96 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ APRIIa 
strongly uniting surfaces of polished steel, even when exposed to moisture :— 
Dissolve five or six bits of gum mastic, each the size of a large pea, in as much spirit of wine 
as will suffice to render it liquid. In another vessel dissolve in brandy as much isinglass, 
previously softened in water, as will make a two-ounce phial of strong glue, adding two small 
bits of gum ammoniac, which must be rubbed until dissolved. Then mix the whole with heat. 
Keep in a phial closely stopped. When it is to be used sot the phial in boiling water. 
- She Archimedean Lawn Mower is of an entirely novel construction, 
as the accompanying figure will show. The grass is, indeed, cut by revolving 
metal plates set in motion by 
a roller in the usual way, but the 
knife itself is of the form of the 
Archimedean screw, and revolves 
with great rapidity. There is no 
roller in front of the knife, but in 
front on each side is a flat iron 
sole or skid, upon which it slides 
smoothly along, and by adjusting 
which the height of the cutter is 
easily regulated. The grass, when 
cut, instead of being gathered up, 
is scattered over the ground as the 
machine passes along, and being 
cut in small particles, and evenly 
scattered on the groimd, it never 
looks untidy. This cut grass, 
moreover, serves as a mulch to 
protect the roots of the grass 
from heat or drought. The machine will cut wet grass equally as w’ell as dry, and, if requisite, 
• a much heavier sward may be cut than with other machines. Both at Battersea Park and at 
Chiswick it has met with high approval, and Mr. Barron reports it to be the quickest, most 
simple, and most efficient mower he has ever used. 
-- 10!^he fertilization and fructification of Enceplialartos Lehmanni have 
recently taken place under interesting circumstances in the nursery of M. Jean 
Versohaffelt, of Grhent. The fertile cones of this plant resemble in form and size 
a large Pine-apple. M. Verschaffelt recently imported from the Cape a number of trunks in a 
dormant state, and deprived of their leaves. When placed in heat some began to produce 
fronds, and others infloi'escence, male and female. The poUen from the stamen-bearing catkins 
was dusted over the female cones in the ordinary way, and the result was the production of 
numerous fertile seeds. 
- ^ROFESSOR Asa G-ray has recently pointed out that the name of 
Aquilegia truncatai^ that which by the law of priority belongs to the Californian 
species of Columbine cultivated in gardens under the names of A. eximia and A. 
californica. The earlier name is particularly characteristic, as the species is perfectly recog¬ 
nizable by its reflexed spreading sepals and truncate petals, these reduced to a spur, with 
hardly a vestige of lamina. 
©bttttars* 
- SMilliam S. Wilkie, Esq., died on February 18th, at his residence 
Whitefields, Phoenix Park, Dublin, in his 77th year. In his early days Mr. 
Wilkie was employed at Woburn Abbey, but during the last 35 years he 
filled the important post of Bailiff of Phoenix Park, and during the previous 17 years he was 
head-gardener to the Irish Secretaries who successively resided in the park. With refined 
taste he had also lubane manners, which endeared him to all who knew him, high and low. 
The Dublin Board of Works, and the horticultural public generally in Ireland, have lost in him 
a valuable officer. 
