January 16, 1886. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
311 
To aid in finding the best method I used some seeds 
which were fresh, well grown, carefully harvested, 
and not subjected to severe trials or exposure of 
drought and moisture, heat or cold. These reliable 
seeds were tested, side by side with others whose history 
was not certainly known. In the different modes of 
testing, good fresh seeds varied much less in the per 
cent, which germinated than did those which possessed 
little vitality. In two trials only a few days apart, at 
about the same temperature, by one person, in the same 
room, with the same apparatus used in a similar 
manner, the same quantity of the lot of unknown Wheat 
was tested with the following results : In both trials, 
ten lots of 100 kernels each were placed in saucers of 
damp sand. Of the first, 81, 82, 84, 85, 85, 87, 89, 89, 
90, 96 germinated, an average of 86-8 per cent. ; of the 
second, 56, 75, 75, 76, 77, 78, 78, 79, 82, 89 germinated, 
an average of 76-5 per cent. Here is a difference in the 
results of 10-3 per cent., for which I cannot account. 
In August, on different days, many lots of fresh, hand¬ 
picked, hand-shelled red Wheat were tested in several 
ways at temperatures varying from 75° to 136° Fahr. 
Excepting one kernel, in one of several lots at two 
different times, the average was 100 per cent, of germi¬ 
nating seeds ; in open ground, 1000 of these seeds gave 
an average of 94'9 per cent. Side by side with the 
above, the unknown Wheat varied from 39 to 86'8 per 
cent, in germination ; red Wheat germinated more 
slowly than white Wheat. Some experiments were 
made to ascertain whether seeds well dried after once 
or twice germinating would germinate again. In the 
case of Wheat, the plumule lived and continued the 
growth, if any growth was made, but the roots always 
died when well dried ; if any growth was made a 
second or third time, new roots started out. Of fifty 
kernels of unknown white Wheat once germinated a 
little and dried, 96 per cent, germinated ; twice dried, 
88 per cent. Of fifty kernels once germinated till the 
plumule became | in. long and the roots 1 in. or 2 ins., 
then dried, 82 per cent, germinated ; twice sprouted 
and twice dried, 48 per cent. Of fifty kernels once 
germinated till the plumule became 1 in. long and the 
roots 1 in. to 2 ins., then dried, 38 per cent, germinated ; 
twice sprouted and twice dried, 14 per cent, again 
germinated. Some tests with new Wheat now under 
way show still more favourable results than the fore¬ 
going. Seeds of Squashes, known as Turban, Boston 
Marrow, Hubbard or Marblehead, and the common 
field Pumpkin, tested in several ways at a temperature 
of 80’ or lower showed results which were very variable 
and unsatisfactory. Tested in a temperature of 100° to 
136° Fahr., the results were more uniform and the per 
cent, of germinating seeds much higher. Seeds of 
Water Melons and Cucumbers varied but little whether 
tested at 70° or 136° Fahr. 
—-->«<$- - 
CORISANDE’S GARDEN. 
In your issue of January 2nd, “A Reader” asks if 
Lady Corisande’s Garden had any existence in fact. 
Yes ; it is a vivid description of the garden at Hatfield, 
the remains of the ancient garden of an ancient house 
that had long ago become a ruin, which, with marvel¬ 
lous good taste, the father of the present Marquis of 
Salisbury, when the artist in landscapes planned and 
created the present gardens and pleasure grounds, in¬ 
sisted on having preserved, with its arches of Yew and 
old-fashioned Roses, Honeysuckle, and sweet-smelling 
flowers growing in profusion. After looking on the 
formal Mosaic pavement-like garden on the other side of 
the house, the contrast is perfectly charming, and 
just as Disraeli describes it in Lothair. — One IVlio 
Knows It. 
I fully expected, when copying out Lord Beacons- 
field’s description of this garden, that it would not come 
out of the ordeal unscathed, and I see your correspondent, 
“A. D.,” has charged, fired, and bombarded the place, shot 
and shell alike falling on the four corners of it,'and appa¬ 
rently it has blown it all to atoms. But I cannot see 
why “A. D.” should not give the author credit for his 
opinions and inclinations. Ben Johnson also had an 
opinion in connection with gardening which was that 
the finest flower that grew in a garden was a Cauliflower, 
and he was right to a certain extent. “A. D.” seems 
to ignore the point at issue in his criticising remarks. 
It is quite evident that the grounds at Bentham were 
laid out in the modern or English style, and that 
Corisande’s Garden was left only as a relic for the sake 
of auld lang syne, or as a children’s garden, for one sees 
small plots of these in many noblemen’s gardens where 
the younger members of the family may “enjoy the 
purest of human pleasures.” 
It is not the modern garden which “A. D.” has 
depicted, with its handsome flowering trees, singly or 
in groups, clumps of hardy flowers, &c., that Disraeli 
assailed, but the flower garden on which the breakfast- 
room window overlooked, with, as he says, its glaring 
colours, and mosaic pavement-like pattern. 
I candidly admit that personally I am very fond of 
and like to see a good carpet bed ; but we know that 
one swallow does not make a summer, and that there 
are many employers and gardeners, who, at the present 
day, are not thoroughly wedded to it, because it is stiff 
and formal, and because, like Madame Phoebus, they have 
to go to the kitchen garden, or to other places or borders, 
for the flowers they want. I am in harmony with ‘ ‘A. D. ” 
as to those abominations—clipped trees, peacocks, &c. 
—A Reader. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
The heavy fall of snow experienced during the past 
week in most districts of England, but especially in 
the home counties, has rendered it necessary to give 
careful attention to the fires, so as to maintain a suit¬ 
able temperature to prevent an undue accumulation of 
damp in the house. There is not an -abundance of 
flowers anywhere, unless the' cultivator has a forcing 
house or pit at command to get the plants in bloom 
early ; but in almost all establishments where a real 
interest is taken in the greenhouse or conservatory, a 
few Cinerarias, Cyclamens, Primulas, Ericas of the 
hyemalis or autumnalis type, Carnations, the paper 
white Narciss, and others will furnish some attractions. 
For all these it is undesirable that with a cloudy sky a 
low temperature outside and a quantity of snow about, 
there should be an excess of moisture in the atmosphere 
of the house, for nothing except undue dryness of the 
soil will so soon injure the flowers. As we write the 
wind has changed, and a rapid thaw having commenced, 
will probably give an opportunity for a little ventila¬ 
tion about mid-day ; opening the ventilators at the 
top of the house, and these only to a moderate extent, 
as where the house has been kept closed for several 
days the plants soon become weakened and 
likely to suffer when air is admitted too freely. The 
temperature should on no account be allowed to fall 
below 45° and 50° is a much safer minimum rising 
to 55° in the day. 
Preparations will shortly be commenced to provide 
some additional floral attractions in the greenhouse, 
and wherever a frame or pit is at command this can 
be readily accomplished. Even an ordinary manure 
bed with a deep frame over it will be suitable for forcing 
such plants as Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, Crocuses, 
and similar brrlbs ; while in the pits with moderate 
heat Lilacs, Azaleas, Deutzias, Rhododendrons, Spineas, 
and Lily-of-the-Yalley can be had in flower in a few 
weeks. The last named are favourites with everyone, 
and as selected crowns can now be purchased so cheaply 
it is far better to employ these than to pot clumps from 
the border as, unless the latter have been properly 
prepared for a season or two, they are frequently un¬ 
satisfactory. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Trees and shrubs in many gardens have been much 
injured by the snow, and broken branches have dis¬ 
figured numerous handsome or valued specimens ; the 
fall was so sudden and quick, that much of the damage 
was done before it was seen, but some of it might have 
been avoided if the snow had been shaken off imme¬ 
diately it was seen. Yery little work can be done out 
of doors for the next week, and all operations in 
connection with the remaking of borders, planting, &c., 
must be deferred for the present as the soil is so 
saturated that more harm than good would result. 
Plans for the spring or summer decoration can, however, 
be prepared, and propagation might be commenced 
with any plants of which the stock is small. A selec¬ 
tion of such annuals as will be required should also be 
made, and the seeds ordered at once, for nothing is lost 
by being early in these matters. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Very little work can yet be performed in this depart¬ 
ment, all sowing that has not been done must be de¬ 
ferred until the soil has become drier, for to attempt 
anything of the kind while the ground is saturated and 
cold would be to court failure. As soon as possible, pre¬ 
parations should be made for the coming busy season. 
Burn all rubbish and preserve the ashes for mixing with 
the soil select and trim sticks for peas or beans, and 
observe if any fresh ones will be required. Where 
Asparagus beds have not received a dressing of manure 
they can be done as soon as the frost is out of the 
ground and the snow has passed away. There need 
not be any fear in giving a thick layer of short stable 
manure to such beds, but care must be exercised not to 
dig or point it into the surface or the roots will be in¬ 
jured. It is customary to recommend an application of 
salt as an essential for this vegetable, but it can be and is 
grown quiteas well withoutit. Afew frames on a dry warm 
border can be utilised for sowing seeds of early Carrots, 
Cabbage, Lettuce, Radishes, and Mustard and Cress, 
directly the weather becomes a little more favourable. 
The Mustard and Cress can however be also sown at in¬ 
tervals according to the demand, in shallow pans, and 
placed in the greenhouse near the pipes or in the forc¬ 
ing pit if that is possessed. The seed catalogues are 
now in the hands of the majority of purchasers, who 
can make selections according to their requirements and 
their experience of the varieties that prove most satis¬ 
factory in each particular district. It is wise to rely 
upon old proved sorts for the main supplies, but if a 
few novelties are included, they will add much to the 
interest of the season, and these are sometimes found 
to be decided improvements upon older types. For be¬ 
ginners who are perplexed by the number of varieties 
the catalogues describe and which appear from these 
descriptions so nearly equal in merit, we will next week 
give a short selection of the most approved and re¬ 
liable vegetables.— Scolytus. 
--- 
ON PRUNING SHRUBS. 
In determining the system of pruning, which may 
seem the most desirable to carry out at any particular 
place, there are several points to be taken into con¬ 
sideration, such as the size of the place and its sur¬ 
roundings, and whether it is newly planted or in a 
neglected condition. The habit of growth of the majority 
of the occupants of the shrubbery borders must also 
necessarily largely influence the operations carried out. 
In small places, if they are to be kept at all as they 
should be, there is practically but one method available, 
and that is to go over them annually from the very 
first, and keep them to shape and within bounds, and 
this is best done in the winter months and before the bor¬ 
ders are dug over. Holly, l r ew, Aucuba, Phillyrea, 
and Portugal Laurels will bear keeping in close; but 
the common Laurels, including the Caucasian and 
Colchicum will sometimes, from excessive pruning, be¬ 
come sickly, so that it is well in planting to allow them 
more room than the others, and in pruning to be con¬ 
tent, as far as circumstances will allow, with cutting 
back the leading shoots only. 
Rhododendron pontieum is often largely planted 
among other shrubs, and if a small portion of peat soil 
is placed round the roots they often do well lor some 
years and then come to a standstill, the fibre not pene¬ 
trating beyond the soil especially provided for them. 
IVhen this occurs they may often be resuscitated by 
cutting them down to within one foot of the ground, this 
gives the balls a chance of getting well soaked by rain, 
and the plants often grow away with surprising vigour 
after it. This may be done during the winter months, 
or in summer after they have flowered. Cupressus, 
Thujus and Junipers with Irish Yews should be allowed 
to grow naturally ; they may be pruned to a moderate 
extent, but on no account ought the natural habit of 
these to be tampered with ; if judiciously introduced 
into the shrubbery borders they will seldom 
require meddling with. 
Deciduous flowering shrubs are best dealt with by 
cutting out a few of the strong growths occasionally. 
Lilacs, Syringa, Ribes, Viburnums, Spineas, Deutzias, 
and Weigelas are much benefited by this treatment, 
and throw much finer flowers, keeping as well healthier 
foliage for it. Laurestinus and Arbutus are deservedly 
very° popular flowering evergreen plants, and both 
liable in severe winters to be injured by frost; the last 
