THE 
GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
[Jax. 31; 
haulm cut close off and gathered together except that on | 
an adjoining piece, In that state they remained for 
about a month. When: they were taken up we 
found that where the haulm wasinjured at least four in 
six werediseased; but where the disease had not appeared 
before we cut the haulm, there were not five in 100, 
and the tubers were as sound and as clear in the skin, 
and cook as well as ever I saw them, The portion in 
which the haulm was left on, was not taken up for 
another month,and 19in 20 wererotten. Our (Chapman's) 
New Spring Kidney, a kind possessing the flavour and 
appearance of those grown under glass, which we grow 
for keeping up a supply through winter and spring, we 
preserve on shelves in a fruit room until we plant them, 
which ison or about the Ist of July. We did so last 
season, and not a Potato escaped the disease. They 
were attacked immediately they appeared above the 
ground ; it appeared first in the foliage, which seemed 
to dry up, and ina few days the stem turned black, and 
became so brittle, that the wind snapped it off as if it 
had been glass. It lingered a short time, and then died 
away ; and the result was that we did not obtain so 
great a weight of Potatoes as were planted. When 
we planted the above, we had more than sufficient sets 
for our land, and the overplus remained where the 
others came from until the Ist of October, when we 
planted them ; on the 16th inst., we dug up the produce, 
and not a diseased Potato appeared among them. There 
was part of the sets which had grown, and had formed 
tubers ; these were planted at the same time as the 
others, and were every one diseased ; in fact, I have 
not seen a worse case. In planting these some of the 
shoots were broken off, and in that state the sets were 
planted ; some of them proceeded to form new shoots, 
and have formed tubers; others formed tubers without 
any shoots, and neither of them have any disease about 
them. e are growing a kind which I purchased 
early last summer, many of them not larger than a 
marble, which are all growing, and are at least a foot 
high. The person who sold me the sets has since told 
me, that he allowed a quantity of the same kind to 
grow later in the land for seed, and nearly the whole 
of them rotted, We never lost one, and they are per- 
fectly healthy. So likewise are those from the Love- 
grove's and Fox’s Seedlings. We shall be enabled to 
fruit these three kinds by March, which will be before 
most people will want to plant, when I will make it 
known if they are free from disease. From our own 
kind we shall raise three crops within the year, viz., the 
one taken up on the 16th will produce another by May, 
or beginning of June, in plenty of time for another by 
Oetober. It may be said, I am promising too much 
for the future ; but of the present, all I can say is, that 
any one may see them here, or at Mr. Israel’s, Covent- 
garden, where I will exhibit them, and they are as 
fally matured as if they had had a year to grow in, and 
as free from disease as any grown 10 yearsago. The 
foregoing are facts,and I leave it to more scientific 
persons to aecount for the eause ; my opinion is, as I 
státed in the outset, that the disease is eaused by atmo- 
spheric influence acting on the haulm, and that the 
tuber had nothing to do with it, and the malady will 
never return, unless similar circumstances occur; for 
it is elear the early Potatoes were not injured up to a 
certain time, and then they were on a sudden severely 
attacked ; that could not be the fault of the sets. The 
earlier the kinds, the less they were injured, in conse- 
quence of the haulm having nearly performed its fune- 
tions. The disease made no distinction between old and 
new kinds, and it is certain that the early removal ot 
the haulm was of great benefit to the crop. The most 
convincing proof of all, however, is, that the same kind, 
coming from the same land, kept together in the same 
manner and place, planted on the 1st July, should all 
be diseased ; and those planted on the Ist October all 
sound (aye, all!) excepting those which would be as 
near as possible in the same state as those planted on 
1st of July, viz., growing, and with tubers formed ; and 
furthermore, those which had no shoots when planted 
are in no wise diseased, None of them had a particle 
of moisture near them from the spring, when they were 
placed on the shelves until they were respectively 
planted. It seems, therefore, clear, that-at some period 
of last year, probably about the end of July, there was 
some peculiar atmospheric change, which, combined with 
other things, attacked the haulm of the Potato, and 
through that diseased the (then growing) tubers ; for it 
should be remembered, its ravages were not confined 
to the Potato alone, but the Tomata (belonging to the 
same family) was attacked in the same manner ; all the 
early fruit were sound, and all those left on. the plants 
later were diseased. Onions, and other garden produce 
were attacked in the same manner. And the disease 
must have been totally independent of the quantity of 
rain which fell, or how could it attack the Potatoes in 
the house, where they were kept perfectly dry. If my 
conclusions from the foregoing facts are correct, there 
is every reason to hope that we have seen the 
worst of this disease, and that the perpetuation of it is 
notat all probable. Andif ever it should again occur, 
the best mode of stopping its ravages is to immediately 
on its appearance remove the haulm, which is the 
medium through which it affects the tubers,— Charles 
Chapman, Market Gardener, Brentford End. 
Chicory-Salad.—The object of the experiment now 
making (noticed in a short Leading Article last week in 
this Journal, p. 51), to introduce this excellent Salad 
into Covent Garden Market, where it may be still pur- 
chased of Messrs. Grimley and Co., &e., is to try to 
extensive as at Paris and Brussels, where at this time 
of the year it supersedes Endive, over which, from its 
greater amount of the bitter principle, it has the great 
advantage of being both more digestible and more 
wholesome. A lady of our acquaintance who cannot 
taste Endive can eat Chicory with impunity.—W. S. 
The Best Time to Fell Fir Timber is just when the 
sap begins to flow in the spring. Peel the Larch, its 
bark being half the value of that of Oak. Immerse the 
timber in water during the summer months, to set the 
turpentine, and I warrant it never to warp or spring 3 
its texture will be greatly hardened, and its durability 
doubly increased.—J. H. 
Retarding Flowers.—l observed in the autumn at 
Paris many common flowers blowing out of their season 
used for the nosegays in the streets and the shops, but 
more particularly the Violet and the small common 
white and the red Picotee. The Violet we now blow 
well enough in the autumn; but what is the culture 
which produces such abundance through the autumn of 
the Pieotee ? On looking over the rules of some Flower 
Shows, I remarked that most of them contained prizes 
for the retarding the blooming of common flowers, as 
well as forcing. For the London nosegay market, this 
retardation is of no great consequence, as few people 
are in town, but for the country gardener who has an 
autumn daily nosegay to produce, this point is of im- 
portance,— Dodman, Dublin. 
Growing Melons without Bottom-heat.—Mr. Walker's 
communication on this subject affirms results so far 
beyond what are commonly accomplished as to place all 
who are interested in Melon growing under great ob- 
ligations to him, and I feel sure he will excuse me if I 
ask for further information on one or two minor points. 
I should be much obliged if he would speak a little 
more fully of the state of the atmosphere—as regarded 
moisture—in which he grew his plants ; for, I should 
judge from his recorded opinion that the “ tank or 
gutter system” would be most applicable ; that his 
practice went to contradict one’s old notions as to the 
dryness: of atmosphere necessary to the full health 
and flavour of the Melon. Perhaps. he will also say 
whether his liquid manure was a steep of guano, or 
merely the common drainage of the dung-heap. And 
now, Mr, Editor, a question for yourself. Do you 
think Mr. Walker’s method of planting and growing 
the Melon in the interior of a house warmed by hot 
water pipes can be fairly termed a “growing of the Melon 
without bottom-heat ?”—Theta, [No.] I read Mr. 
Walker's remarks (p. 20) on this subject, and it strikes 
me that there is not that novelty in the system which 
he seems anxious to impress us witli, for a similar plan 
has been practised in many places in this country, 
especially at Chatsworth, where for some seasons past, 
Melons have been grown in pots, and trained up the 
back wall, and every success has attended the system. 
In pots they are subject to the various changes to which 
plants in houses are liable when the pots are not 
plunged in some material, but in Mr. W.’s house, 
if I recollect rightly, the pipes by which the house is 
heated, run parallel to or very near the bed in which 
the Melons are planted, and the roots must conse- 
quently receive a considerable degree of heat, especially 
when we bear in mind that Melons do not root par- 
ticularly deep into the soil. I presume, therefore, that 
the roots must have been in as warm a medium, and 
one considerably steadier than that in which the leaves 
were. There are two points in “Mr. W.'s” paper 
which I do not understand ; Ist, it is said that when 
the roots are not excited, more light is required for the 
perfect ‘elaboration of the sap. Now I am of opinion 
that the reverse is the case, for I conceive that light is 
required to a much greater degree when a reciprocal 
action is maintained between the roots and. leaves ; 
2dly, though I agree in the remarks regarding the 
inefficiency of dung beds for Melons, I differ from 
“Mr. W.” as to the inutility of dung as a manure ; for 
I believe that that material is not only necessary but 
absolutely indispensable as yet to the gardener, for 
although much has been done in the way of substitutes, 
yet.I haye never, heard of any place where dung has 
been entirely dispensed with. Will Mr. W. inform 
us if such is the case at the Viceregal Gardens, and the 
result?—P, S. 
Double Stocks.—' The cause of the production of 
double flowers in Stocks, seems to be a disputed point. 
I gave a friend part of some seed of 1843, of my own 
saving, and I sowed from the same parcel, both in the 
autumn of 1844,and the spring of 1845; in both seasons 
the produce was double ; but my friend informed me 
that his flowers were nearly, if not all single. The soil 
on which the plants producing single flowers grew was 
warm gravelly material; the other was a stiff loam, 
well worked ; this, I imagine, clearly proves that the 
nature of the soil has great influence in the production 
of double flowers. In saving the seed, I pay no regard 
to the parts of the flower, but merely save some of the 
single from among double flowers.—J. L., Deptford. 
Oyster Plant.—1t were to be wished that some expe- 
rimental gardener would attempt the cultivation of the 
Oyster plant (Pulmonaria maritima), a native of Wales, 
and try the dressing of it for the table. Another sort 
of pot-herbs, which would be at least worth trying, are 
the sour kinds of Rhubarb, which might be as good as 
Sorrel in sauces.—.4non. 
Conifers in the North of Scotland.—There being 
what I consider a very fine tree of Abies Deodara 
growing where I reside, I measured it, and the follow- 
ing are its dimensions :—From the ground to the tip of 
excite a demand for it which may ultimately become as 
the leader it measured llfeet, the diameter of the 
branehes at the ground was 10 feet, the girth of the 
trunk at the same place 22inches. The tree is of a fine 
coniéal shape, and forms a highly ornamental object. 
Several pieces of this Deodar were, some years ago, 
grafted on the Cedar of Lebanon, from 8, to 10 
feet in height, and are now the most beautiful objects 
imaginable. The trunks of some specimens of the latter: 
measure 72 inches in circumference, which, if squared,- 
would be 18 inches in the side. At 5 feet from the 
ground the same trunk measures 9 feet 6 inches in girth, 
above this it branches out horizontally, forming a circle,, 
the diameter of which is 61} feet ; the tree, which iss 
36 feet 6 inches in height, being rather spreading. than. 
of elevated stature. Several of its neighbours, however, 
rise to the height of 56 feet, with trunks 4 feet in girth. 
It may be interesting to know that a lady still living in 
the neighbourhood, sowed the seeds of these. In this. 
place is also standing the remains of a once promising 
Pinus Douglasii, whose trunk, with its stumped 
branches, is now destined to form a Rose pillar. This 
tree was planted about 12 years ago, as was also the 
Abies Deodara above alluded to; the former was then 
6 inches in height, which, at the present time, is 28} ft... 
thus making a growth of nearly 23 feet per year. Is it 
usual for the P. Douglasii to die at an early age, or may 
its death be ascribed to the roots getting down into a kind 
of * dull dead” sand, as I am told they did. A branch of. 
this tree, which, lying on the ground, had struck root, 
was separated at the death of the parent, and is now 
forming itself into a tree. The branch was quite small 
when separated from the stock.—Abdalonymus. [We 
have heard of other instances of the Douglas Fir dying, 
without apparent cause. ] 
Seedling Fuchsias.—Having devoted some attention 
to the growing and raising from seed the beautiful 
genus Fuchsia, I am led to believe that the varieties so 
raised do not in all instances come. up to the expecta- 
tions formed of them when seen in the second year of 
flowering; in very many cases the: flowers of seedling 
Fuchsias are finer and larger in the first year than they 
are ever afterwards. All the varieties which I find to 
sport in this way, whether I raise them myself or pur- 
chase them of others, I do away with, and keep no- 
variety that is not lasting. Good cultivation has a 
great deal to do with keeping up the character of any 
variety, and therefore many good varieties that have 
been sent out, are, through bad and indifferent culture, 
pronounced bad, or good for nothing, We have now a 
great number of fine showy varieties in cultivation, and 
I would take the liberty of suggesting to all nurserymen,. 
florists, and raisers of scedling Fuchsias, that where 
they are fortunate in getting a good variety, and that 
it is thought worth notice, they should keep.and flower 
it the second year, before sending it out to the public. 
A similar practice has been adopted for the last few 
years with seedling Dahlias and Pelargoniums ; by so- 
doing, sufficient time will be given to test the lasting 
and good properties of the plant and flower, besides. 
giving greater satisfaction to purchasers. Any new 
Fuchsia that would claim the attention of the floricul- 
tural world, must be something distinct in all its proper-- 
ties, and it is quite impossible to judge from written 
descriptions. —Fuchsia. 
Gnats.—On the edge of a young plantation there are 
a few Birch trees growing about 15 or 20 yards apart 
from each other, and the side of the young wood where 
the Birches are growing extends about half a mile. 
Last autumn there were, some evenings, immense 
numbers of long gnats collected into living clouds, and 
each congregated mass dancing above the top of a Birch: 
tree ; i a small detac! t might be seen 
above some of the other trees, but they were as nothing 
in eomparison to those that were collected above the 
Birch. Is there anything remarkable about that {ree 
which could attract them in such numbers in preference 
to thousands of other trees growing along with the- 
Birch.—P. M. 
Societies. 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 
Jan. 2.—F, Baruam, Esq., in the chair. The Se- 
eretary announced that British plants had been received 
from Mr. H. C. Watson, Dr. Bossey, Dr. Bromfield, 
Rev. H. L. Jenner, Mr. W. D. Biden, Mr. J. Ray, Mr. 
F. Barham, Mr. W. L. Noteutt, Mr. E. Lees, Mr. H. 
O. Stephens, Mr. G. U. K. Thwaites, Mr. T. Moore,. 
Mr. J. D. Salmon, Mr. J. Freeman, Mr. G. Fitt, Miss 
Beever, Mr. J. Tatham, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. S. P. 
Woodward, Mr. W. Andrews, Mr. J. Stores, and the 
Secretary. Foreign plants had been received from Mr. 
T. Twining, jun. Various donations to the library were- 
also announced. Read “ Further Observations on the 
Potato Murrain,” by H. O. Stephens, Esq., of Bristol,. 
corresponding member of the Society, The paper was- 
accompanied by some beautiful drawings. 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 
‘an. 8.—Professor Balfour, president, in the chair; 
The Treasurer read a letter from Mrs. G 
senting to the Society some valuable M papers, on 
botanical subjects, by the late Professor Graham. Wm. 
Ivory, Esq., W.S., 26, York-place, was clected a resi- 
dent fellow. The following communications were read + 
—Notice regarding some species of plants recently obe- 
served as natives of Britain, by Mr. E . Among 
the species referred to in this notice, were Alsine 
stricta, Carduus arvensis 8. setosus, Glyceria. plicata, 
Barkhausia setosa, &c. ; specimens of these, and of Silene 
italica, from two Scotch stations, were exhibited to the 
meeting. Dr. Balfour read a short notice from Dr. 
