Cap Jfbr protecting Dahlias J)om autumnal Frosts. 211 



epiphytes; that is, inhabiting trees, but not living on their 

 substance. The nutriment which supports epiphytes is derived 

 from the decay of the outer bark, or from the atmosphere. Two 

 experiments remain to be made with the mistletoe: the first is, 

 whether it may be propagated by inserting cuttings in the live 

 bark, in the manner of buds or grafts ; and the second, whether 

 a plant of mistletoe would keep alive the tree on which it grows, 

 after that tree was prevented from producing either leaves or 

 shoots. 



" The propagation of the mistletoe in British nurseries has 

 scarcely been attempted : but nothing could be easier on thorns 

 or crab apples, planted in pots for the conveniency of removal. 

 Perhaps, if it were propagated on shoots of the poplar or willow, 

 truncheons of these trees with young plants of mistletoe on them 

 might be taken off, and planted as cuttings, without injuring the 

 parasite." {Arb. Brit., art. Fiscum, p. 1025.) 



As it is not yet too late to stick on berries of the mistletoe, 

 the information communicated above may be turned to imme- 

 diate use. Mistletoe berries may be most easily obtained through 

 a Herefordshire or Worcestershire nurseryman ; for example, 

 Godsall of Hereford, Smith of Worcester, or Moss at Mal- 

 vern. From the latter, plants may be obtained next autumn, as 

 stated above bv Mr. Beaton. — Cond. 



Art. VI. Description of an oiled Paper Cap Jor protecting Dahlias, 

 ijohen iji Flower, from autumnal Frosts. By John Turnbull, 

 Gardener to Charles Cowan, Esq., of Valleyfield Bank, Pennycuick. 



I BEG leave to send you an account of an oiled paper cap 

 {Jig. 81.), for protecting the dahlia when in flower. For pro- 

 tecting fruit trees when in blossom, oiled paper frames have 

 been long in use, and one of the best modes of applying them 

 has been shown by Mr. Smith, gardener at Grangemuir, in the 

 Caledonian Horticidtural Society's Memoirs. I have been very 

 successful in growing cucumbers and melons under oiled paper 

 frames; and, though they suffer much from cats (for in one night 

 my frames have been almost wholly destroyed by these maraud- 

 ers), they are so very cheap, and easily made in any wet day, 

 that the damage may soon be repaired. In making them, I 

 commence first with the skeleton, and then paste on the paper ; 

 after which I let them stand to Avy. When they are fully dry, I 

 put on one good coat of boiled linseed oil, mixed with a little 

 white lead. These frames may be made of any shape or size 

 wanted. 



Our garden is in a low situation, and near water; and my 

 dahlias are generally frosted down five or six weeks before my 



p 2 



