68. THE 
GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
[JAN. 31, 
should, moreover, communicate with a chimney long 
enough to ensure a good draught. 
We believe that in the Scotch houses thus heated, 
the air drains are horizontal. We perceive, naw- 
~ver. that Mr, Moore, the very intelligent director 
7^ Garden, Glasnevin, recommends 
"ea of the house down 
toa, 
v, 
of the Botau. . 
them to slope from the extremiuc. ~ 
to the furnace. This may possibly be an advanwg., 
and is worth consideration, where the ground will 
admit ofsuch a construction ; if, however, this plan 
is adopted, great care must be taken that the fire 
end of the drain is below the source of heat ; other- 
wise the cireulating motion of the air will be coun- 
teracted, and the whole object of the contrivance 
will be nullified, as happened to Mr. Penn, when 
he attempted to remedy his hopeless failure. 
By attention to these points we doubt not that 
the Polmaise system may be applied to all descrip- 
tions of greenhouses, and that, by the aid of a brick- 
layer, persons who cannot afford the A 
tus now in use, may enjoy the luxury of a Vinery or 
forcing house, or may keep their summer plants 
from frost. But it is not merely as a very cheap 
means of heating that it is valuable ; it is doubtless 
important because of the motion in which it keeps 
the atmosphere. We have long intended to touch 
upon that point, one very little understood, and 
scarcely adverted to by physiologists, and shall pro- 
ceed to do so in an early Paper. 
Weexty Prices or POTATOES per ton, in Covent 
Garden Market, in 1844, 1845, and 1846. 
1844-5. | 1845-6. 
November .30 | 50s. to 75s.| November..29| 80s. to 140s. 
December... 7| 50 75 |\December... 6| 80 160 
14/50 — 70 | 13 80 160 
21|50 — 70| 20| 80 160 
8|50 70 || 27 80 160 
Jas. 5o ..4| 50 80 |Jan. . 3|80. 160 
oo 80 4 | 80 160 
18| 50 80 || 17| 80 160 
25| 50 80 | 24| 80 — 160 
Rhe 1/50 80} 170 140 
Also at the waterside, Southwark. 
December.. 9 | 50s, to 70s.| December.. 8| 50s. to 120 
16; 50 70 15 5 120 
23/50 70 | 22(50 120 
30 | 55 — 75 || 29 50 120 
JE y 6| 60. S80" [Jam cs ic5lr50* 10129 
13| 60 — 80| 2/50 120 
20|60  80| 19} 50 120 
27| 55. "80*| 26| 50 120 
THE MARIE LOUISE PEAR. 
Synonymes. — Marie Chrétienne, Forme de Marie Louise, 
Princesse de Parme, Braddick’s Field Standard, Maria. 
Ir may be deemed superfluous to introduce any notice 
of a variety the excellence of which has already ob- 
tained for it an extensive degree of cultivation, . Fre- 
quently, however, it has been received amongst collec- 
tions forwarded for names, even in the past season. 
It may, therefore, be inferred that, in many remote 
localities, there are readers of the Gardeners’ Chronicle 
who may profit by information respecting a variety of 
fruit whieh cannot be too well known. 
This most excellent Pear was raised by the Abbé 
Duquesne, in 1809, and named in honour of the Empress 
Marie Louise, of Austria, consort of Napoleon. It was 
sent to this country by Dr. Van Mons, of Louvain, in 
1816, not only under the name of Marie Louise, but 
also merely designated by various numbers. The sy- 
nonyme of Forme de Marie Louise originated with him ; 
itis one of many similar remarks which he made in 
examining his immense collection after it had been pre- 
eipitately thrown into confusion, and replanted ; such 
were applied to this, and other good varieties, the trees 
of which were found without.names, when all that could 
in consequence be stated on a first examination was, 
that they possessed the form or appearance of a Marie 
Louise, &c.; which, in many cases, they really proved 
to be when duly compared, At the time when this and 
many other new Pears were introduced from Belgium, 
it was not imagined that such delicious fruit could be pro- 
duced on standards. Under some name or number from 
Van Mons, the Marie Louise was received by Mr. Brad- 
fruit ; 
| buds long and pointed, hence not easily distinguished ; 
owers middle sized, petals obovate. ‘Lhe tree is 
generally an excellent bearer, and suitable either for a 
Lf 
Pale brownish yellow, 
smooth, or thinly coated with soft russet. 
In a favourable climate it 
will sueceed on a north wall, and thus the season of the 
fruit may be prolonged. Succeeds on the Quince stock. 
It ought to be in all collections.—H. T. 
Standard, wall, or espalier. 
THE AMATEUR GARDENER. 
RANUNCULUSES; CHOICE OF SORTS,— There is a marked 
difference between the old varieties of this flower and 
the seedlings which have been raised during the last 
few years. The tubers of the former are generally less 
robust and plump; the foliage is often weaker, and the 
flowers are almost always inferior in size and substance 
of petal to those of newly-raised seedlings. The art of 
hybridising has been wonderfully successful with the 
Ranuneulus, and some new beauties are annually pro- 
duced. Unless the old kinds are very striking and un- 
like the modern varieties, the amateur is recommended 
to make his bed of new sorts. His success will be more 
certain, and the healthy and vigorous growth of the 
roots more satisfactory. 
A packet of carefully selected seed, purchased of a 
well known cultivator, will repay all the attention be- 
stowed in raising it ; but this task should be undertaken 
by one who has had some general experience in the 
growth of the flower. Three seasons must pass before 
all the seedlings can be expected to exhibit their cha- 
racter, and even then the quality they will finally assume 
cannot always be ascertained. Some of the finest sorts 
will at first be semi-double, and time is consequently 
required to test their real excellence. Raising from seed, 
therefore, is not the course to be pursued by those who 
are growing Ranunculuses for the first time; and 
although I hope to be able to assist in this interesting 
pursuit on a future occasion, it will be more requisite 
now to point out the best mode of getting a collection 
of well-known and established flowers. 
Without wishing, in the slightest degree, to question 
the integrity of seedsmen and florists, I feel it necessary 
to caution amateurs on the subject of purchasing Ra- 
dick, planted outina field, and in quality 
to that grown against walls. Its external appearance, 
too, being different, more russeted owing to exposure, 
it was considered quite a distinct sort, and was much 
extolled, eagerly sought after, and cultivated under the 
name of Braddick’s Field Standard ; but grown side by 
side with the Marie Louise, as standards, and against a 
wall, the identity was completely ascertained. There is 
a Pear called Pitts Marie Louise, but it is nothing but 
the common Calebasse. 
Soc Rage WA 
The panying Yep tation 18 tnat vr- en 
averaged-sized fruit, from a standard in good condition. 
The flesh is white, smooth, exceedingly melting, but- 
tery and rich. In perfection in October and Novem- 
ber ; but it has been kept in good condition till January 
when grown on particular soils, where the fruit will 
hang till after the trees begin to lose their leaves. Th. 
tree has a sufficiently vigorous but rather straggling 
habit of growth, and requires to be kept clear by 
judicious pruning. The shoots are qark olive; buds 
oblong, tapering. Leaves middle-sized, oval, finely 
Flower- 
serrated ; petioles long and rather slender. 
, as good kinds are expensive, and a failure 
is therefore very provoking. A very fine show may, 
indeed, be secured by one or two hundred mixed roots, 
which may be purchased at very small cost ; and where 
a cheap bed is an object, or where the amateur fears to 
run a greater risk until he has acquired experience, 
mixtures may be recommended. But if you intend to 
raise a bed which shall excite the rivalry of your nei. 
bours, and enable you to compete at a floricul^ s 1 ex- 
hibition, you must be content to pay fo. goy, 
hicher character, aes ae war" nt Sosa ted H 
and which may therefore be sepected to repay you for 
your expense and ear? -- Get them from the grower if 
you can, for in. onanging hands seeds and roots often 
change ‘ames, and discredit the seller and vex the 
bover, There are some celebrated growers of Ranun- 
culuses who have devoted their energies especially to 
this root, and, without mentioning their names, I recom- 
mend you to apply to them. You may select from their 
catalogues, and may rely on their sending you sound 
tubers. Indeed, if you state the size of your bed, you 
may leave the selection to them, as they are acquainted 
with the varieties whose combination will produce the 
happiest results, Another plan should be mentioned as 
suitable for those who may uot be able or willing to 
incur much expense: get a dozen first-rate roots, and 
placing them in different parts of the bed, fill up the 
spaces with common ones, 
you are not able to proceed as directed, but are 
obliged to use your own judgment in selecting you must 
bear in mind that roots may be true to name, and yet in 
themselves useless, The great difficulty to be over- 
come in growing the Ranunculus is encountered after 
| the bloom is passed away, and the roots will be either 
gooa or bad the following year, as they are then treated, 
On this subject much will be said hereafter. The crite- 
rion by which a heaithy root is known, is the plumpness 
of the forked portions, and the fine velvety texture of 
the crown ; especially the latter. The tuber itself may 
be small and shrivelled, and yet the crown will indicate 
a sound condition ; while, on the other hand, a plump- 
ness of the tuber is of no service if the crown is dull, 
and instead of becoming bright when rubbed by the 
hand or on the coat, crumbles away. Like the Dahlia, 
the tube of the Ranunculus will be quite healthy in it- 
self, even where all the young buds or eyes are destroyed; 
it may even live some time in the ground; but vain wil) 
be the expectation of seeing a green shoot! When the 
substance of the tuber is well filled, and the crown is 
glossy, success may be confidently expected, as far as 
the roots themselves are concerned. It should be re- 
membered that the silkiness of the crown, although 
always present in some degree, increases as the growing 
season advances. 
The Turban Ranunculus makes a very splendid show, 
and I wonder-it is not more grown in large gardens, as 
beds of it, each filled with flowers of one colour, would 
have a most imposing effect. The various kinds of 
Turbans may be purchased for three or four shillings a 
hundred. Asan early flower, it is worthy notice. I 
have had yellow Turbans off bloom and ready to be re- 
moved by the second week in June, in time for filling 
the beds with greenh plants. The R may 
be taken up without injury as soon as the flower is 
withered, if the mould is allowed to adhere to it, and all 
the roots thus removed are put into the ground ina 
place secured from rain. They will then gradually 
become fully matured, and may be cleared away in July. 
This latter circumstance removes the objection of the 
beds being occupied too long to allow their being after- 
wards filled with flowering plants. Half-a-dozen beds 
on a Grass-plot’would present a gorgeous sight in May 
and June.—H. B. 
Home Correspondence. 
Gooseberry Caterpillar.—Allow me to suggest that 
instead of leaving the caterpillars on the ground, as 
Mr. Buck does, relying upon their inability to ascend 
the trees, a cloth slit half-way across should be drawn 
under the bush, and when the caterpillars have been 
shaken off by a sudden jerk of the stem with a guarded 
fork, they may be removed and destroyed, or quicklime 
may be sprinkled under the bushes, which will speedily 
kill them.. Two or three shakes will clear the bush of 
nearly every caterpillar, sufficient time being allowed 
between each shake—or, rather, each pair of shakes, for 
some will have lodged amongst the leaves at the first 
shake, and will fall at the second—for them to loose 
their hold. A still day should be chosen.—J. G., Bury. 
Liquid Manure and Guano.—Last season I was 
directed to use guano for some of our plants, and in 
addition to guano I have used liquid manure with the 
greatest success. To eight gallons of pure water I put 
four ounces of guano, dissolved for 24 hours, and to 
this I likewise added 16 gallons of liquid manure, 
mixing the whole together in a large tub ; before apply- 
ing the liquid I mixed it with pure water to suit the 
nature of the plants to which it was given. T have nos 
tried any hard-wooded plants with it, ‘Three plants of 
Musa Cavendishii, taken from the mother. plant’ 15 
months ago, and watered with strong liquid manure 
and guano, are of the following dimensions :— The stem 
is 34 feet in height, and 23 feet in circumference at the 
base. The leaves measure 5 feet in length, and are 
2 feet 8 inches in breadth. One of the plants is showing 
fruit in abundance.—A. Anderson, Castle Malgwyn. 
The Chinese Chrysanthemum.—I am glad to perceive 
that the Chrysanthemum is again beginning to attract, 
the attention of amateurs in this country, and to claim 
that place in their estimation to which its many valu- 
able properties so eminently entitle it. ‘The Chrysan- 
themum flowers luxuriantly in the south of Ireland, 
bidding defiance to frost even during that dreary | erio 1 
when all their autumnal beauties have vanished fro n 
our gardens, an -pefore the Snowdrop and Crocus as 
yet ventur^ t9 peep forth, and it surely merits evcry 
care “ast can be bestowed on its cultivation ; the great 
versity which it presents in its form and colour, the 
elegance and grace of its blossoms, the delicate perfume 
of the entire plant, its long continuance in: fiower, the 
facility with which it is propagated, together with the 
i of its flourishing at a time when it is the 
only ornament of the garden, are recommendations 
which render the Chrysanthemum perhaps the mo:$ 
valuable flower we have. I was much pleased with 
Mr. Tant's directions for its propagation and manage- 
ment, as given in a late Number, and his list of select 
plants is a most useful addition, but there is still a 
great desideratum in this matter. We, in this part of 
the country, who haye%no opportunities of seeing large 
lections of Chr l in blossom, are unable, 
from a mere list of names,.to form any opinicn as to 
the size, shape, or colour of the flowers, or the merits 
