November 5, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
155 
little divided, while in the adult state of the species 
the leaves are cut nearly to the mid-rib into long 
linear segments. The fine glaucous tint is preserved, 
characterising this as a very fine Fern, but in addition 
to this the back of the leaves are furnished with such a 
profusion of orange sori, thickly arranged in globular 
prominent masses, that heighten the ornamental effect 
considerably. There are some handsome specimens at 
Style Flail, Gunnersbury, that have made excellent 
growth in the conservatory during last summer, and 
from which they are now ousted to make roam for the 
all-important and popular Chrysanthemums. The 
result of cool treatment shows that this species can be 
made far more durable and useful when grown in this 
way than when grown in a stove where growth may 
be more rapid, but proportionately fewer leaves are 
developed on the same length of stem (popularly 
termed rhizome), and the leaves themselves are thinner 
and far less durable. 
Wintering- Choice Hardy Plants. —The 
system of wintering plants, mentioned by “R. D.” at 
p. 139, is not new, but does not, at the same time, seem 
to be very generally known. The same custom was 
practised extensively a few years ago in the Royal 
Horticultural Society’s Gardens, at Chiswick. A range 
of cold frames with a northern aspect used to be 
occupied from end to end with Auriculas and other 
species and varieties of Primula, Alpine plants in 
general, choice shrubs, Conifers in pots, and an endless 
variety of things propagated and grown for distribution 
amongst the Fellows. The plunging material used w T as 
coal and coke ashes, instead of the cocoa-nut fibre as 
mentioned by “R. D. ”; and in this the pots were plunged 
up to the rim. There were also collections of Sedums, 
Sempervivums, Narcissus, and other bulbs plunged in 
the same way out of doors, with the object of obviating 
the necessity of so frequent watering in summer, and 
to prevent the pots getting broken by frost in winter. 
The results were obvious by the healthy appearance of 
the plants in summer, and by the unbroken pots in 
winter. The ashes had the effect not only of protecting 
the roots, but when the soil in the pots had become 
frozen, of preventing too sudden thawing, which, as is 
well known, results in a wholesale breaking of the 
pots. The practice might be followed with advantage 
where hardy and half-hardy plants are extensively 
grown in pots. —An Old Chiswick Man. 
Large Marechal Niel Rose. —At Morden 
Park, Surrey, is a large specimen of this Rose, covering 
the greater part of the roof of a house containing a 
mixed lot of greenhouse and various other plants. Mr. 
Gibson says it has to be severely kept within bounds to 
prevent it spreading over the whole house. It is 
budded standard high on the Briar, but what seems to 
be its greatest recommendation, a number of buds have 
been inserted at different parts of the stem instead of 
one. This seems to account for its vigour hithertofore 
and freedom from cankering, of which so many culti¬ 
vators complain. The inference is that instead of the 
flow of sap being confined to one point of union, wdiere 
a swelling is generally caused by the obstruction that 
takes place, it is distributed over the upper part of the 
stock, so as to minimise as much as possible any 
obstruction that might occur. The result is that very 
little perceptible swelling has taken place, notwith¬ 
standing the great size of the head when taken col¬ 
lectively. The method is one that might be adopted 
elsewhere, with reasonable hope of overcoming to a 
great extent the difficulty experienced in growing this 
fine but troublesome Rose for any length of time. 
Hoya imperialis. —Amongst the many curious 
plants grown at Park Place, Henley-on-Thames, Hoya 
imperialis is flowering very freely. A plant in one of 
the stoves is now bearing many enormous trusses of 
its peculiar brown blossoms. Aristolochia tricordata 
is also in flower, and as I have never met with it 
before, by the kindness of Mr. Stanton, I enclose you 
a flower. Ficus repens is in fruit in one of the houses, 
and as I consider it a great novelty it is worth recording. 
The fruit is about the size of a hen’s egg, and shaped 
like a lemon. There are many curious plants here ; 
indeed, gardening in all departments is carried out in a 
most practical manner by Mr. Stanton. At some future 
date I hope to give a more detailed account of the 
place.— A. 0. 
Vesuvius Pelargonium. —Among a number 
of plants of the white variety of this useful Pelargonium, 
now in bloom in a plant-house here, there is one which 
bears three trusses of the original scarlet form and 
two of the white sport on one of its shoots. Is this 
of frequent occurrence? — D. Mackie, Montgomerie 
Gardens, Ayrshire. [Both varieties frequently sport, 
but not to the same extent as in this instance.—E d.] 
Almond Tree Fruiting.— As the subject of 
Almond fruiting has been referred to in one of your 
contemporaries, I may state that I saw a plant here 
the other day from which more than a peck of fine 
fruit could have been gathered. It was not until the 
tree had shed its leaves that one was able to see how 
many Almonds were distributed over the branches. 
The tree is growing in a gravel subsoil, and, though 
sheltered on the north, is fully exposed to the east and 
west winds.— R. Dean, Ealing. 
Eucharis Mastersii. —I see a note in your last 
issue respecting a hybrid Eucharis having been flowered 
by Mr. Cooper, at Highbury, Birmingham, and which 
proves to be E. Mastersii. Two years last spring I 
sent a plant in flower from the same cross (E. Candida 
and E. Sanderiana) to the Royal Horticultural Society 
under the name of E. Stevensii, and received an in¬ 
timation from the secretary that my plant was E. 
Mastersii. Not having seen E. Mastersii in flower, I 
sent some blooms to Messrs. Yeitcli & Sons, of Chelsea, 
and they confirmed the secretary’s statement. There 
is one peculiarity about it which is worth mentioning. 
I have never seen a bit of mealy bug on it, although 
standing with plants that are troubled with it; and 
everyone knows what a pest the bug is to E. Amazonica. 
E. Mastersii is so free flowering that we have discarded 
ail the other varieties, and are never without flowers 
now we have got a stock of it. — TV. Stevens, Walton, 
Stone, Staffordshire. 
The Grapes at Greenlands.— Some of the 
finest houses of Grapes I have ever seen are at Green- 
lands, Henley-on-Thames, the residence of the Right 
Honourable W. H. Smith. For colour, size of bunches, 
finish, and the general even character of the crop they 
are everything that can be desired. Mr. Perkins is to be 
congratulated on his success ; the Vines are young and 
everything that one could wish for.— A. 0. 
Aspidistra lurida variegata. — Some au¬ 
thorities regard the variegated form as being a variety 
of A. elatior ; while a second form, A. 1. punctata, is 
also considered as a distinct species. All three forms 
are closely similar to one another, and differ in the 
markings of the leaves. The variety A. 1. punctata 
has its dark evergreen leaves marked or dotted with 
small creamy yellow spots ; but the latter are too 
small, although numerous, to constitute the plant 
sufficiently distinct to be worth cultivating on that 
account. The green and typical form would probably 
by some be considered as more meritorious, by reason 
of the uniformity of colour, whereas the indistinct or 
inconspicuous spotting of the variety named would be 
looked upon as a defect rather than otherwise. A. 1. 
variegata, on the other hand, is acknowledged by 
every cultivator to be one of the most useful and 
beautiful plants for decorative purposes. It is to be 
regretted that growth is so tardy, otherwise the plant 
would be more extensively used than it is at present. 
Propagation can be effected but slowly, and when a 
plaut happens to get injured, by too long a sojourn in 
dwelling-houses, it takes a long time to recover. The 
extreme hardiness and durable properties of the various 
forms of Aspidistra are, however, their greatest recom¬ 
mendation, and plants will last in rooms near the light 
from one year’s end to another without getting ap¬ 
preciably injured if proper care is taken in the matter 
of light and water. The broad creamy yellow stripes 
of the leaves of the variety under notice are very 
striking, and much appreciated at Parkside, Ravens- 
court Park, Hammersmith. 
A Select Collection of Rhododendrons.— 
I had to make inquiries a few days ago as to a select 
collection of good, robust-growing, free-blooming 
Rhododendrons, to plant in a somewhat exposed spot 
in the midland districts, and on applying to a well- 
known authority, the following varieties were named 
as the most suitable for the purpose White : Cataw- 
biense album, and The Queen. Crimson : Brayanum, 
Blandyanum, and Michael Waterer. Blush: Everesti- 
anum. Rosy crimson: Lady Clermont. Purple: 
Schiller, and Lord John Russell. White, with buff 
spots : Minnie. Rose : Concessum, a late variety. 
Purplish crimson : Caractacus. This selection might 
be useful to others, and I may observe that although it 
is possible to transplant successfully at almost any 
time of the year, the operation is best performed during 
the “autumn and winter months, beginning in October, 
by which time the buds are developed, and the young 
wood ripe enough to bear removal without injury. 
They should never be planted deeper than to allow the 
top of the ball being covered with about 2 ins. of soil, 
which should be trod as firmly over and around it as 
possible”— {The Rhododendron, by Fraser). In some 
soils the Rhododendron will grow well without any 
admixture of peat ; in the natural soil at the Crystal 
Palace, at Sydenham, it does remarkably well.— R. D. 
The Present Condition of the Soil.—I have 
never known the soil to turn over so light, dry, and 
friable at this season before, and especially moderately 
heavy land. The long-continued drought has prevented 
that compression from taking place, which always 
follows upon perfect saturation. On the ridges of 
Celery, and between row’s of Peas, &e., where treading 
cannot be altogether avoided, the soil alike turns over 
lightly and freely ; indeed, crops between these have 
this year benefited by the treading, as evaporation was, 
to some extent, checked. Here, at the end of October, 
we are almost tempted to risk an early sowing of Peas, 
so fine is the condition of the soil ; but we must think 
of the winter that is before us. 'Where soils are 
naturally light, thin crops have been the rule this 
season ; but I cannot help thinking this will be fully 
compensated for next year, as a consequence of the 
more perfect maturation of the season’s growths, and 
through the land, during the past season, having been 
in a state of half-fallow. The year 1837 will be 
memorable in the annals of gardening for its extremes 
of both heat and drought. We generally get a heavy 
rainfall from the 20th of October to the middle of 
November, but as yet the coming of the rain seems as 
remote as ever. We are experiencing a cold w’ind from 
the north-west, clear moonlight nights, accompanied 
with from 8° to 13 a of frost, which was registered this 
morning. We seem to blame our winters and springs 
for many of our failures, which are the result rather of 
unfavourable summers not allowing of the thorough 
maturation of growth.— B. L., Oct. 18<7i. 
Lily of the Valley Tree. —The name here given 
is that popularly applied in Ireland to Oxydendron 
arboreum, a plant belonging to the Heath family, and 
better known in this country as Andromeda arborea, 
under which name it is figured in the Botanical 
Magazine, t. 905. Sorrel Tree is another name 
popularly applied to it, on account of the sour taste 
possessed by the leaves. The literal translation of 
Oxydendron means sour tree, which is a very appropriate 
appellation. The flowers are pure white, and borne in 
terminal compound panicles, and being ovate in shape, 
they very much resemble those of Lily of the Valley. 
In this respect they are similar to those of Clethra 
arborea, another member of the same family, and to 
which the appellation of Lily of the Valley Tree might 
be with equal propriety, and sometimes is so applied 
to it in this country. The allusion in both cases is a 
very happy one ; but special attention is called to 
Oxydendron arboreum at this time, on account of 
its being hardy, whereas, in the other case, the tree is 
a greenhouse subject. The plant under notice also 
claims attention from all hardy tree lovers on account 
of the brilliant red colour of the decaying foliage. 
Some specimens sent us by Mr. T. Smith, Daisy Hill 
Nursery, Newry, Ireland, are now even in a dried state 
of a lively or scarlet-red colour. It grows from 15 ft. 
to 40 ft. in height, and Mr. Smith’s trees are about 
10 ft. in height, perfectly hardy, and very ornamental, 
whether in flower, or, at the present time, when the 
foliage is decaying. 
An Excellent Insecticide.— For the eradica¬ 
tion of mealy-bug, scale, &c., no insecticide can surpass 
Bridgford’s Antiseptic Liquid, manufactured by Messrs. 
Carter & Co. Unlike petroleum, which is also an 
effectual insect destroyer, but will as readily kill the 
plants as the insects if not properly applied, this pre¬ 
paration can be used by inexperienced hands with 
safety. We have used it here on Stephanotis and 
Gardenias with satisfactory results. The method of 
applying it is a simple one. With a small hair brush 
we applied the liquid, which quickly kills the insects, 
does not injure the plants, leaves no offensive smell in 
the house, and syringing the plants with clear water 
afterwards is unnecessary.— J. Peebles, TVexham, Park. 
The Ne Plus Ultra Pea. —I have no doubt 
that many of your readers besides myself were much 
interested in “R. D.’s” little history of the Ne Plus 
Ultra Pea. We have grown it largely here as a main 
crop and late Pea, and its name is most appropriate till 
I can find a Pea which, for quality and productiveness, 
is its equal ; I shall more and more limit the breadths 
of other varieties in its favour. Had it not been for 
the severe frost on the 13th of October we should have 
been gathering it until the first week of this month. 
There were plenty of Peas about fit for gathering, but 
the frost went right through them, leaving the blossom 
apparently uninjured.— TV. B. G. 
