630 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
[SEPT. 19, 
perfect, although it was dry from ripeness. The in- 
terior of the bulb is very white, and the root has the 
tasteand odour of the Potato now in use. The Indians 
state that this vegetable, if kept either in a dry or 
moist state, will not suffer any decay for a long period. 
They are very farinaeeous, and contain a large per- 
centage of starch, which resembles that made from 
Wheat ; by being dried the bulb shrinks a little ; but it 
immediately expands on being thrown into warm water. 
As an article of food it is excellent, and as such ishighly 
esteemed by the Indians, who generally remove eve: 
root as soon as the habitation of the plant is discovered. 
It contains much nutritive matter, is wholesome, and I 
haye no doubt if properly cultivated, it will prove to be 
prolific. Another kind of wild farinaceous root, which 
is more plentiful than the one already noticed, is called 
by the Indians saa-gaa-ban. It was found on several 
of the Islands in Richmond Bay, but most plentiful at 
the bases of the sand mounds of Fish Island. Its fa- 
vourite site seems to be along the skirts of the sand- 
hills that form the lagoons along the. coast, where it is 
nourished by decomposed sea-weed and shells. It 
occurs in the midst of matted grass and wild tares, and 
frequently occupies patches of several square rods. The 
leaf of the saa-gaa-ban resembles the leaf of the culti- 
vated Potato. The stock is like a small vine; the 
roots are situated two inches below the surface of the 
soil, and the bulbs of oval figures are strung to- 
gether like beads, being attached to each other by a 
strong ligament. They are of a blackish brown colour, 
and also resemble Potatoes in their general charac- 
ter, being dry, farinaceous, and very nutritive. They 
are eaten by the Indians, and have saved many from 
starvation at times when, from boisterous weather or 
other causes, they could not escape from the islands ; 
yet they are considered by them less palatable than the 
mus-qua-sete. The existence of both varieties and their 
sites, the natives have long endeavoured to keep secret 
from the white inhabitants, and their preservation on 
the island may be ascribed to the absence of wild 
animals at those isolated places, for the racoon, wood- 
chuek and porcupine devour them greedily. The plant 
is very hardy, and the stock that remains in the ground 
during the winter, sends up green shoots in the suc- 
ceeding spring; the decayed tubers are found with ripe 
bulbs. This variety was found on the 12th day of 
August, at which time the blossoms had disappeared, 
and the seed had probably fallen, although the bulbs 
are not ripe at the date of this communication. I hav 
eaten some of the roots and found them very dry, 
mealy and palatable. It is my intention to send these 
roots without delay, after the latter Jis ripe, to agricul- 
tural societies in England and the neighbouring pro- 
vinees, and several good farmers in this island have 
already engaged to try experiments with them. They 
are as promising in their appearance as were the indi- 
genous Potatoes carried to Ireland by Sir Walter 
Raleigh. While whole fields of Potatoes are now being 
destroyed by the blight, the above roots remain perfectly 
free from disease of every kind.—d. Gesner. [Can 
any one tell what plants these are of which only the 
Indian names are given. They must be well known to 
Botanists. 
The Chellaston Seedling Tulips.—I have no wish to 
detract from the merits of these flowers, but abiding by 
the motto “ Be just and fear not," I will mention some 
of the deceptions practised with them. In the first 
place I will give the numbers which were, in 1844, 
considered as good as any of them :—No. 104, flamed 
byblomen ; 50, byblomen, now the number of Lady 
Stanley, rose ; 76, byblomen ; 51, byblomen ; 57, byblo- 
men, the same number as in 1846 called Countess of 
Harrington ; 74, rose, like Lady Stanley ; 75, byblomen 
flamed ; 11, byblomen; 20, byblomen flamed; 3, 
feathered bizarre; 7, feathered bizarre; and 88, 
feathered byblomen. In May, 1845, I saw the Chel- 
laston seedlings in bloom twice, and made notes of the 
best. The following is a copy from my book :—No. 66, 
byblomen flamed ; 43 (now 18, called Princess Royal) ; 
101, byblomen ; 60, feathered bizarre (now 48, called 
Competitor) ; 58, feathered bizarre; 91, rose; 108, 
byblomen ; 79, byblomen ; 47, byblomen ; 1, feathered 
flamed rose; 103, flamed byblomen ; 81, byblomen ; 
67, feathered byblomen ; 26, byblomen; 6,. called 
Pilot, sold also as 57, and Model of Perfection, not in 
number then. In all 18, and of these some may be 
broken from the breeders I have noticed. Where only 
rose or byblomen is attachedy they were in the breeder 
state. The following are the number and names o 
what the raiser considers his crack sorts, as sent out by 
him to various individuals since July, 1846 :— 
4, Lady Flora Hastings. 
Grand Sultan. 
21, Lady Sale. 
22, Prince Albert. 
ilot. 45, Venus, sold in 1845 as No. 1, 
» Grace Darling. 48, Competitor, sold in 1845 as 
10, King of Scarlets. No, 60. 
13, Anastasia, originally No.10 | 49, Britannia. 
15, Sable Monarch. 50, Lady Stanley. 
16, Elegans. 57, Countess of Harrington, 
17, Lady Jane Grey. 7, Duchess of 
numbers have been different every year. It is impos- 
sible to sell these seedlings correctly, if the numbers are 
thus to be changed; and even now all is confusion. 
UMM, 
1844 1845. 1846, 
3 F Gold 4 
6 E ^ 6 oe oe 5 
7 . . 6 p . 6 
n . . 43, now 18. T 
19 . T m 10 
20 m m 58 m 13 
50 m E 60. .. 15 
51 t E 66. m 16 
57 .. m 67 m Vf 
74 po m 179 .. 18 
15 I. I 81 m 21 
16 m m 91 .. 22 
77 m E 101 oe 45 
88 oe B 103 m 48 
104 m m 108 m 49 
113 E 50. 
And Model of Per- 57 
ection No. not 67 
nown, I 90 
—J. Slater, Cheeth hill, near Manch 
Foreign Corr d 
sorts, there were seven competitors ; two awards were 
made—the first to Mr. Duncanson, gr. to J. Johnston, 
Esq., for Royal George, Red Magdalene, and Early 
Scarlet ; and the next to’ Mr. Weir, gr. to R. Bruce, 
Esq., for Royal George, Red Magdalene, and Purple 
Peach.-For Nectarines two awards were also made ; 
the first to Mr. Niven, gr. to A. Stirling, Esq., for Red 
Roman and Elruge ; and the second to Mr. Maclachlan, 
gr. to W. R. Ramsay, Esq., for Murrey-coloured and 
Early Newington.—The show of Grapes was extensive 
and the clusters fine. For White Muscat of Alex- 
andria two premiums were awarded; the first to Mr. 
Lees, gr. to the Earl of Haddington ; and the second to 
Mr. Mackie, gr. to C. Kinnear, Esq. For Frontignan 
Grapes two premiums were also given ; the first to Mr. 
Addison, gr. to the Earl of Wemyss, for White Fron- 
tignan and Black Frontignan; and the next to Mr. 
Reid, gr. to J. Syme, Esq., for Grizzly Frontignan and 
a compact variety of Black. The prize for Black Ham- 
burgh Grapes was gained by Mr. Lyall, gr. to Sir J. 
Hope, Bart., M.P. For producing the best three sorts: 
of Grape, exclusive of Muscats, Frontignans, and Black 
Paris, Sept. 10.—The Potato blight has been for 
some time past gradually extending in the western and 
southern districts of France; every week adds some 
new locality. Last year the principal scene of infection 
was in the north; beyond Amiens to the frontier of 
Belgium almost every field was more or less damaged, 
and in some districts a sound Potato was hardly to be 
found ; it was also, but in a modified form, in some 
parts of Picardy, Normandy, and on the borders of the 
Rhone ; now the crops are all but lost in some of the 
lowlands of Calvados, Normandy, Touraine, on the 
Garonne, about Toulouse, and from thence to the Medi- 
terranean ; in several places near the Rhone, at Cham- 
berry, and other parts of Sardinia and Italy, the loss is 
still more extensive ; in all these districts the late kinds 
have suffered most; at present I have not heard that 
it has made any progress in central France; in the 
neighbourhood of Paris, we are almost entirely free 
from taint, I have from time to time visited the various 
markets and seen but very little ; in fact, no disease 
among the early kinds; as to the later varieties, but 
very few have yet been taken up. The season has been 
so exceedingly dry and hot during the months of June, 
July, and August, that the crops cannot be otherwise 
than deficient, and I am perfectly certain that around 
Paris there will not be half an average crop—I might 
even say one fourth. The red spider, thrip, and drought, 
have done almost as much mischief as the blight ; good 
kinds are selling from 8 to 12 franes the 100 kilos— 
6s. 6d. to 10s. for 2001bs.) All kinds of vegetables and 
fruit (with the exception of Melons, Grapes, and Wal- 
nuts), are at least one-half dearer than last year. 
have just returned from a tour throughout the whole 
length and breadth of Belgium and Rhenish Prussia, 
which I am happy to say present a very different ap- 
pearance to what they did last autumn; then a sound 
Potato was scarcely to be seen, which, added to the 
shortness in Rye and Oats, ereated an almost universal 
alarm of famine; not only Potatoes, but Turnips, Carrots, 
and every kind of grain, are generally good, and not 
far from an average crop. From Courtrai to Ghent 
the farmers are everywhere busy getting up the late 
crops, rather from fear of wet weather than actual 
necessity. Early Potatoes are abundant in the markets 
of this last place, and almost entirely free from specks, 
The price asked for red kidneys was 10 and 12 francs 
the sack of 200 lbs. ; late kinds did not look so well, 
and sold from 7 to 10 frances. Towards Antwerp there 
is said to be a full crop of kidneys, and perfectly sound ; 
but I saw many places where the blight had evidently 
attacked the late ones. At Bruges and West Flanders 
fear was entertained for those still in the ground, 
although actual disease had not exhibited itself to any 
great extent. At Brussels I saw none in the fields, 
and those in the markets looked sound. At Malines 
and Louvain the people were all busy, and the yield 
seemed good. A friend living in an agricultural dis- 
trict, near Malines, told me that he had not seen or 
even heard of any disease among the early Potatoes, 
and that generally the farmers were satisfied with the 
crops. Last season they were everywhere destroyed. 
Further east, towards St, Trond and Liège, I was told 
that here and there they were bad, but I saw nothing 
of it, I went into a field that was being dug up, and 
certainly did not see a single root tainted; on the con- 
trary, they appeared plentiful, full sized, and sound. 
In this neighbourhood last year the disease was univer- 
sal, and in its worst form. The present prices are 6 
to 8 franes round, and 7 to 12 francs for the kidneys, 
Towards Aix and Cologne they did not look so good ; 
the stems appeared in many places blighted. At Frank- 
fort, I understand, the late kinds are partially affected ; 
but by no means so much as last year. From what I 
have myself witnessed in the north of France and Bel- 
gium, I am fully persuaded there will not be one-fourth 
of the loss of 1845, and I find from a report just made 
= 
18, Princess Royal, and same | 90, Criterion, 
No, as Maid of Orleans, 
Total, 19 varieties ; one of these, Elegans, is stained 
at the bottom, and I only took notes of clean ones, 
making only one more than I made, allowing Elegans 
to stand, and just the same by discarding it ; and out 
of these varieties only two have retained their original 
numbers and names. I leave these few facts in the hands 
of florists, who may form their own judgment of such 
conduct, as well as the correctness of my opinion. 
They will perceive, by the summary below, that the 
by the G sitting at Ghent, that 
they entertain but little fear either as to quantity or 
quality, and that it is expected there will be at least 
7-10ths of the crop saved, while last year the loss was 
at least 8-10ths of the whol 
Societies. 
CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Sept. 3.—This, the Autumn Fruit and Dahlia Compe- 
tition, was equal in extent and interest to any of former 
years. 
For the prize offered for the best Peaches, three 
F gh, a premium was assigned to Mr. Gow, gr. to 
Count Flahault, Tullyallan Castle, the kinds being 
Chasselas de Roi, Chasselas musqué, and Duke of 
Atholl's Favourite.—For well Queen Pine-app: 
a first premium was voted to Mr. Reid ; and a second 
to Mr. Gow.— The display of Moorpark Apricots was 
good ; a first prize was given to Mr. Ramsay, gr. to Sir: 
D. Baird, Bart. ; and a second to Mr. Clarke, gr. to 
Miss H. Kingston.—For the best Apricots, exclusive of 
Moorpark, another award was made to Mr. Clark, the 
kinds being Hemskirk and Orange.— Eight com- 
petitors contended for producing the highest flavoured: 
Melon ; and two awards were made, the first to Mr. 
Lyall, for Irish Green-fleshed ; and the other to Mr. 
Mossman, gr. to J. W. Hunter, Esq., for Duke of Bed- 
ford, also green-fleshed.—A. premium for the best 12 
Jargonelle Pears was also voted to Mr. Lyall.—Pre- 
miums had been offered for Plums, and for Summer 
Dessert Apples; but no Plums whatever were sent to 
the Meeting (owing to a severe spring frost having de- 
stroyed the blossom), and of various sets of Apples. 
exhibited, not one was in accordance with the published 
prize list. The Dahlia exhibition was never surpassed, 
either for number of competitors or excellence of 
lowers. For the Piece of Plate offered for the 20 
finest Dahlia blooms produced by Nurserymen, there 
were four competitors ; and the prize was found due to 
Mr. Handasyde, whose kinds were Captain Walner, Mrs, 
Anderson, Sir John Stewart Richardson, Isabel, Beeswing, 
Princess Radzewill, Sir E. Antrobus, Marchioness Corn- 
wallis, Caractacus, Cleopatra, Emperor of Scarlets, 
Cloth of Gold, Marchioness of Aylesbury, Alice Haw- 
thorn, Mrs, Shelley, Cream of Jest, Standard of Per- 
fection, Beauty of Hants, Vanguard, and Lady Feather- 
stone. The Society’s Silver Medal was voted to Messrs. 
Dickson and Co., for another excellent collection.—For 
a Prize of Three Sovereigns offered for the finest 18 
Blooms, produced by practical gardeners, no fewer 
than 12 competitors came forward, all of them pro- 
ducing fine flowers, After a very careful examination, 
the prize was voted to Mr. Thomson, gr. to W. i. 
Hope Vere, Esq., whose kinds were, Marquis of Ayles- 
bury, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Sir Edward Antrobus, 
Lady St. Maur, Essex Champion, Aurantia, Duke of 
Cambridge, Standard of Perfection, Cleopatra, Nonpa- 
reil, La Polka, President of the West, Princess Rad- 
zewill, Dazzle, Rembrandt, Antagonist, and Alice Haw- 
thorn. Considering the number of competitors, and. 
Il i the i consi-- 
i=") 
eS 
E 
© 
tl E 
dered themselves called upon to award a second pre- 
mium to Mr. Oswald, gr. to Major Stirling, of Ardoch ; 
and a third to Mr. Thom, gr. to A. Trotter, Esq., St. Ger- 
mains.—For the Silver Medal offered for the best 12 
blooms produced by amateurs who cultivate their own 
plants, there were eight competitors. The Medal was 
found due to Mr. Ambrose, St. Madoes, whose sorts 
were, Phenomenon, Nonpareil, Prince of Wales, 
Cleopatra, Alice Hawthorn, President of the West, 
Beeswing, Lady Holland, Optimus, Antagonist, Sir 
Edward Ántrobus, and Mrs. Shelley. The Committee- 
thought it right to award a second premium to Mr. 
Sanderson; and a third to Mr. King, Inveresk.—A 
premium had been offered for Seedling Dahlias, and 
several were sent in competition; but none of such 
superior merit as to justify the Committee in making. 
an award. But an extra medal was voted to Mr. 
Handasyde, for an extensive display of what are styled 
Fancy Dahlias, striped and variegated, the flowers 
being at the same time well shaped and full. —For 12 
fine Carnations, flakes and bizarres, a premium Was 
given to Mr. Foulis, gr. to J. Tytler, Esq., the kinds 
being named Hogg's Lady Stanley, Barenger's Apollo; 
Chadwick's Flora, Lucette, Mauerley's Robert Burns, 
Ely's Regular, Appleby's Prince of Wales, Willmer's 
Duchess of Kent, Wal's Bonny Bess, x A 
Squire Meynell, Huflon's Rezea, and Milner's Duke o 
Sutherland. The prize for the best six Picotees was 
likewise assigned to Mr. Foulis, his flowers bein Pun 
rate, and bearing the following names: — rn g 
Princess Alice, Ely’s Field Marshal, MOL E, 
Irby, Kirkland's Princess Sophia, Mitchell’s Nulli se- 
lee seedling.—In 
i; and two 
p first to Mr. tens for 
Fulgens, Nymph, Duke of Wellington, Blanda, Queen. 
of Sheba, Black ‘Prince, Criterion, ND e Fireball, 
Favourite, Crimson Perfection, an I 
Perfection ; and the next to Mr. Downie, gr. to <. 
