February 18, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
131 
much more frequently grown, and the flowers may be seen in many 
florists’ windows, especially in Covent Garden Market. The flowers are 
white, delightfully fragrant, and beautiful in bouquets, though they are 
not very durable. It is particularly well adapted for culture in pots, 
And a few dozen bulbs would be a serviceable addition to any collection.” 
- We learn that Mr. J. Johnstone has resigned his charge of the 
Raby Hall Gardens, the residence of W. Pilkington, Esq., after having 
the care of them for nine years. A report of these Gardens appeared in 
our pages a few years ago, and their condition generally testify to his 
ability as a practical gardener. We hope that he will soon find another 
suitable position. 
- Gardening Appointment —Mr. George Easton, late gardener 
to C. E. Hodgson, Esq., Copt Hall, Hendon, has been appointed gardener 
to Wm. More Molyneux, Esq., Losely Park, Guildford, Surrey. 
- The monthly meeting of the Belgian Syndicate of Horti¬ 
culturists was held in the Casino, Ghent, on the 8th inst.,Mr. J. Closen 
of Liege presiding. M. Cb. Van Geert of Antwerp was Secretary, and 
the following were present :—MM. E. Yervaet, Ph. Blancquaert, Jules 
Hye, A. Desmet, L. Desmet Duvivier, A. Kosseels, and B. Spae. Certifi¬ 
cates cf merit were awarded for the following plants JE ;hmea spectabilis, 
from M. Ad. D’Haene ; Anthurium leodinense, from MM. Jacob Mackoy 
and Cie.; Cypripedium marmorophyllum, from M. E. Pynaert Van 
Geert ; and Begonia Gloire de Sceaux, from M. A. Van Geert. A cultural 
certificate was awarded to M. B. Spae for Cocis Yatai, and honourable 
mention for a seedling Clivia, Jules Hye, from M. Spae Vandermeulen ; 
Lycaste Skinneri alba, from M. James Bray ; and a seedling Clivia, from 
M. E. Pynaert Van Geert. Honourable mention for good culture was also 
accorded to Dracaena Undeni, from MM. Blancquaert et Vermeire. 
-At a recent meeting of the members of the Wakefield Paxton 
Society, Councillor Milnes presided, and Mr. Hudson, gardener at Sandal 
Grange, was in the vice-chair. There was about an average attendance. 
Mr. J. A. Mann, gardener to Mr. D. B. Kendell, J.P., Manor House, 
Heatb, read a short but most interesting paper on “ The Bouvardia,” a 
beautiful winter-blooming stove plant. Mr. Mann, who has for some 
years past been a successful grower of the Bouvardia, fully and clearly 
explained his mode of growing and propagating the plant, and stated that 
by the mode of treatment he recommended he always produced fine large 
plants and an abundance of sweet and beautiful bloom at a season when 
flowers are usually very scarce. He said there are about thirty-four 
varieties, and he named several which he had, by experience, proved to be 
good sorts. A number of questions were put to Mr. Mann by Messrs. 
Hudson, Preston, Garnett, and Brown, and the prompt and clear manner 
in which they were answered showed that Mr. Mann was thoroughly 
acquainted with his subject. On the motion of Mr. Hudson, seconded by 
Mr. J. Lee (St. John’s), and supported by other members, a very hearty 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Mann for his maiden essay, and a 
hope was expressed that this would not be his last appearance before the 
members of the Society in the character of an essayist. 
-An American correspondent sends the following cutting from the 
New York Tribune: —“Mr. G. Cowing, the Indiana horticulturist, had 
several trees of the Kieffer Pear killed by the frosts of last winter, 
though none of his other varieties were injured. He quotes ‘ many of the 
best judges of fruit throughout the country ’ as testifying that this sort 
for table use is ‘ hardly passable,’ and adds, in the Indiana Farmer : — ‘ It 
appears to grow well and produce abundant crops of showy insipid fruit 
in a few places in New Jersey and in some portions of the Bouth, but the 
prominence it attained in the middle and northern States was mainly due 
to a liberal use of printers’ ink.’ ” 
- In the volume devoted to the Botanical Results of the 
" Challenger ” Expedition, which is just issued from the pen of 
Mr. B. Hemsley, there is much of an interesting character, as can be 
judged from the following extract relating to the Distribution of 
Plants : —“ The seeds of many almost ubiquitous sand-binding grasses 
may be reckoned among those which are cast ashore in a vital condition, 
and we assume that these grasses are amongst the first flo wering plants to 
obtain a footing. Other herbaceous plants met with in the earliest stage 
of such an insular flora are Portulaca, Sesuvium, Canavalia obtusifolia, 
Ipomaea biloba (1. pes-caprae) ; all of which seem to possess an unlimited 
power of colonisation. Moreover, they provide the conditions necessary 
for other plants to be able to establish themselves. Among the early 
shrubby occupants, Suriana maritima, Pemphis acidula, Scaevola Koenigii, 
and Tournefortia argentea are prominent, being found on the most remote 
islets of the Pacific and Indian Oceans within the tropical and sub¬ 
tropical zones. Where there are muddy shores, there the various 
Mangroves (Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Avicennia, Vitex, &c.) take possession. 
Among the first real trees are Heritiera littoralis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and 
Barringtonia speciosa, together with Screw Pines. After this nucleus of 
a flora has been formed, it is comparatively easy for other arrivals to 
establish themselves ; and every addition in a measure helps to provide 
the conditions for a still more varied vegetation. And he concludes :— 
‘‘ It may be safely assumed, therefore, that if oceanic currents and birds 
have not been the means of dispersing a large number of species of 
plants, and it is not certain that they have not, they are certainly the 
most important agents in stocking islands, for without their action the 
numerous remote coral islands, at least, would still be utterly devoid of 
phanerogamic vegetation, and consequently uninhabitable.” 
- President Barry in his opening address at the annual meeting 
of the Western New York Horticultural Society gave the useful 
reminder that where Apples, Pears, and other fruits are sorted, and only 
the best specimens sent to market, good prices are secured, and if no other 
grade were marketed there would be no complaint of surplus, and the 
gross income would be as great. Our fruit crops may be doubled in value 
by a few years of first-clas9 culture—soil made rich; trees carefully 
pruned ; fruit thinned, if necessary ; gathered carefully by hand-picking ; 
honestly packed ; the whole business systematised, and conducted in the 
most economic manner. In some instances last season prices were lower 
than ever known before, especially about Rochester, where the supply was 
large. As a whole, however, the fruit business was more satisfactory than 
ordinary farming. 
-At the same meeting, referring to the Application of Lime and 
Salt to Soils, Dr. Caldwell quoted the saying that application of lime 
tends to make the father rich and the son poor, and the same may be 
remarked of salt. It loosens fertility locked in the soil, and renders it 
available, but does not add fertility. There are, however, very few soils 
that have not lime in abundance, and also salt. Salt is largely applied to 
compost heaps, but it is not so good an absorbent as common earth, and 
cannot be compared with plaster or gypsum,which does prevent the escape 
of ammonia. Salt in the compost heap renders the same service as the 
application of water ; it keeps the manure moist, and thus prevents heat¬ 
ing and firefang. Several members thought that application of salt to 
Wheat fields stiffens and brightens the straw, and causes the Wheat to be 
lighter in colour. Salt also retards ripening in dry weather, and has been 
sown upon Barley with benefit. Dr. Hexamer said he applied salt freely 
to certain rows of Asparagus in a large patch without any visible result; 
he considers that salt is of no benefit to this plant. Mr. Cay wood gets no 
Quinces unless he applies salt freely. Other members said they apply 
salt to Plums and Pears with goed result. 
- Analyses of Plants.— “ J. L. B.” writes“ Will you please 
insert the following in your next issue, and will you kindly publish any 
tables that may be sent in reply ? Will someone give me tables of the 
composition of plants (from analyses), particularly those of the Chrysan¬ 
themum and the Rose ? I may add that I have the ‘ Gardeners’ Assistant,’ 
in which there are several given, and any that that work does not contain 
I shall be very glad to have, or to know where I can obtain them.” 
- Orange Culture in New South Wales.—I n no part of the 
world are Oranges grown to such perfection or with more ease than in 
New South Wales. Anyone with a small garden can grow a few Orange 
trees, the rearing of which occasions far less trouble than that of the Cur¬ 
rant trees or Gooseberry bushes in an English cottage garden. 
THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS. 
From what I have heard I think Mr. Bardney surprised not a few 
persons by his advocacy of 12 per cent, of lime as a suitable proportion to 
Vine borders. It is a large quantity no doubt, but it is a question if it is 
excessive for Vine borders made of limeless soil, and have besides been 
much enriched with repeated top-dressings of manure, producing much 
humus. I believe that soil considered satisfactorily fertile for 
agricultural purposes contains, or should contain, 6 per cent, of carbonate 
of limp, and may contain a good deal more. What does this mean ? It 
meanc that if the soil contains no lime a very large application is needed 
to enable 6 per cent, of carbonate of lime to be added ; 300 bushels of 
slaked lime per acre and mixed with the soil to a depth of 6 inches will 
be only 1 per cent. That is obviously quite inadequate for Vines. 
