JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
88 
of the flowers, which are borne in one-sided racemes. They are 
both of easy culture, but only one is grown in quantity—namely, 
A. cruenta, of which the woodcut (fig. 19, page 89) is a represen¬ 
tation. This, however, is not only widely known, but is much 
appreciated in many gardens, as it is quite hardy in the south of 
England, and it will even survive ordinary winters some distance 
north if a sheltered position be chosen, or protection be afforded 
when necessary. The plant is not very particular as to the kind 
of soil, though it should be preferably light, and in all cases well 
drained. Some practise lifting and storing the bulbs in late 
autumn, and if the situation is very wet this is judicious and pre¬ 
vents some losses, otherwise, especially in warm localities, it is 
unnecessary. Still, some should be grown in pots, as very attrac¬ 
tive and useful specimens for the cool house can be obtained with 
little trouble. Light turfy loam and peat, with a good proportion 
of sand, will suit them well under such conditions, and as growth 
is advancing an occasional supply of weak liquid manure will be 
advantageous, improving the flowers both in size and colour. One 
bulb in a small pot, or several in a large one according to the size, 
will be needed ; and as the plants are rather tall in growth, reach¬ 
ing and even sometimes exceeding 2 feet in height, a light stake 
may be employed to keep the stems in position. This, too, is 
generally needed in the open border, as they are very liable to be 
broken by wind or beaten down by rain if some similar precaution 
be not taken. In planting it is well to avoid placing the bulbs 
very deeply, as that is likely to result in weak and imperfect 
growth. Three or four inches below the surface of the soil is quite 
sufficient. 
The plant is of slender and graceful habit; the leaves are about 
half an inch broad, tapering somewhat like Ixias and other similar 
plants. The flowers have each a long tube and six elliptical 
divisions, bright red in colour with a tinge of scarlet; the three 
lower divisions are broader than the others, and have a dark 
blotch at the base. Though individually they do not last long, 
the scapes are produced in constant succession during the greater 
part of summer, and even as late as September, 
The other species is A. juncea, which is very rare in gardens, 
although it has been long grown in this country. The flowers are 
very bright pink in colour, with a dark spot at the base, and are 
produced in considerable numbers.—L. C. 
RHUBARB. 
Anybody can grow Rhubarb and on any kind of soil, but some 
persons grow it very badly for that very reason. Once when a 
journeyman I had a lesson in manuring generally, the use of 
sewage in particular—Hollyhock-growing and Rhubarb-growing 
all in one. It is a few years ago, but the lesson is as good now 
as then. 
The head gardener was a great Hollyhock grower. The soil 
was an exceedingly stiff clay. Sewage could be had in quantities, 
and, used moderately for Cabbages and Cauliflowers, produced 
immense crops ; then why should not a good supply produce 
unheard-of Hollyhock spikes ? A piece of ground of no great 
value was near, the manure was readily obtained ; so a trench was 
made at one end of the ground, the soil was wheeled to the other, 
and trenching was commenced, a liberal amount of the sewage 
being mixed in to a depth of 3 feet. After the piece was finished 
there were many laughing anticipations of the towering spikes 
that were sure to come. This was before the planting was done, 
but there was nothing but vexation afterwards. The season was 
hot; and though the soil was clay, it was either so saturated with 
the ammonia that it could not hold all that the decaying manure 
emitted, or it was too hot to hold it. At any rate the gas escaped 
in quantities sufficient not only to kill all the Hollyhocks but 
also the weeds. 
Next year Rhubarb was planted on the same ground. A dry 
spring followed ; the Rhubarb received no water, and the prospect 
was not encouraging. Shortly afterwards there came a heavy 
fall of rain, which enabled us to knock to powder the huge lumps 
of clay that the previous heat and drought had baked. In the 
hurry of other work the Rhubarb was forgotten. Some weeks 
after, indeed near the end of summer, the Rhubarb had leaves 
G feet high. The laughingafter a long suspension began again, but 
there was really something to admire now—a splendid crop, and a 
convincing example of the power of sewage.—A Scotchman. 
Cauliflowers. —These are not always grown and attended with 
success. . Where they are wanted early in the year it is advisable 
to sow in the autumn, transplanting the seedlings when of suffi¬ 
cient size, so as to be protected by handlights or cold frames during 
the winter months. Even then they are sometimes destroyed by 
frost. I remember an autumn batch being killed by the frost, and 
[ February 2, 1882. 
in consequence an early sowing was made, the seedlings being trans' 
planted on a slight hotbed, and thence to the common garden soil. 
Instead, however, of procuring good heads by this treatment, they 
nearly all ran to seed, which was the result of too sudden a shift 
from warm quarters to a cold one. Sometimes they fail through the 
manure being very fresh, as little worms are produced in numbers, 
which eat the roots, soon destroying the plants if the soil be not 
firmed about them again. The manure should be spread on the surface 
and dug in a few months before the plants are ready, giving plenty 
of time for the destruction of all worms.—Z. 
THE NEW YEAR’S ADDRESS. 
I NOTICE in the Journal for January 16th four different articles 
in which the above is kindly alluded to, in three kindly criticised. 
I will now reply to two out of the four, noticing the other two 
another week. With respect to the words of praise only by 
“ W. J. M., Clonmel ,” I heartily thank him for them. In respect 
to his reference to temperance, if that be, as I apprehend, the 
subject he thinks “ I may possibly differ,” he will be glad to learn 
that I have not unfrequently administered the pledge, and once 
to a gardener, which alone saved him from losing his place. 
Never shall I forget the joy of the wife as she gradually gathered 
around her better furniture and better clothing for her family. 
Without temperance the best gardeners will, as I have seen them, 
come to grief. Fair abilities and good character will always beat 
high abilities and an inferior character. The most clever gardener 
I ever knew failed utterly in life from drink. 
I next turn to the remarks of the well-known “ C. P. P.” In 
regard to the Seckle Pear we must differ. I fancy theUnfluence 
of old association is very powerful with him in his estimate of 
this Pear. Next he “ thinks me wrong to limit the varieties of 
Apples and Pears grown.” It may be so, but I doubt it. I regard 
the question in a national point of view. We have to compete 
with America and the continent; but my belief is we can do this 
only with success if we send the very best fruit we can grow into 
the market. My personal observation and knowledge of recent 
years is very much confined to the south and south-western 
counties of England. The climate I live in is about that of Bath, 
and one admirably suited for fruit-growing; and in sending 
recently my list of the best Apples to Mr. Killick of Maidstone 
for his Apple election, I desire to be understood to speak only for 
the south and south-west. I think lists should be divided thus— 
one for the south and west of England, one for the midland 
counties, and one for north of the Humber. 
“ C. P. P.” thinks me wrong, as said above, in trying to limit 
the varieties of Apples and Pears grown. In regard to the former 
the public are doing this themselves. Orders come to Messrs. 
Smith of Worcester in such abundance for Lord Suffield and 
Dumelow that they have almost a little nursery to themselves. 
So also of Black Hamburgh Grapes, by far the largest number 
wanted by customers are of this variety. I have found this year 
that Lord Suffield keeps better than Keswick Codlin, and I own 
that Margaret is a better Apple than Joanneting. Let “ C. P. P.” 
keep Beurrd d’Amanlis until it is dead ripe, and I fancy he will 
think better of it. In Madame Treyve I own I am disappointed. 
I find with “ C. P. P.” that Emperor Alexander Apple keep3 
extremely well, and Winter Hawthornden (not New Hawthorn- 
den, please) is beyond praise. As to pruning, my plan is that of 
an old vicar of the old school of a former generation, who in the 
latter part of his life needed a curate, and one of the happily new 
and energetic school came to him, who inquired of the old man 
what speculum gregis he used, or what was his plan in managing 
his parishioners. “ My plan, my plan, young man ! My plan 
is to let ’em alone—to let ’em alone.” Certainly a very bad 
plan with human souls, but I find it a very good one with 
pyramid fruit trees. I let them alone, save where a branch crosses 
another, or when a tree grows too thickly, which is not often 
the case if you do not prune. But many densely thick bushes, 
wholly or in part fruitless, have I seen, where summer prun¬ 
ing has been carried on rigidly for years. With me a branch 
that is cankered is cut off, or one that intrudes over a path must 
go ; but “ let ’em alone ” is my principle, and I get healthy trees 
blossoming and fruiting well in at all suitable seasons—Apples as 
a rule always, and Pears more frequently than my neighbours. 
Lastly I would say that it is well for amateurs who are in com¬ 
fortable circumstances to have many varieties of fruits, and I 
find nothing more pleasing than trying new or fresh sorts ; but 
I had in my mind, when writing in favour of few and choice, the 
interest of those who need to sell and desire to sell profitably.— 
Wiltshire Rector. 
P.S.—While writing this article I have had a visit from a head 
gardener who had noticed my remarks about the Seckle Pear. 
He tells me his employer so much dislikes it that this year he 
