94 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
consider tlie greatest enemy of this plant; it likes a tolerably cool and moist 
atmosphere, such as would be supposed to exist in a cold pit with a floor of 
ashes. I have kept them growing all the winter in such a place near London; 
but here, in North Worcestershire, I find it necessary to winter them in a green¬ 
house, although I consider that it is more owing to the dry bleakness than to 
the coldness of the air that they will not do in a cold pit. It is sometimes 
recommended to syringe the plants often, but as far as I have observed I can 
see no advantage in it; and I consider it better to maintain a little moisture in 
the air by keeping the floor damp. The syringe, however, may be beneficially 
employed now and then to wash off dust. 
As regards soil, I am aware that growers differ as to the best kind for the 
Cineraria. Some recommend old mortar to be mixed with the other ingredients; 
others bone dust, or powdered oyster shells, &c. All I can say is that these 
may be used safely, and perhaps advantageously, in small proportions. I have 
seldom, however, used any soil except a compost of two-thirds loam, and one 
of leaf mould, with sand enough to keep it open and porous. I consider this 
is all that is really needed in potting, but a little extra stimulus may be afforded 
as the pots are filled with roots, and then any kind of weak liquid manure may 
be given; but let it be rather weaker than for most other plants, and only 
given as a watering when the plants require it. Although the Cineraria 
requires a moist atmosphere, and a tolerably moist soil, still the plants are soon 
injured by being soddened; for this reason they should not be watered too 
often, nor allowed to become dry ; the drainage should also be perfect, and the 
pots kept clean. 
As to sorts, the best soon go out of fashion. I have grown what have 
been considered good sorts, but I have had equally good from seed. If the 
latter is depended on it will be necessary to save it from good sorts, and they 
will not fail to produce good kinds. Those, however, who prefer having named 
sorts may depend on the following, although there are very few new ones 
amongst them :—Amazon, white, with dark crimson edge; Brilliant, crimson 
self; Captain Schreiber, azure, blue self; Celestial, blue self; Eclipse, carmine 
self; Estelle, white, with purple belt; James Andrews, purple self; Meteor, 
crimson, with white ring; Minnie, rosy lilac edge, white, with purple disk; 
Optima, white, with broad blue edging; Pauline, white, edge deep blue; 
Queen Victoria, rosy crimson, large white ring, dark centre. 
F. Chitty. 
CULINARY APPLES. 
I have thought that it might be useful to some readers of the Florist and 
Pomologist were I to offer a list of those kinds of culinary Apples which we 
still retain. All are not equally good, but it is somewhat singular that 
several of the varieties should keep to so late a period, possibly the heat of 
last summer may have exercised considerable influence over them. They were 
stored away much in the usual way, confined to trellised shelves, with a little 
wheaten straw laid underneath, kept dark, and subjected to a moderate amount 
of air, with a temperature averaging from 40° to 48°. 
Cellini is still in a good state of preservation. Hambledon Deux Ans. This 
beautiful Apple remains crisp in the flesh and juicy. Mere de Menage , although 
it has lost some of its briskness, still remains in good condition. Striped Beefing 
one of our best late Apples, is now as firm and crisp in the flesh as when 
first gathered. Reinette du Canada still remains sound; flesh spongy; skin 
very much shrivelled. This Apple is highly spoken of, but there are very 
many varieties far superior in quality. The tree is liable to canker. Tower of 
