210 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ September, 
- ®HE old shrubby Mimulus {Diplacus) glutinosus^ well-grown, is a fine 
plant for conservatory or greenhouse decoration. We recently saw, at the Birming¬ 
ham Botanic Garden, some dense bushes, 3 ft. through or more, which were literally 
masses of flower. The plants had received nothing beyond ordinary greenhouse treatment, 
and were turned out-of-doors with other greenhouse plants as early as possible in the summer, 
being again brought into the positions required when they reached the flowering stage. The Rev. 
H. N. Ellacombe, of Bitton, states that with him this plant is as hardy as a Fuchsia— i.e., it dies 
down in the winter and comes up strongly in the spring; plants that have certainly stood out 
more than ten years have this season flowered well. “ I am sure,” he adds, “ that there are 
many plants of the same sort that would do very well treated in this way— i.e., as herbaceous 
plants. Datura sanguinea is now in flower; it has stood out a dozen or fifteen years; it 
dies down every winter, and comes up early, and does not seem to be affected by the spring 
frosts ; treated in this way the flowers and foliage are far finer than usually seen in green¬ 
houses.” 
- ^HE Ilolli/hock Disease^ produced by the attacks of Piiccinia malvacea- 
Tum^ bas, it appears, been successfully grappled with by Messrs. Downie and Co., 
of Forest Hill Nursery, by alternate applications of Gishurst Compound and 
flowers of sulphur. The Gishurst was first applied at the strength of a shilling box to 12 
gallons of water, followed the next day or so by a good syringing, and subsequent application 
of sulphur, through one of Pooley’s distributors. These two distinct operations were per¬ 
formed twice a week, the Gishurst being gradually increased in strength to a three-shilling box 
to 12 gallons of water, which is a very strong dose, and perhaps more powerful than is necessary. 
In this way a cure was effected, and the plants are now clean and free from the disease, and 
growing away well, considering the heat and absence of rain. 
- find, in the Eevue Horticole^ the following notes on the Duration 
of the Germinating Power of Seeds. The figures indicate the number of years in 
each case, in which the seeds may be depended upon as preserving their vitalit}’- 
or power of growth, although in most cases they must not be considered a minimum of limi¬ 
tation. They represent the periods of time after which the various seeds mentioned have 
been found perfectly good, and may be of some use as a guide to those who are uncertain 
whether to throw away or sow old packets of seeds :— 
Artichoke (globe), 5. 
Asparagus, 4. 
Basil, 6. 
Beans (garden), 6. 
Beans (French) 2 to 3. 
Beet, 5. 
Burnet, 2. 
Cabbage, 5. 
Cardoon, 7. 
Carrot, 4. 
Cauliflower, 5. 
Celery, 7. 
Chervil, 2. 
Chicory, 8. 
Corn Salad, 4. 
Cress (garden), 5. 
Cress (water), 4. 
Cucumber, 5. 
Dandelion, 1. 
Egg Plant, 7. 
Endive, 8. 
Fennel, 6. 
Gourd, 5. 
Leek, 2. 
Lettuce, 5. 
Maize, 2. 
Melon, 5. 
Mustard, 5. 
Nasturtium, 5. 
Onion, 2 to 3. 
Onion (Welsh), 2. 
Orach, 1. 
Parsnip, 1. 
Parsley, 3. 
Peas, 4 to 5. 
Pepper (long), 4. 
Potato, 4. 
Purslane, 8. 
Radish, 5. 
Rampion, 5. 
Rhubarb, 3. 
Salsify, 2. 
Savory, 3. 
Scorzonera, 2. 
Sorrel, 2. 
Spinach, 5. 
Spinach (New Zea¬ 
land), 5. 
Strawberry, 8. 
Thyme, 2 to 3. 
Tomato, 5. 
Turnip, 5. 
- ®HE Mare'chal Niel Pose is so chary of producing its lovely blossoms, 
except under the conditions of vigorous growth, that any device which can be 
generally adopted to insure this vigour may be welcomed. Mr. Dunn has effected 
this at Dalkeith, by budding the plants low on seedling Briers. 
- ®HE beautiful Orchis maculata is, it appears, amenable to forcing like 
the Hyacinth. Messrs. Cocker and Sons, of Aberdeen, obtain annually fair-sized 
samples of its tuberous roots from Holland; they are potted as soon as they 
arrive, generally about New Year’s Day, and when potted, are put under the stage of a cool 
greenhouse, where they remain until growth commences, the subsequent treatment being in 
all respects the same as for Hyacinths. In this way, the Gardeners* Chronicle tells us, they 
grow and flower quite freely. 
