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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 20,1987. 
fertilising organ, and the pistil as the seed-bearing organ. In an ordinary 
flower the pistil is surrounded by a row of stamens, and at first sight it 
would appear that a more simple arrangement for the reproduction of 
the plant could not well be contrived. The pollen would seem to be 
arranged to fall upon and dust the stigma of the pistil, and effect what 
is known as close fertilisation. This does happen with some flowers, 
chiefly with the inconspicuous ones. In the largest number of flowers 
with a gay corolla, or which emit a sweet scent and possess honey- 
glands, cross - fertilisation is the rule and close fertilisation the 
exception. 
There are various contrivances in these flowers which effectually 
prevent self-fertilisation. In many species the stamens and pistils are 
situated in different flowers. Such species are named diclinous ; when 
the stamens and pistils are situated in different flowers on the same 
plant, the species is called monoecious ; when on different plants 
dioecious. Lbipino has classified flowers into Anemophilous (literally 
wind-lovers) and Entomophilous (insect-lovers), denoting wind-fertilised 
and insect-fertilised. It is not my purpose in this paper to treat of the 
former, but will observe that wind-fertilised flowers are mostly neutral 
or dull in colour, destitute of odour and honeyless. Pines, Firs, and 
other Conifer® are examples of anemophilous plants. Dr. Asa Gray 
observes that “ Insect-fertilisable or entomophilous flowers are correlated 
with showy colouration (including white, which is most showy at dusk), 
odour or secretion of nectar, often by all three modes of attraction to 
insects combined. Some insects, moreover, visit flowers for then-pollen, 
a highly nutritious article, and ordinarily produced in such abundance 
that much may be spared. The showiness of the corolla or other floral 
envelopes is an attractive adaptation to fertilisation, enabling blossoms 
to be discerned at a distance ; nor do we know that fragrance or other 
scent, or that nectar, subserves any other uses to the flower than that of 
alluring insects.” 
Adaptations in the pollen of such blossoms for transportation by 
insects are various. Commonly the grains are slightly moist or 
glutinous, or roughish, or studded with projection, or strung with 
threads (as in GEnothera), so as not to be readily dispersed in the air, 
but to have some slight coherence as well as capability of adhering to 
the head, limbs, or bodies of insects, especially to their rough surfaces ; 
and in two families (Orchidacefc and Asclepiadacem) the pollen is com¬ 
bined in masses and with special adaptations for being transported en 
masse. With this the stigma is usually correlated, by roughness, 
moisture, or glutinosity.” Sprengel was the first to discover that in 
many species where the stamens and pistils are situated in the same 
flower they do not mature at the same time ; consequently the pollen 
cannot fertilise the stigma. Sometimes, as in the Arum, the pistil 
matures before the anthers. Such plants are called proterogynous (or 
protogynous). In others the anthers mature before the pistil. These 
plants are named proterandrous (or protandous). The familiar Arum 
maculatum—the common Arum or Lords and Ladies—of our woods and 
hedges is a good example of a proterogynous plant. The well-known 
green leaf encloses a central pillar which supports a number of stigmas 
near the base, and of anthers somewhat higher. Nothing would seem 
easier at first sight than that the pollen of the anthers should fall on 
and fertilise the pistils below them. But this does not take place. The 
stigmas mature before the anthers, and by the time the pollen has fallen 
have become incapable of fertilisation. It is consequently impossible 
for the plant to fertilise itself. Owing to the construction of the spathe 
the pollen cannot be carried away by the wind. What happens is as 
follows The pollen when shed drops to the bottom of the tube, where 
it remains secure from disturbance by wind. Small insects attracted by 
the showy central spadix, or the prospect of honey or shelter, enter the 
tube while the; stigmas are mature. Above the anthers and growing 
from the central pillar is a fringe of hair pointing downwards. This 
contrivance allows small insects to enter, but effectually prevents their 
exit until the stigmas have matured. After a while the stigmas have 
ripened, and each secretes a drop of honey, thereby rewarding the 
insects for their imprisonment. Then the anthers ripen and shed their 
pollen, which falls upon and dusts the insects. Shortly after the hairs 
referred to shrivel up and the insects are set free. They carry the pollen 
with them, and on their visit to another plant can hardly fail to deposit 
some of it on the stigmas. In this manner cross-fertilisation is secured. 
I have often noticed a large number of small insects, especially flies, 
safely imprisoned in the Arum before the hairs have shrivelled up.— 
W. G. Wheatckoft (in Journal of Microscopy'). 
(To be continued.) 
ZONAL PELARGONIUMS AT CHILWELL. 
A grand display of these is provided at Messrs. Pearson’s, Chilwell 
Nurseries. The plants kept for show purposes are neatly arranged in a 
lean-to house 100 feet in length. All shades of colour are found, the 
plants carrying luxuriant foliage and immense trusses of bloom, make 
a very gay appearance at this dull season of the year. I am told that 
most of the plants have been in flower during the whole of the summer, 
and seem likely to remain so for months to come. I will name a few 
of the latest and most distinct varieties. Charles Mason, supposed to be 
the finest scarlet variety yet raised, has a fine bold truss with immense 
flowers. Eccentric is salmon coloured, shaded orange, a decided acqui¬ 
sition, quite a novelty in colour. Eurydiee is a good habited lilac pink, 
very free, and should be good for specimens. International has the 
truss and flowers very large. Lady Chesterfield is salmon tinted suf¬ 
fused withi orange, pretty and effective. Lady Francis Russell, a clear 
rose pink, a noble flower, very distinct. Another of the lilac pink 
section is found in Mrs. David Saunders, with a clear white blotch on 
the upper petals. By far the largest flower in this class is the Rev. 
R. D. Harris, salmon scarlet, a much admired variety. The whole of 
these varieties were raised at Chilwell, and some very promising seedlings, 
will be heard of next season.—W. B. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
Vines and Vine Culture. By Archibald F. Barron. London: 
Journal of Horticulture Office and Royal Horticultural Gardens, 
Chiswick. 
This volume is entitled by its author as a “ new and cheaper edition, 
revised and enlarged,” of a work which is a standard one on the subject 
on which it treats. This cheaper and at the same time more complete 
edition will be a boon to many gardeners who did not feel themselves 
justified in expending half a sovereign on a work however excellent - r 
but now they can have what is equally useful, or more useful, for half 
the money, not many of them will be content till they possess the new 
volume. The price of the work has been reduced, as is stated in the 
preface, because the employment of smaller type and printing the illus¬ 
trations with the text materially decreased the cost of production, while 
at the same time space w r as provided for important additions. 
The work now consists of 189 clearly printed pages, and contains 
sound information on Vine culture in its various aspects and in fuller 
detail than can be found elsewhere. In the historical sketch it is just 
possible that Mr. A. Pettigrew of Cardiff Castle may not entirely concur 
in the intimation that the cultivation of Grapes in the open air for wine¬ 
making at Castle Coch is “not considered to be very successful.” There 
are nearly 10,000 Vines grown at Castle Coch, and the results are con¬ 
sidered so satisfactory that preparations are in progress for planting 
50,000 more. It is not, however, to the culture of Grapes for wine¬ 
making, but to their production in the best manner for dessert purposes: 
that the work is devoted. This is the practical view of the question, 
and as the contents of almost every page shows, Mi. Barron is a master 
in the art of teaching the multitude who know less than he does how to 
grow Vines from the insertion of buds to the production of bountiful 
crops of Grapes. 
It is not to be expected that all cultivators will give unqualified ad¬ 
herence to every line of advice in the book ; yet, nevertheless, where a 
method may be dissented from by some persons evidence can be 
adduced that the same method has proved highly satisfactory. On few 
aspects of Vine culture is there perhaps a greater divergence of opinion 
than on the treatment of young Vines during their first season of growth, 
some cultivators advocating and practising what is known as the 
rambling system, while others restrict the growths to a reasonable ex¬ 
tent, treating them as they would treat Vines that are prepared for 
fruiting in pots— ?>., topping the leader at a given height of 9 to 10 or 
more feet, subduing the laterals and devoting the resources to the 
development of the best possible main leaves on the lower as well as 
the upper portion of the cane for feeding the buds. This plan was 
adopted by Mr. William Taylor with the celebrated “ Vines at Long- 
leat,” and subsequently with those at Bath, that have already afforded 
testimony that it was not very erroneous. A house of young Muscats 
at Chats worth, worked on the method, has this year been one of the 
finest features of that fine garden, and it is not easy to conceive that 
better results could have been accomplished by the adoption of any other 
plan of routine. Some time subsequently to the preparation of the notes 
on Abberley, which appeared last week, we had the pleasure of inspect¬ 
ing the good work in that garden, and some of the best of it was repre¬ 
sented in a house of Vines planted in the spring, and which are un¬ 
doubtedly capable of bearing a heavy crop of fine Grapes next year. 
These Vines have not been grown on the rambling system, and it would 
be difficult to find stouter, harder, and more fruitful canes. They were 
treated substantially in accordance with Mr. Barron’s instructions 
for preparing canes for fruiting in pots on page 73 of the volume 
before us. This plan is, however, not advised in respect to Vines planted 
out, but on the contrary, we are told on page 41 that—“ Once fairly 
started young Vines are all the better for the first summer to be allowed 
to grow and ramble pretty freely, with as little checking and stopping 
as possible.” The reason for this is given in two lines (for the instruc¬ 
tions in the work are commendably concise and to the point)—namely, 
11 The more leaves and shoots developed the more roots produced, and the 
stronger the foundation laid for the future.” 
This plan intelligently carried out, including cutting down closely 
the rambling growths, has given satisfaction to cultivators who are not 
satisfied with ordinary produce, and therein rests its justification ; but 
is there not a danger in the hands of the comparatively inexperienced, 
of there being few “ developed ” leaves in the thicket of growths ? and in 
that case are not the necessarily imperfect leaves exhausters of the border 
and the Vines rather than supporters ? and do not an undue proportion of 
the roots then produced perish in the winter ? This point is not dwelt 
on with the object of questioningthe soundness of Mr. Barron’s teaching, 
which we know is based on successful practice, but his observations pro¬ 
vide an opportunity for presenting the alternate plan for the considera¬ 
tion of those, and they are many, who are interested in the subject. 
The pruning of newly planted Vines is a subject of perplexity to 
many growers who have not had long experience ; indeed, as Mr. Barron 
states, “ the first question that is generally asked by the uninitiated, is 
this, ‘ To what length shall I prune my newly planted Vines ? ’ ” and his 
reply is, “ Our general answer is, Cut them as low down as you can, even 
