1S71.] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
263 
frost, and thus they save the crop. Glass copings will have this advantage over 
the opaque ones hitherto generally used, that they will not offer any obstruction 
to the light rays, but will suffer them to pass through to vivify the opening 
blossoms and to quicken the incipient leaves and fruit. The same kind of coping 
only 6 ft. or 8 ft. wide is recommended as a roof for verandahs, and may be 
found suitable when the obstruction of light by a dark roof is not desirable.— 
T. M. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
® HE International Fruit Show held at Kensington on the 4th ult. was the 
finest display of fruit seen in the metropolis since the Fruit Show of 1862. 
f MM. Baltet, of Troyes, who showed a collection of Pears which was 
wonderful for its extent and beauty, carried off the gold medal for Pears ; 
that for Apples falling to Mr. William Paul, of Waltham Cross, and that for Grapes to Messrs. 
Lane and Son, of Great Berkhamstead, whose sample of British grape-growing was magnificent, 
especially some clusters of Muscat of Alexandria, which were perhaps the finest and most 
perfect ever shown. These grapes are grown close to, and almost on a level, with a spring of 
perpetually-running water, which must necessarily percolate amongst their roots, a fact which 
is suggestive that grapes may sometimes be caused to shank off, by getting too little, instead 
of too much water at the root. 
- have found the new insecticide, called Phytosmegma , to be effectual 
against thrips, red-spider, and scale, provided the plants get a thorough dressing. 
Mealy-bug, though not so easily killed, has much of the mealy matter which pro¬ 
tects the insects cleared away by a first dose, so that a second dressing kills them. This 
novel preparation is cleanly, aud can be applied with great facility, by means of the vaporiser, 
to any affected part. 
--- Another instance of Variegation Induced by Grafting has been noted 
in the nursery of Mr. W. Paul, at Waltham Cross. The variegated variety of the 
Castanea vesca had been grafted, standard high, on an ordinary green-leaved 
Chestnut stock; the graft took, but from some cause or other afterwards died off, and sub¬ 
sequently a young shoot, with well-marked variegation on its leaves, broke out from near the 
base of the stem. The variegation is of a creamy white colour and marginal. 
-- Messrs. Dick Radclyffe and Co. have introduced Medicated Grape- 
Bags , made of several sizes, the material employed being sufficiently strong, and 
open enough in the mesh to admit of a free circulation of air, without admitting 
insects. They arc dipped in boiled oil as a preservative. The means of fastening them at 
the neck by a simple catch of indiarubber is very efficient. 
- fUK. Scaling, the author of a pamphlet on Willow Culture , specially 
recommends the Bitter Willows for Game Coverts and Hedges. Salix monandra 
is noted as a strong grower, suitable for coverts, but not of much use for 
basket work. S. Forbyana is equally suited to form a covert; and S. Kcrlcsii, which is nearly 
as vigorous as the others, and more secure against the attacks of game or cattle, on account of 
more intense bitterness, is also a really good basket willow. . 
- very pretty novelty, in the shape of a greenhouse Fern, which is 
to bear the name of Pteris serrulata fimbriata , has been raised by Mr. Chambers. 
It appears to be of rather dwarf habit, and the pinnae terminate in large multi- 
fidly-crested apices, the peculiarity of which is that they are split at tho extremity into 
numerous very narrow but irregular divisions, which, from their tenuity and unequal length, 
