343 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, September 6, 1859. 
America. There is one noble avenue of Palmistes, or Palms ; it 
is at least four hundred yards in length, and for extent and 
beauty is probably unequalled in any other part of the globe. 
The trees are remarkably regular on both sides, presenting few 
openings or chasms. The tallest are forty or fifty feet high, and 
have probably been growing where they now stand for nearly a 
century. The young trees, more recently planted, nearer the 
centre of the walk, cover the lower parts of the trunks of the 
Palms, and add greatly to the graceful beauty of the vista, along 
which the lines of lofty waving plumes extend. Almost every 
variety of the Palm species, or form of growth, is to be found in 
these gardens, and I was much struck with the graceful slender 
forms of some beautiful Arecas. There were also fine specimens 
of the Latania rubra, or fan-leaved Palm, and the singular leaved 
Caryota urens, the Rofia tree, the Traveller’s Tree, and Dombeya 
cuspidata, the last three from Madagascar, as were also many of 
the rare and curious plants in different parts of the grounds. 
There were some large trees of Adansonia, and Hibiscus with [ 
flowers of almost every hue, growing luxuriantly, and requiring 
scarcely any other care than to be kept within bounds by the 
pruning knife. With regard to the vegetation generally, not 
only iu the garden, but other parts of the island, I was often 
struck with the almost incredible strength and rapidity of growth 
in the shoots or branches of some kinds of trees, which frequently 
attained ten or twelve feet in length, besides producing smaller 
lateral branches, in a single season. Australian trees were not so 
numerous as might have been expected, and as I afterwards 
found them at the Cape ; though there was a tolerably well-grown 
Norfolk Island Piue growing in a conspicuous situation. Cinna¬ 
mons of almost every kind, Nutmegs and other spices, with the 
Camphor tree, Gum copal, India-rubber, Tanghinia, and other 
trees, were growing as freely as in their native forests. There 
were also some specimens of Teak from India, and Bread-fruit 
trees from the South Sea Islands. The genius of St. Pierre has 
rendered the whole of this neighbourhood a sort of classic region. 
The wreck of the “ St. Geran,” in 1745, took place on the ad¬ 
jacent coast. The neighbouring bay is called the Bay of Tombs, 
because it is supposed that on its shores Paul and Virginia were 
bulled. At Pamplemouses, in a small garden, are two brick and 
plaster pedestals supporting a couple of clay or coarse terra cotta 
urns, placed one on each side of a small oblong pond, and sur¬ 
rounded by light iron railings ; these are called the tombs of Paul 
and Virginia. Each of these memorials standing by the side of 
the w'ater, is shaded by a clump of Bamboos. When I went 
with Mr. Duncan to look at them, they appeared rather in a 
ruinous state, evidently modern, and entirely apocryphal. Never¬ 
theless, sixpence is required of every visitor who enters the gar¬ 
den to see them.—( Fllis’s Madagascar.) 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Autumn Catalogue of Dutch and Cape Flowering Bulbs by 
James Carter and Co., High Holborn, London. — Like all Messrs. 
Carter’s Catalogues this is something more than a mere enume¬ 
ration of names. Not only are there descriptions of the different | 
varieties, but each class is prefaced by copious and thoroughly 
practical instructions for their cultivation. 
A Catalogue of Flower Roots by Francis and Arthur Dickson 
aad Sons, 106, Fasigate Street, Chester, is a tastefully got-up 
and well-selected Catalogue, and contains everything that is 
worthy of cultivation in the class to which it refers. 
Descriptive Catalogue of Bulbs for 1859, by W. Cutbush and 
Son, the Nurseries, Mghgate. —A very good enumeration of 
flowering-bulbs. The description of the Hyacinths is very useful. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
White Buttercup {Miss Moby). —The plant you call the white Butter- 
| ip is Parnassia palustris. It is not a common plant, except in marshy 
, aces in mountainous districts. We are much obliged by your offer. 
1 Golden Hamburgh Grape [Son. G.S.B .).—You need have no mis- 
vings about the Golden Hamburgh Grape. All that has been said in 
.vour of it is correct. The green colour arises from its being either 
iadly or not sufficiently ripened; for when properly matured it assumes a 
due amber colour. 
Fungi among Ferns ( C. H .).—'The little “mushrooms” on the soil iu 
your Fernery will not injure the Ferns. Disturbing the surface daily with 
a rake will subdue them! Remove the dead fronds as they occur, cutting 
them off with a pair of scissors. 
Blighted Currants (Sap ).—There is something wrong at their roots. 
Probably they are planted too deep. Take them up carefully; replant 
them in fresh ground, spreading the roots out regularly at about six 
inches below the surface. Cover the surface with mulch throughout this 
winter and every summer, and water them thoroughly twice a-week in 
dry weather. 
Garden Designs ( A Young Gardener). — We cannot refer you to any 
other available work than the “ Flower Gardening for the Many,” pub¬ 
lished at our office. It contains six designs. 
Peach Trees (H. S. Watson). —You do not state how long the trees had 
been planted before you had them taken up and replanted; hut whether 
that, or \vhatever else may have been the cause, it is quite certain that the 
roots failed to supply the sap required to sustain the growth of the young 
shoots. Probably the border beneath the south-east wall became hotter 
and drier than the rest of the garden where the trees succeeded ; a good 
mulching over the surface might have prevented the mortality. Without 
seeing the trees and knowing full particulars no one can give a decided 
opinion as to the cause of failure. 
Angle of Greenhouse Roof (P. Parker ). — When plants are the sole 
object, we recommend Hartley’s Patent Glass; but where Vines are as 
much an object, and there are plenty of means of air giving, clear glass. 
There is much confusion as to the angle of a house, because different 
people calculate from different sides of the quadrant. For instance: place 
a quadrant by cither of its sides on a line representing the sloped roof of a 
house until the lead bob hangs in the middle of the are at 45°; then, what¬ 
ever the width of your house, your hack wall must just he equally high 
above the front-wall plate. In your case, to give you an angle of 45°, your 
front wall being seven feet six inches, your hack wall must just be thirteen 
feet higher than the front one. Calculating on our British plan an angle of 
30° would give a very steep roof,- and you would have to raise the hack wall 
ever so many more feet to secure it. In measuring or setting out an angle 
we use the side of the quadrant as a base next to 90°. On the Continent 
the 3ide next 5°, 10°, &c., is used ; so that what is 30° with us would he 
70° with them, and 30° with them would be 70° with us. Most likely it 
was on this calculation that the greenhouse was recommended to be of 30°. 
In general oases of vineries and greenhouses, where there is a similar 
amount of upright glass iu front, from 30° or 70° on to 45°, according as the 
angle was taken, would be a very good slope for the roof. For instance : 
if your hack wall were five feet higher than your front one, the sloping 
roof would be at an angle of about 70°, according to our mode, and 30” 
according to the continental mode; and the roof would he considerably 
steeper than a common garden frame. If there is nothing to prevent it 
we should recommend the back wall to he at least fifteen feet in height, 
and then there would he no danger of drip or water lodging in the laps. If 
one or two feet more, all the better : you will then be approaching twenty 
feet, which would give you an angle of 45”. 
Flue of Greenhouse ( Waterford) .—It will make little or no difference 
to the draught if the flue does go off at a right angle from the fire, espe¬ 
cially if the bottom of your fireplace is fully eighteen to twenty-four inches 
below the bottom of the flue. Your proposed flue sixteen inches by 
thirteen inches will be quite large and long enough for your house thirty 
feet long. We presume you mean brick ou edge, and not on a flat bed. 
We prefer hr.ck on edge for greenhouses, and brick on bed, or flat, for 
forcing-houses. The arrangements, so far as we can see, will answer 
perfectly. 
Various (M. F.). — If Ceanothus azureus is out against a wall, as is likely, 
you will get no good by layering. This would be a good time to layer the 
shoots of this season’s growth ; but unless you can keep the plant through 
l the winter from the frost, the young layers will most certainly die. The 
! treatment of Brugmansia arborea, in all respects, is jus,t the very same as 
the treatment of a good show Pelargonium—prune it close every year ; 
when it breaks shake all the soil from the roots, and begin afresh. Flower¬ 
ing shoots of both Pelargonium and Datura will root and bloom in 
small pots. 
POULTRY AND BEE-KEEPER’S CHRONICLE. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
September 22nd. Bridgnorth. Sec., Richard Taylor, Bridgnorth. 
October 5th. Weston-super-Mare. Sec., Mr. R. L. Jones, Weston-super- 
Mare. Entries close September 23rd. 
October 11th, 12th, and 13th. Worcestershire. Sec., Geo. Griffiths 
7, St. Swithin Street, Worcester. 
November 28th, 29th, and 30th, and December 1st. Birmingham. Sec. 
Mr. J. Morgan, Bingley Hall, Birmingham. 
N.B .—Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
CRYSTAL PALACE POULTRY SHOW. 
It is a grateful task to have to record continued success, when 
it is the result of straightforward and impartial efforts, backed 
by profitable experience; and it is rare to have to do with a Show 
entirely conducted by one person. This is, however, the case in 
the present instance. The conduct and success of this Show are 
the result of the energy and urbanity of Mr. Houghton, the 
Secretary. It must be as gratifying to him, as to amateurs at 
large, to see that entries and visitors increase at every recurring 
Exhibition. 
On this occasion, the wing devoted to the Exhibition was 
occupied by a double tier of pens on each side. The glass-roof 
throws down an admirable light, and the large open space 
enabled the thousands who thronged it to circulate with perfect 
comfort. The Show is, however, so well known, that we may 
waive any farther description, and proceed at once to notice the 
salient parts of the different classes. 
