1088 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



grass a fine deep colour, add to the thickness of the sward, and per- 

 manently enrich the soil. 



If this should not succeed try 



1 oz. of Muriate of Potash 



2 oz. of Superphosphate 

 1 oz. of Sulphate of Ammonia 



or of Nitrate of Soda 



and apply in the same way. 



Trees and Shrubs for Damp Situations. 



We are occasionally asked for the names of trees, shrubs, and plants 

 for wet or damp situations, which are more or less an eyesore in the 

 landscape. There is a great wealth of subjects that thrive exceedingly 

 well in such positions, and instead of being unsightly the situation 

 may be made one of the most beautiful parts of the grounds, or it may be 

 made profitable by planting it with Alder [Alnus glutinosa), the wood of 

 which is in good demand for clog-making and also, we believe, for gun- 

 powder-making. A very ornamental tree for damp situations is the 

 deciduous Cypress (Taxodiwm disticlium), which retains its foliage until 

 spring in wet positions. Again, all the Willows (Salix), both upright 

 and pendulous varieties, are excellent for moist places. Elders (Sambucus) 

 in variety, the Dogwoods (Coruus), Brambles (Rubm), Hydrangeas, and 

 many other trees and shrubs succeed in moist positions. To these may 

 be added Bamboos in great variety, which simply revel in such damp 

 places, and are amongst the best plants that could be planted ; and what 

 is not so well known as it should be is the fact that nearly all the varieties 

 are perfectly hardy. Nor are they at all fastidious as to soil. Bog plants 

 and aquatics are now so well known, and in such great variety, that these 

 could be planted with good effect ; in fact, the choice is almost endless. 

 To be able to properly enjoy all these plants it is advisable to have a 

 raised walk through the place, which will always be dry under foot, with 

 a rustic bridge over any very wet spot or stream. 



New Vegetables. 



It is said to be an Englishman's privilege to grumble, and one subject 

 on which not a few of us exercise our birthright is in continual complaints 

 that there are no new vegetables to eat ; and yet when something in this 

 way is brought to our notice, if we do not happen to like it in the way it is 

 first cooked and placed before us we put it on one side at once and say 

 " worthless," or sometimes even " nasty," when the whole fault lies in the 

 method of presentment and not in the vegetable itself. 



Now we must confess to having had a deep-rooted insular prejudice 

 against Yams and Sweet Potatos, but a few months ago, having been 

 presented with a basket of each by Messrs. W. Pink & Sons, of Ports- 

 mouth, together with a few simple directions for cooking them, we 

 decided to give them a fair trial, with the result that we have become 

 enthusiastic as to the excellence of both Yams and Sweet Potatos when 

 they a> c 2 )ro P cr 1y 2> rc l )(,rc( l f or table, and we desire to share with others 



well mixed together 



