February 18, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
137 
It is slid to prove very destructive at Montpellier and elsewhere in South. 
Europe. The majority of cases were of males ; very few of those of females 
being present amongst them. 
Haricot Attacked by Aleurodes .—He also showed leaves of this plant 
badly attacked, and which was said to almost threaten the extinction of 
the Hiricot abroad. We have one species on the Cabbage and one on 
Abutilons in England. The best remedy, he thought, would be Pyrethrum 
powder thrown on the under side of the leaf, which alone appeared to be 
attacked. 
Leaves and Dew .—Mr. Smee read an interesting communication on some 
observations he had made during nineteen days upon the relative amount of 
dew deposited on leaves of different plants last summer. He observed the 
Quince, Syringa, Brussels Sprouts, Peach, Rose, Mulberry, Evening Prim¬ 
rose, and Dahlia, at seven in the evening and again at nine in the morning. 
It appeared that the leaves of the Quince and Mulberry are always the last 
to be coated with dew, and are never very wet at any time. Dahlias and 
Brussels Sprouts become coated with dew sooner than any other plants ; 
while in the former, drops of dew hang from the points of every leaf. The 
leaves of the Peach, Rose, and Evening Primrose are never so wet as those 
of the Dahlia, but always had more moisture deposited on them than had 
those of the Quince and Mulberry. Mr. Smee also exhibited a table giving 
Fig. 23.—The “ Darlington ” Glass Wall-cover. 
the atmospheric conditions in his garden on the days of his observations. 
The plants were all similarly situated as to exposure, and were, as far as 
pract'cable, growing in close proximity to one another. 
Colletia bictoniensis on C. spinosa. —Mr. Burbidge sent a specimen of this 
dimorphic species, now well known to exhibit this peculiarity. C. bicto¬ 
niensis was first raised from seed of C. spinosa by Mr. Barnes of Bicton ; 
the dimorphic sport first came from Italy twelve years ago, but has often 
occurred since then. 
Banksia australis Raised from Seed. —Mr. Henslow exhibited the flowering 
spike from a plant raised from seed which had been kept twenty years. 
The plant was at present about 3 feet high. 
Plants Exhibited. —Mr. T. Lynch brought five specimens of Juncus acutus. 
It was remarked that butterflies occasionally impale themselves on the 
sharp points of the erect l j ave3. He also showed sprays of the uncommon 
scarlet Salvia boliviana, Acacia cyclopis, remarkable for the long scarlet 
funicle which is wrapped round the se a d ; this ultimately uncoils, and the 
seed is thereby suspended out of the legume. It was suggested that this 
might tend to mature the seed in the sun, or to attract birds. Euphorbia 
punicea, with leaves gradually passing into coloured bracts, as in Poinsettia, 
Acacia platypleura, with remarkably pale-coloured yellow flowers. 
THE “DARLINGTON” GLASS WALL-COVER. 
Glazed coverings for walls are so valuable for the protection of 
fruit blossom and accelerating the ripening of fruit, also for growing 
Tomatoes under, and sheltering Chrysanthemums in the autumn, that 
they might with advantage be much more extensively nsed than at pre¬ 
sent. The particular “ cover ” referred to is quite new, having been 
designed by the well-known firm of horticultural builders, Messrs. W- 
Richardson & Co., Dirlington, “with the view,” as they say in the pro' 
spectus, “ to supplying a glass house for growing Peaches and other wall 
fruit at a price which brings it within the reach of all. The ‘ Darlington ’ 
wall cover is cheaper than anything of the kind that has ever been 
offered to the public, and, at the same time, thoroughly strong, well made ) 
and durable. It is also portable in the fullest sense of the word, the 
entire front (which is composed of sasbes), the ends and top glass being 
made so as to lift, off with the greatest ease and rapidity. They cau be as 
easily replaced, and every alternate light will then, if desired, slide (on 
runners) behind its neighbour, so ai to give thorough ventilation. A 
portable wood front, with cast-iron standards, as shown in the above 
section, can be supplied at the extra cost named in the pricelist, no brick¬ 
work whatever being required except the back wall. The ‘ Darlington ’ 
wall-covers are carefully put together at the works before being de¬ 
spatched, each part being numbered, so that they can be fixed at their 
destination without the least difficulty. Full instructions for doing this 
are sent with each length.” 
CYCLAMENS AND PRIMULAS AT READING. 
A RECENT visit to Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ Portland Road Nurseries re¬ 
vealed a marvellous display of the above-named useful decorative flowers. 
This place is made a special “ manufactory ” of choice florists’ flowers, 
and an inspection of these therefore is always highly interesting. 
“ Specialities,” which are grown in the best possible manner, so as to 
secure the finest development, so that the merits of all new claimants to 
honours are fairly tested. The Cyclamens form a beautiful disp'ay, the 
plants healthy and freely flowered. It is well known that the firm have 
given careful attention to these increasingly popular and beautiful plants 
so valuable at this period of the year, one of the objects aimed at being to 
secure a good habit in the plant in adlition to finely formed flowers, and 
in this laudable endeavour they have admirably succeeded, as the plants 
under notice amply testified. The habit is dwarf and “ stocky,” setting 
off to additional advantage the tall furnished heads of bloom thrown up 
above the foliage. The plants are grown on the rapid system of cultiva¬ 
tion, those in flower being about fifteen months old. It says much for the 
treatment that produces such grand results. Tt may prove of interest to 
put on record the names with brief descriptions of a few improved varieties 
noted, and the list may be well started with White Butterfly, aptly 
named, a snowy white flower, undoubtedly one of the purest white- 
flowered Cyclamens yet raised. It is compact in habit with beautifully 
marbled foliage ; the flowers broad, rounded, not pointed as in some 
varieties, are produced freely, and are remarkable for great substance and 
good form. A sterling variety, Album, is a good pure white ; the petals 
more pointed than in the preceding variety. Roseum album, white, with 
a red base. Phcenix, intense fiery crimson. Roseum, pretty shades of 
carmine and rose. Rubrum, a fine deep red flower. A pure purple- 
c floured Cyclamen has yet to be raised, but Messrs. Sutton are “ on the 
way ” to attaining this much-desired novelty. 
Amongst the giganteum forms, a magnificent strain, with flowers of 
extraor dinary size and great substance, leaves large and very beautifully 
marbled with silver grey, may be mentioned the following good sorts : — 
Roseum superbum, colour unique, a bright rosy pink. Album, flowers 
very large and pure white. Roseum album ; the flowers of this variety 
are almost as large as those previously named, but differ in colour, the 
base being deep rose, and the upper part of the petals pure white. As 
showing the extraordinary floriferousness of these Cyclamens, it may be 
noted that one plant will produce, from the beginning to the end of its 
flowering, from 200 to 300 flowers, and they last three weeks in a cut 
state—valuable qualities to be turned to account by the decorative 
florist. 
The Chinese Primroses alone make a beautiful display—a feast of 
flowers ! A grandly grown collection was on view of Reading Blue. 
This is the deepest of the blue-flower Primulas yet introduced. It is 
compact in habit, with large flowers, which are produced in abundance 
and ihrown well above the foliage. A suitable companion to this is to be 
found in the Double Blue, a useful flower, particularly for cut purposes. 
Pearl, a white variety with finely fringed flowers, habit good, flowers 
produced abundantly, standing in quite a pyramid above the healthy 
foliage, and rendering it very distinct. Ruby King, deep blood red, 
remarkably compact in habit. New Giant Lilac, a novel variety of ex¬ 
ceedingly robust habit, and with large attractive lilac-coloured flowers ; 
an acquisition. Amongst Fern-leaved varieties, a class valuable for table 
decoration on account of their beautiful foliage, we were especially struok 
with Gipsy Queen, the nearly white flowers being well shown up by the 
rich dark foliage. Snowdrift, pure white, a model in all that constitutes a 
good Primula ; habit, foliage, and profusion of flowers being all that the 
most fastidious could desire. Rosy Queen, colour a delicate salmon-rose ; 
habit compact; a beautiful variety, especially adapted for table work, 
some plants in 72 and 60 size pots being little pictures that would cause a 
pretty effect dotted here and there. It is surprising that such young 
plants should bear such heads of bloom, nor were they deficient in 
leafage. 
How valuable, particularly at this dull season of the year, are the 
double-flowered varieties of Primulas, their rosettes of flowers coming in 
so useful for bouquets, sprays, and table decoration. The single-flowered 
varieties, though beautiful, are rather fugitive when used for the purposes 
named. How free, too, in the matter of flowering ! Some we noticed 
20 inches in diameter and the same in height covered with blooms. Some 
of the most striking amongst them may be noted. New Double Scarlet, 
the brightest double scarlet Primula yet seen, robust in habit, and very 
free flowering ; its brilliant colour is seen to great advantage by artificial 
light, therefore is invaluable for table decoration. New Double Rose, 
beautiful soft salmon rose colour, flowers thrown well above the foliage ; 
a charming variety. Amongst the double Messrs. Sutton have raised 
what are designated Special Hybrids. By carefully hybridising many of 
the finest varieties, a choice strain of double and semi-double flowers has 
been obtained, foremost amongst them being Double White, pure white, 
double and semi-double flowers, very useful for cutting. Red, brilliant 
