February 9, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
119 
nothing like the moist heat arising from a tank, I find anthracite far 
superior to any other kind of fuel. Not only does it effect a great 
saving in the yearly bill, but also in labour in stoking. The best proof 
of this is the desire of the stokers for a supply of this coal in preference 
to coke. 
I find draw-off pipes from the boiler plenty large enough if an inch 
in diameter. As a rule they are not connected low enough to the boiler. 
The object of having these draw-off pipes is to periodically cleanse 
the boilers of sediment which collect in the corners of those of saddle 
shape. If these pipes are fixed 4 inches or 6 inches from the base it is 
impossible that all the sediment can be taken from these most dangerous 
parts. It is generally there that these boilers exhibit their first 
defect. Some hot-water fitters only connect a pipe on one side of the 
boiler ; this is useless for the opposite one. The best form of outlet is a 
plug screwed into the end of the pipe, which is generally built into the 
wall and allowed to project an inch or so. When the boiler is emptied 
it should several times be washed out by closing the flow valve until the 
boiler has drained off, then allowing more water to rush into the boiler 
with some force, the sediment at the base is stirred up, the bulk of it 
will then run out of the pipe if this latter is close to the bottom of the 
boiler. Where chalky water has to be used a cleaning out is oftener 
needed than when the water is less hard,—E, M. 
ALOCASIA MACRORHIZA VARIEGATA. 
NOTWlTHSTANDlNa recent introductions this Alocasia when well 
grown remains a most telling plant for the decoration of our stoves. 
There are different ways of cultivating it, some growers treating it as 
they would a Caladium, others keeping the plants growing throughout 
the winter. When plenty of heat is at command I much prefer the 
latter system, as then there is not nearly so much risk in losing the bulbs 
as when they are dormant, while the cultivator gets an earlier start 
when potting time arrives. If they are to be grown as single crowns 
old plants may be turned out of their pots, and the medium-sized 
crowns selected for the 6-inch pots, reserving the stronger to be placed 
five or six in a 12 or 14-inch pot, and the weaker ones for pots about 
inches in diameter. 
The compost we use with every success comprises three parts good 
sound fibry loam and one of dried cow manure, broken into small 
pieces, with plenty of coarse silver sand and a few pieces of char¬ 
coal to keep the right amount of porosity. The pots they are to be 
placed in must have been previously washed and carefully drained. 
Place some of the rougher portions of the compost over the drainage, and 
then fill up to about three parts with the compost. On this put the 
crowns, and merely cover the roots with soil; insert a small stake and 
tie with a piece of matting to keep it steady until the roots have got a 
firm hold into the new soil. If there is a little bottom heat at command 
the plants should be plunged and carefully watered until root growth 
commences. When fairly established and the white fleshy roots appear 
on the surface of the soil, fill the pots with the same compost, and as 
this in turn becomes permeated with roots weak supplies of liquid 
manure at intervals will do much good in building up solid crowns. 
During the summer the plants will require large supplies of water at 
the roots, but as the autumn comes round the supply may be lessened, 
and just suflScient to keep up root action will suflBce during the winter. 
If the bulbs are now dormant it would be well to shake them out of 
the old soil, and put into smaller pots, using a mixture of leaf mould, 
sand, and charcoal, or in place of leaf mould a small proportion of loam. 
Plunge them in a genial bottom heat, and keep the soil fairly moist 
until growth commencev. They may then be placed into larger pots, 
using the stronger compost, as recommended for those which have been 
kept growing through the winter. During the summer care should be 
taken that moisture is not allowed to rest upon the foliage when placed 
in the direct sunshine, or the leaves will soon be scalded, a condition 
which entirely spoils the appearance of the plants.—R. P. R. 
NOTES IN SEASON. 
To guard against any scarcity of produce in the spring and early 
summer we have sown seeds of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, and 
Parsley under glass, in soil that has been emptied out of the Chrys¬ 
anthemum pots. We sow thinly, cover slightly, and keep the soil moist. 
The seedlings soon appear in gentle warmth, and are kept as near the 
glass as possible to insure sturdy growth. When the seed leaves are 
developed the plants are pricked 4 or 5 inches apart in boxes about 
2 feet 6 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. Much the same 
soil is used, with the exeeption that we place a good coating of old 
Mushroom bed refuse over the drainage When the plants commence 
growing air is admitted on every favourable occasion, gradually harden¬ 
ing them until they can be safely placed in pits or frames, protected 
with mats in severe weather. We always keep a few boxes of Lettuces 
and Parsley in one of the greenhouses, and use from them ; those placed 
in the cold frame coming in useful for planting outside. 
Carrots and Radishes are raised in a frame on a mild fermenting bed 
on which soil 6 inches deep is placed. The seeds are thinly sown broad¬ 
cast, the Radishes being ready for use and out of the way long before 
the Carrots are fit to pull. As regards varieties most persons have their 
own particular choice, and those specially recommended by seedsmen of 
high repute are reliable. 
Rhubarb should be ready when wanted ; it is forced with sweet 
leaves in preference to stable manure, as in the latter much of the brisk 
acidity of the Rhubarb is lost. By taking np a few roots of Mint and 
placing them in boxes in a little heat a crop of green shoots soon 
follows, and they are much appreciated. With a little forethought 
vexations through a scarcity of garden produce may be averted. We 
cannot all be perfect, but exchanging views and offering suggestions 
in a friendly way is pleasurable, and scattered hints are sure to be useful 
to some readers.—R. P. R. 
SNOWDROPS. 
Mr. S. Arnott’s article on pages 21-22 will, I doubt not, cause 
many lovers of these hardy gems to search for novelties—not only 
amongst Snowdrops, but other flowers as well. Variety is not always 
found amongst seedlings. The single Narcissus poeticus and other 
varieties have produced double forms, or are in progress, which took 
place after they had been moved while in bud. Fasciation, and con¬ 
stricted stems or branches, sometimes produce abnormal, large, or 
curiously shaped flowers, and not unfrequently double blooms. I will 
not attempt to explain the cause, but simply ask a question. Are the 
nitrogenous pollen-bearing anthers converted into petals when the flow 
of proper nourishment is restricted, and do petals require less support 
for their development than anthers ? I have been prompted to make 
these remarks from observations I have made on plants after manipula¬ 
tion and mutilation of bulbs, roots, and branches. 
I have grown the Crimean Snowdrop for upwards of thirty years. 
At first it was the last to flower, blooming as late as the end of April ; 
but it is gradually losing that character, and at the present time it is as 
far advanced as Galanthus nivalis, while the flowers are variable, 
showing plainly that soil and climate are taking effect in working a 
mysterious change. 
About twenty-five years ago I moved 20,000 Snowdrops during 
February, planting them in lines. For two years they did well, giving 
promise that the shift during the blooming period was a success, but my 
hopes were soon blighted, as the third year there was scarcely a bloom, 
and the foliage weakly, and the fourth season there were not more than 
a thousand bulbs remaining. I at first thought slugs had been at work, 
through the starch of the bulbs being converted into sugar, as is some¬ 
times the case with bulbs that have been lifted, but in this case it was 
not so, as the bulbs were not mutilated ; there was simply no growth 
either of roots or foliage. 
It appears to me that Snowdrops are sensitive, and suffer from 
being moved at any time other than when both foliage and roots are 
dead. If lifted at any other time a precocity starts them into flower, 
the roots refuse to push forth, the foliage is stunted, no bulblets are 
formed, and the Snowdrops disappear. 
Several years ago I planted some bulbs of the Giant, but they refuse 
to increase. In the summer of 1892, among other things I had sent me 
by Mr. S. Arnott, were bulbs of Galanthus Elwesi and G. Fosteri. One 
bulb of Elwesi showed bud at the end of December, but owing to the 
severe weather the flowers did not open till the 20th of January, when 
without sunshine the thermometer stood at 48°. Why this precocity ? All 
the rest of G. Elwesi planted at the same time and place, and the same 
depth, will be at least two weeks later.—W. Thomson, Slantyre. 
RUSSIAN APPLES. 
Most of the varieties, as given by Mr. Hilborn in the annual report 
of 1888, have made very satisfactory progress up to date. Thirty-five of 
the later importations of the Iowa Agricultural College were received 
from Professor Budd last spring, and were added to the original planting, 
making in all 215 Russian varieties on trial. This orchard was the first 
to fruit on the experimental grounds, a number of trees giving specimen 
Apples this year. Some of them are large, and of fair quality, but 
further experience is needed before a true estimate can be made of their 
value. In this connection it may be added that the large and interesting 
collection of Russian fruit on the farm of the late Charles Gibb of 
Abbotsford, Quebec (now owned by Wm. Craig & Son), has been, by 
your instructions, under my observation during the fruiting season of 
this year. The planting of Russian fruits was begun by Mr. Gibb about 
ten years ago. Many varieties are now coming into bearing, and it is 
hoped that by careful observation of the success of the different varieties 
in that district, a reliable opinion will be arrived at in regard to their 
possible success and usefulness in the colder parts of the Dominion' 
The fruit growers of the Province of Quebec, especially, had for years 
been watching with much interest the self-imposed task of fruit testing 
—“for the cold north”—undertaken by Mr. Gibb, and it will be a 
source of satisfaction to them to know that the results which he came 
so near attaining, will not be lost to the people in whose interest he 
laboured. It is hoped that, with the added experience of another year, 
sufficient information will be acquired to enable such facts to be 
published in bulletin form, as will serve as a guide to planters along the 
northern limits of present Apple culture ; for this is the region where 
the Russian Apple will be of greatest service. Another purpose which 
this race will serve, and which will be developed later, is that of giving 
us hardy stocks for top-grafting. Many varieties already fruited, 
judging from their poor quality, should be condemned, but will be 
retained, for the purpose just indicated, on account of their great vigour 
and hardiness. They will also undoubtedly be the progenitors of a 
