1844.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



751 



f lowed by J. Janson, Esq., J. R. Mills, Esq., J. ] rer, 

 Esq., E. Johnson, Esq., and by Messrs. Fraser, Low, 

 Smith, and other nurserymen in the neighbourhood. 

 Here we had a happy proof of the willingness of gentle- 

 men and nurserymen to help gardeners, when gardener.- 

 were willing to help themselves. Again, we were very 

 fortunate in obtaining the use of the Lancasterian school- 

 room for our meetings, which is not only suitable, both 

 in point of accommodation and situation, but it must 

 afford us much pleasure to reflect that the money we pay 

 in rent goes, every penny of it, towards educating the 

 children of many of our members. It was thought by 

 some, that this Society would dwindle into almost 

 nothing, as soon as the novelty was past ; but we need 

 not say there has been no indication of this, even in the 

 busy months of summer. We have no less than 183 

 members, and, instead of that number being likely to 

 diminish, there is every probability of its being consider- 

 ably increased, judging from the cheerful manner in which 

 members are coming forward to repeat their yearly sub- 

 scriptions, and to propose the names of other persons for 

 membership. We have members who regularly attend 

 our meetings from parishes adjacent, some three, four, 

 five, and even eight miles distant. Many papers have 

 been read by members on practical subjects, which would 

 reflect credit upon an older Society. Our discussions 

 have been lively, temperate, and instructive, even to those 

 who have not taken a part in them ; this, we think, will 

 be believed when our Transactions are published, as we 

 trust they will be shortly. As to the order and good- 

 feeling that has pervaded all our meetings, we think the 

 history of such Societies scarcely presents a parallel. 

 Those whq framed the rules of this Society believed that 

 it would not only be superfluous, but grossly insulting to 

 gardeners to introduce one word of prohibition of drink- 

 ing, smoking, or low expressions. Shall wesiy that time 

 has demonstrated the justice of their opinions ? Yes, it 

 has done more. Now let us for a moment glance at the 

 privileges which the members of this Society enjoy. Here 

 we have a library already consisting of upwards of 140 

 volumes, mostly botanical and horticultural works, but 

 embracing also those of the kindred sciences, as well 

 as general literature; any of which the members are 

 permitted to take to their homes, and peruse at their 

 leisure. Next are our monthly lectures on the various 

 branches of science, delivered by gentlemen of un- 

 doubted talent ; of the value of these it is quite un- 

 necessary to say a single word. And lastly, we have out- 

 classes. Here young men are instructed in the most 

 modern systems, and, by professional teaching, Arith- 

 metic, Euglish Grammar, and the Latin language ; 

 arrangements are also completed for a class to study the 

 French language, to which we hope to add Mensuration, 

 Drawing, Botany, and other useful subjects. This is the 

 account we have to render of our proceedings for one 

 year. We believe that the machinery thus brought into 

 action, if supported by the brotherly co-operation of our- 

 selves, and the sympathy of our employers, will work such 

 a reformation of character and habits in all within the 

 sphere of its influence, as shall tend to the dignity of 

 mankind, the prosperity of society, and the honour of 

 Him who is the disposer of all events, on whose over- 

 ruling providence we humbly rely." The report having 

 been adopted by a unanimous vote of the members, a 

 highly interesting Paper was read on the Cultivation of 

 the Pine- Apple, by Mr. G. Castle, foreman in the gardens 

 of J. Trueman, Esq., Walthamstow. It described the 

 natural habits of that plant ; also its native habitats in 

 reference to heat, light, soil, &c. ; its introduction and 

 subsequent treatment in this country. He contrasted the 

 simplicity of modern systems of cultivation with those 

 of our predecessors — explained the manner in which 

 successive improvements had been wrought, for the pur- 

 pose of pointing out the probability of further improve- 

 ments being effected— reprobated the practice of disroot- 

 ing, frequent shifting, and the application of gross 

 manure. He gave an epitome of his own practice, and 

 a list of what he considered the best sorts of Pine-apples 

 in cultivation. A discussion followed the reading of this 

 Paper, on several important points connected with the 

 subject, and was kept up by Messrs. T*nt, Moore, 

 M'Elroy, Sherwood, and other members. The subject 

 announced for the next meeting, which will be on the 

 11th inst, is a Lecture on the Structure of Plants, to be 

 delivered by W. Woollaston, Esq., of Lower Tottenham. 

 At the termination of the proceedings, Mr. Sherwood 

 said he would take that opportunity of informing the 

 meeting that he had a pet project which he wished to 

 introduce; it was simply this : — That as many of the 

 members as thought proper, should form a kind of 

 Reading Society. That they should meet every Saturday 

 evening at 7 o'clock in the Society's Class-room, Church- 

 street, Stoke Newington, for the purpose of reading any 

 valuable horticultural periodicals, or works which it might 

 be deemed proper to introduce. The use of the room 

 lor two hours could be obtained for 1*., firing, lighting, 

 &c. included, which, supposing there were 24 members, 

 one halfpenny each would pay, and a like sum would find 

 them in papers for their use. Respecting the plan, he 

 proposed that one of the members be appointed chair- 

 m au, who should open the proceedings by reading the 

 Leading Article ; and afterwards that every other member 

 who chose, should read a portion in his turn, and that 

 as soon as the reader had finished an article, the members 

 should be at liberty to make any observations they 

 Pleased upon it, at the same time correcting any bait 

 Pronunciation on the part of the reader." Haling thus 

 briefly related the plan, a very few observations w 

 softce to explain the object. They are—first, to 

 collect a large amount of information, and bring it 



to bear upon each of the theories propounded I 

 horticultural writers, in order to detect error-, if any, 

 and avail ourselves of the instruction they may convey. 

 Secondly, to instruct each other in the art of read- 

 ing and speaking correctlv, which will of necessity 

 induce habits of mental application. And lastly, it will 

 secure to the young and friendless members of our pro- 

 fession in the nurseries, an opportunity of heiring the 

 opinions of more experienced men ; whjch may furnish 

 them with ideas for the week, and perhaps give to their 

 minds a direction that will lead them on to respectability 

 and honour through life. No one can be insensible of 

 the evil of young men assembling in public-houses; but 

 in vain will rigid morality deprecate the practice, until 

 Christian philanthropy has removed the cause. It is 

 not true that men are naturally inclined to frequent 

 public-houses ; but they are naturally inclined to seek 

 the company of each other ; and where are they to enjoy 

 that, with scanty means, but in such places as will afford 

 them accommodation ? Let us reflect for a moment on 

 the condition of a young man who leaves his friends and 

 home, to reside in the neighbourhood of London. The 

 comforts of a lodging, paid for out of 12s. or 14*. a week, 

 it must be admitted, are indeed few; gloomy and sad he 

 comes into a town like this on a Saturday nigh f , to pro- 

 cure provisions ; unknown and uncared for, he looks 

 about for some place where he may rest and refresh 

 himself, and (inds^that the public-house is the only place 

 that will afford him that indulgence ; here he is tempted 

 to seek it ; he meets with agreeable company, spends In 

 hour in pleasant forgetfulness of his own solitary condi- 

 tion, and returns to his lodgings with a lighter heart. We 

 all know whut this is too likely to lead to, and we do not 

 forget to censure it. It would be far better to endeavour 

 to prevent it. I see no reason why the proposed plan 

 might not be adopted in every town and village in the 

 kingdom ; no sacrifice would" be involved in the experi- 

 ment, and depend upon it there is humanity enough left 

 in the world to insure its success. I have only to add, 

 that I will be in the room I have named, with the Gar- 

 deners' Chronicle, on Saturday evening next, and invite 

 all who are favourable to the object to meet me there. 



COUNTRY SHOW. 



Uxbridge Celery Show, Nov. 5.— At this Snow a numerous and 

 respectable attendance of amateur and pr cal growers of this 

 esteemed esculent came forward to compete lor the prizes 

 offered by the Society. The specimens shown, taken as a 

 whole, elicited from the visitors present high encomiums, in 

 regard of the size, quality, aud culture. Award of the Judges: 

 — 1st, a Silver Cup, value 5/ , Messrs. Brown and Attwell ; 2d, 

 Mr. E.Cooke; 3d, Mr. Giles Wall; 4th, Mr.E. Clarke; 5th, Mr. 

 Giles; aud 6th, Mr. Weedon. It did not appear that the com- 

 petitions were confined to any particular kind, as both red and 

 white were shown for the same prizes. Competitors were 

 bound to show 3 heads, each weighing not less than five 

 pounds. One of the heads shown by Mr. Cooke, the winner of 

 the second prize, attracted particular attention from its beauty 

 and very superior growth; ii:e name of the variety shown by 

 Mr. Cooke is WatPs Inducible White, we believe first raised by 

 Mr. Giles Wall, of Victoria Nursery, aud winner of the third 

 pr.ze. — A Subscriber, Vxbridge. 



i tings of tli.- half ri,>e wood, if treated in the t e way a* 

 tli 'ftheconnnn Honeysuckle. It was raised fro :E 



received from Dr. Royle from the North of India.— Dot. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 



For the ensuing Week. 



I.— HOTHOUSE. CONSERVATORIES, &c. 

 Conservatory.— Chrysanthemums, Cinerarias, and Salvias 

 the leading- plants t r just now among: the more hirdy 



kinris. Hedychium«, Vincas Clerodendrons, and Lantauasare 

 just over, and are removed to the stove; the first to b ie4 

 and the other three to be shook out of the pots, put into small 

 ;ics, and pruned i tier cios. This is hard trcatmc which 

 would ruin some plants, but they \vi!l bear it; ; *% 



Eranthemum, Aphelandra, with Gesnera zebrina and Cactus 

 truueatus will take their place. Large specimens of Crave* 

 saligna, Luculia gratissiraa, and even the old Coronida. giauca, 

 make a good mixture with Chrysanthemums. The Loculia, 

 Gesnera zebrir^, ant Cactus truncatus arc the best of tt for 

 placing in rooms. Tiie old scarlet Achimenes can be had later 

 an any of the new ores, and as early in summer as any of 

 them : i i order to have them in flower to the end of this raoatt, 

 wo allow them to posh in a cool place early in tammc \tem 

 plant them out in sandy peat in a cool house on a front ehe.lfoc 

 Stage; from this situation they are potted from August to tke 

 enci Septcmb , and encouraged by giving them a 1 cat 



as we wan* them; the w |y is well sui'cd for roo 



NOTICES of NEW PLANTS WHJCH are EITHER 



USEFUL OR ORNAMJ TAL, 



Phlox Vax Houttei. A Houtte's Phlox. {Hardy Pert '.) 



Polemoniacese. Pentandxia Monogynia.— Phloxes may with pro- 

 priety be registered with the most showy and valuable of hardy 

 herbaceous plants; latterly many beautiful ions have been 



made to the \ ties in cultivation by hybridising; and almost 

 ev shade of colour now exists, from pure white to a fine 

 crimson purple. The present variety has originated in this way, 

 by intermixing one with pale dowers ith a dark-coljumt o 

 and as it bears aclose resemblance to 1\ suffrnticosa in its smooth, 

 lanceolate, shining leaves, and dappled st d also in t! 



arrangement of the inflorescence, it is more than probable that 

 that species has been one of the parents. The other has doubtless 

 been some of the taller-gro\ kinds, as Van Houttei usually 



reaches a yard in height. The chief peculiarity is the rich purpl 

 streak down the centre of each petal. The metropolitan nurserit 

 and gardens contain several varieties of alike character, indicating 

 the same origin, by the similarity in t c leaves id flowei 

 which can scarcely be said to differ. One of these, ( Princess 



Marten, has also a purple stripe down the middle of th tals, 

 but the colour is Inferior to Van Hout .. ad the rim of white at 

 the margin is much narrower. Another variety, known by th 

 name of Alcardii, has bright crimson purple flowers with irre- 

 gular streaks of white, and is a more beautiful and showy dower 

 than the last. P. bicolor, a seedling raised by Mr. Qtjoy of 



Ealing, is also an interesting filiation, the eye of the flower 

 being bright rosy-purple, and the remain [te, or a very pale 



blush. In common with other Phloxes, these only require a 

 moderately rich soil to produce vigoro pecime md they admit 

 of being extensively increased by cuttin of the young growing 

 loots, inserted in sand, and placed in a pit or frame with a very 

 trifling bottom-heat. Plants may .also be obtained by divi of 



the roots. Planted rather closely in 1 ebeds on a lawn, and the 

 shoots bent down, as soon as it can be done without danger of 

 snapping them asunder, and peg - to the ground with hook* 



icks, they speedily cover the entire surface, and when the ends 

 have regained an upright position and expand their flowers, th 

 have an imposing appearance. There is, moreover, an addition 

 advat e in pursuing this treatment ; for the recumbent posture 

 of the stem encourages the formation of lateral shoots, whi 

 flower successively, and lengthen the period of the attraction, as 

 well as increase the density of the mass. Much of the beauty of 

 such a bed, however, depends on the regular distribution of the 

 shoots over the surface. If permitted to grow upright, in the 

 usual way, the central shoot should be topped to induce them to 

 become bushy, or several plants should be put in together. The 

 present variety was obtained by the London Nurserymen last year 

 from M. Van "Houtte, of Ghent, but whether it originated with 

 him or not, is unknown.— Paxton** Magazine of Botany. 



Lomc v mvKR&iFOMA. Various-leaved Fly Iloneysuckl 

 (Hardy Shrub.) Caprifuiiaccse. Pentandria Monogynia.— In 

 manv respects this Himalayan shrub is much like th mmon 

 Fly Honeysuckle (L. Xylosteum), from which it principally 

 differs in its tt >wers being nearly or quite stalkless, and muc 

 larger. Dr. Wallich l received it from the flkountai of 

 Gurwhal; he afterwards procured it from Kamacn. According 

 to Dr. Royle, it is common on the mountains of the N nth 01 

 India. In a wild state it sometimes becomes small-leaved, and 

 approaches the common Xylosteum, but its staikkss rs 



still distinguish it. By some mistake it is included by D in- 

 dole among his Nlfttooas— a set of clir: ig two-fli se- 

 cies, which belong to the genus Caprifolium. This is mW die- 

 zed shrub, which thrives in any good ; n soil, and fl 

 uring the months ot May aud June. It is easily increased b 



Tt season we tried A Ion gi flora in peat borders, under a wall, 

 in different aspects, bat it did little good/ 



6' hhouse.— This house mustaiways be kept well ccnl3aled, 

 ai dally during this month; on that accoan 'ants 



111 require to be looked over often to see that none suffer for 

 want of water. Where good cold pits are at hand, Heaths 

 and many other plants are much better in them than in the 

 gieenhouse, until the weather becomes i ere; indeed, in these 

 days, when so much attention is paid to form In 1 go xi plants 

 into fine specimens, little plants in small s ought to be kept 

 in frames, if only to keep them out of sight, as these things 

 are of little interest to any one except to the person who mast 

 provide for them, however necessary I y may be to keep up a 

 collection; in that case specimen plants will have more free- 

 dom, and not haf the watering now done in this house will be 



cded ; consequently les r will be scattered, which creates 



imp among the plants. 



i\ >, rrumts % ffC. — In the forcing-piti, mild moist spring 

 w icr should prevail. Those pla< in bottom - be *t s tld 

 have it regularly. Tan, leaves, &c arc troublesome compared 

 to the steadiness of hot w r for bottom-heat. A mo *t- 

 mosphc always congenial to r d plants, and the more 



hardy they are the more they stand id need of the ^c. 



Insects should be kept down as soon as they appear; and let 

 i igbe kept in a clean and sweet condition. C)cl us 

 ive made good ro i stand f ng for a short tame, 



and will soon throw up I it bloom «. out, like bulbs of all 

 sorts, they are injured by forcing before their roots are male.— 

 D.D. 



III.— FLORISTS' FLOWERS. 



Our Tulip-growing friends will have to watt some time before 

 their beds will b sufficiently dry for the reception of their bulbs. 

 The rainy thcr we prognosticated has arrive,! in g j >d ear- 

 nest, it few ; contine v several days without intermis- 

 sion. The bulbs must be carefully looked over, for when the 



ike elongates, green-fly is apt to attack them. Cotton wool 

 the bottom Of the partitions will now be found serviceable, 

 preventing^ a great measure the injury which the protruding 

 fibres are sure to receive if the bulbs are moved much, without 

 this precaution. The first favourable opportunity must be taken 

 to get them in. Auriculas.— Such weather as this is far m^re 

 prejudicial I ft frost; and we must be excused for again 

 gly urging cc lit attention and watchfulness. Po t- 

 thusrs.— Some new varieties we see are advertised. Hh g 

 gro*n them, we may say something about their merits. Hud* 

 s in's Lady Grey is a decided improvement on Hufton's Eari 

 G 9 and is a neat and :ty flower. Negro Boy, as its n*ine 

 im. .tensely bac ith a bright-yell >w lace, rather apt tc 



crack; ie eye^ which will prove a drawback. Lady Lincoln* ap 



mmeusc trusser, and a i baped flower; the centre full 



;e inproporti in t e ground colour, but occ s aliyittnajr 



be done ftcrj good. Red Rover, a second-rate flower or a scarce 



els . Carnations -ought all to b 1 established in vrio- 



ter i uters j two n wet is highly prejudicial, especially to 



those recently potted, rinks.— The beds must be kept free 



from weeds, and c surface clean, oc< tonally stirring be* 



entherov. . Pansies.— It is ratherlate for pi anting- 



out, but when plants have good routs this may still be done. 



Continue to collect leaves as they fall, laying them up for 



e use. Allow your compost heaps to remain untouched 



whilst so wet j in iact, now that the sjii is so saturat the 



less that is dohe the better.— J. F*W. 



tV.— PINERIES, VINERIES, &c. 



Pineries. — Pine plants, the fruit of which has recently 

 appeared, must be encour. 1 with it and moderate mois- 

 ture; but those that are likely to "show," between this time 

 and the beginning Of January, shou.d have a temperature that 

 will just keep them advancing slowly till the end of January, 

 so that they maj swelling their fruit when the days are 

 »ngl ing. Fruit that if ripened in the dead of winter would 

 be small, will by this means attain a tolerable size. Look 



arefuliy to late of temperature of beds receutiy renewed 



■ith tan, lest they become suddenly too hot. 

 I rto,— The time will soon a e when many will b \ 

 to force tucir first vinery. We h here, at this time, a strik- 

 ing proof of the advaut »ge ot bjttom-h * In the early f> ng 

 of Vines. A vinery which wi tarted In September, contains 

 some Vines p ed in e and up the back of the 



h e, and others planted in the outride border, and trained up 

 the ratters. The ou te border is concreted over aud covered 

 with stable litter, which is renewed and stirred up oc< tally 



as to maintain a gentle heat in the soil; while to the roots 

 of i e planted iusid< , there is no means of impart- 



ing b i-heat. I he result is, that the Vines in iront are now 



jming into m, even better than they did in January last, 



while on those at t : ick.the buds have scarcely broken yet. 

 To prevent rain entering the Vine borders, I Aud a la3 r erol* 

 concrete l£ inch thick lormed of quick-lime and clean gravel, 

 in the proportion of one barrowful of lime to eight of gravel, to 

 answer well ; aud with us it costs less than any other plan I 

 have tried. The gravel and lime is mixed with water to the 

 consistency of mortar, aud immediately spread over the b jrder, 

 and well smoothed with the back of a spade. It soon sets and 

 beqpmes impervious to wet. It should when dry be well 

 covered with litter, to keep the frost from it. About the end of 

 May it may be removed, to let the air and raiu tu the border. 

 If dc i the forcing of the Vines the border is covered with 

 warm litter, the roots will come up aud cling like network to 

 the under surface of the concrete. In removing it, therefore, 

 care must be taken not to injure these, and a top-drtaaong of 

 rich turfy 6oil will be found ot much benefit to the Vines. 



C/< m/ /to//s:,\— Let the plants it * be looked over, and if 

 they require shifting into larger pots let it now be done* 

 Plunge them atterwards in some loose material to keep the 



»ots irom frost, and they will commence rooting directly. 

 t-dress those that do not require shifting. 



Fig house.— Figs in pots uld now • shifted, or top- 



dressed, as may teem nee sy. Top-dr ing is preferable to 

 shil tcept i uable to increase tne size or the plants. 



Place i a afterwards iu a sh th the poU plunged in 



cberries.— Where the quantity in pots Is great, and can- 

 iut i utly be i-ogedofd >s the wiuier, Qlktiwk 



