414 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 25, 1888. 
Harman Payne, C. Orchard, W. K. "Woodcock, C. 
Herrin, Shoesmith, Woodgate, Garnett, A. E. Cox, 
Lyne, Gibson, E. Parker, W. FT. Dyer, Beckett, E. 
Sanderson, J. Wright, Flight, Jukes, Martin, Sullivan, 
Mease, Salter, Eidout, TJdale, A. Salter, Lewis Castle, 
Kendall, Mardlin, W. King. The Eevision Committee 
to he empowered to fill any vacancies that may occur. 
“F.-That Messrs. Castle, Gordon, and Harman Payne 
constitute the Eevision Committee, with the latter as 
secretary. This committee to be empowered to engage 
such paid clerical assistance as they may require.” 
Nottingham Horticultural. —February Mh. 
The usual monthly meeting of this society was held on 
the above date, when there was a good average attend¬ 
ance of members. Mr. Jas. Booth, of Fern House, 
presided, and called the attention of the members to 
the fact that one of the smaller rooms of the Mechanics’ 
Institute had been engaged, and would be open to the 
members on Saturday evenings from 6.30 p.m. to 
9.30 p.m., when the gardening journals for the current 
week would be on the table. It was hoped this would 
prove a pleasant meeting place for the gardeners of the 
neighbourhood. The subject for the evening’s dis¬ 
cussion was the Cineraria, a paper on which was read 
by Mr. Jno. Meadows, gardener at Eock House, Basford, 
Nottingham, who first called attention to the large 
and important order—Composite—to which the 
Cineraria belonged, and alluded further to the laTge 
number of plants—a tenth of all the flowering subjects— 
which belonged to the same natural order. He next 
traced the history of the Cineraria from the intro¬ 
duction of C. cruenta in 1777, and mentioned that it 
was about fifty years ago when florists began to improve 
the flower for greenhouse decoration. He exhibited a 
pencil sketch from a coloured plate in Paxton’s Magazine 
of Botany for 1837, which stated that “the seed was 
the result of a cross between C. tussilaginoides and 
C. cruenta,” and which also by comparison showed the 
improvement in shape and colour of the flower since 
that date. The essayist next detailed his own practice 
in regard to cultivation, and invited the members to 
discuss the weak points of his paper. A profitable 
debate followed. 
-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
The Fern-leaded Primula sinensis. 
That the Fern-leaved character of foliage originally 
came out of the plain or the palmate-leaved type, there 
can be no doubt. Some persons have considered it as 
representing a distinct species, but this idea is being 
abandoned. It would be interesting to know where and 
with whom it first appeared, but possibly no record has 
been kept. I visited an old-fashioned garden the other 
day where I saw a batch of Chinese Primroses in flower. 
The gardener told me he had grown only the plain-leaved 
type for nearly thirty years, saving his own seed, and 
not having any from the outside, but for the first 
time in his experience a Fern-leaved variety has 
appeared. Of late years the character of the foliage of 
the Fern-leaved type has been considerably modified. 
I remember when the leaves were long and largely erect, 
almost hiding the flowers from view. They have been 
reduced in length ; they are now horizontal, and the 
habit of growth is much more compact and pleasing. 
Some of Messrs. Sutton k Sons’ newer seedlings show 
a kind of intermediate stage between the Fern-leaved 
and palmate types, and the habit is singularly compact. 
The new crisp-leaved types are also great novelties; the 
leaves are curled upon the edges, and very distinct in 
character.— It. D. 
-- 
THE WEATHER. 
At the Eoyal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean read¬ 
ing of the barometer during the week ending February 
18th, was 29'63 in. ; the lowest reading was 29 ’26 in. 
at the beginning of the week, and the highest 29 "94 in. 
on Thursday evening. The mean temperature of the 
air was 34T°, and 4’8° below the average in the corre¬ 
sponding weeks of the twenty years ending 1868. The 
mean was below the average throughout the week, the 
coldest day being Friday, when the deficiency was 6T°. 
The general direction of the wind was northerly, and 
the horizontal movement of the air averaged 15'2 miles 
per hour, which was 2 "6 above the average in the cor¬ 
responding weeks of sixteen years. Eain or melted 
snow was measured on four days of the week, to the 
aggregate amount of 0’38 of an inch. The duration 
of registered bright sunshine in the week was 5 "6 hours, 
against 9'3 hours at Glynde Place, Lewes. 
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, 
Propagating Ferns.— Maidenhair Fern: Adiantum cunea- 
tum and similar species may be propagated or divided almost 
at any time, but it would be most suitable for you to do it 
during the course of next month when growth is setting in 
actively. The pieces will thus be able to overcome the disturb¬ 
ance easily, and proceed to re-establish themselves. Turn the 
plants out of the pots, and shake away as much of the soil as 
will allow of the operation being performed easily. Pull the 
crowns to pieces with the hands, making as many plants as you 
require ; do not divide with a knife, as that destroys many of the 
crowns and roots. Re-pot the pieces in pots according to size, 
taking care not to use too large ones. Stand the pots on a bed 
of ashes in your warm greenhouse, and water immediately. The 
plants may not require any more for some time till fresh growth 
commences. Do not keep over close after the plants have fairly 
started, but keep cool and near the light to make the fronds 
firm and durable. 
Burnt Soil.— G. Geyve: When you speak of burnt soil, we 
presume you mean clay, and that you are acquainted with the 
manner of burning it. The properties of burnt clay on land 
give both chemical and mechanical effects ; the latter results in 
rendering the soil more porous, open and friable. The nitro¬ 
genous matters will all be wasted by burning ; but the amount 
of soluble potash is three times greater than it was previous to 
the operation. Feldspar contains silicate of potash amongst 
other compounds, and they are ail set free by burning. It 
cannot, however, be regarded as a rich or concentrated manure, 
while one of the most essential elements, nitrogen, has been 
driven off by burning. The mechanical effect of such a soil 
would, however, be considerable, and by mixing it with some 
other containing nitrogen and perhaps a phosphate, the com¬ 
bined result would no doubt be good. 
Propagating Box.— G. Hendry: Yes, you can readily pro¬ 
pagate a great variety of subjects in a greenhouse like that 
which you mention, althongh heated with a flue only. Instead 
of constructing a permanent frame at the warm end of the house, 
a strong moveable box might be placed over the flue, and after 
well draining it with rough material, fill up to within 2 ins. or 
3 ins. of the top with silver sand. In this the cuttings may be 
inserted as you get them, and potted up immediately after they 
are well rooted. The part that has been emptied may be re¬ 
filled, and thus you can root a large number of cuttings before 
bedding-out time. Cover the box with squares of glass, or a 
close-fitting glass cover made for the purpose. 
Cattleya Triax.-e.— Birmingham : We cannot say that the 
variety of this Orchid which you send is rare, as C. Triame is so 
prone to variation, that in large collections of this there is 
practically no limit as to size, general form and'colouration. The 
bloom you send, however, is very choice, large and well formed. 
The purple stripe along the midrib of the petals recalls that of 
C. T. Backhouseana, but is paler and not so broad or pronounced 
at the top. The rich purple of the labellum runs well into the 
throat, so that the usual yellow blotch is small. It merits 
preservation even in a select collection of that variable Cattleya. 
Orange Buds Dropping. — C. 17.: It is impossible to tell from 
the small terminal leaves and flowers what the Orange is; but 
no doubt it is some of the numerous varieties of Citrus auratum; 
and, without fruit or information about it, we should be inclined 
to say your plant is the Otaheite Orange. The dropping of the 
buds may be due to the gas-tarring of the pipes, and the general 
influence of that practice is bad. But the dropping of the buds 
may be due to the influence of a low temperature, a damp 
atmosphere, and the absence of those conditions that favour the 
dispersion of the pollen and the setting of the fruit. We should 
recommend you to try artificial fertilisation and keep the plant 
in a rather warmer temperature, giving ventilation on all 
favourable occasions. 
Names of Plants.—/. M. D. : The Orchid is the ordinary 
form of Cypripedium venustum, but is of good substance, and 
appears to have been grown under cool treatment. T. P. : 1, 
We cannot undertake to name varieties of Camellia ; a florist or 
nurseryman with a collection would be best able to help you; 2, 
Rubus rosaefolius coronarius ; 3, Ccelogyne cristata is good and 
may be the variety maxima, but we should want to see the 
pseudo-bulbs and the number of flowers on a raceme. D.: Den- 
drobium aureum,generally known in gardens as D. lieterocarpum. 
W. B. G.: Acacia dealbata, the Silver Wattle. J G.: Epi- 
dendrum aromaticum. 
Communications Received.— E. H.—T. C.—J. H. H.—E. W.— 
G. S. A.—G. T.—S. T.-O. C. B.-J. T.—W. S.—W. J.—D. B.— 
Duncan—G. F. W. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
February 2Zrd. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. | s.d. s.d. 
Apples, £ sieve. 2 0 5 0 Pears, French, doz. ..3 0 6 0 
Grapes .per lb. 3 0 5 0 Pine-apples, St. 
Kent Cobs_lOOlbs.oO 0 Michaels, each .... 2 0 5 0 
Melons .each Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 10 2 0 
Pears,. 1-sieve.. 
Vegetables. —Prices the same as last week. 
Cut Flowees.—Avep.a 
s.d. s.d. 
Acacia or Mimosa, 
per bun. 0 9 16 
Arum Lilies, 12 blms. 4 0 6 0 
Azalea .... 12 sprays 06 10 
Bouvardias, per bun. 0 6 10 
Camellias... .per doz. 10 3 0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 16 3 0 
Chrysanthemums, 
12 bun.12 0 IS 0 
Chrysanthemums, 
12 blooms 2 0 6 0 
Cyclamen.. 12 blooms 0 6 10 
Epiphyllum, 12 blms. 0 4 0 6 
Eucharis, per dozen.. 4 0 6 0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms.12 0 IS 0 
Heliotropes, 12 sprays 0 6 10 
Hyacinths, Roman, 12 
sprays 0610 
Lilium longiflorum, 
12 blooms 6 0 9 0 
Lily of the Valley, 
12 sprays 0 6 10 
Marguerites, 12 bun... 3 0 6 0 
Plants in Pots.—Aver 
s.d. s.d. 
Aralia Sieboldi, doz.. 6 0 18 0 
Azalea .per doz. 24 0 36 0 
Cyclamen_perdoz.12 0 24 0 
Cyperus ..per dozen 4 0 12 0 
Dracaena term., doz. .30 0 60 0 
— viridis, per dozen 12 0 24 0 
Epiphyllums, perdoz.12 0 24 0 
Erica, various ..doz. 9 0 IS 0 
Evergreens, in var., 
per dozen . 6 0 24 0 
Ferns, in var., do .. 4 0 18 0 
Ficus elastica each ..16 76 
Foliage Plants, vari¬ 
ous, each. 2 0 10 6 
ie Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Mignonette, 12 bun... 3 0 6 0 
Paper-white Narcissus, 
12 bun. 10 2 0 
Pelargoniums,12 spys. 10 16 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, 
12 sprays ..08 10 
Poinsettia. .12 blooms 4 0 6 0 
Primroses_12 bun. 10 2 0 
Primula, double, bun. 10 16 
Roses (coloured) .... 2 0 4 0 
Roses, Tea, per dozen 3 0 SO 
Roses, mixed, per doz. 10 2 0 
— Saffrano .. per doz. 16 3 0 
Snowdrops ...12 bun. 10 4 0 
Tropieolums . 20 30 
Tuberoses, per dozen. 
Tulips ....12 blooms 0 9 10 
Violets.12 bun. 10 16 
— French_12 bun.lS 0 24 0 
-Parme.. 1 bun. 3 6 4 6 
White Jasmine, bun. 0 9 16 
White Lilac per bun. 5 0 7 0 
GE Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Genistas.per doz. 9 0 15 0 
Hyacinths, 
per doz. pots 0 0 10 0 
Lily ofValley.perdoz.lS 0 24 0 
Marguerites per doz. 9 0 12 0 
Mignonette, .per doz. 
Palms in variety, each 2 6 21 0 
Pelargoniums,scarlet, 
per dozen . 30 60 
Single Primula or 
sinensis .doz. 4 0 6 0 
Spiraeas.per doz. 9 0 15 0 
Tulips .. per doz. pots 6 0 10 0 
CONTENTS. 
PAGE 
Adiantum cuneatum. 410 
Brussels Sprouts, variegated 406 
Cabbages for spring sowing 411 
Caladiums. 407 
Camellias, self-coloured .. 40S 
Croton Evansianum . 40S 
Cypripediums, Hardy .... 407 
Floriculture. 414 
Gardeners’ Calendar. 412 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund.. 410 
Glenbervie House. 405 
Horticultural Societies .. 413 
Horticultural Technical 
Education . 400 
Iris, netted forms of. 410 
Kew, nomenclature at .... 406 
Musa ensete. 411 
Orange Cultivation . 410 
PAGE 
Nursery and Seed Trade 
Association .405 
! Orchid notes .412 
j Pelargoniums, zonal.40S 
I Plumbago capensis . 412 
Rose Pruning. 411 
I R. H. S., the' . 407 
I Seasonable Reminders .... 403 
j Scottish notes. 407 
! Solarium ovigerum.411 
South Park . 409 
Thuja giganteum.411 
Vine Culture at Hoeiiaert.. 405 
Walnut Trees, old. 406 
Weather in Lancashire.... 411 
Weather, the . 414 
J Wild and domesticated 
! plants. 40S 
N EW CHRYSANTHEMUMS for 1888.— 
Catalogue of all the best new and old varieties, three 
stamps.—G. STEVENS, St. John's Nursery, Putney, London, W. 
WUIRISTMAS ROSES. — Ten distinct va- 
vA rieties of this finest of hardy winter-flowering plants, 
Carriage free, for 10s. 
H EPATICAS. — Angnlosa, 3-s. per dozen ; 
Single Blue, 2s.; Double Blue, ISs.; Single Bed, 3s.; 
Double Red, 2s.; Single White, 3s. One flowering plant of each, 
free by post, for 2s. 9 d. 
MORRISON BROTHERS, Nurseries, Aberdeen. 
P RIMROSES.—Twelve distinct varieties of 
Double Primroses, one flowering plant of each, Carriage 
free, for Ss. 
The common varieties of Double Lilac, Double White, and 
Double Yellow, 2s. per dozen. 
P 
RIMULAS. — Fifty distinct varieties 
Primulas, one flowering plant of each, for 25s. 
Catalogues of names free on application. 
MORRISON BROTHERS, Nurseries, Aberdeen. 
of 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
James Carter & Co., High Holborn, London—Tested Grass 
and other Farm Seeds. 
Yiccahs Collver & Co., Central Hall, Silver Street, Leicester. 
—Flower and Vegetable Seeds, &e. 
F. Mattinson & Co., Leeming Lane Station, near Bedale.— 
Illustrated List of Garden Seats, Cast Metal Vases, &c. 
W. Hean, Quick & Co., Barnstaple.—Price List of Farm Seeds. 
S IMPLE INSTRUCTIONS, by which an 
abundance can be insured of delicious MUSHROOMS, 
see Seed List free.—RICHARD SMITH & Co., Seed Merchants 
and Nurserymen, Worcester. 
SPARAGUS, grand Roots for Forcing, 2.?. 
per dozen, 12s. 6rf. per 100; strong, for planting, 2s 6 d. 
per 100. SEA-KALE, forcing, 2s. 6 d. per dozen, 16s. per 100; 
planting, 2s. per dozen, 12s. 6 d. per 100.—RICHARD SMITH & 
Co., Nurserymen and Seed Merchants, Worcester. 
W. & J. Birkenhead, Sale, near Manchester.—Illustrated 
Catalogue of Ferns. 
D. Dowell, 246, King Street, West Hammersmith, W.—Hor¬ 
ticultural Sundries, Garden Pottery, &c. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
February 22nd. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, London, report no change 
in state of trade, the severe weather having checked 
the demand for Agricultural Seeds. Supplies continue 
large, but the market remains firm at present low range 
of prices. 
REEPERS FOR WALLS —By planting 
what is suitable, an ugly object may easily be made beau¬ 
tiful. Descriptive List and advice free. —RICHARD SMITH & 
Co., Nurserymen and Seed Merchants, Worcester. 
“ OXL Y THE BEST." 
GARAWAY & Co.’S 
GARDEN SEEDS ARE THE BEST 
AND CHEAPEST. 
Ail Carriage Paid. 15 per cent, discount for cash with order. 
Catalogues Post Free. 
GARAWAY & CO., 
DURDHAM DOWN, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. 
