286 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 12, 1894. 
without disbudding, whether they have previously made growth or 
not. There are few things in which we are more wasteful than in 
wrong or careless methods of storing or wintering seed Potatoes. I 
cannot here but remark that Mr. Jones’ returns per acre, even of 
the heaviest crops, 10 tons, cwts per acre compare oddly with the 
astounding crops recorded as being obtained per acre from the allot¬ 
ment ground. 
We now touch under the heading “of Diverse Manures.” There 
were three trials or tests of these with first no manure, farmyard 
manure, and the complete chemical manure, already mentioned, 
3 perches of ground being employed in each case, and all planted with 
Reading Giant Potato. The first 3 perches without manure gave 732 lbs. 
or 17 tons 9 cwt. per acre. The farmyard manure gave 873 lbs., or 
20 tons 16 cwt., and the complete manure 915 lbs., or 21 tons 
16 cwt. per acre. It is not possible to refer to these crops with¬ 
out describing them as marvellous. Mr. Jones’ produce was what 
is commonly regarded as reasonable. These results are absolutely 
astonishing, nay, they are very hard to believe. Here is soil unmanured, 
and in one of the dryest seasons on record, carrying not less than 17 tons 
9 cwt. per acre, truly a wonderful crop. Such a result under similar 
conditions was never heard of previously. Why, even at this rate, there 
must be a fortune in Potato culture even at lOs. per ton. When, how¬ 
ever, the complete manure at a cost of £3 12s. per acre is added, and 
the enormous produce of 21 tons 16 cwt. is obtained, it is evident that 
wealth beyond the dream of avarice may be found in Potatoes, To 
follow all the various experiments reported upon in relation to manuring 
would be too tedious, but it is shown that nitrogen in the form of 
sulphate of ammonia proved to be of great value as a manurial con¬ 
stituent last year, and that was doubtless owing to the drought, which 
made the salts more active in the dry soil than either phosphates or 
potash. In ordinary moist seasons the nitrogen would be productive of 
gross top or stem and leaf growth to the detriment of the tuber crop. 
A good deal of information with respect to the action of dressings of 
bouillie bordelaise on various varieties of Potatoes is afforded, but they 
serve to show what is now generally understood—viz., that for the 
prevention of disease in what are established disease-resisting varieties, 
applications are of no special value. On the other hand, for the 
checking of the attacks of the fungus on the leafage, and maintaining 
growth for some three or four weeks later, they have undoubted value, 
and do materially help to create not only greater bulk, but also more 
perfectly formed tubers. Last year was one that gave the fungus few 
opportunities for harm, and throughout the country the Potato crop 
suffered more from drought than from the disease. Where, however, 
the soil was deeply worked and retentive the produce was heavy, as may 
have been evidenced during the winter. Potatoes having been remarkably 
cheap. Whilst the first early sorts, as a rule, are lifted before the fungus 
becomes very active, the midseason sorts that are not so robust as the 
main crop kinds often suffer most, and these most of all probably will 
pay for spraying with the Bordeaux mixture. 
It is rather a matter for surprise to find the profusion of even later 
varieties than we have advocated. I had thought that in such varieties as 
Reading Giant, Stourbridge Glory, Colossal, Magnum Bonum, Imperator, 
Chancellor, and many others, we had Potatoes late enough for all purposes. 
Very late sorts, that is varieties that only succumbed to November 
frosts, would be worthless in this country, and most frequently would 
give only a top and fibre crop but no tubers. We are rather glad than 
otherwise to be able to lift our late sorts now in September and October, 
for it is rare they are ripe earlier. With dressings of bouillie bordelaise 
they would make top growth right up to Michaelmas, late enough in all 
conscience. The German kinds advocated will not become popular here, 
and even Imperator is always the lowest price in our markets. I may 
refer to some trials of Onion maggot insecticides later on.— Alex. Dean. 
AMARYLLISES AT CHELSEA. 
The Amaryllises at Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Royal Exotic Nursery, 
Chelsea, are once more in the zenith of their beauty, the flowers having 
expanded rapidly during the past week, and those persons who are 
desirous of seeing the novelties of the season should not long delay a 
visit. When viewing the collection as a mass annual superficial 
observers may not at first sight notice any marked change, but visitors 
who look keenly into the matter will immediately see that further 
progress has been made. The improvement cannot, of course, be of an 
extraordinary character, inasmuch as in the better kinds of Amaryllises 
the climax has perhaps been almost reached, and therefore the march 
onwards has become slower in recent years. Still an advance is notice¬ 
able, and the result of judicious and persistent cross fertilisation may be 
seen in more ways than one. In the first place the scapes are consider¬ 
ably dwarfer this year, and while gaining an advantage in this direction 
they also appear to have added to their former floriferousness. This, 
indeed, is a characteristic feature of the collection, the majority of the 
spikes carrying no less than four flowers, and even flve or six in some 
instances. Not a few of the plants, too, have at least two scapes, these 
presenting on the whole a charming appearance. 
Regarded individually the flowers bear a favourable comparison to 
those of previous years. In form an improvement has undoubtedly 
been effected, the segments of the more refined varieties being of perfect 
symmetry. This is an important point, and one which will be more 
gratifying to all true lovers of the Amaryllis than an increase in the 
mere size of bloom. There are, however, many tastes to cater for, and 
occasionally the size is considered the one essential quality of a flower, 
but those who view matters in this light cannot be other than satisfied 
with numerous varieties in the collection now under notice. Many 
flowers are 8 inches and upwards in diameter. Perhaps, however, the 
most pleasing feature in reference to these decorative plants is the colour 
of the flowers. At one time many of the varieties were characterised 
by greenish rays, which detracted somewhat from their beauty, but these 
are being gradually eliminated. There are now in the collection at 
Chelsea numerous flowers of decided self colours, absolutely devoid of 
any green tint in the segment. The rich dark seifs are very fine, while 
scarcely less can be said of the flaked or reticulated forms. Mr. Heal, 
the by bridiser, has cause to be proud of the results of his skill and labour 
in this direction. 
Among the new self-coloured varieties that are flowering this year 
for the first time, Beauclere stands out like a beacon. This is a magni¬ 
ficent form, the flower being nearly 9 inches across, and a rich crimson 
shade. The segments, moreover, are well rounded, this resulting in a 
beautifully moulded flower. There is no doubt that this variety is, in 
many respects, the best novelty of the year. Clarendon is another 
splendid dark self, the scape of this being dwarf, and bore three flowers 
of gigantic proportions. A still darker colour one finds in Quintus, a 
purplish shade being noticeable in this well-shaped bloom. Petrina is 
a showy variety with large, bright red flowers, four of which were notice¬ 
able on one scape. As its name implies, Splendour is a gorgeous bloom, 
being of huge size and rich crimson colour; while in Avontes one has 
a beautiful scarlet flower of excellent form. These are two of the best 
new kinds of the season, and besides being exceedingly proliferous are 
dwarf in habit. Olympia has crimson segments, and an award of merit 
has already been adjudged this variety. A new break as regards colour 
exists in Petronel, the flowers of this novelty having a decided magenta 
tint. The blooms have a refined appearance, being perfect in shape, 
large, but devoid of coarseness. Vandyke is one of last year’s varieties, 
but it is in splendid condition this season, and for brilliancy can well 
hold its own. The flower is very broad when expanded, and the seg¬ 
ments of bright scarlet colour, suffused with dark crimson towards the 
centre. 
With respect to the light coloured forms a change here is also 
noticeable. As has been remarked the creamy or greenish tint which to 
a certain extent has hitherto marred the appearance of some varieties is 
by degrees giving place to pure whiteness, and it is very probable that 
in the near future the evulsion will be completed. There is good reason 
to look forward to this, if one may judge by the new variety Cleola, the 
segments of which are pure white, striped rosy pink. This is quite 
distinct from any other light-coloured form. Pearl is a charming 
variety, the same also applying to Jocasta and Le Belle, all of which 
have light grounds. Princess May is a flower of a similar character, 
and in Her Majesty, a recent introduction, a broad white central band 
is seen on each segment. Olivia has a French white ground, striated 
with rosy scarlet; and although now comparatively old. Fairy Queen, 
which is white striped with crimson, still retains its position among the 
light forms. There are many other varieties of sterling merit, and 
during the ensuing week it is probable that more novelties will be 
forthcoming as the various hybrids expand their flowers.—0. 
WATERING WALL TREES. 
After so long an absence of rain many plants will require atten¬ 
tion in the way of watering which would not do so thus early in the 
season during ordinary weather. Trees of all descriptions growing on 
walls claim special attention in this direction, and will in the majority 
of instances be greatly benefited by lioeral applications of tepid water. 
I am convinced that hundreds of Peach trees on outside walls every 
year fail to set a good crop of fruit early because they are too dry at 
the roots during the flowering period. Many others cast much of their 
fruit in a young state for the same reason. 
Trees growing in houses generally receive good attention in this 
respect, because the cultivator is well aware that they are entirely 
dependent upon artificial waterings ; but we are inclined to overlook 
such simple facts as these—viz., that the coping boards used for protec¬ 
tion keep much rain from the roots of outside trees, and that the ground 
within 2 or 3 feet of the wall is so hard from being continually trampled 
upon to cover and uncover that it is difficult for the rain to penetrate 
when it does come. 
It is highly important to see to this matter at once, as it may make 
the difference between a full crop and a very light one. If the whole 
of the trees cannot receive this necessary attention, examine them 
thoroughly, and water those that appear to be dry, paying special 
attention to Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots, which, according to my 
experience, are the most susceptible to the injurious effects of dryness 
at the roots.— H. Dunkin. 
SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAISON CARNATIONS. • 
I WAS pleased to see Mr. Dunkin's article in the Journal of 
Horticulture for February 8th upon the successful culture of these 
Carnations, for it is indeed distressing to see healthy plants attacked 
with eel-worm,or still worse that troublesome disease, Helminthosporium, 
which seems to have become the general complaint from various parts 
of the country. I have received plants from various parts, and in every 
case the plants were, or had been attacked with this disease. Mr. 
Dunkin’s treatment is in accordance with my own, for I am convinced 
