January 29, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
843 
satisfactory result produced, not only in the Orchid 
departments, but in the various other departments 
under his charge.— A. Outram, Victoria and Paradise 
Nurseries, Upper Holloway. 
--5*0- 
LATE -KEEPING- APPLES.— II. 
Culinary Apples. 
Apples of this class are generally characterised by a 
large and imposing appearance, and it is to be regretted 
that their qualities do not fit them for dessert purposes.' 
Their handsome proportions would have a telling effect 
on the table, and gain them many admirers. The great 
size, clear pale yellow colour, and keeping qualities of 
Golden Noble recommends this variety to the attention 
of growers in general. It keeps well till February and 
crops heavily. The Queen is a large, greenish yellow, 
red-streaked, flattened Apple, also characterised by a 
fine appearance, and keeps well. Blenheim Orange is 
well known and needs no recommendation farther than 
to say that there were 141 exhibits at the Apple Con¬ 
gress of this variety alone. A small Apple, by no 
means common, but one that merits cultivation, is that 
known as Hunt’s Royal Red. Its bronzy red appearance 
and late-keeping properties are qualities in its favour, 
and those at Chiswick are not even ripe yet. Annie 
Elizabeth is a large, conical and angular sort, of first- 
rate quality for cooking purposes, crops well, and, up 
till now, has kept well. It has a fine glossy appearance, 
of a green colour when collected, but becomes yellow 
in the fruit room, with a rich red on the exposed side. 
This is one of the newer kinds, and likely to become 
popular. Gloria Mundi is a large flattened Apple, 
having a fine appearance, and on that account a 
favourite in many gardens. Its greatest fault is that 
in some soils it is considered a shy cropper, from the 
comparatively small number of fruits produced on a 
tree. The great size compensates for this deficiency in 
a measure, together with its good keeping and cooking 
properties. The skin is a greenish yellow and of clear 
appearance, while the flesh is acid, firm and solid, in 
consequence of which it weighs well. The above are 
merely a selection of the finest and best keeping sorts, 
as seen after the past changeable and unfavourable 
weather we have experienced since Christmas.— J. F. 
■ -- 
ARDENING IfoTES FROM 
■[Scotland. 
Discovery of a New Fern.— Mr. W. Wilson, 
Hillock, Terpersie, Alford, Aberdeenshire, has made a 
very interesting discovery of what has been pronounced 
to be a new Fern. While visiting the Coreen Hills 
some four years ago, Mr. Wilson found the Fern in 
question near a stream, and, being struck with its 
formation, took it home and watched its development ; 
in 1884 he sent it to Kew Gardens, where it grew 
and was examined by Mr. J. G. Baker, F.L.S., 
who reported that the fronds were intermediate 
between forms of the lady Fern known as Asplenium 
Filix-foemina rhocticum and a. f. b. crispum. Mr. 
Wilson also sent fronds of the first garden crop, which 
retained the same form as when found, to various other 
eminent authorities ; and in reply, he (Mr. Wilson), 
received intimation that in no case had the same form 
been seen in the museums to which the fronds were 
sent. The extreme form of the Fern has just been 
examined by Mr. Wolleston of Chislehurst, who has 
made varieties of British Ferns a special study, and this 
gentleman saw in the Fern an approach to different 
forms of the varieties of the lady Fern, and declared it 
to be a thoroughly good and new find, suggesting as a 
name for the plant, Athyrium Felix-fcemina, var. 
acrolodon Wilsoni. 
"Vegetables. —It is not uncommon for young 
beginners, when raising such crops as Leeks and 
Onions, to make more haste than good speed. It is 
now becoming very general in northern parts to have a 
box, pot or pan of Leeks and Onions started now for 
planting out early in spring. Instead of allowing 
these very hardy vegetables protection, they are forced 
on in heat, and allowed to become drawn and weakened, 
so that when the time of planting arrives the object in 
view, an early start, is defeated. Therefore, we would 
advise that during the dull weather the seedlings be 
kept near the glass, giving plenty of air when the 
weather will allow the lights to be pushed off. Prize- 
takers are alive to all the requirements of these plants, 
which are impatient of a close warm temperature. 
Thick sowing is another irreparable evil, and should 
be avoided. When seedlings come up matted together 
they cannot, by any after treatment, be got into 
strong and compact growth. Early pricking out singly 
is of great moment. A layer of well-rotted manure or 
leaf-soil placed at the bottom of the box, and finer soil 
of free texture laid over, will give them a start into 
active root action. Water will not be often required ; 
but when that is necessary enough should be allowed 
to reach all the roots, and render the soil uniformly 
moist. Surface dribbling is often the ruin of seedlings. 
The Brassica tribes, Lettuce and others coming through 
the soil will now require careful attention. Rather 
than run any risk of 'washing the seeds out of the pans, 
the latter may be carefully dipped in a tank of water, 
and placed on a level surface till the water has soaked 
downwards. 
Peas coming through the soil in pits, frames or boxes 
might have the surface gently stirred to allow the soil 
to fall between the stems. Any coming up in the open 
ground may be sprinkled along the drills by fine 
charcoal dust, old tan or leaf-soil for protection, as we 
may yet have severe weather. General sowings may 
be made, when weather allows, in sheltered places for 
succession. Small sowings at short intervals is the 
safest course to pursue in cold districts where a regular 
supply is required. Tomatos are well described, and 
the most advanced methods of culture given by qualified 
writers ; but it may not be out of place to remind those 
in the “far north” that their supplies are longer in 
coming to maturity than in the “ sunny south, ” and 
to keep pace with southern compeers it is necessary to 
begin in good time. Cuttings which w T ere taken off in 
autumn and grown in pots require plenty of light, 
and air should be admitted whenever the state of the 
atmosphere will permit. Orangefield is not the largest 
Tomato we knoiv, but certainly an early one and a 
good cropper. Tomato seeds suffer readily from damp, 
and should be kept in dry quarters ; indeed, all seeds 
should be so treated, and old ones fit for use kept from 
the new stock.— Caledonian. 
North of Scotland Horticultural Asso¬ 
ciation. — The usual monthly meeting of this 
association was held in the Christian Institute, Aber¬ 
deen, od Friday evening, the 21st inst. There was a 
large muster of members, and the president, Mr. 
Robson, occupied the chair. Before commencing the 
business of the evening, Mr. Robson presented Mr. 
Wyllie, the treasurer, with a beautiful clock as a token 
of the members’ respect for him, and to shoiv their 
appreciation of the good work which he has been doing 
for the association. Mr. Robson, in the course of his 
remarks, said that during the last two years Mr. "Wyllie 
had proposed more new candidates than all the other 
members combined, and he had also done a great deal 
in cementing together what might be called lapsing 
members, and gathering in unpaid subscriptions. Mr. 
"Wyllie, in a few well-chosen sentences, returned thanks. 
The business of the evening then proceeded. Mr. James 
Henderson, Wellwood, Cults, near Aberdeen, led off 
with an address on the “Past position and future 
prospects of horticulture,” which was exceedingly well 
received. There was also on the business card “New 
flowers,” by A. Comfort, Whitehills, Fife; and 
“New Plants,” by T. S. Ware, Tottenham. Avery 
lively discussion, in which many of the members took 
part, followed ; and with votes of thanks to the con¬ 
tributors to the evening’s enjoyment, and a similar 
compliment to the chairman, a very enjoyable and 
interesting evening was brought to a close. 
Natural History Society of Aberdeen.— 
The usual monthly meeting of this society was held 
in the Physiology Class Room, Marischal College, 
Aberdeen, last week. There was a large attendance of 
members, and the president, Prof. T. W. A. Trail 
(Aberdeen University), occupied the chair. Prof. 
McWilliam and Mr. Angus Macgillorey were admitted 
members of the society. Professor Trail showed speci¬ 
mens of Shetland plants collected by Mr. W. H. Beeby, 
making comments on each of the specimens. Mr. John 
Roy, the secretary of the society, read a very interesting 
and instructive paper, relating to early local discoverers 
in botany, in the course of which he spoke of such men 
as D. Cargill, Robert Brown, Rev. John Lightfoot, 
Dr. David Skene, Mackay and Don, and quoted many 
specimens to the discovery of which we are indebted to 
the above-named botanists. The paper was exceedingly 
well received, and its author accorded a very hearty 
vote of thanks. Mr. Robert Gray then read a lengthy 
paper on a voyage to the arctic regions in 1886. The 
paper, which was illustrated with several diagrams and 
an excellent model, was received with evident ap¬ 
preciation, and its author cordially thanked. A similar 
compliment to the president terminated a most en¬ 
joyable evening. 
-—>*<—- 
The Am ateurs’ Garden. 
How we Defy Jack Frost. — We possess a small 
glass structure adjoining our house, directly communi¬ 
cating with the rooms in which we enjoy ourselves, 
ingress and egress being by the customary claret and 
blue-stained glass doors, the prismatic hues of which we 
consider superfluous. Certainly their utility is apparent 
at this season, but in the summer the doors are thrown 
open, and we command a view of swinging baskets of 
Ferns and other plants peeping from various points. 
The possession of a conservatory enables us to boast of 
such good things, and our garden has its undulating 
masses of foliage and its diversity of colour. Esconsed 
in a comfortable chair with coffee and the fragrant 
weed, the whole assembly seems a miniature moveable 
garden. Should we desire to celebrate the Feast of 
Lanterns, or arrange a series of concerts from May until 
September, we have a natural picture which would 
compare favourably with the scenic artist’s best pro¬ 
ductions ; but now is the winter of our discontent, 
and the problem is how to withstand the invasion of 
the ice-clad monarch. We have triumphed gloriously 
and hope to continue our success. We now give a short 
account of our experience, simplicity and efficiency 
combined. 
By the aid of a small paraffin stove, burning 
upon an average a pint of oil per day, we have 
kept the thermometer standing at 40°, or thereabouts, 
throughout the recent inclement weather. This finish¬ 
ing stroke was effected under aggravated circumstances, 
for the house roof being minus snow-guards, and that of 
the conservatory being unprotected (with the exception 
of wire netting), the avalanches of snow came crashing 
down to the loss of sundry squares of the brittle 
substance. Workmen are not very subservient at such 
periods, so old sacks and boards were temporarily 
utilized until the damage could be rectified. In fair¬ 
ness, I must say, W’e have had a fire in the adjoining 
room, and plenty of light at night, which, no doubt, 
helped to keep up the temperature. Certainly, Mesem- 
bryanthemum, Heliotrope, Pelargonium and Calceolaria 
cuttings, here and there have been pinched, but the 
majority, including some fine Fuchsia fulgens, are quite 
unhurt. 
I have read with much curiosity and amusement 
the remarks of some of your correspondents on this 
subject ; one discards the spirit lamp on account of its 
odoriferous peculiarities, while another recommends 
covering plants with surperfluous sheets of paper, old 
sacks, carpet, matting and so forth. So far so good, 
but one with an eye to appearance would not adopt this 
plan. The question is this, whether it is better to spend 
a few shillings on a lamp and the oil necessary to re¬ 
plenish it, and so endeavour to keep your favourites 
unscathed, or allow things to take their chance till the 
approach of genial weather and purchase a new stock ? 
If we were all Rothschilds the answer would soon be 
forthcoming. Fly contention is the adoption of the 
spirit stove, you will then have a stock in hand, which 
you can plant to greater advantage, and should you 
wish to augment your display purchase additional 
plants, and thus furnish your houses and garden with 
greater variety. — Albert George Hull, Forest Gate, Essex. 
Kitchen Garden. —The snow has at length quite 
disappeared, and the soil has again become com¬ 
paratively dry and workable. On warm borders 
make sowings of early Peas — such as William the 
First, American Wonder, or Sutton’s Ringleader—to 
succeed those that have already been sown in pots, 
boxes or turves ; these should be brought on under 
glass and finally planted out when the weather becomes 
warm and favourable. In making such sowings, care 
must be taken to do it on previously well-prepared 
ground, if possible, so as to obviate the necessity of 
puddling, if wet. Borders on a southern aspect will be 
the driest and most suitable for the purpose. Early 
Long-pod Beans may also be sown, as ivell as Broad 
Beans. Early varieties of Potatos can be planted with 
advantage on dry soils and in warm sheltered situa¬ 
tions. Little will be gained, however, by planting so 
early in wet, cold, or much-exposed places.— F. 
