February 3, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 89 
there been an extraneous supply of moisture entering from without, 
this doubtless would have kept the part sufficiently moist to allow 
the continuous passage of the force. Now in plant growth, the 
upflowing sap is ever during growth undergoing this consolidation, 
but its undue solidity is prevented by the constant accession of 
moisture from without. In its upward course the upflowing sap 
is thus being altered in its composition by the transverse electro¬ 
chemical decomposition in proportion to the distance it has to 
traverse relatively. “ Mr. Knight,” says Sir Humphry Davy in 
his “Agricultural Chemistry,” “made numerous incisions into the 
alburnum of the Sycamore and the Birch at different heights ; and 
in examining the sap that flowed from them, he found it more 
sweet and mucilaginous in proportion as the aperture from which 
it flowed was elevated.” Sir Humphry Davy states it to be his 
own opinion “ that the cambium (between the tree and the bark) 
from which the new parts in the trunk and branches appear to be 
formed, probably owes its powers of consolidation to the mixture 
of two different kinds of sap, one of which flows upwards from the 
roots, and the other of which probably descends from the leaves.” 
It has, however, as previously observed, never been possible to 
detect by staining any descending sap-action whatever. Still, the 
admixture of two different kinds of fluid is an undoubted fact, 
although the source and intent of the second supply does not 
appear to have been rightly suspected.” Sir Humphry Davy then 
goes on to observe that “ the increase of trees and plants must 
depend upon the quantity of sap which passes into these organs ; 
upon the quality of this sap ; and on its modification by the 
principles of the atmosphere.” From this asserted “ modification 
by the principles of the atmosphere” it is sufficiently evident that 
to this operation much import was attached, without, however, 
any attempted explanation of in what these principles consisted. 
In supplying these deficiencies the existence of an “electro-polar” 
arrangement of the structures offers a very intelligible explanation 
of the means made use of, for their polarity could be effective 
only when responded to by the electric polarity of the atmosphere ; 
and as was experienced in the plant-case previously noticed, when 
this polarity was upset, plant growth ceased to flourish and fungi 
took its place, a circumstance throwing much light on the produc¬ 
tion of mildew as well as on the cultivation of Mushrooms.— 
W. K. Bridgman, Norwich. 
MUSSiENDA FRONDOSA. 
Amongst winter-flowering plants the above should be grown ; 
in fact, it is worth a place in every stove, however limited the 
collection of plants may be. It is an evergreen plant of sturdy 
habit, and can readily be grown into a good bush. When well 
grown this plant is far more attractive than the white Poinsettia. 
The flowers are produced in terminal racemes, and are a pleasing 
yellow colour, while the bracts are pure white. The bracts and 
flowers are freely produced, and a good bush is very imposing. 
They are produced in quick succession ; when one batch is gone 
the plants make a slight growth and more flowers and bracts are 
produced. It will flourish in an intermediate temperature, but its 
growth is not so rapid nor its foliage or bracts so fine as when 
in a stove. 
This plant is easily propagated by cuttings in spring if the ends 
of the young shoots are taken off, and either inserted singly or a 
number round the sides of a 5-inch pot, which should be well 
drained and filled with equal parts of peat and sand, with a layer 
of the latter over the surface. It is not necessary to take the 
cuttings with a heel. Plunge the pots in the propagating frame, 
and if bottom heat can be given it is better, although the cuttings 
root readily under the shade of Cucumbers and Melons if covered 
with a bellglass. When several are inserted together it is essen¬ 
tial to attend to the young plants as soon as rooted before the 
roots become matted. 
Pots two inches in diameter should be the size first used, and when 
the young plants are established in them the points must be 
pinched out to cause a branching habit, and to form little compact 
bushes. Potting should be attended to from time to time as the 
plants require it, never allowing them to become rootbound until 
they receive their final shift, which entirely depends upon circum¬ 
stances and conditions. If large specimens are required good 
plants can be grown in 10 or 12-inch pots, but for ordinary 
purposes 5 and 6-inch pots are large enough. Stopping should 
not be attempted after August if the plants are required for 
autumn decoration. It is well to keep specimens growing on 
until they attain the desired size. Good drainage is essential. 
Mussrenda frondosa does not appear particular as to soil, and 
thrives well in rich loam, a seventh of decayed manure, and a 
little leaf soil, or in loam and peat equal parts, with a good 
quantity of coarse sand to keep the whole porous. The soil should 
be pressed rather firmly into the pots, as the plant is of a woody 
nature and has rather fine roots. 
Staking and tying is not necessary if precaution is taken, as 
the plant grows, to keep the shoots properly pinched. A few 
stakes might be of advantage in the case of a specimen to fasten 
the shoots to for the purpose of forming the base, but when once 
formed the stakes can be dispensed with. Liberal applications 
of water should be given while the plants are growing both at 
the root and upon the foliage, and after the final potting and 
the pots are full of roots, liquid manure may be freely given, and 
occasional doses of soot water, which greatly invigorates the plants 
and tells considerably upon the foliage and improves the colour 
of the bracts. 
During the summer the plants should have a place as close to 
the glass as possible, and air should be allowed to circulate 
amongst them freely, closing the house in which they are grown 
early in the afternoon, and syringing the plants at the same time. 
Shade is necessary during the hottest portion of the day. During 
winter the plants succeed well in a temperature of 60°, and 
after well ripening appear to grow and bloom continuously for a 
time, after which they can be pruned and started again. For 
ordinary decoration young plants annually raised from cuttings 
are preferable. 
Mussamda frondosa is subject to most insects that infest stove 
plants, although 1 have never observed mealy bug upon it. 
Spider or thrip can be kept down by the use of the syringe, and 
if scale does not trouble them much. The young foliage is very 
impatient of fumigating, and is quickly injured however care¬ 
fully the operation is performed. The plant is well suited for 
associating with Calanthe Yeitchii and C. vestita when in flower. 
—Wm. Bardney. 
THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY FOR TOWNS. 
I AM particularly pleased that my words on this subject have 
drawn the attention of several able writers, and so led to a discus¬ 
sion. Sometimes in papers and periodicals there are discussions 
on very frivolous subjects which cannot possibly result in any 
good, but here is one connected with the health and food of the 
people; also it is connected, on the other hand, with—so I deem 
—the advantage and increased prosperity of the food-producer. 
The subject, then, is worthy, for it is one to benefit producer and 
consumer. 
Next I would observe that it is easy to write in such a general 
way as to please readers, or at least a way unlikely* to provoke 
criticism ; it is also easy to write, too, so recklessly as to be need¬ 
lessly irritating. I desire to do neither ; but I am heartily grati¬ 
fied when what I have happened to write sets other men thinking, 
produces sensible replies, wholesome criticism, or new useful re¬ 
marks. I would infinitely rather have writers dissent strongly 
from me on a useful subject—one calculated to benefit men, and 
still better women, and best of all children—than that no notice 
should be taken and the matter be allowed to drop out of sight. 
1 will first notice the words of Mr. John Wills—and by the way 
let me express the pleasure I feel in seeing his once well-known 
name in the columns of “ our Journal,” from which it has dis¬ 
appeared for more than ten years : it is a real pleasure, I assure 
him, to see his name once again. During the eighteen years I 
have been a writer so many contributors, once so well known, are 
gone, either into the silent land or have dropped their pens, that 
it is quite refreshing to find one at least reappear. I am glad Mr. 
Wills has been with us in feeling all along. I am thoroughly 
gratified that he agrees so much with me in regard to the future 
of gardening. I fear, however, that the ornamental must for 
a while be in abeyance to the useful; that the vegetable must take 
precedence of the flower. When agriculture revives then I shall 
hope, to see the bonny faces of our farmers’ daughters and the 
comely forms of their mothers at (may they be the universal) 
parochial flower shows ; but no one, save those living among 
them, can know the terribly low financial condition of the south 
and south-western farmers. 
I have last week dismissed all thought of London and the Lon¬ 
don supply of fruits and vegetables ; I thought not of the metro¬ 
polis. Neither am I sure that peasant proprietorship would do in 
agricultural matters; but this I am sure of, that it would be to 
the advantage of landlord and tenant if larger gardens were in 
the possession of the industrious poor, the owner adding on land, 
say from half an acre to an acre, and planting part of that land 
with fruit trees. He must be at that first expense, and in ten 
years’ time benefit will come to his property. 
The very first sign I have known in a cottager desiring and try¬ 
ing to improve himself is the wish to have a garden. Tobacco, 
beer, public house, slatternly wife, and broken furniture—these 
