174 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 2, 1882. 
cheap and most effective for the purpose, and this season I have 
given it a good trial. Other materials I have used are coarse 
sand, leaf soil (in dung frames), and occasionally growing sphag¬ 
num moss all good for the purpose, but not so satisfactory as the 
sawdust that I am using, being chiefly beech dust. I am rootiDg 
bedding plants, as Iresines, Lobelias, Ageratums, Petunias, Co¬ 
leuses, Dracaenas (eyes and tops), Roses, Carnations, Tomatoes, 
Cucumbers, Indiarubber Plants (eyes and tops), Pelargoniums, 
and, in fact, any plants I wish to strike. I have no losses and 
little trouble, but I can command a strong and steady bottom 
heat—a point of importance.—A Noe’-Easter. 
gip 
g PTES-GLEP 
NGS. 
Me. Mann, head gardener to Mrs. Hornsby of St. Vincent’s, 
New Somerby, well known as a most successful exhibitor at 
many horticultural exhibitions throughout England, delivered a 
LECTURE ON horticulture in the school-room, New Somerby, 
recently, in connection with the New Somerby Literary Insti¬ 
tute. The lecture was most useful and interesting, comprising a 
general review of the most important gardening operations, with 
especial reference to window gardening. The Rev. W. Nash of 
Somerby Rectory, in drawing our attention to this, observes that 
“ other head gardeners should in their own neighbourhood give 
similar lectures, and thereby encourage horticulture, kitchen, fruit, 
and window gardening. I am sure such kindness on their part 
would be greatly appreciated, and work much benefit amongst 
the inhabitants.” 
- We are informed that the Burxon-on-Trent Flower 
Shows are fixed for June 21st and August 23rd. 
- A correspondent sends the following note in reference 
to Lettuce Jefferies’ Little Queen— “ I have found this 
variety most useful for early and late crops, coming in much 
sooner than any other kind, and possessing a fine flavour. F<.r 
summer use I find Alexandra White Cos to be the most useful 
when procured true.” 
- As an example of the rapid advance of the season in the 
south, especially in the neighbourhood of London, we may note 
that in several gardens we have seen Almond trees flowering 
most profusely. The blooms of this beautiful tree are usually 
very abundant, but this season they appear even more numerous 
than is generally the case, and many villa gardens that contain a 
few specimens are rendered extremely gay for a short period. 
Amongst the sombre Laurels the dingy Aucubas, and sundry 
other evergreen occupants of town gardens, the Almond when in 
flower is most striking. 
- Messrs. Jones & Sons of Shrewsbury, writing in refer¬ 
ence to the paragraph respecting the Roman Hyacinth (page 154) 
observe—“We expect the creamy white Hyacinth seen in Covent 
Garden thirty years ago is the white Italian of the present day. 
It is rather later than the white Roman, but produces much larger 
flowers. It is very useful for bouquet-edging and wreath-making, 
as the flowers are all produced on one side, so none are hid. In 
price it is about the same as Romans.” 
- W. Harker, Oakwood Lodge, Epsom, referring to Mare- 
chal Niel Rose on its own roots, writes—“ Last April, 
when cutting back an old cankered tree on the Briar, I layered 
a strong branch about three years old in a large pot; by Sep¬ 
tember it was well rooted, and was then planted out with many 
buds on that opened well. When it was cut from the parent plant 
it never flagged in the least. Now it has over fifty flowers and 
buds, and has made one shoot G feet long and one nearly 2 feet. 
The old tree has scarcely shown a bud yet planted in the same 
house. I have layered two other branches of Marbchal Niel, and 
intend to try a few others to get some stiong plants for forcing. 
It might be useful to some of the many readers of the Journal of 
Horticulture , who have old trees that are much cankered and 
show signs of dying, to know that they can save at least part of 
their old friends.” 
-“M. F. W.” writes—“As many readers of ‘our Journal ’ 
often see the use of sulphur recommended, it may interest them 
to know that it is not the yellow sulphur, but the common brown, 
which is unpurified, that they should use. I learnt this from a 
well-known Rose-grower, who informed me that the process of 
purifying takes away the very properties which destroy mildew 
and other pests.” 
- Messrs. Thomas Green & Son announce a new lawn 
mower, termed “ Multum in Parvo,” which is adapted for mow¬ 
ing the small grass plots of villa residences, &c. It is also adapted 
for mowing verges, borders, edges of walks, Ac., and is stated to 
be, as no doubt it is, an excellent garden appliance. They also 
announce considerable improvements in their grass-edge clipper 
for cutting the overhanging grass on the edges of walks and flower 
beds. Their lawn-tennis marker is also said to be very effective 
in its work. 
- A new monthly gardening journal has appeared in Berlin 
called “ Garten-zeitung.” It is edited by Dr. L. Wittmaek, than 
whom there is no one more competent for the work, and judging 
by the first three parts now before us both the letterpress and 
the illustrations are well done. Each part is illustrated by a 
coloured plate and many woodcuts. 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. David McIntosh, late 
foreman at Bloxholm Hall, has been engaged as gardener to Capt. 
N. Reeve, Ashby-de-la-Laund, Sleaford. 
- Mr. J. Clarice, Brynkinalt, Chirk, writing in reference 
to the Gloxinia, observes—“ I can with pleasure freely endorse 
the statement made by your correspondent, “ CredendA,” p. 128, 
on the above plant for winter flowering. I had the pleasure of 
seeing a grand lot about a month since at Englefield Park near 
Reading, the seat of R. Benyon, Esq. They were handsome plants, 
very healthy, and flowering profusely in 48-size pots, all superb 
varieties. The seed, I learned, was obtained from Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons, Reading, and great credit is due to Mr. Coombes, the 
gardener at Englefield, for his judicious and highly successful 
mode of culture.” 
-A copy of Messrs. Carter k Co.’s “ Practical Gar¬ 
dener ” is now to hand, and contains much useful instruction 
upon plant, fruit, and vegetable culture. We are informed that 
in the course of the eleven editions of this work 100,000 copies 
have been issued—a sufficient indication of the demand and 
general appreciation. The present edition is much larger than 
the preceding, and has been previously referred to at greater 
length in these pages. 
- An elegant little plant that is by no means well known is 
Philodendron cuspidatum, and when in good condition is a 
valuable addition to any collection of stove plants. The leaves 
3 or 4 inches long and about 2 broad, ovate in form, the apex 
tapering very gradually like Ficus religiosa. The upper surface 
of the fully developed leaves is of a rich deep green colour, and 
possess a glossiness resembling velvet. The under surface is 
purple, the young leaves being of a most delicate light green hue. 
The best way to grow the plant is to train it round the stem of 
a Tree Fern, where it can be liberally supplied with water. If a 
portion of a Tree Fern stem a few inches in diameter and 2 or 
