334 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



New Invention. 



Simplicity Thermometer-Holder and Indicator.— This novel and 



useful invention meets a long-felt want and entirely does away with the old practice 

 of writing small labels and attaching them to the thermometer as guides to the man 

 in charge with respect to the temperature required. The shape and manner of 

 using the holder is explained by the illustration. The rack can be widened or 

 narrowed according to the breadth of the thermometer used, while the movable 

 pointers keep the instrument firm. Besides the " night n and " day * indicators, 

 there is one at the top attached to the knob on which the thermometer hangs, 

 and this can be used to indicate how high the temperature of the house may be 

 allowed to rise by the aid of sun heat. The holder is ornamental as well as useful, 

 and doubtless will in the near future be used in hospitals, churches, public halls, 



v.- 



* 



1 



1 



ZBMMZ& 



. v. 



Simplicity Holder. 



Simplicity Holdkk with 

 thek mo. meter attached 



living rooms, &c, as well as in the glasshouses of private and nursery establish- 

 ments. Mr. A. Outram, 7, Mooie Park Road, Fulham, is the inventor, and 

 from him the holders can be obtained at a reasonable price. 



Plant and Seed Protectors.— Mr. William Cutler, of Constitution Hilf, 



Birmingham, who has for a long period produced his series of plant and seed 

 protectors to the satisfaction of many who have used them, is introducing a new 

 patent pea or seed cover of galvanised iron, which deserves attention for its utility 

 and inexpensiveness. The invention consists of a glazed span framework some 

 twenty-four inches long by sixteen broad, provided at each corner with a spike- 

 formed termination, which can be pressed into the ground to any needed depth. 

 As the ends are quite open, a succession of covers can be ranged to any required 

 length without the slightest interference with the protected vegetation, and 

 sufficient air is admitted to exclude condensation. As the glazed roof is in 



sliding panels, movable at will, further ventilation is available whenever re- 

 quired. 



>» 



» » 



Rose Show Fixtures in 1898. 



June 15 (Wednesday).— York. 



16 (Thursday). —Colchester and Isle of Wight ( Carisbrook . ) 

 23 (Thursday).— Bath (N.R.S.) and Ryde. 

 25 (Saturday). — Windsor. 



28 (Tuesday).— *Leeds, tSouthampton, Sutton, and Westminster 

 (R.H.S.) 



29 (Wednesday).— Canterbury, Croydon, and Richmond (Surrey). 



30 (Thursday).— Eltham, Gloucester, and Norwich. 

 2 (Saturday).— Crystal Palace (N.R.S.). 



5 (Tuesday).— Harrow and Hereford. 



6 (Wednesday).— Chelmsford, Ealing, Farningham, Hanley, Hitchin, 

 Redhill (Reigate), and Tunbridge Wells. 



7 (Thursday) — Woodbridge. 



8 (Friday).— TJlverston. 



9 (Saturday ).— Manchester. 



12 ( J" esda >^-* Wolv erhampton. 



13 Wednes(lay).-Ipswich, Maidstone, and "Newcastle -on -Tyne. 



14 (IhurMlay) Halifax (N.R.S.), Brentwood, Canterbury (Hospital 

 rund), and Helensburgh. 



July 



it 



H 

 tt 

 »» 



M 



16 (Saturday).-Ncw Brighton. 

 21 (Thursday).-Sidcup. 



2( l ft ,esda y>— Tibshelf. 

 38 (Thursday).-Bedale. 

 Shows lasting three days. 



In the meantime I shall 



TK» vt.ee ~ '~~ t Shows lasting two days. 



ere roses form a leading i?°7' ( °' °u"r 



Edward Mawley. 



May 21, ,898. 



Editorial communications should be addressed to the Editor 

 Magazine, 148 and 149, Aldersgate Street, E.C. 



The Editor will be glad to receive photographs of gardens 1 

 fruits. &c, for reproduction in the Gardknrrs ? M4^_*^ 



greauy oougea uy cu.ics^uuems senaing early intimation of interes ™ f , 

 events relating to horticulture. In sending newspapers contaK f local 

 which they wish to draw attention, correspondents^! ^e£2£d to h !° 

 mark the paragraph. ^ 10 ammctly 



cimens 



Editor 



ear 



prepaid 



All 



parcels must be sufficiendy 



Secretaries of horticultural societies are invited to send early notification of f *h 

 coming exhibitions and meetings, and are requested to advise us concern!™ 

 change of dates 



w. r __ wi 



Meanwhile we shall be gkd to 



Eucharis amazonica. _ . 



issue to deal with the matter you mention, iyj^uwuuc 



you with any information you require upon the subject. We are always" dad m 

 receive letters of the kind you send. 3 5 



Weed Killers.— J. G. W. : The majority of the weed killers in use are 

 arsenical preparations, and therefore they should not only be used with ordinary 

 care, but the vessels containing them should be kept under lock and key where 

 those only who are acquainted with their properties should have access to them. 



Ficus macrophylla. — H. E. W., Willesden : This is the Australian 

 Banyan or Moreton Bay fig. It is seldom grown in this country outside botanic 

 gardens, but where there is room for it its deep-green and glossy foliage render a 

 not unattractive plant. It is a species easily cultivated, and one that will grow in 

 a stove, succeed in an intermediate house, or exist in a greenhouse. It does 

 best in a warm greenhouse or intermediate house and is not very particular as to 

 soil. 



Propagating Petunias.— T. M. F., Warwick : The double petunias 

 with which you are so pleased may be propagated by means of cuttings struck in 

 August. Single forms may also be retained by this means if thought desirable, 

 though seedlings are now so fine that it is hardly worth while to raise stock by 

 means of ^ cuttings. The cuttings may be inserted several together in pots of light 

 sandy soil placed in a temperature of 60 degrees ; here they will soon root, and 

 should then be potted into three-inch pots. Harden off as quickly as is reason- 

 able, and keep the plants in greenhouse or pit during the winter, potting them on 

 in the spring. 



Caterpillar 



P. O. 



: The caterpillar sent was in an advanced 

 stage of decomposition when received, and consequently could not be recognised. 

 It is one of a class known as "loopers," so called because the fore part of the 

 body clings to a twig or leaf, while the centre forms an upward loop, thus drag- 

 ging the hind part forward ; this accomplished, the claw-like feet of the hind part 

 grip the same twig, and the forward part and centre extends. This business is 

 continually repeated, and forms the mode of locomotion. Hand picking will be 

 the best remedy, and with a little patient perseverance the intruders may be 

 cleared out. A cloth spread below the trees may also serve to trap any that fall 

 if the branches are smartly tapped. 



Lack of Flavour In Melons. — H. B., Leicester: The lack of flavour 

 was due to two causes— too large a root run, and excesss of moisture when the 

 fruits were ripening. Restrict the roots by means of slates or boards, and when 

 the fruits are ripening reduce the water supply and do not damp down the frame 

 at closing time. Raise the fruits upon clean inverted pots, so that they are under 

 the full influence of all the sunlight that reaches the frame ; give a moderate 

 amount of air at this period, and supply water so that the roots only are moistened. 

 You should also remember that some varieties of melons are more highly flavoured 

 than others, but of cour.e no variety will yield luscious fruits if improperly 

 cultivated. 



Strelitzia Reginaa.— B. B., Weston-super-Mare: This bold and curiously 

 flowered plant is generally grown in a stove, but it can be even better accommo- 

 dated in an intermediate, house. A greenhouse will suit it in the summer if more 

 warmth is afforded during the winter. It has stout roots, and consequently needs 

 fairly large pots and a substantial compost of loam, sand, and a little dried cow 

 manure. Propagation is effected by division or the removal of the young sucker- 

 like growths that spring up around the parent plant; potting or dividing should 

 be done as early as possible after flowering, so that the plants become established 

 before winter. Pot firmly, and afford newly potted plants some extra warmtn 

 untu roots and growth are active, then the temperature may be lowered somewhat, 

 and shade dispensed with altogetb 



er. 



ir.u h* \ -> E. R., Greenwich : It is somewhat late to sow seed 



ot the Globe Amaranth, as the usual time for sowing is April. However, it is noc 



Globe Amaranth. 



good 



seed 



1: ii 



pans • 



degrees. Flace the pans* near the glass as soon as the seedling 

 siigntly from bright sunshine, and give a little air on favourable <w~ r ~- 

 best to sow the seeds thinly, so thai the seedlings are not quickly crowded ; when 

 two mches high pot the seedlings singly into three inch pots, using a rich loamy 



.ppear, 

 occasions 



, - «-» 1 — ^v-uiiuga singly iu 



and while P ' d ° Se and shaded f ° r 



-aintaining a good growing atmosphere see that the plants are 

 drawn or weakened. Syringe the plant? lightly twice a day, and keep the roott 

 mcely moist. As soon as well rooted in these pots transfer the plants to tho»e 

 mx or seven inches in diameter ; drain carefully, and use a rich loamy compos- 



established in these, their flowering pots, an intermediate house or £ 



r ™ w" 1 ' g Vin g P Ient y °f air in fine and warm weather. When Mlj«gJ 

 J .somewhat cooler house will suit them better, as here, with a dryer atnusg 



FunW 15 W -', 1 deve, °P s*adily and last a long time in first-rate condition 

 rumination W1 . n^k^JL 1 _ • rn., m Wn down green »/• 



necessary occasional^ ^ ™-r - ^ 



nntti/ • Sta , ke t0 SU PP°* the leading stem of each plant 

 potting is completed. 



soon 



