346 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAaB GARDENER. 



[ May 3, 1865. 



eluding a new species of Clirysophanus (one of the Copper 

 Butterdies), a Pieris like Cardaminis, ic. ; also two curious 

 species of Moths (Xoctua and Geometra sp.), the bodies 

 and mngs of which were covered with slender elongated 

 fungi, which had sprouted out all over them. They had 

 been found at Darjeeling by Mr. A. E. Russell. A loi-ge 

 collection of Beetles, Butterflies, and Moths taken by the 

 last-named gentleman in Bengal and the Himalayas was 

 also exhibited by Mr. lauson, amongst which were two new 

 species of the singular genus Epicopeia. 



Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited six or seven different 

 species of Giills collected by Mr. B. T. Lowne in Southern 

 Syria in lS6-i. One of these upon a species of Atriplex was 

 covered with a woolly-like growth ; another upon a blade of 

 grass was probably the production of a Dipterous insect; 

 another, of a solid texture, on a Tamarix was possibly the 

 nidus of a Buprestis ; another, upon a Reaumiu-ia, contained 

 a mass of about thirty eggs of some species of Moth. 



The President read a note respecting certain insects 

 which he had noticed in July last when passing over the 

 snow field of Monte Moro at an elevation of 8000 feet. Here 

 and there in the snow was seen a sharply defined cylindrical 

 hole, about an inch in depth, and at the bottom of each was 

 eitlier a small lump of matter resembling peat, or more 

 frequently a Dipterous or Ichneumonideons insect. He con- 

 ceived that the insects, settling on the snow, became torpid 

 from its low temperature, and then gradually, or perhaps 

 rapidly, sank into the snow, the holes being caused by the 

 radiation of heat from the body of the insect. This explan- 

 ation, however, although no other was suggested, did not 

 meet with the general acceptance of the meeting. 



Professor Westwood made some critical remarks on the 

 recently published memoir by Dr. Karsten on the Chigoe 

 or Jigger, insisting on the priority of his own generic name 

 Sarcopsylla for the insect, in preference to that of Rhyncho- 

 prioB, which was a synonyme of a genus of Ticks (Acari). 



Mr. H. W. Bates read a memoir on the interesting genus 

 Agra, belonging to the family Carabida3, in which he de- 

 scribed the affinities and habits of this arboreal and noc- 

 turnal group, remarkable for lying concealed during the 

 day in curled-up leaves, feeding probably on larvte, and 

 possessing the power of crepitating by a slight explosion, 

 ■with a sensation of warmth, and staining of the fingers, ; 

 when the insects are handled. He also noticed the external I 

 distinctions of the sexes, and described sixteen new species ; 

 from the Amazon region of South America, thus making ' 

 up a total number of 140 known species of this beautiful 

 group. 



WOEK FOE THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAKDEN. 



The late di-ying easterly winds and the present clear 

 warm weather have rendered it necessary to supply water 

 to recently transplanted trees, shrubs, and vegetables, and 

 also seedling crops, which are just making their appearance, 

 otherwise they had better be allowed to remain in a dormant 

 state until we have rain, as continued waterings bind the 

 surface of the soil into a hard crust, impenetrable by air 

 and very prejudicial to the germination of seeds. This evil 

 may, however, be in some degree prevented by shading from 

 the sun or covering the soil, so as to prevent evaporation as 

 much as possible ; frequent waterings are not then neces- 

 sary, and the soil is kept in an open porous state, which is 

 of the utmost importance. When the nights are warm, 

 seeds, and herbaceous phints of all kinds, should bo 

 watered in the evening, so that the soil may gradually im- 

 bibe the water ; but if cold nights prevail, an early hour in 

 the morning is the best time for its application. Broccoli, 

 as the present warm weather bi-ings it forward so fast, some 

 of it should be pulled up before it is full-grown and laid in 

 a cool place, so as to prolong the season of use. Callages, 

 when the soil is very hard between the autumn-planted 

 ones it will greatly benefit the plants to fork between them. 

 and after rain to earth up again. Cauliflowers, dig up the 

 soil surrounding them with a fork, and afterwards give 

 them a good soaking with water, to bo repeated twioL' 

 o-week during warm weather. Celery, all that has been 

 lately pricked out to bo shaded and watered until it take 

 good hold of the ground. If it is required very early put 



the plants singly into some small pots, and set them in a 

 frame until they get roothold, when they may be fully ex- 

 posed to the air, but to be kept well watered, or the plants 

 will be apt to run before they attain any size. Cucumbers, 

 where they are grown on dung-beds the frame will want 

 raising to allow the plants room and a sufficient depth of 

 soil. Trenches should now be prepared for plants to be 

 grown under hand-glasses ; they may be 2V feet wide and 

 1 foot below the surface, to be there filled with prepared 

 dung, leaves, and short grass to 6 inches above the surface ; 

 good light soil to be put beneath the glasses, and the rest 

 of the dung to be covered with the soil that came out of 

 the trench. Dwarf Kidney Beans, make a good sowing for 

 succession ; a few to be sown in a pan at the same time to 

 fill up any vacancies. Lettace, give a few of the earliest 

 plants a good supply of water to bring them forward ; some 

 of the Coss may be tied up to form hearts. Mushrooms, 

 keep a steady heat of from G0° to Go" where there are 

 productive beds ; continue to make fresh ones for summer 

 and autumn use. Radishes, sow both Long and Turnip- 

 rooted kinds ; water beds from which they are to be diawn 

 for use. 



PBUIT GARDEN. 



Trained fruit trees, especially Peach and Cherry trees, 

 require particular attention at this season in regard to 

 stopping, disbudding, &o., going over them two or three 

 times so as to prevent a too sudden check to the flow of the 

 sap, and to afford the fruit the protection of the leaves as 

 long as it can be done without iuiury to the trees. Look 

 sharply after green fly, and ajjply tobacco water the moment 

 it is perceived. On light sandy soUs, however, it may be 

 kept in check by frequent waterings with the engine; but 

 whatever method is pursued, see that it is resorted to before 

 the pest becomes established. 



FLOWJEE QAEDEN. 



Trees and slu-ubs recently transplanted to be watered and 

 immediately mulched with short litter ; and the rare and 

 choice kinds to be shaded and occasionally sprinkled over- 

 head with water in the morning. As it is more than prob- 

 able that where much planting was intended part of it may 

 yet remain undone, we may observe, that some kinds of 

 evergreens may yet be safely removed, taking the precau- 

 tions to water them at first planting, and occasionally after- 

 wards, to well mulch the surface, and to damp the foliage. 

 We have sometimes found Hollies, Portugal Laurels, Ever- 

 green Oaks, Red Cedars, Ai-bor Vitse, &c., take root more 

 freely now than when planted earlier in the spring, when 

 autumn planting cannot be effected. As a principle in the 

 arrangement of colours, it is generally allowed that the 

 various shades of orange and yellow will class well with the 

 various purples and blues ; whites are suitable with the 

 blues, oranges, and reds; whites, however, derange the effect 

 of the yellows, as also the violet shades ; whilst the various 

 red or rose-coloured flowers are, as far as colour is concerned, 

 capable of forming a bed by themselves. 



GBEENHOTJSB AND CONSEBVATORT. 



The conservatory plants are now making active growth, 

 and should be liberally supplied with water. Those grow- 

 ing in prepared borders to be frequently examined to see 

 that the roots are kept sufficiently moist. At an early hour 

 in the morning give a good washing with tho engine or 

 syringe to everything excepting the jjlants in bloom, the 

 house wUl then become dry and enjoyable by tho forenoon ; 

 frequently clean over the borders, remove decaying loaves 

 and flowers; let tho paths, stone curbs, shelves, &c., be 

 washed frequently, that tho house may present an orderly 

 appearance at all times. Bloro air must now be given, and 

 as the nights become warm allow a little to remain on; this 

 low night temperature will do much to favoui- the growth of 

 short-jointed wood, which in a house of this description, 

 requiring to bo frequently shaded, is diflicult to obtain, and 

 at tho same time it will j)rolong the bloom of tho inmates. 

 Hybrid Indian Rhododendrons and Chinese Azaleas will now 

 Ijc iu great beauty, and every care should be taken to i)re- 

 fiervo the blooms from damp and drip. Supply plants 

 lih<;rally with water at tho roots, as during their hlooming 

 season they require largo quantities. Plants out of bloom 

 should be placed where they can enjoy rest for a short time 

 before the new growth commences, otherwise they break 



