272 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ A.pril 6, 189$. 
they refused to enter it, and the plants made no progress at all. It was 
necessary to take them up and replace the compost entirely with peat. 
In addition we added partly decayed leaves and sand liberally. In a 
few years after I re-arranged the beds, removing the surplus plants to a 
recently added piece to the garden. Not having sufficient material to 
make up the beds of peat and leaves, I simply took out holes about 
8 inches wider than the roots would occupy. The plants grew freely, 
but not grossly ; the site being exposed, the growth was short-jointed, 
abundance of bloom being annually produced. As the roots neared the 
outside of the compost the length of shoot was reduced, the deep green 
of the leaves changed to a paler hue. As the roots afterwards came in 
contact with the natural soil growth ceased, and in some cases the 
plants died. Were it not for fear of occupying too much space other 
instances of failure could be adduced showing the nonsuitableness of 
some soils to the growth of Rhododendrons. 
I find manure fresh from the cowhouse excellent material for 
re-invigorating Rhododendrons that have somewhat exhausted the soil 
in which they are growing. By laying on the manure 3 inches thick, 
allowing it to gradually decay, the growth is much stimulated, the 
leaves quickly change colour, and the plants gradually improve. No 
time of year is better than the present for planting, provided, of course, 
attention in mulching and watering is given. 
An edging of Erica herbacea gives, in my opinion, the best finish to 
a bed of Rhododendrons, especially if it is surrounded with grass. This 
low growing plant not only hides the soil, but gives a profusion of 
flower twice every year.—E. M., Swanmore Park. 
GRAFTING. 
Does the Wood of the Scion and Stock Unite? 
It has often occurred to me that the generally accepted theory that 
when grafting is performed the wood of the scion and stock never unite 
is not altogether satisfactory, and according to my own method of 
reasoning I have arrived at the conclusion that unless a complete union 
is effected between the outer wood cells as well as the bark, a perma¬ 
nently healthy and vigorous branch or tree cannot be produced by 
grafting, unless our ideas concerning the circulation of sap are at fault, 
if the crude sap ascends through the layers of wood how can it be con¬ 
veyed from the stock to the scion when there is no connection between 
them ? (except by means of the bark, through which the downward 
flow of sap passes). I am forwarding to 171, Fleet Street a portion of 
the stem of a Pear tree which has been sawn asunder through the grafted 
part. To me the union of wood as well as bark seems complete. A 
dark line shows clearly where the cut was made at grafting time. This 
appears to differ in texture from the wood parts around it ; but the 
wood rings are perfect outside this dark line, and quite up to it. Is it 
not probable that after grafting is performed the soft woody substance 
immediately beneath the bark on both stock and scion unite, and form 
as it were a shell around the harder wood ? After this has taken place 
the further development proceeds as in the case of ungrafted branches 
of trees—viz., each new layer of wood forms just under the bark, and 
completely encircles the older one. I shall be much obliged and 
interested to have your opinion of the matter, and also that of some of 
the numerous readers of the Journal of Horticulture. —H. DUNKIN, 
Castle Gardens, Warwick. 
[The question of union between and circulation through the barks 
is an indifferent one, as these play a subordinate part and early disappear. 
The new wood and the new bark are developed from the camMum or 
sappy exudation between the junction of the stock and scion. The real 
union is effected by the alburnous layer or deposition of cellular tissue 
beneath the bark. There has been no union of the heart-woods of the 
stock and the scion in the example sent, or the grafting mark would 
have been obliterated during the course of eight or nine years ; on 
the contrary, disunion of the wood is apparent, and the thin point 
of a penknife can be inserted between the wood face of the scion 
and that of the stock. The wood rings are perfect “ outside the 
dark line,” because this is new wood or superimposed growth, formed 
by annular deposits round the small original central core or stock 
which remains in its normal condition. These brief references to the 
specimens sent by our correspondent will enable those of our readers 
who may desire to do so to express their views on the general subject.] 
A CALL AT LAING’S. 
Laing’s in Begonia time is a familiar place of call for those 
interested in flowers, but less so, doubtless, in the spring. The draw¬ 
back to a special reputation for one class of plants is the fact that many 
persons form the impression that there cannot possibly be anything 
worth seeing when they are out of season. This is frequently a mis¬ 
taken idea, and in no case more so than in that of the Forest Hill 
nurserymen, whose large and well-managed establishment can always 
boast of something to reward a visit. In the spring one of their best 
features are the Olivias, of which they make a speciality, and which 
they grow remarkably well. The collection is now in great beauty, and 
the increasing popularity of the plants is easily accounted for. Great 
have been the improvements in the plants of late years. They have 
been developed in size of bloom, size of truss and colour. It is true 
that the field of variation is a limited one, ranging from lemon to 
scarlet, and not embracing shades of purple and blue, but the former 
at least are not impossible of accomplishment, the Lues being already 
materially deepened. 
The following are a few of the best of the Olivias now in bloom or 
coming into flower : — Lord Wolverton, rich orange vermilion with 
enormous flowers, approaching the size of a small Amaryllis, and a 
dwarf grower ; Scanstead Beauty, salmon orange with a nearly white 
throat, produces a fine truss, and is very dwarf and strong ; Purpurascens, 
rich red with a purple suffusion, the deepest of all in colour, a vigorous 
grower ; Sulphurea, pale sulphur ; Lemonsea, lemon, a late variety that 
is just opening ; Princess May, soft rosy salmon, a very large bloom, 
also a late variety ; Bronze Beauty, bronze with lemon throat, distinct 
and good ; Mrs. H. Broome, pale salmon rose, large flower ; Lady 
Wolverton, brilliant salmon red, with very large reflexed flowers and 
a splendid truss, a very strong grower and in every way fine; John 
Laing, another splendid variety, orange scarlet with a fine truss, and a 
strong grower ; Joseph Chamberlain, rich orange red, of fine foliage and 
habit; and Purity, clear salmon orange, a strong grower, of good habit 
and with fine foliage. The plants are all in perfect condition, and the 
fact of their doing so well under simple greenhouse treatment at Forest 
Hill should encourage amateurs and others to give them a trial. With 
bottom heat they can be flowered at Christmas if desired, and it is an 
easy matter to keep up a long succession of bloom. They do well in a 
compost of three parts loam and one peat when established, encouraging 
them with a more friable and porous medium while young. The plants 
from which suckers have been removed at Forest Hill are surrounded by 
a collar within the pot, and the space between this and the stem is 
filled with peat so as to encourage fresh growth. The plan is evidently 
a good one. With bottom heat the suckers, like Pines, emit roots 
quickly as soon as they feel the warmth ; without this aid it is usually 
three years before small ones develop to a good flowering size, plants 
from seed requiring four years. Both as greenhouse and window 
plants the Clivias are worthy of attention, and it is worth while 
to note the length of time they will keep fresh in water, often six to 
seven weeks. 
The Orchid department is growing rapidly, and the plants are in 
excellent condition. Amongst those in bloom may be noted a charming 
variety of Odontoglossum aspersum, Dendrobium Brymerianum with its 
curiously fringed labellum, Cypripedium hirsutissimum, a fine variety 
of Cymbidium Lowianum, with a rich purplish chocolate lip ; Vanda 
tricolor superba, one of the most beautiful varieties of that stately and 
beautiful plant ; a fine form of Dendrobium nobile, named 
Wallichianum ; and the beautiful Odontoglossum primulinum 
giganteum, with its large and beautifully rounded lip. This is a grand 
variety of a very charming Orchid. Calanthe Sieboldi is in bud. 
Palms and Ferns are represented on an extensive scale, and so are 
Crotons and Dracaenas. The collection of the Crotons is large, and 
the foliage full of fine colour. A few of the most noteworthy sorts 
are Beauty, Laingi, Flamingo, Magnificent, Madame E. Bergmann, 
Thompsoni, superba, gracillima, Hawkeri, Rodeckianus, ruberrimus, 
and Sunbeam. Of the Dracaenas may be noted such fine sorts as nor- 
; woodiensis, Barteti, Madame Bergmann, Lindeni, Elegantissima, and 
\ Louise. A case of Bertolonias, Sonerilas, &c., introduces some beautiful 
plants. Amongst the Bertolonias Madame Van Geert, Ed. Pjnaert, 
I Souvenir de Gand, and Louis Van Houtte were conspicuously beautiful. 
The same might be said of Sonerila marmorata, and another beautiful 
foliage plant too rarely seen is Leea amabilis. 
The Forest Hill Caladiums are well known, and although it is at 
present somewhat early for them they are well worthy of inspection. 
Nowhere, probably, are the plants better managed, and their healthy and 
beautifully marked foliage awakens lively admiration. The varieties are 
too numerous for anything like a complete list to be given, but the 
following may be named as a few of the best:—L’Automne, Louis A. van 
Houtte, Mrs. Laing, Charlemagne, Baron Rothschild, John Laing, B. S. 
Williams, Mdme. Groult, Candidum, Chactas, and Mdme. Imbert 
K oechlin. These are all both attractive and distinct. 
More modest in growth, but not less beautiful in its way, is the 
charming little Saxifraga sarmentosa tricolor superba with its brightly 
tinted foliage. So beautiful a plant ought to be largely grown. A 
handsome Begonia named Arthur Malet, with leaves of burnished red, is 
also well worthy of attention. 
In the stove one of the most striking objects is Anthurium Laingi, 
recently certificated. The spathe is white and of great size. It forms 
one of a large batch of Flamingo Flowers, which make a brilliant display 
in the portion of the structure devoted to them. Plumbago capensis alba 
is in bloom, and so is the not very familiar plant, Gloneria jasminiflora, 
which has small pure white flowers very much resembling Bouvardias. 
It is a free bloomer and undeniably attractive. Sarracenias are grown 
in goodly quantities, and so is Dionaea muscipula. Plants not too often 
met with are Paulinia thalictrifolia and argentea, which are curiously 
Fern-like in appearance, and do well under the same treatment as 
Ferns. 
It is too early yet to say much about Begonias, but the thousands 
of young plants coming on in shallow boxes, the huge mounds of soil 
awaiting use, the large quantities of pots, and the extensive piece of 
ground in the nursery ready for the reception of the immense number 
of plants to be put out in the course of a few weeks are full of signi¬ 
ficance. Preparations for Begonia time are in full swing, and as the 
demand for the Forest Hill strains from all parts of the world goes on 
increasing the preliminaries for each successive season are heavier than 
those of its predecessor. This is satisfactory to the growers, and the 
fact that the foreign demand is so great will perhaps afford gratification 
to many who have no interest in the sale of the plants beyond that of 
patriotism 
