'^'j^ Notes and Gleatimgs. 



Weeds on Walks. — If walks have become dirty at the surface, which is 

 a prolific source of grass and moss, they should be picked up and turned, giving 

 them a sprinkling of fresh gravel. They will then, if well rolled, last until half 

 the summer is over ; and, by the time weeds are troublesome, one dressing of 

 salt will serve the whole season. Three pounds per square yard are required to 

 destroy weeds on gravel-walks effectually ; and that quantity makes the surface 

 so damp, that it is objected to by many. Salt causes the gravel to wear much 

 more quickly, and so encourages the growth of weeds : hence the prevailing 

 opinion, that weeds on walks come thicker after salting. The time to salt walks 

 is when there are weeds ; and its application will be necessary in April or May, 

 and again in July or August, putting it on during dry weather, dependent, of 

 course, on the season. 



Grapes rusted. — Grapes are apt to have a brownish skin round them if 

 subjected to a sudden check from a great change of temperature, or if sulphur 

 has been used freely on a heating medium when the berries are young and ten- 

 der. Under such circumstances, it is best to apply the sulphur during the day, 

 when there is a considerable amount of air on, so that the strength of the fumes 

 may pass off before the house is shut up. Perhaps Hamburgs are most easily 

 thus injured. 



Cannabis gigantea. — This is a large form of the common hemp, and grows 

 six feet or more high, with a beautifully pinnated leaf, clustered in a sort of fan- 

 like form at the top of every branchlet, which are pretty numerous, but not crowd- 

 ed. The whole aspect of the plant is Oriental, reminding one of the palms we 

 are in the habit of associating with Eastern scenery. As a plant, nothing is more 

 easily grown. Seed sown in March, with other annuals, in a gentle heat, and 

 afterwards planted out in May, quickly shows the neatly-furrowed character of 

 the leaflets and the general outline of the plants. I believe there are some 

 other varieties ; and possibly some one will be presenting us with one, by and by, 

 having the rich claret-colored foliage of the purple spicant with its own inimita- 

 ble graceful form. That such may be, I have no doubt : only let public taste 

 intimate its wants, and caterers for it will accomplish much at one time thought 

 impossible. 



Specimen Caladiums and Achirienes. — For good specimens of caladiums 

 proceed thus : Keep the rhizomes free from cold in winter, shake them out, and 

 repot as soon as they begin to move, potting them singly in small pots, to be 

 afterwards placed singly in larger pots, or three or four plants at once in a large 

 pot. Drain well ; use turfy loam and peat in equal portions, with about one-sixth 

 of old rotten cow-dung and silver sand ; and give bottom-heat until the leaves 

 come to their best. To grow good specimens of achimenes, select the tubers, 

 place them singly in well-drained pans or pots, using light rich soil, and set 

 them in a temperature of from about 60° to 65°. When the plants are up, and 

 from an inch to an inch and a half in height, plant them in soil similar to that 

 recommended for caladiums, in their flowering-pots (the small kinds at an inch 



