486 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 19, 1884. 
an excess of moisture must be guarded against by a good supply of 
broken crocks. 
Gesneraceous plants, as well as all others with tuberous roots, 
usually require to be kept quite dry when at rest ; but with the Mitraria 
a somewhat different treatment will be necessary, for its fibrous roots 
will not bear the complete withdrawal of moisture. It will, therefore, 
need an occasional watering during the winter months, though the soil 
must be kept only in a slightly moistened condition, and the plant 
should be placed in a cool situation—by no means in a warm apartment. 
Its propagation presents no greater difficulties than that of the other 
plants of its order. The easiest mode of increasing it is by division of 
the roots in spring; but cuttings may also be taken at any time during 
the spring and summer months, and struck in any light vegetable soil 
under a bell glass or tumbler. 
It is a native of the Island of Chiloe, a circumstance which will 
explain both its comparative hardiness and its preference for a cool 
moist atmosphere and partial shade.—W. T. 
SYRINGING VINES IN BLOOM. 
This has ever appeared to the writer a practice to be condemned 
when used with the idea of getting a good set. If any doubt exists in 
regard to the setting of any particular variety of Grape, a touch with a 
feather is much better ; even a shake of the rods once or twice a day in 
the passing is a very effectual means of procuring a set. But a feather 
(ostrich if possible) tied to the end of a long stick, so that every bunch 
can be reached easily, is the best. When the Grapes come into bloom 
dust each bunch very lightly with the feather, and if every bunch is 
attended to in this way when it is in flower, it will be very strange if a 
grand set does not repay for the trouble. 
Syringing Grapes the writer never practises, except perhaps for such 
varieties as Alicantes and Lady Downe’s, which are the better for a dash 
with the syringe just before beginning to thin them, as they have a great 
amount of debris of their flowers always adhering among their berries. 
Great care should be taken that the water used be quite clean. 
Occasionally when red spider has happened to get a hold in the early 
vineries the syringe has been used, but only asa last resource.— S. 
There appears to he every probability of the International 
Forestry Exhibition at Edinburgh being very successful as regards 
the number of the exhibits. The Indian collection of wood alone is said 
to contain about 700 specimens. 
- Mr. David Houston is now delivering, on Wednesday after¬ 
noons, at the Crystal Palace, a series of ten lectures on our Native 
Trees and Shrubs —a subject of great interest, and one which is com¬ 
paratively rarely treated. 
- It is stated in the Report of the Metropolitan Board of Works 
that the London Parks and Commons under their control amount to 
1769 acres, the cost of managing which during the last year was £17,803* 
- Mr. T. Laxton, Bedford, sends us flowers of his Invincible 
Carmine Sweet Pea, which was certificated by the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society last year. It is described as the result of a cross 
between Invincible Scarlet and Invincible Black, and is much the finest 
we have seen, both in size of flowers and richness of colour. As the 
name indicates it is of a peculiarly deep carmine tint, quite distinct, the 
keel being lighter. 
- The Bedfordshire Horticultural Society’s first show 
will be held on July 16th in a field on the Bromham Road, Bedford. 
180 classes are provided for plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables, the 
prizes being mostly of small amount, ranging from £2 to Is. 
- Mr. Harding in the following note refers to the weather 
and the crops near Peterborough, and it indicates that the late 
rains, that were so welcome and beneficial in London and other places, 
were not general :—“ This has been the driest season as yet since I 
have been here, nearly seren years. Very little rain has fallen during 
the last six weeks. Hay crops light. William I. Peas were picked on 
a border the 31st of May, and a full picking of the'same variety on 
open quarters ten days later. Apricots, Strawberries, and Currants 
have good crops, but all* other fruit is scanty, although blossom was 
abundant.” 
- The Richmond Horticultural Society’s Show is an¬ 
nounced to be held in Old Deer Park on Thursday, June 26th. The 
usual liberal provision is made for plants, flowers, fruit, and vegetables, 
a large number of special prizes being also ofEered by the patrons and 
supporters of the Society. 
- “ J. R.” finds the Trophy Tomato one of the best varieties 
for outdoor culture. He has tried several of the most recommended 
sorts, and now solely relies upon this for outdoor supplies. 
- The Oddfellows’ Flower Show at Frome, Somerset¬ 
shire, is announced^for August the 4th, when numerous prizes of a 
useful but miscellaneous character, such as books, glass ware, tea, coaI> 
grocery, [umbrellas, hams, hats, drapery, shoulder of mutton, &c. In 
connection with the Show three prizes are offered by Miss Ormerod for 
*■ the best specimens of food plants injured by insects, accompanied by 
samples of the insects injuring them, and a short written account of the 
insect attack and of the means of remedy or prevention adopted.” 
- Gladiolus byzantinus is a valuable early and free-flowering 
species, which at this time of year is most attractive in borders. Its 
rich crimson-purple flowers are produced in great numbers, the scapes 
being densely [clustered on strong roots. Any border that is not tco 
damp suits it well. 
- Aristea capitata.—I s this fine old plant in cultivation now ? 
It was a[favourite with me many years ago, but I have quite lost sight 
of it. The flowers are of the most brilliant blue, with spreading petals, 
and are borne two or three dozen together, in rings on a tall spike. The 
foliage is flag-like/JI believe it was one of Thunberg’s finds, and was by 
him named Moraea caerulea.—L. W. 
-The Birmingham and Midland Counties Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Exhibition is fixed for November 19th and 20th. The usual 
liberal prizes are offered, including the £10 first prize for the best forty- 
eight Chrysanthemum blooms, twenty-four incurved, and the same 
number of Japanese. Several special prizes are also contributed by Mr. 
Hans Niemand, Mr. T. B. Thomson, Messrs. Pope & Son, Messrs. Richard 
Smith & Co., and Mr. J. Tomkins. 
- PseudolArix ILempferi, of which dried specimens were 
shown at the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Scientific 
Committee, is one of the most handsome of Japanese Cenifers, and it 
is regretable that it continues so scarce in gardens. A beautiful example 
of it may be seen in the Royal Gardens, Kew, near the private path 
leading to the Curator’s house. 
- Mr. John Forbes, Buccleuch Nurseries, Hawick, N.B., sends 
us “ a gathering OF PANSIES from a collection of named sorts,” which 
comprise some lovely blooms, large, beautifully formed, richly and 
diversely coloured. The shades of violet, purple, crimson, maroon, 
orange, gold, and yellow are charming. The blooms are indeed some of 
the best we have seen. 
- “ J. J,, Lancashire,” sends us a small growth of Dendrobium 
Pierardi, which has flowers of much larger size than we usually see 
them. They are 2| inches in diameter, with lips over lj, inch long. It is 
very handsome whether a variety or due to good culture. The same 
correspondent also mentions that “ D. Pierardi latifolium, with forty- 
eight on onejgrowth, is much admired,” as undoubtedly it deserves. 
- The schedule of the Brockiiam Amateur Rose Association 
announces that the nineteenth annual Exhibition will be held at Broome 
Park on Monday, July 7th, when, in addition to prizes in thirteen classes, 
the value of which is not stated, the National Rose Society’s gold 
medal and two silver medals will be competed for, the first-named being 
the leading prize in a class for six blooms of one variety, and the others 
for the best Hybrid Perpetual, Tea, or Noisette blooms. The schedule 
also gives a list of the eighteen previous [shows, where they were held f 
and the amount of [gate money taken, a list of Rose show fixtures for 
the present season, [the names of the [too-much-alike Roses, and the 
results of the Rose electionsUn this[Journal of 1882 and 1883. From the 
financial report it appears that the^Association has a favourable balance 
of £14, and is therefore in a satisfactory condition. 
