1844.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



119 



reen- 

 istly 



„ood di^usses tM ' a '2'ZZv^Ve essentially organs for 

 objects to the opunon that leave ta „ „ ssmei)< 



.biorbing n.o.st-re, a £;»£»» , Jtfore * hh n, the error 

 demonstrates as others n sapW ood of trees. 



bUt J .,, the best. ( I say nothing of old meadows, 

 g. r de D s are the bes I J jf ^ 



££ SEWhSEa for nourishing the plants, 

 7 i^, .oil would have become saturated with tl em. 

 U„ u p nts o«n in water ate always unhealthy. Under 

 £« c rcumftances, may not colouring matter or other 

 tbese circum excretion, he the result of dis- 



' ttu'ueT or p i'l ^macerati.,; of the roots. There 

 " no ditoWaUon'.f the water in which the seedlings o, 



forest- trees are made to grow. .. . 



* I imagine that the roots of tree,, in absorbing he 

 moisture with which they come in contact, give off the 

 unnecessary parts of this by translation in the air I 

 do not perceive what should cause roots to transpire when 

 surrounded by moisture, or if .hey Jo, they must return 

 like the dog io his vomit, and again absorb their own 



transpirations." . . 



This kind of argument, added to the experimental 

 denial given to the statements of Macaire, which, however, 

 Professor Liebig regarded as necessarily as well as expe- 

 rimentally true! must we think put an end, in this country 

 at least, to all speculations upon the subject. 



Colonel Greenwood considers the worst time to trans- 

 plant a tree to be when it is shooting, and the best time 

 to be as soon as possible after it has shot ; that is, as soon 

 at it has formed its winter bud: — 



"This will differ in different trees. Some are fit to 

 transplant in June, or even in May. The best months 

 for transplanting the generality of English trees with the 

 ball of eatth, are July, August, and September; for 

 though the upward growth has then ceased, the growth in 

 diameter, and the downward growth, that is, the elonga- 

 tion of the roots, is in the fullest tide." 



This is to a certain extent our own view of the question 

 (see Theory of Hort., chap. 1G), although our reasons are 

 different ; but we cannot go to the tame length as Colonel 

 Greenwood, in the absence of evidence, which he does not 

 gWe. For we cannot regard as evidence the statement 

 that he has transplanted trees of about 25 feet in height 

 in every month of the year without a single failure, and 

 without the plants feeling their removal. We have no 

 doubt of the fact; Colonel Greenwood's assertion is suffi- 

 cient ; and, in the absence of his assertion, we should think 

 it probable. But what we want to know, and what we do 

 not find mentioned, is under »hat exact circumstances 

 these trees were removed; how long they lived, and what 

 sort of growth they made the following year,— very material 

 points for consideration. 



These, however, and some other questions, we reserve 

 for future discussion. In the meanwhile, we cannot but ex- 

 press our regret that more men, with the clear views of 

 Colonel Greenwood, and the same habit of thinking for 

 themselves, do not apply to the study of a subject so 

 useful hs Vegetable Phy>iology, so capable of convey- 

 ing exquisite pleasure, and which is, to use his own forc- 

 ible language, of "the first importance to the existence 

 of man and the honour of his Creator." 



Miscellaneous. 



The Gladiolus — The Gladiolus communis, a native ot 

 the south of Europe, is very generally known, and is to 

 be found in the most humble cottage-garden. Such is. 



likewise, the case almost with the G. byzantinus, intro- 

 duced two centuries ago, from the environs of Constanti- 

 nople. These two species have afforded a great number 

 of varieties of different shades, such as white, rose-colour, 

 orange and vermilion, purple and lilac. Their varieties 

 a je all of easy cultivation, and will endure the winter in 

 th e open ground provided they are in light and rather dry 

 •°u« They require a change of soil and situation every 

 wo or three years: for experience proves that by this 

 r **tment the number and size of the flowers are increased, 

 * n o their colours become brighter and more distinct. 

 ■Jowards the middle of the last centurv, new species of 

 gladiolus began to be introduced from the Cape ; but their 

 pr " e were not such as to render their cultivation gene- 

 , -..d few of them are now to be met with, except in 

 lar ge collections and botanic gardens. The object of the 

 Present communication is to point out more especially 

 ""tee varieties of Gladiolus winch, instead of being con- 

 B »gned to oblivion or only noticed bv the amateur with 

 ^difference, merit, on the contrary, his care and atten- 

 ion. They are Belgian productions, resulting from judi- 

 ious crossing. By this means various new varieties have 

 een obtained which Bur pan the finest we hitherto pos- 

 se*sedofthisgenu?,namelytheG.cardinalisandfloribunduf, 

 mcrooueedlrom the Capem 1788 and 1789,andtheG. ramo- 



sus. The G. psittacinhs, perroquet, or Daeleni, wasintro- j 

 duced after this period. It was brought from Java, in 1823 

 or 1824, in a Dutch vessel, to Rotterdam, and having been 

 obtained by Dr. Dael. of Brandt, it flowered with him 

 for the first time, and was accordingly named after him 

 by Horticulturists. In addition to Gladiolus Colvilli, 

 pulcherrimus, ramosisaimus. and a g-eat number of other 

 very fine varieties with which the Horticulturists of Haar- 

 lem have enriched the trade, the formosissimus deserves 

 particular notice, as being the finest we have seen in flower 

 in 1842. This variety unites the habit and abundant 

 flowering of the ramosus with the colour of the eardinalis, 

 though scarcely so brilliant. All these varieties have a 

 family resemblance to the ramosus floribundus, and car- 

 dinalis. They are not, however, tin be compared with the 

 brilliant novelties obtained at the Due d'Aremberg's seat, 

 at Enghien. Beddinghaus, a young man of good intelli- 

 gence and education, and in every respect capable of 

 directing such an establishment as that at Enghien, fer- 

 tilised the G. psittacinus with the floribundus, the ramosus, 

 and the cardinalis. This crossing was made in the summer 

 of 1S37, a season favourable for such operations. Seeds 

 were ripened, and from a sowing of these the G. ganda- 

 ven*is was raised. M. Louis Van Houtte having obtained 

 this variety, thus announced it in his catalogue for 1841 : 



« I have the stock of this Gladiolus, with the exception 



of two bulbs petMfted by one of my brothers. At the 

 moment I write all Ghent comes to admire it. In 

 sta'eltness and colour it exceeds all we have seen 

 amongst the Gladioli. Its dimensions surpass those 

 of G. ramosus ; its majestic flowers, to the number of 18 

 or 20, are of the most charming vermilion ; their inferior 

 petals, adorned with chrome, amaranth, aud brown, are 

 again relieved by anthers of an nznre hue, which descends 

 to the centre of the flower." This description, doubtless 

 made in a moment of admiration and enthusiasm, is, how. 

 ever, little exaggerated. If properly cultivated, the plant 

 will produce flowers corresponding with the above descrip- 

 tion. Many other varieties, from the same sowing, much 

 surpass even the G. gandaveiiais. Several of these have 

 already appeared in the catalogue of M. Jacob Makoy, of 

 Lie^e, for 1842. Others are not yet in the trade. The 

 names of the former are Baron de Pro nay, De Candollii, 

 Gretrv, Herberti, Lowii, Ffeiferii, Reine des Beiges, 

 Salmi'anus, Schwarzenbergianus, splendidus, and Sternii. 

 With regard to their culture, it may be stated that they 

 succeed very well in the open air, planted in leaf-mould. 

 They are taken up towards the end of September, after 

 their stems are completely withered. The offsets and 

 bulbs are preserved during winter in a dry place, pro- 

 tected from frost. They are replanted in the open ground 

 in the beginning of April. — J. de Jonyhe, in Revue 

 Horticole for Sept., 1843. || 



The New Indian Black Dye. — Some weeks since we 

 stated that a new black dye had been discovered in the 

 Shan country, and that a small sample of it had been sent 

 over to this country to the Society of Arts. A report on 

 this new dye, recently laid before that Society by Mr. 

 Edward Solly, appears to bear out the previous statement, 

 by showing that it is really a black vegetable dye. The 

 quantity sent was too small for any detailed chemical 

 analysis to be made, but its leading chemical properties 

 have been ascertained. Mr. Solly describes the colour as 

 being insoluble in water and all ordinary solvents; but, 

 deoxidised by sulphate of iron and lime, it becomes soluble, 

 like indigo. The colour likewise resembles indigo, in 

 being destructible by chlorine, but differs from it in not 

 subliming like that substance. Careful experiments were 

 made in the hope of purifying it by sublimation, but with- 

 out success, as the dye was decomposed ; but no sublimate 

 could be obtained. When heated, the the does not melt 

 or soften, hut burns with a bright clear flame, emitting a 

 strong and disagreeable odour ; hence it plainly differs 

 from the black resinous matters obtained from the 

 Melanorrhcea, and similar trees. The quantity of ash 

 which is left after burning is so sm*ll, that it is evident 

 that the dve is a pure organic substance, and that the 

 colour is quite independent of iron or any other inorganic 

 matter. Mr. Solly concludes from his experiments, that 

 it is a new colour possessed of very useful properties, and 

 considers that it is likely to prove a highly valuable dye 

 stuff, if it can be procured in large quantity. 



Large Trees.— Measure, &c. of four trees, standing 

 and growing at Nettlecombe, property of Sir John Trev- 

 elvan, Hart., January, 1840 : ElmTree.— 813 ft., or 20 too 

 13 ft., is 40 ft. to the fork; a branch at oO ft. high is 



and shaded under glut for a week. On one plant 10 

 grafts were found all well united in the course of 15 days. 

 A Pelargonium elegans was selected for the stock on ac- 

 count of its vigorous growth. The grafts were put on in 

 1837 ; and in 1842 they were still in a thriving condition, 

 their junction with the stock being then scarcely per- 

 ceptible.— Revue Horticole for Sept., 1843.11 [Thesame 

 thing has been done in this country by Mr. Ansell.] 



merits w e r 

 ral 



an 



Oft. in circumference ; extreme height of tree 100 ft. At 

 4 ft. from the ground is 1 7 ft. in circumference. Oak 

 Tree.—W.\ ft., or 15 tons, 'Ml. ; its extreme height 80 ft. ; 

 at 4 ft. from the eround is 1G ft. 6 in. in circumference. 

 Beech Tree.— 709 ft., or 17 ton, 29 ft.; its extreme 

 height 100ft., at 4 ft. from the ground is 18 ft. in circum- 

 ference. Chesnut Tree.— 373 ft., or 9 tons. 13 ft. ; its 

 height 60ft. ; at 4 ft. from the ground it is 17 ft. 4 in. in 

 circumference.- --/'i Elm at this place, planted about 

 1770, contains 480 ft. ; that is 300 fr. in the trunk, and 

 180 ft. the top and branches. From the ground to the 

 fork it measures 32 ft., and at 1G ft. high is 12 ft. 4 in in 

 circumference. The top or principal branch, contains WML 

 of timber ; another branch contains 30 ft., and three other 

 branches 20 ft. each ; other branches from 3 ft. to 13 ft. 

 each ; other branches not reckoned in the above, but ^ con- 

 taining about 40 ft., were broken off by the wind in 1B«. 



— Jas. Babbaoe. . 



Grafting Felarqoniums.—M. D. Meline, of the botarr.c 

 garden, at Dijon,* has been very successful in grafting 

 numerous varieties of Pelargoniums on the same plant. 

 This was done in order to posseM many varieties in small 

 space. The mode of daft-grafting was adopted, the parts 

 fitted together being of equal ih.ckneaa, bound with wool, 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 



For the ensuing Week. 



I.— HOTHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, Sec. 

 Whbrk large collections of house-plants are cultivated, repot- 

 ting takes place every month in the year ; but from tin* time till 

 August is the principal period for this work in a general way. 

 Many plants mav now be safely repotted ; early in spring the 

 rule of seeing the roots growing freely is the best guide for be- 

 ginners. Many plants will begin to grow at the top before their 

 Toots are in action ; yet they do cot require to be re-potted ; they 

 are either too much confii ed, or under a higher temperature 

 than they require at this time. Orchuiaceae from the more tem- 

 Deratc regions are often much injured by a high temperature 

 when thev begin to grow. The heat of the stoves should not 

 exceed 6u b by night ; indeed 55° is sufficient lill all the plants are 



** CoJwtori.-******* Heaths, and others of the more 

 hardy plants in or coming into flower, should be k.pt near the 

 sources of ventilation ; while Roses and other force, flowers 

 fresh from the foicing pits require the warmest .part of the house, 

 and ought to be kept free from cu: rents o! cold air at first. 1 his is 

 a good time to take memoranda of the h, st varieties of torced 

 bulbs, especially Hyacinths and Tttllpe. The nuhtsare still too 

 long to allow anv syringing in the afternoons; but such plants 

 as are not in flower, and nil vacant spaces in the house, should 

 be sprinkled two or three times a week, and this should be per- 

 formed early in the day. 



0rtenaeMt#.-Th6 plants here mav now hue a slight syr ngmg 

 in the afternoon, and air may be freely admitted on all fine 

 nights. Some vom.gr plants may want repotting. If some 

 are growing freeiv at the top, aud the root- not In action, the 

 house is too hot for them, and you must remove such plants to 

 acoolerplace. Attend to neatness in all the houses, and make 

 it a rule never to pass a pot plant through your hands without 

 removing all yellow or injured leaves, if there are any on it j 

 also insects, or weeds grow ing in the pot. 



Forcif.tr -pit.— This is a good time for propagating many plants 

 by cuttings, by grafting, and by seed* ; and the forcing. pits are 

 the best places tor this work. Seedlinps already up ought to 

 be potted off as soon as they can be sately handled. Foreign 

 seeds had better be sown in 33- pots, putting four or more kinds 

 into one pot, and placing labels m the middle facing the differ- 

 ent seeds. Less water will 'bus be needed than U each kind was 

 sown in a small pot ; and the less water given to doubtful seeds 

 the better chance thev will have to germinate. Let every shelf 

 and corner of these useful pita be filled with plants as others in 

 flower are removed from them.— D. B. 



HI.— FLORISTS* FLOWERS. 

 Auriculas may be kept moderately moist. If not top-dressed 

 as befoie directed, let them be done immeu lately. We are trying 

 Foyer's Lqnid Guano as a stimulant, and shall report the result. 

 Polynnthuses.-LooV. well, after tne late severe weather. As 

 spring advances, the snails get proportionally troublesome; dili- 

 gence must be used in trapping them. 



iltf/mneii/Kses.-Plant without delay. Seed must also be sown 

 -though I prefer autumnal sowing, where there is an opportu- 

 nity of protecting during winter. Frames covered with calico 

 prepared with Whitney's or some, other similar composition, will, 

 I doubt not, afford great facilities in the way of preservation in 

 severe weather. The compost necessary is leaf-mould and loam, 

 equal parts, which has been previously exposed to the action ot 

 heat, to destroy insects, eggs &c, contained therein. Boxes 

 about 18 inches by 12, and 6 deep, are ino*t convenient, till 

 with compost, and water it well; sow the mxt day, cover with 

 very fine soil, lightly, for if too deep the seed will not appear. 

 After sowing, it must he protected from heavy rains and frost; a 

 cold frame is perhaps the best situation. 



Carnations.- .should any Bell have lodged in the axils of the 

 leaves it is imperatively necessary that it should be removed; a 

 quill, with the leather stripped off on one side, and cut half ofl 

 on the other, makes a simple bur effectual brush to -perform 

 .his operation, and by timely looking ft^*"**™* 

 disease may be prevented. Planting time isrmw rapidiy dra wing 

 o,. ; exhibitors who have nor strengthened their weak or deficient 

 classes in the autumn should now look out for the sorts wanted, 

 if tney mean to get first prizes or silver cups. fr .„ rflnt 



P.nto-We should much Rite to >ee these highly fragrant 

 fl.wersmore extensively cultivated ; beds may yet Oe Panted, 

 but the flowers do not usually lace so well as those planted in 



September.— J. F. W* 



IV.-PINER1ES, VINERIES, *c. 

 Pinery. -U in arranging the Pines, the plants for fruiting 

 during May and June, can be put into a separate nit or compart- 

 ment K they may be kept at a temperature of bo -by night and 

 7o° by day, which will be suf.ici.-nt lor thj present. Be cardal 

 that the bottom- heat does not exceed MV test they start ^ „, o 

 fruit too soon. Syringe the plants now in fruit shut in g up 

 with sun-heat, which you may do w.th a temperature of 85- to 

 90° Shane the plants lately potted, the larger .accessions when 

 a? 80° of sun-heat, and the young ^ ^ tilt they have made a 

 fresh start. A moUt atmosphere will now be indispensable 

 Crowns and smkers growing in tht .an should now be potted if 

 strong ; but if weak, and y,u want to keep them, let them remain 



ta 5^iff SSSSSKVto- carted In November will 

 now?e7uire th'eir fi.fal thinning, it not already done ; thm them 

 well that the berries may be fine, ad . ipeu .regular .It is d hffi- 

 cult to give directions as to t;.e number of branches to be left to 

 each raf er, as the sort of Vine, •**, condition as to healthmess 

 and ^vigour? require to betaken into consideration. A moderately 

 rood "crop or earlv-torced Vine*, would be about 12 or l6 good 

 bunches L a rafter of !•> feet. W here the Muscat of Alexandria 

 and other good keeping sorts of Grapes, are m a house by them- 

 selve" and the house not used for Pines, it would improve them 

 fn flavour, and they would he in a better condition for keeping 

 throu-hthe next winter, if they were started earlier than the 

 late hou*e generally is. I would recommend starting them now, 

 and give them plenty of time to ripen. Where they are grown 

 over >ine«. keep them cool till they break by f.e natural heat of 

 the at mo* | here, when they will bear, with less injury, the heat 

 utce-sarv tor the P.nes. . 



Peuch'ttouse.-P^ch'r es require a great deal of water during 

 their se ison of growth, and particularly while the fruit is swell- 

 ing applv if iu a tepid *taie. In regulating the young shoots, 

 do not get into the common error of laying in too many. Stop 

 those sh-.ots that aie growing too strong, when about sixmchea 

 in length, and repeat tnis frequently through the season, tnattne 

 weaker snoots may be benefited by it. 



1.-1*. Aou«e.-If any of the trees have failed to produce trait tn 

 the early house, and the cau*c appears to be an ° ver ' v '*"£"* 

 state of the tree, which is very often the case, root prune tnera 

 now, aud y.mrnay have a K ood crop in the autumn ^ P jot 

 does better iron, root-,run.ng than the Fig. and ^^^ 

 ra ay be performed at any season, if dull weather .. f™»^*» 

 shoots wi 1 be shorter, and better ripmeil after it, and a crop 



almost certain. «•_«.„,«,,= mav he removed 



Straw, erries.-The plan- ;n pits and tf*m** Sg^Se! 

 to the shelve*, nc«r the (teas m a Vn er> or UaUi nouse, 



