Jannar; 4,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
13 
ment above mentioned, Of the several cuttings then obtained not one 
failed to root freely, and eventually formed vigorous and free-flowering 
specimens. This seemed to point to gain, more than otherwise, from the 
loss of stored sap in the cutting previous to its insertion, 
Poinsettias are often subject to the same course of treatment in the 
cutting stage, indeed I know of cases where a special hotbed is made 
for rooting cuttings of these in the early summer months. Those who 
have a Cucumber house in which a good heat is maintained will find 
that the cuttings root with fair certainty when dibbled thinly in the 
soil, with or without the aid of a hand-light. If the Cucumbers do not 
completely shade the cuttings resort must be made to paper to prevent 
the sun reaching them. They lift better when put into turf than is 
the case when leaf mould or other light materials are used, because the 
roots are more compact, and the soil adheres to them more securely. 
There is some gain in placing them under the shelter of a close frame 
after being thus lifted for potting, because this prevents flagging, 
which is sure to occur if exposed to airy surroundings. There may be 
advantages in devoting a house to them in the summer, but it is not 
often that a house can be spared that would be suitable. 
Mr. Parrant advises that the early variety of Poinsettia pulcher- 
rima only be grown if a mass of colour is desirable at one time. 
This, I think, should depend on whether the display is desirable at an 
early or late period of the winter. If a good mass of colour is required 
at Christmas and in January the late form certainly is the one that 
should be given preference to, the earlier kind being by that lime 
getting past its best. Under good culture quite as good a show may 
be had from the one as the other, and bracts of greater breadth may be 
obtained from the late one because of the irregular form of its head. 
At Heywood Mr. Kobinson had splendid plants prepared for furnishing 
at the festive season. They were grown from cuttings, the old stools 
after the desired number of cuttings are obtained being thrown away. 
They are mostly in 6-inch pots, and being furnished with healthy 
foliage to their base they are well adapted for the purpose for which 
they were intended. A few plants were kept indoors throughout the 
summer, but the much greater length of stem obtained from this 
course of treatment does not bear out the advantages claimed by Mr. 
Parrant, because for such tall plants a varied employment cannot be 
made in the same proportion as that of dwarf ones, and there is no 
gain in the size of bracts apparent in the case of those kept in the house 
at Hey wood.—W. Stkugnell. 
VIOLAS. 
I HEAETILY agree with your correspondent “ J. B. R,” Cp^gs 558, 
last vol.) in his protest against “ the constant influx of so-called novel¬ 
ties ; ” but how is it to be checked ? I have at times raised my “ mild 
protest,” and sometimes a stronger one, for I have felt, and very strongly 
too, that many varieties sent out ought to have been thrown to the 
rubbish heap from the seedling bed instead of being distributed as 
acquisitions. 
My chief object in compiling the annual summary of seedlings to 
be sent out, and which I have seen, for publication in your columns has 
been to try to help amateurs in making selections from the new sorts 
which they do not see, or perhaps only to a very limited extent, but 
which come under my notice. I do not wish to pose as a duly qualified 
judge of their merits, still it is an undoubted fact that many varieties 
which have been introduced are of very questionable merit in the 
opinion of Viola cultivators in general. I have frequently been met 
with the argument that individual tastes are so varied, especially 
amongst ladies, that all have to be catored for; and what“J. B. R.,” 
myself, and others may look upon as inferior kinds find favour with some 
growers. 
J. B. R.” alludes to some varieties sent out three years ago which are 
now discarded from some collections. This is so, undoubtedly, but the 
“some” is not all. Let us take Chrysanthemums for instance, and 
what a host of the newly introduced kinds are “lost to sight” three 
years afterwards, again in Zonal Pelargoniums and other popular 
flowers; and what are we to say as to Fancy Pansies with a yearly 
introduction of from eighty to over 100 new varieties ? I am preparing 
my notes of the new Fancy Pansies I have seen, and which are being 
sent out, or will be next spring, and I am bewildered, for they are so 
numerous. What a host of those sent out even two years since are 
non est in collections I 
The truth is the general public believe in novelties, and tire of 
growing the same sorts year after year, excepting for special bedding 
purposes. But “ J. B. R.” is wrong in saying that Viola specialists “ are 
now sacrificing everything for large flowers,” for that is not the case, 
although some kinds thoroughly merit his condemnation as they 
certainly do have mine. We are getting in some varieties too much of 
the Pansy breed, and when this is so, the flowers run large, and these 
cross-bred varieties fail to find a place in my affections. “ J. B. R.” 
instances as a type of Viola raisers should aim at in habit and character, 
such as Ardwell Gem, Duchess of Fife and White Duchess. What is 
wanted on the part of raisers is to preserve this type as much as possible, 
and by crossing these and others with the miniature or Violetta section. 
But in such sorts as Bullion, True Blue, Skylark, Countess of Hopetoun, 
and Countess of Wharncliffe we have model types of close growing, 
early and continuous flowering bedding kinds which cannot be dispensed 
with, although the Countess of Hopetoun’s flowers are large under good 
cultivation, but we have no other white to equal it in every point, and 
who can doubt its immense popularity 1 I 
Blooms of Sylvia, a variety alluded to by your correspondent, were 
sent to me by Dr. Stuart before being sent out, and on referring to my 
notes 1 find it described as “ Sylvia and Sylvia’s Rival have a very close 
resemblance to Countess of Hopetoun, and the last named is the 
whitest; and Bridai Wreath, all run very close together in colour, size, 
and form.” I feel that I maysa'ely say that no other person sees so 
many new varieties before they are sent out as I do, for many of the 
raisers send me flowers, as they say, for my opinion, this 1 always give 
them in writing ; and at the close of the season you have been so kind 
as to publish year by year my notes as to which I think are the best. I 
suppose raisers have some confidence in my opinion or they would not 
take the trouble to send their blooms, but I always wish I could see the 
plants growing so as to note their habit also. I am sure of one thing, 
that many other seedlings would have been sent out but for my con¬ 
demnation of them. 
I have now given up raising seedlings, but more than one of mine are 
still amongst the best, notably True Blue, the best by far of all the 
Blues, and Bridesmaid, for I am not able now through failing health 
and age to attend to this work. My great aim has always been to work 
for rayless varieties, self coloured as far as possible and entirely free 
from any blotch or marking in the centre of the flower, of dwarf and 
compact habit, very early and continuous bloomers, of good constitu¬ 
tion, and retaining the smaller flowers and habit of Ardwell Gem, True 
Blue, and Duchess of Fife. 
Personally, as an old Viola grower, I heartily thank “ J. B. R.” for 
so timely drawing our attention to this subject, and all florists and 
those who take an interest in floricultural work owe grateful thanks to the 
Editor of the Journal of Horticulture for always being ready to give 
publicity to our views and so readily show great interest in helping us 
on in our work. Some of the older correspondents have passed away 
and others of us must soon follow, but we see with great satisfaction 
that many younger men are coming to front as true florists. May they 
one and all, and the Journal also, experience a prosperous new year.— 
W. Dean. 
JOTTINGS FROM DUBLIN. 
Trinity College Botanic Gardens. 
Mr. F. W. Burbidge, the talented Curator of these Gardens, ig 
perhaps as well known in England as in Ireland. It was a distinct plea¬ 
sure to me to meet this estimable man and hardy plant lover in his own 
domain as it were, I having been most pleasantly associated with him 
a few years since on this side of the water. Mr. Burbidge was most 
anxious to show us the most striking features of this wonderful garden 
in the short space of time at disposal. The first object to attract our 
notice was a magnificent bush or tree of Garrya elliptica growing on the 
grass, its branches sweeping the ground ail round. Fully 30 feet in 
diameter and 20 feet high was this specimen, and in the picture of 
health, being loaded with its catkin-like blossoms. Close by was an 
exceedingly venerable looking Arbutus Unedo, its stem the size of 
a man’s body, far and away the largest tree of its kind that I have seen 
growing. Against a wall having a southern aspect many interesting 
shrubs both evergreen and deciduous were growing. For instance, 
Colletia spinosa was 12 feet high, C. horrida (C. ferox), and 
C. Bictoniensis (C. cruciata), also in splendid condition. Pittosporum 
Mayi, a dense bush 10 feet high, with shiny green leaves and pleasantly 
smelling bark was most interesting. Berberidopsis corallina was 
growing in a variety of situations with a view to testing the require¬ 
ments of this somewhat fickle yet handsome wall climber. A moist 
subsoil and slightly shaded from the fierce noonday sun seems to suit 
it the best. Chimonanthus fragrans was, as is generally the case this 
season, flowering somewhat early. Many other choice and rare shrubs I 
noted, but time would not admit of a close inspection. 
Rockery plants, as is generally known, are a decided feature here. 
Edelweiss, as I have never seen it before, was growing luxuriantly. 
Ramondia pyrenaica was firmly established on the top of a low wall, 
and scores of seedlings were springing up in the most unlikely of places 
—the face of the wall—having established themselves in the crevices 
where a particle of moisture could be obtained. Arenarias of sorts were 
seen in profusion clinging to the wall in the small hollows therein, 
showing the adaptability of this genus to situations sparse of soil. 
Saxifragas were common enough, and so was Gentiana verna, but 
Mr. Burbidge finds some difiSculty in flowering G. acaulis. A 6-feet 
square bed of Cyclamen europeum at the base of a low wall was a 
gorgeous sight; even in winter the marbled beauty of its foliage was 
delightful, hundreds of seedlings testifying to the rapid manner in 
which this Cyclamen increases. In warm nooks I noted varieties of 
Narcissus, Crocus hyemalis, and Galanthus corcyrensis in flower 
(November 23rd). Mr. Burbidge is famed for his collection of the 
former, having some hundreds of varieties. Polyanthus in separate 
colours, especially the yellow, I noticed were largely grown, their merits 
for spring flowering being fully recognised. Mr. Burbidge makes an 
excellent use of Tellima grandiflora rubra by planting it as an edging 
to the shrubberies and herbaceous borders, where its brightly coloured 
leaves show to advantage during the autumn and winter months. A 
very interesting collection of Ivies I also noted, such varieties as dentata, 
Regneriana, conglomerata, Gulden Irish, hastata, himalaica, atropurpurea 
(the black-leaved Ivy), and azorica, which latter is well adapted for 
planting in a cold conservatory, 
A very hurried run through the numerous houses devoted to Orchids, 
