March 17, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
199 
- Parcel Post Boxes. —I should be glad if some maker of 
light wood parcel post boxes for cut flowers would advertise them iu the 
Journal of Hortioultare.—SovT'a. Devon. 
- Brighton and Sussex Horticultural Association.— 
Mr. B. Carpenter writes to say that, in addition to the three Shows 
referred to in a recent issue of the Journal, an autumn Exhibition will 
be held on August 24th and 25th. 
-A large collection of Florists’ Tulips is said to be in the 
possession of M. Follet Rivolet, Villefranche, France, consisting of 
20,000 bulbs, in, at the least, 6000 varieties. There is, no doubt, a large 
number of seedlings amongst them, many, probably, not worth preserv¬ 
ing in a choice collection. 
-A NEW Begonia, named Gloire de Lorraine, was exhibited by 
MM. Lemoine et Fils, of Nancy, at a recent meeting of the National 
Horticultural Society of France. It is the result of a cross between 
B. socotrana and B. weltoniensis, and is described as being covered with 
beautiful small soft rose-coloured flowers. A certificate of merit was 
awarded. It is not to be sent out till the end of the year. 
- Zauschneria calipornica. — If “ D., Deal," would plant 
this Californian Fuchsia in the sunniest spot on his rockery he can find 
and in rather shallow soil I do not think he will find much difficulty in 
getting it to bloom. It never fails to do so in such a position on the 
top of the rockery here. We have a good show of its bright coloured 
flowers when the bulk of the ordinary rock plants are past.— 
E. Molyneux, Hants. 
- Forced Rhubarb. —Although gardeners are well acquainted 
with the different modes of forcing Rhubarb, I am not aware whether 
they agree that there is much difference in the quality of Rhubarb 
forced on shelves in a forcing house and that in the ground covered with 
boxes or barrels, and these again well protected with stable manure. 
My own opinion is the latter is much superior both in flavour and sub¬ 
stance, and as quality ought to be the prime object aimed at, especially 
• for private establishments, the subject might be discussed with 
advantage.—W. T. 
- Fruit from South Africa. —The Union Steamship Com¬ 
pany’s R.M.S. “ Mexican,” which arrived at Southampton on the 6th 
inst., brought a further consignment of fruit from South Africa, 
consisting of Grapes, Pears, Apples, and Melons. This fruit was placed 
on sale at Covent Garden Market on Wednesday, the 9th inst., when the 
Grapes realised the highest prices yet obtained for importations from South 
Africa, boxes containing about 20 lbs. fetching ISs. each. The Apples 
and Pears turned out in first-class condition, boxes containing thirty 
to thirty-five of the former realising 7s. 6d., the Pears also obtaining high 
prices, one case of forty-two being sold for 34s. The Melons realised 
about 3s. fid. per box. 
- The Effects of Mistletoe on Apple Trees.— The prevalent 
notion that the Mistletoe is injurious to the Apple or other tree on 
which it grows is disputed by Dr. G. Bonnier, the Professor of Botany at 
the Paris Sorbonne, who maintains not only that this is not the case, but 
that it is actually beneficial to its host, the relationship being not one of 
simple parasitism, but rather one of symbiosis. He determined from a 
series of observations on the increase in the dry w'eight of the leaves 
that, while in summer the Mistletoe derives a large portion of its nutri¬ 
ment from the host, in winter these conditions are reversed, and the 
increase in weight of the Mistletoe is less than the amount of carbon 
which it has obtained from the atmosphere—in other words, that it 
gives up to its host a portion of its assimilated substance.— {Nature.') 
- English Wonder Pea. —Messrs. Cannell & Sons are intro¬ 
ducing a new Pea under the above name, which I think "will be found 
to be a decided acquisition. It w^as raised at Kenilworth, Warwick¬ 
shire, by a Mr. Tipping, a gardener who has for many years devoted 
attention to hybridising Peas, and raised “ William the Conqueror,” 
“ Early Bird,’ and I think one other sort well known now in the 
district, having been taken in hand and introduced by Mr. Burbury. 
English Wonder is an improvement on American Wonder, although I 
think the latter has nothing to do with the parentage. I saw it grow¬ 
ing last season in the gardens of Stoneleigh Abbey, and Mr. Beddard 
thought highly of it. It is very early, very dwarf, pod, quality, and 
cropping good ; and where very early Peas are grown it will be valuable. 
—W. Dean. 
- The Weather in Ireland.—D uring the past week the 
thermometer has registered from 10° to 18° of frost, and about 
9 inches of snow has fallen. Peas are as yet safe, being protected 
by Fir branches. I have known Peas stand 15° of frost, and Cauli¬ 
flowers 10°, unprotected.— S. Scott, Rathmore, near Belfast. 
- The Weather in Scotland.— The week of the 7th to the 
14th inst. has been very frosty throughout, with occasional showers of 
snow. The hills all round are white to the base, the low grounds mostly 
clear. On two mornings 12° frost were recorded, and 17° on the morning 
of the 10th. Most days have been clear and bright,—B. D., South 
Perthshire. 
- The Weather in Scotland. —Eight miles south from 
Glasgow the week ending 11th March was wintry. On the mornings 
of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th the temperature was 
respectively 10°, 27°, 20°, 15°, 20°, 27°, and 21°. On several days it rose 
to 40°, but on four it never exceeded 32°. Snow fell to a depth of 1 inch 
on the 7th, and another fall of 3 inches followed on the 10th. Growth 
is at a standstill, 
-The Weather in Lancashire. — Perhaps you may be 
interested to know how severe the weather is here. Twice this year 
has the thermometer (4 feet from the ground) registered below zero, 
this morning (March 12th) being 2° below, or 34° of frost. On the 19th 
of February it was 6° below zero, making 38° of frost. We have also 
a very deep covering of snow.— J. Laverack, The Gardens, Gislurne 
Parh, near Clitheroe. 
-Weather at Liverpool, — Never since 1886 have we 
experienced such severe weather as we have had for the week ending 
March 14th, Frost, which completely suspended outside work, has 
been continuous. On Wednesday evening and early on Thursday 
morning we had a fall of snow which covered the ground to a depth 
of 6 or 8 inches. The wind blowing from the N.E. and N.W. has 
been bitterly cold, and at present there is little hope of any change 
for the better. The night temperatures have been—9th, 20°; 10th, 
22° ; 11th, 16°; 12th, 12°; 13th, 21°; 14th, 19°.—R. P. R. 
- Double Primulas, —When it becomes better known how 
easily these charming flowers can be raised from seed we shall see them 
grown in greater profusion. Their usefulness for many purposes, 
where the single varieties cannot be used, is indisputable, and if a good 
strain is bought there is little fear of many turning out single flowers. 
For wreaths the whites are indispensable, whilst other colours may be 
used with excellent effect in house decoration, &c. The sorts we have 
grown this season are Sutton’s Double White and Double Scarlet; the 
latter by its striking colour and the unique appearance of its heads of 
rosette flowers make it quite a favourite. Double Primulas are remark¬ 
able for their free-flowering and lasting properties. I find they endure 
more heat than the singles, and if kept near the glass the flowers are 
increased in substance. To those who want cut flowers in variety 
throughout the winter I say, Indulge, if possible, in one or two packets 
of seed of double Primulas.—R. P. R. 
- At a meeting of the Royal Botanic Society lately. Dr. 
R, C. A, Prior presented ripe seeds of Araucaria imbricata, the Monkey- 
puzzle tree of Chili, collected from a large tree growing in the open air 
at Corsham, Wilts. He mentioned that in this country the plant, 
though common, seldom ripens its seeds. It was first introduced here 
100 years ago by Mr, Menzies, a Scotch botanist, who accompanied 
Vancouver’s expedition in search of a passage between the Atlantic and 
Pacific Oceans. In returning from their attempt they put in at 
Valparaiso, and were hospitably entertained by the Viceroy of Chili, 
While dessert was on the table Menzies observed some nuts he had not 
seen before. Instead of eating his share he saved them, and taking a 
box of soil back with him on board ship succeeded in raising five plants, 
which he brought to England, and these formed the stock from which 
most of the large trees now growing in various parts of the country 
have sprung. At a subsequent meeting, Mr. J. Bell Sedgwick in the 
chair, the Secretary announced the safe arrival at the Gardens of a 
number of young plants of the Mangrove from Colombo, remarking that 
though common enough in the Mangrove swamps of the tropics, this 
plant had never yet been grown in England, though many attempts had 
been made by the Society and ott ers. In the conservatory, however, 
the White Mangrove, a somewhat Hied plant, had been growing for 
the last eight years, but the rate of grewth was very slow, and the plant 
appeared very delicate. 
