July 31, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
95 
frttracted much attention from the experienced vegetable growers present. 
The height is about 2^ feet, and the flavour of the peas is very satisfac¬ 
tory. Tt w'ill unquestionably soon find many friends. 
- “ Modern Window Gardening ” (London: Houlston & Sons) 
is the title of a new work by the indefatigable Mr. Samuel Wood, whose 
productions we have had frequent occasion to notice, and unfortimately 
not always in the most flattering terms. In the present work, however, 
there is a perceptible improvement in diction and accuracy. The book 
is by no means confined to the subject expressed in the title, for of the 
176 pages only sixty-three are devoted to window gardens, the remaining 
portion being occupied with flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens. Lists 
of plants, fruit, and vegetables are given, with cultm’al instructions, 
mostly brief, but reliable. 
- Mr. C. Burton, writing in reference to Scale on Acacias 
AND Pines, observes :—“ In answers to correspondents, page 85, the 
Editor kindly recommends petroleum and softsoap for the purpose of 
cleansing, w’hich I presume are infested with the white scale so common 
to Acacias. As there is a certain amount of risk in the hands of the 
inexperienced, it may be of service to some if I give a remedy that has 
answered without the slightest injury. First take one small-sized bottle 
of Fowler’s Insecticide, dissolve the whole contents in one quart of hot 
boiling water, let it remain until lukewarm ; then with an ordinary small¬ 
sized paint-brush wet as if painting the trunk and main stems ; then with 
•a piece of wet sponge, holding the twigs and foliage in the palm of the 
left hand, wash the whole carefully over, not using the sponge too wet. 
At that strength there is a great deal of foam. The scale will imme¬ 
diately assume a blue colour, and in a few hours may be syringed off. 
Double that strength may he safely applied. Ibis latter strength in a 
.pint of water will very effectually destroy scale on Pines applied with a 
piece of sponge tied to the end of a stick in the usual way.” 
- The ninth summer Exhibition of the Charlton and Kid- 
BROOKE Horticultural Society was held on July 23rd and 24th 
last in the grounds of Charlton Park, kindly lent by Sir Spencer Maryon 
Wilson, Bart., for the occasion. This Society, which at its commence¬ 
ment was founded with modest pretentions, is now gradually developing 
into a first-class suburban show. Every effort has been made on the 
part of the Committee and their indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Coates, to 
render the Show a success and an improvement on former years, and we 
have no doubt but that, as the Society becomes more generally known, 
there will be no lack of first-class exhibits. The pl 9 .nt 8 exhibited in the 
leading classes were admirable examples of cultural skill on the part of 
both professionals and amateurs. Special prizes were offered for the 
best staging of plants for quality and effect, and for the best group of 
plants arranged for decorative effect. In both classes there were nume¬ 
rous entries, and the competition so keen that the Judges had great 
difficulty in adjudging the awards. Mr. Jeffery, gardener to J. Young, 
Esq., Blackheath, was first in the special class for staging of plantsi 
quality and effect, with very effective and choice plants ; and Mr. Nute 
second with graceful and well-arranged plants, but not quite so choice 
in its composition. In other classes the principal prizetakers were Mr. 
Andrews, gardener to Lady Wilson ; Mr. Shrubb, Mr. Hadd, Mr. Gar¬ 
land, Mr. Keece, Mr. Jeffery, Mr. Nute, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Baker. 
- “ M. S.” writes :—“ Some of the most curious and interesting 
plants in gardens are the Stylidiums, for although not showy enough 
to merit cultivation on that score alone, their peculiar structure will 
recommend them to private cultivators who like to show something un¬ 
usual to their visitors. They are chiefly natives of the colder regions of 
Australia, and if not actually hardy out of doors in our climate, thrive 
exceedingly well in a cool frame. The Telegraph Plant, the Sensitive 
Plant, and many other horticultural curiosities quite sink into insig¬ 
nificance when a comparison is made with the above in point of interest, 
and their requirements are so few that they may be cultivated with a fair 
amount of success by the most inexperienced. S. graminifolium and 
S. assimile, most generally in cultivation, are both very curious in the 
movement of their styles, which are jointed, having a singular elasticity, 
which, being touched by anything on the under surface, start with violence 
to the other side of the flower, and suddenly emit a shower of pollen, by 
which the flowers are fertilised and made productive.” 
- The Evening Fete at the Health Exhibition on Wed¬ 
nesday, the 23rd inst., the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the 
Hospital Fund, was a grqat success, and was undoubtedly one of the 
most brilliant gatherings ever seen in Ijondon. The Exhibition and 
grounds were most beautifully lighted, some thousands of coloured lamps 
being employed, and the fountains were very tastefully illuminated, pro¬ 
ducing some very novel effects. Numerous choice groups and collections 
of plants were contributed, very prominent at the entrance being a group 
of Pitcher Plants, Orchids, and miscellaneous new and rare plants from 
Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, and Messrs. Fromow & Sons, Turn- 
ham Green. Mr. Aldous, Kensington, and Mr. C. Turner, Slough, also 
contributed imposing groups of plants. Mr. Hudson, gardener to J. F. 
Atkinson, Esq., Gunnersbury House, Acton, staged a group arranged in 
his usual artistic and effective manner, which was much admired by 
many visitors. Messrs. C. Lee & Sons, Hammersmith, also had a ch)ice 
group of hardy shrubs. Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, had a beautiful 
display, the large wire baskets and stands being tastefully filled with 
hardy flowers, which well proved what charming effects can be produced 
by a judicious selection and care in the arrangement. Eoses were con¬ 
tributed by several firms, and at the stalls presided over by the ladies a 
rapid sale at large prices was effected. The Prince and Princess of 
Wales were present, and added materially to the funds by their exertions 
in the sale of flowers. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 22nd. 
Scientific Committee.— Sir J. D, Hooker in the chair. 
Vine Coccus. —Mr. Pascoe exhibited some .specimens from vineries in 
Jersey, together with two parasites upon them, a Chalcis and an unknown 
species. The coccus produced a large web. The species was not known. 
Sarracenia flava. —Mr. G. F. Wilson showed a fine specimen of this plant 
grown in the open by a pond’s edge. He said that Dionssa muscipula grew 
at the same place and had stood three winters. He also showed a species 
of Lysimachia, which always comes up in North American peat in which 
Cypripedia are imported. It was referred to Kew for name. He also 
exhibited Begonia diversifolia from Mexico. It had pink flowers and 
innumerable bulbils like the Himalayan species, by which it was propagated. 
Orchis pyramidalis var. cylindrica. —Mr. Ridley reported that this was the 
name of the species exhibited by Mr. Loder at the last meeting. It is a 
native of Greece and Dalmatia. One flower was remarkable for having two 
labella. 
Fasciated Aqapanthus. —Mr. Murray said that he had observed a number 
of plants at Calais remarkable for being all fasciated, the flowers being 
normal. Mr. Wilson observed that he had known a case of L. epeciosum 
being constantly fasciated. 
Large Foliage. —Mr. Bennett exhibited leaves of Aristolochia Sipho, re¬ 
markable for the size of the leaves. Sir Joseph Hooker observed that the 
fineness of the foliage of the trees at Kew was very remarkable, notwith¬ 
standing the dryness of the atmosphere in the early part of the present 
summer. 
Antigonon leptopus. —Mr. Lynch exhibited sprays of blossoms illustrating 
the climbing properties of the peduncles and pedicels of this plant, resem¬ 
bling the Vine and Virginian Creeper in this respect, their tendrils being 
homologues of flow'ering branches. 
Embryo Buds of Cedar. —He also exhibited several of these top-shaped 
structures, not uncommon in the Cedar of Lebanon. 
Proliferous Spelt Wheat. —Mr. Maclachlan said that he had seen a quantity 
of spelt in this condition on the Continent, resembling the so-called Egyptian 
Wheat, a variety of Revetts. 
P. Nordmanniana Attacked by Aphis. —Mr. Maclachlan also reported on 
some branches sent to the last meeting by a horticulturist whose trees are 
nearly ruined. They were infested by a species of Lachnus. The only 
remedy to be suggested was to syringe with a fire engine with some anti¬ 
septic fluid, as the trees were over 20 feet high. 
Potato Fungus. —Mr. Plowright sent specimens of Potato which had been 
artificially impregnated with spores, but protected on a portion of che stem 
about 5 inches from the base with cotton wool, so that no spores could 
attack them there. A quantity of spore-charged water was poured upon 
the foliage and upon the surface of the earth in the pot. In four days 
(July 9th) the fungus developed itself on the foliage and stems above the 
cotton wool. It gradually extended itself until the leaves and stems were 
entirely destroyed, excepting the parts protected. Four tubers were found, 
one diseased and three healthy. The diseased tuber remained attached to 
the stem ; the diseased parts of it were farthest away from its attachment, 
so that in this instance the disease was believed by the experimenter not 
to be transmitted to it by the stem. Mr. Murray raised the question whether 
this conclusion was justified, as the tuber had not been cut open. The 
specimens were therefore referred to the Sub-Committee appointed to carry 
out experiments at Chiswick for further examination and report. 
Mushrooms Replaced by other Fungi. — Mr. B. Fitter, of Thirlmere, 
Edgbaston, forwarded to the Secretary some Fungi which had made their 
appearance on Mushroom spawn. They were transmitted to Mr. W. G. 
Smith for examination and report, who replied as follows : “The fungus on 
the Mushroom bed is Agaricus cristatus. It has an offensive smell. This 
Agaric is capable of ousting the Mushrooms from beds. A. fastibilis and 
A. dealbatus do the same, so does Xylaria vaporaria. The bedding material 
so exactly suits the mycelium of these fungi, that if the spores once light 
on a bed, the resulting fungi are easily able to oust the rightful possessor.” 
Bhubarb Stalks Dried. —The Secretary reported that the sample sent by 
Mrs. Jones of Bedford was made into a preserve, but proved a failure. The 
stalks consisted of little else than woody fibre and were uneatable, while the 
syrup partook of a poor flavour of Rhubarb, the chief value of the stalks 
having been already expressed. 
Clematis Proteus. —This variety is remarkable for bearing double flowers 
