262 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 22, 1892. 
communication, which is fast becoming available, Orange-growing 
should be a profitable source of employment. Tomatoes are grown to a 
moderate extent, but the production might be largely increased, and 
when more intelligent enterprise from abroad, of which the prospect is 
now encouraging, is brought to bear on the various opportunities for 
steady money-making in the colony, its history will become distinguished 
for more than the transformation its famous fibre is effecting. It is to be 
regretted, the Governor remarks, that of the many young Englishmen 
who embarked in Orange-growing in Florida, with chequered results, 
and of those also who sought their fortunes in South America, some at 
least had not found their way to this colony, where energy and thrift, 
applied to the varied resources, can hardly fail to be rewarded, and 
where personal rights and property are under the protection of British 
laws and administration, a consideration to which the history of the 
southern republics during the past two or three years has given striking 
significance. 
- Daturas. —It is almost surprising that these plants are not 
more largely grown, considering how easy they are to cultivate and how 
useful they are for general decorative purposes when well managed. 
They thrive well against pillars or planted out in beds or borders of 
large conservatories, and may be grown either as large bushes or dwarf 
trees. If they are desired to be grown in moderate sized houses the 
best plan to adopt is to grow them as standards. Cuttings taken from 
the old wood, when they have grown 5 or 6 inches in length, in the 
spring root freely ; these should be grown till they have attained a 
height of from 4 to 5 feet, when the main stem should be stopped, the 
object being to encourage branches to break out for the purpose of form¬ 
ing a head, which they will very quickly do. Three or more of the 
strongest shoots should be selected, and should be pruned back annually 
to where the leading branches originate. The best time to prune is in the 
autumn, when the plants are at rest.—G. P. 
- Helianthus Soleil d’Or. —This is undoubtedly an improve¬ 
ment upon H. communis fl.-pl., of which it is a variety. The flowers 
are more freely produced, the florets more erect, and there are not so 
many of them in each flower as in the type. The colour is brighter, 
too, which renders it more conspicuous in the border. This variety forms 
a good contrast to Dahlia Glare of the Garden when planted with it; 
indeed, it can be employed in a variety of ways in flower garden 
arrangements. We have it in a mass in the centre of a bed, and for 
hiding a low brick wall on the northern side it succeeds capitally. 
Mixed with single and Cactus Dahlias at the back of a border in front 
of a Holly hedge, it is a good feature ; in fact, it is amenable to any 
reasonable treatment. The best way to secure a stock of plants for 
summer use is to lift the roots in the autumn, laying them in in some 
sheltered place, say at the foot of a south wall, in light sandy soil, 
dividing them in the spring, planting them in a temporary turf pit in 
good soil. By this means the crowns escape the attacks of slugs, which 
they are subjected to if they remain in the border all the winter.—E. M. 
- The Impurities of Town Air.—T his subject is one in 
which town and suburban horticulturists cannot fail to take consider¬ 
able interest. Dr. G. H. Bailey, of Manchester, is reported in Symons’s 
“ Meteorological Magazine ” to have said that during the past twelve 
months the Air Analysis Committee of Manchester, in conjunction with 
the Eoval Horticultural Society, had been engaged on the analysis of 
the air of large towns. Much information as to the carbonic acid in 
the air having been collected by previous observers it had been thought 
desirable to devote especial attention to sulphurous acid and organic 
matter. Since the object was not merely to collect data, but to lay the 
foundations of what may be termed chemical meteorology, the atmo¬ 
spheric conditions prevailing at the time of the observation had been 
noted. From the results of several hundreds of analyses carefully con¬ 
ducted in London, Manchester, and Liverpool, the following conclusions 
had been drawn :—(1) That in clear breezy weather the amount of 
sulphurous acid is less than 1 milligramme per 100 cubic feet of air ; 
(2) that in anticyclonic periods it rises very considerably, and in times 
of fogs, maxima of 34 and 50 milligrammes have been recorded for the 
worst districts of Manchester and London respectively; (3) that 
wherever an open space or a less densely populated area occurs, there is 
a very marked diminution of the amount of impurities in the air ; (4) 
that an increase in the amount of sulphurous acid is accompanied by at 
least as large an increase in the amount of organic impurities in the 
air ; and (5) that smoke, promoting as it does the formation of fog, and 
preventing free diffusion into the upper stratum of air, must be 
regarded as the principal cause of the impure state of the atmosphere 
in large towns. 
- The Cause of Apricot Branches Dying. —I do not always 
look over the Journal directly it comes in (though I feel I ought to do 
so), and it happens that I have not noted till to-day the report of the 
Conference on Apricots and Plums, published in the issue of 
September 1st. Some conversation took place relative to the dying off 
of Apricot branches, and explanations were given with regard to this. I 
may remind you that we had sent on some years ago specimens of the 
Apricot, the wood of which had been mined by the caterpillars of Sesia 
myopaeformis, well known as a foe of the Apple and Pear, specially the 
latter, and living both in the trunk and boughs. Previous to that the 
insect had not been noticed on the Apricot. I expect it does occasionally 
infest it, and the instance recorded was not a solitary one. This, then,, 
would be another possible cause for the dying off of the branches of 
Apricots : the signs of the presence of the larvae might be overlooked. I 
should not think, however, the insect would be found on Apricots 
under glass.— Entomologist. 
- Durham Floral Society. —The twentieth annual Exhibition 
of the above Society was held in the New Markets and Town Hall of 
the ancient city on September 13th and 14th. The Show was a good 
one all round, competition being keen, and the entries numerous. This 
Society is making steady progress. It is under the patronage of the 
principal gentry of the district, and has a good working Committee. 
Unfortunately the Secretary was indisposed during the Show time, but 
a good substitute was found in G. H. Procter, Esq. Plants in pots, 
open to all, brought forth some good competition in the various classes. 
Some fine specimen Ericas were exhibited. The table decorations 
were superb; the bouquets and sprays were grand. The same may 
be said generally of the principal classes for cut flowers. Fruit was 
excellent; so close were those entered for the principal prizes that the 
judges were compelled to award equal firsts. Grapes were good and 
well coloured, while Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Pears, and other 
fruits were fully up to the standard. Certainly they can grow 
good vegetables in the district, for those sent both by cottagers, 
amateurs, and professional gardeners in the district were superb, and 
they were also well staged, reflecting great credit upon the numerous 
competitors. The Show was well attended, and we are able to record 
a satisfactory meeting of this Society for 1892. 
- Onions at Banbury. —The annual Exhibition of Onions at 
Mr. DeverilPs Royal Seed Stores, Banbury, in competition for the hand¬ 
some prizes offered by him, was held on the 15th and 16th inst., and a 
remarkable show it was, all the stocks being well represented by 
exceptionally fine bulbs. Over ninety dishes were staged, which com¬ 
prised considerably over 1000 bulbs, twenty specimens being required in 
two classes. Very many dishes that did not gain a prize would have 
been an easy first at many of our leading shows. Class 1 was for the 
best dish of twelve bulbs of the following varieties :—Rousbam Park, 
Anglo-Spanish, Royal Jubilee, Lord Keeper or Advancer. The first prize 
was easily won by Mr. Kneller, gardener to W. S. Portal, Esq., Mal- 
shanger Park, Basingstoke, with a very fine lot of Anglo-Spanish,, 
weighing 22 lbs.—an unusual weight for this variety ; several of the 
bulbs measured more than 18 inches in circumference. This dish also 
secured the gold medal offered for the best dish of Onions in Classes 1 
and 2, beating Mr. Bower man’s larger and heavier dish of Ailsa Craig 
in Class 2, which weighed 4 lbs. heavier, but were not so good in 
quality, needing more time. Mr. Wilkins, gardener to Lady Theodore 
Guest, was second with Rousham Park, weighing 18 lbs. Third, Mr. 
Copp, gardener to J. S. W. S. Drax, Esq., Holnest Park, Sherborne, 
Dorset, with Lord Keeper, weighing 18 lbs. Mr. Pope, Highclere 
Castle Gardens, Newbury, was fourth with the same variety, weighing 
17L lbs. Class 2 included Deverill’s Ailsa Craig, Deverill’s Cocoa Nut 
or Original Excelsior. Mr. Bowerman, gardener to C. Hoare, Esq., 
Haekwood Park, Basingstoke, was an easy first, showing Ailsa Craig, 
weighing 26 lbs. Mr. Wilkins was second with the same variety, 
weighing 23£ lbs., and Mr. Pope third, also showing Ailsa Craig. Mr. 
Lye was awarded a special for a very pretty dish of Original Excelsior, 
weighing 20 lbs., a very clean, bright-looking Onion. Class 3 was for 
twenty specimens of that good-keeping Onion Deverill’s Improved 
Wroxton. Mr. Wilkins was first with a good even dish, weighing 
26J lbs., Mr. Pope second, his exhibits weighing 23 lbs., and Mr. Lye. 
thud. Class 4 was provided for cottagers, allotment holders, and 
mechanics, the Onions to be selected from Deverill’s Main Crop, 
Deverill’s Improved Wroxton, or Improved White Spanish. Mr. Moss 
of Haekwood was first with Main Crop, Mr. Winfield of Shutford 
second with White Spanish, and Mr. Bliss, Church Lane, Banbury 
third with the same variety.— Visitor. 
