October 25, 1894. 
JOUR2^AL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
385 
- “Botanical Magazine.” —The “Botanical Magazine” for 
the current month contains the subjects mentioned in the following 
five paragraphs, with accompanying notes and illustrations. 
- Uraeia crinita (Leguminosje). —This is one of a genus 
numbering some ten species. It extends over India, Burmah, China, 
and the Asiatic Archipelago. It is a shrubby plant, sending up annual 
herbaceous branches and spikes of pink purple flowers. The leaves are 
markedly reticulated on the under side, and the plant generally 
covered with hooked hairs, except on the leaflets and perianth. 
- Senecio laxifolius (Composite),— This is a native of the 
Southern Island of New Zealand, and is so nearly related to S. Greyi of 
the Northern Island as to be accounted its representative. It differs 
chiefly in its glandular involucres and almost smooth achenes. The 
flowers are golden yellow in loose but erect panicles, and the branches 
are clothed with a thick tomentum. 
- Iris atropurpurea (Iride.®). — One of the sub-genus 
Onocyclus, a native of Asia Minor and Palestine. The flower is of a 
dark purple colour, and the outer segments of the perianth are dis¬ 
tinguished by a velvety cushion of hairs spread all over the claw. 
- Trichocentrum tigrinum (ORCHIDE.E). —This is one of 
twenty-four species of the genus, and was discovered by Mr. Pfau in 
Central America a quarter of a century ago. The leaves are dull green 
speckled with red, and very leathery in texture. The peduncles are 
long and flexuous, bearing dull red membraneous bracts. The sepals 
and petals are yellow sprinkled with red, and the lip white streaked 
with rose towards the base. 
- Impatiens auricoma (BALSAMINEA3 ). —A perennial Balsam, 
coming from the Comoro Islands to the north of Madagascar. It is a 
handsome plant, the leaves being half a foot in length, with short red 
bristles. The flowers are almost an inch long, golden yellow, and 
streaked with red inside. 
- Spring—Summer—Winter. —On October 17th, in a wood on 
the borders of Essex, I saw many fine plants of Primroses with 
numbers of fully developed flowers ; a very large bunch could have 
been gathered—spring. A little further, on a sunny bank, I gathered a 
dozen or so of ripe and delicious wild Strawberries—summer. Close 
by the first woodcock of the season was flushed — winter. — 
W. K. Raillem. 
I 
-Bournemouth Gardeners’ Association. — Technical 
instruction in horticulture is taken advantage of in the Bournemouth 
district. By arrangement with the Director of Technical Instruction 
for Hants C.C, and the above Association Mr. D. T. Fish, F.R.H.S., gave 
two lectures on Diseases of Fruit Trees in the Tregonwell Assembly 
Rooms, Bournemouth, on the 2ad and 16th inst. At both lectures 
Dr. Hitchcock, President of the Association, occupied the chair, and 
there was a good attendance of members and others, as on such occasions 
the lectures are open to the general public. The first lecture was 
principally devoted to the causes of various diseases in fruit trees, and 
the second to its prevention and cure. The tap root came in for a strong 
share of condemnation, and also the immoderate use of the pruning 
knife. Cut off the tap root and put the pruning knife in your pocket, 
was given with such force and energy that left no doubt in the mind of 
those who heard of it of what was meant by it. And, as if in contra¬ 
diction to his statement, a pruning knife was presented to one of the 
members for staging a collection of Apples. The Chairman, in present¬ 
ing it, said that he felt a difficulty, in the face of such remarks and in 
the presence of Mr. Fish, in asking the member’s acceptance of the 
pruning knife, but he did it on one condition—viz , that he only used 
it to cut off the tap root. Much valuable information was given as to 
the various causes and cure of diseases, and in addition to his own 
practical experience, quoting the authority of other well-known horti¬ 
culturists. At the close of the lectures hearty votes of thanks were 
accorded to Mr. Fish, and also to Dr. Hitchcock. Some excellent 
exhibits were staged at both lectures, which included a fine basket of 
ripe Strawberries from the open ground (third crop), also Strawberries 
in pots, two bunches black Grapes (perfect in finish), a collection of 
fifteen dishes of Apples, and a collection of vegetables by Mr. J. Kettlee, 
Pears and Apples and Ailsa Craig Onions by Mr. Chaffey, Pears and 
Apples by Mr. G. Ridout, Apples by Mr. W. Cripps, Apples by Mr. 
C. W. H. Greaves, Pears and Apples by Dr. Hitchcock, seedling 
Nectarines by Mr. H, Elliott, Stourvale Nurseries, Christchurch ; and 
Celosias by Mr. J. B. Stevenson. 
-Messrs. Laing & Mather.—W e are requested to state that 
Messrs. Laing & Mather, Kelso, have had the distinguished honour of 
being, by sealed warrant, appointed seed merchants and nurserymen to 
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. 
- Euonymus europ.(EU3. —This shrub bore a very heavy crop 
of fruit two years since in many parts of the kingdom, last year I 
noticed very few, and this year I have not seen any fruit on it ; it 
would be interesting to know if the failure is general this season, and if 
the plants flowered this spring.—W. H. Divers, Belvoir Castle 
Gardens, Grantham, 
- Polyglot Dictionary of Botanical Terms —Many per¬ 
sons who are in the habit of consulting foreign catalogues frequently 
find themselves perplexed as to the exact meaning of certain words, 
although the general meaning of the context is sufficiently clear. In 
assisting them in such difficulties they will find very useful a dictionary 
in six languages, compiled by Herr Jongkindt Coninck of Amsterdam, 
and which can be obtained in London at Nilsson’s book mart. 
- The Natural History of Plants.—T his publication of 
Messrs. Blackie & Co. has now reached the sixth number. We have 
already spoken highly of the scope and execution of this work, and the 
latest number serves but to confirm the expectations we have enter¬ 
tained of it. The contents of the present volume relate almost wholly 
to the consideration of the leaf in its various aspects in vegetation, such 
as cotyledon, scale leaves, foliage leaves, and floral leaves, and towards 
the close the question of the stem is entered upon. 
- Holly Berries.—I f abundance of berries presages a severe 
winter—as we are sometimes told—I fear we are liable to something 
extraordinary this season. I never remember seeing Holly berries so 
numerous before, and Cratfegus pyracantha is also bearing a full crop. 
I have no faith in the above prophecy, however, and consider this 
unusual fruitfulness to be due to the well ripened wood of 1893, which 
also caused an enormous wealth of flower on Portugal Laurel, White¬ 
thorn, Olearia Haasti, 0. dentata, and one might almost add, flowering 
shrubs in general.— W. H. Divers. 
- Weather in the Isle of Wight. — Mr. C. Orchard, 
Bembridge, writes :—“ The first frost of the season to affect vegetation 
occurred here on Wednesday morning, October 17th, when we had 
about 5°, cutting up Vegetable Marrows, Beans, and other tender 
vegetables ; and blackening Dahlias and other delicate occupants of 
the flower garden. Up to that time we had enjoyed a month’s fine 
dry weather, which was of great benefit to all the crops generally. 
The flower gardens especially have been more gay than at any time 
during this season.” 
-Woolton Gardeners’ Mutual Improvement Society.— 
The second meeting of the session was held in the Mechanics’ Institute 
on Thursday evening in last week, the subject being “ Pruning.” Mr. 
R. Todd, gardener to Holbrook Gaskell, Esq., Woolton Wood, took the 
“Extension,” and Mr, R. G. Waterman the “Restriction” side of the 
question. As may be imagined, there was a great deal of discussion, 
Mr. Todd maintained that the extension system was best for Apples, 
Pears, Red and White Currants; Mr. Waterman and the majority of 
the speakers declaring for restriction. There will be a balance of about 
£10 from the recent exhibition.—R. P. R. 
- Blendworth Perfection Cucumber—Clerical Errors. 
—Mr. J. Busby wrote to us last week, pointing out a mistake in 
publishing his name and that of his Cucumber. We indicated that 
such accidents were liable to arise in consequence of the illegibility of 
the writing on cards attached to exhibits. That names have been often 
very obscurely written by the officiating clerks at the Westminster Drill 
Hall meetings is well known to all Press reporters: but in this parti¬ 
cular case the entry in the official book was quite clear, and if all the 
cards were equally so no one would have cause to complain. The 
Cucumber is there entered as “ Buxley’s Seedling,” and was so placed 
before the Fruit Committee, copied from Mr. Busby’s first letter on the 
subject, BO that he does not appear to have written in “ copper plate.” 
In this respect he is not singular, as not a few of the best gardeners and 
greatest scholars do not write their names as plain as a pikestaff. Un¬ 
doubtedly, however, it is desirable the writing on cards attached to 
exhibits at shows should be as clear as possible, both for the convenience 
of visitors and accuracy in publication. At the meeting held on 
Tuesday last several of the cards were both illegible and incomplete. 
