24i- Purple LahK^num* 



pots of the latter, at this time, were full of roots ; and their 

 lower leaves confining young roots in their sockets, we displaced 

 them ; and replunged the pot, about 3 in. deep, in a heat which, 

 at that depth, was 100°: plunging and treating the plants newly 

 potted as we did those potted in June. The plants, being now 

 finally stationed in the fruiting pit above described {Jig. 6.), on a 

 bark bed 4^ ft. deep, with dung and fire heat at command, showed 

 fruit generally on the 1st of September. The maximum by day, 

 with plenty of air, was now 110°; and, at sunrise, about 80°. 

 About Sept. 20., several of the plants were in flower. As the 

 season declined, we lowered the temperature ; our standard for 

 the winter being 60° at sunrise, and the maximum by day 90°. 

 In cloudy damp weather, we fired, by day, to 65° or 70°, for the 

 purpose of giving air to carry off the damp. When a dry sunny 

 day occurred, we generally seized the opportunity to sprinkle the 

 plants overhead with clean water, in a tepid state, in the early 

 part of the day, for the purpose of dislodging the mouldiness 

 that settled on the fruit from the closeness and humidity of the 

 atmosphere. As the fruit began to colour, towards February, 

 more fire heat and more air were given. The maximum by day, 

 with sun heat and a flue seldom cold, was now 100°; and, at 

 sunrise, 60°. 



Under this mode of treatment, three specimens were grown, 

 which were exhibited, at the gardens of the London Horticul- 

 tural Society, on May 10. 1834, along with three dishes of 

 grapes, for which their gold medal was awarded to Mr. Dowding. 



Oak Hill Gardens, East Barnet, Oct. 17. 1834. 



Art. XI. Short Communication. 

 The Purple Laburnum. — It is nearly two years since you 

 obligingly gave me a cutting of the purple laburnum, from which 

 I have propagated rather extensively : this season I had the 

 pleasure of seeing it bloom for the first time. From its glossy 

 leaves, and peculiar habit, I have always suspected it to be a 

 hybrid between C. purpureus, and C. Z/aburnum ; this is now 

 fully confirmed by the colour and appearance of the flower, 

 which is a reddish purple, slightly tinged with buff, with grace- 

 ful pendent spikes 8 in. or more long. In this I have been 

 agreeably disappointed, as I anticipated that it would partake of 

 the habit of Cytisus purpureus in having short sessile-like spikes 

 of flowers. One striking peculiarity is its robust and luxuriant 

 habit of growth. I have seen it make straight, veri/ upright shoots, 

 6 ft. to 9 ft. long, in one season : this, in habit and colour of 

 flower is quite a new feature in laburnums, adding a handsome 

 spiral tree to ornament our lawns. — T. Rivers, jim. Saxobridge- 

 "ivorfk, May 23. 1834. 



