January 3, 1891. 
THE HARDENING WORLD. 
2711 
dropped, or the plants are entirely leafless. Plants 
with large leaves and those in which the latter mostly 
spring from near the ground, have been injured and ren¬ 
dered unsightly by large blotches appearing in them. 
To this class belong B. socotrana, B. ricinifolia, and B. 
nelumbfcfolia. A large number of species show that 
the mischief has been extensive and wide reaching, but 
it seems strange that some, even under the same con¬ 
ditions, should have suffered comparatively little injury. 
No doubt the structure of the leaves in some cases offers 
greater resistance to the penetration of the destructive 
elements or agencies contained in London fog. 
Various other subjects show effects somewhat similar 
to the large-leaved Begonias, the leaves that have 
not dropped having become blotched, or browned and 
curled up in patches as if they had been scorched with 
fire. Amongst these may be noted Ardisia mamillata, 
although in some cases it is entirely leafless, also Pentas 
kermesina, Isoloma hirsuta, Miconia Hookeriana, 
Costus igneus, Bouvardias, and various Capsicums, 
which are grown for the ornamental character of their 
fruit, all of which are now in a sorry plight. The fine 
old plant of Medinilla magnifica, in the Victoria house, 
with its large, evergreen, leathery leaves, has suffered 
to an extent which we have never seen it before. It is 
almost the last plant which one would have expected 
to lose its leaves through bid light or the presence of 
fog; yet almost the whole of the full-grown leaves have 
dropped, while those that remain are blotched. A 
great number of the branches had started into growth, 
and the leaves, although less than half grown, are the 
least injured of any that the plant bears. Besides 
Miconia Hookeriana already mentioned, and belonging 
to the same family as Medinilla, another fine-foliaged 
subject named Tococa latifolia has been partly 
defoliated. The mischief in these cases is the more 
deplorable, because it takes a long time to get young 
plants reared to take their place. - 
The Marantas, such as M. depressa and M. Kercho- 
veana, show signs of distress by assuming a sickly yellow 
hue, thereby rendering them as useless for decorative 
purposes as if they had dropped. The fine specimen 
of Anthurium splendidum enclosed in a glass case in 
the stove has been completely disfigured, as if it had 
received no more protection than the others, showing 
the extremely penetrating nature of the fog. The 
climbing Allamanda violacea has been completely 
defoliated, while Acalypha hispida and A. colorata are 
almost in the same leafless condition. The record is 
not yet complete however, and unless we get a change 
for the better at an early date, the loss will be 
enormous before the winter is over. 
SEEDLING SUGAR CANES. 
Considering not merely the hotanical interest, but 
the commercial value of the Sugar Cane, it is surprising 
that the fact of its producing ripe seeds has remained a 
secret so long. The observations made by Dr. Benecks 
in Java, during the years 1887 to 1889, go to show 
that the experiments in the Barbados were anticipated. 
On the other hand, in the report of the Botanical 
Department of Jamaica for 1884, it is stated that 
sixty varieties were under trial in the Botanic Gardens 
there. It would be interesting to learn how those 
varieties originated if anything is known of their 
history at all, for it is evident they must have arisen 
as sports or from seed, most likely and most naturally 
in the latter way, as the information furnished in the 
above report affirms that the varieties in question 
could be distinguished by the “foliage, by size, colour, 
and character of stem, and by general habit. 
"We have many familiar instances of sports amongst 
Chrysanthemums, but the variation is generally, if not 
always confined to the flower heads, and consists of a 
change of colour only except in a few cases where the 
general character of the bloom is altered. The same 
thing is met with more sparingly amongst other 
garden flowers, such as Dahlias, Carnations, Roses, 
and similar subjects whose stability has been upset by 
long cultivation, cross-breeding, and hybridisation. 
Something more akin to the varieties of the Sugar 
Cane, however, occurs at intervals amongst Potatos. 
The tubers of certain coloured varieties give rise to 
sports, or in other words, the tubers at a stem are not 
all alike. Cultivators select the more distinct of them, 
and grow them on as separate varieties. Here, then, we 
have variations in the tuber which is morphologically 
equivalent to a branch of the underground stems. 
But the varieties of the Cane in question varied in the 
foliage, the character of the stem, and in habit. 
It would appear as if those sorts had arisen as spon¬ 
taneous or chance seedlings in the Sugar Cane 
plantations, and had been picked up by planters as 
something promising to be distinct. At all events it 
would be interesting if information on these points 
were forthcoming. It is affirmed that certain varieties 
do produce seed at times, although rather sparingly. 
Some varieties of Potatos produce no seed, while in 
others the flowers drop before advancing beyond the 
bud stage. Some varieties of the Grape Vine produce 
no seed, including Black Monukka ; the Blenheim 
Orange Tomato is nearly seedless, and many other 
cultivated subjects often show a reluctance to ripen 
seed, or do so very sparingly.— F. 
-- 
THE SENSE OF SMELL. 
There is occasional evidence, given by inquiries 
respecting sweet-scented flowers, that there are at least 
some who have a conviction that the nose, by which 
the fifth sense is exercised, has its legitimate use beyond 
being the butt of occasional joke and banter. Granting 
that there are noses which almost invariably convey an 
unfavourable impression as to the character and habits 
of their owners and bring on them a measure of con¬ 
tempt and ridicule, and some which are a disfigurement 
from no fault of their owners, the nose is after all the 
truest index to the facial arrangement, and the sense of 
smell will give to those who give it fair play delights 
of the most exquisite and refined character. 
I submit that this sense of smell seldom gets fair 
play, and rarely gets educated as the senses of sight, 
hearing, or even taste are, and which in many instances 
are cultivated to the highest attainable degree ; and 
whilst the appreciation of odours is left to chance, the 
importance of the exercise of this fifth sense is much 
underrated. 1 Yet, in what position would our sanitary 
inspectors, doctors, cooks, and butchers be without it ? 
"Why it seems as though the nose was planted as a 
watch-tower on the face to warn us of otherwise hidden 
dangers ; yet it is the butt of meaningless jokes, which 
are more rarely applied to other features of the face. 
Our olfactory nerves really take precedence over those 
of our tongue and stomach, welcoming those things 
suitable to the sustenance of our bodies, and protesting 
against that which is unsuitable and hurtful. 
The sense of smell as exhibited in different individuals 
presents some striking anomalies. There are some few 
scented flowers, the odours of which are grateful to 
most people, but obnoxious to a few. Those with noses 
of such abnormal olfactory nerves labour under peculiar 
disadvantages, and are prone to make themselves 
obnoxious through this peculiar development of their 
sense of smell, and miss those higher delights which 
the inhaling of delicious odours gives to those whose 
organ of smell is in a normal condition and capable of 
imparting to their owners the pleasure nature intended 
from the varied perfumes of our gardens and parterres. 
Now why should not this sense be more cultivated 
than it is at present ? There is some evidence given 
in the different ways in which those of varied tastes 
use the artificial perfumes of commerce. 
The lady of refined taste will so use them as to 
suggest faint breezes from the fields and flower gar¬ 
dens, whilst vulgarity will load the air with the 
strongest odours procurable, provided they are labelled 
“scents.” The odours of natural flowers are always 
preferable to anything from the perfumer’s shop, the 
scent of either flowers or foliage often reviving 
memories of old and almost forgotten friends who were 
partial to some particular flower or plant on account of 
its perfume. Years ago some old friends made a 
practice of carrying a piece of the sweet Woodruffe in 
their watch cases, on account of its delicate perfume, 
which when dry resembled new-made hay. 
A great varietyof tastes as respects scent is met with, 
some growing one thing more than others. I have 
known instances in which the common Musk was 
highly objectionable, and Mignonette an abomination. 
I have an idea that the almost universal use of 
tobacco has in many instances vitiated the sense of 
smell and deprived many of the pleasure that might 
otherwise be derived from the inhaliDg of less 
obnoxious odours. There is no month in the year 
during which the owner of even a comparatively small 
garden may not have the satisfaction of stepping out 
into it and have the pleasure of inhaliDg some of 
the most delicate perfumes obtainable, and that from 
some of the hardiest plants in cultivation. Every one 
of course knows the Violet is seldom out of flower 
during open weather through the winter months, but 
comparatively few know the merits of Lonicera 
fragrantissima as a scented flower, the odour of which 
is to our mind far superior to the Violet. This I 
have gathered when covered with frost and snow, and 
question if anything more deliciously scented can be 
found. Then, again, there is OhimoDanthus fragrans, 
which for scent may be compared to the spicy breezes 
of Ceylon, and will be admired by some to whom the 
scent of the Honeysuckle named will be tame. These 
I have mentioned because they send forth their odours 
when Nature seems everywhere at rest ; and when she 
wakes into new life she gives us more varied supplies 
from which to draw upon. But as there has recently 
been given in your pages lists of sweet-scented hardy 
flowers, I will merely mention but one more, and that 
shall be Solomon’s Seal, which, strangely enough, 
comparatively few seem to be aware of, yet the odour 
of which is very delicious to some. — IF. B. G. 
--- 
FLOWER SHOWS, &c., 1891. 
Jan. 7, 8.—National Chrysanthemum Society : Mid¬ 
winter exhibition at the Aquarium. 
13.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
15.—Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution ; 
Annual Meeting. 
Feb. 10.—Royal Horticultural Society: Annual Meeting 
at 3 p.m. 
March 3, 21.—Exhibition of Gardening Appliances, 
Sundries, &c., at the Crystal Palace. 
10.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
17. —Manchester Botanical and Horticultural 
Society : Spring Show at the Town Hall. 
18. —Royal Botanic Society. 
18, 19.—Preston and Fulwood Horticultural 
Society. 
24.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
April 10, 11.—Royal Horticultural Society of Aber¬ 
deen : Spring Show. 
14.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
21. —Royal Horticultural Society : National 
Auricula Society’s Show. 
22. —Royal Botanic Society. 
28.—Manchester Botanical and Horticultural 
Society: Second Spring Show at the 
Town Hall. 
May 12.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
13. —Royal Botanic Society. 
15. —Manchester Great "Whitsuntide Show opens. 
27, 28.—Royal Horticultural Society ; Show in 
Temple Gardens. 
June 9.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
17. —Royal Botanic Society. 
23.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
23.—National Rose Society’s Exhibition of Tea 
Roses at the Drill Hall, S.W. 
July 1. —Croydon Horticultural Society’s Show. 
4.—National Rose Show at the Crystal Palace. 
7. —Royal Horticultural Society : Conference and 
Exhibition at Chiswick of Hardy Summer 
Perennials and Small Fruits. 
8. —Royal Botanic Society’s Evening Fete. 
8, 9, 10.—Portsmouth Floricultural Society. 
14, 15, 16.—Wolverhampton Floral Fete. 
16. —National Rose Show at Hereford. 
18.—Manchester Botanical and Horticultural 
Society’s Rose Show at Old Trafford. 
21. —Royal Horticultural Society : National Car¬ 
nation and Picotee Society’s Exhibition. 
Aug. 11.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
20, 21, 22.—Royal Horticultural Society of 
Aberdeen : Annual Floral Fete. 
25.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
Sept. 8.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
9, 10, 11.—Royal Caledonian Horticultural 
Society’s International Fruit Show at 
Edinburgh. 
9, 10.— National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
Show at the Aquarium. 
22. —Royal Horticultural Society. 
Oct. 6, 7.—Royal Horticultural Society : Conference 
at Chiswick on Conifers, Michaelmas 
Daisies, &c. 
13, 14, 15, 16.—Manchester Botanical and Horti¬ 
cultural Society ; Exhibition of Hardy 
Fruits in the Town Hall. 
Nov. 3, 4 —Wells (Somerset) Chrysanthemum Show. 
4, 5, 6.—Portsmouth Chrysanthemum Show. 
10. —Royal Horticultural Society. 
10, 11.—Kingston Chrysanthemum Show. 
10, 11, 12.—National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
Show. 
11, 12.—Birmingham Chrysanthemum Show. 
11, 12.—Croydon Chrysanthemum Show. 
11, 12.—Northampton Chrysanthemum Show. 
11, 12.—Tunbridge Wells Chrysanthemum Show. 
13, 14.—Nottingham Chrysanthemum Show. 
18, 19.—Hull Chrysanthemum Show. 
Dec. 8.—Royal Horticultural Society. 
