October 29, 1898. 



GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE. 



709 



Editorial communications should be addressed to the Editor of the Gardeners' 

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



Specimens of plants, flowers, and fruits for naming or opinion should be sent to 

 ths Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, M Endsleigh," Priory Park, Kew, 

 Surrey, and as early in the week as possible. All parcels must be sufficiently 

 prepaid. 



The Editor will be glad to receive photographs of gardens, plants, flowers, trees, 

 fruits, &c, for reproduction in the Gardeners Magazine. He will also be 

 greatly obliged by correspondents sending early intimation of interesting local 

 c/ents relating to horticulture. In sending newspapers containing matter to 

 which they wish to draw attention, correspondents are requested to distinctly 

 mark the paragraph. 



Secretaries of horticultural societies are invited to send early notification of forth- 

 coming exhibitions and meetings, and are requested to advise us concerning 

 change of dates 



Tomatos. — Hortus, Aigburth : A concise little work that should suit you is 

 "The Tomato," price is. ■ 



Ornamental Tubs for Shrubs, &c— F. C, Alverstoke : We do not 



recommend nurserymen or traders of any k ind in this column, for obvious reasons. 

 You would doubtless obtain estimates and descriptions of such tubs as jou require 

 on application to any of the horticultural sundriesmen who advertise in our pages. 



MSS. for the " GK M. ? — G. B., Chichester : We are obliged to you for 

 your interest in the matter, but we cannot utilise the MS. sent us. It is more 

 suitable for the advertisement than the editorial department. Only members of 

 the staff write notices such as you desire, and they — as do all our regular corre- 

 spondents — write on one side of the paper only, and use ink instead of pencil. 



Glazing* for Orchard Houses.— A. L., Leicester: A large number of 



glasshouses recently built have the roof glazed with long panes placed end to end, 

 and not overlapped ; this acts very well if properly done and the roof is sharply 

 pitched. With regard to the firm in question, we are not in a position to state 

 what methods are adopted, but if you communicate with them they will no doubt 

 give you the necessary information. 



Florist and Pomologist. — H. E. W., Paddington : The 11 Florist and 

 Pomologist n is not now published ; and writing from memory we believe it ceased 

 about thirteen years ago. Sets are occasionally offered at sales of second-hand 

 books, and the price obtained varies according to its completeness, general condi- 

 tion, and the horticultural interest that is taken in the sale. Some few leading 

 second-hand booksellers sometimes offer sets in their catalogues. 



Roses Under Glass. — A. L., Leicester : Of the varieties mentioned, the 

 best for cultivation under glass are Climbing Niphetos, Marechal Niel, Niphetos, 

 The Bride, Catherine Mermet, Madame de Watteville, and Kaiserin Augusta 

 Victoria. Marechal Niel and Climbing Niphetos may not be suitable for outdoor 

 culture in your locality, but all the others named should pr ove useful, provided 

 they receive a little protection during the winter, such as a cone of ashes or dry 

 soil placed about the base of the plant. 



Judging at Flower Shows.— T. W., Stoke : Useful information relative 

 to judging fruits, flowers, plants, and vegetables is to be found in the publication 

 of the Royal Horticultural Society, entitled "A Code of Rules forjudging, and 

 Suggestions to Schedule Makers, Judges, and Exhibitors." It can be obtained 

 post free for is. id. on application to the Secretary, R.H.S., 117, Victoria Street, 

 S.W. Another useful book is the " Horticultural Exhibitors' Handbook," W. 

 Blackwood and Sons, price 3s. 6d., as it gives the points of merit in all the lead- 

 ing sub jects to be found at horticultural exhibitions. 



Failure of Grapes.— W. H., Middlesex: It is quite probable that over- 

 cropping was the chief cause of failure, coupled with the sulphuring and late 

 s y ril jp n g' Then the removal of so much surface soil would injure or destroy all 

 the free-feeding surface roots, and at a time when the vine was most depending 

 upon them ; while to put on such an amount of cow manure and top it with the 

 excavated soil was to exclude air from the border and so keep it far too cold and 

 wet ; This win ter you had better carefully lift all the roots within at least a foot 

 \\a sur ^ a . ce .» amoving the soil and remaining manure ; then after cutting away 

 all dead or injured roots spread out the live ones in layers, two, four, and six inches 

 trom the surface, in some good substantial loam, with which a little bone meal 

 may be used, but this is not indispensable if the loam is good, as waterings with 

 "quid manure can be given when the vines are in full growth and carrying their 

 Cr ops. If the drainage of the border is poor have it improved. 



f 11 lfatio < nal Chrysanthemum Society's Medals.— J. R. : We have care- 



u y considered your communication with reference to the awards made for 

 jNWUaneous exhibits at the recent exhibition of the National Chrysanthemum 

 Tb^A ^ t0 S€e t * iat an y useful purpose would be served in publishing it. 

 kn C JU P s ei Jg a jgcd by the society, with the assistance of an official who is well 

 exh h> • his j ud g ment and impartiality, awarded certain medals to certain 

 tioM V accordarce with th eir views as to the respective merits of the collec- 

 Doint ' ° U su £2 est l ^ e y were altogether wrong in their awards, and the only 

 po nt is whether you or the judges are light. We have heard a considerable 



we h nt °L grur ? blin g about the awards of medals at this exhibition, but so far as 

 fact xh* n a °^ e t0 discover tri e only substantial grievance is to be found in the 

 onc ^ each exhibitor did not have a gold medal of higher value than every- 



t rca ?J. 0Wriward Growth of Boots.— R. B. T., Borrowash: Most of the 

 k 00 elem entary botany will give you the necessary information. We may 



%c » However. tV»ot- «c r~- J_ tt«uui- a~ »u A ; M n„ A n/«» <-»f 



Fa vi tat 



upuu t ne aownward growth ot roots, ne exposea seedlings 10 ws 

 r ac tion of centrifugal force by submitting them to rapid rotation either in 



the greater amount of moisture received from below. The root increases in length 

 by the multiplication of the cells situated immediately behind the root-cap, and 

 such increase is dependent on a free supply of moisture. The pressure of the 

 superincumbent soil and the direction of the root hairs, when present, also facili- 

 tate downward growth, and prevent the root from being pushed back. 



Names of Plants.— Under this heading we can onlv undertake to name 

 species and specific varieties of plants, and not florists' flowers. Specimens should 

 be packed in stout boxes with damp moss or leaves as packing material to ensure 

 their reaching us in a fresh state. It is essential that flowers must accompany 

 specimens of flowering plants, that fern fronds be fertile, and that the numbers be 

 legible and firmly attached to the specimens. We cannot promise to name more 

 than six specimens at one time from any one correspondent. 



M. N., Malvern: 1, Kerrya japonica; 2, Spiraea Bumalda ; 3, Polygonum 

 molle ; 4, Berberis Thunbergi. > o» /« 



W. H. II., New Wortley : We were unable to identify the plant from the 

 specimen sent. If you could send another specimen, with particulars of habit, 

 &c, we will do our best to assist you. 



~ Y^'rP' 9 Wimbledon : The orchid was overlooked ; it is evidently Epidendrum 

 Godseffianum. 



Clapham : 1, Selaginella cxsia ; 2, S. apoda ; 3, S. Kraussiana ; 4, Trades- 

 cantia Zebina ; 5, send fertile fronds ; 6, Adiantum capillus veneris. 



W. B., Birmingham : 1, Buxus sempervirens myrtifolia ; 2, Abies Pinsapo. 



E. B , Tooting : Probably a form of Ipomeea bignonioides. 



J. B., Brentwood: 1, Dracxna Guilfoylei ; 2, not recognised; 3, Areca 

 lutescens ; 4, Croton Lord Derby ; 5, Justicia carnea ; 6, Begonia Haageana. 



J., \atton : Crataegus coccinea; we believe the fruits have no poisonous pro- 

 perties, but they are scarcely edible. 



^H. E., Nottingham : 1, Davallia solida ; 2, Oleandra nodosa ; 3, Nephro- 

 lepis exaltata ; 4, Davallia elegans ; 5, Lomaiia spicant var. ; 6, Nephrolepis 

 ramosa. 



M. J., Tenby: I, Adiantum formosum ; 2, Daphne laureola ; 3, Tamarix 

 gallica; 4, fend when in flower; 5 and 6, varieties of Ouercus ilex, the 

 Evergreen Oak. 



Names of Fruits.— We are pleased to assist our readers as far as it is 



possible to do so in naming fruits, but it is absolutely necessary that they should 

 send us good specimens carefully packed, as it is only when characteristic examples 

 reach us in perfect condition that we are able to determine their names. We are 

 compelled to insist on the observance of this rule, as so many specimens now reach 

 us. We cannot undertake to name more than six varieties at one time ; and both 

 apples and pears should be sent when approaching maturity, but before they are 

 fully ripe, that we may have the assistance of their distinctive colours in determining 

 their identity. 



X. Y., St. Albans : 1, Souvenir de Congrei ; 2, not recognised. 

 G. M., Canterbury: The pear is Pitmaston Duchess, and the apple 

 Cambusnethan Pippin. 



S. G. R., Y aiding : When unpacked, the fruits were rotting ; they apparently 



represent Comte de Lamy. 



Correspondents not answered this week will l>e good enough to consult our 



next issue. 



C. L., Worcester: I, American Mother ; 2, Lady Henniker ; 3, Dumelow's 



Seedling ; 4, Lord Derby. 



L. E. B., Uxbridge : No. 4 was not recognised ; you may send another speci- 

 men, two if possible, as apples vary very much even on the same tree, and cannot 

 alwavs be identified from one example. 



The Chrysanthemum Rust. 



The conference recently held by the N.C.S. will undoubtedly lead to much good, 

 and I should have liked to have taken part in the discussion, but was afraid I could 

 hardly say what I wished to in the five minutes wisely limited to each speaker. 

 I was particularly struck with the large attendance of growers, especially as it is 

 only a few who admit that they are troubled with the " Rust on 'mums." 



The various writers inform us " that they hear the rust is rather prevalent," 

 but they have not noticed it in their collections. Still, it was surprising to note 

 what a large number of those at the meeting seemed to be interested in the matter. 

 During the past few weeks I have seen many collections, and in no instance have 

 I failed in finding the disease. Its course seems peculiar and erratic. One collec- 

 tion of about three hundred plants was last year clear of the rust, although the 

 stock the plants were raised from was infected. This season new blood was intro- 

 duced in Oie way of fresh varieties, and these are now clean, although obtained 

 from a stock which was badly attacked last season, but strange to say a few of 

 tW which we^re clean last year have recently become infested with the fungus, 



mLy iastances the varieties that were badly attacked last year 

 are ^Tdi^S whilst those which suffered but little then are severely 



attacked this season. 



It was rather to be regretted that trade rivalry sprang up at the discussion. 

 Mr vSs honestly stated that his collection was affected, and further said all 

 £de^rf£^ more or less suffering from the disease, a statement which 



was undoubtedly true. ... » 



iwS*. the season plants which were affected by the fungus were sent out 

 hv Si thf most Srtant trade growers ; at least. I received them as such, and 

 ELff, I sToolied hundreds of plants and cuttings which were more or less 

 a o he members of the trade at the meeting. If the disease is only in the 



d 't ft orotes"hTt ft makes but little difference whether the plants are procured 

 f om an infected s?ock or otherwise. All the principal trade growers obtain large 

 ouantities cf stock from each other every season. 



\ r Wells says be can destroy the spores, but many will inchne to the op.mon 

 ,i rr \, a „ ee That he cannot do so except by practically destroying the foliage, 

 of Mr. M .^^ a ^ h ? powdery matter so that it falls off, and also to prevent 

 lt " P °l£ by rendering the foliage safe from infection. As to thcd»sease 

 its *P^f*\SZc cannot lookforward to this with much hop:. We have 

 ?n g h rt id Dotal! leases with us more or less every season, and so it mil be 

 S^fu^>d^r«U« Perhaps we may raise varieties which will 



reSi l tl Io treTentives there docs not seem to be any difficulty in getting the 

 ♦ t i our oe the summer, for stocks badly affected during the previous 

 St ° C IrS win er become apparently quite clean during the growing season, but 

 autumn and » inter ^o (he foliage is losing its vigour, the brown spots appear 

 towards the autumn, wn When once the disease has a good footing all 



