134 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 14, 1884. 
this name at Kew are so very distinct and differ so much in merit 
that beginners having small collections would hardly suspect them 
of being identical. Jt is excusable, therefore, to distinguish these 
varieties if only we can get the same variety called by the same 
name. 
C. glomerata. —If “Specialist” will visit Mr. Ware’s nursery in 
July, he will find at least six distinct named varieties of this plant 
differing in size and colour, including the three names specified. 
All these varietal names have some authority. I have all Ware’s 
varieties, and they keep their distinct character. The greatest 
favourite amongst them is the one usually sold as “ speciosa,” which 
has lavender-coloured flowers. 
C. latifolia. —I can hardly think that any respectable nurseryman 
ever sold this under the name of C. Van Houttei, a very distinct 
hybrid, of which C. latifolia is not even one of the parents. C. ma- 
crantha, however, is a decided improvement of cultivation on the 
typical native C. latifolia. I grow plenty o£ both. 
C. persicijolia. —There are many very distinct forms of this, 
which must be distinguished by name unless we are to see them in 
flower before we buy them. For instance, the name coronata is 
given to varieties having saucer-like collars beneath the bells, a 
peculiarity which Canterbury Bells also have. 
C.fragilis. —The variety Barrellieri is distinct from the type, 
being stronger in growth and having hairy leaves. It is also called 
C. fragilis var. hirsuta, and I had both these names for it from the 
Kew herbarium itself. There are white varieties of both these, but 
they are very hard to keep alive. 
C. Porthenschlagiana. —The authorities differ so much between 
this name and C. muralis for the same plant that at the Kew herbarium 
both names are recognised, the names of the authors which adopt 
each being appended. 
Oenothera biennis var. LamarcJciana is a cultivated variety 
having flowers twice as large and a habit twice as branching as those 
of the type, which need never be grown beside it. 
OS. fruticosa. —Though I never could make out the alleged dis¬ 
tinctions between the dwarfer forms of 1 his and (E. Fraseri, the 
variety CE. Youngi is very distinct and superior as a garden plant. 
I will with pleasure send “ Specialist ” plants of both to flower and 
compare if be will write to ask for them. 
Papaver alpinum. —This is quite distinct from P. nudicaule from 
a gardener’s point of view. It is smaller both in flower and leaf 
The two hybridise readily, and the progeny seem to run together. 
Saxifraga ligulata. —This is earlier in flower, smaller in growth, 
more free in flowering, and altogether superior than S. crassifolia. 
Unfortunately it is not hardy in cold gardens, whilst crassifolia is 
hardy everywhere. 
Trollius asiaticus. —This fine hardy plant, which I grow in abun¬ 
dance, has its flowers as open as those of Calthapalustris. The colour 
is orange-yellow. Those of Fortunei, syn. japonicus, are far larger 
and more globular, and are always killed with me by the east winds 
of spring. The two are quite distinct for the gardener. 
Trollius europceus —In its cultivated form this varies so remark¬ 
ably in size, cuttings of leaf, and colour, that we must have distinctive 
names to know what we mean in speaking of the varieties. These 
examples might easily be doubled or trebled in number from the list 
in question ; but I hope I have said enough to justify nurserymen in 
not confining themselves to typical specific names in enumerating the 
treasures of their gardens. I do not question that reform in names 
is needed to secure uniformity ; still, botanical nomenclature can 
never be final. I notice that in the “ Genera Plantarum,” which must 
long continue a standard authority, that the number of described 
species in many genera is reduced by half; but botanists will never 
agree as to the exact amount of divergence which is to constitute 
a species, and intermediate forms will ever be turning up to fill 
gaps between supposed differences. Anyone who collects and grows 
from seed such a genus as Campanula, or Thalictrum, or Veronica, or 
Aquilegia will soon find how difficult it is to draw hard-and-fast 
lines, and how excusable it is to give names to distinct varieties.— 
C. Wollev Dod, Llandudno. 
THE VINEGAR PLANT. 
A correspondent of the Journal, “ H. T. H.,” wishes to know where he 
can buy a Vinegar Plant. If he is not in urgent need of it he can make 
or develope one for himself, and the process is interesting. It is as 
follows :—Dissolve in three quarts of water half a pound of treacle and a 
quarter of a pound of sugar. It is best done over the fire, but the liquid 
must neither burn nor boil ; then place it in a jar and cover it up closely, 
keeping it afterwards in a warm room for about six weeks, when the fungus 
or Vinegar Plant will appear on the surface. A plant thus obtained may 
be cut into a number of pieces, and each becomes a separate plant, with 
the power of turning to vinegar any sweet solution upon which it is 
floated.—J. R. S. Clifford. 
The flabby piece of fungus which housewives used to treasure as a 
Vinegar Plant has not the power of itself of converting alcohol into vinegar, 
hut is a disease similar, say, to the growth of lichens on an Apple tree, 
and consequently highly undesirable. 
The acetous fermentation is brought about by a special ferment called 
Mycoderma aceti, somewhat like the cells of yeast in appearance, only 
much smaller. The so-called Vinegar Plant may have this negative virtue— 
that is, it is difficult to imagine it to exist without enclosing some of the 
true ferment in its leathery embrace. 
My advice to “ II. T. H.” is that he use his cider as such, and leave 
vinegar-making to those who know more about it; but if he will try his 
hand, let him add a few gallons of sound vinegar to his cider, half fill the 
cask with the mixture, and leave the bung out. The added vinegar will 
almost certainly carry germs of Mycoderma aceti with it, and the acidity 
so brought about will hinder the growth of an analogous but detrimental 
ferment called Mycoderma vini, which affects cider.— A Vinegar Maker. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
February 12th. 
The contributions from nurserymen and gentlemen were so numerous on 
this occasion that quite an exhibition was provided, Cyclamens and Primulas 
being very largely represented. Orchids, too, were very attractive, and 
with Camellias, Roses, Hyacinths, Tulips, and miscellaneous plants, rendered 
the meeting a most interesting one. Nearly all the members of the Com¬ 
mittees were present. 
Fruit Committee. — Harry J. Veitch, Esq., in the chair. Present— 
Messrs. J. Lee, Phillip Crowley,- J. Ellam. R. D. Blackmore, G-. Bunyard, W. 
Denning, C. Silverlock, J. E. Lane, James Smith, John Burnett, H. \V. Sutton, 
J. C. Mundell, J. Roberts, S. Lyon, Sidney Ford, G-. Goldsmith, and G. Paul. 
The Apple, Perkins’ Al, exhibited by Messrs. T. Perkins & Sons, Northamp¬ 
ton, at the last meeting, was cooked and tested by Mr. Barron at the request 
of the Committee. Some were baked and others boiled in dumplings, and in 
both cases they turned out well, the substance being well retained, with the 
pulp quite tender, yet somewhat dry and wanting in briskness, requiring 
very little sugar. It was considered very good, and was awarded a first-class 
certificate. A bronze medal was awarded to Messrs. Lane & Son, Berkhamp- 
stead for a collection of sixty dishes of fine Apples, Lane’s Prince Albert 
being in excellent condition ; Hanwell Souring, Norfolk Beefing. Mere de 
Manage, Annie Elizabeth, Hoary Morning, Galloway Pippin, and Cox’s 
Orange Pippin being well shown. A bronze m-.dal was also awarded to Mr. 
G. Goldsmith, Hollanden, Tunbridge, for a collection of fifty dishes of Apples, 
some of which were exceedingly fine, especially noteworthy being Blenheim 
Pippin, Lord D^rby, Hollandbury, Cox’s Pomona, Go’den Noble, Hall Door, 
and Winter Queening. Several dishes of Apples were also shown from 
Chiswick. Mr. T. Bonsall, Tbe Gardens, Campsmount, Doncaster, sent 
samples of a seedling Onion which was not considered of special merit, and 
Mr. Robert Doe, The Gardens, Rufford Abbey, Notts, sent a seedling Apple 
that was also passed. John Lee, Esq., sent a fruit of a large Orange from 
Java, which was very juicy and of good flavour. Mr. S. Ford, Leonardslee, 
sent two dishes of the bright red Apple Margaret Henrietta. The Cranston 
Nursery Company sent samples of Apple Herefordshire Beefing. Mr. Turner, 
Slough, showed tubers of Schoolmaster Potato, large and even. 
Floral Committee. —Section A.—Mr. John Fraser in the chair. Present 
—Messrs. C. Hill, J. O’Brien, J. Dominy, H. Ballantine, J. Hudson, G. F. 
Wilson, J. Woodbridge, H. Herbst, H. Williams, T. Moore, Rev. G. Henslow, 
and Dr. Masters. Section B.—Shirley Hibberd, Esq., in the chair. Present 
—Messrs. Bennett, W. Bealby, J. Llewellyn, J. Douglas, J. James, J. Child, G. 
Duffield, D. Lathbury, H. Turner, W. B. Kellock, and H. Cannell. Messrs. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, contributed very largely to the interest and beauty 
of the display, a considerable space being occupied with groups of Cyclamens, 
Primulas, and miscellaneous plants. About 150 Cyclam< ns were shown in 
extremely fine condition, with large handsomely marbled leaves and mauve, 
white, crimson, or parti-coloured blooms. The plants were mostly in 48-size 
pots, and bore twenty to thirty flowers. The Primulas were white and 
crimson, arranged in alternate rows; the flowers large, of good substance, 
and in compact heads well above the foliage. A small group of the charming 
Freesia refracta alba bearing abundance of its pure white exquisitely fragrant 
blooms was much admired. This is a useful and beautiful plant, and well 
worth the attention of gardeners, it was figured and described in this Journal, 
page 171, vol. ii. Several plants of Allium neapolitanum, with neat umbels 
of white flowers, were shown, and proved the value of the plant for early 
flowering. It was also figured in this Journal, page 451, vol. vi. Among other 
notable plants were the following :—Pinguicula hirtifolia, a diminutive plant 
about an inch high and across, with small flowers, white in the throat, edged 
with purple. This was referred to the Scientific Committee. Rhododendron 
Curtisii luteolum, a Sumatran plant of rather straggling habit, but with neat 
bell-shaped dull yellow flowers 1 inch in diameter ; and Dendrobum macro- 
phyllum var. Burkei, a distinct variety, flowers large, sepals and petals white, 
the lip tinged with pale purplish mauve at the base. A vote of thanks was 
accorded for a large pan of Comte Brazzi’s double white Neapolitan Violets, 
the blooms being of great size. A silver-gilt Banksian medal was awarded. 
Mr. J. James, Woodside, Farnham Royal, Slough, staged a group of 100 
dwarf freely flowered Primulas, comprising crimson, pink, white, and a rich 
bright red, a wonderful colour. Several seedling Cinerarias of great merit 
were shown, and some were certificated and are described below. Mr. R. 
Clarke, Twickenham, was awarded a silver Banksian medal for a group of 
120 healthy Cyclamens. Rose, crimson, pink, white, and crimson-tipped 
were the colours represented. The flowers were all remarkable for their 
great size, the breadth of the petals, and the purity of the colours. Messrs. 
Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, sent a collection of hardy flowers, 
chiefly Narcissuses and Irises. The early Narcissus pallidus prsecox, with 
clear yellow crown and pale yellow sepals and petals, was very attractive, 
and the purplish mauve delicately tinted Iris stylosa was equally beautiful, 
together with flowers of the fragrant Iris reticulata var. Krelagei. Mr. 
Child, gardener to J. Bell, Esq., Garbrand Hall, Ewell, showed several pure 
white and crimson Primulas. The flowers were large and of great 
substance. 
- A large group of Cyclamens, comprising over 150 plants, was contributed 
