September 18, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
261 
Mr. Bentham as follows :—The early volumes of the ‘ Philosophical Trans¬ 
actions ’ contain numerous papers relating to botany and the other sciences 
which are usually comprehended under the general designation of Natural 
History. As these sciences, but especially botany, became more and more 
extended, it was thought desirable that another Institution should be called 
into existence, which might share with the Royal Society the privilege of 
promoting the cultivation of them, and of communicating to the world from 
time to time the progress which has been made in this department of know¬ 
ledge ; and such was the origin of the Linnajan Society in the year 1788. 
The Royal Society, however, does not on that account feel the less interested 
in this class of scientific investigations. It is accordingly with great 
satisfaction that the Council have awarded to you one of the Royal medals, 
and that in the name of the Society I now place it in your hands, in 
testimony of their high appreciation of your researches, and of the respect 
which they have for you as a fellow labourer in the field of science.” 
From that time till almost the end of his career Mr. Bentham worked 
perseveringly in the interests of the science which he loved. His works 
are his monument and will perpetuate his name for generations to come 
CHRYSANTHExMUM BENDIGO. 
The remarks on the above Chrysanthemum by Mr. Orchard, p. 221, 
are both opportune and excellent. I think many people are now of the 
opinion that the variety in question is neither more nor less than Mabel 
Ward. It certainly bears a strong resemblance to that variety in style 
of growth. We must not, however, condemn it before we have a 
thorough opportunity of seeing it in bloom ; still, any variety of Chrys¬ 
anthemum, as far I know, that has been produced by sporting bears a 
strong resemblance to its parent in habit of growth and other character¬ 
istics—for instance. Lord Wolseley, Lord Alcester, the Bundle family, 
and many others. I do not know of one kind that differs in any degree. 
Has not Mr. Orchard made a mistake in saying it wms a sport from 
Princess of Wales ? I understood it sported from Mrs. Heale. I think 
great care should be exercised by persons who award certificates to new 
varieties. 
Mr. Orchard’s suggestion that a growing plant be exhibited when in 
bloom at some Chrysanthemum show is a good one, and should be carried 
out to set the matter fully at rest.—E. Molyneux, Swanmore Parh. 
AERIAL ROOTS ON VINES. 
I HAVE in two recent numbers of the Journal noticed some remarks 
on this subject. I have a vinery 19 feet by 11 feet, span-roofed, very 
flat, with a path down the middle and borders along each side. The 
entrance from the west end is by steps 3 feet below the ground line, and 
during wet seasons, of which there have been many, I have a wooden 
lattice floor to pass over a foot of water at times. My four Vines have 
been subject to air rootlets, about which I sought information at all times 
when in conversation with those whom I thought competent to inform 
me. However, the difference cf opinion was so great that I have been 
trying to find out myself what was the cause. Last autumn a number 
of the canes were brought down to the inner border next to outside, 
which I found this spring had rooted, the branches now having upon 
them very good fruit (Black Hamburgh). The other branches began as 
usual to show aerial roots; but as the root-action of those laid down 
increased, these died by degrees, never having grown more than half 
to an inch long, and at the present time there is not one living. I 
conclude, therefore, that the comparative ungenial composition of the 
soil accounts in a great measure for the aerial roots. I should have said 
that my house has never been artificially so wet as this year, for I have 
given immense waterings for so small a place, while in former years no 
water was given inside, not even by the syringe.—WlLLlAJi Bishop. 
TUBEROUS-KOOTED BEGONIAS. 
There can be no doubt that these rank amongst the best 
summer-flowering plants at present in cultivation. If grown 
cool, as they ought to be, they are quite exempt from the attacks 
of such insect pests as are common to many plants during the 
summer months. This itself is no small consideration, espe¬ 
cially in establishments where there is not sufficient accommo¬ 
dation to allow of one house being set aside for one class of 
plants. 
As decorative plants these Begonias are, from their rich and 
varied colour, all that can be desired, lasting in bloom from 
early summer till far into the autumn, when another strong 
point comes in in their favour, that of being easily accommo¬ 
dated during the winter. After they have been carefully 
ripened they may either be allowed to remain in their pots or 
shaken out and placed in boxes with dry soil or cocoa-nut fibre 
refuse—by the latter means they can be put in less bulk—then 
store in some dry out-of-the-way place where frost cannot reach 
them. Allow them to remain there until they show signs of 
starting again in the spring, when they should be potted at 
once and placed in a cool situation close to the glass to keep 
the growth sturdy. If a batch is wanted early the plants may 
be encouraged into quicker growth by being placed in gentle heat, 
but to render them really serviceable they should be gi’own cool 
all through. 
If wanted for exhibition purposes named varieties are cer¬ 
tainly most reliable. Many people object to them as exhibition 
plants, believing them to be “bad travellers.” I grant that 
double varieties are, and mainly because of the weight of their 
blooms, but I find that singles, with a little care taken in tying 
and packing, will travel in perfect safety to any reasonable 
distance. 
For ordinary decorative purposes seed procured from any 
reliable firm will, with a little selection, produce all that could be 
desired; in fact, I have this season flowered two-year-old seed¬ 
lings, several of which are superior to many o£ the popular 
named varieties, both single and double. They are of such easy 
cultivation that anyone having command of a cold pit or frame 
need have no difficulty in growing them. A mixture of fibry 
loam, with a large per-centage of leaf mould and sand, with a 
little well-decayed manure, suits them well. With liberal shifts 
and plenty ot drainage, taking care to keep the necks of the 
plants well up in potting and making the soil moderately firm 
(they do not like hard potting'), fine specimens may be grown. 
Care should be taken in watering to keep it off the foliage. 
They do not like being exposed to the full rays of a hot sun, but 
shading should be reduced as much as possible by ventilating 
freely. When the plants have made all the growth they are 
likely to do for the season water should be gradually withheld, 
so as to give them the chance of drying off naturally._ They 
have a tendency to damp off if kept too wet, and especially in 
the autumn, and careful watering is the only sure preventive.— 
J. A. 
r - ' 
CRUTE’S CONCAVE FLOWER POT. 
As will be seen by the figures the distinct feature of this flower pot 
consists in its concave bottom, which is designed to insure perfect drain- 
Base 
Fig. 44. 
age, with comparatively few crocks, and at the same time to prevent 
worms passing from the ground through the drainage and injuring the 
roots of the plants. These pots will be suitable for all kinds of plants, 
and especially for Chrysanthemums, Roses, Camellias, Strawberries, and 
others that are arranged in the open air for several weeks or months in the 
summer. The invention has been patented, and the price of the pots, we 
are informed, will only be a trifle in advance of the ordinary flower pots. 
One of the new pots has been sent to us ; it is well made, and the concave 
flower pot appears likely to answer the purpose for which it is intended. 
Cultivators, however, will no doubt test it during the ensuing season. 
HOT WEATHER AND FRUIT TREES. 
I DO not know vffiat “Thinker” will think after a perusal of the 
article on page 234, but may I ask “An Old Gardener” to inform us 
where and when I stated that the “ scarcity of fruit of the past few years 
has been more the result of immature wood in autumn than of frost in 
spring ?” There is nothing of the kind in my article at page 191. If 
“ An Old Gardener ” had taken the trouble to read the first paragraph 
and the concluding one of that article he would have found that the 
weather was a consideration in the culture of outdoor fruits, and one 
giving cause for anxiety. Your correspondent begins and ends by ignoring 
facts, and makes or strives to make me state, and “ Thinker ” think 
what I daresay never entered the brain of either of us. I hope “An Old 
Gardener” will be spared nipping frost next spring, and then I have no 
• oubt he will see the benefit of a hot summer in the gladdening presence 
