August 4,1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 107 
Mr. A. Kirk, gardeiier to J. T. Thomson, Esq., Norwood, Tilli¬ 
coultry; and Mr. James Dick, Kippen. Mr. T. Lowe had the 
premier award for a collection of twelve kinds of fruit, and Mr. 
T. Boyd for eight dishes of hardy fruits. The show of vegetables 
was extensive and the samples very fine, especially the first-prize 
collection of twelve kinds from Mr. J. Souza. 
- Referring to the disease known as the Yellows in 
Peaches, which has been stated to have been caused by Bacteria, 
the “American Prairie Farmer” states:—“The true cause is 
diminished vitality of the trees, which invites the Bacteria. Potash, 
potash salts, the potash derived from ammonia, common salt, and 
soda salts, and the salts and sulphates of iron and manganese, 
appear to be the tonics and stimulants best adapted to strengthen 
the vital forces of the trees, giving them the strength to ward off 
these deadly parasites. But parasite is not a good name for 
Bacterife, for parasites generally prey on living organisms, but do 
not destroy the life, while Bacteriae destroy life in all parts that 
they occupy. We had an idea that thorough investigation might 
find a medication of some kind that the tree would absorb in its 
tissues, that would be a specific poison to Bacteriae and not to 
the tissues of the tree ; but further investigation leaves us little 
hope that this is possible, for Bacterias are found to be the 
hardiest of all forms of life to destroy. Very few of the most 
virulent and deadly mineral or vegetable poisons have any effect 
on them ; they can withstand extreme heat and cold, and it is 
scarcely reasonable to suppose that we will be able to find any¬ 
thing that will destroy their life without at the same time de¬ 
stroying the life of the tissue occupied by them.” Our American 
friends might try Keel’s blight destroyer, which is said to be a 
specific for all the diseases of the Peach. It is applied with a 
vapouriser, and is sold by Mr. Alfred Howes of Walcot Parade, 
Bath. We have found the application efficacious as applied to 
plants attacked with insects, but have no unclean or unhealthy 
Peach trees on which to try the effects of the preparation. 
- The report of the Select Committee appointed to inquire 
into the assessment of Extraordinary Tithe, is an ample 
justification of the strong complaints which have been made by 
agriculturists against the imposition of this additional charge on 
their land and its produce. The impost originated under the 
Tithe Commutation Act of 1836, which empowered the Com¬ 
missioners to make Hop gardens, market gardens, and orchards into 
separate districts, on which an extra assessment was to be levied. 
This distinction was based on the plea that the produce of garden 
and orchard land is more profitable than that of ordinary arable 
land. If a district producing Hops, fruit, or vegetables is con¬ 
verted into corn land the extraordinary tithe ceases ; and when 
land previously devoted to grain or pasture is cultivated for Hops 
or gardens the extraordinary charge begins to run. The practical 
objections to this system are obvious. The ordinary tithe is 
merely a charge on the land, while the extraordinary tithe is a 
charge on production. It is easy to see that land which would 
return a good rate of interest if devoted to the growth of garden 
produce, is very likely to be left to the less profitable cultivation 
of corn and other field crops by the dread of the augmented tax, 
which thus cramps the energies of agriculturists. Then, again, 
hardships are unavoidably created in certain cases owing to the 
difficulty of drawing a distinction between agricultural and garden 
produce. Some crops, such as Potatoes, Cabbages, Peas, and 
Beetroot, are classed both as field and garden produce, and in 
some parts of Scotland even Strawberries are regarded as field 
crops. The difficulty of drawing a clear line between the two 
has given rise to considerable litigation at times, and it is one of 
the grievances of farmers that they have been compelled to pay 
extraordinary tithe for land which is not devoted to market 
garden purposes. The general effect of the operation of this 
increased assessment is recognised by the Special Committee as 
mischievous, and by way of remedy they recommend that no 
new districts shall hereafter be created. They also suggest 
schemes for commuting or reducing the obnoxious burden wher¬ 
ever it now exists. There can be little doubt that the adoption 
of these proposals would largely encourage the growth of market 
garden produce in this country, which is now checked by the tax 
on production. Agriculturists are deterred from turning their 
arable land into garden ground by the increased assessment of 
tithe to which the latter is subject, and the result is that we have 
to import every year some five or six millions sterling worth of 
produce, much of which we could grow for ourselves if agri¬ 
culturists were not handicapped by a tax on production as well 
as on land. The Committee propose a substantial measure of 
relief, which is called for alike in the interest of producers and 
consumers. 
CROTONS AT AIGBURTH. 
In the extremely neat and well-furnished nurseries of Messrs. 
R. P. Ker & Son at Aigburth, near Liverpool, the Crotons com¬ 
mand attention by their free growth and bright colours. They 
are grown in a very simple manner, and are decidedly imposing. 
It does not appear to be the practice to stop the plants, but to let 
them assume a natural habit, growing tall or branching according 
to the nature of the variety. Generous culture is given, and the 
size and colour of the leaves show that the plants are in com¬ 
petent hands. A specimen of C. Disraeli is no doubt one of the 
finest in the country—a well-furnished and informal pyramid 6 or 
7 feet high, well coloured, and in fine condition. Mr. Williams’ 
new spiral-leaved variety, C. Warreni, is in superb health and 
rich colour ; it is quite unique by its gracefully arching leaves, 
which are long, narrow, and twisted with the regularity of a cork¬ 
screw. The proprietors have reason to be proud of this beautiful 
plant, and no doubt they are. 
A pair of plants of C. Prince of Wales admirably show the 
decorative value of the variety when well grown. These plants 
are about 6 feet high and have never been stopped. They have 
produced no 6ide branches, but form straight columns of foliage 
from the pot to the golden weeping crown that forms the summit 
of each plant. Even the leaves that were attached to the cuttings 
are as fresh as ever. For various purposes of decoration such 
plants as these possess great value, and could not be equalled by 
plauts that have been stopped. C. Evansianus is equally remark¬ 
able. It is simply a straight stem more than 6 feet high, with fine 
and richly coloured leaves from the soil upwards. It is a pictur¬ 
esque and brilliant column that would tell with great advantage 
in a group arranged for effect, or similar plants would be fine for 
staircases and halls that are occasionally desired to be furnished 
with valuable plants. C. Victoria is remarkable by its vigour and 
its large rich foliage, and, grown as the plants are, every leaf is 
seen to advantage. C. Princess of Wales contrasts effectively by 
its cream-coloured foliage, and grown unchecked is very elegant; 
and of the still lighter and new C. Hawkeri there is one of the 
finest plants we have seen. This variety branches naturally, and 
forms a beautiful object by the transparency of its leaves. It is 
the best of all Crotons for room and table decoration under arti¬ 
ficial light, and for this purpose will probably be extensively grown. 
C. Hanburyanus has imposing foliage, but does not colour so early 
as some others ; it is a noble form for autumn, when its colours 
are the brightest. 
There are a great number of others, including most of the newer 
varieties in cultivation, but one at least may be noticed, as it is 
not generally known. It is a new form distributed by Messrs. 
Ireland & Thomson, named C. interruptus aureus—not a happy 
name, as it has no resemblance whatever to C. interruptus. The 
new variety is of slender growth, after the manner of the old 
C. angustifolius, but is brighter than that bright and useful old 
form, and its habit is all than can be desired. It forms a perfect 
pyramid in a small state without being pinched, and a large speci¬ 
men must be very imposing. This is likely to prove one of the 
finest of table plants—at least during the daytime, yellow not 
showing under artificial light, and it will be valuable for general 
decorative purposes. It was certificated at Liverpool two years ago. 
There is a good general collection of plants in this nursery, but 
the Crotons are of special excellence and highly creditable to the 
cultivators.—V isitor. 
Olearia Haastii.—1 have this beautiful shrub in full bloom. 
It is one mass of flowers of a delicate creamy white, which are 
