January 12, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
805 
CLERODENDRONS. 
Apart from the climbing section of this genus, a few 
species exist that may be worthy of good cultivation, 
partly on account of the delightful perfume of some, and 
in others of the rich and brilliant coloured flowers. 
C. fragrans flore pleno is a highly scented kind bearing 
close compact heads of flowers, and may be had in 
bloom on plants with one stem a few inches high to 
plants with a dozen stems or more if necessary. The 
one stem system answers as well as the bush style, for 
by good cultivation the single head may be made much 
stronger than on the plant that has to support such a 
number of stems. 
Another advantage is that plants in the smaller state 
may be arranged with better effect amongst others ; 
this remark may at the same time apply to C. fallax 
and C. Ksmpferi, both dwarf-habited species, pro¬ 
ducing large heads of brilliant scarlet flowers, giving a 
splendid effect to a mixed collection of stove plants. A 
rich loam suits their wants, and a moist atmosphere, in 
which they can be pushed along sharp after being 
potted on from the cutting.— W. G. 
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THE GINKGO TREE. 
Much interest is attached to this beautiful tree for 
various reasons. It is popularly known as the Maiden¬ 
hair Tree, from Salisburia adiantifolia, a title given to 
it by Smith—the generic name in honour of R. A. 
Salisbury, a distinguished botanist, and the specific 
name because the leaves bear a strong resemblance to 
the pinnules of Adiantum. The accepted botanical 
name is Gingko biloba, the generic one being the 
original Japanese name. 
Whether we regard the tree as of Chinese or Japanese 
origin, this much is certain—that it is not now to be 
found in a truly wild state, as all the known trees of it 
have been planted by man, to whom it has probably 
owed its existence for a great many years. It was 
introduced to this country from northern China in 
1754, and the wonder is that so comparatively few trees 
are to be found in English gardens at the present day, 
notwithstanding the fact that it is perfectly hardy, in 
the southern counties at least, and thrives remarkably 
well in the neighbourhood of London, attaining a height 
of 40 ft. or 50 ft. in as many years. In China it 
reaches from 60 ft. to 80 ft. in height. 
One of the finest trees of it about London is that at 
Kew, which reaches a height of 60 ft., measured by 
Kay’s Dendrometer. At 4 ft. from the ground its 
girth is 8 ft. 9 ins., and about 1 ft. above this it divides 
into two main limbs, while at 20 ft. from the ground 
it runs up with five perfectly straight leaders. It is a 
most characteristic tree at all times, and not the least 
so in winter, when its curiously spurred branches are 
naked. In this respect it reminds us of the Larch, 
which also belongs to the Conifer family. There is 
another good specimen at Chiswick House, Chiswick, 
57 ft. in height. About three years ago it lost 5 ft. of 
its leader and is just recovering the loss, otherwise it 
would have been much taller. At 4 ft. from the 
ground it girths 6^ ft., with a spread of branches of 
42 ft. A third tree at Highgate, in the nursery of 
Messrs. Cutbush & Son, judging by eyesight is about 
65 ft. high. It is a beautiful, narrowly pyramidal 
tree, with a single stem, straight as an arrow, and 
furnished with short branches to within 6 ft. of the 
ground. It is believed to be very old, and has 
probably been pruned in at the sides to prevent it 
from overshading the shrubs beneath. There is also an 
old tree in the Chelsea Botanic Garden, battling with 
the smoke in that thickly populated locality. 
No seeds apparently have yet been ripened in this 
country, although such happened in France many 
years ago. Propagation is effected by imported seeds, 
by layers, and by cuttings of one-year old wood taken 
off early in spring before growth has commenced. 
These slips or twigs should be firmly inserted in a 
shady border to which a quantity of leaf-soil or peat is 
added. 
Besides the fan-shaped leaves with the veins all 
straight and radiating from the base of the blade, and 
which are singular characteristics for a Conifer, the 
tree, or its primeval representatives, date back to a 
hoary geological antiquity. Leaves are found in the 
Devonian and Carboniferous strata of North America, 
and named Nceggerathia, and believed to be closely 
allied to the Gingko Tree of China. A great number of 
species belonging to the genus Gingko have been found 
in the Mesozoic strata of North America, Temperate 
Europe, Greenland, and Siberia ; so that although the 
Gingko is now believed to exist only as a planted tree, 
in geological ages it inhabited almost the whole of the 
northern hemisphere from America in the west to 
Japan in the east. In the much more recent strata of 
the tertiary period leaves in great abundance and 
excellent preservation have been found embedded in 
white clay at Ardtun, in the Island of Mull. These 
facts should give additional enthusiasm to tree lovers, 
and induce them to extend the cultivation of a beau¬ 
tiful and most remarkable tree in those counties where 
it succeeds.— F. 
-- 
THE JAPANESE HOP. 
Whoever has tried the Japanese Hop (Humulus 
japonicus) for the purpose of covering an arbour or 
trellis-work, must have noted the rapidity with which 
it covered any given space. This feature is one of its 
most valuable characters, and will gain for it admission 
into many a garden throughout the British Islands 
when it comes to be sufficiently well known. As its 
specific name implies, it is a native of Japan, but is 
only of annual duration, whereas our own native 
species, which is often grown for decorative purposes, 
is a perennial. It is of the same climbing or rather 
twining habit, but apparently has more rambling 
Humulus japonicus. 
propensities, and a greater inclination to branch. The 
leaves are in many respects similar to those of the wild 
Hop, but are more deeply cut, with narrow lobes, and 
have a more refined appearance. The best way to 
treat it is as a half-hardy annual, sowing seeds in heat, 
and transplanting them into boxes, or potting them 
off singly soon after they germinate. As soon as the 
weather becomes favourable they should be planted out 
where they may cover arbours, trellis-work, old tree 
stumps, unsightly objects, or as a hedge or screen. 
Seeds germinate as readily as Stocks or Asters. We 
are indebted to Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, 
for an opportunity of illustrating it. 
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PRANOISOEAS. 
A fine race of stove shrubs with fine bright evergreen 
foliage, compact in growth, and extremely useful as 
both decorative and exhibition plants under good 
cultivation. Some of the later introductions bear very 
fine and large mauve-coloured flowers that are ex¬ 
tremely attractive. They require good treatment to 
bring them up into good specimen plants, and are very 
subject to the attacks of all insect pests that are usually 
found in the stove. 
They root freely from cuttings, and should be potted 
along sharp to keep them continually on the move ; 
they will require cutting down several times before the 
framework of a good plant can be obtained. Pot in a 
rich loam and peat, with sharp sand to keep the soil 
well open, and drain the pots well. Syringe freely 
during the growing season, and give a period of rest in 
the winter. The best sorts to grow are F. confertiflora, 
F. magnifica, and F. violacea superba. — W. G. 
-- 
CLOVER AND GRASS SEED. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, in their 
annual Clover and Grass Seed circular, just issued, 
remark that as a result of the failure of the English 
crop, there will be a large demand during the coming 
season for foreign seed, and as the boldest and best 
foreign samples come into the markets early, they 
recommend buyers not to delay purchasing the better 
grades at the moderate rates now ruling. 
“From careful inquiry and personal observation in 
the chief producing counties, we regret to report the 
smallest crop of English Eed Clover and Cowgrass for 
many years, perhaps the smallest on record. Owing 
to the probable scarcity, farmers generally made their 
first crop into hay, and consequently very few fields in 
any district were left for maiden seed. Had the past 
season been favourable for seed saving, a much less 
acreage than usual was available, owing to the long 
drought of 1887, and consequent failure of many leys ; 
still in some districts a considerable quantity of the 
second cut was left for seeding, with the result as 
stated above ; the abnormally cold and wet July and 
August retarded the growth of the plant and prevented 
the development of seed in the autumn. Owing to 
the failure of our home crop of foreign Red Clover, a 
foreign supply of good seed is of the greatest im¬ 
portance, but unfortunately, with few~exceptions, we 
hear of deficient harvests on the Continent. Germany 
is a heavy buyer for its own consumption. France 
will be able to export some fine bold seeds from 
her northern districts, and a good quantity of small- 
grained and particularly weedy parcels from the 
Central and Southern Provinces, The large-grained 
Normandy and Brittany seeds will, when machine- 
cleaned (and they should never be used without), 
approach more nearly than any others in appearance 
and character to our home-grown seeds. It is to the 
United States we shall have to look for our chief and 
best supply this season, and fortunately some of the 
States have already been able to send us some clean 
and well-ripened lots. Our latest reports, however, 
state that the later-saved seeds have been much 
damaged by rains, and that the early-saved and finer 
samples are being rapidly taken off their markets. 
Taking all our reports into consideration, we expect 
high prices will prevail, especially as compared with 
the past three or four seasons. The English crop of 
White Clover is a failure, and the German crop much 
under the average. As soon as the probable shortness 
of the harvest was foreseen, a rapid advance took place 
in the value of held-over seed, and from this country 
some large shipments were made to Germany. From 
the prices current last year (almost the lowest on 
record), this article has now exceeded the average, and 
should the usual demand take place these prices will 
doubtless be maintained. 
“Alsike:—A shorter crop than for many years. 
We shall have to depend almost entirely upon yearling 
seed, and these parcels have commanded a great 
advance in value. Trefoil :—A very small crop of poor 
quality in England, and a small one on the Continent. 
This article will be dear throughout the season. Fine 
yearling parcels command higher prices than for many 
years. Lucerne:—A much under-average crop of 
medium quality. Sainfoin :—A large crop both in 
France and Germany, and a medium one in England. 
Italian Rye Grass:—The French crop is reported 
under average, and very few really fine parcels have 
been offered ; these command full prices. The Irish 
crop is not large, and the cleanest samples sell readily. 
Perennial Rye Grasses : —The crop is a medium one of 
much inferior quality to last year’s, the average natural 
weight per bushel being about 4 lbs. less, and the 
colour dark. Heavy weight seeds are scarce, and have 
consequently advanced in price. Natural Grasses as 
usual vary considerably. Timothy is very plentiful 
and of fair average quality. Cocksfoot is also very 
plentiful, of excellent quality and strong percentage of 
growth. Meadow Fescue is rather below the average 
yield, and Tall Fescue plentiful. True Sheep’s Fescue, 
Poa trivialis and Poa nemoralis are also scarce, but 
there is a good crop of Poa pratensis.” 
