December 25, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
i 
especially if in a very dry place, that they will only germinate after a 
long interval, unless sown as soon as ripe, which is not always practi¬ 
cable or desirable. 
This desiccation may be prevented to some extent by burying the 
seeds in a pot of sandy loam, which should be preserved in a dry cool 
place. It is usual to sow them in artificial heat in spring, but stronger 
plants are obtained by sowing in the open borders under a handglass 
about the middle of April. Soil of a light porous nature will be indis¬ 
pensable, and when the plants appear above ground air must be admitted, 
but they must be covered at night as long as there is any danger of frost* 
The snails and slugs are very partial to this genus, as well as to the 
Alstibmerias, and should be watched for, or they will eat off a batch of 
seedlings in a single night. Some of the strongest plants may be ex¬ 
pected to flower the second year, but generally blossoms are not produced 
until the third season. 
In dividing the tubers, which in this and most of the species which 
have come, under our notice, are small spherical potato-like masses, and 
suspended from the collar of the plant by a long footstalk ; care must be 
taken, to secure with eaeh, one of the eyes developed at the collar, the 
tubers themselves producing none, 
Bomarea acutifolia is a native of the temperate parts of Mexico, where 
several other species are found.—W. T. 
EGBERT VEITCH & yON’S EXETER NURSERIES. 
Thebe are, I believe, no better known nurseries than these in the 
west of England. The name of Veitch has long been a household word 
among gardeners ; and although the Chelsea branch is now pre-eminent, it 
was their near relatives at Exeter who were the first by many years to 
bring the name into prominence, and have contributed not a little to its 
popularity. The senior member of the firm I am sorry to say is in a very 
delicate state of health, but his son, having had long experience both at 
the Chelsea nurseries and abroad, there is every prospect of the business 
being improved rather than being allowed to deteriorate. 
The nurseries are most conveniently situated near the New North Eoal, 
Exeter, and are within easy distance of both railway stations. Being old, 
the majority of the plant-growing houses are anything but ornamental, but 
they are evidently very serviceable, and that is the point to be considered 
by business people. Neither is there a number of sensational plants, but 
those that are grown are, like the old houses, very serviceable, and here 
Messrs. Veitch must receive credit for keeping pace with the times. Nearly 
all kinds of plants that are worth growing are cultivated, and nearly every 
plant grown would give satisfaction to a purchaser. Yet the houses are 
crowded, and bow so many neat little plants can be thus grown is a mystery, 
to those especially who insist upon so much more space being necessary 
for each. ^ A large span-roofed house filled with a great variety of Ferns 
was particularly interesting, and it is surprising how vigorous all were 
under a comparatively cool treatment. A plant of Adiantum speciosum 
was considered to be the best in the country, and the grand variety 
should prove of great service to exhibitors. Adiantum Lathomii, in the 
way of A. scutum, but much superior to that species, should also find its 
way into most gardens, and is well adapted for exhibition purposes. 
Adiantum rhodophyllum somewhat resembles A. farleyense, but is much 
more robust and dense-growing, and is certain to eventually become 
popular for various decorative purposes. Adiantum dolabriforme is one 
of the prettiest basket Ferns imaginable ; it is evergreen, and the elegant 
drooping fronds produce young plants at the tips, and it is these that add so 
much to the beauty of the plant. Many other good Adiantums are grown to 
meet the increasing demand for them. Another good basket Fern is Gonio- 
phlebium appendiculatum, and the young fronds of this variety are very 
attractively coloured. Goniophlebium subauriculatum and Asplenium 
longissimum are also admirably adapted for suspending in baskets. 
Microlepia hirta cri^tata, besides being very popular as an exhibition Fern, 
is also one of the most beautiful for a conservatory, and is of easy culture ; 
and another Fern not so popular for various purposes as it ought to be is 
the Loraaria discolor bipinnatifida. Davallia polyantha appears to be of 
very vigorous habit, and quickly grows to noble proportions. Nephrolepis 
davallioides furcans is also in great demand for exhibiting purposes, hut 
I must confess to a preference for many other Ferns growing in these 
nurseries. Messrs. Veitch also make a speciality of hardy British Ferns, 
and their collection includes many good specimens of rare or valuable 
species and varieties. 
All kinds of stove flowering and fine-foliaged plants are grown, 
including many rare old species and some of quite recent introduction. 
Among the latter is a Capo Asparagus, of which they have, I believe, the 
entire stock ; this, besides being distinct from other known species in its 
heavy plume-like growth and rich green colour, also freely produces a 
number of charming small and white star-shaped flowers. It is very robust, 
and is likely to prove a valuable acquisition. There is also a good stock of 
Asparagus tenuissima, this in some respects resembling the now well-known 
A. scandens, but is rather coarser. Croton^, Dracrenas, Anthuriums 
(including several with very fine spathes), Ixoras, Pancratiums, Tabernse- 
montanas. Gardenias, Jasminums, Marautas, Galadiums, Aralias, Euphor¬ 
bias, and various other flowering and fine-foliaged plants are all well 
represented, the limited number of varieties being well chosen. Orchids 
are not extensively grown, but there is a good selection of small well- 
established plants of both stove and cool species, including many 
Dendrobes, Calanthes, Cattleyas, Coelogynes, Cypripediums, Lmlias, 
Lycastes, Masdevallias, Vandas, Phalmnopses, and Odontogloesums. 
Pitcher Plants, including choice Nepenthes, Sarracenias, and Dionoea Mus- 
cipula, are also cultivated. A considerable number of Palms of all sizes 
are growing in different houses, and of these a good selection for a stove 
would be Arecas lute.-cens, Verschaffeltii, and rubra ; Cocos Weddelliana, 
Cycas revoluta, Daemonorops plumosus, Euterpe edulis. Geonomas gracilis 
and intermedia, Thrinax elegantissima, and Verschaffeltia splendida; while 
for an intermediate house or conservatory, Areca Bauerii, Chamajrops 
humilis and tomentosa, C rypha australis, Kentias Belmoreana and 
Forsteriana, Pritchardia filamentosus, Seaforthia elegans, and Latania 
borbonica would prove very ornamental and useful. 
Azaleas and greenhouse Pcbododendrons are very well grown, the 
majority of the plants being very healthy, well set with buds, and of a 
good saleable size. Attention was directed to a good stock of Azalea 
Lady Poltimore, which this firm first distributed. Judging from its 
sturdy habit, floriferousness, and the size and colour of the flowers I have 
seen, it somewhat resembles but is far superior to the Old or Fielder’s 
White. It forces readily, and the flowers are large, of good substance, 
and beautifully white. The greenhouse or hybrid Rhododendrons are a 
class of plants not nearly so much grown as they deserve to be. They 
can be had in bloom, provided the selection is good, nearly all the year 
round; they are of various colours. The blooms also vary in size, some 
being very large, and all that I have yet seen are very sweetly scented. 
Messrs. Veitch have good stocks of such sorts as Princess Royal, rose 
pink ; Duchess of Teck, buff-yellow ; Taylorii, pink and white ; Duchess 
of Edinburgh, brilliant scarlet ; Jasminiflora, small white ; Princess 
Alexandra, blush ; Veitchii, white, very large flowers ; and Exoniense, 
creamy white. The latter was originally sent out by Messrs. R. Veitch and 
Son, and they still annually distribute great quantities of it. Unlike the 
majority of hybrid Rhododendrons, it is very dwarf and “ stocky ” in habit; 
quite as much so, in fact, as any Indian Azalea, and quite as floriferous. 
The flowers are of good size and very sweetly scented, and are found in¬ 
valuable for bouquets. It should be grown in every greenhouse. Plants 
have been growing and flowering freely in an open border for two seasons, 
but it cannot be classed as a hardy plant till it has stood a more severe 
test. Other greenhouse plants extensively grown are Lapagerias, Ericas, 
Epacrises, Carnations, Tuberous-rooted Begonias, &c. Among the 
Tuberous-rooted Begonias are several good novelties which are now being 
distributed. The one that most favourably impressed me was Sulphur 
Queen, this being sturdy and floriferous, having very double flowers of 
a pleasing sulphur yellow, the edges of the petals being prettily fringed. 
Exonian is a showy free-flowering variety, and produces large rosette¬ 
like salmon-coloured blooms. White Lady produces very fine double 
white flowers, and this and Sulphur Queen are perhaps the most distinct 
and valuable. Perfection, also double-flowering, produces very fine 
blooms of a brilliant carmine red. Besides these Messrs. Veitch also 
cultivate many other fine single and double varieties. 
Herbaceous plants are extensively grown, and the collection appears 
to be very complete. Chrysanthemums, Tea Roses, Zonal Pelargoniums, 
and other serviceable kinds of plants are all grown, both for sale and for 
wreath and bouquet making, which work is carried on in connection with 
an extensive seed business they have in the busiest part of the city. 
In the nursery grounds there is a good assortment, and valuable and 
common forms of Conifer®, evergreens, and deciduous trees, while Roses, 
single and double Dahlias, and various other flowering plants all receive 
proper attention. There is a very fine stock of fruit trees, all of which, 
being grown on poor soil and frequently lifted, transplant readily and 
soon become established in fresh quarters and almost any kind of soil. 
The dwarf and standard-trained trees of Peaches and Nectarines and the 
many dwarf-trained Plums, Cherries, and Apricots, appeared to have 
made excellent but not too sappy growth, and reminded me of the best 
trees that used to be distributed by the Messrs. Osborn of Fulham.— 
W. I. M. 
ION SOME CHANfTES WHICH NITROGENOUS IMATTER 
UNDERGOES IN THE SOIL. 
{Contimied from page 558.) 
We will first glance at the functions of the animal life existing in soils— 
the worms, the larv®, the insects. If anyone will turn up a turf in a pasture 
field in April or May, and pull it carefully to pieces, he will probably be 
astonished at the amount of animal life which it contains. These animal 
organisms feed both on the fresh and decaying vegetable matter present in 
the soil. Worms, according to Darwin, may even, apparently, feed on 
humus. In the animal body, as is well known, carbon is speedily oxidised, 
carbonic acid being exhaled in the respiratory process; at the same time 
nitrogenous matter is retirrned to the soil in the form of excrement, and also 
in the body of the animal at death. The function of the animal is thus to 
burn carbon, and to cause the organic matter of the soil to become more 
nitrogenous. 
A perfectly similar function is exerted by the fungi which inhabit soils. 
These feed on the organic matter present, exhale carbonic acid, and at their 
death contribute to the soil their own highly nitrogenous tissue. The action 
of fungi on soils is excellently illustrated by the fairy rings common in many 
pastures. Here a ring of fungus is closely followed by a ring of luxuriant 
grass. The fungus has fed on the nitrogenous organic matter of the soil, 
which is useless as food to the grass, and on the death of the fungus the 
nitrogen which it has taken up is left in the soil in the form of albuminoids 
and other bodies easily converted into nitric acid. The nitrates thus pro¬ 
duced act as a powerful manure to the grass. The composition of the soil 
