496 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 21,1894. 
- The Potato Chop in Jersey.—A correspondent informs us 
that the May frosts did not injure the Potatoes in Jersey. For several 
weeks large consignments of the new Potatoes have been brought from 
the island to Southampton and London. Not only are the exports 
larger than last year, but the prices are higher than those which then 
prevailed. The trade on the average of the last eleven years has pro¬ 
duced a sum of £334,775 a year. About 55,658 tons have been exported 
each year, 
- Weigela amabilis. —At the present time amongst hardy flower¬ 
ing shrubs there is not one that is making a better display than this 
Weigela, or Diervilla as some term it. Its rosy pink flowers render it a 
more showy kind than W, rosea, and the growth is stronger, producing 
longer branches, which are covered with blossom. I grow this and other 
Weigelas in a mass on the top of a bank, and a fine effect is produced 
by this treatment, which is far in advance of dotting the plants here 
and there about the shrubberies.—E. M. 
□ - Leiophylltjm BUXiFOLlUM. —Of the many Ericaceous plants 
that bloom in the spring this is one of the prettiest. Growing from 
G to 9 inches in height, it makes an excellent plant either for a small 
bed, a group in the rockery, or a border, for a bed of some taller growing 
peat-loving plant. The growth is very compact, and the small pinkish- 
white flowers are borne on short upright terminal racemes from nearly 
every growth. Propagation may be effected by division or by cuttings 
inserted in sandy peat, and kept in a close cool case until rooted.—D. 
- Strawberry The Captain. — Having tried this variety 
outdoors, and being favourably impressed with it, I resolved to give it 
a trial in pots. Its behaviour this season in company with President 
has led me to form a high opinion of it for forcing, and I intend to 
increase the number. Placed together in a second early Peach house. 
Captain was quite four or five dajs earlier, the bright large red fruit of 
perfect shape, excellent in flavour, keeping up a good succession. 
Another point in its favour is that it is not subject to mildew as is 
President, and I never remember in any former season the latter being 
so badly infested with it.—K. P. R. 
- Pltjmieria braziliense. — My employer, who has just 
returned from a tour round the world, when at Honolulu in the Sand¬ 
wich Islands saw the people there wearing wreaths of flowers, and on 
his asking the name of the flowers a gentleman said they were 
“Plumieria braziliense.” The other day my employer asked if I would 
try and find out if the species is or can be grown in this country. I 
looked over my “ Johnson’s Gardeners’ Dictionary,” and on pages 649 
and 986 there are descriptions given of several varieties, but not the 
“ braziliense.” The colour, I believe, is a creamy pink, and the flower 
is about 2 inches across. Any information about it will greatly oblige. 
—A. S. H. G. [Plumierias are grown in warm plant houses in this 
country, but are not frequently seen. We are not acquainted with the 
particular species mentioned. It is said the flowers of P. rubra are so 
sweet that the women of South America adorn themselves with them, 
and place them among clothes as we do Lavender.] 
- Digging Competition. —In connection with the Widcombe 
Horticultural Club the annual digging competition for members was 
held on the 12th inst. The piece of land selected for the purpose was 
at the back of Mr. R. A. Moger’s residence, “ Wansdyke,” Claverton 
Down, and the competitors, of whom there were about a dozen, divided 
into two classes, were each given half a lug, 16^ feet by 8^ feet, to dig. 
Prizes were awarded to the competitor whose ground was dug the best, 
time being also taken into consideration. Among those present watch¬ 
ing the competitors were the Vicar, the Rev. F. La Trobe Foster, and 
Mrs. Foster, Rev. H. S. Brooke, Messrs. Clarkson, Banks, and Horseman. 
The Judges were :—Gardeners’ class, Mr. Horsell; Amateurs’, Mr. W. J. 
Mould. At half-past seven the competitors were started, and amid 
some laughter they began digging as if for dear life. In the gardeners’ 
class the half lug was dug in time varying from nineteen to twenty-two 
minutes ; in the amateurs’ class, thirteen and a half to twenty-five 
minutes. Curiously enough the first prize in each class was awarded to 
the one who finished last; Mr. Pumphrey, who acted as timekeeper, an¬ 
nouncing the result as follows : Gardeners.—First, Mr. C. Trimby ; 
second, Mr. Rowsell. Amateurs,—First, Mr, T. Cutler ; second, Mr. 
J. Ball. Mrs. Foster distributed the awards at the conclusion of the 
competition, and afterwards Mr. Moger kindly entertained a number 
of those present at his house. There was some very good digging, 
that of the winner of the amateurs’ class being generally thought the 
best done. 
- Mr. j. Friend, who for the past six years has been in 
charge of the gardens at Rooksnest, Godstone, has taken the manage¬ 
ment of the farm for the Hon. P. C. Glyn, in connection with the 
above. This is recognition in a practical form of the services of an 
able man, and his friends will be glad to learn of his important 
extension of duty. 
- East London Horticultural Society.— This Society will 
hold a Summer Flower Show on June 28th, 29th, and 30th, in the 
Queen’s Hall and Winter Garden of the People’s Palace, Mile End 
Road, E. A liberal schedule of prizes has been offered for competition 
amongst the members of the Society, and in addition to the flowers 
and plants for competition, loan exhibits of plants and flowers are 
invited. 
- The Liverpool Horticultural Association.—W e are 
informed that the fifteenth summer flower Show of this Association will 
be held on the review ground, Sefton Park, on Saturday and Monday, 
August 4th and 6th. A comprehensive schedule has been prepared, and 
the liberal prizes offered should bring forth a good display of garden 
produce. Mr. W. Dickson, 7, Victoria Street, Liverpool, is the 
Secretary. 
- Chinese Pjeonies. —Messrs. E, H. Krelage & Sons, Haarlem, 
send us some blooms of Chinese Pseonies, and remark that at Amsterdam 
recently they exhibited a hundred distinct varieties, three gigantic 
flow’ers of each in a vase, making a brilliant display. Some of the 
flowers sent were faded when they reached us on the 18th inst., though 
a few were very beautiful, especially such varieties as Eugenie Verdier, 
Philomel, Van Dyck, Eugene de Hour, Virginia, and Madonna. 
- Flowers for Bees. — Amongst the many flowers recom¬ 
mended for bees “ Viper’s Bugloss ” is a special favourite. It is a biennial, 
and grows to about 3 feet high, and as much or more across the many 
spikes of bluish flowers, more imposing than Anchusa italica. Bees are 
never absent from it when they are abroad. The seeds in my locality 
were probably dropped by a bird, as plants grow where no seeds of 
any sort are sown, and have never been seen anywhere before in the 
neighbourhood.—W. T., Blantyre, 
- The Trees in Epping Forest. —At a meeting of the Court 
of Common Council, held on Thursday 14th inst., Mr. Salmon, Chairman 
of the Epping Forest Committee, submitted a report of the experts on 
their examination of Epping Forest, and he suggested that it should 
be printed and the consideration adjourned. The report, he mentioned, 
was, on the whole, most favourable, and fully justified the action of the 
conservators. The Committee had decided that in future when there 
was any question of felling or cutting timber they would invite the 
Chairman of the Committee of experts and one of his colleagues to be 
present at the marking of the trees. 
- The Golden Valerian. —Beautiful as is the red Valerian 
when in bloom, whether in gardens or in its wild condition on the 
chalk, it is a poor plant to look at when out of flower. The Golden 
Valerian is one of our most effective of spring hardy foliage plants, yet 
is far from being common in gardens. Good clumps in borders during 
March and April are very effective, as the leafage is of a clear golden 
yellow. When in bloom, however, the flowers are white and compara¬ 
tively inconspicuous. When the plants start to bloom the leafage 
becomes green. It is well then to cut out the stems, and thus lead to 
the formation of new crowns. Cats have a special fondness for the 
stems of Valerian plants.—A. D. 
- The Pepper Tree. —For many years in the gardens of the 
curious, a plant was frequently grown called Schinus Molle. Its chief 
interest to the public mind was the fact, according to “ Meehans’ 
Monthly,” that when the leaflets were broken in little pieces and placed 
on the surface of a vessel of water, they would dart and shoot like living 
creatures in every direction. This was believed to be caused by the 
propulsion of a gas from the veins and midribs. This tree has now been 
introduced into California for the purpose of shade, and is widely 
known as the Pepper tree. It exudes a gummy matter from the foliage, 
which is said to cover the tops of carriages driving under it with spots. 
The gum forms a good dentifrice, and it is reported that a lotion made 
from the bark is good for reducing inflammations. It was supposed to 
be a tree which would be distasteful to all insects ; but the California 
papers tell us that in that country it is subject to the ravages of a scale 
insect; and this is about the only defect to its general use as a first-class 
shade tree. 
