24 BKIEF NOTES AND COREESrONDENCE. 



covering the bulb. That such^is a fact is evidenced bj' the admirable 

 and certain success of nearly every bulb, especially Hyacinths, that 

 is covered with about six inches of old spent bark. This or some 

 similar light material should always be used. Even bulbs intended 

 to bloom in glasses we prefer starting in the old bark, and then trans- 

 ferring them to the glasses when the shoots are about two inches long. 

 Where such covering is not adopted, it is of advantage to have the 

 pots or glasses kept in a dark place till the shoots are two or three 

 inches long. Cactus plants that have been kept in the greenhouse 

 should occasionally be brought into the stove for flowering, which 

 gives a succession. 



BRIEF NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 



Calceolarias. — Newport. — Excellent articles on the treatment of the Cal- 

 ceolaria have appeared in former volumes. The only secret is to get the plants 

 sti'ong in autumn ; grow them gently with plenty of air through the winter ; put 

 them into their blooming pots in the first week in February, and then push them 

 along in a gentle heat, keeping them free from insects, until they show bloom 

 in April ; after which they must be grown in a cool, airy place, to prevent the 

 flower-stems from becoming too much drawn. 



PoLMAiSE Heating. — A Constant Header writes : " I take the liberty to ask 

 you, or any of your correspondents, a few questions relative to the heating of a 

 vinery upon the Polmaise or hot-air system. It is stated in the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle as being preferable to hot-water pipes. In the first place. I should 

 like to kuow which you consider preferable, the hot-water pipes or Polmaise ; 

 and if you prefer the Polmaise principle of heating, I should be glad to know 

 what size the fire-place ought to be, to heat a house forty feet long liy eighteen 

 feet wide, and what size the hot-air flue would be required to heat the said 

 house, by carrying it along the front wall, not having a hot chamber in the 

 centre, as stated in the Chronicle ; or whether the flue in front would be suffi- 

 cient to keep up a regular heat or not without the chamber, as the house will be 

 chiefly for viues. Secondly, what size the cold air drains would be required, 

 and how they should be constructed to answer the purpose. Thirdly, would it 

 be possible to heat a small conservatory by the same fire, by an additional flue, 

 with a damper at the entrance, so as to turn the hot air from one to the other at 

 pleasure. If you, or any of your correspondents, will be kind enough to answer 

 these few questions in your next following Number it will very much oblige." 



We have not yet had sufficient evidence to enable us to give our opinion on 

 the real merits of Polmaise heating. We have, however, some experiments in 

 operation upon a similar system, on which we shall speak more fully in an early 

 Number. In the mean time we hope the inquiry of a Constant Header yrill meet 

 with attention from those of our readers who may be practically acquainted with 

 the Polmaise plan. 



Cacti. — Liici/. — If your plants are in good health, a little water given occa- 

 sionally at this time of the year will benefit them ; but if they are not, it is cer- 

 tainly best to avoid giving them any until spring. 



Pelargoniums. — C. C. — The following are the varieties most in repute for 

 forcing : — Admiral Napier, Alba multiflora, Washington. These are the earliest, 

 and ought now to be trussing for bloom; followed by Madeline, Beck's Bella, 

 Gauntlet, Selina, Laneii, Grand Duke, Lord Mayor, Commodore,and King Rufus. 



Bulbs and Seeds. — T. Short. — Your bulbs from Japan may be potted imme- 

 diately in a light rich soil, the pots being well drained. The Cape seed may 

 also be sown at once in shallow pans ; the soil should consist of two-thirds sandy 

 peat, and the remainder light loam and leaf mould, in equal proportions. Place 

 the whole in a little bottom heat, and keep them perfectly dry for a week or 

 ten days. 



Thuja pybamidalis. — H. D. — A variety of 71 orientalis. It is not known 

 why these plants are called Arbor Vita; but conjectured to be on account of 

 some supposed great medicinal quality. In the east the Cypress is considered 

 the tree of life, its fruit curing all diseases. 



