882 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 15, 1884. 
The Cardoon, nearly related to the Artichoke, by some indeed 
regarded as a mere variety, is of larger size, but it has never attracted 
much notice in England ; therefore, needs only a brief mention. It 
is, however, grown freely for the table in several European countries, 
and the down is also carefully preserved to make therefrom an 
infusion for curdling milk instead of rennet. John Tradescant 
appears to have been the first Englishman who has anything to say 
about the Cardoon, and he told Parkinson the botanist that he saw 
(probably about 250 years ago) three acres of land near Brussels 
planted with this vegetable, the growers blanching the leaves to be 
eaten as Endive. It did not arrive here until 1G83, the earliest culti¬ 
vator being a Mr. Sutherland. It is a native of South Europe. 
There is another plant popularly styled an “ Artichoke ” which 
belongs to a very different group, being a species in the Sunflower 
tribe. The tubers, not the heads, are eaten, hence the name of Jeru¬ 
salem or ground Artichoke ; the former is evidently a corruption of 
the Italian word jerasol. Prior to the discovery of America, where 
the plant has its habitat, it was of necessity unknown to the Old 
World. The French, about the time of Elizabeth, brought it to their 
country, and as for a time it was called the Canadian Potato, some 
confusion has arisen in consequence. It is supposed, however, that 
at an earlier date unknown, Italy had specimens of this Artichoke 
from Peru or Brazil, where in fact it is truly indigenous, and not in a 
cold region such as Canada. A London merchant, Mr. Franqueville, 
had two roots from France in 1017, and by degrees it was distributed 
throughout Britain.—J. K. S. C. 
At a general meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
held last Tuesday, Robert Hogg, Esq., LL.D., F.L.S., in the chair, the 
following candidates were elected Fellows—viz., Mrs. Edith Ames Lyde, 
Edwin George Ardley, Captain Brickwell, R.N., John C. Duke, William 
L. Ewart, Sydney Wynn Graystone, Mrs. Gardner, The Marchioness of 
Headfort, Mrs. Nutkins, Frank Price, Baron F. de Rothschild, Walter 
Hercules Short, William Urwick, Mrs. Frances Williams, and George C, 
Wylie. 
-The Sale and Ashton-on-Mersey Horticultural Show 
will be held in the Botanical Gardens, Sale, on June 19th, 20th, and 21st 
of the present year. This is the second Exhibition which has been held 
under the auspices of the Sale Botanical Society, and the former efforts 
having been much appreciated in the district, an. Exhibition of much 
interest is expected. Eighty-three classes are provided, the prizes for 
plants ranging in the open classes from £3 to 5*. 
- A Liverpool correspondent fears “ we shall have no fruit 
this year. We had 8° of frost one morning while the Pears were in 
flower, and 5° and G° every morning for a week. My young trees have 
been full of bloom, but the fruit which appeared to set is all falling off- 
The wind has been piercingly cold, and the young tender foliage is 
scattered all over the ground.” 
- The Australian Royal Fern, Todea Barbara, though 
rather scarce in European collections of Ferns, is a bold and handsome 
species, which grows well in a cool house. The finest plant in cultivation 
is that in the temperate house at Kew, which, when introduced by Dr. F. 
Mueller from Mount Macedon, Victoria, weighed 14 cwt. The huge stem 
is now about 4 feet high and as much in diameter, with strong fronds 
5 to 6 feet long, and of a deep green shade. 
- Auricula Chas. J. Perry.—A correspondent writes :—“ This 
Auricula is one of the most useful plants a gardener or amateur can have 
for brightening the conservatory at this time of the year. Its colour is 
violet-blue, it is very free, and forms fine trusses. Some people would 
wish to make us believe that the open borders and rockwork are the 
proper places to grow these old-fashioned flowers. So they are for the 
Alpines ; but to have good blooms, the show and self varieties must have 
the protection of a cold frame.” 
-A copy of “Amateur Gardening” has been sent to us, and 
a very neat and attractive little paper it is. It is issued from Salisbury 
Square, and we believe is conducted by the Editor of the Gardeners' 
Magazine. It does him great credit, and we say with him that “ with 
seven papers to choose from, the man must be hard to please who 
cannot find one to suit his tastes and requirements.” 
- We are informed that Mr. Thos. Lee, late foreman at Shirbum 
Castle Gardens, Tetsworth, Oxon, has been appointed gardener to 
T. Hopkins, Esq., San Francisco, California. 
- A journeyman wishing to improve himself on the culture of 
Vines, desires to know how Mr. J. E. Waiting managed to grow his 
Black Hamburgh Grapes on the back wall of his vinery. He 
would like to know the height of the vinery at the back, also the size of 
the bunches that were grown to overlap each other ; he would, indeed, 
be glad to know all the particulars to enable him to succeed similarly. 
- Where large specimens of any choice variety of Imanto- 
phyllum Miniatum are grown some caution must be exercised in 
allowing them to bear seed, as it is surprising what an injurious effect it 
has even upon apparently vigorous plants. We recently saw a most 
valuable plant of the variety Martha Reimers which was killed by a 
heavy crop of seed. This, however, fortunately ripened, and abundance 
of young plants will be obtained, many of which will probably equal 
the parent in size and colour of the flowers. This plant was in robust 
health and received the most careful treatment, but it evidently could 
not endure the severe strain upon its energies. 
- “K.” wishes to know if Cestrum vespertinum is grown in 
England. “ It is mentioned by some travellers on the Continent as 
being extremely beautiful in Spain and elsewhere, bearing a profusion 
of white flowers. C. aurantiacum I know very well, but a white- 
flowered species I have never seen, and should think it must be scarce 
if it really is in cultivation here. I understand that the plant has 
been determined by Mr. Bentham, so no doubt the name is correct. 
I should be glad to have some information about it.” 
-“ Conservative Rose ” writes “ I am very anxious to 
procure names of blue flowers —real blue, not violet or purple 
tinted. I shall be grateful to any of your readers who will help me 
dividing them as follows, under the heads of the seasons. I have 
collected a few plants, and desire to make a more complete collection. 
Spring.—Blue Hyacinth, Squills, Veronica, Gentians, Myosotis dissitiflora, 
and Irises. Summer.—New Blue Rose Harebell, Convolvulus, Salvia, 
Ceanothus divaricatus, Centaurea cyanus, Aquilegia glandulosa, Delphi¬ 
nium formosum, and Lobelia. Autumn.—Blue Pansy. Hothouse.—Blue 
Cineraria, Achimenes longiflora major, Tweedia CEerulea, Sollya hetero- 
phylla, Leschenaultia biloba, and Plumbago cserulea. Any help will 
be gratefully received.” 
- Raspberry Weevils in Cornwall.—W e learn from the 
Cornish Telegraph that the Weevil, Otiorhynchus picipes, which 
played such havoc among the Raspberries a few years since, has again 
made its appearance, and the market gardeners are on the look-out for 
the mischievous little insect, which kills the fruit-bearing shoots by 
boring holes through them. 
- Before us are blooms of Calceolarias from Canon Babington 
Glendermott Rectory, Londonderry, who writes :—“I send a few blossoms 
of Carters’ Victoria compacta strain of Calceolaria. The plants are 
wonderful. In shape, form, and coloufs the flowers are splendid. My 
gardener has been having all the neighbouring gardeners to inspect, 
praise, and, I would add, envy them.” Beyond question the plants are 
well cultivated, otherwise such remarkable flowers could not have been 
produced. They merit high praise, some of them being 2| inches across, 
full, smooth, bright, and diversified in colour. It is but simple justice 
to say that they are a credit to both cultivator and seedsmen. 
- The summer Exhibition of the Lee, Blackheath, and 
Lewisham Horticultural Society will be held on July 9th and 10th. 
The Society appears to be admirably supported, and we are glad to see 
so many special prizes offered. We also observe a prize of honour— 
namely, a silver memorial cup, presented by the President, John 
Penn, Esq., in memory of the late President, Dr. Carr, offered under the 
following conditions :—“ The cup is the property of the Society after the 
formal presentation to the winner of the largest amount of prize money 
at the summer Show, it will remain in the custody of his employer. The 
gardener to have for permanent possession a silver medal, showing him 
to have been the winner for that year.” 
- In an elaborate article by Mr. D. Cannon on the “Mineral 
