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38 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



be seasons to which they ere subjected in «* natife I zomorpha medullar**, concerning whose habits very little 



. entries, and it is a matter of great importance to know 



;c length of the different seasons suitable for the Ore hi - 



icese generally cultivated in oar stoves. In Brazil, 



lexico, the East Indies, &c, where many of them are 



omul, their icason of rest is rarely more than six weeks, 



when they begin to put forth young shoots ; and this, 



accord. ng to the laws of nature, shows that they require 



with us an early season of growth, la order to have light 



end heat to mature their pseudo-bulbs after they are of 



•roper size. Therefore, owing to the shortness of our 



summers, Orchidaceae ought to be encouraged to grow 



early in si ring, and receive their season of drought as 



early in autumn as possible. This 1 find to be much more 



advantageous than if they were in a growing sUte in the 



month of November, when water must be withheld, to keep 



the utipened bulbs from dan. ring off. Were I to act 



according to " D. B.V directions, and begin to entice 



my Orchidaceee to grow in the month of May, which I 



imagine to be "a long time," next year I should have 



young shoots damping off, pseudo-bulbs shrivelling, and 



the plants one- third lees than what they were lust year. — 



lladicum Fibra. 



Destruction if Snails by common Salt. — Having strewed 

 tone common salt upon the ground, I placed a number 

 of snails amongst it ; all those that came out of their 

 shells and touched thesalt, immediately threw out a green- 

 ish globular froth, and in a lew minutes were dead. I 

 think this fact may be turned to some account amongst 

 farmers and ga uers.— J. M. T., HiUsbvrmtfh* 



Twine for fastening Wall I rees. — In training plants 

 and fruit-tree* to the wall I have for some time used 

 twine dipped in linseed oil, and dried, instead of bits of 

 doth is neater, more convenient, and affords BO 



harbour for insects. Drive the Bail it to the required 

 place, slip a tie with the twine over the head, bring the 

 brum h down ami secure it with a knot. A tres secured In 

 this manner is capable of being better trained, the 

 branches better secured, and the whole appearance more 

 workmanlike.—./. (I. It,, Exon. [We perfectly agree 

 that twine used for that purpose would have a neat appear- 

 ance and offer no harbour for insects, but it is objection- 

 able because it is apt to cut the branch, and is on that 

 account very productive of canker ; it would also occupy 

 much more time to fasten a tree to a wall with twine 

 than by the common mode of using bits of cloth.] 



Cure for Old Ha//*, ^.— The walls here are very old, 

 and having had trees nailed against them for probably 

 more than a century, fiey were covered with multitudes 

 of nail holes, and in those hole?, no doubt, were numbers 



ofinsects ready to emerge and infest the trees. In spring 



it occurred to me that a wash for the wall would be of 

 greater servicer none for the trees; I therefore pr. -pared 

 a mixture of lirne and Roman Cement, in equ «1 quantities, 

 In a fresh stnte, adding sufficient water to make it of such 

 a consistency that it n t be applied with a brush. This 

 paint was put on in a fine day r the trees were pruned, 

 and btl they were nailed ; this is the time I find mo«>t 

 convenient for applying it. A great advantage in using 

 this composition ts, that it does no injury to the trees 

 themselves. In order to ascertain this, I selected two 

 young Peach-trees that had hr the previous year severely 

 attacked by green- fly, so much so th.it the trees were 

 nearly deed ; these I covered with a thick coating of th 

 mixture, and in the following spring they burst through 

 the paint with more than ordinary vigour. They ore now 

 SB healthy trees as could be desired. If the walls are very 

 bad, two coats of the mixture would be better than one ; 

 and if it is desirable to make it a little darker or lighter, 

 the use of a larger proportion of lime or cement will 

 effect the object. The inventor of the " Metallic Anti- 

 corrosion Black Paint" strongly recommended to me that 

 material for the purpose of painting the wall>, adding that 

 the fruit ripened a fortnight earlier on walls so pa ; nted. 

 I am much afraid that by exciting the blossoms too early 

 they would be more susceptible of injury by frost ; but I 

 have no experience in the matter, and should feel obliged 

 for information respecting its application to walls. — E. 

 A. ffnmp, South Lambeth. [It does not answer to excite 

 wall-trees unless some efficient proteetion is at the sime 

 time provided. B\it we doubt the f ict of any kind of 

 coloured paint advancing the maturity of fruit a fortnight. 

 The experiment was fairly tried some years ago, and no 

 advantage was discoverable.] 



Kennedya Marryatta. — This is one of the best con- 

 servatory climbers, it is always graceful, and I never saw 

 an insect infest it. It cares not for shade or sun ; at the 

 present time I have one covered with scarlet Pea-flowers, 

 many of which have been expanded for three weeks, and 

 many more buds have yet to open. Tropseolum penta- 

 phyllum is also an excellent plant for the conservatory. 

 I beg to confirm what Mr. Beaton said about not opening 

 the upper lights of a conservatory. If they are kept close 

 tropical climbers will bloom in perfection therein ; last 

 year I had Mandevilla suaveolens, Ipomoca Learii, Paati- 

 flora alata, in fine blossom during summer and autumn in 

 a close house. — Flora. 



Rhizomorphas. — The inclosed root is found by la- 

 bourers, trenching ground to a considerable depth ; it is 

 apparently unconnected with any vegetable growing on 

 the surface. It is not found in any particular soil, nor 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of trees. One of the 

 workmen says be has found it in light sandy soils, but 

 that now sent was dug up in rich loam. The inclosed 

 epecimen is not so tough as some that are found, but it 

 always has a dead appearance. Could you kindly afford 

 any information respecting it ? — Electra. [This plant is 

 probably much more common than Botanists suppose, for 

 'this season has produced many specimens which have 

 come under our observation. It is a fungus, called Rhi- 



is known to Botanists.] 



Ilammowfs Cape Broccoli.— A. correspondent, ■ W. W. 

 Inform us that, seeing this Broccoli advertised in the 

 Chronicle lsst spring, he purchased two packets of i 

 and sowed it at three different times ; the plants all proved 

 to be tender, although they were stated in the advertise- 

 ment to be hardy enough to stand the winter. M W. N." 

 imagines that he has not got the right kind. Will some 

 of our readers say whether it stands the winter with them ? 



Cause of Mildew. — Having seen at p. 823 of the 

 Chronicle, remarks by Mr. Wighton on the cause of 

 mildew, I am induced to offer my opinion on the sub- 

 ject. Mr. W. observes,— M Supposing six practical 

 gardeners were asked the reason why their Peach-trees 

 were mildewed, they would most probably all assign it to 

 different causes." He then states the supposed cau 



Gad, gardener to T. J. Lenox, Esq., was an exceedingly 

 well-grown specimen of Clerodendron splendens, hsvias 

 fine fragrant scarlet blossoms; this is one of our 

 prettiest twining stove plants, and under good manage- 

 ment it is an abundant bloomer ; a Banksian Medal wts 

 awarded for it. Messrs. Veitch and Son, of Exeter, seat 

 a small plant of a Gaultheria, named ferruginea, having 

 considerable resemblance to G. Shallon ; it was imported 

 by Mr. Veitch from the Organ Mountains, through Mr.W. 

 Jobb ; the plant exhibited had been standing in a cold 

 pit, and Mr. Veitch states that he has one planted out in 

 the open border, and considers it sufficiently hardy to 

 stand our climate. Mr. R. Ayres, gardener to C. L 

 Stephens, Esq., of Roehampton Grove, exhibited three 

 sorts of Cucumbers, one of them the 4I White Spine" was 



vi2. : — 

 a Fung 



M Dry or damp situations, strong or light soils, or 

 ^us either on the roots or on the branches." It is 

 true that there is, perhaps, no subject connected with 

 gardening on which the opinions of gardeners are more at 

 variance than that of the cause of mildew. I do not, 

 however, attribute it to any of the above ciuses. 1 believe 

 t the ungus which we call mildew on trees is not the 

 cause but the effect of the disease, and that the disease is 

 ocean oned by a sudden transition of temperature. In my 

 pra • in Peach-forcing I have had no cause to complain 

 of mildew, when the night temperature was kept in due 

 connection with that of the day; but even under glass, 

 wit it the application of artificial heat, I have had Peach- 

 trees as much injured by mildew as any that I have ever 

 seen upon the open wall*. It must have been observed 

 by every gardener, that the disease is most prevail pat in 

 spring snd early in summer. At that season it is not 

 qd< iroon here to have our temperature varying from 30° 

 to 70 in one day. From the effects of low temperature 

 the sap of the tender shoots becomes congealed, and when 

 it becomes suddenly warmer this congelation is too 

 quickly liquefied, and in place of circulating through its 

 regular channels, it bursts forth through the pores of the 

 young shoots and leaves, and the Fungus-like substance 

 immediately follows. If the disease was occasioned by 

 anything but variation of temperature, the result would 

 he the same every year ; but this is not the case, for we 

 find trees and other permanent plants, the one year totally 

 escaping the disease and the next almost destroyed by it. 

 This goes far to prove that variation of temperature is the 

 sole cause of the disease. Consequently there can be no 

 preventing it, where there is no control over the tempe- 

 rature. Sulphur is sometimes applied as a remedy, and 

 it kills the Fungus ; but this, as above stated, is only the 

 effects of the disease. Some imagine having destroyed 

 this, and soon after perceiving their trees beginning to 

 grow again, tint they have effected a cure ; whereas, in 

 reality, this new growth is entirely the result of a more 

 genial temperature.— J. Garin, Donibristlc r<irk, Fife- 



Societies. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 Jan. 16— R. W. Barchard, Esq., in the chair. J. 

 Stewart, Esq , M.P., was elected a fellow of the society. 

 From Mr. W. P. Ayres, gardener to J. Cook, Esq., were 

 two remarkably fine specimens of Epacris nivalis and im- 

 pressa. Both plants were about 6 feet high and 3 feet in 

 diameter, and were uniformly covered with blossoms. 

 Mr. Ayres states that the treatment which they received 

 during the past season differed much from what is usually 

 considered proper for this tribe of plants. Instead of 

 being grown in an airy greenhouse, they were subjected 

 to a close moist heat of from 60° to 90°, with no more 

 air than was necessary to keep the heat from exceeding 

 what is above stated. After sunset, especially on dewy 

 evenings, a*r was freely admitted ; but the plants were 

 syringed, and the house was closed before the sun came 

 upon it the following morning. The rate of growth was 

 said to be so rapid that to keep the plants from flagging 

 they had to be shaded during bright sun-light. Many 

 who saw them during summer said that they would not set 

 any flower-buds ; but the result proves that a fine show of 

 flowers is not incompatible with luxuriant growth, provided 

 the precaution is taken to get the young wood properly 

 matured before winter : a Knightian Medal was awarded 

 for them. Mr. J. Robertson, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence, 

 sent an exceedingly fine specimen of Epidendrum nutans, 

 about 7 feet high and 3 in diameter, bearing nine main- 

 shoots covered with greenish blossoms ; this is an old plant, 

 and well known, but it is very rarely seen in such perfec- 

 tion as in the present instance, and is an evidence of what 

 good cultivation and management can effect. There was 

 also from the same collection a pretty plant of the showy 

 Laelia anceps, having lon^ slender flower-stems, on the 

 points of which were situated its bright lilac and purple 

 blossoms ; likewise a plant of the scarce Cypripedium 

 barbatum, and one of C. venustura, along with well-grown 

 plants of Phaius Tankervillia and P. intermedius. Mr. 

 Robertson also exhibited a pretty plant of Lselia autum- 

 nalis, and a well-grown specimen of Centradenia rosea; 

 the latter, from Sierra Leone, is a plant of easy cultiva- 

 tion, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with 

 brilliant rose-coloured star-like flowers. It has likewise 

 the good property of being a free bloomer. Plants of 

 Batemannia Colleji, Aspasia epidendroides, and Zygope- 

 talum crinitum from the same collection, were also sent for 

 exhibition; a Knight ian Medal was awarded for the three 

 first plants. Mr. R. Plant, gardener to J. H. Schroder, Esq., 

 sent a fine specimen of Coryanthes maculata, having a pen- 

 dant scape of about one foot and a half long, at the end of 

 which were three fully expanded large ochre-coloured 

 blooms, beautifully spotted with purple. From Mr. S. 



a good fruit considering the season of the year; a certi- 

 ficate was awarded for them. From Mr. Beck of 

 Isleworth, were good specimens of Ashmead's Kernel 

 Apple ; this is a very valuable hardy variety ; it U 

 much in the way of a Nonpareil, and from its being 

 a great bearer, as well as on account of its generd 

 excellence, it is worthy of a place in every cottage- 

 garden. Mr. Buck, of Blackheath-gardens, sent three 

 sorts of seedling Pears, numbered 2, 15, and 18. 

 From G. Crawshay, Esq., of Colney Hatch, were speci- 

 mens of Black Hamburgh Grapes that were cut on the 

 15th of January; they were good bunches, with well- 

 swelled berries ; and although they had been grown in i 

 Vinery without the aid of fire-heat, they were perfectly 

 ripe and well-flavoured ; he also exhibited a bunch of the 

 same sort that was cut on the 4th of December last, and 

 had kept in good condition hung up in a room ; the ber- 

 ries were not at all shrivelled nor the stalks decayed. Mr. 

 Crawshay grows his Grapes, as before stated, in a Vinery 

 where no fire-heat is employed, except in very dull damp 

 weather; small fires are occasionally lighted, not to in- 

 crease the temperature, but merely to dry up the damp; 

 the Vines are allowed to have great ventilation, and from 

 this circumstance the Grapes are well ripened, which is 

 the great secret of their keeping; a certificate was 

 awarded for those cut on the 15th January. J. Moorman, 

 Es(|., of Portland Place, Clapham-road, sent a collection 

 of Pears, among which were specimens of Napoleon and 

 Passe Colmar in good condition: a certificate was awarded 

 for them. From the Garden of the Society were flowers 

 of Chimonanthus fragrans and grandiflorus, with a collec- 

 tion of Apples, consisting of Court Pendu Plat, Reinetts 

 du Canada, Cockle Pippin, Pomme Royale, Boston Russet, 

 and Golden Harvey ; the latter is one of the best sorts in 

 cultivation, in richness and delicacy of flavour it is even 

 superior to the Golden Pippin ; it is also remarkable 

 for being an excellent Cider Apple. The tree is per- 

 fectly hardy ; it is a good bearer snd worthy of a place in 

 every garden. From the same collection were likewise 

 sent the following Pears, viz. : Easter Beurre and Beurre* 

 Ranee, the latter were from standards ; this Pear, although 

 not so large, is found to be much better flavoured when 

 grown in this way than when trained on a wall, unless s 

 south aspect can be afforded for it. There were also spe- 

 cimens of Winter Crassane, an excellent variety raised 

 by the late Mr. Knight ; it not only resembles a Cras- 

 sane in appearance, but also in flavour. It is a molt 

 abundant bearer, and so perfectly hardy that it does not 

 at all require the help of a wall to bring it to perfection. 



LINNEAN SOCIETY. 

 Jan. 16.— Edward Forster, Esq., in the chair. Dr. 

 Thomas Harrison, Dr. Wm. Francis, Dr. Hamilton, Dr. 

 Clement, and John Camplin, Esq., were elected Fellows. 

 A specimen of the flying fish was presented by Mr. Green. 

 Joseph Janson, Esq., presented specimens of the Sphserm 

 Robertsii and of the fruit of Cheirostemon platanoides. 

 An extract of a letter to Dr. Bostock from his son was 

 read, giving a detailed account of a flight of locusts which 

 he had witnessed in India, between Cawnpoor and Agra. 

 The number of locusts was so great that the air became 

 quite darkened. They appeared to be moving at about 

 the rate of four miles an hour, and although the travelling 

 party were moving in an opposite direction they were be- 

 tween two and three hours in passing through them. Pro- 

 fessor Edward Forbes read a paper on the Echinidae of the 

 jEgean sea, of which he had found 12 species when accom- 

 panying Captain Graves in H.M.'s ship Beacon. 1W 

 most remarkable of these were a new Amphidetus. allied 

 to the A.|cordatus, and the Echinus monilis, identical 

 with the form of that name found fossil in the tertiary 

 beds of Europe. The species were dredged up fro* 

 depths varying from one to 100 fathoms. In the descnp- 

 tion of Amphidetus he gave an account of the eyes of tn» 

 genus, which he had discovered surrounding the ° va " a , 

 foramina, and which are protected by eyelids formed \o 

 regular circles of spines. He gave an account ot 

 habits of Cidaus histrix, which he had taken in 70 fatt J°™ 

 water, and which has the power of climbing up c ° ral *j 

 means of its spines alone, a fact not previously oj 5 *^ 

 The Echinus lividus is used as an article of food by * 

 Greeks, and is identical with the Irish sea-urchin j» 

 perforates rocks. The paper was illustrated by diagran* 

 and was read by the Professor himself. 

 GARDENERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION 

 ' January 11.— John Sangster, Esq., in the chair, t 

 report of the committee was read, by which it RpP^ f— 

 that during the 



pensioners on the 



last twelve months " they had elected w 

 pensioners on ihe funds, at 16/. per annum ; they 

 given notice of another election to take place tnai i 

 and also recommended that three more pensioners s 

 be placed on the list, the election to take place in- 

 next ; they had also purchased in 3 per cent. t,o ^ 

 200/ , making the total of 800/., standing in the nam 

 the Trustees of the Society. There was a balance : i 

 hands of Messrs. W. and J. Noble, the Treasurers, 



