotees. — Having last season procured some slips of 

 good Carnations and Picotees, yellow and other handsome varieties (originally 

 raised from hybridized seed), the plants which were extremely healthy were this 

 spring turned into beds previously prepared with the following compost, viz. — 

 common earth, a small qnantity of sand and of well rotted cow dung, and the 

 same proportion of rubbish from old buildings of cob and lime. They are all 

 now in bloom, producing only small single flowers of bad colours, the majority 

 white. An answer in an early number by some grower of this class of flowers, as 

 to the cause of such change, will much oblige. 



North Devon; 19th July, 1845. An Old Subscriber. 



On Scarlet Pelargoniums. — I procured, early this spring, some scarlet- 

 flowered Geraniums for planting out in beds, and had them turned into a very 

 rich loamy soil. They grow tremendously, and the leaves are six inches across, 

 but few flowers are produced, and the beds are nearly all green vigorous foliage 

 to appearance. It appears to me that the sort supplied me is of too vigorous a 

 growth. 1 had not a name with it. Are there not some kinds properly suited 

 for beds, if so, please name them and where to be obtained. 



A Beginner. 



[Frogmore Scarlet is peculiarly adapted for the open beds. It is of a dwarfish 

 habit, a most profuse bloomer, and of an intense rich scarlet colour. The new 

 dwarf, General Tom Thumb, is also an excellent kind for the purpose; it grows 

 very dwarf, blooms profusely, and of a deep rich scarlet. Another kind called 

 the Huntsman, is veiy much in the way of the Frogmore Scarlet, but a little 

 more vigorous. The above kinds are the best, and every way suited. They may 

 be had at the general nursery establishments at a low price. — Conductor.] 



REMARKS. 



On Stocks. — In a recent number of the Cabinet an article on Stocks was 

 given, and the following additional ones being extracted from the " Gardeners' 

 Chronicle," if inserted, will I hope further tend to the successful cultivation of 

 this lovely flower: — 



" There are few but must have been struck with the beauty of the Stocks 

 which are occasionally to be seen in the well managed garden of the cottager — 

 the result of his care and attention, and which is a lovely proof of the quiet and 

 domestic habits of the inmates. Indeed, I never see a fine bed of Stocks, but it 

 recals the early scenes of my youth, when the seed of emulation first began to 

 develop itself, and when hope shed a cheering ray over youthful anticipations. 

 The cottager sows his Brompton or Giant Stock in March ; he has thus a strong 

 growth before winter, and if he has successfully preserved them until spring he 

 will then be rewarded with what is the characteristic trait of the variety — a 

 splendid spike of flowers. The gardener and others, who have various and 

 better means for the preservation of their Stocks, will sow the Brompton Stock 

 in the latter end of June or beginning of July, and Scarlet 10-week and German 

 varieties in the second week in August ; and to prevent disappointment from any 

 variation of the season, he will again sow about the 1st of September. The 

 practical gardener will require no detailed directions how to preserve his Stocks 

 through the winter; he will use those means at his command best adapted for 

 the purpose ; they require simply to be kept in a dry and sheltered situation 

 with protection from severe frost, and to be shaded from the sun whilst frosty 

 weather continues. My own practice, however, is to pot the scarlet, Brompton 

 or Giant, three in a pot, and the 10-weeks from five to seven in a pot, and before 



