37^ Notes and Gleanings. 



a large yellow eye. As a variety, this giant form of primula is perfectly distinct 

 from all others we have met with. It has been unaccountably passed over at the 

 South Kensington meeting, though shown on more than one occasion, but was 

 awarded a well-deserved lirst-class certificate at the Regent's Park show in March 

 last. The variety is in the hands of Mr. William Paul, of Waltham Cross, by 

 whom it will shortly be distributed. Florist and Poinologist. 



Renovating old Lawns. — In sowing grass seeds to mend an old lawn, the 

 best mode of procedure is to have the bare places dug over and enriched with 

 good rotten manure, and all the stones and lumps raked oflf preparatory to sow- 

 ing. Then sprinkle the seed pretty thick, and cover with fine earth. It is a 

 good plan, when the job is only a small one, to sift the earth over the seed ; but 

 when there is a large space to be operated on, the workmen have a few good 

 heaps of fine soil, and throw it with the spade. In a majority of cases, old lawns 

 may be revived by simply sprinkling with nitrate of soda two or three times in 

 the season. The best proportion in which to apply it is at the rate of three 

 pounds to one square rod. Lawns that were patchy and sour have with this 

 dressing become soft and springy with the abundance of fibre produced, and the 

 sward acquired a beautiful freshness and closeness of growth. Until we had 

 used this large quantity, and patiently waited for the result, we advised the use 

 of only one pound per square rod ; and that we can say is enough to work won- 

 ders, but the dose should be repeated at least twice — say three dressings in all, 

 in April, May, and June. On some lawns there is plenty of grass and no clover, 

 and during very hot, dry weather, such lawns become burnt and unsightly, 

 whereas clover does not quickly burn. To promote the growth of clover, any 

 of the salts of lime may be used. Even siftings of lime core from the 

 builders will be good as a top-dressing, but a quicker result may be obtained by 

 the use of superphosphate of lime in the same proportions as we recommend 

 the use of nitrate of soda — that is, from one pound to three pounds per square 

 rod, according to the state of things to be remedied. Floral World. 



Paulownia imperiahs, cut down annually, is one of the finest subjects we 

 have seen for the sub-tropical garden. If protected with mulching in the winter, 

 the crown and root remain safe, and in the spring, if the soil be good, it will 

 throw up a shoot of such robust character as would quite astonish those who have 

 not seen it thus treated. To secure this giant growth, a single shoot only should 

 be permitted to grow. We saw it thus treated by Mr. Sage at Ashridge Park 

 during the past summer, and bearing leaves of fabulous proportions, with an 

 aspect quite exotic. Where bold subjects can be introduced this may be confi- 

 dently recommended. Gardener's Chronicle. 



English Indian Corn. — The Gardener's Magazine of October 14th says, — 

 " Yesterday some Indian corn was exhibited in the Liverjiool Exchange News 

 Room, where it excited great attention. It was grown at Birkdale, near South- 

 port, and the plants were sixteen feet high, and five inches in the stem. The 

 grains were as large and thoroughly ripened as if grown in the tropics." We sus- 

 pect that it was forwarded by artificial heat when young. 



