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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ AngUBt 31, 1876. 



unlock the~earth and conduct into the thirsty air the precious 

 stores from the rootlets of the plants. 



The soil below the surface should always be examined when 

 practicable before watering, and when water is absolutely 

 required no half measures should be taken. A covering of 

 some dry material after watering is of great service — dry loose 

 soil, dry litter, or in fact anything which will lie loose and 

 enclose a large volume of dry air, will to a great extent prevent 

 the water applied rising into the air and the sun heat pene- 

 trating too much to the roots of the plants, thereby diminish- 

 ing considerably the need for the water-pot. Soils resting on 

 clay, and'perhaps some others if covered in this way, will keep 

 sufficiently moist through the driest seasons without any arti- 

 ficial watering. 



Outdoor plants will often flag because the atmosphere is dry. 

 There is no help for this, for we cannot water the atmosphere 

 sufficiently, and damping the tops of the plants under such 

 conditions will only do them harm. — Wm. Tatlob. 



' ! S IN THE KOTAL GARDENS, KEW. 



On the Rockwork is a new and interesting hybrid Campanula, 

 one of the many productions of Isaac Anderson-Henry, Esq. 

 This is C. Haylodgensis, obtained from C. pusilla alba and 

 C. isophylla alba, two very distinct species. Their offspring 

 is quite intermediate in point of form and habit, though, being 

 blue, is like neither in colour. The new hybrid will prove a 

 useful rockwork plant on account of its free-flowering qualities, 

 and also because of its neat and distinct appearance. Oxalis 

 enneaphylla, though not now in flower, claims a brief mention. 

 It is one of the most interesting of this once-popular genus, 

 and though not decidedly showy is yet very attractive, chiefly 

 on account of its silvery leaves and large white flowers. The 

 leaves are peculiar from having from five to twenty leaflets, 

 though in cultivated plants they are usually about eight or 

 ten. It is a native of the Falkland Islands, and was intro- 

 duced by the Challenger expedition. Gladiolus purpureo- 

 auratus, a showy and handsome species, is remarkable for its 

 golden-yellow flowers. There are purple spots, however, on 

 the two lower segments. It was introduced from Natal by 

 Mr. W. Bull. Rhexia virginica, though not new, is extremely 

 rare. It has pretty pink flowers, and is the only hardy Mela- 

 stomaceous plant we have in cultivation. It was figured on 

 page 4 of the current volume of the Journal of Horticulture. 

 * A very fine plant of Fourcroya gigantea is throwing-up a 

 flower stem in the Succulent house. To be correct, however, 

 it is not altogether in the house, but about 4 feet of the stem 

 is above the roof outside, and is still growing fast. Sarco- 

 stemma Brunonianum, an interesting Asclepiad, is in flower 

 near the north door. It has long, green, cord-like, pendulous 

 stems, along which clusters of pale greenish flowers are pro- 

 duced at intervals. It grows in Ceylon, and is also common 

 in arid jungles of the Madras Presidency, " where it forms 

 great masses, climbing over shrubs, tree trunks, and stones, 

 abounding in an acid milky juice, and hence eaten by the 

 natives as a salad and sucked by travellers to allay thirst, 

 thus forming a remarkable exception to the usually poisonous 

 nature of the Asclepiadeous juices." — Botanical Magazine. 

 The very remarkable Cactus, Leuchtenbergia principis, which 

 bears its flowers on the summit of the mammas, will shortly 

 be in bloom. 



Of the finer Orchids now in flower, Eulophia guineensis is 

 the least known and most rare. It has several times had 

 eulogistic notice in the gardening papers. The flower spikes 

 are about 2 feet in height, producing numerous flowers of large 

 size. The sepals and petals are narrow, ascending at right 

 angles to the labellum, which is nearly round and of a beautiful 

 pinkish colour. Dendrobium Pierardi appears continually in 

 flower; others flowering at the present time are D. aduncum, 

 D. Bensoniffi, and D. sanguinolentum. Several plants of 

 Cattleya crispa are in bloom. Ctelogyne epeciosa, a grotesque 

 brown flower, is strange in contrast with C. ochracea, a very 

 pretty white and yellow kind, which we have before described. 

 Thunia alba has been very attractive for some time ; it is one 

 of the frw Orchids having a graceful habit. Disa grandiflora 

 is just now very ornamental. Other cool Orchids in flower are 

 Odontoglosenm crispum, Miltonia spectabilis, and M. Regnelli, 

 a very pretty and distinct kind, said to be rare. 



In the Begonia house we find Liebigia speoiosa, a plant not 

 only of great beauty but also of much interest on account of 

 the distinguished chemist whose name it bears. It was im- 

 ported from Java by the Messrs. Veitch through their well- 



known collector Mr. Thomas Lobb, and was figured in 1847 in 

 the " Botanical Magazine," though probably it has been lost to 

 the country for several years. The stems are soft and green ; 

 leaves opposite, light green, ovate or elliptical, and covered 

 with rigid hairs. The flower stems are in axillary panicles, 

 few or many-flowered. The flowers are tubular, somewhat 

 Gloxinia-shaped, but rather smaller; the corolla is white, with 

 the tube violet-purple on one side. 



In the next house is a fine new Begonia of the tuberous- 

 rooted section, B. Frcebellii, introduced from the Republic of 

 Ecuador. It is quite distinct in habit. The leaves are all 

 radical, with stems 6 or 8 inches long : the blade is obliquely 

 cordate acuminate, and is covered with hairs on both surfaces. 

 A peculiarity of the flower stems is that they are either male 

 or female, only one sex being produced on a scape. The flowers 

 are about eight on each stalk, and rise rather above the leaves. 

 They are not quite so large as in most of the allied kinds, but 

 are of an intensely rich crimson colour. 



A VISIT TO THE SOUTHWELL NURSERIES. 



The nurseries of Mr. H. Merryweather of Southwell possess 

 many attractions, not only to the rosarian, but also to the 

 general florist and horticulturist, for here, besides thousands 

 of Roses raised annually, there are all the leading sorts of 

 fruit trees, a fine collection of Conifers and evergreen shrubs, 

 forest trees, herbaceous plants, bedding plants, a fine assort- 

 ment of Ferns, Camellias, Azaleas, and other greenhouse 

 plants, all cultivated with energy and skill, and all kept in a 

 clean and healthy condition. 



However, the most attractive feature at Southwell during 

 the month of July was the Roses, and it was these that I speci- 

 ally went to see. I had the privilege, in company with Mr. H. 

 Merryweather, jun., of noting all the valuable Roses both new 

 and old. Captain Christy, a delicate rose, quite new in colour, 

 was in superb condition ; it is a fine addition to the light 

 Roses. Mdlle. Marie Cointet is one of the most perfect Camellia- 

 shaped Roses in cultivation ; light satin rose, and a favourite 

 with everybody. Louis Van Houtte, a better Rose does not 

 exist ; it is grand dark Rose, one of the best of its colour ; a 

 fitting Rose for such an honourable name. Xavier Olibo is 

 another grand dark Rose which should be in every collection ; 

 it was here in splendid condition. Horace Vernet was quite 

 equal to the last. Madame Victor Verdier is a dark Rose of 

 the Senateur Vai6se type ; it is a brilliant rosy crimson, and 

 so good that too much cannot be said in its praise. Marie 

 Baumann was in foliage, shape, perfume, and colour all that 

 could be desired ; it was simply perfection. Dr. Andry was 

 splendid ; it is a gem of the first water — a perfect Rose. 

 Mdlle. Bonnaire, mo3t delicate blush ; the finest Rose that can 

 be found for ladies' bouquets. Pauline Talabot, a dark shade of 

 rosy carmine ; promises to be one of the best new Roses of 1874. 

 Pierre Notting, here we meet with an old friend in no way im- 

 paired by his age ; grand in all respects. Duke of Edinburgh, 

 very fine. Madame Boutin, a beautiful clear Rose, still bloom- 

 ing in grand form ; one to be desired. Duchess of Edinburgh 

 was thin in petal and wanting in the general character of _ a 

 good Rose. Marguerite de St. Amand, beautiful light satin 

 rose, was very lovely, possessing all good properties ; it is alike 

 good on the exhibition stand and in the garden. Marquise de 

 Castellane ; this — on the Briar, Manetti, or on its own roots — 

 is always alike good. Mareehal Vaillant, very full, with a 

 flaming centre and fine foliage. Dupuy-Jamain, bright cerise 

 crimson, with a suffusion of violet ; a remarkable Rose. La 

 France, so prolific and profuse in bloom that it is the one for 

 a single bed, and should be grown in quantity in every garden. 

 Thomas Mills, so bright is the colour of this Rose that it may 

 almost be termed a scarlet ; very large, full, and will become a 

 great favourite. Mdlle. Marie Rady, a most perfect gem ; fine 

 shape and form. Alfred Colomb, one of the grandest of all 

 grand Roses ; this and Marie Baumann should be in every col- 

 lection. Boule de Neige, very useful as a garden Rose for cat 

 blooms. Abel Grand, a well-formed and good Rose ; not so 

 large as many others. Louise Peyronny, this beautiful Rose 

 sustains its character for the exhibition tent ; it was exceed- 

 ingly fine. Hippolyte Flandrin, a Rose of high quality, but 

 neglected ; however, it will come to the front again. Madame 

 Hippolyte Jamain, fine foliage ; one of the best. Sir Garnet 

 Woleeley, a fine crimson rose, of the character of Exposition de 

 Brie. Crimson Bedder, a new Rose, useful for the purpose 

 that its name indicates. Mdlle. Marguerite Donibrain — what 

 a pity that this beautiful Rose should be of such delicate 



