534 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 21, 1888. 
GOOD PINES FOR PRESENT 
PLANTING. 
(Continued from p. 503.) 
The Douglas Fie. 
Pseudotsuga Douglasii is in certain situations one of 
the most valuable timber-producing trees that have yet 
found their way into these islands. As regards the 
actual produce of timber in a given time, it is far ahead 
of any other tree grown in this country, not even 
excepting the big Wellingtonia or Sequoia, and this 
from measurements recorded by ourselves, for a number 
of years, of trees grown under exactly similar conditions 
as regards soil, altitude, and situation. The greatest 
amount of timber produced by the Douglas Fir in this 
country during fifty years is, no doubt, that of which 
we ourselves kept a record, viz., 240 ft., or nearly 5 ft. 
per year for half-a-century. 
The tree here referred to as having produced this 
almost fabulous quantity of wood, is still growing on 
an estate in North Wales, and is of the following 
dimensions : girth of stem at three feet up, 11 ft. 9 ins., 
and at twenty-one feet up, 8 ft. 4 ins.; forty-two feet 
in length of the butt contains 217 ft. of excellent clean 
timber. Another tree of the same kind, growing 
within a few yards of the former, has a girth of stem 
at three feet from the ground of 13 ft. ins., and 
twenty-four feet in length of the stem contains exactly 
131 ft. of wood. In a plantation of the Douglas Fir 
that was formed twenty-two years ago, the average 
sizes we found to be as follows : height, 76 ft.; girth of 
stem at twenty-four feet, 4 ft.; cubic contents, fully 
50 ft. The timber produced in this country is of excel¬ 
lent quality, being light but strong, works very readily, 
has a pleasant yellowish tinge, and takes on a good 
polish. By way of experiment we have used the wood 
pretty extensively for fencing purposes, for doors, in 
boat building—principally as masts—and for various 
other purposes, and with excellent results ; although it 
would be yet premature to speak with perfect certainty, 
for sufficient time for a fair trial has not yet elapsed 
since the experiments were instituted. 
That the Douglas Fir is a tree that is eminently 
adapted for cultivation in this country is already well 
known, but to grow it in anything like a satisfactory 
way it must be planted in sheltered hollows, for exten¬ 
sive experience has long ago proved to us that it is 
ill adapted for braving the storm, and that even at but 
a few feet above the sea level. "When choosing ground 
in which to plant the Douglas Fir, it is, therefore, 
well to bear the above fact in mind, and thus plant 
it only in sheltered situations or where it will be 
screened from the prevailing winds of the particular 
district in which it is to be used. Such situations are 
plentiful enough on almost every estate in this country, 
as is well known to every one who is at all interested 
in such matters ; and if it be intended to grow this 
handsome and valuable tree in anything like a 
satisfactory way, then its peculiarities, when brought 
under cultivation in this country, must be attended to, 
for a lengthy experience on an estate where it is, 
perhaps, grown in greater quantities than on any other, 
has now fully convinced me that the Douglas Fir is an 
ill-chosen subject for exposed ground. 
Gravelly soil would seem to suit this noble tree well, 
but it is, likewise, quite at home and produces large 
quantities of wood on good loam, or where alluvial 
deposit is present. The large specimens, whose dimen¬ 
sions are above recorded, are growing in gravelly soil. 
A long time ago we strongly advocated the forming of 
plantations of A. Douglasii alone, or with some other 
tree of equally as rapid growth ; for when mixed up with 
the general run of our forest trees, the leader, from the 
fact of the specimens having, as it were, been coddled up, 
on overtopping those of its neighbours soon gets broken 
off, or otherwise presents an almost branchless whip- 
handle-like appearance. We do not wish to say one 
word against this, our favourite Fir, but the truth 
must be told, and our own experience, gained principally 
on a low-lying sea-side estate, and where the tree was 
annually planted by the thousand, is that A. Douglasii 
must occupy a sheltered situation, if either ornament 
or utility be points of paramount importance. The 
Douglas Fir is readily enough propagated from seed, 
which is borne in great abundance by trees in this 
country—a fact which will no doubt cause the tree to 
be more largely planted than it might otherwise have 
been expected. It transplants well when of large size, 
owing to the abundance of fibrous roots with which it 
is furnished, and is thus of great value for ornamental 
planting, or where immediate effect is wanted. There 
can be no doubt but that there is a bright future for the 
Douglas Fir in this country.— A. D. Webster. 
EXHIBITING FOR HONOUR. 
To say that a man exhibits for prizes, and, if possible, 
is anxious to secure the first, since it brings with 
it honour and a substantial reward for labour, patience 
and skill displayed, is only repeating a fact with which 
most of us are more or less familiar. It is only right 
and fair that it should be so, but there is a danger in 
exhibiting, that sometimes the measures taken to 
secure this desirable end are not such as will permit the 
clear light of day to shine upon them. However, I do 
not wish to say much on this point, but rather to record 
a case of magnanimity and self-denial which came under 
my notice at a recent spring show. I will not give 
the locality where it took place, nor name the persons 
chiefly interested. A class for twenty plants only 
brought out two competitors, but both groups were of 
excellent merit, and well staged. The judges entered 
on their duties, and awarded the prizes as their 
knowledge and discretion led them, and I am not going 
to question their decision, but the person who was 
awarded the second prize certainly felt somewhat 
aggrieved at the award, and appealed to the committee. 
The judges’ attention was again called to the groups, 
but they failed to see that they had erred, and would 
not alter the award. In a short time the gentleman 
who had been placed first, finding some soreness and 
irritability was working in the breast of his opponent, 
quietly took his card on which the first prize had been 
duly recorded, and also that of the second prize group, 
and desired the secretary to reverse the decision. He 
was perfectly willing to be put second, in fact he desired 
it, and his opponent was placed in the first position. 
Such acts of self-abnegation and disinterestedness comes 
so seldom under one’s notice, that I think it only fair 
to record that we still have those in our exhibiting 
ranks who show for the love of the thing, and whose 
first consideration is not how many prizes they have 
secured, nor how much “siller ” has come to the bag.— 
W. S. P. [A generous act undoubtedly, but not a 
fair one to the judges, nor one which any right-minded 
exhibitor would accept. If the committee had faith 
in the judges, their award should have been upheld. It 
was an error of judgment to alter the award under 
such circumstances, and one which all show committees 
would do well to avoid. Justice before generosity 
should be the inflexible rule in all such cases.—E d.] 
--*£<—- 
CULTURE OF THE POINSETTIA. 
The Poinsettia is a native of Mexico, and when well 
cultivated, its showy scarlet bracts form an attractive 
feature in plant stoves during the dull days of winter. 
The stock of plants that have been at rest since their 
beauty has faded and gone, will now require overhaul¬ 
ing and assisting to start into fresh growth, by giving 
a good watering and placing them in a temperature of 
65° or thereabouts. They should occupy a position 
where they will obtain plenty of light to ensure their 
breaks being as strong as possible, as by starting them 
in some out-of-the-way corner—which to the uninitiated 
they really seem to merit from their stick-like appear¬ 
ance at that time—their growth will be weak and long- 
jointed, and not possess that firmness essential to 
success in propagating the young growths to form a 
fresh batch of plants. "When they have made growth 
sufficient to warrant the taking of cuttings, sever the 
shoots from the old stem with a slight heel if possible, 
and insert them singly into small pots, using fine 
sandy soil ; after the cuttings are inserted place them 
in a propagating frame or other close quarters. As 
soon as rooted allow a little air to prevent them be¬ 
coming unduly drawn, and re-pot into 48-in. pots as 
soon as requisite, shifting into pots of greater size, if it 
be desired to produce large plants. 
The Poinsettia is not over fastidious as regards soil, 
it having been grown in all sorts from peat to loam ; but 
that which we prefer is composed of two parts fibrous 
loam, and one part of thoroughly decayed manure, 
adding plenty of sharp coarse sand, as thorough 
drainage and porosity of soil is necessary to prevent 
anything approaching stagnation at the root. Defective 
drainage, and consequent sourness of soil, soon causes 
the roots to decay and the foliage to turn yellow and 
drop ; and as the beau ideal Poinsettia should possess 
good bracts and green healthy foliage down to the pot, 
the endeavour should be made to produce plants in 
that condition. 
During the summer months they will grow and 
thrive well in a brick pit or frame, standing them on 
an ash bottom, which should be kept damp, syringing 
the plants overhead in the afternoon at shutting-up 
time. Careful watering is necessary, and keeping the 
plants well up to the glass will promote a strong stocky 
habit, so necessary for the production of good bracts. 
The Poinsettia delights in sunshine when in active 
growth and robust health, so that shading is not 
required, excepting when the plants have been 
re-potted ; shade and a close temperature are then 
necessary until the roots have fairly taken hold of the 
new soil. 
I remember some plants we had in 48’s, and it being 
desirable they should remain in that size as they were 
required dwarf, we plunged them in a sheltered position 
out of doors in the full glare of the sun during July 
and August, and had no reason to be dissatisfied with 
the result; but to produce good dwarf specimens it is 
preferable to propagate some good points in August, 
which will make nice decorative plants. Poinsettias 
grown in unheated pits or frames should be removed to 
a suitable temperature when the nights begin to get 
chilly in autumn. Those plants which it is necessary 
to retain in pots for decorative purposes should have a 
light position in a house having a temperature of 65° or 
thereabouts. "Where they are required in a cut state 
for vase furnishing, we prefer to plant them out early 
in September in a Melon house, or a similar structure 
furnished with bottom heat, which we consider is a 
great help to them, as bottom heat assists root develop¬ 
ment—especially after being turned out of their pots— 
thereby helping them to retain their foliage. Those 
that we would thus plant out for cutting purposes may 
be the old plants from which the pot specimens were 
propagated, and which may have two or more shoots; 
after cutting they can be cleared out and thrown away, 
and those in pots kept for propagating and planting 
out for cutting purposes another season. After the 
beauty of the Poinsettia is over they require very little 
water, just sufficient to keep them from shrivelling, and 
a temperature of 50° will suit them while at rest.— 
George Potts , Jv.nr. 
-=**6g<—- 
JASMINUM SPECIES. 
The Jasmine of some, or Jessamine of others, is very 
much prized for the abundance of sprays of grateful 
fragrance which it produces. The common Jasmine 
(Jasminum officinale) requires no praise of mine bestowed 
upon it to popularise a plant so generally cultivated ; 
though from its hardiness and adaptability for covering 
walls and arbours, too much cannot be said in its 
favour. This species comes from Northern India and 
Persia. Next in order, from its freedom in producing 
fragrant yellow flowers through the winter season, is 
the winter Jasmine (J. nudiflorum), which is to be seen 
cultivated in villa gardens as well as in those of 
noblemen. It is very hardy, though frequently its 
flowers are sadly spoilt by the north-east winds when 
exposed to that quarter. "When planted on a south¬ 
west aspect, it does not receive those dreaded winds, 
and the blooms are better preserved. These are very 
useful for cut-flower purposes, lasting as they do for a 
long time after removal from the plant. Those above 
mentioned are both extremely hardy; but there are 
two others requiring greenhouse treatment which, I 
think, deserve extensive cultivation. I refer to 
J. grandiflorum and J. gracillimum, both of which 
readily adapt themselves to pot culture, and are useful 
for standing among the various good things met with 
in a well-furnished conservatory. J. gracillimum was 
introduced from Northern Borneo, flowering for the 
first time in this country in 1SS0, at Messrs. James 
Veitch & Sons’ nursery, and, in my opinion, it will 
become a great acquisition. Hybridisers may, in the 
near future, be able to give us a variety in the colour of 
the flowers, and they wfill be a welcome addition to so 
popular a plant as the Jasmine. Other species are 
J. revolutum, J. odoratissimum, and J. Sambac, all 
deserving of notice. The four first dwelt upon are the 
cream of a class of plants which are prized alike by 
high and low, and are adapted for decorating the tables 
of the rich as well as for the adornment of the cottage 
home.— J. S. T. 
-- 
ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE. 
Youk correspondent, “F. R. S.,” states that this Fern, 
which is probably a sport from A. tenerum, rarely 
produces seed spores. This, I take it, infers that it 
occasionally does so. I should much like to know from 
the writer or any other grower, when and where spores 
have been observed upon the plant, and if any young 
plants have ever been raised by such means. I do not 
say that none ever have been so obtained, but it has 
not come under my notice. I remember once trying to 
cause spores to be developed on some plants, and with 
