September 20, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
273 
- Trop^OLUM speoiosum. —Mr, Dankin (page 243) says that 
this Tropfeolutn is seldom seen in a thriving state in England. If he 
saw the magnificent display made by it in the gardens attached to South 
Stoneham House, near Southampton, and in that at Basing Park, near 
Alton, I think he would not look so despondingly on our English pro¬ 
duction of this charming perennial. In the former it not only grows 
luxuriantly planted in a shrubbery facing north, but it succeeds equally 
well in one with a southern aspect. Over the Laurels and up Thuja 
Lobbi it rambles 12 feet high, and is one mass of its glowing blossoms, and 
not one single root either, but enough to plant the eighth part of an acre. 
At Basing Park, besides climbing Irish Yews, Laurels, and such-like 
shrubs, this Tropaeolum is used with marked effect in the hardy fernery 
which faces the east. Rambling amongst the Ferns it clings about the 
fronds in an attractive manner, clustering about such Ferns as 
Athyrium Filix-foemina cristata. The soil in the fernery alluded to is 
of the ordinary character generally employed for Ferns, the subsoil 
being clay, thus affording not only a cool but a moist base also.—E. M. 
- Some New Bladdeeworts. —These plants, bo'anically called 
Utricularia, have been long known as curiosities in the vegetable king¬ 
dom, the whole under water growth being covered with small bladders, 
which it was supposed were provided for the plant in order to enable it 
to float. Some species, however, grow among sphagnum moss, out of 
water, and yet are as freely supplied with the bladder as those which 
grow in water, according to “ Meehan’s Monthly.” A few years ago an 
acute observer, Mrs. Mary Treat, of Vineland, N. J,, discovered that the 
bladders were really little traps by which the plant caught minute 
animalculfe, the plant being a lover of animal food. The species are 
difficult to determine botanically, and it requires something of a 
specialist in that line of study to define them properly. A German 
botanist. Prof F. Kamienski, generally receives the specimens collected 
on many of the exploring expeditions. He has recently issued a paper 
in “ Der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft,” January, 1894, in which 
he describes nine new species or marked varieties. These are from the 
most distant portions of the globe ; one from Madagascar, several from 
Africa, one from Australia, and two from Brazil. 
- Tomatoes in America. —Under favourable circumstances 
says an American contemporary, Tomatoes will grow from seed, and 
ripen fruit in twenty weeks. In colder climates the plants must be far 
enough advanced before setting them in the field to allow the short 
summer to ripen the Tomatoes. Experiments at the South Dakota 
station by Mr. L. C. Corbett indicate that stocky seedlings, care¬ 
ful transplanting, and clean culture are the important requirements 
for rapid growth and success. There was not sufficient gain to warrant 
the additional expense and trouble of sowing Tomato seeds before March, 
but for the bulk of the field crop they did not do well if started later 
than the middle of March. The crop was earlier from single-stem 
training, but the yield was thereby materially reduced. Seeds from 
green fruits gave larger Tomatoes and a greater weight of fruit per plant, 
than seeds from naturally ripened Tomatoes. Plants from cuttings were 
decidedly earlier and more productive during the early part of the season 
than normal or parent plants. The ripening of the fruit is retarded 
by pruning before getting in the field. Dwarf Champion, Early Ruby, 
and Early Advance were the varieties that proved the best. 
- Runner Beans at Reading. —When at the Reading flower 
show recently I agked permission to visit Messrs. Sutton & Sons’ seed farm, 
where there is a very extensive trial of Runner Beans. Chiefly inter¬ 
ested in two growing there I wag also not much less so in the wonder¬ 
fully fine forms of the Scarlet Runner section which the firm has. Thus 
of Sutton’s Prizewinner, Al, Sutton’s Scarlet, and others, there are 
some fifteen rows of each, showing all the various growers’ stocks. 
Beyond these there are all the best varieties other firms have, and in 
that way it is possible to get a true line as to quality and productive¬ 
ness. In spite of some harm from May frosts Runner Beans are 
wonderfully good everywhere, the crops being almost remarkable. Still 
there can be no doubt but that the Reading varieties have conduced to 
that result largely, for I found them everywhere. A new selection from 
a strain that produces wonderful pods ranging from 12 to 13 inches hag 
been made, and by-and-by we may expect to see Runner pods much 
straighter and handsomer, but equalling in length the longest of the 
Leviathan Longpod Beans. My special interest, however, rested with 
the climbing sports from Canadian Wonder growing side by side, 
Sutton’s Tender and True, certificated in 1891, and Veitch’s Climbing 
Runner. Not an atom of difference could be seen between them, 
whether in height or nature of leafage or pod. I saw Tender and True 
the other day at Eynsford, where Mr. Cannell has a large breadth of it. 
and there it was cropping splendidly. At Reading the Caseknife, a 
Fillbasket variety, was good, so also were the far too little grown and 
delicious Butter Beans.—A. D. 
LIFTING FLOWER GARDEN PLANTS. 
Various plants, as is well known, are taken up from beds and 
borders in the autumn and established in pots. IE lifted early enough 
some ofi these plants may serve a double purpose—namely, afford flowers 
in the winter and cuttings in the spring. 
Flowering Cannas are now at their best in many instances, but it 
would be a pity to let frosts cripple them before lifting. They can be 
taken up with a moderate amount of soil about the roots and placed in 
pots that will comfortably hold them. No serious check will be given, 
and they will brighten a greenhouse or conservatory throughout the 
winter months. Even some of the older varieties, with ornamental 
leaves only, would be of service in places where many conservatory and 
house plants are needed. Abutilons, again, can be lifted without the 
loss of many leaves, and the worked standards of A. vexillarium ought 
particularly to be taken good care of. All are useful for conservatory 
and house decoration, the same plants giving a good supply of cuttings 
next spring. Acalyphas are now bedded out in many gardens and in 
the open they colour grandly. Short, single-stemmed plants lifted before 
frosts loosen the leafstalks, placed in 6-inch pots and kept on shelves in 
a plant stove or other warm quarters, would most probably prove very 
serviceable for house decoration during the late autumn and winter 
months. 
Acacias and Grevilleas do not lift very well owing to their roots 
spreading out far and wide, but the attempt might be made, as large 
plants in pots are useful for certain purposes and positions. Dracaenas 
ought to have been kept in pots, more especially if wanted again next 
season. Plunging usually causes them to root into the surrounding soil, 
but the loss of these roots when the plants are lifted and stored does not 
injure them greatly. Fuchsias also fail to lift satisfactorily for con¬ 
tinuous flowering, especially when they are so full of young sappy growth 
as at present. Those plunged in pots should soon receive less water, 
enough only being given to keep the wood plump, and they ought also 
to be stored in light sheds, coach-houses and such like before frosts 
cripple them. They are not perfectly hardy, and when severe frosts are 
imminent during the winter all should be laid down closely together, 
and further protected with hay, straw, or other light protecting 
material. 
Bouvardias where they are bedded out will lift readily. Save only 
enough of the garden soil to prevent the leaves flagging seriously, as in 
pots it is liable to sour quickly. Use a fresh light loamy compost, place 
the plants in gentle heat and shade from bright sunshine. Marguerites 
have grown to a great size this season, but where they are not crowded 
and become drawn and weakly in consequence, some of them may be 
lifted and the display be prolonged in a conservatory. If early flowering 
Chrysanthemums would be more serviceable under glass than in the 
open, they may be lifted and placed in pots. They would certainly be 
safer in a greenhouse or conservatory than in the open. Dahlias are 
effective late autumn conservatory plants, but do not transplant readily. 
—Flower Gardener. 
THE NUTRITION OF ROOTS. 
I THINK it best that I should reply to Mr. Gilmour (page 218) by 
comparing notes, rather than going scientifically into the matter with 
one who tried so unscientifically to corner my predecessor, and is trying 
to corner myself by using information, that was applicable under the 
conditions for which it was intended, as evidence against me in trying 
to prove me wrong in another statement I made, which also was 
truthful. 
In correcting Mr. Gilmour, who stated that condensed and also that 
distilled water would contain no plant food of any kind, I stated that 
all elements that would volatilise at a higher and lower temperature 
than water might be found upon the glass. I repeated the same remarks 
on the distillation of water. What did this imply ? It implied that in 
the process of distillation elements and compounds which took more heat 
to volatilise them than water under normal conditions would, in the 
distillation of water, pass off, owing to various circumstances, at the 
temperature at which water volatilises. I need not go further into this, 
though there is enough matter in it for a book. 
What has Mr. Gilmour done? He has taken this to upset other 
information given under totally different circumstances. In one case I 
was showing what would pass off under certain circumstances under one 
condition, and in the other case I was explaining what would not pass 
off under other conditions. 
This is what I stated, “ I will ask your readers to believe that water 
which is brought up to the surface by (a) evaporation will contain a 
great deal of the organic and inorganic elements that are soluble, they 
will be held in solution until the (&) rarefied water reaches the surface, 
when the water becomes more rarefied (c) ; and (^) passing off it leaves 
all its solid organic and inorganic impurities upon or close to the surface 
of the soil. These being soluble they are carried down by the rain, 
the plant can and does appropriate this soluble matter whether it is 
passing in an upward or downward position. 
What was the term “solid impurities” used for? To teach 
Mr. Gilmour that those elements and compounds which were held in 
solution until the rarefied water passed off as vapour and deposited 
