JVotes and Gleanings. I2i 



Kainit is a mineral obtained in Anhalt-Dessau, the distinguishing quahty 

 of which is, that its chief constituent is potash. The Gardener's Magazine gives 

 an account of an experiment with this new fertihzer in the cultivation of pota- 

 toes, the large quantity of potash required by this vegetable rendering it most 

 suitable for such an experiment. Three plots were planted as follows : — 



Plot No. I, sets two feet apart, in four-feet rows, with kainit. The first three 

 stools in this plot were found to consist of ninety-six tubers, weighing in all four- 

 teen pounds. The total produce was at the rate of ten tons to the acre. 



Plot No. 2, sets three feet apart, in four-feet rows, with kainit. The first three 

 stools consisted of two hundred and eight tubers, weighing twenty-seven pounds 

 in all. The total produce was at the rate of twelve and one half tons per acre. 



Plot No. 3, sets three feet and two feet, alternately, in four-feet rows, without 

 kainit. The first three stools averaged twelve tubers to a root, weighing in all 

 four pounds. The total produce was at the rate of four and one half tons per acre. 



The present price of kainit, in England, is four pounds sterling per ton. 

 Worthless compounds are sold under the same name. 



Dwarf Pampas Grass. — Every one at all conversant with plants, knows 

 the beauty of the Pampas Grass, and fully appreciates its merits. It is, how- 

 ever, one of the giants of the flower-garden, growing not only to a considerable 

 height, but also forming immense masses or tussocks, if it grows in any degree 

 satisfactorily. This shuts it out from situations where the space is limited, how- 

 ever much its peculiar type of beauty may be desired ; and thougli its rival, the 

 Arundo conspiaca, is less bulky, it is not less aspiring. Those who desire it, 

 may now, or shortly will be able to obtain a dwarf form of Pampas Grass, Gyne- 

 riuni argetiteuni piimilum, which is exactly suited for positions where a minia- 

 ture pampas is desired. It is a tufted plant, with all the features of the ordinary 

 pampas, except its bulk and height, as may be judged from the fact that its 

 flowering culms rise only about three feet, where the ordinary kind grown be- 

 side it reaches six or seven feet. The panicle is erect, silvery, and of some- 

 what pyramidal outline, in which respect it seems to differ from the ordinary 

 form. It is a seedling, now of several years' probation, raised by Mr. Charles 

 Noble, of the Sunningdale Nursery. Gardener's Chronicle. 



Caladiums. — You may start caladiums any time you choose. Give them a 

 bottom heat of 70° or 75° ; examine the roots to see that there is no sign of 

 decay on them. Use small pots to begin with, and do not give any water at all, 

 until the leaves begin to show above the soil. We have known whole batches 

 of caladiums to be lost by saturating the soil with water before the bulbs began 

 to throw out roots. Gardener'' s Record. 



Large Eucalyptus. — A giant Eucalyptus was felled lately in the Dande- 

 nong Ranges, Australia. At one foot from the ground the circumference was 

 6g feet; at 12 feet from the ground the diameter was 11 feet four inches ; at 78 

 feet, diameter 9 feet ; at 144 feet, diameter 8 feet ; at 210 feet, diameter 5 feet. 

 The tree was 330 feet high. Gardeners Magazine. 



