November 8, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
395 
autumn. Single Dahlias are so lovely that I have used them for 
almost every purpose for which cut liowers are required. They 
make an excellent change for the dinner table, and tell well in 
vases and bowls of all sizes. Dor a tripod stand some 3 feet 
high, supporting a large bowl, they have had the preference for 
many weeks. I have arranged them in it in a variety of ways ; 
at the present moment as follows :—The bowl is tilled with moist 
sand; about eight large fronds of Lastrea Filix-mas are thrust 
into the sand and bent down over the edge of the bowl; thi’ee 
long sprays pf Clematis vitalba are also bent over upon the Fern 
fronds, curving over them diagonally; three or four clusters of 
the berries of Japanese Rose, with a few of its yellow leaves 
mingled with rather large leaves of Ampelopsis Yeitchii form a 
margin above them ; single Dahlias arranged 1 glitly fill the bowl, 
rising to a height of about a foot in the centre, and from among 
them the seed plumes of Bromus sterilis (Barren Brome Grass") 
spring upwards and outwards, some bending over the sides and 
bending outwards from the centre full 2 feet above the highest 
Dahlias. Flowers of early Chrysanthemums are ready, but none 
will be used till the Dahlias are over. 
For the dinnei table flowers may frequently be dispensed 
with entirely at this season of the year, and foliage used instead. 
Large central bowls of the shape of c, fig. 73. told well with fronds 
of Male Fern bent down and resting on the tablecloth, a long 
shoot of Cissus discolor with well-coloured leaves curved right 
round well out from the bowl and resting upon the Fern fronds, 
ABC 
Fig. 73. 
Useful forms of vases for dinner-table decoration. A is of iridescent and 
crackled glass, 6 inches high and 2f inches in diameter at top. B is a slender 
vase, 7 inches high and inch in diameter at top. c is a plain transparent 
glass bowl of various sizes, used singly, and in circles and clusters ; they are 
also useful for suspending from chandeliers by slender wires fastened under 
the rim. 
then came clusters of scarlet leaves of Ampelopsis Yeitchii, 
three or four sprays of Polygonum Sieboldii, some small leaves 
of Caladium Wightii, shoots of Coleus Pompadour and Royal 
Purple, dried spikes of Briza maxima among the foliage and 
slightly raised above it, with tall silvery spikes of common 
Hair Grass and Poa pratensis above all. A few crimson leaves 
with Maidenhair Fern and trailing shoots of Selaginella coesia 
suffice for such vases as b, fig. 73, of which circles may be 
arranged round the large central bowls, with a wreath of crimson 
leaves upon the tablecloth winding gracefully about among the 
vases and dishes. 
Of the materials used for church decoration for the harvest 
festival the principal were plenty of nice fresh green moss, leaves 
of Ampelopsis Veitchii, AEsculus laciniatum, Japanese Rose, 
Polygonum, and crimson-blotched leaves of Grape V ines, little 
sheaves of Wheat, Barley, and Oats about a foot in height, large 
flowers of scarlet Cactus Dahlia Fire King, berries of wild 
Guelder Rose, hips of Dog Rose, and berries of Cotoueaster Sim- 
monsii, fronds of common Bracken, with fruit of Fearn’s Pippin. 
Appjle, Beurre Clairgeau Pear, Tomatoes, and Capsicums. AVith 
these simple materials a bright and tasteful effect was obtained, 
and all vulgar display avoided.— Edward Luckhurst. 
The Best White Bedding Pelargonium.— Inquiries have been 
made in your Journal by “ S. C.” as to the best white-flowering bedding 
Pelargonium. 1 quite agree with him with regard to White Ve-uvius ; it 
is not so good as Madame Vaucher, indeed I think this is the best white 
v e have. If *• S. C.” has any, or can procure any, old plants of Madame 
Yaucher, cut the roots well in so as to get them into large thumbs or 
GO-size pots, shift them in the spring into 5 or 6-inch pots instead of 
turning the plants out of their pots at the bedding-out season, and plunge 
the pots deep enough to hide them. The plants will make less foliage 
and more flower, though they will require planting closer together to give 
the desired effect. I have used the same plants three years in succession* 
and they gave every satisfaction.—J. Pithers. 
PEAR TREE IN FULL BLOSSOM IN NOVEMBER. 
I have forwarded a few sprays of blossom of the Jargonelle Pear. 
The tree, which is 20 feet high, is one mass of blossom, and to us the 
effect is extraordinary. The tree flowered in the spring and produced 
fruit. In July it suddenly lost all its foliage, and now it is, as you see 
from the specimens sent, flowering again from every hud. We should 
like to hear through the Journal what you think about this curious 
freak.— John Mallett, Gardener to II. Collier, Esq , Hoe Street, 
Walthamstow. 
[We have not had a box of prettier flowers this year, every spur—and 
there are thirty-three of them on the branchlets—terminating in a cluster 
of flowers as fine as we ever saw Pear blossom in the spring, but appear¬ 
ing more beautiful now in its isolation. The result is due to the check 
the tree received in July. Had it continued growing the force of the 
sap supplied by the roots would have found expression in the leaves, but 
since these were lost it forced the blossom; the tree, in fact, -went tem¬ 
porarily to rest, had its little w T inter in July, now followed by its spring in 
November. The blossom has expanded now instead of next March, and a 
similar display must not be expected at the ordinary period of blooming 
next year. 
It is not unusual for Pears to occasionally produce some blossom in 
the autumn, or even in summer. The Windsor Pear is especially apt to 
do this in dry soils and hot districts. A partial cessation of growth occurs 
by the heat and drought, and the tree rests ; mo st genial weather follows, 
and it starts into growth again, blossoms, and even hears fruit. This is 
notably the case in France, hence the Pear has become known as Poire 
Figne, Hgve Musqvee and Devx foix Van. The same peculiarity has, 
however, been observed in this country upwards of three centuries ago, 
for Sir Hugh Plat, in giving the authority of “ Master Hill,” who lived 
about 1563, “ Why trees transplanted doe alter,” says, “ Trees that bear 
early, or often in the year, as Pear trees upon Windsor Hill, which bear 
three times in a year ; these though they be removed to as rich, or richer 
soil, yet they do seldom bear so early, or so often, except the soil he of 
the same hot nature, and have the like advantages of situation, and other 
circumstances with those of Windsor. And, therefore, commonly the 
second fruit of that Pear tree being removed, doth seldome ripen in other 
places.”] 
• CRATAEGUS AZAROLUS. 
Unquestionably this is one of the most beautiful Thorns we have, 
and it richly deserves the attention of those whose time and minds will be 
occupied during the next two or three months in planting and replanting 
various kinds of evergreens and deciduuus trees and shrubs. At this 
time of the year it certainly has a very attractive and charming 
appearance, and cannot fail to elicit admiration from many who are 
not habitually close observers of the beauties of Nature, but whose 
innate love of bold and striking objects compels them, unconsciously 
as it were, to notice anything above mediocrity. For planting out on 
lawns or in parks as single specimens it is admirably adapted, and where 
it does not already exist a few trees w'ould add much to the scenery, and 
greatly improve the surroundings of any country or suburban residence. 
Its blossoms are probably less showy than any of the scarlet or common 
white Thorns, but the haws which the trees are still bearing are exceed¬ 
ingly pretty, being of a beautiful bright orange-scarlet in colour, almost 
as large as Cherries, and borne in clusters of from three to ten, render it 
very conspicuous from a considerable distance. Although the character 
of the tree is seen to the best advantage when growing singly, we do 
not doubt but that clumps or rows along the outskirts of woods and 
plantations would be equally effective. If it were desired to heighten 
the effect a few clumps of Pampas Grass planted in front would form a 
very pleasing and striking constrast.—J. Horsefield, Unjicshury. 
PANSIES AND VIOLAS. 
It is easier to answer the query of “ H., Notts," respecting the distinction 
of the Pelargonium and the Geranium than it is to distinguish the 
so-called Viola from the Pansy. Mr. H. Cannell, jun., seems to have 
solved the question without difficulty, and the varieties he mentions are 
no doubt true offsprings from Viola cornuta—hence the distinction from 
the Pansy. But going further, and referring to Cannell’s Guide, at 
Violas, for instance, I find—“ Holyrood, deep indigo blue, dark blotch ; ” 
then turning to Show Pansies (seifs) I find, “ Bluegown, deep blue self, 
dark blotch ; ” then Viola Counte-s of Kintore and Pansy Magpie. I 
cannot see here the distinction of the two sections Violas and Pansies. 
Some three or four years ago when on a visit to Sale I called upon 
Mr. Brownhill. He then had two beds of seedlings, one of Violas and 
the other of Show and Fancy Pansies. There were about 1200 plants 
flowering in each bed, the first bed producing moderate Show and Fancy 
Pansies and Violas, so-called, the latter producing Violas and Show and 
Fancy Pansies. It was just at this time when the question was asked, 
“ What is the difference between the Viola and the Pansy ? ” 
There is no doubt a wide difference between the Show and Fancy 
Pansy and the true Viola cornuta ; but when we come to ^uch varieties 
as Holyrood, Waverley, Pilrig Park, Admiration, and others, I fail to 
