March 17, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
219 
1 87 per cent, of oil and other matters soluble in ether. The amount of ash 
in the dry pollen was 37 per cent. One hundred parts of this ash contained 
no less than 2014 of phosphoric acid and 85'34 of potash. 
A rote of thanks was unanimously offered to Professor Church for his 
interesting communication. 
The follo wing communications were received from Mr. C. B. Plowright 
Ustilaqo ox Dates— The three Dates sent herewith a"e affected with 
one of the black smuts described by Corda as Ustilago phoeuicis. The spore 
development commences in the interior of the fruit, and in such specimens 
as are found in commerce the parasitic fungus is usually confined to the 
intsrior. Such specimens are not rarely to be met with amongst Dates of an 
inferior quality; the better samples, which of course command a higher 
price in the market, may be sjarched in vain for ths fungus. The spores are 
globose and smooth, of a dark violet colour when seen by transmitted light. 
In masses they are dusky black. They measure about 4 or 5 mm. across. 
Ustil.aoo ox Figs. — Some further specimens of Ustilago Ficlum, Bchdt., 
are also sent. It will be seen that in this species also the spore development 
commences in the interior of the Fig. One rarely me ts with it in those better 
qualities of Figs which are sold in boxes, but in what are known in the trade 
as natural Figs, which are cheap Figs sent over to this country packed in mat¬ 
ting, affected specimens are by no means uncommon. When the spores are 
placed in water I found no signs of germination were evinced at the ordi¬ 
nary temoerature in winter ; but when the temperature was raised to 
60'’— y>° F. and over, they germinated in the same manner as the majority 
of Ustilago spores do—namely, by emitting a germ-tube into which the 
contents of the spore freely passed. These germ-tubes varied in length 
from 20 to 160 mm., with a diameter of from 4 to 5 mm. I was uoable to 
observe the development of secondary spo-es, for being unable to attend to 
my culture for forty-eight hours they became dried up and spoiled.— 
Charles B. Plowright. 
The following descriptions with specimens were [received from Mr. 
Wolley Dod : — 
Hybrid between Narcissus Bulbocodium var. nivalis and N. 
triandrus —In August, 1886, Mr. Tait, of Oporto, sent me three bulbs 
marked N. nivalis triandrus X , which are now in my greenhouse, all bearing 
similar flowers to the one I enclose. I send with it specimens of its sup¬ 
posed parents, and a typical flower of N. bulbocodium for comparison. Mr. 
Tait, in his “Notes on the Narcissi of Portugal,” tells us that he found 
thes; supposed hybrids in flower on the Gerez Mountains, in the north of 
Portugal, at an altitude of 3500 feet, between Afril 24th and May 17th. In 
1815 he found three specimens, and in 1885 four. In every case they wire 
growing where N. nivalis and N. triandrus grow together, and, as far as he 
knows, no other variety of Narcissus grows within several miles. The 
characters of the flowers seem n-arer to N. Bulbocodium than to N. triandrus, 
but are intermediate betwe n the two, and so is the colour. The flower 
differs from N. Bulbocodium chiefly in the following particulars :—In N. 
Bulbocodium—1. The conical outline of the tube is continued iu the same 
divergent straight lines a’ong the outline of the corona, past the point of 
juncture with it. 2. The divisions of ths perianth are never twisted, and 
their inclination or angle with the corona is always less than a right angle. 
8. The style, exclusive of the part within the tube, is always at least as long 
as the corona, sometimes twice as long, and is not (never) included within it. 
4. The filaments and the style are bent visibly upwards near the eni. It 
will be 8 en how the enclosed specimen of hybrid departs from the above 
characters, which are taken from comparison of more than fifty flowers, 
including six different varieties of N. Bulbocodium now flowering here. 
Narcissi from Portugal.— Iu a reply from Mr. A. W. Tait, acknow¬ 
ledging the Botauical Certificate awarded to him at the last meeting, he 
remarked upon the hardiness of N. cyclamineus, in that it flowered in the 
beginning of February, although the temperature fell to 25° F.; this being 
the severest winter he had experienced at Oporto. He further remarks that 
he has recognised several of Parkinson’s Bpec'es among the native ones of 
Portugal, e g , N. Johnstoni (exhibited at the last meeting), corresponding 
exactly with Parkinson’s N. juncifolius flore luteo reflexus (“ Paradisus,” 
j). 92). It is rare and local. 
Juniperus malformed BV Gtmnosporangicm. —A large specimen was 
received from Dr. W. S. Church, which was accepted for the Natural History 
Museum. The Hawthorn trees in the same garden where it grew have been 
always badly attacked by Rcestdia. 
Plants Exhibited.— Catasetum discolor, an old and often-figured species 
but rarely seen, was sent by Mr. F. W. Moore, of Glasnevin. 
ORCHIDS, Malformed.— Mr. Smee brought specimens. Referred to Mr. 
Ridley for examination and report. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
The Garden Calendar. By T. W. Sanders. London: Hamilton, 
Adams, & Co. 
“Nothing very striking in it,” will probably be the remark of many 
gardeners on first glancing through this well-finished, work. The obvious 
reply is, There cannot be anything to startle the experienced in the 
records of everyday work in gardens; but the “work” is, nevertheless, 
important. Even gardeners occasionally feel inconvenienced through 
fitful lapses of memory, and the best of them are no worse for a 
reminder, hence the calendars in the gardening press, that gardeners 
read, though they make no parade of doing so. The work under notice 
was not, however, mainly written to teach learned professionals, but to 
assist amateurs. An extract from the preface shows the object of the 
author and his grounds for producing the volume. 
“Calendars of gardening operations have been published almost from 
t : me immemorial, but as those once useful volumes are either out of print 
or obsolete, endeavour has been made to produce a work to meet the require¬ 
ments of the ever-increasing number of persons who delight in gardening 
at the present day. In a word, a modern work was wanted, and the author 
has been induced to prepare one. It is written to suit all classes of amateurs, 
in language as simple and as free from technicalities as is consistent with 
cleirne-s, and the matter generally is the embodiment of many yeart>’ 
experience in the practical pursuit of horticulture in various parts of the 
kingdom.” 
The plan of the work may be indicated by a few citations, and refer¬ 
ences to the subjects alluded to under the month of March. Here is 
the introduction :— 
“ Gladly will the new-born Spring be welcomed, for with it comes the 
delightful prospect of sunny days, and ths appearance of a host of Flora's 
choicest seasonable treasures, to dispel, as it were, the dullness of the past, 
and cheer by their bright enchanting presence the hearts of those who love 
their garden. Not only does the commencement of the vernal season 
furnish us with these new pleasures, but also forcibly reminds us of the 
approach of a busy period. Throughout the who'e of this month there will 
bs a great deal requiring close attention, both in the indoor and outdoor 
garden. The sowing of the vegetable seeds for future crops, of flower 
seeds for pit and outdoor culture, and the propagation of the many 
hundreds of bedding and other decorative plants, will afford active employ¬ 
ment; and demand the exercise of much care, skill, and judgment. In all 
that is undertaken in the garden do it well, for however simple the nature 
of the operation in hand the mere pains there is taken, and the greater the 
skill bestowed theron, the better will success be attained in growing excel¬ 
lent crops of fruit, flowers, and vegetables.” 
iUnder the heading of the “Vegetable Garden,” “seasonable 
vegetables ” are thus referred to. 
“ Outdoor vegetables are not generally plentiful during this month, 
hence recourse is had to forcing for supplying tne deficiency. There should 
still be some good heads of Broccoli, also Borecole, Celery, Jerusalem Arti¬ 
chokes, Coleworts, Savoys, and Cos Lettuce, and a similar variety of roots to 
those mentioned last mouth. The forced veg'tables may consist of 
Asparagus, Seakale, and Rhubarb, and salads of Mustard, Cress, seedling 
Lettuce, Radishes, Chicory, and Dandelion.” 
Then follow copious hints on the Preparation of the Soil, Seeds to be 
Sown, Planting, Mushroom Beds, and a paragraph of miscellaneous 
items. 
In the “ Fruit Garden ” section the remarks on fruit in use being :— 
“ The season is too far advanced to have anything like a good supply of 
Pears and Apples. Of the fo mer Bargamotte Esperen, Easter Beurrd, 
Beurre Ranee, anl March Bergamot are the only varieties available for 
dessert; and Sturmer Pippin, Cockle Pippin, and Nonpareil as dessert 
Apples, with Winter Pearmain, Hanwell Souring, Hambledon Deux Ans, 
and Norfolk Beefing for kitchen use. 
Paragraphs following on planting, pruning, grafting, See. 
We next come to the “ Flower Garden,” to which we are introduced 
by the following list of hardy plants in flower. 
“ Simultaneously with the appearance of spring, beds, borders, and 
rockeries begin to assume a gay and cheerful aspect. To enumerat; all the 
beautiful hardy plants in flower during this month would occupy more 
space than we can afford, hence only the creme de la creme of th se can be 
recorded here :—Androsaoes ciliata, carnea and Wulfeniana, Daphne 
Blagayana, Anemone falgens, Iberis sempervirens, Fritillarias Moggridgi 
and pallidiflora, Cyclamen Atkinsi, Crocus alatavicus, Galauthus E.wesi, 
Iris reticulata and stylosa, Bulbocodinm vernum, Primulas ciliata, 
cashmeriana, farinosa, glaucescens and integdfolia, Scilla bifolia, Ompha- 
lodes verna, Rubus arcticus, Saxifragas camposi (Wallichi) and sancta, 
Hepaticas angulosa and triloba, Narcissus corumn, Genista prtecox, Tu'ips, 
Hyacinths, Polyanthus, Daisies, Wallflowers, Silenes.” 
Instructions follow on pruning Roses, the management of florists’ 
flowers, and other seasonable “ items.” Work in vineries, orchard, and 
Peach houses, also the treatment of Cucumbers and Melons, are discussed 
over two pages ; that, in connection with the plant stove, greenhouse, 
conservatory, cold frames, and window plants, being given in a series of 
long and short paragraphs. As showing how fully current matters are 
dealt with, we find twenty-six paragraphs extending over fourteen pages 
for the month. The plan indicated is followed throughout the year. The 
work also contains in its 188 pages tables for sowing and planting, use¬ 
ful receipts and hints, a good illustrated chapter on propagation, and a 
copious index. Though the work is not faultless, the author has 
evidently bestowed great pains in its preparation, and the result is the 
most complete modern calendar of gardening operations with which we 
are acquainted. 
We have said the work is not faultless. The best writers are those 
who give the most information or convey the clearest ideas in the fewest 
well-chosen words. In several pages of the volume before us we find a 
redundancy of words. An example may be taken at random from page 
155, where we are told that “the planting of fruit trees may still be 
continued providing the condition of the weather be favourable thereto.” 
—a roundabout method of saying what half the number of words would 
express—“ Fruit trees may still be planted in favourable weather.” The 
difference of expression indicated may appear a small matter, but it em¬ 
bodies a great principle—nameljqwhether diffusiveness or precision should 
predominate in literary work. A prominent “ man of letters ” has recently 
decided strongly in favour of the latter, and in that decision we entirely 
concur. On the page preceding that quoted we find a singularly in¬ 
volved paragraph on pruning Peach trees. It is stated “ the great aim 
in the successful cultivation of these trees should be to give them proper 
attention during the season of growth.” Very true ; but the author 
adds : “ and not at a time when such is of little use.” Assuming the 
“ such ” refers to “ proper attention,” the difficulty arises of understand¬ 
ing how the attention can be “ proper ” when it is of “ little use.” On 
the other hand, if the “ season of growth ” is of “ little use ”—then 
I what ? 
In preparing another edition of what from a practical point of view 
I is a comprehensive an I good work of its kind, a little revision will be 
