THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 18 , 1899 . 
39 
Potato Hybridising.—i, Woodstock Kidney was 
first grafted upon the Tomato Earliest of All. The 
Potato flowers were pollinated by Tomato. The 
seed produced Potato plants with small and subse¬ 
quently diseased tubers. They were quite round. 
The foliage resembled that of many other Potatos. 
2, With a similar graft, the flowers were self-ferti¬ 
lised. The resulting produce resembled Woodstock 
Kidney. 
Solanum Maglia hybrids — Some hundreds of 
flowers were pollinated from Potato flowers. Two 
seedlings only were obtained; one perished, the 
other produced a small tuber, which improved subse¬ 
quently, but was much inferior to commercial 
ft)tatos. 
Solanum etuberosum.--The tubers received in 
1887 were very small, but have now attained a 
marketable size. 
Curious varieties of Potatos—Mr. Sutton also 
exhibited three kinds of Fir-Apple Potatos. These are 
interesting as taking the form of rhizomes with pro¬ 
jecting points under the eyes, giving a scale-like 
appearance. One kind has several branches. These 
Potatos bear flowers, but produce no berries, the 
foliage resembling that of ordinary Potatos. 
Another variety, received from Africa, was mottled 
in colour, and resembled the Fir-Apple Potato. The 
foliage is exceedingly dark coloured, and resembles 
that of the Stinging Nettle. 
Tomatos raised from grafts on Potatos — 
Victoria grafted with Tomato Maincrop. In two 
years seedlings bore fruit, but very distinct from 
Maincrop, the leaves being decidedly smaller, the 
fruit more numerous, but smaller and earlier, also 
more corrugated. These differences became more 
pronounced in the following year. A unanimous 
vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Sutton for his 
interesting and valuable paper: 
Hollyhock Disease.—Leaves attacked by 
Puccinia malvacearum were received from Mr. H. 
E. Molyneux ; the mildew which has proved fatal 
to these plants for many years. 
Cyclamen fasciated.—Dr. Masters exhibited 
specimens of this not unusual phenomenon of 
several flowers with leaves on the same stem. 
Eucalyptus sp.—He also showed flowering 
specimen of E. cordatus, growing in the open in 
County Down ; and of E. globulus, grown for forty 
years in Leicestershire. Prof. Balfour observed that 
on the coast of Ross-shire several plants character¬ 
istic of the Riviera thrive well there, in consequence 
of the amelioration of the climate by the proximity 
of the Gulf Stream. 
Cypripedium.—Dr. Masters also exhibited a 
blossom of a Cypripedium, in which the two nor¬ 
mally coherent sepals were free. 
Additions to the Library.—"Silva of North 
America," by G. S. Sargent, vol. xii., Coniferae; 
"Orchids of Sikkim-Himalaya,” by G. King and R. 
Pantling, parts 1—4 ; “ Bush Fruits of America," 
by F. W. Card ; " Sketch of the Evolution of Our 
Native Fruits ” (America), by L. H. Bailey; 
" Fertilisers," by E. B. Voorhers ; and “ Nouvelles 
Archives du Museum," Tome Dixieme. 
NOTICE OF BOOK. 
One and All Gardening, 1899. — A Popular 
Manual for Amateurs, Allotment Holders, and 
Working Gardeners, price 2d. ; edited by Mr. 
Edward Owen Greening: Issued by the Agri¬ 
cultural and Horticultural Association Ltd., 3, 
Agar Street, Strand, W.C. 
This is the fourth number of this interesting and 
useful manual, than which the gospel of gardening 
has no more eloquent and successful apostle. For 
the ridiculous price of twopence the amateur may 
obtain a friend and counsellor on matters horticultural 
that will help him over many a knotty question, and 
tide him over many a difficulty. The manual runs 
to 185 pages of gardening literature, and different 
phases of flower and vegetable culture are described 
and reliable advice given. The illustrations are very 
numerous, and add not a little to the charm of the 
book. In a preface written by the Editor, and en¬ 
titled " Come into the Garden," the recreative value 
of gardening is discussed, and a strong appeal is 
made to lovers of Nature and of the beautiful. 
The "Appreciations of Gardening," which have 
been obtained from a number of men and women 
who have very largely helped to make literary and 
social history during the last decades of this century, 
are a most interesting feature, and the more so that 
a portrait of most of those testifying is given. 
Amongst them are Mrs. H. Garrett Fawcett, Thomas 
Sidney Cooper,R A..George Alexander, H. J. Palmer, 
Mrs. Margaret L. Woods, the Very Rev. G. G. Bradley, 
D.D., LL.D., Charles Booth, Miss M. E. Braddon, 
C. Hamilton Aide, Lionel Brough, Professor Boul- 
ger, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., H. Rider 
Haggard, Geo. Manville Fenn, Ian MacLaren (Dr. 
John Watson), and the Rev. Canon Barnett. This 
is, to say the least of it, a very representative 
gathering of the literary, theological, aDd theatrical 
talent. 
Coming to articles on the practical side of garden¬ 
ing there is a very useful monthly calendar of opera¬ 
tions, by Mr. D. T. Fish. There is a very interesting 
article by Mr. G. P. Eggett, upon " Rock-work 
and Ferneries," in which the writer gives a 
capital description of how to make rockeries and 
plants to put in them. " The Advance in Vege¬ 
tables," by Mr. John Wright, V.M.H., will find many 
interested readers, whilst an article from Mr. T. W. 
Saunders, upon "The Indoor Garden," draws atten¬ 
tion to one of the most popular phases of gardening. 
Altogether, " One and All Gardening for 1899 ” is 
a book to read and to enjoy, while it is practical 
enough to give very real assistance to the worker. 
-- 
NOTES FROM HAMILTON. 
For the last fortnight we have been having quite the 
converse of the weather previously experienced. A 
sudden change of the wind from west to east on the 
evening of the 22nd ult., brought on a rather sharp 
frost which has lasted until now with more, or less 
severity. On several occasions the spirit receded to 
12 0 Fahr. thus indicating 20" of frost. The change 
was a welcome one from more than one point of view. 
Farmers and gardeners got little or no manure 
carried on the land on account of the deplorable 
state of the soil with the abnormal wet which 
prevailed during the usual season for advancing such 
work. Then of course people felt a desire to get 
about without the aid of that serviceable article— 
the umbrella, and the lovers of the roaring game 
hailed the change as a very intervention all for them¬ 
selves. Altogether the change is approved of here 
by most people, and if the present state of things 
does not last too long matters will be all right, for the 
weather grumblers are far tco busy to have time for 
fault finding. 
Notwithstanding the disparity of temperature, 
indoor departments are looking remarkably well and 
(orward. Early Peach houses and vineries are fast 
putting on their vernal vestments, a fact which can 
scarcely evade us in forcibly impressing on our 
minds that yet another year is added to our number. 
Early forcing is always retarded by frosty weather, 
therefore as far as this is concerned we think milder 
weather will not be unacceptable when it comes. 
The first monthly meeting of the Hamilton and Dis¬ 
trict H. & F. A. was held on the evening of 3rd inst., 
the president,Rev. Mr. Paterson, presiding, when Mr. 
Dewar, curator, Botanical Gardens, Glasgow, read a 
most instructive paper on the more advantageous 
course which ought to be pursued by the average 
young gardener. He instanced numerous cases 
where sheer hard work and incessant plodding had 
carried gardeners to positions of eminence and 
celebrity. He pointed out very forcibly that without 
these qualities in the possession of the young 
gardener be in vain may look for any high position, 
for it is only by hard study anything of intrinsic 
value is to be attained. Mr. Dewar was accorded a 
cordial vote of thanks. 
The celebrated Carnation grower, Mr. Campbell, 
Blantyre, is to give a paper at the next meeting on 
the "Carnation." Mr. Campbell's success incar¬ 
nation culture will make this paper of the utmost 
importance for the Association as well as an invalu¬ 
able contribution to horticulture. There are now 
over 60 members enrolled, and we understand that 
Sir John Watson, Bart., of Earnock, has signified his 
willingness to become hon. president. 
This part of the country may very appropriately 
be termed the Black country of Scotland, and the 
thought has often occurred to us, when noting the 
effects of the smoke-laden atmosphere and the endemic 
Clydesdale fog, that straDge and most interesting 
chemical combinations must necessarily take place 
in the air under such conditions. There can be 
little doubt of the formation of sulphuric acid, but we 
think it probable that as soon as formed it must 
combine with some other material, perhaps ammonia, 
to form the sulphate. It is very probable that the 
injurious effects of such conditions as surround us 
here, caused on vegetation—trees in an especial 
manner—are due more to hydrogen compounds, 
rather than to those of oxygen. We believe the 
most destructive agent in such an atmosphere is the 
superabundance of sulphuretted hydrogen which 
must necessarily float in the air. 
After a recent dense fog, which enveloped the 
country for three days, cleared away, an oily deposit 
of finely divided carbon, covered the foliage of every 
plant, giving vegetation the appearance of being gone 
over with a water pot and petroleum. Rain, how¬ 
ever, soon washed it off. From the greasy feel of the 
mixture we were inclined to think it to be composed 
of carbon and persulphide of hydrogen. The chemist 
would do worse than take periodic samples of air 
such as ours. He might find something to make him 
famous.— Gamma. 
Hardening ||iscellany. 
APPLE SEATON HOUSE. 
Cultivators are not debarred from planting Apples 
for lack of kinds to select from, nor from being able 
to chose suitable kinds for any locality. The kind 
above named should be known by all who want a 
really good kitchen Apple. It has so many good 
qualities that it stands in the fore rank. Some years 
ago, when I called on Mr. Temple, at Impney 
Hall, Worcestershire (now at Carron House), he then 
spoke very highly of it, and I have done so through 
your pages. From this I was induced to plant it. 
Although we grow a large number of kinds, I 
consider this one of our best. It has the best 
cropping powers ; is a good grower ; and keeps well. 
It is also of gcod size, and when kept for a time is a 
nice colour. Last year I had a tree with an immense 
crop on it; accordingly I thinned them early and 
sold them in August. The remainder swelled to a 
good size; these were gathered and placed in the 
fruit room, and now, February nth, we have good 
fruit — J. C., Chard. 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. —February 14th. 
The meeting in the Drill Hall, on Tuesday last, was 
the finest that has been held since last autumn. 
Orchids were in very strong force, and so were Ferns, 
Begonias, Chinese Primulas, Tulips, Cyclamen, 
Camellias, Daffodils, &c. 
Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Ltd., KiDg’s Road, 
Chelsea, exhibited a fine group of Orchids, very con¬ 
spicuous being Dendrobium dulce, D. Euosmum 
virginale, Dendrobium splendidissimum, D. ward- 
iano japonicum, D. Dominii, D endocharis, and other 
hybrids. They also had Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, 
Epidendrums, Cypripediums, Phalaenopsis, and 
others in considerable variety. (Silver Flora Medal.) 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H. 
White), Burford Lodge, Dorking, had a very large 
and the most interesting group of Orchids at the 
meeting. A very singular thing was Catasetum dis¬ 
color. Very pretty were such Masdevallias as M. 
hincksiana, M. courtauldiana, M. irrorata, M. i. 
schroderiana var., and M. polysticta. Rare things 
were Epidendrum paniculatum, and Diurus macula- 
tus. Magnificent hybrids were Cypripedium Law- 
rebel, C. concolawre, C. Calypso Oak wood var., C. 
lathamianum, and others. All were clean, healthy, 
and vigorous specimens. (Silver Gilt Flora Medal.) 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, 
London, N., set up a very extensive group consisting 
of Orchids, Palms, Ferns, Crotons, &c. Amongst the 
Orchids conspicuous were Pbaius Cooksoni, Dendro¬ 
bium wardianum, Oncidium lamelligerum, Coelogyne 
cristata, Cypripedium nitens, and a great many 
others of the latter genus. (Silver Banksian Medal.) 
O. H. Feiling, Esq., Southgate House, Southgate, 
exhibited a group of Orchids consisting of Cypri¬ 
pediums, Dendrobiums and Odontoglossums, set up 
with Palms and Ferns. (Bronze Banksian Medal.) 
