226 Notes and Gleanings. 



Sanchezia nobilis variegata. — Sanchezia nobilis is one of the finest 

 amongst the brilliant-flowered acanthads that are so abundant in our plant-stoves, 

 being remarkable for its numerous fascicles of erect blossoms, collected into a 

 dense paniculate inflorescence, and consisting of long, bright-yellow tubular 

 flowers, emerging from broad crimson bracts, as brilliant in every way as the 

 gayest of aphelandras, but much less formal in aspect. 



Of this most beautiful and interesting plant, the Messrs. Veitch and Sons of 

 Chelsea, who were its introducers, are fortunate enough to have also secured a 

 striped-leaved variety, which is the subject of these remarks. The bold character 

 of the leaves of this plant, and the conspicuous markings or bands of yellow by 

 which they are decorated, — recalling to mind those of the handsome Aphelandra 

 Leopoldii, though much more beautiful, — render it an ornamental object in every 

 stage of growth, and justify us in asserting that it is one of the most valuable 

 plants of modern introduction. The leaves are, when fully grown, from twelve 

 to fifteen inches in length. This Satuhezia is a native of Bolivia, and has 

 been introduced by the Messrs. Veitch through their most fortunate collector, 

 Mr. Pearce. Its free growth and fine habit, together with its bold leafage and 

 elegant markings, indicate a valuable exhibition-plant ; and, altogether, we do 

 not hesitate to pronounce it to be the finest novelty of the present season. 



Large Pear-Tree. — At the Abbey of Lindores, on the estate of Mugdrum, 

 are some unusually large pear-trees, mentioned a hundred and fifty years ago by 

 Sibbald in his " History of Fife." The trunk of the largest measures seventeen 

 feet ten inches in circumference at a foot from the ground ; at nine feet higher 

 up, where it branches off, it is seventeen feet in circumference ; and it is forty- 

 four feet in height. The spread of the branches is fifty-three feet in diameter. 

 The circumference of one of the branches is ten feet eight inches ; and that of 

 another, eight feet ten inches. It grows in deep alluvial soil, and bears abundant 

 crops. 



Liquid Manure for Caladiums and Achimenes. — The best liquid 

 manure that we have tried for these plants, and, indeed, for all plants in pots, is 

 that formed by pouring thirty gallons of rain-water over one peck of sheep's 

 dung fresh from the pens, and one peck of soot. Stir the whole well up twice 

 a day for two or three days ; allow the liquid to stand a day or two longer ; then 

 stir again, and use it for watering with once or twice a week. A pound of 

 guano in twenty gallons of water, along with half a peck of soot, will form one 

 of the best liquid manures known. 



The wheat-midge is doing considerable injury in some localities. 



Accounts from all sections of the country confirm the opinion, that the harvest 

 this season is very abundant: where it is light in some localities, it is unusually 

 heavy in others. 



Sugar from beets is made in large quantities in Illinois. 



