58 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 17,189&. 
matter in soils, a property possessed by chalk only to a very small 
extent. Hydrated lime has the power of uniting with the same amount 
of carbon dioxide as quicklime to form carbonate of lime, by this I mean 
that weight for weight the quicklime would take more carbon dioxide 
than the hydrate ; but if we took two equal amounts of quicklime, 
slaked the one, and not the other, they would then each be capable of 
uniting with the same volume of carbon dioxide, but hydrated lime is 
not quite so caustic in its properties as quicklime, consequently it would 
take longer for the hydrate to accomplish this chemical union. 
“ Inquirer ” goes on bo say, “ I apparently propound a new doctrine, 
that lime is per se (by itself) a soil fertiliser.” I think that this shows 
that " Inquirer’s ” reading has not been of a very scientific nature, or 
he would have seen explained the part lime takes as a plant food, for 
without lime is present no plants will grow in any kind of soil. As 
most writers and teachers of agriculture describe its action fully, it 
would be well for him to look this matter up, and he will see that lime 
is looked on in agriculture, not as an insect destroyer, but as a valuable 
plant food. I should like to know how much lime we should want to 
apply to land to kill such insects as wireworms and some of the 
chrysalids ? I have never seen sufficient dressings used to kill the 
above insects, and I think it is practically impossible to do so. The 
micro forms of insect life (so called by “ Inquirer ”), those he wishes to 
protect from injury, are not, as a matter of fact, insects, but belong to 
a group of fftogi known as the Sch^omycetes, and belong to the vege¬ 
table kingdom. ~ 
When bodies chemically unite heat is formed (this is well illustrated 
when water is put on lime), hence the remark “ that lime burns the 
soil,” for when lime is put on soils containing organic matter (which 
generally consists of carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia) they decom¬ 
pose it, uniting it with the carbon dioxide to form a carbonate; this we 
may term a process of slow burning. Many chemical changes take place 
when lime is applied to soils which do not concern us now. 
I think we may assume that lime decomposes the organic matter, 
which is part of the insects’ food, and so drives them away to parts 
unlimed, and we rid ourselves to some extent of these insect pests ; such 
insects as slugs and caterpillars may be destroyed if lime comes in 
direct contact with them. If the Editor will allow I will give a more 
complete account of the action of lime on soils, and its use as a plant 
food.—W. D., Turnford, Herts. 
[The Editor will willingly admit the extended notes suggested for 
the information of “Inquirer” and many other readers of the Journal 
of Horticulture. ] 
ORNAMENTAL BASKETS. 
Peruaps nothing adds more to the furnishing of the stove, green 
house, or conservatory than a variety of well-furnished baskets suspended 
from the roof, and where decorations are largely carried on those who 
are in the habit of using them will amply testify to their usefulness in 
adding an air of finish and gracefulness to drawing-room decoration. 
In choosing specimens for basket culture endeavours should be made 
to select only such plants as are light and elegant in growth, anything 
stiff or formal looking entirely out of place under these circumstances. 
For the benefit of anyone uninitiated in the art of basket culture 
perhaps the following notes will prove beneficial. Wire baskets of all 
sizes and shapes are easily obtained, but round bowl-shaped ones of 
medium size are generally used. The interior of the basket should first 
be lined with stiff growing moss, such as is often found under Beech 
trees, with the green side outwards, and then filled with suitable soil 
prior to planting. 
When grown in baskets for summer use there is nothing more useful 
than Selaginella uncinata, which is known to almost everyone. Its 
graceful trailing habit makes it particularly adaptable for this purpose, 
and if grown in a shady position, protected from the strong rays of the 
sun, the bluish green tint of its foliage is very charming, changing as 
autumn approaches to a bright golden colour. Owing to its deciduous 
habit it should be kept in a cool greenhouse during the winter months. 
Another useful acquisition is Pteris serrulata. The fronds of this Fern 
are of a light green colour, long, pendulous, and very graceful for 
ornamental baskets, P. cretica is also suitable, being a distinct variety, 
with fronds upwards of a foot long. Among the Adiantums both 
cuneatum and gracillimum are very suitable, but perhaps even more so 
is A. caudatum. It is light and elegant, with fronds about a foot long. 
Cheilanthes spectabilis, a native of Brazil, forms a charming object for 
this purpose, being an evergreen variety, and in every way acceptable. 
Woodwardia orientalis is well worthy of mention, with graceful fronds 
ranging from 2 to 4 feet long, from the upper surface of which springs a 
profusion of bulbiform plants. 
In spite of their deciduous habits both Davallia canariensis and 
D. bullata are charming. Of naturally wandering habits, the fronds 
are of a rich shining green, rising from a creeping caudex covered with 
reddish-brown scales, and makes them, without doubt, among the prettiest 
of East Indian Ferns. Isolepis gracilis and Sibthorpia europasa are 
also useful for basket cultivation, and cuttings of Tradescantia placed 
underneath the baskets add considerably to the elegance and effect. 
If fiowering plants are desired, Achimenes are amongst the most 
useful for summer use. Tbe best method is to place the roots in shallow 
boxes to start, and when they are a few inches high prick them in over 
the surface and all round the outside of the basket, which will quickly 
become furnished and form a pleasing appearance when covered with 
bloom. Saxifraga sarmentosa is a charming plant for cultivation in 
baskets, its trailing habits, profuseness of growth, and the elegant beauty 
of its simple white flowers, all being recommendations for this purpose. 
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, Canary Creepers, Fuchsias of drooping habit, 
Rex and Tuberous-rooted Begonias, Marguerites, and many other plants 
may also be employed with advantage.—G. Hollingworth, jAZion 
Towers, 
ICHR 
UMS' 
Japanese Up to Date. 
In continuing the analysis of the Japanese Chrysanthemums from 
page 24 of our last issue we present the selections for the twenty-four 
and twelve, and these will be found interesting, as showing the wide 
differences in the opinions of our leading growers. The selections 
for twelve new varieties and twelve decorative must be deferred to 
a future issue. 
Twenty-four Japanese. 
70 Viviand Morel 
70 Charles Davis 
C9 Mdlle. Th^rese Rey 
67 Edwin Molyneux 
60 Col. W. B. Smith 
58 Mrs, C. H. Payne 
67 Sunflower 
57 G. C. Schwabe 
56 Mdlle. Marie Hoste 
50 Etoile de Lyon 
49 Florence Davis 
47 President Borel 
45 Stanstead White 
43 Duke of York 
42 Viscountess Hambledon 
40 Miss Dorothy Shea 
40 William Seward 
38 W. H. Lincoln 
36 Louise 
32 Avalanche 
29 Niveus 
27 Robert Owen 
27 William Trickei* 
23 Waban 
20 Mrs. Falconer Jameson 
20 Primrose League 
19 Lord Brooke 
19 Mons. Panckoucke 
16 Rose Wynne 
16 Charles Blick 
16 Bouled’Or 
15 Mrs. E. W. Clarke 
15 Madame C. Molin 
14 Commandant Blusset 
13 Mrs.W. H. Lies 
13 Duchess of York 
13 Golden Gate 
12 Madame Carnot 
12 Wilfred Marshall 
12 Prince?s May 
12 Eda Brass 
10 L’Is5re 
10 Beauty of Castle wood 
8 International 
8 G. W. Childs 
8 H. L. Sunderbruch 
8 Golden Wedding 
8 Miss Maggie Blenkiron 
8 Amos Perry 
7 Souvenir de Petite Amie 
7 Mons. Bernard 
7 Charles Shrimpton 
7 Madame Octavie Mirbeau 
7 W, W. Coles 
6 Col. Chase 
6 Madame Charles Capitant 
6 Prefet Robert 
6 John Shrimpton 
5 Miss Anna Hartshorn 
5 Madame Cambon 
5 Madame M. Ricaud 
5 Madame Edouard Rey 
5 Violetta 
5 Madame Ad. Chatin 
6 Le Prince du Bois 
4 Mrs. C W. Wheeler 
4 Autumn Tints 
4 Van den Heede 
4 Puritan 
4 Lilian B. Bird 
4 Excelsior 
4 Mrs. Dr. Ward 
4 W. G. Newett 
4 Silver King 
3 Mons. Ad. Giroud 
3 Edwin Lonsdale 
3 Alheric Lunden 
3 Lady E. Saunders 
3 Thomas Wilkins 
2 Duchess of Wellingiou 
2 Mrs. E. G. Hill 
2 Mrs. E. G. Hubbuck 
2 The Tribune 
2 Beauty of Exmouth 
2 Mrs. E. Beckett 
2 W. H. Lincoln Improved 
2 W. H. Atkinson 
2 Mrs. E. D. Adams 
2 Mrs, Bruce Findlay 
2 R. C. Kingston 
2 Good Gracious 
2 Vice-President Audiguier 
2 Gloire du Rocher 
2 J. S. Dibben 
1 Comtesse de Galbert 
1 Mrs. J. Thompson 
1 Frank Wells 
1 J. P. Kendall 
1 Elmir D. Smith 
1 Mrs, Airdrie 
1 Louis Boehmer 
1 Mrs, A. Hardy 
1 Bouquet des Dames 
1 T. W. Sanders 
1 Madame Calvat 
1 Mrs. R. J.Hamill 
1 Miss Rose Shotter 
1 Mrs, G. J. Beer 
1 Henri Jacotot fils 
1 Lizzie Cartledge 
1 Miss M. Scott 
1 Princess Victoria 
1 J. Agate 
1 J. D61aux 
1 A. H. Neve 
1 Directeur Tisserand 
1 C. Harman Payne 
1 Mons. E. A. Carrier© 
1 Silver Cloud 
1 Madame Isaac 
1 White Plume 
1 Mrs. E. S. Ti afford 
1 Vice-President Calvat 
1 Challenge 
1 Beaut6 Toulousaine 
1 T. Tricker 
1 Mrs. C. E. Shea 
1 Philadelphia 
1 The Queen 
1 Mrs. F. L. Ames 
1 Mrs. Libbie Allen 
1 Mr. H. Broomhead 
1 Violet Rose 
1 Mrs. Whittle 
1 Mrs. G. Ditttich 
1 Pearl Beauty 
1 Eva Knowles 
1 Kentish Yellow 
1 Mrs. P. Blair 
1 W. H. Fowler 
1 E. L. Jamieson 
1 Mrs. Geo. Gordon 
