1843.) 
“THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE. 87 
*, 
good, would have the effect of damaging all the rest; for the 
flower being composed of rows of petals, placed evenly one above 
other, in decreasing concentric circles, it must be obvious 
that the slightest malformation in thereceptacle, or in the manner 
in which the petals were placed in it, would have the effect of 
causing a derangement which often pervades the whole flower— 
one petal displacing another throughout. This defect in some 
i put seldom, in others frequently, and in some 
was remarked, that, under such circum. 
censors were never justified in attributing these 
occurrences, in a new variety, to accident, and that the only 
safe course was to be governed by fact, and not by conjecture. 
p e petals, the tran 
sition from the fully-expanded ones to those completely closed, 
e regular and gradual from the centre, both with 
regard to the size of the petals and to their expansion. Some- 
times all the expanded petals were nearly of the same size, when 
a disproportionate space must unavoidably be left between the 
expanded rows and those that form the centre, which then 
always appears large and coarse, instead of compact, as when 
formed by imperceptible gradations. ‘Che form and height of the 
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The highest centres were not 
always the best formed; in some flowers they stood upright, as 
centre, especially if it formed a glossy, obdurate eye, as in 
the interior of the petal, should not be governed strictly by the 
i as too great a fulness would obviously 
other. The next point alluded to was colour; and the 
were generally confirmatory of the rules hitherto adopted. In 
alluding, however, to the necessity of the colour penetrating 
through to the back of the petal—snch a principle applied more 
to self-coloured than edged flowers, in the latter of which the 
colour was too often at the back of the petal, and not on the 
face. ‘The difference, howcver, occasioned (for into the distri- 
bution and cause of colour he could not enter) arose from the 
nerves at the back of the petals of dark flowers being of a light 
colour, and those in light flowers being, on the contrary, dark, 
the colouring being apparently diffused in the one throughout 
the intermediate spaces, and in the other drawn from them and 
concentrated in the nerves. The colour isthen stronger at the tip, 
here they all meet together. It is of course more percepti- 
ble in some varieties than in others, but Eva, Penelope, and 
several other flowers, might be mentioned as examples. m 
times the colour also appears as a vein on the face of the petal. 
A flower witha neat edge, having the colour well concentrated 
most of those we at present possess 
being only mottled, or faintly clouded. Size was the on) 
i It was the only one that could be detrimental 
if carried to excess, and ha sidered as of 
be positively bad. Size should nevertheless, not be unfaidy un- 
derrated, for so long as it is unattended with coarseness, as is the 
case with the splendid specimens exhibited by Mr. Brown, and 
otber judicious and successful cultivators, it must decide prece- 
ence, To this the very best judges can have no objection, and 
by them it will never be lost sight of, so long as it is not carried 
to such an extent as to destroy uniformity, and it is only against 
an undue weight, and the unfair share of attention which it at- 
tracts in the eyes of the general or superficial observer, that 
restrictive observations have been sometimes directed. Attempts 
have been made to describe what it ought to be, in in- 
ches; but such a plan cannot be supported, andis impracticable, 
‘The number of inches, moreover, have often varied according to 
circumstances and alteration of opinion, to both of which every 
thing must submit. r, Wildman then slightly alluded to cul- 
ture, stating (as he said had already been repeatedly done) that 
the chief requisites were a rich, fresh loam, well manured, an 
open situation, plenty of water, frequently and abundantly 
given, and a liberal use of the knife, especially in disbudding free 
and abundant bloomers. These were all absolutely necessary ; 
but even then, without a free and pure atmosphere all our labours 
would be lost, however meritorious ; for a Dahlia, of all flowers, 
required a strong air ;—and it was in this respect that the metro- 
Politan Florists could never compete with their country rivals. 
In fact, so great was the difference that many flowers, which, 
with the one are most desirable, are with the others, if not 
Worthless, absolutely useless. Hard-eyed flowers would never 
doin London, nor those that were thin or soft in the country, — 
the first requires a strong air and free growth, which the latter 
cannot bear; as instances, he mentioned Gregory’s Regina, as a 
useful London flower, but worth nothing in the country. Cox’s 
Place,—notwithstanding the angularity of petals before men- 
tioned, which it then in a great degree loses,—has the same de- 
fect. Hope was a flower that does well in both places, so also 
Were Unique, Maria, and Catleugh’s Eclipse (though uncertain). 
Dodd's Prince of Wales again is easily bloomed in the neighbour- 
hood of the metropolis, but it is always deeply and abruptly sunk 
in the centre. Several others could be mentioned, but enough 
Raising new varieties from seed 
in allusion to the disinclination of those who really possessed 
eis to divulge their secrets ; the little, however, 
me recommend that seed be saved from 
taken these precautions, and really wish to enlighten the inex- ] 
perienced, it would have been far better to have detailed specific- 
ally the result of their practice in each instance, than merely to 
have indulged in unsupported and vague directions. Glory of 
Plymouth had, tothe great astonishment of all who possessed 
the slightest knowledge of the parts of the flower, been repeat- 
ower from which to save seed. 
Now Glory of Plymouth is one of the most double flowers that 
has ever yet been raised, and, | 
centre ; and it might be asserted, without fear of contradiction, 
that it never had been seeded, and was incapable of bearing 
seed. This was not amatter of opinion, but one of fact ; and any 
misstatement could be easily disproved. He knewan Amateur 
who, once relying upon this recommendation, had been induced 
to grow twenty plants for the sake of the seed t, as might 
have been anticipated, he was utterly disappointed. Mr. Wild- 
man then detailed the result of his experience (which he admit- 
ted was limited) with many of the flowers from which he had 
saved seeds, So much depended upon accident or circumstances 
over which we had no control, that it was difficult to recommen: 
ne in particular ; but seeds from thin flowers generally, however 
good their style, ended in disappointment,—his Windsor Rival 
Constancy in the parent was, he thought, a 
matter of little moment, provided defective blooms were immedi- 
ately removed, and none but the best left for seed. Brightness 
and clearness of colour were desirable, but no dependance could 
be placed upon the exact colours that might be produced. If 
sional cr otherwise, from which seed might be obtainable, should 
be selectad, the colours chosen being distinct and opposite, and 
notcompound. To those who would not take the trouble to re- 
sort to artificial fertilization, he would recommend that a few of 
the very best varieties, including one or two that seed more 
freely, be planted together, apart from all others; the chances 
then would be far more favourable. Having now fulfilled his 
promise, and said sufficient to answer the purpose of exciting ob- 
servations on the pait of others more competent than himself, 
Mr. Wildman coneluded by submitting a brief summary fer adop- 
tion or improvement by the Society i he should 
only make three general heads, viz., Form, in which was in- 
cluded most of the detail; Colour and Size; he should also at 
first confine these heads to properties only, stating defects after- 
rds. ist, Form.—The outline should be that of about two- 
thirds of a globe or sphere ; the rows of petals forming this glo- 
bular outline should describe unbroken concentric circles lying 
above each other with evenness and regularity, and gradually 
diminishing till they approach the crown. The petalsforming these 
rows should be spirally arranged, and alternate, like the scales of 
a Fir cone; those in each superior row concealing the joints in 
the rows beneath, and causing the circle unbroken and 
complete. They should be broad at the ends, perfectly free from 
notch or indentation of any kind, firm in substance, smooth in 
texture, uniform in size, and evenly and freely expanded in each 
row, but largest in the outer ones, gradually and proportionably 
diminishing until they approach the crown, where they should 
gently turn the reverse way, pointing inwards and forming a 
neat and close centre. 2d, Colour.—If ina self, it should be dense 
and clear; if in an edged flower, concentrated and well defined : 
In Form.—Want 
of roundness or of depth, flatness of face, squareness of shoulder, 
sinking in the centre. In the Rows.—Wide interstices between 
the petals in each row, or between the rows themselves ; broken 
circles, ging other or diminishing abruptly; want 
of arrangement, and looseness. the Petal.—Notches or in- 
dentations on the edge, sharp points, angularity, cupping too 
deeply with wide mouths; abrupt hollows in the face or ribbi 
ness ; being too broad, coarse, or overwrapping each other side- 
ways, or being too narrow and guttery, or not touching each 
other in the rows; quilling,.or curiing, or showing the back in 
any manner; curling too much upwards, turning quite back, 
or being upright in the centre ; want of substance, and not con- 
cealing the scale. CoLour, 2,—Cloudy or mottled, thinly laid 
on in patches, or in spots, or variable; not being the same at the 
back as on the face of the petal. S12 Being below the average, 
or so large as to be coarse ; showing a yellow disk or a hard and 
scaly centre, cross eye, petals damaged in any manner, blooms 
dead or decaying. Mr. Wildman concluded by remarking that 
the object ought to be to obtain freedom without looseness, bold- 
ness without coarseness, and symmetry and uniformity without 
stiffness or formality. Then would our flowers conform to eur 
own conventional usages, and gratify the common as wellas the 
more fastidious observer. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Stephenson's Double Cylindrical Boiler—We have in- 
spected this Boiler, which appears to be an improvement 
upon the conical one described at p. 175 of last year’s 
Chronicle. Unlike that, the fuel in the present instance 
is supplied at the top of the dome ; but the chief advan- 
tage which it possesses 1s derived’ from an inner cylindri- 
cal boiler, which presents a larger surface to the action 
of the fire, and serves as a hopper to contain ;a store of 
fuel. The inner boiler extends from the top of the dome 
to within about eight inches of the grating, on which the 
fire rests; it is connected at its base by two pipes, with 
the external boiler, with which it also has free com- 
munication around the top. There is a space of two 
inches between the two cylinders, so that the flame acts 
equally upon both; and it is stated that a more perfect 
combustion of the smoke is thus attained. As in the 
conical boiler, the flow-pipe proceeds from the top, on 
one side of the door through which the fuel is supplied ; 
the return-pipe enters at the bottom, and the pipe for 
conveying the smoke away is situated on one side.. .The 
Double Cylindrical Boiler appears to possess obvious 
advantages for the tank system of heating lately brought 
into notice by Mr. Rendle. Being made of copper, its 
appearance is neat. It can be erected in any part of the 
building, from which, when not in use, it may be removed 
at pleasure. 
THE NATURALIST’S CORNER.—No. IX. 
(Continued from page 24.) 
29. The Wood of the Cypress tree scarcely ever decays, 
or is worm-eaten 5 for which reason the ancients used to 
make the statues of their gods with it, The imperishable 
chests which contain the Egyptian mummies were of 
Cypress. The gates of St. Peter’s church at Rome, which 
had lasted from the time of Constantine to that of Pope 
Bugene the Fourth, that is to say, 1100 years, were of 
Cypress, and had in that time suffered no decay. _ j 
30, Diocletian retired from the throne into his native 
province, and there amused himself with building, plant- 
I ae 
ng. His answer to Maximian is deser- 
‘in, others from full, flowers; some da 
il an u asi 
wealy celebrated : he was solicited by that restless old man 
to reassume the reins of government and the imperial 
purple; he rejected the temptation with a smile of pity, 
calmly observing, that if he could show Maximian the 
cabbages which he had planted with his own hands at 
Salona, he woul be no longer urged to relinquish the 
enjoyment of happiness for the pursuit of power. 
31. Alhagi.—Among the wild plants of the Sahel, or 
western part of the North African desert, there is, among 
species of Acacia and the Hedysarum alhagi, or Alhagi 
maurorum, a thorny plant about 18 inches high, which 
remains green all the year round, grows in many parts of 
the Desert in the sand, and is eagerly eaten by the camels: 
it is almost the only plant that supplies them with food 
while they are traversing the Desert. Near the most 
south-western corner of the Sahel are extensive woods 
consisting of Acacia-trees, from which by far the greatest 
part of the gum is obtained which in Europe is consumed 
under the name of Gum Arabic. It is collected by the 
Moors, and then sold to the French and English merchants 
in St. Louis on the banks of the Senegal river. 
32. Linneus, one day, when collecting plants with his 
pupils, covered with his hand a green turf, saying that he 
had that under his hand whose consideration might justly 
occupy all of them for a considerable portion of their 
lives. He verified this assertion by showing that within 
that space there were thirty-four different species, either 
of Grass, or Moss, or insects, or animalcules, or varieties 
of mineral. ‘‘ How, then,’’ continued Linnzus, “* shall we 
estimate the total productions of the entire globe, when 
the little space that my hand covered is found to contain 
so many various objects ?’’ 
(To be continued.) 
GARDEN MEMORANDA. 
Moredun, the Residence of D. Anderson, Esq.—This place is 
pleasantly situated about three miles th of Edinburgh, and 
commands good views of the Pentland Hills, Arthur’s Seat, Craig- 
millar Castle, and several other objects of interest in thatneigh- 
bourhood. ‘The forcing-houses in the kitchen garden are very 
extensive, and are managed in a clever manner by Mr, Watson, 
the gardener. forcing is commenced earlier here than inany 
other garden in Scotland with which we are acquainted. e 
are three vineries and five peach-houses, besides a considerable 
extent of pits and frames for the growth of Melons and Cucum- 
bers. The first vinery and peach-house have had fires on sinee 
the Ist of December, and are both now considerably advanced. 
The earliest Vines, when we saw them, about three weeks ago, 
were just showing flower, and the peach-house was then in one 
mass of bloom. The fruit in these two houses is generally fit for 
table on the Ist of May; and from that time until the end of the 
season there is always an abundant supply of Peaches and: Grapes 
in succession. The late Baron Moncreiff, to whom the place once 
belonged, used frequently to boast, that, from his own garden 
within a few miles of Edinburgh, he could, by the aid of glass, 
coal, and a good gardener, match any country in Europe in 
Peaches, Grapes, Pines, and every other fine fruit, excepting 
Apples and Pears. The greenhouse, which is placed in a‘corner 
of the flower-garden, contains some well-grown Heaths, Epacri- 
ses, Azdleas, Caméllias, and other greenhouse plants. We noticed 
particularly two splendid specimens of Erica melanthera, about 
19 feet in height, and bushy to the ground. The pretty E. hyema~ 
lis, with E. colorans, and several specimens of Epacris, were in 
full flower, and made the house look very gay. The collection 
of Mammillarias is rich for this part of the country, and contains 
many pretty specimens, The flowe'-zarden is separated from the 
other part of the grounds by a fine Holly hedge, abont 120 yards 
long, 9 feet broad at the bottom, and 22 feet high. Such hedges 
are common in this part of Scotiand, where Holly seems to flourish 
remarkably well. In one of the back sheds, which has been con- 
verted into a Mushroom-house, we observed a most abundant 
crop of this excellent vegetable. Knowing that Mr. Watson was 
particularly successful in their cultivation, we asked him, to ex- 
management for the benefit of the readers of 
this paper. The following ishis practice. He doesnot use drop- 
given when necessary, and the Mushrooms, in abo! 
from the time of making up the , come up in abundances 
Snch is Mr. Watson’s practice, and when we saw the beds they 
exhibited the best possible proof of its utility.—A. F. 
Rebiews. 
Doyle's Cyclopedia, Part X., carries the reader to Peat 
and Potato, two essentially Irish subjects, concerning 
which we anticipated a good deal of information ; nor are 
we disappointed. In the article on Peat we have the de- 
tails and results of Lord Clonbrock’s experiments in 
draining the flat red bog of Critt, in the county of Gal- 
way. Upon the whole, the cost in this instance seems to 
have been greater than the advantage, having amounted 
to 30/. per Irish acre; but in other cases 10/. an acre have 
sufficed for completing the work. Black bog within two 
feet of the blue lime gravel seems to answer best 5 and 
Mr. Bermingham, Lord ( : 
considers that subsoil draining and gravelling would repay 
‘In proof of the advantage of complete pulverization 
we may cite an experiment of Mr. Lyster, of Thurles, in 
the county of Tipperary. In the year 1836, after plant- 
ingand managing three acres of Potatoes in the usual 
way, he employed men at the proper time for earthing, to 
dig between the rows, and as deeply and finely as pos- 
sible, from plant to plant, throwing up at the same time 
with the spade two or three inches of earth to keep the 
plants steady. The result was, that he had about 190 
barrels (20 stone each) to the plantation acre. At the 
same time he planted,half an acre, treated, for the sake 
