April 18, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, _ 
337 
- Petroleum fob Apple Scab. — A writer ia American 
Gardening” says that “some years ago to kill what was thought to 
be a worthless Apple tree before cutting it down I washed it all oyer 
with petroleum (crude oil as it is taken from the ground) in the month 
of February. I then left home, and when I returned the next autumn 
that scraggy Apple tree which I expected to find dead was as bright as 
a silver dollar, and the twigs had naade a growth of 12 inches to 18 inches, 
and a few as good King of Tompkins Co. Apples as ever hung on a tree 
greeted me, and to-day it is a handsome bearing tree, twenty years old. 
Since then I have used petroleum on my Apple trees to free them from 
scab and noxious insects that collect and breed on the trunks of old 
trees. I apply it with an old whitewash brush at any time before the 
buds begin to swell in the spring, applying it freely on all large branches 
and body. Perhaps it could be applied with a sprayer more efiectually.” 
[We have recently seen a Peach tree under glass killed by a petroleum 
dressing.] 
- Moxey in the Greenhouse. —Many people are imbued with 
the idea that there is a great deal of money in the greenhouse business* 
and amateurs sometimes plunge into it for profit. The florists’ business 
has increased immensely during the last ten years ; more flowers than 
ever before are grown, and more sold. There is an impression that it is 
a clean easy business, and a safe and profitable investment. American 
Beauty Roses bring 50 dols. a 100, Helen Kellar Carnations 8 dols. a 100, 
and Violets 2 dols. ; and all that we have to do is to build some 
greenhouses, set out the plants, give them some water, and keep them 
warm ; then cut the flowers, send them to the city, and get the money 
for them, and in a little while our pocket-book will become as big as 
our hat. But, alas! the facts are different. They are these : With a 
fair knowledge of the business, the strictest economy, and the closest 
application to the work, it will take an outlay of 20,000 dols. to realise 
a profit of 2000 dols. a year ; in fact, as business now is, we are (says an 
American contemporary) placing the profits too high. There is consider¬ 
able difference between gross receipts and net profits. The high prices 
received for flowers are mostly imaginary. Amateurs who have gone 
into the business know all about this ; those w’ho are contemplating 
entering should consider well before sinking their money in it. 
- The W’'eather in Guernsey.— Last week was beautifully 
fine, after some warm rain on the preceding Saturday and Sunday. 
I am sorry, however, to say that the wind has again changed to N.E. 
with redoubled vigour, and is blanching the fresh green grass. Unless 
the wind changes again very quickly, the second Radish crop, now 
coming on, will have a severe check. Nearly the whole of the first 
crop of Radishes were killed by the frost, and this, coupled with the 
damage done to Broccoli, has been a source of very serious loss. W’’e 
can now realise the woful effects of the late frosts on the shrubs. 
Nearly every kind has been damaged, and present a very weather¬ 
beaten appearance. Myrtles are almost past recovery, whilst Magnolias 
and Camellias have suffered equally. Until the Tomato season 
commences there is but little produce to export except flowers. The 
growers of produce in cold houses have had a rather rude aw’akening 
during the past six months to the risk involved in this class of house. 
The long spell of wet weather in the autumn causing the Tomatoes to 
damp off, then afterwards losing the Potato crop by the frost, has 
taught them a severe lesson. Yet, notwithstanding all drawbacks, the 
erection of glass houses in all parts of the Island is going on at a great 
rate—not exactly by the foot, but rather by the mile.—X., Guernsey. 
- Hedge Plants. —Mr. P. B. Christian,engineer of plantations 
at Tondern, North Germany, writes:—“Now, as before, people almost 
exclusively choose the White Thorn for laying out hedges. In fertile, 
well-cultivated ground, in a qualified situation, fine hedges of White 
Thorns may be raised if they are attentively cared for and regularly 
topped. But it is very often impossible to offer the necessary requisites 
before mentioned, even if we do not spare either cost or labour. Neither 
in a dry ground, in grey sand, gravel, heath country, nor in boggy, cold, 
flat land, in the bright sunbeams on steep slopes, can a good hedge of 
White Thorn be accomplished ; and much less in the open acres of 
northern regions, where some storms, or the persistent coldness of 
winter, very much hinder the progress of vegetation. The Swedish 
upright-growing Box Thorn, however, is tougher and much more 
unassuming. In three to four years that plant, being content with 
every ground, even if it be the most barren, forms dense and durable 
hedges. The home of the Box Thorn is the northern part of Denmark, 
Sweden, and Norway, where we find the farms surrounded by it, even in 
parts where the climate is rough and unfavourable. The inhabitants of 
those countries set, therefore, a great value on the Box Thorn, which is 
most advantageously raised by layering in the mouths of March and April.” 
- Camellia reticulata. —It is unfortunate that this fine 
Camellia ia not more plentiful, for although it was introduced about 
1820, it is only to be found in a few places in England. We have a 
fine healthy plant of it on the conservatory wall, covering a large space. 
For some time it has been in flower, and will be for a considerable 
time to come ; the flowers are semi-double, of large size and frilled 
(over 7 inches across with us) of a glowing pinky crimson ; these com¬ 
bined with its partially variegated foliage make a very effective show. 
A large plant of this Camellia would be most effective in bush form 
planted out in a targe house mixed with others of an effective character, 
such as Donckelaari, the old Double White, and others of note. Although 
not now so much thought of as they w'ere in former years, these 
Camellias, mixed with Palms, Tree Ferns, and greenhouse Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, would when in bloom make such a house a place of special 
interest and attraction during the dull winter months.—A. Kemp, 
Coolhurst, Horsham. 
WINTER-FLOWERING BEGONIAS. 
Were I to indite column after column setting forth the merits of 
this beautiful class of plants it would still be impossible for anyone to 
fojm adequate conception of the charming effect which is produced 
where wdnter-flowering Begon'as are extensively and successfully culti¬ 
vated. I need, therefore, make no apology for briefly referring to a few 
of the principal and most useful varieties for general purposes. 
The first to claim attention is John Heal, which is one of the first 
to flower. It is of a dwarf and compact habit, and is exceedingly 
floriferous. The flowers, which are of a bright rose carmine colour, are 
thrown well up above the foliage, and cannot fail to please. To grow 
this Begonia successfully more than the ordinary care will be necessary, 
or the result will be the opposite of satisfactory. On no account must 
the plants be coddled, the better plan being to give them an intermediate 
temperature, and allow Nature to take its course. As soon as they are 
fairly started repotting should take place, removing about one-third of 
the old soil and placing them in a size larger pot. Watering must be 
very judiciously practised after repotting, for if once the soil is allowed 
to become sodden disastrous results will surely accrue. A suitable 
compost for this variety will be found in a mixture of good peaty loam, 
leaf mould and sharp sand. Green fly and mealy bug are particularly 
troublesome, and immediately signs of either are detected means must 
be taken to secure their eradication. I should recommend syringing 
the plants wdth a little weak tobacco water for green fly, and for mealy 
bug the best and safest plan is to pick it off with a fine-pointed 
stick. Adonis is a capital companion to the above with rather larger 
flowers. 
In Gloire de Sceaux we have one of the most beautiful wdnter- 
flowering varieties in cultivation, and no collection should be without 
it. It ia of an upright habit of growth, and the large flat flowers are of 
a beautiful soft pink, making a splendid contrast to the rich bronze 
foliage beneath. The best results may be obtained by raising young 
plants every year, as such bloom earlier and for a longer period than 
old specimens. 
Manicata and hydrocotifolia I place together simply because they 
require similar treatment. The first named, although not of such 
a compact habit as the latter, is the better of the two. Its foliage, 
which is large and bold, is of a beautiful dark green colour, while the 
flowers of a pale pink colour are produced on large branching cymes 
of from 12 to 18 inches in height. Hydrocotifolia, or the Penny¬ 
wort-leaved Begonia, is of a dwarf creeping nature. The flowers are 
produced very similarly to manicata, in large cymose heads of a 
beautiful rose colour, the pedicels and footstalks being of the same hue. 
Associated in a cut state with sprays of Asparagus plumosus they are 
practically unsurpassed, presenting a very light and graceful appear¬ 
ance. Young plants are useful for placing in epergnes in the drawing¬ 
room, two-years-old plants supplying capital ornaments for the entrance 
hall. Young plants should be propagated annually, as it is not 
advisable to grow them more than two years, 
Nitida is rather a tall growing variety and delights in abundance 
of root room. It produces its flowers in large drooping clusters, and for 
grouping purposes is indispensable, while as a companion semperflorens 
gigantea rosea is very striking. Knowsleyana is one of the most free 
and vigorous of the whole section, and is of great value where cut 
flowers are in request during the winter and spring. 
Many other varieties might be mentioned, but I shall confine myself 
to two others only, viz., fuchsioides and weltoniensis. The former 
has very much the appearance of a Fuchsia both in the manner of 
flowering and the shape of the bright red flowers which are produced in 
pendent clusters. To be successful in the cultivation of this Begonia 
it is essential that ample root space be afforded. The beat plant I have 
seen was planted out in a large conservatory and clothed a large portion 
of the wall, the effect in the flowering season presenting a sight not 
easily to be forgotten. Weltoniensis for freedom of flowering cannot 
be eclipsed, and as a house plant or for window decoration is most 
useful, as it lasts a long time in perfection. Where the above varieties 
are given a fair trial, the results achieved will amply repay any trouble 
or labour expended on them.— George Parrant, Ashhy Lodge 
Gardens, Rughy. 
