714 
THE GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
INov. 21, 
its quantity, or more properly intensity, the subject 
seems totally neglected. But if the given amount of 
heat and moisture which any series of plants require 
demands attention as to the quantity of each, surely 
Jight must be admitted as an equal candidate for our 
favour. In houses where plants are, after their season 
of excitement, allowed a period of rest, the dark days 
of winter can of course be met by a corresponding de- 
pression of temp in the regulation of our heating 
apparatus. But on the other hand, in forcing-pits in 
full operation at that unfavourable season, where a high 
temperature is constantly stimulating the vegetable in- 
mates into a rapid action of root, the deficiency of solar 
influence is severely felt. As heat is the stimulating 
agent whereby the root is made to absorb rapidly, and 
to pass the fluids so absorbed into the trunk and 
branches of a plant, so light is required to exert its 
chemical agency upon the fluid so absorbed, in order 
that the plant may be kept in a state of health, and in 
order that the individual may perpetuate its species, 
which is the true end and objeet of all vegetable life. 
To enter into a dissertation on the mode in which light 
and heat are subservient in the vegetable economy, 
would be to write an essay on vegetable excitability. 
In fact it would require an exposition of several 
branches of vegetable physiology clearly to pursue the 
subject in all its bearings. But as every gardener is 
or ought to be acquainted with the principles of that 
science, for the present it must suffice to observe, that 
light is one of, if not the most important, of the three 
indispensables (heat, moisture, and light) in plant grow- 
ing. When we compare the clumsy and unnatural 
attempts at heating in the early days of gardening, with 
those now in use, we are tempted to smile at our ances- 
tors for their lack of knowledge in those matters, But 
we have no qualifications for so doing. What gardener 
20 years ago dreamt of regulating the dampness of his 
stove pl by an hyg 2 And though it 
may raise a smile on the cheek of some, and a sneer of 
ridicule on the lip of others, we may yet live to see all 
large horticultural establishments furnished with an 
apparatus for furnishipg light, looked upon with equal im- 
portance with a conical boiler or a Polmaise stove.—G. 
The Sunflower.—' The common Sunflower (Heliant;us 
annuus), may have its seed greatly increased in sze, 
quantity, and quality, by suffering only the. uppermost 
bud to remain on the plant. A seed head was exhibi ed 
at the Colchester Hortieul 1 Show ing 3 tee 
in circumference, with several others very little smaller, 
all of which were grown in, common soil. There is a 
much larger proportion of firm seed in them than 
is to be found in heads grown in the usual way. There 
can be little doubt that continued attention to experi- 
ments in, its cultivation will be ulti ly erowned with. 
profitable results, as there is not a part of the plant 
which may not be applied to. some useful purpose, and 
principally so by the agriculturist (see Mechi’s letters). 
Watering the plants with a weak solution of saltpetre 
has been found much to promote their growth, and the 
seeds, after such treatment, have been found to contain 
very much ofit. A slight top-dressing might, however, 
be less trouble, and answer the purpose better, as by 
occasional rains it would be more gradually communi- 
cated to the plants. A farmer at Earl’s Colne grows it 
for the purpose of feeding young pigs, which are found 
to thrive well upon the seeds. —R. B. P. 
Fuchsia Serratifolia.—Nothing certainly but too 
generous and careful treatment can have gained for 
this beautiful species the character of being a shy 
flowerer. In the spring of this year, a healthy plant 
was turned out in the bed of my conservatory, and 
has bloomed in the most profuse manner, from the end 
of May, and grown proportionally. The only fault I 
had to find with it was, that the individual flowers 
were not so large as those first produced in the green- 
house of the successful raisers, and that the petals were 
of a pale, watery red, instead of the fulgent scarlet 
which is their true character. This, I am induced to 
think, has been caused by the extreme heat of the past 
Season, as since we have had cool autumnal weather, 
they have assumed their proper tint, and are much 
larger; they are still produced in abundance on the 
young wood, and if the plant receives no check it will 
probably flower through the winter.—4 Devonian, 
Kingsbridge, Nov. 7. 
ildew.—1l have this year been much troubled with. 
mildew, not only out but also in-doors. I have tried to 
get rid of it, and in some cases have all but succeeded, 
when it would re-appear almost as bad as ever. In 
others the remedy has been nearly as bad as the 
disease. In one instance, that of Vegetable Marrows 
of two different kinds, growing on the same bed, under 
exactly the same circumstances, running all about, one 
among the other, the one sort was covered with 
mildew to such an extent as to have nearly all the 
leaves white ; while the other could be traced threading 
its way among them in the greatest luxuriance, and as 
green and clean as possible. As I did not much care 
whether I killed or cured the mildewed plants, 
stripped off their leaves ; still they lived, and the next 
growth was just the same. I left them to their fate 
till we had a change of weather from hot and dry to 
cold and wet ; when all of a sudden I perceived that 
those leaves which had before been white, assumed a 
healthy green colour and so continued till a few days 
ago, when I had all cleared away. I thought this might 
furnish a hint as to future management, under artificial 
treatment with regard to. atmospheric moisture and 
temperature ; but here again I was brought to a stand- 
still, as this was the only instance of recovery from a 
E 
= 
diseased state, for not the slightest change was effected 
on the out-door Cucumbers, which continued to get 
worse until they became entirely spoiled. I did not 
consider the loss of these things of much importance, 
as being only annuals I hoped to lose the disease with 
them; but such is not the case, for a quantity of 
Verbenas struck and potted off for spring use, which 
I carefully kept away from any mildewed plants, and 
which to all appearance were doing well, are exhibiting 
signs of it on most of them. I have been recommended 
to dust with flowers of sulphur and with sulphur vivum. 
Now what difference is there in the two kinds of sul- 
phur ?—which is the strongest, and may I dust the 
plant with a pepper-box without danger, for having had 
some experience in their use, I have sometimes seen 
plants killed by it. Some of my attempts to get rid of 
this pest may perhaps not be quite useless, and should 
such be the case I will give the results.—4. [Flowers 
of sulphur are sublimed sulphur ; sulphur vivum is the 
refuse remaining after purification ; use the former.] 
Maclura anurantiaca.—This tree, in common with 
Paulovnia imperialis, is deserving of a more frequent 
place in our ornamental plantations than it at present 
has. It is ‘true it can scarcely be considered as tho- 
roughly hardy, for in severe winters the young wood is 
frequently killed back a foot or 18 inches. Still, how- 
ever, it is believed much may be done in warm locali- 
ties by a little care and attention in the way of accli- 
matisation, such as planting in sheltered situations, and 
assisting as much as possible the early ripening of the 
young shoots. If the main stem be kept clear of 
branches from 3 to 4 feet from the ground as the tree 
grows, it will, in about three or four years, form a very 
beautiful head, and in this state it is an exceedingly 
handsome lawn tree ; but if the branches are allowed 
to remain as they are produced, the growth of the tree 
becomes irregular ; and in this case, its habit being 
straggling, it does not by any means form so graceful a 
tree, In the “ Encyclopædia of Trees and Shrubs,” it 
is said that Maclura aurantiaca is increased “ by cut- 
tings of the roots, layers, or grafting on the common 
Mulberry ;” and as it would thus appear that its pro- 
pagation is easy, it is hoped that hereafter it will be 
more generally found in the nurseries, and in the course 
of time freely i into our p. ds and 
shrubberies.— Ortolano, Oct. 24. 
Sounds made by the Toad.—The usual sound emitted 
by the toad differs greatly from that of the frog. It is 
an acute note, not loud but plaintive, sounding like coo- 
coo, which it utters, I think, only in the evening, and at 
pairing time. It does not appear to make any cry of 
distress, like the frog. During the last summer my at- 
tention was attracted one day by sounds like the cries 
of a young child ; they proceeded from behind a tree, 
close to a wall, where I discovered a frog attacked by a 
weazel. It is well known to husbandmen what piteous 
cries poor frogs make when unavoidably injured by the 
seythe of the mower. Toads in both circumstances 
would probably utter no ery. It is well ascertained, 
however, that besides the noise above described, the 
toad has a note very different and more musical. Mr. 
St. John mentions that in France he was startled one 
evening by sounds like the tinkling of small bells, which 
the inhabitants assured him proceeded from toads. This 
is corroborated by the testimony of a friend, who kept 
several pet toads in his room for years together, and 
paid great attention to all their habits and peculiariti 
there is a good extent of lawn, but an inadequate sup- 
ply of hands, I saw one of the mowing machines in use, 
and it appeared to answer perfectly. Two men were 
employed in using it, but in the end there must be a 
considerable saving of labour and expense, as the ma- 
chine cuts, collects, and rolls the Grass at the same 
time. It is scarcely possible for any lawn to look more 
smoothly and nicely than the one to which I have 
alluded ; and on inquiry, I found that from the assist- 
ance which the gardener is allowed being so dispropor- 
tionate to the amount of labour required, it would be 
impossible to keep the lawn in so good a condition by. 
the scythe. To amateurs who direct their own gardens, 
if their lawns have a nearly even surface, this machine 
would, I should think, prove very useful.—Ortolano,, 
Oct. 24. 
Foreign Correspondence. 
Odessa, Oct. 7, 1846.— There is a great deal of To- 
bacco cultivated in the Crimea, and it is reckoned far 
superior in quality to that of Little Russia. It is all 
the tall pink flowered kind (N. tabacum), whilst that of 
Little Russia is the smaller green flowered species (N. 
rustica). 
The Vineyards of the south coast are gradually in- 
creasing in extent, although not near so much is plant- 
ing now as a few years ago, when the Crimea was. all 
the fashion. They are generally planted as in the south, 
of France, but staked, and in several places I saw them 
as full of Grapes as in the ordinary run of 
Vineyards in the south of France, and the quan- 
tity produced in good situations is nearly as great. 
In quality I tasted some excellent red wines, 
nearer to those of Montpellier than any other, and 
good table wines would probably acquire a good repu- 
tation, and become very profitable. Unfortunately most 
of the growers have the mania for making Cham- 
pagne, Muscat de Lunel, Bordeaux, Sauterne, &c., &e.;. 
which are no more like the wines whose names they 
assume than our Gooseberry mixtures, whilst several of 
them, if they bore their own names, might be reckoned. 
very fair. The most iderable and best vineyard: 
are now to the east of Yalta, and might be much ex- 
tended ; but the whole south coast is so narrow that it 
can never become:a very great wine-growing country. 
A few particularly favoured spots admit of Olive 
grounds, but that tree is of too slow a growth for the 
landowners to care for planting much, and it is doubt- 
ful whether they ever would be profitable. Mulberries, 
Chesnuts, and perhaps Almonds, might be much better 
worth planting, especially the Mulberries, which suc- 
ceed also very well about Odessa, notwithstanding the 
intense cold of January and February. I am told that 
several persons about here are making silk of excellent 
uality. 
5 The, gardens of Aloupta are laid out with a good deal 
of taste, are of considerable extent, thickly planted with 
trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, to which Prince 
Woronzow is very partial, and present all the beauties 
which a, steep rocky declivity directly opposed to a 
burning sun admit of, There are some good springs 
which are conducted into fountains ; some exceedingly. 
pretty, and in one place made to irrigate a Grass-plot. 
which is green even now. There are also some ravines 
where the vegetation looks vigorous, but in general the 
garden partakes too much of the aridity of the season. 
The celek d crater in the upper garden is a fine wil 
He observed that sometimes in an evening he had been 
surprised at hearing a toad make a very peculiar tink- 
ling noise, which seemed closely to correspond with the 
sounds noticed by Mr. St. John, It resembled the 
sound of a small bell at a distance, or the sharp note of 
something striking against am empty glass. He was 
perfectly sure that the sound was uttered by the toad, 
though he could not discover how or on what account. 
The habits, indeed, of this much abused. reptile, which. 
is usually considered so unsightly, are very little 
understood ; because few have taken any pains 
to ascertain them. Our natural histories repeat 
one after another the same unfounded and absurd 
stories concerning it. For instance, some of our lead- 
ing writers assert that the spawn of toads is rendered 
prolific as it is deposited in the water. This cannot be 
the fact ; for I have had tadpoles produced from spawn, 
which I took myself from a toad which I had first 
killed. From much careful observation, I am inclined 
to believe that fertilization is effected through the pores 
of the skin, My friend, however, who has had much 
experience of the habits of toads, considers it the re- 
sult of mere compression, having many times observed 
a female toad oppressed by the adhesion of several 
males at the same time, but all in. different positions. 
The. same laws appear to apply to frogs, though they 
are much more rarely to be observed in those circum- 
stances, and always complete their office a. fortnight 
before tonds. Many people, too, are still obstinately 
persuaded that the toad is venomous ; that it ejects a 
poisonous liquid; that it feeds on Strawberries, and is 
a noxious reptile. All these notions are utterly un- 
founded; but people imbibe them from childhood, and 
grow up with an abhorrence of the poor toad, which 
prevents them from studying its habits, and doing jus- 
tice to a very useful and entirely harmless creature.— 
J. Wighton, Cossey Hall Gardens, near Norwich. 
Mowing Machine.—Where lawns are extensive, 
every one must know how tedious an operation it is to 
mow the whole extent after the ordinary manner. This, 
too, must be the more felt by those gardeners who have 
scarcely sufficient assistance afforded them. On paying 
a visit to a suburban residence a few days since, where 
rocky scene ; some of the covered walks, caves, &e., 
look cool and fresh, and are well adapted to the kind of 
ground. The terrace in front of the palace has a ve: 
pretty parterre, with two beautiful marble fountains, 
and a splendid sea. view, and in the lower garden are 
some most luxuriant Oleanders, full of flower; and 
against the wall Oranges, Lemons, &c., planted in the 
open ground; altogether this lower garden really 
reminds one of those of Italy. 
Nikita Botanic garden is in a very warm sheltered 
spot, not far above the sea, I was disappointed in not 
finding Mr. Hartwiss, who was absent for his vintage, 
but was shown over by the very intelligent head-gar- 
dener, Mr. Denner, The great aim is collections of 
trees, and especially useful trees for propagation on the 
south coast. Young Olive trees are given to those who 
will plant them, and many others are grown for sale ; 
but the soil is not so favourable as the climate, being 
very poor, and like the whole of the steep coast, liable 
to be washed away, as they have not. yet. got the art of 
terracing. Some of the young trees were very vigor- 
ous. I observed especially some handsome Sterculia 
platanifolia, a good Gy ladus, a. Pinus leiophylla, a. 
couple of grafted Pinus Sabiniana, very luxuriant 5 
also Taxodium sempervirens, Juniperus oblonga, and a, 
very healthy young Abies Nordmanniana (from the 
Caucasus) which has a good deal the aspect of A. Web- 
biana, but between that and A. pectinata. There are 
a number of Oaks, Q. virens, Q. ballota, Q. Turneri, 
&c., which have: taken well, grafted on Q. pubescens; 
and Mr. Denner has been raising several very handsome 
Passifloras by crossing the P. racemosa with other spe- 
cies, On the whole the garden appears to be doing as 
well as limited means and a poor. soil, with a burning 
sun, will admit of. 2 
I do not know whether I have mentioned the botanic 
arden here under the direction of Professor Nord- 
mann. Itis, in fact, a vast nursery, established mainly 
for the purpose of encouraging as well as giving the 
means of planting some of the steppes about the town. 
The extent is about 200 acres, almost all in nursery 
ground ; though. now a small portion is converting intor 
a botanic collection. There is also a school of gare 
