dias 83 
302 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
[May 6, 
top-dressing for Wheat, and also for Tares, at the rate of | 
one waggon-load per acre, consisting of one part. of the 
lime to seven parts of mould ; but find it turns them of a 
sickly colour, and I cannot sce that it does them any good. 
It answers best for the bottoms of muck-heaps, mixed 
with about ten times its own bulk of mould, and turned 
over twice before the muck is put on; it certainly drives 
away the wire-worms and kills the seeds contained in the 
mould. I have now used it for Carrots and Barley, both 
of which look well.—Jack Spratt, 
Dried Strawberries.—Last summer, by way of experi- 
ment, when Strawberries were plentiful, I attached threads 
to their stalks, and hung up a few which were over-ripe 
to dry. I placed them inside a window facing the south, 
where they have remained from June last until the present 
time (March 28th). They have just been tasted, and the 
result is most satisfactory. That sweet refreshing acid 
peculiar to the Strawberry is in full perfection ; the flavour 
of the fruit, without any watery taste, is delicious: it dis- 
solves in the mouth as slowly asa lozenge, and is infinitely 
superior to the Raisin, which so soon brings ona feeling 
of satiety. The Strawberry thus preserved is a st hi 
and in many places the recolte will be but trifling ; at the 
same time, they say that in the famous year of the comet, 
1811, when the wine was so excellent, they experienced 
exactly the same weather ag at present—that the yine- 
yards were partially frozen on the 8th and 10th of April 
in that year, and yet the wine was capital; therefore we 
have still hopes. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
May 1.—At the anniversary this day, his Grace the Duke of 
Devonshire was re-elected President; T, Edgar, E: q., Treasurer, 
and A. Henderson, M.D., Secretary. i Jooker, J. Rogers, 
Esq., and J. R. Gower, Esq., retired from the Council; and the 
Earl of Auckland, Sir P. rton, Bart., an . Hutton, Esq., 
elected in their places. A report from the au tors, to which 
we have elsewere alluded, was read on this occasion. 
May 2.—R. H, Solly, Esq., in the chair. Lord Beauvale, John 
Taber, and Francis Huthwaite, Esqrs., were elected Fellows of 
the Society. A communication was read from Mr. Feran, gr. to 
§. Majoribanks, Esq., M.P., Watford, Herts, regarding some fine 
Oranges which were exhibited on a former occasion. The tree 
which produced them is described as small, and as having been 
much neglected for a considerable time; lately, however, it was 
eee sae w, in a compost of oam, cowdung, horse-droppings, 
mid ve 3 i 
The experiment may be tried when the fruit is so Tipe as 
to be scarcely worth gathering, without any further ex- 
pense or trouble than being hung up.—7, Allen, 190, 
Oxford-street. 
Amaryllis Belladonna in Pots.—I recommend any of 
your readers who wish to cultivate this plant in pots, to try 
the following experiment: Keep the plants constantly on 
a light shelf in the greenhouse, with a pan of wet sand un- 
derneath them, which should never be allowed to become 
quite dry, not even in summer, when the plant is dormant. 
By this treatment, some bulbs received from the Cape of 
Good Hope, which, if not A. belladonna, can hardly be 
distinguished from that species, have flowered regularly 
every autumn in great luxuriance. They should never be 
fresh potted, unless the roots_split the pots, which some 
of mine have done, and of course the foregoing treatment 
must not be adopted till the bulbs have rooted themselves. 
This management was adopted accidentally as regards 
these bulbs, having been ordered, under the suggestion of 
the Rey. W. Herbert, for Brunsvigia Josephine and mul- 
tiflora, which were received at the same time, and which 
pings, and kept in a common greenhouse, and it has 
borne 68 excellent fruit as the resuit. ‘The cause of the fruit’s 
superiority in flavonr was not accounted for, and it was possibly 
owing: to the variety being a particularly good one, or to some 
peculiarity of treatment yet unexplained, In consequence of the 
comparative nearness of the Chiswick exhibition, there was not 
So large a display of specimen plants as usual. collection of 
rock plants from Mr. Wood, Nurseryman, of Norwood, drew 
much notice, and received a certificate of merit. There were 27 
species in pots, most of them flowering, and all in the highest 
health. Among them was a pretty variegated-leaved Daisy 
(Bellis variegata), Lindria hepaticwfolia, the Arctic Bramble 
(Rubus arcticus), not more than 2 inches high, and with fine crim. 
son flowers; the very showy Phlox subulata and nivalis; the 
delicate Cypripédium spectabile; an extremely beautiful specimen 
of the white Porget-me-not (Myosotis alba), the pleasing and 
durable-flowered Gnaphalium dioicum, Erinus alpinus, Verénica 
repens, two or three interesting species of Saxifrage and Thyme, 
with the variegated Arabis and others. Mr. Cockburn, gr. tothe 
Earl of Mansfield, Caen Wood, Highgate, sent a number of plants, 
among which was a tall specimen of Acacia verticillata, hand. 
somely in bloom; a large Cytisus racemosus (possibly Genista 
canariensis), loaded with showy yellow and fragrant blossoms ; a 
good specimen of Philibertia grandiflora, with unusually dark 
lowers ; Houstonia czerulea, an extremely attractive little plant, 
covering the pot with its pretty pale lilac flowers; Chorozem 
ifoli Spinosum, Hench ii, and varium, the latter ina 
tall state; and Fabiana imbricata. A certificate was given for 
the four Chorozemas; and it was stated that the Fabiana is per- 
fectly hardy, having stood exposed through the last winter without 
any protection—it will therefore be a useful addition to our ever- 
green shrubs. From Mr, Goode, gr. to 
Bi 
2 
from the sea. Persons ignorant of such matters might 
P the thing i ible ; but I am informed that 
engineers of the first character, who have examined the 
locality, report it can easily be accomplished. The soil 
of this immense tract is found to be of the finest quality 
for the growth of Wheat, being a favourable mixture of clay 
with sand and marine shells. | Now that labourers are 0 
1 nt of employment, seems a favourable time 
for adding it to the wealth of the country. The engineer’s 
estimate for completing the embankment was 434,0002,, 
and the value of the land to be reclaimed was calculated 
to be worth 1,196,000/. 
and is under the 
interested in forming the embankment and railway, to 
grant them the whole of the Bay, reserving to the Crown 
only one acre in every fifteen; and, moreover, offered to 
stand between the company and all other claimants. But 
I do trust that some of the 
friends of the poor-in the House of Commons may be 
induced to investigate this subject, and to press it upon 
the ideration of G nent ; for surely it is a 
great and worthy object to restore to the wealth of the 
country 52,000 acres of its best land ; and the employ- 
ment of thousands of starving labourers in effecting 
such @ purpose must still more forcibly recommend it 
to the consideration of a statesman es 
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE, 
Paris, April 27.—We have experienced sad weather 
here for the last fortnight 3 some days very hot, followed 
by chilling winds, rain, hail, &c. "Fruit-trees of every 
kind have suffered considerably, particularly Apricots and 
Pears. Peaches are better off; indeed, they say that there 
will be a good crop of them, particularly on those trees 
that were pruned when the flower was fully expanded. 
now a garden in an exposed situation where the trees 
are never covered, yet the crop of Peaches never fail, and 
the trees are pruned always during the time that they are 
in full flower. The Walnut-trees are generally frozen—I 
mean the young shoots, which will be a great loss, particu- 
larly to the small farmers, as the oil made from the nuts 
+ 
helped to pay their rents. The Vines have not escaped, 
variety of Oncidium papilio; 
called speciosissima, with immense flowers, Ly 
spotted in the upper petals, and tolerably well formed, the other 
conspicua purpurea, equally large, of a darker tint, less spotted, 
and of a less perfect figure. A Banksian medal was given for 
the first of these and Chorozema glycinifolia. Mr. Gaines, of 
Battersea, sent a basket of Ixias, which, though introduced in 
great abundance, are seldom favourably grown ; these, however, 
were dwarf, and full of flowers, and altogether so superior that 
they were distinguished by a Banksian medal. A specimen of 
the rare Houllétia Brocklehurstiana was shown by Messrs. Veite 
and Son, of Exeter; it is very singular, and has Jarge chocolate- 
ich are variously spotted or blotched, A 
coloured flowers, whic! 
Banksian medal was awarded for this, There was also from Messrs. 
Veitch a new Brazilian Gesneraceous plant, a dwarf stove shrub, 
with the aspect of a Columnea, but apparently a species of Hypo- 
cyrta; it has curious scarlet flowers, ich are not ver 
numerous. The Rey. F. Beadon sent a plant of a double 
yellow Oxalis, which is an example in which double flowers 
are not so showy as the single ones. It was obtained from Ma- 
deira, and is to be regarded more as a curiosity than as an orna- 
flower. Mr. Davey, gr. to G. Smith, Esq., of Colney Hatch, 
exhibited a seedling Cinerdria (pulcherrima), with most intense 
purplish crimson blossoms, but chiefly noticeable for the colour 
of these. E. D. Davenport, Esq., sent a cut specimen of the 
Sutherlandia frutescens, which is something like Clianthus puni- 
ceus, and almost equal toit. The Hon. and Very Rey. W. Herbert, 
communicated some beautiful seedling Rhododendrons and 
Azaleas ; the first was R. Seymouri, obtained from seed of Rho- 
dora canadensis, impregnated by Azalea pontica; another was 
yaised between R. ponticum and R. dauricum atrovirens, and is 
remarkable for its loveliness. There were also some pleasing 
icum, which had been fertilised with the 
A.i, pheenicea, both a sheet of bloom ; Cattleya 
Forbesii and intermedia, the latter having seven flowers on one 
of its spikes; the large variety of Oncidium ampliatam, in an 
blue flowers; it is described as hard to grow, 
but was in excellent condition. Mr. ck, of Isleworth, sent a 
round tin pan, divisible in the middle, and having a cavity in the 
centre for the purpose of admitting pots, intended to economize 
‘obacco-water; when this is applied to plants, for the purpose of 
destroying aphides, it is generally wasted, and agreat superfluous 
expenditure is thus incurred: by this contrivance the plants may 
be syringed or sprinkled, and the whole of the fluid will be caught 
again, to be strained for further use, It was a: 
ation. 8rd. The food of plants; air, water, and soil; th : 
position; the substances which they yield to plants; sources o! 
carbonic acid and ammonia ; changes which they undergo in the 
organs of plants. 4th, Effects of cultivation ; conditions xequi- 
3 ; 
site to vegetation; influence of heat, light, and electricity on 
plants ; deterioration of soil; modes of preventing it; use of 
manure; its application and effects; relation of vegetation to 
climate ; effects of plants on the atmosphere ; connexion between 
the animal and vegetable kingdoms. It was also stated that there 
i meeting of the Society on the 16th inst., owing to 
the occurrence of the garden-show on the 13th. 
OYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
April 26.—T. R. Barker, Esq., in the chair. Twenty-five new 
Members were elected. Mr. Rodwell communicated the follow- 
ing account cf specimens of Bokhara Clover he had presented 
to the Society, and the results of his experience in the garden 
cultivation of this plant. Specimen No.1. The growth of 1841, 
Seed sown, April 21, The plant the growth of 138 days, First 
year’s produce, Length 8 feet }1 inches. Specimen No. Q. 
The growth of 1842 
the former year. 
ja Specimen No. 8. Growth 
1842, Second year’s produce from the roots of the former 
year. Press rowth of 189 weeks. Length 12 
us, beginning with April 21, 
1841:— Seed sown in drills about 18 inches apart, each seed 
having a space of 6 inches in the drills. i 
mould, deep and dry. 
from land-springs. Preparation, deep digging and manuring: 
Oultivation in May : hoeing and weed- 
ing in the usual manner. In June, its rapid growth (at the rate 
of an inch in 24 hours), and its disposition to throw out lateral 
shoots, requiring great care and attention in giving it support 
during some of the genial days in this month. In July, the 
same attention as in the preceding month. In September, the 
I 
specimen No. 1 was gathered and dried when in full bloom. 
October, the produce was carefully cut down, and applied for” 
fodder to cattle. Horses 
was taken as an average growth. 
the seed-pods were formed and began to ripen; and the seed 
e time, 
present ascertained by trial.—Mr. H. 
Rodwell’s remarks, as to the unwillingness of animals to eat the 
plant when Lucerne could be had by them. Mr. Gibb: 
to cut and stack the Cloyer in alternate layers with oat straw, 
sin his 
anda half each daily, with a bushel and a half of cut hay, mixed 
with one quart of boiled linseed, and three quarts of barley-meal, 
for the purpose of testing the comparative feeding qualities of 
these roots, The Council adjourned to Wednesday, the 3d of May. 
. Young, gr, 
1st prize, to J. Downie, gr. to Gen. Robertson, Canaan Bank ; 
2d prize, to J. Johnst smili 
to T. Oliver, Esq., Newington Lodge. Primroses, 
Adie, Esq., 
Hyacinths, 1st prize to 
H, Gibb, gr. to Mrs. Stark, Salisbury Green; 2d prize, to J, 
Farle, gr. to Mrs. Gregory, Canaan Lodge. Motics, 1st prize, 
to J. Young, 2d prize, to J. Downie. Wallflowers, 1st prize, to 
J. Downie; 2d prize, to J. to Sir Thomas Dick 
Lauder, Bart., the Grange House. Heaths, 1st prize, to H. Gibb ; 
2d, to J. Downie. Camellias, 1st prize, t i 
Polyanthuses, ist prize, to J. Young; 2d prize, to 
Khubarb, 1st prize, to 'T. Ovens, gr. to A. Russell, 
Esq., Grange Bank; 2d prize, to J. Downie. Seakale, 1st prize, 
te Fargi i Asparagus, 18t prize, to J, 
Spinach, 1st prize, to R. Anderson, gr. at Borrowmuir. 
head; 2d prize, T. Wood, gr. to A. Falc 
to J. Gould: 
flowers, Amateurs, to J; Robertson, Morningside. 
Wall. 
St. Andrew's Horticultural and Florieultural Society, April 19.— 
The Spring Meeting of this Society took place in the 
6 
Calceolarias, one pot of 
Str Tries, © sorts Dessert Apples, bouquet, twelve forced 
Potatoes, two early Cabbages. For the second best two Stocks, 
six hardy spring flowers, three heads of Sea-kale, six stalks of 
0 
one early green Cucumber, six stalks of Rhubarb (Victoria), four 
Scotch Leeks, twelve Asparagus, and four Carrots. For the 
second best Cactus, two greenhouse plants, six Heartsease, two 
S Poustie, gr. at Gilston—For 
the best six Heartsease, two Cinerarias, three double Wall-flow- 
e second best two Calceo- 
A. Scott, gr. at Lathallan 
—For the best two Petunias, three heads of Sea-kale, and six 
42. For the second it two greenhouse plants 
(flowers cut), three hardy shrubby plants, four double Primroses, 
three double Wall-flowers, and one pot of Strawberries. To J. 
Hardie, gr. at West Park, St. Andrew’s—For the best Brussels 
i Andrew’s—For the best four stage 
Auriculas, four Polyanthuses, and two Lettuces. For the second 
best six Heartsease and three Scotch Leeks. Mr. G, Cruick- 
rew’s—For the best three double Primroses, two 
uses 
