October 27,1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
385 
the ends. Eyes with broad arches, and clustered, with a stain of 
purple at the nose end. The origin of this variety cannot be definitely 
stated, as it was selected from a number of self-sown seedlings 
on ground that had carried crops of Snowflake and Beauty of Hebron. 
It is believed to be the result of a natural cross of these two varieties, 
but in its more characteristic features it comes nearest to Mammoth 
Pearl. Flesh white, very mealy, and of the finest texture and flavour. 
First-class certificate. 
Myatt's Seedling from Prolific Ashleaf, W.K.-—Raised by F. & C. 
Myatt, Offenham, Evesham. Very neat, flattish celt-shaped ; some¬ 
times with sharp nose. Skin smooth, tawny, with purple stains, 
which at the heel end darken into slaty purple. Flesh yellowish, 
dry, mealy, elegant, and of the finest flavour. First-class certificate. 
Class R.— Seedling Coloured Kidney not in Commerce. 
No award. 
Class S.—Seedling White Round not in Commerce. 
Fetin's JVo. 3, W. R.—Medium to large, roundish or pebble-shaped, 
very neat. Skin tawny, smooth ; eyes few and quite level with the 
surface. Flesh white, in texture and flavour extra good. First prize 
and first-class certificate. 
Fcnn’s Lady Truscott, W. R.—Medium or smallish, very neat, spheri¬ 
cal, much netted, tawny white ; eyes few and inconspicuous. Flesh 
white, fine in texture, firm, flavour delicate. A very fine table Potato. 
First-class certificate. 
Fenn's Mo 1x3 , W. R.—Described as a late main crop variety, 
raised from Snowflake crossed with an unnamed seedling. It is of 
medium size, round, a little flattened and angular. Skin tawny white 
and rough. Flesh white, very fine in texture and flavour. An elegant 
and acceptable table variety. First-class certificate. 
The foregoing three varieties were raised by Mr. Robert Fenn cf 
Sulhampstead, near Reading. 
Myatl's Seedling from Flulce, W. R.—Raised by F. & C. Myatt, 
Offenbam, Evesham. It may be likened to King of Potatoes in 
general form, and probably will supply long and short tubers. It is 
of medium size, flattish, a little rough, tawny, with faint wash of 
red ; eyes few and inconspicuous. Flesh yellowish, soft, mealy, of 
the finest flavour. First-class certificate. 
Class T— Seedling Coloured Round not in Commerce. 
No award. 
HARDY HEATHS AND THEIR PROPAGATION. 
The beauty of these plants is beyond dispute, and they deserve 
to be more largely planted. They are at home on the rockery, 
and some varieties would be invaluable for this position in the 
spring months. For planting round Rhododendron, Azalea, or 
beds of Kalmias they are well suited, and they grow luxuriantly 
in soil where American plants flourish well. For the spring 
garden they are delightful, and one of the most conspicious 
borders I have seen was principally formed of hardy Heaths 
mixed with Euonymus radicans variegatus. However beautiful 
and attractive they appear when used on the rockery or planted 
round beds, their real beauty is not half displayed to advantage 
in either of these systems. To show them to the greatest advan¬ 
tage they should be grouped or massed together, each variety 
in quantity. When in flower their colour is soft and subdued, 
which could not render them objectionable. What could look 
more beautiful than a good groundwork of Heaths in flower with 
some noble or choice Conifers springing out of it—on long drives, 
especially, when much of cutting has beeu required in levelling to 
make the road, and in consequence slopes sharply on each side ? 
I remember a drive being made in the north of England which 
had to be excavated for fully half its length. The rock that was 
removed from the more hilly portions of the ground was employed 
in suitable places, projecting well out on each side, which extended 
almost to the gravel. At short distances and between the pro¬ 
jecting rocks was suitable semicircular nooks, in which Heaths 
were freely employed. Ivy and Cotoneaster were also largely used, 
and rising amongst them were Conifers, Hollies, and other trees. 
This is a free system of planting, and when well grown and 
established the plants have a natural appearance. Nothing could 
have been more pleasing than the different Heaths when in 
flower, and no other style of planting could have shown them to 
better effect. When established they will grow well in any ordi¬ 
nary soil, and only require cutting with a pair of shears after 
flowering to keep them from becoming loose and straggling. 
Propagation is effected by means of cuttings and layers ; the 
former generally is practised, and cuttings would root readily if 
inserted at once and properly attended to. In the first place, a 
number of 8-iuch pots should be prepared by being more than 
half filled with drainage. Over these should be placed a little 
moss or rough peat, the remaining portion of the pot being filled 
to within half an inch of the top with fine sandy peat. This 
should be pressed firm into the pots, and the remainder filled with 
clean silver sand. The portions of wood taken for the cuttings 
should be the tops of the shoots, about H to 2 inches in length. 
It is wise to insert them before the wood becomes too ripened. 
The cuttings must be carefully dressed, the end being cut clean 
with a sharp knife, and the small foliage is readily removed with 
a pair of propagatiug or Grape scissors, and the work can be done 
more quickly than with a knife. The cuttings should be inserted 
at once, commencing in the middle of the pot with the largest, 
allowing them to gradually slope to the sides of the pot. it is 
surprising what care is taken in some nurseries to insert them 
neatly. They are not crammed in as is often the case in private 
gardens. The last row round the pot should be so arranged as to 
leave room for the bellglasses, which must be placed over them at 
once after a good watering has been given with a fine-rose poo or 
the syringe. Glazed boxes or a cold frame should be in readiness 
for them, where they can remain until severe weather commences. 
If the sun proves strong they must be shaded. This is all the 
attention they need except opening the frame once a week, or 
fortnightly, according to the state of the weather, to gently dew 
the plants. The soil must never become dry. 
At the approach of frosty weather the pots may be plunged in 
cocoa-nut fibre or any other suitable material, and the frame well 
protected with mats to exclude frost. Fire heat should be avoided 
as much as possible, only resorting to it when other means are 
likely to fail. I do not think any harm would result if they 
became slightly frozen, but it is best to avoid this if possible. 
Water must be carefully and judiciously applied during the 
winter. As spring approaches they again require care in shading. 
It will not be necessary to lift the hellglasses very frequently ; 
if the glasses and pots are well syringed sufficient will drain 
in round the edges to keep them moist. When growth com¬ 
mences the plants commence rooting, and some free varieties, 
such as E. mediterranea, will make much greater progress than 
others. 
After the younr plants have attained this stage the glasses 
must be tilted to admit a little air, or the plants are liable to draw 
up weakly. No air will be needed on the frame in which they are 
plunged until well rooted, when the glasses may be removed, and 
a little air afterwards given to the frame by degrees until the 
plants are well hardened for planting out, which will be about 
the month of June. 
When the plants are well rooted and are growing their points 
should be taken out to cause them to produce three or four 
shoots. The young plants are too small to be placed in outside 
quarters, and should be planted under glazed boxes or frames as 
recommended for the Conifer cuttings. The ground on which 
they are to be planted should be well forked, and a small trench 
made and filled with peat and coarse red or river sand mixed 
together. The sandy peat should be placed round the roots, and 
the plants placed about 2 inches apart each way. After giving 
water the frames must be kept close until roots are again pro¬ 
duced. They must be shaded for a time until the plants are 
established, when they can be hardened and the frames removed. 
The only attention then is watering during the remainder of the 
season. It will be too late to pinch out the points of the shoots, 
as growth might be produced only to be injured by the frost. 
The majority of the kinds will require more room in spring, and 
can be planted out G to 8 inches apart, where they can remain 
until large enough for permanent positions. The plants should 
be cut in slightly every season, by which means bushy plants are 
produced. 
The Menziesias, or Irish Heath, are propagated in the same way. 
The varieties of Ledums require the same treatment, root readily, 
and make better plants when raised from cuttings than if they 
are obtained by layering.— Wm. Bardney. 
FRUIT TREES CANKERING AND BEARING. 
The short hurried article by “A Northern Gardener” in 
this week’s Journal is welcome as an introductory lesson on the 
subject of my letter in the Journal of 13th October ; but I wish 
to point out the following specific points of interest for his and 
other competent hands to deal with. 
The time for planting is just upon us ; the bearing qualities 
and sizes and properties of most good sorts of Apples and Pears 
are pretty generally known. Now we need these leading kinds of 
both fruits categorically dealt with in the following respects. 
1st, In how many years (about) after planting, say two-year- 
old standard trees, will each sort come into fair bearing? 
2nd, Specify which of the kinds as dealt with is much liable to 
canker, little liable to canker, or quite free from tendency to 
canker. 
The question as to the cau es and cure for canker so far as it 
can be practically dealt with may be entered into more leisurely 
