233 
THE FLORIST AND F0M0L0GIST. 
As to the bedding plants, they suffered so much from the daily rains, that 
by the middle of September the effect of the Scarlet Geraniums and yellow 
Calceolarias was gone. That grand old late bedding Calceolaria the lemon- 
coloured Amplexicaulis stood the rain better than any, and where used here 
the beds have been fine up to the present time. In a long range of seventy 
circular match beds, Ageratum mexicanum, edged with Tagetes signata pumila, 
has been very gay, and helped to brighten up all the other beds during the 
wet weather. The Tagetes requires careful selection from seed, as there is a 
tall variety, which spoils the dwarf sort in beds or edgings. Viola cornuta is 
another great acquisition, on account of its peculiar tint of colour and its 
standing wet weather so wel'. It is likely to produce different shades of colour 
from seeds, as I had a bateh of seedlings given me by a friend in June last, 
and one plant I have marked for propagation, the flower being nearly of as 
deep a blue as the Cliveden Blue Pansy. Amongst the new Verbenas, Thom¬ 
son’s Crimson King possesses an excellent habit, and stands the rain and sun 
well. A dwarf crimson bedding Calceolaria, named Sang’s Ambassador, is 
likewise a capital variety for small beds or ribbons, and seems to stand the 
weather well. • 
For fine effect in September and October I can recommend the following 
combination of colours for large beds—namely, the centre of Crystal Palace 
Dahlia, then a broad mass of purple Zelinda Dahlia, next a row of Amplexi¬ 
caulis Calceolaria, and a broad edging of Cineraria maritima. Four very large 
circular beds, planted here with the above plants, have been very good all 
through September, and are now at their best. 
In wet and unpropitious summers and autumns the fiue-foliaged bedding 
plants will always help to keep up the display in flower gardens to the*last. 
This wet autumn the too-bastily condemned Iresine has quite redeemed its 
character. With me the Coleus and Amaranthus eclipse it in summer; but 
now they are going out, and the Iresine seems to become finer and brighter in 
colour every day. In warm, dry summers the Iresine requires plenty of water 
and a rich soil, and when it is properly managed it will be found a great 
acquisition. 
One of my best beds of ornamental-foiiaged plants this season whs planted 
thus :*—Purple Orach and variegated Coltsfoot, plant for plant, with an edging 
of Golden Fleece Geranium. A few plants ©f Mangles’ Variegated Geranium 
were mixed -with the Coltsfoot;. The Orach has to be frequently stepped to 
keep it to the-desired height. To any one who would wish to try this eom* 
bination next summer, I can guarantee a new sensation in hardy fine-fbliaged 
bedding plants. 
Welbeck Gardens. t William Tillery. 
POTATOES. 
I hear great complaints about the Potato disease. I planted very early, 
and, up to this time, my man says he has not dug up forty bad tubers. He 
further says, according to his experience, that round Potatoes do not take tha 
disease so much as Kidneys, and that it is useless to dig them up before they 
are ripe with the view of escape. Some years ago lie dug up his Silver-skins 
early ; but though • no trace of disease could be seen, they all rotted within a 
month. He also says that he met Mr. Farquharson’s gardener at Gunville a 
few days ago, and he told him, out of three sacks dug up early this year, and 
without any appearance of disease, two sacks had rotted. I never dig before 
the Potatoes are ripe, because it spoils such ns escape the disease. They 
