360 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 2, 1889. 
quickly form fresh vigorous feeders. When this is seen to he the case 
operations should commence by neatly trimming off all shoots that have 
been emitted, and standing the plants near some convenient ledge or 
shelf in either a vinery at work or Peach house, or any other such like 
suitable structure, arranging them so that the top of the stem stands an 
inch or two above the level of such lelge. Next procure some 4 or 
5-inch pots, and with the mouth of the pot upward pass the stem 
through the hole in the bottom, and for the time being allow the pot to 
slip down the stem as far as it will go, then with a sharp knife make 
from four to six incisions in the bark about half an inch in length from 
the top of the stem, separating the bark from the wood after the cut is 
made with the bone blade of the budding knife. If the stocks are in a 
proper condition to work- the bark should part freely from the hard 
wood, but if it fails to do so do not force, but stand the plant back for 
a few days before attempting to repeat the operation. Having at hand 
some short-jointed terminal shoots of Abutilon vexillarium of about 
2 inches in length, lay the scion lengthwise on the left forefinger with 
the growing point outwards, in the same position that the shoot assumes 
when growing naturally, slice off the upper side of the butt end so as 
to form a wedge of about half an inch in length, and insert from four to 
six of such shoots around the top of the stem between the distended bark 
and wood, always keeping the sliced portion of the scion facing the 
wood ; bind up firmly with raffia, and on the top between the inserted 
scions place a small portion of clay or grafting wax about the size of a 
pea, this if pressed down will prevent condensed moisture entering 
between the separated bark and wood, which would have a tendency to 
cause a difficulty of union if allowed to penetrate so far. When all is 
finished neatly draw up the pots that were previously passed down the 
stems, so that they can be rested on the ledge, stop up any space with 
clay in the drainage hole not filled by the stem, place a piece of glass 
over the mouth, and all is rendered air-tight. 
In the course of a week or ten days the union should have progressed 
so far as to necessitate the removal of the bandage, and at the same 
time any shoots that the close state of the interior of the pot may have 
induced should be carefully rubbed off the stock. In due time when the 
union is effected the glass can be removed, and if the hole of the 
pot is sufficiently accommodating it can be passed upwards and off the 
stem ; though if the shoots have grown tolerably well it is generally 
advisable not to attempt its removal in this way, but to let it drop 
some little distance down the stem, when a sharp crack with a hammer 
will effect its removal without danger of injury to the tuft of growth 
on the summit of the stem. 
If the plants are now subjected to a brisk growing temperature the 
shoots will branch out in a most graceful manner, and the importance 
of attending so particularly to the details of placing the scions in the 
proper position will be appreciated. Those that were sliced on the 
upper side of the stem and placed so that the points radiating from 
the centre of the stock will now be forming themselves into well- 
balanced symmetrical beads of slender drooping stems, hung at re¬ 
gular intervals with pretty red and yellow tassels of flowers. Such a 
plant when placed in a suitable receptacle in the centre of a small loo 
or occasional table in a well-furnished drawing room lends a grace to 
the apartment that can only be excelled by the bold sweeping curves of 
the drooping foliage of some varieties of Palms and naturally grown 
Fuchsias. For dinner table decoration those on shorter stems are well 
adapted. Their uncommon appearance and the striking gracefulness 
of the arching shoots and pendent blossoms make up a plant at once 
ornamental and useful. 
Where such plants are in demand, as they are certain to be after 
their introduction, stocks can be raised if necessary from cuttings of 
some coarse strong growing variety. These if struck and potted in 
rich soil soon form stems of convenient size. After grafting it is not 
advisable to use soil of a particularly rich nature, especially when the 
variegated form of A. vexillarium is used, owing to the tendency of the 
plant to produce long gross shoots destitute alike of flowers and variega¬ 
tion, but rather to endeavour to restrict the plant to as small a pot as is 
possible, and apply such stimulants as arc necessary to keep the plants 
in a fairly vigorous state. 
When plants have been used for room and table decoration, and 
become debilitated thereby, they should be cut hard back and the 
old soil shaken from their roo f s. After being repotted and subjected to 
a moist brisk heat, they will throw out abundance of shoots from the 
crown that will rapidly drape the stem with fresh beauty.—M. Coohbe, 
Ashton Court , Bristol. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Scientific Committee.— April 23rd.—W. T. Tbistleton Dyer. 
Esq., C.M.G., in the chair. 
Scales of Oxalis. —Adverting to the specimens shown at the last 
meeting, Mr. I). Morris mentioned that he had since forwarded some of 
the scales of the species of Oxalis to Professor Hildebrand of Freiburg, 
in Baden, the monographer of the genus Oxalis. Professor Hildebrand’s 
opinion was as follows : —“ The larger scales you have sent me have the 
appearance and anatomical structure of those of Oxalis Bowiei. The 
curled filaments have the same structure, but I cannot imagine to what 
part of the bulb they were fastened. Perhaps they are a means of dis¬ 
persion for the bulbs. Besides the scales I found two bits of stems that 
are very like those of Oxalis variabilis. So it seems likely to me that 
the bulbs belong to some species of Oxalis, but I never saw in any 
cultivated or dried specimens any scales like the curled ones.” Mr. 
Morris exhibited a complete bulb, showing the exact position occupied 
by the curled filaments which was immediately beneath the larger outer 
scales and closely investing the bulb. 
Camellia Soil. —A Fellow of the Society sent a sample of soil from 
a bed in which the Camellias were not doing well. The soil was a mass 
of fungous spawn, derived, probably, from imperfectly rotted manure or 
rotten leaves or twigs. 
Galls on Eucalyptus. —From Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller came 
further specimens of the extraordinary horned galls, such as were 
formerly figured in the Gardeners' Chronicle. Mr. McLachlan referred 
to a paper of Mr. Schrader in the “ Transactions of the Entomological 
Society of New South Wales,” and stated that the galls in question 
were probably the work of an insect allied to Coccus, and belonging to 
the Brachyscelidte. The four horns appeared to be outgrowths from 
the margin of the receptacular tube, the overgrowth being the result of 
the irritation caused by the insect in depositing her eggs. 
Baron von Mueller also sent an extraordinary specimen of Banksia, 
on which Dr. Masters undertook to report at the next meeting. 
Mr. Dyer alluded to the peculiar polymorphic condition of the leaves 
in Acacia armata in cultivation at Kew. Dr. Masters stated that such 
outgrowths were not uncommon in Acacias. He had described and 
figured some specimens received at various times from Baron von 
Mueller. 
The Effects of Fog on Plants. —A further discussion took place on 
this subject, and it was agreed to postpone the issue of the proposed 
circular till the autumn. 
The Season.— Mr. Dyer presented a note from Mr. Scott, the Director 
of the Meteorological Office, relating to the “ useful ” temperature as 
reckoned in “day degrees,” and to the amount of sunshine since 
January 1st of the present year, as compared with recent years :— 
Results from the Weekly Weather Report. Totals since 
January 1st. 
Accumulated Temperature 
in Day Degrees. 
Total Hours. 
Above 42°. 
Below 42°. 
Up to April 7th, 1884. 
394° 
119° 
218 
6th, 1885. 
238° 
368° 
234 
oth,1886. 
141° 
557° 
207 
lltb,1887. 
208° 
468° 
300 
9th, 1888. 
88° 
556° 
195 
8 th, 1889. 
180° 
435° 
210 
This shows that the present season has been much better than the 
last, except as regards the amount of sunshine, in which there is not 
much improvement. 
The figures are not rigidly comparable, because the weeks of different 
years, of course, do not end on the same day. 
THREE GOOD ROSES FOR BUTTONHOLES. 
Niphetos, Safrano and La Sylphide form a trio, I think, difficult 
to equal for the above purpose. I also think La Sylphide is not so well 
known as its merits deserve. It is a good grower on its own roots either 
in pots or planted out, and produces its beautiful buds freely ; in fact in 
every way it is a good companion for Niphetos and Safrano.—W. W., 
East Yorks. 
[The specimens received are as good as could be desired for the 
purpose in question.] 
THE CULTURE OF THE ROSE UNDER GLAS3. 
[A paper by Mr. Nettleton. Read before the members of the Wakefield Paxton Society.J 
No flower is so well adapted to our changeable climate as the Rose, 
and certainly there is none with equal beauty possessing so many valuable 
properties. I do not remember ever meeting a person, either rich or 
poor, who did not admire the Rose. In spite of all the new and beau¬ 
tiful plants that have been introduced during the last century, the Rose 
has not lost in general admiration, but is still the queen of flowers. 
The old Cabbage Rose is supposed to have been introduced in 1596, 
also the original Moss Rose from Holland, and the Austrian Briar from 
the south ol Europe about the same date. The Damask Rose dates as 
far back as 1573, and it is supposed it was introduced from Syria. The 
French Rose, or Rosa Galiica, was introduced about the sixteenth 
century. The Multiflora Rose and the White Banksian came from 
China in 1807, also the old Boursault Rose from the Alps. Much more 
might be said on the introduction of different varieties, but I intend 
my remarks to be brief, and it is chiefly from these named that the 
invaluable Hybrid Perpetual has been obtained. 
