August 15th, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
791 
the damp shady ravines of the Andes, which fact 
probably has given rise to its prefering such a position. 
As the Tooting specimen was fully 12 ft. across each 
way, it may safely be assumed that a damp position is 
not absolutely necessary. 
Gypsophila ceeastioides. —For a compact habited 
plant smothered with large white flowers and growing 
about 6 ins. high, this is most charming ; it is a com¬ 
paratively new species, quite hardy, and easily grown. 
It is readily increased by division, and being of free 
growth makes an excellent rock or border plant. 
Gypsophila paniculata. —This is probably the most 
elegant of hardy-flowering perennials ; a few sprays of 
it in any floral arrangement is always productive of 
good effect, its lightness and general elegance of form 
being unique. As a border plant it receives due 
appreciation, and when more generally known among 
bouquetists it will no doubt be largely grown for that 
purpose. It grows about 2 ft. high, forming a sym¬ 
metrical, almost impenetrable bush of small white 
flowers. It is easily increased by division and seeds. 
Gynerium argenteum, “ Pampas Grass.”— This is 
so often seen, and so generally well known, as to need 
no description or instructions as to its adaptability. 
Those who have had to deal with large plants of 
it, however, will remember to what extent hard winters 
disfigure it; this is caused from rot, principally by the 
snow settling in the crown. To remedy this evil they 
should, after a drying day in autumn, be tied up into 
a bundle or pyramid, which will protect the heart and 
also throw off snow and rain; when frosts are not 
longer expected they may be loosened out again, and 
fine specimens, so attractive in late summer with their 
elegant plumes, may thus be saved. 
Habpalium rigidum.— This is one of the showiest 
of autumn-flowering composites, growing from 3 ft. to 
4 ft. high, and producing quantities of large flowers 
of a bright golden-yellow, rendered the more con¬ 
spicuous by the black disc in the centre. This plant 
is often a little troublesome on account of its rambling 
rhizomes, often appearing at distances of from 2 ft. to 
4 ft. from where the original was planted, but as these 
are large, the evil, if evil it be, is easily remedied. It 
is indispensable in shrubberies and as a back-row 
border plant, and when once planted it will take care 
of itself.— J. 
- 0-^^T~OCT -- — 0 - 
L^ELIOPSIS DOMINGENSIS. 
This is a dwarf evergreen species with short pseudo¬ 
bulbs, of a light green colour, and with leaves also of 
a light green colour, 4 ins. in length. The scapes 
bearing the flowers proceed from the top of the 
pseudo-bulbs, between the two leaves by which they 
are surmounted, and are of a drooping branching 
character, bearing many very pleasing blossoms. 
The sepals and petals are of a light rose colour, 
the lip a brighter rose, striped with still darker 
veins, and the throat is yellow. It blooms during 
April and May, and lasts several weeks in a good con¬ 
dition. The plants come from St. Domingo, whence 
it takes its name. 
This species will do either in a basket or on a block. 
If cultivated on a block or raft it requires more water, 
indeed, it must be watered daily in the summer 
months, when in vigorous growth. If grown in a 
basket it requires good drainage, with charcoal, and a 
small quantity of sphagnum or rough peat; moreover, 
it should be put into a small basket and hung up near 
the light, though a little sunshine will not do it harm, 
provided its scorching rays are kept from it. It 
requires to make a good free growth, and to secure 
this must have close attention during the active period 
of its life. We have found it to succeed when this 
care and attention have been given, but, otherwise, it 
has been a failure. When a suitable mode of treat¬ 
ment has been found it is best to keep to it, and the 
same may be said as regards the part of the house in 
which it is placed, for many Orchids will succeed in 
one part of a house, and not in another. We find, by 
experience, that if a plant is moved from a part of the 
house which it likes, or, in other words, a part which 
suits it, that plant will go back. The same thing 
applies to a great many other plants as well as to 
Orchids. Experience and close observation are a 
great help in successful plant-culture, and to find the 
best situation for the individual species is a most 
important thing. Though we have had long experience 
in plant-culture, yet this latter is never learnt; there 
is always something to be found out respecting plant 
life. Cultivators too often think, that if they succeed 
with certain plants, they know everything, but it is a 
mistaken idea ; the limit of our knowledge is never 
reached, and we think it adds much to the pleasure to 
be derived from plant-growing that we have continually 
some new experience to acquire. Therefore, we repeat, 
in looking after our pets, if it is found that a plant 
does not succeed in one part of a house, try it in 
different parts, or different positions, until it does do 
well. As regards this Lafiiopsis, we have always found 
it thrive well in the Cattleya-house. It must be quite 
free from insects, and must not be cut about for pro¬ 
pagating purposes, as it is one of those plants that 
does not like being disturbed. The material about its 
roots must be kept sweet, so that the roots may work 
about in it freely.— B. S. Williams, in The Orchid 
Album. 
- g__. — 
THE PINE APPLE NURSERY. 
Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son’s fine ornamental 
conservatory, which is a lofty structure over 100 ft. in 
length, and about 80 ft. in width, is well worth being 
considered as among sights which all visitors to London 
nurseries should see. The plan of arrangement there 
carried out is very effective, as the whole of the plants, 
with the exception of those on a narrow staging on 
one side and the front, are grouped in well-arranged 
clumps on the hard smooth gravel which forms the 
bottom, and which, as each different arrangement 
alters, the shapes and positions of the groups form 
the walks in whatever parts they may happen to fall, 
and which by being occasionally sprinkled over with 
red sand are always bright and clean. 
Here we may see the stately Seaforthia, Kentia, 
Dicksonia, or other noble Palm or Fern, rising to a 
height of from 12 ft. to 20 ft., and forming beautiful 
centres for groups of other feathery Palms, Ferns, 
Bamboos, &c. Here, too, we may see in the pretty 
fountain in the centre and in the ornamental water 
at the end, picturesque groups of aquatic and marsh 
plants, among which many of the rare water Lilies 
are generally flowering, and the beautiful white 
Aponogeton distachyon seems to be always in bloom. 
But perhaps the most interesting and striking feature 
in the whole place is the massive rockery, of which we 
give an illustration, onp. 793, which presents the subject 
so well before the eye as to render description almost 
unnecessary ; suffice it to say that a most interesting 
and varied collection of Ferns and other good plants 
are to be found growing luxuriantly in it, among which 
lovers of good things may spend an hour or two 
pleasantly, and make a good selection of plants to fill 
like positions in their own gardens. 
-- T—■ - 
SLUGS, AND HOW TO TRAP 
THEM. 
We are now having some good rains, and shortly 
we shall have these molluscs visiting us, and select¬ 
ing our choicest flowers and plants to furnish them 
with dainty morsels. Many years ago I discovered by 
accident a capital trap for them. I was engaged on a 
certain estate near Bristol, and “ lived in the house ” 
during the time I was there. After supper one sum¬ 
mer evening I took a jug of beer into the garden “ to 
wet my pipe,” and this jug I set on a heap of stones 
and roots which had sundry plants growing among 
them, while I took a stroll into the neighbouring 
village for a short time. When I returned I beheld a 
sight which was new to me, and made a valuable 
discovery. Outside and inside of my jug was alive 
with these pests. I did not drink that beer, but the 
slugs did, and as they showed the effects of imbibing, 
they were, like many other tipplers, treated with 
slight courtesy. They were not thrown into the 
street, but into a saucer of salt, where they soon fell 
into the sleep of death. 
Our teetotal friends may learn from this that there 
is at least one good use to which beer may be put. 
The plan I have found to almost clear my small 
garden is to obtain a quart or two of fresh brewers’ 
grains and lay about a tablespoonful in various 
places, covering them over with a piece of slate or 
tile, but not allowing the slate to quite touch the 
grains. This cover over them forms a capital trap. 
Go round early in the morning with a saucer or 
basin in hand containing some salt, have a piece of 
stick made smooth so as to carefully lift them into the 
vessel, where they will soon die. At intervals of two 
or three days lay fresh grain traps, and also go round 
a little before dusk with a saltcellar in hand, and if 
one is seen on his travels, drop a good pinch on him, 
and he also will soon go the way of all mollusc life 
and trouble you no more. Try the same plan in the 
morning, and with perseverance you will soon rid your 
garden of these persistent enemies.— N. J. D. 
- g—’ ■'I > «0» €T - .—0 - 
NEW GARDENING PATENTS. 
{Compiled by Messrs. Luhnan & Co., Patent Agents, 
8, Essex Street, Strand, London, W.C .] 
1,127. Portable Hand Pumps (S. B. Wilkins, Edin¬ 
burgh).—Relates to portable hand pumps for extin¬ 
guishing fires or for gardening or for other purposes. 
The pump is screwed on to the bottom of a pail, and 
the piston is actuated by a disc-crank and connecting- 
rod above. The bracket which carries the bearing 
for the crank-shaft is fixed to the top of the pail. 
2,361. Sharpening Knifes of Reaping and Mowing 
Machines (R. H. C. Nevile and E. Whitworth, both in 
Lincolnshire).—Relates to a grinding or sharpening 
arrangement attached to the machine, and receiving 
motion from the driving-wheel of the machine. The 
grinding discs, operated through suitable gearing, are 
mounted upon a traversing carriage. The knife- 
holder is fitted on the under side with a rack into 
which meshes a pinion receiving intermittent motion 
through wheels, and worm gear from the shaft. This 
intermittent motion is obtained by forming the wheel 
with a considerable delay space to allow sufficient 
time for a section of the knife to be sharpened before 
the knife-holder is shifted by the rack and pinion. 
The traversing carriage is operated by a crank and 
connecting-rod, which receive their motion through 
the worm gear. 
16,685. Spade (J. Lee, Hampstead Heath).—The 
socket is made in three parts, having three solid 
rivets cast on it, which fit corresponding holes in the 
blade. The upper parts of the two portions of the 
sockets are hollowed for the handle, and are secured 
by rivetting. 
6,005. Garden Frames and Lights (C. E. Shea, Kent). 
—The sash is hinged to bars, which, at their opposite 
ends, are hinged to the frame. To allow the sash to 
completely fit, the bars are recessed in the frame, or the 
bars may be on the outside at the ends of the frame. 
The sash when raised may be supported by rods 
jointed to it at the corners, the ends resting on notched 
bars, or by bars pivoted at the sides of the frame, a 
pin being put then into a hole in the centre of the 
sash. 
6,314. Rabbit-hutch (G. F. Morant, Dulverton). 
—The bottom consists of a rectangular iron frame 
covered with galvanized iron net-work. The sides 
and ends consist of separate frames secured to the 
bottom by screws and bolted to one another. Half 
the front frame is covered with network, and all the 
remainder is boarded. The sloping roof is composed 
of a wooden frame covered with galvanized iron, and is 
hinged at the top. Near one end of the hutch a 
vertical sliding-board with a passage hole in it forms 
a partition for a nest. At the other end is a trough 
and a hay rack of galvanized iron wire, and handles 
are provided to render the hutch portable. 
- g—. ■ ~T~ 'O C7 i -- '— o — 
The Gale on August 10th.—I read in to-day’s 
papers that a telegram was placed in the hands of the 
ex-Premier on Saturday, before embarking in Sir 
Thomas Brassey’s yacht, The Sunbeam, announcing 
that there would be a storm in the German Ocean on 
Monday, and I suppose it is this same storm which 
we are experiencing now. Be that as it may, however, 
I have never before seen the Peas, Scarlet Runner 
Beans, and Dahlias so much battered and bruised so 
early in the season. Chrysanthemums standing by 
the sides of the walks were blown over in all directions, 
and those which stood it. out are the worst damaged 
of all, the tops being blown off and the leaves so much 
damaged as to render them useless. This gale has 
taught me a lesson, and in future on a storm approach¬ 
ing I shall lay the plants on their sides until it has 
blown over. The hint may, perhaps, be useful to others 
whose gardens are, like ours, at a high and exposed 
elevation.— B. L., Bindley, Huddersfield, 
