March IG, 18 I. J 



JOOKNAL OF HOETICULTDSE AND COTTAGE GAEDEis'ER. 



201 



which it resembles — as the foliage reflexes more, and is, con- 

 sequently, prettier than that of C. eandidissima. It is quite a 

 mistake to condemn white-toliaged plants for night ; they then 

 look well, for there is always some separation between the 

 foliage of a plant in a pot and the tablecloth, and that separa- 

 tion, be it a silver ice-pail or ornamental covering on the pot, is 

 always of a different hue from the fine foliage. Plants in flower 

 are also always acceptable, and Fuchsias, Geraniums, and other 

 plants may be used in turn, while a good Cineraria with flowers 

 having tipped edges is very attractive by candlelight, not so the 

 self-coloured blue or purple kinds. Perhaps the most showy 

 of all plants for the purpose, and one that may be turned to 

 account for several months in the spring, is a well-bloomed 

 Azalea, than which I know of nothing more suitable. 



If on looking over the various papers on this subject I find 

 anything important is omitted, I may revert to it hereafter, but 

 in the meantime I would ask those who have had experience 

 in the matter to record it, for there may be many modes of table 

 decoration only known at the place where they are practised. 



J. EOBSON. 



NEW BOOK. 



Alpine Plants : comprising Figures and Descriptions of the most 

 striking and beautiful of Alpine Flowers. By David 

 WoosTEE. London : Bell & Daldy. 



The title of this work conveys in some measure an idea of 

 its nature. Its object is evidently to familiarise lovers of plants 

 generally with those charming things called Alpines, and to 

 create in those as yet unacquainted with them a taste for ap- 

 preciating some of the loveliest objects in the vegetable king- 

 dom. The execution of the work has been entrusted to a 

 gentleman whose literary training under the late Mr. Loudon 

 fitly qualifies him for undertaking such a work as this, and the 

 manner in which he has performed it fully justifies any expect- 

 ation one might have formed. There are already seven monthly 

 parts issued, and each contains three i.iates, with accompany- 

 ing letter-press ; but the plates illust.nte more than one sub- 

 ject, as, for instance, in the first part seven plants are figured, 

 in the second and third six, and in the seven parts that have 

 appeared forty-one excellent portraits of some of the prettiest 

 Alpines are given. 



The manner in which " Alpine Plants " is produced is credit- 

 able both to author and artist. The literary portion is not the 

 mere dry botanical descriptions often found in such works, but 

 a popular description of tho plant, instructions as to its culture 

 and treatment, with any interesting information in connection 

 with it that can be obtained. As an illustration, let us give 

 Mr. Wooster's observations on Liuntea borealis : — 



" This, which is the only known species of the genus, is a small, 

 creeping, evergreen shrnb, with opposite, ronndish-oval, slightly too' hed 

 leaves, and very pretty, graceful, drooping, slightly fragrant, pale pink 

 twin flowers. This ' little northern plant, long overlooked, depressed, 

 abject, flowering early,' was selected by Dr. J. F. Groncvius, with the 

 concnrrence of Linnaeus, as a type of the early career of the gi-eat 

 reformer of natural history, and the father of the modern physical 

 sciences ; and (being one of the native plants of the land which gave 

 birth to Linnjeus) as most fit to bear for all time his illustrious name. 



" The Linnffia is a native of high latitudes and alpine districts 

 throughout the northern hemisphere. It has been found in Sweden, 

 Lapland, Norway, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Savoy, and Siberia; 

 and in North America in several districts, hut most plentifully in 

 Canada. In Scotland it was first discovered in 1795 ; most generally 

 it is found in woods, especially of Fir, more rarely in open rocky and 

 mossy situations, chiefly in the counties of Perth, Forfar, Inverness, 

 and Aberdeen. In England I know of only one station where the 

 plant has been found wild (to which I have paid many interesting 

 visits), and that is in a plantation of Scotch Firs on the "estate of Sir 

 Walter Calverley Trevelyan, Bart., in Northumberland, where it was 

 first discovered by the late Mrs. Alexander Wadham "Wyndbam, 

 daughter of the late Sir John Trevelyan, Bart. 



" This veiy pretty, interesting, graceful little plant, which flowers 

 in May and June, should be grown in moist sandy peat in a somewhat 

 shady situation, and it is easily increased by separating the creeping 

 stems when rooted. It is very snitable for growing on rockwork as 

 a trailing plant ; but it may also be most successfally gi-own in large 

 pots or pans filled with moist peaty earth and grit, either iu-doors in 

 the fernery, or in the open air, in which latter case the pots or pans 

 should stand in water. 



" 'The American plant is usually stronger than the European one, 

 and is by some regarded as a variety, and called L. h. anwricana. 



" The LinntEa belongs to the Honeysuckle Family, which consists of 

 trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants, with opposite leaves, which are 

 without stipules. The flowers of the plants of this order are most 

 nsually produced in terminal heads, corymbs, or panicles, but some- 



times they are axillary. The calyx is combined with the ovary, with 

 an entire or toothed border, sometimes scarcely prominent. The 

 monopetalous corolla is regular or somewhat irregular, five or rarely 

 four lobed, with the lobes overlapping each other in the bud. The- 

 stamens are inserted in the tube of the corolla, and alternating with 

 its lobes, either of the same number as the lobes or one less, or rarely 

 double the number. The ovary is inferior, with from three to five- 

 cells, and there are as many stigmas, which are either sessile or on 

 short styles, or united on the summit of a single style. The fruit is 

 generally succulent, with from one to five cells. The seeds are either 

 solitary or few in each cell, with a fleshy albumen. Besides the well- 

 known Honeysuckles, as other ornamental flowering plants of the- 

 order, frequently found in our gardens, the following may be men- 

 tioned: — the Snowberry [Symphoricarpos) ^ the striking Leycesth-ia.^ 

 and the beautiful Weigcla." 



We heartily commend this work to all lovers of flowers ; the 

 plates are faithfully drawn and well executed, and the literary 

 portion is, as we have already said, well done. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN G4BDEN. 



While the present favourable weather continues attend 

 properly to all the principal crops of early summer vegetables, 

 as the planting of CauUjiowers, the sowing of Beans, Peas^ 

 Eadishes, Spinach, Turnips, and the various sorts of Lettuces, 

 and the earthing-np and stirring of the soil amongst crops 

 already growing. Attend to former directions as to pricking- 

 out seedlings of Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Sweet Basil, and Celery 

 for early use ; the last is sure to run to seed before attaining 

 perfection when sown so early as to be fit to prick out now,, 

 still a small quantity proves useful for soups, &e., if not for 

 salads. 



EBUIT GAEDEN. 



Be specially careful that Peach and Apricot blossoms are 

 protected by seme light covering from the effects of frost. Tie 

 down a good many of the weak and short-jointed branches of 

 Pears and Plums on walls, or dwarf espaliers. Tbis will be 

 found much better than the old and spurring-back method. In 

 the meantime cut away all over-luxuriant wood close to the 

 stem. Destroy all insects before the trees bud ; clear away all 

 scale, &o. ; apply a wash composed chiefly of clay, water, and 

 sulphur to trees liable to insects. 



i-LOWEE GAEDEN. 



With bright sunshine and drying winds it may soon require 

 the utmost care to save recently-transplanted evergreens of 

 large size, and no mere surface watering will be of any service. 

 The ground about the roots, as well as the ball, should be 

 thoroughly soaked. After applying water and allowing the 

 surface to become moderately firm, stir it slightly with a blunt 

 fork, which will prevent its cracking, and will also allow the 

 sun and air to warm the soil and encourage the production of 

 roots. Surface-dress with fine soil, and wafer newly-laid turf 

 whenever it is observed to be suffering from the effects of the 

 weather. Take advantage of the present state of the ground 

 to stir the surface soil of shrubbery borders, to prevent the 

 growth of weeds and give the whole a fresh and clean appear- 

 ance. Do not neglect to sow plenty of Mignonette, and, if not 

 already done, hardy annuals should be sown without further 

 loss of time, except in cases wh'ere they are not wanted to 

 bloom before autumn. Kanunculuees, if not already planted 

 according to the directions previously given, should be put in 

 without delay. Early-sown seedlings will now begin to make 

 their appearance. They must be carefully protected from frosts 

 and cutting winds ; they will sometimes throw themselves out 

 of the soil, in which case the root must be covered again with 

 compost, or a slight cleft must be made in the earth, in which 

 the young plant should be inserted. As regards Auriculas and 

 Poljanthuses, I need not reiterate the caution I have re- 

 peatedly given as to protection, &c. A slight inattention just 

 now may mar the whole twelve months' care. Water is apt to 

 lodge in the cavity formed by the expanding leaves of Tulips, 

 and when frozen this has a serious effect on the embryo bloom. 

 In Lancashire and other parts a method worthy of imitation 

 is adopted to extract the moisture : a thin piece of sponge is 

 fastened to a slender cane or stick, which is inserted in the 

 heart of the plant, from which it absorbs the moisture. An 

 extensive bed may be thus gone over in a short time. Carna- 

 tions and Picotees have suffered in many localities to a con- 

 siderable extent. Harden the plants as much as possible pre- 

 vious to planting out. 



GEEENHOUSB AND CONSEEVATOET. 



Many conservatories are very unfit places for Heaths, being 



