HORTICULTURAL NOTES. 
431 
would be nearly, perhaps quite, doubled, while 
the texture, symmetry, and general appearance 
would be greatly improved. We trust some 
of our floral brethren will see to this. 
Gesnera Douglasii. — Mr. Brown, of 
Stoke Edith gardens, has had this plant planted 
out in a border at the west end of a pine-stove, 
since 1837 ; and it has remained there ever 
since, flowering every summer, dying down in 
the winter, and reappearing in the spring. 
The crown is not above two inches beneath 
the surface, but it has had no other protection 
of any kind. 
Fungi m Melon-beds. — Mr. Robertson, 
of Clifton House garden, writes that he has 
been much troubled with fungi growing up 
among his melons. " The plan I have adopted," 
observes Mr. R., " for the last five years with 
great success, is to dust the fungi well with 
hot lime ; it kills them immediately, and does 
no injury to the melons." 
Drawing-room Moss Vases. — In the 
articles on Domestic Gardening we have re- 
ferred to the cultivation of plants in Wardian 
cases, a pursuit calculated to afford much gra- 
tification to those who are unable, from any 
cause, to "garden" on a larger scale. But 
even the Wardian case may be too large ; 
and in these cases, the bell-glass, of a foot or 
two in diameter, may prove equally interest- 
ing. In fact, one of the many elegant designs 
for vases, covered with a dome-shaped glass, 
and filled with minute plants, would form an 
object worthy a situation on any " drawing- 
room" table. One of these, filled entirely with 
different kinds of mosses, would be exceed- 
ingly pretty, and would have the advantage 
of perennial and unchanging verdure. It is 
not our intention now to enlarge on this 
point, our object being simply to direct atten- 
tion to the subject. On a future occasion we 
may go into detail, with reference to the 
means of carrying out such an object, and 
offer a design or two illustrating our re- 
marks. — M. 
Budding Old Fruit Trees. — It may be 
worth knowing that, in the case of Peach 
trees, for instance, when a vacancy may occur, 
and it is not practicable to fill it up in any 
other way, a bud or two inserted in the con- 
tiguous main branches will be a means of 
filling up the space ; or the same thing may 
be done by side grafting, at the proper season, 
on those kinds of plants upon which grafts will 
succeed. I have frequently seen vacancies filled 
up in this way ; and a facility is afforded to 
introduce different varieties of fruit, so as to 
prolong the season in which the particular 
kind of fruit may be had in perfection. It is 
in the small gardens of amateurs, where space 
is limited, that the introduction of two or 
three varieties on one tree, may answer a 
useful purpose. All that is essentially requi- 
site is to select varieties, as near as possible, 
of equal vigour of growth. — 8. 
Sunflowers. — A popular fancy gives to 
these plants the property of always presenting 
their blossoms towards the sun; and of course, 
in doing so, following his course through the 
day. However the idea may have originated, 
it is not correct ; for it is by no means un- 
usual, indeed common, to see the different 
flowers of these plants facing every point of 
the compass. — B. 
Blister on Peaches. — The blister on the 
leaves of Peach trees, a disease which, in 
some seasons, or rather every season, makes 
its appearance, more or less, during the months 
of spring, has of late occupied much attention 
in the gardening world. Some attribute it to 
the low temperature to which the tender 
leaves are subject during the night, in the 
month of April, or thereabouts ; but others 
have experienced the disease on trees which 
have been kept in a forcing-house, regularly 
heated to 60 degrees. Some, again, place it to 
the account of excess of moisture in the soil, 
inducing an overcharging of the vessels of 
the plant ; but then instances are adduced 
where trees are planted outside a forcing- 
house, have their roots deluged by all the 
water that falls on the roof, dripping and 
draining through the borders, and yet are 
free from blister. Some talk of the immature 
wood of the previous season having some con- 
nexion with its appearance ; while others 
suffer when the wood is sufficiently matured, 
at least to bring plenty of well-flavoured fruit. 
It is difficult to get extricated from this laby- 
rinth. It has, however, been suggested that 
these several causes, acting in conjunction 
with each other, may have something to do 
with its appearance, and this does not appear 
te be at all improbable. Protection, by means 
of a covering of net, or some similar material, 
used early in the spring, is considered a gene- 
rally successful means of preventing its ap- 
pearance. — It. 
Exhibitions. — Floral exhibitions are losing 
their attraction, notwithstanding the great 
assemblages of people who go to hear bands, 
and see company ; and they lose ground, be- 
cause the charm is taken away from them, by 
allowing a great assemblage of coarse and 
worthless plants to be put up for competition. 
It would be a good plan if all the Societies 
would make up their minds to throw out the 
most meritorious collection for any one bad 
plant ; for this would be following the exam- 
ple of the true florist, who decides that any 
downright imperfection shall disqualify a 
flower. It is a question whether the number 
of things required is not against the character 
of a show ; and it is by no means a question, 
