438 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



[ December 6, 1877. 



plant succumbs to the exhausting operations of this pretty 

 vegetable vampire. The smallest bit of it will grow if attached 

 to any exogenous plant or Ehrub. — (Irish Farmers' Gazette.) 



USEFUL GLASS STRUCTURES. 



Wheee the soil is dry or can he made so by draining, pits 

 or houses partially below the ground level can be safely formed. 

 They are the most economical of all garden structures, for a 

 maximum amount of heat can be maintained in them by the 

 consumption of a minimum quantity of fuel. In many gardens 

 brick pits are already formed as receptacles for manure over 

 which frames are placed ; these are easily converted into low 

 houses, which are far more valuable than frames for propa- 

 gating and early forcing. It was in considering an existing 

 instance of this kind and seeking to turn the pit to a better 

 purpose that the accompanying sketch was produced. 



Fig. S3 shows sections of three houses : a, a snug little 

 lean-tc — propagating, Melon, or Cucumber house, b. a semi- 



of border flowers. Were I to ask some of those who are 

 interested in herbaceous plants if they were acquainted with 

 Cimicifuga there would be a little astonishment at the sound 

 of its name, yet we have such plants in a list published by 

 Linnasus. They are but a small family and very little known. 

 We are indebted to the North American continent for this little 

 tribe of border flowers. Those who are acquainted with Aetsa 

 spieata may form an idea what Cimicifuga is like. The name 

 is derived from cimex, a bug, an&fuga, to drive away, indicat- 

 ing that the plant is in possession of qualities to expel noxious 

 ' vermin. If such be the case we ought to have these plants 

 ! extensively cultivated. We are also told that in North America 

 Cimicifuga serpentaria is an antidote against the bite of th© 

 rattlesnake. 



Our subjects are among the taller-growing plants, and are- 

 well adapted for open spaces in the shrubbery as well as the 

 border. They are not particular as to soil. Well-decomposed 

 vegetable matter, sandy loam, and peat, incorporated with the 

 ordinary garden soil, will meet their requirements. They like 



Fig. S3. — Combined Section of Propagating Pit, Melon Honse, and Vinery. 



span possessing all the advantages of A with "he important 

 additional one of a stage for stove plants and Orchids ; or it 

 could be turned to account for a variety of useful purposes, 

 especially the early forcing of Boses, flowering shrubs such as 

 Deutzias, Weigelas, Lilacs, as well as Lily of the Valley and 

 bulbs. Tbis house would also answer admirably for Vines in 

 pots and Kidney Beans, c shows a section of a loftier eleva- 

 tion — a lean-to, forming the most simple style of vinery as 

 well as the most efficient. Sweep away all internal fittings — 

 the stage, the inner wall, the soil and rubble ; put plenty of 

 pipes near the floor, not on it, but just elevated a few inches 

 upon pipe stands, so as to turn all the heat to account and let 

 none of it be wasted by absorption into walls and floors, as is 

 too often the case; pierce the front wall and plant Vines in 

 the soil, and I really do not see what more a skilful Vine- 

 grower would require, or what advantage a more elaborate 

 state of things would confer upon a non-skilful one. — Edwakd 

 Luckhcbst. 



OUR BOEDER FLOWERS— BUGWORTS. 



It seems strange that plants which have been among us for 

 more than a lifetime are many of them not to be met with in 

 a day's journey, and are not even known to maty cultivators 



moisture, and do not object to partial shade, yet will bear 

 full exposure. They continue long in flower, sometimes until 

 the autumn. They are increased by division in the spring. 



There are only some four or five species enumerated. Cimici- 

 fuga serpentaria and C. racemosa are the most commonly met 

 with, and that but seldom. C. palmata is perhaps the most 

 desirable of the family. — Vebitas. 



ANTHURIUM ORNATUM. 

 The plant figured is a notable representative of a noble- 

 family of ornamental plants. Most of the species are remark- 

 able for their bold coriaceous foliage, while others are attrac- 

 tive by their handsome flowers. The former section are re- 

 presented by A. magnifica, which is ao imposing for stove and 

 hall decoration; A. crystallinum, than which few plants have- 

 more really handsome foliage, velvety in texture, green, and 

 relieved by ivory v.hite veins ; A. regale, A. coriaceum, A. cor- 

 difolium, and others which are suitable for indoor decoration 

 at any time and for Eubtropical effect outdoors duriDg the 

 summer months. The flowering section is made familiar by 

 the brilliant and valuable A. Schertzerianum and the pearly 

 white A. S. Williamei. The foliage of these is neat rather 



