CONTEMPORARY WRITINGS. 
05 
the intercellular passages of potatoes, during 
the process of germination, or just after it is 
completed. It has the flocci branched, con- 
tinuous, and flexuose, creeping through the 
intercellular passages ; there are two kinds 
present, of which one is much more slender 
than the other ; the latter creeps widely in the 
intercellular passages, and is evidently the 
mycelium, or spawn. This fungus was dis- 
covered in the course of some experiments by 
Dr. Payer, chief physician of the Hopital 
de la Charite, at Paris, who has been paying 
great attention to the disease with which 
potatoes are affected. — M. 
Planting Potatoes in Autumn. — I grow 
only two sorts of Potato for seed ; the early 
frame, and the ash-leaved kidney, and both of 
these I planted last autumn, each set being a 
whole Potato. On taking up the roots, I find 
that, notwithstanding the inclement winter, 
I have gathered a fair average crop, free from 
disease, and as clean and fine flavoured as any 
I have ever dressed. — J. A. D. 
TnE Habranthi. — The Habranthi are in 
general pretty hardy ; but as their leaf should 
be in perfection in the winter, it must be 
liable to injury from frost if not protected in 
some manner ; they require, in order to pre- 
pare their blossom, a hot period of rest, which 
would be often wanting to them if exposed to 
our climate. When cultivated in a border, 
they should be covered with a glass frame to 
keep them hot and dry in May, June, and 
July, with a covering of mats or straw that 
remain the winter ; or they may be taken up 
when the leaves decay without breaking the 
fibres, kept in sand, and reset three months after. 
As most of the bulbs are found in dry gravelly 
situations, they must require the border to be 
well drained, which should be done by a layer 
six inches deep of stones, covered with an 
inverted sod, or at least with heath, furze, or 
straw. — Herbert, in Botanical Register. 
Hydrangea jai*onic:a. — This plant proves 
to be about as hardy as II. hortensis, and re- 
quires similar treatment. The finest trusses 
of bloom are always borne by single-stemmed 
plants, newly raised from cuttings. But this 
species does not look so well in that style, as 
when forming a moderate sized bush with a 
number of flower heads. The old wood must 
be cut out yearly, to avoid a straggling cha- 
racter, and to keep the plants clothed with 
foliage down to their base. — -M. 
Keasons 'why the Hollyhock is not a 
good snow flower. — First, because the 
entire beauty of the Hollyhock depends on the 
form of the whole plant, which cannot be 
exhibited. Secondly, because the single flower 
has no stalk, and therefore cannot be placed in 
B stand. Thirdly, because, although a mag- 
nificent plant in a garden, the spike is no 
sooner cut off than it begins to fade, and they 
have the meanest possible appearance in an 
exhibition. Lastly, because, though the spike, 
when cut, is useless, cutting it destroys the 
plant for the season. — P. 
Petunias. — For planting out in the flower- 
garden, in the summer months, these plants 
are best when propagated in the spring, if 
there is any convenience for doing so. The 
young plants grow more bushy and vigorous 
than older ones which have been kept over the 
winter, and a few old plants, suitable for 
the purpose of propagating from, are more 
easily preserved than a stock of young ones. 
These plants, if placed in a warm place, (such 
as the forcing-house), in February, will fur- 
nish cuttings in abundance, which are to be 
taken off and rooted in a hot-bed frame, and 
then potted into small pots, and hardened off 
in a cold frame, so as to be fit for planting out 
by May. The soil for these kind of plants 
should be well worked, and in good tilth, but 
not over rich. To keep the plants dwarf, 
compact, and covered with bloom, the points 
of the leading shoots should be regularly 
" stopped," as the garden term is, once a 
week, after the plants begin to grow. The 
following dozen varieties are some of the best 
among the new ones for the flower-garden : — 
Prince Albert. — Clear rosy purple, very 
bright, of large size and good form, and not 
liable to burn. Height, 18 inches. Purple 
Perfection. — Dark velvety purple, of fine 
form, and not so liable ;o burn as many of the 
dark varieties. Height, 18 inches. Ovid. — 
Dark violet purple, changing in the autumn 
to blue. It is a plant of strong habit, with a 
large and finely-formed flower. Height, 18 
inches to 2 feet. King (Ivery's). — A flower 
of nearly the same colour as the preceding, 
but a few shades brighter, and not so liable to 
injury by bright sunlight : a most profuse 
bloomer. Height, 18 inches. Princess Royal 
(Ivery's). — A delicate pinkish flower, with 
a very distinct bright purple throat ; a 
very pretty variety. Height, 12 to 18 inches. 
Reliance. — Pale pink, with dark throat, and 
much veined with dark purple ; of fine habit 
and substance, and perhaps ihe best formed 
flower out. Height, 12 to lo inches. Kentish 
Reaufy. — Pink ground, mottled with flesh-! 
colour, of fine form, medium size, and a most 
profuse bloomer. Height, 12 to IS inches. 
Striata Delicatissima (Girling's). — A flower 
of the same character as the preceding, only 
mottled and streaked with bright red, medium 
sized and very distinct. Height, 12 to 15 
inches. Beaute Par/ait. — Mottled reddish 
flesh-colour, veined with dark purple ; a 
flower of good substance and medium size. 
Height, 18 inches. Formosissima. — Velvety 
pale flesh-coloured ground with dark purple 
