272 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, July 31, 1860. 
applying this pollen to the stigma is to cut off the flower whose 
pollen you are to use, then with a penknife cut off first the petals 
down as far as they are split, then you will only have the tubo of 
the flower to which the bottoms of the stamens are attached; 
then, with the point of the knife, single out one of the stamens 
with a ripe anther, keeping hold of it between the knife and your 
thumb, and in that position apply the anther backwards and 
forwards on the Btigma, when you will see the dusty pollen 
adhering each time to the stigmas, and then the work is done. 
It is always a good plan, however, to apply the pollen twice—say 
in the morning and afternoon ; or, after the interval of a day or 
two, with some flowers whose stigmas remain fresh for several 
days. Where a cross is difficult to be obtained, it is a good plan 
to use pollen from t wo or three flowers, and from ns many plants, 
if they are at hand; but the pollen plants must always be of the 
same kind.” 
In cross-breeding Geraniums, if you look at one of their 
flowers just opening, you will see the pistil all in one; a few 
hours after that it begins to divide at the point into five divisions ; 
and finally, each division rolls back so as nearly to embrace the 
style: in that state it is fit to receive the pollen for one, two, or 
three days, according to the state of the weather. When the 
pollen parent is scarce, take only one stamen, and dust all over 
the five turned parts their whole length, and the work is finished. 
When we have plenty of flowers wo pull one oft' for the pollen, 
cut away the petals, and apply all the anthers at once. Thus 
about eight or ten flowers can be crossed in one minute.—J. 
(To be continued.) 
TECOMA VELUTINA, BIGNONIA TWEEDIANA, 
AND TACSONIA IGNEA. 
I observed in a recent number of The Cottage Gardener a 
statement that the first-named plant, which is described as very 
beautiful, has never bloomed in England. I beg, however, to 
say, that it flowered in my conservatory last summer, and is 
assuredly a striking, showy thing. The blossoms were produced 
in a somewhat large panicle of a pyramidal form, their colour 
being deep rich golden yellow. I received my plant from the 
Horticultural Society, with another species, which I have lost. 
T. velutina was grown, when young, in a hot pit, but afterwards 
placed in the stand of a cool greenhouse, and subsequently on 
the bed of the conservatory, where the flowers were produced. It 
certainly received no particular care, and the foliage presented 
a somewhat starved appearance, which may account for its 
blooming. At present its state is very unsatisfactory, as the 
temperature of the conservatory was too low during the past 
severe winter, and the plant died down nearly to the ground. 
It is now shooting freely, but will not bloom this summer. 
When speaking of this order, I cannot help expressing my 
surprise that the gay Pignonia Tweediana is not more generally 
grown as a conservatory climber, as its brilliant golden flowers 
are very attractive when the plant has attained a blooming age. 
Has any one flowered Tacsonia ignea—a. species highly 
praised in print, but seldom heard of in a blooming condition ? 
I had for four or five years a very vigorous plant in my conser¬ 
vatory, which never produced a single flower. Is the species 
known ? and does it require, like the famed Bougainvillea, heat 
at its roots to bring it to a blooming state ?—A Devonian. 
EARLY POTATOES. 
Young gardeners are deeply indebted to you for your kind¬ 
ness in inviting them to make known their experiments, wants, 
disappointments, anxieties, and also their successes ; though these 
last are somewhat like angels’ visitations, “ few and very far 
between. But there is one gigantic drawback to their acceptance 
of the invitation. Young men are keenly sensitive of ridicule 
from their elders and superiors ; and many a good idea, many a 
fresh, bright thought, I believe, is lost from them by their 
thinking that what they are writing is well enough known, and 
that it will be read with a smile of pity at their ignorance by 
older and cleverer people. 
Iam rather “thinskinned” in this respect myself, notwith¬ 
standing I am writing that wliich will militate against the opinion 
of an acknowledged authority, the Rev. E. E. Manby, of early- 
Potato-growing celebrity. 
Early Potatoes, in the opon ground, aro with me (not having 
“ acres of glass, or regiments of gardeners ”), a crop of much im¬ 
portance. I have devoted some little attention to their culture, 
and have procured the best kinds,—local and otherwise. The 
Rev. E. E. Manby’s Lemon Kidneys , direct from Morecombe, 
amongst the number. 
This is their third season, and the result is, they are fully ten 
days later than the Ashleaf. In the Rev. Mr. Manby’s pamphlet 
“On the Cultivation of Early Potatoes,” page 5, he says, “They 
(Ashleafs ), have been tried here, and are found by no means 
equal to the Lemon Kidney, which is equal in production to tho 
Ashleaf earlier in forwardness, and far superior in flavour and 
quality.” With the exception of produce, the case is decidedly 
reversed. Whether the Ashleaf of our neighbourhood is a 
peculiar kind, I know not, but it certainly is the very earliest 
good Potato grown; but, I will give you some figures—those 
"facts, which arc indisputably stubborn things, to prove my 
opinion. 
I take this spring crop as an example. Ashleafs, planted April 
13th, first getting, June 17th; not good certainly, but we must 
consider the almost sunless spring and great quantity of rain. 
Juno 22nd, good, and ready to get every day. Lemon Kidneys, 
planted April 10th, first getting, June 17th. Oh! horrid, spit 
them out, something in appearance like a partially melted wax 
candle. Of course, these are worse from tho same cause as the 
others. July 2nd and 3rd, moderately good, but by no means 
first-rate. July 12th and onward there are few to equal them. For 
produce they are decidedly superior to the Ashleaf, and a most 
valuable acquisition ; but, ten days in forwardness is, to ono with 
a family to cater for, a great consideration. My remarks are 
called forth by a desire to vindicate the claims of the Ashleaf for 
earliness ; and I should like to induce gardeners generally to 
give us a few notes on the cultivation of early Potatoes. 
Oldbury Kidneys are great local favourites, but I never can 
get them as early as Ashleafs. What this new Llandsworth 
Kidney is, I cannot say, having not grown them yet. 
The seed was all sprouted in flat baskets in tho same place, 
and planted on the same south border, and the result is as I have 
described; not only in this season, but from different experi¬ 
ments on different kinds of lands the last three seasons.—N. H. 
Pownall, Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham. 
[Let no young gardener fear ridicule, at all events he will never 
receive it through these pages. Many a valuable fact and sug¬ 
gestion is lost in consequence of those to whom they first arise 
thinking they are not novel. No one should have this misgiving, 
and if the fact or suggestion is communicated to us, we will take 
care that a fitting use is made of it.— Eds. C. G.] 
CULTURE OE THE ROSE IN POTS. 
(Continued from page 256.) 
Summer Treatment. —A few lines on this part of my subject 
will, no doubt, be useful to young or new beginners. After tho 
plants have done blooming, cut off all the old flower-stems and 
give the plants a severe syringing. The plan I follow is, to lay 
the pot on one side on grass, and in that recumbent position 
I can effectually syringe the under side of every leaf without 
wetting the soil too much. This clears off all insects and dust 
on the lower surface. I then set them up and give a more gentle 
syringing on the upper side of the leaves. Then the pots may 
be taken to any open part of the garden and plunged up) to the 
rim of the pots. In this situation they should be regularly 
watered in dry weather, and no flowers should be allowed to 
bloom. Look after insects and keep them down by using the 
means I have already recommended ; also, keep all weods under 
| —let none appear in the pots. This treatment will keep them 
healthy and vigorous. Water, however, must be withheld 
towards the end of the summer to check autumn growth and 
ripen the wood. 
Winter Treatment. —This season has its trials for Roses in 
pots. All tender kinds should be removed and placed under 
shelter. Cold pits are the best, but give air every fine day to 
keep down damp. In very severe weather a covering of garden 
mats will be of service. Hardy kinds may remain in the bed, 
plunged till required for blooming in-doors or for forcing; but 
by all means shelter the roots from severe frost by a good cover¬ 
ing of horse-litter from the stable, at least two inches thick. 
This covering will keep out the frost, and will give the cultivator 
power to lift the pots in tho severest weather, should he wish to 
do so in order to bring them into the Rose-house to start them 
into growth. 
