08 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 22 . 
splendid condition, both as to bloom and foliage :—In the 
spring, small plants were shifted into six-inch pots, using one 
part fibrous peat, one part very rotten dung, partly dried, 
and without smell, ami an abundance of white sand, all 
well mixed, but not sifted. The pots were plunged in a 
sweet hotbed, were watered only when water was wanted, 
were at all times shaded from the broad glare of sunshine, 
occasionally dewed with the syringe just before the depart¬ 
ing rays of sun were lost in the west, at the same time 
closing the light. The appearance of the plants soon 
testified that such treatment was congenial to their nature. 
When the plants began to put forth their most singular 
blooms, they were removed to the greenhouse, and in a 
| temperature of 55° by day, and 45° by night, continued to 
i bloom until Christmas. A long rest followed, which seems 
; very essential, and when they began to make a move, they 
1 were shifted into twelve-inch pots, with the same kind of 
soil and treatment as before, lie very careful about Ike 
watering in all liberal shifts. This is the grand thing to be 
studied. There are more plants killed by over-watering 
than by any one thing besides. 
Propagation.— Nothing can he easier to propagate. The 
same means used for striking the Fuchsia will do for this 
plant.. A pot well drained and filled up with rich, sandy 
soil, the cuttings inserted in the ordinary way, covered with 
a bell-glass, and a slight bottom-heat, is all that will be 
required. 
I mean to try a few plants out in the open borders this 
summer, and if this plant can be brought to thrive and 
bloom well in the open air, nothing that we have in the 
bedding way would equal it for effect. —W. II. Mould, West 
Everleiyh, Wilts. 
Gala'nthus plica'tus, or Plaited-leaved Snowdrop, the specific 
name alluding to the leaves being folded or plailed, some¬ 
what after the manner of a shirt-frill. In the common 
Snowdrop ( G. nivalis) the leaves are smooth and flat. 
Coloured drawings and descriptions of (!. ; ■plicatus , will be 
found in the Botanical Magazine, t. 2102, and in the Boh i- 
' nical Begister, t. 545. 
The bulbs and leaves are larger than those of the common 
Snowdrop, and its flower-stalk is also stouter, and its llowers 
larger, than those of the common species; we do not think 
it, however, so showy, the green colour on the petals ren¬ 
dering its flowers less conspicuous. 
The interest now aroused towards this flower is occasioned 
by its being found in abundance in the neighbourhood of 
our camp in the Crimea. It there well illustrated its just 
claim to he esteemed the emblem of Consolation. It came 
forth early in the spring an assurance, which never 
deceives, that the severity of the winter and its horrors 
were passed. “ It has been deemed the emblem of Con¬ 
solation, says Withering, because, by its earliest revival from 
| the death-like repose of winter, it cheers mortal man with the 
J assurance of reaniination.” It is, therefore, a fitting plant 
j also for the graves of those who rest from their labours on 
the battle-fields of the Crimea; and it is equally fitting to 
have its form carved on the marble memorials raised in this 
country in remembrance of those warriors. 
ON THE FORMATION OE VINE-BORDERS. 
By G. Fleming, C.M.H.S., 
I Gardener to the Duke of Sutherland, F.H.S., at Trentham. 
TIIE CRIMEAN SNOWDROP. 
This is not a plant newly -known, for it .was carried, in 
lo!) 2 , to Constantinople, from one of its native, places, the 
Caucasus, and is mentioned by Clusius, Pallas, and other 
eaily botanists. In their science it is known as the 
Knowing the great disappointment which has been expe¬ 
rienced in forming Vine-borders for early forcing, I beg to 
give a plan and description of one which I have found to 
answer admirably, hoping that it may prove interesting and 
serviceable to some of your readers. 
I shall begin by premising that, in order to secure a good 
crop of well-coloured, highly-flavoured Grapes in the latter 
end of February and the month of March, it is necessary to 
have the Vines thoroughly established in a border contain¬ 
ing a substantial but not over rich soil, and which is placed 
under perfect controul as regards heat and moisture, a con- 
troul absolutely indispensable to ensure success. 
It will be scarcely necessary to enforce the truth of this 
assumption by argument, as it is unreasonable to expect that 
a healthy co-operation will go on between the roots and | 
branches if the former are confined in a border exposed to i 
the cold and w'et of our winter months, and the latter sur- J 
rounded by the warm, moist atmosphere of a forcing-house. 
In order to secure a proper amount of warmth in the soil, i 
and to prevent an excess of moisture in cold situations, nil 
communication with the subsoil should be cut oil', the surface j 
should be protected from rain and snow by some covering 
which may bo easily and speedily removed, and the neces¬ 
sary amount of heat should be supplied from beneath. This 
is much more effectual as well ns more economical than 
when it is applied to the surface : in this ease, heat having 
a natural tendency to ascend, it rises into the soil, and 
distributes itself amongst the roots; in the other, a great 
portion of it escapes into the atmosphere and is lost. 
It will be my endeavour to show that, by borders con¬ 
structed on the following plan, this is quite practicable, and 
1 also teel convinced that it is comparatively inexpensive, as 
the material employed to produce the heat, is nothing more 
than fermenting manure, which, with the same end in view, 
is frequently laid on the surface, where it is objectionable in 
well-kept places on account of its unsightliness. I 'am I 
aware that the expense of forming a Vine-border on this ' 
plan is large; hut as all difficulties connected with a bad 
subsoil, and many others which a gardener has frequently, 
to contend with, are entirely removed, and as he has a per- I 
feet control over circumstances, instead of having his endea- ! 
voui-s constantly thwarted by them, he, with proper skill, is i 
certain of sucess, which will amply repay the first outlay. 
Soil varies so much in different localities, that it is almost ! 
superfluous to mention what I find to answer best for early 
forcing; but I am firmly of opinion that it should not be too j 
rich for this purpose. The soil used in making the border j 
