630 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
(Serr. 9, 
thickness of thatch ‘‘ stubble” covers the whole. Outside 
the wall and up to the eaves earth is laid firm, in a slop- 
ing manner ; the entrance is by a door at one end. When 
the Potatoes are stored some loose straw is shaken over 
them. I have frequently seen the Potatoes taken out in 
the spring in excellent condition, and I never heard that 
any were injured by frost. I have also seen similar pits 
in places where the soil is a stiff clay, but in such cases a 
sloping bank has been chosen for the purpose of easy 
drainage. I am induced to send you this short descrip- 
tion, from seeing in a late Number of the Chronicle, page 
285, a communication from ‘‘ Lusor,” who says that many 
years ago, he stored his Potatoes in a limestone quarry, 
and although he closed the entrance with a wall of earth, 
many feet in thickness, and covered the whole with 
stubble, several yards in thickness, yet his Potatoes were 
spoiled, and even the wind was not excluded. I cannot help 
thinking that if ‘‘ Lusor ’’ had minutely searched for the 
aperture where the enemy entered, he would have found 
the covering something less than several yards in thick- 
ness. Ihave never heard of fruit having been kept in 
such places, but I beg to inform ‘‘ Totty ” (see page 245) 
that a gentleman lately showed me several sorts of desert 
Apples which were as hard, and sound, and juicy, as when 
gathered from the trees. He had kept them in narrow- 
mouthed large earthenware jars, sealed up until wanted.— 
Cultor. 
Roman Cement.—I fear your correspondent “ J, B. H.” 
has not had his work properly done, or he would not have 
occasion to say that “Roman Cement will not stand frost.” 
Supposing his brick-work to be properly executed, with a 
sufficient bottom to prevent settlement or cracking, and 
the cement-work done in the following manner, he will 
find that Roman Cement will stand frost. The brick- 
work should be well wetted prior to the application of the 
cement, which should be from a first-rate factory, such as 
Francis and Sons’, and what is technically called No. 2, 
mixed with one-third clean-washed road-drift, or sharp 
river-sand (which is better), and should be finished in one 
coat ; a second, or setting coat, as it is called by plasterers, 
should not be put on, as it almost always scales off after 
frost. The cement-work should be allowed to become 
thoroughly dry, and then have two or three coats of boiled 
oil and turpentine. When this is completely dried the 
water may be admitted, and if properly done no frost will 
cause it to split, or scale off. I have no doubt “J, B. H.’s” 
work has failed either from improper construction of the 
brick-work, or the cement being dead before it was used, 
or from being mixed with other material than sharp sand, 
either of which would render it porous, and therefore 
liable to be split by the action of frost.—Semper Idem. 
[H. Heylyn, of No. 5, Acre Lane, West Brixton, offers to 
give information to ‘* J.B. H.” on this subject. ] 
Farnes’ Early Pea.—I beg to say that I have some 
of Farnes’ first early Peas, sown by the side of early 
May and Warwick this season, and the results were 
decidedly in favour of Farnes’, as the latter were fit for 
use from ten to fourteen days before the others. I 
merely notice this to show that persons must not be too 
hasty in drawing conclusions from one” communication 
alone, as we see from Mr. Whiting’s account the results 
are widely different.—C. Noble. 
Ginger.—I beg to thank Mr. Brown for his ready com- 
pliance with my request. His plan, although apparently 
more tedious than my own, is doubtless very good. That 
which I call mine is, however, Mr. arkham’s, of 
Hewell, and was published by him in 1831, in the seventh 
Vol. of the ‘‘ Gardener’s Magazine,”’ page 577, signed 
“Zingiber;” it runs as follows :—‘* About the beginning of 
March I pot my Ginger in small 32 or 36 pots, according 
to the size of the tuber—loam, rotten dung, and leaf 
mould, in equal parts, by all appearance being their 
favourite soil. I do not sift it, but break ita little with a 
spade, or the hand. 
By the middle of 
September the crop will be ready for gathering. I always 
preserve the oldest part of the tubers for future planting, 
ents”? that ‘‘ Tobacco may be grown in England by any one 
for his own use.’’? This I believe to be true, but only toa 
certain extent. Many years ago (I presume before the 
union of Ireland with this country) Tobacco was cultivated 
in the neighbourhood of Kelso, in Scotland ; indeed, so 
successfully, that I believe an act of Parliament was 
passed prohibiting the growth of it by any person beyond 
a limited number of plants, I think not exceeding one 
thousand. Some years after the union with Ireland, it 
was discovered by some agriculturists that the act was 
limited to Great Britain; they, therefore, went very 
largely into the cultivation of this plant, and with no less 
success than in Scotland. This of course led to the 
extension of the act to Ireland, and I suppose with the 
same limitation as to the number of plants. The above I 
believe to be a correct statement of the case.—F’. H. S. 
Morphology.— As 1 perceive you are interested in 
Morphology, I take the liberty of forwarding you a branch 
of Spruce Fir, inastate 
of monstrosity, as a 
specimen from a quan- 
tity of plants in the 
same state, which are 
growing here in the 
vicinity of old coal- 
pits, upon the banks 
formed of the refuse 
small coal. It appears 
the dry weather of last 
season induced the 
plants growing upon 
this porous material 
(although they are 
only about three feet 
high) to form incipi- 
ent cones in great 
abundance; and the 
excessively wet spring 
of this year has forced 
them to elongate in 
their more natural 
state as branches. I 
do not know that this 
is an uncommon cir- 
cumstance, but Inever i 
saw it so abundantly exemplified as in the [plantations 
named, and it appears to me an excellent example, as 
showing the relationship between fruit and branch, clearly 
proving them originally one and the same thing, only ina 
different organic state.—Joseph Paxton, Chatsworth. 
Larch,—I have examined the Larch in various situa- 
tions in this part of the country, and find that it thrives 
well in soil that may be considered light and moist. Some 
years ago a considerable quantity of Larch was cut that 
grew on part of the Earl of Dunmore’s property. The 
soil was light, upon a sandstone rock, and most part of 
the trees were affected with the dry-rot. Neither does it 
appear to thrive well on soils that have a moist tenacious 
subsoil. raining would be an improvement to such 
soil. Again, in soils that are moist and sandy, with a 
mixture of peat, the Larch grows well, and produces wood 
that is healthy and hard. Upwards of twenty years ago 
I visited the Larch-trees at Monzie, (and it is common! 
reported that they are next in size to those at Dunkeld, 
which are the largest in Scotland) ; those at Monzie grow 
in the garden near the edge of a pond, which must have a 
tendency to keep the soil moist.—Peler Mackenzie. 
The Chinese Primrose.—In my experiments from time 
to time in acclimatising plants, it was no small satisfaction 
to find the purple and white Chinese Primrose able to 
endure the rigour of our winters, flowering in early beauty 
with the Crocus, Polyanthus, and its other fair sisters of 
the spring. This I have effected (even in Middlesex) at 
more than one place, and in successive seasons, by plant- 
ing out early in September, strong old plants in front of 
an elevated shrubbery border, having a west aspect. The 
soil was a poor light loam on a sandy subsoil. In 
planting, if I found any part of the border not well 
drained under the roots of the shrubs, I placed a few 
brickbats or a flower-pot reversed under each plant; in 
this situation I had plants which did surprisingly well, 
without any other protection than the shade of neighbour- 
ing Evergreens, from under whose fostering wings many 
of these interesting flowers peered out in freshness, when 
there were several inches of snow on the ground ; indeed 
they did not appear to suffer so much from frost or snow, 
as from the cold March wind n,as Stillingfl 
beautifully expresses it,— 
‘* Winter still lingers on the verge of Spring, 
etires reluctant, and from time to tim 
Looks back, while at his keen and chilling breath 
Fair Flora sickens,’? 
Plants in other aspects of the garden planted similarly 
did not answer; those on the north perished first, 
east next, and those on the south, though surviving the 
winter, vanished in March and April by the joint effects 
of frost and sunshine. In passing, I will observe, if 
plants of the Chinese Primroses, not excited by fire-heat 
or allowed to flower during the previous winter and 
spring, are planted out about the end of May in the flower- 
garden, on elevated beds in a mixture of loam and leaf- 
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placing them, after a little drying, in a pan of dry sand, 
setting them in a cool dry situation, free from frost or 
damp. With this treatment they ensure a crop of good 
‘seed ’ for the following season.” It appears Mr. Brown 
gets two crops in one season; about three lights of the 
above-mentioned pit produce me from 40 to 50 lbs. of 
very fine Ginger with scarcely any trouble at all 3 and this 
find an ab ‘or the ion of a large family. 
—J. M. Dyich. 
mould, and shaded a few hours from the mid-day sun, 
they will become very ornamental during the summer, 
but in this situation they are early destroyed by frost. 
I have found in various localities early planting to be 
decidedly unfavourable for acclimatising exotics. In most 
cases August and September are the best season, for, above 
all things, luxuriance of growth must be guarded against, 
as every practical gardener knows that succulent vegeta- 
tion of any kind is the first to indicate the effects of frost, 
Tobacco.—I observe in your “ Answers to Correspond- 
portion to their watery contents ; therefore attempts 
should be unceasingly made, by thinking gardeners, to 
place exotics in the most favourable situations, so as to 
increase their numbers, inure them to our climate, and 
render the flower-garden at all seasons as attractive as 
possible ; for it must be allowed the two great sources of 
interest in a place are variety and contrast ; and the best 
means by which these can be introduced in the flower- 
garden is in the selection and diversity of its flowers and 
shrubs.—H. Bowers, Hammersmith Nursery. 
Several Species of Rose on one Stock.—In addition to 
what your correspondent ‘ H. B.” has stated respecting 
this subject, in your valuable paper of August 26, p. 590, 
I may mention that a gentleman, a very near relative of 
mine, had a common Rose-stock, on which he budded all 
the Moss Roses that could be obtained in the county in 
which he resided. The buds took, and in the following 
year the tree was quite a picture of beauty, every shoot 
bringing forth flowers peculiar to its kind. While speak- 
ing of this subject, it may probably be interesting to some 
if I mention that my relative had also a Pear-tree, trained 
against a wall, on which he had grafted fourteen different 
kinds of Pears. He selected those Pears which he consi- 
dered the very best (he being a good pomologist), and he 
was gratified to find that year after year, each shoot pro- 
duced fruit true to its kind. Unfortunately, however, for 
these trees, my friend determined on making great alter- 
ations in his garden, and, consequently, the trees were 
obliged to be removed. ‘This removal, however, had no 
effect on the Rose, which continued to thrive with great 
luxuriance ; but the Pear-tree did not survive this trans- 
mission, it being about the middle of June when it was 
taken up.—Ortolano, 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
Sept. 5.—R. W. Barchard, Esq., in the chair, R, Osborne, 
Esq., and W. Ellis, Esq., were elected Fellows of the Society. 
rom Messrs. Veitch and Son, of Exeter, were beautiful cut spe- 
cimens of Echites splendens, and a species of Allarnanda, said to 
be grandiflora, but appearing to be only cathartica; also a beau- 
tiful little plant of a Verticordia, for which a certificate was 
awarded. 
sprung 
up spontaneously among the roots of a mass of Orchidacez, which 
was purchased from Mr. Skinner last year, and having, in its 
habit of growth and appearance of foliage, a marked resemblance 
to A. pedunculata, but distinctly different in the flower, which 
is of a violet-rose colour, with a dingy yellow throat, closely 
dotted with small brown spots; the flowers also are rather larger 
than those of the last-mentioned variety: although it is not so 
handsome as some o ers, yet it evidently possesses 
considerable merit: for this a Silver Knightian was awarded. 
0} r. J. Robertson, gr to Mrs. Lawrence, were beautiful 
plants of Catasetum i Oncidium mi i Max- 
illaria Deppei, and Stanhopea graveolens, having a remarkably 
fine spike of its pretty yellow flowers; also splendid plants of 
Lilium lancifolium album, speciosum, and lancifolium rubrum; 
the latter about six feet in height, and bearing 15 fully expanded 
blooms. This plant was stated by Mr. Robertson to have been 
presented to Mrs, Lawrence some time ago by Baron Hugel, 
and is perhaps the only plant of the kind in the country: a silver 
Knightian was awarded Stanhopea and L, lancifolium 
rubrum. H. Groom, of Clapham Rise, also exhibited a col- 
lection of Lilium lancifolium album, and lancifolium roseum, 
particularly well-grown specimens, varying from 5 feet to 53 fect 
in height, and producing seven and eight stems from each pot, 
had been grown in a span-roofe: 
18 feet in breadth, on a horizontal stage: a 
was awarded for them. From §. Rucker, Esq., was a fine plant 
of a most beautiful new variety of Miltonia candida, and a cut 
flower of Govenia sp., very curious, and rather handsome: a 
Banksian Medal was awarded for the Miltonia candida. Mr. 
Trenfield, of Lee, sent some seedling Verbenas and a hybrid 
Gloxinia, with light pink flowers. Mr. Pawley exhibited cut 
flowers of two new seedling Fuchsias. From tlee, grto H. 
Beaufoy, Esq., were some very fine Peaches, consisting of Violette 
hative, Noblesse, Millett’s Mignonne, Red Magdalen, Kensington, 
and Padley’s Mignonne, finely swelled and beautifully coloured : 
a certificate was awarded for the Violette hdtive and Noblesse. 
From the same person were also Violette hative and Old Newing- 
ton Nectarines, with some good bunches of unnamed Grapes: 
Mr. M. Henderson, gr to Sir G, Beaumont, sent five fine bunches 
of the Muscat of Alexandria Grape, weighing respectively 2 Ibs. 
30z., 2lbs, 20z., 2lbs. 120z., 11b, 130z., and 11b. 130z. Mr. 
Elridge, gr to G. W. Ward, Esq., sent a bunch of unnamed 
Grapes, imported from Paris in the year 1839, resembling in 
appearance, a good deal, the Black Morocco. 1 Mr. Trinder, 
of Forest Hill, was a new variety of Pine-apple, weighing 24 1bs., 
and about eiglit inches in length and four inches in breadth, 
not so well grown as might have been wished, but well-flavoured, 
and reported to be very handsome, under favourable circum- 
stances. Mr. Frazer, gr. to Sir C. Sullivan, sent two nice looking 
hybrid Persian Melons, two Citrons, and some well-swelled and 
beautifully-coloured Noblesse Peaches, which, independent of 
their great beauty, were interesting from the circumstance 0 
their having been produced by a tree 16 years of age, which was 
removed 2 years ago from a south to a west aspect, d never 
produced previous to its removal such fine fruit as those exhibited. 
Mr. Frazer is of opinion that all Peach-trees o size are im~ 
proved by being occasionally removed and properly transplanted. 
A Certificate was awarded for the Peaches. From Mr. Jones, g¥- 
to Sir M, Disney, were excellent Noblesse and Grosse Mignonne 
Peaches. A Certificate was awarded for Brora 
the Gardens of the Society were plants of Peristéria Barkeri, 
with its fine pendulous scape of yellow flowers, Bolbophyllum 
Careyanum, i 
Nectarine, and George the Fourth Peach, an American ven, 
which is found most worthy of cultivation of any from the Unie 
States, and possesses the additional advantage of being an exce!- 
lent forcer. 
NOTICES or NEW PLANTS WHICH ARE EITHER 
USEFUL OR ORNAMENTAL. 
ZEMA SPARTIOIDES. Broom-like Chorozema. (Green 
L i Decandria * 
ads out its 
‘tly drooping style. These 
die 3 but ‘when the plant 
and a low temperature acts injuriously on plants in pro- 
A 
