MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 203 



the plants are allowed to flag for want of water, — if they are soddened with an 

 undue quantity of water, or be kept in a very high degree of heat, these circum- 

 stances will induce the seeds to drop prematurely. 



Geraniums, &c, will keep well through winter in a cool frame. They are 

 preserved in many of the nursery establishments by having the frame sunk a 

 foot or so into the ground, and that part of the frame above to be protected by a 

 lining of turfy loam a foot thick or more. The pots are plunged in coal ashes, 

 which absorbs moisture, and keeps dry better than saw-dust ; the latter becoming 

 once wet, rots, and produces a great degree of damp in the frame, causing the 

 foliage to decay, and the frost to operate more readily. Straw should be placed 

 over the lights six inches or more thick, upon which the mats should be laid in 

 severe frost; this being done will succeed. — Conductor.] 



If some of the readers of the Cabinet, who can satisfactorily give answers to 

 the many queries inserted in the Ma)' number, would do it as early as possible, 

 it would very greatly oblige an Enquired. 



[We hope some of our numerous readers will favour our correspondent. Such 

 attention will, we are sure, give pleasure to the writers, and be useful to our 

 readers, and we hope satisfactory to an Enquirer* — Conductor.] 



REMARKS. 



On the Prangos Pabularia. — An extract from Mr. Moorcroft's Travels ap- 

 peared some time since in the Floricultinral Cabinet, mentioning it as the food 

 of "all the unstabled cattle of Ladak," suggesting the probability of its being 

 valuable, if it could be introduced here ; a note (it is believed) was added, silting 

 that a very small quantity of the seed would be sufficient to ascertain the possi- 

 bility of its introduction. Some years since, Dr. Fisher, Imperial Professor of 

 Botany at St. Petersburg, received some seeds of the Prangoi Pabularia. from 

 Dr. Lindley of the Horticultural Society of London, but they did not germinate, 

 and the same was the case with those sowed by the Society itself in various 

 ways at the same time. It is suggested that, by application to Dr. Lindley, 

 some seeds might be obtained, should another importation have been received. 

 The above particulars were accompanied by some seeds of another Prangos, 

 Prangos fwiiiculea^ (given to the writer of the letter referred to, by Dr. Fisher at 

 St. Petersburg ;) but it was stated that they were not fresh, and their germination 

 doubtful. The enclosed have been obtained by the kindness of Lady Mary 

 Cathcart ; and it has been suggestted that if soaked for a night before sowing, 

 it is very likely to make them grow. Mr. Harrison will perhaps be so good as to 

 report their success in the Floricultural Cabinet ; and should any other seeds be 

 procured, they shall also be forwarded to him. 



July 9/A, 1840. 



[We very respectfully thank our correspondent for the favour of the above 

 communication and seeds ; we have sown them, and will give the result of success 

 or nut, as desired. We shall feel additionally obliged by other seeds at con- 

 venience. — Conductor.] 



Smith's Emperor Scarlet Geranium. — At the London Horticultural Meet- 

 ing, held in the rooms on July Cth, a truss of blooms was exhibited, and which 

 was afterwaids given us. We counted the flowers on this single head, and they 

 amounted to 134. Each blossom is about an inch across, ot a superb scarlet- 

 colour. The head of flowers resembled a moderate-sized hydrangea. We have 

 never seen anything near equal to it in that class of geraniums. Afterwards 

 we went to the nursery of Mr. Smith at Dalston to see the plants, and we found 

 a quantity of them the most robust in growth we ever saw. The foli <ge of the 

 deepest green, a very large and thick leaf, and headed by the fine flowers, gave 

 them a truly striking appearance. It merits a place in eveiy green-house, 

 flower-garden, or fiower-room, and wc especially recommend it to our readers. 



