92 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 28, 1881. 
stocks are still swarming. I had four top swarms last week. Let 
us hope the present may equal, if it does not excel, the splendid 
autumn of 1880 .—William Raitt.] 
Select Carnations and Picotees (E. Milton). —The following are six 
excellent varieties in each class :— Scarlet Bizarres: Admiral Curzon, Dread¬ 
nought, Sir J. Paxton, Mercury, Lord Napier, and Mars. Crimson Bizarres: 
Rifleman, J. D. Hextall (sometimes pink and purple), Lord Milton, Lord Raglan, 
John bimonite, and Captain Stott. Pink and Purple Bizarres: Sarah Payne, 
William Murray, Unexpected, Falconbridge, Eccentric Jack, and Satisfaction 
(pale, but very fine petals). Purple Flakes: Dr. Foster, James Douglas, Squire 
Maynell, Florence Nightingale, Mayor of Nottingham, and Squire Trow. Scarlet 
Flakes: Clipper, Sportsman, John Bay ley, Annihilator, Mr. Battersby, and Dan 
Godfrey. Rose Flakes: John Keet, Sibyl, James Merryweather, Apollo, Rose of 
Stapleford, and Maid of Athens. Heavy Red Picotees: John Smith, Princess of 
Wales, J. B. Bryant, Master Norman, Mrs. Dodwell, and Brunette. Light Red 
Picotees: Thomas William, Violet Douglas, Clara, Thomas Jivons, Mrs. Bower, 
Lucy (medium), Rev. F. D. Horner (medium), Wm. Summers (medium). Heavy 
Purple Picotees: Zerlina, Alliance, Isabella, Silvia, Mrs. Douglas, and Lizzie 
Tomes. Light Purple Picotees: Mary, Ann Lord, Her Majesty, Minnie, Alice 
(medium), and Fanny (ditto). Heavy Rose Picotees: Lady Louisa, Miss Horner, 
Edith Dombrain, Mrs. Payne, Royal Visit, and Mrs. Lord. Light Rose and 
Scarlet Picotees: Mrs. Allcroft, Julia, Daisy, Mrs. Adams, Ethel, Mrs. Nicholls, 
and Miss Wood (medium). 
Disposal of Sewage (N.).~ We have seen the plan you suggest of remov¬ 
ing the manure adopted with the best results, and as it appears well adapted to 
your circumstances we advise you to carry it out. House slops of all kinds, 
including soapsuds, should be utilised in the garden. Probably in your small 
establishment one tank, in a convenient place and not obtrusive, into which the 
liquid can be conducted through pipes, would suffice. You would not have suffi¬ 
cient to be of practical use for distributing through a series of pipes and taps at 
different points. We should have a tank near the place where you keep manure 
and store garden refuse, then when the liquid was not required by growing 
crops it could be poured periodically over heaps of soil or decaying vegetable 
matter of any kind, and you would thus have a valuable compost heap for 
spreading on the land and digging-in as required. Soil, weeds, roadside 
trimming, or refuse of any kind saturated in the manner indicated would be 
rendered of great manurial value by the practice indicated. A good water 
barrel on wheels, into which the liquid could be poured and removed daily or 
when needed, would be sufficient in a very small household without laying down 
pipes. The contents of the manure barrows mixed with earth freely can be 
spread on vacant land and dug-in when convenient. 
The Virginian and Chilian Strawberries (J. E.). —The following 
descriptions of these two species are given in Don’s “ Dichlamydeous Plants,” 
and represent their most important characters :—Fragaria virginiana : Flowers 
late, dioecious from abortion, rather campanulate ; petals ovate ; leaflets cori¬ 
aceous, not plicate; petioles short; peduncles and pedicels the length of the 
leaves ; receptacle very tumid, pendulous; styles very long. Flowers white. 
Fruit deep red when ripe. A native of Virginia. This is the parent of what are 
termed the scarlet and so-called black Strawberries, of which the following were 
some of the early varieties :—Cockscomb, Grove-end Scarlet, Knight’s Scarlet, 
Sir Joseph Banks’ Scarlet, Wilmot’s Scarlet, and Elton. Fragaria chilensis is 
thus described : Flowers always dioecious from abortion, leaflets obovate, obtuse, 
coarsely serrated, coriaceous, wrinkled, clothed with silky hairs beneath ; calyx 
and peduncles silky ; peduncles thick; fruit pendulous; sepals erect. Fruit 
rose-coloured, flesh white. Native of South America, in Chili and Peru. This, 
with F. grandiflora, were the principal progenitors of the Pine Strawberries. 
Some of the early varieties were Black and Scarlet Chili, Patagonian, Wilmot’s 
Superb, and Canterbury'. The races have now become so intercrossed that it is 
difficult to give the origin of some varieties now m general use. The variety 
you name can be obtained from Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry, Mount Hope Nur¬ 
series, Rochester, New York. 
Bougainvilleas spectabilis and glabra (J. M.). —The plant you have 
appears to be Bougainvillea spectabilis, as near as we can judge from the 
crushed leaves we received. This species differs chiefly from the more generally 
grown B. glabra in the larger deeper-coloured flowers and in the leaves being 
also larger and slightly hairy, whereas those of the other are quite smooth. 
Both are essentially stove plants, though B. glabra will thrive in a cooler tem¬ 
perature ; but that is a much more freely flowering form than B. spectabilis, 
which, even when in good condition and well attended, is often several years 
before it produces flowers. B. glabra is by far the best suited for culture in 
pots, as handsome little specimens can be soon obtained, and plants may occa¬ 
sionally be seen in Covent Garden Market growing in 48 and 32-size pots, 
yet bearing abundance of bright rosy flowers. Encourage your plant to make 
vigorous growth in a light warm position, gradually lessening the supply of 
water as the wood becomes matured ; give the plant a good rest, prune closely 
early in spring, and start it in heat if possible. However, you would find 
B. glabra of much more service. 
Keeping Black Hamburgh Grapes (M. J/.).—The Grapes being now 
ripe it will be necessary, in order to retain them in good condition as long as 
possible, to keep them cool, allowing a free circulation of air night and day, and 
when the sun is very powerful it will be necessary to shade for a few hours in 
the hottest part of the day. Sprinkling the floors in the early part of hot days 
will also be beneficial. Sufficient water must be afforded the border, especially 
that inside, to maintain the foliage in good condition. The shading will only 
bn necessary during hot days in August and early September. Keep the laterals 
closely stopped to one joint, and examine the bunches occasionally for decayed 
berries, which must be removed promptly. Fire heat will not be necessary for 
the next six weeks, unless the weather prove very wet and dull, when a little by 
day will be beneficial so as to admit of a change of air, not raising the tempera¬ 
ture by that means above 60° in the daytime, and turn off the heat early, so as 
to have the pipes cool before night. After September an equable temperature 
of IS’ to 50° should be secured as far as practicable, and the Grapes will keep 
till November, probably later if they have been well finished. 
History of the Hop (R. A 7 .).—The Hop (Humulus Lupulus) is found in 
many parts of temperate Europe, Asia, and North America, and is included in 
the British native flora. It is a relative of the Nettles and Hemp. It was 
known to the Romans under the name of Lupus salictarius, under which it is 
referred to by Pliny, the title, it is said, having been applied to it owing to the 
tenacity with 'which it clung to Willows. The plant was first generally culti¬ 
vated in Flanders and Holland, whence the culture and use of the flower 
heads for beer were introduced to England about 1524. It was not, however, 
largely grown for a considerable time, the chief part of the supply being derived 
from Flanders. Tusser, in 15G2, mentions the plant and gives directions for its 
culture, and in Lyte’s translation of Dodoen’s Herbal (1578) an illustration and 
full description are given, with the accompanying observation as to its use. 
“ The brewers of Ale and Bier do heape and gather the belles or knoppes together 
to giue a good relish and pleasant tast vnto their drinke.” Gerard and other 
later writers also fully describe it. Since then the cultivation of the Hop in 
England has greatly' extended, and at the present time many thousands of acres 
are devoted to it. Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire are the principal sources of 
the supply. The generic name, Humulus, is considered to be derived from 
humus, the ground, or humilis, humble, in allusion to its habit of growth when 
unsupported. The specific designation appears to be a diminutive of the old 
Latin name. You will find descriptions in any work on the British Flora. 
A Floral Dial (Rosa ).—There is much uncertainty attending all lists of 
the kinds you mention, as the weather exercises a great influence upon the 
opening and closing of flowers. The following floral clock or dial of British 
flowers is a good example of such arrangements. The times given indicate the 
periods at which the flowers either open or close :—Tragopogon pratense opens 
at 3 A.M., closes at 12 p.m. ; Cichorium Intybus opens at 4 A.M., closes at 4 p.m. ; 
Lapsana communis opens at 5 A M.; Ranunculus bulbosus opens at 6 a.m. ; 
Nymphtea alba opens at 7 A.M., closes at 5 p.m. ; Anagallis arveusis and Dian- 
thus prolifera 8 A.M., the latter opening at 1 p.m. and the former at 2 p.m. ; 
Ranunculus Ficaria opens at 9 a.m. ; Lapsana communis closes at 10 A.M. ; 
Ornithogalum umbellatum opens at 11 a.m. ; Leontodon hispidum closes at 
3 p.m. ; Silene nutans opens at 6 P.M., and Oenothera biennis opens at 7 P.M. 
The Bignonia will succeed in a greenhouse in your position. The original floral 
clock composed by Linnmus consisted of the following plants, which it may be 
remarked do not in England correspond to the times stated so faithfully as they 
probably did at Upsal. The periods named are those at which the flowers 
expanded Ipomtea Nil, 3 to 4 a.m. ; Tragopogon pratense, 4 to 5 A.M. ; Papaver 
nudicaule, 5 a.m.; Hypochseris maculata, 6 a.m. ; several species of Sonchus and 
Hieracium, 6 to 7 a.m. ; Lactuca eativa, 7 A.M. ; Specularia Speculum and Calen¬ 
dula pluvialis, 7 to 8 a.m. ; Anagallis arvensis, 8 a.m. ; Nolana prostrata, 8 to 
9 a.m. ; Calendula arvensis, 9 a.m. ; Arenaria rubra, 9 to 10 a.m. ; Mesembry- 
anthemum nodiflorum, 10 to 11 a.m. ; Ornithogalum umbellatum, 11 A.M. ; 
several Ficoideous plants, 12 A.M.; Scilla pomeridiana, 2 P.M. ; Silene noctiflora, 
5 to 6 P.M. ; CEnothera biennis, 6 p.m. ; Mirabilis Jalapa, 6 to 7 P.M. ; and Cereus 
grandiflorus, 7 to 8 p.m. 
Manure for Strawberries and Cherries (D. D. II ).—Soil that is 
well drained and enriched with manure from a farmyard, pigstye, cowshed, or 
stable answers fairly well for Strawberries if it be shallow or deep. * The plants, 
however, soon become exhausted in shallow soil under ordinary conditions of 
culture, and are only to be retained in full vigour by heavy annual dressings of. 
manure dug in between the rows as soon as the fruiting season is at an end, 
and by copious waterings of sewage or other liquid manure during the season 
of growth. In many gardens the available supply of solid manure is so limited 
that none can be spared for the Strawberry bed; sewage of which every house¬ 
holder has a regular daily supply then becomes our substitute, the soil between 
the rows being broken up when the fruit is done, just as it would be if we had 
manure to dig in, and then the sewage is poured over it frequently till growth 
ceases in autumn. If planted carefully Cherries answer in soil of ordinary fer¬ 
tility, such as will produce good vegetables without any subsequent addition of 
manure; sewage, however, may always be given with advantage before the 
blossom expands and while the fruit is swelling. In poor thin soils stations 
must be made for the trees, each station being 6 feet square and 2 feet 6 inches 
deep. Lay a drain of common 2-inch land drain pipes across the middle of the 
bottom of the hole, and connect it with the nearest branch or main drain to 
render the roots safe from any accumulation of stagnant water, then cover the 
bottom of the station with 6 inches of broken brickbats, stones, or clinkers— 
9 inches would not be too much in a wet low situation—and then fill the hole 
with sweet rich loam, in which plant the tree. If when the hole is made you 
find a substratum of gravel there will then be no occasion to use either broken 
stones or drain pipes, as all superfluous water is certain to pass away quickly. 
Careful planting involves close attention to details, and that is why we allude 
to them here. But Cheny trees are apt to flourish for a few years and then 
become barren, sickly, and not unfrequently die outright; they must, there¬ 
fore, be watched closely, and prompt attention be given to the slightest indica¬ 
tion of debility, which undoubtedly arises most frequently from exhaustion. 
The station once abounding with fertility has become sterile, the roots having 
ramified in it till it has become permeated with them in every direction and lost 
all its goodness. The remedy is obvious. Make a trench 2 or 3 feet wide and 
2 feet deep around rhe station, fill it with soil similar to that used for the 
station, and feed the roots with sewage until they have entered the new soil. 
Cherries Shedding Fruit {Idem ).—The falling of the immature fruit of 
Cherries has been very prevalent this year; so, too, has that of Apples and 
Pears, all which is doubtless owing to the drought, just as in some seasons it is 
attributable to unripe wood, and in others to damaged blossom by late frosts. 
Your idea that the loss of the Cherries proceeds from a deficiency of lime in the 
soil could only be entertained if you had stated that it had invariably been the 
case during a period of consecutive years. No doubt the want of lime and 
potash in soil not unfrequently is the cause of a paucity of fruit, and if it be so 
in your soil a prompt and efficient remedy may be had by a plentiful dressing of 
wood ashes and lime. 
Liquid Manure for Dahlias (S. II .).—We do not advise you to merely 
“sprinkle” the solution of sulphate of ammonia on the ground,but to pour it on 
copiously, at a strength of not more than half an ounce to a gallon of water, as 
often as is required to keep the soil moist, not on the surface merely but below 
where the roots are working. A gallon a day to each plant will not be too much 
in dry weather if the plants are of large size and in free growth. Sow the seed 
of your plants as soon as it is ripe. Layer the Carnations immediately the 
growths are long enough, whether the plants are flowering or not. Erpetion 
reniforme is by no means common and well deserves attention. It is known 
popularly as the New Holland Violet, and is related to the Violas. It is usually 
propagated by cuttings or dividing the plants, and we have no experience of the 
length of time the seeds are germinating, though probably it would scarcely 
