December 16, 1880 . ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 553 
system of growth I wish to commend. I have never seen them 
so robust or with such fine flowers grown inside. Two methods 
might be adopted—either to plant them out when they have 
flowered in a rich herbaceous border, or, if in moderately large 
pots, plunge them in the border, and towards flowering time 
supply some liquid manure. The latter system has the advantage 
that when bringing them inside for flowering the plants experience 
no check.” 
- The peculiar spinose shrub Colletia cruciata is 
ordinarily an object of curiosity rather than of admiration, but 
when flowering it is by no means unattractive. In the temperate 
house at Kew several small plants in pots are now bearing a pro¬ 
fusion of their small white bell-shaped flowers in clusters on the 
upper portion of the branches, springing from just below the 
strange triangular spines that impart such a distinctive appearance 
to the plant. 
- Mr. Henry C. Ogle, late gardener to Mrs. Okedsn of 
Turnworth, has been appointed to the charge of the gardens of 
Mrs. Willis Fleming, Chilworth Manor, Hornsey. Mr. Alexander 
Shearer, who has had a long and successful term as gardener to 
three Marquises of Tweeddale, has left Yester, and has been suc¬ 
ceeded by Mr. Brown, who has been for a considerable time 
foreman in the same gardens. Mr. Shearer’s skill as a gardener, 
and the great experience he has had in land improvement, com¬ 
mend him for a further charge, which, we understand, he seeks, 
and is as able and willing to work as ever. 
- In those gardens where the plant stove is sufficiently lofty 
to accommodate it, the handsome Palm, Diplothemium cau- 
descens is well worth a place ; but it is useless attempting to 
grow it where there is not room for the magnificent leaves to 
fully develope. Further, as it is a native of Brazil, a high tempera¬ 
ture is required, and an abundant supply of water during growth. 
The leaves are pinnate, 10 to 12 feet long; the pinnae narrow } 
IS inches to 2 feet in length, closely set, of a glossy green colour 
on the upper surface and silvery white beneath. The habit of 
the plant is also very graceful, the leaves rising from a short stem 
and slightly arching. A young specimen in the Palm stove at 
Kew is now very noticeable. 
- At the annual dinner of the Bradford Floral and 
Horticultural Society it was stated by the Secretary, Mr. 
West, that the Society was prospering very satisfactorily, as the 
balance of £32 last year had been increased to £53 this, and they 
had determined in consequence to increase the value of the prizes 
and to encourage more competition in the open classes. The 
Exhibition this season was a great success in every way, and it 
is desired to render the next even more attractive. 
- It is almost needless to call attention to the beauty and 
usefulness of Linum trigynum at this time of year, as the plant 
is now well known and appreciated in many gardens. But there 
is still room for extending its culture, and we noticed only last 
week that in two large establishments where plants for decoration 
are grown in numbers, amidst a wealth of flowers of many and 
brilliant shades there was nothing to supply the pleasing yellow 
hue that would have been so well afforded by a few specimens of 
this Flax. In another garden, however, it was employed very 
freely, chiefly small plants in 48-size pots arranged on the shelves 
of a cool stove; and in combination with the numerous attractive 
plants that may be had to adorn such a structure at this time of 
year, it produced as bright an effect as could be desired. Easy 
culture, quick growth, and a habit of flowering profusely in a 
young state, are recommendations of no light value. 
- An American contemporary has the following relative to 
the Chicago fruit trade :—“ Practically the fruit season with 
us extends from the 1st of April to the latter part of October, 
although some of the small fruits grown in the far South make 
their appearance here in February. The total trade of the past 
year in all fruits amounts to over sixteen million dollars, which is 
reported as equal to the preceding year, and double what it was 
some five or six years ago. The statistics gathered and compiled 
by Mr. Cowles, in addition to giving the quantities of the various 
kinds of fruit handled here, show whence they come. The fresh 
fruits consist of Peaches grown in Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, 
Michigan, western New York, Maryland, and Delaware ; Pears 
from Illinois, Michigan, and New York; Plums from Tennessee, 
Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan, and New York ; and Blackberries 
and other small fruits from the territory extending from Ten¬ 
nessee to Michigan.” 
- A very effective fine-foliaged plant is Artocarpus 
Cannoni when well grown, and is very conspicuous in a group of 
stove plants arranged with Palms and others of similar elegant 
habit. The leaves are variable in form, some being deeply cut 
and others very slightly or almost trilobate ; they are large, of a 
reddish crimson hue, which is particularly rich when seen in bright 
sunlight, a purple tinge being also observable. It is one of Mr. W. 
Bull’s numerous introductions ; is a native of the Society Islands, 
and was sent out from the Chelsea nursery about five years since. 
- - Mr. Alexander Mackenzie has by request reported to 
the Epping Forest Committee of the Corporation on his suggestion 
that a School of Forestry should be established in connection 
with the Epping Forest, for which he says there are a combina¬ 
tion of circumstances in connection with the Forest, all of which, 
it appears, tend to indicate a hope of success. There are about 
six thousand acres of land, the improvement and planting of 
which would form the best possible groundwork for the practical 
training of the foresters in the future. At the present time few 
of the woodlands and forests belonging to the English aristocracy 
are managed with either economy or skill, which w r ould be no 
longer the case if such a school as is now suggested were in 
existence in England. There is at present an advertisement by 
the Indian Office for the selection of five young men, “ if as many 
are found qualified,” to be trained in France for the Indian 
Forest service. Instead of the present system of educating 
Indian foresters Mr. Mackenzie suggests that candidates be 
selected from the middle classes, the sons of farmers, foresters, 
and such practical men ; they should have received a fair educa¬ 
tion and possess a little practical knowledge of soils, trees, and 
botany ; their training at the School of Forestry should include 
practical forestry, mathematics, engineering, and architecture 
to a limited extent, surveying, levelling, and land-measuring, 
book-keeping and geology, also they should have] facilities for 
acquiring at their option Latin, French, and German. The course 
of study should extend over four years, the first two to be spent at 
Epping Forest, the third year on the New Forest, and the fourth 
year at Windsor, where may be seen the full development of the 
principles commenced by the student at Epping. Mr. Mackenzie 
urges the Committee to secure the powerful influence of the 
Corporation in inducing the Government to assist in the estab¬ 
lishment of such an institution. The example has been set by 
America, where a Bill has been introduced to the Senate for the 
establishment of such a school, entirely at the cost of the country; 
the want has also been recognised and supplied by most of the 
States on the Continent.—( City Press.) 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
December 14th. 
The concluding meeting of the year was well attended, and a very 
good display of vegetables, fruit, and plants was provided. 
Fruit Committee.— Henry Webb, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Sage, 
The Gardens, Ashridge, sent specimens of the late-keeping Grapes 
