1S72.] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
283 
chapters are devoted, dealing first with general considerations, as soil, manure, 
water, air, heat, &c.; and then entering on the special culture of the several 
fruits, taken seriatim , and including stone-fruits, as the Peach, Apricot, Cherry, 
Plum ; berry-fruits, as the Vine ; and other fruits, as the Fig, Raspberry, Goose¬ 
berry, Currant, and Black Mulberry. Few persons who have not tasted the latter 
as grown under glass, can have any idea of the luscious and melting fruit it 
becomes when thus ripened. 
We have also received two numbers of the second edition of Scott’s 
Orchardist, or Catalogue of Fruit Trees cultivated at Merriott, Somerset, which 
is a description of the largest collection of hardy fruit-trees, we suppose, culti¬ 
vated in any one establishment, extending as it does to 1,800 varieties of Pears 
and other fruits in proportion. Mr. Scott has very decided opinions on some of 
the pomological questions of the day, to which he does not hesitate to give 
utterance ; but apart from this, so large a number of descriptions made “ as 
useful and as truthful as the author’s abilities have permitted,” cannot but be of 
interest and use to fruit-growers generally. No fewer than 130 closely printed 
octavo pages are devoted to the description and synonymy of the Apple. 
GAEDEN GOSSIP. 
REMABKABLE specimen of Cattleya exoniensis which has recently 
flowered at Meadow Bank had on it no fewer than 44 flowers, all ex¬ 
panded at one time—a truly gorgeous sight. This variety combines all the 
characteristics of beauty of all the Cattleyas, while there is in it a perfec¬ 
tion of form and individual finish of colouring such as may be found in the most 
choice examples amongst florists’ flowers. 
- She Spanish Oyster Plant , Scolymus hispanicus , is making its way as 
an esculent. It is more productive, crisper, sweeter, and better flavoured than 
Salsafy, and is cooked and served in the same way. It is cultivated like carrots, 
being sown in rows about 1 foot apart, and lifted for winter use. The plant would 
amply repay a more careful selection and culture than it has yet had. 
- Js^ome interesting experiments bearing on the Influence of Strange Pollen 
on the Form of Fruit have been made by Maximowicz. The species experi¬ 
mented on were Lilium davuricum and Lilium bulbiferum. The pollen of each 
species was applied to the stigmas of the other species, the process being repeated upon 
several individual plants. The result was that the capsules borne by the several plants were 
found to have the form characteristic of the pollen parent; while the form of the seeds was 
intermediate between that of those of the two parents. 
- cheap, legible, and indestructible Label for Trees , &c., has long been 
a desideratum ; but it now appears to have been met by the new Shakspearian 
Imperishable Labels, made by Messrs. Bell and Thorpe, nurserymen, of Stratford- 
on-Avon. These are made of a white lustrous metal, which withstands the action of heat or 
cold, a dry atmosphere or a moist one, are particularly neat, and a marvel of cheapness, con¬ 
sidering their indestructible character. A slight improvement might be made in their form, 
so as to give more firmness when set into the ground. 
— m - Prillieux has recently presented to the French Academy of 
