December 15, 1888.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



705 



by spring, and I can either root them in heat, or 

 place the plants out in the open to bloom through 

 the summer. 



Some seedlings from summer blooming Carnations 

 show the winter blooming habit ; they failed to 

 flower during the summer, but they threw up flower- 

 stems late, and I lifted the plants and potted them, 

 and they are now coming on to flower in my cold 

 house. But whether I shall succeed in flowering 

 them with only such solar heat as may be vouch- 

 safed during the winter, remains to be seen. E. D. 



for twelve plants of Primula sinensis and some truly 

 marvellous plants were staged by Mr. Hall, gardener 

 to C. N. May, Esq., Elm Lodge, Devizes, in 8-inch 

 pots, the foliage showing a diameter of from 2 to 2.V 

 eet ; and having many flower-stems crowned with 

 fine blossoms. Some fine plants were brought from 

 Birmingham by one of the leading Primula culti- 

 vators there, but they fell decidedly short of the 

 home-grown specimens. There was nothing of a 

 drawn character about the foliage ; it was short, 

 stout, and robust. 



advances a little more heat is given, with weak liquid 

 manure about twice a week. That such huge plants 

 could be obtained in eleven months is really sur- 

 prising, and it appeared to be a new revelation in 

 regard to Primula culture ; but the fact illustrates 

 what can be done with the Chinese Primrose under 

 high-class cultivation, R. D. 



Cultural 



EMORANDA. 



Fiu. 99. — pinus laricio, corsican pine, (see p. (i'.rj.) 



Primula sinensis itmbriata as an Exhibition Plant. 

 It is a frequent custom for compilers of schedules 

 of prizes to make classes for plants of Primula sinensis 

 at Chrysanthemum shows held during November, but 

 those who are accustomed to visit Chrysanthemum 

 shows have to admit that Chinese Primroses are one 

 of the poorest of features generally. I think it is because 

 little or no effort is put forth to grow the plants to 

 anything like perfection. The invariable rule seems 

 to be to cultivate Primulas simply as a part of the 

 routine of winter decoration, and not to put forth any 

 attempt to draw out the possibilities of development 

 lying within the plants. But when it is attempted 

 as at Birmingham and other places, it is surprising 

 what results follow. At the recent Chrysanthemum 

 show held at Devizes, handsome prizes were offered 



Mr. May states that the seed from which these 

 plants were grown was sown the first week in 

 December, in a stove in which the day temperature 

 was about 65° ; when the plants were large enough 

 to handle, they were potted singly in small pots, the 

 compost used being made up of one-third leaf-mould 

 and two-thirds loam, to which was added enough 

 silver-sand to keep it nicely open, and a little 

 charcoal to keep it sweet. The young plants are 

 kept growing on in the same temperature, repotting 

 them when necessary, till they are placed in the 

 blooming pots, which should be well tilled with roots 

 by the end of May. Then the plants are placed in a 

 cold frame until the end of July, as a kind of summer 

 rest ; then they are placed in a gentle heat, to excite 

 them into growth and bloom. As the autumn 



TILLANDSIA LINDENIAXA. 

 This is a pretty compact growing inmate of the 

 stove, and produces, from the crown, which is sur- 

 rounded by upright recurved leaves, erect flattened 

 spikes of lovely blue flowers. The species is increased 

 by potting up the suckers which spring from the base 

 of the plants, in small pots, using peaty soil. These 

 should then be given water, to settle the soil 

 about the roots, and be placed in a moist warm house 

 or pit to develope themselves. 



The Alocasia. 

 Of these plants there are now many handsome 

 species and hybrids in cultivation. The leaves of 

 many of these are large, with rich markings, and all 

 of them possess more or less beauty and stateliness. 

 They are increased by potting divisions of the 

 crowns, suckers, and offsets in a mixture of peat 

 and loam, growing them on in a warm stove, and 

 keeping them moist at the roots. 



Rondeletia speciosa. 



If cuttings of this somewhat slender-growing sub- 

 ject of the stove are put in now in small pots filled 

 with peaty soil, and be treated as indicated above, 

 stopping them once or twice when growth has com- 

 menced, after each shift into larger pots, they will 

 attain to useful dimensions by next summer, when 

 they will produce bright red trusses of Verbena-like 

 flowers from the points of the young shoots. 



Bulbs— Htacinths, &c. 

 Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, and Jonquils, which 

 are now showing flower, will now be assisted by 

 giving them frequent waterings of tepid liquid 

 manure until the last pip and flower has been 

 opened, when applications of clear water will suffice. 

 Prom the time the flower-spike appears, until the 

 plants have done flowering, the soil in which they 

 are growing should not be allowed to get dry. H. W. 

 Ward. 



Fruit Register. 



PEAKS IN 1888 AT BELVOIIi. 



The late season, although ungenial and unfavour- 

 able, has not been without its lessons to those who 

 cultivate Pears, as well as to others who desire 

 information to assist them in selecting suitable kinds 

 likely to repay the trouble of growing under all cir- 

 cumstances of weather. Deriving many of our 

 Pears from countries enjoying a higher summer tem- 

 perature than our own, it is not surprising that a 

 dull, cold season such as that of 1888 should affect 

 unfavourably the quality of fruit. As to what extent 

 this has been the case, and what kinds have proved 

 most capable of elaborating the saccharine juices 

 that help to give Pears the qualities we seek in them, 

 it is important that information should be obtained, 

 and that from different parts of the United King- 

 dom. As a rule, English-raised Pears and Apples 

 do best in our climate, and this fact should stimulate 

 those who have the opportunity to pursue the prac- 

 tice of crossing and raising seedling fruits — Pears 

 especially. When we have a National Horticultural 

 Society supported as Kew is, I hope fruit tree im- 

 provement will be one of the works taken in hand. 



I add a few notes descriptive of the influences 

 of the late season on the Pears grown at Belvoir. I 

 may mention that we are in the North Midland dis- 

 trict, 110 miles north of London ; the altitude of the 



C 



