13.—1846.] THE 
GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 207 
that we cannot do a better service to natural history 
than by recommending all who love its study, or would 
promote it, to enrol themselves members of the Ray 
ociety, 
Plants. 
19. Ficus vircata. Rod-branched Fig. 
Shrub. (Morads.) North of India. 
In general appearance this shrub resembles the 
common eatable Fig, but it seems to form a much 
The young shoots, leaves, and fruit 
e with fine ‘short hairs. The leaves 
are roundish-ovate, from three inches to four 
inches long, regularly serrated all round, except at 
the very base, and seated on taper stalks rather less 
than half their own length ; they are slightly wrinkled 
on the upper side, but very much so on the lower, The 
Figs are seated on short stalks, have a pear-shaped 
figure, and seem to be as large as the fruit of the sorb ; 
usually they appear singly, but in some instances two 
ave grown from the same axil. It is a deciduous 
shrub, eapable of withstanding an ordinary winter, if 
planted in a dry situation, It was killed to the ground 
y the last severe winter. It grows freely in any good 
garden soil. It has no beauty as am object of cultiva- 
tion, and is only interesting as a distinct half-hardy 
species.—Journal of the Horticultural Soc 
20, PLEUROTHALLIS CRENATA. Crenelled Pleurothall. 
Stove Epiphyte. (Orchids) Mexico. Messrs. 
82. 
Half-hardy 
he 
very short stem: 
leaf, dull purple, bearing the d 
base on long nodding pedicel 
spotted with dull dark purpl 
8. 
e 
long, ovate, acute, equal, somewhat keeled at the backs, very 
minutely downy, the two lower united beyond the middle. 
Lip oblong, 
Petals lanceolate, acute, shorter than the sep: 
fleshy, obtuse, a little broader in the middle, slight 
very concave, dull purple with a marginal row of d 
spots, and within them a narrow hairy space. Column slightly 
hooded, with the anther-bed crenelled and extended on each 
side in front into a tooth. Anther crested, erenelled.—J. L 
This is one of the larger flowered species of Pleuro- 
thall, and is not very unlike P. xestrepioides and 
Mathe near whieh it must be placed in the arrange- 
It is not a plant of any beauty. 
4 
ment. 
Garden Memoranda. 
S. Rucker, Esq. t Hill, Wandsworth.—This 
place has long been celebrated for its fine and valuable 
collection of exotic Orchids, and justly, for at few places 
are they grown to such perfection. The bright green 
of their foliage, and the immense size of many of the 
Specimens, bear ample testimony to the judicious 
treatment they receive. Few of them were in bloom ; 
but of those that were may ke mentioned Galeandra 
Devoniana, a pretty specios, with greenish brown petals, 
and a large pink streaked funnel-shaped lip; the rare 
white-flowered Phaleenopsis amabilis; a large and 
pretty specimen of Phaius Wallichii ; the finely formed 
Dendrobium aggregatum, with short pendent spikes of 
light yellow flowers, having orange eentres ; and Ca- 
lanthe veratrifolia, and Burlingtonia venusta, both with 
delicate white blossoms. In the same house was a 
specimen of the New Holland pitcher plant ( Cephalotus 
follicularis) with 18 pitchers on it, and many more 
making their appearance; it was growing in a 6-inch 
pot, inva mixture of loam and peat. This curious little 
plant is generally grown under a bell glass; but we were 
informed that in this instance it has never been covered 
at all; but fully exposed to the atmosphere of the house. 
The carious Nepenthes distillatoria was growing here 
in the most robust health, and covered with pitchers 5 
and N. ampullacea was also producing pitchers con- 
siderably larger than those of the former, and differing 
from them also in being spotted with bright brown, and 
in being furnished at the back with a pair of wings, 
edged with a tooth-like fringe. Close to these was a 
thriving plantof the Stag’s-horn Fern Platycerium grande. 
This was growing on a thin board about a foot square, 
Suspen fi The house 
d ‘vom the roof by one of its sides. 
close to the Orchid house (45 feet in length and 14 in 
width) has been recently very much altered, and is now 
Well adapted to the growth of such plants, presenting 
an extremely clean and light appearance. The old 
smoke flues have been pulled down, and itis now heated 
by hot water flowing in 4 -inch iron pipes, which entering 
at the end of the house close to the back wail, pass round 
to the front, where they are made to traverse a brick 
and cement tank, 45 feet in length and 3 feet in width, 
or the length and breadth of the front shelf, This tank 
has 6 inches in depth of water in it, which covers the 
Pipes, and it is closed in by slate covers, which are not 
cemented together, but laid loosely so as to allow mois- 
ure to ascend between them. On these covers are laid 
about 4 inches in depth of sand, on which the plants 
are placed, and through which the heat and moisture 
pass, affording a moist bottom heat to the plants. 
Moreover, means of supplying moisture to the atmo: 
Phere of the house is provided in the shape of smail 
Openings in the side of the tank or front shelf ; these 
are fitted with little slate slides, which can be opened or 
closed, as it is desired that vapour should escape or be 
Withheld, ‘The centre bed is not heated, and it may be 
Mentioned that the flow pipe which heats the atmosphere 
Immediately after entering the house, branches off into 
another pipe of the same size, which, passing along 
above the first pipe, unites with itagain where the latter 
enters the tank or front shelf. On this top pipe little 
Troughs are cast, to hold water for supplying moisture 
to the atmosphere. This house is also filled with Or- 
chids, among which were many magnificent speci- 
mens of first-rate cultivation. Those in flower were 
drobi C id producing 13 spikes of 
dark brown spotted orange blossoms; the curious little 
Leptotes bicolor, with from. three to seven flowers on a 
spike ; Erica densiflora, having 17 spikes of cream co- 
loured blossoms; several fine plants of Dendrobium 
nobile and Wallichii; and an enormous mass of Oncidium 
altissimum, throwing up 13 blossom spikes ; together 
with the showy onse Skinneri, which has been in 
bloom for these three months, and which still promises 
to produce its gaudy blossoms for some time to come. 
In the greenhouse, whieh was gay with the different 
kinds of forced flowers, we particularly remarked a 
pretty standard Azalea, with a fine head of red and white 
blossoms, strikingly contrasting with one another, and 
rendering the plant a very attractive object. This has 
been effected by inarching A. lateritia and Gladstonesi 
together on a straight stem, about 3 feet in height, of 
the old A. phoenicea, which forms an excellent stock for 
the purpose. The small conservatory attached to the 
mansion was also exceedingly gay for the season of the 
year with Pelargoniums and other foreed flowers, espe- 
cially Azaleas, among which was a fine plant of la! i 
4 feet high, whose bright red blossoms contrasted well 
with the lilae flowers of pulehra and other paler-blos- 
somed varieties. These were all placed very closely to- 
gether, and formed a dense bank of flowers of various 
shades and colours, having.a very imposing effect, In 
conclusion, it is but justice to Mr. Mylam to mention 
that the whole place was in excellent keeping—every- 
thing evineing the very best management. 
Miscellaneous. 
Probable Effects of the Frost on Vegetation.—Vege- 
tation bas seldom been so far advanced in this country in 
the month of March as it was this season. ‘The Pelar- 
gonium and many a tender exotic stood out in the open 
flower-garden three days ago with “ lively green,” that 
indicated unwonted exuberance and bloom for the 
coming summer to the lover of flowers. The first (and 
perhaps only) fruit of the Gooseberry had been tasted 
in “ the tart," aud the orehards and the garden walls 
were covered with expanding blossoms and embryo 
fruit, The forest was already bespangled with the soft 
spring tints of the Larch and the Balsam Poplar. The 
moth and myriads of insect tribes danced in the shades 
of night and beams of the morning in their summer 
transformations. The vegetable and insect kingdoms 
were teeming with life on the morning of Wednesday, 
but that severe night came and threw the iey mantle of 
death and destruction over the throbbing bosom of 
nature. The sun arose next morning, and removed 
the icy garment, but it was only to show the wreck and 
ruin—the symbols of a departing world ! The :ento- 
mologist saw the earth incrusted with the slain. The 
school-boy lifted the thrush from its frozen young. The 
Jg 
looked sad on a desolate and fruitless garden, 
tlie full effeets of the frost may be it is perhaps prema- 
ture to estimate. From personal observation, how- 
ever, during a walk in the country, I would ealeulate 
something like the following results. We shall not have 
one-twentieth of an average erop of those home-grown 
fruits which now form such an important portion of the 
food of both rich and poor. 
Pear, Cherry, Peach, or Apricot remain in the open 
the season, hence they deserve extended cultivation. 
It is not only the loss of blossoms and fruit for the pre- 
sent season, but the trees themselves (especially inland) 
may not recover for many year and many will die. 
old, aud may have been damaged by the frost, ought at 
once to be removed, as they will only engender insects, 
and prove “ cumberers of the ground.” Young plants 
ought to be planted so soon as the weather is mild, to 
supply their loss. The tops, as well as ali others that 
remain, ought to be pruned well inthis season. The 
withered flower buds of trees that remain ought also to 
be eut off, to induce the reserve buds below to form a 
succession. This is a law which Nature teaches, if we 
observe fruit trees generally, or the Poplar of the forest ; 
but the Larch tree, for instance, does not readily re- 
cover its wonted vigour by the growth of its reserve 
buds. I fear that noble tree has reeeived a check from 
the last three nights’ frost, which may retard the in- 
creasing growth of its trunk for years, if not destroy 
three-fourths of its extent in the forest. Wherever the 
buds are much damaged with the frost, it is more com- 
mendable to clear the ground of it before the first pes 
Potatoes, &e. Should the present extent of injured 
Larch remain to propagate the disease and insects which 
Nature provides to carry off interrupted and diseased 
circulation, the woods as well as the fields may soon be 
infested with a plague to both the animal and vegetable 
kingdom.—R. 4., Edinburgh Evening Courant. 
Asphalted Flower Stakes—1t having been stated that 
from decaying underground,thefollowing experiment was 
the surface of the ground. 
florist wept o'er his withered flowers, and the gardener 
What 
Scarcely a Gooseberry, 
garden; Apples and Plums will also be few. Straw- 
berries and Raspberries are the only probable frnit of 
Every Gooseberry bush and “fruit tree that was getting 
ing season goes by, and get advantage of the ground for 
Seyssel Asphalte would prevent Dahlia and other stakes 
tried. Stakes thoroughly dry, and consisting of Birch, 
Elm, Ash, Hazel, &c., were coated with boiling asphalte | 
sufficiently high up to allow for one foot being above 
The portion of the stakes 
just above the ground soon began to decay, and by the | this end, when mai 
in the same manner. ‘hat portion of the stake which 
is under ground, and covered with the asphalte decays 
faster than when driven into the ground without any 
such preparation. — Journal of the Horticultural 
Society. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
(For the ensuing Week. ) 
CONSERVATORIES, STOVE, &c. 
Tur classification of business is at alitimes of the 
utmost importance, more especially at this period. 
There are maxims in gardening established by long 
ractice, which, if borne in-mind by the amateur or the 
tyro, would save, in no small degree, the tedium of repe- 
tition in Calendars. For instance, in sowing operations, 
there are certain vegetables for which, in order to pro- 
duce a continuous succession, no better rule can be 
offered than to sow a succession as soon as the preceding 
sowingis fairly above-ground. Such may he said of 
Peas, Beans, Horn Carrots (for drawing young), 
Radishes, Spinach, small Again with re- 
gard to plants for early forcing purposes, the budding 
or shooting of one set introduced to the forcing-pit, 
should be the signal for the introduction of a succession. 
In matters of propagation, likewise, the cuttings of va- 
rious flowers for a summer’s display should be collected 
if at all possible simultaneously, struck in.a frame or 
it together, and nursed t ier afterwards. "The 
alway et with more steady and uwiliform treatment 
under se, and it conduces likewise to the 
easy dispatch of business. Plant-houses in general.— 
A thorough revision of all the various tribesin the dif- 
ferent houses where plant growing and foreing are 
ry at one period or 
of late Vineries or 
Peach-houses generally o: 
ment, and of course for relieving the other structures. 
It is of great importance to keep things classified, or in 
families, as mùch as possible, which, as well as facili- 
tating business, will add a zest to these structures. 
Exhausted forcing stock should, by all means, have a 
pit, or frame, fitted up especially for them. The 
should by no means ‘be allowed to mix with the general 
stock. ‘The amateur may carry out this principle wit 
a small frame. bed of fermenting material of a mild 
character, covered 6 or 8 inches deep with tan, and 
well topped up with lining 1d matted at night, is the 
thing required. A bottom-heat of 80° with Írequent 
syringings, and the plants plunged (of course), will re- 
store them to perfect health, and prepare them for an- 
other campaign. Stove Plants and Orchids.—Orchids 
should now be allowed a slight advance in temperature, 
especially by shutting up early. Mixed Greenhouse.— 
Fuchsias will be benefited by the application of clear 
liquid manure. Very liberal shifts will be necessary at this 
period, more especially with those intended for very large 
specimens. Cinerarias for late blooming should, if pot- 
bound, be shifted likewise. Let plants in need of 
water have immediate attention; nothing conduces 
ement of insects than suffering 
plants to become checked through drougt Follow up 
matters of propagation, and see that cuttings and young 
stock, are carefully shaded when necessary 
KITCHEN GARDEN FORCING. 
Pines.—1t is to be hoped that the cautions so oft- 
repeated about root-burning been sedulously at- 
tended to. It is absolutely impossible to attain even 
moderate share of success his sad evil is allowed 
to take place, What is called a lively bottom-heat is at 
all times an insecure course. This, by common con- 
sent, is allowed to be from 90° to 95°, and is, in my 
opinion, but a dangerous game to play at. Mr. Hamil- 
ton assured me last summer that he had no doubt that 
over-excitement of this kind tended, amongst other 
evils, to greatly increase the erown. Vineries.— hin- 
ning and shoulder-tying being finished in early Vineries, 
little is necessary to be done, except to pursue an 
even course in regard to heat and atmospheric mois- 
ture. See that all the principal leaves, on which [so 
much depends, have fair play as to a free exposure’ to 
the light, and endeavour to prevent their coming m con- 
tact with the glass ; most houses are wired too close to it. 
Follow up stopping, more especially with the grosser 
shoots, and allow lower branches to ramble a little, to 
equalise the sap. Late ines as before; keep the 
wood moistened at least twice a day. Peach-houses.— 
The early fruit will in many cases be stoning. Remem- 
ber that this process will not bear pushing. If such be 
attempted, the trees will east their fruit. Seethatyoung 
wood is carefully trained to the trellis ; this is a most 
important point at all t The true way to accelerate 
the ripening period is to endeavour by all means to 
promote the healthy « tions of the plant. No plant 
requires more sun than the Peach, and abortive 
blossoms commonly ng from bad attention to the 
summer training. Figs, Cherries, &e—More Figsarelost 
through drought than by any other evil. A constantly 
moist state of the soil is indispensable to their success, 
when confined in boxes or pots. They succeed admirably 
when a pitof leaves in a state of fermentation ean begiven 
up tothem. Plunged in a bottom-heat of 70° or 759°, 
in this way, and allowed to ramble at the root, with 
close stopping in the wood, and a humid atmosphere of 
65° or 70°, they will be everything that can be desired. 
Cherries and Strawberries as before. Cucumbers and 
| Melons.—Get out successional crops, if not done ; take 
every precaution to avoid burning at the roots. To 
king the hills for them, form a hole 
end of the season all were quite rotten. his appliea- | three parts the depth of the bed in the centre of each 
Some of the stakes treated as | light; half fill it with raw turf chopped slightly, and on 
Never finally soil 
tion proves injurious. 
| above mentioned, and not driven into the ground, rotted | this place the compost for the hills. 
