346 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ October 12 , was. 
Gesnerias, Tydteas, Gloxinias, Achimenes, and Streptocarpus in¬ 
clude many handsome plants of great value not only for the stove 
but for cooler houses also, though the majority are more at home 
in a rather high temperature. 
The genus flEscbynanthus, to which especial attention is now 
called, similarly comprises several species of much beauty, parti¬ 
cularly as basket plants, for which their epiphytal and pendulous 
habit well fits them, and in gardens where they are carefully 
grown no better plants for that purpose could be desired. The 
rich scarlet and orange shades distinguishing their flowers are 
unrivalled, and the blooms, being produced in large trusses or 
clustered closely along the stems, have a very imposing appear¬ 
ance when pendulous from elegant baskets near the path of a 
stove. They are not more difficult of management than many 
other epiphytal plants; but it is no use attempting their culture 
in any house where a high and moist temperature cannot be 
maintained with regularity, and perhaps most failures that occur 
in the growth of these plants is due to a misapprehension of their 
requirements in this respect. The baskets should be prepared in 
the ordinary way with a layer of large potsherds and some pieces 
of charcoal, over which a layer of rough moss or peat can be 
placed, upon which the plant should rest, with good fibrous peat 
in lumps placed firmly round the roots. Water must be liberally 
but judiciously supplied; and if at any time the temperature 
becomes unduly reduced the amount of water given must be pro¬ 
portionately limited, or the plants will soon become extremely 
unhealthy, and when once they get into that state it is very 
difficult to ensure their recovery. 
A few of the species are adapted for culture in pots, the best of 
these being the one represented in the engraving, as it is of 
more erect and sturdy growth than the majority, and the large 
trusses of flowers being borne at the apex of the stems in an erect 
manner, and are seen to much better advantage in that way than 
when in baskets. Some cultivators prefer peat alone for this 
species under pot culture, with thorough drainage, but I have 
found a little turfy loam incorporated with the peat is beneficial. 
But in that case sand should be also used, unless the peat contains 
a large proportion. Both the basket and pot plants must have 
a warm position in the stove, and then little difficulty will be 
experienced with them. 
Of the species in cultivation, that shown in fig. 56—viz., A3, spe- 
ciosus, is one of the most handsome, its large scarlet and orange 
flowers being produced in trusses of sixteen to twenty, and with 
several of these on a plant of moderate size in a 48 or 32-size pot 
the effect is most striking. Another valuable quality it possesses 
is the remarkable durability of the flowers, which last in good con¬ 
dition for some weeks. Like several others of this genus, we are 
indebted to Messrs. Yeitch & Sons for the introduction of this plant, 
which was found by Mr. Thomas Lobb growing upon trees in damp 
woods on Mount Asapan in Java at an elevation of 2000 feet. 
AH. fulgens was also collected by Mr. T. Lobb in Moulmein. 
It approaches the above in habit, but is more drooping. The 
leaves are large and ovate, the flowers being 3 inches or more 
long, scarlet streaked with yellow in front, and are borne in large 
heads. 
A3, cordifolius, obtained by the same collector, is a native of 
Borneo, with leaves and flowers of moderate size, the latter about 
2 inches long, deep scarlet streaked with black in the throat, and 
produced in pairs or triplets in the axils of the leaves. This is 
well suited for a basket, as also is its near relative A3, tricolor, both 
being of slender habit. The last-named is similarly a native of 
Borneo, whence it was obtained by Messrs. Low of Clapton. It 
has small ovate leaves, the flower being about 1^ inch or 2 inches 
long, scarlet streaked with yellow and black, being borne in the 
axils of the leaves. AS. javanicus is a showy form, with deep 
scarlet flowers streaked with yellow, and borne in the axils of the 
leaves near the point of the stems ; while A3. Lobbianus ought to 
be included in every collection, its rich scarlet corollas contrast¬ 
ing so well with the deep purple calyx. All these succeed best in 
baskets.—L. Castle. 
SCRAPS ABOUT FRUIT. 
Last year under the above heading there appeared a miscel¬ 
laneous collection of very interesting information which I had 
been hoping to be commenced again this year, as there surely 
must be much more for many of us to learn. By way of starting 
the train again I would bring under the notice of your readers a 
few fruits. 
The Pine Apple Russet Apple.— This is a most delightfully 
aromatic-flavoured Apple. It ripens well here even in unfavour¬ 
able seasons. It is small, but makes up for that in its extra good¬ 
ness. It somewhat resembles in flavour the Cornish Gilliflower ; 
but as it ripens earlier and in more unfavourable seasons I think 
it is a superior kind to grow, and no one will regret adding it to 
his dessert list. __ 
The Dymond Peach. —Has this Peach borne out the high 
character it received last year for hardiness and certainty of crop ? 
for if it has stood its ground in such a bad Peach year as this it 
ought to be better known, Messrs. Lucombe & Pince of Exeter 
kindly favoured me with a few buds in summer, but unfortunately 
they were not sufficiently matured ; and coming in dry cotton 
wadding, they were so shrivelled that, though the bark of the bud 
has taken well to the stock, I am afraid the buds will fail to push 
in spring. _ 
Sending Buds by Post.— On this subject of budding some 
may not know that in having buds sent by post the blade of the 
leaf should always be cut off, leaving only the stalk ; the scion 
with the buds on it should then be rolled in damp wadding. It 
will in this way come a long distance, even in hot summer time, 
without injury to the buds ; but before working them the scion 
had better be put in rain water till bark and buds have plumped 
up again, if they have been at all withered. 
Reinette Feanche Apple. —Two or three years ago I bought 
in a fruiterer’s in Paris a most excellent deliciously flavoured 
Apple, somewhat above medium size, round and without ribs ; 
skin greenish, turning to brownish yellow on the sunny side, and 
covered by light grey russet—answering, as far as my memory 
goes, to the description in the “Fruit Manual” of Reinette 
Franche, but on asking the name all I could learn was that it was 
Reinette. Now I want to know, Is this Apple grown any place 
in England ? If it can be grown as good as I ate it in Paris no 
garden should be without it, as it was far superior to any American 
Apple I have ever tasted ; and yet, though I have consulted the 
fruit catalogues and many of the chief growers in England, and 
written about it to numbers of nurserymen, I cannot hear of it 
beiDg procurable anywhere. 
The Columbia Plum. —This is stated in the “ Fruit Manual ” 
to be sometimes as much as 2 inches in diameter and an excel¬ 
lent fruit; yet no nurseryman seems to think it worth while 
growing, and outside of the “ Manual ” it seemed to be unknown. 
—Irish Rector. 
[The description in question of this Plum was of American- 
grown fruit. We have found that the fruit does not attain the 
same size in this country, and the variety does not appear to be 
well adapted to our climate.] 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
October 10th. 
One of the largest and most interesting meetings that has been 
held for some time was that of Tuesday last, when plants, flowers, 
and fruits were shown in large numbers, the Council-room and vesti¬ 
bule being well filled. The single Dahlias, Roses, and large collec¬ 
tions of Apples and Pears were the great features of the display. 
Fruit Committee. —Harry J. Yeitch, Esq., in the chair. Mr. R. 
Gilbert, The Gardens, Burghley House, Stamford, exhibited a green- 
flesh Melon of moderate size named Burghley Pet, said to be a cross 
between Netted Victory and Dickson’s Exquisite. The flesh was 
deep, juicy, and of an exquisite rich flavour. A first-class certificate 
was awarded for it. A letter of thanks was also accorded to Mr. 
Gilbert for bunches of Gros Maroc, Gros Colman, and Black Alicante 
Grapes, the berries of good size and beautifully coloured. A certificate 
was also awarded to Mr. Taylor, gardener to J. McIntosh, Esq., Dun- 
eevan, Oatlands Park, Weybridge, for a Codlin-like Apple erroneously 
named Landsberger Reinette ; the fruits of pyramidal form, the apex 
of the fruit pentagonal, the eye deep, pale yellow with a slight rosy 
tinge on the side next the sun. Mr. C. Howe, The Gardens, Benham 
Park, Newbury, sent some handsome Cucumbers named Challenger, 
a cross between Freeman’s Yard Long and Telegraph, and said to be 
very prolific. A fruit was also shown of Melon Eclipse, a cross 
between Benham Park and William Tillery, described as useful for 
culture in pots. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea, sent some fine 
samples of Neapolitan Curled Kohl Rabi. Mr. A. Pettigrew, Cattle 
Gardens, Cardiff, was awarded a cultural commendation for fruits of 
Cardiff Castle Cucumber of moderate length but very even. Mr. T. 
Laxton, Bedford, sent several dishes of Runner Beans, The Czar and 
Girtford Green being the finest. Messrs. James Veitch & Sons sent 
a fine collection of Apples and Pears, comprising 180 dishes, repre¬ 
senting a large number of varieties. Some Apples were extremely 
fine, all the best varieties being shown, and well merited the silver 
medal awarded for them. Mr. Goldsmith, The Gardens, Hollanden 
Place, Tonbridge, was awarded a bronze medal for a collection of 
sixty dishes of Apples and Pears, the Pears being of great merit 
