414 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



November 22, ISCi. 



Stems grow in a tuft with, at the base, yellow flowers, spotted 

 internally with purple. — (Ibid., t. 5476.) 



Aqdilegia cceruxea (Long-spurred Californian Colum- 

 bine).— Nat. prd., Ranunculaeese. Linn., Polyandria Penta- 

 gynia. Native of the Rocky Mountains, California. Calyx 

 blue, corolla white. — (Ibid., t. 5477.) 



Mimtjlus luteus var. cupkea (Copper-coloured Yellow 

 Monkey-Flower). — Nat. ord., ScrophulariaeeEe. Linn., Didy- 

 namia Angiospermia. Introduced by Messrs. Veitch from 

 the Chilian Andes.— (Ibid., t. 5478.) 



Vitis macroptjs (Gouty-stemmed Vine). — Nat. ord., Am- 

 pelideas. Linn., Tetrandria Monogynia. Native of South 

 Benguela.— (Ibid,., t. 5479.) 



Achimenes Rollisonii. — It is a cross between A. gloxini- 

 flora, and A. Shearii, raised by Messrs. Rollisson, Tooting 

 Nursery. Colour purplish lavender, throat yellow spotted 

 with purplish crimson. — (Floral Magazine, pi. 217.) 



Sweet William. — Two "Auricula-eyed" varieties raised 

 by Mr. Hale, Stoke Pogis, near Slough.— (Ibid., pi. 218.) 



Iresine Herbstii. — Introduced by Mr. Herbst from 

 Brazil. It is from 12 to 18 inches high. Stem and branches 

 a beautiful, almost transparent carmine, leaves purplish 

 crimson underneath, dark maroon on upper side, with its 

 numerous ribs carmine. 



" The plant coming both from Peru and the River Plate 

 will no doubt stand our climate better than the Coleus, and 

 I may add, that in my nursery-ground, in close vicinity to 

 and almost on a level with the Thames, open to all winds 

 and weathers, without trees or protecting walls, it stood un- 

 injured the slight frost which occured in August last, while 

 the leaves of Coleus Verschaffeltii were entirely spoiled, 

 and those of C. nigricans dropped off. I am persuaded 

 that the Iresine will maintain a first place in every collec- 

 tion where plants are grown for decorative purposes, and I 

 am informed that it will be largely planted next season in 

 some of the most celebrated metropolitan gardens." — (Ibid., 

 pi. 219.) 



Rhododendron, Princess Helena, raised by Messrs. Veitch 

 and Son, Chelsea, from R. jasminiflorum, crossed by a 

 scarlet species imported by them, but not sent out. Tubes 

 of flowers very long, and the whole a delicate pink. — (Ibid., 

 pi. 220.) 



Pear, Vicar of Winkfield. — About 1760 this was found 

 growing wild by M. Leroy, cure of Villiers, in Brenne, 

 France. He propagated it, and it was soon dispersed through 

 its native country under no less than sixteen different 

 names, such as Monsieur le Cure, Gros allongee, &c. 



" Judging from the number of instances in which I have 

 specimens of this Pear sent me to be named, it is one that 

 though very generally distributed is very little known. 

 Though not a Pear of first-rate excellence as a dessert fruit, 

 still it is one which on account of its handsome appearance 

 deserves to be cultivated in every collection of any extent 

 where the soil is deep, loamy, and warm. According as the 

 soil is more or less so, will the fruit possess more or less 

 merit ; while it is sometimes a melting Pear of excellent 

 quality, at others it is only fit for stewing. 



" The fruit has a powerful musky scent when ripe, and is 

 of the largest size. It is long, pyriform, and often one- 

 sided ; but the most distinguishing characteristic is, that the 

 eye is not in a line with the axis, as in other Pears, but is 

 frequently placed on one side, and generally on the side 

 opposite to that on which the stalk is inserted; by this 

 peculiarity alone this Pear may be identified. The skin is 

 smooth, green at first but changing as it ripens to yellow, 

 ■with a faint brownish tinge next the sun, and strewed with 

 numerous grey, russet, and green dots, Eye small and open 

 with long, spreading, leaf-like segments, placed either on a 

 level with the surface, or set in a very shallow basin. Stalk 

 from 1 to 1| inch long, slender, and obliquely attached with- 

 out depression, and frequently with a fleshy swelling at its 

 base. Flesh white, juicy, melting, and sweet when grown 

 in a warm situation, but only half-melting and coarse-grained 

 under ordinary circumstances. When it does not ripen it is 

 a very excellent stewing Pear. It is in use from November 

 till January. 



" This Pear derived the name by which it is known in 

 England from having been introduced from France by the 

 Rev. W. L. Rham, of Winkfield, Berkshire." — (Florist and 

 Pomologist, iii., p. 241.) 



WORK FOE. THE WEEK. 



kitchen garden. 

 Artichokes, Globe, they should have a little loose litter laid 

 round them for protection, more particularly as the con- 

 tinued mild weather induces them to grow more than is 

 desirable at this season. Asparag^^s, take up roots for suc- 

 cessional forcing, and if new beds are to be made now is the 

 time to see about making them ready for spring planting. 

 Cabbages, stir the surface of the soil amongst them, and also 

 Lettuces in the open quarters, and give occasional dustings 

 with lime. Endive, lay slates upon the plants, and cover up 

 with leaves on the approach of frost. Do not forget to look 

 over Endive and Lettuce in store, and remove all decaying 

 matter. Peas, the beginning of the week will in most 

 localities be a good time to make a moderate sowing of 

 these, and also of Broad Beans. Sea-kale, cover up a succes- 

 sion, taking care to force very gently. Any plants not at 

 present required for forcing should have the crowns covered 

 with light dry soil, and then with partly decomposed leaves. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Planting young fruit trees, and transplanting or raising 

 those of larger growth, must be vigorously prosecuted. 

 The season is very favourable, and the earlier these opera- 

 tions are completed the greater is the chance of success. 

 With all newly-planted fruit trees or shrubs mulching or 

 top-dressing is of immense utility in shutting in, or rather 

 arresting the departure of the remaining ground heat of the 

 past summer, and imparting nutriment to the soil for the 

 ensuing year. It ought to be well considered that the soH 

 will gain no heat between this period and the end of 

 February, but, on the contrary, a progressive loss must 

 ensue for the next two months at least, unless we resort to 

 the process of mulching. This proceeding is, we think, 

 indispensable as connected with early autumn planting, 

 whilst for Vine-borders, whether the Vines are intended to 

 be forced early, or are bearing very late Grapes, the practice 

 is equally necessary and important. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Alterations, planting, &c, will be carried out this autumn 

 with much comfort as far as the weather is concerned ; and 

 those who have employed additional labour in these opera- 

 tions will have little to regret in the spring. All tender or 

 half-hardy shrubs should have some protection planned 

 forthwith, and especially the tender kinds of Roses. Stan- 

 dards of the latter may have a bunch of dry moss, or a wisp 

 of hay or straw, or some dried fern, bound round the head, 

 and the whole well fastened to a stake. Also get the stock 

 of Briars for budding upon next year without delay, for 

 unless they are planted before spring, they seldom furnish 

 strong shoots for early budding. Many object to planting 

 shrubs and trees in winter, believing that the roots if hurt 

 at that season are liable to rot, and certainly early in the 

 autumn is a much preferable period, but with weather like 

 the present we would not delay such work a single day ; and 

 if the soil is properly prepared by draining, &o., where neces- 

 sary, as should always be done before planting, there will be 

 fewer failures from planting now than if the work were post- 

 poned to March. When, however, the ground to be planted 

 is of a clayey nature, and in an unkind state at present, 

 it will undoubtedly be better to defer planting until spring, 

 meantime using every means to improve the state of the 

 ground. Soils of this nature should always be dug or 

 trenched some considerable time before planting, as neither 

 drainage, nor anything but exposure to the action of the 

 atmosphere, will bring them into a fit state for planting. 



FORCING-PIT. > 



Dutch bulbs should be largely used for forcing at this 

 season, and where hardy shrubs are being forced for the 

 decoration of the conservatory, they should be brought into 

 flower as soon as circumstances admit. Do not forget to 

 introduce into gentle heat by degrees a good batch of Roses, 

 choosing the most promising plants of Teas, Bourbons, and 

 Hybrid Perpetuals, which are the best kinds for winter 

 flowering. A gentle bottom heat will be of service to these, 

 as also to most other plants subjected to heat, in order to 

 make them flower early, and a moist state of the atmosphere 

 must be secured, admitting a little air on every favourable 

 opportunity. Double Roman Narcissus, Crocuses, Neapoli- 

 tan Violets, Mignonette, and Cyclamens bloom early without 



