218 
JOURNAL OR HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 17,188T. 
suggesting a fruit show might well he held in connection with a 
Chrysanthemum show in November ; and yet another, who stated that 
from observation he thought the reason why American growers were 
able to outstrip English producers was because, while in England the 
trees in the bulk of the orchards were old anil worn-out, the Americans 
had younger trees in full bearing, and a greater variety and better sorts 
of Apples. Then came the question of what the tenants could do 
without long leases. The landlords should see to the utility and value 
of their property by planting orchards themselves on their farms. The 
concluding remark evoked a marked expression of applause .—(Chester 
Observer.) 
THE IXORA. 
[A paper retd by Mr. A. R. Cox, Rim Hall Gardens, Wavertrer, b.fcra the Liverpool 
Hoit cultural Association.] 
(Continued from page 19G.) 
WATERING. 
In all classes of choice plants it is well known to the thoughtful 
cultivator that great importance is attached to the application of 
water to the roots ; and to few does this more apply than to 
Ixoras. This is a subject which should be s'udied by young 
gardeners, perhaps more than any other. When to water a plant 
must, to a great extent, be left to the operator on the spot; the time 
when most injury is done in its application is aftf r the plants have been 
repotted and the roots hive not taken possession of the soil. When 
in this condition the utmost forethought must be exercised, otherwise 
the future well being of the plants will be questionable. Close obser¬ 
vation and study ( f the real wants of the plants is the best guide to 
the operator. A plant may not be necessarily dry at the roots, when 
the surface soil may be even dust dry. I know of no better test than 
the old method of ringing the pots with the knuckles ; experience will 
soon teach by the hollow sound produced when to apply water. This 
sho lid always le used about 5° warmer than the temperature in which 
the plants are growing. When really needed water should not be 
applied in a half hearted manner, but fill up the pot two or ihree 
times, so that every par tide of soil is moistened. In the heat of 
summer, when the plants are in the full vigour of growth and the 
pots well filled wi h healthy roots, the lxora is a truly moisture-loving 
plant, both at the roots and in the atmosphere ; consequently the 
syringe must be Irought to bear freely on the foliage twice a day, 
morning and at closing time in the afternoon, the water to be of the 
same temperature as advised for the roots. 
TEMPERATURE. 
The temperature at all seasons should be well maintained, for the 
lxora delights in a strong heat highly charged with moisture ; indeed, 
in the height of their growing season—viz., during the last week or 
two of sprirg and on through the summer, it would be a rather diffi¬ 
cult matter to give them too much. I am, however, no advocate of a 
strictly given temperature, as such is unnatural and unnecessary, con¬ 
sequently during the growing period the thermometer may range from 
about 70° at night, varying in ihe day from 80° to as much as 115°, 
the latter, of course, to be after closing time, by the aid of strong 
sun. During the winter months, when the plants may be said to be 
at rest, they should not be unduly excited by artificial heat, therefore 
the temperatme should range from GO 0 at night to 70° by day, allow¬ 
ing a rise with sun heat. 
VENTILATION. 
Ventilation must be attended with care, or more harm than good 
will result. Nevir have we found it necessary to open the ventilators 
during the winter months, and ev n in summer only t oie situated at 
the top of the house ; indeed, if 1 was not compelled to grow ours in 
a house containing other classes of plan's, I would not hesitate for a 
moment in adopting the non-ventilating system as practised by many 
■Cucumber growers for market. However, as most growers of Ixoras 
are similarly situated as regards house accommodation, ventilation 
must be resorted to. Cold draughts or strong currents of air should 
Le studiously avoided. Should high winds prevail, the ventilators will 
be best kept closed, as sufficient air will enter at the gl us laps. Air 
is best admitted by degrees, so as not to cause any sudden change in 
the atmosphere. The house should be closed again early in the after¬ 
noon according to external conditions ; as a rule I close at 3 r m. 
throughout the summer, except on extra hot days, whin it is left 
ia'f an hour later. 
MANURE. 
All growers are not agreed as to the desirability of giving Ixoras 
manure. As a notable instance of this Mr. T. Baines, probably the 
most successful grower of these plants ever known, wrote fourteen 
years ago that, his plants never received a particle of manure either 
in a solid or a liquid form, this would ap iear conclusive evidence 
that the application of manure to the roots of Ixoras is unneceesaiy. 
But it is a remarkable fact that where one grower will succeed 
another will fail under almost exactly the same conditions ; therefore 
it is best to experiment and find out for one’s self what is best suited 
to the wants of his plants. I have found in my own case that when 
a plant is in a comparatively small pot crowded with roots, and covered 
with flower buds, applications of iStanden’s manure at intervals of a 
few weeks have been of the greatest benefit in their development. 
TIME OF FLOWERING. 
It is a matter of consequence to exhibitors at which time 
their plants are n quired to be iu full beauty. If it is found that they 
are showing for flower too early and cannot be saved by the process 
of retarding, all the points should be punched out simultaneously This 
is the teerd of getting an even mass of flowers, for when the shoots 
are stopped at different times it cannot be expected that all will flower 
at one time. The points must be removed not less than eight weeks 
previous to ihe day of show, and in the case of I. coccinea ten weeks 
must be allowed, as this variety takes longer to develope than the 
majority. When the flowers are nearly expanded they may be placed 
in an intermediate temperature to retard iliem if found necessary. 
Three years ago I kept a plant in flower by this means six weeks, 
after which it was shown in Sefton Park perfectly fresh. The plant 
was I. coccinea, which is the best of all to retain its flowers. 
SHADING. 
At one time I grew our plants without the least shade, except 
when in fljwer. No doubt this has the effect of making them very 
floriferous, but the fuliage did not retain that dark healthy appearance 
which is so desirable. Subsequently, during the summer, slight shade 
has been resorted to on bright days, placing it on abou 9.30 A M., and 
removing the same after closing time in the afternoon. For this 
purpose we use coarse scrim. 
IN3ECTS. 
The insects which infest the lxora are mealy bugs, thrips, scale, and 
aphis. '1 hese require close attention, otherwise serious mischief will 
be ttie result. Very many are the insecticides recommended for these 
pests, but one of the bear, and certainly the safest and cheapest, is 
clear tepid water, which is best applied to the plants at the ordinary 
syringing time, as previously advised. This operation, however, must 
be done thoroughly, so that both the upper and under sides of the 
leaves receive the full force of the water. For aphides and thrips I 
have needed no other remedy ; but mealy bug has been more stubborn, 
and necessitated the addition of another reruedy\ This is methylated 
spirits, applied with a small camel’s hair brush to the extreme point 
of the shoots, where this insect delights to become established. This 
may appear a long tedious process, but the rapidity with which an 
active man can go over a plant is surprising The labour is lessened 
if the plants are examined once or twice every wetk, which should 
always be done. Throughout the winter the plants should have a 
thorough washing with the syringe once a week, selecting the early 
part of the day. This will have a great influence in keeping down 
insect pests. 
SELECTION. 
The following—Regin3, Williamsi, Fraseri, Westi, Colei, Dixiana, 
and Priuco of Orange—are all good, while Pilgrimi and Morsei are 
also said to be excellent varieties. Duffi has been declared to be the 
best of all Ixoras, and magnificent it certainly is, but for richness of 
foliage, habit, compactness of tuns, and form of individual flower, 
there is none to surpass coccinea. This grand old lxora was intro¬ 
duced to this country from Java as long ago as 1846, and will still 
hold its own with any that can be brought against it. 
ROYAL HORTICQLTUJEtAL SOCIETY. 
March 8th. 
Scientific Committee —Present: Dr. M. T. Masters, in the chair; 
Mes.-rs. VV. G. Smith, T. O’Brien, F. Pascoe, G. S. Boulger, A. W. Btnnetr, 
A. Mi.-bael, H. N. Ridley, G. Murray, G. F. Wilson, A. H. Srnee, Dr. Lane, 
Proftssor A. U. Church, and R v. G. Henslow. 
Spath iglottis Kimballiana Diseased. —Mr. O'Brirn exhibited a leaf 
of this plant, apparently attacked by some fungus. It was referred to Mr. 
W. G. Smith for examination and report. 
Pollen, Chemical Analysis of. —Professor Church gave Fome’account cf 
his researches in the c; mposi ion of pollen-grains, apropos of some analyses 
of the p 11 n of Conifers lately published. He abo drew attention to his 
analysis of Elm flowers (“Journal of Botany,” 1876, p. 73), and of the Ash 
(“Journal of Botany,” 1877, p. 361), showing a correspondingly large per¬ 
centage of nitrogen, po’ash, and phosphorus pentoxide, (he iatter contain¬ 
ing 7'4 times of the tirst element, as much as Be ch scales, 7’7 times 
of potash, and lO'o times as much of the last. The proportions correspond¬ 
ing with the more important functions of Ihe sexual organs to that of the 
merely temporarily protective purpose of the sca'es. With regard to pollen 
Profes or Gnu ch mentioned that so long ago as 1875 he began an examini- 
tion of the very abundant pollen of Cupre.-sus fragrans. On April 15th in that 
year he collected with ease from a single tree several ounces. On analysiut 
yielded 40 5 pi r c nt. of moisture only—a very low proportion for a newly 
formed fresh vegetable product. When dried at 212° Fahr., it contained 
1-37 per cent, of nitrogen (corresponding to 8’7 par cent, albuminoids), anu 
