40—1846.] 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 
663 
cess Royal, Alice Hawthorn, W. Daubuz, Esq. Best 6 | here! We also know the Potato has qualities pertain- 
Roses: La Reine, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Bourbon | ing to it of an impure nature—in short, that the genus 
Queen, La Superb, Devoniensis, Louis Philippe, M. |‘ Solanum’ is the actual type of a powerfully narcotic 
Williams, Esq.; 2, General Kleber, Souchet, Myran- | family. Such being the case, and valuable, no doubt, 
- thus; Bourbon Queen, Louis Philippe, La Dauphine, J. 
Williams, Esq.—Exrna : New and Ornamental Plant, 
Veronica Lindleyana, W. M. Tweedy, Esq, Asters, 
Mrs. Warren.— VgagzABLES : Best 3 Red Beet, Sir C. 
Lemon, Bart, M.P. Best 3 Carrots, G. C. Fox, Esq. ; 
2, Rev. C. Rogers. Best 6 Tomatoes, W. Daubuz, 
Esq. Best 3 heads of Celery, Rev. C. Rogers; 2, J 
Vivian, Esq. Best collection of Salad Plants for 
Winter use, W. Daubuz, Esq.—Exrra: Beet Roots, 
ev, C. Rogers. Brace of Cucumbers, G. C. Fox, 
Esq. Garlic, Mr. Passingham. Best collection of 
Fruit, Mr. J. Wat 
SRebíctus. 
The Potato Epidemic and its Probable Consequences. 
n ne Niven, 12mo. McGlashan, Dublin ; and Orr. 
on : 
on, 
Tuis'is one of the best pamphlets that has appea red on 
the Potato murrain ; sensible, practical, and authentic. 
It therefore deserves an extensive circulation, and will 
no doubt have it. Mr. Niven truly states that up to the 
Present moment “all human power, experience, and 
learning, has proved vain and futile, in the discovery of 
anything like an antidote, even in the way of mitigating 
or keeping in check the ravages of the disease ; every 
expounded expedient has failed, or at best proved but 
of trifling avail. Science, no doubt, has zealously done 
her best ; neither men nor means have been spared for 
the purpose. The dissecting-knife and mi pe of 
the aeute physiologist, the crucible and the analyses of 
the investigating ehemist, have all hitherto been use 
in vaiu; and now we are beginning to be convinced how 
impotent we are when we attempt to grapple with 
the workings of the Almighty." 
, He denies that seedlings have enjoyed any immunity 
from disease, refers the origin of the malady to the leaf 
aud not to the tuber, and doubts the supposed connec- 
tion between the brown decay of the bottom of the stem 
and the blotches. of the leaves. His general conclu- 
ions are : 
“ First—That the earliest symptom of the epidemic is 
the deposition on the leaf, through the media of atmo- 
spheric cause, of a minute and destructive plant. 
* Second— That the origin of the disease being thus 
on the leaf, its destruction thereby is more immediately 
the cause of the decay of the tuber. 
* Third—That the epidemic is of a periodical charac- 
ter, not existing so much, if at all, during the spring and 
early summer, as during the end of summer and autumn. 
“ Fourth—That the disease being epidemieal, and of 
atmospheric origin, we may be justified from past expe- 
rience of similar visitation, to hope for its gradual 
abatement. 
* Fifth—That every possible care should be taken 
this year, to secure by the method described, seed for 
next year, even though considerably tainted.” 
Thus, it will be seen, that he adopts the fungal theory, 
and attempts to explain the comparative safety of the 
early erops upon the assumption that the Botrytis can 
attack Potatoes only in the latter period of the year. 
it is superfluous for us to say that we cannot accept 
this explanation, It does not, however, seriously 
affect the main purpose of the book, the indication of 
the eventual consequences to Ireland of the present 
alarming visitation, and the mode of cropping the land 
m 1847. Regarding as he, and all sensible men do, the 
Potato lost to agriculture for the present, be looks of 
Course to a total change in the habits of the Potato- 
drugged Irish peasant. 
“Grievous as it must verily be for an Irishman to 
relinquish the cultivation of his favourite root, yet still 
26 too must learn to adapt himself to circumstances, and 
take advantage, like other people, of other things 
placed within his reach ; I have not a doubt when once 
à or the difficulty of the transition state, he 
will have discovered how well it was he was so roused 
as the root in question really is, still we ought rather to 
desire the pure and more wholesome cereal food alluded 
to. That the constant absorption or assimilation into 
the animal system of this same nutrimental ingredient 
has been conducive to disease, I believe there is, 
amongst medical men, but one opinion—but more espe- 
cially in unfavourable seasons, when the quality hap- 
pened to be bad,” 
Again, “If employment, and ample employment, can 
be given, and the labourer receive in money (no labourer 
willing and fit, should have less than from 8s. to 10s. per 
week according to the present state of things), the 
means of purchasing what he requires for the subsist- 
ence of himself and family, he cannot be worse, but 
rather, I expect, better than he would have been with 
his too cherished root and without employment, as has 
been hitherto so much the case, The matter, I con- 
ceive, is plain and evident; but how, it may be urged, 
is the Irishman to exist without the Potato! Just as 
the Irishman of other days existed before the time of 
good Sir Walter Raleigh, the reputed father of it. 
What! are Irishmen so foolishly fastidious as to refuse 
to avail themselves of the rich and cheap grains of their 
own good colonies, and pout like spoiled children be- 
eause they cannot get their dear Potatoes! dear did 
I say ? never was word more truly said; the Potato is, 
after all, one of the mostexpensive of cultivated plants, 
and but for the cheapness of labour in Ireland, and its 
use as a preparatory crop, would be dear indeed.” 
We are, however, surprised to find Mr. Niven pro- 
posing that Rice should be made a temporary substitute 
for the Potato. Rice is a worse food, and even more 
lowering than the Potato itself—a diet under which 
man’s physical force so dwindles away, that the smallest 
fatigue becomes impossible. We trust that no one will 
follow that recommendation ; and why should they 
when the strengthening, and in all respects admirable, 
Indian corn ean be had so easily ? s 
As substitutes for the Potato he ds Swedish 
(figured “ Hort..Trans.,” vol. iii. p. 1), states that the 
Tuberes of Pliny must have been swollen Almonds, or 
imperfect Peaches ; and Duhamel has given an account 
of a fruit which accurately corresponds with this de- 
scription, being sometimes produced by a variety of 
Almond-tree in France. Mr. Knight adds: “ The bit- 
terness, in this case, I conclude can only arise from 
the presence of the prussie acid ; and as this acid, with- 
out being extracted by distillation, operates very in- 
juriously upon many constitutions, some explanation 
appears to be given of the cause why the Peach was 
reported to possess deleterious qualities when it first 
came from Persia into the Roman empire.” 
** Stipantur calathi et pomis, quee barbara Persis 
Miserat (ut fama est) patriis armata venenis.” 
Columella, lib. 10, 
The varieties of the Peach and Nectarine now gene- 
rally eultivated retain but little of the injurious proper- 
ties ascribed to the species by aneient authors ; and, 
when well ripened, they can be generally eaten with 
impunity, notwithstanding the slight prussie acid flavour 
which pervades even their luscious sugary juice ; but 
some constitutions are liable to be affected by this trace. 
It was, indeed, considered unlikely that amelioration 
would be carried much further. For atleast a century 
little improvement has been effected, and in every 
variety the kernels have proved intensely bitter. But 
at last this is overcome ; in the specimen above de- 
scribed the deleteri qualit; idered inherent in 
the species has disappeared; and Mr. Barker himself 
informed me that his fruits with sweet kernels may be 
eaten asa full meal, in quantities at any time of the 
day, and repeatedly, with perfect safety. Mr. Crawford 
Baillie, gardener to Lord Prudhoe, has furnished the 
following additional memorandum concerning the Stan- 
wick Nectarine : * The Stanwick Nectarine was raised 
from seeds sown in March, 1843, and budded the same 
autumn on the Bellegard Peach. In 1845 a few flowers 
buds were produced near the ends of some of the 
strongest shoots, but the wood not being sufficiently 
ripe they proved abortive, The tree on its own roots 
is a strong and robust grower, and continues to grow 
late in autumn, and has hitherto retained its leaves 
Turnips, Parsnips, Carrots, Cabbages, and Jerusalem 
Artichokes for man, and Mangold Wurzel for the pigs. 
Upon this subject we would refer to the carefuliy cal- 
eulated tables of produce given by Mr. Edward Solly at 
page 163 of the present volume. 
Mr. Niven's experience, like our own and that of so | 
many others, is unfavourable to the effect of /ime; that 
is to say, he fails to discover that any advantage is de- 
rived from its use. He prefers early spring planting 
to autumn planting, and strongly recommends sowing 
Mangold Wurzel between the rows of Potatoes, as a re- 
serve crop. But for this and other matters we must 
refer to the work itself, which although ining some 
ghout the winter. I have no doubt, however, that 
when worked upon Apricot, Plum, or Almond stocks, 
it will prove quite hardy, and bear well, even in the 
north of England. I may mention that the Nectarine 
is 14 days later than the Peach upon which it was 
worked.”—Journal of the Horticultural Society. 
Battle of the Bees.—On Thursday afternoon, the 
18th, a farmer in the neighbourhood of Twyn Barlwm 
mountain, watching his flocks, when suddenly his atten- 
tion was attracted by a buzzing noise, and a cloud of 
insects, almost to darken the air. Upon closer exami- 
nation he found the multitude engaged in serious war- 
fave, which lasted a considerable time until heaps of the 
is] 
things in whieh we cannot eoncur,is upon the whole 
an opportune and useful publication, 
New Garden Plants. 
48. Garpenta Devonrana. The Duke of Devonshire’s 
Gardenia. Sove Shrub. (Cinchonads*), Sierra Leone. 
Mr. Glendinning’s Nursery. 
Sp. Caan, Unarmed. Leaves opposite, papery, stalked, wavy, 
oblong, acuminate, rather pilose when young, nearly smooth 
when old, except the axils of the principal veins of the under 
side, which are always woolly. Flower solitary, terminal, 
erect, Ovary pj Sepals linear, somewhat 
spreading, separated to the b: Corolla very long (104 
inches) with a slender cylindrical tube, a funnel-shaped 
throat, with five obtuse, revolute, obliquely emarginate lobes. 
This is the finest Gardenia yet seen, infinitely superior 
to G. Stanleyana, to which it is related. The leaves 
are thin, and when young pale green. but when full 
grown they are a dark blue green. he magnificent 
flowers, which before expansion are 10} inches long, 
are pure white at first, but gradually change to a pale 
yellow. At first they look something like a long-tubed 
white Lily. 
E» 
Miscellaneous. 
The Stanwick Nectarine.— Fruit of this new and 
Bihat i 
out of his lethargy and long cherished prej That 
the cultivation of the Potato has grown almost to a 
pid with bim, there can be no doubt ; on it he solely 
Sopeuds, as I have already hinted, for his subsistence ; 
ie it he feeds his meagre family; with it he 
ER his grateful pig; and with the pigs he some- 
imes pays his reluctant rent; or otherwise, it may 
e, a few 
vally sold 
ms a part of his miserable meal ; how 
for Any der such circumstances ean really hold, 
i hott ength of time, together, is next to a miracle— 
un d d is scarcely possible for human beings to be 
ea co) Hee is the patient Irishman with his boggy 
wah poe cabin ; hitherto he has been satistied 
ROM 1 I And the Potato only—a root, however 
ei Soe ninos as a portion of diet, certainly not 
poe iiie er to general health or vigour of consti- 
douni d exclusively for that purpose. No 
fe EE : tivation of the plant hitherto has been a 
RI 1 paratively easy and simple, and being so far 
z ed to the habits of those who thus.choose to be satis- 
ed with it, the loss of it to them must be of no ordinary 
f - As to the i A value 
4 „the Potato, I believe I am correct when I state that 
Eli to contain only about 25 per cent. of pure 
Bar mont 3 whilst Wheat contains so much as 85, and 
ariey 83. If such be the ease what a difference is 
ex: p was received August 29, 1846, 
from the Right Hon, Lord Prudhoe, in whose. garden 
at Stanwiek-park it had ripened. His lordship obtained 
the variety from stones given him by Mr. Barker, for- 
merly Her Majesty’s Vice-Consul at Aleppo, and now 
ing near Suedia, or Souadiah, in Syria, whose 
favourable climate is peculiarly suitable for the cultiva- 
tion of Asiatic and European fruits, A year or two 
since he brought to this country, amongst other things, 
Peaches and Nectarines with sweet kernels — such 
varieties previously unknown in Europe, and probably 
never heard of till their existence was announced by 
Mr. Barker. The Nectarine forming the subject of 
this notice is about the size of an Elruge, and like it in 
shape, except in being less heart-shaped at the base. 
Its skin is pale, like that of the White Nectarine, where 
shaded, with a violet tinge next the sun, The flesh is 
white, exceedingly tender, juicy, rich, and sugary, with- 
out the slightest trace of the flavour of prussic acid. 
The stone is middle sized, ovate, with rather a promi- 
nent sharp edge, very rugged, and ofa chocolate colour. 
The kernel is sweet, like a nut, imparting nothing of the 
bitter-almond flavour. The fruit of the Peach aud Nec- 
tarine, partaking so much as it does of the qualities of 
the bitter-almond, must have been very deleterious in 
its unimproved state. Mr. Knight, who himself suc- 
ceeded in producing a melting Peach from an Almond 
E 
© 
& 
Sce Lindley’s “ Vegetable Kingdom” for an explanation of 
| these terms, 
d covered the ground, some without heads, 
others minus their wings, and others completely sepa- 
rated into two parts. "They proved to be different sorts 
of the humble bee and the honey bee. A friend assured 
me that he scraped together three or four bushels with 
his foot, and many persons carried away the slain in 
basketsful to show to their friends the result of this 
very unaccountable warfare. — Monmouth Merlin 
Paper, Sept. 19. 
‘craps.—Such is the scarcity of fruit on the Wolds 
and in the Clays in the neighbourhood of Caister, Lin- 
colnsbire, that from upwards of 100 Apple trees in one 
orchard, the owner has not obtained a single peck of 
fruit Failure of the Onion Crop.—Around Bicester 
Onions are very scarce, and consequently dear ; the 
erops are thin, and many of them are found to be dis- 
eased.— Oxford Chronicle. —— Second Crops of Pears. 
—We have received a number of accounts of Pear trees 
bearing a second crop this year.— Wesimoreland Ga- 
zette. — Foreign Strawberries.—A vessel, named the 
Hannah, which has arrived at the port of Hull from 
Memel, had, with other productions, 16 cases of Straw- 
berries on board. This is a novel article of importation 
from the place named, the produce of Prussia ; and 
whether with reference to the place of growth, or the 
late period of the season for the supply of the article, is 
as singular and remarkable an importation as we have 
of late had occasion so frequently to record. —— Mor- 
tality amongst Hares.—It is a curious circumstance, as 
connected with the present season, that not only has 
there been extensive and dangerous disease among 
cattle, but hares are now found dead in large numbers 
in the fields. On one estate, on which the game is 
very numerous, about a dozen miles south from Edin- 
burgh, the mortality has been very extensive.—Edin- 
burgh Witness. Extraordinary Produce of Honey. 
— Last week the gardener of James Wintle, Esq., Grey 
Friars, in this city, took from one stoek of bees in that 
gentleman's garden, a comb, weighing no less than 
85 Ibs.; the net weight of honey which it yielded was 
near 601bs.—G/oucestershire Chronicle. 
Calendar of Operations. 
(For the ensuing Week.) 
Forcing Winter Flowers.—The Ice-king may shortly 
be expected, and the pleasure-ground or flower-garden, 
in consequence, stripped of its gay colours ; it becomes 
therefore an important consideration at this period how 
to preserve and encourage, in-doors, a constant succes- 
sion through the dull winter months. Part of this 
business may be accomplished by retarding autumn 
flowers, and part by genuine forcing. Success in the 
latter, it is well known, depends in no small degree on 
the eligibility of the plants i 
ected, as well as in the 
