December G, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
485 
Salter, Lady Selborne, a year or two since, informs me that this system 
"was adopted, with the result that only one bud — that nearest the 
top of the stem—grew, and from this all the stock was subsequently 
raised. Mr. Orchard of Kingston, however, who has also added a 
beautiful sport to the varieties in cultivation—namely, Lord Wolseley, 
advocates another plan, and one which I believe is much preferable. It 
consists in simply laying a branch down in cocoa-nut fibre refuse kept 
Tegularly but moderately moist, which induces the production of roots 
'from the stem, and it can be then cut into eyes, these being potted like 
ordinary cuttings. The advantage of this plan is that the sport is kept 
true, which cannot always be insured when it is propagated from the 
shoots at the base of the stem, and sometimes sports of great promise 
bave been lost in this way. It seems that nothing is done in the way 
•of conducing to the production of sports, though it appears that some 
valuable experiments might be tried by grafting light-coloured varieties 
on dark-coloured forms as stocks, or vice versa. Possibly many changes 
■might be effected in this way with patient perseverance. 
CLASSIFICATION OF VARIETIES. 
The majority of the incurved varieties are well marked, the term 
specially applied to them conveying a clear idea of their character ; but 
even amongst these there are some shown in the same stands that differ 
•sufficiently to be classed alone. To these, which include such varieties 
as Barbara, Lady Talfourd, and Mrs. HaliburtoD, the term “erect” might 
be safely applied, as the florets, instead of incurving, as with the others, 
are perpendicular to the base of the bloom. There are scarcely sufficient 
■of these, however, to form a stand, though in the opinion of many they 
should be excluded from the true incurved classes. The Japanese are 
most in need of a system of classification, and though several systems 
bave been proposed they are all subject to objections of some kind. The 
following method is no doubt imperfect also, but it has the merit of 
•simplicity, and the majority of the varieties can be readily referred to 
one or other of the sections—at least, so far as I have tested it. This 
plan is to group all the Japanese varieties in three sections—1, Those 
with flat florets, which include such as Elaine, Striatum, Thunberg, Peter 
"the Great, Oracle, James Salter, M. Ardene, and Fair Maid of Guernsey. 
2, Those with florets partly quilled : examples, Bronze Dragon, Soleil 
Levant, The Daimio, Meg Merrilees, and Erecta superba. 3, Those with 
fluted florets—that is, having the margins folded backwards : examples, 
<lry Kang, The Cossack, Garnet, Red Gauntlet, and Fulton. This may 
■serve as a hint to some who will be able to suggest defects and possible 
improvements.— Lewis Castle. 
PLANTING SEAKALE. 
I AM placed in the same position as your correspondent “ B.” with 
Tegard to the supply of this vegetable ; but he says this is not the time 
to enter into the preparation of the plants, and I differ from him in that 
respect. I have a lot of old roots, some three, others probably of ten 
years’ standing, and I will describe the system I am about to pursue. I 
bave taken all the plants up, carefully preserving every root that could 
be found, as these are of more use than the crowns. I shall proceed 
with making the sets in wet weather from the roots that are anything 
larger than a tobacco pipe stem, but perhaps shall be induced to use larger 
pieces, as the supply is small. These are cut about 4 inches long, fiat 
at the end nearest the old root, with a sloping cut at the other end to 
prevent the sets being planted upside down. When this is done they 
will be covered with ashes until next April, when they will be planted. 
From these I shall expect crowns equal to those which are supplied by 
nurserymen at 15#. or 16#. per 100. 
Your correspondent finds seedlings answer well with him, I have 
never seen good Kale produced from seedlings. If “ B.” had any 
seedlings to dispose of he would not be able to get a very satisfactory 
return for them, for vendors would scarcely look at them however strong 
the crowns may be. I have found that crowns not strong enough for 
forcing are not worth keeping a second year, and I quite agree with your 
•correspondent about forcing on the land, that it involves an unnecessary 
amount of labour. A light rich loam answers admirably for the pro¬ 
duction of healthy strong roots.—J. Pithers, Summerhill, Co. Meath. 
ROSES FROM CUTTINGS. 
It is gratifying to me, and doubtless to many more of the readers of 
the Journal, that the above subject is being discussed. Much, no doubt, 
remains to be learnt, and many like myself have little spare time to try 
experiments, consequently are thankful to learn from others, such as 
“ A. F. M.” “ Y. B. A. Z ,” too, has to depend on cuttings, and considers 
Roses on their own roots nearly or quite equal to those worked on stocks. 
It is not my intention to criticise, but rather to look back on the past 
season’s success or failure, making a few remarks thereon. I stated 
some time ago that my stock was not large, either as standards on the 
Uriar or dwarfs. I usually contrive to add a few more each year to 
•replace those that have done good service and are worn out. 
To commence with standards. These have succeeded admirably—in 
some instances as perfect heads of bloom on the second as on the first 
growth. Continuing to bloom till later than usual, the blooms have been 
fine, considering the number on each plant. I may here state, after 
careful observation, that as good a Rose may be grown on the Briar as 
from own-root plants, and vice versa. With those on their own roots 
planted out I am perfectly satisfied, having had a long continuance of 
what I consider really good blooms ; yet such sorts as Charles Lawson, 
John Hopper, Duke of Edinburgh, Celine Forestier, notwithstanding 
that they have bloomed freely, have made such strong growth that I 
intend to lift them. Capitaine Christy on the same border made but 
little growth. Again, Gloire de Dijon, one on each side of the path, in 
the same borders, struck the same season and treated the same, have 
made very different growth, the one having done well, the other scarcely 
a foot from the ground. Both are at the present time full of good flower 
buds. How can we explain this ? My impression is this, that unless 
the cutting starts from the first it had better be thrown away, as it will 
only dwindle and die. Do not we often see this on budded plants i 
Here is one instance. Last week I lifted two beds of Roses, took one 
plant from the kitchen garden to occupy the place of one that had died, 
apparently a healthy head budded last season. The situation was more 
open, and a gust of wind settled matters by blowing out the head with 
the bud entire. On examination I found that the bud had only partly 
taken, yet had lingered on and carried some fair blooms. It matters 
not whether it be a Rose from a bud or from a cutting, unless healthy 
from the first no attention afterwards will briDg it to perfection. The 
Roses from cuttings in pots I am proud of, and if good stocky growth 
and healthy roots are any guide I shall have some excellent blooms, and 
if possible I will send some where non-believers can see them. Some 
plants from cuttings inserted twelve months ago are now stocky, in 
32-size pots, capable of carrying from six to nine flowers ; while those 
two and three years old are fine plants, and ought to give a good return 
of flowers. It may not be out of place to state some cultural attention 
is necessary, and good results cannot be looked for unless it is given 
from the first. 
In conclusion I would like to ask, Does a Rose worked on the 
Manetti throw its finest bloom for exhibition purposes the second year 
after being worked ? If so, then is its value for general purposes 
afterwards ? Does each year see it weaker i If such be true, what shall 
we say of those grand specimens we see exhibited at the London shows 
by such well-known firms as Messrs. Paul & Son ? It would appear by 
that, these giants must be on their own roots. To gain experience I 
have inserted some Manetti cuttings with a view to working them. We 
cannot learn too much.— A. J. Sanders. 
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT IN GARDENING. 
Amongst the “Notes and Gleanings” on page 418 I noticed par¬ 
ticulars of a society now formed at Manchester under very promising 
prospects. With Mr. B. Findlay at its head, and with an able secretary 
and treasurer, it is to be hoped that numbers of young gardeners 
especially will join the Society, and have the support of those further 
advanced in years and skill. It is much to be regretted that such 
imprevement classes are not more common (they might in some cases 
also include lessons in drawing), as it is only by such means, or practical 
necessity, that some young men are led to take advantage of the valuable 
horticultural literature now so plentiful. No young man who takes any 
interest in his avocation should fail to carefully, and as often as spare 
time permits, read his “ Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary,” tracing the 
history and derivation of what are not unusually termed rambling 
nonsensical names, and by such knowledge add interest to that which 
otherwise would be ridiculed. I would trespass a little further and 
ask them to pay greater attention to other dictionaries, which are so 
very cheap and comprehensive. 
There are many improvement societies of various forms in different 
gardening centres ; but even where it is not convenient to form a society, 
would it not he possible and beneficial to young men where several are 
employed to set apart one night a week for mutual instruction during 
the winter, the head gardener to assist so far as he could ? Could not 
each young man write out the history, soil, and climate best adapted, say, 
of the Apple or other hardy fruits, the Pine Apple, the Vine, vegetables, 
or plants, and their treatment ? Even though the major part was mere 
copying from a book or paper it could not fail to do good and instil a 
desire to learn, also cause many to feel more at home with their chief. 
I well remember such nights being set aside for the spiritual benefit of 
the young men by the kind head gardener under whom it was my good 
fortune to receive my early lessons in gardening. Such home-improve¬ 
ment classes may be in practice in out-of-the-way establishments, and 
where they are a benefit readers will, myself included, be glad to hear 
how they are conducted. 
It is often surprising to meet with young men who have lived with 
most competent head gardeners remember very little of the teachings 
they have had, those employed inside not taking much notice in their 
spare time of any operations outside or beyond their own department. 
Happily there are many exceptions; but let me impress upon young 
men -the great importance of associating themselves with any improve¬ 
ment society which may be within reach, nor fail to closely observe all 
practical operations.—E. B. 
STORING APPLES ON STRAW. 
It is surprising how many there are who store their choice Apples on 
straw, and yet no greater mistake could well be made. As affording 
proof of the truth of these assertions I may state that a few days since it 
fell to my lot to taste about fifty dishes of Apples from as many growers, 
and of these fully two-thirds evinced by their taste that they had been 
l stored on straw. In some cases this had quite spoilt the taste of the 
