cem 
304 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
[May 9, 
aloifolium, E. Stamfordianum, E. alatum, E. aciculare, 
Mee Tus hil 
very elegant ; gkii, E. A 
Barkeria spectabilis is flowering freely in a common 
Vinery, where it has grown for two years. Among 
Oriental air plants, properly so called, we may mention 
Aérides crispum, A. maculatum, A. odoratum, A. 
affine, A. quinquevulnera, &e.; S labi preemor- 
sum, S. guttatum, S. ampullaceum, and a new Species 
from Nepal, with curious shell-like flowers, and which 
has been nine months in perfecting a raceme of. only 
2 inches in length, But the object of greatest interest 
is a plant of S labi taehyum, which is 
throwing up a gigantic flower stem. This species was 
discovered by Mr. Cumming in the Philippine Islands, 
and sent to all his subscribers, but none of the plants 
survived the voyage except those in the box received 
by Mr, Wilmore, from whom the Knypersley specimen 
was derived. The habit of S. macrostachyum is much 
larger than that of any other East Indian air plant, 
(measuring nearly 4 feet across), and is more graceful 
than that of Angraecum eburneum, the only plant in 
our collections that approaches it in dignity. If, as 
there seems every reason to expect, the cultivated spe- 
cimens equal the wild in luxuriance, S. macrostachyum 
will prove to be one of the greatest ornaments of our 
stoves, the raceme in Dr. Lindley’s herbarium (see 
* Sertum Orchid.” sub. t. xlvii), being, *as long as a 
field-officer’s plume.” 
g 
Calendar of Operations. 
(For the ensuing Week. 
Towers for Masses.—1n order that half-hardy flowers 
may be induced to make rapid progress when planted 
out, it is absolutely necessary that those taken from in- 
door protection undergo a hardening process for at 
least a week. Inno case is the old adage, of “the 
more haste the worse speed,” more applicable than in 
this affair. To be well-established in their pots, and 
well hardened, is to insure success, Many persons, 
however (in fact, the majority), cannot command frame 
or pit room sufficient to receive a host of potted off Ver- 
benas, Calceolarias, Heliotropes, Petunias, Fuchsias, 
Pelargoniums, &e. ; such, therefore, cannot pot off 
stock singly. The next best plan is, to prepare some 
raised beds, in the kitehen-garden, with old vegetable 
mould (light and sandy), and to transplant, or, as the 
gardeners term it, prick out the struck cuttings from 
their store-pots by the middle of April into these beds, 
about 3 inches apart—in fact, so that they can be 
taken up with a trowel, with a ball of earth ; they must 
have hoops and mats, or some good covering every 
night, and, in bad weather, perhaps all day. In the 
second or third week in May, they may be transferred 
to their destination, removing with good balls of earth. 
CONSERVATORIES, STOVE, & 
Conservatory.—Although repetition is tedious, I must 
again urge the propriety of weeding out all extraneous 
or fading plants from both this and other plant struc- 
tures ; better destroy inferior stock than suffocate the 
good. Where a system of high cultivation is carried 
out, erowding will assuredly defeat the end in view. 
Stove.—Have an eye tothe propagation of stock for 
succession or winter flowering in due time. Make 
haste to secure cuttings of such plants as Brugmansias, 
Clerodendrons, Erythrinas, Poinsettias, Eranthemums. 
and those useful winter-flowering plants, the Euphorbia 
jacquiniflora and the Gesnera bulbosa. Orchids.— 
Those who have only one house in which to grow their 
whole stock, must make a compromise in point of tem- 
erature between the natives of the hot and moist val- 
leys, or shady woods of the east, and those from the 
western hemisphere, which inhabit high and airy re- 
gions. To accomplish this, I would advise a very free 
circulation of air during the earlier part of the day, and 
even alittle all night if possible, accompanied with a great 
amount of atmospheric moisture ; and to accommodate, 
with the least sacrifice, such as Aerides, Saccolabiums, 
Dendrobiums, &c., would shut up a considerable 
amount of heat very early in the afternoon.— Mixed 
G house.—Centradenias now with flower- 
ing, should be shook ont of their pots and repotted. 
ibrous loam, fibrous heath-soil, with charcoal and 
coarse sand, make an excellent compost for them. 
Make cuttings of them as soon as nice young wood can 
be obtained. See that all tender Annuals have timely 
attention in regard to shifting, pricking out, liquid 
manure, &e. 
KITCHEN GARDEN FORCING. 
Pines.—Let shifting take place as soon as the plants 
have filled their pots. Give air most freely to all grow- 
ing stock, and above all plenty of atmospheric moisture. 
Melons.—If there be any room to spare on kerbs or 
over back flues of houses “at work,” some of the finer 
Melons may be placed thereon in pots or boxes, These, 
however, should be roomy and filled with mellow turfy- 
loam, out of which the loose soil has been separated. 
ineries.—Let late Vines now breaking have every at- 
tention in regard to disbudding, &e. The litter or dung 
covering should now be removed from all borders, 
whether of early or late Vineries. Litter in an unfer- 
menting state keeps the soil cool instead of imparting 
warmth in the early part of summer. 
KITCHEN GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 
Potatoes of the early kinds have suffered much from 
the late frosts. Such as have lost their leaders should 
be replaced by good sets. In small breadths they may 
be introduced with a trowel. Sea-kale should now 
have the superfluous shoots thinned away—about four 
or five to each stool is amply sufficient. Keep down all 
blossom-shoots from both Rhubarb and Sea-kale ; these 
exhaust the plant much. Stir the ground well between 
the rows of early Potatoes. Weed all Carrot and Onion- 
beds as soon as the weed can be got hold of. Those who 
are short of hands will find this the best economy. Let 
those who would have first-rate Asparagus see that 
plenty of manure or half-rotten vegetable matter is du 
into the alleys forthwith. Orcharding and Fruit-trees 
in General.—Disbud Peaches and Nectarines. Pinch 
off the foreright shoots in Apricots, leaving a leaf or 
two at the base ; these will sometimes cause natural 
spurs to develope themselves. Coverings may now be 
removed from protected fruit-trees in general. 
FLOWER-GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES, 
See that all Roses budding have due attention : dis- 
budding, stopping, &c., is as necessary here as in fruit 
trees. Watch the buds inserted last August, Rub off 
the stock buds in a progressive way, and let all Roses, 
whether standard or dwarfs, be well top-dressed with 
good rotten manure if not previously done. "The Moss 
and Provins kinds, intended for forcing next winter, 
should have a rich mulching, fairly covering the pots, 
As Crocuses and other bulbs will now be on the wane, 
patches of biennials, which have stood the winter, may 
be planted close beside them: when the Annuals are 
decayed the bulbs, if necessary, may be removed at the 
same time. One of the most important matters in this 
department at this period, is the preparation of half 
hardy stock for the flower garden. The remarks given 
above will render a little assistance in this respect. 
LORISTS’ FLOWERS, 
Auriculas.—In order to prolong the season of these 
beautiful flowers, the pots should be removed from their 
frames to a stage having a north or north-east as- 
pect, which may be covered with an awning of calico. 
s the pips wither they must be extracted, in order 
that the seed-vessels may be fully exposed. Ranun- 
culuses.—Thoroughly weed the beds, keeping the sur- 
face soil as firm as possible. Tulips.—The top awning 
may now be put on ; this of course must be regulated 
by the precocity or otherwise of the collections. In the 
ighbourhood of the tropolis they have been on 
some time; in fact most of the collections are fast 
coming into bloom. Carnations and Picotees.—After a 
shower, a watering with liquid guano may be applied 
most beneficially. Pinks.—Those grown in pots should 
never be allowed to get very dry. ‘Tie the plants up as 
they advance. Seedlings which are throwing up many 
flower stems (those, I mean, of last year’s growing), 
should have them reduced to at most two or three, in 
order to get the flowers as large as possible. Attend 
to other directions as previously given. 
OTTAGERS' GARDENS. 
A row of Cormack's Bri ueen Pea, in highly ma- 
nured ground, sown at this period, would be almost all in 
the Pea way that the cottager will require for the year. 
This, however, should be well done. It is the habit of 
this Pea to produce in succession like the Scarlet Run- 
ner, and such crops are far more valuable than fugitive 
ones, which waste both labour and space. The soil for 
this Pea should be prepared as for a Celery trench, well 
manured, and the manure saturated with moisture to 
ward off the mildew. The Peas should be sticked to the 
height of 6 feet, and as soon as they reach this height 
they should be pinched or stopped. Mangold Wurzel, 
Swedes, and Greens, as before mentioned, must be 
provided without delay. All Potato planting should be 
instantly completed. 
FORESTING. 
The sudden changes of temperature will have im- 
peded the barking process in many places, Here we 
have had a most severe frost, and it is to be feared the 
budding Oak in young plantations will have suffered in 
their leaders. Little can be added here at present. 
ERRATUM.—In last week's Calendar, p. 288, col. a, line 36 
from top, for “manuring” read “mowing.” 
the Hor 
State of the Weather near London, for the week ending May 7, 1046, as 
obseryedat cultural Garden, Chiswick. 
ERES | BAROMETER. | THERMONRTER, | 4 
- | Max. | Min. | Mean. 
56 5) 53. 
Moon's 
Wind. 
Rain 
cast and fine 
brmly overcast; fine; overcast 
y and mild; overcast 
cloudy ; partially overcast 
3 oudy ; showers 
Cloudy; showers; thunder in afternoon; cloudy and 
7—Cloudy and fi igh 4 s" 
ne; clear at night. 
ean temperature of the week 24 deg. above the average, 
State of the Weather at Chiswic 
ensuing 
during che last 20 years, for the 
nding May 18, 1846. 
Ao] Mi 
" Greater 
Lowest Te quantit 
Temp. | of Rain. 
39.2 | 50.6 0.10 in. 
| 52.5 
40.7 | 52.8 
89.8 | 523 
41 | 528 
Fri, 
Sat. 16] 674 | 43.1 | 55.7 
ees uit ceux Maori eal dial fusil d 
The highest temperature during the above period occurred on the lbth, 
1833—therm, 86? ; and the lowest on the 15th, 1838— therm. 999. 
Wotices to Correspondents, 
PosT-orrrcE OnpEns—In order to obviate the inconveniences 
which are now constantly being experienced by parties who 
wish to remit small sums to the office of the GARDENERS’ 
Booxs—H Angus—* Mackinto: "lower Garden.” 
Bnocconi—W S—Walcheren Broccoli has been occasionally 
mtrue. A small 
cate any one who has it. 
GRASS UNDER 
seen in the north of England, that I think it might be useful 
to collect the fallen needles of the Larch and spread them over 
the Grass in my garden, which remains obstinately coarse, 
though it has been twice taken up and sown with well-recom- 
mended seed. Also beneath trees in places that are bare. 
I should try the experiment without troubling you, but that 
we should have to bring the needles from our woods in Cum- 
berland to the garden in Yorkshire, and it would be foolish 
to do this on a guess of my own, Will you be kind enough 
to tell me whether the attempt would be worth while ; also 
whether in that case we might not dig the needles into the 
ground before our next attempt at sowing, as they would 
look ugly outside, and I suppose should not be removed after 
they are decayed ?” Can anyone answer these inquiries? We 
have no experience in the matter. 
r S—Considering that early forcing is not your 
object, we see no reason why your Vinery should not be built 
with a west aspect —the sun striking its south end so 
early as eight in the morning. You cannot have better 
Grapes for such a place than the Black Hamburgh and Royal 
Museadine, " Vines do not succeed it will be owing 
to bad gardening. 
Guano—J F F—Guano is good for everything for which other 
manures have been found to be beneficial. You had b 
apply it to your Dahlias in a liquid state. 4 lbs. of guano to 
12 gallons of water will be found a good proportion, Itshould 
remain for 24 hours before being used. e same guano 
will do for mixing again with the same quantity of water, 
after the first is drawn off. 
srcts—H—It is not a slug, but the larva of the crane-fly, 
whose history you will find in vol. i. p. 612 of this Journal. 
‘There is not à worse enemy in the garden, Z——4 B—The 
Potato was dried up, and nothing could be found but the 
Please to put some of the insects in a quill well 
m 
z 
stopped with cork, and tell us what mischief they are doing, 
we can then a i i 
J M- 
attacked by a weevil called Otiorhynchus sulcatus, which 
breeds in your Vine border probably. You have adopted the 
best mode of extirpating them. Their economy has been 
published in the Ist vol. of this Journal, p. 292, R. 
LaAw—AM C W—You are not legally entitled to remove or sell 
by auctión your standard and dwarf Roses since you have no 
agreement or previous stipulation with your landlord to re- 
move them, and since they are not articles of your trade. _ 
Prars—Mary Dobson—We must say that the account you give 
of your “old gardener’s” opinion as to liquid manure does 
not increase our respect for him. If, however, your Pear- 
tree is in vigorous health, it is better without manure of any 
kind. 
L jesar Mr. Davies,begging 
for plans of his apparatus, &c., at Wavertree. If he will 
favour us with them, wi ill publish them. w— 
hear nothing of Witty’s stove. It seems to have gone out of 
shion. 
T— We know little about the book you mention, and. 
nothing of its author, The plant is Nicotiana undulata.—— 
R—Your Geranium is probably suffering from bad potting- 
Give it plenty of drainage, and coarse peaty lumps mixed with 
m, and shade it till it begins to grow freely.——4 Fife- 
shire Florist—You should settle beforehand with the society 
whether Chelone barbata is to be taken as a Pentstemon ; it 
certainly is one.—H W 7'—A paper is on the anvil respecting 
Stocks. In the meanwhile consult the directions given at 
p. 296 of 1845, K— not know of a pur- 
chaser.——415s. will be given for No. 36, 1845.——J W—We are 
quite unable to answer your question.—A Sub—Nothing is 
so good for painting hothouse sashes as black oxide of man- 
ganese, and nothing is cheaper, We also prefer the colour. 
If you are afraid of black, then use anti-corrosive paint. 
Paint a little at a time and often, A fair coat of black will 
last three or four years.—Doveron—We cannot give you ad- 
vice about expense; because everything depends upon your 
plan, and the skill youhave in making a bargain. 
position of your greenhouse is unobjectionable, and you may 
use the kitchen-fire to your pipes, if you secure the 
means of stopping off the hot water when you do not want it. 
We do not recommend the Grass-mowing machines. You 
should water your Cabbages with lime-water when the slugs 
are at their feeding time.—J Tyrele—You are right. 
do notice many very trifling questions. But if people are 
ignorant, the only way to render them otherwise is to answer 
their inquiries. T W W R—You will find a list of green- 
house plants at p. 4, and one of Roses at p, 88, of this volume. $ 
SEEDLING FLOWERS. 
AZALEA—J R, Huddersfield—Your seedling is a handsome 
variety, of a dense and pure white, with the flowers large and 
formed,* 
Cares re Your seedling Cactus is deficient in colour, and 
notequal to many varieties raised within the last two years. 
Crnerartas—J A—The crimson variety uncommon in. 
colour, but the circle is well filled up ; in size and breadth of 
petal, it is equal to any we have seen. The white variety is 
also large and handsome, but not equal to the crimson in 
Poet E—The Maid of Honour is a flower of good form, 
pink with vermilion corolla; but it is not so large or 80 
showy as some of the older varieties, 5 
Pansirs—W B O—The best flower in your collection is No. % 
around and well proportioned flower ; 6 and 9 stand next; 
the remainder are yery inferior to the flowers now cultivated. 
——M—Your seedling (Plato) is a large,bold and rich coloured 
flower, of good substance, yellow and deep purple, with well 
defined eye ; it will prove a very useful show flower, as, from. 
the number of blooms sent, it must be very constant.*— 
E S M—The specimens you have transmitted being perfectly. 
new in character, and indicating peculiarities in the distribu- 
tion of the colour, &c., which may add a variety to this beau- 
tiful class of flowers, that may prove highly pleasing. 
consider them well worthy some experiments.*—B M—We 
assist you; the flowers you have sent are very inferior 
grown at the present time for showing ; they may 
have been sent out with names, but the present race are 
quite distinct from them.” A—Your seedling is a very 
not first-rate in form, but with a 
perfect belting ——B M—Your seedling is only fit for the 
in form and marking itis very inferior to the pre- 
Pink—A R—Your seedling possesses none of the properties of 
a florist’s flower.* 
The proposed _ 
— 
