



200 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



13 decomposed ; and the liquid, which the author had 



kept for a Ion- time in contact with one of the diseased 



Potatoes, immediately produced the decomposition of a 



sound one. This decomposition is, therefore, not the 



disease itself, but merely the result of it. Its cause 



undoubtedlv depends upon the dying, or the previous 



death, of the entire plant ; and just as it is well known 



in the case of other plants that they die when the apices 



of their roots are too strongly cooled, so may a sudden 



cold rain, following a long warm winter, produce a 



similar condition of the Potato plant. There is another 



solution of cellulose, which is also of peculiar interest m 



regard to vegetable physiology,— cellulose which has 



been deposited ; and when the walls of tbe cells consist 



of it alone, the entire walls of the cells become dissolved 



and disappear. This may be most distinctly and beauti- 



tifully traced during the germination and development 



of plants, when taking place at the expense of substances 



which have been deposited. Seeds of the cerealia are 



allowed to germinate in contact with water only, by 



causing the grains first to germinate between pieces of 



wet paper, and then to devclope themselves in glasses 



filled with water ; a glass plate, furnished with smali 



holes, being placed upon the surface of the water, the 



roots are placed in these holes, the grain resting upon 



the plate. In this experiment, the alterations undergone 



by the starch itself may be observed ; in three or four 



weeks it is seen that the point of the first leaf begins to 



turn yellow. This is a sign that all the starch is 



consumed ; if the grain be examined, the interior i 



perfectly empty, not only the starch, but also the cellulose 



having disappeared ; the plant continues to live for a 



certain time, the young leaves being nourished by the 



absorption of the constituents of the" older ones ; the 



plant, however, soon dies, because it cannot obtain is 



this manner those constituents derived from the soil, 



which are necessary to its nutrition ; in the Potato 



disease, the cause of the death of the plant may be the 



death of all the delicate points of the roots, when they 



are consequently unable to derive the requisites for the 



continuance of their existence and their development 



from the soil. In the parent Potato plant, during the 



development of a new plant from it, absorption of the 



cell-wall does not take place ; usually a considerable 



part of the cells is still full of starch, so that for the new 



plants to be developed, so as to acquire their independence, 



a portion only of the parent Potato is requisite. The 



absorption of the cellulose takes place also in pith ; the 



walls of the young cells of the pith of the Elder consist 



entirely of cellulose in the spring, whilst those of the 



previous year no longer contain any of it. Ann. der 



Chein. und Pharm. y lxxv. p. 305 ; Reports of the Berlin 



A cademy, March, 1850, p. 102. Chemical Gazette, 



Bedd'uvf Calceolaria. — I beg to recommend to your 

 readers Calceolaria Kentish Hero as a bedding-plant. 

 It is one of the very best for the purpose with which 

 I am acquainted. I took up a bed of it on the 15th ol 

 last November, which had been in bloom for several 

 months, and it was then quite a blaze of beauty, 

 although there had previously been a smart frost and 

 much rain, so that nearly every other bed had become 

 miserably shabby, except the hybrid Anemone between 

 japonicaand vitifolia, which' is also a beautiful bedding- 

 plant, and flowers very well in damp situations. The 

 Kentish Hero is of a bronzy colour ; it is partly 

 shrubby, and belongs to a section of the genus more 

 prolific, as regards a succession of bloom, than either 

 the true herbaceous varieties, or those from rugosa and 

 integrifolia. I would advise those who have it not, to 

 procure and make the most of it ; one good plant 

 bought in now would furnish dozens for bedding against 

 another season. It strikes readily at any time in a 

 very slight bottom heat. One thing requires notice, 

 that the plants should be well supported with sticks 

 when out of doors : otherwise, as the trusses are larsre, 

 when the flowers get filled with rain, the stems are 



apt to break down. Beck' 's Florist and Garden Miscellany 

 for 1850. 



Calendar of Operations. 



(For the ensuing week.) 



FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



Vineries. 



the shoots and thinning the berries. 



Attend regularly to stopping and tying 



In regulating the 

 bunches, it is well to consider whether a few very large 

 ones will or will not be more desirable than a greater 

 number of smaller bunches. Gardeners usually find 

 those of a moderate size, averaging little more than a 

 pound in weight, more generally useful than very laro-e 

 ones, from the greater facility with which they may be 

 set on the dessert dishes. For this reason, the long, 

 diffuse shoulders of very large shows should be removed*; 

 and the loss in the weight of individual bunches will be' 

 amply compensated for by the greater number of useful 

 ones, and the larger size of the berries. Examine 

 the state of the inside borders as regards moisture • 

 and in this do not be satisfied with the ap- 

 pearance of the surface, which is frequently kept 

 moist by syringing, but examine the soil 10 or 12 

 inches lower down. If any water is necessary, use 



If the border has become rather 

 dry, the impulse given by this will be immediately 

 visible m the vigorous and rapid expansion of shoots and 

 leaves. Pf.ach-ho uses.— Take care that the inside 

 borders do not get too dry, but supply them with liquid 

 manure as often as the state of the soil requires it pre- 

 viously loosening the surface, that the water may pene- 

 trate all parts of the border equally. The period 

 between the setting and the stoning of the fruit is a 

 critical one, and during that time they should not be 



manure water at 80*\ 



hurried forward by undue excitement, or they are very 

 liable to cast their fruit ; but after this stage is securely 

 passed, they will stand almost as much heat as a Pine. 

 They delight in a high, humid atmosphere, if accom- 

 panied with abundant ventilation. Cherries and 

 Apricots. — Where fruit is swelling, maintain a night 

 temperature of 55°. Give abundance of air, and on fine 

 afternoons close at 80°,and syringe immediately with clean 

 water. These fruits require to be forced very gradually, 

 and a high night temperature should be carefully avoided. 

 Melons.— Pits or frames heated by linings, will require 

 to be well watched, and some stable-litter and leaves in 

 a warm state should always be in readiness to renew 

 the linings whenever the heat is perceived to be declin- 

 ing. Beds made wholly of dung should be about 4 feet 

 high at the back and 3 # feet at front, as, if made lower, 

 they are more difficult "to keep warm. The temperature 

 of the pit should be about 68° g to 72° by night, with a 

 little ventilation, and 80° to 90° by sun heat during 

 the day, with a freer admission of air, according to the 

 state of the extreme atmosphere, and with a bottom 

 heat of 80° to 87 p . The soil, which should consist of 

 fresh loam of medium strength, that has been sweetened 

 by exposure to the atmosphere for two or three months, 

 should not be watered much at this early period of the 

 season ; as, when once the soil becomes soured by too 

 much moisture, the health of the plants will soon suffer 

 irremediably. Previous to watering ascertain the state of 

 the soil to some depth, and if, as it will generally be found, 

 the surface only requires moistening, it should be 

 sprinkled with a syringe or fine-rosed pot at shutting up 

 time ; but when the entire bed of soil becomes too dry, 

 it should then be thoroughly watered. Attend to the thin- 

 ning and regulating of the shoots of those which are now 

 advancing, keeping the leading shoots a considerable 

 distance apart, so that the fruitful laterals may not be 

 too much confined. After a sufficient number of fruit 

 has been set upon each plant, and they seem to be 

 quite safe, let the laterals [spread freely, so as to cover 

 the space allotted to them ; as a large surface of foliage 

 exposed to the full action of the sun, without being 

 crowded, will give greater size and better flavour to the 

 fruit. Our own plan is to put the plants in close to the 

 front of the pit, and train the leading shoots under the 

 centre of each light, until they reach the top of their 

 trellis, when they are stopped, and the laterals allowed 

 to fill up the remaining spaces, taking care that no leaf 

 overshadows its neighbour. 



^ FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERIES. 



Finish planting out biennials and perennials from the 

 reserve garden, and dividing large batches of herbaceous 

 plants. Plants of these kinds, including Hollyhocks, 

 Delphiniums, &c, must be carefully guarded against 

 the attacks of snails, by forming a ring of soot and lime 

 round the plants, and scattering a little over the surface 

 of the soil. The decaying remains] of last year's stems 

 should also be removed, and the" soil neatly levelled 

 round them, to destroy any lurking places which the 

 enemy may have about the crowns of the plants. The 

 Hollyhock is now becoming a general favourite in the 

 flower garden, owing to the pains which florists have 

 lately taken to improve upon the old common varieties. 

 To grow them in perfection a deep rich soil is necessary ; 

 and if the ground about the old plants does not answer 

 to this description, let it be improved by forking in some 

 well-rotted dung ; and during the growing season, let the 

 plants have frequent waterings of liquid manure. 

 Borders of mixed herbaceous plants are very appro- 

 priate and beautiful in certain situations, if tastefully 

 arranged as regards height and habit of growth, colour, 

 and season of flowering ; but owing to a want of atten- 

 tion to these particulars, beds of this kind are generally 

 considered dull and uninteresting. It is impossible to 

 effect a proper arrangement of the plants, unless some 

 means be adopted of distinguishing them when they are 

 in a dormant state, by correctly naming them as they 

 come into flower, and taking memoranda of their height, 

 colour, season of flowering, and other peculiarities. 



be planted in 

 in the row 

 but the 

 the roots 



have been 



strongest. It 



*f%t 



any 



l rows two feet widV^i — ^ 



sown, have nr nva A __ ."*■» i 



the ground is so wet, it win'b^wd^nofjj' , *** 

 upon rt in the kitchen garden, especial v u° ' 

 soil is of a strong retentive nature TV ** * 

 box and other edgings, and cutting hed^T^ « 

 now be proceeded with, as this work can ITa^ 

 out going much off the walks. Damp ££? . 

 favourable for a general brushing up of the turf £ & 

 to rolling and mowing, and for examining; 1 *!? 

 from the walks, to see that there are no ohSh* V** 

 the water passing freely off. There are a 'S ^ 

 of little matters to get done during dayflw** 

 damp to work upon the ground, which, werei ? * 

 fine, would be deferred ; so that, even at thi. 5 

 season, a wet day is often the cause of much «mA& 

 done in a garden. 5 ^"*| 







State of the Wetther near London, for the week endine Ma«* » ^ 



at observed at the Horticultural Garden, Chiiihet * ** 



& 



March. 



Friday.. 21 

 Satur. .. 22 

 Sunday . 23 



• • 



26 



Monday 24 



Tues. 



Wed. 



Thura. 



IS 

 19 



2u 



(( 

 •22 



Babombte*. 



26 123 

 24 



2? 



Average 



■ t 



29.310 

 29.108 



29.273 

 29.589 



29.732 



29.495 



29.540 



519.232 

 23.753 



28.995 

 29.281 

 29.452 

 29.391 

 29.516 



TBMflkATUM. 



Of the Air. 



Max. Min. Mean 





*1 



9.436 



29.231 



56 

 56 

 51 

 50 

 51 

 54 

 56 



40 

 41 

 39 

 34 

 45 

 35 

 44 



48.0 

 48.5 

 45.0 

 42.0 

 48.0 

 44.5 



50.0 



°{«* Earth. 



1 foot I / W t 

 d "p. deep. 



w*i 



53.4 39 7 46.5 



irou, 



v March 21— Low hazy clouds; fiue; clear and fine at night, 



— 22— Rain ; henvy rain ; in showers at night; bouier 



— 23— Densely clouded ; rain at night. 



— 24— Overcast; densely clouded. 



— 25— Overcast ; densely clouded; rain at nixht. 



— 26— Kain; constant raiu; cloudy. 



— 27— Low dusky white clouds ; showers: clear. 



Mean temperature of the week, 3$ deg. above the average. 



■ 



State of the Weather at Chiswick during the last 25 yean fortk 



ensuing week, ending April 5, 1851. 





«* ■£ . 



V *j 



■ 



Match 

 and April. 



5ft * M 



2 is 



v SJCg 



*? si 



3 & 



SuudaySO 



53.6 



31.S 



44.2 



Mon. 3 



55.2 



35.7 



45.5 



Tues. 1 



54.5 



35.5 



45 



Wed. 2 



54.7 



36J 



45.7 



Thurs. 3 



56.6 



34.6 



45.6 



Friday 4 



56.1 



37-2 



467 



Satur. 5 



1 56.4 



36.6 



46.5 



No. of 



Years in 



which it 



Kained. 



7 

 11 



14 



11 

 5 



11 

 12 



Greatest 

 Quantity 



of lima. 



Prevsi 





0.11 in. 



0.30 



0.76 



1.19 



0.30 

 0.46 



0.65 



z -• a • » * 1 * 



t ■' 



11" 



4 2 J 2 Jf ; , 



3 » '. S !' J 1 



The highest temperature during the above period occurred an thi > 

 jS4S— therm. 78 deg.; and the lowest on the 1st, 1335-thexm. 16 deg. 



Dahlias. 



FLORISTS* FLOWERS. 



These should now be in active operation. 

 Start the main roots in a hot-bed, and remove the shoots 

 when two or three inches long, placing them round small 

 pots in sand, and plunging them in the bed. Keep 

 close, and they will soon be sufficiently rooted to pot off. 

 Tulips. — Showers, accompanied with hail, and some- 

 times frost, may be expected ; therefore, take particular 

 heed as to the state of the weather. It is an easy 

 matter to put over a few mats, should there be frosty 

 indications ; and as the buds are rising in the foliage, they 

 would be seriously injured, and perhaps the hopes of the 

 season be blasted, for want of the necessary precaution. 

 Auriculas.— Nothing better than abundance of air at 

 all favourable opportunities. Do not forget some liquid 

 manure, made from sheep droppings ; it is efficacious 

 and safe. We do not recommend at this season moving 

 the surface soil with a « peg f it is sadly detrimental to 

 the fibres. 



KITCHEN GARDEN'. 



Young seeds of the Brassica family should be carefully 

 guarded against the depredations of birds, by covering 

 them with netting, and from the attacks of slugs, by 

 sprinkling a little lime and soot among them. Tomatoes 

 and Capsicums should be sown in heat, and potted off, 

 three plants in a four-inch pot, in a rich loamy soil, as 

 soon as the young plants will bear handling. Seakale 

 should now be sown ; or the strong roots of old plants 

 that have been forced may be cut into pieces about 

 two inches in length, and put into pans or boxes 

 in a gentle heat, until the younsr shoots 



Notices to Correspondents. 



Aphides : M C W. Cannot you destroy them by mem of 

 tobacco smoke ? We would try the experiment by enrdopiac 

 at lea&t a portion of the bed in canvas, and filling the ipe* 

 with smoke from one of Brown's fumigatord.f 



Back Numbers. Full pi ice will be given fur No. l,184J,ni 



Nos. 1, 2, 8, 1846. 

 Books: T II. Begin with ''School Botany/' by all meut 



There is a fresh issue of the work, ttie large and lo&g-coft. 



tinued sale of which proves that ic answers its purpoie. 

 Camellia : R D. You will find a full account of its culture is 



p. 21 of the present year.}: . ; 



Evergreens: W C. You may prune them back abort « 

 middle of next month.} 



Fruit-tree Dressing: It* an Old Sliauman will mix a Hwe« 

 with soft soap, he may perhaps rind that oil will cease iota* 

 but will mix freely with water. Experiments should pt** 

 criticism. At the same time we are not defenders ot all m 

 opinions which writers and talkers indulge in. Hf *** 

 bid ! We give them as we find them, and the public am » 



judge of th.ir merit. . 



Fruit Trees: O 3. Against an east wall you may p^M* 

 Moorpark Apricot; ltoyale Hative and Gr e^MiH 

 Elton Cherry ; Marie Louise, Beurre Dial, *™* l 'f"Z 

 Pears. Your lately planted Flum tree should not M * 



back till next autumn. 

 Insects 



Gras 



t till next autumn. . , . ^ 



rs: Anon. The giubsin your Geranium PO^JJ™ 

 ss in thetiower garden, are the larva! ot a w^PJ. 



(Delophns fecrilis) which Appears in the ^winged I stoti «* 

 in the spring ; so that ail or nearly ali to ■M*"™ 



the young 

 when they may be gradually hardened. 



appear, 

 They should 



DH 



done-tnat &] it they do any, which we doubc Mirjj g 

 they feed upon decaying v.geub.e matter ,«^«W 

 plants, in the larva state. W.--A B c -}\**:**** 

 name the cynips, unless you inform us of the tree upon w 



the sail was found. W. . pruminatiofl * 



Names of Plants : Will with a Wisp sends ftf*^^ 



part of his own 



nirBtoArummaculatum; tte«p VthlM 



please. - A Sub. Solanuui pseudo-capsicum, « £ 

 J Tobira.-A'e«. Sub. Ruscu* aculeatus Arabia 1»^ 

 Lasiopetalum quercUolium --^um lb P^,^ 

 lately, and was very interesting It H was noi ^,». 



we must beg yon to forgive the omission. J**^*^- 

 ceive Paxton through your tnend in fencnor 

 £ P. lhe common giey Opium ^iW- 3 tll #»!«** 



Sbeds : OS H. You ^X^™*™^ "TZt 

 rather than plants, fne latter ai «, uu lo0rt bstt» 



expensive; the former * r6 .* h ^>*f'X -any *** B fi 

 pended in a cabm, will arrive with scarcely j ^ 



must send plants, then you i«iu.i ^J^ to our rf 



Ward's cases (portable greenhouses), de» 



Sl i KwoB 4 Ms^ T U. They may be purchased in 



Coven 



H-H* 



market* 

 Tbansplanti 



» o; ^. Both Gorse "i^™£++ 



t~A *i,.<iv..iftrf the operation is F» . t«+ 



r. 







;neVec7s7aV7ca"r'e; and young plants are u** 



WK2T.1 Beater. A toad or two placed in jour ** 

 ^.oundt^n themt fc £ »g 



with private disputes. Your letter >» "*" be$t . C«*JJ 

 The common Borage will suit ,ow P^wed, bestiajig 

 thus fimbriatus is a hardy plant. u> u ynd , r*J 

 situation.;-*. We cannot P*"^'^ f,d mitted u#»" 

 between your question and the subjects 



Paper, - 



SEEDLING FLOWERS. 

 Amaryllis : R B. a pretty variety of A. ™ • pe *r » 

 Coronilla : W J s. Your seedling <* oes uv 



different from C. glauca. * 

















