1874. ] 
GAEDEN GOSSIP. 
187 
winged seeds at the base of each, and the two outer much smaller. In the other species of 
Libocedrus the two central consolidated scales are wanting, or very much reduced. On these 
and other ground^ he erects it into a separate genus, and names it Heyderia decurrens, in 
honour of a German horticulturist. Koch also considers the habit and the characters afforded 
by the leaves to be of importance. We doubt, says the Gardeners' Chronicle, whether this change 
will meet with general acceptance, the distinctive characters of the new genus being too slender, 
though we are bound to say that it is perhaps as distinct as some other genera of this family, 
commonly recognised as such. The peltate stamens are said by Koch to be three-celled, but 
they are usually four-celled, as in most of the Cupressineao. 
-3In Smeaton and Oo.’s combined Heating and Fire-Extinguishing 
Apparatus^ wbicb bas recently been patented, tbe apparatus intended for heating 
purposes seems to be very usefully turned to account in other ways. Thus, by 
means of certain combinations, supplies of hot and cold water can be brought into operation 
simultaneously, and rendered available for the extinction of fire, a larger quantity of water 
being thus obtained, and with greater certainty in case of sudden emergency, than by any of the 
arrangements hitherto in use. This is effected by means of hot and cold water reservoirs, and a 
properly regulated system of main-pipes, valves, and hydrants. In some cases, such chemical 
substances as are capable when brought into a gaseous or vapourised state of extinguishing 
fire may be placed in the hot-water reservoir, and thus most usefully employed; but even 
when such substances are not so employed, the steam and vapour resulting from the use of 
heated water materially assist in the effectual working of the apparatus, which is applicable 
to every description of building, and can be readily added and adapted to apparatus already 
erected for the supply of hot and cold water. 
- 3In the Anthurium Scherzerianum Williamsii we have a fine companion 
plant to the bright scarlet-spathed type, which is now so well-known and so 
highly appreciated. When first introduced, this plant, as to size and colour, was 
very inferior to what it has subsequently become, under the fostering care of our cultivators. 
The white-bracted variety which was shown at a recent meeting of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, Mr. Williams, of Holloway, is perfectly distinct, and though not equalling in size 
what the scarlet bracted form has become, it was sufldciently developed to show what a fine 
plant it will become. The leaf and habit are quite the same, but the spathe is pure white, 
and the spadix clear yellow. The same plant appears to be grown in some establishments as 
A. Scherzerianum album. 
- JTew private gardeners, probably, have heard of Edmund's Surprise 
Broccoli., though it seems to be exceedingly popular for market purposes, as it is 
undoubtedly one of the finest and most compact kinds in cultivation. It appears 
to possess all the peculiar protecting qualities of the old Knight’s Protecting, as the head, 
even after it has attained a great size, is still covered with leaves, whilst when as big as the 
mouth of a bucket it is still solid and firm, and as white as can be desired. The true stock of this 
variety is, no doubt, in the hands of a limited circle of growers. One grower from the dis¬ 
trict of the Medway in Kent is reported to have sent about 1,000 dozens of heads into the 
London markets on each week-day for nearly four weeks, and but for the extremely forcing 
weather of April the cutting would have lasted for a longer period. 
- ®HE French System of Keeping Grapes in bottles of water after being 
cut from the Vine, instead of allowing them to hang through the winter, has now 
become quite popular ; but an improvement has been adopted by Mr. Wildsmith, 
of Heckfield, which consists in leaving the entire length of wood beyond the bunch, instead of 
cutting it off just above, when cutting the Grapes for bottling. The advantages which result 
are that the stalks of the bunch are kept green and firm for a much longer period, and the berries 
remain plumper. The water absorbed by the wood, instead of being carried into the fruit, 
to the detriment of its flavour, is diverted into the branch beyond, and, as there is no fresh- 
made cut in the wood, there is not the slightest amount of bleeding. 
- ^NDEE the name of the British Pteridological Society., a number of 
amateurs, who are Fern-fanciers, have agreed to found a society whose principal 
object will be to secure a “ more correct classification and nomenclature of British 
R 2 
