DECEMBER. 
265 
This Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) Alberti was found in a cultivated state in 
Cuba, by M. Albert Wagner, and was by him sent to liis father, M. Wagner, 
of Leipsic, by whom the stock appears to have been transferred to M. 
Laurentius. It has altogether the habit of A. equestris, its peculiarity 
residing in its flowers, which are full double, consisting of from thirty to 
forty perianth segments or petals. They are described as measuring as 
much as 6 inches in diameter, and are of a bright orange red colour, be¬ 
coming yellowish towards the base of the segments. Another double- 
flowered Amaryllis, called fulgida, which has but two rows of petals, is 
altogether eclipsed by this beautiful and interesting novelty. 
M. 
ROOTS FROM VINE STEMS. 
It is written that “In the multitude of councillors there is wisdom;” 
so likewise from the multitude of opinions on this vexed question something 
like a reliable theory may be eliminated. I am inclined to the belief that 
the farther we diverge from the conclusion arrived at by Dr. Lindley, as set 
forth in his Theory of Horticulture, the wider shall we be of the mark. So 
far as my own experience goes, and it has been obtained under widely 
differing circumstances of climate and soil, I am decidedly of opinion that 
one of the primary causes which induce the emission of roots from Vine 
stems is the inequality of the temperature between the medium in which 
the roots and the branches are placed; and that this tendency is greatly 
increased or lessened by the condition of the soil of which the border is 
composed. The healthy action of the roots below the surface will certainly 
keep down the tendency to emit stem roots, unless the interior temperature 
is kept very high and very moist. If the soil of the border is not in a 
condition for the roots to permeate freely, or, if permeating freely, they do 
not find a sufficient amount of suitable food to meet the demand which 
is made upon them by the branches—which demand, be it observed, 
becomes greatly accelerated soon after the fruit is set—and the stem roots 
begin to be put forth, a strong connection is shown between poverty of 
supply and increased demand. This is a very natural consequence, for the 
young growth, feeling the want of more nourishment than the roots proper 
send up, strives by putting in action its dormant roots, which are situated 
at every joint, to feed upon the moist and genial atmosphere by which it 
is surrounded. 
Vines which grow more naturally, which are not forced, and to which, 
consequently, a very free ventilation is applied, rarely, if ever, send out stem 
roots; first, because there is no artificially heated atmosphere in the 
interior of the structure, and next, because the temperature of the internal 
and external atmosphere and that of the border are more nearly equalised, 
the consequence of which is, that there is a more simultaneous action 
between all those influences which bear upon the growth of the tree, 
whether for extension or perfecting the maturity of the fruit. Hence we 
may reasonably conclude that we are right in attributing unequal action 
between root and branch, as the first great moving cause of the tendency on 
the part of the Vine to emit roots from the stem; and closely following 
on its heels is a stagnant, over-heated atmosphere, highly charged with 
moisture. If it were possible to keep the interior atmosphere of the house 
always in motion, and constantly changing, we should hear nothing of stem 
roots. For example, as soon as we begin to apply a more liberal ventilation 
