562 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Doce vber S", 188S. 
Mr. Cranston advocates pruning in the early spring months, but even on 
this point he will find people to differ. We met the other day an extensive 
Rose-grower who advocated the plan with all newly planted Roses of 
jK'uning them at the time of planting; this is wise in spring planting, 
but not in autumn. 
There is no subject in connection with the cultivation of the Rose 
which Mr. Cranston has left untouched in the first part of his book. 
Names, labels, insects, in fact everything that could by possibility be 
•considered needful for the grower to know has been provided for him by 
one who knows what he is writing about, and can bring the test of 
■experience to verify his advice. 
in the second part of his book Mr. Cranston has given most valuable 
arid to Rose-growers of all kinds by the selections which he has given of 
■the best Roses, nor has he in this confined himself to such as are suited 
for exhibition. He has considered the wants of those who dwell in smoky 
towns and of those who live in cold localities. He has given lists to 
suit even the smallest growers, of the best six Roses of different colours, 
the most highly scented Roses, the most brilliant Roses for beds, and, in 
fact, selections for all kinds of uses to which the Rose can be put, a very 
copious calendar of operations, for which no one is better qualified. 
The book concludes with what will be of very great value to rosarians of 
all kinds, a complete catalogue of Roses. Hitherto this has been only 
accessible in the carefully compiled catalogue of Ketten frores of Luxem¬ 
bourg, or in the more elaborate “ Dictionaire des Roses,” and this list, 
while not so fully descriptive as either of those mentioned, will, never¬ 
theless, be sufficiently so for most English growers. Mr. Cranston does 
not profess that it is perfect, and, indeed, it is very difficult to make a 
list which shall be free of mistakes. This difficulty was experienced 
when the Committee of the National Rose Society compiled their cata¬ 
logue of a selected number, and is still greater when all the Roses ever 
.■sent out are to be included ; but there is one series of mistakes which we 
think Mr. Cranston might have avoided—not giving the names of Rose 3 
■which have been pronounced so much alike that they are not to be 
scheduled together ; thus there is nothing to show to us that Marguerite 
Brassac is only another name for Charles Lefebvre, or Alba Rosea for 
Madame Bravy, yet they have long since been so bracketed ; but, not¬ 
withstanding, we must hail this list as a very great boon for Rose-growers. 
Mr. Cranston’s description of Roses in his second part is very full, and 
■sthose who wish to find out the character of any Rose has only to refer 
to this list to find his wants met. 
We have, we hope, said enough to assure the Rose-grower, but 
•especial^ the beginner, that he may find in Mr. Cranston a wise in¬ 
structor and safe guide, and that although he may, perhaps, differ from 
■him in some minor points, yet these are inseparable to Rose growing as 
to most other things. There is no general concensus of opinion in most 
things, and what is most wanted is the opinion of a sensible and 
practical man, and that, as we have said, they will find in Mr. Cranston. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
December 11th. 
Scientific Committee. —Present—Mr. G. Wilson, in the chair ; 
Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen, Professor Church. Dr. Hogg, Dr. Scott, 
Mr. D. Morris, Mr. J. O’Brien, and Rev. G. Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Oak Mood, Defective. —Specimens of Oak wood, forwarded by Mr. 
Burbidge, which had been used for spokes of wheels, but found to be 
■remarkably brittle and consequently useless, were submitted to Professor 
U Marshall \\ ard for examination and report. The following communi¬ 
cation was received from him : — “ I have cut numerous sections of the 
pieces of Oak, and have made a very thorough examination of the wood, 
But must say I can find no traces of fungi or pronounced decomposition. 
Nevertheless, the tracheides of the wood seem to be abnormally short, 
•and have occasionally granular ‘deposits’ in them—also in the medul¬ 
lary ray cells—which I should like to know more about. I cannot 
•explain the matter, but should be glad of further specimens for ex¬ 
amination.” 
Ivy, Staminndy of the Pistil. —Mr. Henslow submitted some speci¬ 
mens of abnormal Ivy blossoms to a microscopical examination, which 
were exhibited at the last meeting by Dr. Masters, together with draw¬ 
ings by Mr. G. W. Smith. The dried condition of the flowers precluded 
a very exact determination of the abnormality ; but there appeared to 
lrim to be little doubt but that stamens replaced the carpels. The 
sepals, petals, and stamens were normal, but above the superior disc— 
which is normally formed by the upper and exposed part of the carpels 
—were a crown of supernumerary anthers. The vascular cords which 
■normally represent the dorsal ribs of the carpels bore the anthers. In 
the centre was a depression in lieu of the ovary cells, and apparently 
-some minute and rudimentary anthers occupying their place. These 
•seemed to be due to staminody of the placental cords, which normally 
•oecupy the centre of the inferior ovary. 
Stack ys tuber if era : Analysis of the Tubers. —Professor Church 
ignve an account of an analysis of the tubers of this new vegetable which 
Re had himself made, and by which he confirmed those of Dr. A. Y. 
Planta, recorded in Landwirthschaftliche Vcrmchstationen, Nos. 5 and 6, 
1888. It appears that they contain 78 per cent, of water, Do per cent, 
-of albuminoids, 1'7 per cent of non-albuminoids or amides, 16 - 6 per cent, 
of sugars, 07 per cent, of fibre, OT per cent, of ash, 0-2 per cent of fat, and 
.a trace only of starch. Comparing this analysis with that of Potatoes, 
it appears that the water is in larger quantity, it being 75 per cent, in 
4hem the flesh-forming albuminoids are rather more than in Pota¬ 
toes, while the sugars replace the starch, of which there is some 15 per 
cent, in the average anaysis of the Potato. 
Satyrium sp. with “ Supertliberation." — Mr. O'Brien exhibited 
palmate tubers of some South African species, with showed two years’ 
growth, having been plunged in moss only; the tubers, instead of 
developing a leafy axis, had formed fresh tubers only, the stem and 
leaves being produced in miniature, being about half an inch in height. 
Mr. Wilson mentioned the fact that Lilies sometimes behave in the same 
way, and that the process was identical with “ supertuberation ” in 
Potatoes, in which case the “ eyes ” gave rise to fresh tubers instead of 
stems, when situated too deep and with too much heat, according to 
the experience of Mr. Boscawen. Mr. O’Brien remarked that the im¬ 
portance of the knowledge of the above phenomena lay in the fact that 
it was often supposed that tubers and bulbs were lost or decayed, from 
the non-appearance of the flowering stems, while they might still be 
present in the soil, but were for two or three years simply reproducing 
bulbs at the expense of the old one, without flowering at all. 
Lime with Contorted Boughs. —Mr. G. Swailes forwarded a young 
live tree grown from a layer, the only one of 500 which exhibited the 
peculiar growth. A graft taken from it in the spring exhibits the same 
peculiarity. Dr. Hogg remarked that it appeared to resemble the 
“ contorted ” variety of the Hawthorn. The curving and twisting was 
apparent even in many of the minutest twigs. It was thought by some 
to be due to mischief or injury by insects ; but the above facts seem to 
point to other causes. It was referred to Cniswick to be grown to pro e 
the constancy of the feature or otherwise. 
Ch ristia. —This is a new production for antiseptic bandages, invented 
and patented by Mr. T. Christy, of 25, Lime Street. It is constructed 
of thin whitey-brown paper, expressly made of Manilla Hemp (Musa 
textilis), which consists purely of remarkably long liber-fibres, which 
doubtless tend to give it greater tenacity. It is then subjected to a pro¬ 
cess with glycerine, olive oil, and other substances, which render it trans¬ 
lucent, with the appearance of oiled silk. It subsequently is treated 
with salicylic acid, carbolic acid, or other disisfectant, and rendered 
antiseptic. Its advantages are—great tenacity, extreme lightness, being 
not more than one-third of the weight of oiled silk or gutta-percha 
sheeting, antiseptic and perfectly impervious to moisture. It was 
thought that it would prove so exceedingly useful in horticulture— e.g., 
for binding up in budding, sending specimens by post when the ex¬ 
clusion of air is essential, while strips would be serviceable for tying 
plants to stakes, &c. 
Korsambi Nuts. —Mr. Henslow showed specimens, received from Mr. 
Christy, of the seeds of Schleichera trijuga, of the order Sapindacem. 
It was supposed to be the source of Macassar oil, but this was strongly 
doubted. Mr. Morris observed that it is called the “ India Oak tree,” 
and is abundant in India and Ceylon, and is valuable for its timber. 
Juniperus oecidentalis (Hook).—A specimen, collected in Eastern 
Oregon, U.S.A., by Mr. William Stewart, was forwarded by him from 
Greenock, N.B. It was first found by Douglass in the Story Islands 
in the Columbia River. It was also found in the Klamet Mountains, 
in the Oregon territory, at 5000 feet. It grows from 40 to 80 feet high, 
and, like other species, varies in foliage in passing from the young to 
the older stages. The specimen sent was spring-leaved, or in the 
characteristic condition of the young stage. It is remarkable for the 
strong and disagreeable odour when bruised—(“ Gordon’s Pinetum,” 
page 103). 
Centenary of the Dahlia .— Mr. Henslow called attention to the fact 
that the year 1889, besides being the centenary of the Carysanthemum 
in Europe, was that of the Dahlia in England. It was introduced by 
the Marchioness of Bute in 1789, and figured with single and double 
forms in “ Bot. Mag.,” vol. xliv., t. 1835, and “ Bot. Reg.,” vol. i., t. 55. 
RANUNCULUS CULTURE. 
Unquestionably one of the most beautiful flowers of spring 
yet absent from many, if not the majority, of gardens. Formerly 
collections of named varieties were grown with much care by a few 
old florists, but these fanciers are now more scarce than growers of 
florists’Tulips are ; indeed the Ranunculus is scarcely grown as a 
florists’ flower, but for decorative purposes, and for market, the 
cultivation of varieties in mixture is extending. The old florists 
used to be very particular in choosing suitable positions for their 
Ranunculus beds, also in the preparation of the soil and planting. 
Here are the instructions of one of them :—- 
“ Situation. —It is only a waste of time and moriey to attempt to 
grow the plan's within the influence of a smoky atmosphere near 
large towns, or upon a high hill in a dry soil, or in a swamp. The 
florist must choose a place for the Ranunculus bed neither too high 
nor too low; let it be a level surface, and if it be sheltered from 
the northern blasts so much the better. 
“ Soil.— The soil should be retentive of moisture. The best kind 
is the virgin mould of some alluvial soil on the banks of a river, 
or some lowland pasture. It should be of a rather close texture, 
without any small stones or sand amongst it. Lay it up for a 
year, turn it over until it is well incorporated, wheel out the old 
soil to the depth of a foot or more, place a thin layer of very 
rotten cowdung at the bottom, and upon that the fresh soil. If 
the situation is low, with a wet subsoil, it must be well drained ; 
but if the subsoil is dry there is no necessity for drainage. If 
