December 22, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
263 
The New Vegetable. 
Stachys tuberifera, tlie new vegetable introduced 
by Jtf. Pailleaux from Japan, seems destined to fill 
a rather important part in the “ Menu ” of the future as 
a delicacy for the table. It appears to be easily cul¬ 
tivated, and will do in any good garden soil. I grew a 
batch of it this year, and was satisfied with the result 
for the first time, as, although the tubers are small, 
they may perhaps be improved in that respect under 
cultivation. I planted the tubers in March in triangles 
10 ins. apart each way, 3 ins. deep, and 15 ins. from 
row to row, as I was recommended to do, but in the 
future shall simply plant them the same as Potatos, as 
I am sure they will do better that way. The tubers 
after ripening seem to keep best in the ground, and, 
therefore, are best dug as required. The surface of the 
ground should be covered with litter, so as to be able 
to dig during frost, or some may be dug up and stored in 
moist sand. The plants seem to like a liberal supply 
of manure, and plenty of water in dry weather.— 
Alfred Gant. 
-- 
PARAFFIN IN THE GARDEN. 
While the very interesting discussion on this subject 
is now proceeding in your columns, I should like, if I 
may be permitted, to thank Mr. Alex. Wright, first, 
for the valuable hints and suggestions he recently 
offered, and secondly, by anticipation for some further 
information relative to the term paraffin. I presume 
when the word paraffin is used, paraffin oil is intended, 
and this again I deem synonymous with petroleum. 
The object of my inquiry is to elicit some facts about 
paraffin as a solid, as I understand this substance to be 
semi-transparent and inodorous, and to be obtained from 
crude petroleum. Now petroleum is a mineral oil with 
an exceptionally unpleasant odour, and imported from 
America in immense quantities, therefore I take it 
that when paraffin is mentioned, petroleum is the fluid 
indicated. 
As these two terms are somewhat confusing, perhaps 
Mr. Wright, or some other correspondent, will kindly 
concede an explanation. If the two terms are 
synonymous, the indiscriminate use of both are highly 
misleading, and ought to be condemned or discontinued. 
Having unburthened my mind thus far, I will proceed 
to say that I became 'acquainted with the beneficial 
effects of, what I call, petroleum as an insecticide in 
quite an accidental manner. Some few years ago I 
purchased an empty petroleum cask for garden 
purposes, and filling this with water I applied the 
contents a few days later to some pot plants, mostly 
Chrj 7 santhemums, infested with worms ; when lo ! and 
behold ! these obnoxious creatures came to the surface 
with such alacrity that the effect was alarming. 
However, no evil result followed—I mean to the plants 
—and I therefore concluded that if petroleum was not 
a fertiliser, it certainly was a vermin destroyer. The 
petroleum had done its work, and although it could 
not have been a very strong solution, yet the event 
proved highly gratifying. 
In the various ways in which I have since dealt with 
it it has always proved amenable to intelligent 
manipulation. I feel certain that were its properties 
and qualities better understood—and. your admirable 
journal will make a happy medium for disseminating 
the knowledge—it would be more largely used, not 
only to the advantage of the operator, but on the score 
of effectiveness and economy. Little amateurs, like 
myself, cannot afford to experiment too largely, so that 
the necessary information, when it comes from such 
reliable sources as your esteemed correspondents, cannot 
fail to be of great practical utility. Moreover, to me, 
petroleum is an all-important factor as a means of 
expelling the intrusion of frost from my half-hardy plant 
structure. But on its properties as a heat-giving power, 
and on its adaptability for cool greenhouse purposes, I 
should like, at some other time, to dilate. 
Petroleum is not only useful as an insecticide, as 
a light and heat-giving agent, as a salve for chilblains, 
etc., but is also, according to the American method, of 
use in facilitating the extraction of dirt from the family 
wash. As such I doubt not it will interest the gardener’s 
“better-half.” Here it is:—Fill an ordinary copper 
three parts full of water, adding J lb. of soap ; when 
this has dissolved and the water reached the boiling 
point, add two table-spoonfuls of petroleum, giving 
the mixture two or three more minutes to enable it to 
thoroughly commingle. When this is accomplished 
insert the dirty linen, boil for half an hour, take out 
and rinse in the usual way, and the washing is 
complete, the bleaching process effectually rendering 
the clothes inodorous. I may add that the copper 
must be re-filled each time a fresh lot of linen is 
subjected to this treatment, and the foregoing details 
precisely repeated.— C. B. G ., Acton, TV. 
Allow me to ask if any of your numerous readers and 
correspondents have tried the effects of paraffin on 
Cauliflowers attacked by the maggot or grub at the 
roots, and if so, in what proportion the oil was used. 
I may say that I had some plants of Early London 
attacked very badly last spring, for which I tried lime 
and soot, without effect. Can anyone say also if it 
would he safe to use paraffin for wire-worm among 
Carnations and in Vine borders, in the proportion of 
oil to water recommended by Mr. Wright, viz., a 60- 
sized pot of oil to a four-gallon can of water ? I can 
fully endorse all that has been said in favour of paraffin 
as an insecticide, having used it for scale, mealy-bug, 
thrip, &c., on stove and greenhouse plants. Let me also 
thank Mr. Alfred Gaut for the valuable information he 
has given concerning red-spider on Vines, which I 
shall certainly use should I find it necessary.— TV. A. B. 
-->X<-- 
EASTER DUDDINGSTON LODGE 
Within two or three miles of Edinburgh, at Easter 
Duddingston Lodge, Joppa, is the residence of Charles 
Jenner, Esq., forming a snug retreat bordering on the 
Firth of Forth, and sheltered by tall trees. Besides 
the latter, there is a wealth of variety in an extensive 
plantation of choice kinds grown in the Woodland 
Arboretum, of which we shall speak presently. The 
collection of herbaceous and Alpine plants, Ferns, and 
choice or rare shrubs is also very extensive : and the 
number of half-hardy trees and shrubs, which we in 
the south usually regard as greenhouse subjects, but 
which are planted in the open air at Easter Duddingston 
Lodge, is truly surprising, and can only be accounted 
for by proximity of the gardens to the Firth of Forth, 
which has undoubtedly a great influence in moderating 
the severity of the weather in that locality. 
The Rock Garden. 
This is a square enclosure occupying a considerable 
space of ground, and variously laid out in beds, borders, 
mounds, ridges, or grottos, none of which are moreover 
of any considerable elevation, but sunk in many places, 
while they are surrounded with terraces or walls more 
or less covered with climbers or other vegetation. 
During the last week of September last many rock 
plants were still rather gay, including Epilobium 
obcordatum, Gypsophila repens, Hutchinsia alpina, 
Polygonum vacciniasfolium and Thymus carnosus. 
Saxifragas, Veronicas and Campanulas are largely 
represented. Amongst those in flower were Veronica 
spicata hybrida, V. Guthrieana and V. reptans. The 
pretty evergreen white-flowered Potentilla tridentata 
was also in bloom, as well as Erodium Manescavii, 
Linaria alpina thriving well, Gaultheria nummu- 
larioides, the Himalayan Wintergreen, and Primula 
obconica. The latter is merely protected in winter by 
a sheet of glass to throw off the wet. Amongst Orchids 
Epipactis palustris and Cypripedium spectabile thrive 
well, but the latter does best in positions that are dry 
rather than wet. Large patches of Androsace sarmen- 
tosa and A. lanuginosa thriving luxuriantly, testify to 
the favourable nature of the climate, and the cultural 
skill of Mr. Chapman, the gardener, who has a wide 
experience in the culture of hardy plants’ in general. 
The interesting Veronica salicornoides flowered here 
two years ago. Large plants of Astragalus Tragacantha 
are very conspicuous on the banks surrounding a grotto. 
Amongst plants in fruit were Rosa pyrenaica with long 
cylindrical scarlet hips, the pearly-fruited Margyri- 
carpus setosus, and Mandragora vernalis (otherwise 
known as M. officinalis), which carried thirteen fruits 
like little Apples. 
Frame for Alpines. 
Independently of the specimens planted out, there is 
always a reserve stock of plants in pots with which to 
make good the losses that occur. These are plunged 
in sand in a long row of shallow frames, from which 
the lights are entirely. removed in summer. The 
plants are well exposed to light by the frames being 
raised about 3 ft. above the pathway in front, and by 
the framework being only a few inches in depth. 
Choice things in flower were Aciena microphylla (also 
known as A. No vie Zealandiae), Erodium Richardsoni, 
E. curvifolium, the Daisy-like Erigeron mucronatus, 
Anomatheca cruenta, Lobelia repens, and Mazus 
pumilio. We also noted a group of true Daisies and 
their closest allies, including Beilis rotundifolia coeru- 
lescens, Bellium minutum, and B. crassifolium, all 
extremely pretty and interesting in their way. 
Hypericum reptans, H. patulum, and Linum flavum 
all find a happy home. Primula Parryi flowers every 
year, and Veronica Armstrongi also flowered in summer. 
Sedums, Saxifrages, and Sempervivums are grown in 
quantity, and it is impossible, in the compass of a short 
article, to refer to a tithe of them. 
Choice Shrubs. 
All over the rock garden are dotted great numbers of 
choice subjects, such as Retinosporas, Juniperus com¬ 
munis hibernica stricta, Ledums, Hollies, Ivies, and 
Rhododendrons. A border of the latter contained R. 
aromaticum bearing small white wavy flowers, R. 
lancifolium well set with buds, R. Hodgsoni with large 
oblong leaves, rusty beneath, and R. Chamrecistus. 
The Menziesias were also well represented by M. em- 
petrifolia, M. polifolia, and its several coloured varieties. 
There were huge healthy bushes of Veronica Traversi, 
V. parviflora, Anthyllis erinacea 4 ft. square and 2 ft. 
high, the Wild Irishman (Discaria Toumaton), and 
Acer palmatum rubrum. A grand sight was presented 
by a specimen of Yucca gloriosa superba with a 
panicled flower-stem about 8 ft. high. Philesia buxi- 
folia proves perfectly hardy in the open air, and although 
only about 6 ins. high, produces flowers. 
A portion of the rockwork imitating rocks and woods 
is hollowed out in places, elevated in others and built 
with large, rugged and projecting stones. These are 
appropriately planted with strong or tall-growing 
subjects, including a fine piece of Muhlenbeckia 
adpressa, Sudaea fruticosa, Chamierops Fortunei, and 
Aralia Sieboldi, which have been planted out since the 
rockery was constructed in 1877-78. It may here be 
mentioned that a tablet records the fact that the 
rockery was designed and constructed by William 
Gorrie, Esq., Rait Lodge, Trinity, in the above- 
mentioned years; and also that Charles Jenner, Esq., was 
then proprietor, and Mr. Mungo Chapman, gardener 
then as now. 
Edwardsia microphylla planted in 1878 now forms a 
handsome healthy bush, about 6 ft. high. Andromeda 
formosa, usually regarded as a greenhouse subject, was 
also planted at the same date. The Ribbon Tree 
(Plagianthus betulinus), 18 ft. high, Cistus ladaniferus, 
Quercus glabra, Phormium tenax variegata, and 
Eurybia tomentosa, were also very noticeable. Two 
specimens of the Awned-coned Pine of California 
(P. aristata) are now about 4 ft. high, and constitute 
stiff erect-habited little trees. 
Hardy Ferns. 
The bulk of these, as might be expected, consists of the 
British species and their numerous varieties, but there 
are also numerous exotic species, many of which are 
usually regarded as only half hardy. Some of these 
occupy a glass-covered Fernery, with a wall on the 
south side and quite open on the northern aspect. 
Here luxuriate Osmunda regalis, 0. r. cristata, 0. 
cinnamomea, 0. interrupta, and 0. Claytoniana. The 
Lady Ferns are represented by large specimens, as well 
as Polvstichum angulare proliferum and patches of 
Polypodium Dryopteris and P. Robertianum. A more 
varied collection is planted on a border with a north 
aspect, and which is altogether unprotected. Here 
were beautiful bits of Asplenium fontanum, Allosorus 
crispus (the Mountain Parsley Fern), Ceterach offiei- 
narum, a fine dwarf patch of Lomaria alpina, the Holly 
Fern (Polystichum Lonchitis), Lastrea lepidota, and 
Osmunda regalis cristata in fine condition. The 
common Polypody is well represented by Polypodium 
vulgare cambricum and P. v. elegantissimum, while the 
finer forms of the Male Fern include Lastrea Filix-Mas 
crispata and L. F.-M. cristata angustata. Lastrea 
aemula, the Hay-scented Fern, is also here, together 
with Polystichum angulare grandidens truncatum El- 
worthii. Cyrtomium caryotideum and C. Fortunei 
have been outdoors for some years, although they are 
generally grown in a greenhouse temperature. 
The Herbaceous Border. 
Although practically very late in the season, there was 
an abundance of hardy subjects in flower. A row of 
Bocconia cordata, with stems from 6 ft. to 9 ft. in 
height, formed a very conspicuous back line. There 
were also handsome pieces of Phygelius capensis, 
Arnebia echioides, Helianthus multiflorus plenus, 
Phlomis pungens, bearing a profusion of rose-coloured 
flowers, the Cape Hyacinth (Galtonia candicans) fully a 
yard high, the rosy Potentilla nepalensis, healthy 
strong-growing plants of Orchis maculata superba, a 
most desirable variety to cultivate, and single and 
double Colchicums scattered about. 
The Woodland Arboretum. 
This occupies a considerable extent of ground, and is 
planted with a rich and varied collection of all the 
most popular deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs 
that one may meet with scattered about in various 
