SEPTEMBER. 
277 
and trouble; for the dung is in tolerably good order for spring hot¬ 
beds, after the Seakale is gathered. The only thing necessary is to be 
very particular in guarding against too much heat, keeping the tem¬ 
perature under the blanching pots as near to 55 degrees as may be, 
but never higher than 60. For this purpose, in November and 
December, according as you want your Seakale, prepare a sufficient 
quantity of fresh stable dung, to cover both the beds and alleys, from 
two to three feet high; in the quantity to be laid on the beds, a great 
deal must always be left to the judgment of the gardener, who will act 
according to the mildness or severity of the season. The dung should 
be closely pressed down between the blanching pots, placing trial 
sticks at proper intervals, which being examined occasionally will 
indicate the heat below. After the dung has remained four or five 
days, examine the pots. Worms often spring above the surface, and 
spoil the delicacy of the young shoots : the best remedy against these 
is to cover with dry coal ashes, sifted neither very small nor very 
large; salt also effectually destroys them, and will not injure the Sea¬ 
kale. The crop will be ready to gather in three weeks or a month 
from first applying the heat, but so much mischief ensues when this is 
violent, that I would advise every one to begin time enough, and force 
slowly, rather than quickly. It ia also necessary to cut the leaves off 
a fortnight or three weeks before they decay, from such plants as you 
intend to force very early. 
W. J. 
NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
July 22. —Mr. William Paul in the chair. The Censors made the 
following awards: A First-class Certificate was awarded to Messrs. A. 
Henderson & Co., Pine-apple Place, Edgeware Road, for Datura 
meteloides, a large white, slightly tinged with violet. First-class 
Certificate to Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, for Hollyhock In 
Memoriam, of first-rate form, large size and substance, colour crimson 
maroon. First-class Certificate to Hollyhock General Havelock, fine 
form, average size, good substance, ruby crimson ; from Messrs. Paul 
& Son, Cheshunt. Certificate of Merit to Hollyhock Sir William Peel, 
large, light rosy purple; from Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. Certi¬ 
ficate of Merit to Fuchsia Chancellor, fine form and habit, scarlet crimson 
tube and sepals, with violet purple corolla; from Mr. G. Smith, Tollington 
Nursery, Islington. Label of Commendation to Verbena Striata per- 
fecta, lavender striped with white ; a novelty as a striped flower ; from 
Mr. George Smith, Islington. Hollyhock Rose of Castille, from 
Messrs. Paul ; collection of Hollyhocks from Mr. W. R. Bragg; 
collection of Balsams from Messrs. F. & A. Smith—a splendid assort¬ 
ment, very fine, and varied in colour ; collection of variegated and 
handsome-foliaged plants from Messrs. A. Henderson & Co.; collection 
of Carnations and Picotees from Mr. C. Turner; Antirrhinums from 
Mr. Rogers, &c., &c., comprised the principal features of the meeting. 
August 5.—Mr. John Keynes in the chair. The following subjects 
