MARCH. 
57 
CULTIVATION OF THE LOVE-APPLE IN THE OPEN 
AIR AT GORDON CASTLE. 
There has always been a difficulty in this northern climate to get the Love- 
Apple to ripen perfectly in the open air, except in very warm summers, although 
we have been able most seasons to get them fit for use by cutting off the bunches 
of fruit on the approach of frost, and hanging them up in heat for a short period. 
I have for some time entertained an idea that a good deal more could be done to 
overcome the shortness of our summers, and the consequent drawbacks connected 
with the ripening process, by hastening the plants forward while under glass, and 
forcing a crop of fruit to be set previous to planting out. With these objects in 
view, seed was sown and placed in a brisk bottom heat, about the middle of 
March, and the plants, when ready for pricking off, were put singly into small 
pots, and again put into heat, where they were allowed to become rather drawn 
and leggy, as well as being much pot-bound. At this stage they were drawn 
wider apart, in order to give more air round them, and get them somewhat stunted 
and ripened in growth. This being accomplished, and in the stage of beginning 
to open their flowers, they were taken out, and shifted into seven-inch pots in 
rich soil. They were now placed into a pit near the glass, and as soon as they 
exhibited signs of having taken to the fresh soil, air was admitted freely, and in a 
short time a fine crop of fruit was set, and swelling upon dwarf stocky plants. 
About the end of June, they were turned out at the bottom of a Peach wall, of 
southern aspect, and the first dish of large ripe fruit was gathered on the 19th of 
August. A quantity of mixed Capsicums, when about half-grown, was planted in 
the same manner, from which I gathered quantities of perfect ripened fruit to¬ 
wards the end of September. I may also mention that these successes were in a 
summer with the temperature below the average. So those who are short of 
room to grow these under glass, may find the above hints of some service. 
Gordon Castle. J. Webster. 
ANNUALS, AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 
There are few plants which so eminently reward the cultivator for his skill, 
time, and attention, as those which constitute the classes of tender, half-hardy, 
and hardy annuals. 
We, therefore, purpose to treat of these ; and will do so, firstly, of the section 
of Tender Annuals, selecting as models of culture the Balsam, Cockscomb, 
Globe Amaranth, Egg-Plant, Browallias, and leaving the numerous kinds of others 
which exist, to take their share in this system of culture. 
The Balsam, then, is a tender annual, from 1 to 2 feet high, with a succu¬ 
lent branchy stem, serrated leaves, and various-coloured flowers. It is a native of 
the East Indies and Japan, where, according to Thunberg, the natives use the 
juice, prepared with alum, for dyeing their nails red. Double flowers are princi¬ 
pally esteemed, especially such as are marked like flake and bizarre Carnations. 
The soil should be rich, but not quite equal to a Melon soil. At any period, 
between the 1st of March and the 1st of May, sow the seeds in a pot thinly, 
and place them as near to the glass as possible. When the plants are 5 inches 
high, transplant into single pots, 48’s, one plant in each pot. As they become 
rooted, shift them again and again, until they are in pots 8 inches or upwards 
in diameter, keeping them close to the glass in a hotbed. So treated, they will 
rise 5 feet in height, and 15 feet in circumference, furnished with branches, 
having fine double flowers. The culture of the Amaranthus, Celosia or Cocks¬ 
comb, Gomphrena or Globe Amaranth, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum or 
Ice-Plant, Solanum melongena or Egg-plant, will obtain similar results if simi¬ 
larly treated. I have myself cultivated the common Cockscomb to an immense 
size, acting under the advice of the late T. A. Knight, Esq. 
Knight, in October 1820, sent to the Horticultural Society a Cockscomb 
(Celosia cristata), the flower of which measured 18 inches in width, and 
7 inches in height, from the top of the stalk ; it was thick and full, and of a most 
