THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



bunclies were cut from a vine twenty years old, and 

 seventeen years planted, and which this season car- 

 ried nineteen bunches of a similar character. In addi- 

 tion there were other grapes, examples of Beurre de 

 Jonghe Pears, said to be one of the best flavoured and 

 best cropping varieties in cultivation ; Apples, Nuts, 

 etc. 



SOIL FOR GLADIOLI. 

 It has been remarked that to grow Gladioli satis- 

 factorily, the cultivator must not go about his task in 

 a rough-and-ready fashion. The bulbs must have a 

 good depth of soil, and plenty of water in dry 

 weather. At the Langport Nurseries, Messrs. Kelway 

 & Son make use of the following mixture in which 

 to grow their bulbs, and seeing they obtain such 

 splendid spikes, the adaptability of the mixture to 

 this end appears to be assured. The compost is made 

 up of equal parts of peat, loam and seasand ; and these, 

 mixed with the same quantity of any good soil, will 

 suit them admirably. Seasand is considered as an 

 ingredient of such great importance that Messrs. 

 Kelway and Son expend, it is said, on peat and loam the 

 large sum of two hundred pounds annually, although 

 the staple soil is fairly good and of average depth. 

 And so important is a good supply of water that 

 pipes, to which hydrants can be fixed, are laid on all 

 over the Nurseries, to secure an adequate supply when 

 it is required. In addition, the principal beds have a 

 liberal mulching of rotten manure every summer. 

 High cultivation answers well ; and we think many 

 failures with Gladioli are attributable to defective 

 cultivation, resulting in uncongenial soils, poverty at the 

 roots, and want of moisture when it is most needed. 



APONOGETON DISTACHYON. 

 All winter flowering plants of a hardy character are 

 most acceptable. Here is a subject that belongs to 

 the class of hardy aquatics ; it is a very ornamental 

 water plant, the leaves and flowers floating on the 

 surface. It is perfectly hardy, and blooms in Early 

 Spring, and during the Summer and Autumn, and 

 indeed in the case of well-established plants, all the 

 year round. It is particularly deserving the attention 

 of Amateur Gardeners, because so easily grown. In 

 a small tank placed in a cold greenhouse, or in the 

 window of a sitting-room where it can have plenty 

 of light, it will grow and flower freely. The root of 

 the plant should be tied to a stone, and planted in 

 some soil at the bottom of the tank, and then the 

 tank should be filled with soft rain water, nearly to 



the brim. In a few days the leaves will ascend to 

 the surface, and spread themselves out on the top 

 of the water ; and they will soon be succeeded by 

 flowers. The water will not require changing, but 

 simply filling' up as it decreases through evaporation. 

 Two or three water snails may be placed in the tank, 

 as they are serviceable as scavengers. If the flowers 

 are allowed to decay in the water after blooming, 

 seed-pods will be formed, and presently falling to the 

 bottom, will grow and form a young progeny. It is 

 also a charming plant for small ponds ; and in the 

 neighbourhood of London it blooms freely during 

 early spring. The plant is not only a lovely object in 

 a conservatory, but the flowers are also exquisitely 

 fragrant at all seasons of the year. 



CAMPANULA MACROSTTLA. 

 This is a very fine new hardy annual from Asia Minor, 

 introduced for the first time last year. It possesses 

 the habit of growth of the ordinary Canterbury, 

 having an erect and symmetrical appearance ; and the 

 flowers are of great size, cup-shaped, and with 

 prominently developed stamens. The ground colour 

 of the flowers is white, heavily reticulated with pur- 

 plish-violet. Perhaps because it is not sufficiently 

 naturalized in this country, or may be in consequence 

 of the general cold and wet character of the Summer 

 of 1877, it did not succeed well in a few instances. 

 It is yet so novel and so distinctly beautiful, as to well 

 deserve a little extra care, and we recommend that the 

 seed be sown in a light warm sandy soil in the open 

 ground in a sheltered position. After it has been grown 

 for a year or two, cultivators will be better able to 

 understand its requirements. We think it will prove 

 a very acceptable addition to the group of choice 

 hardy annuals. 



CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 

 Sutton's Amateur's Glide in Horticulture for 1878. 

 This is a good deal more than a mere catalogue, for it 

 contains original articles of real practical utility. 

 Under the Title of f A Tear's Work in the Garden,' 

 we have a calendar of operations. Then there are 

 practical articles on the Rotation of Crops, on the 

 cultivation of Vegetables and of the Potato, the 

 cultivation of Flowers and of Bulbous Flower Roots, 

 the eradication of Garden pests, the laying down and 

 improvement of garden lawns and croquet grounds. 

 The book is well printed and profusely illustrated, 

 with woodcuts and chromo-plates. 



