244 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



of those agencies, is incapable of either, beyond a given 

 extent, in consequence of the abortion of its leaf-buds. 



To produce an accumulative vigour from the base of 

 young excitable plants, in 32s or 24s, after the plants 

 have been potted a week, insert a central stake and 

 tie the lower part of the stem ; then insert a second 

 at some distance from the first, towards the margin 

 of the pot on that side which is best furnished with 

 low branches or leaf-buds, and bend the leading shoot 

 towards the second stake, so as to admit its being tied 

 as low as possible without danger, after which, if any 

 of the low side shoots admit of being placed in a 

 more uniform and horizontal position, secure them 

 at stated distances with hook-pegs. If any branches 

 have reached an irregular length, and are not forming leaf- 

 buds towards the base, pinch off the top bud ; but where 

 the side shoots are very young and excitable, carefully 

 give them an inverted or horizontal position, as before 

 stated. A vertical or upright flow of sap being un- 

 favourable to the formation of side growth, an inverted 

 position of the branches will favour an opposite tendency. 

 The leading shoot may remain inverted for three or four 

 weeks, or longer if it still easily admits its erect position ; 

 and whilst in this position it may require a second tie or 

 additional hook-peg. During this process, the plant should 

 be so placed as to expose that side of the plant which is 

 most deficient of low branches to the sun. Another 

 method, favourable to the formation of the lower leaf-buds, 

 is as follows : — When shifting plants from thumb-size, or 

 60s to 24s, instead of planting them in the centre in an 

 upright position, place each in a horizontal direction, with 

 the bottom of the ball or roots close to the side of the 

 larger pot, which, to a small extent, will leave the upper 

 aide of the small ball uncovered, care being taken not to 

 fill up the cavity by the base of the stem ; after a few days 

 the leading shoot should be kept in its horizontal position 

 by a hook-peg, for three or four weeks, by which time the 

 lower leaf-buds will be formed as branches, when the peg 

 may be removed, and each plant be allowed to regain its 

 partially-erect habit. During this process (for six weeks) 

 the leading shoot of each is placed contrary to the in- 

 fluence of the sun. Having thus attained an accumulative 

 vigour from the base, the plants are restored to their 

 central and upright position in the next and final potting. 

 Such varieties asConspicuaarborea and Toddiana, &c. &c, 

 which are naturally attenuated in habit when artificially 

 excited to growth, should have the top bud removed whilst 

 young, and repeated, if requisite, to maintain an accu- 

 mulative and dwarf habit. Also, such varieties as are 

 subject to premature bloom from excessive fertility, as 

 T. tricolor, rosea alba, &c. &c, and any other casual 

 specimen manifesting a similar tendency, should have the 

 blooming shoots cut off to the buds which are forming in 

 the bosom of the lower leaves ; care being taken that any 

 process, which has for its object a greater accumulation of 

 sap for future vigour, should be performed when the plant 

 is established in growth, either some time previous or 

 after an intended removal to larger pots. A reason for 

 such a precaution is, that the vigour of alt plants is in 

 proportion to the non- disturbance of their vital functions 

 up to a given period. 



All varieties of Fuchsias whose habit is naturally 

 favourable to the formation of leaf-buds, — of which 

 F. gracilis may be considered the type, and F. formosa 

 elegans, F. Stanwelliana, F. tricolor, &c. &c, as hybrids — 

 are cultivated most perfectly by an annual renewal from 

 cuttings, and such up to a certain period of growth are 

 benefited by a repeated removal of terminal or top buds, 

 so as to induce a prolific growth and bloom. All varieties 

 which appear favourable to the formation of leaf-buds, 

 but manifest a more luxuriant habit, with a sparing dispo- 

 sition to bloom, should also be encouraged to form uniform 

 leaf-buds, but should on no account be subjected to 

 repeated or late shiftings. Vigorous young plants (from 

 60s to 48s), should be removed to 12 and 8-size, with due 

 attention to attaining an accumulated growth. All those 

 which partake of the F. fulgens habit, by their formation 

 of terminal racemes of bloom, (rather than of laterals), 

 such as Smith's Defiance, Magnifica, Robusta, Roger- 

 siana, &c. &c, should be especially induced to form leaf- 

 buds in their first stage of growth, as the perfection of 

 their bloom entirely depends upon an early formation of 

 branches, and a luxuriant terminal growth in each. 

 Fuchsia splendens, in common with F. corymbiflora, may 

 be said to depend rather upon an accumulated secretion 

 of sap from the previous season's growth, for successive 

 bloom,'than upon its simultaneous production. 



With regard to the last species, it may be observed, that 

 a repeated interference with the vital functions of plants 

 marked by an excessive exuberance of growth, is very often 

 the principal cause of the absence of bloom ; from which 

 it may be inferred, that any process which operates as a 

 stimulus upon their organs, beyond a given period, is un- 

 favourable to its production. 



The importance of an early formation of side-shoots (or 

 branches), and of dispensing with all shifts to larger pots, 

 beyond a given period, in all varieties and species of 

 Fuchsia, is exactly in proportion to their limited and 

 exuberant growth ; hence the importance of this rule to 

 the growth of F. splendens, fulgens, and corymbiflora. The 

 last-named species may be bloomed with the greatest cer- 

 tainty and profusion, as middle-sized plants, by limiting 

 the effect of the first season's growth to the production of 

 leaf-buds (as side-branches), and by making the last shift 

 (to whatever sized pot) large enough to dispense with any 

 other throughout the following flowering season. This 

 result will be in proportion to the mature and accumulated 

 growth of each previous autumn. The foreshoots are 

 shortened in the spring, and a top-dressing of rich soil 

 added to each plant, other fertilising materials being ap- 



plied, if requisite. Such is the method which may be 

 followed in order to obtain the greatest amount of bloom 

 from gross-habited species and varieties in an artificial 

 state of culture JVilliam lYood, Pine-apple Place. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE GENUS CITRUS, 



' As Practised bv Mr. DURDEN, 

 Gardener at Hurst House, Frescot, Lancashire. 



In the Chronicle some time ago, Mr. Beaton speaks 

 highly of the Oranges he saw at Hurst-House in 1832, 

 and requested an account of the mode of culture there, 

 which I now give. Since that time a new range of 

 houses has been erected, and the Orangery removed. 

 There are but two of the large trees from the old house 

 planted in the new one ; the rest in the latter house are 



all voung plants. 



P 

 P 



P 





It being almost indispensable for the clear understand- 

 ing of what follows, that a plan of the Orangery should 

 be given, the above figures represent its ground-plan 

 and section. Measured inside, this house is 14£ 

 yards long, 8 broad, and 6 high. In the centre of 

 the house are eight borders, in which the Oranges, &c, 

 are planted ; these borders are all marked a. The two 

 borders against the back wall are 16 inches broad, and 

 3 feet deep. The six borders more immediately in the 

 centre of the house are 14 inches broad and 3 feet 

 deep. The paths are marked c, the front wall d, 

 and the back one e. p, p, p, represent ornamental cast- 

 iron pillars, which, besides supporting the roof, serve 

 also to support light wire trellises : there is one of these 

 pillars in each row for each rafter. The house is en- 

 tirely heated by smoke flues, two furnaces being placed 

 at/. The dotted lines along the central path show the 

 direction of the flues beneath, from the back to the front 

 entrance, where they diverge, the one entering a raised 

 flue (g) on the right, the other also entering a raised flue 

 on the left. These flues again cross the house at each 

 end, and the smoke escapes by the back wall ; it being 

 found inconvenient to place the furnaces in any other 

 situation. Two stoves immediately connected with each 

 end of the Orangery contain the collection of tropical 

 fruit-bearing plants. The communication between these 

 stoves and the Orangery is uninterrupted by any glass, or 

 other division, so that the Orange tribe are subjected to 

 nearly as high a temperature as the tropical plants. The 

 central borders of the Orangery, as may be seen in the 

 section, are raised a little above each other, as they 

 recede from the front of the house. The Oranges, 

 Citrons, &c, are all trained as espaliers ; a light wire 

 trellis being stretched from pillar to pillar, parallel with 

 the borders, and about 8 feet high. The spaces (b) be- 

 tween the borders being about 3 feet wide, permit a 

 person to walk along between the plants for the purpose 

 of pruning, watering, &c. These spaces are of the same 

 depth as the borders, and were originally filled with tan ; 

 but part of this is now removed, and its place is filled 

 with good soil. In this some fine climbing plants have 

 been turned out, amongst which are several plants of 

 Passiflora quadrangularis, which bear an abundant crop 

 of fine fruit. Besides these, there are also two fine plants 

 of the beautiful new Gardenia Sherbourniae. These and 

 other climbers are trained up the rafters, &c, in such a 

 manner as not to materially intercept the light from the 

 Oranges. The great advantage of having the trees trained 

 on the trellis system is, that every part of the tree is 

 fully exposed to the light ; and by planting them in rows 

 one behind the other, a larger surface is obtained for the 

 trees to cover than could be got by adopting any other 

 plan, and, consequently, for the space, a larger quantity 

 of fruit is procured. The trees being hung loosely and 

 irregularly to the wires, assume as natural an appearance 

 as circumstances will permit ; and the introduction here 

 and there of large plants in pots, has a tendency to pre- 

 vent formality. Two plants are placed in each border. 



Soil. — Too much attention cannot be paid to the soil ; 

 its principal features ought to be lightness, richness, and 

 openness of texture ; and unless it possess these qualities 

 it is unfit for the Orange tribe. It must be considered, 

 in preparing the soil for the pits, that when once the plants 

 have established themselves in it, it cannot, if it ultimately 

 turn out faulty, be removed and replaced by better soil, 



[Apr. 20, 



without very materially injuring the treesTand thereh " 

 causing the loss of two or three crops of fruit. Th -\ 

 in this neighbourhood being of a heavy clayey qualit/ S 

 very unfit to be used alone, Mr. Durden mixed with it JS 

 its bulk of peat-earth and sand, which rendered it all tkTt 

 was desirable. This prepared soil was put into the pitai 

 a rough state, and the plants are succeeding admirably \r 

 the soil used is of a too close or clayey nature, the root! 

 will have great difficulty in penetrating it ; water will^! 

 pass through it, and air will be excluded. On the other 

 hand, if it is of too permeable or light a texture, the ul 

 quent drenchings it must receive to prevent the plant. 

 drooping, will wash away all the soluble parts ; and the 

 plants in either of these extreme cases suffer. 



Temperature. — It is doubtless an erroneous opinion 

 that if the atmospheric temperature is S 9 or 1Q6 

 above the freezing point during winter, and is never 

 allowed to rise above 70° or 80° during summer, that the 



Orange tribe, other circumstances being favourable, may be 

 cultivated successfully. Mr. Durden never allowed the 

 temperature of his house to fall below 50 Q during the 

 winter season, and during summer he frequently shuts up 

 the house with a moist atmosphere of 80 r or 90°. Mr. Dor- 

 den has followed this practice through the course of a lone 

 life, and with great success. If the temperature be kept high 

 during the growing season, it must necessarily be kept 

 comparatively high during the season of rest ; the 

 growth of the Orange-tribe never being totally stopped if 

 they are not starved or otherwise mismanaged. 



Water. — This must at all times be sparingly admi- 

 nistered, especially if the trees are kept in a high moiit 

 temperature ; for, if the soil is kept continually saturated, 

 the young shoots will be weak, the plants will present! 

 drawn and debilitated appearance, and the fruit, if they 

 do not drop off, will be small and tasteless. Mr. Durden 

 occasionally gives a little weak liquid manure ; but as the 

 plants are young, they have not yet much exhausted the 

 soil, and to give them too much stimulating matter would 

 be to make them grow too exuberantly. 



Pruning — thinning the Fruit. — In pruning, if the 

 plants are trained on trellises, the branches should be kept 

 thin, to allow the greater part of the leaves to be exposed 

 to the sun. The fruit is generally produced at the tipi 

 of the small spurs or branchlets ; therefore, it would be a 

 positive injury to the crop to shorten any of these spun, 

 except it is desirable to increase their number. It some- 

 times happens that the most unpromising and naked-loot* 

 ing spurs produce the finest fruit. It is not a rare cir- 

 cumstance to see, at Hurst House, one of the Pink-fruited 

 Shaddocks four or five pounds in weight, hanging on the 

 end of a small spur no thicker than a common goose-quill. 

 The operation of pruning is performed at any time when 

 it appears to be necessary, always, however, taking care 

 to have a succession of young wood coming in. Id thin- 

 ning the fruit, particular attention ought to be paid to the 

 state of the tree, for the quantity of fruit must be entirely 

 regulated by the vigour of the tree ; no better rule can be 

 laid down than that, for governing the operation of thinning. 

 If a tree appears debilitated in the extreme, it must not 

 be allowed to carry any fruit for an entire season. One 

 great cause of debility is allowing the fruit to hang on the 

 trees after it is ripe. When green fruit is required for 

 confectionery purposes, a larger quantity of fruit may be 

 left on the trees, but the quantity must always be propor- 

 tioned to the capabilities of the tree. 



Varieties Those who wish to cultivate the Orange- 

 tribe for the sake of the fruit, ought to be very careful in 

 making a selection of sorts— especially of sweet Oranges. 

 The best way, perhaps, is to procure grafts, or young 

 plants, from such varieties as have proved themselves to 

 be good in other establishments, or proved plants from a 

 nursery. Nothing is more likely to discourage a beginner 

 than to find, after three or four years of careful culture, 

 that his attention and expense have been thrown away ^ra 

 worthless varieties. In this case it will be found chea per 

 to graft, bud, or inarch better sorts on the worthless va- 

 rieties, than to replace them by young plants. 



Cleaning the Plants.— The greatest attention stionia 

 be paid to cleanliness ; the consequences of aHowmg 

 —*L * „- „ „~n ecr ;«„ «f nlanta. are familiar w 



rith 



morra7vanc"e7foirage ; and the" Coccus hesperidum every 

 part of the plant. Almost every gardener has nw \ 

 liar nostrum for destroying these animals ; but a goo f 

 ventiveis cleanliness in everything about the plants- ^ 

 Coccus may be brushed off, using a brush tnai ^ 

 harder than is just necessary to remove the msec. 

 theThrip, Red Spider, and Aphis, a sponge ana 

 water will remove them all, if used before i the in sec m ^ 

 become very numerous. Fumigation s °° uia u g and 

 resorted to except in extreme cases. Ueani . 

 attention will ultimately be found to be best ana ^ 



est ; as any mixture that destroys the insects, i« & 



injures the plants. _ ., nranees, 



Such is Mr. Durden's practice of managing Or ^ 

 &c, and if it were more generally known ana q{ 



there would be few complaints about the ami 

 cultivating this tribe, ' w r ~~ r**™ 1 *- 



ENTOMOLOGY. _ _., f 



Agromyza. Viol<e (the Pansy-fly) 



AGROMYZA viur.as ^*«o *«•••>* ./-*• 7 Jj-Mnguisbed 



minute Diptera to which this fly belongs is * 181 * ingI ; 

 from neighbouring groups by the neuration ■ m ^ MgC _ 

 and, as it does not accord with any of Meige tJ 



quart's descriptions, I have named it atcer Maoy f the 

 plants it appears to be most attached to. x ' lanttr 

 Agromyzse are undoubtedly inhabitants ol aqua ^ ^^ 

 since I have found the pup» of some floating o|fly 



and of others fixed to reeds; but nothing of their 



