202 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 12, 1878. 
and admirably grown by her assiduous head gardener Mr. 
Thomas Hanrahan. I have visited her conservatory, which is 
always a model of neatness, in midwinter and a few days since 
in midsummer, and on each occasion the most striking and 
conspicuous objects were undoubtedly well-grown bright crim- 
son Vallotas. Other objects of interest were not absent, of 
which I can quote a few from memory :—Achimenes, Gesneras, 
Gloxinias, Crotons, Coleuses, Draczenas, Stephanotis, Hoyas, 
Ficus elastica, Caladiums, Tacsonias intertwining with a beau- 
tiful Cobcea, with a well-grown collection containing many 
rare varieties of Begonias, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, &c. 
Among several specimens of Vallotas now opening into 
bloom I noted one, and found it was throwing up twelve 
flower scapes, and had on each an average of eight blooms. 
These were grown in an 11-inch pot, and had not been dis- 
turbed for several years. This is merely a specimen of several 
others, many of which had gone out of bloom, and which I 
understand were much better. 
The effect of such a display tastefully arranged in a conser- 
vatory is unique when the flowers are fully expanded. Mr. 
Hanrahan has them in flower almost continuously from January 
ist to December 31st, and their adaptability isremarkable. The 
coming display is exposed on the vinery stage to the full in- 
fluence of the sun. ‘Those to come on by-and-by are under it, 
and those still later required will do admirably by asouth wall. 
In fact, were it not that they start into bloom during mid- 
winter no extra heat would be necessary for almost any 
Amaryllis, and this, if I remember right, is the opinion of Mr. 
Taylor, a much better authority. 
I may now conclude with a few words as to the story of its 
culture. Ifthe bulb you start with is 2 inches or less in diameter, 
a 6 or 7-inch pot will be amply large for two or three years. 
The soil should be rich, and as the roots are never shaken out 
or extricated from it, it must be lasting. Good fibrous old 
loam and peat, with a fractional part of dry and rent-asunder 
cow manure thoroughly aérated; but for continuous use and 
nutriment broken bones are most necessary, as well as some 
nodules of charcoal. Those who may be curious enough to 
turn out a pot on their hands after the roots are developed 
will see them interlaced round and round the bones and char- 
coal, and when healthy the points are beautifully tinted red. 
Need I say those observations apply almost equally to the 
whole Amaryllis family ?—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
JUDGING MELONS. 
SOME years ago, when I was in the habit of frequenting the 
horticultural shows at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the north 
generally, there was a rule that bunches of Grapes shown for 
the finest flavour should be above a certain weight, 1}1%b I 
think it was ; and this excellent plan always secured a com- 
petition with ordinary-sized bunches instead of allowing only 
a few berries to be shown asa bunch. Atseveral horticultural 
shows I have visited this season I have thought that those who 
arrange show schedules or prize lists would do well to have a 
similar rule with regard to Melons. It has been simply absurd 
giving prizes to some of the Melons which I have seen honoured 
this season. I have not a word to say against paying due regard 
to flavour, but I think size in Melons should always carry weight 
and be regarded as an indispensable accompaniment. 
As a rule there is always large competition for Melons. In 
several instances this year I have seen as many as thirty fruits 
shown together, and nearly always with the same result—the 
smallest fruit first ; in some cases shabby little fruit not over 
half a pound in weight, such as I fancy few gardeners would 
care to place on the table. Had I the framing of a prize list 
it would be stated that no Melon under 2 tbs. would take a 
prize. This would bring forward handsome fruits without 
going to extremes, and that exquisitely flavoured fruit can be 
had of this size is a fact well known to every Melon grower. 
Small Melons are no finer flavoured than large ordinary-sized 
fruits as a rule, only small ones ripen quicker, and no doubt 
it is this which gives them sometimes a little superiority in 
flavour ; but in the end they have no more merit than larger 
fruit, and in all other points they are very far behind.— 
A KITCHEN GARDENER. 
ROSES IN POOR SOIL. 
HVERYONE must have read with sympathy the lament by 
“ WyLD SAVAGE” oyer the soil in which he is condemned to 
grow his Roses. I would willingly offer a suggestion, for what 
it may be worth, to ameliorate perhaps his position, but before 
doing so a little more specific information is necessary. What 
is the nature of the soil? He speaks of its cracking with 
drought, which suggests clay ; but he also speaks of its being 
light and flinty. Is it clay, gravel, or chalk, retentive of mois- 
ture or dry, and of what depth, and what is the subsoil? 
About a year ago he asked for a substitute for farmyard 
manure. Isuggested certain artificial compounds : has he tried 
them? and if so, in what quantities, at what times, and with 
what results? I think he has spoken of using guano; that is 
an excellent manure, but not a substitute for dung, because 
its excess of nitrogen and deficiency of potash renders it too 
stimulating to be used in sufficient quantities alone.—K. 
OUR BORDER FLOWERS—POPPYWORTS. 
THE perennial species of Poppies are not a numerous race, 
yet many of them are attractive. They are a family among 
our border flowers that are far in the background as regards 
cultivation, and why plants so attractive and with such gorge- 
ous colours are not more to the front is to me a little puzzling. 
The taller-growing kinds, such as Papaver orientale, syn. con- 
color, with its monstrous scarlet flowers; P. maculatum 
superbum, and P. bracteatum, syn. pulcherrimum, are all well 
adapted for open spaces in large borders and in the shrubbery. 
When cared for they are grand objects seen at a distance. 
They are not at all particular as to 
soil, yet the places intended for their 
reception are all the better for being 
thoroughly broken up to the depth of 
2 feet, the soil being mixed with 
good sandy loam, well-decayed vege- 
table matter, and coarse grit or sand, 
and they must have efficient drainage. 
When established and cared for they 
last many years. When the stools 
become large they are the better for 
having some of the young growth 
thinned out, for when left too thick 
the stems are liable to decay. They 
are increased by division in the au- 
tumn or spring when commencing 
growth. 
There are many other beautiful 
kinds, none more so than those gems 
of alpine beauties Papaver alpinum, 
P. alpinum album, P. alpinum minia- 
tum, and P. pilosum, syn. olympicum. 
Amongst these must be classed 
P. nudicaule (fig. 31), which being 
found only on one spot in the British Isles, must be considered 
as among the many plants of which it may be questioned 
whether they are really natives. Its flowers are as sweet-smelling 
as the Jonquil, emitting their fragrance especially during the 
cool of the morning and evening. Sir W. Hooker and Dr. 
Lindley have enrolled it in their catalogues of our native 
plants. Linnzus doubted whether it is not a variety of Papaver 
alpinum, or Alpine Prickly-headed Poppy. Being a native in 
great abundance of the shores and islands of the colder regions 
of North America, a seed may have floated to the coast of 
Ireland. When well grown the contrast of colours in these 
species is charming—yellow, white, and red. 
To have the plants in perfection they must be well cultivated, 
and then they repay any amount of labour bestowed on them. 
They prefer the rockery, providing them with thorough drain- 
age, and water when required. They are all the better for 
partial shade. Good sandy loam, leaf soil, peat, and charcoal 
dust mixed together will meet their requirements. 
They may be increased by seed sown in the spring on a 
moist sheltered border, or by division after flowering in the 
spring. Care must be used in the operation of division. 
All things favourable, they are equally adapted to border 
culture.—VERITAS. 
Fig. 31. 
Papayer nudicaule. 
THE AMERICAN BLACKBERRY AN ORNAMENTAL 
CLIMBER. 
OvER a path in the garden of Mr. E. J. Sinden at Uckfield 
; there is an arched trellis of simple curved iron rods partly 
covered with the growth of several flourishing young plants of 
a large American Blackberry. This bower is just now an 
attractive sight. The elegant pinnatifid foliage, always orna- 
