676 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 81, 1£85. 
We find an attractive plant in Linum trigynum, the 
East Indies Flax, which grows 2 feet high, and produces its 
golden yellow blossoms in great profusion. It is very 
pleasing when associated with other plants in the- warm 
conservatory. The individual flowers do not last long, but as 
they are continuously produced plants may be had in flower 
for several months. 
What are more popular at this season of the year than 
the flowers of the Christmas Eose ? which, when protected by 
glass, become pure white, and hence of great value. From 
early in November, depending on the season to a great 
extent, flowers of this perennial may be had naturally in the 
open ground, the only protection needed being an old light 
or frame. For church decoration they are greatly in demand, 
owing probably to the association of its appropriate English 
name with this great festive season. None of the species or 
varieties is so useful for this purpose as Helleborus niger and 
the variety major. Very old inhabitants of our gardens these, 
which caused them to be used in former days ere glass 
structures were in vogue, and the valuable winter flowers we 
now have were unknown. This Christmas Rose must not be 
trifled with, as it is impatient of removal, and though 
annually thousands of its roots reach this country, still it is 
no more plentiful, and good clumps are quite a rarity. It 
cannot endure being lifted and potted, and after flowering 
transplanted again ; for if this is repeated a few times it will 
do so at the cost of your plants. Rather plant them in beds 
permanently, and in such a way that some spare lights at 
liberty in autumn and winter may cover them. Place these 
on early in November, and there will be no occasion to 
disturb a plant. 
Then we have late Chrysanthemums in plenty now, and 
what more welcome than their snowy bio soms ? and year by 
year we are learning some new bint in their culture and how 
best to have them for Christmas and the New Year. There 
are plenty this season, at least more plentiful than last year ; 
and some of the most valuable late whites are Boule de 
Neige, a snowy white reflexed variety of dwarf habit, and 
very free, little known yet. It has received its due reward, 
and been honoured with two certificates. Better known 
whites are Princess Teck, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Ethel, 
Yirginalis, Sarnia, white delicately shaded flesh; and Meg 
Merilees are the best varieties for Christmas. 
The Poinsettia must be included, for the whorl of coloured 
bracts is more than a substitute for flowers. For association 
with fine-foliage plants in the warm greenhouse or stove we 
have nothing at this season which can compare with them in 
brilliancy, and they may be had in all sizes, from 6 inches 
high to 6 feet. 
Welcome, too, is the ^Ethiopian or Nile Lily, Richardia 
fethiopica, of which the pure white spathes render it at this 
season unique. It is too well known to need further com¬ 
mendation. The queenly Lily of the Amazon, Eucharis 
amazonica, is doubly welcome now. Then we have the 
fragrant White Roman Hyacinths, valuable for many pur¬ 
poses. These, if brought on gradually and introduced into 
heat as required, will last for a long time. I have already 
forced several hundreds, and as soon as the first or second 
flowers expand I move them to cooler quarters, where they 
grow sturdily. Nor must the Lily of the Valley, so graceful 
and sweet, be omitted. The ease with which this is forced 
in winter renders it of the greatest value, for it is sure to 
gain many admirers, and always commands a speedy sale. 
Other valuable plants are the Cyclamens, telling in any 
arrangement. Whether required for the flowers alone, or as 
pot plants for general decorative purposes, they are always 
prized. Many fine strains are now in commerce. How 
light and graceful for conservatory decoration, or grouping 
generally, are the White Paris Daisies, or Marguerites, at 
this season ! Plants specially grown during summer—that 
is, cuttings inserted early in June—when rooted and potted, 
stopped once or twice during the season to make them bushy, 
will grow into fine plants and flower for at least three months 
in the dullest part of winter. For this purpose nothing can 
equal that variety of Chrysanthemum frutescens known as 
Madame Farfoullin. This surpasses all the varieties as a 
midwinter flower and as a free and abundant bloomer. 
Ladies are particularly fond of it, choosing it frequently in 
preference to other flowers for sprays for the ballroom, where 
it is invariably admired. 
Favourite flowers are Tree Carnations, in which case the 
brilliant scarlets seem to be more eagerly sought after than 
any other colour. Impatient of any approach to a close 
atmosphere, especially when accompanied by artificial heat, 
they should always occupy a light airy position. Free venti¬ 
lation is essential to their well-being, for if the reverse they 
soon become sickly and weak. Green fly quickly infests 
them. A little fumigating with tobacco paper, however, 
will disperse the latter. t The winter-flowering Begonias must 
not be overlooked while we have such fine decorative forms 
as insignis, nitida, suavis, and others. Very pretty and 
effective are these delicately coloured flowers, so pleasing for 
association with other plants. Then we have miscellaneous 
plants, such as Habrothamnus, single and double Primulas, 
Zonal Pelargoniums in variety, Azaleas, Francoa ramosa, 
Lapagerias, Heliotropes, the ever welcome and fragrant 
Mignonette, Heather, and Epacrises; nor would I omit the 
lovely blue of Agathea coelestis and Hovea Celsi. The 
former we frequently meet, but how seldom the latter or any 
of the other species of its genus. We also have the Indian 
Daphnes and Jasmines, such as hirsutum, grandiflorum, 
gracillimum, and others. These and many more all assist 
in making the winter gay with attractive flowers. In the 
foregoing remarks I have not given anything approaching a 
complete list of winter flowers—far from it, many more 
remain, sweet and pretty, as, for instance, the Winter Helio¬ 
trope, Tussilago fragrans, which, though a pest in many 
parts, is a charming plant in pots; and so on, in like 
manner, might others, somewhat neglected and common 
though they be, lend additional charms if only a little atten¬ 
tion was bestowed upon them.—J. H. E. 
GROS COLMAN VINE. 
Till within the past two years I have had little personal acquaint¬ 
ance with this Grape, and even now my experience is not extensive. 
But I have seen sufficient to convince me that in several respects it 
differs from every other Grape. 
It is said that the Vine will not bear the sun so well as other 
varieties, and it has been recommended that when there is a choice it 
should be planted on the side of the house where there is the 'east 
sunlight. To this I have to say that I am now located in one of the 
warmest spots in England, and have the management of vineries 
which possibly admit a greater amount of light than any others in 
the country (the panes of glass in our new vinery are 37 by 20 inches, 
and the rafters are comparatively slight) yet Gros Colman, other 
conditions being suitable, is no more disposed to burn than any other 
variety. That its foliage gets discoloured and even shrivelled up 
early in the season in some situations I am bound to admit. The 
question then comes, What is the cause of this, and how can it be 
prevented ? I will relate a little experience which bears on the 
matter. 
Some Vines of several varieties were grown from eyes. Part of 
their number was planted out, the rest being shifted as they required 
it and grown as pot Vines in precisely similar soil. This was com¬ 
posed of turf cut about 2 to 2^ inches thick, with a liberal supply of 
old mortar and half-inch bones. As might be expected, under good 
treatment they soon made fine canes with short joints, and moderate, 
inclined to large leaves, and all went on apparently well till they 
had grown to their allotted length, and some of them actually began 
to ripen, when there were certain peculiarities in their behaviour 
which claimed attention. They looked at times as if they had been 
in company with a Sensitive Plant, and were trying to imitate its 
eccentricities. On a hot day more epecially the leafstalks, instead 
of standing out at right angles to the stem, would turn backwards 
some couple of inches or more, as if they were drooping, though the 
leaves would remain rigid. They generally partially or wholly 
regained their proper position during the night. It was mos 
marked with the Vines in the pots for a time, but afterwards these 
in the borders were affected in a like manner. 
By-and-by matters assumed a more serious aspect. The foliage 
