July 26, 1877. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



79 



Of the whole consignment 90 per cent, of the plants reached 

 Dr. Thwaites in excellent condition, and they will remain in 

 Ceylon for the present under an arrangement which I suggested 

 between the Indian and Colonial offices, that the young plants 

 which could not thrive in the climate of Calcutta or any of the 

 more aooessible gardens of continental India, should be nursed 

 and established in Ceylon for subsequent transmission through 

 the Indian gardens of Assam, Burma, and other hot damp 

 provinces of India proper. 



Tea — The establishment of Tea plantations in Ceylon, which 

 date from about 1868, to which I alluded in my report for 1873, 

 is now a proved Buccess. Samples communicated to Kew have 

 been pronounced by experienced brokers as of very excellent 

 quality. 



THALICTBUMS FOR MIXING WITH CUT 

 FLOWERS. 



Perhaps there is no greenery so acceptable for making up 

 nosegays, or for mixing with cut flowers generally, as Maiden- 

 hair Ferns. There are, however, many who do not possess the 

 means of growing these Ferns, but who are much in the habit 

 of arranging flowers in nosegays and glasses ; and to them I 

 would strongly recommend the growth of a few Thalictrums, 

 the foliage of which in appearance very much resembles Adian- 

 tum ouneatum, commonly known as the Maiden-hair Fern. 



Thalictrum adiantiforme being probably the most elegant of 

 the genus, I place it first. It is a distinct and lovely species, 

 the foliage of whioh has a striking resemblance to the Maiden- 

 hair Ferns. It is a lovely border or rockwork plant, and is 

 most elegant for mixing with cut flowers. T. adiantiforme 

 glancum is in all respects similar to the preceding except in 

 the colour of its leaves, which are of a glaucous green ; and 

 owing to the variety of colour which it gives, it is very effective 

 for decorative purposes. T. minus is a very neat and distinct 

 variety, which, from the neatness and compaotness of its 

 foliage, is Bweetly pretty when mixed with cut flowers in small 

 glasses or nosegays. These are perfectly hardy plants, and no 

 one who can possess them need ever be at a loss for good sub- 

 stitutes for Adiantum fronds for mixing with flowers. — T. M. 

 (in The Gardener). 



OBSERVING INJURIOUS INSECTS. 



Some reference has been already made in these pages to a 

 small pamphlet entitled " Notes for Observations of Injurious 

 Insects," and which, though prepared by its author with a 

 more immediate bearing on agrioulture, stands also in close 

 relation to horticulture. As an entomologist I wish to offer 

 a few remarks upon it, though not in any spirit of carping 

 criticism. I quite endorse all that is said on the desirable- 

 ness of obtaining regular observations on the appearances and 

 habits of destructive insects from every county throughout 

 these islands. Such observations might be made by farmers, 

 gardeners, and naturalists with far less trouble and expense 

 than meteorological observations, and I suppose they would be 

 quite as valuable. Also the statement is highly important that 

 amongst the particulars to be noted those ohiefly to be attended 

 to are the " presence of surroundings," the " agricultural [and 

 geological ?] conditions," and the " state of the weather." So 

 much for the outset, and then follows a brief description of 

 sixteen insects, singled out from their brethren either, as most 

 would assume, because they are offenders of the deepest dye, 

 or else, perhaps, because they are more easily observed than 

 are others. It is said in the pamphlet that these are " selected 

 for observation," and though it may be esteemed desirable to 

 have a summarised list of injurious insects, especially of those 

 which frequent gardens as well as fields, we have no right to 

 quarrel with a special list provided it is well drawn up. 



But — there's the rub — I do not consider this list is by any 

 means a happy selection considered either in regard to its 

 insertions or its omissions ; in the caBe of the latter, doubtless 

 the author of the " Notes " could give his reasons why he has 

 passed by some speoies which really need attentive observation, 

 and whioh are sufficiently conspicuous for anyone to take 

 notes as to their economy. It seems odd to have no mention 

 of such destructive beetles as are those of the genus Otiorhyn- 

 chus, or that widely-distributed nuisance of spring the Aphro- 

 phora spumaria; and aphides, we all know, are troublesome 

 to the farmer as well as the gardener. Or, taking the order 

 Lepidoptera, we might ask why such species as Cheimatobia 

 brumata, Triphsena pronuba, or Piusia gamma should not be 



specified ? In fact, instead of sixteen one could easily make 

 out a " century " of injurious insects, and leave many species 

 not included therein. 



Examining, however, the particular species which are actually 

 oontained in this list, we find merely a sentence is given to a 

 passing mention of Agrotis segetum, but it is not numbered 

 amongst the sixteen, though the ravenous caterpillars of this 

 and of some allied species are every year caught in the act of 

 depredation, and they furnish good scope for observation, for 

 surface or root-feeding caterpillars are tioklish to deal with. 

 Leaving out of our calculation three species named as im- 

 portant enemies of our corn crops, we have thirteen left in 

 which we may be supposed to be interested as horticulturists. 

 Nothing need be said agaiuBt the mention of Halticanemorum, 

 Anthomyia ceparum, Peila Rosse, Mamestra BraBsicee, Pieris 

 Brassiere, Agriotes obscurus, Tephrites onopordinis, and Athalia 

 spinarum, though in naming some of these, closely connected 

 species might have been referred to; as, for instance, with 

 M. Braesicie, M. Persicaria also. Besides the moth just named 

 only one more is specified — Abraxas Grossulariata, which cer- 

 tainly commits damage in gardens (it appears, however, to infest 

 Gooseberries and Currants less commonly when they are grown 

 in open places at some distance apart), yet on the whole I 

 believe it is less harmful than the Gooseberry Sawfly. The 

 four insects yet to be named should not, I think, have been 

 placed on the list at all. The first of these is Sirex gigas, which 

 certainly attacks the Fir in its larval state, but has nothing to 

 do with our food orops. The second, Asilus Crabroniformis, is 

 a species decidedly beneficial, so far as we know it, for the 

 imago preys on smaller flies, and the larva, though presumed 

 to be a subterranean feeder, is not suspected of attacking 

 cultivated plants. Colias Edusa, the " Clouded Yellow " But- 

 terfly, breeds in Clover fields ; but neither in England nor on 

 the Continent has it ever been sufficiently numerous to do any 

 perceptible damage. Lastly, Neuroterus lenticularis is added, 

 and it is almost laughable to speak of this as a hurtful species, 

 for it can only be accused of disfiguring leaves, chiefly those 

 of the Oak, by producing the scarlet diBks with which we are 

 all familiar. Still, if it has defects, I also admit this list is 

 likely to do good by promoting regular inquiry into the habits 

 of field or garden insects. — J. R. S. C. 



OUR BORDER FLOWERS— LOOSESTRIFES. 



The oommon name was given to this family from the quality 

 absurdly ascribed to it by the ancients of quieting restive oxen 

 when put upon their yokes. Linnaeus tells us that it was 

 botanically named after King Lysimachus of Sicily, who first 

 used it. 



The species of Lysimachia are not very numerous, but of 

 late years we have had eome additions, yet we seldom meet 

 with many of them in cultivation. They may not, in the esti- 

 mation of the casual observer, have the attractive properties 

 that some of our border flowers possess, but to those interested 

 in the cultivation of herbaceous plants they have their charms. 

 They are a widely distributed family, especially Lysimachia 

 vulgaris, which is not only found wild in many places in our 

 own land, but in other countries too. It is quite a sight to see 

 this occupant of moist places by the sides of ditches and 

 streams in some of the northern oounties in the late months 

 of summer, lifting its large panicles of pretty yellow flowers 

 above the hedges. It is a fine plant for affording cut flowers, 

 which keep long in beauty. When once established it is not 

 easy to eradicate, having underground stems. It is a strong 

 grower, and is not particular as to soil or situation ; a fine 

 plant for waste out-of-the-way places. Lysimachia clethroides 

 is a fine border plant, having pretty white flowers. It is of 

 pleasing habit, and only needs to be seen to be appreciated. Ly- 

 simachia Nnmmularia, our own Creeping Jenny, and its golden 

 descendant are charming plants for rockeries or moist places 

 in partial shade ; they are useful too for vase or basket deoora- 

 tion, and for planting near the margin of ponds and in damp 

 places. Their beautiful yellow flowers have the appearance of 

 a sheet of gold. L. thyrsiflora should have a corner near 

 every lake and pond. If not so beautiful as some others, its 

 rarity as a native plant claims for it a place in our estimation. 

 When seen in masses it is very attractive. It requires time 

 and care to get it established, and then leaving alone. Lysi- 

 machia punctata, a showy border flower, ought to be much 

 more cultivated than it is. It is one of the tallest of the raoe, 

 and makes a fine display when well established. L. Epheme- 

 rum, one of the choicest of the family, is a grand plant, having 



