February 12, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
127 
and a list of subscribers for last year, but has not yet received any reply. 
Under these circumstances the Treasurer would be glad to receive promises 
of support. This can be given in various ways. The first and best is for 
each subscriber to obtain a new one ; the second would be for those 
interested in the success of the Societies to double their subscriptions ; or 
thirdly, to give a donation for this year, and so place the Societies again 
on a sound financial basis. Members who have not yet received copies of 
schedules and a subscription form, can do so by applying to Mr. Rolt.— 
J. Douglas, Great Gearies, Ilford. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
Cactaceous Plants: their History and Culture. By Lewis Castle. 
London : Journal of Horticulture office. 
This is a veritable multuvn in parvo which every plant cultivator 
should possess, and it forms an important addition to the series of prac¬ 
tical volumes which issue from the office of the Journal of Horticulture. 
Already it has been justly remarked that its pages are replete with 
historical and botanical as well as practical matter, so that all who are 
interested in this wonderful family of plants will find in this treatise a 
valuable source of information. The advent of this work is all the more 
important from the fact that there is no other of any value available in 
our language. Here all the best practical knowledge is brought together, 
and the cultivation of the useful flowering kinds, such as the Epiphyllums, 
is so well treated, that for them alone the book is more than worth its 
very small cost; indeed it should be possessed by all who wish to make 
the most of those plants, and then we should expect to see them generally 
much better grown than is often now the case. There are many other 
kinds that ought to be grown, either on account of their wonderful form 
or the beauty of flower, and a perusal of this work is likely to lead to the 
cultivation of many, more uncommon now than their merits deserve. 
Practically all the best are pointed out, and though the list might be 
extended, it is long enough for the scope of this work. 
Its plan is all that could be desired. Short and concise chapters are 
given on structure, distribution, diseases and insects. General culture is 
comprehensively treated in an early chapter, and this is followed by 
another on propagation. The genera follow in order, as in the “ Genera 
Plantarum ; ” then under each genus a general account of it is given, 
followed by special culture, and a description of the most select species. 
At the end of the book is a useful list of figures, which might, however, be 
improved by giving the obsolete and present names in distinct type, with 
references from the former to the latter. The list of contents guides 
easily to all in the book, but it is worth, in my opinion, a more extended 
index. These matters, however, do not interfere with the usefulness and 
purpose of the book. There are fifteen illustrations which convey an 
excellent idea of the subjects they represent. Those who know most of 
Cactaceous plants will find in this a readable work, for in addition to 
botanical and cultural details there is a considerable amount of incidental 
interest throughout. The author has produced a safe guide for amateurs, 
a work of generally acceptable character, and one that should be found in 
every library for garden reference.—R. Irwin Lynch, Curator, Cambridge 
Botanic Gardens. 
In addition to the above voluntary contribution the following opinions 
are selected from many others of a similar kind which have also been 
received in reference to this treatise. 
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, M.D., C.B., F.R.S.— 
“ Very useful, and will encourage a love of these singular plants.” 
Edmund Giles Loder, Esq., F.L.S., Floore, Weedon, Northampton¬ 
shire— 
“Just the kind of book required by amateurs, and will, I think, 
give an impetus to the cultivation of this most interesting class of 
plants.” 
F. W. Burbidge, F.L.S., Curator of the Trinity College Botanic 
Garden, Dublin— 
“ A presentable volume, which will, I have no doubt, tend to make 
the ‘ Hedgehog ’ family more popular.” 
J. T. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Hammersmith— 
“Very useful and interesting to amateurs.” 
Dr. A. Paterson, Fernfield, Bridge of Allan, N.B.— 
“The volume on Cactaceous Plants is very interesting.” 
Mr. Bruce Findlay, Curator and Secretary, Royal Botanical Gardsns, 
Manchester— 
“I have read with pleasure and profit the interesting book on 
Cactaceous Plants. The portraits are exceedingly well done, and the 
matter contained in the book is both instructive and entertaining. It 
ought to have a large circulation.” 
THE ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
The authorities at the Royal Gardens, Kew, have recently adopted 
some improved regulations in reference to the admission of young 
gardeners to that establishment, which will be welcomed by all admirers 
°f our famed national gardens. One important and much-needed altera¬ 
tion is in the rate of remuneration, which has been advanced to 18s. per 
week, while in addition there are the usual chances of promotion for 
deserving men. Of late years considerable advances have been made in 
the cultivation of the extensive collection of plants at Kew, and it i 3 in 
every way desirable that the standard should be rendered as high as 
ossible in a garden of such importance. It has long ceased to be a mere 
otanic garden, which is often mistakenly regarded as synonymous with 
collections of “ weedy ” plants ef no use in private gardens, but^it ha 3 
becime the finest school in Europe for obtaining a general knowledge of 
plants and their culture. As a place of public resort there are many 
difficulties to contend with at Kew, and in several cases it is only by the 
most careful and experienced supervision that the plants can be preserved 
in good condition, but efforts are being continually made to reduce the 
difficulties as much as possible, and the healthy development perceptible 
in all departments is most satisfactory. 
The rules now adopted are as follows. 
Applicants for admission as gardeners into the Royal Gardens are 
furnished with a form, which, when filled in, must be signed by their present 
or last employer, and returned to the Curator, accompanied by a letter in 
applicant’s own handwriting. 
The wages are 18s. per week, with extra pay for Sunday duty. Appli¬ 
cants must be at least twenty, and not more than twenty-five years of age, 
and have been employed not less than five years in good private gardens or 
nurseries. Preference will be given to men who have had most experience 
in the cultivation of plants under glass, and no application will be enter¬ 
tained from men who have not had some such experience. Where obtainable 
testimonials from known practical gardeners should accompany the applica¬ 
tion. 
The applicant will be informed if his name has been entered for 
admission, and, on a vacancy occurring, he will receive notice to that effect. 
Should there be no vacancy within three months from the date of application 
it must be renewed if employment at Kew is still desired. If not renewed 
the applicant’s name will be removed from the book. 
Gardeners who remain at Kew a year, and whose conduct is satisfactory, 
will be eligible, as vacancies arise, for the positions of sub-foremen, and will 
be recommended according to the capacity of they display, for employment 
in other first-class gardens either at home, in India, or in the Colonies. 
J. D. Hooker, Director. 
J. Smith, Curator. 
VACCINIUM ERYTHRINUM. 
Almost any plants that flower at this time of year are welcome in 
the greenhouse, and that of which a small bunch is shown in fig. -2, 
though not remarkable for it3 richness of colour, is well worthy of a place 
in collections. It is of strong habit, producing its flowers freely in 
December and January, and can be readily grown under the ordinary 
treatment afforded to greenhouse plants. The flowers are of a peculiar 
dark purplish red colour, and are borne in racemes at the extremities of 
the bunches. It has long been an occupant of British gardens, but 
appears to be very little known. 
THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCII GRAPE. 
For the information of your correspondent “ Yectis ” I advise him to 
expose the young rods of the Duke to the full light of the sun during the 
