THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



197 



■ 



^-T^ .k* «*me The opinion of Mr. Camp- 

 — ^ ^^mn" with the subject, would, I am 

 J* te 1 m Tcept-ble to many readers as to myself.- 



m &k*:ll ; doctrine is a fallacy, as some 



M*n**^-r-" tbe art of the cultivator can have 

 auert why » t that the .^ & ng ? 



WT influence in bring JP of certain de3 f ^at- 

 How « * that we near 4 ^ ^ ^ nQt ^ blos _ 



• €Bt ? lU, ? g fh«t aeain, by means of good management, 



■>■ v ^£SSS^ - ade - to exceed . the ,p r ,end ,T 



erenm artificial cuu ^ g ft may be referred t0 



of native specimen . ^ ^ ft geeks tQ establish 



MorphoU-g! ; ° ^ trulh8f v j z .,_firstly, that all vege- 

 these most »»P°\ they do in their appearance : are 



H^ llE^tS sam'e kind of matter created by 

 bat modifications ^ ^^ source -nothing, and 



tbe ft»e r° wr ' t ious property of extension and repro- 

 Sgr^SX th'at'this 7 matter is not, indeed 

 ee*;'"'' orean to another, but capable of 



CT2MS euLr ?n one form or tbe other as the 

 being oeTtri p exposed may have influence 



^S?reIo?«ir And, iFthis is Morphology, then 

 !rV.«rdener daily demonstrates its truth ; for why else 

 dT/hVitevent the blooming of annual plants when he 

 •Uhes to preserve them beyond a single season, or, on 

 Tbe oil'" hand, why does he adopt any particular course 

 if treatment to induce a state of bloom in his plants ? 

 Thi. refers to cultivated plants, and these being re- 

 moved both from their natural situations and the natural 

 Srcultanee. of their growth, afford the strongest proof 

 oY.be correctness of the science; for, why else could 

 their removal from their natural circumstances influence 

 the nature of their development at all? This by no 

 veins interferes with the order of Nature s laws ; flowers 

 ire flower* still, and leaves are leaves, but what would be 

 leaves, under certain conditions of growth, would be flowers 

 if those conditions were changed soon enough, and the 

 requisite conditions supplied. In all this there is no 

 imputation of imperfection—no atheism— no infidelity — 



T. Moore. - . 



Cement.— I have used with unvaried success for joints 



to pipes and fittings for steam-engines of 14 and 16 horse 



power, a composition formed of iron-filings, muriate of 



ammonia or sal ammoniac (quantities indefinite, say four 



ounces to one pound of filings), and a small quantity of 



brimstone in powder, mixed together with water, so as to 



form a stiff paste, to be well rammed into the crevices and 



joints. Another is, ground white-lead, and a sufficient 



quantity of red-lead powder mixed, so as to make it of 



the consistence of stiff putty ; this is spread on a flange 



of millboard on both sides, and placed between the pipes 



or joints. — W. Ruyner. 



Transmitting Cuttings to India. — All the cuttings that 



have bten received at Calcutta by the Overland Mail, had 



been taken from the middle of last year's shoot, or nearly 



so. Such cuttings of plants that are difficult to propagate 



ere never used in India, as they are considered useless. Our 



mode is this — 1 or 2 joints or eyes of last year's wood are 



cut off along with the whole of this year's wood. If the 



shoot is not too long for a large hand or bell-glass, it is 



not topped ; but if it is, we cut it to a reasonable length, 



say six or seven inches. The cutting, when made, is 



somewhat in this form ±. Before sending them from 



England (if the shoot is too long), as much of the top as 



is necessary may be cut off, provided five or six eyes or 



joints are left. I beg to mention that I only refer to 



plants that are difficult to multiply from cuttings in any 



climate. Some time ago Mr. Beaton says, *' August is the 



nest time for taking the first steps for preparing cuttings 



of fruit-trees, &c, destined to goby the Overland Mail 



next November to India or China. With regard to 



Windostan, from experience I can say that August or 



November are not suitable months to send cuttings here ; 



'or the following reasons— the rains set in in June, and 



cease in October ; the rainy season is best for raising 



P"nts of any kind, whether hard or soft-wooded, from 



land M* "I and if - lh6y arC Sent here by the November ° ver ~ 

 Mail, the time men'ioned by Mr. Beaton, they arrive 



nere during the <lr« .•«»«« — j ' i- - r i.» i«.#-™ 



f June ; although they are a fortnight later it is of little 

 consequence, but they should nor, on any account, be 



the •''*** y wiU not succeed - Cuttings taken off in 

 until Ik °l - Spring P runin S> and ' heeled' in the ground 

 sorrp 5 Cgr gseason ' 8re lhe 8 °rts that are likely to 

 wood » rr ,°*l ded the J "e taken off with a little of the old 

 cattin r u aS alread y mentioned. We never put in 

 as the S hard - wocded plants in the dry or hot months, 

 bein^ 7 r °°! S0 readil 7 under glass during the rainy season, 

 Rot? rTn 7 8haded f rom the hot sun with mats.— R. 

 cutt in ~"{* oianic Garden, Calcutta s Nov. 3. [Sending 

 travel .V? , ia ia A P ril and M«y» exposes them to 



cuttin. r* ieat and hotte8t time of the y ear - To P ut 



cal riu! ! L r ur _°P««n trees into the ground in the tropi- 



inch WT. a • ne ' altu °igh- best suited to the plants of 



appear. ♦ t %> ,8 ° f doubtful expediency. The true course 

 jKi ars to be that adopted at the India House, by Dr. 



to S.L ending all European plants, in the first instance, 

 bills T Di r' in the <l uasi -European climate of the 

 f or suW 7 Caa be easi, y established and prepared 



Minvrf i? transmi38 i°n experimentally to Calcutta. 

 W at ii Ur buro P ean P^nts thus sent, are now flourish- 



W« a r u n T P ° 0r ' UDder the care of °r. Jamieson.] 

 *«•— A"Loverof Rwa" m ..„^ a *u.»*i.„^;o 



D » Prob«hilit„ t ?J °L Bees " ma ? rest assured that th 

 ' *«" hlT « >»ad bten t.ken from, " * " 



ere is 



^^^^_ place 

 joining with th( s^ 



in the other hive ; they would soon find the way to their 

 own. Why the hive was tenantless in spring, whilst it 

 contained " about a stone of honey," is probably, owing 

 to there not being a sufficient number of Bees reared in 

 autumn to supply the places of those that die off. If the 

 second swarm had not left the stock, the case might have 

 been otherwise ; for most of the Bees in it were young 

 ones, and would have been the principal stay to the hive 

 during winter and spring. In all cases that have come 

 under my notice of Bees dying whilst they had plenty of 

 honey, there was always a sad falling off in their numbers 

 in autumn. A few days ago, I fouod in one of my boxes 

 a handful of dead Bees at the top between two of the 

 combs, where there was little or no honey, but there was 

 plenty in the others, and it is easily got at through the 

 thoroughfares or holes in the combs. This contradicts 

 the statement, that "except hives are sticked there will be 

 no passages through the combs." — J. Wighlon. 



Bees. — The season has commenced for examining stocks 

 which have survived the winter ; they should now be gently 

 lifted up from their stands, and have the floors thoroughly 

 cleaned, removing all dead Bees, particles of broken 

 combs, or any filth that may have accumulated during 

 winter. It is sometimes necessary to scrape the floors, 

 using for the purpose a strong carving-knife, or sharp gar- 

 den-trowel, in the first instance; and then finishing them 

 with a stiff hair-brush. It is advisable to place the hive 

 upon a broad board, or s'and, during the short time re- 

 quired for cleaning. When the floor is finished, carefully 

 place the hive exactly upon the spot from which it was 

 removed, and endeavour to do so without injuring a single 

 Bee, as they are al! required at this season. The entrance, 

 or door-way, should next be carefully attended to ; it may 

 be enlarged or contracted as the number of Bees require 

 it, but never allow the opening to be more than three- 

 eighths of an inch high, and six inches long; this size is 

 required previous to and at the time of swarming. This 

 is a matter of more importance than many Bee-keepers 

 are aware of, as it prevents robbers from entering, either 

 in spring or autumn, and allows the Bees an easier pas- 

 sage in and out during summer. These things being at- 

 tended to, next endeavour to ascertain what honey is in 

 the hive for the support of the Bees during the next two 

 months; if it is scarce, do not neglect to feed thera abun- 

 dantly. Several articles on feeding were given in the 

 Chronicle in the early part of last spring; which, if at- 

 tended to, will save many poor stocks from starvation, 

 and ultimately render them more productive than mig-.it 

 have been expected.— IF. Savage, Swoffham, Norfolk. 

 The Balsam. — Having sjme three-year-old seed, 

 sowed it last year in the first week of April, in 24-sized 

 wide-mouthed pots, and placed them in a Cucumber- 

 frame. When they were up, and had fully expanded their 

 seed-leaves, I removed them to a warm part of the green- 

 house, taking care to keep them free from damp. As soon 

 as they had attained sufficient strength, I potted them off 

 singly into 46-pot?, inserting them In the soil up to their 

 seed-leaves, and plunged the pots into a tan-bed, where 

 they had a bottom-heat of from 50° to 55°. The plants 

 were kept as close to the glass as possible, and they had 

 plenty of air given them in fine weather. I supplied them 

 plentifully with water, and syringed them over-head when 

 the house was shut up in the evening, as they are fond of 

 a damp atmosphere. By this treatment the plants soon 

 became strong and bushy. All flower-buds were removed 

 as they appeared, until the plants were finally potted into 

 24, 16, or larger-sized pots, according to the growth I 

 wished them to attain. The compost consisted of one- 

 half strong loam, well mixed with rotten dung and old 

 brick rubbish ; it was prepared three weeks previously, 

 and placed under cover until it was required. Before 

 plunging the plants the last time, the heat in the bed was 

 renewed, by forking the tan over, taking care to maintain 

 the heat the same during their growth. The plants are 

 occasionally turned, in order to keep them straight. As 

 they came into flower, they were removed to the green- 

 house. While in bloom, I supplied them plentifully with 

 water, which they require then as well as throughout the 

 various stages of their growth. The greenhouse was well- 

 aired, in order to preserve them longer in bloom.—/. F. 

 M'Elroy, Clapham common. 



Grafting the Lvculia.—l have been more than once 

 reminded that I ought to fulfil the promise I often made 

 last year with regard to grafting this plant, which is diffi- 

 cult to increase by cuttings. The truth is, after I men- 

 tioned the subject, I felt a diffidence in recommending 

 one stock more than another, for the purpose — as in such 

 a very large order as the Rubaceje, to which the Luculia 

 belongs, there must be many plants on which it might be 

 easily grafted. During this sptiiu/I found a much tetter 

 stock for it than the one I used last autumn, and perhaps 

 one that will answer better ; experience alone, however, 

 must prove this. Of late years most gardeners have 

 studied the affinities of plants more or less, and with such 

 men it is not a question whether this or that plant 

 can be grafted on others of the same nature, but which 

 of them is best suifed for the purposes of cultivation. 

 The way to determine the choice of a stock in a case of 

 this nature is easy enou-h, if you graft evergreens on ever- 

 greens only, and deciduous things on deciduous ; but this 

 rule is violated every year : then the periods at which 

 the two plants naturally begin to grow and go to rest, 

 should correspond as near as possible ; and lastly, they 

 should correspond in the size they attain under cultiva- 

 tion ; besides, the stock in all cases ought to be more 

 hardy in its constitution. If the plants thus agree, and 

 yet are known to differ in respect to the soil in which they 

 grow best, we are satisfied in practice to use that soil 

 which is best for the stock ; but this is a ponu in 

 gardening still open for experiments ; however, when the 



reason 

 among 



Rhododendron flourishes in clay and strong loams, so 

 different from its natural soil, we may rest satisfied ia 

 preparing that soil which we know to suit our stock, 

 although the plant from which the graft is taken might 

 refuse to grow in it. Nauclea Cadamba is the stock I used 

 for the Luculia last year; it is well suited for it in all 

 respects, except that it is a stove plant, and for thig 

 I object to it, and to many others equally suitable 



o Gardenias, Hymenodictyons, Exostemmas,&c. The 



plant I now use, and which I think is the best in every 

 respect, is Burchellia capensis ; and I do not know of 

 any other plant in this large order which is more likely to 

 make a permanent stock for the Luculia; and, no doubt, 

 plants of it worked on this stock will be found easier to 

 manage by those who find any difficulty in growing this, 

 the most lovely of all our late flowering plants, when well 

 managed. — D. Beaton. 



Miscellaneous. — Pelts states that a packthread-string, 

 about 6 inches from the ground, round a bed of Cabbages, 



is a sure protection from rabbits. A. R. C. begs to 



suggest to all Beekeepers the advantage of sowing at this 

 season a small patch of Bokhara Clover. It flowers late, 

 continues long in bloom, the Bees are particularly fond of 



it, and it gives a very high flavour to the honey. 



Mr. C. II. Smith, of 41, Queen-street, Edinburgh, sent a 

 cut specimen of CamellK sasanqua that had been raised 

 and flowered in a Ward's case. The flower was of the 

 usual size, well-coloured, and perfect in every respect ; 

 the foliage was of a healthy deep green. Mr. Smith 

 states that it was planted in May, 1842, and has flowered 

 this spring. He informs us that, in the same case, plants 

 of Epiphyllum truncatum, and speciosum, flowered beau- 

 tifully through the winter, as did also the Cape Jasmine 

 last summer ; one of the flowers of which measured three 

 inches in diameter. The case is about 42 inches long, 18 

 wide, and 4 ft. high ; all were planted about the same time. 

 William Bishop, who says that he has had consider- 

 able experience in Pine-growing, informs us that he re- 

 sided for three years near Thornfield, and that during 

 that time he tasted several of the large Pines that were 

 grown there by Mr. Hamilton. He mentions that one of 

 those he tasted was a large Enville, the flavour of which, 

 he says, was excellent; but still inferior to that of two 

 large Montserrats, which he also tasted there. He states 

 that the usual weight of Montserrats grown round Liver- 

 pool and Manchester, is from 2 to 4 lbs. ; but that few- 

 reach the latter weight. Mr. Bishop writes that he has 

 visited many Exhibitions in Lancashire and Cheshire ; but 

 that he never saw the Montserrat wei?h above 4 lbs. He 

 adds that Mr. Hamilton's Pines and Cucumbers are much 

 superior to what is generally to be met with in that neigh- 

 bourhood. 



^octettes. 



ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL 



SOCIETY. 



Mar. 7.-— This was the spring meeting ; it was held 

 in the hall at the Experimental Garden, Inverleith, Sir 

 G. S. Mackenzie, Bart., V.P., in the chair. The hail 

 presented a beautiful scene, each end being adorned with 

 choice exotic shrubs, and the long table in the centre 

 displaying in rich profusion collections of Camellias, 

 Epacrises, Cape Heaths, and Hyacinths. The following 

 prizes were awarded :-For the six finest and newest 

 varieties of Camellia Japonica in flower, the Silver Medal 

 was voted to Mr. J. Young, gr. to T. Oliver, Esq., New- 

 ington Lodge, the kinds being C. tricolor, Hendersonn, 

 imbricata, rosea, carnea, and Yandesii ; 2, Mr. J. Mac- 

 naughton, gr. to J. Wauchope, E*q., of Edmonstone, 

 for Lady Hume's blush, double white, imbricata, fimbri- 

 ated white, waratah, and double blush. For the two 

 finest specimens of spring-flowering Cape Heaths, the 

 Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. G. Stirling, gr. Melville 

 Castle, for Erica hyemalis, and E. aristata; 2, Mr. 

 Young, for E. gracilis autumnalis, and E. Linnajoides. 

 For five distinct varieties of double Primroses in flower, 

 the Bronze Medal was voted to Mr. J. Thomson, gr. to 

 W. Keith, Esq.; the kinds were white, yellow, crimson, 

 Irish purple, and pale purple. For a beautiful seed. 

 line Epacris, the Silver Medal was voted to the 

 raiser, Mr. J. Reid, gr. to Profes. Syme It was a 

 hybrid between E. impressa and nivalis, with elegantly- 

 disposed foliage, and blossoms of a uniform hue, inter- 

 mediate between the colours of the parent flowers. For 

 the six finest Hyacinths, in pots, the Silver Medal was 

 assigned to Mr. Thomson, for Ne plus ultra, Triomphe 

 Blandtna, Lawrens Koster, La Grande Viditte, Blocks- 

 berg, and Monsieur de Fesch ; and a second prize to Mr. 

 Young, Newington Lodge, for Grande Vidette blue. Grande 

 Vidette white, Lord Gray, Lord Wellington, Grand Vain- 

 queur, and Voltaire. For three collections of Flowers, 

 two consisting of fine Hyacinths, and the other of beau- 

 tiful seedling Epacrises, an extra premium was voted to 

 Messrs. Dickson and Co. And another extra premium 

 was assigned to Messrs. J. Dickson and Son, for a collec- 

 tion of rare Plants, in flower, including Centradeuia rosea 

 (a small Mexican shrub, densely clothed with blossoms,) 

 Begonia coccinea, a seedling Gesnera faucialis, and Maxil- 

 laria Harrisonse. A seedling purple Cytisus, raised at 

 Biel, from seeds taken from a purple flowering branch 

 which spontaneously appeared on a yellow Laburnum, 

 was regarded as curious ; and for this production an extra 

 premium was awarded to Mr. J. Street, gr. at BieL A 

 hybrid Rhododendron, in flower, being a cross b «f w .^ 

 R. arboreum album and R. Caucasicum, was exbihitea 

 from Dysart House garden ; an extra PJ* mlum F- w " 

 also voted for it. From the Nurseries of Messrs Eagle 

 and Henderson was a specimen, grown m a pot, ot a 

 shrub or tree raised from seeds received from ISew 



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