JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
August 10, 1882. ] 
127 
laid over it. Among the flowers so raised this year I may mention 
Carnations, Picotees—those so raised last year are now in bloom— 
a collection of Everlastings, most of which have produced flowers, 
which are'now cut and dried for winter—Polyanthuses, Pyrethrums, 
Potentillas, of all which there is an ample stock of seedlings ; 
Zinnias, both single and double ; Larkspurs, Asters, Nigellas, rare 
kinds of Papaver, Scabious, just now opening their first flowers, 
and other familiar annuals and perennials. The heat derived 
from the bed of leaves is so little that no importance is attached 
to it ; rather is it important to sow in soil raised 2 or 3 feet upon a 
suitable base, well drained, covered by a glass light, and sheltered 
from cold winds. The advantages of the plan are abundance of 
light and air, inducing robust health and sturdy growth. 
Need I point the moral ? Will it be thought heresy if I assert 
that gardens may be bright with seasonable flowers the year round 
without the aid of costly glass houses ? A border filled with choice 
strains of Aquilegias, Campanulas, Sweet Williams, Antirrhinums, 
Canterbury Bells, Polyanthuses, Delphiniums, Lupins, Wallflowers, 
Stocks, Asters, Phloxes, CEnotheras, Pentstemons, Mignonette, 
Larkspurs, Hollyhocks, Pinks, and Carnations, all coming under 
the category of cheap flowers, easily raised from seed, and all 
answering well under the advantages of a generous soil and care¬ 
ful tending, often proves more attractive than the most costly 
ribbon border. My favourites may well enough be termed “ old- 
fashioned but does not our heart warm to the term, and the 
mind involuntarily wander back to scenes of youth and to familiar 
objects cherished, now, alas ! but too often in memory alone ?— 
Edward Luckhurst. 
An Essay on the Pelargonium and its Cultivation 
read by Mr. C. E. Pearson of Chilwell before the members of 
the Nottinghamshire Horticultural and Botanical Society on 
June 12th of the present year, has been issued in pamphlet form. 
Attention is chiefly given to the Zonal varieties, the culture of 
which is fully described, but short select lists of Show, Fancy, 
and Ivy-leaved varieties are also included. Referring to the 
name of the genus, Mr. Pearson observes :—“ There has been a 
good deal of confusion amongst non-botanical people between 
Pelargonium and Geranium, in consequence of these plants being 
called scarlet Geraniums, bedding Geraniums, &c. ; the fact is, 
they are not Geraniums, but Zonal Pelargoniums, though belong- 
to the Geranium family. Most of the Geraniums are hardy 
herbaceous plants, dying down in winter, several of them being 
amongst our native wild flowers. The best known, perhaps, are 
the blue Geranium found in moist meadows (Geranium pratense), 
and the small pink one which is found in every hedgerow, Gera¬ 
nium Robertianum, or, as it is commonly called, the Stinking 
Cranesbill. The easiest method of distinguishing the two families 
is by the flowers ; in the Pelargonium the parts of the calyx unite 
to form a tube, easily found by cutting through the flower-stalk. 
If the Geranium be treated in the same way it will be found 
to be solid.” 
- An Exhibition has just been held in Sherwood Park of 
the Frant Cottagers’ Association. This organisation, we 
are informed, has been of great benefit for those for whom it was 
established, and that the Shows are appreciated is evident from 
the fact that at the one in question there were five hundred com¬ 
petitors. Upwards of 350 prizes were provided for flowers, fruits, 
vegetables, neatest cottage gardens (in parishes, districts, and on 
estates), poultry, pigeons, geese, turkeys, rabbits, canaries, cats, 
bees, needlework, darniDg, bread-makiDg, butter-making, and 
writing. We are glad to see the Society is supported by the 
resident gentry ; and the Committee and Mr. Ware, the Secretary, 
are to be complimented on their labours in a work that is cal¬ 
culated to improve the condition of the industrial classes in those 
districts in which it is carried out. 
- Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, have now a 
magnificent display of Petunias at Perry Hill, comprising 
over fourteen thousand plants, and representing a large number 
of beautiful varieties both single and double. The colours are 
extremely varied ; from the richest crimson to the most delicate 
rose and pure white there is every gradation. In form, too, 
there is great variety, some being scolloped or fringed at the 
margins, others are quite even and regular. The markings also 
differ considerably, and there are several very distinct types. 
Some have a clearly defined white centre, the other portion of 
the corolla being coloured ; some are evenly striped, and others 
are irregularly streaked and blotched. The double flowers are 
remarka ble for their great size and fulness, while all the plants 
are cha racterised by a dwarf, compact, yet vigorous habit that 
is most satisfactory. 
- A correspondent writes as follows respecting Salvia 
FARINOSA :—“ This is a most beautiful blue-flowered species, the 
spikes of which when cut continue to open flowers for a long time. 
It is not hardy, but is very useful for planting in borders during 
the summer months. In habit the plant is erect, with ovate-lan¬ 
ceolate leaves, and its flowers in terminal spikes are of the brightest 
lavender blue. Another rare species flowered recently in the 
greenhouse, but of the same tint as S. patens. It is called S. cha- 
mmdrifolia, and makes a well-formed pot plant, freely flowering 
in neat spikes during summer when variety is often much wanted. 
Both these are grown in the Cambridge Botanic Garden, where a 
large number of the tender species are cultivated.” 
- One of our prettiest British species of St. John’s Wort is 
Hypericum undulatum (some regard it as a variety of H. 
quadrangulum). It is 8 inches or a foot high, with erect stems 
bearing small leaves, and is rendered extremely elegant by the 
numerous red buds, which are intermixed with bright yellow 
flowers. It is well worth a place in the garden. It is found grow¬ 
ing wild near Plymouth and in Cornwall. 
- “ J. R. S. C.” writes “ I read with special interest the 
communications in the last issue of the Journal anent the 
Strawberry-eating beetles. My entomological friends can¬ 
not make it out at all; it is quite contrary to all theories that 
Carabi should act thus, unless their natural food run short, which 
co uld not be the case this season. However, the fact seems well 
authenticated. Mr. Cornhill of Byfleet speaks of several species 
being noticed, allied to each other he thinks. I should like to 
see samples of the smaller beetles he mentions, perhaps not a 
Carabus but an Otiorhynchus. The weevils of that genus have 
been taken about Strawberry beds.” 
- Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, have sent us some 
very handsome blooms of Pentstemons, extremely varied and 
bright in colour, of great size, and good form. Scarlet of various 
shades, crimson, purple, rose, and white are represented, some of 
the hues being particularly brilliant. In several cases the blooms 
are quite bell-shaped, and even in outline suggestive of small 
Gloxinias ; some also have a white throat, with the outside of the 
tube purple or crimson, the same colour forming a regular margin 
round the lobes of the corolla; in others the throat is heavily 
streaked with colour. They indicate a strain of considerable 
merit obtained by careful selection. 
- “ B. S.” writes :—“ Now that Mr. Taylor has finished his 
history of the Vines at Longleat I desire to tender him my best 
thanks for the most valuable information he has given from begin¬ 
ning to end. I have gained much valuable instruction.” 
- On the opening day of the British Bee-keepers' Associa¬ 
tion’s Exhibition at South Kensington last week Messrs. J. Carter 
and Co., Holborn, contributed a large collection of Tomatoes 
in pots, representing many excellent varieties. About three 
