August 1, 1872 ] 



JOUENAL OF HOETICTJLTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



07 



Clerodendron, Bougainvillaea, Erica, Latana, Palms, and Ferns 

 are evidences of good culture. A fernery now completed, but 

 not fully furnished, will be a graceful addition, communicating 

 with the house. 



The eighth annual Exhibition of " The Isle of Han Floral 

 and Horticultural Society " was held under a spacious tent in 

 a field adjoining the Nunnery on the 17th and 18th of July. 

 As I expected, the chief features were flowers and Ferns, and 

 the prizes for these were chiefly won by those belonging to 

 Major Taubman ; W. F. Moore, Esq., Cronkbourne ; G. W. 

 Dumbell, Esq., Belmont; S. Harris, Esq. ; and Capt. Pesketh, 

 Hampton Court. Mr. McDonald, the gardener of Major Taub- 

 man, and Mr. Dale, the gardener of Capt. Pesketh, evidenced 

 mastership in their calling. Deemster Drinkwater, the Lieut. 

 Governor, and Mr. Harris were strong exhibitors of fruits and 



kitchen vegetables, and it is into those departments of garden- 

 ing that the islanders need to be led. It is sad to witness 

 then 1 total ignorance or neglect of those sources of comfort and 

 health. The cut Eoses were especially good, and worthy to 

 compete with the best at our metropolitan exhibitions. 



One great deficiency characterised the whole Show — not one 

 plant, flower, or vegetable was named. Thus one utility of 

 such shows was ignored — anything admired and wished for 

 could not be ordered from the nurseryman, inasmuch as its 

 name was not known. A named plant or flower is always more 

 interesting than one unnamed, and this was fully evidenced at 

 this Show, for I had quite a following of listeners because I 

 told the names to my companions, and one of the listeners 

 called to one of his friends to come, for " Here's a gentleman 

 who knows the name of all the things ! " — G. 



The present season has introduced to 

 valuable new forms of plant life, conspicuous amongst which 



DIEFFENBACHIA BAUSEI. 

 our notice several | is the subject of these remarks, as well as of the accompanying 



illustration, for which the readers of the Journal are indebtec! 



Dieffeiibacliia Bausei. 



to the kindness of the Messrs. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, who are 

 now distributing this choice novelty. 



Dieffenbachia Bausei is not an imported species, but a 

 garden hybrid, the result of a cross between D. picta and 

 D. Weirii, having originated in the Eoyal Horticultural So- 

 ciety's garden at Chiswick, a spot so famous in days of old, 

 and which I trust is destined to even eclipse its reminiscences 

 cf days that are gone. 



This genus is popularly known by the name of Dumb-canes, 

 from the fact of tliGir juices being so acrid as to blister and 

 swell the tongue, if applied to that member, to such an extent 

 as to cause suffocation ; young gardeners, therefore, or anyone 

 not well acquainted with these plants, should be very cautious. 

 They are all handsome tropical-looking plants, and that now 



under consideration must certainly take first rank. It is a 

 sturdy-growing plant, bearing broad leaves from .12 to 15 inches 

 in length; the ground colour dark green, irregularly blotched 

 with yellowish green and white. The stem is dark fgreen, 

 whilst the petiole is ivory white, affording a rich contrast which 

 adds materially to the effectiveness of the whole. 



Those having a plant stove may undertake the cultivation of 

 Dieffenbachias, their principal requirements being strong heat, 

 and an abundance of water both at the roots and overhead. 

 To preserve their beauty, however, care must be taken that the 

 water is free from impurities. For soil,' use a mixture of loam 

 and peat in equal parts and some rotten dung, adding a little 

 sharp sand ; drain well. The importance of drainage cannot 

 be too strongly impressed upon the minds of amateur plant- 



