1S72.] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
47 
also. This was one of the earliest to bloom in a collection of seedlings of great 
value in the hands of Mr. Little, who has probably the finest and choicest collec¬ 
tion of Cyclamens in the United Kingdom. Messrs. Standish and Co., Royal 
Nursery, Ascot, exhibited in a collection of nine hardy evergreens of the Yew or 
Cypress type a very striking golden Yew, Taxus fastigiata aurea , the foliage of 
which may be said to be bathed in gold, and which does not burn in light soils 
like some of the striped golden kinds. It originated some ten or twelve years ago 
among a batch of seedlings of the Irish yew, and like its parent variety, this new 
golden form has a compact fastigiate habit. A clayey soil and a shady position 
best suit all the variegated forms of the yew. 
On January 17 some very beautiful forms of the double-flowered Primula 
sinensis were shown by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, and certificates were 
awarded to the following, viz. :—Emperor (f.c.c.), rosy-carmine, tinted with 
purple; Exquisite (f.c.c.), delicate pink, a charming variety ; Magenta King 
(f.c.c), rich bright carmine red, not so full as the others, but very handsome ; 
and Princess of Wales (f.c.c.), pure white. The first named belongs to the Fern¬ 
leaved section. Bouvardia jasminoides, as an invaluable winter-flowering plant, 
deserves more than a passing notice. Some plants in 32-pots were shown on this 
occasion by Messrs. Standish and Co., by whom it is largely grown for its delicate 
white blossoms; and as bearing on its culture it was stated that these plants are 
grown close under the glass on the shelf of a span-roofed house, in which were 
grown Gardenias plunged in a bed of dung and leaves above a heated tank. The 
nice bushy plants were literally laden with precious snow-white flowers.—R. D. 
GAKDEN GOSSIP. 
S HE subject of Dishing up Fruit , and of the supply of Garnishing Leaves 
for the purpose, is one of some interest and importance at this season of 
f the year. Mr. Knight, of Floors, has recently recommended for this pur¬ 
pose the growth of Passijlora quadrangular is and Cohcea scandens variegata. 
“ Grown in a temperate house, the Passifora,” lie says, “ makes a later growth, and during 
winter furnishes an abundance of fine large limp leaves, 8 in. or 10 in. long and 6 in. broad, 
which recommend themselves to every housekeeper ; for while Ivy leaves have a disagreeable 
odour, those of the Pelargonium possess an odour which at least seems out of place. The 
Cobcea is also very useful, producing as it does large quantities of lively, crisp-looking leaves, 
which for some purposes, and for small dishes, will be found appropriate.” Mr. Clark, of 
Roehampton, suggests the use of the leaves of Abutilon striatum , which, with their fine dark 
green colour, are first-rate for this purpose. He also thinks Abutilon Thompsoni would be 
better than the variegated Cobcea for those who do not object to variegated leaves ; and further 
recommends Selagindla denticulata as good for a basis, as it looks so nice by gas or candle¬ 
light, and is so easily grown. Mr. Armstrong, of Hendon, always uses for winter garnishing 
the leaves of the Portugal Laurel, which have no appreciable odour. 
-- % new Insecticide, called Calvert's Chemical Compound for Destroying 
Plant Pests , lias been introduced by Mr. Calvert, of Sabden. It is to be applied 
by means of a chemical wash-bottle, and thrown against the plant in the form 
of spray by blowing through a bent glass tube. Applied while tolerably hot, at the strength 
of about 2 oz. to a quart of water, it kills scale, mealy bug, and thrips, and, except in the 
case of here and there a very young leaf, does no damage to the plants. The inventor recom¬ 
mends dissolving the 2 oz. of the compound, in the bottle, by adding half-a-pint or more of 
