z 
50—1846.] 
THE GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
823 
whilst the greatest amount of new species exists in the 
lower order, as Amaranthaceze and Piperacere, or in the 
incomplete genera of Euphorbiace:e ; and in the Compo- 
site on the: other hand, there are somewhat fewer 
peculiar and new plants amongst the Monocotyledons 
than the Dicotyledons, and the amount of novelty 
amongst the Ferns is small in comparison to the higher 
orders, 
MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 
Dec. 10.—F. J. Bowsrnann,, Esq., President, in the 
chair, H. J. Turner, Esq., and Dr. Parker, were elected 
ordinary members. Signor Philippo Pacini and Prof. 
Bailey, of New York, were elected honorary members. 
paper was read by Mr. Legg, on the Application of 
Polarised Light to Microscopical Investigation. Mr. 
egg commenced by siating that it was now well known 
that many objects which could be only imperfectly ob- 
served by common light, were very evident by means 
of polarised light. The object he had in view was to 
Point out to the microscopist the most convenient way 
of using polarised light. He deseribed the several 
Means adopted for the purpose of obtaining polarise 
light, and recommended as the best the prism formed of 
Iceland spar and glass, as the most convenient. By this 
apparatus and a plate of selenite, objects might be sub- 
mitted to the action of the various coloured rays of the 
Spectrum. Mr. Woodward, of Islington, explained the 
nature of polarisation of light by meaus of models and 
other apparatus. After the reading the paper Mr. 
Woodward, Mr. Legg, Mr. Matthew Marshall, and Mr. 
Button, exhibited mieroseopes fitted up with various 
kinds of polarising apparatus, 
STAMFORD-HILL, CLAPTON, AND STOKE 
NEWINGTON, GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION. 
Mr. G. Castin read an essay on early forcing the 
Vine, He approved of the fronts of Vineries being 
built upon arches, and liked rather deep well drained 
Outside borders. After planting (said he), the Vines 
should be eneouraged to grow, by removing all laterals 
and useless shoots, by syringing and a strict attention to 
Cleanliness. It is improper to expect a full crop from 
Young Vines too soon, for although afew bunches might 
be obtained the season after planting, yet the general 
routine of forcing should not commence till the third 
season. Where the old system of heating is still in use, 
he considered nothing to be more congenial to the well 
being of the Vines than a good bed of leaves along the 
centre of the house; in fact, so as to occupy all the 
floor except the footway, for by this means a genial heat 
is generated, for six weeks at least ; some prefer dun 
on account of its greater heat, and the ammonia 
arising from it is supposed to be useful to the 
Vines. With respect to pruning, he preferred 
short spurs to the rod system for very early work, 
taking care, in the “summer dressing,” to allow no 
More eyes to swell iban were actually wanted, and to 
carry up young canes every third year, and to cut out 
the old wood as soon as the Grapes are cut. He recom- 
mended the maintenance of a low temperature at all 
times, especially at night, increasing it gradually as the 
season advanced, with abundance of moisture, except at 
colouring time. He kept the pipes covered with woollen 
cloths, and sprinkled them instead of the pipes, and by 
this plan he avoided syringing the Vines, and evaded 
the evil of spots on the Grapes. Plenty of air should 
be admitted at all times, but if it could be warmed be- 
fore it entered the house so much the better. When 
the Grapes are colouring he admitted plenty of front 
air, if the wind was south or south-west, and when the 
crop is cut the Vines are left to chance. The house is 
still well aerated and syringed, not with a garden 
engine, but with a syringe, so as to resemble a gentle 
Shower, The Black Hamburgh has been found to be 
the best for forcing, whieh commences early in Novem- 
ber, so as to have Grapes ripe by the middle of April.— 
W. Sherwood, Hon. Sec 
3iebíetos. 
Orchidacee Lindeniane ; or, Notes upon a Collection 
of Orchids formed in Colombia and Cuba, by Mr. 
J. Linden. By John Lindley, Ph.D. F.R.S. 
Bradbury and Evans. A Pamphlet of 36 pages. 
Tys is a Scientific aecount of a fine collection of 
Orchids formed in Colombia and Cuba by Mr. Linden, 
and by him itted to his supporters in Europe. 
Many are alive in the gardeus of this country and the 
Continent, but a few only have flowered. The author 
gives the technical characters of the new genera and 
species, and Mr. Linden’s valuable notes upon the 
situations and climate in which the species were found. 
The total number of species enumerated is 143, of which 
many more than half are new. A few observations re- 
specting the climate in which these plants prefer to live, 
and their elevation above the sea, are prefixed by the 
author, and introduced by the following remarks :— 
“Tt was not without reason that Humboldt thus 
characterised the Orchids of Equatorial America. 
* Although,’ says that illustrious philosopher, * such 
plants are scattered through every part of the torrid 
zone, from the level of the sea to the height of 10,000 
or 11,000 feet, yet it must be admitted that in the num- 
ber of species, the colouring of their flowers, delicious 
fragrance, rich foliage and brilliant colours, none can 
be compared with those.whieh inhabit the Andes of 
Mexico, New Granada, Quito and Peru, where the 
shade is moist, and the breezes mild, the mean tem- 
perature of the year at an elevation of between 4800 
and 6600 feet, being from 64° to 69°? Mr, Linden’s 
collection shows that of 129 species nearly half are 
found in such localities. If, however, any general con- 
clusions are to be drawn from Mr. Linden’s useful 
notes, it is necessary to examine the species in detail, 
and for that purpose they are classified in the following 
lists according to their elevation above the sea ; the 
temperature of each group being computed from the 
data farnished by Humboldt.” 
The Vegetable Kingdom. By Prof. Lindley. 
A SECOND edition of this work, already noticed at p. 187 
of the present volume, has been issued. It differs from 
the first edition ehiefly in the correction of such typo- 
graphical and other verbal errors as have been re- 
marked since its first appearance, and in the addition of 
the new fenera that have become known to the author 
within the last few months. 
Johnson's Gardeners’ Almanac for 1847, continues 
ita useful eareer, and is, we presume, by this time esta- 
blished in the good opinion of amateur gardeners. We 
regret, however, to see the lists of the plants which 
flower in each month so full of typographical and other 
errors. To have any value they should be accurate, 
and classified ; what, for example, can be made of 
Tropeoli, Cornea, Neottia, Epidendra, Helianthus viri- 
dis, Coraca speciosa, Pogonia glabra, Jacquinii, and so 
on? and on what principle are such words as Tussilago 
Farfara, Achyranthus, Cluytia, Orontium japonicum, 
and Hyoseris ! introduced at all? We wish we could 
say that no other marks of carelessness were visible ; 
but we trust that this hint will cause the matter of next 
year’s Almanac to be more carefully put together, for 
the book is really useful with even such blemishes as 
we have reluctantly pointed out. 
The Illustrated London Almanac, is a highly-deco- 
rated account of the natural history and phenomena 
of the months, and on that account is worth the perusal 
of all who have a shilling to spare. It does not call 
for any critical remarks. 
A Few Words of Advice on Artificial Manures, by 
Mr. Lawes, contains some of the best facts that we 
know of, stated in the best way. As it is given to every 
one who will send two postage stamps to Mr. Wilson, 
at Mr. Lawes’ factory, Deptford Creek, we need not 
say more. 
New Garden Plants. 
57. Ziscuvnanrnus winiatus. Vermilion ZEscbynanth. 
Stove Epiphyte. (Gesnerads.*) Java. 
This species, received by Messrs. Veitch from their col- 
lector in Java, is readily distinguished by its very short 
dish-shaped calyx, which has searcely any distinct mar- 
ginal lobes, and its vivid vermilion-eoloured flowers, 
with a yellow star in the throat, 1t yields to none in 
beauty, and is much finer than Vanden Bosch’s Æschy- 
nanth lately imported from Belgium. It isione of the 
prettiest plants in cultivation, and like all its race, lends 
itself willingly to the care of any one who has a warm 
damp house in which to grow it, in a basket or on a 
block of wood. It was exhibited at one of the Garden 
meetings of the Horticultural Society last summer.— 
Botanical Register. 
58. SancosrEMMA (PHILIBERTIA) CAMPANULATUM. 
shaped Sarcostem. Greenhouse Climber. 
piads.*) Peru? 
From Mes: Veitch. Its broad cordate leaves, and 
large yellow campanulate flowers, are strikingly different 
from those of other previous y described S K 
It is a pretty little shrubby plant,well adapted for train- 
ing over ornamental wirework fastened to the pot, and 
like most of the plants belonging to Asclepiads, it re- 
quires a rich loamy soil and plenty of moisture during 
the growing season. Afterwards, when done flowering, 
it should be allowed a time of rest, by gradually with- 
holding moisture until the soil in the pots becomes 
tolerably dry, when the plant should be placed in the 
warmest and driest part of the greenhouse until the 
following spring. At that season the plants should be 
fresh potted, cut back freely, and placed in a gentle 
moist heat for a few weeks, It is easily increased by 
cuttings, and flowers the greater part of summer and 
autumn.— Botanical Register. 
59. Ionopsiprum ACAULE. Stemless Violet-Cress. Hardy 
Annual, (Crucifers.*) Basaltic Hills near Lisbon. 
A beautiful rock plant for shady situations; its 
flowers are of a clear lilac, and the foliage is of a deli- 
cate green colour. It propagates itself by seeds, and 
by runners which throw out roots abundantly into the 
damp soil. It grows in any rich garden soil, and 
blooms from April to October, It requires rather a 
moist (shady) situation, Its small flowers (they come 
out white and turn to a pale lilac) appear in profusion 
from April to October, It makes à neat edging to 
borders in shaded places. Although no Cochlearia, it 
may nevertheless as well continue to bear in gardens 
the old name of Cochlearia acaulis, unless our English 
one is preferred.— Botanical R 
Bell- 
(Ascle- 
Miscellaneous. ; 
Slug Fence.—'lo repel the slugs and snails from his 
Carnations, Mr. Sharp, of the Winchester gas-works, 
encircles the rim of each pot with a piece of horse-hair 
rope, partially cut across its strands. The bristles start 
forward and present a chevaua-de;frieze which neither 
slugs nor snails can surmount. It is very durable, may 
be used to protect any plant, and is rather ornamental. 
w See Lindley’s ^ Vegetable Kingdom” for an explanation of 
these terms, 
Mr. Sharp does not claim merit for the invention, but 
its efficacy entitles it to be more generally adopted.— 
Johnson’s Gardeners’ Almanac. 
The Food of the Shops.—Hard's Farinaceous Food 
has been for many years before the public. It consists 
of Wheat flour slightly baked. It is very carefully pre- 
pared, on which account it is much in repute. The 
poor frequently employ baked flour as a substitute. 
Densham’s Farinaceous Food is composed of three parts 
of Wheat flour and one part of Barley-meal slightly 
baked. The Barley-meal renders this preparation 
slightly laxative. Ervalenta is the meal of the Lentil 
(Ervum lens). lt is used with treacle, to counteract 
habitual constipation, English Arrow-root is Potato 
siareh. The Prince of Wales’s Food is Potato starch. 
Bright’s Custard Powder is a preparation of Potato 
starch. Bright’s Nutritious Farina is Potato starch 
arcmatised. Gardiner’s Alimentary Preparation has 
recently been introduced as a “production prepared 
after the instructions of the celebrated Professor Liebig, 
with a due proportion of nitrogenous matter indis- 
pensably requisite for nourishment.” It is Riee-meal 
very finely ground. — Pharmaceutical Journal. 
Barometer.—Mr. Christensen, of Cowes, in the 
Isle of Wight, leeturer upon astronomy, &e., has ar- 
ranged à Table which no one having a weather-glass 
should be without. Its price is only 1s., and it may be 
had of C. Wilson, 157, Leadenhall-street. This * Com- 
panion to the Barometer’’ is the result of 32 years’ 
observation, and the following is an epitome of the in- 
formation it gives :— During the first six months of the 
year, when the mercury is rising, if the weather has 
been bad, and the mereury reaches to 29.62 inches, 
there will be a change ; if to 30.12, the weather will be 
air; if to 30.29, set fair. If the mercury h: s" been 
high, and begins falling, there will be a change if it de- 
clines to 29.90 ; rain, if it descends to 29.50; ond wind 
with rain, if it reaches 29.12.—During the last six 
months of the year, if the weather has been foul, and 
the mereury begins rising, there will be a change if it 
reaches to 29.48; fair, if to 30.13 ; and set fair, if to 
30.45. If the weather has been fair, and the merew 
begius falling, there will be a change if it sinks to 29.875 
rain, if to 29.55; and wind with rain, if to 29.28. At 
any time of the year, if the mercury fall to 28.10, or 
even to 28.20, there will be stormy weather. These 
conclusions are from observations made at 30 feet above 
the sea’s level, and therefore one one-hundredth part of 
an inch must be added to the height of the mercury for 
every additional 10 feet above the sea’s level, where 
the barometer may happen to be.—Johnson’s Gardeners? 
Almanac. 
Calendar of Operations. 
(For the ensuing Week.) 
The Storing of Ice.—Heat, moisture, and confined 
vapour, are well known enemies, and of course the 
converse must be secured to command success. Whe- 
ther ‘stacked " or in a house, the first matter is to 
promote the escape of the ice-melüngs. These must 
rably conclusive. Here we find no excavation, no 
shade of trees, and the houses situated in fields under 
an irrigating system. Al} this, too, beneath a Chinese 
sky, deseribed by Mr. Fortune as “ clear, fierce, and 
burning.” It must be remembered in this matter that 
the walls (mud and stone), are uncommonly thick, and 
a Bamboo roof is raised over the whole, thickly coated 
with thatch. © I am of opinion that small ventilating 
doors or windows—one on each side near the top—will 
be found beneficial rather than otherwise. I take it for 
granted that a cloud of vapour floats over the surface 
of the ice at all times when closely confined ; and if so, 
it must be very prejudicial. Such ventilators should 
not be opened too often, nor for many hours at a time, 
or it will be but exchanging one foe for another, Hol- 
low walls are undoubtedly good ; but they are expen- 
sive, and if they can do without them in China, we 
ought to do without them in Britain. A good and 
simple plan is described at p. 838, 1842, of the Chro- 
nicle, by a * Ross-shire Gardener,” the only doubtful 
point being, according to my ideas, the using water and 
leaving the ice exposed afterwards in order to cement 
the surface. Mr. Paxton’s plan, at p. 765, 1811, is also 
very good. When the main principles are kept steadily 
in view, there will, I conceive, be little occasion for the 
use of boiling water or salt. 
CONSERVATORIES, STOVE, &c. 
Conservatory.—1n frosty weather this structure will 
require a very great nicety of management ; some 
rather difficult problems have to be worked out. 
Atmospheric humidity cannot by any means be entirely 
dispensed with, yet this, if not nicely managed, will 
produce drip, and such, I need scarcely say, is most 
prejudicial to the delicate texture of the Camellias and 
other gay things. Of course if the exterior of the roof 
has no covering, ice will gather on the glass, and in 
melting, drop through the laps. The best plan is to 
k 
eep as low a temperature as can possibly be allowed, 
